February 12, 2012, Sunday, Sunny to Cloudy
The temperature had just started to rise again, but now it's cloudy. The forecast said that there would be a cold wave recently. No wonder Xiao Cao woke up in the middle of the night with uncomfortable legs yesterday, which kept her awake and only fell asleep at around four o'clock in the morning. Therefore, she got up late in the morning! On the previous day, after Xiao Cao washed the clothes, she went online as a break. Her son called, saying that he was on a business trip with his colleagues, eating outside, and would come back soon! Oh, since the fifth day of the first lunar month, her son rushed back to his wife's home with his wife, and stayed until the fifteenth day. For a whole month, this young couple didn't have to worry about food and drink, they were so happy (dialect)! Haha! When her son came back, he didn't even change his shoes. In one big step, he sat down on the sofa. Xiao Cao knew from his posture that he wouldn't stay long. They briefly chatted, and he said that someone came to the office today, and according to YHQKJ regulations, the amount taken was still short by one thousand yuan, so he came back to ask if Xiao Cao had any? Xiao Cao quickly gave it to him. He said the car was waiting downstairs, and they had to go back in the afternoon. Therefore, this time he came in a hurry and left in a rush!
From what her son said, there would be some adjustments in work at the beginning of the year, so he would have fewer business trips here in the future. This also meant that her son would have fewer chances to come back than before, and it would not be easy to see her son often. Therefore, her son would have fewer chances to eat the meals made by Xiao Cao, so these days after he left, Xiao Cao felt a bit melancholy when she thought about it!
These days, there wasn't much real work, but there were quite a few trivial things. Yesterday was Saturday, because her grandson wanted to eat dumplings on Lantern Festival night, and there was no time that day. So Xiao Cao bought good leeks at the supermarket yesterday, made vegetable dumplings, and froze more than thirty dumplings on a steamer tray. After they were cooked and cooled, she let them take all of them away today! Since she was busy during the end of the twelfth lunar month, she didn't have time to perm her bangs, so she went to Pure Passion Romantic Story Comic after lunch yesterday. As a result, the price increased by five yuan, and it cost twenty yuan for just that little bit of hair! Haha!
Today is Sunday, her daughter and grandson are going to class, and will come back for lunch. There is also a relative's child (who delivers pork) who needs to come home for treatment after the New Year, so Xiao Cao went to the market for the first time after the New Year. It was already past ten o'clock, but the market was still bustling with people!
As soon as she crossed the street, the phone rang. Oh, it was Xiao Cao's teacher, who had a great influence on her during school, and often visited her workplace when she was working. Now that Xiao Cao has retired, they don't see each other anymore. Maybe because Xiao Cao changed her number, he didn't know, so we had less contact over the past year. Before the New Year, he called, saying that he asked her colleagues for Xiao Cao's number, and also mentioned that he saw the book "Collection of Essays" which contained several of Xiao Cao's articles. When he learned where Xiao Cao lived, he said that his daughter also lived in this neighborhood, so Xiao Cao quickly said that when the teacher comes to visit his daughter, please call and come over for a chat! Therefore, during the New Year, Xiao Cao sent the teacher a New Year greeting message! The reason for his call today was: first, asking what Xiao Cao mainly does after retirement? Second, asking if she wants to join their Elderly Association organization! Xiao Cao replied: I haven't done anything serious all day, and the things I do are all trivial, taking care of housework and wandering around. Then Xiao Cao asked about the situation of this association. The teacher said: Now that you're not working, participating in these organizations is also very meaningful for your life after retirement. I am also the HZ of this association. I think your conditions meet the requirements of the association. This is not something anyone can participate in, we also need to review. Oh, that's right, this is also an opportunity to learn from our seniors, broaden social contacts, and make our retired life more colorful. But how do we handle the relevant procedures? "This is it, when there is an activity, I'll notify you, you can listen first and then see!" The teacher knows Xiao Cao very well, so he said this. This is the teacher's concern for Xiao Cao, and it's a good thing, why wouldn't Xiao Cao be happy? Haha!
Last night, Xiao Cao took the meat dishes out of the fridge. Today in the market, there were no vegetables that could attract her appetite, but when she saw the newly listed garlic sprouts, they were all thin ones, and Xiao Cao likes thin garlic sprouts, so she had the desire to buy them!
This vegetable must have come from the south, so it's rare, and it definitely won't be cheap. 7.50 yuan, that's reasonable! But the bunches are all over a pound, which feels a bit too much. This fresh and expensive vegetable, one plate is enough to taste. A man picked up a small bunch, looked at it, and put it down. What happened? Xiao Cao saw that the layer of skin at the bottom was all rubbed off. Only heard the man say: the bunch shouldn't be so small! Xiao Cao also thought the same, "Then let's split this bunch!" Oh, the man asked Xiao Cao, "Okay, see if they agree?" "How can they disagree when it's already split?" Therefore, half for 3.50 yuan, bagged and handed over, the other half for 4.50 yuan, "Which bunch do you want?" Xiao Cao politely asked him. "Whatever! It's only one yuan difference!" "Oh, then I'll take this bunch!" Xiao Cao had fewer people eating at noon, and her son-in-law wasn't coming back, so one dish was enough! Actually, this method of "split-buying" is really good! Haha!
When her daughter came in, her grandson immediately said: Wow! Grandma has cleaned the house so neatly! Ha ha, you see, her grandson who spoke late when she was young, now talks so well, haha!
This fatty meat was given by relatives-in-law! The garlic sprouts are very tender, almost nothing to throw away, this is very practical, rice tastes very fragrant!
Her grandson said he was hungry when he saw Xiao Cao, originally didn't like eating warm rice in class in the morning! Then let's fry dumplings! "I want to eat six!" The child must be hungry, finished in one breath, so when eating rice, almost didn't eat much, even the meat he usually likes, today he didn't look at it when it was sent to his mouth!
In the platter, there are three kinds of braised dishes, leftovers from the New Year celebration, the whole pieces were taken back by her daughter-in-law to her parents' home. After the New Year, seeing meat is enough, but today after being steamed in the pot, it still smelled good, but still couldn't eat much! This green vegetable is very popular, what is it? It's wild vegetable "gray vegetable"! Haha, only Xiao Cao's family stores so many wild vegetables and green vegetables!
A soup, fried meatballs made by relatives-in-law, soft tofu, Chinese cabbage! Simple and light, all drank it up! Haha!
Peaceful Coexistence commented on your blog post "Feel Warmth! 120 (Visiting Uncles and Aunts)"
February 10, 2012 10:21:51 [Delete] The warmth and coldness of human relationships, as Mr. Bai Chuan said: "Drip of water's grace, repay with a spring." This is our duty as human beings, live ordinarily. Friendship investment should be long-term, visit cold temples, burn cold stoves, burn incense more often, even a word or two of greeting is also a way of making friends. Do you agree?
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 13:06:42 [Delete] Both Mr. and Mr. Bai Chuan are close friends of Xiao Cao from before in Zhongbo. They always give enthusiastic comments and encouragement to Xiao Cao's every chatter and trivial writings, which makes Xiao Cao very moved. I've benefited a lot! What you said is very correct. People should be honest, kind, and sincere. Always remember others' kindness, constantly think of others' goodness, and imagine others' well-being. Only in this way can we visit cold temples and avoid cold stoves. In fact, remembering the "cold" in human relationships can make oneself warmer. Don't go to places that are too "hot", otherwise, one will inevitably feel "cold". This is what Xiao Cao understood from Mr.'s comment. Is it correct? Thank you for your wonderful comment!
Oriental commented on your blog post "Feel Warmth! 120 (Visiting Uncles and Aunts)"
February 10, 2012 03:01:54 [Delete] Sister Xiao Cao is truly meticulous! I admire you!
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 13:00:54 [Delete] Haha, thank you for your encouragement, sister. In fact, Xiao Cao is usually a bit careless, but she can think of some things. Perhaps it's related to age, haha. But to say "meticulous" is far from it! There's a lot to learn from sister! Especially envious of sister's thick hair!
Bai Chuan commented on your blog post "Feel Warmth! 120 (Visiting Uncles and Aunts)"
February 9, 2012 23:14:59 [Delete] Drip of water's grace, repay with a spring. Xiao Cao knows gratitude, visits old uncles, asks about their warmth and coldness, understands others' feelings, and is considerate. She brings not only gifts but also a warm sentiment.
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 12:42:40 [Delete] Xiao Cao was deeply moved by Mr.'s enthusiastic comment! Your understanding makes Xiao Cao very happy! What you said is very correct. Xiao Cao thinks the same way. Not necessarily "repay with a spring", but at least do something within one's ability, so that one's heart feels more at ease!
Bai Chuan commented on your blog post "Feel Warmth! 119 (Self-entertainment, More Happiness)"
February 9, 2012 23:03:41 [Delete] Xiao Cao writes music scores, plays the piano, and sings. Ha, self-playing and singing, self-entertainment, this life is truly free and easy!
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 12:35:55 [Delete] Haha, thank you for your encouragement and enthusiastic comment. If Mr. says Xiao Cao "sings", that's truly embarrassing. Xiao Cao, as a child and when young, could sing decently. In the 60s and 70s, there were no sound systems or discs for performances. Everything was sung live. During school performances, Xiao Cao often played the lead role in small operas, singing solo segments according to the required pitch. However, later due to occupational illness www.obanma.com, severe pharyngitis, speaking too much or too loudly makes her throat uncomfortable now. So now she just plays and sings according to her own pitch for fun, just as Mr. said, freely and easily! This is Xiao Cao's ordinary life! Haha!
Yusi Feiyang commented on your blog post "New Year's Eve Afternoon and Evening!"
February 10, 2012 21:09:55 [Delete] Sharing sister's New Year's dinner and the cute grandson. Sister's articles are full of the atmosphere of daily life, I like them very much. Thumbs up.
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 22:32:02 [Delete] Sister, are you rested well? Thank you for visiting Xiao Cao despite the hard work and listening to her chatter! Thank you for your encouragement and enthusiastic comment!
Shanli Ren commented on your blog post "New Year's Eve Afternoon and Evening!"
February 10, 2012 20:57:06 [Delete] Sister Xiao Cao is celebrating the New Year properly, following all the customs. Our celebrations are simpler. For example, since we always eat fish, we didn't serve a whole fish on New Year's Eve, but stir-fried fish instead, so we don't have leftover fish smelling the next meal. Stir-fried fish can be stored, and we haven't finished it yet. This is really having leftovers. It seems that people in Shandong all use carp, not only for "yearly surplus", but also for "carp jumping over the dragon gate". We here find carp too smelly, so we mostly use black fish. Children are the happiest during the New Year, especially when there are boys at home, setting off firecrackers is indispensable. However, we never set them off ourselves, we just listen to others setting them off, haha!
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 22:37:05 [Delete] Haha, it's the New Year! Whether the festive atmosphere is light or strong nowadays, this enthusiasm must be present! In the south, there are more varieties of fish, while here we have fewer fresh fish varieties, only pond fish. So the sea fish we eat are all frozen, but yellow croaker has fewer bones, the meat is intact, and both the family and the grandson love it! Xiao Cao invented her own way of setting off fireworks, so on New Year's Eve, her son set them off, with Xiao Cao assisting. The last few strings of fireworks were all set off by Xiao Cao because it was morning and they were all sleeping! Haha!
Shanli Ren commented on your blog post "Feel Warmth! 120 (Visiting Uncles and Aunts)"
February 10, 2012 20:40:23 [Delete] Sister Xiao Cao is a grateful person with proper etiquette, and in this aspect, I need to learn a lot from you.
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 22:39:35 [Delete] Is that so? Then Xiao Cao is also happy! So, Xiao Cao organizing these comments is also providing a platform for everyone to communicate! Haha! The elder sister is warm-hearted and kind-hearted, so we can get acquainted because of fate! So Xiao Cao hopes you have pleasant interactions!
Qing Yue commented on your blog post "New Year's Eve Afternoon and Evening!"
February 10, 2012 20:25:32 [Delete] Essence! Wishing you a happy weekend, friend!
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 22:40:19 [Delete] Thank you, Ming Yue, for recommending and highlighting it! Wishing you happiness!
Tianshan Bacau commented on your blog post "Feel Warmth! 120 (Visiting Uncles and Aunts)"
February 10, 2012 14:20:01 [Delete] Xiao Cao is a thoughtful person, so for those who attended her son's wedding, such as uncle and aunt types of friends and elders, once their big events are over, Xiao Cao will visit them at an appropriate time to express her gratitude. Therefore, things may have a price, but sentiments are priceless! - Xiao Cao, who values emotions, always thinks of everything carefully. You are fine, but in our hometown custom, it's generally not advisable to visit the elderly in the afternoon, but the morning time is so tight! Yesterday, I hurried to visit an 83-year-old cousin.
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 22:46:29 [Delete] Thank you, elder sister, for your understanding, encouragement, recognition, and evaluation! We don't have the custom you mentioned here. On the contrary, going in the morning or around eleven o'clock might inconvenience the host, as people often chat about visitors who come at meal times, haha! So this year, Xiao Cao let her son pay New Year greetings, mostly after lunch, around three or four in the afternoon, as we generally entertain guests at noon during the New Year. Visiting in the afternoon implies not eating, sitting for a while, and then leaving! Each place has its own customs, adapt to local conditions! Of course, if we had such customs here, Xiao Cao would pay attention, haha!
Tianshan Bacau commented on your blog post "Feel Warmth! 119 (Self-entertainment, More Happiness)"
February 10, 2012 14:12:36 [Delete] Wow! Compared to Xiao Cao, I am practically tone-deaf! I only know simple music scores, and only recognize the notes of songs I've sung before. For songs I haven't sung, looking at the score is useless, I can't sing them. So when I see your professional writing, I don't understand much! Sorry!
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 22:51:16 [Delete] Thank you, elder sister, for your encouragement! Xiao Cao only knows a little, learning and improving! Elder sister is from finance auditing background, those knowledge and skills, Xiao Cao doesn't understand at all!
Tianshan Bacau commented on your blog post "Feel Warmth! 118 (It's So Cold Today!)"
February 10, 2012 14:07:47 [Delete] Although it has passed Lichun, it is still very cold! It's the same in the south, so recently, we spend more time in bed. At nine in the evening, my husband goes to bed, turns on the electric blanket to enjoy the warmth (we just heat the bed until it's warm and then turn it off to sleep), and in the morning, we often wake up naturally. When I open my eyes, it's almost eight o'clock! Ha ha! Winter staying in bed feels pretty good.
Your reply:
February 10, 2012 22:49:23 [Delete] Lichun is just a solar term, symbolizing the arrival of spring, but in real life, the true spring atmosphere won't come until after February 2nd. Even then, if there is a late spring chill in the north, it can still be cold until March! In the south, winter without central heating feels long, so we have to warm up early! Haha!
You commented on Shanli Ren's blog post "Delivering Snacks to Daughter"
February 1