THE LIGHTER SIDE CAFE FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27

Good Morning, WW Friends ~

TGIF!!  We have another grey, dreary day outside my window but it is warmer (in the 40's) with a predicted high near 50!! Unfortunately, there is a possible snow storm headed our way for Monday, but we'll see.

Yesterday was a great day here. I thoroughly enjoyed the Parade Special and the music and festivities on my TV.  At noon the Detroit Lions football game started and DH watched while I read my book. We started prepping our dinner during half-time and finished it when the game was over.  Our dinner was delicious and very filling - and, of course, we have a TON of leftovers. I repackaged it all and set it out in the garage (where it is cold) and after we have our second T'giving dinner this weekend, I will package it up in plasticware.  DH removed the two drumsticks and we put them in a freezer bag for much later. We also put the carcass in the soup kettle and I will make a pot of soup out of it in the near future.

Today promises to be a relaxing day.  I will start with walking this morning.  Then I will begin putting away the Autumn decorations and getting out some Christmas things.  

Ann ~ I think I should also box up some things I don't use and have them ready to go to the Thrift Store as this is the time of year for them to be out on their shelves.  I just never seem to take the time. Thanks for the gentle reminder.

Judy ~ So glad to hear that you enjoyed your feast, as well.  We will definitely be doing that again in the future, however DH mentioned that he thought he'd get the plain turkey next time. The smoked one was his pick and while it was good - I missed the flavor of regular turkey.  I was happy when he mentioned that he didn't think he'd ask for the smoked turkey next time.  

Pam ~ That was a great reminder about counting our blessings.  Sometimes it becomes all too easy to concentrate on what we don't have or what we can't do. On our news yesterday they showed an aerial view of lines of cars waiting at food banks and it was enough to bring tears to our eyes.  We are warm, safe and well-fed; that's a blessing!!

I don't think I will overdo today.  I will check with DH and see when he plans to bring up and set up the Christmas tree, then I can plan my time for decorating it. I'm not in a hurry, which is unusual for me. 

BBL. Make a great day!!

Ann ~ You are truly my inspiration!  I went downstairs and started pulling plastic bins off the shelves in the under-the-stairs storage room.  So far I have emptied 3 of them plus a popcorn tin of miniature Christmas characters (that I don't use any more).  So I have really made headway.  I have filled two large men's shoe boxes so far and I still have one more bin to empty and another shoe box to fill.  

Along the way I brought up some towels and decorations for around the house and put away all my Fall/Thanksgiving stuff.  So I am making headway!  I would just as soon decorate the house and then do the tree later at my leisure.  Like you, if it happens today it's okay and if not, it's still okay.

I was going through some old photographs and noticed that two years ago we had a "Snow Day" on the Monday after Thanksgiving as well. Wonder if it will happen this year??  Also don't know if they'll even call it since it is virtual?? 

I plan to finish up the stage that I am currently at with decorating then get dressed and go for a walk.  BBL.

Good morning!

I slept long and hard last night except for one bathroom trip. I started pushing fluid yesterday afternoon, hoping to flush out some of the sodium before WI today. Even so, I am up .4 from last week and up over a pound from yesterday. Debbie and I managed a 3 1/2 mile walk at a good pace today. It was warm and humid and is now 72 and we have a thunderstorm. We are supposed to have rain from now until Sunday, when a strong cold front comes through. We may have our first frost Sunday night, but I hope not, as it will end my green beans and poinsettias, which are just starting to turn red. Oh well, that's life!

Because of the inclement weather, I won't bring the Christmas decorations in from the storage room until next week when the weather clears. I want to do a thorough cleaning also and have to move furniture around a bit to make room for the tree. I am looking forward to reading at night with soft Christmas music, twinkling Christmas tree lights and a cup of cocoa or peppermint tea.

I was a little down last evening. I was tired and then my sister called and said we were the only ones who didn't go to Thanksgiving at my DB's, although my older DB and DSIL only went for a short visit before dinner. We had planned on an outdoor visit, but it rained, so that wasn't possible. She said older DB announced he will be hosting Christmas Eve as usual for whoever wants to come. This made me SO sad, as now my children will have to decide whether to spend it with us or with the larger family. My DGKs love being with all their cousins on Christmas Eve, just as much as my siblings and spouses love spending time together. It is our "high holy day" of family tradition and togetherness. I could have sat and bawled like a baby. Then, I read something on fb that said we need to keep things in perspective. We will not always feel sad and deprived. This is a temporary thing. Our lives won't always be in turmoil. This too shall pass. I began counting my many blessings. And I remembered that 6 years ago, I spent my first ever Christmas without my siblings so that I could be in Pittsburgh for Madison's birth and I survived that just fine. This morning, DH and I talked and agreed that we need to be very flexible this year. DD1's DMIL has spoken of planning something for DSIL's side of their family that we will need to work around. DD's might want to go to Christmas Eve with the rest of our family and we might need to work around that. Everyone might have CV by then (God forbid!) and none of the festivities may take place. We even talked about the possibility of going to DB's for a short time as he has a large covered patio just off the living room and depending on the weather, we might visit with family there. We have a whole month to see how things pan out and will just roll with the flow and make things as special and happy as we can and hope that 2021 brings a vaccine and some normality to our lives. Meanwhile, I will focus on the many positive things in my life.

DH and I also talked about me singing in the choir at church. He pointed out that I have given up so much because of the pandemic and his health issues. He knows my faith and singing are two things dear to my heart and that I am even more careful than he is about CV safety precautions, so he thinks I should continue. I have told the church secretary that I will agree to participate as long as there are no more than 5 of us and people agree to wear masks except when actually singing. We only do 3 hymns total. I told DH how much I depend on him to be logical about all these things, as I tend to be emotional. We do complement each other and make a good team.

The HH nurse wanted off today, so I changed DH's dressing, took a picture and sent it to her. All looks good. I am getting anxious about sending the wound vac back before we get charged out-of-pocket. They only allow a 2 week hiatus in use and I can't remember when she took it off. She is supposed to check and let me know today if I can send it back. I think the surgeon is holding back, which is fine if she will agree to pay the obnoxious daily fee when Medicare stops paying for it. Don't think THAT will happen!

I skipped breakfast yesterday and took only a couple tablespoons of each dish at dinner and I was still stuffed. We had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, white bread dressing, cornbread dressing, jalapeno corn casserole, candied yams with pecans, cranberries, green bean bundles and salad. Dessert was chocolate chip cookies and dirt cake. I skipped dessert but had some dirt cake and leftovers for supper, again keeping my portions tiny. I didn't feel at all deprived and don't feel I sabotaged my diet too much. Now, to deal with all the leftovers in a timely and measured manner. DH and I worked on a menu for the week that should pretty much use up what's left. I also plan to make turkey sausage gumbo and freeze some for lunches. DD2 brought some delicious smoked chicken thighs that we had for dinner Wed. night. I have half of mine left and will chop it up and add to the gumbo for extra flavor.

DDs and DGDs are coming tomorrow and we will have a Christmas craft day. It should be a fun time, even if we don't get much accomplished. I am hoping to help Abby craft some ornaments that she can gift to her other Grandma.

Not much going on today, so I will hopefully get a good start on my new book, a Barbara Freethy novel. I highly recommend American Dirt, which I just finished. It is thought-provoking but sometimes difficult to read because of the content.

Sue - I'm glad your sadness has eased. You have a very wise doctor. Exercise of any kind releases natural endorphins, which are a great mood lifter, at least for me. Having a loving husband and good friends to talk things over with are also helpful. I have not been able to part with my CDs. I still have a player in the Highlander and a "boom box" or two around. When we were still able to make hospice visits I would often bring a couple to play for patients. Even the Alzheimer's patients love music and just talking about what type of music someone likes is often a nice conversation starter that leads to a discussion of good memories.

Judy - Madison and Leah have also fallen in love with their aunt's old American Girl doll they play with at their grandmother's house. They are each getting one for Christmas from their grandparents and DH and I will give some of the Target brand clothes sets that will fit them. You might try a baking soda paste bath if the sunlight doesn't get rid of the smell. At least that works for refrigerators and freezer odors.

Ann - Every year as I decorate for Christmas, I think I should get rid of what I don't use and let someone else enjoy them. Thanks for the little push to "get 'er done" this year! Glad you have been sleeping well and feeling rested. It does make a difference in how the day goes.

Well happy to say that Christmas happened!!!! It's all up and running complete with Christmas music playing via Alexa. The rest of the decorations that I didn't use went where we pick up our mail with a FREE sign. I'm sure it will be all gone in a day or so. If not, I will simply put it in the trunk of the car to get donated.

Pam I also get down this time of the year. With me it's missing all those holidays that I had as a kid and young adult at home with my parents and then later on when Carl and I first married. Too many deaths around this time of year and at times it just get overwhelming. That is one reason why I stay away from the sad movies and certain Christmas carols....when I have my Alexa playing I simply tell her 'next' before the flood gates open.

Pam LOL to boom boxes. I simply won't part with mine or my portable CD player...when Carl is watching tv (up on blast as he is hard of hearing) I simply plug myself into music and read! Works like a charm. In fact, I am going to dig out my Keith Lockhart Boston Pops Christmas CD and listen to that via Boom box or portable CD player....depending on what Carl is doing LOL.

Great job on your walking.

Speaking of walking, we just got back from our final LuLa walk. She did her 'business' and is all set but for being taken in the back yard a few more times. Carl always steps up to the plate for which I'm most grateful.

Sue I also took out my special Christmas mugs one for me and one for Carl...they are all nice and washed and set out for tomorrow. It's those little things that make such wonderful memories. Those are the things I focus on when my mind goes 'dark'. I bet your home looks wonderful with all the decorations. Our tree is very small...we bought a 3' tree and it's in the window. Doesn't take up much room at all and uses hardly any decorations...that's why I had so many to get rid of

We are having lo turkey and sides for supper. I just finished an apple and will now go through the fridge and start getting things ready.

Looking forward to getting more reading done with the tree lit and soft Christmas music playing...doesn't get any better than that.

Judy hope all is well with you and DH....

Sweet dreams and talk tomorrow.