propensity prevails

Why is butter, real butter, straight from the farm, full on dairy butter so bad for you? It tastes so good, makes cooking delightful, and can't be surpassed in baking. How such a wonderful substance can be so inherently bad for a person is beyond me.

Quote from Bertolt Brecht;

Do not fear death so much, but rather the inadequate life.

And I might add that a life without butter is no life at all.

love to you~~~~

packing protocol

I'm packing again.

After being home for not quite 24 hours I am packing a bag with my belongings for a few more care giving days with Mother. Janet stayed with them last night and reported that all is well. Mom seems a bit impatient to just get this "belly" issue over! My care giving skills now include knowing how to pack an open wound. She was a good patient to use as my first attempt! I'm glad she was a good sport about it, better to be home dealing with your family handling your health care needs, than sitting in the hospital where there is more opportunity for infection.

Tomorrow I will accompany Mom and Dad to Rochester for Mom's post op appointment and suturing, as well as Dad's ortho appointment for his shoulder.

I have a ton of work to do for Aly's graduation. We need to print announcements, plan the art show, frame the art work, make the guest list, plan the menu, organize the dinner party, coordinate the overnights...whew...I do hope all can be accomplished.

Quote from Princess Leia;

Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

Seriously. I need help!

Quote from psychotherapist Adele Brookman;

Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death but to inspire yourself to life!

take good care.

preoccupied prep

I am packing again. Just after dumping the sand from Mexico out of my bag, I was on my way to Morris. By the way, there is no swine flu as far as Patrick and myself are concerned. We escaped the plague. Spending a few hours in Morris with Aly was nice. Her spring production of "Jack and the Beanstalk was cute. We watched it with a theater full of elementary school children.

And now I'm packing for a few days in LaSalle to care for Mother while she recuperates from surgery. I've got some chicken soup simmering on the stove, tuna salad cooling on the fridge, and cookie dough in the mixing bowl waiting to be packed for the trip.

Starve a cold, feed a, ummm...anyone who wants to eat!

Anonymous Quote;

Get great at the wait. Be patient - the ability to persevere is what separates the whiners from winners.

take care!

peccadillo

I cannot decide which to blog about; vacation or engagement. Both are exciting to think about, both have expectations, and both are on my immediate agenda.

Last Friday night Mike proposed to Hanna. It took place on the rooftop of our building and Patrick and I were there to celebrate the news. She was totally surprised, accepted his offer (!) and received a big ol' sparkler for her left hand. I'm now calling her "B" for bride. Perhaps I should begin to call Mike "G".

Wednesday we leave for a vacation (Katun Pres. Club trip) to Mexico. We will be on the east side of the country at a resort just south of Cancun. I've never been to the Caribbean Sea side of Mexico before and look forward to our arrival. I should really be a bit more prepared, but we only have two dinner events where nice clothing is called for, and the rest of the time we'll be in our swimsuits! Plus, it's not like we're hiking through Macchu Pichu, --there will be plenty of shopping!


Quote from Henry David Thoreau;

Live in each season as it passes, breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit.


Be happy!

presentable pajamas

I love wearing pajamas. It's so comfortable and freeing knowing the next stop is bed! And the delight of having a "jammie" day is much fun during the holidays or other event. However, the practice of wearing pajamas for everyday wear has got to stop! Unless you are a college student wearing jammie pants cause it's the last thing you have clean, it must stop!

Quote from Johan Wolfgang von Goethe;

One cannot develop taste from what is of average quality, but only from the very best.


take care and dress well!

partial passenger

One way to Arizona via NW and Skywest, both operated by Delta, got me safely to Phoenix last Wednesday. By Friday noon, I was behind the wheel of the Toyota leaving Mesa with Mom and Dad. The decision was made to return to Minnesota to deal with Mother's malady. She is feeling OK and made the trip with no problem.

Driving north out of Mesa was a beautiful journey! Such beauty in the desert as it turns into mountainous terrain. The craggy rocks and variety of cactus growing was fasinating! As we made our way east into NM, the winds picked up, the sun was setting and the landscape was beautifully lit up. The dust from the wind was piled up like sand near the door to a store I was entering---the color was a deep terra cotta.

Two time zones later and back in my condo I'm tired and need to do some laundry. It's fun to be gone, but better to be home.


Quote for the day from Daniel L. Reardon;

In the long run the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip.


have a great day!

prolonged patience

My struggle for clear vision continues to mystify not only me but the optical people who are trying to help. I am on my third pair of glasses and continue to struggle with the correction and fit. I have the right prescription however the size and shape of the lens within the frame that will sharpen both near and far acuity has been more than challenging. I am optimistic about the most recent visit where I was assisted by a smart young woman who picked out the right frames for my correction and will hopefully fit my face without causing pressure on my noggin! Sadly, the fun frames do not suit my Rx. So if there is a fun part of wearing glasses that too eludes my grasp. At this point, anything will be better that the chipped pair I've been wearing since January!

I'll be wearing some squarish, dull brown glasses next time you see me. sigh.

Perhaps I need a new pair of shoes in a super fun color to cheer me up!

And did you know there are improved lens for glasses that are new to the U.S. but have been in use in Europe for years? They are very expensive now--they said around $700--but in a few years will be more affordable. sigh, sigh.

On a happier note, I enjoyed the finale of ER last night. I especially liked the bride and mother-in-law scene! We had a little Mexican fiesta buffet for dinner and the tamales steamed in the oven turned out great!

Quote from Shirdi Sai Baba, Indian saint,

Before you speak, ask yourself: Is is kind, is it necessary, is it true, does it improve on the silence?


take care!