Friday Update

Dancer's vet called me this morning to ask how he was doing and to give me the test results.  His blood tests were normal for the most part and his urine test was normal.  However, there seems to be some signs that he might have hyperthyroidism.  She explained a couple of treatment options that are available and emailed me more information.  She said we could wait and test him again, in six months' time, and take it from there.  I've forwarded the emails to my daughter and we will discuss them after she's had time to read them.  Dancer is still a bit subdued, today, but, he's eating and starting to meow at me a bit more and is seated next to me, here, on the sofa, as I write this.

The second phone call I received this morning was from a friend, informing me that a mutual friend was in the hospital (ICU), after a stroke!  I would have liked to have gone to see her, today, but, I was unable to do so.  I plan to visit her tomorrow morning.

I went grocery shopping at the Armenian store, later in the morning.  I bought almost all the fresh produce I needed for the almsgiving - scallions and snowpea pods for the ricesticks dish; cucumber, tomatoes, and red onions for the salad; kale for the mallung; yogurt; papaya, apples, and fuyu persimmons for fruit; and two cans of condensed milk.  My total came to $15.60.  I wanted to buy a packet of shredded carrots, but, they didn't have them, and I still need to buy some regular milk, as well.

I came home and ate a sandwich for brunch (I had eaten a banana, earlier, before I went shopping).  Then, it was time to go to my appointment with the podiatrist.  I had to go downtown and it rained all the way there!  The freeway was practically at a standstill and it took me longer to drive to the appointment than I had anticipated.  I was so afraid I would be late, but, I got there right on time at 2:30 p.m.  It was a new podiatrist and he said everything was fine, but, my feet were very dry and recommended I applied lots of lotion.   I am to see him, again, in February.

The drive home was bumper to bumper, but, at least, the rain had ceased.

M was already here, tending to the garden, when I got home, a little after 4:30 p.m.  I made us some tea and we chatted for a bit.  Then, he helped me rearrange the furniture and take down the almsgiving dishes.  After he left, I washed the dishes and vacuumed.  Then, did a load of laundry (kitchen and bathroom rugs, Dancer's towels, etc.)

Remember the almsgiving preparations list I posted earlier?  Here's an update:

- Set the date/invite the monks/invite the participants - DONE
- Confirm the date with the monks - DONE
- Call and remind the invitees - DONE
- Make a tentative menu - DONE
- Shop for non-perishable groceries - DONE
- Cook and freeze the cashew curry - DONE
- Cook and freeze the garbanzo beans - DONE
- Cook and freeze the dhal - DONE
- Check supplies (non-grocery)/shop for items needed - DONE
- Go to the bank/Get donations ready - DONE
- Make the grocery shopping list - DONE
- Grocery shop for perishables - DONE
- Clean the house - dust, vacuum, bathrooms - MOSTLY DONE (need to mop my bathroom)
- Rearrange furniture to set up the seating area in the living room (M will help on Friday) - DONE
- Take down dishes used only for almsgiving and wash them - DONE
- Set out candles/incense sticks & holder; lighter/matches - DONE
- Set out items needed for the transfer of merit: teapot, cup, and water basin; fill teapot with water - DONE
- Set out new bottle of water for blessing; bowl to catch drips when blessed water is poured out - DONE

Saturday, Dec. 7 To Do List:
- Visit friend T in ICU
- Pharmacy for medication refill
- Any last minute grocery shopping (shredded carrots and milk)
- Clean out fridge
- Put out frozen items to thaw
- Pick up friend R
- Cook
- Mop my bathroom


Today, I am grateful for:
- Dancer's blood tests, etc. were mostly normal
- Safe drive to downtown and back
- Podiatrist visit went well
- M's help
- All what I was able to accomplish

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