Friday Roundup

 If you look over the years, the styles have changed -
the clothes,
the hair, the production, the approach to the songs.
The icing to the cake has changed flavors.
But if you really look at the cake itself,
it's really the same.

John Oates

It's Friday, and a fantastic Friday indeed.  Spring arrived, and I am finding a new bounce in my step which will definitely come in handy for this busy weekend.  This morning I have to head back to my old neighborhood to deposit a few checks.  I wish I could move it to a bank closer to home, but it is an estate account, and closing it would require to start all over again.  In this type of account, only estate checks can be deposited.  No cash.  No checks other than those addressed to the 'estate of'.   So, if I close it, I cannot deposit the cash in another estate account elsewhere.  I'd have to wait for a check to come in...and most of them are 40 to 50 dollars.  Hard to open an account with that. 

Speaking of money, hubby finally got his retroactive. The nightmare has ended.  The first thing he did was to put the new tires on his car that he so desperately needed. His tires were so bad that I got nervous every time he took the car out.  Our next step is a portable washing machine.  We can't get a large machine, but have found a portable that is a perfect fit for my small kitchen.  It now costs a small fortune to wash clothes in the laundromat, not to mention having to carry the clothes and then wait in line for a machine. 

So, as far as my busy weekend goes.  Today I have to do the food shopping.  Since I retired I am back to shopping every two weeks once again since I have no more of those late nights. Money has been tight, and we rarely eat out anymore.  Sometimes I just don't like cooking, though, and on these nights I just throw everything together in one of my made-up I one pot meals.  I made the following last night.

I stopped and bought some Tyson's grilled chicken strips and sauteed them with my sofrito (green and yellow peppers, lots of garlic, sweet onion, and red onion).  Season with salt, pepper, parsley, and Worcestershire Sauce.  Added frozen mixed veggies and 1/2 cup water.  Simmered.  Then added 1 jar of Heinz chicken gravy and simmered, allowing all the flavorings to meld together.  Served over egg noodles.  It turned out to be a tasty meal.

On Saturday I have to run to the fruit stand and afterwards I plan to do a little shopping for myself.  Sunday is my birthday.  I will be 67 years old (hard to believe), and hubby gave me some cash for my gift.  That is exactly what I wanted.   I just want to have a little fun shopping for myself.  It's been a long time since I have been able to purchase something for myself.

Roses.  Not roses per se,  but rose scented perfume.  Yesterday I got on the bus and found myself surrounded by a pleasantly light rose scented cologne.  I just assumed one of the ladies nearby.  Then, after I transferred to another bus, I continued to smell the cologne.  I looked about, and no one from the other bus had transferred with me.  To make a long story short, I continued to smell it in the bank, in Walgreens, in C Town; I smelled it wherever I went including on the two buses I took on the way home, but once I stepped into my apartment, the scent disappeared. I wasn't wearing a rose scented cologne nor do I remember any loved ones who did.  Strange indeed.  Any ideas?

On my birthday I plan to attend church in the morning, and my sons will be coming in the afternoon for a quiet birthday celebration.  There is nothing like spending time with loved ones.  That is the best gift anyone can get.  Hmm!! Just a thought!  I wonder if the rose scent had something to do with my birthday.  After all, it has been over 50 years since my grandmother passed, and I cannot recall her favorite fragrance.  And, I never did know my dad's family, so who is to say?  

God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give

ourselves the gift of living well.

Voltaire

Wishing you all a fantastic Spring weekend.  Enjoy.