Hot Water and Patchwork

Quilt in Progress

This morning, quite early, I went to Home Depot to look at water heaters.  One of the sales persons pointed out one that met my specifications (40 gallons, natural gas heater, etc.).  Then, I went home and waited for my neighbor.  Neighbor came over a short while later and told me that he, too, had been to Home Depot, earlier in the morning to get an idea of what they had and prices.  We agreed to meet at the store in half an hour or so.  I showed him the one I had picked out earlier, he agreed it would be OK, and he also picked out two new flexible pipes for the fittings.  Then, I paid for everything (water heater cost $535, the two pipes were $25 each; the total, with tax, came to $615.01) and neighbor loaded the tank into his van and brought it over to my house.   Then, neighbor proceeded to remove the old heater and install the new one.  It took him about 3 hours.  The new heater is bigger around than the old one was, but it still fitted into the little metal storage structure.  And now, I have hot water on tap, again!  Neighbor also reattached the handle to my sliding glass door as that had come loose (I had tried to fix it, but he wasn't happy with my efforts!)  Before he left, I paid him something for installing the water heater for me. 

In the afternoon, I rested a bit; then went to the pharmacy to pick up my medication refills.  Then, I stopped at the grocery store for some bread ($.87), a piece of beef chuck steak ($3.59 @ $4.99/lb), and a container of ice cream ($3.49); I didn't take any pictures, but my total came to $7.95.

After I came home, I cleaned the bathroom, took a warm shower (just enough hot water to take away the chill of the cold water), watched news, had a cup of tea, did some sewing, and chatted on the phone with one of my friends who called.

Later, I video chatted with daughter.   She has to attend a 3-day conference in Minnesota for her work.  She will be leaving tomorrow morning and returning on Wednesday night.   One of her friends has sent a package, addressed to both of us, from Hawaii (her home state).  Daughter wanted me to wait until she comes home next to open it, so I put it aside until then. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Helpful neighbors
- Hot water on tap!
- Warm showers!
- My prescription refills were ready without any drama!
- Playing with fabric.

Tomorrow, I have to do the dishes, do a load of laundry, cook the beef I bought, and call another friend to see if she'll be home so I can drop off a gift for her daughter who just celebrated her birthday. 

How was your Saturday? 

Slow Thursday

I've had a fairly slow day, today.

Last night, before I went to sleep, I double checked my calendar and I realized that the podiatrist's appointment was scheduled for next week, Thursday, not today!  But, it was scheduled for the same afternoon as the follow-up dental appointment, just two hours apart!  That's not enough time for me to go from one appointment at one end of town to another at the other end of town, especially if there was a delay at the first appointment or slower than usual traffic on the freeway!  So, I called the podiatrist's office, this morning, and rescheduled the appointment for the following week, as I didn't want to reschedule the dental appointment.

I went to the office today, but decided not to go to the farmers market.  I thought it would be too much to have a croissant on top of yesterday's hamburger and sundae!

I dozed a bit on the sofa after I came home.  Cousin P's phone call woke me up and after we chatted for a bit, I called neighbor E to tell him my decision to go with a regular water heater.  He said he will be able to install it on Saturday, but he wasn't able to tell me what time.  I said it was fine, whenever he could spare the time would be fine with me.

Then, I called cousin P to let her know that I needed to be at home on Saturday as neighbor E was installing the water heater then, and, will not be able to go to the funeral, in case she was counting on riding with me.  I suggested she asked one of our other cousins for a ride, but she said there won't be room for her.  I am sorry I am not able to give her a ride, but getting the new water heater installed is kind of important to me - I am not that fond of cold showers! 

Later in the evening, I watered the front garden and video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- My eye and tooth are feeling better, today
- I was able to reschedule my podiatrist's appointment
- A safe drive to the office and back
- A drive through the park on the way to and from the office
- A cool evening after a rather warm day

Plans for tomorrow include going to the office and maybe a trip to the bank.

How was your Thursday?  

Hump Day Slump!

Just in case anyone is wondering (I know I have one or two readers who might not be familiar with our idioms), Wednesday is known as "hump" day because it is the middle day of the work week - it's an uphill climb on Monday and Tuesday to make it to the top of the hill or hump on Wednesday and after that, it is downhill all the way to the longed for weekend!  

Why the slump?  Well, all the recent excitements of the last few days sort of caught up with me, today.  It has been practically non-stop since the mammogram on Thursday, July 27, almost two weeks ago, hasn't it?  The anxiety of waiting for the mammogram results, the appointment with the radiation oncologist on the following Tuesday (August 1), the root canal on Thursday (August 3), the development of the stye over the weekend, receiving the mammogram results on Monday, the water heater quitting on Tuesday   It's hard to maintain that level of intensity!


Today, I felt tired.  My eye was much better, but staring at the computer all day at work caused a slight headache and my root canal tooth ached a bit (I am hoping it is not an infection, although I took all the antibiotics I was told to take).

Before I left for work, I called my aunt to wish her a safe flight, as she was leaving for France, today.  Later in the morning, my cousin P called to give me the phone number of the company that installed her tankless water heater for her.   But I didn't call the company, because I have decided to go with a regular tank water heater.

I had taken cold cuts sandwiches, a banana, and cherries for my breakfast and lunch and some raw cashews for a snack, but, around 2:30 p.m. I wanted something different for a snack.  So, I went down to the drug store/pharmacy and prowled along the snack aisles.  The cookies didn't appeal, the chips didn't appeal, the chocolates and the candies didn't tempt.  Even the ice cream didn't appeal.  How sad is that?  I just talked to my friend who is the pharmacist there and shared the good news about the mammogram results with her and went back to the office without buying any snacks!

But I more than made up for it on my way home!  I stopped for a hamburger ($1; 260 cals) and a hot fudge sundae ($1.49; 330 cals - without peanuts)!  Not the healthiest choice of dinners, obviously.

Came home, ate my hamburger and sundae, took an ibuprofen, and took a 2 hour long nap!  Felt better after that, but it means I didn't do anything after I came home, other than reply to a friend's email and video chat with daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A safe drive to and from the office
- Air conditioning at the office, even if it was too cold for me (I was wearing a sweater and still felt cold!); fans at home
- Hugs from colleagues when they found out about the mammogram results!
- Naps on the sofa
- A drama-free day

Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the podiatrist.  Usually, they call me on the day prior to my appointment to remind me, but this time, they didn't call!  After the earlier mishap with the appointment with the radiation oncologist, in July, I don't want to assume anything, so I will call the podiatrist's office in the morning to confirm the appointment.  My plan is to go to the office in the morning and then, go to the appointment in the afternoon, and then, come home.  I haven't decided yet if I will go to the farmers market in the morning.  It all depends on just how loudly I hear those croissants calling my name, I suppose!

How was your "hump" day?  Do you, too, experience a slump some days?

Cold Showers and Groceries!

Last night, I applied a warm, wet compress to my eye.  This morning, I woke up, unable to open the eye until I washed off the gunk!  I took another sick day off, today, because I knew I couldn't go to the office with my eye all swollen and tearing.  It's not contagious, but it didn't look too pretty. 

I couldn't really settle down to do anything.  I washed the dishes, replied to comments on my posts, and gave more thought to my quilt.  But, although I cut a few more strips of fabric for it, I didn't sew, today.

Later in the afternoon, I decided to take a shower, thinking it will help me cool off (it was another rather hot day).   It was a good thing it was such a hot day, after all, because that shower was a lot colder than I would have liked!  Even on the hottest of days, I like to add a little hot water to the mix to take away that initial chill of the water, although, very often, I will turn it back to only cold water at the end of the shower.  Well, today, there was no hot water at all!  Not even warm water!  My water heater runs on gas and I guessed that the flame had gone out.

After I got dressed, I checked on the water heater and noticed there was a small pool of water, as well.  I called my neighbor E across the street and he came over to check on the water heater for me.  As soon as he saw it, he estimated it was about 20 years old and I realized that, yes, it was installed 20 years ago!  It had a warranty of 8 years, but it has lasted much longer!  He said the water heater was broken and the leak had put out the flame.  He turned off the water and the gas and suggested I might want to look into a tankless water heater.  Otherwise, he said he could install a new water heater for me, but not tomorrow or the next day as he'd need to make time for it, which is quite reasonable.  I am blessed to have such a helpful neighbor.

My cousin P, who lives a few doors down across the street from me (E is her next-door neighbor) has a tankless water heater.  So, I called her and she said she can give me the telephone number of the company who installed it for her, just as soon as she located the paperwork.  Then, I looked up tankless water heaters and read up a bit about them.  They do sound good, but I am thinking I'll go with a regular water heater.  I like the idea of having 40 gallons of water on hand in the tank if there is an earthquake, in addition to the bottled water I store for an emergency.

My aunt C called in the late afternoon to check on me.  She is the same aunt who visited on Sunday.  After that, I had a cup of tea, watched the evening news, and replied to a friend's email.

I needed to go to the grocery store to buy cat food for the stray cats and to start my car, since I hadn't started it since before the weekend!  Didn't want that battery to die on me, again!  I called one of my friends to see if she needed anything from the grocery store, but she said she had gone earlier, today.

August 8 Groceries

 I bought:

1 loaf of bread = $.87
1 lettuce = $.99
1 package cold cuts, 7 oz. = $3.79
1 bunch of 4 bananas ($.59/lb) = $.94
Total = $6.59

August 8 Receipt

  
The receipt includes the cost of the cat food - it was selling for $8.99 and had a $2 off coupon.  The tax is for the cat food. 

August grocery budget = $75 + $7 carried over from July = $82.00
Amount spent on groceries in August = $2.81 (on 8/1 for bread and grapes) + $6.59 = $9.40

I had just come home from grocery shopping and taken the pictures, when my aunt C called again.  Her son surprised her by announcing that he will accompany her and her daughter on the trip to France! Aunt is thrilled that both her children will be with her on her birthday.  It's a nice birthday present for her. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Sick time off
- The hot day which made the cold shower bearable
- Helpful neighbors
- Family and friends keeping in touch
- The car started without any problems

Do you have a regular water heater or a tankless water heater?  What is your preference? 

Waffle Fail and Phone Calls

I wanted waffles for brunch, today, so I opened the new package of pancake mix and hauled the waffle iron out from the kitchen cabinet.  Then, I mixed up the batter per the recipe on the box (2 cups pancake mix, 1 1/3 cup water, 2 tablespoons oil), heated up the waffle iron, greased it with some vegetable oil as I usually do, poured in a ladle of batter and waited for the red light indicating it is baking to go off.

When the light went off, I tried to open the lid of the waffle iron.  And tried.  And tried again!  Finally, it opened and the waffle was stuck to the lid!  I tried to pry if off with the spatula and it wouldn't come off.  I tried to pry it off with a plastic knife and the knife began to melt.  I tried to pry it out with my fingers, but the iron was too hot!

So, I unplugged the waffle iron, turned it upside down to make it easier and began to chip at it:

Stuck!

I managed to get most of it off:

Waffle Crumbs

I ate the bits I pried off and wondered if I'd have to buy a new waffle iron.  But then, I poured some water onto the baked on waffle bits still left on the iron.  After several minutes, I was able to scoop out the soggy bits.  Then, I washed the waffle iron, dried it, re-oiled it with a LOT of oil and a bit of butter, as well, and poured another ladle of batter to see if it worked.  It broke apart and a small portion got stuck, but I was able to get most of the waffle out!

Better

Then, I oiled the waffle iron again and finally:

That's more like it!

I guess I didn't oil the waffle iron sufficiently that first time?

I made two more waffles from the batter I had mixed up.  They are in the fridge for tomorrow's brunch (I reheat them in the toaster).   

In the afternoon, I called my sister-in-law to ask after my brother.  She said he's still in ICU, but they have removed the ventilator tubes.  He's still unable to speak; she said he might need speech therapy.  She said he's been very angry and frustrated, but that is to be expected, I suppose?  I wish I lived closer so I could help her in some way; as it is, all I could do was tell her that they are both in my prayers and urge her to take care of herself during this stressful time.

I also called the temple to give the monks the good news about my mammogram results.  The monk with whom I spoke said they will continue to pray for me.  My plan is to wait until after I've seen the surgeon and the oncologist and then, hold a prayer service in thanksgiving, at the end of the month.

I also received a phone call from one of my nieces.  She lives out of state, but she's planning to visit her mother (my half-sister) in a couple of weeks and wanted to know if I'd be free to get together for a visit.  We made tentative plans to meet for lunch, but we'll confirm plans closer to the date.  I haven't seen her in at least 5 or 6 years (we couldn't get together the last time she visited her mother), so it'll be nice to see her and her sons, again. 

My aunt called me in the evening to, once again, thank me for the birthday gift I gave her (in addition to the tote bag), and to say she really enjoyed the evening and the dinner, yesterday.  She wants to take me out to dinner when she and cousin return from their trip to France!  A celebratory dinner, she said. 

One of my other cousins called to give me the funeral details for the family friend who passed away.  It will be held this weekend, she said.  She's not sure if her daughter will be available to drive her, but if she is, then, I can ride with her; if not I'll drive us. 

I called one of my friends to check on her, but she was on the phone with one of her daughters, she said.  She called me back, later and we chatted a bit. 

Later I video chatted with my daughter.

In between phone calls, I sewed a bit more on the quilt, watered the back garden, took the trash cans to the curb, spoke with one of my neighbors who was out watering his front lawn, and applied a warm, wet compress to my eye as several of you suggested I do. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Good mammogram results in the mail
- I don't have to buy another waffle iron
- A slightly cooler day
- Lots of phone calls and keeping in touch with family and friends
- My brother is recovering as well as can be expected

How was your Monday?  Have you struggled to get your waffles out of the waffle iron? 

It's Official!

Mammogram Results

Received the mammogram results notification letter in the mail!  Even though the radiation oncologist told me the results after verbally consulting with the radiologist, I was waiting until I saw written verification for confirmation.

Now, I feel I can call myself a survivor and accept that I am in remission.  It has taken two years.  It was in July 2015 when I had the mammogram that detected the tumor.

I still have to have my catheter port removed - that will have to be done under anesthesia.  I will ask about it when I see the surgeon, next week.  And, there will be regular follow-up visits, of course.  But I feel very blessed and thankful, today. 

To all of you who kept me in your prayers and thoughts, encouraged me and virtually held my hand as I climbed my mountain, a big, heart-felt, "Thank you". 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being alive
- Having the prayed for mammogram results in writing
- The medical care I have received
- The support of family and friends
- A new lease on life

Sunday's Activities

I seem to have developed a stye in my left eye, on the lower lid!  I woke up with a swollen and somewhat painful eye, yesterday and this morning, I saw that there was a definite bump.  I hope it goes away on its own in another day or two.  It's always something, isn't it?

My neighbor called me in the morning and we had our usual Sunday morning chat.  Later, one of my cousins called to give me the news that a family friend/distant relative of my mother's had passed away.  Cousin said she'll inform me of the funeral arrangements once they have been finalized.

Later, in the afternoon, my aunt called to confirm that she and cousin will come late in the evening (after 9:00 p.m.) - she and cousin will be visiting Lourdes, France, later next week and I wanted to send a donation and a letter of thanksgiving through them.  I asked about dinner for them and aunt said not to prepare anything because they were coming for a quick, 15 minute visit, as it was a working day in the morning.  It's aunt's birthday, next week, so I quickly made her a card:

Birthday Card

Yes, those are real birthday candles, hot glued to the card.  :)

I gave aunt one of the tote bags I had made:

 

Apples Tote Bag

And cousin got another tote bag:

Kitty Cats Tote Bag

I spent most of the afternoon sewing.  I sewed one side of the central panel, but when I went to lay it out on the bed to pin the other side (I don't have a "design wall", the bed is my design wall), I found the bed being occupied:

"Silly, Mummy!  Beds are for sleeping, not for designing quilts"

After I finished sewing for the day, I tidied the house a bit, washed the dishes, and cleaned the kitchen.

Aunt and cousin came over around 9:30 p.m.  The visit lasted much longer than the 15 minutes aunt had intended!  Cousin played the piano, I sang, and I quickly made some fried rice for a snack dinner!  It was past 11:00 p.m. when they left!  But it was a lovely evening of celebrating the good news of my mammogram results and aunt's birthday to come.

After they left, I video chatted with daughter for a little bit.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Aunt and cousin's visit
- An evening of music and celebration
- Being able to put together a quick meal!
- Phone calls and emails from family and friends
- A lovely day

I hope each and every one of you have had a blessed day, too.  Are you ready for Monday?