JuneNYsAdventuresPart2

 Yesterday, I called Betty and asked her if she could drive me to HOOKS SHOE STORE in Amherst.  I needed to pick up a couple of toe cushions (for hammer toes) since my left toes started hurting several days ago.  Betty agreed to take me and she picked me up at ten a.m. We found HOOK'S easily enough, and I bought two cushions, one for the right foot and one for my left foot.  I also purchased a pair of wide New Balance sneakers.    It's hard to find shoes wide enough for my feet, and New Balance has not been supplying the stores for several months, so inventory is low, but they had a pair in my size.   So, I purchased them, even though they were terribly expensive. Betty wanted to go to the nearest J.C. Penney's to return a pair of slippers that she purchased.  While there, we looked around.  I noticed a table with long sleeved t-shirts.  I asked Betty if she needed any long sleeve t-shirts and she said no, but she picked out four, w...

 I did not sleep well last night, but that is getting to be a regular thing.  In the morning, when checking facebook I saw info. about a movie about C.S. Lewis.   It is available on FB for a price, so I did a search on my ROKU TV.  I found a documentary with a similar title; I am pretty sure it is not the movie advertised on FB.  I turned it on and watched part of it. I called Peggy and suggested that since she has to work tomorrow, we might do our traditional New Years Eve dinner on a different day, but she thinks tomorrow will be the best, and most likely she will not work a full day.   I called HOOKS SHOES in Amherst to see if they have any toe cushions because the toes on my left foot are acting up.  I am wearing a makeshift pillow, by turning a right foot cushion over and it is working, but I think I should get an appropriate one.   They have them.  Betty will pick me up  tomorrow morning at ten and we will head south...

 Before meeting up with Gail and Peggy at the FIELDSTONE for lunch, I went to the library and picked up two books and read the last four days newspapers, and then I stopped at Aldi's for a few items.  Aldi's was pretty crowded and only had two cashiers working, so it was a bit of a madhouse.   Gail, Peggy and I had a nice lunch.  I had the baked fish which comes with the soup and salad bar.  Everything was very good.  After leaving the Fieldstone, Peg and I met up at the BUTCHER SHOP.  Our intentions were to purchase scallops and steaks for our traditional New Year's Eve supper at their house.  However, they were totally out of scallops.  So, we went to TOPS and got those items, as well as some shrimp and some lobster bisque.   Peggy took the items for New Year's Eve dinner to her house.  She had to go over to see Louise after that.  Louise is very upset after seeing her doctor this morning because he wants her to tur...

 Carrie and I spent time together until it was time for her to be picked up and go back to her group home.  She ate well and had a bath and shampoo.  Sue picked her up around two p.m.   It was kind of a boring day until I watched this hour long video, which Leslie sent me.   https://rumble.com/vmyx1n-monopoly-who-owns-the-world-documentary-by-tim-gielen.html?fbclid=IwAR1r1CBhF1qD-fnqHtQbox7eWPAmd4oMOAwKxDTr8--5RXL3Xm7zj5Wtmxo

 Both Carrie and I slept in a bit this morning, which meant for a late breakfast.  We both had oatmeal with banana slices.  Very good.  It took me a while to wake fully up even though I did not take a sleeping pill last night.   After Carrie was dressed and settled for the day, I checked my facebook, and a memory from 2014 came up.  It was the day Becky and I went to Niagara Falls to the Power Vista to see the decorated Christmas trees.  Also, that day I made sweet potato soup!  Reading about it made me hungry so I decided to make sweet potato soup again, so I could use up some of the leftover ham.    I read a bit of THE SISTERS BROTHERS off and on in the morning.  I called US Bank and requested forgiveness of interest and late penalty, for a bill that I am sure I paid online at Citizens Bank.  I guess it is possible that I neglected to click on the last PAY BILL.  Anyways, the fees were forgiven, and I went online an...

 After breakfast I started putting things away and moving things around in order to get the house ready for Carrie's arrival.  Then I decided to open and set up the Christmas gift that Megan sent me.  Of course, it is not working the way it is supposed to.  But I didn't expect it to, due to my former experiences with technology.   I decided to skip church because I just felt thoroughly exhausted from yesterday and thought I should get rested up before Carrie arrived.  I finished putting stuff away and got things ready for her.  She arrived home at four p.m.   In the evening, I watched the documentary BRAIN ON FIRE, a true story of a 21-year-old woman who had an autoimmune disease attacking her brain.  She recovered due to to the efforts of a retired doctor who agreed to look at her.  

 I slept pretty good last night, got up and prepared french toast with sliced banana for breakfast.   I finished the vacuuming and straightening and added an extra set of lights on the railing leading down to the family room.   I set the table and then got to work preparing food for Christmas dinner.   Here is the menu Ham with raisin sauce baked sweet potato slices pea salad corn baked beans butternut squash casserole crescent rolls, and another kind of bread for desert:  Scott's birthday cake                   fruit cake                  cookies and brownies                 jello I finished watching DON'T LOOK UP and started in on the limited series THE GIRL FROM OSLO. At first, I liked DON'T LOOK UP but all of a sudden it turned into kind of a comedy that I did not care for, also too much profanity.    ...

 I had to go to Rite Aid to pick up my prescriptions, so I also went to Aldi to get a few items.  When I got home I started getting the ingredients ready for a PEA SALAD that I like.  Then I set to completing vacuuming the living rooms.  But I only did the main one and will do the other one tomorrow. I made the raisin sauce for the ham and started throwing together the COWBOY BEANS and thawed out the squash. I picked Maggie up for the Christmas Eve service at FREEDOM SOUTH.  The service was wonderful. Many of my photos were used in the slide show about Lockport.   I introduced myself to a woman I had never seen before (Carol) and we talked for a bit before and after the service.  I spoke to Debby and Scott (Betty's daughter and son in law), and Scott's mother Lela.   By IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5205210/, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54 090699 I decided  to make my MERRY CHRISTMAS phone calls tonigh...

 I cleaned the kitchen and dining area floors and the bathroom and started setting the table for Christmas dinner.  I made layered JELLO just for the fun of it.  However, I expected three layers and only got two.  I talked to Peg on the phone a few times and also called Gail and the three of us will get together for lunch next week on Wednesday, unless the weather is bad and if it is, we will change it to Thursday.  I read some in THE SISTERS BROTHERS.  I went out and cleaned off the car and turned it around.   I added an extra set of lights to my Christmas decorations.  Leslie called just as I was ready to turn the phone off so I could take a nap.  We talked for about a half hour or so.  I wish she lived closer to Lockport so we could spend more time together.  I took a late nap.   I called Connie's cell phone.  She has moved to HAMPSHIRE HOUSE!  It is a top notch assisted living facility.  I suggested...

I did a few things around the house this morning, including chopping the onion and browning the ground beef for the COWBOY BEANS I will prepare for Christmas Day,  and made arrangements for Carrie to come home for a couple of days after Christmas and then went to Aldi's and Dollar General for a few items that I need.  I met up with Jan at the Palace Theatre at 12:45 so we could watch the very old movie (1954) WHITE CHRISTMAS.  There were only 12 to 15 people at the most in the theatre.  I had never before seen the movie.  I enjoyed it.  I love going to the PALACE, because I spent so many happy hours there (mostly on Saturday afternoons) when I was a kid.   I didn't appreciate the beauty of the inside, with the murals, etc. then, but I do now, especially since it was recently restored.   After the movie, I suggested we go someplace for a bite to eat.  We decided to go to SCRIPTS which is right next to the theatre.  I had a cup ...

  I decided to look for a recipe for baked rice pudding using cooked rice and I found this recipe and tried it       BAKED RICE PUDDING Recipe Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 2.5qt baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in the cooked rice, breaking apart any clumps. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 1 hour or until the custard is set. W hile it was baking I prepared Cinnamon CHEX  Churro Chex Mex.   The recipe is on the back of my box of Cinnamon Chex.  It is done in the microwave.  I like it.  I tried to nap in the afternoon, after a light lunch but I don't think I fell asleep.      Betty picked me up at a little bit after four thirty and we went to Myrna's place to meet up with her and VIcky.  Then we headed to the fairgrounds for the Christmas light show.  When we got there, we decided it might work bett...

 In the morning, I called Hildy, a woman who helps Connie out.  I asked her what is going on with Connie.  Apparently, Connie got nervous about the idea of propane leaking into your trailer and she told her neighbor Pauline and Pauline told her she should GET OUT of the trailer.  This is contrary to what Connie said a couple of days ago.  She said Pauline hollered "Propane, get out."  I wondered how Pauline would know about a propane leak in Connie's trailer in the middle of the night.    Hildy and her husband, Frank, will be working with medical professionals and will make decisions on Connie's behalf since Hildy is Health Care Proxy and both of them are Power of Attorney.  I am grateful that Connie never completed the process to change of that over to me.   I puttered around the house, and wrote Christmas cards for my grandkids, and got them in the mail, and got gifts ready for Peggy, David and Becky and did a few other organizati...

 I picked Maggie up for church this morning.  She asked me if I could take her to DOLLAR TREE and WalMart after church.  I agreed.  Before church started, I took a few pictures of the decorations in the front of the sanctuary.  The sermon was excellent.  After church, we went to DOLLAR TREE first, then to BURGER KING for lunch.  Maggie treated me.  We both had chicken sandwiches.  Then we went to WalMart.  I purchased a few items.  Maggie's prescription was not ready when she went to the pharmacy, so we were there longer than planned.  I agreed to pick her up for the Christmas Eve service and she agreed to call me to remind me. Shortly after I got home, Lori called and asked if I wanted to go with her to the PENDLETON CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH for a Christmas music program.  I agreed to meet up with her at Freedom Church and she would drive.   I laid down, but could not fall asleep, probably because of the D...

 In the morning I made fruitcake.  This time I substituted cider for water and added what was left of the cranberry sauce I made after Thanksgiving, and two small jars of maraschino cherries, along with the candied pineapple and citron.   Peggy and David came over to install a new smoke detector and check the humidifier on my furnace.  I need to call Drum Oil on Monday and ask if they checked the humidifier when they were here for my yearly furnace cleaning and check.  While here, Peggy tried a piece of my fruitcake and she loved it.  I also tried it and she is right.  It is absolutely scrumptious. I gave Peg a half of one loaf and a small fruitcake to take to Myrna since she was on her way to deliver a couple of frozen meals to her.   Shortly after Peg and David left, Connie called. She is in Bassett Hospital in Delhi.  A couple of nights ago, in the middle of the night, her across the road neighbor, Pauline, woke her up screaming ...

 NYSEG came and the guy said there is nothing wrong with the meter.   Shortly after he left, I headed out to get Christmas groceries.  First to Aldi where I purchased the ham and a few other items.  Next to WalMart where I purchased some items that I could not get at Aldi and then to TOPS.  At TOPS, I was mainly looking for ALMOND PASTE for a recipe I saw this morning on FB.  TOPS did have it, and it was on sale which is good since it is kind of expensive.  Then I delivered the ham to David who will prepare it on Christmas Day, and then bring it to my house for our Christmas dinner.   I forgot to mention that when I stopped to get gas, my USBANK card was rejected.  So, when I got home, I called and was told that there had been problems with the mail, that other people have called about them, and that may be the reason why I did not get my bill and pay it.  I was told the amount and I agreed to pay it online thru my bank and the...

 This morning was the final meeting of Peggy's FREEDOM GROUP.  I tried to arrive early to help her set up for the "brunch" that was planned last week, but I only managed to get there about ten minutes early, so I helped her a bit.  The brunch and lesson went well.  Johnna brought breakfast sandwiches, which were very good.  Patty brought a huge bowl of cut up fruit.  Linda brought PAULA'S DONUTS!!!!!  (but not my favorite plain ones) and there were other items, too.    I had to leave early due to having an appointment with Dr. Danaher for a post Covid check up.  She checked my lungs and said they are 97 percent out of a possible 100 percent.  Most people fall between 95 and 99.   She called in a new script for a different medication to help me sleep, and she said I can stop taking the tiny aspirin daily, due to new findings.   When I got home, I called US BANK and redeemed points.  I will get a Visa Card for...

 I got up at seven forty five in order to be ready for the two guys from HOME DEPOT who would be bringing the new back door and installing it.  They were kind of late arriving.   Unfortunately, there was a major problem with the door, so they did not even take it out of the truck.  They looked at the old door and the sill, etc. and said that the door they had would not work.  I called Peg and told her.    I called Jan and we changed our plans from the four p.m. showing to the one p.m. showing of ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE.  Then I called Pam and she agreed to meet us at the Palace for the movie.   There were only about ten or twelve other people at the Palace for the one p.m. movie.  I loved it!  I think this might be the first time that I watched the entire movie.  I am not sure why Pam left after the first hour. After the movie, I drove out to the Royalton Center Church to pick up a spaghetti dinner.  I ran into Bet...

 I arrived a few minutes before ten a.m. at the church for the Ladies Life Group.  Elaine arrived a couple of minutes later.  She told me that the Life Group would not take place today, that everyone was bringing a dish to pass for a Christmas luncheon and fellowship.  I told her that I did not bring anything since I did not know about it (she should have called me, but she didn't).  I wish I had known about it because if I had, I would have invited Betty and picked her up.  At any rate, people started arriving, bringing food with them. I took these pictures in the lobby before the meeting.  Sarah Hull and her mother, Patty, always decorate the sanctuary and lobby for Christmas.    Pam brought three trays of lasagna that she made.  Karen brought hot taco salad.   I think the rest was deserts, with one tray of cut up vegetables.  The staff came down and joined us, and it was a nice time, but as usual, very disorganized....

 NYSEG did not show up  this morning between nine and eleven a.m., like had been arranged a few weeks ago, for them to replace the meter reading box for the upstairs apartment.  They did not call, either.  I tried to reach someone to reschedule, but after about 20 minutes on hold, I hung up.     I puttered around the house, and put together a bag of items to go to the GOOD WILL, and straightened up the area just inside my front door where I have a "catch all" with a mirror and a coat tree.  I threw some papers out, and moved some maps and tourism brochures to a better spot.  I headed out a little early for my appointment with Dr. Chubineh.  I went to the library, to Niagara Produce and I dropped off some items to the Little Food Pantry behind the Methodist Church.  My appointment went well.  I was surprised when a PA named Lisa came in to see me instead of Dr. Chubineh.  However, I like her and feel she did a good job....

 I had not been up very long when I got a call from the Niagara County Health Department, asking me about any symptoms, etc.  A little later on I got this email:   2021-12-12 Carolyn Simmons 17 Phelps Street, Lockport, NY, 14094 This notice is to inform you that based on your certification that you have met the clearance criteria set forth by the New York State Department of Health, you are released from mandatory isolation due SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as of 2021-12-12. Accordingly, you are no longer under travel or activity restrictions outlined in the Niagara County Department of Health Isolation Order. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, this does not release you from any other restrictions contained in any Executive Order issued by the Governor of New York State, Niagara County officials, or any applicable New York State or local laws. It is expected that, though released from isolation, you will still adhere to these mandates and re...