Yesterday was the worst day of my post surgical experience. I knew it would be. I remembered the staple removal from three years before and it was painful.
It was still painful, but not quite as bad as I remembered. There were a couple of really ouchy places, one little staple bled, but overall, the scar looks very good, better than the one from 2 years ago. Last night I had to get a bandaid as the lower edge of the scar was pulling apart, slightly. The other scar had several places where it separated slightly, but they healed fine. I have Strei-strips coming from Amazon tomorrow so I can stabilize that area better.
There is pain, still, in the new knee. Most of the time it is very minor. Other times, it is a tad more ouchy. I am taking Tramadol three or four times a day. It seems to keep it at bay. I keep thinking it should be feeling better by now, but at this same point three years ago, I was still in the rehab facility and getting regular pain meds. The doctors and PT people all seem to think I am doing really well.
I walk more with a cane than the walker. I did drive on Tuesday so I could go and vote. It went well but I could not take the pain killer, so I will be doing driving in between pain meds and trying to go out and do several things all at one trip.
But baby steps. I slept for three hours after driving for about 10 miles total and spending a few minutes voting. My body knows that something major was done and requires lots, more rest.
Appointment on Monday to start outpatient Physical Therapy. Now the hard, vigorous work begins. Light after the end of a hard tunnel!!!
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Two Weeks Out.....
Well, I am still here.
First, Rob was a wonderful help to me. I could never have come home directly from the hospital without him here. While he was busy with a data project for the International Tai Chi Society, all I had to do was ask and I had water or food or ice for my knee. I felt much more comfortable getting up and moving with him here. I knew if I had trouble, he would be there.
I had issues. Constipation was one. I began managing my pain better, but the medication clogged me up. So prunes and extra water and laxatives took care of it. Not a fun thing. I also found that my bladder was not as strong as before, so I was not able to wait as long to hit the bathroom. Oh the joys of getting older and having surgery.
But the good news is that all of the potty issues have been resolved and I think I can now begin to think about going out in public, briefly, without the fear of shame.
I have stopped the Oxycodone. I am now doing Tramadol which seems to be doing more to take away the pain. I am managing an 80 degree bend in the knee with my in-home therapy guy, Gerry. He went back into my old records (he was in home three years ago) and it took closer to 9 weeks to achieve the 80 degree bed with my right knee.
The church ladies have been bringing in meals every other day or so. Rob was happy to not have to cook. We have had some lovely meals. Some very talented cooks at Parkesburg Mennonite. Still have a few to come and then I should be able to handle it all myself.
Staples come out this Wednesday. Wendy Kennel will be taking me. I think I could have driven, but I remember how painful it was three years ago and how queasy I felt after, so I asked her to drive me. But this week I will be venturing out on my own, as the doctor has said only 2 weeks without driving this time. But I will have to stop the pain med when I want to drive. I will have to make the trips all in one morning or afternoon, depending how much pain I am having.
So, I am thinking I am doing well.
Sheila was here for several hours this weekend. She jump started laundry by striping Rob's bed after he left. (It was in the basement and I am not too sure about a full flight of stairs.) She also helped move from things and helped with the dogs. She is a wonderful friend who has gone above and beyond!! I am blessed!
So, keep prayers coming for continued healing and good results from therapy.
First, Rob was a wonderful help to me. I could never have come home directly from the hospital without him here. While he was busy with a data project for the International Tai Chi Society, all I had to do was ask and I had water or food or ice for my knee. I felt much more comfortable getting up and moving with him here. I knew if I had trouble, he would be there.
I had issues. Constipation was one. I began managing my pain better, but the medication clogged me up. So prunes and extra water and laxatives took care of it. Not a fun thing. I also found that my bladder was not as strong as before, so I was not able to wait as long to hit the bathroom. Oh the joys of getting older and having surgery.
But the good news is that all of the potty issues have been resolved and I think I can now begin to think about going out in public, briefly, without the fear of shame.
I have stopped the Oxycodone. I am now doing Tramadol which seems to be doing more to take away the pain. I am managing an 80 degree bend in the knee with my in-home therapy guy, Gerry. He went back into my old records (he was in home three years ago) and it took closer to 9 weeks to achieve the 80 degree bed with my right knee.
The church ladies have been bringing in meals every other day or so. Rob was happy to not have to cook. We have had some lovely meals. Some very talented cooks at Parkesburg Mennonite. Still have a few to come and then I should be able to handle it all myself.
Staples come out this Wednesday. Wendy Kennel will be taking me. I think I could have driven, but I remember how painful it was three years ago and how queasy I felt after, so I asked her to drive me. But this week I will be venturing out on my own, as the doctor has said only 2 weeks without driving this time. But I will have to stop the pain med when I want to drive. I will have to make the trips all in one morning or afternoon, depending how much pain I am having.
So, I am thinking I am doing well.
Sheila was here for several hours this weekend. She jump started laundry by striping Rob's bed after he left. (It was in the basement and I am not too sure about a full flight of stairs.) She also helped move from things and helped with the dogs. She is a wonderful friend who has gone above and beyond!! I am blessed!
So, keep prayers coming for continued healing and good results from therapy.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
OMG, it hurts...
So, all of the professionals say I am doing fine.
Then why am I in so much pain?
I know it did not hurt this much last time and I have been trying to figure out what went wrong.
Today I had two lovely nurses arrive early to remove my "silver" dressing from the incision. A new bandage to me. Looked so substantial that I was able to shower with it on. I was afraid it would be very, very difficult to remove. I was wrong!! Stuck like crazy but peeled off with ease, no pulling, no tugging and no pain!
So we talked about the pain. I almost called Rob in the basement to come up and take me somewhere. Turns out he was awake as his phone had sent him and active shooter alert for the University campus in Fairbanks. So he had been awakened and remained awake for a couple of hours. Had I known, we could have been awake together.
I have acknowledged that I did go into rehab the last time, so I was wheeled around in a wheelchair early on. But these two ladies hit on the issue and through this day, I proved their theory correct. In the hospital and in rehab, nurses were dispensing my meds, So I was getting evenly spaced doses of pain medication. The last few days, I had taken one in the morning and one before bed. I needed to be taking a couple more in between.
So, in addition to the bandage removal which always makes my leg feels better, I timed the taking of additional oxycodone evenly throughout the day. I was amazingly walking without nearly the pain I have felt since being released. May have found the key.
If so, then I will be much happier sending Rob home on Thursday. Honestly, I have no idea how I would have made it through the last few days without him. He has been gracious and concerned and patient with my needs. He has shown his concern for my lack of progress and I hope my new found progress will show over the next three+ days so he can head home knowing that I will be fine.
Keep reading.... I will keep you updated!
Then why am I in so much pain?
I know it did not hurt this much last time and I have been trying to figure out what went wrong.
Today I had two lovely nurses arrive early to remove my "silver" dressing from the incision. A new bandage to me. Looked so substantial that I was able to shower with it on. I was afraid it would be very, very difficult to remove. I was wrong!! Stuck like crazy but peeled off with ease, no pulling, no tugging and no pain!
So we talked about the pain. I almost called Rob in the basement to come up and take me somewhere. Turns out he was awake as his phone had sent him and active shooter alert for the University campus in Fairbanks. So he had been awakened and remained awake for a couple of hours. Had I known, we could have been awake together.
I have acknowledged that I did go into rehab the last time, so I was wheeled around in a wheelchair early on. But these two ladies hit on the issue and through this day, I proved their theory correct. In the hospital and in rehab, nurses were dispensing my meds, So I was getting evenly spaced doses of pain medication. The last few days, I had taken one in the morning and one before bed. I needed to be taking a couple more in between.
So, in addition to the bandage removal which always makes my leg feels better, I timed the taking of additional oxycodone evenly throughout the day. I was amazingly walking without nearly the pain I have felt since being released. May have found the key.
If so, then I will be much happier sending Rob home on Thursday. Honestly, I have no idea how I would have made it through the last few days without him. He has been gracious and concerned and patient with my needs. He has shown his concern for my lack of progress and I hope my new found progress will show over the next three+ days so he can head home knowing that I will be fine.
Keep reading.... I will keep you updated!
Thursday, October 27, 2016
All Over but the rehab...
Monday, Marge Krumrine took me into the hospital when the planned ride had to back off. Checked in by 7:00 AM. Prepped, questioned and taken to the surgical suite at 9:00 AM. Marge waited with my suitcase. 45 minute procedure... cut, saw and glue clean up, staple and to recovery.
In my room just before lunch.
Turkey sandwich and chicken soup for lunch, then rehab visited and I was up on my feet with one very sore knee.
Dinner, and sleep.
Day two, slow removal of tubes. Drain in my knee, cath, IV. etc. Great food all day. Two sessions of rehab. Doctors in and doctors out.
Fitful sleep. One ca never get good rest in a hospital, regardless of how good it is! And Lancaster General is top notch.
Breakfast. Surgeon says, go home. Go to PT, PT and OT say go home. Medical comes in. Waiting on urine test, but they say go home.
Rob landed last night.
He headed to Lancaster with Marge Krumrine in tow to lead the way. Rob made a wrong turn, did a U-turn, but not used to the length of the van and scraped along the passenger side rea, so that will have to be fixed. Minor really but he is devastated.
Picked me up, got my pain meds and therapy helpers from pharmacy.
Visitors, Jim Kennel twice, Bob Kettering twice.
In the house with walker. Dinner delivered by Parmalle and Noah Hershey. Rob is there for me and very accommodating.
Visiting Nurse and Home PT guy in today. Schedule to begin getting back on solid ground.
I am blessed!!!
In my room just before lunch.
Turkey sandwich and chicken soup for lunch, then rehab visited and I was up on my feet with one very sore knee.
Dinner, and sleep.
Day two, slow removal of tubes. Drain in my knee, cath, IV. etc. Great food all day. Two sessions of rehab. Doctors in and doctors out.
Fitful sleep. One ca never get good rest in a hospital, regardless of how good it is! And Lancaster General is top notch.
Breakfast. Surgeon says, go home. Go to PT, PT and OT say go home. Medical comes in. Waiting on urine test, but they say go home.
Rob landed last night.
He headed to Lancaster with Marge Krumrine in tow to lead the way. Rob made a wrong turn, did a U-turn, but not used to the length of the van and scraped along the passenger side rea, so that will have to be fixed. Minor really but he is devastated.
Picked me up, got my pain meds and therapy helpers from pharmacy.
Visitors, Jim Kennel twice, Bob Kettering twice.
In the house with walker. Dinner delivered by Parmalle and Noah Hershey. Rob is there for me and very accommodating.
Visiting Nurse and Home PT guy in today. Schedule to begin getting back on solid ground.
I am blessed!!!
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Surgery On Monday
I am all prepped. House clean. Rob coming on Tuesday. Left knee replaced tomorrow.
Prayers, please!!
Prayers, please!!
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Gathering stuff for the trip....
Today was yet another day of gathering things for the trip. Since Sheila has warned me about trying load the van myself, I am just gathering and making piles. And yikes, I am taking so much stuff. But I will be sewing and we are tie dyeing, so all of that stuff is going. It just seems like a great deal of stuff.
And now it is raining. And it is supposed to be hard rain tomorrow!
And now there is a possible Hurricane that may come up the coast this week. I have been watching Invest 97L is now Tropical Storm Mathew. Some of the early guesses for tracks have it coming up the coastline. I was hoping it would go off into the Gulf, but NOOOOOOO, it is heading up the coast. Hopefully it will veer out to sea like all of the other ones have done!!!
So lots of prayers going to keep the storm away from us. Will you say one for us as well?
Tomorrow, I may start packing the lighter stuff in between raindrops.
And now it is raining. And it is supposed to be hard rain tomorrow!
And now there is a possible Hurricane that may come up the coast this week. I have been watching Invest 97L is now Tropical Storm Mathew. Some of the early guesses for tracks have it coming up the coastline. I was hoping it would go off into the Gulf, but NOOOOOOO, it is heading up the coast. Hopefully it will veer out to sea like all of the other ones have done!!!
So lots of prayers going to keep the storm away from us. Will you say one for us as well?
Tomorrow, I may start packing the lighter stuff in between raindrops.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
A Hard Day's Work....
Today was a long day for me.
The dogs had me up around 7:30 AM. Out they went and I fed them. Curled back in bed to finish watching an episode of West Wing on Netflix that I had been watching last night and darn, didn't I fall asleep again. I have been doing that quite a bit since coming home, so I am guessing my jet lag is still playing nasty game with my body.
Woke up again around 9:30 AM. So I dressed and got my day going. Printed out some rosters, cell phone lists and my medical info for the trip. Then I headed to the basement to start sorting the stuff for the OBX Retreat. It has been a while since I have been downstairs. My knee has been hurting so and doing steps is not good for it. So I have not been downstairs much since getting back from Fancy Gap. But the majority of my fabrics, patterns and projects are there.
So I turned on the TV and started going through bags that have made there way to Camp Parkesburg. I really need to do some major sorting and cleaning up down there. But it is going to have to wait until after my knee replacement on October 24th and the rehab that will make me feel more steady on my stairs. I found all kinds of fabrics that I knew I had gotten but had not gotten together in like groups.
So I am trying to decide what I want to bring along to work on. I always take way more than I can get done. So I may take one big project ( Bargello Quilt) and then little projects (Bow Ties, Mug Rugs,) and the Stitch N Fold Christmas wreaths. Sounds like plenty. I want to leave time for the pool and the hot tub. Especially the hot tub. That should feel really good on my knee.
Sheila had called today to ask a question about getting her strips together for her Bargello Quilt. Then she called back and TOLD me not to do any heavy lifting to load the van. She will be coming over Thursday after work with a pizza and will help me load the van. So I will only have a couple of days to get ready. I really could have done it, but she is concerned about my knees and so I will give in and let her help me!!!
So I have been doing laundry today. I had to the strip the bed in the basement. Rob will be coming in on October 25th to help me with recovery from my surgery. So I washed those sheets. I also took the time to replace the dehumidifier in that room. The old one got zapped by a recent electrical storm. So, I removed the drain hose from the old one and put the new one in place. It will make that room nice.
The tee shirts arrived from Atlantic Coast Cotton. The gals will be tie dyeing shirts on Sunday and Monday. I ordered the shirts and they had to be pre-washed in Synthropol to remove any of the stuff that was on them from the manufacturing. So, they are in the dryer and I will fold them, put them in bags for the trip south.
It was also "put out the trash day". so I was gathering things to go out. I had boxes from a few deliveries this week. The big box from the dehumidifier and two bags of trash. I took time to watch the new season of NCIS and then the new series BULL with Michael Weatherly who used to play Tony DiNuzzo on NCIS. So the trash did not get out front until around midnight.
So, now I am finally ready to go to bed.... no wonder I can sleep in until after 9:00 AM.... staying up until 1:00 AM! Good Night!!!!
The dogs had me up around 7:30 AM. Out they went and I fed them. Curled back in bed to finish watching an episode of West Wing on Netflix that I had been watching last night and darn, didn't I fall asleep again. I have been doing that quite a bit since coming home, so I am guessing my jet lag is still playing nasty game with my body.
Woke up again around 9:30 AM. So I dressed and got my day going. Printed out some rosters, cell phone lists and my medical info for the trip. Then I headed to the basement to start sorting the stuff for the OBX Retreat. It has been a while since I have been downstairs. My knee has been hurting so and doing steps is not good for it. So I have not been downstairs much since getting back from Fancy Gap. But the majority of my fabrics, patterns and projects are there.
So I turned on the TV and started going through bags that have made there way to Camp Parkesburg. I really need to do some major sorting and cleaning up down there. But it is going to have to wait until after my knee replacement on October 24th and the rehab that will make me feel more steady on my stairs. I found all kinds of fabrics that I knew I had gotten but had not gotten together in like groups.
So I am trying to decide what I want to bring along to work on. I always take way more than I can get done. So I may take one big project ( Bargello Quilt) and then little projects (Bow Ties, Mug Rugs,) and the Stitch N Fold Christmas wreaths. Sounds like plenty. I want to leave time for the pool and the hot tub. Especially the hot tub. That should feel really good on my knee.
Sheila had called today to ask a question about getting her strips together for her Bargello Quilt. Then she called back and TOLD me not to do any heavy lifting to load the van. She will be coming over Thursday after work with a pizza and will help me load the van. So I will only have a couple of days to get ready. I really could have done it, but she is concerned about my knees and so I will give in and let her help me!!!
So I have been doing laundry today. I had to the strip the bed in the basement. Rob will be coming in on October 25th to help me with recovery from my surgery. So I washed those sheets. I also took the time to replace the dehumidifier in that room. The old one got zapped by a recent electrical storm. So, I removed the drain hose from the old one and put the new one in place. It will make that room nice.
The tee shirts arrived from Atlantic Coast Cotton. The gals will be tie dyeing shirts on Sunday and Monday. I ordered the shirts and they had to be pre-washed in Synthropol to remove any of the stuff that was on them from the manufacturing. So, they are in the dryer and I will fold them, put them in bags for the trip south.
It was also "put out the trash day". so I was gathering things to go out. I had boxes from a few deliveries this week. The big box from the dehumidifier and two bags of trash. I took time to watch the new season of NCIS and then the new series BULL with Michael Weatherly who used to play Tony DiNuzzo on NCIS. So the trash did not get out front until around midnight.
So, now I am finally ready to go to bed.... no wonder I can sleep in until after 9:00 AM.... staying up until 1:00 AM! Good Night!!!!
Monday, September 26, 2016
Trying to get my sleep patterns back to normal....
Wow... I had a wonderful time in Alaska with my son.. Rob... and his wife... Kate....! They entertained me with fun events, interesting dining and new experiences. Then I had an equally wonderful time with my son, Brian, in Minneapolis. While he had to go to work every day, we had many lovely evenings when we either ate out or where he cooked wonderful meals... from scratch... inspiring me to try harder in my own cooking. He also fed my addiction to fabrics by taking me to S.R. Harris outlet where I found some beautiful fabrics for some of my projects.
But I am now home. I have been sluggishly trying to get back into my normal time zone from being either one hour to four hours off of my normal time. I can feel my age these days as I just cannot seem to get into the swing.
So I find myself being so tired in the morning and then getting some energy in the late afernoon and staying up later than usual.
However, I am making strides.
This week I am back in packing mode. I am preparing to head to the Outer Banks on Saturday with seven of my closest friends for crafting and sewing and fun. So I have begun gathering foods and getting laundry done and today, I have rearranged the set up in the van so there will be room for sewing machines and material and clothing along with the dogs and their stuff.
I have started with another thing. I have been wearing a fitbit Flax for over a year. It usually is worn on your arm. I found a band that comfortably fits around my ankle and holds my fitbit so it is actually counting my actual steps. I am finding that I am actually walking more than the wrist was reading.
So, I am getting things back on track and also getting ready for my upcoming surgery!!!
But I am now home. I have been sluggishly trying to get back into my normal time zone from being either one hour to four hours off of my normal time. I can feel my age these days as I just cannot seem to get into the swing.
So I find myself being so tired in the morning and then getting some energy in the late afernoon and staying up later than usual.
However, I am making strides.
This week I am back in packing mode. I am preparing to head to the Outer Banks on Saturday with seven of my closest friends for crafting and sewing and fun. So I have begun gathering foods and getting laundry done and today, I have rearranged the set up in the van so there will be room for sewing machines and material and clothing along with the dogs and their stuff.
I have started with another thing. I have been wearing a fitbit Flax for over a year. It usually is worn on your arm. I found a band that comfortably fits around my ankle and holds my fitbit so it is actually counting my actual steps. I am finding that I am actually walking more than the wrist was reading.
So, I am getting things back on track and also getting ready for my upcoming surgery!!!
Friday, September 9, 2016
All is well in Alaska
It has been a while since I posted. But I am away from my normal surroundings and visiting my son, Rob, and his wife, Kate, in Fairbanks.
It has been a fun and very busy week. I kept telling them that I did not need to be entertained, but si far we have had things to do each and everyday.
I have dyed fabric scarves, had souvlaki at Pioneer Park and watched a Tai Chi demo in the rain. Rob has given me basic instructions on Pokemon GO.
The next day was quiet but with Tai Chi classes in Fairbanks in the evening.
The following day we toured an Antique Car and Clothing Museum that was outstanding. Then we headed out for dinner at the Silver Gulch in Fox, AK. before heading home to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. See the Northern Lights has been on my bucket list since the kids moved to Alaska, so I was hoping for a nice view. It was clear but not overly formed, so I am hoping for another clear night before we leave on Sunday morning.
If you want to see any of the things I am doing, you can check out my travel web site at: http://2016alaska-minnesotaadventure.weebly.com/
Sunday Kate and I will be on a plane for Seattle. There she heads south and I head to Minneapolis to see my youngest son, Brian. Just keep checking the web site for updates and I will try to post some here from Minneapolis.
Hope you are having a good week. I am!!!
It has been a fun and very busy week. I kept telling them that I did not need to be entertained, but si far we have had things to do each and everyday.
I have dyed fabric scarves, had souvlaki at Pioneer Park and watched a Tai Chi demo in the rain. Rob has given me basic instructions on Pokemon GO.
The next day was quiet but with Tai Chi classes in Fairbanks in the evening.
The following day we toured an Antique Car and Clothing Museum that was outstanding. Then we headed out for dinner at the Silver Gulch in Fox, AK. before heading home to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. See the Northern Lights has been on my bucket list since the kids moved to Alaska, so I was hoping for a nice view. It was clear but not overly formed, so I am hoping for another clear night before we leave on Sunday morning.
If you want to see any of the things I am doing, you can check out my travel web site at: http://2016alaska-minnesotaadventure.weebly.com/
Sunday Kate and I will be on a plane for Seattle. There she heads south and I head to Minneapolis to see my youngest son, Brian. Just keep checking the web site for updates and I will try to post some here from Minneapolis.
Hope you are having a good week. I am!!!
Friday, September 2, 2016
Final Push.... Not quite done, but ...
This was my last day to get things done. Stripped the bed and washed the bedding. While I was making the bed, my clothing was washing. Headed out to the bank, UPS store to return an Amazon purchase that arrived non-functional and to ship a box to J.J. before hitting Walmart for a couple of last minute things.
The dogs really seem to know that something is happening. They look at me with sad eyes when I leave and then follow me wherever I go when I am here. It will be very hard to leave them and know that they will be relying on someone else. But I am hoping for a joyous reunion on the 18th.
Deb arrived with a Taco Pizza for supper. It came from a pizza place in Gap/ It was very good. I would recommend it to anyone. Danny arrived shortly after. He came up tonight so he did not have to get up early in the morning. We will be leaving here between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM. I need to be at the airport no later than 6:30 AM to get to my flight by 8:30 AM. I have my boarding pass already for the entire day. I will be much happier when I am on the ground in Fairbanks after 16 hours in the air or at airports.
I set up a web site to follow along on my journey. The link is here: http://2016alaska-
In the meantime, I am going to try to get some sleep! Big day tomorrow.
The dogs really seem to know that something is happening. They look at me with sad eyes when I leave and then follow me wherever I go when I am here. It will be very hard to leave them and know that they will be relying on someone else. But I am hoping for a joyous reunion on the 18th.
Deb arrived with a Taco Pizza for supper. It came from a pizza place in Gap/ It was very good. I would recommend it to anyone. Danny arrived shortly after. He came up tonight so he did not have to get up early in the morning. We will be leaving here between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM. I need to be at the airport no later than 6:30 AM to get to my flight by 8:30 AM. I have my boarding pass already for the entire day. I will be much happier when I am on the ground in Fairbanks after 16 hours in the air or at airports.
I set up a web site to follow along on my journey. The link is here: http://2016alaska-
In the meantime, I am going to try to get some sleep! Big day tomorrow.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Busy, busy, and yes, busy...
My fitbit can tell you that I have been busy. My usual laid-back, almost lazy days find me lucky to have a little over 2,000 steps in a day. Recently it is closer to 4,000 per day and sometimes more.
I am leaving in a little over 36 hours for a two week adventure. I will be flying from Philly to Fairbanks, AK by way of Minnesota and Anchorage, AK. I will be spending a week with Rob and Kate. My adventures will include attending a harvest party and dye event with Kate where I will be using natural plants to create yellow dyes. I had to find protein based fibers, so I have one pure silk scarf and two wool/silk blends. Anxious to see how they turn out. I will also be tagging along for some Tai Chi sessions that Rob and Kate teach and there are plans to get to Chena Hot Springs and a museum that highlights old cars and clothing. So it will be a fun-packed week.
On September 11 I will fly from Fairbanks directly to Minneapolis to spend a week with my son, Brian. He will likely be working the entire week, so I will quietly be reading, watching TV and sleeping until he gets home and I am not sure what fun he might have in mind. But I do want to get to the fabric warehouse that he showed me last year. I want to do some shopping for fabric options for my projects at the OBX. I will be flying home on September 18th.
While I am away, Deb Scott will be staying at the house and taking care of Winston and Miles. I met her through GriefShare. Rob & Kate really thought once I got the dogs that I would not be back to visit. But if this thing with Deb works out, I will try and visit as often as I can.
But since Deb was coming, I have been doing some deep cleaning that I have not done for a while. There is no one here who cares how fastidious I am about cleaning. And now, with Miles, who sheds, I am finding corners with built up dog fur, so I am going to have to do a better job at at least vacuuming in the future.
It may still not be perfect, but it is much neater than it has been in quite a while. It is probably perfect timing. I will be heading out to the OBX two weeks after I get back. Then a few weeks after that, I will be having the surgery to have my left knee replaced. So, at least I will have some of the deeper cleaning finished.
Check in as I travel. I will keep you updated on the fun or relaxation that I am enjoying.
I am leaving in a little over 36 hours for a two week adventure. I will be flying from Philly to Fairbanks, AK by way of Minnesota and Anchorage, AK. I will be spending a week with Rob and Kate. My adventures will include attending a harvest party and dye event with Kate where I will be using natural plants to create yellow dyes. I had to find protein based fibers, so I have one pure silk scarf and two wool/silk blends. Anxious to see how they turn out. I will also be tagging along for some Tai Chi sessions that Rob and Kate teach and there are plans to get to Chena Hot Springs and a museum that highlights old cars and clothing. So it will be a fun-packed week.
On September 11 I will fly from Fairbanks directly to Minneapolis to spend a week with my son, Brian. He will likely be working the entire week, so I will quietly be reading, watching TV and sleeping until he gets home and I am not sure what fun he might have in mind. But I do want to get to the fabric warehouse that he showed me last year. I want to do some shopping for fabric options for my projects at the OBX. I will be flying home on September 18th.
While I am away, Deb Scott will be staying at the house and taking care of Winston and Miles. I met her through GriefShare. Rob & Kate really thought once I got the dogs that I would not be back to visit. But if this thing with Deb works out, I will try and visit as often as I can.
But since Deb was coming, I have been doing some deep cleaning that I have not done for a while. There is no one here who cares how fastidious I am about cleaning. And now, with Miles, who sheds, I am finding corners with built up dog fur, so I am going to have to do a better job at at least vacuuming in the future.
It may still not be perfect, but it is much neater than it has been in quite a while. It is probably perfect timing. I will be heading out to the OBX two weeks after I get back. Then a few weeks after that, I will be having the surgery to have my left knee replaced. So, at least I will have some of the deeper cleaning finished.
Check in as I travel. I will keep you updated on the fun or relaxation that I am enjoying.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Early start, lots accomplished.....
The dogs let me sleep until a little after 8:00 AM. I was just getting ready to turn on the lights when the phone rang. Who is the heck???? Well it was Nelson Nafziger, an elder at the church. He was asking if I would be able to take over the Sunday Bulletins again. I had done it when Pastor Dave left and then Pastor Randy took over. Now that he is leaving, it is coming back to me!! Not one of my favorite jobs, but if I get it into a routine, it will be OK. And we are going back to the every other Sunday schedule. So, it will be OK.
So up and fed the dogs. By now I am much more awake than usual, so did not go back to bed. I had things to do today.
Coffee and peanut butter toast. I have had some sort of toast just about everyday since putting in the new toaster oven. It is breaking in nicely and making some really excellent toast. After making the coffee, I started running vinegar and water through the coffee maker. It is a single cup coffee maker using pods. When it starts stopping mid-brew before finishing the coffee, I know the elements need to be cleaned. I wanted to make sure it was done before Deb comes to stay with the dogs. So off and on all day I was running the vinegar mixture through and then just water. Seems to be working well now.
Last night I kicked the AC back on. It was supposed to be warmer today, but last night it was warmer inside than outside and the humidity was building up inside. It is typical for my little stucco home. So today, as I was coming and going, it was nice to come back into a cooler home. Tomorrow it is getting hot and will be in the hot soup by the weekend.
Showered in my nice, clean tub and headed out to the grocery store. Dutchway was having several sales today and I wanted to get there on Senior Citizens Day to save an additional 5% off the entire order. Headed home to put away the cold stuff. Had a bite to eat and then back out to Walmart. Ran into Jill Scott from the Lions Club. We chatted briefly. She told me that Nancy Gauthier will be going on disability by the end of the year and will be having surgery on her knees. I wish her well in that endeavor.
Picked up a script I will need for my trip. Added a few other things, including dog food to have enough for when I am gone. Do not want to have Deb need to go out and get anything for them. Got a luggage scale so I do not over pack the checked bag. I also picked up a duffle bag that folds into nothing and will be needed if I get fabric when I see Brian. Always nice to have a extra bag. I can check my carry-on suitcase and carry the duffle on the flight from Minneapolis to Philly.
Back home. Picked more tomatoes.
I could not believe how many were there. I have some that are just going to rot in the garden. I just cannot keep up, there are so many. Next year, only 2 plants. There is every bit as many more out there getting ready or green!!!
I texted Sheila to see if she wanted any more and to ask the elders, who were meeting at church if they wanted any. I ended up running down to the church to take about half of these tomatoes there and they were all taken. Pastor Randy was there, too. His last official day. He did not all that excited. He still has not sold his house... the last deal fell through along with the house he had hoped to buy in Hickory. So he will be moving with nothing settled either here or in his new city. Karma!!
So, tomorrow I am back to finishing up the OBX books. I will also be clearing off the dining room table. I will not be going to bed until that is all done!!! It is time to start finishing things and not just moving piles around.
So, off I go. Put away the leftover pizza and get out some ice cream that I picked up to today at WalMart. They had more Salted Caramel Ice Cream and I go S'Mores Ice Cream! Yum!!!
So up and fed the dogs. By now I am much more awake than usual, so did not go back to bed. I had things to do today.
Coffee and peanut butter toast. I have had some sort of toast just about everyday since putting in the new toaster oven. It is breaking in nicely and making some really excellent toast. After making the coffee, I started running vinegar and water through the coffee maker. It is a single cup coffee maker using pods. When it starts stopping mid-brew before finishing the coffee, I know the elements need to be cleaned. I wanted to make sure it was done before Deb comes to stay with the dogs. So off and on all day I was running the vinegar mixture through and then just water. Seems to be working well now.
Last night I kicked the AC back on. It was supposed to be warmer today, but last night it was warmer inside than outside and the humidity was building up inside. It is typical for my little stucco home. So today, as I was coming and going, it was nice to come back into a cooler home. Tomorrow it is getting hot and will be in the hot soup by the weekend.
Showered in my nice, clean tub and headed out to the grocery store. Dutchway was having several sales today and I wanted to get there on Senior Citizens Day to save an additional 5% off the entire order. Headed home to put away the cold stuff. Had a bite to eat and then back out to Walmart. Ran into Jill Scott from the Lions Club. We chatted briefly. She told me that Nancy Gauthier will be going on disability by the end of the year and will be having surgery on her knees. I wish her well in that endeavor.
Picked up a script I will need for my trip. Added a few other things, including dog food to have enough for when I am gone. Do not want to have Deb need to go out and get anything for them. Got a luggage scale so I do not over pack the checked bag. I also picked up a duffle bag that folds into nothing and will be needed if I get fabric when I see Brian. Always nice to have a extra bag. I can check my carry-on suitcase and carry the duffle on the flight from Minneapolis to Philly.
Back home. Picked more tomatoes.
I could not believe how many were there. I have some that are just going to rot in the garden. I just cannot keep up, there are so many. Next year, only 2 plants. There is every bit as many more out there getting ready or green!!!
I texted Sheila to see if she wanted any more and to ask the elders, who were meeting at church if they wanted any. I ended up running down to the church to take about half of these tomatoes there and they were all taken. Pastor Randy was there, too. His last official day. He did not all that excited. He still has not sold his house... the last deal fell through along with the house he had hoped to buy in Hickory. So he will be moving with nothing settled either here or in his new city. Karma!!
So, tomorrow I am back to finishing up the OBX books. I will also be clearing off the dining room table. I will not be going to bed until that is all done!!! It is time to start finishing things and not just moving piles around.
So, off I go. Put away the leftover pizza and get out some ice cream that I picked up to today at WalMart. They had more Salted Caramel Ice Cream and I go S'Mores Ice Cream! Yum!!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Another Excellent Day....
Two in a row.... wow!
I slept well last night and when I did get up, I felt energized. The first thing I did was to take down the shower liner. It is a really nice, heavy clear shower liner. But after a while, the soap scum streaks on the liner and I take it down and run it through the washer. This time I added a couple of towels that needed to be washed. I also decided to use the sanitizing cycle on my washer.
I had never used it before. But I was adding a good slug of vinegar to the wash to help cut the scum and I thought if I added really hot water, it might get all of the streaks. (Usually it leaves a few on the liner and with the dog sitter coming soon, I wanted it extra clean.) The washer took pretty close to an hour and a half for the cycle, but it heats up the water to sanitize the stuff in the washer. I have to say, that liner looks like it is brand new. There is nothing left on the liner to indicate that it has been used at all. I guess I will be doing that again when it needs to be washed.
I also make my vinegar and Dawn mixture to use in the bathroom to clean the walls in the shower and the tub and sink. It is currently still soaking, but before bed, I will rinse and scrub to remove it.
Also did the little bit of laundry I had. But I am starting to pack for my trip, so I wanted to get some things clean to get basics in the suitcases.
Worked on the Sunday meeting for the ladies.
Transferred money for the taxes and made a correction in the money that is going into my tax account for next year.
Got the trash out.
It was a busy day and I felt really good.
I slept well last night and when I did get up, I felt energized. The first thing I did was to take down the shower liner. It is a really nice, heavy clear shower liner. But after a while, the soap scum streaks on the liner and I take it down and run it through the washer. This time I added a couple of towels that needed to be washed. I also decided to use the sanitizing cycle on my washer.
I had never used it before. But I was adding a good slug of vinegar to the wash to help cut the scum and I thought if I added really hot water, it might get all of the streaks. (Usually it leaves a few on the liner and with the dog sitter coming soon, I wanted it extra clean.) The washer took pretty close to an hour and a half for the cycle, but it heats up the water to sanitize the stuff in the washer. I have to say, that liner looks like it is brand new. There is nothing left on the liner to indicate that it has been used at all. I guess I will be doing that again when it needs to be washed.
I also make my vinegar and Dawn mixture to use in the bathroom to clean the walls in the shower and the tub and sink. It is currently still soaking, but before bed, I will rinse and scrub to remove it.
Also did the little bit of laundry I had. But I am starting to pack for my trip, so I wanted to get some things clean to get basics in the suitcases.
Worked on the Sunday meeting for the ladies.
Transferred money for the taxes and made a correction in the money that is going into my tax account for next year.
Got the trash out.
It was a busy day and I felt really good.
Monday, August 22, 2016
The Downs and then the Ups...
It was a quiet weekend. Just absolutely had no desire to get up and do much of anything all weekend long. It really sucks to feel that way. The television is on but it only serves as background noise to my thoughts. The dogs do keep me in the moment as they need to be fed, they need to go outside and they demand to be played with or cuddled. And they do, from time to time, make me laugh.
I did start putting together the project books for the OBX retreat. In sorting stuff, I had gathered some of the planned projects and already had some of the copies made. But I started in earnest this weekend to get the books put together. This Sunday, after church, I will be heading to Indian Acres again. Sharon is opening her home for a meeting. So several of us are meeting to get the things settled for our October trip. I want to give those who come, their project book so they can start getting their supplies together.
I think, at this point, I have all but 7 projects ready to go and in their books.
I did not go to the church picnic. I just did not want to go and sit on benches. It was humid and then rain came... It matched my mood. So I slept late on a Sunday, a rare event for me, and never got out of my jammies.
After the picnic finished, Sheila came over to visit me. She was concerned when I did not come to the picnic and she wanted to check on me. We chatted for quite a while. We found out that both of us are having similar emotions about our being alone, having suffered losses and just things in general. We cried together some and laughed more and chatted. It is so very nice to have a close friend that I can talk to about things that many of my friends have no way of knowing about. It really helped to brighten my mood.
Today was a much brighter. First of all, the temperature was a tad cooler but the humidity has gone way down, so I was able to turn off the AC and open windows. Fresh air inside the house was delightful. No musty smells. It felt WONDERFUL!!!
I showered and headed out to mail my school tax payment. It is due by the end of the month to get the discount. Then I came home and pulled the sewing machine and cabinet that Sharon gave me a couple of weeks ago. The poor thing has been living in the van. I wrestled it up on the back deck. I removed the machine from the cabinet and checked everything out. It works beautifully except for the feed dog drop. Since I do not need that feature, I will use this machine upstairs while I recover from my knee surgery. I like Sharon's cabinet better than the one Jane brought over with the other machine. But Jane's Kenmore will fit in Sharon's cabinet. So I will use Sharon's machine and get Jane's into a mechanic for a proper tune up. Then I can swap the machines in and out as repair might be needed. They each do different things. Jane's has many built in stitches. Sharon's has cams for decorative stitching. They are both made out of solid metal, and not computerized at all, so they will be easy to maintain and should last and last and last!!!
I brought the cabinet inside and put it on those goofy furniture slider things and it is now very easy to move the whole thing around in the living room. Once I am back on my feet, I will find someone to help me get the cabinet to the basement. I am going to paint it all white and then, over time, Mod Podge fabric on the legs and body and leave the table a shiny white surface.
So, I do not know if it was the fresh air or just having had a chance to talk to Sheila, but I am feeling much better today!
Looking forward to tomorrow... something I have not done in a while.
I did start putting together the project books for the OBX retreat. In sorting stuff, I had gathered some of the planned projects and already had some of the copies made. But I started in earnest this weekend to get the books put together. This Sunday, after church, I will be heading to Indian Acres again. Sharon is opening her home for a meeting. So several of us are meeting to get the things settled for our October trip. I want to give those who come, their project book so they can start getting their supplies together.
I think, at this point, I have all but 7 projects ready to go and in their books.
I did not go to the church picnic. I just did not want to go and sit on benches. It was humid and then rain came... It matched my mood. So I slept late on a Sunday, a rare event for me, and never got out of my jammies.
After the picnic finished, Sheila came over to visit me. She was concerned when I did not come to the picnic and she wanted to check on me. We chatted for quite a while. We found out that both of us are having similar emotions about our being alone, having suffered losses and just things in general. We cried together some and laughed more and chatted. It is so very nice to have a close friend that I can talk to about things that many of my friends have no way of knowing about. It really helped to brighten my mood.
Today was a much brighter. First of all, the temperature was a tad cooler but the humidity has gone way down, so I was able to turn off the AC and open windows. Fresh air inside the house was delightful. No musty smells. It felt WONDERFUL!!!
I showered and headed out to mail my school tax payment. It is due by the end of the month to get the discount. Then I came home and pulled the sewing machine and cabinet that Sharon gave me a couple of weeks ago. The poor thing has been living in the van. I wrestled it up on the back deck. I removed the machine from the cabinet and checked everything out. It works beautifully except for the feed dog drop. Since I do not need that feature, I will use this machine upstairs while I recover from my knee surgery. I like Sharon's cabinet better than the one Jane brought over with the other machine. But Jane's Kenmore will fit in Sharon's cabinet. So I will use Sharon's machine and get Jane's into a mechanic for a proper tune up. Then I can swap the machines in and out as repair might be needed. They each do different things. Jane's has many built in stitches. Sharon's has cams for decorative stitching. They are both made out of solid metal, and not computerized at all, so they will be easy to maintain and should last and last and last!!!
I brought the cabinet inside and put it on those goofy furniture slider things and it is now very easy to move the whole thing around in the living room. Once I am back on my feet, I will find someone to help me get the cabinet to the basement. I am going to paint it all white and then, over time, Mod Podge fabric on the legs and body and leave the table a shiny white surface.
So, I do not know if it was the fresh air or just having had a chance to talk to Sheila, but I am feeling much better today!
Looking forward to tomorrow... something I have not done in a while.
Friday, August 19, 2016
Hearing Test and some shopping...
Well, today I took a flying leap and went to a scheduled appointment at the local Miracle Ear store in Downingtown. I had gotten a mailing with the promise of a free hearing test and an inexpensive hearing aid.
My Dad had some major hearing issues by the time he was my age. By the time he died, we had refurbished his hearing aids a couple of times because he had the most amplification that was made. I have tinnitus. Have had ringing in both ears, constantly, for years and years and years. Thanks, in part, to growing up with rock and roll, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc. You had to play that music loud, when you were a teenager.
I found the store and filled out the paperwork. I met Jeff, the hearing specialist. We chatted and he explained the test and that we would be then talking about options. I was placed in a small room with a window and given the standard, basic audio test. This was to be followed by a verbal test. But following the beeps and sounds in the headphones, he came and got me.
I think he was more disappointed than I was happy, but my initial test revealed that I am enjoying totally normal hearing levels. He showed me the graph and all of my low points were still well within the normal range. Both ears. He said, with my hearing, I should be hearing through walls and that he would not want to be whispering a secret anywhere near me.
Still have the ringing, but I do not need any type of aid to hear over the ringing and there is nothing that is going to make the ringing stop or fade. Just have to pay attention and not let my mind wander.
So, I headed to the Shoe Dept store. I thought I would look for some traveling shoes. I have white sneakers and black shoes, but sometimes I want something in between. I found a couple of pairs of gray sneakers. I like the Shoe Dept as they carry wide sizes, which I need.
I then went to Walmart. I needed more paper so I could keep printing up the OBX books. I also found some slacks that were not heavy but might be nice in Alaska where the temps might be on the chilly side when I am there in September. (Last year Fairbanks had snow in September.) I also found a very light weight sweater that will pack nicely. I have actually already gotten some things packed into suitcases. Trying to take just two suitcases, one checked and one carry-on plus a bag for my IDs and computer. And this will have to serve me for two weeks!
Home and dinner tonight was stuffed pork chops and freshly picked eggplant, breaded and fried. It was delicious. Happy, happy lady tonight!
My Dad had some major hearing issues by the time he was my age. By the time he died, we had refurbished his hearing aids a couple of times because he had the most amplification that was made. I have tinnitus. Have had ringing in both ears, constantly, for years and years and years. Thanks, in part, to growing up with rock and roll, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc. You had to play that music loud, when you were a teenager.
I found the store and filled out the paperwork. I met Jeff, the hearing specialist. We chatted and he explained the test and that we would be then talking about options. I was placed in a small room with a window and given the standard, basic audio test. This was to be followed by a verbal test. But following the beeps and sounds in the headphones, he came and got me.
I think he was more disappointed than I was happy, but my initial test revealed that I am enjoying totally normal hearing levels. He showed me the graph and all of my low points were still well within the normal range. Both ears. He said, with my hearing, I should be hearing through walls and that he would not want to be whispering a secret anywhere near me.
Still have the ringing, but I do not need any type of aid to hear over the ringing and there is nothing that is going to make the ringing stop or fade. Just have to pay attention and not let my mind wander.
So, I headed to the Shoe Dept store. I thought I would look for some traveling shoes. I have white sneakers and black shoes, but sometimes I want something in between. I found a couple of pairs of gray sneakers. I like the Shoe Dept as they carry wide sizes, which I need.
I then went to Walmart. I needed more paper so I could keep printing up the OBX books. I also found some slacks that were not heavy but might be nice in Alaska where the temps might be on the chilly side when I am there in September. (Last year Fairbanks had snow in September.) I also found a very light weight sweater that will pack nicely. I have actually already gotten some things packed into suitcases. Trying to take just two suitcases, one checked and one carry-on plus a bag for my IDs and computer. And this will have to serve me for two weeks!
Home and dinner tonight was stuffed pork chops and freshly picked eggplant, breaded and fried. It was delicious. Happy, happy lady tonight!
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Taking a breath, enjoying the kitchen and starting the OBX trip prep...
I had a hard time staying asleep last night. Have no idea why, but I did manage to get in 8 hours of sleep, according to my Fitbit, actually 8 hours and 1 minute.
I got up, took care of the dogs and got chicken chow mein started in the crock pot. This is one of my favorite meals so I am looking forward to dinner.
I worked on getting some things put away in the bedroom. Went over the OBX project book and started making copies for the other participants. I always give them little sewing projects, big projects and a couple of no sew things. Gives everyone some ideas for Christmas presents and other projects throughout the year. We have a meeting scheduled on August 28th to go over our last minute things. I will be leaving on Sept 3rd and not getting back until Sept 18th. I will unpack and repack to leave for the OBX on October 1st for our sewing, crafting, quilting retreat. We have 8 people scheduled and 2 more who may come last minute.
In between copying patterns and ideas for the book, I worked on getting things a bit more cleaned up in the living room. I am getting close to being ready to have Deb Scott staying in my house for 2 weeks to take care of the dogs and keep my house looking lived in. She will visit tomorrow for more instruction and getting familiar with the house and the dogs.
Spoke tonight to Kerry Fryberger. He had worked with Rudy, lives in Parkesburg and checks in with me from time to time. He had called yesterday about his desktop computer. He is having problems with it and wanted some advice. He had spent a year and a half teaching shop in a school but had just learned that he would not be going back. He had been subbing for a man who was out on medical leave and was planning to come back. Kerry is a nice guy and always seems to be losing his job. He is a good ole boy form Kentucky and I love talking to him. His accent reminds me of my days growing up in Kentucky!
Just a side note... the chicken chow mein was delicious. I had two big helpings and have two containers in the fridge for lunches or fast dinners. Yum!
Sweet dreams. A busy day tomorrow.
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I got up, took care of the dogs and got chicken chow mein started in the crock pot. This is one of my favorite meals so I am looking forward to dinner.
I worked on getting some things put away in the bedroom. Went over the OBX project book and started making copies for the other participants. I always give them little sewing projects, big projects and a couple of no sew things. Gives everyone some ideas for Christmas presents and other projects throughout the year. We have a meeting scheduled on August 28th to go over our last minute things. I will be leaving on Sept 3rd and not getting back until Sept 18th. I will unpack and repack to leave for the OBX on October 1st for our sewing, crafting, quilting retreat. We have 8 people scheduled and 2 more who may come last minute.
In between copying patterns and ideas for the book, I worked on getting things a bit more cleaned up in the living room. I am getting close to being ready to have Deb Scott staying in my house for 2 weeks to take care of the dogs and keep my house looking lived in. She will visit tomorrow for more instruction and getting familiar with the house and the dogs.
Spoke tonight to Kerry Fryberger. He had worked with Rudy, lives in Parkesburg and checks in with me from time to time. He had called yesterday about his desktop computer. He is having problems with it and wanted some advice. He had spent a year and a half teaching shop in a school but had just learned that he would not be going back. He had been subbing for a man who was out on medical leave and was planning to come back. Kerry is a nice guy and always seems to be losing his job. He is a good ole boy form Kentucky and I love talking to him. His accent reminds me of my days growing up in Kentucky!
Just a side note... the chicken chow mein was delicious. I had two big helpings and have two containers in the fridge for lunches or fast dinners. Yum!
Sweet dreams. A busy day tomorrow.
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Wednesday, August 17, 2016
An Exceptional Day.....
I think I slept well. I have not checked my Fitbit yet today, but I did not dream that I can remember. I woke up at 2:00 AM. I felt restless, so I made a cup of decaf coffee and had a clementine. In short order, I was back asleep. Dogs wanted fed at 7:30 AM and then my phone rang at 9:30 AM.
It was Marji. She figured I was already up. But they knew I might need help installing the new toaster oven. So they offered to come up after Danny ran an errand or three. And, sure enough, they arrived around noonish. Marji sat in the living room, talking to Miles and Winston while coloring her cards. Danny and I went over where the process was and devised what still needed to be done.
We taped the template to the underside of the cabinet and he drilled the four, new holes. Now the trial and error began. The unit came with three sets of screws. They ranged from shirt to medium to longer. But their longest screws were not going to have enough of the end in the screw into the shield safely hold the weight of the toaster oven. So we needed to use the even longer screws from the old unit. I had saved them, just in case. But they seemed to be too long. But we tried them only to have problems securing the toaster oven to the shield. He added spacers, but in each case, they were just a shade too long and were damaging the finish of the toaster oven.
There were a couple of options. Go to Home Depot and try to find a similar screw that was bwtween the longest new one and the longer old one. We could use those loner screws and get a cutting wheel for my Dremel tool and cut them off. Both would have required a trip to home depot. The final option was to add a space inside the cabinet which would make it difficult to lay things flat in the cabinet. I use it for cake pans and other items that would be able to accommodate the screw and spacer standing up in the space, so that is what we opted to do. Danny, very carefully, took the screws out of their mounts, one at a time, and added the extra spacer on the top side and there was still enough screw into the shield to be safe but the toaster oven snapped into the shield and was held there securely. Plugged it in and... voila... it was finished.
I truly do not know what I would do without these two people in my life. While I am positive I could have gotten it myself, I would probably be writing something totally different and finishing the installation tomorrow. (I would have gone to Home Depot and gotten the cutting wheel, probably,) But they have been there helping me. I always try to do things myself and I think they appreciate that. But they are also there for me when I ask or when they just think I could use a hand.
As they were leaving, Marji asked if I would let them have a tomato. I handed Danny a small box from Amazon that I had forgotten to put in the trash so he could fill it with tomatoes from my garden. I have way more than I will ever use. He filled the box and later in the afternoon, I took my large bowl and filled it, too. And there are twice as many that are near ripening and green ones waiting in the wings.
Here is the toaster oven in it's new home. It matched the stove but is smaller than the old one. Still toasts four pieces of Italian bread which is what I usually do. Doesn't it look beautiful?
So my job was now, to put the kitchen back together. I began getting the tools back in their cases and stacking them at the top of the steps to go back down to the work bench. I did stop and made some peanut butter toast to test the toaster oven. Then I put bacon in the oven, cut up one of my newly picked tomatoes and toasted my bread to have the most heavenly BLTs I have had in a long, long time. Crunchy, perfectly toasted bread... on both sides of the slice... made them perfect.
This morning, waiting for Marji and Danny to arrive, I did some vacuuming. I wanted to get up as much of the Miles hair as I could. To do that, I had to gather up all of the dog's toys. There is a small, blue dog bed that Miles has used from time to time... but he is really a tad big for it... and I use it to pile up all of their toys when I want to clean. The entire time that Marji and Danny were here, the toys remained untouched. And even for quite a bit of time after they left, the toys remained in a pile in the bed.
When I had my sandwiches, the dogs sat and watched me from the floor. As I finished, Winston headed over to the toy pile and with just a few tugs, he had dumped ALL of them out on the floor and carried the bed to the other side of the room. It is almost as bed as having toddlers who just grab the toy box and dump it. I would be angry, but my dogs really do love playing with their toys.
Here is what the floor looks like.....
So, it was a really nice day!!! More cleaning tomorrow.
It was Marji. She figured I was already up. But they knew I might need help installing the new toaster oven. So they offered to come up after Danny ran an errand or three. And, sure enough, they arrived around noonish. Marji sat in the living room, talking to Miles and Winston while coloring her cards. Danny and I went over where the process was and devised what still needed to be done.
We taped the template to the underside of the cabinet and he drilled the four, new holes. Now the trial and error began. The unit came with three sets of screws. They ranged from shirt to medium to longer. But their longest screws were not going to have enough of the end in the screw into the shield safely hold the weight of the toaster oven. So we needed to use the even longer screws from the old unit. I had saved them, just in case. But they seemed to be too long. But we tried them only to have problems securing the toaster oven to the shield. He added spacers, but in each case, they were just a shade too long and were damaging the finish of the toaster oven.
There were a couple of options. Go to Home Depot and try to find a similar screw that was bwtween the longest new one and the longer old one. We could use those loner screws and get a cutting wheel for my Dremel tool and cut them off. Both would have required a trip to home depot. The final option was to add a space inside the cabinet which would make it difficult to lay things flat in the cabinet. I use it for cake pans and other items that would be able to accommodate the screw and spacer standing up in the space, so that is what we opted to do. Danny, very carefully, took the screws out of their mounts, one at a time, and added the extra spacer on the top side and there was still enough screw into the shield to be safe but the toaster oven snapped into the shield and was held there securely. Plugged it in and... voila... it was finished.
I truly do not know what I would do without these two people in my life. While I am positive I could have gotten it myself, I would probably be writing something totally different and finishing the installation tomorrow. (I would have gone to Home Depot and gotten the cutting wheel, probably,) But they have been there helping me. I always try to do things myself and I think they appreciate that. But they are also there for me when I ask or when they just think I could use a hand.
As they were leaving, Marji asked if I would let them have a tomato. I handed Danny a small box from Amazon that I had forgotten to put in the trash so he could fill it with tomatoes from my garden. I have way more than I will ever use. He filled the box and later in the afternoon, I took my large bowl and filled it, too. And there are twice as many that are near ripening and green ones waiting in the wings.
Here is the toaster oven in it's new home. It matched the stove but is smaller than the old one. Still toasts four pieces of Italian bread which is what I usually do. Doesn't it look beautiful?
So my job was now, to put the kitchen back together. I began getting the tools back in their cases and stacking them at the top of the steps to go back down to the work bench. I did stop and made some peanut butter toast to test the toaster oven. Then I put bacon in the oven, cut up one of my newly picked tomatoes and toasted my bread to have the most heavenly BLTs I have had in a long, long time. Crunchy, perfectly toasted bread... on both sides of the slice... made them perfect.
This morning, waiting for Marji and Danny to arrive, I did some vacuuming. I wanted to get up as much of the Miles hair as I could. To do that, I had to gather up all of the dog's toys. There is a small, blue dog bed that Miles has used from time to time... but he is really a tad big for it... and I use it to pile up all of their toys when I want to clean. The entire time that Marji and Danny were here, the toys remained untouched. And even for quite a bit of time after they left, the toys remained in a pile in the bed.
When I had my sandwiches, the dogs sat and watched me from the floor. As I finished, Winston headed over to the toy pile and with just a few tugs, he had dumped ALL of them out on the floor and carried the bed to the other side of the room. It is almost as bed as having toddlers who just grab the toy box and dump it. I would be angry, but my dogs really do love playing with their toys.
Here is what the floor looks like.....
So, it was a really nice day!!! More cleaning tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
An Even Better Tuesday....
Today was not the best day ever, but it was certainly better than the last few weeks.
I had a dream last night with a very vivid piece. I had drifted back to sleep this morning after feeding and watering the dogs. Just before waking, wherever my dream had taken me, I was in a kitchen and when I turned around, Rudy was standing there. In my dream, I knew that he had already died, but he said to me that he knew I had been needing him. He walked to me and his big, loving arms enveloped me in a big, bear hug that seemed to go on forever. I looked up at him, smiled and then he was gone. But I still feel those arms today in my waking time. And while I have some tears, they are satisfied tears of appreciation and I have been energized for my tasks today. I will still need lots of earthly hugs to fill the void, but I feel better today.
So, I installed a new item in my house. I cannot tell you what, yet, but when I can I will explain. It was frightening as there were wires and drills and screws with levels and goofing it up could have affected a very pricey piece of equipment in my house. But I took my time, followed directions step by step, asked questions when I was not sure and got everything done and everything worked perfectly! I know for a fact that I would have been charged $250 or more to have had someone else do it, but part of what I did was do it myself. So I am quite pleased. More later.
Then I set about, with my earlier success under my electric drill, to replace the under-counter (Spacemaker) toaster oven in the kitchen. I had to replace the one that had been in my kitchen since the 1990's. It was no longer toasting bread into any kind of toasty surface. I purchased a replacement and had hoped to get it installed today. I am not super handy as it was usually Rudy putting stuff like that in. He would have done a lot of grumbling but it would have been installed already. As I type, it is not finished.
There were two tasks in this project, the removal of the old appliance and the installation of the new one. The setup of the appliance is there is a heat shield that goes under the cabinet and the toaster oven hangs from it. The old oven just slid into the slits on the shield. So that part was easy, peasy. The removal of the shield, not so much!
The screws, used some 20 years ago, had the standard slots and not Phillips slots, so they are more difficult to turn. They have been in place for over 20 years, They are inside the bottom part of the cabinet and the electric drill does not really fit, so it all had to be done by hand. It took several attempts and different heights of stools and step ladders in order to reach over the stove top and into the cabinet to finally get all of the screws (they are at least 3 inches in length) and the old shield is gone. I saved the screws as the ones supplied are not as long, and I saved the old spacers just in case. But the old oven is in a trash bag outside, waiting for the garbage men to pick it up.
I had to take time to gather the garbage and eat a quick sandwich as I had not eaten much all day. So I decided to tackle the installation tomorrow morning. I have figured out the template and how the new holes will go, so it will just be execution. Keep good thoughts for my task.
Heading for bed... perhaps to dream!!! I could use another good hug as a reward for a job well done!
I had a dream last night with a very vivid piece. I had drifted back to sleep this morning after feeding and watering the dogs. Just before waking, wherever my dream had taken me, I was in a kitchen and when I turned around, Rudy was standing there. In my dream, I knew that he had already died, but he said to me that he knew I had been needing him. He walked to me and his big, loving arms enveloped me in a big, bear hug that seemed to go on forever. I looked up at him, smiled and then he was gone. But I still feel those arms today in my waking time. And while I have some tears, they are satisfied tears of appreciation and I have been energized for my tasks today. I will still need lots of earthly hugs to fill the void, but I feel better today.
So, I installed a new item in my house. I cannot tell you what, yet, but when I can I will explain. It was frightening as there were wires and drills and screws with levels and goofing it up could have affected a very pricey piece of equipment in my house. But I took my time, followed directions step by step, asked questions when I was not sure and got everything done and everything worked perfectly! I know for a fact that I would have been charged $250 or more to have had someone else do it, but part of what I did was do it myself. So I am quite pleased. More later.
Then I set about, with my earlier success under my electric drill, to replace the under-counter (Spacemaker) toaster oven in the kitchen. I had to replace the one that had been in my kitchen since the 1990's. It was no longer toasting bread into any kind of toasty surface. I purchased a replacement and had hoped to get it installed today. I am not super handy as it was usually Rudy putting stuff like that in. He would have done a lot of grumbling but it would have been installed already. As I type, it is not finished.
There were two tasks in this project, the removal of the old appliance and the installation of the new one. The setup of the appliance is there is a heat shield that goes under the cabinet and the toaster oven hangs from it. The old oven just slid into the slits on the shield. So that part was easy, peasy. The removal of the shield, not so much!
The screws, used some 20 years ago, had the standard slots and not Phillips slots, so they are more difficult to turn. They have been in place for over 20 years, They are inside the bottom part of the cabinet and the electric drill does not really fit, so it all had to be done by hand. It took several attempts and different heights of stools and step ladders in order to reach over the stove top and into the cabinet to finally get all of the screws (they are at least 3 inches in length) and the old shield is gone. I saved the screws as the ones supplied are not as long, and I saved the old spacers just in case. But the old oven is in a trash bag outside, waiting for the garbage men to pick it up.
I had to take time to gather the garbage and eat a quick sandwich as I had not eaten much all day. So I decided to tackle the installation tomorrow morning. I have figured out the template and how the new holes will go, so it will just be execution. Keep good thoughts for my task.
Heading for bed... perhaps to dream!!! I could use another good hug as a reward for a job well done!
Monday, August 15, 2016
A Better Monday....
It was a better day, but not perfect.
FedEx did deliver my box that they did not leave on Friday. So I am pleased about that. I can now more forward with the product. Happy camper.
Another box arrived. Rudy and I had installed an under-counter or Spacemaker Toaster Oven by Black and Decker back when he remodeled the kitchen in the 1990's. He had picked it up from a friend that he worked with and this family had used it in their kitchen for quite awhile. Well, the toasting part, which is mostly what I use it for, was beginning to fail to toast the bread. It is now at a setting that should be producing blackened toast and it is barley cooked.
Black and Decker had discontinued this product for several years and I like having it hanging above the stove and not sitting on the counter. Luckily, they have started making them again. So I ordered one through Wayfair and it arrived today. I will have to pile either boxes or pillows on the stove to act as a second pair of hands when I install it. I am going to be quite the show on my cameras.
I had a call out of the blue from one of my lady friends at church. She had heard me say I had a bad week last week and just called to find out what was going on and if there was anything she could do to help. She is very busy herself and I was truly touched that she would call and offer that. Wendy is really a very sweet person.
I got a book put together with patterns and ideas for the OBX. I am happy that it is together. I am going to let it settled in my mind. But it is ready for the Sept 28th meeting and I can start putting together the 10 books for the 8 participants and the 2 maybes.
So, a big day tomorrow. Things are looking up.
There was a bad storm at Indian Acres last night. Poor Sharon, they had an outdoor canopy that was blown down. She texted me this evening, after they got back and some limbs fell on my old place there as well. Another reason I am glad I no longer have a second home.
Knee is really hurting tonight. October 24th cannot come fast enough!
FedEx did deliver my box that they did not leave on Friday. So I am pleased about that. I can now more forward with the product. Happy camper.
Another box arrived. Rudy and I had installed an under-counter or Spacemaker Toaster Oven by Black and Decker back when he remodeled the kitchen in the 1990's. He had picked it up from a friend that he worked with and this family had used it in their kitchen for quite awhile. Well, the toasting part, which is mostly what I use it for, was beginning to fail to toast the bread. It is now at a setting that should be producing blackened toast and it is barley cooked.
Black and Decker had discontinued this product for several years and I like having it hanging above the stove and not sitting on the counter. Luckily, they have started making them again. So I ordered one through Wayfair and it arrived today. I will have to pile either boxes or pillows on the stove to act as a second pair of hands when I install it. I am going to be quite the show on my cameras.
I had a call out of the blue from one of my lady friends at church. She had heard me say I had a bad week last week and just called to find out what was going on and if there was anything she could do to help. She is very busy herself and I was truly touched that she would call and offer that. Wendy is really a very sweet person.
I got a book put together with patterns and ideas for the OBX. I am happy that it is together. I am going to let it settled in my mind. But it is ready for the Sept 28th meeting and I can start putting together the 10 books for the 8 participants and the 2 maybes.
So, a big day tomorrow. Things are looking up.
There was a bad storm at Indian Acres last night. Poor Sharon, they had an outdoor canopy that was blown down. She texted me this evening, after they got back and some limbs fell on my old place there as well. Another reason I am glad I no longer have a second home.
Knee is really hurting tonight. October 24th cannot come fast enough!
Sunday, August 14, 2016
A Good and Bad Sunday....
Let us start with the bad. I mentioned yesterday that I was preparing for my Sunday School Lesson. And I went in to church feeling pretty good that I had a handle on the lesson. I started off with what I had planned and someone asked if I had prepared the correct lesson. Here, silly me, had started with the correct lesson, but somewhere in the getting up and living as I prepared, I went back to the lesson from last week.
Was my face red!!!
But I belong to the greatest church with wonderful folks and once we got started, they took over and talked about the things having to do with the verses we were to have studied. Thank goodness!! But that will, hopefully, never happen again.
I went home. briefly, to let the dogs out and get out of my Sunday clothes. Then I got into the van and headed to Indian Acres. I was visiting Sharon DeRicco. Back when I still had a place there and when Rudy was alive, Sharon became a part of our gang of friends. I started doing a Friday night sewing group to introduce quick and easy items to entice some of my friends into sewing. Sharon got hooked very quickly as did Debby Patton. They are now part of the traveling sewing crazies who have traveled the East Coast (Black Mountain, NC., Fancy Gap, VA., and the OBX) renting houses, dragging our sewing machine along and spending time sewing our hearts out.
Sharon and her companion, Steve DiNardo, have just purchased a new place at Indian Acres that is better suited to the larger number of adults that come with them weekly to relax and revive from their working schedules. I had not been to Indian Acres in a couple of years, so I drove down to visit Sharon.
Part of their move was the disposition of an old Kenmore Sewing Machine in a cabinet. I love the older machines and had just gotten another one from my friend Jane Hallman. That machine seems to be in pretty good shape, except it does not sew well through heavy fabric. I want to try it with a good, new needle before I decide what to do with it. Sharon's machine appears to be of the same vintage. I am hoping that one of them will work well enough to not need any adjustment from a professional. Then I want to have it tucked away up stairs so that after my knee replacement I can use that machine to sew until I can once again do stairs without fear of falling down them.
It was interesting to be in the area of Glen 8. My old place it there and the new owners have built and nice, large deck on the front. It also appears as though Fugi and Mary Jansen, who purchased my back two lots when I sold my place there after Rudy died, have cleared the lots and have put them up for sale. There were many a wonderful party held on those lots. Sad to see the three house lots not connected to the two back, storage lots. But change is good... I guess.
I only saw Jack Morrison, who was packing up to leave. A few others appeared to be in their homes, but it was another stinking, hot day... so I am guessing that they were inside, enjoying their AC. I know I would have been.
So Sharon and I visited and were joined by Mary Davis. What was nice were the hugs that I got while I was there. Human contact is something that I am really beginning to miss... quite a lot. Rudy may not have been an outwardly affectionate man, in our alone time, there were hugs, and squeezes and cuddling and just touching that I no longer have. Yes, the dogs will curl up at my feet and Miles will sometimes sleep in bed with me (Winston does not like my vibrating bed). But I really could use a nice hug, every now and then. So today I had several hugs from my friends... and I love that.
This evening, I started printing out instructions for the projects that will be proposed as options for our October OBX trip. I always try to give them ideas for projects that will be presents for Christmas or things they can sell to their friends or at craft fairs. It is quite the challenge to find new and fresh ideas every year,
So I am getting ready for bed and feeling good about the day, overall!
Was my face red!!!
But I belong to the greatest church with wonderful folks and once we got started, they took over and talked about the things having to do with the verses we were to have studied. Thank goodness!! But that will, hopefully, never happen again.
I went home. briefly, to let the dogs out and get out of my Sunday clothes. Then I got into the van and headed to Indian Acres. I was visiting Sharon DeRicco. Back when I still had a place there and when Rudy was alive, Sharon became a part of our gang of friends. I started doing a Friday night sewing group to introduce quick and easy items to entice some of my friends into sewing. Sharon got hooked very quickly as did Debby Patton. They are now part of the traveling sewing crazies who have traveled the East Coast (Black Mountain, NC., Fancy Gap, VA., and the OBX) renting houses, dragging our sewing machine along and spending time sewing our hearts out.
Sharon and her companion, Steve DiNardo, have just purchased a new place at Indian Acres that is better suited to the larger number of adults that come with them weekly to relax and revive from their working schedules. I had not been to Indian Acres in a couple of years, so I drove down to visit Sharon.
Part of their move was the disposition of an old Kenmore Sewing Machine in a cabinet. I love the older machines and had just gotten another one from my friend Jane Hallman. That machine seems to be in pretty good shape, except it does not sew well through heavy fabric. I want to try it with a good, new needle before I decide what to do with it. Sharon's machine appears to be of the same vintage. I am hoping that one of them will work well enough to not need any adjustment from a professional. Then I want to have it tucked away up stairs so that after my knee replacement I can use that machine to sew until I can once again do stairs without fear of falling down them.
It was interesting to be in the area of Glen 8. My old place it there and the new owners have built and nice, large deck on the front. It also appears as though Fugi and Mary Jansen, who purchased my back two lots when I sold my place there after Rudy died, have cleared the lots and have put them up for sale. There were many a wonderful party held on those lots. Sad to see the three house lots not connected to the two back, storage lots. But change is good... I guess.
I only saw Jack Morrison, who was packing up to leave. A few others appeared to be in their homes, but it was another stinking, hot day... so I am guessing that they were inside, enjoying their AC. I know I would have been.
So Sharon and I visited and were joined by Mary Davis. What was nice were the hugs that I got while I was there. Human contact is something that I am really beginning to miss... quite a lot. Rudy may not have been an outwardly affectionate man, in our alone time, there were hugs, and squeezes and cuddling and just touching that I no longer have. Yes, the dogs will curl up at my feet and Miles will sometimes sleep in bed with me (Winston does not like my vibrating bed). But I really could use a nice hug, every now and then. So today I had several hugs from my friends... and I love that.
This evening, I started printing out instructions for the projects that will be proposed as options for our October OBX trip. I always try to give them ideas for projects that will be presents for Christmas or things they can sell to their friends or at craft fairs. It is quite the challenge to find new and fresh ideas every year,
So I am getting ready for bed and feeling good about the day, overall!
Saturday, August 13, 2016
A Really, Really, Really Hot Day...
And even with all of the heat, it was a better day than yesterday.
Another Breathe Right Strip resulted in another good night's sleep. I did have some really strange dreams overnight and I work while dreaming and had to kind of shake myself into real reality versus dream reality. The last one I was trying to drive the truck and it kept traveling in directions over which I had no control, including braking. I could either drive with no steering or stop just before I hit something. A very helpless feeling. Perhaps I need to drive the truck some so my mind does not keep thinking that it does not work right!
My first task was to contact Fed Ex. A delivery was not made as the driver made a very limited attempt to do so. Instead I got a 'door tag' stating I could pick up the package in West Chester with no additional delivery scheduled. I had tried to log onto the web site to list my request for a re-delivery, but to no avail until it told me I had tried too many times and to try again in a few DAYS!!! So, today I called. Felt badly for the young man who got me as I was relatively angry, as he was giving me the "standard" response and I did not want that. He finally rescheduled my package for Monday. It better get here. In fact, I just checked online and they have not yet rescheduled even though I have now spoken to two Fed Ex Customer Service gentlemen who have assured me that it will get here on Monday. I will let you know. Because if it does not, I will probably take to social media!
It is hot today. It is almost 10:00 PM and it is still hot here.
I got my eyeglass straps to take on the trip. Even though my progressive bifocals are fairly new I cannot read with them. So I got some lovely reading glasses and now have straps for all of them. This will allow me to keep track of them as I travel in September.
I did finally get to the grocery. I picked up some of the meats at Dutchway that were on special and in packages for single people. This is one of the only stores that deals with, not only family packs for those folks feeding kids but also package things in sets of two or three for older couples and people like me who live alone. I got the basics, milk, eggs and bread. I also picked up some of their chicken salad. It is really, really good chicken salad and I see stuffed tomatoes in my future.
The rest of the day was getting some more stuff put away, playing with the dogs and preparing to teach Sunday School.
I am fairly new to the teaching thing at church. So I have to spend more time than most getting my thoughts organized based on the lesson from our Quarterly book. I only do this once a month, but it seems to come around faster and faster all the time. I did stop at church before heading to the store. I had to get the selected hymns for tomorrow entered into the projections system. This allows the congregation to see the words up on a screen and not have to fumble through the hymnals. We finally have a nice group of people who work together to make the Sunday Service look well put together and fluid. Little do they know what has to go into that system to make it look that way!
Tomorrow I will be heading to Indian Acres after church to see a friend. It has been quite a while since I have been there and she and her companion have just moved into another place that is better suited for their family. I am looking forward to seeing this place.
I did stop today to take a picture. As everyone knows, unless you are living under a rock, the
Summer Olympics are happening in Rio de janeiro, Brazil. There are several athletes from around our Philadelphia area, but one was actually from this immediate area. Cierra Runge graduated from Octorara High School and was on the swim team. She swam the qualifying heat that got the women's swim team into the final round. While she did not swim in the final, the team, doing the 4x200m freestyle relay, won the gold medal, so anyone who swam in that competition also won the gold medal. So, passing the school today, I noticed the sign at the school complex and made sure to stop and take a picture. Here is our tiny claim to fame:
Another Breathe Right Strip resulted in another good night's sleep. I did have some really strange dreams overnight and I work while dreaming and had to kind of shake myself into real reality versus dream reality. The last one I was trying to drive the truck and it kept traveling in directions over which I had no control, including braking. I could either drive with no steering or stop just before I hit something. A very helpless feeling. Perhaps I need to drive the truck some so my mind does not keep thinking that it does not work right!
My first task was to contact Fed Ex. A delivery was not made as the driver made a very limited attempt to do so. Instead I got a 'door tag' stating I could pick up the package in West Chester with no additional delivery scheduled. I had tried to log onto the web site to list my request for a re-delivery, but to no avail until it told me I had tried too many times and to try again in a few DAYS!!! So, today I called. Felt badly for the young man who got me as I was relatively angry, as he was giving me the "standard" response and I did not want that. He finally rescheduled my package for Monday. It better get here. In fact, I just checked online and they have not yet rescheduled even though I have now spoken to two Fed Ex Customer Service gentlemen who have assured me that it will get here on Monday. I will let you know. Because if it does not, I will probably take to social media!
It is hot today. It is almost 10:00 PM and it is still hot here.
I got my eyeglass straps to take on the trip. Even though my progressive bifocals are fairly new I cannot read with them. So I got some lovely reading glasses and now have straps for all of them. This will allow me to keep track of them as I travel in September.
I did finally get to the grocery. I picked up some of the meats at Dutchway that were on special and in packages for single people. This is one of the only stores that deals with, not only family packs for those folks feeding kids but also package things in sets of two or three for older couples and people like me who live alone. I got the basics, milk, eggs and bread. I also picked up some of their chicken salad. It is really, really good chicken salad and I see stuffed tomatoes in my future.
The rest of the day was getting some more stuff put away, playing with the dogs and preparing to teach Sunday School.
I am fairly new to the teaching thing at church. So I have to spend more time than most getting my thoughts organized based on the lesson from our Quarterly book. I only do this once a month, but it seems to come around faster and faster all the time. I did stop at church before heading to the store. I had to get the selected hymns for tomorrow entered into the projections system. This allows the congregation to see the words up on a screen and not have to fumble through the hymnals. We finally have a nice group of people who work together to make the Sunday Service look well put together and fluid. Little do they know what has to go into that system to make it look that way!
Tomorrow I will be heading to Indian Acres after church to see a friend. It has been quite a while since I have been there and she and her companion have just moved into another place that is better suited for their family. I am looking forward to seeing this place.
I did stop today to take a picture. As everyone knows, unless you are living under a rock, the
Summer Olympics are happening in Rio de janeiro, Brazil. There are several athletes from around our Philadelphia area, but one was actually from this immediate area. Cierra Runge graduated from Octorara High School and was on the swim team. She swam the qualifying heat that got the women's swim team into the final round. While she did not swim in the final, the team, doing the 4x200m freestyle relay, won the gold medal, so anyone who swam in that competition also won the gold medal. So, passing the school today, I noticed the sign at the school complex and made sure to stop and take a picture. Here is our tiny claim to fame:
Friday, August 12, 2016
Just one of those days....
You have them every now and then. I seem to have more than my share as I get older, but today was just one of those days.
I slept well. It was not fitful as it can sometimes be. I slept in large chunks of time. I used, for the first time in a while, The Breathe Right Nasal strips. I will try it again tonight and see if it makes a difference. But my total hours sleeping was close to 9 hours last night. That usually results in a good day.
Not today!
I got off to a good start. Gathering some things together and then sat down to pay bills. This was where the wheels began to come off the wagon. A couple of bills hit at the same time and I usually get them all paid and find I have some left over. Not today. It is going to be very, very tight until my next Social Security deposit hits. Good thing I have lots of food supplies and the like at home. I should be fine with just some bread, milk and eggs,
Then, I was expecting a very important delivery. I heard the Fed Ex truck door slam, then a minute later again and they were gone. I went out to find no package, just a door tag. I am guessing that the door bell did not work (sometimes they do not) but the delivery person did not knock very hard, if at all. I tried logging on to set up better instructions, but have managed to get locked out and will have to hope they will try to deliver again on Monday! Really took my mood into the really rotten level.
I did get the van unloaded. I am ready to head to Indian Acres on Sunday to pick up yet another sewing machine in a cabinet. Not sure what I will do with it. I would love to have a usable machine to have upstairs so I can sew during my recovery when I have my knee replaced in October.
It was very, very, very, very hot today. I took a couple of breaks when I unloaded the van. The dogs did not even want to be out today. They usually enjoy times out in the yard, romping and watching the birds and stuff in the yard. Not today. Out, pee (and sometimes just to the pee pad in the the kitchen) and back into the cool air.
We are all spoiled.
This afternoon, I watched some sappy movies on Hallmark Movie Channel. Some of them had me in tears... it was that kind of a day! I was overwhelmed today and could have used someone to rub my back and give me a hug and perhaps even cook dinner for me. Ended the day with buttered popcorn that I shared with the dogs. It was a fairly nice end to the day. But I really needed a hug!
Tomorrow should be hotter and hopefully better!
I slept well. It was not fitful as it can sometimes be. I slept in large chunks of time. I used, for the first time in a while, The Breathe Right Nasal strips. I will try it again tonight and see if it makes a difference. But my total hours sleeping was close to 9 hours last night. That usually results in a good day.
Not today!
I got off to a good start. Gathering some things together and then sat down to pay bills. This was where the wheels began to come off the wagon. A couple of bills hit at the same time and I usually get them all paid and find I have some left over. Not today. It is going to be very, very tight until my next Social Security deposit hits. Good thing I have lots of food supplies and the like at home. I should be fine with just some bread, milk and eggs,
Then, I was expecting a very important delivery. I heard the Fed Ex truck door slam, then a minute later again and they were gone. I went out to find no package, just a door tag. I am guessing that the door bell did not work (sometimes they do not) but the delivery person did not knock very hard, if at all. I tried logging on to set up better instructions, but have managed to get locked out and will have to hope they will try to deliver again on Monday! Really took my mood into the really rotten level.
I did get the van unloaded. I am ready to head to Indian Acres on Sunday to pick up yet another sewing machine in a cabinet. Not sure what I will do with it. I would love to have a usable machine to have upstairs so I can sew during my recovery when I have my knee replaced in October.
It was very, very, very, very hot today. I took a couple of breaks when I unloaded the van. The dogs did not even want to be out today. They usually enjoy times out in the yard, romping and watching the birds and stuff in the yard. Not today. Out, pee (and sometimes just to the pee pad in the the kitchen) and back into the cool air.
We are all spoiled.
This afternoon, I watched some sappy movies on Hallmark Movie Channel. Some of them had me in tears... it was that kind of a day! I was overwhelmed today and could have used someone to rub my back and give me a hug and perhaps even cook dinner for me. Ended the day with buttered popcorn that I shared with the dogs. It was a fairly nice end to the day. But I really needed a hug!
Tomorrow should be hotter and hopefully better!
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Busy Day on the Road...
So, the quiet days of the last days was blown out of the water by today.
I actually set an alarm clock last night so I would not sleep late. Not that Miles would let that happen, but just in case, if I have an earlier morning event, I set my alarm for 7:00 AM.
So up, feed the dogs, shower and dress and out the door for a 9:30 AM Breakfast with Andi Propst. Andi is a young lady from church who is working in a mission capacity in Colorado with a group called YWAM (Youth With A Mission) who is helping businesses being set up in countries who are poor, in an attempt to stem the tide of human trafficking that provides incomes in these countries. Andi is home from Colorado and meeting with all of the folks who are supporting her on her mission.
We had breakfast at Dutchway. We chatted and she shared the things that are happening in her life in Colorado. They are exciting for her and she is feeling very positive about her experiences that she has had so far.
Following a delightful Eggs Benedict breakfast, I headed to the bank to deposit checks for the OBX trip and then headed to Exton. I went to Sam's Club to get pee pads for the dogs. I wanted to get enough so the Deb Scott will have plenty when I am away and she is taking care of my dogs. I wandered around and found snacks to take on the plane, some reading glasses to pack and carry along with a box of clear sleeves that I will need for the OBX trip. Headed back home and got gas in the Elantra before calling it a day.
The dogs were quite happy to see me. They went outside, but today and for the weekend, they will not be outside long. There is an excessive heat advisory in effect, so the humidity and temps are going to be in excess of 100 degrees and, Miles especially with his long and thick fur coat, will get overheated very quickly. They really seem to enjoy being spoiled pooches, living in the luxury of central air. Me, too, so we will enjoy it together.
Talked to my brother today. He called with some questions about days gone by. We caught up on what we are each doing. There are days when I wished we lived a bit closer. I feel like I am missing out by not being able to see him in person, but our lives have just taken different routes and have us on different paths. But we try to stay in touch by phone.
I will need to get started early tomorrow. I have to empty the van of stuff I have been lazy about unloading... but Sunday I am heading to Indian Acres and will be bring home yet another older Kenmore sewing machine in a cabinet. Not sure what I will do with it, but I was not going to let it go to the dump! I will clean up this machine and see how it runs. Perhaps better than the one I just cleaned. I will determine what I will do with them both. I am hoping that one can stay up in the living room so I can so some sewing as I recover from my knee replacement until I am comfortable going up and down my basement steps.
Tomorrow I need to hit the grocery. Hopefully it will be early after I get the van empty and then I can stay in and cool for the afternoon.
I actually set an alarm clock last night so I would not sleep late. Not that Miles would let that happen, but just in case, if I have an earlier morning event, I set my alarm for 7:00 AM.
So up, feed the dogs, shower and dress and out the door for a 9:30 AM Breakfast with Andi Propst. Andi is a young lady from church who is working in a mission capacity in Colorado with a group called YWAM (Youth With A Mission) who is helping businesses being set up in countries who are poor, in an attempt to stem the tide of human trafficking that provides incomes in these countries. Andi is home from Colorado and meeting with all of the folks who are supporting her on her mission.
We had breakfast at Dutchway. We chatted and she shared the things that are happening in her life in Colorado. They are exciting for her and she is feeling very positive about her experiences that she has had so far.
Following a delightful Eggs Benedict breakfast, I headed to the bank to deposit checks for the OBX trip and then headed to Exton. I went to Sam's Club to get pee pads for the dogs. I wanted to get enough so the Deb Scott will have plenty when I am away and she is taking care of my dogs. I wandered around and found snacks to take on the plane, some reading glasses to pack and carry along with a box of clear sleeves that I will need for the OBX trip. Headed back home and got gas in the Elantra before calling it a day.
The dogs were quite happy to see me. They went outside, but today and for the weekend, they will not be outside long. There is an excessive heat advisory in effect, so the humidity and temps are going to be in excess of 100 degrees and, Miles especially with his long and thick fur coat, will get overheated very quickly. They really seem to enjoy being spoiled pooches, living in the luxury of central air. Me, too, so we will enjoy it together.
Talked to my brother today. He called with some questions about days gone by. We caught up on what we are each doing. There are days when I wished we lived a bit closer. I feel like I am missing out by not being able to see him in person, but our lives have just taken different routes and have us on different paths. But we try to stay in touch by phone.
I will need to get started early tomorrow. I have to empty the van of stuff I have been lazy about unloading... but Sunday I am heading to Indian Acres and will be bring home yet another older Kenmore sewing machine in a cabinet. Not sure what I will do with it, but I was not going to let it go to the dump! I will clean up this machine and see how it runs. Perhaps better than the one I just cleaned. I will determine what I will do with them both. I am hoping that one can stay up in the living room so I can so some sewing as I recover from my knee replacement until I am comfortable going up and down my basement steps.
Tomorrow I need to hit the grocery. Hopefully it will be early after I get the van empty and then I can stay in and cool for the afternoon.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
A quiet week... watching the Olympics...
After the picnic on Sunday and being out in the sun, Monday arrived and I just felt totally lazy. There are days like that and I totally went with the day. It is one of those things that is good... and bad.... about being retired. If I have no appointments, or nothing scheduled, do not have to go shopping and really have no one coming to the house who will give a rat's ass what it look likes, then if I am feeling lazy, then I will stay in my jammies until late afternoon and get dressed only so I can go out to get the mail.
Now, I did strip my bed, washed the sheets and put them back on the bed. So I was not a total bum on Monday.
Tuesday was not much better. It is always 'put out the trash day'... Tuesdays! It is the one day that I grumble and silently (or sometimes out loud) yell at Rudy for having the nerve to die so young and leave me behind. My job was to gather the stuff, Rudy bagged it and got it into the cans and got them around front. I hate doing this job. I really, really hate doing this job. There are times when I am dragging the can out to the front late into the evening, sometimes the last thing before I go to bed.
So I was sorting and cleaning in areas yesterday. Tearing down some boxes and just getting rid of stuff.
Today, I had all kinds of plans. I need to go to the bank to deposit checks. But I knew another one was coming to finish paying for the upcoming week at the Outer Banks. So, I started watching the swimming competitions at the Rio Olympics.... done for the day. What fun to watch. Very impressive athletes doing things I would never be able to do.
So, tomorrow will be a much busier day as I do stuff scheduled for tomorrow and then catch up on the stuff that I needed to do today.
I love being retired!!!
Now, I did strip my bed, washed the sheets and put them back on the bed. So I was not a total bum on Monday.
Tuesday was not much better. It is always 'put out the trash day'... Tuesdays! It is the one day that I grumble and silently (or sometimes out loud) yell at Rudy for having the nerve to die so young and leave me behind. My job was to gather the stuff, Rudy bagged it and got it into the cans and got them around front. I hate doing this job. I really, really hate doing this job. There are times when I am dragging the can out to the front late into the evening, sometimes the last thing before I go to bed.
So I was sorting and cleaning in areas yesterday. Tearing down some boxes and just getting rid of stuff.
Today, I had all kinds of plans. I need to go to the bank to deposit checks. But I knew another one was coming to finish paying for the upcoming week at the Outer Banks. So, I started watching the swimming competitions at the Rio Olympics.... done for the day. What fun to watch. Very impressive athletes doing things I would never be able to do.
So, tomorrow will be a much busier day as I do stuff scheduled for tomorrow and then catch up on the stuff that I needed to do today.
I love being retired!!!
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Help with the harvest...picnics and beans
The last several days were just more of the same. I am working on getting things organized for the upcoming trip to Alaska and Minnesota. I am trying to tidy up the house by uncluttering some more as well as beginning to gather things that I would like to take on my trip and see if I can get them all into two suitcases within weight limits for the airlines.
Some days I do better than others, but each day I make progress and that is a good thing.
Today I had another picnic to attend. One of my BFF's was having a picnic with some of her newer friends that she went on a cruise this spring/summer. She had invited me to come, too and I had agreed. When I asked her what I should bring, she asked me to make my baked beans. So, for the 5th time this summer, I would be making the beans my mother had gotten so good at making.
The picnic was originally scheduled for Saturday, but the forecast had indicated there might be some storms. So they had decided to move it to Sunday, but by the time they made that decision, the beans were already in cooking mode. But it was not a big deal. They just sat and blended in the basement fridge to be heated through today while I was at church. I have to say, of all of the beans I have made this summer, these turned out the best. I has soaked a pound and a half of the Navy Beans. I used the medium roasting pan and about 15 hours of total cooking time. The people today made quite a dent in them, but I will have some to either eat the rest of the week or freeze. Honestly, I love these beans, but I am about done eating them for the time being.
Before I headed to Debby's house today, I had put Winston and Miles out for their final pee before I left. I usually try to give them a good 15 minutes to wander around the yard. So, I went out and called for them to come in. Most of the time, Winston comes romping around the left corner of the deck roof from the lilac bush that he has claimed as his den. He loves to go over there, crawl under the bush and dig some holes where he lies in the cool earth in the summer. His blue lead was going in that direction, but he was not bounding around the corner. I moved to where I could see him and he appeared to be playing with a ball... except there are no toys outside.
Last night, when they went out for their final pee, I had found Winston in the corner of the garden with one of my tomato plants. I yelled at him and he came out of the plant, covered in tomato leaves and smelling like a freshly smooshed tomato leaf... stinky!!
So I am guessing that today he went over there and had retrieved a not quite ripe tomato and had taken it to his lilac den and had been playing around at burying it. His actions are to bury an item, then dig it up and bury it in a different place and then dig it up again. I yelled at him and then went over to the corner and pulled on his lead and he came very easily but with the tomato firmly held in his teeth. I know better than to grab at something that he sees as food, so we just trotted into the back door where he dropped the juicy orb and allowed me to pick it up.
Nothing like a dog who has an affinity for tomatoes and wants to help harvest tomatoes for you! He does keep my life interesting.
Pictures of the poor tomato that he harvested, please note the mud on the bottom!!
Some days I do better than others, but each day I make progress and that is a good thing.
Today I had another picnic to attend. One of my BFF's was having a picnic with some of her newer friends that she went on a cruise this spring/summer. She had invited me to come, too and I had agreed. When I asked her what I should bring, she asked me to make my baked beans. So, for the 5th time this summer, I would be making the beans my mother had gotten so good at making.
The picnic was originally scheduled for Saturday, but the forecast had indicated there might be some storms. So they had decided to move it to Sunday, but by the time they made that decision, the beans were already in cooking mode. But it was not a big deal. They just sat and blended in the basement fridge to be heated through today while I was at church. I have to say, of all of the beans I have made this summer, these turned out the best. I has soaked a pound and a half of the Navy Beans. I used the medium roasting pan and about 15 hours of total cooking time. The people today made quite a dent in them, but I will have some to either eat the rest of the week or freeze. Honestly, I love these beans, but I am about done eating them for the time being.
Before I headed to Debby's house today, I had put Winston and Miles out for their final pee before I left. I usually try to give them a good 15 minutes to wander around the yard. So, I went out and called for them to come in. Most of the time, Winston comes romping around the left corner of the deck roof from the lilac bush that he has claimed as his den. He loves to go over there, crawl under the bush and dig some holes where he lies in the cool earth in the summer. His blue lead was going in that direction, but he was not bounding around the corner. I moved to where I could see him and he appeared to be playing with a ball... except there are no toys outside.
Last night, when they went out for their final pee, I had found Winston in the corner of the garden with one of my tomato plants. I yelled at him and he came out of the plant, covered in tomato leaves and smelling like a freshly smooshed tomato leaf... stinky!!
So I am guessing that today he went over there and had retrieved a not quite ripe tomato and had taken it to his lilac den and had been playing around at burying it. His actions are to bury an item, then dig it up and bury it in a different place and then dig it up again. I yelled at him and then went over to the corner and pulled on his lead and he came very easily but with the tomato firmly held in his teeth. I know better than to grab at something that he sees as food, so we just trotted into the back door where he dropped the juicy orb and allowed me to pick it up.
Nothing like a dog who has an affinity for tomatoes and wants to help harvest tomatoes for you! He does keep my life interesting.
Pictures of the poor tomato that he harvested, please note the mud on the bottom!!
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Still sorting... coming to terms....moving forward....
Another day of going through stuff. I love food magazines and love getting the ones like Simple and Delicious, Country Cook and any of the magazines that are at the checkout line that deal with slow cookers or specific types of foods. I look through them and then they pile up on my couch.
So, I am going through them and pulling out the recipes that I think I would like to try, sometime. One of the recipes was one that I had been looking for. As you know, I have harvested quite a few tomatoes. I have had bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches, grilled burgers with tomatoes and salads. But the tomato pile did not seem to be going down. So the recipe I was searching for (I remembered seeing it when I got the magazine) was for fresh tomato soup.
It took just about all of my tomatoes that have ripened. It was very, very easy to make. The only thing I did not like was that it called for olive oil to saute the onions and garlic, but I felt it had a lingering back flavor for the soup. So next time, just Canola oil.
I got my replacement 'Tiles' in the mail today. I had gotten the "Tiles" when they first came out. The hook onto key rings, get tucked into wallets and now they even stick to things like phones and computers. They activate and allow you to keep track of those items, using your cell phone or IPad. If something gets lost, I can look it up and see if it is in the house or where the last place it was 'seen' by the software. I had lost the primary key ring to the truck once, after Rudy died. There were more than just the truck key and I knew I had the keys, but I could not find them. It was well over a week before I found them, so when these tracking devices came out, I got several. Since I am traveling with a small computer and suitcases, I got a couple more when I had to replace the old ones (The batteries eventually wear out) so I can tuck them into my suitcases when I travel. The fun thing will be to see if I can identify them in the belly of the planes I am on!
Tonight I am beginning the baked bean process. I have, yet another, picnic. And I have been asked to bring the beans. So I have beans in the roasting pan and soaking. Tomorrow is the all day cooking. I may have to do this one more time before heading out to my September adventure.
Took Miles to the vet, today. I had to get his nails clipped. Winston gets his done when he is groomed, but I bathe Miles and he is so wiggly that I cannot clip his nails myself. So it is a tech visit as we do not need to see the doctor. He did well, but he must have gotten caught on something outside as they found a nail that was split up the side. They did weigh Miles and in the last couple of months, he has put on a pound. I thought he was getting a tad round, so they are going to find their peanut butter treats cut back and their food slimmed a bit, too. Miles would eat himself into oblivion if I would keep food around all of the time.
After my soup dinner, I headed to Walmart. I needed onions for the beans, so I picked up most of the things on my list. I also found some cute sleeved tops that will work well in Alaska in September.
Tomorrow the furnace and air conditioner gets it's yearly service. Party on either Saturday or Sunday, depending on the rain. I also have a drop in gathering for the young lady I am supporting on her mission trip in Colorado. She is home for a couple of weeks and I am looking forward to seeing her.
Busy, busy!!!
So, I am going through them and pulling out the recipes that I think I would like to try, sometime. One of the recipes was one that I had been looking for. As you know, I have harvested quite a few tomatoes. I have had bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches, grilled burgers with tomatoes and salads. But the tomato pile did not seem to be going down. So the recipe I was searching for (I remembered seeing it when I got the magazine) was for fresh tomato soup.
It took just about all of my tomatoes that have ripened. It was very, very easy to make. The only thing I did not like was that it called for olive oil to saute the onions and garlic, but I felt it had a lingering back flavor for the soup. So next time, just Canola oil.
I got my replacement 'Tiles' in the mail today. I had gotten the "Tiles" when they first came out. The hook onto key rings, get tucked into wallets and now they even stick to things like phones and computers. They activate and allow you to keep track of those items, using your cell phone or IPad. If something gets lost, I can look it up and see if it is in the house or where the last place it was 'seen' by the software. I had lost the primary key ring to the truck once, after Rudy died. There were more than just the truck key and I knew I had the keys, but I could not find them. It was well over a week before I found them, so when these tracking devices came out, I got several. Since I am traveling with a small computer and suitcases, I got a couple more when I had to replace the old ones (The batteries eventually wear out) so I can tuck them into my suitcases when I travel. The fun thing will be to see if I can identify them in the belly of the planes I am on!
Tonight I am beginning the baked bean process. I have, yet another, picnic. And I have been asked to bring the beans. So I have beans in the roasting pan and soaking. Tomorrow is the all day cooking. I may have to do this one more time before heading out to my September adventure.
Took Miles to the vet, today. I had to get his nails clipped. Winston gets his done when he is groomed, but I bathe Miles and he is so wiggly that I cannot clip his nails myself. So it is a tech visit as we do not need to see the doctor. He did well, but he must have gotten caught on something outside as they found a nail that was split up the side. They did weigh Miles and in the last couple of months, he has put on a pound. I thought he was getting a tad round, so they are going to find their peanut butter treats cut back and their food slimmed a bit, too. Miles would eat himself into oblivion if I would keep food around all of the time.
After my soup dinner, I headed to Walmart. I needed onions for the beans, so I picked up most of the things on my list. I also found some cute sleeved tops that will work well in Alaska in September.
Tomorrow the furnace and air conditioner gets it's yearly service. Party on either Saturday or Sunday, depending on the rain. I also have a drop in gathering for the young lady I am supporting on her mission trip in Colorado. She is home for a couple of weeks and I am looking forward to seeing her.
Busy, busy!!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Another day of organizing and sorting.....
Feeling back to normal. Beyond being angry, even irritated. So I am once again getting back to my tasks at hand.
So not much more than sorting through some of the Living Room and Dining Room piles.
So, not much to report. It was a good day!!!
So not much more than sorting through some of the Living Room and Dining Room piles.
So, not much to report. It was a good day!!!
Monday, August 1, 2016
Harvest #3
So, I had rain here at home, off and on all weekend. I did not get out to check my overgrown garden. I really did not think that where I had decided to put my garden would get enough sun and thus would not grow well.
I was wrong.
Perhaps it was the preparation of the virgin soil. The only thing that had grown in the area was grass and normal lawn weeds. It has not been an overly dry summer. It has rained or sprinkled generally once a week. The place where the garden is collects the rain water off the garage roof, so I am guessing that it has been getting plenty of moisture at the right times. I added some enriched soil from Home Depot when I tilled and then added Miracle Grow.
Yep, preparation counts.
I felt I was a little late getting the crops in the ground.... but the garden seems to be making up for lost time.
What have I learned.... I forgot to snip suckers on the tomatoes, so I have vines everywhere. I must do that next year. Too many tomato plants for just one person. Next year one grape tomato plant and two regular tomatoes. I will stake them up AND cage them. With the tomatoes growing, the vines get really heavy.
The garden is going to be enlarged. It will go from the outside garage door all the way to the back of the garage. The beans are going to be planted with the green peppers. The tomatoes took over the peppers and, as you may have noticed, I am not getting any of them. The eggplant will be between the beans and peppers, they will be staked up because when the eggplant begins to form, the plants get top heavy.
I may have a bigger garden, but probably not any more plants, in fact I will have fewer tomatoes. I will bring the garden farther out from the garage so I have a space at the back of the garden to walk and collect the veggies. May even have spaces between the 'crops'.
So, tonight I was not sure what I was going to have for dinner, but as you can see.... BLT's are going to be on the menu! Yummy!!!
I was wrong.
Perhaps it was the preparation of the virgin soil. The only thing that had grown in the area was grass and normal lawn weeds. It has not been an overly dry summer. It has rained or sprinkled generally once a week. The place where the garden is collects the rain water off the garage roof, so I am guessing that it has been getting plenty of moisture at the right times. I added some enriched soil from Home Depot when I tilled and then added Miracle Grow.
Yep, preparation counts.
I felt I was a little late getting the crops in the ground.... but the garden seems to be making up for lost time.
What have I learned.... I forgot to snip suckers on the tomatoes, so I have vines everywhere. I must do that next year. Too many tomato plants for just one person. Next year one grape tomato plant and two regular tomatoes. I will stake them up AND cage them. With the tomatoes growing, the vines get really heavy.
The garden is going to be enlarged. It will go from the outside garage door all the way to the back of the garage. The beans are going to be planted with the green peppers. The tomatoes took over the peppers and, as you may have noticed, I am not getting any of them. The eggplant will be between the beans and peppers, they will be staked up because when the eggplant begins to form, the plants get top heavy.
I may have a bigger garden, but probably not any more plants, in fact I will have fewer tomatoes. I will bring the garden farther out from the garage so I have a space at the back of the garden to walk and collect the veggies. May even have spaces between the 'crops'.
So, tonight I was not sure what I was going to have for dinner, but as you can see.... BLT's are going to be on the menu! Yummy!!!
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Calming some and still doing QA.... after all of these years!
First, I was a tad concerned about seeing the pastor this morning. While I did not want to scratch his eyes out as I have for the last couple of days, I was still upset enough I was afraid I might say something that I might regret. To understand... during the church service I run the projection system where we have lovely backgrounds, the words to the hymns for the day show on screens for those who do not like to open a book, etc. and the pastor uses PowerPoint to move through his sermons, so we usually deal with one another. (I had also noticed that after 7 months, he had misspelled my name in the bulletin.) So, when he showed up, I had finished my stuff with the system... and I just left without saying a word. I guess that is saying something without saying anything. I am still considering not going to the Church Picnic on the 21st, his last official day... if it is as hot as today, it will be because I do not do well in heat these days. But my anger is finally calming down. I really do not want to waste my time being angry when it will change absolutely nothing. So I am better, but not quite there yet. Pray for me!
Today I managed to do something that the Samsung Corporation had told me twice could not be done.
For those of you who do not know, I used to work in the QA (Quality Assurance) Department for a payroll company that processes payroll for little, medium sized and large companies. I was in the area where the software was being developed. My job, when they compiled the new software in a run, was to test the software on a variety of Operating Systems and, once we got Internet based software, on a variety of web browsers. I was to use the software correctly and then pound it with all kinds of wrong entries to make the software break. Far better to work out bugs before it is released than to send it out riddled with flaws and breakdowns. Once it broke once, I needed to continue to make it break until I could determine which action was actually flawed. Sometimes I could even determine a direction needed to make it work.
I have a lovely little Samsung 'Point & Shoot' camera that allows me to send the pictures I have taken directly to my computers via the Internet. It is so much easier than using a card reader and taking the cards in and out of the camera and computer. There is a PC Auto Backup software that acts as the transfer from the camera. I have had it loaded on several of my computers. It was on my Windows 8.1 computer that I updated to Windows 10 and the program runs beautifully.
If you have been reading, you know that I am putting together a lovely little Dell computer to take on trips so I am not dragging my big laptops out where they might get lost or broken. I wanted to get the PC Auto Backup loaded on it so I would not have to do the card in and out thing. But I could not remember how I got it in the first place. So I contacted Samsung Customer Service with a detailed explanation of what I needed.
The first email was obviously the canned response to my inquiry. I was told that my camera was not compatible with Windows 10. So I plugged my camera into my computers and sure enough, the software, which resides in the camera, was not visible. So I wrote back, and asked them to just send me the program, because if I could get it installed, it works on Windows 10. I gave them the number that was the reference from their first response. Their second response was the same canned response with an emphasis on downloading the user manual and follow instructions that would not accomplish what I wanted.
So I sat back and did some more research... like my old QA days. Today something clicked. There is an I-Launcher program that also must run first. I searched the Internet and actually found a link to the I-Launcher software. I sent to link to myself on GMail so I could open it in my little Dell. It opened, installed and this time when I connected the camera, the PC Auto Backup software was right there. I installed that, took a couple of pictures and it works perfectly..... So take that Samsung. I found the work around for this glitch. I am sure you would have preferred I just buy a new camera... but not today!!!
Tonight I made Clams Sauce with Linguine. It was one of those Easy Peasy recipes that came across my email. I just needed two small cans of chopped clams and a box of linguine. The rest is stuff I usually have in the fridge. I altered it some as it called for a lot of mushrooms and, while I love mushrooms, I wanted to taste the clams. I added onions, too, as everything is better with onions. It was delicious. Another keeper!!
So, have a lovely evening. Another week begins!
Today I managed to do something that the Samsung Corporation had told me twice could not be done.
For those of you who do not know, I used to work in the QA (Quality Assurance) Department for a payroll company that processes payroll for little, medium sized and large companies. I was in the area where the software was being developed. My job, when they compiled the new software in a run, was to test the software on a variety of Operating Systems and, once we got Internet based software, on a variety of web browsers. I was to use the software correctly and then pound it with all kinds of wrong entries to make the software break. Far better to work out bugs before it is released than to send it out riddled with flaws and breakdowns. Once it broke once, I needed to continue to make it break until I could determine which action was actually flawed. Sometimes I could even determine a direction needed to make it work.
I have a lovely little Samsung 'Point & Shoot' camera that allows me to send the pictures I have taken directly to my computers via the Internet. It is so much easier than using a card reader and taking the cards in and out of the camera and computer. There is a PC Auto Backup software that acts as the transfer from the camera. I have had it loaded on several of my computers. It was on my Windows 8.1 computer that I updated to Windows 10 and the program runs beautifully.
If you have been reading, you know that I am putting together a lovely little Dell computer to take on trips so I am not dragging my big laptops out where they might get lost or broken. I wanted to get the PC Auto Backup loaded on it so I would not have to do the card in and out thing. But I could not remember how I got it in the first place. So I contacted Samsung Customer Service with a detailed explanation of what I needed.
The first email was obviously the canned response to my inquiry. I was told that my camera was not compatible with Windows 10. So I plugged my camera into my computers and sure enough, the software, which resides in the camera, was not visible. So I wrote back, and asked them to just send me the program, because if I could get it installed, it works on Windows 10. I gave them the number that was the reference from their first response. Their second response was the same canned response with an emphasis on downloading the user manual and follow instructions that would not accomplish what I wanted.
So I sat back and did some more research... like my old QA days. Today something clicked. There is an I-Launcher program that also must run first. I searched the Internet and actually found a link to the I-Launcher software. I sent to link to myself on GMail so I could open it in my little Dell. It opened, installed and this time when I connected the camera, the PC Auto Backup software was right there. I installed that, took a couple of pictures and it works perfectly..... So take that Samsung. I found the work around for this glitch. I am sure you would have preferred I just buy a new camera... but not today!!!
Tonight I made Clams Sauce with Linguine. It was one of those Easy Peasy recipes that came across my email. I just needed two small cans of chopped clams and a box of linguine. The rest is stuff I usually have in the fridge. I altered it some as it called for a lot of mushrooms and, while I love mushrooms, I wanted to taste the clams. I added onions, too, as everything is better with onions. It was delicious. Another keeper!!
So, have a lovely evening. Another week begins!
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Still Angry, Sewing and the Dell....
I am still angry today. Tossed and turned late into the night. Found myself eating ice cream out of the carton at 3:00 AM. The nice thing is that I am not alone. Several church members were at Sew Much Love today and they feel betrayed and are in many different stages of anger and madness. I would hate being Randy tomorrow!
Sew Much Love was nice. I was able to articulate the situation and it was freeing to be able to speak the words to others and find I have not gone around the bend. We discussed changes coming to Sew Much Love. We are looking at either continuing doing the pillowcases, doing something different or adding a charity while doing pillowcases, too. There were only 6 ladies here today, so we will let the others know and see what happens.
In the afternoon we made wired headbands and then three of us made little craft stick chaors for our phones. Next meeting we will be making little duffle bags.
I have been working on the little Dell computer. I cannot tell you how happy I am with it. I took it to Sew Much Love today and played music most of the day using a bluetooth speaker. I cannot believe that it only cost me $58.00, rounded up. I have added a wireless mouse, a usb stick with files from the living room desktop. I loaded a virus protection software and the full Office Suite and there is still plenty of room on the little hard drive.
As promised, here are a couple of pictures of the little machine...
Sew Much Love was nice. I was able to articulate the situation and it was freeing to be able to speak the words to others and find I have not gone around the bend. We discussed changes coming to Sew Much Love. We are looking at either continuing doing the pillowcases, doing something different or adding a charity while doing pillowcases, too. There were only 6 ladies here today, so we will let the others know and see what happens.
In the afternoon we made wired headbands and then three of us made little craft stick chaors for our phones. Next meeting we will be making little duffle bags.
I have been working on the little Dell computer. I cannot tell you how happy I am with it. I took it to Sew Much Love today and played music most of the day using a bluetooth speaker. I cannot believe that it only cost me $58.00, rounded up. I have added a wireless mouse, a usb stick with files from the living room desktop. I loaded a virus protection software and the full Office Suite and there is still plenty of room on the little hard drive.
As promised, here are a couple of pictures of the little machine...
I am dreading tomorrow when I have to deal with Randy face to face. He needs to know how we feel and take responsibility for the pain he is causing. In our opinion, he did not handle this at all well and has shaded the truth about the timing as there is no way it could have possibly happened as quickly as he said! The only truth is that hs has slapped all of us in the face, including the two bishops who helped hire him 7 months ago! At least I no longer want to gouge his eyes out.
Friday, July 29, 2016
I am Angry, today.....
I am angry today. It started Wednesday night. And it has evolved to the current angry state. Hopefully it will move on to forgiveness and/or acceptance so I can move forward. But right now I am angry.
I will attempt to explain as briefly as possible, but brevity is not my best asset.
At my church, Parkesburg Mennonite Church, we have been going through a transition. The pastor of 23 years retired last December. A search committee was set up and spent many months deciding on what we were looking for, interviewing candidates and then bringing in their choice for a 'trial' sermon. We liked him very much and saw him as a vehicle into a new and exciting era. He accepted the post, knowing that all we could afford was a part time pastor. He felt confident that he could find a job that would fill in the monetary hole.
He had fresh and interesting sermons. He had wonderful, new ideas. He had grand visions for a full church that could afford a full time pastor.
Wednesday night the two bishops who serve our church, called a congregational meeting. Not many were there as it was called at the last minute. The pastor and his family were there.
They told us that Pastor Randy was leaving and allowed him to read his resignation letter. The pastor told us that he had tried to find other part time work so he could continue being our pastor and that it had not worked out. He indicated that an inquiry from another church had come from out of the blue. He indicated that he had not been looking. He said it all happened so fast, but they were going to be moving to North Carolina. He teared up and many around me were sobbing. I had tears. Our hopes were going up in smoke.
I immediately felt cheated. He had agreed to shepherd us and he was bailing out. He was leaving us, once again hurt and without leadership or direction.
The next day, I spoke to one of the Elders of our church. They had planned to go visit Randy that evening to air out some things that had been left unsaid and we had a chance to talk openly and about things regarding this issue. The Elder had noticed on Facebook that Randy had received a post regarding the fact that his house had already been sold and hoping that the bid on his new house would be accepted. Plus he finally had posted pictures of their trip to Hickory.
So I have been stewing over all of this. Hard as I try to say it did come about in a matter of a week or so, I just cannot fathom that. He had to get the inquiry, then he had to consider it and then make the decision to go and visit the area, meet with the other church, get an offer of employment and work out those details, get his house ready to sell, on the market and sold all the while looking for a place in Hickory and putting an offer in on it. Sorry, that is just way too much to have happened quickly!! This has been in the works for a lot longer than a week or so. He had to have fudged those time lines to make us feel better.
Now that I am looking at things, he had never really taken ownership of this church. He had not even taken time to visit at all of the member's homes. I know that he was only actually, by keeping careful tabs on hours spent in church work, working the 30 hours per week he was being paid for and if he went over, then he skimped the next week. His heart was not into being a true pastor.
So, right now, as more and more comes out, I am angry. I am feeling as though we were used by a man who is lost in his own search. I am feeling that we were only something to help pay his bills until something better came along and that he had never really stopped looking for that full time gig.
So I will be angry and pray for the ability to accept what he did and in time forgive him and move forward. I hope that day comes soon as I do not like being angry, but I am and each day I get madder. But I will move past this and once I turn it all over to God, I will find peace.
In the meantime, forgive me if I seem surly. I am just struggling with my anger at the current situation.
I will attempt to explain as briefly as possible, but brevity is not my best asset.
At my church, Parkesburg Mennonite Church, we have been going through a transition. The pastor of 23 years retired last December. A search committee was set up and spent many months deciding on what we were looking for, interviewing candidates and then bringing in their choice for a 'trial' sermon. We liked him very much and saw him as a vehicle into a new and exciting era. He accepted the post, knowing that all we could afford was a part time pastor. He felt confident that he could find a job that would fill in the monetary hole.
He had fresh and interesting sermons. He had wonderful, new ideas. He had grand visions for a full church that could afford a full time pastor.
Wednesday night the two bishops who serve our church, called a congregational meeting. Not many were there as it was called at the last minute. The pastor and his family were there.
They told us that Pastor Randy was leaving and allowed him to read his resignation letter. The pastor told us that he had tried to find other part time work so he could continue being our pastor and that it had not worked out. He indicated that an inquiry from another church had come from out of the blue. He indicated that he had not been looking. He said it all happened so fast, but they were going to be moving to North Carolina. He teared up and many around me were sobbing. I had tears. Our hopes were going up in smoke.
I immediately felt cheated. He had agreed to shepherd us and he was bailing out. He was leaving us, once again hurt and without leadership or direction.
The next day, I spoke to one of the Elders of our church. They had planned to go visit Randy that evening to air out some things that had been left unsaid and we had a chance to talk openly and about things regarding this issue. The Elder had noticed on Facebook that Randy had received a post regarding the fact that his house had already been sold and hoping that the bid on his new house would be accepted. Plus he finally had posted pictures of their trip to Hickory.
So I have been stewing over all of this. Hard as I try to say it did come about in a matter of a week or so, I just cannot fathom that. He had to get the inquiry, then he had to consider it and then make the decision to go and visit the area, meet with the other church, get an offer of employment and work out those details, get his house ready to sell, on the market and sold all the while looking for a place in Hickory and putting an offer in on it. Sorry, that is just way too much to have happened quickly!! This has been in the works for a lot longer than a week or so. He had to have fudged those time lines to make us feel better.
Now that I am looking at things, he had never really taken ownership of this church. He had not even taken time to visit at all of the member's homes. I know that he was only actually, by keeping careful tabs on hours spent in church work, working the 30 hours per week he was being paid for and if he went over, then he skimped the next week. His heart was not into being a true pastor.
So, right now, as more and more comes out, I am angry. I am feeling as though we were used by a man who is lost in his own search. I am feeling that we were only something to help pay his bills until something better came along and that he had never really stopped looking for that full time gig.
So I will be angry and pray for the ability to accept what he did and in time forgive him and move forward. I hope that day comes soon as I do not like being angry, but I am and each day I get madder. But I will move past this and once I turn it all over to God, I will find peace.
In the meantime, forgive me if I seem surly. I am just struggling with my anger at the current situation.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
A New Travel Computer ...and a New Knee Coming
Yesterday was a day of new things.
I got a new computer to travel with. I am preparing to head out of town, via plane, to visit my son and his wife in Fairbanks, AK followed by a visit my other son in Minneapolis, MN before heading home. I am hoping to travel with as little luggage as I can, but I know how I am, so, even though it is not going to be happening for a while, I have already begun to think about what I will be taking. And for those of you who know me well, stop laughing!!!
Since I love being connected, I knew I would need to take a laptop to go along. I have two. Both are Windows 7 machines. I must preserve my Windows 7 machines as the software that I prefer to use for my embroidery does not run on Windows 10, so I am nervous about taking either of them in case one might get damaged or lost. But I did not want to spend a great deal of money on a new laptop. There are just some things I do not want to do want to do on my IPad. I prefer a Windows computer.
SO I have been looking for a bit at some cheap, bargain laptops. But I could just not bring myself to click the 'buy' button. But I finally did. I had seen on Groupon a refurbished Dell Lattitude computer. Designed for traveling and working in difficult areas like construction and only 10.1 inches wide, it seemed like a nice alternative. Several that I had seen were running full blown Windows 10. A slower processor and a smaller hard drive (160 GB), it was still good to great to take on a plane. No need for it's own bag, it could easily fit into a larger purse.
There were no reviews on Groupon, so I Googled the make and model and here they were also on Amazon... my favorite online retailer. The ones on Amazon were a couple of dollars cheaper and the reviews were excellent. Before clicking the add to cart button, I looked at the little area where Amazon will have used or alternative sellers. Groupon was selling these computers for $90. Amazon was selling them for $87. But under the used, they listed used but refurbed models with the same options as the Groupon computer. That price was $58. So I threw caution to the wind and ordered it. It was being shipped from New Holland, PA, so it arrived in no time. It looks new, no scratches anywhere. I did not get a 160 GB hard drive, the one in my machine was 250GB. Windows 10 and when I signed on using my Microsoft account, my backgrounds on my other Win 10 machines loaded on this one.
I have also been subscribing to the Microsoft Office Suite at a cost of $99 per year. I can load the suite on 5 computers, but I only had 4 that I work with, so it got loaded on this little computer. I copied my Desktop files and many of my shortcuts came over. Logged on to Google and using Chrome, all of my contacts came over and I have access to Goggle Drive where I can move files to access them anywhere I have Internet. So I am set up. It is just the perfect solution at a better than perfect price.
I will get pictures of it later.
My other big news is that I went to see my knee doctor yesterday. They took X-Rays and when Dr. Renz came in, he asked about my issue. Being very proud, I explained that I had been having some issues and thought I should get in to him before it got as bad as the right knee had gotten. With no smile at all, he looked at me and stated, "Well, you missed that mark." My left knee is shot. There were several options, but getting a replacement was the best option. So on October 24th, I will head to Lancaster General Hospital to have the left knee done. This will have it over and done with before the bad weather begins in the winter. Once I finish rehab I will be walking without knee pain for the first time in many many years. I cannot wait!!
There was a meeting at church last night. The bishops called us in. The news was not good, but I will save this topic for it's own blog entry.
In the meantime, I will keep tweaking this computer... I am writing on it as I type....so it is ready to fly with me.
I got a new computer to travel with. I am preparing to head out of town, via plane, to visit my son and his wife in Fairbanks, AK followed by a visit my other son in Minneapolis, MN before heading home. I am hoping to travel with as little luggage as I can, but I know how I am, so, even though it is not going to be happening for a while, I have already begun to think about what I will be taking. And for those of you who know me well, stop laughing!!!
Since I love being connected, I knew I would need to take a laptop to go along. I have two. Both are Windows 7 machines. I must preserve my Windows 7 machines as the software that I prefer to use for my embroidery does not run on Windows 10, so I am nervous about taking either of them in case one might get damaged or lost. But I did not want to spend a great deal of money on a new laptop. There are just some things I do not want to do want to do on my IPad. I prefer a Windows computer.
SO I have been looking for a bit at some cheap, bargain laptops. But I could just not bring myself to click the 'buy' button. But I finally did. I had seen on Groupon a refurbished Dell Lattitude computer. Designed for traveling and working in difficult areas like construction and only 10.1 inches wide, it seemed like a nice alternative. Several that I had seen were running full blown Windows 10. A slower processor and a smaller hard drive (160 GB), it was still good to great to take on a plane. No need for it's own bag, it could easily fit into a larger purse.
There were no reviews on Groupon, so I Googled the make and model and here they were also on Amazon... my favorite online retailer. The ones on Amazon were a couple of dollars cheaper and the reviews were excellent. Before clicking the add to cart button, I looked at the little area where Amazon will have used or alternative sellers. Groupon was selling these computers for $90. Amazon was selling them for $87. But under the used, they listed used but refurbed models with the same options as the Groupon computer. That price was $58. So I threw caution to the wind and ordered it. It was being shipped from New Holland, PA, so it arrived in no time. It looks new, no scratches anywhere. I did not get a 160 GB hard drive, the one in my machine was 250GB. Windows 10 and when I signed on using my Microsoft account, my backgrounds on my other Win 10 machines loaded on this one.
I have also been subscribing to the Microsoft Office Suite at a cost of $99 per year. I can load the suite on 5 computers, but I only had 4 that I work with, so it got loaded on this little computer. I copied my Desktop files and many of my shortcuts came over. Logged on to Google and using Chrome, all of my contacts came over and I have access to Goggle Drive where I can move files to access them anywhere I have Internet. So I am set up. It is just the perfect solution at a better than perfect price.
I will get pictures of it later.
My other big news is that I went to see my knee doctor yesterday. They took X-Rays and when Dr. Renz came in, he asked about my issue. Being very proud, I explained that I had been having some issues and thought I should get in to him before it got as bad as the right knee had gotten. With no smile at all, he looked at me and stated, "Well, you missed that mark." My left knee is shot. There were several options, but getting a replacement was the best option. So on October 24th, I will head to Lancaster General Hospital to have the left knee done. This will have it over and done with before the bad weather begins in the winter. Once I finish rehab I will be walking without knee pain for the first time in many many years. I cannot wait!!
There was a meeting at church last night. The bishops called us in. The news was not good, but I will save this topic for it's own blog entry.
In the meantime, I will keep tweaking this computer... I am writing on it as I type....so it is ready to fly with me.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Another Harvest.....
This was another slow day. There are just periods of time when I just do not feel like moving... and as Miss Marji would say..... that is OK!
I actually slept until 10:30 AM after feeding the dogs at 7:30 AM. It was not solid sleep and the last couple of hours were some more weird dreams. I cannot tell you what the dreams were, just that they were strange and I was actually happy to have wakened.
But when the garden got into some shade, I went out with shears and removed some more beans, some more cherry tomatoes, one small tomato that had ripened and a lovely eggplant. Nibbled on the little tomatoes as I peeled, sliced, dipped in egg and bread crumbs before frying the eggplant. OMG... it was delicious! I am feeling that all of the trouble to get it in was well worth it thus far!! I already am thinking about where I can make it bigger.
Look at today's bounty:
I actually slept until 10:30 AM after feeding the dogs at 7:30 AM. It was not solid sleep and the last couple of hours were some more weird dreams. I cannot tell you what the dreams were, just that they were strange and I was actually happy to have wakened.
But when the garden got into some shade, I went out with shears and removed some more beans, some more cherry tomatoes, one small tomato that had ripened and a lovely eggplant. Nibbled on the little tomatoes as I peeled, sliced, dipped in egg and bread crumbs before frying the eggplant. OMG... it was delicious! I am feeling that all of the trouble to get it in was well worth it thus far!! I already am thinking about where I can make it bigger.
Look at today's bounty:
Tomorrow I see my knee doctor. It will be interesting to see what I have to go through in order to get it fixed. Also have a meeting at church. It was suddenly called and we are a bit concerned about what the bishop will be coming to tell us.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Good Grief it's Hot....
Excessive Heat Warning in this part of the country. Feels like we are well over 100 degrees and in the next day or two it might actually get to that point without indexing in the humidity.
I slept well last night. I knew that eventually I would catch up on the sleep I had lost.
But today was a quiet day. The dogs were only allowed out for a few minutes at a time. And while they usually enjoy lazing around in the yard, today they barely left the porch. I just had them out for the last pee break of the day and while in the dark it is not quite as hot, it is still uncomfortable. I like the warm weather as compared to the cold... but spring and fall temperatures suit me better.
Worked a bit in the dining room, going through the stuff that has piled up on the table. Washed some of the Sew Much Love finished pillowcases. Getting them ready for donation.
So, not a lot of stuff to report today.... other than to say it is H O T .........
I slept well last night. I knew that eventually I would catch up on the sleep I had lost.
But today was a quiet day. The dogs were only allowed out for a few minutes at a time. And while they usually enjoy lazing around in the yard, today they barely left the porch. I just had them out for the last pee break of the day and while in the dark it is not quite as hot, it is still uncomfortable. I like the warm weather as compared to the cold... but spring and fall temperatures suit me better.
Worked a bit in the dining room, going through the stuff that has piled up on the table. Washed some of the Sew Much Love finished pillowcases. Getting them ready for donation.
So, not a lot of stuff to report today.... other than to say it is H O T .........
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