JuneNYsAdventuresPart2

 Kate picked me up a little before ten a.m. to take me to WINDSONG for my mammogram.    We hadn't seen each other since before COVID.  She told me that she had a stroke in the fall of 2019.  She said she still has some speech deficits, but it did not seem like she did, except for once when she could not remember the word she wanted to say.   My mammogram was quick and uneventful.  The technician was very efficient.   Kate talked about going to the SPECTRUM office so I suggested she go and that I would go over to HOME DEPOT to get a product I needed.  She agreed.   She was not successful in getting the help she needed at Spectrum (something to do with her mother's phone) but I was fortunate to be offered help shortly after I got into Home Depot and found a product to run through the jets on my whirlpool tub, not the exact one I heard about on the radio (Awesome), but another one.   Actually, this is the product I ...

 The phone woke me up at a few minutes after nine a.m.  In the morning, I finished up laundry and making Carrie's bed up.  I also finished my Christmas decorating, but no doubt I will move a few things around in the days ahead.  Also, I would like to find a few more blue ornaments.  I have three bowls of ornaments, blue, red and gold and the blue bowl is kind of skimpy. Maybe the Dollar Tree will have some blue ornaments.  I ordered, paid for and printed out a ticket for the HOLIDAY LIGHTS Drive Thru show at the Niagara County Fair Grounds.   In the evening, I decided to work on a craft item that I thought of myself.  I bought three decorative, white small, flat dishes that have openings all the way around. They were really inexpensive at GOULDS CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY when I stopped there a couple of weeks ago to check out their sixty percent off sale. They are the three white dishes in this picture.  When I got my Christmas decorations ...

 Saturday, November 27th:  I had an idea to make something like TURKEY SOUP CASSEROLE.  I thought I could thicken the broth from the broth made from simmering the turkey carcass that Peg brought over.  I first thickened it with a flour slurry and then some mashed potato flakes (instant) and then with a corn starch slurry.   I guess it did thicken a bit, but not much.  I prepared some stovetop turkey stuffing, layered it with some cooked carrot slices and a bit of cooked shredded cabbage and some canned peas, and then put leftover turkey on top and then some of the kinda thickened broth.  It made a pretty tasty casserole, even if it was not what I had hoped for.  Peg also brought over a bag of cranberries.  I don't know what I did wrong, I followed the same exact recipe but they are really watery, not at all like they have been in the past.  This was Carrie's full day home.   Sunday, November 28th:   I watched Way...

 I slept pretty good but didn't get up until about nine a.m. or so. After breakfast, I continued working on my Christmas decorations.  There were a few items that I decided to donate.   Around noon, I bagged them up and took them to the Methodist Church, and put them into one of the donation boxes, close to the Little Food Pantry.   Before I got back into my car, a man took the angel music box that I left.   Since I was so close to the downtown RiteAid, I decided to go over and take advantage of one of their BLACK FRIDAY sales.  Buy one box of HERSHEYS POT O GOLD chocolates and get two free.  They were all gone, so I asked for a rain check but was told that they do not give rain checks for Black Friday specials.  So I decided to go to the RiteAid on the corner of High Street and Transit and found that they had several.  I bought six boxes. When I got home, I found a gift bag for three of them so that I could send them to Carri...

This is the picture I shared on Facebook and on Flickr.  I spent most of the morning either in the kitchen preparing items for Thanksgiving dinner or working on my Christmas decorations.   Peggy and David came over and took the two overhead light fixtures in the bathroom down and replaced the bulbs.  They took some of the food items for dinner home with them. I tried to reach Christa by phone, but she did not answer.  I left a message.  I made a lot of headway with decorating but got tired and decided I needed to lay down for a bit.  When I got up, I put the squash in the oven and got the other items together.  I arrived at Peggy's house a few minutes after three thirty.  Betty arrived closer to four p.m. bringing a blueberry pie, sweet potato and pineapple casserole and macaroni and cheese.  Our Thanksgiving dinner was really good, all except the banana cream pie that David made.  I guess this must have been his first one and he ma...

 Betty picked me up at 11:30 so we could go to J.C. Penney's.  Her landlord had given her $35 for her birthday and she wanted to look for some dress shoes.  We stopped first at the Methodist church and I put some items in the Little Food Pantry.   While Betty looked at the shoes, I looked at the clothing and found two sweatshirts that I really liked, both were on sale.  Betty also purchased some drapes for her bedroom.   I was able to use Betty's GOLD CARD, a card she got for working many years at Eckards, which is affiliated with J.C. Penney's, and I got 25% off of my purchase.  I think the total was $38.00.   We went to Olive Garden for a late lunch.  I had the endless soup, salad and breadsticks.  We stopped at the large Niagara Produce on the way back to Lockport and we each purchased a few items.   When I got home, I took a nap and then continued to work on Christmas decorations.  I have all three ceram...

 When I got up, I started the devilled eggs and then the butternut squash casserole.  I bagged up some items to take to David, and a couple of items to take to Myrna.   I dropped off a fruitcake and some Chex mix to Myrna and then dropped off a fruitcake, some Chex mix, the cranberry relish and a pie crust for David and then I went to the Y. While waiting for Dee, Betty and Jan to arrive, I walked the track twice and then Jan arrived.  She and I signed up for the surprise craft painting class in December and then Dee and Betty arrived for the Thanksgiving lunch. a The lunch was very good.  The four of us had our own table.   When I got home, I made the squash casserole before taking a nap.  In the evening, I worked more on my Christmas decorations and watched INDEPENDENT LENS on PBS. This show is excellent.  I had never heard of the Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  From the footage, it looks like the buildings have been mad...

 I had a struggle with the BIG D this morning.  I was trying to figure out what I ate that may have caused it.  Maybe the dark chocolate covered cashews!  or the ham?  At any rate I decided to stay home.  I went ahead and made fruitcake.  And then I made a second batch of CHEX MIX, increasing the amount of Worcestershire sauce and the spices.  It is a little bit tastier than the batch I made last night. Betty dropped of a couple of items I asked her to look for at Aldi's:  Coconut Whipped Topping and two jars of maraschino cherries.  I gave her and Elaine Edmister (who was with her) some fruit cake and some Chex Mix.   Peggy called and asked if I could meet her at the church at three p.m. and go with her to a church near Eastern Hills Mall to drop off the OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD boxes.  I agreed and met her there, I was a few minutes late because when I stepped outside, I realized that I was not dressed warm enough, so I...

 I was laying in bed this morning right around nine a.m. and I was planning my day, telling myself what I would do in the morning and then in the afternoon.  Then all of a sudden I realized that IT IS SUNDAY, and I got out of bed fast.  First thing I called Maggie to see if she wanted me to pick her up for church and she did.   Betty called to tell me that she was not going to be in church this morning.  Church was very good.  Mary Watt was there and she and I talked for a few minutes after church.  Peggy kind of interrupted Mary and me to ask me if I could accompany her to deliver the OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD boxes.  We may do it Tuesday after the turkey dinner at the Y.   Dee asked me to save her a seat at the dinner since she may be late, due to dental appointment Tuesday morning.   When I was taking Maggie home, she mentioned that she was going to make some scalloped potatoes, and all of a sudden, I decided I wanted s...

 I was still sleeping when the phone rang a little before nine a.m. this morning.  I had been awake a couple of times during the night which is why I was still asleep.  Betty wanted to know if I was planning on going to the Saturday Market, which just moved inside after being outdoors since late spring.  I told her I might go, but was not sure. When I got up and moving, I decided to prepare carrots in my small crockpot, so I cleaned, peeled and cut them up and covered them with orange juice to cook.  Then I decided to see if the ham I bought would fit into my largest crockpot.  I had to slice the top off to make it fit.  I rinsed the ham in water, then in ginger ale, and then made a paste of pineapple juice and brown sugar to put over it, and I placed pineapple slices and cloves on the outside and put it in the crockpot.  Then I called Peggy and asked her if she and David would like to come for supper.  She said yes and we agreed to five thir...

 Thursday, November 18th.      I took care of Petra and then went to FREEDOM CHURCH and set up for Peggy's Freedom group.  Six people attended:  Johnna, Patty, Cindra, Sue, Dee and Linda.  The meeting went pretty well, and we finished up about a half hour early.  I went to Cucimano's and picked up lunch and ate some of it before going to FeelRite to get some Digest Spectrum and then to Wegmans to get a few items.   Peggy called mostly to tell me that she and David will arrive home late tomorrow night instead of returning on Saturday, like they originally planned.  They will have a twelve hour drive.   Friday, November 19th    I took care of Petra for the last time and then went to visit Myrna and take a couple of food items to her.  She gave me a quart of candied fruit and some walnuts.  Which means, I think, that she wants me to make her a fruitcake.  When I got home, I packed up my fall decoratio...

 I decided it was time to make out a menu for Thanksgiving Dinner, and then go shopping.  First, I went to Aldi's and bought several items and then I went to WalMart.   I bought most of the ingredients to make a huge batch of CHEX MIX, but I still need bagel chips.  When I got home, I decided to make a "pea salad" so I started chopping and cutting before my nap, and finished putting the salad together when I got up. I went over LESSON NINE in order to prepare for leading tomorrow's Freedom Group.  After that is over, I plan to go to FeelRite to get some of the enzymes I use, and then to Wegmans for a couple of other items I need.  I can't find my camera.  The last time I had it was a couple of nights ago when I used my chrome book to transfer some pictures from the SD card directly into my flickr account.  

 Last night when I was wiping down the top surface of my stove, I accidentally knocked  a round metal plate covering the middle of one of the back burners on the floor.  When I looked for it, I could not find it. I decided to wait until morning when I would have daylight as well as overhead light.  When I got up this morning I looked again and did not see it.  I used a yardstick to reach under the hutch across from the stove and I struck it and heard it move along the floor, but I could not get it out due to brown paper bags next to it.  I decided to leave that task for later on in the day, when I would have more time. After taking care of Petra, I went to the Ladies Life Group at Freedom Church.  I think there were 13 of us there.  The meeting went well, and then five of us went to lunch at Appleby's.   Cindi, me, Ann, Lori and Karen.  I had the basic burger with fries.   When I got home, started pulling out bags from und...

 In the morning I made blueberry pancakes and then I spent about an hour and a half completing my Chapter Nine homework for the upcoming FREEDOM GROUP and prepared some ideas for discussion on Thursday when I will lead the group for the third time.    Then I decided to run a couple of errands. I also took a drive to Hoover Road to get a look at the house that Carrie will move into in the spring of next year. Around that time, the weather turned really crappy with wet snow alternating with dry little pellets of snow.   Around noon, I got hungry for a burger so I went to Burger King and used the $5.00 coupon which was good for a Whopper, fries and a drink.  As I was finishing up, Betty came into BK and she joined me and we visited for a while.  Betty gave me some updated news regarding Myrna.  A week from today, Myrna's tube and drainage bag will be removed, and a new date for the surgery to remove the defective kidney will be on December 29th....

 After taking care of Petra, I went to church for the early (9:00 a.m.) service however I was late so I missed the beginning of the service.  I regret that because Pastor Craig was dressed up like Mr. Rogers, and the theme of the sermon was "Won't you be my neighbor".  I hope to watch what I missed online.   After church, Marlene, Marsha, Dee and I met up behind the library and we all piled into Marlene's car and we headed to Mt. Morris to see the play PILGRIM.   We stopped for lunch at Brian's USA Diner.   It is not a fancy place, but it has a huge menu.  Our server (Sue) was excellent, and our meals were quick in arriving and very good.  I had the turkey club sandwich with sweet potato fries.  The sandwich was HUGE.  We paid for Marlene's meal since she drove us. Then we went to look for the church where we thought the play was being held.  Lamplighters Ministry.  We found it easily enough, but it did not look...

 After taking care of Petra, I went to the library and read the recent newspapers and then I went to GOULDS Christmas Shop where they were having an Open House.   Everything was marked down sixty percent.  I purchased these items and the total bill was a little over twenty dollars.    I got two calendars and two cookies FREE, also.   I love these white oval bowls, they remind me of milk glass, but I am sure they are not.  I plan to keep one and give the others as Christmas gifts, or maybe take them to the CONNECT Christmas party.   When I got home I cleaned out my refrigerator and straightened both freezers, upstairs and downstairs and kind of took an inventory of what I have.   In the evening I watched this movie on Netflix.    PASSING  I ordered the book from the library.

 I got up a little earlier this morning in order to be at the PRESBYTERIAN HOME at 9:30 a.m. to help peel and slice apples for their  apple pie sale fundraiser event.  So, after taking care of Petra, I headed over and arrived a few minutes earlier and was promptly put to work.  I peeled apples for three full hours and then I was able to stay for lunch, which was very good.  Shrimp and tortellini salad, a roll and butter and some sort of light chocolate desert, maybe mousse.  Sue Rouse called and left me a message.   Peggy called in the evening.  They were heading towards their lodging in a town in southern Mississippi.  

 After picking up two books at the library and taking care of Petra, I went over to FREEDOM CHURCH in order to lead Peggy's FREEDOM GROUP.  Everyone was present and it went very well.  Then I went to Rite Aid, following up on a vague recorded phone message saying that they had a prescription for me.  They didn't, but I asked about my Xidra eye drops and they were able to prepare the third box in a minute or two.  Then I went to HOSPICE to pick up some items Peggy and David paid for as part of a fundraiser: a bottle of wine and a charcuterie box. I realized that I really do not have anything to do tomorrow, so I called Elaine and told her that I can help with the pie making tomorrow.  We agreed that I will arrive at nine thirty a.m. and stay until about noon.  

 I slept horribly last night.  It took a long time to fall asleep and then I kept waking up.   Last night I messaged Jan and asked if she was still free today.  She said yes, so I asked her if she wanted to go back to the Town of Lockport Nature Trails and she agreed.  So, after I took care of Petra, I called her and then picked her up and we went.  We walked parts of different trails, hoping to not get lost.  We were successful.  I told her that I really want to be able to find my way around this trail system.  I took a few pictures. I took this picture of the trail map and we attempted to follow it, but it was difficult.   Before taking her home, we stopped at NIAGARA PRODUCE where I purchased milk, bananas and blueberries. I asked Jan if she might be interested in going to the CONNECT Christmas luncheon that Peggy will host next month.  She said yes, but she is concerned about what to wear.   When I got home, I had...

After taking care of Petra this morning, I went to the Tuesday morning ladies life group at Freedom Church.  It went well.  When it was over, Cindi took our orders for lunch specials at THE MAYFLOWER.  While she went to pick them up, I ran over to TOPS to see if they had the quick bread mixes that I need in order to make Kay Nenni's  FESTIVE FRUIT CAKE.  They did have them and I made that purchase as well as getting some dishwasher liquid. Betty showed up at the church in time for our lunch.  Everyone was happy to see her.  She and I, Robyn and Cindi sat at one table and the others sat at another table.  The others were talking about BINGO and got very loud a few times! In the evening, I called Marlene to see how she is doing.  She said she started back to work today and it went well.  She mentioned a play about THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS in Mt. Morris coming up and I found the information online and we requested four free tickets and made pl...

 I got up somewhat earlier than usual and went to Aldi's where I purchased a turkey as well as a turkey breast for Thanksgiving Dinner.  I took those items as well as three boxes of stovetop stuffing and two cans of Campbells turkey gravy to Peg and David's house, putting the turkey and breast into their freezer.  I fed Petra and cleaned out her water bowl and gave her fresh water, and cleaned out the litter box before calling Jan and picking her up. ' We went to the TOWN OF LOCKPORT NATURE TRAILS in the Town of Lockport.   We had a nice walk, and were very careful to make sure we knew where we were on the trails map.  We walked up to the blue X which stands for the waterfalls and a bit beyond and then we circled around and returned to the parking area.   I took several pictures.   As we were leaving, I asked Jan if she wanted to go someplace for lunch and she said yes.  She suggested we drive north to Newfane and see if there were ...

 I set the clocks back last night and tried to take advantage of the extra hour of sleep but that did not work.  I found myself ready for church way too early, so I decided it would be a good time to go to WalMart and get a turkey and take it to Peg's house and put it in her freezer when I went over to feed Petra.  However, I found that my car would not start.   I called AAA and they sent Beauman's but it took quite a while.  In the meantime, I put cabbage, onions and cider into my small crockpot and worked a bit more on my FREEDOM GROUP homework.   I went out at ten a.m. and tried to start the car and it started right up.  Beauman's arrived a few minutes later and I explained what happened.  The guy checked my battery and found it to be fine, and he said the started appeared to be working well, too.  I decided to skip going to WalMart and I went to Peg's and took care of Petra and then went to church, arriving about seven minutes l...

Elaine called me this morning so we could confirm what time to meet up for the drive through donation turkey dinner at Covenant church in Gasport.  We were discussing that when she mentioned going to the quilt show next weekend.  I quickly looked online and told her that it is THIS weekend.  I offered to pick her up for it but she insisted on picking me up and we agreed on one p.m. to go to the Kenan for the quilts and then go to Gasport.   The QUILT SHOW is absolutely amazing.   So much beauty and color, so well arranged, and vendors also.  We enjoyed every minute. We had to rush a bit at the end because we wanted to get to the church early so we could get in line for the drive through dinner.  It is a good thing we did, because the line of cars extended down 31.  They must have started giving out dinners early, though, since it started moving before three thirty, which is the time it was scheduled to start.        E...