THE LIGHTER SIDE CAFE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10

Good Morning, WW Friends ~

Happy Thursday!  Another great night's sleep at our house!  The past two nights I have turned on my diffuser with lavender essential oils in it - and I swear that is making a difference.  I went to bed after 10 and was probably asleep by 10:30 and slept until 7:30 this morning.  That is about right for me.

I did some more cleaning off of the patio yesterday and cleaned out some stuff from the garage. I filled our trash bucket which was good.  DH and I looked at other sizes of fire pits online, then went out to our patio with the tape measure, and he still is adamant about wanting the 30" one. This is one of those "pick your battles" moments. I would prefer a smaller one, but it's his toy and not worth hurting his feelings over. I was also hoping I wouldn't have to store the grill over the winter, but we did find room for it in the garage, so if it doesn't go away, we'll move it.  We will definitely need that space on the patio for the fire pit.

Ann ~ GFY for deleting books from your reader.  I need to do that someday as well. I bet you're loving those 66 dg temps!!  I know we are.  It was in the low 60's when I woke up and our high won't even get above 70.  Unfortunately, we haven't seen the sun for several days and may not any time soon. I need to make a fresh batch of spearmint sun tea but this one will take longer, I fear.

Pam ~ I think your walking indoors at Walmart was a perfect solution. My chiropractor used to advise me to go to Meijer and walk the perimeter of the store when the weather was not conducive. I am still partial to DQ ice cream. Funny to remember that ‘back in the day’ DH bought me a medium blizzard and him a large. Now we split a small with me taking 1/3 off the top. They are pointy, but much easier to fit in with the smaller amount and the fact that we only eat them every once in a while. Thanks for the kudos about my 25 lbs! Congrats on seeing a number you haven’t seen for a time!

Judy ~ My George Foreman is the ‘family size’ which would fit (for example) 6 burgers instead of 4. We used to have the square one, back in the day when the plates were not removable. DH hated cleaning it! One night on the spur of the moment, he said ‘get in the car’ and we went to Target and bought the larger one with removable plates. The Panini is probably the 4-burger size, but still very handy!  I find I am using mine less and less, especially with the Instant Pot.  I still love it for steaks, etc.

I am undecided what I am going to do today. I have some laundry ready to go in to wash, and a list for Meijer, but I may just blow today off and look at tomorrow.  I have several things on my "to do soon" list but none that tickle my fancy today.  I watched a briefing by our governor this morning and she is reinstating high school sports but WITH masks!  You should see all the grumbling on FB!!  

I had poached eggs for breakfast with 1/2 serving of grits and a fruit bowl.  For lunch I had a cup of Zero Point Soup (almost time to make that again) and a fresh peach.  Tonight will be Brisket Hot Dogs with whole wheat buns and I haven't decided what sides yet.  We have mac 'n cheese which we both love!

BBL. Make a great day!!

Hi All ~  I am just back from a long walk.  It is still grey and dreary and 64 dg.  But the walk was good.  I stretched my legs and back and worked up a bit of a sweat despite the cool temps.

Ann ~ Thanks for the kudos on letting DH pick the fire pit he wants.  I usually *try* to indulge him - like with the grill (that he never uses). But now that we need to re-purpose that space he is finally of a mind to get rid of it. I will say the first couple of years, he cooked meat for the entire week on Sunday as well as veggies, etc.  I did very little cooking during the week.

I also had the smaller GF with the attached plates.  I cooked on it and DH always did supper dishes and ended up with the chore of balancing it on the edge of the sink to try and wash it without  getting it wet.  So as soon as he saw one with removable plates, he was all in!! The fact that it was bigger made it even better.  We re-gifted the older one to our great-nephew who had just gotten his own apartment and loves to cook.  I can now do two BIG steaks at the same time.  When it is time, I will definitely replace it.  Tonight I am grilling 5 hot dogs and then 4 hamburger patties on it.  The hot dogs are for tonight and one more supper later on;and the hamburgers are for future.  I very seldom cook just one thing on it. 

I remembered last night (lying in bed) that inside of our grill there is a magnetic box with a set of keys (front and back door). I did not want to forget them and sell the grill with them still inside. I had to wrestle with the cover today but did manage to retrieve them and put them somewhere else. Another bit of clutter out of my mind, thank goodness!

I am going to go watch some afternoon news and play WWF until DH gets home.  Tomorrow I have to go to the CU and also to Meijer.  But tonight is mine, all mine.

Good evening!

I took a trip to Dirt Cheap while DH was in treatment and picked up several pkgs. of gel clings, color books and other Halloween-themed stuff for the little DGKs. I also found a Sandra Brown novel I haven't read, for $1.50. Then I went back to Walmart for bandaids. I have a sore spot on one toe that is aggravated by walking and we were down to one bandaid. After we got home, I decided I would go to Mass this evening, instead of tomorrow morning. We have to leave an hour earlier so DH can see the doctor before hyperbaric and I didn't want to feel rushed to fit in a walk.

Dinner is done, the kitchen is cleaned and DH is watching football, so he is quite happy. At this point, I don't think he even cares who is playing, just so he gets to watch football, lol. Actually, one of LSU's former players is now a KC Chief, so that adds some interest. I plan to get jammified and read. I am feeling tired today, so plan on an early bedtime. I think all my busy days have finally caught up with me.

Last evening, Dee sent me a text that a bear had been spotted in a tree behind my neighbor's house across the street. She is my DB's sister-in-law so I checked with him. Nope. Today, Dee sent me a pic and said the bear was actually at the next house down, the neighbors' who cat-sit for us when we're on vacation. I checked with them. Nope. BUT, she had heard there was a bear at the other end of our street about 6 blocks away. Bingo! That woman's next-door neighbor has the same first name as my DB's SIL. Mystery solved! I am glad it was at the other end of the street. I worry enough about coyotes eating my cats without having to worry about a bear. Brown bears are numerous in Louisiana and a nuisance. Dee's explanation was she just repeated what she heard through the grapevine. Small town gossip is notoriously unreliable.

Ann - We are supposed to get rain tomorrow and everyday this weekend. We really need the moisture. I'm wishing us both a good WI tomorrow.

Sue - Good thing you remembered the keys! You would probably have had to change all locks if you hadn't remembered. Our DQ closed several years ago. Sonic seems to be more popular than DQ in our area.

Judy - Waving! I hope all is well with you.