Currently

It's all about the rain here. We're in the middle of yet another wet stretch in what has been a ridiculously rainy year. To those of you suffering a lack of rain...I wish I could send you some a lot of it. At least we are moving into temperatures that feel like fall. Today's high is predicted to be 62 and Wednesday's high is supposed to be in the 50's. Yes! I love it when fall feels like fall. We should be back up to 70 degrees for highs by the weekend and no rain. That is good news as I've "booked" our daughter and her husband to help put up the Halloween display.

Well on to living in the moment.

I am...

Reading... The Cozy Nook Bookshop by Jeannie Chin. 

From the back cover:

"Emma Rogers-Li is having her worst chapter yet. She's lost her friends, her apartment in Manhattan, and a jerk of an ex. When a job opens to run a bookshop in the quirky small town of Heart's Hope Crossing, Vermont, Emma jumps at the chance to start over. For the first time in years, she feels like she's finally calling the shots in her own life...until she runs smack into Hunter Hall.

"According to town legend, it's fate--couples who meet (or collide) at that corner are meant to be. And while Emma doesn't believe the town gossips now convinced she and Hunter are destined for each other, something about the tall, gruff forest ranger sends her completely off-balance. Falling in love with Heart's Hope Crossing might be the best thing to happen to Emma. But Hunter has a complicated past of his own when it comes to love. Can they both take one last chance on a perfect happily ever after?"

Watching... I spent a lot of the weekend binge watching a show on Hallmark+ called Signed, Sealed, Delivered. It's about a quirky team of postal workers in the dead letter department of the Denver post office. I'm so disappointed there is only one season of it. I got so involved in every story and ended up in tears at some point during every episode.

Listening... to silence. It's Monday. The kids are back to school and my daughter won't be around as her husband is off this week.

Eating... Not that much, really. Since my surgery I've found I usually only eat twice a day and I'm not eating as much. I hope that continues even after I'm healed and I can lose some weight.

Thinking... Tim had better keep his appointment with our PCP this afternoon. He has not been feel that great and I worry because he is not doing much beyond sleeping when he is home...same as both times he ended up getting stents put in his heart for blockages. He got home around 3:00 on Saturday and went right to sleep on the couch for about 4 hours. He got up and ate. He was up for maybe an hour and then he went to bed. He got up early on Sunday, but after an hour or two was asleep on the couch. I think it was around 2:00 when he finally got dressed and went to the store. By 5:00 he was asleep on the couch again. He got up at 7:30 and went to bed. I honestly don't know how he is functioning at work.

Feeling... better all the time. Bumps in the road no longer make me clutch my stomach and gasp in pain and in the TMI category, I can finally go to the bathroom without discomfort. Coughs and sneezes, though...yeah, they still hurt.

Celebrating... Wednesday is our daughter and son-in-law's 9th anniversary.

Enjoying... diamond art crafts more than I could have imagined. I am usually not the craftiest person and if a craft takes more than a half hour or so at the longest, I lose interest. Not so with the diamond art. I have stuck with it and have finished quite a few things. I'm excited about a custom kit I ordered last week. It's from a company called Paintly. I told them I wanted a kit depicting Chincoteague and told them what elements it should include (wild ponies, crabs, cottage, lighthouse) and their AI created it. It was perfect! I won't work on it until after the November craft show, but it's going to be a fun one to work on.

Thankful... my daughter and I were able to diffuse a situation with my mom last week. She was in an extremely distraught frame of mind due to a scam call and my stepdad called me nearly in tears because he was worried about her and couldn't reach her (not to mention some guiltly feelings because he yelled at her for talking to the scammers). Fortunately, she answered when I called and she wasn't far from my house so she came there. I had my daughter come over and between the two of us we were able to calm her down and help her sort through the facts and gave her some advice about how to figure out what was true. A couple of phone calls later and she was greatly relieved.

Honestly, I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I hope there is a special section in hell just for the people who use their God-given talents to try to scam others.

Praying... our granddaughter gets the help she needs at school. Our daughter wanted to hold her back in first grade again, but the school refused. The poor thing is really struggling now. Our daughter wants her to have an IEP so she will get more help, but she has called the school and various offices several times and none of her calls have been returned.

Looking forward...

Monday: Tim's appointment with the PCP

Tuesday: My post-surgery appointment at UPMC Magee Women's Hospital.

Wednesday: Our daughter and son-in-law's anniversary

Weekend: Getting the Halloween display put up and the grands are staying over Saturday so their parents can go out for their anniversary.

Giggling...

Happy Monday, everyone!

Saturday 9: Everybody Loves a Clown

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Not everyone loves clowns. "Coulrophobia" is the irrational fear of clowns. Do you have any fears or phobias?  The main ones, the "biggies," are snakes and sharks.

2) This week's featured artist, Gary Lewis, sings that he jokes a lot at parties. In social settings, are you more a talker or a listener? It very much depends on the setting and who the people around me are. I can be very social and talk a good bit if I'm comfortable with those around me. It also depends on the topic of conversation. If someone is saying something interesting, I will be quiet and soak it in.

3) He's dreaming of a special girl. Do you often daydream?  Not so much these days. I used to do a great deal of daydreaming when I was young.

4) Gary named his band The Playboys because they were always late to rehearsals and Gary joked that they would rather play than work. Do you tend to be early, late, or exactly on time?  I was raised to be early, but as I've aged and lived with those who run late, I've come to run a few minutes late most of the time. Work would be the big exception. I am always early for that.

5) Gary Lewis had first-hand knowledge of clowns. His father was famous funny man Jerry Lewis. Who always makes you laugh? Always? Mmmm....maybe Jeff Dunham.

6) In 2017, Gary was in the news when it became known that Jerry disinherited all six of his sons from his will. Have you ever attended the reading of a will?  I was there when my grandfather's will was read

7) This past summer found Gary Lewis on The My Generation Tour, performing with other acts from the mid-1960s, like The Lovin' Spoonful, The Hollies, and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. Do you enjoy listening to "the oldies?"  I do. I like all kinds of music.

8) In 1965, when this song was popular, Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion of the world. Have you ever attended a boxing match?  No

9) Random question: What color is your toothbrush?  Blue

Three Weeks Post-Op

Yesterday marked three weeks since my surgery. I can say that my recovery hasn't been too bad. I still have a bit of discomfort here and there and too much activity wears me out, but I am improving and I am getting out of the house more and more. I'm still working diligently on crafts, though.

On Wednesday I drove my daughter to Pittsburgh for her appointment at the women's hospital. We were out from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for that. She didn't get any instant answers, but they listened to her, really listened. That experience alone made it worth the trip and left her in tears. She has been brushed off and poo-pooed for so long. In short, they believe it is possible a hormonal imbalance could be at the root of many of her problems and are looking into. The doctor said it will not be an instant fix, but she believes they can help her. She had blood work done before we left and from what she can understand of the posted results it seems to show some hormonal things are out of whack.

Yesterday I drove to Walmart to pick up a few things we needed and was so happy to be out and about that I spent an hour browsing around the store. It proved to be a bit much and wiped me out for the rest of the afternoon.

Today my daughter wanted to escaped home for a while (her dog got sprayed by a skunk for the third time this year...and after a bath went right out and rolled in the grass where the skunk had sprayed so she needed another bath). I got talked into driving us to the Goodwill Outlet about 45 minutes from us. We didn't find much (some days are better than others there). We had lunch at the Raising Cane's next to Goodwill. 

All in all, I feel like I'm moving in the right direction. I guess Tuesday will tell. That's when I go back to Pittsburgh for my follow-up appointment.

Currently

I am

Reading... I gave up on the Nora Roberts. I just couldn't get into it. Instead, I started on a book I picked up at Target during the summer, Rumors & Whiskey by Victoria Wilder. It's the first in a new series. I've never read anything else by her, but maybe you've heard of her from her three book series The Bourbon Boys.

Watching... Hallmark, Hallmark, and more Hallmark. I am watching The Five on FOX right now.

Listening... Today it's been the sounds of construction coming from the new build across the street and the riding mower and push mower as my daughter has been tackling the grass situation. We've had a ton of rain lately and it's been too wet to mow before now.

Eating... I've got a new Pinterest recipe in the oven. It's very simple. I hope it's good. In a baking dish you combine 2 cups of instant rice, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1 packet of dry onion soup mix, and 1 1/2 cups of water. Mix it all together then add 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika to the top. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Do not lift the foil at all during the cooking time. The chicken breasts I have a rather big so I only put 2 of them on top of the rice.

Thinking... about tomorrow. I haven't driven since before my surgery. They told me not to for 3 weeks. I've been okay with it. Thursday is day one of week 4 and my release from the no-driving rule. I'm going to jump in one day early. My daughter has an appointment in Pittsburgh tomorrow. I was going with her, anyway, but she asked me if I was okay to drive because she hates driving in the city. I just hope we don't get stuck sitting in traffic for too long. I'm not sure I'm good with that. I still have some discomfort.

Feeling... accomplished. I am getting so many crafts done!

Celebrating... my grandson's teacher update. He's doing really well in school so far. That is such a relief as he HATED school before.

Enjoying... planning my Halloween skeleton display for this year. I don't do the crazy scary stuff. My skellies will be having a barbecue/pool party riding flamingos and playing badminton and all sorts of fun things. There's even going to be a lifeguard.

Thankful... that my recovery continues to progress well and for all I've been getting done around here.

Also, for the FBI, who thwarted a planned mass shooting here in western PA. Apparently, a young man, who has been on the radar for quite a while, planned to assassinate the assistant attorney general. I'm not sure how, but the FBI said the potential was there for many people to come to harm.

Praying... for my daughter's appointment tomorrow, our nation and our leaders, and the world in general.

Giggling...

 

Saturday 9: Devil in the Bottle

I'm not sure there is much point to answering this week's questions with all the problems Blogger is having. Comments seem to be fixed, but now the blog lists don't seem to be updating. Mine has been sitting static since Tuesday. It's getting old. Is there anyone awake and working over there at Blogger??

Well, for what it's worth...

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song begins with T. G. Sheppard taking off his shoes to slip into the house with disturbing his sleeping wife. Are you wearing shoes as you answer these questions?  No, I'm barefoot and in my pj's. It's Friday night and I'm watching yet another Hallmark movie/

2) His wife hears him anyway. Are you a light sleeper?  Not for the first 3-4 hours that I'm asleep. After that my sleep is easily disturbed. I miss the days when I could sleep like the dead for 10 hours at a time.
 

3) This is the first of 22 consecutive #1 hits for T. G. Sheppard. Not bad for a high school dropout. What's the last year of education that you completed?  I have two years of college under my belt.

 

4) He was born William Browder and chose the stage name T. G. Sheppard just because he liked the sound of it. He says "T. G." doesn't stand for anything, and he gets a kick out of fans who insist there's some secret meaning behind the initials. Since most of us didn't choose our names: Is there a story behind your name? Did your parents tell you why they chose it? (If you did choose your name, share what influenced your decision.)  I don't think I'm named for anyone. My mom actually wanted to name me Anastasia just because she liked it, but a family friend talked her out of it.

 

5) It was after hours at a Memphis roller rink when he first met Elvis and his entourage. As T. G. was leaving, Elvis was entering and asked if he wanted to stay and skate longer. T. G. was confused because he knew the place was closing for the night. "Not for me," Elvis replied and T. G. skated with Elvis and his buddies until dawn. Are you good on roller skates?  Heavens, no! It's all I can do to stand up with wheels on my feet.

6) T. G. loves NASCAR and was an associate sponsor of the Folgers Chevrolet. He enjoyed the collaboration with the coffee company and has performed the familiar jingle – "the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup" – in concert. Are you loyal to a particular coffee brand?  I don't drink coffee.

 

7) T. G. understands the lifestyle of his fans. That's why he named his live country music venue Guitars and Cadillacs. If you were going to name a business after two of your favorite things, what would you call it?  Books and Beaches or maybe Books and Snacks.

 
8) In 1974, when this week's song was on the country charts, Linda Ronstadt was getting a lot of radio airplay with "You're No Good." That song is about a real cad. Let's turn that around: Who is the nicest person you know?  Maybe my work buddy, Don. He likes to act like he's all grouchy and tough, but he's the one who always remembers everyone's birthday or other important things and does something nice. I got a lovely vase of flowers my last day at work before my surgery. It was from everyone, but I know he is the one who went and picked it out. I'm sure he is behind the big package of homemade cards and colored pictures I got from all the consumers, too.

 
9) Random question: Have you ever had your palm read?  No.

Thanks to Sam for the music and questions!

Play along here.

Remember

 

It's been 25 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11. All of us who were alive at the time can tell you exactly where we were, what we were doing, and many other details of that day. The thing is, as I heard on the news the other day, there are now over 100,000,000 people living among us who were not alive then. And it is somewhere in those numbers that a door was opened to the ideas that America deserved what it got, that Communism disguised as Socialism is good. In one generation we seem to be doing our best to undo what so many patriots fought to preserve. It seems the terrorists have gained a mighty foothold. 

Don't forget history. Don't forget those who sacrificed. Remember and share those memories. Don't let our forefathers dream die.

But above all, stay rooted in Jesus. When nothing else makes sense, He does.

Currently...

I am

Reading... still working on that Nora Roberts double feature. I haven't been in the mood to read like I thought I would be while I'm off work.

Watching... yet another Hallmark movie. This time it's Texas Two-Step. It's not bad. Mostly I've been working my way through all of their mystery series.

Listening... to the country soundtrack of the above mentioned movie, the hum of the AC (it's going to be a hot one), and the click of the laptop keys as I type.

Eating... it was cantaloupe for breakfast today. We drove up the mountain on Monday to shop at a Mennonite market and came home with lots of goodies...fresh produce and goodies like pumpkin spice fudge.

Thinking... about what to do with the rest of the day. I'm thinking I'll wash dishes, try to do a load or two of laundry (I can't carry a basket so I have to take two or three items to the washer and go back for two or three more until I have a load), and maybe work on some more diamond art for the craft show in November (maybe I'll work on bookmarks).

Feeling... pretty good for being slightly less than two weeks past surgery. I'm moving more and getting out a little here and there. There's just a little discomfort now and then. Unless I sneeze, cough, or we hit a pothole while in the car. All of that still makes me feel like my guts might explode out.

Celebrating... the all clear from my doctor. The tests showed no spread of the cancer and the tumor was at an earlier stage than they thought so no chemo or radiation. I just have to get checkups for the next 5 years. 

Enjoying... having unlimited time to work on crafts, relax, read...do whatever I want.

Thankful... for the big manilla envelope full of "get well" and "we miss you" cards and drawings from the clients at work that came in yesterday's mail. It was so sweet and made my day.

Praying... for our daughter. She is having health issues again, but maybe, just maybe someone is going to listen to her about her feelings that she has a hormonal imbalance. That alone could account for a lot of the things she suffers with. Also keeping our friend, Dave, in prayer. He has colon cancer before (and a lot of other problems), but now he has pancreatic cancer. His wife told me last week that one of his doctors said it is stage 4/terminal. God can and does still work miracles so there is still hope. As a friend put it a long time ago, "As long as there is breath in the body, there is still room for hope."

Giggling...