Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Starting December

My Dracaena


Here we are - the last month of the year!  Can you believe it's December, already?

Today, I took daughter to the airport in the morning, and then, went to the office.  During my lunch break, I went to the pharmacy to stock up on the vitamin C tablets my doctor recommended (buy 1 get 1 free sale!) and to buy a digital blood pressure monitor.  I used to have a manual blood pressure monitor, several years ago, but it stopped working properly after some time and would give me an error reading all the time.  The new one I bought today is automatic and I hope will give me accurate readings.  It cost $65.99 and I used a $5 "extra bucks" rewards coupon and paid $66.48 with tax.  But I also received another $10 "extra bucks" rewards coupon upon purchase.  I shall redeem that for something else, tomorrow.  Perhaps on something I can give as a holiday gift to someone on my list!

When I left the office for the day, I brought home my office plant, pictured above.  This plant is about 17 years old; maybe even older.  I bought it as a tiny plant, no more than 8 inches tall, to keep on my desk at work.  Over the years, it grew, turning this way and that to reach the light.  Each time I noticed the branches reaching in one direction, I'd turn it around and the branches would go another direction.  When it grew tall and almost reached the ceiling, the one branch arched over!  Eventually it became top heavy, and toppled over, and then, I set it on the floor, where it felt its way around the bookcase and the coat rack.  Two of my colleagues had been watering it for me during the weeks I've been home recovering from surgery, etc.  But I thought it would be too much to ask them to care for it for the 6 months of chemo therapy.  Besides, it desperately needs to be repotted and given some new soil.  Probably needs to be pruned, too!  Those spindly branches are liable to break off for the weight of the leaves at their ends!  But it almost looks sculptural, doesn't it?  Unfortunately, dracaena is toxic to cats, so I have to be careful that Dancer doesn't try to eat it.  So, after I took the picture, I put it in the spare bedroom and closed the door.

Later in the evening, I cooked the almost 5 lbs. of beef I had bought - I cut it in strips and sauted with sliced onions, Worchestershire sauce and a little black pepper, since I've been told not to eat spicy food!

Beef  for the Freezer


I will package it up and freeze it for when I need it, later, during my chemo treatment period.  I can add some vegetables to it when I am ready to eat it.

This evening, I had phone calls from two cousins, informing me that an aunt had fallen and was hospitalized.  Aunt will be 90 in January, so, falls, etc. are worrying.

And now, it is after midnight and I am tired.  Tomorrow is a working day, again, and I have to get up early.  So, I'll post this, put the cooked beef in the fridge (to be packaged up and frozen tomorrow), clean the cat's litter box and head off to bed.

today, I am grateful for:

- Daughter had a safe flight back
- I had a safe drive to the office and back
- Another couple of errands run
- Coupons and sales
- Meals for the freezer.

Hope you had a good start to your December.  Have you thought of holiday gifts, yet? 

18 comments:

  1. It sounds like you accomplished a lot in your day. I like your plant- it made me giggle because it really does look like it's got a mind of it's own and grows where it wants to. :)
    I have been thinking of Christmas presents. Just last night I came across an easy recipe for making homemade scented play dough- it uses Kool aid mix to give it both a vibrant color and the scent. I was thinking of getting some little airtight containers from the dollar store (I have seen nice little containers in packs of 2, 3 and even 4 per pack) and making a few batches in different colors to split between the kids. I think they will like it because we got rid of all the play dough we had back in PA and they always enjoyed playing with it. The plus is that I have all the ingredients on hand to make the play dough! :)
    Hope your day is an enjoyable one! :)

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    1. Dawn, some of my co-workers at the office call it the Dr. Seuss plant, because they think it looks like something that might appear in one of his books!

      I think making the play dough sounds like a great idea! They are sure to have hours of creative fun playing with their play dough.

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  2. I like that plant! I'm about halfway done with my holiday gifts. No clue about the rest.

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    1. Jess, that's great that you are about halfway done! Maybe cookies for the rest? Everyone likes cookies, don't they? Especially homemade ones? Little Wolf can help you put sprinkles on them, or something. Then they'll be extra special. :)

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  3. I'm at the solarium at our hospital that specializes in heart care since DH was just wheeled to surgery. He had been stressed and long story short, the medicos listed him for an angiogram this AM to be followed by angioplasty [stents] immediately following if deemed appropriate. It will be a long, emotionally trying day as DH is not a good patient for even the most minor issues.

    I. will stay onsite where access to internet is ok and I'm out of the way of active care, not underfoot of staff. I wish worry helped, it just makes me super anxious.

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    1. Hon, oh, I am so sorry to hear that your DH is undergoing treatment! Hope all will be well and the best results possible. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. (((HUGS)))

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  4. Thanks Bless, DH just returned from surgery and all is well. Today I'm a basket case! I need to get my act together because once he's awake and up to the task of complaining I will need some witty retorts. Did I say he is an awful patient...

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    1. Hon, glad to hear all is well. Good luck with coping with the complaints. Maybe just smile and say, "Yes, dear". Take care of yourself.

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  5. Bless, I've just returned home on DH's insistence. He will fully recover and may be able to come home by nightfall. There is a huge shooting in San Bernadino and I'm not certain if you are nearby lockdown zone. Hope you are far, far away, this is so scary

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    1. Hon, glad to hear you are home and DH might be able to come home tonight. I am fine; I am not anywhere near the shooting. But thank you so much for thinking of me, in the midst of all you are going through. Best wishes to you both.

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    2. Hon, you seem to have been in the same anxiety mode as I was yesterday, when DDIL e-mailed to say that DS was being attended to by paramedics due to shaking hands and numb fingers and too tired to move. He already knew that he had a viral infection that was infecting the brain. He spent the rest of the day in hospital, began to improve after a while and even ate supper which was interrupted for a CT scan! Fortunately this showed that there was no cause for concern. He is still recovering at home and we Skyped today.

      I do hope that your DH will be home soon, and that all will be well with him from now on.
      Bushlady

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    3. Bless, I love your plant with attitude! I'm thinking of you because I know you are soon going to be entering the next slope on the mountain. Hugs!
      Bushlady

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    4. Bushlady, that must have been so scary and worrying, too! Glad to hear your DS is recovering and everything seems to be OK.

      I am wishing for good health for everyone!

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    5. Bushlady, thank you for the well wishes. This Friday is when I'll start on that next slope!

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  6. Proud daughter got back home safely.. Know your missing her.
    Cooking the beef ahead of time, will really be helpful , after your chemo..
    Take care and know I am praying for you.

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    1. Thank you, Judy. The beef has been portioned and frozen (kept a little out for me for the rest of this week).

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  7. I like your spunky plant, Bless! You're in my thoughts this week! :)

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