Restful Weekend

I had planned to get a few things done, this weekend, but it was not to be.

On Saturday, I woke up to an overcast day, feeling a little tired and decided to take it easy in the morning.  I was still planning to go grocery shopping, etc., in the afternoon, but, in the afternoon, I experienced one of those ocular migraines that I get, occasionally.  This was followed by a headache that didn't go away until much later, after I took a Tylenol, drank extra water, and rested. 

The lady who leads the monthly prayer group called to let me know that she's hosting this month's prayer gathering at her house, next Sunday.  My friend R called and we chatted for a bit.  I also received an email from one of my long-time friends, which was nice.

Later, I washed the dishes - a load in the dishwasher and the rest (pots and pans, etc.) by hand.

Brunch had been a scrambled egg, a fresh orange from the tree, and a slice of panettone; dinner was pasta with shrimp curry and cucumber salad.   An apple and chocolate-hazelnut spread for dessert.  Later in the night, I wanted a savory snack, so I made a batch of cheese "crackers":

Cheese "crackers"

I didn't use a recipe, but mixed about half a cup of flour, about two ounces of margarine (half of a stick), grated into the flour, about the same amount of grated cheese, some salt and a little chili powder, and enough water to make a dough which I rolled out on a floured surface, pricked with a fork, cut into rectangles and baked at 350F for about 12 minutes.  I probably should have added an egg yolk to the dough because the "crackers" came out a little too hard, but they satisfied the craving I had for a savory snack; the rest of the crackers are in a container, to be snacked on during the week.

I could have gone grocery shopping, today, but decided to stay home and relax, instead.  I put away the washed dishes from yesterday, watched coverage of the Olympics games, did a load of laundry (a quilt from daughter's bed), and knitted more hats for the American Heart Association.

My neighbor T didn't call me in the morning, as usual, so I called her in the evening.  Another friend called to ask if I was going to the prayer gathering, next weekend, and, if so, could I give her a ride.  I told her that I was planning to attend, but I will confirm closer to the date.

Brunch was sauted garbanzo beans (from the freezer) and another fresh orange from the garden; chicken and vegetable soup for dinner with a slice of panettone.   

Even if I didn't go grocery shopping, my daughter did:

Daughter's Grocery Shopping

She went to the dollar store, again, and bought:
4 cans of garbanzo beans
1 package instant noodles
1 package of 6 K-cups
3 pouches of freeze dried peaches
1 small can of condensed milk
1 bag of potatoes
1 bag of salad
bananas
2 plantains
1 bag of tangerines
1 can of coconut cream
1 can of something in tomato sauce (she told me what it was, but I forgot!)

She said her total came to $17 something (under $18); later in the week, she will go to Trader Joe's for milk or half and half.

This weekend, I am grateful for:
- Being able to stay home and relax
- Fresh oranges from the garden
- The headache went away, eventually
- An email from my friend
- Chatting with my daughter

I have the day off from work, tomorrow, so I plan to run all my errands, then.

How was your weekend?  Do you sometimes make plans and have them all fly out the window because you don't feel up to doing anything?

Where the Stairs Lead

Remember this flight of stairs from yesterday's post?

Stairs to Climb

Wonder where they lead?  There's another set of stairs around the corner, too, but, because of the slope, these have some 20 additional steps!

Second Flight of Stairs

The very first time I climbed to see what's at the top, I climbed these stairs!  On Friday, however, I chose to climb the shorter flight of stairs!

And this is what you see at the top of the stairs:

Blue Ribbon Roof Garden/Community Park

If you look to the left, you see this:

The Back of the Building

When you look to the right, you see where we are:

Disney Concert Hall Community Park/Blue Ribbon Garden

It is named the Blue Ribbon garden in honor of the Music Center's volunteer support group.  I don't come up here all that often, but every time I do, I just love being in this space:

It's easy to forget you are on top of a building

Gardeners hard at work

Pink Ball Tree

Close Up of the Flowers

All the plants are identified

As a collector of blue and white porcelain, I love this sculpture/fountain and its mosaic of Delft china:

"A Rose for Lilly"

Close Up of the Dedication

This is a roof top garden/community park?

Yes, it is!  A look over the parapet confirms it!

There were a few people walking about:

Enjoying the Park

There are also several seating areas and people were enjoying having their lunch there and there were some people taking pictures.  But, for the most part, it wasn't crowded.  I suppose the stairs discourage people from climbing up?  Although, it is accessible by escalator/elevator, through the building, as well.

Peaceful and Uncrowded

The plants grown here include herbs and edible flowers that are used by one of the restaurants. I like that!

A Look Back

The park is L-shaped as it wraps around the building:

The other side of the L-shaped park - if you look closely, you can see the door from the building, which opens out to the garden

Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba speciosa)

The rooftop park ends at the top of the second flight of stairs:

The Second Flight of Stairs

Looking back up - you can see the silk floss tree at the top

The Walt Disney Concert Hall from across the street (taken previously; the ones I took yesterday didn't turn out so well)

Walt Disney Concert Hall

The Broad Museum, adjoining the Disney Concert Hall: lots of people waiting to visit the museum.  I haven't been in, yet.

The Broad

Hope you enjoyed the tour of the roof top garden. 

Friday: A Water Conserving Garden

On Friday, I watered the back garden in the morning before going to the office.  Ha, ha, that's a fancy way of saying I turned the sprinklers on while I had my coffee and got dressed!

I took a longer (1 hour) than usual (30 minutes) lunch break because I needed to go and pay my municipal services bill (electricity, water, sewage, trash collection), which I prefer to pay in person.  I wondered if I'd be up to walking uphill to the payment center, but decided I wasn't quite there, yet.  Instead, I paid 50cents and rode the shuttle bus.  My plan was to walk back to the office after I paid the bill, as it was a walk going downhill.

It was a bit of a hazy day, but I took a picture of the downtown skyline:

Downtown Skyline

Paying the bill took only a few minutes.  Afterwards, I set off on my walk.  But first, I lingered to look at the display garden showcasing water conserving landscaping:

Water Conservation Garden: Southwest Style

It looks a bit like my front garden, doesn't it?  I am starting to think that all I really need for my front garden is a truckload of pebbles to cover the bare ground and maybe put a path!

Another View of the Southwest Style Garden

The garden continued on the other side of the walkway:

The Mediterranean Style Garden

There was a poster describing the plants in the garden:

Description of the Garden and Plants

After that, I set off on my walk back to the office.  But, I had another stop planned.

Stairway to ???

The walk back to the office goes past these steps and that's where I was headed.  But that is for another post!

Steps to show the slope

I took this picture of the steps to the courthouse to show the slop of the road.  They are, admittedly, shallow steps, but the right side is at level with the pavement, while the left side is much lower.

I spent the evening watching the Winter Olympics opening ceremonies and chatting with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to take a longer lunch break
- Being able to pay my bills
- Another sunny and warm day
- Being able to watch the coverage of the opening ceremony
- Video chatting with daughter

Plans for the weekend include doing some grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, some other shopping, and visiting the cemetery.

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

Thursday's Accomplishments

Thursday morning, I called the surgeon's office and after several calls back and forth, we now have a date for the surgery!  It has been scheduled for Friday, February 23.  It was the best compromise.  My daughter's schedule couldn't accommodate the February 13 date I had initially suggested, the surgeon's schedule couldn't accommodate the February 20 date that daughter suggested, the hospital couldn't fit in the February 22 date the surgeon could do, so, we have February 23.

Daughter will come down on Wednesday, February 21, take the 22nd and 23rd off, work from home the following week while I recuperate, and go back the Monday after that.  This way, she'll be home for her birthday!  I will go to the auto insurance office on Monday and ask them to put daughter back on my car insurance for the duration of her visit so she can drive me back from the surgery.

I had to call and reschedule another doctor's appointment I had, but that was easily rescheduled.  Then, I called another doctor's office to confirm my appointment with them - it's on Presidents Day, but apparently they are open.

I also texted cousin N to inform her about the surgery date and she is going to try and be there, as well.

I had a fairly productive day at the office.  It looks like there will be some staff changes and I will have another supervisor! 

Today's walk was relatively short - I went down to the Farmers' Market (didn't buy anything), and then, walked around the block.  That was all.

I had a relaxed evening after I came home.  Replied to blog comments, watched news, emailed a friend, and video chatted with daughter.  I will do the litter box before I go to bed, but the dishes will have to wait until tomorrow. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- The surgery date has been scheduled
- Daughter will be able to come down for it
- Cousin saying she'll try to be there on the surgery date
- Being able to take it easy when I need to
- Other medical appointments being confirmed

Friday's To Do List:
- Water the back garden
- Go to the office
- Do the dishes

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

Pensive on Wednesday

Today marked the 12 year anniversary of my mother's death. I have been remembering her all day.

In the morning, I put water to the front garden before I went to the office.  I know Mother would have appreciated that more than if I had visited her grave.  One of the last things she did before she died was walk to the sliding glass door at the back and ask our gardener friend M how things were going (he was planting some bean seeds my daughter had sprouted as part of a science experiment).  M had given her a thumbs up and she walked back to the living room.  A short time later, M's aunt, my neighbor K found her slumped over in her chair and was unable to find a pulse. 

Today's walk was back to the Japanese garden.  The azaleas are starting to flower:

The Japanese Garden on 2/7

The steps and waterfall to the left of the paved area in the picture above

Another Look

Today's walk was accomplished in 30 minutes.

I called the surgeon's office to see if they received the test results from the doctor's office; the lady I spoke with said she'll contact the doctor's office for them.  She asked me when I wanted to be scheduled for the surgery and I said next Tuesday would be good, but then, daughter said February 20 would be better for her.  The surgeon's office was already closed for the day, when I called back, around noon.  I will need to call, tomorrow, to let them know that the preferred day is the 20th. 

The pharmacy texted to say that another medication refill was ready for pick up, so, I stopped by the pharmacy on my way home from work.  I would prefer if they filled them all on the same day, but I am grateful they are being filled without any problems. 

My friend R called in the evening and we chatted for a bit and, later, I video chatted with daughter.  I mentioned to her that I lost the reception on the TV, yesterday, and she told me how to reset it.  She was laughing at me but I am clueless about these things!  I don't watch a lot of TV, but, I do like to watch news and some programs. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Memories
- Another walk in the warm sunny afternoon
- Another drama-free medication refill
- My friend R's call
- Cyber hugs from daughter

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Water the front garden - DONE
- Go to the office- DONE
- Pharmacy - DONE

I am glad I decided not to make a big, long to do list for today, because I probably would not have accomplished more than what I did, above.





How was your Wednesday?

Tuesday's Doings

Today, I went to the office and had a fairly productive day, including attending a meeting, where one of the topics discussed was the Zanja Madre (or Mother Ditch), which was the first aqueduct, built within one month of establishing the City of Los Angeles in 1781, to bring water to the city.  

Lunch was leftover fried rice from last night's dinner and pineapple.  After my lunch (eaten at my desk), I went for my walk.

 

Today's walk was one of the old routes - past the former cathedral, up the block, past the community garden, and back.  Not a long walk, but, today, I was all achy and walking was slow and painful.  But I walked for 40 minutes (the distance was the same but my pace was slower).  As a result, I was slightly late for the afternoon meeting (that I had forgotten we were having!)  Oops!  It wasn't a big deal, though (me being a little late), especially since the meeting dragged on for 30 minutes longer than it was supposed to last!

 

These bicycle racks are starting to appear in more and more places, downtown:

 

Rental Bikes

 

 

$3.50 for 30 minutes or $7 day pass

 

The pharmacy texted that one of my medication refills was ready for pick up, so, I went there, directly, after work.  There was a long line of people waiting to pick up their medications, today.  I picked up a hamburger on my way home from the pharmacy as I was hungry (and had been wanting a hamburger for several days).  It was past 7:00 p.m. when I came home and it was too dark to put water to the front garden.  I will have to get up a little earlier, tomorrow morning, and water the garden before I go to work.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Another sunny and pleasant day

- Being able to go for a walk

- Medication refills without drama!

- Being able to relax, knowing housework can wait another day or two

- Video chatting with my daughter

 Tuesday's To Do List:

- Go to the office - DONE

- Bring the trash cans in - DONE

- Pharmacy - DONE

- Water the front garden

- Put away the laundry - DONE

- Vacuum

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Water the front garden
- Go to the office

Tomorrow will not be an easy day for me, so I will just keep the to do list short, because I know I will not get much done, anyway.

How was your Tuesday? 

Monday: February Grocery Shopping Week 1

The doctor's office called in the morning to verify if I had my chest x-ray; I said yes, and they said they will contact the radiology center for the results and will inform the surgeon's office. 

Today, I went to the office and had a fairly productive day.  In the afternoon, I went for my walk and went to the library to return my book.  The library is behind the former St. Vibiana's cathedral.

The bell tower and cupola of the former cathedral

The archdiocese, which had wanted a larger cathedral, had started to demolish the bell tower, removing the cupola on the top, without a permit, after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, claiming it had the right to demolish their own building.  But, the City and conservationists filed a lawsuit to stop the demolition.  Eventually, the archdiocese reached an agreement with the City and the former cathedral was given to the City in exchange for a larger piece of City-owned property, where the new cathedral has been built.  The building was sold, renovated, and the cupola was returned to the top of the bell tower.  The building is currently being used as an event space.

On the way home, I put gas to the car and did the grocery shopping.

 

2/5 Groceries

 

I bought:

1/2 gal. milk = $1.99

1 coffee creamer = $2.49

bananas @$.49/lb = $.56

1 box crackers = $1.99

Total =  $7.03

I had wanted to buy the smoked sausage that had been advertised at $1.99, but the sale price of $1.99 was valid only during the weekend!  I chose not to buy it at $2.50, which was today's price.  Oh, well, I'll buy it when it goes on sale, next.

2/5 Grocery Receipt

Yes, I bought another bag of cat food!  I am spending more on cat food than my own groceries!  

February grocery budget = $75 +  $17.23 carried over from January =  $92.23

Spent to date = $7.03

Balance left in the budget = $85.20

 

Came home a little after 7:00 p.m.  It was too dark to put water to the front garden, and I was tired, too.  But I put a load of laundry to wash before I photographed the groceries, made a cup of coffee and called daughter.  Later, I hung up the laundry to dry and applied the flea medications to Dancer (doing it as a preventive measure).

 

Lunch had been the rest of the chicken salad in a sandwich and some of the pineapple.  For dinner, I made chicken fried rice with some of the leftover roast chicken, leftover rice, onions, frozen green peas, an egg, and a handful of mixed nuts (more leftovers from the prayer gathering):

 

Chicken Fried Rice

There's enough leftover for tomorrow's lunch.  Dessert was a banana...and a chocolate!

 

Today, I was grateful for:

- A call from the doctor's office (shows they are on top of it, this time)

- A productive day at the office

- A pleasant walk

- Libraries

- A safe commute to the office and back

Monday's To Do List:
- Go to the office - DONE
- Go to the library to return book (during lunch break) - DONE
- Go to the grocery store - DONE
- Put gas to the car - DONE
- Water the front garden
- Take the trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Do a load of laundry - DONE
- Vacuum (maybe)

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Go to the office

- Bring the trash cans in

- Water the front garden

- Put away the laundry

- Vacuum 

How was your Monday?  How did you do with your grocery shopping, this week?