Sunday, February 26, 2023

February 20 - 26th!

Monday: Presidents Day!
Just read Ian's Army Facebook page, four year anniversary of his cancer:
 
We spoke to Justin last week, and he would like the 2002 Ford-150 truck, so cleaning it out! Also, called my Mom (Facetime), then called Terri and Mel on FB Messenger video (goofed, they don't have Facetime). Nice chat, hadn't done that in awhile!
 
Tuesday: Donna came and cleaned. Ford went to the bank to find out why the 2002 truck has a lien on it - somehow the bank sent the notice of the loan satisfaction but the DMV didn't record the last payment in 2005. All fixed now and a new title is in the mail - need it to give the truck to Justin. I dropped my laptop off at Digital Planet Computer Store (Penny recommended) and now wait to see if it can be fixed. Ford also had duplicate house keys made up, then we went to Tijuana Flats for Taco Tuesday. I worked several hours, walked Ginger (the weather was so nice), then while Ford took AA to the dentist to check on a replacement retainer, I prepared for dinner's egg roll bowl. As it turned out, her retainer, with a hole, is fine so was sent away (happy she didn't have to sit for another mold/impression). Watched Finding Your Roots, a favorite show while AA was an hour with her pre-calculus tutor Laurie and then more studying.
Wednesday: Working my usual few hours. AA had a PT session with Lisa and we bought her new left knee brace. 
Warmed leftover egg roll bowl for dinner (added more cabbage and cooked new rice). Went to our happy hour with Hugh, Maureen and Kathy (did not come, back hurting) at Cultured Collective, took simple food items, pickles, olives, mixed nuts, cheese and strawberries. AA studied for a History quiz, then she and I had a pillow fight, riled up Ginger and then off to bed!
Happy Hour:
Brunch!
Thursday: Worked for a couple of hours. Drove to Honda of Avenues to buy the extended warranty - 6 years/60,000 miles and covers all electronics. Ford got some tips on the truck features from John Mazure. We had brunch at Metro Diner, back home to walk Ginger and do a little more work, plus a 2:00 p.m. meeting. Drove AA to her Hope Haven meeting, then home for Ford's salmon cooked dinner. Still having beautiful weather, warmer than usual. Walking the cemetery next to Hope Haven during AA's appointment:
Friday: Took the truck (Ford 150) to Suburban for new brakes, oil change before giving to Justin. Also, needed to have a coil changed out so back to Suburban next week, plus the Subaru has a brake light out. Worked for a few hours.
11:00 a.m. met with Astha Chourasia to discuss Medicare options; recommendation is to stay on our current retiree group rate and shop for a separate policy for AA.  AA had another PT session with Lisa.
Checked my Social Security benefits, will wait until I am 66 and 8 months for full amount (not going to wait until I'm age 70, even though it is tempting!). 
Called Coach Bryan about reducing AA's golf membership at FIGC since she is not practicing while in rehab.
Drove to St. Augustine, Colonial Oaks Park to listen to Jesse, One Good Ring band.
Saturday: Slow morning, everyone showering, AA doing homework, Ford buying a used drill press, then we went to Moon River for their delicious salads, gassed up new Honda and a Publix run. Made guacamole for our River House happy hour (went earlier at 4:00 p.m. due to a Memorial Service and party starting at 6 pm; we don't care to hang with a big crowd) - was too crowded so went to Cultured Collective brewery. 
E-E's plant blooming - a clivia plant; had a lot of freeze damage but bloomed nicely again.
Dinner was freshly baked corn bread with the guacamole we did not take to our happy hour - Hugh asked for no snacks today! Odd choice but none of us was hungry enough to reheat the red beans and rice. AA's new L.L. Bean winter coats came - a full parka and a down filled "sweater" jacket. She liked them both (she was  chattering at me to stop taking pictures!).
Sunday: In the morning, watched the movie Summerland (2020), WWII movie about a recluse writer who takes in a boy, Frank, evacuee. Went to Carolyn's to "help" make her meals for the week - a breakfast casserole and a Mexican/TexMex casserole; plus AA helped plant her garden while I did the dishes and picked up the kitchen and Ginger watched (visit was from 10:10 a.m. - 12:30. Another hot day in the 80's.
AA had another session with tutor Laurie. We ate leftover pizza and ribs from a food truck for dinner from CC (beer was terrible!). 
Movie Summerland:

Sunday, February 19, 2023

February 13th - 19th Valentine's Day!

Monday 13th: Ginger went to the groomers. Received Len Libby candies from my Mom, with dark chocolate mooses too! AA went to her first session at Hope Haven, a two hour consultation/orientation.

Tuesday: Valentine's Day! We drove to Nicole's and Leaa's to drop off chocolates for our Grands. I made a chocolate dessert that my Mom used to make called Chocolate Pudding cake. Loved with ice cream and whipped cream!
Valentine's thank you text from Nicole: Mila and Avery:
Gifts from Melissa:
Christmas gifts from Melissa: Maine Photos, Imagine sign, plastic travel wine glasses.
Dinner with homemade chocolate pudding cake:
Recipe:
So I texted my Mom about baking this dessert from my childhood and she reminded me that the Pyrex dish and recipe was a bridal shower gift and she never made the dessert from the Betty Crocker cookbook! I remembered the Pyrex cookbook, but "assumed" she used the BC cookbook. Anyways, it came out delicious, first time AA has had it, so a successful Valentine's Day dessert.
Wednesday (15th): Ford and I went to the Avenues Honda Dealer and purchased a 2023 Honda Ridgeline, replaces the Ford 150 2002 truck - it's 21 years old!
AA had PT with Lisa, we made additional appointments plus one with a new doctor to check her hip.
Thursday: Beautiful day! I continued to work, then went to Sweet Sensations for lunch - Mary McMinn recognized me! Friend of Melissa's from Maine. 
Returned home in time for a 1:00 p.m. meeting with new boss Curtis Lee. We all walked to EH, Penny and AA worked on their putting. We enjoyed dinner at Talon's patio - first time since the last time we ate there with Penny! It's been awhile. Food was good, my favorite salad has changed, using romaine lettuce instead of kale!
Ginger looking regal on our walk:
Friday: Ford and I visited with Larry (brought him pumpkin bread muffins). Publix and lunch at home. After school, AA and I shopped for birthday cards, she did some history homework, I made a new recipe - Cheesy Marinara Beans (like lasagna but no noodles/pasta - used white beans). Pretty good, will eat leftovers for Saturday dinner.
Saturday: Three day weekend, AA has no school on Monday, 20th.
She attended Kathryn's birthday party - Ant/Marvel movie then lunch at Mellow Mushroom, fun time!
Happy Hour at River House. Went to Pat's Nursery to pick out an orange tree, needing to start our spring landscaping clean up! Heard from Leaa that Liv's play was cancelled due to the High School's HVAC, so will not get to see it tomorrow!
Sunday: With Liv's play cancelled, we went to Leaa's for dinner and celebrate Jesse's birthday. Wonderful time with good food by Leaa and Marsha, plus focaccia bread (we didn't get a chance to taste), Justin brought green beans and produce from the County Line, I made mango salsa and brought two salads bought at Fresh Market and the Len Libby Chocolates from Maine (we ate about half since the 13th, and the rest went QUICK at Leaa's home - thank you Mom!). Everyone except Jordan and Kilee were there!
Cara and Mila had on matching shirts!
Watched the final episode of Season 3, All Creatures Great and Small. And tomorrow is President's Holiday!