My friend and houseguest left this morning. It was fun to see her here and there -- she was so busy, but just being able to chat and visit some was great! Her husband joined her last night; don't know him well, so that was nice, too. Clyde decided they're OK, he's forgiven them for using the front door (which for some reason, is the one thing that sets him off).
Now, onward to shopping for T-day things, for dinner at the in-laws'! I'm taking veggies and dip (old standby), a savory sweet potato gratin (with sausage, by request of the co-mom), tortellini with pesto (as veg dish for DIL, and/or side), and a pumpkin pie made from an actual pumpkin instead of a can. Hoping to find some less usual veggies for the appetizers, like watermelon radish.
The son of my elderly neighbors came from overseas and is staying with them a while, which I think is making everybody happy.
What's going on with you?
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Thank you for hosting again, Kathy! I was not on the ball that. In fact, it just occurred to me right now: isn't today Monday? Is anyone hosting WW yet?
AW: E has recovered from her ear infection, and we have some semblance of normal life here.
W: I'm wiped, and it's going to be a wild few weeks, as Mr. Q finishes up his midstr recent night class (with a final assignment that's due in the last day of classes, instead of a final exam), and E and my birthdays looming in the next couple of weeks. Mr. Q just realised that his final night class is on E's birthday, and that he is has to be on campus for that class. I'm going to need to plan something special for an early supper, so that it isn't sad for E.
W: Baboo overload, and it's only Monday. They have off all week...
AW: the optometrist which I chose because they are the closest ones are (a) the most competent eye doctor I've ever dealt with and (b) hands-down the best and kindest service.
Happy Thanksgiving US Pixies!!!
I trust you are all ready for the Big Turkey (or Vegetarian Alternative) Day. In our family, that means the annual "discussion" about who makes the best gravy (it's me, if you're wondering), whether cranberries are acceptable from a can, and which stuffing/dressing ingredients are essential.
AW: I'm feeling much better.
W: No easing back into the work week - it's full steam ahead until New Years Day. I took yesterday as a "minimal screen time" day because of the all the ensuing madness of the coming weeks.
QWP -- Glad E is better! Sometimes a big celebration isn't possible on the actual day of birth, but it is possible to do something more on a different day, too. My daughter's b-d is early January, and we always had the bigger deal celebration on another day; did not scar her for life. ;)
Esperanza, here's to Baboos who are (hopefully) better able to self-entertain! Yay about the optometrist!
Sue, glad you're feeling better. Good idea about pacing yourself, because yes, busy busy busy from here on out.
I did round one of the shopping yesterday; plan to go to the fancy natural grocery for another round of food-buying today. Today's store has gorgeous produce and etc., and it's not as nuts as the giant ugly supermarket. Hoping to score some watermelon radish, among other things. Tomorrow's the big prep and cooking day, though I will probably roast the pie pumpkin today.
Tell me more about watermelon radish, kathy. I'm not familiar with it.
Mmmm...pumpkin. :)
BIG AW: Hubby just called to tell me my MIL has been placed in long term care. We were told to expect to wait up to three months, even on a crisis list, but they have a room for her now! It's on the other side of town, which FIL isn't crazy about, but seriously - it's fifteen minutes by car on a busy day. Our city is not big and it's easy to get around in.
We have two days to get her over there. FIL is going to arrange an ambulance transfer, so she won't think we're picking her up to take her home. That seems wise.
I can't tell you how relieved I am. She will be safe, and we won't have to work out home care anymore.
Yay!
Sue, yay about your MIL being placed! And no, that's not far at all. The ambulance transfer is a good idea. You've got a little time to put together familiar things for her new place, too. xoxoxo
Watermelon radish is a variation on daikon (a Japanese radish that looks like a huge white carrot) -- but it is shorter, round or oval, and has a mild sweet/spicy flavor. Larger than your standard red radish. It's called watermelon radish because just under the skin it is green, and the inside is pink. So, it's a very pretty radish! My DIL adores radishes of all kinds.
Here's a photo. https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fgrist.files.wordpress.com%2F2015%2F02%2F16452079955_de63320c2c_o.jpg%3Fw%3D606%26h%3D404%26crop%3D1&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fgrist.org%2Ffood%2Fwhats-a-watermelon-radish-and-what-do-i-do-with-it%2F&docid=ZT7j0nELzzw52M&tbnid=JvNg868vBcjt5M%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjTk7D-vNDXAhUpwVQKHRlsBIYQMwiwASgAMAA..i&w=606&h=404&client=firefox-b-1&bih=656&biw=1366&q=watermelon%20radish&ved=0ahUKEwjTk7D-vNDXAhUpwVQKHRlsBIYQMwiwASgAMAA&iact=mrc&uact=8
Sue, what a relief that she was placed so quickly! And the ambulance transfer is such a smart idea. I hope she transitions smoothly into life in the nursing home.
Kathy: we're not planning the big celebration on the day of the birthday, but I'm more worried that she's going to build up all her excitement to that one day, and then Beloved Daddy will leave before bedtime (which she hates). So, I'm scheming about having a few family members over for supper that night, to distract her.
Please tell me that I'm done dealing with E until morning. She's worked my last nerve. (And she had three different clingy meltdowns with Mr. Q, of not wanting him to leave, or to leave him, today, and I had to deal with the fallout every time. Leaving for work, us leaving the school -- we ran into him as he was on his way to his meeting -- and then bedtime, as he needed to start his night class. I'm DONE.)
This is where you get firm but kind, and remind her that he's coming back. If this is the way you roll, you can offer some reading time in bed, to calm down; or some other thing that might be self-soothing. It actually is important that E get more comfortable with "it won't be exactly as I want it, every single time." She knows, really, that he WILL come back! xoxo
My husband was taking night classes when the kids were in E's age range, and when he wasn't, I often worked late. We both promised to come kiss and hug them when we got home. Some nights go better than others; but overall, they seem to have survived. ;)
Yum, kathy! The radish looks delish!
(((QWP))) We worked crazy shifts when our boys were small - evenings, nights, weekends, all of it - so our boys got used to having one of us, or the other, but rarely both at bedtime. kathy's right, E knows Mr.Q will be back.
W: Okay, this is less whine, and more rage. My sister just called to say that our dad (the guy who barely survived the summer, remember him?) called to ask if he and his wife could stay at her house WHEN THEY VISIT FOR CHRISTMAS. Sis tried everything to talk him out of it. They were at her house last Christmas and he fell down her stairs (it's a bi-level) TWICE.
Sis is less able to say to "no" to dad than any of us, so she agreed to it. Then it turns out, it's our step-sister who is pushing for this trip as she will be in town then too (staying with her partner - long story, but she doesn't live here, he does). There is no room where she will be, so it's my sister's place.
Aaaagh. WTF? Did I mention he still hasn't had the kidney surgery he needs to have - that's going on two years now, including one brush with death, and it's still not done.
I. Can't. Even.
Oh, Sue. How agonizing. Can't this step-sister come up with plans that do not involve dragging an ill elder around, and drafting someone else to host? Wouldn't it be good to find arrangements that don't pose a falling danger? Arrgh.
One last grocery run this morning, then I'll start slicing, dicing, sauteeing, layering, mixing, baking, etc.
Sue, I'm raging with you! What a mess.
AW: E is in much better spirits today, and was pleasant when Mr. Q left for school. (I still don't know what her deal was yesterday! She should be used to all this by now, and she never fights bedtime. But she was an emotional mess, and really fixated on time away from Mr. Q. And then back to normal today.)
W: I think she and I are sick again. She's sneezing and I'm congested, and my ears still hurt. We both have slightly elevated temperatures. (Actually, E's other source of frustration yesterday was that, after finishing all those antibiotics, she was feeling sick AGAIN. That might explain her big emotions yesterday. Like, I have a lot of experience with helping her self-soothe, but she was TERRIFIED at bedtime. Full-on hyperventilating. But I got her calmed down and sleeping within a few minutes. Rubbed her back, prayed with her, whispered "Goodnight Moon," which I used to do when she was a baby, and one more song.)
Aw, I'm sorry your feeling sick again - both of you. That makes sense re: big emotions. Hugs to both of you.
E might need a different antibiotic. So sorry she's feeling sick again. xoxo
Sweet potato gratin -- done!
Pumpkin pie -- done and cooling!
One more dish later; but that will be easy.
My sister is now 9 years after her breast cancer diagnosis -- it was an unruly kind, but has never recurred after 8 years, so she's celebrating!
(I mean, in the literature -- it recurs only very rarely after 5 years, and never past 8 years.)
Cranberry sauce for Saturday is done. Today I’m making the mushroom gravy for Saturday while also making a ham, a fruit crumble, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Also on the table today, coleslaw and baked beans, but I bought those.
Saturday will be duck with stuffing etc. My sil and her family are coming Saturday. We are on our own today.
That was Liz on iPhone
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! I am grateful for you.
Liz, two feasts! Way to go!
I'm down to prep of veggies for the veg/dip platter, and that's almost done. My beloved has taken Clyde for the longest hike ever, because Clyde is invited to dinner at the in-laws, and it is best if he is really tired where so much food is involved. IMO. I'm kind of hoping his shyness with new situations works in our favor, too.
Apparently our son is staying over with us tonight, since he's taking his dad fishing tomorrow, as a birthday present -- and they have to be at the dock at 5 a.m.!
Happy Thanksgiving, American pixies!
Thanksgiving was lovely! Clyde met lots of dogs and people -- I think there were a total of 5 dogs, which is kind of insane, but everybody was a nice dog. There were about 20 people. More food than one could possibly put on a plate! The gratin didn't turn out quite right, definitely could have used more oven time and more cheese, but c'est la vie.
The boys did not go fishing after all. The boat called on T-day and cancelled, because the boat broke. And it was good they got the call, because it would have stunk to go to the dock at 5 a.m. Friday and find out, you know?
Daughter made herself some turkey, pilaf, veg, and cupcakes -- she considers herself not that great a cook, but the cupcakes turned out great! Plus, leftovers. Now, it's all study all the time -- final reviews are next week, and finals the next -- except for an art fair today, maybe some visiting of the shelter animals. Definitely some diversion, every day.
How are things for you?
I'm glad that your dinner went so well! And that the boys got word about the broken boat on the day before the planned trip. But so disappointing for them!
Things are going pretty well here. We're a week away from a fifth birthday party, and I'm to figure out how to achieve my goal of not stressing too much about it, while actually getting things done. (What would you all feed 9 4- and 5-year-olds, plus assorted parents? I realise that having the food/cake/presents portion from 11am to noon means I'm feeding them lunch. It'll have to be cold stuff, preferably finger food, since this is in a room at the museum, and we'll only have access to a fridge and freezer. So far, E and I have planned buns with butter, cheese, cold cuts, raw veggies and fruit with dip, and tortilla chips with guacamole. Is that enough? (Considering that this list alone is a bit overwhelming.) (I think I'm going to need to recruit some family help, since Mr. Q will be days away from his deadlines for his class, and he can attend but can't do any preparations.)
QWP -- that menu sounds great! Yes, snack / finger foods / platters of easy food are perfect. The kids will just be running wild with excitement, anyway. Even before the cake. ;) Do!Not!Worry!
Okay, good! We have a few coordinated paper plates and cups/napkins, and I was starting to fret that I don't have a tablecloth for whatever table they have (and have no idea what size they have), and that my platters don't match, and then I remembered: this doesn't matter! I might grab a roll of that plastic tablecloth stuff to make the cleanup easier, but after that, I'm done.
QWP, that is sufficient.
W: Thanksgiving was exhausting, and I have a cold. Too many people, too little space. Too many interpersonal clashes. Too little sleep.
AW: We are home.
Hugs, esperanza. I hate those holiday cold (and know the "I haven't had time to myself and everyone is on my last nerve" holiday feeling).
AW: E seems to have figured out a way not to be scared at night. (We've been having trouble with that lately, and it turns out that's been one of the roots of that clingy meltdown day. And night lights do not work for her, because any light is distracting.) After a bunch of adjustments (cozy extra blanket, extra stuffies), E has started singing an old hymn to herself over and over, as she falls asleep.
W: last night, she woke me up with an "I can't find my stuffed kitty anywhere" emergency, and then for the next fifteen minutes, each time I'd start drifting off to sleep, she'd start singing to herself again. And I was not going to interfere with whatever helped her fall back to sleep, but c'mon!
Now I want to know which hymn E sings!
The interpersonal bit is mostly the combination of three girl cousins about the same age. Three is never a good number. Sweet is the left-out one. Mini and Cousin are both reasonably responsible and thoughtful girls, individually. But when they are together, their characters deteriorate notably. Cutie Cousin (age 2) helps to defuse the situation, because Sweet *loves* to play with her and loves to get kudos for playing with her, but during her naptimes, the Three Cousin combo gets a little Lord of the Flies.
Oh, Esperanza! I know groups of 3 can work well, but they often don't at younger ages, for sure. It is really great that Sweet is so good with her baby cousin! Kudos! It's OK if she wants to take a break from playing with cousins; and also OK if she figures out strategies for those situations. We all end up in those uncomfortable and outnumbered situations, in life. How is she feeling about it? xoxo
Oh boy, do I ever know about how groups of three go! (I used to describe growing up as one of three kids as "constantly-shifting alliances.") Poor Sweet. I'm glad that the little cousin helps to defuse things.
(And E's been singing the chorus from "God Will Take Care of You." She learned it at church camp when she was 3, and suddenly busted it out this week. Obviously just the chorus: she's not singing "whate'er betide.")
Had to make another p. pie last night, because there were no leftovers. Apparently, this one is a success, too, even though I used canned pumpkin this time.
RAIN! Hope it stops by tomorrow.
I think I'm more upset by the three cousin combo situation than Sweet is. She is mostly content to do her own thing. This time, it was repeatedly a situation in which the other two made up an elaborate thing to play, set it all up, did not tell Sweet a thing about it, then got upset at her when she came in and "messed it up." (eye rolling emoji here).
Cold is somewhat improved in the stuffy nose department, but I've added a cough.
omg, omg! I am sad because Joan Hess, one of my favorite mystery writers, died this week. And when I learned that, I also learned that she had finished the last book of one of my other favorite mystery writers, Elizabeth Peters, and published it this year. And my book came tonight, not tomorrow as I was expecting, so I get to curl up right now and enjoy them both, and be grateful for what they have shared.
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