November 16th to 22nd, 2010

Sorting and Organizing: Bill has cleaned the library. Last week it was a staging area for everything he was moving home from his office. This week it is all clean and looks great again and I think 6 boxes of 'important stuff' went to the attic. Now he has started in on his desk that has always had 6 or 7 piles from 4 to 8 inches high. Now I discover he isn’t really messy at heart he just never had the time to clear it off and sort all that stuff.

Sight, Sounds and Smells: It has been dark and stormy and they say it may snow. I hope so for Dr V's sake, he wants to go skiing in the worst way. The good news for me was it was finally cold enough to wear my Einstein coat. I think I wore it maybe two times last winter and I am going to wear it that much this week. I am finally going to have a better photo for that project on Ravelry.

Tuesday November 16th: Okay, today I had to get up and go to work and Bill didn't. He was up first anyway and brought me coffee in bed. Then he was at my office at lunch and ate in the staff room with all of us. He had never been to see my office and I have worked up there four years now. Bill cooked the salmon and I had the potatoes ready yesterday. I had steamed yams, purple potatoes and Yukon gold’s, then sliced them and lay them in a stoneware pan in a swirl of color, then brushed them with olive oil and sprinkled Italian seasoning on them. Tonight we baked them with the salmon and they were delicious and really pretty too. Gosh we had so much to catch up on this week it was almost 9 before any of us looked at the clock.



Wednesday November 17th: We had a full schedule today and all of us were busy all day. We only had about a half hour for lunch and then we were at it again. When I got home Bill was lying on the bed and didn't even get up to greet me. Turns out he had been working under the desk in the computer room trying to install a drawer when he got a good case of vertigo. He has that on and off but he said he turned his neck funny and pinched a nerve and the world began to spin. Truly he was nauseous the rest of the night and had ginger ale for dinner. I was sad for him because he had picked up a roasted chicken and we had potatoes and veggies to go with it and he was to dizzy to eat a thing. It took a few hours for the feeling to pass and by bedtime he was getting better.



Thursday November 18th: Knitting: at LYS in the morning and at Crossroads with the Grandma knitters for lunch. I had not been there in ages and they were all so nice and glad to see me that I was almost overwhelmed. Also I got to eat my favorite BBQ special for lunch. It is called the triple slider; three little slider sandwiches; one with brisket, one with turkey and one with pork and a side of coleslaw. Yummy, yummy. Bill is still nesting and needed a drawer under his desk. After yesterday; I volunteered to help put it in and now he has a nice drawer for more of his stuff. Tonight he went out with friends bowling and I started Halie’s Christmas hat.



Friday November 19th: This morning I met a knitting acquaintance at the LYS and we caught up for a while. We had both driven all the way to Tacoma for a class, we sat beside each other and discovered that we lived only blocks apart. How funny is that? She is a awesome knitter, so much to learn. At noon I met up with 3 girlfriends, my book club group, and we went to lunch. Not one of us had read the book for this month and we decided to just visit and catch-up and enjoy our friendships and that is just what we did. When we got back to the area I called Bill to meet at Cindy’s house because she wanted us to help her get her generator in the trunk of her car. My ‘knight in shining armor came driving up on his white horse, I mean Honda Civic and pushed that generator right into the car, well it did take a little figuring but in the end Cindy was off to the shop with her generator and Bill and I went home for a peaceful evening.



Saturday November 20: I got up and cleaned a little. Bill cleaned a lot. Then I did a Trader Joe run for groceries. Tamara and Halie got here at noon and we had lunch, then we started cooking. Tamara made all the pumpkin breads, and brownies and I made the breakfast casseroles. When we finished cooking and cleaning up, I made a run to the liquor store and the grocery for a couple more things. Then I was exhausted and went to bed. I listened to podcast and knitted for a while. I finished Halie’s Christmas present tonight. Bill went out tonight to a TDOR service: Transgendered Day of Remembrance. There were 30 people on the list this year. It is the list of people murdered for being transgendered. I don’t think it included all the people who committed suicide because they couldn’t deal with being transgendered or how others treated them for being transgendered, that list is probably much longer. The bottom of the program he brought home said: The Emerald City Club would like to thank all of the transgendered community, allies, and would-be-allies of the transgendered community for gathering with us to mark this solemn occasion and stand in unity against the violence inflicted on people simply for being who they are. They handed out sheets of paper with a person, their photo and cause of death, and the people who got them, all around the church, would read out loud.

Bill had this one: Estrella (Jose Angel) Venegas Location: Mexicali, Mexico Cause of Death: Shot in the chest and forehead Date of Death: December 13, 2009 Estrella was 32 years old. Source of the Information: Estrella’s brother.

Sunday November 21st: The ‘family’ retirement party went well. Tamara and Halie came first and helped so much. Before the day was over we had seen Becky and Ryan, Barb and Steve, Chris, Anne Savanna & Luke, Priscilla and Jeff and Linda and Jerry. Everyone love the food and the Seahawks lost. We had a good time visiting with everyone and most importantly Bill felt loved and respected at the end of the day. All the time Tamara and Halie have been helping me, Todd has been with Hannah while she has been doing volleyball tryouts. She has finished volleyball for this year on the school team and now she is trying out for the clubs in the area. They tell me the experience with clubs is what will help get her a college scholarship. She played on and off on Saturday and Sunday but it was worth it, she was selected by the club she was hoping for and she is thrilled. She worked really hard for this, I am glad her work paid off for her.

Monday November 22nd: Okay, call me lazy. I was in bed by 9 last night and I didn’t get up and get dressed until 10am this morning. I talked to both my sister’s, mom was travelling and not available for phone calls. I told Bobbie Ann that I might just stay in bed forever and she reminded me that I had to go to the bathroom sometime and sure enough I did. Today I started exercising on the wii, just the balance things and easy stuff. I start PT for my shoulder next week and I am not allowed to do Curves until January but gosh I am turning into mush, I have to do something. I don’t know how long ago it has been but I think it was before the cold in April that started the whole thing. Any way when I got on I did the body test first and it told me I have lost 14.1 pounds since the last time we played so I guess I have lost some weight after all. I did a half hour today and I hope to keep up the effort. It has snowed on and off all day. The world is black and white outside and tonight we are expecting winds and into the teens. Well, the longer this day goes on the crazier it gets. Amanda left work in Seattle at 4:45. She did not get a bus in the city until 5:30. It is now 10:55pm and she is still on the same bus and still a long way from her bus stop and then she has a couple of miles to drive to get home. The good news is she has already got permission to work from home tomorrow and tomorrow I work. I wonder who wants to get their teeth cleaned in this.


On Health and Healing: what can I do or be for anyone else if I haven’t taken care of me.



What's Cooking?

Tuesday: family dinner: Good bread, hummus and feta spread, salmon, roasted potatoes and steamed greens.

Wednesday: Roasted Chicken, and potatoes and veggies from yesterday.

Thursday: Bill’s night out

Friday: date night

Saturday: Chef’s Salad with lots of veggies and cheeses and shrimp and or turkey for lunch and Bill had an event to go to this evening so I had more shrimp.

Sunday: Retirement Party: Champagne and Orange Juice, Hot Apple Cider and Sparkling fruit juices, Scones w/ raspberry jam, lemon curd, honey and whipped cream. French Toast Breakfast casserole and Hashbrowns and sausage breakfast casserole, veggie tray and dip, pumpkin bread and whipped cream cheese, smoked brisket, sourdough bread, mustard and dill pickles, chips, salsa and guacamole, crackers and feta cheese spread, varieties of seasoned nuts, and chocolate brownies.

Monday: Lunch: tomato soup and turkey sandwiches Dinner: lemon pepper talapia, broccoli and rice pilaf. 





Favorite Recipe this week: French Toast Casserole

1 loaf french bread
8 eggs
2 cups half and half
1 cup milk
2 tbs sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Dash salt

Praline Topping (follows)

Cube all the bread into cubes (not to small, not to big)
Arrange all the cubes in a generously buttered 9 x 13-Inch baking dish
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half & half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Beat w/whisk until blended but not too bubbly.
Pour mixture over bread cubes. Make sure all are covered evenly, I mash them down a little and they absorb more of the mixture.
Cover w/foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread praline topping evenly over the bread & bake for 40 minutes,  until puffed and lightly golden.
Serve w/maple syrup.

Praline Topping
2 sticks butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tbs light corn syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl & blend well.

The first time I ate this casserole was at my Nashville sister’s home. It is even delicious left over and even cold, leftover and it is awesome hot.



On being Productive, experiencing Pleasure and Living Positive

What's on my needles: A lot of started projects that I seem to be ignoring and I keep starting new stuff. 

What's off my needles? I made several snowman hats.... for Christmas ornaments at the office, I have finished Luke’s Vest, Savanna’s Cardigan and Halies hat and almost finished a warm and snuggly prayer shawl but I need an awesome button for it .

Have I seen any good movies lately? We watched The Family Stone tonight. A Christmas Story. A Story about a family at Christmas time. Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, and Craig Nelson (Coach) make the line-up amazing and the story has some great twists in it – often like families. We liked it.



Podcast of the week: I am listening to a new podcast and it came to me recommended by other podcasters. It is called the Knit Wits and it is funny. The husband and wife are talking to each other and he doesn’t know much about knitting but he used to be in radio and he has a great radio voice. It is worth a listen if you’re working on a project and want some company.


Counting my Blessings: How do you say thank you to the doctors that saved your life. I want to give two special doctors a gift this year. I would love some suggestions.



Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me. I would love to hear from you also so drop me a line at : celindakot@yahoo.com or my personal email address if you have it.

November 9th to November 15th, 2010

 

On Life and Living:


Sorting and Organizing: Bill has cleaned out his office at work. Every night for the past couple of weeks he has been slepping home stuff and now the library looks like this: I guess this will be on his list of things to do soon, I hope.

Tuesday November 9th: I worked on Redmond Ridge today. I had one hole in my schedule and I clocked out and ran down the road and did some last minute grocery shopping for tonight’s family dinner. Bill took off right after lunch and drove up to Mount Vernon to pick-up his mom so she could be at the party tomorrow. Tonight’s family dinner was the beginning of the festivities for celebrating his retirement. Barb and Steve, Amanda and Becky and Toula all came and we had a great time together.

Wednesday November 10th: Today is the day. Bill went to work as usual but I took off today and stayed with Toula. We ate a leisurely breakfast and got dressed for the party. The party started at 1pm. When Toula and I got there we heard Bill’s laugh coming from down the hall. The room was well decorated and people were starting to arrive. The party was a big success and it made Bill so happy to see and hear from all his coworkers that think so much of him. His mom ask us several times if he was the only one graduating today.





Bill and Toula
Bill is wearing his special SAP outfit
with all the 'bell's and whistle's







 Thursday November 11th: Today

was a training day at work with a focus on marketing to get new patients and to grow the practice. It was interesting, but I am always talking up the dentist I work for anyway, because I choose to work for dentist that I believe in. (Well except for just a while after Dr Kitchel, when I stayed in the practice because I had such a loyalty to the patients.) After the training day we all went to a local endodontist that was having an open house party. I met staff from a couple of offices that we work with and I also met a couple of new specialist in the area that we are working with. It was nice to put faces to names.


Friday November 12th: Today I took all the chicken enchiladas from the freezer to Dr S’ office to Debbie. Her sister died a week ago and the memorial service and celebration of her life is tomorrow. So here is the story as I know it, Debbie's sister was healthy and 51 years old but she got diverticulitis and went to the hospital. The surgeon did a colon resection and told her they did not need to do a colostomy, A couple of days later on Friday November 29th she went home feeling great with a new lease on life. Then the toxins in her system flared up and she had so much infection that she went back to the hospital on Tuesday November 2nd. They could not get the infection under control and she died on Thursday November 4th. Now you can guess that this hit Bill and me pretty hard because it was so close to my story, and again I ask 'What on earth am I here for?' Bill's boss took him out to lunch and then he was officially finished with working at PSE. He went with me to the dermatologist to get the stitches out of my had. We both really like that doctor and my hand is looking great. The pathology report was back and it was some skin cancer but all the edges were clean so all it good there. The Friday night dessert group came over for soup and blueberry pie. The pie was a gift to Bill at his retirement party. I made Cream of broccoli soup and Pasta e' Fagoli and we got some good bread at the bakery to go with it. We had a nice evening reminising about his party.



Saturday November 13th: I worked at Dr S today and always have such nice patients. Amanda came in before lunch to get a new nightguard and she and I went to lunch together. I got a BLT (at the Brown Bag) the sandwich was good. They use thick slices of fresh baked bread and half a sandwich is a full meal. When I finished work and pulled in the driveway, Bill was pulling out, he was going to a friends 60th birthday party. I was pretty tired and took my knitting with me to bed. I actually got up later to eat something and I had slices of grilled steak, from the freezer and baked a potatoe. The freezer is really getting cleaned out now. We have made some good progress in eating from the freezer. There is still quite a bit of shrimp, I need to be making shrimp....



Sunday November 14th: Bill and I took a nice walk this morning and then we went to Office Max for some boxes to store his work stuff in. We met Mick and Christie in Everett at lunch for Mexican and then listened to a quartet do music after lunch. It wasn't a 'string' quartet, there was a violin, an accordian, an obo and and chello. They were pretty good and it was a good listen. Sunday night we got several phone calls all wishing Bill a nice retirement and not having to do his 'sunday night' chores. He enjoyed that too and stayed up a little later than usual



Monday November 15th: Bill's first day as a retired person, he was up early and went running. He spent a lot of the day sorting and organizing all the books, paperwork and files that he brought home from work. he got it into 6 book boxes and stored it in the attic.  Now the library looks great again.  This afternoon he went with me running a few errands and we went to friends down the street for dinner tonight. She had decorated the table so beautifully, I was getting the urge for new dishes before but now I really am. Some that look like fall. Maybe the ones I like will be on sale after Thanksgiving. I say them at Pier 1 and they were called Crysynthium.

 

On Health and Healing: what can I do or be for anyone else if I haven’t taken care of me.  

What's Cooking?

Tuesday: family dinner: Shepherd’s Pie, Steamed broccoli and cauliflower, big green salad, spinach and cheese pasta w/ olive oil and seasonings and some good bread

Wednesday: ate @ the Purple Café with lots of Bill’s friend’s

Thursday: Bill’s night out; I went to a party with my office group and there was lots of food there

Friday: date night: our house: Black bean and pasta soup, Cream of broccoli soup, good bread and blueberry pie

Saturday: Steak and Baked Potatoe and spinach salad

Sunday: out for Mexican w/ Mick and Christie

Monday: went to friends for dinner



On being Productive, experiencing Pleasure and Living Positive

What's on my needles: Luke’s vest, I started it Thursday morning while I was in the training class at work and it is almost finished. I just needed to put the shoulders together and do the finishing ribbing around the armholes and the neckline.


What's off my needles: snowman hats for Dr S. We have always given out handmade Christmas ornaments at this office to all the patients durning the month of December. Dr S has a niece who has made them for years. This year she is all grown up and not making the ornaments so Donna is making snowmen and she has others of us making the hats for the snowmen. The top hats she made are sooooo darling.


Counting my Blessings: I am here to celebrate Bill’s work career and to look forward to many new adventures. It is just too amazing if I dwell on it too much I get overwhelmed. (and it makes Bill cry)



Bill is greeting Savanna (out of photo),
 Luke,  Anne and Christopher



We got to introduce Tamara,
Hannah and Halie.  (Todd couldn't make it.)





There was a great crowd of friends.








Me, about to talk.  I'm wearing
the skirt I knit. 



Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me. I would love to hear from you also so drop me a line at : celindakot@yahoo.com or my personal email address if you have it.

November 2nd to November 8th, 2010

On Health and Healing: what can I do or be for anyone else if I haven’t taken care of me.



What's Cooking?

Tuesday: family dinner: chicken and broccoli alfredo, green salad and good bread

Wednesday: BLT’s (Bill made them while I ran errands, yummy)

Thursday: Bill’s night out: I had pizza, from Trader Joe’s

Friday: date night

Saturday: Split Pea Soup and good bread

Sunday: Penne Pasta with Turkey Bolognese Sauce

Monday: Black Bean and Pasta Soup cooked in the crock-pot

On Life and Living:

Tuesday November 2nd – I worked today and I was so busy I didn’t get any chart notes written, so guess who is going to work early tomorrow. I usually leave the house at 6:30am. Family dinner was just us an Amanda tonight and we had a good time catching up. Bill and she spent a good part of the evening working on problems with the new computers. I know dinner was really good when Amanda chooses to take home leftovers. Oh I put out my fall decorations today.



Wednesday November 3rd – Wednesday mornings are hard because I am all ready tired and Tuesdays are long days and today I went in early, only about 20 minutes early but it did help me get a little caught up on the chart notes. I was all caught up and finished with Wednesday also at the end of the day. By the time I got home Bill had done several outside chores and was making dinner, BLT’s. You know I love a BLT.



Thursday November 4th – I went to knitting group on Thursday morning and then had a quick lunch and ended up at the dermatologist office to have a skin cancer removed from my hand. I watched. It wasn’t huge, but it wasn’t small either. He did an under layer of stitches that will dissolve and then 7 stitches on top and I get those out next Friday. One more thing, hopefully this is it and I am all taken care of and on the mend again.



Friday November 5th – We got up and did a walk around the neighborhood and then did a few things around the house. We met our ‘Friday Night’ friends for lunch and did a lot of talking about the election and how much things will change or not. It was a good discussion and I wondered how many people at the tables around wanted to join in, but didn’t. The place was packed for lunch, we have been there in the evenings and there was never a crowd like that.



Saturday November 6th – We were just messing around the house this morning when a woman from Bill’s work called. She wanted us to meet for lunch and go to flower world. It seems Bill’s work group wanted to get me a gift for his retirement too. I picked a bay plant for my herb bed. Then I took 2 leafs off of it and took them home with me and made split pea soup with them. I can’t believe I haven’t had a bay plant before. I am going to plant it in the center of the second tier of the herb bed. It says it is slow growing but eventually it will get pretty good size. Later in the day Tamara came over and I tried on clothes until we decided what I should wear to the retirement party. The Sasha skirt is finish but it took a little doing to find just the right top. I hope it looks nice when I wear it.



Sunday November 7th – Today we ‘fell back’ time wise that is . Now it will be dark all the time, when I go to work and when I come home from work. This morning we met some friends I had not seen in years and years. I knew them back when I was an active glider pilot. We met up for breakfast and then Bill went home to get more work done and Sharon, Norm and I went to a quilt show in Issaquah. Sharon has been a quilter for years and knew a lot of the vendors and had a really good time seeing the show. Norm had an appreciation for all the work and talent that goes into quilting and enjoyed the show also but he met a man playing the harp and had a bag full of his CD’s when we went to the car. I had a great time too, I loved the quilts and again had to remind myself that I don’t get along with machines and to ‘not go there.’

I did find some awesome buttons that I am going to have to knit something for them to go on. Football stinks this year. The Huskies, Longhorns and Seahawks all lost and lost big. Those games weren’t even good enough to watch while I was knitting. I am almost finished with Savanna’s Christmas present. I really hope it fits her. Now to start Luke’s vest…..

Monday November 8th – Woke up way to early because my body didn’t fall back as far as the clock did. I turned to look at Bill and there he was playing on his iphone. I met a dental hygienist/family friend for coffee and shopping and then later lunch and a good visit and catch up time. On the way home I had the usual errands to run, banking, mail packages and today I went to Borders. Bill is still getting a present a day on his countdown to retirement and I picked up a couple of books for the last couple of gifts. He has had a lot of fun opening a present each day and I have no idea what I will get him for Christmas because I have given him almost everything I can think of. He wants a guitar and to take lessons but he was very clear he wants to pick it out and not even a gift card to a music store because he wants to look around and not be tied to one place. As if I would try to pick out a guitar anyway.

On being Productive, experiencing Pleasure and Living Positive

What's on my needles: I am casting on two things this week, one I had a dream about and had to go up in the attic and find the yarn and then download the pattern. It is a really simple top and I just can’t begin to tell you why I ‘need’ to make this top right now, but it is on the needles. Then I am casting on for Luke’s Christmas present. I am making him a vest with cables up the front and I need to make that happen. I cast on yesterday for the swatch to make sure the gauge is right. I am really trying to make things that will fit. My fingers are crossed.

What's off my needles: Savanna’s Swing Cardigan is off the needles but I still need to do the side seams. It is looking so cute. Now I need to find the perfect button.



Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me. I would love to hear from you also so drop me a line at : celindakot@yahoo.com or my personal email address if you have it.

Grannies’ Diary: Bobbie Ann Maxwell 1945: For a few years now my grandmother’s (my mom’s mother) diaries have been sitting on a bookshelf above my desk. Now that others are reading this, I think I will take things from her diary and tell you what was happening at her farmhouse also. I have started with the first complete looking diary and the year is 1945. I am telling her story, in her words as best I can.


Friday, November 2nd – Well Chy got on to me this morning. She asked me if I cut Annie’s bangs. Of course I said I did, came near getting me. Well, I just ought not to have done it, but I believe if Chy loved me she wouldn’t get mad at me so much about the sweet little Ann. Dad and Bill went to gather pecan this morning but dad got home about 11 o’clock. Bill, Hilly, dad and I went to see the deaf and dumb football boys play the San Saba boys. The score in favor of the deaf boys 38 to 0. Lovely and Nancy stayed with Chy and Ann.


Saturday, November 3rd – Well, I ran up to the bazaar with Mrs. Gay and Mrs. Lewis. Bought my dinner at the bazaar which was $0.50. Dad and Bill put a concrete floor in the smoke house and the wash house. The kids were really selling things this evening. Nancy came home with me. Jessie Trent brought me home. Mrs. Gay and Mrs. Lewis stayed to go home with Mr. Gay who had gone out to Cardwell’s. Nancy came off with her daddy’s store keys and Lovie , Em came after them. That Chy got Bill on to me. He’s not my Bill any more since he married that sweet little Chy. Think the kids are going to the midnight show.


Sunday, November 4th – Well, the Bill, Chy, Ann, Nancy, dad and I all went to Elsie’s today. Had a nice day. All went to see the Maxwell’s. All but Gordie, Elsie and dad. I could not get dad to go. Shame on him. Ma and Pa are sure feeble. We saw all the Sheppard boys and wives and children but Joe and his family. My little pigs all died. I sure tried to save them. Richard Taylor’s little boy ate a poison pill and died instantly. Poor little boy.


Monday, November 5th – Well, I went to town with Chy, Lovie, and Em. Chy and Lovie washed. We ate dinner with Gordie. Then, we all went to town. Gordie took care of little Ann. She was asleep. I went up to see about the taxes. Paid Son and got a $3 bottle of Melgas $6.50 in all. And the girls all had their ears pierced and had ear screws put in them. Chy was the first, Lovie next, then Emma. Dr Pense wanted to pierce mine but nothing doing. No Sir. Bill helped Hilly all day. I saw Wilma Light in town and she paid me dad’s $12.50 for work. And I brought Mr. Gay his check that she sent him, but I gave it to Lester. Glory be, I had a letter from Son.


Tuesday, November 6th – Well, I ran into town with Eula. Lovie, Emma and I went to stay with Gordie as Jim was gone, and the girls went to Richard’s little boy’s funeral. So, very sad. Poor Jane is ready to have another one.


Wednesday, November 7th – Well, Gordie and I sewed, made her two shirt waists. Went to the show. Saw the Call of the Wild. Sure was good. Gordie, Gordon and I all went. Elsie and Tom came also. Tom bought our tickets. Old man Butler has bought Hilly’s store building out from under him. Told Hilly it would be.

October 26th – November 1st

On Health and Healing: what can I do or be for anyone else if I haven’t taken care of me.

What's Cooking?
Tuesday: family dinner: Indian; Chicken Masala, curried peas and potatoes, steamed rice pilaf, stir-fry cabbage w/ coconut and peach crisp bread

Wednesday: Chinese chicken Salad w/ roasted chicken, almonds and chow mein noodles

Thursday: Bill’s night out; I had Trader Joe’s pizza

Friday: date night (Lunch) @ Greenlake Bar and Grill

Saturday: tilapia, cabbage salad and sweet potato fries.

Sunday: turkey meatloaf, baked Yukon gold’s and green beans

Monday: salmon patties, asparagus and baked Yukon gold’s.



On Life and Living:    Just for fun:    Sorting and Organizing:

Sight, Sounds and Smells: It is definitely fall. We have had wind, and rain and sun breaks all week. The rain was so heavy at times the weather person called it a ‘river in the sky’. You could see it on the weather maps coming from Hawaii and headed straight for us. Aunt Jeanne says it has been totally windy in southern California. She said that is the one type of weather she really hates. Mom Avo hated that wind, in the desert also.

What's up at the dental office? We had a team training day on Monday and a team meeting on Wednesday at lunch. I have the job of making the reservations for our Christmas party. Mostly we all want an exact repeat of last year, we had a great dinner and the setting was perfect. The team wants a repeat performance. I hope it is. Then I worked this Saturday also. I can’t say how much I look forward to work, even when I am tired.

In the news: Tomorrow are the political elections for this year. Oh, I am so tired of the ads on television and the phone calls to the house and the signs on the road. Does all that really help anyone decide who to vote for?


Tuesday October 26th: got off work about an hour early so I came home and took an hour nap before I started cooking (heating) family dinner. I did most of the cooking last night. Debbie Y. called while we were eating and I excused myself and took the call. I had been missing her and thinking about her so it was nice to hear her voice. We have decided to get web cams so that we can knit together. My new computer that we got yesterday does have a web cam and so I will have to learn how to use it.

Wednesday October 27th: a full day of patients and too tired to run any errands. I came home and took all the garbage to the end of the road, did a couple of loads of clothes, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher again. Bill did a Costco run on the way home and when he got home we put away stuff and then I mixed up a nice salad for dinner.

Thursday October 28th: slept good last night but woke up stiff and sore. I am looking forward to starting to exercise again. I say the physical therapist this afternoon. My exercise to take home is to roll my eyes. If you roll your eyes in just the right way you can train yourself to be aware of certain neck muscles. The PT’s observation was that my neck is a mess which may have caused some of the other problems. I did a lot of chores around the house today and the day flew by.

Friday October 29th: We each did a few chores around the house and then we met B&C for lunch. It was great to meet at lunch, I went home and about 3 took a 3 hour nap. I tell you I am still sleeping a lot.

Saturday October 30th: I worked all day and then came home and knitted for a couple of hours and we watched the second disk of the “Long Way Round.” What and adventure even if I am not the one on the motorcycle.

Sunday November 31st: No Halloween at our house and all the kids were busy. I never even buy candy because we just eat it in the week after Halloween. Bill and I went to see “Hereafter.” It is a story about three people who have experienced mortality in different ways. I was wondering how they were ever going to bring the story together, when they did the movie ended, that was just wrong, I wanted more. A lot more I think.

Monday November 1st: I met BK in Bellevue and we gave Cindy her gift. Bill wanted to give her something special because they have worked together so well and supported each other so much. So I knitted her a hat and scarf. I think she really liked it. It looked great on. I did some cooking after that and put a couple of things in the freezer and got ready for family dinner. Then I had an appointment to see my dermatologist and after that physical therapy for my shoulder. The dermatologist is going to do a small surgery on my hand. I have had a ‘sore’ for about 6 weeks that has not healed, he is going to remove it. He said it could be a skin cancer but it is not something to worry about. Physical therapy turns out to be more of a caution – what you shouldn’t do yet than anything about pushing on. So I got some basic stretches and will go back on Thursday. He said I can’t go to Curves for another month or two to let this heal. That is looking like January now, if nothing else happens.




On being Productive, experiencing Pleasure and Living Positive

What's on my needles: I am still working on that skirt, I took the lighest grey ruffle off and I am making headway on the black ruffle at the bottom. I am also  working on a cardigan for Savanna for Christmas, pink of course. This one is knit from the bottom up; you make the back, two front panels and two sleeves then you start knitting them all together and the yoke is done in the round. I am liking it, I sure hope it fits. Right now I am on the second sleeve and have not started the yoke yet.

What's off my needles: I finished the blue seaside cover-up, but no photos yet, it is raining like crazy and I just haven’t gotten any photos taken. It is a little longer than I really wanted but I think it is going to be okay.



What I am reading; magazine, book: I am almost finished with Ann Packer’s “Songs Without Words.” It is the story of a lifelong friendship between two women and the power of the friendships we create when we are young. I have been thinking of Debbie Y so much as I read this book. Boy she sure has always been there for me.



Have I seen any good movies lately: Bill and I saw ‘Hereafter” yesterday. He said he thought it was going to be more ethereal from looking at the previews. I thought it ended way too soon. So soon it left me a bit confused. If you see it I would love your opinion.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting me. I would love to hear from you also so drop me a line at : celindakot@yahoo.com or my personal email address if you have it.






Grannies’ Diary: Bobbie Ann Maxwell 1945: For a few years now my grandmother’s (my mom’s mother) diaries have been sitting on a bookshelf above my desk. Now that others are reading this, I think I will take things from her diary and tell you what was happening at her farmhouse also. I have started with the first complete looking diary and the year is 1945. I am telling her story, in her words as best I can.

Friday October 26th - Well I sold my turkey hens for $6.50 this morning. I called Mrs. Lewis and she told me I didn’t have any word. Guess I have as much word as she has where a dollar is concerned. Boy, she will sure paint me black but I called her and told her what I was going to do and she still wouldn’t give me $6 – the old tight wade. Ann has just walked up. Chy, Bill, and Frank have gone to town. Chy has a letter from her mother. I sent the checks in for Gordy to deposit tomorrow. I sent the checks in by Bill and Chy as they were going to the football game. Edgar light owes Bill for 3.5 days work and he owes dad for 2.5 days work.



Saturday, October 27th – Well, dad has gone to help Light. Clarence and Bill are helping Mr. Smith with his corn from the creek. Well, well Tom, Albert, and Frank all came by this evening to invite Chy and Bill to a ham supper at Franks tonight. Albert sure looks good but is so changed. Gee, but I was glad to see him. Chy and Bill have gone up to Lovie’s and Hilly’s. Nancy called saying they were going to the midnight show. Mrs. Gay called me and said Mr. Alex had a baby pig for me. So, dad went up after him, but he is mighty poorly as he won’t stand up. I couldn’t go as Ann was asleep. Albert thought Ann was the stuff. And of course we do too. We washed some this evening.


Sunday, October 28th – Well we had a lovely day. All the children were here but Son and family. But he would not have been here even if he was in the states. Albert came but he is so changed. Ann was the center of attraction. We all had such a nice time. But I can afford to say that as I’d do anything but clean the chicken and made the rolls and corn bread. We paid Albert $65 for the $850 he loaned us when dad was sick. My pig is still alive but awful poorly. Wants to stay on one side all the time. Elsie washed the dishes. Lovie, Emma and Chy fixed the dinner.


Monday, October 29th – Well, nothing much today. Bill went to see Allen W. Dad went to help Mr. Gay haul in the rest of his hay this morning Then, he and dad, and Mrs. Gay all went to San Saba. Mr. Gay sent me down two more baby pigs but the first one died. It never could get up. Mrs. Gay went to see her new ice box. The dealers will bring it out tomorrow. Gee, but I know she is proud of it.


Tuesday, October 30th – Well, nothing doing today. I ironed. Chy and Bill and Ann all went to Cherokee. The Burt Mc came for Mrs. Gay’s turkeys. Took 13 of Mrs. Smith’s. Mrs. Lewis got Mrs. B, Mrs. J, Shelly Fay’s turkeys this morning. My other little pig died. Just have one left. Old Tipper cut two of our goats throats Sunday. I’d sure like to kill him. Bill and Mr. Gay have gone buck hunting tonight.


Wednesday, October 31st – Well, our precious little Ann burned her little arm this morning. Bill, Chy, and Ann all went to Cherokee this evening and the girls all ran over to Llano to shop, Emma got Ann the sweetest little dress. Mr. Brown came and fixed my phone. I can ring Cherokee now. My little pigs all died. Bill helped Hilly this evening. Gee, I’m in real debt. I owe Hilly $8.95.

Thursday, November 1^st – Well, another month has gone by. The Bill and dad have gone to gather pecan out at Gray’s. And Chy and I have washed. Chy started the Maytag. Well, I got my glasses this evening. I sure was glad to get them. Dad and Bill gathered about 55 pounds of pecans. Made $2.60 a piece. Mr. and Mrs. Gay came tonight and brought me two more nice baby pigs. And Bill and Mr. Gay went hunting tonight.