Category: Friday Five

January has been cool and really with not too much snow, although as I type it is lightly snowing outside.

I began to follow Weight Watchers again after gaining a bit of weight following an increase in my medication.

I took the bull by the horns and started once again on this diet. And yes, for me it is a diet. A lifelong diet as I struggle to get it all under control.

Anyway, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1.  I recently printed up a new Phone/Address Book. Jack and I have reached that stage of your life where you check the Obituaries each morning, and if you are not listed, then it is a good day! Unfortunately, many of our friends have passed away. The Address Book is much thinner. Sadly so.

2.  I drove Jack to the VA on Wednesday for bloodwork. It was a pretty day, just cold. I put Heidi’s sweater on her, and she came with us.

She almost always rides well, but she was doing a wee bit of howling on Wednesday. On the ride home, she was nice and quiet.

3.  In some ways it’s good I’m back on the wagon with WW, as I really have very little appetite. My loss this last week was 8.2 pounds. I know I won’t be a big loser like that each week, but it was a good jump start.

4.  Do you know what I think was the hardest thing to have coped with during the Pandemic? How to cope as you were shut away from your family. I remember standing in Mandy’s kitchen delivering supplies just before the USA shut down. I was so afraid I would bring the germs to my daughter and grandchildren.

5.  The Pandemic hit me very hard. I was afraid. Not just scared, but terrified! During the first six months, I clenched my teeth so hard that my jaws ached. I began to stay inside my house. I became a recluse. I have previously discussed the fact that although some will say I am an extrovert, I am, in fact, an introvert. Currently, I still feel quite a bit of anxiety about being out in the world again and how to get my life started. I guess it is baby steps.

So that’s it for this week. I wish you all a happy and healthy weekend!

Here we are the first Friday Five of 2023. This week sped by, and I wonder if 2023 will as well. So here is this Week’s Friday Five.

1. Last year I began using Storywoorth to write down many of the stories of my life. I started with my grandparents and worked forward. I included some of my favorite stories and recipes.
2. I originally was doing it just for Mandy, but my family and friends asked for copies. And I also made copies for Savannah and Quinn.
3. Several people told me to write Book #2! More stories and more recipes. And on January 3rd, 2023 I started Book #2!
4. Then I went to the Post Office and a book written by Davis Paton arrived from Scotland. Here’s a little more about him.
   “David Paton first gained recognition as the lead singer and bassist of the group Pilot, writing their hit songs, including ‘Magic’ and the number one ‘January’ in the mid-1970s. He then went on to collaborate with various major artists such as Kate Bush, The Alan Parsons Project, Elton John, and Paul McCartney. He has always had a genuine passion for writing, playing, and producing all types of music, with an emphasis on collaborating with other musicians. Still highly active in music, he lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.”
5. Christmas is over and the few decorations I put up are now down and put away for another year.

I was making an appointment for Heidi to go in for a grooming, and the woman said, yes next week on the 19th. The 19th? Is December really almost gone? Oh well, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. I will start with having watched Harry and Meghan’s little docu-drama. I recall many years ago some said to me that if I wanted to have a good life, a life where people did not see me as a victim, then I had to stop playing that part. Meaning, keep your private things private and for goodness sake get along. Neither Meghan or Harry did this.
2. I fear that Harry has the worst case of sibling rivalry, and Meghan will never get over the fact she will never be Queen despite the fact that she came this close to telling Harry she hates his brother.
3. After several years of not seeing their children’s pictures, apparently, if you pay them millions of dollars they will show you. Cute kids
4. I did find inconsistencies in what they had said in previous interviews. (Hello Oprah) so I am unsure. I watch Judge Judy all the time and she says, “Just tell the absolute truth and you will never have to worry.”
5. I wish them nothing but the best. But now that they have had their say, it is my hope that they will stop doing things to make trouble. They can easily go off and live happily ever after in the mansion. Meanwhile, I just filled my oil tank to the tune of $974.00. If we are lucky it will last 6-8 weeks. This is not something H and M need to worry about, I am sure.

So that’s the Friday Five. All about Harry and Meghan from my point of view. I am not a professional, and these opinions are strictly from my observations.

Well, here we are the end of another week. in just 21 days the year 2022 will end and we will start 2023. I am hoping and wondering what the New Year will bring. So let me give you this week’s Friday Five!

1. It’s now official. I have finished Christmas shopping for my family! I am so happy. I worry and fret about the gifts and making them happy.
2. Today I was returning some wonderful Merrell Winter Boots. For as long as I can remember I have worn a solid 10. Today I felt like the ugly step-mother in Cinderella who was trying to shove her foot into the glass slipper and could not. So, back they went.
3. I brought Heidi with me when I went to return the boots at the UPS drop off point, and I carried her in. First I think my girl is getting a little chunky, but when she saw my friend she was so excited she wee-wee’d all down the front of my coat and troussers.
4. This meant as soon as I got home, both Heidi and I had to shower and my winter coat went into the wash.
5. This weekend I have planned to watch Christmas movies while I wrap presents. I found the best wrapping paper. Santa flying through the air being pulled by a team of dachshunds! So very cute.

So that is the week that was. I am thrilled with gratitude that members of my family are feeling better after contracting Pneumonia and Covid.

Christmas is coming and I am really psyched!

Here we are, December 2nd! Just a few more weeks until Christmas and then we bid 2022 adieu. So here we go. Our first Friday Five of December 2022!

1. I saw the most lovely Christmas Cactus at the grocery store. It was so beautiful that I had to bring it home.

   Currently, all the buds are opening and I am enjoying it even more!

2. Heidi has this new game. She likes to sit close to my laptop computer and touch the screen with her nose, thus throwing off whatever I am writing about. Heidi is a little imp!
3. Tomorrow I will begin doing my Christmas cards.  I’m not doing a letter, I will just write small personal notes inside each one. As it is, I am sending out fewer and fewer.
4. I have decorated for Christmas in a small way. I used to go the whole hog, but now I have a small tree and some decorations.
5. Lastly, I bet I will work all weekend on the cards, laundry, and some cooking. Jack has said I can cook anything, just not turkey!

I woke this morning and realized it was Friday and I had not written a Friday Five. More than likely this is because this week I have been crazy busy. So here I am in the early morning hours of  Friday writing.

1. Although I did not want to, on Wednesday I spent the day going into a larger town with a cheaper grocery store, food warehouse, and gas.
2. It was a good trip, and I was able to stock up on canned goods and jarred sauces, jellies, and gravies.
3. We have had the most beautiful weather this week. Sunny and warm and although the leaves are now off the trees when the skies are this blue it almost feels like Spring!
4. I had my hair done on Tuesday, and that felt great, although the Eczema is currently bad on my scalp. It is both itchy and painful.
5. Lastly, Heidi had her hair done and it came out so well. She still has a lot of her puppy fur, but we’re working to bring her coat into a full grown-up coat.

   We are lucky to have found Christi, who knows how to strip a wire-haired coat!

Have a great weekend, wherever you may be! It is supposed to be a very nice one!

This week was rather unsettling for me.  I was faced with some things that brought the dire circumstances our country is in, into my very little world. So here we go.

1. We got the bill for having a new pump installed into our well. $3400.00! Yes, you read that right. I almost fainted when I saw the bill. All they did was open the cap, pull out the pump, replace it and then close the cap and it was done. They tell me the biggest problem is the near-daily increases in pump prices. In my next life, I am coming back as a plumber!
2. I stopped out at the local grocery store to buy supplies and I happened to notice that several items had increased in price. Jack’s coffee cake is up $2.26 in price. It is now $6.25. A year ago it was $3.99. His cookies have increased by $3.00! The cookies went from $3.99  and it is now $6.99. And the bakery bread at the store has gone up a dollar. I was shocked that in less than two weeks prices have skyrocketed.
3. This means I will be driving 25 miles or so to another store that has better prices. It is a bit of a trek, but I simply cannot afford the prices at our local store.
4. I have not had any more run-ins with the bear. We know he is out there, but not coming close to the house. But I have to tell you, I take one dog out at a time, and I use my super flashlight and talk loudly to the dogs.
5. Heidi brings joy to every day of my life. She is so good-natured and a real cuddler. I am so lucky!

Have a great weekend and enjoy the last days of this warm Autumn!

Heidi age one year!