Thursday's Happenings

Today was supposed to be a Day without Immigrants, when immigrants were requested to stay away from going to work and school to highlight awareness of the role immigrants play in the economy of this country.  Well, I am an immigrant and I had already requested the day off from work to attend a doctor's appointment, so, I guess I took part in the day's events to a certain degree, albeit unknowingly, because my appointment was made for me three months' ago, well before I became aware of the Day without Immigrants.  Just as my next appointment was made for me, today, to return in another three month's time - as far as I know, there's nothing happening in mid-May!

 

I had planned to wake up at 8:00 a.m. to do a few things around the house before I had to leave for the appointment with the podiatrist, but I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep until 11:00 a.m.!  So much for my early start to the day!  My neighbor called in the morning and I had a quick chat with her, then went outside to exchange greetings with my gardener who had decided to attend to my front garden this morning, instead of waiting until his regular time on Friday afternoon, because we are supposed to have a major rainstorm on Friday.

 

I had a cup of tea, checked emails, responded to comments, etc., and then, it was time to get dressed and go to the appointment with the podiatrist.  I got to the clinic a few minutes before my 2:00 p.m. appointment and they were closed for lunch until 2:00 p.m.  So I sat in the waiting room and read my prayer book until they opened.  I was called in as soon as they opened, so it wasn't a long wait.  

The medical assistant checked my blood pressure, etc., and trimmed my toe nails for me.  While she did that, I had a nice chat with her.  She's probably in her early 20s, about my daughter's age; she told me all about herself and her family, from her 90+ year old great grandfather to her 2nd baby due in April, and everyone in between.  :)  I promise I am not a nosy woman who asks a lot of personal questions!  I just told her how my toe nails got discolored due to the chemo and how the discoloration is almost completely gone as the toe nails grow out; she said she was glad I was getting better and I told her I needed to be around a bit longer for my daughter.  Then, she told me how her uncle died, recently, in his sleep and it led her to telling me about her self and her family.  She needed to talk and I tend to be a good listener.  :)

 

Afterwards, the podiatrist came in and checked my feet and pronounced everything to be in good order.  He asked if I had any questions and when I didn't, told me he'll see me in three months' time and to drive home safely as we are expecting a major rainstorm.  :)  It was 3:00 p.m. when I left the clinic and the drive home wasn't too bad as the rush hour traffic was just building up.

 

I went to the pharmacy on my way home first, though, because one of my prescriptions was ready to be picked up.  The pharmacist who helped me today told me that I'm always with a big smile whenever she sees me and that I looked well with my hair growing out.

I had thought of going to the grocery store, too, but, it was past 4:00 p.m. by then, and I hadn't eaten anything yet (I had a cup of tea in the morning and a cracker while I was waiting for the clinic to open).  I wasn't feeling hungry, but I didn't want to push it and feel hungry and shaky at the grocery store!  I briefly considered buying something to eat (lots of eating places in the shopping mall where the pharmacy is located), but didn't want to buy anything again having bought the teriyaki beef bowls on Monday.  So I went home and made myself some fried rice for a late lunch, with leftover rice, a bit of corned beef, frozen corn, a handful of the roasted peanuts for crunch, and a little chili powder for spice.    I had a freshly picked orange from my tree for dessert.

Afterwards, I had a cup of tea, watched the evening news, did some paperwork, did the dishes, chatted on the phone with an aunt who called, and my daughter.  Later, I made myself some pasta for dinner.  I had kept one of the baked chicken breasts I had cooked on Monday and frozen to thaw in the fridge, earlier - it hadn't fully thawed, but I was able to cut several pieces from it.  I sauted them in a bit of oil and a little garlic spread I had in the fridge (from a purchased container), added half a chopped tomato (froze the rest of the tomato), and added a little frozen green peas to it, along with a little of the pasta water from cooking the angel hair pasta.  A little salt and pepper to season.  I added the cooked pasta to it and mixed it up.  I served half of what I made to my plate and sprinkled a little pre-grated parmesan cheese on top:

Pasta and Chicken Dinner

The curry powder and chili powder I had used to seasoned the chicken before I baked it added a bit of spice to the pasta and I enjoyed this dish.  I kept the other half for tomorrow's lunch.  I sliced an apple and "stewed" it in the microwave with a bit of cinnamon and sugar for dessert.  

Tomorrow, I will be working from home, so I won't have to worry about driving to downtown and back in the storm we are supposed to have.  Up to 6 inches of rain in most areas with 5-10 inches on certain parts, according to the forecast, with 60-70 miles per hour winds in places!   Most of the rain is expected to fall in the afternoon, at the rate of more than an inch an hour, which is too much rain at once for the ground to absorb.  So, they are expecting flash floods and possibly mud slides.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Having paid sick leave 

- A good visit with the podiatrist

- A safe drive to the clinic and back

- Pleasant staff at the clinic and pharmacy

- Keeping in touch with daughter, family, and friends

Today, I spent:

$ 15 co-pay at the clinic; $5 for parking; $2.94 for my medicine.

 Thursday’s To Do List:

- Doctor’s appointment (afternoon) - DONE

- Vacuum

- Paperwork/Filing - DID SOME

- Clear dining table - DONE

- Go for a walk - A very short one 

 

I didn't do the vacuuming I had planned to do today, so it gets carried forward to tomorrow or the weekend.  

Friday's To Do List:

- Office work

- Paperwork/filing

- Vacuum (living room, dining area, hallway, bedrooms)

- Clean the bathrooms

How was your Thursday?  Are you looking forward to Friday and the end of the work week?