Really?! A person on the phone at my doctors' offices

I had a question for my cardiologist 's nurse. Called and expected to have to leave a message... No I actually reached her ! Amazing... then I had to call my primary care doctor's assistant to ask that my lab results be faxed to the cardiologist. Again actually reached the assistant. No having to leave a message....Amazing!!

I finally was "brave" enough to call a new salon for a hair cut etc. appointment yesterday. There was an opening in 90 minutes so off I went. The stylist was very nice and listened to me...the cut seems great and we will see the results after the next shampooing!! My hair has a mind of its own.. I would be nice to have someone I can rely on again.

I can hear the mower from my computer... Bob is out doing the first mowing of the season. 

I am turning  leftover rotisserie chicken into a soup ..( I bought it reduced - $2.50) ... with loads and loads of veggies. It reminds me of the soup my Mother used to make when a chicken got too old to lay. My step-father took care of all the nasty stuff.  

I still have more chicken leftovers ... I'm thinking of chicken salad with craisins , pecans and celery!

 

Ithaca .. here we come!

 Our younger daughter has been awarded a scholarship to Cornell's summer bird program. She thinks the material  would be good for her gifted students. So... her sister, Bob and I will go with her. Vacation for us while she is in class. We have been looking through the VRBO rentals in the area... better for us all rather than a hotel...!

We will be renting a car and looking around and maybe driving to Rochester to visit Bob's youngest brother.  And doing some winery tours?  We are all excited, after all NYS Finger Lakes area is our home turf!! Well... for Bob and our daughters. I am an add-on ( when we got married).

BTW... spring is far enough along for our lawns to need mowing!! Our daughter did hers today.. Bob went out for gas for the lawn mower... the lawn is next!! Ours are not the only lawns needing mowing... the sounds of lawn mowers are  all over!! 

Bob bought two new computers. One for each of us... ours are old and not able to do the Windows 11 (?) thing. He thought he'd get them before the tariff increase... that must have worked because when he saw them at WallyWorld yesterday the price had doubled!! Good work Bob Groh!!

Easter is over...

It's late and Easter is over... It was a good day. We were up early to finish food preparation and table setting.But finished in time to welcome my daughter and her family. They had just driven to UMKC to pick up our grandson.. he didn't want to miss Easter!

Food was good... mimosas tasted great and talk flowed around the table!! I bought huge Chinet paper plates so clean up went quickly and for once there were no leftovers...

The afternoon went quietly. I napped in the recliner and Bob played on his X-Box.

BTW good thing we didn't have little ones anymore.. the.egg hunt would have been rained out!!

Busy-ish day

 Weather was off and on.. sunny then gray and a few sprinkles..but livable. Bob took Jack ( gray striped cat) to the vet for his shots and checkup. The vet says he is great... but I see the 18 year old looking a little older.

Then it was my turn... off to the grocery store to finish up my Easter brunch necessities. One thing I could find... jelly beans!! I did find moth balls for the questionable mohair.

After the new to me mohair sorted, I spent  time cutting out  bears and friends ( from the none buggy stuff). This mohair is different from my stash of mohair so I will have fun making them up!

Since today is Good Friday I decided we would have one of those meatless during Lent meals I used to serve the kids!  It was fish sticks with tarter sauce, tater tots, lima beans and applesauce. Texted my daughters with the menu and one replied "yum"..  It was ok... but not as good as "way back when"!

Bob finished up the day with a vacuuming and rug cleaning... thanks Bob!!  I finished up with some decluttering down in the basement.

 

 

 

rain... thunder and lightening... wet stuff on the deck

Early this morning Tigger ( orange cat) started rattling my bedroom door over and over...the rain etc. had made him nervous and upset. At least he wasn't yowling!

I put some mohair fabric with possible moth infestation ( gotten from a friend) out on the deck overnight. I planned to pick up some mothballs from the store today. But then the rain etc, soaked it all! Some was even blown off of the deck. That mohair now downstairs in the basement on a clothing rack.. dripping away! Will do the mothball routine when everything is dry and can be put in a seal able plastic tub.

After all that rain etc. the weather turned nice! It's already 70 outside!!

 

Little cooler and banana bread...

 The furnace started up again in the late evening yesterday... a sure sign that today was not going to be as warm as yesterday...but it's still sunny!!

Bob is a "banana-holic".... and  his latest bunch was ready to be turned into banana bread this morning. They was at the perfect banana bread ripeness... brown skinned and no bad spots!! The house smells wonderful.. 

Tomorrow my teacher daughter and I  are going to a friend's house. My friend was a bear maker and has moved into a retirement/assisted living complex...Her daughter is readying her craft supplies and other unneeded stuff for a garage sale but we are getting a presale look. 

BTW,,, she is 94!! Her apartment is nice .. 2 bedrooms, living area, kitchen, eating area and 1.5 bathrooms... and a nice pretty big  balcony with room for chairs, plants and a table. I'm not sure whether Bob and I are ready for this but having her move first was a good look-see.

 

 

SAVE ACT

Drum Major is wrong...one  has to have one's birth certificate match one's drivers license. . If they don't one cannot vote according to the SAVE ACT.  A passport also makes one able to vote. My daughter changed her name when she got married ( and all her paperwork such as drivers license, social security card etc)... so her drivers license does not match her birth certificate. She is now applying for a passport.

 

Another nice day??

 Looks like we will be having another nice day...the cats like having the doors open so that they can keep their eyes on things through the screen doors. Tigger ( the orange one) hovers near the door hoping to get out when it is opened.

Went to the grocery store... starting to pick up things for our Easter brunch. One of the cans I wanted was on the highest shelf. Could not reach it and asked a passing by man ! Told him I needed a favor and could he reach it for me... he said yes, reached for it and handed to me with a little bow! How nice!

Still keeping an eye computer-wise on the online show. There are only two bears left ... not much of a choice for buyers! One more day left. I have a nice pile of  bear  filled boxes waiting for the mailman tomorrow. 

it did stay nice... read on my kindle while computer watching. Show ends tomorrow evening.

Blue Springs Farmers Market

 The Blue Springs Farmers Market opened today ( the Main Street Market opens in May). Bob and I went! There were lots of booths and lots of people. It's a little early for most veggies ...but enough. Bought parsley, green onions, tomatoes a some decorated cookies that look like deviled eggs ( for Easter). I also bought a four-pack of pineapple tomato plants.  That booth will have worm compost fertilizer - liquid to be added to water- in three weeks. Interesting!

We "ran into" teacher daughter, her husband and our grandson. They were carrying bags of purchases and will be getting iced coffee drinks on their way home. We haven't seen our grandson in awhile - in college . I swear he's grown another two inches..probably 6'6" now. Still squats enough to give me great hugs!

Our nephew loves to hike and has taken time off to hike the Pacific Crest Trail...over 2600 miles. Posted last night that a trail companion and not woken this morning. Must have been awful for the trail companions...wonder what they did. How did first responders get to the site?

Sitting at the computer

I am participating in an online bear show this weekend... so I am sitting at the computer so that I can mark bears sold and add an adopted to the listing!!  Kind of fun when something sells... but a downer when they aren't!

My daughter just called in tears... the House just passed that bill for proof of citizenship in order to vote. She has her birth certificate but she changed her name when she got married so her driver's license and birth certificate don't match... she won't be able to vote with her current paperwork. So she has started the process of getting a passport. Having started that.. having gotten an appointment with the PO she is a little less frantic plus a glass of wine!!

 

If you changed your name formally when you got married and your birth certificate is different from your drivers license... that's a problem... when you try to vote if this bill passes into law.  How many women will the affect?

Made it this time

 I did see my new primary care doctor today. I like her as does my daughter. While waiting I had to fill in 6 pages of questions about everything under the sun  from Medicare itself. What a bore!

The doctor did decide she wanted  comprehensive blood work done.. no big deal. This practice has its lab on-site...ie just down the hall.

On my way home I stopped at Target where my CVS pharmacy is to pick up my prescriptions. My pharmacy aide warned my that my Xarelto was going to be expensive. It always is, but  the cost of my prescriptions with Cigna seems higher.

We went out to The Pizza Place for dinner...loved the salad bar!!

Oops goofed

 Went off to my new doctor's office for my first appointment... found I had goofed. It wasn't today but tomorrow. At least I know where the office is now!

I will head out again tomorrow.

 

It is warm and fairly sunny out . The computer says 72 !!  Sunny enough to notice the dust...dusted!

PS... my daughter's school district had had cancel its free meal program... next year lunch will be $5.00

one of those circular tips

Today was election day ... so we planned one of those trips...First was voting and a nice chat with the candidate running for our council seat. Then it was off to the library to return and pick up a hold .. and I chatted with our councilman candidate's wife. The library is a polling place. 

The it was Bob's pharmacy to pick up a prescription... then my pharmacy to pick up mine and some catfood.

Finally we headed home..

After that we vegged until it was time for me to make a new recipe that I had found... a chicken, veggie, Mexican soup ( corn chowder) to be topped with cheese, sour cream and cilantro. I think it was good... loved the addition of cumin to the rest of the seasonings.  Will make it again .. with a few changes. 

Tomorrow I see my new primary care physician ( had to switch when we changes health care providers). My daughter and grand daughter love this doctor so I chose her. Wonder what she will think having three generations as patients ?!

Taxes... still

 Bob worked and worked and worked on our taxes. It looks like state and federal are ready to go! Hooray!

While he worked on them I headed off for the grocery store...The store was quiet... the parking lot empty . Found the sale things we were interested in and found a young checkout person who was talkative and a delight and quick!!

 Today has finally been sunny enough to take bear pictures. Since the pictures ( after photoshopping) will go online for the bear shows these have to be cropped etc. One bear was made from various shades of red mohair plush fabric and I had trouble getting it to look natural and not overly RED. 

Since I am still thinking about retirement...I spent some time looking through my scraps and have a bag full ready to be gotten rid of.  De-clutter de-clutter de-clutter..

We received a weather alert saying we have a freeze alert coming up mid-week. If it does get that cold all the plants that have already been displayed at grocery stores, hardware stores etc will be in trouble. 

Coffee drinkers... evidently the wholesale prices are the highest ever ( per "The Bite" on PBS) and probably won't be going down for quite some time. Time for tea??

Women's March...

Our teacher daughter and her husband stopped by on their way down to the KC Women's March at Mill Park   on the Plaza earlier this morning.

She dropped off some apple fritters... a new recipe she was trying.. and planned to drop off donuts for our stress filled librarians....  on their way.

then on to UMKC to pick up our college student grandson and a friend!

Here's hoping parking won't be too much of a hassle.  They were prepared with several umbrellas since it really looks like it could rain!

 

 

 

Here we are at a much earlier Women's gathering down near Union Station KC. Nowadays getting to Mill Park is just too much walking and standing around...big sigh.

ps... that's my grand daughter with us!

The big "80" !

 Today is my 80th birthday. I've always loved my birth date - 4/4/45 ! Boy is it easy to remember!

It is wet and gloomy out but we will be heading out for lunch shortly. Our teacher daughter is on spring break. Our non-profit daughter is taking the day off so with Bob is will be the four of us!! Really looking forward to it... Ophelia's in Independence here  we come!!

Lunch was great! Wonderful food... lots of talking... almost 2.5 hours. It was pouring on our way there and while we were there. So not too busy and they didn't mind us overstaying (?) our time!! 

We were stuffed... and I am still stuffed!!

It was also time to plan Easter! 

Here we are thanks to our server!!

"The Residence"

The other day Bob and I recommended "The Residence" ( on Netflix) to our daughter. I am always surprised when she and her husband like something we like. Their tastes are so different from ours. But they love this ! They are working their way slowly through the 8 episodes...

It happened with "A Man on the Inside" ( with Ted Danson) too!!

Lots and lots of rain

 Last night was a strange one.. lots of thunder and rain and lots of "charley-horses". They weren't really strong ones but strong enough to require getting up to get rid of them and while up, a trip to the bathroom!

We finished up getting the house and the refreshments ready for my quilting group. My daughter came a little early to help put out the food and drinks. The evening went well ... lots of laughing, talking and eating!

Put all the leftovers away ... Bob went back to his XBox and I read!

Stolen cartoon...

Stole this great cartoon from:  https://travelerswife.blogspot.com/

rain and more leftovers

We went shopping for refreshments for my quilting group's get together tomorrow night. As we walked out the door the heavens opened up and we were soaked by the time we unloaded the cart into the car trunk!!

These refreshments mean more leftovers.. but a different type. Oh well... we will enjoy them. My rant yesterday didn't mean I disliked eating the leftovers but the fact that I can't seem to provide meals without them!

Now there are some that I really like and make more than enough so there will be leftovers. Soups are  in that category. Split pea soup will be on the menu shortly and a hamburger one too... and a beef stew.

But trying out recipes also leaves leftovers and if we don't really like the result.. we are still stuck with the leftovers.

The painting quote was even higher than our two guesses. The company will be sending a pdf  . Probably another company's lookie-see and quote would be a good idea.

More decluttering is on going.  

Cory Booker's fillibuster in the Senate lasted 25 hours!! He set a new record... over Strom Thurman's fillibuster against the Civil Rights bill!!

ps... read that the Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court won!!  ... In spite of all the $$ Musk spent ... hooray!

leftovers

I am so tired of leftovers. I haven't had any luck in altering things to prepare meals for two... so we are stuck with leftovers. Bob doesn't complain ( thank you!)  and willingly eats them. As a matter of fact that is dinner tonight. But really... I am tired of them!

The other day we had a young man going door to door for a painting company. He managed to talk a good enough story that Bob arranged for someone to come today and look at the house.. see what needs to be done and give a quote.

The painting company has a good website and good reviews. Two men came .. went and came back. Now we wait for the quote. BTW I think they were at the house across the circle for the same thing!

I'll have to decide what color !

 It is cooler but lovely and sunny... more daffodils and the redbud trees look wonderful! 

LATER:   Leftovers went ok.. the fridge is emptier now and salmon is thawing for tomorrow. The painting guys are coming back tomorrow to talk about their quote. Not just the money aspect but what they would be doing.. or not doing. Our house is board and batten  and some need replacing...

At dinner Bob and I compared what each of us thinks the quote will be... we were about $500 apart...we'll see which is closer.

finishing "The Residence"

 Last night we finished "The Residence" on Netflix...really enjoyed this kookie murder mystery set in the White House. I wondered how they managed  ( they being the filmers) managed all the settings. I can't imagine them being allowed to film in the actual White House!

ps.. enjoyed Al Franken in his role!

 The weather has been gorgeous these past few days but thunderstorms, cooler temps etc rolled in overnight.

Bob is working away at our taxes... still. Probably ( actually) they would take less time if I didn't have a business ( bears etc.) I think he must be "waiting" for me to retire...  Then there is our rental.. inherited $$$ and so on. He's always done our taxes and I've always dreaded the possibility of being stuck with them... Tax man here I come!!  Think I'd find  a "professional" to take care of everything. Guess I have to "go" first!!

 

Gorgeous out!!!

 Another gorgeous day... well , at least for now. Bob and I have been watching a "kookie"  eight part series on Netflix - "The Residence"! We have only three episodes to go!! Surprisingly one of the characters is played by Al Franken as his real life persona... fun! 

My grandson is on his spring break from college... He went to "help out" his Mother's class yesterday. Guess he really enjoyed recess just like the students, I had trouble visualizing this 6' 5' kid on the swings!!

 

a round-about trip coming up

Bags of de-cluttered stuff are waiting for us in our lobby... waiting to be put in the trunk of our car .AND then left at one of the local thrift stores. Should it be Goodwill, Salvation Army or Disabled Vets? There several for-profit private ones too...

we did our round trip jaunt... UPS store to drop off  a  toner cartridge for return... then the Disabled Vet thrift store drop off place...then the Mid-Continent  library to return books and pick up our two reading challenge coffee mugs... car wash and QT gas station.  Finally home. Amazed at how much traffic there was!!

I was also surprised by all the flowering trees!! Magnolias.. dogwoods... red buds... Bradford pears and more. Also lots of daffodils. The grass is getting green again... maples are in bud !

 

two shows on at the same time

 I have been following the HGTV Home Town takeover show... they are working on Sebring in Florida. We actually drove through Sebring on our way from the Keys to Jacksonville! But now PBS will be starting a new season of "Call of the Midwife" at the same time!! 

Bob just watches Home Town because I enjoy it... guess we'll be watching "Call of the Midwife" which we both like and have watched all the shows and specials...Should but a positive spin on things!!

Bob has been clearing out his "supply" of retired/vintage ham radio stuff... someone called today to see if he had something... which he did... and then drove over purchase it... less stuff in his work area and cash in his pocket.

I have been doing my own decluttering... bags and boxes  on the couch waiting for a trip to the thrift store!!

reading the news

 With things the way they are, we don't watch much of the TV news anymore... not even PBS. But we do read... and as Bob says, " it can't get any worse!" But it does.

red cabbage

 while grocery shopping yesterday I came across a small ( softball sized) red cabbage!! My Mother always made the best  red cabbage and I decided that what I would make today.

So today I shredded the cabbage... chopped an apple and put everything in my smaller Cuisinart pot... with a little water, apple cider vinegar and a small amount of brown sugar. And set it to smimmer.

Now the house smells of red cabbage... and giving it a taste test, it's almost as good as my Mother's 

We both enjoyed it for dinner... since the cabbage was small we don't have loads of leftovers!!

still super windy

 My daughter calls every school day on her way home ( hands free)... today's tale was her kids enjoying their outdoor recess but it was so windy that the swings weren't straight... luckily nobody crashed into the swinger next to them!!

And it was so warm the kids took off their coats which went flying!!

It got to 80 today but tomorrow the weather man is predicting at least an inch of snow!! 

improving

Things are slowly improving... hooray...  wearing loose pj bottoms is part of the reason why!!

Weird to find a coating of strange looking snow this morning. I looked like at rained on top of the snow...little holes and a crunchy coating. It's gone now!

hematoma amd sleeping

 Well... the bruise has developed into a large hematoma. Wearing anything with a waistband is awful... so I am staying in my pj bottoms. Thngs are still painful and I am restless at night but sleep too much in the daytime.

My daughter and her family were in Springfield, Mo for her  sister-in-law's funeral when the funeral director had everyone come inside.. a tornado was two blocks away... They had planned on dinner in Springfield before they headed home but when everything cleared they headed home ASAP. The trip home was rainy and very windy but no more tornadoes. .. though there were more reported all over Missouri....I worried the whole time til my daughter texted me that they were home!!

 

 

Care Now

 Bob set up an appointment at Care Now for me this morning. He says that he told me he was going to.. but I don't remember. Anyway we were there st 8.30... no temp... great blood pressure and the doctor wanted an x-ray. No x-ray tech here in Blue Springs so we went to the Care Now in Lee's Summit....Nothing broken nor cracked. So it is Tyenol. cold compresses and time!

We arrived home... cold compress in place and I slept for hours... trying to stay awake now.

 

The little elephant... and falling

 I finally finished the little elephant and he will be heading off to Virginia shortly. I haven't made one of these in awhile so it was fun!

Good that I had something to work on.. fell on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Lost my balance and have a horrendous bruise on my back and a lump on my face. Don't feel much like doing too much so sitting and working on the elephant was good.

It almost seemed like Spring today...almost 76 degrees. We rearranged the deck furniture and tossed down all the branches from the last wind storm (?). The trees around are still leafless so sitting  on the deck was too hot!!

 

a little lavender elephant

 I have been working on a little lavender elephant ... an order. Two legs to go ! 

I have been saying that when I reach 7,000 bears and friends it will be time to retire ...I have  20 to go. Not sure that I will retire. I have loads of supplies left... so what shall I do?

I made my first bear when my younger daughter was 9.  I won't say how old she is now but she is the mother of my 22 year old grand daughter!! 

When I was doing craft shows she would go along and carry a bear under her jacket . She would pull it out and tell people that her Mother made the bear and that I had a booth "over there".

BTW... she still has that "first bear".

Missouri weather... weird as usual.

It rained and rained yesterday and then the temperatures dropped. Very little crusty snow today. I didn't hear much of the wind (which  had been predicted) but some of the local school buildings and my elder daughter do not have electricity..

So schools districts have cancelled school... or will be teaching from home.  School calendars will be reorganized soon..

My daughter's electricity came on... for ten minutes. Time enough to make a cup of coffee!  Then it went off....but she had her coffee!

 

.

 

rainy day... blizzard tomorrow?

Spent today finishing a bear made from scraps of mohair fabric...It rained all day even though the temperature was quite nice... 60's. But starting tonight a blizzard is supposed to arrive with super high winds.

Because of the winds schools may be closed... I'm glad I grocery shopped earlier this week though we surely could survive with all the Girl Scout cookies piled on top of the fridge.

Our TV is off... no Trump State of the Union address for us.

 

I'm with Ukraine

 Take a look at Debby's posting... https://lifesfunnylikethat.blogspot.com/

I am glad so many on Facebook are standing with Ukraine and are appalled at Trump's  and Vance's behavior at the Whitehouse  meeting with Zelensky. Zelensky handled himself so well and we ( US citizens) are lucky that it was filmed and we can see for ourselves what happened!!

 

 

Economic Blackout Day

 Did a little shopping plus picked up my prescriptions today... won't need to do anything tomorrow!! We hope others will be doing the same thing.

Weather still has been nice.. sunny and surprisingly warm but windy. The kids across our circle have a basketball goal... it has been knocked down by the wind yesterday and today.

Gorgeous!

 Yesterday was gorgeous..hard to believe the temperature reached 64 and today is supposed to be almost as good. Our teacher/daughter's students had a ball outside for recess...red light/green light and tag! Just like I did a million years ago!

All the snow is gone and the workers are still at work on digging..adding green plastic boxes and using the ditch witch for the black tubing ( conduit).

We may head out to the Brass Armadillo... getting some steps in and looking at all the "antique" booths.... maybe finish up in Bates City's antique mall? Too nice to just stay in...

Did the Brass Armadillo but not Bates City..... didn't find anything I "just had to have"... though we did talk to another looker. She wanted our opinion.

Going to pick up my prescriptions and cat stuff at Target tomorrow... do NOT want to be tempted to buy anything Friday  ...the no-shop event

 

Somewhat busier

 We did get a few things accomplished yesterday and having warmer weather was probably ... partly the push.

First of all was laundry. We do it in one go with multiple batches. Every thing folded and put away. Bed remade...nice clean sheets tonight.

Made a new soup recipe ... hamburger, pasta and tomato. I added carrots and peppers to the recipe  and ended up with a huge batch filling my BIG LeCrueset (sp?) pot. Pasta to be added later.

While the soup was simmering I worked on a bear  and found I was almost out of the steel shot I use for weighting. After finishing the bear I went online to order more shot. A 10 lb bag lasts forever but ordering one bag was no longer a big enough order for this supplier . After searching I did find a new supplier.. same price but a little higher shipping... no big deal .. and placed the order.  BTW no local store that sells gun reloading supplies handles steel shot.. just lead. Lead corrodes , steel shot doesn't.. not good for inside a bear!!

Bob and I have been watching the workers outside on our circle... First flags were placed last week. Now they have been digging holes and a ditch witch adds some sort of tubing. Not sure what it's all about... which utility. The yellow flags say Evergy... can't read the red ones. 

BTW... it is 64 today and the snow is gone...and the ground is soft enough for digging.

Found a Canadian "loonie" leftover from my last visit !!

 

Tigger is bird watching

 Tigger ( the orange cat) has discovered that we have birds  eating bird food on our deck railing. Bob wipes off the snow before he puts down a trail of bird seed. Tigger watches through the kitchen window.

This morning we had TEN mourning doves. some juncos, a starling, a blue jay and some sparrows! Tigger was fascinated.... 

I decided tunafish sandwiches would be ideal for dinner tonight. Tigger knew what was up the moment I took the tuna cans out of the cupboard and got out the can opener! Not an electric opener either!!

I open the can and drain the water ( tuna juice the cats call it) onto two plates... one for Tigger and one for Jack. Both were in 7th heaven and licked the plates clean!! 

Still hibernating

 Still too cold to go out so we are hibernating... still.   Bob did go out to put the trash bin out at the end of our driveway. It was emptied... poor trash guys , I wouldn't want their job right now! Bob didn't go out and bring the bin back to the house. So there it sits waiting.

The KC Star says newspaper delivery will be questionable. Schools are closed. Restaurants are closed... and it will be colder tomorrow.

I made a turkey chili this evening.. not the best.  Worked on a bear and read...Tomorrow won't be very different!

trip out??

 Yesterday we headed out to the grocery store. The fridge and freezer were looking pretty empty after a week of hibernating. I think we spent way more than usual but the forecast for next week means we will probably be staying home .. again!! Nice to feel all set no matter the weather!

Luckily I am a Kindle reader... Bob headed out to the library to return his things and to pick up things on hold.I say things because it was just books but movies..

Schools were closed most of last week due to snow and the cold and will be closed again Monday for President's Day... possibly closed again after that due to the sub-zero weather predicted. Wonder whether these days off are considered snow days and the school calendar will have to make up for them at the end of the school year.

Spent part of the afternoon making a huge pot of zucchini soup... my M-I-L 's recipe. Well not really a recipe more of a guideline. The house smells of Italian sausage... the basis of the soup. I also made another blueberry crostata.

My Wayfair order has arrived. I love the look of my new frying pans and  my new bathmat looks great and fits perfectly. Here's hoping the cats don't get a chance to pee on this one.

 

Treating myselt

Well... we had some of that snow the Weather Bug predicted this morning when I got up and tiny snowflakes all this morning. They are predicted a heavy snowfall this evening.

So spent some time on a bear and then on the computer to look at frying pans. Bob and I agreed to two new frying pans - an 8 " and a 10". We had donated two of the same size time a few weeks ago  since they didn't clean well any more. I missed the 8 inch one especially . We then decided to order a new little rug for outside the shower. The cats had decided to use the old one to pee on and washing/drying it didn't stop them. ( did take them to the vet to see if there was a problem ... but no there wasn't).

Do like Wayfair's free shipping... variety of items etc.

So far... no more snow. Wonder what it will be like tomorrow morning?!

 

Quote from Mrs. Moon

"I feel as if I know nothing anymore. As if everything I took for granted like the Constitution, the rule of law, like freedom and justice for all (okay, maybe not that but it was a good goal), have all been blasted into smithereens. Like someone had an almighty big hand grenade and hurled it right into the capitol and stood back and laughed as things crumbled and all of our ideals bled a silent death. "

This is a quote from Mrs. Moon of the "bless our hearts" blog... it says what I have been thinking!

Sitting and waiting for the two snow storms predicted... 

Fixing things...

 Since today is ice free and sunny Bob and I headed out to "fix" our health insurance updates. First off to Dr. Liston ( our cardiologist) to let them know we now have Signa Medicare Advantage . The office put our info into the computer and gave us new appointments ( July !)

Then it was off to Target to do the same thing for our pharmacy records! Hooray !

The rest of the day was spent puttering around, bear making  and reading... turned some leftover chicken into chicken salad for some great sandwiches for dinner which I served with a green salad and cottage cheese with "tinned" peaches ( Bob loves cottage cheese).

 

 

 

Cancelled errands

 We had all sorts of errands planned for today... we had received stuff from our new Medicare Advantage provider and we wanted to get things "fixed" at out cardiologist, pharmacy, primary care physicians etc. BUT when we headed out our car, the front steps, the driveway etc were all covered in a sheet of hard ice. Super slippery... Cancelled everything and went back inside for a quiet day.

A huge butternut squash awaited me... so I peeled it , chopped it up and put it in my large pot with water to cook. Then I remembered the pint of  blueberries in the fridge and went to work putting Joanne 's ( Cup on the Bus) crostata together and into the oven. Both things turned out well!!

Then I rewarded myself with some Kindle book reading time!

Almost all ( two including my daughter's didn't) cancelled school today  .. too icy... too many accidents. We will see how tomorrow is..

 

 

 

 

 

Harper and her escape hole

Last night our daughter texted us that Harper ( her dog) had escaped  from her backyard... but had come in. Our daughter had meetings at work today so she asked if Bob could find out  how Harper had gotten out and do something about it.

Bob went to her house... tools  and wood in hand..

This is what he found... a hole under the gate and chewed  boards. ! Heaven knows how Harper who weighs about 70 lbs managed to get through the hole she made!

Bob blocked the hole with  large heavy concrete blocks and covered the chewed boards with wood screwed on ( on the other side).

Bet Harper was disappointed when she was let out when our daughter got home from work!! Plans being discussed for a more permanent solution!!

Harper as a puppy!

spam phone calls

 We have had a morning of spam phone calls...all "phoners" are English as a second language speakers.. all in a noisy room with other speakers and all asking whether we are having a good day ! At this point we hang up no matter why they are calling!  We wouldn't answer the "unavailable" callers but sometimes it's important.

Red and yellow flags have been posted all over the neighborhood... posting gas lines and another utility. Plus yellow spray paint from the street to the houses... No idea what is in store...

Bob went out to talk to one of the men...He said it is a difficult job. The computer print outs of the lines are not totally accurate and he has a "reader" to find the actual line. He was out last week when it was super cold and wasn't able to put the flags into the ground. At least today is warmer.

Fourth of July???

 Last night it sounded almost like the fourth of July...loud booms went off all around us... the cats were not happy. Then we realized the KC Chiefs must have won.! We were missing the game but were watching something we didn't want to miss.

Well... missed posting this yesterday!!

This morning we spent a long very involved time on the phone switching our Medicare Advantage plan... now to Signa. I now have a new Primary Care physician,,, the same one my daughter and grand daughter has. Wonder how she will like having three generations!! Our current cardiologist and hospital are in network which is a huge relief.

My teacher daughter and her school's principal are working on the rules/regulations for handling ICE... The school has a large per percentage of "brown" students so there is a concern over the ICE issue.... also of non-teaching personnel ( such as custodians, food workers etc.)

It was warmer today... tomorrow is supposed to be too!

 

borrowed picture

 "borrowed" this from another blog... but how true !

Switching Medicare Advantage plans

It looks like we will be switching to Signa ( Aetna doesn't have a plan for 2025 according to its website). We would rather keep our cardiologist and St Mary's Hospital than keep Humana...Bob discovered that if we have a plan we can switch providers until the end of March!! Hooray..

My hands hurt like "heck" this morning... could not make fists.. had trouble with silverware, holding a cup and so on. Took Tylenol and things are better tonight. Did I spend too much time hand sewing a bear yesterday?

One of my quilting/craft group friends has died from lung cancer She was 75...the group didn't even know she was ill .  The funeral will be in Jamesport... about 2 plus hours north.... So I doubt any of us will go. Bob found her obituary by googling her...It asked for no flowers but a donation to American Cancer Society. So that's what I did.

This made me worry about another friend. This one lives in Florida and we went to grammar school together. She is ill too .. goes to dialysis several times a week . We write letters but I haven't heard from her since Christmas. I wrote and am hoping to hear back soon.

I guess I am at the age where this is going to happen more and more often

 

hunting for a new cardiologist

 It seems like our ( Bob and I see the same cardiologist) doctors' office no longer accepts our Humana Advantage plan... we we are hunting one that will accept our insurance and new patients....rats!!

Bob is working on this using an "in network" list from Humana..

BTW.... we found this out when someone called. Bob had an appointment tomorrow which has now been cancelled. Our "old" office will do our prescriptions... for awhile..

It has been more difficult than we expected. Getting a person to answer the phone seems to be impossible.

We may have to go to the actual practice offices and inquire.

still "down"

still feeling "down"... nothing I can do about it ...

Nothing to say...

keeping busy

 I sent an email to the collector who wanted the tiny mouse. With the cold and snowy weather she hadn't been getting her mail... especially not boxes.. so we waited till things got back to normal.... her reply to my email said it was...

I boxed him up... added a USPS click and ship label and then realized ... no mail tomorrow. It's Martin Luther King Day, a Federal holiday. I can always drop the box off at the PO... or wait till Tuesday for my mail person to pick it up at my mailbox.

We won't be watching the 'un-auguration' ... but we will be wearing black. 

 

Out and about...

 Here's hoping today is as warm as yesterday! Our driveway is pretty much ice free and the ice/snow piles along side are melting. I am sure we will have ice again when the temps drop this weekend!

Bob had a dental check up this morning. The dental office was pretty empty when he got there at 11... but when he was done it was packed. His check up and cleaning  took only 15 minutes!!

When he returned I took off for the grocery store... list in hand. With the weather so cold, the list was long and the fridge was pretty empty. Now we are set again for the colder temps..

We decided to take advantage of Domino's Pizza's 50% off sale...We did a carryout... served it with a homemade green salad and a glass of white wine!!

Another lazy day

 Well... here it is, just past 11 am and I am still in my pj's. Haven't been feeling too well so it will be another lazy day!

I have been talking about retiring from bear making when I get to 7,000 bears or bear friends. That gets closer every day. So I have been going through my material stash and cutting out bears ( and mice). 

Last night I cut out two mice... I think I will cut out a bear later today when I "manage" to get dressed....These latest are fairly small so I can sit in my recliner and hand sew them with a cup of coffee , hot chai tea or hot cider by my side!!

Later... did finally get dressed. Then I boiled eggs for egg and black olive sandwiches ( dinner)... peeled and chopped them and put them in a covered container to cool in the fridge. Don't want to add mayo to hot eggs!

With a green salad, egg salad on toast made a fine dinner!

 I have started sewing the mouse... he is going to be a gray/brown with pale gold Ultrasuede paw pads etc... and a pink nose! The mohair fabric is very distressed and I think he will be cute!!

My grand daughter stopped by on her way home from buying art supplies and regular supplies for the semester that starts next week... her all A's put her on the dean's list!! 

My computer says it is 6F outside....cold! We put on our gas insert fireplace this evening... felt really good! 

PS Bob got all the Christmas storage containers back up in the attic

Nothing much ...

I haven't posted because nothing new has happened...we don't need anything from the grocery store. We have enough books to keep us busy and Bob did enough to the snow covered driveway that we could get out if we needed to.

Bob borrowed our grand daughter's guitar and he borrowed some library books about guitars. With Lili's permission he is going to "lower the bridge" and make it a more playable guitar.

If finished a tiny mouse... 3.5 inched seated...a  request from a collector of mine. I will pack him up and put it out in the mailbox tomorrow ( USPS Click and Ship).

Today looks like some of the snow will melt. It's currently 35 F. Fingers crossed that the ice at the end of the driveway by the garage will be crack-able and re-moveable.. I worry about falling every time I go out!!

 

 Saw this on a blog... it was for a phone... but I liked it!!

 Later...

Won't be mailing the mouse for awhile... the collector said St. Louis mail is having delivery problems. Lazy day for us.

Made it out!

 Bob worked clearing our driveway is smallish bits... he has had a heart attack plus it is quite cold. But he succeeded and we were able to go and get our prescriptions, cat food and groceries!!

Our Market Walmart was missing things... no bananas, celery, grapes, large peppers. But did have most everything else! So we have stocked up and will see if we have more snow tomorrow evening.

Our snow total was about 12 inches. Blue Springs did plow our cul de sac in the middle of the night and didn't pile snow at the end of the driveways!  Smaller residential streets are plowed under private contractors...city plows do the big streets.

The mailman made it... even got out of his vehicle  to put mail in our boxes. Trash was postponed a day but they came today.

Being housebound I have already finished the required number of books for the Library reading challenge... will turn in my sheet tomorrow or Friday.

No mail tomorrow... federal and gov't offices closed for Jimmy Carter's funeral.

Not too much so far

 I woke up this morning with a couple of inches of snow ( on top of a coating of ice)...so our decision to stay home is still in effect!!

We have about 6 inches of snow now and looking out of the office window we are in a white out. Not sure whether that's snow or wind and snow!!

It IS cold... my computer says 15 degrees.

Lots of closings... churches, businesses, schools (tomorrow) .. no Kansas City Star paper this morning. I won't miss lots of the political or sports stuff but today is the day for Sunday Funnies which I will miss!!

Bob opened the heat vents in the garage... that will make sure the pipes don't freeze in my bathroom which is just above. I will also keep the cupboard doors open to keep things warmer for the  bathroom sink pipes!! Things will be colder tonight!!

Not sure how much snow we've gotten... it has been too windy ( over 35mph)  and the snow is all over. A meteorologist wrote on FB that winds over 35 mph for 3 plus hours is a blizzard... with snow of course!

I've been cooking cold weather food... chicken soup/stew yesterday... today was a quiche from a nice hot oven!!

waiting and watching...

 A nasty storm is predicted for all of our area. I even saw a map predicting snow from Western Kansas to the East coast!! 

We will not be going out... our "larder" and fridge are pretty well stocked. Gas heat, gas stove and a gas fireplace.... our utilities are underground and we do not loose electricity very often...

So I 've spent almost the whole day working on a big bear. I just need  the legs - sew and stuff and attach - finished and then stuff the body and he will be done. Someone wants a tiny mouse so that will be next. 

I signed up to the Mid-Continent Library's reading challenge and have two books read and on the list. Downloaded several books for my Kindle... when read they will go on the list too. So even if we are house bound with snow and ice I won't be bored!!

LATER... reading on FB about all the accidents around here. One picture showed a semi-truck across all the lanes on I 70 just west of Blue Springs... another report was a 200 vehicle accident. Highways are closed.  KCI airport closed for awhile...

NOT GOING OUT...staying home!!