Well, the doctor doesn't know what's with my hand, but gave me all kinds of tests (the non-high tech kind--"make a fist," "raise your arm," etc.) and she thinks it's nothing to worry about. As for the bloodwork, my cholesterol is still up and she's sending me for a newly-developed test called a Coronary CT Angiography. She said the doctor associated with it (he may have invented it), Dr. Dowe, addresses medical groups all over the globe. When I made the appointment (for next Thursday), I found I'll be a research participant, so this won't be charged to my health insurance. My ever-vigilant suspicion gauge went into alert mode with that, but I was assured I won't be a guinea pig. However, because I'm "research," Dr. Dowe himself has to be there--otherwise, a technician does it. I'll take a pill to slow down my heart rate first (geez!), then be injected with something or other (oh, good grief!) so my heart arteries will light up or show up or something. This will tell if I have plaque and if so, my doctor will prescribe medication; if not, I go on my merry way. (Talked to Betty and she never heard of the procedure--Pat, what about you?)
Good friend Dennis came over and changed our heater filter, fixed the phone in the garage, and did some other chores Pat can no longer do. What a gem! His Leslie and I will shortly attend a planning meeting for Eyes Wide Open, a project to display boots representing the number of people killed in the Iraqi war. There's also a "tax day" peace vigil in Northfield on April 15 and a vigil in Toms River on the 21st.
I looked at the web site for the Boston Marathon and got Alison and Mike's registration numbers. It's on April 16 and 22,500 are running. When Alison called last night, she said she had put us on to get periodic e-mail messages listing where they are in the race.
Jack B. stopped in to tell us about his visit to my brother Larry's in Miami. As Larry said, they had a low-key, but good time. Talked to California brother, Frank, too, so all the Byrne sibs (including Jack B.--he's an honorary sib) were covered except Jim and I'll get to him soon.
Hey, Pat, guess what? I joined the Mencken Society!

Uh...oh. Dee asked how I was doing with Weight Watchers and I'm compelled to tell the truth--I'm not. I stopped going, my eating is out of control, and my weight ain't goin' nowhere but up.
Okay, catharsis is good for the soul and I feel better. On to the thrilling saga of yesterday:
I went to Macy's and bought two blouses to wear one on top of the other to the retirement party on the 20th. It's just incredible how expensive Macy's is, but hey, they have nice clothes.
Called brother Frank in California and had a nice chat. He and Marybeth are going out with some 80+-year-old friends on Easter.
Sent an e-mail to Rider University, my alma mater and former place of employment, offering to donate the framed memorabilia I used to have on the wall in my office. (Rider was founded in 1865 in Trenton, NJ.) Offer was accepted and I'll bring them up when I go to a retirement party on the 20th.
My successor at Rider is leaving, so the job from which I retired--manager of employment--is open. If anyone wants to see it, go to
http://www.rider.edu/ and click on "faculty and staff," then "Human Resources," then "employment opportunities," then "search postings," then "search," and see the second listing down, "manager, employment." It's pretty accurate, aside from omitting the frustrations and stress, but that's true of any job.
Have a doctor's appointment today to discuss my bloodwork and the slight numbness/tingling in my left pinky to my wrist (not my whole arm).

It was raining lightly in the morning, so Susan and I did the "Walk Away the Pounds" tape at the clubhouse. Later, it came down in sheets and I spent most of the day cozily at home. Did several loads of wash (how can two people generate so much--are we particularly clean?), got the preliminary work on the income tax done, and generally devoted the day to domestic chores.
Brother Larry called to ask if I were going to our niece, Chrissy's, wedding in May. I'm planning to if I can arrange things at home. It's in Washington, D.C. with the reception at the historic Mayflower Hotel. Would love to stay there, but Larry said rooms run about $400--gulp! He suggested another place and will look into it. I'm hoping Betty can go, and we can stay in the same room, but with all she has going on--a new little grandson and possible surgery--she may or may not be able to.
Talked to Betty and discussed the pathology report--there's more information on her blog. I told her I had picked up a local restaurant magazine and it had a piece on a guy who collects Zaberer's (the former A.C. landmark) memorabilia and has even "bought" the name. I think he's planning to resurrect it to open a new restaurant; sent Betty the mag. Betty said Z. himself is buried near our family plots in Laurel Memorial; his tombstone carries the restaurant's old slogan, "Minutes Away." (See why I love cemeteries?)

Quiet, but productive, day yesterday. I succeeded in sorting my two boxes of Halloween stuff and winnowing it down to one. Will donate the rest. Also emptied the last two of the (large!) containers with old pictures and am at the stage of tossing the envelopes they were in. It will take an age to separate and categorize them, but I've at least finally gotten to all of them.
Now I have to turn my attention to income tax. We've used the same CPA for 20 years, but he's up in Hopewell and that's about an hour and a half drive. I might do what I did last year: Ask him to get an extension (you can get one for any reason), then put all the info in an envelope and mail it to him. Last year, that's what he said I could do (Pat was in the hospital then) and it worked out fine, although I didn't get around to it until July or so and I really don't want to do it so late. I could also just get somebody around here, or go to the Senior Center where they have volunteers (I didn't work in 2006 and it probably isn't complicated), but for some reason, I never do that. Oh, I almost forgot! Ellen did hers on Turbo Tax and she's sending me the program to see if I can do it myself. Okay, problem solved, I'll just wait for that.
Viv and I in touch by e-mail. Besides the Wellspouse dinner meeting next week (it's in Manalapan--there, I remembered! Well, I checked), we're going to an all-day Caregivers' Workshop in May at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick. I'm also attending the Atlanticare Caregivers' Group this Monday.
The reason I like to go to these things isn't so much because I think I'll learn something useful--for Pat's conditions, I never do--but because I just like getting out and meeting people. That's the truth and I don't care who knows it.

BINGO--I found Sister Gabriel!
It took only about 10 minutes: I called Notre Dame, where the secretary didn't have a clue, but suggested I call Mount St. Mary in Watchung, the Mercy headquarters (Mother House?). I did, and was directed to an archivist nun. When I identified myself with my name and having graduated from HSHS in '54, she said she was an HSHS grad of '53! It was Sr. Elizabeth (Betty) O'Hara, whom I remember slightly; she's from Star of the Sea parish. We had a great time chatting--it seems she attends the class of '53's annual get-together in Frank Marandino's backyard. Frank M. was a good friend of my brother, Frank's, when they went to St. James. Sister is still very friendly with Margie Costello and Nancy Keebler. Members of her large family went to HSHS with all the McGurks, too, and I think one of them married a McGurk.
Anyway, Sr. Gabriel is a "Mercy Associate" which is why, I guess, they still have her information. Sr. O'Hara e-mailed me her name, address, and I'll forward it to you three grads I think are reading this.
(It's interesting how the mind works: I mentioned that I thought Sr. Gabriel's birth name was something like "Throckmorton"--it's actually "Thornton," almost a contraction of "Throckmorton.")
Had dinner with Viv last night at Calloway's and had a great time. In case anybody forgot, Viv is my Wellspouse friend whose husband has very aggressive MS and can move only one arm. He's writing a book (has an editor and everything) about this horrid experience.
Viv applied for a new job at Pinelands Regional H.S. right here in Little Egg (that's where we donated the scholarship and I borrowed the A.V. equipment). Hope she gets it, as she'd then be off when school is. She asked me to go with her to the Wellspouse dinner meeting in North Jersey next Tuesday, which I will. (Okay, senior moment--oh, I hate that stupid cliche--I forgot exactly where, but it's about an hour away.)
I called Muckie about finding Sr. Gabriel and had a good talk. She remembers Betty O'Hara well, and is also friendly with Margie C. and Nancy K. (maiden names).
Stand by to get Sr. Gabriel's address! (Well, if you read your e-mail before turning to my blog, you already did.)

Our visit with Bill and Regina was delightful. We got there about 2:00 and they served a great dinner of ham, fresh asparagus, hot rolls, and other veggies at 3:00. Because we hadn't had lunch, I was starved and, as the French say, "Appetite is the best sauce," meaning food tastes best when you're hungry--duh! Of course, our talking, laughing, and reminiscing was even more enjoyable. Gee, it's funny: The conversation seemed to keep coming back to doctors' visits, medications, and aches and pains, just as if we were old people. Odd.
B. and R. don't go out a lot and Regina worries about Bill's driving, but I'm hoping we can have them over. I told them I'd be glad to pick them up--or maybe I'll invite Pat's niece, Donna, too. She had offered to go get them before and she's about 20 minutes closer than we are.
Note to HSHS alums: Bill and Regina graduated from our alma mater and, in the seventies, R. was school nurse there for several years.

BIG news: yesterday, I went out and bought clothes! I got a slinky black and white dressy outfit--long skirt, low-cut (for me, that is) top, and over that, a great "coat"--that I'll wear to niece Chrissy's wedding in May. Was considering wearing it to the retirement party for a former Rider colleague I'm attending in a few weeks, but it's too dressy, so I'll get something else. Also bought two bright, pretty spring blouses, one in green stripes, one in pink. AND, I found "leggings," which are like close-fitting pants. Leslie and I both like these and they're been hard to find lately. For my figure--the "apple" type, with slender legs and hips, tubby middle--leggings are flattering. (Got the stuff at Boscov's in Shore Mall--did it exist when you A.C. girls were raising hell around here?)
I called my friend at Notre Dame High School in trying to track down our high school teacher, formerly Sister Gabriel. She had no clue, of course, but suggested I call the school office, then the diocese, which I'll do. Otherwise, I'll call the order itself. My friend said there's only one nun left at Notre Dame; even the principal and other administrators are laypeople. Guess that's a sign of the times.
Talked to Betty, who was leaving for the weekend to go to...well, it's in her blog. She sees the surgeon next week; hope things can move along after that.
Looking forward to seeing Bill and Regina today and will pick up a bunch of daffodils to take them. Love flowers; love spring.