clairelaine's Journal

Friday
Dec 04 2009 06:12

Art of the Season - Early Winter in Paris.  Pissarro painted this exact view in all seasons and at all times of the day and night.  He must have really loved this spot. 

Boulevard Monmartre on an Early Winter Morning ~ Camille Pissarro, 1897

I got a lot done on Thursday.  It was nearly noon before I was up and moving, but I got my weekly blood test, went to the bank and stopped at the supermarket for half a dozen items that were on sale and that I needed.  Maintenance came and fixed the fan in my heater - it was making a lot of noise.  It's working great now. 

I had a hard time falling asleep last night.  It must have been around 1:30 that I finally dropped off.  Then at 5:30 am, there was the familiar shouting voice and slamming door of the Crazy Lady.  I guess I spoke too soon about her being quiet lately.  There was no police car outside, so I don't know who she was yelling at or why.  But why does it always have to be wee hours.  I turned on my computer and dashed off an email to the office, giving them an earful.  Now I can't get back to sleep.

Plan for today:  visiting nurse at 9 am, important phone calls this afternoon.  In between a nap for sure.  I need to find my snow boots and get out the hats, scarves and gloves - skip to the end to find out why.

Menu for today:  breakfast - raisin bran, milk, blueberries.  Lunch - barley pilaf (I have the barley cooked and in the freezer) small beef patty (2.5 oz) salad.  Supper - chicken braised with onions and herbs, carrots, peas.  Snacks - nuts and seeds, milk, apples

The forecast for today is mostly sunny, high temp 51 F, 11 C.  Then it looks like it all goes sour tomorrow with our first frost and mix of rain and snow - 80% probability by evening.  Of course it could change as the day goes on, but it looks pretty certain now.  I'm sorry my daughter will have bad weather for her birthday and I hope it doesn't spoil my son in law's plans to take her out with friends. 

My neighbor across the hall has a new little dog.  It's a chihuahua - jack russell  mix and is cute as can be, small, black & white.  He seems like a nice, calm little fellow, maybe middle aged for a dog.  I'm so glad because she wanted a pet badly. Last year she had to find her yorkie a new home since it yapped non stop from the minute she moved in.  It did get her up and moving to take him for walks. 

Today:  Catch up on sleep then enjoy the sunshine outdoors. 

Thursday
Dec 03 2009 07:50

Art of the Season - Sometimes winter feels just like this

Women Miners ~ Vincent Van Gogh

The tenants effected by the broken pipe and subsequent flood are all settled in other apartments or have gone to stay with relatives while their apartments are fixed.  Our most severely disabled man only got back from visiting relatives in Pittsburgh so it was a shock for him.  He has round the clock nursing care, so his caregiver and maintenance moved his hospital bed into a neighbor's living room and the caregiver slept on the sofa.  The other paraplegic took off in his specially equipped van to stay with his parents.  The more mobile woman is settled into an empty apartment with just some of her furniture.  Apparently she's a pack rat so the crew is having a time getting the carpeting up.

Wednesday was "interesting."  I got my rent reevaluation completed and wondered - if they can subject poor people to that kind of scrutiny every single year, why can't they prosecute wealthy tax chests?  I had to sign over 20 release of records forms to go to everyone from my bank to Social Security, to my doctors to prove I took in what I claimed and spent what I said I did for medical expenses.  When people talk about welfare cheats I wonder how on earth did they do it?

We did have an unexpected pleasure.  A women's singing group called The Notables entertained in the Community room.  The office was so busy with that flood situation and the rent reevaluations that they forgot to put up so much as a flyer in the elevator, never mind the invitation they used to stick under folks doors.  As a result most of us didn't know about it.  If a friend hadn't knocked on my door to tell me, I would have missed it.  They were a lot of fun, not just Christmas carols, but little skits and a lot of humor.  They really put their hearts into it.

Plan for today:  Must get my INR blood test!done

  I need to deposit a check in the bank done

 and stop at the store for a couple of things. done

  I'll try not to turn it into a shopping trip!  I didn't

Menu for today:  breakfast:  oat bran flakes, milk, blueberries.  Lunch - soup, salad.  Supper - chicken, broccoli & cauliflower, baked sweet potato.  Snacks - apples, leftover cucumber & tomato salad from yesterday.  I know it sounds a bit low in calories, but I'll make it up with larger serving sizes and maybe some bread.

More rain today and the wind really kicked up during the night.  I hope it clears up and we see some sun.   I seem to always be complaining about the weather and my mood.  It does affect me deeply. 

For those who have asked about the Crazy Lady - she did have a major tantrum involving police and EMTs.  One woman really went off on her - a very LOUD woman.  She gave her what for, which is not a good idea.  I've noticed a pattern of a big blow up a couple of days before the full moon, so it's quiet right now.  I hope her case manager is trying to find her alternative housing. 

I did decorate my door a little, and got out the garland I put on the window sill.  It needs to be straightened out.  Maybe a trip to the dollar store will give me some inexpensive ideas.  I hear they have nice stuff.

Today:  Try to lift the gloom and see the bright side. 

Wednesday
Dec 02 2009 06:25

UPDATE:  We're dealing with a disaster here at Trinity House.  A hot water heater sprung a major leak on the 3rd floor during the night and saturated the apartments downstairs from it.  Three tenants in wheelchairs have to relocate while they take up all the carpet and dry wall and dry it all out.  What a mess!  On top of it all, there's someone moving in today.  What a horrible first impression.  I just got back after we made coffee in the comunity room for the workmen.  More later...

Art of the Season - Dressed for the weather

Cafferty ~ Robert Henri, 1922

I actually can't remember much of what I did yesterday.  Lesley was here and helped me a lot, then I spent the rest of the day dozing in my chair.  The problem was then I couldn't go to sleep last night.  Can't win I guess.

Plan for today - Lease renewal meeting this morning in the office.  Some phone calls.  I really should go get my blood test today.  I absolutely must finish cleaning out the refrigerator. 

Menu for Today:  Breakfast - low fat biscuit, jam, milk, decaf coffee.  Lunch - Waldorf salad.  Supper - salmon, carrots, green beans.  Snacks - hard boiled egg, apples, fruit juice.

I suppose we should be grateful that we had one sunny day this week.  Now it's back to dreary rain for the rest of it.  At least it won't be too cold at
57 F, 14 C with almost no wind.  I think I'll pull out the rest of the Christmas decorations and cheer the place up.

Today:  Find the cheer amidst the gloom. 

Tuesday
Dec 01 2009 06:41

Art of the Season - Early winter

Winter Landscape ~ Camille Pissarro, 1873

The day was almost ok yesterday.  I did feel better and I think that's related to losing almost all of the retained fluid.  I still have 4 pounds to go before I reach the weight I was before I got sick.  Also, my body feels thinner, so I'm betting I've lost some real fat along with the water.  The scale will show it in a week or 10 days, I hope.

I did go to the communal birthday party and had a chance to sit have a few laughs with friends.  It broke the monotony of a cold, dreary, wet day - like today's picture, except we didn't get the dusting of snow.

Plan for Today:  Lesley will be here this morning to do the laundry and tidy the place up.  My Dr's appointment has been cancelled and they said they'd call to fit me in later.  I'll be working the bills and my insurance mess.

Menu for Today:  Breakfast - oat bran flakes, blueberries, milk.  Lunch - low sodium tuna salad with cherry tomatoes.  Supper - bow tie pasta with vegetables.  Snacks - apples, carrots

After yesterday's rain and wind, we expect a nice, sunny day today.  The high is supposed to reach 50 F, 10 C, with a breeze.  Sometime during the night before last, the halyard on our flag broke loose so the flag is flapping vertically around the flagpole.  I wonder how long it will take maintenance to bring it down and fix it.  This is my least favorite time of year - the gap between autumn and winter with none of the joys of either one.  My mood matches the weather.

Today:  Don't Worry, Be Happy.   

Monday
Nov 30 2009 05:36

Art of the Season

Harvest Landscape ~ Vincent Van Gogh, 1888 (click for large image)

It's too early to tell how I'm going to feel today, but yesterday was pretty good.  I took an early nap, Bill got here about 1 pm and took me grocery shopping.  I was really tired when we got back but in all, not bad at all.  The scale was down another pound and that may have something to do with it. 

Plan for Today:  I have a few things to do (pay bills etc) and there's a party at 3 pm I'd like to go to.  I also need to change the decoration in my door basket.  I have a little, flat basket that hangs on my door, in which I arrange for each season.  Time to put away the little gourds, silk leaves and turkey and get out the holly and bows, and my beanie baby santa.

Menu for today:  breakfast - cream of wheat, blueberries, milk.  Lunch - leftover pasta and salad.  Supper - low sodium tuna with noodles in sauce, peas, salad.  Snacks - low salt triscuits (85 mgs in 6 crackers) with avocado spread, apples, carrots.

Yesterday was such a nice, warmish day with lots of sun.  I guess it's too much to ask for another one like that.  Rain is on the way.

A neighbor on this floor but the other wing has gone overboard on decorating her doorway.  It looks like Michaels, or some other craft supply store, threw up on her section of the hall.  Lights around the door, sparkly garland wrapped on the handrails, snowflakes on the wall, metallic star confetti on the floor along the baseboard.  It looks like she had l lot of fun.  I wish they'd leave it, but housekeeping is going to have a fit, especially about the confetti. 

Today:  Try to move more. 

Sunday
Nov 29 2009 04:45

More Basement Kittehs.  For those who are not familiar with lolcats, basement cat is the devil and ceiling cat is the "great spirit"

Saturday was just as boring and uneventful as expected.  I kept falling asleep, dropping my book with a thud and was unable to finish watching any TV show.  Sigh.  The visiting nurse called and was running behind.  Asked if she could come Sunday morning - well why not.  She should be here around 9.

Plan for today:  Get in a morning nap so I can go shopping with Bill.  I decided that we can go to the supermarket where the pharmacy is to save effort.  I don't need much so even it their prices are a little higher it won't matter much. I am so looking forward to getting out!

Menu for today:  breakfast - boring old oatmeal again.  Lunch - thawed some chunky bolognese sauce (unsalted) and will cook a little pasta.  Supper - don't know.  Snacks - more fruit and boring old rice cakes.  I manage to get my 1450 calories by eating second helpings but don't really have an appetite when everything tastes so unsalty.  I am craving salt like anything and no amount of lemon juice or spices makes up for it.

I am a total grump this morning.  I couldn't go back to sleep so I'm up.  At least the wind has stopped.  I thought the howling would drive me nuts the past two days.  I won't inflict you with any more whining.  Be back later if I have something good to say.

Today:  Work on my attitude and try to be more positive. 

Saturday
Nov 28 2009 06:58

It seems the best I can say about any of my days is it wasn't too bad.  At least on Friday I didn't feel exhausted.  By late in the afternoon I was falling asleep in front of the TV,  Bubba seemed to like that and slept on his pillow wilth his head on my chest most of the time.  It was nice except when he'd decide to pat my on the face with his paws. 

I'm bored.

Plan for today:  another do nothing day of rest.  The visiting nurse will be here to check on me.

Menu for today:  Breakfast - oatmeal with milk.  Lunch - vegetable soup and cucumber and tomato salad.  Supper - the salmon I planned for last night (had vegetable soup instead)  Snacks - apples, and will these tangerines never be finished?

The wind really kicked up last night and is still howling past my window.  I turned on the heat for a little while, until I got into bed.  This morning it's on low to get the chill out of the air.  I moved my african violet away from the vent and will get some help to move the big plant too.  All my houseplants are thriving. 

Today:  Curl up with a book and listen to the wind rage outside. 

Black Friday
Nov 27 2009 05:23

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  My family went to extra trouble to make sure my meal was very low sodium.  I can't say I enjoyed that very plain food, but I certainly did enjoy the company, and I saw it on the scale this morning with another pound of water gone. 

Plan for today:  wash a load of old towels that I keep in the car.  One of them is soaked because I put it on the leaky floor.  Other than that I have no plans to do anything.  If I go out at all it will be to pick up prescriptions.

Menu for today:  breakfast - oatmeal with raisins and milk.  Lunch - leftover turkey dinner.  Supper - lemon salmon, spinach, carrots, bulghur wheat salad.  Snacks - tangerines, apples, yogurt.

It's going to be another dreary morning, but the forecast shows a little sun this afternoon.  I still haven't turned on the heat.  It was chilly last night but I managed with an extra blanket.  I like a cool room for sleeping. 

Today:  Fight off boredom with a book. 

Happy Thanksgiving
Nov 26 2009 07:24

Blue Heron Thanksgiving ~ Thomas Swopes, 2006

Wherever you are - I wish all my Calorie Count friends a beautiful Thanksgiving, filled with love and joy.