Up around 7:30, and did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises after breakfast. Around 9:30, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, while I got ready for the day.
We spent most of the day today decorating for Christmas. Since the cats spend a lot of time in the sunroom, we decided to put both trees in the living room. This required moving some things out of that room, like a four-drawer wicker storage unit, and a card table and chairs, so one of the trees could be set up in that corner; and a decorative storage box of DVDs in front of the window, so the other tree could go there.
Finding places to store those items, plus wall hangings, and bringing in the large tree, took up most of the morning. While we did this, Mother watched the animated features, "Frosty the Snowman," and "Frosty Returns."
After lunch, she retired to the couch, but didn't get much rest, since Hubbie and I were in the living room decorating the tree in front of the window.
I don't think she would have rested anyway, since she mentioned she had a headache. I gave her a couple of Tylonol capsules. In a little while, she said her headache had eased, so she got up. But it wasn't long before her head was drooping again, so around 3 p.m., I urged her to go back to the couch, which she did. This time she was able to nap for an hour and a half, and was ready for supper at 5 p.m.
Supper was ham salad on buns, and baked sweet potatoes. Mother was ready to go home afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her.
Hubbie and I skipped watching TV tonight, in favor of decorating the large tree. By 9 p.m., we had it mostly done. But I was pooped by this time, and ready to leave the rest of the decorating until tomorrow.
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Funny: we couldn't locate Mother's eyeglasses this afternoon. Hubbie was sure he had handed them to her to put in her coat pocket this morning before he accompanied her to our house, but they weren't there.
After searching high and low at our house and hers, as well as anywhere we remotely thought they'd be, like the van, the toy box (in case the kids had secreted them there on Thursday), and even in the garage, we were sure they were lost and gone forever.
"We're going to have to staple those things to your forehead," I teased, since she frequently misplaces them.
But as I was walking toward the bathroom, I passed a three-basket wicker stand in the hallway, and the light bulb went off...I remembered I'd put them in the top basket, out of sight of the little ones on Thursday. My bad.
We all had a good laugh at my expense. But now we're wondering how Mother's partially-used tube of toothpaste got in the van.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Friday, Nov. 23
Planned to sleep late this morning, but Hubbie got up around 7:30 to go to a Black Friday sale, where he hoped to find a pre-lit Christmas tree for the living room. I warned him that he was probably too late for any bargains, but he thought that even if he had to pay a higher price, there'd be trees available in the size we wanted.
As I guessed, the door buster ones were gone, and he wasn't sure if I'd like the ones that were available, so he returned home without a tree. By this time, I was wide awake and downstairs enjoying coffee.
After breakfast, I did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises. While I did this, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. When I'd finished exercising, I gathered ingredients for making ham salad. Mother chopped onions, celery, and bell pepper, then cubed ham, and diced deviled eggs. I added pickle relish, mustard, spiced mustard, salad dressing, no-salt seasoning, paprika, and pepper, and Mother mixed the recipe together. I put the salad in the fridge to meld until tomorrow, when we'll have it for supper.
In the meantime, Hubbie took the autumn display off of the mantel. Once I was showered and ready for the day, I removed fall decorations from around the house and stored them. We hope to get a lot of the Christmas decorating out of the way this weekend.
After a lunch of leftovers, Mother retired to the couch for a nap, and Hubbie and I went in search of a Christmas tree. We started at the WDCS, where there were a few trees on sale. But the one in a size we needed was skimpy, with a skimpy number of lights on it. While we were there, though, we picked up a few grocery items we needed.
And then we went to the home improvement store, where I settled on one I think will work. It was hard to tell if I'd like it by viewing the sample, which was displayed on a high platform, and which had colored lights on it. But there was a boxed one with clear lights. I figured if it didn't have as many lights on it as I like, we could fill in the spaces with regular strands. We were pleasantly surprised when the tree rang up at almost $20 less than the sale price listed on it.
Back home, Mother was still snoozing, so we settled in to watch our favorite college football team play their last game of the season. They've had such a miserable season, that they will not be playing in a bowl game this year, but we were hoping they would be triumphant today. Unfortunately, they lost, but not by a wide margin.
While the game was playing, I prepared a supper of Thanksgiving dinner leftovers, a meal that was as delicious today as it was yesterday.
As soon as the game was over, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then he put the new tree up. We were delighted to see it is full and beautifully lit. It's going to save a lot of time in tangled light frustration. But we will still have to frustrate ourselves with tangled colored lights for the large tree.
Later, Hubbie went out to the camper to turn on the heater, since temps might plummet tonight. Unfortunately, the heater didn't work, so off we went to the WDCS to buy another one.
Finally, around 8 p.m., we were finished with today's tasks, and ready to sit back and watch the "National Dog Show." The dog with the strangest name was a breed from Mexico, called Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eats-queen-tlee). It's a hairless, black dog, with very tall, pointed ears, and slanted eyes.
Speaking of canines, we noticed on our way back from errands tonight that a fox had been hit and killed on the road.
As I guessed, the door buster ones were gone, and he wasn't sure if I'd like the ones that were available, so he returned home without a tree. By this time, I was wide awake and downstairs enjoying coffee.
After breakfast, I did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises. While I did this, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. When I'd finished exercising, I gathered ingredients for making ham salad. Mother chopped onions, celery, and bell pepper, then cubed ham, and diced deviled eggs. I added pickle relish, mustard, spiced mustard, salad dressing, no-salt seasoning, paprika, and pepper, and Mother mixed the recipe together. I put the salad in the fridge to meld until tomorrow, when we'll have it for supper.
In the meantime, Hubbie took the autumn display off of the mantel. Once I was showered and ready for the day, I removed fall decorations from around the house and stored them. We hope to get a lot of the Christmas decorating out of the way this weekend.
After a lunch of leftovers, Mother retired to the couch for a nap, and Hubbie and I went in search of a Christmas tree. We started at the WDCS, where there were a few trees on sale. But the one in a size we needed was skimpy, with a skimpy number of lights on it. While we were there, though, we picked up a few grocery items we needed.
And then we went to the home improvement store, where I settled on one I think will work. It was hard to tell if I'd like it by viewing the sample, which was displayed on a high platform, and which had colored lights on it. But there was a boxed one with clear lights. I figured if it didn't have as many lights on it as I like, we could fill in the spaces with regular strands. We were pleasantly surprised when the tree rang up at almost $20 less than the sale price listed on it.
Back home, Mother was still snoozing, so we settled in to watch our favorite college football team play their last game of the season. They've had such a miserable season, that they will not be playing in a bowl game this year, but we were hoping they would be triumphant today. Unfortunately, they lost, but not by a wide margin.
While the game was playing, I prepared a supper of Thanksgiving dinner leftovers, a meal that was as delicious today as it was yesterday.
As soon as the game was over, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then he put the new tree up. We were delighted to see it is full and beautifully lit. It's going to save a lot of time in tangled light frustration. But we will still have to frustrate ourselves with tangled colored lights for the large tree.
Later, Hubbie went out to the camper to turn on the heater, since temps might plummet tonight. Unfortunately, the heater didn't work, so off we went to the WDCS to buy another one.
Finally, around 8 p.m., we were finished with today's tasks, and ready to sit back and watch the "National Dog Show." The dog with the strangest name was a breed from Mexico, called Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eats-queen-tlee). It's a hairless, black dog, with very tall, pointed ears, and slanted eyes.
Speaking of canines, we noticed on our way back from errands tonight that a fox had been hit and killed on the road.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thursday, Nov. 22
Thanksgiving Day! Hope it was as special for everyone else as it was for us.
Up at 6:30 this morning, so I could get the turkey ready for the slow cooker oven. Stuffed the bird with celery, onions, carrots, and apples, rubbed the bird with olive oil under the breast skin, as well as all over the outside, then rubbed a mixture of salt-free seasoning, thyme, garlic, pepper, Rosemary, and paprika all over the turkey. Put the bird in the slow cooker with a couple of cans of low-sodium chicken broth, and surrounded it with more veggies and apples, and let it cook all morning.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, where she fixed a pickle and olive dish, put the deviled eggs on a pretty egg holder plate, and did other things that could be handled while she was seated at a small table in the kitchen.
In the meantime, I cooked the turkey neck and giblets, in order to have a rich broth for making gravy later. I didn't want to use the pan drippings, because it was too fat. As soon as it was done, Mother stripped the meat from the neck to add to the gravy, and the outdoor cats were gifted with the giblets.
Hubbie peeled and quartered a big pan of potatoes, and then around 10:15, I sent Hubbie to Mother's house to put the two dishes of dressing in her oven, while I put the corn and green bean medley in a baking dish, and ham in another baking dish. Those went in the oven around 11 a.m.
Son, Daughter-in-Law, Young Grandson, Older Grandson and his wife and three children, arrived around this time, bringing with them a slow cooker of cornbread dressing, jalepeno deviled eggs, and a pecan pie.
Shortly after they arrived, I put the veggies and ham in the oven, and started the pan of potatoes cooking. At 11:30, it was the usual rush of getting last-minute stuff ready...mashing potatoes, making gravy, heating rolls, carving the turkey, and putting everything out on a buffet table.
Shortly after noon, we were ready to gather for a prayer, and then fill our plates. It was a wonderful meal, with a choice of turkey and ham, mashed poatoes and gravy, both bread and cornbread dressings, corn and green bean medley, a choice of homemade cranberry sauce or the canned variety, a choice of deviled eggs, a choice of sweet or dill pickles, as well as black olives, and hot rolls with a choice of plain margarine or honey butter. Dessert, of course, was a choice of pumpkin pie or pecan pie, with fat-free whipped topping.
Funny: Great-Granddaughter loves deviled eggs, which she calls "double eggs."
Not long after lunch, Older Grandson and his family announced they needed to leave, so Grandson could get back home to go deer hunting. We hurried to take family photos before they got on the road.
Son, Daughter-in-Law, and Younger Grandson stayed until around 4 p.m. Actually, I thought Younger Grandson had left with Older Grandson, but just before Son left, he said Grandson had spent the afternoon outside on his cell phone, texting and listening to music. He's sixteen, so naturally he can't waste more time than is absolutely necessary hanging around his boring parents and grandparents.
While Son and Daughter-in-Law were here, we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which I had recorded on DVR.
Shortly after Son and family left, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV, including "Son of the Morning Star," a 1991 mini-series about the last days of George Custer, Crazy Horse, and the events leading up to the battle of Little Big Horn. Stars Gary Cole, and Rosanna Arquette.
Up at 6:30 this morning, so I could get the turkey ready for the slow cooker oven. Stuffed the bird with celery, onions, carrots, and apples, rubbed the bird with olive oil under the breast skin, as well as all over the outside, then rubbed a mixture of salt-free seasoning, thyme, garlic, pepper, Rosemary, and paprika all over the turkey. Put the bird in the slow cooker with a couple of cans of low-sodium chicken broth, and surrounded it with more veggies and apples, and let it cook all morning.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, where she fixed a pickle and olive dish, put the deviled eggs on a pretty egg holder plate, and did other things that could be handled while she was seated at a small table in the kitchen.
In the meantime, I cooked the turkey neck and giblets, in order to have a rich broth for making gravy later. I didn't want to use the pan drippings, because it was too fat. As soon as it was done, Mother stripped the meat from the neck to add to the gravy, and the outdoor cats were gifted with the giblets.
Hubbie peeled and quartered a big pan of potatoes, and then around 10:15, I sent Hubbie to Mother's house to put the two dishes of dressing in her oven, while I put the corn and green bean medley in a baking dish, and ham in another baking dish. Those went in the oven around 11 a.m.
Son, Daughter-in-Law, Young Grandson, Older Grandson and his wife and three children, arrived around this time, bringing with them a slow cooker of cornbread dressing, jalepeno deviled eggs, and a pecan pie.
Shortly after they arrived, I put the veggies and ham in the oven, and started the pan of potatoes cooking. At 11:30, it was the usual rush of getting last-minute stuff ready...mashing potatoes, making gravy, heating rolls, carving the turkey, and putting everything out on a buffet table.
Shortly after noon, we were ready to gather for a prayer, and then fill our plates. It was a wonderful meal, with a choice of turkey and ham, mashed poatoes and gravy, both bread and cornbread dressings, corn and green bean medley, a choice of homemade cranberry sauce or the canned variety, a choice of deviled eggs, a choice of sweet or dill pickles, as well as black olives, and hot rolls with a choice of plain margarine or honey butter. Dessert, of course, was a choice of pumpkin pie or pecan pie, with fat-free whipped topping.
Funny: Great-Granddaughter loves deviled eggs, which she calls "double eggs."
Not long after lunch, Older Grandson and his family announced they needed to leave, so Grandson could get back home to go deer hunting. We hurried to take family photos before they got on the road.
Son, Daughter-in-Law, and Younger Grandson stayed until around 4 p.m. Actually, I thought Younger Grandson had left with Older Grandson, but just before Son left, he said Grandson had spent the afternoon outside on his cell phone, texting and listening to music. He's sixteen, so naturally he can't waste more time than is absolutely necessary hanging around his boring parents and grandparents.
While Son and Daughter-in-Law were here, we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which I had recorded on DVR.
Shortly after Son and family left, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV, including "Son of the Morning Star," a 1991 mini-series about the last days of George Custer, Crazy Horse, and the events leading up to the battle of Little Big Horn. Stars Gary Cole, and Rosanna Arquette.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Wednesday, Nov. 21
Up around 7:30, and after breakfast, did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9 a.m., and we headed right to the kitchen to prepare more Thanksgiving food.
We started with the dressing. This is Mother's specialty, so I gathered the dried bread and all the other ingredients for her, and then stuck around while she made a recipe large enough to fill two baking dishes to be put in the refrigerator until tomorrow.
After that, I gathered the ingredients necessary for making pumpkin custard. This will be for me, so I won't have to eat full fat pies with crusts tomorrow. The custard has egg substitute, sugar substitute, and fat free condensed milk. Mother mixed the recipe, and then I put it in the oven and hung around until baked.
Worked on the deviled eggs next. Mother did most of the work on these, too. By this time, it was 11:30 and time for lunch.
While we prepared food, Hubbie went to a local restaurant and picked up hot rolls I'd ordered last week. These big, fluffy rolls smelled so good that we had to sample them for lunch. In fact, the rolls are so large that one of them was all Mother wanted, except for a small piece of cold pork roast. Hubbie had a slice of ham, some cranberry sauce, and a hot roll; and I had pork roast, cranberry sauce, and a roll.
Afterward, I encouraged Mother to take a nap. While she slept, I finally showered and got ready for the day. Then I did this and that...ironed tableclothes, snapped photos of about thirty Christmas cards Mother and I made for Caring Hands, and gathered dishes, silverware, and stemware for the table.
Later, when Mother finished her nap, we watched this week's episodes of "Dancing With the Stars." Then we had a supper of leftovers, which cleared the refrigerator for Thanksgiving leftovers. I suspect we'll be working on those throughout the weekend.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then we did a few other things related to getting ready for tomorrow, before relaxing in front of TV for the rest of the evening.
Tonight, we watched the last of the DVDs we borrowed from the library last week..."Everybody's Fine." This 2009 drama stars Robert De Nero, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell, and Kate Beckinsale. A widower tries to get his family together at his home, but everybody is busy. So he sets off to surprise-visit each of them, despite his doctor's advice against traveling. In the course of events, he learns a lot about his children, as well as himself. Good movie.
We started with the dressing. This is Mother's specialty, so I gathered the dried bread and all the other ingredients for her, and then stuck around while she made a recipe large enough to fill two baking dishes to be put in the refrigerator until tomorrow.
After that, I gathered the ingredients necessary for making pumpkin custard. This will be for me, so I won't have to eat full fat pies with crusts tomorrow. The custard has egg substitute, sugar substitute, and fat free condensed milk. Mother mixed the recipe, and then I put it in the oven and hung around until baked.
Worked on the deviled eggs next. Mother did most of the work on these, too. By this time, it was 11:30 and time for lunch.
While we prepared food, Hubbie went to a local restaurant and picked up hot rolls I'd ordered last week. These big, fluffy rolls smelled so good that we had to sample them for lunch. In fact, the rolls are so large that one of them was all Mother wanted, except for a small piece of cold pork roast. Hubbie had a slice of ham, some cranberry sauce, and a hot roll; and I had pork roast, cranberry sauce, and a roll.
Afterward, I encouraged Mother to take a nap. While she slept, I finally showered and got ready for the day. Then I did this and that...ironed tableclothes, snapped photos of about thirty Christmas cards Mother and I made for Caring Hands, and gathered dishes, silverware, and stemware for the table.
Later, when Mother finished her nap, we watched this week's episodes of "Dancing With the Stars." Then we had a supper of leftovers, which cleared the refrigerator for Thanksgiving leftovers. I suspect we'll be working on those throughout the weekend.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then we did a few other things related to getting ready for tomorrow, before relaxing in front of TV for the rest of the evening.
Tonight, we watched the last of the DVDs we borrowed from the library last week..."Everybody's Fine." This 2009 drama stars Robert De Nero, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell, and Kate Beckinsale. A widower tries to get his family together at his home, but everybody is busy. So he sets off to surprise-visit each of them, despite his doctor's advice against traveling. In the course of events, he learns a lot about his children, as well as himself. Good movie.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Tuesday, Nov. 20
Up around 7:30, and after breakfast, I started Thanksgiving preparations...put a dozen eggs on to boil, and put the ham in the oven. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and I gathered onions and celery and bell pepper for her to dice for various dishes. I sauteed the celery and some of the onions to use in dressing.
Then I did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises, and after cooling down, got ready for the day. Before we proceeded in the kitchen, we went to the medical clinic to get vaccinated against whooping cough. I'd called my doctor a few days ago to inquire if we needed the vaccine, since there has been an outbreak of the disease in at least one county of our state. I was told it would be advisable for us to get the shots.
I had a tetanus shot about a year ago, but since the DTP (diptheria/tetanus/pertussis) combination was no longer recommended in the United States, I got only the tetanus vaccine. Now, the pertussis vaccine also includes tetanus, which, according to the nurse, means I'll have a double dose of tetanus vaccine in my body, so that my arm might be more sore than Mother's and Hubbie's, and I might experience a rash at the injection sight. Hooray for me.
I had both whooping cough, and diptheria, as a child, but after all these years, I was no longer immune, so it was time for a booster.
It was like a family reunion at the doctor's office waiting room, since we visited with three people we worked with before we all retired.
Back home, after lunch, Mother and I continued our kitchen work. We made cranberry sauce, two pumpkin pies, and a recipe of corn and green beans, cooked with onions and bell peppers, all sauteed in margarine. I also sliced the ham for the refrigerator.
But before I could get the pies in the oven, Hubbie had to go to the WDCS for fresh pie crusts, because a package from the freezer had gone south. He also picked up other groceries on the list, so he didn't get back until 2 p.m.
Mother retired to the couch for nap after she'd mixed the pumpkin pie ingredients, and peeled and diced apples for the cranberry sauce. After I finished my kitchen duties, I was ready to relax with a cup of coffee and play on my laptop.
Later, we had a supper of leftover pork roast and veggies. Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house afterward, and then he and I watched TV, including our favorite college basketball team as they played to a wide-margin win.
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Notes:
Gem from the art gallery director: In an e-mail press release regarding the upcoming cookie Christmas house workshop that I'll be conducting on Dec. 1: "To assure ample supplies, please preregister in advance." Is there any other way?
Interesting wildlife: on a rainy day last week, as we were on our way home from running errands, we noticed a flock of twelve to fourteen wild turkeys sheltering under a tree. And a few days ago, we saw a road runner skitter across the highway.
Then I did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises, and after cooling down, got ready for the day. Before we proceeded in the kitchen, we went to the medical clinic to get vaccinated against whooping cough. I'd called my doctor a few days ago to inquire if we needed the vaccine, since there has been an outbreak of the disease in at least one county of our state. I was told it would be advisable for us to get the shots.
I had a tetanus shot about a year ago, but since the DTP (diptheria/tetanus/pertussis) combination was no longer recommended in the United States, I got only the tetanus vaccine. Now, the pertussis vaccine also includes tetanus, which, according to the nurse, means I'll have a double dose of tetanus vaccine in my body, so that my arm might be more sore than Mother's and Hubbie's, and I might experience a rash at the injection sight. Hooray for me.
I had both whooping cough, and diptheria, as a child, but after all these years, I was no longer immune, so it was time for a booster.
It was like a family reunion at the doctor's office waiting room, since we visited with three people we worked with before we all retired.
Back home, after lunch, Mother and I continued our kitchen work. We made cranberry sauce, two pumpkin pies, and a recipe of corn and green beans, cooked with onions and bell peppers, all sauteed in margarine. I also sliced the ham for the refrigerator.
But before I could get the pies in the oven, Hubbie had to go to the WDCS for fresh pie crusts, because a package from the freezer had gone south. He also picked up other groceries on the list, so he didn't get back until 2 p.m.
Mother retired to the couch for nap after she'd mixed the pumpkin pie ingredients, and peeled and diced apples for the cranberry sauce. After I finished my kitchen duties, I was ready to relax with a cup of coffee and play on my laptop.
Later, we had a supper of leftover pork roast and veggies. Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house afterward, and then he and I watched TV, including our favorite college basketball team as they played to a wide-margin win.
*************************************************************************************
Notes:
Gem from the art gallery director: In an e-mail press release regarding the upcoming cookie Christmas house workshop that I'll be conducting on Dec. 1: "To assure ample supplies, please preregister in advance." Is there any other way?
Interesting wildlife: on a rainy day last week, as we were on our way home from running errands, we noticed a flock of twelve to fourteen wild turkeys sheltering under a tree. And a few days ago, we saw a road runner skitter across the highway.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Monday, Nov. 19
Another night when I woke up at 5:30, and then couldn't go back to sleep. Up at 6:30 to get ready for water aerobics. Cool morning, but no wind, so it wasn't terribly unpleasant. The water in the pool, though, was cooler than I like, but it was okay once I was in it for a while.
Nothing but turkey talk today...who is traveling to join family for the day, and who is staying home to prepare a big meal (I'm among the stay-at-homes).
Today was our last day at the pool until next Monday. And then we have only two weeks until winter break. Our last day will be Dec. 7, and we're not sure yet what the return date is in January.
Back home, I warmed up with cups of coffee, before getting ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. After lunch, we prepared a pork roast for the slow cooker...Mother fixed the veggies, Hubbie peeled and quartered potatoes, and I seasoned and browned the meat, and then put everything in the cooker.
After that, I reviewed today's ESL lesson plan for my student. I met her, as usual, at 2:30. Today, the student brought me two slices of stuffed bread that she made. One is stuffed with ham and other things, the other with swiss cheese and other things. She makes her own yeast bread for these treats.
She plans to make stuffed breads as her contribution to Thanksgiving dinner with her husband's family in the southern part of the state. This will be her first Americsn Thanksgiving experience.
Since this is Thanksgiving week, we briefly discussed the origins of the holiday. Venezuela has no similar holiday, but the student commented that on Nov. 18, her hometown of Maracaibo celebrates the Feast of La Chinita with masses and processions in honor of the Vigin Mary, and there is an all-night party, including giant fireworks.
Today's lesson mainly involved reading and answering questions about stories in a correlated reader. The themes of the stories were about a couple having a baby and how the baby changes their life; and a story about a couple of young migrant workers who wrestle with the idea of "is love enough."
The lesson also included a paragraph on listening comprehension, and sentences using the vocabulary words "free," "cheap," "expensive," and "agree," "disagree."
Back home, the pork roast was done, so I made a recipe of gravy, and served the meal with sides of individual cups of applesauce. My goodness, the meal was mouth-watering yummy.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then he and I went shopping. We had two $10 coupons, one from each of the department stores in our town. At the first store, I bought a long-sleeve undershirt for the cold winter months, but at the second store, we found nothing.
The coupon for that store was $10 off $25, which we would have used, if the store had accepted it on a pair of khaki slacks that Hubbie chose. But at checkout, we were told that the slacks didn't qualify, since they were already a sale item. I guess the coupon was good only on full priced goods. Boo on that. I looked all over the store and found nothing on sale or full price that I'd be seen wearing.
From there, we went to the WDCS for a few grocery items, and then finished the trip with a stop at the gas station.
At home, we relaxed and watched TV for the rest of the evening. Long day, and more long days coming up.
Nothing but turkey talk today...who is traveling to join family for the day, and who is staying home to prepare a big meal (I'm among the stay-at-homes).
Today was our last day at the pool until next Monday. And then we have only two weeks until winter break. Our last day will be Dec. 7, and we're not sure yet what the return date is in January.
Back home, I warmed up with cups of coffee, before getting ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. After lunch, we prepared a pork roast for the slow cooker...Mother fixed the veggies, Hubbie peeled and quartered potatoes, and I seasoned and browned the meat, and then put everything in the cooker.
After that, I reviewed today's ESL lesson plan for my student. I met her, as usual, at 2:30. Today, the student brought me two slices of stuffed bread that she made. One is stuffed with ham and other things, the other with swiss cheese and other things. She makes her own yeast bread for these treats.
She plans to make stuffed breads as her contribution to Thanksgiving dinner with her husband's family in the southern part of the state. This will be her first Americsn Thanksgiving experience.
Since this is Thanksgiving week, we briefly discussed the origins of the holiday. Venezuela has no similar holiday, but the student commented that on Nov. 18, her hometown of Maracaibo celebrates the Feast of La Chinita with masses and processions in honor of the Vigin Mary, and there is an all-night party, including giant fireworks.
Today's lesson mainly involved reading and answering questions about stories in a correlated reader. The themes of the stories were about a couple having a baby and how the baby changes their life; and a story about a couple of young migrant workers who wrestle with the idea of "is love enough."
The lesson also included a paragraph on listening comprehension, and sentences using the vocabulary words "free," "cheap," "expensive," and "agree," "disagree."
Back home, the pork roast was done, so I made a recipe of gravy, and served the meal with sides of individual cups of applesauce. My goodness, the meal was mouth-watering yummy.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then he and I went shopping. We had two $10 coupons, one from each of the department stores in our town. At the first store, I bought a long-sleeve undershirt for the cold winter months, but at the second store, we found nothing.
The coupon for that store was $10 off $25, which we would have used, if the store had accepted it on a pair of khaki slacks that Hubbie chose. But at checkout, we were told that the slacks didn't qualify, since they were already a sale item. I guess the coupon was good only on full priced goods. Boo on that. I looked all over the store and found nothing on sale or full price that I'd be seen wearing.
From there, we went to the WDCS for a few grocery items, and then finished the trip with a stop at the gas station.
At home, we relaxed and watched TV for the rest of the evening. Long day, and more long days coming up.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday, Nov. 18
Slept late this morning, until around 8 a.m. Skipped my exercises after breakfast, because I wasn't sure when Daughter and Great-Granddaughter would get up. Turned out they slept until 10 a.m.
After they had a cereal and orange juice breakfast, we watched my "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" DVD that includes a feature about the Peanuts gang as pilgrims sailing on the Mayflower to Plymouth Rock, where the first Thanksgiving is held. Great-Granddaughter said she saw this DVD at school last week, but she enjoyed watching it again.
Later, I fixed a lunch of fried chicken breasts, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn-on-the-cob. Since Daughter and Great-Granddaughter had eaten so late, I was afraid they wouldn't be hungry for lunch. But I needn't have worried...they enthusiastically chowed down.
After lunch, around 1 p.m., Daughter, Great-Granddaughter, Mother, and I went to the middle school auditorium to see the other dance studio's performance of "Babes in Toyland."
The show wasn't until 2 p.m., but I figured that if we didn't arrive really early, we would have trouble finding a parking space, and I was right. Again, there was exactly one handicap space left, which I squeezed into.
Inside the auditorium, at the ticket table, a very fake looking Santa greeted the children. Great-Granddaughter wasn't buying his act, stating that "he looks weird." I agree. He had really worked the makeup on his face, and overused the white-beard spray, which he'd also applied to his kinky hair. I commented to Great-Granddaughter that this was probably one of Santa's helpers. But I don't think she bought that, either. I wonder if, since she's eight years old and in the second grade, if she's suspicious of the Santa thing. I'm sure the kids at school have been tossing the idea around, but opting to sort of believe yet, since it might garner more gifts.
We selected seats preferred by Mother, about halfway down. Daughter and Great-Granddaughter wanted to sit down front, but unfortnately, the first several rows were reserved, so they came back to sit in the row just ahead of us.
Presently, the county's largest woman sat in the row directly in front of them, blocking Great-Granddaughter's view. So they went to a section in the back of the auditorium, where their view was unobstructed. Soon afterward, the county's tallest man sat down directly in front of Mother. She chose not to move, since she was in an aisle seat, and by peering around the guy she could see the stage.
It's as if these people scan theaters or auditoriums for the shortest, smallest people to plunk their oversized selves in front of. It's thoughtless, at the very least.
This auditorium was obviously built for youngsters, who don't mind hard seats, but because we grownups need more comfort, I brought along cushions for Mother, Daughter, and me.
This was a cute show, though it was more like a dance recital than a polished performance like last night's "Nutcracker Ballet." Still, it packed the house, of course. Mother and I decided that the flower shops and grocery stores that carry flowers must have had a booming business this weekend, judging by the bouquets we saw last night and today. The "Nutcracker" had three performances, and "Babes" had one. That represented a whole lot of kids getting bouquets!
It's obvious that Daughter needs more experience manning the wheelchair for Mother. I thought she was going to dump her out a couple of times, because she hasn't gotten the hang of turning the chair around when approaching anything with a raised area.
On the way out of the auditorium at the end of the performance, Daughter hit a tripod with a video camera on it, making the camera drop forward. Fortunately, the camera stayed secured. Then outside, Daughter failed to turn the wheelchair around and back down a steep ramp, nearly pitching Mother onto her face. A kind gentleman offered to back the chair down the ramp, which helped.
Back home, we had snacks before Daughter and Great-Granddaughter left for home...coffee and Fig Newtons for Daughter, Mother, and me; a chocolate cupcake and milk for Great-Granddaughter; and gingersnaps and coffee for Hubbie.
Daughter and Great-Granddaughter headed home around 4 p.m., and Hubbie accompained Mother to her house. After that, it was TV time.
After they had a cereal and orange juice breakfast, we watched my "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" DVD that includes a feature about the Peanuts gang as pilgrims sailing on the Mayflower to Plymouth Rock, where the first Thanksgiving is held. Great-Granddaughter said she saw this DVD at school last week, but she enjoyed watching it again.
Later, I fixed a lunch of fried chicken breasts, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn-on-the-cob. Since Daughter and Great-Granddaughter had eaten so late, I was afraid they wouldn't be hungry for lunch. But I needn't have worried...they enthusiastically chowed down.
After lunch, around 1 p.m., Daughter, Great-Granddaughter, Mother, and I went to the middle school auditorium to see the other dance studio's performance of "Babes in Toyland."
The show wasn't until 2 p.m., but I figured that if we didn't arrive really early, we would have trouble finding a parking space, and I was right. Again, there was exactly one handicap space left, which I squeezed into.
Inside the auditorium, at the ticket table, a very fake looking Santa greeted the children. Great-Granddaughter wasn't buying his act, stating that "he looks weird." I agree. He had really worked the makeup on his face, and overused the white-beard spray, which he'd also applied to his kinky hair. I commented to Great-Granddaughter that this was probably one of Santa's helpers. But I don't think she bought that, either. I wonder if, since she's eight years old and in the second grade, if she's suspicious of the Santa thing. I'm sure the kids at school have been tossing the idea around, but opting to sort of believe yet, since it might garner more gifts.
We selected seats preferred by Mother, about halfway down. Daughter and Great-Granddaughter wanted to sit down front, but unfortnately, the first several rows were reserved, so they came back to sit in the row just ahead of us.
Presently, the county's largest woman sat in the row directly in front of them, blocking Great-Granddaughter's view. So they went to a section in the back of the auditorium, where their view was unobstructed. Soon afterward, the county's tallest man sat down directly in front of Mother. She chose not to move, since she was in an aisle seat, and by peering around the guy she could see the stage.
It's as if these people scan theaters or auditoriums for the shortest, smallest people to plunk their oversized selves in front of. It's thoughtless, at the very least.
This auditorium was obviously built for youngsters, who don't mind hard seats, but because we grownups need more comfort, I brought along cushions for Mother, Daughter, and me.
This was a cute show, though it was more like a dance recital than a polished performance like last night's "Nutcracker Ballet." Still, it packed the house, of course. Mother and I decided that the flower shops and grocery stores that carry flowers must have had a booming business this weekend, judging by the bouquets we saw last night and today. The "Nutcracker" had three performances, and "Babes" had one. That represented a whole lot of kids getting bouquets!
It's obvious that Daughter needs more experience manning the wheelchair for Mother. I thought she was going to dump her out a couple of times, because she hasn't gotten the hang of turning the chair around when approaching anything with a raised area.
On the way out of the auditorium at the end of the performance, Daughter hit a tripod with a video camera on it, making the camera drop forward. Fortunately, the camera stayed secured. Then outside, Daughter failed to turn the wheelchair around and back down a steep ramp, nearly pitching Mother onto her face. A kind gentleman offered to back the chair down the ramp, which helped.
Back home, we had snacks before Daughter and Great-Granddaughter left for home...coffee and Fig Newtons for Daughter, Mother, and me; a chocolate cupcake and milk for Great-Granddaughter; and gingersnaps and coffee for Hubbie.
Daughter and Great-Granddaughter headed home around 4 p.m., and Hubbie accompained Mother to her house. After that, it was TV time.
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