Littlesister

Hope everyone had and are still having a very Merry Christmas. And now for a very happy New year. May it be a very blessed New Year. I think we all need a good year to happen after all the past issues with lockdowns from covid and other things that have been going on.

Miki, hope that is all that happens. I know it is frustrating to have those things happen but is beyond our control. But you made the best of it and things went well. It was of course very cold again today so had the wood stove going and a pot of coffee on it to keep warm. SIL stayed by that stove for a long time. And we all enjoyed the hot coffee. Lucy my GD's dog stayed away from it as I was a bit worried, she would get too close to it and get burned but she did good. DD was babysitting her while GD was in New Orleans. I don't have any great Grandchildren yet, but I do have 7 great grand dogs and 2 great grand cats. They will be back sometime Wednesday afternoon. They all left this evening as SIL has to go back to work tomorrow, and DD is off for a couple of days. GS goes back to work tomorrow as well. I am tired but just can't sleep now. That happens when I get overtired. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that everyone traveling made it safe to their destinations and will return home safe and sound.

Kappydell, glad to see you on here. You have really been busy. Would love to see your Christmas decorations. I know they are really pretty. You and Mary put in a lot of work on that. And getting all the animals and such fixed up with protection from this frigid cold weather. My GS that works frozen foods and moved here from Washington state where they are used to this type of cold. Came in yesterday and said its freezing out there. So that is cold. Wind chill is -3. Been many years since we had that. Got the rest of things done for tomorrow. And now just taken it easy for a bit. Made an apple pie for SIL. He loves apple pie. So got to keep him happy. GS should be getting up shortly and then he will eat and start cleaning up. Though I have done some of it. But he will finish that for me. I told him the other day to give me a list of things he wants or needs from store. He left it for me on counter this morning. Too late now. Not going back to store. But most of what he put on list I already have. Guess I need to teach him how to check inventory. He's learning.

Went to Kroger to finish up things I needed for Christmas. It is now 45* here. But is supposed to drop much colder today. Wind started picking up bad when I left the store. Sounds like a gale wind going. I need to go out and lay the trash cans down before they blow away. They are empty so no weight in them to keep them from blowing. Just ran out to lay cans down. The temps are starting to fall. Also looking like rain again. Going to start baking soon and get most of that done. Bread, pies, cookies, etc. So will be very busy today and tomorrow. GS is going to clean bathrooms and mop for me later today. He didn't get to bed before 6 am. So is going to do it when he gets up after he eats something. His dinner is already for him for this evening. Just has to heat it up. Mt. Rider, I hope you start feeling better very soon. Keeping you in prayer. And for everyone that is traveling prayers are going out for a safe trip to your destination and back home again. Stay warm everyone as these temps. are going into dangerous drops. This weather is bad for the elderly and small children. GD in Washington got more snow, but I think she said just an inch more so far. I want to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow, Becca Anne. Seems there is snow everywhere but here. My GD in Washington is expecting more snow tomorrow. We are going to have a freeze tomorrow and I have to go out tomorrow. Rained here all day. But did warm up a bit. Christmas day for the high will be 31* Glad I don't have to leave the house to go anywhere for Christmas as kids are coming here along with my grand dog. DD is babysitting my GD's dog in SC as they are going to her DH's grandfather's house in New Orleans for Christmas as he is not doing well. I didn't get much done today as I got up at 5 am and cleaned up some and got so tired I laid down on couch turned on tv and fell asleep. Didn't wake up till almost 3 pm. I have never done that before. Must have been extremely tired or things are just catching up with me. A little while ago here comes fire truck and ambulance. They took my next-door neighbor to ER. He is not looking to good and hasn't for a long while. But he walked outside and got on gurney. So that was a good sign. I'm tired of losing my good neighbors around here. We are all getting old. Can't tell you how many friends I have lost over the past 10 years. One of my neighbors came over for a bit early evening. We haven't seen each other in a while so we had a good time catching up on things. She is a caregiver for her FIL. He has dementia. And I have been so busy getting the rest of house back together that I just haven't gotten out much to visit neighbors. This neighbor and I look out for each other. If one of us needs help the other is right there to help out. Need to get things finished up for Christmas tomorrow. Baking cookies, bread and cakes for gifts for a few neighbors tomorrow and getting the rest of things together for Christmas dinner. Saturday evening, I am heading to church for the Christmas candlelight service. Will be driving home after dark which I don't like to do by myself, but it is what it is. Hoping to get my GS to go with me. Not sure of his schedule yet as it is his day off but because of Christmas and such I don't know yet if they will have them come in for a short time. But I really don't think he will be working.

You will be able to watch him grow through video a lot. I know it's not the same, but you won't miss out on much seeing him on the video chats. And like you said you will be able to visit as much as you are able. And hopefully your DD and baby will be able to come and visit you also. There is also Alexa and others like that that you can watch the baby grow and lean new things.

Midnightmom, there is a way to get around that. DH got his loyalty card at all the stores, and we had 2 cell phones and our house phone. I used my house phone, and he used my cell phone. So, we always went our separate ways, and he got the limit, and I got the limit. Now with DH gone. I use his card and go back the next day. So far it is working great. We did this for years with no issues. And with buying for the food ministry. It always came in handy as well.

Becca Anne I am so happy for you. Grandbabies are a lot of fun. I have 5 and still waiting for great grandchildren. 4 of them are now all married but 2 said they are not having any children. The oldest didn't get married till she was in her 30's and just before Covid hit they were talking about having one and then they decided because of covid they weren't going to have any children. She hit the 36-year-old mark and decided it was risky. I know people that had children in their 40's with no issues but it is their choice. The one in Washington state decided they won't going to have any children and the oldest boy which is also my step grandson just got married a few months ago and he is military so that is a wait and see situation. One that wants one that lives in SC, wants one but she needs to finish up on her PA degree first. So that will be another 2 years. The youngest said he is not having kids nor is he going to get married. Well, he's 21 and still has some growing up to do so subject to change. Taken it easy today. Just doing a few things around house today. Sat. morning, I will be doing some cooking and baking for Christmas and then heading out to Church for the Christmas play Sat. evening. I hate driving at night when I have to use all back roads and driving with woods on both sides in one area, but it will be what it will be. Just don't like doing that when I am by myself at night. GS would go with me, but I don't know yet if he will be working. I don't think he will be, but I need to ask him when he gets up later for work. I know he will like it. He used to go with us when he was younger and loved it.

Becca Anne, I was very involved with my grandchildren and still am but in different ways now that they are grown. The youngest that is living with me for now turned 21 a month ago. I have been helping him to get back on his feet and he is hoping to have an apt. within the next 3 months. I am sure you will be doing a lot of babysitting and such if they live near you.

GD in Washinton could not get her car out of the driveway to pick up her DH at the ER. He had to find someone to bring him home. He has a concussion and whiplash. He is in a lot of pain right now and they won't let him come back to work until Tuesday. But will be ok. They got 8 inches of snow and ice, and it is not over yet. GD stayed home from work today as she still can't get car out of driveway. Told her to use kitty litter or sand under the tires for traction and see if that will help get her out. So, she is going to try that later if the snow doesn't start to melt soon. She is 3 hours behind us so still too cold for it to start melting. Don't ask me why but it seems every time one of these G. children get sick or hurt, it doesn't matter how far away they are, they always call me for answers. I love they keep in touch but when they call about something that has happened it tends to make you worry even though there is nothing you can do. So, I am just there for them and keeping them calm if needed.

Well, it does come in spurts. GD in Washington state just called a few minutes ago and sad her DH was playing in snow and went down a hill on an innertube. He went straight through the fence and into the neighbor's house. They took him to ER by ambulance. He has a concussion and possible neck injury. GD doesn't know what else yet. She can't get her car out of driveway due to ice and snow and has been trying to shovel her way out. So, if they send him home, she can't go get him. But I am thinking with a concussion they might keep him overnight for observation. I am hoping that will be what they do and then she can get out tomorrow when snow has melted a bit. she is on a hill and their driveway is steep. She had been playing in it all day on a sled. So, with the steep hills they should know at their ages that something like this can happen.

Once Christmas is over, I will start using up what is in freezers. All three of them are full again. And I don't know yet what GS's company will be giving him again this year and I have nowhere to put anything else in freezers. But will work that out somehow. I will go full throttle into canning a lot of stuff from freezer making more soups and stews for canning as well as other things like spaghetti sauce and such. Also, will be doing more dehydrating. I want those freezers to be almost empty by the end of March.

Went to store this morning for some things for Christmas dinner. I was out of a few things that I only use mostly at Thanksgiving and Christmas but went to DD's house in NC for Thanksgiving this year and didn't realize I was out of certain things. Was going to wait till Thursday to go but was afraid being this close to Christmas that I might not get what I needed. So found what I needed, and most was on sale. I doubled up on the things that were on sale, so good for next year as the dates are through 2024. Though they would go past that date, it is only things I use once or twice a year. Taken a break now as it is too cold out to go walking for me. Just can't handle the cold and it's bad enough just walking from car to store before my hands start hurting. Though I wear gloves they don't seem to be helping as much this year. Might buy those heated gloves as I did get some for GS with him working in the freezers at work. But they didn't have any for women. So will be looking for some for me. I do have to get some fresh veggies and fruit for trays but will wait till much closer to Christmas as the fresh stuff just doesn't last like it used to. Makes me wish I had a heated green house for the fresh veggies. But it is what it is. Tomorrow I will start doing a bit of baking but need to find a good hiding place. GS loves when I bake and will sit and eat 2 doz. cookies in one sitting. He needs to get a handle on his sweet habit. Diabetes runs on both sides of the family, and he is heading in that direction if he doesn't get a handle on it now. I know he was deprived of food while living with his sister in Washington state. It wasn't so much his sister as it was her DH as he told GS that the food was his and he was not to touch it even though the rent he paid included meals. But he is with me now and is well fed. But I guess it is in the back of his mind that he might starve again and so he eats me out of house and home. I am thinking of maybe making up extra and only putting out enough for him a little at a time. That should keep him happy enough that he won't go looking for the rest. The funny part is I made goulash not knowing if he would eat it. I always leave him a note that dinner is in fridge, and he just needs to heat it up. I made enough for a few days for both of us. He has finished it all off in 4 days. So now I have something new he will eat. Made him spaghetti last night. And he has hit that hard. Normally I would put in single containers for me to pull out of freezer and heat up for me. But with him living here, I just put in corning ware dishes, and he comes home in middle of night and heats it up and eats what he wants and puts the rest back in fridge for the next night till it is gone. So, it works out and less cooking for me as well.

Congratulations grandma. Best Christmas present ever. Spoil him rotten.

euphrasyne, enjoy the good times while you can. Don't worry about what is to come as that is in the Lord's hands. He has control over it. We were never promised a rose garden so these things in this world is what it is. We all will go through trials and tribulations. But we will get through them. The best part is that you got through everything, and River is doing great. You have your DD 14 helping you and from your post she is a blessing. And you have a wonderful and supportive DH. Concentrate on the good times and try to just make the hard times as easy as possible. I know what hard times are as my DH was so sick and I couldn't get him the care he really needed and as a result of the hospital and doctors shutting down their offices, i couldn't even get him in hospice. So, I know about hard times and my health has paid the price. Don't fret the hard times. We all here have had our share of problems. Some more so than others. Try to relax and enjoy family and put the bad things behind you. Keep the Lord foremost in your life as well as your family's life and you will get through the rough times much easier. As Mother said, enjoy the quiet easy times while you can and just relax with family. And when the tough times roll around again try to get a handle on it as fast as you can. Keeping you and everyone here going through rough times in much needed prayer.

I had a couple in my church that would call me a lot when DH was sick and then after he passed as well. They were a huge help. I found out a few days ago that they're oldest son of 35 years old suddenly died from an aneurysm. Seems it runs in the family as his mother had a bad stroke from one. He came home from work said he felt sick and then just died. No chance to get him to a hospital. So thankful he made it home to his family safely as he drove himself home from work. He passed not long after he got home. We just never know what could happen and so fast as well. Jeepers you are so right about keeping your accounts clear. And please above all know that you are saved in the Lord. Sad times we live in these days. Joyfield, so sad to hear that that happened. The table and things look really nice. And your daughter is beautiful. I know she as well as your other 2 daughters were a big help and had loads of fun and cookies.

Went to DH's cousin's house early this morning. Was going after church yesterday but they were getting ready to go out. Took some collards I had in freezer from late 2019 or early in January of 2020 before DH took sick for his cousin and his wife. These were the last of the collards DH had cooked at market before he got so sick. DH was the best collard cooker around here. I've had them in the deep freezer for all that time and decided this year they needed to be eaten. So, I have one quart and now they have a quart to eat. He was really happy to have them. His wife had made pies last night and gave me one. Peacan pie. Looks really good but saving it for Christmas. Came home and started laundry and a bit of cleaning. Worked on what I am fixing for Christmas dinner. Need to pick up some meat balls and a few other things for the sandwiches. Got it all figured out now so just have to plan it all out like I want. Most of it will be coming from pantry and freezer. Just need to pick up around the house a bit today and then it is an easy day. Will hit the store tomorrow for the rest of what I will need and maybe a few other things depending on sells. Might head out to Lidl's later this afternoon. They have a fairly good sell going right now.

I have also heard that baking soda in the soak water helps soften them but have never tried it. I will have to try that when I make them again. I also never thought about making the older beans into flour. Might have to try that out also. One thing I do have is lots of beans and plenty of rice. I also have lots of recipes for it. I have one that was the few things my mom could make that was good. It was the large lima beans. She would put them in a baking pan with tomatoes and cheese. Then would layer the top with bacon and put into oven for I think 45 minutes. I haven't tried that in years. Will have to see if I have the large lima beans in my stock and try that. Been a few years since I made it.

I got my GS yesterday. I made a pot of goulash. Yes, it had tomatoes in it. The funny part was powdered up some peas and put in there and he didn't even know it. I was surprised that he ate it. Dehydrated foods just might work out if I can do it in power form. He hates tomatoes but will eat them in spaghetti sauce, and pizza. Go figure.

Euphrasyne, I am so sorry to hear about your DH's fall. Make sure he does some kind of therapy on it when he can as he doesn't want that shoulder to get stiff and end up with frozen shoulder. Trust me it's not fun to have frozen shoulder. Been there done that. Becca Anne and a safe and wonderful trip. As for Jeepers and Mt. Rider I hope that both of you are getting your issues sorted out. Both of you have had a rough time with colds and sleeping issues. I am just going around house and getting things put away. Putting the Christmas boxes back in shed till I need to take them out again after Christmas to get the decorations put away again. But that won't be till after New Year's. Working on what food I am going to fix for Christmas dinner. Picked up a few things the other day at store, such as chips and frozen spinach to make spinach dip with. Most of dinner will be coming from my pantry and freezer. Not spending a lot of money on food this year as it will only be 4 of us this year. It is playing on my mind again about looking to move closer to my DD but more into the country off the beating path. But no more than a couple of acres of land. Not sure of that much yet. But no less than an acre. Won't be making a decision on that until GS has moved out on his own and then see how things go. May be a couple of years before I decide for sure as I want to get out of this rat race area before it gets much worse and that is coming.

I have canned beans that I put in canning jars with O2 absorbers. Some I have had for a few years like that. They do take longer to cook, and I soak them overnight. They stay in a cool, dark area. It is possible that being in a hot moving truck for 3 weeks may have affected the beans. All food that is kept for long term if stored properly should last a long time. Beans and rice they say can last 10 years or longer if stored properly. So, storage has a lot to do with it. Even the long-term foods you buy like Mountain house and others need to be stored in a cool, dark place or they won't last for the 25 to 30 years they say they will.

I do the same thing. I have found different ways to use what I have on hand. My issue is my picky GS. I gave up on him and if he wants to eat it will be what I am cooking. I do try to stick to things that he can just heat up and eat but if it's something he doesn't like then there is peanut butter and jelly. Not doing specials for him any longer. So, if I want chili and he doesn't want it, that's fine as I can eat leftovers the next day. Sometimes I make chili using hamburger and sometimes I make a white chili using chicken. I have found lots of ways to use pasta also. But I don't use a lot of that being diabetic. Need to watch the carbs as that turns into sugar.

I am very careful when going out to stores. In some stores I don't wear a mask as those stores are not crowded. I do wipe down the grocery baskets all over to be safe. Our Food Lion has both liquid anti sanitizer and the wipes for the customers. I take the wipes and hold under the liquid for wiping down the carts. Makes it moister to wipe down the whole cart. Then when I leave store, I grab a couple of the wipes for when I go back to car to wipe hands again. I also keep wipes in car as some stores don't offer that. So, I always carry a small pack of them in those stores with me. So far, I have been very thankful that I have never had covid nor the flu for years. though I do have a cough and I think it is coming from the new blood pressure meds doctor put me on. will be taking to him about that on next visit.

Wish we had a Giant Eagle store. GS would love those.

Do to hypo Thyroid, I am not supposed to have soy. it messes with the medication. I never thought about eggs containing soy through diet. I will be watching out for that from now on. I can't avoid soy 100% but try my best to keep in extremely low. As for this video it's hard to believe what she is saying about tiny houses on private property and then there is grandma. That is beyond wacko. I also agree about Sam's club but not a member of Costco anymore since they moved so far out in Hampton. Sam's is the best place for gift cards this time of year. I will be heading out that way maybe this Friday as I need to pick up 2 more cards for Christmas gifts.