Monday, June 28, 2010

I've been awake

I've been awake since ~2.30 and up since ~3.00 today. The birdies have been twittering outside my window for a while now.

I think I'll take a nap before Mom and I go to get our hair styled.
~~~
Mom and I went to the polka Mass at Father Tom's parish. Henny and the Versa J's provided the music. I arrived during the psalm "Praise the Lord for He is Good," (based on Psalm 147, music by R. Koslosky). I told Mom that the polka makes me feel like dancing!

The acclamations were also sung polka-style.
The offertory song was "Table of Plenty"
The communion song was "Badzze Pozdrowiona"
and the recessional hymn was "Let There Be Peace On Earth."

We joined the parishioners and other visitors for lunch in the social hall (directions to the hall provided by my friend Lisa H). Mom and I had hot dogs (Mom had sauerkraut on hers), haluski, drinks, and funnel cake.

We stopped by the gift shop table on the way out, and caught the shuttle to our parking spot.

The event was well-organized and well-staffed.

~~~
I went grocery shopping and I got cleaning supplies at Tuesday morning and data storage supplies, as well.
We stopped by to say hi to Marissa and the children, so I read a French version of the book _No, David!_ and we all played the hot dog board game and the robot game, then headed home under a shower of raindrops stored on the tree leaves overhead.

After a snack of apple dumpling from the festival, we took an hour nap and then had dinner with Dad before heading out to the craft store on McKnight Road, coupons in hand.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Putt Putt Golf

I've been up since ~ 4.00 this morning.

Last night Nancy and I met up and went to putt putt golf in North Park. It was great fun. We played both courses (I even got a hole-in-one on the 16th on the Tropical Course), and watched the mini Grand Prix, bumper boats, and carousel.

We went for a snack of rolled Caesar salad at a bar/cafe which her hubby will most likely not visit soon, as there was a smoky atmosphere there, and he has recently kicked the habit.

Mom, Dad, and I sang a "Happy Anniversary" to Joyce and Greg into their answering machine last night.
~~~
Napped from 7.00 to about mid-morning.

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Friday, June 25, 2010

Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

I met other people whilst waiting for the shuttle to the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Kristen, who had done this before, and who sat in my row, and Stephen, who was handing out parking stickers for validation.

Francois sat next to me, and we chatted on the way to and from the food bank. Philippa directed us. I was partnered with Kathy, and we directed people to appropriate areas. I had to sit at regular intervals to rest my po' little body. Keith stopped by to say hello, and to talk about past landscapes.

There were about 40 of us, and we wiped down the stainless steel counters afterwards. Four hundred thirty families/groups were served approximately 25000 pounds of food in that session.

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

This Week in June 2010 II, Car Day

Monday day I went with Marissa and the children to the Mount Washington library (closed) and to the Science Center (open!). Monday evening Maureen and I went to Waterworks Mall, where we looked for travel items for her and I got sushi.

Tuesday morning Mom and I picked up my car at the shop, where it has been in repairs since Thursday afternoon. I spoke with my weight management coach, and then went for physical therapy. Tuesday was a Day for the Car, as the battery was dead after I exited physical therapy. Mom and I went shopping, and in the evening Maureen and I went to the Waterfront. Shops were closing soon after we purchased her swim cap.

Yesterday (Wednesday) I went for my annual blood work. I went to the computer lab afterwards, and completed some computer work, as well. Mom and I watched "America's Got Talent," where we noted that a large number of Portland contestants were pushed through to Vegas.
~~~
Time for physical therapy.

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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Father's Day 2010

Mom, Dad, and I met up with William's family at a pub on the South Side for brunch. Beata was overstimulated by the shouts and chanting during the World Cup game televised on several TV sets in the pub. I had the lamb shepherd's pie, which was rich and delicious.

We went for ice cream afterwards. When we returned home I helped Mom and Dad with cruise plans. I took a 2+hour-long nap, then did some computer work. Mom, Dad, and I attended the 21.00 Mass at the Oratory, then had dinner of crab claws and shepherd's pie. Dessert included fresh fruit. Yum.

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Eatin', Eatin', Eatin'

Last night went out with Maureen and Karina for appetizers/dinner and dessert at a pub in Station Square. LOVE those calamari and the chocolate indulgence cake (takes you straight to Heaven!)

I had picked up Maureen because she had inadvertently locked her keys in her home. We also went to Squirrel Hill for her to purchase new sandals for the summer. She and I had a "slumber party"at my house afterwards, reviewing and culling through my wardrobe for this summer. We also looked at Facebook.

Today will be a grand day with Mom and Dad and William's family starting with brunch on the South Side...

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Saturday, June 19, 2010

Early Saturday, June 2010

I'm up early today, having had breakfast and journaled my food intake, exercise, and mass/weight.

I need to get reading more of the books I have borrowed from the library, as well as a book for a class I'll be teaching this fall.

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Friday, June 18, 2010

End of the Week, June 2010: Christmas in June

This morning I lectored for Mass, with Father Bill celebrating, assisted by Deacon Brian Noel. John De served, with Ken at the portative organ. Deacon Brian delivered his homily on concepts addressed in the Gospel reading: Physical sight and how one treasures and protects that, and one's soul, which one treasures and protects. <~54>

Today is Don's half-birthday.

Mom, Dad, and I babysat Beatrice and Solomon. Marissa returned from her research study, and we all enjoyed lunch together. I went home for a 2+ hour nap, and then we went grocery shopping and to gas up the car. We also dined on fried chicken and bread at the Big Bird (GE). We discovered a faulty wiper blade, which we replaced.

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Thursday, June 17, 2010

This Week in June 2010

Tuesday Mom, Dad, and I babysat Beata and Solomon. We played, ate lunch, sang karaoke, napped (well, some of us did!) and I left when they did. Marissa had jury duty, for which none of the groups were called. I left to go to physical therapy with Keelan and a student, Kristen. Dinner was with Geannie and Jerry at his home: Stuffed shells, Brussel sprouts, salad, bread, and strawberry pie that Geannie brought.

I left at quarter to nine to join Mom and Dad watching America's Got Talent. Kelly and her accordian buddies were on the show!

~~~
Wednesday was grocery shopping day, with an appointment in the afternoon.

~~~
Today I had my first non-assessment appointment with my weight management coach. I have lost 1 to 3.5 pounds since starting to journal my food intake a week and a half or so ago. I had physical therapy with Cara at noon today. Lunch was composed of many diverse foods!
~
Went for a walk with Maureen to Carnegie Mellon, to the Randy Pausch bridge (I've never seen the lights WHITE until now) and through the Kraus garden, with its mountain laurel.

What a beautiful night it was for walking...cool, yet not crisp, with light illuminating the spires of St. Paul Cathedral and the Cathedral of Learning. Clear skies. Just lovely.

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Up Early II June 2010

I've been up for ~ an hour this morning. I've been reading about Omega-3 fatty acids on the web.

Yesterday was a long day. Will have to write more about it later.

Today Mom and I will be babysitting Beata and Solomon. Marissa has jury duty. We'll have great fun with the children.

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Sunday, June 13, 2010

Off to Mass

We're off to Mass, Lola's having an adventure. I've looked up possible vacations for her and Dad. I'll show them to her after Mass this late afternoon.

~~~
22.59
Mom and I went for a short walk this evening and we met a Pilipina nurse during our walk.

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Up Early on a Sunday in June 2010

I'm up early on this Sunday in June. I'll go back to sleep to get more rest. Had a long day yesterday. A continuation of my day yesterday is below.

After an abbreviated lunch yesterday, I helped Mom and Dad with vacation plans, took a two-hour nap, and chatted by phone with Luce and Nancy. It was girls' night out last night with Christina, Karina, and Nancy at an Italian chain in the strip district. We dined and chatted for about three hours. Great fun.

I returned home (thanks to Christina) and had a nice chat with Pratima.

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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Early Morning I, June 2010; Yoga June 2010

I awoke ~ an hour ago, early for me on a Saturday morning. Am organizing the papers I photocopied yesterday night.

I'm planning on going out with the girls tonight for dinner. It will be fun, but we'll miss Maureen, who is visiting family.

~~~
13.00
Karina and I went to yoga in Squirrel Hill, after she repaired a necklace's jump ring connection for me. We had yoga class for a little less than two hours, explored Squirrel Hill a bit, then are both at our respective homes to cool off from the muggy, hot morning.

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Friday, June 11, 2010

Mass, June 2010

Mom, Dad, and I will go to Mass this morning---Sacred Heart of Jesus is the celebration.
~~~
9.07
Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass, Matt H lectored, John DeF. served, Dad provided the television ministry, and Don provided the music ministry. It was a Mass for Grandma.

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Thursday, June 10, 2010

Up Early Again, June, 2010

I'm up early, again, as I was two days ago. Instead of pulling a 19-hour day, I'll go back to sleep THIS time.
~~~
18.35
I slept in until 9.30 this morning, then took care of other things. Went shopping for groceries with Mom in the Strip District and at Giant Eagle. William and family will be here for dinner shortly. I prepared the salad and Italian-colored salad fixings (Green sweet peppers, white onion, and tomato slices) with raisins (I'm predicting some of us will have salad with our raisins...). Also prepped some baby carrots.

~~~
After dinner the children played piano, and after a request by Beata, we broke into karaoke. Solomon also played with toys from the guest room...Disney mouse and a sand shovel.

After the group departed, Maureen picked me up and we organized a template for her basic wardrobe for her trip. It was fun.

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Yasmina Reza's ART

I acquired tickets to Yasmina Reza's ART downtown at the O'Reilly Theater. Dad and I went to the performance, and the performance was about a man (Serge)'s purchase of a white canvas work of art, and his ensuing discussions with his friends. Scathing!

The piece had the flavor of a Jerry Seinfeld episode, moments of a Neil Simon play, and, about 2/3 of the way through, of Sartre's Huis Clos/No Exit. The actors portryaed their characters with full engagement with each other. (In order of appearance:)
Marc was played by Rob Breckenridge
Serge was played by Darren Eliker
Yvan was portrayed by Harry Bouver

~~~
Started a weight management program today. Initially recommended for me was a 1500 Calorie intake. I don't think I can do that, as my average intake for 7 out of 8 of the past days has been ~2000 Calories. My low end was ~1700, and my high was ~2600 for the past week. <1700 was recommended for me this morning.

~~~
I also went to physical therapy this afternoon. Cara gently stepped up the duration of my workout by adding to sets of (initially) 10 until they were 15.

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Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Miss Saigon CLO 2010

Alva and I departed for the Benedum Theatre this evening to see Miss Saigon. Wonderfully produced and acted, the cast and crew (including the sound engineers) produced a balanced show.

We discussed the show all the way home, and enjoyed the way home.

Mom and Dad indicated that they had seen the production with Lea Salonga. They also indicated that the second hour of tonight's America's Got Talent was produced in New York City.

~~~
I had gotten up early this morning, at about 4.00, and couldn't get back to sleep, so I did laundry at about 7.30. How exciting.

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Last Choir Sunday of the Season, Feast of Corpus Christi 2010

This Sunday was the Feast of Corpus Christi, our last Sunday as a full choir. Fr. Bill celebrated the Mass, and his homily was quite thought-provoking, addressing fringe elements of society who believe in the Eucharist.

Mom, Dad, and I went for Chinese/country buffet where we took Kirsten a couple of years ago. There was a dramatic sky, due to a tornado watch, and Mom took various pictures of the sky and buildings as we approached home. We were temporarily rerouted due to the Summer Reading Fest at the public library.

~~~
Monday I went to physical therapy (no ankle sleeve!) and Cara stepped me up to more resistance and more exercises (including the arm bicycle and balancing on foam. I walked from home to pick up some medicines for a basic medicine cabinet, and then to the library for computer work, and to the public library for a reserved book "waiting for me."

I had dinner, and Maureen and I went for a walk (after 20.00), running into Stacy and Vladimir on the way across the street. We looked at my borrowed library book (which is missing a fold-out city map) at the park benches near the library. I slept early, after a day of ~1.75-2.00 miles.

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Saturday, June 05, 2010

First Saturday, June 2010

So, because I had purchased a number of eggs this week. I ate breakfast at home, and took a long nap. Ate lunch with Mom and Dad, and joined up with Maureen for a walk post-rain to Shadyside. In the pouring, rivulet-bearing rain we ended up at the bagel shop, where we had snacks of bagels.

Back to her car, then off to the bookstore for a look at hair magazines, a journal/ notebook and a gift.

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National Donut Day 2010

Friday I read / lectored at Mass in the morning. Fr. Bill celebrated, John DeF. served, and Ken played the portative organ. <~54> Maureen and I stopped by after her work and my physical therapy (where we added releves to my exercise regimen) at the donut shop in Squirrel Hill. We braved the rains to get a beverage and a donut. I got the employee's favorite, blueberry with maple icing (which tastes like blueberry pancakes with maple syrup). Maureen got her coconut favorite. I got a plain donut with chocolate icing for Karina. We picked up Karina at the Newman Center and proceeded to Victor's restaurant, where we enjoyed a spread that included a great! okra dish. I walked away stuffed.

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Thursday, June 03, 2010

Awoke an hour earlier....

..This morning I awoke another hour earlier--4.30. I am taking care of correspondence (some by email), and photos for my blog.

I'm pleased that the university library has chosen to order the encyclopedia I was involved in.
~~~
9.25
I soon went back to sleep at 5, 5.30 and slept for another four hours. This waking up early is difficult! I wonder why I have disrupted sleep?

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Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Beginning of June 2010

Yesterday was the first day of June 2010. I awoke ~5:30 am and took care of various questions and issues:

Got an appointment for physical therapy evaluation
Asked questions on the phone about insurance, my (lost) hip/s card and needed preventive antibiotics, and using my battery charger at different voltage levels (no converter needed, just the adaptors).
I made spaghetti with white clam sauce with Mom, and a lovely salad for us to enjoy for lunch (and later for dinner).
*
Today, I awoke ~5:30 and took two long naps as I did yesterday, but not before going to morning Mass and inviting Anu to the Sunday reading Bible study by Fr. Drew.
I went for an evaluation of my health problems by Cara, PT.
And I attended Parish Pastoral Council, where we discussed updating the website and Elaine, Carmella, and I received thank you gifts for our time on Council. Matt will receive his later.
It is pouring down rain, so Tom gave Elaine and I rides home.

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Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Memorial Day 2010

Slept in!

Went to the grocery store for lunch supplies.

Made hotdogs and green salad, had a great meal with Mom and Dad while it poured rain outside.

Worked on a couple of projects, went home for a 3+ hour nap.

Had dinner that Dad made.

Watched the news and Jeopardy! with Mom.

Worked on computer projects, watched part of the Stanley Cup finals.

Went home and worked on more lists and answered emails.

Hit the sack--retired for sleep---late.

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