2017 RESOLUTIONS HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE

Happy New Year's Eve!  I am heading off to a neighborhood party despite not feeling very well all day.

I made my resolutions for 2017.  Here they are:

• Have the patience to fine the right child for me
• Remember this process is for the good of the child
• Work on having patience with difficult clients
• Remember your joy!
• Do things to bring joy!

Happy New Year!

Until tomorrow...

SMOG CHECK CAR

Today was the day to smog check the car.  I dropped it off and then went to the doctors.  I came back and picked up the car.

My stomach is upset again.  Ugh.

Until tomorrow...

UPSET STOMACH

Not feeling well today.  My stomach is acting up again.  Ugh.

Until tomorrow...

DONATED MY USED COAT

I took my old winter coat to Burlington Coat Factory to donate it.  It was a black wool coat and it was practically brand new.  It was a few years old but I rarely ever wore it.  I recently had it cleaned.  It was so easy to donate it.

If you have a coat that you don't want and it is in good condition, please donate it to a Burlington Coat Factory during their coat drive.  It is really easy and you get a tax deduction and a 10% certificate for future shopping.

Until tomorrow...

DONATED 9 BOXES OF STUFF

I took 9 boxes of stuff to a place to donate today.  There were clothes, books, audio books, office stuff, and other stuff.  It completely filled my car.  I was so happy to get rid of the stuff.

Now I need to get rid of three boxes of shredding and a box of paint.  I also need to get rid of a steam cleaner.  I am thrilled to clean the stuff out of the garage.  It feels so good to clean it out.

Until tomorrow...

HIDDEN FIGURES

Today I went to see Hidden Figures.  It is an awesome movie.  It should be seen by all kids to show how if you want to do something, you should go do it and let nothing stand in your way.  It was the first movie in a long time where the audience applauded and cheered.

Hidden Figures is about three African-American woman who are super smart and work at NASA as "computers".  This was before computers were machines but were very smart people.  All three women do a different part of putting the John Glenn space ship into space.  It is a fascinating movie and the story is really interesting.  I thought it was one of the best this year.  At least one of the women will win an award.

I also walked across to the mall and bought a winter coat.  Since I lost the weight, my winter coat looks huge on me.  I got a great wool coat that looks like it was made for me.  I am going to donate my old coat. 

Until tomorrow...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Today is my favorite day: Christmas!  I woke up with the dogs and we opened our presents.  The dogs got a new big bed and some toys.

I got some great stuff from family.  One of the best things is from my aunt: a big jar of like about 30-40 different tea bags.  Some really awesome favors too.

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS EVE

I went to the movies to see Lion.  It was a wonderful movie.  Lion is a movie about a about a guy born in India who was separated from his family when he was about 3 years old.  He didn't know his family name or where he was from.  He was adopted and brought up by a family in Australia. When he is in his 20's he decides to find his biological family.  It is a super great movie.  It should win all kinds of awards.

I went to a theater that has the new lounger seats that recline.  They are awesome.  I worry that if I am tired, I will fall asleep.  

Until tomorrow...

COMBATING A BULLY

I had a pretty bad interaction with a client today.  Some times people can bully other people.  I don't think it is right and some times it is hard to take.  There are different ways to combat a bully.  Sometimes talking to the bully works.  Other times standing up to the bully is the way to handle the situation.  Then there is flight; running away. 

In this situation, I have to figure out what I am going to do.  Things can not remain this way.

Until tomorrow...

FRIEND HOSTED PARTY

My friend R came back today with her baby I.  She is using my home to host her friends.  They came over to see the baby for the first time.  There were supposed to be a lot more people but the flu is going around so many people stayed away so the baby didn't get sick.  The baby has not had all her shots yet.  Only a few folks showed up to mingle.

Until tomorrow...

SEEING MY FRIENDS BABY

My friend R is in town and she and her baby I came over for the afternoon.  We hung around for a while and then we went out for burgers.  The baby slept for most of the time we were eating so that was nice.  The baby was so good the whole time they were over.  The baby is cute and happy.

My dogs were so jealous.  They wanted to be the baby.

It was nice to see them both.

Until tomorrow...

JUST A LITTLE CLEAN UP

I need to get my house ready for the upcoming events.  My friend R comes twice this week and I am hosting her friends to come see the baby.

The house is still set up from my party so I just have to clean up.  R is bringing food and drinks.

Until tomorrow...

HYDROGEN BREATH TEST DAY

I had the test today.  It took from 7:45am - 11am.  I show up and drink this disgusting drink.  Then they have me breathe into this thing.  I have to breathe hard enough to fill a balloon type thing.  Then I am left alone for 15 minutes.  Then I have to breathe again.  Every 15 minutes for 3 hours.  I brought all these things to do but honestly I fell asleep.  She says most people fall asleep.  I was in this Barka lounger type chair.  I brought my iPad and started watching a TV show but promptly fell asleep.  She would wake me up to breathe and I would doze off again.

I will find out the results in a few days.

Until tomorrow...

HYDROGEN BREATH TEST PREP

Today is the prep for the Hydrogren Breath Test.  I am forbidden to eat beans, nuts or granola.  I am a vegan.  What does that leave me?  Oh, I am allowed to eat rice.  Woo Hoo!

The hydrogen breath test uses the measurement of hydrogen in the breath to diagnose several conditions that cause gastrointestinal symptoms.  In humans, only bacteria - specifically, anaerobic bacteria in the colon - are capable of producing hydrogen. The bacteria produce hydrogen when they are exposed to unabsorbed food, particularly sugars and carbohydrates, but not proteins or fats. Although limited hydrogen is produced from the small amounts of unabsorbed food that normally reach the colon, large amounts of hydrogen may be produced when there is a problem with the digestion or absorption of food in the small intestine, that allows more unabsorbed food to reach the colon.

I am not allowed to eat after 7 pm.  The test is supposed to take hours.  I am super interested in the how the test works and nervous at the same time.

Until tomorrow...

ROGUE ONE A SECOND TIME AROUND

I went to see Rogue One a second time!!  It is so awesome.  I won't tell you anything about it but it is so worth seeing it.

I am so tired because of the party last night.

Until tomorrow...

PARTY!!

Today was my holiday party.  It was a small intimate affair.  I invited a larger group than arrived.  I think Friday was a hard night to have a party.

The folks that came seemed to have a good time.  There was great food:

Veggie and Hummus Swirls

Hummus stuffed tomatoes

Peanut Butter Cups

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip mini muffins

There were also Polenta Fries, BBQ Cauliflower bites, and veggie with dip.  The cauliflower bites were a hard sell at first but once a person tried one, they were gone pretty fast.

Until tomorrow...

ROGUE ONE THE FIRST TIME

Rogue One!!  It is so good.  I have been waiting for this movie.  It doesn't disappoint.

I have so much to do for my holiday party tomorrow. I came home from the movie and made mini Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.

I have to get to sleep.

Until tomorrow...

MADE MY VEGAN "REESE'S" PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

I have been getting ready for my party.  I already made the "Reeses" peanut butter cups.  They taste really good.

I finished decorating.  I decided not to get a Christmas tree until after the party.  It was too much stress to try to buy and decorate a tree in the next two days.

Until tomorrow...

TSA

Today I went to the airport to get my TSA approval for my Global Reentry.  If you don't know what that is, it allows you to take the TSA PRE line when you fly.  I got the international PRE because it doesn't cost that much more and if I go internationally, I don't want to stand in the long line.  If I am going to go through the long process, I feel I might as well get everything I can get.

It was an easy process.  You do the first part online, then you get an appointment (mine was about 6 months later) and you show up and they look at you, check your documents and, in my case, approved me.  Then about a week later I got my card in the mail.

Until tomorrow...

BACK TO SFO

I got up and drove back to near the airport and hung out until it was close to my flight.  I had a lot of time to kill.  My flight didn't leave until 6:40 pm.  It was nice to just relax.  I actually took a nap.

I had a nice flight and got home to my babies by 11 pm.

Until tomorrow...

DAY FOUR IN FLORIDA

This morning was the brunch.  I think I was one of the few people who was wide awake and chipper.  This was one of the times that not drinking alcohol and caffeine helped me a lot. 

I said goodbye to my family and headed back to S house.  I called her and told her to help me find some food.  As usual there was no real food for me to eat from Friday lunch to Sunday dinner.  I was starving and told her if she found me food I would buy her whole family dinner!  She found me Chinese food and I pigged out.

Until tomorrow...

DAY THREE IN FLORIDA

Today is the big day.  The Bat Mitzvah.  But first I went to a spa with S to get massages, reflexology and facials.  It was fun because S's mom and sister showed up and we just had a big ol' party.

Once we were done with the spa, I had to drive back to the hotel where my family was staying and change for the party.  First we went to Temple and our family was given a part of the ceremony.  Then we went to the appetizer hour.  After a bit the curtains were pulled back and we entered the lovely main room.  It was so beautiful.  Purple, silver and black.  All things about NYC. There was a DJ and MC.  There were freebies for the kids: light up glasses, rings and hair pieces, hats and shirts painted on with your name.  There was a photo booth.  The kids had a special room where they served sliders.  There was non-stop dancing.  It was a fun event.

Until tomorrow...

DAY TWO IN FLORIDA

Today I went to see my nephew's college.  Then we went to lunch.  We had a little bit of time before we had to get ready for temple and dinner.  At the temple there was this awesome speaker from the Religious Action Center in Washington, DC.  This was the first event of the weekend. After temple I drove to S home.

Until tomorrow...

FLY TO FLORIDA

I got up early and took a flight to Florida.  The flight was uneventful.  I landed and went to my cousins house to see the family.   Her daughters were so cute trying to figure out how we were related since we had never met.  After a short time with them, I went to see my friend S.  I stayed with her.  She was a gracious hostess.

It was a long day.

Until tomorrow...

SING

I went to see Sing tonight.  It is an awesome movie.  I loved it!  Think animals and American Idol.  It is so funny.

I recommend this movie.

I also took my shoes to the cobbler a few days ago and today I went to pick them up.  The shoes were not ready.  I was furious.  I kept my cool and didn't yell.  I told them I needed them today because I leave tomorrow for Florida.  They said can you come back in a few hours?  Ugh.  Yes!  

Until tomorrow...

GUT DOCTOR

I went to see my gut doctor today.  I got to see my regular doctor this time.  She agreed with me that stopping all tests until I come back from my trip was a good idea.  If I am still feeling icky when I come back, there are more tests to run.

She seems not too concerned.  She is less flap-able since we have been through this before.  My gut will get worse and get better.  Who knows?  I will say it again, I think it is part of my RA.  I think it is something in my gut that is connected to my RA but "they" just have not named it yet or discovered it yet.  Every year some researcher or doctor discovered some new disease or illness.  Someone could discover this and I could be cured!

Until tomorrow...

HAMILTON TICKETS!

My friend H and I tag teamed this morning and after being in the 800s and 1000s, H finally got through and bought us two tickets to Hamilton!  I left my place in line and it took me 2 hours and 15 minutes to get through despite the window that said it would take "more than 15 minutes".  

I am just so excited that we have tickets to see the prized Hamilton in this century and the tickets didn't cost the price of my house.  H and I agreed on a price and dates before he got through and we texted while H was buying the tickets.  It was a very coordinated and strategic plan.

Now I can't wait for May!

Until tomorrow...

RUNNING AROUND

Running around to get last minute items for my trip to Florida.  Vegan snacks, food for the dogs, food for the bird, do some laundry, clean the house and finish up some work.  Busy busy week.

Until tomorrow...

HOLIDAY PART FOR FOSTERS

Today I went to a holiday party for all the foster/adopt parents and children.  It was fun to meet up with the folks from my class.  Everyone is at a different place in the process.  Usually I would make a super fun side dish but I was rushed and I googled a simple pasta dish.  It was so simple.  It was so gone really fast.  Everyone loved it.  I guess complicated isn't always the best!

Until tomorrow...

HAIRCUT FOR THE TRIP

Time to get my haircut for the upcoming Bat Mitzvah.  I need to make sure my hair is just the right length next week.

I have been getting everything in order for my trip next week.  Finishing up the decorating, last minute shopping, getting the house in order.

Until tomorrow...

BEING OKAY

I have been falling behind in everything with being sick and too much work and this upcoming trip.  Plus all the stuff with the foster/adoption.  I have gotten behind with everything.

I just have to be okay with being behind and get to it when I can.

Until tomorrow...