Monday, November 29, 2021

THANKSGIVING

 Hello, friends!  How can it be the end of November already?  I know I've said it before, but time is flying.  I don't even know what happened to November.  I didn't even get all my fall decorations out and now it's time to take them down and put up Christmas.

In any case, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Joe and I took our friend Carole to King George II Inn with us.  Carole's husband died of Covid just a few weeks ago.  We did not want her to be alone.

I thought it was a good choice even though it was very expensive.  I like King George Inn.


If you were reading me back then, you might remember I threw Joe his big birthday party here.  In fact, we were seated in the same room that we had the party in.


I didn't take a picture of Carole since she would prefer I didn't, but I did get one of Joe and one of me.



Joe and Carole both got the butternut squash soup for their appetizer.  I love butternut squash soup but it was made with cream and with my milk allergy I didn't want to take the chance.


I got a plate of garlic hummus with pita chips, spiced spinach, olives, and pimento.  It was so good.


Joe and Carole got the Thanksgiving turkey dinner. It was a huge amount of food.


Since I do not like turkey, I got the chicken.  It was so moist and juicy and was falling off of the bones.  It came with mashed potatoes and green beans.


The waiter asked if we wanted dessert and we all said no.  We were so full!  And so we paid the bill and waddled out of there.

The entrance to the inn was decorated so nicely.


The town's Christmas tree was up, but not lit yet.  The tree lighting was this past weekend.



We headed home the long way.  It was a nice relaxing drive.  Such a nice day.  I'm so glad we went out instead of me cooking.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving also.  I have a very short video up on my YouTube channel (Kathy's Happy Home) if any of you want to hop on over there and see it.

Christmas is right around the corner and I have tons to do to get ready for it.  I'll try to bring you along on some of it.  See you all soon.

Kathy


Saturday, November 20, 2021

WHAT I'M READING -- WHAT CHILD IS THIS? BY RHYS BOWEN (2018) -- 2021/8


 Hello, friends!  Hope you are all having a wonderful day.  Can you believe it's the Saturday before Thanksgiving?  This year is quickly coming to a close.  I don't know about you, but when it gets around this time of the year it seems old and worn out.  I love the colors on the trees, the crisp air, the wonderful flavors and fall harvest.  But it is almost as if 2021 is saying, "I'm getting tired.  It's almost time for a new year to take over for me."  OK, you can laugh now.

These past two weeks have been quite the time for me with doctors, tests, etc.  On Thursday I went to my cardiologist for a chemical stress test.  It was different from ones I had done in the past.  A bit harder on me I think.  Maybe I'm getting old.  But I spoke to the doctor yesterday and all is well with this heart of mine.  I had a hard time yesterday with left over symptoms from the test, and I laid around most of the day doing nothing.  I did call the doctor's office, and they were super.  The nurse called me back three times to make sure I was OK and the doctor called me once.  Wow!  I have never had that kind of service before.  I am very happy with my new cardiologist.  I loved my old one, but unfortunately he died of Covid-19 last year.

The only thing I have left to do is go to the dentist on Monday and get a filling.  Then I am OK for the rest of the year.  After the holidays I will get my mammogram and then I should be all set.

Today I want to tell you about the latest book I read.  Actually it's a short story and I read the entire thing while I was waiting for the different parts of my cardiac test.  It was offered to me free with my Amazon prime.  Since Rhys Bowen is one of my favorite authors, I jumped at the chance to get it.  This is my first Christmas story of the year.  The title is "What Child is This?"


Jack and Maggie Harris are adrift on ravaged streets during the London Blitz. Their home is gone. They have nowhere to go and nothing left to lose. With only the memories of their greatest loss—the death of their child during a Christmas years before—Jack and Maggie settle in a seemingly deserted mansion for the night.

Inside they find shelter, warmth, and a bit of cheer. They also discover a surprise. Now, in the darkest of times, the unexpected compassion of strangers will make this Christmas one to remember forever.

I don't want to say too much about it and ruin it for you.  But what a surprise ending.  And you feel as if you are right there in the London Blitz.  It shows you what is really important in life.  And it's not how much money is in the bank or what your home looks like.  Yes, it's a feel good story but not in the way you would expect.  You will not regret reading this.

When the nurse came out to the waiting room and said it was time for me to come back for the last part of my test, I had just read the last words.  I looked at her with a smile on my face and said, "That was such a good book.  Thanks for waiting until I finished it to call me back."  She started laughing and said she was glad I had enjoyed it so much.

Basically I read the entire thing in less than an hour.  And now that I remembered how good Rhys Bowen is, I think I will have to get some more of her books to read in the new year.  (Too busy right now.)

I have to run.  Let me know if you read this.  Have a wonderful weekend.  I'll be back soon.


Kathy



Sunday, November 14, 2021

WHAT'S GOING ON


 Hello, friends!  Hope you are having a great day.  Not so much here.

I didn't go to Bible Study this morning.  And I almost didn't go to church.  My leg is so swollen and hurts so very much.  Fortunately I didn't have to drive anyone besides myself so I did get to church.  I had the bulletins and felt as if I had to get there.  I take my responsibilities as Church Secretary very seriously.

Earlier I had gotten a call from my friend Debbie. If you are a regular reader of this blog you will see Debbie commenting quite a bit.  Her husband was being rushed to the hospital and they would not be at church.  If you are a praying person, please pray for her husband, Rusty.  He is very sick (not Covid) and she doesn't know how long he will be in the hospital.

I was going to either go to Wawa to get a turkey bowl (mashed potatoes, stuffing, sliced turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce) or make something for lunch after church.  But my leg was so painful that I just went home and called the local pizza shop for sandwiches.  They were good, but Joe and I have both been sick ever since we ate.  So I paid $25 for a lunch that made both of us feel bad.  Yuck.  We have never had any problem with their food before.  And I would have thought it was just one of my food allergies if Joe hadn't gotten sick too.  Running up to the bathroom has not helped my leg at all.

This is going to be another busy week.  Tomorrow I see the dentist.  This is the first time since I had my tooth extracted.  I was supposed to have it checked three weeks ago but couldn't because of my leg.  Tuesday I see the Orthopedist.  Thursday I have a stress test.  Then I think I will have a break for a few weeks.  I hope.

I wanted to explain about my blog and why some of you haven't been able to see it lately.  I was having some trouble with a couple of people reading it and then using the information in it against me.  I have done nothing to them, but they are angry with me.  So I made it private so that they couldn't see it.  But... even though I sent invitations out to many of you it became impossible to reach everyone.  So I deleted a bunch of posts and opened it up again.  And from the response you have given me, this was the right thing to do.

Well, I am going to get going.  I have to get something on my stomach so that I can take my evening medicine.  Growing old is not for the faint hearted my friends.

I will be seeing you soon.

Kathy




Friday, November 12, 2021

LOOKING LIKE FALL -- FINALLY


 Hello, friends!  How is everything with you?  I meant to post yesterday for Veterans Day but I wasn't feeling too good last night.  I laid down around 6:30 p.m. and woke up around 11:30 p.m.  I got up, went downstairs and fell asleep on the sofa for another 5 hours.  I must have been more tired than I thought I was.

In any case, I do thank all of those men and women who have served our country in the armed forces.  It is a job I neither could do or would want to do.  I admire them so much.  So many people in my family have served.  From the Revolutionary War to the present.

Joe had a doctor's appointment yesterday.  I had to wait in the car since the only ones allowed into the office are the patients themselves.  When he came out, we headed to Target to get his medication at the CVS there.  

But on the way I mentioned that I was hungry.  He was too.  So we made a detour to East Coast Wings and Grill for a late lunch/early dinner.  It was pretty empty so we got seated right away.  And we got our favorite waiter, Bobbie.  It was a win-win for us.  Joe's meal was free for Veterans Day.  He got a huge cheeseburger and fries.  I got wings with honey garlic sauce.  So good!  And sweet potato waffle fries.  What a treat to not have to make dinner and to have someone serve it to us on dishes that I didn't have to wash.

I stayed in the car while Joe went in to get his medicine.  I am walking as little as possible these days.  While I was sitting there I was looking at all the pretty trees and thinking how much I love the colors of fall.  So I pulled out my camera and took some pictures of them to show you.  They aren't the best since I took them through the windshield, but here they are.





Before we know it all these lovely leaves will be gone and winter will have set in.  But until that time I will enjoy the glorious colors.  Hopefully I will be able to get some better pictures before that time.

And now I have to get started with my day.  I see the GI doctor this afternoon.  Then more doctors next week.  At least I'm getting them all out of the way at one time.

So until later, take care of yourselves and I will see you soon.

Kathy





Wednesday, November 10, 2021

HERE'S WHAT IS GOING ON


Hello, friends!  Hope you are all having the most wonderful day.  The weather here has been very warm -- up in the 70s (22*C).  Sunny too.  Such great weather.  I should have spent more time outside.  I have a feeling this is the last of the nice weather until next spring.

Yesterday I saw my new cardiologist.  My old doctor died of Covid last year.  So sad.  I liked him a lot and I like this new doctor too.  The new doctor was recommended by the office of the doctor I used to see. Because I may be facing surgery on my knee (most likely) he is giving me a stress test and an echocardiogram next week.  This way he can OK me to go under anesthesia.

Today was a nicer visit.  I went to my hairdresser and got my hair cut.  Lisa always does a wonderful job and today was no different.  I love the cut.  Now I just have to color it in the next few days.  I don't have the money to have it done professionally and I do a decent job myself.

We called out for Chinese for dinner tonight.  I got pork lo mein and a couple of egg rolls.  It just hit the spot.  I was so hungry because I didn't have time to eat lunch.

Tomorrow I take Joe to his doctor appointment.  Then on Friday I see my gastroenterologist.  Next week I see the orthopedist.  It's a busy couple of weeks.  But then I don't have anything scheduled for the rest of the year.

Just how did it get to be the end of the year already?  It seems as if the year just started and now it's almost gone.  Time is flying by.  And I just keep getting older.

Last night we watched the movie "Star Trek" from 2009.  Quite a movie.  I am such a big fan of Star Trek and when they went off of the storyline from the original series I was a little upset.  I wasn't sure if I liked the movie or not.  But it has stayed with me all day today so it was a powerful movie.  I don't think we realize just how powerful movies, TV and social media can be.

So that's what's happening.  I still haven't finished my next video for my YouTube channel.  I figure it will get up when it gets up.  So much housework and cleaning to do around here.  I'm in so much pain that very little gets done. I have to push myself though because we are having company for Thanksgiving and it's only two weeks away.  Two weeks!

Then I will be getting all of my Christmas shopping done and the gifts wrapped.  I want everything done way before Christmas.  I don't know how I will be feeling when the holiday rolls around.

So I will say goodbye for now.  I'll be back soon.


Until later...

Kathy
 




Tuesday, November 9, 2021

WHAT I'M READING -- NANTUCKET WHITE CHRISTMAS (BOOK 3) BY PAMELA KELLEY (2021/7)


 

Hello, friends!  Welcome back to my blog.  I haven't had a chance to read for about a month and I am so glad to be back to it.  Today I want to tell you about the latest book I have read.  And I read it in three days.  It is the third book in the Nantucket Inn series by Pamela Kelley.

Nantucket White Christmas

Growing up as an orphan, Angela Stark has never been a fan of the holiday season, even though she was a Christmas baby. This year is no exception when everything that could possibly go wrong does, and she and her elderly cat, Sam, are about to be homeless. Her last resort is to move in temporarily with her best friend, Jane—who is allergic to cats. But then, a letter arrives that changes everything, and she and Sam find themselves heading to Nantucket. It seems like the perfect financial solution that will enable her to return home to San Francisco a few months later.

But then she meets the Hodges family and friends. In particular, a certain best-selling author who tries to convince her to stay on Nantucket longer. And as she gets to know Lisa Hodges and her children, Kate, Kristen, Abby and Chase, she experiences what it’s like to be welcomed as part of a family, for the first time.

This is such a good story.  I think I just happened to read it at the right time of year.  I loved going back to Nantucket and catching up with the Hodges family, but having a new character come into the story was good too.  And having two cats in the story didn't hurt.  😉

Every time I read one of these books I want to go to visit Nantucket.  Maybe someday I will.  I really suggest you read this series if you are looking for a quick, easy and fun read.

What are you reading these days?

Hope you have a great day and I will see you later.

Kathy


Saturday, November 6, 2021

CATCHING UP


 Hello, friends.  Hope you are all doing well.  I know it's been awhile since I posted.  Life is passing quickly and social media is not that important in the big scheme of things.  But don't give up on me.  I will be here once in awhile.

Basically I have been trying to deal with the intense pain in my knee.  I have another 11 days until I see the orthopedist.  From everything I hear there will be surgery involved.  No driving for awhile.  No stairs (how do I do that in a three storey house?).  I am not a happy camper.  And I think Joe is getting tired of me crying so much.  He says he feels so helpless to do something for me and really he is.

Halloween was...  well... a dud.  I bought 35 snack sized bags of chips for the kids and we got 4 little ones at the door.  Four.  It's a good thing that I like what I buy.  To top it off I didn't even get to see them.  I was laying on the sofa to keep off of my leg.  Joe went to the door and handed things out.  Hopefully next year will be in a new house.

We are still looking but not as actively until we see what is going on with my leg.  The house we almost bought has just sold.  We were thinking about going back to that one but you snooze, you lose.  There are at least two more that I am interested in so we will see.

In the meantime we are getting a new dishwasher.  Ours broke and I have been washing dishes by hand for about a month.  We finally found one that we both agreed on but we can't get it until January.  So now we are going to try to get our second choice in the hope of it coming sooner.  Standing at the sink to wash dishes is not great for my knee.  I can do only a few at a time and they are stacked way up.

In the meantime I am doing what I can to get decorated for the holidays and pack up to move.  Trying to go through everything in the house is so overwhelming.  I have pulled out things and have them stacked everywhere to go through them.  It looks like a hoarding house and I am so upset about that.  But every bag or box or pile I go through is that much less I have to do later.  And it's something I can do sitting down.  You should have seen our trash this week.  Why do we keep so much?  Why did I think I would ever use these things again?  Are any of you like me?

It finally went from summer to fall.  The temperatures have been dropping and Joe was finally able to take the air conditioner out of the window.  We were actually using it the end of last month because the temperatures were so warm.  But I think it's finally cool (cold) for the rest of the year.

And speaking of years, can you believe it's only 56 days until the new year?  Each year I say that time flies and this year really did feel that way.

I've rambled on enough.  Let me show you some pictures before you go.

This is kind of dark so I hope you can see it.  The other day we ordered pizza and chicken from Dominos for dinner.  And because they had the free promotion going on, Joe got two pizzas for the price of one.  He was one happy guy.  And because they did not get it to us in under 30 minutes we got a coupon for another free pizza.



Every time Joe gets up from his chair, Jack runs over and lays in it.  I think he considers it his bed.


We had a beautiful sunset the other night.  I love it when the clouds are all pink and gold.


And that's it for now.  Have a wonderful day and I will be back when I can.


Kathy