CLOSING OUT JANUARY

The first month of 2017 is over.  It seemed so long to me.  But still I didn't get nearly enough done.  There's always something to do when you own a house.

Here's my temperature afghan.  You can see the three cold days when we were in the 20s in the gray stripe.  Then there were the two 60 degree days in the light green stripe.  But basically it was in the 40s as you can see by all of the light blue.  The dark green stripes are the 50s and the dark blue stripes are the 30s.  The white stripe is just to divide the months.

It will be interesting to see how this progresses.

One last look at our Breathtaking Views calendar page for January.

 Lighthouse -- Grand Haven, MI

And we say goodbye to January.  I wonder what February will bring.

Kathy

Sunrise: 7:10 a.m.

Sunset: 5:19 p.m.

10 hours and 9 minutes of daylight

Partly cloudy

Temperature:  39*/35*

 

KATHY'S CAFE

The weather today was crazy... sun, clouds, snow, sun, clouds, snow.  We got just a dusting.  Nothing to be concerned about.  But I would look out of the window and it would be bright sun.  Then it would cloud up and snow.  As soon as I would go to the window to look at the snow it would stop and the sun would come out again.

I have been putting out seed for the birds.  The squirrels seem to like the sunflower seeds that fall out of the feeder.  My brother Larry has set up in his yard a few feeders for the birds and a red wagon with seed and peanuts for the birds and squirrels.  He posts lots of pictures of them.  He calls his yard "The Cafe."  Now that he and his wife Kim have moved, he is setting up a new one -- the new Cafe.  So when I saw all the excitement at mine I decided to call it "Kathy's Cafe."

 The squirrel in the tree.

Hi little squirrel!
 

 Lots of sparrows.

 Looks like the squirrel found a sunflower seed.

 Look how polite these sparrows are.  They are all lined up to take their turn at the feeder.

And here's a little video I made for you.

Thank you to everyone that was concerned about my health.  I was concerned too!  But after a good long sleep I was feeling much better and today I am feeling fine.  I don't know if it was MSG, salt, or the sweetened iced tea, but I'm betting it was the tea.  I've eaten there for years and never had a bad reaction.  The tea tasted different this time so I think they sweetened it with Equal.  Well, we will see since I am going back there this Saturday with my friends who want to take me out for my birthday.

I am still celebrating Chinese New Year.  Tonight I made fried rice for dinner.  I know what goes into my fried rice.  It's all good.  I know I want to make peanut noodles this week too.  Maybe tomorrow for lunch.

Have a good night everyone.

Kathy

Sunrise:  7:11 a.m.

Sunset:  5:18 p.m.

10 hours and 7 minutes of daylight

Sun/clouds/snow

Temperature:  38*/26* 

CHINESE NEW YEAR -- YEAR OF THE ROOSTER

Happy Chinese New Year!  It's the year of the Rooster.  The Year of the Rooster will start from Jan. 28, 2017 and last to Feb. 15, 2018.

Rooster is the tenth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Rooster include 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029...

Rooster is almost the epitome of fidelity and punctuality. For ancestors who had no alarm clocks, the crowing was significant, as it could awaken people to get up and start to work. In Chinese culture, another symbolic meaning of chicken carries is exorcising evil spirits.

People born in the Year of Rooster according to Chinese zodiac have many excellent characteristics, such as being honest, bright, communicative and ambitious. Most of them are born pretty or handsome, and prefer to dress up. In daily life, they seldom rely on others. However, they might be enthusiastic about something quickly, but soon be impassive.

If you google "Year of the Rooster", you will find out a lot more.  Such fun although I believe none of it.

Yesterday Joe and I went to the Super China Buffet for lunch.  It was disappointing.  The variety and amount of food has gone way down.  But I got the best chicken egg drop soup.  And long noodles for good luck.  They didn't have any beggar's purses though.  Looking at the list of "lucky" food I notice that Joe got a lot of them without even knowing it.

Lucky food to eat during this 8 day celebration are:  fish (an increase in prosperity), dumplings (wealth), spring rolls (wealth), sweet rice balls (family togetherness), fruit with a golden color (fullness and wealth), long noodles (happiness and longevity).

After we ate, we went to Rite Aid to get a few things.  While we were in the store I began to feel sick -- dizzy, headache, my blood pressure went up and my heart started pounding.  I left Joe in there and went out to the car.  I just felt worse and worse.  By the time we got home my head was pounding.  I think they must have put aspartame in the iced tea.  I get severe side effects to it and those are the symptoms I have when I eat or drink it.  I took a couple of Tylenol and laid down on the sofa.  I woke up 7 1/2 hours later feeling much better.

I got the church bulletin together and went to print it and it wouldn't print.  I did everything.  I cleaned the nozzles, aligned the heads, tested everything.  All the tests turned out right but it wouldn't print when I sent things through to it.  I NEED MY PRINTER!

I got up early today and ran to Wawa to get something for Fellowship Time.  It was my week to bring the treat.  I had meant to bake, but I slept instead.  Then we went to church early so I could print out the bulletin over there.

We were going to go to the parade in Chinatown today, but I am still feeling under the weather, so we took Sunday afternoon naps instead.  I have always loved my Sunday afternoon naps, even when I was a teenager.  Probably mostly when I was a teenager.  I slept a lot in my teens.  So anyway, here are some pictures of the parade instead.

 There's a lot of the week left, so hopefully I will feel better and we can do some more things to celebrate the new year.

 Kathy

Sunrise:  7:11 a.m.

Sunset:  5:17 p.m.

10 hours and 6 minutes of daylight

(Yay!  It's over 10 hours!)

Sunny and scattered snow showers

Temperature:  43*/30*

WHAT I'M READING -- MAUDE by Donna Mabry

I haven't done a lot of reading in the past year.  Ever since I retired I have been watching a lot of TV and movies, doing housework, and generally living life.  The other day I was looking at 99 cent books on my Kindle and came across this one.

It intrigued me because when I read the introduction it reminded me of my great-grandmother.  They lived during the same time frame.  They both went from horse-drawn carriages to jet planes.  And although Maude lived in Arkansas and Michigan and my great-grandmother lived in Pennsylvania both of them had high regard for their God and their families.

The story begins in 1906 and goes through to 1967.  Life is hard in 1906 and society was different.  It didn't matter if you had a good marriage or a bad one.  Divorce, although not unheard of, was difficult and women had few rights.  Even the children belonged to the husband along with all the woman's earthly possessions.  

This is a fictionalized version of a true story.  I think it's only called fiction because Donna Mabry had to flesh out the characters with conversations and thoughts and feelings.

I began reading this book on Monday morning and finished it this morning.  The paperback version of it has 496 pages so you can imagine how fast I went through it.  The fact that I sat in the VA Hospital for several hours two days this week helped, I'm sure.  But this book was so fascinating I couldn't put it down.  Every time Joe looked at me, I was reading -- even while cooking dinner last night.

Some of the book is gory.  A lot of it sad.  Some of it happy.  A lot of it disappointing.  In other words, it's real life.  No sugar-coating in this story.

If you like biographies, real life down and dirty stories, then you will like this book.  It's on the Wall Street Journal Best Sellers List and it's number one on Amazon's Self-Published Best Sellers list this week.

Maude by Donna Mabry: “In 1906, I was barely over fourteen years old, and it was my wedding day. My older sister, Helen, came to my room, took me by the hand, and sat me down on the bed. She opened her mouth to say something, but then her face flushed, and she turned her head to look out the window. After a second, she squeezed my hand and looked back in my eyes. She said, “You’ve always been a good girl, Maude, and done what I told you. Now, you’re going to be a married woman, and he will be the head of the house. When you go home tonight after your party, no matter what he wants to do to you, you have to let him do it. Do you understand?”

MARIANNE STORIES #48

College is a transition -- a rite of passage.  My friend, Marianne, found this out when she applied to go to Temple University.  Knowing her as well as I do, I can see this happening.

September 7
Many of my teens are heading off to Freshman Year of college. Listening to their fears and also to their joys reminded me of the July/August Orientation I had to attend at Temple University after the school accepted me. My parents had to attend the mandatory Parents' Tea, in which school administration, professors, and student services personnel addressed parents and told them what to expect of Temple life, on and off campus. My parents returned late in the afternoon. I greeted them with,"Well? How was it?" 

They exchanged looks, a sign I knew to be trouble. Mom sweetly said, "Let's put it this way. If you so much as ever try smoking, drinking, taking drugs, having sex, asking me for birth control, I personally will break your face and every bone in your body." Then she kissed the top of my head. 

Stunned, I looked at my father who replied, "And when your mother's through with you, I will do the same. Don't even think about it!" 

What in the world did they hear? Well, it turned out that Pop opened up the proverbial can of worms. All the parents heard all the platitudes about college youth growing up. Administration asked the parents if anyone had any questions. Pop said he and Mom had a question. "What about drugs? What do you say about that?" 

A very uncomfortable silence ensued and then all hell broke loose with parents demanding answers about Temple's drug culture. The administration replied that drug experimentation, alcohol experimentation, sexual promiscuity were a normal part of the adolescent maturation process and that services existed on campus to help the students get past hurdles they couldn't control, AND, the school would never divulge the student's problems to the parent, My parents replied that was not the answer they wanted to hear. I couldn't believe my parents would ever think that I would be guilty of any of that. I was a very grounded teen with no desire to incur Italian Family Wrath and I had never been in trouble except for talking too much and speaking my mind, something my parents encouraged. Imagine my surprise, then, when I heard all of this.

"Am I still going there? It's too late to apply anywhere else." 

"Oh, you're going there and you're coming home, but all the time you are out of this house, just remember what will be waiting for you when you come home!" 

Two weeks later, all incoming Freshmen had to spend a week at Temple living in the dorm. The two girls who shared the room with me began talking about the Parents' Tea. They both said that when their parents came home, they read them the riot act. One of them said, "You know, everything was cool at my house before that meeting. Some father raised his hand and asked about drugs. Because of him I got grounded in advance!" 

I NEVER admitted that my parents were responsible!

CATCHING UP

Here it is the middle of the week already.  So much has been going on and I find it hard to find time to write.  It is about 6:30 a.m. now and I still have only a few minutes.  Joe has a doctor's appointment this morning and we have to leave in about 2 hours to get there on time since it is out at the VA Hospital and it takes about an hour to get across the city in rush hour traffic.  At least it's not 8:30 a.m. like it was on Monday.  We had to leave by 7:20 to make it.

Sunday we almost didn't make it to church after that whole foggy drive home on Saturday.  I didn't wake up until 10:00 and church starts at 10:30.  We were a little late, but not terribly so.  I am always so tired after a long drive and for some reason my legs swell up so badly.  

The tiredness has continued.  I slept the whole of Sunday after getting home after the luncheon and the business meeting.  We didn't even have dinner because I just slept right through it.  Not that we were going to eat much because we had eaten well at church.  But I have to eat something to take my medicine.  Missed that dose because I never woke up.

Except for going to the doctor with Joe, I slept all day Monday and most of the evening.  Yesterday I was awake a little more, but I'm so tired I just lay down and am out in a few minutes.  Hopefully I can stay awake more today because I have so much housework to do!

We have had lots of high winds and rain around here.  I looked out at the back yard around midnight and it's completely destroyed.  I'm pretty sure the winds are dying down today so I will go out and straighten things up when we get back from the hospital.  What a mess!  There has been lots of damage around here from the wind, so we are thankful it is nothing more than our furniture and trash cans thrown all over the place.

I started reading a book yesterday and it is so good I have a hard time putting it down.  I'm already up to Chapter 10 (about 1/4 of the way through).  The title is Maude and it's by Donna Mobry.  It's on the Wall Street Journal Best Seller List.  I saw it on Amazon in the 99 cent Kindle books and it looked good.  I'm sure you can get it in paper form too.  It has been a long time since I have read a book I couldn't put down.

I have to get a move on or I will never make it to the doctor on time.  And this one is a stickler for that.

Until later, folks!

Kathy

Sunrise:  7:14 a.m.

Sunset:  5:11 p.m.

9 hours and 57 minutes of daylight

Temperatures:  54*/41* 

A FOGGY SATURDAY IN LANCASTER

Another Monday come and almost gone.  Although the days seem to fly by, this month has gone at a pace I can deal with.  It feels like a normal month not whizzing by.

On Saturday Joe and I went to visit my brother Larry and sister-in-law Kim to see their new house.  We didn't know how to get there, so put on the GPS.  We got there all right, but was led on a long and winding path.  As Joe said, we got a guided tour of North Philly!  It would have been much quicker to pick up Route 1 just a few miles from our home.  Instead we went about 15 miles out of our way.  O...K...!  But we finally got there.

Their house is so cute and decorated so beautifully.  I love the whole set up of their house.  And their yard is big and so nice.  They have a big deck too.  There are some things they are doing to fix it up to their tastes as anyone would, but it's a lovely place.

After we looked around and exchanged Christmas gifts (yes, we did), we headed out to Lancaster County to have lunch.  Or an early dinner as it turned out.  Larry led me out to Route 202 and then we were separated, but each of us knew where we were going from that point so it was no big deal.  We each took our own cars so we could just go home afterwards.

We were going along, listening to the radio, talking and making good time when we ran into fog.  Thick fog.  I borrowed this photo from Larry who took it from his car.  I thought about it, but didn't want to stop and get my camera out of my purse.

And this was nothing.  It got even worse.

We were headed for Katie's Kitchen.  It's an Amish run restaurant and has excellent food.  We wanted to share it with Larry and Kim.  But when we pulled in, it was all dark.  A man was pulling out and he yelled to us that it was closed.  We didn't see Larry's car anywhere so we parked and waited for them.  Joe finally called Larry and asked where they were.  It turns out he was just pulling into the parking lot.  He went to the front door and here the place was closed for one week because they were painting the place.  One week and it happened to be the week we were out there.  (We are going out again in about 6 weeks to eat there, but I'm going to call first.)

So we ended up going to our second choice, Rockvale Diner.  It was a whole 2 minute drive away.  The place was almost empty so we had no trouble getting in.

The food is good there.  I finally got the fried chicken I've been craving for a few days.  It was good and juicy.  The rest of them got steaks.

While we were waiting for our food I looked out of the window and had to take this picture.

We were all laughing about how Dickey's Barbecue Pit is right next to the Ultimate Fat Loss System building.  Uh...  😄

We had a really good time and split up after eating to head home.  But what a time we had.  At first the fog was light, the music was mellow and our stomachs were full.  I felt so peaceful.  And then it changed.  The fog was worse.  And driving in the dark in the fog was a nightmare.  At times I could hardly see the car in front of me.  And many times I couldn't see the road at all.  

An hour and a half drive took me well over two hours.  We had thought about getting a room for the night even though we didn't have anything with us, and we probably would have if we didn't have to be in church the next day for the Annual Business Meeting.  I still had to type up the bulletins too.  So we went on.  But I was scared and we prayed the whole way home.  It wasn't until we got 2/3 of the way home that the fog finally lifted. 

But all in all it was a fun day with a good meal.  And speaking of meals, now I have to go make dinner.  I'll be back tomorrow with another post.  Have a good evening!

Kathy

 Sunrise:  7:16 a.m.

Sunset:  5:10 p.m.

9 hours and 54 minutes of daylight

Rain and high winds

Temperature:  40*/37*

THE INAUGURATION AND A VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL

Did you see it?  How could you not?  It was on television the entire day.

 The transfer of power between President Obama and our new President Trump.  Who would have ever thought Donald Trump could or would become President?  I, for one, never thought it could happen.  But here we are.

 This is not a political blog, nor will I discuss politics.  I just believe so strongly in this country and the democratic process.  I have always been proud to be an American even when things have not always gone well for us.  I'm sometimes ashamed of the way some particular people act, but never of us as a whole.

I watched as much of it as I could.  And I took some photos off of the TV.  I did this because I know this is a historic day. 

 I really liked seeing the former presidents.  Especially Jimmy Carter.  He looks good for 92 years old.  I haven't seen him in a long time and I was glad he and Rosalind were looking so well. And with all his health problems too.

 Ah, where do the years fly?  They seem to vanish before my eyes.

I didn't get to see it all because I had to run to the hospital to get my mammogram.  I got there in plenty of time.  And after filling out the yearly paperwork (don't they keep them on file?) I was taken right back.  And I was in and out in no time.  They have a new 3-D digital machine which they have had for only three weeks.  It was fast!

But as I was waiting to go in, an alarm began to ring and a light to flash.  Then an announcement came over for the second floor nurses station to evacuate.  (We were on the first floor.)  I think the words the announcer used was "must leave immediately."  There was another lady with me who said she was scared.  I said, "Don't worry.  If it's something bad, they will come and get us."  She was really upset and thought they would forget we were there.  But all of a sudden the alarm stopped sounding and the light stopped flashing.  Just then the tech came to get me.  I asked her what had happened and she said it was a fire, but just a small one and to not be alarmed.  O...K...!

Tonight Joe and I had a date night.  We had gotten a gift card for Chick-fil-A for Christmas from some friends so decided to make use of it.  It was so nice to just sit there and eat and talk and then I could walk away without doing the dishes!  😉

Today my brother Larry, sister-in-law Kim, Joe and I are going to Ronks in Lancaster County to celebrate Larry's and my birthday.  We were going to do it earlier but the weather kept us away two weeks ago and last week Larry and Kim moved into their new home.  So exciting!  So Joe and I are going to meet them there and get a tour of the house and then go to lunch.  It's going to be fun.

And now I am going to have to run or I won't make it out there in time.  Hope you all have a good day.

Kathy

Sunrise:  7:17 a.m.

Sunset:  5:07 p.m.

9 hours and 50 minutes of daylight

Cloudy

Temperatures:  53*/45* 

THE NEW GLASSES

Happy Friday everyone!   It's been quite a week and still more to go.  Doctors twice this week and today the dreaded mammogram.  It's really not that bad now that they have the digital machines.  Not like the old days.  Moving right along...

I'm watching "Good Morning America" and they are covering the Presidential Inauguration.  Whether you agree with him or not, this really is a historic day.  I said to Joe last night that it is the American dream -- anyone can become President.  The reporter just said that if it rains in Washington it will prove whether his hair is real or not.  Ha, ha!

No matter how you feel about him, we should be praying for our country.  The news analyst just said the country is more divided today than it has been since 1861 during the Civil War.  Our poor nation.  All those in office need our prayers and to turn to God.

Yesterday I went to get my new glasses.  My, they are pretty!  I really like them.  And so lightweight.  Really comfortable.  They didn't even have to adjust them like they usually do when I get a new pair.  Of course since I got a new pair I found my missing wire rims.  They were...  are you ready?... behind the sofa.  How in the world they ever got there is beyond me.  So now I have three pair of glasses.  That is good because I am always losing a pair.  But I am thinking about having one of them made into sunglasses.  Probably the first ones.  I'll see.

I thought I would show you pictures of me in each pair.  These were taken late last night.  I'm tired and my hair is messed up, but you can get the idea.

Here is pair number one.  They are dark green on the top and fade into clear on the bottom.  I do like them.  I think they are very modern looking.

Then I wanted a spare pair and wires instead of plastic frames.  I got pink wire rimmed glasses.  And I liked them even better than the first pair.  They seemed to fade into my face.

And now here are the newest ones.  They are a gold plastic frame with little pops of red and blue here and there.  I don't know if I like these the best or the wire ones.

So what do you think?  Please comment below and let me know.

So much to do today.  I'm moving right along, though.  Yesterday I cleaned out three drawers in the kitchen.  I have my dish towels and cloths all folded neatly and put away.  I also got the drawer with the storage bags neatened up and got rid of a lot of boxes.  I put the small bags in a gallon sized bag and rolled them up.  It takes up way less room than an almost empty box does.  And I did one of my utensil drawers.  I really should have taken everything out and gone through things, but instead I just looked through what I had and straightened things up.  I got rid of a few things that I am going to donate to Salvation Army.  I have quite a bag going for them and must get there soon.

I didn't get to finish the plasticware so I will try to do that today.  And finish cleaning the stove, tabletop and counters.  I hope.  When I have to go out in the middle of the day it ruins my motivation.

I'm heading out to the kitchen now to get something to eat.  Then it's cleaning mode and getting ready to head to the hospital.  Hope you all have a good day.  Until later...

Kathy

Sunrise:  7:17 a.m.

Sunset:  5:05 p.m.

9 hours and 48 minutes of daylight

Showers

Temperature:  45*/40* 

A ROCKWELL WEDNESDAY -- SANTA PLANNING HIS ANNUAL VISIT (1926)

Hard to believe this was painted almost a hundred years ago.  Norman Rockwell's images will never go out of style.

Believe!  That is the message Norman Rockwell passionately delivered in his December 4, 1926 Christmas cover.  Santa's soft features, jolly nature, kindness, and wisdom are incredibly depicted in this illustration.  Rockwell's perspective makes the story so believable that even the most cynical will stop doubting -- at least for the season!

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DOCTOR

It's been raining all day and I'm a little waterlogged.  But it could be worse.  If the line of cold air had been a little closer it would all be snow.  But we are having lovely temperatures instead of the freezing cold.

First of all I want to answer a lot of you who asked about my blood tests.  I have a blood test every three months with my primary to see my cholesterol level, my sugar level, my thyroid hormone, etc.  I thought everyone did it.  I've done it for years.  So it's just routine nothing that I'm sick with or anything.  And as to seeing my oncologist today, it's my six month check up.  And every time I have blood drawn to check my CA125 and other things like hemoglobin count.  Again, just routine not because I am sick.  I am very touched that everyone was so concerned but there is no need to be.

Unlike yesterday I barely got in the door before I was taken back to get my blood taken and then was ushered into the exam room.  I waited for the doctor less than 5 minutes.  I love Dr. Bryansmith.  I have been going to him for about 12 years (he and I were trying to figure that out today -- we both said we were getting old).  He is the best doctor I have and I feel comfortable telling him everything.  And I did.  He helped me figure out what other doctors I need to see and in what order so that I am not overwhelmed.

When I got home I made some lemon poppyseed muffins for my tea.  I have begun having tea at 4:00 p.m. each day.  It is a nice relaxing time.  Today Joe got up to join me.  He is usually asleep while I do this, so he was surprised and very pleased.  We both love lemon muffins.

But now the kitchen is a wreck.  I have to get off of here and get the dishes washed and things straightened up.  Have a good night everyone!

Kathy

Sunrise:  7:20 a.m.

Sunset:  5:03 p.m.

9 hours and 43 minutes of daylight

Temperature:  45*/42* 

A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR

Such a lovely picture.  I thought you might like it.

I didn't sleep well last night.  Joe was restless and that woke me up all night.  *sigh*  I ended up getting up around 5:30 a.m.   I had a fasting blood test today at 9:45 a.m. so I had a long wait until breakfast.  So what did I do?  I ripped out my entire temperature afghan and did it over.  I was having trouble with the colors and discovered I was one off and it would never work out.  So I spent three hours redoing it and now it is working.  It's not as colorful, but it will be as I go along and the weather gets warmer.  I spent so much time on it and was so intent on finishing that I ended up giving myself only 15 minutes to get showered, dressed and out of the door.  I have to stop doing this.

Since the doctor is just three blocks from my house I got there just in time.  And then I waited -- for 45 minutes.  I was starving.  There were two elderly women who came in right before me and were sitting near me.  The one was complaining because she hadn't eaten before she came.  What was wrong with the doctor that he was taking so long?  Then when the other woman said she had eaten breakfast, the one who hadn't eaten started yelling at her because she thought they were going out to breakfast together and that was why she hadn't eaten.  Breakfast at 10:30 a.m.?  OK.

After they went in, I was next.  Another elderly woman came in, walking very slowly with a cane.  She sat down without signing in.  When I was called in, she started yelling at the tech. (Everyone was yelling today.) She asked why I was going in when all she needed was blood work and she hadn't eaten.  Hmm...  do you see a trend here?  She asked if I was having blood work and the tech said yes.  When I was in the room having my blood drawn she apologized to me.  She said that lady was always rude and she just said yes to shut her up.  But it was really none of her business.  I said that was OK.  This poor girl also had not had breakfast and you could hear her stomach rumbling.

As you can guess by the time I got out of there around 11 a.m. I was starving.  So I went to Wawa and got a couple of breakfast sandwiches for Joe and me.  You know I ate that quickly.

And then for the rest of the day I watched TV and slept.  I was so tired from not sleeping last night.  Now the trick will be to sleep tonight.

But I am going to try.  I have another doctor appointment tomorrow with more blood work involved.  *sigh*  Hopefully I will be more productive though.

Until later...

Kathy

 

Sunrise:  7:20 a.m.

Sunset:  5:01 p.m.

9 hours and 41 minutes of daylight

Sunny and cold/freezing rain tonight

Temperature:  43*/37*

SUNDAY

I hope you have had a good day.  It's been good for us.  I am sorry about not being around so much but life is getting in the way of blogging.  That's not necessarily a bad thing.

For one thing it has gotten much warmer and is going to be warm for the foreseeable future.  (Although it is COLD today.)  On Thursday it got up to 67*F (19*C)!  And just last week we saw this:

I was inspired by Mrs. Erica's vlog to get rid of some of my plasticware.  How does one person accumulate so much?  I keep thinking I will use it one day but I have so much.  I am almost done with this job.  I will finish it tomorrow.  But I will show you my counter.  It was stacked about 30 inches (76cm) tall and just thrown there.  I had to move everything to get to my slow cooker and it all kept falling.

I kept the good stuff and threw out all the little containers and the ones I kept from the deli counter.  I kept the Chinese food ones because that's what I feed the outside cats with.  And I kept some of the Wawa hot bowl plates because I freeze left overs in them and use them like TV dinners on those days we all have.  I kept only the Chinese food plates, the lids for those, and the two snap lid ones I use when I make muffins on the counter.  In other words, the ones I use every day.  The other ones I put away in a cabinet.  Neatly.  It looks so much better I can't believe it.  I am very happy.  And it really didn't take that long to do.

This afternoon we were invited to have lunch with our pastor and his wife.  We had the best meal!  Everything was wonderful.  And then we stayed for several hours just talking.  It was so good to be able to just visit with them.  Sometimes it's kind of hard to have a conversation after church with everyone wanting to talk to either them or us.  We finally had to leave at 4:30 because I had to go to Rite Aid to pick up my medicine before 5:00.

Rite Aid has their Valentine's Day things out.  Everything was full price, so I didn't get anything.  I can't afford to buy a sign for $9.99 or a cute little decoration for $19.99.  Although I was tempted by the pretty LED candles they had.  When things come down to half price, I'll see what they have left.  But they did have some cute things.  I took a few pictures to show you.

So that's what's going on.  Hope you all had a good weekend.  Now we're all heading into another week.  I begin the week by having a fasting blood test tomorrow morning.  Wonderful!  I'm getting something to eat and going to bed.  See you all later.

 Kathy

 Sunrise:  7:20 a.m.

Sunset:  5:00 p.m.

9 hours and 40 minutes of daylight

(I knew it was light later tonight.)

Sunny

Temperature:  40*/26*