Monday, November 24th
As my CNA, M, got me ready this morning, she told me about how she came to the US from the Philippines. This was in the early 2000s, so after 9/11, the already long process got even longer by years. When she finally had her interview, she had given birth the day before! She showed up at the interview with her newborn and was able to bring him with her when she came. She had a friend in the exact same situation who chose not to push it, and so someone else raised her child for two years before she was able to bring him to the US.
I don't think people realize the time, the massive amount of money, and the gut-wrenching decisions involved in legally immigrating to the United States. It disgusts me to think that now all Afghans are being painted with the same brush. So much for individual responsibility.
Today was Mom‘s last day of art class, so she will join us next Monday, but I thought it would be a perfect time to watch something I have been curious about and is really not a ‘mom’ movie. John Carpenter‘s The Thing from 1982! Talk about nightmare fuel! Definitely not for the faint of heart. Watching it today, I thought the special effects hold up pretty well. It does not look ridiculously dated. My favorite was when an upside-down decapitated head grew spider legs and eyes (on its chin) and scurried off. Gross! Kurt Russell looked great with his mane of hair. Ah, the 80s.
Tuesday, November 25th
Now, because I'm writing my blog so late, I spent the day finishing that. I also noticed how quiet it has been here lately, and that is because one of our long-time residents moved out. He could think straight but was disabled and could not speak clearly, although he did speak quite a lot. He would play music very loudly and then leave with it going full blast. He had no problem telling other people when to turn their music off. I think he's in for a rude awakening at the foster home or wherever he's living now. As they say, not my problem!
Wednesday, November 26th
J stopped by at lunchtime with shrimp pad Thai from a different restaurant close by. It had a great flavor and tasted different from the other shrimp pad Thai I have had lately. It was also massive and easily lasted five servings for me. I will definitely be requesting that restaurant again and trying their spring rolls.
J and I spent a lot of time reminiscing about technology and how much things have changed in the last 20 years. I learned AutoCAD when it was brand spanking new in 1985. Now that I am thinking about it, that 20 years should be 40 years! OK, that makes me sound old. I'm at a point in my life where there's more to remember than to look forward to. Of course, that doesn’t have to be true…
Thursday, November 27th
The dress I thought I would wear wasn't in my closet, so I wore a skirt and top that was just fine. TheCab picked me up at noon, and my sister showed up just in time to help me downstairs. Mom had decided to make things easy this year and ordered Thanksgiving dinner from Diamond Head Grill, where she had been ordering lunch all year. My sister had picked up the food just before she stopped by the hospital, and it was all still warm when we got to mom's. There were six of us for dinner, and we decided there was no point in waiting, so we dug in!
Everybody had a plate with turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, green beans, stuffing, rolls, gravy, and dessert. Not bad! M also made two pies, one pumpkin and one citrus custard pie. He called it a Republican pie because the recipe came from Laura Bush. Orange, lemon, and lime juice with egg yolks in a gluten-free crust he made of crushed ginger snap cookies. He got the gluten-free cookies from Canada, and he said they no longer ship to the US. Another casualty of the tariff war.
Good food, good company, and a nice, relaxing day were had by all! I got back to the hospital and was put right back into bed, which was great! I really prefer a homemade Thanksgiving, but I feel a little selfish saying that, as I cannot do any of the work. So I will be quiet and wait until my mom or sister wants to make their own turkey or side dishes.
Friday, November 28th
Mom stopped by for lunch and did not bring Thanksgiving leftovers, as I had to finish my pad Thai leftovers first. I had eaten a very healthy portion on Wednesday, and still there were four more good portions left. I was very full today and tomorrow.
Saturday, November 29th
A friend of my sister's had access to a beachfront house on Molokai and had invited her there for the weekend. We rescheduled the get-together on Sunday for the following Friday. I had no visitors today, which was fine with me. I had slept badly last night, so I didn't do much of anything today.
Sunday, November 30th
I had cleverly avoided getting my haircut before Thanksgiving just so I could look blah in the photographs. By the time I called, I thought I wouldn't get it done until sometime in December, but my stylist said he could do it today. A birthday haircut it will be, I thought! Mom came by for lunch, so I ate Thanksgiving leftovers today. The pies were the best part of the meal! Thank you, M!
The cover photo for this week is the group that got together for Thanksgiving. We've gotten together a bunch of times now, so these people will start to look familiar to you. We will get together for my birthday celebration this coming Friday for lunch, so look forward to another group photo of the same people next week. Have a fabulous week!
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