Table for 2...Order for 12

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving- whatever that looked like!

John & I had a "table for two" Thanksgiving.

(Don't mind the extremely wrinkled tablecloth)

Grace was with her Mom & some friends and [little] John stayed in DC. It seemed like most everyone else had plans of their own, so we had a quiet day.

We did a "traditional" Thanksgiving meal, although a lot of it was low-maintenance (as you'll see from below). 

Frozen whole turkeys were on sale a few weeks prior to Thanksgiving, so we figured, "why not?" We got an 11 lb turkey...

We had gravy from the packet in the turkey.

We had pre-made stuffing (aka stuffing in a box).

We had pre-made scalloped potatoes (they're actually pretty good and SO much less work than real scalloped potatoes.)

Cranberry sauce from a can.

We had Pillsbury crescent rolls.

For vegetables, we did probably the most "homemade" work. We had mashed butternut squash (which we both really like but generally only have on holidays). I just mash it it with butter, maple syrup & nutmeg. 

We also did brussels sprouts. Generally, I roast them (just tossed in olive oil, salt & pepper) and then top with melted butter, but since we inherited an air fryer, we decided to try them that way. I found a simple recipe from the Food Network and we did that. They came out ok, but were drier than the roasted (I think because no melted butter was poured over them.)

Oh, and some cheap Rose wine (we should NOT have cheaped out there...lesson learned.)

Here's our "table for twelve." (I should've put the gigantic turkey on the table- would've made for a better image.)

We had lots of leftovers (which is never a bad thing!)

For dessert we had a great homemade apple pie that a friend made, which was very thoughtful of her.

How did you celebrate Thanksgiving? 

Let's Blow the Dust Off This Sucker, Shall We?

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It's been over six months since I've blogged (not my longest hiatus, but definitely up there.)

For those of you that know me "in real life" or are friends with me on Facebook, you know that the last seven months have been extremely challenging- the most challenging of my life.

John was diagnosed with HPV throat cancer in April and things have been chaotic, traumatic, sad, stressful, and finally (the last few months or so) full of relief and thankfulness.

He blogged about his experience at The Village Rant. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. Not only is it enlightening and educational, but also raw and real. Plus, he's a really good writer.

I've gone back and forth about whether I want to dedicate a post to the experience. On one hand, it might help someone else, but on the other hand, I don't want to make the experience all about me. I will share a few things that I've learned:

• Being a caretaker for someone who generally is your caretaker is HARD. John and I had major role reversal in this situation and while it got easier over time, it was foreign territory and uncomfortable in the beginning.  (There was never any thought I wouldn't fill the role- I just wanted to do it "right.")

• If at all possible, go to a hospital that is in your doctors' network. John's first hospital stay was at a hospital that we've gone to for years, so we know it and are familiar with it. However, John's PCP closed his private practice and is now part of another network and different hospitals. It was difficult getting the dots connected and for communication to happen.

• Lastly, as the caretaker, do your best to stay healthy. Eat, even when you don't want to or are not hungry. I lost close to 20 lbs from April-August. I had a stomach bug (which didn't help) and then I didn't eat well, skipping meals or not eating enough. I'm back on track and have gained back 10 of those pounds.

John had a clean scan at the end of September and we are EXTREMELY thankful for that. He will have another in two or so weeks and then hopefully he will go to a more regular schedule (maybe every six months?)

We realize that things will not be exactly the same as they used to be, but we are doing our best to adjust to the new normal around here.

I would be remiss if I didn't thank all those that offered support in person, via phone, via text, via Facebook, and via good old fashioned US mail. They are what helped us to get through this time. We knew that we had a huge support system and lots of people pulling for us. So, thank you- from the bottom of our hearts.

February 2019 In Pictures

Here are some pictures from February of this year that I haven't shared on social media.

February 2nd:

My birthday celebration! We went to CR's The Restaurant in Hampton, NH (one our faves!)

And for dessert, we had homemade doughnuts with dipping sauce. Yum!

February 4th: 

That time my alma mater got a police escort to the Beanpot (and then won it all!)

February 8th:

Let's just say I had NOT had a good day...

February 9th:

Then there was that time when the flu ran rampant through the Sullivan household. (This stuff is liquid gold.)

February 12th:

I've used Clinique products for close to 30 years (eek!), but just started using this in February. I love it. A little goes a long way and it leaves my face feeling super clean.

February 16th:

Drinks I want to try from Boozy Blender book:

February 23rd:

My first ever pecan pie!

February 25th:

Sitting in a common area at work & playing with the panoramic view.

February 26th:

Even though your co-workers might drive you nuts, thank your lucky stars you're not dealing with this...

Who Should Pay for Public Libraries?

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I don't think it's any secret that I'm a huge proponent of libraries.

I would never be able to pay for my voracious reading appetite if there was no public library (hard copy books are almost $30!) Yes, I could buy books to download to my Kindle, although not free either (and occasionally I do), but there are a few reasons I don't:

• I'm a traditionalist. I like the feel of a book in my hands.
• 99% of my reading is done before bed. I found it awkward to hold my Kindle while laying in bed.
• Also, looking a computer screen before bed is not supposed to be good for you and I sometimes felt that it made me more awake than more sleepy (which is what reading a "traditional" book usually does.)
• There are fewer e-books available and often I'd have to wait much longer to get one than a hard copy.

(In full disclosure, I should say I've NEVER listened to an audiobook. I know, I know- I'm a dinosaur.

I digress.

A few years ago I ran into this article in the Boston Globe asking if towns/municipalities should fund public libraries.

I think some great arguments are made on the YES side (the side I'm on.)

Some of the points on the NO side I would challenge:

• Now, digital media and the Internet have dramatically expanded access at significantly less cost to the individuals who utilize them.
• Yes, digital media and Internet have dramatically expanded access- no argument there.
• However, there are still plenty of people in the United States that can't afford Internet in their home. The librarian on the NO side is from Boxford, MA, which is a relatively wealthy town (Wikipedia tells me it's 10th in Massachusetts in terms of per capita income.) I think it's a bit short-sighted to think that everyone can just go out & get Internet.

• Attempting to remain relevant, municipal libraries are adding other entertainment, often duplicating local cafés, nonprofit clubs, and community centers, with the costs being picked up by taxpayers. Is it wise — or fair — to require taxpayers to fund an approach that uses the library label to secure public monies to replicate entrepreneurial ventures?
• Yes, libraries are evolving beyond just a building that houses books. However, libraries have always provided programming- this is nothing new. So, just because the type of programming is changing (with the times), is that a reason to pull the plug?

So, which side of the argument are you on?

January 2019 In Pictures

Here are some pictures from January of this year that I haven't shared on social media.

January 2nd: Pulling into the driveway after work & seeing the Christmas tree lit. Peaceful & serene!

January 6th: I am in Florida visiting my parents & trying to do a selfie with one of the greyhounds. (Admittedly I can't tell if this is Jules or Zapper!)

January 7th: Visiting Melba (Moore) & Buck (Rogers in the 21st Century.) This is Buck's belly!

Hi Buck!

Hi Melba!

January 10th: Still in Florida. Going through "old" stuff.

I mean whatever. I don't think I was a difficult child...

January 19th: I got this gorgeous Vera Bradley pocketbook for Christmas. I love the maroon!

January 20th: I'm married to the Abominable Snowman.

January 25th: I think I have a bone spur. I'm not a podiatrist, but I play one on my blog.

January 26th: I discovered The Avengers on some weird on-demand channel. I can't even find it now...

Follow Your Nose - It Always Knows!

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Those from my era (born in the 70's or prior) will remember this Froot Loops commercial. Toucan Sam was a wise dude -- "Follow Your Nose, It Always Knows!"

This is my tagline.

I have a VERY sensitive smeller.

There's actually a diagnosis for this- hyperosmia! See definition here from the Society of Sensory Professionals (and yes, that's a really society!)

Since John & I have been together, that has become more evident (mostly because he constantly reminds me of the fact.)

I smell something. He can't.

I smell something. He smells nothing.

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. (for years)

UNTIL JUST RECENTLY.

Our house borders a state forest so we have a "wilderness" vibe to our property and thus we see the wildlife that comes along with it- squirrels, chipmunks, deer, and MICE.

We've noticed during the winter weather that the mice like to find a warm comfy place to stay, i.e., our basement, especially the unfinished side.

John tried basically every variety of trap out there and none of them were wildly successful.

So, one day we were visiting our niece in Maine and our brother-in-law came over to visit and mentioned how he had similar wildlife issues and made a homemade trap with a bucket of water and a "ramp." He put peanut butter along the inside of the bucket, wildlife climbed the ramp, went for the peanut butter and CURTAINS! ::glug glug glug:::

John decided to try this at our house. He used a gable vent as the ramp.

This was working really well. They were dropping like flies. Drowning like mice. You get the idea.

We figured we were good and had exterminated the majority of the rodent inhabitants. A few weeks/months went by.

Then, out of the blue, I went into the basement to get a drink and said to John, "I smell something."

And you guessed it, he said, "I don't smell anything."

I said "Just check the bucket. Humor me."

BINGO.

He said (and I quote), "I will never doubt your sense of smell again."

I'm sorry, what was that? Repeat that? (And yes, he repeated it.)

So, whenever I say I smell something now I do not get pushback.

I'm a certified super smeller.

Don't doubt the cartoon Toucan!