Happy sigh!

Molli et al. arrived safely; no real problems with the flight, a little slow through customs. Several of my neighbors came early in the morning and helped with chores. Nancy H. pounded in the nails that are working their way out of the deck. Liz and Mike washed windows. Sky worked on making the yard beautiful. Isn't that nice?

Tonya came to clean and did a great job. It took her all day and she didn't get to our room and bath at all. Ray and Amelia and I tried to stay ahead of her, de-cluttering as much as possible. I ran out to pick up the cakes we are tasting tonight. The bakery closes at noon on Saturday. As I was coming back with them, I realized I had to find space in my fridge for 4 cake boxes! A fridge that was already over-full. I stopped and picked up two cases of white wine and two of champagne. I was careless and told him I wanted Pinot Grigio, but not that it should be from Italy. So it's from California. I hope it is good. I must put a bottle in the fridge to try. $400... I stopped at CVS to buy more paper towels. Tonya used more than two rolls. I really like her and want to have her come back--can I ask her to use rags instead?

Ray left a little after noon to drive to ATL and pick up the group. Amelia and I continued working around the house. Then we headed out and i showed her the chairs I was considering. She didn't like any of them. We went to a few other stores, with no better luck. We stopped at the Honey-Baked Ham company and bought a small ham (6 pounds for $50!). We went to Cofer's and bought some plants. We went to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought a few new pillows, also expensive. I have seen good deals on pillows before and need to watch for them.

We got home, Tonya was gone, everything looked good. Amelia did some finishing touches, like putting the pillows on the beds. I took a quick shower and dressed and got the food ready for supper. Put the macaroni in the oven, reheated the squash, sent someone for green beans from the freezer. Tamara peeled the apples, while I made the pie. Meanwhile, Ray and Amelia put o ut some crackers and cheese. It was a delicious meal. The people from Mexico were especially tired, but happy. My Dad was there just before them and stayed until 8:30. He especially enjoyed Tamara and he and Adrian are fond of each other.

Amelia and Molli conferred over the dress and Molli modeled shoes. I tried on my three outfits and we discussed options. Weather is looking very good at the moment.

Amelia's here! She and Kevin (and Leia the cat) arrived safely about 11:30. I am so glad she's here! I was starting to be a little overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done today.

Yesterday morning, Ray drove himself to work, parking at my Dad's. I moved books around and cleared stuff out of Amelia's room. I made the bed in the downstairs room. I did some stuff on the computer. I kept starting and stopping and couldn't settle on anything. I was trying to peel a giant butternut squash (two of them, actually) and it was hard and I would stop and take some things upstairs. Then the phone would ring. Mostly I arranged books on shelves. Eventually I got both squash peeled and cut up.

Ray came home about 2 and we ate something, which I should have done earlier without him. Macaroni and cheese, bean salad, and ratatouille. Pretty yummy lunch. He helped me with moving heavy things. My Dad arrived and transplanted lots of baby plants. All day, we thought it would rain any minute. Ray mowed the lawn, expecting not to be able to get it all done. I pruned the black raspberries, a surprisingly difficult job, especially since I was wearing short sleeves and short pants. I finally went back to inside work and it never did rain.

Captain left and Ray and I fed the pigs when he was done with the lawn, on the way to a really nice dinner at Porterhouse--my Dad's treat for Ray's birthday. They had a lamb special that Captain and I both had that was excellent, with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The asparagus was a little underdone for us. Ray had chicken saltimbocca. We had drinks and red wine and a couple desserts, which were disappointing. Captain knows most of the staff there pretty well and talked to several of them at length. We talked to Meredith about wine. When Sean (the manager) asked about our dinner, Captain mentioned that the desserts weren't as good as the rest of the food. Since he never orders dessert, he hadn't noticed. And the creme brulee is really good. The peach cobbler I got was okay, but the chocolate ganache tart was kind of dry. And neither came with whipped cream or any garnish. Sean said he would speak to our waiter, Michael, because it should have, and the cobbler should have ice cream. I hope he doesn't get in a lot of trouble.

At home, about 9:30, I mixed the cream and butter and sugar into the squash and made the mini-quiche pastry into tart shapes in the pans. I was tired, but Ray helped me make Amelia's bed and clear her room out a little more. I went to bed at 10:30 and was just about asleep when she arrived. I had to get up and say hello before I went back to sleep.

 I'm pretty much constantly excited now. I have to work at relaxing my shoulders and making sure I don't hurt my back. I wish they hadn't changed to daylight saving time already. It is still pitch dark at 7 and I am hungry and have things to do.

Ray moved things out of the guest room and was almost late, so I drove him to work. I went to return something I had bought at T. J. Maxx and they gave me a store credit. I had some time to kill and looked at the Home section of the store, where I don't usually shop. They have chairs, nice-looking chairs, at very low prices! I bought some towels and sheets and took pictures of white serving dishes for Amelia. I had a great time and spent way more money than the credit I had, of course. Then I went to Kroger and bought a few more groceries.

At 12:30, I picked Ray up and we went to lunch and then to look at the Consignment store. We bought the leather chair! I still really like it and he did, too. In fact, he would have bought some other things there with a little encouragement. I will wait and shop with Amelia, though.

At home, I made rolls and started more mini-quiches. I couldn't think what to make for the Kenney Ridge potluck, so opened a couple of cans of beans, threw in some onion and red pepper, and put dressing on it. Good enough, just didn't make much. And I need more canned beans. I held out the black beans, because I knew Amelia would want them. Ray fed the pigs and I enjoyed quality time with Adah, who did not want to put any vegetables on her plate--plain rice, fried chicken and another starch (mac & cheese). Her Dad and I ganged up on her and she was not happy. He said she used to love kale and just started doing this last week. "It tastes yucky." I pushed her on the swing, but she kept saying, "do it like Ray!" until I said she should go get Ray. Even then, she wanted me to watch while he pushed her, but I went in and had a few moments of adult conversation.

Then we did some more moving and straightening up before finally collapsing in front of the TV for one show and a little ice cream. (Kenney Ridge potlucks are usually too healthy for dessert).

Time is moving oddly now. I feel like I missed a day between yesterday and today. Only 10 days until the wedding. The weather forecast is very good, although 10 days out is not very reliable.

My rash is not bothering me as much (it shouldn't, given the meds I'm taking). Ange suggested it is a reaction to the abnormally high pollen counts we are having. Everything is blooming very early--we are about to mow the daffodils, there are no more flowers on them. One tulip is out (I covered it with wire fencing to keep the deer from eating).

Yesterday was a very bad morning. I was stung by a wasp in my living room! She was inside a dress I was turning right side out in my laundry basket. I was upset and madly rushing around looking for something to put on it. I found some old Tom's baking soda toothpaste and put that on and it worked very well. I hardly noticed it since it happened. I couldn't even find it.

I was getting out of the tub; Ray was gone. I had let the chickens out and Cameron was somewhat on guard, I thought. There was a commotion and I looked out the back window. There were two dogs coming from the woods, small, one looked like Zoe only smaller, one was brown and white. The bigger, darker colored one grabbed one of the chickens. I yelled and pounded on the window. As soon as I had my underwear on, I rushed outside and ran around screaming. I tried to get Cameron to chase them, but he wasn't having any of it. I thought the dog had let go of the chicken when I yelled at him, but all I found was a pile of feathers. Around front, one gray chicken was on the porch. I thought that was pretty smart. I didn't see the other one for a while, but when I called and put out food, she wandered out of the woods. I got them both in the coop. I suppose they developed some smarts from being free range for almost a year that the black ones didn't have. I felt terrible. An hour or two later, when I was out, the black one showed up, looking dazed and bedraggled, minus half her tail, but not really injured that I could see. She would not be coaxed into the coop, so I let the other two out. They huddled together near the porch. Every time Cameron barked, I ran out to check on them. Eventually, I was able to get the three of them back in the coop. I called and emailed people I know to try to find out whose dogs they are and now I have a phone number I can call later in the day.

I made bread and another batch of quiches. I ate leftover chicken tagine--it was delicious. Ray came home and stopped at the store for milk, so I could make macaroni and cheese for potluck--and for Saturday night, the first night Adrian's family is here. One 9 x 13 batch is in the freezer--except I didn't have enough cheese, so I will add it when it thaws.

My Dad was here for a while and I did some weeding, although I think now I will stay inside until it rains, in case the pollen is causing my rash. He took Ray to feed the pigs and I walked over to meet him after I put the macaroni in the oven.

Ray loaded our old recliner and one of the chairs into the pickup truck.  We took them to the Fellowship and he unloaded them with Rocky's help after potluck for the yard sale this weekend. We didn't stay for the first part of choir, since we will not be singing on April first. Instead, we drove to Haverty's and talked to a salesman. Ray and I liked the recliners that look like chairs and the modern ones with the wooden curved arms (which Amelia does not like). Sadly, they cannot be delivered before Saturday, and there is only a slight chance of a Saturday delivery. The chairs we like that Amelia doesn't are floor samples and could be put in our truck. There is a red one and a beige one. Of course, I forgot the couch pillow I had put out to take to the furniture store, and neglected to look for a paint chip with the color of the walls. I wonder where it would be. I am thinking now that we will go look at them Saturday morning with her. And today Ray and I will go to the consignment shop and decide whether to buy the leather club chair that I like.

We went back to choir for the last half hour and rehearsed, "Let's Do it," by Cole Porter, which we are singing Sunday morning. I need to look for a jazz hat to wear for the chorus.

So I did feel pretty good about the things we got done. I felt the need of some fun, so we watched a little TV, staying up until almost 11. Since I didn't wake up until 6:30, that wasn't too bad.

leather chair, surprsingly comfortable

Can my decor welcome a red-and-white striped wing chair?

This chair could do double duty at the dining table.

A morning walk, dropping Ray off at work, and then to the car wash. Which means the car had to be cleared out before we left at 9:30 ish. After the car wash, Becky and I went to look for chairs to replace the ones in my living room. Although I like them a lot, they were bought used from someone I worked with at the United Nations in 1979 (?) and have moved around with us. They were recovered about 20 years ago, and the covers are torn and ratty.

For the deck? I wish it was a screened porch.

We had a lot of fun, and quite a bit of success. Ray and I will go today to make the final selections, I think, although Amelia wants me to hold out for her arrival, so she can see them in person and advise me properly. We had a quick lunch at Subway and continued our shopping.

A wing chair, too traditional for my living room?

I really liked a lot of red chairs.

It's a recliner!

At two, I dropped her off and picked Ray up. My rash was really bothering me, so I called and got a last-minute appointment at my doctor's. Ray dropped me off, picked up a few groceries (and my water bottle where I had forgotten it at the car wash). The doctor asked some questions and studied my bumps. "Possibly an infection of the hair follicles," she said, and prescribed two kinds of medicine. "Call me in two weeks if it hasn't cleared up, and I'll refer you to a dermatologist." "Two weeks?" I said, outraged. "I don't have two weeks!" I pulled out my phone and showed her the picture of the dress I was hoping to wear for the wedding, which stops at my knees and would definitely be less attractive with lots of red bumps. "Well, one week, then," she said. "I really like the dress. But the dermatologist might not be able to see you right away." "And," I added, "I won't have time to even call you!"

These swivel and rock--and come in other colors.

When Ray got back, we went to the pharmacy and got the prescriptions filled. One is a steroid pack, the kind you have to read the instructions for every time you take a pill. One at breakfast, one at lunch, one at dinner, two at bedtime--and it changes every day. Jeez! This is supposed to make it stop itching. The antibiotic is in case it is an infection.

Becky and Amelia like one with leaves, but I am worried about keeping it clean.

When we got home, Captain was there, working on the plants he is starting in little pots as favors for the wedding guests. This was a fun idea the girls came up with, and a way for him to be part of the action. Plants, however, are not always tidy and cute. They come up in multiples or not at all. He has transplanted some oregano and mint and rosemary from clumps that are doing well in the garden, but they look kind of scraggly, too big for their pots. I am trying to work up the courage to trim them, but there's not much time left and I don't want to kill them or make them look worse. We also need to water the garden if it doesn't rain today, which is hard to predict. 60% chance on Friday, but I think we shouldn't wait that long.

I like plaids and stripes.

I spent some time trying to find and rehabilitate the strawberries, after six months or so of neglect. There is an ant hill that needs to be dealt with and lots of weeds. But I found 7 little plants, with some blossoms. I wonder how long until the first berries?

I went to feed the pigs, threatening to hurt my back by lugging heavy buckets of restaurant leftovers. Yay! They are big and we are looking forward to the harvest within a month. I don't think I would do it again, if it required me to feed them every evening. The constancy of the requirement wears me out, and the plain physical labor, especially in the heat (or when it's raining).

Supper was leftover chicken tagine from the freezer--yum, love that stuff. Ray heated it up for me and cooked some couscous to go with, as well as frozen peas. I indulged in ice cream for dessert, because I have to take my medicine with food!

I fell asleep watching TV, but then excitement (and drugs?) woke me up several times, the last one at 4:30. Oh, well. Not surprising. I'll sleep all the better tonight, possibly during choir...

Ray's hip is doing a little better, so we took a pretty good walk yesterday morning. It was lovely, full of birds singing, still cool.

I stopped at the liquor store again. He says it will be delivered this week, except the Mencia, which he is looking for.

I went to Victoria's house for a small group meeting. We talked and read something and I brought a batch of cookies I had sliced and baked earlier. Victoria can recognize bird songs! I had wanted for a long time to learn them, but I would have to spend all my time with her, because they are moving to Mississippi. She lad lots of delicious snacks, including liberte yogurts.

I went to Kroger and bought most of the cleaning supplies my cleaner asked for. I bought bacon and lots of yogurt. I was home by about 12:30 and trying to figure out what to eat. A tortilla with some ratatouille and salami and lettuce.

I picked Soli up at school and we played Save the Whales--we saved 7 of 8 whales again. He pointed out to me that it is just luck...He watched some TV while I worked on mini-quiches. We went outside and dug up weeds. Ray came home and went and fed the pigs. I walked Soli to his house and said hello to everybody. I had to tell Adah she couldn't come next week! She was pretty upset, but when I said I had company coming from Mexico, that didn't even speak English, she was so busy being impressed she stopped fussing.

I made some fish for supper that I had bougth at the store, with cornmeal and corn relish. Delish. We watched TV and went to bed. Ray found the Caladryl for me and it made the itches feel better so I could sleep.

Yesterday started with pancakes, like almost every Sunday since I can remember. They were delicious. I also froze another batch of mini-quiches. Ray and I sang with the choir, an interesting piece that involved bird and animal calls and wind sounds, as well as droning and chanting. The service was intergenerational and fun, talking about creation, and the big bang. After, we had lunch at Peking and then went home and continued working on throwing away old papers--receipts from 2010, for instance.

I spent a long time on the phone with Molli, talking about the things we have to do this week. She arrives on Saturday, with Adrian, his Mom and his sister! Not panicking...I do still have an extensive rash on my arms and legs and didn't sleep as well as I would have liked. It was over 80 and didn't cool off much over night. My Dad has been working in the garden almost every day. Ray did some outdoor work yesterday, too. He fed the pigs; we ate a light late supper (carrots, an apple, cheese) and watched some TV and went to bed.

I guess I slept really well. I was dreaming I was pregnant and walking to bring on delivery. It was in a large institution and I was walking the halls with another woman. There were other preganant women there--and men, too. I said, "how can that be?" but I went with it. At the end, I suddenly realized I hadn't picked a name. They told me with two girls, it was almost sure to be a girl. I went through and discarded several names (not Caroline because of Carlos--really), and settled on Sarah Anne (Anne for my mother), to be called Sally. Then I woke up. It is the clearest dream I've had in ages and I don't know if I ever dreamed I was pregnant. Awake, I find I have an itchy rash on arms and legs. Does this have anything to do with it? What is it from?

Yesterday morning, I felt I couldn't go to the Leavelight circle; that I had to use my time to clean up. Ray didn't get up very early and we didn't go to pilates either. He helped me go through old piles of papers and recycle most of it, saving out the sudoku.

We went to Janna's, taking the glasses and silver that Sky is lending us. We picked up Bertha's dresser and brought it back to our house in the truck, wrapping it carefully to protect it from the rain, which was mostly over, thank goodness.

About 1, I was hungry, so we had to stop and we had a coupon for Chick-Fil-A. It was pretty good, but just a chunk of chicken on a bun, no lelttuce, tomato or sauce.

We went to the florist, who I like a lot, and took out one of the centerpieces and added in a "halo" for Lidet. I showed her picture to them and they agreed she was adorable. I paid for the flowers and set a time for delivery.

In the afternoon, my Dad came and we spent some time outside. Ray put manure on the asparagus and found that it was already coming up! We cut some and he made an omelette for supper, with some ratatouille left from Thursday night.

He fed the pigs without me; I was tired and I kept working on the papers. We watched a few shows and went to bed about 9.

too short, but silk

Yesterday I picked Janna up and we drove to Phipps Plaza to shop. I had a nice lunch at Nordstroms after trying on a bunch of dresses. i put two on hold and Janna one. We went to Loehmann's and she bought a pair of jeans. I tried some things on, but didn't like anything as well. We went back to Nordstroms and bought the things we had on hold. I tried on three more dresses and bought another one, a long sleeveless black dress by Eileen Fisher that looked terrific and I thought I might wear with a jacket I had liked at Chico's.

Janna bought this dress

I need this in a bigger size

almost okay

I bought this one, but I don't think the picture does it justice.

yuck

I love this Calvin Klein dress, but they didn't have it in my size. 

I bought the stripy one.

almost, but too tight

too small

The trafffic home was bad. I had meant to leave a little earlier because I knew it would be bad. We got home in time to drop her off and go to a dance lesson at 5:15. I was about 5 minutes late. Ray met me there. My Dad had dropped him off, so we only had one car. We ate supper at the Royal Peasant afterwards. Then I stopped by Chico's to buy the jacket I had liked, but they didn't have it in my size any more. We drove home, watched a couple game shows, and went to bed at 9. All well and good, but then I woke up at 4. There was lightning when we went to bed and lightning and thunder when I woke up, but no rain.

It's been a while since I was up this early. It's almost 7, but it's pitch black out from the time change. A week ago, it would have been light by now. This is the last day of Ray's spring break. Yesterday we worked pretty hard.

We slept late and then we had to unpack things and do some picking up and dish washing, etc., that hadn't been done. We also cleaned the breezeway pretty thoroughly, because the dog was going to be coming home clean and we figured he would stay that way longer if he had a clean place to sleep. We couldn't get him until after 4, because he had to dry after his bath. The breezeway has a lot of shoes in it, as well as bags (paper, plastic, you name it). It took a long time to organize and throw some things out. I washed most of the floor sitting or kneeling and trying not to destroy my back. It is a little sore today, but I think it will be okay.

It was over 80 in the afternoon. My Dad came and spent most of the afternoon in the garden. Lots of things are coming up and there are trees and flowers blooming. I have 4 white iris in bloom that are lovely, but I am afraid they will be done by the time the company arrives. Also the daffodils. I think the deer are eating the tulips, so they are not going to bloom--so sad!

I went to get the dog and take him home at the same time. We also had to stop and pick up four buckets of pig food from the restaurant! That ended up taking about an hour altogether and I tried to find time to make something for the KR potluck. It was ratatouille again. But I had to be at UUFA at 7. I gobbled a little food and was there 10 minutes late.

Ray and I talked a little and ate some ice cream when I got home and went to bed about 10. This unemployment is hard work!

at a rest stop getting near the coast

on the way to the beach Sunday morning

I was at the beach with Ray and my Dad and Amelia for several days. I really enjoyed it in spite of the LOOONG car ride. Ray did all the driving. We were all sort of under the weather to various degrees. My Dad found it very depressing to be there without my Mom. Ray was exhausted and his hip hurt. He slept a lot at first. I had a cold, which I am pretty much over. The weather was beautiful, but very cold at first. The day we left, it was much warmer and raining.

We went on a Segway tour, which Kevin's mother arranged. It was quite fun and interesting. The guide/instructor was very good. We walked on the beach. We researched and found good restaurants. The morning we left, we went to the Kitty Hawk Wright Brothers Memorial. We stopped in Durham on the way up and the way home and ate dinner with Amelia.

Now it is almost two weeks until the wedding and time to really get things whipped into shape.

Bodie Island Light

 

scallops

Creme Brulee

I had trouble falling asleep last night, even though I was very tired. Riding in the car all day is not conducive to sleeping well, I guess. I didn't get enough exercise or do anything. We did get home in time to rush to potluck and eat with our friends and sing with the choir.

Holiday Inn Express
Hillsborough, North Carolina

Yesterday morning I felt awful. I didn't stay in bed, but I didn't even have the energy to shower. I guess I have a cold, but it is very odd. One of the main symptoms seems to be fatigue, although there is also stuffy nose and head and scratchy throat and cough. I just wanted to stay in bed all day. I had plans, though, so Ray and I left the house about 8 after a short walk.

I went to the liquor store G. had told me about and talked to the owner, Mark, about ordering cases of wine for the wedding. He will talk to his suppliers and let me know. It is a tiny depressing store that appears to specialize in Boone's Farm and other inexpensive brands. There was Freixenet in the cooler, though.

ready for the CCDC fund-raiser

Then I took Ray to the doctor's office. I headed back home because my phone was updating its software and wasn't ready for me to take it when I left before. Also Ray forgot his lunch. My phone was still not ready to go, so I left again. At the doctor's office, I had to wait for Ray--so I could have waited until the phone was done, but I had no way to know.

His hip has been hurting him a lot. The doctor x-rayed it and said there is no probelm with the bone. It is just inflamed. He needs to rest it as much as possible and take anti-inflammation drugs (triple-strentth Aleve). That is pretty good news.

Then I took him to his office and took the car to have maintenance performed. Oddly enough, they charged us $20 to rotate the tires and said it wasn't time to change the oil. And it took an hour and a half. Oh, well.

In the meantime, I talked to Amelia and she talked to the place she is supposed to start working next week and we decided to go to the Outer Banks for a few days. I called the vet and arranged for Cameron to stay there a few days. I called a neighbor to feed our chickens. I can't remember what else I did. Of course, I called my Dad and he was pretty excited.

maybe a dress for the wedding

After the car was ready, I went to Cecilia's and ordered a 14" coconut cake, a 10" Tres Leches cake and four 6 inch cakes to try. We have to decide between Kahlua and Bailey's and Lemon Cake and Hummingbird, so we are planning a tasting. yum.

Then I met Becky for lunch. All this time, I was trying to call Ray. He didn't have his cell phone, because I had it. But he does have an office phone. I called him 9 times over a couple hours. He didn't know we were going anywhere! Eventually, I picked him up and we went home and rushed around for a couple hours, packing clothes and coolers. We picked up my Dad and took Cameron to the vet. Then we drove for a million hours. There was bad traffic at three construction sites, stop and go with bright lights so the work could be done after hours. We stopped for a lovely dinner at an Indian restaurant in Greenville (thanks, Urban Spoon). Then we drove for three million hours more. We listened to podcasts of Wait Wait Don't Tell me I had downloaded earlier. Funny stuff. Ray played the Vinyl Cafe recording for Captain. It was still pretty funny, too.

Amelia made our reservations for us and talked to us for awhile. We arrived in Hillsborough at midnight. ! OMG. The worst kind of nightmare, driving while exhausted. Thank goodness for Ray!

It seems I didn't post anything yesterday. It's not because Monday was so exciting, but I slept pretty late.

I spent some time writing a poem in memory of my daughter's preschool teacher.

To the late Johnny Johnson

You taught my child to tie her shoe.
You helped her learn to clean up, too.
Especially, to self be true.

Now she is grown and moved from here.
You are gone as well, I hear.
Today I paused and shed a tear

of sadness for those left behind,
but also for the sort of mind
that doesn't give worth to your kind.

It's very sad without a doubt,
we value those who scream and shout
while hurting ones they care about.

Entertainers and athletes,
those who belong to the elites
have not accomplished such great feats.

Could you be alive and teaching still
if we just had a health care bill
like those who work upon the Hill?

We live in strange and backward days
and know not those we pay and praise;
But we'll remember you always.

I developed a bad headache and took a pain reliever. I almost didn't go to my writing workshop, but I wanted to share the poem and it was the last one for a month. I was glad I went; the poem was well received; even the teacher was teary-eyed. I felt a lot better by the time I got home, even though we did stop at the grocery store and get some things, too. We voted in the pirmary as well. 


My Dad was home, wondering where I was. I reminded him I have writing workshop every Tuesday, but he thought it was in the morning. I fed the pigs, made black bean chili and red onion salsa for supper. We watched TV and went to bed early and slept late. 


Yesterday I was home all day while Ray went to work. My Dad came at 11. I did some wedding stuff, made more mini-quiches, and made a black bean salad for potluck. I spent a little time in the garden. Ray came home and we fed the pigs and then drove to Statham, where we put a deposit on a giant bookshelf unit that will just fit in the TV room. It is dark and I am afraid it will dwarf everything. Not to mention we will have to hire people to help us carry it and it will be challenging to put in. First we have to completely empty the room. He gave us a deal on it, though, only $600. And there are 16 file drawers. We will be able to store everything (hahah). 


Then we ate at potluck and sang at choir practice. We came home and watched some TV, including a little bit of the PBS presentation of Phantom of the Opera.

I was pretty miserable in the night, and it's my own fault. I can't believe I was so stupid!

The day started well. We had a brief walk, although it was quite cold. The sun warmed up the house quite a bit during the day. We managed to get to Ray's office pretty early. Then I picked up Deb and we were at Rosemary's for small group by 9:35, technically late, but not bad. The group was good, although not the greatest. I will have to miss the next session and I am ready for a break anyway, I think.

I picked Ray up and we had lunch together, which was nice. We decided to eat at Ted's, because we had a 2-for-1 coupon. Here begins the stupid part. We might have ordered a pizza (personal size, but still a little big for one person) and a salad. They have an awesome salad with beets and goat cheese. The salad, however, even the large size, is only $6.50. The pizza is $7.95. They discount the cheaper item, so we needed to buy another $7.95 item to save the maximum. We got two pizzas. After 3 slices, I was about to take the fourth one home, but somehow ate the whole thing. It was very tasty and we might have to go there with our guests later this month.

Then we had about an hour and a half until I was supposed to pick up Adah. This is what I hate about living out here. It didn't really make sense to drive home and then drive back. We went to look at the funny little lighthouse shelf I was thinking of getting. It was $200, though, and I didn't think I liked it that much. We went to Hawthorne Drugs and picked up refills on our pills. We went to the Project Safe Thrift Store (well, Ray stayed in the car). The stuff there was pretty depressing. Nothing I wanted to wear to the wedding for sure, and no nice pieces of furniture. I think they have another shop on the East side with nicer things.

Then we sat at the school for fifteen minutes or so. Adah was one of the first to come out and we headed home. She was even more high energy than usual and led me all the way to the community center and playground and back. We made lemonade and banana bread, played school a lot, watched out for "headless specters" "hot lava" crocodiles and alligators...I let her watch a little TV, but she told me not to tell her mother. Thanks to ROKU and Netflix, I could download a couple episodes of Phineas and Forb, pretty cute show I had never seen. Her mother called. She had to go to the grocery store to pick up some things. She was supposed to bring a dip the next day for a shower. I remember how much I hated stuff like that. So I had Adah a little longer.

Meanwhile, my Dad had said he would be here about 3 and he showed up around 5. She ran up to him and gave him a big hug. It is quite amusing because she confuses him with Ray, calling Ray Grampa and vice versa. He had a bad day and wanted to tell me all about it. Adah kept interrupting him and he yelled at her. I was not happy, but didn't say anything. I tried to be calm and a good listener. He didn't stay long. He was exhausted, but managed to bring in his laundry and drive home.

Oh, Ray had gone to bed when we got home.

Adah and I went to feed the pigs. Captain had brought four heavy buckets from Porterhouse, so we drove over in the truck. I carried the lightest one up and took the others out of the truck and left them by the drive for someone else to carry. The pigs enjoyed it. There was spaghetti and cream sauce and great chunks of something, maybe chicken. It was a nice sunny day, but cold and windy. We went to Adah's house, but her Mom still wasn't home, so we went back to my house. She had a runny nose and kept touching everything, like the clean dishes. I hope I don't get it. It was about six when her Mom arrived.

I wasn't starving and didn't have time to make anything. Nothing around to eat except cookies, which I didn't want. Not even an apple. The banana bread didn't taste quite right. I could have been distracted when I was making it... So I didn't take that. It was hot, anyway. Ray got up and rummaged in the freezer. He got out some tomato sauce with ground beef and cooked some rice, but I had to leave before it was done. As it turned out, my meeting didn't really get going until 7:30. It wasn't overly productive, although I did get some knitting done. About quarter of nine, I left. I was afraid I would fall asleep driving home if I stayed any later.

At home, I ate a big bowl of hamburger and rice and tomato sauce. Then I ate another big bowl. Then I ate ice cream. Then I went to bed. At 2, I woke up feeling terrible. I kept burping up tomato and ground beef and my stomach was too full. After about an hour, I just felt uncomfortable instead of miserable, but my brain was worrying about the wedding. I did And now, I probably need to eat something although I promised I never would eat again. I feel like the Very Hungry Caterpillar. I just want one green leaf. Maybe some orange juice.

Ray got home safe and sound!

I got up and made pancakes for one (they were delicious!) and took a short walk with Cameron. It was cold but sunny and windy most of the day.

I decided I could make it to the forum at the Fellowship, a chance to hear speakers on a variety of topics, not necessarily religious. In this case, Frank was sort of reviewing a book called the Rational Optimist. It is written by a man who writes a column for the Wall Street Journal. One of the points he made is that we don't need to worry about running out of oil. They keep telling us we'll run out, but it hasn't happened yet. Technology will come up with something new (like fracking!). And that we shouldn't go back to living like we did before, on isolated farms. I guess he was saying that's what environmentalists want. I was so upset, I could barely listen. I was busy trying to decide what to say. He also said that the people in the slums of places like Mumbai say they are happier than they were where they came from, living with their families in the country. When he asked for comments, I said that my house was quite comfortable and used a lot less energy and my car also, but I didn't drive less. Other people argued with his contention that poor people are happier. Another man, Steve, said he had been poor, but he had worked hard and not had children until he could afford it (I would describe him as an "older" father). I said not everyone could get a college degree. He wanted to know what we should do about that. Frank said he grew up poor in NYC, but they had free college then and there. He became a cemist and worked with poson gases and it wasn't pleasant, but he did it to support his family...Jim came up to me afterward and thanked me for saying that some people can't get an education. He says everyone argues that we are all equal. I started to explain that we need to pay people well who do menial jobs and he disagreed with that. I said I didn't want to collect garbage, for instance. He said we should subsidize them. Anyway, it was very stressful and unpleasant and frustrating. I think some people enjoy arguing and provoking controversy, but I take these things seriously.

I hung around for the service as well, even though I had done as much knitting as I could for the moment. Joy S. had died on Saturday and the minister talked about our community coming together and being there for each other. It was very moving and I cried. So did lots of other people. I sat with Becky's friend Teresa and her young sons. It was nice to have her come to UUFA.

As I was driving home, I called my Dad and he met me at Peking for lunch. It was pleasant, except that we went there a lot with my Mom and I missed her.

I hadn't been home an hour when Ray called and I went to pick him up at his office. We got home and he went to bed for a couple hours.

My Dad left, I fed the pigs. Ray got up and we had some omelelts, the leftover soup, and broccoli. Also the last of the Chocolate Eclipse, warmed up, with ice cream. We watched a little TV and went to bed. Ray had no trouble falling asleep, but I read for awhile and then woke up before 5:30, so I didn't get quite enough sleep.

I feel a little achy and cross, but it will be fne.

Two things to be grateful for yesterday: Ray's safe return and 4 fresh eggs.

I was really too busy yesterday and crossed the line into stressed. But it was mostly pretty good.

I had time for a short walk in the rain before driving to UUFA to take part in our second LeaveLight session. We wrote about forgiveness--what things we want to forgive ourselves for.

I went to a fundraiser for the Food Bank and met Becky there. I bought a bowl and had four kinds of soup for lunch--delicious. Butternut squash, carrot ginger, cauliflower-shrimp, and the lamb stew from Royal Peasant that I like. I said hello to people from the Food Bank and bid on a couple items in the silent auction.

Then I drove to UGA to meet Janna. I had to drive around looking for a parking spot. Then I was wandering around in the Tate Center trying to find her, when she said, "there she is." She had forgotten her cell phone and was getting ready to get someone to drive her home, where she could call me.

We looked for something for me to wear to be the mother of the bride. It's not easy to find. I went to the St. Mary's Thrift Store. There was nothing right in my size. We went to Talbot's and Coldwater Creek and SteinMart and T. J. Maxx. At Chico's, there was a cool jacket in a light sage green that would be good. But finding what to wear it with was hard. Janna really wanted me to buy it; she thought with a gray tank top and pants was a good look. I am not sure; they are all polyester. We went to Suska and then to IV Seasons, where they have very expensive nice things, but not much in my size. There was a long stretchy green dress in large that would almost do. I could wear the light green jacket with it. But I'd rather find something I really love. There is still time and there are places I haven't checked yet.

We spent an hour or so talking about things at her house, looking at the dress she is wearing (and what she is wearing to the rehearsal dinner as well--I hadn't even thought of that). We went over the list of things she needs for the dinner and I need to make sure that I have reserved them all from the rental place. I have to reserve the maximum and maybe adjust when I have the final number for the rehearsal dinner.

I went home and rushed around to make some supper--lemon-egg orzo soup. I ate two helpings, fed the pigs, fed Cameron, changed my clothes, and rushed off again. I was at the Performing Arts Center by 7:30 and waited about 15 minutes for Becky and Kent before I went in and claimed our three tickets. We saw Second City! They were very funny and I saw other people I knew there. I did doze off briefly, sad to say, but enjoyed the show very much. I was home about 10:30 and went right to bed and slept well.

There is a certain pleasure in waking up alone in the bed, stretching and lying there as long as I want, knowing I can do exactly what I want with no consideration of anyone else. Not that I did anything crazy, mind you, but I could if I felt like it. And it's even better because I know Ray will be back before I go to bed again!

I am ashamed to say I had something of a freakout yesterday. In January, we had spoken to my neighbor, Paul, about an amazing built-in unit for our study, incorporating desk, storage, TV and improving the looks tremendously. Paul does great work; he's very careful. The downside is it often takes longer than expected. He assured me that it would only take about a week to do this and could be done before the wedding. Yesterday morning he called to tell me he wouldn't be able to start it until April. I was really angry and disappointed and I took it out on Ray. All the stuff from that room is piled up in the guest room and I need to figure out what to do with it. Ray suggested renting a storage unit and I was not pleased. Also, Ray was leaving for the weekend and I am worried about his hip, as well as missing him a lot.

I drove him to his office with his sleeping bag and the cooler full of breakfast food and other travel items. On my way home, I stopped at a used furniture store and looked at what they had. Nothing that would work for the TV room. At home, I spent time on the computer, ate lunch, talked to my sisters...My Dad arrived, I made more quiches.

Looked at furniture with Becky and had a lovely dinner at speak Easy--including a Mojito and a Fallen Chocolate Cake. Yum.

Storms in the night and over 2 inches of rain by 8.