Sickly Sunday - It's not the flu

At least I am hoping it is not the flu. WHY? Because I got the flu shot a month ago.  Normally, I would get the flu a week or two after receiving the flu shot.  Except last year,  I was stubborn and tempted faith by not getting the shot.  Well, in February I got the FLU and to top it off, I got the A strain, worst kind ever.  If I recall, I was sick for almost 3 weeks.  Then I had to take some kind of prescription that I feel like I am hallucinating, so I stopped.  Way too strong for me so I just tough it out.  After recovery from that bout of flu, I promised myself that I will get it this year because even if I did get one, it would not be as bad as last year.  So far, it's been OK until yesterday when I started feeling sluggish and no appetite.  I slept most of the day in the hopes that I will get recharged.  It helped a little, but today I am still feeling under the weather.  Maybe I just did too much the past week and drained myself or maybe it's something else.  Just in case, I am drinking lots of fluids, eating lightly as well as eating fresh oranges and cantaloupe.  I also decided just to take it easy for the next couple of days just to make sure I can boost my immune system.  It's time for my nap, until the next post, remember CLEANS (citrus,liquids,eat,avoid,nap,sanitize).

Forever Friday - She's all grown up

Today, she's another year older.  Today, I am not going to be with her.  All I can do is  feature her on today's post.  As I look back, there are many birthdays that I have missed.  For most of her childhood, I was there.  For part of her teens, I was there.  As an adult, maybe I have missed maybe 10 in total.  I am sure my daughter is not counting how many times I was not around for her birthday because I always send her a card and most of the years, I do send gifts.  In fact last year was the most gifts I sent.  I spent as much time wrapping each and every one of the gifts.  From the beginning of the year, I started shopping for the gifts that I think were special.  It took a while to complete, but I was able to get the right number of gifts three months before her birthday.  When she was little, I use to make her a new dress for her birthday.  I remember trying hard to copy the "Annie" red dress.  Believe it or not, I did make it and she loved wearing it.  There was also another time when we couldn't find a nice dress for her first communion,  so I made her one that was very special.  Another very special item I made was her very own northern Parka, I believe she was two.  I still think about it sometimes and wish I had not given it away.  Wait, I got side tracked.  Going down memory lane just got me thinking of other stuff.  My daughter has become an amazing woman who loves Steph Curry, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake and her husband.  She is caring and thoughtful but may need work on patience.  She is fun-loving, independent but not demanding.  She is kind, generous but not fickle.  She is organized, creative but not messy.  She is punctual, respectful but not pretentious.  I could go on but honestly, she is a wonderful daughter and now she's all grown up.  Happy birthday Alysia! May you continue to grow, enjoy life to the fullest and make lasting memories.  Love, Mom.

Will Wednesday - Will and Living Trust

Do you have one?  Are you planning to get one done before the year end? Maybe this is one of your new year's resolution is to get organized and have something in place.  As we get older it seems like we think about this type of things.  I am sure most people have existing will and/or living trust and maybe a power of attorney.  So when is the best time to get one of this.  For families with young children I believe this is a must.  With all the updated information online on this topic, it is possible that by now, most would have current will, living trust, living will, etc.  Probate - that's a scary word specially for the people you are leaving behind or that special person you assigned as your executor.

Are you wondering why this topic today?  First, I needed a word that begins with W.  Second, we have been procrastinating to update ours for the last 7 years.  Third, there is no third. It's about time.  RIGHT.  The good news is that we found a lawyer and will eventually get an appointment in the new year.  Now we can sleep tight and not have to worry, wonder or wish.

Shopping Saturday - Early Christmas Sales

Finally, I will be able to show all the items that I have been creating for the last couple of months.  One of my neighbor has invited me to a girls night out party at her home.  Aside from my items for sale, there will be other ladies who will be selling their stuff.  Something creative, something sparkling and some special skin care products.  She will be serving appetizers and I promised her that I will bring some finger foods and some new sweets to try.  Although I probably would only know about five ladies (from our neighbor that I have met), it will be a good networking event for my creations.  Here's some of the aprons I just made the past week.  There are four more apron to be completed by today's day.  I am hopeful that I was able to finish all of them.  Some aprons are reversible depending on the fabric.  Reversible apron lasts a bit longer because you can keep wearing one side until it's dirty, then use the other side before washing them.  

Therapeutic Thursday - What makes the list

Having a beneficial effect on the body and mind.  This is the definition of therapeutic that is applicable to this post.  Some uses a type of over the counter drug, some drink a specific combination of liquids, others resort to the non medicinal or non consumable cure.  That's for me.  Using some other form of pain reliever or some form of distraction.  So what makes the list of therapeutic things that helps my body and mind.  Let me just repeat it, this is my list and it works most of the time.  By the way it's also not a list of remedies, it's just a list that is therapeutic also known as something that feels good for the body or mind.

• Listening to music
• Playing an instrument, guitar or keyboard
• Sewing and creating new projects
• Painting or drawing
• Scrap booking or card making
• Crocheting or embrodery
• Dancing and singing
• One hour massage
• Golf (including watching on TV)
• Reading a good book
• Writing to family and friends - either snail mail or email
• Baking and cooking
• Manicure and pedicure (I do it myself)
• Playing tennis or squash
• Shooting pool (billiards)
• Blogging and writing poems
• Ironing (yes, you read it right)

You are probably wondering why walking is not on my list.  Actually it is therapeutic also but only if I am walking at a golf course and actually playing.  Now that you've read this post, what's on your list?

Minutes Monday - Quick meals

Once you retire, you will find that you have so much time in your hands. So look forward to it. But today it's about quick meals done in minutes.  When I am trying to figure out what to make for breakfast, lunch or dinner, a lot of times is checking what's available in our fridge and go from there.  I know some people plan dishes then shop.  Unless it is for a special dinners, I just get the main items, meat and vegetables.  So what do I make, your question. 

Here's some of our meals that I have made in the last month.  They are easy to prepare and does not take time to cook.  We really try not to go out for our meals except when we are already out and about, then I'm going low and need food.  Not enough time to get home, so we eat out.  Try making some of the following quick meals and you'll be surprise how easy it is and yet so delicious.

Home made using Pillsbury Pizza dough but added all fresh toppings.

Grands biscuit makes easy cinnamon mini rolls.

Baked tilapia in foil with salsa on top, wild rice and quinoa and steamed snow peas.

Garlic shrimp on pasta with white sauce, basil and peas.

Good old tuna sandwich on home made bread and cut up veggies and dip.

Mixed vegetables with left over chicken using 2 packages of Ramen Noodles.

Sharing Saturday - Christmas workshop

There was only one box of Christmas decorations that came with us during the move.  We tried to take only some of the ornaments that had meaning or special.  We knew that we could always buy more or make some for this year's real tree.  That's right, we decided we are going to try and find a nice real fir or blue spruce or pine tree and maybe buy it from the lot that Laurie (x-realtor) owns in Armstrong.  Although we don't really know where it is, we will have to check with a friend for the location.  Last Wednesday, we thought it was time to create some new ornaments.  We were able to find some already made from a thrift store and they look pretty new.  So what is the result of our afternoon of ornament making.  Check out the photos below.  I can't hardly wait to hang it on the real tree which hopefully we will get by the first week of December.

We bought two of these golden Santa and Jeff painted both so it looks brighter.

We bought tea lights and decorated them using pipe cleaner, ribbons and black paint.

These are candle holder that I added flower and rope to be hung as ornaments.

Our Christmas flower arrangement for the front entry. 

We bought the golden balls for 25 cents for 6 and decorated it.

This is for our front door. I think I got this at one of the garage sales in October.