More Grocery Shopping on Wednesday

Wednesday Groceries

Today, I spent some time in the morning responding to blog comments and commenting on a couple of other blogs.  Then, I practiced the piano for a little bit, emptied the kitchen trash, and turned around and it was 12:15 p.m., already, and time to leave for my podiatrist's appointment.  My appointment was at 1:30 p.m., but I always like to leave a little earlier than necessary because I never know how congested the freeway might be.  Traffic wasn't too heavy, today, and I got to the clinic in plenty of time, except they were closed for lunch and I had to wait!

While I was at the podiatrist's, I received a text from the pharmacy stating that another medication refill was ready for pick up (I've given up trying to coordinate the refills to be ready all at the same time).  So, after my appointment, I drove straight to the pharmacy, picking up a hamburger on the way, since it was already 3:00 p.m., by then, and all I'd had was a cup of tea in the morning and a couple of saltine-type crackers while I waited for the podiatrist's office to open after lunch.

At the pharmacy, I picked up my refill and then, I went to the dollar store, next door and bought a salad mix ($1.49), a box of cereal ($1.99), a bottle of soy sauce ($.99), a box of pudding mix ($.99), two packets of chicken salad with crackers and one packet of tuna salad with crackers (@$.99).  My total came to $8.49.  The packets of chicken/tuna salad and crackers are for me to take with me when I go to various appointments, along with the bottle of water I usually take with me.  I used to keep them in my office desk drawer when I was working, as part of my earthquake supplies, along with some granola bars.

After that, I went to the regular grocery store in the same mall to pick up some eggs, as I had finished the eggs I had bought earlier (in January, I believe).  The eggs were $2.79/dozen if I bought one carton, but $1.49/dozen if I bought two cartons!  So, I bought two cartons for $2.98!  I don't eat a lot of eggs, normally, but, I guess I'll be eating more eggs than normal for the next few weeks!  Maybe I'll ask friend R if she'd like some eggs!

My February grocery budget was $185.00 ($75 regular monthly budget + $10 carried over from January + $100 for prayer gathering related items).

Spent to date: $32.71 + $41.86 + $26.41 + $12.00 + $4.40 + 8.49 + $2.98 = $130.85

Balance remaining in the February grocery budget: $185 - $130.85 = $54.15

It was almost 5:00 p.m. by the time I came home!  I put away the groceries, opened a few windows to air out the house, had a cup of tea, and rested on the family room sofa, watching news on TV.  I had a crocheted blanket over my legs and Dancer decided he, too, wanted to be warm:

As snug as a bug in a rug?

I didn't water the front garden because I was tired from grocery shopping, etc.  Then, after dinner (leftovers: rice, chicken curry, dhal, the last of the green beans, pappadum), I practiced the piano (I might have memorized a fourth piece), did some paperwork, did a little cleaning in my bedroom (just a little bit), and video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The podiatrist's appointment went well
- I had a safe drive there and back
- The pharmacy had another refill ready without any problems
- I was able to run a couple of errands
- Scented candles

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

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment - DONE
- Continue to tidy my bedroom - DID SOME
- Water the front garden
- Practice the piano - DONE
- Paperwork/filing - STARTED

Thursday's To Do List:
- Practice the piano
- Piano lesson
- Water the front garden
- More paperwork
- Continue to tidy my bedroom

How was your Wednesday?  What would you do with an extra dozen of eggs?  What are your plans for Thursday?

Unidentified Flying Objects and Volunteer Plants on Tuesday

Unidentified Metal Flying Object - Top

The Under Side

This is the object that flew into my neighbor's yard which she gave to me.  It is about 6 inches in diameter.  One can see that it was fixed to something which rusted and broke off.  I can't think of what it might be.  Maybe it is a flying saucer!

"I'm not bothered by flying saucers; I'm taking a nap"

I put water to the back garden today and discovered these little plants growing under the orange tree:

Unidentified Plants

Well, maybe not quite unidentified.  Considering how close they are to one of the crocosmia plants, I am pretty sure these are crocosmia seedlings growing from the seeds that dropped, last year:

Crocosmia Seedlings

I think I'll let them grow a little bigger and then, transfer them to another area.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Volunteer plants
- A fridge full of leftovers
- Water for the garden
- A sunny and warm day
- Being able to post pictures

Today's joyful activity was discovering new plants in the garden.

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Remake the guest bed - DONE
- Bring the trash cans in - DONE
- Water the house plants and back garden - DONE
- Start tidying my bedroom
- Practice the piano - DONE

I haven't started tidying my bedroom at the time of writing (4:30 p.m.).  But, I hope to get started, later in the evening.

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Doctor's appointment
- Continue to tidy my bedroom
- Water the front garden
- Practice the piano
- Paperwork/filing

How is your Tuesday?  What do you think the metal object might be?  What are your plans for Wednesday?

Monday

I slept in, this morning, and got a good 9 hours of sleep!  I guess I was tired from the weekend's activities.  After I woke up and enjoyed a cup of tea, I responded to blog comments.  Breakfast was grapes:

"Sweet Sapphire" Seedless Black Grapes

Later in the afternoon, I noticed that the avocados I had bought had ripened.  I cut one, scooped out the flesh from one half and made:

Avocado Pudding!

I grew up eating avocado made into this favorite dessert: mashed up ripe avocado with condensed milk and sugar!  It is the only way I will eat avocado.  I am not a fan of guacamole, avocado toast, or sliced avocado in salads, etc.  I guess this was lunch!  

Neighbor T called me to tell me that she found a round metal piece that had blown over into her backyard after last night's wind storm.  She wasn't sure if it was from her roof or mine!  So, I went over and she gave me the piece of metal - it looks like it was a cover of something, but, I've no idea where it came from!  Anyway, I guess I will keep it until I can show it to someone who might know what it is!  Neighbor T showed me the damage the winds did to the wall between her driveway and her other neighbor's back yard - there had been a section of fencing on top of the cinder block wall and that had blown over, taking some of the cinder block capping stones with it!

Then, I took the trash cans out and watered the front garden - the newly planted euryops and the beds of osteospermum.

Today, I did three loads of laundry, including the bedding from the guest bed.  But, I didn't remake the bed, yet.

In the evening, I re-did some scrapbook pages.  My daughter had removed some of the photographs to do school projects when she was in high school; that was almost 10 years ago!  The scrapbook pages with the photos missing had been languishing in the "will re-do one day" pile.  Well, I re-did several of them, today, while I watched news.  Nothing fancy; just a matter of rearranging the remaining photos on new card stock and pasting them down.   Of course, Dancer came to help!  He is such a good shredder of papers!  Didn't matter if I wanted them shred or not!  LOL!  I still have several more pages to re-do, but I put everything away after I finished for today.

I am so happy the way the house looks after I tidied it for the prayer gathering that I am determined to try and keep it looking that way, by erasing the evidence after each activity!

The Family Room (before the sofas were covered)

With the Sofas Covered (with old bed sheets and towels on the arms to keep Dancer's fur off them) 

Dinner was leftovers.

Friend R called in the evening to check on me and daughter and I video chatted a bit.

I practiced the piano twice, today, and I think I have the first song memorized.  Working on the next two songs.  One of them is Happy Birthday, and while I know the melody well and have no problems with the right hand, I haven't quite memorized the notes for the left hand!

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to sleep in
- Last night's wind storm didn't do any damage to my house and garden, as far as I can tell
- A tidy house (at least, the main rooms)
- Time to craft
- Phone calls and video chats

My joyful activity today was scrapbooking.


Monday's To Do List:
- Cover the sofas with the dust sheets - DONE
- Laundry - two three loads (guest room bed sheets; quilt; kitchen mat and Dancer's towels) - DONE
- Wipe down the toilet seat in the guest bathroom - DONE

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

- Practice the piano - DONE

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Remake the guest bed
- Bring the trash cans in
- Water the house plants and back garden
- Start tidying my bedroom
- Practice the piano

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

Sunday after the Prayer Gathering

Dancer Rests from Yesterday's Activities

As I mentioned in the earlier post, today, I went to the pharmacy with friend R to pick up my inhaler refill.  Then, I dropped R off at her apartment and came back, to have brunch (the remaining bread roll, half with chicken curry and half with butter and homemade strawberry jam).

I put away all the dishes, pots and pans, leftover drinks, etc. We call it erasing the evidence (or ETE).  Then, I did the laundry.  I washed all the table cloths and kitchen towels, etc. and the one cushion cover from the family room sofa where someone spilled something.  Then, I did two loads of regular laundry, too, and my bed sheets.    While I waited for my sheets to dry so I could put them back on (I only have one set of flannel sheets), Dancer decided to take a nap on the unmade bed!

I remade my bed and put away all the laundry, except the sofa dust covers.  Any clothes that were rehung in the closet had the hangers turned back the usual way.  I watched the latter half of the Academy Awards (Oscars) show while I put away the last of the laundry and had dinner (leftovers - rice, green beans, dhal, sausages, and pappadum) and a small serving of flan for dessert.

Afterwards, I practiced the piano for half an hour and mopped the kitchen.

Plans for today:
- Go to the pharmacy to pick up my refill - DONE
- Drop R off at her apartment - DONE
- Put away the last of the dishes - DONE
- Laundry - DONE (4 loads)
- Remake my bed - DONE
- Mop kitchen floor - DONE
- Practice the piano - DONE

Today, I am grateful for:
- My inhaler was ready to be picked up
- I had a safe drive to drop off R and come back
- Whatever rain we had to water the garden
- A working washer and dryer
- What I was able to accomplish

My joyful activity was recalling the highlights of yesterday's prayer gathering and restoring the house to order.

Monday's To Do List:
- Cover the sofas with the dust sheets
- Laundry - two loads (guest room bed sheets; kitchen mat and Dancer's towels)
- Wipe down the toilet seat in the guest bathroom

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

- Practice the piano

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

Prayer Gathering on Saturday

The Altar (taken this morning)

Yesterday's prayer gathering went off very well.  I set up the altar in the morning, cleaned the bathrooms, tidied the spare bedroom, put the table cloths on the tables, etc. and then, went to pick up friend R.

On the way home, we stopped at a nearby grocery store to pick up some flowers for the altar and a flan for dessert (R's contributions) and some last bits of groceries I wanted (bananas, a small container of milk, and a bottle of ginger ale soda).  R also bought some bread rolls from the bakery section for us for a late lunch.  My share of the groceries came to $4 and some cents. 

Then, we came out of the grocery store and I had moment of panic because I thought my car had been towed!  This is not a grocery store I go to on a regular basis, so, I was unfamiliar with the layout.  There had been a parking spot right in the front, near the entrance, and while, usually, these spots are for handicapped parking, neither R nor I could see any signs saying it was handicapped parking, only.  Usually, handicapped parking is indicated by blue signs, blue striping, etc.  Well, there wasn't anything to be seen, so, I parked there, feeling very happy that I was able to get parking so close to the entrance.

When we came out with our groceries, I went to the spot where I thought I had parked my car and my car wasn't there!  What's more, there were handicapped parking signs posted and written in big blue letters on the wall!  Well, I thought I had parked in a handicapped spot, without noticing the signs, and they had towed my car!  $250 fine for parking in a handicapped spot, illegally.  More than the fine, the inconvenience of having to go to the impound yard to get the car back, when there was a prayer gathering to be held in a few hours!

I thought, oh, my goodness, now what do I do?!  I ran into the store and spoke to a manager, saying I guess I parked in a handicapped parking spot, without realizing it, and now my car has been towed!  She said they rarely, if ever, tow the cars and came out with me to see what had happened.  She asked what kind of car and I said, a white Toyota Camry.  She looked around and pointed in the other direction  and said, "Ma'am, your car is on that side, near the other entranace!"  Oh, my!  I had gone in from one entrance and come out from another entrance and not realized it!  I hadn't parked in a handicapped spot and my car hadn't been towed!  Whew!  I was so happy, I gave the manager a hug and thanked her!  In the meantime, friend R, who had stayed outside with the cart of groceries, had realized that we had parked by the other entrance and had gone inside the store to look for me!  But, I had already come out and was looking for her!  LOL!  Eventually, she spotted me and called out to me!  My goodness!  That was a bit of excitement we could have done without, but, we laughed and said my mother must have played a practical joke on us. 

After we came home, we ate two of the rolls R had bought with the sauteed chicken I had cooked, earlier.   My neighbor T had left a message on my answering machine and I called her back and she asked me if I could come over to help her with something, so I went over and checked on her. 

Afterwards, friend R and I started on the prayer gathering preparations.  R arranged the flowers in vases and washed the grapes while I mopped the bathroom; she removed the dust sheets from the sofas while I cooked the sausages, and fried the pappadum.  The she helped me take out the serving dishes and the glass plates from the china cabinet and take down the drinks from the kitchen cabinet where I store them.  Then, we had a cup of tea and I took a shower and got dressed.  I put the rice to boil while she got dressed.  Then, I warmed up all the curries (although they had to be warmed up again, before dinner was served).  The only thing I didn't get around to doing from my To Do list was mopping the kitchen floor.  I was tired by that time and didn't want to push myself.  But, everything else was done by 6:30 p.m., as planned.

The first guests arrived at 7:00 p.m. and the others were all here shortly after that.  I was happy that my relatives from my mother's side of the family were all able to attend the prayer gathering: Aunt T (my mother's sister-in-law), her two daughters, my cousins V and R, and my other cousin P.  Cousin P had called me earlier in the evening saying she didn't think she'll be able to come, but, she managed to make it, after all.  I don't say any of the rosary prayers, myself, but, my three cousins and friends R and F, each said a decade of the rosary and we offered special prayers of good health to a little girl named Violet and two sisters named Whitney and Paige, the granddaughter and daughters of two of my blog friends. 

Afterwards, we served dinner:

Dinner: Rice, cashew churry, dhal, sausages, coconut sambol, salad, green beans,  chicken curry, beef curry, and pappadum

For dessert, I had flan, yogurt and treacle, and fresh grapes (2 kinds: green and black).

There were 12 of us at the gathering and the conversation flowed.  It was past 11:00 p.m. when people started to leave and I encouraged people to take food home with them.  Several people took me up on the offer and I was ready with the containers and paper plates, etc. 

Friend R stayed the night and helped me to put away the food and to wash up the dishes, etc.  Then, I video chatted with my daughter. 

I was too tired by then to do a blog post.  As I told one of my friends, my legs felt like they were going to fall off!  LOL.  I said my regular nightly devotions and went to bed by 1:30 a.m., which is early for me! 

I slept till 9:00 a.m. this morning.  Then, I put away most of the washed dishes and pots and pans while I waited for my tea to brew.  The pharmacy had texted saying my inhaler was ready for pick up, so, I called in at the pharmacy to pick it up, this morning, while friend R did a little shopping of her own at the same pharmacy.  Then, I dropped her off at her apartment and came home.  It has been a cloudy, overcast day, and we had a little bit of a drizzle, too.  I'm glad for the moisture because the garden needs it.

I've put away the serving dishes back in the china cabinet and started on the laundry.  I'm on my third load, now, and there is one more load to go.  I will mop the kitchen floor, a little later, tonight, or, maybe, even, tomorrow.  Today, I scrubbed the other half of the kitchen sink.  The living room, dining area, family room, kitchen, and bathrooms are looking how I like them to look - clean and tidy.  The bedrooms are another story!  LOL.

On Saturday, I was grateful for:
- My car was not towed, after all!
- Friend R's help with everything
- Family and friends all participating in the prayer gathering and bringing dishes and drinks to contribute
- Being able to send food home with them
- A clean house!

Plans for today:
- Go to the pharmacy to pick up my refill - DONE
- Drop R off at her apartment - DONE
- Put away the last of the dishes - DONE
- Laundry - In progress
- Mop kitchen floor
- Practice the piano

How was your Saturday?  Have you ever forgotten where you parked and panicked?  How is your Sunday coming along?

Productive Friday, Too!

Woke up when my alarm went off this morning and for a minute, I wondered why I set the alarm for 9:00 a.m.  Then, I remembered - I wanted to call the doctor's office about my inhaler!  So, I called while my tea was brewing and spoke with the receptionist, who said the doctor will be in later in the afternoon, today, and she will leave a message to the doctor to call me back.  Which she did, later in the evening, and assured me that she called in the prescription to the pharmacy.  Thank goodness!

I spent the rest of the morning responding to blog comments and writing the post about my mother.  Thank you, so much, for your very kind comments in response to that post.

Then, I sent a group text to the prayer group to remind them about tomorrow's prayer gathering and the time.  I asked them to arrive around 7:00 p.m.  Several people confirmed that they are coming, so, I now have a sort of head count.  I am expecting 12 people to attend, and there'll be 13 with myself to dinner!  Lucky 13?!  One of my cousins asked if I wanted her to bring anything.  So, I called her and told her what I was planning to make.  She said she will try to bring a coconut sambol, since I wasn't making one.  I think that will go well with the menu I've chosen.

Then, I practiced the piano.  I made some progress towards memorizing the first song.  It is the one from last week, so, it's the one with which I am most familiar.  Then, I played through the other new pieces a couple of times.

While I practiced the piano, I had the garbanzo beans boiling.  Then, I sauteed onions, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and dried chilies, added the boiled garbanzo beans and finished cooking it.  We call it "kadala" and it will be served as a snack, when people arrive, along with the tortilla chips.

After brunch (an egg salad sandwich and an orange), I cooked the lentils (dhal).  Then, I sat down and cut the green beans, slicing them at an angle.  I watched news while I cut them.  I had been worried that my hands might cramp, but they didn't!  I'm very grateful for that.

When friend M came to do the garden, I asked him if he could vacuum for me, instead, as I was already wheezing a little bit, by then.  He was happy to oblige as he used to help my mother with the housework when she used to prepare for prayer gatherings.  While he vacuumed I made us both a cup of tea and then, we sat and chatted a bit.  I sent him home with a container of the dhal (lentils) I had cooked and several tea bags.

Then, I cooked the green beans and cleaned the rest of the kitchen, including the microwave oven.  However, I was too tired to mop the kitchen floor, so that has been put off until tomorrow.

Dinner was another big salad with a piece of chicken breast and the other half of the baked potato from yesterday.  A slice of papaya for dessert.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The doctor called me back saying she has called in the prescription for the inhaler
- Cousin's offer to bring a coconut sambol as her contribution to the dinner
- Friend M doing the vacuuming for me
- Friend R calling to confirm she can come and help me with the preparations, tomorrow
- Being able to do the cooking and dishes, etc., without having my hands cramping

Today's joyful activity was enjoying a cup of tea and some conversation with M.

Friday's To Do List:
- Call the doctor's office re. inhaler refill - DONE
- Text reminder to prayer group re. tomorrow's gathering, time, etc. - DONE
- Cook: garbanzo beans, dhal, green beans - DONE
- Clean the bathrooms
- Vacuum - DONE (by M)
- Clean the rest of the kitchen (after the cooking is done) - DONE (except mopping the floor)
- Practice the piano - DONE

Saturday's To Do List:
- Clean the bathrooms
- Mop the kitchen floor
- Tidy the spare bedroom (friend R might stay the night)
- Pick up friend R
- Stop at the grocery store
- Make the salad
- Set up the altar
- Cook the rice
- Warm up the curries
- Take out serving dishes, plates, etc.
- Set out the drinks
- Have everything done and ready by 6:30 p.m.
- Guests to arrive around 7:00 p.m.

Saturday will be a busy day, but, it will be a good kind of busy.  The good thing about the Rosary prayer gatherings is, there is no strict time schedule, as such.  Unlike the almsgivings! 

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

Amma (Mother)

My Mother 

Today is the 14th anniversary of my mother's death.  I've written about her, several times, for example here and here.  So, I won't repeat myself and bore you with details.   I am blessed to have had her as my mother.  I will be hosting tomorrow's prayer gathering in memory of her.  Today's plans include visiting her grave and the Temple.

Mother: 1920-2006

Anicca vata sankhara (All things are impermanent)

A Buddhist meditation

May you attain the ultimate release of Nibbana (Nirvana), Amma.