After a cold cereal breakfast with a slice of toast, I did a session on the treadmill, followed by resistance exercises. Then we dressed to attend the memorial service for our friend at the local Presbyterian Church.
The memorial was scheduled for 11 a.m., but we knew we needed to be there quite early to find a handicapped parking space and seating that would allow Mother to sit on the aisle. So we left home about 10:15 a.m., to be at the church by 10:30.
The morning was cloudy-dark and drizzly, as if the heavens were as sad as we are to lose this special lady. By the end of the service, though, the sun broke through, as if our friend was smiling down on us.
The church was packed for the service...ushers even had to bring in folding chairs to place near the pews down the center aisle. A gray marble urn, containing our friend's ashes, stood on a pedestal on the altar.
Musicians well known in our town and region performed many of the songs beloved by our friend. We couldn't help but be amused as the guitarist and a female singer performed the 1969 Norman Greenbaum hit, "Spirit in the Sky," with the guitarist reproducing the unique sound of the music.
Other tunes, all chosen by our friend, included "The Wedding Song," by Noel Paul Stookey, "By My Side," from the 1970 musical, "Godspell, by Stephen Schwartz, and "I Believe," by Ervin Drake.
Readings included one titled "God's Embroidery" (author unknown), a lovely little story that reminds us that, like embroidery seen from the backside, our lives may seem messy, but God has a design, which He will reveal to us in Heaven.
Another reading was titled "The Daffodil Principal," by J.A. Edwards, about a woman so busy that she almost misses making a trip to see a riot of different colored daffodils growing on a hill near an old woman's home. The woman has spent 30 or 40 years planting the daffodils, one bulb at a time, proving that we, too, can accomplish great things by just "planting one bulb at a time."
Finally, the service program included a message from our friend, telling us how blessed she had been, how she had loved and valued her life, her family, and her friends.
The service lasted a little under two hours. Outside, on the steps of the church, kilted bagpipers played during the recessional. We opted against attending the reception that followed, feeling that the fellowship hall would be crowded enough without us.
By the time we got home, around 1 p.m., Mother was pretty hungry, having eaten early this morning. We finished the tuna and egg salad from last night's supper, and then Mother and I busied ourselves working on the "Go Red for Women Luncheon" scrapbook pages. Hubbie continued reading the John Grisham book, "The Associate." We all needed these distracting activities this afternoon.
For supper, we had loaded baked potatoes...topped with fat-free, lower-sodium canned chili, chopped sweet onions, a sprinkling of Monterey Jack cheese, and coleslaw, with corn-on-the-cob on the side. Later, Hubbie and I listened to the radio as our favorite college basketball team lost again in nail-biter overtime play.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday, February 20
Despite the inviting sunshine this morning, it was only 20 degrees outside, so the fields were white with frost, and ice edged the water in ditches. I dressed warmly in coat, hat, and gloves for my trip to the swimming pool for water aerobics. The water in the pool was somewhat warmer today than Wednesday, but not much. Even so, I enjoyed the session.
One of the ladies at water aerobics brought me John Grisham's newest novel, "The Associate." She bought it on sale recently, read it, and has since been loaning it out. Hubbie, an ardent John Grisham fan, seized it immediately, and is already well into it. It's apparently and easy read, so we should both be able to finish it in a few days.
Later this morning, Hubbie, Mother and I went to the art gallery for the unveiling of the poster that will be featured on all publicity, programs, etc., for the upcoming film festival event. A photographer from the regional newspaper was there, and I was surprised to learn he was the photo editor that I dealt with for a few years, but had never met. He has given up his editor position to become a staff photographer, so I am now dealing with a new, female, editor.
The unveiling event was very nice, and the poster perfectly fits the theme of the festival. The refreshments were good, too. The three of us brought home huge chocolate chip and blueberry scones, made by a local popular coffee house. Mother and I cut our scones into four small servings, and enjoyed a portion with lunch. These are not treats that I would indulge in very often.
At 2 p.m., I went to a meeting to help a committee of Master Gardeners develop a storyboard. It's actually a display board showing before, after, and vision-for-the-future photos and information. It's to be presented as a justification for grant monies already received.
I thought I was enlisted to simply give input to the project, but I ended up doing a major portion of it, including creating computer files of photos, burning a CD, getting Hubbie to bring crafting and other supplies like card stock, paper cutter, and glue gun, and then planning the project layout. It was 5:30 before I got back home.
The lady at whose home we met (which is just a hop and skip from our house) babysits her toddler grandson, who is very active. The baby demanded a lot of her time and was a source of constant distractions to the project. The lady seemed unaffected by the distractions, but the other three of us, who are not used to trying to work and deal with a baby at the same time, had more difficulty dealing with it. The baby is cute, though.
By the time I got home, I was plenty ready for our supper of tuna salad, and egg salad (made with egg whites only) sandwiches, along with leftover shepherd's pie (which turned out more like a veggie soup).
After supper, Hubbie and I ran errands...to the pharmacy, the gas station, and then to the WDCS for groceries. We were back home around 7 p.m.
Whew! What a day!
One of the ladies at water aerobics brought me John Grisham's newest novel, "The Associate." She bought it on sale recently, read it, and has since been loaning it out. Hubbie, an ardent John Grisham fan, seized it immediately, and is already well into it. It's apparently and easy read, so we should both be able to finish it in a few days.
Later this morning, Hubbie, Mother and I went to the art gallery for the unveiling of the poster that will be featured on all publicity, programs, etc., for the upcoming film festival event. A photographer from the regional newspaper was there, and I was surprised to learn he was the photo editor that I dealt with for a few years, but had never met. He has given up his editor position to become a staff photographer, so I am now dealing with a new, female, editor.
The unveiling event was very nice, and the poster perfectly fits the theme of the festival. The refreshments were good, too. The three of us brought home huge chocolate chip and blueberry scones, made by a local popular coffee house. Mother and I cut our scones into four small servings, and enjoyed a portion with lunch. These are not treats that I would indulge in very often.
At 2 p.m., I went to a meeting to help a committee of Master Gardeners develop a storyboard. It's actually a display board showing before, after, and vision-for-the-future photos and information. It's to be presented as a justification for grant monies already received.
I thought I was enlisted to simply give input to the project, but I ended up doing a major portion of it, including creating computer files of photos, burning a CD, getting Hubbie to bring crafting and other supplies like card stock, paper cutter, and glue gun, and then planning the project layout. It was 5:30 before I got back home.
The lady at whose home we met (which is just a hop and skip from our house) babysits her toddler grandson, who is very active. The baby demanded a lot of her time and was a source of constant distractions to the project. The lady seemed unaffected by the distractions, but the other three of us, who are not used to trying to work and deal with a baby at the same time, had more difficulty dealing with it. The baby is cute, though.
By the time I got home, I was plenty ready for our supper of tuna salad, and egg salad (made with egg whites only) sandwiches, along with leftover shepherd's pie (which turned out more like a veggie soup).
After supper, Hubbie and I ran errands...to the pharmacy, the gas station, and then to the WDCS for groceries. We were back home around 7 p.m.
Whew! What a day!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, February 19
Right after a cold cereal breakfast, I hit the treadmill, and then did weight lifting exercises. It was a pretty ordinary morning of this-and-that household tasks for the rest of the morning.
Mother came over after lunch, and we went to the Extension Services office to attend a 1 p.m. scrapbook club meeting. There are only five of us in the club, and we were all there today, including the lady who recently lost both her husband and son. My heart goes out to her...she has lost weight and grief is written on her face. She came with her sister-in-law, another of our club members. The two of them had eaten lunch at the Senior Citizen's Center before coming to the meeting. I admire her for forcing herself to get out among people. I don't know if I'd have that much courage.
When she came in, we all hugged, but we did not speak of her loss, and as soon as possible, we stirred the conversation to light topics. Before long, she was joining in, and even smiled at one point. I hope our little gathering helped lift her spirits a little, if only for a brief time.
We got back home around 3 p.m., and Mother and I continued working on the pages we began at the meeting. While we were doing that, Hubbie went to the doctor to check out a recurring sinus infection with hacking cough. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic. He's hoping the medication will help alleviate the cough before Saturday, when we are to attend the memorial service for our friend.
After a supper of leftover spaghetti, I made a recipe of fruited Jell-o for a snack later, and then settled in to watch TV with Hubbie.
Mother came over after lunch, and we went to the Extension Services office to attend a 1 p.m. scrapbook club meeting. There are only five of us in the club, and we were all there today, including the lady who recently lost both her husband and son. My heart goes out to her...she has lost weight and grief is written on her face. She came with her sister-in-law, another of our club members. The two of them had eaten lunch at the Senior Citizen's Center before coming to the meeting. I admire her for forcing herself to get out among people. I don't know if I'd have that much courage.
When she came in, we all hugged, but we did not speak of her loss, and as soon as possible, we stirred the conversation to light topics. Before long, she was joining in, and even smiled at one point. I hope our little gathering helped lift her spirits a little, if only for a brief time.
We got back home around 3 p.m., and Mother and I continued working on the pages we began at the meeting. While we were doing that, Hubbie went to the doctor to check out a recurring sinus infection with hacking cough. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic. He's hoping the medication will help alleviate the cough before Saturday, when we are to attend the memorial service for our friend.
After a supper of leftover spaghetti, I made a recipe of fruited Jell-o for a snack later, and then settled in to watch TV with Hubbie.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, February 18
Yipes!!! The pool was frigid this morning for water aerobics, which must have been quite a shock for several members who have not been attending for the past several weeks. I wonder if it will discourage these ladies from returning for a while. I sure wish that the water could be regulated to stay at a reasonably comfortable temperature.
One of the returning members mentioned that her neighbor, a slender 61-year-old woman, went to work as usual yesterday morning, where she had a massive heart attack. Despite efforts to save her, she died. I wonder if she'd been having any symptoms, like unusual tiredness, sleeplessness, night sweats, nausea, or nagging come-and-go pains in her neck, arm, or back that she didn't recognize as heart disease warning signals? I didn't know the lady, but I do remember seeing her obituary in the newspaper.
Today's paper featured a front page story and photos about our friend who died of breast cancer this week. She was such a special person. Everyone in this small town who knew her loved her. A memorial for her on Saturday will be a well-attended and sad time.
After I got home and ready for the day following water aerobics, I called the members of our scrapbook club to remind them of our meeting tomorrow afternoon. As I was talking to one of the ladies, caller ID let me know that the lady from Master Gardeners who wants me to serve on a committee to create a storyboard called. So I returned her call and learned that the meeting has been set for Friday at 2 p.m.
Mother came over this morning, and we started gathering photos, newspaper articles, etc., about the "Go Red Luncheon," as well as card stock and other stuff we'll need to make memory pages about the event at the scrapbook meeting tomorrow. After a soup lunch, we continued to organize materials for pages. I also did some journaling for the project. We like to have things in order, so when we get to the meeting, we have a good idea about page designs.
For supper, we had spaghetti with meatless sauce, green beans, and cottage cheese. Later, a member of the community theater board, who is acting as house manager for the upcoming collaborative effort between communinty theater and a local college, called to ask if I would act as usher for one of the performances. I agreed to do it on Sunday afternoon, which is when we plan to attend the play, anyway. If she cannot get an usher for Friday night, I agreed I'd do it then, too.
This evening, Hubbie and I listened to the radio as our favorite college basketball team played to another loss...once again, coming on strong in the first half and gaining a wide lead, but allowing the lead to dwindle by halftime, and ultimately letting the opponents squeak by to a three-point win.
One of the returning members mentioned that her neighbor, a slender 61-year-old woman, went to work as usual yesterday morning, where she had a massive heart attack. Despite efforts to save her, she died. I wonder if she'd been having any symptoms, like unusual tiredness, sleeplessness, night sweats, nausea, or nagging come-and-go pains in her neck, arm, or back that she didn't recognize as heart disease warning signals? I didn't know the lady, but I do remember seeing her obituary in the newspaper.
Today's paper featured a front page story and photos about our friend who died of breast cancer this week. She was such a special person. Everyone in this small town who knew her loved her. A memorial for her on Saturday will be a well-attended and sad time.
After I got home and ready for the day following water aerobics, I called the members of our scrapbook club to remind them of our meeting tomorrow afternoon. As I was talking to one of the ladies, caller ID let me know that the lady from Master Gardeners who wants me to serve on a committee to create a storyboard called. So I returned her call and learned that the meeting has been set for Friday at 2 p.m.
Mother came over this morning, and we started gathering photos, newspaper articles, etc., about the "Go Red Luncheon," as well as card stock and other stuff we'll need to make memory pages about the event at the scrapbook meeting tomorrow. After a soup lunch, we continued to organize materials for pages. I also did some journaling for the project. We like to have things in order, so when we get to the meeting, we have a good idea about page designs.
For supper, we had spaghetti with meatless sauce, green beans, and cottage cheese. Later, a member of the community theater board, who is acting as house manager for the upcoming collaborative effort between communinty theater and a local college, called to ask if I would act as usher for one of the performances. I agreed to do it on Sunday afternoon, which is when we plan to attend the play, anyway. If she cannot get an usher for Friday night, I agreed I'd do it then, too.
This evening, Hubbie and I listened to the radio as our favorite college basketball team played to another loss...once again, coming on strong in the first half and gaining a wide lead, but allowing the lead to dwindle by halftime, and ultimately letting the opponents squeak by to a three-point win.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday, February 17
After breakfast, I did a treadmill session and resistance exercises. While I did this Hubbie went for a dental appointment. He was scheduled for 9 a.m., but his hygienist called to say the 8 a.m. patient had cancelled, so she was ready to see Hubbie if he wanted to go early.As I was getting ready for the day, one of the Master Gardeners called to ask if I'd agree to work with a committee to create a storyboard of one of their projects to submit with a grant proposal. She is to call back and let me know which afternoon this week they want to meet.
Later in the morning, Mother came over, and we created a couple of greeting cards (see above). Mother made the music-themed one, and I made the one with the hearts, which I sent to the three nurses at Cardiac Rehab. They attended the Go Red Luncheon, and I snapped a nice photo of them, which I included in the card...a print for each of them.
After that, Hubbie and I went to the WDCS to pick up photos at the one-hour service, and a few grocery items, particularly sweet potatoes to have with supper tonight. We were at a loss as to what to have for supper, and decided to have the sweet potatoes with corn-on-the-cob, leftover steamed veggies, and a leftover couscous dish.
The photos I picked up today are of the Go Red Luncheon. Hubbie snapped a few of me as I modeled clothes, and I want to use them to do a scrapbook page or two at our next scrapbook club meeting on Thursday afternoon.
From the WDCS, Hubbie and I stopped by the other store that has a sale every weekend, but which is closing its doors in six more days. I didn't find anything I wanted, but Hubbie found a couple of pairs of khaki slacks, one pair reduced to $9, and the other pair priced at $13.
After we got back home, Hubbie made a batch of dog biscuits for Shih Tzu. He has become quite skilled at making these, which is good, because Shih Tzu loves them and eats batches of them pretty quickly.
This evening, Hubbie and I watched the first of a four-part mini-series of "Oliver Twist" on PBS television that I recorded on DVR. This is a year 2000 adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic novel.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday, February 16
It was pretty nippy this morning, so only 17 of us showed up at water aerobics. Sadly, our leader informed me that Hubbie's and my friend, who has been battling breast cancer, died this morning. She was only 54 years old. Later, I learned that a memorial service will take place Saturday morning at 10 a.m., at her family's church. We will truly miss this very fine and generous lady, whose bubbly personality lit any room she walked into. Of course, we will attend the memorial service.
Once I was ready for the day after water aerobics, I met an 11 a.m. appointment with the coordinator of a local hospice program, who has asked me to do photography of their patients and family to use in creating memory books. She is also interested that I am a newspaper journalist, which means I can record folks' memories and write them in story form. The coordinator will contact patients' families and set up dates a couple of weeks from now.
I got back home from the meeting around noon. Hubbie had cut up lettuce and veggies for chef's salads for lunch, and fruits for dessert.
After lunch, Hubbie and I went to the WDCS to get groceries for this week's menu. Mother stayed home to make shepherd's pie from a recipe we acquired at Weight Watchers. It in no way resembles a shepherd's pie, as far as we could tell, but with lots of tweaking, it did become a tasty veggie soup for supper.
When we got home from shopping, I made a pot of veggie soup from another recipe I got at Weight Watchers. In tasting it after the veggies cooked, I found it bland and watery, so I added lots of stuff to pump up the flavor, then let it simmer uncovered to boil the liquids down. We'll try this for lunch tomorrow. We didn't intend to end up with two pots of veggie soup, but we did.
Tonight's local newspaper featured a front page story of the Go Red for Women Luncheon. A dim picture of me modeling an outfit was on an inside page. What an awful photo...it was shot profile from below, making me look all pudgy-tummy. There is also a flaw at my eye-line that makes me look like I'm wearing a pair of 50's style white sunglasses. Fortunately, my name doesn't appear under the photo, but I know a lot of people in town, and they're going to know it's me.
Except in the event program, at no time have the organizers listed the names of the three heart disease survivors. I guess it has to do with privacy issues.
Nothing else important happened today. We did acknowledge President's Day by displaying the American flag outdoors.
Once I was ready for the day after water aerobics, I met an 11 a.m. appointment with the coordinator of a local hospice program, who has asked me to do photography of their patients and family to use in creating memory books. She is also interested that I am a newspaper journalist, which means I can record folks' memories and write them in story form. The coordinator will contact patients' families and set up dates a couple of weeks from now.
I got back home from the meeting around noon. Hubbie had cut up lettuce and veggies for chef's salads for lunch, and fruits for dessert.
After lunch, Hubbie and I went to the WDCS to get groceries for this week's menu. Mother stayed home to make shepherd's pie from a recipe we acquired at Weight Watchers. It in no way resembles a shepherd's pie, as far as we could tell, but with lots of tweaking, it did become a tasty veggie soup for supper.
When we got home from shopping, I made a pot of veggie soup from another recipe I got at Weight Watchers. In tasting it after the veggies cooked, I found it bland and watery, so I added lots of stuff to pump up the flavor, then let it simmer uncovered to boil the liquids down. We'll try this for lunch tomorrow. We didn't intend to end up with two pots of veggie soup, but we did.
Tonight's local newspaper featured a front page story of the Go Red for Women Luncheon. A dim picture of me modeling an outfit was on an inside page. What an awful photo...it was shot profile from below, making me look all pudgy-tummy. There is also a flaw at my eye-line that makes me look like I'm wearing a pair of 50's style white sunglasses. Fortunately, my name doesn't appear under the photo, but I know a lot of people in town, and they're going to know it's me.
Except in the event program, at no time have the organizers listed the names of the three heart disease survivors. I guess it has to do with privacy issues.
Nothing else important happened today. We did acknowledge President's Day by displaying the American flag outdoors.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunday, February 15
We got up at our regular time this morning, and after breakfast, I hopped on the treadmill. I usually skip Sunday exercises, but since I missed a session yesterday, I felt I needed to make up for it today.
Nothing exciting happened for the rest of the morning...washed a few loads of laundry, programmed the DVR for this week's shows, planned a menu for the week, uploaded photos from yesterday's birthday gathering to the WDCS one-hour printing service, read the Sunday newspaper, etc. I was pleased to see that the article I submitted about the lady who got her first novel published was in the paper today. I got a very nice e-mail from her, thanking me for the article. Maybe I'll see her at water aerobics tomorrow.
For lunch, we had same-song-second-verse leftovers. Mother was here during the morning and for lunch, and then went home. Hubbie and I spent the afternoon being lazy on this sunny, but briskly cool and windy day.
For supper, Hubbie fixed French toast, using egg substitute for mine and regular eggs for his. Then, as usual, we settled in front of TV.
Nothing exciting happened for the rest of the morning...washed a few loads of laundry, programmed the DVR for this week's shows, planned a menu for the week, uploaded photos from yesterday's birthday gathering to the WDCS one-hour printing service, read the Sunday newspaper, etc. I was pleased to see that the article I submitted about the lady who got her first novel published was in the paper today. I got a very nice e-mail from her, thanking me for the article. Maybe I'll see her at water aerobics tomorrow.
For lunch, we had same-song-second-verse leftovers. Mother was here during the morning and for lunch, and then went home. Hubbie and I spent the afternoon being lazy on this sunny, but briskly cool and windy day.
For supper, Hubbie fixed French toast, using egg substitute for mine and regular eggs for his. Then, as usual, we settled in front of TV.
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