The Try

At noon, when I reminded Mom of my pending trip south, she had the audacity to say "no, you're not". After all these years and she doesn't know that is a red flag to me..Geez.

I asked her "trying to put a guilt trip on me?" No answer. Then she said "I'm 92 and can't be here alone". So my reply was "I can get you a room in the Manor at the hospital if you are not comfortable here by yourself". That was a resounding "NO" from her. So..wonder what she will come up with next. This is why I usually wait until the day before I leave to tell her. Lord, don't let me EVER be this way with my kids.

Radar

on the net may be good but sometimes, it's scary. They have predicted snow showers today and I just pulled up the radar, sure enough, here it comes. Hope it ends up being just showers but doesn't look like it to me. Maybe it will peter out. Yeah, no sand to stick your head in Sharon..LOL

In talking to Mom (hard to do with her hearing) she wanted to know "what was she to do with me leaving". I have asked her to come with me and she always says "she can't travel that far". Well, she can. Just doesn't want to. I feel tempted to tell her if you get lonesome, call your "other" daughter.

So far, I am hanging on to the thought of sitting in OK City on Saturday, watching the Big 12 playoff between Texas and Colorado.

Damn Snow

Got out and used the shovel to clear a path on the walk and got rid of most of the drift in front of the garage. Rod came by later and used the snow blower to clean it really good. Said he was pleased to find the snow blower where he did not have to get it out (I had switched the riding lawn mower and the snow blower places in the garagae last week) and the fact that some of it was shovelled. The other thing I noticed was after losing 30 lbs. my chest did not bother me while shovelling the white stuff.

It looks like the weather is back to being good on Friday. Sure hope that works. I wanna shovel sunshine soon!!

Why Are They

right when I need them to be wrong? The weather reports, that is. It is snowing and blowing now and doesn't look good for the rest of the day. My original plans were not to leave until around the 8th of December so at least I have time to find the right window to sneak out.

When I went downstairs to get java this morning, there wasn't any blast of hot air. I checked the thermostat and it is holding at 80. I did close the north bedroom door upstairs so what heat is here in the south bedroom is pretty good for me.

The young kids at dinner yesterday were a good group. I guess they all were in the 19 to 23 year range. Didn't even spend much time away from the "old" folks. I would have liked more one on one time with them but Mom was nervous about the weather so headed back fairly early.

The food was very good. I had been thinking about eating someone elses cooking for a couple of weeks. It met all my expectations!

Baking

this morning. Will be making rolls and a sweet potato casserole to take to the nephews today. There is suppose to be bad weather headed this way but I hope it holds off for this morning. It would be nice to get Mom out for a while. I just hope it will clear enough for me to get out the end of the week. I hate to think of packing the truck in the cold but will do it for sure. LOL

Day After

I ended up doing a chicken in a dutch oven yesterday, even though it was 35 degrees outside. The wind was very light, the only way it was bearable.

Mom enjoyed the dinner. Now, we are to go to the nephews on Sunday for Turkey. Supposedly the weather will not be too good, but if it will turn to snow, should not happen until evening and we would be back. Mom is already making noises about the weather.

Small Town Shopping

I received a call that my new wires for the DO earrings were in. I had also two other errands to run in the same town, about 18 miles from here. My first stop was at the frame shop. Discussed what I wanted. Everything was in stock and she thought she could have it ready in 30 minutes or so, if I had other places to go. I did, so all was well. Next stop, two doors down with the jeweler. Looked at the wire, agreed to the addition of a joining piece that could be soldered for safety. Be back in thirty minutes. Great. Went to a thrift store and messed around for the thirty plus minutes. Drove around the block and parked closer to the two stores. As I pulled into the parking place, the jeweler came out and lock the door. There was a sign that said, "be back in 5 minutes". OK, not too bad. Went to the framing shop, locked..LOCKED!! sign said, be back at 4 p.m.

Upshot was, got the earrings ok, but only after another wait because when I walked in, she came from the back, said they were not done but she would get right on it. Geeze, she acted like she had forgotten! I think maybe the mall is open but nobody shopping!!

When the frame shop opened at 4, no luck there. Said it would be a couple of days. Oh, well, and the other store did have the part for Mom's kitchen sink that they had ordered. Well, I guess 2 out of 3 is not too bad, but was trying to be frugal on gas and do it all in one day.

Sunday, Sunday

I need to get cracking on some work around here, or won't be ready to head out when the weather shows I can.

Had some really good ribs at the nephews last night. He keeps trying new things with his smoker and improving. Also did a platter of mildly warm chicken wings. The drive back wasn't too bad. The eighteen wheeler traffic on I-80 was really heavy though. So I cut off ten miles of it and came in the "old" way. It is nice to have a choice.

The group Thanksgiving dinner will be held a week from today and I think Mom is rather excited about getting out for it. Will attempt to drive "her" car. I did tell them if it broke down, someone would have to come and get her right away. Everyone agreed so that is a good thing. I don't think it will, but it has only been driven around town for several years and you never know. I did have it serviced a couple of months ago so all should go fine but I do like to cover my bases!

Yuk

Yuk pertains to the weather and how I feel. Sure am tired of both. My glucose tests flare but nothing dreadfully high. I keep reading about diabetes and find so many things can affect your glucose readings. Just keep on keeping an eye on things and being aware of how I feel after eating certain foods, amounts etc.

Went to an auction this a.m. but did not stay. Had a few things but once again, were to be so late in the day before he got to them and I told my nephew I would come to Lincoln for dinner at their house this evening. So came home and took a nap!!

Starting to look ahead weatherwise. Still looking to get out of here on the 1 or 2nd of Dec. The long term forecast makes the first look the best, right now, for both here and Oklahoma City. I no longer have the choice of stopping in Dallas with my gal pal there. She is moving back to San Antonio after a 6 year hiatus (work related).

Not A Complete Bust

Had to laugh after I typed the heading to this post. Oprah had a show about the correct way to fit a bra, I did it and it came up with, you don't need a bra!!

Anyway, had about a dozen people show up for the porch sale. Did make a little bit after what it cost to place an ad. Of course, had those thinking I was selling Mom's stuff. Man, no thinkers here..LOL

It's a Go

I went ahead and did a garage sale ad. Suppose to be around 50 and partly cloudy on Friday, so we'll see. Need to start setting up today.
Received the new surge protector and guess what, made in India. Will not buy that brand again.
Made some good chicken and dumplings yesterday to go along with the snow. Used one of my dutch ovens on the kitchen stove. I swear cast iron makes 'em taste better!

Decision Time

Suppose to get much colder this week, so do I place an ad for the garage sale or not. Just a couple of hours to make that decision as you need to get your ad in the local paper by noon.
I went back to "regular" eating and so far, nothing going wild with the glucose. Not coming down quite as fast as currant thinking dictates but within an extra hour, usually where it should be.
I finally received the last payment due for the old '49 Pontiac. Will be making a couple of Post Office runs shortly.
The yard fellow got most of the leaves up yesterday. He is a coach and has run this lawn service for a number of years during the late spring, summer and fall. Think his life is getting real busy as wrestling goes into full swing about now.
Had to order a new surge protector and maybe it will arrive today. They provide a return label for the old one which is nice. Proper disposal of the old battery and I am sure they can reuse some the parts. I found out the hard way it wasn't working. Needed to shut it down with lightning popping around several weeks ago so just unplugged it as I am suppose to have 15 minutes on the back up battery to do the shut down. Well, poof!! everything went off. I think I have had it for 5 or 6 years. The new one lets you replace the battery. The old one was sealed.

A Quiet Weekend

I took a really nice day and spent it in Lincoln. Went to a tag sale first and did not find much. Took a chance on a set of bouillon cups made in England. Then spent some time in a Coop flea market that is really several cuts above what you would call flea market. They have lots of collectibles and the right price for resale on a lot of them. I picked up a couple more items there.
Then went for a late lunch at Panera's Breads. Yummy for sure. I did the french onion soup with a whole grain baguette. So satisfying for both mouth hunger and soul food.
Next on the list was a couple of hours spent at the bookstore. Could have done a lot of damage but only added to my collectibles reference books by one!
Ended up at my nephews and the three of use did burgers at the Back Yard. My burger was made with chicken, tho! The food was good and fast. The "other" bugers were made with Angus beef so will try one of those next time I am in that neighborhood.
Oh, yes, my licorice fix, sort of messed with my glucose testing. In the high normal range according to the book, over according to the latest by the doctors but hey, I know what did it.

It is Work

The buying and selling process is work and I did goof on some postage but what else is new.Still made some extra and had fun with the scale model car. The guys hang out and snipe on the stuff they want.

Now will need to do a front porch sale to get rid of the extras. Mom could be real nosy then. Would probably do her good.

So far the glucose numbers are lookin' good.

I went to Crete yesterday and had a jeweler look at my earrings for new wires. We have a plan A and and plan B. Hope it works out. These are the one of a kind DO pots. Had problems with one of the hangers. There is a real word for the type they have and darn if I can think of it. Also, got a new cartridge for the kitchen sink on order. Also found a place to do the foam board and mat for Nick's fish so did get some things accomplished.

The Expense

of glucose monitering is something else. The meters may be reasonable but the strips are not. I read recently where they were lowering the acceptable range for diabetes. It does make me wonder about how much business plays a part in all our "health" information. How many years did the poor egg get a bad rap? Then butter? Now, their so called healthy substitute is soooo bad. I know lifestyle has a tremendous amout to do with our health. Dad was a meat and potatoes kind of guy all his life and died at 98. Mom is sailing along, going on 93. She take no medications. Neither did Dad even though he had cancer and it was operated on successfully. No chemo or radiation needed.

Somehow I don't think I will make those kind of years but at least have the genetic possibility.

Not So Good

I have been monitoring my blood sugar this past weekend. I am certainly borderline leaning to diabetic. (I know, like you can't be a little bit pregnant). It does not come as a surprise as I am at high risk. Female, over 45 and had BIG babies. Right now I can keep things pretty normal with monitering my diet so that is what I will do. But in case anyone who reads this is diabetic I have found the 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day helps control the absorbtion rate. So will keep that up also.

I need to start getting serious about the trip south. This week that will take the form of getting my paper work in order. Then clothes and a decision on how much cast iron to haul. I am going to cut that down this trip. At least, that is what I am telling myself. Ha. I also need to have a garage sale on some of the non ebay items I have picked up in box lots, or the things that did not sell.

Not as Good

Went to an auction today but did not do as well as I would have liked. OK on knowing for the most part what I was getting but not on how well it might sell. Oh, well, that's the way it is. It was just nice getting out.

Nebraska got beat today so any chances are now gone for a play off for the Big 12.

Good news

from my friends in Gulfport. After a prolonged battle with the auto insurance co. he got what he wanted for the auto that was ruined. Then received the $$ for the flood damage to the house, now just need $$ for the rest of the damage. They also just signed a contract for a new house that is within a mile of both their son and the daughter. Nine miles north of downtown and off the water. Neither of those houses had much, if any, damage so thing are looking up. She had broken her arm a few weeks ago and that therapy is coming along fine! It is nice to hear.

Pleasantly surprised

by today's "tag" sale in Lincoln. I was able to get a few things at a good price. Now, whether they will sell is the question...but they will some day. The reason for some of the success is she does not put any ads in the newspaper. She has her mailing list and must do well from that. Of course, my buddy Tom got a lot of furniture so baby truck was loaded. Was back in town by 2:30 p.m. We got there about 8 a.m. She handed out numbers a little before 9 and the sale started at 10. I had number 20 so it paid to go early. They let the first 35 in pretty much in order of their numbers.

I am

suppose to go view a piece of property today. Now, what have I gotten myself into??One of the antique dealers who is based out of Philly, PA is buying up properties in the small towns around here and in Walnut, Iowa, and wanted me to meet with him and the real estate agent to look at this old property. Well, I will look..lol

Probably caused talk 'cause we had coffee downtown yesterday! Oh, well, keeps "them" from picking on someone else..ha