Friday Fill-In #61...

Friday Fill-Ins #61

1. I'm looking forward to being with my quilting group next week.

2. I don't handle stupid lazy people very well.

3. Sushi is something I could eat every day. (Janet and I agree on this one!!!!)

4. Warmth and sunlight are absolute necessities in my life.

5. Summer SPA here I come! (Thanks to Sherry!!!!)

6. I don't have any tattoo(s).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the grocery store, tomorrow my plans include going day-trippin' if the weather permits and Sunday, I want to write some real letters and send some cards out to family and friends!

Ming over at NewYorkCityDailyPhoto shared this wonderful little video: Frozen Grand Central Station. It is too cool!

Books and Movies...

What else is there to do on a snowy day other than read and watch movies?...(well, I guess I could finish up the last few boxes that need to be unpacked, start on a new quilt or a dozen other things)...but, I felt like finishing a book and watching a movie.

Just finished reading Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher. While the book has a very good plot line - somehow in my humble opinion it fails to deliver. The story centers around Clay Jenson (being one of 13) who receives a set of tapes which Hannah Baker has recorded before killing herself.

There is a lot of teenage angst throughout the book - but, I didn't feel there was enough going on or happening to cause someone to kill themselves...but then who knows how teenagers think. It was just a fair book.

Seems like I've been into movie watching - Checked out the following from my library:

Bridge to Terabithia - second time I've checked this one out and still haven't watched it. Just could not get in the mood.

Stardust - popped it in to watch and just could not get into it. Somehow I don't think I can suspend my sense of reality long enough to watch it...I may try it again though...just not right now. The timing is off for both of the above movies.

Gone Baby Gone - The author of Mystic River strikes again...Must have tried to watch Mystic River three or four times before I could finally get into it...this one looks about the same. I couldn't get the past the scene where the lead actor spends (what seems to be) fifteen minutes calling everyone in the free world a M_Fer. And, I'm no prude - those words have certainly come out of this mouth ... but, it was a bit over the top...

Plain Truth which was a Lifetime Original Movie was pretty good. Starred Mariska Hargitay and it was about a murder in an Amish community.

The Brave One with Jodie Foster. Excellent movie...I really liked it!

By the way - there is still lots of snow on the ground - but the sun is shining and it makes the snow look beautiful!!!!

The S Word...Again...

Woke up to this Winter Wonderland! It is gorgeous!
This is the view from the porch at Scarlett's when I went to walk the dogs this morning at 7:30.
That would be my car - in front of the snow that has accumulated in her yard. The plow had also come by and blocked me from getting up the walk-way...so with no shovel at my disposal - I had to crawl over that mountain of snow to get to the door and back to the car!

The view from my apartment window... Again the view from Scarlett's porch - please note the level of snow in yard, hedge and street sign!
Again another view from my apartment window...

They reported on the news that the Concord area has seen 91.5 inches of snow this year! We've seen about the same...which is 5 times the amount of snow that we had the entire year last year! See I told you I had never seen this much snow at one time!!!

D is for...

Daughter!

Tara Danielle - my daughter ...(she turns 32 on June 27)! Memories are so strong of carrying her and her being born during that frantic night when everything that could go wrong went wrong. But, she was a stubborn little thing and we both held on...and made it then...and continue to make it now!

She is named for Scarlett O'Hara's home in Gone with the Wind...and the Danielle part was because I wanted to reflect our French ancestry...that and the fact that Daniel was one of my favorite songs playing at the time. (Had she been a boy - it would have been Jared Daniel)...

This photo was taken at the Phoenix airport - in October 2006. We haven't been out to see each other since then...
Above in her kitchen. She is one of the most wonderful housekeepers - her home is always spotless.
And, here she is taking care of one of the stray cats in the neighborhood. Her heart is so kind and gentle. She loves animals and cares for them whenever she can. She had been working with this little cat for a couple of weeks and finally got it to come this close to her.

There is never a day that thoughts of my daughter don't cross my mind. She is always in my heart and thoughts and I miss her terribly. Some days more than others...

One Word...

Trying to get it all together this week-end...so, I'm taking it easy. Found this over at Deb's - and thought I would snag it...Thanks, Deb!

Here’s the rules o’ the game:

One Word…

You

Can

Only

Type

One

Word

(It is not as easy as it looks)

1. Where is your cell phone? purse

'2. Your significant other? none

3. Your hair? reddish

4. Your mother? quiet

5. Your father? dead

6. Your favorite thing? living

7. Your dream last night? weird

8. Your favorite drink? Pepsi

9. Your dream/goal? travel

10. The room you’re in? living

11. Your ex? friend

12. Your fear? crashing

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happier

14. Where were you last night? home

15. What you’re not? boring

16. Muffins? blueberry

17. One of your wish list items? yarn

18. Where you grew up? Florida

19. The last thing you did? eat

20. What are you wearing? sweats

21. Your TV? on

22. Your pet? cat

23. Your computer? big

24. Your life? exciting

25. Your mood? relaxed

26. Missing someone? daughter

27 Your car? old

28. Something you’re not wearing? bra

29. Favorite Store? quilt

30. Your summer? pleasant

31. Like someone? lots

32. Your favorite color? turquoise

33. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday

34. Last time you cried? today

35. Who will/would re-post this? You!

Leave me a comment if you participate and I'll come see what you have to say....

Friday Fill-In #60...

1. A full tank of gas and an open road is the best thing about traveling.

2. I love a good cup of hot chocolate when I'm cold.

3. I often use a ruler and tape measure.

4. I'm reading TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY by Jay Asher right now; I am not sure whether I like it.

5. My high school days is something I dislike talking about.

6. When I visited New York City I most looked forward to seeing my editor and Central Park (in that order).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Bridge to Terabithia and Stardust while knitting a pair of socks, tomorrow my plans include taking off on a day trip if the weather permints and Sunday, I want to relax, watch tv in the evening, and quilt!

Catchin' Up...

It's been a wicked busy couple of days...

Managed to take a couple of photos of the eclipse - so, I will post those tomorrow.

Spent yesterday morning at the hospital getting another CT Scan done and a couple of x-rays of my leg. Maybe we will know what is going on by next Friday.

There have been no further incidents with the medicine from hell that caused me the problems last week-end since I am not taking it and it seems to finally be out of my system. I'm still taking an 81 mg Aspirin a day and two Blood pressure pills until next Friday when I see my regular doctor. (She has been away this entire week at a medical conference).

Yesterday afternoon went on a day trip - you'll get to hear all about it this coming week!


Zac (he's the white one) went to the vet today to get his teeth cleaned and they found two teeth that had to be extracted due to an infection. No wonder his little breath smelled! (That's Isis on the right - wonder how she can stand his breath???)

Total Eclipse of the Heart...err...Moon....

The Moon will be eclipsed this evening, starting with the Moon entering the Earth's shadow at 8:43pm, and becoming fully eclipsed at 10pm. While eclipsed, the Moon will appear a coppery-red, brighter on the bottom, and redder on top. The Moon stays eclipsed until 10:52 PM, and then gradually emerges from the Earth's shadow until it is completely out at 12:09 AM EST.

From the Eye on the Sky Website: www.eotsweb.org

Now how cool is that! This should be such fun to see!!! Can't wait. I'm going to try and take photos...

************************************

And, on another note - I see that President Fidel Castro is stepping down. Amazingly, the "shrub" has declared that we will do all in our power to make sure that they become a free country like we are.

My message to the shurb:

Hey, jerk - not EVERYONE wants to be like the US...when are you going to figure it out and stop the madness of having our men and women killed in war after war to satisify your ego of having the entire world be like us? In case you haven't noticed - your actions in the past four years have bordered more on being a dictator than others I've read about or seen.

And, This Would Be Tuesday...

And, those would be flurries of white snow falling outside my window! Along with the shining sun! Go figure! But, it looks like a fun day will be had...

I am feeling much better ... and have a doctor's appointment for this coming week...and there have been no more problems with my blood pressure! I am taking some blood pressure meds to help with whatever it was that caused it to go bonkers! And, actually sleeping through the night without any dreams!

Tonight I will be attending a different quilt quild. It was one that I went to the first year or so that I lived here...but as it became increasingly difficult to get out in the evenings it sort of went by the wayside. The group is a very small group....about ten people and we meet up at the local hospital. Meetings are from October through May...once a month. Going to give it another shot...and see if I want to make it a regular thing.

Am finally beginning to feel much more organized now that things are in place and my time to do things is being honored. The only thing I do not want to do is burn out because I'm running here and there. It is hard because in order for me to get time for myself I have to LEAVE MY HOME. So, I am trying to get what I call less nights/days out and Bigger chucks of time away.

The Cornish Quilt Guild which meets the 2nd and 4th Monday nights of the month is my most favorite place to be...and has been since I moved here to New Hampshire. I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun I had at our Saturday workshop...

Yoga class as I knew it will not be happening...The remainder of the classes that I have are going to be turned into one-on-one classes with a program designed especially for my body and me.

Still have not made it to the mediation class as it has been cancelled due to weather...so, not sure what is happening with that. She has also made some changes to her schedule so I may be able to change things up a bit and go two Tuesday nights a month...with the other two Tuesday nights being: Quilting and a book club thing.

Still Not 100%...

Morning, all!

Still not batting at 100% here...so, I am taking a few days to get myself back together again. How does one simple little pill knock someone so damn out of kilter and do such weird things to one's body?

Anyway, it seems the medication the doctor gave me to help with my thyroid - had a totally different effect - and raised my blood pressure into a realm that wasn't too safe. Then on top of that it scared the "crap" out of me which just aggravated the blood pressure thing even more.

Working on quilting Tara's quilt - a little at a time; knitting a pair of socks; and reading a really good book called: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Did manage to catch up the blog reading - but did little or no commenting...I'll get back to that soon.

And, yes...Killian is being such a sweet baby and very supportive of his mommy. He has not left my side (or the room I am in) since this started.

My mommy...

Killian, here! My mommy is not feeling good today - so I told her I would write on her blog today. She had to go to the hospital last night cause she had a reaction to some medication that she had taken a couple of days ago...and it still wasn't out of her system.

She wants everyone to know she is fine - just really tired out...and she should be as good as new in the next few days. But today, I am making her relax and watching over her. She is allowed to knit, watch tv, and read ONLY!

Everyone have a good Sunday...

Lazy Saturday...

Came home about an hour ago from a wonderful morning out at my quilt guild's Saturday Sewing Day! I had so missed those days and not being able to go...so, it was Grand!

Worked on Tara's (my daughter) quilt - actually began the hand quilting...I worked on it for an hour...and I didn't get a lot done...think I am planning on keeping track to see how long it takes me to hand quilt it.

The rest of today will be "therapy day" as Scarlett used to call it...that is the day that I take all my recent fabric purchases and wash and iron them...I love having my fabric washed and ironed - that way when I want to begin a new project - I just grab fabric and go for it!

Might do a little reading - and then this evening think I'll knit a bit on a pair of socks I am making for a friend...or might continue to hand quilt on the quilt.

Just might be able to rent Across the Universe. Really want to see that - especially after seeing a couple of reviews on it...and a You Tube rendition of "Oh, Darling"...

Have a good Saturday...

C is for Cats...

Cats have always shared my life...
My boy - Killian - 11 years old.
My daughter's cat - Sherman (about 2 years old now)
My daughter's other cat - Buster - 11 years old.

Additionally, when I moved to New Hampshire four other wonderful cats came with me.

Wanderer and Zeus - sister and brother who were about five years old when we arrived here. We lost Wanderer after we had been here a couple of years.

Apollo - a rescue from our home in Tennessee - he was a sick kitty and helped him regain his strength. As a reward to me - he never left and we ended up bringing him to New Hampshire with us.

Flood - Scarlett's mother's cat who ended up with us because her husband wouldn't let her keep her.

Zeus, Apollo, and Flood were relocated when I moved into my apartment as I could only have one animal. They are living the "good life" as barn cats in huge heated barns!

C is for Chocolate...

C is for Chocolate!

Of course, it is!

Especially, today!!!!

On a recent day trip I ended up here. And, where might this be...A wonderful little shop called L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates. Charming, isn't it? And, filled with wonderful chocolates!
The shop is located in the little town of Walpole, about 20 miles from my home. Not only is there the chocolate shop - but, they have a really nice restaurant as well as the factory where the chocolate is made. I don't think the factory is on these premises - if I remember correctly there was an article that I read that said they built a new factory. Oh, and they offer a four-day chocolate cooking workshop.This would be Ashleigh who took care of my selections and fixed me a cup of their wonderful hot chocolate! Yummy!!!!
And, more chocolates to look at...
And, the above is my most favorite from there...this yummy milk chocolate bar with hazelnuts!

They ship - just sayin'...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

The Me and You MEME...

Shephard over at Shephard's Alley had this fun little MEME going...and I thought I'd play...(He created the logo for the game, too - he's good at that kind of stuff!!!!)

Here's how it works:

1. I’ll respond with something random about you.

2. I’ll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.

3. I’ll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle you in.

4. I’ll say something that only makes sense to you and me. (if possible!)

5. I’ll tell you my first memory of you.

6. I’ll tell you what animal you remind me of.

7. I’ll ask you something I’ve always wondered about you.

8. If you ask to play, it would be great if you posted the answers and continued this meme... but I won't hold you to it if that keeps you from playing.

Here are Shephard's answers for me:

1. I admire people who can make/create artistic & useful things.

2. "How to Make an American Quilt" (movie, 1995) of course!

3. I make it a point not to wrestle in jello w/people I haven't known a year.

4. I haven't quite known you long enough yet. :)

5. Your creativity.

6. A butterfly, for its color and its transformation. :)

7. If you were a quilt, what color and pattern would you be?

If I were a quilt I would be a scrappy quilt - with a pattern pretty much like the one pictured below (it is a quilt I am handquilting for my daughter). I have such a love for color and there are just so many beautiful fabrics around that I would want to use them all...and a scrappy quilt is the only way to do that...

If *you* want to play, leave me a comment (my answers will appear under this post and the word UPDATE):

UPDATE:

Janet:

1) I was drawn to your blog by your Friday Fill-in and What is it Wednesday?.
2) Lord of the Rings (cause you just went and spent a day or so having a marathon viewing session!)
3) I don't know about wrestling in the jello - but, sharing a nice bowl of Raspberry jello would be nice as it would be healthier than the other snacks we consume.
4) Any season except Mud Season and Winter - we can drive like bats out of hell! YEA!
5) My first memory of you was seeing your gorgeous photography! I've seen some incredible photography on your blog...the Thursday 13 this week was mind blowing!!!!
6) The animal that reminds me of you would have to be a wolf. I'm not real sure I can define why - but it's what I felt the first time your dogs were mentioned and I didn't know at the time that one of them was named Wolf!
7) The question I would have for you is: When I read your blog, comments, and e-mails I get the feeling that you are in your 20s or early 30s but I'm not sure because you also have a wisdom about you that comes with an age that would be older than that. Am I close? And, you don't have to answer that where everyone else can see your answer if you don't want to or give me an exact age...

Birthday package arrived!...

I have the best friends in the world...Susan over at Red Dirt Knitter sent me this great quilting book...and I love it! I am so excited about making some of the things that are in it...a lot of them look like great fun...

The card is awesome too...love the photo on it...

Thanks, Susan! You just brought tons of smiles to my face....

I'm In Love...

With Him! Is he not adorable??? Just finished reading this book: Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World by Juliana, Isabella, and Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Gerald R. Uhlich.

This is the story of a little polar bear born in the Zoo Berlin whose mother could not care for him and how Thomas Dorflein, a bear keeper at the zoo, became his foster father and helped raise him. The book is only 36 pages long and full of photographs.

I am sure it is a children's book - but I loved it!!!!

Veggie Cooking...

Title: Serving up The Harvest: Celebrating the Goodness of Fresh Vegetables
Author: Andrea Chesman
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Pages: 500
ISBN: 13: 978-1-58017-663-7

This book is AWESOME!

For starters, other than a few favorite vegetables, I don't eat them. And, I need to be more flexible in my diet and learn to eat more things. During the months when the Farmers' Markets abound here veggies are plentiful. Not only that but they look good, smell good, and just almost seem to beg you to take them home and cook them.

Contents:

The book starts off with an introduction section which features a few words about the book and her acknowledgements. Then it has two chapters:

1) The well-stocked Pantry deals with the staples that you should have in your home: broth, oils, vinegars, condiments and sauces and nuts, lemons, etc. She includes twelve recipes for making your own.

2) Mastering the Basics: Methods and Recipes...includes the information about the basic way of cooking vegetables. Included are fourteen recipes (such as: basic stir fry, fettuccine alfredo with vegetables) that can be used quickly when the bounty is overwhelming.

The book is then divided into the following sections:

Spring into Summer
Early to Mid-Summer
Mid to Late Summer
Fall into Winter

Each section is then broken down by vegetable. For instance Spring into Summer includes:
Asparagus, Peas, Spinach, and Salad Greens.

Each vegetable is then given its own section with information about how it is grown and harvested, math, kitchen notes, nutrition notes, and timing.

The math section for asparagus reads: 1 pound = 20 spears, 1 pound = 3 cups chopped

Recipes for fixing the vegetable are mixed in with other tidbits of information like history or other practical advice.

The section for the Salad greens not only includes different recipes for salads but for making different dressings too.

The Appendix includes a chapter on Preserving the Harvest and a Resources and Suppliers section.

The recipes look really tasty - and the info facts are interesting to read. This is one of those books that one can read as well as use for cooking. It is a welcome addition to my cookbook shelf. Maybe now I won't be too afraid to try Parsnips or eggplant...

Shopping Day...

Off I went this morning - to the quilt shop! And, the yarn shop! And even managed to treat myself to breakfast (at Noon) at Denny's!

The quilt shop was so fun...and I bought some really pretty fabrics...wanna see?

The yarn shop yielded this little item - since I sometimes don't feel like dragging out the swift and the ball winder...and setting it all up...Update: This little item is a hand held ball winder - (boy, i hope that doesn't get some weird google searches!) Didn't think to say what it was!

Talked with my daughter for a little over an hour and it was so fun!

All in all - a nice day!

And, for those of you who have e-mailed or commented on wanting info on the new cookbook - I'm planning on reviewing it tomorrow.

We've had snow falling since about 1 pm today - and it is still falling...

Can We Say Breathe?...

Today started out easy enough - up at 7:30, bathe, get ready to go to doctor's appointment, PCSP arrives to take care of mom...and I head out.

Left at 9:30 as my new doctor's office is about 45 minutes away...it seems strange going to a doctor in another town. Guess cause when I lived in Tampa, my doctor's office was in Tampa - even though it took me 45 minutes to an hour to get there because of traffic I never thought it was far...so why do I think it is far when I go to see my doctor in another town that is 45 minutes away?

The drive was just beyond beautiful ... lots of icy trees (which I had planned on taking photos of on my way back) and snowy areas. I arrived in time...

We talked about my thyroid and how I am just so tired all the time...and we looked at my test results which were like 100 times more than what they should be...actually it should be a 5 or below...mine is 49.7 to be precise. So, I am to take my thyroid medicine and we will retest in eight weeks!

Then she mentioned that she would like to do a CT scan to see if the pain I keep describing is kidney stones (which I am not at all thrilled to think I have)...so, she went to have her office manager schedule an appointment at the hospital.

I was getting everything together and fixing to have more blood drawn (the woman is a Vampire!) to check about the kidney stones...when I am told that they will do the CT scan at 11:45. And, I have this look on my face like "What day? - Today...

It is now 11:20 - the hospital is 9 miles to the exit of the interstate and then another 3 or 4 miles up the road...Did I mention there was white stuff on the ground???

Not to mention that the sitter is only supposed to stay with mother until 1 - and the hospital is an hour from home...so, I called the sitter and asked if she could stay a little longer and she said she could - until 2:00.

It all got done! And, I arrived home to find out that Mother's nursing service had called to say that they goofed up and double booked the person who was supposed to bathe her today at 12:30 - and did I want them to send someone today 0r tomorrow? Mother is saying - when is that girl coming to give me a bath????

So, before I can catch my breath from getting home from the rushed trip to the hospital for the CT scan - I'm on the phone telling the Nursing service that they have f***ed up this entire week with the bath thing...no one came on Monday (they came on Tuesday); Wedneday - she was an hour and a half late; and then today no show! So, I wanted someone at my house in FIVE minutes to give my mother a bath...because she was all upset that she had not had her bath yet. (They arrived - 15 minutes later and Mom got her bath!!!)

It's been a day! Tomorrow I am going up to the quilt store to spend the gift certificate they sent me for my birthday...It's really nice of them ... but, then they know we go up there and spend more!!! That's just the way it is.

Hmmmm...and I just might stop at the Yarn shop next door while I'm there...

And, now, I'm off to bed (I know - it's only 9:30) to relax and read for a little while...

Yesterday...

What a wonderful day yesterday was! Thanks to all of you who sent birthday wishes either on the blog, e-mail, or snail mail! It was wonderful!!!!

My daughter called and left a message - so, it was wonderful to hear her voice...even though we didn't get to "talk".

Scarlett took me to dinner at one of my most favorite restaurants...Lui Lui! And, I think I ate way too much!!! For starters they bring these wonderful hard crust rolls and a bottle of olive oil with fresh herbs for dipping...

I chose a Scalloppini dish - 2 huge hand pounded and pan sauteed chicken breasts with fresh mushrooms and fresh gorgeous lobster...in this wonderful marsala wine sauce served with a huge side of penne covered with alfredo sauce (I asked for alfredo because I don't like marinara sauce as well). Dinner also came with a big Caesar salad. For dessert, I had a brownie with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce over it... It was all good! Really good!!!

For presents I got the following:

Lovely fat quarters - actually the one with tulips was used as the wrapping paper.

This photo of the fabric is actually better...it shows the colors of the batik clearer.

I have been wanting this book since I saw it over at Storey Publishing. Really trying to eat better and thought it would help me with learning ways to cook veggies. In just glancing over it I noticed that it has a lot more information other than just recipes...so, I am looking so forward to using it!

As we were walking out of the restaurant it started to flurry ... and when we came out of Best Buy (right down the street from the restaurant) having only been in there less than ten minutes we were in the middle of a full-fledged snow storm. As we got closer to Claremont it started turning to that icy rain stuff...but woke up this morning to snow...and it is still snowing...

Mom and my sister gave me some money which I am spending for a couple of knitting accessories that I have been wanting...and for some fabric or yarn or books...(not that I need any of those items!)

All in all - a Great Day!!!!

Sixty-two...

Today's the day! Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

I'm Sixty-two.

OMG, I can remember when 62 was just damn ancient in my "little girl eyes" of years long gone by.

What is sixty-two supposed to feel like? I don't feel any different today than yesterday...or even ten years ago for that matter.

Woke up and looked in the mirror - and other than I had the hairdo from hell - I didn't look any different. Actually, I am very lucky - I have my mother's complexion - and my skin is soft and fairly wrinkle free (unless I frown) - I do have laugh lines (as you can see in the photo below). But those are a good thing!!!

This photo was taken in October 2006 while I was out in Arizona visiting my daughter, Tara.

Yoga...Meditation...and Respite...

Yoga class tonight...and I am looking forward to it...should be lots of fun!!!! (I hope)

I missed meditation class last week because I couldn't find it...but, now I know where it is!!! And, will be there on Thursday. Can hardly wait ... it sounds so fun and wonderful. Plus it is a very small group - maybe two or three of us!!!

Have some respite days left this year...that must be used up before July 1. So, I am thinking about taking off for five days - Monday through Friday - leaving to come home on a Saturday.

Thinking about going here! For this one I would take the train.

Or maybe going here and here since they are fairly close to each other...I more interested in the first city because I want to spend some time here. This one I would drive to and stop and see a few friends along the way.

So, what do you all think?

I'm Cool...

Killian here...I'm back today.

She's in a ditzy mood! Something about a birthday and something called Social Security! She's like "I can't be this old already - I don't feel like I'm supposed to be on Social Security..." Please!!! (Rolls eyes - see photo below)

But, that's not what is so cool...Elizabeth over at Open Air Photo came by and took all these great shots of me. Handsome, huh?
This is me and my blankie...no, it's None of your Beezwax...can't a guy have some privacy??? Really!
Here I am - ever the elegant gentleman!
But, if you think you're gonna steal that treat off her knee - you better think again...it's mine! All mine!! Hey, I got you in view out of the corner of my eye!!!
Anyway, so you know - it's not a sad thing about her birthday this coming Wednesday (6th) - she just thinks, acts and actually looks younger than she is...And, I gotta tell you - she's a good Mom!!!

Rushed Day...

Yesterday and today just seemed to end up running into each other! And, right now it is 7:35 p.m. and I have no idea where the day went! Haven't really accomplished much! Other than organize stuff in order to pay the bills for the month. Oh, I did knit on a pair of socks for myself for a couple of hours.

Think the problem is getting adjusted to the new schedule...and the new people who are now in and out of our home. It has been like revolving doors - but, once we get a schedule I am sure it will all merge better.

Managed to do a couple of things on my Commitment to Loveliness - like eat better snacks! So far this week I've eaten 4 mangos, half an apple (I don't really like raw apples and I never realized that!), a couple of bananas, a handful of blueberries and some cinnamon toast. Did buy some celery, wheat bread, and almonds for snacks.

Also managed to finish off my bag of chips with French Onion dip! Not buying any more chips...unless they are the Organic Blue tortilla chips that I love from Target. But, since Target is an hour away don't see them in my future too often.

And, I did keep my doctor's appointment...and I have another one for this Friday. What can I say!

3rd Annual Poetry Reading...

As my friend, Sandy, reminded me ... today is Third Annual Poetry Reading. This is one of my most favorite poems!

ANNABELLE LEE

Author: Edgar Allan Poe

It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea;
But we loved with a love that was more than love -
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulcher
In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me
Yes! that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we
Of many far wiser than we
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride,
In the sepulcher there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

Relaxing...

This is the perfect day to relax...watch movies...knit...and read. The weather is a bit of a mess! Had to go walk the dogs this morning which meant I moved a sheet of ice and snow mixture off of my windshield...and it all came off in one big chuck!

Last night I fixed tomato pie for dinner and as always made way too much...so, it will be available for dinner tonight...and I am glad as it is warm and filling.

So as soon as I put the laundry into the dryer I plan on starting one of the following movies:

Underdog
Guilty By Suspicion
Bridge to Terabithia
Edge of the Earth Corner of the Sky (DVD) and CD Rom

Everyone have a great day...

Many Changes On The Homefront...

I am sure that you have noticed that I am suddenly into taking some classes to help me relax and get some exercise...and to ease your mind (or not depending on if you were concerned or not) - there isn't anything seriously wrong...just some life altering events have been happening and the way that I live my life has been altered.

As most of you know I am the caregiver to my mom, who is 91 (!) and counting...

For the last couple of years she has attended a wonderful program called Adult Day Out! She would go in the morning and return in the afternoon...leaving me time during the day to do things that needed to be done to run a household, care for myself, and get some relaxation in.

In December all that changed. She suddenly started refusing to go to the Day Out Program. I think she might have gone six or eight days the entire month...January was the same.

The problem with that scenario was that I had no one to watch her so that I could leave the house - other than for the 3 hours a week that her housekeeper was here. So, I would dash off to go to the library, post office, grocery and whatever for those three hours and dash back! We were together 24/7 for weeks on end...

It also meant she was not getting any exercise - or getting really good baths - or relating to anyone other than me. And, as it is with most caregivers who are family - the patient does not seem to always think that they have to listen to you.

Finally, her case manager and I decided it was time to move all her services to the house...and to not try and force her to go to day out as that just caused a huge fight!

So, now beginning the 28th of January -

she has a nurse who comes once a month;

a housekeeper who comes twice a week for three hours; (her main responsibility is to wash all the laundry mother seems to generate because she likes to change clothes several times a day!!! Not because they are dirty - but because she wants to... and keep her room tidy);

an LNA who comes 3 times a week to give her a bath and take her for a walk (right now we are walking the halls and climbing one set of stairs - in good weather - she will get to go outside); and,

a Personal Care Service Provider - who sits, visits, and cares for her for 16 hours a week so I can go and do some of the things that make my life better...(like my quilt guild, doctor's appointments, a ride in the country)...and,

already in just the first week things have become so much better!!! She is much happier because she sees someone other than me...and she feels like someone other than me cares about her.

We finally figured out why she didn't want to go back to Day Out - seems her best friend there died and her favorite nurse left...so, she was feeling very lonely!!!

I am most relieved and happy...because she is getting care; she is where she is wanted and wants to be and where she is loved; and we are both having some of our needs met!

Oh...and I got a note from my doctor today - "Your thyroid function is way off! Take your Synthyroid as we discussed and we will re-evaluate in 8 weeks!" No wonder I am so tired!!!!