Woke up early, around 6 a.m. Squeezed my eyes shut trying to go back to sleep, but no dice. I stayed in bed, though, until Hubbie woke up around 7:30.
Eventually, this morning, I did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises. Around 9:30, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, and I gathered veggies for her to dice for Dragon Soup.
Meanwhile, Hubbie cut up a pumpkin to be baked. The pumpkin was so large that we had to bake it in two batches.
For the soup, I blanched a couple of packages of grape tomatoes from last year's garden, and when they had cooled, Mother popped them out of their peels.
I sauteed the diced veggies...carrots, celery, onions, banana pepper, and bell pepper...in olive oil, then added cans of chicken broth, beef broth, and the tomatoes, and various spices (no-salt seasoning, pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, Rosemary, basil, oregano, and a little sugar), then let the mixture simmer until the veggies were cooked. Later, I added a couple of containers of veggies, rice, gravies, etc., that I'd gathered in the freezer. This is a wonderfully warming and satisfying soup, served with cornbread or muffins.
Once the soup was simmering, I went upstairs to get ready for the day. Back downstairs, the first batch of pumpkin was cooked, so I set it out to cool.
By now it was lunchtime. Mother opted for a sandwich made with a slice of salmon loaf, spread with tartar sauce, and Hubbie and I chose PB&J sandwiches. For dessert, we had the last of a sack of apples, with the remainder of the caramel dip.
After lunch, Hubbie made a run to the WDCS for a beef roast and quart size freezer bags. When he returned, he peeled the pumpkin, and then went in search of Mother's meat grinder. He found it right away, and we set to work grinding the pumpkin into pulp.
I put the pumpkin in a sieve to allow the moisture to drip out, and then Mother and I bagged it in two-cup portions, enough for one pie. From the two batches of pumpkin, we got six bags for the freezer, a savings of about $12 over canned pumpkin.
Once the pumpkin was cooked and prepared, I put a pan of buttered and salted pumpkin seeds in the oven to bake on low heat for about 40 minutes. They are pretty tasty.
For the rest of the afternoon, Mother worked on her jigsaw puzzle, I continued working on a photo book for Mother, and Hubbie read today's newspaper.
Later, after supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, where she changed clothes to go with us to a community orchestra concert, scheduled for 8 p.m. The orchestra is made up of college and high school students, as well as folks from the community. It was a free concert.
They performed fairly well...only a few clunkers along the way. At the beginning of one symphony, there was a loud crash. Sounded like a music stand fell. If anyone (like Hubbie) had drifted off up to this point, they were certainly startled awake.
We didn't know anyone in the orchestra, but we did know several people in the audience. One lady, a friend Mother and I visit from time-to-time (along with another lady) stopped to talk with us after the concert. She seemed in good spirits tonight.
I've worried about her, because she suffered depression and anxiety recently after a medical problem. Right now, she's looking forward to traveling to another town to spend Thanksgiving with her family. While there, she will be attending a program at her grandson's school...the first she's been able to attend.
This lady has only one grandchild. When I told her that we've recently welcomed two new great-grandchildren, she said, "Oh, hush, I don't want to hear about it." I think she would have liked to have more than one grandchild, but for a long time, she thought she wouldn't even have one.
The concert ended around 9:30, and we were back home before 10 p.m. Watched one TV show and the evening news, then headed to bed.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
Friday, Nov. 15
Up at 6 a.m. to get ready for water aerobics. Chilly morning, but not terribly uncomfortable, since I was bundled up sufficiently. The pool, on the other hand, was uncomfortably cool. All the ladies complained. Still, sixteen of us braved it.
A few of us left the pool early, though. As we were getting dressed, a lady seated on the bench near me put her right food into her undies and then promptly got a cramp in her left leg, which caused her to fall from the bench, and land flat on her back on the concrete floor.
Another lady and I hurried to make sure she was okay. It took a minute or two for her leg to ease enough that we could assist her back onto the bench. Another lady, sister to the one who helped me, insisted on going to get her car to drive close to the gym, so she and her sister could take the injured lady to her car, in the lot uphill from the gym.
Since these two had things in hand, I came on home, where I warmed up with cups of coffee. After that, I got ready for the day, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. She went to her jigsaw puzzle, and I went upstairs to create a photo book online for Mother for Christmas. It's taking a while to find the right photos, since I want the book to mainly feature snapshots of Mother.
For lunch, we had the remainder of the Dumpling Soup. Mother went back to her puzzle afterward, Hubbie occupied himself doing this and that, and I read newspapers until time to meet my 2 p.m. appointment to have bloodwork done. I arrived at the clinic early, and I was taken back promptly, so I was back home just a few minutes after 2 p.m.
Hubbie had put a pan of sweet potatoes in the oven earlier, and they were done baking by the time I got back. They were to be part of our supper, to accompany salmon loaf. Around 3 p.m., Mother helped me put together the salmon loaf. The salmon and potatoes, along with canned corn, and slices of rye bread, was good.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then we watched TV, as usual.
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In reading the local newspaper today, Hubbie learned that a 66-year-old man, who had been his barber for over 35 years has died. He promptly called the barber shop, hoping that the name belonged to someone else, but it didn't. He was told that the man, who was divorced and lived alone had, sometime last night, driven himself to the VA hospital in the capital city, two hours away.
But after he arrived, his heart stopped, and the doctors couldn't get it started again. We really wish he had called an ambulance, rather than trying to drive all that way. Paramedics might have been able to begin treatment that would have saved his life.
Calling an ambulance at the first sign of a suspected heart attack was one of the things that was impressed upon me and other heart patients during rehabilitation.
A few of us left the pool early, though. As we were getting dressed, a lady seated on the bench near me put her right food into her undies and then promptly got a cramp in her left leg, which caused her to fall from the bench, and land flat on her back on the concrete floor.
Another lady and I hurried to make sure she was okay. It took a minute or two for her leg to ease enough that we could assist her back onto the bench. Another lady, sister to the one who helped me, insisted on going to get her car to drive close to the gym, so she and her sister could take the injured lady to her car, in the lot uphill from the gym.
Since these two had things in hand, I came on home, where I warmed up with cups of coffee. After that, I got ready for the day, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. She went to her jigsaw puzzle, and I went upstairs to create a photo book online for Mother for Christmas. It's taking a while to find the right photos, since I want the book to mainly feature snapshots of Mother.
For lunch, we had the remainder of the Dumpling Soup. Mother went back to her puzzle afterward, Hubbie occupied himself doing this and that, and I read newspapers until time to meet my 2 p.m. appointment to have bloodwork done. I arrived at the clinic early, and I was taken back promptly, so I was back home just a few minutes after 2 p.m.
Hubbie had put a pan of sweet potatoes in the oven earlier, and they were done baking by the time I got back. They were to be part of our supper, to accompany salmon loaf. Around 3 p.m., Mother helped me put together the salmon loaf. The salmon and potatoes, along with canned corn, and slices of rye bread, was good.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then we watched TV, as usual.
*******************************************************
In reading the local newspaper today, Hubbie learned that a 66-year-old man, who had been his barber for over 35 years has died. He promptly called the barber shop, hoping that the name belonged to someone else, but it didn't. He was told that the man, who was divorced and lived alone had, sometime last night, driven himself to the VA hospital in the capital city, two hours away.
But after he arrived, his heart stopped, and the doctors couldn't get it started again. We really wish he had called an ambulance, rather than trying to drive all that way. Paramedics might have been able to begin treatment that would have saved his life.
Calling an ambulance at the first sign of a suspected heart attack was one of the things that was impressed upon me and other heart patients during rehabilitation.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Thursday, Nov. 14
Up at 7:30 this morning, and did stair stepping exercises after breakfast, but skipped the resistance band and weights. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and then he went to a Master Gardeners meeting.
While he was gone, Mother worked on her puzzle, I got ready for the day, and then I wrote a long letter to my friend in Texas to include in a birthday card.
It was close to noon by the time I came back downstairs. I decided to scramble egg substitute with onions, diced baked potatoes, and cheese. We had the eggs with bagels and jelly.
Afterward, Hubbie went grocery shopping, while Mother and I made oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies. It was about 3 p.m. by the time we finished.
Mother went back to her jigsaw puzzle, and I relaxed and caught up on reading newspapers. There's a picture of the overturned log truck on the front page of our local paper. There's also a photo of the student section at the college basketball game Tuesday night. We were there for both events...just out of sight.
Later, for supper, I tried a recipe I saw on a TV morning show. It's called Dumpling Soup. It calls for three-fourth cup of flour whisked in two cups of milk; add three cups of canned broth (I actually used three cans of broth), and seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then add chicken (I used leftover rotisserie chicken from last night's supper), and three cups of egg noodles. Boil, stirring pretty much constantly, until the noodles are cooked. I think that if I make this recipe again, I'm going to pre-cook the noodles a little, because I found the soup to be a little gooey. It was tasty, though.
During supper, I got a phone call from the nurse at my doctor's office. Apparently, my white blood cell count is still a little low, so my doctor wants me to have another blood test to check a little further. I've scheduled an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.
She also said that Mother's blood test showed improvement in her kidneys, and that she should just continue to hydrate.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then we watched TV.
While he was gone, Mother worked on her puzzle, I got ready for the day, and then I wrote a long letter to my friend in Texas to include in a birthday card.
It was close to noon by the time I came back downstairs. I decided to scramble egg substitute with onions, diced baked potatoes, and cheese. We had the eggs with bagels and jelly.
Afterward, Hubbie went grocery shopping, while Mother and I made oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies. It was about 3 p.m. by the time we finished.
Mother went back to her jigsaw puzzle, and I relaxed and caught up on reading newspapers. There's a picture of the overturned log truck on the front page of our local paper. There's also a photo of the student section at the college basketball game Tuesday night. We were there for both events...just out of sight.
Later, for supper, I tried a recipe I saw on a TV morning show. It's called Dumpling Soup. It calls for three-fourth cup of flour whisked in two cups of milk; add three cups of canned broth (I actually used three cans of broth), and seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then add chicken (I used leftover rotisserie chicken from last night's supper), and three cups of egg noodles. Boil, stirring pretty much constantly, until the noodles are cooked. I think that if I make this recipe again, I'm going to pre-cook the noodles a little, because I found the soup to be a little gooey. It was tasty, though.
During supper, I got a phone call from the nurse at my doctor's office. Apparently, my white blood cell count is still a little low, so my doctor wants me to have another blood test to check a little further. I've scheduled an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.
She also said that Mother's blood test showed improvement in her kidneys, and that she should just continue to hydrate.
After supper, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then we watched TV.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Wednesday, Nov. 13
Br-r-r...cold morning. Nineteen degrees wind chill. But I girded my loin and got ready to go to water aerobics.
I didn't dawdle walking to the gym today. I hoped the pool would be toasty warm, but it was not. It was pretty cool. But I braved it anyway, and once I got used to it, I enjoyed my swim and the workout that followed. Sixteen of us attended...more that I thought would.
Back home afterward, I thawed out with cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. Once I was ready for the day, it was close to noon, so I fixed various things for our lunch...Ramen noodle soup for Mother, the last of the potato soup for Hubbie, and the remainder of the lasagna for me.
Afterward, I headed to the hospital to meet an annual appointment for mammograms. The appointment was for 1:30, but I was asked to be there at 1 p.m., I guess to get the paperwork done ahead of the exam.
It didn't take long at all to get through the process, and I was headed back home by 1:38. Shortly after I arrived, Mother and I decided to make a no-crust pumpkin pie, because I didn't want to eat the pies Hubbie bought a couple of days ago.
I was amused when Mother said I hadn't missed anything by not eating any of the pies, because they were terrible tasting. She said the slice she had was strong or bitter or something. I asked Hubbie about it when he came inside, and he agreed that the pies were awful. I suggested he toss them, and he didn't argue. Those 98 cent pies were obviously no bargain.
His willingness to toss the pies without argument explained why he decided last night to join me in a snack of half a bagel with cream cheese and newly made strawberry jam, instead of a slice of pie.
Once the pie was in the oven, I was ready for a hot cup of coffee to warm up. And I was ready to relax with the newspapers. But just as I was reading an article, we heard a thud outside....the unmistakable sound of cars crashing into each other.
Sure enough, when we looked out the door, we saw an accident at the intersection near our yard. A young woman driving a tan car could not avoid hitting a man in a black car, who was attempting to turn right onto the highway. The impact spun the black car around to face the other direction, and he was pinned inside behind the steering wheel.
In no time, emergency personnel arrived. I had grabbed my camera, and after I shot a few pictures , I returned to our house to check on the pumpkin pie. When I went back outside in about five minutes, I saw that another accident had happened.
A log truck had barreled around a curve and failed to see the accident site. By the time he saw it, he didn't have time to brake, so he just swerved to the right and off into a ditch, turning the truck and trailer over, and spilling the large logs.
One log was tossed into our yard, near where Hubbie stood, and where I would have been standing if I'd stayed in the yard.
I cringe to think what might have happened if that driver hadn't swerved. He'd have plowed into both the accident cars, as well as a patrol car, and a whole bunch of people standing in the area. There would no doubt have been multiple deaths.
There's also no doubt Who had His Hand on the situation. He sent me indoors; He compelled Hubbie to run behind some trees; He caused the log truck driver to swerve in the nick of time.
I hope the man who was pinned in his car, which was in the direct path of the log truck, did not see the truck coming. If he did, he must have been terrified.
By the time the injured man was extricated from his car using the jaws of life, and the two cars were hauled off, and the log company had sent guys to get the logs picked up and stacked in the field across the street, and a huge tow truck had come to right the log truck and pull it away, it was 5:30...three hours after the accident occurred.
Indoors, I kept track of the pumpkin pie, and when it was done, I put baking potatoes in the oven. Around 4 p.m., Hubbie went to the WDCS to pick up a rotisserie chicken. We had the meat and potatoes with a baked butternut squash, and canned English peas, along with the remainder of the garlic bread.
Afterward, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then he and I watched TV, as usual. It was a busy and exciting day.
I didn't dawdle walking to the gym today. I hoped the pool would be toasty warm, but it was not. It was pretty cool. But I braved it anyway, and once I got used to it, I enjoyed my swim and the workout that followed. Sixteen of us attended...more that I thought would.
Back home afterward, I thawed out with cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. Once I was ready for the day, it was close to noon, so I fixed various things for our lunch...Ramen noodle soup for Mother, the last of the potato soup for Hubbie, and the remainder of the lasagna for me.
Afterward, I headed to the hospital to meet an annual appointment for mammograms. The appointment was for 1:30, but I was asked to be there at 1 p.m., I guess to get the paperwork done ahead of the exam.
It didn't take long at all to get through the process, and I was headed back home by 1:38. Shortly after I arrived, Mother and I decided to make a no-crust pumpkin pie, because I didn't want to eat the pies Hubbie bought a couple of days ago.
I was amused when Mother said I hadn't missed anything by not eating any of the pies, because they were terrible tasting. She said the slice she had was strong or bitter or something. I asked Hubbie about it when he came inside, and he agreed that the pies were awful. I suggested he toss them, and he didn't argue. Those 98 cent pies were obviously no bargain.
His willingness to toss the pies without argument explained why he decided last night to join me in a snack of half a bagel with cream cheese and newly made strawberry jam, instead of a slice of pie.
Once the pie was in the oven, I was ready for a hot cup of coffee to warm up. And I was ready to relax with the newspapers. But just as I was reading an article, we heard a thud outside....the unmistakable sound of cars crashing into each other.
Sure enough, when we looked out the door, we saw an accident at the intersection near our yard. A young woman driving a tan car could not avoid hitting a man in a black car, who was attempting to turn right onto the highway. The impact spun the black car around to face the other direction, and he was pinned inside behind the steering wheel.
In no time, emergency personnel arrived. I had grabbed my camera, and after I shot a few pictures , I returned to our house to check on the pumpkin pie. When I went back outside in about five minutes, I saw that another accident had happened.
A log truck had barreled around a curve and failed to see the accident site. By the time he saw it, he didn't have time to brake, so he just swerved to the right and off into a ditch, turning the truck and trailer over, and spilling the large logs.
One log was tossed into our yard, near where Hubbie stood, and where I would have been standing if I'd stayed in the yard.
I cringe to think what might have happened if that driver hadn't swerved. He'd have plowed into both the accident cars, as well as a patrol car, and a whole bunch of people standing in the area. There would no doubt have been multiple deaths.
There's also no doubt Who had His Hand on the situation. He sent me indoors; He compelled Hubbie to run behind some trees; He caused the log truck driver to swerve in the nick of time.
I hope the man who was pinned in his car, which was in the direct path of the log truck, did not see the truck coming. If he did, he must have been terrified.
By the time the injured man was extricated from his car using the jaws of life, and the two cars were hauled off, and the log company had sent guys to get the logs picked up and stacked in the field across the street, and a huge tow truck had come to right the log truck and pull it away, it was 5:30...three hours after the accident occurred.
Indoors, I kept track of the pumpkin pie, and when it was done, I put baking potatoes in the oven. Around 4 p.m., Hubbie went to the WDCS to pick up a rotisserie chicken. We had the meat and potatoes with a baked butternut squash, and canned English peas, along with the remainder of the garlic bread.
Afterward, Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house, and then he and I watched TV, as usual. It was a busy and exciting day.
Tuesday, Nov. 13
Today is 11-12-13. The next time there will be this kind of number sequence in a month will be 12-13-14. After that, such a sequence will not occur again until 2103. I won't hold my breath...well actually, I won't have a breath to hold by that time.
We slept late this morning, until around 8 a.m., but I did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises after breakfast.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, while I got ready for the day. She was bundled up on this very windy, very cold day. She was dressed in jeans, so I knew she had decided not to go to the educational talk and luncheon at the hospital at noon.
I debated whether I wanted to go, either, but Hubbie seemed to want to, so we did. Today's talk was about depression and suicide (which, besides the cold weather, was the reason I debated whether to go or not).
It was a very serious subject, with no room for levity, so those of us who braved attending were subdued as we watched a slide show and listened to the speaker relay sobering statistics about the incidence of suicide attempts among the young, as well as among men, and the aging.
We were given information on how to recognize symptoms of suicide in people close to us, and how we should approach the problem. A scant crowd attended this program, which didn't surprise us.
Lunch was good...braised chicken breasts, oven fried potatoes, green beans, and a roll, plus fresh fruit for dessert.
Afterward, we ran a few errands...to the post office to mail a package containing my former ESL student's paintings, and an envelope of coupons for Granddaughter; and to the WDCS to pick up photographs and a few grocery item.
Back home, Mother had finished a jigsaw puzzle and started another one. I did this and that around the house until time to prepare supper, which was potato soup and bran muffins. Mother helped make the muffins.
Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then around 6:15, we went to the college to attend a 7 p.m. basketball game. In all the years we've lived in this town, we've never attended a ball game at the college, but since Hubbie's nephew is now the coach, he has bought season tickets for us.
Gad it was cold for the walk from the parking lot near the science building to the gym. The gym features regular bleachers, and a section with chair seats, for those who pay a hefty price for the privelege of sitting there. Tonight, though, we were allowed to sit in that section, since a large crowd was not expected. My back does not like bleachers, so I will be purchasing one of those portable stadium seats, and I will take cushions to sit on.
We enjoyed the game, of course, though we don't know the young men on our team. We'll learn who they are quickly enough. Unfortunately, our team lost, but they gave the other team a run for their money, and we lost by only a couple of points.
We also enjoyed visiting with Niece and Great-Niece. Great-Niece is just a few months past her first birthday, and she's very cute, of course. Tonight she entertained everyone by dancing to the (loud) music playing before the game.
The gym was cool, so my new college logo hoodie felt good. It'll be my official going-to-the-games uniform, I guess.
Back home, we watched a couple of shows on TV, and then headed to bed.
We slept late this morning, until around 8 a.m., but I did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises after breakfast.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, while I got ready for the day. She was bundled up on this very windy, very cold day. She was dressed in jeans, so I knew she had decided not to go to the educational talk and luncheon at the hospital at noon.
I debated whether I wanted to go, either, but Hubbie seemed to want to, so we did. Today's talk was about depression and suicide (which, besides the cold weather, was the reason I debated whether to go or not).
It was a very serious subject, with no room for levity, so those of us who braved attending were subdued as we watched a slide show and listened to the speaker relay sobering statistics about the incidence of suicide attempts among the young, as well as among men, and the aging.
We were given information on how to recognize symptoms of suicide in people close to us, and how we should approach the problem. A scant crowd attended this program, which didn't surprise us.
Lunch was good...braised chicken breasts, oven fried potatoes, green beans, and a roll, plus fresh fruit for dessert.
Afterward, we ran a few errands...to the post office to mail a package containing my former ESL student's paintings, and an envelope of coupons for Granddaughter; and to the WDCS to pick up photographs and a few grocery item.
Back home, Mother had finished a jigsaw puzzle and started another one. I did this and that around the house until time to prepare supper, which was potato soup and bran muffins. Mother helped make the muffins.
Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then around 6:15, we went to the college to attend a 7 p.m. basketball game. In all the years we've lived in this town, we've never attended a ball game at the college, but since Hubbie's nephew is now the coach, he has bought season tickets for us.
Gad it was cold for the walk from the parking lot near the science building to the gym. The gym features regular bleachers, and a section with chair seats, for those who pay a hefty price for the privelege of sitting there. Tonight, though, we were allowed to sit in that section, since a large crowd was not expected. My back does not like bleachers, so I will be purchasing one of those portable stadium seats, and I will take cushions to sit on.
We enjoyed the game, of course, though we don't know the young men on our team. We'll learn who they are quickly enough. Unfortunately, our team lost, but they gave the other team a run for their money, and we lost by only a couple of points.
We also enjoyed visiting with Niece and Great-Niece. Great-Niece is just a few months past her first birthday, and she's very cute, of course. Tonight she entertained everyone by dancing to the (loud) music playing before the game.
The gym was cool, so my new college logo hoodie felt good. It'll be my official going-to-the-games uniform, I guess.
Back home, we watched a couple of shows on TV, and then headed to bed.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Monday, Nov. 11
Today is Veteran's Day, so the first thing Hubbie did was hang the flag on the well house in remembrance of those who fought, and are fighting, to make sure our nation remains strong and free.
We were up at 6 a.m., so I could get ready to go to water aerobics. It was cool this morning, but not cold. It promised to be another beautifully mild autumn day. The pool was cooler today than it was a week ago. I suppose the heat to it was turned down for several days, since it wasn't in use. It takes a few days for it to get back up to a comfortable temperature.
I certainly hope it's toasty warm on Wednesday, since predictions are for windy, frigid weather that day. I don't know if I will be even able to force myself out into it that morning, but we'll see.
The front bringing the cold weather is to arrive sometime tomorrow. Since it is the second Tuesday of the month, there is a luncheon program scheduled at the hospital conference room, but I don't know if Mother will be up to going. Today, she is convinced she will be, but she might very well change her mind by tomorrow.
There's also a basketball game scheduled at the college tomorrow night, and Hubbie wants to go, since his nephew by marriage is the new coach. I'm not nearly as enthused as he is about it, but I guess we'll go, especially since he went to the college today and purchased season tickets for us.
As for water aerobics this morning, twenty-five of us showed up. I'll be surprised if there are that many Wednesday. I know one lady won't be there on that day or on Friday, because she is scheduled for a colonoscopy Wednesday, and then has an appointment with a specialist in Memphis to determine what is causing cloudiness along with cataracts in her eyes.
She has glaucoma, but said this is not related to her problem. She's very anxious about the appointment....more so than about the colonoscopy, even though her last colonoscopy two years ago turned up polyps, so that she must now be frequently monitored.
We welcomed back a member who has been absent for quite a while, due to Graves Disease...a thyroid condition that causes a lot of uncomfortable symptoms.
Back home afterward, I warmed up with cups of coffee. While I was doing this, the guy who textured and painted our walls, dropped by to leave samples of granite, so I could choose a pattern and color for a vanity top. He said he could only leave them for the day, since they are the only ones the store has, and they usually don't even let them leave the store.
As usual, I struggled with making a choice. I knew I didn't want any of the dark colors (black, brown, gray), so that narrowed it to the beige colors. Chose one that is light, but not too light. It has tiny specks in it, so the pattern doesn't clash with the textured wall.
With the pale green walls, beige granite, white vanity and window frames, etc., the room will be very plain, but I plan to perk it up with colored venetian blinds, a brightly patterned curtain, complementary pictures, and colorful towels. I'm toying with the idea of lavender as the main color, with green complements. I want the room to feel light and airy.
Of course, it'll probably be after Christmas before I can work on the bathroom, since it'll take about six weeks for the vanity to be built, and then I'll have to choose vinyl for the floor, which someone has to install.
Once I was finally dressed and ready for the day, it was close to noon. For lunch, we had potato soup, with peanut butter and crackers. Afterward, Mother went to her puzzle, and Hubbie and I ran a few errands.
First stop was the college sports store, where I bought a pullover navy blue hoodie with the college logo, name of our town, and name of the sports team, on the front in red letters. Navy blue is not my color, but I can wear a turtleneck shirt under it that is in a red hue that is my color. This will be my official "going-to-the-games" shirt. It'll be nice and warm for what I'm sure will be a chilly gym.
From the college, we went to a grocery store to pick up prescriptions and a few grocery items.
Back home, I did this and that, while Hubbie went to visit his niece to deliver a pumpkin pie he got for 98 cents at the grocery store. He bought two, and he'll have to eat the other one by himself, because it packs a whopping 290 calories per serving, plus a world of sodium. It also contains yellow dyes.
While he was gone, the guy who painted our walls returned for the granite samples. He said he needed to get right home, because he wanted to provide clothes to his elderly neighbor, who had just moved in, and who had suffered burns when a truck he'd just purchased caught fire under the hood. The fire traveled to the gas tank, which exploded. Fortunately, the elderly man is going to be okay.
Later, we had a supper of lasagna, salad, cottage cheese, and garlic bread. Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then he and I watched one-hour shows on TV.
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We have a new great-grandson, born this evening, born just after 7 p.m. He weighs 6 lb. 4 oz., and his name is Lane David. Welcome to the world, Great-Grandson!
We were up at 6 a.m., so I could get ready to go to water aerobics. It was cool this morning, but not cold. It promised to be another beautifully mild autumn day. The pool was cooler today than it was a week ago. I suppose the heat to it was turned down for several days, since it wasn't in use. It takes a few days for it to get back up to a comfortable temperature.
I certainly hope it's toasty warm on Wednesday, since predictions are for windy, frigid weather that day. I don't know if I will be even able to force myself out into it that morning, but we'll see.
The front bringing the cold weather is to arrive sometime tomorrow. Since it is the second Tuesday of the month, there is a luncheon program scheduled at the hospital conference room, but I don't know if Mother will be up to going. Today, she is convinced she will be, but she might very well change her mind by tomorrow.
There's also a basketball game scheduled at the college tomorrow night, and Hubbie wants to go, since his nephew by marriage is the new coach. I'm not nearly as enthused as he is about it, but I guess we'll go, especially since he went to the college today and purchased season tickets for us.
As for water aerobics this morning, twenty-five of us showed up. I'll be surprised if there are that many Wednesday. I know one lady won't be there on that day or on Friday, because she is scheduled for a colonoscopy Wednesday, and then has an appointment with a specialist in Memphis to determine what is causing cloudiness along with cataracts in her eyes.
She has glaucoma, but said this is not related to her problem. She's very anxious about the appointment....more so than about the colonoscopy, even though her last colonoscopy two years ago turned up polyps, so that she must now be frequently monitored.
We welcomed back a member who has been absent for quite a while, due to Graves Disease...a thyroid condition that causes a lot of uncomfortable symptoms.
Back home afterward, I warmed up with cups of coffee. While I was doing this, the guy who textured and painted our walls, dropped by to leave samples of granite, so I could choose a pattern and color for a vanity top. He said he could only leave them for the day, since they are the only ones the store has, and they usually don't even let them leave the store.
As usual, I struggled with making a choice. I knew I didn't want any of the dark colors (black, brown, gray), so that narrowed it to the beige colors. Chose one that is light, but not too light. It has tiny specks in it, so the pattern doesn't clash with the textured wall.
With the pale green walls, beige granite, white vanity and window frames, etc., the room will be very plain, but I plan to perk it up with colored venetian blinds, a brightly patterned curtain, complementary pictures, and colorful towels. I'm toying with the idea of lavender as the main color, with green complements. I want the room to feel light and airy.
Of course, it'll probably be after Christmas before I can work on the bathroom, since it'll take about six weeks for the vanity to be built, and then I'll have to choose vinyl for the floor, which someone has to install.
Once I was finally dressed and ready for the day, it was close to noon. For lunch, we had potato soup, with peanut butter and crackers. Afterward, Mother went to her puzzle, and Hubbie and I ran a few errands.
First stop was the college sports store, where I bought a pullover navy blue hoodie with the college logo, name of our town, and name of the sports team, on the front in red letters. Navy blue is not my color, but I can wear a turtleneck shirt under it that is in a red hue that is my color. This will be my official "going-to-the-games" shirt. It'll be nice and warm for what I'm sure will be a chilly gym.
From the college, we went to a grocery store to pick up prescriptions and a few grocery items.
Back home, I did this and that, while Hubbie went to visit his niece to deliver a pumpkin pie he got for 98 cents at the grocery store. He bought two, and he'll have to eat the other one by himself, because it packs a whopping 290 calories per serving, plus a world of sodium. It also contains yellow dyes.
While he was gone, the guy who painted our walls returned for the granite samples. He said he needed to get right home, because he wanted to provide clothes to his elderly neighbor, who had just moved in, and who had suffered burns when a truck he'd just purchased caught fire under the hood. The fire traveled to the gas tank, which exploded. Fortunately, the elderly man is going to be okay.
Later, we had a supper of lasagna, salad, cottage cheese, and garlic bread. Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then he and I watched one-hour shows on TV.
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We have a new great-grandson, born this evening, born just after 7 p.m. He weighs 6 lb. 4 oz., and his name is Lane David. Welcome to the world, Great-Grandson!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Sunday, Nov. 10
Up at 7:30, but skipped my exercises, as I usually do on Sunday. Went ahead and dressed for the day, and after breakfast, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. Then he went to the grocery store to get cottage cheese and few other grocery items. I needed the cottage cheese for making lasagna for lunch.
While he was gone, I did the usual Sunday tasks, including a couple of loads of laundry, and programming the DVR for this week's shows and movies. When he returned, Mother and I put together the lasagna. Mother likes to help with this, but she gets confused about how to layer it. Even though I mixed all the cheeses together today, so all she'd have to do is layer sauce, then cheese mixture, then noodles, she still needed me to tell her what to do next.
I got the lasagna in the oven by 10:30, and then relaxed with the Sunday newspaper, while we watched Sunday animal programs on TV. Later, we enjoyed the lasagna with servings of cottage cheese, and slices of garlic bread.
Afterward, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, Hubbie went out to work in the yard, and I went to the card shop to use a coupon to purchase a greeting card and another item. Registered for the door prize again, and snagged three chocolate chip cookies from the refreshment table to bring home.
At home, I decided to grab my camera and go out into the yard to snap a few pictures of the fall colors before a predicted very cold, windy day blows all the leaves off the trees Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Today was a glorious day, sunny and mild. I wish it could stay this way, but temps are predicted to drop into the 20s by Tuesday night. Yikes! I'm not ready for that. Winter is just not my favorite season of the year, since I can't thaw out until spring.
Back indoors, Mother and I began watching a Hallmark movie..."The Thanksgiving House," about a woman who inherits her aunt's house, and then discovers that it might be located on the very spot where the first Thanksgiving took place (in the town of Plymouth, of course).
After that, we watched two episodes of "The Paradise," a British series about a department store and its employees in the early twentieth century.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house afterward, and then he and I had breakfast-for-supper, followed by more TV.
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We are heartsick over the devestation and loss of life in the Phillipines. It's hard to wrap my head around such a violent storm, and how trapped and terrified people must have been when it slammed into those islands, where there were few places to take shelter, and where the water surged as high as two stories.
While he was gone, I did the usual Sunday tasks, including a couple of loads of laundry, and programming the DVR for this week's shows and movies. When he returned, Mother and I put together the lasagna. Mother likes to help with this, but she gets confused about how to layer it. Even though I mixed all the cheeses together today, so all she'd have to do is layer sauce, then cheese mixture, then noodles, she still needed me to tell her what to do next.
I got the lasagna in the oven by 10:30, and then relaxed with the Sunday newspaper, while we watched Sunday animal programs on TV. Later, we enjoyed the lasagna with servings of cottage cheese, and slices of garlic bread.
Afterward, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, Hubbie went out to work in the yard, and I went to the card shop to use a coupon to purchase a greeting card and another item. Registered for the door prize again, and snagged three chocolate chip cookies from the refreshment table to bring home.
At home, I decided to grab my camera and go out into the yard to snap a few pictures of the fall colors before a predicted very cold, windy day blows all the leaves off the trees Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Today was a glorious day, sunny and mild. I wish it could stay this way, but temps are predicted to drop into the 20s by Tuesday night. Yikes! I'm not ready for that. Winter is just not my favorite season of the year, since I can't thaw out until spring.
Back indoors, Mother and I began watching a Hallmark movie..."The Thanksgiving House," about a woman who inherits her aunt's house, and then discovers that it might be located on the very spot where the first Thanksgiving took place (in the town of Plymouth, of course).
After that, we watched two episodes of "The Paradise," a British series about a department store and its employees in the early twentieth century.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to her house afterward, and then he and I had breakfast-for-supper, followed by more TV.
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We are heartsick over the devestation and loss of life in the Phillipines. It's hard to wrap my head around such a violent storm, and how trapped and terrified people must have been when it slammed into those islands, where there were few places to take shelter, and where the water surged as high as two stories.
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