Uplifting and Lively Messages. No holds barred..
Comments
-
OMG, I just found teething gel by a Doctor Lee, while escavating in my haunted closet. We made a closet out of a room, where some interesting events happened to both myself and my sister, while she was my evening nanny when my 19 and 21 year old were babies. I don't know why, but it is hard for me to organize myself in that room. I was going to have a new closet built, but the haunted one is a really nice one, so I am fixing it up. I already have a shrine for the Blessed Virgin, inside a tiny cupboard in the closet. Hopefully, by now, the heebeejeebees are gone, I can turn it around and have nice space.
0 -
Good luck with the closet, Michelle! Sounds like a great project, and one that you'll be happy you did once on the other end.
I did Part 1 of the dental work today relatively unscathed. But a long day as it was two hours each way bussing it to the dentist and then 2 hours in the chair. I did hit the free wine tasting at the supermarket next door, and am happy that I have soup left. It looks like a snowy week ahead, even in the lowlands, so I may get out on my skis after all.
I succumbed to a cashmere and silk cardigan which I think is a summer item earlier today on eBay. $30, and originally something like $900. Luxe and simple.
I haven't heard back on my car yet. With the snows to come, the place will be hopping next week. Holding tight for the moment.
But will need to catch up on work and get things in order for the rest of the quarter. Not to mention that I COULD tackle the fridge and oven. Or perhaps it would be simpler to put a sign "Biohazard" on each. - Claire
0 -
Claire, that sounds like a very long day. Hopefully, you are getting some skiing in this weekend. I have been back up in the closet packaging some things to trash or to give away. The keep pile is very small. Had to go to the hardware store for better bags. My bags were ripping, and that is a pain. I am determined to get through several more things. tonight.
0 -
No snow here, but I did get in a run. I also finally put away the items on my dryer and got out the steam iron to get a cashmere sweater ready to go. It's the top half of my "cashmere sweats", the most amazing post workout gear ever.
Just went out to the herb garden for some parsley. The plan is to make a mushroom risotto and use up some of the semi-dry/dry mushrooms I have been collecting plus the leftover chicken stock in the fridge. Just a simple dinner otherwise with chicken, squash (from my squash-freezing frenzy a few months ago) and asparagus.
Still getting over the creeping crud, so will be an early evening..... - Claire
0 -
Claire, glad your car is fixable. Michelle, your hair looks beauiful. I got my hair cut today and my stylust confirmed I am starting to get a bald spot on my crown area! I cried and just wanted to get out of there.Does anyone know if it will come back after you are off the AI? I have not even been on the AI for a year yet. I bought some dark spray where I basically spray my scalp to camouflage it. Made it look better. I am enjoying the olympics. Hope everyone is good.
0 -
GK, I am working on a thread, called "Keeping our hair while on anti hormonals." There are ways to increase hair growth, regrow hair in bald spots, etc. There are also ways to thicken or lift the root. Check it out.
0 -
michelle, Thanks Looking for it. Is it "keeping our hair "or "keeping our hair healthy."
0 -
Hello, loves. Well, today it is back into the closet adventure. And, maybe a run to Sam's Club, not sure yet. All I can say about my closet is that, "I am taking no prisoners." aka digging deep for the win!!!
0 -
It's a jungle up there
Disorder and confusion everywhere
No one seems to care
Well I do
Hey, who's in charge here?
It's a jungle up there
Plaster dust in the very air I breathe
Thank God now, I have a mask on.......
****************************
Working on my closet and thought of Randy Newman's song for the show Monk.... Getting ready to go make a donation run and then back at it.
0 -
There was a beautiful night sky tonight in Iowa The pictures never do it justice. Have a good night everyone!
0 -
Not that I need another cook book, but I couldn't resist ordering this one on Amazon: Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights: Recipes for Every Season, Mood, and Appetite. Sophie Dahl is the granddaughter of Roald Dahl, the writer of children's books, and a former model. She created quite the scandal about 10 years with a nude photo for a YSL perfume. (There is an image of a painting based on the ad which I must print out to add to my collection of photos/artwork I have in the bath.)
Sophie Dahl has inherited her grandfather's writing ability, but in a different vein and in fact, is now a writer. She is raising her two children in her grandfather's house in the countryside outside London. Her recipes are a combination of healthy and interesting coupled with decadent desserts.
Speaking of decadent, I need to make some baked apples, and bought some more cream today to pour over. I put a bit of brandy into the water, which the turbinado sugar mixes with, forming the most amazing sugar sauce. Otherwise, I am making a couple of lamb chops that I brought back from my travels along with squash, asparagus (I had to make Brussels last night as found some lurking in the bottom of the fridge). and some more squash. I think the mushroom risotto should be just wonderful with it.
I will dig out some of my good wine. I think this is the birthday dinner I never got, because I was coming down with the creeping crud on my birthday. But this should be quite the celebration, so I can now officially kick off this year. I am so there. - Claire
0 -
Whew, that was a close one...had to dig my way out of my closet. Fortunately, things are moving pretty well and I do not have any remorse for giving things away. I am just surprised that I let my closet go that long. It was indeed a closet from another time in my life, from professional to mother, volunteer, sports gal. My new closet will be edgy, classy, well organized and easy to find things. It is 12' by 12' and needs more organizational materials. I will be doing some pinterest research on those materials.
I want to get a veggie chopper. What do you gals recommend? I eat salads frequently, and want a better way of cutting veggies other than by hand.
0 -
Congrats on the found space, Michelle! I recommend making sure you have the right shelving and hanging space. Ever so much easier to find things when you do have these amenities.
I can't help you on the veggie slicer, as I am fine cutting with a knife. I will say that my (relatively) new long chef's knife makes the job a lot easier. I have a mandoline that I use for certain slicing jobs, a few times a year.
I think I will be getting my car back on Friday. It will be an extra $500 as they found a bit more damage on the other side and recommended replacing rather that working with the damaged bits. Not that I wanted to pay more money, but important to do the job right. Plus I will have matching headlights.
Ikea might also be a good source for closet ideas. I have one of their wardrobes, and a terrific design. It holds most of my work clothes, and they are super easy to find. One thing I have is a nice space for my dress boots. What luxury!!! (I will be able to wear them once I get my car back, as don't want to be walking 4 miles in them!)
I need a change in luck...... But it will come, and so will other great things. Even great closets. Speaking of my closet, I will be weeding out all my non-fabulous trousers soon and replacing with ones that fit, feel luxurious, and do something for my shape and image. NOW, that will be progress. - Claire
0 -
Loving the words of wisdom from Miss Dahl! Her cookbook came earlier today and I am totally into "voluptuous delights." A very personal view from a lady who believes that eating fabulously is one of the great pleasures in life. Completely agree.
I don't get my car back until Tuesday......bummer!
I have learned from being semi-stranded, for what it's worth, that if I walk 5 miles a day, I lose weight no matter almost what. Information to file for the future. I would rather invest the extra hour than give up the pleasures of the palate.
I made chicken breasts in vermouth/amontillado sherry with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, garlic, parsley, peppers, sundried tomatoes, and chopped olives. Not sure what else. I deglazed with a spot of tarragon vinegar, added flour, and finished with cream. Amazing. I have another serving for a few days from now. Just fine post dentist, and I feel whole again.
(Though I could expire any second from the scent around here.)
My neighbors are trying to figure out why my cooking smells wonderful, and why no one notices their cooking
Off to bed as behind on my commitments from all the recent "excitement'. But major progress on a personal level this month. I am calling it a victory. Skiing soon. - Claire
0 -
Sorry ladies but I need help to get back on track with my positive thinking! I think I am just having a down day. I know this is a forum for positive thoughts but...
My friend Helen recently died and I think I am just hitting a wall here. She had stage 3b lobular 13 years ago. had mx, chemo, rads and 10 years of antihormonals. She was fine until a few months ago. cancer came back to her bones and within weeks she was in hospice. I know that bone aches and pains are a well known side effects of AIs so that is what I am telling myself, but heck! How are we supposed to tell! I have so many aches and pains. I need to go do something to take my mind off of this. Thinking like this is doing my no good whatsoever. I need to get back to my positive thinking! talk me down ladies, talk me down.
0 -
Congrats on your progrès majeur this month. I have made progress too!! .....on my closet, that is. I have been plotting, planning and measuring to see the best use of my 12 x 12 space. One issue that I have with an "open" closet is dust, so I will have to figure out how to keep it somewhat air tight. I have some eastern exposed windows, that I will tint with window film. I don't want the harsh sun fading my closet contents.
February has been a difficult month, so I am not sorry to see it go. My mom is in ICU, with c diff that she contract from the rehab center. The doctors could not figure out what happened to her, and after 5 days I told them to run a c diff test, which came back positive. She is now being treated with flagyl and vancomycin. She has heart failure as well, but we are hoping for the best. No matter what, the focus is on celebrating her life at almost 89 years old. I did get to see her for two hours, covered in gloves and a mask, before the c diff was diagnosed. That is the only way my MO would allow me to go to the hospital. Thank God I had some direction or I would have potentially picked up c diff. While visiting her, I reminded her of all the great things that she had done for me in my life and kept the conversation uplifting and lively....
Today, since I had already "spent" my allotted time, per my doctor, at the hospital, I will return to my closet. Oh, yeah, I have been shopping for my son's clothing for his internship and have some pant hemming to do today as well.
0 -
michelle, thank goodness you doc reminded you to glove and mask! C diff is definately NOT something you needed at this point and I am so sorry she got it.
0 -
Wanting February to be over quickly is not exactly a new thing. This is why the Romans assigned only 28 days to the month. At that time, it was the last month of the year, with months November and December being months 9 and 10.
I need to get out and do a run. Plus work as I didn't accomplish much either yesterday or the day before. One thing I recommend is forcing some bulbs inside this time of year. The hyacinth on my dining table has opened and I go and take a sniff every now and then. Just heaven. Forcing Easter lilies goes back to at least the fifteenth century.
In three short weeks, this area will be awash in flowering bulbs, and most likely some early trees and also jasmine. The birds are already singing.
Now if I can only get in a couple more skis. I can't wait to test out my new skis on challenging runs! - Claire
0 -
Thank God there are only 28 days of this monotonous, beastly month. In other news, I am going to Chicago for 7 days/ 6 nights next week. My niece has to do a very rigorous training class and someone needs to help oversee food, transpo, etc. so that she does not have to worry about it. My sisters, both who have nursing backgrounds, will be with my mom. It is very expensive training without refunds, so when we are there...we are not coming back. If anything happens to my mother, my niece would not be fine on her own. Since, I cannot go to the hospital, due to high risk of infectious disease, this will give me a place to make a difference in my family. I am so glad that I spent extended periods each day with my mom, when she was at the physical rehab center. It was precious time, some days 3 to 5 hours. We had latte's, watched Steve Harvey, Dr. Phil and Ellen DeGeneres. I am glad that I made the most of the time I had with her. She is very tired now, and my sisters are hoping for a rebound. I am leaving it up to God to do what is best for my mother.
Love and hugs to all as we navigate our lives,
0 -
Good luck to all of you, Michelle! Right thing to do for your niece. Make sure that you get to enjoy all the things Chicago has to offer. I have been there 3 times, and would love to go back. The fine arts museum is absolutely splendid.
What about afternoon tea in some posh place??
I am so glad that you got quality time with your mother. So very important. That was one of the silver linings of being downsized from corporate 15 years ago. I got to spend a lot more time with my mother the last 2 years of her life than would have been possible otherwise. I also went down a much more interesting, if somewhat less lucrative, career path.
Love to all of you. - Claire
0 -
Oh great have fun Michelle! Claire, so glad you got time with your mom. About 5 years ago I made a career change that was actually a pay decrease. I dont regret it. My friends and I joke that I am actually working my way down the ladder LOL. Money isnt everything is all I can say. My sister is coming through on her way to Montana today and will spend the night. Have a great day ladies.
0 -
On the topic of money, it's really interesting, but after a certain (and rather modest) income, more money doesn't equate to more happiness. I laugh when I look at the pictures of uber-expensive celebrity homes (?) and find most to be cold and sterile. No room for muddy wellies, for example. Nor a comfortable place to curl up and read.
Which reminds me that the vacuum beckons..... That is, after I put sheets back on my bed.
Just got in from a run in the snowflakes. Feel amazing now. The ozone plus the tingle of the falling snow. The bog is about one mile from where I live, so part of my 5k loop. It's wonderful to be able to watch the seasons go by and escape from life's madness.
But also why I will never have a pristine house. - Claire
0 -
Just saw this winter salad idea from the website of the Café Rouge bistro in London. I may make it as looking for new veggie ideas. I might make with arugula. - Claire
BEETROOT & SQUASH SALAD
roast beetroot, butternut squash, green lentils, baby spinach, frisée, baby kale and toasted pumpkin seeds, with French vinaigrette
0 -
Today is a beautiful day in Iowa! 54 degrees. I am having a much better day. Scheduled off. Went to library and checked out a bunch of yoga videos. Did some yoga and did some relaxing. Had fun with my sister. She spent the night last night. We walked a nature trail by the Iowa river and saw some eagles. Have a great night ladies!
0 -
It was nice here in Illinois as well. Went to Sam's for apples and tomatoes, hit a resale store and came home. Plan to work on my closet later today.
0 -
Hey, girls...how is everyone this week!!! Getting excited to do a bit a traveling in a few days. Glad to see February coming to an end, as not the best on record. On the upside, I have gotten rid of so so so much stuff from my 12 x 12 closet, that I feel like I am getting a fresh start. Still more to go, but the progress is great. Trying to get the in house projects finished before the nice weather is here. Can't believe is just 11 days or so, we "spring" ahead and wind our clocks ahead an hour. Probably my most favorite day of the year.
I appreciate all of you, and send my hugs....
0 -
Hugs back!!! I got my Subaru, Rexxie, back today, and have to say that life is good again, and that I can foretell that lots of adventures lie ahead. Didn't even mind tonight's walk in the sleet.
Think I will be able to ski both weekend days, especially if I do the Boeuf Bourguignon on Friday to share with my friend Dan on Sunday. Not that long before he departs to sunnier climes. I will remain here as love the winter weather and loathe cacti.
Still enjoying Sophie Dahl. I watched her documentary on Mrs. Beeton last night. The most fascinating look into Victorian society. Major headway with my work today. Learning is how important it is to have the basics in place. February was indeed a slog, but I have emerged triumphant.
The Romans were right in making this the shortest month of the year.....Spring beckons!!! - Claire
0 -
March is here in less than 5 hours. Yeah... goodbye to February, cloudy days, stress, and hello sunshine, warmth, relaxation. I have made more progress on my closet, dusting off some vintage coach bags to either resell or give to family. I am feeling lighter every bag, every item I give away, making room for my new life. Hello world....less is so much more.
0 -
I love Jerry Seinfield and his tv show from the 90's. I was watching a rerun today, and it really took me back to 1998, which is the year that my daughter was born. So many memories attached to all of the years in my life. I met Jerry in 1987 at a small gathering in downtown Chicago. My friend had went to summer camp with him, and introduced us. Every time Jerry comes to town, my friend will call and say, "do you wanna go see Jerry?" I offer my husband up as a sacrifice, since my friend is a guy. My husband did get to see him this year, and seemed to like his stand up routine.
Tonight, I followed up Seinfeld with a little Will and Grace. Another fav of mine. It reminds me that we are not just getting older, we, indeed, are getting better. It seems like only yesterday Will and Grace was in full swing, 1998-2006. I am so glad that it was brought back because I laugh so hard, much needed laughter, at the puns and innuendos.
I was feeling a bit down this week, and think that I caught some type of intestinal bug. Literally, been dragging my bootie around getting things done. Drank gatorade and gave my stomach and colon a rest today. My son had a 3 day vomiting and diarrhea. The stress with my mom in ICU does not help. Doing some pampering tomorrow, with a hair trim and toner. I think I will paint my nails, etc.
What is everyone doing for the weekend?
0 -
Oh no!!! Sounds like what I had whilst on my skiing adventure. I will mention that you should expect to need a lot of sleep. Hopefully, no deer in your future.
The sun came out today, and all is good again. I just booked my airfare to London in October. Got a screaming deal, but do have to warn everyone to pay attention to the return flights, or you could be spending an extra day (in an airport, no less) getting back. I have 2 hours in Chicago which is just fine. I paid with points, so a free trip.
I should be able to get up to the mountains skiing on Saturday. They are singing a siren song with all their fresh snow. I can't wait, as far too much drudgery the past month and too little fun. So wonderful to have "Rexxie", my Subaru whole again. Both of us are ready to go!!!
But alas, another day of work awaits. - Claire
0
