THE LIGHTER SIDE CAFE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 10

Good Morning, WW Friends ~

Happy Tuesday!  We have another beautiful day here with a predicted high above 70.  THEN the real November weather arrives overnight and our highs the rest of the week will be in the mid 50's.

I slept well last night, except for troubling dreams, which I hope ends soon! Some of it is related to the election and all the chaos surrounding it.  I just wish it would be over soon. Some of it was making room in the refrigerator for T'giving leftovers <LOL>.  DH cooked breakfast this morning and we had scrambled Egg-Beaters with Cojack cheese, a fruit bowl of watermelon & strawberries & blueberries, and a slice of Dave's bread for me. I plan to have a bowl of veggie/bean soup for lunch with some fruit, and for tonight I am cooking a turkey tenderloin with sweet potato.  

Last night we finalized our Thanksgiving plans.  We had planned to eat at home (just the two of us) but while I offered to cook - DH was leaning toward a catered meal.  That works fine for me, because then I have the day off.  I plan to watch the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV (that I have missed for years because we're always gone to the Alkathon).  So that is a treat for me!  Anyway, I was reading the new Kroger flyer that came in the mail yesterday and noticed an ad on the back page, for Holiday Meals.  They listed the meats (from Prime Rib, turkey, ham, etc) but underneath was a list off ALL the sides that come with it!  We settled on smoked turkey and the sides include: Green bean casserole; sweet potato souffle; mashed potatoes, gravy, old fashioned bread stuffing, King's Hawaiian rolls; and a pumpkin pie! Their dinners serve 4-6 people, so we will have lots of leftovers.  But we decided that was okay because we both love Thanksgiving leftovers!  I went online and ordered it and they emailed us back a confirmation, so we're all set. DH will pick it up on the 25th in the afternoon. One and done!!

Ann ~ I am so sorry to hear about Ms. LuLa's paw!  You will have a good healthy distraction taking care of her, but it's still crummy!!  Hope she gets better very quickly!  I don't know what the hold up is with shipping either, since I ordered my charcoal filters from Amazon yesterday and they will be here tomorrow.  But, "ours is not to wonder why"??  Just think about how much closer you are to getting it back!! I am sympathetic, because I cannot picture my life without mine! I also take vitamin D because I tend to be low and even moreso in the winter when I'm not outdoors much and if I am, there's seldom much sun!  Hope your mood cheers today for you 

Judy ~ Did you notice I answered you about the soup?  I have all but quit buying soup as I make such good ones AND with my Instant Pot so many are so easy.  I have several large containers (tall) that are usually full in my fridge, and right now there are two in my freezer downstairs. I had to LOL picturing your doggies hunting for crabs. Enjoy your time at the Cape!  Lamb chops sounded delicious!

Pam ~ What good news that the nurse was pleased with your DH's progress!  That sounds like light at the end of the tunnel. I was also happy to hear the news about the imminent arrival of a COVID vaccine. I know people have differing opinions about vaccines, but personally I'm in favor of them.  I was shocked to hear a local reporter (who is also an M.D.) report that only 30% of people in Michigan got a flu shot last year!!  Yikes!!  But we live in a free world, and we all  have to do what we have to do.  DH and I already got our high-dose flu shots this year.  I also got the 2-shot series of shingles vaccine, as I have had repeated outbreaks over the years, and last Winter was one of the worst i had had, and I don't want to do that again (if possible). I had had the first shingles shot some 7 years ago, but research told me this one is MUCH more effective. I wouldn't know if I didn't take it.

I am still working on getting me reinstated (at least on the computer) at school.  NOW I have email access (which had been missing) and today I have access to our payroll site - but no timesheet (which needs to be submitted tomorrow).  Yikes! Baby steps in every way possible!  Eventually we will get there.  I am home this week, but going into our school (without students) for Thursday and Friday.  Taylor (teacher) and I are going to prepare lessons and pack up bags to be dropped off to the kiddos on Friday for next week's Zoom classes. I am looking forward to it.  

Today I need to go to Meijer and stock up on laundry products and a few items from my list, then fill my gas tank and wash my car.  Those were things I put off from last week. But I'll catch up today.  Tomorrow is Veteran's Day and I have a special coupon offer at Kohl's (good for one day only) so I may go there and look for something for DH.  Though we cut down our Christmas shopping a lot this year, we are still going to have 'some' Christmas, so I have been shopping online (which I usually do).

BBL.  Make a great day!!

P.S.  DD called me today and is disappointed that they can't travel here for Thanksgiving. It is just too much right now with all the divorce stuff and flying alone with the kids cross country, etc.  :-(  We are sad, but i cannot be helped.  

Hello Cafe friends!

I got into a cleaning out & tossing mode today. It started with the fridge because tomorrow is a garbage pickup day, so a good time to clean out the fridge. While doing that, I boiled some leg quarters I picked up on sale at Super 1. I will use the meat and broth to make gumbo on Friday. After lunch, I moved to the bathroom and cleaned out the medicine cabinet, tossing sore throat lozenges from 2006 and other goodies. My makeup drawer got the same treatment. Then I took it all out to the garbage can and took it to the street for tomorrow's pickup. I also got sheets washed and clean laundry from yesterday put away. I'm feeling pretty good about what I accomplished and will reward myself with some reading. My current book, Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is about to be repossessed, so I need to finish it by tonight to avoid having to wait to get it back.

Breakfast this morning was fresh pineapple, yogurt and seeds. Lunch was leftover bbq pork loin on 1/2 whole wheat bun, cooked carrots and grapes. Dinner will be chef salad. Debbie and I walked this morning, so I'm good in the steps department.

Tomorrow, DH and I plan to leave fairly early for the camp. We want to stop by and pick up fresh shrimp and crabmeat in town before heading to the camp to meet up with the insurance adjuster, who is supposed to come between 12:30 and 1:30. After that, we will make the long drive back home. Thursday, we have to go to BTR for DH's two doctor appts. We're hoping to have DD2 meet with us for lunch.

Ann - I hope Miss LuLa cooperates with her treatment! Getting animals to take medicine can surely be challenging. Treat yourself gently and post only when you feel like it.

Judy - Fresh scallops sound divine! I love all seafood except oysters & clams, which I don't care for in any form. We really should eat more fish fish--salmon & tuna, etc. Seafood is plentiful here and on most restaurant menus. My DD is also sad about not being able to visit or have us visit right now. At least when things calm down she is only a day and a half drive away. It will be harder for you and your DD to get together. C'mon vaccine!!!!

Sue - Your Thanksgiving plans sound great (and delicious!). I'm surprised Detroit will have its parade this year as most places are cancelling parades and even Mardi Gras here is in jeopardy. I have heard you can find past Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades on YouTube, just in case. I'm with you on getting any and all recommended vaccinations. I have had the newer shingles shot, too, last year after hearing of your woes. When we were still traveling abroad, we updated typhoid, tetanus, etc. regularly.

Wishing all a restful evening!