Mom and I took our annual Christmas shopping trip to Branson. We hit Tanger outlet mall, and The Landing, as well as a few other stand alone stores. Had lunch at Mellow Mushroom. We gave our feet a break and saw the movie Ticket to Paradise – which we thought was cute, but predictable. Stopped by Uranus Fudge Factory on the way back (funny to see – but everything in the store is overpriced – which makes it not funny enough to buy anything – except fudge.)
I always look forward to this trip. It’s always a good time, and mom generally gets 95% of her shopping finished within the first day on this trip. I’m more of a – let me see all the options – then I’ll pick some things. Here are some pics:
Krisgo and a fungiSeen in Uranus. Proud Cock on Hwy 76Just because you have hafacr.. doesn’t mean you can park there, sir. Patco shopping at the Landing
I have a condition called Raynaud’s Syndrome/Disease/Phenomenon. Likely, there are a few of you out there that have this too.. 20% of the adult population I’ve read. The condition does not affect me year ’round – thank goodness.
I’ve had this for, I don’t know, 10+ years. When I’m experiencing it, I joke that my fingers have died.
Raynaud’s SyndromeMy cold dead fingersComing back from the dead
In times of cold-ness and/or stress, the blood seems to drain, and my fingers ‘die’. They feel numb. Holding on to anything cold, like a beverage, while they are ‘dead’ burns like hell. Even running them under warm water when they’re dead hurts like hell.
They can stay dead for 5-30 minutes. I have no real control over that.
When they are ‘coming back to life’ they turn dark purple and they throb, tingle, and you guessed it.. hurt like hell.
The doc prescribed a blood thinner – which I’m not really sure is helping much. But there’s not any other treatment for it. Just prevention.
‘Stay warm’. ‘Move to a warmer climate’. ‘Avoid stress’.
Also, Raynaud’s affects my toes. So that’s fun. /s
I’ve invested in wool blend socks, I’ve tried several versions of hand warmers, gloves, mittens, etc. etc. etc. I’m still looking for the perfect solution.
I use to say Fall was my favorite season. But that’s not a thing I say anymore. I have no interest in playing in the snow. And sadly, I’ve built my last snowman ages ago.
Enjoy the cooler weather if you can. I’ll have to live vicariously through you all.
-krisgo
*I say it’s only gonna get worse, because it’s becoming the colder seasons here in St Louis.
As you know, Dad’s friend Derek got two kitties recently and named one of them after Dad. He updates his fb page every week with cute kitty content, like this:
“Derek, we’ve been reviewing the report you sent in, and while it was a fascinating read, we were hoping you could provide some clarifiCATion on the several pages that read ‘u7u7u7u7u7u7u7u7u7u7u7…'”
Distant cousin Norman Mayell died this week. A drummer for several bands throughout the years, he played for (another) Norman, Norman Greenbaum for the album Spirit in the Sky.
Today Jonco would’ve been 74.. I found this video below from a post 4 years ago..
He writes:
On this date waaaay back in 1948, I was born. We had a party with family and friends a couple of weeks ago and I made this video of pictures from my life that was playing all day at the party. It’s better viewed fullscreen. Time: 10:07
Today I plan to hang out with the fam, play some games, and have pizza – which is something we would’ve done anyway for Dad’s birthday.
Dad – If you can see this from the great beyond – I miss you. I miss just being able to call you up and ask you an Excel question, or coming over to pick up or drop something off and just seeing you at your computer. I miss hanging out playing games with you, I always loved being on your team. I’m looking for the patterns that you told me about in that dream… I’ll keep looking… always and forever.
I might’ve had the best dad in the world – there’s no way to really tell. And I’m not saying he was perfect. But he was perfect for me. When we buried his ashes we toasted with his favorite. I’ll try to post more pics of that day soon.
But today – here’s what you get – courtesy of my niece, his youngest granddaughter. <3
Some of my favorite feet – my dad’s and my daughter’s. I like this photo’s angle.. but I always think of how it was setting this shot up. Dad laying on the bed all stretched out and fitting the little munchkin way down to the edge of the bed – it was weird but worth it! 🙂 Also – look at the date.. she’s gonna be 30 next year!!
Mom and I have instituted a “Supper Club” once a week. She has a week-day off, so she gets the ingredients and when I get off of work, I go over and we cook and play a game (Canasta or Rummikub, so far). Then we package up our left-overs for lunches and plan our next week’s meal.
We’ve done Taco Pie, Li’l Cheddar Meatloaves, and this week was Taco Stuffed Shells. Next week – we’re thinking Chicken Bundles. All comfort foods. Honestly, neither of us are fancy, experienced cooks.. I’m more of a baker – but it’s been fun – and filling!
What’s your favorite comfort food?
What it’s supposed to look likeOurs looks cheesier – YUM!
Stats: I’m fully vaccinated. Took 3 tests; 2 positive, 1 negative. My doctors office said to quarantine until end of Day 5 and that my first positive test day was considered Day 0.
Symptoms: Woke up in the middle of the ‘Night 0’ feeling headache-y and like I should take something for that. Spouse happened to be up and gave me a hug, said I was ‘HOT’ (not the good kind of hot, though) 😛
Update: I quarantined and then back to work I went. Today was my first day back – and it was a doozy/very busy/lots to catch up on. My brain is still a bit foggy, but otherwise I’m ok. Still have a headache – but that’s normal for me, and especially at the beginning of Spring.
During quarantine; I did some blogging, finished a jigsaw puzzle (minus 1 piece – that’s another story), finished looking at the whole internet twice, watched way too much reality TV, did some continuing education, and napped. So, it wasn’t too bad or too boring – I’m by no means complaining at all – I know I got lucky by getting whatever newer variant this was, rather than the original one.
In other news – I had set up ‘Friday Firesmith’ to post at 2am this morning.. but had it in ‘draft’ mode and didn’t realize it (I blame brain fog). But it’s now posted – CLICK HERE – if you missed it. Or you could just scroll down 😉
