Saturday, August 9, 2025

I have a great summer pasta dish that I love and even DS the former chef loves. I haven't made it this summer due to DH's diet but I may feel inclined to do so when we get back if my weight is still low. He can eat it as a side with chicken or steak.

Car time is think time for me too! When Ben was sick and even after he died I found the 30 minute commute to and from work was often a time for release and I would find myself bawling in my car!

Busy travel day for you! Enjoy First Class! I have yet to fly First Class! Perhaps I'm saving for when I need the passport I have yet to get!

It is hard to watch the cognitive decline in anyone, but especially a parent.

That's when I would cry after eldest DD died too.

Being introspective about this huge change in your life is to be expected. When was the last change this huge? When you got a full-time job? I think I felt a little scared that I wouldn't know what to do with myself when I retired. The feeling certainly wore off after I got used to my new lifestyle.

At least your Dad is not angry or scared. It's good that he is in a safe place and maybe it is good that his mind is doing some traveling?

I'm smoking ribs (not enough smoke this summer - ha!). Claudia has friends here and we've invited some others over too. My smoker temperature gauge is acting weird, so it's been a lot of babysitting. I hope they turn out okay. I got my hair done this morning and have mostly stayed inside in the a/c. It's 87 and humid. So hot! We'll be eating over at the big house and there is no a/c there. I'm mentally prepping to sweat. We went to a local smash burger restaurant in town yesterday and it doesn't have an indoor area. It was 90 there and humid. I was chugging water and was sweating so much i didn't even have to "go" when we got home. Maybe some rain tonight, but not as much as WI. Looks like Paula may have gotten a lot today!

Despite the heat, it's a beautiful day here. Yay for blue skies!

The architect visit was interesting and she is going to work on some preliminary ideas. My dad is also having her work up plans to expand their master suite and put in some ADA things like room for a walker in the bathroom, grab bars, and a lift of some sort to get in the house. The whole house is up at least 6 stairs, so it's a challenge when someone needs assistance getting in and out like my dad when he's sick, Claudia when she broke her ankle, or old dogs. She said it's smart to put that stuff in before you need it enable you to stay in your house as long as possible.

Anyway, need to go check on the ribs. Take care!

Smoking ribs! I'm impressed.

I agree that making the home modifications before you need them makes a lot of sense!

Hope your gathering goes well and you are not hit by the winds and rain!

We got the rain, but it didn't last long. It's was a nice break and the trees need it! We ended up moving the dinner party to my house in the a/c. Whew! My ribs were dry darn it. I think I need a new smoker...

FWIW... some of us prefer our ribs dry!

Smoked ribs sound great but the heat not so much. Sorry they were drier than you liked. I sweat a lot when it is hot too - I had sweat dripping down my face a couple of times yesterday because we were not in the AC for several activities including the dinner dance last night. DH apparently does not sweat as much so commented on it.

Sounds like your architect has some good ideas for your Dad and Claudia and hopefully will for you too.

121.9. Back down a smidge!

Left the art show a few hours early today. It was hot and humid and then came the storms. Strong wind gusts and some rain. I was inside my closed up tent holding onto my grated walls that were shaking with the wind. I could hear crashing and breaking around me (the two tents on either side of me). The one lady lost her tent. It went airborne and actually hit mine and put a few small holes in mine. Her tent is all broken so she will be done for the weekend. She had framed pictures with glass and lost quite a bit of product I think. The lady on the other side of me had jewelry and had no sides on her tent. At least some of her stuff ended up on the ground. I only had one piece fly off and it wasn't an expensive one. We battened down everything as well as we could and are praying no more wind gusts through the night. A veteran art show photography vendor gave a a tip to hang our tent weights instead of just putting them around the legs. Hopefully that will do the trick. Nice sales today!

Im beat, so it will be an early night! Fingers crossed that we find everything intact tomorrow!