THE LIGHTER SIDE CAFE THURSDAY DECEMBER 17

Back again. Carl opened up driveways for those he snow blows for on case of an emergency. He was careful and will go out again later. Still snowing.

I took LuLa in back yard. She went dashing through the snow ate some rolled around in it did her business and wanted no part of a walk. I was thrilled.

Now time for coffee.

Judy that all is well and you and DH are safe and sound. It's still coming down at a 'good clip' as gramma would say LOL. Happy sorting.

I agree, it is very addictive

Carl is doing well after surgery. The fatty tumor on his shoulder is extremely itchy. I told him it's 'healing' The one on his leg isn't giving him any problem at all. I'm grateful for that!

Stay safe all

Good morning!

We FINALLY have a sunny day after days and days of gloomy clouds. It really lifts my spirits to see beautiful blue sky and sunshine out the windows. It's only 45 out, but I don't want to wait until 3:00pm for it to warm up, so I will be heading out for a walk soon. Yesterday's was chilly, but not anywhere near what you gals have to endure on winter walks.

My eating has gone off the rails again with too many snacks. I am reining it in before I get any worse scale results. I definitely find this happens when I skimp on vegetables and fruit. I made some zero point(on purple, anyway)salsa verde soup and am enjoying it for lunches, paired with a half sandwich and some fruit. Soup tastes great when the weather is cold. Dinner tonight will be leftover pork loin, sweet potatoes and mustard greens that I plan to pick this afternoon.

We got some awesome news yesterday. The homebound health director decided they should order vaccine for all HH patients anticipated to still be in care to receive both doses and DH has been included in that number. She has also included hospice volunteers with staff that will receive vaccinations, so it looks as if DH and I will both receive vaccine shortly, a BIG blessing! DD1 called with the news yesterday and I could tell how excited she is for us. She will also be vaccinated as essential staff, so that will also greatly increase our safety and that of DD2, who has RA and is immuno-compromised. She has a doctor's appt. soon and will discuss with her doctor how soon she can receive the vaccine as a high risk patient. DH had already notified our doctor's office that we wanted vaccinations asap, so one way or the other, we should be getting it sooner than later.
Yesterday was a pretty lazy day other than my walk and a credit union meeting. Today's projects will be cleaning floors and moving plants indoors so they don't freeze tonight. Finding room for them will be tricky, especially with Christmas decorations everywhere, but I will manage by putting most of them in the library which has two ceiling to floor windows for light.

Judy - We also had tons of cookbooks, both inherited and collected over time. We found that we never opened the great majority of them, preferring to use several over and over. I saved the ones we use and donated the rest to the library.It's good you were able to advocate for DH with the group practice. I dread that we will have to get a new doctor at some point, since ours is at least 4 years older than me, so will retire at some point. I already have a new, younger one picked out and hope he is still accepting new patients when our need arises.

Ann - I laughed when I read your delight that LuLa was content to skip a walk today. I don't blame you in the least. It was nice of you to reach out to Jean. Caregiving is a hard job and very isolating, so it's important to have friends to lift your spirits now and then. I am sure your call was greatly appreciated.

Sue - Waving!

Good Afternoon, WW Friends ~

Happy Thursday!  I am officially finished with school until Jan. 4th.  We had our last Zoom class this morning.  I slept very well indeed, and woke a little bit early because I wanted to cook breakfast for DH  and me.  Today our class had Christmas PJ Day, so I had on my Christmas nightshirt with leggings. We had a good turn-out for our class, including one munchkin who is vacationing in Florida.  

Yesterday's shopping went very well indeed. I rang up quite the bill, then I remembered that I added (1) toiletries that I buy seldom; and (2) Christmas goodies for us.  When I subtracted all that, it was my usual grocery bill.  I got everything I wanted, except ham. They have a Cook's spiral sliced ham on sale but when I Googled it I found that it is safe to keep for a week, so I'll look again next week.  Hope they have them again??  

Ann ~ I am so jealous of your Winter Wonderland, except from some of the pictures I saw on TV it will be a while before it clears.  We got between 1-2" and it is still gently wafting down from the sky today.  Glad your friend is back in the NH and hopefully will be doing better?

Judy ~ You are really on a roll with your mission! You are an inspiration. I have gone through a couple of purges around here in the past few years.  One time I sold DH's (unused) treadmill and a retro table & chairs and gave away a sofa sectional plus all the throws that were on it.  Actually cleaned out the basement of things that I thought would be impossible for us to get out of there later on.  Nonetheless, I seem to accumulate stuff quicker than I get rid of it, but I'm working towards it.  Bummer about the power and meter..... what is wrong with them??

Pam ~ Hope things are going well in your neck of the woods.

So right before my Zoom class this morning, I got a text from a very dear friend in Missouri that she has been diagnosed with COVID.  That just broke my heart!!  All I can do is remain positive and pray for her but she is so very special to me that it just hurts!!  She says she doesn't have any "of the worst" symptoms (yet) but is concerned about Christmas. That is just like her.  She has a hubby and four grown kids (her baby is our MSU student) and is the most selfless person I know!

I have cleaned the bathroom and washed and rehung all the towels and made a great breakfast of poached eggs with grits (for me) and started my pot of Turkey Noodle Soup for supper tonight with a salad.  I walked after the news (instead of before) and it was only in the 20's out and very little wind.  The next project on my list is wrapping gifts (which I haven't even started yet) but it may get put off until tomorrow.  I'm just not sure if I'm in the mood now.

For lunch I did some cleaning out of the fridge, and had about 2 oz of leftover steak and about 2 oz of leftover squash cubes.  That emptied out two plastic containers.  I still need to make a pot of chili and am thinking Turkey 3-Bean Chili as I have all the ingredients.  Perhaps tomorrow??  Boy, I'm really filling up tomorrow, aren't I?  I have a 2:30 appointment for a haircut tomorrow too. But then I have all weekend, so I think I will go curl up in my chair and read for a bit today?

BBL.  Make a great day!!

Hi again all,

DH is out doing his snow blowing.  He worked from home all day and even though I was technically starting a break, I had several work things pending to finish up.  I'll be checking into my work email daily just in case something "blows up". Hope not! 

Pam, I am thrilled for you and your DH to get the vaccine soon!  I am also envious.  I really can't wait.  I worry so much that now that the vaccine is on the horizon that more people are being lax.  Lately, I know more and more having COVID - mostly all younger people but still...  I found your comment really true about your weight going up when you skimp on F&V.  So true.  You said something the other day that rang very true to me as well but it escapes me now.  It had to do with being hungry 4-5 hours after dinner if you are up that long, I think.  An earlier bedtime helps you!  Me, too! Where did you find the salsa verde soup recipe?  I'd love it.  Yes, we hardly open all these cookbooks.  DH doesn't cook but often I have ONE recipe I like in a book. Not worth saving for that.  I'll copy the recipe and donate the book.  No one needs this many cookbooks.  The library will like them as you say.  Also, we are relieved that DH got back into the practice with the new doctor and PA we had.  Very lucky!  We have a good friend who is a family practice doctor and he told me yesterday that it's a dying group of docs. All the younger people want to specialize and very few want to be internists. That is scary for us.  Like you said, we have to be with younger doctors now.  The PA is in her 30s and great and the doctor younger as well.  

I got a call to go in for a chest xray on Jan. 4.  I have some spots on my lungs that they are watching every six months.  I smoked when I was 18-22 but quit a long, long time ago - 1975.  They aren't worried about the spots, but just being careful. 

Sue, I am so sorry about your friend with COVID.  Keep us posted.  It affects everyone so differently, so I hope she has a mild case.  I was due for a haircut tomorrow, too, but we just rescheduled.  The roads in Worcester will be a big mess and my hairdresser said many folks canceled so she is staying home and working Sunday instead. Works for me.  The doggies have grooming, I have a cut and color and DH has an eye exam all on Sunday.  Should be a day of rest, but not this week! 

TTFN...I really enjoyed the escape Barbara Freethy book, Pam.  Cute story!  
Not sure what dinner will be here.  The clutter buster is tired - 5 boxes and 3 bags are in the garage ready for a trip to Savers when the weather clears!