End of the road and beginning of the end. 2014 has been an interesting year, that much I know. Lots of ups and downs and many many lessons. So here we come December...today is the first day of the last 31 days of the year. Sometimes it went flying by and sometimes it didn't seem like it was ever gonna be over. But, here we are.
Thanksgiving was lovely, at my brothers house who lives about 40 miles from me. Most of the gang was there, but lots were not. Had a couple of babies, a lot of old people and a few in between. The food was good and the family time was even better. We got home to our fur babies before 6 PM, so that was good. On Friday we were invited to a potluck with some friends...since I didn't have any leftovers to bring I went through the pantry and pulled out some jars and made a to-die-for carrot and sweet potato soup. A cream soup with no dairy in it. With fresh ginger in it. It was great--and I need to write that recipe down before I forget how I made it. It was a fun time meeting lots of new people and seeing a few older friends--haven't known any of them terribly long. It was fun, but I have to tell you...on the way home I looked at the Irishman and said..man, those kids made me feel really old. He laughed and said that he was pretty sure that the oldest of them all was about 20 years younger than he was. Guess I just don't fit in as well anymore with the younger crowds. In my head, anyway. lol There were lots of young children at this potluck too. I'd guess the age range for them was about 4 months to 10 years ? LOTS of energy. It was fun watching them and not being responsible for any of them. lol And watching the dynamics of these children of young hippies (for lack of a better word). What DO they call themselves ? I'm out of the loop... Big brothers taunting little sisters, boys fashioning guns out of sticks, playing bad guys. Running and chasing and screaming and whispering...some things never change. Sent me back in my mind to the days when my son was little and we would all sit around watching the kids play at the farm. Getting muddy, running through the barns...just having a great time. Unfettered. Wild. A long, long time ago. Sigh...
It's Monday. And there are a million things I could be doing, but instead I'm fooling around on the cyber highway to nowhere. I didn't do much yesterday besides some cooking. Spent a lazy Sunday at home by myself, reading and resting. I did make a bread pudding with leftover Thanksgiving rolls and coconut milk. It turned out really great. Then for supper I made a pot of Posole...an awesome pork and hominy stew seasoned with Mexican spices. The weather yesterday was perfect for it. It started out really nice and warm and then suddenly, in the middle of the afternoon changed it's mind and dropped over 20 degrees in an hour. It's been cold ever since. At about 2 AM we had a little sleet storm and the ice is still out there, because today's high is only about 32. It went down into the 20's last night. So, we dined and watched a movie and all was warm and comfy, both in our bellies and in our house.
Tomorrow I go down for my service commitment, a 4 hour stint in a generally boring office, answering the occasional phone call, selling the occasional book. I need to call and reschedule my chiropractor appointment that I cancelled last week. I guess. I've seen him now (a new guy) about 4 times (I think) maybe 5. The problem in my shoulder/neck/hands --whatever it is--doesn't seem to be getting any better. My hands and arms are getting so numb at night that it wakes me up. I need sleep ! lol Not to mention that it hurts...
I don't think there is anything on the docket for this upcoming week, but I haven't turned the calendar over yet, so I could be wrong. lol I need to start looking for a 2015 calendar too...the big one that lays flat on your desktop. I write the due date of bills on it and any appointments we have. And any other pertinent data. Like paydays. lol I can usually find one at the dollar general, but I think last year I had to go to Office Depot to get one. Anyway... Not sure that I'm buying much of anything for Christmas prezzies...a few gas gift cards for my son and maybe a point and shoot digital camera for the Irishman. We have reached that stage of life where we just really don't need much of anything. We'll have a nice dinner together and spend the day watching movies probably. Oh...and I am going to have a Christmas party this year I think. The Irishman's been wanting to do it and I keep dragging my feet. But it isn't really that much work...a couple of soups, some artisan breads and have everyone bring cookies. Hot spiced cider, hot chocolate and coffee for drinks. I've been invited to a small party on the 14th, but so far that's the only thing happening I guess. Methinks I'd better make a decision and get with the cleaning if it's going to happen. lol My kitchen and office are really the only places in need of a serious cleaning, and in the kitchen it's mostly the cabinets. Doors and shelves. Amazing how dirty they get when you only clean a couple of times a year. lol A little Murphy's oil soap will work wonders. It's mostly getting the ambition to do it. lol And then putting up some decorations. I never put them up before the second week of December, because I leave them up through my birthday, January 6th, which is the 12th Day of Christmas. Works out pretty good. There have been Christmas decorations and lights up around here since 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. People just looking for some extra cheer, I reckon. It's all good.
OK--I'm outta here. Stay warm and cozy through this wintry month, y'all.
Namaste.
14 comments:
Just happened on your blog via Going Gently. Yourarm problem sounds very like mine...have been told it's frozen shoulder. This article is interesting http://www.thedoctorwithin.com/chiropractic/curing-the-frozen-shoulder/
I've tried a combo of exercises, push ups (against a wall!, the water,and digestive enzymes, flax oil (omega 3)and acidophilus - all from health shop and vastly cheaper than the website. seems to be doing some good - I had got to the point where I needed help to put on a coat! Good luck with yours!
I guess I just don't understand it - you say how important family is and then you spend your time staring at movies. That is not the way to have conversations - it is the way to waste away the time so you don't have to interact. No necessity to keep things upbeat and interesting - just blank stares at the tv. Think of the value of things you could accomplish if you weren't filling your head and time with someone else's activities - if you were filling your life with your own activities - whether with friends or family - time better spent than senseless staring at something so unimportant in this life as a movie.
Thanks Charlotte and am grateful you stopped by. The shoulder doesn't hurt. It's worst at night when I'm trying to sleep. And it's both hands. Thinking it has to be a nerve in the neck....but who knows. I'm sure it will right itself soon enough, one way or the other. My chiro has been working on it... hope yours is all better soon.
O, dear Anonymous...who are you ? How about a name to go with that judgmental tone of yours ? lol
We enjoy movies together. We talk more than most people I know. We don't have tv, and we like our big big world that we've been sharing for the last 23 years.
If only you knew....lol
These anonymous people who are judgmental and don't sign their names have nothing interesting to say to me, or you. I think you are wonderful, always cooking and cleaning and taking care of the critters, both the ones with two legs, and those with four. I love your home and all you do with it. Just my two cents. :-)
Forget the anonymous small mindeds!
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
when you write down the recipe for that soup..send it to me..sounds delicious..
I'm like Frank Barone on everyone loves Raymond..he'd grab the babies and smell their heads and say he was sucking in youth from them..I like that idea..although if I went around sniffing peoples heads, someone would call the cops on me..have a great day and thanks for coming by and saying howdy..
lol..DJan...I don't mind so much unless the anonymous posters get nasty, which this one did NOT. But I did get a chuckle out of it.
And I appreciate your support. You're welcome at my table anytime! xoxoxoxox
Hello Dear Cloudia !! Nary a care in the world.
I had a nap this afternoon, and dreamed that I came to Honolulu to have lunch with you !! I woke up smiling....
xoxoxoxox
Hey JackieSue !! I will send it to you--it was ridiculously simple. And awesome. And I got lots of kudos from all the vegans and vegetarians. lol I know what you mean about the babies. AND going to jail. (giggle) I love Frank Barone.
The autumn seemed to be on supersonic time, didn't it? I hope the winter follows suit. While I do like the down-time that winter provides, I usually am raring to get back into my garden by February.
Hey Susan...me too. And yes, this autumn did fly. I've already gotten 2 seed catalogs ! I hid them away...lol
Not being religious, my wife and I celebrate Solstice. Sensibly, the new year should began the day after Solstice. My wife and I leave our Solstice tree up during the dark and stormy winter months of January and February to ward off the winter doldrums.
It is a personal thing - it feels right to us.
the Ol'Buzzard
Ol'Buzzard, I like that idea too. I have been known to leave my gifting stag out and my outside wreaths and greens up til March. lol
And my long time motto--if it works for you, it must be right. I lean farther and farther from any kind of traditional religious stuff and closer to nature and mythology all the time. I love the gifting stag ( who appears at the Season of the Winter Solstice as the Gifting Stag; a young hart whose virility and strength will enable him to survive the long winter months ahead while the rest of Nature sleeps.)
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