Visiting on Tuesday!

Birthday Card

Today, I visited my aunt C and cousin N.  It will be aunt's birthday, later this week, but they are leaving on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, tomorrow, and I wanted to give her a card and birthday gift before she left. 

The first item on my to do list for the day was to make a birthday card for my aunt.  One of these days, I am going to plan ahead, sit down, take my time, and make half a dozen cards to have on hand, rather than rushing around an hour or two before I need to leave, trying to put something together and hoping the glue will dry before I have to give the card!   The card was made entirely with items I had on hand - card stock and scrapbooking paper, bought on sale, several years ago; a piece of twine from a package I had received; a fabric flower from a party favor; and rhinestones bought for one of my daughter's dance costumes back when she was in high school.  The card design was inspired by a card I had received from a friend, at the end of my cancer treatments.  The card I had received had been square, with a die cut butterfly in the center.

On the way to my aunt's house, I stopped at a Japanese fast food restaurant; I had coupons for buy one, get one free rice bowls.  I was able to buy four teriyaki chicken and vegetables rice bowl for the cost of two ($13.12, with taxes); one each for aunt, cousin, cousin's husband, and myself.

I spent a lovely afternoon, visiting with my aunt and cousin (once her piano students had left).  We had lunch and sat around talking until tea time.  I left after tea.  Before I left, Aunt gave me four pairs of new pants and a pair of shoes that cousin had bought for her which aunt claimed didn't fit her.  The shoes fit me perfectly; I haven't tried on the pants, yet.  I was told I could give them away if they didn't fit.  She also gave back the containers from when I had taken her soup and egg salad, and since the custom is to not to return a container that is empty, she filled one of the containers with cookies and included a packet of wafer cookies, as well. 

After I got home, I brought in the trash cans from the curb, combed Dancer (didn't find anything on him!  Yay!), checked the mail (weekly grocery ads), watered the indoor plants, put away the laundry from yesterday,  and did another load (two knitted blankets).  I think I am getting "laundry fatigue"!

I called cousin P to check on her shoulder and friend R called to thank me again for taking her to get her shipping boxes.  Daughter called to share the good news that she's receiving a cost of living increase! 

Today, I am grateful for:
- A lovely visit with Aunt C and Cousin N
- "Buy one, get one free" discount coupons
- Daughter receiving a cost of living increase
- Electricity to run the fans and other appliances
- A safe drive to aunt's house and back

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Do a card for aunt C - DONE
- Visit aunt C - DONE
- Water the indoor plants - DONE
- Bring the trash cans in - DONE
- Put away the laundry - DONE
- Wash another blanket (or two) - DONE
- Maybe buy milk on the way back from aunt's? - WEDNESDAY
- Clean the bathrooms - WEDNESDAY

I felt too tired in the evening to clean the bathrooms.  The heatwave is on-going and tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter than today was!

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Clean the bathrooms
- Buy milk
- Put away laundry
- Do another load of laundry
- Do the dishes/run the dish washer

I am going to leave the list at that, although there are at least a dozen other things I want to add to it!  I might do a few more things if I am up to it, however.

How was your Tuesday?  Are you managing to stay cool during this hot summer? 

Keeping Cool on Monday

Last night, before I went to bed, I did a little paperwork, even though I had planned to put it off till today, and gathered the papers I needed to take to my appointment with the financial planner, because it was bothering me that I hadn't done it and I couldn't fall asleep with it on my mind!  Sometimes, it is easier to just do it than worry if I will have enough time to attend to it, later!  This morning, I woke up when the alarm went off at 9:00 a.m., and felt relaxed, because I had got my papers together, the night before (well, very early in the morning).

A short while later, my cousin P called.  Apparently, she was having tendinitis in her shoulder and had made an appointment with her doctor.  She said she had tried to get Access transit to take her, but they needed 24-hour notice and, although, they are sometimes able to fit in a same day transport, they were fully booked, today.  So, I asked her how she was getting to the doctor's and she said her husband will take her.  I would have offered to take her, but I had my own appointment scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and I didn't want to be late.

After I spoke with my cousin P, I called Aunt C to ask if I could come to see her, tomorrow.   She will be going to France on a pilgrimage, later this week, and I wanted to drop off something, including a birthday gift for her.

Then, I checked my emails, responded to a couple of emails and emailed my daughter, responded to blog comments, and commented on a couple of other blogs.

By which time, it was almost noon and I had to rush a bit to get dressed to go to my 1:00 p.m. appointment!  I was glad I had gathered my papers together last night!

I got to my appointment on time and met with the financial planner to go over a couple of things, pertaining to my retirement planning.  Afterwards, she invited me to stay and have lunch with her, as the company had ordered in Middle Eastern food for everyone and there was a lot of food.  Over lunch, we chatted about ourselves, our children, my pre-retirement vacation, her recent vacation, etc.  I've been with this particular financial planner for the last 4 years, or so.  Prior to that, I was the client of one of her partners.  Unfortunately, he was killed in a car accident and that's when I was reassigned to my current FP.  We work well together, so I have stayed with her.

After I got home, I washed the quilt from daughter's bed.  Then, Dancer decided that the floor of the laundry closet (it is not big enough to be called a room, it is the size of a large closet) was the coolest spot in the house for him to nap:

Sleepy Cat

Of course, he heard me taking a picture of him, and raised his head (but his eyes are still closed):

"What?  I'm too sleepy to open my eyes, OK?"

A couple of minutes later:

"Zzzzz"

I called cousin P back, in the evening, to ask her how her appointment went, but she didn't pick up the phone, so I left her a message.

My daughter called when she got home, and we chatted for a bit.  Then, I made a cup of tea.  I was having my tea when Aunt T called for a chat.  I owe her a visit!

Later in the evening, I cleaned out the fridge, emptied the waste baskets, took the kitchen trash out, and took the big trash can to the curb for trash pick up in the morning.  I also sprayed the area in front of my front door, again.  I had dressed all in white again; this time, I didn't get as many fleas on my long white skirt, but there were a few.  I am using the indoor spray, since I finished the outdoor spray.  I need to buy another container of outdoor spray and ask M to spray again, the next time he comes to do the garden (next week, as he is on vacation, this week).  In the meantime, I am hoping the indoor spray will be effective.

As soon as I came in, I removed the white clothes and did a mini load and hung them up to dry.  I also sprayed the family room sofas, again, just in case.  While the spray dried, I sat in the living room and went through the mail and played the piano, a little bit.  One of the things I'd like to do once things have settled down a little bit is to learn to play one or two songs, properly, meaning, following actual piano music, as opposed to picking out a song by ear and fitting in a few chords to go with it!  I did take piano lessons when I was a child and I can manage to read music (although I flounder a bit with the notes below middle C and more than an octave above it!)  I have my daughter's music books from when she learned to play and I can give myself a refresher course.  If I get stuck, both cousin N, and my neighbor S across the street, teach music; they will both help me, I'm sure.

Then, I put away the quilt that I laundered in the afternoon, remade my bed with sheets from the linen cupboard, and washed the sheets I had been using.  They will dry overnight.  I am glad I have two sets of summer sheets for my bed (the third set is flannel, for the winter), so I can alternate between the two.  In the winter, when I wash the flannel sheets, I put one of the summer sheets on the bed, but I can't imagine putting the flannel sheets on the bed in the summer!

Cousin P called back in the evening and we chatted for a bit.  She saw the doctor and he had given her an injection and told her to ice her shoulder, take ibuprofen, and switch to a lighter purse!

Still later, I video chatted with daughter (again, the video froze after the first few minutes, and, at one point, the audio stopped working, too, but it came back).  I was complaining to her that I was too busy with errands, cleaning, and laundry, during my so-called vacation/retirement, and she was laughing at me.  She asked me what I expected and I said, "Lie on the sofa, read, watch TV, relax", and she laughed even harder!  She said it was my fault for postponing so many things to do after retirement!  She might have a point, there!

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being where I am, financially
- My washing machine
- Phone calls with family
- My daughter
- Time in which to do things

Monday's To Do List:
- Change my bed sheets - DONE
- Put away laundry - DONE
- Do more laundry - DONE
- Paperwork - DONE
- Appointment with financial planner - DONE
- Clean out the fridge - DONE
- Take trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Water the indoor plants - TUESDAY
- Check and spray the front walkway again if needed - DONE

I got most of my to do list done, today.  I didn't get to watering the indoor plants, but I am tired, now, and I don't want to climb on the stepstool to water them, because accidents tend to happen when I am tired!  The plants can wait one more day.

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Do a card for aunt C
- Visit aunt C
- Water the indoor plants
- Bring the trash cans in
- Put away the laundry
- Wash another blanket (or two)
- Maybe buy milk on the way back from aunt's? 
- Clean the bathrooms

Today, it was over 100F where I am.  Tomorrow, too, it will be 100F.  I still haven't turned on the room a/c, but I might turn it on, one of these afternoons!

How was your Monday?  What have you planned for Tuesday?

Sunday's Accomplishments

I went to bed a little after 3:30 a.m., last night and woke up at 11:00 a.m., today, when my neighbor T called for our Sunday morning chat!  Needless to say, I didn't do much during the remainder of the morning.  One of my friends had sent an email and I read and responded to it; then, replied to blog comments, and read and commented on a couple of other blogs.

In the afternoon, I put away the laundry from yesterday, hand washed a few items, and washed the last quilt that I had on my bed.  I have now washed both blankets and both quilts I used to have on my bed, and one blanket and one quilt that were on my daughter's bed.  I still have one more quilt and three more knitted/crocheted blankets to wash!

In the evening, after tea, I vacuumed the house.  I had put a new vacuum cleaner bag and, after I finished, I tossed the bag, even though there was hardly anything in it, just in case there were any fleas or eggs.  I had worn a pair of white socks and my eye glasses while I vacuumed so I could easily see if anything got on my socks, but I didn't notice anything, so I am cautiously optimistic!  Nevertheless, I sprayed the sofas, the area rugs, and the drapes, put new dust sheets on the family room sofas, and laundered the old dust sheets. 

In between, I read several more chapters from the library book and video chatted with my daughter, except the video part didn't work - it hasn't been working for the past several days, actually, with the video freezing; so it is more like a phone conversation, which isn't quite as satisfying, because we can't see each other.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The washing machine can handle queen size quilts
- The one large drying rack can accommodate the queen size quilts
- It is hot enough for the quilts to air dry in a day
- Leftovers from yesterday's lunch out for today's lunch
- Fans to help cool the air during this current heatwave!

Sunday's To Do List:
- Vacuum - DONE
- Change my bed sheets - MONDAY
- Change the sofa dust covers - DONE
- Put away the dried laundry - DONE
- Do additional loads of laundry - DONE
- Paperwork - MONDAY

Monday's To Do List:
- Change my bed sheets
- Put away laundry
- Do more laundry
- Paperwork
- Appointment with financial planner
- Clean out the fridge
- Take trash cans to the curb
- Water the indoor plants
- Check and spray the front walkway again if needed

So, that was my Sunday.  How was your Sunday?  Did you have a good weekend?  What are your plans for Monday?   

Saturday: Visiting with Friend R

I read the first one third of my library book, last nigh, staying up till 4:00 a.m. to do so!  It was 4:30 a.m. before I fell asleep!

I was up at 10:00 a.m.  I had a cup of coffee, checked blog comments, and commented on a couple of other blogs.  Then, I took a shower and got dressed.  I decided to check on the outside flea situation, so wore my long white skirt and a white hoodie type sweatshirt to go outside.  I went out from my back door, through the garage, to the front.  So far, so good.  However, when I walked from the mail box to the front door and back, I noticed that there were little specks of brown on my skirt!  I don't know if they are from the plants growing on the side of the walkway or from the door mats I have outside the door.  Obviously, yesterday's spraying with the outdoor spray wasn't enough.  I didn't have anymore outdoor spray, but I sprayed the area with some of the indoor spray that I had!  Then, I went back inside and put the clothes I was wearing in the washer and ran a small load!

When friend R called to tell me that she was on her way over, I asked her to come from the back door in order to avoid the fleas!  We chatted for a bit and then, I drove her to U-Haul to get the shipping boxes she wanted.  Afterwards, we went to our favorite Thai food place to get some lunch.  We ordered it to go - beef fried rice, glass noodle salad, and pepper shrimp.  My friend treated me to lunch, today.

We spent the afternoon at home, having lunch and chatting.  Later, we had tea and then, I took her to the smaller Armenian grocery store to buy the bakery bread that we both like.  She bought me a container of raspberries, as well.  Then, I drove her back to her apartment and came home.

Today, I am grateful for:

- My friend's visit and company
- Being able to help her get her shipping boxes
- My friend treating me to lunch
- Tea and conversation
- Washing machines!

Saturday's To Do List:
- Dust living room - DONE
- Vacuum - SUNDAY
- Take friend R to pick up her shipping boxes - DONE
- Maybe have lunch with her - DONE
- Drop her off at home - DONE
- Change my bedding - SUNDAY
- More laundry! - DONE
- Spray the front again - DONE
- Comb Dancer - DONE
- Clean the litter box - DONE

I didn't vacuum today, after all, so that is being carried over to Sunday, along with changing my bed sheets.

Sunday's To Do List:
- Vacuum
- Change my bed sheets
- Change the sofa dust covers
- Put away the dried laundry
- Do additional loads of laundry
- Paperwork

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

Friday In Review

Today marks two weeks of being on vacation!  Wow, that went by quickly, didn't it?  The first week was bookended by the two weddings and taken up with getting the eucalyptus tree trimmed, afternoon naps, some shopping, laundry, and visiting an aunt, while enjoying daughter's company, all week.  The second week has been taken up with errands, getting the car serviced and car registration renewed, a doctor's appointment, fighting fleas, and more laundry!  I noticed that I didn't seem to need any afternoon naps during this second week!  Maybe I am feeling more rested?

Today, I slept in a bit and spent a relaxed morning, chatting with Aunt C who called to say she had just finished reading the book I had given to her ("Having Our Say - The Delaney Sisters' First 100 Years" by Sarah and A. Elizabeth Delaney with Amy Hill Hearth), checking emails, replying to blog comments, and commenting on one or two other blogs.  Then, I put away the laundry from yesterday, sprayed the sofas with flea spray, cleaned out my purse (need to remember to do this more often; I found a $5 Extra Care Bucks coupon that I had forgotten to use!), and ran errands.

First, I drove to the post office to mail the two bill payments - I had kept them in my mail box, yesterday, hoping the mail carrier will come by and collect them, but, I guess I didn't have any mail, so the mail carrier didn't actually approach my mail box, because the bills were still there, at noon, today.  So, I went to the post office and I had the postal worker date stamp the bill payments with today's date - they are not due until next week, but they'll have today's postmark, whenever they do get delivered and processed.  Yes, I know, online payments are faster; but I like to support the postal service!

Then, I drove to the bank and took out some cash, since I prefer to use cash than a credit card.  

The next stop was the pharmacy to pick up my prescription refill.  I received another $5 Extra Care Bucks coupon and, rather than let it sit in my purse and expire, I immediately redeemed it for two boxes of daughter's favorite Life cereal ($1.99 each) and a package of potato chips ($1.69); my payment was $.67.

Then, because I've been on vacation for two weeks and it felt like all I've done is run errands, I stopped by the library and checked out a book I have been wanting to read.  

New Library Book

While I was at the library, I also spoke with one of the librarians to ask her about joining the Friends of the Library (she gave me the email of the person in charge of that; I will contact her, next week) and about their Tuesday night knitting class, which meets from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (they also run the used book sales, I was told).  I am very much a home body and I certainly don't need to get together with a group in order to knit, BUT, my daughter is worried that I won't have enough social interaction once I am retired and I had told her I'll join in a couple of things at the library.  They also have volunteer reading programs, tutoring, etc., if I want to do more (I will need to be fingerprinted, etc., and go through an interview for those activities as they involve interacting with children).   That level of commitment might be for later, however, as I am definitely not ready to fill up my days with outside activities, at this time.  First, I need to have enough time for me!  But, knitting for a couple of hours once a week (it's air conditioned in the library, so not uncomfortable to knit during the summer) would be nice.  Besides, I might be able to get some of the other knitters interested in knitting the red hats for newborns for the American Heart Association with me.  

I came home a little after 2:00 p.m. and had a yogurt for brunch, followed by the last of the grapes and some of the potato chips.  Then, I laundered one of the quilts I used to have on my bed and started on my book. 

My supervisor called me to tell me that he was processing my time sheet for this pay period and to confirm the time codes with me.  I really appreciate him doing that.  

Later, I had a cup of tea and chatted with my daughter who called to say she was home and shared the things she learned on the last day of the statistics workshop.  

Friend M came to do the garden and he very kindly sprayed the front yard and back yard, to the extent that he could, with the outdoor spray I had bought.  I am not sure just how effective just one application might be - we might need to do another application or two - but I feel happy that something has been done.  M also gave me the name of a pest control company another of his clients had used and recommended.  I shall give them a call if today's spraying isn't effective.

One of the things I had said I would do this month is attend Friday night meditation sessions at the temple.  However, I wasn't ready to attend the meditation session, today.  I am not entirely happy about that, but, I do need to keep in mind that, although I wish to do X,Y, and Z, and think I ought to be able to do so, I still tire fairly quickly, and between the heat (we were at 100+F, today, too) and the stress over the fleas, etc., I didn't have the energy to do more than what I did, today.  I don't want to push myself too much and overdo things simply because I think I should be able to accomplish certain things, and get overtired.  I think I will plan to attend next week's session and take it from there. 

I was also too tired to dust and vacuum, today.  The plan is to wake up a little earlier, tomorrow morning, and vacuum while it is still cooler.  In the meantime, I combed Dancer, today, and found only one, possibly two, fleas on him, which was a big improvement over what I had been finding in previous combing!  I am starting to feel that we might be making some progress in ridding ourselves of the fleas! 

Later in the evening, I called friend R to confirm that I will be taking her to get her shipping boxes, tomorrow.  She will come over to my house, I will take her to get the boxes, we might get something to bring home and eat, and then, I'll take her back home. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- M spraying the garden for me
- Being able to run errands
- Daughter sharing her day with me
- A new book to read
- Finding fewer fleas on Dancer!

Friday's To Do List:
- Bank - DONE
- P/U refill - DONE
- Post office - DONE
- Library - DONE
- Put away laundry - DONE
- Wash another quilt - DONE
- Spray the garden - DONE
- Dust the living room - SATURDAY
- Vacuum - SATURDAY

Saturday's To Do List:
- Dust living room
- Vacuum
- Take friend R to pick up her shipping boxes
- Maybe have lunch with her
- Drop her off at home
- Change my bedding
- More laundry!

Someone decided that the quilt draped over the drying rack made a good tent:

Dancer's "Tent"

The quilt had dripped a bit and I put towels to absorb the water; they are slightly damp and probably very cool:

Dancer "Camping"

He got up a minute or two ago, and ate some of his food, and came back to his "tent":

"Me camp out here all night!"

Yes, he's one spoilt kitty!

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

Thursday

Today's main task was the appointment with the podiatrist in the afternoon.  I also wanted to fit in a visit to the pet supplies store to buy flea medications and sprays.

After I woke up (at 9:30 a.m.), and had a cup of coffee, I replied to blog comments, commented on a few blogs, put away the laundry from yesterday and did a load of laundry - the knitted patchwork blanket I used to have on my bed, washed the dishes, mopped the kitchen floor prior to putting down the newly washed kitchen rug, called in a medication refill, paid two bills (gas and the utilities bill), and emailed my supervisor at work, about my time sheets for this pay period.

There was also an email from our HR, stating that my 35 years service pin will be awarded at the up-coming department-wide staff meeting and asking me to confirm that I will be there for it!  The meeting starts at 8:00 a.m., with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m.  It means an earlier start to my day than I like (I'd have to leave home by 7:00 a.m., at the latest to be in on time for the meeting and earlier if I want to attend the breakfast), but, I responded to the email stating I plan to be there for it!  I have another doctor's appointment for that afternoon, so, I need to decide if I want to attend the meeting and come home and then go downtown, again, for the doctor's appointment, or, if I want to spent the rest of the morning at the office, doing some retirement-related paperwork, or what.  I guess I'll decide closer to the date.

Then, I had a yogurt for brunch and went to my podiatrist's appointment. 

The appointment went well.  I was there 15 minutes prior to my appointment time and was called in at my appointment time without undue delays.  The podiatrist checked my feet and pronounced them to be fine, encouraged me to wear socks even when I am at home (I like to walk bare foot at home), told me to elevate my feet as much as I can to reduce the swelling I've been experiencing lately, and to call for an appointment if there was any concern; if not, he will see me again in November for another routine check up. 

I had received another letter from the insurance, last week, stating that I had met my co-pay limit for this year.  I took the letter with me so that the receptionist could make a copy of it for their files.  I also begged her to make sure that Esther in their billing services received a copy of this letter, because I had been dealing with her over the billing for last December's office visit copay, up until last month and I still don't know if that has been settled! 

Then, I drove back and went to the pet supplies store and bought another container of indoor flea spray ($18), a container of outdoor flea spray ($25, but on sale for $22), a bucket of cat litter refill ($9.99 because I took the old container to refill; $11.99 if you buy a new prefilled container), and another box of flea medications to apply to Dancer ($70 for 4 doses).  My total came to $122.88 with tax. 

By then, it was around 4:00 p.m. and I was getting hungry!  I stopped by the subway sandwich place and bought a foot-long cold cuts sandwich for $4.99 (the 6-inch one was $4.79).  I requested lettuce, spinach, tomato, cucumber, pickles, and bell pepper, on my sandwich, with honey mustard dressing, on an Italian herb and cheese bread roll.  After I came home, I ate half of the sandwich and ate some grapes for dessert.  I ate part of the other half for an early dinner; the rest is in the fridge for brunch, tomorrow.

I called and checked to see if my refill was ready for pick up, but it wasn't.  That's OK; I'll pick it up, tomorrow and go to the bank in the same trip.

I put away the blanket that I had washed in the morning and put one of the quilts from daughter's bed to wash.  Each washed and dried quilt and blanket will be put into old pillow cases and stored in the linen closet until they will be needed again in the winter. 

Daughter called when she got home from her workshop and we chatted for awhile.  Back when I did multivariate statistics as a grad  student, I used scientific calculators and none of the computer programs that they use now, but, I love the fact that she discusses what she's learning and doing at the workshop, with me, just as if I knew what she was saying!  LOL.  Apparently, the professor who is conducting this week's workshop is urging her to do a PhD, saying she'll do well! 

Today, I am grateful for:
- The appointment with the podiatrist went well; he said my feet looked good
- Letter from the insurance company stating I had met my co-pay requirements for this year
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Air conditioning in the car
- All what I was able to accomplish, today

Thursday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment - DONE
- Buy more flea spray - both for indoors and outdoors - DONE
- See if they have a different type of flea medications and buy some- DONE
- Get another bucket of kitty litter - DONE
- Put away laundry - DONE
- Do another load - DONE
- Pay bills (2) - DONE
- Comb Dancer - DONE (oh, he did NOT like it one little bit, today!)
- Go to the bank - FRIDAY
- Do the dishes - DONE
- Mop kitchen floor - DONE
- Call in medication refill - DONE
- Pick up refill - FRIDAY

Friday's To Do List:
- Bank
- P/U refill
- Put away laundry
- Wash another quilt
- Spray the garden
- Dust the living room
- Vacuum

How was your Thursday?  What have you planned for Friday?

On the First Day of August...

I stressed about the flea situation!  And counted my blessings to cope with the stress!

I did two loads of laundry - the bed sheets that were on my bed and the old towels I use as floor mats in the bathroom, along with the kitchen rug.  It is a blessing that the old washing machine is still working without being temperamental!  Then, I vacuumed the entire house, taking short breaks in between rooms, and tossed the vacuum bag.  It is a blessing that the old vacuum cleaner is still working and I am well enough, again, to vacuum the whole house in one go!  Then, I sprayed the sofas, the area rugs and the door mats that I can't wash.  And I flea combed Dancer so many times that finally he let me know he's had enough!

Later in the evening, I went outside to collect the mail.  I wore a long white skirt and when I came inside, I checked my skirt and there were brown specks on it!  EEEK!  I removed my skirt, immediately, and washed it out in the bathtub!  I had worn a black skirt when I watered the garden, yesterday and didn't think to check it!  But I had worn a white blouse with it and didn't notice anything unusual on it, so I am hoping that it was OK, yesterday.  This is the first time that I've been aware of a flea infestation outside, in the garden!  Thanks a lot, garden cats! 

Obviously, I will need to call some professionals to spray the garden!  But, in the meantime, I will go to the pet supply store, tomorrow, and buy some outdoor flea spray to spray around the doors.  At least, as I told my friend, I am home to attend to things!  That, too, is a blessing! (Yes, I'm trying to be positive).

Brunch was a sandwich, followed by some yogurt.  Afternoon snack was a bowl of grapes.  Dinner was the last of the macaroni and cheese, with ground beef added to it.  For dessert, I had a walnut roll.  This is a picture of the label on the package of walnut rolls pastry I bought when daughter was home.  I was very amused by the warning on the label, which I have circled in yellow, that it may contain traces of nuts.  I realize that food allergies are a serious matter and appreciate what the label is trying to achieve, but, really, I would expect to find a little more than just traces of nuts in a product called walnut roll, wouldn't you?

"May contain traces of nuts"

Later in the evening, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A working washing machine to do all the laundry without having to go to a laundromat
- Being able to vacuum the house
- Being able to flea comb Dancer
- Being home to deal with the flea situation
- Being able to video chat with daughter

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Put away laundry - DONE
- Do another load (my bed sheets) - DONE; DID THE FLOOR MATS, TOO
- Vacuum the house - DONE
- Flea comb Dancer - DONE
- Continue with paperwork/bill paying - DID SOME
- Go for a walk - DIDN'T

Thursday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment
- Buy more flea spray - both for indoors and outdoors
- See if they have a different type of flea medications
- Get another bucket of kitty litter
- Put away laundry
- Do another load
- Pay bills (2)
- Comb Dancer
- Go to the bank
- Do the dishes

How was your Wednesday?  How do you try to cope with stress?