Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt - December Finds

It is the end of December and Eileen at A Bracelet of Days has posted the December link up for the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt.  She has requested that we post a link to our photos in a comment on her post, so that others can visit the blogs to see them.

Here are my finds for December.  I've already posted one or two of them in previous posts, but, all are shown here so that they are easier to locate in one place!

No. 1: in the bag - my knitting (a sweater) in one of the tote bags I sewed for myself.

No 1: in the bag

No. 2: contrast - what could be more of a contrast than black and white?  But, together, the contrasting black and white keys on a piano can create such harmony!

No.2: contrast 

No. 4: colors - the colors of a sunset.  I am not sure if this will be my final selection for this prompt, but, for now, I will go with this photo.

No.4: colors

No. 14: flavor of the month - it has to be peppermint for me!  From candy canes to peppermint bark, peppermint is the flavor of December!

No.14: flavor of the month

No. 15: letters - I bought several sets of wooden blocks with letters, the Christmas my daughter was three years old and learning the alphabet.  I hot glued loops made of gold cord to them and decorated the tree with them, that year.  I saved a few plain blocks to spell Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and every year since then, the blocks have been set out as part of our holiday decor.

No. 15: letters

No. 18: a chain - the chains of crystal beads on the chandelier in the dining room, which was a gift from my mother when I remodeled the house, several years ago.

No. 18: a chain

Those are my finds for December.  I am looking forward to seeing what others have found and posted!

Are you joining in on the WPSH?  It goes on till the end of March, so, there's plenty of time to join if you like!  It's a lot of fun and doesn't cost anything, either! 

Getting Ready for the End of the Year

A Christmas gift my daughter made for one of her friends

Last night, before I went to sleep, I started tidying up the living room.  Daughter had left some of her Christmas gifts sitting around, I had a basket of laundry to fold, there was a pile of mail on the side table near my chair, some bits and pieces of craft supplies left out, a couple of magazines on the piano, etc.  This morning, I finished tidying the living room and cleared the dining table.  Again, I put away the jigsaw puzzles, the craft supplies, the wrapping paper and other Christmas related items, etc.

I wish I could say that I was tidying and cleaning because I wanted to keep the house well maintained.  But, my incentive to clean was the fact that I was expecting company on New Year's Eve!  I had invited friend A, her husband, and their daughters to have New Year's dinner with us.  They had dinner with us on New Year's Eve, last year, too, and it is now becoming a new tradition.  I had already invited them when we went to their house for Thanksgiving.  But, when my daughter came down with her cold and cough, I wasn't sure if it would be the right thing to invite people when she was sick and expose them to her germs.  In fact, I called A, yesterday, and told her about my daughter's cold and said I didn't want them to get exposed.  But, A didn't seem to mind it, saying it was fine with them, as long as daughter felt well enough to have company over.   My daughter seemed much better, today, so I called A this evening and confirmed tomorrow's dinner.  She offered to bring a dessert and I said that would be lovely.

In the afternoon, I went grocery shopping again, for a couple of items I couldn't buy on Saturday, specifically, some bottles of sparkling apple cider to toast the New Year!  The Armenian grocery store didn't have them.  I went to another store, today, and bought three bottles of the sparkling apple cider for $1.99 each (plus the bottle deposit of $.10 each).   I also bought some broccoli ($1.19/lb) to cook for tomorrow night's dinner.  I will cook rice, chicken curry, fish curry, sauteed smoked sausage, broccoli, dhal, cashew curry (from the freezer), and spicy garbanzo beans (also from the freezer).  I have yogurt and treacle for dessert, in addition to whatever friend A will bring.

While I was out grocery shopping, my daughter had tidied up the family room and done the dishes that were in the sink!  I was so pleased!  She said she felt well enough that she arranged to go to see a movie with a friend and thought that if she felt well enough to go out, then, she was well enough to help clean the house and do the dishes for me!  LOL!

In the evening, after she left, I dusted the living room, dining room, and family room.  I also took the trash bin and recycling bin out to the curb for pick up tomorrow morning.

Sunset

I took a picture of the sunset, yesterday, but my cell phone camera couldn't quite capture the brilliant colors.  Still, I am considering of using this picture for the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt, for prompt #4: colors.  Haven't quite decided, yet. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- The house has been tidied for the New Year
- Daughter is feeling better
- Daughter helped with the tidying and cleaning
- Getting my grocery shopping done without any difficulties
- Ripe, fresh papaya from the grocery store

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Bring the trash cans in
- Vacuum
- Cook
- Enjoy having friends over to New Year's Eve dinner
- Greet the New Year with my daughter

How was your day?  What are your plans for New Year's Eve?

The Garden at the End of the Year

I took a walk around the garden, this afternoon, to see how it looked at the end of the year.  We've had quite a bit of rain, so far, this winter, and everything is nice and green. 

In the backyard:

Lemons and Chrysanthemums

These two lemon trees on either side of the side door to the garage are full of lemons and the chrysanthemum plant continues to flower.  The little plants under the lemon trees are mirabilis (four o'clocks) that have self seeded and are coming up.

Yucca and Squill

The yucca is a cutting I took from the plant that is growing in one of the corners of the back yard.  I had M plant it in this spot, earlier in the year, and it seems to have rooted itself.  The plant under it is one of the squill bulbs that M brought me from his garden and planted.

Squill Plants

There are three squill plants in the back yard and a fourth one in the front.

The narcissus (paperwhites) are continuing to flower:

Paperwhites

The current star of the back garden is the orange tree:

Oranges

I picked four more oranges, today, to share with my daughter.  I might be able to send a few oranges home with her, too.


There are still some roses, too:

Yellow Rose

Iceberg Roses

And the crocosmia plants are starting to come up:

Crocosmia

I turned around and saw a spot of color at the other end of the garden:

Do you see them?

Perhaps a close up might help:

Ginger, Snowball, and Stripey (siblings)

Three of my garden cats.  Ginger and Snowball are siblings from the same litter; Stripey is from a later litter.  Something (I didn't find out what) attacked and killed their mother while Stripey was still quite young and he attached himself to his older siblings who mothered him.  I tried to go closer to take a better picture, but, Stripey is easily spooked and took off running.

My birthday present from M, the Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) is growing nicely, with all the rain we've been having:

The Buddleia 

In the front yard:

The Plants by the Driveway

The mixture of plants in the bed along the driveway - osteospermum, rosemary, chrysanthemum, etc., are continuing to do well.  The osteospermum usually dries up and dies after the spring blooming, but, this year, we've had so much rain that they continued to remain green and I've just left them in place.  I don't mind that they are not flowering - they continue to add some color to the garden.

The newly planted white sage is also growing well:

White Sage

The red rose by the trellis is still flowering, but, it is almost time to prune the rose bushes - M will do that in January:

Red Rose

The succulents border along the side wall is starting to fill in, nicely:

Succulents Border

I took a few more pictures of the garden, but, they are refusing to upload!  Oh, well.  I guess there are enough pictures already to show that the garden is doing well at the end of the year!  I know I am very lucky to be able to garden throughout the year.  

I've plans to do a little more landscaping and planting in the front garden in 2020.  It'll have to be drought-tolerant, heat-resistant plants (even the succulents get scorched for the sun in the summer!), but, with M's help, I'll get the front garden to look a little less bare in the area where the lawn used to be.

What are your garden plans for 2020?  

December Balanced Life Goals - Review

There are still a few more days left in December, but, I think it is a good time for me to review my monthly goals.  Since my monthly balanced life goals are how I ensure that my New Year's Resolutions are implemented throughout the year, seeing how well they have been implemented will help with deciding on resolutions for the coming New Year.  

As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of a wheel, with the length of each spoke representing my satisfaction in that area of my life, from 1 to 10, with 1 being most dissatisfied and 10 being most satisfied.  Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly.  If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly.  My ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses, with the beginning of the month ratings in black and the end of month ratings in blue.

December Balanced Life Goals:

Spiritual: (10)(10):   The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life:
- Continue with daily prayers, meditation, being grateful, positive, and joyful
- Continue to cultivate non-attachment to material things by donating/decluttering more
- Hold the annual almsgiving, scheduled for December 8
- Attend the December rosary prayer gathering, if possible (no date, yet)
- Watch midnight mass from the Vatican on Christmas Eve (an annual tradition for me)

My spiritual highlight in December was the almsgiving, of course.  Which was carried out quite successfully.  In addition, I continued with daily prayers, meditation, gratitude, etc., and did some decluttering.  I was unable to attend the December rosary prayer gathering as it took place at the same time as my daughter's flight home and I needed to pick her up from the airport; however, I did watch midnight mass from the Vatican on Christmas Eve.  I am going to rate this area as a 10, as I am well satisfied with the spiritual aspects of my life.  


House (9.5)(9.5):  The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming:
- Clean - Clean the house for the almsgiving; decorate for the season
- Organize - Continue to find a place for everything and keep everything in its place
- Well maintained - Keep "erasing the evidence"
- Decluttered - Declutter 31 items in December; call for a donations pick up

The house got cleaned for the almsgiving, but, I didn't decorate for the season as I fell ill and didn't have the energy to decorate.  I have been trying to keep things organized and maintained, although, currently, there are still some holiday wrapping paper and new gifts to be put away.  I also managed to declutter 34 items, so I met and exceeded my decluttering goal, this month!  However, I haven't called for a donation pick up, yet.  I plan to do so in January.  I am keeping the rating at 9.5, even though there is some general untidiness which will be taken care of in the next day or two.   

Garden (8)(8):  The goal is a garden that is productive, yet drought tolerant:
- Maintain (water 1- 2 times per week, depending on how much rain we get; weed)
- Clean out the garden shed

The garden is being maintained and is doing quite well with all the rain we've had!  I've been picking lemons from my trees during the month of December and have just starting picking the oranges, too.  New osteospermum seedlings are starting to sprout and I have plans to transfer some of them to other areas of the garden over the next few weeks.  The garden shed got postponed, once again, but, I am keeping the rating at 8. 

Daughter (10)(10):  The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her:
- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc.

- Enjoy her planned visit at the end of the month

She is home for the holidays and we have had several fun days, shopping, going out to eat, spending Christmas with family and friends, etc.  Poor thing is now down with a cold and cough, but, she's managed to fit in some fun time with her friends.  She is home for another week, before she has to go back to work.  I am hoping she'll be able to recover from her infection before she goes back.  I am looking forward to seeing the New Year in with her.  Definitely a good area of my life and I am keeping the rating at 10.

Family & Friends (10)(10):  The goal is to have a connection with family members and friends:

- Regular phone calls and emails
- Might see some family and friends at the almsgiving (they've all been invited to attend; whether they do is up to them)
- Attend two birthday parties that are scheduled for this month
- Wish other family and friends on their birthdays
- Celebrate Christmas with family and friends

December was a good month for being with family and friends.  At least two of my cousins and a good friend attended the almsgiving and daughter and I celebrated Christmas with family and friends, too.  I was unable to attend either of the two birthday parties we had been invited to, due to being ill, but, I wished everyone on their birthdays.  The only sad part was friend T getting a stroke and being hospitalized (she's still in hospital and her recovery is slow).  Even so, I am keeping the rating at 10.

Community (10)(10):  The goal is to be involved in my community:

- Continue to participate in the blogging community 
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member
- Participate in temple events
- Mail the red hats for new borns to American Heart Association
- Deliver the other hats to the cancer center

I have had a good month where being involved in my community is concerned.  I have participated in the blogging community and an online group, held the almsgiving and supported the temple with donations, and delivered several hats I knitted to the cancer center.  The American Heart Association sent an email saying they have discontinued the red hats for new borns at local hospitals, so I couldn't send them the hats I've knitted!  I wish they had notified me, earlier!  Now, I am left with a dozen or so red hats for infants; maybe I'll include them with the rest of the donations I will be making to the rescue mission.  I am well satisfied with this area of my life and will keep the rating at 10.

Finances (10)(10):  The goal is financial security:

- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose.

I continue to do well in this area of my life.  I have no debts and I live well within my means.  I continue to budget because I want to and I continue to spend mindfully, for the most part.  I am keeping the rating at 10.   

 Health & Well Being (8)(7):  The goal is good health:
- Attend the medical appointments (2) and lab tests (1) scheduled for this month 
- Continue to work on the following life style changes: 

  - better diet - eat more vegetables, less carbs
  - better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water, daily
  - better sleep habits -  try to adjust the sleep schedule (earlier bed time)
  - more exercise - get back on a walking schedule 

- Get back down to a healthier weight through diet and exercise

My health spoke took a bit of a hit, this month, because I came down with an upper respiratory infection that flattened me for the better part of the month!  Thank goodness for antibiotics!  However, the lab test results were good, I was told, and I did lose a little bit of weight, so that is good, too.  On the other hand, there was hardly any exercising and the diet definitely could have been better!  I reduced the rating to a 7, because of being ill and generally run down; I didn't reduce it further because the blood test results were good. 

Time Management (8)(8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Keep to a more regular schedule
- Procrastinate less

I've said this before and I'll say it again; this is another area of my life that could be improved. However, on the positive side, I did get the almsgiving preparations carried out in a timely manner and I did get most of my Christmas gifts ready by the Big Day, so that is good.  Plus, all bills are getting paid on time!  I blame getting sick for the things that didn't get done, such as decorating the house for the holidays.  I am keeping the rating at 8. 

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10)(10):  The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Continue to make my holiday gifts

- Engage in daily joyful activities
- Participate in the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt

I managed to make a few holiday gifts, engaged in some daily joyful activities, and took one photo for the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt.  This was another area of my life that was impacted from getting sick, earlier in the month.  There were quite a few days when I didn't feel like doing anything much, other than take enforced "me-time" and nap!  I am keeping the rating at 10, however, because I feel that I did relax quite a bit while I was ill!

That is my review of my goals for a more balanced life in December.  Everything stayed at the same rating, except for Health and Well Being which came down a bit due to being ill for a good portion of this month.  On the whole, I am pleased with what I was able to accomplish towards having balance among the different areas of my life, this month.  I am pleased to be ending the year on a relatively high level of satisfaction, all around.  My goal for next month (and next year) is to maintain or improve as needed.

Did you make any goals for a balanced life in December?  If so, how did you do?  Were you able to accomplish most of your goals?  Are you happy with what you were able to accomplish?  Will you be making new goals in January?

More Shopping on Saturday

Another, sunny day with a daytime high of 63F.  I slept in this morning and had a relaxed rest of the morning.  Cousin V called to thank me for the Christmas gifts - poor thing could hardly speak due to laryngitis!  But, she said her grandsons loved their gifts, especially the bigger boy who is 3 years old and loves Star Wars.   He had dressed as Darth Vader at Halloween and this is what I got him for Christmas:

Darth Vader Backpack

My cousin said that it was his favorite gift and he is carrying it around like a doll!

His baby brother, who is not yet one year, had been R2D2 for Halloween and I got him this for Christmas:

R2D2 Backpack

I know he is too small for a backpack (and, most probably his older brother will claim it, too), but, their mother, my cousin's daughter, texted me to thank me for the gifts, telling me they were the perfect gifts for them and how much they loved them.  I'm glad they liked them.  They are Disney licensed merchandise but, I got them on sale for a very reasonable price, each. 

Shortly after noon, I drove my daughter over to her friend's house where they were all meeting before going out to lunch and an afternoon of fun at an escape room.

After I dropped her off, I went to the pharmacy to pick up a bottle of ibuprofen for my daughter.  She was coming to the end of the bottle she had brought down with her and the one I had at home had expired in 2018!  When I paid for it, I received a $5 Extra Bucks coupon, so, I went back and bought a small box of Tide laundry detergent (30 loads size) which was on sale for $5.94.  With my $5 coupon, my out of pocket cost came to $1 and a few cents (with tax).  Even the cashier was marveling at what a good deal that was! 

Then, I went next door to the dollar store.  I wanted to stock up on facial tissues, as we've been going through them with our recent colds!  I also stocked up on toothpaste and soap - I like to do that every three months or so.  While I was there, I also bought some bananas, a Boston lettuce, a box of crackers, a box of yellow cake mix, a box of granola bars, a can of coconut milk, a 4 cans pack of lemon-lime soda, a box of microwave popcorn, and a couple of other items, including a pair of holiday socks for $.50:

Holiday Socks

Not sure if I will keep them for myself or slip them into a gift, next year!  I can almost see a gift taking shape - the snowman socks, a candle, a mug, some hot cocoa, and maybe a set of snowman coasters?  What do you think?  I spent almost $26.00 at the dollar store!

After that, I went to the Armenian grocery store for some groceries including semolina and eggs for the love cake my daughter is still planning to make.  In addition, I bought more coriander seeds, chili powder, some chicken drumsticks and beef steaks, vegetables (green beans, Persian cucumbers, beets, onions), fruits (papaya, pomegranates), pistachios, almonds, pita bread, fresh ginger, and potatoes.  I spent $39.03 at the grocery store. 

Finally, on the way home, I put gas to the car.  The cheapest gas was $3.35/gal.  I was down to almost quarter of a tank and spent almost $39.00 to fill the tank.

By the time I came home and put away the groceries, it was 4:00 p.m.   I ate a late lunch of a pita bread with spicy onion sambol and rested a bit.  My daughter came home around 4:45 p.m. and I made tea for us.  Then, I did the dishes and called friend R to check on her (she had called me, yesterday, saying she had a flu shot and was feeling achy and feverish; she said she felt better, today).

Daughter has requested some pasta for dinner, so I will prepare that in a bit.  I might have some of the leftover shepherd's pie one of my cousins had made for the Christmas dinner that I had brought home with me.  We are having a restful evening.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The gifts I gave to the little boys are a big hit with them!
- Daughter being able to have a fun afternoon with her friends
- A sunny and warm day
- What I was able to accomplish today
- Working appliances (dishwasher, heater, etc.)

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

Last Friday of the Month/Year/Decade!

First Oranges of the Season

I feel there should be some fanfare or something, as this month winds down and, with it, the year and the decade!

We've had a lovely, sunny day, with a daytime high of 64F.

My daughter definitely has a sore throat, poor thing, and I feel guilty that I might have passed on my germs to her.  But, she has assured me that several people at her office had been sick, as well, and she could have caught the germs from one of them or someone at the airport or on her flight, etc.

Yesterday, she wanted oatmeal for breakfast, as that was easy to eat.  Today, I made us milk rice, as that, too, is soft and creamy and easy to eat.  Afterwards, I picked three fresh oranges from the tree - the very first oranges of the season - and cut them for us to share.  Lots of vitamin C!

We spent a quiet, relaxed morning.

In the afternoon, I went to pay my homeowner's and earthquake insurance.  I like to do so in person and get a receipt, because I pay the whole amount at once.   My earthquake insurance went up, this year, but, I am not going to quibble about that!  It is something that is necessary when you live in earthquake country!

In the afternoon, my daughter made a gift for one of her friends.  I took a picture of it, but, I can't post it yet as she hasn't given the gift yet!  I should be able to post it, tomorrow, though.

This evening, my daughter and her friends from high school (and middle school, too, for a couple of them) held their annual holiday get together.  These five girls were the best of friends and used to have lunch together, every day.  Each year, just before winter break, they had a holiday potluck during their lunch break at school, with each one bringing a dish to share with the others.  After they graduated and went off to different colleges, they used to hold their holiday potluck at my home.  Now that they are working, they prefer to go out to dinner (although I offered my house for them to meet at, if they liked).  Even though she had a sore throat, my daughter didn't want to miss out on it. So, in the evening, I drove her to the venue and came home.  One of her friends drove her home, afterwards (daughter is unable to drive my car since I took her off my insurance, since she's not home most of the time).

Today, I am grateful for:
- Fresh oranges from my tree
- Being able to pay my insurance in full
- The sunny day
- Daughter had a fun evening with her friends
- She brought me back some cheddar biscuits from the restaurant 

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

Frugal Holiday Gifts

Frugal Gifts

The holidays, especially Christmas, can be an expensive time of the year, with gift giving and celebrating.  It is very easy to spend a lot of money on gifts and it all adds up!  One way to keep the spending under control is to set up a holiday budget.

I set myself a holiday budget, every year.  It has varied from a low of $120 during leaner years of pay cuts and a high of $300 during better years of full pay.  This year, I settled for a budget of $240, setting aside $20 each month towards holiday gifts.  This budgeted amount does not include my daughter's gifts, however.  It is the amount I budget for everyone else on my gift list.  This year, I have 35 people on my gift list (married couples are counted as one person as I give them a joint gift).

This gives me an average of around $6.50 per gift, but, of course, it doesn't always work out that way.  Some gifts cost more (this year, three young ladies on my list received sweaters that cost around $20 each).   In order to accommodate the more expensive gifts, I try to be as frugal as I can with other gifts.

Making my own jam with fruit from my garden is one way I make frugal gifts.  This year, I made pineapple guava-ginger jam.  My only cost was for the jars ($8.99 for 12) and sugar ($.50/lb).  The guava and the lemon came from the garden and the little bit of preserved ginger I used came from a jar I had in the fridge.  I estimate that, at most, each jar of jam cost me about $1.  I decorated the top of the jars with a circle of holiday fabric that I had in my stash.

Other homemade gifts such as holiday table runners or cushion covers using fabric in my stash or fabric purchased on sale are also quite frugal.  The only thing is they take some time to make and require some planning ahead to have the gifts made on time!

Other frugal gifts are items that I purchase on sale, especially the after Christmas sales, when holiday themed items are on clearance for 50-75% off!  Last year, I bought several jar candles, that were regularly priced at $10 each when they went on sale for under $2!  This year, several of my gifts included one of those jar candles.

Pictured above is the gift I put together for one of my cousins.  A jar of my guava jam, a jar candle, and the set of snowman coasters, I made.  I had run out of Christmas gift bags, so, I took a plain brown paper gift bag and glued on the front of an old Christmas card to make it more Christmas-y.  Another cousin received a jar of jam, a jar candle, and a set of two kitchen towels.  I was able to put together those gifts for under $5 each.

Scarves

Another low cost gift I gave to some of the young ladies on my gift list was a scarf.  My daughter found them at the dollar store, for $1.99 each.  The muted pink color of the scarves caught her eye as she loves that shade of pink and their softness won her over as she wants everything to be soft. She bought one for herself and texted me to ask if I want any to give as gifts.  I told her, "Yes" and she bought me several (and I reimbursed her).  They had a tag saying, "Topshop", which didn't mean anything to me, but, my daughter assured me that it was a good brand.  How or why the dollar store had them is a mystery, but, they made a good frugal gift that the recipients who recognized the label appreciated! 

Another frugal holiday gift my daughter was able to buy for her friends were these socks we found on clearance, for $.45/pair, when she came down earlier in November:

Kitty Socks

"meow-garita"

She bought five pairs for less than the cost of a single pair at regular price!

It really does pay to shop the sales!

I still have to get a few more gifts for New Year gifts.  But, so far, I have given 28 Christmas gifts that averaged to $6 each, so, I am keeping to my budgeted amounts.

Do you make a holiday gift budget?  If so, are you able to keep to your budget?  What are some of the frugal holiday gifts you've given?

Shopping the After Christmas Sales

Snow-capped Mountains in the Distance

Last night's storm, which brought us rain, had brought snow to the mountains; my daughter took these pictures of the snowy mountains in the distance while we were stopped at a traffic light, this afternoon.

More Snow-capped Mountains

Today, my daughter and I went to the mall to do some after Christmas sales shopping!

My daughter was anxious to get me a Christmas present.  Every time we went shopping before Christmas, she would tell me to let her know if I saw anything I liked - a blouse or a sweater or something.  But, I didn't see anything I liked.

What I really wanted were some scented body lotions and perfume as I had come to the end of my bottle of lotion and my perfume.  Although my daughter had wanted to buy me some lotion from our favorite bath and beauty products store prior to Christmas, when lotions were on sale for "buy 3, get 2 free", I had refused to allow her to buy me any as that would still come to $7.50-$8.10 per bottle (regular price was $12.50-$13.50, depending on the scent).  Today, however, the store was having their semi-annual sale, with up to 75% off selected bath and body products and they had sent me a coupon of an additional 20% off any purchase of $25 or more!  My daughter bought 10 bottles of lotion, some for me and some to be given as gifts to family as part of their New Year's gifts.  With the discount, the lotions came to $2.49-$2.79 each, depending on the original price.  I now have at least a year's supply of lotions! 

Then, we went to another store for some perfume.  I no longer wear perfume on a daily basis, but, I do like to wear some when I go out, even if it is grocery shopping.  I wanted something light for daytime wear.  I picked something with a green tea scent - a perfume and lotion set.  Unbeknownst to me, my daughter also picked out another bottle of perfume that I had said was good, but had put back on the counter; she hid it from me until we got to the check out counter and then, insisted on buying that one as well!

Then, on the way out of the store, I saw some jigsaw puzzles.  The Christmas themed ones were on sale for $2.99 each and I really wanted one.  Daughter bought me two as part of her Christmas gifts to me!

Christmas Jigsaw Puzzles

She also bought a gift for one of her friends and a bento box and some costume jewelry for herself, using a gift card she had received. 

After that, we came home, feeling well pleased with our afternoon of shopping!

Daughter has a bit of a scratchy sore throat, so I made her some coriander tea.  I hope she isn't coming down with whatever it was that I had! 

Today, I am grateful for:
- A partly sunny day after yesterday's rain
- Being able to see the snow on the mountains in the distance
- After Christmas sales!
- Bargain holiday shopping
- Christmas gifts from my daughter

How was your Thursday?  Do you shop for gifts during the after Christmas sales?

Christmas Day

Christmas morning, both daughter and I slept in.  Later, as I made my tea, I became a bit nostalgic thinking about the Christmases when my daughter was a little girl and would wake up at 5:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, all excited to see if Santa had come and brought her any gifts!

In the afternoon, we went to my friend A's home to have Christmas lunch and to exchange gifts.  A's aunt used to invite us to her house for Christmas, when she was alive.  After her aunt's death, A has been inviting us to her house, and now, it has become a tradition.  My daughter is good friends with A's two daughters, having known them since she was 5 and they were 5 and 4.  As usual, A had prepared a feast for our lunch.

After lunch, around 5:00 p.m., we left A's and drove to my cousin V's to participate in the family Christmas get together and dinner.  This included part of the extended family, as V had invited her husband's family of seven siblings and their families, as well!  We had a White Elephant gift exchange with about 25 people participating, which was a lot of fun.  Later, we exchanged gifts with the family. 

The forecast had called for rain on Christmas day.  It had been cloudy all day, but, the rain held off until evening.  When we were at cousin V's it started to rain and it continued to rain all night.  We left cousin V's house around 10:30 p.m. and had to wade through a gushing stream of rain water, several inches deep, that was flowing down the side of the street to get to the car that was parked on the side of the street!  Fortunately, I had worn ankle high boots, so my feet remained relatively dry. 

After we came home, daughter made us a cup of tea and we chatted about the day for a bit and I had a late night snack, before we both went to sleep. 

It had been a lovely Christmas day, spent in the company of family and friends.  I feel blessed to have been able to celebrate with my daughter, family, and friends. 

On Christmas day, I was grateful for:
- Being healthy and alive to celebrate another Christmas
- My daughter being home for Christmas
- Spending the day celebrating with family and friends
- Safe driving to places and back home in the rain
- A warm, dry home providing shelter from the cold and rain

Hope your Christmas day was also filled with family and friends, love, laughter, and good cheer.

Merry Christmas

Wishing all my blog friends a very happy Christmas.  May your day be filled with joy and good cheer.  May the blessings of this season of peace and goodwill  be with you and your loved ones.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, my daughter and I took gifts over to neighbor T and wished her a Merry Christmas.

Then, we went out to lunch at the Sri Lankan restaurant as a Christmas Eve treat.  We bought patties and fish rolls to snack on, in the evening, and a pudding we call watalappan. 

After that, we stopped by the Sri Lankan store - they didn't have the special tea I like, but, I bought a few other items I wanted, including curry powder and frozen seer fish.

Then, we went to the crafts store so daughter could buy some craft supplies to make some gifts for her friends and I treated myself to a new hot glue gun and a packet of glue sticks.

We also stopped at a grocery store to pick up some half and half, a dessert to take to my cousin's, and cat food.  The store wasn't crowded, at all, which was nice.

On the way home, we drove over to friend R's to give her the parcel of food we had bought for her from the Sri Lankan restaurant as a surprise Christmas Eve treat.  She was so happy!

After we came home and had tea, I ran the dish washer and wrapped the very last of the Christmas gifts.  Daughter put them all in the trunk of the car - everything has been put in clean trash bags so that the gifts stay dry if it rains, tomorrow, as the weather forecast says it will. 

I am watching Midnight Mass from the Vatican as I type this - watching it is one of my Christmas traditions.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Having daughter home for the holidays
- Having Sri Lankan restaurants in the neighborhood
- Being able to bring a treat to my friend
- Being able to watch Midnight Mass
- Holiday treats

Happy Christmas!

Shopping on Monday

Set of Snowman Coasters/Mug Rugs

Sunday night, I went to sleep to the sound of rain falling, one of the nicest sounds, I think.  Monday morning, it had stopped raining, although it was cloudy, and it drizzled a little bit, in the afternoon.

In the afternoon, friend A called to invite us to her place to have Christmas lunch.  Friend A usually invites us to her place for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but, I wasn't sure if she was doing anything for Christmas, this year, as friend T who had the stroke is her cousin (A gave me an update on T - she is having to undergo dialysis three times a week!).  So, we will go to A's to have Christmas lunch and then, go to cousin V's to Christmas dinner!

Later in the afternoon, my daughter and I went shopping for the last of the Christmas gifts I needed.  We went to our favorite discount store and I bought six gifts and six gift bags; my total came to $42.21 with tax.  I bought two items of clothing, a huge plush toy dog for a little girl, two StarWars themed items for two little boys, and a household item for the White Elephant gift exchange my cousin is having.  I still have to get the New Year's gifts I will be giving to other members of the family, but, I have all my Christmas gifts, now. 

On the way home, we stopped by our favorite Thai food place and bought fried rice and Thai beef salad for a late lunch (with leftovers for dinner).

I wrapped (and bagged) some of the gifts, but I still have a few more to wrap.  I think I need a few more gift bags, too!   

Today, I am grateful for:

- A relatively dry day after yesterday's rain

- Friend A inviting us to Christmas lunch

- Being able to get all my gift shopping done

- Our favorite Thai food place

- Ginger cookies

Plans for Tuesday include finishing up all the gift wrapping and tagging!  

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?  

Rain on Sunday

The day dawned sunny and clear, but, by afternoon, the clouds started to gather and it began to rain in the evening.   It is 11:30 p.m. as I type this and it is raining quite steadily.  I am glad for the rain because the garden is getting a good soaking. 

I've had a relaxed day, today.  I slept in and then, made milkrice and spicy onion sambol (seeni sambol) for brunch.  Then, I read a few blogs etc., and wrapped another couple of gifts.  I tried to take a nap in the afternoon, but, I couldn't fall asleep.  Instead, I read for awhile and played some games on the computer.

I also spent a little time looking at various things on Pinterest.  They had ideas for mug rugs and I was inspired to make this:

Snow Man Mug Rug 

There was some white fleece leftover from one of daughter's Anime costume projects and some yellow felt.  I needed orange felt for the carrot nose, but I used an orange marker on the yellow felt.  The black embroidery floss is what I had on hand.  I have enough of the white fleece to make myself a set of four mug rugs. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- The sunshine during the day
- The rain in the evening
- Craft ideas online
- Being able to make something using supplies I had on hand
- Fresh lemons from my trees

Plans for tomorrow will include the rest of my gift shopping and, maybe, a stop at the grocery store for more half and half!

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday?

Winter Solstice on Saturday

"Silver Pothos" - Gift from Friend M

The antibiotics are slowly making an impact.  I woke up feeling a lot better than I have in days.  But, I took it easy, still. 

My daughter and I had been invited to a party one of my cousins was having for her husband's 60th birthday, this evening, but, I texted her to let her know that I wasn't feeling well enough to attend it.  I didn't want to infect anyone else and I didn't want to risk having a relapse.  Cousin texted back saying it was OK and that her mother had been ill, too.  A little while later, my aunt called to tell me that she had had the flu.  We chatted for awhile and agreed to meet after the holidays, when everyone is feeling better.

In the afternoon, I sat down to organize my holiday gifts.  I am not as far behind as I thought I might be!  I wrapped a couple of gifts and bagged up a few others.  My daughter managed to get the printer to work and she printed off some jar labels for me so I can now put the labels on my jars of jam and wrap them up, too.  I'm still behind with the holiday greetings cards, but, they will be mailed as New Year's cards, so, it should be fine. 

Later, in the evening, cousin P called and we chatted for a bit.  Still later, cousin V texted.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter had a safe flight in, yesterday
- Antibiotics kicking in
- A restful day
- Getting started on holiday preparations
- Keeping in touch with family members

Daughter and I are planning to have another quiet day, tomorrow.  There is rain in the forecast for both tomorrow and Monday, but, we might head out to the shops on Monday for the few gifts I still need to get.

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

Doctor's Appointment on Friday

I went to the already scheduled oncologist appointment, today.  My appointment was at 1:00 p.m., which meant I had to leave the house before 12 noon.  I got up at 10:00 a.m. and was up and dressed in good time.  I bagged up the knitted hats and took along a box of chocolates to give to the staff at the clinic.  I got to the clinic on time and didn't have to wait long before being called in. 

The blood test results were mostly good, I was told, except there were some elevated levels in one area and my white blood cell count was high.  I explained about the cold and cough.  I was prescribed an antibiotic and told to come back in one month for a follow-up visit.  They didn't want to give me my bone density injection until my blood test results were more normal.  I will redo the blood tests before my next visit.

I handed in the hats I had knitted and was told they will be much appreciated by the patients. 

I drove to the pharmacy on the way home and picked up my prescription.  I also stopped by the grocery store to pick up some half and half for my daughter's morning coffee, a box of her favorite cereal, some bananas, and some shrimp.  I spent just under $15 for the groceries.

After I came home, I ate something and took the first dose of antibiotics.  I had to take two tablets today; after that, I will be taking one tablet a day for the next four days.  The pharmacist said I could take the tablets with or without food, but, I always prefer to take with food.

When friend M came to do the garden, I gave him his Christmas gift and asked him to water the front garden for me.  I haven't been feeling well enough to water it, for the past couple of weeks.  It is supposed to rain, next week, but, I thought the garden could do with a bit of watering. 

I am making myself a cup of tea now and after I drink it, I need to make my daughter's bed and cook the shrimp.  I will cook a little rice, too, and we can have that for dinner, along with some dhal (from the freezer). 

Today, I am grateful for:
- A good visit with the doctor
- Antibiotics
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Being able to give the hats to the clinic
- My daughter will be coming home, tonight 

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

Knitted Hats on Thursday

Knitted and Crocheted Hats

It was sunny, today, with highs in the upper 60s.  I slept in and woke up after 10:00 a.m.  I spent a relaxed rest of the morning, replying to blog comments and reading a few blogs. 

In the afternoon, I knitted.  I had wanted to take some knitted hats to the cancer center to leave in the chemo room for anyone to take.  I had knitted some during the past couple of months, in between other projects, but, had done only six - three white and three peach.  So, today, I made three more in blue.  One blue hat is crocheted; all the rest are knitted. 

While I knitted, I watched news programs and this evening's Democratic debates.  I also did a load of laundry. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- A sunny day
- My yarn stash
- Being able to knit
- Fresh lemons from the garden (I made myself a glass of lemonade)
- A working washer and dryer

Friday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment
- Remake daughter's bed with freshly washed sheets
- Pick up daughter from airport in the evening

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

Blood Tests on Wednesday

I stayed up reading, last night, but, I let myself sleep in, this morning.  Then, I watched some of the impeachment proceedings. 

In the afternoon, I went to the lab to get my blood tests done, in preparation for my appointment with the oncologist on Friday.  It is a regularly scheduled follow-up visit (and I'll get my injection to build up bone density, as well), but, the blood tests check for the cancer markers, white blood cell counts, iron levels, etc.  They collected four vials of blood!  I am also hoping that the doctor (or nurse practitioner) will be able to check me out for the cold and cough, as well, when I go in on Friday.  It is a lot better, but, it is still lingering.  I'm getting a bit tired of all the coughing and blowing!

I felt very cold when I came home!  It was in the low 50s, but, that's cold to me!  I put the heater on and huddled under a blanket on the sofa and watched the rest of the impeachment proceedings.  I knitted a bit, while I watched.

Cousin P called to let me know that she went to see friend T in the hospital and gave me an update.  She is alert, but, apparently has a long way to go before she can leave the hospital.  I haven't been to see her because I don't want to infect her with any of my germs.

It is one week till Christmas and I haven't sent out any cards, yet, I haven't finished buying or making all my gifts, I haven't wrapped anything yet, and I haven't decorated!  I need to have my first two gifts ready for giving on Friday and the majority of the rest of the gifts will be given out on Christmas Day.  This might be the year of gift cards! 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to sleep in
- Blood tests went well
- The car started without any problems
- I had a safe drive to the lab and back
- A working heater

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?  How are your holiday preparations coming along? 

Quiet Tuesday

I was in bed by midnight, again, last night, but, I woke up around 1:45 a.m., feeling ill.  I thought I might be having a fever and checked my temperature, but, it was normal.  So, I don't know what it was.  But, I couldn't fall asleep for awhile after that.  Then, I slept in until past 9:00 a.m.  A certain kitty meowing for his breakfast woke me up!  Later, I noticed he had thrown up some of his dry food under the dining table - this is the first time he's thrown up since I took him to the vet.  I am keeping track of it to see how often it occurs, so I can tell the vet during our next appointment (supposed to be a symptom of hyperthyroidism).

Although I got up and had tea, etc., I felt really tired, so I lay down and took a nap!  I got up after 1:00 p.m., thinking I should eat something.  I warmed up some of the milk rice I had made yesterday, some leftover beef curry, and the onion sambol and had that for brunch (breakfast had been a cup of tea). 

Then, I brought in the trash cans and the mail, which was mostly grocery ads.  I went through them, quickly, and recycled most of them. 

Later in the evening, I watched news and knitted.  Friend R called and we chatted for a bit.  When my daughter called, I started telling her that I felt I was very unproductive, today, and she told me that I was resting and recovering.  That made me feel better!

Today, I am grateful for:
- Not having a fever
- Being able to take it easy and rest and recover
- My daughter
- Friend R calling to check on me
- Dancer keeping me company

Tomorrow, I hope to be able to put water to the front garden and go for my blood test.

How was your Tuesday?  What are your plans for Wednesday?

On the Mend on Monday!

I went to bed before 12:00 midnight, last night!  I couldn't believe it!  LOL.  Of course, I didn't fall asleep, right away, but, I fell asleep sometime after 12:30 a.m.  Which is not bad.  Then, around 2:30 a.m. or so, I woke up coughing.  This time, I was wise - I got up and took a dose of cough syrup!  Then, I went back to bed and slept until around 8:00 a.m.!  I was woken by the sound of a child abduction alert on my cell phone.  I couldn't fall back asleep, after that, so, around 8:30 a.m., I got up and had a cup of tea.

I don't want to jinx it, but, I woke up feeling much better, today.  All that sleeping, yesterday, probably helped. 

I took it easy in the morning, however, and didn't do anything much as I didn't feel very energetic.  I thought I might write out my holiday greetings cards, but, I didn't.  Instead, I read a bit and knitted a bit. 

In the afternoon, however, I washed the dishes that had been accumulating in the sink for the past few days!  Most of it were washed in the dishwasher, but, I washed my china teacups and saucers by hand.  I also cleaned out the fridge, just a little bit.  There were some dishes leftover from the almsgiving that I didn't freeze, thinking I'll eat them during the week, but, I didn't feel like eating them when I got sick.  So, I tossed them.  I hate to waste food, but, I don't want to get food poisoning, either!  Then, I took the kitchen trash out to the big trash bin and took the big trash bin and yard waste bin to the curb for pick up in the morning.  By that time, I was feeling tired and I considered not taking the trash cans out, but, the next trash collection day falls on Christmas Eve and, although it is a regular working day for the city trash collections services, I wasn't sure if there might be route and schedule changes.  I started the car, too, for a few minutes, but it needs to be driven a bit, tomorrow.

Brunch had been an egg salad sandwich with some grapes as an afternoon snack.  I had wanted milkrice and spicy sauteed onions (seeni sambol) in the afternoon, but, by the time I did the dishes, etc., I was too tired to cook (thus the grapes for a snack).  Later, however, after tea, I went ahead and made the milkrice and the onion sambol for dinner.  Milkrice is usually eaten for breakfast, but, it was just what I wanted!  There's enough leftover for breakfast, tomorrow.   

Today, I am grateful for:
- Feeling better
- Cough syrup
- A working dishwasher
- Weekly trash pick up services
- This cuddly kitten:

Dancer

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?

Resting on Sunday

I've been going to bed a little earlier than usual (for me), these last few days.  Last night, I was in bed by 12:30 a.m.  I woke up once, around 1:30 a.m., but, went back to sleep.  Then, I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and couldn't fall asleep, again.  Finally, I got up at 6:30 a.m. and had my morning tea.  Then, read and commented on a couple of blogs.  By about 8:00 a.m., I began to feel sleepy, so, I curled up on the sofa with a crocheted blanket and took a nap!  I'd wake up, on and off, think I should eat something or drink something (I am worried about getting dehydrated, again), but, fall back asleep!  Eventually, I got up around 10:30 a.m. and ate two tangerines, took my morning medications, and replied to blog comments.

In the afternoon, I napped, again!  I hope I'll be able to sleep tonight!

I am starting to feel a little better.  I am hoping that I'll be much better, tomorrow.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Feeling a little better
- Being able to take it easy and rest
- Neighbor T checking on me
- A sunny, if windy, day
- Lemon-lime soda!

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for tomorrow?

Saturday

I could tell when the cough syrup wore off, last night, because I woke up coughing and couldn't fall back into a deep sleep after that.  I should have just taken another dose, but, I didn't want to.  Instead, I tossed and turned for the most part and then, got up at 7:00 a.m. and had my morning tea.  Later, however, around noon, I took another dose of cough syrup and spent most of the afternoon sleeping! 

Friend M stopped by in the evening to spray the peach tree (and to check on me).  I don't usually spray the fruit trees, but, he found signs of some sort of borer beetles and we'd like to save the tree if possible. 

I took it easy, today, too.  I'm starting to feel a little impatient with myself - after all, it is only a cold and cough, not the flu!  But, it seems to have knocked me down, more than it should have!   In between naps (and feeling a bit light-headed because I was probably dehydrated), I watched some TV, knitted, and cleaned Dancer's litter box.  Cousin P and friend R called to check on me and, of course, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The morning mists cleared and we had sunshine in the afternoon
- Cough syrup!
- Afternoon naps
- Friends and family checking on me
- A restful day

I am hoping I am over the worst of this cold.  I feel like I lost the better part of this week, being sick!

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