Monday, Nov. 4, came and was very busy for Danielle, Zoey and me.

Danielle took family leave from work so we could get all her dad’s affairs in order.

Our first stop was the bank to get some checks and pay some bills. Then Zoey had a doctor’s appointment.

Next Danielle and I had lunch at the 99 Diner and Zoey also ate. There our waitress was Laura Fruch, who grew up across the road from Danielle. We had a nice visit and got caught up with the happenings in our lives.

Danielle and I then went shopping, of course, Zoey went with us. I bought Danielle a winter jacket as tomorrow, Nov. 5, is her birthday.

Tuesday, Nov. 5, was one of those days you never forget. It was Election Day. I had to be at the ambulance building at 5:30 a.m. to open the polls at 6 a.m. The day didn’t end until almost 10 p.m.

Most of the people who come to vote are our neighbors but we do meet new residents of the Hill. I needed Kleenex for those who still know I’m grieving. There’s always some cheesy news.

The other three women and I working the polls get a chance to reconnect as well. It’s a bonding for one whole day. We do get to eat two meals together. We share some laughs and the people who come to vote are friendly. I hope everyone was satisfied with Tuesday’s results. We all had a part in making it happen.

On Wednesday, I went to Danielle’s house and celebrated her birthday with her and Zoey. I gave her some utensils with roosters on them.

Thursday came and I went to the hair salon and got my hair cut and permed. Then I felt cold but I think the weather changed drastically to the cold side. I did look beautiful!

That evening Danielle, Zoey, Matt Babcock, Miles and Melissa Pangburn, Kassi Neal and Jared Martin, Kathy Neal, Marcia Pangburn and Kyra Swan, Jenn Smith and Iain Bullis and I met at the Maple Inn to have dinner and celebrate Daniel’s birthday.

My daughter, Kathy, came over early Friday and we left to go shopping. We enjoyed lunch out and she bought the ingredients for a Puerto Rican dish she wanted to make on Sunday.

Then I’m not sure what happened. Friday night I had such pain in my right leg that I couldn’t lift it up on my bed. I called Kathy on Saturday and took me to the emergency room.

I had an ultra sound to check for blood clots and then x rays. The diagnosis was pulled muscles. I went home with pain pills and relaxers. I was so relieved that it wasn’t anything serious or requiring surgery. Yes, I hurt but I will heal.

I figure I got it from trying to keep up with Reba, the 10-month old Doberman puppy that was Dan’s. She’s young and sometimes I tug her around. She’ll get old someday.

On Sunday, I didn’t go to church. I was still hurting. Kassi came and had breakfast with me and I felt pretty good. I rode over to her house where I watched Jared, Miles, Brandon and Matt move her refrigerator, washer, dryer and table and chairs in. Kassi, Melissa, Jennifer, Danielle and I watched and offered advice. When the work was done we went to Kathy and Gary’s and had homemade Arapepes and chocolate cake for dessert. It was a fun way to end a Sunday.

Wedded bliss

I saw Karen Galusha in the supermarket and she told me some wonderful news, Candice Wright and Allen Stempel got married on Oct. 25, in Niagara Falls. They are the proud parents of Logan, Hailey and Ivy. Ivy turned one on Nov. 8 Karen’s parents are Mike and Karen and Allen’s are Greg and Tammy.