Friday Ramble

Good morning.  The end of a very busy week for me.  On Friday and Saturday I dug out my Christmas decor and packed all the fall stuff away.  Sunday I went looking for shoes for the now infamous party on Monday.  Got drenched in a cold windswept rain and practically ruined the shoes that I had just bought the day before. Got sick from the food, and on  Tuesday I  found myself  nursing a sour tummy.  Peppermint tea, ginger tea, and sips of warm ginger ale. 

I found this in the mail when I got home Monday.

What an awesome box this is.  It's not a monthly subscription and a bit higher priced than I like, but I couldn't resist.  It's actually an Advent calendar.  Each little gift is numbered and one is opened each day.  It's been hard to sit back and wait, but I've been strong and holding back.  First gift to be opened tomorrow.

On Tuesday they finally finished with my apartment.  Overhead light fixtures and smoke alarms are in and looking good.  Finally finished with the nightmare that began on September 15th.

On Wednesday I stayed in again.  Still running to the bathroom and feeling out of sorts.  Felt it best to stay home and rest up. 

Has anyone read this book?  It's the story of a young girl coming of age in a time when the earth is 'slowing'. Daytime stretches first by minutes, then hours, and, then by days; nighttime does the same. And as a result wildlife and the world around her are dying off.  She faces sickness and death of loved ones and experiences her first love.   Cannot put it down.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday Odds and Ends

Hubby brought these masks home from his sister's house a few years back.  He'd been visiting, and she was about to toss them out, but he told her 'no', he would take them.  I'm glad he did.  I like these little masks. 

Bought this Wizard of Oz plate about 25 years ago.  It still plays "Over the Rainbow".

Another 20 year old item.  Forgot where I bought it, but I am so glad I bought it.  It comes out every spring to brighten my living room.

Don't know if any of you remember me talking about Leadfoot who lived above me a couple of years ago.  Well, if you don't, I called him Leadfoot because he was so heavy footed my house would shake whenever he walked through his apartment.  One morning I came home from church and found my television set smashed on the floor.  Hubby said Leadfoot had jumped or done something so loud that he ran upstairs to see if he was okay.  Of course, Leadfoot wouldn't open the door because he probably heard the sound of the television set coming off the wall and smashing to the floor.   Hubby bought me a new television that day and put it up lower.  However, there was a small hole left where it had once been attached to the wall.  Hubby bought this to cover it.

 Oh my, look how high my hair was.  LOL!!!

 Bought this beauty on Etsy.  Totally homemade.

My husband's nieces and nephews, his sister, the tall family friend, my next to the youngest son in cap, and myself at our housewarming party 21 years ago.  This was the house we lived in for 15 years before we moved here.

This old knotted tree was located in my old neighborhood.  I was always amazed with it.  Definitely was alive with fairies and memories of a time long past.

A Christmas gift from a client 7 years ago.  Still lights up and plays all the carols.  A treasure.

Wordless Wednesday: From Living Reiki Healing Cards by Penelope Quest

Tuesday Ramble

Good morning everyone.  Went to the Christmas party yesterday and have to say, I was very disappointed.  Everyone was.  One would expect the Hilton to be better than it was.  To begin with, the table was set with salad and dessert when we first walked in.

The salad consisted of arugula, a wee bit of radicchio, and a few tiny chunks of nasty tasting cheese.  There was no salad dressing until we asked for it.  We were all hungry so dessert was gone before dinner....and then they served coffee.  Was there going to be a meal?  We wondered.  

There was.  The chicken tasted good even though it look unappetizing.  None of us knew what the brown stuff was...and there was the same salad we'd already had only this one was cooked a tiny bit and covered with juices from the chicken.  Nasty. But we were hungry so we ate some of it.  We all agreed that some type of potato and a veggie like steamed broccoli would have been much better.  

The service was poor, the waiters not rude, but not friendly either.  None of them smiled.  None were helpful.  They all looked like they didn't want to be there.  Granted,  the job isn't easy, I've done it myself, but when you are not friendly and helpful with your customers, you only hurt yourself when it comes to a tip.  One waiter came to ask who wanted coffee and then proceeded to fill only half the cups before walking off. 

On the plus side, though, I had a day out, saw old friends, and even danced a bit.  What a good feeling that was.

 My dance teacher.

My dance teacher and friends from my classes.

 Two friends from my qigong and knitting class.

Two friends from my knitting class.

Coming home was a nightmare.  A cold rain was pouring down and the wind was blowing.  Floods all over the place.  Had to wade through 3 inches of water to get the spot to catch my second bus.  So much for my new shoes.  Waited 25 minutes out there shivering from the cold and drenched right down to my underwear.  In all, we left the party at 3pm and I got home at 6:45.  That's 3 hours and 45 minutes.  Home never looked so good.

And now I have spent the entire morning running back and forth to the bathroom.  Ugh!!!

Question.  My feet are terribly dry and itchy.  So bad that I scratch til they bleed.  Any suggestions what I can use? 

Have a good one.

Monday This and That

Good morning everyone.  Leaving early this morning for the union Christmas party at the Hilton for retirees.  This will be my first time there.  I was supposed to dance, but was unable to attend the practice sessions when my hamstring went out.  So I'll just sit back and enjoy the others.  There is always next year.

Had a busy weekend.  Spent most of Friday decorating for Christmas so I put off my WW workshop and picking up my vitamin D until Saturday.  

My church has put up its tree.  

Seems the electricians have disappeared without completing their job. The super said they are not returning his calls or text messages and the main office was told they were off working on another job. Meanwhile, the lobby and two basement rooms are undone as well as the outdoors. All the apartments are done, but some people don't have electricity in some of the rooms. The contractors are still filling holes and painting, but all of us are without the electric fire alarms and light fixtures so bulbs are just hanging down on a string of wire. Don't know what they are going to do. May have to bring someone else in.This is what you get with cheap labor.

On Sunday I headed out to find a pair of shoes for the party.  I only have sneakers.  I had a pair of slip on black shoes, but ruined those during the renovation here.  I'd packed all my good sneakers away and just used the flats....not thinking that I would be needing them.  I wasn't looking for anything fancy.  Just looking for comfort.

Forgot to show you my son in law's plate.  My mouth was hanging open when he walked in. And he ate it ALL followed by dessert.

Have a good one.

Sunday Selections

This month's Soulshine box was another winner.  It focuses on blessing your home and was designed to help in cleansing out negative energy and raising up happy energy.  Such an awesome box.

This is the complete box.  Valued at $35, I only paid $14.95 for all these wonderful goodies.

Introduction to the box.

Espiritu House Blessing Oil.   Rub some on your doors, in sacred spaces, mix some into a floor cleaner, rub some on your furniture, place a drop or two in every corner of your home.  Dab some around the front door frame inside, on the window sills to attract good energy, and on the headboards of the bed.  It creates a blessing and protection for the home.

Sea salt to cleanse the home.  Sprinkle  into the four corners of each room and let it sit for 48 hours to rid the home of  bad energy.

Evil Eye Winged Charm.  It is believed that the Evil Eye repels negativity and the wings are your Angels keeping you nice and safe.  Instructions say to hang it close to your entry to protect your home.  You'd best believe I didn't waste any time.  Dab some of the house blessing oil on the wings.

Dragons Blood is a substance which is obtained from different plants. Cleanses impurities from the skin and improves the beauty and color of your skin and make you more attractive. 

Nag Champa Dhoop Cones.  Clears out negative energy and then raises up the vibrations to bring in your Guides and Angels.

Wood and Soapstone Carved Flower Incense Burner.  Handcarved.

House Blessing Candle.  Raises up the vibrations creates harmony in the home. 

At $14.95 this box is a real bargain.  Sadly, though, the Yule box in December will be the last.  The store will be closing.  

Saturday Thought

 Mom and me

Me and my daughter

My daughter and her daughters.  

Suddenly, through birthing a daughter, a woman finds herself face to face not only with an infant, a little girl, a woman-to-be, but also with her own unresolved conflicts from the past and her hopes and dreams for the future. Severing the umbilical cord to give a daughter breath joins a woman with generation after generation of women who came before… and this act of bodily separation connects each mother of a daughter with the next generation of women. As though experiencing an earthquake, mothers of daughters may find their lives shifted, their deep feelings unearthed… 

Elizabeth Debold, Marie C. Wilson, & Idelisse Malavé, Mother Daughter Revolution, 1993

Friday Roundup

Oh what a week it was!  Busy, busy, busy.  Last minute floor scrapings, mopping, waxing. Laid my new rugs, put the new cover on the loveseat.  Finally looks like a home again.  Still some to do, but the worst of it is over...and that I am going to celebrate.  

And cooking.  I made enough for an army.  Thanksgiving is always like that for me.  Special memories of time's past when we headed to grandma's house for a feast.  As I grew older, the feast was held at our house.  And now, it is always held at my house.  And this year was so special.  My daughter and her hubby were here.  Tears flowed as we both recognized it had been almost 50 years since we spent Thanksgiving together.  

Mom was here, too.  I sensed it, and she let me know in little ways.   Knickknacks falling over when there was nothing near them.  A glass rattling on the drainboard. I lay my phone down and when I turn my back it slams to the floor right at my feet....across the room.  Of course I checked for mice, but when no signs were found, I realized it was mom sharing Thanksgiving with me too.  I wonder if she is happy for us, or if all this is done with anger.  I prefer to think she is happy.

So today I was going to head out to a WW workshop and to pick up my vitamin D at the pharmacy, but it's only 15 degrees here, not a day to be standing out there waiting for two buses.  So I will go tomorrow when it warm up some. Sunday I want to get out to get a pair of shoes for the union retiree party I am going to on Monday.  It's dressy and all I have is sneakers.  Since I retired, I live comfortably.  Sunday will be church, Monday the party, Tuesday a rally and march to protect the environment, and Wednesday and Thursday my regular WW workshops.  

So today I stay in and start taking the fall decor down and start on Christmas.  Just when I had my house in order.

 From my house to yours....have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving

Over the river, and through the wood,
  To grandfather’s house we go;
       The horse knows the way 
       To carry the sleigh
  Through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood—
  Oh, how the wind does blow!
       It stings the toes 
       And bites the nose
  As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,
  To have a first-rate play.
       Hear the bells ring 
       “Ting-a-ling-ding”,
  Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood
  Trot fast, my dapple-gray!
       Spring over the ground, 
       Like a hunting-hound!
  For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood,
  And straight through the barn-yard gate.
       We seem to go 
       Extremely slow,—
  It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood—
  Now grandmother’s cap I spy!
       Hurrah for the fun! 
       Is the pudding done?
  Hurrah for the pumpkin-pie!

Wishing  you all a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday

Much needed in today's world.

Tuesday Ramble

Happy Tuesday.  It's a stay in and get to work day for me.  Have to start the cooking and dust...again.  So much of that fine white stuff. 

Took a trip to the supermarket yesterday to pick up the things I forgot on Sunday.  Even when taking a list, I still forget.  And, I hate to admit it, that things were also forgotten on my second supermarket trip....and all I needed was 5 items.  I have to stop allowing myself to be side-tracked by items not on my list that catch my eye.

Had to run out to the 99 cent store after I got home.  Picked up the forgotten cups and napkins. My original plan had been to attend arts and crafts, but I'm just not up to that long bus trip, and I don't want to push myself with Thanksgiving only a few days away.  Lots of cooking to be done.

My son's girlfriend is a vegetarian so I like to make lots of veggie dishes for her and myself.  I'm not a vegetarian, but I really don't eat that much meat anymore.  I will have a few slices of white meat with gravy, but the rest of my plate will be filled with side dishes:  garlicky spinach, roasted broccoli and cauliflower with cheese sauce,  carrots in maple syrup, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, minted peas, creamed onions, and gondulas and rice which I make for hubby.  Dominicans must have their rice and pigeon peas.

And now, a few pics from Thanksgiving pasts.

Thanksgiving 2015.

 Couldn't believe it when I saw this.  Unbelievable price for cherries.  Wonder if they sold any.

 Thanksgiving 2016.

My Thanksgiving dinner has this effect on people.  My son, Anthony.

 Thanksgiving 2017

My son Jerry, myself, and his girlfriend.

No store bought desserts last year.  Made this yummy cake.