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Good Morning. Weather doesn’t know it’s a new year. Just doing the same old. Cloudy and damp. I don’t even remember when the last time was that we had a sunny day for the entire day. We’ve had some peaks of sun,maybe a couple hours at the end of the day or something. But then that’s normal for this time of year. Those big lakes out there, keep us under the clouds during cold weather season. The upside is, they also keep us a bit warmer temperature wise. That cold spell that came through, we were 15 to 20° warmer than other places because of that. Rita, that storm that’s going to wallop you is going to be rain here and maybe a mix.

Shirl, don’t know if you saw my late post yesterday, but you mentioned saving money for a new IPad when yours is obsolete. Looks like you are going to have to spend it I found out yesterday while I was doing some research, the the IPad 1,2,3,4 and original IPad Mini are now obsolete. Apple has stopped supporting them as of May 2022 and you can no longer get any more updates. Update 10 was the last one. There were some update issued last year and mine is now up to 15.6.1. Irm, I like the IPads. Their screens are not as big as computers, but the visuals are much sharper and easier to read I think. Same stuff in a smaller package and you can attach them to a larger monitor if you want.

Nothing much on the agenda here today although it’s time for me to get started into my winter projects. Like I said earlier I do have things I want to get done. We still have at least three months of winter, but back and go by fast. Considering I have a mess of appointments the last week of this month, nothings gonna get done around here much. Today is also the first day of the diet. I am determined to lose some weight this winter . I have cleared all the sweet stuff and everything out of the house and it’s staying out. I laid the law down on myself and I know I will do it because I have done it before until Covid screwed me up.

Trying to put an order for a book through Amazon and it keeps asking me to set up my account. I do not want to set up an account. I deleted my old one. I haven’t been able to get past that block to get the order accomplished That is not starting my morning off good.

So, time to get dressed and get this day moving. Have a nice day everyone.

Good morning, is a wee bit chilly out there today 31. We will warm up to a balmy 44 ha ha More rain heading our way after a nice sunny afternoon yesterday. I wanted to shampoo my high traffic and family room carpet but I think I will wait a bit till it is in the 50's. It isnt real dirty but it has been since last year since I ran my rug shampooer.

Sue since I had lost so much weight (almost 50 lbs) Once I felt better and got my appetite back I had to start eating calorie dense foods and Ensure (YUCK). Now I have gained back 21 lbs so now I need to slow my role LOL I dont want to really diet but I do want to eat healthy and smaller portions. I have spent the last few days making "do ahead" meals and freezing them. Also made a meal plan (loosely) for the week. I also dont have any sweets in the house. Only a few small bags of chips to have with a sandwich. Like you, I did it before and can do it now. Does not mean I will never eat anything less nutritious LOL but only once in a while as a treat. Having BBQ chicken done in the air fryer on skewers and a vegetable for dinner. I am also logging my food in My Fitness Pal app. I use the free version but it really opens my eyes as to making better choices.

Time for another cup of java then will get breakfast and find something productive to do.

Humid and windy here today. I've played my word games for the day. I truly enjoy them. Nothing planned today except our walks.

Karen I've worked hard to lose over 40 pounds. I'd like to lose 10 more but I've been eating too much. The pot lucks aren't helping. So I might become more antisocial lol. But when I weighed myself yesterday I'd only gained 1 pound. I don't like any gains, but that's actually less than I feared. I don't diet per se, I try to watch portion sizes and eat healthier. That 40+ pounds came on about 5 pounds/year. Sneaky, eh? Two years to take off.

Ty and I are still in bed. Time to get moving. I dislike our walks when it's windy, but he deserves them. So up we're getting.

Morning Sue and All, it has been pleasant weather on the island. Leaving the tree up for another week because it’s cheery and besides I don’t feel like taking it down. Sue, depressing news about iPad since I don’t have enough saved for a new iPad. Just bought a new iPhone and had a few holiday expenses. I just paired the new phone with the Subaru yesterday so straining my little brain. #1 daughter has fixed up a nice room for me so I have a place to go during high traffic summers, serious weather threats or family gathering. I no longer drive at night so can spend the night. The pantry and freezer are full so I’m just going to hibernate for awhile and save money. Lol. Be safe

P.s. Regarding weight issues. I’m overweight and do not plan to diet as long as I can tie my shoes. During one serious illness I lost 16 lbs in a week. At my age I need a few pounds to fight off whatever illness comes my way. Doctors never mention the added weight.

Good morning gals!

It rained a bit off and on yesterday but is sunny this morning with no clouds in sight.

My MN sister-in-law sent me an e-mail yesterday. Was very surprised at that. She had talked to my AZ SIL just after I called her the other day. She is (almost) always so nice and supportive in her emails but in person she is very condescending and critical.

I have been getting calls for haircuts in the park here the past few days. I am trying to get them all scheduled for Thursday. I have been putting them off until then to make sure I am Covid-free. I will test myself tonight, even tho I am feeling good so far.

One lady just called and left a message mentioning it is Tuesday morning. I panicked thinking I was about to miss Putters golf! Then I realized it is only Monday, so she is a day off. Easy to get confused with the holidays. Today is still considered a holiday since New Years landed on a Sunday.

Oh crap!!! That means I am missing my Rose Parade!!! Yikes! Gotta go!

Colliemom wrote:Shirl, don’t know if you saw my late post yesterday, but you mentioned saving money for a new IPad when yours is obsolete. Looks like you are going to have to spend it I found out yesterday while I was doing some research, the the IPad 1,2,3,4 and original IPad Mini are now obsolete. Apple has stopped supporting them as of May 2022 and you can no longer get any more updates. Update 10 was the last one. There were some update issued last year and mine is now up to 15.6.1. Irm, I like the IPads.

Their screens are not as big as computers, but the visuals are much sharper and easier to read I think. Same stuff in a smaller package and you can attach them to a larger monitor if you want.

Sue, I have an IPad but I don't use it too much. But I do understand why many people might prefer an IPad. For myself, I am generally on my computer several hours a day, and my IPad is just too heavy to hold in my hand for an extended amount of time as I do the one-finger typing thing.

Yes, I do know that IPads have "stands" whereby they can be put on a solid surface and used that way, and that one can purchase a remote keyboard for an IPad. With the IPad on a stand, I have to hunch over to read it (talk about a sore neck after a couple of hours!), and the keyboard is very small, not conducive to my 70-wpm typing speed.

Also, doing even a minimal amount of web page design, not to mention maintaining the listings for my Etsy jewelry business, is just too difficult on an IPad (I use the programs Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop - and others - on a daily basis for my business, and for much else as well).

Additionally, so far as computer monitors go, "you get what you pay for". Lower-end monitors can have the difficulty you describe, however my son is a commercial artist (he creates and designs animated graphics for computer games) and his 4K computer monitor has amazing hyper-clarity, on par with just looking out one's window to view a mountain scene.

Happy to know that the IPad works for you.

Anne

Sue, I’m shopping. Lol

It’s late in the afternoon and it’s a gloomy yucky day! The fog moved in about noon and it’s a thick pea soup fog plus rain too. Scraped my plan to go over to son’s since I really don’t want to deal with the traffic and weather. Remembered earlier I needed to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy so did that. Then headed to the store for a “few” things. Well, you know how that went! I did pick up a couple of chuck roasts to throw in the crockpot. That was one of the main reasons to go today since they were on sale. It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten eggs and they were $5.29 a dozen today. Ouch! Didn’t realize what a luxury they are! So now I need to figure out something for dinner! Doesn’t make sense to go to the store and then not know what to fix! Of course I should have gotten something out earlier! But that’s the way of it! Otherwise haven’t done much today. Interesting about iPads, I tend to use mine more than the computer. I’ve had a real problem with the new windows platform. I still can’t figure how to open or find some of the things that I know are there but can’t seem to get to them. So I go back to the iPad when I get frustrated. Tomorrow I want to go to the walk in vaccine clinic and get his last puppy shots. Then I’ll feel safer to take him out and about. Still wondering if I should have him chipped now or wait until he’s under for surgery. But that won’t be for a few months and don’t know if I want to wait. Seeing west coast really getting hit with heavy rain and snow. Hope you ladies out there are staying safe. Have a good rest of your day and stay safe.

It is foggy here also but near 60 degrees. I like the fog but I don't want to drive in it. DH had to go pick up Emma and the said visibility was terrible especially going by the lake. I looked out awhile ago and saw a fox run across the neighbors yard.
It must be the season, I'm also looking for a new computer. I'm going to get another 24" iMac desktop but I need someone to set it up. I don't have the patience or enough knowledge to transfer everything. The Best Buy here closed.

Shirl congratulation for pairing your phone to your Subaru! I flunked that task on ours.

Am I the only one who is relieved and happy that the holidays are over!? Holidays have always depressed me especially Christmas.

Sharon I would wait to get your puppy chipped until they do his surgery. It's a pretty large needle and you don't want him to be afraid of going to the vet. Eggs are more expensive and scarce because of the bird flu. I usually get eggs from friends who have small flocks but when there isn't much sunlight they don't lay many eggs. I pay $4.50 a dozen up from $2.00 a year ago! Of course the cost of feed has increased quite a bit like everything else.

Redetotry wrote:Am I the only one who is relieved and happy that the holidays are over!? Holidays have always depressed me especially Christmas.

Count me in with that, BJ. 100%.

When my kids were small I loved just about everything about Christmas, from the movies to the carols, to the light displays, to hanging lights on my house, to decorating the tree, to baking cookies for days, to having friends over for Christmas Eve, to the shopping to the wrapping and then opening.

The whole shebang.

Since my kids grew up and left home, each year, as the Holidays approach,I have less and less desire to participate. I have feelings tinged with ambivalence, if not outright dread. For about the last four or five years I just put my head down and try to motor through it all, avoiding everything about the Holiday just as much as I can.

This year I tried a Christmas movie or two, they all got turned off again after about the first five minutes. If I run across a Christmas music channel on my Roku, I skip right by that just as fast as I can. If I linger too long looking at the Christmas decorations aisle at the hardware store, I just. . . burst into tears.

And once the waterworks begin, I have difficulty getting them stopped. I'm not sure what it is, but it's just best for me to avoid all the "gaiety" as much as I possibly can.

Maybe it's the realization - finally (having fought this thought for years) - that I can't turn back time, and that the magical times I spent with my beautiful children when they were small will never come again.

Argh. I better stop now before things really get out of hand.

Sorry. But you asked.

Anne

Bj, been thinking about the holidays all evening. I treasure my memories, some make me tear up but mostly I smile. My children are grown, grandchildren are grown but the great grands are still young. The family get togethers are loud filled with laughter and everyone talking at once. At 86 all the noise is now exhausting. I spent Christmas Eve and day at #1 daughters. I did tell her I was use to being alone and it was also quiet. She said “ you tell us what you want”. I would disappear into my room every now and then. I don’t overload with Christmas movies and music and thoroughly enjoyed my family and the same memories we share every year. The two oldest granddaughter lost their father this year. #2 grand got married this year and missed her dad being there. Her sister’s gift was was a photo of her in her gown with her new husband and her dad smiling a silly grin. Another beautiful memory that caused a few teary eyes. But people we love deserve a few tears. I came home exhausted but happy. I look forward to next year.

Shirl, beautifully written.

Thanks for sharing.

Anne

Hallmark Mysteries and Movies is back to it's normal routine... watching Murder She Wrote
so I possibly will make it to my room by 11:00 maybe as I totally forgot the schedule change and I've not finished my routine.... oh well if I make I do and if I don't I don't
today was my granddaughter's birthday totally forgot about it till I saw the date and remembered that it was her birthday... so grandma didn't call and I was going to be so much better this year...not off to a good start
went to the store and spent way too much and really didn't get a lot either the eggs here are 4.99 for not organic eggs... I had a bunch of things I wanted my dd to pick up but she didn't let me know that they were coming .. one of the item's was a box of cereal it's larger and cheaper at walmart...
came home and tossed a couple of potatoes in the air fryer then a steak big enough that we both had some and still some left over sure tasted good... I need to figure out how to cook them together my A/F has racks and with a baked potato I don't necessarily want the juices of the steak dropping on the potato...so I baked the potatoes and took them out and put them in a towel so that they would stay warm but then the skin was no longer crisp still tasted good but.... and the steak was really good
my sister in law called tonight as well Barbie it was fun visiting been awhile...
you all have a great day
sheila

I got some things done today but didn't get thru my whole list. I emptied and cleaned out the fish tank and refilled it for Karma. I bought a pump thing that is supposed to suck up the crud from the bottom of the tank. Well, it sucked up the water but wasn't strong enough to suck up anything else. So I had to clean it by hand.

Made my chili this morning. Was good but a little too spicy. I made it in my small crock pot and it is already almost gone. I was only able to make half a batch, so I mixed together another half batch that I will put in the crock pot when I finish up the last of this batch tomorrow.

I have Putters in the morning, then need to run some errands, and make some phone calls after that. Then clean up the living room and put away the little Xmas tree and outside decorations.

I missed the first hour of the Rose Parade this morning . I will have to see if I can find the whole thing on YouTube so I can see what I missed. I remember when they televised the parade on all the major networks, plus on the HGTV and Travel channels. Now it is only on 2 network channels and they have way too many commercials. The cable channels never had commercials and would talk more about the floats and how they are made, and what was used on each float.

Christmas for me is kind of bittersweet. I miss the old days when my mom made it so fun. She loved Christmas! It was never the same after she died. I am glad I got to go to the dinner here this year. I usually always go to the Christmas Eve candlelight service but my church had it a day earlier so I missed it. My dad would sometimes take me to his church's midnight candlelight service after our dinner and gift opening with the family. Some years I went with my mom to her relatives houses and we always had a fun time.
On New Years, my dad and I would go out for an early dinner and then catch a movie, and still be home by 10pm. So now I have a lot of memories and not much celebrating anymore. I think the thing I miss the most is opening my Christmas stocking in the morning that my mom stayed up all night to wrap each little thing in tissue paper. She had so much stuff to put in it that she would "piggyback" a smaller stocking to it filled with more stuff. I miss those times...

I know just what you guys are talking about with the holidays getting more depressing each year. I was one of those people who decorated everything. Previous house even had a separate garden shed just for Christmas stuff! Brought a lot of it with me, but got rid of over half. I always figured even if I were to live alone in a one-room efficiency place, I'd still decorate. As the years go by, I drag out less and less. I don't get visitors, so why bother? I'm grateful that two of my 3 kids are able to visit. But I get the impression that it's only when and if they don't have anything else to do. A couple of years ago the oldest one said he'd be here early on Christmas. He showed up at 4:30, ate the dinner I had been holding for hours, and left before 6:00. Youngest this year didn't show up at all Christmas Eve although he had said he would come over.

Decorating seems to take longer and longer each year. I have to wait for a son to drop by to take all the storage boxes out. So far, I have two boxes sitting in the middle of the living room ready to be packed away and 3 more on the patio. I didn't even unpack half the things. I set myself up for disappointment. Christmas Eve I had shopped for and put out a coffee table full of finger foods, keeping in mind the two vegans who live with me (son and DIL). No one was hungry and youngest didn't even show. I put it all away and dragged most of it out again for New Years Eve, replacing the fresh things. Again, neither of the vegans were hungry - of course not, they ate their dinner at 7:00 p.m. so weren't ready for snacks at 8:00. We turned t.v. on at 8:00, watched the ball drop in NY at 9:00 our time, and by 9:30 everyone had gone their separate ways.

I, too, fondly remember childhood holidays when my Mom's very large family gathered on Christmas Day at one of my aunt's house. Everyone brought gifts for everyone else - perhaps just a small trinket or something. Opening presents was chaotic! Dinner with everyone sitting around a huge temporary plywood table on saw horses in the basement. One aunt hiding the turkey tail from the other. My oh so talented older cousin playing the piano for me. I'm sure this college kid actually wanted to entertain his 10 year old cousin, but he did it cheerfully and even took my requests. It was so special and only the two of us in the living room strewed with colorful wrapping paper and ribbons. Since I was an only child of a single mom at that time, being surrounded by so much love and attention fed a huge need. When we started our own family, I had this vision of perfect holidays, but as the children grew, they were less than enthusiastic about my "perfect" family holidays.

Sorry, guys, I guess I take the trophy for whining and boring everyone! I never thought I'd see the day when I would wish I could take off on a trip or cruise for the holidays! That window has closed for me, so we all go through the motions as each holiday approaches. Isn't old age great?

Okay, having taken up half your day and blathered on and on long enough, I hope we all have a better 2023 than the previous 2 years. I hope the world has a better year.

Pooker