Happy Birthday, Darlene!!!!  Have fun - whatever you decide to do.

Sharon, I've been taking an antihistamine every day for most of my life. I've always had a problem with allergies - usually year-round.  It just hasn't been this bad in a long time.  Grrrrr.

Guava.  Now I had not heard of it. Now that we have thousand of Mexican people in my area along with other South Americans. Lots of different fruits, etc are being sold.
Seems it grows in S. American Countries.

Darlene.  Seems like you just had a birthday. How fast they come.  Hope you win at the Casino. Can then celebrate big.  Been years now since I went to one. Use to be bus trips from town daily but no longer.  Think they got old.  I was never lucky at gambling. They use to be lots of smoking in the casino and then stopped.  I think that stopped a lot of people.  Just like the bars around here. No big bands come in or dancing. Smoking seemed to go along with Drinking. I never did either one. Don't know how the can afford to smoke nw.

Hello from Oregon. LOL As if I would be anyplace else Right? The sun is  shining today  no rain for a change. After I got home from the gym I took Freckles for a walk. I think she has put on a couple of pounds and I need to get her out walking a lot more and cut back her food just a little bit. she doesn't get very many treats but I've started to give her some of her kibble instead of treats, lots smaller pieces.

I have two grands graduating  this year both in May but  two weeks apart so that is two trips to California for graduation in May then Vacation in June to Sunriver, In Aug. back north for a wedding. Lots of driving for me. Keith had his eye test yesterday and  he passed that so back to the drawing board for his written drivers test. I hope he can drive some, he won't drive my car, doesn't want to. So we will see how things turn out. In the mean time all the driving is on me. I have to stop every couple of hours to get out and walk for a bit as  staying seated behind the wheel   makes my back hurt and my leg too.

Hi Buddies.  Bill (oldest son) is in town for the AU Women's soft ball tournament this weekend and is going to another game this afternoon and out to eat with the SIUE team.  Jon (youngest son) spent the night with us last night. He'd spent most of January and Up until yesterday in Arizona where he and his buddy were buying and selling rocks and minerals.  Jon had left his car in Atlanta when they went WEST and they got the truck  unloaded with their "treasures" and he came down here to stay until this morning when he left for home.

I'm planning on a nap shortly.  I don't have much energy yet and need one.  I hope everyone is feeling OK.

Mary, I have lots of leaves down and although my new yard man cleaned them up on Saturday, more are down.  So I'm sniffin', snortin', and coughin' today.  I'm also one with leaves, grass, and other outside dangers which keep me in that condition.  I can sympathize with you!

Happy Birthday, Darlene!  I hope luck is with you at the Casino.

Sue

Good morning, Buddies.  It's 10:00, I've just cleaned up the kitchen, showered and dressed.  Bill left for the softball tournament about 9:30 and will be gone most of the day.  I've planned a family favorite meal for this evening--sauer kraut, potatoes, carrots, bratwurst, and cooked in beer.  Easy to fix and both of us like it a lot.  I have one load of wash in the washing machine and I'll put it in the dryer shortly and try to remember to get it out as soon as the dryer stops.  I'm planning on basketball games on TV and not much else until time to start fixing dinner.

Have a good day, Buddies.
Sue

Quiet day here, too.  Ray's upper respiratory thing is hanging on...new antibiotic on Friday's doc visit.

Beautifully warm here and lots of weekenders with the three day weekend off for many.   I walked up to the grocery store for some water and a few things we needed.

jane

Marilyn, glad you're getting a break from the rain.  Are you due to get this storm that's hammering So. California?

jane, sorry Ray is still under the weather.

Sue, enjoy your time with your boys - always special.

If anything, I've been worse today.  I played bridge yesterday afternoon, and we came in about 53%, so did get a fraction of a point.  And I tried something new - I placed an on-line order at Walmart, to be picked up this morning.  I just needed a few things - nothing perishable, so decided to try it.  I did have to go out to pick that up - and it worked like a dream!   I'll definitely be doing that from time to time. But that was the only time I left the place. I don't think I slept more than an hour or two at a time last night - most of it in the chair.  I decided to stay home all day, and have found something to eat around here.  I didn't even go up to get my mail.  This is all still upper respiratory, and I'm not feverish or with a productive cough, so I'm still calling it allergies.  But, who knows.  Anyhow, I hope tomorrow is better.

And I hope you Buddies are having a good weekend.

Hi every Buddy. Not much going on here today. I called the Memory care center to try to see my Hospice client but  hey told me it wasn't a good time because she was sleeping. Well Maybe I can see her tomorrow.

Other than that it is just a normal day around here.

Thank you for the BD wishes...I definitely feel a year older....won a little at casino...wasn't there but couple hrs...real crowded...glad to be home...Darlene

Mary....sounds like what Ray has...but he had a sinus infection, too...hence the antibiotics.  He did go for a short walk with me this morning.  It's very warm out there and winds to increase to 35 mph so I needed to get out and back in. 

Lots of weekenders here for the long weekend...and a "bike fest"...i.e., motorcycles everywhere.  I wanted to go out for breakfast, but I've learned not to try on the weekend or when there's a "doings" going on.

Tomorrow I get a much needed haircut.  I let it go 4 weeks this time...big mistake, but I wanted something close to when we go home. I should know better...3 weeks between appts is the max.

Time to do some laundry and change the bed linens.  So exciting!!

jane

jane, I start tearing at my hair if I go over three weeks, too.  And I'm due.

I'm some better today, but still don't feel like doing much.  I've checked and our usual pool won't be open until "the end of the week", but the warmer (therapy) pool is open.  I'm not going to try to get to the Y yet - maybe by the end of the week.  The temperature is supposed to be near 70 today, and into the upper 70s tomorrow.  This is crazy!

Gee, Mary. You sound miserable. I do hope it clears  up quickly.  Glad the WM pickup worked well. I have done that a couple times with our grocery.

Jane, I hope Ray gets better soon.  I saw where one of my former colleagues from IN is vacationing down there too.

Darlene, not sure if I ever wished you a happy birthday or not. If not, I was thinking it.
Glad you won a little at the casino.  I'm not a gambler. Not lucky at that kind of thing and so other than the "one-armed bandits" a few times, I skip the casinos.

Marilyn, hope you get to go see your hospice patient tomorrow.

I put the towels in the washer and some beef in the crockpot for beef & noodles when we got home from church. Not much else here.  We did go out to an Italian restaurant for dinner with our neighbors last night. Had a nice time. Had veal parmesano and brought half home that I ate for lunch today.

Hi Ginny, Jeanne, Sue, Joy and whoever else pops in.  Sharon

Jane.  You get excited making the beds when changing sheets.  I hate it now. Beds so big I get tired walking around. Going to stop using fitted sheet . Mattresses to big.
Talking Mattresses. A women in town yesterday took one in her yard , Put gas on it and set it afire. Burned down half her house and the next doors garage. Funny thing was. She borrowed the gas from the man next door. He though she needed for her car.  Wonder if she found bed bug. Must have been crazy.  Not easy to have them picked up anymore but are places. They take the old ones when you buy new. Me every 10 years.
Is it another holiday this weekend? what is it now. Suppose no mail or garbage pick up tomorrow.

Go darn ants already. Spraying like crazy.

No, not excited about changing the bed, but Ray helps me here and at home as both are Kings, so it isn't too bad.

Monday is Presidents' Day so no mail or other gov't stuff, I guess. 

Burning a mattress in the yard does indeed sound crazy.  Her insurance isn't going to pay for that damage to her house, I'd bet, since it was self-induced.

jane

I stripped my bed this morning also. I got some new sheets from QVC so will look forward to putting those on. John helps with our King bed too.

Good news--I finally have the nerve stimulator scheduled for March 17!!  This is just the trial, of course.  I can't believe I actually have a date now.  Please send up a prayer that it works!

Jeanne, I agree that the woman who burned her mattress is nuts!  How bizarre.

Beautiful sunny day here.  I went to my first appt with the therapist today. She seems very nice but don't know how effective it will be. I think that if the stimulator works, that will cure my depression!

I need to go out and take care of my birdies. The feeders need to be cleaned and refilled for them.  The bluebirds are already nesting in my neighbor's bluebird house. 

TAke care and have a good day.  Sharon

Sharon....Hurrah on the appt for the nerve simulator.  I'm not sure docs realize how much constant pain contributes to depression if they've not experienced it themselves.

We had rain and wind overnight, I guess, but I slept through it.  I didn't sleep well, knowing I needed to be up and functioning for a 9:30 hair appt. 

So hair is cut now for last time here.  I went on to the grocery stores then for what may be our last big shopping before heading home the first of March.

Nobody is out on the beach or street, so lots of us staying in today. 

Tomorrow is the last Ladies Luncheon and Thurs. night is the last pot luck which is catered. 

Jane

The New Flannel sheets I bought are still not opened. I think going to take them back to Bergners and see if they will exchange them for a set of Regular sheets. I don't think I want Flannel.  Cant remember when I got them but will check my bill. Let them look it up.

Sharon.  Now what is a Nerve Simulator? I stopped taking the 2 prescription from the last dr. I saw.  Have a appointment for next week and so held off calling.  I sure can't take them.  Just been taking advil for the so called damaged nerve in my thigh.  Still tingling and burn but no pain.  Fact not as bad now. After 4 specialist looks like they would get together and figure it out.

Need to sit for awhile.  Thing are closed around here where i needed to go. No Mail, library etc. Go tomorrow.  Still warm out.

Been in the kitchen all morning. All needs cleaning up.
I made 5 pints of Pasta sauce. 4 in the freezer and one to go over Ravioli for dinner Spinach and Cheese. Had lots of tomatoes and Mushrooms needed using up. Has some Walnuts left and so I just threw them in.  More Protein now. Not had much meat this past week.. Ground Round was on sale this week so going to make some o the small meat loaves for freezer soon.  That sauce goes good over those..  I really could use a nap.

Jeanne, you certainly do stay busy, especially with all your cooking.  It all sounds good.

Sharon, I hope the nerve stimulator helps your back.  I know you're glad to have a date scheduled.

jane, it's always hard, being on the "down side" of a trip and trying to make things come out even.  LOL

Sue, are you doing okay?

Marilyn, is it raining in your area again?

I'm feeling some better today.  I've still been a slug all day, but I'm going out to play duplicate tonight.  We'll see how that goes. 

Happy Monday, Buddies!

Mary Indeed it has been raining off and on for days.  supposed to be a big storm coming later today.

I've had a busy morning, Gym for an hour, 4 loads of laundry, two doggie walks, I am thawing out a pkg of Chicken breasts for supper, I am thinking of baking two of them and using one to make stiry fry for tonight, we can eat the other two later.

Not much else going on around here Keith's ex  called today to ask if he wanted a table that she took when they divorced. Yes he wants it. Her father had been living i  Keith's parents house that she got  in the divorce, he died so she is going to have a garage sale of sale and sell the house. Her partner will deliver the table.

Marilyn.  If you want to save about 400 cal. on fried rice.  I like this.  Do not tell him and he will not know it isn't the reg. rice.
Cauliflower Fried Rice.

    1 teaspoon peanut oil plus 2 tablespoons, divided
    2 large eggs, beaten
    Eggs Large White
    $1.29
    Thru 02/25
    3 scallions, thinly sliced, whites and greens separated
    1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
    1 tablespoon minced garlic
    1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into ½-inch pieces

    ½ cup diced red bell pepper
    1 cup snow peas, trimmed and halved
    4 cups cauliflower rice (see Tip)
    3 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
    1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
     Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large flat-bottomed carbon-steel wok or large heavy skillet over high heat. Add eggs and cook, without stirring, until fully cooked on one side, about 30 seconds. Flip and cook until just cooked through, about 15 seconds. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into ½-inch pieces. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan along with scallion whites, ginger and garlic; cook, stirring, until the scallions have softened, about 30 seconds. Add chicken and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add bell pepper and snow peas; cook, stirring, until just tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer everything to a large plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan; add cauliflower rice and stir until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Return the chicken mixture to the pan; add tamari (or soy sauce) and sesame oil (if using) and stir until well combined. Garnish with scallion greens.
********
  IF YOU WANT TO USE YOU CAN FIND THE CAULIFLOWER RICE AT WALMARTS AND OTHER STORES IN THE FROZEN VEG AREA.
_______________________________________________________________
    Look for prepared cauliflower rice (or cauliflower crumbles) with other prepared vegetables in some supermarkets. To make your own, place cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse until broken down into rice-size granules. One 2-pound head of cauliflower yields about 4 cups of cauliflower rice.
    People with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity should use soy sauces that are labeled "gluten-free," as soy sauce may contain wheat or other gluten-containing sweeteners and flavors.

Looks great.  I copied and put the recipe in my recipe file. Thanks Jeanne.

I love rice. But use this when I can. I eat cauliflower a lot anyway. Like it roasted

Thanks, Jane.  I agree that the doctors are pretty clueless about chronic pain & depression. They just want to throw Rx's at you.  I just hope this works.  It sounds like you had a busy day and are winding down your time.  Are you sad to leave or eager to get home?

Jeanne, the nerve stimulater involves wires imbedded in the base of my spine with a small implanted battery & a remote control. When I have pain, I press the remote and it sends electrical zaps to the wires that confuse the pain message to the brain, making it seem like tingling or something.  At least that's what it's supposed to do. I have talked to several people who have it and have found relief, so we'll see.   Your recipe is interesting.

Mary, I'm glad you're feeling better. I hope the duplicate went well last night.

My cleaning girl is here.  I've written some announcements for the newspapers and sent those off (regarding church).  I've got to get my tax stuff together and start working on that after Sandra leaves.

Marilyn, you are one busy bee!  Nice that K gets his table back. Glad his eye test went well.

John took my car in for a 60k checkup today even though it only has 30k on it. They said it needed it anyway since it is 6 yrs old.  He drops it off at Toyota on his way to bridge nearby. Unfortunately, he thinks the Rock Hill bridge group is going to fold, as the director has health problems and had to quit. Just using fill-in directors now.

Sue, I know you are probably busy with the boys, but do check in and let us know you are okay.

Ginny, how are you doing?  Hope you are enjoying the same lovely weather we are.

Take care. Sharon

Hi Buddies.  I'm getting ready to host bridge tomorrow, but having a problem getting a sub.  Olyne is having knee surgery tomorrow, Terri has the flu, Merilyn is taking her husband for an MRI, so only 5 of us are available and I've been calling subs for 2 days and not having much luck, except for one who lives on the next street to me and is coming.  I did finally just talk to my friend, Ethel, from church and the other bridge group and she will come, so now I'm only missing one.  Bonney has already played today and is probably down for her afternoon nap, so will call her later.  She plays bridge every Wednesday a.m., but hope she can play or suggest someone who might.

Bill left at 7:30 after having breakfast and packing up his truck.  He brings more "stuff" than 3 teenage girls!  I enjoyed his visit and we had a good time at our Lady Tiger's basketball game, although we lost to our arch rival Alabama.  We'd won earlier in the season when we played in Tuscaloosa. 

I hope all are having a good day.
Sue

Sharon.  Mine is just the Tingle and Burning. No pain. Not all day long but enough to annoy me.  Will be checking in with them next week. Not taking the meds they gave.

Where is everyoned. I don't see any posts since Jeanne posted yesterday.

Hi Marilyn - guess nobody's got anything to contribute today.  I didn't.  Still coughing and sneezing, but enjoying our warm weather.  Stay dry out there on the West Coast. 

Nothing much here, either....VERY warm, even for S. Texas...may hit 100 they say a bit inland, so Darlene may be very warm, too.

We walked a bit earlier, and tonight we're going to an "open house" by one of Ray's golfing buddies...they want to use up some things they still have a lot of...popular at this time of Feb.  Our menus are very odd...eating up what's left!   

jane