Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veteran's Day

What a blustery Veteran's Day! The parade was canceled yesterday because of the weather forecast. Too bad, Dad loves that celebration. He never did go to the ceremony when it was held indoors, just the outdoor ceremony on courthouse lawn. He doesn't even really know he missed it, but I do. I would have taken him for sure.

What does a girl do on her day off in the middle of the week? Took a surprise ride with Donna to Bolingbrook and had lunch at Portillo's, then came home and made the Pioneer Woman's Enchiladas for supper, with green chile rice on the side. Yikes! LOL The trip to Bolingbrook was a surprise, I certainly would have picked a different dinner lol, something lighter to be sure, but the wheels were already in motion . . .

Everybody should make enchiladas at least once, but given the ingredient list, the labor, the clean-up, the mess, the quantity, next time I'm going to Chiles! These were delicious, to be sure, and I have lots of leftovers.




Dad has recovered from his flu bug, his color is better and his appetite is picking up. Whew! So far mom is OK too. I was not successful in fighting off John's cold bug, and had a nasty cold for a few days. My Kleenex stockpile took a hit!

I moonlit, moonlighted, worked for Mar at a catering job Sunday and my knee held up very well. Perhaps I should pick up the activity a bit and quit being a baby babying it so much.

We celebrated Mom's birthday with supper out and a coconut cream pie. Dad's 95th is coming up next month.

My kitties are not liking the cold so much. I commissioned a vacation house for Midge. It is being decorated now, photos to follow. She has been wanting one, what can I say? I'm a Crazy Cat Lady.  Midge and Finn kind of hesitate at the door, waiting to see if I'm coming out, maybe to rock on the patio or pull some weeds, but they are gonna have a long wait. I feel bad shutting the door on them. I miss summer already.

TBCCP (Throwback Cute Cat Pic?)


Kay :)



Monday, November 3, 2014

November

Happy Halloween! Be on the lookout for this new alien vegetable . . . Midge was terrified! Or I suppose it could have been partly the mixer going. She is awful skittish with loud sounds.

It does look sort of predatory . . . and . . . well, you know . . .

Dad had a flu bug. Vomiting, diarrhea! Yikes. It was a rough one. Quite worrisome. Mom got quite a workout, he was in the bathroom quite often. I know that is TMI. Because I am his sister I get out of the bathroom thing (whew), cuz it's OK for your wife to be in there . . . but not your sister! Whew! LOL  But he is remarkably sturdy, and is coming out of it very well. His color looks a lot better, he was quite pale.  His appetite is still pretty absent though. At his last VA check-up he had lost 11 pounds in 6 months. Doc wants him to drink a couple Ensure or Boost every day. He's doing OK, having one a day. He still eats, just not enough, not like a Morris Mallaney! He can always handle a doughnut though . . . even if he won't finish his supper!

 I am praying Mom won't get sick, and so far, so good. Her birthday is the 7th, she'll be 77! Yikes! 

I was afraid I'd never get Bernie out of the house after work for a ride now that it is dark so early, but he went tonight and we saw a huge barge and 2 boats down at the river. He was tickled. Of course he doesn't remember it now, but I do. He was happy. I liked it too. I told Bernie it was going to be one long ass winter if we didn't get out at night once in a while! LOL  He doesn't think he wants to drive though (praise Jesus!), and he is going to give me some money for gas . . .

I went to John's this weekend. We did some freezer cooking to help mom out a little bit. Isis apparently wanted me to hurry up with this recipe business, that little scamp . . .



I was making Martha Stewart's Spicy Cheese Dip for election day at work. Election day is a county holiday every other year (woo hoo), and I'm moonlighting at the  Clerk's office tomorrow. It's fun to be around the courthouse on election day, very interesting and kind of exciting. I like it. Everybody brings in snacks and there is usually sandwiches and pizza and stuff. I made my cheese dip and a lemon cake. You should see the staff handle that election. They are like a well-oiled machine. It is so impressive to me, the organization and efficiency. Kudos to the staff at the County Clerk's Office, they bust their asses!

John's sweet kitties barely let him get out of his recliner before they claim it! They like the warmth. He throws a blanket over top of them and they snooze away! It's very amusing.   John did have the heat on this weekend . . . all the way up to 59! Woo hoo!

I don't want to leave Finn out of this post . . . it wouldn't be right.

Finn is still doing his yoga and meditation. Good boy!
I was exposed to Dad's flu bug, and while at John's he seemed to be coming down with a cold. I am sure I will successfully defend myself from these invaders!

Kathleen :)