Allison Knight's Blog, page 16
January 4, 2014
The Journey
Well, I missed yesterday. Not because anything was wrong, but just unbelievably busy. Well, that's not quite right.
DH has a cataract. He needs surgery. He hates hospitals. Doesn't really like doctors. So, until he found out that the surgery would only take a few minutes he was uptight. (Do you think?)
Then he found out he had to see the heart doctor and get cleared for a five minute surgery. I thought he was going to go ballistic. He didn't want to go. I think he was afraid of finding something wrong. I took him in to the doctor yesterday, first thing in the morning. We left at eight thirty. After a long wait, he came out smiling big time. He was fine. Everything checked out. His heart is fine, BP good, he's good to go. Much more relaxed.
Of course, I'm trying to get all the paper work out of the way, so yesterday kinda got lost. Hospice came, several calls, O2 supplies arrived. I just screwed up. Didn't get to my computer all day. (sigh)
And I have a new (used) laptop sitting in the dining room and I can't do a thing with it yet. (another sigh) I need to pull stuff from this lap top I'm using that has something wrong with it. I don't want to transfer what's wrong with it to the new computer. Dang It!
Oh, well,
At least I feel pretty good.
Count my blessings! Okay, counting away!
Allison
DH has a cataract. He needs surgery. He hates hospitals. Doesn't really like doctors. So, until he found out that the surgery would only take a few minutes he was uptight. (Do you think?)
Then he found out he had to see the heart doctor and get cleared for a five minute surgery. I thought he was going to go ballistic. He didn't want to go. I think he was afraid of finding something wrong. I took him in to the doctor yesterday, first thing in the morning. We left at eight thirty. After a long wait, he came out smiling big time. He was fine. Everything checked out. His heart is fine, BP good, he's good to go. Much more relaxed.
Of course, I'm trying to get all the paper work out of the way, so yesterday kinda got lost. Hospice came, several calls, O2 supplies arrived. I just screwed up. Didn't get to my computer all day. (sigh)
And I have a new (used) laptop sitting in the dining room and I can't do a thing with it yet. (another sigh) I need to pull stuff from this lap top I'm using that has something wrong with it. I don't want to transfer what's wrong with it to the new computer. Dang It!
Oh, well,
At least I feel pretty good.
Count my blessings! Okay, counting away!
Allison
January 2, 2014
The Journey
Writing time. Except I'm knee deep in taxes and stuff. I got a new used phone a couple of months ago, and I couldn't even answer the thing. I needed a book. I learn by first reading, then doing. I forget what kind of learning abilities that called. I do know there are those, like my DH and oldest son, who play around with something and figure it out by doing. That's one way to learn. Unfortunately, they make lousy teachers. You wouldn't believe the screaming matches we have when I yell I don't understand and my DH yells back "Why not! It's simple." Maybe for him. I gotta read it, try it and learn that way. You'd think after 53 years of marriage, he'd figure it out. Nope.
However, today I found an online tutorial for my phone. After printing off nearly 100 pages of instructions, I can figure out what the buttons are for, how to turn the danged thing off and on, and how to make a phone call as well as answer the phone. Love these smart phones. Not for people like me.
My computer arrived today. I haven't gotten to do more than look at it. Taxes again. Oh, well, in a few days, I'll have some free time - I hope.
For now, I should be writing. I'm not. I should be working on clearing the desk to transfer computer stuff. I'm not. I wanted to try to making a pizza roll that sounded so good. I'm not. Then there's the recipe book I promised. Not yet.
Guess why. No, don't guess. I've complained enough already. Good thing I feel pretty good.
However, the oncologist wants an appointment to discuss the elastic band. (sigh) I'll have to schedule that - but after Taxes. Can you tell I don't cotton much to Taxes!
Allison
However, today I found an online tutorial for my phone. After printing off nearly 100 pages of instructions, I can figure out what the buttons are for, how to turn the danged thing off and on, and how to make a phone call as well as answer the phone. Love these smart phones. Not for people like me.
My computer arrived today. I haven't gotten to do more than look at it. Taxes again. Oh, well, in a few days, I'll have some free time - I hope.
For now, I should be writing. I'm not. I should be working on clearing the desk to transfer computer stuff. I'm not. I wanted to try to making a pizza roll that sounded so good. I'm not. Then there's the recipe book I promised. Not yet.
Guess why. No, don't guess. I've complained enough already. Good thing I feel pretty good.
However, the oncologist wants an appointment to discuss the elastic band. (sigh) I'll have to schedule that - but after Taxes. Can you tell I don't cotton much to Taxes!
Allison
January 1, 2014
The Journey
Well, I've found out one thing. I'm going to have to change my scheduling. I get too tired to do any housework, meal prep, laundry stuff in the afternoon. My writing will therefore be relegated to afternoons to I can shop, clean (and that produces a laugh from DH and a chuckle from me - 'cause I sure don't clean much anymore) meal prep and laundry has to be first thing in the morning.
I can sit at the computer and do computer stuff in the afternoon, no trouble. But, I've always written in the morning and done the other stuff later in the day. Not going to happen anymore. So, we switch. Now I'll be blogging in the afternoon, as I have been, so I have the energy to finish up the necessary morning stuff. This am it was a trip to the grocery. They sell bags of wood. (for the fireplace). We have a fireplace. And yes, I did check with the O2 people. We can have fires. Anyway, got home, put away the groceries, fixed lunch, had to rest and now I can write.
I'm not fond of change, but then who is? I can do it. It will just take a change of habit. So now, I'm ready to write. Still fighting the danged band though. Have to find out what we can do about it. Maybe I need a new computer chair to change my posture. I'll have to check with the medical team.
See what they say. (He, he) So I want a new chair. Can you think of a better excuse?
Allison, trying to think of a better excuse.
I can sit at the computer and do computer stuff in the afternoon, no trouble. But, I've always written in the morning and done the other stuff later in the day. Not going to happen anymore. So, we switch. Now I'll be blogging in the afternoon, as I have been, so I have the energy to finish up the necessary morning stuff. This am it was a trip to the grocery. They sell bags of wood. (for the fireplace). We have a fireplace. And yes, I did check with the O2 people. We can have fires. Anyway, got home, put away the groceries, fixed lunch, had to rest and now I can write.
I'm not fond of change, but then who is? I can do it. It will just take a change of habit. So now, I'm ready to write. Still fighting the danged band though. Have to find out what we can do about it. Maybe I need a new computer chair to change my posture. I'll have to check with the medical team.
See what they say. (He, he) So I want a new chair. Can you think of a better excuse?
Allison, trying to think of a better excuse.
December 31, 2013
The Journey
Biggest question this AM is what should I fix for lunch. Sad, isn't it, when that's the major concern starting the day.
It's because I don't want to start on end of the year stuff. It's call procrastinating. (Bit time in this case). I have a whole slew of records to record. I'm not quite ready to start in. I'll just have to wait until the beginning of the New Year.
I also have to figure out how to start the new tax season on the computer, which involves a new program. I repeat, I don't know why if something works well, the powers to be, want to go ahead and change things. Consider windows 8, which they say is terrible, now my checking program is changing, and I have this silly notice on my computer which says I should be using explorer 11. (sighing) Why, if something works well, do I have to change???
Things can wait until Next Year!!! At least it looks like I made it through 2013. For a while there, I was a bit concerned. Now, if I can make it through tax season, and then through the book edits sure to come, and the Phoebe series?
If goals can keep you alive, looks like I'll be around for awhile. That should make DH happy. He wants to go first. I wonder if that's because he's not good in the kitchen????? unkind thoughts this am. (grinning) But he's not! In fact he's terrible. Hot dogs, eggs and toast. A hamburger once in awhile. That's his repertoire. Sad, yeah!
Allison, who is going to forgot the computer changes, figure out what to fix for lunch and start in on the book.
It's because I don't want to start on end of the year stuff. It's call procrastinating. (Bit time in this case). I have a whole slew of records to record. I'm not quite ready to start in. I'll just have to wait until the beginning of the New Year.
I also have to figure out how to start the new tax season on the computer, which involves a new program. I repeat, I don't know why if something works well, the powers to be, want to go ahead and change things. Consider windows 8, which they say is terrible, now my checking program is changing, and I have this silly notice on my computer which says I should be using explorer 11. (sighing) Why, if something works well, do I have to change???
Things can wait until Next Year!!! At least it looks like I made it through 2013. For a while there, I was a bit concerned. Now, if I can make it through tax season, and then through the book edits sure to come, and the Phoebe series?
If goals can keep you alive, looks like I'll be around for awhile. That should make DH happy. He wants to go first. I wonder if that's because he's not good in the kitchen????? unkind thoughts this am. (grinning) But he's not! In fact he's terrible. Hot dogs, eggs and toast. A hamburger once in awhile. That's his repertoire. Sad, yeah!
Allison, who is going to forgot the computer changes, figure out what to fix for lunch and start in on the book.
December 30, 2013
The Journey
Almost bed time for me.
What a DAY! I have been all over goggle, fought with a picture my granddaughter sent that turned my computer into a nightmare of extremes, ( I think she might have triggered a virus when she uploaded the picture, because something fouled everything up at my end.) fought with an insurance company and researched a new book.
Fortunately, I have lots of online sources and research books galore, so I slowly found the info I needed. As I told my hospice nurse today when she came to visit during this chaos, I want every detail to be correct. I spent hours on transportation in the 1840's in England, and another hour, trying to figure out what the mother of a Viscount would be called if the Viscount married a commoner. According to my sources, she would still be Dowager Viscountess. Great fun!
And then I had to find a place for them to live. That meant researching English towns of the 1840's.
Good thing I love to do research.
Now, I'm pooped. Good thing we go to bed early. Tonight I'm ready already and it's not yet 8 pm our time. Bad.
Tomorrow is another day. Ready to put my new found info to work. (grinning)
If I can get DH to figure out how long it would take a mail coach to reach....
Allison
What a DAY! I have been all over goggle, fought with a picture my granddaughter sent that turned my computer into a nightmare of extremes, ( I think she might have triggered a virus when she uploaded the picture, because something fouled everything up at my end.) fought with an insurance company and researched a new book.
Fortunately, I have lots of online sources and research books galore, so I slowly found the info I needed. As I told my hospice nurse today when she came to visit during this chaos, I want every detail to be correct. I spent hours on transportation in the 1840's in England, and another hour, trying to figure out what the mother of a Viscount would be called if the Viscount married a commoner. According to my sources, she would still be Dowager Viscountess. Great fun!
And then I had to find a place for them to live. That meant researching English towns of the 1840's.
Good thing I love to do research.
Now, I'm pooped. Good thing we go to bed early. Tonight I'm ready already and it's not yet 8 pm our time. Bad.
Tomorrow is another day. Ready to put my new found info to work. (grinning)
If I can get DH to figure out how long it would take a mail coach to reach....
Allison
December 29, 2013
The Journey
Stomach band again. Something I'm going to have to live with, I think. Could be a lot worse, so I'll quit complaining.
DH and I are planning our usual New Year's Eve. We might stay awake to watch the ball drop in NY. After all, he is from the big city, but since our bed time in much earlier anymore, we might not make it. We haven't partied or celebrated in the usual fashion for years and years. We like quiet and peaceful. Must be 'cause we are getting old. (grinning)
I'm still trying to decide what to give to whom. One of the nice parts, as I've mentioned before, is that knowing the end is coming, you get to do the things you want to do. Like who do you want to have what. After years or collecting 'stuff' I have a lot of 'stuff' to hand over to someone else. Like my library of books. I've got some fab reference books and trying to decide who gets those is tough. I'm inclined to give them to one of smallish libraries, but then there are the schools. It's a quandary! Still thinking about that one. My special dictionaries are going to my working granddaughters. I do have some really special ones. My Reverse Dictionary is worth it's weight ( and then some).
Then there are the household items. At the moment, my wonderful DH is copying my cookies recipe book. When I first started teaching Home Ec, the big companies would send tons of material to hand out. I have a cookie book, circa 1958, from Betty Crocker, with cookie recipes you can't find any place. In the '90's one of my friends laminated the poor thing even though it was in pieces at the time. He's in his office, copying the laminated pages and putting them together for granddaughters. Told you he was super special.
Allison
DH and I are planning our usual New Year's Eve. We might stay awake to watch the ball drop in NY. After all, he is from the big city, but since our bed time in much earlier anymore, we might not make it. We haven't partied or celebrated in the usual fashion for years and years. We like quiet and peaceful. Must be 'cause we are getting old. (grinning)
I'm still trying to decide what to give to whom. One of the nice parts, as I've mentioned before, is that knowing the end is coming, you get to do the things you want to do. Like who do you want to have what. After years or collecting 'stuff' I have a lot of 'stuff' to hand over to someone else. Like my library of books. I've got some fab reference books and trying to decide who gets those is tough. I'm inclined to give them to one of smallish libraries, but then there are the schools. It's a quandary! Still thinking about that one. My special dictionaries are going to my working granddaughters. I do have some really special ones. My Reverse Dictionary is worth it's weight ( and then some).
Then there are the household items. At the moment, my wonderful DH is copying my cookies recipe book. When I first started teaching Home Ec, the big companies would send tons of material to hand out. I have a cookie book, circa 1958, from Betty Crocker, with cookie recipes you can't find any place. In the '90's one of my friends laminated the poor thing even though it was in pieces at the time. He's in his office, copying the laminated pages and putting them together for granddaughters. Told you he was super special.
Allison
December 28, 2013
The Journey
Elastic band is back - Dang it! The Oncologist wants to do some radiation. I want to talk first. Not sure how this and the bad lung will manage.
Did a bit (quite a bit) of shopping this morning. It's a gray, rainy day, in fact it's rained all day. Not many shopping, and that was good. (grinning) The perfect day to work in the office or read. I'm doing a big of both. I read and now I'm in the office wrapping more things up.
We have a grocery store that does ready to cook stuff. Stuff peppers, season chicken breasts, meat balls, meat loaf.! In fact they had a beautiful chuck with potatoes, carrots and onions ready to go, but the thing was way too big for just the two of us. I'll have to wait until oldest son comes to visit in the middle of January and get one then. He'll finish it up in nothing flat. But, I have enough meals for almost two weeks, because I have all kinds of end of the year stuff to do. Business and personal. The blogs will be short for the next couple of weeks, first because of this band (whatever it is) and the stuff I have to put together. Oh, and then there is that dreaded word - Taxes! That takes at least three days.
For years my very honest father worked for the IRS, back in the days when.... I won't say anymore.
He told me to keep all of my records, use spread sheets (we didn't call them that back then) but I still have all the receipts, and in some cases I have copies. I've had a computer or two or three crash on me and I've lost stuff so I don't trust copying all your receipts to the computer. And believe it or not, I end up with not one, but two spread sheets. Talk about paranoid.
Yep! That's paranoid. (grinning!). So after today, I suspect for the next week or two it will be short blogs.
Still feeling good and thanking the Lord! End of the year is no time to feel bad.
Oh and wait until I introduce Phoebe.
Allison
Did a bit (quite a bit) of shopping this morning. It's a gray, rainy day, in fact it's rained all day. Not many shopping, and that was good. (grinning) The perfect day to work in the office or read. I'm doing a big of both. I read and now I'm in the office wrapping more things up.
We have a grocery store that does ready to cook stuff. Stuff peppers, season chicken breasts, meat balls, meat loaf.! In fact they had a beautiful chuck with potatoes, carrots and onions ready to go, but the thing was way too big for just the two of us. I'll have to wait until oldest son comes to visit in the middle of January and get one then. He'll finish it up in nothing flat. But, I have enough meals for almost two weeks, because I have all kinds of end of the year stuff to do. Business and personal. The blogs will be short for the next couple of weeks, first because of this band (whatever it is) and the stuff I have to put together. Oh, and then there is that dreaded word - Taxes! That takes at least three days.
For years my very honest father worked for the IRS, back in the days when.... I won't say anymore.
He told me to keep all of my records, use spread sheets (we didn't call them that back then) but I still have all the receipts, and in some cases I have copies. I've had a computer or two or three crash on me and I've lost stuff so I don't trust copying all your receipts to the computer. And believe it or not, I end up with not one, but two spread sheets. Talk about paranoid.
Yep! That's paranoid. (grinning!). So after today, I suspect for the next week or two it will be short blogs.
Still feeling good and thanking the Lord! End of the year is no time to feel bad.
Oh and wait until I introduce Phoebe.
Allison
December 27, 2013
The Journey
Daughter and granddaughter left this am. Oldest son left yesterday. Today is recovery day.
We bought a big trailer years ago, the kind to haul stuff in and we don't need it, so our daughter is taking it home and then the whole family can use it. We don't have anything to move, the thing sure doesn't work with our cute little car (hey, great gas mileage and we don't go too many places) so it was bothersome. At least DH thought it was. Grass growing up around it, having to move it to mow, those kind of bothersome things.
Daughter also wanted one of my book shelves. Since I'm digital, I don't collect hardback, or paperbacks anymore, all digital, so here was this monster, taking up office space with nothing in it. Daughter and granddaughter loaded it on the trailer along with a corner table that stood empty and Hooray, I now have room to move around in my office. It feels good to get rid of useless stuff that you collect over the years, that no longer serves a purpose. My diagnose was a good reason to look around and say, why not. It's kinda like taking a load off your shoulders. She needs it, it will look good in her office (She does collect some books, (grinning) mine! and a few others, so there will be books, but she's also crafty and makes stuff. It too will find a home. Yep! Really good feeling.
I'm suffering from Christmas goodies overload. I don't think I want to eat again for a week. I'm trying to think of something really simple for lunch and supper, today, tomorrow, and for at least the next week. But, other than that, along with few twinges, nothing too remarkable. But enough about that!
Time to do 'time lines' for the next set of books. Finish one book, and real quick - start another!
Starting another! OH, and about 'time lines' - great way to plot! Thanks to my DH. (Engineer)
Allison
We bought a big trailer years ago, the kind to haul stuff in and we don't need it, so our daughter is taking it home and then the whole family can use it. We don't have anything to move, the thing sure doesn't work with our cute little car (hey, great gas mileage and we don't go too many places) so it was bothersome. At least DH thought it was. Grass growing up around it, having to move it to mow, those kind of bothersome things.
Daughter also wanted one of my book shelves. Since I'm digital, I don't collect hardback, or paperbacks anymore, all digital, so here was this monster, taking up office space with nothing in it. Daughter and granddaughter loaded it on the trailer along with a corner table that stood empty and Hooray, I now have room to move around in my office. It feels good to get rid of useless stuff that you collect over the years, that no longer serves a purpose. My diagnose was a good reason to look around and say, why not. It's kinda like taking a load off your shoulders. She needs it, it will look good in her office (She does collect some books, (grinning) mine! and a few others, so there will be books, but she's also crafty and makes stuff. It too will find a home. Yep! Really good feeling.
I'm suffering from Christmas goodies overload. I don't think I want to eat again for a week. I'm trying to think of something really simple for lunch and supper, today, tomorrow, and for at least the next week. But, other than that, along with few twinges, nothing too remarkable. But enough about that!
Time to do 'time lines' for the next set of books. Finish one book, and real quick - start another!
Starting another! OH, and about 'time lines' - great way to plot! Thanks to my DH. (Engineer)
Allison
December 24, 2013
The Journey
First, a Very Merry Christmas to everyone!
Next, because of the day, I won't be blogging tomorrow. There is too much going on. We have a tradition in the house. On Christmas day we watch - believe it or Not! Galaxy Quest! It started years ago, and the kids insist. I am so tired of some of the scenes, but tradition is tradition. (sigh)
Today, I managed to get quite a few of the things on my list to do before Christmas done. I'm waiting for daughter and granddaughter to arrive and decorate the tree, then we are finished. I think!
But, then so am I about finished. I'm pooped. I think I did as bit too much yesterday. But the stove is clean. If you are like me, there is one or two things that really bug you. A dirty stove and those danged toilet stools are at the top of my list. Both are now clean. So I'm going to go put my feet up and wait until daughter arrives so I can tell her where to put the Christmas balls.... (grinning)
Allison
A recap on Thursday.
Next, because of the day, I won't be blogging tomorrow. There is too much going on. We have a tradition in the house. On Christmas day we watch - believe it or Not! Galaxy Quest! It started years ago, and the kids insist. I am so tired of some of the scenes, but tradition is tradition. (sigh)
Today, I managed to get quite a few of the things on my list to do before Christmas done. I'm waiting for daughter and granddaughter to arrive and decorate the tree, then we are finished. I think!
But, then so am I about finished. I'm pooped. I think I did as bit too much yesterday. But the stove is clean. If you are like me, there is one or two things that really bug you. A dirty stove and those danged toilet stools are at the top of my list. Both are now clean. So I'm going to go put my feet up and wait until daughter arrives so I can tell her where to put the Christmas balls.... (grinning)
Allison
A recap on Thursday.
December 23, 2013
The Journey
Late again! Sheets to wash, bed to change, defrost food for tomorrow, clean one filthy oven. If you've heard the joke Phyllis Diller used to tell about her oven, It was so dirty there was just enough room for a muffin, well, mine might have managed a cookie, a flat one. It had to be clean. And, yes, it's self cleaning, but the racks have to be cleaned by themselves, and the left over ash cleaned out of the oven. The kids are arriving. So time was rushed.
I rested between and got it all done. I even made the peanut squares. And oh, are these simple.
Here's the recipe. Alan's peanut and chocolate squares.
1/4 chopped peanuts
1/4 cupped pecans
1 6 oz bag of Reese's peanut butter bits
1 6 oz bag of chocolate chips (I'm thinking any kind of chips that will melt will work.
Sea salt if desired
Microwave the bag of Reese's chips in a microwave proof bowl for 1 min on 50 % power. Stir. then continue in microwave at 15 sec. intervals on 50% power until melted. Add the peanuts and spread on a greased cookie sheet to about a 1/4 " thickness.
Melt the chocolate chips as above, and spread over the peanut mixture. Cover with pecans.
You can shake a bit of sea salt over the pecans if you want.
Cool completely and slice into squares.
That 's it! It is a snap! And is it good. I'll be gaining a few pounds over the holidays. I can see that now.
Allison
I rested between and got it all done. I even made the peanut squares. And oh, are these simple.
Here's the recipe. Alan's peanut and chocolate squares.
1/4 chopped peanuts
1/4 cupped pecans
1 6 oz bag of Reese's peanut butter bits
1 6 oz bag of chocolate chips (I'm thinking any kind of chips that will melt will work.
Sea salt if desired
Microwave the bag of Reese's chips in a microwave proof bowl for 1 min on 50 % power. Stir. then continue in microwave at 15 sec. intervals on 50% power until melted. Add the peanuts and spread on a greased cookie sheet to about a 1/4 " thickness.
Melt the chocolate chips as above, and spread over the peanut mixture. Cover with pecans.
You can shake a bit of sea salt over the pecans if you want.
Cool completely and slice into squares.
That 's it! It is a snap! And is it good. I'll be gaining a few pounds over the holidays. I can see that now.
Allison
