Phone Calls on Sunday

This morning, I woke up once at 6:00 a.m., which, after going to sleep after 3:30 a.m. wasn't very good, but I was able to fall asleep, again, and slept till mid-morning, without any phone calls to wake me up!  I had already had my cup of coffee, when the phone rang. 

The first call was from one of my cousins in Sri Lanka.  She is one of the cousins I was closest to when growing up.  She was calling partly in remembrance of my mother's birthday, next week.  My mother was her aunt (her father was one of my mother's older brothers), and godmother, too, I believe.  When my mother married my father, she went as a bride from this brother's house, not her mother's house (mother's side of the family, being Catholic, didn't quite approve of her marriage to my father because he was Buddhist).  When the cousin who called me this morning heard that my mother was getting married, she had insisted on being the flower girl at her aunt's wedding!  And my mother, who hadn't planned on having any flower girls (she didn't have a wedding, as such; just a registration at the Town Hall), found herself with two flower girls - her niece and her new step-daughter!  LOL!

Neighbor T called after that - our usual Sunday morning phone call.  We spoke for a bit; she was diagnosed with uterine cancer, last week, and will be having surgery, later this month.

Then, daughter called and we chatted for a while.  She had gone to two of the Indian stores in her neighborhood to look for something I had asked her to buy for me, but they didn't have the item. 

Aunt C called in the afternoon.  I had texted her daughter, my cousin N, yesterday, to invite them to the prayer gathering lunch, next Sunday (they are not regular participants, but I wanted to extend an invitation to them); Aunt called to say they will not be able to attend as cousin would be busy with her piano students. 

And I called another aunt.  I had called her last week and left her a message, but, today, her answering machine was full and I couldn't leave her a new message. 

Finally, cousin P called in the evening, just as I was having a cup of tea, and we had a long conversation about this, that, and the other!  Cousin, too, offered to help with the cleaning, next Saturday.  She won't cook, but likes to clean.  I told her I might take her up on her offer!  If both she and friend R come to help me on Saturday, that would be a big blessing!  Neither will cook, but if they help to clean, then, I can concentrate on the cooking.

In between phone calls, and texts from daughter, I cut out some 6-inch squares from the leftover Santa fabric:

Future Project in the Making

Then, I put away all the holiday fabric, cutting mat, etc., until after the prayer gathering.  I didn't put the sewing machine or the box of thread away, yet, however.  So, I can still sew during the week, if I feel like it, but I will bring out one project at a time and not have piles of fabric all over the place!  While sorting through the fabric, I discovered a banner I had made in a previous year!  I added that to the stash of holiday gifts.

Later in the evening, I cooked a meatball curry, with the three bags of frozen meatballs I had bought, earlier:

Meatball Curry

I sauteed diced onions, tomatoes, curry leaves and pandan leaves in some oil, added the meatballs, added curry powder, chili powder, a little paprika, some spices (cardamom, cloves, etc.), salt, a sliced green chili, and a can of coconut milk.  Each bag of meatballs stated it contained about 46 bite sized meatballs.  I counted 50 meatballs in the first bag; I didn't count the other two bags, though.  I kept 5 meatballs for my dinner and froze the rest for next Sunday's luncheon.  I am trying to convince myself that that is enough meatballs and I don't need to buy and cook another bag!    I invited 18 people; 19 with myself, so roughly 20 people.  However, I am expecting about 12-15 people to actually attend (I already know that at least two people won't be attending).  I always end up cooking way more than needed, although the leftovers never go to waste. It's better to have too much than not enough, isn't it?   

Then, I did the dishes, wiped the stove top (I tend to be a messy cook!), and cooked some fresh rice for my dinner, along with the meatballs I kept aside and some leftover dhal.  The meatball curry was very good; I am pleased with how it turned out.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Phone calls from family and friends!
- Being able to keep in touch.
- Cousin offering her help with the prayer gathering preparations
- A sunny, cool day
- The fabric stash!


Weekend To Do List:

- Cook the soaked garbanzo beans and freeze them - DONE

- Grocery shop

- Cook the meatball curry and freeze - DONE

- Start cleaning the house - STARTED (tidied/put away the sewing)

- Sew - DONE

- Laundry - DONE

I decided I could wait until next week to do the grocery shopping.  The week ahead is going to be a busy one, with two doctors' appointments (Monday and Wednesday) and a dentist's appointment (Thursday).  Plus all the prayer gathering preparations!

Monday's To Do List:
- Dr's appointment (radiation oncologist - follow up visit)
- Put away laundry
- Put away washed dishes
- Clean the fridge
- Empty the waste baskets
- Take the trash cans to the curb
- Clear the dining table
- Dust the living room and dining area

How was your weekend?  What have you planned for the week ahead?

Cool and Cloudy Saturday

Woke up to cloudy, grey skies this morning.  No rain, but, it looked like it might rain.  M texted about the rain washing away the spray, but, I reminded him that the rain was more important to us.  I can always buy more spray.  The rain is a gift from Mother Nature.  I was glad I got my errands done, yesterday, though, when it was sunny; I don't like to be out and about when it is rainy or threatening to rain, unless I have to.  It was a little sunny in the afternoon, but the temperature remained cool and the clouds moved in by evening.  But, no additional rain.

After my morning coffee, I played on the computer for a bit.  Then, boiled the garbanzo beans I had put to soak.  I ate a bowl of them for my brunch! 

Later, in the afternoon, I settled down to sew my Santa/Ho Ho Ho pillowcases:

Santa/Ho Ho Ho Pillowcases

I'm pleased with how they turned out.  It's almost as if I planned them, that way, and not because I didn't have enough of one fabric to make a pair!  LOL!  

Coordinated Pillowcases

One more holiday gift completed!  And another piece of fabric from the stash used up!  Well, almost used up.  I still have some smaller pieces of the fabric, to be used for something else.  I might be able to mix and match to make a table runner for someone.  It's a good thing my cousins, etc., don't read my blog!  LOL.  

Later in the evening, I sauteed the boiled garbanzo beans with onions, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies.  I will freeze them for next Sunday.  Then, I washed what seemed like a mountain of pots and pans and dishes!   I had used three saucepans to boil the garbanzos, because I didn't want to get the bigger one from the garage.  Then, there's the large saute pan I used to finish cooking them!  

I also called a couple of additional people to let them know about the prayer gathering and left them messages.  I also called friend R to chat with her.  She admonished me to not get too tired preparing for the prayer gathering and offered to come next Saturday to help.  I might take her up on her offer, because, just cooking the garbanzo beans and doing the dishes tired me out!  It's a good thing I will cook the meatball curry, tomorrow; the less actual cooking I have to do on the day of the prayer gathering, the better!  I can see the menu changing, depending on how tired I feel!  Right now, roast chicken (nothing to do other than remove the giblets and put in the oven) sounds a lot easier than chicken curry!  LOL!

For dinner, I had rice with beef curry, dhal, and tomato chutney.     

Today, I am grateful for:
- No phone calls waking me up!
- Being able to spend the afternoon playing with fabric!
- The pillowcases turned out fine
- Offer of help from friend R
- The ability to be flexible with the prayer gathering menu

Weekend To Do List:

- Cook the soaked garbanzo beans and freeze them - DONE

- Grocery shop

- Cook the meatball curry and freeze

- Start cleaning the house

- Sew - DONE

- Laundry

How was your Saturday?  What have you planned for tomorrow?  Have you started making your holiday gifts?  

Rain and Grocery Shopping on Friday

It was sunny and cold when I woke up, this morning, but it warmed up, nicely, in the afternoon (mid-80s).   I spent the morning relaxing, as I felt disinclined to run errands as planned, but, eventually, in the afternoon, I ran errands.

In general, I like to group my errands so I go to the farthest place, first, and then, make stops along the way home.  So, today, I went to the pet supplies store, first, to buy more outdoor flea spray so M could spray the garden for me when he came by this evening.

Then, on the way back, I bought a few groceries and other items at one of the dollar stores.  I bought another bag of frozen meatballs ($1.99), because I changed my mind about serving them as an appetizer and will make a meatball curry, instead, to serve as part of the lunch.  It'll be easier than making a beef curry, as I don't have to cut the beef into small pieces. 

Then, I bought three packages of garbanzo beans (chick peas); each package was one pound and, at $1 per 1 lb. bag, cheaper than the bulk garbanzo beans at the Armenian store (where it sells for $1.29/lb). 

Garbanzo/Chick Peas

I also bought another can of peach pie filling (shown here with the can I bought, earlier) and a box of cake mix:

Peach Pie Filling and Cake Mix

I want to make a dump cake with them for dessert for the prayer gathering.  I have not made a dump cake, before, but the directions I've seen seem easy enough.  I'll serve some ice cream with it.  Everything tastes better with some ice cream!

I also bought some air fresheners, a 2019 calendar, and a sheet of rhinestone stickers for card making.  I spent a total of $12.47 with tax.  Everything other than the stickers and calendar are for the prayer gathering, so it comes from that budget.

After that, I put gas to the car.  The cheapest gas (I checked the prices at several stations before I actually put the gas) in my neighborhood is $3.65/gallon.  I put $40 worth of gas.  It should last me for at least two weeks, since I don't have to drive to downtown every day (but I'll be going to downtown twice, next week for medical appointments).

Came home and had lunch; then, put the dried garbanzo beans to soak.  I will soak them overnight and cook them tomorrow.  Then, freeze them for next Sunday.  They will be the appetizer I will serve, instead of the meatballs.

M sprayed the garden and after he left, I went to the temple for meditation.  Halfway through the meditation session, we were all surprised by flashes of lightning!  There was no thunder that we could hear, but lots of lightning!  It was raining lightly when I left the temple and it rained a bit harder after I got home!  RAIN!  Of course it would rain on the day we sprayed the garden!  LOL!  All the spray probably got washed away!  But, I am so glad to have some rain, that I won't complain.  It sprinkled on and off, all evening and Dancer kept listening to the sound of the rain, wondering what that sound was!  Friend M texted me just as I was leaving the temple to say it was raining!  Yes, we southern Californians get all excited when it rains!  This is our first measurable rainfall since May.  Other parts of the city got some rain, earlier in the month, but not in my area.

I had rice with the last of the smoked sausage stir-fry for dinner; grapes for dessert.

Later in the evening, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Rain!

- The sunny, warm afternoon when I did my errands

- M helping with the garden

- Friday evening meditation at the temple

- Video chatting with my daughter

Friday's To Do List:

- Buy more flea spray for the garden  - DONE

- Grocery shop - DONE

- Sew

- Meditation session at the temple - DONE

- Daily walk (go in the other direction, away from the doughnut shops!) - DONE

- Have M spray the garden - DONE 

- Put gas to the car - DONE

Once again, I didn't sew, because I knew that if I sat down to sew, I wouldn't want to run errands!

Weekend To Do List:
- Cook the soaked garbanzo beans and freeze them
- Grocery shop
- Cook the meatball curry and freeze
- Start cleaning the house
- Sew
- Laundry

I'll see what I can accomplish tomorrow and then, do the rest on Sunday.

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

Short and Sweet on Thursday

My evening walk, that is - I set out much later than usual and so, didn't walk too long or too far!  Just the few blocks up to the main road and back, going in the opposite direction than my usual walk.  That is the short part of today's title.  The sweet part is this:

Crumb Doughnut (and doughnut holes)

Sigh.  There are, not one, but, two, doughnut shops on the main road, one at each end of the block!  One is a part of a franchise of doughnut shops, the other isn't.  Today, the non-franchise doughnut shop seemed to call my name as I went past it!  I was in the mood for a little treat, so I stopped and chose one of my favorites, a crumb doughnut.  The young woman who served me included three doughnut holes, as well!  It cost $1; I came home and ate every...crumb!  LOL! 

Today, I slept until 10:00 a.m. (after going to sleep at 3:30 a.m.).  I had set the alarm for that time, because I had planned to go to the office, later in the morning.  Officially, tomorrow (Friday) is my last day and I could have gone in, tomorrow, to do my time sheets and hand in my documents, but, I wanted to go in and do it all, today.  However, the tendency to procrastinate was great!  By the time I had coffee, wrote Wednesday's blog post, showered and dressed, and texted my supervisor to let him know that I was coming in, it was almost noon.  So, it was already afternoon when I got to the office.  I couldn't access the computer system (I've already been taken off!) to fill out my time sheets, so the office timekeeper did that for me.  Then, I handed in my parking permit and my employee ID.  I didn't expect that I'd find that final act to be so emotionally draining, but it was!  I've known I'm retiring for some time, now, I've been planning since March, and I've been retired for all intents and purposes since the end of July when I went on vacation, but the physical act of handing in my parking permit and ID made it seem very real and final!  I know retirement is something we all look forward to, and I am quite ready for it, but I also felt a little sad.  That phase of my life is over. 

I took this photo while I was waiting for the shuttle bus to go to my office, this afternoon.  It is a reflection of the Los Angeles City Hall seen on the windows of the new Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters building:

Reflections

The City Hall is one of the most iconic buildings in Los Angeles.  It was completed in 1928 and for years, it was the tallest building in the city (there was a height limit placed on other buildings, until the late 1950s).  What is reflected in the Police Headquarters glass is view of one of the sides of City Hall:

City Hall (side view)

On my way home, I was thinking of treating myself to lunch out (it was around 3:00 p.m., but I hadn't eaten, yet, although I had a granola bar with me), but I couldn't decide what I wanted, so I came home and ate a tuna salad sandwich (I had made tuna salad for my lunch, yesterday).  Then, since I felt so emotionally drained, I lay on the sofa in the living room and read for a bit and dozed off a little.  Which is why I didn't set out for my walk until almost 6:30 p.m. and why I treated myself to the doughnut! 

Dinner was freshly cooked rice with the last of the shrimp curry and some dhal.  After dinner, I video chatted with my daughter for a bit.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A long and fulfilling career
- Being able to retire
- A beautiful, sunny day
- Doughnuts!
- Being able to look forward to the next phase of my life

Thursday's To Do List:

- Go to the office to fill out the last time sheet and hand in parking permit, etc. - DONE

- Put away the dried laundry - DONE

- Sew another set of pillowcases (Didn't feel quite up to it)

- Daily walk - DONE

- Put gas to the car (Didn't need to)

I didn't sew any pillowcases today, because I didn't feel like it and didn't want to make any mistakes by sewing when I wasn't in the mood to do so.  I didn't put gas to the car, either, because there was enough gas to drive to downtown and back.  There is still more than a quarter tank of gas, but less than half.  I will fill it up tomorrow, or over the weekend.  

Friday's To Do List:

- Buy more flea spray for the garden

- Grocery shop

- Sew

- Meditation session at the temple

- Daily walk (go in the other direction, away from the doughnut shops!)

- Have M spray the garden

- Put gas to the car

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

Relaxed Wednesday

On Wednesday, I took it easy and relaxed.  I guess all that shopping on Tuesday wore me out!  I spent most of the morning and part of the afternoon writing my Tuesday blog post, reading and commenting on other blogs, checking emails, etc.  I watched news coverage of hurricane Michael, as well, and sent emails to my cousin and a couple of my blog friends who I know live in Florida.  I hope they are safe and the hurricane didn't damage their homes.

Later, I changed the sheets on my bed and did a load of laundry.  Then, I did the dishes.  I also flea combed Dancer just to check, since I hadn't combed him for a couple of weeks; I was happy that he didn't seem to have any fleas on him!  I  think we are over that particular episode!  I will, however, continue to give him his monthly treatments, just to be on the safe side.  I also cleaned his litter box before I went to bed and then, I read in bed for some time.  The new reading glasses are wonderful! 

Aunt T called in the evening and we had a nice conversation.  I really need to make an effort to go and see her.

Later in the evening, I video chatted with daughter.

I didn't do any sewing because I couldn't settle down to it.  But that's OK.  I can sew another day.

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:
- Being able to relax and take it easy
- A bright, sunny day (if on the cool side)
- Dancer seems to be free of fleas!
- New reading glasses
- Being able to keep in touch with family and friends 

Wednesday's To Do List:

- Do Tuesday's blog post - DONE!

- Email cousin in Florida - DONE

- Do the dishes - DONE

- Load of laundry - DONE

- Sew another set of pillowcases

- Walk for 30 minutes - DONE

Thursday's To Do List:
- Go to the office to fill out the last time sheet and hand in parking permit, etc.
- Put away the dried laundry
- Sew another set of pillowcases
- Daily walk
- Put gas to the car

How was your Wednesday?  What have you planned for Thursday?

Errands and October Grocery Shopping Week 2 on Tuesday

On Tuesday, the sound of cousin N's text arriving woke me up around 9:00 a.m.  I hadn't gone to sleep until 4:30 a.m., so I didn't get a lot of sleep, but I couldn't fall asleep after that.  So, I did the sensible thing and got up.  The mornings are cool, now.  It was 66F inside the house when I woke up:

66F Inside the House

It warmed up to 80F, outside, in the afternoon, but the house only warmed up to 70F.  I am back to wearing socks inside the house!  And long sleeved tops!  And opening the living room drapes to let the afternoon sunshine in for some passive solar heating!  Fall is here!

I spent a relaxed morning, having my coffee, responding to blog comments, reading a few other blogs, and checking my emails. 

Later in the morning, around 11:00 a.m., I went to the optometrist's office and picked up my new eye glasses - two pairs, one for distance (mostly to be worn when driving):

Distance Glasses

And one for reading, sewing, etc.:

Reading Glasses

 
Yes, I chose the same frame for both, but the reading glasses have a black frame and the distance glasses have a lighter colored frame, more like tortoise shell (not quite noticeable in the photos).  These are the types of glasses I like, with bigger lenses and rims. 

I was worried whether the car would start after not being driven since Thursday, but it started without any problems, thank goodness! 

After I picked up my glasses, I looked around in two shops for clothing and curtains.  I saw one or two clothing items I liked, and I even tried on a sweater, but, I didn't buy anything.  I will look a little bit more before I buy.  I am mostly looking for a white, short-sleeved blouse to replace the old one I have.  The sweater I tried on was cream colored, with a cable pattern, with "pearls" sewn into the pattern - dressy enough for holiday gatherings, but even the size small looked a bit too big, and I forgot to check their petites section to see if they had it there.  I have a gift card to a different store, so I shall look there, too, before I buy anything.

The only white curtains I saw were very sheer panels.  While I like the amount of light I get with sheer panels, I am thinking I might want something thicker for the winter.   

Then, I went to the fabric store to look around.  I didn't find any bordered eyelet for possible curtains and I didn't see anything else I liked for curtains at a price I was willing to pay!   I have an old drapery panel that I might be able to fashion into a curtain, too.  Until then, the piece of eyelet I have made into a curtain will suffice.  I'd like something a little fuller, but it will do for now.

The quilt batting was not on sale, either (it's on sale online, but out of stock!).  So, I will wait until there is a sale on that.  I bought the reel of green thread ($3.49/250 yards) I wanted and another reel of white thread ($2.99/400 yards), as well.

Then, I looked at the holiday fabrics!  I know I said I will use the fabric in the stash for the holiday pillowcases I am making.  However, there is a piece of fabric in my stash that I really want to use for the pillowcases for one particular person on my gift list, but I don't have enough of it to make two standard pillowcases and it is, I believe, a discontinued pattern:

Santa Fabric

 So, I wondered if I could pair it with something completely different, but still related:

"Ho! Ho! Ho!"

Holiday fabrics were on 40% off sale.  The regular price of this fabric was $5.99/yard, $3.59 on sale.  I bought one yard of it, to pair with the Santa fabric:

Paired together

I asked another shopper at the store for her opinion (I had taken a swatch of the Santa fabric with me to try and match it or find a coordinating fabric) and she thought they went well together.  My daughter thinks it's a bit too much!  What do you think?

When, I saw this fabric, I knew, at once, that I had to buy it for one of my cousins:

"Kittens in Stockings"

Regular price on this fabric was $12.99/yard.  Even on 40% off, it still came to $7.79 for a yard.  It's a lot for a yard of fabric, in my opinion, but, this cousin has been there for me throughout my illness and, as far as I am concerned, she's worth it!  I haven't decided, yet, what I will make (her husband wouldn't appreciate kitten pillowcases!), but, I know that this cousin will love just about anything made with this fabric!   

All in all, I spent $19.55 at the fabric store for my purchases:

Fabric Store Receipt

I will be deducting this amount from the holiday gifts budget of $120, as even the reels of thread were bought for the purpose of making holiday gifts.

By this time, a little after 2:00 p.m., I was getting hungry.  I had a granola bar with me, as well as my bottle of water, but I bought a hot dog with chili topping from one of the fast food places I was passing ($2.18 with tax) and ate that before I went to the grocery store, for milk ($1.99/half gal.), grapes (@$.88/lb = $1.74), a can of tuna ($.89), and cat food (2 bags @ $8.99).  A container of ice cream ($1.79/1 pint) also found its way into my grocery cart!  LOL!  I took a photo of the purchases when I came home, but, I guess I only thought I took it, because, apparently, it didn't take!  But, here is the receipt:

10/9 Grocery Receipt

My bill came to $26.10.  The groceries part of my bill came to $6.41; the rest was for cat food and tax on the cat food!  You know you are a crazy cat lady when you spend more on food for the cats than on yourself!  LOL.  But I really don't need a lot of groceries for myself, this week.  I still have some of the shrimp curry I made, some of the sausage stir fry, etc.

October Grocery Budget = $75 + $4.64 carried over from September = $79.64
Spent to date = $25.02 + $6.41 = $31.43
Amount left = $79.64 - $31.43 = $48.21

After I came home, I ate some of the ice cream and spent the rest of the afternoon reading and relaxing.  I decided not to go to the knitting group at the library.  I didn't walk, either, because I had walked around the shops for over three hours.  Not quite the same as a 30 minutes walk, but stamina building, nonetheless!  Cousin P called in the evening and we chatted a bit.

Dinner was leftover pasta "noodles" with some of the sausage stir fry.  Grapes for dessert.  Still later, however, I felt hungry, again, and I had a scrambled egg on toast! 

Later in the evening, I video chatted with daughter and exchanged emails with a friend.  I debated writing this blog post, after that, but it was already past 2:00 a.m. and I thought I had better get ready for bed.  It was almost 3:30 a.m. when I finally went to sleep, however.

On Tuesday, I was grateful for:
- New eye glasses and being able to read the small print, clearly!
- Being able to shop for 3+ hours without getting too tired!
- Pleasant Fall weather
- The car started without any problems!
- Keeping in touch with family and friends

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Optometrist's office to pick up my glasses - DONE

- Fabric store for quilt batting, thread, maybe fabric for my bedroom curtain - DONE

- Bring the trash cans in - DONE

- Do some other shopping (maybe) - DONE

Wednesday's To Do List:

- Do Tuesday's blog post - DONE!

- Email cousin in Florida - DONE

- Do the dishes

- Load of laundry

- Sew another set of pillowcases

- Walk for 30 minutes

All my readers and friends in Florida - I hope you are safe and not in the path of Hurricane Michael.  

Visiting on Monday

Today, cousin P called in the morning, around 11:30 a.m., to say that she and her daughter will be visiting one of her aunts, who had been in the hospital, in ICU, later in the afternoon.  I had asked her to let me know when they were going to see her aunt, so I could get a ride with them to go and see her.  She's not actually related to me, but I've known her all my life, and call her aunt, myself.  Cousin said they were planning to leave around 1:00 or 1:30 p.m., which was fine with me.  I spent the rest of the morning responding to blog comments, reading and commenting on one or two other blogs, checking emails, etc.

I was dressed and ready when cousin P called around 1:30 p.m.  Her cousin R had called her and said that aunt was being taken in for a CAT Scan and she will call P when that was over to let her know when it would be OK for a visit.  Well, there was nothing to do about that, other than wait for the phone call.

The optometrist's office called to say my glasses were ready, but I didn't want to go anywhere in case cousin P called to say they were ready to leave.  So, I arranged to pick up the glasses tomorrow morning, instead.  I didn't want to start any new projects while I waited, either, so I cut out another set of pillowcases, but didn't sew them.  Instead, I cooked some pasta "noodles" for lunch, watched some news, and played computer games.  

I had just made a cup of tea around 5:00 p.m., when cousin P called to say her cousin R had called,  her aunt was home from the hospital, and she and her daughter will be leaving shortly.  I took the trash cans out to the curb and was waiting outside when they came to pick me up.  We got there around 6:30 p.m. and left around 9:00 p.m.  Aunt was so happy to see us all.  She was looking remarkably well for someone who had been in ICU for several days, last week, and had just been released a couple of hours earlier.  On the way back, we stopped at a hamburger place and had something for dinner.  It was almost 11:00 p.m. when we got home.  Then, I video chatted with my daughter for a bit.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Cousin and her daughter giving me a ride to visit aunt

- Seeing aunt looking as well as she did

- Dinner out with cousin and her daughter

- Video chatting with my daughter

- Emails and texts from family and friends

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Optometrist's office to pick up my glasses

- Fabric store for quilt batting, thread, maybe fabric for my bedroom curtain

- Bring the trash cans in

- Do some other shopping (maybe)

How was your Monday?  What have you planned for Tuesday?