So...whats for dinner?

Eric, That's a lot of driving for two days but, as they say, "There's no place like home." Your imitation of vehicle tires crossing a cattle guard sounds right to me.

Wally, Graduating to yearly followups is cause for celebration.

Carole, I had never heard of mashed potato salad but I found many recipes for it.

Since I was on my own in Boston I took a detour to Legal Seafood and had a bowl of clam chowder for lunch. It made all the driving worthwhile. Dinner was steak and summer squash.

We went out for DH's 84th b-day (tomorrow is the official date) (did take-out)…a BBQ joint with pulled pork, slaw, brisket, blah, blah. Ate too much and loved every minute of it. Enjoying prosecco for his celebration. THRILLED to get another year with him, especially with his dx.

And the Lord sayeth, "here, hold my beer."

I'm gonna be offline for awhile—early this morning we were awakened by the smell of smoke (the detectors didn't work, despite fresh batteries). I was in scrubs & rubber sandals, Bob was in his undies & barefoot. By the time he hung up with 911, the sirens were already blaring—we live 2 bl. from the fire station. 3 engines, all the neighbors were out (they were preparing for a yard sale that got rained out). House is still standing, everything intact except for the roof (they punched a hole to vent the smoke), the rear of the kitchen and the rear of the basement. But it's uninhabitable for an indeterminate length of time due to smoke smell. We packed up the cats and whatever we could manage and are in a suburban hotel for the next week & a half and then a long-stay suite hotel in River North till mid-July. After that, State Farm will look for a temporary house, townhouse or large apt. They estimate the repairs, de-odorizing, and repainting could take through December. 

It started in an outlet on the rear wall of the kitchen—it was old & ungrounded (was not replaced in the 1989 re-wire) , and the flames went down into the basement. The CFD put it out fairly quickly. So Bob & I and the kitties are holed up in a 2-bed room for the time being. They still smell of smoke, and the wipes I bought from Petsmart are not getting the stench out. They've just started grooming themselves, though they are eating, drinking, and excreting quite well. They are supremely bored—we did have to buy them a new cardboard scratcher (the ones we packed were smoky) and ball-track toy.

Amazing how much you think you brought with you at a time like this, but how much more you have to buy—all my OTC meds (we grabbed the strongbox with the Rx stuff and put the Mounjaro into an insulated bag with ice packs), all my makeup, all but one pair of pants each (Bob couldn't find long enough ones at Target tonight—we'll try Costco tomorrow), and whatever the laundry service dropped off last night, still in plastic bags. We are going to have to buy stock in the makers of Febreze. I did bring my computer and all my iPads & chargers; Bob brought one computer but still has to go back tomorrow and grab the office computer and the new laptop he's never used. We spent a bundle at Petsmart & Target (and since the hotel has no restaurant, just breakfast, we dined at Outback tonight—first thing we ate all day). I went to bed at 3am Fri night and we were out in the street by 6am—so "exhausted" doesn't even begin to cover it. Bob got to bed at 11pm and I had to wake him. He's snoring away to beat the band right now.

We move downtown the day after my excision surgery—and moving day is also the day of my mammogram. Lots of rescheduling, rearranging (mail, utilities, prescriptions, etc.) in order. State Farm, its restoration and temp housing contractors, and the Red Cross have been wonderful, as have our neighbors. 

Might check in once in a blue moon if I have a moment to spare. Oh, and our HK made it down to B'ham today—we were talking while she was pulling out of Louisville.

Catch you later—in everyone's pockets (espec. Betrayal & Puffin) for upcoming med stuff.

Sandy, I'm glad you, Bob and the cats are safe but so sorry you have to deal with this huge disruption in your lives. I hope you get settled as soon as possible and restoration work goes smoothly and quickly. Keep in touch as you can.

Sandy - glad you are safe. My parents house built in 1905 had a fire in the basement. Mostly smoke & water damage, but not habitable. The fire restoration people are amazing - even with books. Whoever said on another thread that you need to be there regularly was correct. We insisted everything was refinished to the same standards & it was every bit of a year.

Wally - Happy 84th to your DH. Sorry not to respond everyone else but I am reading. And I did send an email to Nance.

My gut is still bothering me so I'm on a modified BRAT diet. Lost 9 lbs but it's a hard way to do it. Strangely I haven't really been hungry, but everyone's descriptions of lovely meals are starting to sound tempting.

Minus, hope you feel better soon. And thank you for DH's salutation.

Sandy, yikes!! I was just thinking the kitties will finally have a forever home and establish territory…poor guys, no luck that way. Glad everyone is safe.

I'm going to shred up the leftover copper river and make an asian sauce with udon noodles, asparagus and shiitake for tonight.

minus - I am a little worried about you! Have you talked to your primary care about the tummy issues?

Special - yes to consulting the PCP & the GI doc, but thanks for asking. The "expert" advice was 'monitor' or go to the ER. So after 10 days, I decided to eat my regular two pieces of dark chocolate ganache hearts last night. Didn't seem to make any difference and YUMMMMM. Otherwise beef consomme this afternoon and lemon jello tonight.

Maggie - love the clamming story.

Wally - like the salmon, udon, asparagus, shiitake combo. A meal after my own heart.

Lost the post.

We had spaghetti with home made sauce last night for dinner.

This morning, while I was installing a flag pole, I noticed two (!?) ambulances, with emergency lights on, pull into the next door neighbor's house. The man, in his mid 80s, has congestive heart failure and his wife is in her early 80s.

About 15 minutes later, both ambulances left, with no emergency lights, followed by a sheriff dept vehicle, and a private automobile. I'm hoping everything is okay, but I have a bad feeling about things. No one is home and the house is about 1/2 mile away, so I couldn't "eavesdrop".

Minus, I do hope you feel better soon and echo the "might as well eat chocolate..." practice.

I made a repeat DH likes -- Turkey stuffed red and yellow peppers fajita style. We got a homemade french baguette at a new place yesterday so I added that, with canteloupe for desert.

We went to nearby Clancy's Restaurant last night, using the golf cart for transportation. Didn't encounter a vehicle going or returning home. DH ordered the meatloaf Monday special and enjoyed every bite. I tasted the meatloaf and agreed that it is very good. I had a side salad and an order of walleye "bites," small pieces battered and deep fried and served with a tartar sauce that was more sweet than tart.

Maggie, is your dh with you in Boston?

Eric, your neighbors are in our age category. Hope they're ok.

Minus, I'm concerned about your stomach issues. Maybe a checkup a gastro doctor?

I went to the gym yesterday and paid for a 3 month summer membership for the two of us. The gym overcharges the summer members because they can. They have no competition.

Carole, I went to Boston alone this time since my daughter came up from NYC to keep DH on track with his post cataract surgery eyedrops and eye shield. That meant I could detour to Legal Seafood. It's too bad that you get stuck with the seasonal gym membership rates.

Sandy, The Homewood Suites are what we always try to stay in when travelling. In addition to the full kitchen the bedroom is usually a separate room and they have a decent free hot breakfast.

Wally, That curry combination sounds delicious.

Dinner tonight was sausage/ground beef meatballs in marinara sauce. I had no Rao’s so I made my own.

lynn - welcome to the kitchen table, the 7 layer dip (love it, a classic!) sounds yummy! Hope you are doing well after surgery, and yay for nice neighbors!

Lyn - welcome. Hope you're recovery is easy and you'll continue to join us.

Thanks to everyone for asking about my gut. Seems to be slowly recovering. Trying Bailey's Irish Cream tonight after Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup. In fact, I think I'll have two.

Wally - oh my, 69…. Carole - what are your temps up to in the North Country? Today was 95 again - and humid. But I did manage to get some serious weeds dug out of the lawn shortly before dark.

Special - what's happening with your Colorado property? If I remember, you have to design & build a house? Or was there already living quarters?

making hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes