Dental Appointment on Monday

 

Pokemon-Themed Gift Boxes

My daughter designed and made these Pokemon-themed gift boxes for the gifts she made for an up-coming "Stocking Stuffer" gift exchange with some of her friends.  She said they are called "blind boxes" because one is blind to what's in them before one opens them.  

I had a dental appointment on Monday.  It was my final deep cleaning for the year.  I went by myself as daughter couldn't take time off from work (she's taking time off on Tuesday to drive me back from my ophthalmologist appointment).  The appointment went well and I received the numbing injections, so I didn't feel pain.  

But, after I came home and the numbness wore off, I was in pain.  I took a Tylenol and a 4-hour nap!  I woke up only because my daughter woke me up to eat something for dinner!  She made me a scrambled egg and reheated some of the potato soup I had made earlier.  Later, I made us some blueberry pancakes for dessert.  

I took the trash cans to the curb as soon as I came home from the dentist's, paid a bill that was coming due, and ran the dishwasher.  But, I didn't do the load of laundry I had also planned to do.  

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- Another warm and sunny day
- The dental appointment went well
- Local anesthesia
- Pain medications
- A safe drive to and from the dentist's

Monday's joyful activity was taking a long nap!

Plans for Tuesday include going to my ophthalmology appointment.  Daughter will accompany me and drive me back.  I am so thankful that she will be able to drive me back.

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?

On Sunday

 

The Tree is Up

On Sunday, daughter and I unpacked the artificial Christmas tree and set it up in the family room.  It is a pre-lit tree, but, there are sections of the tree that no longer light up.  The tree was bought some twenty plus years ago, so, the fact that at least some of the lights are working is something worth celebrating.  I have some additional strings of lights in a bin in the garage; I might look for them and put them on the tree before we do any decorating.  

Before we brought the tree in, I vacuumed the family room and daughter pushed the second sofa to make room for the tree.  The family room sofas are usually arranged at right angles to each other in an "L" shape.  They are now facing each other, with the coffee table in the middle.  

I did a load of laundry and changed the sofa dust sheets, on Sunday.  Daughter and I also ordered some Christmas gifts for a friend of ours.  We also ordered some chocolates to be offered at the almsgiving.  It is traditional to offer a variety of sweets (at least five kinds) during an almsgiving.  I now have four items for the plate of sweets and daughter has offered to make chai muffins as the fifth item,

Later in the evening, I made a few cards.  

Daughter picked some of the Japanese herbs and greens, sauteed them and had them with a fried egg for her brunch.  I made a sort of fried rice from various leftovers in the fridge for my brunch.  We had assorted leftovers for dinner, We had grapes and tangerines for fruit.

On Sunday, I was grateful for:

- Another sunny and warm day
- Working appliances
- Making memories with my daughter
- Freshly picked greens from the garden
- Phone calls, emails, and texts from friends

Sunday's joyful activities included bringing in and setting up the Christmas tree and making cards.

Plans for Monday might include a visit to the dentist's; I need to call and confirm the appointment in the morning.  

What are your plans for Monday?

Saturday Fun

 

Stripey Socks 

Saturday was another sunny day, with a high of 70F (21C).  I finished knitting my new pair of socks, using leftover yarn.  I have now knitted myself three new pairs of socks for this winter, to replace the old socks that have been mended so many times that there are patches over patches.  I want to make one more pair of socks to give as a gift to one of my friends because she said that the pair of socks I gave her earlier had torn.

I did a little dusting and tidying this morning and daughter helped with the tidying.  I also boiled the garbanzo beans I put to soak overnight and sauteed them with onions, curry leaves, green chilies, and curry powder.  They will be frozen and kept for the almsgiving.  .  

In the afternoon, daughter's friend came over and they sat and made another batch of fish cutlets while I knitted my socks.  Daughter sent half the cutlets home with her friend.  She has told my daughter that she wants to learn how to make mallung (shredded leafy greens cooked with grated coconut), another day.  

On Saturday, I am grateful for:

- Being able to knit
- For a pair of warm socks
- Being able to prepare another dish that can be frozen and kept for the almsgiving
- Daughter spending time with her friend
- Another sunny and mild day.  

Today's joyful activities included having daughter's friend over, knitting, and enjoying some of the Sri Lankan treats we bought.

Plans for Sunday include making a few more cards and some holiday gifts.  

How was your Saturday?  What are your plans for Sunday?

On Friday

 

Calamondin

The calamondin tree is starting to form fruits again after being pruned back in December of 2024.  There aren't that many fruit on the tree, but, there are enough to pick a few to make infused water.  

On Friday, daughter had the day off from work and we picked up my friend R and we went to the Sri Lankan store again.  I mostly wanted some items for the almsgiving, but, as always, there were some treats that found their way to my basket.  Afterwards, I dropped friend R off at her apartment and came home.  

We had hamburgers for lunch after we got home and then, daughter and I watched some videos and we napped a bit, too.  

Later in the evening, M came over to tend to the garden.  He did a little tidying up and watering of the garden. He also brought us Green Dragon apples. 

We had tea after M left and I did the dishes.  Then, I cooked a big pot of dhal, which I froze for the almsgiving.  I put a bag of garbanzo beans to soak overnight and I will cook it on Saturday and freeze that, too.  Then, most of the almsgiving dishes I can make ahead would be done and I'll be free to work on other things.

Daughter did some crocheting and I sat down to make some Christmas cards.  I think I made more mess than cards, but, I am trying to streamline the process.  I also finished knitting a sock and started on the second one.

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- Having access to a Sri Lankan store 
- Being able to give friend R a ride to the Sri Lankan store and back
- M tending to the garden
- Time spent crafting with my daugher
- A safe drive to the Sri Lankan store and back

Friday's joyful activities included chatting with friend R on the drive to the store and back, picking up some treats at the Sri Lankan store, and crafting.

Plans for Saturday include one of daughter's friends visiting in the afternoon.  I think they are planning to make fish cutlets.  I will continue to make my cards and knit.  

How was your Friday?  What are your plans for the weekend?

On Thursday

 

Aloe Flower Stalks Forming

The aloe plants in the front garden are starting to form flower stalks.  They'll take several weeks before they form flowers and bloom.

I went to my doctor's appointment on Thursday afternoon.  The appointment went well and we discussed the blood test results and I mentioned some symptoms I've been experiencing.  As a result, the doctor made some changes to my medications and she also wants me to increase my protein in-take.  So, I shall be making some changes to my diet and meal planning in the future.  I need to take another blood test and see her again in three months time for a follow up.

I picked up a pizza on the way home and daughter and I had some of that for a late lunch.  After lunch, I took another short walk to enjoy the afternoon sunshine.

M sent me a picture of the pineapple he is growing in his garden:

M's Pineapple

Isn't it amazing?  He grew if from a pineapple top and now it's produced a fruit of its own!

In the evening, after daughter got off work, we went to the crafts store.  She had already ordered the items she wanted online for store pick up, but, I wanted to walk around the store and take a look at what they had on sale.  I also wanted to buy some blank cards with envelopes and I found them on sale for 50% off, so, I bought two packets of 25 cards and envelopes each.  I spent $7.71 with tax.  I will use these blank cards for my Christmas and New Year greetings cards.

I took a nap after I came home!  I guess shopping tires me!  

Later, I made fried rice for dinner, using up some leftover rice, leftover ground turkey mixture, a small piece of leftover smoked sausage, some frozen green peas, a scrambled egg, and a handful of cashews.  Daughter and I shared a piece of pumpkin pie for dessert and I had a tangerine and some dates, too.  Later, daughter warmed up a chocolate chip cookie and shared it with me.  Yum!

Daughter has the day off on Friday.  We are planning another trip to the Sri Lankan store to buy a few more items I want for the almsgiving and some snacks, as well.  Later, M will be here to tend to the garden.  

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- The doctor's appointment went well
- A safe drive there and back
- Bargains at the craft store
- An evening nap
- Working appliances

Thursday's joyful activities included shopping at the crafts store and knitting.

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

Mid-Week on Wednesday

 

The Last of the Feijoa (Pineapple Guava)

The last month of the year has started.  

On Monday, we had a sunny day.  I made milkrice for brunch, as I usually do on the first of the month, picked some fresh flowers - paperwhites - for the altar, cleaned the kitchen, did a load of laundry, made a couple of phone calls to set up appointments, broke down several cardboard boxes in which various items had been delivered, and filled the recycling bin with them.  Later, I took the trash bin, yard waste bin, and the recycling bin to the curb to be collected and emptied on Tuesday.

Brunch had been milk rice with shrimp curry and/or jaggery.  Dinner was leftovers - egg rolls and a cut up mango.  I told daughter that I wished we had some chocolate chip cookies and she baked a new batch, using butter instead of olive oil, this time:

More Chocolate Chip Cookies

They were delicious! 

Tuesday was another sunny day.  I did another load of laundry, brought the emptied trash cans in with daughter's help, spoke with the ophthalmologist's office to confirm an upcoming appointment, and, later, planned the almsgiving menu with my daughter and made up the grocery shopping lists for the items needed.  My almsgiving menu doesn't change that much from year to year.  It is mostly a vegetarian meal (I do serve eggs with it and yogurt) and I always have two kinds of rice, a cashew curry, dhal curry, garbanzo beans, green beans, sauteed leafy greens cooked with grated coconut (what we call a "mallung"), potato curry, a salad, poppadum, an assortment of fruits and sweets, and dessert.  Often, the actual number of dishes prepared for the almsgiving depends on my energy levels, so, I try as much as possible to cook in advance and freeze.  To that end, I put a packet of raw cashews to soak overnight.  Daughter has offered to cook some of the dishes, so that will be a big help.

I had leftover milkrice for brunch with shrimp curry; daughter had some rice and kebabs; we also had the last of the fish cutlets. For dinner, daughter had the last steamed bun, and I had some of the leftover ground turkey mixture with mashed potatoes and gravy.  We also shared the last of the feijoas (pineapple guavas) from my tree.   

Wednesday, was another sunny day.  My gardener friend M arrived in the late morning to tend to the garden.  After he sampled one of daughter's chocolate chip cookies, we divided a huge lemon grass clump that was growing in a planter and replanted the divisions in four pots.  I also harvested some lemon grass stems to use in my cooking and put some individual plants to root in water, just in case the divided clumps of lemon grass don't grow.  We added more potting soil to two passionfruit plants that I've grown from seed in pots and M watered the winter vegetable seedlings we have planted.

Later in the afternoon, I went to the library to collect a book that I had placed on hold.  I walked for a little bit after I got home, cooked the cashew curry and froze it once it had cooled, cleaned the kitchen a bit, and took a nap!  

Brunch had been the last of the egg rolls with sweet chili sauce as a dip.  For dinner, I had a roast chicken sandwich and daughter had leftovers from the Friendsgiving dinner.

So far this week, I've been grateful for:

- Sunny days
- Working appliances
- Daughter baking another batch of chocolate chip cookies
- M's help with the garden
- Lots of leftovers

My joyful activities have included gardening and knitting.

Plans for Thursday include going to a doctor's appointment and maybe a bit of shopping after daughter gets off work.

How is your week so far?  What are your plans for Thursday?

Thriving in November

Rose Garden

My goal this year is to thrive each month.  To that end, here's my review of November, which is, usually, my favorite month of the year! 

Spiritual:

In November, my spirituality included daily prayers, meditations, and practicing non-attachment by letting go of certain items to which I was attached.  I also called the monks at the Temple and set a date for my almsgiving, which will take place in December and I made a donation, through the Temple, to the Sri Lankan flood victims' relief fund.  I consider the spiritual part of my life to be thriving.

Daughter:

In November, daughter accompanied me to the Descanso botanical gardens and quite spoiled me with presents and meals to celebrate my 70th birthday.  I am glad I was able to celebrate both my birthday and Thanksgiving with my daughter.

She accompanied me to my dental appointments for moral support and to drive me home, afterwards, if needed, (which she did on the second visit) and she went with me to take Dancer to his vet's appointment and kept him from getting too anxious about the drive there and back.  

We've spent some time doing crafts together, which has been fun.

She has also badgered me into letting her assume responsibility for paying for the utilities, since she still has her job and no longer has to pay rent for her apartment.  

I can honestly say that my relationship with my daughter is thriving.

Health & Well Being:

In November, I had two appointments with the dental hygienist, an appointment with the dermatologist, and did some lab tests prior to an upcoming doctor's appointment.  Daughter helped me to set up an online account to access the lab test results (I used to wait until I got to the doctor's office and request a print out); there were some test results that were out of the normal range, but most of them were within range and my A1c level stayed the same.  

Family, Friends, & Community:

Social interactions in November consisted mostly of phone calls, emails, and texts with family and friends.  Various family members and friends called or emailed or texted and wished me for my birthday and some sent cards.

 

In person visits included Neighbor S coming over to bring us some food and daughter's friends coming over to afternoon tea.

I invited my late friend A's family to Thanksgiving dinner, but, they had made other plans and weren't able to accept my invitation.  While I was disappointed, it worked out for the best as daughter was recovering from a migraine headache and she was able to relax without having to entertain company.

We also supported a small business in my local community by ordering my birthday meal from a local restaurant.  

I'm pleased with the amount of interaction with my family, friends, and community, in November.

Finances:

November expenses included paying my property taxes, dental bills, and Dancer's vet bills.  However, daughter taking over the responsibility for the utility bills is a big help.  I was able to keep my finances maintained in November.  

I think I am managing well where finances are concerned.  

Time Management:

Time management continues to be a work in progress and there is definitely room for improvement!  However, important tasks such as paying bills and attending medical appointments have been done on time and I have taken some time for fun activities and crafting, etc., so, I am happy.   

Leisure/Hobbies/Crafting:

In November leisure/hobbies/crafting activities consisted of a visit to the botanical garden which was wonderful, doing crafting projects with my daughter, and knitting.  I also participated in November's monthly photo challenge, which I enjoy. 

I am going to say that I thrived in this area of my life.

House:

In November daughter helped me with housework, doing the vacuuming regularly (even though she doesn't enjoy vacuuming) and tidying the place before her friends came to the tea party she hosted.

I decorated the house very minimally for Thanksgiving putting up just one decoration I had made several years ago.  So, it was very easy to undecorate afterwards.  

We still need to declutter the kitchen and I want to do some additional renovations (paint the family room, repair some water damage in one of the bathrooms, get some new drapes in the living room, etc.), but, in the meantime, the house is being maintained and I think I'm making good progress in this area of my life.

Garden:

The garden continued to thrive in November.  M continues to tend to the garden and he and my daughter set up her raised garden and planted some herbs.  We had some much needed rain in November and the garden plants were happy.

Over all, November was a good month.  There is room for improvement, as always, but, for the most part, I can say that I thrived in November

I'm looking forward to thriving in December, too.

I hope that November was a good month for you, too.