Ending November

Thanksgiving 2024

Thanksgiving Day was sunny and warm with an afternoon high of 76F.  

I was up at 7:30 a.m. to get the turkey in the oven by 8:15 a.m. and the ham in the oven an hour later.  After the cooking was done, I swept and mopped the kitchen floor, picked some fresh flowers from the garden (chrysanthemums) to place in vases around the house, and opened the windows and doors to air out the house.  My guests were to arrive around 1:30 p.m., but, they texted to let us know that they will be a little late.  They arrived around 2:30 p.m., which gave me some time to just relax.  They brought cornbread to have with our Thanksgiving meal.  Afterwards, I packed up some of the leftovers for them to take home with them.

Daughter bagged up and put away all the leftover food while I rested and took a nap!  I was tired!  Afterwards, I ran the dishwasher and we had ham sandwiches for supper.  

In contrast to the sunny day on Thursday, Friday was overcast and cooler.  I was still a little tired from Thursday, but, did three loads of laundry, emptied the dishwasher and put away the platters, etc., used for the Thanksgiving dinner, and watered some of the fruit trees in the backyard.  

Then, daughter and I did some online Black Friday shopping, taking advantage of the sales to order craft supplies, including lots of yarn!  I had used up most of my yarn stash and some of daughter's yarn stash, as well, so it was a good opportunity to replenish the stash!  We also ordered a couple of holiday gifts.  I know that many people don't like Black Friday shopping, but, I like to take advantage of a sale to buy things that I need (like the holiday gifts) or want (like the craft supplies).

Later in the evening, daughter and I spent a couple of hours working on crafts projects, together.  It was something she had wanted us to do.  I worked on the blanket I have been making for her and she began a new crochet project of her own.  

With the fridge full of leftovers, brunch was ham sandwiches using some of the dinner rolls, and dinner was leftover turkey with all the trimmings.  Pumpkin and pecan pie for dessert, along with tangerines for a snack.

Today, Saturday, is the last day of November.  It has been sunny and warm, once again.  Daughter and I woke up fairly early, but, I took another nap, after my morning cup of tea and prayers!  I guess I was still tired!  I made French toast for brunch after I woke up for the second time.  We will have leftovers for dinner.

Last night, one of the small electric space heaters stopped working, so, today, we did a little more Black Friday shopping and ordered a new electric space heater, a package of socks for me, and a pair of leggings and some T-shirts for my daughter.  

As the month of November comes to an end, I am grateful for:

- Having daughter home this whole month
- Being able to host Thanksgiving dinner
- Leftovers!
- Being able to shop online and get deals on things we need or want
- Working appliances

Joyful activities have included having friends join us for Thanksgiving dinner.

Hope your November ended on a good note, too.

Thanksgiving Preparations

Wednesday was sunny with the afternoon highs in the low 70s.  M was here in the morning to tend to the garden, but, first, he cleaned the blades of the ceiling fan in the family room and moved the houseplants from their place in front of the dining room windows to the front of the fireplace in the living room.  

I had called in Dancer's medication refill to the pharmacy in the morning, expecting it to be ready sometime next week, but, a couple of hours later, the pharmacist called to say his medication was ready for pick up.  So, after M left and I made some egg salad sandwiches for a quick breakfast, I drove to the pharmacy and picked up the medication.  I avoided the doughnut shop, this time around! When I came back home, I warmed up the leftover pasta and shared it with daughter for a late lunch.

In the afternoon, I spoke with aunt C for a while and then, had the robot vacuum cleaner vacuum the family room, again (it didn't do a good enough job, on Tuesday).  Later, after evening tea, daughter peeled the potatoes and prepped the green beans for me.  I went ahead and made the mashed potatoes and sauteed the green beans.  I will reheat them, along with the can of baked beans, on Thursday, after I've baked the turkey and the ham.  

After a dinner of leftover pizza, I cleaned both bathrooms.  

Today, I am thankful for:

- A sunny day
- M's help with the garden and special household tasks
- Dancer's medication being available and so quickly
- A safe drive to the pharmacy and back
- Being able to have daughter home for Thanksgiving

My joyful activity of the day was getting almost everything on my list done!

On the agenda for tomorrow:

- Bake the turkey and the ham

- Make the gravy

- Warm up the mashed potatoes, green beans, and baked beans

- Mop the kitchen floor after all the cooking is done

- Enjoy Thanksgiving!

Guests are expected to arrive around 1:30 p.m.

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

Rain on Tuesday

Rain Drops on Pomegranate Leaves

We had some rain, today!  Not much; just 0.03 inches, and most of it was just a drizzle, not a proper shower of rain, but, nevertheless, we had a measurable amount of rain, today!  Other parts of the state, especially the northern part, has had much more rain, recently, but, this is the first measurable rain we've had in my area since the beginning of summer.

I had my annual ophthalmologist appointment this morning.  I usually schedule it for the week of Thanksgiving because that's when my daughter is home to drive me home afterwards, after my eyes have been dilated.  Except, this time, with her right foot and ankle sprained and in a walking boot and crutches, my daughter could not drive me.  So, we used a ride share service to take me to the appointment and to bring us back (daughter went with me).  The appointment, itself, went well - no glaucoma, no retinopathy, the cataracts are still too small to require removal, etc.  However, the doctor asked me if I had a cat because he found (and removed) a cat hair that was in my left eye!  I had no idea it was even there!

I had made egg salad last night, and after we came home, I made egg salad sandwiches for our brunch.  Afterwards, I spent about two hours resting in the family room with the drapes closed, until my eyes returned to normal after being dilated, while daughter worked (she had taken the morning off to accompany me to the eye exam and back).  Later, I brought the trash cans in (I had put them out, by the curb, yesterday).

We ordered pizza and pasta for dinner, which was a nice treat.

After dinner, daughter played the piano and we sang Christmas carols, which was fun.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Access to medical care
- Medical insurance to pay for it
- My eyes are fine
- A safe ride to the eye clinic and back
- A little bit of rain for the garden

Today's joyful activity was singing Christmas carols with my daughter.

Plans for tomorrow (Wednesday) include the final cleaning and rearranging of the house in preparation for Thanksgiving and having company over.

How was your Tuesday?  If you are celebrating Thanksgiving, are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your home?  How are your preparations coming along?

A Couple of Productive Days

 

Flowers on the Anthurium Plant

The anthurium plant I bought at the beginning of December 2023, is not only alive, but, flowering too! 

I've had a couple of busy days.  On Sunday, I picked the groceries I had ordered.  I couldn't access the store website through their app to let them know that I had arrived at the parking lot and let them know which parking spot I was at, so, I had to go into the store and asked a cashier to let the "click and pick" team know that I was waiting at the front of the store.  I had to talk to two cashiers before someone brought the groceries over, but, at least I received everything I had ordered and there were no substitutions.  In addition to the Thanksgiving dinner items, I also stocked up on coffee for my daughter (buy 1 get 1 free) and another container of half and half for her.

I also did two loads of laundry, dusted and vacuumed the living room and dining area, took out the serving dishes I will need for Thursday, and made the cranberry sauce.

On Monday, daughter and I had an appointment with our financial planner to go over some things.  We bought hamburgers and fries on the way home for our brunch. After resting for a bit, I did some paperwork, dusted and vacuumed the family room and checked in with former neighbor T's daughter K, to ask how T was doing (T has not been answering the phone, lately, so I talk to K, instead).  I made egg salad sandwiches for dinner and made some extra egg salad for sandwiches for Tuesday's brunch, too. 

Plans for Tuesday include an appointment with my ophthalmologist in the morning.  We are supposed to have some scattered light showers all day; the garden would appreciate some rain.

I am grateful for:

- Being able to order groceries online and pick up at the store
- Having all the groceries I wanted
- Safe drives to and from the various places I've had to go to
- Working appliances
- Anthurium flowers

I hope everyone is keeping well.  

End of the Week

Glowing in the Sun

One of the jade plants in the front garden.  The leaves are tinged with red due to the nights being cool (in the low 40s) and with the afternoon sun shining on them, they glowed.

On Thursday, I went to my doctor's appointment.  The drive there and back went well.  When I got to the parking lot, however, half of it was cordoned off as they were resurfacing and restriping it.  The open half was almost full.  But, Eddy the parking attendant offered to park my car for me, managing to reverse it into a rather narrow spot.  

The visit with the doctor went fairly well, too.  My vitals were good and the doctor remarked on my weight loss.  Most of the lab work results were good, too, but, there were some results that need to be followed up with further tests.  So, I will be doing that in the upcoming weeks.  I hope there is a simple explanation as to why I got the results I did, but, getting a referral for scans and ultrasounds has me feeling a little concerned.

I put gas to the car on my way back from the doctor's office, partly because I was below the half a tank level and I like to fill up when that happens and partly because gas at this particular station was $0.30 cheaper per gallon than at the cheapest gas station closest to my house.  It's a bit out of the way for me to fill up there on a regular basis, but, since I was passing it on my way home, it made sense to fill up there.  According to my calculations, I saved just over $3.00 by doing so.  

Chicken Little is Molting

On Friday, daughter had a day off from work and we spent a rather relaxed day at home (she is still on crutches and has spoken with her podiatrist about it).  I made us waffles with blueberry compote for a very late brunch and when M arrived to tend to the garden, he got to enjoy a waffle, too.  Dinner was leftover salmon, with sauteed green beans, and mashed potatoes.  

 

Tail-less Chicken Little

Today, Saturday, it was cloudy and cool.  There was a chance of light rain in the forecast, but, it didn't rain.  I had gone to sleep at 4:30 a.m. but woke up at 8:00 a.m., just in case neighbor E (who installed the garage door opener) had mentioned he has a replacement for my water-damaged side door and will bring it by when he could.  He didn't say he would bring it today, but, I wanted to be up and ready at a time when normal people are expected to be up, just in case!  As it happened, he didn't bring it over, today, so I could have slept in, if I had wanted to!  Oh, well.  I read some blogs, dusted the living room and dining area, and watched some videos online.

In the afternoon, I went to the pharmacy to pick up a medication refill that was ready and later, I took a nap.  

I had toast with butter and some of my homemade "no waste" peach jam for brunch and daughter had the leftover waffles.  Dinner will be leftover salmon, sauteed green beans, and mashed potatoes.  I have been following the meal plan with only a few minor adjustments, this week, which is good.

I had invited my late friend A's family to join us for Thanksgiving dinner and today, I received confirmation that they will be able to do so.  I need to finalize my menu and grocery shopping order.  

Plans for Sunday include picking up the groceries and tidying the family room.

This week, I am grateful for:

- Access to medical services
- Medical insurance
- The availability of medications
- Kind and helpful neighbors
- Having my daughter home

Joyful activities have included spending time in the garden, spending time with my daughter, planning Thanksgiving dinner with friends, and reading blogs.

How was your week?  What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

In the Doghouse?!

Oops!

Hello Blog Friends, it's Dancer here.

Mummy says I'm in the Doghouse!  Oh!  I don't know if that is a good thing or bad!  What is a Doghouse, anyway?  Why would she put me in a Doghouse?  Doesn't she know that I am a cat?  Shouldn't I be in a Cathouse?

Mummy says she's angry with me for what I did this morning! But why?  All I did was poop on Little Bless's bed!  I was trying to tell Mummy that I needed to go, but, Little Bless called me to the bed and, well, I just did what I had to do!  

Then, Little Bless shrieked, and Mummy shouted, "DAANNCERRR!"  She said she had washed the sheets and remade the bed on Sunday and now she had to wash them again!  And she told me that I'm in the Doghouse for what I did.  I don't think I want to be in the Doghouse.

Then, she pulled everything off the bed and washed the pillows and the sheets and the blankets with bleach.   (Mummy is very glad that she puts two bottom sheets on the bed and two pillowcases on each pillow).

I know that Mummy's not really mad at me.  She knows that it's probably the side effects from the sedative I had to take yesterday to go to the vet's clinic.  Actually, I think she's sorry she shouted at me, because she gave me tuna for dinner!  I LOVE tuna.  

But now, I'm feeling sorry for myself, being told that I'm in the Doghouse!  So, when Mummy had to remake the bed with the freshly washed sheets, did I go to help her as I usually do?  Oh, no!  Not this time!  This time, she had to make the bed all by herself!  I stayed nicely curled up on the sofa near the heater!  I am NOT her helper kitty, anymore!  Not for all the tuna in the can she opened!  

Mummy says she's very grateful for a working washing machine and dryer.  

Tuesday

Is It a Plane?

(Notice the contrail in the background)
 

No!  It's a Hummingbird!

A minute later, it returned to its perch in the Jacaranda tree:

In the Jacaranda Tree

It's the best my cell phone camera could do, magnified 5X.  

Do you see it?

I've no idea what kind of hummingbird, but, I find them hard to photograph with my cell phone camera.

We had a sunny day on Tuesday, with an afternoon high of 70F.  I spent a relaxed morning while daughter worked, brought in the trash cans after they had been emptied, and brought in the mail. 

In the early afternoon, I took Dancer to the vet clinic for his injection.  This time, I managed to get most of the sedative in him and timed it well, so that, when we left the house 45 minutes later, he only complained a little bit and then, remained quiet the rest of the way!  No panicked meows, no hyperventilating, no drooling, no incidents as we pulled into the parking lot!  He was as good as gold on the way home, too!  He was rewarded with canned tuna after we got home and he's been sleeping on and off all evening.

After we came home, I walked for 15 minutes or so, which was when I took the hummingbird pictures.

Daughter and I had croissant sandwiches for brunch, with orange juice.  Dinner was rice, leftover chicken curry, sauteed salmon, freshly cooked green beans (I cooked them in two different ways for variety), and the last of the cucumber salad.  There was tomato chutney, too.  Grapes for dessert.

On Tuesday, I was grateful for:

- Dancer being so good on the way to the vet clinic and back
- A safe drive to the vet clinic and back
- The availability of medication for Dancer
- A sunny and mild day
- Being able to walk

Tuesday's joyful activity was watching the hummingbird and trying to take photographs of it.

Plans for Wednesday include gardening with M and picking up my medication refills from the pharmacy.  

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

Meal Planning Again

I didn't make a meal plan for the first two weeks of November, and that worked out fine, with the excitement of daughter coming home for a visit and my birthday celebrations.  My daughter had requested my chicken curry and rice and I cooked salmon fillet, that first week, along with a chicken and vegetable stew for when one of daughter's friends came to dinner mid-week.  The second week, my daughter and my friend R treated me to a variety of Thai and Mexican food, with plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week!

That worked out very well, but, now, it is time to go back to having somewhat of a meal plan, even if it is just a list of dinner options.  

Brunches: This week's brunches will be mostly leftovers and/or salads and sandwiches.  I might make us some French toast or waffles over the weekend, however.

Dinner Options:

Monday - Sauteed salmon with onions and tomatoes, rice,  tomato chutney, and cucumber salad

Tuesday - Leftover salmon and rice, with sauteed green beans, and chutney
Wednesday - Meatball curry and rice, with leftover green beans and maybe dhal

Thursday - Leftover meatball curry, dhal, and rice, cucumber salad

Friday - Japanese take out

Saturday - Leftovers or hot dogs
Sunday - Baked breaded shrimp, seasoned potato wedges, salad

Snacks/Desserts: The house is full of snacks and desserts as neighbor S brought another plateful of chocolates and gata (Armenian pastries) over on Monday evening.  Plus there's fresh fruit, home canned peaches, and ice cream (and yogurt for me).  I might make some bread pudding, too, to use up some bread ends/crusts.

That is the plan for the week.  We'll see how well it works!

How about you?  Are you meal planning?  

November Grocery Shopping Part 3

Yes, yet another grocery shopping pick up in November!

I guess, with daughter home, I need to shop for groceries, weekly.  I am also stocking up a few things (cake and brownie mixes) when they are on sale for the almsgiving and upcoming holidays if I am asked to bring a dessert to a gathering, etc.

I bought:

Aqua Star Wild Pacific Salmon Fillet, 1.25 lb$5.99

1 x $5.99 $15.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$7.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00

Betty Crocker Favorites Fudge Brownie Mix, 16.3 oz$0.99

1 x $0.99 $3.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.50

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Betty Crocker Favorites Super Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix, 13.25 oz$0.99

1 x $0.99 $2.69 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.70

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Betty Crocker Favorites Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix, 13.25 oz$0.99

1 x $0.99 $2.69 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.70

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks XXTRA Flamin' Hot Flavored 8.5 Oz, 8.5 oz$4.99

1 x $4.99 $5.89 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.90

Farmer John Chicken and Pork Wieners, 12 oz$1.98

2 x $0.99 $3.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.80

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.80

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.70

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.70

Fresh Banana - Single, 1 ea (3 bananas)$0.68

0.98 lbs x $0.69 each (approx.)

Kroger® 100% Orange Juice From Concentrate With Calcium Vitamins C & D, 0.5 gallon (free item)$0.00

1 x $3.99 $4.29 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.30

Order Coupons -$3.99

CA Redem Val$0.10

1 x $0.10 each

Kroger® Clamshell Seedless Black Grapes, 3 lb$4.99

1 x $4.99 $8.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.00

Kroger® Half & Half, 32 fl oz.$3.49

1 x $3.49 each

Kroger® Traditional Favorites Frozen Peas Green, 12 oz$1.25

1 x $1.25 $1.50 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.25

Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$2.29

1 x $2.29 $2.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.20

Large Honeycrisp Apple - Each, large/ 1 count$2.43

1.22 lbs x $1.99 $2.99 each (approx.)

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.22

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Oven Roasted Turkey & Smoked Ham Sliced Deli Lunch Meats Variety Pack, 9 oz$5.99

1 x $5.99 $6.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50

Private Selection® Fresh Baked In-Store Jumbo Croissants Bread, 4 ct$3.50

1 x $3.50 $4.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.49

In addition to the groceries (food items), I bought:

Brawny® Tear-A-Square® 3 Sheet Sizes Paper Towel Double Rolls, 4 rolls$9.98

2 x $4.99 $10.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Order Summary

Original Item Total$96.38

Item Coupons/Sales-$41.76

Fulfillment Fee+$0.00

Sales Tax (for paper towels)+$0.94

Order Total$51.57

Since I don't include things like paper towels in my grocery budget (I have a separate "Household Supplies" budget for paper towels, toilet paper, dishwashing detergent, etc.), I am deducting the price of the paper towels from my total.

Total spent on groceries: $51.57 - $9.98 - $0.94 tax = $40.65

November Grocery Budget = $181.26

Spent to date = $44.48 + $59.66 + $40.65 = $144.79

Balance left in the November Grocery Budget = $36.47

No doubt I will go over budget in November, especially if I host Thanksgiving, but, I'm OK with that.  I can "borrow" from the December budget, as needed.

As always, I am grateful for:

- Being able to buy groceries and go over budget, occasionally, if needed
- Being able to order groceries online and pick up at the store parking lot
- A safe drive to the store and back
- The availability of groceries
- Weekend freebies

Saturday's brunch was scrambled eggs with hash browns, made with grated potato instead of diced potatoes, because my daughter likes the grated version.  Dinner was leftover chicken stew with homegrown (and frozen) corn on the cob.

Today (Sunday), brunch was croissants sandwiched with lettuce and the ham and turkey cold cuts, with orange juice and bananas.  Dinner was the last of the leftover Thai food and grapes for dessert.

How are you doing with your grocery budget?  Do you have a separate budget for Thanksgiving?

Still Celebrating

Belated Birthday Treats from M

It's been a cooler day, today, with a high of 61F and a low tonight of 46F.  There was some rain in the forecast, and apparently it rained in some areas, but, we didn't get any rain in my area, just cloudy skies.

Today, I went to get my lab tests done in the morning.  This time, I felt like an old pro when it came to paying the parking with a credit card.  LOL.  I came home, afterwards and had a leftover hot dog for brunch.  

In the afternoon, my daughter had a video appointment with the podiatrist to whom her doctor had referred her.  The podiatrist would like to see my daughter in person to physically examine her foot before giving a firm diagnosis (which is how it should be), but, based on the virtual visit, seems to suspect that daughter might have sprained her foot as well as her ankle.  Which would explain why she is still unable to put any weight on her injured foot or walk without her crutches.  Depending on how severe the sprain is, it will take her several weeks to recover.  Daughter is currently trying to get a referral to be seen by a podiatrist down here, rather than go back to the Bay Area if she is still unable to walk.

In the early evening, M arrived to tend to the garden and he brought me belated birthday treats!  Tres leches cake topped with berries, crème brûlée, chocolate cake, and an eclair!  What a wonderful treat!  He also brought me more succulents for the garden, which we planted in the front.  Daughter and I enjoyed some of the treats after our dinner of leftover Thai food.

Today, I am grateful for:

- More birthday treats!
- M bringing me more succulents for the garden
- Medical insurance and access to medical care
- A safe drive to the clinic for the lab tests and back
- A warm house

Today's joyful activity was enjoying some of the treats M brought us!

Plans for the weekend include catching up on some housework and doing some crafts.  

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

On Thursday

 

Chocolates from Neighbor S

Neighbor S called and brought over some chocolates a friend of hers from church had made with organic dark chocolate and pistachio filling.  They were delicious.  

I have been waking up when my daughter does in the mornings to make her coffee and I did so on Thursday morning, too.  But, unlike on other days, I fell asleep again, twice!  I must have been tired.

But, in the afternoon, I was quite productive.  I made Dancer's appointment to get his injection and made a phone call to the auto insurance people to get an updated copy of a document.  Checked on the garden and took some pictures.  

Lemons on the Little Lemon Tree

The lemons on the little lemon tree (a sucker plant from one of the other lemon trees) are starting to ripen!  As you can see, the tree is barely as tall as the tomato cage M placed to support it.

Then, I ran the dishwasher and cleaned the kitchen, a little bit.  Earlier in the day, I had cut open a pomegranate and there were spots of pomegranate juice splattered all over the place.  So, I took almost everything off the counter where I had cut the pomegranate, wiped down the front of the microwave, the fronts of the cabinets above the microwave, and the wall behind with a damp dishcloth and wiped down the counter, too.  I am someone who struggles to keep the counters cleared, but, this is how it looked after I took everything off and I think this is my dream kitchen counter!

My Dream Kitchen Counter

  

But, it is not my reality.  My kitchen is rather small and I have things I use on a daily basis which are stored on the counter.  So, after I cleaned the counter and the sink and cleaned the crumbs from the toaster, things were put back:

Back to Normal Kitchen Counter

I used to have the coffee maker on the counter, next to the microwave,  But, my daughter doesn't use it these days.  She uses a  Vietnamese coffee filter called a phin filter, instead.  I didn't want to get rid of the coffee maker, however, because it will be useful for making up to 6 cups of coffee at a time when company comes.  Today, I was able to make room in one of the upper cabinets for the coffee maker, so that's one less item stored on the counter!  So, I have the toaster and the microwave on this counter, now, along with a platter holding my daughter's medications and supplements, another glass platter holding some bottles of condiments and the cup holding cutlery and chopsticks, etc.  Not shown is the mess that is the other counter, along the other wall!  Some of which will migrate over to this counter, no doubt!  LOL.   

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- Another sunny and warm day
- Being able to nap

- A gift of chocolates from neighbor S
- Time spent in the garden
- What I was able to accomplish 

Thursday's joyful activity was spending time with my daughter.

Plans for Friday include a fasting blood test at noon and M tending to the garden in the evening.  Maybe I'll try to clear the rest of the kitchen counters on Friday.

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

On Wednesday

 

A Rose from the Past

I didn't take any new pictures on Wednesday, so am posting a picture of a rose from earlier this year.

Thank you for the birthday wishes, everyone.  I appreciate them very much.

Wednesday was sunny and warm with a daytime high of 76F.  I sat outside in the backyard in the morning, enjoying the sunshine and the warmth while I waited for M to arrive.  He brought me more succulents cuttings.  

In the early afternoon, the gas company technician stopped by to check my wall heater.  Of course it worked perfectly, without any delayed ignition when he was here! He switched it on and off a few times, had me switch it on and off, and it worked just fine.  He said he believed me when I said there was a delayed ignition, but, since it didn't happen while he was here, there was nothing he could do.  He suggested I called the company who installed this heater and complain to them, but, I've done that, already and the person they sent out to check it said that's just the way it is!  The gas company tech said I could continue to use the heater with caution and to call back if there is a bigger problem.  Of course, later in the evening, when I switched it on, there was a delayed ignition!  Sigh.

Later in the afternoon, I took a nap on the sofa.  After I woke up, I made us coffee and tea and watched the evening news.

We had leftovers and cold cuts sandwiches for our meals, today, with pears and tangerines for fruit and blueberry compote with whipped cream for dessert.

My daughter had a phone appointment with her doctor and she has been referred to a podiatrist since her ankle hasn't healed as quickly as expected.  Later in the evening, after work, she had a virtual crafts night with two of her friends.

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- The sunny, warm day
- M bringing me more plant cuttings and helping me with the garden
- The gas company tech checking the heater (a free service)
- Water for the garden
- Leftovers for meals

Wednesday's joyful activity was enjoying the sunshine in the garden.  

Plans for Thursday include going to pick up a medication refill that is ready at the pharmacy.

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

Birthday Celebrations

 

Birthday Doughnuts

Birthday celebrations started the night before when Neighbor S brought over dinner (hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, fruit, and desserts) and a gift.  On the morning of my birthday, neighbor S's daughter N brought me birthday doughnuts, complete with lit candles, for breakfast!  My daughter ordered Thai food for lunch and my friend R got us Mexican food and suddenly, there was a feast spread out on the table, with enough food for lunch and dinner and leftovers for at least another couple of days!

Birthday Feast

There were cards, phone calls, emails, and messages from family and friends (including blog friends), wishing me well.  Each one made me feel blessed.   

In the afternoon, I picked up some groceries and after tea, I took a nap.  

Later, after dinner (leftovers!), I took the trash cans out to the curb, did the dishes, etc., before going to sleep.  Daughter asked me if I had a good birthday and I told her, quite truthfully, that I did.  

On my birthday, I was grateful for:

- Being alive to celebrate another birthday
- Having my daughter home to celebrate with me
- For well wishes from family and friends
- Being another year older (and, hopefully, wiser!)
- Each day's blessings

My joyful activity was celebrating the day with my daughter, family, and friends.

Today, I spent a rather relaxed day, pondering various things, reflecting on my life up to now and considering how I want to live the rest of my life, however long or short that might be. 

November Grocery Shopping - Part 2

I picked up another grocery order on Monday.  I wanted some milk and fresh produce, plus bread and eggs.  I also took advantage of some sales to stock up on soda and snacks.  

I bought:

7UP Lemon Lime Caffeine-Free Soda Bottles, 6 pk / 16.9 fl oz$5.98

2 x $2.99 $5.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00

Coca-Cola Classic Soda Bottles, 6 pk / 16.9 fl oz                                                                                            $2.99

1 x $2.99 $5.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00

Pepsi Cola® Soda Bottles, 6 pk / 16.9 fl oz$2.99

1 x $2.99 $6.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.00

CA Redem Val$1.20

4 x $0.30 each

Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks XXTRA Flamin' Hot Flavored 8.5 Oz, 8.5 oz$4.99

1 x $4.99 $5.89 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.90

Cheez-It® Reduced Fat Original Baked Snack Cheese Snack Crackers, 1 ct / 11.5 oz$1.99

1 x $1.99 $4.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Cucumber, 1 ct$1.78

2 x $0.89 each

Fresh Green Beans-Order by the Pound, 1 lb$1.87

0.75 lbs x $2.49 each (approx.)

Fresh Strawberries, 1 lb$3.99

1 x $3.99 each

Kroger® Cage Free Large White Eggs, 18 ct$3.49

1 x $3.49 $5.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.50

UPC: 0001111008963

Kroger® Premium Coconut Milk, 13.5 fl oz$2.78

2 x $1.39 $1.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.20

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.20

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.80

Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$2.29

1 x $2.29 $2.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.20

Medium Avocado, 1 ct$1.98

2 x $0.99 $1.69 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.19

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.19

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.51

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.51

Medium Yellow Onions, 1 ct$0.74

1.25 lbs x $0.59 $1.29 each (approx.)

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.37

Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Slow Roasted Roast Beef Sliced Deli Meat, 7 oz$3.49

1 x $3.49 $6.49 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00

Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.99

1 x $2.99 each

Reddi Wip Original Whipped Topping Made With Real Cream, 6.500 oz$3.00

1 x $3.00 $4.29 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.29

Romaine Lettuce, 1 ct$1.99

1 x $1.99 each

Smart Way™ Granulated Sugar, 10 lb$7.99

1 x $7.99 each

Order Summary

Original Item Total$85.38

Item Coupons/Sales-$26.86

Fulfillment Fee+$0.00

Sales Tax+$1.14

Order Total$59.66

My bill came to $59.66

My November Grocery Budget is $181.25 

Spent to date = $44.48 (on Nov. 5) + $59.66 (on Nov. 11) = $104.14

Balance left in the November Grocery Budget = $77.11

I am grateful to be able to order and pick up groceries, a safe drive to and from the store, the availability of the grocery items I wish to buy, store sales, being able to stock up at this time.