Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Good News on the Alzheimers front

 I just got my newsletter from AARP and was thrilled to see an article about Alzheimers. Seems they have a new blood test that has proved to be 90% effective in detecting Alzheimers. I know my children are thrilled about this, as am I.

Elbert (on the right with two of our children)

You see, their active, fun-loving, joke-telling Dad got Alzheimers. That was determined in 2001. He was 71 years old. 

We'd just moved to Virginia to be closer to our children and I had this vision of him and me just sitting on the porch holding hands, watching the sunset until we both were so old we had to pass on to another life. 

My vision which changed drastically

That vision became a nightmare. I cared for him for 10 1/2 years. He forgot who his family was, he tried to 'go home' more often than I want to admit. He thought he was still in the Navy and was AWOL because he wasn't on the ship. He fell so often I couldn't be out of his sight. 

He could still fit in his old uniform and he still knew how to salute. 2007

My children worried about getting Alzheimers, especially my son. So, this is great news .... that research is making great strides in detecting it. Now, if they could just figure out how to cure it! 


2009 just over one year before he was gone. 


Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Dancing to a SLOW tune these days!!


I'll swear, I don't know what's to become of me!!

There's so much I want to do and my energy level has reached it's 'Best if used by' date. 

I have been cleaning and organizing my office closet the last few days. 

What! it takes days...

I remember when I  could whip that chore out in a couple hours. 

Anyway, this body of mine is slowing down. Guess it's about time! 

I played Bingo Saturday afternoon. We residents are thrilled that Bingo is back on the schedule. We've played twice now and I didn't win either time. I should pout... but I won't. I'm too happy having fun. 


On Sunday we met to say goodbye to two of our resident/friends. We had the biggest array of desserts you ever saw. 

Lisa's husband and his best friend bet her ten dollars each that she couldn't bake a 12 layer cake for the event. She did and it was quite the show-piece. She donated her bet winnings to the two that were departing. 

It's turned off cold again here, if you can believe that! The temps got low enough last night to just about have a freeze warning. I brought my plants inside so they'd be safe! 

I need to catch up on checking out all of your blogs. The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!! 








 

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

A Long Weekend Get-away!

 I got back late Monday and here it is Wednesday. Yesterday was kind of lost, if you know what I mean! 

Had a wonderful, relaxing long weekend at the beach. A two-bedroom condo with a nice, large balcony overlooking the shoreline. I practiced making selfies. 

















We had so much fun watching the waves, the pelicans and gulls, the children looking for seashells. 

















I enjoyed watching a dog prancing along on a leash, then as he was released he ran into the water and played. They walked on out of sight.... not long after, here they came, man tugging on the leash and the dog definately not wanting to head back to the condo. 




We ate out one night at Mulligans. Of course, I had scallops, my favorite seafood. 


Our last night we spent on the balcony with sandwiches, a cheese plate and glasses of wine. 



                              And, then, darn, just like it always does, it's time to go home!! 

Friday, April 12, 2024

Monday, April 8, 2024

The Sun, the Moon and a Convertible

 One day Shirley and I were out tooling around when we stopped at the Visitors Center here in Suffolk. Sitting next door was this gorgeous old convertible. It looked lonesome. I sure wish I'd had a key... it wouldn't be lonesome anymore!!! Don't you think I dressed the part. We even match



We had an eclipse today... guess you did too wherever you are.
I didn't have the viewing glasses so no pics. But, I thought I'd post a picture I took some time back of the moon rising over the pine trees near my apartment. 


My crazy Christmas cactus is blooming again. It doesn't know what season it is anymore than the weatherman does!! 


I am happy to report that since my daughter gave me the subscription to MasterClass online I have seen and learned a lot from over 22 hours of instruction so far. Everything from Gut Health, Writing and Cooking. I have a ton more to watch yet. They give you workbooks and instruction books with most of the classes. I'm enjoying it all so much. 

Today I started watching Alice Waters (restauranteur, cookbook writer, etc, etc). One class was on how to shop for the best produce at Farmer Markets. Now, I can't wait to go to one to try out my new skills. 

Here's a picture from 2013 of me in the Farmer's Market in Smithfield, Va. 


Have a fabulous week. 
Hugs,
Latane


Friday, April 5, 2024

A Rose is a Rose!!

 I got another beautiful bouquet from my daughter Susan. She signed up for one of those 'Once a Month' deals. I'm loving it but I hope I have convinced her that she should stop. Flowers are so expensive. Well, isn't everything and anything these days. Price of groceries are up about 35%-50% from 2020. Eating out is ridiculous. Gas is high, flight is high, Oh.. I will shut now about this now!! 

And, back to the flowers. This month it was a dozen roses, grown in Ecuador. I see a difference in those from what's grown here. Stems much longer, stronger, the blossoms last longer and there a nice aroma to these. 


Just look at this beauty!


and this one....


I love flowers, never was much of a grower myself. But, I love that other people grow them so I can enjoy them. 

Have a wonderful weekend!! 



Monday, April 1, 2024

Good News On April Fool's Day

                            This isn't an April Fool joke and boy, am I thankful for that!

Went for my annual mammogram this morning, the first following my lumpectomy and radiation. 

                                    The radiologist pronounced it as perfect

                            Talk about being given a gift. And, a new lease on life. 

                                                         


For the first time since I moved to Virginia back in 1999, the family didn't get together for Easter. I decided I'd treat myself to a scrumptious breakfast. Made myself a Mexican-style Monte Cristo sandwich. I mean, if you don't treat yourself well, who the heck is?                                                      


It's topped with pepper jelly that my granddaughter sells from her company Sugar and Bice. 

Then I just acted lazy the rest of the day.

So happy I can do that if I want to! 

My son says that at age 90 I can do whatever the heck I want. Love that boy! 

                                                         

Friday, March 29, 2024

My Good Friday

                                                            Good Friday!!


I woke up this morning and jumped outta bed. I had places to go today. Well, just one place but it's one I have participated in on Good Friday more years than I care to remember! 


                                          It was Shirley's Easter Bake Sale. 

She's been doing it for around 40 years and yes, she retired the beginning of last year. Ha Ha.  Couldn't stand not being in that kitchen so she is doing a much scaled-down version now. 


She added two new vendors to her show. Her daughter, Brittany, that makes cheesecakes in a jar, Fig preserves and several different 'heat' selections of Pepper Jelly. A very successful day for her today. I got a cherry cheesecake and chose a mild pepper jelly. I like it served atop cream cheese on crackers. 

And, there was a young lady named Madison who is just starting her business. She makes sour dough bread, dinner rolls and cookies. My selections from Madison were cookies and dinner rolls. Can't wait to heat a couple of those up and slather them with butter. That may be my supper tonight! 


People were lined up down the sidewalk waiting for the doors to open. Madison sold out in about 30 minutes!! Brittany had more products than Madison but she sold a lot and of course, Shirley sold all her chick cookies and people were still asking for John's fudge long after it was gone. I didn't even get any of theirs! 😞

I saw several people I had known when I lived in Wakefield. Couldn't remember their names!! But, I hadn't seen them in forever so I will blame that and not my age on my forgetfulness!. Isn't it funny how you forget things you don't think about often and it happens so much more often at this stage of my life. But, hey, I drove up there (30 miles), made myself useful, saw some friends, ate lunch with my family after the crowd of customers dwindled down and then I drove home. I got here, piled up on my bed and read my new Southern Living Magazine. 

                                            It was a good day! 

I think I will go in the kitchen and heat up a couple of those dinner rolls.... 


Monday, March 25, 2024

Easter Door Wreath

 I finally got around to adding my Easter stuff to my front door wreath. Sometimes I just put things off but I've been busy, y'all.. 

I've gone through every shelf, drawer, closet you name it, I been through it. I have tossed out 2 garbage bags full of just junk. Why do we hang on to things that we can't use, don't want (but somebody gave me that, they might wonder where it went) etc. etc. etc.  

So, yes, I have been busy. And, in my dragging out I ran across a couple Easter items and added them to my wreath. I mean, Easter is one week away! But, I'll enjoy them that one week and perhaps anyone else passing my door will too. 


it was the lillies and the eggs that I added. Makes it look more Eastery. 

What are y'all doing for Easter? 
I'm not sure just yet. 

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Enjoying Our Surroundings

 It's cold this morning. We had a bunch of rain yesterday so it's not a good idea to plan on sitting on the balcony today. Wind has picked up, too. Makes for a miserable time. 

I do enjoy my balcony. I love to sit there and watch all the things God has given us to enjoy. The other day I noticed a couple of Mallards on the pond. I think it is so odd that in most of nature the male outshines the female. But, as a human, and a woman I think we outshine the men!! Right, girls? 



Sometimes late in the afternoon, a black cat will come creeping out of the woods and sits on the bank of the pond to sun herself. I am not sure who she belongs to.. there is a church and a school on the other side of the woods so perhaps she is the rat catcher for those places. She'll sit there for ever so long and then she just casually strolls back through the trees and is gone until the next afternoon. 


I hope you all are having a wonderful Sunday. I hope your day is sunny and bright.... and warm! Take good care of yourselves. See you again soon. 

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Choosing Healthy over not so Healthy

 I couldn't help but drool over these photos as I was scanning through some earlier pictures. I mean, who could resist these pastries! I am afraid I have a sweet tooth when it comes to certain things that I shouldn't eat. Is it because I shouldn't have them that gives me such a craving or am I just a nut for sugary things?

Who knows.... But, just look at these. Could you forego any of them? 




At least I ate something healthy last night. Tried a new recipe. I just don't know how food photographers make food look so good! Compare the pictures. First the one I discovered on facebook...



Then here is mine. 


The pictures may not look the same but it was a very refreshing, tasty salad. I'll have to make it again sometime. 

Oh, in case you are wondering. It's chicken, avocado slices, blackberries, strawberries, crispy-fried goat cheese, candied pecans on a bed of lettuce and drizzled with balsamic vinargrette. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Parties Galore!

 It's Tuesday Morning....

Oh, I guess you already knew that. Just thought I'd say so if you didn't. hehe.

Things are going well. After all I've been through for the past 10 months I am feeling MYSELF again. Ready and raring to go! And, go I will... but darn... it's another doctor appt. This time it's a checkup with the oncologist. 

But, first I will stop in at the March Birthday Party going on at noon today in the Commons Room. 

Sunday a small group met to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We had all the Irish we could take. 😋The corned beef, cabbage, sauerkraut to make a rueben if you wished. Irish potatoes. Pies galore. I made a big bowl of green beans and they were soon gone. We wore green and just had a grand ole  time. 

A golden coin or two was hidden under the hats at each seating. If you got one .... you were lucky!! 

You got on the clean up crew! 😠


                                                                      It's Spring!!


Make it a happy one!


Sunday, March 17, 2024

St. Patrick's Day

 I always thought I was probably of Irish descent. Just felt it in my bones so in 1996 I went to Ireland. I felt right at home so my assumption must be correct!!

                                                                   NOT...

Did my DNA and there's very little Irish in me. I'm mostly English with smatters of Scotch, German and maybe a drop of other things here and there. Well, durn!!

                                                              HOWEVER...

I still celebrate St. Patrick's Day. That wee bit of Irish blood in me (although it is centuries old) speaks loud and clear to this day. 

           To all my Irish friends and those like me who think they are Irish..



Happy St. Patty's Day


Saturday, March 16, 2024

Joy, Joy, Joy!

It's been a good time, a fun time, a time of loving and learning....

Susan and Owen (he's 30, 6'5" tall and has severe autism) spent some time with me this week. Owen doesn't travel well so he had not been down for 12-13 years. Of course, I'd go spend time with him and he kept asking his Mom, 'Go to Virginia. See Grandma'. 

Yes indeed, Owen, and we had a wonderful visit. Not much picture taking but here one of him and his Mom taken elsewhere.


He loved going to Sonic for cheese tater tots and strawberry milk shakes! The tater tots I could do without but those milk shakes are too good to pass up.

Too soon it was time for them to go. Shirley came down to say goodbye to them as well. Owen took my picture with my two sweet daughters.



My week also included two doctor visits.

Had my 1 month 'after radiation' checkup and it went super. My next appointment in this clinic is not for 6 months!! Yippee

I also had two Plantar's warts taken off my left foot. 

Just a week filled with so many joys and I'd even list that foot surgery as a joy. 
I'm just one happy camper. 

Missed you guys. I'll try to catch up soon.