Monday, September 29, 2025

117.8

The tropical storm didn't do much yesterday nor will it today. Yesterday it was very rainy in the morning but we did get a break around noon to get Justice out. The golf course did get quite soggy so we had to cancel golf. We did go out to watch the Patriot's game and then to dinner at the clubhouse with friends.

Right now it is just a bit windy but not terribly so with a chance of showers today, but that isn't too unusual this time of year. I am going to have to skip water aerobics anyway because we have a plumber coming to replace our shut-off valve to the condo this morning. They have to shut the water off to the entire building to do that. Not much else going on today other than a dermatology appointment this afternoon. I am supposed to go without cosmetics on which for me is kind of weird. I always have my mask on...

Have a magnificent Monday!

Beautiful weather continues here. It is 83 right now, so DH and I were able to have coffee and scones on the sidewalk tables this morning. We brought several bags to drop off at the thrift shop, and bought a few things at 20% off, since it's seniors discount day on Monday. After that, we dropped off our old water heater at a recycle place. It was worth the effort to get it in the Explorer because they charged $10 vs the $75 our trash carrier would have charged.

In my texts back and forth with my primary friends in Brazil, I emphasized since we were coming for several weeks that we didn't expect them to drive us around every day or plan activities like they did for our 10 day visit several years ago. I'm glad I brought it up again, because my closest friend wrote a long email about how her financial situation was in tatters, and she was now taking the bus everywhere to save money, and she couldn't go out to eat etc. I think this was really weighing on her that she was going to disappoint us. Another friend is spending most of her time caring for her mother. After a few back and forths, I think they believe me now when I say we will be quite content to have a beer or a glass of wine with them at our little apartment or their condos and we have plenty of ideas about how to pass our time. But it did give me pause. Am I returning, looking for something that doesn't exist anymore? But it's also freeing in a way too, because there are some things I'd like to do, and things I'd like to show DH that might work better if it is just the two of us.

To that end, I think I have narrowed down our Air BnB choices to 2. Each has one small bedroom, livingroom, kitchen, balcony and a pool. One apartment is a bit nicer than the other and the pool is bigger, and on the 2nd floor. The other would be suitable too, but it is a bit smaller, and not quite as pretty, and it's a smaller pool, but it is on the roof, along with some other sitting areas. So that's kind of intriguing too. Either way, we could have fun. It will be the height of summer there in January, so if it's not raining, everyday is a pool day. : )

I thought I would do some replanting today, but it is so nice, and I'm way behind on reading that I think I will move out to the porch and settle in with my NYT paper, and a book I started weeks ago. Why? Because I can.

Get that apartment booked! So exciting!

Greetings all

I woke up to rain this morning and there was quite a bit. Stopped now. There is minor flooding in a few low spots but nothing big. I went to the studio and glazed some things. My favorite kiln did not fire Friday as it was not full so I got nothing today. Oh well. I also got payroll and caught up on gossip. Gallery had a great art night Saturday with loads of sales. The annoying person who used to do the hospitality for it has quit the job and it is apparently a relief because she always made it into such drama.

We were all out of protein shakes so I stopped at the hippie grocery and got one to make protein ice cream mix tonight. Recipie calls for a protein drink and some pudding mix powder. I think I can handle that so I will make the mix which then must freeze for 24 hours. We shall see

DD see how nice a Monday can be when you are at the coffee shop that is not packed!! Good on you. Sounds like either place in Brazil will be good. Glad you had some honest talk with your friends so they don't feel pressured. Yep there will be change but the fun will be exploring it.

Liz glad you survived the fumes. Hope the water thing is done by now. And glad the storm was not much.

Yay for Peps finding a Runza. They are good. I actually used to make home made ones using a bread machine to create the bread dough. But somehow they are not the same. The filling is ground beef, cabbage and onion. I keep thinking I will make that filling as a supper dish and leave out the bread. Keto friendly.

Not much else. I did not go to the gallery because I had no new stuff. I work there Friday I think. I may have mentioned that a friend asked if she can come with me just to get out of the house. She is having vision problems and cannot drive anymore. So it will be a party.

Diane S

I used to make this recipe in earlier VSG days (notice that it came from OH) - it was really good so maybe I should resurrect it:

Yes, I thought of this as Diane and Peps were discussing the sandwich! Wrapperless egg roll!

123.7, I think. I've been steadily gaining little by little. Still eating everything in site so I think I will be back on the meds sooner rather than later.

Still crazy busy with selling stuff and doing all the loan stuff, insurance stuff, bank stuff etc. that occurs with a move. As soon as we have confirmation about the last house being under contract, I'll start switching all my automatic deposits and withdrawals from our local bank to the Florida bank we created accounts with while we were there!

My incisions are healing very nicely! I do get swelling during the day when I'm up and about, which is a lot of the day now but by morning after a night's sleep everything looks pretty normal! Took my first bath since the surgery! It was heavenly! I don't have any scabs or open areas anymore so I could finally take a soak!

You are efficient! I am still using my bank in Massachusetts and DH and I don't even have a joint account after 3.5 years of marriage.