Daily Notes- December 11th. Raining Quite Hard- Instead if Snow- which is fine with me. 35 degrees

 

Having a bit of trouble tossing photos.  They keep coming back.  Especially the soap image.  We might have had this one already but we won't again as I tossed it off the desktop.  Sorry about repeated pictures.

As I mentioned  in the header- RAIN.  Which in any other December here in Maine would be three feet of heavy wet snow.  But not in the Globally Warm Maine of 2021.

We set another daily record amount of new COVID cases- 1245.  One day. New Hampshire is SO MUCH WORSE.  Way low percentage vaccinated.  Merry Christmas ICU/Ventilators.  I was going to go political but no...don't/can't change minds.

I am going to suggest that every child bearing aged woman go to PP or their clinic and protect yourselves from ANY pregnancy.  Double up if you have to. Two different methods.  Of course that leaves rape- either by strangers or people you know. Is there somewhere to donate bus tickets???? to another State?

My arm started to hurt at around 8pm.  When all the resident internal bits and pieces noticed an invader. Sleep was difficult bu I don't feel sleep deprived so I guess I slept.  I never remember sleeping.  It's not like those pleasant commercials selling sheets. Waking up so damned happy.

I don't wake up happy.

Watched One Strange Rock.  I was reminded of it by a Hulu advertisement with Will Smith.  And then was all " why did I deleted them from the TiVo files?????"- I missed the first 4 episodes but I have the rest.  They put BBC stuff to shame.  And no animal eats, hunts or kills another.  Which I appreciate. No- one animal did get chased by huge hawks and eaten.  

I have a book to read and daughter has been sending images of the snacks she has made for a social gathering this evening.  Frito Hot Dark Chocolate Bark.  The Candy Factory where she works makes it every so often. So she made some homemade version. I didn't get any Bark- just the leftover bag of Fritos. I'm good. the Party Bark will be too hot (spicy) for me to enjoy.

Daily Notes- December tenth. Christmas Cards are written and addressed- just need the Post Office now.

 Remember--in the Beginning --when we desperately thought we needed more soap??? to wash things. To wash our hands 20 times a day.  I still love soap.  I love French soap.  Uneven chunky cakes of it. Some place used to sell it and I bought it...but I can't remember where or if it was even Maine.  Could have been Chicago.

Several Bullet Points :

Roethlisberger is 39.  I've spelled his name wrong (then went to look for correct spelling) but the point here is- 39.  How on Earth is he only 39??? How on Earth is he playing football as a Quarterback. Looking like he's 50 on a good day. Thursday Night Football he hit the ground, sprawled on his back, and none of his teammates pulled him up. He sneered something to the coach as he walked past- wow. Has he always been that guy??? Attitude is fine when you aren't losing the game.

My Sports TV Shows say the Steelers needed to draft a fresh new Quarterback last year. If they did- put him out on the field --can't be worse than Ben.

Snow last night- about a quarter inch of hard crunchy stuff. Snow Beads.  The plow came. We think to spread dissolver chemicals- which are very bad for the Earth..  So it would't ice up after dusk.

When I go have my COVID BOOSTER shot and buy Boozy Cake to celebrate.

Kim (most of the artist work here comes from her blog) made an interesting comment on yesterday's post.  Not being interested in doing things.  The COVID thing.  Disconnecting and then, now, thinking why bother to re-connect.  I get it.  And with me- there are some people- COVID brought out a side of them I don't like- so those people- not going to make any effort to re-connect. I'll make new friends. Or not.

And other things- ....maybe less in the fridge on a regular basis now..... Maybe...always having bread in the fridge for a sandwich is a Great Thing.  Toaster or Pan.  Because a sandwich is always doable with what you have around. And Oatmeal.  And Cheese.  And Carrots, Onions and Celery as staples forever in the vegetable bin. And Soup.  I also like having macaroni to add to soup.  

I was going to do Washing Machine Pages- but I "just don't want to".

Daily Notes- December 9th. Sunshine but 25 degrees. 1265 COVID cases in one day. One county. Unvaccinated.

 My Avocado Tree.  It's now 32 inches tall (includes the pot) and has quite a few leaves.  Every so often a few turn brown (which I don't understand).  And then it makes more new ones.  In the mid to upper right of the background is my other green houseplant.  A hot pepper plant I think.  It has gotten quite leafy but I can see it's veins- so something is not quite right.

Husband is still sleeping.  His arm hurts from his high dose flu shot yesterday morning.  He did not use his iPad all day yesterday.  I know that can't last but I think the "memory loss" wake up call made a dent in his enjoyment.

I am trying to think of a dessert item I can make for myself today.  I like cookies.  But I don't really like the mess of making cookies.  I might make pancakes.  It's not a dessert but it sort of fulfills the "want to eat something sweet" desire I have between breakfast and supper.  We're down to two meals here.  Works best for us.  Well actually, I think it's breakfast, lunch and dessert for husband but I don't buy dessert for myself.

I have this quote on my desktop "without the cacophony, the balance of the past and all it contained seemed to outweigh the future, my mind full of the things said and not said, done and not done.  I no longer understand how to move forward."

Spring will arrive.  I am counting the days.

Daily Notes- December 8th- Windy, cold, icy snow.

A late start here.  I went with husband to his annual doctor's visit.  Discussing memory loss is difficult. We will be trying a new medication going forward.  And we will TRY limiting screen time.  Husband can spend hours on the iPad or iPhone and turns out- these screens decrease husband's ability to remember. He is usually very very confused after the iPad. An angry confused.

But he is addicted to the screens.

I had to insert the photo in this post in a new way.  Last night I changed the batteries in the keyboard which caused the entire system to collapse and I had to do a manual shut down.  I am guessing certain functions might have eliminated themselves in the re-boot.  Like moving photos off the desktop.

I managed to snag myself a COVID Booster shot on Friday, the 10th at 5:15 pm BEFORE the malfunction..  Happy Dance.

I had been visiting the site (online) as suggested after 9 pm.  I did get the appointment by visiting at 6 pm. At my local grocery/pharmacy.  I can buy myself a celebratory piece of Tiramisu cake afterward.  The lines and congestion at the Pharmacy are now...complicating many Lives.  The store might need a security person. I have heard the f word used pretty often in the last few weeks in the line which snakes into Produce.

The Big Truck backed into our driveway yesterday with a Fruit Gift Basket from our Bankers.  I have already eaten the nuts and one orange.  The Big Truck has been delivering packages at a daily rate to the doctor and lawyer living next door.  Other houses on the street also are getting Big Truck visits.  

I don't know if it will actually snow today.  It's those tiny hard particles and not fluffy white flakes. Not Snow Globe Snow.

Daily Notes- December 7th- Pearl Harbor Day. I think.

 Reminds me of Christmas in Germany.  Bees Wax candles.  

So...The Patriots Won.  In 50 mile per hour wind.  At the very end of the game- with a chance the Bills might score- our power went off. Yep- you can't even know how that is here in Maine- Total darkness and then pop it all came back on.  I told husband to go turn on the non TiVo tv in the dining room.  See what happened as I waited for the TiVo to reassemble itself- it takes longer and longer or I am getting to be less patient.

We WON!!!!  Life is Good.

Also in the Life Is Good Column- daughter got her COVID Booster shot this morning at a Walgreens the next Town over. (where no masks are worn and no vaccine is needed)  I am now the only family member with No Booster Shot.  

I am not that worried.  I am ALWAYS MASKED and washing my hands etc.  I also do not go into any stores other than the grocery.  Which is large enough that I can maintain distances. I back up a lot. Leaving aisles that seem too crowded etc. My grocery has alcohol wipes available and I wipe down my cart.  My hands.  I do not wipe down my groceries.  I know several people who blog that did that.  I touch everything and then wash my hands really well.  No face touching.  Ever.

So.....I have written checks for the two bills that arrived.  I set myself up to do the Christmas Cards but then decided I wanted to continue reading a very good book by a Rom Com author named Sara Desai. In this one the love interest guy is a combat veteran with emotional problems and the gal is a lawyer with a very WILD streak.  This is book three.  Marriage Game, Dating Plan and last Singles Table.  

All the same extended family and friends. This book begins with a wedding party paint ball outing and our girl shoots the veteran in the ass with the paint ball gun- up close and personal- because she wanted to get the flag...... before he did. He's been seated (not comfortably)  next to her at the Singles Table at the wedding and she's spilled food and drink on him...of course- this being a Desai Rom Com- this guy hasn't a chance in Hell.  Read them in Order.  Or it ruins the Fun- not much but in order works better.  Didn't and was confused by the multitude of Aunties.

Daily Notes- December 6th. Monday, Monday. Rain here in Maine.

 This clipping holds an idea for a Christmas Ornament.  Over the years I handmade all my cards. At first from watercolor paper and scraps of silk etc.  Trees.  And then sewn on the card stock with the sewing machine --- straight and zigzag-- using gold and silver thread.  My neighbor across the street has her cards framed. They look amazing.  I wish I had sent one to myself.

In answer to your question- I used up all the small scraps of silks and velvet and bits of great old men's  silk ties over a period of three years.. some of the fabric went into the abstract art pieces I was making during this same time period.

And then I drew trees on smooth watercolor paper. Using my colored pencils- brown for the stems and branches and every shade of green pencil for the pine needles.  The trees were drawn into clay pots. One tiny red heart hanging from a branch.  Japanese simplicity.  Perhaps three or four Christmases.

After that, I bought brown cardstock and white ink pens.  I drew White Christmas trees and added  one little red heart to the branches like an ornament.  Those cards were achingly beautiful. I don't have one of those either. The making of the cards was very Zen. Another three or four Christmases.

The past four or more Christmases have been very nice commercially made cards.  Not "making" cards should have warned me that "danger was lurking ahead".  Not making Art.  That is never a good sign.

This idea in the picture.  Some stiff paper/board. Cut with mat knife into a tall triangle. Wrapped (around glue covered surface) in white yarn.  A small stick- (I like the idea of an unpainted twig) for the stem. I would need to find round wooden circles- perhaps something in the Tinker Toy container. And some fake moss. 

These couldn't be mailed... but for the neighbors???  Yes. Hand delivery. Sort of. Just to the Doors. Like last year's potholders. Drop off, ring the Doorbell and down the driveway I go.  Sewing the yard to cardstock would be very messy on the backside.  I thought of that.

Daily Notes- December 5th. Cold with Surprises

 A package arrived either late yesterday evening or early this morning.  Postal Service is Strange.  From Gretchen. In New York State.  Gretchen- thank you so much for this lovely surprise.

This is the empty box (and the stacks of 1.5 inch squares) and the lovely Japanese notebook and pink pen with glitter inside.  For the Washing Machine Pages.  Special Holiday Washing Machine Pages. And into the New Year as well.

The box also contained 6 inch squares of fabric.  Instead of eating my breakfast or reading the Sunday Paper- things I look forward to....I sorted cloth.  Into piles and projects.  A very neat and tidy selection of items  -that I am sure were cluttering up my friend's sewing room.  I don't know how we started writing to each other...but I sure am glad we did start that first email conversation.  Very very glad.   

A few years ago- Connie in Cincinnati sent me a charm pack to make potholders like the ones I had admired on her blog.  I have never allowed those potholders I made --- get dirty in use- instead they keep the stacked pans from scratching each other.  I see them each time I reach for a pot or pan.

Gretchen's stacks will be welcome additions to the (unused) potholder family-- laughing.

Last December I made potholders for the neighbors on my street and friends.  As a gift that I left in their mailboxes as COVID kept us from seeing each other.  I have no ideas about this year ...yet... but the COVID this December is more deadly.  Population reduction.  The Earth tries to save itself if we won't do it ourselves. 

I watched the news conference regarding the Michigan school shooting.  Your child is having thoughts about hurting himself or others and you go out and buy a gun? And let him have it- because- no bullets????? What could possibly go wrong, huh?

Daily Notes- Saturday December 4th. It's COLD but Sunny.

 I took a picture!!!!!  This is my homemade Advent Calendar.  I bought Dark Chocolate Squares to put in the pockets but haven't done it yet.  The weight of the candy will possibly- probably- make the calendar fall off the wall.  It's already number 4.  I'm Late. Already Late.

I made Stanley Tucci's family vegetable pasta sauce yesterday.  Husband was standing by the stove with his bowl and then I explained what it was I had cooked.  And he walked away.  Vegetables.  He doesn't eat them.  Mushrooms on Pizza sometimes.  Onions.  Carrots in Chicken Soup.  That's it.

I had about two small handfuls of chocolate animal crackers left in a bag and half a small tub of Cool Whip in the fridge not used on the Pumpkin Pie - so I dumped the cookies into the Cool Whip, stirred them around and in a day or two- the time it will take for the Cool Whip to soften the cookies- I will have dessert.

I am trying a new routine here. Titled ::: Feeding Myself.  Remember I made Pantry Soup before Thanksgiving--Twice. And then for Thanksgiving all the Vegetable Side Dishes But No Turkey.  Now Vegetable Pasta Sauce.  I should call it Vegetable Drawer Pasta.  I used two organic fat carrots, celery with leaves and a nice onion plus a large can of crushed Italian tomatoes (from Germany) Read the cans- so much strange info.. All the vegetables were finely diced using one of my less used but very sharp German knives.  tiny cubes.  Very precise. I enjoy food prep.  Occasionally.

I am re-reading Shipped.  Angie Hockman.  While trying on wet suits on the Cruise Ship for the afternoon outing in the ocean-  the two travel executives (main characters trying to get the same new job) eye each other.  The young woman has on a bikini and the guy is looking at her and she mouths "human resources".  So he pulls off his tee shirt and while she looks he also mouths "human resources". I laughed out loud.  The young woman has already puked on one of the passengers.  Food poisoning.  Airplane sandwich. 

 Next up, I think the woman actually drowns while snorkeling in her wet suit.  Panic Attack. She's saved but....just. Her sister had a milk shake with local ice cubes and is now recovering from - unclean water used to make the ice. Puking and Pooping.

And, as a person who has BEEN on a cruise ship for a week.......so true.  So true. That week seemed like a ETERNITY and I will NEVER do it again unless I bring a second suitcase FULL of books.  And cloth to sew. People are actually drawn to someone sewing--like moths to a flame.  Especially appliqué. And they always want to touch the cloth.  Especially...men.

Daily Notes- Number 3708. Really, I have written to you three thousand seven hundred and eight times.

 I asked husband to drive me to the library and the grocery store.  Hoping to get him to forget what he was attempting to do in the garage.  It didn't work.  He's out there losing things he won't be able to find as I type. I usually stand next to him with my hand out for the items.  I've tried not finding them but then he drives to the local big store and buys more.... but never what he went to buy.

I  hope I die first. I was looking forward to living alone. But by the Time it happens- I will be too exhausted (and angry) to care.

The Library and Grocery Store with mask was difficult.  I could feel the veins in my neck struggling with not enough oxygen.. I could also acknowledge that I wasn't really thinking as well as usual.  I had to backtrack a few times.  I had a list but kept feeling like I had gotten something I didn't need and had forgotten things I did need.  I did get two cartons of light cream for my coffee and another large container of oatmeal.  My breakfast. The Store shelves for the two things are more often than not.... bare. 

Having extras is like money in the bank so that was fine.  I got three yogurts for me.  In the event of not having anything else to eat for supper- I do get tired of grilled cheese.  Husband got a new stack of Chicken Parm dinners, yogurts with candy, bagels.  Healthy Eating.  He also got a new snack cake.  

His birthday cake was getting "boring". Oddly enough, my birthday cake never bored him and he asked for a piece every night till it was gone. 

I have a stack of books I have read in the past that have entertained me more than once and will again this week..  I have the new Nigella cookbook.  What I would like is a new Nigella cooking series on PBS.  I think Amazon bought all of the PBS back stock of cooking shows.  Prime.  I don't have it.  Because I don't know how to have it. I would like Netflix also.  But the how of it escapes me, also.  I amaze myself doing this blog each day.   

Our PBS station is fund raising selling boxed sets of tapes and discs.  Of moldy old programs. Until December 12th.  An ENTIRE MONTH. You get a free PBS Mug.

Gosh this was a depressing post.  The Heart yesterday did belong to Dee.  

And Dee has had a "worse than me day" if we are comparing.  Sitting in her sewing chair only to discover the dog had vomited on it. 

Daily Notes- December 2nd- Cold and Wet as it is raining today.

 I think this might be Dee?  I don't know where it came from but I liked the image. Let me know if it's yours?  I like it very very much which is why it's in the picture file.

I spent some of the day doing Not Much (other than laundry).  I did enjoy the Sports Shows.  They were discussing the Buffalo Stadium and the Fans.   The fact that the people in the stands actually have sex right there in the seats-- making the TV cameramen's job both fun and not fun, I guess.  And throw sex toys onto the field.  And throw cans of beer and garbage at the Patriots Bus when it arrives.  So.....all that was news to me. Buffalo.  We drove thru Buffalo once. Or around it. Once.

I worked on the December desk calendar a bit.  Most of this first week is actually under the Mac's stand. So, hard to get at and even harder to see.  And it's also pretty dark in the house right now.  I have the lights by the front window on but not over here by the desk.

I baked potatoes.  Yesterday.  They weren't very good.  I was so looking forward to them with butter chives and sour cream...but they were just blah.  A great disappointment.

I do have one interesting thing to tell you.  I was channel surfing past the Naughty Lifetime Channel and my eyes caught on an actress who looked familiar.  Yes.  She is in the Signed Sealed and Delivered Post Office series.  They get engaged and barely are able to brush their lips together in an awkward kiss that makes me cringe on the Post Office Series. 

Well....not on Naughty Lifetime.  So NOT!!!!! Not on Naughty Lifetime.  So the Hallmark Actors actually do know how to KISS on a bed with hands all over..  They just are not allowed to on Hallmark. 

And NOW I won't almost spill or spit up my coffee when I see them on Naughty Lifetime "going at it". Because Naughty Lifetime is Really Nasty.  The Other Lifetime is somewhere between Hallmark and Nasty.  And they kiss but they don't Murder, Rape, Kidnap or Terrorize. Like I said- Nasty.

The Kiss in the Elevator Movie recorded yesterday..  On Regular Lifetime.  And, it's a great kiss. I am going to watch it today.  And some one does gets punched in the nose- twice.  

Daily Notes- December first- Sunshine and 30 degrees

 I think I took this images to remind me of the book.  In case, I wanted to make Calligraphy Animals.

Last night's sleep was awful.  I was in a car with people, going somewhere.  We stopped at a nearly deserted gas station and I got out to pee and when I returned- the car was gone, the gas station was closed and empty, there was no traffic.  My belongings were in the car.  I decided to call someone- but I had no phone numbers, no money and I believe the time of this dream was before the internet and cell phones.

Sigh.  I didn't fall back to sleep. Abandonment is a real issue in my dreams.

Now, I am worried about having phone numbers.  I have already written down the important info for finding blogs if this computer dies.  But what of email addresses????  I am going to see if I can start a new list in my notebook for email addresses.  Some of this info transplants itself into my phone without my doing it.  They are somehow linked.  Not my doing.

Is that why I had this dream??? Because I need to be prepared???

Note: I went back to check and I have ALREADY written down all the email addresses.

I have one more Thanksgiving leftover meal (husband thought having vegetables once was enough so it's just me).  The Pumpkin Pie is finished.  Husband has eaten half of his Birthday Cake Assortment. He isn't sharing.  Which is fine as I don't mind if he eats it all as the cakes are very very sweet. I shared my birthday cake with him. Just saying........

I started reading a book quite late yesterday ...after two Christmas Movies.  I will finish it after I hit publish here.  Then I have one load of washing and a very dusty bedroom floor to Swiffer.  I dusted the Buddha on my dresser.  And the dresser.  I think all my corduroy pants are in the wash basket right now. I may toss the ones I have on in the washer also.  Then all my pants will be clean. But what will I wear while the washer is washing and the dryer drying????

Daily Notes- November 30th.-- sunny but cold.

 I like this piece of art very much.  I'd love for the Postal Service to choose this for stamps. I would buy sheets and sheets of these images if they were stamps.

We have cold sunshine here in Maine.  The upper reaches of America. More Canadian in weather than the rest of the "lower states'. 30 degrees and sunshine at 11am.  Husband went out early for a haircut.  Now he's back working on his coloring book page to be followed by a nap.  I am not certain what I will be doing today. Always wish I could nap.  But I can't. Genetically or Emotionally Impossible.

I keep thinking it's Friday but it's only Tuesday.

I was going to tell you about something interesting that has happened around here...but I can't remember what that was...and actually...nothing interesting or exciting comes to mind.  So..

We watched the nameless Washington Team play the Seahawks last night.  The Washington Team has no name (having been forced to no longer be the Redskins- a good decision) and the announcers said their quarterback wasn't a "franchise quarterback" so........he's not a quarterback?  Because he wasn't drafted????  This guy who isn't a franchise quarterback was like 150% determined to win the game- no matter what. And he did.  The look on his face on the sidelines- We rarely see the Washington Team.  It's not on the New England radar.  The Seahawks will certainly remember this game.

The Twins down the street are going to have their hockey rink again this Winter.  Dad (a lawyer working from home- the street has a high percentage of lawyers for 11 houses) is getting ready to start construction of a larger rink for the 2021 hockey season on our street. Larger twins. Larger rink.  It's lovely to see the boys and their friends out there on "the ice" in the late mornings early afternoons and then under lights after dark. He does all the work himself (on his work breaks).  I was happy to learn we'd have hockey again this Winter.  I love the sound of it on quiet winter afternoons.

My desk calendar (November) is full.  I worked on it yesterday to get ready to tear it off and start in on December.  The garbage truck just drove past.  A Wonderful Day in The Neighborhood.

Daily Notes- November 29th. Sunshine, ice on the sidewalks.

 Not my birthday yesterday- husband's.  

Football Pizza and I had no pizza cheese--which surprised the hell out of me after all these months and even years of Football  Pizza..  So I had to go out to the grocery to buy cheese and everyone must have been coming home on Sunday from Thanksgiving Family Trips or had run out of FOOD so the store was crowded. 

Got home and no pizza sauce in fridge.....I was sort of speechless at that point but did find a bottle in the pantry.  So, all the items for pizza making are now on the grocery list for later in the week.  Or next week.

I did manage to buy more chicken Parm prepared meals for husband.  He loved his cake.  Had difficulty choosing which of the four wedges of cake to eat first.  He went with Red Velvet.  I had Pumpkin Pie.

I finished up my November calendar.  I asked daughter to buy me a new one just like this one for my Christmas Present.  I have enjoyed finding and pasting art on the blocks and then going back and adding colored crayon or inked in designs.  I had all the finished calendars on the floor and will attempt- at the end of December to get a picture of them all.  I am going to need a tall ladder.

I did not read yesterday.  We watched Football.

Today I managed to corral myself into writing checks for the bills. Most difficult part--just getting started. Once I get going it's fine.  And then I walked out to the mailbox by the road-twice. I found more bills.  I was not in the "mood" to write my Christmas Cards today.  I'm not jolly.  But I did snag the christmas Stamps I wanted to match my cards on a visit to the library- I walked across the street and into the post office and it was quite empty.  I may have already written about the stamps.  Probably.  Not that much happens here.  Any excitement- it's in the books I am reading.

I had an idea for a short story today.  Even a title- The Runner. Woman comes to town to settle estate she has inherited from her great uncle as quickly, as quietly as possible..  But first she stops in to the police station- haven't figured out why- keys?- and the Police Chief takes one look at her and promptly drops to the floor, unconscious.  Everyone stands around until the ambulance arrives discussing the Chief's low blood pressure (??) and she makes a run for it.  It's not going to be a "serious" work of fiction.

Daily Notes- November 28th. Snow melting in the cold Sunshine

 Good Afternoon.  Too many things going on here- scattering my thoughts.  Good things.  Phone calls. Emails.  Things I need to attend to.  Listen. Process. Write down book titles.

So......today is a Football Day.  Patriots and Titans.  Two coaches who know each other very very well. History there.  It will be a Battle.  Begins NOW.  

Today is also a Birthday.   Football Pizza and then Birthday Cake.

It's cold.  I did Washing Machine Pages and one load of Wash yesterday.  It was cold where the washing machine lives (dryer vent open to the outdoors) and my handwriting was scribbly.  When I am out of sorts or someplace in my head that isn't great...I see it in the handwriting. And I saw it there yesterday.  So, I settled down and got out a fresh new book and read until my eyes said it was time for sleep.  

I've watched a few Christmas Movies. I've gotten to a place with Hallmark  (not so much Lifetime) where in the first 15 minutes I know.......I know I will like it or I know I won't.  Yesterday it was mostly won't.  Some of my favorites have been on Lifetime.  These movies are less......I don't know how to say this- false? preachy? stupid?  Hallmark has changed in the last two or three seasons.  And not in a good way. But..most of the "good stuff" hasn't been shown as yet.  We'll see.  The Magical Christmas Shoes turned out to be a Lifetime Movie and it's now recorded.  The other one I love- The kiss in the elevator movie has also been recorded- also Lifetime.  I have movies now that I can "medicate" myself with when I am feeling sad or lonely. Movies that make me laugh or just make me happy.

I have to get husband in here to watch the game.  I have the pizza dough out getting to room temp.  I have the cake in the fridge.  It's going to be okay.  A good day.

Daily Notes- November 27th- Snow overnight- melting right now.

 An image of an After Thanksgiving Sandwich. I am not sure what the pink marbled stuff is. Cranberry mayo????  I had another plate of all the sides yesterday for supper.  So good. Husband reverted to the Chicken Parm prepared meal- who is surprised????.  And didn't remember there was pumpkin pie.  He wanted packaged treats.

There is very little impetus for me to do home cooking.  I might bake cookies.  As a Birthday Gift.

I went out today to get his inhaler prescription.  I also got him a Variety Cake. Four different quarters of cake- Caramel, Carrot, Red Velvet and Chocolate for his Birthday tomorrow.  I forgot ice cream but he really won't miss it.  I'm not sure he will like the Red Velvet but he does eat a Red Velvet yogurt. So..... and I have the cookies I "might" bake as backup.  The cake is in the garage fridge.  It'll be a surprise.

I read a book yesterday.  The Dating Plan by Sara Desai.  I have asked for her first book The Marriage Game and it should be in next week.  These are books my library hasn't purchased for the collection but I think they should as it was quite good for a rom-com.  Some names and locations (bridal shop) seemed to overlap with another author so for awhile I was confused.  

Today I am re-reading Shipped.  A rom com that takes place on a cruise ship.  I will skip the first 30 or more pages.  Tedious. Where was the Editor????  And I think I will be making myself a Thanksgiving Sandwich today. Minus the drippy stuff.  I will use the last of the Boozy Cranberries.

Daughter came over yesterday (in the cold rain) and hauled the 48 inch (heavy) round wreaths from the Attic and got them up on the front porch.  We switched them on yesterday when it got dark.  One wreath had a section of lights out so she had to go into the Attic ...again...to get the fourth one.  Thankfully all it's lights worked.  I was pretty happy I had tucked the cord and timer into my underwear drawer after last Christmas.  But need to tuck the light sparker gun in with the wreath timer next time and the box of extra lights.  I think in the next few months that drawer will be full of things that "get lost" and I will need a new space for my underwear.  I just hope I don't forget where the underwear ends up????

Laundry today.  Washing Machine Pages.  Highlights of the Day.  Which is so very very sad.

Daily Notes- November 26th. And Rain is forecast.

 In Progress. As I clear off the things piled on the ottoman- I find stuff.  And some of it gets stuck or pinned onto the work pinned to the wall opposite my dining room table.  Try outs.  Or just stuff that sort of was made at the same Time.  So they have a certain "family" feeling.

My menu yesterday was very simple but took TIME.  I had forgotten that about cooking.  TIME. I started with the PIE as it had more steps and needed a long baking time.  Then I baked sweet potatoes and moved on from there.  It all got done at the same time which, because I am out of practice...was a Big Surprise.

Son and his long time computing friend Edward had no where else to go- so they went out together to have Chinese.  I'm sure they went to the really really great Chinese place son took us on one of our visits to California.  Which reminded me that he (son but also Edward) have been out there since before son turned 21.  With a master's degree.  20. So long ago.

Daughter ate her garlic enhanced food in the company of her two cats.  Eating the last of their Science Diet food.  The COVID problems have reduced shipments of cat food especially Science Diet for cats. So.....things will be rocky over there for the next few weeks.  Those two kitties are spoiled rotten.

We watched football.  Terrible games.  Hardly looked professional.

By the end of the evening I was watching possibly the last filmed work of the chef who committed suicide in a Paris hotel.  He looked bad.  He reminded me of my dad when he was drinking himself to death. Before AA.  Anthony was traveling along the border between the US and Mexico in this film on CNN. I read his first book long ago, about being a chef, very young, and using cocaine.  Addicted from the very beginning.  I wondered if he had ever tried to find out the"why" of it all.  I think my Dad did.  The why of his addiction. Faced it. Owned it. But not until he was old and I was old. Very unpleasant way to grow up.  It might be why I am the way I am. Collateral Damage. and on that note: I turned off the tv and went to bed.

Daily Notes- A bit Late- Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 None of these were used by me for the Thanksgiving Meal.

I prepared a lovely Pumpkin Pie. Then I moved onto Baked Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Mashed Potatoes (something that goes well with gravy), Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole.  And the gravy.  

I enjoyed my meal very much.  Husband had a spoon of each item.

Lifetime Channels dished up two really great movies- one with a really dishy "ghost" who comes back to life for 12 days every December. He's been dead 95 years.  It was well done.  And now the Magical Christmas Shoes.  My best favorite movie.  It's recording.

That about it.  I just finished washing all the pots and pans.  I'm glad it's over.

CNN has the entire Stanley Tucci "Eating Italy"-- watch or record it.  If you enjoy cooking. Or just sightseeing in Italy.  Six episodes. Lovely.  Happy Evening of Thanksgiving to All of You!!!!!

Daily Notes- November 24th- Last Shopping Day Before Thanksgiving.

 I know they are referencing this as "Leftover Loaf" but I think it's a Perfect Meal to make for those of us with only one or two eating.   Deli turkey.  Ask for a half inch thick slice and chunk that up for the turkey layer.  The recipe calls for the British hot water crust.  Pour on the gravy!!!!!!

Yesterday I got off the couch (impressive!!!!) and searched the fridge produce drawer and vegetable basket and made myself some Pantry Soup.  I had purchased huge fat carrots.  Farm Carrots. One was enough.  Onion.  Used a few of the mashed potato potatoes.  Cut up five of the Brussels sprouts meant for tomorrow as I had no cabbage.  Added the dry pasta to the soup and let them cook together. From the beginning.  Threw in a few bits of rind from Parmesan cheese I have in the freezer.  The last few shakes of the Sweet Soy Sauce. A squirt of ketchup.  I did have the can of white beans and the diced tomatoes the recipe called for and the bouillon cubes. And the tap water.  Let it cook.  Ate two bowls.  Two more for today's luncheon.  Yum.

I had books (unread) to return and one to pickup at the library.  So I ran into the grocery (next door) to get more prepared chicken dinners for husband. He had only three in a short stack in the fridge and I could feel his anxiety building. It was our Lucky Day as they had SIX!!!!  I also got Cool Whip.  Just in case. Emergency Cool Whip.  Just a small one.   I FINALLY remembered to buy baking potatoes and sour cream for my own "dreams and wishes".  Baked Potatoes.   All is right with the World.

We have had over 1800 positive COVID tests yesterday.  Vaccinated people are reporting strong "cold/flu type" symptoms. Others (no vaccine) are in ICU and on Ventilators.This in a State with 1.2 million people spread over a state large enough in land mass to cover three adjoining States.  So we aren't "packed" together or anything. Just stupid. The line at the grocery pharmacy was long enough to wrap around the floral display and into the fruits and vegetables. I wondered how many were getting their COVID shot.

Daily Notes- November 23rd- Rained but is Sunny and cold.

 I haven't been reading.  I have been watching Christmas Movies.  Ones I never would have selected in any other year but this ONE.  Silly ones.  Which is fine with me..... Barbie is in her snack closet looking for something to eat.

Last night we tried to watch the Tampa Bay/Giants game.  And we got bored just after the second half began....

I read the last 20 pages in the book I was trying to read from the beginning.  It wasn't worth slogging thru. Kinsella's the Party Crasher.  Don't waste your time on it. A real DUD.  Not sure why it got published.

I can't quite wrap my head around it being TUESDAY before the BIG THURSDAY.

Nothing more to write.  I  have a good book to re-read- Shipped.  Or one of the others on the double stack.  And..I might actually make myself a meal.  Yesterday I had the very last of the Romaine and Swiss with mayo on white bread.  A Lovely Sandwich better suited to July and August and not late November. The Bacon had all passed it's use by date so I couldn't add that.  And eating pancakes, while quite lovely in the moment, is not worth the aggravation of wanting additional carbs later and I have emptied the goldfish cracker container.  I'm left with the chocolate animal crackers but.....they are not that great.  And I don't have any potato chips or Cheetos (things I am actually wanting) and I forgot AGAIN to buy baking potatoes and sour cream.  AGAIN.  It's been on the list three weeks now. And there is no ice cream. 

Soon there will be Pumpkin Pie and Spice Bundt Cake with Rum.  Or homemade cheesecake.  I am definitely thinking cheesecake.  I can top husband's cheesecake with a big handful of m&m's for his birthday.  Let the Eating of C A R B S begin.

Daily Notes- November 22nd- Rain, Confusion, Exasperation

 Spent time trying to get an appointment for a Booster Shot.  Exasperation.

Also daughter keeps bring plants and sticking them into the bathtub in the Attic.  Not individual pots. Tubs. Stacked up.  I am not happy.  I didn't mind watering individual pots but these heavy tubs are balanced on each other and kind of tippy...well, they will be here for months and will eventually sag.  And then I will have a bathtub full of DIRT.  Wet Dirt. Clogged drain.  Plumbing Troubles.

She never seems to understand that I am doing her a "favor" and she seems to always think I am required to do these things for her.  I actually want her to repot all these plants.  Individually.  

Instead she brought over more....... we had words and she left MAD AT ME.  Priceless.

A bad day all around.  Already and it's just begun, sort of.  I haven't even eaten my oatmeal so my blood sugar levels are possibly way out of norms.

I watched parts of the games yesterday.  Football.  Something was off.  Seemed more mean spirited than usual.  It's like the Universe is out of line or something.  So I switched to  Storybook Movies on CW???? I had seen the first one before.  Sort of Cinderella with only one nasty sister.  Then second one was Snow White with black Jazz Musicians sitting in for the Seven Dwarfs. Later there was a couple of influencers pretending to be together for Instagram posts  Which was weird.  The girl was a ditz always celebrating Christmas  365 and the guy was supposed to be a real "bad boy".  He was a skateboarder.  What?????  I left that one pretty fast.   Moved on to Vienna and a waltz contest with Christmas Trees on the Sanitizied Lifetime Channel.  It was dreadful.  Sunday was dreadful.  Monday isn't looking much better.