Saturday-10am

I had a wonderful, wonderful birthday! But was so wrapped up in company and good times that I completely forgot about my camera the whole time--LOL! It was dark and rainy most of the time Ruby was here. Even had a short thunderstorm on Thursday morning. So here some older pictures of Karma when it was warm enough to have the porch door open--LOL!

There was a bit of sun and Karma was listening to the geese...who are still treating us to their daily cacophony.

I had the three bags of shredded paper ready to go with Leah for recycling.

Ruby arrived Wednesday afternoon bearing gifts. She actually had a couple pair of the wild socks that she can't wear. These are the taller, regular ones and they are tighter around the top than the ankle length. Here's the one pair in purples and blues and the other is fall colors.

Ruby knows that being house-bound I have many nightgown days...so, she brought me three new nightgowns! Two summer and one winter! :) And she had stopped over at CashWise and brought a pot of tulips!

They're already starting to open! Talk about bringing a little spring with her!

And she brought me several cans of my favorite treat coffee...french vanilla international cafe! I haven't had any for months! Whoohoo! And some cans of the new Fancy Feast with gravy for Karma. ;)

Dagan arrived first with dinner from Applebee's. Leah had to work a little later, but she had the oriental chicken salad waiting for her when she got here. Was really good! And eating anything from a restaurant (or even fast food, for that matter) is a big treat for me!

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Leah's been doing this new way of eating where she eats mostly vegetables, eggs, fish, salads...and little or no carbs. She had told me a while ago about how she has a cast iron skillet that she makes a couple eggs in the morning, scrubs out, dries, and leaves it on the stove for the next day. My small non-stick skillet is getting worn...again. I knew I was going to have to replace it sometime this year and thought a small cast iron skillet would be perfect. Leah said they come pre-seasoned now, too.

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So, Leah got me a 10-inch cast iron skillet! I already used it Friday and it is now in its new spot on the stove. Leah said they didn't sell covers in town, so she is ordering me a cover...AND the silicone handles that they make for the pan and cover! (I picked red to go with my tea pot.)

She got me the scrub brush for my new pan and one of the tuna can strainers. I have seen these around for years but had never tried one. Leah got one and said it is really slick!

I don't think I mentioned that I have been trying to avoid sweets and eat less bread and pasta. I've still been eating rice, though. And a couple months ago I added tuna and salmon back into my diet. So I guess I'm a vegetarian who eats fish now...a pescatarian. (And, I confess, once or twice a year I've eaten chicken.) Ruby brought four carrot cupcakes and candles for my birthday and we all devoured our cupcakes. ;) We just hung out and had such a nice visit. They left together at 10pm. (Ruby stays at a hotel down the road.)

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Thursday I was up early. Ruby and I had the whole day!! Ruby wanted to order Chinese...we had enough for lunch and dinner--whoohoo! (No cooking and treat meals for two whole days!!) We gabbed and watched episodes of Big Bang Theory--LOL! I got Ruby hooked on it this last year and she has been watching all the repeats she can find. I had a whole bunch of them recorded so we could go through and pick out ones she hadn't seen yet. So we'd watch Big Bang and laugh and laugh...then chat and visit...and then watch Big Bang. I think we had watched 11 episodes (including the new one that was on Thursday night) by the time she left at 10pm. May sound weird to other people, but we had planned on a Big Bang marathon when she came. I've been recording repeats for several months--LOL! We had an absolute blast!

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Ruby had twisted her knee while raking before she left home and then getting in and out of the new loveseat didn't help (she's shorter than I am). We gabbed again for a while on the phone Friday morning before she left Fargo and went on to her next visit in Saint Cloud. I hope her knee isn't bothering her as much. I've twisted my arthritic knees, too, and it is a royal pain. We had a marvelous time! It went waaaay too fast. It is so good to laugh a lot...and we just plain enjoy each other's company. :):)

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Oh, and I almost forgot! Next Friday Dagan plans to pick me up after his half-day of work and take me over to PetSmart to buy plants and fish for the aquarium, too, as another part of my birthday present! What a great birthday this year! And actually ON my birthday, too. :):)

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Yesterday I took an R&R day. Today I am going to catch up reading blogs...or start, I should say. I may not comment, but I will read them all. And will catch up on emails, too. When I am away from the computer for days it takes a while to get back up to speed...but I will. ;)

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Tomorrow is no eating, etc...have my dentist checkup on Monday. Senior bus. I'll bring a book with me.

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Tonight from 8:30-9:30pm wherever you live is Earth Hour. I have my candles and oil lamp ready.

Click Earth Hour to learn more.

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Thank you--thank you--thank you to everyone who remembered me on my birthday! I was surprised and delighted by all the recognition and good wishes! If you can turn off your lights for an hour tonight, I'd love it if you could join me in the dark! ;)

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"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

Martin Luther King, Jr.