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| Geranium |
Thank you, everyone, for the New Year well wishes; they are much appreciated.
I went to bed at 4:00 a.m., this morning, and woke up when cousin R called me at 9:00 a.m. We had planned that I would go over to her house this evening to pick up my baking dish and some clothes she was giving us, but, she was calling to tell me that she had to go somewhere with her sister and wasn't sure if she'd be home before I got there. She asked if I could come by tomorrow, instead. But, I told her to leave the items outside and I will pick them up, this evening, as planned, because I wasn't sure what my daughter had planned for Friday evening. Picking up the items this way would also eliminate any awkwardness about us wearing our masks while we were there! So, cousin R said she will leave the bags outside with my name on them.
I had a quiet rest of the morning, responding to blog comments and doing one or two things around the house. I had some leftover fried rice for brunch and my daughter had leftover Thai seafood.
In the afternoon, I finally decided to put gas to the car! I was almost down to a quarter of a tank and I like to fill up the tank when it goes down to half. When I pulled out from the garage, however, I noticed that the low air pressure sign had come on. So, first, I drove to a tire shop and had someone check my tires; he said all four tires needed to have air put in them! He didn't charge me for checking the air pressure, but, accepted the tip I gave him.
Then, I drove to the gas station to fill the tank. Gas at that station (one of the cheapest stations in my neighborhood) was $5.45/gallon and it was quite busy! Gas at another station a few blocks away (selling the same brand of gas) was $5.79/gallon. But, at least, gas is available and, although the gas station was busy, there was no line of cars waiting for gas.
Afterwards, I came home and did a couple of things until my daughter finished her work for the day. Then, we drove to cousin R's house and picked up two bags of clothes! She had forgotten to leave out my baking pan, however! Oh, well, not a problem; I'll collect it another time.
We came home and daughter said she was hungry, so she warmed up some chicken curry while I warmed up some of the frozen parathas we had bought at the Sri Lankan store, both the green chili parathas and the plain ones. Then, we both had an early dinner!
Afterwards, daughter tried on all the new-to-her clothes cousin R had given. Two huge bags full! At least a couple of the garments still had their tags on! She selected a few of them to take with her - a couple of warm sweaters and long sleeved shirts (good thing she's taking the big suitcase!). She will keep the rest here to wear when she comes down next and, of course, I'm to try them on, too, and take any that I like. I really don't need any more clothes, so, I'll just leave them all for daughter to wear.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Cousin R's generosity
- The service technician at the tire shop for checking my tire air pressure for me
- The availability of gas for the car
- A safe drive to cousin R's and back
- Phone chats with family and friends
Today's joyful activity was admiring all the lovely clothes that cousin R has given!
Plans for tomorrow include doing some laundry and tending to the garden with M.
How was your Thursday? What are your plans for Friday?
That's kind of your cousin to give you so many clothes and some brand new too. Petrol is expensive here now but as we don't travel very far what we have it will last us quite a while. It's Good Friday today and Eileen mentioned having hot cross buns for her afternoon tea and as I haven't bought any she has made me want some :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Eileen, it was very kind of my cousin. I think there were easily 40 items of clothing! My daughter gets the majority of them, but, there were several pieces that were too big on her which fitted me (I tried them on, this morning). It's like getting a whole new wardrobe! :D
DeleteOops, meant to also say that hot cross buns do sound nice and I would like to have some, too! :)
DeleteWe're currently enjoying a tax-free gasoline month so our prices are about a dollar cheaper than yours right now. However, it will be over at the end of the month.:(
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your cheaper gas and fill up the tanks before the end of the month! Our gas will probably go up more, once they switch to the summer blend (required for smog prevention in the summer). But, at least, we have gas!
DeleteIt's a beautiful spring day but I don't have the energy to go out, and anyway I think most places will be busier that I'd like so I'm having a quiet Good Friday at home, just reading and pottering about.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the spring day at home in your garden, Eileen. The other Eileen and I have been talking about your plan to have hot cross buns for afternoon tea; I think we are both wishing we had some for our tea, too! :D
DeleteYou would have enjoyed them. They were lovely! ☺️
DeleteYou know, I don't think I've ever had hot cross buns! I know the song about them being "one a penny, two a penny", but, I've never eaten any!
DeleteWhat a nice day. I think most people are so kind, and I try very hard to remember that when I have contact with the small percentage of surly folks. You had a lot of interactions with "good ones"
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice day, Anne, wasn't it? Yes, most people are very kind; it's unfortunate that the actions of the surly ones tend to leave a longer lasting impression on us. :(
DeleteWhen I was growing up I only ever saw red geraniums and now there are so many lovely colours to be found. Good that you noticed the tire pressure alert. Sometimes I wish cars would just go forever without need for care!
ReplyDeleteYesterday, Friday, was windy, cold, miserable and we even had a power outage which mercifully only lasted a few hours. But with some electrical outlets active due to the generator, I figured out that I could cook our two pieces of breaded fish in the air fryer and keep them warm in the crockpot while cooking fries, and the microwave cooked some peas!
Gas (or petrol here) has got so expensive. What is worse, there have been protests at some distribution centres and so there has been a shortage. I won't let my tank go below half now. I just can't risk it.
ReplyDeleteR seems to really like shopping for clothes! It's great that she is happy to share.
It's a good idea to keep the tank at least half full, Lyssa, just in case!
DeleteMy cousin does like to shop and dress well. I, on the other hand, dislike clothes shopping, so receiving these items from R is a true blessing. :)
Oh my, your gas is really high. Ours is over $1 a gallon less. But, like you said, thank goodness it is readily available. And also, I am grateful that I do not need to purchase a lot of gasoline. I think about many families trying to make ends meet with food and gas and utilities for the home having gone up so sharply.
ReplyDeleteThat is so nice that your cousin passes on clothes to you (many new!).
It's fun to get new things once in a while.
Yes, gas is high over here - over $6.00 at many stations. I am very glad that I don't have a daily commute! Back when I used to drive my daughter to UCLA and then drive to downtown to my office in the mornings and reverse the trip in the evenings, I had to fill the tank twice a week! I used to budget $100 a week for gas, back then! I remember gas being $4.69/gal. back then (2011/2012, etc.) Then, gas prices came down somewhat and now, they are back up, again.
DeleteIt's a blessing to be on the receiving end of my cousin's closet cleaning! :D I am not complaining! Minimal wardrobes are fine, but, when you dislike clothes shopping (and spending!) and receive free new clothes, that's a gift you don't refuse! We will share the blessings, too - we've set aside a few of the new items to pass on to friend R's granddaughter.
How nice to receive a bundle of clothes, especially when we dont want to risk shopping. Our petrol is going up too, out of curiosity I converted our litres to gallons and nz dollar to usa dollar and we are paying $8-9 a gallon.
ReplyDeleteI am recovered from covid, but find I get very tired. Not sure whether it is the RA or the sting in the tail of covid, but I am taking things as they come.
Receiving clothes from others is always a much appreciated frugal way to add to ones wardrobe! :)
DeleteI'm sure people in other countries pay a lot more for gas/petrol than we do, Sharon.
I've heard that lingering fatigue is one of the side effects of Covid. Please to continue to take things easy and rest as much as you need to. :)
Hi, I'm catching up... How amazing to be able to clear out 2 bags of clothing, some brand new! R must be an enthusiastic shopper! And great luck for you! I wouldn't have turned down the offer either. Even if you and daughter had only kept half, it would have been worth it ... and fun trying things on!
ReplyDeleteI made hot cross buns on Good Friday, and they turned out well! Better than last year anyway!
I hope you've had a lovely Easter weekend, Lady Ella. :)
DeleteR and the rest of my cousins all like clothes. They enjoy shopping and dressing well. I do suspect that some of the items that still had tags on them were given to her as gifts and maybe she didn't like them or they didn't fit her well. I dislike clothes shopping, so receiving the bounty from my cousin is a blessing! I do plan to cull through my old clothes now that I've received so many new items.
I'm glad your hot cross buns turned out well. Maybe you could make a batch to share when you visit me! :D