THE LIGHTER SIDE CAFE TUESDAY JULY 28

Good Morning, WW Friends ~

Happy Tuesday!!  I also slept very well with the open window and the ceiling fan going. We tried to watch a 10 p.m. TV show, but I got too sleepy just a few minutes into it, so went on to bed. I slept until almost 7 this morning, so I got a good night's sleep and woke feeling refreshed.  

I took a dish towel and set it where the pool has been around my coffee maker the past few mornings, and wouldn't you know it??  There was NO water on the counter.  Nary a leak!  But I won't take that as a sign that it is 'fixed' - just be grateful for today.  I will put the extra towel out at night until the new pot comes.  I am happy that I found what I wanted with the features we value, and at the price I wanted to pay AND with free shipping.  I spent a good bit of time on that shopping experience yesterday, but I learned a whole lot by reading the reviews.  I also found every store carries different coffee makers, so if it isn't at one, it may be at another.

I never got around to ordering my Rubbermaid ice cube trays on Amazon, and by the time I finally did, they were 'out of stock'. What!?!  So I put them on my "wish list" and hopefully they will let me know when they are available. I know I saw them somewhere last summer, but for the life of me I cannot remember where? Nowadays I don't 'roam' through stores like I did previously, so I probably won't find them again.  But I'll keep my eyes open.

We have had DH's famous Tuesday breakfast and enjoyed it very much ..... cheesy EB with a slice of toast (Dave's Killer for me) and a fresh fruit bowl (strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon and blueberries).  DH is off to work, and I have been working on the patio.  My pots have "wave petunias" in them and they tend to get very long and I learned from past experience that they hang over, until eventually there is nothing in the pot itself.  I don't care for that look, so I try to remember to keep them pruned.  Today I needed to also cut down quite a few of daisy blooms that were all done.  I actually filled a grocery bag with the cuttings I took. It took a while because I take my time and do it all carefully and then water.

Tonight's supper will be grilled tilapia with mango salad and coleslaw.  My first experience with country style ribs in the IP yesterday turned out GREAT!!  So tender .... and juicy .... then I added Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce and glazed them under the broiler for a few minutes.  We paired it with broccoli/grape tomatoes/feta & ranch salad.  YUM!!  

We got our promised "cool-down" overnight.  It is only 74 this morning (and it's already 10:30) with much less humidity.  I am headed out for a much-needed walk this morning, then again this afternoon.  I definitely appreciate the cooler temps. It is predicted to go up to mid-80's but without the oppressive humidity we have been experiencing.  

DH liked the new masks and promptly laid claim to two of them.  I had hoped he would. Every time I ask him if he wants me to order him some, he says "no, thank you" but when he saw them he was happy!  That leaves me two new ones, which can be used for a bit dressier because they're without the juvenile prints. Most places that I go it doesn't matter, so it's all good.  But now we have plenty of masks between us and I machine wash them and line dry them, so we'll never be without.

Time for a walk.  BBL.  Make a great day!!

Ann ~ I don't think for one moment that it's "just you" in not wanting to buy products made in China. I used to turn things over and look ..... but now even moreso!!  I have always had a 'thing' about buying imported, but some things you can't find any other way.  Hopefully that is going to change

The masks I ordered were made in California. I read the ad on FB about Yoga Society and they used to make yoga clothing until the pandemic shut down that. They said in an effort to serve the citizens AND keep their employees working, they switched over to using the material they had and making masks.  They are a lovely light material with a cotton lining and the loops are self-fabric, so they are a bit "dressier".  Who would have ever thought we'd be accumulating wardrobes of masks??  Oh well, it is what it is. I also read all the reviews on this company and they were encouraging.  I received my order in about a week.

I have enjoyed (or endured) a double walk around the complex.  Though the temp is cooler, the sun is still HOT! and I worked up a sweat. I am going to go sit in the living room with the big ceiling fan. I am hoping to give the A/C a rest today, and the next few days as well. We are actually predicted to have some "normal' summer Michigan weather (high 80, low 60) which would please me SO MUCH!!

Talk later .....

Hi friends, 

I enjoyed reading all your posts and they keep me grounded in reality during this awful summer in so many ways. My stress levels are through the roof today - so much of it is wrapped up in this ugly, ugly legal craziness with DD and her ex.  The stuff he nitpicks and threatens her with is awful.  I won't go into details but we have another ZOOM with her attorney tomorrow about his argument regarding the $$ amount she listed for her daycare food program. I won't go into it here but I don't really know how much more of this I can take.  Harder for her, I know, but super stressful as her parents. He is simply impossible and we had more news regarding his living situation that was not terribly surprising but nonetheless upsetting.  Maybe I will email you guys.  

Anyhow, it does help to hear stories about coffee pot dilemmas. I mean that! We have had a few Keurigs but my cousin was the CFO for the company that owns them so she always sent them to us before she retired. We have a good old Mr. Coffee at the Cape after a Cuisinart and a few others. It works great and was inexpensive.  Our kids all have very expensive cappucinno machines etc. but we have no real use for that. I like good old coffee.  I also have a nice little pour over CHemex coffee pot that DD bought us along with a really nice grinder. We use the grinder every day at the Cape but with the Mr. Coffee.  DH likes to get the good coffee beans.  

I went to the dentist today for my first visit since November!! I was way overdue for a cleaning and it felt great.  THey were practically dressed in HazMat Suits there at the dentist's.  

I dropped that slight gain and am down one more lb!  FINALLY! Probaby a combo of stress + healthier eating. I have to take care of myself these days.  I'm also busier at work and they are gearing up for return and planning how they will test 2000 or so students twice a week for COVID.  They have all the test kits but are working out who does the testing.  I am NOT looking forward to returning though I do miss my friends.  Let's hope things go as planned or I am sure we will be looking at job furloughs if they have to close.

I'v been busy taking more real estate online classes for my 12 hour total.  I have two more left - thank goodness. THey are dry but a good refresher.  

I attended my WW meeting via Zoom today. I like the topics lately and I do enjoy my group.  I also started reading a new author named Charles Todd - he writes British mysteries like the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear that I enjoy so much. 

Ukulele lessons started up again last night and I was so glad!  They won't be nightly but will be at least 3x a week.  

Sue- I know you love your job and it's a nice schedule with summers off, etc.  You'll make the right decision.  As long as you feel safe, why not? 

Pam, the carpenter who will fix our deck came over yesterday and he seemed very good. Not only will he repair the deck but he will also put up a new fence for us.  Yay!  Did you get your carpenter lined up?   Tonight the window people from Anderson are coming over to give us an estimate on window replacements.

Ann, hope you are doing well and keeping cool.  My friend is having her double mastectomy tomorrow.  Then radiation.  I've had her on my mind every day.  She's such a positive person and she is so glad she is at this point where they have managed to get rid of the cancerous lymph nodes and eradicate everything.   She'll have reconstruction next year.  She is disappointed that she can't have the "tummy tuck" - not enough fat.  I kid her about that and ask if she wants donor fat. We have to find a way to laugh. 

All for now...take care.  Sue - send those cool breezes our way! 

I took miss LuLa out in the back yard to do her thing while Carl went to get gas. I tell you....that is IT for me for today! After I post I shall get 'jammified' and call it a day.

Judy sorry I forgot to congratulate you on your weight loss. I'm sure it's all those good choices that you are making

I talked with a gal that I used to go to WW meetings with in Leominster. She was concerned about her lifetime status. I told her far as I know members that are not zooming will not be penalized. I surely hope so.

Waving to Pam and will catch y'all tomorrow. Time to unplug.....