Up at 6 a.m. to get ready for water aerobics. The pool was pleasant enough, though one young woman thought it was so cool that she couldn't stay in it. She tried to get in it, but only walked out to where the water was waist high, then turned around the got out. I think she has a medical condition that causes her to get chilled easily. About fifteen of us enjoyed the session, though, most of us older women.
Sis still hadn't arrived by the time I got back home. I had a couple of cups of coffee, then went upstairs to get ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house.
When I got back downstairs, I saw that Sis had arrived. We visited for a while, then I put lunch on the table...pimento cheese sandwiches and chips, with grapes for dessert.
Afterward, I put a ham in the oven to bake, and then Sis and I made a batch of wine jelly. Mother measured the sugar for it, but then wasn't able to stay in the kitchen for the cooking part of it, because of the strong smell of alcohol. Sis and I finished the project and got eleven four-ounce jars of the jelly, two of which didn't seal. Sis will take one of those home with her, and Daughter will inherit the other.
We weren't sure how the jelly would taste, but we tested it and it has a rich and delicious concord grape wine flavor. It'll be great served with cream cheese on crackers as a holiday treat. And it'll make great gifts for those who like wine.
Afterward, Mother and Sis worked on a jigsaw puzzle, and I read a novel on my e-reader. Hubbie watched TV.
Later, after the ham had cooked, I put a large dish of lasagna in the oven to heat, and made a salad to go with it. Served the meal with garlic bread. It was as yummy as it was last night, and there's still some leftover.
After supper, we played several games of Skipbo...Hubbie won them all. He even won a game while he was talking with his aunt on the phone (I played his hand for him, so may I should count that as half a win for me).
Sis accompanied Mother home afterward, and then Hubbie and I watched a couple of episodes of "One Tree Hill."
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Thursday, Aug. 29
Slept late, until around 8 a.m., then did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and she peeled and quartered tomatoes for the freezer, while I got ready for the day.
Once I was dressed, I busied myself around the house until lunchtime. Lunch for Mother was Ramen Noodle soup, and Hubbie and I had leftover stir fry and rice.
Afterward, Hubbie ran errands, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, and I did this and that until around 3 p.m. At that time, Mother and I put together a dish of lasagna for the oven, and slathered slices of French bread to be heated. Also made a salad...for that we wanted some fresh banana peppers, so I went to the garden to gather a few. Gathering veggies from the garden is usually Hubbie's job, a thing he likes to do since he toiled to grow them. But he was still running errands, so I did it this time.
Didn't accomplish much else other than downloading a library book to my e-reader...an easy-to-read mystery for the weekend. Since I had time to kill while the lasagna baked, I read a couple of chapters of it.
The lasagna meal was especially good tonight, probably because we added a package of homegrown tomatoes to the lasagna...ones we'd put in the freezer last summer. The salad, with fresh grape tomatoes and banana peppers from our garden, was also yummy.
We were expecting Sis to arrive sometime this evening for a weekend visit, but since she had to work late today, she was too tired to drive up here, so she will be here tomorrow.
Mother stayed around after supper for a while, in case Sis arrived this evening. We watched a couple of shows, and then when I learned that Sis wouldn't be coming today, Mother decided to go home. Hubbie accompanied her.
Once I was dressed, I busied myself around the house until lunchtime. Lunch for Mother was Ramen Noodle soup, and Hubbie and I had leftover stir fry and rice.
Afterward, Hubbie ran errands, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, and I did this and that until around 3 p.m. At that time, Mother and I put together a dish of lasagna for the oven, and slathered slices of French bread to be heated. Also made a salad...for that we wanted some fresh banana peppers, so I went to the garden to gather a few. Gathering veggies from the garden is usually Hubbie's job, a thing he likes to do since he toiled to grow them. But he was still running errands, so I did it this time.
Didn't accomplish much else other than downloading a library book to my e-reader...an easy-to-read mystery for the weekend. Since I had time to kill while the lasagna baked, I read a couple of chapters of it.
The lasagna meal was especially good tonight, probably because we added a package of homegrown tomatoes to the lasagna...ones we'd put in the freezer last summer. The salad, with fresh grape tomatoes and banana peppers from our garden, was also yummy.
We were expecting Sis to arrive sometime this evening for a weekend visit, but since she had to work late today, she was too tired to drive up here, so she will be here tomorrow.
Mother stayed around after supper for a while, in case Sis arrived this evening. We watched a couple of shows, and then when I learned that Sis wouldn't be coming today, Mother decided to go home. Hubbie accompanied her.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Wednesday, Aug. 28
Up at 6 a.m. to get ready for water aerobics. The pool was nice and warm today, and fifteen of us enjoyed the session.
One older lady is guarding her back, though, because she injured it when she fell through her bathroom floor. Her bathroom had flooded, and carpenters were to be there to repair the floor on the very day that the lady fell through it. She just didn't realize the floor was that weak. It's a wonder she didn't break her back.
Back home afterward, I enjoyed a couple of cups of coffee, and then got ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house.
Once I was dressed, I did this and that around the house, until lunchtime. Mother had her usual Ramen Noodle soup, and Hubbie and I had the rest of the Dragon Soup, along with PB&J sandwiches.
After lunch, Mother made a batch of pimento cheese, while I busied myself upstairs. Hubbie spent part of his afternoon washing the van.
Later, I decided to fix breakfast-for-supper, since I couldn't think of anything else. We had biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and dishes of canned peaches.
Afterward, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then he and I watched episodes of "One Tree Hill."
One older lady is guarding her back, though, because she injured it when she fell through her bathroom floor. Her bathroom had flooded, and carpenters were to be there to repair the floor on the very day that the lady fell through it. She just didn't realize the floor was that weak. It's a wonder she didn't break her back.
Back home afterward, I enjoyed a couple of cups of coffee, and then got ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house.
Once I was dressed, I did this and that around the house, until lunchtime. Mother had her usual Ramen Noodle soup, and Hubbie and I had the rest of the Dragon Soup, along with PB&J sandwiches.
After lunch, Mother made a batch of pimento cheese, while I busied myself upstairs. Hubbie spent part of his afternoon washing the van.
Later, I decided to fix breakfast-for-supper, since I couldn't think of anything else. We had biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and dishes of canned peaches.
Afterward, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then he and I watched episodes of "One Tree Hill."
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Tuesday, Aug. 27
Slept late this morning, until nearly 8:30. Did stair stepping after breakfast, but skipped resistance bands and weights exercises, since we did this sort of workout at the pool on Monday. I don't want to risk straining muscles from overwork, so I try to do that type of exercise only three or four times a week.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and she went to her puzzle while I got ready for the day.
Didn't accomplish much for the rest of the morning. Lunch was leftover Dragon Soup, with peanut butter and crackers (I opted for peanut butter spread on a slice of wheat bread).
Afterward, Hubbie and I ran errands. First we went to a department store to use a $10 coupon. I applied a $10 coupon toward the purchase of a knit shirt the other day. Today, Hubbie applied the other coupon toward the purchase of on-sale khaki slacks.
From there, we went to the WDCS for a few items. Today, we rolled up to the speedy checkout, but were motioned by an associate to go through the self checkout, where she rang up our purchases. We use the self checkout from time-to-time, but not when we have fresh produce. Seems like we run into problems every time we try weighing and ringing up fresh stuff. (Note: we were glad today to get bananas for 35 cents a pound).
Lastly, we went to a grocery store to get a block of white American cheese for making pimento cheese, since the WDCS has quit carrying it.
We bought two pounds of it, but at the checkout counter, it rang up at half price. So the clerk rushed back to the deli to get the price changed. She soon returned and said, "It's not your fault that it's priced wrong, so we have to give it to you for what is shown on the tag."
Back home, I didn't do much other than read today's newspapers. Later, for supper, Mother julienned a yellow squash and a zucchini squash (from our garden), banana peppers (also from our garden), bell pepper, mushrooms, and a Vidalia onion. I sauteed these, along with frozen Chinese veggies, grated ginger root, and other spices, added chicken broth to steam the veggies for a bit, then added chicken broth combined with soy sauce, a little sesame oil, and cornstarch for thickening. Cooked instant rice for the meal.
It was a really good meal, and I made a lot of it hoping there'd be enough for tomorrow night. But we liked it so much that we each ate two helpings, leaving only a little left. Guess I'll have to figure something else out for tomorrow night.
Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then he and I watched episodes of "One Tree Hill."
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and she went to her puzzle while I got ready for the day.
Didn't accomplish much for the rest of the morning. Lunch was leftover Dragon Soup, with peanut butter and crackers (I opted for peanut butter spread on a slice of wheat bread).
Afterward, Hubbie and I ran errands. First we went to a department store to use a $10 coupon. I applied a $10 coupon toward the purchase of a knit shirt the other day. Today, Hubbie applied the other coupon toward the purchase of on-sale khaki slacks.
From there, we went to the WDCS for a few items. Today, we rolled up to the speedy checkout, but were motioned by an associate to go through the self checkout, where she rang up our purchases. We use the self checkout from time-to-time, but not when we have fresh produce. Seems like we run into problems every time we try weighing and ringing up fresh stuff. (Note: we were glad today to get bananas for 35 cents a pound).
Lastly, we went to a grocery store to get a block of white American cheese for making pimento cheese, since the WDCS has quit carrying it.
We bought two pounds of it, but at the checkout counter, it rang up at half price. So the clerk rushed back to the deli to get the price changed. She soon returned and said, "It's not your fault that it's priced wrong, so we have to give it to you for what is shown on the tag."
Back home, I didn't do much other than read today's newspapers. Later, for supper, Mother julienned a yellow squash and a zucchini squash (from our garden), banana peppers (also from our garden), bell pepper, mushrooms, and a Vidalia onion. I sauteed these, along with frozen Chinese veggies, grated ginger root, and other spices, added chicken broth to steam the veggies for a bit, then added chicken broth combined with soy sauce, a little sesame oil, and cornstarch for thickening. Cooked instant rice for the meal.
It was a really good meal, and I made a lot of it hoping there'd be enough for tomorrow night. But we liked it so much that we each ate two helpings, leaving only a little left. Guess I'll have to figure something else out for tomorrow night.
Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then he and I watched episodes of "One Tree Hill."
Monday, August 26, 2013
Monday, Aug. 26
Up at 6 a.m. to get ready for water aerobics. The water was fine today, about the same temperature as usual. Nineteen of us showed up for the session. It's always difficult to rouse myself out of bed on Monday and head to the pool. But I'm always glad I do once I'm in the pool.
Back home afterward, I relaxed with cups of coffee, and then got ready for the day. Spent most of my time today planning upcoming events, and doing this and that around the house.
Lunch was soups...a choice of Chinese chicken or cream of mushroom...and then supper was leftover Dragon Soup.
Mother was ready to go home after supper, and Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched episodes of "One Tree Hill."
You can't get a much more dull day than that.
Back home afterward, I relaxed with cups of coffee, and then got ready for the day. Spent most of my time today planning upcoming events, and doing this and that around the house.
Lunch was soups...a choice of Chinese chicken or cream of mushroom...and then supper was leftover Dragon Soup.
Mother was ready to go home after supper, and Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched episodes of "One Tree Hill."
You can't get a much more dull day than that.
Sunday, Aug. 25
Hubbie and I both had trouble getting to sleep last night, and it was 2 a.m before we drifted off. I guess a lot of stuff was going through our minds...a visit from Niece and Daughter; and an upcoming trip for a wedding, etc.
So it was after 8 a.m. before we got up this morning. Skipped my exercises as usual on Sundays. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house after breakfast. We started a pot of Dragon Soup simmering. Mother diced onions, carrots, and celery for it, which I sauteed. Then I added beef and chicken broths, and diced tomatoes, and simmered the mixture until the veggies cooked.
While that cooked, I washed a couple of loads of laundry and did other Sunday morning things. Near lunchtime, I added leftover veggies, meats, gravies, accumulated in the freezer to the the soup, and Mother mixed a recipe of cornbread for the oven, which I baked along with a pan of canned biscuits.
Soup and breads are an unusual Sunday meal, but we enjoyed it. Afterward, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, and Hubbie and I ran errands.
First, we went to the library to pick up two more seasons of "One Tree Hill." From there, we went to a grocery store/pharmacy to pick up prescriptions, and a free two-litre bottle of soft drink.
Then it was on to the WDCS. In the parking lot, a lady in the next parking space was frantically searching for her car keys. Her door was unlocked (maybe because she's in the habit of losing her keys?), but she couldn't find her keys.
She said she usually attaches the keys to her purse strap, but today they weren't there. However, she said she also carries a spare set inside her purse, though today she was having trouble turning them up. I didn't know how we could help her, so we went on into the store. Later, when we got back to our van, we noticed the lady and her car were gone...guess she found her keys.
Inside the store, we picked up several items, including stuff Mother needed, then headed for a speedy checkout lane. Ahead of us in line was a young woman who was trying in vain to make her store card work in the machine. She swiped it several time to no avail.
Finally, the checker handed her a plastic bag, and told her to put the card in it, then try swiping it again (I've never heard of this trick before).
It didn't work.
So the checker came around the counter, took the card out of the bag, and vigorously rubbed it against her sleeve, then tried swiping it again. No dice.
She took the card around the counter to the register side, put it in a bag, and swiped it on her machine. Nope, didn't work.
She took it out of the bag and rapidly swiped it up and down in the machine. Nothing happened.
At this point, Hubbie leaned over to the young woman and said, "Embarrassing, isn't it?" "Not really," the young woman shrugged, apparently perfectly willing to stand there all day if necessary to get that stupid card to work.
We were not willing to stand there endlessly, however, so we gathered our items from the counter, put them back into the cart, and went to another checkout line.
Back home, we settled in to watch a movie. For a while now, it has been our tradition to watch a family-friendly movie that Mother can enjoy on Sunday afternoons. I either record appropriate features to the DVR, or we borrow DVDs from the library.
Today's fare was a 2001 PG movie called "Askari," starring Marlee Matlin. A sixteen-year-old girl is orphaned when her parents are killed in a helicopter crash. She goes to live with her aunt and uncle at an elephant conservation farm in Africa. At first there is tension between the girl and her aunt, but later they come to terms when they join together to save some of the elephants from a government ordered kill (for the purpose of culling the herd).
Mother was ready to go home after the movie, so Hubbie accompanied her. The we watched several episodes of "One Tree Hill."
So it was after 8 a.m. before we got up this morning. Skipped my exercises as usual on Sundays. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house after breakfast. We started a pot of Dragon Soup simmering. Mother diced onions, carrots, and celery for it, which I sauteed. Then I added beef and chicken broths, and diced tomatoes, and simmered the mixture until the veggies cooked.
While that cooked, I washed a couple of loads of laundry and did other Sunday morning things. Near lunchtime, I added leftover veggies, meats, gravies, accumulated in the freezer to the the soup, and Mother mixed a recipe of cornbread for the oven, which I baked along with a pan of canned biscuits.
Soup and breads are an unusual Sunday meal, but we enjoyed it. Afterward, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, and Hubbie and I ran errands.
First, we went to the library to pick up two more seasons of "One Tree Hill." From there, we went to a grocery store/pharmacy to pick up prescriptions, and a free two-litre bottle of soft drink.
Then it was on to the WDCS. In the parking lot, a lady in the next parking space was frantically searching for her car keys. Her door was unlocked (maybe because she's in the habit of losing her keys?), but she couldn't find her keys.
She said she usually attaches the keys to her purse strap, but today they weren't there. However, she said she also carries a spare set inside her purse, though today she was having trouble turning them up. I didn't know how we could help her, so we went on into the store. Later, when we got back to our van, we noticed the lady and her car were gone...guess she found her keys.
Inside the store, we picked up several items, including stuff Mother needed, then headed for a speedy checkout lane. Ahead of us in line was a young woman who was trying in vain to make her store card work in the machine. She swiped it several time to no avail.
Finally, the checker handed her a plastic bag, and told her to put the card in it, then try swiping it again (I've never heard of this trick before).
It didn't work.
So the checker came around the counter, took the card out of the bag, and vigorously rubbed it against her sleeve, then tried swiping it again. No dice.
She took the card around the counter to the register side, put it in a bag, and swiped it on her machine. Nope, didn't work.
She took it out of the bag and rapidly swiped it up and down in the machine. Nothing happened.
At this point, Hubbie leaned over to the young woman and said, "Embarrassing, isn't it?" "Not really," the young woman shrugged, apparently perfectly willing to stand there all day if necessary to get that stupid card to work.
We were not willing to stand there endlessly, however, so we gathered our items from the counter, put them back into the cart, and went to another checkout line.
Back home, we settled in to watch a movie. For a while now, it has been our tradition to watch a family-friendly movie that Mother can enjoy on Sunday afternoons. I either record appropriate features to the DVR, or we borrow DVDs from the library.
Today's fare was a 2001 PG movie called "Askari," starring Marlee Matlin. A sixteen-year-old girl is orphaned when her parents are killed in a helicopter crash. She goes to live with her aunt and uncle at an elephant conservation farm in Africa. At first there is tension between the girl and her aunt, but later they come to terms when they join together to save some of the elephants from a government ordered kill (for the purpose of culling the herd).
Mother was ready to go home after the movie, so Hubbie accompanied her. The we watched several episodes of "One Tree Hill."
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