Saturday, August 31, 2019

GOODBYE AUGUST


Hello, friends!  I am having such a hard time realizing that August is gone.  Labor Day is here.  School is back in session for everyone this coming week.  (Some schools started last week, some this coming week.)  Now don't get me wrong.  Much as I love summer, I also love fall.  Really love fall.  It's just the season after fall I have trouble with.  Although last year wasn't all that bad -- comparatively speaking.

So what happened this past month?
I began the month with a few days at my sister's house.  That was so nice and relaxing.  I saw so many butterflies there.  More than I have seen in many years.



I bought a new doormat at Lowe's.  It is so pretty.  I'm glad I got it.



And I love the beautiful wreath I bought at the thrift store Elaine took me to.  It matches the colors of the house numbers we have.  I think the front of the house is so pretty.




Joe bought me flowers twice this month!  I just threw out the last of the second bouquet.  Both of them lasted a long time.




I went to Urgent Care twice and the cardiologist once all in the same week!  At least I got the care I needed and am doing so much better now.

It's been a very hot month.  When I show you my temperature blanket in a few days you will see just how hot it has been.  There is a lot of orange (90*F + weather).

The elderly lady from our church went to be with Jesus after suffering for several months.  The funeral was beautiful.

And finally I began a part-time job at the church I attend.  I really like it and find I am getting so much done.  But my body doesn't like it.  We will see how it works out as time goes on.

So that is August and tomorrow is September -- my favorite month of the year.  So much going on in September.  And I will be taking you along with me.  Have a good night everyone!

Kathy


Friday, August 30, 2019

THE NEW JOB AND SAYING GOODBYE -- FOR NOW


Hello, friends!  Hope you are having a lovely Labor Day weekend.  I'm not planning much of anything.  I actually have the weekend off, so that's good.

I know you are wondering how I am making out at my new job.  The first day there was one phone call and filing that took me all of 15 minutes.  That was it.  I thought, "What in the world am I going to do with myself for 2 hours?"  What I did was open my laptop which I had brought with me, connect it to the church's internet, and took out my lesson plan book.  I spent the rest of the time typing out my Sunday School lesson and looking through the internet for copyright free illustrations, coloring pages and puzzles.  I was almost finished when I ran out of power.

The second day was a little busier because of the funeral we were having today.  There were three phone calls, I had to make two phone calls, and I finished my Sunday School lesson and started on my lesson for the Ladies Bible Study I teach.  I got about a third of that done.

When I got home I typed up the hymns for the funeral today, printed them out, and called Pastor to touch base with him.

I love what I am doing.  What I discovered, though, is why I retired in the first place.  I am very, very tired after 2 hours.  My back and legs hurt -- my legs even swell.  I go home and sleep.  Nothing is getting done around the house because I am either out or sleeping.  The only thing I've done is dishes and making dinner.

So...  I talked to Pastor and told him I could do this only Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  I cannot run to the Nursing Home on Monday, teach on Tuesday, and still put in two hours.  I want to, but I just can't.  My body is telling me I am no longer 24.  He agreed to the arrangement.  I am relieving him from doing so much that he would have to do himself when he got home from his teaching job each day.  I figure I am at the church anyway on Monday and Tuesday so I would just check the messages on the phone to make sure it wasn't anything important and leave "While You Were Out" messages on his desk.  If it is important, I will text him so he gets it.  So we will see how this works out.

As I mentioned, there was a funeral today.  My dear friend Joan was laid to rest.  Pastor had the funeral with Joe and Joan's nephew Bill reading scripture.  Bill and one of her nieces gave the eulogy (although Bill's was more like a sermon -- wonderful!).  We went to the cemetary, but it was hard walking and I stayed in the car.  I took a couple of pictures from the front seat.


It was a beautiful funeral as she well deserved.  And we know it is not goodbye, but see you later.

Kathy W was riding with us.  We were the third car.  I have never been that far up in a funeral procession.  There was the lead car from the funeral director, the pastor's car, and then us because Joe is an Elder.  The hearse was right behind us.  So, of course, we were one of the first to leave.  The three of us decided to go out for lunch and ended up at the Suburban Diner.  I haven't been there in awhile and Kathy had never been there.  Joe and Kathy each got a corned beef sandwich and the salad bar.  I got a turkey burger and fries.  It was good but they gave us so much we took food home with us.

We took Kathy home and then came home ourselves.  A few hours later I took Joe over to church where he and Rick went out witnessing to people in the park.  If you are a pray-er, please pray for their outreach.  They are so dedicated to meeting people and meeting their needs as well as presenting the Gospel to them.

And now we are both home and very tired.  It is just about time for bed.  When I open my eyes tomorrow it will be the last day of August.  I still haven't quite figured out how that happened so quickly.  Hope you all have a good night.

Kathy







Tuesday, August 27, 2019

THIS AND THAT



Hello, friends!  I thought I would throw in a little this and that post since I really don't have a lot to say lately.  I don't want you to think I have deserted you though.

The school that my pastor's wife teaches at is opening tomorrow.  That sounds impossible.  Didn't the summer just begin?  But already the air is getting cooler and I think the last heat wave we had (the 5th of the summer) will be the last one for this year.  

I don't mind the heat as much as the humidity.  Living as we do between two rivers it is usually very humid.  My neighborhood is basically an island surrounded by the Delaware River and the Frankford Creek.  It is only 10 blocks wide and you can literally stand at the creek and see the river.

This year my pastor will be teaching at the Christian school where his wife teaches.  This change brings a big change for me also.  

For three years (since I retired) I have worked from home as Church Secretary.  This takes a couple of hours a week or so depending on how many fliers I make, how much the bulletin for Sunday contains, and if there is anything special going on.  But now I will be going into the office Monday through Friday for a couple of hours a day.  I am very excited about this.  I have wanted to get a job but my health has prevented it.  This is close to home and only an hour or so a day.  So we will see how it goes.  It will mean a huge change in my lifestyle.  But I think it will be good for me -- make me more organized.

Yesterday Joe told me to pick out any clothes I wanted from Woman Within and he would get them for me as an anniversary gift.  I picked out a dress, a skirt and a top.  We tend to be practical with our anniversary gifts.  I told him I would take him to dinner.


A week ago or so I asked all of you to pray for Joan, an elderly lady in our church who was very sick.  Joan went to be with Jesus last Friday.  Her funeral service is this Friday.  Please pray for her family, many of whom are not believers.

Today's Bible Study went really well.  It will take longer than I originally planned to go through the first chapter of 2 Timothy, but that's OK.  Better to learn it right and take our time.

And that's about all that's going on.  Hope you all have a wonderful evening and a restful night.  Talk to you later this week.

Kathy



Monday, August 26, 2019

MONDAY MAGAZINE


Hello, friends.  I hope you are having a wonderful week so far.  It is much cooler around here.  I have actually worn a sweater both yesterday and today.  I'm not willing to give up my summer clothes just yet.  I know fall is coming.  I really do love the fall, but I want some more summer first.  It has been so hot that I haven't really had a chance to enjoy the season.

The big change for me this week is I am going back to work.  It is just a few hours a day at my church answering phones and doing clerical work.  But it will be different than staying home every day.  I am actually looking forward to it.  I start on Wednesday.

I have finished two magazines, but I'm only sharing one with you today.  This is Rachael Ray Every Day from July/August 2018.


It got a little bent, but that's OK.  You can see a great lobster roll on the cover and the recipe was inside.  But I don't eat lobster so I didn't copy it.  There was also an article on ice cream with all kinds of different flavors and how to make your own sprinkles, the best way to make an ice cream sandwich from your favorite cookies, etc.

Have any of you ever eaten squash blossoms?


I haven't.  I have heard that they are really good, though and I want to try them sometime.

Of course the back page has one of Rachael's hamburgers.  This month was Argentine Chimichurri Burgers.


Rachael says:  "I went to Argentina once.  I danced the tango in the most famous dance hall.  I ate too much red meat.  But I loved every bite because it was all served with acidic, herbaceous chimichurri, like this burger is.  And there's fried cheese on top.  Enjoy!

I did not put this one on my food blog because I knew I would never make it.  It has a lot of cilantro and a jalapeno chile neither of which I can eat.  But if you like those things, this sounds like a good burger to have.  You can find it online if you google it.

And now I have to get ready to teach tomorrow.  My lesson is written, I just have to print it out.

Have a good night everyone!

Kathy



Thursday, August 22, 2019

GROCERY HAUL



Hello, friends.  Happy Thursday.  The week is just flying by.  All week I have been wanting to go food shopping.  We were getting low on so many things.  Finally we were out of things and I knew I couldn't put it off any longer.  My friend, Donna, wanted to go with me.  She doesn't have a car and often finds it difficult to get her groceries.  We hadn't seen each other in awhile so it was good to get together.

First we went to the food court and each got a drink and a snack so we could sit there and talk -- which we did for half an hour.  Then it was off to get our things.

So let me show you what I got.  I was $17 under budget today which means with what I was under last time I was under budget by $71 this month.  That makes me happy!



We were completely out of eggs.  And they were on sale for 99 cents!  I also got bread that was on sale for $1.99.



We were almost out of milk.  I got some paper plates because we were almost out of them also.  Joe put them away before I took the picture.



Ground beef, salmon, and frozen fries.  All out of these things too.



The ham was on sale for $2.99.  I got two of them.  One for tonight and one for later.  I also got chicken and ham lunchmeat and swiss cheese.  Then there is a Tuscan Herb pork loin roast.



We were completely out of SOS pads, iced tea mix, and shampoo.  The pens were an extra and only 99 cents.



Of course the ever present cat food for Jack.


We were all out of water.  These are in the fridge getting cold now.  The light bulb in the living room lamp burned out.  We had regular bulbs, but no three way.

Finally the produce:  bell peppers, bananas, zucchini and green beans.

And now to go get dinner.  I'm having one of the ham slices and will get some veggie to go with it.  Hope you have a good night.  Try to stay cool in this hot weather.  A break is coming -- hopefully tonight!

Kathy


Wednesday, August 21, 2019

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?


Hello, friends.  I am feeling so much better and am actually interested in eating again.  Since I got behind on posting my meals, and spent some days not having dinner at all, I will just show you some of the meals I have had in the past couple of weeks.


On Thursday the 15th I made Mississippi Pot Roast in the crock pot.  It is so good and I know this is going to be a regular with us.  I put it over mashed potatoes and served it with zucchini noodles.  As I was cutting them Joe walked into the kitchen and saw me.  He said, "You haven't made those in a long time and I love them."  He was very happy with dinner that night.


On Friday, the 16th, we had spinach and cheese tortellini with garlic bread and a salad.  I have found it is cheaper to buy the veggies we like and make our own salad.


Saturday the 17th we had hamburgers, sweet potato fries, and sweet corn on the cob.  That corn was so good!


Going back in time, on Sunday the 11th we had poached salmon, a Hawaiian roll and a salad.

And on Monday the 12th we had rotisserie chicken, another ear of that wonderful sweet corn and a salad.

Although I didn't get a picture of it, last night I made fried rice.  I always think my fried rice is better than anything I could buy and Joe agrees!

Hope I've given you some ideas.  It's almost time for dinner tonight.  What are you having?  Whatever it is, enjoy!

Kathy


Monday, August 19, 2019

IT'S HOT AGAIN!



Hello, friends.  I was going to post a new Monday Magazine for you.  Then I thought of doing a What's for Dinner post.  But now it's almost 11:00 p.m. and I have to get to bed sometime soon so I can get up to teach tomorrow.  I just finished writing my lesson and have to print it out now.  I felt as if I were doing a term paper.  I had seven web sites open putting things together and finding outlines and maps.  We are starting the book of Second Timothy.  I do an introduction when we start a new book giving a background of where it was written and who it was written to.  I also do a bit of history telling what was going on in the world at the time the book was written.  Then next week we will get into the actual book itself.  People think it is easy to teach a Bible study, but it is a lot of work putting things together.

Today Pastor and I went to the Nursing Home for our Monday service.  We got there early and went to see Joan who is in hospice.  I met her niece who is there every day to be with her.  Joan is in very bad shape and I would be surprised if she is on this earth more than two weeks.  She was asleep so I didn't wake her, but prayed over her.

We had seven people at the service.  I was glad I was there so I could help Pastor out.  Rick is away and Joe wasn't feeling good.  Some new people were there who were very appreciative of us coming.

I was also glad I was able to drive Pastor because he does not have air conditioning in his car.  I do.  When I got in the car to pick him up it was 113*F (45*C).  It was so hot that I could hardly touch the buttons to put the windows down until the cold air kicked in. Touching the steering wheel was difficult too.  By the time I got to church it was a balmy 86*F (30*C).  The air conditioning works quickly and well in my car.

On the way home there were ominous black clouds in front of us.  By the time we got to church the rain had started drizzling.  But by the time I got home 5 minutes later, it was pouring.  I was so glad to see a parking spot in front of my house.

Tomorrow I have an eye doctor appointment in the afternoon.  I still have that floater in my left eye.  I don't think it will ever go away.  And there is nothing anyone can do about it.  But at least they are keeping watch on it to see what is happening. 

Then I have to go food shopping.  I was going to do it right after Bible Study but I forgot about the doctor appointment.  So now I have to do it after that.  So do I give you a magazine post tomorrow?  I have two of them.  Or do I do a What's for Dinner?  Or a Grocery Haul?  Hmm...  I guess it's good to have options.

Before I go I want to invite you to check out the new blog I have begun for my church.  The address is wissbfc.blogspot.com.  I am trying to make it fun and interesting and would love your feedback.  Blogger has changed a lot since I started this blog and I can't get it looking just the way I want it to.  I can't figure out how to give it sidebars.  And I don't like the format.  But in all, it's not bad.  It's a work in progress.

And with that I must get off of here, print out my lesson, and head for bed.  So I will see you all later.

Kathy

Sunday, August 18, 2019

MORE FLOWERS

Hello, friends!  Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday.  I am sitting at the kitchen table by an open window and there is a lovely breeze coming in.  It is quite a relief from the heat of today.  It was in the high 90s and had a heat index of 105*F (40.5*C).  It is predicted to be very hot for the next three days before cooling off for the weekend.  But it sure is nice right now!

Joe saw that the flowers he gave me three weeks ago were dying -- well DEAD!  So when he went to the store, he bought me more flowers.  What a guy.  So I thought I would share them with you.










I have them on the table here in the kitchen where I can look at them when I am preparing a meal or eating.  They are so gorgeous.  It's a shame flowers don't last forever.

As Joe was walking out of the door he asked me if I wanted anything at the store.  I asked for a bottle of iced tea.  He brought me two bottles and this.  I think I got the good end of the deal.

Have a wonderful night and I'll be back tomorrow.

Kathy

Saturday, August 17, 2019

THIS AND THAT


Hello, friends!  I am so happy to have you here reading my blog.  I'm feeling so much better.  Not completely there, but a dose of antibiotics did wonders for me.  My face is still a little swollen, but nothing like it was.  And the pain is much better.  I have another week on the medicine and I am sure I'll be fine by then.

Because I've been down and out for a week, I thought I'd just do a "this and that" post with some pictures I haven't shown you.


This was the view out of my sister's back door the Saturday I was visiting her.  Quite a difference from the view at home where I see high fences and houses.  I always feel as if I am in the country when I visit her, even though I'm not.  But it's the country compared to where I live.


This is a cute little saying Elaine has in the guest room (also known by me as "my room").  It is so pretty and the saying so sweet.


What I can see of the sunset these days since my neighbor grew a tree right next to my yard.  It's still pretty.  But I don't see much of the sky anymore.


Before I got sick I began cleaning the kitchen.  I got the counter by the stove finished.  And yes, that's a teddy bear sitting on the Keurig pod holder.  Doesn't everyone have a teddy in their kitchen?

And the counter the other side of the sink.  I don't have much counter space at all.  But then I have a small house.  This is all that fit.  Before the kitchen was redone I didn't have any counters at all!

Yesterday I started on my kitchen table but had to stop because I got too tired.  I am going to finish it today because it is almost done.  It's amazing how much junk accumulates on a flat surface.  Already it's looking so much better.



I love Boathouse Row day or night.  But here is a picture of it lit up for night.  For special times the lights are in different colors.  This is what it is most of the time.  These little boathouses are right on the Schuylkill River.  If you google Boathouse Row, you can see pictures of it during the day.


This is the pretty wreath I bought at the thrift store by Elaine's house that supports a no-kill animal shelter.  It cost me $1 and there is no way that covered the cost of this beauty.  It is gorgeous on my front door.  You can tell how short I am by the angle of this shot.  In my defense, I am standing one step below the door.

This afternoon is the Family Fun Day my church is sponsoring.  It is being held at Wissinoming Park and I am hoping to go for a short time.  I know I can't last the three hours they are having it, but I would like to at least show up and give them my support.  The Youth Nights they had the last three nights was a failure.  Not one person showed up.  So sad.

Well, I am back friends, and have some ideas for posts running around in my head.  Welcome to my new readers and I hope you come back.  I so enjoyed reading your comments.

Until later...

Kathy