After Christmas Sales

Tuesday I went shopping. I was enjoying the after Christmas sales. I found a great selection of Christmas cards at 40% off their list price, and proceeded to buy what I will need for next year! I think the best thing is that I was able to get cards I really liked. As I have mentioned before, I just LOVE a good sale!
After filling my car with cards I headed over to JC Penney’s for their sales. I looked at pocketbooks, as I really have a pocketbook fetish that hasn’t been fed in a while. After walking around and around I understood why. I simply don’t care for the current styles. Hmmm.
Then I went into the sleep wear section. I always get a new robe and new flannel pajamas after Christmas when everything is on sale. This year was no different. I got a pair of leopard print flannel pajamas, and a mint green fleece robe. Both were 50% off. I was feeling good about the money I was saving as I slid my credit card through the machine!
Then I went to Sears and stood looking longingly at the vacuums. I really hate my current vacuum. It’s fine for someone with no animals, but after a few years I find that each time I was taking it out to use I felt like I was simply putting dust in the air and on my furniture and that the stupid machine did nothing to really clean my house. So there I was standing, looking, nearly crying with the longing of a thirsty woman for a tall glass of ice water, when my cell phone rang and Hubby asked what I was up to. I told him what I was doing and then explained all the reasons I simply had to get that vacuum! He listened and then said, quite casually, mind you, “So get it” and I did!
When I got home and unpacked it from the box, my hands shook as they caressed the sleek body of the white canister machine. I plugged it in, and heard the soft whir of the engine as it came to life. My heart skipped a beat!
So what did I do all day on Wednesday? I think you know. Yes, I cleaned and vacuumed until the happiness was almost more then I could stand!
Okay, I admit it. I’m getting old. Old is when you get a major appliance like a vacuum and you find it’s making your entire year. I remember 20 years ago I wanted new clothes, books to read, games to play, stereo equipment, etc. Now, I don’t want all that crap. It just sits around taking up space. I good appliance that will be used several times a week is worth it’s weight in gold!

Great News

I saw Dr. C. yesterday, my Retinologist. He was pleased with my eye and pronounced it fit and empty of all the bad post-operative debris. I knew it was, and I expected this good report, but it was still nice to hear him say the words.
In an ironic twist, yesterday was the third anniversary of my retinal detachment. I remember it so well.
I was chatting on the computer with my friend Uschi in Germany when all of a sudden a curtain dropped on the vision in my left eye! I didn’t quite know what to do. Uschi told me to call my eye doctor, and I did. While I waited for a return call, Uschi and I chatted about what it could be. I suspected a detachment, but kept talking myself out of it. It was nothing, just some strange minor glitch.
They called me back and said I was to come to the hospital immediately. The hospital is 55 miles away. Hubby was in Southern New Hampshire that day on business, my neighbors were gone and after talking to Hubby on the cell phone we decided it was best for me to drive, so I got in my Jeep and headed to the hospital. I did rather well with the drive, until I got to the highway. Then merging onto the road, I felt off balance because I had no vision in the left eye.
My eye doctor examined the eye and brought me by the hand to Dr. C.’s office. We were introduced, he examined my eye and pronounced he needed to operate immediately. He scurried off, leaving me there with my mouth hanging open.
When he returned he told me that he had his A surgical team on standby and he would operate in about an hour, or as soon as he could get me prepped.
I remember asking him what would happen if I didn’t have the surgery? “Simple”, he said, “You’ll stay blind in that eye.”
Okay, so that was probably the easiest decision I have made in the last 20 years.
I was brought down to the pre-operative area, changed out of my clothes, given a cursory physical and got the IV put in.
A nurse came in and told me that they really hated to operate on someone without having their next of kin there, or at least have them know.
I hadn’t been able to reach Hubby since I got to the hospital, so I called my sister, Mel and told her what was going on. I was being so brave right up until I heard her voice, but then I just lost it! She promised to keep trying Hubby’s cell phone to alert him to the fact that they were operating immediately, and we said good-bye.
As they wheeled me into the operating room I remember looking up and asking Dr. C. “When can I go skiing again?” He sort of laughed and then I felt so relaxed that I couldn’t have cared if I never skied again!
I remember the voices during the surgery. I remember Dr. C. telling me to be still and to let them know if I felt anything. I remember the kindness of the Anesthesiologist who held my hand as he kept me on the edge of consciousness. I had no idea that the surgery had lasted three hours.
Hubby arrived during the surgery, and he spoke to Dr. C. after it was over. I saw him when I got to the recovery room, but they wanted to keep me overnight, so he went home and I went to the only free bed they had in the hospital, in “The Pediatric Ward“!
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In the hospital after surgery.
I went home the next day,
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but the recovery was long and uncomfortable with 4 additional surgeries to clear debris from the eye. But I have my vision and so it has been worth all that I have gone through. Being able to see, is truly a great gift.

Inhale and Hold Your Breath

I decided a week or so ago that due to the abundance of food in our house, I had to eat. It wasn’t for myself, you see, Hubby is a diabetic and to protect him from all the sugar and fats, I decided that I would eat. The first things to go were the Snickerdoodles. I gave away a ton of them, but there were a few left, and since they are primarily made of sugar, they had to be eliminated.
Next, the chocolates. Friends had sent us a basket of assorted fine chocolates. Now surely this would send Hubby into a diabetic coma, so down they went. You know I did this to “save” him. Such is my love for him!
Then there was the Chocolate Chip Cookies. He loves those, and even though I made them with Splenda, well those carbs just aren’t good for him. So I helped get rid of those too.
Christmas morning I opened the Stollen Christmas Bread from Germany. It’s a family tradition. The bread is made with candied fruit, raisins and marzipan filling and then covered liberally with powdered sugar! Well, there you go. The sugar thing. I had to save him from that too.
Somewhere around dessert Christmas night I realized I was on a “sugar high“. I felt jazzed, like I could run a marathon. In fact I didn’t sleep well that night because I was so full of sugar. Where would it all end?

Yesterday I went out shopping during the after Christmas sales. I grabbed some great pants off the rack and headed right into the changing room to try them on.
As I stood in front of the floor to ceiling, three way mirror I saw where it all had ended up! Right on my hips! Oh, My God!!! I inhaled. I held my breath. Sadly, it was too late. the cookies, stollen and chocolates had found a new home. Right there on my hips!
There was a black cloud over the Liz Claiborne Outlet store. It was filled with all the naughty words I ws spewing from inside my changing room. How could I have done this?
A tear escaped one eye as I put the size 10’s back on the shelf. I couldn’t be too depressed, because I’d eaten those things to save Hubby and well, it’s a sacrifice I would make again for the man I love.
Still, come midnight on January 1st I will go back strictly on my diet. I will throw away any leftover sweets and stock up on sugar free jello.
And as much as I hate to even “think” about this, I will exercise.
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What I want to know is why? Why, when you get to a point in your life when you can actually enjoy yourself, are you suddenly just one donut away from “Fatdom”? Long ago, back in my 20’s I could eat what I wanted and I didn’t gain weight. Now, suddenly in my 40’s all I have to do is look at food and I gain 10 pounds!

So until next week I will inhale, and hold my breath and hope that the zipper on my jeans holds!

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping

Got the best deal of the day, a Liz Claiborne car coat, for a mere $60, 40% off the list price! I also got new pants, a new shirt at LC. Then it was on to Jockey where I got new undies, slippers and t-shirts for Hubby, all at a reduced price! We hit the Hallmark shops and got next years Christmas cards, 40% off, and on to Walmart for wrapping paper, bows, lights and Christmas stuff for 50% off! Didn’t buy anything at full price! I’m feeling very happy!!!

Christmas Eve

For an early Christmas present, the three dogs let me sleep until 8 o’clock this morning! WOW! I was amazed that they did, and that I really needed the sleep.
Today is a day of cooking, cleaning and doggie gift wrapping. Since I don’t want to go out into the crowded stores on a day when I know they will be filled to the brim with last minute shoppers, I planned well and have all my shopping done. Hubby had a doctors appointment yesterday and he went shopping for groceries, gifts, etc. and he was amazed at all the crazies out there. He called me on his cell phone and said, “You were smart to stay home, it’s a zoo out here!” I just smiled. I knew it would be!
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Merry Christmas Eve to you all!

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Your own unbaked pie crust
Filling:

1 large can (29-30 oz) of solid pack pumpkin
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup Brandy
5 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Preheat oven to 350* F. Mix well all pie filling ingredients. I used my kitchen aide mixer and really whipped it well. Pour entire amount into 10-inch pie shell. Set on baking sheet in the middle of the oven. Bake until the filling is set nicely on the edges but the center still trembles slightly, 50-60 minutes. Cool pie completely on wire rack, (filling will continue to set as it cools). Chill.
Serve with fresh whipped cream and enjoy! This really is delicious!!!

Family

Yesterday we drove down to see my Uncle, “Aunt George” and to take him out for lunch. We arrived to find him all dressed up in a suit with a cheery Christmas tie! I hugged him close and then we sat down and talked for a while. We looked at pictures, talked of old times before leaving for the restaurant.
This country mouse must mention the traffic here. I was amazed, not only at the traffic, but at how much this part of Massachusetts had changed in the last decade. So many new homes, and so many new office buildings! And a lot of wild and crazy drivers! Eeeek!
We drove to “Legal Seafood’s” and they told us it would be a 20 minute wait. It was only about 10 minutes before they escorted us to a table, and by then my cousin Janet arrived and we all sat down together.
After we gave our drinks order we all exchanged gifts for Christmas. Here is the funny part. I gave Janet a night shirt with pictures of little puppies that look like her dog Wolf! And Janet gave me pajamas with “Barbie” on them and fur around the neck! They are so cute! Pictures to follow!! (LOL)
We all ordered our meals starting with the best Clam Chowder I have had in a long time and ending with dessert, for me it was Bananas Foster, which Janet and I shared. I’d never had it before, and it sure was delicious!!!
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Janet and her Dad.
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Me and my “Aunt” George!
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Me and my best friend and cousin, Janet!
The time went much too fast and before we knew it, it was time to head back to New Hampshire. It was so wonderful to spend this time with Aunt George and Janet.