clairelaine's Journal

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.

Wednesday

Nov 25 2009 05:58

Art of the Season: American Primitive Folk Art

Getting in the Winter Wood ~ Queena Stovall

Getting through each day is the only thing I'm doing right now. Tuesday the visiting nurse was here. My lungs are clear and my feet are swollen. Now I have to spend at least 1 hour out of every three with my feet elevated above the level of my heart. It did seem to help. She was pleased that I'm gradually losing all that water weight.

Plan for today: I have an important phone call before lunch, then at 2:30 must take all my paperwork to the office for rent re-evaluation. That has to be done each year, but my lease isn't up until February so this is kind of a pain. There is still only one person in the office. The office manager who has been gone for over a month signed everything they sent me, so I assume she'll be back sooner or later. Meanwhile, the tennants are short changed.

Menu for today: Breakfast - oatmeal with raisins & milk. Lunch - half a chicken sandwich and salad. Supper - pork chop, apples, cabbage and potato. Snacks - tangerines, yogurt and triscuits.

It's another dreary, rainy day, but not quite as cold. Right now it's 50 F, 10 C. I'll avoid going out. The nurse drew my blood for my weekly test, so at least I didn't have to go out yesterday. I do have to pick up some prescriptions, but it can wait.

Today: All I want to do is sleep like an old bear in a cave.

Turkey Day Leftovers

Nov 27 2009 12:00

Our day of feasting is over and there was plenty of food left over. Those leftovers are delicious and many people love them as much as they love Thanksgiving Day. By the end of the weekend some have changed their mind due to too many turkey sandwiches, turkey stew, turkey soup and all other things turkey. How can we avoid boredom before the leftovers are gone? A little creativity is in order.

Before we talk about how to use those good things, we need to discuss food safety. Read the About.com article, Storing Thanksgiving Leftovers Safely. The facts in the article are taken from the US Food and Safety Bureau. A few simple precautions will keep your food fresh and wholesome.

Cut turkey and stuffing into smaller pieces in shallow containers, within two hours of cooking. Use these within three to four days, and use gravy within 2 days, or freeze them. Reheat to 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.

Now we can begin preparing our leftovers for post-holiday meals. Of course turkey sandwiches, either hot or cold, are popular, but we can also incorporate the meat in casseroles and other one-dish meals. Chop it finely and put it into chili or soups.

Don't forget to use the carcass for soup. The best flavor is obtained when the bones are put into a 350 degree Fahrenheit or 177 degrees Celsius oven, until they are golden. Put the bones and any scraps of skin into a soup pot. Add a few stems of celery and a carrot or two, some onions and garlic, parsley and other herbs. Cover with cold water to about 2 inches over the top of the contents of the pot. Bring the pot to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for an hour or two. You may want to strain the broth and then put fresh vegetables in it along with some bite size turkey pieces for a tasty soup. Add noodles at the very end, or better yet, place the cooked noodles into each bowl and ladle the soup over. If you leave the noodles or rice in the broth, be prepared for them to soak up all the broth.

One of my own favorites is mashed candied sweet potatoes. I like to add an egg and pour it into a pie shell to bake. No other sweetening is needed.

Mashed white potatoes can be made into a number of good side dishes. If you've never had them mixed with an egg, dusted with flour, formed into patties and browned in a frying pan, then you are in for a treat.

We have some creative recipes for you today, all by Calorie Count members. Enjoy!

Tuesday

Nov 24 2009 05:09

Art of the Season: Contemporary artists

Autumn Leaves Aspen Landscape ~ Delilah Smith

What a dreary, miserable day it was and more of it coming today. I had to go out to see the doctor and used the valet parking at the hospital just to avoid walking in the cold rain.

I got bad news as well. My heart is still in atrial flutter almost all the time, explaining why I just don't feel right. For now, the decision is to let me acclimate to the amiodarone for one month then check again. It might start working but maybe not. After that the only solution is an AV node ablation procedure which I'd like to avoid but may not have a choice.

Next week I see the regular cardiologist about this persistant congestive heart failure. It is what it is and all I can do is keep going and try to get better.

Better news is that I made headway with my health insurance. I found two companies that will write me a Medigap policy for low premiums. I'm now waiting for mailed packets to arrive and for a letter from my former employer saying that my current coverage will end.

Plan for Today: Lesley is coming to do my laundry and clean. The visiting nurse is coming to talk about non systemic ways of dealing with CHF (that is physical things rather than meds). Finish working on my rent re-evaluation to turn into the office on Wednesday.

Menu for today: breakfast - high fiber cereal, blueberries, milk. Lunch - half a chicken sandwich and a large salad. Supper - pork chop with potato and cabbage. Snacks - tangerines, apples, yogurt.

The less said about the weather here the better. It was chilly last night but I just put another blanket on the bed and didn't have to turn on the heat. That will keep my electric bill down.

Today: Go deeper into hibernation.

Monday

Nov 23 2009 05:54

Art of the Season: J.E.H MacDonald - Canadian Group of Seven

Algoma Waterfall ~ J. E. H. MacDonald, 1920 (worth clicking for large image)

I had a nice Sunday. I baked Bill a spice cake and decided not to do the boiled caramel icing. He's been complaining that rich food bothers his stomach, and the ingredients of that icing are cream, butter, brown sugar. We had a piece and it really didn't need the icing. I sent the rest home with him.

Later in the evening I had a nice phone call from one of my best friends. Her latest temp job has ended and the possibilty of work before the beginning of next year is bleak for her. With her skills (types 60 WPM with no mistakes, knows all the office computer programs, is a data entry wiz, etc) I can't understand why one of these companies don't hire her. We did have a good talk and promise to visit.

Plan for Today: Make phone calls to insurance companies. Do paperwork to turn into the office on the 25th - isn't it nice they gave me 3 days? The envelope was shoved under my door last night at about 7 pm. Gotta love 'em.

Menu for Today: Breakfast - oat bran flakes, blueberries, milk. Lunch - half a tomato & cheese sandwich and vegetable soup. Supper - ground beef, tomato and cabbage casserole. Snacks - tangerine, apple, yogurt.

The forecast is for rain by noon and a high of 48 F, 9 C. Not my favorite kind of weather at all. Hope I don't have to go out, but that depends on when the doctor can fit me in this week. He wanted to see me in one week, but his receptionist never called me back with a time.

Today: Hibernate.

Sunday

Nov 22 2009 04:52

I was actually able to cook a little yesterday. I made a pot of turkey stock which was easy because I just cut the vegetables in chunks instead of chopping. I let it cool and it's in the refrigerator. When Bill comes this afternoon he'll help me strain it and will wash the pot. What could be easier?

It was his birthday Friday so this morning I'm baking his favorite - spice cake with caramel frosting. He is impossible to buy for so I give him what will make him happy, usually a cake or once a freezer full of home made goodies. He can't cook so he loves it.

We had a sort of impromtu gathering in the afternoon. Some women made crockpot chili and invited us all to watch a video of one of the past talent shows and share dinner. I had a great time mostly because it was early in the day before I felt tired. My neighbor was in this one. I knew that she was a professional ballroom dancer in her day, but I didn't know she could sing. We have an idea for a skit for the next talent show, if there ever is one.

Plan for today: Bake the cake (it's an easy one) make the icing (also easy) and then be quiet and rest until Bill gets here.

Menu for today - breakfast - high fiber cereal, milk, blueberries. Lunch - tomato and cheese sandwich with lots of tomato and very little cheese, and a cup of vegetable soup. Supper - turkey (some of the meat I roasted for the stock) sweet potato, spinach.

I hope the forecast is right today - lots of sunshine. There are just a few stray leaves left on the oaks and sweet gums. It's looking wintry out there but we have only had very slight frost at night. I can't believe that we haven't had a killing frost this late in November.

Today: Show the one you love how much you appreciate him, or her.