Shopping for Christmas Meals
This morning Maureen and I went shopping for Christmas meal items. We started at the two French bakeries, one in Lawrenceville, and one in Millvale. We then went to Trader Joe's in Bakery Square, followed by an attempt to find parking at Whole Foods...then a stint at Giant Eagle Market District. We returned to my home with our booty.
I tucked away the grocery items and helped Mom and Dad with some computer issues, followed by reading and a nap. Time to write [some] Christmas cards!
Labels: Christmas, friends, read, shopping, sleep
Thanksgiving Days 2010-III
Today is Saturday, the last day of the liturgical year.
Yesterday, I awoke at ~ 4am and sent some email correspondence to friends far and near, as well as to my classes of students. After tying bows on wreaths with Judi, Jess, Don, Rocco, and Regina,
I exchanged an organizer near William and Marissa's home. Also I got a pair of shoes and lip gloss. I took two naps yesterday (~45" and 1'15"), between which was sandwiched a visit to a craft store across the river in McKees Rocks. After dinner with Mom and Dad, we went for a visit at William and Marissa's home, to return some items at a store near their home, and to return to play a Sea game with Beatrice that Lolo and Lola gave them. Solomon enjoyed playing a game with Marissa and Lola, whilst Beatrice won the Sea game she played with the rest of us by a close margin.
Upon returning home, we had a snack, and I forwarded a file from Rosie T. to some of mom's other friends. Had a long, 19+ hour day and was tired after it, as well.
Labels: Beatrice, email, games, jewelry, niece and nephew, seasons, shoes, shopping, sleep, Spain
Friday--Five Guys in Fox Chapel
So, Friday lunch was meeting Marissa and Beatrice and Solomon to travel and meet Les and Cherie at Five Guys in Fox Chapel. We enjoyed burgers and fries before going to get orange juice ("so Lolo will have his orange juice when he arrives," I explained to Beatrice..."will you help me select orange juice for Lolo?") and other supplies at the superstore at the Waterworks Mall.
Labels: dine, dining, shopping
Delivering Fenton, the automobile fiasco, Beatrice's bike, the Student Prince
Tuesday I was to go with Maureen to Ross Park Mall. We planned to meet Nancy C there. I volunteered to drop off a package of art glass to Joyce (she left it in Mom and Dad's car) at Gene and Phyllis's home. I went to the gas station, filled up the tank, then went to the coffee shop across from Maureen's home. When attempting to start the car, it wouldn't. Dad came by and waited for the tow truck for us, bringing the other car.
Maureen and I stopped by Gene and Phyllis' home, saying bye to the the whole family. As 79 S was backed up, we took 19 S and picked up Krispy Kreme donuts on the way. We met up with Nancy at Ross Park Mall, and I got quilting pins for Mom at Jo-Ann's Fabrics.
I received good news in snail mail today.
Wednesday, I went to the Newman Center for discussion of this Sunday's (Assumption) readings. Spoke to some of my friends in the evening. Car still in the shop.
Thursday, I spoke with my health coach (I had lost weight and had gained it back in the same time period---time to analyze in a 2-day span my caloric intake). Mom had a hairstyling appointment at 10.15. Mom, Dad, and I had burgers across from the Park where we went at ~12.40pm. Beatrice won a lottery to get a bike and helmet from the City. The Mayor presented it to her. Lolo, Lola, her mommy and brother, and I were there.
I picked up a book at the library, my "homework" to read, c/o S.
I watched the silent film, the Student Prince, based on a book called Old Heidelberg.
Today we picked up my car at the garage from repairs. I later met Marissa and children at the restaurant across from her exercise facility. We had fun eating 18.00-20.00! I then watched Lisa Kudrow on the new show "Who do you think you are?"
Labels: automobile, bicycle, Carnegie, cinema, dining, Faith, farewell, friends, library, niece and nephew, politics, repair, shopping, snacks, TV
Themes
Painting (Oil and Watercolor)
Art
Hot Weather
Music--Bernstein's Requiem, My favorite movement of all Vivaldi pieces, sacred acclamations from the Mass
making muesli from grain
Hornflakes
Panoramic Paintings
Hot weather
Meeting Jehovah's Witnesses
NOT climbing tower/s
Good food
Good Thai food
Seeking relief from the heat at a pool
seeing political leaders
Good company, throughout
Good homemade food
Good homemade Thai food
Good Indonesian rice table
assistive technology for exercising
Labels: accessibility, art, dining, exercise, health, list, love, music, painting, shopping, water exercise, weather
Up at 5
So, I went to sleep at about 23.00 last night and awoke at 5.00...I was busy in my preparations ( called Verizon Wireless, my cell phone carrier) and at the computer until about 9. I went grocery shopping with Mom and Dad in the Strip District, then we had lunch and more shopping at the Big Bird Market District. I took a nap 16.00-17.00, then played with my cell phone some more.
I helped Mom with laundry, and also with future vacation plans via frequent flyer miles.
Labels: computer, laundry, phone, shopping, sleep, travel
Up at 2
I arose at 2 today. I went to sleep at 19.00 last night, woke up at ~21.30 and watched fireworks on television. I had a late-night snack and fell asleep about midnight.
I've been surfing the Internet since then, and answering email messages. Playing with my new phone.
~~~
I fell asleep @ 6 and awoke at 9. We waited for Kelly, who was to stop by on her way home from vacation. I ended up going with Karina to the craft store in the Waterfront, then to Giant Eagle (Big Bird, as I am wont to call this store). I worked on an organizing project, and on my address list of my friends. Liz gave me her phone numbers, and Kim and I gelled plans for later in the month.
Labels: art, celebration, computer, email, jewelry, organizing, phone, shopping, sleep
This Week Sleep
3, 9, 5, 7
These are the times I have arisen this week...Today I arose at 7 (but awoke and went back to sleep at 5).
Monday Dad drove Mom and I to get our hair/s styled. We went shopping afterwards (I got a small calculator), and had lunch at the Chinese buffet.
Tuesday I spoke with my health coach in the morning. Mom, Dad, and I went to the Waterfront to update our cell phones. Maureen and I met Jeff to celebrate her birthday over BBQ chicken pizza. We had fun chatting.
Wednesday I had an orientation meeting with Laura D's office. I met with Stacy at 19.00 hours for smoothies. We also went to the Frick Fine Arts building to bask in the setting sunlight. Last night, Mom and Dad brought home summer sweet corn from Robert.
Labels: Birthday, computer, dining, hair, health, ice cream, phone, shopping, sleep, work
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.
Labels: automobile, computer, exercise, health, international culture, library, museum, repair, shopping, swim, talent, travel, TV
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.
Labels: dine, family, niece and nephew, shopping, sleep, travel
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.
Labels: dine, dining, hair, shopping, walking, writing
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.
Labels: dine, email, family, list, shopping, sleep, travel, TV
Computer project at the Library
After I visited the doctor's office (where I noted the doctor's spouse and nice artwork in the waiting room), I stopped by Maureen's place, where we had pizza and lemonade and chocolate. She was expecting a phone call, and when my parking meter ran out, I departed.
I purchased an ankle wrap at the drug store.
Maureen called when I got home and we went to the campus library to take care of a project on vacation sites at the computer lab.
I called Karina, and promised to call her when we exited the library. We picked her up, headed to Giant Eagle (just as the skies opened up), and got drinks there. We saw Vicki E. and Grace M. there. We then headed to Waterworks Mall for book-browsing and dinner.
Labels: art, dine, health, library, phone, school, shopping, travel
6 Hands Jewelry
Today I took care of quite a bit of correspondence in the morning. Maureen, Karina, and I went to the Waterfront to the craft store. Maureen selected a number of beads for a tri-partite bracelet for her sister. It had a water/leaf/nature theme to it, with colors in the green-blue-aqua family. We each made a strand for the bracelet, which were then wound around the others, and fashioned into a bracelet.
"6 Hands Jewelry"! I declared, high-tenning my crafty partners.
Donuts played a role in the evening, as well!
Labels: art, dining, friends, jewelry, shopping, writing
Pentecost 2010
Today I arose ~5:30 and then took some photos of the foggy morning afterwards.
The Pentecost Mass included singing with a guest, Gabe's brother Carlo. I told Judi that Regina could not attend Mass today, and I met up with Mom, Dad, and Regina's parents after Mass during the voluntary. Fr. Steve from the Oratory celebrated the Mass.
Mom, Dad, and I went for lunch at Whole Foods. We then went to return an item at TJ Maxx, and I got li'l tan ped things for my feet this summer. I picked up Mom and Dad at the stores, then we headed home. I put my items away, and took a nap.
Jennifer H and I had tentatively decided to go to the performance of John Rutter's Requiem Mass at St. Maurice Church in Pittsburgh. We talked via phone, and decided I would drive, picking her up on the way. Brent, of Choireland fame, is the music director there. Don accompanied the group on their organ. The choir was particularly well-balanced, and the soloists were wonderful. Jennifer H noted that the second movement, "Out of the Deep," had an extended lunga by the altos. The sixth movement, "The Lord is my Shepard," is the same as that which our choir sings, except this organ was electronic and accompanied by cello, flute, harp, oboe, and percussion.
We spoke with Brent, and with Don, Judy afterwards. Don noted that Fr. John, the pastor, is Ed's brother. Ed plays brass with our music ministry at various holidays.
Labels: Choir, dining, diocese of Pittsburgh, music, organ, photos, Pittsburgh, shoes, shopping, singing
Choir End-of-Year Party 2010
Left with Maureen and Karina for a Teacher-Staff Day at Costco. I bought pan de sal and a pineapple. We also stopped at the craft store. We then brought the perishables in to Maureen's place, had a quick lemonade drink, then parked the car to go to the Walnut Street Arts Festival. We also stopped in some shops, mostly to window-shop.
Maureen drove me home, I spoke to Jennifer H, and showered, bringing my umbrella, camera, and the multicolored flaxseed chips and French onion dip. Jennifer and her hubby Brian gave me a lift to the party chez Diana and Craig (and Andrew). There was plenteous food, music on the two pianos, a capella singing (notably of the 2-choir Biebl "Ave Maria" piece), games (of Apples to Apples, with eleven players and Jennifer H winning five Green Cards!), and chit-chatting by attendees. Upon a recommendation from Gabe's brother Carlo, I tried the delicious strawberry shortcake, as well as Jennifer H's toll house cookies.
After fond goodbyes to everyone, Brian, Jennifer H, and I took leave, but not before taking a photo of the misty view out their front door.
Labels: art, celebration, Choir, dine, games, music, New York, photos, shopping, singing, teaching
End of the Week
Yesterday, Karina, Maureen, and I went for meditation, (then we were joined by Nancy) and discussion of Zen readings in Lawrenceville. We walked around the neighborhood afterwards, and looked about a little shop afterwards, which Karina astutely noted is chock full of recycled items.
So, after Mass celebrated by Fr. Bill, served by John, and music-ministered by Don <48>; Mom and I went to Waterworks Mall today--mainly to get me tan anklets. I'm sooo excited about these little socks. They are microfiber and also have a little plastic elasticized piece at the Achilles tendon attachment! How useful. (Sunday: Until you try them on---then you realize that they slip off my smaller foot at the heel.)
Mom shared some of her costume jewelry with me, and I met up with Christina before Bianca's Bible study tonight. Luke gave an informative talk on the Church in China, then we went to Bianca's final Bible study. Christina, me, Bianca, Leland, Kevin, and one more person listened to the DVD and discussed concepts of Scriptural readings. Christina kindly gave me a ride home.
I had a snack of cheeses, apples, and mixed nuts with Mom after the Bible study.
Labels: Bible, Church, dine, family, international culture, jewelry, meditate, recycle, shoes, shopping
Rainy, Rainy beginning of the week
Monday and Tuesday have been rainy, rainy days. Cool, too (~50-60 Fahrenheit). Monday I ran some errands downtown. I walked from Heinz Hall to near the Kaufmann's Clock to catch a 71A bus home. Tuesday I picked up Mom and Dad from Mom's doctor's appointment. We drove to the hairdressers, where she received a stylish cut. We made an appointment for about six weeks from now. I also went grocery shopping, and ran into Kathy L from the Carnegie. We chatted for a bit.
Then, dinner last night and meet up with Susan at folk dancing to hear the Balkan group play music whilst the folk dancing continued. I danced intermittently from 19.30-22.00.
This morning, I went to the Newman Center to attend study of this Sunday (Pentecost)'s readings. The event is "on vacation" until early June. Karina arrives from the airport, I'll pick her up from the bus stop this afternoon!
~~~
20 May 2010
9.35
So, it was a beautiful afternoon yesterday when I met up with Karina at the bus stop. We loaded her bags into the car, and ensured her safe arrival at home.
Mom and I dined in the Strip District (sans Dad, who had a tummy flu) for dinner, and then I dropped Mom (and our leftovers) off, to pick up Karina for a Young Adult Church event in Shadyside. (We were half an hour late).
We retrieved her car, then walked on Walnut Street in the shopping district, then called Maureen to join us around the time her dance class lets out. She joined us for a stroll, then all three of us ladies went grocery shopping in Shadyside (Late!).
Labels: Bible, Carnegie, dance, dancing, dining, Faith, friends, hair, international culture, library, music, seasons, shopping, transportation, travel, weather
Organizing Work Files, Flamenco, and Fiesta Filipina
This morning I awoke late, ran an errand for PAMS, organized my work files, and will have lunch with Mom and Dad, and go to the grocery store. Mid-afternoon Susan will pick me up for some flamenco fun, then this evening I will join Mom and Dad for Fiesta Filipina, a Canadian-based group which presents cultural music, singing, and dance as a benefit concert for the Philippine Nationality Room project.
Labels: cleaning, dance, dancing, dine, international culture, music, organizing, Pilipino culture, PNR, shopping, singing, sleep
Laundry (again)!
I've been up since 5.00, doing laundry. Made a lot of communiques, first to my friend S, then to various offices with which I need to make arrangements. I had lunch with Mom and Dad, and got more communications completed.
~~~
Maureen and I went to Taco Bell for dinner, I bought some bedding items, as well. We wandered around the bookstore, window-shopping. We chatted about our plans for summer, etc. We had a nice evening out.
Labels: dining, family, international culture, laundry, shopping
