Today is Grandson's Birthday. Happy Birthday, Grandson!
Up around 7:30 on this balmy-for-December day. Skipped my exercises so I could get ready to go to the Sheriff's Boys Ranch, which sponsored an annual craft fair. The three of us headed out about 9 a.m. I wanted to get there early enough to get a bunch of the mouth-watering cinnamon rolls offered each year.
We arrived about 9:30, and found a handicap spot right outside the front door of the craft area. The first thing we did was purchase eight of the huge cinnamon rolls. One of them is enough to serve all of us.
The craft fair has really grown over the years, and this year there were booths in three buildings, as well as a few outdoors. We weren't looking for anything special, but I bought a cute, inexpensive, snowman gourd. This booth was doing a lot of business, because the gourds were a craft folks haven't seen before, and the lady was selling them economically. Another booth that was doing a booming business was a woodworking one, where a man was selling large wall/door hangings, and bird houses, for $5.
I asked several booth vendors if they were doing a lot of business, since there was such a crowd today (thanks to the nice weather), but I was told that folks weren't buying much. I think that was because there was too much of the same-old-same-old, priced too high.
Funny: at one booth, a lady was selling emu oil lotions, etc., some with sexy names. I tried one, and she said, "You'll have all the the guys after you, now!"
"That one's been following me all day," I laughed, as I pointed to Hubbie.
Before we left, we bought two styrofoam containers of chili for lunch. We were back home around 11 a.m., and the first thing we did was put half-pint canning jars in the dishwasher to sterilize.
At lunch, Hubbie and I enjoyed the chili, while Mother had Ramen Noodle soup. We all sampled the Italian Cream Cheese ball, with crackers, and slices of a cinnamon roll for dessert.
Afterward, Hubbie cleaned and filled the hot tub, and went outdoors to bring in some plant bulbs, while Mother and I watched The Northern Ballet Theatre's 1992 performance of "A Christmas Carol." I recently ordered this DVD, after I was no longer able to use the VHS tape I recorded several years ago. I lucked out and got the only copy of the DVD left at Amazon. This is one of my favorite interpretations of the classic tale.
After the movie, I urged Mother to go to the couch for a nap, but she wanted to help make a recipe of Candy Apple Jelly, from a holiday craft and food booklet I picked up at the Extension Services office recently.
I took a few minutes to gather all the ingredients and equipment before we started, and by 1 p.m., we were ready to begin. We completed the task in about an hour, producing seven half-pints of the colorful jelly. It's very tasty, with just a hint of cinnamon and heat from the red hots. It's a very pretty, clear red jelly that will make beautiful gifts, when I need something extra.
Once the jelly was made, Mother went to the couch for a nap, and Hubbie and I watched our favorite college basketball team as they played to a loss. But our team battled hard, and didn't make it easy for the opponents to win.
Later, I fixed turkey cheeseburgers on buns for supper, served with leftover noodles and cheese, and butternut squash from last night. Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then he and I watched TV for the rest of the evening.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Friday, Dec. 7
Pearl Harbor Day. We flew our flags in remembrance of the day.
Up at 6:30 to get ready for water aerobics. This was the last day for aerobics until Jan. 9. Sixteen of us enjoyed the wonderfully warm pool.
Back home afterward, I had a couple of cups of coffee, and then headed upstairs to get ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, where she made Italian Cream Cheese balls.
Downstairs, I did this and that around the house, and then threw the bedspread from the spare bedroom in the washing machine, because I discovered that one of the cats had upchucked on it. That's when I discovered that the washer had died.
The machine is 32 years old, but drats, did it have to quit at this busiest time of the year? Searching for new appliances knocked a big hole in our afternoon, but it had to be done.
Before we went shopping, Hubbie called the two stores in town that carry washers and dryers to find out if either of them delivered, installed, and took the old appliances away. Only one store, the home improvement store, did these things, and it wasn't the one that we've patronized for years.
But we went to our familiar store, anyway, anticipating that the salesman would match the home improvement store after we told him what they were willing to do. He wouldn't. So we went to the other store, where the salesman fell over himself to please us.
We got several discounts, and an extended one-year-no-interest payment plan (though the current plan is for six months). The only complaint we have is that the appliances won't be delivered until the 18th. On the positive side, it gives us longer to clean out the laundry room. And I won't have to worry about it until after we have company on the 16th. Also, we feel good that we shopped locally, and bought products that are made entirely in America. But until the 18th, we'll have to do our laundry at Mother's house.
By the time we finished the transaction, it was 3 p.m. Before we headed home, I wanted to stop by the WDCS and pick up a few things, including apple juice and red hots for making jelly. I saw the recipe in the Holiday Open House booklet I recently picked up at the Extension Services office. Hope I can get around to trying it tomorrow.
I had no problem finding apple juice at the WDCS, but there were no red hots. There weren't any at the everything's a dollar store, either. So we traveled back across town to a grocery store. Took a while to find them there, and before I did, I was convinced this store didn't have them either. But finally spied them crammed into a narrow space between two other products.
Hurried home after that, because it was time to fix supper. Mother, who had gone to the couch after lunch, was still napping, even though it was nearly 4 p.m. She got up a few minutes later.
I decided to make macaroni and cheese for supper, to have with leftover squash and speckled butter beans from last night. Wouldn't you know, though, I discovered I had no macaroni. So we had noodles and cheese instead.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and later we went to the college where I swim to attend a combined choral group from the community and college present a Christmas concert.
Upon arrival at the college, though, we found that there were no parking spaces anywhere near the fine arts building, because there was a high school basketball tournament going on at the gym. We finally found one open space way across campus near the theater and student union. Fortunately, the campus is small, so a five-minute brisk walk delivered us to the concert venue. I hadn't planned on an aerobic workout in conjunction with a concert tonight, but I guess it did my heart good.
The concert was good for the most part. There was one woman, though, that was ever so slightly, and loudly, off key. One of the men belted out a sour note, too.
What surprised the audience and the performers alike was when one of the young women singers, standing in high heels on the third level of the risers, suddlenly fainted.
A couple of the women on either side of her scrambled to help her up, and supported her as they led her off the stage. Her boyfriend rushed forward, picked her up, and rushed outside with her. Later, they returned, but the young woman didn't rejoin the group onstage.
We were home from the concert around 9 p.m., and finished the evening watching TV.
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Well, the second shipment of what we thought would be the 14-piece set of storage containers arrived. It was 14 pieces alright, but of glass rather than plastic. It's a nice set, but not what Hubbie thought he ordered. Oh, well.
Up at 6:30 to get ready for water aerobics. This was the last day for aerobics until Jan. 9. Sixteen of us enjoyed the wonderfully warm pool.
Back home afterward, I had a couple of cups of coffee, and then headed upstairs to get ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, where she made Italian Cream Cheese balls.
Downstairs, I did this and that around the house, and then threw the bedspread from the spare bedroom in the washing machine, because I discovered that one of the cats had upchucked on it. That's when I discovered that the washer had died.
The machine is 32 years old, but drats, did it have to quit at this busiest time of the year? Searching for new appliances knocked a big hole in our afternoon, but it had to be done.
Before we went shopping, Hubbie called the two stores in town that carry washers and dryers to find out if either of them delivered, installed, and took the old appliances away. Only one store, the home improvement store, did these things, and it wasn't the one that we've patronized for years.
But we went to our familiar store, anyway, anticipating that the salesman would match the home improvement store after we told him what they were willing to do. He wouldn't. So we went to the other store, where the salesman fell over himself to please us.
We got several discounts, and an extended one-year-no-interest payment plan (though the current plan is for six months). The only complaint we have is that the appliances won't be delivered until the 18th. On the positive side, it gives us longer to clean out the laundry room. And I won't have to worry about it until after we have company on the 16th. Also, we feel good that we shopped locally, and bought products that are made entirely in America. But until the 18th, we'll have to do our laundry at Mother's house.
By the time we finished the transaction, it was 3 p.m. Before we headed home, I wanted to stop by the WDCS and pick up a few things, including apple juice and red hots for making jelly. I saw the recipe in the Holiday Open House booklet I recently picked up at the Extension Services office. Hope I can get around to trying it tomorrow.
I had no problem finding apple juice at the WDCS, but there were no red hots. There weren't any at the everything's a dollar store, either. So we traveled back across town to a grocery store. Took a while to find them there, and before I did, I was convinced this store didn't have them either. But finally spied them crammed into a narrow space between two other products.
Hurried home after that, because it was time to fix supper. Mother, who had gone to the couch after lunch, was still napping, even though it was nearly 4 p.m. She got up a few minutes later.
I decided to make macaroni and cheese for supper, to have with leftover squash and speckled butter beans from last night. Wouldn't you know, though, I discovered I had no macaroni. So we had noodles and cheese instead.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and later we went to the college where I swim to attend a combined choral group from the community and college present a Christmas concert.
Upon arrival at the college, though, we found that there were no parking spaces anywhere near the fine arts building, because there was a high school basketball tournament going on at the gym. We finally found one open space way across campus near the theater and student union. Fortunately, the campus is small, so a five-minute brisk walk delivered us to the concert venue. I hadn't planned on an aerobic workout in conjunction with a concert tonight, but I guess it did my heart good.
The concert was good for the most part. There was one woman, though, that was ever so slightly, and loudly, off key. One of the men belted out a sour note, too.
What surprised the audience and the performers alike was when one of the young women singers, standing in high heels on the third level of the risers, suddlenly fainted.
A couple of the women on either side of her scrambled to help her up, and supported her as they led her off the stage. Her boyfriend rushed forward, picked her up, and rushed outside with her. Later, they returned, but the young woman didn't rejoin the group onstage.
We were home from the concert around 9 p.m., and finished the evening watching TV.
**********************************************************************************
Well, the second shipment of what we thought would be the 14-piece set of storage containers arrived. It was 14 pieces alright, but of glass rather than plastic. It's a nice set, but not what Hubbie thought he ordered. Oh, well.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thursday, Dec. 6
Up around 8 a.m., and did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house while I got ready for the day.
Before I dressed, however, Granddaughter called, and we had a nice long chat. We keep up with each other somewhat on our social network pages, but it's not the same as a phone call.
Granddaughter is a very industrious person, who not only works outside the home, but also devotes herself to her family and their activities. Somehow, she also finds time to be an extreme couponer, who saves a ton of money on the family's food and incidentals. I don't know how she does it all.
I'm busy, but my activities are not earth-shaking. Young women like Granddaughter are the ones who are doing the important work of the world. Where would we be without them?
One of today's activities was a luncheon/educational talk at the hospital conference room. The free lunch was barbecued chicken breasts, green beans (hot with black pepper), potato/cheese bake (couldn't eat this because of the yellow cheese), and mixed fresh fruit for dessert. I was able to eat the chicken, beans, and fruit, but Mother couldn't eat the beans. However, she ate two big helpings of the potatoes. She must have been potato hungry. Hubbie ate everything, of course.
The talk was about reducing stress, a timely subject for the holiday season. On the table was a flier listing life stressors. Of the 42 listed, I found only two that applied to me...vacation, and Christmas, which were numbers 40 and 41...very low on the scale of impact. Naturally, family and friend deaths, divorce, serious illness, money problems, being fired at work, etc., rated very high on the scale.
The speaker listed lots of things folks need to do to avoid stress, among them things we all know but sometimes fail to do, like get enough sleep, exercise, and stick to a healthy diet, as well as taking care of problems before they get too big, writing in a journal to help put things in perspective, or to help develop steps to solving a problem.
The speaker ended with a humorous list of quotes about stress. The one I liked best was an anti-stress kit that featured a circle that said "Bang Head Here." The directions are: 1. Place this circle on a firm surface. 2. Bang your head on it until you are anti-stressed or become unconscious.
Back home, Mother headed to the couch for a nap, and Hubbie and I ran errands. We were on a mission today to try to find suitable token gifts for the men in Hubbie's family who will be visiting on Dec. 16.
My idea was to find something, like meat rub, for the guys, since they like to barbecue. Went to several specialty stores without finding anything. We finally ended up at the WDCS to buy a few groceries. I was sure there'd be something there for the guys. No dice.
So on the way home, we stopped at the farm store. No meat rub there, but there were tins of barbecue-flavored peanut brittle. We weren't sure how the candy would taste, so we bought a tin for Hubbie to try. He liked it..."tastes like peanut planks (a candy bar he remembers eating as a child)," so we bought three tins of the inexpensive candy.
It was 3:30 by the time we got back home. We set to work immediately getting a large butternut squash and baking potatoes ready for the oven. Hubbie split and cleaned the squash, and scrubbed and pierced the potatoes. Meanwhile, I found a package of frozen speckled butter beans in the freezer, and cooked them with a small amount of ham and spices.
Mother finished her nap shortly after we got back home, and even though she'd eaten a large lunch, she was ready for supper around 5 p.m. After supper, Hubbie accompanied her home.
Then Hubbie and I went to a card shop open house, where we bought several greeting cards, and the newest edition of a children's Christmas book. I have all the editions but one. We also registered for a $50 door prize, and indulged in refreshments.
Back home, we spent the rest of the evening watching TV, including a Lifetime Movie Network feature called, "Christmas Crash." A couple having marital problems go with their young adult children to their lodge for Christmas. While there, the couple decide to get some alone time by flying their private plane to a cabin across the lake. The plane crashes, and the couple learns how much they need each other.
Before I dressed, however, Granddaughter called, and we had a nice long chat. We keep up with each other somewhat on our social network pages, but it's not the same as a phone call.
Granddaughter is a very industrious person, who not only works outside the home, but also devotes herself to her family and their activities. Somehow, she also finds time to be an extreme couponer, who saves a ton of money on the family's food and incidentals. I don't know how she does it all.
I'm busy, but my activities are not earth-shaking. Young women like Granddaughter are the ones who are doing the important work of the world. Where would we be without them?
One of today's activities was a luncheon/educational talk at the hospital conference room. The free lunch was barbecued chicken breasts, green beans (hot with black pepper), potato/cheese bake (couldn't eat this because of the yellow cheese), and mixed fresh fruit for dessert. I was able to eat the chicken, beans, and fruit, but Mother couldn't eat the beans. However, she ate two big helpings of the potatoes. She must have been potato hungry. Hubbie ate everything, of course.
The talk was about reducing stress, a timely subject for the holiday season. On the table was a flier listing life stressors. Of the 42 listed, I found only two that applied to me...vacation, and Christmas, which were numbers 40 and 41...very low on the scale of impact. Naturally, family and friend deaths, divorce, serious illness, money problems, being fired at work, etc., rated very high on the scale.
The speaker listed lots of things folks need to do to avoid stress, among them things we all know but sometimes fail to do, like get enough sleep, exercise, and stick to a healthy diet, as well as taking care of problems before they get too big, writing in a journal to help put things in perspective, or to help develop steps to solving a problem.
The speaker ended with a humorous list of quotes about stress. The one I liked best was an anti-stress kit that featured a circle that said "Bang Head Here." The directions are: 1. Place this circle on a firm surface. 2. Bang your head on it until you are anti-stressed or become unconscious.
Back home, Mother headed to the couch for a nap, and Hubbie and I ran errands. We were on a mission today to try to find suitable token gifts for the men in Hubbie's family who will be visiting on Dec. 16.
My idea was to find something, like meat rub, for the guys, since they like to barbecue. Went to several specialty stores without finding anything. We finally ended up at the WDCS to buy a few groceries. I was sure there'd be something there for the guys. No dice.
So on the way home, we stopped at the farm store. No meat rub there, but there were tins of barbecue-flavored peanut brittle. We weren't sure how the candy would taste, so we bought a tin for Hubbie to try. He liked it..."tastes like peanut planks (a candy bar he remembers eating as a child)," so we bought three tins of the inexpensive candy.
It was 3:30 by the time we got back home. We set to work immediately getting a large butternut squash and baking potatoes ready for the oven. Hubbie split and cleaned the squash, and scrubbed and pierced the potatoes. Meanwhile, I found a package of frozen speckled butter beans in the freezer, and cooked them with a small amount of ham and spices.
Mother finished her nap shortly after we got back home, and even though she'd eaten a large lunch, she was ready for supper around 5 p.m. After supper, Hubbie accompanied her home.
Then Hubbie and I went to a card shop open house, where we bought several greeting cards, and the newest edition of a children's Christmas book. I have all the editions but one. We also registered for a $50 door prize, and indulged in refreshments.
Back home, we spent the rest of the evening watching TV, including a Lifetime Movie Network feature called, "Christmas Crash." A couple having marital problems go with their young adult children to their lodge for Christmas. While there, the couple decide to get some alone time by flying their private plane to a cabin across the lake. The plane crashes, and the couple learns how much they need each other.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Wednesday, Dec. 5
Up at 6:30 to get ready to go to water aerobics. Cooler morning, but the pool was wonderfully warm. I left aerobics a little early today, so I could get back home to shower and dress for the "Water Babes" Christmas party and Dirty Santa gift exchange at the Italian restaurant at 11 a.m.
Once I was ready, I went to Mother's house to help her get to the van. At the restaurant, I anticipated using the wheelchair for Mother, but drat, it wasn't in the back of the van. Hubbie must have taken it out for some reason and forgot to put it back in.
So I tried to call him in hopes he'd bring the chair to the restaurant. But my cell phone wouldn't work. I guess the battery was completely dead. Mother had to use her walker, which she's able to do, but it tires her to walk very far, and of course today there were no handicapped spaces close to the building.
About 20 of us attended the party. For lunch, Mother chose quiche and fruit, and I ordered garden veggie pasta and fruit.
Two funny things that happened at the Dirty Santa gift exchange:
One: the first woman to choose a gift got a fuzzy pillow. Just as the young waiter walked into the room, she squeezed the pillow and exclaimed, "Ooh, it vibrates!"
The waiter, eyes wide, stopped dead in his tracks.
We all burst out laughing. As the waiter left, he grinned and said, "I'll leave you to your vibrators, ladies," and shut the double doors behind him.
Two: as I mentioned in yesterday's blog, my exchange gift contribution was a metal star filled with homemade peppermint chocolate bark. So what did I get in return? A metal gift bag with a Santa on the front, in which was a bag of assorted chocolates.
The party ended at 1:30, and as we left, our leader encouraged us to choose from three colors of sparkly Christmas tree bow ornaments. I chose a red one and a gold one for Mother and me.
Mother and I both had more lunch than we could eat, so we brought home a lot of it to add to our supper meal later.
At home, Mother headed to the couch for a nap, and Hubbie and I ran errands. First, we went to the everything's a dollar store to buy four Christmas stockings as the scrapbook club's contribution to a local bank's project of stuffing them with fruits, nuts, and candies for disadvantaged kids.
Next we stopped by the Extension Services office to drop off the stockings, and to pick up booklets from the Holiday Open House that we were unable to attend last Saturday. The booklet features crafts, foods, and drink mix ideas. I'm interested in and want to try some of the ideas.
From there, we went to the library to drop off four movies that we forgot to take back by the due date. We received a letter today reminding us of our lapse. Paid $1.20 late fee. Embarrassing. We've never before been late returning library materials. But this time, in clearing the den for company, I put the movies down in the TV cabinet, and simply forgot about them.
Then we went to an antique store/flea market on Main Street to look for token gifts for the five women in Hubbie's family, who are scheduled to visit Dec. 16. We found pretty white clay angel Christmas tree ornaments on which are printed Biblical quotes, such as, "For unto you a Child is born," and "Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men."
The dentist's office was next, to drop off a form that I finally filled out today, after procratinating for a week or so. I hate filling out forms. This one was required to update my basic information in the office's new computer system.
Last stop was at a discount warehouse store to look for something suitable as a token gift for men, but nothing jumped out at us. Men are very difficult to shop for. We'll try again tomorrow.
It was 4:30 by the time we got back home. Mother hadn't gotten up from her nap yet, but she was awake.
I put pastas and sauce in the oven for supper, which were ready shortly after 5 p.m. After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and we finished the evening watching TV.
**********************************************************************************
Funny: yesterday, we received by mail a large box containing a 38-piece set of plastic storage ware. I ordered it online, because Hubbie couldn't seem to navigate the site to get the free shipping offer.
In the meantime, without my knowledge, he phoned the company and ordered a 14-piece set. When he told me this, I cancelled my order, or thought I did. Obviously, the cancellation didn't work.
Now, we're expecting another delivery of the second order. We certainly shouldn't ever go for want of storage containers!
Once I was ready, I went to Mother's house to help her get to the van. At the restaurant, I anticipated using the wheelchair for Mother, but drat, it wasn't in the back of the van. Hubbie must have taken it out for some reason and forgot to put it back in.
So I tried to call him in hopes he'd bring the chair to the restaurant. But my cell phone wouldn't work. I guess the battery was completely dead. Mother had to use her walker, which she's able to do, but it tires her to walk very far, and of course today there were no handicapped spaces close to the building.
About 20 of us attended the party. For lunch, Mother chose quiche and fruit, and I ordered garden veggie pasta and fruit.
Two funny things that happened at the Dirty Santa gift exchange:
One: the first woman to choose a gift got a fuzzy pillow. Just as the young waiter walked into the room, she squeezed the pillow and exclaimed, "Ooh, it vibrates!"
The waiter, eyes wide, stopped dead in his tracks.
We all burst out laughing. As the waiter left, he grinned and said, "I'll leave you to your vibrators, ladies," and shut the double doors behind him.
Two: as I mentioned in yesterday's blog, my exchange gift contribution was a metal star filled with homemade peppermint chocolate bark. So what did I get in return? A metal gift bag with a Santa on the front, in which was a bag of assorted chocolates.
The party ended at 1:30, and as we left, our leader encouraged us to choose from three colors of sparkly Christmas tree bow ornaments. I chose a red one and a gold one for Mother and me.
Mother and I both had more lunch than we could eat, so we brought home a lot of it to add to our supper meal later.
At home, Mother headed to the couch for a nap, and Hubbie and I ran errands. First, we went to the everything's a dollar store to buy four Christmas stockings as the scrapbook club's contribution to a local bank's project of stuffing them with fruits, nuts, and candies for disadvantaged kids.
Next we stopped by the Extension Services office to drop off the stockings, and to pick up booklets from the Holiday Open House that we were unable to attend last Saturday. The booklet features crafts, foods, and drink mix ideas. I'm interested in and want to try some of the ideas.
From there, we went to the library to drop off four movies that we forgot to take back by the due date. We received a letter today reminding us of our lapse. Paid $1.20 late fee. Embarrassing. We've never before been late returning library materials. But this time, in clearing the den for company, I put the movies down in the TV cabinet, and simply forgot about them.
Then we went to an antique store/flea market on Main Street to look for token gifts for the five women in Hubbie's family, who are scheduled to visit Dec. 16. We found pretty white clay angel Christmas tree ornaments on which are printed Biblical quotes, such as, "For unto you a Child is born," and "Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men."
The dentist's office was next, to drop off a form that I finally filled out today, after procratinating for a week or so. I hate filling out forms. This one was required to update my basic information in the office's new computer system.
Last stop was at a discount warehouse store to look for something suitable as a token gift for men, but nothing jumped out at us. Men are very difficult to shop for. We'll try again tomorrow.
It was 4:30 by the time we got back home. Mother hadn't gotten up from her nap yet, but she was awake.
I put pastas and sauce in the oven for supper, which were ready shortly after 5 p.m. After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and we finished the evening watching TV.
**********************************************************************************
Funny: yesterday, we received by mail a large box containing a 38-piece set of plastic storage ware. I ordered it online, because Hubbie couldn't seem to navigate the site to get the free shipping offer.
In the meantime, without my knowledge, he phoned the company and ordered a 14-piece set. When he told me this, I cancelled my order, or thought I did. Obviously, the cancellation didn't work.
Now, we're expecting another delivery of the second order. We certainly shouldn't ever go for want of storage containers!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Tuesday, Dec. 4
Slept late on this rainy, sometimes stormy, morning. Didn't get up until 8 a.m., but did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises after breakfast.
Before Hubbie ran errands, he accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30. We decided to make a recipe of chocolate peppermint bark to use as part of a gift for a Dirty Santa exchange at the "Water Babes" Christmas party tomorrow. But naturally, I lacked an item, and had to wait until Hubbie returned before we could make the candy.
Mother and I worked together on making the candy...I melted the white chocolate and dark chocoate chips, which Mother spread onto parchment paper, and topped with peppermint candy that I'd crushed earlier. Mother really enjoyed this project that seemed to satisfy her creative urge.
Once the candy had cooled, I broke it into pieces and put a generous portion, wrapped in wax paper and tied with gold rick-rack, into a large metal star-shaped candle holder that I'd lined with colorful Christmas tissue. I included a Christmas card, into which I tucked a copy of the candy recipe.
The dark metal star emits light through holes when a candle is lighted in it...it's something I bought on sale at a farm store a few years ago, and has been in my gift stash waiting for the right occasion.
It was lunctime by the time we finished the project. After lunch, Mother headed to the couch for a nap, and I caught up on paperwork and such, including submitting a monthly tutoring report to the Literacy Council, sending my Chinese Chicken Soup recipe to those who requested it at the chili/soup event last Thursday, putting photos of the graham cracker cookie workshop on a CD for the art gallery director, making a haircut appointment for Mother and me, completing the word search puzzle contest, and other piddling things that aren't big projects individually, but which take time when bunched together.
Mother finished her nap around 3:30, and later, we had a supper of leftover spaghetti, with cottage cheese and bread and butter. Afterward, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house.
About 7:15, we went to the college for a program by the editor of "Found Magazine." This magazine features "found stuff, like love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, receipts, doodles, and anything else that gives a glimpse into somebody else's life."
Examples: a note that says, "I would like to babysit for your baby. I am 8 years old. My rate is $2 an hour. Call Samantha." This was found pinned to a bulletin board at a supermarket.
On a post-it note list found on the floor: "-Spanish, -field trip, -bacon."
Another note tucked in the door of a house: "Jessica, I heard a rumor that you were alive. I thought I would check while I was in town. Bob."
And this typewritten note: I SEEM TO HAVE LOST MY ENGLISH DICTIONARY. THE LAST TIME I SAW IT WAS RIGHT HERE AT THIS VERY SPOT. IF YOU HAVE STOLEN IT. MY FRIEND AND I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN WITH OUR TERRIFYING OVER GROWN HAMSTERS. YOU DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. DO YOU!!? SO PLEASE PLACE THE DICTIONARY IN A BLACK PLASTIC BAG AND NAIL IT TO THIS VERY LAMPOST AT PRECISELY 6:04AM TOMORROW. MY ENGLISH WILL FAIL IF YOU DON'T GET IT BACK. YOU DON'T WANT THAT ON YOUR CONSCIENCE.
Back home after the program, we watched our favorite college basketball team as they played to a nail-biter win.
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Note: at the four-way stop a few miles from our house, there is a black chicken that is free-ranging on the grounds of a church at one corner. We think the chicken probably fell off a truck, and is making its home at the church. From time-to-time, we see the chicken across the street pecking at we know not what on the pavement of the gas station/convenience store.
The chicken has been around that area for many weeks, and I keep expecting to see it smashed on the road one day. But Monday, on my way to the college for water aerobics, I noticed the chicken standing in the median, watching as busy morning traffic took turns at the four way stop. Having successfully crossed one lane of the street from the church grounds to the median, it was waiting for traffic to clear before attempting to cross the other lane to the gas station/convenience store.
When I came back from water aerobics, I saw it there, safe and sound at the station/store. And we think chickens are stupid? I don't think this one is. I think it's definitely a wise survivor.
Before Hubbie ran errands, he accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30. We decided to make a recipe of chocolate peppermint bark to use as part of a gift for a Dirty Santa exchange at the "Water Babes" Christmas party tomorrow. But naturally, I lacked an item, and had to wait until Hubbie returned before we could make the candy.
Mother and I worked together on making the candy...I melted the white chocolate and dark chocoate chips, which Mother spread onto parchment paper, and topped with peppermint candy that I'd crushed earlier. Mother really enjoyed this project that seemed to satisfy her creative urge.
Once the candy had cooled, I broke it into pieces and put a generous portion, wrapped in wax paper and tied with gold rick-rack, into a large metal star-shaped candle holder that I'd lined with colorful Christmas tissue. I included a Christmas card, into which I tucked a copy of the candy recipe.
The dark metal star emits light through holes when a candle is lighted in it...it's something I bought on sale at a farm store a few years ago, and has been in my gift stash waiting for the right occasion.
It was lunctime by the time we finished the project. After lunch, Mother headed to the couch for a nap, and I caught up on paperwork and such, including submitting a monthly tutoring report to the Literacy Council, sending my Chinese Chicken Soup recipe to those who requested it at the chili/soup event last Thursday, putting photos of the graham cracker cookie workshop on a CD for the art gallery director, making a haircut appointment for Mother and me, completing the word search puzzle contest, and other piddling things that aren't big projects individually, but which take time when bunched together.
Mother finished her nap around 3:30, and later, we had a supper of leftover spaghetti, with cottage cheese and bread and butter. Afterward, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house.
About 7:15, we went to the college for a program by the editor of "Found Magazine." This magazine features "found stuff, like love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, receipts, doodles, and anything else that gives a glimpse into somebody else's life."
Examples: a note that says, "I would like to babysit for your baby. I am 8 years old. My rate is $2 an hour. Call Samantha." This was found pinned to a bulletin board at a supermarket.
On a post-it note list found on the floor: "-Spanish, -field trip, -bacon."
Another note tucked in the door of a house: "Jessica, I heard a rumor that you were alive. I thought I would check while I was in town. Bob."
And this typewritten note: I SEEM TO HAVE LOST MY ENGLISH DICTIONARY. THE LAST TIME I SAW IT WAS RIGHT HERE AT THIS VERY SPOT. IF YOU HAVE STOLEN IT. MY FRIEND AND I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN WITH OUR TERRIFYING OVER GROWN HAMSTERS. YOU DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. DO YOU!!? SO PLEASE PLACE THE DICTIONARY IN A BLACK PLASTIC BAG AND NAIL IT TO THIS VERY LAMPOST AT PRECISELY 6:04AM TOMORROW. MY ENGLISH WILL FAIL IF YOU DON'T GET IT BACK. YOU DON'T WANT THAT ON YOUR CONSCIENCE.
Back home after the program, we watched our favorite college basketball team as they played to a nail-biter win.
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Note: at the four-way stop a few miles from our house, there is a black chicken that is free-ranging on the grounds of a church at one corner. We think the chicken probably fell off a truck, and is making its home at the church. From time-to-time, we see the chicken across the street pecking at we know not what on the pavement of the gas station/convenience store.
The chicken has been around that area for many weeks, and I keep expecting to see it smashed on the road one day. But Monday, on my way to the college for water aerobics, I noticed the chicken standing in the median, watching as busy morning traffic took turns at the four way stop. Having successfully crossed one lane of the street from the church grounds to the median, it was waiting for traffic to clear before attempting to cross the other lane to the gas station/convenience store.
When I came back from water aerobics, I saw it there, safe and sound at the station/store. And we think chickens are stupid? I don't think this one is. I think it's definitely a wise survivor.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Monday, Dec. 3
Today is Granddaughter's birthday. Happy Birthday, Granddaughter!
Woke up at 5 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. So tossed and turned until 6:30, when it was time to get ready for water aerobics. It was a warm morning, but I wore my fleece outfit anyway, because it was a little windy, and I knew that after being in the pool, I'd feel chilly walking back to my car.
The water in the pool was deliciously warm, and sixteen of us enjoyed it. Talk today was about an Internet service that was having problems with e-mail delivery. There was some sort of glitch between here and Tyler, Texas, but one lady, who fears everything, speculated that since a middle-eastern country had recently blocked Internet in its own country, that it might also be meddling with our services. I thought this was an amusing idea, and stated that rather than being some sinister plot by a foreign country, the service was probably just updating its equipment.
Back home, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, where she chopped onions, bell peppers, and banana peppers, for spaghetti sauce. Once the sauce was simmering, I got ready for the day.
Spent the rest of the morning doing this and that around the house until lunchtime.
After lunch, Hubbie took the truck and ran a couple of errands. We agreed that I would wait a few minutes and then go downtown in the van to pick him up at a church parking lot that faces Main Street, where there would be a Christmas parade later. We left the truck on the parking lot as a way to hold the space until later.
Back home, I caught up on e-mail, and reviewed the ESL lesson for today's meeting with my student.
Met the student at 2:30, as usual. Today, I took along several handmade Christmas tree ornaments, since we had talked about crafting last week. While the student was still in Venezuela, she made angels from paper doilies that she was proud of. She said she'll bring a photo of them next week. We are both open to new Christmas craft ideas, so I'm anxious to see her handiwork.
Today's lesson included the use of "no" plus nouns: "I have no money." "He had no home of his own."
The student also practiced structure focus using "no" plus nouns, and "not" plus verbs: "I have no money." "I don't have any money." "There was no food." "There wasn't any food."
Another structure focus was clauses with "so that:" "I must take classes so that I can get a better job." "She is learning to drive so that she can get a driver's license;" and structure focus on adjective clauses with "where," and "when:" "The farm was 200 miles from the city where Carlos lived." "Monday is the day when I will see Hugo."
Finished the lesson with reading and writing. The student was very moved by today's reading lesson...a story about Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. She was absolutely amazed by the fact that Helen Keller, who became blind, deaf, and mute following an illness as a child, progressed from being a completely unruly child to becoming a 24-year-old adult who earned a college degree, and went on to teach, speak, and write books.
The student, who knows that the blind use Braille to read, has never seen actual Braille copy. So I will find a sample to take to class next week.
Back home after the session, Hubbie had started a pot of water boiling, so I could cook spaghetti for the sauce. We had the spaghetti and sauce with a side of cottage cheese, and slices of bread and butter.
Around 6:15, we went downtown to the church parking lot, where Hubbie backed the truck out of the space, and I drove the van into it. This way, Mother could be comfortable while watching the parade.
The parking lot was completely full when we arrived, so Hubbie had to double park the truck until the parade was over. He fretted about this, fearing he was blocking someone who would want to leave early.
So thirty minutes into the parade, he decided to glance down the street to see if the end was in view. He came back to the van and announced that he thought he could see Santa way up the street.
But the parade kept coming, with no Santa in sight. "I guess the person I thought was Santa was actually a beauty queen," Hubbie laughed. I'm pretty sure the beauty queen wouldn't appreciate his mistake.
It was a good parade, with the usual complement of police cars, ambulances, emergency vehicles, fire trucks, horses, bands, antique cars, clever floats, etc. One float, fashioned after a harvesting machine, included a truly awful child karaoke singer. He was so bad that he was entertaining.
We also liked the Humane Society dogs that were draped with flashing Christmas lights, and a group of dance studio kids that tumbled, and did flips and handstands. One little girl, about six years old, even walked on her hands.
Back home, I accompanied Mother to her house, and then Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV.
Long day. Pooped.
Woke up at 5 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. So tossed and turned until 6:30, when it was time to get ready for water aerobics. It was a warm morning, but I wore my fleece outfit anyway, because it was a little windy, and I knew that after being in the pool, I'd feel chilly walking back to my car.
The water in the pool was deliciously warm, and sixteen of us enjoyed it. Talk today was about an Internet service that was having problems with e-mail delivery. There was some sort of glitch between here and Tyler, Texas, but one lady, who fears everything, speculated that since a middle-eastern country had recently blocked Internet in its own country, that it might also be meddling with our services. I thought this was an amusing idea, and stated that rather than being some sinister plot by a foreign country, the service was probably just updating its equipment.
Back home, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, where she chopped onions, bell peppers, and banana peppers, for spaghetti sauce. Once the sauce was simmering, I got ready for the day.
Spent the rest of the morning doing this and that around the house until lunchtime.
After lunch, Hubbie took the truck and ran a couple of errands. We agreed that I would wait a few minutes and then go downtown in the van to pick him up at a church parking lot that faces Main Street, where there would be a Christmas parade later. We left the truck on the parking lot as a way to hold the space until later.
Back home, I caught up on e-mail, and reviewed the ESL lesson for today's meeting with my student.
Met the student at 2:30, as usual. Today, I took along several handmade Christmas tree ornaments, since we had talked about crafting last week. While the student was still in Venezuela, she made angels from paper doilies that she was proud of. She said she'll bring a photo of them next week. We are both open to new Christmas craft ideas, so I'm anxious to see her handiwork.
Today's lesson included the use of "no" plus nouns: "I have no money." "He had no home of his own."
The student also practiced structure focus using "no" plus nouns, and "not" plus verbs: "I have no money." "I don't have any money." "There was no food." "There wasn't any food."
Another structure focus was clauses with "so that:" "I must take classes so that I can get a better job." "She is learning to drive so that she can get a driver's license;" and structure focus on adjective clauses with "where," and "when:" "The farm was 200 miles from the city where Carlos lived." "Monday is the day when I will see Hugo."
Finished the lesson with reading and writing. The student was very moved by today's reading lesson...a story about Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. She was absolutely amazed by the fact that Helen Keller, who became blind, deaf, and mute following an illness as a child, progressed from being a completely unruly child to becoming a 24-year-old adult who earned a college degree, and went on to teach, speak, and write books.
The student, who knows that the blind use Braille to read, has never seen actual Braille copy. So I will find a sample to take to class next week.
Back home after the session, Hubbie had started a pot of water boiling, so I could cook spaghetti for the sauce. We had the spaghetti and sauce with a side of cottage cheese, and slices of bread and butter.
Around 6:15, we went downtown to the church parking lot, where Hubbie backed the truck out of the space, and I drove the van into it. This way, Mother could be comfortable while watching the parade.
The parking lot was completely full when we arrived, so Hubbie had to double park the truck until the parade was over. He fretted about this, fearing he was blocking someone who would want to leave early.
So thirty minutes into the parade, he decided to glance down the street to see if the end was in view. He came back to the van and announced that he thought he could see Santa way up the street.
But the parade kept coming, with no Santa in sight. "I guess the person I thought was Santa was actually a beauty queen," Hubbie laughed. I'm pretty sure the beauty queen wouldn't appreciate his mistake.
It was a good parade, with the usual complement of police cars, ambulances, emergency vehicles, fire trucks, horses, bands, antique cars, clever floats, etc. One float, fashioned after a harvesting machine, included a truly awful child karaoke singer. He was so bad that he was entertaining.
We also liked the Humane Society dogs that were draped with flashing Christmas lights, and a group of dance studio kids that tumbled, and did flips and handstands. One little girl, about six years old, even walked on her hands.
Back home, I accompanied Mother to her house, and then Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV.
Long day. Pooped.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Sunday, Dec. 2
Up around 7:30 on this unusually warm day, but skipped my exercises after breakfast, as I usually do on Sunday. While I got ready for the day, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. We didn't do much for the rest of the morning.
Son and Daughter-in-Law arrived around 11 a.m., and at noon, we had soups and sandwiches, plus pound cake topped with cherries and fat-free whipped topping.
Spent the afternoon visiting, until time to go to the Festival of Lessons and Carols. Mother opted to stay home and take a nap while we were gone.
This year's service included a flute choir, a bagpiper, outstanding singers (soprano, contralto, and mezzo-soprano), and a woman who whistled the "Pat-a-pan" tune.
The service also included nine Biblical lessons, which were interspersed with music and songs. The congregation participated in singing "The First Noel," and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."
The service lasted until 5:30, so shortly after we returned home following the service, Son and Daughter-in-law headed home.
Hubbie, Mother, and I, had leftover soups and sandwiches for supper, and then around 7 p.m., Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house.
We finished the evening watching TV, including the 2001 suspense movie, "Joy Ride." A couple of young men tease a truck driver, who turns out to be a psychotic killer. The killer pursues them, and eventually captures the young woman who is traveling with them. How can they save the girl, and escape themselves?
Note: Yay! Our e-mail service is finally back.
Son and Daughter-in-Law arrived around 11 a.m., and at noon, we had soups and sandwiches, plus pound cake topped with cherries and fat-free whipped topping.
Spent the afternoon visiting, until time to go to the Festival of Lessons and Carols. Mother opted to stay home and take a nap while we were gone.
This year's service included a flute choir, a bagpiper, outstanding singers (soprano, contralto, and mezzo-soprano), and a woman who whistled the "Pat-a-pan" tune.
The service also included nine Biblical lessons, which were interspersed with music and songs. The congregation participated in singing "The First Noel," and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."
The service lasted until 5:30, so shortly after we returned home following the service, Son and Daughter-in-law headed home.
Hubbie, Mother, and I, had leftover soups and sandwiches for supper, and then around 7 p.m., Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house.
We finished the evening watching TV, including the 2001 suspense movie, "Joy Ride." A couple of young men tease a truck driver, who turns out to be a psychotic killer. The killer pursues them, and eventually captures the young woman who is traveling with them. How can they save the girl, and escape themselves?
Note: Yay! Our e-mail service is finally back.
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