We Meet Ursula

Last Saturday Lew and I went to a show at the Maine State Ballet with some friends. (Their daughter, Laura, was in the performance.) We went out to eat with them and another couple afterward. The rest of this post is about our waitress....

Our waitress.

I use the term loosely.

She could have been the inspiration for the character Ursula (played by Lisa Kudrow) on the TV show "Mad About You."

It took her half an hour to figure out we were in her section — and she had to be told this after one of our party went to the hostess. "Oh, I walked by you several times, ha ha!"

She brought us some drinks.

After about 20 minutes, she walked by our table and said, "I have to bring some food out, then I'll be right back to take your order."

Another 15 minutes goes by. "I have to bring some food out, then I'll be right back to take your order."  I'm not kidding.

She finally comes and takes our order, which consists of sandwiches and a salad.

Over the next 30-40 minutes she obviously avoids our table, but finally comes to tell us, "I did put your order in, but the kitchen is really behind. It will be right out."

You may be wondering why we are still at this restaurant. At the time, we were wondering as well! At least we were having fun hanging out together.

Our food finally did come and it was delicious.

So we survived meeting Ursula. That's not her real name, but that's how I will remember her. 😀

Dad 500: The 500th Post

(Celebrating Dad's 500th post today! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Enjoying another beautiful and sunny day in a series of days that reminds us that spring is coming. But no, we still have February to get through. Nice weather for winter, though! We'll take it!

 

My editor, Tracy, reminded me that this is my 500th blog post for "Mainely Tracy." This means I started this once-a-week writing years ago. That reminds me that I was 10 years younger when I started this. I'm going to try to continue this every week for as long as possible. If I am lucky, I will try to do a better job and put more interesting stuff in my weekly rants. I hope those few readers who read this will continue to drop in. Thanks in advance.

 

Don't want to give more work to Tracy, so this is it for today. Next week 501.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

I'm Back

I missed a few days of blogging due to a busy weekend and then an "under the weather" Monday.

I did go back to work today, which felt like a mistake at first... had a headache... but I eventually got back in the groove. I think the headache was caused by seeing how far behind I had gotten after missing just one day of work! 😩

Speaking of work and illness, a few of my colleagues have been suffering from colds. Today someone mentioned the coronavirus — no, that's NOT what any of them have! — but it certainly is a big news item. I hope that medical science can get it figured out.

So, tomorrow is a big day for the blog: Derf's 500th post! Be sure to check in!

Good Intentions Part 2

Tonight I began getting caught up on my checkbook, going through my mail, and I even did a little reading.

Hooray for me.

Here's to a productive weekend... with some relaxation thrown in.

Good Intentions

My wonderful friend Donna from Kansas was here for about 48 hours (noon Saturday to noon Monday), and we made the most of her visit. It was so great to see her!

But now I am behind on so many things. Tonight I was going to work on my checkbook, sort through some mail, and get some reading done in an attempt to catch up.

Instead I played games on my phone while watching a bowling show with Lew. The winner of the bowling tournament bowled a perfect 300 in the final match, so I'm glad I watched. (It was a show we had DVR'd, but neither of us knew the outcome... so it was like watching it live.)

You know what? The checkbook, the mail, and the reading can wait another day (or two).

Time to sleep now. G'night!

😴

Dad 499: Doctor, Doctor, Doctor

(The next post my father writes will be his 500th! Wow! Enjoy his post today. ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! A beautiful day in the Northeast. We actually received a temperature above freezing. The first time in three days. No storms in the forecast until Sunday. Then only five days until February.

 

Spouse has been discharged from all of her home visitors for her rehab. It is now up to us. Hopefully we'll work on it diligently.

 

Josh and Zack are back at their respective schools for spring semester. Where has the year gone? It has flown by.

 

My cardiologist has me on medication to attempt at getting the heart back in rhythm. We'll see if it works. I'll keep you posted.

 

Spouse and I checked with our doctor today. We are not going back for three months. We hope that is the case.

 

More info next week!

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Playoffs Part 3

Just to remind you, my prior picks to win the Super Bowl, in order of downfall:

• Patriots. I didn't actually think they would win, but they were my sentimental favorite.
• Saints. Oops, they lost, too.
• Ravens. Still can't believe they lost to the Titans. Major, major upset.

Then I moved on to the Chiefs, and they managed to beat the Titans on Sunday.

So it's a Chiefs vs. 49ers Super Bowl. From my years of living in Kansas, I have lots of friends who are Chiefs fans. That's a good reason to root for the Chiefs, I think.

The best reason to root for the 49ers? They have a cute quarterback!

Needed: Zzzzzzzzz....

I know I've ignored my blog for a few days, but I have a good excuse: I had a friend visiting this weekend! We had a lot of fun and we kept pretty busy — so writing a blog post was very low on my priority list.

I almost didn't post tonight, because I am pooped! My eyes are slamming shut, so I need to get to bed.

Hopefully I will be able to write something more substantial tomorrow....

Thanks for checking in....

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

A Laugh A Day

I laugh (sometimes even out loud) at least once a day. It is when I see posts by The Babylon Bee —"Your Trusted Source for Christian News Satire." With all of the craziness going on, I find the Bee's satire helps my sanity!

Speaking of craziness, we had a power blip right after I typed the above. When I started my computer back up and went into Chrome, it knew it had not shut down correctly. I had the option to "Restore" so I did. I was pleased to see I had not lost the start of this post!

So... I must be meant to share the Bee with my readers. Check out the website or follow the Babylon Bee on Facebook... but only if you don't mind laughing at least once a day. 😊

Dad 498: Progress Part 2

(Happy Birthday to our sweet kitty Jerry! Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Enjoying another winter day with no storms. Supposed to get some snow tomorrow but will be clear and cold on Friday. That is good because Spouse has her haircut then. We hope the day allows this traveling.

 

Yesterday Spouse's physical therapist discharged her. Now she has only one more scheduled appointment with her occupational therapist. So Monday she will be discharged from her last visiting aide. Then it is up to us to do all the activities. Hopefully we'll get it done.

 

Josh passed his last test Thursday and that completes all his testing that allows him to get his license to be an engineer on a ship. Congratulations, Josh! Last Wednesday we felt confident that he would complete his testing and he did. He didn't let us down.

 

Tracy wants this post available early today, so I'm done. Stay tuned.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

The Tigers Won!

The college football season is officially over. The Tigers won the National Championship last night.... The LSU Tigers, that is! The opposing team from Clemson is also the Tigers.

I planned to stay up for the entire game, but I "watched" most of the second half through the backs of my eyelids. I did manage to see the bulk of the scoring before that. It was a fun game.

Congratulations to both groups of Tigers for a great season!

Playoffs Part 2

Who would have thunk it? The Ravens lost to the Titans on Saturday! Totally unexpected... unless you knew that I was rooting for the Ravens. (See last Monday's post.)

You see, the teams I have rooted for are dropping like flies. First the Patriots, then the Saints, and now the Ravens.

Four teams left for next Sunday's games:
  Titans at Chiefs
  Packers at 49ers

I'm not really pulling for a specific team to win. But — just for fun — I'm going to predict that the Chiefs will win the Super Bowl.

If they should lose to the Titans this weekend, well.... I'm sorry, Kansas City fans!

Tis the Season....

Yes, that infamous Season is once again rearing its ugly head.

I am, of course, talking about Tax Season.

Today I got an e-mail stating one of my W-2s is now available online. I know that over the next three weeks we will get more tax documents in the mail.

For now I am really just collecting paperwork, but I did complete a necessary task this week: I purchased and installed our tax preparation software!

Josh Exam Update

Yesterday Dad wrote that Josh had passed all of his exams so far this week. The exams are for the U.S. Coast Guard, and Josh has been taking them since Monday.

The 7th and final exam was today, and... drum roll, please... Josh passed it, too!

Congratulations, Josh!!!!!!!

Dad 497: Progress

(Mom and Josh are featured in Dad's post today. Enjoy! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Another fine sunny day in the Northeast. Temps reached around 40°. One week down in January! Yeah!

 

When Spouse returned home from rehab a few weeks ago, she had home visits from a nurse, an occupational therapist, and a physical therapist. She seems to be doing well and was discharged by her nurse yesterday. She will be discharged by the therapists in the next two or three visits. Then we are on our own for the walking, exercises, and rehab. We will do our best.

 

Josh has passed his tests so far for his license towards becoming an engineer on a ship. Six tests done and he has one more to go tomorrow. There will be relief when the last one is in the books. Relaxing will be possible after tomorrow. Good job, Josh! You make us proud!

 

This seems like enough info for Tracy to have to copy for today. Sooo....

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Reading

I'm not sure how many of my blog readers pay attention to my Reading List links (see right-hand side of page). I keep updating the Reading List because it gives me a sense of how well I'm getting through my piles of books. By "piles" I mean both physical books and electronic books.

I recently read an article suggesting the best way to get through a lot of books is to be reading several different types at the same time. For example, a heavy-duty non-fiction book for when you can concentrate and a cozy mystery for late-night reading. (I certainly can't read a "heavy-duty" book at the end of the day!) This article didn't change my reading habits, because I already do this.

I am currently reading five books: a novel, a memoir, a book of essays, a theology book, and a book on the history of codes and ciphers. These books are in addition to my daily Bible reading and devotionals.

I will not finish all five of these books at the same time, of course. Novels tend to go quickly, as do memoirs. Theology books take a little longer. The book of essays is when I want to fit it in. The codes/ciphers book may take me years (not really, but it is quite long and "heavy-duty").

When I finish the novel, I'll find another one to begin reading. Same for the memoir, the theology book, and so on.

My encouragement to you for 2020: Read some books! 

📚🔖📖🔖📕🔖📘🔖📙🔖📗🔖📖🔖📚

Playoffs

The Patriots have bowed out of the NFL playoffs, so I am now trying to determine which team to root for of those that remain.

I had decided on the Saints (I like Drew Brees) but then they lost, too.

So we are down to:

Vikings
49ers
Seahawks
Packers

Titans
Ravens
Texans
Chiefs

Of the NFC teams (the first four listed above), I think I'd like to see the Packers win.
Of the AFC teams, I want the Ravens. I like Lamar Jackson, and I think the Ravens deserve to win after the season they had.

I guess I don't need to root for any team at all, but where is the fun in that?

Let's go, Ravens!

Lew's Logbook: Restaurant Closings

(Lew writes for the blog today. Enjoy! ~ Tracy)

We have had a rash of restaurant closings recently. First one to go was a Scarborough icon, Anjon's.

The second notice was that Cole Farms in Gray is locking its doors. Cole Farms is a landmark in southern Maine and, at one time, was probably the most popular after-church-for-lunch place around.

Lastly (for now at least) we heard that Famous Dave’s has had enough of Scarborough, Maine.

I must confess that I have contributed to the demise of these places because it has been years since I’ve been to any of them. (Never been to Anjon’s, which is by far the closest to where we live.)

The Anjon’s building already has a new occupant and will be opening January 17 under the name “Amore on the Marsh”. I’ve heard that it will be a little more affordable than Anjon’s, so I am already making plans to have dinner there. If they don’t make it I don’t want anyone blaming it on me.

I've included a picture of our cats because pictures are fun.

Marilyn and Jerry.

Scary Face

I recently have discovered the joy of at-home facial masks. The masks I use are a paper-like material, and they have holes for the eyes, mouth, and nose. (There is a little flap that sits on the nose.)

The mask stays on for about 20 minutes. I would probably read if I could, but I can't see well enough without my glasses. So instead I completely relax. It is very nice indeed and my face feels wonderful afterward.

An added "bonus" while wearing the mask: I look like I am part of a horror movie.

I worked late the last couple days, and I think a mask right now would be a nice reward. So please excuse me while I go and frighten my husband!

It's a New Year

Lew and I enjoyed watching the Rose Parade yesterday. We joked about entering a float next year — similar to how we are going to sponsor a bowl game.

The remainder of the day was spent watching college football. I also did some reading.

I thought about making some resolutions, but decided to just develop better habits. To kick-start this, I got dressed yesterday instead of staying in my PJ's all day. 

We are still wrapping up the fiscal year 2019 at work, so I put in a lengthy day today. Tomorrow should be somewhat normal schedule-wise, and then it's the weekend again!

I hope that 2020 began well for all the readers of Mainely Tracy. 😊

Dad 496: Happy 2020!

(Dad kicks off another year on the blog. Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

Derf Here! Well, we have survived the first day of 2020. And the weather has been above freezing as the snow is melting. We received officially 13 inches of snow the past two days. Tomorrow is supposed to be like today.

Check back next week for more info.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!