If you cook beans I have a question. How long is “overnight”? Eight, ten, twelve hours? If you start soaking early in the morning, can you cook them late in the day?
Thank you VERY much pilot for mentioning Dia de los Muertos!!! You may recall that some time earlier this year, a close friend of Hubs passed and I was unable to go to the funeral since I had a prior commitment to help our daughter with her move. So, I promised that I would go to the memorial mass for all the people who had died from our parish on All Souls Day. Unfortunately with everything that went on yesterday (more on that later), I totally forgot but when you mentioned Dia de los Muertos, the lightbulb went on and I jumped up and made it to church 2 steps ahead of the priest processing in; the liturgy was beautiful, particularly when the choir sang the names of each person who had passed and their family brought up candles to be lighted and placed on the steps in front of the altar. 
Afterwards I spoke to Hubs friend’s mother for awhile. Of course we have known her for many years as we first met her at the friend’s wedding, then subsequently saw her at many birthday parties for his children, their first Holy Communion parties, graduations, her husband’s funeral a year ago, etc. After her husband died, Hubs took her to some meetings about healthcare issues.
So yesterday ended up being a pretty ok day, at least for me. Alarms went off at 5:40am, this was tough for Hubs but normal for me. We left at 6:42 and went to the Henry Ford Cardiology Dept bldg. I misspoke the other day: Hubs had an echocardiogram not whatever it was that I said. Then we walked about 3 blocks to a restaurant for breakfast. I didn’t really know that area all that well so had googled ‘breakfast near Henry Ford Hospital’ and checked out the closest one which was Joe Louis Southern Kitchen. The reviews were good and the menu looked very good so that’s where we went. I absolutely loved the decor; it was like you were in a southern backyard and we sat on an elevated deck that was like we were sitting on a covered porch in someone’s backyard down south. After awhile it dawned on me that there was significance to the name of the restaurant when I saw a heavy bag and a pair of boxing gloves hanging from the ceiling. Confirmed when I looked at the screen and saw THE Joe Louis on it, it seemed to be a story of his life. I had Key Lime Pie Flapjacks, Hubs had Southern Cobbler French Toast-topped with peach cobbler compote; both dishes were delicious. Our server was very attentive. And one of the things that I absolutely loved was that the music played the entire time was Motown - the Supremes, the Temptations, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, some guy who played an awesome sax (can’t remember his name), etc. I sang along to almost every song and was dancing in my seat.
Afterwards we walked half a block to the QLine, which now is free, and rode to the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts). Hubs was very fatigued so I took him to the Kresge Court where he sat in a very comfy chair then a sofa while I went upstairs to see the Ofrendas exhibit that was recommended. Well to my surprise the Ofrendas exhibit was ‘Celebrating El Dia De Muertos’ so the ofrendas were offerings or altars to honor those who have passed away. Regina High School students made a memorial celebrating the Mexican heritage of inspiring, resilient women across time. It included 4 women, I only knew Frida Kahlo. I learned that marigolds are sometimes called the flower of the dead in Mexico so most of the ofrendas included marigolds. I am so glad to have seen this exhibit and on the actual El Dia De Muertos to boot. I’ll have to make a note to go again next year. We both went through the exhibit of ‘After Cubism’, interesting but if I had missed it, I wouldn’t have cared.
Then it was back to the QLine that we took back to where we got on then walked the 3 blocks to car, well Hubs went into the Cardiology bldg. I looked up and he was nowhere in sight; I thought he had been following me. So, I went into the bldg and found him sitting in a waiting room. I announced (to the whole room) “this isn’t where your appointment is”. He had to check his MyChart because although I’m always right, he didn’t necessarily believe me. So, finally out he came to the car and we drove the 3 blocks to Henry Ford Main for a cardiology appointment. The staff was so very efficient that we were out of there and made his original chemo time at Henry Ford Fairlane. I didn’t even have to drive like a crazy person and I had told the nurses that we would likely be late due to the tight time between appointments. Afterwards we picked up the pumpkin pie that we had ordered the previous day at the bakery.
Today I drove Hubs to Einstein’s for bagels. I had him get a bakers dozen, one for him, one for me and the rest for the angels who took care of him in the chemo clinic. Today was his last chemo as his stem cell transplant is scheduled for the first week of December. Drove him to and from chemo then went Krogering. Important to go Krogering today as gas points are quadruple the amount of your purchases today only. I earned 264 fuel points today meaning I spent $66 on groceries. Just made dinner for Hubs; knockwurst, broccoli and mashed taters (that we just dug up earlier this week before the freeze). I had a slice of pizza when I got home from Krogers and that along with some pumpkin pie and 2 choc chip cookies will do me.
Actually, closer to 3 years younger. Yet he’s the one who gets offered senior discounts. Hehehehe!
Just called my mom. She’s doing well and in good spirits. She listens to her doctors, so she should do fine for all the she’s nearly 90.
shady I loved your description of where to get tortillas in Indiana. That was some fine writing.
Then she can come to Tennessee to judge a (proposed) dumpling contest among cow-orkers Souka (Cambodian pork dumplings), Sujeet (Nepalese momo) and me (potato cheese peirogi). We’ve been threatening to do this for over a year.
If you put them in the crockpot raw very early in the morning and put it on low, you should have cooked beans by six in the evening. I generally will put them in the crock the night before on low if I want them for a noon or mid-afternoon meal.
There’s a blast from the past! My mom’s sister worked for Kresge Department Stores in several locations, then K-Mart when they changed names until she retired.
Do they have/need a wedding photojournalist? SIL is a great one.
Oh, one other thing that I forgot to mention about yesterday is that we saw that the neighbor kittycorner across the street had taken down all her Halloween decorations and had placed 4 bales of hay at the curb to be picked up with the garbage. I told Hubs he should get some for our nativity scene. He said he wouldn’t be putting one up this year (oh yeah, he’ll be in the hospital) so I said I would. When I got home from mass at 8:30ish pm, I stealthed across the street and carried 3 of the bales home and stacked them in the normal place that the nativity scene is put. I won’t put out the figures until sometime in December (as long as Hubs tells me where they are stored). To tell the truth I may ask him to supervise Thanksgiving weekend so I can get the figures in place and try out the lighting then I won’t turn on the timer for the lighting until sometime in December.
Perhaps you might try swampy’s idea of hot chawklit with a slug of rum.
perhaps I missed something during the 7 or 8 weeks that I was off the MMP, but wth(eck), with all the work you two did over the summer to get the school ready to open with appropriate power and technology, those people should be building a monument to the two of you or at least giving a big huge THANK YOU. Imagine if they’d had to pay contractors to do all the work that you two did.
Thank you to several peeps (not naming names because I’d likely forget someone and don’t want anyone to feel left out) for the hugs!! Much appreciated. 
ooh, so sorry about that, hate when that happens, hopefully some NSAID did the trick.
uh-oh, I’ll cross my fingers and other appropriate appendages that it’s just a muscle bruise.
When Hubs fell down a few stairs on Good Friday 2020, he sustained a 3cm tear in the ligament that connects the thigh bone to the knee and the surgery and recovery took almost 3 months.
I’m so glad you mentioned that his name is Maurice because then I am able to remember what the acronym stands for and I start singing. 
Ditto.
Happy Birthday FCD!! So, you robbed the cradle. 
(oh heck, swampy ninja’d me.)
Yes, for 6 yrs (St. Martha). Same on Nov 1 being a day off; all the Holy Days of obligation were days off back then.
Yum! Maybe I’ll drive over to the west side of the Mitten State, pick up shoe then we’ll both come down to judge the dumpling contest. ? for you: do you use farmer’s cheese for your potato & cheese pierogi?
Happy Thorsday!
It was 26 degrees this morning. No dog park, nobody else was going anyway.
I woke up freezing, even though the heat was on.
I’m back to being cold all the time.
I should look into getting an electric blanket.
I overslept a bit and we had to rush out to meet Richard at the old house.
Only to find we didn’t have to rush because I thought we were meeting at 9 and he thought we were meeting at 10.
I forgot to take my morning pills, one of which is Tramadol. I’m always thinking Tramadol doesn’t do much, until I don’t take it. By the time I got home I was near tears from the pain.
Yesterday we met up with Richard and he went around the house and noted everything that needs to be fixed. I already knew, but he pointed out a few things I didn’t think about. We made a list, and agreed on a price, which was less than I had thought
This morning he told me; he can’t do it all because his friend (the lady I bought the house from) is in a bad way and she needs him to move to Tennessee with her. He will be moving in about a week.
But it will be okay. The realtor came by and knocked off about 80% of the list.
No painting except for a few touchups. No refinishing the hardwood floors. Nothing cosmetic.
I wanted the house to be pristine and move in ready. The realtor said no, the house is old, it will never be perfect and wait until I get an offer and see what the buyer wants. Then we can negotiate from there.
I thought I’d be spending about $12,000 to fix it up. Now it’s down to about $3000.
Richard loves the house, but he kept asking, how did you ever manage these stairs? He’s younger and healthier, and he says they are too steep for him.
I thought I was just being a wuss about them, but maybe not.
They are steep, but I have seen worse.
My son figured out the problem with the garage door opener.
I wasn’t allowing enough time between opening the door and closing the door. I don’t know why that should make a difference, but it does. Something with the sensors.
Happy Friday!
I am trying to catch up
Another cold morning. I slept through all the alarms and didn’t wake up until 9.
My son didn’t get up until almost 1.
Not much got done today. We took some stuff over to Richard, who is steadily irking away.
I didn’t go inside. My son did and he said a lot has been done.
I wanted my son to have some days off, but it isn’t going to irk that way for him.
Happy Birthday FCD
Some mothers are … not so nice, RealFish. I know the feeling.
{{{Cat Glove and Hubs}}}
I am so tired, and still trying to catch up.
Lots of weird dreams too.
And so much to do.
I look backwards and see how much has been done. but I look ahead and want to cry because I feel like I will never be done.
missred, thanks for the info. Next time I try doing dry beans I’ll do it your way. These are for a recipe I saw online for refried beans and the lady said to soak them first overnight, rinse them, and then cook them. Then they get fried in the pan, after mashing them up somewhat.
I’ve been eating more beans, split peas, and lentils lately. I especially love split pea soup
Whooooo…back from the soccer fields, refereed (as an assistant ref) a rather contentious game (well, the parents and coaches were contentious, the referee kept his calm) and then had my team come back from 0-1 down in the last 12 minutes to win 2-1 (I’ll take modest credit for it, the deciding goal was a free kick and I designated the player to take it, and he buried it). So home and a bit exhausted both physically and emotionally, so heading off to bed soon, will be refereeing 3 games tomorrow and coaching either 1 or 2 (if we win/tie our first Saturday game, we’ll play in the quarterfinals Saturday at 6PM).
Oopsie, did a little Googling on Dogtopia and it looks like quite a chain and still expanding.
swampy, hope everyone in the Congregation gets better. And the guy got here about 10 minutes after I posted my previous message.
Cat Glove, that was one busy couple of days; hope it all goes well for Hubs.
OK, nearly 10pm and I am more than ready for sleepage. Take care all.
The furnace guy came and went. Problem still is there. It seems less than before, but it’s still worrisome.
Then I drove up the lake to the fundraiser. Good lord I am not good at those sorts of things. I ain’t a schmoozer. I did talk to some people and they auctioned off some of my art work. (should have been a silent auction, the PA sucked) I was cooked after 1.5 hours, but I stuck it out for another hour.
So made steak and baked potato for Roomie’s birthday, along with some Guinness.
Spot: < jumps up on table >
Me: “Get down.”
Spot: “get bent.”
Me: “I will pick you up.”
Spot: “You wouldn’t.”
Me: < picks cat up, puts him down."
Spot: "This is undignified…
I was thinking more “Tony Stark”, especially since Granddad has a workshop.
Hey everyone, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, we went to Phx for the Day of the Dead festival. Much food was et and many drinks were drank so we both stayed out all night for the first time since GG came home. I called TC friend after we had the second drink and she went over last night to give them dinner, but all they had to eat today was hard, dry kibble…no gooshy fud until almost four o’clock. It was a wonder the poor kittah survived.
After calling TC friend, I started to look for motels (We’re too old to get drunk and sleep in the car these days) but one of hub’s MC friends ran into us and invited us to stay over with them. They have a bulldog so we went home smelling like a barkface. (VBC did NOT approve.)
Of course they both spent the rest of the night bitching about the USMC ball being cancelled while his wife and I rolled our eyes because we haven’t been to one in 8 years.
Oh yes, so true.
There is a family owned Mexican place close to town that has an area for Mamasita to sit and make tortillas from rolled dough balls (I always assumed she made the dough as well) and it’s like watching a magic show.
I can make tortillas as well, but mine are better suited for burritos because they come out oval shaped.
Happy Birthday, FCD. I am shocked at the revelation that FCM used to be a cougar, but RAWR!
This sounds like a strong recommendation for both a good place to take dogs and for being an employee. I hope it works out.
You can’t take care of other people if you don’t take care of yourself first.
I’m so happy you believe in science, I’m sure that will make a big difference.
my mom always said the hassle of looking for tortillas is one reason she moved back to CA for good well other than the 8 months in AZ …the other was the weather …
well I was dodging a few outdated terms that were used back then
I just learned this about 2 months ago…if you click it too fast it confuses the thing …
heh aunt is skipping thanksgiving decor this year because it is going take forever
I remember when Kresge’s was K-Mart’s dime store …we lived about 5-10 minutes from the one downtown in Indiana mom would go every day or so and id get icecream and grilled cheese cause they still had the lunch counter …
It was horrible during the pandemic. My students really suffered and their pronunication just sucked.
That’s a good idea!
I was just asked by someone if I’m retired!! Some people can retire earlier in Japan, but I guess I’m looking older these days.
I’m lying in bed listening to the rain and glad I at least got some clean-up done. Pine needles are the glitter of the tree world: they stick to everything.
I remember Kresge’s! Like shady, I thought of it as more like a dime store. Maybe some were more like department stores though? Ours was in Oak Brook. It smelled like stale candy and cheap bubble bath. I just looked it up. There were Kresge discount stores and Kresge-Newark dept. stores. TIL! The discount stores became KMart.
All the tortilla talk had me remembering the stuff I used to cook before the kids came along. Pitas and hamburger buns and cheese soufflé and apple dumplings. I haven’t made any of those in years. I also remember the summer my sister and I worked as hotel maids. The break room was in the basement, and every day one of the maids cooked homemade tortillas directly on a hotplate for her husband, who was on the grounds crew. They smelled so good! (The tortillas, though I’m sure the couple did, too.)
MetalMouse, sounds like an exciting day on the soccer fields!
Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to heave.
Glad you had a good time, JtC!
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 44 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 75 and N.O.S. for the day. Today’s agenda includes sloth, general overall uselessness, nappage, and day drinkin’. Plus my DAWGS will be on teevee at three-thirty to beat up on some kitties from Mizzery. ‘Tis homecomin’ in Athens! Sup shall be chili/cheese/onion/slaw dawgs and oven fries. Fart fest to follow. Actually it will most likely be N.O.L.
MetalMouse have fun soccerin’.
We had a Kress department store in ye olde hometowne, not to be confused with Kresge. Kress was known for ornamental facades on stores. The place is now an events center and is apparently a popular place for weddin’ receptions and such. We also had McLellan’s which had a really big candy counter and sold roasted < snerk > nuts. < snerk > They were both known as dime stores.
Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, onward into the day! Rah.
Happy Sattidy Y’all!
It’s just one person with a stick up his ass (VP of the board) but FCD got pissed and took all his crayons home. The teachers and the head of the board had no problem with his efforts or his plans. I have to say, tho, that FCD is impatient with idiots, and said individual could have been seen as an idiot. Well, it’s in his lap now to deal with the county and the lawyers and and the electricians and whatever. But thanks for your recognition!
I can recommend! Of course, they can make it that much harder to get out of bed in the morning… 
Deep breath now. There will always be more in the future and smart you knows that. Emotional you doesn’t like that. Logical you knows life can be a bitch!! You can’t swallow it whole, so do whatever works for you to take little nibbles - a list, or a room at a time, or setting aside X hours per day, then try to make that work. I’m guessing fatigue is exacerbating the overwhelming feelings. But you’re getting there. And you’ve got the GR for cuddles!!
Dunno about Roxy, but her brother is fascinated by Grandpa’s shop - he loves turning the knobs on the mill and pushing around the chair on wheels!! Plus he LURVES his grandpa, so I foresee much building in his future.
Today has started at 37°, tho we’re expecting low 60s later. I had a very light breakfast (diet coke and a granola bar) because we’re anticipating a huge lunch at Texas Roadhouse. It’s going to kill me to pass on the yeast rolls, but I can’t eat just one and even just one is a big chunk of my daily calorie limit.
Funny thing from the dermatologist yesterday - she commented how a couple of my moles were smaller, then asked if I’d lost weight. Well, I thought it was funny, but it makes sense - the skin is less stretched, so the moles are less stretched.
Still mulling over the automotive decision, tho without hearing back from Paul, it’s hard to know the best path. And, of course, there’s no guarantee. But, for example, if it cost $4K to fix the car and it lasts 2 more years, or even 1 year, that’s still less than many car payments over that period of time. And being an older car, insurance is less, too. On the other hand, if the transmission blows up in 6 months…
I can “What-if” myself into a muddle, and it doesn’t help that FCD thinks I should have “a plan” right now. Well, my plan is to see what Paul says and decide then if it’s time to dump this car or fix it. But I can’t tell him that, so I’m going to continue looking at what cars are out there that will suit my/our needs. He’s also thinking in terms of getting rid of both the Sonata and his Caddy and getting one car to replace them. I hate to do that before I’m done wrangling the kids - we’ll just have to see.
I hate cars - have I mentioned that before??
Yeah, yeah, Happy Saturday. 
Morning all, did manage to get 8 hours of sleep in, so ready for the day. Should leave the house at 9am and if all goes according to plan, won’t be back until nearly 8pm, so need to make sure I pack everything. Will have some Instant Breakfast shortly and eat on the run as the day goes along. It’s 40F now but supposed to get to the mid-70’s by the afternoon, so will be changing clothes faster than Superman.
VanGO, I hear you, schmoozing is not one of my strengths either, but good on you to stick it out.
doggio, your conversations with Spot always make me chuckle.
JtC, I’m sure GG will forgive you your night on the town (or forget it ever happened). VBC may be a little less forgiving… Nice of old buddy to put you up.
I also remember Kresge’s, it was called S.S. Kresge’s when I was little. Up in my part of Ohio at that time, Polsky’s and O’Neil’s were the “better” department stores and Kresge’s and Montgomery Ward were the ‘lesser’ ones.
FCM, hope the Veep realizes he made a gross error and will apologize to you and FCD…nah, who am I kidding, he’ll keep messing up until he gets replaced. And give in to temptation, woman! Good yeast rolls only come along once in awhile!! 
And I concur with the “see what Paul says” viewpoint.
Ok, need to break fast and start planning the day. Take care all.