Thursday, October 30, 2008
How F***ing Lucky!
As I picked up my latest project this morning this thought ( The Title) kept flashing in my head! Yesterday outside Fairway in Otisville a woman limped up to me and started asking about my foot. Did I break it or what. As the conversation progressed I found out that she was six years older than me, was wearing a small Air Cast, and was waiting to see a new doctor in two months about correcting her problem. She had already had a knee replacement and because her husband was a GM retiree she was losing her insurance on the first of the year. As we stood out in the cold I gave her my surgeon’s name and suggested that she might call his office. She thanked me for talking with her and went on about her business. How lucky am I to be in the position that I’m in.
The last few weeks I have been thinking about the fact that in February I will turn 74 years old. My dad lived to 75 and my mom 76. Both of them smoked and drank. They had survived a house fire with some damage of smoke inhalation. I wondered if I had quit smoking soon enough to survive a little longer.
Then this morning I looked down at my hands and saw straight fingers. My eyes had no glasses in front of them and I only use my 2.75 glasses for small print and to embroider. I was diagnosed with emphysema five years ago this month and have been able to omit the medication for the condition so far. I will come out of the cast that has corrected my left ankle in another week. My right ankle was corrected last year on the day before Thanksgiving.
Although I have a few aches and pains my general condition seems to be good. How lucky is that?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
It Started With A Couple!
After a visit to the doctor’s office for a minor thing I went to VG’s yesterday (located in the same parking lot) to pick up more cranberries because I expected the crystallized ginger to arrive sometime during the day. As is my habit when I am out alone I like to go up and down the aisles even though my list contained just three items—cranberries, maple syrup, and bread. I checked with Jay by cell phone, he said that he couldn’t think of anything else, and the ginger had just arrived. Starting in produce I picked up green grapes and then started looking for the cranberries. Oh no I thought I don’t see them—they are gone—-I have everything except them to make more chutney. I spied a young man filling one of the counters and ask him about the cranberries. “Oh they are right up front now”, he said as he turned to get them for me. “Give me a couple of packages please, “ I replied, When he came back he had three packages in his hands. I wondered if he knew what a couple was but I didn’t want to make him put one back so I took them all.
On my way to the bread aisle I passed the bakery and decided it was time for two custard filled long johns. Soon they were ia a bag nestled beside the grapes. Now bread then on to the syrup aisle. Now the old brain had to jump into gear. I need 1 Cup of syrup per batch—-I have enough cranberries , with the package at home, for four batches. The syrup comes in a 12.5 oz. bottle so that equates to two bottles plus I still have 12 oz. at home so I should have enough. I should have left then but I found pork chops with a bone so Brandy could have something to chew on after we have dinner, the cat treat that Molly likes were finally in stock and it was downhill from there. I came out roughly $98. lighter but it had been fun.
I visited Radio Shack for some information only, Palace Jewelers to turn my ring in to be fixed ( I snagged a prong on my cast) and finally Fairway’s for another skein of variegated yarn to transition from one end of the spectrum to the other. Then it was go home time.
Add canning 15.5 8oz jars of Maple Cranberry Chutney (plus three from the day before making a total of 18.5) in the afternoon and my feet and ankles were screaming.
They are still screaming this morning because I changed my right shoe for a slipper last night which placed me off balance with the black boot on the left foot. Even my back is whining a little. So I will probably work on the lap robe or the afghan today.
Remember to laugh or at least smile big!!!!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Kept Thinking!
Our absentee ballots were turned in on Thursday. So don’t forget to vote. Remember that we fall back one hour on the second of November so don’t let that mess up your week.
I have been working on squares for Pammie and an afghan these last few days.
I have no particular plans for colors as you can see. I think of it as a happy cover!
I have also been working on the lap robe when Molly lets me in HER chair. But I found I was having trouble keeping my place on the color chart. It was check the chart, put it down, pick up the work, sew a little, put down the work, and then pick up the chart again.
But necessity being the mother of invention led me to choose an orange potato chip clip to solve my problem!!
By the way Brandy finally got over the nasty shiny strip and it doesn’t faze her any more!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Iced Veggies & Liquid Gold!
Last Wednesday we stopped at McDaniel’s Farm Market and bought $13.70 worth of veggies. We blanched then froze 56 oz. of brussel spouts, 75 oz. of zucchini, and 56 oz. of cauliflower in meal size Food Saver bags. We still have three hard squash to prepare and pressure can this week end.
Working together it was an easy task.
The receipts for the trips to Vg’s and Meijer’s reflected a roughly $40. savings so I felt good about finding fresh cranberries. I was on them like a robin on a worm. All I could think of was I can make New England Cran-Maple Chutney in time for Thanksgiving. I knew I had most of the ingredients all ready so I planned on today to can it.
As I started opening packages I realized that this was an expensive project. I had set out:
2-12 oz packages of cranberries at $2.83 each
Maple syrup was 10.98 for a 20 oz. bottle of which I needed 8 oz. per batch.
I could supply the sugar, lemon juice, fresh garlic, cinnamon, and onion from what was already in the house. The Honey Dijon-style mustard had to be purchased but I use it in other meals.
But then came the crystallized ginger. The recipe called a half a cup and when I checked the bottle it was $9.49 for 2 oz.. Whoa!!! So I poured 12 oz. of cranberries back in a zip lock bag and settled on one batch today. Jay got on the computer and ordered the ginger from The Spice House in Chicago at $12.99 for 16 oz. each. He also ordered the crystallized ginger nibs at $ 7.49 for 8 oz. because I added the nibs I had on hand to make that 1/2 cup.
The yield was three-8 oz jars and a partial (about 5 or 6 oz that went into my fridge). That is my liquid gold. But I’m not giving up because the ginger will be shipped in about 2 or 3 days and then it is back to the store for more cranberries. By golly I will have enough to share with my friends!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My Mom’s Surprise!
As I picked my container of cereal this morning the memory that flashed in my mind was My Mom’s Surprise. Today I was having a bowl of Surprise for breakfast.
Let me explain. Growing up I was the oldest of four children. Not a big family by the standards of the day. But still large enough to cause some conflicts when problems developed. I remember the breakfasts where we argued over which cereal who was going to eat. These disagreements became more heated as the level of the contents in the boxes got lower. Eventually the results were one serving with two children wanting the same cereal.
One morning when I came down to breakfast there was one box on the table. Mom didn’t have a fancy Tupperware container like I have. As we children assembled around the table comments like: I don’t want that kind. What happened to the Wheaties? But I wanted Corn Flakes! Do I have to eat Shredded Wheat? What about Rice Crispies instead?
I could lie here and say my mother smiled sweetly and said, “Today we are trying a brand new cereal’. But my loving mother didn’t sugar coat the annoying things in life. If she saw shit she called it what it was. So her reply was,“ The rule is that you eat what is in front of you or do without.“ “ Remember it is a long time ‘till lunch so dig in!“
To avoid arguments and disappointments Mom would pour all the cereals into one box. No disappointed children at our breakfast table. Everyone got some of their favorite along with enough other kinds to fill an empty tummy. Thus was born My Mom’s Surprise.
Now I must confess this didn’t always work with my kids. But I have to smile each morning when I pour My Mom’s Surprise into my bowl!
Monday, October 20, 2008
It Is Polictical 2
I have seen so many people, women in particular standing in lines along the roadway, gathered in groups, and crowding around every type of camera available repeating half truths which proves that they refuse to pay attention to what is the real thing. They have set their agenda so investigating whether what a candidate keeps repeating is fact they spout off what they want to believe. Don’t they care that if a candidate tells half truths during a campaign that it will be easy to continue this behavior into office?
Joe the (*******) admitted that the Obama tax program would not hurt his business if he bought it. But he also said that didn’t matter there were other things or words to that effect. So did any of those line walkers hear that and take it into consideration?
Obama’s opponents keep harping on the Ayers issue and terrorist activities when several times the relationship or non-relationship was clarified. Don’t these groupies with open mouths listen to the truth as it is made public?
The phrase ‘my friends’ is starting to turn my stomach. I can not comprehend being friends with someone who won’t tell me the truth even if it would hurt my feelings.
The voices saying this is a Christian nation do not consider that Obama is Christian. Their close mindedness could be another reason for the downfall of a Nation that I loved and am watching fall into failure.
Wake up people! Don’t let prejudices cloud your mind and stop you from seeking the truth.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Win Some—Lose Some!
You know when you wake up with achy shoulders and a slight headache you know that laying there ain’t going to make it any better. So a glance at the clock tells you that 8:37 am is time to rise and shine even if you hard a troublesome night of sleep. ( You know I can’t remember rising and shining in at least the last 20 years. I guess as you age the shine part exits the scene in search of younger bodies to inspire.) Anyway I started the coffee, emptied the dishwasher, let Molly outside, and brought out the dirty clothes so I could start the washer.
Now with Molly outside that meant ‘OUR’ chair was empty so I gathered my sewing and plopped myself down to do a few more Xs on the lap robe. In the meantime Jay woke up, crawled out of bed and started his morning routine. In a short while the smell of bacon and raisin toast wafted it’s way into the living room. Molly decided to come inside and check on my progress of vacating the chair. She seemed to know I would be leaving it empty soon. As I folded down her blanket over the chair she pretended to be sleeping in the sunshine on the floor.
This was the view that greeted me when I turned back . Well that was a loser for me.
My win started with Jay leading Brandy, on her leash, into the utility room to eat her breakfast. I proceeded to clear the breakfast dishes away and looked up to see this.
My poor puppy dog waiting to leave the room after eating her breakfast. I stood coaxing her to come out to me, telling her she could do it, and by golly she did. Just a little hop over the strip and she was at my feet. Now we have to work on going into the room.
It’s is a ‘balmy’ 53 degree outside. The sun is shining and a gentle wind is moving the trees.
It really doesn’t look that bad around our old homestead but the firs are showing brown needles and the leaves are falling steadily. I have to go out there today and start gathering lawn decorations to be put in the shed. The deck could use a little clearing also but I’ll need Jay to help me there.
Have a good Sunday and a better next week. Don’t forget to laugh!!!!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Half Way Through October!
Well here I am on my own two feet with a purple cast and a black boot on one of them. I have been walking without support where there was something I could grab onto if I started to fall. In about 15 days I will be out of this cast and using an air boot instead. I call it my Star Wars Boot!
If I were playing Junie Rose’s Sky Watch Friday this would be my submission. I don’t know if it looks like rain or snow but it was interesting.
Jay put a new metal strip in the doorway between the kitchen and the utility room because the vinyl flooring was starting to raise up. It works great except for one problem.
Brandy would not cross it to go in and eat. Her bowl is in the utility room. She just sat at the doorway and whimpered until Jay picked her up and set her down by her bowl . Then when she was done she whimpered to get out. We have managed to get her out twice on her own but she still won’t go in. The other night she didn’t eat because she wouldn’t go in. Tonight she finally took a running leap over the strip to get out and skidded into the kitchen almost hitting the cupboard. I guess change is hard even for puppy dogs!
Awhile back Maria of Silver Fox Whispers and her hubby Bob sent us two lovely handmade mugs with the stipulation that we send her a picture of us on the new deck having coffee in them. I agreed to do so as soon a some one came up to visit and takes the picture. Well visitors came several times but I forgot to ask someone.
Yesterday Friend Edna came by and as she was leaving I remembered. She graciously took our picture so we won’t have to sit in the snow for it. Thank you Edna!
I have had some time in the lazy boy the last couple of days working on the lap robe but it seems like so little is being accomplished. Today I changed my thread from my walker to Jay’s because I found it difficult to use his on rugs, or out in the driveway because of the wheels. During the change I decided to follow the instruction and cut the threads in half before hanging them on the walker. This took away from sewing time so I didn’t accomplish much. When I finally decided to fold everything up for the day and put the blanket back on the chair for Molly I looked down and there she sat. I no more then got the blanket in place and she was curled up on the seat. I guess she was telling me something!
If the truth be told this is my second attempt at this post tonight so before I screw up again I will bid you a gracious good night!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
More Fool Me!
Through the summer I watch for sales on wall hanging/lap quilts and when they dropped to roughly 50% off I bought one. I figured I would be laid up for roughly three months so there was plenty of time. I ended up purchasing four Christmas theme to do for gifts. Never mind that my embroidery skills suck. Not thinking I might not feel like fussing with those pesky little Xs either. I put them in my closet for the coming lay up.
Now I have come to the conclusion that no way in h-e -double toothpicks am I going to get even one completed by the holidays.
I face several obstacles starting with I like to sit in the lazy boy with my feet up beside a good lamp on the table. Now Molly thinks this is her sleeping spot during the day and nothing short of turning on the vibrator will remove her from Her spot. Some days when I have other chores I’ll let her sleep but every once in a while I have to take drastic steps to gain the chair.
For awhile I tried sitting in the wheelchair at the dining room table. I separated my threads and put them on cardboard with identifying numbers but I kept knocking them in the floor. I tried thumb tacking them to the dining room wall but when I did get the chair my thread was on the wall in the dining room. I then put a dining chair beside the lazy boy and laid the threads there. But again I ended up knocking them on the floor.
But today the the light bulb that signifies bright idea flashed over my head. I am going to try to be walking now so why not use the walker for something constructive.
There you have it. Where ever I work the thread stand can be moved there. I figured it might inspire me to work on it a little more especially when I saw Molly eying all those lovely colored strings hanging down to the floor.
Now before you tell me what a dumb things that was to do let me explain. I still have Jay’s walker if I need it and I’m sure there are times when I will.
One of my other obstacles Is that I have to use the drug store reading glasses to see the the chart and the Xs on the material. After a while I feel the eyes being ‘pulled’ and I have to stop and do something else.
My last obstacle is I get bored or lazy I’m not sure which but this is not conducive to success in anything. Oh well I will muddle on anyway!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Parts Of October!
Whether It is laying in the sunshine on the carpet in the living room or snuggled under the covers after we get out of bed—there is something about October that calms the furries in our household.
After riding down to the garage with Jay yesterday I discovered my last rose post was incorrect.
The two lone petunia plants in the basket under the deck were still blooming. I have to fill my baskets full next year if they hang on for a couple of years.
When company was here roughly a week ago Granddaughter Courtney helped me fill my outside feeders. It took a couple of days for the birds to discover the seed again.
But the little ones were hard at and it is time to try refilling them again.
I decided that I couldn’t let the month past without some Halloween decorations so my aforementioned trip to the garage also included going into the basement for some items.
In order to plug in my pumpkins I had to retrieve the extension cord from under the eaves that was connected to the fountain. While working on that I discovered this.
It seemed quite happy to get it’s picture taken. I don’t think It even blinked.
Next came the Halloween sign that is up temporarily until I find my Witch is in sign.
Then came the flag!
OK I’m ready and with only three days to go before I can officially walk on my foot I feel pretty good. Now the cast won’t come off until November sixth so I’ll still be staggering a bit! That is alright I like to hear them say,“ Look at that drunk old lady—what a disgraceful thing!“ Then I Smile!!!!!!