Today, I went to the office and spent the day in air-conditioned comfort. I don't know how warm it got today, but it was 95F when I got home at 6:30 p.m. I had an early dinner, changed the bed sheets on my daughter's bed, did a load of laundry, and put away an earlier load of laundry. One of my friends called and I chatted to her for a bit.
Earlier in the day, I had texted my cousin and got the name and phone number of her dentist. He is not covered under my insurance, but I thought I will call and make an appointment to see him to get a second opinion. I haven't called him yet, though.
Spam Alert: Recently, in the past week or so, I have been getting a large volume of spam comments, which has been unusual. They have all said "Anonymous" and I have opened some because I know I've one or two regular readers who comment as "Anonymous". All of these spam comments seem to be links to various sites, but really, I am not interested in learning how to enlarge certain body parts and so forth. Therefore, in these last couple of days, I have been deleting all Anonymous comments without opening them, because I am afraid some might contain a virus or something, and I will continue to do so for a few more days. So, this is to alert those of you who are regular readers who comment anonymously, I might unknowingly delete your valid comments among others. I do apologize in advance if I delete your comments. But, for the next few days, at least, be advised that I will not be opening any anonymous comments.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Air conditioning at the office
- Fans at home
- Phone calls and emails from friends
- Video chatting with my daughter
- Safe commutes
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office - DONE
- Bring the trash cans in - DONE
- Change bed sheets and remake beds - DID Daughter's bed
- Laundry (bed sheets) - DID one load
- Freeze the overripe bananas (too hot to bake!) - DONE
Wednesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Call cousin's dentist to make an appointment for a second opinion
- Go to the bank
- Put away laundry
- Water the garden
- Change my bed sheets and remake bed
- Laundry
How was your Tuesday? Is it hot where you are, too?
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Monday: Doctor's Appointment and Medical Clearance
Today, I received a call from the clinic at 8:00 a.m. to confirm the afternoon appointment with the doctor. They had called me on Friday and left a message, but by the time I came home after jury duty, it was too late to call them back. I confirmed that I will be there in time for today's appointment.
My appointment was at 1:00 p.m. I was at the clinic with 15 minutes to spare. But, by the time I was checked in, weighed, blood pressure checked etc., and seen by the doctor, it was past 1:30 p.m. My pressure was good and I gave them the record of daily readings I had been keeping, as well. The doctor checked me and signed the medical clearance form. It was close to 2:30 p.m. when I left the clinic.
I came home and had a late lunch. There was an email from my supervisor, so I called her back in response.
Then, I called the dentist's office to tell them I received the medical clearance and to make an appointment. Next week Wednesday was the earliest they could give me and, according to the receptionist, it was for a deep cleaning! Um, what about my extractions? I would have thought the deep cleaning could wait until after the extractions were done! The receptionist said that that was something I'd have to discuss with the dentist, once I see him! Oh, dear! As if things weren't stressful enough!
After all that, I felt sleepy! I tried to stay awake, but gave up and took a nap! From approximately 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.! No doubt that is going to mess up my sleep patterns even more!
Later, I watered the garden, front and back, took the trash cans to the curb, handwashed a few items of clothing, and put away the laundry I had already done. A few hangers have now been put back the normal way, indicating those garments have been worn.
One of my cousins called to tell me about the passing of a family friend and I called her daughter to sympathize with her.
Later, I video chatted with my daughter. She'll be home in time for dinner on Thursday night. She asked for take out from our favorite Thai food place, so I'll pick up our dinner on my way home from work, that day.
It has been another fairly warm day with the highs in the low 90s. It will continue to be in the upper 80s and low 90s for the next 10 days according to the weather forecast. No rain, of course. 0% precipitation, according to the forecast. Summer is here!
Today, I am grateful for:
- The doctor's appointment went well.
- My pressure was good.
- I received my medical clearance.
- The dental appointment has been made, even if it is for a teeth cleaning and not the extractions!
- Early evening naps.
I have not been posting to do lists, lately; time to start posting them again, I think.
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Bring the trash cans in
- Change bed sheets and remake beds
- Laundry (bed sheets)
- Freeze the overripe bananas (too hot to bake!)
How was your Monday? Did you have a good start to your week?
My appointment was at 1:00 p.m. I was at the clinic with 15 minutes to spare. But, by the time I was checked in, weighed, blood pressure checked etc., and seen by the doctor, it was past 1:30 p.m. My pressure was good and I gave them the record of daily readings I had been keeping, as well. The doctor checked me and signed the medical clearance form. It was close to 2:30 p.m. when I left the clinic.
I came home and had a late lunch. There was an email from my supervisor, so I called her back in response.
Then, I called the dentist's office to tell them I received the medical clearance and to make an appointment. Next week Wednesday was the earliest they could give me and, according to the receptionist, it was for a deep cleaning! Um, what about my extractions? I would have thought the deep cleaning could wait until after the extractions were done! The receptionist said that that was something I'd have to discuss with the dentist, once I see him! Oh, dear! As if things weren't stressful enough!
After all that, I felt sleepy! I tried to stay awake, but gave up and took a nap! From approximately 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.! No doubt that is going to mess up my sleep patterns even more!
Later, I watered the garden, front and back, took the trash cans to the curb, handwashed a few items of clothing, and put away the laundry I had already done. A few hangers have now been put back the normal way, indicating those garments have been worn.
One of my cousins called to tell me about the passing of a family friend and I called her daughter to sympathize with her.
Later, I video chatted with my daughter. She'll be home in time for dinner on Thursday night. She asked for take out from our favorite Thai food place, so I'll pick up our dinner on my way home from work, that day.
It has been another fairly warm day with the highs in the low 90s. It will continue to be in the upper 80s and low 90s for the next 10 days according to the weather forecast. No rain, of course. 0% precipitation, according to the forecast. Summer is here!
Today, I am grateful for:
- The doctor's appointment went well.
- My pressure was good.
- I received my medical clearance.
- The dental appointment has been made, even if it is for a teeth cleaning and not the extractions!
- Early evening naps.
I have not been posting to do lists, lately; time to start posting them again, I think.
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Bring the trash cans in
- Change bed sheets and remake beds
- Laundry (bed sheets)
- Freeze the overripe bananas (too hot to bake!)
How was your Monday? Did you have a good start to your week?
Monday, June 19, 2017
Weekend in Review
Saturday morning, there were several phone calls going back and forth, coordinating rides to that evening's monthly prayer gathering. The first phone call woke me up and I followed it up with two phone calls. Then, I went back to sleep, only to be woken up by yet another phone call!
In the afternoon, I put gas to the car and did the weekly grocery shopping. In the evening, I drove myself to the prayer gathering and gave a ride to a cousin and her daughter. It was an hour long drive, each way, and this time, I didn't take the wrong freeways (three freeways)!
My friend who hosted this month's prayer gathering had prepared Indian food for the dinner - rice and a type of Indian flat bread called parathas served with various curries - chicken, green peas with spinach, eggplant, potatoes with cauliflower, cucumber and yoghurt salad, and the one non-Indian dish, which was sausages with mixed bell peppers and onions. For dessert, she had made a fresh fruit salad and there were some mini cakes as well and another friend had made sago pudding - sago, boiled with coconut milk and jaggery.
On Saturday, I was grateful for:
- Being able to sleep in between phone calls
- Being able to drive myself without depending on others for rides
- An evening of prayers and fellowship
- Getting together with friends and family
- A safe drive to the prayer gathering and back
Afterwards, I video chatted with daughter.
Saturday night, I couldn't fall asleep until 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning!
I had a very late night/early morning meal on Saturday night and that was a mistake - I woke up about 30 minutes later and found myself throwing up! But then, I changed and slept again. My neighbor T's weekly Sunday morning phone call woke me up and then, I dozed off again until my daughter called me. Even then, I stayed in bed for another half hour or so before I finally got up! I felt fine the rest of the day.
I did two loads of laundry in the afternoon and hung them up to dry. Daughter called a bit later in the afternoon to tell me she was going shopping for some items she needed. She asked me if I needed her to pick up anything for me, to bring down when she comes to visit at the end of this week. I've my own personal shopper! How fun is that? I asked her to pick up another packet of socks for me and to see if they had a plain black blouse in "my style". She sent me a picture of a black blouse, but it had cut out shoulders, which wouldn't be suitable for office wear. I told her not to worry, I will shop for the clothes on my own. She did find something with Pokemon on it for a friend's daughter's birthday which is coming up in August and bought it; we've learned to buy these specialized items when we find them because, too often, they are not available when we want them! I will pair it with a gift card to a bookstore and that will be a good gift. When daughter came back from her shopping, she called me and we video chatted so she could show me what she bought. I love it that she wants to share such things with me.
Later in the evening, neighbor T knocked on my door with a small problem and she was so flustered that she couldn't remember her daughter's phone number. I was able to help her with her problem, but I suggested to her that maybe I should have her daughter's phone number with me so I could contact her if needed any time in the future. She called me back, later, and gave me her daughter's phone number.
One of my aunts called me in the night and we had a nice chat. She was concerned about my upcoming dental procedures and wanted me to let her daughter know when the extractions are scheduled, so my cousin could accompany me! Earlier, I didn't think the extractions were anything to worry about, but now, I am starting to feel a bit anxious about them!
I also pinned the hems on the new pair of pants I bought, but I didn't sew the hems yet. I also removed the waistband of another skirt I want to alter. The original waistband was fitted in the front and elasticized at the back, with the elastic sewn with 3 or 4 bands of stitching. Not something I could alter by replacing the elastic. So, I just cut the entire waistband off. The skirt is long enough that I can refold the top to make a new waistband and pass an elastic through it.
On Sunday, I was grateful for:
- Feeling fine after that one episode of being sick in the morning
- Being able to help my neighbor with her problem
- Daughter offering to do my shopping for me and showing me what she bought, afterwards
- She was able to find a gift for my friend's daughter's birthday
- Aunt was concerned enough want my cousin to accompany me to my dental procedures.
How was your weekend? Did you do anything special for Father's Day?
In the afternoon, I put gas to the car and did the weekly grocery shopping. In the evening, I drove myself to the prayer gathering and gave a ride to a cousin and her daughter. It was an hour long drive, each way, and this time, I didn't take the wrong freeways (three freeways)!
My friend who hosted this month's prayer gathering had prepared Indian food for the dinner - rice and a type of Indian flat bread called parathas served with various curries - chicken, green peas with spinach, eggplant, potatoes with cauliflower, cucumber and yoghurt salad, and the one non-Indian dish, which was sausages with mixed bell peppers and onions. For dessert, she had made a fresh fruit salad and there were some mini cakes as well and another friend had made sago pudding - sago, boiled with coconut milk and jaggery.
On Saturday, I was grateful for:
- Being able to sleep in between phone calls
- Being able to drive myself without depending on others for rides
- An evening of prayers and fellowship
- Getting together with friends and family
- A safe drive to the prayer gathering and back
Afterwards, I video chatted with daughter.
Saturday night, I couldn't fall asleep until 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning!
I had a very late night/early morning meal on Saturday night and that was a mistake - I woke up about 30 minutes later and found myself throwing up! But then, I changed and slept again. My neighbor T's weekly Sunday morning phone call woke me up and then, I dozed off again until my daughter called me. Even then, I stayed in bed for another half hour or so before I finally got up! I felt fine the rest of the day.
I did two loads of laundry in the afternoon and hung them up to dry. Daughter called a bit later in the afternoon to tell me she was going shopping for some items she needed. She asked me if I needed her to pick up anything for me, to bring down when she comes to visit at the end of this week. I've my own personal shopper! How fun is that? I asked her to pick up another packet of socks for me and to see if they had a plain black blouse in "my style". She sent me a picture of a black blouse, but it had cut out shoulders, which wouldn't be suitable for office wear. I told her not to worry, I will shop for the clothes on my own. She did find something with Pokemon on it for a friend's daughter's birthday which is coming up in August and bought it; we've learned to buy these specialized items when we find them because, too often, they are not available when we want them! I will pair it with a gift card to a bookstore and that will be a good gift. When daughter came back from her shopping, she called me and we video chatted so she could show me what she bought. I love it that she wants to share such things with me.
Later in the evening, neighbor T knocked on my door with a small problem and she was so flustered that she couldn't remember her daughter's phone number. I was able to help her with her problem, but I suggested to her that maybe I should have her daughter's phone number with me so I could contact her if needed any time in the future. She called me back, later, and gave me her daughter's phone number.
One of my aunts called me in the night and we had a nice chat. She was concerned about my upcoming dental procedures and wanted me to let her daughter know when the extractions are scheduled, so my cousin could accompany me! Earlier, I didn't think the extractions were anything to worry about, but now, I am starting to feel a bit anxious about them!
I also pinned the hems on the new pair of pants I bought, but I didn't sew the hems yet. I also removed the waistband of another skirt I want to alter. The original waistband was fitted in the front and elasticized at the back, with the elastic sewn with 3 or 4 bands of stitching. Not something I could alter by replacing the elastic. So, I just cut the entire waistband off. The skirt is long enough that I can refold the top to make a new waistband and pass an elastic through it.
On Sunday, I was grateful for:
- Feeling fine after that one episode of being sick in the morning
- Being able to help my neighbor with her problem
- Daughter offering to do my shopping for me and showing me what she bought, afterwards
- She was able to find a gift for my friend's daughter's birthday
- Aunt was concerned enough want my cousin to accompany me to my dental procedures.
How was your weekend? Did you do anything special for Father's Day?
Saturday, June 17, 2017
June Grocery Shopping - Week 3
 |
| June 17 Groceries |
I needed milk, coffee creamer, bananas, and bread; in addition, I wanted to get oil and eggs if they were on sale. So, after I put gas to the car ($30 worth at $2.75/gal.), I went to the grocery store across the street from the gas station.
I bought:
1/2 gal. milk = $1.99
32 oz. coffee creamer = $1.99
1 doz. eggs = $.99
1 33 fl. oz. (1 liter) bottle oil = $1.79
10 count sourdough English muffins = $.49
1 cassava/manioc/yuca root @ $.99/lb = $.84
1/2 lb. green beans @ $1.99/lb = $1.05
3 bananas @ $.59/lb = $.53
Total = $9.6.7
Once I brought them home and took a picture, it didn't take long for them to be closely inspected:
 | ||
| "What did you buy, Mummy?" |
I thought the English muffins will make a nice change from regular bread. The manioc is for Sunday brunch. The green beans looked very fresh and tender, so I bought some. I didn't buy more vegetables because I still have the cabbage I bought earlier and the zucchini I picked from the garden, plus carrots, etc.
Just three bananas, because they get ripe too quickly in our heat and I don't like very ripe bananas. I still have half a papaya, 1 avocado, 1 or 2 kiwis, the last of the oranges from my tree and some apples, as well, so I don't need a lot of fruit, this week.
I still have 6 eggs, but they'll get used up quickly if I bake this weekend, and I am thinking of making some banana bread with the three overripe bananas I have. Same for the oil - I still have some in my currently opened bottle, but it needs to be used soon and I'll probably use it up to make the banana bread.
 |
| 6/17 Grocery Receipt |
Grocery spending in June = $7.93 (Week 1) + $14.17 (Week 2) + $9.67 (Week 3) = $31.77
Amount left in June grocery budget = $75 - $31.77 = $43.23
I might go grocery shopping again, a bit later, this week, as my daughter will be coming home at the end of the week. But I have more than half the month's grocery budget left for the rest of the month and that will work out well, I think.
For those of you wondering where is Dancer, he's nearby:
 |
| Always Keeping an Eye on Things |
Friday, June 16, 2017
Friday: Jury Duty, and Remembering my Step-Father
 |
| Patty Pan Squash Flowers |
Today, when I looked out from my back door, I saw something bright yellow - the patty pan squash plant had about three or four flowers blooming at the same time! Today's highs were in the 90s, so, by evening, the flowers had withered. I'm hoping there were open long enough to get pollinated and I'll get a patty pan squash or two.
I've had a fairly good day, today. I woke up every couple of hours in the night because I was a bit anxious that I might oversleep, but I was able to wake up at 6:00 a.m. without too much difficulty. I got to the courthouse just as they started juror orientation, which takes about an hour or so. Once orientation was over, they gave us a 30 minute break.
As
luck would have it, I was in the first panel of potential jurors to be
called. I did explain about my upcoming doctor's appointment for medical clearance on Monday afternoon to the judge, but wasn't
excused at once. So, I had to stay the entire day while they
interviewed the potential jurors and made the final jury selection.
They needed 12 jurors and 1 alternate. We were a panel of 35 potential
jurors. One by one, our juror ID numbers were called, and each one was
assigned a seat number, with the first one called getting seat #1 and so
on. I was number 33.
One by one we were all questioned - each one had to
answer the basic questions: area of residence, marital status,
occupation, occupation of spouse/significant other, included ex- or late spouses, number of adults in the household and their
occupations, number of adult children (even if they are not living with you)
and their occupations, if you've been a juror before, civil or criminal case,
and if a verdict was reached. Depending on the answers given, the
judge asked additional questions. Then, we had to answer another
set of questions pertaining to any incidents in our past (arrests, and
so forth), interactions with law enforcement personnel, if we understood
that in this country, the accused was presumed innocent until proven
guilty, and so on.
I
had a quiet evening after I came home. My gardener friend came by to do the garden
and I had him transplant the jasmine vine we had found growing behind
the shed (there is another one growing there, under some ferns, but I
might leave it there). Then, he weeded and mulched another of the
planting beds. Later, I called a friend and chatted with her; returned an aunt's phone call, and called a cousin.
Today is my step-father's death anniversary. 30 years since he passed away, peacefully, in his sleep. He never referred to me as his step-daughter; I was always his daughter and his rainbow.
Today, I am grateful for:
- I wasn't selected to serve as a juror
- I am now free to schedule my medical appointments without worrying about scheduling conflicts
- Free parking provided for jurors
- Air conditioning at the court house
- Fans in the house
It was another hot day, today, with the temperature in the 90s. The house felt stuffy, when I came home. I opened some of the windows and switched on the fan (I can't open all the windows because the screens on some of them are torn and I am afraid Dancer will try to go out through the openings; getting the window screens replaced has been on my "to do list" for awhile). It is almost 11 p.m. now and the house is finally starting to cool off.
How was your Friday? Have you served jury duty?
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Darn It Again!
Yesterday, I noticed that there was a small hole in the blue cardigan I had worn to the office:
The cardigan was a gift from an aunt three Christmases ago. It is 100% merino wool and I thought I should try to repair it and darn the hole:
I gathered the items I'd need, including the boxes of embroidery thread and the one reel of navy thread and kept them on the sofa to get my other pair of glasses that I use for sewing. I should have known. This is what I found when I came back with the glasses:
Be careful, Dancer, there's a needle stuck on that reel of thread next to you!
I checked all the blue embroidery thread I had against the cardigan and the reel thread seemed to be the closest in color; everything else was a lighter blue. So, I chose to darn with the reel thread.
Of course, while I was selecting my thread, Dancer was, as usual, helping!
"Oh, wrong shade of blue? You don't need it, Mummy? OK, Dancer play with it, then!"
I rescued my embroidery thread from him and finished darning the cardigan.
It's noticeable to me because I know where to look for it, but I am hoping it won't be too noticeable when I wear it (it's at the back, a little below the shoulder; if I still had my long hair, it would have been covered by the hair).
In the meantime, someone was pouting behind the sofa:
"Why'd you take away my thread, Mummy? I was having such a good time with it!"
Those paws tucked under him is his version of crossing his arms! Eventually, he scratched side of the sofa in revenge and moved on to the sofa to nap.
Or, maybe not?
Oh, OK, Dancer, you have a good sulk. I'll talk to you when you are feeling better.
And a few minutes later, we got distracted by a bird that flew into the window:
 |
| Blurry Picture of the Hole |
The cardigan was a gift from an aunt three Christmases ago. It is 100% merino wool and I thought I should try to repair it and darn the hole:
 |
| Another Look at the Hole |
I gathered the items I'd need, including the boxes of embroidery thread and the one reel of navy thread and kept them on the sofa to get my other pair of glasses that I use for sewing. I should have known. This is what I found when I came back with the glasses:
 |
| Dancer on Top of Things, as Usual |
Be careful, Dancer, there's a needle stuck on that reel of thread next to you!
I checked all the blue embroidery thread I had against the cardigan and the reel thread seemed to be the closest in color; everything else was a lighter blue. So, I chose to darn with the reel thread.
 |
| Choice of Thread |
 |
| "Blue thread, Mummy?" |
 |
| "I think this is blue" |
 |
| "Yes, definitely blue!" |
 |
| "This one, Mummy! I found it for you!" |
"Oh, wrong shade of blue? You don't need it, Mummy? OK, Dancer play with it, then!"
 |
| Dancer found a new toy! |
I rescued my embroidery thread from him and finished darning the cardigan.
 |
| Darning: Wrong Side |
 |
| Darning: Right Side |
It's noticeable to me because I know where to look for it, but I am hoping it won't be too noticeable when I wear it (it's at the back, a little below the shoulder; if I still had my long hair, it would have been covered by the hair).
In the meantime, someone was pouting behind the sofa:
 |
| Sulky Kitty |
"Why'd you take away my thread, Mummy? I was having such a good time with it!"
 |
| Dancer Feeling Sad |
 |
| Sleepy Kitty |
Or, maybe not?
 |
| "I'm not sleeping, I'm sulking!" |
And a few minutes later, we got distracted by a bird that flew into the window:
 |
| "Where Are You, Bird?" |
Doctor's Appointment on Wednesday and Combo #4
 |
| Wednesday's Outfit |
A long time ago, when one of my cousins first started working, her mother (my mother's oldest sister) advised her to get 15 different outfits for the office, one for each work day for three weeks. After the end of the 3rd week, cousin would start with outfit #1, again. According to aunt, by that time, people would have forgotten what she wore that 1st week and it would appear she had a new outfit every day! Technically, I have more than 15 outfits, but, lately, I've been wearing some of the same items way more frequently than once every three weeks!
Today, I had a follow-up appointment with the Physician Assistant to check my blood pressure. I had assumed that if my pressure had been deemed acceptable, then, I'd get my clearance for dental work. The appointment itself went well enough - my pressure was good, blood sugar was good, weight was OK, etc. The PA had received the abdominal ultra sound results, too, and confirmed that there was no evidence of blood flow to the cyst (which apparently is an indication it is not cancerous), but, since she knew I was still anxious about it, she said she will put in a referral for a biopsy as well for further analysis. I appreciate that very much. However, with all this going back and forth to test the blood pressure, it seems they overlooked the initial reason for the visits - the medical clearance! Apparently, I still need to be seen for a "pre-op" consultation by the medical doctor for that! So, I made an appt. for Monday afternoon, which was the earliest they had available. Hopefully, the tooth won't bother me before I get the clearance!
After
my appointment, I went to the office and spent the afternoon working on my
projects. I felt tired after I came home, and almost fell asleep in my
chair, but I didn't take a nap. I had a cup of coffee, instead,
returned an aunt's phone calls, chatted with a friend who called, responded to blog comments, and just took it
easy.
I received a lovely card from my cousin who visited from Australia in the mail today:
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| Card from Cousin |
I
called about the jury duty, this evening, and was told I don't need to come in
tomorrow. Now I am almost positive I'll be called in on Friday!
Today, I am grateful for:
- The availability of medical services
- The blood pressure and other readings were good
- There was parking validation available today (they were out of validation stickers the last time I was there)
- I don't have to report for jury duty in person tomorrow
- Family and friends keeping in contact
How was your Wednesday? Did you have a good day?
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