Monday? Already?

Posted on Monday, February 10, 2025 by Paul

T-4 and counting!

I woke up and thought to myself:  I’m a light eater. As soon as the light goes on, I start eating.

Jon and Sarah will be here on Wednesday afternoon!  They are flying in from New Hampshire, where it was a low of 20 degrees and a high of 33 degrees.   Something about a Brass Monkey comes to mind!

Jon and Grandpa at Disneyland, March 2015!

We had our morning coffee and sat at the dining room table for quite a while, discussing the rest of the week. We decided what to wear on formal nights, so that hurdle has been overcome. I hope my red sequin dinner jacket is not too much for the ship!

We got the memo, wear red!

Robin will take us to the port using the van, so all we have to do is trade the van for The Silver Fox with Joe.  That should be easy!

I have been thinking about what to make for Mary today. I have decided it’s hard to diet when your favorite exercise is chewing.

When I arrived at the gym, Jon called to discuss the upcoming trip.  They are excited about it, and so are we!

We packed today and should be ready by Wednesday morning before the cleaning crew arrives!

Mid-afternoon, I headed to the garden because I was getting cabin Fever. I pulled up a lot of oldies and moved the straw mulch to the back of the bed! Everything I pulled went onto the cement walkway, and my great landscaper removed everything!

Getting the beds ready!

There was a sound, and sure enough, the “Inspector General” made her way to the garden! She reviewed her checklist, and I got a B-grade, so I have more work to do!

The Inspector General shows up!

The peas look super so that they will be picked and shelled tomorrow for lunch and/or dinner.

We got peas!

It was dinner time, and I wanted to surprise Mary, so I prepared a baked potato and a mess of oven baked drumsticks.  I had never done those before, so I found a recipe that said, “SIMPLE”.  It was indeed.  Forty-five minutes later, we were awash with great chicken!  I added some peach haves, and we were off to the races.

Never did I think it would be so easy!

We went to Jeff’s for the first time in almost a week, as Mary felt she needed to walk. We had a glass of wine and shared stories.

Returning home, Mary continued packing, and I worked on all the necessary electronics for the trip.  The incoming messages had to be looked at and I AM A GRAND-UNCLE again!  Baby Owen has arrived.  Good job Hannah!

As I always tell the nieces, “He looks just like me!”

We finally crashed at 10:00 pm, and of course, at 10:10 pm, as soon as my eyes shut and I was warm, our trusty guard dog began to whimper.  I am seriously thinking about getting him a whimper-ectomy at the vet!

We want to say Happy Anniversary to our dear friends, Bob and Donna.  They are on their 46th year together and Mary and I hope to eventually catch up with them!

Dining at Vaca near Segerstrom Theater.

 

 

 

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Five Days And We Are Off!

Posted on Sunday, February 9, 2025 by Paul

What a beautiful day in the neighborhood!  The sun is bright, and the birds are flying backwards to see where they have been.

We just vegetated all day, and I left the house for 15 minutes to go by CVS and pick up some meds.  We did NOT watch the Super Bowl as it has too many negatives that we did not want to see.

I made a bean-cheese-Swiss chard burrito from scratch for the Misses, and she suggested stuffed bell peppers from the freezer; we had a great dinner!  However, I have to watch my own cooking, as I have gained two and a half pounds.

I have a condition that prevents me from going on a diet… It’s called “I’m hungry.”

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Saturday Has Dared Raise Its Head Again!

Posted on Saturday, February 8, 2025 by Paul

It’s a BIG week ahead!

It was a neck and neck race, but I beat the roosters.  As I began to crow, the neighbors threw a shoe at me over the fence.  How lucky! Today’s shoe matches the one they threw last week; now I have a matching pair!

In the morning, we just rested and thought about packing for the trip!  The suitcases may even come down from the loft if all goes well!

We called Marsha Brander, and she did receive her chocolates and was pleased with the gift!  Marsha and her late husband Leon have been our friends for twenty years and with his passing, her kids moved her into a home out in the high desert which is not close to any of her friends!  We miss her and go out every time we get a chance.

MArsha and Leon at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge circa 2010.

Mary worked in her bedroom organizing her jewelry and found my 35 & 40-year pins from Rockwell!  She also found some other goodies, including Sue’s rings; we plan to give them to Diane as they may be her mother’s wedding rings.

Mid-afternoon, I brewed up a pot of tea and whipped up some apple/puffed pastry treats!  The video is three minutes long and easy to do!

The results were fantastic; Mary and I finished off four of them!  Surprisingly, they were NOT overly sweet; I used Granny Smith apples, which may have subdued the powdered sugar.

My rendition is not nearly as neat as the video’s, but the bottom line is the same—yummy!!

We kept busy all afternoon, but at 6:00 pm, I headed to the kitchen and made chili size!

From 1913-1958, there used to be a 24-hour chili parlor called “Ptomaine Tommy’s” in Los Angeles. It was the largest and best known chili parlor in town. Ptomaine Tommy served straight chili and a Southwestern variation, a hamburger smothered with chili. He had two ladles, a large and a small. When a customer ordered straight chili, he got out the large ladle. When he wanted the other, he usually said “Hamburger size.” So Ptomaine Tommy put up one sign that read HAMBURGER SIZE 15¢, and another that read CHILI SIZE 20¢. Other chili joints followed suit and before long chili was known throughout Los Angeles as “size”. They’d say, “Just gimme a bowl of size.”

Since Tommy created perhaps the very first chili burger, other restaurants began copying it. They thought the new item was called a CHILI SIZE. So, that’s why, today, you might find a chili size on a diner menu that consists of a burger patty topped with chili, cheese, and onions.

We crashed at 9:00 pm.

Oh oh!

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Where Did The Week Go?

Posted on Friday, February 7, 2025 by Paul

At our age we stomp through the rain; running is too dangerous!

At 7:30 am we peeked out the bedroom window and it was WET.  A very light rain had fallen since around 3:30 am when Scout was last seen inside the house.

This morning, we had an appointment to get our hair cut, so I watched the news while Mary took her shower. OMG, I cannot believe the Dummocrats are acting like absolute flaming idiots. Their leadership is jumping up and down with silly signs supporting precisely what the American public voted for: eliminating waste! It’s funny to watch them self-destruct!

The headlines this morning: “The State of California and its public school athletics association has indicated it will not fall in line with President Donald Trump’s latest executive order to keep trans athletes out of girls’ and women’s sports.   How wonderful for California to continue ruining girls’ sports with these ridiculous policies; OMG!

We drove to Huntington Beach to get our hair done, because nothing screams “I’m ready for an adventure” like making sure our hair looks fabulous for the upcoming trip! I mean, who knows? We could get caught in a sudden photoshoot with a seagull, and I can’t be out there with hair that looks like it just survived a tornado!

From there, we went directly home, and Mary rested. Mid-afternoon, I fixed some Jasmin rice and put a couple of beef stew scoops on the rice bed. I added a small bowl of peach halves, and we had a late lunch or early dinner!

Robin came over after work, and we spent a couple of hours visiting. Plus, we called Colleen and checked in with her.

After visiting Robin, Mary rested and watched TV, and I worked in the office getting ready for Jon and Sarah!  We crashed around 9:30 pm.

 

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Off To The Elks After A Little Cancer Surgery

Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2025 by Paul

Alexa went off as planned at 6:00 am!  My eyes opened, and I could not figure out why Alexa was going crazy. Then, it dawned on me. I have an 8:00 am surgery in Long Beach!  Yep, more cancer to be removed but on the bright side, I will be 1.1 oz lighter afterwards!

When I backed out of the garage, I realized the weatherman was correct. It was going to be a wet day. It was not raining hard, but just enough to slow the freeways and make the drivers crazy.

It was almost 8:45 am, and I had no coffee yet, which meant I needed my fix.  The Silver Fox knew what to do…he drove down Lakewood Blvd and whipped into a McDonalds.  My order was easy, a Breakfast Mac and a hot coffee.  The Mac disappeared in three bites, and the coffee went to the doctor’s office with me (it was too hot to drink at McDonalds.

When I entered the operating room, it was like an old home week; everybody knew exactly what to do! The doctor sliced and diced and sent his results to the lab. About 45 minutes later, he returned with the news—he had gotten it all!

He should have used a zipper.  I no longer need a mask at Halloween!  I just go to the surgeon a week ahead of time!

After sewing it up, I got my bandage; I wanted a Sponge Bob Square Pants bandage.

Note to self: Bring a supply to the doctor next time you come!

I settled for a regular bandage and some gauze.   The Doc said it might swell up a bit, so I reminded him that was OK because I can tell everybody that Mary hit me!  Dr. Glassberg is A#1; he is funny, always on time, and does a good job at attempting to make me beautiful.  OK, A#2 on making me pretty, that is an impossible task!

All patched up and ready to go!

When I returned home, Mary was preparing to go to the Elks.  At 11:15, we were off and running again, this time to the Elks for Girls Night Out!

We checked on his nibs, Scout the Wonder Dog, when we departed.  He was resting after a hard morning keeping the elephants out of the garden! He was sawing logs; I think they were redwoods because he didn’t even wake up!

The baby sleeps all day these days!

We held the Starlighter’s Board meeting at the Elks since all the board members are Elks!  We are now organized for the next several months! George joined us today and we are so happy to see that he is up and around on week after his aortic valve repair operation.  They have him a no money back guarantee for another ten years or 100,000 dance steps, whatever comes first!

The aortic valve is a crucial part of the heart’s circulatory system, responsible for regulating blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. It acts as a one-way door, ensuring that blood moves in the correct direction.  He had his repaired without surgery using minimally invasive procedures like balloon valvuloplasty or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Great fun at the Elks plus we held the Starlighters Board Meeting!

The scar should not show where Mary hit me with the broom after the swelling went down.  Mary will remove the stitches on the 13th, right before dinner!

Just us!

When we returned home, Mary worked in her closet, and I continued attempting to figure out what was happening with the door lock! We called a door specialist, and if I cannot figure it out by then, he will come on Friday!

Slightly out of whack!

We hit the hay around 10:00 pm after Mary binge-watched “The Vikings” all day.  I could not watch it for very long as it was gory and people were constantly using their swords to kill other people.  The events take place in English around 850 A.D. Since Mary has been watching this for so long, I a) hide the knives before I go to bed and b) put on my latest chain mail jammies, which cover me from head to toe!!

Chain mail (also known as chain mail, mail, or maille) is a type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh. It was common military use in Europe between the 3rd century BC and the 16th century AD, and it continued to be used in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East as late as the 17th century. A coat of this armour is often called a hauberk or sometimes a byrnie.

Good night, all!

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Jim! Oh Jim!! Oh, Gym…. Phooey!

Posted on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 by Paul

My internal clock went off at 6:00 am, and today was the first day I had to wake up the dog and take him outside!  Dad 1; Scout 0!

I got out of bed carefully so her nibs could continue her recovery.  Today, I had to face the gym alone.  Before today, I knew my trusty sidekick was within a few feet of me should I need help, like getting untangled from the exercise machine. But today was different; I went alone.

Right before I departed, Mary pinned a note on my gym outfit.  It was an envelope with instructions, “In Case Of Emergency.”   I was curious, so on the way to the gym, I opened the envelope, and there was a list of items, including:

  1. The names and phone numbers of all my various doctors (at least ten of them, but why the dentist?)
  2. My current list of prescriptions.
  3. Name and phone numbers of people to notify in case of???  It had 32 names on it, mostly bill collectors and my bookie!
  4. A list of my favorite meals.
  5. Instructions on how to make a gin martini.
  6. A list of my phobias including:
    1. Ergophobia – A fear of or aversion to work.
    2. Taphephobia – The fear of being interred alive.
    3. Anatidaephobia – the irrational fear that somewhere, a duck or goose is watching you
    4. Arachibutyrophobia – Fear of peanut butter.
    5. Chronomentrophobia – Fear of clocks
  7. Address and directions to the nearest looney bin

Undaunted, I made it to the gym and submitted myself to great humiliation by having to ride the stationary bike for two miles.  The last one and 9/10th mile was tough!

After the gym, I headed to the market where I am known as the “Gasping Grocer” because I go there right after Anthony squeezes the last breath out of my poor little body!

We did our Wednesday thing; cleaning the house before the house cleaners show up!

Mary worked in her closet for several houra and fill a large box with items that are no longer needed!  She now had room to add new things!

At 6:00 pm I headed for the kitchen and made dinner!  Thank you YOUTUBE for helping me with dinner!

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Going It Alone!

Posted on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 by Paul

Ain’t it the truth!!

Today I am off to the gym by myself, all alone!  A let Mary continue her resting activities meaning she will continue to watch “The Vikings”

Summary: Viking Ragnar Lothbrok is a young farmer and family man who is frustrated by the policies of Earl Haraldson, his local chieftain who sends his Viking raiders east to the Baltic states and Russia, whose residents are as poor as the Norsemen. Ragnar wants to head west, across the ocean, to discover new civilizations. With assistance from his friend Floki, Ragnar builds a faster, sleeker fleet of boats to help him make it to the Western world. Through the years Ragnar, who claims to be a direct descendant of the god Odin, continues to struggle with Earl until the two face each other in a final battle for supremacy. Following that, Ragnar goes on a search for new lands to conquer.

Mary has been watching this series so long she now calls me Lord Eatsalot!

Anyway, I escaped the grasp of Queen Mary and her henchman by swimming to cold river to the car and disguising myself as a oarsman.  With my wooden shield held against the window (to keep the arrows from piercing my delicate skin) I quickly got the Silver Fox into the middle of the river and rowed like mad toward the gym!  It was a magnificent escape suitable for perhaps Season 7?

At the gym I was ready for action!  He has been working on my back for the past few weeks and it has made a difference.  I can bend over without sounding like a bowl of Rice Krispies!

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It’s Not Quite Mid Week Yet!

Posted on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 by Paul

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

The wall clock indicated it was 5:30 am and time for the old man to get up and get busy!  Today, I am doing a chuck roast in the crockpot; I have never done one before, so I read the instructions (do NOT tell my friends what I have done!)

Sleeping Beauty was sawing logs (giant redwoods, the way it sounded), so I tippy-toed by the door and made my way to the kitchen, where my three-pound chuck roast was awaiting my arrival.  Within ten minutes, the crock pot was set for eight hours, meaning at 6:00 pm this evening, her nibs will be dining in a fashion suitable for a queen.  I have to go out this morning and find a suitable vegetable to go with the roast!

Easy Pizzey!

I can hardly wait to see if it looks like the picture!

Yummy!!!

I propose a culinary showdown: mashed potatoes ready for a creamy avalanche, asparagus dressed to impress like it’s heading to a vegetable gala, or mac and cheese, the ultimate comfort food, showing off its ooey-gooey charm! It’s like a potluck of legends! Let’s see which one wins the title of “Dinner Champion”! May the best dish survive the evening! ???

We talked with Colleen on the batphone for a while before getting ready to depart the house.  Mary has an appointment with a specialized massage therapist in Tustin, and then I am taking her to her painting class, where I will move the painting equipment to and from the car.

Well, sometimes things don’t go as planned. I got Mary to her appointment at a private house in North Tustin and stayed in the car listening to the radio. After a while, I turned off the radio, but when I turned on the car again, zip…nada… zingo! The battery was “dead”!

At 12:30 p.m., we replaced the battery and then zoomed to Mary’s painting class. While she was painting, I worked at home, moving our boxes of donations into the garage and preparing them to be sent to the Salvation Army.

Mary did great on the Flamingos!

After leaving her class, we went to Benji’s for a late lunch or early dinner. We brought a meal to Jeff and then came home for the rest of the night! We are back to following the news again and are so happy to see the Democrats and lefties going wild every day!

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Another Week Begins! I Have Seen 4,181 Weeks Since I Was Born!

Posted on Monday, February 3, 2025 by Paul

Another week begins, and we hope Mary’s back is 90% recovered. Unless she gets better soon, I must get gloves because I am getting ” dishpan hands.”

“Dishpan hands” refer to dry, red, rough, and scaly hands often caused by washing dishes or cleaning products. The term may have been coined in the 1920s for an ad campaign for Lever Brothers’ Lux dishwashing soap.

We did NOT go to the gym today for obvious reasons—Mary’s bed staged a sit-in protest, claiming it needed her for “emotional support” while she binge-watched her favorite Viking history shows circa 846 AD! Priorities, right?

I managed to get cleaned up by 10:30 am and went to my oral surgeon, who removed some stitches he put on a couple of weeks ago for my implants!  Did they say hello to me when I arrived; was I greeted with smiles? No, they all asked, “Where is Dr. Mary?”.

On the way home, I stopped at Taco Mesa on Chapman and surprised Mary with a breakfast burrito, and I got two hard-shelled tacos.

We had a delightful lunch! Who knew that a chicken taco could make you feel like royalty? Between the chicken dancing with the avocado and the salsa doing a conga line, I half-expected a parade to break out. I think I even saw the pickle wink at me!

Delicious!!

After lunch, I headed to Trader Joe’s to get three cases of Three Buck Chuck!  While there, some other goodies jumped into my cart, and I hid them in the freezer.  I managed to sneak in a couple of MAry’s favorites that I will surprise her with later in the week!

It was dinner time, and the chef jumped into the kitchen and fixed a spinach salad, salmon, freshly baked bread, and some of Diann’s soup! I also provided a glass of wine. Mary was pleased with dinner.

You could tell she was ready for bed!  She had another hard day resting!

Mary crashed at 9″30 pm!

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Sunday, Do I Get A Day Of Rest? Nooooooooo!

Posted on Sunday, February 2, 2025 by Paul

The morning has arrived, and we are ready to go!

The coffee helps us get started!  I was up at 5:30 am, while Sleeping Beauty stayed in bed until 8:30 am.   She got up with a little bit of assistance from the old man!

I wish I were brave enough to do that, but she runs faster than I do!!

Mary wandered into the kitchen and sat down to watch her “Doggy Reels” on Facebook while I slaved away, making her English Muffin toast and a second cup of coffee! I am considering joining the Food Service Union to get double time during the non-standard hours.    Then Mary explained that being married to her, there are NO non-standard hours!  Every waking second is hers, and the pay rate is slightly south of 45 cents an hour!

We talked to Colleen on the batphone for about forty minutes, exchanging action items: she arranged for Jon and Sarah to get to our home, and in turn, we sent her a batch of “fish cooking bags.”  It seems like a deal!

Mary stayed up until noon and then went horizontal again so her back would not get bad!

To make it easy on myself, I fixed her a bowl of beans and a bowl of beef stew for a late lunch. She was delighted with both, so I did not have to cook dinner. Yeah!

In the evening, Mary watched TV, and I decorated the house for Valentine’s Day, did the last of today’s dishes, and planned for tomorrow’s feast!

We are hoping she is 80% recovered tomorrow because I have to go to the dentist at 11:00 am to have some stitches removed, and I do not want to worry about her getting around.

Tomorrow, I am driving again; I hope I remember how!

BTW, George Ennis, our good friend and participant in Girls Night Out,  is doing well after his Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).  Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a type of heart valve surgery. It’s done to replace a narrowed aortic valve, a condition called aortic valve stenosis. A doctor inserts a flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel and guides it into the heart. A replacement valve made of cow or pig tissue goes through the tube to the specific area in the heart. A balloon on the catheter tip inflates to press the new valve into place. Some valves are self-expanding.

You go George!!!

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