I finally had my colonoscopy, and everything was fine. I didn't even get sick after from the anesthesia. The woman who did my anesthesia is a patient at the dental office I worked at. It's a really small world out here in New Mexico! Next week I have a mammography scheduled and a teeth cleaning.
I sound like I'm old....oh, wait....
I need to go water grass and plant a few seeds! Have a wonderful weekend!
Love, 365
Installation comes with it's downsides though, like lots of noise. Demitri is doing ok, but poor Zoē is not. I finally broke down and gave her a sedation pill (left over from her spay) to calm her down. She was shaking and terrified. After holding her for an hour or so, she is now in one of her favorite spots (see photo above). I guess the pill finally did it's job. Wish I could tell her it's going to be going on all day!
This morning I also had the unpleasant notification that the company that finances our funeral arrangements made a rather large boo boo and removed over $1,000 more from our account than is necessary. I called them earlier, and 2 hours later I'm still waiting for them to call me back. The lady said that if we're doing 90 days same-as-cash I need to call ~ which I fully intended to do, but they were closed for Good Friday. I also mentioned that I had expected a call from them, which never happened. I'm sure it'll all be good, but Romeo is rather peeved. Argh.
Well, I guess I will try to get something done other than hold the puppy's paw and tell her it's ok.
Love, 365
There are a lot of things on my mind lately. One of them is my upcoming colonoscopy. Which I don't want.
I had one scheduled last fall, but I ended up with a migraine and didn't go (this was after I had already gone through the entire prep). I did not relish dry heaves on the drive there. Haha So I rescheduled, and it's in about 10 days. I haven't even bought my prep stuff yet. Don't worry though ~ I am a pro at crastination. My doc gave me permission to take ibuprophen to prevent the migraine, even though it may increase bleeding.
I am also one of a three person team that buys and then decorates with flowers during Lent. It's at least a once a week endeavor. I also bake the prosphoro, but after this Sunday, I only have one more date, so I can deal with that. The decorating I am really thinking a lot about is the kouvoulikon (see below):
I will be responsible for ordering and designing the flowers for this year ~ my first go at it. I have a max budget of 1,500, but I am already at 850 and still need to order more. Flowers have really gone up in price. Someone was explaining that companies that used to grow flowers are now growing pot, because they make a lot more money. Plus, our Easter is on May 5th, right around Mother's Day, and flowers always go up then as well.
So, right in the middle of Lent, I'm having this dratted colonoscopy.
I even went online about the idea of not doing it. And every single one, said do it. So, I will do it, but I don't have to be happy about it. I suppose no one is, right? Could be worse, sure I know that. It's just a screening, not armageddon. Lol
Enjoy your week....and I hope you aren't getting the snow we're getting right now!
Love, 365
Zoē is doing great. Back to her normal energetic and hungry self. Her incision is healing well, and I figure in a couple more days, the little bit of swelling and redness will be gone. I am really glad that's over! Luckily she isn't focused on licking it all the time...I only notice it once a day.
I have been quilting....something I haven't done in a few years. I guess I just had a bug, and wanted to make my youngest a quilt. I am probably about 1/3 of the way, with lots to go. I had forgotten how expensive fabric is these days. I bought a large spindle of cotton quilting thread, and that stupid thing was over $20. It'll last a very long time, at least.
I am very excited to go clothes shopping with some of my church friends tomorrow afternoon. I don't even remember the last time I did that! It's supposed to be a "sip and shop", so I assume there will be wine there. I wouldn't mind a little!
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Love, 365
No. There was talk about it last fall, and it sounded like they were planning on keeping us on dst all the time. Evidently they couldn't commit, because this is New Mexico, and we sure don't want to make an actual decision. Ha ha
Not that it makes much difference to me, since I no longer have to get up for work, but I do have to be to church on time. So there's that.
In other fun news, I have been sick with the flu for nearly a week, and still don't have all my energy back. Stupid flu shot did not prevent me from losing 5 1/2 pounds in a 48 hour period. I slept on the sofa for two days, because I didn't want to go up the stairs. Romeo was kind enough to set me up. I had kleenex, a wet wash cloth, water and anti-nausea meds (which taste so bad, you wonder how you're gonna keep it down), and best of all ~ the bucket. In case I know I can't make it to the bathroom, which I ended up using 3 times. Gross, just gross. The only bright side I can see is that if I had to have it, at least I didn't get it during Lent, when the number of services reaches the almost ridiculous. Plus I have flowers to do, and prosphoro to bake.
I also discovered, that the circular rash I get on my left butt cheek is most likely shingles. I get this when I've been sick or really stressed. I've had it show up for 4 - 5 years (not every year though) and I never realized that's what it is until a week ago. It's always in the same place. It itches, but not like poison ivy. It's really ugly, so good thing it's in a place that no one sees except us. I also didn't realize that some of the symptoms I'd been having ~ when I thought I would be over the flu ~ are from shingles. Like fatigue, headache, and fever. The problem is that my immune system is not doing so great. My white cell count now stays below the optimal range all the time.
The good news is that when I'm not sick, I feel pretty good. Ha ha
Zoē had her spay operation yesterday... poor thing was out of it all day. She's doing better this morning, although her appetite is still off. I know this photo isn't that great, but it's not easy taking good photo's of a black doggie. This is just her head, with the cone on (now they're clear). She's all wrapped up like an enchilada, because she was shivering. She has her surgery outfit on now, so that she doesn't have to wear the cone ~ those things are great. Prevents access to surgery site and helps keep her a little warmer. I spent the day holding her, taking her out for a pee, and making sure she rested. Demitri was interested at first, and then stayed away, which was helpful. She should be back to normal in a few days.
Well, that's it for now! I need to put all the Lent flowers and bread into my calendar so I don't forget to do it!
Have a great weekend.
Love, 365
That was the great photo. The rest? Not so much.
I really don't like politics. I don't like to engage with people about politicians, or political races, and most certainly not the upcoming presidential race. But I'm going to go out on a limb here, and rant a little bit about Trump.
How can he be the front runner of the republican party? How can people look at him or listen to him, and not feel sick? He's a liar most of all. A manipulator. A scammer. He has been convicted ~ convicted! ~ of sexual assault. People know this, right? They don't think that all of that is lies, do they? I just don't get it. On top of all that, he comes across as stupid. Uneducated. Power hungry. Ugh.
When there's a story on the news or a replay of a speech he's making, I mute the tv or go to a different channel. Avoiding him will become increasingly difficult as the year goes on.
Now for the funny, but not so pretty photos:
Wrong finger.....right word though.
Y'all have a great week.
Love, 365
This week the weather has moved to spring.....in the high 50s and low 60s. We'll have a little dip for a few days and then it goes up again. This is what we in New Mexico call "fool's spring". Because we all know that there will be another storm with snow before winter is all over. Maybe even two! Who knows? I sure do need to get my act together in regards to gardening. I am anxious to start, so I'm going to start planning.
We've been busy, trimming down the wisteria, treating the yard for dog pee, looking at paint colors, and deciding the details of updating the bathrooms. I've been planning on doing the shower first, but I've decided to start with the vanity ~ which we will do ourselves. I need a new sink and countertop. The idea of picking out colors and styles is a little daunting, because I probably won't do it again.
On the home front, my sister was just diagnosed with cancer. It was found early, so the outlook is very positive, but it has floored us all. I am very close to my sis.....she is my only sibling as well. The next step is coming up in a little less than 2 weeks. This one of those things that she won't know how well the treatments are doing for almost a year. I want to go and spend a week, and will figure out when to go. (Romeo is already pressing me to fly, but I don't want to, sheesh) They aren't doing chemo, it's an immunotherapy treatment. At least she won't have the side effects of chemo.
I have slacked off on baking sourdough. I was making two loaves a week, and now I'm doing one every 10-14 days. Sometimes ya just need a break!
Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!
Love, 365
Did I mention recently that we bought a new washer? We had the 15 year old washer checked out for a leak, and it was going to cost nearly $500 to fix it. I said no. It's becoming a money pit as we had it repaired last spring. I bought an Electrolux washer that was on sale at Lowes. I didn't even know they produced anything other than vacuum cleaners. It's not here yet, it's supposed to be delivered on Saturday. I cannot believe how much trouble we've had with appliances since I retired. I should have known, since the washer and dryer are both 15+ years old. The dryer is fine, we did have to have it repaired in 2022 because a mouse had made it's way all through the ducting and into a fan assembly. But otherwise, it's drying the clothes and that's all we need!
We did have some snow this past weekend, and Zoē loved it. Romeo took a video of her playing in it, but it's not that good of a video, since he was in the house. She hopped like a rabbit through it ~ her first experience with snow ~ and wasn't quite sure what it was. She is doing good, she's getting the hang of ringing the doggy door bell to go out to do her business. She still makes mistakes, especially upstairs. But as long as she was recently out, I know I have a 30-40 min window of safety, lol.
I never realized how much easier it is to house train when there's an experienced dog in the house already. This photo was the day before the snow....it was sunny and nice, in the low 40s. We're in for some wind tomorrow, so we're getting them out today for some much needed exercise.
In the Greatest Baker competition, I am officially out of the running. I never expected to win, but had remained in 1st place for so long, I was getting my hopes up! The last couple of days someone else surpassed me in votes. I wish them luck!
Well, I need to get some chores done, so I wish you a happy Wednesday!
Love, 365
So lets say I make it to the finals. I will have to bake something for judging. I have some really amazing recipes of desserts I've made in the past. Why don't you vote for one of them?
Blueberry Lemon Meringue Pie...
Outrageous Coconut-Cream Meringue Cake
This is a terrible photo, I guess I didn't take one of my own. Lemon Lavender Sandwich Cookies, which were so popular, I had a handful of people who wanted these every year at Christmas. Don't be turned off by the lavender, it's very subtle and only in the sugar that you roll them in before baking.
So, please comment and let me know what you think!
Love, 365
I found a copycat recipe for the Honey Baked Ham, which have become seriously expensive! The last time I bought one it was around $60, now it's around $80+. Nope. But it turned out pretty darn good, and it was not that hard to do. Just google it if you are interested in trying it.
The doggies had a little taste, which was a mistake, because they begged until we put it away. We also have lots of left overs. For some reason, I don't mind left over ham, but I really can't eat turkey after 2 dinners. Ugh.
Zoē has decided that snoozing right below my chair in the breakfast area. There's a sunbeam with her name on it, apparently. She is doing well, doing better in house training, but still having "accidents". Only really they aren't accidents so much as "I have to pee and this looks like a fabulous spot!". We have a whole basket of supplies to clean up with. All she does with the pee pads is rip them up, but they make great cleanup supplies because they're so absorbent. So, they won't go to waste.
Not much else going on around here, thankfully! May you all have a wonderful New Years, and of course we hope 2024 will bring prosperity, health & happiness, and an end to the wars going on in the world.
Love, 365
I subscribe to Bake From Scratch...it's a really fun magazine if you enjoy baking bread and desserts. One day I received an invitation to fill out an application for The Greatest Baker competition. For some crazy reason I filled it out, thinking "no way". But it doesn't hurt to try, right? Right.
To my surprise they accepted my application. And then the voting began ~ winners are 90% chosen by your friends, family....basically anyone you can convince to vote for you. I have made it through to the top 10...that was today....and now the voting starts for the top 5. I really doubt I will win this thing, but so far so good. If you feel so inclined to vote for me go here....
Now for some cute photos of Zoē:
Sunbeams make a wonderful snoozing place...
Zoē and Demitri do like napping together. They keep each other company, but not in the morning. Demitri is very grumpy in the morning, and is prone to snapping and growling. Once he's up and around, he is ok for the rest of the day. 😀
I have been baking for the last week, and I'm glad I'm done with it. Cookies, breads.....it's been quite exhausting! Other than my Grandkids, everyone else is getting stuff I've baked. My sourdough starter really liked all the attention, haha.
Enjoy your holiday! I'm still cooking but it will be easy ~ ham, salad, etc. I can't wait!
Love, 365
This show of blooms was just the beginning! Of course they smell amazing, and all the pollinators think so too. Windows and back door open...
