Wednesday

Woke up earlier than usual for the second day in a row, because I had to!  On Tuesday, it was because I wanted to be at the lab at 8:00 a.m.  Today, it was because I wanted to call the dentist's office, first thing in the morning, as soon as they opened.  They had called and left a message on Tuesday evening, to remind me that I had an appointment for this afternoon, but, I called them this morning to reschedule it.  Staying home for almost four months and then, going to medical appointments three days in one week is a bit too much for me!  I really didn't feel up to it.  So, I rescheduled it for next week.   To be quite honest, I don't want to go to the dentist's and have been postponing doing so, but, the other day, a capped tooth broke and the crown came off.  I am not in any pain, but, I suppose it is better to have it checked and see what is the best thing to do.  The last time a crown came off one of my teeth, I managed to persuade the dentist to just cement it back on, but, this time, he might not be able to do so as there is no tooth left to cement it to!

Tuesday night, I set out the four bags of donations (three bags of clothes and one bag of miscellaneous/household items) by my front door to be picked up by the charity I had contacted about a donations pick up.  Today, they came by and picked up the bags and left me a receipt.  I am glad the items are gone; I won't be tempted to take anything more back from the donations pile!  LOL.

In the afternoon, I received a call from a nurse at the oncologist's office; she said they are asking some Covid-19 related questions of all the patients who come into the office in order to pre-screen them.  She sounded apologetic, but, I told her I was very glad that they are doing it!  It makes me feel better about going in, as it shows they are making an effort to keep things as safe as possible.  I was happy to answer her questions - have I been tested for Covid-19, have I or anyone in the household been exposed to it, have I had a fever of 99.9F in the last few days, have I been out of the state in the past two weeks, have I felt any aches and pains, etc.  My appointment for Friday afternoon has been confirmed.

Today, I watered the houseplants, put away a few things and tidied up a bit, and practiced the piano.  Later in the evening, I video chatted for a long time with my daughter.

Today, I opened the packet of soap I bought on what was one of my very last shopping trips before the shelter at home order was issued in March.  I bought it more out of habit than anything else, because I regularly stock up on various household items on a quarterly basis, varying the items purchased and buying enough for about 6 months at a time.  I almost put the 12 pack of soap back on the shelf because I had some soap from the previous time I bought soap, but, decided to go ahead and get it because it was something that won't go to waste.  I'm glad I decided to buy it, because I am stocked up on soap! I am now making a list of other household items to stock up on next: hand sanitizer, for example.

Today, I am grateful for:
- I was able to reschedule the dentist appointment
- The donations were picked up
- Technology that enables me to video chat with my daughter
- Being able to stock up on household items such as soap
- The health screening call from the nurse

Today's joyful activity was video chatting with my daughter.

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Call the dentist's office - DONE
- Dust family room and my bedroom - DONE
- Water the house plants - DONE

- Vacuum

- Paperwork/filing - DONE

- Do one decluttering/organizing task (go through one box in the spare bedroom) - DONE

Thursday's To Do List:

- Vacuum
- Clean the kitchen

- Water the garden, front and back

- Load of laundry, if needed

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

July Meal Plans: Week 2 Review and Week 3

I'm a couple of days late with this update on last week's meal plans!

In July Week 2, I decided that I would continue with having meal options and decide the actual day's meals that day or the day before (when something had to be defrosted in order to cook).  It worked out well enough, except on the days when I couldn't decide what to take out to thaw and ended up having to make a quick meal with whatever was easy!  Not always the best way to have well balanced meals, but, I didn't go hungry, either!

Here's how things worked out:

July Week 2 Meal Plan

Monday:

Brunch - Cereal

Dinner - Rice, chicken stir fry (chicken, broccoli, carrots, peanuts)

Rice with Chicken Stir Fry

Snacks - Strawberries

Tuesday:
Brunch: Hot dog, bun, orange juice
Dinner:  Leftovers (rice and bits and pieces in the fridge that must be finished) with cucumber salad ham sandwich, potato salad, cucumber


Wednesday:
Brunch: Leftovers (rice, lentils, hot dog curry, tomato chutney)
Dinner: Ham sandwich
Snacks: Cereal and milk

Thursday:
Breakfast: Cereal and milk
Lunch: Rice and chicken stir fry
Dinner: Gyoza (pot stickers) with peach chutney
Snacks: Strawberries


Friday:
Brunch: Cereal and milk
Tea: Banana bread
Dinner:  Fried rice with ground beef, onions, corn, tomato, etc.
Snacks: grapes, strawberries, cheese snack crackers

Saturday:
Brunch: Cereal and milk
Dinner:  Ground beef, mashed potato, broccoli; frozen banana and peach dessert
Snacks: Cereal, cheese snack crackers

Sunday:
Brunch: Banana bread
Dinner: Ground beef, broccoli, baked potato
Snacks: Cereal, cheese snack crackers, frozen banana and peach dessert


July Week 3 Meal Plan:

I am going to continue with the meal options, this week (July Week 3), too, but, of course the first two days' meals and Wednesday's brunch have already been eaten.  This week's meals are based on what I have on hand, as I am not getting any groceries, this week.

Breakfast/Brunch: French toast, banana bread, pancakes, ham sandwiches, scrambled egg with toast or fried potatoes

Dinners: Rice with leftover smoked sausage stir fry (Wednesday); rice and chicken curry with green beans and cucumber salad (Thursday?), leftovers (Friday), paratha or coconut flat bread with chicken curry (Saturday?),  Spaghetti with meat sauce (Sunday?)

Snacks/desserts:  Fresh fruits (grapes, apples, oranges), banana bread, yogurt, cereal, snack crackers


Monday:
Brunch: Ham sandwich
Dinner: Fried rice
Snacks: The last of the frozen banana/peach dessert; snack crackers, grapes

Tuesday:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Rice and smoked sausage stir fry from the freezer, to which more broccoli and carrots were added
Dinner:  Breakfast for dinner - scrambled egg and fried potato
Snacks: Banana bread, apple slices with peanut butter

Wednesday:
Brunch: French toast
Dinner: Rice, leftover smoked sausage stir fry
Snacks: Crackers, grapes

We shall see how it all turns out.   How is your meal planning coming along?

Venturing Out on Tuesday

Today, Los Angeles county, in which I reside, set a new one day record of 4,244 new Covid-19 cases.

Against this backdrop, today, for the first time since March 19, I ventured out among strangers in enclosed spaces.

Prior to today, I had socially distanced visits with cousin P and her daughter, neighbor S and her daughter, friend S, friend R, gardener friend M, and one or two delivery people; all these visits took place outside, or, at the doorstep, especially when prepared food and/or groceries were exchanged, and the majority of them lasted just a few minutes.

Today's visit was to the lab to get some required blood work done prior to my upcoming appointment with the oncologist (scheduled for Friday).  Since I was unable to get an appointment for the lab work, I decided to go as a walk-in, during that first hour after they open in the morning, which they have reserved for people like me, aged 60 and older and/or with existing medical conditions that put us in a higher risk category for complications from the virus.

It was an essential visit, but, both my daughter and I felt anxious about it.  So, last night, I made some careful preparations.  They included packing one of my fabric tote bags with not just the items I would normally carry with me, such as a bottle of water and a granola bar (I am usually fasting when I go for blood tests and sometimes, need to eat something after the test), but also, disinfecting wipes, some disposable gloves (the lab had stated on its website that they will provide hand sanitizer and disposable gloves at the self check-in station, which requires one to use a touch screen, but, my daughter worried that they might be out of supplies, so, I took my own, besides, there were elevator buttons and door handles to touch on the way to and from the lab), and the spare mask that one of my friends had advised me to take

I put my insurance card and ID in a plastic bag, along with the copy of the lab orders I had received, and put them, too, in the tote bag so I wouldn't have to touch my wallet to get them out and put them back in, etc.  The lab technician who made a photo copy of the insurance card and ID put them back in the plastic bag after she was done and I disinfected them with a sanitizing wipe once I got home, before I put them back in my wallet. 

I knew I'd need some cash to pay for the parking and put several dollar bills in an inside pocket of the tote bag, so I wouldn't have to touch my wallet on the way out.

In the morning, before I left the house, I put a wet, soapy wash cloth in a zippered plastic bag and a small dry towel in another bag, just in case I needed to wash my hands and the few sanitizing wipes I had with me were not enough.

It might have been overkill, but, I felt better for being prepared.  I'd much rather have too many things with me and not need them than need something and not have it.

I got to the lab at 8:05 a.m. and the waiting room was already full!  They had set up about 10 chairs and, although they were spaced as far apart as the room allowed, they didn't appear to be more than 3 feet apart!  Oh, dear!  There were two check-in booths and both were being used with two more people waiting to use them.  I waited outside, in the hallway for a few minutes to allow them to sign in and then, went back in to sign in.  Then, I went out into the hallway, again, and stood there.  Another person joined me in the hallway, but, we kept plenty of distance between us.  Every now and then, I poked my head into the waiting room to check the screen where they give the estimated wait time for your name to be called.  I went in when it said 10 minutes wait time for my name to be called.  It went down to 4 minutes and then, someone with an appointment showed up and it went back up to 10 minutes.  But, I was called in before the 10 minutes were over.

My favorite lab technician was there and she checked my temperature before I went into the room to have my blood drawn.  The actual blood draw only took minutes.  I was out of there by 8:35 a.m., so the whole thing took 30 minutes, which wasn't bad, at all.  My daughter had told me not to share the elevator, to wait and let others go ahead of me and I did that a few times.  But, only one elevator was working and each time it came up to the floor I was on, there were at least one or two other people waiting for the elevator, with me!  I figured I'd be spending the entire day waiting for a free elevator, so, I got in with two other people and stood facing away from them to the extent possible for the short ride down five floors to the car park!

All in all, the lab visit was not a bad experience, but, it was a little stressful and by the time I reached my car, I was having a tension headache!

I came home, changed my clothes, immediately, and put everything I wore to the lab in the laundry basket.  Then, I removed everything from the tote bag and put the bag to be washed, too.  Afterwards, I disinfected the items I had in the tote bag and the outside of my purse, wiping everything down with sanitizing wipes!

Once all that was over, I had a cup of tea and ate some cereal.  My headache went away a short while later.

Afterwards, I wished friend R for her birthday and drove over to give her the quilt and the card I had made, along with some lemons and curry leaves she had wanted.  The quilt took her totally by surprise!  Apparently, she really believed that the box of toilet paper I gave her earlier was her birthday gift from me!  LOL.

Of course, I just handed her the bag with the quilt and came back home.  I wasn't there when she opened her gift, but, she sent me a lovely message of thanks and said she loved the birthday fabric panel and the embroidered date.

Strip Pieced Birthday Quilt

From Another Angle

Birthday Fabric Panel on the Back

Birthday Fabric Close Up

Tied in the Corners Where the Blocks Meet

Even when they don't quite meet!

Card

In the evening, I practiced the piano, watered the garden, brought the trash cans in, got the bags of donations ready and placed by the front door for collection tomorrow morning, and relaxed.  I didn't dust or water the house plants, so, that will be carried forward to Wednesday.  The dentist's office had called, but, they were already closed when I called back.  I need to call them back, tomorrow morning.

Today, I am grateful for:
- I made it to the lab and back!
- The lab allowing walk-ins
- The first hour being set aside for higher risk patients
- Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers
- Disposable gloves

Today's joyful activity was giving my friend her birthday quilt.

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Dust family room and my bedroom

- Go to the lab for the blood test - DONE
- Visit my friend - DONE
- Water the garden, front and back - DONE

- Water the house plants
- Practice the piano - DONE

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Call the dentist's office
- Dust family room and my bedroom
- Water the house plants

- Vacuum

- Paperwork/filing 

- Do one decluttering/organizing task (go through one box in the spare bedroom)

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

Piano on Monday

Today, in the morning, I called the oncologist's office and confirmed my appointment scheduled for Friday afternoon and verified that I needed a lab test done prior to it (I had been hoping I wouldn't have to do the lab test).

Then, I called the lab to schedule an appointment and couldn't get through (got only the recorded message).  I went online to schedule an appointment and saw that there were none available for this week.  They had an estimated 30 minute wait for walk-in appointments when I checked online, but, I wasn't ready to go as a walk-in, today.  They do urge anyone over the age of 60 and/or has on-going health conditions that put them in a higher risk category to come in during the first hour of their opening, which is at 8:00 a.m.  I checked to see if any of their available appointments for next week included one during this first hour after opening, but, they didn't.

I am wondering what might be the best thing to do - go in first thing tomorrow morning as a walk-in and try my luck (I can wait in the car, if needed), or, call the oncologist's office to see if I can reschedule my appointment for the end of next week and schedule an appointment for the lab tests.  I need to get a regularly scheduled injection at the oncologists, so I don't know if rescheduling the appointment will be a problem or not.  Also, our governor announced that there will be additional lockdown measures being taken due to the spike in virus case numbers, so, it might be best to get the medical check up done sooner rather than later.

In the afternoon, I had my piano lesson and that went quite well.  S was pleased with my playing (she could tell that I had practiced, she said!) and with the additional pieces I had learned on my own.  She has assigned me a couple of new pieces to learn: Bach's Minuet in G and Beethoven's Für Elise.  No doubt much simplified versions, but, that's all I can handle, right now!  I have always enjoyed listening to Für Elise when my daughter learned to play it, so I am looking forward to learning it, myself. 

Later in the afternoon, I made a birthday card; just one for now.  I need two more, but, I will make them, later.

It has been another rather warm day.  But, it cooled down a bit in the evening and I watered a few of the plants, dusted and tidied the living room and dining area, remade my bed with the sheets I had washed earlier in the morning and hung up to dry, put away the rest of the laundry, cleaned the litter box, took the trash cans to the curb for pick up in the morning, and called a family member to check on her.

Today, I am grateful for:
- My oncologist appointment was confirmed
- The lab is still accepting walk-ins
- My piano lesson went well and I have new pieces to learn
- A working washing machine
- Video chatting with my daughter

Today's joyful activity was playing the piano.

Monday's To Do List:

- Call the oncologist's office to confirm appointment and if blood tests are needed - DONE
- Call the lab to make an appointment for the blood tests - TRIED
- Change bed sheets - DONE

- Load of laundry (bed sheets/towels) - DONE

- Dust living room & dining area - DONE

- Clean the fridge - DONE

- Take trash cans to the curb for Tuesday trash pick up - DONE
- Piano lesson - DONE
- Make birthday cards - DID ONE
- Do some tidying - DONE

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Dust family room and my bedroom

- Go to the lab for the blood test
- Visit my friend
- Water the garden, front and back

- Water the house plants
- Practice the piano

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

Restful Sunday

Cat Naps (The white knitted boa-style scarf is his "blankie" that he carries around!)

Guess who stayed up till 5:00 a.m.?  It was hardly worth going to sleep at that hour of the morning, but, I went to sleep and slept till 10:30 a.m.  I thought I might take a nap in the afternoon, but, I didn't.  Dancer did, though! 

I spent a relaxed day, today.  Neighbor T's daughter K called in the morning, about some plans for T's upcoming birthday.  There won't be any party, as such, but, K would like to present her with cards from family and friends.  I will definitely make her a card, but, I am also thinking of making her a small gift - a birthday banner or something perhaps.  One year, I made her a small wreath with sunflowers (her favorite flowers) and she still has it on her door!  

Later, T called for our usual weekly Sunday chat.  Afterwards, I called R to check on her.  

It was hot, again, today, too.  In the afternoon, the temperature in the family room went up to 86F again, and I turned on the fan.  And I ate some of my banana-peach frozen dessert.  This time, it was frozen firmly and I found it to be a very refreshing treat.  

Later in the evening, I practiced the piano and watered the front garden.  It was cooler in the garden than inside the house, by then, so, I opened the windows to air out the house and get the house cooled off (down to 80F).  I'm so glad I got the new window screens put in, last year; I am now able to open more windows to help cool off the house, faster, without having to worry about Dancer escaping.

Today, I am grateful for:

- A restful, relaxed day

- The new window screens

- Water for the garden

- Having a garden

- Phone calls with friends and video chatting with my daughter

My joyful activity today was relaxing and taking it easy!

Monday's To Do List:

- Call the oncologist's office to confirm appointment and if blood tests are needed
- Call the lab to make an appointment for the blood tests
- Change bed sheets

- Load of laundry (bed sheets/towels)

- Dust living room & dining area

- Clean the fridge

- Take trash cans to the curb for Tuesday trash pick up
- Piano lesson
- Make birthday cards
- Do some tidying

A Little Detail from the Quilt

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday and the rest of the week?

Hot on Saturday

Today, we went up to either 98F or 100F.  The hottest it got inside my house was 86F, which was when I turned on the fans.   Until then, it was quite comfortable for me.

I spent the majority of the day sewing the quilt.  I did a single row of quilting all around the edge of the border to keep the batting in place and tied the rest of the quilt.  I used some pearlized cotton thread that I had for tying, because I couldn't manage to pull any yarn through all the fabric at the corners where the individual blocks meet.  The quilt has been laid aside until it is time to be given.  I took some photos, but, I will share only after I have given the quilt away.  Today, I watched cooking shows while I sewed.

In the evening, I started the car (it started without any problems, even after not starting it all week!) and watered the garden.  One of my neighbors was having a party!  From what I could tell, it was being held in the backyard and garage, which, I guess, is safer than having it indoors.  I could hear the music and people laughing.  Somehow, I doubt if anyone was wearing masks; at least, the two people I saw leaving the party (they left while I was still watering the front garden) weren't wearing any face coverings!  I can only marvel that people are holding and attending parties at this time!

After I watered the garden, I practiced the piano, had dinner (ground beef with broccoli and mashed potatoes), chatted on the phone with cousin P and video chatted with my daughter.  Her grocery delivery was made later than expected and she didn't receive several items she ordered, including bread, but, she's happy that she received all the meat and most of the vegetables she wanted.

Today, I made a cold dessert:

Frozen Banana-Peach Dessert

I blended together a banana and a peach I had frozen and had half of it for dessert.  I froze the other half for another day.  I added a little vanilla to it, but, I think I should have used only half the banana.  I don't much care for very ripe banana and the predominant taste was of very ripe banana.  I would have preferred if the taste of the peach was more emphasized.  Maybe I'll stir in a little peach jam into the other half of the dessert when I eat it.  Nevertheless, it was a refreshing dessert on a hot day.  My daughter said she adds peanut butter to the banana when she makes it.  I wonder how it will taste with dulce de leche?

Today, I am grateful for:
- My daughter received her grocery delivery
- The car started without any problems
- A guilt-free dessert of blended frozen fruit
- The quilt is done
- Water for the garden

Today's joyful activity was sewing.

Plans for tomorrow include some tidying up and putting away of things.

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

Warm on Friday

The weather has turned warm and of course, I spent the afternoon with a quilt spread on my lap as I sewed the borders down!  Good planning, Bless! 

Today, I put away the laundry from yesterday and did a little mending in addition to sewing on the quilt.  Aunt C called and we chatted for a long time.  I also practiced the piano for about 30 minutes in the early evening.

Later in the evening, M came to tend to the garden.  Today, he weeded the area behind the garage.  I took some cuttings from the geranium that is growing there, to see if I can root them. 

Still later, I video chatted with my daughter.  She is looking forward to receiving a delivery of groceries, tomorrow, afternoon. 

It's been a low key sort of day, spent sewing.

Tomorrow is supposed to be another warm day, with a day time high of 100F.  I should try to work on the quilt in the morning, before it gets too hot! 

Today, I am grateful for:
- A quiet, relaxing day
- Fans and electricity to run them
- M tending to the garden
- Conversations with my aunt
- Video chatting with my daughter

Today's joyful activity was sewing.

Plans for tomorrow include more sewing!

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