Susan's Visit

 Susan left this morning.....

So sad to see her go but we had a fabulous visit, so relaxed, filled with laughter, talk, painting, good food and such a loving, sweet time. 

On Tuesday Shirley came down. Susan said she'd like to go to Cracker Barrel. It had been years since she was in one so that's what we did. That was a fun outing. 

Shirley joined us once again for lunch on Wednesday. (We ate out a lot!!)  We hit First Watch and enjoyed that a bunch. We always have a great time when the three of us get together. 

Susan and I spent some quality time just talking.... about everything. She has recently taken up watercolor painting. She had brought her supplies down (just like Mama didn't have any!) and she sat in the middle of my living room floor and painted and painted. 

We went through the scrapbook that I'd made of her, her dad and my trip to Europe back in 1991. What memories that dredged up. I gave her the scrapbook to take home but not before I made a snapshot of each and every page of that thing. I may want to look at them again sometime. Here's one of the pages I took a picture of. 

I just hated to see the visit end... 

P.S. come back again soon. There's an interesting story I have to tell you of something had happened during her visit. You'll love it. 

Time For Tea

 Shirley and I had quite an outing yesterday. It was a lovely day, a bit warm but not uncomfortable. I had made reservations at the Stillwater Tea House for an early afternoon tea. It was so nice... 

We were greeted at the door by the owner, who led us to our table. We were served Blackberry tea right away. 

Then came our salad, one of my favorites: Strawberry Feta

I don't remember what the main course was, just know that it was tomato sprinkled with bits of bacon and chives on a type of bread that was spread with 'what I do not know but it was good'... I'd say it was a bruchetta but that's not what the owner called it. This came with Ginger Peach tea. 

We ended our tea with a delicious mango custard. Now, if it had been me I would have slipped that tart out of that aluminum pan before serving but perhaps the crust was too flaky and she was afraid of a mess. But, I didn't think that aluminum fit our atmosphere. However the custard made up for it.

This was served with what she called strawberry milk shake tea but mine had only a slight taste of strawberry and there was no milk in sight!! 

We met two very enjoyable ladies at the next table, not from Suffolk but not too far away. We all decided we should get together again sometime. And, they are now my facebook friends. The whole experience was just so delightful. 

Then on to the library. I'd been wanting to go but the one time I had attempted it by myself I found that they were paving the street there, things were blocked off and I just turned back and came home. But, Shirley drove us down and we went inside. It's brand new, been open less than a month... huge, two story with lots of light and space and meeting places and little nooks to sit and read. So, yes ,I will be going back. 

I was pooped when we headed back to my apartment for her to drop me off. Guess what I did when I got home????

I plopped down in my recliner and stayed there, watching tv, 'til the 'cows came home'. That's an old Southern saying that means it was late in the day for those of you who aren't familiar with the south. 

Lunch at Cafe Davina

Hope your morning is super. Right now it is looking fine for me, a bit cloudy with a thunderstorm this afternoon but that is what happens in the south, a thunderblunder (that's what my grandma called them) in the late afternoon. 

Shirley is going to join me for a 'session' today... heck, I don't know what to call it but we have a speaker coming to Centerbrooke from Senior Services. There are people here that don't drive, their families that are supposed to be helping out aren't always available. Even though I drive I don't get out in the heavy traffic so there are times I could use some transportation. Senior Services provides that for just a donation, plus a whole bunch of other services so this is going to be very informative. 

Did I tell you about my sweet little lunch out with my life coach/friend on Friday? I'd been hearing about this place called Cafe Davina that is in a huge old, old mansion downtown. They specialize in crepes and the places I go doesn't offer crepes. It's more like Southern cooking rather than French!! 

I ordered the crepe filled with ham, brie cheese and an apricot sauce then topped with greens. Oh man, it was soooo good. 

We ate inside 'cause I'd never been there and didn't know the options. But, we found out that there are the cutest little eating places scattered all around the beautiful yard. I didn't get a chance to photo most of them or do much exploring but I intend to next time. These following photos are from Cafe Davina's facebook page: 

There is a ginormous magnolia tree on site and I understand that there is a table underneath the branches of this tree where you can have lunch or just sip tea. Wouldn't that be fun!! I couldn't find a picture I could snitch of that scene but maybe there's where I will be seated next time. 

Now to participate in the Photo-a-day. The theme today is BLUE

This is a quilt I made back in 2001. Have no idea what happened to it. I gave most of my quilts to family. But, it was fun to do and is it BLUE!
 

I Always Did Appreciate A Cow

Today was COW APPRECIATION DAY at Chic-fil-a!! 

My daughter, Shirley, loves Chic-fil-a so she made arrangements for a group of residents from here at The Commons at Centerbrooke to go for lunch. We'd get a free entree if we wore something that reminded them of a cow. So... we cut out black felt and glued big spots onto white tee shirts and today we were ready when Shirley with her friend, Pamela, drove up in a big van to get us. Away we went! 

I had to be different!! I saw an ad on facebook for a tee shirt with a big cow head on it so I ordered me one. It was a hit! 

There were 17 of us that filed into that place, laughing, cutting up, having us a grand ole time. We got our food, ate, and then here comes the COW ... of course, we all had to have our pictures made with it/him/her. 

Here we are mooing at the photographer!

Then we all went outside to get a group picture before leaving the site and stood there waving and 'mooing' at all the people going through the drive-thru. We got lots of waves and a few honks of horns.

Shirley even arranged for me to take an order from one car driver. The real worker was there tapping the order in on her IPAD while I found out what the order consisted of.

Me:  And, what will you have today.

Driver: A Chic-fil-a sandwich

Me: Your drink?

Driver: French Fries

Me. Okay, some french fries and your drink is.....?

Driver: Coke

Job done, I took off  back to have my picture made with the group. 

Everyone said we had a blast and we did. Best outing we've had in ever so long and it's all because Shirley made sure everything was arranged to a tee and lordy that girl can keep the laughter going. She's a master at that. 

So, I'd say we did Chic-fil-a proud today. No telling what a bunch of 70-90 years old will do!! 

I Shall Hear Clearly Soon

 What a day Tuesday.

Hadn't been to Olive Garden in years. There's not one close to me but Shirley had driven me to Southpark for an appt about my hearing aids and there was an Olive Garden just calling my name!!

I tried something new to me, cheese ravioli covered with meat sauce and that more than yummy salad! I scoffed as much as I could and brought the rest home for dinner that night. Enjoying it twice is better than once, don't you think?

Once lunch was over, it was on to Sam's Club for my hearing test. I knew I was hard of hearing but it was discerning to find out how much!! Not so bad in the low frequencies but the high ones... dang.... My left ear had severe loss and my right one had PROFOUND loss. And, on top of that I have tinnitus that I have to deal with. Bummer. Had that for years! 

My new hearing aids will be in in two weeks. I can't wait. 

Key Lime Pie Cures Anything

 Feeling more upbeat today. It's amazing what an outing will do for you... not to mention the turkey and dressing. And, you gotta have cranberry sauce with it. We always ask for extra!! Besides, Cracker Barrel has rocking chair to enjoy. 

Getting new hearing aids turned out to be a bust! Shirley had tried to get in touch with them to make an appt but wasn't successful so we thought we'd just give it a try. Geez, we were in the neighborhood anyway. Seems the man who owned the audio portion of Sam's Club sold out so there was no one there. Well, it's not the only Sam's club in the area so we'll try another one. 

What are we going to do now! I seldom make suggestions which drives Shirley nuts. She says she hates making all the decisions but I think she loves to be in charge. I just always don't want to be a bother but I spoke right up and said, 'I want to go to Michael's crafts. I need new paint brushes.' Had a great time wandering up and down the aisles just looking at things that I would have scoffed up when I was younger. But, I just looked, got my brushes, a pool noodle and an American flag. 

I bet you anything you are wondering what in the world am I gonna do with a pool noodle! I can just hear those brain waves twirling! You see, I have this neighbor that lives under me who thinks if she hears one single sound out of my apartment it's cause for complaint. I've never had anyone else complain before so I guess it is her, I am not making more noise. Probably less. 

So, when I turn my Roomba on it has a habit of bumping into doors, walls, .... you get the picture. I thought if I slit that pool noodle down it's length and slid it around the outer part of my Roomba it wouldn't make as much noise. I just gotta figure out how to anchor it around that thing. Glue? Nah... tape maybe. We'll see. 

It was a gorgeous day and only like 2 p.m. so Shirley asked me if I was hungry. I mean, we just ate  but she's thinking dessert at one of our favorite eating places, Decoys. Oh yes... there's always room for that. We both got key lime pie. 

But, while the waitress was waiting on our order Shirley was muttering under her breath about whether to get pie or maybe some of their fabulous hushpuppies. When we got our pie, that sweet waitress brought us a basket of hushpuppies, too. On the house! I think I would have been happy just with those. They are so good. 

So, yes, I do feel better today. I do have to say that the sweet, caring, thoughtful comments I got on that last post made a huge difference in how I felt. Thank you, each and every one of you for caring. Love you girls!! 

Getting Out of The Dumps

 I was down in the dumps this morning, have been inching in that direction for days. 

1. I know that I am isolated too much

2. I know that I am stuck in a rut seeing the same residents and doing the same thing all the time.

3. I know that I see a slow-moving decline edging it's way into my life.

4. I know that I should be on top of the world that I am doing as well as I am

5. Now, what to do about it.

It helps that Shirley will pick me up around 11 tomorrow to eat at Cracker Barrel... It's turkey and dressing day!!

It helps that we will then go to get me some new hearing aids. Can you believe that I LOST my hearing aids at the wedding in Georgia? We never did locate them so I am in the market for new ones. 

It helps that I just watched a documentary on Grounding/Earthing. It sounds weird, I know! But, I asked ChatGPT about it and was told it isn't fully supported by the scientific/medical community. Well, duh..I've known for years that the medical field isn't interested in trying things that will take away their profits. 

Chatgpt said it would be beneficial to be outdoors. sit with my bare feet in the  grass, connect with nature. It can't hurt a thing and will get me out of this apartment. Now, if it will just stop raining! EVERY DAY THIS WEEK!

My Fill of Breakfast Food

 Hi there,

Long time no see! I am struggling so much with what to post so I just don't post. I'm gonna have to come up with something.... let's see. 

I have a lady that comes once a month. I am not sure what her title is since dau. Susan was the one who found her. Bless her heart, Susan thought I needed more help. This lady does a ton of different things but I do my own cooking, laundry, straightening up (have a housekeeper come in to do the rough stuff) This gal  also is a pseudo-therapist/life-coach.

I like her company so much that I just couldn't tell her no so I finally said, "you can be my life-coach. Keep me focused on what I want out of life". I think we do more just visiting than any thing else but that's alright, too. We all need someone who loves to listen as well as talk. 

Anyway... we went to First Watch the other day for a late breakfast. I said, when they opened that place, I was going to go until I had tried every item on that menu and I am well on my way. 

I got the Chile Chorizo Omelet... So good.

             My friend/life-coach had the Eggs Benedict. 

I wonder what I'll order next time. 

Well, now, wasn't that just the most boring post you've read lately? Like I say, my post "well" has run dry! But, I'll keep posting something!! 

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?

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. 

Beautiful Sunday Drive

 A Beautiful Sunday...

Too nice to stay inside so I headed up to my daughters, 35 miles away, for a visit. I don't drive much anymore so I got in that right lane and I stayed there. No switching lanes for me!! 

We had a lovely visit. Shirley and I went  for Italian food for lunch leaving the guys to fend for themselves. The salad I could eat a ton of... 

We then drove around searching out all the signs of Fall that we could find. 

I came home, happy, content and tired. Crawled up in my recliner and turned on the tv. But.

What a beautiful Sunday it was! 

Just Find Me Some Good Food!

                  If anything can happen, it will happen to me and Shirley!

A lunch date and we decided to go to one restaurant, but we got lost and ended up a block from another place that we had eaten several times before. We were hungry .. we just parked and went in to Place #2. 

Neither of us was 'feeling it'. The items on the menu just didn't click for us. I finally selected a chicken salad sandwich and fries. Shirley got 2 sides. The chicken salad was just cooked chicken chopped fine with some mayonaise mixed into it... no taste. So uninteresting. And, my fries... they were limp as a wet noodle!! No crisp to the outside, mushy inside. We gave up after a few bites and left.

Got in the car and we look at each other and asked 'What just happened? We just spent $35 and we are still hungry. I get this idea that we should just find place #1 and get us another lunch. 

That's what we did. Have you ever done that? Had two lunches within an hour of each other. It was funny as heck and we kept laughing about it. But, Place #2, the food was good. I had soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. There was plenty of food and flavor and we were happy. 

On a sadder note

My Susan lost her best buddy last weekend. She'd had him for 8 years but poor fellow got cancer and couldn't make it any longer. 

Snickers was attached to Susan's hip from day 1. It's a tough time for her so just give her a thought and prayer. I am sure she'd appreciate it. 

A Stop at a Farm Market

 It had been ages since Shirley and I had been to Cracker Barrel for turkey and dressing but yesterday we fixed that mistake!! So glad that the CEO of that establishment came to her senses and got things back like we like them.

While driving home we stopped in a farm market... so cute a place and I bought some goodies.

 I couldn't pass up a tray of huge muscadines. Now, for those of you who are not from the south.... muscadines are wild grapes and are soooo good. Most people don't eat the skins 'cause they are tough but the taste of the pulp and juice is just divine. These were so big....

I also got some sweet potatoes. Love them baked with butter and brown sugar on them. I bought a quart of pickled spiced peaches but those are on hold for the holidays. 

As we parked back at my place Shirley noticed a grape vine growing in a tree by the parking area. It looked weird! By doing a google picture id I found out that a tiny insect called a leafhopper was causing that pretty pattern on that leaf.  I like the look. but, I am sure it isn't healthy for the vine.

I think it just puts you in a different frame of mind to get out and enjoy the sights of a new approaching season.