THE LIGHTER SIDE CAFE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11

Hi all,

Ann, I can't believe how wringing wet it was outside even until very late at night.  Tropics with humidity and such heavy air.  Hard to breathe. 

When I was at CVS, I had my flu shot.  Can't remember if I said that.  The person giving me the shot said it is sure to run out this year.  Every school aged person in the state is required to get a flu shot this year - required by the governor - or they cannot enter public school.  So, that will really create shortages. My arm is a tad sore, but not bad at all.  

Last night we had farmstand corn. I cannot get enough of that sweet corn and the season is short.  I know it is more caloric and sugary than other veggies, but still good for us! 

I have a little dilemma that cropped up last night.  One of my very favorite cousins and a big family favorite of all of us - also my brother's best friend - is going to his college reunion on the Cape at a nearby college.  They canceled all reunion plans except for the golf tournament.  He wrote last night asking if he can stay with us one night.  I really hate saying no to him. DH and I talked about it. It is not the golf tournament that scares me but the gathering for friends from all over after the tournament with drinks, food, etc.  I staff these tournaments for our college (we did not have one this year) so I know the camaraderie that happens when friends have not seen each other for years.  Plus or DS and DDIL and baby plan to come the next day after he leaves.  They are SUPER cautious and would be upset and most likely not come up.  So, I have decided to write him a nice note telling him we just can't do it.  Makes me sad to do that but I know he will understand.  Another thing I hate about this virus is things like this.  Thoughts?  Hope we are not overreacting... I am the world's best second guesser and I have to stop that. 

Have a great morning and day. Off to rustle up breakfast.  I'm thinking a waffle, fruit and yogurt today.  

Good Morning, WW Friends ~

TGIF!! I got right up early this morning, and DH and I had our breakfast together.  I do so enjoy those few minutes in the morning. He reads the Detroit Free Press on his tablet and is faithful to share anything of interest.  I am so spoiled because I really do rely on him to spoon-feed me the news.  But it is something that we both seem to enjoy, so it's a win-win.

Ann ~ So sorry about your crummy weather. I had hoped what we are having would migrate your way.  It was in the low 50's when I got up this morning and only going to high 70's.  It could stay that way for me.

Judy ~ I simply cannot believe the pharmacy clerk!!  I do understand taking off her mask when she's on break, but by now it should be second nature to pull it back on when approaching people (especially customers).  My DH loves his new Spartan masks for that reason - they have two loops that go behind his head and he can slip it down to his neck when he's working on equipment or driving - and it is quick and easy to pull it back up.  He is one of those who is adamant about wearing a mask! I DO use my GF a lot, though less than previously.  I haven't used my Instant Pot as much since the Summer started because we tend to eat more cold salads then - but when it gets colder I will start wanting warmer and more substantial meals.  I have made the Instant Pot Spaghetti and it was wonderful!  It also made three meals.  We also did ribs in it. I have a cookbook that has some great recipes complete with photos, and the author is coming out with a lightened up version in the Spring.

Pam ~ Yikes! on the bear!!  I had to LOL about small town gossip!  Glad you got your band-aids.  I first read that as "bananas" and then had to go back :-) You are certainly making good use of your time!  I am also very glad I remembered the keys as they had been there since we bought the grill years ago.

I woke up thinking of things  I wanted to get done - and first on my mind was cleaning and re-doing my bathroom. I have already stripped and scrubbed and changed the color scheme, and the laundry is going. I have a couple more 'chores' I would like to tackle (bed - dining table) but they don't all have to be today.  I need to go to Meijer and satisfy that list, as I need something for a salad I want to make.

Tomorrow will be a 'busy' one for me. I have a lunch date with VBF to sit and visit on the patio at Mr. B's.  Then in the evening I have a surprise birthday party for one of our Head Start teachers at another one's house.  This is a group that I feel very comfortable socializing with and am glad they feel the same about me.  They are having a 'taco bar' supper and told me I didn't have to bring anything, but I think my mango/black bean/corn salad will compliment it nicely.  The gal who is organizing it is purchasing a massage gift card for the b'day girl and I arranged to contribute so I don't have to go in search of a gift.

I think I am at a stopping place now and may make my trip to the Credit Union and to Meijer and then decide when I get back what else I want to tackle.  It doesn't look promising for us to get our fire pit this weekend.  We could go buy it - but then we'd want to use it - and there is still much to be done to rearrange the patio and free up room for it.  But we'll see .....

BBL.  Make a great day!!

Sue we were posting at the same time. I also rely on Carl to dictate the news. I just don't have the patience or stomach for all of it. If I'm going to read, it's going to be on my kindle or reading posts LOL.

I wish I had half of your energy today. If you have some to spare, I'd appreciate it along with some of your cool fresh air.

Hope your trip to the market is successful.

Hi All ~ Well, while I'm on a roll, I also scrubbed the kitchen floor and put in some more laundry. I need to wash & dry the towels that I took down from the bathroom so they can be packed away until next time.  I sat down to make up a withdrawal slip for my Credit Union and went ahead and stripped the dining table, cleaned the wood good and then put on different placemats and centerpiece.  We have had 'daisies' on both since June and they're gone now (outside) so I made them go away indoors as well and used a more Fall decor.

Judy ~ I wish I was Martha Stewart -but alas, I am not!  I do enjoy changing things up some and always have.  DH told me years ago (early in our marriage) that he figured it out - as little girls we dress our dolls and as bigger girls we dress out homes. That made perfect sense to me. Fortunately, over the years I have amassed plenty of 'stuff' so I don't have to go shopping when I redecorate - kind of like dressing out of our own closet doncha' know??

Ann ~ I had to LOL about Carl's expression when you wished you were living in Colorado!  DH just read me an article the other day that the term "Snow Day" may become obsolete with the advent of online teaching?? That would be so sad!!  But this winter I won't miss driving to work in the ice and snow.

So I went ahead and did a little more, including eating a HB egg, while my white load dries so I can get the shower curtain out before it wrinkles. By the time I get back from my errands, I should be tired enough to take a little rest.  I will peek back in to see how all of you are doing .....

Later

Yawn...me too. I am tired after reading all of Sue's chores!  :-) 

Sue, at least all your activity inspired me to get off my dead rear and scrub my bathroom upstairs!  Job well done!  :-) 

I am back and put groceries away and decluttered the patio a bit more.  I found out I have room for the grill in the garage, but I can't get it there by myself. Though it is on wheels, there is a portion of the route that is grass and it may roll better with two of us.  But I got a head start on it.  I also dumped the smaller two petunia pots and now all that's left is the big one (that DH will have to lift) and one other large one which I moved to even them out a bit. I put away my zero gravity chair (which takes up way too much room on the patio) and got out a regular folding chair and man, did the space open up!!  DH is right after all, the 30" fire pit will fit fine.  Now with a little bit of help from him, we are almost ready to go get it.

Judy ~ Yay for cleaning the bathroom!  Nothing sweeter than a brand spankin' clean bathroom!

Ann ~ Hope your tummy issues are better by now!!

Pam ~ Hope your day is going well .....

Oh, BTW, yesterday I found a recipe (at least most of one) on the WW Instant Pot FB page for Cabbage Stew.  It involves diced tomatoes, onion, beef broth, Rotel original,ground turkey and Coleslaw Mix of cabbage and carrots.  I got all the ingredients today to make it.  Haven't decided yet if I'll use the Instant Pot or the crock pot.  I came home all gung-ho to make it today but I really think I better stop (while I'm ahead) otherwise I'll feel like cr@p tomorrow, and I have a fun-filled day on tap tomorrow.

Time to go sit for a bit.....