Up around 7:30, and did stair stepping, resistance band, and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and she went to her puzzle while I got ready for the day.
Did this and that for the rest of the morning. After lunch, Hubbie and I ran errands...to the library, to a grocery store to pick up this week's free item, and a two-pound block of cheese for making pimento cheese.
At the store, I met a member of the Extension Homemakers, We talked about the low number of exhibits at the fair. She is one of the superintendents of the educational building, and she said she thinks that a new system of registering exhibits online caused a dwindling of exhibitors, because most of the ladies who enter items in the fair are older, and many are not computer literate.
She also commented on the large number of white ribbons awarded this year. She said the judge was very critical of everything, and therefore harsh in her awards. This kind of judging is guaranteed to discourage entries next year.
She went on to say that she is not pleased with the fair board, which seems to be trying to squeeze out the Extension Homemakers. They want to tear down the educational building to make room to build...we know not what.
That building is the only one still not air conditioned, and the fair board apparently has no intention of doing anything about it, even though the EH council has offered to pay most of the expense of having it done. It was a bone of contention way back when Mother and I helped at the fair. Some years, when the temp rises into the high 90s, it's insufferable in that building.
There are only a few ladies left who will still agree to work at the fair. And now, we don't even have representation on the board. Once a couple of ladies resigned from the board for various reasons, the board didn't invite another Extension Homemaker onto the board.
Our organization is not the only one being squeezed out...the Master Gardeners are getting the same treatment. It's a puzzle to me in what direction the Fair Board is trying to take the fair. I always thought county fairs were specifically organized for the purpose of exhibiting the products of the local people...livestock, garden produce/flowers and plants, and homemaking skills.
Without these, the fair will only be about the carnival and entertainment.
This year, there was a new supervisor of the Educational Building. She has never done it before, and she was the first to admit she didn't know what she was doing. Always in the past a lunch was provided to the exhibit workers and judges, since the work often extends into the afternoon. This year, no lunch, because the new supervisor was unaware she was supposed to arrange one.
The lady commented on how much she misses Mother and me at the fair. We have been away from it for several years, and after talking to this lady, we know we are well out of it.
Hubbie and I also visited with a lady we know from our community theater days. She commented about the first play that Hubbie and I appeared in way back in the 80s. She said she has often wished that I, and a man who played opposite me, could reprise our roles in a one act play that she found hilarious. She's not the only one who has mentioned this. Over the years, others have mentioned that they'd like to see us do the play again. It's doubtful it'll ever happen.
From the grocery store, we went to the farmer's market to get zucchini and tomatoes; and finally to the WDCS for other groceries and incidentals.
Back home, we didn't accomplish anything much for the rest of the afternoon. I cleared away scrapbooking materials, and then read newspapers, and my novel on tablet.
Supper tonight was leftovers...mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed squash, along with cream corn, and sliced tomatoes, and French bread.
Mother was ready to go home shortly afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. Later, I went over and put drops in her eyes.
As usual, Hubbie and I continued binge-watching episodes of "The Good Wife" tonight.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
Friday, July 18
Up at 6 a.m. on this unusually cool, cloudy, morning so I could get ready to go to water aerobics. Street work is still going on at an intersection near the college campus, so I detoured through the chapel parking lot again.
A fleece hoodie felt good for the walk to the gym. But gad the pool was chilly! I wish they would warm it up a little. Took a while to get used to the water, but when I did I enjoyed the workout. I left a little early, though, so I could get home and get ready to go to the fairgrounds for senior day at the fair.
We headed to the fair around 10 a.m., leaving the guy who is laying tile in the sunroom to continue his job. He was gone by the time we got back, since he and his family were scheduled to go on a trip to the southern part of our state.
As soon as we arrived at the fair, Mother and I toured the educational building as Hubbie went to buy lunch tickets and attend the door prize drawing. Mother and I were surprised at how scant the crafts, baking, and canned goods exhibits were. The exhibits are displayed on stair step shelves, and several were completely empty. During the years that Mother and I exhibited, those shelves were stuffed. We were also surprised at how many white ribbons were awarded. Usually, there are far more red and blue ribbons.
We noticed, too, that many of the booths displayed political exhibits. There seemed to be general themes of patriotism, religion, or salutes to our state athletic programs among the individual exhibits, with most of those receiving Best of Show awards. The number of exhibits in the vegetables/plants/cut flowers departments was drastically down, too, as were the animal exhibits.
Just as we were finishing our tour of the 4-H exhibit booths, Hubbie came to tell us that lunch was about to be served. So we headed to the entertainment pavilion, where we had a meal of tuna sandwiches, baked chips, broccoli salad, a half an orange, and a box of "Jungle Juice."
I'm not a real fan of tuna, but it was fine. Not a fan of Jungle Juice, either, but it was probably donated to the Area Agency on Aging, which sponsored the lunch. The orange was hard to handle...the fruit should have been cut into quarters instead of halves.
After lunch, we visited the commercial building to register for prizes. As with the other exhibit areas, this one had few business exhibit booths, too, though there were lots of political booths. Didn't take long to go through the building.
Headed to the animal exhibits after that, where Mother enjoyed petting the goats, and stroking the noses of mules. We were ready to leave the fair after that.
Before we came home, we went to a town about 20 minutes away to buy a watermelon and a cantaloupe from our favorite farmer. Stopped at another roadside vendor to pick up tomatoes, and a box of blackberries.
Back home, I washed and sugared the berries for a snack later. Then we all relaxed until time to prepare supper, which tonight was pancakes. Hubbie did the honors of making the pancakes, after Mother and I made the batter.
Mother was ready to go home after supper, so Hubbie accompanied her, and then he and I attended the visitation for our neighbor, who died suddenly Wednesday.
We learned tonight that the man had gone to check on pasture fences, and simply dropped dead of a massive heart attack. When his wife found him, the truck was still running.
This is a long-established family in our community, so everyone knows them. Therefore, the line at the funeral home stretched around two sides of the building. We inched along in the line for an hour and a half.
We were surprised that there was an elderly woman in line right behind us who is 94 years old. She became visibly tired of standing, so we encouraged her to be seated as the line progressed. There were couches and chairs along the walls, so she could get up and move from one seat to another. But I really think she should not have tried to attend. She could have visited with the bereaved at another, more comfortable time.
We were back home just after 7 p.m. Around 8:30, I took a helping of the blackberries to Mother, and put drops in her eyes.
Hubbie and I spent the evening watching "The Good Wife" episodes, during which we had helpings of the blackberries, topped with ice cream. The berries, despite my generously sugaring them, were quite tart. I wonder if Mother will be able to eat them.
A fleece hoodie felt good for the walk to the gym. But gad the pool was chilly! I wish they would warm it up a little. Took a while to get used to the water, but when I did I enjoyed the workout. I left a little early, though, so I could get home and get ready to go to the fairgrounds for senior day at the fair.
We headed to the fair around 10 a.m., leaving the guy who is laying tile in the sunroom to continue his job. He was gone by the time we got back, since he and his family were scheduled to go on a trip to the southern part of our state.
As soon as we arrived at the fair, Mother and I toured the educational building as Hubbie went to buy lunch tickets and attend the door prize drawing. Mother and I were surprised at how scant the crafts, baking, and canned goods exhibits were. The exhibits are displayed on stair step shelves, and several were completely empty. During the years that Mother and I exhibited, those shelves were stuffed. We were also surprised at how many white ribbons were awarded. Usually, there are far more red and blue ribbons.
We noticed, too, that many of the booths displayed political exhibits. There seemed to be general themes of patriotism, religion, or salutes to our state athletic programs among the individual exhibits, with most of those receiving Best of Show awards. The number of exhibits in the vegetables/plants/cut flowers departments was drastically down, too, as were the animal exhibits.
Just as we were finishing our tour of the 4-H exhibit booths, Hubbie came to tell us that lunch was about to be served. So we headed to the entertainment pavilion, where we had a meal of tuna sandwiches, baked chips, broccoli salad, a half an orange, and a box of "Jungle Juice."
I'm not a real fan of tuna, but it was fine. Not a fan of Jungle Juice, either, but it was probably donated to the Area Agency on Aging, which sponsored the lunch. The orange was hard to handle...the fruit should have been cut into quarters instead of halves.
After lunch, we visited the commercial building to register for prizes. As with the other exhibit areas, this one had few business exhibit booths, too, though there were lots of political booths. Didn't take long to go through the building.
Headed to the animal exhibits after that, where Mother enjoyed petting the goats, and stroking the noses of mules. We were ready to leave the fair after that.
Before we came home, we went to a town about 20 minutes away to buy a watermelon and a cantaloupe from our favorite farmer. Stopped at another roadside vendor to pick up tomatoes, and a box of blackberries.
Back home, I washed and sugared the berries for a snack later. Then we all relaxed until time to prepare supper, which tonight was pancakes. Hubbie did the honors of making the pancakes, after Mother and I made the batter.
Mother was ready to go home after supper, so Hubbie accompanied her, and then he and I attended the visitation for our neighbor, who died suddenly Wednesday.
We learned tonight that the man had gone to check on pasture fences, and simply dropped dead of a massive heart attack. When his wife found him, the truck was still running.
This is a long-established family in our community, so everyone knows them. Therefore, the line at the funeral home stretched around two sides of the building. We inched along in the line for an hour and a half.
We were surprised that there was an elderly woman in line right behind us who is 94 years old. She became visibly tired of standing, so we encouraged her to be seated as the line progressed. There were couches and chairs along the walls, so she could get up and move from one seat to another. But I really think she should not have tried to attend. She could have visited with the bereaved at another, more comfortable time.
We were back home just after 7 p.m. Around 8:30, I took a helping of the blackberries to Mother, and put drops in her eyes.
Hubbie and I spent the evening watching "The Good Wife" episodes, during which we had helpings of the blackberries, topped with ice cream. The berries, despite my generously sugaring them, were quite tart. I wonder if Mother will be able to eat them.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Thursday, July 17
Up at 7 a.m., after a weird dream about losing my purse. Very chilly morning...in fact, our county broke a cool temperature record for July.
Skipped my exercises after breakfast, so I could get the house ready for company this afternoon, when Mother and I, and another lady, were scheduled to have a scrapbook club meeting. One lady couldn't be here, because she needed to attend a 2 p.m. memorial service for a member of her church.
The guy who is laying tile in our sunroom arrived around 10 a.m., and spent the day on the job. He got about half the tile laid, and will be back tomorrow to continue the job. He expects to be finished with the project next Tuesday. He'll be off for a day or so to go on a family trip to the south part of the state.
Once I did what I wanted in the house, I cubed cantaloupe for a snack break during the scrapbook meeting. My original thought was to serve the cantaloupe with dishes of sherbet, but I couldn't find any sherbet at the WDCS that didn't contain yellow dye. But on his round of errands this morning, Hubbie stopped by the pharmacy/grocery store, where he found fat-free pineapple sherbet without yellow dye.
Lunch today was PB&J sandwiches, since I couldn't think of anything else. Afterward, Mother and I began working on scrapbooking projects. Actually, Mother opted to work with Christmas cards that one of the members brought, cutting out designs and greetings to be re-purposed into new cards.
I chose to finish scrapbook pages featuring Great-Grandson's high school graduation. I started the pages last month, but they still needed journaling and decorating. When I finished those pages, I made one featuring a black and white snapshot of Mother and me taken at the museum a couple of months ago.
The lady who was supposed to come never showed up, and she didn't call to say why she couldn't be here. It sort of worried me that I didn't hear from her.
At 2 p.m., I went ahead and dished up the snack I planned for the meeting. I even served it in the pretty glass dishes I'd set out for that purpose.
We quit working on our projects at about the time the meeting would have ended, and I settled in to read today's newspapers, and relax until time to fix supper.
Tonight, we had chicken noodle soup, and slices of French bread. After supper, I baked a batch of brownies for a later snack.
Mother was ready to go home shortly after supper, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife."
Around 7:30, the scrapbook club member who was supposed to be here today called. Seems she forgot the meeting, and didn't think about it until a few minutes before she called. She's had a particularly stressful time lately, so today's meeting just slipped her mind. I'm just glad she's okay.
I went over to Mother's later to put drops in her eyes.
********************************************
Note one: the hospital called today to advise Hubbie that he is scheduled for a dye test next Monday morning. I'll skip water aerobics and go with him.
Note two: an obituary notice in tonight's local paper announced the death of our neighbor, a 72-year-old man who attended cardiac rehab at the same time I did. He was the husband of a woman who was our insurance agent before she retired.
She also attends water aerobics. She wasn't there yesterday, but her sister was, and she didn't mention anything about the man having medical problems. I guess I'll learn more at aerobics tomorrow. At any rate, there will be a visitation tomorrow night, so of course Hubbie and I will need to attend.
Skipped my exercises after breakfast, so I could get the house ready for company this afternoon, when Mother and I, and another lady, were scheduled to have a scrapbook club meeting. One lady couldn't be here, because she needed to attend a 2 p.m. memorial service for a member of her church.
The guy who is laying tile in our sunroom arrived around 10 a.m., and spent the day on the job. He got about half the tile laid, and will be back tomorrow to continue the job. He expects to be finished with the project next Tuesday. He'll be off for a day or so to go on a family trip to the south part of the state.
Once I did what I wanted in the house, I cubed cantaloupe for a snack break during the scrapbook meeting. My original thought was to serve the cantaloupe with dishes of sherbet, but I couldn't find any sherbet at the WDCS that didn't contain yellow dye. But on his round of errands this morning, Hubbie stopped by the pharmacy/grocery store, where he found fat-free pineapple sherbet without yellow dye.
Lunch today was PB&J sandwiches, since I couldn't think of anything else. Afterward, Mother and I began working on scrapbooking projects. Actually, Mother opted to work with Christmas cards that one of the members brought, cutting out designs and greetings to be re-purposed into new cards.
I chose to finish scrapbook pages featuring Great-Grandson's high school graduation. I started the pages last month, but they still needed journaling and decorating. When I finished those pages, I made one featuring a black and white snapshot of Mother and me taken at the museum a couple of months ago.
The lady who was supposed to come never showed up, and she didn't call to say why she couldn't be here. It sort of worried me that I didn't hear from her.
At 2 p.m., I went ahead and dished up the snack I planned for the meeting. I even served it in the pretty glass dishes I'd set out for that purpose.
We quit working on our projects at about the time the meeting would have ended, and I settled in to read today's newspapers, and relax until time to fix supper.
Tonight, we had chicken noodle soup, and slices of French bread. After supper, I baked a batch of brownies for a later snack.
Mother was ready to go home shortly after supper, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife."
Around 7:30, the scrapbook club member who was supposed to be here today called. Seems she forgot the meeting, and didn't think about it until a few minutes before she called. She's had a particularly stressful time lately, so today's meeting just slipped her mind. I'm just glad she's okay.
I went over to Mother's later to put drops in her eyes.
********************************************
Note one: the hospital called today to advise Hubbie that he is scheduled for a dye test next Monday morning. I'll skip water aerobics and go with him.
Note two: an obituary notice in tonight's local paper announced the death of our neighbor, a 72-year-old man who attended cardiac rehab at the same time I did. He was the husband of a woman who was our insurance agent before she retired.
She also attends water aerobics. She wasn't there yesterday, but her sister was, and she didn't mention anything about the man having medical problems. I guess I'll learn more at aerobics tomorrow. At any rate, there will be a visitation tomorrow night, so of course Hubbie and I will need to attend.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Wednesday, July 16
Up at 6 a.m. to get ready to go to water aerobics. Chilly morning, in the high 50s, so I wore a fleece hoodie over my tee shirt and shorts. Unfortunately, the water in the pool was very chilly, too. Took a while to get used to it, but after I did, I enjoyed the session.
Today, we got an update on our regular leader, who has been absent in order to have knee surgery. Seems she has developed a serious infection at the surgery site, which may require further surgery to remove the artificial knee, scrape the area, and put in a new appliance. It looks like she'll be away from the pool for much longer than she anticipated.
About a dozen of us attended today. One of the ladies and I touch base via email when one of us has to be away from the pool for any reason. She recently complained of having pains in her head that suddenly occur, and just as suddenly go away.
"My husband suggested I use the vibrator."
Huh?
"So I did, and it worked."
I smiled, but didn't comment.
"I massaged the back of my head, and the pain went away," she said.
Oh!
Back home, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, while I got ready for the day. Spent the rest of the morning sprucing the kitchen and living room in anticipation of one of the scrapbook club members meeting with Mother and me tomorrow afternoon.
Lunch was Ramen noodle soup for Mother, a chicken sandwich for me, and a ham sandwich for Hubbie. Afterward, Mother and I started a pot of chicken stewing. She diced carrots, onions, and celery, and I did the rest. Then she went to her jigsaw puzzle, and I did this and that around the house, before relaxing with the newspapers and my novel on e-tablet.
Around 1 p.m., the worker who will be laying new tile in the sunroom came and did preliminary tasks...removing the baseboards, vacuuming and mopping the floor (even though Hubbie had already swept the room and wore a mop out on it), and filled a crack in the concrete.
Later, I put yellow squash in the steamer, and Hubbie peeled potatoes to be boiled and mashed. Close to suppertime, we had servings of boiled chicken, the squash and mashed potatoes, along with gravy I made from some of the chicken broth.
Mother was ready to go home shortly after supper, and Hubbie accompanied her. Later I went over there and put drops in her eyes. Then Hubbie and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife."
Note: Hubbie's tummy troubles seemed worse today, so he called his doctor to request a dye test. Of course, he didn't talk to the doctor, but was required to leave a message with the nurse instead. She didn't call back today, so maybe she will tomorrow.
Today, we got an update on our regular leader, who has been absent in order to have knee surgery. Seems she has developed a serious infection at the surgery site, which may require further surgery to remove the artificial knee, scrape the area, and put in a new appliance. It looks like she'll be away from the pool for much longer than she anticipated.
About a dozen of us attended today. One of the ladies and I touch base via email when one of us has to be away from the pool for any reason. She recently complained of having pains in her head that suddenly occur, and just as suddenly go away.
"My husband suggested I use the vibrator."
Huh?
"So I did, and it worked."
I smiled, but didn't comment.
"I massaged the back of my head, and the pain went away," she said.
Oh!
Back home, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, while I got ready for the day. Spent the rest of the morning sprucing the kitchen and living room in anticipation of one of the scrapbook club members meeting with Mother and me tomorrow afternoon.
Lunch was Ramen noodle soup for Mother, a chicken sandwich for me, and a ham sandwich for Hubbie. Afterward, Mother and I started a pot of chicken stewing. She diced carrots, onions, and celery, and I did the rest. Then she went to her jigsaw puzzle, and I did this and that around the house, before relaxing with the newspapers and my novel on e-tablet.
Around 1 p.m., the worker who will be laying new tile in the sunroom came and did preliminary tasks...removing the baseboards, vacuuming and mopping the floor (even though Hubbie had already swept the room and wore a mop out on it), and filled a crack in the concrete.
Later, I put yellow squash in the steamer, and Hubbie peeled potatoes to be boiled and mashed. Close to suppertime, we had servings of boiled chicken, the squash and mashed potatoes, along with gravy I made from some of the chicken broth.
Mother was ready to go home shortly after supper, and Hubbie accompanied her. Later I went over there and put drops in her eyes. Then Hubbie and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife."
Note: Hubbie's tummy troubles seemed worse today, so he called his doctor to request a dye test. Of course, he didn't talk to the doctor, but was required to leave a message with the nurse instead. She didn't call back today, so maybe she will tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Tuesday, July 15
Usually, we turn the bedroom TV on at bedtime, then set the timer for it to go off. Hubbie thought he could get to sleep faster without the TV, although I've noticed he's snoring within fifteen minutes of hitting his pillow even with the TV on.
Last night, it was lights out as soon as we were in bed. The TV lulls me to sleep, but since it wasn't on, I read a novel on my e-tablet. The tablet is brightly lighted, but Hubbie said it didn't bother him. I read until I got sleepy...in about the same amount of time as with the TV.
I could have slept late this morning, since I didn't have to go to water aerobics, but naturally I woke up at 6 a.m. Hubbie snoozed on until 7:30. I was plenty ready to get up by then.
I did stair stepping, resistance band, and weights exercises after breakfast. Then I accompanied Mother to our house, since Hubbie had gone to have truck air conditioner serviced. Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, while I got ready for the day.
Once I was dressed, I updated the anti-virus on the office computer, and installed other computer updates. Then I printed coupons from our insurance carrier website. Out of 30 pages of coupons, I found only fifteen we can use.
By now, it was lunchtime, so I heated leftover egg casserole, with which I planned to have toast, until I discovered we didn't have any bread. So Hubbie went to the store down the road and got a loaf.
After lunch, Mother went back to her puzzle, and Hubbie and I ran errands...to the library to take back a DVD, and get two week's more time on the other one we have; to the post office to mail coupons to Granddaughter; to a grocery store/pharmacy to pick up a prescription and get this week's free item, plus a couple of other items; and lastly, to the WDCS and the gas station.
Back home, I read my novel, while Hubbie went to meet a doctor appointment. He has been bothered by what he calls an uneasy stomach. It has been going on for a couple of weeks, so I thought it was time for him to see about it. Unfortunately, the doctor didn't have an answer. He suggested that if Hubbie continues to have a problem, he will be scheduled for tests. Nothing was done today beyond a blood test.
While Hubbie was gone, I got a call from Mother's doctor's office informing me of her appointment with a podiatrist. We no longer have a podiatrist in our town, so the one in a town about 30 miles away comes each Wednesday to treat patients in our town. Which explains, I guess, why Mother's appointment isn't until August 20. That's way longer than I'd hoped for.
Later, for supper, I heated an odd mix of leftovers...goulash, green beans, ham and beans, and sautéed squash, which I served with slices of French bread.
Mother was ready to go home shortly afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife." Later, I went to Mother's to put drops in her eyes.
Wow, what a wonderfully cool day for July! Temp in our county was in the 70s.
Last night, it was lights out as soon as we were in bed. The TV lulls me to sleep, but since it wasn't on, I read a novel on my e-tablet. The tablet is brightly lighted, but Hubbie said it didn't bother him. I read until I got sleepy...in about the same amount of time as with the TV.
I could have slept late this morning, since I didn't have to go to water aerobics, but naturally I woke up at 6 a.m. Hubbie snoozed on until 7:30. I was plenty ready to get up by then.
I did stair stepping, resistance band, and weights exercises after breakfast. Then I accompanied Mother to our house, since Hubbie had gone to have truck air conditioner serviced. Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle, while I got ready for the day.
Once I was dressed, I updated the anti-virus on the office computer, and installed other computer updates. Then I printed coupons from our insurance carrier website. Out of 30 pages of coupons, I found only fifteen we can use.
By now, it was lunchtime, so I heated leftover egg casserole, with which I planned to have toast, until I discovered we didn't have any bread. So Hubbie went to the store down the road and got a loaf.
After lunch, Mother went back to her puzzle, and Hubbie and I ran errands...to the library to take back a DVD, and get two week's more time on the other one we have; to the post office to mail coupons to Granddaughter; to a grocery store/pharmacy to pick up a prescription and get this week's free item, plus a couple of other items; and lastly, to the WDCS and the gas station.
Back home, I read my novel, while Hubbie went to meet a doctor appointment. He has been bothered by what he calls an uneasy stomach. It has been going on for a couple of weeks, so I thought it was time for him to see about it. Unfortunately, the doctor didn't have an answer. He suggested that if Hubbie continues to have a problem, he will be scheduled for tests. Nothing was done today beyond a blood test.
While Hubbie was gone, I got a call from Mother's doctor's office informing me of her appointment with a podiatrist. We no longer have a podiatrist in our town, so the one in a town about 30 miles away comes each Wednesday to treat patients in our town. Which explains, I guess, why Mother's appointment isn't until August 20. That's way longer than I'd hoped for.
Later, for supper, I heated an odd mix of leftovers...goulash, green beans, ham and beans, and sautéed squash, which I served with slices of French bread.
Mother was ready to go home shortly afterward, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife." Later, I went to Mother's to put drops in her eyes.
Wow, what a wonderfully cool day for July! Temp in our county was in the 70s.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Monday, July 14
Up at 6 a.m. to get ready to go to water aerobics. Muggy morning for the drive to the college. Had to detour through the parking lot in front of the chapel again to get to the parking lot near the gym, since road workers still have that four-way stop torn up.
The water was chillier today than it was Friday, so it took a while to get used to it. But I had a good workout. Road work seems to be the order of the day, because it was happening on the road home, too, where I was stopped for a while, as a road grader did its job on one of the lanes. Got back home around 9 a.m.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house shortly after I returned. I washed green beans, and she and Hubbie snapped them while I got ready for the day.
Mother diced an onion and a few banana peppers, which I added to the beans, along with cans of chicken and beef broths, and spices. I simmered the beans for a while.
Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle after that, and I called the other two members of our scrapbook club to remind them of our meeting this Thursday. Whenever I call the ladies, I make sure I have plenty of time to chat, because they both like to talk, which is understandable, since they are both widows. They both have family close by, and they lead very active lives, but I imagine it still gets pretty lonely when they are at home, so they welcome phone calls.
After lunch...Ramen noodle soup for Mother, and burgers for Hubbie and me...we didn't accomplish much for the afternoon. Mid-afternoon I started a pot of spaghetti sauce simmering, adding a can of diced tomatoes, and a couple of scoops of beans and ham.
As I was making the sauce, Hubbie's niece and great-niece dropped by. Niece was returning an ice chest we loaned her for Great-Niece's birthday party. They visited for a while, and then went grocery shopping, because Great-Niece wanted a watermelon.
Not long after I got the sauce started, a thunderstorm cropped up. It got very dark. Lightning and thunder soon followed, along with a call telling us a severe thunderstorm was imminent. No kidding. The storm dropped an inch of rain, but fortunately our power stayed on.
Later, I cooked macaroni for the sauce, and we had the pasta with helpings of the green beans, and a side of cottage cheese. After supper, I bagged some of the beans, and a couple of jars of the sauce, for the freezer.
When Mother was ready to go home after supper, Hubbie accompanied her, then he and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife." Around 8:30, one of the scrapbook club members called to say a friend had died over the weekend, and there is to be a memorial service on Thursday afternoon, so she will not be able to come to the meeting.
Went to Mother's house after the phone call to put drops in her eyes.
The water was chillier today than it was Friday, so it took a while to get used to it. But I had a good workout. Road work seems to be the order of the day, because it was happening on the road home, too, where I was stopped for a while, as a road grader did its job on one of the lanes. Got back home around 9 a.m.
Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house shortly after I returned. I washed green beans, and she and Hubbie snapped them while I got ready for the day.
Mother diced an onion and a few banana peppers, which I added to the beans, along with cans of chicken and beef broths, and spices. I simmered the beans for a while.
Mother went to her jigsaw puzzle after that, and I called the other two members of our scrapbook club to remind them of our meeting this Thursday. Whenever I call the ladies, I make sure I have plenty of time to chat, because they both like to talk, which is understandable, since they are both widows. They both have family close by, and they lead very active lives, but I imagine it still gets pretty lonely when they are at home, so they welcome phone calls.
After lunch...Ramen noodle soup for Mother, and burgers for Hubbie and me...we didn't accomplish much for the afternoon. Mid-afternoon I started a pot of spaghetti sauce simmering, adding a can of diced tomatoes, and a couple of scoops of beans and ham.
As I was making the sauce, Hubbie's niece and great-niece dropped by. Niece was returning an ice chest we loaned her for Great-Niece's birthday party. They visited for a while, and then went grocery shopping, because Great-Niece wanted a watermelon.
Not long after I got the sauce started, a thunderstorm cropped up. It got very dark. Lightning and thunder soon followed, along with a call telling us a severe thunderstorm was imminent. No kidding. The storm dropped an inch of rain, but fortunately our power stayed on.
Later, I cooked macaroni for the sauce, and we had the pasta with helpings of the green beans, and a side of cottage cheese. After supper, I bagged some of the beans, and a couple of jars of the sauce, for the freezer.
When Mother was ready to go home after supper, Hubbie accompanied her, then he and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife." Around 8:30, one of the scrapbook club members called to say a friend had died over the weekend, and there is to be a memorial service on Thursday afternoon, so she will not be able to come to the meeting.
Went to Mother's house after the phone call to put drops in her eyes.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Sunday, July 13
Up at 8 a.m., but skipped my exercises and went ahead and got ready for the day. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house around 9:30, and we did our usual Sunday morning stuff.
Close to 11 a.m., Hubbie went to the WDCS to pick up a rotisserie chicken for lunch, since I didn't have a plan for today. At noon, we had the chicken with baked potatoes, and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.
Afterward, Mother and I changed into clothes suitable for attending a play. Hubbie and I agreed to usher the show..."Nunsense"...presented by our local community theater. So we were to be there by 1:15. We left the house around a quarter to twelve.
When we arrived, we saw that we needed to help collate programs. Seems the audiences for this production were bigger than expected, so new programs had to be printed. Also, whoever got the information together for the programs inadvertently left out the name of the young man who recently won an award as the biggest fan of our state football team. He had a walk-on part in the play as a monk.
There were still some programs left from last night's performance, which were at the ticket table, but if anyone tried to pick one up, he practically dragged them over to me to get a program, since I had the ones with his name in them.
Finally, the director of the play herded him back to the off-stage area. Then she remarked that he has caused problems in the past by being officious. I remember one time when he was ushering, he would insist that people sit in certain rows of the theater, rather than letting them choose their own seating. When he did this, I went to the folks and told them that they could get up and move to whatever part of the theater they wanted.
Before the theater doors opened, I asked the director if I could seat Mother, because I thought it would be easier to get her out of the wheelchair and up the couple of steps to comfortable seating before people began arriving. The director said this would be fine. So Mother was treated to some pre-show rehearsals.
The doors opened at 2 p.m., so once Hubbie and I had finished taking tickets and handing out programs, we went into the theater. There were no seats available where Mother was, so we had to go to the top tier of seats.
Wow, it was hot in that theater! Obviously, the air conditioning was not on, probably because there are no classes on campus right now. There were big fans, but they didn't stir the air up where we were seated.
The play was wonderful...very professionally done. We knew several of the actors, some of whom I served with on the board.
Before the play began, there was the usual announcement to turn off cell phones. Well, the lady seated beside me just couldn't resist checking her social network page. Cell phones are exceedingly bright in a darkened theater...very distracting.
So I shaded my eyes with my program to block the light. Every time, she checked the phone, I threw the program up to my face. She finally got the message and quit checking it. Why must people be so rude? Surely there is nothing so important that we can't set aside our cell phones for an hour or so. If there is, we should stay home and tend to it.
The performance ended around 4:30. We waited until most folks had left before we helped Mother down the steps and into the wheelchair. Before we came home, we stopped by a fast food restaurant to cool off with cups of frosty ice cream. Chocolate for Mother and me, of course.
We waited until we got back home to enjoy the ice cream, and then Mother stayed to watch a movie with us. She has had a good couple of days...going to the new farmer's market downtown yesterday, followed by breakfast at the hospital, and then to a play today, followed by having a cup of frosty ice cream.
Mother was ready to go home after the movie, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife." Later, I went to Mother's house to put drops in her eyes.
Wow! It was hot and humid today. So far this summer has been pretty mild, but today felt like a typical July day in the south. Cooler weather is on the way, though, according to the weatherman.
Close to 11 a.m., Hubbie went to the WDCS to pick up a rotisserie chicken for lunch, since I didn't have a plan for today. At noon, we had the chicken with baked potatoes, and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.
Afterward, Mother and I changed into clothes suitable for attending a play. Hubbie and I agreed to usher the show..."Nunsense"...presented by our local community theater. So we were to be there by 1:15. We left the house around a quarter to twelve.
When we arrived, we saw that we needed to help collate programs. Seems the audiences for this production were bigger than expected, so new programs had to be printed. Also, whoever got the information together for the programs inadvertently left out the name of the young man who recently won an award as the biggest fan of our state football team. He had a walk-on part in the play as a monk.
There were still some programs left from last night's performance, which were at the ticket table, but if anyone tried to pick one up, he practically dragged them over to me to get a program, since I had the ones with his name in them.
Finally, the director of the play herded him back to the off-stage area. Then she remarked that he has caused problems in the past by being officious. I remember one time when he was ushering, he would insist that people sit in certain rows of the theater, rather than letting them choose their own seating. When he did this, I went to the folks and told them that they could get up and move to whatever part of the theater they wanted.
Before the theater doors opened, I asked the director if I could seat Mother, because I thought it would be easier to get her out of the wheelchair and up the couple of steps to comfortable seating before people began arriving. The director said this would be fine. So Mother was treated to some pre-show rehearsals.
The doors opened at 2 p.m., so once Hubbie and I had finished taking tickets and handing out programs, we went into the theater. There were no seats available where Mother was, so we had to go to the top tier of seats.
Wow, it was hot in that theater! Obviously, the air conditioning was not on, probably because there are no classes on campus right now. There were big fans, but they didn't stir the air up where we were seated.
The play was wonderful...very professionally done. We knew several of the actors, some of whom I served with on the board.
Before the play began, there was the usual announcement to turn off cell phones. Well, the lady seated beside me just couldn't resist checking her social network page. Cell phones are exceedingly bright in a darkened theater...very distracting.
So I shaded my eyes with my program to block the light. Every time, she checked the phone, I threw the program up to my face. She finally got the message and quit checking it. Why must people be so rude? Surely there is nothing so important that we can't set aside our cell phones for an hour or so. If there is, we should stay home and tend to it.
The performance ended around 4:30. We waited until most folks had left before we helped Mother down the steps and into the wheelchair. Before we came home, we stopped by a fast food restaurant to cool off with cups of frosty ice cream. Chocolate for Mother and me, of course.
We waited until we got back home to enjoy the ice cream, and then Mother stayed to watch a movie with us. She has had a good couple of days...going to the new farmer's market downtown yesterday, followed by breakfast at the hospital, and then to a play today, followed by having a cup of frosty ice cream.
Mother was ready to go home after the movie, so Hubbie accompanied her. Then he and I watched episodes of "The Good Wife." Later, I went to Mother's house to put drops in her eyes.
Wow! It was hot and humid today. So far this summer has been pretty mild, but today felt like a typical July day in the south. Cooler weather is on the way, though, according to the weatherman.
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