Slept late, until around 8 a.m. Skipped my exercises, so I could get dressed and do a few things around the house before lunch, because we decided to go to another town to visit with Son and family where they are camped for the weekend.
We headed that way shortly after lunch, and spent a few hours at the camp. We enjoyed our visit with Son, Daughter-in-Law, Grandson and his wife, and Great-Granddaughter. We don't see Great-Granddaughter very often, so she was shy around us.
The weather was glorious for visiting outdoors...low temperature and low humidity, with not a lot of pests. Grandson and his family were at the lake when we arrived, and when they returned to camp, they remarked on how cold the water was for swimming. We've had such a mild spring that the water has not warmed. I think it'll be August before I'll even consider swimming in the lake.
Our discussion today centered on a possible trip to Gulf Shores for the Granddaughter's wedding. We are exploring the possibility of taking our campers to save money, if we can iron out all the details.
We visited until around 3 p.m., then headed home. As soon as we got back, Mother and I prepared leftovers for the oven. It was an odd supper of spaghetti, cubed baked potatoes with white gravy, pork chops, green beans, and French bread. But it satisfied rumbling tummies.
Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then he and I watched TV.
My plan for today was to make jelly, and help Mother unearth her summer clothes, but we believe in dropping everything when there is fun to be had.
************************************************
Sad: I spoke to Niece today, and she said her father (my brother) is now in hospice, and has only about a week left. My heart is aching, since I can't be there for him or for Niece.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Friday, June 7, 2013
Friday, June 7
Up at 6 a.m. to get ready for water aerobics. Still cool enough to wear my fleece outfit. The pool was pleasant, though.
Today, a man joined the group, which didn't set well with most of the ladies, who are uncomfortable with strange men among them. I'm neutral. As long as he doesn't get in my way, I'm okay with him being there.
There is already a younger man, with a prominent stomach, who comes and exercises for ten minutes or so in the shallow end of the pool. Mostly, we ignore him, except when he exits the pool and his trunks slip down to expose his crack.
Back home, I warmed up with a couple of cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. She went to her puzzle, and I got ready for the day. Hubbie went to the barber shop and ran a couple of errands.
I did this and that for the rest of the morning, and then after lunch, I ran errands. Today, I was interested in shopping for Hubbie's birthday, and picking up a few things at the WDCS, where I bought a couple of bottles of 100% juice for making jelly.
I also looked for a new pair of shoes (no success), and tried on a few clothes (also no success). It was 3 p.m. before I got back home. Hubbie was gone when I arrived. Mother said he'd gone to visit his niece. He came home around 4 p.m. He said he'd cleaned out a flower bed at Niece's. house.
Later, I heated the remainder of the chicken noodle soup, and heated blueberry muffins, for our supper. Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house afterward, and then he and I watched TV.
Today, a man joined the group, which didn't set well with most of the ladies, who are uncomfortable with strange men among them. I'm neutral. As long as he doesn't get in my way, I'm okay with him being there.
There is already a younger man, with a prominent stomach, who comes and exercises for ten minutes or so in the shallow end of the pool. Mostly, we ignore him, except when he exits the pool and his trunks slip down to expose his crack.
Back home, I warmed up with a couple of cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. She went to her puzzle, and I got ready for the day. Hubbie went to the barber shop and ran a couple of errands.
I did this and that for the rest of the morning, and then after lunch, I ran errands. Today, I was interested in shopping for Hubbie's birthday, and picking up a few things at the WDCS, where I bought a couple of bottles of 100% juice for making jelly.
I also looked for a new pair of shoes (no success), and tried on a few clothes (also no success). It was 3 p.m. before I got back home. Hubbie was gone when I arrived. Mother said he'd gone to visit his niece. He came home around 4 p.m. He said he'd cleaned out a flower bed at Niece's. house.
Later, I heated the remainder of the chicken noodle soup, and heated blueberry muffins, for our supper. Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house afterward, and then he and I watched TV.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Thursday, May 6
Overslept today, until 8:30, but did stair stepping after breakfast. Skipped the resistance and weights exercises, since four times a week is the optimum number of days for this type of exercise for older adults.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 10 a.m., and she went to her jigsaw puzzle. Hubbie went outside to work in the yard, and I got ready for the day. I didn't accomplish much before lunch beyond washing a load of clothes.
One of the things Hubbie did was climb onto the roofs of Mother's house, and our house, to sweep down gumballs and limbs. I'm not crazy about him walking around on the roof, but I can't stop him from doing it.
The cats didn't appreciate him being up there, either, which they demonstrated by crouching down and quickly slinking away to hide in other parts of the house...which didn't help calm their fears, since they could hear him clomping around up there no matter what room they were in.
After lunch, Mother and I started a pot of chicken stewing. Then she went back to her puzzle, and I did this and that around the house. Spent part of the afternoon reading the newspapers and playing on my e-tablet.
This afternoon, the tree service guy came and cut that tree on the neighbor's property. He didn't go onto the property, but just cut the part of the tree that was hanging over the fence and blocking sight of cars approaching around that curve.
He refused payment for doing the job, saying that someday we would need tree service in our yard, and we'd remember to call him. However, he wouldn't be unhappy to see jars of homemade jelly on his porch. I think we can manage that.
Later, Mother and I made a double batch of blueberry muffins to go with chicken noodle soup for supper. We made this meal in anticipation of a rainy day, which didn't materialize. But it was a cool day, and the soup and muffins hit the spot.
Hubbie went back into the yard after supper, and I accompanied Mother to her house. Spent the evening watching TV, as usual.
*****************************************************
So much can happen in the course of a week:
Learning that my brother is declining after suffering a stroke;
Learning that Sis is suffering from sciatic nerve pain;
The death of a water aerobics member;
Learning of the death of the wife of my former sister-in-law's son;
The death of a well-known TV personality...we didn't know him personally, but we've known
him from TV for over 30 years;
Learning about the friend of one of my great-granddaughters, who is suffering from bone
cancer, and may lose her leg;
Learning that a friend suffered two ruptured disks;
Constant weather disaster news.
And then there are the happier events, like family member birthdays. Those help take the edge off more depressing news.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 10 a.m., and she went to her jigsaw puzzle. Hubbie went outside to work in the yard, and I got ready for the day. I didn't accomplish much before lunch beyond washing a load of clothes.
One of the things Hubbie did was climb onto the roofs of Mother's house, and our house, to sweep down gumballs and limbs. I'm not crazy about him walking around on the roof, but I can't stop him from doing it.
The cats didn't appreciate him being up there, either, which they demonstrated by crouching down and quickly slinking away to hide in other parts of the house...which didn't help calm their fears, since they could hear him clomping around up there no matter what room they were in.
After lunch, Mother and I started a pot of chicken stewing. Then she went back to her puzzle, and I did this and that around the house. Spent part of the afternoon reading the newspapers and playing on my e-tablet.
This afternoon, the tree service guy came and cut that tree on the neighbor's property. He didn't go onto the property, but just cut the part of the tree that was hanging over the fence and blocking sight of cars approaching around that curve.
He refused payment for doing the job, saying that someday we would need tree service in our yard, and we'd remember to call him. However, he wouldn't be unhappy to see jars of homemade jelly on his porch. I think we can manage that.
Later, Mother and I made a double batch of blueberry muffins to go with chicken noodle soup for supper. We made this meal in anticipation of a rainy day, which didn't materialize. But it was a cool day, and the soup and muffins hit the spot.
Hubbie went back into the yard after supper, and I accompanied Mother to her house. Spent the evening watching TV, as usual.
*****************************************************
So much can happen in the course of a week:
Learning that my brother is declining after suffering a stroke;
Learning that Sis is suffering from sciatic nerve pain;
The death of a water aerobics member;
Learning of the death of the wife of my former sister-in-law's son;
The death of a well-known TV personality...we didn't know him personally, but we've known
him from TV for over 30 years;
Learning about the friend of one of my great-granddaughters, who is suffering from bone
cancer, and may lose her leg;
Learning that a friend suffered two ruptured disks;
Constant weather disaster news.
And then there are the happier events, like family member birthdays. Those help take the edge off more depressing news.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Wednesday, June 5
Up at 6 a.m. to get ready to go to water aerobics. I was on the road around 7 a.m., thirty minutes earlier than usual. It was cool enough again for my fleece wear. I arrived before anyone else, so I could have waited a few minutes more before leaving the house.
The water was warmer today than it was on Monday, but it still a bit nippy. Hopefully, it'll be good and warm by Friday. Eighteen of us showed up today, though, and we had a good workout.
Driving back home, I was careful to keep to the speed limit, since there was a police car parked near a hill on my way to the pool. Fortunately, I was traveling the speed limit then, too. But one of the members obviously was not, because she got pulled over and ticketed on her way to the pool this morning.
Back home, I relaxed, as usual, with a couple of cups of coffee. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, and she worked on her jigsaw puzzle, while I got ready for the day.
I spent part of the rest of the morning getting Hubbie registered with another e-mail provider, and then setting up his social network page, and contacting his friends list. Then I gave him a tutorial on how to access and use the site. I hope I've got it all worked out this time.
Just before I finished eating my sandwich lunch, my niece called to tell me that her dad, my 81-year-old brother, is declining in a nursing home. He is unable to recover from a recent stroke, and in fact, he has had a few mini episodes since then. He is almost blind, and he doesn't recognize people. Niece is very distraught, of course, but she knows it's just a matter of time, so she's trying to put his affairs in order. I'm sad that I cannot be there with her. All I can do is lend her a shoulder (ear) to cry on.
Spent the afternoon catching up on reading newspaper, though it was hard to concentrate, since I had my brother and niece on my mind.
Later, I fixed a supper of braised pork chops, baked potatoes, and green beans. Mother sliced and buttered French bread to be heated for the meal.
Afterward, I went downtown to the art gallery for a meeting. The purpose of the meeting tonight was to review art work submissions to the gallery. There was a variety of very good art from several artists, and we put our stamp of approval on all of them. Each artist will mount a show between now and spring.
The meeting, which began at 5:30, ended quickly at 6:15, and I was back home by 6:30. When I got back, I alerted Hubbie to the fact that I almost got smashed trying to exit our driveway to go to the meeting, because I simply cannot see what's coming around that curve on the right, because there is a downed tree in the lot next to our property.
Just as I had driven onto the first lane, a car sailed around that curve. I slammed on my brakes, and in a rush to put the car in reverse, I hit the radio dial and music blared. I managed to keep my presence of mind, though, and back into the driveway. But my heart was in my throat.
This has happened too many times, not only to me, but to Hubbie. So he immediately went over to the tree service business in our neighborhood to ask the owner if he'd come look at that tree and see if he can remove it. The guy came and saw what the problem is, and has agreed to help us...for a price, I'm sure, though we don't know what the cost will be yet. Whatever it is, I think we should present the bill to the owner of the property to see if she will agree to pay all or part of it.
Spent the rest of the evening watching TV, including a murder mystery recorded on DVR from the Lifetime Movie Channel.
The water was warmer today than it was on Monday, but it still a bit nippy. Hopefully, it'll be good and warm by Friday. Eighteen of us showed up today, though, and we had a good workout.
Driving back home, I was careful to keep to the speed limit, since there was a police car parked near a hill on my way to the pool. Fortunately, I was traveling the speed limit then, too. But one of the members obviously was not, because she got pulled over and ticketed on her way to the pool this morning.
Back home, I relaxed, as usual, with a couple of cups of coffee. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, and she worked on her jigsaw puzzle, while I got ready for the day.
I spent part of the rest of the morning getting Hubbie registered with another e-mail provider, and then setting up his social network page, and contacting his friends list. Then I gave him a tutorial on how to access and use the site. I hope I've got it all worked out this time.
Just before I finished eating my sandwich lunch, my niece called to tell me that her dad, my 81-year-old brother, is declining in a nursing home. He is unable to recover from a recent stroke, and in fact, he has had a few mini episodes since then. He is almost blind, and he doesn't recognize people. Niece is very distraught, of course, but she knows it's just a matter of time, so she's trying to put his affairs in order. I'm sad that I cannot be there with her. All I can do is lend her a shoulder (ear) to cry on.
Spent the afternoon catching up on reading newspaper, though it was hard to concentrate, since I had my brother and niece on my mind.
Later, I fixed a supper of braised pork chops, baked potatoes, and green beans. Mother sliced and buttered French bread to be heated for the meal.
Afterward, I went downtown to the art gallery for a meeting. The purpose of the meeting tonight was to review art work submissions to the gallery. There was a variety of very good art from several artists, and we put our stamp of approval on all of them. Each artist will mount a show between now and spring.
The meeting, which began at 5:30, ended quickly at 6:15, and I was back home by 6:30. When I got back, I alerted Hubbie to the fact that I almost got smashed trying to exit our driveway to go to the meeting, because I simply cannot see what's coming around that curve on the right, because there is a downed tree in the lot next to our property.
Just as I had driven onto the first lane, a car sailed around that curve. I slammed on my brakes, and in a rush to put the car in reverse, I hit the radio dial and music blared. I managed to keep my presence of mind, though, and back into the driveway. But my heart was in my throat.
This has happened too many times, not only to me, but to Hubbie. So he immediately went over to the tree service business in our neighborhood to ask the owner if he'd come look at that tree and see if he can remove it. The guy came and saw what the problem is, and has agreed to help us...for a price, I'm sure, though we don't know what the cost will be yet. Whatever it is, I think we should present the bill to the owner of the property to see if she will agree to pay all or part of it.
Spent the rest of the evening watching TV, including a murder mystery recorded on DVR from the Lifetime Movie Channel.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Tuesday, June 4
Today is the birthday of two of my great-grandsons, cousins who were born hours apart five years ago. Happy Birthday, Great-Grandsons!
Slept really late this morning, until after 8:30, but did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house as soon as we'd had breakfast. She finished her jigsaw puzzle before lunch, and started another one.
Once I was ready for the day, I went to the office computer and tried to retrieve Hubbie's social network page, but nothing I did worked. Since I have an account at that e-mail provider address, it doesn't want to accept Hubbie's. I'll have to search for another e-mail provider where I don't have an account, and see if that works.
By the time I finished frustrating myself with that it was noon. I wasn't very hungry after having breakfast so late, so I decided to have a brownie and milk. Hubbie had a sandwich and potato salad, and Mother had her usual Ramen noodle soup.
After lunch, we spent a couple of hours running errands. Stopped first at the library, then went to a pharmacy store, and a grocery store. At the grocery store, we used coupons to get a free dozen eggs, and a free package of frozen okra. Then we shopped for groceries and incidentals for Mother and ourselves at the WDCS. Went to the gas station after that, and finished the trip with a stop at the farm store.
Got back home around 3 p.m. Played on my e-tablet until it was time to prepare supper. This evening, we had leftover spaghetti. There was plenty of sauce, but I cooked a bit more spaghetti to go with what was left. Mother sliced and buttered French bread for the oven, and we made three small salads. Cottage cheese rounded out the meal.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house afterward, and then he and I watched TV. Tonight, we watched episodes of "Fawlty Towers," a British comedy series on DVD, borrowed from the library.
Slept really late this morning, until after 8:30, but did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house as soon as we'd had breakfast. She finished her jigsaw puzzle before lunch, and started another one.
Once I was ready for the day, I went to the office computer and tried to retrieve Hubbie's social network page, but nothing I did worked. Since I have an account at that e-mail provider address, it doesn't want to accept Hubbie's. I'll have to search for another e-mail provider where I don't have an account, and see if that works.
By the time I finished frustrating myself with that it was noon. I wasn't very hungry after having breakfast so late, so I decided to have a brownie and milk. Hubbie had a sandwich and potato salad, and Mother had her usual Ramen noodle soup.
After lunch, we spent a couple of hours running errands. Stopped first at the library, then went to a pharmacy store, and a grocery store. At the grocery store, we used coupons to get a free dozen eggs, and a free package of frozen okra. Then we shopped for groceries and incidentals for Mother and ourselves at the WDCS. Went to the gas station after that, and finished the trip with a stop at the farm store.
Got back home around 3 p.m. Played on my e-tablet until it was time to prepare supper. This evening, we had leftover spaghetti. There was plenty of sauce, but I cooked a bit more spaghetti to go with what was left. Mother sliced and buttered French bread for the oven, and we made three small salads. Cottage cheese rounded out the meal.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house afterward, and then he and I watched TV. Tonight, we watched episodes of "Fawlty Towers," a British comedy series on DVD, borrowed from the library.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Monday, June 3
Up at 6:30 this morning to get ready for water aerobics. I was surprised at how chilly it was. I wore my fleece outfit and hoodie, and was glad I did after I found that the pool was very cold. We were told that the pool had been emptied, painted, and then refilled last Thursday. With a pool that size, two or three days is not long enough to heat it. I sure hope it's warmer Wednesday.
To add insult to injury, the coach/lifeguard informed us we would need to leave early, because a swim team was to meet there at 8 a.m. Well, we are scheduled from 8:30 to 9:15.
So even though the swim team had a contract stating they could begin at 8 a.m, a compromise had to be reached. Therefore, we agreed to hold our aerobics class from 7:30 to 8:15, and the swim team will meet at 8:30. That means I'll have to move my getting-up time to 6 a.m. Phooey.
The talk today was, of course, the death of one of our members. Our leader said she had purchased a very nice wreath for the funeral, using money we had contributed each swim day.
Back home after aerobics, I relaxed with a couple of cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. She went right to her puzzle, while I got ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie went grocery shopping, because I wanted some deli turkey to have in sandwiches for lunch to go along with potato salad.
Mother, of course, opted for her usual Ramen noodle soup.
After lunch, she and I made another spice cake. This time I baked the cake in two round pans, so I could wrap them for the freezer.
Making the cakes was the only project I had planned for this afternoon, so Mother went back to her puzzle, and I caught up on reading newspapers...the Sunday and Monday editions of the state paper, and our local paper.
Then, I goofed off on my tablet playing word games, as well as "find the object," and "find the differences in photos," games. I told myself that I was doing it for my health...exercising my brain, and staving off Alzheimer's Disease.
Later, I fixed a supper of biscuits and gravy, with a side of leftover oven fried potatoes. Not a very imaginative meal, but it's all I could come up with. I strain my brain every week deciding on meals.
Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then he and I watched TV, including a movie on DVD borrowed from the library..."The Lincoln Lawyer," a 2011 film starring Matthew McConaughy. A slick lawyer works out of the back of his Lincoln car, and defends the sleaziest clients. Then he is hired to defend an evil wealthy man, and in the process begins to question his own ethics.
To add insult to injury, the coach/lifeguard informed us we would need to leave early, because a swim team was to meet there at 8 a.m. Well, we are scheduled from 8:30 to 9:15.
So even though the swim team had a contract stating they could begin at 8 a.m, a compromise had to be reached. Therefore, we agreed to hold our aerobics class from 7:30 to 8:15, and the swim team will meet at 8:30. That means I'll have to move my getting-up time to 6 a.m. Phooey.
The talk today was, of course, the death of one of our members. Our leader said she had purchased a very nice wreath for the funeral, using money we had contributed each swim day.
Back home after aerobics, I relaxed with a couple of cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. She went right to her puzzle, while I got ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie went grocery shopping, because I wanted some deli turkey to have in sandwiches for lunch to go along with potato salad.
Mother, of course, opted for her usual Ramen noodle soup.
After lunch, she and I made another spice cake. This time I baked the cake in two round pans, so I could wrap them for the freezer.
Making the cakes was the only project I had planned for this afternoon, so Mother went back to her puzzle, and I caught up on reading newspapers...the Sunday and Monday editions of the state paper, and our local paper.
Then, I goofed off on my tablet playing word games, as well as "find the object," and "find the differences in photos," games. I told myself that I was doing it for my health...exercising my brain, and staving off Alzheimer's Disease.
Later, I fixed a supper of biscuits and gravy, with a side of leftover oven fried potatoes. Not a very imaginative meal, but it's all I could come up with. I strain my brain every week deciding on meals.
Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then he and I watched TV, including a movie on DVD borrowed from the library..."The Lincoln Lawyer," a 2011 film starring Matthew McConaughy. A slick lawyer works out of the back of his Lincoln car, and defends the sleaziest clients. Then he is hired to defend an evil wealthy man, and in the process begins to question his own ethics.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Sunday, June 2
Slept late this morning, until nearly 8:30. It was a nice cool morning for sleeping in. Finally, the rain has stopped.
It'll be nice and cool tomorrow morning, too, but I'll need to get up at 6:30 to go back to water aerobics, after a three-week hiatus.
Skipped my exercises today and just went ahead and got dressed. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. We did the usual Sunday morning things. I washed a couple of loads of laundry, and Mother clipped coupon for Granddaughter, while Hubbie read the Sunday paper.
I planned to serve barbecue and potato salad for lunch, so I had plenty of time to waste. I used it to play games on my tablet for the rest of the morning.
After lunch, we spent the afternoon watching movies on DVD borrowed from the library. We started with a Disney film..."Those Galloways"...followed by a Miss Marple mystery. Both of these were suitable viewing for Mother, and she enjoyed them.
Around 5:30, Mother was ready to head home, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then we filled a large butter tub with potato salad and went to Hubbie's niece's house to deliver it. I'd made too much of the salad, so I wanted to share it to keep from having to eat it three times a day for a week.
Back home, Hubbie fixed grilled cheese sandwiches for our supper. Afterward, we spent the evening watching TV.
It'll be nice and cool tomorrow morning, too, but I'll need to get up at 6:30 to go back to water aerobics, after a three-week hiatus.
Skipped my exercises today and just went ahead and got dressed. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. We did the usual Sunday morning things. I washed a couple of loads of laundry, and Mother clipped coupon for Granddaughter, while Hubbie read the Sunday paper.
I planned to serve barbecue and potato salad for lunch, so I had plenty of time to waste. I used it to play games on my tablet for the rest of the morning.
After lunch, we spent the afternoon watching movies on DVD borrowed from the library. We started with a Disney film..."Those Galloways"...followed by a Miss Marple mystery. Both of these were suitable viewing for Mother, and she enjoyed them.
Around 5:30, Mother was ready to head home, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then we filled a large butter tub with potato salad and went to Hubbie's niece's house to deliver it. I'd made too much of the salad, so I wanted to share it to keep from having to eat it three times a day for a week.
Back home, Hubbie fixed grilled cheese sandwiches for our supper. Afterward, we spent the evening watching TV.
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