Up at 7:30, and did stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and she went to her jigsaw puzzle.
Once I was ready for he day, I did this and that around the house until lunch. After lunch, Mother, Hubbie and I worked in the kitchen. First, Hubbie peeled apples, using the new apple peeler, while I gathered ingredients for seasoning them. Mother measured the ingredients, with my help, and then mixed them into the sliced apples. She also fluted the edges of the pie, but unfortunately, the edge fell completely off during baking.
While the pie was baking, Mother helped put together a dish of lasagna. She's easily confused about the layering sequence, though, so I have to stand right there and remind her of what goes next. She's unable to do this alone even when I set the ingredients out in the order that they are to be layered. I have to remind her of each layer...now the noodles, now the sauce, now the cottage cheese, now the mozzarella cheese, now the Parmesan cheese.
When the lasagna was completed and in the refrigerator to be baked later, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle. After the pie came out of the oven, I made an angel food/pineapple cake. This is he recipe that uses an angel food cake mix, mixed with a can of crushed pineapple. So simple, yet delicious.
Relaxed for the rest of the afternoon, read newspapers, and played on my tablet. Put the lasagna in the oven around 4 p.m., and by 5 p.m., we were ready to have it for supper, along with salad and cottage cheese.
Hubbie accompanied Mother home afterward, and then got ready to go to a basketball game at the college. About 6:30 p.m., though, Sis called to say her truck had quit on her, and she was at a gas station about ten miles away. Hubbie went to fetch her, and the two of them returned around 7 p.m. So we were able to get over to the college a few minutes before the game began.
Tonight, one of the sororities sponsored a Furry Frenzy event, in which fans were asked to toss stuffed toys onto the court as soon as a member of our team made a point. The first point happened to be a free throw, so when it happened, we tossed the toys out. I was amazed at how many very colorful stuffed animals littered the floor. Members of the sorority gathered three huge clear plastic bags of the toys.
During halftime at this game, a large group of students from a local middle school performed a dance, which was cute. Hubbie's 18-month-old great-niece was mesmerized by the performance.
Our team won the game, and we were ready to head home around 9 p.m. Oh my gosh, it was a bitterly cold night for walking to and from the parking lot! I was plenty glad to get back to my warm home.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Wednesday, Jan. 22
Slept well again last night. Got up at 6 a.m. to get ready for water aerobics. Since it was such a cold morning, Hubbie drove me to the college, and dropped me off near the gym, then came back later to pick me up.
Sixteen of us attended the aerobics session this morning. The water was still cool, but not as bad as it was on Monday. Once I was used to it, it was fine. I left a little earlier today, since I wanted to be sure to be ready when Hubbie came to pick me up. He was already at the curb when I left the gym.
Back home, I warmed up with cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. Once I was ready for the day, I spent the rest of the morning figuring out how to clean my smart phone, since it kept giving me messages that its memory was full.
For lunch, Mother had her usual Ramen noodle soup, while Hubbie and I finished the split pea soup. I had a slice of toasted rye bread with baby Swiss cheese melted on it, and Hubbie opted for a ham sandwich.
Afterward, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, Hubbie read a novel on his e-reader, and I altered a greeting card that I bought yesterday to make it suitable for our friends who recently became grandparents of triplets.
The card features a baby bouncing on a spring, so I printed two more copies of the baby, cut them out, made an extra copy of the baby so I could make a template of the outfit, then used the template to make a pink outfit. I placed the two babies...one in green, one in pink...on the inside front part of the card. So now there are three babies in the card, representing the triplets (two boys and a girl).
Spent the rest of the afternoon reading newspapers and doing this and that around the house. Later for supper, we had fast food chili with a baked potato on the side. This was a desperation meal, since I drew a blank on what to have for supper tonight.
After supper, Mother stayed around to watch a movie, and then Hubbie accompanied her home. Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching our favorite college basketball team as they played to another disappointing loss.
Sixteen of us attended the aerobics session this morning. The water was still cool, but not as bad as it was on Monday. Once I was used to it, it was fine. I left a little earlier today, since I wanted to be sure to be ready when Hubbie came to pick me up. He was already at the curb when I left the gym.
Back home, I warmed up with cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. Once I was ready for the day, I spent the rest of the morning figuring out how to clean my smart phone, since it kept giving me messages that its memory was full.
For lunch, Mother had her usual Ramen noodle soup, while Hubbie and I finished the split pea soup. I had a slice of toasted rye bread with baby Swiss cheese melted on it, and Hubbie opted for a ham sandwich.
Afterward, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, Hubbie read a novel on his e-reader, and I altered a greeting card that I bought yesterday to make it suitable for our friends who recently became grandparents of triplets.
The card features a baby bouncing on a spring, so I printed two more copies of the baby, cut them out, made an extra copy of the baby so I could make a template of the outfit, then used the template to make a pink outfit. I placed the two babies...one in green, one in pink...on the inside front part of the card. So now there are three babies in the card, representing the triplets (two boys and a girl).
Spent the rest of the afternoon reading newspapers and doing this and that around the house. Later for supper, we had fast food chili with a baked potato on the side. This was a desperation meal, since I drew a blank on what to have for supper tonight.
After supper, Mother stayed around to watch a movie, and then Hubbie accompanied her home. Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching our favorite college basketball team as they played to another disappointing loss.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Slept well last night, and got up around 7:30. Did stair stepping after breakfast, but skipped resistance bands and weights exercises. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house while I was getting ready for the day.
I didn't accomplish much for the rest of the morning, since I needed to meet a dental appointment at 11 a.m. Left the house shortly after 10:30.
Gad! There was a bitter cold wind today. No amount of clothing can buffer a bone-chilling wind. Fortunately, I didn't have to be out in it long this morning.
My dental appointment went well, and I was done around noon. Most of the hour I spent there was taken up visiting with the hygienist, who is the aunt of the young woman who recently gave birth to triplets. She of course had pictures on her smart phone to show me.
She said that the parents of the babies (both of whom are doctors), currently have a live-in nurse to help with the triplets. Later, when the parents return to work, the nurse will be there four days a week, the grandparents (who are friends of ours) will take care of the babies two days a week, and my hygienist and her mother will serve as babysitters one day a week.
An earlier attempt at in vitro fertilization didn't work, so on the second attempt, two eggs were implanted. This resulted in twins, plus one of the eggs split into two, making for a third baby. This couple had only planned to have one child and no more, so having triplets has been a real test.
But I have no doubt this strong couple can surmount any challenge. They were married only two years, when the husband underwent a heart transplant. I remember this young man when he was a child. I once did a newspaper story on him, featuring his hobby of making fishing flies.
His family also adopted one of the many kittens born at our house. That kitten was very unusual in that it liked to jump in the bathtub with the boy.That might have been because it was part of an orphaned litter...the mama cat was hit and killed by a car. We raised the kittens, which involved bathing them after feedings. So the kittens were used to water.
Back home, Hubbie had heated leftover barbecue/veggie pork chops, rice, and Lima beans for our lunch. After lunch, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, and Hubbie and I ran errands.
First, we went to the library to check out seasons three and four of "The Tudors." Then we stopped by the art gallery to pick up Styrofoam containers. Next, we went to the greeting card shop to use my 20% off coupon to buy a baby congratulations card, and Valentines. Lastly, we went to the WDCS for a few groceries.
Back home, I relaxed and caught up on reading Sunday, Monday, and today's newspapers, and worked this week's word search puzzle. Later, I heated leftover split pea soup and bran muffins for supper.
Afterward, Mother stayed around to watch TV. At 9 p.m., she decided she was ready to go home, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I finished the evening watching an episode of "The Tudors."
I didn't accomplish much for the rest of the morning, since I needed to meet a dental appointment at 11 a.m. Left the house shortly after 10:30.
Gad! There was a bitter cold wind today. No amount of clothing can buffer a bone-chilling wind. Fortunately, I didn't have to be out in it long this morning.
My dental appointment went well, and I was done around noon. Most of the hour I spent there was taken up visiting with the hygienist, who is the aunt of the young woman who recently gave birth to triplets. She of course had pictures on her smart phone to show me.
She said that the parents of the babies (both of whom are doctors), currently have a live-in nurse to help with the triplets. Later, when the parents return to work, the nurse will be there four days a week, the grandparents (who are friends of ours) will take care of the babies two days a week, and my hygienist and her mother will serve as babysitters one day a week.
An earlier attempt at in vitro fertilization didn't work, so on the second attempt, two eggs were implanted. This resulted in twins, plus one of the eggs split into two, making for a third baby. This couple had only planned to have one child and no more, so having triplets has been a real test.
But I have no doubt this strong couple can surmount any challenge. They were married only two years, when the husband underwent a heart transplant. I remember this young man when he was a child. I once did a newspaper story on him, featuring his hobby of making fishing flies.
His family also adopted one of the many kittens born at our house. That kitten was very unusual in that it liked to jump in the bathtub with the boy.That might have been because it was part of an orphaned litter...the mama cat was hit and killed by a car. We raised the kittens, which involved bathing them after feedings. So the kittens were used to water.
Back home, Hubbie had heated leftover barbecue/veggie pork chops, rice, and Lima beans for our lunch. After lunch, Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, and Hubbie and I ran errands.
First, we went to the library to check out seasons three and four of "The Tudors." Then we stopped by the art gallery to pick up Styrofoam containers. Next, we went to the greeting card shop to use my 20% off coupon to buy a baby congratulations card, and Valentines. Lastly, we went to the WDCS for a few groceries.
Back home, I relaxed and caught up on reading Sunday, Monday, and today's newspapers, and worked this week's word search puzzle. Later, I heated leftover split pea soup and bran muffins for supper.
Afterward, Mother stayed around to watch TV. At 9 p.m., she decided she was ready to go home, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I finished the evening watching an episode of "The Tudors."
Monday, January 20, 2014
Monday, Jan. 20
Today is Sis's birthday. Happy Birthday, Sis!
Today is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Had trouble falling asleep again last night. Around 1 a.m., I suddenly realized I'd forgotten to take my nightly medications. So I got up, removed the baby gate that keeps the cats from coming into our bedroom, and went downstairs to take them. A surprise awaited me...the hyacinth bulb that Daughter gave me for my birthday was blooming.
Returned to bed, tossed and turned for a while, and finally went to sleep. The alarm went off at 6 a.m. I really didn't want to get up, but I rolled out anyway, and got ready for water aerobics.
Left the house around 7 a.m. It was a cool morning, but not intolerable, for the walk to the gym. I was surprised no one else was in the dressing room, so I waited for a couple of other ladies to arrive before I went upstairs.
The pool was downright chilly. Yikes! If I'd known it was going to be that cool, I probably wouldn't have gone to aerobics. But once I got used to the water, I was glad I did. It's been weeks since I've been swimming, so I really needed the workout.
Today, we learned that one member was absent because her niece is seriously ill with the flu, and is in a hospital about two hours away. We are all anxious for the child, given how harsh the flu season is this year.
Another lady was absent because she is in mourning for her husband, who died recently. She is a relatively new member, so I didn't know her last name, and therefore didn't recognize the obituary in our local newspaper.
Back home, I warmed up with a couple of cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. Before I went upstairs to get ready for the day, I gathered veggies for Mother to dice for making split pea soup, and asked Hubbie to put a pan of sweet potatoes in the oven for lunch.
Back downstairs, I washed the split peas, and started the soup simmering. For flavors, I added ham (that Mother cubed), a couple of cans of chicken broth, a can of beef broth, the onions, carrots, and banana peppers that Mother diced, plus a little garlic powder, some thyme, pepper, no salt seasoning, and paprika.
After that, I ran some errands, but asked Hubbie to watch the soup, and add broth if needed, while I was gone. Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, of course.
My errands included a trip to the art gallery to pick up Styrofoam containers for soup I'll make for a fundraiser. I'd e-mailed the gallery director to ask when I could pick them up. She said "anytime." Obviously, she meant some other "anytime," because the gallery was closed today.
The shoe store next door was open, though, so I went in to browse. The store is going out of business, so there is a sale going on. But even with an extra $10 off, the prices seemed pretty high.
So I left the store and went to the greeting card shop hoping to find a baby congrats card for a friend and her husband, who became grandparents to triplets New Year's Eve. These are their first grandchildren, so they are over the moon.
I found a cute card with a baby that bounces on a spring when you open it. I decided I might be able to make a couple of prints of the baby to add to the card to make triplets. Before I bought the card, though, I happened to think that there was a 20% off coupon included in a birthday card from the store, but it was at home. So I decided to wait until tomorrow to get the card.
From there, I went to the WDCS to look for a stuffed animal. This is for a fundraiser at the college, in which fans are asked to bring a stuffed animal to get free admittance. When the men's basketball team plays, folks are asked to toss the animals onto the court as soon as a player scores the first basket. This will result in a technical foul, but it will be worth it to collect lots of toys for underprivileged children. Area Cub Scouts, and the college cheerleaders will gather the toys, which will be given to the United Way for later distribution.
Back home, I noticed that Hubbie was not home. Mother said he had gone to the vet's clinic to check on our cat that is suffering from constipation. The vet said she was coming along, but he still wasn't satisfied that she was ready to come home.
Meanwhile, I checked on the split pea soup and found that it was about to stick to the pan. Good thing I didn't stay away any longer. When Hubbie came home, I asked why he left the soup when I'd asked him to watch it while I was gone. He admitted he'd forgotten it. Let that be a lesson to me.
Later, Mother helped make bran muffins, which we had with the split pea soup for supper. Very good meal. Split pea soup is an acquired taste, I guess, but the three of us really like it.
Mother was ready to go home shortly after supper, and Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched Lifetime Channel mystery/suspense movies for the evening.
What a gloriously spring-like day we had today...with temps rising to nearly 70 degrees! Running errands was a pleasure, even if I didn't accomplish much. Just being outdoors was reward enough.
Today is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Had trouble falling asleep again last night. Around 1 a.m., I suddenly realized I'd forgotten to take my nightly medications. So I got up, removed the baby gate that keeps the cats from coming into our bedroom, and went downstairs to take them. A surprise awaited me...the hyacinth bulb that Daughter gave me for my birthday was blooming.
Returned to bed, tossed and turned for a while, and finally went to sleep. The alarm went off at 6 a.m. I really didn't want to get up, but I rolled out anyway, and got ready for water aerobics.
Left the house around 7 a.m. It was a cool morning, but not intolerable, for the walk to the gym. I was surprised no one else was in the dressing room, so I waited for a couple of other ladies to arrive before I went upstairs.
The pool was downright chilly. Yikes! If I'd known it was going to be that cool, I probably wouldn't have gone to aerobics. But once I got used to the water, I was glad I did. It's been weeks since I've been swimming, so I really needed the workout.
Today, we learned that one member was absent because her niece is seriously ill with the flu, and is in a hospital about two hours away. We are all anxious for the child, given how harsh the flu season is this year.
Another lady was absent because she is in mourning for her husband, who died recently. She is a relatively new member, so I didn't know her last name, and therefore didn't recognize the obituary in our local newspaper.
Back home, I warmed up with a couple of cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. Before I went upstairs to get ready for the day, I gathered veggies for Mother to dice for making split pea soup, and asked Hubbie to put a pan of sweet potatoes in the oven for lunch.
Back downstairs, I washed the split peas, and started the soup simmering. For flavors, I added ham (that Mother cubed), a couple of cans of chicken broth, a can of beef broth, the onions, carrots, and banana peppers that Mother diced, plus a little garlic powder, some thyme, pepper, no salt seasoning, and paprika.
After that, I ran some errands, but asked Hubbie to watch the soup, and add broth if needed, while I was gone. Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, of course.
My errands included a trip to the art gallery to pick up Styrofoam containers for soup I'll make for a fundraiser. I'd e-mailed the gallery director to ask when I could pick them up. She said "anytime." Obviously, she meant some other "anytime," because the gallery was closed today.
The shoe store next door was open, though, so I went in to browse. The store is going out of business, so there is a sale going on. But even with an extra $10 off, the prices seemed pretty high.
So I left the store and went to the greeting card shop hoping to find a baby congrats card for a friend and her husband, who became grandparents to triplets New Year's Eve. These are their first grandchildren, so they are over the moon.
I found a cute card with a baby that bounces on a spring when you open it. I decided I might be able to make a couple of prints of the baby to add to the card to make triplets. Before I bought the card, though, I happened to think that there was a 20% off coupon included in a birthday card from the store, but it was at home. So I decided to wait until tomorrow to get the card.
From there, I went to the WDCS to look for a stuffed animal. This is for a fundraiser at the college, in which fans are asked to bring a stuffed animal to get free admittance. When the men's basketball team plays, folks are asked to toss the animals onto the court as soon as a player scores the first basket. This will result in a technical foul, but it will be worth it to collect lots of toys for underprivileged children. Area Cub Scouts, and the college cheerleaders will gather the toys, which will be given to the United Way for later distribution.
Back home, I noticed that Hubbie was not home. Mother said he had gone to the vet's clinic to check on our cat that is suffering from constipation. The vet said she was coming along, but he still wasn't satisfied that she was ready to come home.
Meanwhile, I checked on the split pea soup and found that it was about to stick to the pan. Good thing I didn't stay away any longer. When Hubbie came home, I asked why he left the soup when I'd asked him to watch it while I was gone. He admitted he'd forgotten it. Let that be a lesson to me.
Later, Mother helped make bran muffins, which we had with the split pea soup for supper. Very good meal. Split pea soup is an acquired taste, I guess, but the three of us really like it.
Mother was ready to go home shortly after supper, and Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched Lifetime Channel mystery/suspense movies for the evening.
What a gloriously spring-like day we had today...with temps rising to nearly 70 degrees! Running errands was a pleasure, even if I didn't accomplish much. Just being outdoors was reward enough.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Sunday, Jan. 19
Slept all night again, thank goodness. So maybe this bout of interrupted sleep is over for now. Got up at 7:30, but skipped my exercises, as I usually do on Sundays.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and she diced veggies for barbecued pork chops. It's a simple dish, using carrots, onions, and celery, mixed with bottled barbecue sauce. I seasoned and browned the chops, and then put them in a baking dish. Topped them with the veggie/barbecue sauce, and baked them for an hour. Served them later with rice, and a choice of butter beans or Lima beans.
Didn't do much the rest of the morning, except read newspapers, and watch animal shows on TV. After lunch, we were all unproductive as we watched three movies that I'd recorded, including "Flowers in the Attic," which is a disturbing story of a heartless grandmother, and a mother who proves to possess little maternal instinct, either.
The other two movies were routine suspense features in which the women do not depend on men to extricate them from their problems. When it comes to a showdown of killing or being killed, they prevail. A man might arrive to save her, but he is knocked unconscious, or otherwise debilitated, so that the woman is on her own to defend herself.
At 5 p.m., Mother indicated she was hungry for a cereal supper, so I fixed her a bowl of Cheerios with banana, and a couple of slices of toast with peach preserves, along with a cup of coffee. Hubbie and I opted for grilled cheese sandwiches and chips, and an orange for dessert.
Mother was ready to go home after that, so Hubbie accompanied her. Meanwhile, I went upstairs to shower, since I didn't do it this morning. Afterward, it was more TV, including the last episode of season two of "The Tudors." Now we need season three, but won't be able to get it until Tuesday, since the library will be closed tomorrow for Martin Luther King Day.
Tomorrow will be the first day back at water aerobics after several weeks out for the holidays. I haven't been there since before Thanksgiving week, thanks to being sick with an upper respiratory virus. It's going to be difficult for me to get up at 6 a.m.! I'm not fond of crawling out of bed on cold winter mornings. I don't look forward to a chilly swimming pool, either, so I fervently hope the water is warm tomorrow.
************************************************
Note: Hubbie's sister received the news that she has a large mass on her kidney, and a smaller one on her upper kidney pole, particularly since she only has one kidney. She's to undergo more tests on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week. This is very worrisome.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and she diced veggies for barbecued pork chops. It's a simple dish, using carrots, onions, and celery, mixed with bottled barbecue sauce. I seasoned and browned the chops, and then put them in a baking dish. Topped them with the veggie/barbecue sauce, and baked them for an hour. Served them later with rice, and a choice of butter beans or Lima beans.
Didn't do much the rest of the morning, except read newspapers, and watch animal shows on TV. After lunch, we were all unproductive as we watched three movies that I'd recorded, including "Flowers in the Attic," which is a disturbing story of a heartless grandmother, and a mother who proves to possess little maternal instinct, either.
The other two movies were routine suspense features in which the women do not depend on men to extricate them from their problems. When it comes to a showdown of killing or being killed, they prevail. A man might arrive to save her, but he is knocked unconscious, or otherwise debilitated, so that the woman is on her own to defend herself.
At 5 p.m., Mother indicated she was hungry for a cereal supper, so I fixed her a bowl of Cheerios with banana, and a couple of slices of toast with peach preserves, along with a cup of coffee. Hubbie and I opted for grilled cheese sandwiches and chips, and an orange for dessert.
Mother was ready to go home after that, so Hubbie accompanied her. Meanwhile, I went upstairs to shower, since I didn't do it this morning. Afterward, it was more TV, including the last episode of season two of "The Tudors." Now we need season three, but won't be able to get it until Tuesday, since the library will be closed tomorrow for Martin Luther King Day.
Tomorrow will be the first day back at water aerobics after several weeks out for the holidays. I haven't been there since before Thanksgiving week, thanks to being sick with an upper respiratory virus. It's going to be difficult for me to get up at 6 a.m.! I'm not fond of crawling out of bed on cold winter mornings. I don't look forward to a chilly swimming pool, either, so I fervently hope the water is warm tomorrow.
************************************************
Note: Hubbie's sister received the news that she has a large mass on her kidney, and a smaller one on her upper kidney pole, particularly since she only has one kidney. She's to undergo more tests on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week. This is very worrisome.
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