TUESDAY TA-DA'S

[Twins' Mom]

So it sounds like there will not be a funeral for duncle. Cousin indicated that he would be cremated and remains scattered; if they do this at a later date, I might try to attend but don't know. Have to say that this cousin sounds like a naif or perhaps asperger issues? An online search turns up that he is an attorney, licensed in 1994 (approx age 50?) I don't know him at all and have never known his family. The uncle did not return after WWII so I only saw them on a limited number occasions during my childhood. Cousin indicated that his mother was cremated w/o a funeral or memorial service also, no burial.

I got side tracked - not an unusual happening - when I found that I had recorded in my database that mother believed that duncle and aunt were married in NM. Once I knew that, I found their marriage record easily on a search and found her maiden name, which I didn't have and wasn't included in the two line obituary that I also found online.

Anyway, I need to let that go.

[Harriet]

The happiest of birthdays wished for Emptynester!

Twins, perhaps a longer obit might be forthcoming? ((Hugs)) to you.

I am on a low calorie day and it's going well so far, despite some social stuff and some reminders about my own disappointment that things aren't getting done in my world, either, ((Twins' Mom)). A call from one of our trustees sent me off to his house believing he had already arranged the second needed signature. But he had not. So why am I rushing around?

At any rate, the purpose of the trip then turned into a full tour, admiring the couple's amazing home, which I had never seen before. Perfection. I always knew she was born organized, but this was as if Martha Stewart was expecting the Architectural Digest photographer. And this is after she's been sick, though I don't think that matters, since whatever is going on in life has no place to be reflected in the house.

Where are the normal things of life in a perfect house? I just don't get it. Do we not eat, not even a sandwich? Do we not read pages of something? I know they have young grandchildren, because I saw the expertly arranged photos on the walls. Such an expanse, through room after every-single-room, prepared for eyes only. There is really no reason for those who live there to access much of the rooms; nothing but admiration from a distance occurs there, and one does that from the doorway.

I do think, that if my good deed for the day was supposed to be to encourage her, that I did well. And she really is a kind soul. I seemed to notice the very things that pleased her, such as antique plates displayed on the walls individually rather than on a shelf or hutch. (That room was called the princess room, I remember. All lavenders.) She said to me as I left that it was hard for her to move from her former home 9 years ago but she had to because of the road's traffic. I see that she feels an extreme responsibility to take care of multi-generational possessions.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Harriet: I think my house is perfect but there's no trouble finding my things! They are all over the place, even when I tidy up. Stacks of music on the keyboard, books at almost every eating point, and computers everywhere. I showed the house yesterday with dishes in the drain rack (I did close the dishwasher though, even though the dishes in it were air drying at the time!)

Busy day here doing nothing.

Dropped of dh, waited nearby for confirmation he didn't need paperwork (he didn't), headed to Costco to clear off my grocery list (all but 2 items had to be bought there plus a lifetime supply of hand soap and possibly Q-tips.) Just pulled back into the nearby shopping mall to wait for dh's text to pick him up when my phone chimed. I drove back over, picked him up and took him out for a bagel. Spotted neighbours from the penthouse floor at the bagel place so we had a short chat.

Came home, put away things then napped. Then went for a long walk with dh because it is sunny and almost freezing today. We visited the Legion to see about their open mic night. Then walked home. I lost an earring along the way.

Time for me to head off now for my evening meeting. See you all either later or tomorrow.

[BookSaver]

Back from staff meeting. It's a new feeling to me to be paid to attend a meeting. Of course, I won't be paid for the meeting-after-the-meeting that was casual conversation, but that's ok. I think it's important that my co-workers are on friendly terms and I'm glad to see that they like chatting with each other.

I need to analyze the calendar pages I was given and transfer info into my purse calendar. The boss did the schedule in a helpful format, so everyone's hours are listed and our names are color-coded. It's also nice to see in writing the holidays that the library will be closed to the public.

Oops, it's already 4:00 and I haven't called anyone yet. I will try to reach a couple places before they close for the day.

[helia]

Prep and payroll is done. I've vegged for longer than I should have but am now feeling very sleepy. I've started laundry and will update that next. Then, I'll have a cup of tea to try to help me stay awake. Then, dinner prep: gr. beef kima, rice, roasted brussel sprouts, dinner rolls. . .

Oh, I'm so sorry about your duncle, ((Twins)). I thought you were done with temple biz? Maybe that was one specific position.
Your home sounds perfect, Kathryn!
Our home definitely has a "lived in" quality to it. LOL!

my mind is saying "exercise" - my body is saying "are you kidding - I am tired"

I resemble that remark, blessed.

--Ooh, it is later than I thought. I need to get going. . .

[Harriet]

Recommendation - Our local Wendy's is a "Training Store" they now tell me, and that is why they've been getting new stuff. Even the national customer care center had never heard of the (half) salad I ordered today, Southwest Steak Salad. I was trying to find out the calories and it is nowhere online. Anyway, it would have been 350 IF I ate croutons and dressing (nah), and so was 210 calories for a "half-salad" portion. Delicious and just as pretty as the full-color posters they were showing, with thin slices of lean steak and what appeared to be a little parmesan, some corn and black beans. They say if it becomes as popular as the response suggests, it goes national. They were amused to hear Wendy's own 800 number folks had no info yet.

Meanwhile, Not recommending unless you can't stand the suspense - BoJangles throughout the southeast US have added, in response to a petition drive, the CheddarBo. Two big slabs of cheddar hoop cheese on a biscuit, wrapped in foil so the edges of the cheddar are crispy. It had been invented - and had only been available - in Bojangles in the eastern part of the Carolinas, and I first encountered it near its birthplace, at my dd35's. I'd speculate all the universities there were the reason it was successful - it really does seem like a fraternity prank, and where better to get a petition going. Does it taste good? Yes. Will it kill you? Possibly. But it might be helpful before a long trip to a country with poor restrooms. It will keep you from needing one for days.

[Nancy]

Big news we have 1 new cute baby chick that hatched out today.
I am needing to get back in gear for that.

[lucylee]

Happy birthday, MT!!!

So sorry to hear about your duncle, Twins.

I know I'm missing a lot...

I did see Harriet's post about the Perfect house. I agree -- how do people like that LIVE -- especially with children! ??? I've seen houses like that too -- always amazing to me. Our house definitely looks lived in, but we're generally neat and tidy.
Of course I also don't see how people live like dmom and ds/ddil... Just stuff everywhere. I do think ds/ddil WANT a place for everything and everything in its place. I think the clutter of their present home gets on their nerves and they're just overwhelmed. Dmom... I just don't know. I think she probably wants to do better too and just doesn't have the energy most of the time.

Oh well... I'm getting tired. Wish she was. Talk talk talk.

[FelineFriend]

(((Twins))) I'm thinking of you and your dfamily, too.

Lucylee , I'm glad your Dmom's surgery is over and she can rest and recover now.

Nancy, Even *IF* I might have gone to bed at 10 p.m., like you do, I'd still have woken up at 11:45 p.m. been sick all night, like I was. The bedtime time did not matter. Being sick is being sick, no matter what time you go to bed, IMHO.

I got in a couple of short naps. I'm not sick, (like I was last night), so look forward to my usual good night's sleep again. My time of bedtime had nothing to do with my not sleeping. I was very sick, from 11:30 p.m. on.

DH went to Costco and an additional grocery store. We ate Shepherd's Pie for dinner, had KFC for lunch. It sure hit the spot. I did 2 LOL, some clutter control, and outlined a story.

Just a quick C. I.

Have a wonderful night, too!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Home from my meeting (and the pub after!)

Dinner was spaghetti, not my favourite but at least I can eat it now. When I was a young child I threw up after having spaghetti at a friend's house and couldn't eat it for another 30 years.

The meeting was good but tomorrow will be a very busy day, since it triggered a lot of things I need to research and write about.

The pub time was excellent. Half lay, half ordered ministers. Got a chance to ask a question over a slide from the previous month's meeting which marked us as an affirming congregation. (That means gay-friendly in United Church-speak.) We have a gay minister but our congregation has not done any work around how we feel about being an affirming congregation. We picked him because 1) he's great and 2) he's cheap but that doesn't really make us affirming. It makes us not stupid. And I'm not sure we should be considered as such. The minister who put our name on the list was there so I asked her why we were there. It was one of those things where they knew our minister was gay so they added our church.

Home now. Dh is in bed and I should be too but wanted to cuop first.