Daughter's Birth day

Today is my daughter's birth day.  I won't tell you how many years 'cause that doesn't really mean anything except it's another year she's made it through life.  It hasn't been and isn't now easy for her.  She has strength, though.  She's tougher that she thinks she is.  We're going to our favorite Thai restaurant.  I'd love to have some spring rolls but, unfortunately, they've taken to using cilantro in them and that makes them taste like soap.  Soooo, chicken coconut soup (no mushrooms) with a side of rice and a cucumber salad will do it for me.  Daughter can have whatever pleases her.  Afterward we're going to JoAnn's to see if there's anything we can't live without.  I received a gift card at Yule so I may buy some thread.  I can always use thread for my embroidery.  I may see if she'd mind doing a slight detour on the way home.  I want to see if the orthopedist's office is where it was the last time I was there some years ago.  I have to go get my wrist checked out.  Seems the tendon is irritated with me.  Really irritated!  The original source is probably stress (beginning in the neck) and the constant knitting just made it worse.  Not knitting now.
Y'all have a stress-free day think SPRING.

It's white out there

It's snowing...again.  This time it's a very fine dense snow, that can't decide which direction it wants to come from.  There's a dusting of it all the way to my front door which means the wind must have kicked up during the night.  My whole porch is covered including the seat of the bench swing!  At the moment I still have power but if the snow turns to freezing rain that could change.  Luckily I have wood on the porch, with a coat of snow, so I can at least have a fire in the fireplace and, if necessary, in the wood stove in the basement.  Wouldn't be the first time.  I also have a bit of dry wood on the back porch.
I don't plan on going anywhere but started the van just in case (wanted to make sure it would start).  Sooo glad I had remote start installed.  Didn't go anywhere yesterday either.  Did get some sorting and such done both in the den and basement.  It's slow going but I plan on doing a little every day.
This weather is crazy.  Last week it was fairly mild.  Sunday it's supposed to be in the high 50's or more.  At least I made it down to the pond before this craziness.  I know I'll have to go down again when it warms up a bit. 
Saturday is my daughter's birthday and I'm going to take her out to lunch.  There's a Thai restaurant we both really like and that's where she wants to go.  Sunday I'll be helping her move someone's stuff.  Luckily she has a friend who will watch the kids while we're busy.
Guess I'd better get a move on.  Don't have anything concrete planned.  Guess I'll just putter about, maybe get some more sorting, throwing away done.
Y'all have a peaceful day.

Retreat

I'm going on a quilt retreat this next week.  Am hoping to get a few projects finished.  It'll be nice to be with friends with no worries about cooking or cleaning or laundry, etc.  Just sewing which I should be able to do with this stupid bad wrist I seem to have all of a sudden.  Hope it isn't the same problem I had with the left one.  I really don't want to have to go through surgery, especially since I'm right-handed.  I know what caused it and have quit knitting for the time being.  When I get home from retreat I'll be making an appointment with the doctor who took care of the left one.  Daughter and a friend are coming to take care of the cats.  Because daughter will be bringing the young 'uns the cats will most likely go into hiding.  Granddaughter likes to chase.  She means well, she just wants to pet them.
The snow is gone.  Temperatures are supposed to be much warmer these next few days and the rain comes in on Monday.  Great.  that's the day I drive to NC for the retreat.  Am picking up another guild member on the way and hope that we don't get too wet loading the van with her things.  I plan on getting everything I can into the van tomorrow.
Guess I'd better get a move on.  Cleaning won't get done by itself, darn it.  Y'all have a pleasant day and remember.....today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.  

I know that those "Up North" are probably laughing their collective butts off at our "Snowpocalypse" panic but they should understand something......we aren't used to this stuff!  I stay home 'cause I know how the roads are and how most people don't know how to drive in the stuff.  And now we have ice.  Whoopee!  I do have to get out today and so does my houseguest.  We'll wait until the sun is over the yardarm and some of the ice has melted.  Then I will tiptoe to the highway to get my van serviced then on to the grocery store to get.....no bread, no milk.....toilet paper, cat treats, cat litter.  Maybe some groceries. 
Y'all have an interesting day.

Costa Rica

I got back from  my tour of Costa Rica a few days ago and am slowly getting back into the swing of things here.  At least I am no longer sick like I was before I left.  As for the trip?  Well, there were parts I enjoyed and parts that weren't so enjoyable.  Don't get me wrong, the country is beautiful...at least most of what we saw was.  The problem was all that time spent riding on the bus.  I still have ankle and feet slightly swollen from it.  Much better than they were.  That and, perhaps, the sunburn they got after sitting in the shade for an hour.  The sun is VERY powerful down there.  The original itinerary I signed up for last year is not the one we had due to criminal problems in one of the original areas.  I don't know that I would do the same tour again. As for the food....it was good enough.  I really enjoyed the fresh fruit.  For the most part I skipped the rice and beans....which are served at every meal.  There were a few things that were never explained such as when we arrived we weren't informed we were in the central time zone.  Also, in most public places, including some hotels, people are requested to put the toilet paper in the waste container instead of the toilet.  I know why, but first time travelers wouldn't.  Then there's the hot is cold and cold is hot. Took us a while to figure that one out.  But only in the showers.  We did have a very nice young, enthusiastic tour guide who tried her best to make the disappointments palatable.  I think if I ever go back I'll go to the Pacific coast.  It was warmer, sunnier, and less windy than the Caribbean coast.  All in all though, I'm glad I made the trip.

Away, away

I'm away to warmer climes today.  It's gray and gloomy here so sunshine and warmth will be most welcome.  Not knowing about internet access wherever I'll be each day I probably won't be getting in touch.  Hopefully those of you who are where it's going to be coldest are prepared for staying warm.  Stay healthy.....

A little better.....

...but I still need that lung!   The cough just won't go away!  Although it doesn't happen as often it still makes me think I'm going to cough something up.  Actually I wish I would.  Almost feels like a hairball down there.  I've been up longer today than the last week, I think.  Food actually sounds good.  I am bound and determined to be okay by Sunday.  Why?  Because I'm going on vacation.  To someplace warm...where the sun shines.  I'm looking forward to seeing new places.  Now all I have to do is pack and hope I don't forget anything.  Not taking much...just my onboard suitcase and a fanny pack.  Might take some knitting for the long day trips.  I'll have reading material, of course.  Luckily I have someone who will come and check on Cleo every day.  PB goes to the vet for spaying and will board there while I'm gone.  Let them make sure she's okay post-op.  And they're better at dealing with a cat with that cone thing on it's neck.  I'll take a couple of toys and food just so she won't feel totally abandoned. 
Looks like a snow sky out there.  Doesn't matter, I was here first and am not afraid of a few flakes.  Snow flakes, that is.
I don't know what this year will bring but my hope for everyone is that this year is much better than last.  Blessed be.