Since I don't post comments to my own page, I am wondering if it's Blogger or the individual who has changed the way you post comments. On a couple of pages, I have made at least two attempts to post a comment. On one - I just gave up. It may or may not be well known, but I do have two Gmail accounts. If I am in the "wrong"one the signature on the comment is different. Imagine that.
That in itself will cause a problem when trying to post a comment because I want to change it. What is happening is that I write my comment, go to publish, I choose my account, then my comment is gone - vanished. So if I am not commenting - sorry. I guess I will have to see if my blog does the same thing to folks.
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Went to the cardio doc. Told him about my problems with other doctors telling me I had an irregular heart beat. Even at the hospital when I had the colonoscopy. I was afraid they wouldn't do the procedure, and after I had done the prep I would have been really upset. So now I get to wear a Holter Monitor for a day. At least when it gets here. The one they had at the office didn't have any leads on it. AND I get to go back next week for the results. Couldn't they just mail them or phone me??? Parking there is a nightmare, and this appointment is for 11 am. Uh, and AFTER my 8 am appointment with the opthalamologist. My grand total of appointments for next week is standing at 3 right now.
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I wanted to sign up for the Patient Portal they have. There must be 14 million trying to do the same thing. I would type in two letters for something and it would take one, if I were lucky. Then I got completely dumped. So I guess I will have to start over with another phone call for a "temporary" id number. Geesh.
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Really need to go to the grocery store. We have no lettuce, tomato, or anything else for salads which we are now eating at lunch especially. No fresh veggies which are becoming a huge part of our meals. I just really don't want to venture out. Been out once. That should be enough. I am a hermit after all.
So I will now take all my whining and try to adjust my attitude. Have a great day.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
All the news that is news today,
And gosh I am tired!
Guess who had Krissi's younger two. Me! They were great until almost lunch. Then Karrington got bored and constantly asked when we were going to have lunch. They thought, I'm sure, that I was going to take them out to lunch.
But grandma had other ideas. I had frankfurters (I am making a real effort to use that term rather than wieners - because of the giggling from the peanut gallery) and buns. So we would have hot dogs. Then I asked what they wanted on their hot dogs. The first answer was chili. I didn't offer chili dogs! Then it was ketchup and cheese. Fortunately I had some ketchup. I thought Reagan was out of having to eat ketchup. The cheese was frozen. But they got it.
They were good until the energy that kids have hit - in abundance. Then they got really tired of all of each other. So the fighting began. After I got that quelled, the running around began. If Karrington had not had on such a cute (and expensive) dress - they would have been outside running.
Finally mom got here and saved me!
I tried going back to the digitizer today. I forgot how to do it. Back to the drawing board.
My new, used (refurbished) camera arrived. I really hate getting a new camera. I hate putting that strap on it. My manual dexterity has flown out the window. I forget how it winds over itself and back.
But I really thought it hadn't been packed. I was ready to take the one off the camera I am sending in. But I found the new one. Now if I can get it put on I will be a happy camper.
So another day. Tomorrow early rising to get to the cardio doc. Sweet man. Waste of time.
Guess who had Krissi's younger two. Me! They were great until almost lunch. Then Karrington got bored and constantly asked when we were going to have lunch. They thought, I'm sure, that I was going to take them out to lunch.
But grandma had other ideas. I had frankfurters (I am making a real effort to use that term rather than wieners - because of the giggling from the peanut gallery) and buns. So we would have hot dogs. Then I asked what they wanted on their hot dogs. The first answer was chili. I didn't offer chili dogs! Then it was ketchup and cheese. Fortunately I had some ketchup. I thought Reagan was out of having to eat ketchup. The cheese was frozen. But they got it.
They were good until the energy that kids have hit - in abundance. Then they got really tired of all of each other. So the fighting began. After I got that quelled, the running around began. If Karrington had not had on such a cute (and expensive) dress - they would have been outside running.
Finally mom got here and saved me!
I tried going back to the digitizer today. I forgot how to do it. Back to the drawing board.
My new, used (refurbished) camera arrived. I really hate getting a new camera. I hate putting that strap on it. My manual dexterity has flown out the window. I forget how it winds over itself and back.
But I really thought it hadn't been packed. I was ready to take the one off the camera I am sending in. But I found the new one. Now if I can get it put on I will be a happy camper.
So another day. Tomorrow early rising to get to the cardio doc. Sweet man. Waste of time.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
The celebrations roll on and other musings
Yep - more celebrations last night. Since the swimmers were in California for Karrington's and my birthdays, we gathered as a family last night to celebrate those two. I used my birthday present from G and roasted two pork loins. I had a total of 8 pounds of meat in that cooker. I decided to use the stream bake because I really wasn't sure how it would handle that much meat. When you are cooking for 12 it takes a lot of food. The roasts were done in about 90 minutes - just like a real oven. AND it didn't heat up the house. Of course, I foolishly allotted something like 2+ hours. But there is a "buffet" mode which kept the roasts nicely warm, and the steam cooking meant they were moist. Success.
Today is our 46th anniversary. I swear there are times I wonder if we will make 47, and marvel that we made 46. It certainly hasn't been smooth sailing.
Then tomorrow we will have another (contrived) celebration. We will have had Clyde for one year. He has settled in quite nicely, and he is really a good dog. That's even with his new learned behavior that makes us believe he really must go out to relieve himself. That's a chore on these days of the heat index being well over 100. Needless to say, when he just sniffs the air, we become a bit perturbed with the little fella.
Today will be quite nice in that I don't have to clean house for "guests" nor do I have to prepare a meal for a crowd. Possibly we will head over to Krissi's for dinner - or not. G probably won't want to go. He gets that way, and it seems all the programs we like on TV are on Sunday night. With those like "True Blood" we can't share them with the grands. In a way, I think I might like to stay home anyway.
Tomorrow I will watch Karrington and Reagan. Katie is at the beach with some friends and one of the girl's parents. They won't be home until Tuesday about noon, and Steve has to fly to Denver. So I get them. I was hoping G would take them to "Masters of the Universe" (or whatever it is). But he's talking Tuesday or Wednesday. We'll see.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Today is our 46th anniversary. I swear there are times I wonder if we will make 47, and marvel that we made 46. It certainly hasn't been smooth sailing.
Then tomorrow we will have another (contrived) celebration. We will have had Clyde for one year. He has settled in quite nicely, and he is really a good dog. That's even with his new learned behavior that makes us believe he really must go out to relieve himself. That's a chore on these days of the heat index being well over 100. Needless to say, when he just sniffs the air, we become a bit perturbed with the little fella.
Today will be quite nice in that I don't have to clean house for "guests" nor do I have to prepare a meal for a crowd. Possibly we will head over to Krissi's for dinner - or not. G probably won't want to go. He gets that way, and it seems all the programs we like on TV are on Sunday night. With those like "True Blood" we can't share them with the grands. In a way, I think I might like to stay home anyway.
Tomorrow I will watch Karrington and Reagan. Katie is at the beach with some friends and one of the girl's parents. They won't be home until Tuesday about noon, and Steve has to fly to Denver. So I get them. I was hoping G would take them to "Masters of the Universe" (or whatever it is). But he's talking Tuesday or Wednesday. We'll see.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Saturday, August 09, 2014
Learned a lot
I got the second design digitized properly yesterday. It stitched out really well - once I quit fiddling with the hoop which caused the design to shift a little - but not much. I was able to fix those little stray stitches. But generally I am pleased with the outcome. Now I will go back to re-digitize the other design that I like so much better. We will see what Christina thinks.
I will post a picture (after much weeping and gnashing of teeth). That's because for some reason this computer just doesn't like to download some things. A lot of embroidery designs (even though they were free) were lost because they didn't download. I think my anti-virus/firewall programs are fighting, and my downloads are paying the price. So I had to turn them off and download the picture. I wasn't too afraid of doing that because it was my own file so I knew there were no little trojans or other things attached.
So here it is - needs to be pressed, but ... Here it is hot off the machine and just freed from the hoop!
I will post a picture (after much weeping and gnashing of teeth). That's because for some reason this computer just doesn't like to download some things. A lot of embroidery designs (even though they were free) were lost because they didn't download. I think my anti-virus/firewall programs are fighting, and my downloads are paying the price. So I had to turn them off and download the picture. I wasn't too afraid of doing that because it was my own file so I knew there were no little trojans or other things attached.
So here it is - needs to be pressed, but ... Here it is hot off the machine and just freed from the hoop!
Friday, August 08, 2014
Rats
I thought I was being so smart! Well - you know what happens when you get that attitude, and yes it happened.
I have two digitizing programs for machine embroidery designs. One is fairly inexpensive, and the other is horribly expensive. One I used successfully this year and it worked beautifully although it was such a dense design - way too many stitches. The other has always overwhelmed me. The one I used was the less expensive - of course.
Christina and her friend are really getting into this gourmet kettle corn stuff. I do aprons, so I thought it would be really great to surprise her with aprons that were embroidered with their logo.
Yeah.
I used the less expensive program. This time, there were a lot of stitches that should have been there. Not good at all. I didn't even put it on the machine. So I got the big program. I digitized one form of the logo. It looked really good on the screen. I took it up, loaded it, did a brief trial by stitching portions of the design. All looked good.
So instead of doing the whole thing (and I should know better) I did the apron. There were still portions missing. When I tried the old tried and true way of filling in - using a permanent marker - the fabric absorbed the ink and it spread. Ugly.
I returned to the computer and then could see why. There are little bits of colors that couldn't be picked up. So I fiddled with it, but couldn't fill those in. I KNOW there is a way, but...
I took the other logo and worked on it. Last night it looked really great. This morning I reloaded it on the computer and it looks weak. I think there are colors there that don't show up. I am going to do a trial to see what it really looks like, and if it is thick enough I will then put it on an apron.
So how was your day?
I have two digitizing programs for machine embroidery designs. One is fairly inexpensive, and the other is horribly expensive. One I used successfully this year and it worked beautifully although it was such a dense design - way too many stitches. The other has always overwhelmed me. The one I used was the less expensive - of course.
Christina and her friend are really getting into this gourmet kettle corn stuff. I do aprons, so I thought it would be really great to surprise her with aprons that were embroidered with their logo.
Yeah.
I used the less expensive program. This time, there were a lot of stitches that should have been there. Not good at all. I didn't even put it on the machine. So I got the big program. I digitized one form of the logo. It looked really good on the screen. I took it up, loaded it, did a brief trial by stitching portions of the design. All looked good.
So instead of doing the whole thing (and I should know better) I did the apron. There were still portions missing. When I tried the old tried and true way of filling in - using a permanent marker - the fabric absorbed the ink and it spread. Ugly.
I returned to the computer and then could see why. There are little bits of colors that couldn't be picked up. So I fiddled with it, but couldn't fill those in. I KNOW there is a way, but...
I took the other logo and worked on it. Last night it looked really great. This morning I reloaded it on the computer and it looks weak. I think there are colors there that don't show up. I am going to do a trial to see what it really looks like, and if it is thick enough I will then put it on an apron.
So how was your day?
Thursday, August 07, 2014
Venturing into something new
I have spent the last week or so trying to find a place that would even consider repairing the LCD screen on my new Olympus. It isn't an expensive or complicated camera. It is a nice "point and shoot." Some of the repair facilities were really curt in their answers.
Plus, I do not venture into Houston these days unless it is a real emergency. Our freeway is under MAJOR construction - like adding two lanes in each direction and that is causing them to move the access roads out. What. A. Mess. Lanes are being changed all the time, and some are so narrow they seem better suited to bicycles than cars. So most of the camera repair places are - you guessed it - in Houston. Almost downtown. Not for me. Nope.
So I found one place on line that advertises they replace the LCD on even this camera. Yipee! No travel to downtown. So, and here's the glich, I emailed for a quote. I only paid about $140 for this camera, I don't want to sign a blank check for repairs that may be almost (or more) than what I paid.
I sent the email on Saturday asking for a quote. Monday morning there was a response in my email asking the make and model. I provided that information. And that was the end of all communication.
That was the end of that idea for me. I could see shipping the camera off, paying big bucks for repair that would take a year. Nope. Not something I am going to do. People working for these companies need to realize that they are the representatives of the company we want to do business with. This incident didn't inspire confidence in me.
So last night I decided I would look at my fav spot. I went on Amazon to see what they had. That's where I came across my new idea. I can trade in the old camera; I just had to be honest about its condition. The lens is perfect, the body is perfect. It's just the LCD.
I also found a refurbished camera like this one. Good price. It was refurbished by Olympus. I think this is probably where the old one is going after I send it in. Anyway - I get about $70 for the camera, and the new one, since it is refurbished (with a guarantee) is about $130.
I think I will at least break even. I don't pay for repairs. And more importantly, I don't have to drive anywhere near downtown Houston. Yea. Win/win I hope.
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Shopping and lunch with Karrington went well. She knew she wanted to go to Tar*et. Great. I asked about lunch. No problem. Steak and S*ake. OK. We got into the store, and I think she knew all along what she wanted. I asked if she wanted clothes. Nope - she had a greater wardrobe that three normal little girls. Did she want toys. YES.
We got to the toy department, and she hesitated. I told her "this is your world - go for it!" There was another grandmother there who gave me a knowing smile. I told her that I sometime question my sanity when I take grandchildren shopping. She agreed.
After cruizing the isles three times, we ended up back on a panda that I think moves. I really didn't look too closely because I knew Krissi would groan. Another stuffed animal! But she knows that if I take them shopping, if they want it, and it is in the budget that is in my mind, that's what they get.
So Karrington's zoo had a new addition!
Plus, I do not venture into Houston these days unless it is a real emergency. Our freeway is under MAJOR construction - like adding two lanes in each direction and that is causing them to move the access roads out. What. A. Mess. Lanes are being changed all the time, and some are so narrow they seem better suited to bicycles than cars. So most of the camera repair places are - you guessed it - in Houston. Almost downtown. Not for me. Nope.
So I found one place on line that advertises they replace the LCD on even this camera. Yipee! No travel to downtown. So, and here's the glich, I emailed for a quote. I only paid about $140 for this camera, I don't want to sign a blank check for repairs that may be almost (or more) than what I paid.
I sent the email on Saturday asking for a quote. Monday morning there was a response in my email asking the make and model. I provided that information. And that was the end of all communication.
That was the end of that idea for me. I could see shipping the camera off, paying big bucks for repair that would take a year. Nope. Not something I am going to do. People working for these companies need to realize that they are the representatives of the company we want to do business with. This incident didn't inspire confidence in me.
So last night I decided I would look at my fav spot. I went on Amazon to see what they had. That's where I came across my new idea. I can trade in the old camera; I just had to be honest about its condition. The lens is perfect, the body is perfect. It's just the LCD.
I also found a refurbished camera like this one. Good price. It was refurbished by Olympus. I think this is probably where the old one is going after I send it in. Anyway - I get about $70 for the camera, and the new one, since it is refurbished (with a guarantee) is about $130.
I think I will at least break even. I don't pay for repairs. And more importantly, I don't have to drive anywhere near downtown Houston. Yea. Win/win I hope.
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Shopping and lunch with Karrington went well. She knew she wanted to go to Tar*et. Great. I asked about lunch. No problem. Steak and S*ake. OK. We got into the store, and I think she knew all along what she wanted. I asked if she wanted clothes. Nope - she had a greater wardrobe that three normal little girls. Did she want toys. YES.
We got to the toy department, and she hesitated. I told her "this is your world - go for it!" There was another grandmother there who gave me a knowing smile. I told her that I sometime question my sanity when I take grandchildren shopping. She agreed.
After cruizing the isles three times, we ended up back on a panda that I think moves. I really didn't look too closely because I knew Krissi would groan. Another stuffed animal! But she knows that if I take them shopping, if they want it, and it is in the budget that is in my mind, that's what they get.
So Karrington's zoo had a new addition!
Wednesday, August 06, 2014
Should be an interesting day
With all the activities of summer grinding down, the day has come for me to take Karrington for her birthday shopping and lunch. She can be a little spit-fire - jazzed to the max, and just as quickly become moody. When they came in Monday morning, the rest of the family was dragging. Not Karrington. She was a ball of fire - bouncing off the walls. Apparently SHE slept on the plane - head in Katie's lap, feet in Reagan's.
But today I take her out. I asked Krissi this morning where she thought Karrington wanted to shop. She didn't know, but said probably Ta*get. I hope so. I am afraid she will say Wally World, and I will have to tell her I don't go there. I am, quite honestly, afraid of all those stores in this area. There have been so many crimes in their parking lots it's unbelievable. These range from simple thefts to kidnappings. So....
Wherever we go, I really hope she can choose her gift fairly quickly. This week has been a bad one for my arthritis. I have had a really hard time preparing dinner this week because my back hurts so much I can hardly stand. Walking and standing (especially) is really tough.
I have been using my birthday present that came on Saturday. It is (and really this is the name) a Ninja cooking system. What that means is it is a jazzed up crock pot. It will brown in the device, so it has a "cook top" feature. It will cook like a small oven - which is great because we are eating a lot of baked chicken and fish (post Gout diagnosis), it will be a steam cooker with the oven setting, and it will be a regular crock pot - but you don't have to brown on the stove and then put the food in the crock pot. I love it. I did a whole chicken night before last in the steam oven setting, and it was cooked in a little over an hour. Last night was fish. It doesn't heat up the entire kitchen, and here is Swampland that is really important!
Today I am going to try to stitch out a design I made for Christina (daughter in law). She and her mom's sometime boyfriend (and long time friend when he's not the other) have started a business of making and selling kettle corn. They will be doing several shows in the area, and in fact already made a batch for a baby shower. Bill has had several businesses that go to craft shows, and he has been successful at them, so I know they will do well - until Christina gets tired of it all. She has found it is a lot of work.
I got their logo off Facebook yesterday and I digitized it using an easy program, but it looks like there were a lot of skipped stitches. I have another very expensive program that I really don't know how to use, but I guess I will give it a try if the one I have doesn't do well on a trial piece of muslin. But I would like to make them aprons to wear at the shows.
So that's my day!
But today I take her out. I asked Krissi this morning where she thought Karrington wanted to shop. She didn't know, but said probably Ta*get. I hope so. I am afraid she will say Wally World, and I will have to tell her I don't go there. I am, quite honestly, afraid of all those stores in this area. There have been so many crimes in their parking lots it's unbelievable. These range from simple thefts to kidnappings. So....
Wherever we go, I really hope she can choose her gift fairly quickly. This week has been a bad one for my arthritis. I have had a really hard time preparing dinner this week because my back hurts so much I can hardly stand. Walking and standing (especially) is really tough.
I have been using my birthday present that came on Saturday. It is (and really this is the name) a Ninja cooking system. What that means is it is a jazzed up crock pot. It will brown in the device, so it has a "cook top" feature. It will cook like a small oven - which is great because we are eating a lot of baked chicken and fish (post Gout diagnosis), it will be a steam cooker with the oven setting, and it will be a regular crock pot - but you don't have to brown on the stove and then put the food in the crock pot. I love it. I did a whole chicken night before last in the steam oven setting, and it was cooked in a little over an hour. Last night was fish. It doesn't heat up the entire kitchen, and here is Swampland that is really important!
Today I am going to try to stitch out a design I made for Christina (daughter in law). She and her mom's sometime boyfriend (and long time friend when he's not the other) have started a business of making and selling kettle corn. They will be doing several shows in the area, and in fact already made a batch for a baby shower. Bill has had several businesses that go to craft shows, and he has been successful at them, so I know they will do well - until Christina gets tired of it all. She has found it is a lot of work.
I got their logo off Facebook yesterday and I digitized it using an easy program, but it looks like there were a lot of skipped stitches. I have another very expensive program that I really don't know how to use, but I guess I will give it a try if the one I have doesn't do well on a trial piece of muslin. But I would like to make them aprons to wear at the shows.
So that's my day!
Monday, August 04, 2014
Really is six degrees of separation - or less!
Katie had become close friends with another girl on her team. They had done the competitive swim club things together and now are doing water polo. The girl spends the winter in Singapore, where her dad works. She is back in the NW Houston area in the summers.
She was talking about her grandparents once lived in our little city - Jersey Village. The girls thought nothing of it. When Krissi heard this fact AND the last name of the girl, I bright light went off in her head.
When they were moving back from San Antonio, and Katie was only a few months old, the house they were trying to buy fell through. The owner had divorced, remarried and had a young son. You know how that story goes. Well he was separated at this time, and he was in a hospital in Canada. The reason he was there was that when he was putting up Christmas lights at some time, he fell from the second story - ON HIS HEAD. Thus he was deemed incompetent to sigh legal papers, AND it was nearing closing (the next day) that the presence of this little boy - a legal heir was discovered. No. Clear. Title.
They began looking immediately, and found the house they are in now. It wasn't as nice as the first house, and now I know why such a large house was such a deal. But this house was OK. They could be happy there. The man was rather a jerk. The offer was for full price, but he balked when he was asked to pay for a $400 insurance on all the appliances - the home warranty thing. The house is the same age as ours, so then it was over 25 years. I couldn't believe he was willing for the deal to go south over a home warranty item. But when I was in real estate - I had one that almost died because of a shower head - at closing!
So when Krissi heard the other girls last name she was absolutely shocked. You probably see where this is going - she is the granddaughter of the owners that Krissi and Steve bought from!
Wow!
She was talking about her grandparents once lived in our little city - Jersey Village. The girls thought nothing of it. When Krissi heard this fact AND the last name of the girl, I bright light went off in her head.
When they were moving back from San Antonio, and Katie was only a few months old, the house they were trying to buy fell through. The owner had divorced, remarried and had a young son. You know how that story goes. Well he was separated at this time, and he was in a hospital in Canada. The reason he was there was that when he was putting up Christmas lights at some time, he fell from the second story - ON HIS HEAD. Thus he was deemed incompetent to sigh legal papers, AND it was nearing closing (the next day) that the presence of this little boy - a legal heir was discovered. No. Clear. Title.
They began looking immediately, and found the house they are in now. It wasn't as nice as the first house, and now I know why such a large house was such a deal. But this house was OK. They could be happy there. The man was rather a jerk. The offer was for full price, but he balked when he was asked to pay for a $400 insurance on all the appliances - the home warranty thing. The house is the same age as ours, so then it was over 25 years. I couldn't believe he was willing for the deal to go south over a home warranty item. But when I was in real estate - I had one that almost died because of a shower head - at closing!
So when Krissi heard the other girls last name she was absolutely shocked. You probably see where this is going - she is the granddaughter of the owners that Krissi and Steve bought from!
Wow!
Kinda sad
Well, the Pigeon Viper (don't ask me!) girls, Gold 14 u didn't get into the finals. They lost the two games that would have put them there, but they did come out 5th in the Junior Olympic Water Polo competetion. Still proud for kids who come from an area where water polo is just being discovered.
I shouldn't really be surprised at some of the things that happened though. Seems like some of the California teams (mostly) were quite rude to the girls and their parents. I am not really surprised because this is one of those sports where the parents pay A LOT of money for their kids to compete. Therefore, you sometimes get the asses that go along with this type of thing - you know what used to be Little League parents. That has translated into other sports.
I still would say it was a successful outing though. So far I have only gotten a hug from Katie (Karrington was bouncing off the walls, and Reagan fell fast asleep on the couch. Steve thought their tickets were for 12:30 PM , but their flight from San Francisco was 12:30 AM! G went to the airport at 7 (they waited a half hour), and I went to the local kolache/donut shop so they would have something to eat before they all crashed for a bit!
But all are looking forward to next year!
I shouldn't really be surprised at some of the things that happened though. Seems like some of the California teams (mostly) were quite rude to the girls and their parents. I am not really surprised because this is one of those sports where the parents pay A LOT of money for their kids to compete. Therefore, you sometimes get the asses that go along with this type of thing - you know what used to be Little League parents. That has translated into other sports.
I still would say it was a successful outing though. So far I have only gotten a hug from Katie (Karrington was bouncing off the walls, and Reagan fell fast asleep on the couch. Steve thought their tickets were for 12:30 PM , but their flight from San Francisco was 12:30 AM! G went to the airport at 7 (they waited a half hour), and I went to the local kolache/donut shop so they would have something to eat before they all crashed for a bit!
But all are looking forward to next year!
Saturday, August 02, 2014
OMG!
Just got the notice (via Facebook of course). Katie's team is basically two games away from a gold medal! They play today, and the winner of that game plays for the medal.
Oh, how I wish I were there!!
Oh, how I wish I were there!!
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| Here she is - sitting on the floor of their vacation apartment - hair a little dry from the chlorine! Good luck, Baby! |
Friday, August 01, 2014
Ah - weekend,. like it's really different.
But I guess it is different because it means I will have to be chief chef. But that's ok - I will only be cooking for 4 (and three non-eating kiddos). The others will not be back from California yet. I will post some pictures taken from Facebook about them (Katie) at the end.
My beautiful flowers are fading, but those lillies are still opening. The whole thing is thin, but still sort of pretty!
G's birthday present for me arrived today. It is a Ninja cooking system. It looks like a slow cooker, but browns, bakes and does the usual slow cooker stuff. It is really neat. And with all the chicken and fish I have been doing in the oven that is a great thing. Our summer has been unusually mild, but it has been trying to get to 100. I am sure it will happen before fall! Really looking forward to using it!
OK - now PICTURES!! I guess I am worse than showing vacation pictures to a captive audience. And it isnt even my vacation. Just my Katie!!
So have a great weekend if I don't come back this weekend to strain your eyes with my stuff!
My beautiful flowers are fading, but those lillies are still opening. The whole thing is thin, but still sort of pretty!
G's birthday present for me arrived today. It is a Ninja cooking system. It looks like a slow cooker, but browns, bakes and does the usual slow cooker stuff. It is really neat. And with all the chicken and fish I have been doing in the oven that is a great thing. Our summer has been unusually mild, but it has been trying to get to 100. I am sure it will happen before fall! Really looking forward to using it!
OK - now PICTURES!! I guess I am worse than showing vacation pictures to a captive audience. And it isnt even my vacation. Just my Katie!!
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| The whole family taking a side trip. Selfies really distort! |
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| Katie is the one on the right. This is after a game - and right now it seems they are 4 wins and 2 losses |
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| G and I disagree, but I believe Katie is the 4 th from the left. |
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| A little pep talk before the game. |
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Silly me
When the last computer crash happened, I joined a 'Cloud' group. I could store my "stuff" off line - in a safe place. When the hardware crashed, I would be able to access my data.
Well., yes this is true. What I didn't know in my Polly Anna state was that it would take hours. It's kinda like losing weight. It took a long time to put it on (which is really not so much my case - I can gain a lot of weight in a very short time), so it will take a long time to take it off. To translate this into this situation: it took a long time to gather and save this data, it will take a long time to put it back after a crash.
I have the Dell upstairs, like I intended. What is killing me is putting the designs back on it. I am getting there, but I want to reload things that are on the SMALL external drive onto it. Notice I said small. I don't know what will happen if I decide to go to the big one.
Oh - what happened with the cloud. That takes forever and a day. Downloading from the cloud is tedious at best. I did get some down, and really it is comforting to know that it is there and safe. If I need to spend the time and effort, I can do it. I just don't want to right now.
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Today's wonderful activity was to visit the vampire lab. I have four appointments this month - two of them require blood work. One is especially important. This is the time for the check up with Dr Poison. I really want to know the CA25.27 number. That is the breast cancer marker, and I am always worried about that number. I am a seven year survivor. That, in itself, is good. But it seems that the villain of breast cancer always comes back. G reads the obits, and there is usually someone who has died after an "x" year battle with breast cancer. So...
____________________________________________________________________________________
I am realizing I am a spoiled brat. Krissi has me so spoiled by calling everyday. I knew it meant a lot from me, but gosh just because she is having a great time in California ... See? I wondered why she didn't call on Monday. I thought she was ticked off that Brian and Christina had given me those flowers - she does things like that. Then she posted pictures on Facebook. They visited The Golden Gate Bridge.
She didn't call yesterday, and so far nothing has come on Facebook - but I haven't gotten there yet. There were pictures from the polo swim club - I think they went to see the Redwoods.
I just miss talking to her. Spoiled!
So that's what's up around here. I just don't see how I can stand this exciting life.
Well., yes this is true. What I didn't know in my Polly Anna state was that it would take hours. It's kinda like losing weight. It took a long time to put it on (which is really not so much my case - I can gain a lot of weight in a very short time), so it will take a long time to take it off. To translate this into this situation: it took a long time to gather and save this data, it will take a long time to put it back after a crash.
I have the Dell upstairs, like I intended. What is killing me is putting the designs back on it. I am getting there, but I want to reload things that are on the SMALL external drive onto it. Notice I said small. I don't know what will happen if I decide to go to the big one.
Oh - what happened with the cloud. That takes forever and a day. Downloading from the cloud is tedious at best. I did get some down, and really it is comforting to know that it is there and safe. If I need to spend the time and effort, I can do it. I just don't want to right now.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Today's wonderful activity was to visit the vampire lab. I have four appointments this month - two of them require blood work. One is especially important. This is the time for the check up with Dr Poison. I really want to know the CA25.27 number. That is the breast cancer marker, and I am always worried about that number. I am a seven year survivor. That, in itself, is good. But it seems that the villain of breast cancer always comes back. G reads the obits, and there is usually someone who has died after an "x" year battle with breast cancer. So...
____________________________________________________________________________________
I am realizing I am a spoiled brat. Krissi has me so spoiled by calling everyday. I knew it meant a lot from me, but gosh just because she is having a great time in California ... See? I wondered why she didn't call on Monday. I thought she was ticked off that Brian and Christina had given me those flowers - she does things like that. Then she posted pictures on Facebook. They visited The Golden Gate Bridge.
She didn't call yesterday, and so far nothing has come on Facebook - but I haven't gotten there yet. There were pictures from the polo swim club - I think they went to see the Redwoods.
I just miss talking to her. Spoiled!
So that's what's up around here. I just don't see how I can stand this exciting life.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Beautiful
These are from my son and daughter in law. We had a mini celebration with them last night, and these were a little something for my birthday that was Saturday. We will have a real celebration for my middle granddaughter about August 9. That will be before Brian and Christina and kids head to the beach with her dad, and Krissi and Steve and kids will be back from San Jose.
Karrigton's birthday was on the 20th. We have a total of four birthdays in July. We get Brian and eldest grandson the first part - the 6th and 7th. Then Karrington and I have the later ones. Krissi and Steve's wedding anniversary is the 27th. Busy month.
Christina didn't want to bring my present because it was a group present. And she still has Karrington's. I still need to take her shopping and lunch too. So another big do in August. It seems like July birthdays are getting really spread out!
I do so love cut flowers. Lillies and hydrangeas are among my absolute favorite flowers too. I will really hate to see these fade. I think I love this arrangement more than if it had been roses! BYW - please overlook the "puppy bombs" and other bits of things on the bar with the flowers. Things just seem to land there!
On the water polo front in San Jose, Reagan's team has been beaten soundly in the games I have heard about. Water polo is just gaining popularity here in Texas. Don't know why - seems like the perfect sport for Texans. Rough and tumble. But it's a different story in California.
The folks from here are suffering a bit, which is surprising. The pools are outdoors. Here our Natatoriums are indoors. Plus, California is having a hot spell. Tough sitting in the stands. No shade!
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Ta Da!
Fourteen years ago, before I retired, I was pretty much a whiz with electronics. At that time, we had the forerunner of today's compact CD. It was called a laser disc, and it was about the size of a 33 1/3 record album. That replaced our text books.
A lot of our teachers had problems using the disc and machines. They were supposed to call on the librarians for help. The problem there was that the librarians didn't know what they were doing.
I had figured out that if we had these machines and that gave us a TV as well, we could hook up our own VCRs meaning we didn't have to get to the library quickly to sign up for one of the three VCR/TV sets. Freedom with movies that we could check out from the regional educational service center.
I was often all over the building getting things to work. I was pretty good with the computers too. Now, our technician in the building wasn't always so sure because I took the attitude that I really couldn't break the computer. I did however erase a few commands when I would get into the deep part of the operating system. But it could always be fixed again.
Now technology has changed so much, and I don't feel comfortable doing much more than pushing play on the DVR system. Hooking one up - no way. I have tried on the one in the bedroom, and it still doesn't work. HD and DVR is just too much for me - plus I don't have the physical flexibility that I had 13 years ago.
But I wasn't going to let the Dell get to me. First it really wasn't something I did wrong, and second, Dave is in California (gee - who isn't!) visiting family. I knew what the problem was. I just had to figure out how to fix it.
I completely disabled (thought about erasing it completely) AVG. Then I got into the Control Panel (dangerous ground) and looked into the internet part. I did a system restore that put me back to the point where I got the computer. That meant I had to re-install Office.
I didn't re-install Firefox. It isn't important on that computer. It is to be the backup for my embroidery files. So I will go to Cloud to see if I can download some of the embroidery files that I need on a computer. I have a few tricks up my sleeve for getting the programs I want on there, but I will try.
So to some extent, even though I have been left in the dust by technology, I still can putter along. And there is always Dave waiting in the wings to save me.
A lot of our teachers had problems using the disc and machines. They were supposed to call on the librarians for help. The problem there was that the librarians didn't know what they were doing.
I had figured out that if we had these machines and that gave us a TV as well, we could hook up our own VCRs meaning we didn't have to get to the library quickly to sign up for one of the three VCR/TV sets. Freedom with movies that we could check out from the regional educational service center.
I was often all over the building getting things to work. I was pretty good with the computers too. Now, our technician in the building wasn't always so sure because I took the attitude that I really couldn't break the computer. I did however erase a few commands when I would get into the deep part of the operating system. But it could always be fixed again.
Now technology has changed so much, and I don't feel comfortable doing much more than pushing play on the DVR system. Hooking one up - no way. I have tried on the one in the bedroom, and it still doesn't work. HD and DVR is just too much for me - plus I don't have the physical flexibility that I had 13 years ago.
But I wasn't going to let the Dell get to me. First it really wasn't something I did wrong, and second, Dave is in California (gee - who isn't!) visiting family. I knew what the problem was. I just had to figure out how to fix it.
I completely disabled (thought about erasing it completely) AVG. Then I got into the Control Panel (dangerous ground) and looked into the internet part. I did a system restore that put me back to the point where I got the computer. That meant I had to re-install Office.
I didn't re-install Firefox. It isn't important on that computer. It is to be the backup for my embroidery files. So I will go to Cloud to see if I can download some of the embroidery files that I need on a computer. I have a few tricks up my sleeve for getting the programs I want on there, but I will try.
So to some extent, even though I have been left in the dust by technology, I still can putter along. And there is always Dave waiting in the wings to save me.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
I give!
Got the Dell back on Tuesday. I promptly loaded Microsoft Office. All was well. I don't like Chrome and especially Window's Explorer for surfing, so I downloaded Firefox. That's when the trouble started.
I often have used AVG on computers. Dave installed that one on both G's and the Dell. It was immediate that it grabbed part of Firefox as malware. It took out parts of the program, and one of those parts is essential for the functioning of the internet. &%r*(&^(%(&^%(!!!!
So I have been working on re-setting the downloads. Hasn't helped. Went back to Monday to reset the computer. No. Help.
Blast it all. But in reality with the exception of one program, I don't need it to surf. I want it to hold my machine embroidery designs, and I can get them on this computer and transfer. I just need the special program that allows me to see the design without using a separate program that I have to open - then open the design.
Krissi and crew are leaving by 7 tomorrow morning. With all these crashes I am a little beside myself today. I KNOW in my mind there are other circumstances here, but still. With the threats to America, I am still worrried as the devil.
So that's my funk for the day.
I often have used AVG on computers. Dave installed that one on both G's and the Dell. It was immediate that it grabbed part of Firefox as malware. It took out parts of the program, and one of those parts is essential for the functioning of the internet. &%r*(&^(%(&^%(!!!!
So I have been working on re-setting the downloads. Hasn't helped. Went back to Monday to reset the computer. No. Help.
Blast it all. But in reality with the exception of one program, I don't need it to surf. I want it to hold my machine embroidery designs, and I can get them on this computer and transfer. I just need the special program that allows me to see the design without using a separate program that I have to open - then open the design.
Krissi and crew are leaving by 7 tomorrow morning. With all these crashes I am a little beside myself today. I KNOW in my mind there are other circumstances here, but still. With the threats to America, I am still worrried as the devil.
So that's my funk for the day.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Home again
And I am more than glad. While we were gone, the local web page was full of car burglaries that happened Saturday night. While they were concentrated in another part of the Village, and they were cars left unlocked (and usually on the street), I was a little concerned. We had our alarm on, and the truck was locked and far back in the driveway, but still.
Last week or so, a guy came to the door while I was gone. He asked G if he "wanted to sell the car in the garage." Now that isn't really visible from the street - especially with the truck parked in front of it. G answered the door with the pistol in the other hand. Obviously the guys were casing the street. Oh, and the car - - he said VW - no it is a 1965 MGB.
But everything was as I expected - just fine when we got in.
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My poor little Dell laptop that was dropped in Alaska came home again last night. We found a great guy to fix these little devices that can become so sick. The idiots that worked on the Dell before - and lost all my pictures, the thing I really wanted - didn't replace the hard drive. And really I am glad. Dave did the hard drive and put Windows 7 back on all for $144. That is a good deal in these parts.
So home again for a month. Krissi and family are headed to California on Friday for 10 days. I really wish I were going with them, and had I really gotten on the ball I could have. The older two are swimming in the Junior Olympics there. It should be a lot of fun.
Me? It is doctor appointment month. I have FOUR! Gotta have my three thousand mile check up. I begin with the eye injection, and finish with seeing Dr Poison. I hope my cancer enzyme number is still within range. It is always a worry.
But today - hair cut. (So it doesn't stick out too far out of the wig)
Last week or so, a guy came to the door while I was gone. He asked G if he "wanted to sell the car in the garage." Now that isn't really visible from the street - especially with the truck parked in front of it. G answered the door with the pistol in the other hand. Obviously the guys were casing the street. Oh, and the car - - he said VW - no it is a 1965 MGB.
But everything was as I expected - just fine when we got in.
______________________________________________________
My poor little Dell laptop that was dropped in Alaska came home again last night. We found a great guy to fix these little devices that can become so sick. The idiots that worked on the Dell before - and lost all my pictures, the thing I really wanted - didn't replace the hard drive. And really I am glad. Dave did the hard drive and put Windows 7 back on all for $144. That is a good deal in these parts.
So home again for a month. Krissi and family are headed to California on Friday for 10 days. I really wish I were going with them, and had I really gotten on the ball I could have. The older two are swimming in the Junior Olympics there. It should be a lot of fun.
Me? It is doctor appointment month. I have FOUR! Gotta have my three thousand mile check up. I begin with the eye injection, and finish with seeing Dr Poison. I hope my cancer enzyme number is still within range. It is always a worry.
But today - hair cut. (So it doesn't stick out too far out of the wig)
Friday, July 18, 2014
Here in the outback
I did have success warding off a flare up of gout. I am drinking about four gallons of water a day, and perhaps the other pills worked. I still don't have eye drops. Even IF I could call the problem in to Walgreens in Fredericksburg, it has been raining too much these last two days to make me want to leave. The roads are quagmires. It will certainly be a reminder the next trip.
Wouldn't you know that I forgot my camera this trip too. (Makes one wonder just what I did remember!!!) We are surrounded with wild life that is attempting to come in the house, or so it seems.
We have a pair of road runners that apparently have a next somewhere close by. They are up on the decks - front and back - looking in the glass doors. Shadow is curious, but I know he is intimated by those BIG birds. He gets about three feet from the door and chirps at them. If you have ever had a cat that looks at birds out the window - you know that chirp. Clyde is very, very interested.
We also have a whole bunch of cotton tail rabbits - whatever that bunch is called. I think a warren. Anyway, they have no fear. Last night I took Clyde out to relieve himself and there were two rabbits nt more than four feet from us. Mr Clyde, who has no prey drive for the pesky squirrels that eat all of out pecans and damage our house, wanted to chase those rabbits. And those fool rabbits kept coming closer and closer. That was not a pleasant trip outside. Then he wanted to hit every stand of high grass. I had enough wildlife at that point, and a rattle snake was not in my plans.
This morning, we looked out the front glass door - and low and behold - a rabbit! This time Shadow felt it was more his size, and he was quite interested.
Ah, yes - fun and games in the outback!
Wouldn't you know that I forgot my camera this trip too. (Makes one wonder just what I did remember!!!) We are surrounded with wild life that is attempting to come in the house, or so it seems.
We have a pair of road runners that apparently have a next somewhere close by. They are up on the decks - front and back - looking in the glass doors. Shadow is curious, but I know he is intimated by those BIG birds. He gets about three feet from the door and chirps at them. If you have ever had a cat that looks at birds out the window - you know that chirp. Clyde is very, very interested.
We also have a whole bunch of cotton tail rabbits - whatever that bunch is called. I think a warren. Anyway, they have no fear. Last night I took Clyde out to relieve himself and there were two rabbits nt more than four feet from us. Mr Clyde, who has no prey drive for the pesky squirrels that eat all of out pecans and damage our house, wanted to chase those rabbits. And those fool rabbits kept coming closer and closer. That was not a pleasant trip outside. Then he wanted to hit every stand of high grass. I had enough wildlife at that point, and a rattle snake was not in my plans.
This morning, we looked out the front glass door - and low and behold - a rabbit! This time Shadow felt it was more his size, and he was quite interested.
Ah, yes - fun and games in the outback!
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Here at the end of the world
We are so far from civilization. Even when we go to a city - we are far from civilization.
Why am I so much of a nay sayer? Well, first I left my eyedrops for the glaucoma at home. I was going to be sure to pack them, but guess what. There are two partial bottles in the night stand and a full one in the cabinet. Even if I were to go into Fredericksburg (45 miles away) where there is a Walgreens, AND convince them to search for the number, the insurance would put a stop to them filling it. "It isn't time."
In addition to that, I am feeling a twinge of a gout flare up. Did I bring those anti-inflamatory pills? No. And there was no refill on them anyway. So I am up the creek without a paddle. I do have some anti-inflamatories that I was given for my right knee that hurts. I just PRAY they work for this.
I know I am not supposed to have beef either. So what are we having for dinner - BEEF fajitas of course. And when did we make the trek to the store in Mason - this afternoon before the twinge began. And what proteins do I have a lot of here - BEEF.
Of course the trip in was to get the old Dodge inspected. It is actually my daughter's and SIL's. He never took really good care of it. So the a/c has a leak, and it is only in the high 90's here. When we got to the mechanic's he said the tires wouldn't pass inspection. They had dry rotted.
G immediately thought Steve pulled one of his stunts buying them from some off beat guy. So after nearly $1000, we got an inspection sticker. All I can say is they were so bad, it had to have been God's hand that delivered us to the shop without the tires coming apart. They were that bad.
As it turns out, the tires were six years old. They did come from a good dealer. They were just old, and dry rotted.
So here I sit drinking gallons upon gallons of water. I will try to eat very little of the meats this week - with the exception of the chicken. I just hope the pills I have here and the water work!
Why am I so much of a nay sayer? Well, first I left my eyedrops for the glaucoma at home. I was going to be sure to pack them, but guess what. There are two partial bottles in the night stand and a full one in the cabinet. Even if I were to go into Fredericksburg (45 miles away) where there is a Walgreens, AND convince them to search for the number, the insurance would put a stop to them filling it. "It isn't time."
In addition to that, I am feeling a twinge of a gout flare up. Did I bring those anti-inflamatory pills? No. And there was no refill on them anyway. So I am up the creek without a paddle. I do have some anti-inflamatories that I was given for my right knee that hurts. I just PRAY they work for this.
I know I am not supposed to have beef either. So what are we having for dinner - BEEF fajitas of course. And when did we make the trek to the store in Mason - this afternoon before the twinge began. And what proteins do I have a lot of here - BEEF.
Of course the trip in was to get the old Dodge inspected. It is actually my daughter's and SIL's. He never took really good care of it. So the a/c has a leak, and it is only in the high 90's here. When we got to the mechanic's he said the tires wouldn't pass inspection. They had dry rotted.
G immediately thought Steve pulled one of his stunts buying them from some off beat guy. So after nearly $1000, we got an inspection sticker. All I can say is they were so bad, it had to have been God's hand that delivered us to the shop without the tires coming apart. They were that bad.
As it turns out, the tires were six years old. They did come from a good dealer. They were just old, and dry rotted.
So here I sit drinking gallons upon gallons of water. I will try to eat very little of the meats this week - with the exception of the chicken. I just hope the pills I have here and the water work!
Monday, July 14, 2014
Relief!
Last night was the infamous "Family Dinner." While I do enjoy this gathering, regardless how I make it sound here, and regardless how much it puts me in a tizzy when I host, it is so important. It is the ONLY way I am keeping our family together. Once again I refer to the old adage "a daughter is a daughter all of her life and a son is a son until he takes a wife" because it is so true.
My example of recent times - they missed the family reunion in Dallas because they were in Louisiana with her dad and that family for a week. They will be gone in the middle of August for a week because they will be at the coast with him again. Easter was spent with her mother at the coast. Do you get my picture here? The wife's family gets the attention.
And to be fair - daughter's family is usually with us. Even though his family is in San Antonio, Krissi and Steve moved away from them to live here. They are a mile away.
But back. I decided that we would have pork ribs last night. When we went to the store to shop, I didn't think the one rack of ribs would feed everyone. But G "explained" that he didn't want 10 pounds of ribs. I was thinking that - well we are feeding perhaps 12 people ...
I should have known Brian's kids wouldn't eat. At least not ribs. So I put out 5 of Clyde's reward frankfurters (I refuse to use the other common name because it sends the older kids into gales of laughter). What do Reagan and Karrington head for immediately - those!
I was still frantic. There was a huge pile of ribs, but before Steve went into this Beachbody thing, he could (and would) have eaten the entire pile alone along with the bowl of potato salad. As it was - with everyone with the exception of G and the kids being on the diet, there were plenty of ribs, and had I followed my inclination we would have had a huge amount of left overs!
So we finally celebrated Brian's 38th birthday. Now we have two more for the month and we are through until September when its Brian's daughter's (Delaney) birthday. Then there is an acalanche of birthdays again.
And tomorrow - we are headed back to the SSB. This year my name for the place is really true. EVERYTHING either sticks, stings of bites. Lots of grass burrs, scorpions, and snakes.
My example of recent times - they missed the family reunion in Dallas because they were in Louisiana with her dad and that family for a week. They will be gone in the middle of August for a week because they will be at the coast with him again. Easter was spent with her mother at the coast. Do you get my picture here? The wife's family gets the attention.
And to be fair - daughter's family is usually with us. Even though his family is in San Antonio, Krissi and Steve moved away from them to live here. They are a mile away.
But back. I decided that we would have pork ribs last night. When we went to the store to shop, I didn't think the one rack of ribs would feed everyone. But G "explained" that he didn't want 10 pounds of ribs. I was thinking that - well we are feeding perhaps 12 people ...
I should have known Brian's kids wouldn't eat. At least not ribs. So I put out 5 of Clyde's reward frankfurters (I refuse to use the other common name because it sends the older kids into gales of laughter). What do Reagan and Karrington head for immediately - those!
I was still frantic. There was a huge pile of ribs, but before Steve went into this Beachbody thing, he could (and would) have eaten the entire pile alone along with the bowl of potato salad. As it was - with everyone with the exception of G and the kids being on the diet, there were plenty of ribs, and had I followed my inclination we would have had a huge amount of left overs!
So we finally celebrated Brian's 38th birthday. Now we have two more for the month and we are through until September when its Brian's daughter's (Delaney) birthday. Then there is an acalanche of birthdays again.
And tomorrow - we are headed back to the SSB. This year my name for the place is really true. EVERYTHING either sticks, stings of bites. Lots of grass burrs, scorpions, and snakes.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Making memories
Reagan's 10th birthday was last Sunday. I didn't have a present at the time, and I told him we would once again go out for him to shop and then lunch.
When we were heading to the store he was talking about all the fun memories he has of going out with me to shop for his birthday. I had no idea.
He is a sweet boy, and I really think he will grow into a great man. With his mom and two sisters, he has learned to be very considerate. He is surrounded by strong women, and he knows how to survive.
He pretty much knew what he wanted, and the shopping was (thankfully) very short. He wanted video games, and I know his parents would like to wring my neck. He is addicted to those games - to the point of (and TMI here) becoming constipated because he won't leave the games.
But that's what we got, and then headed off to lunch. I was surprised at his choice, and we called "Pa" to join us - at his suggestion.
According to Krissi - he had a great time. Makin' memories.
When we were heading to the store he was talking about all the fun memories he has of going out with me to shop for his birthday. I had no idea.
He is a sweet boy, and I really think he will grow into a great man. With his mom and two sisters, he has learned to be very considerate. He is surrounded by strong women, and he knows how to survive.
He pretty much knew what he wanted, and the shopping was (thankfully) very short. He wanted video games, and I know his parents would like to wring my neck. He is addicted to those games - to the point of (and TMI here) becoming constipated because he won't leave the games.
But that's what we got, and then headed off to lunch. I was surprised at his choice, and we called "Pa" to join us - at his suggestion.
According to Krissi - he had a great time. Makin' memories.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Friday again - yeah, finally
And the end of another week. At my age, I certainly shouldn't be wishing my weeks away. That's like wishing your life away. But I do enjoy weekends! (I KNOW my whole life since retirement is actually a weekend!)
I was settling into a better schedule this past week. I could fall asleep at a normal time and then wake in the mornings, but that waking hour was not what I really wanted. We had a busy week. Some of this is probably a re-run, but here we go.
Monday, G had an appointment with one of his stable of doctors. But that wakes me, so I was up. And not at 8:30 which is my best time. Tuesday was to be my appointment with the retinal folks to have my eyeball punctured.
THAT one set off a whole avalance of problems. The office was dark. They were closed. G is still ranting about that one!
Wednesday was taking the car to its doctor to have its bodily fluids changed. That meant breakfast out. It is so good. I love their omlets - the restaurant's not the mechanic's!
Yesterday wasn't as early a day, but G had a dermatology appointment. And the afternoon was my eye piercing appointment. All that went well. I even called the retinal folks to make sure I had an appointment since I didn't get a call on Wednesday!
Today Clyde has his day of beauty. Bath and nail trim. So that meant early rising. They like for the dogs to be there early. Well - early for me is about 8. Needless to say, last night was one of "those" nights of being awake until after 1 a.m.
Today Katie comes back from camp. They don't even get a whole week anymore like I did and my kids did. I guess the staff needs a day to regroup before the next avalance of campers.
Krissi got a call from the "day camp" that is being held at our old church. The Youth Minister was hemming and hawing about Reagan. Krissi thought he had gotten hurt (or done something he shouldn't have). Finally Michelle said - "well they were preparing for a skit and he got marker on his shirt." Krissi assured her that she wasn't really that worried about just a shirt - she was just happy he didn't get the marker in his eye! Amen to that sista'
Katie is really upset. She was to play a water polo tournement this weekend. It is down south of here where we have a bunch of relatives living. I wanted to go along both to see her play and visit with kin-folk. But the opthalamologist has put the brakes on that activity. This was not in Katie's plans.
And - a week late but it's our first chance Family Dinner will be for my son's, my baby's, 38th birthday. When my daughter turned 40 it didn't really hit me so, but this is my baby. My youngest! Goodness - I am old - which is something I really realize doing genealogy. Most of those folks - especially those in the early 1920's and before - died in their 60's!
I was settling into a better schedule this past week. I could fall asleep at a normal time and then wake in the mornings, but that waking hour was not what I really wanted. We had a busy week. Some of this is probably a re-run, but here we go.
Monday, G had an appointment with one of his stable of doctors. But that wakes me, so I was up. And not at 8:30 which is my best time. Tuesday was to be my appointment with the retinal folks to have my eyeball punctured.
THAT one set off a whole avalance of problems. The office was dark. They were closed. G is still ranting about that one!
Wednesday was taking the car to its doctor to have its bodily fluids changed. That meant breakfast out. It is so good. I love their omlets - the restaurant's not the mechanic's!
Yesterday wasn't as early a day, but G had a dermatology appointment. And the afternoon was my eye piercing appointment. All that went well. I even called the retinal folks to make sure I had an appointment since I didn't get a call on Wednesday!
Today Clyde has his day of beauty. Bath and nail trim. So that meant early rising. They like for the dogs to be there early. Well - early for me is about 8. Needless to say, last night was one of "those" nights of being awake until after 1 a.m.
Today Katie comes back from camp. They don't even get a whole week anymore like I did and my kids did. I guess the staff needs a day to regroup before the next avalance of campers.
Krissi got a call from the "day camp" that is being held at our old church. The Youth Minister was hemming and hawing about Reagan. Krissi thought he had gotten hurt (or done something he shouldn't have). Finally Michelle said - "well they were preparing for a skit and he got marker on his shirt." Krissi assured her that she wasn't really that worried about just a shirt - she was just happy he didn't get the marker in his eye! Amen to that sista'
Katie is really upset. She was to play a water polo tournement this weekend. It is down south of here where we have a bunch of relatives living. I wanted to go along both to see her play and visit with kin-folk. But the opthalamologist has put the brakes on that activity. This was not in Katie's plans.
And - a week late but it's our first chance Family Dinner will be for my son's, my baby's, 38th birthday. When my daughter turned 40 it didn't really hit me so, but this is my baby. My youngest! Goodness - I am old - which is something I really realize doing genealogy. Most of those folks - especially those in the early 1920's and before - died in their 60's!
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Over 250
That's how many viruses and malware were on G's computer. It's all clean and running well - we will see how long that lasts. The computer guru put Avast on it and has it set for a weekly run of checking.
I am such a doubter because he would crash computers at work - though the protected network. The man destroys computers. It's not that he goes to really unsavory sites - like porn and the like. He just opens things from places that he doesn't really know and shouldn't really trust,
I am not innocent in this aspect however. It was recently that I realized that some of my "trusted" embroidery sites had viruses and malware in their downloads. So I am in the process of trying to get the baby Toshiba back up and running fast. I may send it do Dave (the guru) because $75 is really cheap to get it cleaned and tuned up!
This one I scan almost daily with two different programs. May be overkill, but I know there are STILL some baddies lurking on it. One thing I would like to get rid of are the excess tool bars. I hate them, and I haven't known how to get rid of them in many years. Just like I don't remember how to get an XP on a different modem.
So, my computer is mine once again. If something happens to it now - it is totally my fault. It's almost like sharing a toothbrush - I really don't want to do that - ever and with anyone!
I am such a doubter because he would crash computers at work - though the protected network. The man destroys computers. It's not that he goes to really unsavory sites - like porn and the like. He just opens things from places that he doesn't really know and shouldn't really trust,
I am not innocent in this aspect however. It was recently that I realized that some of my "trusted" embroidery sites had viruses and malware in their downloads. So I am in the process of trying to get the baby Toshiba back up and running fast. I may send it do Dave (the guru) because $75 is really cheap to get it cleaned and tuned up!
This one I scan almost daily with two different programs. May be overkill, but I know there are STILL some baddies lurking on it. One thing I would like to get rid of are the excess tool bars. I hate them, and I haven't known how to get rid of them in many years. Just like I don't remember how to get an XP on a different modem.
So, my computer is mine once again. If something happens to it now - it is totally my fault. It's almost like sharing a toothbrush - I really don't want to do that - ever and with anyone!
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Told ya' so and other events
First order of business is a small rant about physician's offices. I had my monthly appointment for my eye spearing yesterday. I remembered that they didn't call to remind me of the appointment on Monday, but dismissed the thought. We got off of the elevator and turned the corner to see a dark, locked office. G was (well best word) pissed. He is still fuming. They CLAIMED to have called me to change the appointment. I told them that my phone is always on an answering machine AND I have caller ID, and they were not there. So their response was "well, do you have a cell phone that might be better?"
I nearly dropped the phone. I responded that if I didn't get anything on the phone that is always on, I certainly wouldn't get a call on a phone that is just as likely to be off than on. They then acted like they were doing me a big favor and giving me an appointment for tomorrow afternoon that "just opened up." Geesh!
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So after that experience, we loaded up G's computer and my previously dropped laptop that the clowns over here really messed up to take them to be repaired. I knew his was absolutely eaten up with malware and viruses. That was why is was so slow. And because I tried to fix it, he blames me for the malware.
I loaded one of the top programs for keeping all this stuff off the computer, but he never updated the program. In fact, he complained about the reminders and shut them down as something that was a pain in the rear. I was going to load another really good, free program to get rid of the malware. I told him what site to log into, thinking surely he could do that. Guess what - he didn't. So what I downloaded was masquerading as the program I wanted. It was malware itself. And you know how this household runs - it was my fault that his computer finally just quit working for all practical purposes!
The guy called this morning about his. It has about 300 cases of malware on it. That's why I don't want him using my computer. I spend a day cleaning it after he has been on the internet. He usually ends his session with "the little icon is just spinning around." Yeah - you have loaded my computer with malware now. But it will be fixed for only $75! Yea! But I told him what was wrong - and he argued with me. Told ya'.
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Katie, Katie, Katie. My physically adept grandchild, but the one who is so accident prone. She is a church camp. Yesterday was full day 2. Yesterday she was participating so hard that she got something in her eye they couldn't flush out, so she went to some teeny, tiny town's drive in emergency clinic.
Her mom called later to tell me what happened. She got a splinter (?????!!!!) in her eye. She needs to see a doctor this morning. She certainly makes life interesting. Fortunately our Vicar is with the kids. She is so calm and sweet. Pastor C wouldn't have been a good one in this case - at all. So I am waiting to see what the verdict is from the doctor. I asked Krissi if she got the splinter in the cornea or in the sclera (white part) but she had no idea. Oh, Katie!
I nearly dropped the phone. I responded that if I didn't get anything on the phone that is always on, I certainly wouldn't get a call on a phone that is just as likely to be off than on. They then acted like they were doing me a big favor and giving me an appointment for tomorrow afternoon that "just opened up." Geesh!
________________________________________________________________________________
So after that experience, we loaded up G's computer and my previously dropped laptop that the clowns over here really messed up to take them to be repaired. I knew his was absolutely eaten up with malware and viruses. That was why is was so slow. And because I tried to fix it, he blames me for the malware.
I loaded one of the top programs for keeping all this stuff off the computer, but he never updated the program. In fact, he complained about the reminders and shut them down as something that was a pain in the rear. I was going to load another really good, free program to get rid of the malware. I told him what site to log into, thinking surely he could do that. Guess what - he didn't. So what I downloaded was masquerading as the program I wanted. It was malware itself. And you know how this household runs - it was my fault that his computer finally just quit working for all practical purposes!
The guy called this morning about his. It has about 300 cases of malware on it. That's why I don't want him using my computer. I spend a day cleaning it after he has been on the internet. He usually ends his session with "the little icon is just spinning around." Yeah - you have loaded my computer with malware now. But it will be fixed for only $75! Yea! But I told him what was wrong - and he argued with me. Told ya'.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Katie, Katie, Katie. My physically adept grandchild, but the one who is so accident prone. She is a church camp. Yesterday was full day 2. Yesterday she was participating so hard that she got something in her eye they couldn't flush out, so she went to some teeny, tiny town's drive in emergency clinic.
Her mom called later to tell me what happened. She got a splinter (?????!!!!) in her eye. She needs to see a doctor this morning. She certainly makes life interesting. Fortunately our Vicar is with the kids. She is so calm and sweet. Pastor C wouldn't have been a good one in this case - at all. So I am waiting to see what the verdict is from the doctor. I asked Krissi if she got the splinter in the cornea or in the sclera (white part) but she had no idea. Oh, Katie!
Monday, July 07, 2014
Fun time for Katie and WOOO HOOO!!!
Yesterday Katie went off to her first church camp. I know she is going to have such a great time. It is common in the Lutheran church for the kiddos in confirmation to go to camp together. This is a first for our church. I really think our Pastor doesn't like kids, so I can't imagine him spending 6 days and 5 nights with the 13/14 year olds.
We do have our Vicar (student pastor) whose husband is the director of the camp, so she is happily with the kids for this event. That is even better. She is so great, and the kids absolutely love her.
I am sure Katie will have a great time. She has never been away like this, but I know she will hit the groove immediately. When she found out they would swim shortly after getting there yesterday, all was great. That is certainly her medium.
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The phone just rang, and I looked at the caller id. It was the colonoscopy doctor's office. Even though I was sure that all was well, I still had that immediate feeling of dread. One bout of cancer has been enough for me, and I will do screenings to try to prevent another.
So I answered, and wouldn't you know - the nurse hesitated just briefly. That felt like a day! As I waited, I know my heart must have quickened a bit.
She identified herself. Then the great words - "the pathology report came back OK. Dr Toland says FIVE years for the next one." What a wonderful thing! If I am even still around, I may skip that one. After all - how long does it take for the cancer to grow.
Now we will see about G. He really gets the polyps. This time they were small, and there was only one that was suspicious. So we wait for that one.
That's the WOOOO HOOO for me for the day - five years!
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Now if my ears would remain clear. Living in a swamp is hard on my ears. I get fungus infections so very easily. My ears itch like crazy - then I shove something in there (cotton-tip, hair pin - that kind of stuff). Then they get worse, and then fluid builds up and I can't hear. They clear and it starts all over with them getting flaky and itchy.
Guess where I am today. Right - yesterday both ears almost completely occluded. Such fun. So I will be putting vinegar in my ears (forget the diluted solution - straight vinegar), and then the anti-fungal about four times a day. If that doesn't work, it will be off to the ENT to have them vacuumed out!
We do have our Vicar (student pastor) whose husband is the director of the camp, so she is happily with the kids for this event. That is even better. She is so great, and the kids absolutely love her.
I am sure Katie will have a great time. She has never been away like this, but I know she will hit the groove immediately. When she found out they would swim shortly after getting there yesterday, all was great. That is certainly her medium.
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The phone just rang, and I looked at the caller id. It was the colonoscopy doctor's office. Even though I was sure that all was well, I still had that immediate feeling of dread. One bout of cancer has been enough for me, and I will do screenings to try to prevent another.
So I answered, and wouldn't you know - the nurse hesitated just briefly. That felt like a day! As I waited, I know my heart must have quickened a bit.
She identified herself. Then the great words - "the pathology report came back OK. Dr Toland says FIVE years for the next one." What a wonderful thing! If I am even still around, I may skip that one. After all - how long does it take for the cancer to grow.
Now we will see about G. He really gets the polyps. This time they were small, and there was only one that was suspicious. So we wait for that one.
That's the WOOOO HOOO for me for the day - five years!
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Now if my ears would remain clear. Living in a swamp is hard on my ears. I get fungus infections so very easily. My ears itch like crazy - then I shove something in there (cotton-tip, hair pin - that kind of stuff). Then they get worse, and then fluid builds up and I can't hear. They clear and it starts all over with them getting flaky and itchy.
Guess where I am today. Right - yesterday both ears almost completely occluded. Such fun. So I will be putting vinegar in my ears (forget the diluted solution - straight vinegar), and then the anti-fungal about four times a day. If that doesn't work, it will be off to the ENT to have them vacuumed out!
Saturday, July 05, 2014
Clydie Clyde
Clyde has to be one of the most laid back dogs in the world. It seems nothing bothers him. We have not even had him for a year yet - close but not yet. But he seemingly has no prey-drive which is great for shadow. We wish he had a bit though so he would chase those pesky squirrels (don' t hate me squirrel lovers - remember they badly damage our house and take each and every pecan from our tree).
Loud noises don't seem to bother him. That is also great because we are in a period of afternoon thunderstorms. LOUD thunderstorms. He sleeps through them.
So with the fourth here, I thought he would be just fine. Our city doesn't allow fireworks, but we are surrounded by houses in the county - and they fire them off. Plus, I really think there are more and more here in the city (and remember we are very small) who are using them. So it was noisy last night.
Shadow is such a coward, and he was totally freaked out. He was sure someone or something was going to come in the house. He is convinced that if someone comes into the house - they are going to kill him! When I went to feed him last night, all the popping coupled with the rattling of the food bag had him totally freaked out!
Clyde's routine at night is to go out one final time at 10. So that time came, and the popping was terrible. G said that as soon as he opened the door, there was a loud bang - shotgun loud. Clyde decided that going out into that was not something he was going to do.
Fortunately this dog can go for very extended times to relieve himself - either because he is stubborn or has to. So it meant he was either going to wake us in the night, or wait until this morning. Well - wait it was. He was good to go until about 8:30.
We have learned he isn't quite as laid back as we thought!
Loud noises don't seem to bother him. That is also great because we are in a period of afternoon thunderstorms. LOUD thunderstorms. He sleeps through them.
So with the fourth here, I thought he would be just fine. Our city doesn't allow fireworks, but we are surrounded by houses in the county - and they fire them off. Plus, I really think there are more and more here in the city (and remember we are very small) who are using them. So it was noisy last night.
Shadow is such a coward, and he was totally freaked out. He was sure someone or something was going to come in the house. He is convinced that if someone comes into the house - they are going to kill him! When I went to feed him last night, all the popping coupled with the rattling of the food bag had him totally freaked out!
Clyde's routine at night is to go out one final time at 10. So that time came, and the popping was terrible. G said that as soon as he opened the door, there was a loud bang - shotgun loud. Clyde decided that going out into that was not something he was going to do.
Fortunately this dog can go for very extended times to relieve himself - either because he is stubborn or has to. So it meant he was either going to wake us in the night, or wait until this morning. Well - wait it was. He was good to go until about 8:30.
We have learned he isn't quite as laid back as we thought!
Friday, July 04, 2014
We shall see
The other night I was thinking of how I really had wanted to go with Krissi and her family to San Jose, but since that trip bas morphed into 10 days because Reagan and Katie won't be swimming at the same times, I won't go. Plus, they did the smart thing and found a two bedroom apartment for the stay rather than a hotel. But I really wanted to see San Francisco and the San Jose areas.
So I mentioned to G that I on the NEXT vacation I wanted to go to California. I would LIKE to see San Diego - not just the zoo, San Francisco and the like.
Now - if you remember, the year we went to the Outer Banks, I wanted to do to New York City and Philadelphia. Now I really enjoyed the trip to the Outer Banks. I got to meet a blogger friend while in the general area by taking a short side trip.
In September, we are taking another trup. The big part of that one is to ride Amrak's Empire Builder that runs from Seattle/Portland area to Chicago. When we went to the train convention in Portland a couple of years ago, that was to be our way home. But there was the flooding in the midwest that washed out the rails. Hard to ride a train then! AND one of the other routes had a semi hitting the passenger train - thus shutting down that route. So we ended up renting a car to drive home. It was cheaper than booking a last minute air ticket.
We went through some areas that I thought looked interesting, and I would have liked to have stopped to see, but we were on a strict schedule. We had to make it home in four days. We do not drive at night. There are far too many animals out on the highways. We spend a lot of time in the "wilds" od Texas remember.
SO I made the suggestion that since we would either begin on end in the Seattle area again - why don't we rent a car again and follow that track again? It was agreed BUT G wants to go a different way - a really different way.
Seeing a pattern here?? There surely is one. I get close, but...
So there is a California trip in the works. Where in the heck we end up - who knows. But at least I will get back to California, Perhaps I should have said I wanted to go to Miami.
So I mentioned to G that I on the NEXT vacation I wanted to go to California. I would LIKE to see San Diego - not just the zoo, San Francisco and the like.
Now - if you remember, the year we went to the Outer Banks, I wanted to do to New York City and Philadelphia. Now I really enjoyed the trip to the Outer Banks. I got to meet a blogger friend while in the general area by taking a short side trip.
In September, we are taking another trup. The big part of that one is to ride Amrak's Empire Builder that runs from Seattle/Portland area to Chicago. When we went to the train convention in Portland a couple of years ago, that was to be our way home. But there was the flooding in the midwest that washed out the rails. Hard to ride a train then! AND one of the other routes had a semi hitting the passenger train - thus shutting down that route. So we ended up renting a car to drive home. It was cheaper than booking a last minute air ticket.
We went through some areas that I thought looked interesting, and I would have liked to have stopped to see, but we were on a strict schedule. We had to make it home in four days. We do not drive at night. There are far too many animals out on the highways. We spend a lot of time in the "wilds" od Texas remember.
SO I made the suggestion that since we would either begin on end in the Seattle area again - why don't we rent a car again and follow that track again? It was agreed BUT G wants to go a different way - a really different way.
Seeing a pattern here?? There surely is one. I get close, but...
So there is a California trip in the works. Where in the heck we end up - who knows. But at least I will get back to California, Perhaps I should have said I wanted to go to Miami.
Thursday, July 03, 2014
And we are done for a while
G had his colonoscopy this morning. He took the first appointment, so we had to be there at 5! I can't believe I am so sleepy! The good thing we were finished, ate breakfast at Steak and Shake and were home by 8:45. But I am not worth shooting. They found nine small polyps, but he wasn't really concerned about them. He said G was probably genetically disposed for them, and he would just have to keep after them. I started to ask the doc how long does it take before they could become cancerous. Planning ahead!
I should do laundry today, but there's always tomorrow.
I had lunch with a friend yesterday. She has been having terrible back problems. She was in the hospital for several days, and they never figured out why or what is going on. She is a very heavy woman, and didn't realize just how heavy she is. She told me they weighed her as 500 pounds.
One doctor came in and the first words out of his mouth were "you need bariatric surgery." She told him that she was an intelligent person and knew exactly how she got in that position, and she was not going to have the surgery. She wanted to do it the old fashioned way.
I agree with her. That surgery is a help, but you still have to watch what you eat (if you can eat). There are so many complications that come with it. She has a friend who developed gangrene, and another breast cancer.
G thinks I am silly, but I really believe that for some women, big weight loss can cause breast cancer. I developed it after I lost about 50 pounds. I know that fat holds estrogen, and my tumor was an estrogen receptor. In fact - the only med I am taking after treatment is to stop estrogen production.
While I am not saying women shouldn't lose weight, I do feel that there is estrogen released. But back to my friend. She has lost 23 pounds this month after being in the hospital. Good for her!
We had a great time talking. "Lunch" lasted two hours, and then I had to go grocery shopping. Haven't really been in a month, and my bill showed it!
I lead such an exciting life. Happy to share! I know you are just held spell-bound now!
I should do laundry today, but there's always tomorrow.
I had lunch with a friend yesterday. She has been having terrible back problems. She was in the hospital for several days, and they never figured out why or what is going on. She is a very heavy woman, and didn't realize just how heavy she is. She told me they weighed her as 500 pounds.
One doctor came in and the first words out of his mouth were "you need bariatric surgery." She told him that she was an intelligent person and knew exactly how she got in that position, and she was not going to have the surgery. She wanted to do it the old fashioned way.
I agree with her. That surgery is a help, but you still have to watch what you eat (if you can eat). There are so many complications that come with it. She has a friend who developed gangrene, and another breast cancer.
G thinks I am silly, but I really believe that for some women, big weight loss can cause breast cancer. I developed it after I lost about 50 pounds. I know that fat holds estrogen, and my tumor was an estrogen receptor. In fact - the only med I am taking after treatment is to stop estrogen production.
While I am not saying women shouldn't lose weight, I do feel that there is estrogen released. But back to my friend. She has lost 23 pounds this month after being in the hospital. Good for her!
We had a great time talking. "Lunch" lasted two hours, and then I had to go grocery shopping. Haven't really been in a month, and my bill showed it!
I lead such an exciting life. Happy to share! I know you are just held spell-bound now!
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
What's going on here?
OK - be forewarned, this is a mini-rant, but really more of, as is used so often these days, WTF?
What is going on with Google and Yahoo? First I have a Yahoo mail account. That is where I get notifications of new (free!) embroidery designs and other things related to the embroidery stuff. I knew they messed with the groups, but now they have messed with the email. I pretty much just wrote them off until I realized today that my sewing class comunicates through Yahoo. They have a group on Yahoo, and this is where we get our meeting notification, what to bring and so on.
Going to Yahoo mail these days just gives you "your group update" and really doesn't tell me much. So I haven't been using it for over a month. Now I just go to that one group, but it still really bothers me. There have been complaints about Yahoo and the groups for a long time, now I agree. I don't understand why the change in email.
THEN I went to comment on some blogs today. Google is asking for your identification now when you comment. Ok. That has been going on for a while. Today, I had two comments wiped out before I could get them posted. I noticed another commentor has posted that their comments disappeared before they were posted.
I haven't had the problem until today, and I really don't like this. So I decided that I wouldn't re-write my comments AFTER choosing my ID.
Well - that's off my chest, but I am considering moving this little place. Like that would hurt Blogger! What a threat!
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One thing I forgot from yesterday. When I was out on Monday, Shadow went bonkers. G was sitting here in my "office" which happens to be at the breakfast table (I was run out of the study when he retired). He was sitting here because the shredder is next to my chair shredding some documents. Shadow suddenly came from under the table and bit the wowie out of his arm.
Shadow has always been quick to bite, but usually when you do something to him that he doesn't like. But not like this.
I don't know if it's because he has been left here when we went to Arkansas and Dallas or what. Needless to say, he isn't on G's good list!
What is going on with Google and Yahoo? First I have a Yahoo mail account. That is where I get notifications of new (free!) embroidery designs and other things related to the embroidery stuff. I knew they messed with the groups, but now they have messed with the email. I pretty much just wrote them off until I realized today that my sewing class comunicates through Yahoo. They have a group on Yahoo, and this is where we get our meeting notification, what to bring and so on.
Going to Yahoo mail these days just gives you "your group update" and really doesn't tell me much. So I haven't been using it for over a month. Now I just go to that one group, but it still really bothers me. There have been complaints about Yahoo and the groups for a long time, now I agree. I don't understand why the change in email.
THEN I went to comment on some blogs today. Google is asking for your identification now when you comment. Ok. That has been going on for a while. Today, I had two comments wiped out before I could get them posted. I noticed another commentor has posted that their comments disappeared before they were posted.
I haven't had the problem until today, and I really don't like this. So I decided that I wouldn't re-write my comments AFTER choosing my ID.
Well - that's off my chest, but I am considering moving this little place. Like that would hurt Blogger! What a threat!
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One thing I forgot from yesterday. When I was out on Monday, Shadow went bonkers. G was sitting here in my "office" which happens to be at the breakfast table (I was run out of the study when he retired). He was sitting here because the shredder is next to my chair shredding some documents. Shadow suddenly came from under the table and bit the wowie out of his arm.
Shadow has always been quick to bite, but usually when you do something to him that he doesn't like. But not like this.
I don't know if it's because he has been left here when we went to Arkansas and Dallas or what. Needless to say, he isn't on G's good list!
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
I survived
Although part of yesterday I was ready to throw in the towel. It was colonoscopy "prep" day which means no solid food, no milk products, nothing red or purple, no leafy greens or nuts (but that was for three days). I was so hungry I was about to eat - well, I guess nothing.
G thought he was being helpful when he went to the drugstore that is disguised as a grocery. He went to pick up the "colon prep kits," and so he also picked up some gelatin and something to make water a little more palatable. I am a water drinker, but there is a limit, and I want something with a little more taste.
So what does he bring back. Now remember - there is no real nutrients on this "diet." Broth and the like. He brings back SUGAR FREE gelatin, and Crystal Light Liquid. Now I use the Crystal Light every day with the suspension for my cholesterol. But I thought I could stand some sugar in what I could eat.
I took Katie (LB) to a friends house later. I planned to get out of the house to get my mind off eating. I stopped at the store and bought some freezer pops, lime fruit bars, peach fruit bars, and, of all things honeydew and cantaloupe popsicles. There was more than I could get around, but it was good.
I took the first dose of the prep liquid at 6:30 (supposed to be 6!). I thought I would throw up the last bit. It is just so nasty. Needless to say, the next several hours weren't that great. Then at 10:30 I was to take the remainder.
I am really sharing way too much here, but ... Yesterday morning my problem from the SSB came back. I thought it really ironic since I was going to have to induce the same thing later in the day. But because of than, and I was pretty much running clear at 10, I made the executive decision that I would drink only as much of the second bottle as I could stand without gagging.
I finally fell asleep about 2 this morning with the alarms set for 4:50.
But it is over, and right now things look good. I am awaiting the lab results, but it seems good.
Now you can say you know me inside and out!
G thought he was being helpful when he went to the drugstore that is disguised as a grocery. He went to pick up the "colon prep kits," and so he also picked up some gelatin and something to make water a little more palatable. I am a water drinker, but there is a limit, and I want something with a little more taste.
So what does he bring back. Now remember - there is no real nutrients on this "diet." Broth and the like. He brings back SUGAR FREE gelatin, and Crystal Light Liquid. Now I use the Crystal Light every day with the suspension for my cholesterol. But I thought I could stand some sugar in what I could eat.
I took Katie (LB) to a friends house later. I planned to get out of the house to get my mind off eating. I stopped at the store and bought some freezer pops, lime fruit bars, peach fruit bars, and, of all things honeydew and cantaloupe popsicles. There was more than I could get around, but it was good.
I took the first dose of the prep liquid at 6:30 (supposed to be 6!). I thought I would throw up the last bit. It is just so nasty. Needless to say, the next several hours weren't that great. Then at 10:30 I was to take the remainder.
I am really sharing way too much here, but ... Yesterday morning my problem from the SSB came back. I thought it really ironic since I was going to have to induce the same thing later in the day. But because of than, and I was pretty much running clear at 10, I made the executive decision that I would drink only as much of the second bottle as I could stand without gagging.
I finally fell asleep about 2 this morning with the alarms set for 4:50.
But it is over, and right now things look good. I am awaiting the lab results, but it seems good.
Now you can say you know me inside and out!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Update
We came back from the SSB a day early. There are several reasons for this, and I am not sorry we did come back early.
We decided that Hilda Happy Hour wasn't worth staying for another day because our neighbor did pass away on Sunday. I spent hours on the internet searching for his funeral information. So we figured it would be either today or tomorrow. Finally word came on Tuesday evening.
We have an internet place called Next Door for our community. I think it is a wide-spread thing, but it is supposed to be subdivision specific. Anyway, that's where the news came. The viewing is tonight, ending with a rosary, and the funeral is tomorrow. We will miss the funeral because we are leaving for Dallas tomorrow. Geesh!!
My "problem" from the salad is pretty much over. I will not go into graphic detail except to say I was able to get a good night's sleep last night - slept all the way through without having to RUSH to the bathroom!
It really kills me though that I have to go through all that again on Monday since I have a colonscopy scheduled for Tuesday. He could have done that last Tuesday - for sure!
I am looking forward to Wednesday of next week! No "problem," home (for a week and a half). Priceless.
We decided that Hilda Happy Hour wasn't worth staying for another day because our neighbor did pass away on Sunday. I spent hours on the internet searching for his funeral information. So we figured it would be either today or tomorrow. Finally word came on Tuesday evening.
We have an internet place called Next Door for our community. I think it is a wide-spread thing, but it is supposed to be subdivision specific. Anyway, that's where the news came. The viewing is tonight, ending with a rosary, and the funeral is tomorrow. We will miss the funeral because we are leaving for Dallas tomorrow. Geesh!!
My "problem" from the salad is pretty much over. I will not go into graphic detail except to say I was able to get a good night's sleep last night - slept all the way through without having to RUSH to the bathroom!
It really kills me though that I have to go through all that again on Monday since I have a colonscopy scheduled for Tuesday. He could have done that last Tuesday - for sure!
I am looking forward to Wednesday of next week! No "problem," home (for a week and a half). Priceless.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Blank for a title, no really - blank
We have been here at the SSB since Thurday afternoon. That means there would be grocery shopping on Friday. That was a very important trip because we were the hosts for community club that night.
I found a salad that sounded absolutely delicious, so I made my list. I decided I would make two - one Friday and one Saturday (today) or Sunday for the Lange Family Reunion. That is my newly found family!
We needed to stop at the community club building to check on plates and the like. So that would put us out of the way for Fredericksburg (and the GO OD grocery). I didn't push the issue, and G decided we would go to Mason and the crappy grocery.
Things weren't as bad as I thought shopping there. The selection of vegetables and fruits is limited, but it was when I was looking for scallions - green onions! - that I realized they were really limited. Each salad was to have them. None!!
So I had some great red onions that I substituted. It was the most delicious salad! It was so delicious that I pretty made a meal of it along with some other vegetables that were there. That was all gout friendly. People raved about the salad, and it was almost gone.
This morning I woke to unpleasantness. I had too much roughage. You know what I mean! I have had a problem all day. Most of the food I bought for us for the week was fruits and vegetables. I don't know exactly what I am going to do. Hopefully tomorrow will be better - since it's the family reunion. But I am making German potato salad (fitting) and a cake!
We played bingo after the meeting. Things were going to be great, but the markers for the cards were too few. I had forgotten the BEANS to augment those little markers.
The bad part of last night was when I read the neighborhood Facebook posting. My next door neighbor probably isn't going to live. He is in ICU with heart failure. We have been neighbors for about 35 years. His youngest and my daughter are the same age, but my son would play with Rodney as a kid too.
This will be two dads of my kiddo's friends to die in three months. It is really sad. Every time my phone indicates there is a message, I hold my breath.
I have a feeling we will be missing a funeral. Mixed feelings there.
I found a salad that sounded absolutely delicious, so I made my list. I decided I would make two - one Friday and one Saturday (today) or Sunday for the Lange Family Reunion. That is my newly found family!
We needed to stop at the community club building to check on plates and the like. So that would put us out of the way for Fredericksburg (and the GO OD grocery). I didn't push the issue, and G decided we would go to Mason and the crappy grocery.
Things weren't as bad as I thought shopping there. The selection of vegetables and fruits is limited, but it was when I was looking for scallions - green onions! - that I realized they were really limited. Each salad was to have them. None!!
So I had some great red onions that I substituted. It was the most delicious salad! It was so delicious that I pretty made a meal of it along with some other vegetables that were there. That was all gout friendly. People raved about the salad, and it was almost gone.
This morning I woke to unpleasantness. I had too much roughage. You know what I mean! I have had a problem all day. Most of the food I bought for us for the week was fruits and vegetables. I don't know exactly what I am going to do. Hopefully tomorrow will be better - since it's the family reunion. But I am making German potato salad (fitting) and a cake!
We played bingo after the meeting. Things were going to be great, but the markers for the cards were too few. I had forgotten the BEANS to augment those little markers.
The bad part of last night was when I read the neighborhood Facebook posting. My next door neighbor probably isn't going to live. He is in ICU with heart failure. We have been neighbors for about 35 years. His youngest and my daughter are the same age, but my son would play with Rodney as a kid too.
This will be two dads of my kiddo's friends to die in three months. It is really sad. Every time my phone indicates there is a message, I hold my breath.
I have a feeling we will be missing a funeral. Mixed feelings there.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Thanks for messing up the pics Blogger!
I guess we get what we pay for with Blogger! I don't like posting pictures on here because I personally consider it a pain. I thought when I posted the three pictures, they were jumbled, and sure enough! Proof positive.
Sorry about that, so I will post them again!
Sorry about that, so I will post them again!
 |
| this one got out of order, but these are SOME of the idiots who jump off of a nice, cool train to stand out in the heat with chiggers and other "things" to capture a picture of the train roaring toward them! |
I was wrong!
When I was downloading the last pictures I took at the convention, I found some that I found amusing at the time, and in fact still do in a perverted way!
We were on the last train excursion - waiting in the yard for the final boarding, and whatever checks and preparations the train crew had to do. I had seen the "professional" K9 and the truck before we boarded. At the time I was thinking "what are they going to do - check all of us old farts for drugs? I will bet they would find some - all legal."
G and I are among the youngsters on these trips! I would bet the average age is over 70. And with all the aches and pains that us old folks have, I am sure there was a lot of things like hydrocodone and the like about.
After a bit, the dog was right there at our car! The train crew and police ( that accompanied us on all trips! Didn't think we would be in any danger from train robbers in Arkansas!) were gathered around the dog who was at the wheels right under my chair!
So when I found the pictures I thought I would share them
We were on the last train excursion - waiting in the yard for the final boarding, and whatever checks and preparations the train crew had to do. I had seen the "professional" K9 and the truck before we boarded. At the time I was thinking "what are they going to do - check all of us old farts for drugs? I will bet they would find some - all legal."
G and I are among the youngsters on these trips! I would bet the average age is over 70. And with all the aches and pains that us old folks have, I am sure there was a lot of things like hydrocodone and the like about.
After a bit, the dog was right there at our car! The train crew and police ( that accompanied us on all trips! Didn't think we would be in any danger from train robbers in Arkansas!) were gathered around the dog who was at the wheels right under my chair!
So when I found the pictures I thought I would share them
 |
| Getting the reward for looking for explosives! |
 |
| This lady was with us on both of our rides. |
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Home
At least for two more days, then it's off to the SSB. When we come back, the next day it's off to Dallas for a weekend family reunion. Geesh!
Sunday we drove from Springdale to Houston. It's only a short ten hours. For some, that's not a big deal. For me, that used to be a death march. I guess the twice a month drives (there and home) of five and a half hours have me toughened. So in three weeks, I will be on the road about 40 hours.
When we walked in Shadow was true to his name. He is such a cowardly cat. It took him a while to realize that it was us, not some stranger to be afraid of. He was here, alone, from Tuesday to Sunday. He had plenty of food, water and litter. He didn't eat as much as I had expected. I guess he was sad and lonely. In the past year, he has become quite the needy cat. He is usually with me - everywhere!
We picked up Clyde yesterday. He acted strangely when we got him home too. I guess he was exhausted! I think the barking dogs kept him on edge. He slept, soundly, on the couch all day. He seems back to more normal today. At least he will be with us for the next week plus. Of course then it's back to the vet for kenneling. Poor baby.
_______________________________________________________________________________
I have moaned and groaned to you about G "breaking" his computers. Well, he has been using this one. Guess what. It is as balky as a mule now. I don't know where he has been going, and I know that he doesn't download (thankful for small favors), but when I tried to get on line with Family Tree Maker last night, it was blocked from the internet.
Of course, my virus/firewall program updated yesterday. I had not tried to get on before the update, but ... I will work on all that more later today.
_______________________________________________________________________________
I would upload pictures from the trip, but I didn't really take many. Part of the reason being I am so upset about the new camera that does such a great job, and partly because I don't care how good the camera is, they just cannot do justice to great scenery. Plus, many of the pictures had to do with trains and their equipment.
So I am off in a bit to restock the larders. Knowing we would not be around for almost a month, I let things go - even if they would be in the freezer. Even little things like the basic food prep things. That is my job for the day.
Have a great one!
Sunday we drove from Springdale to Houston. It's only a short ten hours. For some, that's not a big deal. For me, that used to be a death march. I guess the twice a month drives (there and home) of five and a half hours have me toughened. So in three weeks, I will be on the road about 40 hours.
When we walked in Shadow was true to his name. He is such a cowardly cat. It took him a while to realize that it was us, not some stranger to be afraid of. He was here, alone, from Tuesday to Sunday. He had plenty of food, water and litter. He didn't eat as much as I had expected. I guess he was sad and lonely. In the past year, he has become quite the needy cat. He is usually with me - everywhere!
We picked up Clyde yesterday. He acted strangely when we got him home too. I guess he was exhausted! I think the barking dogs kept him on edge. He slept, soundly, on the couch all day. He seems back to more normal today. At least he will be with us for the next week plus. Of course then it's back to the vet for kenneling. Poor baby.
_______________________________________________________________________________
I have moaned and groaned to you about G "breaking" his computers. Well, he has been using this one. Guess what. It is as balky as a mule now. I don't know where he has been going, and I know that he doesn't download (thankful for small favors), but when I tried to get on line with Family Tree Maker last night, it was blocked from the internet.
Of course, my virus/firewall program updated yesterday. I had not tried to get on before the update, but ... I will work on all that more later today.
_______________________________________________________________________________
I would upload pictures from the trip, but I didn't really take many. Part of the reason being I am so upset about the new camera that does such a great job, and partly because I don't care how good the camera is, they just cannot do justice to great scenery. Plus, many of the pictures had to do with trains and their equipment.
So I am off in a bit to restock the larders. Knowing we would not be around for almost a month, I let things go - even if they would be in the freezer. Even little things like the basic food prep things. That is my job for the day.
Have a great one!
Friday, June 13, 2014
Aha
Today is Friday the 13th. It is a full moon. This won't happen again until 2049. Well - I wish it wouldn't have happened today.
A believe I may have mentioned I bought a new camera. An Olympus. I have always had great luck with the Olympus brand.
We had no train rides today, so we did some sight seeing. We went to Pea Ridge battlefield. It was really fun. Things like that depress me a little, but at least I wasn't looking out of a train window, but that's another story.
We got back here to Springdale and decided to eat lunch. I had the Olympus in my lap. I got lazy and didn't put it in the case. I was going to put it in the back seat, out of sight. As I was doing this, I it sort of fell, and I heard quite a clunk. I even remarked that wasn't good.
So when I got it out, the on light was flashing. I removed the batteries to turn it off. When I put them back on, I turned it on. The little "view finder" window on the back was in four parts. In the upper right and lower left were things the lens captured. The other corners, who knows.
I looked in great detail. The lower left hand corner is spider webbed. Censored words go here.
I have found a couple of places in Houston who repair this camera. Most of them want to only work on big, fancy SLR cameras, not little rather fancy point and shoots. I found a place I could sent it, but repairs are $121. Now I don't know how they know what's wrong, but...
So I guess I will fall back on the Kodak. It does a good job, but this little Olympus is really nice. Sigh!
______________________________________________________________________________
I was completely wiped out after yesterday's train ride. We rode from Springdale to Ft Smith. The scenery was really pretty, but it wasn't Alaska. And because G wants to argue, and can't hear me either, we ended up like sardines along a wall of the club car we were assigned. I was miserable. I felt like I was on a plane., You know - coach with 17 inch seats, and I was sitting in a five across row. That kind of sardine.
There were tables that were "reserved for couples" but Mr Man had charged ahead. When I tried to tell him, and he snapped and argued, others slipped into those.
The rail road had just refurbished their dining car, and they were using it. This train had at least 300 people on it. A dining car can handle about 50. Needless to say, things didn't go along well. When they began service, I didn't want to eat then either - it was 10;45. G wanted to wait and wait.
We were getting closer and closer to Ft Smith. We were to de-train there. So he decided we would stay on the train while they turned the engines. The railroad was telling everyone to get off. This was at noon. We were not going to be allowed back on the train until 2:30, and it seemed there was no place to eat where the grain stopped
Then we were told we could stay on. The brakeman said, no he was told everyone off. This went on for several minutes. It was a complete madhouse. Off, no stay on, no off and on and on.
It finally came down that we could stay on, and yes, we could eat lunch.
As it turned out, even though I missed visiting the bordello (I saw a guy who bought a t-shirt that said Our bordello still serves visitors), we were certainly more comfortable on the train.
Tomorrow we ride the same car. The trip is to be shorter. Rather than 8am to 6 pm, it is to be 8 am to 1 p,m. I just hope we can get different chairs and a table!
AND we will go home on Sunday. That will give me Monday thru Wednesday at home in Houston. Then we are off to the SSB ---- again.
A believe I may have mentioned I bought a new camera. An Olympus. I have always had great luck with the Olympus brand.
We had no train rides today, so we did some sight seeing. We went to Pea Ridge battlefield. It was really fun. Things like that depress me a little, but at least I wasn't looking out of a train window, but that's another story.
We got back here to Springdale and decided to eat lunch. I had the Olympus in my lap. I got lazy and didn't put it in the case. I was going to put it in the back seat, out of sight. As I was doing this, I it sort of fell, and I heard quite a clunk. I even remarked that wasn't good.
So when I got it out, the on light was flashing. I removed the batteries to turn it off. When I put them back on, I turned it on. The little "view finder" window on the back was in four parts. In the upper right and lower left were things the lens captured. The other corners, who knows.
I looked in great detail. The lower left hand corner is spider webbed. Censored words go here.
I have found a couple of places in Houston who repair this camera. Most of them want to only work on big, fancy SLR cameras, not little rather fancy point and shoots. I found a place I could sent it, but repairs are $121. Now I don't know how they know what's wrong, but...
So I guess I will fall back on the Kodak. It does a good job, but this little Olympus is really nice. Sigh!
______________________________________________________________________________
I was completely wiped out after yesterday's train ride. We rode from Springdale to Ft Smith. The scenery was really pretty, but it wasn't Alaska. And because G wants to argue, and can't hear me either, we ended up like sardines along a wall of the club car we were assigned. I was miserable. I felt like I was on a plane., You know - coach with 17 inch seats, and I was sitting in a five across row. That kind of sardine.
There were tables that were "reserved for couples" but Mr Man had charged ahead. When I tried to tell him, and he snapped and argued, others slipped into those.
The rail road had just refurbished their dining car, and they were using it. This train had at least 300 people on it. A dining car can handle about 50. Needless to say, things didn't go along well. When they began service, I didn't want to eat then either - it was 10;45. G wanted to wait and wait.
We were getting closer and closer to Ft Smith. We were to de-train there. So he decided we would stay on the train while they turned the engines. The railroad was telling everyone to get off. This was at noon. We were not going to be allowed back on the train until 2:30, and it seemed there was no place to eat where the grain stopped
Then we were told we could stay on. The brakeman said, no he was told everyone off. This went on for several minutes. It was a complete madhouse. Off, no stay on, no off and on and on.
It finally came down that we could stay on, and yes, we could eat lunch.
As it turned out, even though I missed visiting the bordello (I saw a guy who bought a t-shirt that said Our bordello still serves visitors), we were certainly more comfortable on the train.
Tomorrow we ride the same car. The trip is to be shorter. Rather than 8am to 6 pm, it is to be 8 am to 1 p,m. I just hope we can get different chairs and a table!
AND we will go home on Sunday. That will give me Monday thru Wednesday at home in Houston. Then we are off to the SSB ---- again.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
We're here!
After leaving the Houston at 8:30, we arrived here in Springdale, Arkansas a little after 6. Years ago, this trip would have killed me.
As usual, I couldn't fall asleep last night. So when the alarm went off at 6, I thought I would die! I was so sleepy. I did my best to stay awake on this trip.
I am really so plesantly surprised at our room. I knew it was going to be a suite. And it was not more than a regular room where we thought we were going to stay. BUT what they have done is take adjoining rooms and make it a suite. Talk about a lot of room.
The very, very best however is TWO bathrooms. I am in heaven. I have a place for my things, and I don't have to wait for Mr Bathroom Hog! I was going to look through the Alaska pictures because the very first one was a picture of the tiny sink in our room where he had plopped his stuff leaving me no room. I have my own bath here! Five nights away from home(s) with my own bathroom. Yeah!!
Exhaustion is setting in. Plus this internet is s l o w.
As usual, I couldn't fall asleep last night. So when the alarm went off at 6, I thought I would die! I was so sleepy. I did my best to stay awake on this trip.
I am really so plesantly surprised at our room. I knew it was going to be a suite. And it was not more than a regular room where we thought we were going to stay. BUT what they have done is take adjoining rooms and make it a suite. Talk about a lot of room.
The very, very best however is TWO bathrooms. I am in heaven. I have a place for my things, and I don't have to wait for Mr Bathroom Hog! I was going to look through the Alaska pictures because the very first one was a picture of the tiny sink in our room where he had plopped his stuff leaving me no room. I have my own bath here! Five nights away from home(s) with my own bathroom. Yeah!!
Exhaustion is setting in. Plus this internet is s l o w.
Monday, June 09, 2014
Strange - well not really
Last night was the "family dinner" time. We went to Christina's house. There was an important Swim Team board meeting, so I took the eldest three to dinner because the time we meet was at the exact same time as the meeting.
When we walked in, the only grandchild out was the gregarious Holden - the two year old. They also have a new puppy, so I got to meet him. But the house was strangely quiet. William and Delaney were no where in sight. Of course, Reagan immediately headed for William's room to get toys, and Karrington went into the toy room, and the dragging out of toys began.
After a bit,Delaney started peaking around the door to her parent's room. She never came out. We sat for over an hour with just the four kids and two dogs. I really was beginning to believe they had convinced parents to allow them to go to their Nie Nie's house (Christina's mom).
Finally they were forced to come out to eat. I was still at the table, and both of them - especially Delaney - warmed a little. I even got a smile from William.
I know that I have a problem relating to young kids. I am an only child. My teaching certification is secondary. Under about 12, I have a bit of a problem. In fact - I really like the 12-15 year olds!!
Reagan is 10 and Karrington is 6. They can still be hard to take for me, but we manage pretty well. I do know that Christina's mom allows the kids pretty much free rein. Her dad and step mom I think do the same, and they are with them more.
The old adage about a daughter is a daughter all her life and a son a son until he takes a wife. That was true of G, and I thought it was just because of his relationship with his mother, but his brother goes to his wife's family more too. Their kids are closer to those cousins than my kids. It's the way it seems to be.
____________________________________________________________________________
I was reading Judy's blog about her granddaughter. She remarked about all the kids that used to be at her house when her kiddos were young. That was true around here. After the Friday night football game, they would be here. I never knew who would be on my den floor on Saturday morning. I loved it - and I knew where my kids were. Other parents could rest more easily also. They knew their kids were here - and safe. I do miss those days. It was really a lot of fun.
My best friend's son and Krissi were close friends. I used to wish they were dating (and get married) but Jeff is a little too demanding. He is an Emergency Room doctor now - and owns a couple of medical clinics, but he is separated from wife number two. Jeff and Krissi would never have made it!
But I digress. He had a date one night that he took home, then returned here to be with the group. For some reason his date must have gone out again. Her mom called Jeff's mom. She didn't know how to tell this mom that Jeff was spending the night at Krissi's. We still get quite a chuckle out of that!
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And so we are off again tomorrow. We are headed to Arkansas for yet another train convention. I worry a bit because we are headed right into the area of severe weather. At church yesterday, I was talking to a friend about the trip and he told me if I saw a tornado to be sure to get a picture of it for him. Yeah, right Scott!! Like that will happen!
When we walked in, the only grandchild out was the gregarious Holden - the two year old. They also have a new puppy, so I got to meet him. But the house was strangely quiet. William and Delaney were no where in sight. Of course, Reagan immediately headed for William's room to get toys, and Karrington went into the toy room, and the dragging out of toys began.
After a bit,Delaney started peaking around the door to her parent's room. She never came out. We sat for over an hour with just the four kids and two dogs. I really was beginning to believe they had convinced parents to allow them to go to their Nie Nie's house (Christina's mom).
Finally they were forced to come out to eat. I was still at the table, and both of them - especially Delaney - warmed a little. I even got a smile from William.
I know that I have a problem relating to young kids. I am an only child. My teaching certification is secondary. Under about 12, I have a bit of a problem. In fact - I really like the 12-15 year olds!!
Reagan is 10 and Karrington is 6. They can still be hard to take for me, but we manage pretty well. I do know that Christina's mom allows the kids pretty much free rein. Her dad and step mom I think do the same, and they are with them more.
The old adage about a daughter is a daughter all her life and a son a son until he takes a wife. That was true of G, and I thought it was just because of his relationship with his mother, but his brother goes to his wife's family more too. Their kids are closer to those cousins than my kids. It's the way it seems to be.
____________________________________________________________________________
I was reading Judy's blog about her granddaughter. She remarked about all the kids that used to be at her house when her kiddos were young. That was true around here. After the Friday night football game, they would be here. I never knew who would be on my den floor on Saturday morning. I loved it - and I knew where my kids were. Other parents could rest more easily also. They knew their kids were here - and safe. I do miss those days. It was really a lot of fun.
My best friend's son and Krissi were close friends. I used to wish they were dating (and get married) but Jeff is a little too demanding. He is an Emergency Room doctor now - and owns a couple of medical clinics, but he is separated from wife number two. Jeff and Krissi would never have made it!
But I digress. He had a date one night that he took home, then returned here to be with the group. For some reason his date must have gone out again. Her mom called Jeff's mom. She didn't know how to tell this mom that Jeff was spending the night at Krissi's. We still get quite a chuckle out of that!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And so we are off again tomorrow. We are headed to Arkansas for yet another train convention. I worry a bit because we are headed right into the area of severe weather. At church yesterday, I was talking to a friend about the trip and he told me if I saw a tornado to be sure to get a picture of it for him. Yeah, right Scott!! Like that will happen!
Sunday, June 08, 2014
At least half of them love me
Grandchildren that is. When you have six, I guess it's something to have half of them love you, but it really does break my heart.
Krissi's kids are so demonstrative. They show unconditional love. Brian's not so much.
Last Sunday for family dinner, all William (his 5 year old) could do nothing but hang on Brian crying I don't want to be here. I want to go home. Delaney (the three year old daughter) never got close. Meanwhile, the older ones - Krissi's kids - were all over me. He finally warmed a bit when they all went out to swim.
Yesterday Brian and family came to swim. I thought William would be ok. No.
We have a small water slide with the pool. G and I don't use it anymore, and a few years ago a supposedly great plumbing company while doing other work damaged the pipes that run out and around the pool to the slide. It HAS to have water going down it.
Usually, if a child isn't a swimmer, I don't allow them to use the slide. These kids, with the exception of the two year old, won't even let water splash in their faces. But they wanted to go down if Brian would catch them. Last week the older ones, who are all on either/and/or swim team and water polo were using it.
We terry-rigged the hose down slide, and I set about doing that again with Brian's help. William, who is sure is KNOWS everything, was going to try to hook up the slide to the outlet at the slide. Even when I told him that didn't work was determined that was the fix.
When he got on the slide, he moved the end of the hose each and every time he was up there. When his sister came up, she got scared and wanted down. She couldn't do anything but go down the slide because he was right on the top step. When told to get down - you guessed it. He was told to not even go up the ladder when someone was getting ready to slide. Might as well have been talking to the pecan tree behind him
He finally sat on the diving board. The hose was laid over the board. And I will swear, he had a look of glee on his face when he picked up that hose and crimped it off just as Delaney was going to go down. We had told them over and over that the water had to be on and covering the slide because the fiberglass would give them a terrible burn if not. Katie was going down with Karrington last week, and her ankle got too close to the side.
Well - William just sulked and pouted because I scolded him. I have mentioned before that they are pretty much allowed to "run wild."
After coming in - he would not get within 8 feet of me. He stayed in Brian's lap. He wanted a blanket, and Brian MADE him come to me to ask. He just mumbled the whole time.
I have a toy chest here for the kids. He has asked Christina to take some of the toys home before and I really think this time he snuck some out without saying anything.
I guess he doesn't know what to do with grandparents who allow them to do whatever they want. I don't and I won't. Two weeks ago, he was shooting the little nerf bullets into Kristine's kitchen (they belonged to Reagan) and into the food. I was the one who stopped that.
Guess I am the grandmother from hell!
Krissi's kids are so demonstrative. They show unconditional love. Brian's not so much.
Last Sunday for family dinner, all William (his 5 year old) could do nothing but hang on Brian crying I don't want to be here. I want to go home. Delaney (the three year old daughter) never got close. Meanwhile, the older ones - Krissi's kids - were all over me. He finally warmed a bit when they all went out to swim.
Yesterday Brian and family came to swim. I thought William would be ok. No.
We have a small water slide with the pool. G and I don't use it anymore, and a few years ago a supposedly great plumbing company while doing other work damaged the pipes that run out and around the pool to the slide. It HAS to have water going down it.
Usually, if a child isn't a swimmer, I don't allow them to use the slide. These kids, with the exception of the two year old, won't even let water splash in their faces. But they wanted to go down if Brian would catch them. Last week the older ones, who are all on either/and/or swim team and water polo were using it.
We terry-rigged the hose down slide, and I set about doing that again with Brian's help. William, who is sure is KNOWS everything, was going to try to hook up the slide to the outlet at the slide. Even when I told him that didn't work was determined that was the fix.
When he got on the slide, he moved the end of the hose each and every time he was up there. When his sister came up, she got scared and wanted down. She couldn't do anything but go down the slide because he was right on the top step. When told to get down - you guessed it. He was told to not even go up the ladder when someone was getting ready to slide. Might as well have been talking to the pecan tree behind him
He finally sat on the diving board. The hose was laid over the board. And I will swear, he had a look of glee on his face when he picked up that hose and crimped it off just as Delaney was going to go down. We had told them over and over that the water had to be on and covering the slide because the fiberglass would give them a terrible burn if not. Katie was going down with Karrington last week, and her ankle got too close to the side.
Well - William just sulked and pouted because I scolded him. I have mentioned before that they are pretty much allowed to "run wild."
After coming in - he would not get within 8 feet of me. He stayed in Brian's lap. He wanted a blanket, and Brian MADE him come to me to ask. He just mumbled the whole time.
I have a toy chest here for the kids. He has asked Christina to take some of the toys home before and I really think this time he snuck some out without saying anything.
I guess he doesn't know what to do with grandparents who allow them to do whatever they want. I don't and I won't. Two weeks ago, he was shooting the little nerf bullets into Kristine's kitchen (they belonged to Reagan) and into the food. I was the one who stopped that.
Guess I am the grandmother from hell!
Thursday, June 05, 2014
Get fit
I really need to do something. I have been sedentary far too long. Walking is difficult because of my disintegrating back. The sciatica I have had for about forty years is just made worse by the disintegrating disks. So I don't walk far before the pain is just too much,
Our strange weather (we have only had two ninety degree days since January) has kept the pool cold. When I was younger, I could stand the cold water. I would be in the pool by the first of May at the latest. Not this year. So I haven't had that. I don't want to go to a gym to swim. The folks that inhabit gyms are those that don't need to be there. They are already buff and toned. I know - that's how they got that way, but they are also too judgemental.
So - I have ordered Yoga for beginners. I am not able to get on the floor. The way I can get up is to get on my knees, and when I think of that Dr Frost's words echo in my head (titanium and the thin bone of the knee cap don't mix - don't kneel unless there is a lot of padding). So the traditional yoga they did for years at church wasn't for me.
Krissi has gotten into this Beach Body thingie. She and Steve have lost mega weight, but their workouts are not for me! They are rough, and it is standing - floor - standing - floor - and repeat for 30 minutes.
They have a program I have been looking for and not able to find a class close by. I have been wanting to do Tai Cheng forever. So I paid the exorbitant price associated with anything body building wise and ordered it. Since she has signed on to be a "coach," she gets a cut from my order, and by ordering the big pack - she can buy the Shakeology from me. After reading the ingredients today after opening the package, I can't use it anyway with my :( gout. (Bah humbug. If it's not one thing its another. Getting old isn't for wimps.)
So even though I hate the name of the group with all these programs that you have probably seen on TV like T25, P90x3 or something like that, I am not looking for a beach body! I want the benefits of the Tai Cheng.
Our strange weather (we have only had two ninety degree days since January) has kept the pool cold. When I was younger, I could stand the cold water. I would be in the pool by the first of May at the latest. Not this year. So I haven't had that. I don't want to go to a gym to swim. The folks that inhabit gyms are those that don't need to be there. They are already buff and toned. I know - that's how they got that way, but they are also too judgemental.
So - I have ordered Yoga for beginners. I am not able to get on the floor. The way I can get up is to get on my knees, and when I think of that Dr Frost's words echo in my head (titanium and the thin bone of the knee cap don't mix - don't kneel unless there is a lot of padding). So the traditional yoga they did for years at church wasn't for me.
Krissi has gotten into this Beach Body thingie. She and Steve have lost mega weight, but their workouts are not for me! They are rough, and it is standing - floor - standing - floor - and repeat for 30 minutes.
They have a program I have been looking for and not able to find a class close by. I have been wanting to do Tai Cheng forever. So I paid the exorbitant price associated with anything body building wise and ordered it. Since she has signed on to be a "coach," she gets a cut from my order, and by ordering the big pack - she can buy the Shakeology from me. After reading the ingredients today after opening the package, I can't use it anyway with my :( gout. (Bah humbug. If it's not one thing its another. Getting old isn't for wimps.)
So even though I hate the name of the group with all these programs that you have probably seen on TV like T25, P90x3 or something like that, I am not looking for a beach body! I want the benefits of the Tai Cheng.
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
So, went to the dotors (yes - plural)
Started off my morning with the good old cancer fighting drug in my left eye. They surely can find some unexpected results from drugs! So I have my usual eye crud from all the things they put in the eye to numb it. And from just flat messing with it! So please excuse typos (I know I usually have them with no excuse) because I really can't see the page well!
Then I went downstairs to the foot doc. We were 45 minutes early, but went on in anyway. This doctor has the receptionist from hell. When personalities were handed out, she was behind a door some place.
So to cut to the chase, when I finally got in, and the assistant finally tamed the reluctant computer, and I got an x-ray, the doctor walked in. She looked at my foot, and immediately announced that I have gout. What did I eat two weeks ago. And the tight shoes were probably the precipitating factor in this situation. According to the sheet she gave me I can eat basically the grass in the yard. I can have lettuce, but very little dressing. Fresh vegetables and fruits. White meat chicken and turkey, Fresh carrot juice, Fresh cherries (?? they aren't cheap in these parts) Vegetable Soup.
But NO mushrooms, asparagus, shrimp, Caviar (darn!), mussels, fried food, organ meats, game meats (?????), That is just a partial list of the no-nos. I am in a world of hurt, both from my foot hurting and the things I CAN have and those I can't.
Thought I would share a picture So here goes: (and it's not just a fat foot!)
Then I went downstairs to the foot doc. We were 45 minutes early, but went on in anyway. This doctor has the receptionist from hell. When personalities were handed out, she was behind a door some place.
So to cut to the chase, when I finally got in, and the assistant finally tamed the reluctant computer, and I got an x-ray, the doctor walked in. She looked at my foot, and immediately announced that I have gout. What did I eat two weeks ago. And the tight shoes were probably the precipitating factor in this situation. According to the sheet she gave me I can eat basically the grass in the yard. I can have lettuce, but very little dressing. Fresh vegetables and fruits. White meat chicken and turkey, Fresh carrot juice, Fresh cherries (?? they aren't cheap in these parts) Vegetable Soup.
But NO mushrooms, asparagus, shrimp, Caviar (darn!), mussels, fried food, organ meats, game meats (?????), That is just a partial list of the no-nos. I am in a world of hurt, both from my foot hurting and the things I CAN have and those I can't.
Thought I would share a picture So here goes: (and it's not just a fat foot!)
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