The New Year

Greetings All  - Well, a new year is here and I've already broken some of my New Year's resolutions; I broke one the very first day.  What else is new?  This, of course, is an ongoing habit of mine.  Talk is cheap.

I'm glad the holidays are over.  It was nice, but there's too much temptation concerning food.  I gave in this year; I succumbed to my taste buds and, consequently, ate a whole pecan pie.  God, it was good!  It's been years since I've baked a pecan pie, mainly because of the calories.  Of course, I could have ignored it,  but that was  just about impossible to do when it was sitting there, staring me in the face, daring me to partake.
I also indulged in dark, chocolate-covered peanuts, which were absolutely wonderful.  I ate so many I thought I was going to be sick.

I'm  back on my acid/alkaline balanced diet, which takes a lot of determination and a lot of cooking.  I made some Cannellini- bean soup yesterday which was delicious.  I added chicken broth, orgainc, tomatoes, tomato paste, celery, onion, carrot, bellpepper and one-half can of mild chilies, plus salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.  It's one of my favorite soups.

I was going to have some for lunch today, but my granddaughter wants me to ride with her to take my great-grandson to the doctor for a checkup.  I'll sit in the car with my great-granddaughter so she won't have to be exposed to all the germs, and sick children, in the doctor's office.

It's very cold here in the mid-atlantic region.  Last night it was below twenty degrees.  I really don't mind the cold weather, but it's a little too cold.  I'm actually looking forward to spring, when I'll be able to view my lovely Iris once again; my favorite flower.  I planted some new ones last year, one of which was a beautiful pink one.  I hope it does well this year.  The only problem with Iris is that they don't bloom very long.

I've been reading voraciously lately.  I have spells when I read a lot and then slack off and do some beading.   I'm rereading some of my John Grisham books.  I think he is a great writer and I do love a good mystery.  I've recently heard of an author that I want to read; her name is Margaret Atwood.  I think she writes books that are about the end of the world, survivors, etc.  I do like this kind of story.  Did any of you ever read Stephen King's The Stand?  This was one of the best books, ever;  I've read most of King's books.

Speaking of  beading, I haven't done too much lately, but I'm gearing up to do so; the urge to create is becoming very strong as of late.   I want to learn as many beading techniques as I can.  I love it when I put the needle into the beads and create something beautiful.  Now, if I could just part with some of my creations.

Well, I've got to run some errands.  Have a good one.   Nana

 

Things I don't like

Greetings all....there are a lot of things that I don't like.  I don't like knowing that roaches are crawling over the dishes in my cupboard, on my stovetop, on my cabinets and everything else that is anywhere.  I detest the critters but once they get into your home, they become entrenched.  I've just had to let the aversion of these nasty insects go by the wayside and  trust  my immune system to deal with any germs I may come in contact with.  I have my house sprayed once a month, but I really don't like having to do this.  I know the chemicals are bad for you, but what else can I do?  I do open all of my windows for several hours after spraying and I'm sure this helps a lot.

I also hate having to intensely look all around for snakes every time I open any doorway going outside my house.  I've also had to learn to live with this aversion.   We had a snake in the house once last summer for three days and when I finally found it, and my husband shot it, I realized just how tensed up I was.  I can remember breathing deeply for the first time in three days.

I also hate it when we have a very dry, hot summer.  I'm getting to the age that having to water plants is a real chore.  I have to hire someone to do this now and even to weed my flower beds, as the heat really bothers me; hot flashes and 90 degrees just don't go together.  I really don't like summertime because of the heat.  I usually have to stay inside most of the summer in the air conditioning.

There are a lot of other things that I hate, but the list is too long to iterate.

On my next blog, I'll list the things that I love.  Farewell all, Nana

Getting ready for Christmas

Greeting, all - Hope today finds all of you well and prosperous.

  Today is the first day in 6 wks. that I haven't had to do something for someone other than myself.  What a great feeling!  I slept until 9:30 AM, something I never do, got up and piddled around and now it's lunch time.  I have to go to the bank and to the post office, but I wanted to post my blog first.  I don't know why I keep doing this, because I don't think anyone reads it but my cousin and I.  Oh well, maybe one day someone will find this site and find what I have to say, if not informative, interesting.

I've got to get back to beading.  I had a request for some rings from some of the girls who work at the bank where  my granddaughter works, but really don't have the time to make anything right now, as  I want to make my granddaughter and daughter some items for Christmas, and also my great-granddaughter.  Also, I have to start on my great-granddaughter's Christmas dress this week.   So much to do, in so little time.  I did sell a pair of earrings yesterday to a customer of mine.  The crazy thing is, I really didn't want to sell them; I want everything I make.  I guess I'll have to make another pair for myself.

I'm having ambivalent feelings concerning putting up Christmas decorations this year.  I really don't want to do anything, but feel guilty for having no Christmas spirit.  I'll probably relent right before the big day and do something, although it won't be much, maybe decorate the mantle and set a few poinsettias
around.

Well, time's a wastin', so I'll close for now.  Adieu, Nana

After Thanksgiving

Hello everyone,  hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and fantastic food.  I didn't cook a turkey this year, it was just too much to even think about.  I baked a large chicken and  did a lot of different things to it.  I squeezed lemon juice all over the chicken and put sliced lemon and fresh rosemary in the cavity.  I also added lots of fresh rosemary on the top and a cup of white wine.  After doing all of this extraneous stuff, I couldn't really tell that much difference in the flavor of the chicken, although it was very moist.  I also made two pecan pies using the pecans from our trees across the street.  Needless to say, they were very, very good.  So good, if fact, that I ate nearly a whole pie.  It's been twenty years since I've made a pecan pie, so I thought I'd better eat as much as I could because it will be another twenty years before I make another one.  I also had candied yams, stuffing, peas, rolls and tea.  Not too fancy, but good enough.

My husband is still in the bed, going on five weeks now.  Hopefully, he will have the Meniscal tear in his knee arthoscopically mended Thursday.  He doesn't have to have a knee replacement, thank the Lord, so his recovery will be much faster.  He's been amazingly patient through all of this, for someone who hardly ever sat down before.  

We're both looking forward to being able to do our own thing once again.  Freedom is an awful thing to lose.  It's something we don't think about until it's taken away from us and then we realize just how precious it is.  It's being removed from the American people, day by day, by our current administration in Washington, DC.  I know a lot of Americans are very upset that they voted for such a liberal Democrat; in fact, the most liberal Senator who ever served (?).   The parties have changed.  The Democrats used to be conservative but now are liberal and the Republicans used to be liberal but are now conservative.  It's very hard for older Democrats to believe this.  In fact, a lot of them just refuse to believe it and they really don't see it.  I guess not, listening to the liberal media brain washing them, day after day, with their liberal swill concerning the Obama administration.  The only news to watch is FOX  news.  At least, they are "fair and balanced."

Time to get off of this computer and get some things done.  Have a wonderful day.  Nana

Quote for the day - Don't be so humble - you are not that great - Golda Meir

  Greetings readers - Well, my husband didn't have surgery today.  The medical transport  people picked him up, took him to his supposed appt. for surgery and, guess what, all they did was talk to him about his MRI.

Needless to say, he was irate and let them know it.    To date, his scheduled surgery is to be on 12/10/09 - two more weeks to lay in the bed and writhe with pain.  His GP is trying to find another surgeon to operate but with the holidays looming, I don't know if he will be able to.

So, we'll just have to make the best of a horrible situation.  Neither one of us has ever been in this sort of situation before and, believe me, it is very hard.   All in all, I hope this trial will produce more  patience, tolerance and acceptance.  Everything happens for a reason.

Because we both have suffered so much, we decided to really treat ourselves to a good supper tonight.  He had jalapenos stuffed with cheddar and a steak sub on whole wheat bread.  I had fettucini with tomato sauce and antipasto salad - YUM YUM !!!  Somehow, really good food always helps one to feel better, especially when there'll be leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

Haven't had time to bead today, too busy changing and washing sheets, towels, etc. and fixing food to eat and taking a nap to recharge my system.  A nap really helps me to recharge.  Even if I don't do anything but doze, just putting my head down on a pillow, even for twenty minutes, makes me feel like a new person.

I guess I'll be home for Thanksgiving after all.  I had planned to spend this Thanksgiving with my parents and family out of state, but my husband has to have someone care for him.  My children have already made other plans, so I guess it'll just be me and the spouse.  I'll probably just cook a chicken and have dressing, sweet potatoes, corn, tea and a dessert.  I just can't deal with a turkey right now; it requires too much energy to deal with.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving with  your respective families and we'll talk later.  Adios - Nana

What's Happening?

Hello all, I haven't been able to post for a while now, as things have been pretty hectic around here.

My husband has been in the bed for 13 straight days now with a bad knee.  This has been very hard for him as he's a very active person and hates to be still.  He's held up remarkably well, though, and I'm proud of him.

Of course, I've had to wait on him, hand and foot, but that's okay, too.  I'm surprised at how well I've done, also.  Needless to say,  this has been a very trying experience for both of us, but, hopefully it's coming to an end tomorrow when he will have knee replacement surgery.

A lot of his friends have had this surgery with very good success and I know he'll have success, too.

I've been busy, when I'm not waiting on him, beading.  Of course, I've been beading.  This is my new favorite pastime.   So far, I've made 25 beaded rings.  The ones I make now are my own designs and, when I look at them on my fingers, I can't believe I made them.  (I wear one on each finger, including thumbs...just kidding.)

Hopefully, after my husband's surgery, I'll have time to start my great-granddaughter's Christmas dress - time is really getting short now.  I can't believe Christmas is only 4 weeks away.  I still haven't done any Christmas shopping.  I really don't have to do a lot because I give money, but the grands need to have some presents to open Christmas morning, don't they?

The leaves are still hanging on some of the trees (no pun intended).  We had a bad nor'easter a couple of weeks ago and the wind was very strong at around 60 mph sustained.  There was a lot of flooding, but not too bad in our area.  Norfolk, Va. had a lot of flooding and tree damage.  I'm so glad that's over.  I got very tired of listening to the wind howling.  It gets on ones nerves after a while.

I went to Sam's Club for the first time in years yesterday.  I didn't buy very much, but the price sure looked like I did.  I want to go back and take my cooler and really take the time to look at everything.  The great-grands were along, so we had to keep checking on them.  All in all, it was a very nice day and I did get some cleaning supplies and enough toilet paper to last a year.

Until next time, adieu - Nana

QUOTE FOR THE DAY - Growing old isn't for sissies. Betty Davis

Greetings Neighbors:  What's going on in your part of the world?  Same old same old here.  Another day spent totally in the house, although it was beautiful outside.  It was 57 degrees this morning and felt so good when I stuck my head out of the front door.  Today was babysitting day, therefore I didn't have time to go anywhere.

My great-grandson had the croup for the first time this year.  He was croup-free all summer.  His doctors thinks his episodes could be allergy related.  He had to go to the doctor for a nebulizer treatment but seems to be feeling much better.

I spent most of the day playing with my great-granddaughter.   She was rather sedated today; not her usual animated self.  When she left with my daughter at 2:00 PM, I decided to do a little beading.  I made a lovely beaded ring.  It's approximately seventeen centimeters wide and has several colors in it.  It is made totally of number eleven seed beads.  It was very hard to do and took over one and one-half hours to make.  Hopefully, the next one will take a lot less time.  It's too small to wear on my ring finger, so it will have to worn on my pinkie finger.  I will wear it; I wear everything I make and enjoy wearing it.

As you all can see, my life is not very exciting.  I did get excited today, though it wasn't from happiness, when I found out that Barack Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  Unbelievable!  There are so many more people in the world worthy of this award; Obama isn't.  Since his election, there's been nothing but unrest in this country.  Why is he trying so hard to kill America?  I pray every night for God to protect us from Obamanation and his administration.  I know he's reached out to the despots of the world but I don't believe that you can communicate or reason with fanatics, namely radical Islam.  Their main goal is to kill Christians and Jews and to impose Sharia law over democracy;  they're making great strides in this country, as well as Europe, concerning this although America is finally beginning to see that radical Islam is the biggest threat to the world in the twenty-first century.

I challenge all of you to get on your computers and research Islam and what they really believe.  Go the the website americancongressfortruth.com.  The author of this website is a former Lebanese muslim whose family was befriended by the Jews and finally saw that everything that they had been taught, since birth, concerning the Jews, was a lie.   Her book, Because They Hate, is very informative.  I would highly recommend it.  It will really open your eyes as to what is really going on in this country and around the world.

Time for Fox News.  Have a good evening all of you liberals and conservatives out there.   Nana