how about drinking?

BabyGirl, I did some Googling and it's just called bread dip with olive oil. I saw several recipes. I won't make it, as DH won't have any of it, so I would just be making it for myself.

NM, I do hope you are right about mom. We are getting below freezing later in the week too. I just wish winter passed as quickly as summer does.

Cami, my avitar is before the haircut. There are pictures on the previous page that I posted, just above where Chevy posted hers of special garden spot for her brother. Also there are many on FB. As for the garden, it was joke. I didn't have the time to care for it. My tomatoes didn't get much bigger than the size of a ping pong ball. I did get a few jars of beans, that's it.

Can't finish the ramp/porch today, as we are supposed to get rain. So today's chore will be filling the batteries for the solar. And getting ready for yet more company! I wish he would stop! We are still dealing with a pandemic! This time it's the gal we know from Laughlin, her son and her mom.

Hello! Bellying up to the bar.

Thank you for the warm welcomes. Goldie, true, Christmas wasn't fun that year. But I'm coming up on my sixth Christmas and happy as can be about that!

Chevy, I failed to mention previously but meant to, it looks like you've created a lovely space to honor your brother. I hope it brings you peace.

My basics - two teenage boys, two cats, in the process of cutting work hours back to smell the roses and to give more time to my 13 year old who really needs it right now. I spent quite a bit of time here in 2018 through chemo and mets diagnosis, then sort of put it all away with two+ years of smooth sailing. But I'm back. In need of some venting, wisdom, and tomfoolery!

I had a video call with MO today, and he gave me permission to have two cocktails on my upcoming 3-day cruise. (whatevs…) I talked him into four, but failed to mention the all-you-can-drink package.

My favorite BBQ margarita:

12 oz frozen limeade

12 oz water

12 oz tequila

12 oz light beer (I use Corona Light)

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Hump Day! Got through another day without at school without an evacuation or lock down. Hopefully all that stuff had run it course and will stay away so we can get other stuff done. I am absolutely amazed at how much is growing in the school garden beds! They were planted after school opened, and have already harvested enough to add to the school lunch salad bar on a few days.

Sadie is getting back in to the regular work routine, and has started staying up with me in the mornings, nudging for pets and ear scratches while I'm checking email and eating breakfast. She's still going to bed before me and prewarming the bed, which I think is very nice of her. Of course, the discussion of who gets which and how many pillows stills goes on most nights!

Cammy Cat--School is keeping me busy, but its' settling into a predictable routine, so that's working out well. Hope the doctor stuff went well.

Goldie--sorry to hear about your garden not going well this year, but I can understand how you didn't have a lot of time to work on it. You do seem to be getting ready for company on a regular basis lately!

Chi--sounds like that water bottle was an old and favored friend, I'm sorry you had to let it go. Good point about the potential for growing bacteria, though.

Piksie--I love the way you talked your doc into approving 4 cocktails on your cruise! Where are you cruising to?

Black Cat Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1ouncevodka
• 1ouncecherry brandy
• 3ouncescranberry juice, or to taste
• 3ouncescola, or to taste

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. In a highball glass filled with ice, pour the vodka and cherry brandy.
3. Fill the glass with equal amounts of cranberry juice and cola.
4. Stir well.
5. Serve and enjoy.

From <https://www.thespruceeats.com/black-cat-cocktail-recipe-761004>

Sandy, sorry for the loss of your "water buddy", may he/she rest in peace.

Piksie, having a 13 yo, you must be rather young. I couldn't imagine dealing with this and having teenagers. I hear ya about being happy for your 6th Xmas, I'm coming up on my 7th. 3 day cruise, Catalina? And what the doctor doesn't know, won't hurt him! CHeERz!

NM, glad things are settling down at school, at least for now. Hmmmmm, I bet I know who wins with the pillows! Will the kids get to dress up for Halloween at school the Friday before, since it falls on Sunday? Company on a regular basis, uh huh! He says to me yesterday, we have to talk and I don't want to. What? The girls want to come for TG. FINE, I'll just do the big dinner, F it! But they can't all stay here, I don't have the room.

Jazzy, the balloon fest was so amazing to see, I'm glad we did that.

Got some rain yesterday, did our batteries. We have 24 of them, and for whatever reason, 8 of them are drying up, which is not good. I just filled them before I left for MI. Those 8 took 8 gallons of water, where as the other 16 only used 1 gallon for all of them. Have a video visit with my MO today. Oh, and was reminded by FB that today is our Anniversary! This is the second time we both have forgotten!

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Thirsty Thursday! I had a wonderfully mild day at school yesterday. The big fall testing thing is going on, so there was a mini-epidemic of test anxiety, but otherwise pretty calm. I'm wondering how long it will last. The sister school down the road has a couple of students out with COVID symptoms whose parents have just tested positive, if one of the kiddos tests positive it's looking like and entire grade will end up in quarantine, and possibly the entire school, depending on bus and recess contacts. So I'm waiting for the call that it's time to head to the sister school and help with contact tracing and informing. AND, the kiddos involved have siblings at my school who will need to quarantine as close contacts, and if one of them tests positive, the sister school nurse will be coming up to my school to help me out! I can just see it coming now. I have a feeling my upcoming 2 day weekend is going to be a working one. Good Lord, but this stuff needs to GO AWAY!!!

Jazzy--great pics of the balloons.I saw a report of a couple of balloons that ran into power lines, where they part of the event where you are?

Goldie--I believe the kids will be allowed to dress up for Halloween, which reminds me that I need to figure out what I'm going to dress up as. One of the big benefits of working in a school is getting to play like a kid and not be considered crazy! Stick to your guns about Thanksgiving, just dothe meal, let them say somewhere else. Your energy has limits and there is nothing wrong with them dealing with that fact, assuming they are adults. I hope the batteries using up more water isn't a sign of a problem with them. Hard to believe you both forgot your anniversary, twice! Happy Anniversary!

Morning, Chi!

Battery Acid

3-5 drops of tabasco sauce

1 oz of green chartreuse

1 oz of jose cuervo especial gold tequila

1 oz of Bacardi 151 rum

Combine equal amounts of green chartreusse, Jose Cuervo tequila and Bacardi 151 rum in a shot glass, leaving a little room for a few drops of tabasco sauce. Stir, then add the tabasco sauce, and shoot it fast. \r

NOTE: People who have not experienced chartreuse before or can't take tabasco sauce well may need a chaser or a glass of water.

From <https://www.cocktailbuilder.com/recipe/battery-acid>

NM, a few ideas for ya! The rain cloud looks pretty simple and I like the Mr. and Mrs Potato Head. And you would think a Minion would be pretty easy. YES, forgot our anniversary! Maybe because we were together for so long before we got married? I don't know. I agree, this stuff needs to go away. People have become too lax. The few places I do go, hardly anyone wears a mask. I still refuse to go out to eat, just groceries and doctors. When I was getting my shots the other day, 2 nurses came in from the hospital, which is just down the road. Not wearing masks. I hear one of the gals tell them they should put one on, espcecially due to what they are there being tested for. REALLY? You nurses, you come into a doctors office, unmasked, to get Covid tested???? Thank you for the anniversary wishes.

Sandy, thank you to you too.

DH mentioned to to his oldest, the one with kids, that he didn't want anyone here but for a few hours. That when we were all together in Phoenix, the noise and all the people were too much for him, that he likes it quiet. Her response was "I think we'll just stay home". All of the kids are adults, his two are 42 and 46, kids are 13 and 16. But why would you cop a tude like that when your dad is as sick as he his? Going to town tomorrow, have to take DH as there are things he has to do. Also going in to a medical mobile place to see if they can transport him in the future if he ends up in a w/c. Have our guest Saturday, not sure if they are spending the night or not. DH is napping longer than he used to, but when we have company he doesn't. Before it was about an hour, now it's closer to 2. Seems like he's only up for about 5-6 hours, nap, up for 5-6 hours, bed.

Good morning! I have a couple of questions.

NM, what grade do you teach? My hat is off to you! My bestie just got her first teaching gig at 49. 30 first graders who have never been in a classroom. I'd last ten minutes.

Jazzy and Goldie, do you know each other personally?

I've yet to make it to Catalina. I got half way on the ferry once, but we turned around because of the weather. tMy upcoming cruise is to Ensenada. I'm going with a couple of girlfriends and being from San Diego, we've all been there enough to just stay on the boat while it's docked. The adults' ony section of this particular ship has the jacuzzi and pool close enough that they can get toasty, and I can stay cool. (Xeloda requirement. Boo.) We considered not getting the drink package at $56 per person per day, but they will definitely get their money's worth. And if I don't like my one $16 drink, I can just get another one. Plus specialty coffee and wine with dinner, it will all work out.

Do any of you still have children in the house? My 13 yo has always been a little feisty, but he's gone absolutely bonkers since school started. I met with the VPs of his current school and sister school today to consider transferring him to get a fresh start and (hopefully) select better friends. He's been suspended twice for these stupid TikTok challenges. He gets one more chance, then he's off to military school. I think part of it is that my cancer is becoming more visible to him, and a cousin during a bicker said, "well your mom has three years to live!" Ugh! Family therapists are booked three months out around here, so we're waiting...

A simple go-to for the pool party

• Freshly squeezed grapefruit
• raspberry vodka

Piksie, I love Catalina! DH is from Long Beach, I’m from Huntington Beach and Catalina was our first weekend trip while dating. I’m hoping we can do it again next year.

Goldie, the baby is very cute, love those pic on FB too.

Good morning everyone

NM, thanks for that recipe, I may rename it Mountain Sunset and enjoy it at my cabin beach bar.

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Saturday! Looks to be a nice, if a bit cool, weekend here and I am looking forward to it. The next few weeks are going to be pretty intense, with getting the pooled testing program up and running and getting the required health screenings done. But things are coming together. This weekend is my chance to concentrate on getting some winter prep stuff done around the house.

Sadie says Hi to everyone!

Picksie--I'm a school nurse. I teach 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders things like your arm isn't broken if you can use it to throw the ball back to the kid that hit you with it, your ankle isn't broken if you twisted it at recess but could wait an hour and a half to come see me about during your math test,the different feeling inyour belly after you poop is not a stomachache so bad you are going to die and then puke (always in that order!). I cure migraines with ice packs and put bandaids on microscopic scratches and stop kiddos from bleeding to death (their words, not mine!). And I listen to their troubles and help arrange for families to get food and clothes and housing, and intervene when a kiddo talks about suicide or seeing a family member beating up another family member or doesn't want to go home after school because a parent's new partner is "doing bad things" to them. AndI monitor quarantines and COVID testing for teachers, staff, and kiddos sent home with symptoms or living with a family member with symptoms and who has tested positive. I check the playground and ball field for brown-tail moth caterpillars and ticks regularly until the snow flies. There is never a dull moment. I have a number of friends who are teachers, and I would not last in their position more than a day. At least as the nurse I can have them line up outside the office and see them one at a time!The cruise sounds like a lot of fun. I have no children, and I hope things get better for your son. Things must seem pretty hard to him with everything going on, and particularly your health.

Goldie--I don't mind you speaking for me at all.Glad the Nora's EEG is better. And it's absolutely amazing how much a babe can gothrough early on and be perfectly normal by the time they start school. She is such a cuitie, even in the head wrap!

Illi--I say go for renaming the drink and enjoy!Post a pic for us, too!

Misty--I hope you and your sister get to see the balloon festival next year. This COVID thing has got to end sometime, even the Spanish flu pandemic only lasted 3 years and that was without a vaccine! Of course, it was also without widespread air travel and the sheer number of people in the world there is today. Glad you had a good time with the former co-workers.

Murse Margarita

To make a batch of 6of these mursey-margaritas, mix

1 1/2 cups of tequila,

3/4 cup Triple Sec,

3/4 cup fresh lime juice,

2 tablespoons sugar,

crushed ice to your liking.

Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip into salt for the full effect.

From <https://thriveap.com/blog/bottoms-8-themed-cocktails-nurses-week>

One of the fascinating parts of the concert was seeing him play the Pikasso guitar.

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Twofer Tuesday! I got so wound up with the last class assignment that I got up and jumped right in and didn't do much of anything else Sunday and yesterday. Still took me all day Monday to finish it. I really should have worked on it all day Sunday so I had yesterday for myself, but after working in to the afternoon I decided to take a break and never went back to it. Yesterday I alternated working on the assignment and sorting and switching from the summer to the winter wardrobe. The getting up and doing something physical every so often was a big help in staying focused when I was sitting at the computer.

Got a couple of emails over the weekend, a teacher and the principal developed COVID symptoms during the weekend, both have tested, one is negative, the other is waiting for test results. One student's negative test came in over the weekend. So for now we are all good, let's see how long it lasts!

Jazzy--Wow, hard to believe your 1 year anniversary at the new job is coming right up! Seems like it was just a couple of months ago you made the switch. Being the dependable one in the group is a bit of a pain in the anatomy after a while. Glad you've got a change coming up and one to a better fit for you. I bet the balloon fiesta is amazing to see, particularly the final glow and fireworks. The concert sounds like a great time for you! I've been seeing that more and more events like concerts are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test for entry. It's getting kind of scary reading about the staffing issues hospitals are having right now. I hope the treatments being tested and showing promise work out, that will give us another whole line of defense and control. Thanks for the clip!

Chi--You need one of those plaques that says "This home is run for the convenience of the CATS"! I've got to admit I'm shaking my head, how can someone who got through medical school and the specialty work after, who is trusted to write prescriptions for dangerous medicines including opioids, not be able to follow the relatively simple directions for taking care of cats? It baffles me.

Cammy Cat--the kiidos are way too smart nowadays in some things, but totally at a loss in others. Their attempts to tell time can be hilarious. I love it when they say their tummy ache started "right before I came here, so about 5 hours ago." And I do not remember being so dramatic when I was that age, but I suppose I must have been.

Big City Cat Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tom Cat Gin
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• 2 dashes of Angosutra Bitters
• Garnish with cherry and orange twist

Preparation:

In a mixing glass add Tom Cat, Vermouth, and bitters. Add ice and stir 50 revolution. Strain into a glass. Add garnish.

From <https://caledoniaspirits.com/cocktail/big-city-cat/>

Edited to remove photos

NM, that would make me so angry, the staff that put their masks on when they see you...grrrrr! My niece, Nora's mom is a nurse and she said they have a lot of babies in with RSV. And you are right, there is no thought as to what this adds to my work load. I wish I would be here in a couple decades to see what the world is like with the kids we have today. My grandson 16, is the only one in the family that is not vaccinated, and it's because "he doesn't want to". Well then, you shouldn't have to do something you don't want to! The parents don't know how to parent.

Well yesterday, DH wanted to go outside and do something to our mini excavator, as it broke down in our driveway. So I have to go get the quad for him to ride to it. It's not far, but he can't walk that far. So he gets there, and in less than 5 minutes he's panicking and telling me he's going down, he tries to hang on to the quad to get around and get on it, and doesn't make it. Down he goes, in the gravel, it's cold and windy out...GREAT!

So I go up to the barn to get a blanket to try and get that under him and off the gravel. He tries to scoot closer to the quad. I go and get another blanket to put under his knees. Well, he doesn't have any muscle to move his legs. So he rolls on his stomach, gets up on his elbows and I move his legs for him, lifting them up and pushing forward at the knee. Finally I get him on all 4's, but he still can't get up. Let me go get my little garden seat. Back to the barn for that. Move his legs forward some more so he can try and pull himself up enough for me to scoot this seat under his butt. It works! From there he was able to stand and get on the quad, ride back to the house and pray I can get him in the house. He holds onto the rail on the ramp with one hand and me on the other side. He gets in the door and practically collapses on the bench there. This all took me about a half hour. So I know now, he can NOT stand for any more than a couple of minutes.

It's things like this that no one understands, on top of everything I have to do, you never know when something like this is going to happen and I have to stop what I'm doing to help him. So that whole scenario took about an hour or so.

Have the solar guy coming over this morning to check our battieries, something's not right.

Sending love to the sisters who have sick husbands 🙏