Busy-ness

I got the application for E done--an idea that took far too long from conception to fruition. Hopefully this will result in many happy books for her to listen to and a happy free machine to listen to them on. The helpful woman at the library said that this was really just the first step and was just to get the ball rolling. They will call and talk to her--quizzing her about what she needs and why. Hopefully, she won't go all "unassuming" on me and protest that she doesn't really need a machine.

I also got the info about a snazzy blue placard for S. Theoretically, S could get one for each of the residents which would help when taking everyone on their respective errands. Not that we do much of the running for the others--their families are nearby and take them where they need to go--but we do go out to eat once a month. DIM SUM BABY!

Mr. L refused to color the Chang-e picture I made because it was too complicated and he was worried about coloring it badly or the wrong color. Then he refused to cut the paper to make a lantern because it seemed too easy and wasn't decorated enough. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. Partly this was because L was with her daughter and the chemistry of the group was off. L has come to like decorating things so after awhile of watching her, Mr. L will get interested and join in--or at least start trying to critique L. Mrs. C was and is mostly interested in sleep. THEN, Mr. L started talking about how someone has taken his glasses because the one's in his case don't work. Suddenly things click into place. I think his eyesight has recently gotten much worse (the vessel breakage incident perhaps?)

Took E to the dentist. That was a huge flag waving victory for her. She has much anxiety about the dentist who is her old friend of 30 years--so it's not only being scared/worried about seeing the dentist, it's anxiety about how she'll appear to an old friend. Afterward, we went to IHOP. She likes the break from Chinese food. No matter how good Susan's cooking is--and man, it smelled sooo good as we were leaving--it's not "home cooking" for her. She always eats so much more. Of course it's full of sodium and fat and other badness. Going to all the old places seems to trigger memories for her which can only be good. She's fun to take around.

Got my Rx filled and goofed for awhile. Ran out and got some Mooncakes (on sale) in case mine don't work out) and various asian treats.

Puzzling over Zoe's bday. I knew this was going to be an issue. I couldn't figure out a way to resolve it so I put it on the back burner, and now it's beginning to scorch. She's just going to be so "en transit." I don't want to send it too early or too late. I looked at bakeries around England, but she'll be in Berlin on her birthday. I found a way of making a cake in a canning jar for sending overseas--you basically bake and then can the cake--but my oven is broken. Rob wants to hold back on the gifts because we are spending so much on the trip and she'll just have to bring them back. Me, I'm all about the big birthday bashes. puzzle, puzzle.

Ice Creaminess

We made ice cream today! I brought my Play and Freeze to work today. It's the perfect activity requiring a lot of interactive movement culminating in an icy deliciousness--the perfect reward. I used whole milk instead of the half and half they suggested so it was more of an ice milk and I used Splenda instead of Sugar which gave it a slightly artificial taste. That taste tends to dissipate over time--but it didn't last long enough for that to happen. It needs something to give it a richer taste and I'd like it if I could figure out how to prevent ice crystals.

R used his ATT card so that I could download Obama's speech for E. Took as long to download it as to play it--almost an hour.