Jazmee27 
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Mom’s still got that headache from this morning
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I had salad for dinner (lettuce, shredded cheese, chickpeas and turkey lunchmeat). I had enough ingredients for six Kool-whip containers (after making that ambrosia I have seven total) and some leftover. I ate the leftovers—then, later, one of the salads. Dilicious.
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Time to make party mix (Tiffany says I make the strangest mixes she’s ever seen). Tonight’s batch of ingredients are: graham crackers, pizza-flavored goldfish, peanut m&ms, honey mustard pretzels, peanuts, cashews and teddy grams (I used to use raisinettes, but I found it was too sweet—same issue with the regular or peanut butter m&ms). Oh, I might also use some peanut butter granola bars (I added some in when I made the last batch, and that was pretty good). I’ve also been known to, when I have them, use potato chips (and I think I remember using cookie crumbs, but those also made it too sweet).
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Reply #2781. Mar 09 13, 6:35 PM
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bob114
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The dinner you had sounds so healthy and delicious. And you speak of ambrosia salad. I have not had that in years. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe ambrosia salad is made mostly of fruit and a few other ingredients?
I shall have to inquire at the local deli to see if it is available.
Reply #2782. Mar 09 13, 8:14 PM
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Jazmee27
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Correct, Bob. From what I’ve heard, “fruit of the gods” (as ambrosia is also known) is mainly Kool-whip (I used way too much fruit the first time I made it on my own, and was told by Mom that putting so much fruit in gets away from the meaning of ambrosia.
Mom sticks to the recipe she got, which calls for crushed pineapple (ccanned and drained), a can of drained mandarin oranges, a jar of drained maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, marshmallows and the Kool-whip mentioned above (in addition to the fruit mentioned above, I also use red seedless grapes. Next batch, I might experiment with leaving the oranges out and keeping everything else.)
The first time I made ambrosia, I didn’t have (a) a big enough bowl to mix everything in, (b) a storage container, and (c) a mixing spoon. Made it difficult to stir. (As of now, I’ve got the mixing spoon—but nothing else on the list of things I still need).
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Reply #2783. Mar 09 13, 8:25 PM
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bob114
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Thank you Jaymee. I just looked up the recipe and it is quite easy and simple to make. Perhaps in the near future, I shall by the ingredients and make an attempt.
Reply #2784. Mar 09 13, 8:44 PM
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Jazmee27
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Currently, I have thnbe fan running in my little apartment. I live on the fifth floor, so I get a lot of heat from the floors below. (I also happen to be in the third of about eleven units. Just so everyone knows, when I take the trash and recycling out, they go next door (there are three bins for glass, plastic bottles and aluminum cans). The laundry faccility’s on the first floor, as is the community room (but there’s a small lobby area by the elevators with benches for the ladies to sit if theywant to get out of their apartment but don’t want to go downstairs. There are fire alarms everywhere… don’t get me started on that yet).
Everyone here is, for the most part, pleasant (those bad apples can be found everywhere, though fortunately I’m minus two of them at the moment—one was Charlaine, the neighbor who lived on the fourth floor and who would accuse me of making all manner of noises that I wasn’t. She’s also the one who would come up at really late hours and disturb my sleep, until finally I got sick of her and called the police. Then there was Audrey, my next-door neighbor, who insisted on smoking in her apartment, in spite of the fact she knew that was a lease violation. Every time the administrator spoke to her about it, she claimed that her furniture was smoking. (She was allowed to get away with it for about a year and a half or so before they finally did something about it. During that time, it was really stressful for me because I have bad allergies and have been diagnosed with asthma in the past. Fortunately, I never suffered an attack—but, a few times, I think I came close. OK… time to end this story so a new one can emerge – it’s screaming to come out).
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Reply #2785. Mar 09 13, 8:57 PM
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Jazmee27
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Why do I avoid Grandma’s house if I can help it? Not because I don’t love her, surely not, but because of one word: smoke.
Grandma used to smoke unfiltered camels, and to this day her son still does (that, by the way, is how I recognized Audrey’s cigarette smoke smell wafting from next door so many months ago. Now, thankfully, I don’t have that problem).
To an extent, the smell of cigarettes always bothered me but, I guess you could say, I was able to tolerate it better when I was younger (to a point, of course… remember, asthma).
I believe I remember Mom telling me that, for years and years, Grandma continued to smoke in front of Mom even though she knew her daughter was asthmatic (she’s always had it far worse than me—so bad, in fact, that she required hospitalization a few times… and in the winter a simple chest cold can easily become pneumonia. Fortunately, this year it was just sinusitis and bronchitis—don’t misunderstand me: preferably, she wouldn’t get any of that, but between pneumonia and bronchitis… well, you get the picture).
Now, where was I? Oh, yes. I used to pack a bag for the weekend and sleep over at Grandma’s (it’s not as if she’d have agreed to come up to Mom’s and sleep over—how things have changed now that she had her stroke and has limited options).
To be continued
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Reply #2786. Mar 09 13, 9:08 PM
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Jazmee27
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Question for another day: why in the world does Grandma keep cats if she’s allergic?
But, back to my story. Sleeping at her house. Two stories, though she always slept downstairs (her son, Michael, has a bedroom upstairs).
When I was younger, I lectured against smoking (and drinking: I once handed Grandma and her sister, Janice, breath mints as a not-so-subtle hint because, by that time, I knew lecturing about “drinking is bad” or “here’s what could happen” were uneffective)… So I didn’t want to “rock the boat,” as they say. But the one night, I nearly had an asthma attack—and so felt compelled to tell her (I’ve always marveled at her tendency to miss sitgns that seem obvious—but that’s a topic for another day as well). From that day, Grandma smoked outside if I was in the vicinity (she told Uncle Michael and Great-uncle Charlie to do the same).
Still, the particles were always all over—in my hair, my clothes, etc. Grandma would wash my clothes in her washing mashine (but when I got back home, the outfit(s went in the laundry anyway. (I remember when Edward and Elysha did something similar because someone—either their mother or their mother’s boyfriend—was smoking. More on the kids at a later date.)
To be continued
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Reply #2787. Mar 09 13, 9:20 PM
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bob114
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Wow! Can I relate to your words about smoking. To start, let me say I do not begrudge anyone; if they choose to smoke, so be it.
However, I do not allow it in my home or vehicle. I was raised in a non smoking environment and I like it that way.
Also, I believe second hand smoke can be and is harmful to ones health. How do I know this? Because of how I feel should I encounter it!
Reply #2788. Mar 09 13, 9:21 PM
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Jazmee27
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Part III
Grandma quit smoking after she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Good, but… I can’t help but feel that her son’s slowly killing her with his bad habit (and he’s approaching the “point of no return” himself, having been diagnosed with COPD within the past… two years I believe it was. More on him later).
My point is, the bathroom still reeks of cigarettes, and being in that confined space is starting to make me claustrophobic (that’s something I never thought I had, and I’m not quite sure I do—except for “stress-induced claustrophobia.” I had it one other time, when I had to have several MRI tests at once. The longer I was in there… well, you can probably imagine it. And if I’m not describing claustrophobia, then it’s probably more a panic attack or nervous breakdown).
There are certain times when I can’t avoid Grandma’s (Mother’s Day, Christmas, Memorial Day—though this Christmas was different as Grandma’s still recovering from that stroke—more on that in a later post).
I’m beginning to wilt… think I’ll go to bed.
Feel free to converse while I’m gone (this should really be called “universal ravings” or some such, because I’m only one person in the world—or universe—and I relish the conversations I have with others. We are, after all, social animals…
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Reply #2789. Mar 09 13, 9:37 PM
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Jazmee27
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Just have to say, before I sign off, that I wholeheartedly agree with Bob about smoking. Everyone has a right to smoke if he or she so chooses. Just don’t expose me to it, please—and observe the rules. RIt’s just being courteous and respectful (that was always my problem with Audrey: she was one of the nicest ladies I’d ever met, yet through her blatant disregard of the rules, I felt like she wasn’t respecting me as a person).
It took me and my neighbors (one of whom has emphysema) months and/or years of “reporting” Audrey smoking where she wasn’t supposed to (first off, she was the only smoker on this floor, and second if she wasn’t smoking in the apartment then she’d go out on the fifth floor balcony. That was never a cdesignated smoking area. At one time, the **sixth *floor balcony was available for smoking—but only in inclement weather. Since people abused the privilege, the management got rid of it).
Every year, we have resident meetings, and I remember one last year in which the CEO stood up there and basically reprimanded the *nonsmokers for complaining! I raised my hand and suggested, tactfully and politely, that people might be allergic (asthma, in my case at least, is just a severe allergy—brought on by stress, or enhanced by it).
Oops… did I say last year? I meant two summers ago. Last summer he announced to the group that he was meeting with an attorney to review the policy, and that if he could evict he would—no warnings, nothing like that. (I admit, it was quite gratifying to hear—more so to read the “revised” policy, though I was upset because it said on there it should have gone into effect **three years *ago. In the policy, they talked about the fact that, due to environmental effects, there is only *one place smokers can still indulge their habit, and that’s outside—where it should have been to begin with)).
One factor that contributed to the crackdown (oh, no, it certainly wasn’t just me and my neighbors) was the fact that some visitors to the building were being turned away by the poor air quality (as the paper explained, it’s difficult to maintain the same quality of air with the smoke constantly—or even occasionally—mixing with it).
Oh, and here’s what made me “see red:” Prior to last March, I didn’t realize that cigarettes contain hydrogen cyanide. (I was so mad that day, I’m afraid I used some words in my “report” I shouldn’t have… but, perhaps, it got things rolling so to speak).
You'll pardon my lengthy, winded rant--to this day it "gets my blood boiling."
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Reply #2790. Mar 09 13, 9:59 PM
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Jazmee27
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I really wish this wasn’t a true story (it sounds like something in my fictional stories, and I can unfortunately see this inspiring how one of my characters will be).
Crystal’s son, Noah, is three years old, and he does whatever he wants when she’s around because he knows he can get away with it. She works from six in the morning until one, but doesn’t cook a meal when she gets home—so all he does is pick at his food.
The one day, Michael gave him an instruction—and the bratty kid made a movement as if he were going to swat Michael. “If you hit me, I hit you back.” “No,” replied the kid. “Yeah.” “No.” “Well, try it and see what happens.” Result: he didn’t try it.
Another time, he said he would bite Michael. Again, it was “try it, but you must know if you do I do it back.” Same conversation as above. Same result as above.
He hoes to Daycare, where he behaves… and his mother’s already upset because she can’t control him. Well, whose fault is that?
There are parents who can honestly say they’re trying to bring their children up right – and then there are those who can’t.
Some time ago, Noah’s parents separated—so, now, Crystal just lets him go… rather than scold him for anything. Also, every time she goes to the store, she buys the kid a toy (whether he’s with her or not, and no matter if all she’s getting is groceries).
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Reply #2791. Mar 10 13, 9:14 AM
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bob114
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I take it that Michael is the boyfriend?
Even though I have no children, I can only imagine how hard at times it must be to raise a child in these trying times. Time will tell and things have a way of working out.
Reply #2792. Mar 10 13, 9:33 AM
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Jazmee27
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No – not the boyfriend, though he’d like to be her friend. She is very controlling, though, so it’s not hard to see it that way (he had a girlfriend some years back who, as they say, put him through hell, and he’s not willing to go through that again).
Ironically, she’s my age (30), and he’s twelve years older than me, so…
Anyone who knows Noah can’t help liking him, but one also can’t escape the fact that this kid is spoiled. He’ll play with one of his toys, wreck it---and, voila—next time his mother’s at the store, she buys him a new one.
She has low self-esteem and would benefit greatly from counseling—but she refuses to go because she’d have to make her co-pays for her insurance.
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Reply #2793. Mar 10 13, 11:40 AM
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Jazmee27
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Talked to Mom, who’s cleaning up her yard. She has dirt all over the place from trash bags that were torn into by cats. So she’s making the best use of the daylight (and we’ve been playing phone tag with each other – the last time because I left my cell on the kitchen table while I was over typing on the computer). Fortunately, she has Edward to help her rake leaves and clean up.
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In other news, I keep forgetting at times to put those “comfort sleeves” on. (It’s really neat when it gets this hot in my apartment – I’ve got the fan running, and I’m about to go open the bedroom window).
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Reply #2794. Mar 10 13, 11:46 AM
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Jazmee27
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| Took a nap (blame it on the time change) and rode about ten minutes on exercise bike (stopwatch battery died the other week, and I haven't yet been able to get to jeweler's for new one) |
Reply #2795. Mar 10 13, 4:18 PM
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bob114
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We were both on bikes today. However, mine was outside.
It was a gorgeous day here in Buffalo, so I went for a bike ride. By bike, I mean a bicycle and not motorcycle. Covered about 5 to 6 miles total, just around the neighborhood and slightly farther.
Might be awhile until I can do it again as more winter like weather will be returning soon.
Reply #2796. Mar 10 13, 5:46 PM
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| lesley153
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That's impressive. I've only ever once got on a push-bike without falling off again. I managed to stay on for about a hundred yards once, but never did manage to recapture my finest minute.
Reply #2797. Mar 10 13, 6:02 PM
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Jazmee27
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Glad you got to enjoy the nice weather, Bob - it was beautiful in Lebanon, Pennsylvania as well. Mom would have preferred to not spend it raking leaves, but she does enjoy the outdoors (had it not been for the work she had to do, she might have been on her own bike today riding the Rail Trail).
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Reply #2798. Mar 10 13, 6:36 PM
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Jazmee27
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The moral of this story is “be sure of what you read before jumpint to conclusions and telling others,” or so mething like it. (By the way, though I do have a Facebook account, I’m rarely on because my screenreader and the site bicker like the worst of siblings…
Anyway, Elysha’s no longer living in town (long story, not for today). She uses Facebook, so Mom wrote a message to her that said, “I need a mani” (get it, manicure – Elysha does Mom’s nails).
Grandma, upon seeing this, asked Michael if Mom’s having problems with Phil.
Mom relates this story to me, starting with: “?I don’t know what to do with my mother.” What she can’t understand is why Grandma wouldn’t have called her for clarification. (Instead, her brother asked her about it!)
I understood right away, often wondering why Grandma did some of the things she does (not going into details, mind you).
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Reply #2799. Mar 10 13, 6:46 PM
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Jazmee27
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Hi, Lesley – good to see you. How are things?
I believe I tried a regular bicycle once, and fell off, too. Now, it wouldn't be practical because of my balance (although I used to ride a tricycle when I was younger).
Now I stick to the exercise bike, and my stretches--which I don't do as often as I should.
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When Mom was over this evening, she brought my towels (which she took home the other weekend to wash). There are a few new ones courtesy of her friend Ruth (they’re fancier, and were in Mom’s attidc until today). Next time I get a chance, I’ve got to thank Ruth (maybe I’ll go on FB for that very reason).
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Time for ABC's "Revenge."
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Reply #2800. Mar 10 13, 6:52 PM
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