WTH!

I went in for my usual 3 month check up and blood work, which, as a diabetic, is necessary. I just happened to ask doc about a little spot on my wrist and he busted out with his "freeze it off" machine and zapped it....And while he was at it, he zapped one on the side of my face as well! I wasn't prepared for that. It hurt at the time, but now neither of them hurts, so I'm all good.

Every day, while my brother is on vacation, I am going to his house and feeding his 9 lab puppies at 4:30. Someone else feeds them at two other times during the day. They are so cute...little black puppies everywhere. I have to switch them to a clean pen and wash out the dirty pen for their next switch in the morning.

Today our lunch group ate at one of the lady's home. She made antipasta, which was perfect since we all eat too much food during the holidays. Of course, she also had pralines! Hey, it's Louisiana!

A Louisiana staple

Louisiana is famous for two things.....corrupt politics and good food. Here's my contribution to the good food.....pralines!

Wow! Just Wow!

 

It would have been so easy to skip the church musical tonight, but I am so glad I didn't. It was so awesome. A professional production could not have been any better. I came away with my heart filled with happiness wishing that everyone could feel the same way. In fact, the whole day has been that way. Today was the day that we take our only offering of the year for missions. We have a manger at the front of the church and everyone goes up and drops their envelope in the manger. Our goal this year for our church was $98,000. At the end of the service, a man came out and gave the preacher a note. They had counted the money and the total was $142,000. There will be more because not everyone who is going to contribute has given yet. Never did we expect such generosity in these bleak economic times. God is good!

Finally!

Finally, the morons citizens of New Orleans did something right. They voted out that criminal, William Jefferson, who is under indictment. They voted in a Republican Viet Namese immigrant. Here in North Louisiana, I gritted my teeth and voted for the Republican just because I didn't want to lose the seat to a Democrat. The candidate was not my choice. In fact, I don't like him, but I sucked it up and voted for him. I guess I can say my congressman lives on my street now. He does, but he lives in a huge mansion up on a hill on the same street as my little patio home. I have never met him!!! I guess he doesn't associate with the  "little people"! By the way, he won by 356 votes!

Never...never..never....

I have NEVER filled up on crab legs. It's just too much work, but last night I did! Boomtown Casino has awesome crablegs on their buffet on Friday nights and they are really good and big. The Krewe Christmas party was last night and I opted out and spent the day running errands in Shreveport. On my way home, I stopped in at the buffet and ate NOTHING but crablegs, one roll and some banana pudding. Excellent choice. Normally, I would eat some crabs and fill up on other stuff, but this time I filled up on crabs and warm drawn butter! YUM! 

I'm the favorite !

Last night I did my familial duty and went as a guest of my 92 year old aunt to her assisted living home's Christmas Candlelight Dinner. This is my third year in a row to attend this event, but I must say last night the food was good. The previous two years, it was so bad that I had to come home and eat. It made me feel even more sorry for those people who have to eat it every day. I very often cook up some fried white perch and take some to my aunt and in the summer, I take her fresh tomatoes and watermelon and whatever else is in season. She isn't much of an eater, but she does like my fried fish.
 

I'm ready!

Saturday is our open house for all the neighborhood homes. The house is all decorated, so today I focused on the outside before it rains again and turns cold again. I mowed all the leaves and used the leaf vacuum to get them out of the flower beds. Then it was to the attic to drag out a few outside decorations and see if I had any Christmas cards. I didn't. Sometimes after the season, I buy Christmas cards on sale for the next season. Apparently, last year I didn't do that. I wish I had because now I have to go to Shreveport and search for the perfect Christmas card. Mine always must have a snowman on them. I'm obsessed with snowmen.

Next, I went to Mom's and cleaned her kitchen while she was gone to a church function. Then I picked up more pecans and have them in my car to take them to get shelled. Maybe tomorrow I'll finish everything else before the party on Saturday. I have all the cheese and wine and crackers bought, so I'm set. Floors still must be cleaned and furniture must be dusted.

Yoga is over!

Tonight was our last night of yoga. It has been so much fun...mostly the trip over to Bossier Community College and the trip back. We have so many laughs. We will miss going to yoga every Tuesday night even though we have a liberal, whacked out, goofball of a yogi.  After all, that's what is expected from the "yoga types". I guess that's  making a broad generalization. But....really now....think about it!   Tonight in the middle of my class, my phone indicated very loudly that I had a text message. I got up and looked at it and it said, "We have a baby. 9lbs 15 ounces.".....After that, all I could think of was poor Angela.....that's one big boy!!!

BRRRR!

I sucked it up this morning and went to Mom's to pick up pecans. The wind is brutal and combined with the 40's temp, I found out I'm not as tough as I thought. Soooo....after a bucket full of pecans I went back inside and got Mom to take her to shop for a new recliner. She found one she likes that is easy for her to get out of and bought it. It's being delivered to her this afternoon. Mission accomplished. Now I'm off to take a nap before I have to go work on the Mardi Gras float in a cold building tonight.

Onward and upward!

Time to switch from Thanksgiving mode to Christmas mode. Saturday is our progressive neighborhood open house, so I am preparing my home for that. Here's the beginnings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My table is set and ready for my guests. My brother is frying a turkey, my mother is making cornbread dressing, my sister-in-law is making sweet potato casserole and I am making fresh creamed corn, scalloped potatoes, fruit salad and cherry cheese pie. I have so many things to be thankful for, not the least of which is that my dad lived to spend another Thanksgiving with us.

Awesome day!

Holy Crap! I turned 66 today! That just doesn't even seem possible. I started the day off right.....in church! There were steaks for lunch at my brother's.....then tonight there was fun and frivolity at Ruby Tuesday, compliments of my new Minden friends. I love living in Minden!

Happy dance....

I used to be fairly astute at figuring out computer things and making them work, but lately I have just been eating dust. Yesterday I bought a new printer because mine was 5 years old and Office Depot had an excellent promotion going. If I brought in my old printer, I would get $40 off any printer over $100. That's not a bad deal. I got it all set up, including the fax (although I haven't tried it yet to see if it works) hooked to my desktop through USB. I thought I would have to call in someone to get my wireless laptop to recognize the new printer and print wirelessly to it. I went on Wiki and got some instructions and damn....it works. I was doing a happy dance!

A Mom scare!

As I was leaving the parking lot of the restaurant where we ate lunch today, my cell phone rang. It was my sister-in-law telling me my mom was bad off and I probably needed to see about her. While my brother had taken my dad fishing, Mom was home alone picking out pecans. She was so involved that she failed to eat and she had a major LOW blood sugar. When Dad got home, he called my brother and told him something was wrong with Mom. Brother went immediately and her blood sugar was 36. He started forcing sugary things in her to bring it back, but he couldn't get it up higher than 56, which is still too low. He is Captain of the volunteer fire department and he had a fire call. He called me to get down there and watch Mom. I did and when I got there, her sugar was up to 122 and she was OK. Low blood sugars are very dangerous and can cause one to pass out, which I guess she almost did. She would have gone into a coma if Dad hadn't gotten back when he did. When sugars go that low, the individual gets very muddled and can't think enough to figure out that they need to eat. She was very confused about what had happened, but she is OK now! One time my dad found her lying in the floor in the middle of the night. He called my brother and brother called an ambulance. The EMT's keep little tubes of cake icing for just such emergencies. That way they can force sugar into the mouth when the patient is fighting them while they are trying to make the patient eat. What can I say! Every day is a surprise!  I am thankful for every day!

Yum...

Three years ago we had a bumper crop of pecans, got them all cracked by machine, and Mom picked them all out and put them in the freezer. The supply is getting low, but this year we are getting some pecans. Yesterday I took 40 pounds and got them cracked, took them to Mom this morning, and now she is happily picking out pecans for all of us to enjoy. I didn't even tell her I spent $40 buying some recently that are already picked out.

Damn Yankees and Mexifornians!

Fairly accurate portrayal.....

What Your Home Says About You

You come across as very intellectual. People take your wisdom seriously. You have amazing hygiene, and it shows. You are sparkling clean! You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey. You are a very nurturing person. You find meaning in taking care of others. You feel settled in your life. You have enough time to focus on little details. You are a very self sufficient person. You can get along well without much help. Your friends see you as courageous, dynamic, and bright.

What Does Your Home Say About You?

I am THANKFUL

And it's not even Thanksgiving yet. Today I went to Mom and Dad's and worked in their yard picking up pecans and mowing under the pecan trees so we can find the pecans when they fall. Dad came out while I was working and told me he felt so much better..better than he has felt in a long time. It was so nice to hear because he never says he feels better. A cold front is supposed to come through today with big winds, so I wanted to pick up pecans and clear out under the trees because when the wind blows, lots more will fall. Dad came out to get me while I was outside and told me Mom had fallen and she couldn't get up. Again I am thankful because she has fallen many times and has never been really hurt. No broken bones....YET! He and I were able to get her up without having to call my brother. Having him feel better makes me feel better!

Very productive day...

In between cooking, cleaning, and washing today, I got a whole bunch of scrapbooking done...at least 8 pages. I never left the house and never took off my flannels and t-shirt. Now I am feeling much better about getting it finished in time to make it arrive by December 26th in South Carolina. It's going to happen!

God Bless ALL Veterans!

Sometimes I amaze myself...

Not being clever, but being stupid! Since 1986 I have carried an American Express card in my wallet, but I never use it. This week I got a new card from them so instead of activating it, I decided to cancel it. All I could remember is that I get charged $29 once a year and I just pay it and go on. Well, after I cancelled the card, I remembered that my credit card protection coverage is charged to that card every year. That's the freakin' $29!! What a dork! It was easier to get the card re-activated than to use another company to protect my cards....except that now they will have to issue a new card that will have a different number. Sometimes I wonder if I am not having glimpses of Alzheimer's!!!

Sluggish Day

As much as I hate slugs, I have been nothing above sluggish today due to the fact that, for some unknown reason, I could not sleep last night. I finally went to the mailbox a few minutes ago, but other than that I haven't been outside my house. In fact, I have slept the day away. I hate when that happens!!

Attention all Democrats!

• You got what you wanted
• You got the prez
• You got the House
• You got the Senate

Now get us out of this mess. Show us your stuff or forever STFU!

Doesn't get much better!

I needed some comfort food today, so I went to Wal Mart and got some fresh squash and cabbage. Cook that up in a little bacon grease and chicken stock, serve it up with real homemade (yesterday) baked   macaroni and cheese and comfort ensues. Unfortunately, I didn't have any cornbread....didn't know I was out of cornbread mix until I was ready to mix it up. That won't happen again! There is something to be said for comfort food. It really works. Now I think I'll take a nap!

Today was a better day with Dad. He didn't complain so much about everything especially since the doc told him his CT scan and blood work were all fine. We get a nice 6 week break from doctors and I say "we"  because that's exactly what I mean. He had me call my brother from the doctor's parking lot to tell him that he wanted to go fishing this afternoon. I hope they are gone fishing now. I came home and took a nap!!

I'm tired...

Not physically...just mentally and emotionally. I feel so bad that I am tired of hearing my dad talk about how he doesn't feel good, how he can't sleep, how he can't see, how he can't hear and that he never, ever has a good day or night! It's the same thing over and over again and I am trying so hard to be understanding and sympathetic, but I'm tired! Some days I just don't want to hear it yet again! Tomorrow I take him back to the oncologist and after that I need to give myself a little break. My poor mother has patience that I wish I had. Of course, she has lived with him for 68 years! I have no idea how...but she did! I feel bad for even having thoughts like this, but I can't help it.....I need some good news .....a day of only positive things.....a break!

Enemy territory!

Tonight I went to a church party at my Sunday School teacher's house. He and his wife are huge LSU fans and alumni. When I arrived, there was a sea of purple and gold...but, never fear....I had on my Longhorns sweatshirt! Some of them told me that they didn't blame me for wearing a shirt supporting the #1 team! Whew!

Freak Day!

The FREAKS come out today! I will not be joining them! Tuesday will be FREAKY enough for me!

No one ever reads a title...

Dad is home. His urologist, who did a microwave prostate procedure on him a month ago, said he knew exactly what was wrong. There was infection where he had done that procedure. They loaded him up with $300 worth of meds and he is home still not feeling so well, but better.

So very true!

Dad update....

Last night he had an episode of high fever that  scared the hospital staff. They even asked him if he wanted them to call his family. They were afraid it was curtains for him.  His fever spiked and was 102.9 when they checked it. It made him not know what was happening and lose control of his body. They called the doctor and he ordered a CT scan at 10 last night to scan his brain and see if he had a stroke. It was negative. After his fever broke and he got over his chill, he went to sleep and woke up feeling good this morning. He has had no more fever all day. I have been gone to yoga tonight, so I don't know what the doc had to say after his evening visit. Yoga was something that I really needed to do tonight and I feel good now. Dad sent me home about 3 this afternoon, but my poor mom stayed there all day.

 

Yet, another frustrating day....

My day started early at Wal Mart getting some groceries for Mom. As I was taking them to her, I got a call that they were on the way to the doctor's office because Dad was still having fever and chills...since Saturday for no apparent reason. Doc still could not find a reason, so we spent all day waiting for the call that the hospital was ready for him. At 5 P.M. we got him settled in a room. Holy Crap! I do not understand why people are so incompetent. They stuck him 3 times trying to get an IV in for a CT scan....and left the damn rubber cord around his other arm until he complained about it hurting to Mom. She had to take it off....MORONS!

Squashed plans...

This morning when I went to see Mom and Dad, he said he was feeling better. Brother has been taking him fishing and they have been catching fish, so he was more cheerful than usual. They made plans to go fishing this afternoon and then we were going to our favorite restaurant to eat some catfish and onion rings. Shortly after I got home, Mom called and said we couldn't go. Dad had 102 fever and was freezing. Oh, no! I really hate for him  to get sick. He was doing so well. CRAP! I told her to monitor him and if we needed to, we would go to the ER. His oncologist really does not want him to get sick and he has not had his flu shot yet. The plans are to get it on Thursday. I hope we are not too late with that!

It was painless!

There was a very short line and I was finished in 5 minutes and I even voted on the 7 amendments as well. Voting is your patrioitic duty. Do it or forever STFU!

After I voted, I went to the assisted living facility where my 92 year old aunt lives and got her absentee ballot filled out and mailed for her. I asked her, "Who do you want me to mark...Obama or McCain? "She got downright indignant and told me I knew the answer to that.

Very random day..

Sometimes I lose my mind and do something totally off the wall random. It's not

a new phenomenon...but one I have always embraced. My mom called this morning and said the bank wanted her, Dad, me and my brother to come show some ID for a new system they were putting in. Both my brother and I are authorized to sign checks on my parents'  checking account. I do it all the time because I buy groceries for them a lot. My brother just doesn't do it. Anyway, I went to get Mom and Dad and took them to the bank and got that chore done. OK....my daughterly duties done, I went to lunch with the ladies at a place we had not been before. As I left there, I realized I was on the road that I used to take to college since there was not yet an interstate there. I took the road less traveled today and ended up back in my old college town by way of the country road that I took many times while I was a student there. The college has nothing much left there that was there when I was. It's mostly all new. I want to go back on a Saturday or Sunday when I can park and get out and look around at the core campus. I've been told the "Lady of the Mist" is still in the center of the campus. She's a statue in a fountain. Hey, I found a picture of her.

I'm such a bozo!

The house being built right next to me is in a flurry of activity because the new owners are moving here on Saturday. The builder is a friend of mine and also the builder of my home. We sometimes take a rest in my chairs in my yard, but today I missed the party. They had it.....I just missed it. They told me they opened my door and yelled at me to "come out and play", but I never came out. Guess I was napping!


I have a sausage/cheese quiche in the oven now. Dinner will be served in about 40 minutes. Come on over! Real men do eat quiche, but I don't know any!

George is twirling in his grave!

My dad.....

  Today I took chili to Mom and Dad for their lunch and Dad had a few little projects for me to help him with. It just breaks my heart to see him not be able to do anything. He is just so incredibly weak and really just has no quality of life. His macular degeneration is worse...so much so that he is going to have to stop driving the 1/4 mile to the post office. He told me today that he couldn't see well enough to do it. His hearing aid has been sent off to get repaired and his loaner stopped working today. Thank goodness, his got back this afternoon and he has it now. It's just sad! I miss my daddy!

All before noon!

• Drank coffee
• Did some yoga
• Did the crossword puzzle in the paper
• Made a pot of chili
• Called the yard people that I am paying to keep the weeds out of the yard and keep the grass green to complain about all the weeds
• Mowed all the yard
• Did all the edging
• Did all the blowing off
• Cleaned out flower beds
• Ate chili

I don't know why I try to do it all at once. Now I am tired to the bone, but the yard looks good. I'm taking aspirins and taking a rest.

I don't need this!

My computer monitor is turning all shades of pink. If my mind serves me correctly, that means it's about to go belly up. I was hoping it would wait until after Christmas or until I get through paying hospital bills...whichever comes first. I have already been shopping around because I knew I needed a new monitor. I still have one of those huge, heavy ones from the Dark Ages and it has served me well, so I won't complain. I just need a little more time.

Full speed ahead..

I have been a scrapbooking fool the last two days and my house is a mess. That stuff gets scattered everywhere, but once I get going, I don't like to put it all up only to have to drag it out again. I get on a roll. I really got lucky today and found scrapbooking papers for 4 for a dollar. That's unheard of. Never have I found that before, but it was at Michael's and I usually go to Hobby Lobby for my scrapbooking needs. I'll be going to Michael's more often now, I believe. Those papers are normally 69 cents each, so that was a real find. I should have bought more, but I had just been to Hobby Lobby during Dad's chemo on Monday and bought a bunch of stuff. It's a fun project that I enjoy doing, but I am way behind so I had to step it up a notch. I'll get it finished on time since I'm off to such a good start. Usually, by this time of the year I am almost finished.

Just 'cuz I can...

I would rather have Hillary than Obama! Actually, I'd rather have Maxine!

WooHoo!

Finally, I feel rested and I have a day to catch up on stuff that I need to do for me. With the reunion over and my brother taking Dad to chemo today, I am free! Well, sort of. Mom handed me her grocery list as I left there yesterday, but she is gone with Dad today to his chemo......sooooo, that's a job I can put off until the afternoon after I get stuff done at home. Edited to add: Well, it wasn't my day afterall. I went to get Mom's groceries, took them to her and she was at home. She didn't go with Dad and brother to chemo. Brother called while I was there and told me to stay there until they got home. He had a script for me to take to the pharmacy for Dad. Seems Dad has a cold and his port is infected. The chemo nurses called the doc to come downstairs and take a look at him...thus....the new prescription. Needless to say, I didn't accomplish much at my home! Maybe tomorrow.

Last night we started yoga again....this time it's Yoga II. It really does make me feel so good, so why don't I do it every day? I don't know! I am going to try to do better. I even bought a little book of a 15 minute yoga routine to do every morning. I haven't done it YET! Why? Again, I have no clue!