 |
| Jasmine Flowers |
Friday morning, I called the pharmacy to ask about my refill; I was told that it would be ready in the evening. Evening came and, of course, it wasn't ready! In the meantime, I did a load of laundry (the sofa dust sheets), watched news, knitted (finished the front of the black sweater and started on the sleeves), and spent some time chatting with friend M when he came to tend to the garden. I really didn't feel very motivated to do anything much on Friday.
Saturday morning, I called the pharmacy again, and the medication still wasn't ready! I made a bit of a fuss and the pharmacist asked me to give them one more hour and the medication will be ready. This was around 11:15 a.m. I called cousin P and told her I will be going to the pharmacy around 12:30 p.m., if she still wanted to go with me, and she said she'll be ready.
On the way, she asked me if I could drop her off at the bank (it's in the same shopping mall) and she'll meet me at the pharmacy. I had wanted to go to the bank, myself, so, I went in with her. I had expected there to be a long line at the bank, it being Saturday, but there were only two people in the line ahead of us. I was surprised as this bank has been crowded on previous occasions when I've gone on weekdays.
Afterwards, we went to the pharmacy and my prescription was ready! Finally!
 |
| 3/23 Groceries |
I needed to pick up a few groceries, too, so cousin and I went to the grocery store that is located in the same shopping center. I bought:
1 loaf whole wheat bread = $1.99
1/2 gallon milk = $2.19
red grapes @ $.99/lb = $1.52
Total = $5.70
The price of milk had gone up by $.20 since I last bought some, but the grapes were on sale (the green grapes were priced $1.99).
March grocery shopping budget = $75
Spent to date = $1.79 + $7.74 + $5 + $23.29 + $4.07 + $5.70 = $47.59
Amount left in the March grocery budget = $75 - $47.59 = $27.41
I also bought a gift card for cousin N, partly as a belated birthday present and partly as a thank you for accompanying me to the eye doctor, next Monday.
Cousin P, too, bought a few groceries.
In the morning, before I went to the pharmacy, I had dusted the living room, dining area, and the family room. After I came home, I washed the dishes - some in the dishwasher and some by hand.
I also picked some flowers from the garden. I arranged some in a vase for the altar and tried to do another Ikebana-inspired arrangement:
 |
| Spring Flower Arrangement |
I am not sure if you can see it, but I inserted a sprig of the orange blossoms, too:
 |
| Sprig of Orange Blossoms |
I have been watching a few videos and learning more about the principles of Japanese flower arranging. There are certain guidelines to follow, when it comes to the height of the materials used and the angles of placements, etc. I am sure I am not doing it correctly, but I am having fun playing with flowers and, I think, this arrangement is a little better than my previous attempt. What do you think?
Later in the evening, I made a couple of birthday cards. One for my half-sister, which I finished making, the other for cousin N, which I didn't finish, yet.
Today, I am grateful for:
- I was able to pick up my medication, finally!
- My cousin's company as we ran some errands together
- Garden flowers
- What I was able to accomplish, today
- Conversations with my daughter
My daughter thinks I should challenge myself to do a daily joyful activity and things like drinking tea from a favorite cup, etc., don't count! She thinks it should be something more in the line of a fun activity or project, something that I wake up looking forward to doing. It doesn't have to take a lot of time, she assures me; it can be something that takes five or ten minutes. Hm. I shall have to think more about it. But, today's joyful activities were spending some time with cousin P, flower arranging, and card making!
 |
| Aeonium Flower Cluster |
Sunday's To Do List:
- Finish cousin N's birthday card
- Make or buy a 16th birthday card for niece's son
- Get driving directions to go to eye doctor on Monday
- Vacuum
How is your weekend coming along, so far? What have you planned for Sunday?
Wow, brilliant idea by your daughter about the daily joyful activity. I've pinched the idea, so you've both got a mention on my blog today. Thank you xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like my daughter's idea, Eileen. Thank you for mentioning us both in your blog, today! I must tell my daughter about it, when she calls me, later, today. She's turning into quite a life coach, isn't she?
DeleteI'm glad you've got your prescription, finally! You really shouldn't have to be chasing it up like that - I hope it wasn't for your blood pressure.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers look lovely and you arrange them so beautifully. It's all I can do to put mine in a vase. :)
No, it wasn't for my blood pressure or the cancer, thank goodness! I once had to go chasing after my cancer pills, when the pharmacy claimed the doctor hadn't authorized refills, when I knew the doctor had authorized them! I created quite a scene at the pharmacy, asking them what happens if the cancer returns because I had to go without medication; I was practically in tears and they gave me a 3 day supply of pills to tide me over until they filled my prescription!
DeleteThank you! I enjoy flower arranging, although I only have the vaguest ideas about how to actually do an arrangement! I am rather pleased with how this particular arrangement turned out!
Pretty flower arrangement! Glad you finally got your prescription. Andrea
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea. I received a text, last night, from the pharmacy, saying my prescription is on back order and they'll let me know when it is ready! I think they are a bit behind with their texts, because I had already picked up the prescription! LOL!
DeleteIt's a good thing you called them back about your prescription. As always, I am amazed at how little you spend on groceries. You inspire me.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that, with this particular pharmacy, at least, I need to keep at them for some of the medications. Not all of them, especially as I have signed up for automatic refills, but, sometimes, something doesn't go as smoothly as it could.
DeleteWell, I really didn't need anything much, this time. I would have bought eggs, if they had them on sale, but they didn't, so I will wait until next week. I might need to do a big grocery shopping next week. :)
I really like your flower arrangement. Orange blossoms are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteOne of the flowers I'd like to have in my garden is Jasmine. I don't think I've seen the type you have, the ones with reddish stems.
The most common type here is Confederate Jasmine.
I'm glad you finally got the prescription. I wonder why it was that late.
Thank you, Nil.
DeleteI have the Confederate or Star Jasmine, too; I pruned it down to almost the ground, last year, so it is growing back, slowly. No flowers on it, yet. I had the "saman pichcha" jasmine, too, at one time, but, the drought killed it.
I think the prescription delay was due to a change in manufacturers. I noticed that the pills I received this time were by a different manufacturer and a different color, etc. Maybe they couldn't get a stock of it from the prior manufacturer? Once before, too, they stopped making the pill I used to take (two types of meds in one) and I now have to take the two meds, separately (costs more for me because I have to pay for two, rather than one).
Love your flower arrangement. Not my forte at all.
ReplyDeleteTake it easy.
Thank you, Eloise. Not sure if it is my forte, either, but, I do enjoy it. :)
DeleteThose flower arrangements are stunning! Definitely more impressed at your skills with flowers than the pharmacy's skill with time management and customer service!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyssa. This pharmacy needs more staff, but, that's another story, isn't it?
DeleteEvery time your daughter gives you advice, she makes a lot of sense. It's good advice for all of us.
ReplyDeleteYes, she does have good advice, doesn't she? She also thinks I should be more flexible, that I am too rigid in my outlook. Sometimes, I hear my mother in her. :)
DeleteI noticed that too!
DeleteShe has a wise head on her young shoulders, Akasha. :)
DeleteMy daughter and I are working on our garden today. She is pruning the olive tree as I type this. If I didn’t do joyful activities, I don’t know where I’d be. How many kids do you have, just the one daughter?
ReplyDeleteOoh, pruning trees sounds like great fun! I like pruning trees! I try to find joy in all the things I do as a matter of course (except, perhaps cleaning the litter box! LOL.) But, I am learning to do purposefully joyful things, too.
DeleteMy daughter is my only child. She is definitely my main joy! :)
My daughter is also my only child, but I have two future stepkids.
DeleteYes, I remember you had posted about them. When my mother married my father, she became mother to five step-children. I was her only biological child. :)
DeleteI like the idea of doing something joyful each day. I hope you let us know how it goes!
ReplyDeleteIt's going well, so far, Sharon. Today, I made it a point to sit at the piano and play for a bit. Even croaked a few songs as I played! LOL.
DeleteThe jasmine is so lovely and the flower arrangement is, too. I'm sure your house must smell wonderful with the orange blossoms included in it.
ReplyDeleteI do actually have some flowers growing, a couple of peace lilies on the plant in the dining room. My other source of flowers is a wild flower photo that I took way back. I'm using it on my desktop and it has white yarrow blooms and blue chicory, with bright green foliage as well. I love to see it when I start up my computer in the morning!
Thank you, Bushlady; the jasmine vine has a few more flowers blooming now and I am so glad! This is a small cutting from the original plant that my mother grew. We had to move that original plant to the back yard, when we had to dig up the front garden for a new water line. Then, the main plant died over the drought, but, one little piece of it self rooted and I had friend M transplant it to the front, a couple of years ago. Last year, it looked like it might die during the heat wave, but it survived, and this year, it seems to have established itself! I am hoping it will continue to do well - we'll have to see how it takes the summer, this year!
DeletePeace lilies are so pretty! Unfortunately, they are poisonous to cats, and we all know how Dancer loves to munch on plants! Enjoy your flowers!
I think most people try hard to be patient and be nice, but it seems that the squeaky wheel does get the grease. Too bad that we need to resort to this "raising a fuss" every now and then.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful that there are so many tutorials available on-line? You can pick up nearly any hobby or interest by watching you tube videos. You will be able to pick up so many lessons on flower arrangements.
Susan, yes, unfortunately, you are right about the squeaky wheel! I hate to squeak, but, occasionally, I find myself having to!
DeleteI love the online tutorials! Some are better at explaining what they do, but they are all quite wonderful.