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Saturday, December 15, 2007

For the Man (or Woman) Who Has Everything

When we moved back in early September, I went through my husband's collections of tools. Unbelievable the stuff we accumulate over the years but still we didn't have a set of these. Thanks to Phila for an early morning giggle.

It's around 7:30 on Saturday morning, Ray is still sleeping (as we both should be but I seem to have a built in alarm clock), and the cat is staring at me over the top of the computer. It's like sharing space with a vulture.

Anyhow, I was trying to catch up on some of my blog reading when I ran across the above. Stopped because I knew if I didn't post it right now I'd forget where I found it.

It's cold here for California; nights are down to around freezing, but I can't complain when I look at what's happening in the midwest and now on the east coast. I hope all of you who live in those areas are getting through it. So many have lost power and/or are snowed in.

Ray had his first regular medical appointment since the surgery and it went well. The doctor simplified some of the prescriptions and wrote them for 90 days rather than the month at a time he'd been doing. It will save us about $50/$75 per month and every little bit helps. The best thing is that many of the symptoms he'd had before the surgery have disappeared along with the medication he'd been taking for them. He can go without the oxygen much of the day as long as he's indoors. That alone would make me feel much better. Amazing the difference a properly functioning heart can make.

Still talking to the girls 3 or 4 times a week and it's good to hear from them. There's a lot going on in their lives than I can't talk about here (or maybe I can but I don't want to take the chance). There's always email.

I think I'm almost ready for Christmas. I'll go through the menu and figure out what I still need (like the ham which I'll buy this week because they went on sale), cranberries, cherries, and possibly pineapple. I ran out of cloves and almost fainted when I saw the prices. My friend Janet brought me a few whole ones from her stash and Dawn will share her ground cloves. I don't use them often or I would have been watching for sales but they're almost mandatory with ham. Tim is bringing a cheesecake from Barnes & Noble, we'll make our usual pumpkin pies (no pecan this year I don't think), and I get a free Sara Lee pie with the ham. Should be plenty. I think we'll have six people not counting Jonathan and Zachary although I hear Jonathan eats as much as his dad these days. Of course, I'll probably have a few dropins, at least for dessert.

The hardest part will be scaling down on quantities but we love leftovers, I'll make turkey soup out of the carcass and white beans from the hambone on New Year's (yes I know black-eye peas are traditional, Diane, Karen, and my other southern friends, but I like white beans).

I've figured out I can seat 8 if I have to and I can put up a card table in the kitchen (biggest room in the house). The guys will probably take their plates to the living room anyhow. Or I can put a cloth over my washer and dryer and use them to hold the food. I always do a buffet anyway and my family is accustomed to my improvising.

I'm managing so far not to catch my usual holiday cold but my back has been bothering me a little lately. Nothing serious as long as I don't sit too long in one place; even here. Probably just the cold (relatively speaking) weather.

The cat got bored with staring and is now sleeping. It's hard work being a vulture. I should go start some sort of Saturday morning breakfast. We're careful with Ray's "diet" but about once a week I cook a few pieces of bacon, poached eggs, and maybe pancakes. We make up for it with a light lunch.

Thanks to all for the comments, have a good weekend, and take care everyone.

26 comments:

Heidi said...

I love the flatware, my hus would definately appreciate them.
Your cat is really good at balancing. My cat falls asleep wherever also but seems to fall off wherever a lot too. She fell all the way down the stairs once. I tried not to laugh because she looked horrified. Luckily no injuries!
Glad Ray is doing so well, have a wonderful Xmas!

Yondalla said...

Always good to hear from you! I hope the girls are at least together.

And how did you get that note in the comment window?

ipm said...

oh that all sounds so yummy! I need to get my ham too.

got a list going, just need to top off the last minute bits and I think we're getting there..

much love...

OldLady Of The Hills said...

CHEESCAKE FROM BARNES & NOBLE....I had no idea they sell cheesecake AND Books! LOL! Seriously6...is this something mew? I mean whn did they start carrying cheesecake?
Your dinner sounds scrumptious and like a lot of food....BUT, very yummy!

I loved your description of your cat as a "vulture"...lol!
It has been very cold here in L.A. at nights, too....Brrrrr, for here!

Glad to read of Ray's progess towards good health! That is wonderful, my dear.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear Ray is feeling so much better! It sounds like things are going well for you in general. That's great, just in time for Christmas. And it's good to know you're getting to talk with the girls so much...hopefully whatever it is they're dealing with will be easily resolved.

Did you get your package yet?

Peter said...

Hi Ann, I know people who would go nuts for that cutlery, have a great Christmas.

Susie said...

Hi Ann,
love the "dinnerware with flair" too funny!
Sounds like you have your holiday meal well planned. I'm doing
Christmas brk but will be eating other meals elsewhere..
Good news about Rays' health! Such a blessing for both of you.
Stay warm and cozy. It's been quite chilly here too.
xoxo

ancient one said...

Sounds like you have everything under control. I should be so organized!! (note to self...get organized)

I'm glad Ray is doing great! You too!!

Merry Christmas!

Jo said...

Now that is trick I need to learn! How to make turkey soup out of ham leftovers. I am pretty happy to get go with whatever we have, but if I could magically change things... hm...
Nice to hear you planning for the holidays, it sounds like YOU!

Unknown said...

Stainless steel wrenchware? How, uh, utilitarian.

Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.

Jo said...

Omigosh, I love the flat ware. And you know, it might actually come in handy on a camping trip.

It sounds as if you are going to have a wonderful Christmas!

Merle said...

Dear Ann ~~ You certainly seem to have everything organized ~ well done and it all sounds yummy. So glad Ray continues to get good reports and
everything is looking up for you both. About B. time !! Good the girls keep in touch. I wonder could they have a photo taken to send you ( and then you could show us, as we watched them growing up for so long)Anyway, my dear friend, have a wonderful and happy Christmas and hopefully a much better year in 2008. Much love, Merle.

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Granny,
I'm so glad that Ray is doing much better and got a good report on his doctor's visit. Hey, I love me some White Beans too. LOL. But, for Good Luck for the New Year, I have to have my Black-Eyed Peas. LOL. My Mom is giving me a ham bone and I will use it in my Black-Eyed Peas for this year. Have you ever tried Turkey Bacon? They have it in stores around here. That is what my Parents use most of the time. They have to watch their diets as well. My Mom also uses Egg Beaters. Once in a while she will use regular bacon and eggs. The Cheesecake sounds yummy. I didn't know Barnes & Noble made food. Since I don't do any baking, my Mom usually does the baking for us. She always makes me some goodies. We didn't get the snow they were predicting. We did get some very cold rain. We did have Sunshine yesterday, but it was still windy and very cold. It is another cold start to the morning here. There was a big frost out this morning when I took the girls to school. Well, take care my friend and have a great Monday. May God Bless You and Yours.

Hugs,
Karen H.

Ms. Lori said...

Ann, my cat insists on sitting on my lap while I'm at the computer. Which wouldn't be so bad if I didn't sit with one foot up on the seat, knee bent toward my chin, and the other tucked under (yeah, I'm weird). Silly cat attempts to get comfortable with her hind paws digging into my tucked leg, her front paws on my raised knee and/or left arm, and sort of...leans/lies that way with her face an inch from mine.

Cat fur up nose not good. ;-)

Your dinner sounds like it's going to be fab.

Pat said...

Sounds like you are very organised for Christmas and the food sounds yummy - especially the left overs - which I love. Careful of your back and here's hoping for a happy healthy 2008 for you and yours.

Karen H. said...

Good Afternoon Granny,
I'm just dropping by to let you know that when you had time to stop by. I have a "Bodacious Blog Award" for you. I hope you enjoy it. I hope you are doing good on this Tuesday. Take care my friend and have a great Tuesday. May God Bless You and Yours.

Hugs,
Karen H.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Hi Ann, you sound very organised ... I'm sure it will be a wonderful day for you all.
Glad to hear that Ray is doing so well ... must be a relief for you.

Anyway, just dropping by briefly to say HI, and to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Hope to drop by more often in the new year.
Take care, hugs, Meow

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah....even a little bit of bacon is better than none at all. I couldn't face a life without bacon in it. Is that wrong?

http://wordgirl5.typepad.com/apathy_lounge

Gwen said...

Hi Ann.
Just called in to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
Stay well xx

clairesgarden said...

Granny, many blessing to you and Ray for the christmas season.

Gina said...

Anne, if I don't "hear" from you before then, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Just poppin in to wish you a merry Christmas with your lovely family!

Karen H. said...

Good Afternoon Granny,
I do hope things are okay with you and yours. I posted Friday, but won't be posting anymore till after Christmas. I do have an email a friend sent me that I may put up as a post on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Just wanted to wish you and yours a "MERRY CHRISTMAS" from our Family. JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!!! Take care my friend and have a great Saturday. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Merry Christmas Ann. It's been wonderful keeping up with events through our blogging...I've really enjoyed it and hope that we continue to be friends for years to come.
Love,
Sandy

Blank said...

Happy holidays, Gran.

*Tanyetta* said...

Merry Christmas Granny and Ray! Love the CaliMcKoys!