Sunday, May 10, 2015
Friday, March 13, 2015
Bread Crumbs
The monthly book club meeting was yesterday. I enjoyed the book and will find another book by this author. The consensus at the book club was half liked and half didn't.
This month's pick was Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen. Her upbeat approach to life is catchy. Before I got the book I was wondering how the bread crumbs thing could be in the book. When I discovered it about a third way into the story, it made sense and from then on I was 100% involved in the story.
The book won't be a keeper, on my book shelf with my special books, but it is a book I wouldn't have found without the leading of the book club.
Gads, how many time is the word "book" in that last sentence? I could probably find another place to put the word. Ha.
This month's pick was Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen. Her upbeat approach to life is catchy. Before I got the book I was wondering how the bread crumbs thing could be in the book. When I discovered it about a third way into the story, it made sense and from then on I was 100% involved in the story.
The book won't be a keeper, on my book shelf with my special books, but it is a book I wouldn't have found without the leading of the book club.
Gads, how many time is the word "book" in that last sentence? I could probably find another place to put the word. Ha.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Booked Travel
Expedia is my best bet when booking travel. Sometimes I am not the one booking the travel, my kids book it for me. But I like the challenge even if it runs close to the frustration line. I am fortunate to have a peaceful life; no job to juggle, no ongoing problems, cozy and safe little home, calm pet (Lola the cat), nice friends in person and online.
It took awhile to decide on timing and then check out different venues for travel, but yesterday I booked flight and then decided to stay in a downtown hotel for two days before heading out. After finding hotel I found best price on AARP travel site and was unable to book it on that site, so called the 800 number on the site and ended up talking with a rep with Expedia. I told her the price I was looking at online for the hotel I want to stay and she helped me book it as well as going above and beyond in helping me with an online request for a refund on the difference between the site I was on and what it was going to cost, about $25. And an added bonus is a certificate to use on any travel or hotel booked with Expedia during the next year. The online certificate is for $50. I enjoy being treated to nice surprises, and this is one of them. My Expedia rep deserves a gold star for her professionalism and pleasant responses, and we even laughed here and there during our phone discussion. Three cheers to Expedia.com!
More about this trip soon.
It took awhile to decide on timing and then check out different venues for travel, but yesterday I booked flight and then decided to stay in a downtown hotel for two days before heading out. After finding hotel I found best price on AARP travel site and was unable to book it on that site, so called the 800 number on the site and ended up talking with a rep with Expedia. I told her the price I was looking at online for the hotel I want to stay and she helped me book it as well as going above and beyond in helping me with an online request for a refund on the difference between the site I was on and what it was going to cost, about $25. And an added bonus is a certificate to use on any travel or hotel booked with Expedia during the next year. The online certificate is for $50. I enjoy being treated to nice surprises, and this is one of them. My Expedia rep deserves a gold star for her professionalism and pleasant responses, and we even laughed here and there during our phone discussion. Three cheers to Expedia.com!
More about this trip soon.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Energizing And Freeing
Watch this video to the end, then lift your arms up high and let it go, then let me know how you feel.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Who Says
Who says "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"? I am getting close to the "old" mark, but I just proved I am teachable.
I tried a canned soup that makes me a believer of canned soup again. I have been making my own soups from scratch for years, and I really like my home cooked soups, mostly because I know for sure nothing goes into them that I am allergic to. But I will make sure I have a cupboard full of Wolfgang Puck organic soups from now on, at least the ones that are gluten free. Some of the organic soups are not gluten free like the chicken noodle soup, the noodles are not gluten free.
The five Wolfgang Puck brand gluten free soups I have found so far are:
Free Range Chicken With Wild Rice
Signature Tortilla
Tomato Basil Bisque
Hearty Lentil Vegetable
Black Bean
The first soup of his brand I tried was Free Range Chicken with White and Wild Rice. It is very good. Best of all, it is gluten free. Even the soups that are on the market that are gluten free now have not been very good. But his soups are awesome. So glad I discovered them. No adding water to dilute flavor; heat and eat.
Just thought I would share this info with my buddies. I will sometimes add some onion or some of my fresh herbs, but I would be happy to invite my gal pals over to share some soup with me and see if they can tell it is from a can! As an added note, not all his soups that are organic are certified gluten free, so those of us who have to eat gluten free, continue to read the labels carefully.
Busy days, winter or summer, you will be glad you have this soup ready to heat. I used some gluten free Crunchmaster crackers with mine. You could have Doritos or crackers and cheese or even open face cheese on bagels with yours.
No, this is not a commercial. Ha.
You're welcome.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
The Debate Is Still On
This article was forwarded to me this week. My friends see something about gluten and send it to me in case it is something that would be helpful. It does not matter to me where the information is found, I am open to reading from any forum.
I am willing to read just about anything, am interested in something healthy that works for me. It was during the years that I was raising my children that my health was at its worst. The pain in my intestines; the diarrhea and accidents; telling my kids we would do something and then I was curled up on the bed in pain and unable to keep my promise; being told to eat healthy meant whole wheat, so I would fill up on whole wheat bread, cereal, eat less meat, thinking I was doing the best thing. Yikes.
It could be that longer rising time could take away some of the potency of gluten, as indicated in the article; however, I thoroughly believe that today's flour is still MODIFIED from what it was when I was a kid. I did not care for the writer's tone in this article, using words to demean and sneak in some things to tell gluten free folks they just don't know what they are doing. People like this author don't have much to say to someone like me. If this person were someone like me who has found a way to feel better and all it means is stay completely away from wheat, barley, and rye, yet this author then does the experiment that would maybe have some merit. But any of us gluten free healthy people are not going to listen to just anyone with an opinion who are not themselves forced to be gluten free because of their problems. They are all entitled to their opinion, but why try to force feed that opinion on others? I say to them, thanks for sharing, but no thanks.
I am willing to read just about anything, am interested in something healthy that works for me. It was during the years that I was raising my children that my health was at its worst. The pain in my intestines; the diarrhea and accidents; telling my kids we would do something and then I was curled up on the bed in pain and unable to keep my promise; being told to eat healthy meant whole wheat, so I would fill up on whole wheat bread, cereal, eat less meat, thinking I was doing the best thing. Yikes.
It could be that longer rising time could take away some of the potency of gluten, as indicated in the article; however, I thoroughly believe that today's flour is still MODIFIED from what it was when I was a kid. I did not care for the writer's tone in this article, using words to demean and sneak in some things to tell gluten free folks they just don't know what they are doing. People like this author don't have much to say to someone like me. If this person were someone like me who has found a way to feel better and all it means is stay completely away from wheat, barley, and rye, yet this author then does the experiment that would maybe have some merit. But any of us gluten free healthy people are not going to listen to just anyone with an opinion who are not themselves forced to be gluten free because of their problems. They are all entitled to their opinion, but why try to force feed that opinion on others? I say to them, thanks for sharing, but no thanks.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Little Squirrels In Russia
Voronezh, Russia
Picture: Vadim Trunov/Solent
Found on blog All Creatures Great And Small
Isn't this a great picture?
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Happy Valentine's Day
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
One Of My All Time Favorites
While passing time with flu symptoms recently, I stumbled upon a book that has been relegated to my Faves. I have a section in my bookcase of books that I will never give away because I re-read them about once a year. They are my Treasured Book Friends.
Spending time listening to oh so many samples of audiobooks on my Kindle Fire was easier than trying to read, as my eyes were hurting as well as a major headache along with aches and pains "everywhere, including even my fingernails" as I told my friends. I forbade all to come see me; I did not want to pass the flu bug along to anyone. So I was determined to entertain myself as best I could.
I bought a few audiobooks but they did not hold my interest. Until I listened to "A Prayer For Owen Meany" by John Irving. I had not been a fan of Irving's, did not care for "The World According To Garp", nor "Cider House Rules", even though many of my friends were recommending those books.
I did read them long ago but did not like them. For me, "A prayer For Owen Meany" held my attention with political and spiritual and many good surprises, not to mention the truly excellent style of writing. NOW I am a fan.
Now I am willing and even excited to read the rest of his works. I stopped at the library this week to pick up another book by John Irving: "Until I Find You".
I have ordered six copies of "A Prayer For Owen Meany" and had them sent to six of my family and three friends so far. And encouraged several others to do the audio thing on their Kindles like I did.
Let me know if you are familiar with this book and/or this author.
Spending time listening to oh so many samples of audiobooks on my Kindle Fire was easier than trying to read, as my eyes were hurting as well as a major headache along with aches and pains "everywhere, including even my fingernails" as I told my friends. I forbade all to come see me; I did not want to pass the flu bug along to anyone. So I was determined to entertain myself as best I could.
I bought a few audiobooks but they did not hold my interest. Until I listened to "A Prayer For Owen Meany" by John Irving. I had not been a fan of Irving's, did not care for "The World According To Garp", nor "Cider House Rules", even though many of my friends were recommending those books.
I did read them long ago but did not like them. For me, "A prayer For Owen Meany" held my attention with political and spiritual and many good surprises, not to mention the truly excellent style of writing. NOW I am a fan.
Now I am willing and even excited to read the rest of his works. I stopped at the library this week to pick up another book by John Irving: "Until I Find You".
I have ordered six copies of "A Prayer For Owen Meany" and had them sent to six of my family and three friends so far. And encouraged several others to do the audio thing on their Kindles like I did.
Let me know if you are familiar with this book and/or this author.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Happy Birthday To Me
Today is my birthday. My kids have made sure I have plenty of presents (me? Spoiled?) and my friends around here are full of good wishes and fun surprises. Next year is a special birthday, so at least two of my kids are saying they want to be here with me in person way out here in Nebraskaland!
I share my good times with you, and hope wonderful things come your way as well.
Yes, I know today is Ground Hog Day, but which is more important, Ground Hog Day or MY BIRTHDAY?
Hmmmmm. No contest!!!
Happy Birthday To Me.
I share my good times with you, and hope wonderful things come your way as well.
Yes, I know today is Ground Hog Day, but which is more important, Ground Hog Day or MY BIRTHDAY?
Hmmmmm. No contest!!!
Happy Birthday To Me.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
2015
This is shaping up to be a year of adventure and blessings. When I returned from Arizona mid-January, I brought something unwanted with me: the flu. For two weeks I stayed home, the first week feeling like I had been run over by a truck, and the second week trying to get some strength back as well as feeling it necessary to refrain from sharing my nasty germs with anyone.
As I began to feel better, I took the opportunity to begin planning the next trip. Mid April I will fly to CA to the area I grew up. Back then the orange groves dominated and I loved them. Not so many orange groves there now, it is a big busy bustling city. My friend Shirley will pick me up at the airport and most of the time for the next three weeks I will be staying with her and her husband. We will be cooking and baking in preparation for their 50th wedding anniversary celebration as well as a family reunion, which is the main reason for this trip. I was honored to be the matron of honor at their wedding. Shirley and I have been close friends since before eighth grade, back when we girls would experiment with false fingernails and then wear white gloves to church! Some of the time I will be with my first born, my daughter who lives about an hour from Shirley, and my two grandkids there as well. I am looking forward to having some time with them!
Then my son will fly me to HI to spend three weeks with him and my sweet daughter-in-law. We enjoy each others company immensely so the three weeks will fly by and then I will come home. There are things to be accomplished here at the little white house, so I will spend the summer overseeing several projects. More about that later.
As I began to feel better, I took the opportunity to begin planning the next trip. Mid April I will fly to CA to the area I grew up. Back then the orange groves dominated and I loved them. Not so many orange groves there now, it is a big busy bustling city. My friend Shirley will pick me up at the airport and most of the time for the next three weeks I will be staying with her and her husband. We will be cooking and baking in preparation for their 50th wedding anniversary celebration as well as a family reunion, which is the main reason for this trip. I was honored to be the matron of honor at their wedding. Shirley and I have been close friends since before eighth grade, back when we girls would experiment with false fingernails and then wear white gloves to church! Some of the time I will be with my first born, my daughter who lives about an hour from Shirley, and my two grandkids there as well. I am looking forward to having some time with them!
Then my son will fly me to HI to spend three weeks with him and my sweet daughter-in-law. We enjoy each others company immensely so the three weeks will fly by and then I will come home. There are things to be accomplished here at the little white house, so I will spend the summer overseeing several projects. More about that later.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Ready For A New Year
This New Year's Eve I am with one of my daughters, helping her and her hubby celebrate their wedding anniversary. Both their grown kids are at the party too. What a grand time.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Traveling, Still
When I moved to this little town, I felt my traveling days were behind me. That's what I get for thinking. Not only is my suitcase being used more in the past two years, traveling is now going to be a regular part of my senior life.
My grown kids each are buying airline tickets for me to visit them. They and I live in four different states. I agree it is easier and less costly for one person to travel, so they voted to dub me the traveler, and I accepted the invitations.
Last January I was with my son and daughter-in-law in Hawaii; this January I will be in Arizona with my daughter and her family. Hawaii will be in March. California in May, with more plans being discussed already for summer and fall. Thankfully, I am in good health and a light packer. After all, I am the one who has to lift the bag over my head on the plane. Did I mention I am not very tall?
Last year I also spent time in Wisconsin with my aunt, who is my godmother. Of course I will see her this year as well. And some side trips to see dear friends and other family members. Instead of storing the suitcase in the garage, I may as well keep it in my closet, handy and ready for more adventures.
My grown kids each are buying airline tickets for me to visit them. They and I live in four different states. I agree it is easier and less costly for one person to travel, so they voted to dub me the traveler, and I accepted the invitations.
Last January I was with my son and daughter-in-law in Hawaii; this January I will be in Arizona with my daughter and her family. Hawaii will be in March. California in May, with more plans being discussed already for summer and fall. Thankfully, I am in good health and a light packer. After all, I am the one who has to lift the bag over my head on the plane. Did I mention I am not very tall?
Last year I also spent time in Wisconsin with my aunt, who is my godmother. Of course I will see her this year as well. And some side trips to see dear friends and other family members. Instead of storing the suitcase in the garage, I may as well keep it in my closet, handy and ready for more adventures.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas
But, if she could reach the top of a Christmas tree, she would indeed be showing this exact personality. She is calm, even regal, and she is my companion. Someone to welcome me when I come home and she sort of "answers" me when I talk to her. Yes, I have become one of the senior citizens who talks to their pet. And, I don't mind what anyone thinks about that either.
Gads!
Merry Christmas to all my blogging buddies. If you don't celebrate Christmas, then I wish you a wonderful holiday season. May we have peace in our hearts, joy in our speech, and appreciation of the kindnesses from others as we share happiness with people we encounter in this busy holiday. We never know which person is crying on the inside while attempting to hide unhappiness. I hope we all are able to bring a little joy into someone's life without spending money and without expecting something in return. Just because we can.
Love to you all.
CiCi
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Dear Santa
Dear Santa,
When I was a little girl,
I wrote to you every year.
It didn't seem to matter
If you were far or near.
You missed my house
But the fault was not yours.
Trying to find us each year
kept you knocking on doors.
We moved to new places
Practically every year.
My brother and I holding
back sadness and tears.
It was such a relief to learn
you are not even real.
Why were we taught to
make you such a big deal.
Bah Humbug. Ha.
When I was a little girl,
I wrote to you every year.
It didn't seem to matter
If you were far or near.
You missed my house
But the fault was not yours.
Trying to find us each year
kept you knocking on doors.
We moved to new places
Practically every year.
My brother and I holding
back sadness and tears.
It was such a relief to learn
you are not even real.
Why were we taught to
make you such a big deal.
Bah Humbug. Ha.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Round Robin
For as long as I can remember, there has been a Round Robin letter. My mother and her ten siblings stayed in touch via the Round Robin, and as some of us cousins got old enough we would add letters occasionally as well.
There were 79 of us first cousins but over the years we lost some, so now there are only 67 of us. Two cousins passed away a couple months ago after suffering horrible pain due to cancer.
While I was at my aunt's in Wisconsin in May, she showed me the Round Robin that had arrived that week, and asked if I would care to write a note to add before she sent it in the mail, so I did. Then she asked if I would like to be added to the list receiving the packet in the mail, so now I am part of the Round Robin family letter writers again.
The packet arrived here this week, so my goal is to read all the letters and write one of my own after I remove my last letter I wrote in May, and send the packet on to my uncle. I had forgotten how fun it is to see pictures and read events from aunts and uncles and cousins. And I am part of this! Amazing.
There were 79 of us first cousins but over the years we lost some, so now there are only 67 of us. Two cousins passed away a couple months ago after suffering horrible pain due to cancer.
While I was at my aunt's in Wisconsin in May, she showed me the Round Robin that had arrived that week, and asked if I would care to write a note to add before she sent it in the mail, so I did. Then she asked if I would like to be added to the list receiving the packet in the mail, so now I am part of the Round Robin family letter writers again.
The packet arrived here this week, so my goal is to read all the letters and write one of my own after I remove my last letter I wrote in May, and send the packet on to my uncle. I had forgotten how fun it is to see pictures and read events from aunts and uncles and cousins. And I am part of this! Amazing.
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