The Friday Five

The Friday FiveWell, well, well. Here we are on the first Friday in April. If we are lucky, this will be the real start of Spring and we can wave goodbye to Winter. As I sit here not really listening to the TV, here are the things I have thought about this week.

  1. I’ve noticed the last week or so when I have gotten up in the morning, that I am being serenaded by the newly returned birds. I had rather a deep conversation with one of them. I’m just not sure which bird. I will be delving into that in the future.
  2. I am waiting for my shipment of dog foods from Chewy. They wrote a nice email explaining that it may take a week to ten days, due to the emergency we are experiencing right now. It is exactly the reason I ordered it early. I expect others have as well.
  3. I have been enjoying cooking meals for Jack and me. We have been fortunate that our local shops have had beautiful produce. I have allowed myself one morning a week to suit up, with hats, gloves, and mask and head to the grocery store and buy fresh produce. God bless the truck drivers of our country!
  4. Lili’s ear is already so much better. Her right ear is infected, and I had to bring her into the Vet. I waited in the car and they took Lili in, examined and cleaned her ear, brought her out and the Vet talked to me all the while standing at a distance.

    20200331_113628The ride home from the Vet was beautiful. Giving me lovely views of the mountains around me.

    Then I used my cell phone to call them with payment and then the Technician brought out her medication. Easiest Vet visit ever!

  5. Since discovering my flourless zero-point banana pancake, I realized I needed a stash of bananas.

    20200323_075751I eat berries and yogurt (hidden under the berries) and my banana pancake almost every day. So good and it is only 4 Points for breakfast including my coffee.

    So I bought a bunch of bananas the other day and as they ripen to perfection, I mash the banana up, and place it in a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze. Then I can take out the banana the night before, thaw and the fridge and presto! I have my morning delight!

Stay safe, and healthy Gentle Readers and remember, stay home and the life you save may be your own or someone you love.

E-mail-dackelMaribeth

The Friday Five

The Friday Five

Another week has passed, only right now the time seems to be dragging along. Not going fast, but at a snail’s pace.   Things are a bit overwhelming, but we go on. Here are this week’s Friday Five.

  1. As I watch the news and listen to the number climb of cases of Covid-19 around the world, I feel unease seeping into my soul. I only go out when I have to. This week I will go out on Saturday. I will need bread, eggs, and bananas. As well as some cold-cuts for Jack. Perhaps some eggplant? We shall see.
  2. I’ve been attending online meetings for my WW Class. I’ve enjoyed seeing people I know and hearing that it just isn’t me trying to do the WW Program when they are under stress.
  3. After the surprise snowstorm, most of the 6+ inches of snow has melted. The sun is shining and suddenly I notice that my sliding glass door windows are a mess! I’m thinking today when our temperatures rise, I will be out there cleaning them.
  4. I’ve been making really incredible meals. Healthy, low point meals. I have had no complaints from Jack.
  5. I think I will break out my crocheting. It will give me something to be doing with my hands while I am watching TV.

What are all of you doing to pass the time? Any new projects? Are you cooking fun meals?

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Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

The Friday Five

20200206_160117It’s another Friday Five! Wow! Has this week gone by quickly. It’s been a little stressful, but somehow we are all getting through. So much is happening in the world, but here is what is happening in my little piece of the world.

1. On Monday New Hampshire only had a couple of cases of the Corona Virus. Here we are on Friday and we have over 40. Each day when I wake up there are a few more. We are a small State, and this is hitting us very hard.

2. Mostly, I have been able to keep Jack in. But the other day he became impatient with me and drove off to the Post Office to get the mail. I told him that if he gets the Virus and dies, it is his own fault!

3. I heard that Market Basket (Grocery Store) was having Senior times for shopping. From 5:30 AM until 7 AM, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. So on Thursday I was up at 4 AM and drove down to Market Basket. I got there early, as I knew the Gray Generation would be out in full force. I was correct. I was the 3rd person in line, and it seemed like all of a sudden at 5:30 there were over 200 of us going into the shop.

4. It was tricky. They had no eggs, almost no meat, and very limited vegetables. The canned veggies and the frozen veggies were gone. There also was no TP or paper towel. But I did score some Eggplant and Enlightened Ice Cream Bars, although they had no Mint Chocolate Chip which is Jack’s favorite. Almost everyone was nice and kind.

5. As I finished up my shopping, I got out to the car and it was raining. Oh well, I thought, at least this is not snow! I began the drive home and no sooner had I gotten onto the highway then the rain turned to snow. Heavy snow! And it continued all the way home. It is still snowing, as I write, but at least I am in.

So there you go. The five things on my mind as the week ends. I hope you all stay healthy and well and that all this Virus stuff goes away quickly.

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The Friday Five

The Friday FiveWell, here we are. Another week has gone by. It was a busy one for sure and also one that had me feeling a bit off-kilter. Here is what’s up.

  1. From Sunday until Wednesday I researched Laptop computers. I knew what I wanted and so I read, searched and planned. I pretty much knew on Tuesday which machine I would order, and on Wednesday afternoon I put the order in and my new baby will arrive! I am so excited!
  2. Of course, Wednesday was also exciting because of my weight loss. It’s amazing how joyous I feel about all my hard work and losing weight is work!
  3. Wednesday Night, President Trump spoke of the Corona Virus and the seriousness of the virus. I thought I was handling things well, but it shook me up. I admit that I worry. I worry about all that I love, be they young, middle-aged or old.  I woke at 5 AM unable to shut off my brain.
  4. I made a list of the last few grocery store things I needed in case we get shut down. Two schools in neighboring towns have shut down due to the Virus. So it is here and one must take precautions.
  5. Today I go to the Glaucoma Specialist, as this is really important. I will bring hand sanitizer and be very careful. I was supposed to stay at my daughter’s home, but have canceled. I need to be home to keep Jack and the pups tended to. I also canceled my Colonoscopy next week because of the possibility of exposure at the VA.

So this is all churning in my head and I am trying very hard not to get carried away. But it’s hard not to. I hope next week is a better one.
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The Friday Five

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The week flew by and now we are officially into March. Here are the five things occupying my mind as the week closes.

  1. Arnie went in for his dental on Thursday. He lost three teeth. One was pretty bad, and I think it was causing him pain. It’s the reason I called for a dental cleaning. I simply had a gut feeling that he was in pain. Chalk one up for the old lady. Unfortunately, I was right.
  2. On the way home from the Vets, Arnie howled the entire time. He also sat in my lap (Jack drove) and cuddled against me.20200305_162721

    Currently, he is asleep next to me.

  3. The VA called today about my colonoscopy. They wanted to be sure I was still going to do it? Yes. Was I nervous in any way? Yes. I told them about not wanting general anesthesia and they said they would relay that to the doctor and get back to me. I’m not being a baby, I just got really afraid when I didn’t wake up correctly the last time I had surgery.
  4. It’s Frost Heave Season in New Hampshire.
    tink_taylorcroporange_frost_heaves_pics__3_For those of you that do not know about Frost Heaves, as soils freeze and thaw, ice layers can also form underground. The most common ice and soil feature that we see in New Hampshire is the ubiquitous Frost Heave. When water turns into ice, it expands.tink_taylor_frost_heaves_pics__1_ When it happens underground, it can cause the overlying material to lift upwards, which is known as a frost heave. Frost heaves can be strong enough to damage roads, bridges, buildings, foundations and railroad tracks. Today it was like trying to drive along the San Andreas Fault Line! OMG! It was a challenge to find parts of the road that were not heaved!
  5.  This weekend will be a busy one for me. I’ve got a ton of laundry to do, a house to clean and a little doggy boy to spoil and take care of.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy it!

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The Friday Five

20200206_160117The week flew by and although I wasn’t crazy busy, it certainly was a full week. It’s the last Friday of February, which also freaks me out. In any case, here is this week’s Friday Five.

  1. It was my bi-yearly dental cleaning. I always have dental-anxiety due to a horrible dentist in my youth. My current dentist is very kind, but I still feel queazy when it’s my day to go in. I had no cavities, but my teeth in the back right have shifted causing me to have a pocket.
    20200226_200759
    They showed me the neatest soft gum picks, which I absolutely love!
  2. Wednesday was WW Class. I knew I had done well, but I wasn’t sure how well. I am not dieting, I have worked hard to change my lifestyle.
    Screenshot_20200226-080209_WW MobileI am actually eating the foods that will help my liver problem as well as my slightly high cholesterol. If anyone tells you that losing weight is easy, they are not being honest. It takes time, strength and the ability to be honest with yourself at all times.
  3. I am getting to be a real sleepyhead. It seems I cannot make it up past 9 PM. Two of my favorite shows are on at 9 o’clock and I’ve been falling asleep trying to stay up and watch them. Thankfully, “Homeland” shows the episode on Monday at 8 o’clock on Showtime and I can watch “This Is Us” on my computer the next morning.  I do get up at 5 AM with the dogs, so I am thinking that has something to do with it. In another week our clocks go forward an hour, and then I should be better.
  4. After looking at Arnie’s teeth it’s pretty clear he needs a dental as well! I called his Vet and made an appointment. He goes in next Thursday, March 5th. Yes, March the fifth. Can you believe it’s going to be March on Sunday?
  5. I decided to try a “Sweet and Sour Tuna” for lunch. Well, I took one bite and really didn’t like it! I actually put it down the garbage disposal. Why eat (and record points) for something you do not like? I made some turkey breast along with my roasted eggplant and I was happy. Guess what’s for dinner tonight? A turkey tenderloin. LOL. Thank goodness I love turkey!

Well, everyone, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. It is supposed to be very cold here, but I have two things on my list. 1. Crocheting again and 2. laundry. You know you will never be lonely because you will always have laundry!

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The Friday Five

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This was a busy week. We had a snowstorm, doctor’s appointments and I got my hair done. Here are the highlights of this crazy week.

1. In December I found some pretty yarn and I thought I would make an afghan for a loved one as a gift. Unfortunately, the yarn had one very big problem. It pilled and shed. So, I bought a de-fuzz and de-pill machine and set off to fix the problem. Here is the before.
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Here is the after. Well at least almost after. I still have the last half of the second side to work.
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The afghan will not be given away. I will be putting it on the back of my sofa. This sure taught me that sometimes a deal isn’t really such a good deal!

2. We had more snow. Ugh. Yeah, I think we are all over the snow.

3. Jack had his Orthopaedic appointment and we drove through the snow to get there, and then back home in pretty darn slippery conditions.

4. The next morning, I went to WW. This was only interesting because our plowman hadn’t been. I put the Highlander in position and it pulled me right up the drive in about 5-6 inches of snow. What a great car.

5. Today Jack returns to the Orthopaedist to have his finger/hand-manipulated. We hope that the membrane holding the finger stiffly bent, will snap and his finger will work normally.

20200208_094033Here is a picture looking up our long steep driveway. It’s always beautiful, except when you need to be somewhere in the middle of a blizzard!

The Friday Five February 14, 2020

20200206_160117Here we are. Another week has gone by. It’s still amazing to me how fast life is going now. I remember as a child thinking each day was an eternity. Now they slip by faster than I care to think. I am not ready for life to simply slide by and soon I will find myself an old lady, whose pantyhose bags around her ankles.  In any case, enough of that so here is this week’s Friday Five.

  1. This was one crazy busy week. I was supposed to get my hair done but begged off as I don’t like driving in the snow. Hopefully, next week she can squeeze me in.
  2. I’m still infuriated about the Insurance Company denying my doctor’s prescription for eye drops. Imagine some Clerk sitting at a computer who thinks they know better than my doctor! Yeah, that really irked me.
  3. Tonight I am making fresh Green Beans and Roasted Turkey Tenderloin. One of my favorite meals. Tomorrow it’s fish. I’m taking my WW meal planning very seriously.
  4. We did get snow on Thursday, but not near as much as they forecast.
  5. Today is Valentine’s Day. I’m so lucky to have my family who love me very much.
    My Loves

Most especially my grandchildren.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine's Day 2

The Friday Five

20200206_160117Here we are, the first Friday of the month of February! We all know that February is a quick month and I know it will go fast because it is filled with appointments. Anyway, here goes for this week.

  1. This week was not overwhelming. Probably because this week the only appointment I had was to go to my WW Class.
  2. Speaking of WW Class, I am really enjoying it. I simply adore the ladies in my class. They are so supportive and caring and each week I feel they are cheering me on!
  3. So, here is how I am doing on the WW Green Plan.
    February 5,2020
    I like the “Green” plan because it has forced me to plan out my meals and count my points. As you can see I am doing very well.
  4. I have been doing some Spring cleaning. I deep cleaned the kitchen recently and bought new carpets. Well, that spurred me on and I ordered new carpets for the master bath. They arrived today and I deep cleaned the bathroom. Twice a year I wash down the walls as well as the usual stuff. With the new rugs, it looks rather splendid!
  5. We had snow on Thursday and it appears today we will have a combination of snow and ice. Ugh. Truly, I am ready for Spring!

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The Friday Five

The Friday FiveIt’s funny, but after doing a Thursday Thirteen, doing a Friday Five is a tad tricky! Since this is the last Friday in January, here we go!

  1. I have found a group of ladies who do Vlogs on Youtube. Mostly they are focusing on the Harry and Meghan situation, but they also cover various other things happening in England and Canada. Call me intrigued. I listen to their entries nearly every day.
  2. A friend mailed us a Christmas gift from Hamburg Germany in the middle of December for Christmas. The package, with a beautiful teacup and teapot, arrived today! And people say our Postal Service is bad. In any case, the tea set is beautiful!
  3. I made another batch of Vegetable and Chicken Soup. This is so easy and so good. And only 1 point a serving!
  4. I watched a little TV, but then noticed that in less than one week the dust I worked so hard to rid my house of, was back! Out came the dust cloth and my house is once again dust free. Well, for another few days!
  5. My new prescription came back in my much-loved glasses frames. It’s amazing how much better I can see! Call me one very happy lady!

49350424676_a3ca53c9ff_b copySo that is all for this week. I am off to see Savannah and Quinn over the weekend and I can hardly wait. It’s been far too long!

ArnieMy beloved, Mr. Arnie!