Showing posts with label End of Year Wrap-up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label End of Year Wrap-up. Show all posts

December 25, 2024

Xmas Eve Eve Eve, Xmas Eve Eve, Xmas Eve 2024

We saw some people and did some things! It was nice.

On the 22nd, our dear friends came over and brought us a lasagne. They are so kind. And it is delicious. I introduced them to Pochteca tamarind liqueur, which is now my favorite thing. Shortly after, the precious family came over to watch Rudolph and eat Blåbär. They didn't know that last part in advance, but were suitably amused / horrified / delighted to be forced to consume it.


I didn't tell them that the Blåbär might have been from 2004. But whatever. It's a powder.

The Rudolph show, which we recorded because it was billed as an extended presentation, was not extended unless you mean extended by the many commercials. Total lie. Next time we'll just watch the dvd. But it was awesome as always. There's always something new to learn. Adding to the fun, I guess it's been some time since the PF was here. The girls and their mom loved the not-christmas arch and the clown bathroom. Also the PF brought cookies which they had made, which were delicious.

On the 23rd, the big boy and I had an early appointment with his veterinarian. I hope that we'll eventually figure out why he is losing weight. He has certainly kept us busy this year. And also cozy. He discovered me during this challenging year. He now likes to curl up on my chest and put his arms over my shoulder. So good.

After the vet, I went to see my mom and deliver holiday bonuses to the ladies. I had what I think was a panic attack while waiting for someone to open the door in Memory Care. It's not Memory Care that rattles me. It's my mom. We didn't wake her up (she manages to scare me even though she's asleep), and I spoke at length with her #1 caregiver. She puts up with so much from my mom. Also gives her the Heimlich when necessary, as choking is now her thing. I got out of there and did my big grocery shop for the rest of the week.

Cack and Blick came over in the evening and it was so great to catch up and shoot the shit and drink the champagne and eat chicken enchiladas with mole. Blick's mom lives at a high-end senior community. Cack's is holding on at her own place, but the sitch is sketchy. She and mrguy communed about dysfunctional families. Oh parents and families.

Yesterday I got up early for a mammogram (results: good), cause who doesn't like a medical appointment on Xmas eve? Then off to see a man about a horse, if by man you mean man and by horse you mean chocolate haupia pie and limu poke (we know someone doing a pop-up). It was gorgeously grey and foggy and drippy. The town where I was picking up has tons of altscheis, and I was early so I stopped at a dilapidated donut shop and bought a coffee and a chocolate old fashioned, which I ate in the parking lot while listening to the Cher memoir on Audible.



Back home, I stemmed green beans and then had a katzenflop with the fat young boy cat. Then I decided that today's salmon filet just wouldn't be the same without some twice baked potatoes. And I also decided that it would suck to go to the market. So I watched some genealogy shows and made twice baked potatoes with some new potatoes that I had hanging around. Turned out great!

David Chang's Dinner Time Live was our viewing, then Shrinking, then Interior Chinatown. I love that Ronnie Chieng's character becomes the Edsel Ford Fung of the show's restaurant. Note: the real Edsel Ford Fung bought life insurance from my dad.

The potatoes were a hit. 


The nicest part of the day was a random phone call from a high school friend. He and another friend from middle school have a podcast and I'd done an interview with them recently. He called to tell me that if I needed a cheer up or wanted to talk, he is there for me. Now we have recently reconnected, and he just put himself out there to say those things. I was so touched by that loving act. Much appreciated, friend.

And of course all of you. So much love to my friends, the few readers of mrsguy. You are always in my heart.

December 19, 2021

A Different Kind of List for 2022. In the meantime, 2021

How about a plain old "Things I'd Like To Do" list for 2022? I'll work on that. But in the meantime, 2021.

Last year I made lime pickle (which nobody liked, but I made it).

This year I had some successes with:
  • Plum sauce (makes me deeply happy)
  • Marmalade (so fun to make!)
  • Kefir (success! many batches!)
  • Rhubarb pies (3. Not great. Stop me if I try again!)
I finally had my metal furniture powder coated after all these years.

I received and shared things on my Buy Nothing group (ex: today I'm picking up two pumpkins and giving away canna rhizomes). I gave away most of the things in my etsy closet and also gave away cat grass.

I supported and will appear in a documentary (upcoming).

I tried a juice fast and learned that I am not a juice fast person.

I finally found a reading lamp that is the perfect size.

I hired a cat therapist as seen on tv.

I hired a person therapist, originally for my sister and I, but ultimately for myself. It helped.

We started a lemon giveaway on our porch and now neighbors come by to receive lemons.

I bought my first Crocs (platform, tie die) and bought a second pair.

I ordered live ladybugs, twice. First batch was from Brooklyn.

I came to love my light pink camellias.

I inadvertently grew 13 tomato plants, gave half away, and ate yellow tomatoes much of the summer. Seeds are already in the ground for 2022.

I finally ordered vpn to allow me to use resources in distant libraries but ultimately figured out a way to simply subscribe to Bergens Tidende yesterday and find obituaries of my ancestors.

I bought my own allspice tree. It is alive, but not thriving.

I subscribed to a veggie box again and then stopped it when the winter veggies were in season.

Our doctor retired and now I have a young doctor who makes you do the things. I am doing (some of) the things.

And rather than chasing 2021 away with a broom, I am inviting in 2022 with hope and curiosity and crossing my fingers that I'll be able to find its beauty, no matter how small.