Happy New Year

 

It's been pretty quiet around the apartments today not a lot going. – Even pretty warm, again the war before the storm. Tomorrow is supposed to be snow all day. What a better way to celebrate New Year's Day. I'm not sure if we are going out for breakfast in the morning. Not only is it supposed to be snowing , Mark is working the night DJ at some big event. I visited Mark Anthony's afternoon by text and he says you may be up for it really I think he needs to take some time to rest. I don't know how much I want to roll up to be restaurant if it's a major snowstorm. Chances are the local weather folks are overselling storm as usual but you never know is always a sucker punch out there waiting to strike when you're not looking.

I actually made it out of the apartments today! This is really kind of the 1^st time all week. The date was basically overcast. There had been great at some point but none was fallingg when I took off everything just went a lot from the melt of the last snowstorm. Temperatures in the 40s it was, pleasant to get and over to the market were a few things to get me through to the end New Year's. My main goal was to get a supply of regular sized snicker bars before Monday when Melissa will return as my caregiver. I like to have favorite treat ready for her when she gets here. Snickers bar was the least I could do to ensure continued dedication to my support.It's I also picked up another box of Ritz crackers that I can but cheese go on– – I actually forgot something which now irks me. I was going to get a package of those small marshmallows to make Ritz treats out of. Essentially you take Ritz cracker, a small square cheese and one of those small marshmallows begin about 10 or 20, of them on the cookie sheet Then pop the whole thing into the on cook for a few minutes until the cheese and marshmallow melt together. My mom used to make these families for “Family night”. Social experiment of the LDS church. I haven't had these treats are probably 50 years but I was think of making some tonight but I forgot the marshmallows. I also got yogurt, cottage cheese, hot dogs and hotdog buns – Everything a bachelor needs to celebrate New Year's Eve. And no,I did not get to the liquor store which is probably just as well. I have enough booze in the apartment right now to take care of any frolicking needs I might have.I'm ready for the new year. I just have to text a couple messages to people I'm concerned about or that I want to wish splendid and happy new year. It's strange this old world so big that the new year has been being celebrated now bunch of hours. I doubt that I'm going to stay up to the end. It would have to be something special for that. Maybe I'll just have a small glass of or Baileys coffee and slide into 2023…

Coffee Pot Backup

 

Today I hit the jackpot. Now I know it's a small thing but it's not such a small thing was a Friday or Saturday night washing the coffee pot/Carafe and suddenly the carafe slips from your hands landing squarely on your stone countertop and totally breaks into million piecesOr the carafeSlips from your hands and began lands on something hard and disintegrates. Not only do you have the trauma of cleanup but you are left with something far worse now coffee. This is only happened to me a few times each time luckily I had some sort of default option but was pretty pathetic like drinking coffee from the Brewer into account were large jar or whatever trying to trick on all switch underneath the coffee maker spout until you can make it over to Walmart are some other appliance type store to find another replacementPot. Even worse trying to order the exact carafe off of the Internet. It seems like Easy task but lately it's gutwrenching. I live in terror ordering the wrong thing that either just keeping something you don't want are going to the trauma of happiness send it back.I understand that most people sending something back should not be a big deal but for me start sweating just talking about the whole thing.

This morning when I went down to the common area to check the giveaway table I was amazed is find 3 or 4 Coffee carafes among all the other items on the table and one of them was a Black & Decker Carafe just like the one I currently have in the coffee maker! I understood that weird thing that I do digging out going to do something else and come back and get it but you have invariably gone when I return. So I stopped what I was doing immediately that the Black & Decker headed back to the apartment. I Hate handling glass. But I gingerly moved the carafe from my friends onto the shelf by the sink there Coffee carafe sits. I could try to put the device Away until I can find somebody with more capable hands the put the carafe on a high shelf hopefully never to be used but an emergency should I need one there it will be. Just writing this puts my heart at ease.

Tomorrow's New Year's eve. I kind of wanted to find a liquor store just in case I want to come by tomorrow night. I have a little gin in my closetAs well as Bailey's and some other coffee flavoring liquors. It's not like them going to be entertaining just me and my TV/streamer. I also have a bottle and a half of wine I have enough. I think I just want to get out but I didn't. I let the weather dictate my day once again not proud of that some things are just as they are . So tomorrow whether providing – out and pickups at the Ritz crackers and other things for small single celebration

Letters

 

I cannot believe I have done it again. I was actually getting ready to start getting ready for bed when all of a sudden I realized I have not blogged yet! I suppose is not a big deal to most people reading this blog but writing this blog is still a big deal to me. My commitment to post something each day, hopefully at least 500 words. I think I've got confused today because I started writing my “kid letters” or rather I should say family letters. I have a few people in my little universe which I write every month and today I started letters for January. I think my writing these documents (I wrote 2 letters today) gave me the feeling that I have blogged alreadyWhich I find I have not. So, here g

Today I met an interesting person over the Internet. This person found meOn one of my accounts . Identify myself as being a C4 quadriplegic (which I am by definition) she is one as well but I think the level of trauma was much more significant than. Were I can actually get out of bed and into bed independently and a great deal of other items independently this person has significant limited use of upper extremities. I have Gross body movement in my arms and some flexion my wrists and hands which allows me to get by during the day independently pretty much. This person is just a little movement in the wrists I guess probably No movement In her arms. She's much younger than the found her enjoyable to text we had quite a conversation. I do enjoy visiting with other individuals with disabilities especially quadriplegics. I guess is the commonality we share.I'm sure I can learn a lot from this person. It's quite curious that we met.

It's almost New Year's Eve and I have yet to visit the liquor store. I was considering going up today trying to find one relatively close to the complex. However, I'm worried about the condition of my skin on my rear end. I feel I'm getting skin breakdown but don't want to antagonize the situation in fact that's what was happening. While the person looked on Wednesday morning but did not find any issues. I will have her scrutinize the rear end again Tomorrow maybe take a couple of images just above my mind at rest or if there is skin breakdown I can get these images to my physician who can order some time with wound care people. Either way I hope this is just a minor inconvenience and hopefully some information/ammunition I can used to acquire a new cushion to be sitting since I think the one I'm sitting on the best part of the problem. I guess tomorrow tell. Again I bring up the fact need to get out of the apartment to market or/and my branch bank but today was the best day and I didn't do it. Storms are coming in tonight with heavy snow in the mountains and rain and snow on the valley floor. I doubt I'll be going out now till after the New Year's. If anything there's a break in the storm I'll just zip across the street to the market to pick up a few items. And if I don't I'm okay too I can get by…

My Christmas Tamales

 

I get my haircut across the street from my apartment complex. Really, will just literally across the street. I believe I written about her in the past. I like her a lot . She's very Hispanic and I think her main clientele are Hispanic folks. She does pretty good with English we communicate very well at least enough to get my haircut. I referred her once what I want folks here you are complex who came over got a haircut. I think you like the price but didn't like the that everything So Hispanic. To my knowledge he returned, Bradleys loss. A number of weeks ago, while getting a haircut I mentioned how much I enjoyed tamales at the holidays. Actually, I've been trying to locate a good source for local Tamales. Interestingly, I meet a couple of folks here from the complex most Saturday mornings little coffee shop across the street and every once in a while a little guy comes in and takes peoples orders were tamales and runs out to his truck/car start yours. I think 3 tamales for $5 something like that. Little guy has chicken, beef or pork. The tamales are Very warm and well wrapped.

I must've been talking about this little guy to my barber she indicated she always makes tamales at this time of the year and if I wanted she would make me some tamales. I felt that would be excellent in the last time I cut my hair a few days before Christmas she brought it up as you is beginning to make the tamales and she would contact before the holiday. I don't know what happened but I did not hear from her report holiday and okay I know she's busy. Then this morning I Received a text message that she had tamales with her . I responded that I would be over soon to pick them up. She said she wanted To bring the tamales to me because I was so cold. The cold has rarely stop me and I want to make sure I got the tamales Today. Actually, the day was not nearly as cool as I thought and felt pretty good to be out and about once again. My barber produced a huge container tamales. Authentic, handmade bundles of joy. She advised me that when I heated tamale Sure they were good and because masa is never Tasty cold. I was surpr the amount my barber had provided me. Of course, she declined any payment which was okay with me. I grabbed my corn masa treasures And headed back to The apartments stopping The South Sea Islands fast food joint or rice.

Now I would be hard-pressed to count this as a Christmas miracle after all just corn masa wrapped around meat All wrapped in a corn husk. But, I felt miraculous this evening when I needed a couple of tamales and rice for dinner. I don't well taken care of this Christmas my humble tamale dinner…

Quiet Day

 

It's a holiday week many people taking vacation especially in the workplace. I so remember how you had to use up your holiday time or lose it at the end of the year. Therefore, the folks at Assist, Inc. had not done any intakes this week so there's no meeting today to sign off on the subjects which is okay. I had no desire to get out the weather… Even though there was just a light rain and the temperatures in the 40s. I noted with significant concern that there is blood on the bed pad. Not a lot of blood but enough to concern me that I having a skin breakdown on my tush. Immediately I want when my chair is not the chair, the cushion. This is an off day so I did not have support from my home health people. At one point I did contact one of my people have them come in and look at the wound but as the day progressed and she hadn't shown up I decided to put on hold till tomorrow when Gloria my home health person should be here and can give me a good account of the problem and take a couple images that can send my medical folks. It feels like the same area that I had the skin breakdown early last summer. I don't anticipate a lot of issues resulting from this but I would like to get back in the saddle bythe time good weather gets back to the Wasatch front.

So, my days are pretty laid-back, literally if you know what I mean, I try to take the weight off my buttocks as much as possible without actually having to go down on the bed. At least available around the apartment and do some work here and there for washing dishes to washing clothes the bare necessities. I also lay back and watch the television as much as possible when I can i.e. Disney plus, Amazon video and of course good old Netflix. I really do need to be careful because video and me can easily be an addiction. I could possibly spend the rest of my life watching content on the big video providers so much to watch so little time so little willpower. However it my defense today I did cut down a long stick to replace one of my favorite leg lifting sticks after got caught in my back wheels, unbeknownst to me, and I snapped the stick. I try not to grieve too much for a law stick but I did love that stick. I've cut the other stick to size some plastic anti-stick on the end you should be good to go. I'm a little worried about the stick because it does not seem as dense as the stick I snapped. But I did some wood cutting and was able to use my little worktable/vice to get the job done so I did not feel like such a slacker today. It was the 1^st day back after the holidays though even though we are in the in between time, feels like the world is back into play markets are open and the buses are running and I can feel the real beginning to turn again. I've included for today's image aan image of Groot a gift for my son for Christmas. Groot is sitting on my CPU watching…

Marvelous Monday

 

After yesterday's trauma in the bathroom I was just excited to wake up this morning for a brand-new day with a relatively empty Colon even emptier afterLissy my home health person/attendant care showed up for my regular program. Poop and a shower. And again everything went just fine. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the event and how I could've better and the whole situation. I will take everyone at their word and call upon them earlier next time it hopes to circumvent a similar situation.

My day was relatively uneventful, perhaps the high point was wondering down to the for your visiting some consumers/renters regarding their Christmas follies. Other than that I spent the afternoon working out with my arm by for my 60 minutes . I was in the middle of my workout when I hear a knock on my door and surprisingly it was my old roommate Kelly or KC. Once again the diligent reader sent back through many of the posts and read more about me and my roommate Kelly. Kelly dropped by to give me more Christmas! I was kind of blown away cinnamon rolls, cookies tortilla chips and salsa (who made) and even as Kelly said “folding money” a very righteous $20 bill! How lucky am I? Have such great friends. Kelly was in town to visit his in-laws broke away momentarily to drop off my goodies and to check in on me to make sure I was okay and having a great holiday. Seriously, it's so great to have friends who care. I have manyand am thankful that Kelly is one.

One of the gifts that I got yesterday was' to call from Mark Anthony what a great piece of technology something to actually help one sleep. I have 2 pillows I use, 1 is for hugging and the other one is my head. I have been using the small's quite manageable pillow. It's pretty effective and I've enjoyed having the little guy but this posteriorpedic is quite comfortable and certainly got me through the night and style. Work actually hold onto the box it came in so he can send it back if I wasn't pleased with the product. I plan to keep the pillow and lookforward too many nights of resting my head on this great pillow. I got so many gifts I'm still trying to focus on all them. I got some nice blanket type things especially a Marvel comic flannel blanket that can use as a leg wraparoud. I will truly be silent now. I got another really nice wraparound which I think will be great for television during at night. And I mentioned yesterday I also he Jaxon black watch cap. I'm not good try to fool myself for a moment thinking I look as cool as Jaxon. But I'll wear it with as much styles I could muster up.

So tonight I have fresh pastries, summer sausage and cheese I even got a ottle wine which are probably keep for years before opening. The only drawback is my backside is becoming tender. I hope I don't have skin breakdown I need to be careful. Lissy did not notice one this morning when she was checking me over and she applied new tattoo taped to my butt so it should be covered by just a little cautious in the full painful. I may get to bed early tonight take the weight off my butt rub some lotion on my butt good and soft see if I can help with healing if there needs to be a healing take place…

Christmas Day

 

I wish I could say I was feeling better but I'm feeling a bit under the weather this Christmas evening. It's been a trying day and the only bright spot was having Christmas with my kids who came over in the evening to bring gifts and food. Thank goodness for that and thank goodness for my son who came over and clean me up after a bowel meltdown.

All day long and yesterday too I've actually been trying to keep myself from pooping. I guess I have a full bowel is reaching its empty .48 hours before is going to be able to have very home health person assist me with this process. I was cramping trying to move very little cannot irritate the bowel into dumping. I plan to meet with Mark Anthony and Jasmine and Jaxon during the afternoon to the gift exchange actually there bringing gifts to be. I was losing the battle I can tell like Mark Anthony and to advise them that they would not be a good day for the event very tomorrow (after my home health people show up) we could do it. Finally it asked what was wrong with you I told him he said he would over and assist me. That's great! I should've asked earlier but I know he is so busy doing what he's doing in his life. Really doesn't need another level of stress, being me. However, even after I told Mark my dilemma is said to be happy to come over and assist in any way that he could.

In the old days, before the neural surgical interventions I could lift my own self and the toilet do my own business (but I've already harped on that) now I need help. I currently get assistance 3 times a week and Friday to Monday is the longest stretch I go to the guest during the holiday week it was too much. I never seem to have an issue with the programs are every other day it's just that while stretch the extra day of the weekend where experience the most discomfort often sitting on a full bowel by Monday morning. Like I said this holiday week which is probably too much. But time work as they got here I was close I was hoping I could just jump from my chair to the charger which sits over the commode and discharge my load that didn't happen. I got just barely on the seat are barely off of my wheelchair cushion not even really off of everything like no and boy was that a mess.. and Mark Anthonywas a real trooper. Mark got be situated on the commode which was a lot of work then he methodically cleaning the chair in the wheelchair cushion and the floor and the toilet afterwards..

We got finished in time to have Jasmine and Jaxon come over who brought real food from their family function as well as tons of gifts. I was totally spoiled they all add a great dimension to my life no question about it. I got great gifts blankets, pencils, a new pillow and so much more to do Jaxon that so excited. It's late now and I'm still feeling weak so I'm going to crash. As I told Jasmine said that my best Christmas in years and years she has made all the difference with everyone else will be all very Christmas to all and to all the good night…

Christmas Eve Ramblings

 

It's Christmas Eve almost 7 PM and I'm dining on crinkle/wavy potato chips and onion chip dip. And I'm relatively happy with that. I also have a couple coffee laced with Bailey's and almond milk. Earlier in the evening I struggled mightily with the idea of ordering in a pizza which would hold me over till the 26^th. The dedicated reader knows how much I enjoy the cold pizza especially “day after pizza”. In fact I almost got to the point where I had my cell phone in my hand and had gone through the process of “building my own pizza” and when I tried to order the silly item the whole thing just vanished off the screen. I'm sure I had the wrong button somehow but it was gone I didn't have what it took to order again. The truth be known of all the ordered pizza over the phone once. I don't know why this intimidates me so much for just does so I've rarely really considered the concept. Tonight would be good for it or even Chinese if I knew that they would deliver it here. So instead of a Christmas Eve dinner of any type I have elected just to open up a big bag of “party” chips and fished out my onion chip dip I made last week. Is been working in the back of the refrigerator for some time wanting to be sure tonight's the night.

we celebrated Christmas early this morning by going over to the restaurant for breakfast since we found out last week that our restaurant be closed on Christmas day! I guess you got a let those employees have their Christmas too. I've enjoyed restaurants in the past which is basically ran shifts that allowed staff to have Christmas with family or whatever but at the same time be open so folks who have no place else to go on a holiday such as Christmas could at least get a meal out. But that is not the case this year so we had the Christmas breakfast this morning and then the kids indicated they would be coming over tomorrow afternoon, on Christmas Day, for some gift opening. I'm really having to get used to this new phase our families going through of hanging out with grandpa on significant days. I've enjoyed my little Christmas tree and the few get-togethers. Perhaps I'm getting spoiled. So far enjoyed the Christmas season.

As far as Christmas day goes and since I do not have a pizza have leftovers with not sure what I'm going to do for breakfast. I may perhaps the sausage and eggs to go with toast that would be nice. Or maybe I'll just eat my spicy vegetable juice drink, with exotic nuts and toast and possibly a banana.. Actually I'm a little worried because my stomach's been rumbling all afternoon which is not really a good sign. I had a pretty good movement just today and I shouldn't have to suffer through another one until Monday a.m. However, I did turn to one of my summer sausages yesterday afternoon as I've indicated so far my diet has been sort of crappy thanks to the holiday spirit. I suppose if I cut loose all have to call somebody and hopefully get some sort of backup if I can't wait till Monday morning. The only thing that could bring me down this Christmas season and even that wouldn't be that bad of a deal. Really am enjoying hanging out with people who love and that I love as well…

Boxes On The Floor

 

As much as I admit it, it's kind of humiliating, but I think this is going to go down as the Ally McBeal binge Christmas. I haven't meant to be binging is just happening, just one of those things. I started the 1^st season one episode just lead to another and now I'm ready to start the 22^nd episode of the 2^nd season there is one episode left before I launch into season 3. I don't remember but there like 5 or 6 seasons maybe even more. I don't know if it's age or whatever but I don't remember hardly any of the seasons I've watched so far may be just one or 2 that stood out in my mind. However, I must admit I'm enjoying the experience of having something to do while it's so cold outside.

It's kind of funny like when you're binging is really nothing else that a person wants to do. I did this elaborate game this afternoon after folding my wash and working out on my own bike as usual. I roll down to the mailroom and the smokers are all there and I became involved in a discussion where I was contemplating going out for dinner somewhere. I actually thought about it until I left the group went back to the apartment to finish getting dressed up in warm clothes. I realized then that there is no use for me to go out. I didn't need to order Chinese I didn't need to order a great and wonderful pizza even though I'd really like a great wonderful pizza. Then I remembered I've got this great box of items from Hickory Farm. Sausages and cheeses. It's not a hot dinner but certainly a dinner for holiday dining if you ask me. A meal prepared as easy as possible. I even got out my slicer to slice pieces of the sausage off. There's a small box of crackers also came with my Christmas present but in all honesty the crackers run all that good but they'll do.

This is actually kind of a new thing for me. Usually when I get something that I really like especially something edible I tend to leave that item and its wrappings as long as possible almost to the point of losing the item entirely. But today I decided I I would choose a summer sausage and one of the cheeses to slice and eat while watching an episode Alley McBeal .I took the box of edible treasures stopped on the rack here my work area. I know it sounds childish but I didn't want to broadcast the fact that I had such nice cold cuts all for me. And I guess with perfect, when I try to retrieve the box of course it tumbled from my hands landing upside down on the floor totally destroying the beautiful appearance of the carefully packed Hickory Farms gift box. It wasn't pretty but I fished out one of the sausages and cheese I think it was Gouda cheese to go over to my counter. I didn't cut the Gouda just because it was too warm so I threw it in refrigerator and cut summer sausage and had them for dinner while watching only real season 2 episode 20. It was a delightful experience it would've a better with some cold grapes nice and firm but is happy to have this. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve I don't know if I'll order pizza tomorrow but I might that way out of the set for Christmas day and possibly Christmas celebrated the next day either way I'm enjoying my Christmas holidays…

Boxes With them Boxes

 

Finally a day I chose not to go out in the elements. The day is posted be extremely cold blood was not as cold as I anticipated. It's Thursday so that means it's coffee social and also the day that I truly try to wash clothes so all have something to wear over the weekend and this we particularly something for Christmas in case I should need to look a little better than usual. I doubt that I'm going to need such reinforcement but yet, one never knows. At times like now, I wish I had gone out and got the bag of potato chips or corn chips at least to have something to crunch. I guess it worst-case scenarios I could be mapped to the 2^nd floor and made the candy machine up there which has small packages of potato chips probably all that I need. You know what I miss? I really miss the big bags of chips the way they used to have them. Even now what goes for “family size” is what used to be a small size portion of chips. I'm sure, even with the cold days that are forecast to be coming tomorrow, I will venture over to the market for a few items to tide me over the Christmas Day on Sunday and I guess again on Monday .

As I indicated I also spent later morning and afternoon washing clothes on one of my returns from the dryer there was a box outside my door a big mailing box, brown cardboard. This truly didn't shock me so much as I'm expecting an order of catheters for the next month. I did shake the box with my foot pedals little bit and oddly enough it didn't sound like catheters though I did leave the box outside the door. It was only when I was missing around the kitchen that I realized that there was the “Amazon smile” and Amazon tape on the box which then I realized the box was not like catheters and something else. I haven't ordered anything to speak of waiting now till after the 1^st of the year probably. I was curious what if the box was Christmas of some sort. I searched for one of my hooks and finally found one which I could use to slip inside the tape securing the box and let the whole kit and caboodle up to the table. In fact I put on my lap and rolled into the bedroom and threw the box on the bed. I had to search for a razor knife and some sort to cut the tape. When I did cut the tape I found another box this one had markings on it from Hickory Farms one of my most favorite places on earth. In fact I was totally pondering checking out to see if there was still a Hickory Farms storefront at the mall. Space I did purchase a large summer sausage in the meantime but now I had what looked like a box from Hickory Farms. Of course that box also had its sides taped shut which I had to cut through and finally was able to open a treasure of summer sausages that all kinds of cheese and of course the crackers. It took me a while to siphon through all the elements of the box but but eventually found a scrap of paper indicating I should thank “Shell” (my daughter). Of course Christmas or Shelley. I couldn't believe she knew exactly what I would love for Christmas.

Quite interesting to have a box within a box with inbox. Sadly I haven't even gotten her Christmas present as yet if I do get one to her. Now I'm a little anxious is not going to get there in time for the holiday of course unless I just do the old Amazon card team which I might. After all this is not the season of giving…?

Holiday Lunch

 

It's nothing tangible is not like there's something physically happening but just the knowledge that, today we wandered into winter. I'm not quite sure at what time (I'm sure I could research about if I really wanted to an it was important)but this good old Earth reached its limit and now the hours of daylight will start will start lengthening with each day which also means the cold will abate eventually. Oddly, I begin to repair winter solstice as much as I do the Christmas holiday. Perhaps is one of those things that happen when you get older and time, seasons of change in the promise of each new summer becomes more and more important at least wise to me. Like I said earlier it does not feel like a physical change but I certainly do the mental jolt which almost feels physical.

Even though it was winter now technically, the day was relatively warm temperature and 40s for storm system wanders through I had I guess a holiday meal/lunch with my fellow writer friend Lori. The other person in our threesome was not able to be at the restaurant because is undergoing recovery from recent heart surgery. I sure hope Jerry doing okay. I'm sure he is Jerry's even older than I am has bona fide heart problems. I guess what I'm saying is that one of us is going to have to go 1^st. Sometimes get that feeling with all the people in my group. Someone's got a go, lead the way. I'm of course relatively acting on some of my high school websites one of which actually has a page dedicated to people who pass on every here. I graduated from more high school I think our graduating class was 300+ some students. I'm kind of amazed at how many died that I don't know at all. A couple of passed who I actually knew to talk to and such I was out of there circle of influence or more specifically they were part of the “in crowd”. I'm still waiting for those I knew closely to start giving up the ghost. Same with everybody else right now is close to my age – – and there's a lot of us after all my part of the baby boom generation. Those Gis coming home from the war will made a lot of kids. I assume this will start dropping the next couple of months or years. I got off track I apologize, Lori and I had a quiet “senior” lunch. I had the burger the burger was cold fries are called maybe it's something that specific to the senior menu. When you order of the senior menu it's cheap because everything's cold. I can certainly go off at a tangent on that. We gossiped little bit we talked about this and that little bit we talked about Christmas how we going to spend it with family are without family do anything special. Lori recently, high-end power chair just now beginning to use it. She says her worlds opened up however today her daughter dropped her off at the restaurant and she actually engaged and Uber for her return home. She would've liked to have come in her power chair but in light of the recent snowstorm many of the sidewalks are still covered with snow which now turned is making many of the pathways in non-negotiable. That's too bad I can see how it might affect her not believing in the sidewalk system and freedom of the power chair I just been to the hold on continue to have faith soon should be zooming all over the city.I'm sure Lawrence praying for an early spring…

2 Bucks

 

I can't remember if I've belabor this point, and really right now I'm too lazy to go back and looking up, but this year I decided I'm really not send out Christmas cards as I have in the past. Aside from a few close associates/friends I basically said cards to my brothers and sisters and a few other family members. Probably around 12 to 14 cards in total on the Goodyear. However, I don't know it's just me or somebody at the post office has a vendetta for me but I've just gotten sick and tired of going through all the stress of digging up to Christmas cards, filling them out and sealing them up and finally stamping them dragging the cards to my mail room only to have the majority of the cards return indicating the read the writing! Are shown these letters/cards and other folks who indicate they can decipher the handwriting without problem. I don't know what it was something just this year, something ticked in my head is that I'm through. I think a couple of my brothers and sisters had the same thought process either that or just scratched me off the list when they didn't get a card from me

because my cards were returned “eligible”.

We've had a bunch of people die here at the complex which means a bunch of new people moved in. I'm surprised at how many are Smiler's happy happy happy. I never thought about it that also means people who still circulate Christmas cards. Seems I always get one or 2 cards from somebody here at the facility but this year I've already got about 4 and one of the end card and she had money inside. Granted it was just a $2 bill but this is a Christmas card substance. I was kind of blown away. Who gives out two dollar bills? Grandparents that's who! A lot of folks got the $2 Christmas card which means she's really serious about Christmas greetings. It's kind of nice not like you're going to spend it. A $2 bill such a freak of nature just keep it in your dresser drawer, secretary or were you keep your other little treasures. Unless you get caught in the real financial emergency that $2 might make the difference that bill will stay there until the day they cart you away and go through your belongings. I have another 2 old bill in the bottom of my moneybox hidden under a piece of paper that I've had for years literally decades that I just can't bring myself to spend actually I have two dollar bills plus the one I got today. They're beginning to add up. Maybe I'll advanced the curse when I get a few more $2 bills accumulated also developed as Christmas gifts is that Grinch?

Christmas Week Maybe?

 

I don't know if this is Christmas week or Christmas week begins with Christmas and goes to New Year's. I guess the latter would be more accurate. So at this juncture are just 6 days for Christmas which is kind of amazing to me. If Jasmine had not brought the decorations yesterday I would have no feelings of Christmas is all the now I do. About the only positive functional thing I did today was go across the street finally and pick up some batteries for the decorations. Of course don't think I can get the batteries in the box for the tree but will have to see. I have to have Jasmine are Mark Anthony or both or whatever come over and help you without her baby did with disdain Here at the building to do such a job. I think I will treat the week as Christmas week however enjoy the feeling is much as I can. I do have a meeting tomorrow so I will be out in the cold tomorrow besides that I think this is about as much as I'm going to go out except to run across the street to the market if I have to do the things one thinks one has to do for Christmas. I have toyed with the idea of hitting a liquor store somewhere and do a few vibes for the holiday but this juncture may be our to New Year's not that I'm using for any of them really I just like to do a consultancy in the spirit and I do like the way the bottles look. I really am pretty shallow.

The residents of this apartment complex are pretty diversified. I kind got trapped into a conversation a few minutes ago when is down at the mailroom visiting with one of the smokers. One of the other residents came out upon us, a lady from Bosnia. She of course has a little dog wanders around getting into conversations as possible. They tell me she's from Bosnia but talks more lectures from Germany and she was brought up in Heidelberg after the war. She actually had some interesting stories about her family and her parents in particular of how difficult was after the war (2^nd world war I wasn't sure if you do that are not). She talked about the old Christmas stories of getting a candy bar, one orange, one pencil and a book. Her dad always make sure she got a book. She embellished the story even more relating that she was a twin. She survived but sister did not, dying just a few months after birth . There were not too dissimilar from the stories that my parents told me of living in the days before the depression as most of the depression. How my mom would take a few eggs into the market (the local neighborhood market) and trade the eggs for a few other things. My grandparents had chickens so they always had something to barter with be a chicken meat or eggs. It's funny in so many of the stories the kids are happy to do all the work particularly interfacing with the other townspeople. I really couldn't pay a lot of attention to the stores however, I been sitting on my butt way too long and it was beginning to become painful. I just wanted to lean back in my chair or better yet be back to my apartment leaned back in my chair with total weight off my butt making up my own stories…

Christmas Magic

 

It's beginning to feel like Christmas. You notice I didn't put the exact quotation in their from the lyrics but just the same I'm beginning to feel stirrings of the Christmas spirit. I worry for one year to the next that I've lost the spirit are perhaps more to the point, the spirit has lost me. Traditionally, as the dedicated reader knows I like that somewhat disappointed in the whole Christmas morning ritual of opening the package is an having those packages deplete too soon and then been somewhat disappointed in the contents. A ballpoint pen, socks, dress clothes every once in a while a really neat thing when you're I got a cassette deck which was really cool back in the middle 60s. But overall I was kind of disappointed and effectiveness for Christmas stockings full of nuts, Christmas candy and an occasional toy of one sort or another. If it had dollar stores in those days that's remarkable to got the stuffing for the stockings. It was enough to get to buy Christmas night and make you believe you had a great Christmas. Perhaps, it was the beginning of heavy-duty Christmas media advertising in the early 50s and 60s that should kids getting exactly what they wanted on Christmas morning. But anyway, thank goodness of a grown up now I don't expect much things Christmas or otherwise… But here humbug somewhere? No not me.

I didn't sleep that well I got the message from Mark Anthony that we wanted me to happen hour earlier than usual at the restaurant for breakfast because Jasmine, one of my granddaughters, one to make sure we had enough time to decorate my apartment for Christmas. We talked about last week it certainly sounded interesting and possibly fun I thought surely shoot of forgot about the whole idea by now. I was afraid I wouldn't wake up in time to make the breakfast time but it just fine. I think I was awake every couple hours just to make sure. Sure enough Jasmine and Jaxon wandered in and the later Mark Anthony showed up. We had a great breakfast going over the week's events and Mark Anthony's work at being a DJ that one of Christmas events he'd been contracted to do. We had a great breakfast soon migrated over to the apartment and sure enough Jasmine jumped right in. Hold a tree out of the box it purchased for me over the week along with decorations and locating just the right spot. The only thing we came up short on was batteries for the Christmas lights. Seems the Christmas decorations did not come with number C batteries. We'll get those sometime this week I hope. But still tree is up is even a wreath on the front door! We found Jazz Christmas carols on the Amazon music station and worked at having a very Merry Little Christmas. We spent 45 minutes taking images in front of the Christmas presentation making sure that everybody got their images saved somewhere in front of the tree.

It was great putting together this little Christmas presentation corner of my apartment a tree, ornaments the lack of batteries for the lights it was fun and continues to be so each time I look at my little honorarium to the holiday season. But what's really important was the time with family all working at one concept and that is bringing Christmas and the apartment which, as I said at the beginning of this posting I think it did. Looking forward to turning down the lights and playing Christmas Jazz into the evening

Waiting For The Miracle

 

I'm not sure who did it but earlier this week I received 2 packages of my favorite licorice mail to large packages of nibs. Nibs is the closest thing I can find to the old type of licorice I used to enjoy. What I find really strange however is that the last couple years I've barely been able to find the licorice let me be specific the black licorice anywhere. I can't find nibs cherry licorice, same small bits of licorice but red in color and taste deliciously cherry but I can't find the small packages of black licorice unless I go to specialize candy store. The licorice came by Amazon and there was no card or return address to identify the sender. I'm speculating as a Christmas gift of one sort which I totally jazzed about. I haven't opened up the packages yet on hold off as long as I can. Sometimes anticipation is everything. Like I said I kind of suspect I might know who the sender is. Earlier this year got one of those “way back boxes” of candies or that the time. Mine I think was from the 1960s video pretty good job of representing candies from that era. Of course, it was not 100% but close some candy is just not manufactured anymore sad to say. I think the same culprit who sent me the box simply the nibs. I must've mentioned in one of my postings about nibs somewhere sometime recently. I haven't gone back and done a search without be way too easy and certainly kill the mystery. But if you are the individual who sent the nibs, reading this posting tonight or whenever, just let it be known how much I appreciate the treat which will last me way into the new year.

Tonight we're exactly one week away from Christmas Eve. I'm kind of excited remember earlier in the week I wrote about taking part in the Baptist Christmas caroling. So just got sucked up in the whole event. Tonight there is someone in the common room belting out more Christmas carols on the piano. He played quite well to singing voice slipped a little bit to be desired and his ability to sing and play the piano at the same time was relatively challenging but I appreciate his efforts and again rolling back and forth to the laundry is as doing a and of the week wash server got swept up in the Christmas spirit thing. The tree in the foyer is beautifully decorated and I totally wish there were real gifts underneath this tree rather than empty boxes covered with Christmas wrap. Speaking of Christmas spirit I kind of wish I had gotten the motivations of the bus and go into Murray the liquor store their on State Street to get some rum and maybe some Absolut for drinks. I really don't drink anything I buy. I like just hanging around the liquor store at Christmas to abide in the spirit that permeates these many state institutions. Alike to buy booze that I think my people might enjoy if they ever enjoy a drink at my apartment. The rum I would use to mix with eggnog and the Absolut vodka I would mix of whatever I could. I would like to try a shot of vodka in my vegetable juice drink with jalapeno peppers and celery. I think that be a great drink. Maybe a sip here or sip there but I think that would be about it. I have a strong aversion to drink about myself. Now there is somebody with me that would be a whole different question than he knows how dangerous that might be?

It's Saturday night, exactly a week away from Christmas Eve and I am enjoying my heater in my apartment all by myself searching for the miracle…

Writers Guild Canceled: Broken Heart

 

The writers Guild was supposed to have lunch today, I guess our holiday lunch – you know they are just 3 of us this writers Guild. I think I refer to it as such a desperate attempt to think that I continue to write anything I write with any diligence this is silly blog. Thank God for the blog with my gold pass to writers group. Sadly, where the members of the group is having heart surgery of some kind of the other individual has transportation issues. So, there was no lunch. Hopefully, Jerry will survive this cardiac surgery and Lori and I Jerry will have a lunch soon. I chose to lay low today again trying to favor my rear end. Luckily, unfortunately or whatever my home health person agrees with me there something wrong with my chair. Things just are not the way they used to be. She dresses me on Wednesdays and Fridays and it's now more difficult to get those shorts over my hips now than it used to be. For some reason I cannot stand on my right foot as I used to. My foot can no longer get purchase on the footpad to let me “stand” up high enough to pull the shorts on up over the hips. I can still do it but I'm having to relearn the whole process and figure out a new way of doing things. That seems to be the case now more often than not.

I believe I mentioned in earlier posts that with the cessation of yesterday's storm the snows of past for the time being offering perhaps 5 days to 6 days of clear skies which also means frigid temperatures. And though I'm one tough hombre I don't want to be out in the cold anymore that I have to even with cool wraparound on my legs. Actually I did cross the street to the local coffee shop and had them grind a pound of Italian coffee for me. I'm just about out. I'm counting the coffee is a gift for my brother who sent me $100. I also gave my home health person 20 bucks from that Christmas present for my brother. It's Friday night and I didn't want her to be without a pack of cigarettes were cheap bola vodka. I hope she makes a purchase that stays in and does nothing radical. I love both my home health people and I don't want to see anything happen to either one.

Supposedly a couple of us here the apartment complex are going to meet for coffee tomorrow, across the street at Hidden Peaks coffee shop. I don't know about my friend across the hall she's been very quiet this week not feeling very well and has me a bit worried. But I was talking to only other folks who lives upstairs, on the 2^nd floor who says she's going to be there. So, I guess I'll go and see who shows up. So this early in the morning my butt should be okay by them fully later in the day when I think the tissue gets tired my rear end against hurt and I need to lay my chair back take the pressure off the soft tissue of the rear end. I doubt I'll go anywhere else tomorrow if I were to go anywhere it would be up to the dollar store and try to get some boxed milk. I really like the boxed milk they carry. The belt stores well and has a pleasant taste and I love having 4 or 5 boxes of my pantry that makes me feel prepared…

Me And Mr. Grinch

 

Another day out in the elements, getting used to the snow and the colder weather that's okay that's what it's all about been able to enjoy each day as it comes. I knew the day would be exciting just because I would have to be using public transit and there would be a snowstorm. “Storm” is probably the wrong word to use. It was indeed snowing but just slightly but it was persistent and even if it's a light snow persistent snow, like yesterday's snow, piles up. I pretty much canceled out the option of data right into the center, which is really been helpful but did not happen. I had Ted position my feet in the right position and Jennifer wrapped the red blanket around my legs very well and soon I was off to the bus stop. I have to admit I had to be cautious because so much snow at fallen I really couldn't tell where the sidewalk was luckily for me some bike rider earlier in the day had written his bike down the center of the sidewalk I just straddle that bike track all the way to the corner to the bus stop. When I got there there is some employee probably of Utah transit Authority there actually is doing snow removal of the bus stop itself. The skies were dark and the snow was flying not necessarily sideways but significantly falling to the earth. Luckily the buses were on time and soon we were in the warm confines of the UTA vehicle.I decided to take Route 200 which is the State Street bus down to about 3400 S. across the street out of designated stop light. Crossing the street was not too bad but I did have to go through a couple snowdrifts to get to the crosswalk. I was quite surprised that I did run into any issues at all breaking snow from about 3400 to 3445 MainStreet. Very little snow had been removed from the sidewalks I plow through not getting stuck once and into the individual consumer.

As much as I hate to admit it going into the ULC is like coming home. It's interesting that very few of the folks there now even know that I worked there at one point in time. I did the usual however spent time with the Deborah and the new director who is a friend named Holly Mahoney which I think will be a great leader for the next growth of independent living. She likes me we haven't been super close but we've always known were on the same side and basically have the same goals in mind. All he had worked at the disability lawsuit I think when I first met her. My partner at the Access Utah network was a close friend of Holly's. I'm so glad Holly got the position. I certainly advised her that she could call on me anytime for assistance in her transition time Or whenever. I don't know what help I could be siphoned to support legacy give her some input as far as my feelings were the IL next to return to as far as support to consumers with disabilities.

They fed me a dinner of corn chips synthetic cheese sauce and hamburger which was actually pretty good or I was just really hungry. It was kind of weird this year there is somebody I do not know who came dressed fully dressed out as the Grinch who stole Christmas. There is also a Mrs. Santa Claus who are barely remembered from years past that was really hard to deal with. So between Mrs. clause in the Grinch we had a holiday Festival. Once you got the kids lined up and ran them through the line relatively quickly. I would always welcome them to get a picture taken a given by a treat and on to the next one. However, Grinch was hungry for adoration as well as Mrs. clause. So lots of pictures were taken not only sent but with the Grinch as well it was not a pleasant experience but not bad either I'm describing finally finished it seem like a long time. Fortunately, I was able to snag a ride home on one of the buses which by that time the snow it stopped the clouds moved on and the sun shine brightly but I opt to stay with the bus get home get warm get ready for a pleasant evening To my heater. I'm not too pleased with my cushion my but is hurting but I don't really know quite what to do. The snows done now for a couple days. I'm supposed to have lunch with Lori tomorrow that I should be able to just hang out for a couple of days …

Fa La La

Finally a day that I didn't have to do anything or go anywhere, unless I wanted to. With that in mind I spent way too much time watching reruns of Ally McBeal. I'm working through the 1^st season which am totally enjoying. Interestingly I forgot what a sick puppy that alley was. She really was a mental health poster child. I like to show however and I like the whole concept the upbeat law practice and how bizarre all the little lawyers were. I remember watching that show when it 1^st aired and thinking how great of a been delivered that lifestyle having that job in enjoy that kind of money someplace like Boston. I kind of feel guilty for spending so much time watching the season I don't know if I'll follow through with the other seasons of the show. It's been a nice break however during this cold time.

The sun broke through late in the afternoon melting a lot of snow which fell earlier today to the point that I wanted to eat some of that spaghetti I made with Tim's contributions meatball sauce. However I did not have any Parmesan cheese. I know that sounds pathetic problems of the middle class or middle-class wannabes. So I suited up and headed across the street for a quick run through the market enjoying shopping, wistfully looking up pieces of meat that I could afford but would never purchase and getting a few treats in this case the Parmesan cheese and a backup role of floss and a loaf of bread and 9 grain loaf of bread smaller in size but great in flavor looking forward to toast and sandwiches made with the spread. I can probably enjoyed by spaghetti without the Parmesan but the got me out of the apartment complex and onto the streets. Sidewalks on the west side of the street or mess I don't know how I would get those business owners to enforce the law a snow removal. I made it through this late afternoon run for the later when the snow begins to freeze and become a treacherous trying to get through there on a power chair. This type of task might be good for the next snowstorm.

I just checked yesterday posting and I'm surprised that I didn't include information about the Christians coming over to Christmas carols. Characteristically I don't really participate in things like communal singing and more pointedly Christmas caroling. Others just take however local Baptist Church at posted information about them coming over to facilitate an evening of Christmas carols and they were going to bring treats. I went for the treats. However, as corny as it was soon I found myself singing away at the top of my lungs enjoying the Christmas carols. The event was well planned those Baptists/Christians really know how to troll for souls. Best part there was just a pile of homemade cookies. Oatmeal and chocolate chip some of the cookies actually crisped or least they were soggy. I got my fair share of cookies and headed back to the room. The preacher actually gave a reading from the gospel of Luke: the traditional Christmas story which wasn't too bad. I enjoyed being a bad boy compiling up the cookies and so to get infected with the Christmas cheer…

Snow day

I knew the weather was going to be inclement, will will the guys are jumping up and down about storm coming in but you know those guys will say anything to get their ratings. I wasn't too worried after all of the most was bit tiff of snow. I wasn't worried by volunteer boss was more worried than I was even called and gave me an out indicated we could put the media off for another week but I figured what the heck will score heading to done it over with. Do not let circumstances dictate how you can all live your life. So that mine, I was pretty well ready, a bundled up wrapped blanket around my legs but my red jacket on as best as I could and headed out. There was a light snow falling going to the gate was not a problem the sidewalks were fairly well clear of snow or ice. But it was on the trip up to the bus stop that I could tell there might be some issues coming up. Snow was accumulating quicker than I anticipated it would. The sidewalk not been cleared of course I went the way of the parking lot which also had not been cleared but it was all flat nose breaking fresh snow not a problem. The sidewalk snow had accumulated to the point that the snow event Down unevenly and therefore causing a very rough ride. This also indicated that more snow to fall chances are that those ruts would just get deeper and more significant making wheelchair traversing almost impossible but help not.

The snow was not a downfall or downpour or wideout. Just nice flaky little flakes fluttering to the ground with significant amounts beginning to accumulate. I got off the train rolled up to a 711 I found to get coffee before my meeting. The snow was accumulating but I was getting through without issue. I have to admit though I was getting a bit concerned. The snow fell pretty much the entire time I was at my assist, Inc. meeting and when we were finished I booked making my train back to the apartment. I wasn't sure how the past from the 47 would be.. The past to the 47 busstop was the problem I was having this morning I knew that if I took Route 54 I would be able to catch the bus the drops me off immediately in front of the gate to the back of the building which I really like. It's never a very long wait at the 217 because it runs on 15 minute headways but still when the snow falling every minute seems like an hour. Actually I was impressed because the sidewalks at the 54 stop were all clear. I've thought about taking the sidewalk all the way to the apartment complex and skipping the bus but I didn't want to chance. I waited and finally the bus came I boarded and swiftly returned my apartment complex. Sidewalks look like they've been shoveled cleanly but I was done being outside. I turned on my heater the high, closed the blinds and play like I was snowbound. One of my neighbors brought over grapes, and small thumb sized to tomatoes and I still had soup from the weekend does truly taking care of them finish the rest of my day in warm comfort…

Managing Monday

 

It's always nice to wake up to clean floors! Still enjoying the clean job the grandkids did on the apartment. Sadly however making my breakfast drink I began dropping things to the floor and once again the process continues entropy. Fortunately for me I did not wake up to snow. I was kind of worried by the amount of energy the local meteorologists were having or exhibiting my local news segments. What about few tasks at one of the complete for today was to get over to the market and restock my jalapeno peppers and vegetable juice and a few other things for sure the main items that I have my morning treat. I did, this time, actually spend the extra money and by the high-end Apple cider with the mother. The only problem is the high-end juices sold the glass bottle which intimidates me greatly especially since the hook that I used to anchor the basket to my lap has not been working as well as it has been since I got my chair back to the shop. So I had to be very careful on my way home. I had 2 large cans sliced jalapeno peppers pickled, 2 bottles of vegetable juice spicy into smaller cans of sliced peppers and of course the glass ball of apple cider vinegar with the mother. Needless to say I did not want to drop this basket it was just too heavy. Look what however is able to get home without any problems. Should have enough to get me through this week before I have to go back to the market which I will want to do before Christmas anyway. I'm thinking of doing a roast beef for Christmas Day but I'm not really sure that. I would like a ham as well but it's hard to choose.

Earlier today a good friend Tim the little Asian lady has taking a liking to the 3 of us at the end of the hall is not bring us food on a regular basis. This morning it was rice and cabbage rolls which are really quite good actually. My neighbor across the hall could meet the dishes because of the spice nature and given to me which I decided to incorporate into what was left of the vegetable beef soup I made last week. I think the Which make a nice addition as mostly hamburger meatball. So that's is a couple more meals actually so imagine my pleased confusion when I got home and found another white plastic bag hanging from my door handle. I didn't actually retrieve the bag until later on in the afternoon right around dinnertime I opened the bag there was a couple of hot dogs and a piece of pizza! I have no idea who this is from but once again at least 2 more meals one of which I have for dinner a hot dog with lots of mustard.

I also washed my clothes today. I rarely watch close on Monday but because of certain events I missed my usual washday. That's okay though because Dianne recently returned from her week voyage and is able to visit with her over the phone over video chat while I folded shorts and hung the shirts.

Most spectacular day but a productive day and a rewarding day. I got a call from my brother indicating that it said my Christmas card they always does that to make sure that I open it up immediately to make sure that he gotten to me with the money that he put inside for me so all in all a very productive day…

Free Holiday Happiness

 

I fully anticipated waking up to a subfreezing morning possibly even snow, it is so hard to figure out what the weather people actually say, mean and prognosticate. But to my surprise, pleasantly, the temperatures in the upper 40s! It was balmy, granted overcast but warm beyond description after the last couple of days I've endured. It's Sunday morning, that means going over to the restaurant for breakfast with Mark Anthony and the kids. I was a little concerned about waking up at 430-ish a.m. but is able get back to sleep only to wake up at 6:15 AM which is not bad except for what there's a call time at 8 AM. Sony things can happen that could throw me off a schedule like that. But to my amazement and somewhat pleasure I was able to get dressed, heat the coffee, make the drink and make my bed and get out of here by 8 AM are few minutes to get up to the restaurant on time.

I've gotten the table secured. So weird setting this time to tables pushed together very close to the old guy table on the other side which we gotten to know pretty well over the last couple months. There was a little awkward but Jackson and Jasmine moved tables around and got everything shipshape and squared away. We had a great breakfast actually. Everybody inquiring about everybody else's week in business. Everybody talking and sharing. It was a fast breakfast and we ended up convening over at my apartment following the meal. I've mentioned more than once that my apartment was chaos but I didn't really understand why but something to do with the amount of snow dirt are whatever you want to call it that I pick up rolling around out on public streets after a storm. I would literally tracked in piles of dirt and yesterday since I caught I had all kinds of stuff on the floor. I did try to sweep up little bit last night to no avail really. And I was just totally taken aback when the kids jumped in swept up the floors Mark Anthony started using the swifter mop function and mopped up the front of the apartment. The table is relatively cleaned off garbage taken out a new bag replaced and wishing to have a great time specially me. The talk continues down the next Sunday the 17^th or 18^th whatever will be decorating my apartment for the Yuletide experience. Jasmine seems totally excited about the concept as the Jackson and Mark Anthony. We're going to get a small fake tree to put up and I assume decorations. I should grab some that were laying around on the giveaway table this last week. Sure will do just fine with whatever we end up doing. It didn't take long with 3 people cleaning the apartment even if I was just topical that looks a lot better and feels a lot better and to truly humbling experience to have these people carefully the way they seem to be doing. Already the more than enjoy the Christmas experience of this year I hope to enjoy more from next week…

Saturday Night Sugar and Baileys Coffee

 

I've blown off another perfectly good Saturday for no apparent reason except that I could do so and I didn't even have to get up early this morning to go over the coffee because the other participants were not going this week. I don't know of we ran the Saturday coffee course or not but I just blowing off the morning actually trying to get dressed. Seems like if I have a deadline to meet address much more quickly and have less problems trying to be dressed. This morning I could not do the shorts of the ended up resorting to one of my early inventions the button extender. Fortunately I had one buried relatively deep in my drawer. The device worked just fine I had along tail T shirt which covered everything up I was good to go. I'm afraid of going to have to engineer up some more button extenders must be putting on weight… Drat.! Actually I'd did do one thing today I boiled up some noodles to use with Tim's spaghetti sauce she brought over the other day. Of course I finished off half a bag of noodles that I have left over from the last spaghetti event and it pretty much drank up all the spaghetti sauce Tim brought over. I ended up making another small batch of spaghetti sauce. I was pleasantly surprised to have everything I wanted for the sauce. I should try to put together the sauce with the right ingredients. The small can of tomato sauce that I had access to was way beyond the expiration date of actually look brown! I didn't feel comfortable so it back in action found a can of been said”Italian spaghetti sauce” all the ingredients were right there upon the top put on the stove and let it heat up and add that to the noodles and it worked out just right. I didn't think about it at the time but I did of using Angel hair noodles and I probably shouldn't just use regular noodles. I do have a box of those but I want to use up the rest of the Angel hair. It made some pretty decent noodles and I chopped up the because so I have good chunks of hamburger. This will need to be through Sunday is not beyond. But more importantly the baby think I didn't totally waste the day. I also worked out for its worth.

We have an interesting room upstairs near the apartment complex. Actually the place, vexes me because it's a classroom but all the seniors of overtaken ve jigsaw puzzle emporium. I given up trying to do anything crafty up there but what's interesting is that there are a number of junk machines up there. Soft drink machine which is great all kinds of soda, and all kinds of drinks. There is also a good-sized junk machine ie. candy and assorted items that doesn't do anybody any good. Everything from lifesavers to tater chips and night for me Oreo cookies and donuts. All for about a dollar 25 or less. It's not necessarily deal but that's enough sugar and sweetness to get you through an evening so you don't have to go across the street in the darkness on the snow are whatever to get you sugar fix its all right there. Most people forget that it's there but I don't I know it's there. The only trouble for me is that the product falls all the way down to the bottom of the machine that you have to be able to bend down stick your head in there and grabbed a product which is really hard for me to do.. I don't know I can do it but I have before I have to have a stick to help pull it out. It's also difficult to get change when it drops down into the return. Luckily tonight Ruby was working proposals that she help me that's my sugar that's as good as it gets on a Saturday night…

Fun Raiser or Fund Raiser?

 

As the astute reader of this blog is aware this blog is not what I had written in the “placeholder” post that I uplifted to the log this afternoon. I still want to develop that thought as far as dreaming of a new environments having to go through the whole new space phenomenon but instead I think I will go ahead and write my feelings about my attendance at the open house tonight.

It's Christmas season and that's when a lot of private nonprofits hold their “holiday type celebrations which used to be Christmas parties” tonight was the Assist, Inc. holiday celebration and fundraiser. This is the 1^st time in my memory that the agencies come straight out and announced that it was a fundraiser which I thought was kind. Most the time they like to hide the fact that woven into their holiday event is the “give me money” zinger. There must be a fairly contagious phenomenon provide noticed the 1^st of the week that my local radio station/public radio affiliate is having their “abbreviated” holiday fundraiser. This just a fundraiser just been coming on again breaking into my favorite shows doing the money beg routine. Let's miss my regular programming I turned off the radio during these time periods. Makes me feel a little Scrooge like that you can only stand so much.

I didn't mind the fundraising aspect from tonight's open house. I want to show management as well as staff that I was a team player and wanted to support the director. I have to admit I was pleased when I rolled in at the welcome I received. The folks in generally impressed and pleased to have me there made me feel good and warm because it was a long cold track on public transit from my apartment to Assist and even though it was just a little after 5 o'clock it's the dark time now and it was almost dark at 5 PM and dark by 5:30 PM when I got there. I was a little shocked because there weren't many folks there comparatively speaking from what I remember from the old days. In the old days it looked like a scene from Scrooge showing the celebrations of Scrooge's childhood. There be people coming and going all during the open house dropping off everything from cookies to booze it was a happy time. Now it's pretty sparse really weren't that many people there except for staff staff family and a few other folks in the community that I saw. There giving a small presentation each professional giving the rundown of what they did with a small show of images. It was kind of cute fun like unlimited fundraisers comments. Took about 45 minutes and then they opened up the food again which is nice. Just checking this year the old days there was ham and roast and always a turkey. Cookies and cakes and things brought in by volunteers usually a nice layout. The night was not bad a lot of GUI stuff but I did know how to eat but I have cheese crackers it was okay. I kind of worried about my appearance” of homeless person I wandered in off the street but luckily people know who I am and hopefully they just see me for me.. I should've taken images that I didn't just couldn't bring myself to pull out the camera/cell phone. I schmoozed a little bit just enough to be polite and act genuine but I was anxious to get home, warm and enjoy the warmth of the evening. I didn't have any of the wine they offered. It was from the bottles I've coveted all year. If you are drinking but look like they still had a number of bottles left unsure which will be there next year hopefully I will be too…

Sleepy Thursday

 

I'm caught no weird cycle right now I'm not sure why but every morning I wake about 3:00 AM that really don't get back to sleep. I'm hoping this is just been 2 days in a row is really nothing. Yesterday I was thinking it was because I didn't work the day before on Tuesday is also busy all day that's why woke early on Wednesday morning but oddly I function pretty well through the whole day. And this morning again woke around 3:00 AM (guided workout yesterday I pumped my 1 hour on the arm bike would usually does the trick) and I may have been able to get back to sleep but it was Thursday and I had to be up by 930 at least ready and ready to go for coffee group. As much as I am ambivalent towards this function I certainly think it's important that I should I don't know why it's a whole new crew and like I say not nearly as engaging as it used to be I guess. Perhaps, it was the snow that fell during the night in the early morning parking lot maintenance folks running of their trucks for snow removal that will me fill me with excitement of the storm also with some trepidation.

My experience is that that snow will slowly be removed people contracted by this apartment organization. This organization totally believes the contract of removing snow up to the property line. I appreciate that I singled to the contract but what I found in the past that significant amounts of snowfall was that they did a great job of cleaning the sidewalks up to the side gate but stopped right there living in many cases a 6 to 8 inch wall of snow which eventually trust is from the property line to the bus stop the use for the 217. I have before about how simple it would be just to just incorporate the 10 to 20 feet from the gate to the bus stop certainly make life a lot easier for myself and a lot of my other companions here at the apartment complex all were seniors and many are senior women often with walkers and other wheeled devices they use for mobility and their stupid dogs. I was impressed this morning when I checked the snow been removed from the sidewalk and it was clear sailing all the way to the bus stop. I don't know if the company did that wasn't enough snow to cause a problem. Response to have further snow later this week maybe there will be enough that we can test the folks and see how will they clean the snow pass the property line.

Perhaps the best part of my day was my brother, older brother, stopping by the apartment complex on his way to the market. This is kind of new behavior looking out for the kid brother. I definitely like it and enjoy anytime I get to spend with my older brother. His time/my time/our time is short even in the best of circumstances even though we're both relatively healthy comparatively speaking we're both at a point where we can go at any time and I will miss him terribly if he goes 1^st. I suppose if I go 1^st it's a moot point everyone will breathe a sigh of relief the family gimp is out of the way. Boy, was that dark. Often wondered why he and I have paired up together. It was like it was meant to be that we should hang out together and he was supposed to take care of me even though I like to believe I'm independent. I would like to think some romantic thoughts like my dad/mom forced him to make a pledge that they would look after me after they were gone but he was doing out long before they left.. Cannot see my dad doing something like that but I certainly wouldn't put it past my mom. But he certainly is attending much more than before. Hope all is well which I think it is.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas or maybe feel like Christmas. Gifts are beginning to show up on the door and in the mailbox. My granddaughter threatened to come over sometime in the next week or so decorate my apartment for the holiday if so this be the 1^st year that I will deck the Halls. Who knows I might be a good change…

Days of Early Darkness

We finally crossed over whatever ima

ginary line exists out there that causes late afternoon to turn to pre-evening to nighttime darkness by an early very early hour. I suppose it makes sense as we get close to the end of autumn and ready to welcome Father Winter in all his glory and about 13 more days are whenever the seasons change this year – – I have really checked. All I do know is that 6:43 PM and it's been dark for some time outside my window make it feel like 9 o'clock at night. Today I got in the cooking mood and wanted to tenderize the meat that I purchased a couple weeks ago had frozen except for a few pieces I made finger sticks out of and they were so tough that took me half the night just to get the tissue and sinew out of my teeth. Of course, I wasn't sure what I was doing do I ever? But one of my home health people told me to empty it container of beef broth or whatever it is it to container throw the median and boil the hell out of it. I couldn't do just that so I dug down and pulled out the long-term cooker and then in the middle of the afternoon started my process. I took the meat that would thought out cut it up in the strips than chunks and threw them into the trap of beef broth. I don't know why but I felt moved to smash a couple of garlic's threw that in the course and onion and soon I was on my way to making some kind of story soup. I put a good dash of pepper (course ground) which I picked up yesterday at the market. I also threw in an onion quartered and chopped and later in the process I remembered a small canned whole jalapeno peppers I purchased thinking they were sliced. I was just going to put them on the shelf and wait until I finally want to use them as whole peppers. Outside throw that small can into the mix as well make it a very spicy . I hope will be edible just tasting the concoction causes me to cough quite a bit. Whenever I'm cooking soup contraption like this I can't help but think of the characters in the Tolkien series when they're on their track but all I can think about this soup with potatoes. So I dug out my last roaster couldn't find the peeler so I scrubbed it up really good cut it in sections through that in the mix. So there's a few carrots in the soup from the jalapenos and potatoes and I've got a huge amount of soup really going to do with. If it's edible of all. What I what did want I did achieve and that was the tenderizing of thevery tough beef.

Almost left now is to let the stuff cooldown to the point where I can handle it and figure out a way to put the whole thing in refrigerator or maybe I'll just dig out the pieces of beef that I wanted to use anyway for the stroganoff before start building at soup. I could keep the stock and freeze it for soup later on this cold dark winter…