Monday, December 14, 2020

I had to google what silverside was (LOL). In the US it is called bottom round.

Us Aussies have some funny words :)

I do it in the slow cooker with peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, vinegar and brown sugar - top up with water and cook away for a good 6-8 hours. It comes out lovely.... Nice hot or cold - and lets face it we have plenty of beef ha ha - always get the butcher to pickle lots of silverside for us

I'm sitting in my big empty classroom. It is hard to stay motivated today. I think, like the kids, I am looking forward to a couple weeks respite from school. I'm doing a Zoom mini unit on Snowflake Bentley, but even that is challenging my creativity. So much of what I do with the kids is hands on, visual and interactive. At least I have the marshmallow and toothpick activity for them on Thursday!

Weight is still down that 2 pounds. So maybe it was a real drop and the water retention was the faker.

Christmas is going to be different and just a bit sad for me. My brother is in Covid seclusion and his fear of the virus seems to be ramping up. So, that means he, his wife, and my adult niece and nephew will be in absentia. My dad is scheduled tentatively for release from rehab on Thursday. My guess is it will be sometime early next week since he can't go from a lying position to a seated position in bed yet without pain. He can also not get his pants up from around his ankles after using the toilet. So to me, the Thursday release date seems pretty optimistic. But upon his release, he will be whisked away to his girlfriend's house, so I won't see him either. So, it looks like Christmas will be Ron and me and BFF. Very strange, indeed.

Given my mood of late, I think I am going to forego breeding Dottie. I had planned on it, but the more I think about it, the less I want to do it. I don't want a puppy and raising puppies is an incredible amount of work. I am very happy with my pack as it is and if I had a litter I'd be raising puppies solely for other people and that's not really how I do it. Hmmm..... something to think about. But a year off from puppy rearing sounds kind of like a good idea.

Mood is stable. It is a subdued mood, but somewhat elevated from full on depressed. This is the second year in a row that I have started to feel down in the dumps as Christmas nears. I am rather disturbed by this because I am historically holiday jolly. I love, love, love the Christmas season and all it's trappings! Must find me a little holiday cheer!

Ho, ho, ho to all!

Yes, Christmas is so different this year. Not seeing your Dad seems like a tough deal. If we see my parents, it will be at a bonfire in their backyard. That's our plan for now, unless there is a lot of snow, or a low windchill. I figure we could last an hour if we dress warm, and my Dad makes a wind break and a huge fire.

I have taken some pleasure in decorating for our own cheer. It's pretty and cozy here for the 3 of us, but we won't be entertaining. It's been something to help me have some Christmas Joy. And the Holly Jolly Dolly Christmas Special. :)

Yes, Christmas is very different this year. I am feeling depressed too being home today. I was so glad to be coming here but there are a lot more memories of DH around and it was exactly at this time last year when he was sinking so fast.

Hugs. It's probably a very good thing you are home to feel the loss on your own terms in your own space. The first Christmas without my mom was super hard. Not going to lie, I cried on Christmas Eve that year. Firsts are hard after someone dies. You had someone you were totally in love with and with whom you shared the joys and tears of life, and selflessly cared for him during his decline. Those feelings don't just turn off. You are entitled to feel your feels and wrap yourself up in the memory of DH's love for you and the kids.

My mom died on 12/30 and was in the hospital for 10 days before that. This year will be ten years. Christmas has never been the same. I had pretty much gotten to the point where I could muster some Christmas spirit every other year. This would be that year, but Covid has sapped any desire I had to do it up. So I feel you on the Blahs!

So beautiful! DS did a lot of decorating here but many of the light strings seem to be dying and I don't have the energy to replace them (today at least).

Greetings all

Whoo Hoo Bonnie 150 what great decorations! Makes me think I must get out our little table top fiber optic tree which is beloved.

Not sure what Christmas holds for us this year. I have always approached the holiday with some anxiety due to family BSAnd Christmas was the birthday of my nephew who eventually killed himself so its kind of a rough day. Since we moved west we have had a nice bunch of friends to hang with which has been great. But even if they do Christmas this year I think we will stay home. Covid has spread rapidly up here and we just don't feel safe.

Christmas indeed does "rub in" the losses of the past. But I guess its a good time to reflect and take stock of all we do have. I sure have lots (not all of it is flab either).

Today I made a bank deposit for the gallery and was going around with $2300 on me in cash. Makes me nervous even though I did not walk far with it. Plus I look like all the other crazy people around here so everyone assumes I have no money on me.

Have to take both dogs to the vet tomorrow for a shot and heart worm test. Praying it does not rain since we have to stay in the parking lot.

Cecily don't you just hate the condescending contractors and other such people. Makes me scream. I once had such a furnace salesman whom I wanted to kill.

I am so grateful that the vaccine is now being used. realistically we won't get it for some time even though we are old and we will still need masks for months but its nice to know there might be an end. Who would have thought that a crowded restaurant would be such a luxury.

Liz glad you made it home safe. Lets all be safe at home this season.

Peps I hear you on dog breeding. I should breed Tesla soon if I ever will but am just not up for it. Oh well. Ardith has pups once or twice a year and I can go play with them.

Good new my brother might get to reduce his chemo treatments and get rid of the part that makes him feel like hell. Yay.

Take care all. diane s