Category Archives: Me stuff

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.

Dec7

Lucky seven!!!!!

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I am so relieved beyond words. After an hour wait, Bri and I went into the exam room, I had a stitch taken out and then Dr. Rhoads came in and said the magic word ‘benign’. I feel truly blest today. I wanted to tell you all right away that the long waiting is over. I cried and hugged the doctor a few times, even think I made the intern in the room tear up! She said that 85% of what she takes out is benign and that’s all she basically does anymore is breast biopsies. I had to call my mom and then Sean to tell them the good news. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and thoughts and prayers these last 5 or so weeks. It’s going to be a great Christmas!

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.

Nov28

Very long day

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Thanks for your well wishes. I can’t be on here long as I have the keyboard in my lap and I am a bit sore as expected.

We got to the hospital at 9 and got home here at 6:45! The doctor was behind about 1.5 hours with her surgeries. It was not good for me and a few other patients, particularly a lady about my mom’s age as we were getting frustrated, anxious, thirsty and hungry. Personally, I had to lay there with an I V in my right hand and a needle sticking out of my left breast for over 3 hours. I did well coming out of the anesthesia from about the 50 minute or so procedure. I won’t know what’s going on until next week.

Well, that’s all folks! More hopefully tomorrow. Hugs to you.

~Update~

I had a hard time getting to sleep last night from the events of the day, eating food after 21 hours (you can imagine), the dressing, drinking Coke too late and my knees aching. They had those leg circulation cuffs on me during the procedure and I had sore knees as it is. They hurt more than the needle area. I’ll write more about yesterday sometime soon in the tab above.

Nov27

Takin’ it easy

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After waking up at 5:30 and barely getting back to sleep before I got up at 7 for my pre-admissions, I am pretty tired. Why you have to get in there so early when you haven’t fasted is beyond me. Poor Bri looks so tired too. I wrote about it in ‘me stuff’ tab above.

So does anyone watch ‘Dancing with the Stars’? I only started watching the past few years. I wanted to see how Marie Osmond, who is my age did. She’s in the top 3! If she had a huge flow of fans call in last night, then she will probably win. I think it’s going to be the race car driver Helio Castroneves and Julianna, but I like Mel B.-The Spice Girls and Maks myself. That Maks is a ‘twinkle toes’! : )

I’m going to take an early shower, get all snuggly and enjoy the finale tonight. If you don’t hear from me tomorrow, you’ll know why, but I’ll try to get online later in the day.

Take care!

Nov26

Cyber shopping Monday…

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…starts in a few minutes, but I’m off to bed in a few too. I’m really tired from grocery shopping. Bri came along because I am trying not to do too much lifting this week. I got a few frozen things to make cooking easier, well for both of us, at the end of the week.

Speaking of shopping-I have no idea what anyone wants for Christmas. I just can’t wrap my head around it right now. The only thing I saw I want is the Reynolds vacuum sealer-saw that in the grocery store this afternoon. And maybe the movie that Todd from my class wrote and directed ‘Lonely Hearts’. I believe I own one of his other movies ‘White Squall’ which was really good! I love that Todd’s little sister Traci works along with him in many of his projects. She was a really sweetie in high school.  My friend suggested I send Todd two photos (shown in post below) and have him autograph and return one. I also have clippings through the years that were in the local newspapers about his different milestones, probably added by his mom Ronnie. I told him I’d send them to him and he didn’t say no. I didn’t know I would have his Malibu, CA address right in our contact spread sheet at the end of our ‘what are you doing’ booklet. I just think it’s so neat, my miniature brush with a celebrity (my mom’s was with Governor Rendell!). But you know, both Todd and Denice (an actress out of Nashville) from my class are real ‘people’ persons. They know how to get close to you and make you comfortable. I felt that way immediately with them. I remember Todd being quiet on the school bus and always writing something. I had forgotten that the family didn’t spend most of their growing up years in Media, I read they were from the Long Island, NY area. But here he is, a famous guy, coming back to his 30th reunion.

Sean gave me a nice Art trading card book focusing on rubber stamping. It’s great and I am getting ideas. I packed away my paper things for a while, though I have a perpetual Christmas calendar I started and really want to finish before the 1st of December. I need to add numbers to the cards and some velcro dots to adhere them to the poster board.

I started a cross stitch gift tonight while watching ‘The Amazing Race’ and ‘Brothers and Sisters’ (both good episodes with Chevy Chase being Sally Field’s love interest on B&S-ha!). I already tore out half of what I added. Focus, sister, focus.

We are expecting a wet day today. Have fun cyber shopping if you do so!

Rats-The Food Network-Iron Chef is having a dessert battle-should I stay up for it?