Our Good Deed

I went for a morning walk with my friend S yesterday while running some errands at the same time. It was sunny and a cold 4C so I decided to wear a heavier coat. Outside the bank, S noticed a black cat stuck high up in a tree. So we rang the doorbell of the home and S explained the problem. The lady said she did have a cat, but it wasn't black. However she would put some treats at the base of the tree and that would bring him down. S said that hunger takes precedence over fear, so it would eventually come down. And that was our good deed for the day.

Our clocks went back one hour today, this is the easy adjustment.

This is a funny video, Kellie Pickler is adorable in it.

Xmas Baskets

I bought these new nesting baskets yesterday. The first photo shows the Christmas colours a bit better, and I also liked the shape of them.

That morning, I noticed McDonald's restaurants had a new muffin flavour (apple and oatmeal) that I would have liked to try, but I had my mind set on a bacon and egg mcmuffin. They had Remembrance Day poppies at the counter, so I got one to pin on my jacket.

A nice older man sat at the table next to mine. He informed me that it was likely going to snow that night as the temperature would dip to -3C. In Canada, you can always have a great conversation about the weather, it's the national topic. He was off to work and I said I was on my way to the gym. Guess what the conversation was there? Yes, it was... the weather, snow tires, snow in Aurora, just to the north.

M returned from a short business trip to the U.S. K was being the 'man of the house' for the past few days and did a good job 'keeping me company'. L emailed a short list of things she needs in her next care package and is busy with tests.

Microwaved Oatmeal

This the bowl of microwaved, large flake oatmeal I had for breakfast yesterday morning. I love oatmeal but hate cleaning the pot afterwards. So for 4 servings, I add 1 1/3 cups of oatmeal, 3 cups of water, 1/2 tsp salt to a large mixing bowl and microwave uncovered for 12 minutes. That's it! Then I just add a bit of brown sugar and a small amount of milk to my bowl.

It's that time of year again, when the newpaper man puts the paper right up against our front door in the mornings. I made a note to remember his Christmas tip!

I had a telemarketing call from a major newspaper with a special offer. Newspapers are really struggling and some are offering 3 month free subscriptions.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I picked up several boxes of gourmet Swiss chocolates recently.

I had a fasting blood test yesterday morning, along with an ECG (electrocardiogram). The ECGs have improved these days. They don't have to put gel all over you before placing the newer electrodes that monitor your heart function.

K is stressing me. His Science marks have taken a turn for the worse and we have no idea why. It must be his learning disability. At least he's still passing. He had identical twins over yesterday after school for a little while. They do look exactly alike.

Fall Flowers

Swiss Chalet's Festive Special is on again. It's a favourite of mine at this time of year. Their quarter chicken dinner comes with stuffing, cranberry sauce and Lindt chocolates!

I had the most comfortable mammogram appointment yesterday. First of all, the facility was in a spacious, well-decorated new office. I was in and out within 20 minutes of my arrival. The technician was super-efficient and made the process quick and pain-free. The registered nurse taught me how to do a proper breast self-exam which should be done monthly. I learned a lot, more than if I read the instructions. Women over 50 in Ontario just have to call and register for this program. They will notify you every 2 years to remind you to come in for your checkup. Visit the Ontario breast screening program at www.cancercare.on.ca/obsp

Food Photo

Here's some Corn Beef Hash I made on the weekend. I kept the corned beef separate because K will only eat the potatoes. It was yummy.

I think I'm addicted to uploading photos ever since I got my new Blackberry smart phone. It's so easy to snap and email a photo these days. Bear with me!

Yesterday. this lady at the gym was telling me she just got back from a vacation to Spain and Portugal. It was a religious senior's tour and she was the youngest one there in a group of say, 20 people. She said it was a bit slower than she liked but she did love Portugal for the warm people and the food. She even saw a bullfight there, because they don't kill the bulls as they do in Spain. Surprisingly, she said most people in Portugal spoke English, which made her more comfortable. That was not the case in Spain where she really felt the language barrier. I like to hear about people's travels, it gives me ideas of where I'd want to visit myself, if the opportunity presents itself. She enjoyed the bus tour and driving by all the scenery, as opposed to a slow cruise. I think I'm like that too.

Now I really have to stop snacking on all the Halloween candy and chips for awhile, I'm wary of a gradual weight gain.

A Full Checkup

Yes, I did sort of make a blueberry pie on the weekend. I used a pre-made Pillsbury pie crust and a can of ED Smith blueberry pie filling. It was pretty good, not to mention that fresh baked feeling.

I went to my doctor last week to renew my blood pressure prescription. He noticed I hadn't had a full checkup since January 2009. He proceeded to do just that, and gave me some test requisition slips for a full fasting blood test, stool test, ultrasound, mammogram and the secretary is going to call me with a colonoscopy appointment. So it's going to be a busy month following up with all this stuff. Let's hope they don't find anything serious.

When I called to make the mammogram appointment, the girl told me that women over 50 can join this program where they will notify me annually to come in for testing. They will send the report to me and a copy to my doctor. So in future, I won't have to go to a doctor to schedule a mammogram. My appointment will include a nurse exam and some education. It seems to me that they are trying to offload some responsibility from the doctor and give the patient more control in his health management.

Well, I did get my flu shot.

News

I enjoyed reading this topical article:

How introverts can survive the party season

The Ford Mustang

I think this photo shows the last of the fall leaves. November is a pretty stark month.

Welcome to the month of November anyway!

K is displaying a marked interest in driving these days. He also said he wants to start learning how to drive as soon as he turns 16. He's also trying to convince me to buy a Ford Mustang as my next car. Yes, right, in his dreams. I told him middle-aged women like me drive staid looking 4-door sedans. He's not happy with learning to drive in something like that!

Church is crowded at this time of year. Yesterday, there were lots of little kids heading downstairs for catechism classes. A couple of rows ahead of me, there were 2 cute little toddlers bestowing kisses and hugs upon each other to our delight. Too bad they had coughs. The priest announced there would be a children's Christmas pageant this year just before the Xmas eve mass. It's almost time to visit the annual Christmas craft sale too. There were snow flurries on my walk home and some more in the afternoon although the sun came out.

It was a cold Halloween. We only had 11 kids. K and his friend had fun anyway. L thinks they're too old for trick or treating. They did watch some scary movies prior to heading out.

I made these Chocolate Chip Pumpkin cookies from The Southern Lady Cooks. They are delicious. I left the nuts out (K's preference).