Thanks everyone for checking in and leaving comments. I really appreciate it.
Well, we are able to get out of Dodge for 10 days! It's what I'd call a half-break because although my brother-in-law is going to be responsible for the Other Mother while we are gone on vacation, we are taking The Mother (my mom) with us. We are going once again to Arkansas and she used to live there and has lots of friends so we take her along with us.
This gives my sister a break from the responsibility of The Mother and changes things up for us. HA.
There's going to be fried-green-bean-eating and more. We might take a trip to the Diamond Mine and dig for gems. There will be lots of sitting on the deck and observing nature also.
So, behave yourself while I'm away and hopefully I'll have some interesting stories to tell when we return.
See you in 10 days!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Monday Morning Staff Meeting - The Prodigal Blogger
First of all, I would like to apologize for being gone so long. The creative well had run dry, so to speak. I added up my combined blogging efforts and it was almost 1,800 posts. Add to that my current living situation and you got .... nothing! Still, I cannot believe I left you for so long with only that stupid sandal to look at.
We are all as well as can be expected for our age and circumstances. Since last we visited our son moved out into a townhouse, which is a good thing because this was quickly becoming an assisted living facility and he gets enough of that in his job as a nurse. That leaves the Farmer, the Other Mother and yours truly. The Farmer and the Other Mother have both been in the hospital, the Other Mother's diagnosis is ..... "She's 91-3/4 years old." The Farmer was in the hospital with a diagnosis of .... "faux heart attack brought on by stress". We must change that situation so that the faux heart attack doesn't become a real one! He's joined a gym and is working out 3-4 day a week. He's doing good. I've had eye surgery, a cataract is each eye. The surgery is really nothing these days, I remember when people had their head sandbagged and couldn't move for a very long time. It does give you pause though, to think that a surgeon is coming towards your eye with a scalpel. Sorry for the mental image. Honestly, the surgery is a breeze and the results are really terrific.
Let's talk dementia. Both the Other Mother and the Mother are suffering from dementia. Since the Farmer is still working I have the burden of responsibility for the Other Mother. My sister has the burden of responsibility for the Mother and I am the backup. So you can see where this is going.
I do not have a life.
I am not even kidding about this.
So, what's to write about? Well, remember when your mom said if you don't have anything good to say then don't say anything at all? Well, that's pretty much been the situation. Believe me when I say that caregiving is the most isolating experience ever.
When the Other Mother was released from the hospital she was so weak she couldn't get out of bed. The conversation with the doctor's office was the most bizarre exchange ever!
ME: "Now she's so weak she can't get out of bed."
OFFICE: "OK, well bring her in so that we can check her out."
ME: "Hmmmm, well that's a little difficult because like I said, SHE CAN'T GET OUT OF BED!!"
OFFICE: "Well, we need to see her in order to make a referral or recommendation."
ME: "OK, well thanks. This was the most ridiculous conversation I've ever had."
We clearly needed some in-home help. Thank heavens for the internet because we didn't even know these type of companies existed. It's is not skilled nursing care, but basically what a CNA would do in a clinical setting. The only problem was that the minute the Other Mother was out of bed and mobile, she fired them! If she's not flat on her back there's no value in it for her.
The bottom line is that you cannot leave a person with dementia for any siginificant period of time. You can run a quick errand but that's it. And so, there you go. That's a quick synopsis.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I haven't even been reading blogs. That's bad. I did check in with Chocolatechic one day and see that she's blogging once a week on a Monday. I think that's a good idea and a way that I can try to get back into blogging. Certainly I can find ONE thing to write about during a week's time.
My visit to Chocolatechic's blog was serendipitous because it was the day she was talking about adopting a U.S. Soldier. Hey, I could do that. I'm basically housebound with plenty of time on my hands. I love to write - it's a match! So I've adopted two soldiers through Soldier's Angels and I also write to some others through their TLC team.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I forgot to mention what I am serving this morning. We are going to share some shrimp and grits! Look, if you don't like grits it's only because you haven't had them cooked right. Trust me on this.
Get the water boiling good, add the grits and still constantly for at least one minute. Continue to cook the grits until the water is almost absorbed and then start adding some heavy cream, a little at a time until they are real creamy. Put olive oil in a fry pan, add chopped onion and green peppers, fry until the onions are translucent. Add the shrimp and cook for a few minutes. Deglaze the pan with some white wine and add heavy cream to make a sauce. Serve the shrimp mixture over the grits.
Heaven on earth. I could eat grits every day.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
My upstairs sewing room has been transformed back to a guest bedroom and all my machines and fabric now have their own spot in a studio in our basement. It's a good set-up and I continue to make aprons, wallets and whatever else strikes my fancy. When the Farmer is home on weekends I'm able to get out a do a few craft shows and farmer's markets. The online shop is languishing a bit until I get some photography work done. So, that's basically it for me.
I'd LOVE to hear what you've been doing. Please share!!
We are all as well as can be expected for our age and circumstances. Since last we visited our son moved out into a townhouse, which is a good thing because this was quickly becoming an assisted living facility and he gets enough of that in his job as a nurse. That leaves the Farmer, the Other Mother and yours truly. The Farmer and the Other Mother have both been in the hospital, the Other Mother's diagnosis is ..... "She's 91-3/4 years old." The Farmer was in the hospital with a diagnosis of .... "faux heart attack brought on by stress". We must change that situation so that the faux heart attack doesn't become a real one! He's joined a gym and is working out 3-4 day a week. He's doing good. I've had eye surgery, a cataract is each eye. The surgery is really nothing these days, I remember when people had their head sandbagged and couldn't move for a very long time. It does give you pause though, to think that a surgeon is coming towards your eye with a scalpel. Sorry for the mental image. Honestly, the surgery is a breeze and the results are really terrific.
Let's talk dementia. Both the Other Mother and the Mother are suffering from dementia. Since the Farmer is still working I have the burden of responsibility for the Other Mother. My sister has the burden of responsibility for the Mother and I am the backup. So you can see where this is going.
I do not have a life.
I am not even kidding about this.
So, what's to write about? Well, remember when your mom said if you don't have anything good to say then don't say anything at all? Well, that's pretty much been the situation. Believe me when I say that caregiving is the most isolating experience ever.
When the Other Mother was released from the hospital she was so weak she couldn't get out of bed. The conversation with the doctor's office was the most bizarre exchange ever!
ME: "Now she's so weak she can't get out of bed."
OFFICE: "OK, well bring her in so that we can check her out."
ME: "Hmmmm, well that's a little difficult because like I said, SHE CAN'T GET OUT OF BED!!"
OFFICE: "Well, we need to see her in order to make a referral or recommendation."
ME: "OK, well thanks. This was the most ridiculous conversation I've ever had."
We clearly needed some in-home help. Thank heavens for the internet because we didn't even know these type of companies existed. It's is not skilled nursing care, but basically what a CNA would do in a clinical setting. The only problem was that the minute the Other Mother was out of bed and mobile, she fired them! If she's not flat on her back there's no value in it for her.
The bottom line is that you cannot leave a person with dementia for any siginificant period of time. You can run a quick errand but that's it. And so, there you go. That's a quick synopsis.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I haven't even been reading blogs. That's bad. I did check in with Chocolatechic one day and see that she's blogging once a week on a Monday. I think that's a good idea and a way that I can try to get back into blogging. Certainly I can find ONE thing to write about during a week's time.
My visit to Chocolatechic's blog was serendipitous because it was the day she was talking about adopting a U.S. Soldier. Hey, I could do that. I'm basically housebound with plenty of time on my hands. I love to write - it's a match! So I've adopted two soldiers through Soldier's Angels and I also write to some others through their TLC team.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I forgot to mention what I am serving this morning. We are going to share some shrimp and grits! Look, if you don't like grits it's only because you haven't had them cooked right. Trust me on this.
Get the water boiling good, add the grits and still constantly for at least one minute. Continue to cook the grits until the water is almost absorbed and then start adding some heavy cream, a little at a time until they are real creamy. Put olive oil in a fry pan, add chopped onion and green peppers, fry until the onions are translucent. Add the shrimp and cook for a few minutes. Deglaze the pan with some white wine and add heavy cream to make a sauce. Serve the shrimp mixture over the grits.
Heaven on earth. I could eat grits every day.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
My upstairs sewing room has been transformed back to a guest bedroom and all my machines and fabric now have their own spot in a studio in our basement. It's a good set-up and I continue to make aprons, wallets and whatever else strikes my fancy. When the Farmer is home on weekends I'm able to get out a do a few craft shows and farmer's markets. The online shop is languishing a bit until I get some photography work done. So, that's basically it for me.
I'd LOVE to hear what you've been doing. Please share!!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Fashion Faux Pas? You decide.
Recently the weather took a turn to chilly. It was a pleasant development after suffering through drought and Texas-style heat all summer. I moved the sweaters and warmer clothing items to the front of the closet, anticipating what's coming as sure as the sun rises.
It was very cold one day, the kind of day that has us all saying, "The frost is on the pumpkin." I'm very, very reluctant to give up wearing my Privo sandals. They are absolutely the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn and problems with neuropathy make comfortable shoes a must.
Anyway, on this really cold day I decided to don a pair of white socks and my Privos. WOW, did I get a reaction from the men-folk in the house. They had quite a giggle at this layering.
They found white socks and sandals quite amusing and told me this was certainly a fashion faux pas! Really? No, I'm not questing the fact that it mightbe but that the guys were calling me out. I didn't know they had a fashion bone in their bodies, much less an opinion.
So, what about you? Do you go for fashion or through caution to the wind for comfort?
It was very cold one day, the kind of day that has us all saying, "The frost is on the pumpkin." I'm very, very reluctant to give up wearing my Privo sandals. They are absolutely the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn and problems with neuropathy make comfortable shoes a must.
Anyway, on this really cold day I decided to don a pair of white socks and my Privos. WOW, did I get a reaction from the men-folk in the house. They had quite a giggle at this layering.
They found white socks and sandals quite amusing and told me this was certainly a fashion faux pas! Really? No, I'm not questing the fact that it mightbe but that the guys were calling me out. I didn't know they had a fashion bone in their bodies, much less an opinion.
So, what about you? Do you go for fashion or through caution to the wind for comfort?
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday Morning Staff Meeting on Tuesday
Good morning everyone! Sorry for the delay in the meeting but I spent all day yesterday preparing a birthday dinner for our son. His birthday was actually on Saturday but he had to work.
We had stuffed pork loin roast, baked potatoes and green beans. For dessert we had something that I'd like to share with you this morning, pumpkin cheesecake with chocolate shortbread crust.
It's positively delicious although not super cheesy tasting, it's more like a very light and fluffy pumpkin pie. I think you'll enjoy it.
Here's the recipe. I think I found this via Pinterest.
BROWN SUGAR CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD CRUST
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I've been very, very busy sewing in my studio. The cupcake ladies have placed an order and I'm also meeting with them to hammer out the details about selling my wares in their bakery. One of the packaging ideas that I've come up with is to sell a basic butcher type apron that's been rolled up and placed inside a large Mason jar. This is another idea that I saw on Pinterest. What do you think?
Speaking of sewing, the winning name for my sewing machine has been chosen and the winner is......
PEGGY LEE
My turquoise vintage machine is named Beverly after actress Beverly Garland. Before she starred in My Three Sons she was a renowned "screamer" in B movies. So it just makes sense to have a screamer and a singer in the studio.
Adele, please send me an e-mail with your address and I'll send out a package of goodies sewn by Peggy Lee!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I've joined the Zooniverse. Have you heard about it? Here's the description:
"The Zooniverse is a collection of web-based Citizen Science projects that use the efforts and abilities of volunteers to help researchers deal with the flood of data that confronts them."
They've set up sites where you can help classify galaxies or other projects. I'm involved with the Seafloor Explorer. It's very relaxing for me to sit and classify stuff on the ocean bottom. It kind of clears your mind. See what you think.
SEAFLOOR EXPLORER
ZOONIVERSE - REAL SCIENCE ONLINE
OK, that's all for today. I've got to get these sewing machines fired up! Have a great day everyone.
We had stuffed pork loin roast, baked potatoes and green beans. For dessert we had something that I'd like to share with you this morning, pumpkin cheesecake with chocolate shortbread crust.
It's positively delicious although not super cheesy tasting, it's more like a very light and fluffy pumpkin pie. I think you'll enjoy it.
Here's the recipe. I think I found this via Pinterest.
BROWN SUGAR CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD CRUST
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I've been very, very busy sewing in my studio. The cupcake ladies have placed an order and I'm also meeting with them to hammer out the details about selling my wares in their bakery. One of the packaging ideas that I've come up with is to sell a basic butcher type apron that's been rolled up and placed inside a large Mason jar. This is another idea that I saw on Pinterest. What do you think?
Speaking of sewing, the winning name for my sewing machine has been chosen and the winner is......
PEGGY LEE
My turquoise vintage machine is named Beverly after actress Beverly Garland. Before she starred in My Three Sons she was a renowned "screamer" in B movies. So it just makes sense to have a screamer and a singer in the studio.
Adele, please send me an e-mail with your address and I'll send out a package of goodies sewn by Peggy Lee!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I've joined the Zooniverse. Have you heard about it? Here's the description:
"The Zooniverse is a collection of web-based Citizen Science projects that use the efforts and abilities of volunteers to help researchers deal with the flood of data that confronts them."
They've set up sites where you can help classify galaxies or other projects. I'm involved with the Seafloor Explorer. It's very relaxing for me to sit and classify stuff on the ocean bottom. It kind of clears your mind. See what you think.
SEAFLOOR EXPLORER
ZOONIVERSE - REAL SCIENCE ONLINE
OK, that's all for today. I've got to get these sewing machines fired up! Have a great day everyone.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Name that Machine
It's time to name that machine!
My sister picked up this fabulous vintage sewing machine at a thrift store. She knew I'd been searching for a pink machine for awhile and this fit the bill. It's a vintage Singer Merritt in a dark pink and cream color scheme.
It sews really well, smooth and quiet. There are decorative stitches but I don't have the cams. They're available on ebay and I'll pick some up in the future.
Till then she'll be in charge of straight stitching in a secondary therad color. When I'm working on lots of projects I'll set up my machines in different colored threads, that way I don't have to stop and change out the thread and bobbin. It means that my "collection" is actually used and just not sitting around looking pretty.
Do you have an idea of what to name her? Leave your entry in the comment field. I'm going to have my sister choose the name because she's the one who rescued her from possibly ending up in the dump.
I'll announce the winner at next Monday's staff meeting. The prize will be a goody bag of things from workroom. Good luck!.
My sister picked up this fabulous vintage sewing machine at a thrift store. She knew I'd been searching for a pink machine for awhile and this fit the bill. It's a vintage Singer Merritt in a dark pink and cream color scheme.
It sews really well, smooth and quiet. There are decorative stitches but I don't have the cams. They're available on ebay and I'll pick some up in the future.
Till then she'll be in charge of straight stitching in a secondary therad color. When I'm working on lots of projects I'll set up my machines in different colored threads, that way I don't have to stop and change out the thread and bobbin. It means that my "collection" is actually used and just not sitting around looking pretty.
Do you have an idea of what to name her? Leave your entry in the comment field. I'm going to have my sister choose the name because she's the one who rescued her from possibly ending up in the dump.
I'll announce the winner at next Monday's staff meeting. The prize will be a goody bag of things from workroom. Good luck!.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
That Was the Year That Was
Do you remember the TV show titled, "That Was the Week That Was"? The producers would pick a week in history and chronicle the events. I would like to propose something called "That Was the Week That Was..... Weatherwise".
It has been a very difficult year weatherwise in northern Illinois. We have very harsh winters and we count on having a break during spring and summer. Spring is generally wet and chilly and summer has temps in the 80's and low 90's.
Spring wasn't much this year. Not much rain to prime the planting season and we jumped right into horrifically hot temperatures. They were Texas temps, in the high 90's and 100's.
The corn was stunted and dried way too early. Dent corn needs heat at the END of it's growing cycle, not through the entire process. Farmer's are going to have very low numbers of bushels to the acre which means high food prices next year. The corn futures are already being affected I believe.
The incredibly hot summer affects us psychologically as well. We're cooped up in the house all winter and look forward to enjoying the outdoors and getting some outdoor chores done. That was next to impossible this year. And so we've been cooped up since the end of last October!
I had a long list of to-do's, both in the yard and in the garage. Unfortunately, when it's 99 degrees outside it's 120 in the garage. Guess what's happened now? We've jumped from extremely hot temps to frost! It was quite pleasant on Monday and I was able to paint the garage doors. My hope is for some continued mild temps so that I can re-arrange the garage for winter, positioning the snowblower in front of the garage door because guess what, meteorologists are predicting we're going to have a horrible winter. Great. We'll all have cabin fever to the max. I'll have to think of some fun party ideas to get together with the neighbors.
How about you? How has your year been weatherwise? I know some of you out west have been battling wildfires.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me today.
It has been a very difficult year weatherwise in northern Illinois. We have very harsh winters and we count on having a break during spring and summer. Spring is generally wet and chilly and summer has temps in the 80's and low 90's.
Spring wasn't much this year. Not much rain to prime the planting season and we jumped right into horrifically hot temperatures. They were Texas temps, in the high 90's and 100's.
The corn was stunted and dried way too early. Dent corn needs heat at the END of it's growing cycle, not through the entire process. Farmer's are going to have very low numbers of bushels to the acre which means high food prices next year. The corn futures are already being affected I believe.
The incredibly hot summer affects us psychologically as well. We're cooped up in the house all winter and look forward to enjoying the outdoors and getting some outdoor chores done. That was next to impossible this year. And so we've been cooped up since the end of last October!
I had a long list of to-do's, both in the yard and in the garage. Unfortunately, when it's 99 degrees outside it's 120 in the garage. Guess what's happened now? We've jumped from extremely hot temps to frost! It was quite pleasant on Monday and I was able to paint the garage doors. My hope is for some continued mild temps so that I can re-arrange the garage for winter, positioning the snowblower in front of the garage door because guess what, meteorologists are predicting we're going to have a horrible winter. Great. We'll all have cabin fever to the max. I'll have to think of some fun party ideas to get together with the neighbors.
How about you? How has your year been weatherwise? I know some of you out west have been battling wildfires.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me today.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Christmas is a-comin'
I hate to the bearer of bad news but Christmas is coming again! Are you someone who shops ahead or are you a last minute scramble person?
The past few years I've tried to keep my eyes open throughout the year, picking up gifts as I see them. The problem is that I've got to keep track of what I've bought for whom and where I put the stuff!
I do love to make gifts also and I found a wonderful spot that has 25 gifts to make for under $5.
The 36th Avenue
If you check further down the page she has a "Part Two" with more gifts. Great ideas.
Also, here's a link to a company that sells glass jars used for some of these gifts, including layered cookie mixes. I've also seen aprons rolled up and put inside a Mason jar.
Specialty Jar Company
So, let's get busy and make something wonderful for Christmas!
The past few years I've tried to keep my eyes open throughout the year, picking up gifts as I see them. The problem is that I've got to keep track of what I've bought for whom and where I put the stuff!
I do love to make gifts also and I found a wonderful spot that has 25 gifts to make for under $5.
The 36th Avenue
If you check further down the page she has a "Part Two" with more gifts. Great ideas.
Also, here's a link to a company that sells glass jars used for some of these gifts, including layered cookie mixes. I've also seen aprons rolled up and put inside a Mason jar.
Specialty Jar Company
So, let's get busy and make something wonderful for Christmas!
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