Still not 50

If the post from yesterday looked a little odd, it is because Blogger won't allow me to create paragraphs. So I tried to force it with underscores with limited success. _______________________Today I got up at 7 to start on the daily audio list. I exercised a little but not much since the rebounder was covered in skeins of yarn. I scrubbed the crock pot and ate breakfast. As I read e-mail, I wrote events and needed items on my calendar. I found a Christmas tablerunner in the cabinet for the next HQH meeting, but it needs binding. I drank some kombucha from before we went on vacation. It is pretty strong. MaryAnn called me on skype before noon. We talked until after 2. Then I had a bite to eat and went outside to rake leaves. But the leaves were wet and the air was cold, so it wasn't ideal for going barefoot. Since I dare not get my leaf box wet, I only raked leaves that were near a pile. My feet went numb and I went in. I put a few bricks in the oven to heat up for the greenhouse. It was dark when I put them back. I will find out tomorrow if I accidentally 'steamed' my veggie plants. I prepared 7 days worth of vitamins. I ran out of a few and had to reorder. I moved my computer to the dining room so I could use the grounded outlet in there for my grounding wire. That replaces all the barefoot time I did not get today. But not to worry, the weather is supposed to warm up later in the week. I worked on my latest scarf on and off all day. It is almost long enough, which is good since I am almost out of that yarn. I ordered magnesium flakes after reading an article about how it can relax and detoxify the body in bath water. It is even better than epsom salts. Chris made an appearance sometime after 6. He did his impression of a quick-change artist and headed out again for a barbeque place. It was another dinner with the folks from work. I consoled myself with a big salad and some frozen fruit. When he got back, he did not want to watch TV so we sat with our laptops for awhile, then went to bed.

Sunday and Monday

Sunday_________________________________________The alarm went off at 6am EST. We did not get up right away but soon thereafter. We packed up and said goodbye to my parents and were on the road by 7:15. We continued our book on CD, the 11th volume of the Stephanie Plum novels. Before noon we stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch. We had to wait for a table, but I enjoyed looking at all the ornaments and other things for sale. All except for the orange peanuts. No fond memories there. After lunch we were on our way again. We made good time except for the traffic going into Chattanooga. We arrived home at 5:30 CST. After unloading the car, we went to the grocery store and then made supper. We caught up on some of our e-mail and then watched the last episode of NCIS. Chris was really tired so we went to bed early._________ Monday___________________________________________________ I woke in the middle of the night. But Chris said it was time for him to get up and that the alarm had just gone off. I did not hear it because I was having a bad dream. I was back in school and one of the kids had stolen my lesson plans and role book, but I couldn't tell which one. I must have fallen back asleep while Chris was leaving for work. Still, I was up by 7:30. I read e-mail and exercised a little bit, but reminded myself that I was going for a walk later. It was Cyber Monday and my e-mail was full of offers. The only ones I was interested in were for supplements and superfoods. I placed an order with Swansons. And started on one with Nuts.com. I knew they had a free pie with order offer but I couldn't find it. At 10 I stepped away from the computer and packed a satchel with a quilt that needed binding, some handwork, and my camera and glasses, as well as lunch. Then I walked to the church where the ladies quilt every Monday. It took almost half an hour. I sat and worked on the binding while the others sewed. Several others were doing binding as well. Lunch was on Faye because I had packed a packet of seaweed, some carrot sticks, and a bottle of coconut water. At 2 a lady named Jill took me home since it was on the way to her house. I called the car repair place and asked them if they could deliver my car. They said yes and told me the price. I wrote a check and put it in my pocket. Then I went outside to look at my plants. The tomatos are all dead by frost bite. So were the marigolds and mums. The leafy grens were fine. I ate a red frosted tomato. Then I raked leaves in the front yard for almost an hour. Actually there were not as many leaves as I expected. Then a man showed up with my car. I gave him the check and he gave me the keys. Then he rode off with another man in a green Taurus station wagon. I did a little raking in the back too, but then I felt raindrops, so I went in. I checked out a few more Cyber deals in my inbox and took breaks to sweep the floor, and work on my quilt. I watched the news while I sewed. Back and forth between the TV and my laptop. When I had done as much on my quilt as I could do upstairs, I turned back to crocheting. I started another scarf by combining leftover yarn in green and variegated. Chris came home after his big dinner at work. He read his e-mail and went to bed. I had a lot more e-mail to read, so got to bed a lot later. * pic from party *

50th birthday party

Saturday______________________________________________________________________________ We got up a little late. Cecily, Marie and Becca had already left for the mall. We showered and dressed and had breakfast. We were just starting to pack the car when the shoppers came home. So we were able to bid each family member goodbye before we left. We drove towards my parents house, stopping at Food Lion to pick up the food for my 50th birthday party. We arrived around lunch time. Dad was busy making a grocery list so I fixed Mom's lunch and fed it to her. Then I fixed lunch for me. When Dad finished his list, he ate too, and then went to the grocery store. Soon after he left, Faye arrived with 50th Anniversary decorations. They were not marked "Wedding" so they worked for the birthday celebration,too. I helped Faye dress the table. She set it while I crocheted a scarf. Chris made the food: pork chops, sauerkraut with cranberries and apples, sweet potatoes, and asparagus with onions. Faye brought a veggie tray with carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and red pepper strips. William and Kevin came over, too. Dad was the last to arrive, back from the grocery store. Then we sat down to eat. After our meal, Faye brought in a cake that said "Over the Hill". Ha, she should know, being my older sister. However, she was very generous with her gifts: a large box of seaweed, a case of coconut water, a gift card for Cracker Barrel, and a calendar of origami. Oh, and TWO cards. Dad gave me cash (which will turn into fabric at some point.) William said he didn't have anything, so I asked for a flat screen TV he had laying around. He seemed happy to give it to me. Patrick came for dessert. After he left, Kevin left. Then Faye left. I did not realize that Dad was waiting for us to leave, too. I put Mom in the tub while Dad did whatever evening routine he has. I helped her wash, then got her out, dressed her and put her bedtime splint on. Dad helped her crawl into bed. I kissed her goodnight and climbed into bed with Chris.

A Damour family Christmas

We got up a little after 8 and took a shower. I got dressed and fixed my breakfast. I tried to get on my laptop long enough to post to my blog, but there wasn't time. We left at 9:30 to go shopping. We went to Michaels for bells and something for Olivia. I didn't see anything I wanted. James and William met us there after going to a game store. We all drove home to drop off William and go the the bathroom. Then we went back to the mall. We shopped at Penneys, then went to Ruby Tuesday for an early lunch. Most of us got the salad bar. Back at the mall, we stopped in a variety of stores. I did not find the shoes I wanted. Apparently they are out of season. I did see what I wanted at Radio Shack, but was uncertain Dad would use it if I got it. We were done shopping by 1:30 and went home. I was able to read e-mail and to finish some audios and post to my blog. Chris and Cecily started supper. I took one of my audios downstairs to hear it better. I came up when it was over. Soon it was time for supper. We sat at the table, prayed and dug in. The main course was prime rib. After the meal came dessert, the same two pies as yesterday. Then Olivia brought in the presents and gave them to the people whose names were on the tags. We opened them one by one. I got a pair of black ankle socks with silver ferns on them. They are the national symbol of New Zealand.

I also got a camera, a Canon Pwoershot. Chris got a movie called The Avengers. So most of us spent the rest of the evening watching the movie while Cecily and the kids went to bed. I plan to watch the movie at home with the subtitles on. I missed a lot of dialogue between the men.

Thanksgiving day

At this point I don't remember much about Thanksgiving Day. I woke up around the usual time. We all had breakfast. Mom and Dad were already dressed up. I spent some time handsewing binding on a quilt. We watched the Macy's Parade and the dog show. Kurt arrived after lunch. He was happy to get his laptop and handheld device on Dad's wifi. Then William arrived. Soon it was time to get Mom in the car. William and Kurt drove separately. Dad had a nice nap on the way over to the Damours. It was good that the guard rail woke him up because he did not hear me yelling from the back seat. We took the next exit which was route 10 and went the back way. Chris was there, and helped Dad carry in my stuff. Faye was there, too and took charge of Mom. Marie was there and so were James, Becca and their kids. Olivia came to greet me and the others said she had been asking for me all day. We gathered around the table, holding hands and Chris said a prayer. Then we took our plates to the kitchen to fill them from the buffet table. It was a wonderful meal: turkey, cauliflower casserole, sweet potato casserole, pineapple casserole, cranberry orange relish, peas and pearl onions, rutabaga, stuffing and Grammy's Rolls. I wish I had gotten a pic of the table and us seated around it. I enjoyed the conversation, which lasted beyond the serving of pumpkin and pecan pies. After the food and dishes were cleaned up, we talked in the den. Finally Mom and Dad left with William driving them. Kurt took his own car and soon Faye left too (because they wouldn't let her work any more). Most of us were in bed by 110:30, but James and I stayed up talking until 1am. Then I crawled in bed with Chris, without posting to my blog. * another quilt from the Paducah show *

A new dentist

Mom was up when I got up, but not sitting at the table yet. When Dad finished making his breakfast, he made hers and they ate. I fixed my own breakfast. I helped Dad find some stuff on the internet. I googled a map to the dentist's office. Dad backed one car out of the driveway and left it running for me. I drove it to the dentist's office without any problem. They had me sign some papers and soon took me back to a small room. The hygienist worked on my teeth with a whining tool, and also with a baking soda spray. She used an intraoral camera to take pics of three of my fillings that are heading towards the end of their useful life. The dentist came in and checked my teeth. He agreed with the pics. We talked about my parents and mercury in fillings. The hygienist set me up with an appointment for next November. The receptionist took my money and another one talked about how much she likes Korean food. They told me that my brother had just come in for an emergency appointment. I went back to say hello but he was under the influence of nitrous oxide. I returned to the car. I had to try every key to find the one that fit. Unfortunately I got the trunk key stuck in the ignition. I called my dad and he said to ask William. He said it would take him 45 minutes to get Mom and come over. I tried forcing it out with two keys. I called Chris. Then I went in to wait for William. When he came out, he couldn't pull it out either. Then a group of yardworkers showed up to clear the leaves from the lot. I asked them, and their leader came over with a pair of pliers and was able to wrench it out. Hurray! William and I talked in the parking lot for awhile, then we left separately. I went home to Mom and Dad who were starting lunch. But it was 2pm. I attached a grounding wire to Mom and fed her a bowl of apple slices while Dad fixed her sandwich. We all then sat at the table to eat. After lunch I took her to the bathroom. Faye called and I got a moment to talk to her. Then Mom and Dad and I went for a walk. Dad walked Mom and I followed with the wheelchair. When she tired, he sat her down and pushed her around the neighborhood. I returned to the house to find Faye waiting for me. She and I went shopping at Costco. We found stuff that other people might or might not like. So hard to decide. I found something I thought Chris would love, but it was not a standalone product. Cosco had a good price on coconut water so we got that and a few other things. Faye dropped me off at home and went home herself. Mom and Dad were finishing up supper. I ate too, then started reading e-mail. But all too soon it was time for bed. I helped Mom get ready and put her splint on. Dad came back as I put her to bed. He talked genealogy for some time. Then I kissed her goodnight and returned to my laptop. Dad went to bed and I stayed up to listen to a few audios before posting and going to bed.

A choir from four churches

I was up so late last night that I slept in. Not sure when I got up, but Dad already had Mom dressed and sitting at the kitchen table. I rubbed magnesium oil on her clenched hand. I helped Dad give her her pills, then fixed my own breakfast. Dad was in a state trying to get everything done early in order to make it to church by 6 to practice with the joint choir. I read e-mail while he sorted Mom's pills for the week. Then I helped him make lunch since it was after 12. We did not eat until 1. After we ate, Kevin came over to clean. I was darning Dad's socks. In addition to the holes in the toes, he wanted me to darn the heels for the future holes they might get. Kevin cleaned the house and made two casseroles. Dad fixed 2 plates of food for himself and Mom at 4. It was too early for me to eat. I dressed up for church. Then we put Mom in the car and left. We got there right at 6. Dad sat Mom in a pew and carried off the wheelchair. I sat with her while the choir practiced and the service proceeded. The choir sounded great and the organist was even better. I wanted to clap. After the service, Mom was more alert and responsive than I have seen her in several years. She greeted Ansuya and Henry with a big smile and held a conversation. Dad took her into the main room where refreshments were laid out. Dad helped her put her choices on a plate but he didn't give it to her. I talked to several people in the room and got myself a cup of nuts. I held it out to Mom so she would have something to eat. Finally Dad rolled her to a table and put her bib on so she could eat. When I came back, her food was gone, and Dad admitted that he 'helped' her eat it. He was feeling drowsy so he asked me to drive home. I wasn't thrilled about driving his car, but I needed the practice for the trip to the dentist tomorrow. When we got home, we brought Mom in. Dad fed her and himself whatever foods he thought they should have had earlier. I ate a bowlful of Italian Veggie casserole and some leftover spicy rice. Then Dad allowed me to cut the new casseroles so he could put them in the frig. One had to be cut down the middle and across to make 12 pieces. He gave me a regular ruler. Then next one was in an 8 inch square dish. He wanted it cut into thirds so I asked him if he cut it at 2 5/8 on the regular ruler. But no, he had a triangular ruler and he used the side that measured the dish as 24 units across. So I cut the casserole into sections that were precisely 8 units by 8 units. Then we got Mom ready for bed. She washed her hands by herself. I put on the bedtime splint and Dad tweaked it to fit. Then I kissed her goodnight and came out to the livingroom to write to my blog.