Spring!

Hi Folks!

Spring is here.

Onions and radishes.

Midge liked my new, super cool Pocketbook Plant so much, she decided to sit on it! Hopefully it will bounce back!

Tulips, weeds, dandelions, grass (not the good stuff!), lily-of-the-valley, and hosta. I have some work to do on this bed.

"Where are my zinnias?!" Midge likes to sit on this table. I move it around the yard for her. Sometimes she just sits on it, motionless, and looks up at the sky for a really long time. She's a corker, that one!

Asparagus bed, such as it is! LOL  I'm thankful for whatever I get, it's delicious.

Cabbage and invisible taters.

I've been missing the internet! Between a lightning strike at work and a router problem, I haven't been on much at all. Four inches of rain wreaked havoc around here! I am very lucky, lots of people have been displaced and have massive property damage. The piles of debris laying out for pick-up are incredible. That rain was something else. They even had to evacuate the local hospital. And that horrible business in Boston! And poor Texas. I don't like turning the news on anymore.

Years ago I had a series of 3 injections in my right knee, Synvisc. It helped a lot, so I decided to go ahead and have Synvisc injected into my sore left knee. Turns out there is a new single injection, more painful to start, but better results in the long run. Because I had minimal pain and great results before, I decided to go with the single injection. I had it yesterday morning. Holy mother, I think I sort of went into shock when I stood up and tried to move! Yowzer! I seldom show emotion in public, so now I think I'll get a new ortho place. LOL  It's sore as hell. It's a little better today, so hopefully it will be better tomorrow. Takes 6 weeks for it to really work. I'm hoping for another good result, and that I will soon stop limping, grimacing, and cursing.

Went to John's this weekend and we hit this annual benefit rummage sale in Bloomington that we like. Had a good time and I enjoyed seeing the girls. They are sweet as can be, and getting big. I found them a nice basket of cat toys (for the bargain price of $1), which they totally ignored until we went to bed. In the morning it looked like a tornado had hit! LOL  There must have been 30 cat toys in that basket, and they were everywhere, little stinkers. LOL

John had been looking at furniture a bit, but the search became more urgent after his recliner broke this weekend. He actually asked me if I had broken it! Hahaha. I hadn't even sat in it in that day, I swear! So in 6 weeks (or less!) a lovely new sofa and 2 beautiful, comfy, BOGO chocolate brown, leather recliners will be delivered! Woo hoo. Hera and Isis will be glad to have a comfy place to sit where they won't get a crick in their neck watching TV! :) And goodbye plaid bargain basement couch! Photos to follow in 6 weeks, hopefully less!

Dad is still doing pretty well. Now his new thing to say on rides is "I wasn't going to come for a ride, but I'm glad I did now. No snow, no ice. I won't go for a ride when the roads are bad." Over and over! LOL   I tell him it is April, Spring is here, and he is incredulous. April already! LOL  We took a ride to the veteran's clinic in its new location, it had relocated into an old hospital. He kept looking at the receptionist, and saying "I know her from somewhere, I've seen her before", and mom and I kept telling him he knew her from the veteran's clinic, but I don't think he believed us. It was funny. They have these chairs that are higher up, sort of like a stool, and for some reason Dad went and sat in one of those, and oh my, he is so short, he looked like a kid, his legs swinging off that high stool. Gosh it was cute. Then Mom went and sat next to him and I got the giggles. Bad. A couple more trips up there in May. Thank goodness I have personal time I can take. I still don't know how old couples manage it without help. If mom wasn't in good health and 18 years younger than Dad, yikes, this dementia/Alzheimer's thing would be even more hellish.

Keep your fingers crossed, boss is trying to get me on as a paralegal at work.  I hope it happens this time. When I got my degree there was a hiring freeze on at work. Some more money and some new duties would be a nice change. I'm hopeful. I'll keep you posted.

Still struggling with my Get Paid to Lose Weight Challenge, but I'm hopeful there as well. I guess it wouldn't hurt me if you kept your fingers crossed for that too . . .

Off to brush 2 kitties. Midge and Finn are shedding like crazy.

Kay :)

Tax Day

Happy birthday to Midge and Finn today! Four years old. They are not too happy with their rainy birthday.  I'll spare you any more pictures of them  . . . oh all right. They would not cooperate in the re-creation of one of my favorite kitten pics. In fact, they did not fancy the idea at all. They took off and will not come near me. Oh well.

Nothing much going on. I planted some onions, potatoes, cabbage, and radishes, just for fun. Midge has been having fun too, digging them up. I think I saw her tossing around an onion this a.m. I got to looking at flower seeds on Ebay and somehow ordered a bunch of seeds which will hopefully produce some lovely sunflowers. Mark (Donna's hubby) gave me a columbine yesterday, probably because he is sick of answering my question about when the hummingbirds will come back with his answer "When the columbine blooms." LOL I stuck that in too.

I moonlighted (moonlit?) - worked at the election last week, checking in precinct judges. That was fun. Did you know when you are moonlighting at the Clerk's office on election night and you hear "DNR" it does not mean "Do Not Resuscitate", what you actually heard is "D & R" and it means Democrat and Republican. LOL 

Dad goes up to the VA Clinic on Wednesday. I think it has moved from the clinic location to the old Silver Cross Hospital. I hope he doesn't pitch a fit. He is always afraid of going to the hospital. He's doing OK, we want to keep those meds coming! Plus there might be another one of those memory tests. What an amusing waste of time those are!

My cousin had a heart attack! What the hell. He's only a year old than me.

I got over my flu bug without losing a bunch of weight like some of the girls at work. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Ok I lied. More pics. LOL

Kay :)

Monday Monday

Good Day Folks, 

We had a nice Easter dinner, Mom's lasagna, which is outstanding, with salad and garlic bread. Carrot cake for dessert. It was delicious and a nice change from the usual turkey or ham with all the trimmings. Not that there is anything wrong with that!

I made Old Reliable French Bread from a recipe I found on line for my Kitchen-Aid mixer. It made 2 huge loaves and was super easy.

Pretty! And it smelled soooo good while it was baking. It made wonderful garlic bread for Easter dinner.

I had to sample a slice to make sure it was OK. It was. Very OK. Quality control you know. I should NEVER be in charge of quality control when there is bread and butter around.

Because no one else in the family is sick, and because John and I ate mostly the same foods this weekend, I'm pretty sure I have a bug and not some sort food borne illness. I was nearly asleep last night when my churning tummy wanted a TUMS. I got up to get it and yikes, too late for TUMS, I was sick. Later in the night my body was up to some more antics (censored!), and blimey I'm dizzy and have a headache, so I am home sick today. I don't feel any better, any worse. I'm just middlin'. My friend Mar called:



Mar: "Are you really sick?"

Kay: "Well it's 4:30 and I haven't had anything to eat or drink yet today, and I took two naps."

Mar: "Wow! You really are sick!" lol

I'm not a napper, and missing a meal is out of the question! And I should also interject that I am shocked Mar asked me that question, as I would NEVER NEVER take a sick day if I wasn't sick! Fingers crossed. After our conversation I had a cup of coffee, a scrambled egg and a slice of my home-made french bread, toasted. Well, OK. I had 2 slices. They are small! We will see if that was a good move or not. At the very least I feel more energized. Which is not hard compared to my energy levels earlier in the day lol. I should also add that I watched a few 70's British movies on my Roku today, of the suspense type, and I may have picked up some of the Brit lingo. Maybe.

Dad Stories:

Dad, upon seeing all the election signs around town on our ride (to the cemetery and the river, dad's favorite places now AND pre-dementia lol):

Dad: "I want to vote for Dick. He's a good mayor, I like him."

Kay: "Definitely. The race for mayor is contested this year, so I think you should get out and vote."

Dad, with a dubious look: "Well I don't think they'll let me vote here."

Kay: "Why not?"

Dad: "Well, I don't even live in this town!"

Uncle Jim called Dad, and Dad was dumbfounded. How did Jim get his phone number when Dad had just moved into his new house in Morris that very day!?

Dad: "Comiskey Park sure looks different!"

Dad is doing well. His major complaint is his tinnitus, which drives him batty. And because it drives Dad batty, it also drives Mom batty! LOL

John took 3rd place in his Biggest Loser competition at work and only needs to lose a few more pounds (and of course maintain his loss until July) to win the Get Paid to Lose Weight Challenge. He lost over 25#! Kudos to him! My procrastination might bite me in the arse on this one. Three months already gone on that challenge. How time flies!


I'm not sure if the food was a good idea or not. I'm dubious. And my energy boost from the food seems to be over. I feel a trifle dizzy and need to lie down.

Wish me luck!

Kay :)

Spring is in the air . . .

Went to John's this past weekend to check up on my buds, Hera and Isis. I told Isis she could sit and watch us do the jigsaw puzzle if she stayed in the box. She surprised me by actually staying in the box for a while, but she still managed to get into mischief! We managed to finish the puzzle anyway, a splendid old TUCO, a thrift store treasure. Isn't it lovely? And isn't she a cute little stinker?

I went with John to look at new furniture for his living room. Now that Hera and Isis are declawed (awwwww), he can get go ahead with his purchase ANYTIME! LOL  The girls are doing well after their procedure and will soon be back to full speed, sweet little girls. They rested a lot last weekend.

I saw a book at the thrift store titled Life is Too Short to Fold Your Underwear! LOL

Saw a couple of good short films. "Seeds" (damn you Monsanto!) and "Bargain" (lol this one turned out just like I wanted it to). The discovery that I can play favorites from YouTube on my ROKU has me reliving the 70's, remember those TV movies of the week? The opening music has me flashing back to my childhood! LOL

John was still doing the vegan thing and we got hooked on soup, salad, and that vegan garlic toast. Good eats. John whipped up this tomato soup . . .

Midge and Finn continue to be sort of friendly. Very strange. The Smidge caught her first bird of the season today! At least the first bird of spring that she tried to bring in the house! ARGHHHH. 'Tis the time of year to check the cats' mouths before you open the door I guess.

Midge has a foot fetish.

My sweet Finn.

John's last weigh-in for his Biggest Loser competition at work is tomorrow. He is well on his way to success in the getting paid to lose weight for the on-line challenge that ends in July. I am still faltering. Grrrrrr.

Glad that big snow missed us. Though a snow day would have been nice! LOL

My knee is feeling better. My insurance approved that really expensive shot that helped my knee years ago, back when I was still playing softball. I'm going to go get it mid-April.

Had a good St. Patrick's Day Party. No ambulances! And I learned a new song courtesy of the OTHER Kathleen . . .

I'm a rambler I'm a gambler
I'm a long way from home
And if you don't like me then leave me alone
I eat when I'm hungry and I drink when I'm dry
and if the good Lord is willing, I'll live 'til I die.
 
I think those are the words. You'd think as many times as we sung it at that party I'd remember the tune too. . . but there were these Irish Flag shots. And the shot glasses were oversized! The food was outstanding. My favorite party food of the year. I suggested to the Other Kathleen that we have another St. Patrick's Day party later in the year, and I think it's a go.


Anyway no news is good news. Life is blah, work is blah, I am blah. Ready for some nice weather and to have a knee that feels good enough to log some miles on the towpath.

Take care folks,

Kay :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Something weird is going on with Midge and Finn. They are, dare I say it, becoming a little friendly again! Weird. That is 32 pounds of cat there. All of us have put on a little winter weight! Midge has been outside for hours the last couple of days, stalking robins. Spring is here!

John got his girls declawed this week. They are doing ok. I'll check on them next weekend. John's two kitties, if you total their weight, weigh as much as Miss Midge.

St. Pat's party tomorrow. Looking forward to corned beef, colcanon, and creamed cabbage. And beer!

Got a cortisone shot in my knee Thursday. Ouch. I think it is feeling better though.

Dad is doing well, a little peppier. Mom told me that doc upped his thyroid meds, so I bet that has something to do with it.

I never would have watched a Golden Girls marathon before, but now that I'm in the AARP it seems like the thing to do.

Boot Camp. April 1st. For beginners, or just old lazy asses who haven't exercised for a long long time. I'm seriously considering it. Which means that I cut the ad out and look at it once in a while.

Kay :)

Hedonistic Eater

I'm a hedonistic eater.

Mom and Dad had their 54th anniversary Saturday. He's doing pretty good.  He's off coumadin now, and I think he feels better for it. He has a good appetite and is looking forward to Spring. His ears still ring and bug him, but that has been going on for years, he just doesn't remember! LOL

I don't know why John laughed so hard when I said "I only exercise for the endorphins"? Sometimes he is very odd.

John is doing well on the Healthy Wage Get Paid to Lose Weight Challenge. I'm a little behind.  Must be that vegan thing that is working for him. Plus he takes off 3 meals a week. I'm lucky if I'm on 3 meals a week. I'm waiting for something to click. Besides my trick knee . . . and ok I'm way behind.

John is getting Hera and Isis declawed Wednesday! Poor little girls. First time one of  us has had a cat declawed. Also the first time any of us has had a really nice house. LOL I had Finn to the vet. That third eyelid that had a little tear is now torn all the way. As long as he doesn't have any problems, he doesn't need to have anything done. Whew!

And guess who is the newest member of AARP? Yep. Yep. Yep. I got my car insurance bill and it went up nearly $200! What the hell! I didn't file any claims. Car is older, I'm older. I did this on line comparison thing (wow, the phone rang within 30 seconds of my hitting the submit button!). Turns out the AARP quote was the cheapest. Saved me nearly $200, even with that big $16 AARP annual membership fee. I called to ask some questions, and talked to some kid. I commented that I thought you had to be older than 50 to get in AARP. He told me enthusiastically that "Oh yeah! You can get in when you are 49 1/2!" LOL 

Can you believe that couple on the Amazing Race last night that went out with their express pass! LOL  All that giggling woke me up.

Oy vey.

Kay

You are what you eat . ..

Last time I was at John's we watched "You Are What You Eat", a series where a British holistic nutritionist goes around and cures obese people by cleaning out their fridges and analyzing their bodies by pushing on their innards and looking at their pooh and changing their diets. The transformations after 8 weeks were incredible. I found it rather fascinating. She actually recreates their food intake for a whole week and lays it out in front of the peeps for a real eye opener. Hera and Isis liked it too. I've been thinking about that show and maybe I'll do that for the blog. Pictures coming soon . . . probably no pooh, but you never know. Live in suspense people. Plus I'm not even sure I can stay on a diet for 8 hours, let alone 8 weeks!

We tried these recipes from the Serious Eats Blog, the 30 days of veganism again:

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/02/vegan-broccoli-rabe-and-antipasti-panini-olive-salad-recipe.html

 http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/01/brussels-sprout-fried-rice-with-crispy-cauliflower.html

Both were delish. We kind of modified the panini recipe a bit and made it more into a bruschetta topping served on top of toasted whole wheat english muffins.  And I guess baby broccoli isn't the same as broccoli rabe, but who cares? Good eats. Brussels sprouts in fried rice kick ass. If you are trying a new bean paste, don't load it on just because it smells sooooo good. I knew when I got too close to the hot pan and it knocked the breath out of me and I started coughing and had to get a kleenex for my running eyes and nose that John put too much in the rice. Yowzer it was hot! I numbed up after a few bites and really enjoyed it though, I think. 

 Miscellaneous Mallaney Stuff . . .

Story from Mom: Dad (after some serious thought) to Mom:  “You are about 75 years old now, right?” Mom (thinking wow, Bernie is pretty sharp today): “Yes, that’s right.” Dad: “I thought so! I knew you were older than me  . . . “  Mom is 75, Dad is 93.

Story from Mom: Dad is up and dressed at 6:00 a.m., which is kind of early for him now. He has been staying in bed later. When mom commented on his early rising, Dad seemed surprised and said “Well, it is 6:00!”

I asked John if his kittens still sat on/with him at every opportunity: jmallaney: If I fall asleep on the couch I wake up with them on me. Usually I wake up because one of them is trying to nurse in my hair. LOLOL

As a reminder, Dad has been living in the his current house since 1975. Dad (or should I say Bernie my bro), while fidgeting nervously, to Kay: “I’m a little nervous.” Kay: “About what?” Bernie: “Oh, all the moving around, you know.” Kay: “Dad, you ought to be getting used to things now, you have been here quite a while!” Dad (looking at me like I am nutso and with wry laughter): “I’ve only been here 4 hours! It’s going to take some time! At least I have a good boss though, I don’ t have to worry about that.” Then he pointed to Mom. LOL

This one will only amuse the relatives . . . Dad, in the car on our way to Veteran’s Clinic in Joliet for routine bloodwork: “I know this road! This is Larkin, where I go and visit Gus and Jean, my little sister . . . the noisy one.” LOLOL

Dad frets and worries about many things, including the furnace. He tells Mom EVERY single time it kicks on. If it doesn’t kick on for a while, he wants her to turn it up to make sure it is working. Well, go figure. Furnace went out the other night. Not totally, a little hot air would come out for a few seconds every once in a while, but the blower was out. Mom had put a call into the repairman (just the regular #, not the emergency # that adds on big $$$ lol) and at about 6:00 a.m. it was about 60 degrees in the house. Mom snuck into the bedroom and turned dad’s heated mattress pad back on, and Dad did stay in bed a little later than usual. Mom turned on the oven too (mom always insisted on a gas stove just in case of power/furnace outages and damn, that has come in handy on numerous occasions!). Well, Dad finally did get up, and do you think he noticed that it was way cooler in the house than usual, and that the furnace wasn’t working properly! No. LOL  At least not until the repairman showed up.

When I told John that Dad was the “hired hand” again, John wanted to know exactly what sort of work the hired man did around the house! Dad has been getting waited on hand and foot for years! LOL So one night I asked Dad if he had many chores around the house. He informed me (and gave me that patient look of his) that he was “pretty old” and that he can’t do as much as he used, to. Plus there aren’t as many chores around a farm in the winter as there are in the summer. LOL  
 
This snippet is from a column in the paper titled “I’m not fat, I just hoard food.” by David Porter, upon being told by his doctor that he needs to lose weight and eat a healthier, lower-fat diet:

There is a bowl of apples on our dining room table that are turning black. Fruit gets eaten in our house like snow melts in Alaska. Ice cream, on the other hand, disappears like 10-cent drafts.

Amen to that!

As a postscript to the furnace story, Mom showed me the bill for the repairs  . . . $18,697.53. LOL  

Yes, it was a mistake. Whew! 

Have a good week all!

Kay :)