On Sunday

 

They wanted to roost on the door to the inner coop!

On Sunday morning, I got up at 8:00 a.m. and let the chickens out of the inner coop and gave them more food.  They both let me pet them a little bit before I went back inside.  

The morning was relatively cool and after I had a cup of tea and said my morning prayers, I decided to sweep and mop the kitchen floor and, later, I cooked a chicken curry (we won't tell Niwatori and Henny Penny about that!) for dinner.  I also folded and put away a load of laundry.

My daughter checked on the chickens and cleaned out the coop a little after noon and she found one brown egg!  She said she took a few blueberries out to them and held out the berries in her gloved hand and they came up to her and pecked the berries from her hand!  She said that while she was there, Niwatori went into the hen house and we assumed she went to the nest box at the back of the hen house.  Sure enough, when daugher went to check on them later in the afternoon, there was another egg in the nest box!  That makes a total of seven eggs since we got them on Tuesday! 

In the evening, I went with daughter when she went to her gymnastics session (the first time she's gone this month) and stayed in the car and read my book while I waited for her.  

After we came home, daughter put the chickens into the inner coop while I cooked a pot of rice.  We had rice with chicken curry, green beans, and peach chutney for dinner and ice cream for dessert.

On Sunday, I am grateful for:
- Two more eggs from our chickens
- What I was able to accomplish
- Washing machines and dishwashers
- A safe drive to the gymnastics center and back (we passed a multi-car accident on our way back)
- Fans to keep us cool

Sunday's joyful activities included collecting more eggs!

Plans for Monday include:

- Returning my library books
- Picking up my medications
- Maybe a visit from friend R 
- Taking the trash and recycling out to the bins (daughter will wheel out the bins to the curb)
- Watering the indoor plants (daughter will water the garden)
- Making my meal plan options
- Scheduling a car service for an oil change, etc.

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

Itty Bitty Taters and Pests

 

Potato Harvest

When I reached the end of the last bag of potatoes I had bought, the remaining four potatoes were not only starting to sprout, they were starting to spoil, as well.  I planted them, one in a pot and the other three in the ground, to see if they would grow and three of them grew.  The one I planted in a pot had started to die back, so, M and I pulled the plant up and found it had grown three potatoes!  One of them was a decent size, the other two were tiny.  We've a long way to go before we can call ourselves potato farmers!  Nevertheless, my daughter and I are thrilled with our homegrown potato harvest!  

We've been busy this week, daughter and I, waging war against some itty bitty pests!  Even though Dancer is no longer with us, the garden cats are still there and they have fleas.  A few of the fleas seem to have made their way inside the house!  They probably hitched a ride on our clothes when we came inside after being in the garden, but, we didn't realize it until my daughter noticed one and then another and yet another!  We have been spraying and vacuuming and washing all the rugs and sofa covers, etc. in an attempt to get rid of them. The house has been vacuumed twice over in one week and the kitchen and bathrooms mopped.  Today, we vacuumed under the sofa cushions.  I'm checking spring cleaning off my To Do List!  

I am grateful for:

- Our potato harvest!
- Flea sprays
- Daughter's help with vacuuming, etc.
- M's help with spraying the garden
- Getting my spring cleaning done in record time!

Do you grow potatoes?  If so, do you buy seed potatoes or do you plant the potatoes you buy from the grocery store?

Mid-Week Update

 

The Stumpery in May

On Wednesday, we had a sunny day with a high of 70F (unlike the previous few days when it was cloudy and highs in the low 60s).  I took the opportunity to open the doors and windows to air out the house and I took a little walk around the garden.  In the afternoon, M arrived to tend to the garden; he watered both front and back and did some weeding and tidying.

I continued with my Room of the Month kitchen tidying and organizing.  The junk drawer looks much better, now.  I also cleaned the counter and checked the two upper cabinets above that counter, but, they were organized and there really isn't much to declutter at this time.  There are some duplicate small appliances up there from when we merged daughter's kitchen items with mine, but, we are keeping them for now. 

I made tuna salad sandwiches for brunch on Wednesday and a sort of curried fried rice for dinner, using leftover rice mixed with frozen corn, roasted peanuts, some of the keema curry, and a bit of ketchup.  It turned out really well.  I had grapes for a "good" dessert, jelly beans for a "naughty" dessert, and some tuna salad on saltine crackers for a late night snack. 

Bee on Aeonium Flower

On Thursday,  I ran more errands!  Two more prescription refills were ready for pick up at the pharmacy and the library had sent a notification that the last book I had requested had come in.  I also wanted to go to the bank, so, in the afternoon, I did my errands.

I went to the bank, first, as I wanted to access the ATM inside the bank and the lobby closed at 4:00 p.m.  I got there at 3:45 p.m. 

Then, I went to the pharmacy (located in the same outdoor mall).  My receipt showed that I had a $4 ExtraCare Bucks coupon and I bought the last two boxes of cereal that were on sale for $1.99 each!  I think I am well stocked up on cereal, now!  

From there, I went to the library to pick up my book and came home.

We had leftovers for brunch.  I realized that there was still some leftover milkrice in the fridge, so I had that with chicken curry and seeni sambol (from a jar; not homemade).  Daughter had a cold cuts sandwich with the last of the roast chicken cold cuts and a tuna salad sandwich with the last of the tuna salad.  I haven't decided on what to have for dinner - there's keema curry and chicken curry leftover; I just need to cook some fresh rice and make more cucumber salad.  Or, I could go off my meal plan and cook some of the frozen breaded shrimp in the air fryer to have for my dinner to have with a salad while daughter has rice and curries (she doesn't much care for the frozen shrimp, otherwise, I would happily cook some for her, too).  

This week, I am grateful for:

- Medications being available
- Library services
- Helpful customer service people
- M's help with the garden 
- Safe driving  

Joyful activities have included sewing, watching videos, spending time in the garden, and reading.

Plans for Friday might include a return visit to the Descanso botanical gardens as an early Mother's Day activity as daughter has a day off from work, as there are areas that we have not seen, yet.  Later, M will be here to tend to the garden; we are planning to plant some of the summer vegetables.  

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

Aeonium Flower Stalk Still Mostly in Bud

Starting May

 

Jacaranda Tree in Bloom

The merry month of May as some refer to it.  I celebrated the start of a new month with milkrice and seeni sambol for brunch and a delivery of groceries.  M was unable to tend to the garden as he got delayed at another client's house and he called and asked if he could do my garden on Saturday, instead, and I said yes.  Daughter tidied up the family room and I baked two of the frozen pot pies and a bread pudding for our dinner and dessert.

On Saturday, M tended to the back garden, tidying it up, planting some cucumber seedlings he shared with us, and watering.  I watered the front garden.  

Later, I tidied up the dining area and I sorted through one of the kitchen cabinets.  I have decided that the kitchen will be my "room of the month" in May.  The cabinet I sorted through is where I store my stand mixer and crock pot, plus a basket with extra kitchen supplies such as parchment paper, cling wrap, sandwich bags, and sponges, etc.  I took the opportunity to update the list of extra supplies I keep taped to the inside of one of the cabinet doors.  I plan to sort out the divided drawer above that cabinet. next. I keep things like the currently in use box of foil, cling wrap, and sandwich bags in one side of that drawer and the other side is my "all purpose a.k.a. junk" drawer.  It's been a while since I last sorted through it.

In the afternoon, the phone company technicians were here to install an upgrade to our internet service. Our neighborhood just received high speed internet as our current internet services are being phased out.  We are hoping that this upgrade will enable my daughter to participate in work meetings from the spare bedroom rather than the family room and/or dining area which is what she has been doing.  If the reception is good enough in the spare bedroom, we have plans to turn that room into a home office for her.  Then, she can close the door and do her work without being disturbed by me doing housework or cooking, etc.  Currently, I do mostly quiet activities while she'sworking because I don't want to make any noise and disturb her.  Of course, that will mean I will no longer have any excuses for not doing housework!  LOL.  

Brunch was leftover milkrice and seeni sambol.  For dinner, I cooked a chicken curry (and daughter put the rice to boil).  We had rice, chicken curry, kale mallung, broccoli, and sauteed cabbage for dinner and bread pudding for dessert.

Looking ahead, I have a dental appointment, some lab tests to be done, and an appointment with the oncology nurse practitioner scheduled for this month.  

At the start of May, I am grateful for:

- My daughter's help with all the work involved in switching over to a new internet service
- Helpful technicians
- M's help with the garden
- Water for the garden
- Working appliances

Joyful activities have included piecing my quilt top, gardening, spending time with my daughter, and watching videos.

What are your plans for May?

Peaceful Days

 

Monarch Butterfly

At least, I think it is a monarch butterfly.  This photograph was taken earlier in the month, on the 20th anniversary of my mother's death.  I started to write a post on that day, but, didn't get beyond the first sentence and later, I deleted it.

Butterfly on the Lantana

We had more rain on Thursday, but, it cleared in the early evening.  I had spent most of the day mending my quilt and watching online videos and news.  Later in the evening, I watched some of the Olympics coverage.

Aeonium Flower Stalk

Friday was a sunny day and, once again, I spent a good part of the day mending my quilt and watching online videos.  I also watered the indoor plants.  The rose cuttings I took didn't survive and I tossed them.  We will try again in the summer.  Gardener friend M was here to tend to the garden in the evening and he bought me a bag of potting soil and a bag of fruit tree fertilizer.  He weeded under the peach tree and fertilized it.  

Later in the evening, I cooked a chicken curry, sauteed curried cabbage, and rice for dinner.  I also made chocolate pudding (from a mix) for dessert.

The First Daylily

Saturday was another sunny day.  I did some "random acts of cleaning" and vacuumed the filters of the air purifiers - something which should be done on a regular basis, but, I haven't been doing.  Later, I vacuumed the living room and the dining area.  Daughter vacuumed part of the family room and cleaned her bathroom.  

I made French toast for brunch and we had rice, sauteed curried cabbage, beef curry, and peach chutney for dinner.  

I am grateful for:

- Butterflies and flowers
- Memories of my mother
- M's help with the garden
- Rain and sunshine
- Peaceful days

My joyful activities have included spending time in the garden, mending my quilt, watching videos and the Olympics games, and spending time with my daughter.

I've no special plans for Sunday.  Daughter will be spending the day out with her friends doing escape rooms.  I will continue to mend my quilt, do some reading and watch the Olympics Closing Ceremony.

Torn Quilt 

Just one of the quilt patches that are torn.  The fabric that is torn was one of my stepfather's old shirts.  I am replacing each torn patch with a new patch handsewn over it.  The pieces are 1 inch by 3 inches.  The smallest pieces are 1 inch square.  

What are your plans for Sunday?

Twas the Night Before the Almsgiving

Almsgiving Preparations Check List

And almost all the items on the Almsgiving Preparations List that have to be done before the actual day of the almsgiving been checked off:

The house has been vacuumed and tidied;  the living room furniture was rearranged (thank you, daughter)

The serving dishes and all the other items required for the almsgiving have been taken down from the cabinets, washed, and kept ready (again, thank you, daughter) 

Groceries were ordered and picked up (on Thursday).'

On Friday, I picked up friend R who came to help with the cooking.  All the curries on the menu have been cooked, ready to be warmed up on Saturday morning.  

Friend R will come in the morning to help with the last minute preparations.

Of course, all the planning in the world can't prevent last minute glitches.  Both my cousin and daughter's friend who had said they will come to the almsgiving called today to let us know that they will not be coming because they have come down with something.  I am sorry they are not well, but, also, very thankful that they are staying home if they are ill!  M called to say he was having some battery issues with his truck and would not be able to come today.  Of course, I said it was okay, but I had planned to ask him to sweep up the front walkway and now, it won't get done unless I find time to do it tomorrow morning.  But, worst of all, I got impatient with my daughter when she asked where something was and snapped at her, which was not very nice of me.  ("It's where it always has been"...except it wasn't!  I had moved it during the living room painting and had not put it back!)  Later, I apologized and she was quick to forgive, but, I'm very sorry that I snapped at her.  She has been so helpful, too. 

Today, I am grateful for:

- Daughter's help with getting the house tidied and the almsgiving prep
- Friend R's help with the food preparations
- Getting all the advance prep done

- Daughter being so ready to forgive me for snapping at her

- A restful evening.

Today's joyful activities was preparing for the almsgiving.

I've a long list of things to do on Saturday morning, but, friend R will be coming to help.  And daughter will help, too.

I hope you've had a lovely day.  What are your plans for Saturday?

On Thursday

 

Flowers from the Vet's Clinic

On Thursday morning, this lovely bouquet of flowers arrived from the doctors and staff at the animal hospital/vet clinic where I had taken Dancer from the day he came into our lives.  I thought it was very sweet of them to do so.  

Thank you, everyone, for all your kind comments on the previous post about Dancer.  My daughter and I appreciate all the sympathy, empathy, and love you've extended to us.  Your comments have brought us comfort as we grieve the loss of our Dancer kitty whose presence in our lives was such a blessing.

Daughter, especially, is heartbroken over losing Dancer.  She cried herself to sleep on Wednesday night and woke up crying on Thursday morning.  She took the day off from work because she needed a little time to grieve.  

I, too, miss him, but, I think I had been mentally preparing myself for this eventuality for a few months, now.

I busied myself doing household tasks.  I did laundry and washed all the sofa dust sheets as well as our clothes.  Now that Dancer is gone, we won't have to cover the sofas to keep his fur off them.  I dusted and vacuumed the living room and dining area and removed the bowl of kibble and the open bag of kibble he insisted on having access to, as well.  I washed all of Dancer's food and water dishes; I'm not sure if I will donate them to the animal shelter or just toss them.  I cleaned his litter box one last time and removed all the pee pads and newspaper we had put down around it for the times when he couldn't make it to the litter box.  And I tossed the fluffy white knitted scarf he had claimed as his "lovey", which he would carry around with him:

Dancer and his "Lovey" in Happier Times

I also ordered and picked up groceries as we needed more half and half, bread, fruit, and a few other items, including a couple of treats.  Ground beef was on sale for $5.99/lb. and I bought two packages.  I kept one in the fridge to cook this weekend and froze the other.  

I had boiled mung beans for brunch on Wednesday and daughter had some of the leftover mung beans for her brunch, on Thursday.  Later, she ate some of the croissants I bought as part of my grocery order.  I had a croissant sandwiched with tuna salad for my brunch.  Later, I cooked curried pork chops and broccoli for dinner, which we had with leftover rice.  For dessert, we had a Sri Lankan treat called kalu dodol - made with coconut milk cooked with jaggery until it forms a dark, sticky, gelatinous fudge.  It is one of the items I brought from the Sri Lankan store.  

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- The bouquet of flowers the vet's clinic sent
- All the kind comments everyone left on the previous post
- Daughter was able to spend time with Dancer before he had to go
- Daughter was able to take time off from work to grieve
- Memories of a loving kitty

Thursdays joyful activities included reminiscing about Dancer.

Plans for Friday include putting away a mountain of clean laundry, tending to the garden with M, cleaning the kitchen, and a visit from friend R who is coming to pick up her packages.

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

On Sunday

 

The Tree is Up

On Sunday, daughter and I unpacked the artificial Christmas tree and set it up in the family room.  It is a pre-lit tree, but, there are sections of the tree that no longer light up.  The tree was bought some twenty plus years ago, so, the fact that at least some of the lights are working is something worth celebrating.  I have some additional strings of lights in a bin in the garage; I might look for them and put them on the tree before we do any decorating.  

Before we brought the tree in, I vacuumed the family room and daughter pushed the second sofa to make room for the tree.  The family room sofas are usually arranged at right angles to each other in an "L" shape.  They are now facing each other, with the coffee table in the middle.  

I did a load of laundry and changed the sofa dust sheets, on Sunday.  Daughter and I also ordered some Christmas gifts for a friend of ours.  We also ordered some chocolates to be offered at the almsgiving.  It is traditional to offer a variety of sweets (at least five kinds) during an almsgiving.  I now have four items for the plate of sweets and daughter has offered to make chai muffins as the fifth item,

Later in the evening, I made a few cards.  

Daughter picked some of the Japanese herbs and greens, sauteed them and had them with a fried egg for her brunch.  I made a sort of fried rice from various leftovers in the fridge for my brunch.  We had assorted leftovers for dinner, We had grapes and tangerines for fruit.

On Sunday, I was grateful for:

- Another sunny and warm day
- Working appliances
- Making memories with my daughter
- Freshly picked greens from the garden
- Phone calls, emails, and texts from friends

Sunday's joyful activities included bringing in and setting up the Christmas tree and making cards.

Plans for Monday might include a visit to the dentist's; I need to call and confirm the appointment in the morning.  

What are your plans for Monday?

On Saturday

 

Earl Grey Tea Mini Bundt Cakes

On Saturday, daughter vacuumed the whole house and I dusted.  Then, we both tidied up the living room, dining area, and family room.  I took the recycling, kitchen compost, and the trash out, checked on the garden, and did a load of laundry.  Daughter cleaned her bathroom.  We shared another frozen burrito and the two pineapple guavas I had picked from the garden for brunch.  Later, daughter baked the Earl Grey tea cakes and frosted them with a simple powdered sugar glaze.  I made the egg salad for the sandwiches and I also made a small batch of jam using strawberries I had bought and frozen in the summer.  They will have a choice of strawberry jam and peach jam to go on their scones.  

Neighbor S called to say that she had seen someone's dog come into my yard and her cousin managed to get a leash on him.  She asked if I would happen to know whose dog it was. So, I went over to her place to look at the dog to see if I recognized him. Both neighbors on either side of me have dogs, but, I haven't seen this little dog before.  It was obviously someone's pet, as it was wearing a little red plaid coat.  But, apparently no tags.  And we didn't see anyone out and about who seemed to be looking for a little lost dog.  I tried calling on the neighbors on either side of me to see if they knew who the dog belonged to, but, no one was home.  I suggested taking the dog to the shelter to see if it was chipped and if they could locate the owner.  I am not sure quite what they ended up doing.  I shall call S on Sunday to find out.

Daughter selected which tea set she wanted to use and washed all the items (they were stored in the china cabinet, but, things still get dusty in there).  While she washed the items, she asked me to repeat the story behind this particular tea set.  It was one of two sets that had been given as gifts to my step-father's mother by two of her daughters.  We had brought the sets back with us on a subsequent visit to Sri Lanka.  One set is more complete than the other, after more than 70+ years of use.  

Daughter's friend, whose birthday is being celebrated, doesn't know that daughter is planning a surprise tea party for her.  Her friend thinks they are just getting together to play some board games and maybe do a craft activity.  She texted daughter this evening to say that she's bringing some of the chocolate cake she had made for her birthday!  She is an excellent baker, too, so we know her chocolate cake will be delicious.

I cooked a boxed pasta mix with frozen green peas added to it and fried a few slices of ham I had in the freezer to go with it for dinner.  It wasn't in the meal plan, but, we finished most of the mac and cheese I made the other day and the little bit that's left isn't enough for a meal.  

The Mini Bundt Cakes Before Being Glazed

On Saturday, I was grateful for:

- A clear day after all the rain
- Daughter doing most of the housework and cleaning
- Working appliances
- Quick and easy pantry meals
- My strawberry jam turned out well

Saturday's joyful activities included helping daughter with preparations for the tea party.  

Plans for tomorrow include doing the final cleaning (removing the sofa dust covers and wiping down the living room coffee table - can't do it earlier because Dancer likes to sleep on it at times), helping daughter make the sandwiches, and putting the water to boil for tea.  Later, I will help daughter put away any leftovers and the clean up.

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

The Rest of the Week

 

Pom Pom Chrysanthemums
at the Japanese Garden

Thank you, everyone, for your very kind comments about my visit to the botanical gardens.  Visiting a public garden had been on my Fall/Autumn Joyful Activities List and I am so happy that I was able to do so on my birthday, thanks to my gardener friend M who gifted me with the tickets.  He had been very keen for me to visit the Descanso Botanical Gardens for years, but, I wasn't ready to go until now.  It was a very big deal for me, especially since I generally tend to stay home.  

I needed to take it easy for the rest of the week because I was quite tired after that outing!  First, my left knee complained about the walking (the fact that I had dropped a large glass jar on my left foot a day or two prior to the trip and bruised my second toe didn't help).  Then, my hips protested for a couple of days.  

On Wednesday, M came to tend to the garden and I was able to show him some of the pictures I took at the Gardens and thanked him again for the tickets.  He brought several bags of potting soil I had requested him to buy for me and we planted some herbs and cool weather vegetables such as celery, kale, and carrots.  Later on Wednesday, I had a chat with my friend from university days. and, afterwards, I went to the pharmacy to pick up some medication refills.  We had leftover egg salad sandwiches for brunch and leftover Thai food for dinner.  We applied the vet prescribed flea treatment to Dancer and he seemed to tolerate it.  

On Thursday, I had a follow up appointment with the dermatologist.  It rained just a little bit on my way to the dermatologist's and it rained again on my way back.  I stopped for gas on my way home; gas has gone up, again ($4.69/gal. at the cheapest station in my neighborhood).  Later in the night, it started to rain in earnest - mostly light showers in my area, but, it rained throughout the night.  I was happy we were getting some rain because the garden really needed it.

On Friday, it rained all day and all night!  Once again, mostly light rain in my area, but, every now and then, it rained more heavily.  The garden received a good watering.  I didn't expect M to tend to the garden on Friday, but, he still showed up, moved some of the potted plants out from under the awning in the back and set them out to get watered by the rain, checked on the garden, and left early because I told him to go home.  I didn't want him working in the rain. 

Saturday was another rainy day!  Daughter vacuumed most of the house and I vacuumed my bedroom.  Then, I started on the laundry - my daughter's bed sheets and quilts,  the sofa dust sheets, and our clothes, etc.  There's extra laundry getting done because Dancer is still battling the fleas.  I've been flea combing him, daily, too, and sometimes, twice daily.  I think we are making some progress, but, it's an on-going battle.

The rain paused for the day on Sunday.  Daughter helped me order some groceries and I picked up the items in the early evening (I will do a separate post about the groceries).  Afterwards, I drove over to friend R's apartment to hand over a package she had ordered (she gets them delivered to my address because I'm home to receive them).  

Daughter tried a new recipe and baked some scones made with olive oil instead of butter and we both enjoyed the scones with butter and jam or cream cheese and jam.  

We are supposed to get more rain on Monday.  We need all the rain we can get, but, there have been floods and mudslides in certain areas.

As this week ends and another one begins, I am grateful for:

- Living to be 70
- M's gift of tickets to the botanical garden
- A lovely day at the botanical garden

- Access to medical appointments and prescriptions
- The rain we've received

My joyful activities have included a visit to the botanical gardens, planting cool weather plants in my own garden, knitting, and spending time with my daughter.

How was your week and weekend?  What are your plans for Monday?

Dancer's Battles

 

This Little Kitty...

This little kitty went to the vet's clinic, again.  

Dancer has been battling fleas, again.  I had given him his flea prevention treatment at the end of September, but, we had to give him another treatment a week before the next treatment was due.  However, we've been noticing some tell-tale signs that the treatment hadn't been very successful.  I've been flea combing him daily and changing the sofa dust covers daily, too, and daughter has been spraying the house with indoor flea spray.  She even bought a different spray that is supposed to be stronger.  And we've been vacuuming daily as a precaution.  

However, on Friday, we saw signs that he has tapeworms, again.  So, I woke up quite early on Saturday and called the vet clinic at 7:15 a.m.(they openat 7:00 a.m.) and made an appointment to bring him in at 12:30 p.m.  They wanted a stool sample and this time, I was able to collect the sample right away.

I gave him his sedative an hour before we left and I took him to the vet's clinic by myself as daughter was having a migraine.  Of course, he threw up.  But, I suppose I should be glad it wasn't worse!  He received a pill for the tapeworms (this time, the technician gave it to him) and had his nails trimmed. He's been sleeping it off ever since we came home.

Daughter was feeling better by the time Dancer and I came home from the vet's.  She vacuumed the house while I helped a little bit.  Then, I stripped my bed and did a load of laundry.  Daughter sprayed my mattress cover with the flea spray since Dancer sleeps on my bed at night.  

I had a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast and both daughter and I had leftover Mexican rice for lunch.  I was summoning the energy to cook dinner, but, daughter ordered pizza as her treat.  There is something about dinner being delivered to my front door that appeals to me.  LOL.  

I still need to make my bed with the sheets I washed and dried.  Then, maybe I'll go to sleep at a more reasonable time, tonight.  I had 4 hours of sleep last night and didn't take an afternoon nap.  I wonder if this will reset my internal clock and reset my up-side-down sleep schedule?

Today, I am grateful for:

- I was able to get Dancer in for a same day appointment
- The availability of medications and treatments for him
- Daughter helping with the vacuuming
- Working appliances 
- A safe drive to the clinic and back

Today's joyful activity was knitting.  

Plans for Sunday include some cardmaking and more flea control!

On the lookout for the enemy!

How is your weekend coming along?

Another Dental Appointment on Monday

 

Bougainvillea

On Monday morning, I called the pharmacy to request a refill of Dancer's thyroid medication, took down the Halloween decorations and ironed the Halloween table runners and cushion covers I had washed on Sunday, and dusted the living room.  I wanted to vacuum, too, but, daughter was having online meetings and I don't like to make a big noise when she's working.  I wished one of my friends for her birthday, ate a bit of leftover milk rice for brunch, and then, it was time to get ready to go to my dental appointment.

The appointment was at 4:00 p.m., but, it takes one hour to drive there due to traffic.  So, we left at 3:00 p.m. (daughter accompanied me).  The appointment was with the dental hygienist to clean my teeth, but, afterwards, the dentist attended to me to replace part of the bridge that came off.  He was able to use part of it to make a temporary crown for one tooth to protect it for the time being.  The teeth cleaning went well because I asked for and received a local anesthetic to numb my mouth (topical gels don't numb me enough).  Only one quadrangle (right upper jaw) was done and that was more than enough for me for one time! Another quadrangle will be done later this month and I made the appointment before I left the dentist's office.  On the way home, we got hamburgers, chicken nuggets, and fries for dinner and a milkshake for me.  

I took it easy after we came home.  Daughter took the trash cans to the curb for me and I watched the evening news.  Afterwards, I spent an hour or so doing some crafting while I listened to some chanting of blessings online.  I'm not quite sure where the rest of the evening went, but, I did some sudoku, visited a few blogs, and relaxed!

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- Another sunny day
- A safe drive to the dental clinic and back
- Local anesthesia for a pain-free teeth cleaning
- Validated parking 
- Daughter accompanying me for moral support

Monday's joyful activity was crafting.

Plans for Tuesday include dusting the dining area, picking up Dancer's medication, taking daughter to get her vaccination, and putting away the laundry that I didn't put away on Monday!  And maybe making a meal plan.

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

On Wednesday

 

Succulents in the Front Garden

Wednesday was sunny with a high of 75F.  Daughter woke up early with a migraine headache.  I woke up with her, but, went back to sleep a little longer as I had had only 3 hours of sleep.

On Wednesday morning, the latest batch of 15 bags/boxes of donations were picked up.  That makes a total of 45 bags/boxes of donations picked up in one month (15 bags on September 22, 15 bags on October 13, and 15 bags on October 22; they will only pick up 15 bags or boxes at a time).  However, they had declined to take three decorative cookie tins, so I brought them in, again.  I will put them in the recycling bin, I guess.  I still have another 6 or 7 bags of items to be donated, but, I'll wait until I have another 5 or 6 bags collected before I schedule another pick up.  Things are definitely leaving this house!  

In the afternoon, I went for my consultation with the oral surgeon.  Daughter had already requested time off to accompany me and she claimed her headache was better, so she went with me.  I think the consultation went well and the oral surgeon was very receptive to my concerns.  He will confer with the prosthodontist and we will take it from there.

We picked up some fried rice from our favorite neighborhood That food place on the way home, although there was plenty of food at home.  We wanted to do our bit to support our local restaurants.  We were sad to see that their menu has shrunk, as a cost cutting measure, I suppose, but, we're glad that they are still in business.  

We enjoyed our fried rice and I did some vacuuming.  Afterwards, I felt tired and took a nap!  Daughter took a nap, too, as her headache, while better, was still lingering.

Daughter and I had a relaxed evening and I caught up on a few blogs.  There was leftover fried rice for dinner, which was nice.  

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter was able to accompany me to the dental appointment even with her headache
- The consultation went well and the oral surgeon was very receptive to my concerns
- A safe drive to the dental office and back
- Being able to pick up some Thai food on the way home
- Donations being picked up

My joyful activity on Wednesday was taking a nap!

Plans for Thursday include a trip to the grocery store to pick up some fruit and vegetables; more vacuuming, and perhaps a load of laundry, as well.  I also need to catch up on another couple of blogs as I've fallen behind with my blog reading and commenting!

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

The Virtual House Inspection on Wednesday

 

Mirabilis (Four-o-Clocks)

I woke up fairly early for me  on Wednesday.  I was expecting a call from the dentist's office about rescheduling my appointment, but, they didn't call and I called and left a message, later.

I was also anxious about the afternoon's virtual house inspection.  So, after morning prayers, I picked more flowers for the altar and mantlepiece, cleaned both bathrooms,  made up the beds with my quilts, had daughter upload the app I was required to use for the virtual inspection, and had her print out a couple of documents for me, just in case they were needed (they weren't).  

Shortly after 1:00 p.m., the phone rang and it was the inspector.  Daughter was on her lunch break, so she was able to help me.  Basically, the inspector wanted us to walk through the house and take pictures of certain rooms and areas - the kitchen, the bathrooms, the water heater, the garage (exterior and interior), and the exterior of the house.  It probably took all of 10 minutes, if that.  The main purpose for the inspection was for them to get an idea of replacement costs in today's economy.

We asked what the next step would be and the inspector said that she will forward the pictures to the underwriter and assuming everything was fine, I would receive the usual notification of insurance renewal (and bill).  If there is anything missing or any repairs need to be done before they can offer a renewal, then, the underwriter will contact me by phone or letter.  

After that call ended, I felt quite worn out!  Daughter went back to work and I rested.  

Later in the afternoon, the dermatology pharmacy delivered the medication refills I had requested and gardener friend M arrived to tend to the garden.  

Still later, I walked for about 15 minutes and then, decorated the house for Halloween, because daughter was looking forward to the Halloween decorations.  I don't have a lot of Halloween decorations, but, I spread them around the house.  I didn't remember to take pictures, but, I'll do that another day.  

Later in the evening, friend R called and I chatted with her for a bit.  And I got caught up on several blogs.

Brunch was toast with peanut butter and bananas.  For dinner, I baked a frozen pot pie for myself and cooked some frozen green peas and some carrots; daughter had leftover rice and pork chops with the green peas and carrots.  

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter's help with the whole inspection process
- The inspection seemed to go fairly smoothly
- Medication refills being delivered
- M's help with the garden
- A clean, tidy, and decorated house!

Wednesday's joyful activity was decorating for Halloween.

No big plans for Thursday.  I expect to hear from the dental office, I plan to cook some chicken I bought earlier in the week,, and maybe do a load of laundry.  

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans, if any, for Thursday?

More Four-o-clocks

September Days

 

Baby Possum

This baby possum showed up at the sliding glass door one night, checking to see if there was any kibble the cats might have left.  It was probably about 8 inches long, but, obviously big enough to be be on its own.  

This week, has been a fairly productive week.  

On Monday, I picked up groceries, called for a donations pick up and scheduled that for the following Monday, tried unsuccessfully to call to schedule a home inspection that I was told was necessary for insurance renewal purposes, watered the back garden, and took the trash cans to the curb for pick up on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, I bought the trash cans in, called and rescheduled an upcoming doctor's appointment as I had double booked myself for that day, and called and left messages about scheduling the home inspection.

On Wednesday, I had M take the room air conditioning unit down from the window as the forecast said there would be rain Wednesday night into Thursday.  If the a/c unit is left on the window ledge when it rains, the rain water drips down onto the window sill and gets that wall wet.  I've had water damage to that wall repaired, earlier, and I don't want to risk getting the wall wet again.  Besides, we went up to 95F on Tuesday and I didn't use the a/c and I doubt if it will get warm enough for me to want air conditioning during the rest of this month plus it will start to get cooler in October.   One of M's other clients had given him some doughnuts and he shared them with us:

Doughnuts Shared by M

It rained late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning.  We had light showers in my area, which helped the garden a little bit but, according to the news, other areas received quite a lot of rain as a result of tropical storm Mario, resulting in mudslides and flash floods.  I'm glad we only had the light showers.  

On Thursday, I paid my auto insurance renewal and, after several days of trying, managed to get hold of someone at the insurance company to discuss scheduling the home inspection.  Apparently, the person who sent me the letter regarding needing a home inspection is no longer with the company and the phone number he had given me to the inspection department was no longer in service!  The new agent I spoke to was very apologetic and told me she had sent an email to the inspection team and someone will call me to schedule the apartment in 10 to 12 business days.  If not, I have her name and number to call.  I want to get this inspection done sooner rather than later just in case they say I need additional repairs done before they can renew my home insurance.  I am also hoping that the premiums will not be astronomical as home insurance companies are raising their rates for houses in my state.  

In addition, I sorted through a couple of pantry shelves in the kitchen.  And I sorted through a bag of clothes that daughter had decluttered.  I kept aside a few long sleeved blouses and a couple of sweaters that fitted me to add to my fall/winter wardrobe and I added a couple of items from my closet to the bag of donations.  I did a couple of loads of laundry too and folded and put away my items and the household items.  Daughter put away her own clothes.  

On Friday, I made passionfruit lemonade with all the passionfruit I had picked this summer and a lemon.  Daughter and I enjoyed it and M liked the glass I gave him to try.  I cleaned out the fridge drawers, washing the drawers, relining them with kitchen towels, and putting things back.  I had stored some end slices of bread in one of the drawers and I make croutons with some of them.  My daughter and M both enjoyed them, fresh out of the oven, as a snack!  I also wiped down the kitchen counters, the microwave, and one half of the stove top and under the burners, etc.  It's the side I cook on the most; I will clean the other side on another day.  

Plans for Saturday include sorting through more clothes that daughter has decluttered and being on hand to help daughter as she sorts through the spare bedroom.  Plus some cooking and catching up on a few blogs.

This week, I am grateful for:
- What I was able to accomplish
- The rain we received on Thursday
- The warm late summer days

- M's help with the garden and other tasks

- Garden produce

My joyful activities have included spending time in the garden, watering and weeding; reading; doing sudoku; watching videos.

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

Mid-Week Catch Up

 

Moringa Pods

I harvested all these moringa pods from my tree on Monday.  On Wednesday, I sat and peeled all of them, cut them up, and cooked a huge pot of moringa curry.  My plan is to portion it out and freeze it to enjoy over the next few months.

I had stayed up all night on Tuesday, until 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.  I was woken up just before 7:00 a.m. when Dancer used the litter box.  A quick check confirmed that he had produced a sample for me to take to the vet's clinic for analysis.  Never mind that I had only had one and a half hours of sleep - I collected the sample, got dressed, and left the house by 7:30 a.m.  I was able to hand in the sample by 7:45 a.m.  

I drove to the post office on my way home, but, while the lobby opened at 8:00 a.m., the service window didn't open till 10:00 a.m., so, I came home.  I didn't want to go back to sleep, so, I got busy.  I put a load of kitchen and bathroom rugs and Dancer's towels to wash and mopped the bathroom.  I hung the washed rugs to dry and then, it was time to go to the post office, again.  I had two documents to mail and I was able to have them date stamped at the service window.  

After I came home, I sat down to peel the moringa pods.  It took me some time to do them all, by which time, M was here to tend to the garden.  I asked him to spray the yard with the outdoor flea spray we had ordered and after he did that, he did some tidying up in the front garden.

Afterwards, I cooked the moringa curry.  

Then, it was time for a late brunch of tortillas and seeni sambol.  

I took a nap after that and slept for almost three hours.  

Afterwards, I swept and mopped the kitchen.

Dinner was assorted leftovers and daughter did the dishes.  After dinner, I caught up on some of my blog reading.  

Plans for Thursday include an appointment with a dermatologist I've been referred to as I have developed what I think are two different types of rashes.  

Mid-week, I am grateful for:

- The abundant moringa harvest (there are more pods on the tree, but, they are not ready to be picked yet)

- Vet services for Dancer

- M's help with the garden

- Afternoon naps

- Chocolate cookies that daughter baked

Chocolate Cookies

How is your week coming along?  

The First Week in September

Dancer Finds a New Napping Spot

The first week in September has come and gone and I am already behind with my blog posts!  I haven't posted my Thriving in August post yet, but, I want to make a note of the highlights of the first week in September before I forget things!

Monday, September 1st was sunny and hot, with a high of 100F.  I made milkrice and seeni sambol for brunch and offered fresh flowers at the altar.  The blue plumbago plant is about the only plant with plentiful flowers at this time of the year.  

We had ordered a couple of items of furniture a week or so prior to that and the items were delivered on the first and after brunch, daughter assembled the first item:

New Shelving Unit

Yes, a new shelving unit with fabric covered boxes to provide storage for crafts supplies while keeping visual clutter to a minimum.

Initially, we had planned to place it along a different wall in the family room and we moved the sofa that was along that wall to make space for the shelving unit, but, we didn't like how it looked.  So, we moved the sofa back to where it was and put the shelving unit where the old entertainment center/shelving unit had been.  It fitted the space exactly while allowing access to the light switches and the power outlets.  Daughter spent a couple of evenings sorting out her crafts supplies into the different storage containers.  

On Tuesday, September 2nd, it was still hot with highs in the upper 90s.  I spent the morning making several phone calls to set up medical appointments for myself and for Dancer.  Although I've been giving him a monthly flea prevention medication and he is an indoor cat, it's summer, the garden cats have fleas, and either they find their way into the house or I bring in flea eggs on the soles of my shoes when I come in from the garden; Dancer seems to have ingested an infected flea and there were signs that he might be having tapeworms.  So, Tuesday afternoon, I was able to take Dancer to be seen by a vet and the vet confirmed that, yes, he had tapeworms.  She prescribed a pill to  be given to him and wanted me to bring in a stool sample, too.  Giving Dancer a pill was something else!  Daughter and I both struggled to get him to swallow the pill.  He kept it in the side of his mouth, between his cheek and gums and drooled most of it out!  I should have opted for the injection or asked the vet if a technician could have given the pill!

Afterwards, I went to the Armenian ethnic store to buy groceries, including the pork chops I posted about, earlier.  

On Wednesday, September 3rd, I collected a stool sample from Dancer and took it to the vets' clinic.  What the vet omitted to tell me was that it had to be collected within 3 hours, although it could be refrigerated for up to 12 hours.  I had collected it within a 4 hour window and I couldn't tell exactly when he had used the litter box.  So, the sample had to be discarded.  

In the afternoon, M came to tend to the garden.  In the evening, I cooked some of the pork chops I had bought the previous day for our dinner.

I stayed up all night on Wednesday!  

On Thursday, September 4th, I collected Dancer's stools when he used the litter box at 6:25 a.m.  By 6:30 a.m., I had collected the stool sample, sealed it in several bags and containers, and stored it in the bottom drawer of the fridge where I don't keep any cooked food.  I went to bed at 6:45 a.m. and woke up at 8:00 a.m., after just over one hour of sleep, and I took the sample over to the vets' clinic by 8:45 a.m.  I handed it over, paid the fee to have it analyzed, and came home.  I suppose I could have gone back to sleep, but, instead, I chose to watch the Senate hearing where the Secretary of Health and Human Services was being questioned.  However, later in the afternoon, I did take a long nap.  It had been another hot and rather humid day, but, after it had cooled a bit in the evening, I took the last of the moving boxes that daughter had flattened and filled the recycling bin with them.  

Friday, September 5th, was a slightly cooler day with the highs in the low 90s.  Very comfortable as far as I was concerned.  I did some mending and laundry.  I picked the first of this season's corn and moringa pods.  I changed the sofa dust sheets, did laundry, and did a few other things around the house.  In the evening, M was here to tend to the garden.  

On Saturday, September 6th, the vets' clinic called to inform me that the lab analyzing Dancer's stool sample had said that the sample size was not sufficient for their tests.  Well, I took all what he had produced that one time and he generally doesn't go more than once a day!  I was told I could submit another sample and there would be no additional charge if I do so within 30 days.  I will do so in the week ahead and maybe third time will be lucky?

I ordered and picked up groceries on Saturday (need to post about that) and I vacuumed the living room.  I tried to move the electric keyboard and stand aside with one hand to vacuum in that area and the keyboard and stand toppled over!  When daughter and I picked it up again, we discovered that one of the keys was sticking up.  The keyboard is quite old as I bought it in the late 1980s.  Daughter had taken it up with her and had brought it home carefully wrapped in bubble wrap to make sure it survived the journey without a mishap and I was careless and now, one key was knocked out of place.  I told myself it was okay, it was an old keyboard, and I could probably dispose of it.  It'll be another item decluttered.   But, daughter looked up a video online and took the back cover off:

Keyboard Innards

Then, she pried off another panel: 

Disassembling the Keyboard

and pushed the dislodged key back into place!  Then, put the whole thing back together again:

As Good As New!

We plugged it in and tested it; it worked just fine!  I told my daughter that she could start a side job repairing old keyboards!

After that, daughter put together the second item of furniture we had ordered and which had also been delivered on Monday:

A New Sideboard

Our original plan had been to put it in the family room, but we decided that it would function well in the dining area and provide us with extra storage space.  It fits in behind the love seat.

On Sunday, September 7, daughter and I started to add items to it.  The drawer in the center had a divider in the middle.  I put my placemats and the crocheted hot pads on one side of the drawer and the majority of daughter's bento boxes fitted into the other side of the drawer.  Then, we took down some items I had stored in the kitchen cabinets and stored them in the sideboard, which made room in the kitchen cabinets for the everyday items daughter brought back with her.  She helped me go through the mugs in the cabinet and we pulled out some to be decluttered.  

I also sorted out the cabinet where I store my kitchen towels, table cloths, cloth napkins, and pot holders, etc., incorporating daughter's items with my items.  We are still in the process of merging our household items, but, we are making progress.

In the meantime, Dancer has his own ideas about the open shelves in the sideboard:

"This is Dancer's Shelf"

Daughter has been rearranging her room, too, and I did some paperwork, paid some bills, and did some laundry.  

This week, I've been grateful for:

- Daughter being home
- Daughter setting up the new furniture and repairing my keyboard
- Medicines for Dancer
- M's help with the garden
- Electricity to run the fans and other appliances (it went out for a few minutes, last night)

Plans for the week ahead include doing more paperwork, paying another bill, taking Dancer's stool sample to the vets' clinic, and going to my dermatology appointment.

How was your week?  What are your plans for the week ahead?

Mid-Week Already!

 

Curry Leaf Tree: Then March 2025)

Curry Leaf Tree: Now (August 2025)

The curry leaf tree was pruned back in January and it has grown so well that M gave it a bit of a trim, earlier in August.  

It's mid-week already as I write this and we are two-thirds of the way into August!  The days are going by quickly/

Monday was a stay at home day, and I did a bit of tidying up, cleaned the fridge, took the trash cans and recycling bins to the curb, and put water to part of the back garden.  I had stayed up most of Sunday night and slept only about four hours, so I took a long nap on the sofa in the afternoon.  

Tuesday was a bit of an errands day.  I took daughter to the pharmacy during her lunch break to pick up some medications and we picked up a pizza on the way home.  Later in the evening, after she finished her work for the day, we went to the library.  June, at Live and Learn-Toss and Turn had posted some book reviews and, on Sunday, I requested one of the books she recommended,  The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan from the library.  The library emailed me on Tuesday to let me know that the book was ready for pick up.  Daughter came with me because she wanted to renew her library card and she picked two books to read, herself.  

After we came home, I put water to the rest of the back garden.  M will be here, later, today, but, I wanted to make sure the garden got enough water.  The orange tree and the tangerine tree are not doing too well and I am hoping that keeping them well watered will help them.  

I did another load of laundry which needs to be put away and cleaned the kitchen a little bit.  We had leftover pizza for dinner with Asian pears from the garden.  I had some yogurt and a granola bar afterwards and daughter had a plum, I believe.  

Plans for Wednesday include going for a lab test and filling out some paperwork.  

I am grateful for:

- Medical insurance
- Medications being available
- Libraries
- Water for the garden
- Working appliances

Joyful activities have included a trip to the library and spending time in the garden.

How is your week coming along?  What are your plans for Wednesday?

Mid-Week Catch Up

 

Homegrown Asian Pears

I've been harvesting a few Asian pears from my tree, a couple at a time.  There aren't that many of them and they aren't very big, but, we are enjoying them.  

We've been having some warm temperatures and I've discovered that I am not quite as tolerant of high heat as I once was!  Once the temperature goes above 95F, I find myself going into the bedroom and turning on the a/c and I stay in the cool room for the rest of the afternoon.  The past three days, however, the highs have been only in the mid to upper 80s and I've not needed the a/c.  

Daughter started decluttering her bedroom, over the weekend, starting with her closet.  It's been years since she last went through her closet; she has clothes from when she was in high school and while she still likes them, they no longer fit her.  She has decluttered several big trash bags worth of clothes and passed along a few items to me, should I wish to keep them.  There are also a few items she has asked if I could mend or alter, so I will be working on them over the next several weeks.

In the meantime, I have been keeping myself occupied with watering the garden (M is taking his annual two weeks of summer vacation), general housework (lots of laundry as I am washing the quilts and blankets and putting them away for the summer), and taking naps!  

I did finish reading the e-book on decluttering and "space making" ("The Mindful Art of Space Making: How to Declutter When You're Overwhelmed by April Scott Tandy  that I had borrowed from the library.  I've watched the author's on-line videos and was already familiar with her method, but, it was an interesting book to read.  Now, I need to put those tips to use.

Today, I am grateful for:

- The temperature was a very comfortable 84F
- Working appliances
- New bed sheets (A set of bed sheets bought on sale a while back and never used until now)
- Phone chats with family and friends
- Having my daughter home

Today's joyful activity was enjoying a small bowl of ice cream.  

Plans for Thursday include making a couple of phone calls, booking a couple of appointments, folding and putting away laundry, and giving the garden another drink of water.  Exciting stuff!  LOL.

How is your week coming along?