a pre-Thanksgiving post...2023

 

wish this was me today... but not!

Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving (tomorrow) as there will be no time once all the kids get in later.

Had a bad week last week with bp spiking again... but better now. Have Cardiologist appointment for another heart monitor scheduled (ugh!) Thought my B-12 injections had settled that problem, but I guess not.

Anyway, busy this morning making bourbon sweet potatoes, and our traditional Thanksgiving dessert (which is a combination chocolate and vanilla puddings with a pecan cookie crust, cream cheese, and cool whip). DH is smoking the turkey and the ham. Kids are bringing the stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, home-made sourdough bread, cranberry bites (not sure what that is - but daughter is bringing it as well as another dessert). We should also have bourbon pecan pie, apple caramel pie,  and whatever else shows up. 

We will be 9 or 10 around the table this year (would be 12 but oldest son and his wife are in Mission, TX and won't be in this year). Daughter is also bringing their Great Dane, Moose, as she found someone to watch the horses at their place, but no one to watch Moose. He has never been here before, but is a very well behaved dog... (although the feral cats out back won't like it).

No time for further blogging. Timers going off! 

Wishing all of you a wonderful Happy Peaceful Thanksgiving!

Moose

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Update on annual Wellness Exam...

getting old meme

This will be rather short. Just had my annual Wellness Exam. Both my Primary Physician and Nurse Practitioner were booked this past week, so I took an appointment with the new Physician's Assistant. She was great, very personable and extremely thorough.

I know that as we get older, there are a ton of questions that must be asked that are required to make sure us elders are not depressed or physically or emotionally unable to take care of ourselves. But I do find some of the questions a bit strange... like: "Are you afraid of falling?" I know it's a legitimate  question and the reason for it, but my silly side just wants to say, "No, not at all. I look forward to it". Of course I don't say this. I just say "no". 

Then there's: "Do you need to hold on to something when getting up?" I had to think about that one. If it's from the ground, "yes"... or a low chair... but normally, no. I only answer "no".

There were a 'ton' of others that I don't remember now... but my silly mind finds them funny.  She also had me do a bunch of physical exercises  and  asked me to answer questions like: 

"What's the date today?" (easy one) 

"What's the latest news you heard on TV?" (had to think about that one as I don't watch the news much anymore) But I knew about Israel vs Palestine and Hamas - so apparently that counted.

Then she told me a name and address and asked me to repeat it back a little later. I did this without a problem (although this one could have been a problem since words do disappear quite quickly sometimes).

Oh, and she asked me to draw a clock with it's numbers, etc. Then make it say 11:10. (This one I really had to hold back on because I wanted to draw a digital clock and write 11:10 on it - as I'd expect my granddaughter would do. I'm not sure she can read a analog clock.) But of course I didn't. I drew the round clock I knew she wanted with the clock hands saying 11:10. (the sad thing about this is that this drawing is what my mom couldn't do when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when she was 92).

analog clock

digital clock
(just in case you didn't know the difference)

All in all, this annual exam made me realize that DH and I are at THAT AGE  where your ability to take care of yourself is under consideration/assessment. Luckily so far, we have no problems as of yet. Some things aren't as easy as they used to be... but still do-able. 

Sorry this is as long as it turned out. If you kept reading, thank you. I was able to get my B12 injection and the blood test results will be in soon... so I believe all is well and I'm good to go for another year.  

Leaving you with a pic of my bonded plants (Mary Maiden Fern and Hatch Pepper) - with their new friend Chris the Christmas cactus.

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

(Also it's Veteran's Day! My heartfelt thank you for your service and for your sacrifices in keeping our country safe.)

(It's also our oldest grandson's birthday! He's 25 today and a wonderful young man. We love him dearly.) 
 

 

a few ramblings...

These are my new resolutions...  actually I never make new year's resolutions, just try to renew my focus on what's important now and again. 

Sometimes it takes a child to make us realize this.  Our granddaughter (10) was recently faced with a situation in school that ended her up in the Principal's office. What happened is that her music teacher told her to get up in front of the class and sing (by herself). She said "no"...  

She spoke up. As it turned out, the Principal was on her side and said she was going to talk to the teacher.  And I agree that it wasn't an appropriate request. But I do wonder if it had been me as a child, would I have had the guts to say no.  (I can't hold a tune, but would I have given in to authority - probably). 

 

Next is a picture of our Senior Center:

It's a really nice place, but very busy most of the time. We do go there to walk, have coffee, and check out the library... but classes and outings are almost always full.

Next I read this and had to laugh...  thought who wrote it was pretty good... especially that last line. 

And :

... and listening to my ramblings

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

just a few of my favorite things...

Surfing through my iPhone pics and deleting some this Saturday morning, I came across some old sayings and favorite pics that I thought I'd share. Some I've probably posted before, so bear with me.

I do this... to save my sanity and lessen stress

this is the good stuff... don't miss it

I have to remind myself of this... a lot

This has always worked well for me...

I just really like this idea

It does!!

Had to put this one in! So true...

Now for some favorite pics:

Feral climbing tree in backyard

Golden bunny in bed with granddaughter

And lastly

because it looks so good

 that I might have to make it this week!

Home-made African chicken peanut soup... and brownies!

Thanks for letting me share this morning. And wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

November 1, 2023 Rabbit Rabbit! White Rabbit!

 Yes, I'm late posting this... but still

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

You don't have to comment... just have a wonderful peaceful happy healthy November!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Back from road trip...

Halloween  Cookies  (bats & pumpkins)

Made these bats and pumpkins again for granddaughter and neighbors kids. Same pic from previous year... but I make the same cookies (teacakes) every Halloween. Kind of rushed this year as we just got home yesterday.

Happy Halloween!

Hi Everyone! Sorry if I missed commenting on anyone's post this past week. We just got back from a long over-due road trip to New Orleans.  Left last Sunday and got back yesterday (Monday). We had a wonderful time traveling with DH's brother and his wife. They live in the Houston area, so we drove down to their place first and spent the night. 

Then we left for Baton Rouge the next day, stopping at Mike Anderson's LSU restaurant for oyster po-boys and sweet tea! Drove on in to New Orleans after lunch and found our hotel downtown. The next morning DH and his brother took off for the War Museum... and the ladies took off to visit Magazine Street and the French Quarter. 

BTW, we 'Hubered'... for the first time ever! It was great. The Huber drivers were so friendly and helpful. The hotel valet recommended it, telling us to 'always check the license plate on the Huber' to make sure it matches the one sent to you on your phone... to stay safe.  

I think everyone had their fill of good New Orleans food! We ate at some great places (Char-broiled Oysters, Oyster Po-boys, Roast Beef Po-boys, Crawfish Etouffee, Muffalettas, Beignets, Cafe Aulait, etc.)

We spent the next day in old City Park - love City Park with all the huge Oak trees and old moss - had Cafe Aulait and Beignets there and walked the sculpture garden by the lagoons. The weather was perfect. 

Love the tree in City Park

Then we drove along the lakefront and went by where my old house/neighborhood used to be. Katrina destroyed it so it's been long gone, but they built a beautiful white porched 2 story in it's place. Pretty nice...

Then we visited the brothers' family in Baton Rouge on the way back to Texas. It's been about 8 years since the boys have seen their older brother and his family... and it was a short, but fun visit. We spend the day with them and then went out to supper that night together.

DH and his brothers & family (me on far right)

Unfortunately us girls didn't get to visit our family in N.O. - but that's because we both have so many relatives there that there just wasn't enough time. Besides, we plan to go back down this spring or summer.

That's about caught up for me. I'll try to read the blogs I missed tomorrow. Hope everyone had a really good week...  and it seems like the Fall has finally come here. Hope it stays.

So... again... Happy Halloween to all of you!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

A tale of 2 cleaners...

This is a story... not an exceptional one, but a story all the same... and one I want to tell because as I mentioned a few days ago, I've been a bit 'down' lately. 

I don't know about you people, but in the general population, I'm considered 'short' at 5'4 (could have shrunk to  5'3 by now, but I'm sticking with 5'4). My husband, kids, and even my daughter (at 5'8) tower over me. 

To be honest, I've always considered myself 'average height'... but when buying jeans, it is difficult to find them that aren't at least 4 inches too long. Recently I've taken to buying those that actually say 'short'... does it help? NO! They're still at least 3 inches too long. 

Now I don't sew... yes, I quilt, but don't actually do sewing by hand. So, when I try to fix these myself, it's sad and not something one could wear in public. So, if needed, I take them to a cleaners who usually have an alterations person available. This time the cleaners employee we went to (since we hardly ever use any cleaners since retired) was almost rude. No smile, just a flat "No, sorry alterations lady on vacation". When I asked if she possibly knew anyone else who could help me, she just shook her head and walked away.

So, we went home and I googled alterations near me. Found a place really close that wanted $30 to hem my jeans (...they only cost me $22?). That was a no go on principle alone. Next I googled other cleaners near me... and found one fairly close. They didn't answer their phone so I couldn't call them to check price, but we got in the car and headed over.  Big place, clean, looked well run... little Asian man came out and  asked to help. Told him what I needed done and asked the price. We had a little 'language' trouble, but he was so kind and cheerful, that I didn't mind. He made a phone call and checked his computer and came back with $17??? Like "Is that OK?" I smiled and said, "Fine"... and we talked a bit. He was so nice that I left there feeling better than I had in days. Told DH we're using this cleaners from now on!! 

I guess my point here is how someone's disposition  and/or smile can make or break your day... 

Have a good one! : )

Hugs (virtual),

Rian