This has been SOME week!
You'll remember we had Christmas on the 24th, because I had to work the 25th. What I didn't tell you was that we got a phone call right in the midst of unwrapping gifts on Friday. My youngest brother, the black sheep of the family, was found dead Christmas Eve morning. The best we can figure is a heart attack, since nothing else seems out of whack. He had been living with my mother and stepfather, helping them out, and when he didn't wake up early as usual, she found him. With the holidays, arrangements were in limbo for a few days, and I wasn't sure whether we'd try to go or not. I won't go into the weird family dynamics (I'm sure you all have some of those), but I hadn't seen him in over 20 years, and hadn't seen or spoken to my mother in even longer than that.
Saturday it began snowing--and snowing and snowing! We got a total of 8 inches where we are, and I wrenched my arm coming out of a skid trying to get to work. I first tried to drive DD's car, since Jack's was unreliable, but got stuck twice, and had to be pushed up a hill by 4 neighbors. I transferred everything over into the SUV and made it in early, but my right arm became increasingly more painful as the night went on, and I couldn't lift it more than about waist high. After getting off work Sun, I went down to the ER and got it checked out. It's probably a strained deltoid, but since it was a re-injury of a strain from lifting patients several weeks ago, I'm to see an orthopedist if it's not better in 7-10 days. They gave me a sling, which has helped considerably.
Mon. we got the word that my brother's funeral would be on Tues, so after talking it over, DD and I drove down to Birmingham to stay with my other brother and his wife. Jack stayed here and kept the dog and DD's cat and just held down the fort. DD hadn't seen her cousins in years, so it was good for her to visit with them, despite the reason. Tues. night after the funeral, they all went out for Thai food and had a great time! I got to spend more time with my other brother and my sister as well as all the nieces and nephews--that makes twice in one year!
Wed. we left there and drove back here to NC, and Thurs. morning DD left here headed for HER home. That's a lot of driving in just a few days, but she's young and beautiful and she can do it. lol Yesterday I had the mandatory mammogram done, and last night came down sick with what is probably a sinus infection. I had chills and fever, with a temp of 101.4 and a very sore throat, but the worst seems to be over for now. However, the Christmas stuff is going to stay up for a while longer. Lifting is still difficult, and I don't even feel like playing with my "new toys" for now. I plan to continue vegging out on the couch and may not see 2011 come in. I will have to work this weekend, so conserving energy seems to be the best option.
Here's hoping 2011 will be a wonderful year for us all, and if you're making resolutions, hoping that they'll last more than a week!
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Kickin' it to the Curb
Thursday, January 01, 2009
The Big Plan
Happy New Year, everyone!
Did you watch the ball drop? Did you enjoy that extra second we got? I thought it was a particularly nice second, didn't you?
Actually, I was busy transferring the rest of my CDs to the computer so I can group them into playlists on my iPod, and didn't even notice the time until 0019--and that ball was history. And since the TV here in the living room is STILL not functioning, there was nothing to remind me. So I just shut the computer off and went to bed.
I obviously don't have this iPod thing down yet--there must be an easier way to group all my music together in categories than to laboriously click each song and drag it to the folder. I have 8 or 9 Sarah Brightman CDs alone, so that's what, 80-90 songs that I have to click and drag? There's got to be an easier way!
In the meantime, as I sit and click and drag, I've been pondering the option of New Year's resolutions. I haven't made any in years, because they went the way of most resolutions....to Resolution Cemetery. So I'm not inclined to resurrect them, because what's the point?
However, new season, new year, a bit of quiet here as we adjust to Life After the Holidays--all has lead to some introspection. I've decided on a theme for this year instead: Thriftiness. I thought about "Frugal" but the definition had a negative cast to it:
1. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: a frugal manager.
2. entailing little expense; requiring few resources; meager; scanty: a frugal meal.
Meager? Scanty? Mmmm, no, just didn't inspire me.
"Thrifty", on the other hand, was more positive:
1. practicing thrift or economical management.
2. thriving, prosperous, or successful.
3. thriving physically; growing vigorously.
Now, we're doing okay right now, even though census has been low for a while, and I haven't had a full paycheck since September. We just aren't putting much in savings. All this has been simmering in my subconscious a while, I guess, and as I have become more aware this year of just how much we really have compared to the rest of the world, I've had to ask myself if I've been a good steward of those things I am blessed with: not just money, but time, resources, health, belongings, relationships.
The answer is a shameful "no".
So my Plan is to begin to ask myself, "Am I being thrifty with________(fill in the blank)? Is this the best use for _____________ (ditto)? What's the wisest move here?"
Now, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. I know myself well enough to realize that if it is too hard or too time-consuming, I will get frustrated and abandon all good intentions. (I'm SUCH an extremist--it's so all or nothing with me). To be as successful at this as possible, I plan to start by taking 15 minutes each week to look at what I have done, haven't done, and could do better, and to formulate a goal for the upcoming week. At some point, I might be able to evaluate things on a more frequent basis, or spend a little more time at it, but for now, 15 minutes a week is do-able. And do-able insures success, which spurs me on to more effort, etc., etc., etc.
One way to do this is join Judy Laquidara's Stash Busters Group. As I bring all the fabric and supplies back into the sewing room/holiday guest room, I will re-evaluate UFOs and refamiliarize myself with the fabrics I already have.
This morning as I drank my coffee, I purged some cards from my recipe box of those dishes I will never make. Honestly, I know J-Man doesn't like ginger, or curry, or feta cheese, or lots of garlic (he's no fun), and to make those dishes would be a waste of food and time. Having the cards in the box wastes space, and makes me feel guilty that I'm not a better cook. That guilt is a waste of time and internal resources.
Small successes. Prosperity. Thriving.
I think it's a pretty good Plan, myself.
*
*
*
*
Would this be the appropriate time to mention we ordered a mini-notebook computer from QVC this morning?
I can justify it.
No, really.
You can email me if you want to know the reasons.
I just didn't want you all to think I wasn't being completely honest here.
Did you watch the ball drop? Did you enjoy that extra second we got? I thought it was a particularly nice second, didn't you?
Actually, I was busy transferring the rest of my CDs to the computer so I can group them into playlists on my iPod, and didn't even notice the time until 0019--and that ball was history. And since the TV here in the living room is STILL not functioning, there was nothing to remind me. So I just shut the computer off and went to bed.
I obviously don't have this iPod thing down yet--there must be an easier way to group all my music together in categories than to laboriously click each song and drag it to the folder. I have 8 or 9 Sarah Brightman CDs alone, so that's what, 80-90 songs that I have to click and drag? There's got to be an easier way!
In the meantime, as I sit and click and drag, I've been pondering the option of New Year's resolutions. I haven't made any in years, because they went the way of most resolutions....to Resolution Cemetery. So I'm not inclined to resurrect them, because what's the point?
However, new season, new year, a bit of quiet here as we adjust to Life After the Holidays--all has lead to some introspection. I've decided on a theme for this year instead: Thriftiness. I thought about "Frugal" but the definition had a negative cast to it:
1. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: a frugal manager.
2. entailing little expense; requiring few resources; meager; scanty: a frugal meal.
Meager? Scanty? Mmmm, no, just didn't inspire me.
"Thrifty", on the other hand, was more positive:
1. practicing thrift or economical management.
2. thriving, prosperous, or successful.
3. thriving physically; growing vigorously.
Now, we're doing okay right now, even though census has been low for a while, and I haven't had a full paycheck since September. We just aren't putting much in savings. All this has been simmering in my subconscious a while, I guess, and as I have become more aware this year of just how much we really have compared to the rest of the world, I've had to ask myself if I've been a good steward of those things I am blessed with: not just money, but time, resources, health, belongings, relationships.
The answer is a shameful "no".
So my Plan is to begin to ask myself, "Am I being thrifty with________(fill in the blank)? Is this the best use for _____________ (ditto)? What's the wisest move here?"
Now, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. I know myself well enough to realize that if it is too hard or too time-consuming, I will get frustrated and abandon all good intentions. (I'm SUCH an extremist--it's so all or nothing with me). To be as successful at this as possible, I plan to start by taking 15 minutes each week to look at what I have done, haven't done, and could do better, and to formulate a goal for the upcoming week. At some point, I might be able to evaluate things on a more frequent basis, or spend a little more time at it, but for now, 15 minutes a week is do-able. And do-able insures success, which spurs me on to more effort, etc., etc., etc.
One way to do this is join Judy Laquidara's Stash Busters Group. As I bring all the fabric and supplies back into the sewing room/holiday guest room, I will re-evaluate UFOs and refamiliarize myself with the fabrics I already have.
This morning as I drank my coffee, I purged some cards from my recipe box of those dishes I will never make. Honestly, I know J-Man doesn't like ginger, or curry, or feta cheese, or lots of garlic (he's no fun), and to make those dishes would be a waste of food and time. Having the cards in the box wastes space, and makes me feel guilty that I'm not a better cook. That guilt is a waste of time and internal resources.
Small successes. Prosperity. Thriving.
I think it's a pretty good Plan, myself.
*
*
*
*
Would this be the appropriate time to mention we ordered a mini-notebook computer from QVC this morning?
I can justify it.
No, really.
You can email me if you want to know the reasons.
I just didn't want you all to think I wasn't being completely honest here.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!!
Feels like ages since I've posted, but it's only been a week. After working the 25th, 26th and 27th, I was bushed and slept most of the day Friday. BUT, as my brother and sister-in-law were driving up from Alabama to spend the weekend, I spent most of Friday evening clearing out the sewing room so I could put up the inflatable queen-sized mattress. There are some exceptions, but the majority of fabric that is NOT on my bookshelves ended up on the back porch.
Other items are in the guest room, which, unfortunately, only holds a double bed.
Saturday we took them to lunch at a Chinese buffet, then to Main Street to wander through some fun shops. While there, we bought a game Apples to Apples and stayed up til after midnight playing it. What a fun game! If you haven't played it, you have to find a way. I will never think of cockroaches in the same way ever again! lol
My SIL, who loves old hurricane/kerosene/oil lamps as much as I do, bought four at one of our local antique shops and was able to find one of them listed in my books. It's a sewing lamp, larger and heavier than most old lamps, and very appropriate, as SIL is a genius with a sewing machine.
They also found a wonderful handmade wooden rocking horse for their grandchild-to-be at a great store in a nearby town, O.P. Taylor's. There are no digital games in this store, just good old-fashioned games to stimulate the imagination. Seems my nephew and his wife are having a baby in June! It'll be the first grandchild for my brother and SIL, and as SIL's brothers and sisters all have boys, also, everyone's hoping for a girl. We should know something next month.
ANd, oh, my brother brought his famous ambrosia--the 7th large jar he made this year! My dad used to make this for New Year's and it's heaven in a jar, for sure. There is maybe one bowl left in the fridge, and the J-Man and I are both eyeing it. I think I'll beat him to the punch and divide it up into two containers before we come to blows!
I think I cooked more this weekend than I have in a while. I steamed the last of the tamales and we had those with chicken enchilada casserole and spinach enchiladas like our family had on Chistmas one night. For breakfast one morning, we had ziploc omelets with toast and bacon, and this morning we had an easy breakfast casserole with some tangerine sections on the side. I found the recipe in a Pampered Chef cookbook I bought at a yard sale:
Denver Egg Strata
6 eggs
1 3/4 C milk
1/2 tsp prepared mustard
1/4 tsp salt
ground pepper to taste
6 slices bread, cubed
1 C (4 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 C cubed ham
1/2 C chopped onion
1/2 C chopped green bell pepper
In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt and black pepper. Stir in bread, cheese, ham, onion, and bell pepper. Pour mixture into greased 9' baking pan or glass dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake, uncovered, 1 hour or until set in center and golden brown.
Makes 5-6 servings.
They had planned to leave yesterday morning, but as I don't have to go back to work until Wed. night, they decided to stay one more night. We grilled steaks indoors with baked potatos and salad, and watched the ball drop--AFTER the Auburn/Clemson game.It almost took all weekend, but Tandi finally warmed up to the two of them. My brother fed her bits of bacon and the remainder of the scrambled eggs one morning, and scratched her ears every chance he got. My SIL snuggled her and scratched her ears, too, winning Tandi's affections, UNTIL last night when SIL flopped one of Tandi's long, curly ears over the top of her head like a toupee. I think Tandi's expression speaks for itself:
Tandi might not miss them much, but the house sure seems empty right now. It's almost enough to make me want to move back to Alabama. Almost.
Hope you all are having a wonderful start to this New Year.
Other items are in the guest room, which, unfortunately, only holds a double bed.
Saturday we took them to lunch at a Chinese buffet, then to Main Street to wander through some fun shops. While there, we bought a game Apples to Apples and stayed up til after midnight playing it. What a fun game! If you haven't played it, you have to find a way. I will never think of cockroaches in the same way ever again! lol
My SIL, who loves old hurricane/kerosene/oil lamps as much as I do, bought four at one of our local antique shops and was able to find one of them listed in my books. It's a sewing lamp, larger and heavier than most old lamps, and very appropriate, as SIL is a genius with a sewing machine.
They also found a wonderful handmade wooden rocking horse for their grandchild-to-be at a great store in a nearby town, O.P. Taylor's. There are no digital games in this store, just good old-fashioned games to stimulate the imagination. Seems my nephew and his wife are having a baby in June! It'll be the first grandchild for my brother and SIL, and as SIL's brothers and sisters all have boys, also, everyone's hoping for a girl. We should know something next month.
ANd, oh, my brother brought his famous ambrosia--the 7th large jar he made this year! My dad used to make this for New Year's and it's heaven in a jar, for sure. There is maybe one bowl left in the fridge, and the J-Man and I are both eyeing it. I think I'll beat him to the punch and divide it up into two containers before we come to blows!
I think I cooked more this weekend than I have in a while. I steamed the last of the tamales and we had those with chicken enchilada casserole and spinach enchiladas like our family had on Chistmas one night. For breakfast one morning, we had ziploc omelets with toast and bacon, and this morning we had an easy breakfast casserole with some tangerine sections on the side. I found the recipe in a Pampered Chef cookbook I bought at a yard sale:
Denver Egg Strata
6 eggs
1 3/4 C milk
1/2 tsp prepared mustard
1/4 tsp salt
ground pepper to taste
6 slices bread, cubed
1 C (4 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 C cubed ham
1/2 C chopped onion
1/2 C chopped green bell pepper
In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt and black pepper. Stir in bread, cheese, ham, onion, and bell pepper. Pour mixture into greased 9' baking pan or glass dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake, uncovered, 1 hour or until set in center and golden brown.
Makes 5-6 servings.
They had planned to leave yesterday morning, but as I don't have to go back to work until Wed. night, they decided to stay one more night. We grilled steaks indoors with baked potatos and salad, and watched the ball drop--AFTER the Auburn/Clemson game.It almost took all weekend, but Tandi finally warmed up to the two of them. My brother fed her bits of bacon and the remainder of the scrambled eggs one morning, and scratched her ears every chance he got. My SIL snuggled her and scratched her ears, too, winning Tandi's affections, UNTIL last night when SIL flopped one of Tandi's long, curly ears over the top of her head like a toupee. I think Tandi's expression speaks for itself:
Tandi might not miss them much, but the house sure seems empty right now. It's almost enough to make me want to move back to Alabama. Almost.
Hope you all are having a wonderful start to this New Year.
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