Dad 234: The Last Post of 2014

(Definitely Dad's shortest post so far! Enjoy! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Enjoying today, the last day of 2014, as the sun shines brightly and the temperature dips to single-digit numbers. It is cold!

 

Nothing else to say or write today except:

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Gum Recession Leads to No Fun

I have two teeth with enough gum recession that I need gum grafts. My first procedure was yesterday. The other will be in a few months.

 

The graft tissue is taken from the same side of the roof of your mouth. I asked to see the graft tissue before the doctor put it in the recipient site. (He said I was the first patient in 24 years that has asked!) It was this nice little pink strip of flesh.

 

May I say that undergoing this procedure was not fun? It was not fun at all.

 

The left side of my mouth is now out of commission for chewing purposes for the next week. I have these "silly putty" dressings on the roof of my mouth and over the graft site. It feels weird.

 

I am not allowed to eat crunchy stuff. So no nachos tomorrow night! Happy New Year to me. :(

 

To do: Get through the next few days of special eating without whining too much.

Orcs and Cats

Orcs. Lew and I went to see The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies on Saturday with our friends. We saw it in IMAX 3D. I'm glad that we paid more to see this movie in 3D, because I don't think I would have enjoyed it at all in the regular theater. There was not much of a plot - just lots of fighting - so the 3D aspect at least added some interest. As I watched the movie, I tried to figure out the five armies: dwarves, elves, humans, orcs (two armies of orcs!), eagles, a smaller band of dwarves, a hobbit - does Bilbo count as his own army of one? That's more than five, so I obviously didn't grasp the meaning of "army" for this movie.... Did I mention there was lots of fighting?

 

Cats. Photos and videos of cats are all over social media. Regular readers of my blog know that I sometimes post about my own cats, especially when they misbehave. My Aunt Debbie sent me an interesting news clipping last week - a pet advice column on clicker training cats and what rewards work best. I don't know if I could use clicker training with Jerry and Kurt because they already have us trained! (They meow, we deliver!!!) But maybe I should try.... Hmmm....

Christmas Morning in Photos

Major thing to report on this week: Christmas, of course! We spent the morning at Matt & Emily's house and the afternoon at Debbie & Glen's.

 

The day before: Christmas Eve service at church.

The day after: Absolutely nothing! (We did venture out once for about half an hour.)

 

Some Christmas morning photos for your enjoyment....

 

Grampa!

Front row: Matt, Lew. Back: Emily's mom, Eli, goofy Wayne.

Merry Christmas from Adam!

Emily made a wonderful breakfast for us.

Let's play!

Eli plays Spot It!

Adam and Grampa fed the dinosaur.

Tia gets a photo with Adam.

Tia and Eli share some playtime.

 

And what would Christmas be without getting into a little bit of trouble!

 

A Fantasy Football Legend

Writing prompt: Skin.

 

The first thing I thought of when I read this prompt was football, as in pigskin.

 

Then I thought of Lew's fantasy football league and the fact that I have neglected to mention this year's winner: Matt!

Congratulations, Matt!

 

This was a church league, and Emily recently posted this photo (along with her amusing comment) to our church Facebook group:

 

Jus' Sayin'

(Disclaimer: I don't really even know why this is important but I love my husband so I happily play along.)

 

And that concludes my five-minute Friday post on this day after Christmas.

 

Merry Christmas!

For unto us a Child is born....

 

The Baby Jesus!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Dad 233: Merry Christmas!

(Enjoy Dad's next-to-last post of 2014! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Here in the midst of a wet storm that will take us through tomorrow. Not too sorry that it is rain. No plowing involved. But really would like a small covering of snow for Christmas. Not happening. Bah, Humbug!

 

Well, the Patriots now have 'home field' for the playoffs. They were fortunate to beat the Jets by a point. And even more fortunate that the Broncos lost to Cincinnati. The Colts took a beating but had their conference wrapped up. Just a letdown after winning their division. Good luck to the Pats and the Colts in the playoffs.

 

Simply put, to you and yours....

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

 

A Slow Cooker for a Slow Cooker

Lew got me a 6-quart slow cooker for Christmas. The reason I know this: I wanted a specific one, which he could not locate in any local retail stores. So he told me to go ahead and order it from Amazon.

 

When it arrived last week, it didn't make sense for him to wrap it and wait to give it to me on Christmas Day. The suspense was already gone, after all.

 

I decided I should try it out soon. So last Friday I found an easy lasagna recipe online. Then I invited some friends (our pastor's family) to join us. The lasagna date was set for last night.

 

After ellipticalizing (see yesterday's post), I began making the lasagna. I had already read about how to brown ground beef. (Please don't laugh.) I had already read about how to simmer. (Do I hear laughing?) Despite my advance preparation, I was still a little scared. Okay, a LOT scared.

 

I managed to have the completed lasagna in the slow-cooker only 15 minutes later than I'd planned. (Note to self: When the recipe says 15 minutes prep time, quadruple that for me.)

 

Then I needed to clean up the kitchen. I had about three "emergency" dishes and two items that I didn't even use – they were just in the way. Plus I had the dishes that I actually needed. It took me a long time to get the kitchen looking presentable again, but I did it. (Then I took a much-needed shower.)

 

Our guests arrived shortly after the slow cooker switched over to the "Warm" setting. The lasagna was ready! And it came out great!

 

To do: Find additional easy recipes for my new slow cooker.

 

But for today's "to do," I think I'll take a hint from my kitties!

 

 

Also Known As "Alias"

Several months ago I read about the TV series "Alias" on another blog. I decided to put it in my Netflix queue.

 

Last week I started to watch the show while working out on the elliptical machine.

 

How do I like the show so far? Let's just say that today I ended up watching two full episodes! And, yes, that's while ellipticalizing!!!

 

I am going to start telling people that I am following the "Alias" exercise plan. LOL!

Lew Outsmarts a Kitty

So I spoke too soon last Saturday when I wrote that Jerry was no longer interested in the humidifier. About midweek he began to attack it again. He got his paw through the bars of the cage and was dislodging the cap.

 

After a few nights of this, Lew had had enough. Lew's solution:

 

 

There's no way Jerry can get that cap off now! (And neither can anyone else, not easily anyway.) I am so proud of Lew for winning the battle with the cat.

 

Yesterday I wrapped all the Christmas presents. I would say that I spent about five hours doing it. I listened to Christmas music as I wrapped, just to keep myself in the proper mood. I got tired, I admit.

 

Lew and I went to a Christmas party last night at the home of a lovely young couple from our church. We ate lots of yummy food and took part in a Yankee Swap. We didn't get home until after 10:00, which is way past our bedtime! (Ha ha!) The party was a lot of fun, and I even spread some Christmas cheer with my headwear.

 

Merry Christmas Week!

 

She Asked, "Did You Read the Instructions?"

Writing Prompt: Instructions.

 

Ha ha ha ha! My first thought is that women read instructions, men don't!

 

Instructions, directions, manuals....

 

I do love well-written instructions!

 

In several prior jobs I was able to write very detailed, step-by-step, instructions on how to do tasks required of me. That way someone else could do them if I should get hit by the proverbial bus.

 

Work colleagues have told me that I'm good at documenting details and leaving a paper trail.

 

So I do wonder if I missed my calling. I should write user manuals!

 

I have recently made a careful entry into food preparation (poor Lew!), so maybe I could write my own cookbook with easy recipes that I've found... modified by me to make them even easier.... Ha ha ha ha!

 

They Are Santa's Elves

When my family lived at Kents Hill – when I was just a little girl – my Grandma W. (Mom's mom) made us two Christmas elf decorations.

 

I am able to share a picture of them today because I salvaged them from the fate of many family "keepsakes": the yard sale.

 

Although a little worse for wear, they have held up pretty well all these years. And they are still fun to look at. Good memories....

 

 

Dad 232: Illinois On My Mind

(I just got home from doing a couple errands. It's better to have rain than snow, I say! Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Another raw, damp day in the Northeast. Sure is very wet outside. Thanksgiving snow is about gone. Only plow piles are now visible. No white Christmas unless we get a snowstorm. The experts say the chances are not great. I would just as soon go the next few months with no snow. I doubt that happens. No such luck!

 

The Patriots and Colts won again. Just need to beat the Jets and Bills and the Pats are home for the playoffs. Go Pats!

 

This is a big weekend for our Illinois family. Joe is back with the Peoria Area Civic Chorale (PACC) after a two-year break. Hope the weekend performances go well. I'm sure that they will be well done, as all of Joe's groups do a fine job. Would like to be there. Maybe in the spring! (I can dream, can't I?) Sing well, Kim and Kelsey!

 

I don't have a lot to say today as we await the holiday season. So I will close now and try for a better effort next time. Please stay tuned.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Doing the Christmas "Wrap"

Like everyone else, Lew and I have been doing some Christmas shopping.

 

Lew and his buddy took yesterday off from work to do their shopping. They do this every year. (I think eating out for breakfast and lunch is the main attraction.)

 

I have done a little bit of shopping at retail stores. But most of my shopping has been done from the comfort of my own home. (Thank you, Amazon.com, for making life easier for those of us who hate going to the Mall.) I am waiting for a few more packages to arrive over the next couple days. Then....

Next on the to-do list: Wrapping!

King Moonracer: Toy or Not?

Lew and I enjoy the TV show The Middle. The episode that aired last week had an interesting subplot: Axl and one of his buddies argue about whether King Moonracer is a toy.

King Moonracer is the king of the Island of Misfit Toys featured in the Christmas classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. King Moonracer is part lion, part bird. He flies around the world to find misfit toys and brings them to the island.

Axl believes King Moonracer is not a toy, but his friend disagrees. They get a third friend to mediate the dispute. No spoilers here... you'll have to watch the episode yourself to find out what the third friend decides.

I told Lew that I agree with Axl. The character of King Moonracer is not a toy but a living being.

But I suppose one could argue the opposite. In "real life" King Moonracer is a stop-motion animation figure, which could be considered a toy of sorts.

Such uncertainty over this burning question!

I hope I will be able to sleep tonight.

A Cage, Gloves, and 12/13/14

IT WORKED!

 

The pet cage came on Wednesday and since then Jerry has not bothered the humidifier. He can get his paws through the cage, but it's not any fun for him. The humidifier is also behaving. ;-)

 

I made Jerry pose for this picture.

 

 

There was a gastrointestinal illness that broke out at Verlie's nursing home on Thursday. This is what I had to wear to visit her:

 

The Center provided the yellow mask, gloves, and gown. The hat is mine.

 

Happy Consecutive Numbers Day!

Wrong Writes

Writing Prompt: Something I would never write.

Horror stories. I don't like to read horror stories. I don't like to watch horror movies. When I was in college I could stomach the horror genre. Not anymore. Yuck!

Nonfiction science books. If I did write a science book, it would have to be classified as fiction. (Ha ha!) I am not enough of an expert.

Porn. I hope I don't need to explain this one.

Anything that would dishonor God. But if I should in some sinful moment, I pray for His forgiveness.

And my five minutes are up. The above are all that I came up with off of the top of my head. I think this writing prompt has inspired me to expand my writing efforts -- there are lots of areas that I haven't excluded!

Keepsakes Made of Wood

Grandpa G. (Dad's dad) made lots of wooden ornamental items as gifts. The best representation of his handiwork is represented in the following picture. (I believe this was at Aunt Jean's old house.)

I made good on my plans to get out my Christmas decor yesterday. The ornaments are now on the tree and there are Christmas decorations scattered throughout the house. Did you notice the Rudolph in the above photo? I have one, too, but he has seen better days. (Click HERE to read last December's post about poor Rudolph.)

I also have Garfield, a calico cat, the cat with the hanging mouse, some tulips, and (I think in the attic) the two rabbits. I still enjoy them all. They bring good memories!

Dad 231: Counting on Saturday

(I'm trying to decide how to celebrate 12/13/14. What are you going to do? In the meantime, enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

Derf Here! Not really enjoying the weather today. It is dark, damp and dreary. We only have another day or so of this weather. One thing in our favor! It could be snow. Looking forward to the weekend when we are expecting the sun. At least the temperature is above freezing.

Well, the football weekend went well. The Colts won a close one and, as predicted last week, the Patriots got back to winning on their way to the playoffs. You heard it here first.

 

The high school team had its year end banquet and Josh earned an honorable mention as an all-conference lineman. Congratulations, Josh! Now we wait for baseball season. It will be here before you know it. That season also will coincide with the end of winter. Hooray!

 

This Saturday will be the last day in this century that the month, day and year will be consecutive numbers. It will be known as 12-13-14. This will not happen again until 1-2-3 (3003). I doubt that I will be around for that. Probably very few people walking this earth today will see 1-2-3.

 

I've been promising to vacuum for the last couple weeks. Well, I've managed to put off the project for the time. I must do it today. I will start now. Sooo....

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

 

 

When I Looked for the Baby Jesus

Our Christmas tree has been up since the day after Thanksgiving, but we haven't put the ornaments on yet. My energy level has been so low that I haven't wanted to bring the decorations down from the attic.

 

It was my turn to lead children's church this past Sunday morning. As Lew and I were preparing to leave for church, I told him I needed to go up in the attic to find the Baby Jesus from our crèche set. I wanted it for my lesson.

 

I knew the Baby Jesus would be in one of three bins. I found it in the fourth bin I looked in (don't ask). But something special happened while I was looking for the Baby Jesus. I started to feel more energetic. I was healthy. I became excited about the Advent season. I wanted to decorate and celebrate the coming of The Lord Jesus Christ!

 

I still haven't brought the Christmas bins downstairs because I've had outside errands yesterday and today. But tomorrow....

 

Smile!

 

(PostScript: I am even making dinner for Lew tonight! Stew in the crockpot.)

Not Panning Peter Pan

Last Thursday night I recorded Peter Pan Live! on my DVR. It was a three-hour broadcast (with commercials), so I'm glad that I went the "watch later" route.

 

Did I enjoy the show? I liked it enough to watch the entire thing, although I didn't watch it all in one sitting. This particular musical has never been one of my favorites, but I thought the live broadcast of it was pretty good.

 

I was impressed with the technical aspect of the production (e.g., flying!) and I liked most of the vocals. My favorite parts of the show were the big dance numbers. I also liked the dog. :)

 

I read that NBC plans to do another live broadcast of a musical next year: The Music Man. I'm looking forward to that one already!

The Humidifier: Not a Toy

Other than getting over my illness, the biggest challenge of the week was keeping Jerry away from our new humidifier.

 

The top of the humidifier has what I will call a "directional cap." The cap is not attached to the top in any way; it just sits inside the opening. The cap has a little slit that directs the cool steam in a direction we select.

 

Jerry has figured out that if he "plays" with the cap long enough, he can knock it off of the humidifier.

 

Wonderful.

 

Our solution to this problem has been to banish Jerry from the bedroom. We have a zero-tolerance policy: One "knock off" and he's out.

 

Neither Lew nor I like to keep our cats out of the bedroom. It makes us sad. We want them to be able to jump on the bed and cuddle with us if they are so inclined.

 

Today we discussed a new solution, which we have decided to implement.... I just ordered a small pet cage on Amazon. The cage is not to hold the cats; it's to hold the humidifier! I hope it works.

 

Take that, Jerry!

A Bummer of a Cookie

Writing Prompt: A fortune cookie.

 

I enjoy certain Chinese food dishes (sweet and sour chicken... yum...) but I am not really a fan of the fortune cookie.

 

Aren't fortune cookies meant for fun? Then how did I get a bad one once?

 

Yes, I actually got a bad fortune in a cookie.

 

It happened many years ago when I was going through a particularly bad time. The fortune read something like, "There are some dark times ahead for you." WHAT? Not really what I needed to hear at the moment.

 

In recent years I have seen a new trend in fortune cookies. The "fortune" is usually some pithy saying and not a prediction. I think I prefer this... not that I give any credence to fortune cookies.

 

They are just for fun.

 

But I'm still not a fan.

Two Grandmas

As I shared a month ago in my post Two Grandpas, I am blessed to have known all four of my grandparents.

Today I am sharing photos of both of my grandmothers. I see the family resemblance in each!

Love!

Dad's mom, Grandma G., on her honeymoon with my grandfather.
They were a handsome couple!

Mom's mom, Grandma W., as a small child.
She was cute! (Love the doll, too.)

Dad 230: A Bold Bowl Prediction

(I'm still trying to get my iPad to recognize the word "Derf" when I dictate. Today's transcription of "Derf" is not repeatable. Oh, dear! I think I'll just type out that word from now on. Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Well, the weather experts were correct. Woke up this morning to a trace of snow and freezing rain. Lots of closings and delays in the area. Listened to Lew scraping the ice off his truck. The sounds and scenes of winter are all around us today. A good day to stay inside. Think that is what I'll do. The temperature is now above freezing and melting will take place over the next few hours. I'm ready for April!

 

I spent a couple hours yesterday at the local Portland area Red Cross blood donation center. Completed my "double red" donations for the year. Every 16 weeks I make the trip. Well worth the effort.

 

The Patriots didn't play well last Sunday and still had a chance to win. The Pats will close out the season winning their last four regular-season games and then winning the playoffs to make it to the Super Bowl. All playoff games in their division will be played at home. Hope to meet Green Bay again and demolish the Packers in the "Game." Another ring for Brady! Mark my word!

 

Trust you all had a joyous Thanksgiving as we did. Did have to plow about 10 inches of snow Thanksgiving morning due to the storm overnight. Did I say that I'm ready for April?

 

Just think, Christmas is only three weeks away. Must wrap up my pre-Christmas duty soon. I really don't have that much to do. But I'll do it anyway. A few mailings. A few gift cards. A few checks and I'm done. Sounds good to me. Will be done by my next blog post. Stay tuned! Sooo....

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

R & R

I am feeling better each day. I still have a bit of a cough, some post-nasal drip, and a low energy level.

 

What I'm doing:

1. Drinking lots of fluids.
   
2. Resting.

I do hope that this nasty illness stays away from me after this. I'd like to focus on other things on my "to do" list soon!

Two Movies I'm Going to See

There are two movies coming out in the theater this month that I plan on seeing... in the theater, not just when they come out on DVD.

 

The first is The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. This (thankfully) is the last of the trilogy. Lew and I saw all three Lord of the Rings movies and the first two installments of The Hobbit with our friends Bill and Stacey. We plan on seeing this final movie with them, too. We may even splurge and see it in IMAX 3D.

 

The second movie is Into the Woods. This is a film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical. I love the musical, so I hope the movie stays true to it. I'm not expecting that Lew will want to go see this movie with me, but maybe I can talk him into it. (Hint, hint.)

 

Any other movie suggestions for me?