Talent Tuesday - Jeff's new creation

What happens when Jeff gets a four day weekend?  It usually starts with weekly yard work like mowing the lawn, raking the leaves, trimming or getting rid of the damn ivy.  But this past weekend it was different because he was worried about the rain coming in and he needs to get some of the wood, tools, etc. put away.  Since I had been sick and basically stayed indoors, I really don't have a clue what he is doing.  At first I thought the sound was coming from the next door neighbors but it seems to get louder.  There was some hammering, sawing, screwing and a few banging.  Once it starts getting darker, all that sound stops and he comes back to the house.  Sunday morning was sunny and warm and he was back out there.  After lunch I decided to come out and get some fresh air and to my surprise there was Jeff's new creation located behind the new fence he had built.  What is that, an OUTHOUSE???  Actually it's a tiny shed for the firewood for the chiminea as well as a place to keep the yard tools dry.  I took a photo and although not completely finished, I was impressed of they way he used all the left over materials from the old fence, old retaining wall, etc.  I can't hardly wait for us to paint it and maybe do some art work.

 

Sick Saturday - Again, that's what I said

Black Friday started my morning not feeling too bouncy.  I did not have the appetite for any breakfast but knew I had to eat.  Jello was my go to when I feel sick.  To make the story short, I have a stomach flu which was confirmed by my doctor.  After submitting to some blood work to rule out more serious issues like gall bladder, appendix or pancreas.  It will take at least 24 to 48 hours to get the bug out.  My diet included liquids, lots and lots so as not to get dehydrated.  He also suggested the BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce and toast).  I couldn't even get pass the banana.  After 24 hours I received an email that all the lab results are good.  So now I'm just trying to get my energy back and hope for the best. 

It's interesting that Jeff's scarf makes me feel better.

Fearless Friday - BFS

One would have to be fearless to go out and shop during Black Friday.  It was almost frightening to hear the police spokeperson to remind people who will be out today to be careful where they keep their wallet, phone, etc.  They want shoppers to be aware of their surroundings specifically the parking lot.  I would think that this is such a scary day then why would you go.  Unless you like the line up, people getting trampled, pushing and shoving and attacked at the parking lot, then I am guessing this is your kind of shopping.  Jeff said that if he can get a deal through amazon where the shipping is free and you don't even have to leave home, no line up and no traffic, then for him it's the best way to shop.  This year we agreed that we will not go wild about Christmas shopping, instead we will pick out gifts that are truly practical and useful.  Some of the stores even opened shortly after thanksgiving dinner yesterday until very early morning.  I guess I love my sleep and prefer not to get up very early to check out what deals I can get.  Honestly, the truth is we don't really need anything and if we do we can just get it later when it's much more pleasant to shop.  We plan to get some of the gifts between the first week and second week of December.  Check out this photo from last year.  If you are in fact going, please be safe and hopefully it's worth it.

Thanksgiving Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving USA

This is my third USA thanksgiving and we are not cooking.  Why? Because Jeff would rather work on the yard than spend the day cooking the turkey and all it's trimmings.  Because for me it seems like so much work for only three people.  Because we did not want my MIL to do all the work either as she has been doing them for a very long time for her family.  That is why this year, Jeff decided to order everything from Boston Market.  The package was for 4 to 6 people and it includes the following:

• one turkey breast
• vegetable stuffing
• dinner role
• mashed potatoes
• gravy
• dessert - we will decide when we pick up the above
• cranberry/pomegranate sauce not included as I'm the only one who likes it so I made the sauce myself.

It's similar to this photo except we did not get the corn and pumpkin pie.

Wasteful Wednesday - Just enough

Almost everyone in the USA will be celebrating thanksgiving tomorrow and for some they will just have enough.  Others will have too much and a few might not have any.  This prompted me to post about wasting so much food.  If you ever go to one of those buffet places, you can see how much people waste as you watch them leave food that they couldn't finish because they took too much.  It is also the same for some people who you invite for dinner and they take a lot of food on their first round thinking there won't be any left for them.  Most of these people leave food on their plate.  I think most of us grew up in a home where you were told to only take what you can finish and if there's still food left on the table, you ask permission to have seconds.  Now a days children and adults have a bad habit of not finishing their food on their plate.  I believe they have forgotten that saying about thinking of the less fortunate to does not even have three meals a day but maybe just one.  So tomorrow when you are having your thanksgiving dinner, start with a small portion and if you are still hungry take another small portion.  A lot of restaurants provide such a big portion of their meals that Jeff and I find it best to split a meal.  Unless you are dining at a very fancy place where you get a small portion for a higher price, then people seem to finish everything on their plate.  Well, that's my take on eating, caring, and just simple etiquette.

Small appetizers

Big turkey dinner plate

 

Toothless Tuesday - Who gets a crown?

Do you have a crown?  Not the one you were on your head like a tiara, the crown that your dentist makes for you when your tooth cannot be filled anymore.  During my last dentist appointment, I was told that two of my teeth needs to get replaced with a crown.  Because of insurance, I could only get one done this year and the next one will have to be schedule in the new year.  My dentist is the same one as Jeff's dentist.  Although I've only been with him for the last three years, it feels like I've known him longer and he feels the same way.  Prior to my moving here, Jeff and our dentist shares a lot of stories during his visits.  Most of the conversation they have are very high tech.  He is very smart, creative and up to date with the technology world.  Anyway, I got my temporary crown last week and this past weekend I felt a small piece sticking from my tooth.  Apparently it's just a little filling that was added but that the temp crown is still in tact.  I have been very careful with my chewing and avoiding crunchy and sticky type of food.  Unfortunately due to the thanksgiving holiday, I will have to wait another couple of weeks before I get the permanent one.  The benefit of this is for the next two weeks I am eating less because I am chewing my food very carefully and taking my time.  In addition to that, I am selecting softer foods that are easier to chew. After all, I feel special because I will get a crown, not for my head, but for my tooth.

Mindless Monday - Fence Painting

It has been almost a couple of weeks since I had the flu and this past weekend was the first weekend that I felt good, good enough to help Jeff with the outdoor chores.  Saturday was sunny and the temperature was perfect to do some painting.  After doing a couple of errands, I suggested to Jeff that we can tackle the fence painting.  He was a bit concerned as he did not want to tire me out and get sick again.  Between the two of us, I knew that it will take only a few hours to complete before it starts to get dark.  He got everything ready and I became his assistant aka detailer aka finisher.  The roller brush was his tool and I had a thick four inch brush.  I change into my painter outfit (old jogging pants, old shirt, flip flop).  After three hours we were impressed how much we have accomplished.  Here's where I show you the result.  For those of you who have been to our home, you will recall that we did not have some of the things in the photo.  These were some of the improvements that Jeff had done that the city took a year to give him a permit. The next project will be painting of the whole outside of the house.  Then removing more ivy and adding a variety of plants around the front yard.  Each and every weekend, this will be our plans which means no holidays until next year.