It's been over a month since my last update. It's been a very busy time; Daddy has really had a rough time in the past few weeks.
On October 28 he had a radiofrequency ablation performed. It seemed to take care of the extreme nerve pain he'd been suffering in his lower back, but the injection sites were very painful and didn't seem to be improving.
On November 7 I took him to the doctor who treats his rheumatoid arthritis (a regular follow-up for his RA). When Daddy told the doctor that he was still having injection site pain, he asked if Dad was still taking his pain meds as prescribed for his RA. Actually, it had been having such a bad effect on him (drowsy, weak, apathetic) that Mom had weaned him down to half his regular dose. The doctor insisted that he be given the full dose as prescribed.
So, Mom gave him the full dose that day; the following morning he couldn't even transfer himself from the couch to a wheelchair. He fell in the floor, and Mom and I couldn't lift him; he was dead weight. We had to call in friends to help us get him back on the couch. What a nightmare!
On the following Friday (November 15), he and Mom had a lab appointment to have their blood work done for an upcoming regular checkup with their primary care physicians. I took them to the lab (and then to another doctor's appointment for a small skin cancer on Daddy's nose), then we took him back home. He got back on the couch, exhausted, and said he'd take a nap while Mom and I went to run a few quick errands.
When we returned from our rounds, we ate a Chinese take-out lunch and rested a few moments. I planned to come back the next morning to help Mom with cleaning their dog's enclosure and such, so I said I'd go on home and do a bit of household drudgery.
As I reached the end of their driveway, I heard Mom shout my name. I stopped the car and she ran up to the window. Dad's primary care physician had called and said that his lab work showed that he was extremely anemic and to get him to the ER as quickly as possible.
The next three days were a blur of tests and transfusions. We learned that his hemoglobin was down to 7.1 (should be 12). They gave him a total of 3 pints of blood over that weekend. He went through periods of confusion which was really frightening for us all.
Mom stayed at the hospital with him at night; I came home and fell into bed each night then was up and out the door early each morning to go back to the hospital
An EGD revealed that his stomach lining was very irritated (probably from pain meds he's been taking for the past year), he had a hiatal hernia (which we already knew about), he had a small polyp in the top of his small intestine (which didn't seem to be an item for concern), and a couple of spider veins in the small intestine that were probably the source of the blood loss. The gastroenterologist said that he wanted to do a colonoscopy as soon as Daddy's stronger, but that he didn't want to do it while he was so weak.
On Monday afternoon (November 18), they moved him from the hospital to a rehabilitation center. Because of all the inactivity in the past year due to the back pain, his back, arms, and legs had become so weak that he couldn't walk properly any more.
For several days he didn't seem to be making much progress; I feared that he'd simply given up. Then suddenly yesterday was a better day. He'd done well in his physical therapy session and his appetite finally perked up. I'm hopeful that this is the turnaround we've been anticipating.
So Thanksgiving is going to be different in my little world this year. Instead of the usual overabundance of home-cooked goodies, Mom and I will go to the rehabilitation center to have turkey and dressing with Daddy there. Even so, there are many things for which I'm thankful. I have a loving family, good friends, good health, and a sometimes-slightly-insane cat to keep me company. I have a comfortable apartment where I feel cozy and safe. I have my knitting to keep me centered and sane. I have a gorgeous grandson in Australia who likes to laugh with me on Skype.
And Daddy's slowly getting better. Yes, I'm thankful for all these things and a host of other things too numerous to list.
Sometimes life is tough, but there's always something in our lives that deserves a little gratitude. I hope that you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving, and take a moment from the turkey and football to give a bit of thanks!
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Friday, August 31, 2012
3 Days of Work, 5 Days Off
Monday through Wednesday of this week was a mixed bag of assorted frustrating nonsense at the office, and I was exceedingly happy to see the end of it! Yesterday I did some much-needed housework (the dustbunnies had taken over!) and was pretty worn down at the end of the day. This morning I did a bit more household drudgery but let the gadgetry do most of the work this time.
I tossed a load of laundry in the washer, then started the dishwasher, then turned Roomba loose to do the vacuuming. While the gadgets worked away, I treated myself to a half-hour on the deck with a cup of coffee and my knitting. Such a treat!
I'd been knitting a scarf based on a stitch I found in my stitch dictionary ("Cells", it was called) which was working up into a lovely, honeycomb-like pattern. Unfortunately, it was working up in a double-thick fabric which was lovely but probably too thick to be comfortable as a scarf. So, I ripped it out and have now started a different stitch called Diamond Brocade. We'll see if that works out better. I hope.
Currently, I'm waiting for a call from the Salvation Army. They're sending a truck sometime today to pick up a large (27") portable television set I'm donating. It's still a good set, but I've replaced it with a much lighter flatscreen.
I'm actually more excited about the flatscreen than I expected. I love having all my usual stuff (DVD/VCR combo, TiVo, and Nintendo Wii) PLUS my computer hooked up to the television set. Very convenient!
I hope the Salvation Army calls soon....I had a very filling lunch (red beans and rice) and I find that I'm getting unbelievably sleepy. I'm sure if I doze off for a nap, they'll call just about the time I fall asleep. Or maybe not. The phone will wake me, so maybe I'll just give up and snooze a bit. :-)
Have a safe and restful Labor Day Weekend, everyone!
I tossed a load of laundry in the washer, then started the dishwasher, then turned Roomba loose to do the vacuuming. While the gadgets worked away, I treated myself to a half-hour on the deck with a cup of coffee and my knitting. Such a treat!
I'd been knitting a scarf based on a stitch I found in my stitch dictionary ("Cells", it was called) which was working up into a lovely, honeycomb-like pattern. Unfortunately, it was working up in a double-thick fabric which was lovely but probably too thick to be comfortable as a scarf. So, I ripped it out and have now started a different stitch called Diamond Brocade. We'll see if that works out better. I hope.
Currently, I'm waiting for a call from the Salvation Army. They're sending a truck sometime today to pick up a large (27") portable television set I'm donating. It's still a good set, but I've replaced it with a much lighter flatscreen.
I'm actually more excited about the flatscreen than I expected. I love having all my usual stuff (DVD/VCR combo, TiVo, and Nintendo Wii) PLUS my computer hooked up to the television set. Very convenient!
I hope the Salvation Army calls soon....I had a very filling lunch (red beans and rice) and I find that I'm getting unbelievably sleepy. I'm sure if I doze off for a nap, they'll call just about the time I fall asleep. Or maybe not. The phone will wake me, so maybe I'll just give up and snooze a bit. :-)
Have a safe and restful Labor Day Weekend, everyone!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Hooray!
This morning I finally finished a sweater/jacket I've been knitting off and on for nearly a year! *happy dance* Now I can start my Christmas knitting....*LOL*
(If any of you are interested in my knitting projects, I keep a separate blog for those. You'll find a link over on the right side of the page for it. If you're not interested in knitting, feel free to skip it. I promise I won't be offended.)
Once more it's race weekend in my little corner of the world. Our city is filled to the brim with NASCAR fans. While I am grateful to the monetary contributions they make to our fair city, I'll be more grateful when they go back home. I handling the race crowds the way I usually do: I'm staying home and out of their way! I always make sure I have all necessary supplies (aka Diet Coke and coffee), then just plan to hole up for the weekend.
I had a week at the office that can only be described as "crappy", so I felt the need for comfort food today. My solution was to cook a big pot of bean soup. I love the smell of bean soup cooked slowly on top of the stove! It's done, but I've not sampled it yet. I'll have dinner out of it today and tomorrow, then I'll freeze the leftovers to enjoy later. *yum*
I won't describe my work week, because it'll just make me mad all over again to talk about it. Take my word for it, it was crappy. The good news is that I don't have to deal with any of the things that irritated me again until Monday.
I've been reading a lot lately (I ADORE my Kindle); in the wee hours this morning I finished a Kurt Wallander mystery, "Dogs of Riga", which was very good. Next on the reading list is the 9th installment of James Patterson's "Women's Murder Club" series. After that is another Wallander mystery, then a reread of "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". It's so great to be able to check out books electronically from my local library and download them to my Kindle. I can keep new reading material available at all times and never have to go to the library. I'm a woman of simple pleasures. *LOL*
On that happy note, I will now peruse my yarn stash and cast on some Christmas gift knitting. That always makes me happy!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
(If any of you are interested in my knitting projects, I keep a separate blog for those. You'll find a link over on the right side of the page for it. If you're not interested in knitting, feel free to skip it. I promise I won't be offended.)
Once more it's race weekend in my little corner of the world. Our city is filled to the brim with NASCAR fans. While I am grateful to the monetary contributions they make to our fair city, I'll be more grateful when they go back home. I handling the race crowds the way I usually do: I'm staying home and out of their way! I always make sure I have all necessary supplies (aka Diet Coke and coffee), then just plan to hole up for the weekend.
I had a week at the office that can only be described as "crappy", so I felt the need for comfort food today. My solution was to cook a big pot of bean soup. I love the smell of bean soup cooked slowly on top of the stove! It's done, but I've not sampled it yet. I'll have dinner out of it today and tomorrow, then I'll freeze the leftovers to enjoy later. *yum*
I won't describe my work week, because it'll just make me mad all over again to talk about it. Take my word for it, it was crappy. The good news is that I don't have to deal with any of the things that irritated me again until Monday.
I've been reading a lot lately (I ADORE my Kindle); in the wee hours this morning I finished a Kurt Wallander mystery, "Dogs of Riga", which was very good. Next on the reading list is the 9th installment of James Patterson's "Women's Murder Club" series. After that is another Wallander mystery, then a reread of "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". It's so great to be able to check out books electronically from my local library and download them to my Kindle. I can keep new reading material available at all times and never have to go to the library. I'm a woman of simple pleasures. *LOL*
On that happy note, I will now peruse my yarn stash and cast on some Christmas gift knitting. That always makes me happy!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A Good Christmas
I had a good Christmas this year, and I sincerely hope each of you did, too. As is usual, ours was quiet, but really nice. The only family I have nearby are Mom and Dad, and I'm grateful to have them close. Our usual holiday routine is for me to have them over to my apartment on Christmas Eve, then I go to their house on Christmas Day.
On Christmas Eve, I had a little spread prepared: cheese ball, ham ball, barbequed meatballs, ham rolls, cranberry salad, snack mix, lemon pound cake, and pumpkin spice cupcakes. We indulged in holiday goodies, then called Kris in Australia. After we'd had a good telephone visit with her and Louise, we exchanged gifts. It was a lovely evening and we enjoyed spending time together.
On Christmas Day, Mom had prepared a delicious dinner: baby back ribs, coleslaw, potato salad, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and baked beans. I'd brought rolls and cranberry salad. After dinner we settled down in the living room for a restful afternoon. All in all, a wonderful holiday!
That night, just before midnight, my smoke detector went off. When I hurried to it to find out what was going on, I realized it wasn't the smoke detector, but the carbon monoxide detector (it was a combo unit). I pulled the battery out of it, but it was hard-wired as well. I couldn't figure out how to make it quit screeching except to push the test button each time it went off, so I Googled it. The instruction manual online was no help at all. I called the number of the apartment office, but received a recording. I figured the office would be closed on the 26th for the holiday; with no other ideas, I called the fire department (not 911, but their main number). I explained that I didn't have an emergency, but that I needed some guidance on how to shut off what was an apparently defective carbon monoxide monitor. I further explained that I have no gas appliances, and my apartment is all-electric. The nice gentleman who took my call said that he would talk with his chief, and that someone would call me back very shortly.
Not long after that, I heard a fire truck come into the parking lot. OH, MAN!! Thankfully, they didn't have the siren on, but it still embarrassed me that I'd caused so much commotion over a carbon monoxide monitor!! They were very nice, though, and insisted on using an air quality monitor to be sure there wasn't a problem in the apartment. As I'd suspected, the monitor was malfunctioning. They reset it and put it back in the ceiling. I asked them to show me how to disconnect it in case it went off again. After they left, it took awhile for me to get back to sleep. I must have dozed off around 2:00 am; the monitor went off again at 2:45!! A few brief seconds later, I'd disconnected it, pulled out its backup battery, and dumped it unceremoniously onto the kitchen table.
I'd brought work home from the office to work with on Monday and Tuesday. I was tired Monday from the unexpected excitement the night before, but managed to make good progress on my office work. I rested well Monday night, and got even more work done on Tuesday (yesterday).
When I talked with Kris on Christmas Eve she told me that my gift from them was on its way, but might not arrive until the 27th. Sure enough, UPS delivered it yesterday afternoon: a Keurig coffeemaker!! I'd been promising myself one for some time and was truly thrilled to receive it! Setup was quick and easy, and it works like a dream.
Today I went to lunch with Mom and Dad at their favorite local Italian restaurant. The food was very delicious, and we had a good time. When I left there, I went to Sam's Club and Wal-Mart to pick up a few items I needed and get the oil changed in the car.
And so, I'm now back at home, still full of calzone but happy to have my shopping out of the way. Tomorrow Mom has her second cataract surgery, so we'll all be glad when that's over and done. Her first one went beautifully, so I hope this one goes as well.
So now I think I'll go make myself a hot cocoa in the Keurig and chill out with knitting while watching "Julie and Julia" on TV. It's probably going to be an early night, which suits me fine. :-)
Have a great week, friends!
On Christmas Eve, I had a little spread prepared: cheese ball, ham ball, barbequed meatballs, ham rolls, cranberry salad, snack mix, lemon pound cake, and pumpkin spice cupcakes. We indulged in holiday goodies, then called Kris in Australia. After we'd had a good telephone visit with her and Louise, we exchanged gifts. It was a lovely evening and we enjoyed spending time together.
On Christmas Day, Mom had prepared a delicious dinner: baby back ribs, coleslaw, potato salad, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and baked beans. I'd brought rolls and cranberry salad. After dinner we settled down in the living room for a restful afternoon. All in all, a wonderful holiday!
That night, just before midnight, my smoke detector went off. When I hurried to it to find out what was going on, I realized it wasn't the smoke detector, but the carbon monoxide detector (it was a combo unit). I pulled the battery out of it, but it was hard-wired as well. I couldn't figure out how to make it quit screeching except to push the test button each time it went off, so I Googled it. The instruction manual online was no help at all. I called the number of the apartment office, but received a recording. I figured the office would be closed on the 26th for the holiday; with no other ideas, I called the fire department (not 911, but their main number). I explained that I didn't have an emergency, but that I needed some guidance on how to shut off what was an apparently defective carbon monoxide monitor. I further explained that I have no gas appliances, and my apartment is all-electric. The nice gentleman who took my call said that he would talk with his chief, and that someone would call me back very shortly.
Not long after that, I heard a fire truck come into the parking lot. OH, MAN!! Thankfully, they didn't have the siren on, but it still embarrassed me that I'd caused so much commotion over a carbon monoxide monitor!! They were very nice, though, and insisted on using an air quality monitor to be sure there wasn't a problem in the apartment. As I'd suspected, the monitor was malfunctioning. They reset it and put it back in the ceiling. I asked them to show me how to disconnect it in case it went off again. After they left, it took awhile for me to get back to sleep. I must have dozed off around 2:00 am; the monitor went off again at 2:45!! A few brief seconds later, I'd disconnected it, pulled out its backup battery, and dumped it unceremoniously onto the kitchen table.
I'd brought work home from the office to work with on Monday and Tuesday. I was tired Monday from the unexpected excitement the night before, but managed to make good progress on my office work. I rested well Monday night, and got even more work done on Tuesday (yesterday).
When I talked with Kris on Christmas Eve she told me that my gift from them was on its way, but might not arrive until the 27th. Sure enough, UPS delivered it yesterday afternoon: a Keurig coffeemaker!! I'd been promising myself one for some time and was truly thrilled to receive it! Setup was quick and easy, and it works like a dream.
Today I went to lunch with Mom and Dad at their favorite local Italian restaurant. The food was very delicious, and we had a good time. When I left there, I went to Sam's Club and Wal-Mart to pick up a few items I needed and get the oil changed in the car.
And so, I'm now back at home, still full of calzone but happy to have my shopping out of the way. Tomorrow Mom has her second cataract surgery, so we'll all be glad when that's over and done. Her first one went beautifully, so I hope this one goes as well.
So now I think I'll go make myself a hot cocoa in the Keurig and chill out with knitting while watching "Julie and Julia" on TV. It's probably going to be an early night, which suits me fine. :-)
Have a great week, friends!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Fruitcake Fallacy
Every year around this time you begin to hear people making remarks about fruitcake. You've heard 'em. Everyone hates fruitcake. Fruitcake is the worst gift you can ever receive. My favorite story is that there's really only one fruitcake in the world and that it keeps getting regifted from one person to another year after year.
I'll state it loud and clear: It's not true. Not everyone hates fruitcake. I LOVE it. Well, let me qualify that a bit; I love GOOD fruitcake. And yes, there are some really great fruitcakes out there. Admittedly, there are some bad ones, but some are truly delicious.
My favorite fruitcakes have just enough cake to hold the candied fruit together. And they must have LOTS of candied fruit. Even though I hold fruitcake to a pretty high standard, I never bake one. Too much work for someone who bakes as little as I do. I've found that Claxton fruitcake meets my requirements very well, thank you very much, and all I have to do is buy it, chill it, and eat it. I wish the "dark" variety of their delicious fruitcake was available locally, but I never see it. But that's okay, the "regular" variety is pretty wonderful, too.
Maybe I'll treat myself by ordering a dark fruitcake. If no one gives me one for Christmas, I think I'll plan to do that for myself. I've never had a day so bad that it couldn't be improved with a good cup of coffee, a slice of a good fruitcake, or a bubblebath.
Yes, I'm a woman of simple pleasures. *LOL*
I'll state it loud and clear: It's not true. Not everyone hates fruitcake. I LOVE it. Well, let me qualify that a bit; I love GOOD fruitcake. And yes, there are some really great fruitcakes out there. Admittedly, there are some bad ones, but some are truly delicious.
My favorite fruitcakes have just enough cake to hold the candied fruit together. And they must have LOTS of candied fruit. Even though I hold fruitcake to a pretty high standard, I never bake one. Too much work for someone who bakes as little as I do. I've found that Claxton fruitcake meets my requirements very well, thank you very much, and all I have to do is buy it, chill it, and eat it. I wish the "dark" variety of their delicious fruitcake was available locally, but I never see it. But that's okay, the "regular" variety is pretty wonderful, too.
Maybe I'll treat myself by ordering a dark fruitcake. If no one gives me one for Christmas, I think I'll plan to do that for myself. I've never had a day so bad that it couldn't be improved with a good cup of coffee, a slice of a good fruitcake, or a bubblebath.
Yes, I'm a woman of simple pleasures. *LOL*
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Return of the Amaryllis Project
Mom and Dad went to visit friends of ours on Sunday (I was laid low by a migraine that day...*ICK*), and when they returned Mom called to check to see if I was doing okay. While we were talking, she told me that our friends, Jewel and R.C., had given them a Christmas gift to give to me: an amaryllis bulb!
They've given me a bulb each year for the past several years, and I always enjoy watching their progress. In fact, I've saved the bulbs and have them stored safely in my refrigerator to be replanted. I just keep forgetting to replant them!!
In order for them to bloom at the proper time, I believe they must be replanted sometime in October. I'm going to do some research on it and mark my 2012 calendar with the appropriate replant date so that I can have blooms (hopefully) next Christmas!
In the meantime, I've reactivated my "Amaryllis Project" page and will keep you updated on the planting, growth, and bloom of this year's bulb. Mom and Dad will be coming to my home on Christmas Eve, so I'll probably be receiving (and planting) the bulb then. Stay tuned!
They've given me a bulb each year for the past several years, and I always enjoy watching their progress. In fact, I've saved the bulbs and have them stored safely in my refrigerator to be replanted. I just keep forgetting to replant them!!
In order for them to bloom at the proper time, I believe they must be replanted sometime in October. I'm going to do some research on it and mark my 2012 calendar with the appropriate replant date so that I can have blooms (hopefully) next Christmas!
In the meantime, I've reactivated my "Amaryllis Project" page and will keep you updated on the planting, growth, and bloom of this year's bulb. Mom and Dad will be coming to my home on Christmas Eve, so I'll probably be receiving (and planting) the bulb then. Stay tuned!
Friday, December 16, 2011
A Long Short Week
I took the last of my "take or lose" days on Monday and Tuesday this week. Even though I had those two days off, it was a busy, busy time! I sang the last three concerts of this season with the Madrigals on Saturday afternoon, Sunday afternoon, and Tuesday evening. So much fun! These are talented ladies, and it has truly been a joy to perform with them this season.
On Monday I went to lunch with a good friend. We met at Fatz; it was my first visit there, and I had a delicious reuben. Sometimes it's hard to get a good reuben, but this one was really well done. We enjoyed a good meal and a really good visit.
After lunch I had a dental appointment to have a tooth filled. It had been a very long time since I'd had to have a tooth filled, so I'd forgotten how very numb I get when I have a filling. My WHOLE HEAD got numb! And I developed a lisp that rivaled Sylvester the Cat! I commented that I was really glad I didn't have to sing that evening because "Good King Wenceslas" would have been really messy with that lisp! *LOL*
So, after a busy few days off I returned to the office and had an unbelievably busy three days. Tonight it's raining; I'm all cozy in my apartment, watching the lights on my Christmas tree, watching "Criminal Minds" on A&E, sipping a Diet Coke and feeling drowsy. I'm tired, but very glad to be home and relaxing.
Not a bad start to the weekend. I hope you all have a good weekend, too.
On Monday I went to lunch with a good friend. We met at Fatz; it was my first visit there, and I had a delicious reuben. Sometimes it's hard to get a good reuben, but this one was really well done. We enjoyed a good meal and a really good visit.
After lunch I had a dental appointment to have a tooth filled. It had been a very long time since I'd had to have a tooth filled, so I'd forgotten how very numb I get when I have a filling. My WHOLE HEAD got numb! And I developed a lisp that rivaled Sylvester the Cat! I commented that I was really glad I didn't have to sing that evening because "Good King Wenceslas" would have been really messy with that lisp! *LOL*
So, after a busy few days off I returned to the office and had an unbelievably busy three days. Tonight it's raining; I'm all cozy in my apartment, watching the lights on my Christmas tree, watching "Criminal Minds" on A&E, sipping a Diet Coke and feeling drowsy. I'm tired, but very glad to be home and relaxing.
Not a bad start to the weekend. I hope you all have a good weekend, too.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
'Tis the Season
Busy, busy, BUSY!! Yes, folks, it IS that time of year. Things at the office are still crazy-busy, but I have some time that I must take before the end of the year or lose, so I'm taking it a little at a time. The college closed at noon on Wednesday for the Thanksgiving holiday, so I took the morning off, too. This gave me a 5-day weekend, which was much needed and is being very much enjoyed! :-)
I've really hated my sofa for a long, long time. It was always too big for my small living room, but I'd just never done anything about it. A friend called me to say that she and her husband were replacing a loveseat in their living room. She remembered my moaning about the fact that I should have bought a loveseat instead of a sofa and asked if I'd like to have their loveseat. Hurray!
So, I donated my sofa to a local charity, Haven of Rest, who not only does good work but were very appreciative of my donation and came to pick it up as scheduled on Wednesday morning. I spent the rest of Wednesday chasing a few dust bunnies that had been hiding under the sofa and knitting a bit. I also baked some delicious cinnamon streusel muffins that were almost worth the blister I burned on my finger testing to see if they were done. Yes, I'm that stupid.
My friends delivered my new-to-me loveseat on Thursday morning, and it's the perfect size for my living room! It's olive green microfiber with big cushy cushions, and I couldn't be more pleased! I then made a broccoli casserole (Mom's favorite thing I make) and took that and some of my yummy muffins down to Mom and Dad's to share Thanksgiving dinner with them. They don't care for turkey, so Mom had put two Cornish hens in her rotisserie. The house smelled heavenly when I arrived! Even though we'd discussed several times that she shouldn't cook lots of different dishes, the table was full as always. *LOL* And, as always, everything was delicious!
It was a lovely, restful holiday, enjoyed by us all. Yesterday (Friday) morning, they had planned to visit Dad's Aunt Orpha, who turned 101 this week. I asked if I could tag along for the visit, and they came by to pick me up (I live really near Aunt Orph). She had lots of family visiting for the holiday, and it was so nice to spend time with everyone. We left there just past noon and Daddy suggested stopping at Wendy's for lunch. I had a Baja salad, which was really good.
When we got back to my apartment, Mom was looking at a stereo cabinet I had in my living room that I'd planned on giving to her. I had two racks of DVDs and videotapes that I planned to pare down to one rack, then wanted to move it over to the former location of the stereo cabinet. I'd already removed the stereo (an old one, still in working order, but never ever used anymore) to take to Goodwill. Daddy looked at the cabinet and said, "Frances, where are you going to put that?" She confessed that she had no idea; the cabinet was bigger than she remembered.
She asked if I couldn't just keep it and put my DVDs and videotapes into it. At first, I didn't think I wanted to do that. In fact, I actually made a call to a charity to see if they could come pick up the cabinet and take the stereo, too. But there was no answer in the charity's office. So I pondered; maybe if I could get Daddy to make me a couple more shelves for the unit I could make it work. So I spent the rest of the afternoon moving all my DVDs and videotapes into it. It held a lot more than I anticipated, and I was actually able to put ALL of them into the cabinet! It had glass doors, so it actually looks nicer than the open shelves I originally had everything in. I'll have to unload it when Daddy's ready to build the shelves, but that will come after the holidays.
I was pretty tired after getting all that done, and just hit the recliner for a bit. When I caught my second wind, I dragged my Christmas decorations out of the closet and put up my little fiber optic tree. I set a few Christmassy things around on tabletops and decorating chores were finished.
Today I've been a little draggy (after all it's been a pretty busy few days!), so I've not accomplished as much as I should have. I've done a little laundry and still have a little more to do. I think I'll just concentrate on putting away the totes that my Christmas decorations were stored in, maybe put some veggies in the oven to roast, wrap a few gifts, and knit awhile this afternoon.
Gotta love the holidays.....:-) Hope everyone's having a wonderful weekend!
I've really hated my sofa for a long, long time. It was always too big for my small living room, but I'd just never done anything about it. A friend called me to say that she and her husband were replacing a loveseat in their living room. She remembered my moaning about the fact that I should have bought a loveseat instead of a sofa and asked if I'd like to have their loveseat. Hurray!
So, I donated my sofa to a local charity, Haven of Rest, who not only does good work but were very appreciative of my donation and came to pick it up as scheduled on Wednesday morning. I spent the rest of Wednesday chasing a few dust bunnies that had been hiding under the sofa and knitting a bit. I also baked some delicious cinnamon streusel muffins that were almost worth the blister I burned on my finger testing to see if they were done. Yes, I'm that stupid.
My friends delivered my new-to-me loveseat on Thursday morning, and it's the perfect size for my living room! It's olive green microfiber with big cushy cushions, and I couldn't be more pleased! I then made a broccoli casserole (Mom's favorite thing I make) and took that and some of my yummy muffins down to Mom and Dad's to share Thanksgiving dinner with them. They don't care for turkey, so Mom had put two Cornish hens in her rotisserie. The house smelled heavenly when I arrived! Even though we'd discussed several times that she shouldn't cook lots of different dishes, the table was full as always. *LOL* And, as always, everything was delicious!
It was a lovely, restful holiday, enjoyed by us all. Yesterday (Friday) morning, they had planned to visit Dad's Aunt Orpha, who turned 101 this week. I asked if I could tag along for the visit, and they came by to pick me up (I live really near Aunt Orph). She had lots of family visiting for the holiday, and it was so nice to spend time with everyone. We left there just past noon and Daddy suggested stopping at Wendy's for lunch. I had a Baja salad, which was really good.
When we got back to my apartment, Mom was looking at a stereo cabinet I had in my living room that I'd planned on giving to her. I had two racks of DVDs and videotapes that I planned to pare down to one rack, then wanted to move it over to the former location of the stereo cabinet. I'd already removed the stereo (an old one, still in working order, but never ever used anymore) to take to Goodwill. Daddy looked at the cabinet and said, "Frances, where are you going to put that?" She confessed that she had no idea; the cabinet was bigger than she remembered.
She asked if I couldn't just keep it and put my DVDs and videotapes into it. At first, I didn't think I wanted to do that. In fact, I actually made a call to a charity to see if they could come pick up the cabinet and take the stereo, too. But there was no answer in the charity's office. So I pondered; maybe if I could get Daddy to make me a couple more shelves for the unit I could make it work. So I spent the rest of the afternoon moving all my DVDs and videotapes into it. It held a lot more than I anticipated, and I was actually able to put ALL of them into the cabinet! It had glass doors, so it actually looks nicer than the open shelves I originally had everything in. I'll have to unload it when Daddy's ready to build the shelves, but that will come after the holidays.
I was pretty tired after getting all that done, and just hit the recliner for a bit. When I caught my second wind, I dragged my Christmas decorations out of the closet and put up my little fiber optic tree. I set a few Christmassy things around on tabletops and decorating chores were finished.
Today I've been a little draggy (after all it's been a pretty busy few days!), so I've not accomplished as much as I should have. I've done a little laundry and still have a little more to do. I think I'll just concentrate on putting away the totes that my Christmas decorations were stored in, maybe put some veggies in the oven to roast, wrap a few gifts, and knit awhile this afternoon.
Gotta love the holidays.....:-) Hope everyone's having a wonderful weekend!
Friday, February 18, 2011
A New Arrival, A New System, and Finally A Break
This little doll is my brand-new grand-niece, Emily Grace. Isn't she lovely? She arrived on February 10, and mother and daughter are doing fine, thank goodness. I look at this photograph of her sleeping peacefully and wish I could rest like that again. *sigh*
So far, except for the good news about Emily's arrival, February has sucked like a Hoover. I kid you not. I've been coming home from work, fixing myself a bit of dinner, and going to bed ridiculously early because I'm just plain exhausted. I've even been too tired to knit, and THAT'S TIRED!
Why, you ask? Because we're learning a new computer system at work. We were in training for four solid days last week, and it was a total nightmare. From all indications, it won't reduce our workload (and will, in fact, increase it). It's not any easier than our current system. It takes more processes to achieve the same results. Seems counterproductive, right?
But we're doing it anyway. Phooey. It makes me tired just to think about it. And THAT is the last I'm going to think about it for three glorious days. I must say that I've never been happier to see a three-day weekend in my life!!
Now, what shall I do with this glorious three-day weekend? Well, tomorrow my aunt and uncle are coming to visit for the day, so that will be a really nice way to spend Saturday. It's always great to see them, and I'm looking forward to their visit.
On Sunday, I may take a "recliner day"....just pile up with the remote control, a Netflix movie I haven't gotten around to watching yet, and some knitting. Just relax and recharge my batteries. Mmmmm, sounds good!
On Monday I really need to do some cleaning. I've worked the past two weekends, so my apartment is looking pretty dreadful. So I should clean. Really. I should. Of course, knitting is also an option. *LOL* Maybe I'll clean awhile, then knit a bit, then clean awhile longer. That sounds like the best plan yet.
So, friends, I'm sorry I've been neglecting my blogging. But I really HAVE been tired, honest. I'll try to do better. Happy President's Day Weekend!
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Sick O' Winter
If you've had any doubt whatsoever, here's my official statement: I'm sick of winter. I'm sick of bitter cold mornings (5 degrees here right now). I'm sick of snow. Yes, me. The one who's always been so excited about snow days. Sick. Of. Snow. I told Daddy the other day that I'd give a $20 bill to see a crocus pushing up out of the ground.
*SIGH*
Oh well. Nothing we can do about the weather but bundle up, pay the big heating bills, and wait for Spring.
Now, it's been a long time since I've blogged, so let's catch up a bit.
Mom's aneurysm surgery on December 20 went just beautifully, thank goodness! They were able to perform the surgery through her femoral arteries, so there were only two small incisions. She was uncomfortable after surgery, but only because she was having some hip joint pain from being on the operating table. They kept her in ICU overnight as a precaution, but released her from the hospital the next morning without even putting her in a regular room. We had her home by 10:00 am!
She had her follow-up exam this past Wednesday, and her surgeon is very pleased with her progress. Everything looks just great!
Our Christmas was quiet, but very nice. We were expecting bad weather (so what else is new?), so I stayed at Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve. We had a lovely holiday; I made my way back home on Christmas afternoon, and the weather turned ugly very soon after.
I went back to work on Monday (January 3), and the week was VERY difficult. Lots and lots to do, many deadlines to meet, and not much time to do it! Another round of winter weather moved in Friday, and we actually closed at 1:00 that afternoon. After a quick stop at Kroger for provisions, I hurried home and watched it snow. Yesterday afternoon, the sun began popping out from time to time. It would snow awhile, then the sun would come out, then it would snow awhile longer. Strange weather day!
This morning, it's bitterly cold, but the sun is shining. Since there's another winter storm scheduled to move in late tonight, I'm going to go down to visit Mom and Dad while this afternoon.
Yup. Definitely sick o' winter.
*SIGH*
Oh well. Nothing we can do about the weather but bundle up, pay the big heating bills, and wait for Spring.
Now, it's been a long time since I've blogged, so let's catch up a bit.
Mom's aneurysm surgery on December 20 went just beautifully, thank goodness! They were able to perform the surgery through her femoral arteries, so there were only two small incisions. She was uncomfortable after surgery, but only because she was having some hip joint pain from being on the operating table. They kept her in ICU overnight as a precaution, but released her from the hospital the next morning without even putting her in a regular room. We had her home by 10:00 am!
She had her follow-up exam this past Wednesday, and her surgeon is very pleased with her progress. Everything looks just great!
Our Christmas was quiet, but very nice. We were expecting bad weather (so what else is new?), so I stayed at Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve. We had a lovely holiday; I made my way back home on Christmas afternoon, and the weather turned ugly very soon after.
I went back to work on Monday (January 3), and the week was VERY difficult. Lots and lots to do, many deadlines to meet, and not much time to do it! Another round of winter weather moved in Friday, and we actually closed at 1:00 that afternoon. After a quick stop at Kroger for provisions, I hurried home and watched it snow. Yesterday afternoon, the sun began popping out from time to time. It would snow awhile, then the sun would come out, then it would snow awhile longer. Strange weather day!
This morning, it's bitterly cold, but the sun is shining. Since there's another winter storm scheduled to move in late tonight, I'm going to go down to visit Mom and Dad while this afternoon.
Yup. Definitely sick o' winter.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Holidays and a Special Birthday Celebration
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Mine was good, comparatively quiet, but good.
I was off work Wednesday through Sunday, which was really great. I didn't do a lot on Wednesday, mostly just household drudgery. I can never believe how much dust can accumulate in my apartment. I'm considering just making friends with the dust bunnies and letting them have their way! *LOL*
On Thursday I went down to have Thanksgiving dinner with Mom and Dad. They don't care for turkey, so Mom made a wonderful pork roast with yummy trimmings. We all ate too much, but that's traditional, right? After dinner I knitted while Mom and Dad napped a bit in front of the TV. Not a bad way to spend the holiday.
Friday I got some more knitting done, including blocking a sizable scarf I made for a Christmas gift.
Saturday we went to my great-Aunt Orpha's 100th birthday celebration. It was just wonderful! They had it at the Meadowview Convention Center. The food was great, and she had a good crowd. I didn't count heads, but they were expecting around 125, and I think they were all there! Aunt Orpha really enjoyed herself, and a good time was had by all.
Sunday I didn't do much of anything; I knew that Monday would be rough returning to work, so I took it pretty easy.
Sure enough, when I went back to work this morning it was really busy all day long. However, I had something to look forward to: I'd received notification that my Christmas gift to myself had arrived and was ready to be picked up at the Site-to-Store area at Wal-Mart. I bought myself a nifty little netbook. In fact, I'm typing this entry on it while waiting for the battery to charge. I think it will come in really handy for taking things to show Mom and Dad (since they're not online) and for using out on the deck when the weather's nice. It's so teensy it looks like a toy! *LOL*
Well, the battery's nearly charged, so I think I'll close now and get a few more items downloaded that I wanted to put on this bitty little computer.
Have a good week, everyone!
I was off work Wednesday through Sunday, which was really great. I didn't do a lot on Wednesday, mostly just household drudgery. I can never believe how much dust can accumulate in my apartment. I'm considering just making friends with the dust bunnies and letting them have their way! *LOL*
On Thursday I went down to have Thanksgiving dinner with Mom and Dad. They don't care for turkey, so Mom made a wonderful pork roast with yummy trimmings. We all ate too much, but that's traditional, right? After dinner I knitted while Mom and Dad napped a bit in front of the TV. Not a bad way to spend the holiday.
Friday I got some more knitting done, including blocking a sizable scarf I made for a Christmas gift.
Saturday we went to my great-Aunt Orpha's 100th birthday celebration. It was just wonderful! They had it at the Meadowview Convention Center. The food was great, and she had a good crowd. I didn't count heads, but they were expecting around 125, and I think they were all there! Aunt Orpha really enjoyed herself, and a good time was had by all.
Sunday I didn't do much of anything; I knew that Monday would be rough returning to work, so I took it pretty easy.
Sure enough, when I went back to work this morning it was really busy all day long. However, I had something to look forward to: I'd received notification that my Christmas gift to myself had arrived and was ready to be picked up at the Site-to-Store area at Wal-Mart. I bought myself a nifty little netbook. In fact, I'm typing this entry on it while waiting for the battery to charge. I think it will come in really handy for taking things to show Mom and Dad (since they're not online) and for using out on the deck when the weather's nice. It's so teensy it looks like a toy! *LOL*
Well, the battery's nearly charged, so I think I'll close now and get a few more items downloaded that I wanted to put on this bitty little computer.
Have a good week, everyone!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
I'm Baaaaaaaack
I can't believe it's been a MONTH since I posted! It's been a pretty busy month, but that's no excuse. So, what have I been up to for the past month?
Well, I took my last camping trip of the season September 13 - 17 at ... you guessed it! ... Grindstone. *LOL* I love Grindstone, what can I say? Mom and Dad also camped that week, and it was a lovely, cool, restful week. I went up early on Monday morning in shorts and a t-shirt, expecting to get all hot and sweaty as I usually do when setting up camp. I was WRONG! It was crisp and cool and wonderful!
Mom and Dad arrived soon after I'd set up the tent and set up their trailer in short order. We spent most of the week around a campfire, which Daddy kept going all the way up until Thursday night. There were zillions of chipmunks playing all around the campsites, and we kept hearing turkey hens in the brush nearby. One afternoon I managed to get pretty close to one of them (from the sound of it), but a hiker's dog spotted me and began barking, sending the turkey into stealth mode. I really would have loved to had a look at the turkey, but no such luck.
I've really enjoyed camping season this year, and was sorry to see it end. By the time Friday rolled around, though, I have to admit that I was happy to be going home. We'd had very few camping neighbors during the week, but they were beginning to roll in on Thursday evening. I'm glad we were camping during the week when it was lovely and quiet.
Other than the camping trip, my time has been filled with working and knitting...and watching movies and a bit of Doctor Who. (Thanks to Kris, who has given me yet another addiction. *LOL*)
I'd been neglecting my Wii Fit, so last night I started back up again. I couldn't believe how much my stamina had dropped in that short a period. *kicks self* At least I hadn't gained any weight back, thank goodness.
I've got a lot of my Christmas knitting finished. Still a few little items and one pretty big one to finish, but I think I'll get it all done in time. I can't believe it's already time to be thinking about such things.
So, I guess that's about it...I'll try to be better about posting, honest. :-)
Well, I took my last camping trip of the season September 13 - 17 at ... you guessed it! ... Grindstone. *LOL* I love Grindstone, what can I say? Mom and Dad also camped that week, and it was a lovely, cool, restful week. I went up early on Monday morning in shorts and a t-shirt, expecting to get all hot and sweaty as I usually do when setting up camp. I was WRONG! It was crisp and cool and wonderful!
Mom and Dad arrived soon after I'd set up the tent and set up their trailer in short order. We spent most of the week around a campfire, which Daddy kept going all the way up until Thursday night. There were zillions of chipmunks playing all around the campsites, and we kept hearing turkey hens in the brush nearby. One afternoon I managed to get pretty close to one of them (from the sound of it), but a hiker's dog spotted me and began barking, sending the turkey into stealth mode. I really would have loved to had a look at the turkey, but no such luck.
I've really enjoyed camping season this year, and was sorry to see it end. By the time Friday rolled around, though, I have to admit that I was happy to be going home. We'd had very few camping neighbors during the week, but they were beginning to roll in on Thursday evening. I'm glad we were camping during the week when it was lovely and quiet.
Other than the camping trip, my time has been filled with working and knitting...and watching movies and a bit of Doctor Who. (Thanks to Kris, who has given me yet another addiction. *LOL*)
I'd been neglecting my Wii Fit, so last night I started back up again. I couldn't believe how much my stamina had dropped in that short a period. *kicks self* At least I hadn't gained any weight back, thank goodness.
I've got a lot of my Christmas knitting finished. Still a few little items and one pretty big one to finish, but I think I'll get it all done in time. I can't believe it's already time to be thinking about such things.
So, I guess that's about it...I'll try to be better about posting, honest. :-)
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Long Weekends....and Paying For Them
I'm working a flex schedule this summer and am off on Fridays. So, this past weekend (because of Independence Day) was a 4-day weekend for me. Pretty neat, right?
And it WAS neat. I always enjoy having time away from the office. On Friday morning Daddy went to meet some old friends of his (in town for the holiday) at Hardee's over in Duffield. They met on the Friday before the 4th last year, too, and he really enjoyed it. So, since he was going to be away for a bit, Mom asked if I'd like to go shopping that morning.
We try to do that once while I'm off on Fridays during the summer. We go visit a few stores, have a "girlie" lunch, then head home. We used to "shop 'til we drop", but we drop quicker than we used to, so usually one morning is plenty for both of us. *LOL*
We hit a few stores, and when lunchtime rolled around I asked where she'd like to go. We go to places Daddy wouldn't normally care for, tearooms and the like. This time she asked to go to McAlister's Deli in Kingsport. The only time I'd been in there was to get a cold drink during an earlier shopping expedition, so I was happy to try their food. For ages I'd been craving a muffaletta, but didn't know of any place locally that made them. I was really happy to see that their lunch menu included a 1/4 muffaletta with a side for a very reasonable price. It....was...WONDERFUL! Not only was it a generous portion, but simply delectable! I chose a fruit salad for my side item which served as a dessert. The fruit was fresh, sweet, and delicious. Mom had a reuben which she said was wonderful as well. All in all a wonderful shopping/lunch trip!
Saturday I did a bit of household drudgery and rested up a bit from Friday's excursion. I didn't get much sleep that night. Seems that even though it's not legal to shoot fireworks in the city limits, several people were shooting them anyway. I don't begrudge anyone their fun, but DANG. You could knock it off after midnight, couldn't you?? (I am, admittedly, getting old and crabby. *LOL*)
Sunday I was invited to Mom and Dad's for a cookout. Yummy food and good company, as always. :-) That night there were still plenty of fireworks in the neighborhood, which went on until quite late. I guess I was really tired from losing sleep the night before, because it didn't keep me up too long.
Yesterday I knitted a bit (see my knitting blog), did a little laundry, and mostly just rested up for the return to the office today. *drudge, drudge* While knitting I watched most of "Band of Brothers". I've already seen it, but it's such a great series I wanted to watch again. I have it on my computer and need to burn it to DVD. Definitely a keeper!
Movies, movies....what have I seen lately? Mel Gibson's "Edge of Darkness"...dark, but good. "Amelia"...worth the time to watch it, but not as good as I'd hoped it would be. "The Road"...wow! Bleak (which I expected, since the writer also wrote "No Country for Old Men"), but what performances! Now I want to read the book.
I've been watching some Netflix stuff through the Wii unit, too. I've been rewatching the first season of Saturday Night Live and wishing there was anything on television now to compare. I watched a campy little thing about the 50 worst movies ever made. Happily I'd only seen one of them. *LOL* I saw an interesting little documentary from 1975 called "Grey Gardens". I'd heard about this years ago, but never got around to seeing it. I found it intriguing and a little unnerving.
And so this morning, I returned to work. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that I have a good job, honestly. But boy oh boy did I have a rough day today. Our fiscal year ends on June 30, so there's all kinds of things that have to be done after July 1. That, mixed with the holiday, mixed with computer systems that apparently went bump in the night several times over the weekend, made for an interesting day.
I'm really glad to be home with a big ol' glass of iced tea. Hopefully it will be cool enough in a short while to sit out on the deck for awhile with my knitting.
Hope you all had a good weekend, too!
And it WAS neat. I always enjoy having time away from the office. On Friday morning Daddy went to meet some old friends of his (in town for the holiday) at Hardee's over in Duffield. They met on the Friday before the 4th last year, too, and he really enjoyed it. So, since he was going to be away for a bit, Mom asked if I'd like to go shopping that morning.
We try to do that once while I'm off on Fridays during the summer. We go visit a few stores, have a "girlie" lunch, then head home. We used to "shop 'til we drop", but we drop quicker than we used to, so usually one morning is plenty for both of us. *LOL*
We hit a few stores, and when lunchtime rolled around I asked where she'd like to go. We go to places Daddy wouldn't normally care for, tearooms and the like. This time she asked to go to McAlister's Deli in Kingsport. The only time I'd been in there was to get a cold drink during an earlier shopping expedition, so I was happy to try their food. For ages I'd been craving a muffaletta, but didn't know of any place locally that made them. I was really happy to see that their lunch menu included a 1/4 muffaletta with a side for a very reasonable price. It....was...WONDERFUL! Not only was it a generous portion, but simply delectable! I chose a fruit salad for my side item which served as a dessert. The fruit was fresh, sweet, and delicious. Mom had a reuben which she said was wonderful as well. All in all a wonderful shopping/lunch trip!
Saturday I did a bit of household drudgery and rested up a bit from Friday's excursion. I didn't get much sleep that night. Seems that even though it's not legal to shoot fireworks in the city limits, several people were shooting them anyway. I don't begrudge anyone their fun, but DANG. You could knock it off after midnight, couldn't you?? (I am, admittedly, getting old and crabby. *LOL*)
Sunday I was invited to Mom and Dad's for a cookout. Yummy food and good company, as always. :-) That night there were still plenty of fireworks in the neighborhood, which went on until quite late. I guess I was really tired from losing sleep the night before, because it didn't keep me up too long.
Yesterday I knitted a bit (see my knitting blog), did a little laundry, and mostly just rested up for the return to the office today. *drudge, drudge* While knitting I watched most of "Band of Brothers". I've already seen it, but it's such a great series I wanted to watch again. I have it on my computer and need to burn it to DVD. Definitely a keeper!
Movies, movies....what have I seen lately? Mel Gibson's "Edge of Darkness"...dark, but good. "Amelia"...worth the time to watch it, but not as good as I'd hoped it would be. "The Road"...wow! Bleak (which I expected, since the writer also wrote "No Country for Old Men"), but what performances! Now I want to read the book.
I've been watching some Netflix stuff through the Wii unit, too. I've been rewatching the first season of Saturday Night Live and wishing there was anything on television now to compare. I watched a campy little thing about the 50 worst movies ever made. Happily I'd only seen one of them. *LOL* I saw an interesting little documentary from 1975 called "Grey Gardens". I'd heard about this years ago, but never got around to seeing it. I found it intriguing and a little unnerving.
And so this morning, I returned to work. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that I have a good job, honestly. But boy oh boy did I have a rough day today. Our fiscal year ends on June 30, so there's all kinds of things that have to be done after July 1. That, mixed with the holiday, mixed with computer systems that apparently went bump in the night several times over the weekend, made for an interesting day.
I'm really glad to be home with a big ol' glass of iced tea. Hopefully it will be cool enough in a short while to sit out on the deck for awhile with my knitting.
Hope you all had a good weekend, too!
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Happy Easter!
Easter morning is bright and beautiful in my little corner of the world....I hope you have a lovely day, too!Kris is now home from the hospital, thank goodness. She's still having a lot of pain, but is otherwise doing well. I'm so grateful that her surgery went so well, and I'm VERY happy that the procedure is finished and behind her now. Once she's healed from the surgery, she should feel so much better than she has for AGES.
One of Daddy's first cousins is having a family gathering this afternoon, and we've been invited. I'm so glad that the weather's going to be so nice for it. Should be fun, and it will be great to be able to be outdoors on a bright, sunny afternoon. (Those of us who spend so much time in offices with no windows during the week have a great appreciation for time spent outdoors. *LOL*) I knitted a couple of dishcloths to take to her, but I'll post about those on my knitting blog (see link to the right).
The narcissus in the photo is growing in Mom and Dad's front yard. The usually have their little faces upright and facing the sun, but the wind was really whipping around while I was snapping photos. So the narcissus seem to be a bit shy in these pictures. :-)
Well, I'd better get up from here and do a few things before heading out. Have a wonderful Easter, everyone!
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Holidays....and Why I Got a Garmin for Christmas
On the eve of "going back to work after the holidays", I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season. Mine was just great. It was so wonderful to feel WELL and be able to enjoy the season! ...and to have an excuse not to decorate this year. *LOL* (After all, I still have to be careful about lifting heavy things and all my decorations are on the top shelf of a closet....not safe for me to lift yet, right? RIGHT?)
I got a Garmin for Christmas from myself this year. It wasn't actually intentional. Here's what happened. Just after I got home from the hospital in November, I placed my holiday gift order through Amazon.com to be sure that I received everything in time for the holiday. In due time, everything arrived safe and sound. Daddy's gift from me this year was to be a Garmin. It was a nice one, and I felt sure he'd enjoy using it in the travels he and Mom make (which were severely curtailed last year because of my illness).
On the Monday evening before Christmas, Mom called me and said, "Guess what Gerald brought your Daddy a little while ago for Christmas?" My heart sank as I asked, "What?" "A TomTom."
I was struck dumb for a moment and then said something I probably shouldn't have said over the telephone....and certainly not to my Mom, who might still wash my mouth out with soap for saying such things. So, here I was, on the Monday evening before Christmas with NO GIFT for Daddy!
I'm reknowned for my hatred of shopping in crowds at any time, and especially during the holiday season. So, I got up ridiculously early on Tuesday morning and went to WalMart to shop before I went into work at 7:00 am. Luckily, they had what I wanted for him and I was able to have it taken care of quite handily.
So, now I had a Garmin which had no home. Should I return it to Amazon for credit? Probably. But I decided instead to give it to myself for Christmas. It's actually a really neat gadget, and I think I'll enjoy having it a lot.
And so, I'm looking forward to spring, good weather, and traveling opportunities for my Garmin and me. :-)
I have a follow-up visit with my surgeon tomorrow; keep your fingers crossed for a good report!
I got a Garmin for Christmas from myself this year. It wasn't actually intentional. Here's what happened. Just after I got home from the hospital in November, I placed my holiday gift order through Amazon.com to be sure that I received everything in time for the holiday. In due time, everything arrived safe and sound. Daddy's gift from me this year was to be a Garmin. It was a nice one, and I felt sure he'd enjoy using it in the travels he and Mom make (which were severely curtailed last year because of my illness).
On the Monday evening before Christmas, Mom called me and said, "Guess what Gerald brought your Daddy a little while ago for Christmas?" My heart sank as I asked, "What?" "A TomTom."
I was struck dumb for a moment and then said something I probably shouldn't have said over the telephone....and certainly not to my Mom, who might still wash my mouth out with soap for saying such things. So, here I was, on the Monday evening before Christmas with NO GIFT for Daddy!
I'm reknowned for my hatred of shopping in crowds at any time, and especially during the holiday season. So, I got up ridiculously early on Tuesday morning and went to WalMart to shop before I went into work at 7:00 am. Luckily, they had what I wanted for him and I was able to have it taken care of quite handily.
So, now I had a Garmin which had no home. Should I return it to Amazon for credit? Probably. But I decided instead to give it to myself for Christmas. It's actually a really neat gadget, and I think I'll enjoy having it a lot.
And so, I'm looking forward to spring, good weather, and traveling opportunities for my Garmin and me. :-)
I have a follow-up visit with my surgeon tomorrow; keep your fingers crossed for a good report!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
'Twas the Week Before Christmas....
....and we got SNOW! LOTS of it! The official measurement for our area was 7 to 8", but when I brushed off my car yesterday afternoon, there was a total of 10" on top of the car roof.Needless to say, it really wreaked havoc on the area. Several unfortunate folks were without power (and some actually still ARE), but I've been lucky.
It started Friday afternoon. I've been working 6-hour days, 7:00 am - 1:00 pm, and by the time I left work, there was a heavy mix of sleet and snow falling. About 4 miles south of the office, it changed to rain mixed with snow (BIG flakes). Soon after I got home, it changed to all snow and really started accumulating quickly.
I was very grateful that I had plenty of food in the apartment and didn't have to stop on the way home for anything. By Saturday morning, heavy wet snow weighed everything down. Roads were impassable, and I was happy that I didn't have to go anywhere. My car was buried, as you can see in this photo:
I went out yesterday afternoon with a broom and pushed the snow off it, but don't know if there will be enough melting action today that I'll be going to work tomorrow or not. I actually planned to work my 6-hour days Monday and Tuesday before taking off for the holidays, but now I'll just have to wait to see what the morning brings.Right now as I look out, the snow is still laying heavy on everything. Tree branches are drooping low to the ground, and cars that weren't moved or swept yesterday are lumps of white. Even the cars that WERE moved yesterday have a fresh new coat (but much smaller coat) of snow.
Though I'm very sympathetic of all the folks who must try to be out navigating treacherous roads in this weather, I have to say that it is just beautiful. For the first time, it actually FEELS like Christmas season, looking out my window at a living Christmas card scene.
And now I see that new light precipitation has begun to fall, as it was predicted to do occasionally today. I feel the need to get into the recliner with the pair of socks I'm knitting, turn on the Christmas cooking shows on Food Network, and sip hot cocoa while watching it snow.
Boy, it just doesn't get much better than this, does it? Happy Holidays, everyone!
Saturday, September 05, 2009
What a Week!
Boy, am I glad this week's over. There was lots to do at work, and I just couldn't get my pain under good control this week. But now it's the weekend (YAY!) and a long weekend to boot.
Labor Day weekend, of course, has long been considered the unofficial end of summer. To be perfectly honest, my summer has been the pits, and I'm not all that broken up to see it go!!
Warning to Readers: This paragraph contains massive amounts of whining and complaining. If you do not wish to hear me whine and complain, feel free to skip this paragraph. *LOL* I'm tired of feeling too bad to go camping. I miss waking up in my tent on a Saturday morning with MeggieDog curled up asleep behind my knees. I miss hearing the birds chirping as I'm wrapped up warm and cozy in my sleeping bag, waking up slowly and watching daylight slowly light up the top of my tent. If I hadn't had knitting to occupy myself this summer, I don't know what I'd have done! End of whining and complaining rant.
And so, on this lovely Saturday morning I'm taking a break from household drudgery to updated my blogs. Had I mentioned before that I've started a blog devoted to my knitting? I'm going to place a link on this blog to the knitting blog, which you can find at Cricket Knits a Bit. I'm not a great knitter, but I certainly enjoy it!
I went to this season's first rehearsal of the Madrigal Singers last Tuesday evening. I guess it's not really the Madrigals this year, because we've invited many other singers to come join us. The plan is to do only one Madrigal concert this year at the Arts Depot. Our "big" concert this year is going to be selections from Handel's "Messiah". Oh, boy, I'd really forgotten how beautiful it is! It's going to be a lot of work, but should be a lot of fun, too.
I'm probably (hopefully) going to have surgery at some point during the rehearsal period, but we've been provided with some wonderful instructional CDs which should be a lot of help. Even if I'm unable to attend a rehearsal, I should be able to work on the music at home. I plan to load the sections we're going to work on onto my Zune so they'll be available to me away from home if I need them.
Have I mentioned how much I love my Zune? I enjoy downloading audiobooks from my local library onto my Zune. That way I can "read" while I do my housework or knit. Sometimes I listen to music or podcasts, too, but audiobooks are what I enjoy most right now. I can borrow them from my library for 14 days and can download them directly from the internet. I don't even have to go to the library!! How great is that?
Ah, household chores are calling.....busy times, busy times.
Labor Day weekend, of course, has long been considered the unofficial end of summer. To be perfectly honest, my summer has been the pits, and I'm not all that broken up to see it go!!
Warning to Readers: This paragraph contains massive amounts of whining and complaining. If you do not wish to hear me whine and complain, feel free to skip this paragraph. *LOL* I'm tired of feeling too bad to go camping. I miss waking up in my tent on a Saturday morning with MeggieDog curled up asleep behind my knees. I miss hearing the birds chirping as I'm wrapped up warm and cozy in my sleeping bag, waking up slowly and watching daylight slowly light up the top of my tent. If I hadn't had knitting to occupy myself this summer, I don't know what I'd have done! End of whining and complaining rant.
And so, on this lovely Saturday morning I'm taking a break from household drudgery to updated my blogs. Had I mentioned before that I've started a blog devoted to my knitting? I'm going to place a link on this blog to the knitting blog, which you can find at Cricket Knits a Bit. I'm not a great knitter, but I certainly enjoy it!
I went to this season's first rehearsal of the Madrigal Singers last Tuesday evening. I guess it's not really the Madrigals this year, because we've invited many other singers to come join us. The plan is to do only one Madrigal concert this year at the Arts Depot. Our "big" concert this year is going to be selections from Handel's "Messiah". Oh, boy, I'd really forgotten how beautiful it is! It's going to be a lot of work, but should be a lot of fun, too.
I'm probably (hopefully) going to have surgery at some point during the rehearsal period, but we've been provided with some wonderful instructional CDs which should be a lot of help. Even if I'm unable to attend a rehearsal, I should be able to work on the music at home. I plan to load the sections we're going to work on onto my Zune so they'll be available to me away from home if I need them.
Have I mentioned how much I love my Zune? I enjoy downloading audiobooks from my local library onto my Zune. That way I can "read" while I do my housework or knit. Sometimes I listen to music or podcasts, too, but audiobooks are what I enjoy most right now. I can borrow them from my library for 14 days and can download them directly from the internet. I don't even have to go to the library!! How great is that?
Ah, household chores are calling.....busy times, busy times.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Gray Monday
Back to work this morning after the holiday weekend. I woke with quite a bit of pain, but took a pain pill after I drove to work, so now I feel much better. I'd like to think that I might hear from the doctor today about my MRI results, but really don't expect to hear anything until tomorrow.
Friday was a rough day; I was in a lot of pain when I got up that day, too. Mom came and did the sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and changing my bed, bless her heart. I'm still just not able to do that for myself. Even though she's very glad to do it for me and I really appreciate it, it just makes me nuts that I'm still not well enough to do it for myself. Hopefully that will change soon.
I'd improved enough Saturday that I went to Mom and Dad's to visit. Mom fixed a wonderful lunch with peanut butter pie for dessert. She hadn't made one of those in a long time, so it was a lovely treat. Our friends Joey and Beth dropped by late that afternoon for a visit on their way to their camper down on Cherokee Lake for the evening. It's always fun to see them. I've not been able to see them much lately because we usually get together for camping, and camping hasn't been an option yet this season. Phooey.
Yesterday I spent the bulk of the day in the recliner with my knitting. My knitting has fallen behind because some days I hurt too badly to sit upright, and I haven't figured out a way to knit while laying on my side. I did make some progress yesterday on a sweater I started a couple of months ago. I finished knitting the sleeves and joined them to the body. I knit about 1/2" more around the body. Another inch and I begin the decreases for the yoke. Hey, I might finish this sweater YET!!
Lunch break's nearly over, so I'd better get back to it. Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth!
Friday was a rough day; I was in a lot of pain when I got up that day, too. Mom came and did the sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and changing my bed, bless her heart. I'm still just not able to do that for myself. Even though she's very glad to do it for me and I really appreciate it, it just makes me nuts that I'm still not well enough to do it for myself. Hopefully that will change soon.
I'd improved enough Saturday that I went to Mom and Dad's to visit. Mom fixed a wonderful lunch with peanut butter pie for dessert. She hadn't made one of those in a long time, so it was a lovely treat. Our friends Joey and Beth dropped by late that afternoon for a visit on their way to their camper down on Cherokee Lake for the evening. It's always fun to see them. I've not been able to see them much lately because we usually get together for camping, and camping hasn't been an option yet this season. Phooey.
Yesterday I spent the bulk of the day in the recliner with my knitting. My knitting has fallen behind because some days I hurt too badly to sit upright, and I haven't figured out a way to knit while laying on my side. I did make some progress yesterday on a sweater I started a couple of months ago. I finished knitting the sleeves and joined them to the body. I knit about 1/2" more around the body. Another inch and I begin the decreases for the yoke. Hey, I might finish this sweater YET!!
Lunch break's nearly over, so I'd better get back to it. Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Back to Work....*drudge, drudge*
How was your Memorial Weekend? Mine was good, all in all. I'd bought a family pass to Bays Mountain Park with some of my Charter points, so Mom, Dad and I spent Friday afternoon there. The weather was good, not too hot, not too cool, and the newly refurbished Planetarium was really great. The only thing we missed doing was the barge ride. Even though we arrived an hour and a half before the ride, it had already been sold out for a hour by the time we got there. Drat. Oh, well, another day.
Saturday was spent doing a few things at home; unfortunately, Sunday was spent in bed with a migraine. *ick* Luckily, it was all gone by Monday morning, and I visited with Mom and Dad for a bit and ran some errands.
Off and on through the weekend I got in a little more knitting on my sweater. I think I'm getting pretty close to the second "try on" stage, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm still on track.
I had to go back to work this morning, and I have to admit I grumbled a little when it came time to get out of bed. I've enjoyed those mornings off when even though I still awaken early I knew I didn't have to hit the floor running. Oh well....the weekend will be back before long. :-)
Saturday was spent doing a few things at home; unfortunately, Sunday was spent in bed with a migraine. *ick* Luckily, it was all gone by Monday morning, and I visited with Mom and Dad for a bit and ran some errands.
Off and on through the weekend I got in a little more knitting on my sweater. I think I'm getting pretty close to the second "try on" stage, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm still on track.
I had to go back to work this morning, and I have to admit I grumbled a little when it came time to get out of bed. I've enjoyed those mornings off when even though I still awaken early I knew I didn't have to hit the floor running. Oh well....the weekend will be back before long. :-)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday Holiday....and SNOW
Yesterday we had ICE....agggggggggggh. I hate being on ice. I was going to visit Mom & Dad, and told them I was going to wait until 12:30 or so to give church traffic time to clear the roads. When I left home, my sidewalk was coated in ice, my car was covered in ice, and 3 cars had been deserted on the hill coming into the apartment complex! Yikes!
I didn't have any problems driving to their house, but there were cars sitting by the road all the way down there. People had apparently just couldn't drive on the ice and parked their cars and walked away. I heard later that there were 30 different accidents on the interstate in our area. I made sure that I was back home before dark; I was afraid the ice would glaze back over after the sun went down.
We were off work today for Martin Luther King Day, so I didn't have to worry about the weather. It snowed off and on all day, though. It was really pretty to watch if you didn't have to be out in it. I did a little housework (VERY little), put a DuraFlame log in the fireplace and crawled into the recliner with Meggie and my knitting needles. I finished up a little scarf I'd started yesterday for myself, then just loafed all afternoon. The photo in this post is the view from my deck this morning. The snow actually got deeper after this.
I received a cellular message a couple of hours ago that we're going to be on a snow schedule tomorrow morning, so I'm going to wait until I get up to wash my hair. They're predicting another couple of inches of snow tonight, so I may get lucky and have a snow day tomorrow. What's better than a 3-day weekend? Why, a 4-day weekend, of course!
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