Thanks to Jan Eide for organizing a spectacular Saturday evening. We all met at Palomino's for plates of Pizza at $5.00 (half-price) and beverages (I had Pellegrino sparkling water). We had a wind view of Foutain Square - twinkle lights, skating rink and fountain nearby. The Christmas tree is in place, but hasn't had it's "Tree Lighting Celebration."
We then went to the Cincinnati Pops "Wicked Divas" at Music Hall. Talk about spectacular! The two divas, Megan Hilty and Julie Murney, took Kristin Chenoweth's place (she was ill). Steve Reinke, conducted the Cincinnati Pops with "style and flair". Selections from Broadway shows were included, plus highlights from "Wicked".
All three women had stared in "Wicked", hence "Wicked Divas".
Jan is able to get tickets at a very good price and then everyone "moves over" to seats that would cost nearly twice as much! Thank you, Jan! I really appreciate your work in putting it all together for us.
I still have 4 pieces of Pizza left over! Oh my!
Tonight, I'm going to try 20 Brix in Milford with some of my Meetup buddies.
And, I hope to come home with more leftovers. I usually get two meals (at least) for every time I "dine out".
If any of you get the Clermont Sun, George Brown's column honors Mama for her work to establish Senior Services as a priority in Ohio as well as Clermont County!
Thank you George!
Onward!
Monday, November 16, 2009
It's Monday!
Hello Monday! Today offers a fresh new opportunity for LIVING! And, as Ed says, "It's about living". The spirit lives forever and ever. Knowing this, we can move forward without all the constant fear of dying. We'll shed this body at some point in time and move onto "the higher side layer" (from "Cats"). I like to think of it as the "sunny-side layer" ... maybe the words were "sunny-side layer". (Will check that one out).
Already, I've gone through the maze of the Staple's rebate instructions to receive $30 back on a recent purchase of "Quicken 2010" which I'll just wait for 2010 to begin again. I have used Quicken for years - since '98. It has all my account records. I did print out old accounts to "clear out the clutter". Accounting for expenditures has been an on-going, life-long activity. I could write "Accounting for My Life" (great title - maybe).
Then, already, Bank of America called today to try to sell me credit card protection. Each bank has their own version. Money is like pinball - you are in the line up just ready to be BOINGED into the "game". Okay, I get $30 back from Staples that's 30 points for me, then Bank of America calls and wants at least $8 a month and that would be minus 96 so already I would be 66 points down, so I said "NO" I don't want to buy anything today. UP 30 points. Whew! The day will progress and then I'll get the bill for major service for the car. Game over!!!
Today, a bit of laundry and back to sorting through those plastic bins of "odds & ends" of stuff bits. Writing is at the top of the list - continuing "Lois Lessons".
Tonight, dinner with Meetup.com friends at 20 Brix in Milford, Ohio.
The weekend was wonderful. Sunday afternoon, Sherry and I attended a Hospice Memorial Service for our loved ones - candle lighting ceremony, readings and music. It was at Anderson Center, an amazing meeting place for the community. Years ago at Anderson Twp. High School we would listen to Mr. Brown our history teacher talk about the future of the land across from the high school and how it would become a shopping center. It became more than "just" a shopping center. It is amazing! Because of the Memorial Service, I "expanded my universe" again. Thanks again to Hospice for all the service given to Mama Lois. I brought home the candle and her name card to put on the altar I have set up to honor Mama.
After the service we drove up Beechmont Ave. to see where Sherry is volunteering at a Veterinarian's. We stopped at Peppermint Pig, which is a jam-packed Consignment Shop which raises funds to resuce animals. Visited with Joyce Hutchinson, the founder. I made my way to the back of the shop and was amazed at the array of items available for sale. When Mama was "closing down" her home, Joyce and her husband came out and packed up many, many boxes of glassware and Mama's special "knick-knacks" to take to the shop. They also had come and unloaded a lot of "stuff" from my studio (furniture, etc.) The huge American flag that I had purchased for a stage prop and Mama's corner curio cabinet are "Not For Sale". It felt good to see those items on display.
Sherry continued visiting with Joyce. I was delighted to see an Indian Food Market right in the same shopping complex. I went in and looked up and down the rows of wonderful foods that I may have tasted at an Indian restaurant. I was looking for "Palak Paneer" and I found it! Bought three boxes and another one of some other kind of Paneer combination. I like the spices in the Spinach Paneer. He dropped in a package of Naan "on the house".
Then, tucked right in the corner of the complex, next to "Peppermint Pig" is "Sizzling Wok". I told Sherry I was going next door for soup. I was the "first in" for the afternoon/evening. I ordered a combination plate of Chow Mein. It was a lot of food. I had hot tea, too. The crispy noodles are "home made". Sherry came in later and ordered a Diet Pepsie. We had fun talking with the waiter and owner. We learned a chinese phrase "Taiquila"....or something like that which means "very, very expensive!" I thought he was talking about "Tequilla". Oh my!
Came home, put the Indian food in the freezer and the Chinese food in the fridge after sharing some of the fried rice with Knee-Hi. Knee-Hi is sharing my food again. I'm out of the fancy freezer dog meat. Onward!
Already, I've gone through the maze of the Staple's rebate instructions to receive $30 back on a recent purchase of "Quicken 2010" which I'll just wait for 2010 to begin again. I have used Quicken for years - since '98. It has all my account records. I did print out old accounts to "clear out the clutter". Accounting for expenditures has been an on-going, life-long activity. I could write "Accounting for My Life" (great title - maybe).
Then, already, Bank of America called today to try to sell me credit card protection. Each bank has their own version. Money is like pinball - you are in the line up just ready to be BOINGED into the "game". Okay, I get $30 back from Staples that's 30 points for me, then Bank of America calls and wants at least $8 a month and that would be minus 96 so already I would be 66 points down, so I said "NO" I don't want to buy anything today. UP 30 points. Whew! The day will progress and then I'll get the bill for major service for the car. Game over!!!
Today, a bit of laundry and back to sorting through those plastic bins of "odds & ends" of stuff bits. Writing is at the top of the list - continuing "Lois Lessons".
Tonight, dinner with Meetup.com friends at 20 Brix in Milford, Ohio.
The weekend was wonderful. Sunday afternoon, Sherry and I attended a Hospice Memorial Service for our loved ones - candle lighting ceremony, readings and music. It was at Anderson Center, an amazing meeting place for the community. Years ago at Anderson Twp. High School we would listen to Mr. Brown our history teacher talk about the future of the land across from the high school and how it would become a shopping center. It became more than "just" a shopping center. It is amazing! Because of the Memorial Service, I "expanded my universe" again. Thanks again to Hospice for all the service given to Mama Lois. I brought home the candle and her name card to put on the altar I have set up to honor Mama.
After the service we drove up Beechmont Ave. to see where Sherry is volunteering at a Veterinarian's. We stopped at Peppermint Pig, which is a jam-packed Consignment Shop which raises funds to resuce animals. Visited with Joyce Hutchinson, the founder. I made my way to the back of the shop and was amazed at the array of items available for sale. When Mama was "closing down" her home, Joyce and her husband came out and packed up many, many boxes of glassware and Mama's special "knick-knacks" to take to the shop. They also had come and unloaded a lot of "stuff" from my studio (furniture, etc.) The huge American flag that I had purchased for a stage prop and Mama's corner curio cabinet are "Not For Sale". It felt good to see those items on display.
Sherry continued visiting with Joyce. I was delighted to see an Indian Food Market right in the same shopping complex. I went in and looked up and down the rows of wonderful foods that I may have tasted at an Indian restaurant. I was looking for "Palak Paneer" and I found it! Bought three boxes and another one of some other kind of Paneer combination. I like the spices in the Spinach Paneer. He dropped in a package of Naan "on the house".
Then, tucked right in the corner of the complex, next to "Peppermint Pig" is "Sizzling Wok". I told Sherry I was going next door for soup. I was the "first in" for the afternoon/evening. I ordered a combination plate of Chow Mein. It was a lot of food. I had hot tea, too. The crispy noodles are "home made". Sherry came in later and ordered a Diet Pepsie. We had fun talking with the waiter and owner. We learned a chinese phrase "Taiquila"....or something like that which means "very, very expensive!" I thought he was talking about "Tequilla". Oh my!
Came home, put the Indian food in the freezer and the Chinese food in the fridge after sharing some of the fried rice with Knee-Hi. Knee-Hi is sharing my food again. I'm out of the fancy freezer dog meat. Onward!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
It's another beautiful Friday here @ home. Listening to WGUC Classical music - Beethoven's 5th Symphony plays on my JVC boombox as I write. I am surrounded with paintings that are "old friends" - ones that I have done "in the past". I also have an old picture of Christ praying in the garden. I have a calendar to remind me of each day's passing.
There is a sink in the corner of the room where I placed "the survivors". These are plants that continue to be with me. There is a rosemary plant that is sprouting new sprigs which smells "heavenly" when I touch it or water it. There are shoots of an air plant that are in a jell medium. When the roots are established I'll give those a new home. Then there is the green ivy plant (I'll get it's name later) that has lasted several years sitting atop a shelf in the same sink area. Then, there is evidence of a critter that has been digging around these plants, too. Maybe a cottage mouse?
The sun is out today - bringing out the bright green of the lawn beyond the covered pool. Leaves have been removed. Now it's time for the tree guys to trim out the big magnolia again. It continues to grow and grow. It's roots cause havoc with the underground pipes under the patio "from time to time". (Hello, Roto Rooter!P)
There are new neighbors "out back". They have some kind of "raised" garden bed they've been puttering around. They staked some kind of plants. I've shared plants from my garden with people on Freecycle.com. They come with their shovels, buckets and cardboard boxes to remove some iris, day lillies, hostas, lamb's ears, oregano, and lemon balm.
Tonight our Meetup.com "Tea Toads" group is heading to Mirage Mediterranean restaurant. Delicous food! I recommend becoming part of the Meetup.com community. It's an opportunity to meet new people and even start your own Meetup group to find people who have similar interests as you do.
Heard the mail truck. Sent out some Thanksgiving cards. Let's see what he delivered today! Onward!
There is a sink in the corner of the room where I placed "the survivors". These are plants that continue to be with me. There is a rosemary plant that is sprouting new sprigs which smells "heavenly" when I touch it or water it. There are shoots of an air plant that are in a jell medium. When the roots are established I'll give those a new home. Then there is the green ivy plant (I'll get it's name later) that has lasted several years sitting atop a shelf in the same sink area. Then, there is evidence of a critter that has been digging around these plants, too. Maybe a cottage mouse?
The sun is out today - bringing out the bright green of the lawn beyond the covered pool. Leaves have been removed. Now it's time for the tree guys to trim out the big magnolia again. It continues to grow and grow. It's roots cause havoc with the underground pipes under the patio "from time to time". (Hello, Roto Rooter!P)
There are new neighbors "out back". They have some kind of "raised" garden bed they've been puttering around. They staked some kind of plants. I've shared plants from my garden with people on Freecycle.com. They come with their shovels, buckets and cardboard boxes to remove some iris, day lillies, hostas, lamb's ears, oregano, and lemon balm.
Tonight our Meetup.com "Tea Toads" group is heading to Mirage Mediterranean restaurant. Delicous food! I recommend becoming part of the Meetup.com community. It's an opportunity to meet new people and even start your own Meetup group to find people who have similar interests as you do.
Heard the mail truck. Sent out some Thanksgiving cards. Let's see what he delivered today! Onward!
Monday, November 9, 2009
November 9, 2009 Blog Log - Afternoon
It's 1:48 p.m. McClain Heating & Cooling's guy is here to check out all three furnaces. The big one in the Main House is "down". Something wrong with the motor and it will cost at least $500 for a new one. I told the guy "to forget it". I'm not going to spend more money at this moment to heat that end of the house. So, I'll put the rollers on that other nice space heater I have in the garage and put it in areas where there are pipes that "might freeze".
Let's see what else needs to be cleaned out, cleared up - "winterwize". I've covered the outdoor faucets with styrofoam "caps" and turned off the water. I guess I'm one of those "Seniors" who are cutting back "big time". I could choose to keep adding more onto the credit cards, but not now.
I have three furnaces and three air conditioners! It is too much. This house started out small, then more was added to it by former owners and by us, too. I spend a lot of time in what was my husband's office and is now designated as "The Cottage". I don't need a lot of room for living space. So, it's "budget time" for me. And, now it looks like I ought to keep a supply of furnace filters around!
Onward!
Let's see what else needs to be cleaned out, cleared up - "winterwize". I've covered the outdoor faucets with styrofoam "caps" and turned off the water. I guess I'm one of those "Seniors" who are cutting back "big time". I could choose to keep adding more onto the credit cards, but not now.
I have three furnaces and three air conditioners! It is too much. This house started out small, then more was added to it by former owners and by us, too. I spend a lot of time in what was my husband's office and is now designated as "The Cottage". I don't need a lot of room for living space. So, it's "budget time" for me. And, now it looks like I ought to keep a supply of furnace filters around!
Onward!
November 9, 2009 Blog Log
Here it is: Monday again! Checking off the morning list includes doing my Yoga stretches, having an Aria "Magic Bullet" protein drink, taking my vitamins, feeding the birds and squirrels, paying a few bills, finish clearing off the HOT SPOT counter in the kitchen and washing a down vest which requires several drying cycles.
I'm grateful that I checked the little calendar book on the kitchen counter. I had wondered if I had scheduled McClain Heating & Cooling to come in for the winter check up of the furnace (s).
This means I have to clean out the closet by the furnace where Knee-Hi, the dog) has her bed set up. And, it means that the furnace that's been "off" at the other end of the house has to be started up. I don't know when the pilot light went off, or what happened.
It's my plan to "curtain off" a major portion of the main house this winter to save on my utility bill. I'm focusing on "budget leaks" and seeing what I can do to minimize "outgo".
And, today, I am hoping to do more writing on "Lois Lessons" a book about my mother.
I wonder about why there are traces of potting soil scattered about. I figure it's Knee-Hi taking a few bites of soil. I saw her do it before. I had thought it was the "outside critters". And, maybe it was the squirrels or raccoon.
I'll check my Freecycle.com site to see if there is anything I can "sort out" to give away today. It's terrific for "moving things out" to people who are willing to drive to my back door for pick-up.
OK. It's almost time to "switch gears" and hearing my Mama saying, "Hop to it!"
ONWARD!
I'm grateful that I checked the little calendar book on the kitchen counter. I had wondered if I had scheduled McClain Heating & Cooling to come in for the winter check up of the furnace (s).
This means I have to clean out the closet by the furnace where Knee-Hi, the dog) has her bed set up. And, it means that the furnace that's been "off" at the other end of the house has to be started up. I don't know when the pilot light went off, or what happened.
It's my plan to "curtain off" a major portion of the main house this winter to save on my utility bill. I'm focusing on "budget leaks" and seeing what I can do to minimize "outgo".
And, today, I am hoping to do more writing on "Lois Lessons" a book about my mother.
I wonder about why there are traces of potting soil scattered about. I figure it's Knee-Hi taking a few bites of soil. I saw her do it before. I had thought it was the "outside critters". And, maybe it was the squirrels or raccoon.
I'll check my Freecycle.com site to see if there is anything I can "sort out" to give away today. It's terrific for "moving things out" to people who are willing to drive to my back door for pick-up.
OK. It's almost time to "switch gears" and hearing my Mama saying, "Hop to it!"
ONWARD!
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