Up around 7:30 this morning, and did a treadmill session and weights exercises after breakfast. Mother came over while I was getting ready for the day, and relaxed with her puzzle books.
I ran errands (on my own today, since Hubbie was working in the yard)...first to a pharmacy to look for a face powder compact for Mother. The WDCS didn't have what she wanted when we checked there a couple of days ago. Fortunately, the pharmacy did have the color she wanted. I picked up a few other items while I was there, and used an AARP $3 coupon. By having the pharmacy clerk swipe our AARP card each time we visit, coupons frequently print out that are useful to us. This one was for $3 off my total purchase. Others have been good for discounts on specific products.
From there, I went to one of the stores that has a sale every weekend, where I browsed for quite a while looking for something I could use that would not exceed a $10 coupon I got in the mail a few days ago. Finally, buried under a stack of sweaters, I found a pretty cable knit hooded brown one that zips up the front. With coupon, I got it for 87 cents.
Back home around noon, I found that Hubbie had heated Ramen noodle soup for Mother, and leftover bagel pizzas for us for lunch. He went back outdoors afterward, and I booted my laptop so Mother could read e-mails and blog posts, and visit my social network page.
Later, Hubbie picked up a rotisserie chicken at the WDCS, which we had with baked sweet potatoes and a choice of butter beans or Lima beans for supper.
Then we got into our semi-dressy duds to go to a town about 30 minutes away to attend a professional performance of "S'Wonderful, the new Gershwin Musical," at a college fine arts theater. It was a singing and dancing revue of five mini-musicals inspired by real events in and around the lives of the Gershwin brothers in 1920s New York City, 1930's Paris, 1940s Hollywood, and 1950s New Orleans.
When I'd reserved seats for the show, I asked for aisle ones, and I got them, but they were directly behind the wheelchair section, and once a couple of folks in wheelchairs were in those spaces, Mother couldn't see the stage. So just before the show began, and we were sure no one else would be seated in our row, we moved down several seats to where Mother had a clear view. The row we were seated in had a wide aisle space between it and the row in front, so Mother didn't feel claustrophobic.
Six young professional entertainers did a great job with the musical revue that included popular Gershwin tunes like "I Got Rhythm," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "Someone to Watch Over Me," and "Nice Work if You Can Get it."
Five of the group energetically sang and danced, while one played piano accompaniment. None of the performers have an ounce of extra flesh on them, and no wonder, since they were constantly moving and dancing.
The costumes were simple...women in various styles of short black dresses, and men in white or black shirts and black slacks. Other costume pieces were added over the basic ones...hats, vests, a tutu, and for one number, wedding dresses. Costume additions occurred onstage.
The set was simple...a large screen on which slides were projected. This was overlaid with a cathedral window stained glass leading pattern.
The show ended around 9 p.m., and we were home around 9:30. Even though the hour was a bit late, we decided to watch our favorite college basketball team as they played to a loss, after staying tied with the opponent for most of the game. I'd recorded the game on DVR while we were gone.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday, Feb. 18
Today is Granddaughter's birthday. Happy Birthday, Granddaughter!
I was up around 8 a.m., but skipped my exercises to get ready to go the Go Red Luncheon at the college about a mile down the road from our house.
Mother came over around 10:30, and we left for the event shortly before 11 a.m. It was quite warm and a little muggy when we arrived at the college, but by the time we left at 1:30, the temperature had dropped and it was raining.
In the reception area of the auditorium, we were met by an escort dressed in a tuxedo with red bow tie and cumberbund, who ushered us to our assigned table. Later, we learned that the young man is the husband of one of the hairdressers at the beauty shop that we visit.
We were led to a table that was dressed with a white tablecloth and black napkins. The chair backs were covered in white and red pillowcases drawn up and tied in knots. Black gift bags, featuring black and red tissue paper and black and red balloons, served as centerpieces.
The auditorium itself was nicely decorated with red and black Japanese lanterns and a large Go Red logo suspended from the ceiling, below which was a table featuring red and black elements.
Each chair held a copy of a local slick magazine that features stories about people and events in our county, and a gift bag of goodies. In the past, we were given nice totes filled with goodies. Today, a few goodies were contained in small plastic logo bags. Times are tough, and even the sponsors of this event undoubtedly needed to economize.
A popular local guitarist entertained before lunch. The program stated that the guitarist was to be accompanied by a popular local singer, but he later explained that she was at the dentist's office having her wisdom teeth removed.
Several tables along one wall featured silent auction items. I bid on several things, but didn't win. Attendees could also register for a door prize...an expensive ruby ring donated by a jewelry store that recently went out of business. The business had operated in our town for many years, but a falling economy made it impossible for them to remain open. I bought three chances on the ring, but didn't win that, either.
Before lunch, too, we were shown a video of two heart disease survivors, who told us their stories and then praised the rehabilitation facility at our local hospital. I could relate to the stories, since I found the rehab facility invaluable, too, following a procedure to insert two stents in my arteries a couple of years ago.
The event also featured a speaker...a lady whom most of us have seen on public television during fundraising drives. Her talk centered on the benefits of a positive attitude. The lady is 85 years old, and recently had hip replacement. She walked with the assistance of a walker, and halfway through her talk asked to sit while she finished her speech.
She told the story of being a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer years ago. She always looked forward to visiting a certain lady, who was constantly upbeat and enthusiastic about the meals delivered to her. On one day, the meal delivered was chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cherry pie.
"Oh," she exclaimed, "I love the chicken. It's always tender and cooked just right. And those women at the Methodist Church know that mashed potatoes and green beans are easy for older folks to eat. And how did those ladies know that cherry pie is my favorite!"
The lady enjoyed this woman so much that she stayed to visit for a while before continuing her deliveries.
But the lady hated delivering food to one older woman, who did nothing but complain about the meals. "Chicken again! Those ladies at the Methodist Church can't cook chicken fit to eat...it's always so tough. And I suppose I'm getting those tasteless potatoes and green beans. And cherry pie...I hate cherry pie."
The lady didn't hang around this woman, and upon leaving, the woman would always complain, "why don't you ever stay to visit? You're in such a hurry to leave. Nobody ever wants to visit."
When the speaker finished her talk, we were served our meals of roast pork with cherry sauce, wild rice, green beans, and rolls.
Mother took a bite of her meat and glanced at me, so I took a bite...it was tough as shoe leather. I shook my head at her to indicate we shouldn't comment on it for fear of seeming "negative." Mother simply couldn't manage her portion, but I dutifully plowed through mine, as did the rest of the ladies at our table. We didn't dare do otherwise!
The rice and green beans were fine, but the roll was tough, too. The best part of the meal was the yogurt and raspberry parfait dessert.
We were surprised by the place settings...the plates looked like fine China, and the gleaming silverware certainly looked real. But it was all plastic. Even the parfaits were served in clear plastic glasses. Unusual, but effective.
The event ended at 1:30, and we were back home shortly afterward. We entertained ourselves for the rest of the afternoon watching the second half of the Westminster Dog Show. We already knew which dog won...a Scottish Deer Hound...but we still wanted to see the other contenders.
For supper, we had leftovers...beef and gravy with mashed potatoes or rice, and canned whole kernel corn. Mother was plenty ready to eat, since she didn't (or couldn't) eat much at lunch.
She went home afterward, and Hubbie and I settled in front of TV, as usual.
I was up around 8 a.m., but skipped my exercises to get ready to go the Go Red Luncheon at the college about a mile down the road from our house.
Mother came over around 10:30, and we left for the event shortly before 11 a.m. It was quite warm and a little muggy when we arrived at the college, but by the time we left at 1:30, the temperature had dropped and it was raining.
In the reception area of the auditorium, we were met by an escort dressed in a tuxedo with red bow tie and cumberbund, who ushered us to our assigned table. Later, we learned that the young man is the husband of one of the hairdressers at the beauty shop that we visit.
We were led to a table that was dressed with a white tablecloth and black napkins. The chair backs were covered in white and red pillowcases drawn up and tied in knots. Black gift bags, featuring black and red tissue paper and black and red balloons, served as centerpieces.
The auditorium itself was nicely decorated with red and black Japanese lanterns and a large Go Red logo suspended from the ceiling, below which was a table featuring red and black elements.
Each chair held a copy of a local slick magazine that features stories about people and events in our county, and a gift bag of goodies. In the past, we were given nice totes filled with goodies. Today, a few goodies were contained in small plastic logo bags. Times are tough, and even the sponsors of this event undoubtedly needed to economize.
A popular local guitarist entertained before lunch. The program stated that the guitarist was to be accompanied by a popular local singer, but he later explained that she was at the dentist's office having her wisdom teeth removed.
Several tables along one wall featured silent auction items. I bid on several things, but didn't win. Attendees could also register for a door prize...an expensive ruby ring donated by a jewelry store that recently went out of business. The business had operated in our town for many years, but a falling economy made it impossible for them to remain open. I bought three chances on the ring, but didn't win that, either.
Before lunch, too, we were shown a video of two heart disease survivors, who told us their stories and then praised the rehabilitation facility at our local hospital. I could relate to the stories, since I found the rehab facility invaluable, too, following a procedure to insert two stents in my arteries a couple of years ago.
The event also featured a speaker...a lady whom most of us have seen on public television during fundraising drives. Her talk centered on the benefits of a positive attitude. The lady is 85 years old, and recently had hip replacement. She walked with the assistance of a walker, and halfway through her talk asked to sit while she finished her speech.
She told the story of being a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer years ago. She always looked forward to visiting a certain lady, who was constantly upbeat and enthusiastic about the meals delivered to her. On one day, the meal delivered was chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cherry pie.
"Oh," she exclaimed, "I love the chicken. It's always tender and cooked just right. And those women at the Methodist Church know that mashed potatoes and green beans are easy for older folks to eat. And how did those ladies know that cherry pie is my favorite!"
The lady enjoyed this woman so much that she stayed to visit for a while before continuing her deliveries.
But the lady hated delivering food to one older woman, who did nothing but complain about the meals. "Chicken again! Those ladies at the Methodist Church can't cook chicken fit to eat...it's always so tough. And I suppose I'm getting those tasteless potatoes and green beans. And cherry pie...I hate cherry pie."
The lady didn't hang around this woman, and upon leaving, the woman would always complain, "why don't you ever stay to visit? You're in such a hurry to leave. Nobody ever wants to visit."
When the speaker finished her talk, we were served our meals of roast pork with cherry sauce, wild rice, green beans, and rolls.
Mother took a bite of her meat and glanced at me, so I took a bite...it was tough as shoe leather. I shook my head at her to indicate we shouldn't comment on it for fear of seeming "negative." Mother simply couldn't manage her portion, but I dutifully plowed through mine, as did the rest of the ladies at our table. We didn't dare do otherwise!
The rice and green beans were fine, but the roll was tough, too. The best part of the meal was the yogurt and raspberry parfait dessert.
We were surprised by the place settings...the plates looked like fine China, and the gleaming silverware certainly looked real. But it was all plastic. Even the parfaits were served in clear plastic glasses. Unusual, but effective.
The event ended at 1:30, and we were back home shortly afterward. We entertained ourselves for the rest of the afternoon watching the second half of the Westminster Dog Show. We already knew which dog won...a Scottish Deer Hound...but we still wanted to see the other contenders.
For supper, we had leftovers...beef and gravy with mashed potatoes or rice, and canned whole kernel corn. Mother was plenty ready to eat, since she didn't (or couldn't) eat much at lunch.
She went home afterward, and Hubbie and I settled in front of TV, as usual.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Thursday, Feb. 17
Up around 8 a.m. on this overcast and windy day, and did a treadmill session and resistance exercises after breakfast. Once I was ready for the day, I spent the rest of the morning doing this and that around the house.
The morning mail brought a surprise...Hubbie had been looking for a jewelry travel bag for me, and his sister who lives in a town about an hour east of us found one, which arrived this morning. It's black with a floral lining and has many plastic pockets for storing earrings, necklaces, pendants, etc. The biggest surprise about it is that it's a Vera Bradley brand. A change purse of the same brand arrived with the zippered bag (which the Vera Bradley company calls a "jewelry book").
As testament to how brand-conscious I am, I didn't even notice the designer name on the bag...Mother was the one who spotted it. I was more interested in the layout of the bag and how many handy pockets it has.
After lunch, Mother and I went to the Extension Services office to meet with the other scrapbook club members for a 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. session. A couple of us brought punches and rubber stamps to share. I used one member's punch to make lacy borders on several cards, which will be appropriate when we make Easter cards for Caring Hands Hospice.
Back home, Mother went to her house, and I began getting stuff together for a pizza supper. I made the pizzas using thin bagels. We had baked potatoes and cottage cheese with the pizzas.
Later, around 6:30, we went downtown to the dance studio, where we joined the current adult ballroom class in dancing until 8:30. The dance follows the ballroom class, as a way to help the students practice their skills.
For $3 a person, or $5 a couple, though, anyone can join in. It has been a long time since we've used what we learned when we took ballroom lessons, so we needed a refresher course. Fortunately, the first half hour of the dances are devoted to helping attendees brush up.
It was a fun night and good workout. These dance parties are held once a month, we learned tonight, but this is only the third one since October....weather and illness cancelled a couple of them. The next one is scheduled for March 17, St. Patrick's Day.
We were back home around 9 p.m. Watched TV for a while before hitting the sack.
The morning mail brought a surprise...Hubbie had been looking for a jewelry travel bag for me, and his sister who lives in a town about an hour east of us found one, which arrived this morning. It's black with a floral lining and has many plastic pockets for storing earrings, necklaces, pendants, etc. The biggest surprise about it is that it's a Vera Bradley brand. A change purse of the same brand arrived with the zippered bag (which the Vera Bradley company calls a "jewelry book").
As testament to how brand-conscious I am, I didn't even notice the designer name on the bag...Mother was the one who spotted it. I was more interested in the layout of the bag and how many handy pockets it has.
After lunch, Mother and I went to the Extension Services office to meet with the other scrapbook club members for a 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. session. A couple of us brought punches and rubber stamps to share. I used one member's punch to make lacy borders on several cards, which will be appropriate when we make Easter cards for Caring Hands Hospice.
Back home, Mother went to her house, and I began getting stuff together for a pizza supper. I made the pizzas using thin bagels. We had baked potatoes and cottage cheese with the pizzas.
Later, around 6:30, we went downtown to the dance studio, where we joined the current adult ballroom class in dancing until 8:30. The dance follows the ballroom class, as a way to help the students practice their skills.
For $3 a person, or $5 a couple, though, anyone can join in. It has been a long time since we've used what we learned when we took ballroom lessons, so we needed a refresher course. Fortunately, the first half hour of the dances are devoted to helping attendees brush up.
It was a fun night and good workout. These dance parties are held once a month, we learned tonight, but this is only the third one since October....weather and illness cancelled a couple of them. The next one is scheduled for March 17, St. Patrick's Day.
We were back home around 9 p.m. Watched TV for a while before hitting the sack.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, Feb. 16
Up around 8 a.m. on this pleasant day, and did a treadmill session and weights exercises after breakfast. Once I was ready for the day, I scanned a photo of Hubbie and myself on the day of our wedding thirty years ago, and posted it to my social network page.
Mother came over mid-morning, and around 11 a.m., we watched the first half of the Westminster Dog Show, which I'd recorded on DVR. We continued watching the show as we ate lunch.
The show ended around 1:30 p.m., and shortly afterward, Mother and I went to a friend's house to visit and pick up fabrics and crafts supplies that she had cleared out of her closet. I'll donate most of the fabric to our local community theater. Some of the craft supplies are suitable to use in making greeting cards.
We spent about two hours with our friend, who served us muffins, brownies, and cups of coffee. We learned that she will soon be trying to sell her home, so she can move to another town about an hour and a half away, where her daughter's family, including her only grandchild, a four-year-old boy, live. In her late 70s, this lady, who despaired of ever having a grandchild, is over the moon about that boy.
We'll certainly miss this friend, but we understand why, as a widow, she'd want to move closer to family. Our friend moving away will mean that we'll probably see less of our other friend, who lives about an hour east of us. Whenever she came to our town, she stayed a few days at a time at our widow friend's house, and we'd all get together for visits.
We can probably arrange to see our friend who lives east of us when we go to that town to see Hubbie's relatives, but I don't know when we'd ever get to see our widow friend again.
We got back home around 4 p.m., and around 4:45, I went downtown to the art gallery for a visual arts committee meeting. The meeting ended around 6 p.m. On the way home, a deer on the side of the road hesitated before turning and running up the hill. I'm so glad it didn't choose to run out in front of the van.
At home, Mother had heated leftovers for our supper. She went home afterward, and Hubbie and I listened to the radio as our favorite college basketball team played to a big win. I like it when our team wins, but this was a no-contest game, as our team steamrolled the opposition.
Mother came over mid-morning, and around 11 a.m., we watched the first half of the Westminster Dog Show, which I'd recorded on DVR. We continued watching the show as we ate lunch.
The show ended around 1:30 p.m., and shortly afterward, Mother and I went to a friend's house to visit and pick up fabrics and crafts supplies that she had cleared out of her closet. I'll donate most of the fabric to our local community theater. Some of the craft supplies are suitable to use in making greeting cards.
We spent about two hours with our friend, who served us muffins, brownies, and cups of coffee. We learned that she will soon be trying to sell her home, so she can move to another town about an hour and a half away, where her daughter's family, including her only grandchild, a four-year-old boy, live. In her late 70s, this lady, who despaired of ever having a grandchild, is over the moon about that boy.
We'll certainly miss this friend, but we understand why, as a widow, she'd want to move closer to family. Our friend moving away will mean that we'll probably see less of our other friend, who lives about an hour east of us. Whenever she came to our town, she stayed a few days at a time at our widow friend's house, and we'd all get together for visits.
We can probably arrange to see our friend who lives east of us when we go to that town to see Hubbie's relatives, but I don't know when we'd ever get to see our widow friend again.
We got back home around 4 p.m., and around 4:45, I went downtown to the art gallery for a visual arts committee meeting. The meeting ended around 6 p.m. On the way home, a deer on the side of the road hesitated before turning and running up the hill. I'm so glad it didn't choose to run out in front of the van.
At home, Mother had heated leftovers for our supper. She went home afterward, and Hubbie and I listened to the radio as our favorite college basketball team played to a big win. I like it when our team wins, but this was a no-contest game, as our team steamrolled the opposition.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, Feb. 15
Another beautiful spring-like day...sunny, temp in the 60s. I slept late, until around 8 a.m., then did a treadmill session and resistance exercises after breakfast.
While I got ready for the day, Hubbie trimmed Shih Tzu and bathed her. Mother came over mid-morning and relaxed while I spent some time working on a lesson plan for tonight's meeting with my Literacy Council student.
Just as I began work, Shih Tzu needed to go out, and since Hubbie was in the yard cutting back Rose-of-Sharon bushes, I took care of that chore, and then because she also indicated she was hungry, I also fed her before I got down to the business of a lesson plan. I think Shih Tzu is equipped with some sort of radar that tells her exactly when I might be busy, which is precisely when she wants to disturb me.
For lunch, we opted for PB&J sandwiches. Afterward, Mother and I shopped online for a pair of house shoes that she might like for her birthday. We found a very nice pair of black leather ones that have a firm sole.
I knew when she told me yesterday what she'd like for her birthday that I wouldn't be able to find the kind she likes at any of our local stores, because I searched everywhere in town for a pair at Christmas time. So I was glad to find what she wanted online.
Later, Hubbie and I ran a couple of errands...to one of the stores that has a sale every weekend to look for earring backs (mine are getting loose, and I've almost lost some very nice earrings when one of a pair would fall off). The store didn't have what I wanted, so we proceeded to the WDCS for a few groceries items.
While there, I looked for earring backs. I wanted gold ones, but they didn't have any. So I settled for some cheaper ones that will work until I can locate better ones, maybe online.
The store had racks of winter clothes on sale, and I found a green turtleneck shirt for $3. Hubbie suggested if there were two on the rack, I should get them, so I did.
From there, we went to a farm store to get dog food. While there, I ran onto a rack of winter jackets, where I found a dark blue denim one with a sheep's-wool-like lining reduced from $40 to just $10. Couldn't pass that up! It's a nice length that hits just below the waistline.
Didn't do anything productive after we got back home...just played on my laptop computer and read the local daily newspaper.
Supper tonight was smothered steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Mother went home afterward, and I went to the local college library to meet my student at 6 p.m. While I was gone, Hubbie attended a 7 p.m. plant society meeting at a local bank, where a guest speaker presented a program on Japanese maple trees.
At tonight's tutoring session, the student learned to identify calendar information by answering questions: what is today's date? Tuesday, February fifteenth. Naturally the "th" sounds are the most difficult for her. She tripped on "first," too, but she'll practice these at home and do better next week.
We also worked on other question and answer sentences: "I'm reading my book. What are you doing?" "I'm writing my name." This kind of question and answer conversation helps her understand intonation responses: "What are you doing?" with emphasis on the word "you."
Part of the session included practicing words without having to know the meanings. The purpose is to enable her to pronounce certain sounds that will occur in later lessons: tam, tan, rang, ran, thin, thing, sing, sang, sung, ton, tongue, etc. She became frustrated with the word thin, which was very nearly impossible for her to pronounce tonight. We'll be practicing that sound a lot in the next couple of weeks.
I learned tonight why she was unable to attend our session last night...one of her children developed an earache and had to be taken to the doctor yesterday. Naturally she didn't want to leave the child last night.
Hubbie was already home when I got back a little after 8 p.m. He'd brought some snacks from the refreshment table at the plant society meeting, which we enjoyed with cups of hot chocolate.
After we watched a couple of one hour TV shows, we headed to bed. It was a good day.
While I got ready for the day, Hubbie trimmed Shih Tzu and bathed her. Mother came over mid-morning and relaxed while I spent some time working on a lesson plan for tonight's meeting with my Literacy Council student.
Just as I began work, Shih Tzu needed to go out, and since Hubbie was in the yard cutting back Rose-of-Sharon bushes, I took care of that chore, and then because she also indicated she was hungry, I also fed her before I got down to the business of a lesson plan. I think Shih Tzu is equipped with some sort of radar that tells her exactly when I might be busy, which is precisely when she wants to disturb me.
For lunch, we opted for PB&J sandwiches. Afterward, Mother and I shopped online for a pair of house shoes that she might like for her birthday. We found a very nice pair of black leather ones that have a firm sole.
I knew when she told me yesterday what she'd like for her birthday that I wouldn't be able to find the kind she likes at any of our local stores, because I searched everywhere in town for a pair at Christmas time. So I was glad to find what she wanted online.
Later, Hubbie and I ran a couple of errands...to one of the stores that has a sale every weekend to look for earring backs (mine are getting loose, and I've almost lost some very nice earrings when one of a pair would fall off). The store didn't have what I wanted, so we proceeded to the WDCS for a few groceries items.
While there, I looked for earring backs. I wanted gold ones, but they didn't have any. So I settled for some cheaper ones that will work until I can locate better ones, maybe online.
The store had racks of winter clothes on sale, and I found a green turtleneck shirt for $3. Hubbie suggested if there were two on the rack, I should get them, so I did.
From there, we went to a farm store to get dog food. While there, I ran onto a rack of winter jackets, where I found a dark blue denim one with a sheep's-wool-like lining reduced from $40 to just $10. Couldn't pass that up! It's a nice length that hits just below the waistline.
Didn't do anything productive after we got back home...just played on my laptop computer and read the local daily newspaper.
Supper tonight was smothered steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Mother went home afterward, and I went to the local college library to meet my student at 6 p.m. While I was gone, Hubbie attended a 7 p.m. plant society meeting at a local bank, where a guest speaker presented a program on Japanese maple trees.
At tonight's tutoring session, the student learned to identify calendar information by answering questions: what is today's date? Tuesday, February fifteenth. Naturally the "th" sounds are the most difficult for her. She tripped on "first," too, but she'll practice these at home and do better next week.
We also worked on other question and answer sentences: "I'm reading my book. What are you doing?" "I'm writing my name." This kind of question and answer conversation helps her understand intonation responses: "What are you doing?" with emphasis on the word "you."
Part of the session included practicing words without having to know the meanings. The purpose is to enable her to pronounce certain sounds that will occur in later lessons: tam, tan, rang, ran, thin, thing, sing, sang, sung, ton, tongue, etc. She became frustrated with the word thin, which was very nearly impossible for her to pronounce tonight. We'll be practicing that sound a lot in the next couple of weeks.
I learned tonight why she was unable to attend our session last night...one of her children developed an earache and had to be taken to the doctor yesterday. Naturally she didn't want to leave the child last night.
Hubbie was already home when I got back a little after 8 p.m. He'd brought some snacks from the refreshment table at the plant society meeting, which we enjoyed with cups of hot chocolate.
After we watched a couple of one hour TV shows, we headed to bed. It was a good day.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, Feb. 14
Happy Valentine's Day!
Slept late this morning, until 8 a.m., and did a treadmill session and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie had gotten up around 6:30 a.m., so he went ahead and had his breakfast ahead of me. Then he delivered the candy we'd made yesterday to the Caring Hands Hospice office.
In the meantime, I returned a call to my Literacy Council student, who, I discovered this morning, called last night while we were at the movie theater. I left a message, and soon her husband called back to let me know the student couldn't attend the session tonight (maybe because it's Valentine's Day?). We set a new session for tomorrow night.
After that phone call, I called the members of the scrapbook club to remind them of our meeting on Thursday afternoon. As I finished talking to the ladies, Hubbie returned home. I hadn't exercised yet...because I was waiting on return phone calls (our land line message machine is broken, and I wasn't sure everyone had my cell phone number), so I thought I needed Hubbie to answer the phone while I was out of pocket. Turned out I got the return calls before I started exercising, though.
By the time I finished exercising and got ready for the day, it was already lunchtime. Mother came over, and we exchanged Valentine's cards. Inside ours from Mother, there was a photo of Hubbie and me at her house right after we'd married 30 years ago. Our gift to her wasn't nearly as grand...just a box of peanut butter cups in a heart-shaped box.
After lunch, Mother and I gathered what we'll need to work on scrapbook pages Thursday. It took a while to choose just the right backgrounds and matching solid color card stock papers for the several photos I want to work on. Mother is still working on Niece's wedding photos.
We and the other members of the club also agreed to bring along our rubber stamps and punches so we can borrow from each other at the meeting to create motifs that we can use later as elements on greeting cards. Mother and I spent some time choosing things we think the others might like to use.
Supper tonight was leftover ribs from yesterday's restaurant meal, with leftover Parmesan potatoes from Saturday's meal, along with French style green beans, and rolls leftover from the restaurant.
For dessert (provided by Mother), we had a choice of chocolate or white cupcakes, with chocolate pudding, strawberries from the freezer, and whipped topping. Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie and I watched a movie I'd recorded a week or so ago on DVR..."The Lost Valentine," starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Seemed an appropriate movie for tonight. It's a predictable plot, with an ending that viewers would want.
Slept late this morning, until 8 a.m., and did a treadmill session and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie had gotten up around 6:30 a.m., so he went ahead and had his breakfast ahead of me. Then he delivered the candy we'd made yesterday to the Caring Hands Hospice office.
In the meantime, I returned a call to my Literacy Council student, who, I discovered this morning, called last night while we were at the movie theater. I left a message, and soon her husband called back to let me know the student couldn't attend the session tonight (maybe because it's Valentine's Day?). We set a new session for tomorrow night.
After that phone call, I called the members of the scrapbook club to remind them of our meeting on Thursday afternoon. As I finished talking to the ladies, Hubbie returned home. I hadn't exercised yet...because I was waiting on return phone calls (our land line message machine is broken, and I wasn't sure everyone had my cell phone number), so I thought I needed Hubbie to answer the phone while I was out of pocket. Turned out I got the return calls before I started exercising, though.
By the time I finished exercising and got ready for the day, it was already lunchtime. Mother came over, and we exchanged Valentine's cards. Inside ours from Mother, there was a photo of Hubbie and me at her house right after we'd married 30 years ago. Our gift to her wasn't nearly as grand...just a box of peanut butter cups in a heart-shaped box.
After lunch, Mother and I gathered what we'll need to work on scrapbook pages Thursday. It took a while to choose just the right backgrounds and matching solid color card stock papers for the several photos I want to work on. Mother is still working on Niece's wedding photos.
We and the other members of the club also agreed to bring along our rubber stamps and punches so we can borrow from each other at the meeting to create motifs that we can use later as elements on greeting cards. Mother and I spent some time choosing things we think the others might like to use.
Supper tonight was leftover ribs from yesterday's restaurant meal, with leftover Parmesan potatoes from Saturday's meal, along with French style green beans, and rolls leftover from the restaurant.
For dessert (provided by Mother), we had a choice of chocolate or white cupcakes, with chocolate pudding, strawberries from the freezer, and whipped topping. Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie and I watched a movie I'd recorded a week or so ago on DVR..."The Lost Valentine," starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Seemed an appropriate movie for tonight. It's a predictable plot, with an ending that viewers would want.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, Feb. 13
Today is Grandson's birthday. Happy 14th birthday, Grandson!
I was up around 7:30 this morning, but skipped my exercises, as I usually do at least once a week. Spent the morning as I do most Sundays...programming the DVR for the week's shows and movies, washing a couple of loads of laundry, and reading the newspaper.
Mother came over around 10:30. She and I both dressed up a little to go out for lunch. It was our Valentine treat to Mother. We went to a local steakhouse, where we each ordered a combo dinner. Mother chose the fried catfish and ribs, I got chicken and ribs, and Hubbie ordered steak and shrimp. For side orders, Mother got a baked sweet potato, I ordered okra, and Hubbie got a plain baked potato. Then we shared our selections.
Before we began our meal, I asked the waitress to bring us a take out box, so I could set aside the giant portion of ribs from Mother's combo meal. It's enough to feed us all for supper tomorrow night.
I gave Hubbie most of my portion of ribs, saving two small ribs for myself. And I gave half my chicken to Mother. Hubbie gave me several of his grilled shrimp, and Mother shared her sweet potato with me. I shared my okra with both Mother and Hubbie.
We each had a roll, but there were still three left to bring home. I like honey with my rolls, and asked the waitress twice to bring some. She finally obliged when she brought our meals out.
When we first arrived, the waitress brought big glasses of water, but apologized that the restaurant had run out of straws. She promised that some would arrive soon. We figured someone was sent to the WDCS across the street to purchase an emergency supply, because when she brought some to the table, they were the little plastic ones with bendable tops.
In the meantime, I requested that Mother be given a small Styrofoam cup for her water, because the glasses the restaurant provides are too large and heavy for her to lift.
We had arrived at the restaurant at 11:30, to beat the after-church crowd, but it wasn't long before folks were flocking into the building, all dressed in their Sunday best.
Just as we finished our meal, Hubbie knocked the little paper cup of hot dipping butter over, spilling it everywhere. Thank goodness, it didn't drip into my lap! When the waitress returned to pick up plates, I told her what Hubbie had done. "Why'd you do that?" she joked. I just wanted her to be aware of it and not try to mop it up like it was liquid instead of a greasy mess.
When we left the restaurant, we went to the WDCS, where I picked up white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips, as well as peppermint disks, for making chocolate bark candy to donate to Caring Hands Hospice for their fundraiser.
Mother and I made the candy as soon as we returned home and changed clothes. Mother went home afterward, and I played on my computer, including posting a snapshot of Birthday Boy as an infant to my social network page.
When I came back downstairs, I found a small, beautifully wrapped package on the end table. It contained a stunning pair of earrings...a Valentine's gift from Hubbie.
Neither of us was very hungry at suppertime, so we settled for bowls of cereal and toast. Afterward, we went to the local theater to see, "The King's Speech," starring Colin Firth. there were four of us in the theater tonight.
This is a great movie about King George VI, who formed a lifelong freindship with his speech therapist. George VI succeeded to the throne when his brother, Edward, abdicated to marry a twice divorced American, Mrs. Wallis Simpson. But he had a serious speech impediment that threatened to derail him. His therapist helped him overcome his problem at a most critical hour.
Before we went to the movie, we stopped back by the WDCS, where we picked up several more bags of the white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips, because they are on sale, and they will keep nicely in the freezer until we need to make candy again. I also picked up snapshots of last week's snow, which I'd ordered online this morning.
I was up around 7:30 this morning, but skipped my exercises, as I usually do at least once a week. Spent the morning as I do most Sundays...programming the DVR for the week's shows and movies, washing a couple of loads of laundry, and reading the newspaper.
Mother came over around 10:30. She and I both dressed up a little to go out for lunch. It was our Valentine treat to Mother. We went to a local steakhouse, where we each ordered a combo dinner. Mother chose the fried catfish and ribs, I got chicken and ribs, and Hubbie ordered steak and shrimp. For side orders, Mother got a baked sweet potato, I ordered okra, and Hubbie got a plain baked potato. Then we shared our selections.
Before we began our meal, I asked the waitress to bring us a take out box, so I could set aside the giant portion of ribs from Mother's combo meal. It's enough to feed us all for supper tomorrow night.
I gave Hubbie most of my portion of ribs, saving two small ribs for myself. And I gave half my chicken to Mother. Hubbie gave me several of his grilled shrimp, and Mother shared her sweet potato with me. I shared my okra with both Mother and Hubbie.
We each had a roll, but there were still three left to bring home. I like honey with my rolls, and asked the waitress twice to bring some. She finally obliged when she brought our meals out.
When we first arrived, the waitress brought big glasses of water, but apologized that the restaurant had run out of straws. She promised that some would arrive soon. We figured someone was sent to the WDCS across the street to purchase an emergency supply, because when she brought some to the table, they were the little plastic ones with bendable tops.
In the meantime, I requested that Mother be given a small Styrofoam cup for her water, because the glasses the restaurant provides are too large and heavy for her to lift.
We had arrived at the restaurant at 11:30, to beat the after-church crowd, but it wasn't long before folks were flocking into the building, all dressed in their Sunday best.
Just as we finished our meal, Hubbie knocked the little paper cup of hot dipping butter over, spilling it everywhere. Thank goodness, it didn't drip into my lap! When the waitress returned to pick up plates, I told her what Hubbie had done. "Why'd you do that?" she joked. I just wanted her to be aware of it and not try to mop it up like it was liquid instead of a greasy mess.
When we left the restaurant, we went to the WDCS, where I picked up white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips, as well as peppermint disks, for making chocolate bark candy to donate to Caring Hands Hospice for their fundraiser.
Mother and I made the candy as soon as we returned home and changed clothes. Mother went home afterward, and I played on my computer, including posting a snapshot of Birthday Boy as an infant to my social network page.
When I came back downstairs, I found a small, beautifully wrapped package on the end table. It contained a stunning pair of earrings...a Valentine's gift from Hubbie.
Neither of us was very hungry at suppertime, so we settled for bowls of cereal and toast. Afterward, we went to the local theater to see, "The King's Speech," starring Colin Firth. there were four of us in the theater tonight.
This is a great movie about King George VI, who formed a lifelong freindship with his speech therapist. George VI succeeded to the throne when his brother, Edward, abdicated to marry a twice divorced American, Mrs. Wallis Simpson. But he had a serious speech impediment that threatened to derail him. His therapist helped him overcome his problem at a most critical hour.
Before we went to the movie, we stopped back by the WDCS, where we picked up several more bags of the white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips, because they are on sale, and they will keep nicely in the freezer until we need to make candy again. I also picked up snapshots of last week's snow, which I'd ordered online this morning.
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