The Plum

The sky over Plum Island was a vivid pink when I got up this morning. It gradually turns to a light pink, then the big orange ball fills my living room with sun.

Gator and Snoopie, the sun worshipers, love sitting in the windows.

It's Sunday and we'll go to church. We may go to IC or we may try a different one.

We met some nice folks for lunch last week. I had no idea what to order, but don't order a salad. It takes too long to eat and it's too much munchy food.

From now on, if we go out, I'll go to a place that still serves breakfast and order two scrambled eggs. Easy to eat and covers the protein I need.

A friend from my class at the Lahey had her surgery. She is doing OK but you just don't know what it's like unless you go through it yourself. It's not easy, but it's doable. It takes about three weeks before you start to feel like your old self.

We went to the movie theater in Salisbury which is only ten minutes from here. We saw Avitar and hope you can all see it. It's quite spectacular.

We decided we'll go to the movies once a week. The matinee at 1:00 PM would work well for us. The 3:00 PM is a little late as we didn't get home until after 6:00 PM.

Every once in awhile I get the nibbles. Nan, the mouse, creeps into my brain and looks for things like nuts, chips, basically anything salty and crunchy.

I pretty much am able to resist by having a little yogurt and going to my closet to throw out more size 18 clothes. I am boxing them up to go to Andover.

I am hoping I can still eat celery but that's an iffy one with the Lapband.

I am planning for spring in March. When I was a kid, the most fun thing about spring was being able to play "glassies" again in the dirt. I still have the marbles that my kids had when they were little. The are antiques now.

I guess we'll have fish tonight. I should try to do something different to make the dish more interesting.

I'll be starting physical therapy this week, so that should be interesting. One of the residents broke my treadmill screwing around with it trying to get it to work. It doesn't work without the key. Marv will have to fix it, what a pain.

So far, not a bad winter. We've only had to move our cars a couple of times. A small price to pay compared to snowblowing two feet of snow.

We are visiting our friend Kim this week in Kennebunk. Sure hope the weather cooperates. Must call my old high school friend Dawne, who also lives in Kennebunk. It would be nice to see her too.

Cousin Pat has rented a cottage for our big reunion this summer in St. Stephen. We are all excited about seeing all our old friends. Apparently, the cottage looks just like the cottage from "On Golden Pond." Sounds really nice. It will be her 50th reunion and my 53rd.

"Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold."

January Snow

We are having a snowstorm, but only expect a couple of inches. I imagine they got some serious snow in Andover.

I had two beautiful days for my trip to Andover over the weekend. It was wonderful to see all my kids and especially sweet to see my precious grandchildren.

They were all going ice fishing and snowmobiling on the bays when I left. Kelley didn't think it was a good idea for me to overdo at this point after my surgery.

I am feeling so well that I find myself looking into the refrigerator like a dog after a bone. I got out all my old books and am studying "Atkins for Life". Because of my food allergies, this is a good book for me.

I have to start a serious exercise program as I am seeing the back doctor March 5th. I waiver back and forth about having the back surgery after so many years. (about twenty). I just want to be able to tramp around town without pain. There are no guarantees.

We're going to try the meal program for seniors over at the Methodist church. The menu looks great and less expensive than buying groceries. Also I wouldn't have to cook and wash all those dishes. Will keep you posted on how this goes.

Sunday we went to Mass at Immaculate Conception church here in Newburyport. What a beautiful church and it was packed to the hilt. Mass is at 11:30, perfect for us or anyone who doesn't want to get up too early on Sunday.

We are slowly settling into the community.

January will be over before you know it. It's always nice to look forward to spring.

Week 3 - Post Surgery

I am starting to look at food the way my dog, Gator, looks at food.

This is not good.

However, on a good note, I am feeling well enough to be hungry again.

Big surprise at my doctor's appointment on Monday. My hernia was so huge, part of my stomach was in my chest. I am thinking that may be the reason I have been so out of breath.

Am going to try some stairs as a test.

The volunteers Christmas party at the Firehouse was well worth attending. We met some interesting folks who were new to Newburyport - like ourselves. One couple, the husband is from the Bronx. Lots to talk about.

I am having a mild fish, Talapia, for dinner tonight. It's just the right size, all individually wrapped. Just stick it in the oven with a little lemon juice on top.

The squash goes well with the fish and maybe a little mashed potato.

We are adjusting to apartment life and have started to get rid of things we don't need.

Maybe we'll take a trip to Andover this weekend. I do get a little homesick from time to time.

The Firehouse

Yesterday we met with the House Manager and seven other volunteers for The Firehouse Theater in Newburyport.

It's an interesting little theater - very reminiscent of the old Proctor Theater in Andover, NH.

I imagine we'll get a few calls as we live in town and are retired. They have several children's programs during the day in addition to all the evening programs scheduled. It will be fun to see the little kids - I miss them.

Last night I had some thin potatoes and some squash. It sure tasted good. The healing is on-going. Every day is a slight improvement.

Today I think I'll try to get on the treadmill. It will be a struggle for me to complete thirty minutes a day, but I'll give it my best shot. It will probably take me a few weeks to work up to maybe twenty minutes.

I would have loved to go to Andover today, but the weather is very "iffy". I miss my grandkids.

I am determined to learn to cook again. I have to make food more interesting. This is a huge challenge.

I won't be using Julia's cookbook.

Back to the Grind

It snowed for three days last weekend.

We spent a lot of time moving our cars off the street and putting them in a municipal lot. Our friend Dorrie was in the hospital, so we moved her car as well.

The creamed soups have lost their allure and I caved today and had a scrambled egg and some strained squash. It sure tasted good.

The healing seems to be going well. I have a group meeting tomorrow at Lahey. I will be famous as everyone else is still waiting for their surgery. Do I do "Show and tell?"

I will have to be careful not to scare anyone. This procedure is definitely not for the faint of heart.

We are purging - again. We took a bag of towels over to a Vet's office in Salisbury, MA. Turns out the Vet is from Newfoundland. A fellow Canadian works for me. We will be transferring our records from Salisbury, NH to Salisbury, MA.

The Thompsons seem to be enjoying our house in Andover. (The other Andover, I always say.) It's so good to know the house isn't empty that everyone is so happy on the Bay Road.

I miss the beautiful view, but not the snow blowing and the shoveling.

Our apartment building is beautifully kept up and very clean. The laundry room has worked out well. We bought a little cart for carrying laundry up to the second floor. An elevator is a wonderful thing.

Have to get up early tomorrow for the trek south. Lahey Clinic is huge. The parking can be expensive, so we have to think of a way to solve that. The Burlington Mall is right across the street, so that works.

Did I really hear more snow this weekend? Yikes!