|
Post by nov21987 on Aug 22, 2017 21:18:05 GMT
Hi!
Can't believe it's Tues already.
Yesterday's eclipse was exciting. I thought it would be easy to get eclipse glasses so went out Sat to this eyeglass store nearby, but no, the owner decided not to get any. I was surprised, so Sunday, I went to 6 different places, gift/souvenir shops, museums by my house, and no luck. One of my condo neighbors got one from his hospital - he's a surgeon, and husband of one of my close neighbor friends - SO and I went over to their house and we all shared his glasses. It was fun. Alot of clouds, but we were still able to see much of it.
Joan, hope you had a great viewing of the eclipse. Holly, how was your viewing, 99% is alot!
Jojo, 55 is too young! There are stringent licencing and permitting requirements here, I would have to have my kitchen appliance comply with all sorts of requirements.
I also went back to interview at the catering company and the sous chef verbally offered me a job, but hasn't yet followed up with the email.
Turns out my overseas relatives are coming, just the uncles and their wifes not any of their kids. My mom is the oldest of 5, 2 younger sisters and 2 brothers.
|
|
jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
|
Post by jmg44 on Aug 23, 2017 5:20:36 GMT
I am back home--in bed--just caught up on reading the posts---so glad you are okay, JoAnne--sounds as though your DH has the same issue many husbands seem to get in old age--unwilling to do what is necessary to better their health. DS and his SO and I talked a bit and they notice my DH is no longer fully using his foot when he walks--caused by not stretching properly and not maintaining a strong core for good upright posture---also doing only walking will actually make it worse--DS told me he does not understand why he won't go to the gym. Me either=-=I'd kick and scream if someone tried to stop me. Now his yoga teacher has no class for two weeks---so after two classes he will do nothing again.
The eclipse total was amazing--tomorrow I will type up what I wrote in my journal and post it---it is such a total experience---all the senses involved---we were all amazed. DS did not expect it to be so spectacular as it was. He was really excited--as were we all but he had been the least enthused to begin with.
Holly, I saw the pictures your colleagues posted---you look great by the way.
Sue, I'll be curious to hear what kind of offer he gives you. I would assume you are looking for something that is not full time? Or is that an option?
Had a wonderful time with DS and his SO--she and I love to share what we have read so that is always fun. I rode my bike 9 1/2 miles one day!It was a. Nice paved trail. Without much uphill till the return last third.
Sue i am so sorry to hear about your grandmother!
|
|
jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
|
Post by jmg44 on Aug 24, 2017 1:52:30 GMT
Have been thinking about your grandmother, Sue---how long ago was it that she was put in hospice and the relatives came and she rallied? Seems as tho' it was at least a year ago but I wondered if it was more. Was her quality of life been relatively good during the time between then and now?
JoAnne, glad to hear something is slowing down the deer.
When we were driving along the Snake River up in Idaho near Victor where we stayed, we saw a moose with big antlers wading in the river---I managed to snap a photo with the iphone even tho DH did not slow down and lo and behold, there were two moose in the river! I was so excited! We ran all over New England states moose hunting (just to view) and never saw one---same thing in Alaska--then the last day in Anchorage, we saw one where we were taking a walk in a park by the airport runway! Funny someone told us you can always see them near the runway. Guess they were right.
DS is not fond of moose---he has been chased by one and he said it was pretty scary---kept hiding behind trees until he finally gave up.
Had shrimp and grits for dinner---so yummy. Watermelon for dessert.
|
|
|
Post by nov21987 on Aug 24, 2017 14:44:33 GMT
Hi!
I got the email offer today. Yes, I only want part time right now, and it's seasonal as well. This field is so unpredictable, I don't see how people survive this life for long. Low pay and hard work. Like the sous chef I worked for before when I interned said - soul sucking profession. They still have to do background check and paper work but I can probably start in Sept.
Joan, that was 2 years ago, she has been in nursing home since then. She gets lots of visitors, my youngest aunt and her husband live close by and see her almost every day, she has lots of church friends who visit as well. My cousins live in NJ so she was always included in celebrations - birthdays, etc. Just really deteriorated in the last 2 months.
Yesterday I went to information session at a business "incubator", they help small businesses get started, and they have permitted commercial kitchens for people to work from, like people who own food trucks or caterers, etc.
Ok, off to volunteer today at MANNA.
|
|
jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
|
Post by jmg44 on Aug 24, 2017 15:40:47 GMT
That's good to hear about. Your grandmother's last two years---I wondered if it might have been that long. I'm glad your mom got there to see her in time.
Housecleaning today and I am last minute washing guest room sheets since DH has still be sleeping in there to babysit Sidney. This afternoon I am going to try some exposure caged.
Have pilates and yoga this morning so must get busy and iron my pillowcases and flat sheet. Did a ton of laundry yesterday and last night---all but the bathroom throw rugs and a few towels are done now.
Made shrimp and grits last night and just had 1/2 c grits and five shrimp for breakfast---yum--still have about five left and will have them for lunch. I am making a watermelon arugula feta salad for dinner tonight.
We had thunderstorms with minimal rain yesterday afternoon and a spit of rain this morning--however, with luck this will build up and we may get some actual rain today---it is a half and half sky right now. I heard TX is in for a drenching with that hurricane.
My yoga friend left for China early this morning---the one whose husband had a brain tumor removed over 4th of July--hard to believe.
|
|
|
Post by holly2007 on Aug 24, 2017 19:37:59 GMT
Hi all,
School started this week. We're already getting a lot of different types of questions. I'm ready for the weekend. It is supposed to feel like Fall with temps in the high 70s-low 80s.
Sue, I can't believe that was two years ago. Time is just slipping by. Congrats on the job offer.
Joan, I'm glad you had such a great experience seeing the eclipse. At 99% it got a little bit darker and caused the street lights to come on. I tried the glasses, but without my glasses, it was blurry.
|
|
jojowo
Epic Member
SHORT AND SWEET GODDESSES
Posts: 438
|
Post by jojowo on Aug 25, 2017 3:21:44 GMT
Hi all, Sue- so sorry about the sad news of your DGM''s death. Condolences to you and all your faimily. Wonderful that relatives will be able to come from China. Congratulations on the job. Hope it turns out to be as you expect but better!
Joan - can see why you were so excited by the moose! What an experience! I had to go back and dread your statement about the 9 1/2 miles on the bike! That was amazing! You are a superwoman!
Holly - glad you are back into the swing with school.
Sounds like everyone had great experiences with the eclipse; so did I. I made a projection box that worked great. Could also see the crescent shapes through the leave shadows as they said you would.
My sister got here Monday night. Tues. evening we had all the family over for hotdogs and hamburgers. Wed. We met my cousin For lunch. First time in quite a few years we have seen her. Today we went to Conyers to see the GA. Veterans memorial, The Walk of Heros. I am wanting to place a brick there with my dad's name. While there in Conyers we went over to the Monestery of the Holy Spirit - a Trappist monestery. They have a gift shop, a bakery, and a garden shape and bonsai garden we wanted to visit.
I am quite concerned about hurricane Harvey effecting Houston where my DGD5 and DDIL are. DS is still in Angola. Called DDIL tonight . She did not even realize it is now a catagory 3 and possibly a 4. Will hit the Texas shore tomorrow night. Keep them in your prayers!
|
|
jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
|
Post by jmg44 on Aug 25, 2017 16:38:20 GMT
Wow. JoAnne, amazing that your DIL had no clue about hurricane warnings! I was in TJ's the other day and had not turned on the sound on my phone but suddenly amber alerts were going off on phones all over the store about the pending thunderstorm. With a smart phone I don't know how you could not know. The flooding possibilities sound terrible. I cannot believe we are dealing with possible cuts to FEMA and Coast Guard to fund a wall that hardly anyone wants when we are faced with national disasters that require a great amount of govt. assistance to avoid creating homeless families from tornadoes and hurricanes every single year.
DD just texted me that DGS16 stayed home from school today with his father's approval---didn't "feel well". That is what went on last year when he was skipping school and getting stoned---this is only the last day of week two---wow--his dad always acted so angry that DD "allowed" him to be sick---now he has him and immediately is allowing him to be "sick". DD is finally awake to what she enabled and now SOBX is enabling the same way. I bet he won't be too sick to go out with friends tonight. It is so very sad to see all this and have no power to change it. DD is going to sell the car he was driving now---he refuses to submit to drug testing to get the privilege back so it just sits locked up.
Off to dance class and weights class. Had oatmeal this morning and wow, that ups the carbs for the day--will have to stick with protein and fats the rest of the day to balance it out! It did taste really good tho---first time in several weeks. I am still tracking--did not gain on our trip so that was awesome but have not lost anything in the past week and a half either---hope I can see a loss sometime in the next week--
Yesterday I prepped freezer pickles---they already taste good this morning---I put in two kinds of cukes and Fresno pepper rings and onions. After three days of pickling in fridge you freeze them---they come out perfectly crisp and super yummy.
|
|
jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
|
Post by jmg44 on Aug 27, 2017 17:55:18 GMT
I am astounded by the devastation by flooding in TX--so wondering about your DIL and DGD there, JoAnne--the word Epic used by WA POST news this morning was telltale---watching on CNN and MSNBC for a while was just heartbreaking---and still raining---I cannot even conceive of the reality of expecting 50 inches of rain in a couple days time! Seeing the water up to the bottom of the freeway signs was just unbelievable.
Went to dinner with friends (at their house) with whom we have played six way cards a few times---was so fun---she made some phenomenal roasted veggies in a pampered chef roaster---now I want one . OMG they were so good---had a second helping and really should not have but did not regret it.
TOday I bagged and froze my freezer pickles other than a few for tonight---am having DD and kids over---DGS16 accepted invite to come---will grill filets for them and am also making some chicken curried lettuce wraps as I don't feel like eating meat. Started up another batch of pickles in the same brine but added a bit more salt just to rejuvenate it---the juice is so flavorful from having the Fresno peppers in there---this time I put in even more sweet onion and one sweet red pepper in strips--will be interesting to see how that turns out---I love the combo of sweet and hot from the Fresno peppers in the sweet brine. Took a little baggie to my BF who is always skeptical when I tell her about recipes like this---well, she tasted them and was blown away--knew she would love them. It is hard with skeptics because you always have to provide actual proof--they won't believe things are possible that they have not tried.
Am now getting ready to roast a huge butternut squash--have to peel it so better get at it. MIss hearing from you all--seems a part of my daily binge to see what you are doing. Hope all is well.
|
|
jojowo
Epic Member
SHORT AND SWEET GODDESSES
Posts: 438
|
Post by jojowo on Aug 27, 2017 18:21:29 GMT
Joan - yes Texas is a mess. DDIL AND DGD5 are at her brother's in Pearland, actually closer to the hit but more protected because there is an extra big bayou behind his house which catches the water. Her parents are there too. Son's neighborhood has flooded so they won't know the damage til they can go home. Son's car was left there too. His plane was supposed to be here from Angola We'd. But now not til Fri. Or later. Hey seem to be content playing cards and board games. I guess it is nice having everyone in one place.
The weather here has been a few degrees cooler the last couple of days - maybe because of the storm.
I would be going crazy if it was my house and I didn't know the status.
Joan, the butternut squash sounds so good!
I gained 3 lbs. while my sister was here. Now 120. Always happens when out of my routine.
|
|
|
Post by nov21987 on Aug 27, 2017 21:22:05 GMT
Hi!
The memorial service was on Fri, it was very low key, mostly just family and a few church friends. We had lunch together then it was back home, but I was wiped. It was very emotional, especially for my mom.
Holly, hope you had a nice relaxing weekend.
Jojo, I bet your gain will come off in a few days. Sounds like good times with your sister and family. Glad your DDIL and DGD are doing well with the hurricane, scary out there. I hope there is not too much damage in their neighborhood.
Joan, I feel for you with what you're going through with DGS16, I really hope he'll come out of this someday. Congrats on not gaining on the trip!] Those freezer pickles sound good, can you give me the recipe? What made those roasted vegetables so good?
My relatives are coming to visit my dad either tomorrow or Tues, so I'll go to see them again. They are leaving the states this fri
|
|
jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
|
Post by jmg44 on Aug 27, 2017 22:45:34 GMT
Wow, JoAnne--I would still be totally worried about getting to higher ground---they keep talking about 50 in of rain--I can't even fathom that. I feel so bad for your son--I would be worried sick---if the house is underwater the devastation is unreal. Had a friend whose relatives were in the Iowa or Ohio or somewhere one year when the Midwest had flooding so bad---OMG their house was left with 12 to 15 inches of mud---it was uninhabitable. I am just sick for everyone there.
So today I started another batch of freezer pickles---a larger batch this time--about 3/4 full in the gallon jug---they shrink down so much---only got about 3 baggies full along with those I saved out for tonight;s dinner. This time I put in some slices of sweet red pepper too just for fun.
Sue, you use a cup of white vinegar, 2 cups sugar, 2 Tablespoons salt---mix together and pour over 8 cups of sliced cukes (two kinds adds interest), 1 large sweet onion slices medium width, 2 or 3 Fresno peppers in thin slices---depending on how much you want to up the heat---seed the peppers and take out any webbing flesh. Don;t peel the cucumbers. Put in fridge and stir daily for three days--sometimes I stirred them twice a day. Put small amounts (however much you want to serve at once) in freezer quality ziploc baggies with a small amount of the juice-and freeze. Take out and thaw in fridge for a day before eating. Tonight what we are eating will not have been frozen at all. It makes a pretty side dish and is very tasty. I did the cukes not thin like some bread and butter pickles--about eitghth to 1/4 inch thick---the thinner ones for the green cukes and the thicker for the Armenian cukes. The onions were about 1/4 in thick--maybe just a bit lesAs. I reused the juice to pickle this batch and just added a T of salt in case it had been somewhat absorbed. Actually I doubled the brine recipe because I thought it wasn't enough liquid---probably would have been fine with the portions listed here. But I wouldn't have had enough to redo this batch. I think this batch will have a bit more heat because the brine took on a bit of the Fresno pepper heat---part of the reason I did not want to throw it away. I scrubbed the cukes reall hard because the ones I bought am sure have some sort of waxy substance to keep them from spoiling.
|
|
jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
|
Post by jmg44 on Aug 27, 2017 23:00:56 GMT
Hoping that DGS16 comes and is personable and --well, you know. DGS13 spent the night at his dad's last night--said he has another new girlfriend who he met. Wow, does not take long for him to hook up with someone right away--
JoAnne, my weight popped right up a pound just from yesterdays eating---knew it would--I had a very tiny slice of her bundt cake just to be polite---was probably 1/4 in thick but really I overate veggies---and when you don't follow portions sizes that are right for you it just happens not matter what it is you eat. It will come off right away with a better choice on size tonight. Am sure it will for you as well.
Sue I think it is hard to lose your parents no longer how you have them. For one thing, besides losing them there is that feeling that you are now the oldest--and you are next--of course there is no guarantee of that, but I think it's a passage to being at the top of the family and sensing that is the likely chain of events. I remember when DH lost his parents (they were both 86) he really felt that. I have been at the top of my family since 1991 when my dad died--I felt that inability to ask questions about what our life was like---hated that--I made DH make a video of both his parents answering questions using the family photo albums in front of them as a starter for discussions. So we preserved some of his family stories---mine are lost as Mom died when I was in 20's and my dad drifted away from me because of his second wife. My brother died young, too. So that was it. I had some depression after that and that is when the dr. Started me on BP meds as that took a leap as well. Don't know if it was related at all.
Have you ever thought about preserving your parents stories by questioning them and videoing the session? It is really a great tool---your nephews would treasure that I would think.
|
|
|
Post by holly2007 on Aug 28, 2017 23:36:18 GMT
Hi all,
I'm not sure why I am feeling so stressed all the time. I wish I could figure out how to release it.
I made turkey burgers and a salad that had pecans and cranberries with a vinagarette dressing. This was from HelloFresh. Turned out pretty good.
It has been cooler here as well.
JoJo, glad to hear the family is safe. I hope the house is ok.
Sue, hope the visit went well.
Joan, that's a good idea about the interviews.
|
|
jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
|
Post by jmg44 on Aug 29, 2017 1:20:29 GMT
Hi Holly--I try to tell people whose parents are still alive to do the video interviews---I always recommend having an in law or a family friend do the filming and have the parents and the "kids" sit on the couch/couches with the parents---family photo albums on the coffee table. Starting with the photo albums takes the heat off the parents and it is easy to get them to talk about who the relatives are and what stories they remember hearing about their own parents and grandparents---those are the stories that pretty much die with our parents. DH and his sister would ask about a picture and I would zoom in on it and then switch to the parents as they talked about the picture and whoever was in it. I had also made a list of questions that I felt would be interesting for the great grandchildren some day---like Christmas traditions they remembered as kids, their first ever memory, the first car they remember , etc. I have a 2 1/2 hour tape of each of them--which shocked DH and his sister cause they knew their dad would talk a lot---he was a talker, but their mom was super quiet and shy---but they actually learned things they didn't know about their mom that day.
|
|