DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PRESENTATION

I did my disaster preparedness presentation to my neighborhood watch tonight. I made a tub of items that are useful and used it as a prop. I thought it went well. I got laughs in the right places. People seemed attentive. 

I received a great compliment at the end. A neighbor runs a Toastmasters group and he said after my presentation that it was good enough for Toastmasters! Nice! 

Until tomorrow...

MERRY EVE OF CHRISTMAS EVE

I woke up this morning and I felt better. Last night I had a heating pad on my chest for a few hours. I think that and the medicine made my esophagus and chest feel better. It lasted a good portion of the day. 

I iced the rest of the cookies and made plates for my neighbors. There are chocolate cookies with peppermint icing, coffee chocolate candies, and chocolate cups with peanut butter/white chocolate, almonds and craisins. Someone already told me the chocolate/peanut butter ones are the best. How can you beat the combination of chocolate and peanut butter? 

Lucky and I delivered the plates to the neighbors. Lucky got dolled up for the occasion. 

Then I worked on my advent puzzle. An advent puzzle comes in a big box with 24 little boxes holding puzzle pieces for a section of the puzzle. It makes staring at a 1,000 piece puzzle a little easier. I have one little box left tomorrow, #24. Then the puzzle will be complete. 

Until tomorrow...

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

I had my neighborhood watch meeting tonight. It went better than I thought. I floated having two committees rather than one. Some folks are more interested in fun/community building and I am more interested in safety. So now I am in charge of safety. My first meeting is disaster preparedness. 

I think it was a good compromise. 

Until tomorrow...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2022

I handed out candy to a few kids tonight. It is 8:30 and I haven't seen a kid in awhile so I packed it in. I live in a small street and I was the only home giving out candy. Next door the renters were giving out candy for awhile but I heard them leave. I was the only house decorated. It is sad because I love Trick-or-treaters but none of the other houses participate. My house is all lit up with lights in the window and a big light up spider web on the front door with a giant spider. I have a light up pumpkin on my porch. All the other houses are dark. 

I gave out vegan, peanut free, non-GMO, all fruit and vegetable flavoring and coloring, no high fructose candy. It tastes really good. There are gummies and Skittles type things and lollipops. One parent was really pleased when I told her. She works for a tofu company. 

I dressed Lucky up as a bat. She looked so cute. 

Lucky went to the park today with the dog walker for the first time since her episode (that's what we call when she got sick and fell over). He said she did good for the first hour but then she went in the car and slept. She got tired. He said she was slower than before the episode (BE). Also he said she was less enthusiastic than BE. Less excited. He thinks she is scared one of the other dogs will knock her over. It all makes sense. She got a big scare. She came home and fell fast asleep. But she woke up for the Trick-or-treaters!  I gave her a dose of cough medicine to see if that helps with her congestion. I was supposed to do it days ago but I kept forgetting and I have to feed her a bit before I give it to her. It's a whole thing and timing is key. Tonight was perfect. Let's hope it helps her congestion. She is scheduled to go again next Monday. 

Until tomorrow...

FINISHED BOOK FOR BOOKCLUB

Today was a good day. Lucky and I took a walk and saw some neighbors. About two months ago I bought some cookie mixes that I have been buying for years but this time when I got them, the ingredients included powdered milk. I was disappointed because I bought 6 of them in different flavors. Today my neighbor said he would try to take them back for me. 

I finished reading the book for the virtual book club I am participating in tomorrow. If you don't remember I tried to join this bookclub in person pre-pandemic but it didn't work out and then it was lockdown and the bookclub stopped. Now it is virtual so I thought I would give it a go. I got the book a few weeks ago. It is a mystery bookclub. I enjoy mysteries so it might be fun. Plus I need to be more social. 

I spent some of the day planning out the new Raw Vegan Dessert chapter of the cooking course. It is different than the other chapters. The other chapters had recipes and videos telling you how to make the dish. This chapter tells you how to do techniques and it is up to me to decide how to use those techniques to make a dessert. A little intimidating. The desserts are mostly entremets. Little desserts. It will be very creative. 

Until tomorrow...

3RD DAY AFTER ENDOSCOPY RESULTS

 Today I felt better. I took Lucky for a walk. I met up with some neighbors on the walk and talked some. I met a new neighbor and gave their daughter $2 for her orange juice stand. I don't drink orange juice, especially now. 

Then I buckled down and did some invoicing. I got one client completed for three months. I am sure they will be thrilled. 

I had phone calls from various family members. 

I decided to try real food. I have been taking both my medications so it should be fine. Well, it has been two hours since I ate the food and I am beginning to regret it. I had a vegan chick'n sandwich with tomato, lettuce and vegan mayo. Maybe I should have stuck to the rice. My chest is not feeling too good again. 

It is time to go lay down and watch some TV. 

Until tomorrow...

PROGRESS ON THE FENCE

There has been progress on the fence. I got a phone call from the fence company. I almost fainted. I have been passed the first step and the fence has been shipped to the area. Next week they are going to give me a date. The main guy told me secretly I originally had a date of this Monday. But because I had not passed the first step, they had to push the date back. My fence will only take one day so they can do it rather quickly. 

I had my doctor's visit today with the ENT doctor. I researched what would happen before I went and I was not disappointed. I had a tube put down my nose. Even though it is numbed it is not pleasant. It actually hurt. (although I feel like I can breathe easier now!) He looked and did not see anything. He made me "he he he" over and over again. I guess that makes your throat do a certain thing. No cancer, polyps, or anything else. Good news. 

Now the plan is that I have to get an endoscopy and go see a laryngologist. I need to get an endoscopy to see if the problems (chest pain/voice) are from reflux/heartburn. I am going to see a laryngologist to see if the voice problem is not connected to the chest pain. It seems that this is a more complicated issue than I thought. It may be that my long term use of prednisone could have effected my voice. We shall see. 

I was making dinner when I heard a siren, then another, then another. I went outside and the apartment building across the street was on fire. Long story short seems that someone was barbecuing on the roof and it caught on fire. There were 10 fire trucks and 25 fire people.  It was madness. We all stood there. I tried in vain to reach my neighbor who lives next door to the apartment building. The fire was put out and everyone (including pets) are okay. I think some folks are sleeping in hotels tonight with smoke and water damage. Lesson: don't BBQ on the roof in a drought. 

I finally got inside and was starved. I shelved the idea I had for dinner and made a quick stir fry. 

I just have to show you this absolutely cut photo of Lucky. 

It is her favorite book about dogs "Letters to my dog". 

Until tomorrow...

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GOT A NEW CLIENT

I was referred to a person and low and behold today they hired me. It is a short term gig but it could turn into a long term gig. I was surprised he hired me on the spot. Contract signed today and everything. This is good news 

I listened to the PT today and worked on my new desk and chair. I think it made a little bit of a difference. It did make a difference in Lucky's life. She is relegated to a dog bed on the floor behind me. She is not happy. 

I really liked how my office was set up but now I think maybe I need to move furniture around. I don't like looking at a wall. I don't know. I am not a very spatial person. It is hard for me to visualize what furniture will look like in spaces. 

My neighbor came to help me fix my pride flag. We took it down again and fixed the clasps. Then I hung it back up again. I hope this is the final time for awhile. I have such nice neighbors. 

Until tomorrow...

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

Happy Independence Day. What a day. No equal rights for women and a mass shooting. 

I stayed inside and baked cookies. I wanted to give my neighbor who helped me with my flag some cookies. Would you believe when I got home from dropping off the cookies at their house the flag had come off the hook again? I ordered the correct item to keep it on the eyelet and it will arrive on Wednesday. 

I ate these salads for my BBQ. Coleslaw and chickpea pasta salad. So delicious. 

That was all I did today. 

Until tomorrow...

GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE DOG THAT FELL

 Good news about the doggie. The doggie has no broken bones and only bruises. It is a bit of a miracle that after falling almost two floors the doggie is only limping. 

The neighbor thanked me this morning for jumping the fence and keeping the doggie calm while the doggie was in panic mode. That was really nice. 

Today was another project that I couldn't wait to finish. All these projects coming at once because people want to go out on leave and the want to get this work done before they leave. I wasn't really ready to work on all these projects simultaneously. 

Then to add to the chaos, my email server company decided to shut down my email and move to a new system last night. I was warned but I was unaware of the implications of this move so when I woke up and my phone and computer didn't have any emails on it, I was trying to stay calm. I finally got a web-based email to work for my business but that is all I could sort out today. But all my old emails are in my old system (for 15 years) and now I have a new system and they don't talk. What fun!

I went on a walk with my neighbor today. We took Lucky for a walk around the neighborhood. I finally got to hear about her trip to Hawaii. 

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN DEHYDRATED ZUCCHINI CHIPS

 Last night before I went to bed I sliced up a zucchini, added oil and spices and put the slices in my dehydrator. This morning I had Zucchini Chips. You are probably asking what in the world do they taste like? Honestly, they taste like Doritos! I really don't taste the zucchini at all. I really search for it and so far I have only tasted zucchini on one chip. Mostly I just taste the spices which taste like Doritos. They are crunchy and crispy. Here is the process in photos:

I put some vegan cream cheese on a chip to cool it down. 

Next I think I will dehydrate some apple slices. 

Today was another work day. All these clients are going out on leave at the same time and they all want their work done before they leave on leave so I am rushing to get it all done. Leave I say! Leave. 

My neighbor stopped me when I was walking Lucky one of the two times today and she said she wanted to coordinate our walks this week. I want to hear about her trip to Hawaii. It will be nice to talk to someone other than Lucky on a walk. 

I got some great reviews on the Lemon Crinkle Cookies. One neighbor asked for the recipe. They were a hit. 

I bought an indoor TV antenna. I know what you are thinking "What??" I wanted to watch the Scripps Spelling Bee. I watch it every year and this year it is not being broadcast on ESPN for the first time in forever. I guess they decided a spelling bee is not a sport or something. 😛It is being broadcast on a channel that is not included in many packages ION. I heard that if you have an antenna that gets local channels, you can get ION. I spent like $12 to get the antenna and it works. I am not sure if I get ION but it is still cool. No more being bored if the WiFi goes out. I can still watch local channels. I get about 25 channels but most of them I would not watch (shopping, news, other languages, kids shows, etc)  I started to watch an old black and white movie that looked funny before I stopped myself and got back to work. I just hope I get to watch the spelling bee. It is always so much fun to watch the kids spell such amazing words.  It stretches my vocabulary. 

Enough for tonight. Until tomorrow...

A FRIEND STOPPED BY

I got a text early this morning asking if a friend could stop by. This friend is in the area from their home and Hawaii. It was a very pleasant and unexpected visit. He came by and we sat in the backyard for about 45 minutes and did a little catch up face to face. It was good to see him.

After he left I did my meditation and read a book out in the backyard since it was such a pleasant day. And then I buckled down and got some work done before my two meetings tomorrow.

I did make a little dinner walked the dog, took my neighbors some cookies, and then sat down and watched a Netflix movie called Senior Year. I thought it was very cute and funny but be warned it has extremely bad language.

Until tomorrow...

LUCKY WAS JUST STUNNED

 Well, Lucky fans, Lucky does not have a UTI. She is mirroring her Mama. They think she either has something that they need an ultrasound to find or she is acting up. I now need to decide if I want her to get an ultrasound. They would be looking for a kidney stone or something else. There is some evidence there may be something so I will probably do it. I don't want her to be in pain. I have been giving her the painkiller and that seems to be better. 

I worked like crazy today. From meeting to meeting to project. I did take time out to meditate. I need to take the time to do that every day. I also took the time to make my physical therapy appointment in July! 

I took Lucky for a short walk after dinner. We went by a neighbor's house and his new dog got out and charged Lucky. Now Lucky weighs 16 pounds (yes, she has gained weigh during Covid and she is sensitive about it) and this dog probably weighed 50 pounds and was as tall as my hips. I saw him charging and I grabbed Lucky (scrapping my knuckles on the concrete) and held her up by my head. I wasn't sure if the dog was going to lick her or bite her but I never met the dog before but I wasn't going to wait until they got into a fight to find out. Lucky was just stunned. She didn't bark or growl or anything until the dog was dragged away and I put her down. Then she started to bark. Oh, yeah! Get all big and bad once the threat is taken away! Ha ha. 

My neighbor told me I could bring him dessert like the chocolate peanut butter cupcakes anytime. He loved them. A rave review.

I made an interesting dinner: vegan black bean pasta with broccoli, zucchini, spinach and cauliflower with taco seasoning. 

Until tomorrow...

FIVE HOUR WORK VIDEO CALL

 Today I had a work video call that was scheduled for one hour. Five hours later I was hanging (do you hang up from a video call?) from the call. My whole day was spent on a work call. I was going to make dog biscuits for Lucky. Oh well, I can make them another day. 

I delivered some cupcakes to a neighbor who was very appreciative for the dessert. 

I made a delicious dinner of barbecue tofu, asparagus, and green beans. 

It was a full day.

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY THIRTY

Today has been a hard day. I spent a lot of it laying on the couch. Now I am in bed. 

I did package and deliver the vegan Easter chocolate candy to my neighbors. I made some people smile. 

Until tomorrow...

RECOVERY DAY TWELVE

 Last night I decided to make some oatmeal cookies with no sugar, eggs and flour. They came out okay. They are edible but I had to make a couple of substitutions. I used flax seed instead of bananas and eggs and I used almond meal instead of almond flour. I could not use cinnamon. I used dates to give it sweetness. They are a good snack while I am going through this elimination diet. 

Today was a lazy day. I just wanted to take it easy. I did take Lucky for a short walk and ran into a neighbor and chatted for a bit. We talked about how it was when we were kids. How we just ran wild until dinnertime playing in creeks and making our own fun riding our bikes and playing ball. 

I am trying very hard to keep doing what I need to to feel better. Eating right, drinking, taking a bath.

I think Lucky may have another UTI (which is very common for older dogs) so I made an appointment for her to get checked Monday. She went outside to pee then came inside and peed in my office and then I took her outside and she peed again. Either she has a UTI or she didn't pee the first time and faked it and decided to pee in my office to get attention. That may sound mean but she has faked peeing before. She is a smart little pup.

Until tomorrow...

RESTING AFTER PHYSICIAN ASST VIRTUAL APPT

I had a hard time falling asleep last night after coming home from the hospital. I think it was a combination of being riled up from the experience and missing Lucky. It was so quiet without Lucky. She snores and moves around a lot. She stayed at the dog walkers house where she was while I was at the ER. 

I slept pretty late and stayed in bed to relax. I sent timed texts last night so folks would get them this morning and wouldn't have to wake up to take care of updating people. 

I called the doctors office and got an appointment for the afternoon. Then I called family and friends to fill them in. 

The physician asst and I talked for a bit. The result is that I take the antibiotics and yeast meds. The tests show that I have trace amounts of crystals in my kidneys. Even though these did not show on the CT scan, they may be big enough to be bothersome. So I need to take the antibiotics first and then see how I feel. Plus drink a lot of water. 

I had a very nice neighbor pick up my prescription for me. I gave her some chocolates. 

Then I just slept the rest of the day.  I finally ate some food for the first time since Saturday morning. 

I am sure I will feel better tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

SURPRISE GARDENER VISIT

 Today was a day of surprise. My gardener called to see if I wanted him to come and fix my drip system. My drip system had one of the thingys come off and when I turned it on the water shot into my neighbors yard. He came by and fixed my system and weeded the whole yard. Since the last rain the dreaded clover popped up again. I know he told me to spray it with vinegar but with my sore hands there was no way I could spray my whole backyard with vinegar. The clover was everywhere again. The gardener brought his sweet pit bull named Veronica and she stayed in the backyard while Lucky stayed inside. I thought Lucky would go crazy with another dog out back but she didn't even seem like she noticed. I think having a doggie daycare a couple houses away has made her immune to dog noises in the backyard. Those doggie daycare dogs are always barking at her and she just ignores them. The backyard looks great!

I spent some time inside working on the kitchen. Since I moved everything out of the kitchen due to the ants, I rearranged everything when I put it back. I now have a breakfast area where I have my tea pot and toaster oven. Then I have all my baking equipment on my main counter. This will allow me to finish the few desserts I have to finish and move on to making bread. I need space to make bread. 

I made a Chickpea, Kale Tomato Soup tonight. It is so delicious. It was supposed to be made with fire roasted tomatoes but I like it better with regular tomatoes and some sriracha. It is just the right amount of spicy. 

My neighbor came by to get his cookies and his review is "DAMN THOSE ARE DELICIOUS. 3 gone already." That was 2-hours after he picked them up.  He was touched that I designed them with his college logo.

That was my whole day. 

Until tomorrow...

THE COOKIES ARE DONE

 

 It took two days but the cookies are done. They are decorated with a "Y" because that is my neighbor's alma mater. I thought it would be fun for him to get cookies with his alma mater on them. 

I took Lucky for a long walk while the cookies were drying. She is still limping a little bit. I gave her a small amount of the painkiller when we got back. It is good she is getting better. 

Until tomorrow...

BARTERING FOR COOKIES

 The soapy water cleaning the area is working. The soapy water is used to clean the area not to catch the ants. As it is told to me, the ants are basically blind so they leave a trail of something when they crawl so the other ants know where to go. If you just kill an ant, the other ants will come because they will follow the trail so you need to clean the trail and the best thing to use is soapy water. You should not just clean the space but take something like a paper towel and wet it and put dish soap on it and wipe down the area leaving it wet and soapy. That will leave a film of soapy water the ants do not like. So every time I see an ant I wipe down the area and where I think the ant came from. 

Today I resorted to putting out an ant bait trap. I know I love all creatures and I don't want to kill them but I love them outside and not attacking my kitchen workspace. I need to work tomorrow so I hope the ants are gone. 

What do I have to work on? My neighbor and I have decided to barter. I need someone to look at some documents that I can't figure out and he loves my cookies. So, I am going to bake him some cookies and he is going to review and summarize my documents and help me navigate them. It helps that he works in the legal field. I am thinking of decorating them in his alma mater's colors. 

I took Lucky on a longer walk today. I wanted to see if she was ready to go with the dog walker tomorrow. She is not. She was still limping when she walked quickly. I also talked to the Dr. about the weird reaction she has been having after taking her medicine. She has been quite anxious on this medicine. The Dr. told me to cut the dose in half and I gave her some this evening and she seems much better. The Dr. said Lucky is sidelined until at least Monday. If she is still limping she will have to get an x-ray. 

My new whipping cream dispenser came in the mail today. I will be able to finish my chocolate dessert now. Yay! I threw the other one away.

Out of the blue today, someone I met a few weeks ago contacted me and hired me as a consultant. I was happily shocked. I start working for her tomorrow. 

Until tomorrow...