The Lighter Side Cafe Monday 12/9 - Sunday 12/15

Good morning!

We had a fun evening last night. We were there early which put us at a table with a woman from the supervisory committee and her daughter, as well as a man from the supervisory committee and his son. The only one I knew was the woman and DH didn't know any of them, so I was worried it might be somewhat uncomfortable. But the opposite was true. The conversation was lively and interesting and the only lull was when our delicious food was served and everyone began to eat. The only downside is the scale is WAY up this morning and I have halves of two delicious desserts in the fridge besides half of my steak.

Today, I have to head west to Opelousas for another Triad meeting to give out Senior Medicare Patrol information and door prizes. My supervisor says this one is Christmas-themed and a lot of fun. But I know, once again, I will be faced with a big lunch plate. I will do my best to eat only a portion and bring the rest home.

It will be cool today with a high of 58, but the rain seems to have stopped. The drive home last night was not fun.

Have a great day and I'll BBL.

So true, Ann - are there any other kinds of lunches and dinners BUT big plate ones with dessert this time of year?  lol
Pam, your dinner and socialization sounds like a lot of fun.  Sometimes the extra lb or so is worth it! Glad you and your DH enjoyed it.  It's great when you wind up having a fantastic conversation with a stranger.  Have fun at the Senior Medicare Patrol gathering, too.  I love the name of your towns and I won't even attempt to spell it from memory. Op...something! :-) I think of Natchodoches! (sp?)

The meatloaf was delicious.  I made it with old fashioned oatmeal and tomato sauce - a recipe I've been using for years and WW has one like it on the website. I made some mashed potatoes with chives and we had peas on the side. I love peas with mashed potatoes, and like Sue, I like the baby ones - either frozen or the LeSueur canned ones.  These are the only canned veggies we use 'cept for beans of all kinds and corn sometimes. Now DH will have plenty of leftovers for his solo dinner while I attend another party at the home of a retired friend.  It's an annual gathering of people from another local college I worked at for a few years! The Jesuit one, Ann! :-) 

The roads were really fine today despite the snow last night.  Just wet though cars were covered. 

I've been busy in spare time tapping away in Amazon to get a few gifts for the DGKs to ship to NJ and CA.  DGS in CA wanted a nice sturdy bigger tool bench and DGD in CA wanted a new "vanity" table and chair. :-)  She also requested perfume. LOL Quite the little lady.  I bought an art/craft clay kit for her and some books, a Connect game for both kids and an outfit from Hanna Anderson for each of them, too.  DGS will be getting a couple books, clothes, a toy and his workbench.  DD never wants us to overdo and I agree. They get enough and it gets overwhelming if kids get too much stuff. I already bought our new DGS in NJ a few things - little fun educational toys, books and an outfit and we gave him swim lessons. We got them all a Hallmark ornament, too.  I am pretty much DONE except for the adult kids. 

Ann, did you get your new TV?  We did and it's assembled and great. We took the other one to the Cape. 

Haven't seen Sue here lately. I hope all is well!! HI Sue! 

Ann, it is funny how times have changed.  Our little DGD loves her crayons and art mostly, but loves the play lipstick and stuff for her vanity. Ha ha.  It's non-colored and fun.  She's a girly girl, I think.  All pink and purple.  Of course, the apple doesn't far from the tree from her Mommy and Grammie. We both love lipstick and perfume, too.  :-)   Have fun getting glamorized for the royal toes and fingers.  Love that treatment.

I, too, sure hope all is okay with Sue and that she is just super busy working and too tired to write.  We're thinking of you, Sue! 

Good morning all. Another good sleeping night

We are going to our neighbors tonight for a fun time. I'll pick up a veggie platter at Hannaford's market and put 'blinders on' with the other snacks that she will have LOL. Should be a fun time. These are the new neighbors that we spent Thanksgiving with.

Waving and wishing all a wonderful OP day.

It's cold here...real feel is 19 with the temperature holding at 26! Grateful that they are in the double digits

Sue hope all is well with you and DH.

Hi all,

Ann, I am bundled up in my new puffy full length Eddie Bauer coat today as it is so cold!  The sunshine is so pretty on the glittering snow & I do love the four seasons so not complaining too much.  It beats foggy, rainy and gloomy.

I have a doctor's appointment in about a half hour so I will be heading out soon.  I am seeing a specialist and hope we can solve an ongoing issue.  Ugh.  I might email you about it.  It's not serious, just annoying. 

Ann, your nails sound so great. I love sparkles! No one sees my toes either, but I think we do this for ourselves anyhow - it just looks and feels better to be "well groomed" and a bit dressier! Count me in on being the lipstick/perfume out the door girl, too! In fact, I have decided to wear red lipstick for all of the December!  :-)  Perks me up. 

I went to another very fun and festive party last night.  The host decorates her wonderful home so beautifully - every room done up gorgeously.  She is a retired, single woman and bought a large 5 bedroom home when she retired.  The opposite of many people who downsize, but she loves to entertain and now has a swimming pool, tennis courts, a handball court and a lot of land. It's like being in a resort/paradise in the summer!  We all chipped in a bit of $$ and she catered dinner last night and then we did a Yankee Swap with inexpensive gifts.  Lots of fun.  Tonight I have another holiday dinner with three close friends at another Italian place in Millbury, Ann.  Calabria Restaurant. Tomorrow night is my boss's annual party for staff from 3-5!  Tis the Season! 

My nephew and his boyfriend arrive on Saturday at the Cape.  I'll drive them to the airport on Sunday very early and they will find their own way down to the Cape from Boston on Saturday.  They asked if we would pick them up, but it's a big ask since DH is there every single weekday and it's not an easy drive on Saturday so they happily agreed to Uber. They are "big" boys and can find a way down.  

Pam, great idea on the gift card for your DSIL.  My kids do that for my DH. He is, unlike Sue's agreeable DH, nearly impossible to buy for. LOL  He has great qualities but seems to want nothing.  So, Home Depot/Lowe's cards are perfect for him. Your gathering sounded like fun yesterday. Wow, that was a ton of people. I love roast pork so I'd happily have two meals in a row of it!  I hope you get rid of the critter. I heard a mouse or something last night so guess we need to investigate, too.  Aren't you and your DH generous to have his "sister" from TX for Christmas!  I remember you telling me about her hoarding before. Like you said, there is not much you can do. Wow, that is a lot of animals.  She must have a big heart, but it's hard to fathom.  I think hoarding is a sickness. We have a relative who has 4 mini storage units filled.  Her house is immaculate, but she can't seem to empty out the units.  It is costly and there is probably no use for all the stuff there.  Oh well, it's the same as you said. Nothing to be done by her kids or anyone else. 

Off to the docs.  Take care. Sue, thinking of you! 

Judy - Your holiday party schedule is amazing! Your friend's house sounds beautiful and very much like a resort. I'll bet she doesn't have to hunt to find friends who want to visit regularly, lol. Enjoy your nephew's visit. Doesn't it make you feel good that the younger generation wants to spend quality time with you and DH?

Ann - Lula is smart not to spend any more time than is necessary to do her cold weather business, especially if she refuses to wear booties. I have heard the snow, ice and salt is hard on pets' feet.

Speaking of pest control, DD1 called me in tears this morning. She discovered live bugs in her huge, beautifully decorated Christmas tree, purchased at a Home Depot. She is un-decorating as we speak and DSIL is on his way home to remove the tree from the house and burn it. An emergency call to pest control has been made and Home Depot will be notified once pest control confirms exactly what type of bug infestation it is. This has just about pushed her over the edge. At work, she has been drafted as the "IT" person to handle a recent crisis. Apparently, their software provider, through whom all the hospice and home health visits, documentation and billing are done, was hacked by ransom ware and had to be shut down a few weeks ago. It has been a nightmare, which her boss, the administrator, has pretty much ignored leaving her to deal with all the uproar. Her real job, as social worker, has been pushed to the side and she is way behind in that. Add to that, Abby's dental woes and holiday shopping for 3 kids and she is about to the breaking point. Please say a prayer for her.

Sue so happy to hear from you. Thrilled you and DH are not sick.

I can't begin to think about the frustration you and DH are going through with your DBIL. Keeping him and all involved in my thoughts and prayers.

Happy Anniversary Enjoy your meal out wherever you decide to go.

Will CBL