Hugs and Kisses For Valentine's Day

 It's spring.... 

No, not really but we did have a couple days of near 60 degrees. It was gorgeous and a precursor to what we can expect a little later on if we can just hang on through the rest of the winter. 

So, naturally I took advantage of it being so nice. Had lunch with dau Shirley and granddau. Brittany on Wednesday. Then the very next day I had lunch out with Shirley again.... Tomorrow we are having a valentine's day party here at Centerbrooke.

What do you all plan to do for Valentine's Day? Guess it depends on who your sweetheart is! I'm my own best sweetheart these days. We gals decorated white lunch bags and tomorrow we'll drop our valentine's into each other's bags. Do you remember those days in school when you'd do something like that?  

I still have Valentines that were given to me as a child not yet school age... Here's one or two of them.

Valentine's don't look like that anymore.

You all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! 

Hope you get lots of chocolate and flowers and hugs and kisses! 

Time Does Fly By!

 It's Sunday morning and the wind chill factor is in the single digits. BRRRRR!! Okay, countdown to spring starts right now. I am so over this bitterly cold weather. 

One thing about it being too cold to get outside, you try to find things to do inside. I decided I'd try a new recipe. I did  make a couple changes to suit what I had to work with. I had large chicken tenders instead of the breast and I used balsamic vinegar instead of regular vinegar. I was happy with my choices. And, it was so quick and easy. I'm all about quick and easy these days. 

Are you watching the Olympics? I don't follow any of the sports until they go head to head in the Qlympics and then I am hooked. Loved the American couple who ice danced the story about the matador. So well done. 

And, how about that Ollie ? Doing the Big Air at 17 years old, a broken arm and he was unbelivable!! 

It all is a nice diversion from the usual mundane tv stuff we have to watch. I stream everything now. Feel like I can be more selective, when and if I want to.

Today would have been my husband's 96th birthday had he lived. He's been gone 15 years now. I can't believe it's been that long and too, that I am still here. I feel very blessed in that regard. Also very blessed to have been married to such an amazing man for 60 years. God's certainly been good to me. 

This was taken at the last birthday he celebrated (2010). He was in an assisted living facility then and some of the family joined him for his big day. 

and here he is in happier times with his grandson, Griffin. This was taken in 2001 at the beginning of his Alzheimer's journey.

How time does fly!! And, the older we get the faster it goes. 

As the author, Elizabeth Keebler-Ross, wrote:

"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth - and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up - that we begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." 

I Escaped The Apartment

 Shirley had a doctor appt. so she swung by and picked me up. it was so nice to get out and be with people again. 

We'd been wanting to go to a new restaurant that opened nearby. First Watch... ever heard of it? The place has been packed since opening but with this snow around, it's easier to get a table and that's what we did. 

I got the Farmers Breakfast (eggs, bacon, cheese all piled on top of country potatoes). 

That was good but my favorite is the breakfast with turkey sausage gravy over a biscuit with an egg. 

She took some pictures while we were out so I will share those with you. It's interesting how the terrain changes at different times, constantly being different. Makes looking at this world exciting every time you take time to do that. These are from around my apartment building. 

It's gonna be 40 degrees today, folks!! Wow. But. later today we have a dusting of snow coming back in. It's a bad winter that's for sure. 

I just finished a painting. What's a gal to do when she's stuck indoors? Right?

The Snow Falleth....

 Well, it got here. Such fun to watch the snow falling and so thankful I was inside and warm and safe. The wind was horrific... 

That is supposed to be a video that shows the wind but something happened in the transfer. Oh well. 

Someone went for a walk. I don't see dog tracks so they weren't out walking their dog... Who in the world would be out in temps in the teens just to stroll around!! I don't get it. 

Not my car but the view looking out my dining room window. 

I did venture out ONE STEP on my balcony so I could take the picture below. 

Pond half frozen over with snow on the ice. First time I've seen that! 

So, now it's here. I just wish the temps would warm up. Wind chill factor when I got up. -3 degrees. Now, folks that's cold in my book! 

Winter Weather

 So, here I sit... waiting once again for a winter snow. 

Last weekend it was a dud. I wonder what this one will be. At least I am prepared... lots of groceries, plenty of warm snuggy blankets, plenty to drink, no alcoholc at least at this time. haha) and a tv to watch. 

The wind chill factor is supposed to be -3 degrees in the morning. You know, I could sort of just skip winter if you don't mind. I don't dare stick my head out the front door. I might just freeze into an old popsicle! 

How are all of you doing? Hope you are keeping warm. 

I watched a couple cute movies on Netflix just recently. The first was 'Eleanor, the great'. The second was 'the Last Word'. Both entertaining, about two old ladies, very different, but nevertheless totally interesting. 

One was a liar, the other was a cantancarous old goat... 

I wonder how I am labeled!!! I certainly hope not one of those two. 

Have a safe and warm weekend! 

Surprise fun!

 I know you girls are dying to find out what happened about the surprise grocery delivery yesterday. We never did find out who they belonged to and baby, come to Mama, do.... I had fun unloading each bag. It was quite a trip! 

Well, I've come to the conclusion that it wasn't meant for this 55+ community anyway.... not with what I found in those bags. These are older people living here, lots of apartments with only one person and certainly not more than two and they eat 'old-timey'. Well, some of us are more adventurous but you know what I mean. 

I mean, there was some STRANGE stuff in there. How about jalepeno stuffed olives? Or three bags of large bell peppers, a huge bag of basmati rice, coconut milk? I could go on and on... There was no bread, eggs, milk or cleaning supplies. Strange.  

Here is a pic of a few of the odd things.... At least they seemed odd to me. The amount of bell peppers just blew my mind.

There were two huge packages of chicken tenders, 3 packages of smoked sausages. Nah... noone from here ordered that stuff. But, I am the happy recepient and I am experimenting. 

I am guessing they are coffee drinkers. I am not. But, I have me two huge bottles of coffee creamers.... flavored. Any idea what to do with those?

Made myself an omelet this morning adding some of those peppers, pimento stuffed olives, some fresh spinach that was in a bag. Man, it was good. I topped it all with shaved parmesan cheese. Happy camper, that I am! 

I consider it a gift from God. I hate some one had their order messed up. I wouldn't wish that on anyone but I am so thankful that it was my apartment that it happen to land at. I am going to have so much fun trying some of this stuff.

Now, what will I make with coconut milk? I've never used it... any ideas? 

Manna From Heaven

 Pooh! It barely snowed but it's colder than a chicken's behind in an ice storm. Okay, maybe not that cold. You northern folks would call me out on that. But, it was below freezing and we southern gals aren't comfortable with those temps. It's not warmed up enough to keep the melting snow (what little there was of it here at my apartment) from freezing. Shirley lives 30 miles northwest of me and they got it all. Should have gone up to her house if I wanted some white stuff. 

I had the strangest thing happen to me today. I opened my front door to put my garbage out for pickup and there were 13 bags of groceries sitting on my stoop. Lordy mercy, 'honey chile, I ain't ordered no groceries.' 

pardon the washed out look... my lens fogged over the minute I opened that door!! 

Did some phoning around, been waiting for hours for someone to claim them but so far.... no sign of any hungry people looking for grub. So, it looks like I may have won the grocery lottery!! Hey, it's Christmas all over again! 

I'm a bit down today. Not sure why. Maybe it's the weather... and they say that there is cold, cold air around for days yet. I cancelled a dental cleaning for tomorrow. I am not going to get out in that mess!! 

I did a watercolor a couple days ago. I usually don't do line and wash (where you draw the outline in ink then watercolor in the hues) but I liked it. I do like to sketch so maybe this will give me the best of two of my artsy worlds. 

I sure hope you all are staying warm. The older I get, the colder I get so I have been bundled up pretty well during all this frigid air. It's nice to sit in my recliner with a warm blanket pulled up to my chin and watch tv. I saw 'Eleanor the Great' on Netflix. It was cute and I enjoyed it a lot. 

Italiano.... yum

 We are awaiting that disastrous winter storm they have been predicting for a week. Only now, I think all I am gonna get is icy rain. And, I was hoping for snow!! I need some cash! Oh well, maybe next time. 

Day before yesterday a bunch of us from the Commons did our monthly 'lunch bunch' trip. This time we went Italian!! Some of us had been there, some had not and I was one of the has not bunch. But, it was so good and we had a blast. Daughter Shirley joined us as did a friend of one of the residents. Those two livened up that place. 

My plate of angel hair pasta drizzled with olive oil, Roasted red peppers and garlic. 

Soup and a Bird Fight

 Goodness gracious. where have I been? I am not sure but time really got away from me and also I've missed checking in with all you sweet blog buddies. Gotta do better with my time management! Or maybe time management can do better with me. 

We had a soup lunch yesterday. A bunch of us gals made pots of soup and took them downstairs to share. Oh my goodness. How good was that! All kinds: Taco, Pea, chicken rice, Italian cream/sausage, and other's I don't recall what all. I made Cream of Tomato. I hadn't made it in a 'hundred' years so I wasn't sure if it would turn out but it did. I got lots of compliments on it. Of course, I didn't make a picture!! 

We followed our lunch up with a January birthdays celebration and that was fun. It was my birthday month and there were three others, as well. 

Oh, let me tell you about taking a picture. Another one that didn't get taken. I saw two birds in flight and in fight a couple days ago. One was a Blue Heron, the other a White egret. They were fighting over the prime spot of that pond for fishing. 

The Heron was there first but that egret was determined to have it. They'd peck at each other then they'd take to the air and have an air battle. I ran to get my camera but by the time I got back they had settled down. The heron stood his ground in his favorite spot and the egret was standing a ways off giving him the evil eye. The heron had his back turned to the egret so those daggers she was shooting wouldn't hurt him. It was so funny to watch. 

We are expecting a snow storm this coming weekend. That will be pretty. So glad I don't have to be out in it. I'd rather enjoy from my window! 

Good Clean Movie Watching

 

                                 Well, I sorta got myself a new project!

We had our activity planning meeting on Wednesday to decide what we wanted to do during the month of February. Sometimes the office plans things, other times the residents do.

The woman in charge of showing a movie twice a month wanted to step down. Said the biggest problem was choosing what movie would be appropriate for these old ladies. You know they don't like cussing, sex, gals (or guys) running around half naked. Well, maybe the guys could. haha. And, the F word is definately out. 

Boy, it's hard to find movies without that kind of thing these days. But, I said I would take over that chore.

           Guess, what I've been doing the last few days!!! Yep

                          WATCHING MOVIES!!

watching for cuss words etc, etc, etc. I do pause when there's a handsome man without his shirt on... just kidding. 

But, you know, I am enjoying these movies. And, I never would have watched them otherwise. So, there's good out of everything.

If any of you need a movie recommendation that is clean cut... just ask. Looks like I am turning into a pro. 

I Put On My Bitch Lipstick!

 Well, I did it! 

Put on my bitch lipstick and headed to the dentist office. Like I said, I'm mostly non-confrontational but this was an exception! 

I asked to speak to the head of scheduling. Ain't nobody in charge it seems!!

So, the older lady that's been there forever asked me what I needed and I slid my appt card across in front of her and said, 'I was here for this appointment last Wednesday and was told I was not scheduled for that'. 

She fiddles around on her computer, then she goes and pulls my record... there it is, plain as day, Jan. 7th at 11 a.m. but it was not on her computer so when I showed up at the desk on Wednesday, they did not have it on their schedule. I told her that was not my fault....

Seems the nurse wrote my appt. card and entered the info into my record (back in the office where I got my cleaning) but she never entered it into the scheduling system. And, this has happened twice! 

So, I said, 'So, I guess each time I get an appt. I need to tell the nurse to be sure it gets to scheduling. That's not my job.' 

The woman could tell I was fusterated, annoyed, my voice getting a tad loud so she pats my arm and says they'll figure something out. 

Seems I am going to be given a free floride treatment for all my trouble....

Well, hell, I bet my insurance company will be tickled pink. That doesn't help me in the least since I have insurance that covers that. 

But, at least, I got that off my chest and they are more than aware now to be more diligient in the future when they are dealing with me. 

I wiped off my bitch lipstick* and came home. 

*my daughter, when she has to confront anyone about some displeasing matter says she puts her bitch lipstick on before she tackles the problem.

I May Be Old, But I Am Not Senile

 I'm a pretty easy-going person. Takes a lot to really rile me up but this is riling me!! 

Last Wednesday I arrived at my dentist office for my semi-annual cleaning only to be turned away. "We don't have you scheduled for today, Mrs. Barton."

I may be old but I am not senile. I did not forget. I was sure of that but I left and stewed about it for days. Then I found my appointment card. 

Guess I am not senile after all!! I am ready, set, go for Monday mornings visit back in that dentist office. 

I could let this slide but this has happened to me twice now. I am so over showing up and have them turn me away. I swear I could hear a twinge of pity coming out of the receptionist mouth ... at my obvious forgetfulness the other day. 

Hmmm.... we'll see which of us made the mistake. 

Celebrating a Birthday and Life

 

Going older has been quite the adventure for me!

I've had time to learn about who I really am, what I want from life and what sort of legacy I want to leave behind. 

On Tuesday I turned 92...

Talk about a revelation that was. How in the world am I that age! Sure I had good genes but for all intents and purposes I should not be here. 

I've survived a lot in my life. The lost of a child, a husband, my mom, 2 cancers, and a ton of other less traumatic things. 

The first cancer was a huge surprise. Well, aren't they always? No one expects to get cancer. But, I probably would have died if it had not been found when it was. 

and...

how was it found?

Now this is the strange part. I needed a knee replaced and it was during the pre-op blood work for that knee replacement that they discovered that I had colon cancer. 

I'm not going into all that but it just goes to show you that I am so extremely blessed and I don't forget it. 

Please, everyone, keep an eye on your health. Live you life to the fullest. Have fun. Be grateful to wake up every day and don't forget to stop and smell the roses. 

Love you all.

2026 Goals

 

I didn't make resolutions! I, instead, made goals. Then I made a page for my scrapbook journal about those goals. Maybe it will help to remind me where I am headed this year. At the end of the year we will see how it went! 

Quote

'When we limit our belief in our own potential to grow, we also limit our incentive to grow'

                                  Mary Pipher