60F+ on November 28th!!

What a beautiful day!

It was so beautiful that we worked outdoors nearly all day!  Leaves collected, lawn mowed to collect even more leaves, outdoor Christmas lights are up and we are tired!!

Rick took his Pontiac to the shop to have the guy work on whatever is wrong with the clutch.  The guy is so busy he can't get to Rick's car until Monday.  Business is good for him and that's a wonderful thing!

I rode my trike (for the last time until spring) to Walmart to get a gift that was ready pickup.  I put stabilizer in my gas tank and filled up the tank, hooked up my trickle charger and brought in my helmet, papers, etc. into the house for safer keeping.  She's all tucked in the garage for the winter months!  It was super nice to be able to get out this late in the year for a little ride.

Busy hands

Yesterday was a doctor appointment for Rick as a follow-up to his pneumonia this summer.  He's doing well, thank goodness.  I'm so proud of him for taking care of himself...I know it's not easy sometimes.

After the doctor, I had to - NEEDED to - get more yarn!!  I spend so much time on the computer playing games and reading articles that I get upset with myself.  I'm finding that if I have a project I can keep my hands busy with, I won't fall asleep while we watch television in the evenings.  I've got a small hand-sewing project to finish, then I will make baby hats to donate to Akron Children's Hospital for an event they are sponsoring in February.  I went to Hobby Lobby which is the closest craft store near me and they didn't have a similar yarn to what I had success with.  Sigh...on to Chapel Hill to go to Michaels.  SCORE!  I got these two yarns.  They are so soft and cuddly...just great for newborn babies.  Hmmm...thought this photo was of the two I bought.  Oh, well, this is one of the yarns!

We had dinner with Cris and Jerry at Applebees and I went to Walmart to TRY to pick up an order I placed online.  It wasn't ready (and that was my own fault because I didn't wait for the email that told me it was ready, but the original email said it would be ready the same day).  Well, it took forever to get the news that it wasn't ready and that was a little annoying.  I finally got notification at 6:30 this morning that my package was ready.  In my book that is NOT "same day" pickup.  Oh, well, it's ready today and since it's such a nice day, maybe I'll ride my motorcycle to pick it up and that will most likely be my last ride of this year.

Rambling about my Thanksgiving weekend

Wow!  What a Thanksgiving!

I'll start this post talking about Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  I made desserts to take to Kelly's family in Pennsylvania.  I made a beautiful pumpkin roll and Rick made his world-famous pumpkin pie.  I got everything laid out to take along with us as we left on Thursday morning and would be spending the night to return home on Friday.  Lots of stuff to take even though it was just one night!

Thursday morning we piled in the car...Rick, me and Sophie and we were going to stop by McDonald's to grab a breakfast sandwich as we drove.  Nope!  McDonald's was closed!!  I didn't think they ever closed.  Even the location by the interstate was closed!!  Oh well, we got on the turnpike and the rest area had a Panera.  I got a bagel and Rick got a sweet roll and Sophie got to get out and go to the pet exercise area to sniff around and squat for a piddle.

We got to Kelly's about 12:30.  It was great to see everybody, that's for sure.  The only sad thing about our time together was the fact that Jennifer and her family weren't with us.  I just adore seeing all the grand children together.  The love each other SO much that it makes my heart sing.

We had a delicious and stress free meal - turkey and all the trimmings!  Lots of desserts, that's for sure.  Evelyn's friend brought an apple pie (and it was sooo delicious, even though it was not homemade but store bought), Diane brought brownies and cupcakes,  we brought pumpkin pie and pumpkin roll and Kelly made a pumpkin bread.  Add an array of flavors of ice cream and you have our dessert table!

Friday morning Kelly and I went Black Friday shopping.  I haven't done that in years!  We left the house about 5:45 (we both slept in our clothes so that getting up and out wasn't disruptive to those still sleeping) with a coffee.  We went to the outlet mall (it was pretty desolate by that time because they had been open all night) then to several other stores.  We were back home by 11 and grabbed a bite to eat.  Rick and I got the car packed up and we left for home.

The rest of Friday was pretty much a rest day!  Saturday I got up and put a turkey in for us. I can't believe I had an 11 pound turkey in the oven by 7:30 am!!!  I don't have a clue why!!!  It was done by 10:00!!!  Hahaha!!  Oh, well, I just carved it up and put it into containers and we had it for dinner!!  I offered it to Rick for breakfast, and we had a good laugh.

I went shopping to try to find an item that Kelly said the girls would like.  Nope...couldn't find it/them.  I checked a few stores to no avail and can't find it online, either.  I picked up a few things at Walmart and then back home.  I worked on some red baby hats to donate to the hospital for an event they are having in February.  Red hats for all babies born during the month of February to support something for heart awareness.  I am using my knitting loom and it's not easy for me to get the hang of it.  Anyway, I made 2 hats, so now I have 4 made!  I need to get more yarn to make some more.

Today...well, today is Sunday.  I threw in some laundry and got my shower.  I decided to sew for a bit and got all the "channels" sewn in the wall hanging I'm currently making.  I got our Christmas tree down while Rick was walking Sophie and put it t
ogether.  While I was sewing, he made all the adjustments to the branches and put on most of the ornaments.  I finished up the remaining ornaments and he put on the garland.  We both commented that it was the easiest tree trimming in our history!

Tonight was turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes and gravy -- all leftovers.  I love turkey!  Tomorrow morning I'll have a turkey sandwich for breakfast and then I think I'll freeze the remaining turkey.  I have broth made, so maybe I'll add turkey, wild rice and veggies to it and we'll have soup later in the week.

My weekend was great.  I'm blessed.  I'm loved and I'm happy.

Sleep is good!

I find it interesting that after I had the cataract surgery(s) that my sleep was "off".  I've been really tired lately, but last night I got LOTS of sleep and I feel great today!  Here's a photo of my Fitbit sleep report!  Pretty great!

I've been pretty busy today, finished this snowman panel into a chenille wall hanging.  I found the concept interesting.  Sew Very Easy had a YouTube video of it and it looked so easy!  Lots more work than I was prepared for and it's not very large, but it sure is cute!!

I got the trash emptied from the sewing room and the rest of the house and took out recycling and trash to the curb for tomorrow's pick up.  I vacuumed and tidied the house a bit.

Dinner tonight (and to Hard Rock Casino) with Portia and Arnett.  Not too excited about going there, but it's ok.  

The EYES have it!

Yesterday was Friday.  Lots of things happened yesterday...

Cris and I went out to hit up the thrift stores to hopefully find some baskets for giving her Christmas nut rolls.  They are absolutely delicious and if we're lucky, maybe we'll get one.  We met in Hartville and while we were at Hartville Thrift and Goodwill, I found 2 stuffed toys for Sophie. (Which, by the way, she LOVES!)  After the shopping, we went to Hartville Kitchen and had a wonderful Cobb salad for lunch.  Their salads are delicious and I often forget about that place.  After lunch, I headed home and she headed to Pickleball. When I got home, Rick was working on raking leaves.  I shouldn't do too much because of my eye surgeries, but I put on my protective eyewear and helped.  Didn't take too long, as we didn't do the whole yard, but it looks so much nicer.  I mowed the hostas and the peonies and mulched the leaves in that area of the yard with the mower.  Rick was so sweet and thanked me sincerely for my help.


Rick and I got to Dr. Ripkin's office and we were called in RIGHT ON TIME!  Now that's surprising, to say the least, as it doesn't happen very often.  The nurse/technician checked what she was supposed to, then we went to the "smaller" waiting room for what we thought was a short wait.  Nope!  All in all, we were there for 2 hours!!!  Oh, well, he's a wonderful doctor and an emergency set appointments back.  As much as I wish we hadn't been there that long, if I had an emergency and needed him, I'm sure he would have taken care of me.  That's worth being his patient.

Anyway, in checking my post surgery status of my eyes, things aren't bad, but things aren't perfect.  Right cataract was removed Oct. 24 and there is a "wrinkle" "fold" in the eye.  My vision is not as good as it needs to be in that eye and I most likely will need a laser procedure.  (sigh)  The left eye was done Nov 7.  The vision is quite good in that eye.  This is the eye that has the black eye.  He explained how it happened...the anesthetist, when he inserted the needle, missed a little and it bled.  I have a couple of lumps in that area that the doc explained were blood and they would go away.  My eyelid itches and the entire eye socket is very tender. I'm supposed to "up" my steroid drops for the next week and he thinks that might help; if not, call him after that week.

After leaving the ophthalmologist, we went to visit Rick's friend Pete.  We drove to Cuyahoga Falls and went to Pete's.  Sophie loves Pete and the feeling is mutual!  We stayed there for 15 or 20 minutes, then decided to have dinner out at Dontino's.  It was so good!

Then we came home and relaxed.  Toys were played with, treats were given to the good dog and cat.

Blow by blow description of my Friday!

Vessels

Aren't these really pretty for using as planters?  I have one succulent planter that I made when I took a workshop at Graf Growers in Bath with Cris.  I love it and when I brought it in from outdoors this fall I had a couple of "leaves" that had broken off and were on the soil.  One had some little sprouts forming and I thought I might like to plant more of the succulents for next summer. I've joined a Facebook group that discusses and ooohs and ahhhs over succulents.  

When I went to the grocery store yesterday, I stopped by the Goodwill store.  I found these and decided they would be fun to use.  The two small ones are actually soup mugs and the one in the middle is a planter.  

I won't be using them until spring, as it's best to work on  your succulents then. 

The Pharting Phrog and his demise

LOL!  See the exploded dog toy in two piles?  See one tired pup pressed up against the draperies by the window?

Sophie has had a toy frog.  She plays REALLY hard with her toys and this toy needed some repair.  I did a "skin" transplant on his belly and his back.  I really did a great job fixing him up, truly I did.  She was given this toy about 6 pm tonight.  This photo was taken about 7:45.  In the realm of things, this toy lasted quite a while!!!  This girl LOVES her toys -- to death!!!

I have to laugh.  She loves to play, she loves her toys.  She waited while I did surgery on this poor guy...her nose pressed against him as I held him in my lap and hand stitched his "graft".  When she got him back, she was just thrilled.  She pranced around the house, showing him to Rick and tossing him in the air.  However, when "Pharting Phrog's" time was up, it was up!!

I'm tired today.  I went to JoAnn Fabrics and it was like they were giving away things for free.  I had to wait about 30 minutes to have my 2 fabrics cut (actually, got them both for remnant prices cause I'm such a savvy shopper) and then had to wait at least 30 minutes to pay.  This does not count the time it took to find fabric that is close to what I wanted to match.

Then I went to WalMart in Stow, Ohio to get the wine that I enjoy.  Our local (Kent and Brimfield) WalMart stores no longer carry it.  Our local Marc's store has it, but I bought the last of what they had. I'm not a big drinker, but this wine (Sangria) is so good and I enjoy having a glass of it at night a few times a week.  I got 2 bottles, some whipped cream in a can for my coffee drinks.  Not a lot of shopping, thankfully.

There were people EVERYWHERE, I guess it's because of Veteran's Day sales.  I don't enjoy being out and about when stores are so crowded.

Hmmm...it's 8:15.  Might be time to have a glass of sangria!!

Friday this and that...

It's Friday!  I don't have a lot to chat about, but here's the day's doings.

Cris came to get me about 10 this morning and we set off on our day.  We went to purchase some tart cherry juice at Fresh Thyme (near Belden Village) and then we went Marshalls to look around.  Guess what I bought???  Yep a couple of toys for Sophie!  After that, we went to International House of Pancakes for lunch.  I was drooling at the selection of pancakes available, but ultimately went for the avocado turkey wrap.  It was good, but I think the ranch dressing actually "made" the sandwich!  Haha!

After that, we went to play pickle ball.  Well, to be specific, Cris played and I cheered and chatted with everyone.  Not allowed to play for while due to the eye surgery.

I got home about 4 and did a few things around the house.  I was going to go and buy a turkey to donate to Kent Social Services, but I reminded myself that driving is not in the cards for me just yet.

Tonight we were invited to Laurie and Mike's home for dinner.  They made kielbasa, steamed cauliflower, macaroni and cheese and squash...acorn and butternut.  It was really nice to get together and share a meal.

I putzed around with some of my plants today, so thought I'd post a photo of my succulent planter that I made this spring at Graf Growers.  It's going to need some cleanup and pruning, but from what I've read, it would be best to wait until spring.

Bad eye makeup?

         

Well, here I am in all my BLACKened-eye glory.  I guess the anesthesiologist evidently did something to cause this, but the bruise doesn't hurt and should not impede my healing.                                                                                                                                                                       The eye is definitely tired and aches, but no sharp pains or anything to worry about.  Last night, between 2 eye guards to protect each eye and my c-pap, I didn't sleep restfully.  Tonight I have had a nice glass of sangria and am unwinding, so hopefully a better night's sleep is ahead of me.

I posted on Facebook that instead of telling folks who stare that I had eye surgery, I'm going to say I was in a bar fight.  

Sleep tight.                    

Mrs. Crazy Eye!

Second (left) eye is now cataract free!  I had surgery about 9:30 this morning and now all I need to do is relax and heal.

I took a l.o.n.g. nap when we got home.  After a nice, long rest we left the house about 4 to vote.  We're back and I'm sitting here in my comfy chair and waiting for my guy to bring me some dinner.  He is so good to me, that's for sure.

Tomorrow I return to the doctor to have the patch removed and begin the regimen of putting drops in both eyes for a while.  Lots of drops, lots of drops!! 

Crazy woman on the loose!

"Crazy woman nesting" continues!  Today I emptied, washed and stored away the hummingbird feeders for the winter.  I cooked up Swiss steak for at least 2 meals (probably more like 3 or 4), chopped peppers and onion for a macaroni dish that Rick can cook up while I'm resting from my surgery.  Trash is out, except for what needs to go out after dinner tonight.  The litterbox is clean and the fridge has been cleaned out.

It's been a very strange day, weather wise.  It's been rainy, but balmy and warm.  Now it's storming, thunder and lightening!  We turned the clocks back last night, and just in case I've not said this before -- I hate EST.  Give me DST any day of the year.  I like my daylight hours to be as late as possible.

 Yesterday I was just exhausted at the end of the day.  I drank the tart cherry juice that's supposed to help you sleep.  I slept like a rock!  I'll drink another 1/2 cup tonight and hopefully I'll have good results tonight, too.

Busy Saturday

Busy day today.  I'm officially in my "nesting" phase of coping with things before an upcoming surgery.  I've done laundry, washed windows in the dining room, washed the sheer drapes and rinsed them in Epsom salts to be crisp.  We put away the cushions for the deck chairs, got tarps to cover the furniture for the winter, put away the fountains and moved plants.  I went to the store and picked up a few needed things and to tell the truth, I'm POOPED!

I bought food for meals for next week, but I'm just exhausted, so I won't be cooking tonight.  We called Dominos for pizza and will go and pick it up in about 15 more minutes.

When I was out yesterday, Cris and I bought some tart cherry juice as it's supposed to help you sleep.  I stopped taking diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl) to sleep as I read it can cause problems as you age.  Tonight I will have half a cup before going to bed.  Hope I sleep snug as a bug in a rug tonight!

Fridays with Cris

I've read the book "Tuesdays with Morrie", but I could write a book called "Fridays with Cris".

Every Friday, my sister and I go out and about.  We leave by taking turns driving, the driver picking up the other one about 10 am and we decide just what we want to do.  This summer we started playing Pickle Ball on Friday afternoons, so we have a focus.  By 12:50, we need to be at the tennis club ready to hit the ball around with some wonderful new friends.

Today I picked her up and wanted to go to World Market to pick up some Nyakers (probably the richest-tasting ginger snaps ever) that were on sale.  I thought they would make a delicious Christmas gift for a couple of the neighbors.

We popped into Beiler's Market to see what produce items we might need, but for the first time, we didn't get a thing.

Cris was on a quest to find maraschino cherry juice.  Maraschino cherries are packed in the juice, but my brother-in-law needs more than that small amount!  After stopping at a couple of places to find it, calling to see if other stores might have it, we found it in the Lakemore Plaza at a little wine and liquor store.  Hurrah!

We had lunch at Perkins.  The food was filling, but the experience was just ok.

Pickle ball was fun...it always is.  I was just exhausted, though.  It was the first time I played since my cataract surgery and evidently my body is still recovering from that.  I get to play Monday, then it's off for a while as I'm having my 2nd cataract surgery (on the left eye this time).