Weekend Update

 

Bay Laurel Tree

On Friday, I went for my quarterly check up with the oncology nurse practitioner.  I left early to give myself ample time to get to the clinic since there is always bumper to bumper traffic near downtown and I didn't want the added stress of worrying if I'll be late to my appointment.  I got to the clinic in good time and felt relaxed.  Even so, my blood pressure was a little elevated when they checked it.  However, my blood test results were good and I had lost some weight since my last visit.  

When I got home, I saw a police car with the lights flashing, parked in front of my neighbor S's house.  I texted her to find out if everything was okay and she said the police were there for something to do with my nextdoor neighbors (the party neighbors).  No idea what it was all about, as they haven't had any really loud parties, recently, but, the police car was there for at least 45 minutes after I got home.  

Usually, I'd pick up a pizza or something on my way home from my medical appointments, but, since I'm watching my salt intake, I made us some fried rice after I came home:

Fried Rice

Leftover rice, scrambled eggs, grated carrots, shredded lettuce, and a handful of cooked garbanzo beans from a packet in the freezer.  The garbanzo beans had been cooked with salt, but, I didn't add any soy sauce or other salt to the fried rice.  It tasted okay to me; not as tasty as when I make it with soy sauce and salt, but, better for me.

Later in the afternoon, M texted me - he was at another client's place and that client had a container grown bay laurel tree, approximately 3 feet high, that she wanted tossed out; would I be willing to adopt it?  Of course I texted back to say I'd be happy to adopt the plant!  I never say no to free plants!  So, when M came by later in the evening, he brought the little bay tree .  Apparently, the container it had been planted in had broken and that client didn't want the tree planted in the ground in her garden.  We planted it in my garden, instead, and assuming it grows well, I can pick bay leaves any time I want some for cooking!   According to M, the tree can grow to be about 8 feet tall, but, I think we can keep it pruned to a shorter height if we want to.  

For dinner, I had some of my soup and a salmon sandwich.  Daughter had chicken curry.  We shared an apple for dessert and some chocolates.

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Access to medical care

- Health insurance

- My blood test results were good

- M brining free plants for my garden

Friday's joyful activities included spending time in the garden.

On Saturday, I did a quick tidy and dusting of the living room as daughter was expecting some friends to visit in the afternoon.  First, her friend V visited as she couldn't make it to the holiday brunch due to illness.  Later, her friend A visited for another crochet lesson.  I did a little knitting and strolled around the garden for a bit while daughter's friends were here.

Later, after they left, I took a nap on the sofa.

Still later, I called Aunt C and we chatted for a bit.  Since aunt's recent dementia diagnosis, I first text my cousin to find out if it is a good time to call aunt and wait for cousin to respond; then I call and cousin sets up the phone so aunt can talk to me.  Aunt mostly reminisces about incidents from her past and I listen.   

I had peanut butter toast for brunch and daughter finished the leftover fried rice from Friday.  For dinner, I had rice, baked chicken drumsticks, and tomato chutney; daughter had rice, chicken curry, and tomato chutney.  Grapes, a date, and raisin cookies (a gift from one of daughter's friends) for dessert (me); daughter had a banana and raspberries.

On Saturday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter's friends visiting her
- A sunny, relaxed day
- Afternoon naps
- Being able to chat with aunt C
- Working appliances

Saturday's joyful activities included being in the garden and knitting.  

Plans for Sunday include some paperwork and time spent crafting with daughter.

How is your weekend coming along?