Jigsaw Puzzles and Earthquakes on Tuesday

Completed Jigsaw Puzzle (minus five pieces!)

Another rather cloudy day, although there was a little sunshine in the early afternoon.  I decided to have a quiet day at home.  I watched the Senate impeachment proceedings (had it going on in the background, all day), made a phone call and scheduled an appointment, called cousin P to check on her, brought in the trash can, cooked the rest of the canned corned beef with onions and tomatoes, cooked a pot of rice, too, did the day's dishes, and completed one of the jigsaw puzzles I received for Christmas!  Doing a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle was challenging enough, but doing it with five pieces missing made it that much more challenging!  I have no idea what happened to the five missing pieces, but, I rather suspect my "helper" kitty might have something to do with their disappearance!  I looked under the table, but, didn't find any missing pieces.

We just had an earthquake!  While I was typing the above sentence!  A magnitude 3.6 according to the USGS and situation not too far from where I live!  Nothing fell or broke at my house.  What a blessing that it was a small earthquake!  The lights didn't even flicker, but, once the shaking stopped, I went and got my flashlight to keep by my side!  I just hope it wasn't a fore-shock!  I was just talking about earthquake with a friend of mine, yesterday! 

Today, I am grateful for:
- The earthquake wasn't a big one
- No damages from it as far as I know
- A quiet, restful day at home
- A working heater
- Being able to watch the Senate hearings

Today's joyful activity was finishing the jigsaw puzzle.

Plans for tomorrow include putting gas to the car (since I didn't do that, today) and grocery shopping.

How was your Tuesday?  What are your plans for Wednesday?  Do you get earthquakes where you live?

Cloudy Monday

It was a cloudy, overcast day, today.  The sun struggled to shine through the cloud cover without much success.

I called the radiation oncologist's office to confirm they were open today and I could come down to obtain copies of my records.  Then, I drove to downtown and collected the copies I had requested.  I spent a little time chatting with the receptionist and the radiation technician and commiserated with them over the impact of the hospital closing down.  The hospital had been opened (at a different location than its present location) in the 1850s by the Sisters of Charity.  It is considered the oldest hospital in Los Angeles.

No matter what led to its bankruptcy, its closure affects not only the patients it served, but, also, over 1,000 people who worked at the hospital who are now facing unemployment.  The receptionist said he has been to a few job interviews and asked me to keep him in my prayers.  I told him that I will definitely pray, not only for him, but for others as well, including the nurse who has a son with disabilities, the lady in the hospital admissions office who takes care of her sister, and the parking garage attendant who informed me that although he's originally from South America, his father was from India.

I stopped at the little Armenian grocery store on my way home and bought a loaf of their bakery bread ($1.50).  I opened a can of corned beef when I came home and made myself corned beef sandwiches for lunch.  I made "lemonade" by squeezing the juice of half a Meyer lemon into a glass of water, no sugar required, to have with my lunch.

Later in the evening, I watched some news, although I dozed for a bit, during the news!   

Afterwards, I cleaned out the fridge - tossed some too-old food, washed/wiped the shelves and drawers, replaced the box of baking soda, etc.  I didn't do the shelves on the door, but, will do that, next time.  Then, emptied the kitchen trash and took the big trash bins to the curb for pick up in the morning.  Finally, I washed the dishes.

Friend R called while I was cooking my dinner and we chatted for a bit.  Later, I practiced the piano and video chatted with my daughter. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- I was able to get copies of my medical records without any difficulties
- The care I received at the hospital during my treatments
- A safe drive to the doctor's office and back
- Freshly baked bread
- Naps on the sofa

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

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Bring the trash cans in
- Water the indoor plants
- Make a couple of appointments
- Organize some of the kitchen cabinets
- Errands - put gas to the car

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

The Weekend

Saturday, I spent a quiet, relaxed day at home.  I fitted a few more pieces in the jigsaw puzzle (before my "helper" came and plopped himself right on top of all the pieces, scattering puzzle pieces with every swish of his tail!).  Later in the afternoon, I practiced the piano for a bit.  In the evening, I watched news and a couple of other TV programs and knitted (still working on the light blue sweater).  Finally, I did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen a little bit. 

Today, Sunday, was the monthly Rosary prayer gathering.   I was to give a ride to cousin P and friend F, but, cousin P called in the morning to say that she was having a cold and cough and would not attend the prayer gathering.   So, when friend F arrived just before 12:00 noon, she and I went to the prayer gathering.  The traffic wasn't too bad, today, and we were able to get to the prayer gathering by 1:00 p.m.

Today's prayer gathering was well attended, with about 15 people there, as well as the host and hostess.  I was happy to see Aunt T, there, as well as another aunt.  After the rosary was recited, lunch was served: noodles with vegetables and shrimp mixed in with it, roast chicken, and roast pork.  Plus an assortment of desserts.  After lunch, we sat around, talking and drinking tea, until around 4:30 p.m.  Then, I got up to leave, because it would take me at least one hour to drive home and friend F, who had parked her car at my house, would have to drive another hour almost to get to her home. 

After I came home, I had another cup of tea, chatted on the phone with my daughter for a bit, called aunt C to check on her, and practiced the piano.  Then, cousin P called and we chatted a little bit.  I made myself a salad for dinner.  (Live and Learn: I didn't bring any food home with me, this time! It does happen, occasionally!  LOL). 

This weekend, I am grateful for:
- Monthly prayer gatherings
- Seeing family and friends
- A safe drive to the prayer gathering and back
- Being able to give friend F a ride
- A working dishwasher

This weekend's joyful activities included attending the monthly prayer gathering and being with family and friends.

Monday's To Do List:
- Pick up medical report if dr's office is open

- Load of laundry

- Clean the fridge

- Take trash cans to the curb for Tuesday trash pick up

How was your weekend?  What are your plans for the week ahead?

Doctor's Appointment on Friday

It rained late Thursday night, after all!  A steady shower of rain which watered the garden, nicely.  I am glad I didn't have to water the garden.

Friday was sunny and clear.

I was woken up by a phone call from a niece on the east coast.  She was calling to thank me for the New Year's gift basket I had sent to her and her family.  I was late sending it and she didn't receive it until earlier this week, but, she was happy to have received it.  

I went back to sleep after that phone call, but, was woken up again by cousin P calling me to confirm that I can give her a ride to the prayer gathering on Sunday.  I said yes and we chatted a bit.  After that, I didn't bother to go back to sleep!  It was mid-morning and time to get up!

I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon at the cancer clinic.  After the oncologist greeted me and asked me how I was, I was entrusted to the care of his nurse practitioner, who gave me my injection to boost my bone density (the real reason for my visit).  While I was with her, I informed her about the situation with the radiation oncologist's office closing because the hospital was closing.  Last night, I had wondered what happens to my medical records with him when the hospital closes.  She suggested I contacted the radiation oncologist's office and request a copy of my medical records.  She said the most important piece of information will be the radiation dosage I had been given.

After I came home, I called the radiation oncologist's office and was informed that the medical records will be transferred to a different hospital where the doctor will continue to see his patients and if I want copies of the records, I will need to contact that hospital, after February 1, when the change over will become effective.  I asked if I could obtain a copy of the notes from my most recent visit (which was in November) and I was told that if I came in person, on Monday, I could get a copy.  So, that's what I will do; but, I'll call first, to make sure that they are open on Monday, as it is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  If not, I'll go on Tuesday.

Friend M came over in the evening to tend to the garden.  Something seems to be attacking the poor peach plant, so he sprayed it.  Then, I asked him to prune the hedge of lantana and plumbago growing along the side wall in the back garden.  It was rather overgrown and I didn't want it to block access to the utility pole at the very corner of my garden.

Today was apparently the day for phone calls, because my cousin in Florida called to check on me, cousin P called again, in the afternoon, and friend R called, too!  The "family/friends" segment of my balanced life wheel is getting very nicely plumped, this month!  Later, of course, I video chatted with my daughter.  She is feeling better, today, and went to the office.

Today, I am grateful for:

- The doctor's visit went well; I got my injection and answers to some questions I had

- A safe drive there and back

- Last night's rain watered the garden

- Phone calls from family and friends

- My daughter is feeling better

My joyful activity today was walking around the garden and seeing the new seedlings coming up, the peach plant starting to bud, and picking fresh lemons (made lemonade) and an orange to have after dinner.  

Plans for tomorrow (Saturday) include restoring some order to the kitchen, practicing the piano (didn't do it, today!), and maybe a load of laundry. 

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

Mid-Month in January

Stickers!  

Didn't we just celebrate New Year's Day?  How can it be mid-month, already?! 

Yesterday, Wednesday, I went for my blood test in the afternoon.  Afterwards, I had thought of going to the fabric store, as there was a sale going on and I had received a leaflet with coupons (the lab I go to for my blood tests is located a few blocks from the fabric store).  But, I hadn't eaten in the morning and had only had a cup of tea (with my usual milk and sugar, so I wasn't, technically, fasting) and I thought it would be wiser for me to go home and eat something.  Besides, I really didn't need anything from the fabric store, although, I would like to buy some white felt or fleece to make more snowman coasters/mug rugs for gift giving. 

I came home and made myself some tuna salad sandwiches for lunch.  Dancer got a bit of tuna as a treat, as well!  Then, I watched news, chatted with a friend who called, replied to a text from one of my cousins, and generally, relaxed.  Later in the evening, I video chatted with my daughter and practiced the piano.

Today, I went for my second piano lesson!  S was very pleased with my progress, because I answered all her review questions and played my practice piece without any mistakes!  So pleased, in fact, that she gave me stickers!  LOL!  This time, I wasn't as nervous and the lesson went better, although I still stumbled in places.  Even when I know the notes, my fingers play a different note, at times!  But, now, I have several new pieces to learn and practice for next week.  The first lesson, I went from page 4 (pages 1-3 were the table of contents) to page 13, before I stumbled and made a mistake.  Today, I went from page 14 to page 27, before my hour was up (we actually went over by 10 minutes). 

After I came home, I relaxed a bit, then, made something to have for a late lunch (steak, potatoes, and broccoli; breakfast had been a slice of toast with peanut butter; dinner will probably be more of a snack with a fresh orange from the garden for dessert).  Friend F called to ask if I can give her a ride to the Rosary prayer gathering on Sunday and I said yes. 

Daughter called, too, to say she came home from work and will not be going to her acrobatics classes this evening, because she is feeling the beginnings of a scratchy throat, again, and wanted to rest.  Apparently, it rained and hailed up at Berkeley, this afternoon!  I am still waiting for the rain that was in the forecast for today! 

Plans for the rest of the evening include watching news, practicing the piano, and doing the dishes! 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Stickers! 
- The piano lesson went well
- The back pain I've had all week is better
- A working heater
- A new magazine to read (a gift from my daughter)

My joyful activity for the day was the piano lesson.

Plans for tomorrow (Friday) include the doctor's appointment and M coming to tend to the garden.

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

Free Movie at the Library

Yesterday evening, I picked up friend R and we went to one of the branch libraries in the adjoining city to watch a screening of Downton Abbey, the movie.

The library system in the adjoining city consists of three branch libraries and they show screenings of movies twice a month at different locations, one evening screening and one afternoon screening (different movies).  These screenings are free, thanks to funds made available through their Friends of the Library.  Although I am a member of the library (and have been for many years), this was the first time I've attended one of their free movie screenings.  But, it won't be the last!

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and so did friend R.  She is a fan of the Downton Abbey series on TV.  I have watched a few episodes and knew enough of the story to know who the main characters were.  This particular screening was closed captioned, too, for the benefit of anyone who needed it; one member of the audience objected to it, but, we were informed that it was part of the agreement under which the movie was to be screened.    I didn't mind the captioning, at all.

The movie was from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Afterwards, I asked friend R if she wanted to stop somewhere for dinner (we were passing by one of our favorite cafes) but, she declined.  I dropped friend R off at her apartment and came home.  I was tempted to stop for a hamburger on the way home, but, resisted the temptation, came home, and made myself an easy dinner of a baked potato and a scrambled egg, followed by the last of the fresh tangerines (I had eaten rice, fish curry, dhal, and cashew curry for lunch). 

Since the movie was free and I didn't buy any dinner, afterwards, it was a very frugal evening of entertainment! 

The next movie they will be screening (at a different branch library) will be "Judy", based on the life of Judy Garland.  It is an afternoon showing, so friend R will not be able to attend as she is working.  But, I am planning to attend it. 

Yesterday, I was grateful for:
- Feeling well again
- Friend R being able to attend the movie with me
- Free movies at the library
- A very enjoyable movie and evening
- Frugal fun

My joyful activity for the day was going to see the movie with friend R.

Does your library have free movie screenings?  If so, do you attend them? 

When Hospitals Close

The announcement came as a shock - I was watching local news, a week or so ago, and one of the news stories was that the hospital where I go to for my treatments was closing due to bankruptcy!  All the patients who were currently in the hospital as in-patients were being transferred to other nearby hospitals that could, or would, accept them.  Over 1,000 employees were losing their jobs!  Located in downtown Los Angeles, it is considered the oldest hospital in the city.  But, with over 70% of their patients being low income and on Medicare (federal medical subsidy), which reimburse the hospital at a lower rate than private insurance, the hospital was apparently unable to receive enough income to remain open.  It is where my various cancer screenings and surgeries took place. 

I had been wondering what would happen next.  That is the hospital I've been assigned to, according to the insurance I have.  It is where I had all my screenings and surgeries when I was being treated for cancer.  I knew my insurance will probably make other arrangements, but, that takes time, of course. 

This morning, I had a phone call from the office of my radiation oncologist.  I had an appointment for a follow-up visit in February, but, his office is in a building adjoining the hospital and, apparently, it, too, is closing.  The doctor will see patients at other hospitals, but the one he's moving to is a bit of a distance from me, in a different city.  The office staff person I spoke with was saying that he and the rest of the staff in that office will all have to look for new jobs!  I feel so badly for them.  I used to go to that office for my radiation treatments, five days a week until all 35 treatments were completed.  The staff there were all so caring and considerate!  What happens to the patients who are still receiving daily treatments?  Where do they go? 

After that phone call, I called my oncologist's office.  My appointment on Friday of this week is with his nurse practitioner, for a follow-up visit and my bone density booster injection.  I called to find out if they are closing too, but, they are located in a different building, and they will remain open!  Oh, big sigh of relief!  One of the reasons why I chose to keep my same insurance when I retired was because I wanted to keep the same oncologist!  Unless I receive another phone call telling me otherwise, I will still be able to keep Friday's appointment!  Maybe my oncologist could recommend another radiation oncologist, if needed. 

All I can say is, I am very grateful the hospital didn't close while I was in mid-treatments!  That would have been very stressful to say the least!