I skipped my exercises again this morning so we could go to a craft fair at 9 a.m. It was a bright and sunny day, but windy-cold, so we were glad for the warmth of the building where the event was held.
As we were nearing the fair along a narrow, curvy road, we noticed a car had nose-dived into the ditch. Several cars were parked along both sides of the road, with folks milling around the accident. We stopped to see if we could help, but were told someone had already called 911. We saw that the elderly lady in the car was moving, so we assumed she was had no life-threatening injuries.
The first thing we did when we arrived at the craft fair was buy six huge cinnamon rolls to take home. These luscious pastries are a specialty of the facility, and we look forward to the mouth-watering treats each year.
Otherwise, we didn't buy much...I did get a jar of locally produced honey that I'll save for next spring. It's said that locally grown honey helps keep allergies at bay, although others say this is just an old wives tale. It might be my imagination, but it seems to help me.
As usual, we saw lots of folks we know at the event, so we had a good time visiting. We were sorry to learn, though, that one of our friends, only in her sixties, is having physical difficulties that have forced her to move to an independent living center. I don't even want to think about sorting through and discarding years of accumulation to move to an apartment size space like that.
Mother and I talked about needing to go to the center to visit this lady and others that we know who now live there. Mother agreed that we should schedule a time soon. "Just don't leave me there," Mother laughed. I promised.
After we got back from the craft fair, we finished Christmas decorating. And then Hubbie and I took both vehicles downtown, where we left the truck on a church parking lot facing Main Street. This is where we sat to watch the Christmas parade. Mother and I both have electric afghans that can be plugged into the truck (or van), so we stayed toasty warm.
In past years, my toes, nose, and fingers have frozen when I took snapshotsof the parade for the regional section of our state newspaper. I got pretty chilled one year, too, when I rode on a float as a Jack in the Box. I probably would have gotten colder if I hadn't been popping in and out of the box.
We enjoyed tonight's parade that included the requisite blue-lights-flashing sheriff's cars, sirens- blaring ambulances, fire engines, and rescue trucks, high school bands, steppers and cheerleaders, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, colorful float entries (mainly from the churches), horses, and, of course, Santa.
The parade lasted about 45 minutes, after which we sat on the parking lot for another 15 minutes before we could feed into traffic. Hubbie sneaked out early enough to drive the van home and have water heated for cups of hot chocolate. I drove the truck home, with Mother still in the back seat snuggled under the electric afghan.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Christmas Luncheon
I skipped water aerobics this morning, so I could be ready by 9:30 a.m. to go the Extension Homemaker Christmas luncheon. The luncheon was held at a local restaurant, about five minutes from our house. Mother and I arrived early, so we could get convenient seating that wouldn't cause Mother to have to weave between tables getting to the buffet bar.
Before lunch, there was a business meeting that included awards. I was hoping Mother would get the fair high point award, but she didn't. She didn't seem to mind, though, saying that she's won the award so many times that she no longer has space on her wall to hang the plaques.
Following the meeting and awards, there was a drawing for door prizes, and I won one that I gave to Mother. Then, there was a gift exchange. Mother got a decorative wooden bird that she gave to me, and I got an organizer purse.
After that, we all filed to the buffet bar, where Mother and I chose diet-friendly foods, like baked chicken, salad, and steamed veggies. By 12:15, we were ready to come home.
At 2 p.m., we went to the Extension Services office to attend a retirement party for the home economics extension agent. We'll really miss this lady, but we understand her need to be home to take care of her aging and ailing mother.
Later, after supper, Hubbie and I ran a couple of errands, starting at the everything's a dollar store to pick up five Christmas stockings to donate on behalf of our scrapbook club to a local bank. The county EH council collects the stockings for the bank, which fills them to be given to disadvantaged children. Over 300 stockings were collected for the bank this year.
From there, we went to the WDCS to get ingredients to make chili to have tomorrow. I put the chili on the simmer after we got back home this evening.
Before lunch, there was a business meeting that included awards. I was hoping Mother would get the fair high point award, but she didn't. She didn't seem to mind, though, saying that she's won the award so many times that she no longer has space on her wall to hang the plaques.
Following the meeting and awards, there was a drawing for door prizes, and I won one that I gave to Mother. Then, there was a gift exchange. Mother got a decorative wooden bird that she gave to me, and I got an organizer purse.
After that, we all filed to the buffet bar, where Mother and I chose diet-friendly foods, like baked chicken, salad, and steamed veggies. By 12:15, we were ready to come home.
At 2 p.m., we went to the Extension Services office to attend a retirement party for the home economics extension agent. We'll really miss this lady, but we understand her need to be home to take care of her aging and ailing mother.
Later, after supper, Hubbie and I ran a couple of errands, starting at the everything's a dollar store to pick up five Christmas stockings to donate on behalf of our scrapbook club to a local bank. The county EH council collects the stockings for the bank, which fills them to be given to disadvantaged children. Over 300 stockings were collected for the bank this year.
From there, we went to the WDCS to get ingredients to make chili to have tomorrow. I put the chili on the simmer after we got back home this evening.
Living Nativity in Another Town
Here are some photos from the Living Nativity in another town. This is a drive-through event, so I had to quickly shoot whatever I could from the window of our van. The Bethlehem set is built to resemble the town of that era, so the "street" that we drove on is very narrow. I was only able to capture the characters on my side of the van, though there were lots of characters on the driver's side, as well, like the tax collector, and various merchants. Spaced away from the town were the tents of the Three Wise Men, as well as the king's palace. At three stations along the way, the story of Mary and Joseph's experience's in Bethlehem are depicted: no room at the inn, the angel appearing to the shepherds, and the stable where Jesus is born. Some of these scenes were too far away for my flash to reach, even with my camera set at 1600. We are really impressed with how elaborate this Living Nativity is, with it's realistic sets and costumes, as well as all the animals used, including donkeys, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, and even camels. There are long lines for this event, and the drive through takes only minutes, but it is worth it.
Christmas Outing to Another Town
These are some snapshots from our trip to another town to eat at a favorite restaurant and then tour that town's Christmas light displays, and their Living Nativity. Living Nativity photos will be in another blog.
The first four photos above were shot at a college campus, where the lighting is very unusual, with strands of blue light suspended from the trees like falling snow or sleet. It's enchanting. Last evening, the college was hosting an event that included piped Christmas music on the quad, where the light display is, and carriage rides.
The bottom photo is of the town's courthouse, lighted in Christmas finery.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Thursday, December 4
It has been another busy day. We were up by 7:30 a.m., and I did a treadmill and resistance workout right after breakfast. Once I was ready for the day, Mother came over, and we put the ornaments on the tree in the sun room. It takes two to three hours to put about 200 ornaments on that tree. But it's fun, because it's a walk down memory lane.
This eclectic batch of ornaments includes handmade ones, as well as keepsake ones. Anything and everything goes on this tree, like memento key chains from various trips around the United States. I've found that key chains make great ornaments, and they are much less expensive than regular Christmas tree ornaments.
I also put things like small breath mint tins from Rome, tea boxes from London, and a refrigerator magnet from Korea, given to us by friends and relatives who traveled to those places.
There's a sticky note pad shaped like a Santa boot, and four miniature children's books. And there are lots of ornaments that reflect our personal interests, like cars towing RVs, little cameras, gardening tools, birds, Shih Tzu dogs, patriotic ornaments, fishing themed ornaments, ornaments with our names on them, or ornaments given to us by our children that say "Mom" and "Dad," as well as a vast assortment of Santas, snowmen, toy soldiers, and even stuffed animals.
We finished tree trimming around lunch time. After that, Mother, who is nursing a head cold today, went home to rest for a while. At 3:30 p.m., we traveled to another town to eat at a favorite restaurant before touring that town's Christmas light displays, and going to a Living Nativity at one of the churches.
We were home by 9 p.m., tired, but happy.
This eclectic batch of ornaments includes handmade ones, as well as keepsake ones. Anything and everything goes on this tree, like memento key chains from various trips around the United States. I've found that key chains make great ornaments, and they are much less expensive than regular Christmas tree ornaments.
I also put things like small breath mint tins from Rome, tea boxes from London, and a refrigerator magnet from Korea, given to us by friends and relatives who traveled to those places.
There's a sticky note pad shaped like a Santa boot, and four miniature children's books. And there are lots of ornaments that reflect our personal interests, like cars towing RVs, little cameras, gardening tools, birds, Shih Tzu dogs, patriotic ornaments, fishing themed ornaments, ornaments with our names on them, or ornaments given to us by our children that say "Mom" and "Dad," as well as a vast assortment of Santas, snowmen, toy soldiers, and even stuffed animals.
We finished tree trimming around lunch time. After that, Mother, who is nursing a head cold today, went home to rest for a while. At 3:30 p.m., we traveled to another town to eat at a favorite restaurant before touring that town's Christmas light displays, and going to a Living Nativity at one of the churches.
We were home by 9 p.m., tired, but happy.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, Dec. 3
We got up at 6:30 a.m. this morning, so I wouldn't have to rush to get ready for water aerobics. I like to get to the pool about 30 minutes ahead of the aerobics class, so I can swim in the deep end. But lately, thanks to heavy traffic on the highway in front of our house, I'd been having trouble getting out of our driveway, and then there was a long line at the four-way stop down the road. So by the time I got into the pool, it was already 8:15, with aerobics starting at 8:30.
This morning, I got to the pool early and was happily swimming by 8 a.m. Before going to the pool, I accompanied another aerobics member (also a heart attack survivor) to the exercise room upstairs to check out the equipment. We think we might be able to use the exercise bikes, steppers, weight benches, etc., on alternate days, with permission from the head coach.
Our usual leader was absent today, so the alternate led us in aerobics. Later, in the dressing room, I was asked if I'd be willing to lead the group next Monday and Tuesday, if the second alternate could not be there. I agreed to do it, but I figure I won't have to, because the second alternate, a former swim coach, really, really likes leading the class, so I expect she'll bend over backwards to be there.
Back home, after I got ready for the day, Hubbie and I put strands of colored lights on the 7-foot tree in the sun room. At least, we put on all we had that would work, which wasn't enough. So, after lunch, we went to the WDCS to get three more strands. Since we were out, we stopped by a grocery store for an 88-cent head of lettuce to have with our leftover lasagna supper.
From there, we went by the bank, and then to the WDCS, where we shopped for groceries and incidentals, besides getting strands of lights. Then we went to the everything's a dollar store, where Hubbie picked up extension cords, because he forgot to get them at the WDCS. I also got several boxes of low-fat, low-sodium snack crackers, and two big, clear, plastic bowls to hold fruited popcorn (to use as a gift for the Cardiac Rehab staff, and as my contribution to our arts council 20th anniversary celebration during the Second Friday events downtown next week).
Back home, Hubbie and I finished putting the lights on the tree, as well as strands of wooden cranberries. When we were finished, I noticed that the multi-colored, lighted star on top was askew. So, Hubbie climbed on the step stool and tried to straighten it, but had trouble with it.
"How is the star attached to the tree," I asked, innocently. Whereupon, frustrated Hubbie snatched the star off the tree, causing the clip that held it to snap off the tree and fall down, down, through the tree limbs.
Of course, the clip is green, so we were unable to see it on the green limbs, even with a flashlight. So, Hubbie retrieved an inoperable star from a couple of year ago, and used its attachment to mount the current star back on the tree. Most people would throw away an inoperable Christmas star, but I guess it was a good thing pack-rat Hubbie kept that one. Not only had he kept it, but he had kept it neatly packed in its original box.
By the time we'd finished squaring away the lights, the star, and the cranberry garlands, it was too dark in the sun room to put ornaments on the tree, so that job will have to wait until tomorrow.
Maybe by the end of the week, we'll finally get all the Christmas decorating done.
This evening, we watched our favorite college basketball team play to a wide-margin win.
This morning, I got to the pool early and was happily swimming by 8 a.m. Before going to the pool, I accompanied another aerobics member (also a heart attack survivor) to the exercise room upstairs to check out the equipment. We think we might be able to use the exercise bikes, steppers, weight benches, etc., on alternate days, with permission from the head coach.
Our usual leader was absent today, so the alternate led us in aerobics. Later, in the dressing room, I was asked if I'd be willing to lead the group next Monday and Tuesday, if the second alternate could not be there. I agreed to do it, but I figure I won't have to, because the second alternate, a former swim coach, really, really likes leading the class, so I expect she'll bend over backwards to be there.
Back home, after I got ready for the day, Hubbie and I put strands of colored lights on the 7-foot tree in the sun room. At least, we put on all we had that would work, which wasn't enough. So, after lunch, we went to the WDCS to get three more strands. Since we were out, we stopped by a grocery store for an 88-cent head of lettuce to have with our leftover lasagna supper.
From there, we went by the bank, and then to the WDCS, where we shopped for groceries and incidentals, besides getting strands of lights. Then we went to the everything's a dollar store, where Hubbie picked up extension cords, because he forgot to get them at the WDCS. I also got several boxes of low-fat, low-sodium snack crackers, and two big, clear, plastic bowls to hold fruited popcorn (to use as a gift for the Cardiac Rehab staff, and as my contribution to our arts council 20th anniversary celebration during the Second Friday events downtown next week).
Back home, Hubbie and I finished putting the lights on the tree, as well as strands of wooden cranberries. When we were finished, I noticed that the multi-colored, lighted star on top was askew. So, Hubbie climbed on the step stool and tried to straighten it, but had trouble with it.
"How is the star attached to the tree," I asked, innocently. Whereupon, frustrated Hubbie snatched the star off the tree, causing the clip that held it to snap off the tree and fall down, down, through the tree limbs.
Of course, the clip is green, so we were unable to see it on the green limbs, even with a flashlight. So, Hubbie retrieved an inoperable star from a couple of year ago, and used its attachment to mount the current star back on the tree. Most people would throw away an inoperable Christmas star, but I guess it was a good thing pack-rat Hubbie kept that one. Not only had he kept it, but he had kept it neatly packed in its original box.
By the time we'd finished squaring away the lights, the star, and the cranberry garlands, it was too dark in the sun room to put ornaments on the tree, so that job will have to wait until tomorrow.
Maybe by the end of the week, we'll finally get all the Christmas decorating done.
This evening, we watched our favorite college basketball team play to a wide-margin win.
Tuesday, December 2
Hubbie set the clock alarm to wake us at 5 a.m., so I could be ready for the video crew to arrive at 8 a.m. The alarm didn't go off, drat it, but I woke up at 5:38 a.m., anyway. We discovered at 5 p.m., when the clock radio came on, that Hubbie had set it for p.m., instead of a.m.
We were ready in plenty of time, though, since the video crew didn't arrive until 8:30 a.m. I got more and more anxious as the minutes ticked on. Finally, three senior high girls equipped with two video cameras arrived, and a few minutes later, two public relations ladies from the local bank also arrived.
I gulped down a glass of water, hoping to alleviate my dry mouth, and got ready to speak. I was directed to stand by one of the dining room chairs and announce my name, followed by, "and I'm a heart attack survivor. For the past several years, I've attended the Go Red luncheon for women...," except it came out, "I've attended the Red Hat luncheon for women."
Oops! Take two. I started over again, this time managing to stumble through my lines.
That took care of the video portion. Next came the voice over, in which I was to describe my heart attack, what I did about it, what advice I had for other women, and what I am doing to enjoy life after the attack. I launched into my completely unprepared speech, gulping loudly (dry mouth again) halfway through, and babbling on until I ran out of things to say.
The crew declared I'd done a great job. I said I was sure it was obvious how nervous I was, but they said, no, they couldn't tell I was nervous at all. Maybe they couldn't tell how nervous I was (or maybe they were lying because they were in a hurry to get the whole thing over with), but I'm pretty sure anyone who knows me that is in the audience the day of the event will know. I didn't get to see a preview of the tape, so I dread it being shown up there on a big screen.
Once they had the video and voice over they wanted, they filmed me doing an embossed card craft, photos of grandkids on the stairwell, and me pretending to dial 911. They left a little after 9 a.m.
After that, Mother came over, and she, Hubbie, and I, decorated the "white" Christmas tree in the living room. The tree is actually green, but it is decorated with clear miniature lights, pearl garlands, white silk poinsettia flowers, and mostly white ornaments, with a few blue and gold ones scattered throughout. This is Hubbie's favorite tree, which he can see from his chair at the dining room table.
Speaking of dining room chairs, once the tree was trimmed, I decided to put an angel and other Christmas things on the top of the China cabinet. But instead of getting a step ladder to do this, as Hubbie suggested, I just stood on a dining room chair. On my third trip onto the chair, I felt it wobble. I thought one leg might be on top of something, so I jiggled around a little. It wobbled some more. I got down, and turned the chair upside down. I discovered that one leg was cracked and about ready to break off.
I hated to tell Hubbie about this, but he had to know. He was disappointed that the leg was broken, but didn't blame me for it, saying he doesn't think I weigh enough to break such a heavy wooden chair.
The next task, then, was to find a furniture repairman. They're scarce in this town, but Hubbie located one at an antique shop just down the road from us, who said to bring the chair right down and he'd fix it and call us when it's done.
The rest of the afternoon was without incident, thank goodness.
Last night, we attended the dress rehearsal of a musical play our community theater is doing. The director asked all the board members to be there to offer input about the production. This time, the actors were wearing mics, which helped the audience hear them. But during the first half, the piano accompaniment overpowered the singers, so we noted this to the director. In the second half, the mics were turned up, and the piano was toned down, which improved the sound.
The problem is, there aren't enough mics to go around, so we were unable to hear four minor actors in the second half. Also, there was some language in the play that we thought should be eliminated to make the production family friendly.
Otherwise, it was a pretty good production. We thought the actors sounded very professional, and the costumes and set pieces are very good. The failure of the play is not with the actors, set, or costumes, but with the lighting and sound. Of course, it's also being presented in a theater that is acoustically poor.
I'm just not sure that the production chosen is quite suited to the Christmas season, so I wonder how well it will be attended...especially on this weekend, when so many other competing events are going on around our small town.
I thought the play started at 7:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., Hubbie checked the time on our e-mail invitation to be sure, and it said curtain time was 7 p.m. We arrived late, but it didn't matter, since the actors were still warming up when we got there, and it was closer to 7:30 before they actually started.
A cold wind was blowing when we left the theater, so we were all ready for cups of hot chocolate when we got home. It was a long and busy day, so I was plenty ready to wind down.
We were ready in plenty of time, though, since the video crew didn't arrive until 8:30 a.m. I got more and more anxious as the minutes ticked on. Finally, three senior high girls equipped with two video cameras arrived, and a few minutes later, two public relations ladies from the local bank also arrived.
I gulped down a glass of water, hoping to alleviate my dry mouth, and got ready to speak. I was directed to stand by one of the dining room chairs and announce my name, followed by, "and I'm a heart attack survivor. For the past several years, I've attended the Go Red luncheon for women...," except it came out, "I've attended the Red Hat luncheon for women."
Oops! Take two. I started over again, this time managing to stumble through my lines.
That took care of the video portion. Next came the voice over, in which I was to describe my heart attack, what I did about it, what advice I had for other women, and what I am doing to enjoy life after the attack. I launched into my completely unprepared speech, gulping loudly (dry mouth again) halfway through, and babbling on until I ran out of things to say.
The crew declared I'd done a great job. I said I was sure it was obvious how nervous I was, but they said, no, they couldn't tell I was nervous at all. Maybe they couldn't tell how nervous I was (or maybe they were lying because they were in a hurry to get the whole thing over with), but I'm pretty sure anyone who knows me that is in the audience the day of the event will know. I didn't get to see a preview of the tape, so I dread it being shown up there on a big screen.
Once they had the video and voice over they wanted, they filmed me doing an embossed card craft, photos of grandkids on the stairwell, and me pretending to dial 911. They left a little after 9 a.m.
After that, Mother came over, and she, Hubbie, and I, decorated the "white" Christmas tree in the living room. The tree is actually green, but it is decorated with clear miniature lights, pearl garlands, white silk poinsettia flowers, and mostly white ornaments, with a few blue and gold ones scattered throughout. This is Hubbie's favorite tree, which he can see from his chair at the dining room table.
Speaking of dining room chairs, once the tree was trimmed, I decided to put an angel and other Christmas things on the top of the China cabinet. But instead of getting a step ladder to do this, as Hubbie suggested, I just stood on a dining room chair. On my third trip onto the chair, I felt it wobble. I thought one leg might be on top of something, so I jiggled around a little. It wobbled some more. I got down, and turned the chair upside down. I discovered that one leg was cracked and about ready to break off.
I hated to tell Hubbie about this, but he had to know. He was disappointed that the leg was broken, but didn't blame me for it, saying he doesn't think I weigh enough to break such a heavy wooden chair.
The next task, then, was to find a furniture repairman. They're scarce in this town, but Hubbie located one at an antique shop just down the road from us, who said to bring the chair right down and he'd fix it and call us when it's done.
The rest of the afternoon was without incident, thank goodness.
Last night, we attended the dress rehearsal of a musical play our community theater is doing. The director asked all the board members to be there to offer input about the production. This time, the actors were wearing mics, which helped the audience hear them. But during the first half, the piano accompaniment overpowered the singers, so we noted this to the director. In the second half, the mics were turned up, and the piano was toned down, which improved the sound.
The problem is, there aren't enough mics to go around, so we were unable to hear four minor actors in the second half. Also, there was some language in the play that we thought should be eliminated to make the production family friendly.
Otherwise, it was a pretty good production. We thought the actors sounded very professional, and the costumes and set pieces are very good. The failure of the play is not with the actors, set, or costumes, but with the lighting and sound. Of course, it's also being presented in a theater that is acoustically poor.
I'm just not sure that the production chosen is quite suited to the Christmas season, so I wonder how well it will be attended...especially on this weekend, when so many other competing events are going on around our small town.
I thought the play started at 7:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., Hubbie checked the time on our e-mail invitation to be sure, and it said curtain time was 7 p.m. We arrived late, but it didn't matter, since the actors were still warming up when we got there, and it was closer to 7:30 before they actually started.
A cold wind was blowing when we left the theater, so we were all ready for cups of hot chocolate when we got home. It was a long and busy day, so I was plenty ready to wind down.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday, December 1
Hard to believe that another December has rolled around. It seems like no time at all since we were in a mad rush to Christmas last year.
Today dawned cold and windy. I was ready to resume water aerobics, but I dreaded that the pool would be cold, and YOWIE, it was. One member said she nearly left as soon as she stepped into the water. In fact, there was a slim crowd there this morning. But once we braved the first shock, we got used to it and enjoyed the workout.
Our regular leader was back on board. Apparently, she was diagnosed with anemia from a B-12 deficiency. She commented to me that it's strange that "a skinny person like you has a heart attack, and a fat person like me is anemic."
After I got back home and ready for the day, we spruced the house, getting ready for the media crew from the high school to come and record my heart disease survivor story tomorrow. Apparently, they want to film me talking while I pretend to be working on a craft...I've chosen embossing a greeting card.
Then, they want to follow me around while I straighten the house. So I'll leave the newspaper and a couple of magazines on the couch to pick up and put on an end table, and I'll put some dishes in the dishwasher, and put place mats on the dining room table...just "busy work." They plan to do a voice over for this segment of the film, with me talking about the warning signs of a heart attack, etc.
Right now, I'm not nervous about all this, but I'll probably trip all over my tongue as soon as they stick the camera in my face. So I hope they don't plan to get what they want in one take.
You'd think that since I've been in several community theater plays, I wouldn't be nervous, but there's a big difference in performing onstage to an audience that you can occasionally hear coughing or shuffling in their seats, but that you can't see under bright stage lights, and playing to an audience of one or two up close and personal in your living room.
I've only been filmed one other time, and that was for a local company that manufactures automatic toothbrushes. I was one of several community theater members who participated in the commercial, in which I praised the merits of the device, while I "worked" in the kitchen.
I was nervous then, too, to the point that my mouth went dry and my lips quivered when I tried to smile. After a couple of takes, the crew accepted my attempt. In payment, I was given a free toothbrush and a copy of the tape. Thankfully, the tape was designed only to be used in dentists' offices where the toothbrush was sold.
After supper tonight, Hubbie and I went to the WDCS and bought new decorator pillows for the den couch, and new dish towels for the kitchen to freshen those rooms. We've cleared all the kitchen counters, and den and living room tables of unnecessary clutter, so the house will look presentable up on the big screen. I'm a pretty relaxed housekeeper, and our house usually looks very lived in, but tomorrow I want it to look "company ready."
On our way to the WDCS, we were treated to a phenomenon in the night sky...the crescent moon, with the very bright planets of Venus and Jupiter, formed a spectacular triangle. I'd heard on the TV news at 5 p.m. that this wonder of nature was to occur, but forgot about it until I saw it. I'm sure glad I didn't miss it.
Today dawned cold and windy. I was ready to resume water aerobics, but I dreaded that the pool would be cold, and YOWIE, it was. One member said she nearly left as soon as she stepped into the water. In fact, there was a slim crowd there this morning. But once we braved the first shock, we got used to it and enjoyed the workout.
Our regular leader was back on board. Apparently, she was diagnosed with anemia from a B-12 deficiency. She commented to me that it's strange that "a skinny person like you has a heart attack, and a fat person like me is anemic."
After I got back home and ready for the day, we spruced the house, getting ready for the media crew from the high school to come and record my heart disease survivor story tomorrow. Apparently, they want to film me talking while I pretend to be working on a craft...I've chosen embossing a greeting card.
Then, they want to follow me around while I straighten the house. So I'll leave the newspaper and a couple of magazines on the couch to pick up and put on an end table, and I'll put some dishes in the dishwasher, and put place mats on the dining room table...just "busy work." They plan to do a voice over for this segment of the film, with me talking about the warning signs of a heart attack, etc.
Right now, I'm not nervous about all this, but I'll probably trip all over my tongue as soon as they stick the camera in my face. So I hope they don't plan to get what they want in one take.
You'd think that since I've been in several community theater plays, I wouldn't be nervous, but there's a big difference in performing onstage to an audience that you can occasionally hear coughing or shuffling in their seats, but that you can't see under bright stage lights, and playing to an audience of one or two up close and personal in your living room.
I've only been filmed one other time, and that was for a local company that manufactures automatic toothbrushes. I was one of several community theater members who participated in the commercial, in which I praised the merits of the device, while I "worked" in the kitchen.
I was nervous then, too, to the point that my mouth went dry and my lips quivered when I tried to smile. After a couple of takes, the crew accepted my attempt. In payment, I was given a free toothbrush and a copy of the tape. Thankfully, the tape was designed only to be used in dentists' offices where the toothbrush was sold.
After supper tonight, Hubbie and I went to the WDCS and bought new decorator pillows for the den couch, and new dish towels for the kitchen to freshen those rooms. We've cleared all the kitchen counters, and den and living room tables of unnecessary clutter, so the house will look presentable up on the big screen. I'm a pretty relaxed housekeeper, and our house usually looks very lived in, but tomorrow I want it to look "company ready."
On our way to the WDCS, we were treated to a phenomenon in the night sky...the crescent moon, with the very bright planets of Venus and Jupiter, formed a spectacular triangle. I'd heard on the TV news at 5 p.m. that this wonder of nature was to occur, but forgot about it until I saw it. I'm sure glad I didn't miss it.
Canadian Geese
Here are some shots of the Canadian geese that we saw on our way to the other town for Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday. Folks in our state are always thrilled if we get the opportunity to see these beautiful birds as they stop over at the rice fields during their migration to wintering grounds. Thousands of them were in that field yesterday, loudly honking and foraging for food, and it was quite a sight and sound. I just wish I could have gotten closer to them for better shots.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thanksgiving...Again
We were up at our usual 7 a.m. hour this morning, so we could be ready to leave for our trip to Daughter's house, about two hours away, by 9:30 a.m. I had time to do a session on the treadmill, although I skipped my resistance workout.
It was cold this morning, with predictions for possible snow showers later in the day. I took books on tape with me, forgetting that the van has a CD player, but no tape deck. It would have been a good day for Christmas music, too, but I didn't think to take any CDs. So we entertained ourselves with conversation, instead.
Mother's topic of conversation, of course, was her new kitten, which, like all cats, is very curious, and explores every corner of the house. Mother is in the process of removing things from tables and counters that the kitten might break. So far, the kitten hasn't told Mother what her name is, though Mother wonders if it might be Dora, for Dora the Explorer.
Mother found out, too, that Kitten likes the bathtub, which she frequently plays in, but she definitely doesn't like the shower, and she's terrified of the hair dryer. So she scurried out of the bathroom while Mother got ready for the day. But as Mother was walking down the hall afterward, she looked back to see Kitten right at her heels.
On the way to the other town, we saw a flock of hundreds of Canadian geese feeding in a rice field. Hubbie stopped, so I could get out and take several snapshots of the birds. Even with my telephoto lens, though, I couldn't get as close as I would have liked, and thanks to a very dark, overcast day, plus strong wind that prevented me from holding my camera still, the shots I got are only adequate.
We arrived at Daughter's house in plenty of time to visit before other family arrived. By 12:30 p.m., everyone had arrived, and lunch was ready. Fourteen of us...nine adults and five children...enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, corn casserole, hot corn casserole, asparagus, and jellied cranberry sauce (that hadn't been dropped on the floor), plus delicious homemade crescent rolls (a specialty of Hubbie's ex-wife, who was in attendance).
I brought a jar of pickled asparagus that I'd bought a few weeks ago, hoping I could eat them in place of olives and other saltier pickles. But I don't like the asparagus. However, Daughter and Ex-Wife do, so I left the remainder of the jar with them.
For dessert, there were several kinds of pie...pumpkin, pecan, chocolate, and the cherry one that I brought.
After lunch, I took group pictures of the kids, at the request of Daughter. I'd taken my laptop with me, so we were able to preview the shots, and take more pictures, until we got what we wanted. Now I'll have the photos printed, burn a CD of them, and send them to Daughter.
Mid-afternoon, we were ready to head home. It hadn't snowed yet, but there was a little sleet, and we didn't want to be on the road after dark in bad weather.
Before leaving town, we stopped by a discount warehouse store and picked up a few items, including a package of four flavors of apple cider mix, fresh fruits, and a large package of pecans for Christmas baking.
The trip home was uneventful. The Canadian geese were gone from the rice field, but as usual an egret was feeding in a rice field, and all along the electrical power lines, hawks kept vigil over the fields, looking for small prey.
We arrived back home around suppertime. I'd been very careful about what I ate at lunch, so I was ready to eat again. I fixed myself turkey bacon with scrambled egg substitute and low-fat cottage cheese, and had a slice of yeast bread with the meal. Hubbie had a sandwich, made with ham brought back from Daughter's house.
It was cold this morning, with predictions for possible snow showers later in the day. I took books on tape with me, forgetting that the van has a CD player, but no tape deck. It would have been a good day for Christmas music, too, but I didn't think to take any CDs. So we entertained ourselves with conversation, instead.
Mother's topic of conversation, of course, was her new kitten, which, like all cats, is very curious, and explores every corner of the house. Mother is in the process of removing things from tables and counters that the kitten might break. So far, the kitten hasn't told Mother what her name is, though Mother wonders if it might be Dora, for Dora the Explorer.
Mother found out, too, that Kitten likes the bathtub, which she frequently plays in, but she definitely doesn't like the shower, and she's terrified of the hair dryer. So she scurried out of the bathroom while Mother got ready for the day. But as Mother was walking down the hall afterward, she looked back to see Kitten right at her heels.
On the way to the other town, we saw a flock of hundreds of Canadian geese feeding in a rice field. Hubbie stopped, so I could get out and take several snapshots of the birds. Even with my telephoto lens, though, I couldn't get as close as I would have liked, and thanks to a very dark, overcast day, plus strong wind that prevented me from holding my camera still, the shots I got are only adequate.
We arrived at Daughter's house in plenty of time to visit before other family arrived. By 12:30 p.m., everyone had arrived, and lunch was ready. Fourteen of us...nine adults and five children...enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, corn casserole, hot corn casserole, asparagus, and jellied cranberry sauce (that hadn't been dropped on the floor), plus delicious homemade crescent rolls (a specialty of Hubbie's ex-wife, who was in attendance).
I brought a jar of pickled asparagus that I'd bought a few weeks ago, hoping I could eat them in place of olives and other saltier pickles. But I don't like the asparagus. However, Daughter and Ex-Wife do, so I left the remainder of the jar with them.
For dessert, there were several kinds of pie...pumpkin, pecan, chocolate, and the cherry one that I brought.
After lunch, I took group pictures of the kids, at the request of Daughter. I'd taken my laptop with me, so we were able to preview the shots, and take more pictures, until we got what we wanted. Now I'll have the photos printed, burn a CD of them, and send them to Daughter.
Mid-afternoon, we were ready to head home. It hadn't snowed yet, but there was a little sleet, and we didn't want to be on the road after dark in bad weather.
Before leaving town, we stopped by a discount warehouse store and picked up a few items, including a package of four flavors of apple cider mix, fresh fruits, and a large package of pecans for Christmas baking.
The trip home was uneventful. The Canadian geese were gone from the rice field, but as usual an egret was feeding in a rice field, and all along the electrical power lines, hawks kept vigil over the fields, looking for small prey.
We arrived back home around suppertime. I'd been very careful about what I ate at lunch, so I was ready to eat again. I fixed myself turkey bacon with scrambled egg substitute and low-fat cottage cheese, and had a slice of yeast bread with the meal. Hubbie had a sandwich, made with ham brought back from Daughter's house.
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