how about drinking?

Lori, so great your numbers are moving in the right direction!

Funny you should mention how different "traditional" Chinese food seems from the usual Chinese-American (mostly Cantonese-ish). Back in 1994, when we were getting our vaccinations, preparing to take the IL/WI/MI Medical Societies' trip to China, Gordy's pediatrician said she'd taken the same trip a couple of years earlier; and she warned us that the food was "awful, not like the Chinese food we're used to." Well, to us, it turned out that though it was quite different, when it came to "awful" nothing could have been further from the truth! Maybe it's because we had a huge Chinatown (mostly Cantonese, but authentic, as well as Szechuan, Hunan, Shanghai, etc.) when we were growing up in NYC, or because when we lived in Seattle we often ate in the "International District" south of downtown (various Asian cuisines) where there were primarily Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese & Thai immigrants & their immediate descendants; and because at many Chinese restaurants in our North Side's Chinese/Vietnamese "Asia on Argyle" neighborhood, we ignore the menu printed in English and ask the server what the Chinese people at the other tables are eating. But I thought the food in China was excellent--though a bit more dependent on rice and vegetables.

I was blown away by all the different things that a chef in Shanghai was able to do with squid...in a single meal. The duck banquets in Beijing & Xi'an were great--even not counting the entertainment while we ate. I thought the dim sum in Guangzhou (f/k/a Canton) was nowhere as good as in Hong Kong and even San Francisco--but maybe it was the particular restaurant that had to handle the volume needed for three buses worth of Midwest tourists. And the breakfasts were fascinating too. And perhaps it's because I'm no stranger to escargots (or the snails in a Hunan restaurant on Capitol Hill in DC), I even liked the snails on our Li River cruise out of Guilin.

The wines were hit or miss (from Hebei province, joint ventures with French vintners) but we drank mostly beer & hot tea. I did miss coffee in the mornings, until we hit Hong Kong (the trip's grand finale), where our British-run hotel had a cappuccino machine. The mao tai "friendship toast" at a visit to a med school professor's home in Beijing was pure firewater. (Perhaps because custom dictated that we knock back shots rather than sip).

And though i caught a "throat cold" on a damp & windy day in Tienanmen Sq. and the Great Wall (which, BTW, has a KFC at the gate), never once did I get any digestive upset.

Sorry if I took anyone's appetite away.

Hi ladies, still ave my days and nites, screwed up.

Lori a BIG YAY for ur counts. such a good thing to hear and now that ride is over too. Lori ur relly doing well now it's so wonderful. <it makes me feel good>

Kim I knew u would have a good day, but a lot of kids had headaches??? Is that usual, they seem so young and Lori's right , that's a good age. they're still funny not snarky yet. Sadie will be happier in no time, she'll love it.

Karen u seem like u had a busy paper day.

Well I guess I never had "real" Chinese food either. Didn't sound very appetizing, but maybe OK. I remember when I was a kid and on christmas eve eve, my dad would bring home snails <alive> they woul be soaked over nite, unless u forgot to put the top on, then they'd be ll over the walls, but anyway my sister and I would take a couple off them out and race them <no toys then> when we were done we would put them back in this huge pot <maybe that's how we forgot to put the top on.> But my sister would eat them then I never could eat anything we played with, she was a cannibal, still is. but everyone like them along with the oysters and clams, which I never ate any one of them. I was the only one too. Well maybe that's more like sushi IDK.

dan dropped by today and dropped of 2 off my favorite ice cream and 2 of my fav. coffees., that was nice of him and later bob dropped off my cigarettes.Later bobcalled me and we talked about 45 mins. so that was my big day. It always seems tobe around men somehow.

Joey got his new paperwork for his DL so next week he's planning on gettin it, and I can't wait, cuzz he can drive me around a little when I want something instead of me waiting for others, then feeling bad that they runn around for me, except I'll miss them, the guys will be happy and at first so will Joey being able to drive with out a permit but a real dL.

everyone have a great day..

LUBS U ALL

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Hump Day! Got pretty busy at school yesterday. I ended up sending 2 youngsters home with GI symptoms, each family has had people with similar symptoms in the last few days, sounds like a tummy bug is circulating in the community. So far no COVID crap though. I managed to surprise Sadie when I got home again. She seemed pretty happy to hear about my day. Or maybe she was enjoying the belly rubs she was getting while I was gabbing away. Either way, I feel like she is paying attention to me and that's all that matters, right?

Goldie--roads are too bad around here even when it is snowing as long as it isn't snowing really hard. The crews do a great job keeping the roads clear and open. The kids are fun to work with. I've gotten to know a few frequent flyers already, and am learning their family stories. Some are heartbreaking. Some are looking for extra attention. It makes for some fun chats. Funny about the fortune cookies being an American thing. I was really happy to see the news about the drop in the tumor markers! That's a pretty strong reaction to the new therapy.

Morning, Teka!

Chi--Wow, what a wealth of experiences you have had! The description of the Asian foods is fascinating. Thanks for sharing! KFC at the gate to the Great Wall, whodathunk?

Cammy Cat--I'm pretty sure many of the headache visits I got Monday were "contagious", one child coming back to class with an ice pack gives the idea to a couple others, and on it goes. It was the first day back in school after a vacation, lots of kids were tired from vacation activities and staying up later than usual.Most of the headaches were "cured" in less than 5 minutes with an ice pack. Nothing like a little TLC and one-on-one attention to make a student's day better. Oh my goodness, you and your sister racing snails! What a mental picture! I can understand not wanting to eat something you played with. You really made out, 2 of your fav coffees, 2 fav ice creams, and 2 fav men, all in one day! Congrats to Joey on getting closer to having his Driver License!

Not what I packed for my lunch today, BTW

And yet again! My numbers dropped another 546 and 726. I'm practically in shock! I think my MO is as well, as he had his MA call to tell me. Physically I still feel the same, even when for years my numbers were ALWAYS going up, I feel no different. Thank you everyone.

Sandy, I'm sticking with "our" Chinese food!

Cami, you and your men, I love it. I think Joey will be bugging you, where do you wanna go today Memaw. You will have to lock your door. Oh how funny about the snails. So what were the ice cream flavors and the coffees?

NM, glad all the issues were just tummy and no Covid, lets keep it that way. As far as Sadie goes, I love it. But....if you tell us she is answering you, then something needs to be done! Pretty sure you meant the roads AREN'T bad, and the crews are good at keeping them clear. That is good. Are those "chats" with the kids or staff? Learning about the families.

I should be able to pick some lettuce soon, maybe another week. Went to my neighbors yesterday to help make some Olive Garden Zuppa soup. OMG, it's sooooo good.

Not very exciting, but here's my lettuce so far...lol.

Goldie, great news on your labs 🎉

NM, congrats on the new job.

Nothing really new here. I feel really good right now, so trying to make the most of it and get back to packing up the house and looking forward to an outdoor lunch with a few former coworkers on Friday. One has been vaccinated and the rest of us have stayed safely at home.

Goldie - adding my congratulations on your numbers. FANTASTIC news.

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Thirsty Thursday! Pretty uneventful day at work yesterday, tended to more teachers and staff than students. It's fire drill day today, I got an e-mail telling me what time it will be, even! 12:25 peeyem. I'll have to make a point of looking at the evacuation route signs when I get in this ayem. Sadie is adapting to the new work schedule, or the new get home from work schedule. I heard her woof at me while I was emptying out the car yesterday afternoon.

Goldie--WOW!!!!!! Those are great number drops! Glad you are feeling good, too.Definitely a tummy bug and not covid circulating right now. Had a couple staff drop in yesterday ayem for a temp and symptom check. Fortunately, it's not lasting very long. Yup, you are right, I meant the roads are NOT bad. The chats have been mostly with kids. Yesterday one young man was sent to me to get his boot laces unknotted (he had tied the laces of one boot to the other) and he was telling me about all the things he's invented and in particular his time machine, that actually worked but he got stuck in another time and had to fix his machine with metal and wires and wood that he found. It was a fascinating conversation. I do hear about family life, too.The Olive Garden soup sounds delish. My fav is their chicken gnocci.

Morning, Teka!

Goldie--that's pretty exciting to me who is looking at 8 inches of snow on the ground right now!

Librarian--keeping up the motivation to declutter and deep clean the house is an ongoing challenge.

Illi--thanks! The lunch should be really nice for you. We all really need some connection.

Cammy Cat--ugghh on the cold coffee. I just cannot drink cold coffee. The chocolate fudge brownie ice cream sounds really good!

Good Morning, Minus!

Fire Drill Recipe

• Ingredients
  • 2 oz Bourbon (Big House Tupelo Honey)
  • Apple Cider
  • pinch Cinnamon
  • slices Apple - for garnish
  • Garnish: Apple
  • Glass: Highball Glass

Directions

• Fill a highball glass with ice.
• Add bourbon, apple cider and cinnamon, and stir gently.
• Garnish with green apple slices.

From <http://www.completecocktails.com/Drinks/FireDrill.aspx>

Mornin ladies,

Oh Kim that little boy sounds so cute and funny. It makes u wonder if it's true. finally sounds like ur having fun with ur job. It's great for you. and I know Sadie will be enjoying the hrs and more times for belly rubs.

JC when do u get ur results back, it should be soon.

Oh Lori every time I ask u how to make anything u always say it's easy, only to you I think. Anything more than 3 ingredients is way to much for me. U make every thing do sound easy and I don't think so. U work hard. let's face it even a garden is work, but u always do things.

Joey's going to cut his day short so we can clean my room tonite, it's a mess. I just don't have any room for things so I really need help plus he can help keep me awake. I'm falling asleep way to early then I'm up way to early. My gift card has run out so I can't shop but things are being delivered and I have to make room, plus my addiction to on line shopping is really bad. I feel lost not shopping. Now I start looking up grocery stores and make my list according to each store. So when they decide I'm ready, of course it's the same every week and I end up not eating most of it, it just goes bad but I freeze a lot and now 2 freezers filling up. Oh well.

I hope everyone has a good day.

LUBS U ALL

Hi everyone I enjoyed "catching up" and am glad to hear some of the "positives" since it makes the gray or hard times even more meaningful.

I am exceptionally tired tonight or I'd personalize this more. I am also endlessly it seems decluttering and paring down. Progress is slow but worth the effort.

DOTD was my favorite iced tea; I asked DH if he wanted wine. We both decided against it or I think I'd have ( or we) been snoozing even sooner.

G' night all. 🥃🍷🙂

BG, I'm sure everyone will be as cautious as possible and I'm sure y'all will have a wonderful time. We don't have to stop living, we just have to be careful and mindful and not do it so big.

Cami, some of the recipes I looked at for the Zuppa did look a little more involved. But the way we did it, it really was easy. Cleaning your room shouldn't take too long as tiny as it is! But how sweet of him to help you. He just always amazes me.

Beaver, I am from MI, and would never be able to do this there. It's sunny here, almost always and daytime temps can be anywhere from 40's - 60's, not always, but generally. So with the sun and warmer temps, it warms that water up, which also helps to warm the soil. Most morning those bags are froze, but the plants still live. It really amazes me!

Reader, you don't have to worry about personalizing to everyone, we're just glad to see you and drink with you!

NM, 41 seconds...amazing. I bet it takes longer with the older kids, middle/high school! Well doggone it, I was hoping the time machine really worked. I'm hoping to hear of more adventures with the kids, its' fun. And glad to know you didn't have to try and get through 8" of snow to get to work. I will def. add some garlic to the Zuppa and some others. Do you have a pasta machine? I looked up a gnocci recipe, looks too easy, for the mess and dishes, I think I'll just buy it! Are you able to eat a school lunch, same as provided for the kids, whether free or you have to pay? I was always able to get lunch at school for no charge.

Good morning! Very wet and rainy here. It is supposed to get really cold over the weekend. I have so far gone through two closets and three dressers. I have three bags to donate and much went directly in the trash. I did have to buy new mattress pads for the twin beds. They look and feel so much better. Even found some unopened scented drawer lining paper I could use in the dresser drawers. The rooms now have a pleasant, but not over powering scent. Today I have to clean the bathroom and the main sitting area. This is all upstairs and not used much. The cat box is up there and I let/allow/force my DH to take care of it. About twice a year I clean it correctly!

We are about to finish watching Sneaky Pete on Amazon Prime. Pretty interesting series about a con man and a family he tricks into thinking he is their grandson. Thought the Lady Bears and the Lady Gamecocks would play basketball last night, but the games were cancelled due to Covid. My DSIL called and wanted us to celebrate her birthday with a dinner at Red Lobster. I am not fond of that restaurant nor my DSIL’s family. Throw Covid in the mix and I was not going. DH was determined, but backed out at the last minute. It would have been 11 people around a table that I have not seen in over a year. Plus, no masks! Icannot believe how stupid some people are about this pandemic. The percent positive here is over 30%! We can celebrate when this s—t is over.

Everyone sounds like life is treating them well so far. My bone scan results won’t be in the portal until next week. I see the oncologist and get a CT on Thursday. Both DH and I have appointments this month for various medical things. The fun never ends!

Take care!

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