Finally the end of the week

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Thursday 11/29/12



Carus's first molars on the bottom on both sides are still baby teeth and were refusing to come out on their own.  The adult teeth were still trying to come out and that was causing a lot of discomfort.  So she had to have them pulled.  I had tried to downplay the pain and discomfort she would experience to keep her from getting anxious and she was surprised when the needle went in for the numbing and I feel bad.  It would have been worse if she was anxious about it as well.  They got it as numb as they could and popped those babies out quickly.  Start to finish was probably no more than 10 minutes. The poor thing cried and shook, but she didn't squirm and bravely made it through the ordeal.  Her mouth is still sore, and she is hungry because she is having problems eating, but she is doing good.

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Friday 11/30/12

Cute puggy dog.



I'm so done with this week. My butt/hip still hurts, Robert and I got in an argument the other day, I got sick yesterday (something I ate? a bug? it was Thursday?), I'm getting a cold sore, and I'm completely exhausted.

I hope next week likes me more than this one has.

X-rays

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X-ray machine x-raying my hip.



To appease Robert's insistence that I needed to go to the doctor I called the advice nurse thinking she'd agree with me - that nothing was broken and would eventually get better.  However, the advice nurse agreed with Robert; I needed to be seen. She also didn't want me putting any weight on my right leg, or driving myself.  I did both though, carefully.

A short visit and a couple x-rays later, I don't have any fractures (told you so Robert).  He said it is probably a contusion and maybe some muscle strain.

I got to look at my x-rays with the doctor. I love looking at x-rays; they are so interesting.  There was a line in my ischium that the doctor seemed a little concerned about, but since it didn't extend to the edge of the bone he didn't think it was a fracture.

I did get a prescription for pain meds, which is helping so much more than ibuprofen.

Reminder to self: When banged up that bad go get pain pills, they help.

blah

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Monday stunk and seemed to drag on forever.  All of the sudden it was bedtime and I realized I didn't have my photo yet - Good thing Leia went to bed with me.




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Last night, I went with some friends to see Breaking Dawn part 2.  I enjoyed it, like I've enjoyed the rest of the series.  No, they aren't the greatest movies, and I'm not a huge fan of Kristin Stewart, but I still enjoyed them.  I was going to get a picture at the movie theater, but forgot so you get my ticket stub.



I've been super lazy with my photos this week using my cell phone and getting last minute shots and I'm using the explanation of my butt/hip still hurts.  I woke Monday still sore, but feeling better - and that lasted for about 4 hours of my shift.  And yesterday wasn't any better.

There is still no bruising, but the swelling is getting worse.  I'm under the opinion that if I can walk, nothing is broke.  Robert doesn't agree and thinks I might have actually broke a little something and wants me to go to the doctor.  I don't know what I'll do...

End of my vacation.

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I spent the day relaxing and recuperating from falling off a horse.  For dinner I used turkey leftovers to make turkey pot pies with garlic herb crust.  They weren't favorites, but I have ideas to make them better for next time.



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The sun came out today and we worked on the yard a bit.  Robert and Adam did poo duty and raked up leaves and Carus and I pulled weeds in the garden and planted garlic.

I then worked on laundry, made cookies and canned turkey stock.  Timmy is now helping me relax by stealing my heating pad.  I'm still so very sore, but getting up and down are getting easier.

And then I fell off a horse

Robert and I ventured out on Black Friday for a little shopping around noon, well after the crazies cleared out a bit. We went after two things in particular, a good price on a gift for Adam, which we got, and half off on a fuzzy blanket from Target that I wanted, that I didn't get.

We then hung around and was being lazy when my friend called and asked if I wanted to go ride a horse - I did.  Carus and I took off for the barn with her, did a few chores and then we saddled up Starlet and I got on. I did a few laps around the arena with a lead on the horse, which we then removed so I could get a picture for my 366 and left it off.  (Geneva took the photo with my cell and I later processed it with Instagram.)



I did a few more laps without the lead.  I was just starting to pick up speed just a bit when Starlet stumbled, and then she sidestepped to correct her gait and I started to go over the side.  There was a moment when I really thought I was going to be able to stay on and then I lost it and just committed to the fall. Starlet's back is about 5 feet from the ground so I had some time for a few thoughts on my way down. First thought was, I hope this doesn't hurt as bad as I think it's going to.  Then, I noticed I had started to put my hand out to catch myself, like I usually do, and knew that would definitely break something so pulled it up and let my hip/butt/side area take the hit.

I then proceeded to scream out obscenities.  Or one obscenity. I was not eloquent.

After a few moments I was able to get up, though painfully, and calm down.  Geneva got me home, apologizing profusely and I showered and iced my side.

I am so very sore and stiff, sleeping last night was fitful, but I'm okay.  I haven't even bruised.  I don't know how I'm not black and blue because it feels bruised, as well as a few other things.

I do not blame Geneva or Starlet. Shit happens, and I'm not surprised when it happens to me because I'm a bit of a klutz.  I will get back on, just as soon as my butt/hip stops hurting like hell.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a lovely day.  Our guests were my in-laws, Barbara and Alan, Alan's parents, Dave and Eula, and grandmothers, Helen and Edna.  This has been the usual Thanksgiving crowd for the past few years.  I wish some of my family could make it, but if I have to holiday without them it's nice to have some lovely company.




Since I was busy with the food, I put the camera on auto and passed it over to Barbara and let her take photos.  I did take the family sitting down to dinner shot that I counted as my 366 and one other shot in the slideshow, but the rest where by Barbara.  Thanks dear!

Apple crisp pie

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This pie is my own invention and I'm pretty proud of it.  Though I'm now seeing them everywhere, a bunch of copycats.

Normally, I'm not a fan of pie crust. It's just too bland for me.  So one time I added a bit of sugar and cinnamon to my apple pie crust and loved it.  You could go the other way for a savory pie crust for pot pie and add some herbs or roasted garlic or garlic butter, etc and that would be good too.  I haven't messed with that one so don't have a recipe for it...yet.

Now as for the changing from a pie crust on top of this pie to the crisp topping: Once, I was making an apple pie and I didn't have enough crust for both a top AND bottom crust...and I didn't want to make another crust.  One of Robert's favorite desserts is apple crisp (which I shared recently here) so I put two and two together - crust on the bottom, apple filling, and crisp topping.  Voila!  I'm awesome.

Pie crust:

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter  (Use the real stuff, trust me.  Not shortening - butter. You want FLAVOR baby!)
1 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Just enough water to bring the dough together

1.  Take the stick of butter and rub it along the bottom and sides of the pie plate, generously. (This step isn't necessary, but I like being sure my pie crust isn't going to stick.)  Cut up rest of the stick into cubes and put in bowl.
2.  Cut the flour, sugar, and cinnamon in the bowl into the butter until pieces are about pea sized.  You can use two butter knives, a pastry cutter, or my favorite (cause it's the fastest method) a stand mixer.
3.  Slowly add water, a teaspoon or so at a time until the mixture comes together into a ball.  You don't want it too sticky.
4.  Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface or between two lightly floured sheets of wax paper.  Transfer to pie plate and smooth from center out. Flute, crimp, or otherwise finish your pie edges as you prefer.

Pie filling or Apple filling:

Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 5-7 apples fills a 9 inch pie)
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp flour
sprinkle lemon juice

Peel, core, and thinly slice Granny Smith apples. Tart apples are good. Embrace the tart. Immediately toss with lemon juice.  This will prevent browning and keep the apples looking pretty.  Mix sugar, cinnamon, and flour and sprinkle over apples and mix well.  Pour into pie crust mounding it up to the center.  They will cook down so really mound them in there.

Crisp topping:

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted.

Mix dry ingredients and pour in melted butter and mix until all incorporated and crumbly.  Sprinkle on top of pie.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until crust and crisp are golden brown.

Blue skies

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The calm after the storm and what makes all the rain easy to handle.

We had a storm come in with rain blowing sideways and wind gusts so strong poor Simba was nearly blown away when he tried to go outside. Our power flickered a few times, but it never stayed off long; there have been tree limbs and a few trees around that have fallen, but none of ours; and there is flooding in some areas, but we aren't flooding.

The clear sky didn't last long before the storm returned for a slightly weaker encore.

I heard something about the Portland metro area getting 4 inches of rain in October, and we've already out-rained that in November, but don't quote me on that. I'm sure the numbers are off somehow.  I was thinking we were going to get a cold winter with lots of snow, but now I'm thinking it's just going to be soggy.

Just as long as the sun comes out every now and then. . .

Happy birthday Robert!

Happy birthday to Robert!

Even though we didn't do anything special, I really hope you had a great day!

I wanted to take a picture with Robert, but he is being a party pooper and doesn't want to take any pictures so I took a picture of Yoda.

Sewing day

I'm still working on my mystery quilt that I started at the beginning of this year.

Actually, it seems the only time I make any progress is when I get together with Jessica and we work on our quilts together.

I finished the blocks today and have every intention of putting the top together this week while I'm off work.... and then there is sandwiching and quilting and binding... So another year of work then.

Maybe if Jessica and I can get another craft day this week I will succeed in getting a top.  If I do I'll take a picture with the camera and not my phone so you can really appreciate the colors (red, white and blue, and the dark flower fabric has brown - I didn't intend to be patriotic with my colors, it just happened).

Date night

The kids went to gramma's house for the night and Robert and I went out to lunch at Sweet Tomatoes.

Dessert on date night.  Chocolate frozen yogurt with cookie crumbles, chopped nuts and chocolate syrup.


Now we're just hanging out watching TV.  We might be boring, but I don't mind.

End of the week

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Wednesday

Walking together to the bus stop in the fog.


The fog burnt off late morning and the day was sunny and warm with just a bite of cool fall air.  As the sun was setting, the fog moved back in.  There were two banks of clouds split allowing the last streaks of sun to show between them; the lower bank just covered the houses at the bottom of the hill.



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Thursday



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Friday

Last day of work this week, and last day before my vacation, and it started out with a bang with computer issues and insurance issues and ended with being hung up on by a doctor, but I did get the insurance issues worked out well.

Then dinner.  Then Carus's dance class. And now home.



And now YAY for vacation!  Let's just ignore the fact that it will be filled with cleaning and backing and taking the kids to the dentist.  Sunday will be a sewing and crafting day with friends, so there's that.

Dogs and cats

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Yoda puggy

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Wilbur kitty

3 days and I'm on vacation for a week.  Even though the beginning of that vacation is filled with cleaning and baking, I.am.so.ready. 

Fall cleaning...

Some people do spring cleaning; apparently, I do fall cleaning.  So far I've cleaned out and organized the living room (easiest room), Robert did Adam's room, and this Saturday, I did Carus's room.

Before:


We removed her desktop computer and desk since it was for homeschooling and exchanged her small bookshelf for a larger one. We got rid of 5 grocery sacks of garbage (silly child apparently can't find a garbage can), and gave Goodwill one LARGE box and bag of toys.

We were able to create a little reading corner out of her little blue chair that she didn't use much before and hung an Ikea canopy that we got for her like a year ago but never got around to putting up for her.  I hung Command hooks (3M Command Meduim Hooks, 2/pk (Google Affiliate Ad)) on the side of her bookshelf to hang her hats from.

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Sunday was going to be for yard work, but it got all rainy and icky out so after I went to Joann's (woohoo sale!) and the grocery store I stayed inside and hung out.

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Silly Leia monkey puppy.

Thursday and Friday

Thursday rushed by and before I knew it, it was late and I was knitting and I hadn't taken a photo yet.

Thankfully I had my phone. Boom.  Day saved.



I'm still working on the same shawl I started last year.  I don't know if I'll finish it this year either. I do that - start projects and take FOREVER to finish them.  I'll get to it.  And it will be so soft when I do.

Friday was great.  The kids were off school so I got to sleep in since my commute is great. Unless I trip on the way there. Bonus, I got to wake up to a lovely foggy morning.

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Timmy really enjoyed the sun streaming in through the windows today and was rolling on the rug.

He's so shiny!

Happy Election Day!

Well maybe.  It depends if your guy wins or loses, huh?

It is silly that it has come down to basically a two party race. There are so many more candidates on the ballot, are they truly considered?

ANYHOO!

Carus's bus driver decided she wanted to get the kids to school a little earlier than she had and changed the pickup time to 10 minutes earlier (20 minutes if you count in she was never on time).  Today was the first day of the new pickup and with it I had time to take the dogs for a little walk.  It wasn't long, or fast (Yoda insists on sniffing and peeing/trying to pee on every 5 feet), but it was nice to get a little walk in.  Most of the leaves have changed and fallen so walks get to involve kicking up leaves.  Lots of pretty colorful leaves to walk through.

Two days off?

How come weekends, which are supposed to be my days off, are so filled full of work?  Cleaning, yard work, grocery shopping.... uuggghhh

Saturday was going to be a yard work day, but Robert filled the yard debris bin Friday evening mowing the lawn and trimming some tree branches so I have to wait until this weekend. Oh darn.

So, it turned into a trip to Ikea to pick up new bookshelves for the kids rooms.  The ones they had are too small.

We only got Adam's room cleaned up.  Actually, Robert did it.  I was making dinner.

This weekend we'll do Carus's.  Oh wait, I'm supposed to do yard work. Hmm, choices choices...

Adam's been storing his excess books in the drawers under his bed since he didn't have room on his bookshelf, but now they are on the new bookshelf and his clothes are in the drawers under the bed.  The new bookshelf is where the dresser and shelves on the wall (used for little trinkets, toys, and other clutter) were, and a coat hook was put up where the old bookshelf was - now his backpack and coat don't have to be tossed on the floor.
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Sunday I did my grocery shopping and then some cooking ahead for the week.  I set out to make 2 lasagnas, one for dinner this week and one for the freezer, and ended up with 3 lasagnas.  Score!  I also made 2 potato romanoffs (with bacon and garlic added), one for dinner this week and one for the freezer.

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Today was back to work work and I'm ready for my vacation in two weeks and a nice little cat nap in front of a sunny window.
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Piano practice

Oregon is a dirty turd.  I was told it was going to be sunny today, and tomorrow, but noooo it's raining and will probably raining tomorrow (I still have hope). I have yard work to do and don't want to do it in the rain!

Maybe I'll work on cleaning out and re-organizing the kitchen.  Wait, I think I'll forget I said that.

Carus teaching herself to play Fur Elise on the piano, because it's my favorite.

And then it was November

We have less than 60 days left this year.  Today was day 307.

It was also nice today.  We are supposed to have sun this weekend, and that means YARD WORK!

Ew.

Besides bushes and shrubs that need trimming, leaves that need raked up, and a garden that needs winterizing and garlic planted, the back yard has a lot of mushrooms and the tree that produces berries (I think it is a Rowan tree) have dropped half its berries they smell like they've fermented.