Today is the first day of autumn. Cool weather is on its way.
Up around 7 a.m. Skipped my exercises, so we could gat ready for the day, and gather whatever was necessary for traveling south to attend a birthday party for a one-year-old great-granddaughter, and to meet for the first time a new great-granddaughter.
We were on the road by about 11 a.m., and at noon, we ate the pimento cheese sandwiches, chips, cookies, and coffee, I packed this morning. This saved us from having to stop on the way for a fast-food lunch.
We arrived at the campground around 1 p.m. Son and Daughter-in-Law were camped there, and had engaged a picnic pavilion for the event. Around sixteen children, and lots of adults were in attendance.
Hot dogs, baked beans, deviled eggs, and an assortment of chips were served, but we passed on those, and instead enjoyed cupcakes when they were served. Great-Granddaughter received lots of cute gifts. Of course, I took lots of snapshots of her.
This one-year-old is walking now, but has no teeth yet, and very little hair. The new baby, a few weeks old, on the other hand, has a crop of black hair. As with every new baby, we all enjoyed passing her around, so we could hug and kiss her, and welcome her to the family. Took lots of snapshots of her, too, naturally.
It was a sunny, warm day, in the mid-80s, but pleasant. We visited until around 4 p.m., before deciding we needed to hit the road.
Around 5:30, we stopped in a town about an hour from home to have supper at a favorite restaurant. We were surprised that there weren't more people at the restaurant. Maybe that's because it doesn't seem to be up to its previous standards.
Tonight, there was no sour ceam for the baked potatoes, which was just as well, I guess, since the potatoes weren't hot. I pushed mine aside and opted for mashed potatoes and white gravy, instead, which were hot and good. The glazed carrots weren't up to par, although the blackeye peas were good. But both the vanilla and vanilla-chocolate swirl soft-serve ice cream machines were empty, which was a disappointment to Hubbie, who can eat his weight in vanilla ice cream.
Mother was satisfied with her meal of batter fried fish and macaroni and cheese. She ate two helpings, along with helpings of both chocolate pudding and banana pudding, which is unusual for her.
We arrived home around 7:30. I accompanied Mother to her house, and then Hubbie and I unloaded the van before settling in to watch our favorite college football team, as they played to another disappointing loss. While we watched the game, I uploaded snapshots from today to my social network page.
By the end of the game, we were ready for bed. It had been a long, but fun day.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Friday, Sept. 21
Today is Great-Granddaughter's first birthday. Happy Bithday, Great-Granddaughter!
Up at 6:30 to get ready to go to water aerobics. But I was no sooner ready than a thunderstorm with lightning cropped up. I don't do swimming pool in thunderstorms. So I had to be satisfied with doing stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises.
The storm eased around 9:30, so Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, where she grated white American cheese and then made pimento cheese for sandwiches. While she did that, I got ready for the day.
Back downstairs, I gathered ingredients for making blueberry muffins. I helped Mother measure the ingredients, and once the batter was ready, she spooned it into the muffin tins, and I put the muffins in the oven for twenty minutes. We made a double batch of the muffins, so there'd be enough for Hubbie's and my upcoming trip, and for Mother and Sis to have while we're gone. Mother loves blueberry muffins.
Once the muffins came out of the oven, it was time for a sandwich lunch. Mother and I chose the remainder of the cold meatloaf, and Hubbie opted for ham and cheese on rye bread. For dessert, Hubbie and I had slices of fresh pineapple...we'd bought a couple at the WDCS for $1.98 each.
Mother headed the to couch for a nap afterward, and Hubbie and I ran errands...to the bank; to a pharmacy store; to the Caring Hands Hospice office to drop off the sympathy cards we made yesterday; and to the WDCS for a few groceries.
Back home around 3 p.m., Mother was awake. We relaxed until time to prepare supper. Hubbie did the honors of fixing French toast and scrambled eggs. Tonight, we used bread rounds for the French toast, which gave them the texture of pancakes. For a topping, we had sugar-free maple flavored syrup mixed with blackberry syrup, because I didn't note that the bottle of sugar-free syrup was so low before we went grocery shopping today. I was glad to find a jar of blackberry syrup in the pantry that I'd bought at last fall's craft fair.
After supper, I accompanied Mother to her house, and then Hubbie and I watched TV, as usual.
Up at 6:30 to get ready to go to water aerobics. But I was no sooner ready than a thunderstorm with lightning cropped up. I don't do swimming pool in thunderstorms. So I had to be satisfied with doing stair stepping, resistance bands, and weights exercises.
The storm eased around 9:30, so Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, where she grated white American cheese and then made pimento cheese for sandwiches. While she did that, I got ready for the day.
Back downstairs, I gathered ingredients for making blueberry muffins. I helped Mother measure the ingredients, and once the batter was ready, she spooned it into the muffin tins, and I put the muffins in the oven for twenty minutes. We made a double batch of the muffins, so there'd be enough for Hubbie's and my upcoming trip, and for Mother and Sis to have while we're gone. Mother loves blueberry muffins.
Once the muffins came out of the oven, it was time for a sandwich lunch. Mother and I chose the remainder of the cold meatloaf, and Hubbie opted for ham and cheese on rye bread. For dessert, Hubbie and I had slices of fresh pineapple...we'd bought a couple at the WDCS for $1.98 each.
Mother headed the to couch for a nap afterward, and Hubbie and I ran errands...to the bank; to a pharmacy store; to the Caring Hands Hospice office to drop off the sympathy cards we made yesterday; and to the WDCS for a few groceries.
Back home around 3 p.m., Mother was awake. We relaxed until time to prepare supper. Hubbie did the honors of fixing French toast and scrambled eggs. Tonight, we used bread rounds for the French toast, which gave them the texture of pancakes. For a topping, we had sugar-free maple flavored syrup mixed with blackberry syrup, because I didn't note that the bottle of sugar-free syrup was so low before we went grocery shopping today. I was glad to find a jar of blackberry syrup in the pantry that I'd bought at last fall's craft fair.
After supper, I accompanied Mother to her house, and then Hubbie and I watched TV, as usual.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday, Sept 20
Slept later than I meant to, until 8 a.m. Skipped my exercises so I could get dressed and finish tasks necessary to get ready for the scrapbook club meeting this afternoon.
Around 9:30, I accompanied Mother to our house. Once I was satisfied that the house was ready, and refreshments were prepared, Mother and I began work on making sympathy cards for Caring Hands Hospice.
We had an early lunch, around 11:30. And then we continued card-making until the other two ladies arrived. One of the ladies had made a stack of sympathy cards after I'd called her Monday to say Mother and I would be working on some today. Altogether, we produced twenty-six cards.
We had a nice visit with the ladies, and around 2 p.m., I served oatmeal raisin, chocolate-nut oatmeal, and no-bake chocolate-fruit cookies, along with coffee. Naturally, the ladies wanted the recipes for the cookies.
The meeting ended at 3 p.m. Once Mother and I had cleared away the mess from our projects, I encouraged her to go take a nap. She was afraid it was too late in the afternoon, but I pointed out that it was two hours or so before suppertime, and she had plenty of time. She gratefully agreed. I think she fell asleep the minute her head
hit the pillow.
While she slept, Hubbie called the computer store in another town and learned that the laptop charger had finally arrived. So we went to pick it up. On the way back, we stopped at a friend's house to pick up another 40 lbs. of sweet potatoes.
We were gone about 45 minutes, and when we got back, Mother was still snoozing peacefully, unaware that we'd left.
We got back around 4:30, and I immediately put leftover pork roast and veggies in the oven to heat for supper. Around 5:30, I served the meal with gravy, and sliced tomatoes topped with cottage cheese. Mother was up and ready to eat by that time.
Afterward, I accompanied Mother to her house, and waited until she showered before returning home. Later, Hubbie and I tried to watch the movie, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," on DVR, but couldn't make heads or tails of it, so abandoned it for a mystery movie on DVD, called, "Pride and Glory." Corruption touches members of a multi-generational family of New York cops, threatening their long-standing moral code. This movie is peppered with "language."
Around 9:30, I accompanied Mother to our house. Once I was satisfied that the house was ready, and refreshments were prepared, Mother and I began work on making sympathy cards for Caring Hands Hospice.
We had an early lunch, around 11:30. And then we continued card-making until the other two ladies arrived. One of the ladies had made a stack of sympathy cards after I'd called her Monday to say Mother and I would be working on some today. Altogether, we produced twenty-six cards.
We had a nice visit with the ladies, and around 2 p.m., I served oatmeal raisin, chocolate-nut oatmeal, and no-bake chocolate-fruit cookies, along with coffee. Naturally, the ladies wanted the recipes for the cookies.
The meeting ended at 3 p.m. Once Mother and I had cleared away the mess from our projects, I encouraged her to go take a nap. She was afraid it was too late in the afternoon, but I pointed out that it was two hours or so before suppertime, and she had plenty of time. She gratefully agreed. I think she fell asleep the minute her head
hit the pillow.
While she slept, Hubbie called the computer store in another town and learned that the laptop charger had finally arrived. So we went to pick it up. On the way back, we stopped at a friend's house to pick up another 40 lbs. of sweet potatoes.
We were gone about 45 minutes, and when we got back, Mother was still snoozing peacefully, unaware that we'd left.
We got back around 4:30, and I immediately put leftover pork roast and veggies in the oven to heat for supper. Around 5:30, I served the meal with gravy, and sliced tomatoes topped with cottage cheese. Mother was up and ready to eat by that time.
Afterward, I accompanied Mother to her house, and waited until she showered before returning home. Later, Hubbie and I tried to watch the movie, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," on DVR, but couldn't make heads or tails of it, so abandoned it for a mystery movie on DVD, called, "Pride and Glory." Corruption touches members of a multi-generational family of New York cops, threatening their long-standing moral code. This movie is peppered with "language."
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wednesday, Sept. 19
Hubbie and I both had problems sleeping last night, waking up several times, and tossing and turning. I seemed to have some bad dreams, too, one involving umbrellas, though I have no idea now what the plot was...got my adrenaline up, though. In the morning, I thought about our disturbed sleep, and decided it was probably a reaction to our flu shots yesterday.
We were up at 6:30, so I could get ready to go to water aerobics. Chilly today, so my fleece outfit with a fleece hoodie felt very good. The sun waa absolutely blinding, though, when I tried to exit our driveway. I could not turn left, because visibilty was zero to my right, where there is a curve obscured by undergrowth on the neighboring acreage. So, I went to the right, and turned around in the neighbor's circular driveway. I was blinded once again on the hill leading to the college, and had to slow to a snail's pace to navigate that street.
An unprecedented thirty of us showed up this morning, making the shallow end of the pool pretty crowded. Our leader warned us to be quiet so everyone could hear the instructions. Most of us have been around so long that we've memorized her routine, so we can chat and still keep up. There is a group in one corner, though, that talk loud and perpetually. The funny thing is, though, the leader herself is pretty good at keeping up a running stream of conversation with those up front.
One part of the routine has us dancing across the pool. Some of us go one way, and some go the other. Today, as one of the "talking" ladies passed me, she said, in a conspiratorial tone, "I guess she (the leader) has forgotten how close Christmas is," indicating that her monetary take (each of us donates to the gift) might be less this year.
The discussion before aerobics was about armyworms, which are decimating pastures and yards in our county. In researching the problem, I learned that legions of the worms are competing with beef and dairy cattle for pastures. So far, 30 counties are affected, but they are marching deeper into the state. It's reported that the higher incidence of the insects is caused by recent rains and greening grass.
Back home afterward, I gathered ingredients for making no-bake chocolate/fruit/nut cookies. Then I melted the semi-sweet morsels, margarine, and large marshmallow, which seemed to take two forevers on low heat. Once the mixture had melted, though, Mother was able to take over and add the vanilla, coconut, nuts, Craisins, and tiny marshmallows, and drop the mixture by teaspoonfuls onto wax-paper-covered cookie sheets. The cookies were then placed in the refrigerator to set.
Note: yesterday, Mother wanted to look for the recipe for these cookies, so I gathered several cookbooks, which she went through at the little table in the kitchen. By the time she came to the end of the books, she had forgotten what she was looking for.
I told her not to worry about it, because I thought I might have the recipe in a computer file. When I looked, I found I did have it there, so I printed a copy and broght it downstairs. Today, then, I searched high and low for the recipe, but couldn't locate it. When I mentioned this to Mother, she said she had folded it up, put it in her pocket, and taken it home with her. I guess she forgot that she can't make cookies at home anymore.
While Mother completed the cookie recipe this morning, I got ready for the day. By that time, it was noon. Hubbie had already fixed Mother's usual Raman Noodle soup lunch, and then he and I fixed sandwiches...deli ham and turkey and cheese on rye bread for him, and cold meatloaf on whole wheat toast for me.
After lunch, Hubbie met a haircut appointment, and shopped for a few groceries, while Mother and I played with card making supplies, searching for what we will need to make sympathy cards during a scrapbook club meeting tomorrow.
Mother has several times mentioned that she'd like to locate some wallpaper samples we had gotten from a store years ago that she liked to use as greeting card backgrounds. I've searched for them, with no luck.
Yesterday, after Hubbie and I returned home from running errands, she proudly announced that she'd located them. I wondered if she'd been plowing through totes unassisted, but she said they were in an easily accessible tote on a chair in the dining room.
Okay, so today I looked for the samples, and didn't see them. She couldn't remember where she put them...somewhere in the dining room, she thought. I searched all the totes again. They simply weren't there.
I think that while she napped, she dreamed she found them, and it seemed so vivid to her that she was convinced they were there somewhere. She finally agreed, though, that it was possible she'd dreamed it.
Around 2 p.m., I insisted she head to the couch for a nap, and she didn't argue. She slept until nearly suppertime. While she snoozed, I busied myself doing various chores getting ready for the club meeting tomorrow. And then I pressed clothing to take on an upcoming camping trip.
Later, I put leftover pork roast and veggies in the oven to heat for supper. Heated the gravy, and served individual cups of applesauce with it. Afterward, I accompanied Mother to her house.
Back home, I did a few more things in preparation for tomorrow, and then Hubbie and I watched TV, including another episode of "Jesse Stone," from the DVR.
We were up at 6:30, so I could get ready to go to water aerobics. Chilly today, so my fleece outfit with a fleece hoodie felt very good. The sun waa absolutely blinding, though, when I tried to exit our driveway. I could not turn left, because visibilty was zero to my right, where there is a curve obscured by undergrowth on the neighboring acreage. So, I went to the right, and turned around in the neighbor's circular driveway. I was blinded once again on the hill leading to the college, and had to slow to a snail's pace to navigate that street.
An unprecedented thirty of us showed up this morning, making the shallow end of the pool pretty crowded. Our leader warned us to be quiet so everyone could hear the instructions. Most of us have been around so long that we've memorized her routine, so we can chat and still keep up. There is a group in one corner, though, that talk loud and perpetually. The funny thing is, though, the leader herself is pretty good at keeping up a running stream of conversation with those up front.
One part of the routine has us dancing across the pool. Some of us go one way, and some go the other. Today, as one of the "talking" ladies passed me, she said, in a conspiratorial tone, "I guess she (the leader) has forgotten how close Christmas is," indicating that her monetary take (each of us donates to the gift) might be less this year.
The discussion before aerobics was about armyworms, which are decimating pastures and yards in our county. In researching the problem, I learned that legions of the worms are competing with beef and dairy cattle for pastures. So far, 30 counties are affected, but they are marching deeper into the state. It's reported that the higher incidence of the insects is caused by recent rains and greening grass.
Back home afterward, I gathered ingredients for making no-bake chocolate/fruit/nut cookies. Then I melted the semi-sweet morsels, margarine, and large marshmallow, which seemed to take two forevers on low heat. Once the mixture had melted, though, Mother was able to take over and add the vanilla, coconut, nuts, Craisins, and tiny marshmallows, and drop the mixture by teaspoonfuls onto wax-paper-covered cookie sheets. The cookies were then placed in the refrigerator to set.
Note: yesterday, Mother wanted to look for the recipe for these cookies, so I gathered several cookbooks, which she went through at the little table in the kitchen. By the time she came to the end of the books, she had forgotten what she was looking for.
I told her not to worry about it, because I thought I might have the recipe in a computer file. When I looked, I found I did have it there, so I printed a copy and broght it downstairs. Today, then, I searched high and low for the recipe, but couldn't locate it. When I mentioned this to Mother, she said she had folded it up, put it in her pocket, and taken it home with her. I guess she forgot that she can't make cookies at home anymore.
While Mother completed the cookie recipe this morning, I got ready for the day. By that time, it was noon. Hubbie had already fixed Mother's usual Raman Noodle soup lunch, and then he and I fixed sandwiches...deli ham and turkey and cheese on rye bread for him, and cold meatloaf on whole wheat toast for me.
After lunch, Hubbie met a haircut appointment, and shopped for a few groceries, while Mother and I played with card making supplies, searching for what we will need to make sympathy cards during a scrapbook club meeting tomorrow.
Mother has several times mentioned that she'd like to locate some wallpaper samples we had gotten from a store years ago that she liked to use as greeting card backgrounds. I've searched for them, with no luck.
Yesterday, after Hubbie and I returned home from running errands, she proudly announced that she'd located them. I wondered if she'd been plowing through totes unassisted, but she said they were in an easily accessible tote on a chair in the dining room.
Okay, so today I looked for the samples, and didn't see them. She couldn't remember where she put them...somewhere in the dining room, she thought. I searched all the totes again. They simply weren't there.
I think that while she napped, she dreamed she found them, and it seemed so vivid to her that she was convinced they were there somewhere. She finally agreed, though, that it was possible she'd dreamed it.
Around 2 p.m., I insisted she head to the couch for a nap, and she didn't argue. She slept until nearly suppertime. While she snoozed, I busied myself doing various chores getting ready for the club meeting tomorrow. And then I pressed clothing to take on an upcoming camping trip.
Later, I put leftover pork roast and veggies in the oven to heat for supper. Heated the gravy, and served individual cups of applesauce with it. Afterward, I accompanied Mother to her house.
Back home, I did a few more things in preparation for tomorrow, and then Hubbie and I watched TV, including another episode of "Jesse Stone," from the DVR.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday, Sept. 18
Up at 6:30, so I could get ready for a doctor appointment at 9 a.m. Today, I was to have a fasting lab test, so I couldn't eat anything after midnight. Also, I'd made appointments for the three of us to get our annual flu shots this morning.
We arrived at the clinic around 8:45, and even at that early hour, all the handicapped spaces were full, so Hubbie stopped in front of the door, so we could get Mother into her wheelchair.
At the reception area, I was told I would receive my flu shot at the same time I met with my doctor, but Mother and Hubbie would be called back presently. In a few minutes, a nurse appeared and told us all to go back. I reported what the receptionist said, and she assured me she could take care of it. She's the head nurse, and someone we've known for years, so I don't doubt she can override the office staff.
Following our shots (Mother hates shots, but suffered it quietly today) she and Hubbie were directed to the waiting room, while I was ushered to an exam room. "So you're here because of flu symptoms?" asked the nurse.
I was puzzled. "No, I don't have flu." Then the light dawned. "Oh!" I said, "I made an appointment for a flu shot."
The nurse laughed. "The info here says flu symptoms. The receptionist got it wrong." New people in the receptionist area, I guess, because when I got recorded messages yesterday confirming our appointments, they stated that all of us were to meet with our doctors, when only I was scheduled. I alerted the nurse to that today, and she said all but mine had been corrected.
I was pleased that my blood pressure registered at 124/66, and my pulse was 64.
During the time I was with the doctor, I presented her with photos I'd taken of her performing with a group of Zumba dancers at a local river carnival. She really appreciated them.
She said that she loves doing the dance/exercise routines, because she has always loved to dance, but her husband does not. So this is an outlet for her. She said that when she was in college, she was part of a dance group, and even choreographed dance routines. But then she stopped, when she realized she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
Somehow, we also got on the subject of organizing our homes. She said she was messy as an only child, but now she is disturbed by clutter. Her husband and children love to clutter, so every weekend, she is busy de-cluttering their home.
She is expecially disturbed by her attorney husband's very messy home office. This year, as a Mother's Day gift, her husband surprised her by organizing his office.
When the doctor came into the exam room, I was playing with my e-reader. She asked if I was a tekkie. I told her that I am absolutely not...I know enough to operate our four-remote TV, the two computers, my cell phone, and the e-reader, which neither Hubbie nor Mother are able to do, but I'm far, far, from being saavy. She said the little computer she's required to use at work is about all she knows how to handle...her husband takes care of the rest. There always seems to be one person in the household to whom the operation of electronics falls, simply because the others are completely baffled.
Everything seems to be okay with me, so I ended the visit by stopping by the lab for a blood draw, one of my favorite things to do (not). And now I have a big bruise in the crook of my elbow, the result of drawing four vials of blood.
Afterward, since I was very hungry, and Mother had had only toast at 5 a.m. this morning, we decided to have breakfast at the new hospital cafeteria in the new wing.
The entrance area in that wing is very pleasing, featuring a little corner area that simulates a cozy front porch, with several white rocking chairs.
The cafeteria is pleasing, too...airy and spacious, with an al fresco dining area, featuring round tables with black umbrellas, just outside the main dining room. Polished wood is evident everywhere, on the floors, on the tables and booths, and in the decorations.
Meals are served buffet style from sparkling clean islands. There's a wide variety of items that include healthy choices, though we didn't opt for "healthy" today. We chose biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and bacon, with coffee. The price is certainly right...all four meals cost $4.25.
Back home, Mother relaxed, while Hubbie and I ran errands...to a roadside vendor to buy yellow squash and tomatoes; to the library to return DVDs and select four more; to the newspaper to drop off this week's word search puzzle contest; to the bank; to the pharmacy; and to the the WDCS.
At home again, the three of us prepared a pork roast for the slow cooker...Hubbie peeled and cut potatoes, while Mother fixed the onions, garlic, carrots, and yellow squash. Then I browned the meat with spices, and put it and the veggies in the slow cooker, along with more spices, and a can each of low-sodium chicken broth and beef broth.
Spent the rest of the afternoon doing this and that. Our supper later, served with gravy made from the roast drippings and more beef broth, and individual cups of applesauce, was yummy. Accompanied Mother home afterward, and waited for her to take a shower before returning home.
Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV, including a PBS episode of "Wallander," a British detective, who solves murders.
Note: at the library, I asked the librarian if more people are visiting and checking things out in this economy. She said that lots of folks have had to drop cable and satellite services, so that now about 3,000 people a month check out DVD movies, and 2,000 frequent the computers. And now that the library has e-book capabilities, this is popular, too.
Of course, regular books and audiobooks remain popular, along with programs for children, and movie showings for pre-teens and teens...all free. Recently, a book club was formed, too, though I don't know how many members it has. I thought about joining, but don't think Hubbie would appreciate my getting involved in another activity that would occupy my time and take me away from home some more. He wouldn't object, but I just don't think it would be fair to him.
We arrived at the clinic around 8:45, and even at that early hour, all the handicapped spaces were full, so Hubbie stopped in front of the door, so we could get Mother into her wheelchair.
At the reception area, I was told I would receive my flu shot at the same time I met with my doctor, but Mother and Hubbie would be called back presently. In a few minutes, a nurse appeared and told us all to go back. I reported what the receptionist said, and she assured me she could take care of it. She's the head nurse, and someone we've known for years, so I don't doubt she can override the office staff.
Following our shots (Mother hates shots, but suffered it quietly today) she and Hubbie were directed to the waiting room, while I was ushered to an exam room. "So you're here because of flu symptoms?" asked the nurse.
I was puzzled. "No, I don't have flu." Then the light dawned. "Oh!" I said, "I made an appointment for a flu shot."
The nurse laughed. "The info here says flu symptoms. The receptionist got it wrong." New people in the receptionist area, I guess, because when I got recorded messages yesterday confirming our appointments, they stated that all of us were to meet with our doctors, when only I was scheduled. I alerted the nurse to that today, and she said all but mine had been corrected.
I was pleased that my blood pressure registered at 124/66, and my pulse was 64.
During the time I was with the doctor, I presented her with photos I'd taken of her performing with a group of Zumba dancers at a local river carnival. She really appreciated them.
She said that she loves doing the dance/exercise routines, because she has always loved to dance, but her husband does not. So this is an outlet for her. She said that when she was in college, she was part of a dance group, and even choreographed dance routines. But then she stopped, when she realized she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
Somehow, we also got on the subject of organizing our homes. She said she was messy as an only child, but now she is disturbed by clutter. Her husband and children love to clutter, so every weekend, she is busy de-cluttering their home.
She is expecially disturbed by her attorney husband's very messy home office. This year, as a Mother's Day gift, her husband surprised her by organizing his office.
When the doctor came into the exam room, I was playing with my e-reader. She asked if I was a tekkie. I told her that I am absolutely not...I know enough to operate our four-remote TV, the two computers, my cell phone, and the e-reader, which neither Hubbie nor Mother are able to do, but I'm far, far, from being saavy. She said the little computer she's required to use at work is about all she knows how to handle...her husband takes care of the rest. There always seems to be one person in the household to whom the operation of electronics falls, simply because the others are completely baffled.
Everything seems to be okay with me, so I ended the visit by stopping by the lab for a blood draw, one of my favorite things to do (not). And now I have a big bruise in the crook of my elbow, the result of drawing four vials of blood.
Afterward, since I was very hungry, and Mother had had only toast at 5 a.m. this morning, we decided to have breakfast at the new hospital cafeteria in the new wing.
The entrance area in that wing is very pleasing, featuring a little corner area that simulates a cozy front porch, with several white rocking chairs.
The cafeteria is pleasing, too...airy and spacious, with an al fresco dining area, featuring round tables with black umbrellas, just outside the main dining room. Polished wood is evident everywhere, on the floors, on the tables and booths, and in the decorations.
Meals are served buffet style from sparkling clean islands. There's a wide variety of items that include healthy choices, though we didn't opt for "healthy" today. We chose biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and bacon, with coffee. The price is certainly right...all four meals cost $4.25.
Back home, Mother relaxed, while Hubbie and I ran errands...to a roadside vendor to buy yellow squash and tomatoes; to the library to return DVDs and select four more; to the newspaper to drop off this week's word search puzzle contest; to the bank; to the pharmacy; and to the the WDCS.
At home again, the three of us prepared a pork roast for the slow cooker...Hubbie peeled and cut potatoes, while Mother fixed the onions, garlic, carrots, and yellow squash. Then I browned the meat with spices, and put it and the veggies in the slow cooker, along with more spices, and a can each of low-sodium chicken broth and beef broth.
Spent the rest of the afternoon doing this and that. Our supper later, served with gravy made from the roast drippings and more beef broth, and individual cups of applesauce, was yummy. Accompanied Mother home afterward, and waited for her to take a shower before returning home.
Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV, including a PBS episode of "Wallander," a British detective, who solves murders.
Note: at the library, I asked the librarian if more people are visiting and checking things out in this economy. She said that lots of folks have had to drop cable and satellite services, so that now about 3,000 people a month check out DVD movies, and 2,000 frequent the computers. And now that the library has e-book capabilities, this is popular, too.
Of course, regular books and audiobooks remain popular, along with programs for children, and movie showings for pre-teens and teens...all free. Recently, a book club was formed, too, though I don't know how many members it has. I thought about joining, but don't think Hubbie would appreciate my getting involved in another activity that would occupy my time and take me away from home some more. He wouldn't object, but I just don't think it would be fair to him.
Monday, Sept. 17
Up at 6:30 to get ready to go to the pool. Foggy, drizzly morning that called for fleece wear. The pool was wonderfully warm, and 27 of us attended the session.
One member, whose barn lost a newly constructed roof during the last thunderstorm, commented that her husband had ordered a trailer load of metal sheeting to use in constructing another roof. The supplier had loaded the sheeting on a trailer, with the intention of delivering it the next day. Overnight, though, thieves stole the load. Fortunately, the member and her husband had not paid for the sheeting, yet. But I'm thinking that is one bad-luck barn!
Back home, before getting ready for the day, I called the scrapbook club members to remind them of our Thursday meeting. In talking with one, I learned that a former member recently made a trip to Florida to visit her granddaughter and new great-granddaughter. But no sooner had she arrived than she fell violently ill and had to be hospitalized. She is now in ICU. This is the same lady who has suffered the loss of two sons, as well as two husbands, and who has herself had health problems over the past few years.
By the time I was ready for the day, it was noon. After lunch, Mother hit the couch, as usual, while I reviewed the lesson plan for my ESL student. I met her at the appointed 2:30 hour.
Today's lesson was about using maps and understanding geographical terms, as well as vocabulary about the four seasons. She also learned terms related to cooking appliances, and about catching a cold.
This led to a discussion of seasonal allergies (she had an awful bout of pollen allergy in the spring); and which seasons we prefer. She loves fall for the beautiful colors, and winter for the cold, while I prefer the spring and summer for the warmth.
I'm simply not a winter person. But since the student comes from a very hot-weather country, she relishes winter.
In conversation, we also talked about her store in Venezuela. She said she was able to find several garments on sale in the capital city that are suited to the hot weather in Venezuela. She said she buys at the lowest possible price, then triples the price to cover the cost of purchase, shipping, and profit. Women in that country are used to paying high prices for clothing, and they like American goods.
We agreed that tripling is a common practice: crafters often triple cost of goods to cover their time, travel, etc., and volunteers should do the same on reports...we often forget that travel and preparation time should be added to the actual on-site hours spent in volunteer activities.
We also talked about our children when they were young. Both of us had scary incidents with our boys...one of hers jerked out of her hand and ran across a busy highway, nearly getting hit; and one of mine, at age three, jerked out of my hand and ran behind the car as my former husband backed out of the garage. I screamed, and he stopped just in time.
At home, Hubbie had heated the leftover meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans, and I made a recipe of brown gravy to go with it.
Afterward, I accompanied Mother to her house, and then Hubbie and I watched a couple of "Jesse Stone" movies from the Hallmark Movie Channel. We'd seen them before, but a long time ago.
Sad note: tonight's local newspaper reported the death of the husband of one of the Extension Homemakers members that we know. We were acquainted with the husband, too, since he frequently accompanied her to Council luncheons. He was 87 years old.
One member, whose barn lost a newly constructed roof during the last thunderstorm, commented that her husband had ordered a trailer load of metal sheeting to use in constructing another roof. The supplier had loaded the sheeting on a trailer, with the intention of delivering it the next day. Overnight, though, thieves stole the load. Fortunately, the member and her husband had not paid for the sheeting, yet. But I'm thinking that is one bad-luck barn!
Back home, before getting ready for the day, I called the scrapbook club members to remind them of our Thursday meeting. In talking with one, I learned that a former member recently made a trip to Florida to visit her granddaughter and new great-granddaughter. But no sooner had she arrived than she fell violently ill and had to be hospitalized. She is now in ICU. This is the same lady who has suffered the loss of two sons, as well as two husbands, and who has herself had health problems over the past few years.
By the time I was ready for the day, it was noon. After lunch, Mother hit the couch, as usual, while I reviewed the lesson plan for my ESL student. I met her at the appointed 2:30 hour.
Today's lesson was about using maps and understanding geographical terms, as well as vocabulary about the four seasons. She also learned terms related to cooking appliances, and about catching a cold.
This led to a discussion of seasonal allergies (she had an awful bout of pollen allergy in the spring); and which seasons we prefer. She loves fall for the beautiful colors, and winter for the cold, while I prefer the spring and summer for the warmth.
I'm simply not a winter person. But since the student comes from a very hot-weather country, she relishes winter.
In conversation, we also talked about her store in Venezuela. She said she was able to find several garments on sale in the capital city that are suited to the hot weather in Venezuela. She said she buys at the lowest possible price, then triples the price to cover the cost of purchase, shipping, and profit. Women in that country are used to paying high prices for clothing, and they like American goods.
We agreed that tripling is a common practice: crafters often triple cost of goods to cover their time, travel, etc., and volunteers should do the same on reports...we often forget that travel and preparation time should be added to the actual on-site hours spent in volunteer activities.
We also talked about our children when they were young. Both of us had scary incidents with our boys...one of hers jerked out of her hand and ran across a busy highway, nearly getting hit; and one of mine, at age three, jerked out of my hand and ran behind the car as my former husband backed out of the garage. I screamed, and he stopped just in time.
At home, Hubbie had heated the leftover meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans, and I made a recipe of brown gravy to go with it.
Afterward, I accompanied Mother to her house, and then Hubbie and I watched a couple of "Jesse Stone" movies from the Hallmark Movie Channel. We'd seen them before, but a long time ago.
Sad note: tonight's local newspaper reported the death of the husband of one of the Extension Homemakers members that we know. We were acquainted with the husband, too, since he frequently accompanied her to Council luncheons. He was 87 years old.
Sunday, Sept. 16
Slept late, until around 8 a.m. Skipped my exercises today, as I usually do on Sunday. Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house mid-morning, and she helped put together a meatloaf, which we had with mashed potatoes and green beans later.
Today, before lunch, we watched one of the movies we got from the library: "Matzmag, an Appalacian Folktale." This short feature, intended for pre-teens and teens, tells the tale of a girl who must save her sisters from a witch-like woman, and her giant husband. It is somewhat reminiscent of Cinderella, with Jack the Giant Killer thrown in. It's clever, but improbable, as folktales usually are.
After lunch, we watched another library Masterpiece Theater movie: "Frenchman's Creek," based on a Daphne Du Maurier novel. It's a romantic adventure. A wealthy married woman retreats to her country estate for peace and solitude, but meets up with a swashbuckling pirate.
Mother retired to the couch for a nap afterward, but only slept about an hour before joining Hubbie and me in watching a 1943 black and white movie from the library: "The Ox-Bow Incident." This classic movie, starring Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, and Anthony Quinn, centers around a couple of drifters, who happen into a frontier town just as an angry posse is formed to hunt down and hang cattle thieves, who have killed a rancher. Anyone who has not seen this movie, should, since it graphically illustrates what can happen when folks rush to judgement, and take the law into their own hands.
Following the movie, we made another batch of oatmeal cookies, these with chocolate chips, instead of raisins.
Then we watched the last of the library movies: The 2009 "State of Play." This one stars Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, and Ben Affleck. Investigative reporters and the police work to solve the murder of a congressman's mistress. I think we've seen this one before, but it had been a long time, so we forgot the story line.
After the movie, I accompanied Mother home, and waited for her to shower, before coming back home.
This evening, Daughter called. She was babysitting several of the great-grandkids, and she let each one talk with me. I was so surprised at how mature Great-Grandson sounds. His voice has changed. No more little boy voice. Boo, he's growing up too fast. He's very proud to have a driver's permit. I'm happy for him, but a little edgy about it, too. It's always scary when kids, especially boys, start driving.
Today, before lunch, we watched one of the movies we got from the library: "Matzmag, an Appalacian Folktale." This short feature, intended for pre-teens and teens, tells the tale of a girl who must save her sisters from a witch-like woman, and her giant husband. It is somewhat reminiscent of Cinderella, with Jack the Giant Killer thrown in. It's clever, but improbable, as folktales usually are.
After lunch, we watched another library Masterpiece Theater movie: "Frenchman's Creek," based on a Daphne Du Maurier novel. It's a romantic adventure. A wealthy married woman retreats to her country estate for peace and solitude, but meets up with a swashbuckling pirate.
Mother retired to the couch for a nap afterward, but only slept about an hour before joining Hubbie and me in watching a 1943 black and white movie from the library: "The Ox-Bow Incident." This classic movie, starring Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, and Anthony Quinn, centers around a couple of drifters, who happen into a frontier town just as an angry posse is formed to hunt down and hang cattle thieves, who have killed a rancher. Anyone who has not seen this movie, should, since it graphically illustrates what can happen when folks rush to judgement, and take the law into their own hands.
Following the movie, we made another batch of oatmeal cookies, these with chocolate chips, instead of raisins.
Then we watched the last of the library movies: The 2009 "State of Play." This one stars Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, and Ben Affleck. Investigative reporters and the police work to solve the murder of a congressman's mistress. I think we've seen this one before, but it had been a long time, so we forgot the story line.
After the movie, I accompanied Mother home, and waited for her to shower, before coming back home.
This evening, Daughter called. She was babysitting several of the great-grandkids, and she let each one talk with me. I was so surprised at how mature Great-Grandson sounds. His voice has changed. No more little boy voice. Boo, he's growing up too fast. He's very proud to have a driver's permit. I'm happy for him, but a little edgy about it, too. It's always scary when kids, especially boys, start driving.
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