It was another night with Baron waking up the Beast every few hours to go out. This morning, the Beast (who always has a need to feel useful) decided that Baron may have needed to take a poop and couldn't since he hasn't been on a run for a few days. Because the dog pooped when I walked him into our next door lot, he thought he could cover his face enough by wearing his big hat and using the umbrella. The problem is the umbrella is made from a sheer fabric so....he ended up running back to the house with his face on fire ... again!
He tried going out yesterday and ran almost screaming back into the house. Did he learn anything from that (and from any of his previous experiences the last time he had this done?). NO! Of course not. He's a stubborn man. And, apparently, a stupid one, too. This only delays his healing when he does that kind of thing. Sheesh!
I swear, he's going to cause his own demise one day by doing something else that's stupid. I told him to just relax and take it easy for a change but I know him. He'll do this at least one more time before it's over. Trust me on that.
I accidentally bought some sugar free French Vanilla creamer the other day and, to my surprise, it's actually not bad. Of course, the difference might be that it's not an off brand creamer. They seem to do a better job of ensuring the quality is just about as good as the regular stuff.
I discovered some regular chicken thighs in the freezer that the Beast probably intended for the dog but I am going to use it to make some chicken soup with homemade noodles either tomorrow or on Friday. It all depends on how I feel in the morning. I need to get my butt into bed (although I did get a good nap after dinner so I don't feel overly tired right now...just pleasantly tired.
Love you all. Be good. Stay warm. It's 42 degrees here right now and I am anxious to get under my warm blanket that I put on preheat...LOL. Hope you have a warm one for yourselves, too. ***Hugs***
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Am I Preachy??
I made some of the best chili for dinner tonight. It turned out so damn good that you might think it was a commercial recipe but, in truth, I didn't use a packaged seasoning. I made it in our cast iron dutch oven and let it simmer for a couple hours. Now it's inevitable outcome is being felt and *enjoyed*. Thinking of how Bratfink would love to have had some so she could torture Sheldon and the cats...LOL.
I had a friend email me re: this blog who accused me (I know he was kidding) of being *preachy* about loving family and friends plus saying that we should remember to tell them that we love them every time you talk to them. He did say that he started doing it and was so glad to take that piece of advice when he had told his aunt this one night (after speaking to her on the phone) and he got a phone call the next day from her daughter telling him his aunt had passed in the night. She was almost 90 and not in great health but no one expects that unless they are in the hospital for some terminal illness or something. I offer him this piece of *preachiness* as consolation. He did everything right and I am sure she held his love close to her heart when she went to bed that night.......
*In the blink of an eye, everything can change. So forgive often and love with all your heart. You may not have that chance again.*-Zig Ziglar
He often spoke of his aunt to me when we chatted. He lived close to her home and would often go over to help mow her lawn, take her to the doctor or help his
sister when she went over to clean her house for her. He happens to be 6'5" tall and his sister told me that she made him clean cobwebs that would get into corners or dust on high places that she couldn't reach without a chair...LOL. I always complimented him on his kindness to her but he said she was still a great cook and he thought helping her was small payback for the meals she would make for him and his sister (plus other family members). He always took her to church on Sundays and then would help her make the Sunday meal that they all shared later that day. Everyone contributed something (which I thought a great family tradition). He had given his aunt a journal several months back to have her put some of her recipes in for everyone to have access to (another suggestion I had given him when he bragged to me what a great cook she was). He is now in the process of putting them together for the rest of the family so everyone has a copy of the ones she put in it.
I got the idea for the journal from Bratfink, actually. Several years ago, Bratfink sent me a binder she had put together that I could share memories that might be lost once I have passed as well as recipes, pictures, etc. I really hadn't done much with it until about a year ago. Mainly, it was because I had given no thought to the idea that I might not be around forever. I would love to be here when my great-grandchildren graduate, get married, have children, etc. but had to face the fact that I might not be here for those things.
No one likes the idea but I started to really use it once I faced that Old Woman in the mirror....LOL. It will be a way to share some things that they might not know about my life, my family memories from when I was young (if I remember them correctly!). I realized then that Bratfink had a great idea for all families. So I shared the idea with my friend. He said he read it and cried like a baby at some of the things she had written in the journal. He even read a few things at her funeral to the other family members. Even her daughter had not known about the journal until she found it while going through her mother's desk. She had left instructions that it was to be returned to my friend when she died to do with *as he pleased*.
The Beast went to the dermatologist today for his second treatment of the skin cancer on his face. He didn't look quite as bad this time after the treatment but it just took longer for the affected areas to turn bright red. They can do the treatment for his arms for two months. It reminds me a bit of chemotherapy but on the outside instead. The cream has to be one the skin for an hour and a half then he goes under the light for an equal amount of time. His arms are worse and he was told the time would be longer for them. He is going to hate that part of it. At least when his face is being done, he could lay back with his eyes closed and take a little nap. Having to keep his arms in one place for so long will make him crazy. Tee hee hee! I am so bad!!!
He should have known better but he tried to go outside when it was overcast to just walk Baron over on our lot next to the house and his face started to burn so he ran inside (I had warned him since I remember his experiences the first time his face was done but he never listens to me!). I ended up walking over with Baron after I got home from the store so that Baron would poop. He needs to run around for a bit before he can so I threw a stick for him (which I then had to try to get back since he thinks it's a *tag* game!). Who was exercizing who???
I took my *nap* around 7pm and woke up around 11pm, refreshed and ready to take care of my FB page as well as do this blog. I also have to go through my email yet (not fun for some things since my Yahoo address informs me of any FB things that I may have missed being posted...and that can be a LOT!). My gmail address is the one I use for family and friends to cut down on the spam we all seem to get.
I have no idea when the Beast finally went to bed. He never woke me but I suspect it was an early night for him. He's afraid to use a soothing cream on his face because he forgot to ask the doctor if he could use one. He doesn't want to have to undergo this again for a while because he wants his arms to be done. The skin cancer he has on them is just awful! You can feel them all if you run your hands along them. Yikes!
Time to go and get this posted. Love you all. Be good. Be kind to one another. Smile often, laugh with all your heart. Dance like no one is watching. ***Hugs***
I had a friend email me re: this blog who accused me (I know he was kidding) of being *preachy* about loving family and friends plus saying that we should remember to tell them that we love them every time you talk to them. He did say that he started doing it and was so glad to take that piece of advice when he had told his aunt this one night (after speaking to her on the phone) and he got a phone call the next day from her daughter telling him his aunt had passed in the night. She was almost 90 and not in great health but no one expects that unless they are in the hospital for some terminal illness or something. I offer him this piece of *preachiness* as consolation. He did everything right and I am sure she held his love close to her heart when she went to bed that night.......
*In the blink of an eye, everything can change. So forgive often and love with all your heart. You may not have that chance again.*-Zig Ziglar
He often spoke of his aunt to me when we chatted. He lived close to her home and would often go over to help mow her lawn, take her to the doctor or help his
sister when she went over to clean her house for her. He happens to be 6'5" tall and his sister told me that she made him clean cobwebs that would get into corners or dust on high places that she couldn't reach without a chair...LOL. I always complimented him on his kindness to her but he said she was still a great cook and he thought helping her was small payback for the meals she would make for him and his sister (plus other family members). He always took her to church on Sundays and then would help her make the Sunday meal that they all shared later that day. Everyone contributed something (which I thought a great family tradition). He had given his aunt a journal several months back to have her put some of her recipes in for everyone to have access to (another suggestion I had given him when he bragged to me what a great cook she was). He is now in the process of putting them together for the rest of the family so everyone has a copy of the ones she put in it.
I got the idea for the journal from Bratfink, actually. Several years ago, Bratfink sent me a binder she had put together that I could share memories that might be lost once I have passed as well as recipes, pictures, etc. I really hadn't done much with it until about a year ago. Mainly, it was because I had given no thought to the idea that I might not be around forever. I would love to be here when my great-grandchildren graduate, get married, have children, etc. but had to face the fact that I might not be here for those things.
No one likes the idea but I started to really use it once I faced that Old Woman in the mirror....LOL. It will be a way to share some things that they might not know about my life, my family memories from when I was young (if I remember them correctly!). I realized then that Bratfink had a great idea for all families. So I shared the idea with my friend. He said he read it and cried like a baby at some of the things she had written in the journal. He even read a few things at her funeral to the other family members. Even her daughter had not known about the journal until she found it while going through her mother's desk. She had left instructions that it was to be returned to my friend when she died to do with *as he pleased*.
The Beast went to the dermatologist today for his second treatment of the skin cancer on his face. He didn't look quite as bad this time after the treatment but it just took longer for the affected areas to turn bright red. They can do the treatment for his arms for two months. It reminds me a bit of chemotherapy but on the outside instead. The cream has to be one the skin for an hour and a half then he goes under the light for an equal amount of time. His arms are worse and he was told the time would be longer for them. He is going to hate that part of it. At least when his face is being done, he could lay back with his eyes closed and take a little nap. Having to keep his arms in one place for so long will make him crazy. Tee hee hee! I am so bad!!!
He should have known better but he tried to go outside when it was overcast to just walk Baron over on our lot next to the house and his face started to burn so he ran inside (I had warned him since I remember his experiences the first time his face was done but he never listens to me!). I ended up walking over with Baron after I got home from the store so that Baron would poop. He needs to run around for a bit before he can so I threw a stick for him (which I then had to try to get back since he thinks it's a *tag* game!). Who was exercizing who???
I took my *nap* around 7pm and woke up around 11pm, refreshed and ready to take care of my FB page as well as do this blog. I also have to go through my email yet (not fun for some things since my Yahoo address informs me of any FB things that I may have missed being posted...and that can be a LOT!). My gmail address is the one I use for family and friends to cut down on the spam we all seem to get.
I have no idea when the Beast finally went to bed. He never woke me but I suspect it was an early night for him. He's afraid to use a soothing cream on his face because he forgot to ask the doctor if he could use one. He doesn't want to have to undergo this again for a while because he wants his arms to be done. The skin cancer he has on them is just awful! You can feel them all if you run your hands along them. Yikes!
Time to go and get this posted. Love you all. Be good. Be kind to one another. Smile often, laugh with all your heart. Dance like no one is watching. ***Hugs***
Monday, October 19, 2015
I Am Just Furious!!
I mentioned yesterday that I had to go to the gastroenterologist today and that I was going to find out about an IBS-D medication because the doctor that did my colonoscopy (as I discovered) was a surgeon and didn't do the clinical side of medicine (for whatever reason). So, I made the ride down to the south end of Gadsden (an hour away), sat in his office and filled out (and signed) four pages of information) then sat for an hour and a half waiting to be seen. I had gotten there a half hour early for my appointment besides this.
After seeing four people who had come in well after me being ushered in, I finally told the receptionist that I wanted to know why. She told me that I would be next. I (snottily, I admit) that if I weren't, I was outta there! So, about four minutes after that, I was ushered into an exam room. I sat for 10 minutes and then the PA came in and asked me to explain why I was there (already answered on the forms) but I complied. I tried to explain why my doctor had referred me and she went out to inquire from the doctor if he wanted me to have a blood test to eliminate the possibility that my IBS-D was caused by celiac disease. Another wait of almost 15 minutes this time. THEN....THEN.....the nurse comes in and says the doctor wants me to convey this message to MY regular doctor. Get this!!!!
*Since HE had not done my colonoscopy, I was not entitled to a second opinion!* I was floored. That was not the reason I was there. I told the Nurse Practitioner that he was not familiar with the medications nor the possible side effects and that was why he sent me to a specialist. I was just FURIOUS!!!! I told the nurse that he had better not bill Medicare for this visit and that I was going to write to Medicare to be sure that they turned down any bill that might be submitted as well as WHY. I plan on calling my doctor tomorrow to pass along the message as well as tell him that any referrals to that doctor would be a major disservice to his patients. I'm still shaking four hours after returning home every time I think of it. Can you imagine???
I'm really not in a good enough mood to write any more tonight so forgive me if I end this early. I really do love you all and will leave you with just this thought. Imagine how awful it would be if you never got to talk to someone again that you care about. Just think about that. ***Hugs***
After seeing four people who had come in well after me being ushered in, I finally told the receptionist that I wanted to know why. She told me that I would be next. I (snottily, I admit) that if I weren't, I was outta there! So, about four minutes after that, I was ushered into an exam room. I sat for 10 minutes and then the PA came in and asked me to explain why I was there (already answered on the forms) but I complied. I tried to explain why my doctor had referred me and she went out to inquire from the doctor if he wanted me to have a blood test to eliminate the possibility that my IBS-D was caused by celiac disease. Another wait of almost 15 minutes this time. THEN....THEN.....the nurse comes in and says the doctor wants me to convey this message to MY regular doctor. Get this!!!!
*Since HE had not done my colonoscopy, I was not entitled to a second opinion!* I was floored. That was not the reason I was there. I told the Nurse Practitioner that he was not familiar with the medications nor the possible side effects and that was why he sent me to a specialist. I was just FURIOUS!!!! I told the nurse that he had better not bill Medicare for this visit and that I was going to write to Medicare to be sure that they turned down any bill that might be submitted as well as WHY. I plan on calling my doctor tomorrow to pass along the message as well as tell him that any referrals to that doctor would be a major disservice to his patients. I'm still shaking four hours after returning home every time I think of it. Can you imagine???
I'm really not in a good enough mood to write any more tonight so forgive me if I end this early. I really do love you all and will leave you with just this thought. Imagine how awful it would be if you never got to talk to someone again that you care about. Just think about that. ***Hugs***
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Baby It's Cold Outside!
I was cold when I went to bed (at 11pm) but I knew I would wake up in a few hours to pee (and I did). I slept in yesterday and didn't get up until around 10am. I know..what a lazy bones, right? But when it's cold outside, I am more like a hibernating bear and reluctant to get up out of a cozy warm bed then. I DID get up and get dressed right away, however, since my pj's were not any of my warm ones (hence, the reluctance to get out from under my heating blankets...LOL).
I had to run to the store to pick up a few things but opted to go to the local (and I DO mean local) dollar store where I could only find a few of the things I need in order to make a dish I said I would make for my nephew Michael's 40th birthday party on Saturday. I have to hit Walmart on my way home from the gastroenterologist's tomorrow afternoon. My regular doctor was reluctant to give me either of the new pills out that treat my IBS-D because he said he wasn't familiar with their interactions with other medications or their possible side effects. So that is why he referred me to the doctor down in Gadsden. At least I don't have to make that trip up to Huntsville. I really don't like all the traffic up there. Too busy for this (now) Alabama gal. I live in a mostly rural area and love it. My neighbors are mostly cows, goats, horses, donkeys and crops of all kinds. Hell, they still plant cotton here every few years.
Yesterday, I did, finally, make it to my sister Cee's and showed her the pictures that my girlfriend, Marilyn, took and gave to me. We stopped at one of those machines in a Walgreen's where you put in your camera card and can develop picture prints from it. I had never used one so I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was although Marilyn complained that it was a new type and she thought it was more difficult to use than the old ones were. Go figure! I thought they were a heck of a lot easier to use than Photo Shop is so I guess it's all what you deal with normally.
Cee and I ended up spending about 3 hours just chatting about this and that. We never seem to be at a loss for things to talk about and that's actually a rare thing. But we agreed to have a sleepover when Dave goes to Chicago to see his sister and brother and help his brother build a new computer. His brother has MS and doesn't have the ability to put together one. The Beast built the one he has several years back. Teddie, a very talented artist, uses his computer to help him although, once he concentrates and has that *picture* in his mind, he loses his shakiness and what he does is amazing. He's even built model boats that would blow you away with their detail. It's really incredible to me when I see them. We own one that he built that sits on top of the dresser in our guest room. I forget exactly what it is but it's an old type ship like was built during the time of Columbus when they used so many sails to help the ships move.
Anyway, we decided that it would be a nice change for us both and we could watch some of my DVD's on the big TV in the living room and still be comfortable and cozy. I even thought it might be fun for Chewlee to come over at the same time but maybe not. It might not be a good thing for her to hear some of the things we DO talk about after all....LOL. Chewlee is great fun in the evening as far as I am concerned but she is easily bored during the day. She really has no friends or kids around here for her to play with and, with her energy, I always feel bad about that. She even gets bored with her cartoon shows. Oh well. It is still an idea to kick around because I COULD bring her home early and we could visit with the Princess and Gunner for a bit plus see the new house. Cee is anxious to see it, too. I would prefer that Cee gets to see it once the Princess has finished painting it so that she can see what a nice house it is. I'm sure the Princess would appreciate that, too.
The Beast has to go to his skin doctor on Tuesday to get the light treatment on his face again. That means he can't go out during the day (UV will make him scream) and he also can't be under florescent lights either. Since we have those curled florescent light bulbs in all our light fixtures, that means no lights on in our house at night unless he changes the bulbs. He may do that in the bedroom so that he will be able to use his computer but even that is questionable right now. He's usually so uncomfortable that he goes to bed early for the first few days. He has to do that for four or five days.
I was noticing today that not many of our trees here locally have gotten fall colors at all. We don't seem to have any maples around (we have lots of various spruce and pine trees) that I could see. Some of our peach trees have lost their leaves due to a lot of heavy winds and they look so pathetic. It's only the early blooming ones so far but the pear trees (which bloom and ripen later) still have their leaves and the later blooming fruit trees also. The cherry trees also still have them but the next good wind that we have will likely take care of them all.
I've seen pictures that people have posted of the colorful trees up North and it makes me a bit nostalgic for the smell of burning leaves that I always liked when I was a kid. Perhaps the Beast will enjoy that when he visits his family in a few weeks. He wants to get up there and back home before the snow flies...LOL. He told me tonight not to even TRY to wake him in the morning. He intends to sleep in. I took a two hour nap this afternoon after making dinner (the Beast helped) but he didn't so I will most likely be up first. I'll post this and go to bed again.
It's that time and I apologize for no hints the past week but I will return to them again in a few days. I thought I would give us all a bit of a break. Stay warm. Stay dry. Be kind to each other. You never know what burdens other people may have to bear. Love you all. ***Hugs***
I had to run to the store to pick up a few things but opted to go to the local (and I DO mean local) dollar store where I could only find a few of the things I need in order to make a dish I said I would make for my nephew Michael's 40th birthday party on Saturday. I have to hit Walmart on my way home from the gastroenterologist's tomorrow afternoon. My regular doctor was reluctant to give me either of the new pills out that treat my IBS-D because he said he wasn't familiar with their interactions with other medications or their possible side effects. So that is why he referred me to the doctor down in Gadsden. At least I don't have to make that trip up to Huntsville. I really don't like all the traffic up there. Too busy for this (now) Alabama gal. I live in a mostly rural area and love it. My neighbors are mostly cows, goats, horses, donkeys and crops of all kinds. Hell, they still plant cotton here every few years.
Yesterday, I did, finally, make it to my sister Cee's and showed her the pictures that my girlfriend, Marilyn, took and gave to me. We stopped at one of those machines in a Walgreen's where you put in your camera card and can develop picture prints from it. I had never used one so I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was although Marilyn complained that it was a new type and she thought it was more difficult to use than the old ones were. Go figure! I thought they were a heck of a lot easier to use than Photo Shop is so I guess it's all what you deal with normally.
Cee and I ended up spending about 3 hours just chatting about this and that. We never seem to be at a loss for things to talk about and that's actually a rare thing. But we agreed to have a sleepover when Dave goes to Chicago to see his sister and brother and help his brother build a new computer. His brother has MS and doesn't have the ability to put together one. The Beast built the one he has several years back. Teddie, a very talented artist, uses his computer to help him although, once he concentrates and has that *picture* in his mind, he loses his shakiness and what he does is amazing. He's even built model boats that would blow you away with their detail. It's really incredible to me when I see them. We own one that he built that sits on top of the dresser in our guest room. I forget exactly what it is but it's an old type ship like was built during the time of Columbus when they used so many sails to help the ships move.
Anyway, we decided that it would be a nice change for us both and we could watch some of my DVD's on the big TV in the living room and still be comfortable and cozy. I even thought it might be fun for Chewlee to come over at the same time but maybe not. It might not be a good thing for her to hear some of the things we DO talk about after all....LOL. Chewlee is great fun in the evening as far as I am concerned but she is easily bored during the day. She really has no friends or kids around here for her to play with and, with her energy, I always feel bad about that. She even gets bored with her cartoon shows. Oh well. It is still an idea to kick around because I COULD bring her home early and we could visit with the Princess and Gunner for a bit plus see the new house. Cee is anxious to see it, too. I would prefer that Cee gets to see it once the Princess has finished painting it so that she can see what a nice house it is. I'm sure the Princess would appreciate that, too.
The Beast has to go to his skin doctor on Tuesday to get the light treatment on his face again. That means he can't go out during the day (UV will make him scream) and he also can't be under florescent lights either. Since we have those curled florescent light bulbs in all our light fixtures, that means no lights on in our house at night unless he changes the bulbs. He may do that in the bedroom so that he will be able to use his computer but even that is questionable right now. He's usually so uncomfortable that he goes to bed early for the first few days. He has to do that for four or five days.
I was noticing today that not many of our trees here locally have gotten fall colors at all. We don't seem to have any maples around (we have lots of various spruce and pine trees) that I could see. Some of our peach trees have lost their leaves due to a lot of heavy winds and they look so pathetic. It's only the early blooming ones so far but the pear trees (which bloom and ripen later) still have their leaves and the later blooming fruit trees also. The cherry trees also still have them but the next good wind that we have will likely take care of them all.
I've seen pictures that people have posted of the colorful trees up North and it makes me a bit nostalgic for the smell of burning leaves that I always liked when I was a kid. Perhaps the Beast will enjoy that when he visits his family in a few weeks. He wants to get up there and back home before the snow flies...LOL. He told me tonight not to even TRY to wake him in the morning. He intends to sleep in. I took a two hour nap this afternoon after making dinner (the Beast helped) but he didn't so I will most likely be up first. I'll post this and go to bed again.
It's that time and I apologize for no hints the past week but I will return to them again in a few days. I thought I would give us all a bit of a break. Stay warm. Stay dry. Be kind to each other. You never know what burdens other people may have to bear. Love you all. ***Hugs***
The Beast And The Bride....
Today I had planned on visiting with Cee, my sister, and show her a few pictures that were taken that I hadn't posted. But Baron wasn't acting like himself (the Beast never took him to the vet on Friday for removal of his staples) and I didn't want to leave him alone for several hours....just in case. When I went to let him out to pee, it was like he was afraid to go down the stairs. Not like there are a lot (only 3) to go out front, but I had to encourage him and that was unusual. It bothered me because the area that he had pulled out the drains that was bleeding seems to be closing up and it's been two days since he was bleeding, I think. It's hard to tell because I really haven't checked the blanket on his bed. It's got a red pattern on it so that can be difficult to tell.
I rescheduled my visit for Sunday and may leave him for just an hour tomorrow since he got better about going out. He even went down the stairs to the backyard with only a little hesitation a while before the Beast got home from the wedding he had been asked to take pictures of by the bride. Yes, it was the bride that asked him to take pictures but the Beast found her difficult. It turns out she was very camera shy and he thinks it was because she is on the heavy side. But I saw the pictures he did manage and they are beautiful. He actually tried to take ones that were flattering to her and he did a good job, regardless. I think she will be happy with them.
He did have to kneel down a few times to take pictures of her and the groom, as well as for some of the people attending. He had a problem getting up but the bride's father stuck around to assist him (which he hated!). All-in-all, the pictures turned out well. She should be very happy with them, I believe. He had to show me, of course. I'm his final judge of whether the colors are good or not.
Time to post. Love you all and have a really nice Sunday. Keep warm, dry and safe. Tell those you love that you do because tomorrow is not promised to us all. Don't regret the fact that you didn't say it when you had the chance. It's really very easy. ***Hugs***
I rescheduled my visit for Sunday and may leave him for just an hour tomorrow since he got better about going out. He even went down the stairs to the backyard with only a little hesitation a while before the Beast got home from the wedding he had been asked to take pictures of by the bride. Yes, it was the bride that asked him to take pictures but the Beast found her difficult. It turns out she was very camera shy and he thinks it was because she is on the heavy side. But I saw the pictures he did manage and they are beautiful. He actually tried to take ones that were flattering to her and he did a good job, regardless. I think she will be happy with them.
He did have to kneel down a few times to take pictures of her and the groom, as well as for some of the people attending. He had a problem getting up but the bride's father stuck around to assist him (which he hated!). All-in-all, the pictures turned out well. She should be very happy with them, I believe. He had to show me, of course. I'm his final judge of whether the colors are good or not.
Time to post. Love you all and have a really nice Sunday. Keep warm, dry and safe. Tell those you love that you do because tomorrow is not promised to us all. Don't regret the fact that you didn't say it when you had the chance. It's really very easy. ***Hugs***
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Strange....
Friday afternoon the Beast went to the store and, after he left, I thought about something else I needed. However, I found his phone on the little table next to his recliner so I couldn't phone him to tell him. It was something only I use so I knew he wouldn't even think of it.
But I was shocked when he came home and, at the bottom of one of the bags, I found it and was shocked. He had bought me just what I had wanted him to get for me. It was just so strange that he had thought of it at all. His comment to me was....*I don't want to hear any complaints so I got you some more*. What he bought for me was some French vanilla creamer that I like to add to my morning coffee. He has never tried it so he doesn't know how good it actually is in coffee. The Princess likes it when she stops over for coffee in the morning. It takes her a half hour to drive here after Chewlee is dropped off at school so I like to have some here for her, too. But it was strange that the Beast even thought of it at all. It's really not like him....usually. I have to either tell him or write it on his list. Very strange that he thought of it to me.
On to other things. When I met up with my girlfriends on Saturday, I first drove over to Marilyn's house so we could go together. We have been friends for olmost 53 years and we have been meeting at least once a year for 28 years now. We decided to do that at our 25th reunion for our class. There were 15 of us that hung out together for a few years but we have lost four of us so far. Delores came home from work one day and laid down on her couch to take a nap before she had to make dinner for herself and her son. When he came in from cutting the grass and went to wake her, he discovered she was dead. She was only 53 years old but the autopsy results showed she had died of heart failure. It was something totally unexpected because she had never had any problems.
We lost Maria in a house fire. Carrie in a car accident from a drunk driver. Julie was killed as a result of a driveby shooting where she was an innocent victim. It's always so sad to lose someone you have known for so long.
A few of the girls didn't make it this time. They had made the earlier get-together in June. Carol and Alyce had plans to come but they had some unexpected things happen (one was a funeral they had to attend for a family member, the other was a serious problem with a son). Judy and Frankie both ended up having to work on Saturday which was not usual for them and they discovered they were scheduled too late to get someone to replace them.
I will show you pictures of the other four that did make it. I don't have the picture that the waitress took of us all because there was a problem with the card in my camera and they were erased. I only know it was certain because of the numbers on the pictures that we were able to get off it on the card reader. There are several that are missing. Here's a picture of the four girls that made it. From left to right, Jamie, Marilyn, Rose and Cathy.
We had quite the reputation as kids. We were active in sports and quite the cut-ups besides. At least we didn't get into trouble often...LOL. Well, Cathy did. She was a little stinker when she was younger but loveable. She was like a little sister to the rest of us.
The restaurant is a really nice one and it's not real busy on a Saturday afternoon except for this day. They had an auction on Thursday and Friday for some things that had been purchased with embezzled money by some woman in a government position and it was an effort to recover the money before she was sent off to jail for three years. On Saturday, the day we were there, it was a garage sale type of thing that went on for the smaller items that she had purchased (clothing, small appliances, dishes, etc.). There was a crowd that had gathered, waiting for the restaurant to open but they didn't do anything but shop so we pretty much were the only customers for quite a while.
We had a ball together. We talked and laughed together for what ended up to be six hours! So we had both lunch and dinner there. Our waitress was a little cutie that had just finished working at Disney World for a year and was hired immediately when she applied at the restaurant. We gave her $10 at the start and told her we would tip her nicely but we were there for a kind of reunion and wouldn't need a lot of attention from her. We told her we would be tipping her well when we left (and we really did!) but she only had to check on us occasionally.
The food was excellent and Rose asked who the cook was that day. When she heard who, she ordered a salmon steak for her dinner because she knew he did a great job on that. She had ordered it in June and found it to be so good, she sent her compliments to the cook. He came out to thank her so the girls felt like they would still be remembered. They were and the cook came out to talk with us for a bit. I had a California Club for lunch (that just a regular club sandwich with avocado added.) It was delicious. I had their ribs for dinner (also excellent and very tender) along with a baked potato with all the fixings. I can also recommend their broccoli cheese soup. Great food all around.
When we parted, it was with great regret but most of us hate driving in the dark. We made plans to meet together for lunch at a restaurant that specializes in Italian beef on Tuesday. It was in a suburb and poor Cathy had to drive out there from the city (she owns a condo close to the lake and downtown). She moaned and groaned but with a laugh since she said she would have driven to Wisconsin if she had to. I went back to Kay's afterward and took a nap since I had to go back home early the next day. It meant being woken up at 2am so I could dress, make sure I had everything packed and make my own trek back to the airport to return the rented car and be there 2 hours before my flight left due to Security requirements. I ended up almost 3 hours early and they put me on an earlier flight since it wasn't full. So I got home 1-1/2 hours earlier than expected.
I had called the Beast before I boarded to let him know the new time. Thankfully, he was dressed and it was no problem. He was actually glad that I would be home early and we stopped for lunch (I actually had breakfast since I hadn't eaten anything since I got up...only coffee had passed my lips). Here's a picture of my host and hostess along with their son. He doesn't take a good picture and my sister, Bratfink, said his eyes look like he's a serial killer...LOL.
Here's a picture of the aunt I went to see while I was there along with one of my sister, Bee and myself.
That's me in the grey striped top. Rose is in grey and that's Bee in the pink top. Here's one of my cousins that came to meet me. We hadn't seen each other for almost 11 years. She often comes over to Rose's to help take care of her needs while she is so ill. Rose has Stage 4 breast cancer and elected not to take any treatments because she didn't have any pain and wanted to just be able to enjoy her grandchildren while she could. She told me then that she had had a good life and was 82 years old. She said when it was her time, she was ready to go. I cried like a baby for almost an hour after hearing the news. My aunt was always wonderful to me when I was young. I love her very much.
My cousin's name is Debbie and she is married to Rose's son, Patrick. She's not a *blood* cousin but she is adorable and so sweet. It was fun to see her and talk with her at last.
Well, that's it for now. Love you all. Have a wonderful weekend. ***Hugs***
But I was shocked when he came home and, at the bottom of one of the bags, I found it and was shocked. He had bought me just what I had wanted him to get for me. It was just so strange that he had thought of it at all. His comment to me was....*I don't want to hear any complaints so I got you some more*. What he bought for me was some French vanilla creamer that I like to add to my morning coffee. He has never tried it so he doesn't know how good it actually is in coffee. The Princess likes it when she stops over for coffee in the morning. It takes her a half hour to drive here after Chewlee is dropped off at school so I like to have some here for her, too. But it was strange that the Beast even thought of it at all. It's really not like him....usually. I have to either tell him or write it on his list. Very strange that he thought of it to me.
On to other things. When I met up with my girlfriends on Saturday, I first drove over to Marilyn's house so we could go together. We have been friends for olmost 53 years and we have been meeting at least once a year for 28 years now. We decided to do that at our 25th reunion for our class. There were 15 of us that hung out together for a few years but we have lost four of us so far. Delores came home from work one day and laid down on her couch to take a nap before she had to make dinner for herself and her son. When he came in from cutting the grass and went to wake her, he discovered she was dead. She was only 53 years old but the autopsy results showed she had died of heart failure. It was something totally unexpected because she had never had any problems.
We lost Maria in a house fire. Carrie in a car accident from a drunk driver. Julie was killed as a result of a driveby shooting where she was an innocent victim. It's always so sad to lose someone you have known for so long.
A few of the girls didn't make it this time. They had made the earlier get-together in June. Carol and Alyce had plans to come but they had some unexpected things happen (one was a funeral they had to attend for a family member, the other was a serious problem with a son). Judy and Frankie both ended up having to work on Saturday which was not usual for them and they discovered they were scheduled too late to get someone to replace them.
I will show you pictures of the other four that did make it. I don't have the picture that the waitress took of us all because there was a problem with the card in my camera and they were erased. I only know it was certain because of the numbers on the pictures that we were able to get off it on the card reader. There are several that are missing. Here's a picture of the four girls that made it. From left to right, Jamie, Marilyn, Rose and Cathy.
The restaurant is a really nice one and it's not real busy on a Saturday afternoon except for this day. They had an auction on Thursday and Friday for some things that had been purchased with embezzled money by some woman in a government position and it was an effort to recover the money before she was sent off to jail for three years. On Saturday, the day we were there, it was a garage sale type of thing that went on for the smaller items that she had purchased (clothing, small appliances, dishes, etc.). There was a crowd that had gathered, waiting for the restaurant to open but they didn't do anything but shop so we pretty much were the only customers for quite a while.
We had a ball together. We talked and laughed together for what ended up to be six hours! So we had both lunch and dinner there. Our waitress was a little cutie that had just finished working at Disney World for a year and was hired immediately when she applied at the restaurant. We gave her $10 at the start and told her we would tip her nicely but we were there for a kind of reunion and wouldn't need a lot of attention from her. We told her we would be tipping her well when we left (and we really did!) but she only had to check on us occasionally.
The food was excellent and Rose asked who the cook was that day. When she heard who, she ordered a salmon steak for her dinner because she knew he did a great job on that. She had ordered it in June and found it to be so good, she sent her compliments to the cook. He came out to thank her so the girls felt like they would still be remembered. They were and the cook came out to talk with us for a bit. I had a California Club for lunch (that just a regular club sandwich with avocado added.) It was delicious. I had their ribs for dinner (also excellent and very tender) along with a baked potato with all the fixings. I can also recommend their broccoli cheese soup. Great food all around.
When we parted, it was with great regret but most of us hate driving in the dark. We made plans to meet together for lunch at a restaurant that specializes in Italian beef on Tuesday. It was in a suburb and poor Cathy had to drive out there from the city (she owns a condo close to the lake and downtown). She moaned and groaned but with a laugh since she said she would have driven to Wisconsin if she had to. I went back to Kay's afterward and took a nap since I had to go back home early the next day. It meant being woken up at 2am so I could dress, make sure I had everything packed and make my own trek back to the airport to return the rented car and be there 2 hours before my flight left due to Security requirements. I ended up almost 3 hours early and they put me on an earlier flight since it wasn't full. So I got home 1-1/2 hours earlier than expected.
I had called the Beast before I boarded to let him know the new time. Thankfully, he was dressed and it was no problem. He was actually glad that I would be home early and we stopped for lunch (I actually had breakfast since I hadn't eaten anything since I got up...only coffee had passed my lips). Here's a picture of my host and hostess along with their son. He doesn't take a good picture and my sister, Bratfink, said his eyes look like he's a serial killer...LOL.
Here's a picture of the aunt I went to see while I was there along with one of my sister, Bee and myself.
That's me in the grey striped top. Rose is in grey and that's Bee in the pink top. Here's one of my cousins that came to meet me. We hadn't seen each other for almost 11 years. She often comes over to Rose's to help take care of her needs while she is so ill. Rose has Stage 4 breast cancer and elected not to take any treatments because she didn't have any pain and wanted to just be able to enjoy her grandchildren while she could. She told me then that she had had a good life and was 82 years old. She said when it was her time, she was ready to go. I cried like a baby for almost an hour after hearing the news. My aunt was always wonderful to me when I was young. I love her very much.
Well, that's it for now. Love you all. Have a wonderful weekend. ***Hugs***
Friday, October 16, 2015
Just Woke Up......
Sorry but I am sooooo tired for some reason and my mind feels a bit scrambled. I know I said I would post earlier but here are a few pictures from my *vacation*.
Top picture is four of the girls that I have been friends with for 53 years....left to right...Jamie, Marilyn, Rose and Cathy (who still looks so damn young! )....next is Rose and Cathy again. My camera goofed up for some reason and deleted the pictures the waitress took of all of us. We think it was a bad card. Then there is my aunt Rose. The gal after that is one of my cousins...Debbie, who is married to Rose's youngest son. Then there is my aunt Rose again with me on my Sunday visit. Aunt Rose again with me and my sister Bee. Last but not least is my host and hostess with their son, James. The woman is my adopted sister (we all decided that we wanted to keep her) Kay and her hubby, Pete. They are wonderful people and were very good to me. Thank you, Kay and Pete. Love you loads!
I have more pictures that I will share on next post.. Time for bed. Love you all. ***Hugs***
Top picture is four of the girls that I have been friends with for 53 years....left to right...Jamie, Marilyn, Rose and Cathy (who still looks so damn young! )....next is Rose and Cathy again. My camera goofed up for some reason and deleted the pictures the waitress took of all of us. We think it was a bad card. Then there is my aunt Rose. The gal after that is one of my cousins...Debbie, who is married to Rose's youngest son. Then there is my aunt Rose again with me on my Sunday visit. Aunt Rose again with me and my sister Bee. Last but not least is my host and hostess with their son, James. The woman is my adopted sister (we all decided that we wanted to keep her) Kay and her hubby, Pete. They are wonderful people and were very good to me. Thank you, Kay and Pete. Love you loads!
I have more pictures that I will share on next post.. Time for bed. Love you all. ***Hugs***
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)