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?

On Friday

 

"Why do I have to go to the Vet's Clinic?"

On Friday, Dancer had an appointment for his Solensia injection and had to be sedated and taken to the vet's clinic.  He did not like getting the sedative which I syringe into his mouth; more got on me than in him, I think, but, I got at least some of it in him.  I remembered to give him the sedative an hour before we had to leave and that helped.  Daughter had to coax him out from under the sofa where he was hiding and put him into his carrier.  He protested about it and the car ride, but, he was relatively good until he threw up about halfway to the clinic.  The technician was very kind and offered to clean him up, but, I think most of it got on the towel I used to line the bottom of his carrier.  

He received his injection and I made the next appointment, which will include an examination by the vet, as well.  We came home without an incident but, once we got home, he made a beeline to daughter's room, passing the litter box on the way, and left her a present in the corner by her bookcase!  I guess he got his revenge on her for putting him in the carrier, earlier!  I cleaned it up.  Going outside the litter box seems to be occurring on a fairly regular basis, these days.  Poor kitty is having issues.

It was another hot day, but, we didn't put the a/c on and managed with the fans.

Later in the evening, M tended to the garden and watered it.  He shared some figs and grapes he had received from one of his other clients; the figs were delicious.  

I made egg salad sandwiches for a late brunch and dinner was leftover rice and smoked sausage stir fry.  

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- Vet care for Dancer
- A safe drive to the vet's clinic and back (I'm not just saying this, but, I passed by three accidents on the way back from the vet's clinic and it's not that long of a drive)
- M's help with the garde
- Water for the garden
- Working fans and the electricity to run them

Friday's joyful activity was relaxing and chatting with my daughter.

Plans for the weekend include ordering and picking up groceries on Saturday and more unpacking of daughter's boxes.  

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

August Grocery Shopping: Part 2

 

August 6th Grocery Receipt

I did a quick run to the grocery store on Wednesday, as daughter wanted more half & half and we both wanted more bananas  I went in person, this time, because I didn't want to order enough items to qualify for a free pick up.  While at the store, I decided to pick up a cucumber ($0.99) as well and a new-to-us can of cat food ($0.90) to see if Dancer would like it (he loved it and we ordered a 24 can case of it!)

I also decided to check the meat aisle to see if there were any reduced to clear items.  Apparently, 11:30 a.m. on a Wednesday morning was a good time to shop for meat because the butcher was checking the packages for items nearing the "sell by date" and marking them down!  I found a package of chicken drumsticks, originally priced at $7.46, marked down to $4.19 and several packages of 8 count/30 oz. total weight hamburger patties, original price $12, marked down to $5.42; I bought the package of chicken and one of the packages of hamburger patties.  

This time I bought a quart of half & half for $3.69.  

My total came to $16.23, which includes Dancer's can of cat food and tax on it and $15.24 without Dancer's food.

So far, in August, I have spent $38.17 + 15.24 = $53.41

I cooked the package of hamburger patties on Thursday for dinner, with corn on the cob (from the freezer - last year's homegrown corn) and a cucumber salad.  I had not thought to buy any hamburger buns, so I ate my hamburger patty by itself and daughter had it with bread.  

In other news, we went up to the mid-90s, on Wednesday and I asked M to put the window a/c unit up in my bedroom to use if needed.  M is off on his summer break for the next two weeks, so, I wanted the a/c unit in place before he took his time off.  We went up to 100F ("feels like 108F", per the online weather report) on Thursday and I did turn the a/c on for a few hours in the afternoon. 

I am grateful for:

- Being able to find some discounts and bargains at the grocery store
- Finding a type of cat food that Dancer seems to like
- Having a working a/c unit
- M's help with setting up the a/c unit
- M's help with the garden

Joyful activities have included spending a warm afternoon in a cool room.

Towards the End of the Week

 

Pomegranate Forming

On Wednesday, the vet called with Dancer's blood test results.  Everything seems to be under control, she said, and she will keep his medications at the same dosage.  She asked how his appetite was because he is still losing weight.  I said he is being a bit picky and I've been coaxing him to eat.  She suggested trying an appetite stimulant, an ointment to be applied to the inside of his ear.  

On Thursday, the vet's office called to let me know that the appetite stimulant ointment was ready for pick up.  So, in the afternoon, I went to the vet's clinic and picked up the ointment.  

Then, on the way home, I stopped at the supermarket to pick up bread and milk.  This time, they had the half gallons of whole milk ($2.99), but, only one very sad looking loaf of store brand sandwich bread!  I bought whole wheat bolillo bread rolls, instead; a bag of 6 rolls for $3.00; if I have to report to jury duty next week, the rolls can be sandwiched with a filling and be taken for my lunches.  I also bought a "baked in-store" loaf of French bread which looked (and tasted) delicious for $2.99.  In addition, I bought two bananas ($0.65/lb.) and a cream cheese coffee cake for a treat (a bit of a splurge at $6.00); that's the problem with grocery shopping in person - I get tempted by treats at the bakery!  But, the good thing about shopping in person is one gets to find marked down bargains.  In the meat department, I checked the marked down meats and found a package of two thinly sliced beef shoulder steaks, just under half a pound in weight, regular price with a store loyalty card at $7.74, marked down to $3.74 for a quick sale.  I thought that was a good bargain and bought it.  I spent a total of $18.85 at the grocery store.  I now have just under $3 ($2.91 to be exact) left in my July grocery budget!

I kept the beef to marinate with some salt, pepper, garlic powder, ground ginger, and Worcestershire sauce and cooked it with onions and home-grown tomatoes.  I froze one steak, ate a piece of the second steak with some French bread for my dinner, and kept the rest of the piece in the fridge.  I seem to have gone off my meal plan, this week, but, I'm not going to worry too much about that!

In addition, I did a load of laundry and remade my bed with freshly washed sheets.  Dancer helped, as usual.  And then, he took a nap on the bed to try out the fresh sheets!  LOL.

On Friday, the pharmacy called to let me know that Dancer's thyroid medication was ready for pick up.  So, I went to the pharmacy to collect it and came home directly.  Gardener friend M was here in the evening to tend to the garden.  We picked more tomatoes and lemons, he watered the garden for me, and he also nailed the part of the gutter that was coming down along the side of the house.  It might be a temporary fix; we shall see how well it holds up when it rains, later in the year.  

I am grateful for:

- Dancer's blood test results were good
- His medications are available
- Bargains at the grocery store
- M's help with the garden and other things around the house
- Tomatoes and lemons from the garden  

Joyful activities have included spending time in the garden, video chatting with my daughter, and reading.

Plans for the weekend include some cleaning and tidying.  

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

Starting a New Week

 

Nectarine

On Monday, I picked this nectarine from the tree.  It looks perfect, doesn't it?  But, looks can be deceiving:

Not Quite Perfect

It looks like some insect tried to bore into it.  Oh, well, this is what happens when you grow things organically, without spraying your fruit.  At least the birds didn't eat it before I picked it.  

Last year, we had about 9 or 10 nectarines.  This year, the nectarine tree didn't set many fruits.  Only this one and possibly one other that is still forming.  Needless to say, I am disappointed.  

On Monday, I did some paperwork in the morning and then, took Dancer to the vet clinic for his arthritis injection, thyroid panel (the vet wanted to check if the new dosage of medication was helping), and have his claws trimmed.  The last time I got a professional manicure done was back in July 2018!  

Dancer was very good on this trip to the vet clinic.  He had been sleeping when I picked him up to give him his sedative and in his sleepy state, I was able to give him the full dose before he realized what was happening.  I also made sure to give him the medication one full hour before we left the house, and not one hour prior to his appointment time.  Those extra 20 minutes or so really helped.  He protested a bit when he realized that he was in his carrier and when he was first put into the car, but, he settled down soon after that.  And he didn't hyperventilate or drool or throw up or mess up on the way there and back.  He was a very good boy!

Once we arrived home, I waited a few minutes to make sure he was okay.

Then, I went to the post office to mail something and went to the library to return two books.  One book was due on the day and the other one wasn't, but, I wanted to return them both and have one less thing to remember to do.   Besides, I'll be busy this week and I might have to report for jury duty next week; I have to call on Sunday evening to find out if I need to report in person on Monday.

Later in the evening, I watered the back garden (which was when I picked the nectarine), cleaned out the fridge, and took the trash cans to the curb.

Today, (Tuesday), I brought in the emptied trash cans, checked the new grocery ads, did a load of laundry, watered the indoor plants, and received an e-book that I had put a hold on through the library.  There had been 7 people waiting for this book (on decluttering) before me, so, I didn't anticipate I'd receive it as soon as I did (within a week of requesting it).  I've already started to read it.  This person has decluttering videos posted online and I've watched them, so I thought I'd read her book, as well.  

Later in the afternoon, I went out to the backyard to take the kitchen compost to the compost heap, tripped on something, and fell!  I had just been thinking that I haven't fallen recently!  It knocked the wind out of me, but, I was okay.  Not hurt.  I did lie there for a minute before I sat up and then tried to get up.  I had seen a video where you are encouraged to get up on one knee, bend the other leg and rest your foot on the ground with that knee raised. put your weight on the raised knee to lever yourself up.  Well, I tried that, but the leg I was kneeling on wouldn't move!  Eventually, I just put both hands on the ground and levered myself up like that.  I did have my cell phone with me and if all else failed, I would have called M as he has a key to my gate and sat there in the garden until he could come and help me up.  I might have had to wait a long time, though.  Thank goodness I didn't hurt myself, although I might have a bruise or two, tomorrow.

I am grateful for:

- I didn't hurt myself when I fell
- I was able to get up on my own
- Dancer had a good trip to the vet clinic and back on Monday
- Libraries and being able to borrow books and other material through them
- Working appliances
- Water for the garden
- Nectarines from the garden

Joyful activities have included reading, watching online videos, and relaxing.

Plans for Wednesday include maybe another load of laundry, booking the car for a routine service, more paperwork, tending to the garden with M, and maybe going to the grocery store for bread and milk.  I finished the last of the bread tonight, when I had an egg salad sandwich for my dinner.

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

July Grocery Shopping Part 1 and Other Happenings

 

Dancer Looking Pensive 

Dancer's 17th birthday came and went, earlier this month.  He has decided he likes his canned cat food, after all, as long as it is the chicken pate.  I am relieved he is eating his food, again.

On Thursday, I had an appointment with my tax accountant in the afternoon.  Afterwards, I went into the Hispanic grocery store located in the same shopping center because they had a sale on canned condensed milk ($1.99@) and I wanted to stock up (I bought 6 cans).  I also bought two bolillo bread rolls (2/$1.00
) and some Manzano bananas (also known as apple bananas) for a treat.  They were more expensive than the regular bananas at $1.79/lb.., but, they remind me of a type of banana called "kolikuttu" that I grew up eating.  

Manzano Bananas

My grocery bill came to $14.82.

My July grocery budget is $100 - $40 overspent in June = $60

I have approximately $45 left in my July grocery budget.  I am determined to stick to that amount, too.  

My grocery budget will be increased once daughter comes home and I am fully prepared to do that.

On Friday, I paid some bills, tended to the garden with M (we planted okra and he watered the garden) and did a few things around the house.  

Plans for Saturday include buying (or making) three sympathy cards to send to family in Australia (one of my cousins passed away earlier this week), doing a load of laundry, and doing some housework.  I also plan to catch up on my blog reading!

I am grateful for:
- Everyone's kind comments on my previous blog post

- M's help with the garden

- Dancer has started to eat his canned cat food, again
- Being able to pay my bills
- The internet

Joyful activities have included planting more vegetables in the garden, watching online videos, and relaxing.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Another Visit to the Vet Clinic

 

At the Vet Clinic

Hello Blog Friends,

It's me, Dancer.  I had to go to the vet clinic, today.  Mummy takes me once a month and I don't like it!  First, she wraps me in a towel and she forces me to take this nasty tasting medicine that is supposed to sedate me, because I hate the car ride.  Well, I think I hate the taste of that nasty medicine even more!  I struggle to get out of the towel and I let the nasty medicine dribble out of my mouth and then, I drool all over!

Sometimes, I get sick during the car ride, sometimes, I have accidents.  But, this time, I was a good boy!  I drooled a lot, but, I didn't make a big mess.  Mummy said she was proud of me.

We waited in the reception area and I looked at all the various dogs that were there.  I didn't see any kitties and wondered if Mummy brought me to the dog clinic, but, then, the technician came and took me inside.  I had my monthly injection for arthritis and this time, there was a blood test too, to test for my thyroid level.  Later, the technician brought me back to Mummy who was waiting in the reception area for me and told her that I had been very good.  

Then, she told Mummy that I had lost weight.  I had weighed 8.32 lbs. in May and today, I weighed 7.76 lb.  That is less than half of what I used to weigh (Mummy said I used to weigh 16 lbs. at one time).  The technician said the vet will contact Mummy once the test results come back.  She might have to increase my medication dosage.

After that, Mummy brought me home.  I was a very good kitty on the way home and didn't cry during the car ride.  Later, Mummy opened a new can of my favorite tuna and gave me some as a treat for being such a good kitty.

Mummy has been busy all day, before my vet clinic visit, and afterwards, getting ready for her friend's visit on Saturday afternoon.  I don't know what all the fuss is!  But, she let me write my blog post to update you all.

I hope you are all keeping well, blog friends.  

Until later,

Dancer

Half Way Through the Month

 

Chrysanthemums

A couple of weeks ago, gardener friend M gave me this chrysanthemum plant as a thank you gift for some jams and preserves I had given him.  Isn't it gorgeous?  It came in a small pot and we transplanted it into this bigger pot.  I hope it continues to grow well.

Sunday was Father's Day and I remembered and said a prayer for my father who died when I was 7 and my stepfather who died 39 years ago almost to the date (June 16).  

We went up to 93F on Sunday and I loved it.  To be honest, the house stayed cool for most of the day, so I was quite comfortable.

I spent a rather relaxed day, shifting a few decorative items around, sorting through some paperwork, and sewing.  I placed the two large blue and white vases and the Sri Lankan earthenware water container in front of the fireplace, along with the wooden elephant that had belonged to my father, to see how it looked:

Fireplace with Vases and Elephant

I like the vases, but, I am not sentimental about them.  The wooden elephant, on the other hand, is a definite keeper.  It's battered and bruised with one tusk missing, a broken tail, and the lacquer paint chipping off, but, I am sentimentally attached to it.  I didn't like this arrangement, however, but I left it as it was for several hours to see if it grew on me.  It didn't so, I played around a little bit with it:

New Arrangement

Sorry for the lighting - taken late at night.  I moved the water container and the elephant to other areas of the room for now.  I like this arrangement better.  I guess I like things to be evenly balanced.

I'm sure everyone is heartily sick of looking at my fireplace by now!  So, here's something else to look at:

Helper Kitty Sleeping on the Job!

I was sorting some papers for filing,  He came to help and plopped himself down on the papers for a cat nap!  And that was the end of my filing!  LOL.

Well, half the month is over and I think it went quite well.  Hope the rest of the month will go equally well.

On this Father's Day Sunday, I am grateful for:

- My father
- My stepfather

- A lovely potted plant from M
- A warm and sunny day
- My helper kitty 

Sunday's joyful activity was sewing (and eating fresh peaches).

To Do List for Monday:

- More sewing
- Clear the dining table

- Tidy the family room

- Water the garden

- Clean out the fridge

- Take the trash cans to the curb

- Meal plan for the week

How was your Father's Day Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday?

A Visit to the Vet's Clinic on Tuesday

 

"What do you mean I have to go to the vet's clinic?"

Dancer had his monthly arthritis medication injection scheduled for today.  The appointment was at 3:00 p.m.  I had wanted to give him his sedative at 1:30 p.m., but, a phone call reminding me of my own upcoming doctor's appointment and wanting confirmation that I would keep the appointment meant I was otherwise occupied at 1:30 p.m.  So, he received his sedative at 1:45 p.m., instead.

"I don't want to be in here, Mummy!"

Oh, he was not happy to be put into his carrier.

"I'm giving you the side eye"

He protested a bit on the ride to the clinic and he panted and drooled, but, we made it to the clinic without any drama, for which I was very grateful!  I'm sure the clinic staff were also happy, not to be told he needed to be cleaned up before being taken in!

At the clinic:  "I'm not going to look at you"

He was taken in, given his injection, and I paid the bill and made the next appointment when he'll have a thyroid panel test, as well.

"Can we go home now, please?"

He was very quiet on the way home.  After we got home and I opened the flap to the carrier, he ran to hide:

"I'm hiding (and drooling) under Mummy's desk"

After we got home, I had leftover beef teriyaki, broccoli, and rice for lunch, did a load of laundry (my bed sheets) and remade my bed.  The new grocery ads arrived in the mail and I checked them out; I don't need a lot of groceries, but, daughter's coffee is on sale, again!  Dinner was leftover ham and mashed potatoes with green peas.  Dancer had some tuna and I think I've been forgiven for the trauma of being sedated, put into a carrier, and taken to the vet's!

Today, I am grateful for:
- Vet care for Dancer

- Dancer had a smoother car ride to the vet clinic than on many previous visits
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- A lovely, warm (high of 85F), sunny day
- Working appliances

Today's joyful activity include watching some videos online.

Plans for Wednesday include:

- M coming to tend to the garden
- Friend R coming over to pick up some of her packages that were delivered to my address
- Preparing lunch for her (rice and curries)

- Doing more laundry
- Some paperwork and filing

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

Going By The Lists

 

Neptune Roses on Monday

Monday and Tuesday were busy days for me.  I knew I had made a rather ambitious to do list for Monday and it didn't surprise me when I needed to move some of it over to Tuesday.

This was my Monday To Do List:

- Call in Dancer's medication refill - DONE
- Make his appointment at the vet clinic for his injection - DONE
- Pick up my own medication from my pharmacy 
- Go to the bank
- Meal plan - DONE
- Vacuum the living room and dining area (and kitchen and hallway) - DONE
- Take the trash cans out to the curb - DONE
- Dust the nightstand and chest of drawers (and dresser) in my bedroom (room of the week); do a quick sort through of the drawers - DONE
- Declutter 5 items - Decluttered 2 items - an empty pill container and the old rice pack/heating pad
- Laundry - DONE

I didn't go to the pharmacy or the bank because I needed to stay within easy access to a toilet on Monday!  Enough said!  

Tuesday was an errands day.  Tuesday's To Do List looked like this:

- Pick up Dancer's meds - DONE
- Pick up my meds - DONE
- Pick up the library book that was being held for me - DONE
- Go to the dollar store - DONE (Didn't buy anything!)
- Bring in the empty trash cans - DONE
- Go to the bank
- Declutter

I didn't go to the bank, after all, and I didn't do any decluttering.  I had mac and cheese with ground beef for a very late brunch and waffles with cranberry sauce for dinner.  I had some crackers for a snack.

Neptune Roses on Tuesday

It is early morning on Wednesday as I write this.  Wednesday's To Do List:

- Order groceries - DONE
- Pick up groceries
- Go to the bank
- Tend to the garden with M
- Pay bills
- Start clearing my desk
- Vacuum my bedroom

During these busy days, I am grateful for:

- Safe drives to the various places I went to and back
- The availability of medications for both myself and Dancer
- Working appliances
- Libraries
- What I was able to get done

Meanwhile, Dancer said he couldn't be bothered:

Afternoon Nap
(Yes, that's his carrier pad - he uses it as his pillow)

How is your week coming along?

On Friday

 

Roses are Red

These are the red roses in the front garden.  Sometimes, they bloom as individual flowers; sometimes, they bloom in clusters.

And then, we have this color-changing rose;

And Mostly Yellow

Until it Turns Orangey Red!

It's the same flower, it was yellow when it first bloomed and the next day, it was orangey-red!

Friday was another grey, cool day, with a high of only 63F.  I know that might sound quite warm for some, but, for me, that's chilly!  A hot shower warmed me up and I dressed in layers.  

Dancer had an appointment at the vet's clinic for his arthritis injection.  I gave him his sedative before we left, but, he was not happy on the ride to the clinic.  He was very vocal about how he felt and threw up for good measure.  He was very subdued on the ride home, though.  

"I don't like going to the vet's"

After I brought him home, I went to the ethnic grocery store to get my 10 lb. bag of potatoes for $1.99 (in comparison, the supermarket is selling a 5 lb. bag of potatoes for $3.99 and the 10 lb. bag for $4.99).  The bananas I had bought for $0.59/lb. on Tuesday was now priced at $0.89/lb., which is more than the price of bananas ($0.69/lb.) at the supermarket.  Romaine lettuce was on sale for 2/$0.99, so I bought one (they are $1.99 each at the supermarket).  

After I came home, again, I put away my groceries and made myself a chicken sandwich for brunch.  Dancer received a tiny bit of the cooked chicken as a treat for having endured the trauma of a visit to the vet clinic.  It was whisker-licking good, he said.  

In the evening, M arrived to tend to the garden.  He had picked up a couple of bags of mulch for me and I reimbursed him for them.  He mulched some of the fruit trees and watered the garden.

Later, I started to tidy and clean the family room.  I changed the sofa dust sheets, cleared and dusted the coffee table, and vacuumed the area rug.  I still have to do the rest of the room, but, that will be done on Saturday.  

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- Dancer received his injection
- We had a safe drive to the clinic and back

- M's help with the garden
- Bargains at the grocery store
- Phone calls and emails from friends

Friday's joyful activity was spending time in the garden.

Plans for Saturday include tidying the rest of the family room and maybe a visit from friend R?

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

Mid-Week Update

 

"You wash your left paw first"

I kept Dancer's new pad on the sofa to see if he'll give it his seal of approval and he did so in his own inimitable way:

"You wash your right paw next"

The washing of the paws is a required preliminary step to the ultimate seal of approval - the plop down!

"Then you plop yourself down on your brand new pad and
that's what it's all about!"

Obviously, the new pad has received Dancer's seal of approval!  

We had a day of summer on Monday when the temperature reached a high of 91F!  I took daughter to her follow-up appointment with the podiatrist and he prescribed a supportive ankle brace for her to wear with her walking shoes as he thinks she's ready to stop wearing the walking boot.  So, we went to the Orthopedics department where she was fitted with the brace.  After we came home, I watered the garden, both front and back, as it was so hot.  Later, there were the usual Monday routines of taking the trash cans to the curb, etc.  Brunch was peanut butter toast, dinner was leftover rice, meatball curry, cashew curry, and cucumber salad with ice cream for dessert.

Spring returned on Tuesday, with a daytime high of 76F.  I sewed the cover for Dancer's new pad, brought the emptied trash cans back, picked more lemons from the garden, and made some phone calls to set up medical appointments pending authorization by medical provider and insurance.  Brunch was peanut butter toast, again.  Dinner was boxed macaroni and cheese with tuna and broccoli.

Winter returned on Wednesday with morning drizzle, overcast, cloudy skies the rest of the day, and a daytime high that barely reached 60F.  M was able to tend to the garden around noon, weeding, thinning out the peaches, and fertilizing some of the fruit trees.  In the evening, I made several phone calls and spoke with my sister, with aunt C, with friend R, and with K (former neighbor T's daughter).  We had scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns for brunch and leftover macaroni and cheese for dinner.

This week's gratitudes have included:

- A lovely warm day bringing a foretaste of the summer days to come
- Daughter's appointment with the podiatrist went well and her foot continues to heal
- Water and rain for the garden
- The fabric stash
- Being able to mend and reuse worn out items
- M helping with the garden
- Phone calls with family and friends
- Being able to borrow books from the library

Joyful activities have included sewing, reading, making a birthday card, taking a stroll with my daughter (just up and down the driveway, but, it was good to feel the sunshine on our faces and be together), and chatting with family and friends.

Plans for Thursday include doing some housework, laundry, and more reading.

What are your plans for Thursday?

This Week

 

The First Nasturtium Flower

The week is going by fast!

Monday was President's Day.  We enjoyed a fairly relaxed day at home.  I did some house cleaning, checked on things in the garden, and took the trash bins out to the curb.

On Tuesday, I brought the emptied trash cans in and went to the pharmacy to pick up a medication refill that was ready.  The pharmacy receipt showed that I had another $2 bonus rewards coupon.  I looked in the cereals aisle and most of the cereals that had been on sale for $1.99 were sold out, but, there were boxes of frosted mini wheats that were on sale for $1.99, so I used the coupon and got a box for free.  I was happy with my free cereal.  Then, I went into the dollar store next door to the pharmacy, but, they didn't have the item I was looking for, so I didn't buy anything.

Afterwards, I went to the Armenian store to get their pork chops that were on sale for $1.99/lb. on Tuesday, only.  I bought six pork chops which weighed a little over 3 lbs. and came to a total of $6.70.  Daughter had also requested a few more packets of the grilled and peeled chestnuts, which were still on sale for $0.95 each, so I bought six packets of those for her, for a total of $5.70.  My grocery total came to $12.40

I did a load of laundry and remade daughter's bed with the freshly washed (and dried) sheets.  

On Wednesday, M was here to tend to the garden.  He brought me two more day lily plants and planted them in the stonery area. We admired the first flowers on the nasturtium plant and discussed eating the nasturtium leaves and flowers.  I want to keep the flowers to form seeds, but, maybe there will be sufficient flowers to do both, eventually.  

I called the vet's clinic and made an appointment for Dancer to have his arthritis injection.  There was an appointment available for later in the afternoon on Wednesday, so, I took him in, only to be told that he was not due to have this injection for another four days.  I wish I had checked the dates more closely or they had checked his charts and told me when I made the appointment.  Anyway, because they know how difficult it is for him to be sedated and brought in, they offered to trim his claws at no charge to make up for the fact that we had made the drive there.  So, Dancer had his claws trimmed and he was very good about the journey in the car, so he got to enjoy a little tuna after we came home.

I cooked two of the pork chops for dinner and froze the rest, individually, with a marinade, for later.  Daughter and I shared one of the pork chops, with rice and broccoli for dinner.  The other pork chop is in the fridge for another day.

Thursday was another relaxed day.  Daughter woke up with a migraine; she managed to make it through a meeting in the morning, but, had to take the afternoon off on sick leave.  While she took her medications and slept off the migraine, I did some scrap piecing.  I find it very relaxing and enjoyable.  

Plans for Friday include a follow up appointment with my oncology nurse practitioner to go over my mammogram and blood test results. Later in the evening, M will be here to tend to the garden.  

This week, I am grateful for:

- Pleasant weather
- My medications were available
- A free box of cereal with my coupon
- M's help with the garden
- Being able to go over this month's grocery budget

Joyful activities have included piecing my scrap fabric, being in the garden, watching videos with my daughter, exchanging emails and chatting with friends on the phone. 

How was your week?  Any plans for Friday and the weekend?

Winter Solstice on Saturday

A Trio of Pokemon: Charmander, Pikachu, and Bulbasaur

 

My daughter made three Christmas themed Pokemon using Perler beads on Saturday: Charmander is wearing a Santa hat, Pikachu has got entangled in a string of Christmas lights, and Bulbasaur's bulb has turned into a Christmas tree!  

Saturday was winter solstice and, to celebrate the shortest day of the year and the beginning of winter, I dusted the living room and dining area and put out some of my Christmas decorations.  This year, I am decorating minimally, but, a little goes a long way, doesn't it?    

In the morning, I took Dancer to the vet's clinic to get his injection.  Although I sedated him before we left, he still meowed a bit during the ride there and then, just before we got to the clinic, he threw up.  But, he was quiet on the way home and then, he slept for most of the afternoon.

I did laundry in the afternoon, crocheted, did some paperwork and bill paying, and relaxed watching some online videos.  

Brunch was grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and cut up fresh oranges.  Dinner was salad, followed by sauteed Italian sausages cooked with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, homegrown corn on the cob, leftover steamed broccoli and rice. We had baklava for dessert.  

On Saturday, I was grateful for:

- Dancer received his monthly injection and the trip there was only a little stressful for him
- We had a safe drive to the clinic and back
- Winter solstice and being able to look forward to longer daylight hours
- Warm clothes and plenty of blankets to make up for not having a working heater
- The appliances that are still working!

Saturday's joyful activities included crocheting and decorating the house.

Plans for Sunday include making a couple of holiday gifts.

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

This Week is Flying By!

 

Tangerines

The tangerine tree that was bought earlier this year has half a dozen fruit ripening!  I picked one on Wednesday and shared it with M and my daughter.  It was very juicy and tangy; I think I will leave the others to ripen a little longer.

This week seems to be flying by!  

On Monday, I did some housework, watered the front garden, took the trash cans to the curb, had a phone chat with my sister, and crocheted on the border of the blanket I am making.

Breakfast was pancakes, some of which we had with leftover turkey curry and the last one with syrup.  For dinner, I cooked a dhal (lentils) curry, sauteed broccoli, and sliced hot dogs sauteed with onions, tomatoes, and spices (crushed red chilies, cloves, cardamoms, curry leaves, etc.) and had them with leftover rice.

On Tuesday, I washed my bed sheets and remade the bed with the same washed and dried sheets, brought in the empty trash cans, did a partial inventory of my freezer, and had a long chat with Aunt C.  In the evening, I tried my hand at doing punch needling with my daughter.  She is pretty good at it, but, I was having a hard time getting the hang of it! My yarn loops would come out when I pulled the punching tool and it's not supposed to do that!  I will give it another go on another day.

Brunch was leftover turkey and pasta casserole, to which I added some diced ham, as well (daughter) and leftover pancakes with dhal (me).  For dinner, I cooked a fresh pot of rice, warmed up a packet of chicken curry I had taken out of the freezer, sauteed some green beans, and reheated the leftover dhal and sauteed hot dogs from Monday's dinner.  

On Wednesday, M was here and he installed the new bulbs in the kitchen light fixture and now, I have light in the kitchen!  Woo hoo!  I also replaced the burnt out bulb in the ceiling fan light fixture in daughter's room, so that room is also brighter than it was.  

I made ham fried rice for brunch and dinner was leftover curries with freshly cooked rice.  I made avocado pudding for dessert.  

In addition, I have been decorating the tree, a little at a time (my spine hurts when I stand for any length of time), ordering some of my holiday gifts and had some of them shipped directly to out of state relatives.  I still have a few more gifts to buy and/or make and my holiday greeting cards to write and mail.  

Some of the gifts are being delivered to the house and someone discovered the box with the kibble: 

"This bag is Dancer's Christmas gift!"

I had to open the box because one of the gifts I had ordered had been packaged with the kibble.

"What do you mean I can't open it now?"

This week, I am grateful for:

- The pleasant weather we've been having
- My daughter's company
- M installing the kitchen light bulbs for me and having a working light in the kitchen
- Being able to order gifts online and have them delivered
- Phone calls and emails from family and friends

Joyful activities have included crafting with my daughter, crocheting, sharing the first tangerine from my new tree, and reading blogs.

Plans for Thursday include finish decorating the Christmas tree and maybe a trip to the fabric store after daughter finishes her work for the day.

How is your week coming along?

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?