Tuesday, 10/29/24 - 10:46 a.m: we had a quiet day at home. Can’t remember much about what we did so it was a good day, though couldn't have been anything exciting. I like non-exciting days (I am writing this on Wednesday the 30th.)
Wednesday, 10/30/24 - 5.37 p.m: we have been out for a few hours. We picked our son up. Our daughter-in-law was out teaching her students. Son was on his way into DC again. We were on our way to our weekly lunch and we invited him along, thinking he would not have the time. Happily, he said yes. It is not a fancy restaurant but the food without fail has always been excellent. Son and husband can both be seen in this photo, son at the end of the counter and husband getting the drinks. It is sports oriented and there are several TVs for people to watch some game or other all around the restaurant.
We were going to find one of our usual drive-thru's but Santini’s came to mind. We ended up going to a different one closer to son and daughter-in-law’s place. You can view their menu here. Gregg had his usual cold-cut and son and I had steak and cheese. I took half of mine home to finish tomorrow. I had a few of these potato chips which were very good. First time trying them thanks to son's choice. A little hot and spicy but not too much so. We dropped son off at the metro station...
and drove home in rush hour. In this picture we are going against traffic but if you zoom in you can see how much there is on the other side and we were thankful we were going in the other direction. We would have gotten off the freeway and gone home on side roads, probably joining a lot of other people doing that also. There is no getting away from rush hour, it always seems busy on the freeways, except that...
the GPS’s route showed us less traffic, and when we got closer to home, my dear knew another couple of short cuts.
Thursday, 10/31/24 - Halloween: I have an appointment with a specialist to see about my knee next Tuesday (Nov 5th). I also have an appointment with my regular doctor two days after that, set up three months ago just for a “how are you doing” chat. It has become obvious that my knee is taking its own sweet time, in fact is getting worse. I am tired of using furniture to steady myself as I try to get around the house, and the stairs are extremely difficult. At the restaurant yesterday, husband and son's strong arms got me back and forth, but it was painful walking. I have slept downstairs for the last two night. Not a moan-fest, just saying and it is what it is. Onward and upward!
Not too long after 6.00 p.m. the doorbell started ringing. Gregg was in the chair for handing out candy tonight. As he opened the door I heard young voices singing out, "Trick or Treat!" There were apparently little pirates, witches, a southern belle, princesses and a Harry Potter. All told there were about a dozen children, the same number as last year. By 7.30 p.m. there were no more. The numbers have dwindled over the last few years. We go in waves, kids are growing up. Maybe we should put more Halloween decorations outside. Nope, not going to happen, the front steps light it is, bah humbug. Gregg is going to take the leftover candy to the fire station to see if they would like it. Or maybe our local church. We'll figure it out. Any ideas? Anyhow, that's another one over for this year.
Friday, 11-1-24: 1st Day of November! Where did that year go? I had a late breakfast, a slice of toast and the rest of my smoothie. That took me through to dinner and we had rotisserie chicken leftovers that my dear turned into chicken salad. He bought this seasoning called Tajin, new to me but a recommend from son who loves Mexican Cuisine, in fact they both do.
It is a blend of ground dried chili peppers, dehydrated lime and sea salt. I asked dear not to make my sandwich with too much as I wasn't sure I would like it. He gave it just a sprinkle on top. It was delicious! I definitely detected a slight hint of lime. Both father and son have been to Mexican restaurants when they get together at least once a week mid-week. They enjoy ordering corn on the side, which is made with a coating of this seasoning, plus Cojita cheese. Cojita is a Mexican cheese that is aged, white and crumbly, with a salty, tangy flavor. I just read about it. My dear wants to make our next purchase of sweet corn this way. They will have to be out of the freezer section as fresh corn is no longer in the supermarkets. I like Mexican cuisine but not often. I seem to be more of a plain cooking person more often than not. I do like a little heat added occasionally.
I have just watched the offending squirrel jump onto the Kissing Bunnys umbrella, his latest trampoline. From there he jumped onto the water fountain, took a drink and then jumped onto the top part of the bench where he started eating out of the top feeder. Water fountain rocked from side to side, water splashed out. I momentarily thought that it would hit the deck, but not today. Little rascal! Kissing Bunnies stood their ground, though the umbrella wobbled a little. Sophie Squirrel gave him the side-eye. Now Little Rascal is back on the bottom bench to see what else he can find. Yes, it's you I'm taking about and don't look so innocent! The cheeky little blighter just waved at me. And yes, I'm spending far too much time at the house! Truth be told I would rather look at them than turn on the TV. They are my entertainment.
On that note, we did actually go out for a short ride today. It is a beautiful day for the first day of November, 80 degrees F. I went out in a light short-sleeved dress. The big Halloween displays, including my favorite one up the road, have been removed. They have a few pumpkins and a fall-like scene now. It's very pretty! The gentleman who does this (I met him last year), has a wonderful eye for such things. Almost like it has been professionally designed. For a person who has never really been interested in Halloween, except for cookies that I used to make for our son and his friends when he was young, help him to come up with a costume, that kind of thing, I quite enjoy our neighborhood decorations, if they are not too over the top.
We stopped behind this vehicle and I thought I wished I knew them when we had our pooch. What a great idea!
There's quite a breeze as I look out right now, and the leaves are once again falling like rain. Such a beautiful sight. Dear other half just walked by the window and spotted one of the squirrels tucked under the ledge on the top of the bench, sheltering itself from those falling leaves. I suppose not wanting to be interrupted mid-feed? We were both amused!
The temperature is going to be 65 degrees tomorrow with a low of 44.
Saturday, 11-2-24: A quiet day! Stayed at home and watched Little Rascal doing his push-ups. On Saturdays Gregg pops out early and brings home a doughnut from the supermarket, and a coffee from the coffee shop next door. We usually have a treat on a Saturday that we don’t normally get any other day. Lunch was a chicken salad sandwich with crudités on the side, and our main meal in the evening was a Cornish Pasty with a mixed veggie salad. He is now watching a ball game. I have just finished another jigsaw puzzle (the one below) on my iPad. I am definitely hooked on these things, but I usually give it a few days before I start another one. You'll notice today, that squirrels are very popular.
Sunday, 11-3-24: It is 2.38 p.m. and our son arrived at 8.30 a.m. It is such a blessing to chat across the breakfast table. His Dad made us breakfast. I had a bacon sandwich with orange juice, and they had plated egg, bacon and toast. Son shared this photo of our daughter-in-law when they went on a walk yesterday. I thought it was a perfect setting for the time of year. D-in-L crocheted that sweater. It's absolutely gorgeous close up. He left to pick her up at 11.00 a.m. and we are looking forward to seeing her soon, when their schedules slow down.
That's about all from last week.
The pic of your daughter-in-law walking in the leaves is glorious!! I am so glad you are seeing the doctor about your knee. I want to know all about it when you get home! I can really sympathize. I have been in terrible pain with mine. Can not stand for long and cannot walk but a few steps. Cannot bend it, it is really in agony. Because my nerve ablation is worn off and I need another one. Working on scheduling it, but all the pain doctors are so busy!! And the new one I talked to today said their office does not use any anesthetic! The other office always knocked me out with an I.V. Can you imagine a needle burning through your nerves with no anesthetic? I hope I can figure out something.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginny and can’t tell you enough how sorry I am about your own pain. No I can’t imagine not having an anesthetic for this. It does sound like we have the exact same thing as walking is torturous.I have sent you an email. Maybe sharing ideas will help both of us and I will definitely pass anything on that I am told, and sharing info, well, maybe this will help with our interactions with our doctors. I will definitely keep in touch.
DeleteYes you ended with a glorious photo! Never a dull moment around your place. And it is beautiful country, especially this time of year. I certainly hope your knee is better than you expect very soon my friend. Aloha
ReplyDeleteThank you Cloudia, I very much appreciate your supportive comments my friend. So happy you enjoyed my around-and-about-isms :)
DeleteI'm saying a little prayer for your knee. Be sure to give a report from doctor's visit next week. Enjoy the squirrels!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol, that is so sweet of you and very much appreciated :) I will! Definitely enjoying the squirrels 🐿️ :)
DeleteThe crochet looks good.
ReplyDeleteThose leaves, amazing how many there are, they do look good.
Thanks Margaret :) My D-in-L has been creating beautifully with her creations. Oh gosh, you ought to see how many leaves there are, this is a microcosm of what’s out there at this time of the year :)
DeleteThat is one determined squirrel, Denise, and glad the other squirrel was undamaged, unlike big bunny. We passed on Halloween and went for a day trip instead. The final photo is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dorothy, and he certainly is. It certainly is a hierarchy out there and we know who the boss is :) sounds like a very nice idea this day trip, and happy you enjoyed our son’s photo.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your knee pain, I hope you can get some relief.
The photos are cute, a great shot of your DIL.
Take care, enjoy your day!
Thank you Eileen, I very much appreciate that :) We love our son’s photo of our DIL. You take care and enjoy your day also.
DeleteI would like to have your high temps for each day as our lows, which is what we usually have in Novebmer, not 73 at wake up and hight 80'to low 90's and another hurricane coming into the Gulf. ov vey!
ReplyDeletethat is one strong squirrel. have you thought about buying something about the height of the bunny that is heavy enough he can use it as his stairway? or steps or a small ladder to climb up there. of course that would ruin your entertainment.
glad you go to spend time and lunch with Son. wish I could do that but not in all that traffic. you had a good week, sorry about the knee problems
Thank you Sandra :) much appreciated that. Still sounds very hot where you are. Good to know the latest news on the hurricane. What a relief that must have been when you heard. Great tips on how to manage these naughty squirrels, thanks again :) They do a lot out there to entertain me. I hope you get to see your son soon. I can imagine how difficult it must be to get around right now.
DeleteI love your squirrel stories—they're so entertaining! Poor Sophie getting knocked around, though! Your family meals sound delicious, especially that steak and cheese sandwich. Glad you got to enjoy some nice weather and family time too. Hope your doctor visits go well, and you feel better soon! Keep the squirrel updates coming—they always make me smile!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Veronica Lee, I am so happy you enjoy my squirrels :) and that you enjoyed my post. I very much appreciate your comments on my doctor visits also and health. You are very kind! The squirrels are taking a break for this weekend's Saturday morning post but I hope you like the critters I have put on there. They - the squirrels - will be back at some point, especially now I know that they make you smile. That's very sweet of you to tell me that. Thank you my friend :)
DeleteA lovely week!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine, it was and I hope yours was also :)
DeleteI enjoy your squirrels. I put some of my leftover candy in one of the blessing boxes. I guess when I go up to a different town, I’ll put some in another one. I have some other stuff to contribute.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda and so glad. Thank you also for letting me know about these blessing boxes. I will look into that as I have never heard of them. I drop food off into a community container at the supermarket when I see them but the only boxes I see outside are ones for books, and of course those are lovely too.
DeleteWhat a wonderful and very happy Tuesday post for you Denise.
ReplyDeleteWe like Miss Vicky's Potato chips too. I don't do hot stuff but I do like the sea salt and vinegar and reg. pc.
That is a gorgeous photo of DiL and her beautiful crocheted creation
Hugs Cecilia
How lovely that you think so Cecilia. So glad! I wonder sometimes as I do tend to ramble on but get encouragement from my husband who wants me to continue with them. Friends and family seem to be still enjoying them and now lovely comments like yours gives me a further push. I also enjoyed you telling me about your Miss Vicky's potato chips. I've never noticed them before and the sea salt and vinegar ones sound wonderful! Thank you my friend and sending hugs.
DeletePS good luck a the doc today. I had my hi how are you doing senior wellness yesterday. it went well.
ReplyDeleteHope you get some relief for you knee soon
You are so kind Cecilia :) I am glad your wellness check-up went well. Right now I am on some very strong pain medication and they seem to be helping quite a bit. Not perfect but much better than before.
DeleteWhat a pretty picture that is of your Daughter in law walking through the leaves. I would never be able to crochet a sweater. If it requires more than just straight rows I'm lost.
ReplyDeleteThat darn squirrel sure is bullying the residents of the porch.
It is a beautiful picture isn't it Ann? One of my favorites though there are many that they give me. I don't knit, I don't crochet. Though I love the look of them, my fingers are not as nimble as they used to be and give me a bit of trouble holding needles and the like. Yes, those squirrels are right little rascals :)
DeleteBoy do my squirrel cousins to the north get into mischief, not that the southern cousins don't! Glad to see nothing was broken this time. Your dinner out with your son sounds nice. And that photo of your daughter-in-law is lovely. Your son certainly has an eye for taking great photos! Enjoy this week my friend. I do hope you can get some relief from your knee issues. They can be quite painful! Hopefully an orthopedic doctor can help you.
ReplyDeleteDon't they ever, LOL :) Thank you my friend, it's a beautiful photo and one we will always treasure. I appreciate you thinking of me about this darned knee. It will get taken care of eventually. I just have to learn patience and not expect too much of myself.
DeleteWhat a pretty puzzle.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra, I thought so too :)
DeleteBellas ardillas, te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteGracias y te mando un beso también :)
DeleteLove that photo of your dil. Hope your appointment will give you good news and some tips on how to heal quicker.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely isn't it? I appreciate your comments on my appointments, thank you so much :)
DeleteAll in all, a good week I would say. Except for your knee. I hope the dr. will have something to do to help it heal.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Rose and thank you for the encouragement. Very much appreciated I can tell you :)
DeleteThat squirrel is so much fun! Great tails...
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn, they certainly are on both counts :)
Delete