Category Archives: Brian

Dec16

Lights at night

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After doing some carpet deep cleaning (not finished) the family room yet), I almost fell asleep watching a paranormal show on A&E that Sean told us about. It’s called ‘Paranormal State‘ and the main guy and his team are from PSU where Sean attends. I’ll have to read up more about it. Then the repeat of the Longwood Gardens special came on and I had to see that. The local news people have a yearly show there now and I wanted to see the new children’s garden which looks so cute-jumping water, steam, etc. I have until the 27th to go for free and I wonder who will want to go this year?

I added both multi-colored lights and white lights to the hedges that run along the front of out house. The colors are like the icing on a white cake. Bri thinks my window box needs lights too-since he cut the greens for me he wants it fixed up better.

We hit the grocery store and I bought the rest of my cookie baking supplies. I also bought some pot roasts for Christmas dinner. Everyone loves my pot roast and it’s easy to make. I like spiral cut ham, but Sean doesn’t.

We ran in Big Lots to look around and I found a nice size gold wicker sleigh! My pal Zoey (Perennial Passion) has a green one with a Christmas tree in it and I liked the idea. I’ll get that together tomorrow. I can’t believe I’m still decorating (and cleaning). I hope the weather isn’t too bad tomorrow as we still have tons to do. I hope my doctor wouldn’t be mad that I am doing all this extra curricular activity as I’m still healing and I am of course, a left sided person (not just left handed).

Carole, I’ll try and do that meme soon, hope I can think of 12 things. : )

Have a great Sunday!

Dec14

Still here!

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Yes I am! Just trying to get things tidied up and the way that looks best. I don’t know where to store some of my art supplies as I am using my living room, where the tree is, as my art studio! What would be ideal is a long, open up bench in front of my bay window to store all the goodies in. Maybe someday.

I did get my snowbabies in the above mentioned window and will photograph it for the 17th. I think I’ll be making a slide show for the Christmas house tour. : ) My family room isn’t finished yet though. I also want Bri to help me deep clean the berber in there as I can see soiled areas (this drives me batty).

My poor sinuses are bothering me from handling the dusty boxes and just stirring dust up in general. Yesterday morning I sat up in bed and had a coughing attack, not to pleasant. I used my BioAllers before bed last night (which made me have slight post nasal) and I am somewhat better today.

My poor mom is having all kinds of things start to break on her-the dishwasher won’t pump in water and two of her burners on the stove don’t work. I called my brother Ken last night to see if he could look at these and he asked why our mom didn’t call and I said she was afraid he’d get mad if she did! He’s the son for goodness sakes. I said Bri has his dad to worry about and doesn’t even get to his house that often, so it would be hard for him to help mom too. My brother lives minutes away from her house as it is. I know he gets frustrated when he goes in there as it’s so disorganized. But you’ve gotta do, what ya gotta do. I am crazy about Ken, my little brother. He can do anything, is funny and handsome all rolled into one package.

I was hoping to get to mom’s today, not sure if she is up to company, but I think today would be better than tomorrow.

By the way, Mark Wahlberg and Susan Sarandon were shooting scenes for their upcoming movie ‘The Lovely Bones’ in a Delaware County mall near where I worked in a daycare center. I thought that was pretty interesting and would love to be nosy to see, but they aren’t mingling with the public.
From My Big Fat, Friggin Head:

There is a major motion picture being filmed in my hometown of Glenolden this week. And the set that they are using is the Mac Dade Mall, which is the shopping mall that my mother managed for nearly 30 years. It is quite literally the mall that I grew up in.

Today, the mall is practically abandoned, the victim of much bigger area malls and the local Walmart which drove most of the remaining business away. But this made it perfect for a movie set. They remodeled the empty stores inside to look like a mall from the 70’s. It’s quite beautiful. I saw the inside last week. First time in my life I ever got to walk around a movie set as they were building it. I did not get pics of the inside, but others did and they are floating around on the web.

My local stitcher pal Mindy got to meet Michael Nutter the newly elected mayor of Philly a few days ago. Awesome!

Have a great weekend and make some ‘me’ time for yourself.

Dec9

Shopping and decorating

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Finally! I did a bit of shopping last night at TJ Maxx. I love that store! They have just about anything you can think of, but I love giving body lotions, ornaments and useful kitchen or household items too. I saw a few things I liked, but Bri had pooped out and went to sit in the van. I like cloches (clear bell-shaped glass pieces) and they had one that was maybe a little larger than I wanted. Poor Bri now thinks he has to run around looking for cloches. I know a artist from eBay who uses them (the tiny ones), so I’ll have to ask her if she would mind telling me where she gets hers. I remember when I use to stencil slates with designs for ‘Welcome’ signs for a local lady and someone else who stenciled went off and started selling them herself. I was hinting around to where she got the slates and she wouldn’t say exactly where as she didn’t want competition in case I wanted to sell some. Anyway, I also saw a neat looking Victorian style glass biscuit jar in the store that was a bit on the large size.

Today, Bri fixed the switch in our bedroom-hooray! It was a pain pulling the cord in and out to use the main light. It didn’t take him long to do so. Then he got the Christmas tree out of the attic, stuck it in the stand (it unfolds like an upside down umbrella) and I ‘fluffed’ the branches, added red lights (some have the white lights with the red) and garland and antique gold beads. It looks completely different than last year’s tree so far. I wanted to perch cardinals on the branches, but need to get to a craft store to find some. I did add candy canes, so I am calling it my ‘candy cane’ tree. I have so much more to do. This is a ‘sneak peek’ as I like to see how the tree looks through the ‘camera’s eye’. I did have to rearrange the top. There are no ornaments on here yet, just some candy canes.

Sneak Peek

Last year it looked like this, quite different!

I did want to add that I was checking through one of the several catalogs that I get in the mail and found a few things I wanted to see if I could get on the web, one being a book for Bri’s dad. Sure enough, I found it on Amazon and ordered it and saved about 50% off the cost of what it would be in the catalog. I saw some cute angel wing earrings (one wing an ear) and a garden gnome that is holding a medallion that says ‘Gnomes for the holidays’. I may be ordering them from the company’s online service.

I need to take a break as my sore area is bothering me a bit. It’s rough to be a leftie and to have a boo boo on that side.

Dec6

Winter wonderland

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We got about 3″ or so of snow and the temps dropped drastically. Bri had to go down a steep side street and was sliding as he went. I could tell he was shook up when he came in, but he was nice enough to go through McDs and get their yummy chicken strips and a salad for me. I made baked potatoes too. I just am not doing well with cooking. We also need to go to the store as I think of something to have and we don’t have the meat or whatever. I made a Rachael Ray 30 minute recipe a few nights ago and over salted what would have been tasty turkey burgers. I used ‘Italian’ flavored turkey, so I should have left that alone.  Bri ate some for lunch yesterday too, I don’t like over spicy stuff.

I did find a cute new Gund Piglet and receiving blankets that Brian gave the lady at work.  Receiving blankets may turn into the child’s lovies when he gets older.

Today I’m kinda of ‘going through the motions’ as I am thinking about tomorrow. My brother left me a comment here that wasn’t suppose to be public about how he was still angry about last year. My mom had sent him a birthday card and ‘stirred the pot’. I get emails of my comments and when I saw his name, I called Bri in before I opened it as I haven’t heard a word from him in over a year. I was hoping he would say he’s sorry about what’s going on his me, etc. but no, it was all about him. So I feel like he divorced me! I am trying to get my mind off things. My Christmas cards are almost filled out and then decorating more is next. In my family we never really did Christmas decorating until we were all home for Christmas break. Bri’s parents (use to) and my brother (still) put up their trees on Christmas eve. I don’t plan to bake until the 19th or later as I give cookies as gifts and want them to be fresh. So although I am going through stuff, I feel I’m on schedule. ; ) I applaud my pals who have everything ready.

Dec5

Early December snow

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Some of the fluffy stuff is falling as I type this. It really makes me feel like Christmas is around the corner now! I need to go finish making my Christmas cards, a bit different than most people are use to getting from me, but I think they are neat. The ladies at the copy shop loved them! I’ll show you one when I mail them off as a few of my readers are getting one and I want them to be surprised.

I did get out by myself yesterday for the first time in over a week. I was overdressed and got quite warm. I went to the stationery store and then to a local department store which happened to be ‘Tuesday over 50 club’ day. Yikes! I still have a few more years! It was filled with many senior citizens. I went to the young girl department for things for my niece and all the mediums were practically gone. I did find some cute tops that I think she will love. One is fuchsia with a crocheted butterfly as a decoration. The other is a coppery color with a sparkly belt buckle type piece. I got 40% off, but the original prices are so high! My nephew only wears t-shirts year round, but they didn’t have any I liked there. He wears the ones we gave him last year all the time. I’ll check online and at TJ Maxx for him. I know they are getting an awesome system-Wii and I know my brother will be playing with that a bunch. : )

I was allowed to take off my bandage yesterday (called the doctor’s office to ask) and it’s red and yucky looking. The doctor left a big tail on a suture and that is pulling.  The main area has a big scab on it and is a bit raised and may have sutures there too. I hope they don’t have to come out, except the one with the big tail! Only two more days!

Brian was invited to a baby shower tomorrow. He asked me what to get and I said I’d check my eBay table! I have some cute figurines and one is a Cherished teddy piece that is also a music box. The music box wouldn’t work correctly, so I took it apart (like my grandmom would) and oiled it. Still no good. I think it was overwound. Well I fiddled with the spinner piece and broke it! Opps! I’ve got to have something else, if not, he’s on his own. He’s the first guy I’ve known who got invited to a baby shower!

Off to fill out cards…….

Dec3

Venturing out

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Last night (Sunday) and tonight I ventured out for a short while. I actually felt good getting out of the house for a bit. Last night I walked around Big Lots a little and bought a garland of sparkly red poinsettias for the mantel. It was really chilly and damp, we missed out on the snow. I promptly put the garland up and it is starting to look more like Christmas in the living room. Now tonight we went to a Chinese restaurant and drove through a snow squall, that was interesting! I had chicken, shrimp and veggies in a plum sauce-pretty tasty! We then walked through a new Staples store-I was impressed with the goodies aisle-nice for co-workers to run in and grab some chocolate covered pretzels or Kahlua filled candies. We looked at printers, etc. Mine is fine, but I do like the combos with the scanner all in one. I saw a swanky white ‘leather’ (not sure) desk chair. It’s fun to look!

I ordered Sean’s wishlist from Amazon.com and a few little things from The Hunger Site. I like that what I bought will give hungry children 70+ cups of food.

I’d like to go out tomorrow and get some color copies made of Christmas cards I made. I then have to assemble them and maybe get those yellow envelopes. I don’t plan to send them to everyone as I usually use 3 kinds of cards a year. I already printed off some photos I want to send out with them.

Bri is still so worried about me. He said, if you ever have to have something like this done again, don’t do it at Christmastime! Whoa-it’s not my fault that my mammogram was done in October and I had all the follow-ups. He’s not thinking clearly, poor guy. I worry about him too!

I had to peel off the top of the bandage as it’s really annoying me after 5 days (I didn’t take it off, just unstuck it). I did see a tiny clear stitch (like a knot of fishing line), so I do have at least one stitch. I keep the area covered up with a folded wad of tissues that I change all the time.

Not too exciting, but I’m getting around a bit! I wanted to share some old holiday photos one of these days. And enjoy my playlist of Christmas music. : )

Dec2

Sleepy head

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The events of this last week have sure taken a toll on Brian and me. He started with a sore throat yesterday, but used some Ziacam and seems okay this morning. My head just feels so foggy. I find when I am concentrating on things I’m much better, though it was hard to write checks out yesterday. I did put together a handmade Christmas card that I need to get color copied. I hope to work on them in the coming week. I made eggs and turkey bacon for breakfast, so that’s a good start. The weather is wet, not snowy as expected. Maybe Bri can take me down to the shopping center so I can walk around a bit. I had burning in my left shoulder and my friend’s wife, who is a nurse, said it was definitely from using air in the procedure and I need to walk more.

So this year, I’m taking the holidays slowly. I have to, no choice. I did move a little tree with lights (frosted fruit that I keep on my desk year round) to a different table, so that’s a start. I’m hoping we can put the tree up next weekend. I remember last year I had that tummy bug which was miserable, but I got over it and Christmas was fine.
Thanks for your comments and prayers-I’m grabbing and hugging them!

No! No! No!-Brian read this to me the other day! If you haven’t had a mammogram and you are over 40, this is the time to get a base one done. Please do this for your own peace of mind.

Nov30

Seeing clearly

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I like how the discharge instructions from the hospital said not to ‘make major life decisions for 24 hours after anesthesia’-did they get sued or something in the past? Me trying to cross stitch was somewhat interesting-but for the life of me, I can’t get one window in a house to be 7 stitches high-it’s stuck at 6 high-and it needs to be fixed. Maybe I’ll see where I messed up later.

I asked Brian to take down the autumn decorations around the front step area as I couldn’t reach up to get the leaf garland. I stuck a berry wreath on the door with a cardinal-so that’s a start. I’m thinking maybe a new wreath with all cardinals, only time and energy will make that happen. : ) Big Lots usually has what I want and that’s a stone’s toss from here.

I’ve had many phone calls-from California to Florida. My pal from ‘Make A Child Smile’ (see link) called to tell me what was going on in her life not knowing what was going on in my life. She’s so sweet, well look at what she does for sick kids! I had my two sister-in-laws call over the last few days too. I filled my neighbor in on what was happening. It’s nice to chat IRL too. I miss talking to ladies my age. I was a big volunteer for 8 years at Sean’s elementary school (he was in a 2-yr kindergarten program) and even held the position of Corresponding Secretary for the PTO (org not assoc) one year. It was neat to be voted in. So I had all the moms to chat with-then middle school made them all disappear as we weren’t needed as much-IMHO.

Well, I’m off to bed soon to try to ignore the gauze and ace bandage. I get to take it off around 3-4 this afternoon, but it may be sooner!

BTW-my follow-up is the 7th-come on lucky 7!

Also-my ‘me stuff’ page has been updated.

Nov24

30th reunion!

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Brian and I just got back about 45 minutes ago. It was interesting and nice to see familiar faces from so long ago. I dared Bri to take a photo of me and my ‘crush’ and he’s the last one he took a photo of. Closed that book in my life-lol. We had a buffet style dinner-didn’t eat until 8, so we were hungry! It was ok-with roast beef, sweet and sour chicken and flounder. The dessert was a nice chocolate mousse cake. We did have appetizers too.

Some photos: Before leaving-

D&B before leaving for the reunion

With Denice who I connected with through MySpace. She’s so sweet. She’s an actress out of Tennessee.

With Denice
With Todd the movie director. He definitely posed the best with me!
With Todd
With the reunion coordinator Scott-yep, I’m dancing!
Dancing with Scott
And finally Mike-this was the second attempt as the card was full and he wasn’t really paying attention this time. I was happy. : )
The crush

We sat at a table with mostly athletes, people who weren’t in my ‘middle-of-the-road’ group at school. There were 2 Diane/Diannes and 2 Brians(one being my Bri) and four of us were left-handed. One lady is a neighbor of Sean’s friend’s parents. A few live in this area. I believe we had about 8 couples marry from our class. The Diane at our table came from Honolulu! She said she was staying with her parents in Lancaster as her mom had just had a stroke. Of course we are all at the age where are parents are getting up there and moving out of the family homes. I know that will be happening soon enough with my mom. An old neighbor, Tim is married to a lady in my class and he remembered trick or treating with my older brother in a robot costume. Another couple use to be neighbors with my older brother and I had brought along a photo of him taken in September and they couldn’t believe it was Dave! Another lady’s mom was a neighbor of my brother’s and said her mom had just sold her house too. It was nice to get lots of hugs. I did connect with a pal who I didn’t recognize, Lil. She sat at a different table too. Wow-she glammed up since high school and made us all smile and laugh at her dance moves. A lot of people came stag! I noticed a guy who teased me in junior high was eying me up all evening. Bri even noticed. Some things never change.! Nevertheless, it was a good birthday gift!