Raising Sunny

Waiting For Vencini

2011-02-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

Something like Inigio (see above)

I have gone back to the beginning, it seems.

Two of my sons gave me an iPod for Christmas,

and I have gone about downloading the music of my youth on it.

I have Joni Mitchell,

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young,

Cat Stevens,

Yes (CD borrowed from my youngest son - can you imagine!!!),

Santana,

Neil Young,

Creedence,

all on this postage stamp sized metal clip.

(Along with new and old stuff, not the soundtrack of pre STBX days.)

When did the amazing future arrive?

Wham bang, here it is - Thank you ma'am!

This music makes me happy.

It is so strange to have music as my personal soundtrack.

I know, I know, welcome to the 21st century, but it is still AMAZING to me that I can walk around with music that only I can hear.

Back in the beginning of me, when I played music, it filled the whole room, and if my mother was gone, the whole house.

I seem to be re-living my youth, at least musically speaking.

I am at the back at the beginning.

I am not waiting for Vencini,

but I think I am waiting for something........

FITLGB

Sheesh times three

2011-01-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it's the full moon,

my busy work schedule

or the unexpected visit from the STBX this weekend,

but I lost it today.

I left a $20 bill

on the table with a note

to get dog food this morning.

We are out of dog food. I fed Callie tuna this morning and P'Head got cat food.

So I was counting on one of the the 2 sighted adults home during the day to go buy some dog food.

When I got home after work and a union meeting

and Callie was panting really hard - meaning she was really hungry -

the tuna did not hold her over I guess.

I called down to Joe-Ash

(the unsighted adult in the house),

and asked if any one bought dog food.

No I was told.

Hold See

(who works at Starbucks - Starbucks I tell you - Starbucks!!!!!)

took the $20 and bought -

yep you got it - COFFEE!!!!!!

We have coffee right here in the house.

I lost my temper and went on and on and on about how upset I was.

Joe-Ash kept saying I was yelling at the wrong person.

I guess I was,

but sheesh -

Hold See works at Starbucks for pity's sake -

why did he take my $20 and NOT buy dog food?

It is hard to understand people sometimes. Really hard.

FIDLGB

Here's a Guy I Haven't Told You About

2011-01-14T20:12:00.000-08:00

This is Slim Jim.

I think he should be a movie star.

He reminds me of Clive Owen.

He's really smart.

And artistic.

Hold See brought Slim home from junior high one day 12 years ago.

I bet he could have walked into a bar and

bought a drink even back then.

I doubt that he has ever been carded.

Way back when he wrecked my van.

And broke Dandu's jaw.

He has a place in all our hearts.

I spent New Year's Eve with Dandu and it was fun.

(I must say, I having been having more fun with the family

since the pater familias left.)

Slim Jim was there.

(No fights ensued and no vans were wrecked.)

A quiet beginning to a wonderful New Year, I'd say.

FIDLGB

All Bets Are Off

2011-01-14T19:44:00.001-08:00

I have had this phrase rattling around in my head since my husband of 32 years and life partner of near 37 years announced his departure (the day after Thanksgiving - a few posts back - and all I have been posting about since).

I have a new life and all bets are off.

Which reminds me of a scene from Snatch.

All bets are off

and

I need to change my entire way of thinking.

My decisions, my lifestyle, my fears, my joys -

all are up for re-negotiation,

because all bets are off.

FIDLGB

Miramar Beach and Half Moon Bay

2010-12-28T18:20:00.000-08:00

The day after Christmas, I drove to the ocean.

(To avoid seeing STBX)

It was a winsome day.

(I'm learning myself new words for beautiful.)

I felt joy!

I parked at Miramar Beach and walked

up and down the coast for about 4 hours.

I took pictures and listened to my new iPod

(my sons are awesome!!!!!!).

I have no idea who built this or why, but it was a wonderful photo opportunity.

This shack was right on the cliff above the ocean.

I would happily live here -

walking up and down the ocean

I had a silly grin on my face -

imagine if I actually lived there!

Then I drove to Half Moon Bay -

found the main street shop walking place,

got out and walked.

This place had all kinds of cool stuff outside

like a bathtub full of broken glass.

This was the dog parking spot.

Lots of people had their dogs, and lots of shops

(probably all of them!)

did not allow pets inside.

And, finally, here is a church with dark clouds over it.

And that was my Sunday.

How was yours?

FIDTGB

Casa de Refugio Also Accepts Dogs

2010-12-27T13:17:00.000-08:00

This is "Scarlet"

- so named because she is covered in scars and has one gaping wound

- which I just treated with neosporin covered with a bandage pad

and wrapped with tape

(and she let me).

I must say that a pit bull is a dog that I have a healthy fear of.

They are powerful and awesome animals.

One snap and my little P'Headro would be done for.

Scarlet is a sad little thing though.

She is skinny skinny skinny.

And she has all kinds of wounds all over her body.

Roomer (Hold See's friend) De'Rone found her Christmas night,

at about midnight, running in the road

(or standing, I don't know)

by the low income apartments down the road from us.

He texted me the next day -

What?, was my response.

I went downstairs and there she was

curled up in a tight little ball on his bed.

Today I had him bring her upstairs to see how she got along

with P'Head and Callie.

They all seem to get along ok -

although Callie really does not like

that Scarlet curls up on the couch

(Callie hasn't been able to get on the couch

for a long time).

Callie has barked barked three times at Scarlet.

Scarlet doesn't seem to mind or care.

Scarlet sleeps most of the time.

She has eaten some,

peed in the house twice and pooped, in the house,

once.

Despite all the walks.

Da'Rone made flyers and will post them

(he has already posted by the apartments).

I am not sure what will happen with Scarlet,

but she is pretty comfortable here now.

I am going to google pit rescues;

see if someone will take her.

Da'Rone knows someone who wanted a dog,

and maybe he'll take her.

She's sweet, for now,

but do I want another dog?

Will she work with Callie and P'Headro

once she wakes up and feels better?

Things that make you say hummmm?

FIDLGB

It Was a Good Day

2010-12-25T21:05:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day.

I was with my family and I love them very much.

We had good food and good fun.

We had tequila jello shooters.

We rushed off to the movie theater at 11:20 in the am to see True Grit.

There were so many people there.

I was so happy for my Ditkas.

They have many fans.

People were actually laughing!

I have sat through so many Coen brother movies where I was the only person laughing.

Today the whole theatre was laughing!

(Although someone behind Chloe said, "I don't understand why these people are laughing." - Sounds like my STBX - who was not present today by my request - I mean who leaves his wife after Thanksgiving and expects to spend Christmas with her - although I am sure it was the kids he wanted to be with - not me - So he will be here tomorrow and I will not - driving to the ocean in the rain - that's what I will be doing - yes indeed - anyway back to how great today was.....)

I am so happy and proud that the Coens are doing so well - although there is a part of me who doesn't want to share them....what's that about?

Anyway, today was a good day!

I hope all of you had a day at least as good as mine. At least.

FIDLGB

So Guess What I Figured Out This Morning @ 1:30 in the AM?

2010-12-23T10:27:00.000-08:00

I got played!

(Now I know you are all thinking, Duuuuhhhh!)

How is it that a fairly intelligent modern hip woman did not figure this out at the time? Or any time in the 37 years?

I don't know - you tell me.

Life goes on, and I'm still getting ready for Christmas.

It will come whether I'm ready or not,

but I'd like to ride the wave rather than get all crashed up in it.

We'll see.

FIDLGB

Does it Have to be Sawed Off to Work?

2010-12-21T09:31:00.001-08:00

I'm just asking.

FIDLGB

Funny Quote of the Day

2010-12-19T19:14:00.000-08:00

I just spent 4+ hours negotiating a treaty with the STBX.

(I will get it written up in legalese,

we will sign it - notarized

and attach it to the divorce.)

I have not talked with him since he left

Thanksgiving weekend.

We have emailed - mostly to set up this meeting -

that and the well problem -

dirty water coming out of the faucet -

but as for face to face talking (or even phone) -

this was our first.

We were supposed to have a budget worked out

and we did -

we were quite close in what we think it takes to run

Casa de Refugio.

I cried a great deal

and he did some, too.

In the midst of the 4 hours,

I asked some questions

about the high school sweetheart girlfriend

and their relationship.

All is not well.

She has some trust issues.

Imagine that!

But here is my reason for posting -

my Quote of the Day -

"Well, I guess I didn't know her

as well as I thought I did......"

Thank you for reading.

FIDLGB

(By the way,

did you see the Dude on Saturday Night Live?

Jeff Bridges says he's not the Dude,

but I am so not convinced!)

There's a big empty hole where you used to be

2010-12-11T07:13:00.000-08:00

I was going to blog about the above title, but there's nothing else to say about that.

No sadness, no anger,

just a big empty hole.

Then I read Ananda's last post and...... well, in my head, Lauck's and stbx are tied together in two fundamental ways......

(Ahh the Internet. Is there nothing you can't find a picture of?)

Way back in the day,

on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving,

I was leaving school

(city college - where all smart shoppers go to avoid being a senior in high school...since their parents refuse to allow them to go back to that hippie dippie free school),

on foot -

(that's how I got most everywhere back then,

that and hitching, bumming a ride and taking the bus -

just ask Ananda) -

and this scraggly

(lots of guys are scraggly in the 70's)

guy comes running up to me and asks me for my phone number.

I have seen him a couple of times before - in the music building and the cafeteria.

I debate -

give him a real number or a fake number, real or fake, real or fake?

Ah what the heck, at least he's tall enough

(at 6 feet, most of the males who have shown interest in me are not tall enough)

-real.

What does this have to do with Lauck's, you ask?

Ahh, Lauck's was the bakery of choice for my family.

My job this Thanksgiving was to pick up the rolls for Thanksgiving dinner.

Which is why I was leaving the school out this entrance at this particular time.

To be accosted by this scraggly stealer of years and sucker of life.

All I had to do was give him the wrong number.

Really.

But then what about my beautiful children?

What indeed.

Again, I'll go with "The best mistake I ever made."

The doorway where Ananda and I cracked up after the wild boy took out his rubber - again see her blog for more details....)

Lauck's also made our wedding cake.

FITLGB

Feeling a Wee Bit Better

2010-12-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

So, here's my last photo of my STBX. I mean who takes off their shirt in November to get sun while driving to family dinner on Thanksgiving day?

He does.

There is a long list of strange things that he does, not the least of which is leaving me.

Oh well, his loss, my gain!

As the title implies, I am on the mend. Turns out I had a bacterial infection and needed antibiotics! Which I have not taken in years, and are doing a number on my stomach. Yuck!

Probiotics, yogurt and lots of water. (I need - haven't really done yet, though.) (I talk big!)

Just wanted yous to know what's up with me. Right now. That's right......

FITLGB

Saturday

2010-12-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

I don't usually do this, but this year, on Black Friday, I went to Best Buy, and bought for myself a wireless blu ray player.

I am sure glad that I did.

That night my STBX announced his soon to be ex status, and all bets were off.

I haven't bought any other presents, for myself or others, since.

I haven't even gone grocery shopping since (I need to - very low on food here).

Any hoo - we are enjoying the

Netflix streaming feature.

We are currently watching a documentary about Howard Zinn.

Joe-Ash likes documentaries.

History.

I like comedies, off beat comedies is how Netflix had pigeon-holed my comedic tastes.

Any hoo, I have my feet up, the Netflix's going and I'm not feeling too good (got a sore throat and am living on Advil Cold and Sinus).

But overall life ain't too bad, all things considered.

FITDLGB

Not Much to Say

2010-12-03T06:53:00.001-08:00

sonofabitch!

FIDLGB

My Family Rocks!

2010-12-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

So, you know how I am ending my recent blog entries with

"Fuck it, Dude. Let's go bowling."?

Well my awesome kids indulged me tonight.

First we went out for Thai food - which was good - yummy!

And then we went bowling!

And Chloe bought a round of White Russians!

It brought tears of joy to my eyes to be so blessed!

What a treat for us Achievers!

I am so thankful for my kids.

I would never have had them if it weren't for that crazy dude who married me even though he was in love with someone else.

So it wasn't a bad thing after all, in the end.

I once worked with a woman who said that her marriage was the best mistake she ever made, because of her kids.

I know what she means.

Fuck it, Dude. Let's go bowling!

Thirty Seven Years

2010-11-30T17:27:00.000-08:00

In 1973 I was 18 and beautiful (all 18 year olds are beautiful).

In 1973, the ATM machine was patented, Spiro T. Agnew resigned as the Vice President of the United States and Duane Lee Chapman II (Dog's son) was born.

Now in 2010, 37 years later, I am old and beautiful (all 56 year olds are beautiful).

We have seen Obama's luster fade, a volcano in Iceland and J.D. Salinger die.

Thirty seven years is a long time to be in a relationship.

Fuck it, Dude. Let's go bowling!

I'm Sad Today - and Tired

2010-11-29T17:47:00.000-08:00

I hit the wall, tired and sad wise, at about 3:30 p.m. today.

I did not sleep one night this past weekend, right after driving home from Thanksgiving and finding out about the Mister's newest betrayal. Did not sleep much at all.

So I'm missing a night's worth of sleep.

I listened to Blood on the Tracks on the way to work, and back home again - about 35 minutes each way.

"When something's not right, it's wrong" was my first Facebook post, post The End (you know when he told me and that great iron door shut down in me for good).

So I looked on Youtube for a version of You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go to share with you, but I couldn't find any with Bob doing it - although I looked about 10-15 entries.

This was my favorite:

I'm lonesome.

Fuck it, Dude. Let's go bowling.

Well, I Guess Second Honeymoons Aren't Guaranteed

2010-11-28T13:39:00.000-08:00

Me and the Mister is officially Splitsville. And it ain't my fault (directly).

He was in love before he met me and he has been back and forth with the lady love several times during our 37 year relationship.

And now he's made his choice, again, and there you have it.

The kids are grown and I AM DONE!!!!!!!!!

So I will be getting a divorce and finding a new life.

I just might blog about it, too.

Why not? I am thinking I will have lots of extra energy, not having to deal with the emotional baggage.

Of course, that sounds silly, 'cause what are divorces but emotional whirlwinds with baggage flying all over?

But I gotta make myself a new life, and I think I will need to process it through writing.

And blogs make your writing look so pretty!

So here I go!

Fuck it, Dude, let's go bowling!

Teen Age Wasteland

2010-10-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

So, my family was gone this weekend - the young men with their dad at a men's retreat.

Gone. But not forgotten.

I did a 5 K walk yesterday - for Courage to Be You, which is raising money to complete their girls' home for girls who were sold into the sex trade and now are recovered, and need a place to live. I walked and talked with a friend, while her family ran the 10 K. It was great weather, in a beautiful location.

Today I cleaned the house and listened to 70's rock on Direct TV - with the sound system on.

I was folding clothes when Baba O'Reily came on.

I jumped up, cranked the sound so the neighbors could enjoy it too, and danced around. The dogs did not know what I was doing. They looked at me like I was the vacuum cleaner or something - "Should we run for it? What's she doing? Should we run for it?"

I very much enjoy the irony of a woman who is old enough to get the senior discount at Ross on Tuesday, dance around to an anthem for teenage rebellion.

My wobbly arms swinging in air pumps, giving it to the man.

It was fun and I decided it was blog worthy.

So there you are!

I Just Get Older....

2010-09-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little low today......

It's that student loan bill.......

Also the 36 hour migraine........

So let's all enjoy nectarines instead!

Happy Birthday Bilbo and Frodo

2010-09-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

In honor of Bilbo Baggins' birthday, I stayed home and watched all 11 hours and 15 minutes worth of the extended version of the Trilogy.

Yes, I imagine this does prove what a geek I am. Oopps!

I read The Hobbit when I was about 12 and I loved it. I read the Trilogy soon thereafter, but I must admit I have a VERY hard time getting through The Return of the King.

Kinda like today, when I had a heck of a time sitting through the final battles.

This life we live is a spiritual war, and I keep running from battle, or losing in battle, or not stopping to take time to celebrate the victories.

So today, for the first time, I took time off of work to celebrate the Baggins' birthday. I am glad I did, but I don't think I'll do it again next year. (11 hours and 15 minutes felt like eleventiy years!)

Cozumel

2010-08-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

This is an actual un-retouched photo that I took on the beach in front of our Dive Resort in Cozumel. I would like to tell you that all the Coronas that I drank in Cozumel tasted like vacation. Every single one of them!

This is the view from our balcony.

This is the view out the back of the hotel. A rainforest/jungle that sang with life at night, especially after a strong rain (and there were a lot of those!).

The local grocery store, Mega, was quite normal, with some exceptions -

including large men looking down form the ceiling!

We had a great time! We really did.

I could totally snorkel for the rest of my life!

Here's my husband in the clear clear water.

It was amazing!!!!!! Fish everywhere. Blue water.

The reef did suffer tremendous damage after Hurricane Wilma in 2005, but there are strong signs of re-birth and life.

It was amazing!!!!!

If you ever have the chance, I would highly encourage you to go - but avoid the time-share talks!

Second Honeymoon

2010-07-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

First honeymoon - - dinner at McDonald's, flat tire, breakdown in Watsonville on the way home, Greyhound bus trip. The highlight of the event was watching Lifeguard in a musty, nearly empty theatre while waiting for the bus back home.

Now 32 years later (where did all that time go?), instead of me driving with P'Headro (who gets carsick, by the way) to Oregon and Washington to see friends and family, I am flying to Cozumel with the hubster (who gets seasick, by the way).

He said, "Let's go on vacation." I said, "You plan it."

Never in a million years thinking that he would, of course.

Sunday night, we will fly to Houston to wait for a flight to Cozumel, in the state of Quintana (man that creep can roll) Roo. We will be gone 12 days.

The resort has Internet access, but charges, get this, $5.00 an hour for it!!!!!!!!!!!

The Money Bar, reportedly close by, has supposedly free Internet access. We'll see.

It's a great place to dive and snorkel. No diving for me (imagine the weights they'd have to put on me to get me to sink), but I will snorkel.

I got three books at the used book store in town: The Good Earth, Catcher in the Rye (re-read) and the tortilla curtain by T. Coraghessan Boyle. I will also take at least 1 work related book. (Now I understand Kindle - books weigh quite a bit, especially when you travel as I do with lots and lots of books - just in case).

So reading by the ocean, snorkeling, spending time with the hubster, eating, exploring the island and maybe going to the mainland to see a pyramid or two - not having to feed anyone but myself, no gardening or watering, no cleaning, no web browsing (or certainly curtailed), way less TV watching (the only English channels are CNN and MTV!).........

Those are my next 2 weeks!

Ain't it grand to be an American?

And I'll be home in time for Billy Pilgrim's return to Tralfamador!

It's a win-win situation!

The ABCs of Feelings - H

2010-07-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

Another installment of feelings -

today's is H -

Helpful!

Alexandra Delis-Abrams, Ph,D., in ABC Feelings: A Learning/Coloring Book. asks

"Can you think of a time when you felt helpful?

"You must have felt you made it easier by doing what you could do. And you liked yourself for doing what you did."

Hummm, helpful??

I try to be helpful all the time.

In fact a therapist suggested I try being less helpful.

(That was a few years ago, so maybe I took his advice, because now I'm drawing a blank on helpful......)

Got any ideas, folks?

Can you think of a time when you were helpful?

And what other feelings start with H (like hairy.....etc!)?

The ABCs of Feelings - G

2010-07-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

(google image)

The letter for today is G and as always the prepared student, I have no idea what G stands for.

I'm going to guess goofy.

Nope, wrong!

According to Alexandra Delis-Abrams, Ph.D. in ABC Feelings: A Learning/Coloring Book, G stands for generous.

"Can you think of a time when you felt generous?

"I bet you felt you were sharing something that was special to you. Did you feel, right then, that your heart was super-big?"

(a re-run picture from winter)

Well, perhaps I was generous today when Dandu and Toothy -

(back when P'Headro was a puppy)

(I think I renamed her, but I can't remember to what) -

came over after looking for apartments in River City.

(Yes, they will be leaving our fair Gold Rush town and going off in search of better community colleges. I am sad they are leaving, but they won't be all that far away.)

Anywho, they came over to get some laundry Dandu left behind.

I was hungry, they were hungry, and I did not not have much to offer from the kitchen of Casa de Refugio.

(another re-run photo)

And even though I have a finite amount of money - I offered to take them out.

We ended up going to Chevy's (Fresh Tex-Mex) with a newspaper coupon - got 8 items and 3 margaritas (not to mention their wonderful salsa and chips) all for $27. I even had enough food to take home to Hold-See.

It was a delightful surprise to get so much for so little.

Dandu put down a $5 for the waitress and I matched it - so she got a $10 tip.

Generosity all around!

Chevy's was generous with their newspaper coupon and $3 margarita Wednesday, I was generous in taking us all out and Dandu and I were generous with the waitress.

Win-win-win-win.

Morale of the story -

Generosity pays off and $3 margaritas taste as good as $7.50 ones!

"Can you think of a time when you felt generous? .....

What other feeling can you think of that start with the letter G?"

The ABCs of Feelings - F

2010-07-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

Another installment of ABC Feelings: A Learning/Coloring Book

by Alexandra Delis-Abrams, Ph.D.

Today's letter is F.

"F is for feeling friendly....

Can you think of a time when you felt friendly?

I guess feeling friendly is when you like to meet new people and see old friends, too. It makes you feel happy inside, doesn't it?"

I feel friendly under the influence of caffeine and alcohol.

Imagine them combined!

Buzz Beer!

Anyway, after I have had 2 cups of coffee in the morning, I can be quite talkative! And usually, nay, always, that is me being friendly!

After 2 beers in a bar, I can also feel quite happy and talkative.

(Nowadays I only go to bars when my kids are performing - back in the day is another story!)

I can be quite moody - but I have learned that if I have a smile on my face, it can make other people smile as well.

That's being friendly, isn't it?

"Can you think of a time when you felt friendly?

............

"What other feelings can you think of that start with the letter F?"

Have a happy and Friendly Fourth!

The ABC of Feelings - E

2010-06-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

According to Alexandra Delis-Abrams, Ph.D, in ABC Feelings: A Learning/Coloring Book, E is for feeling excited. She says,

"Can you think of a time when you felt excited?

It sounds like you were really happy, knowing good things were about to happen. I (I kid you not, this is what it says) bet you felt like a rocket ready to take off."

Now I'm stuck on the orgasm thing, but I don't think my elementary students will get that: I should be safe to share E with them.

(I'm going to use this book next year for writing prompts for my students.)

A time when I felt excited?

I feel a low level of anxiety a lot of the time, but tonight, right now, with the house empty, the windows open and the train sounds in the distance, I feel calm and peaceful and joyful.

I have a car that runs, a home with a view of trees, a clean kitchen and almost enough money to pay next month's bills, not to mention hot and cold running water, indoor plumbing, electricity, a big ass TV, a Netflix account (Big Love season 2 discs 2 and 3 are coming tomorrow!!!!), wireless internet access, a MacBook provided by my work, two loving dogs, a cat that's cute (but kinda nuts!), a husband who works 100 miles away and comes home on the weekend, three sons, one with a wonderful girlfriend, and 2 roommates (my youngest son and one of his friends) who pay cash money rent....

My needs and wants are mostly met - what else could I want here at Casa de Refugio?

Hey I'm almost feeling excited thinking about how great I have it!

So, I'm going with that answer.

I feel excited that I am feeling so contentedly joyful!

How about you?

Can you think of a time you felt excited -

like a rocket that is ready to take off?

;-)

10 from my friend Ananda

2010-06-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

These meme questions come from Ananda who got ten from Lime and then made her own.

I haven't even looked at them yet.

Let's see:

1) If you could live anywhere on Earth, where would it be?

Hawaii! With a house on the mainland, too, for when being in the middle of nowhere, stuck on a rock, gets to me.

2) What thing really burned you up recently?

My husband asking me to drive Joe-Ash back to the Bay Area (200 mile round trip for me), because I am on summer break and did not have to go to work on Monday - even though he, my hubby, would be driving within 50 miles of San Pablo at the same time. I think what really burned me up is that I did it!

3) What thing or event or person really made you happy recently?

I made some pot holders out of material that I really like yesterday and today. I shared two of them on my blog yesterday.

4) The age old questions... choose all or whatever;

Pepsi or Coke - Regular Coke/Diet Pepsi

Miracle Whip or Mayo - Mayo - it's all I've ever known

Stones or Beetles? - Later Beatles (trippy, man!)

5) What was the strangest thing you have done?

The strangest? I don't know. Driving 200 miles when I didn't want to?

6) Who is your personal hero?

I have many. Ananda is one. She made up her mind to get out of Dumb Potter's Hell and she did it! Another is Joe-Ash. He has never had an easy time, but has always made the best of it.

7) What did you do as a child that gave you a sense of pride?

I memorized poems in the 5th grade and went to other classrooms to read them. I now have my kids at school (please realize my kids are all in the lowest reading groups) do Reader's Theater about three times a year. We have done the Theater in Kindergarten, the Special Day Class and most recently in the Staff Room during first lunch. I think the kids will remember that and feel good about themselves ( I hope!).

8) How are you connected to Kevin Bacon?

(Supposedly we all are in some way.)

Well, I do like The Closer - Kyra Sedgwick - (who is married to Kevin Bacon) - who was in a movie with John Travolta that was filmed in this town - before we moved here.

9) What do you have an honest passion for?

Taking photos and making cards with them. I decided today that I could brighten up my friends lives by sending them cards - so they can get something beautiful in the mail along with the bills and ads and daily crap filled crap.

10) How lame is this set of questions?

It's not lame at all and I have no idea how I will come up with a set as good.

Now for my questions to you - feel free to not answer - but if you do, feel free to let me know!

1. What is your earliest memory?

2. Did you ever believe in the Easter Bunny?

3. Where did you learn the most - preschool, elementary school, junior high, high school, college, post grad, or elsewhere?

4. What is your favorite Bob Dylan song or album?

5. If your house was on fire (or flooding, or in the path of tornado) what would you be glad (secretly or otherwise) to never see again?

6. Would you rather read fiction or non-fiction and why?

7. Do you receive the newspaper delivery at your home?

8. Mac or PC?

9. Was your first kiss all that you hoped it would be?

10. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would spend money on?

Well, friendly friends, enjoy the show!

Peace out!

I Took Some Photos Today

2010-06-28T23:13:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from my feelings, I would like to share some photos that I took today.

This is our court house.

I did not know it - until today - but -

We have swallows!

They were zipping all over.

(I did not really get any good pictures of them - Ananda Girl knows about that!)

But I did get some pretty good photos of their nests.

And I saw something kinda horrifying -

there was a baby swallow on the grass, with a blue jay hopping around and poking at it.

I thought, hey, I should do something about that!

So I walked over closer to it, and what do you think that pesky evil mean blue jay did?

Flew away?

Well, you'd be partially right.

That stupid jay flew away WITH the baby swallow, right up into a big magnolia tree.

This is a little creek going under a local road, not far from the court house, that (the road, not the creek) used to be the major thorough-fare, taking you to many towns. Now it is a lovely road to drive, but absolutely not the fastest way to get to work.

I also made some pot holders today. It was fun!

All in all, I would have to say that I am enjoying my summer vacation.

Oops, I just talked about feelings, even though I said I wouldn't!

;-)

The ABCs of Feelings - D

2010-06-26T22:25:00.000-07:00

Well friendly friends, let's see what the letter D stands for -I'm betting on disappointment - let's see.

According to Alexandra Delis-Abrams, Ph.D in ABC Feelings: A Learning/Coloring Book,

D stands for - ta da - feeling disappointed.

"We feel disappointed when something we want to happen doesn't happen, or when we don't get what we want.

"When you felt disappointed, did you feel tired, and just wanted to go where no one would see you?"

I remember times in my childhood when I felt disappointed - one time someone was going to pick me up so I could play at their house, and that didn't happen. I burst into tears. My mother gave me ice cream to calm me down.

Another time some neighborhood kids were going to see a Beatles movie and my mom wouldn't let me go. (I don't remember which one - I didn't see it.)

And another time, the same kids were going fishing in the canal near their old school,

and again my mother wouldn't let me go. I think I must have had a melt-down, because I remember one kid asking,

"What's wrong with her?"

and the older sister said, "She wanted to go, and now her heart's broken."

Ah yes, I thought - my heart is broken!

I think I spent most of my childhood - and maybe even life - with a broken heart.

Sheesh, what a waste!

I just recently discovered that facing the world with a smile

is way better than facing the world with a scowl.

People respond way better to you when you are smiling than they do when you are scowling.

I know, you all already know this!

(In many ways, I am late coming to the game.)

So now when I feel disappointed, I remember to face the world with a smile.

(It's way better than having a melt-down!)

Can you think of a time when you felt disappointed?

The ABCs of Feelings - C

2010-06-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

Today's letter is C. It stands for CONFUSED.

(I didn't know confused was an emotion ~ I thought it was a state of being!)

The question that the book ABC Feelings: A Learning/Coloring Book by Alexandra Delis-Abrams, PhD, is, "Can you think of a time when you felt confused?"

She also says, "When a person feels confused, it's a a good idea to stop what he's doing, take a few deep breaths, and relax inside. That helps him choose what he wants most."

Well, there you go.

I am often confused when people say one thing and then do another. Or say one thing and then say another and then do yet another.

When one plus one does not equal two, I get confused.

I am not much of a game player.

I don't count cards, I play what's in my hand and rarely give a thought to what is in anyone else's.

Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.

Gullible, that could describe me.

Anyway, when people are duplicitous, I get confused.

Unless, of course, I see them as a duplicitous whole - like ying-yang man above.

"I yam what I yam, a ying-yang man."

Nothing confusing about that!

So - can you think of a time when you felt confused?

(Note to self - it says "felt", not "were")

The ABCs of Feelings - B

2010-06-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

Continuing my feelings series - the letter B.

B is for feeling Brave

(again, kudos go to Alexandra Delis-Abrams, PhD for this feelings communication tool).

The questions is, when did you feel brave?

I felt brave the day I drove 75 miles to interview for my first Foster Family Social Worker job. It was a perfect job for my skill set and family situation. I got to work from home (imagine that!), work with families in my location, and they gave the dude a beeper.

I was so scared - I hadn't had a formal job (not counting my traineeship) in 4 years. As I was driving to the interview, I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers came on and I knew I was in the will of the Ancient of Days and everything would be alright.

I tried 3 times to embed a youtube acoustical version - to no avail - they explain that havering is an ancient Scots word for talking rubbish. It's a good version, just the 2 of them. Oh well.

It turned out to be a perfect job for me. I did it for 3 years, was able to be home for the kids, for the most part, and I learned a lot.

Can you think of a time when you felt brave?

The ABC of Feelings

2010-06-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

I got a writing prompt book for my students. It's called ABC Feelings. It's really for facilitating conversations between parents and their children.

I am going to use it for a writing prompt for my students - to help them write about something of interest to them and to maybe help them navigate their way through their childhood a bit more smoothly.

I have decided to use it here, as well.

Mainly because of something the author, Alexandra Delis-Abrams, PhD. wrote in the introduction, 'The study of FEELINGS attracted me when I saw that people suffer depression, stress, disease - a state of imbalance - when they fail to understand the source of their feelings."

So here is my adventure into the land of feeling........

A is for Feeling Accepted

I have felt accepted and part of a group occasionally.

Sometimes at work, sometimes at church (not so much) and usually when blogging, and almost always at home with my family (hubby and kids and their friends).

The first time I remember feeling truly accepted and part of the group was way back in the day when I went to a private "free" school in 11th grade.

Ananda School.

Oh my, was that a great year, and I felt truly accepted for who I was. It truly was free of form; bliss.

That's where I met my great and true friend, Ananda Girl.

It didn't last, unfortunately, something to do with a teacher loving a student, personality conflicts and stuff like that, but oh it was fun while it lasted!!!!!

Can you think of a time when you felt accepted and part of a group?

What I DId Last Friday

2010-04-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

Last Friday the hubby took Joe-Ash to San Pablo to visit an independent living center for the blind - called the Hatlen Center for the Blind - their motto is Teaching Independence Through Independent Living.

At the last minute I decided to go with them. And take P'Headro. So I called into work, at the last minute, in tears, because I really don't do things like that, and off we all went to the Bay Area.

P'Headro & the hubby

P'Headro & Me

We got there early and I had to go to Starbucks to go potty. There was this street sign and we got photo ops with P'Headro with the sign in the background, to prove we were really there.

Josh & P'Headro outside Starbucks

P'Headro closeup

We did the tour. It's a great program. Joe-Ash filled out an application. He may be able to get into the program by mid-May. Yay!

Rather than going home, we went into San Francisco, because I wanted to go to a beach. We found a beach, China Beach, very close to the Golden Gate Bridge. I'd never been there before.

Here we are outside the park

Joe-Ash, P'Headro & Mom

The old man

It was a very productive and beautiful day!

Forgiving my Mother

2010-04-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

I was talking with a couple of my nephews - we had a quick and informal get together - and I asked Ben (who looks a bit like his dad in this photo)

if he had forgiven his mother (for being really mad at him for something he said) and he laughed and said, "I forgave her when I was 25."

My other nephew, Leo,

laughed and said. "Maybe I'll forgive mine when I'm 55."

We all laughed and I thought to myself it may be a measure of your parenting......the sooner your kids forgive you the better the parent you were.

Then I realized that I was about to turn 55 and I still hadn't forgiven my mother. Not really.

Sheesh~

So the morning of my 55th birthday, before I got up, I said, aloud, "I forgive you mom."

How could I not forgive such a cute little kid?

Granted there was some water under the bridge between this adorable little girl and me turning 55, but forgiveness needed to be offered nonetheless.

My mom had a massive stroke before my kids were born. We had a moment before she died, when I was sitting in her room with her. She cried; she couldn't talk very well by then, and I said, "I know Mom. it's okay." And it was.

But still, I harbored unforgive-ness.

One time Ananda Girl wrote something about really liking my mom, and I went into some sort of weirdness. Like maybe I couldn't really trust Ananda Girl (which is of course rubbish!). I was shocked at the strength of my emotional response.

Still a hot button issue after all these years.

So I am working on forgiving my mom.

I have a couple of pictures of her around the house, before she was a mother. She seemed to be happy and carefree.

Never a thought in her mind of resenting an unwanted child.......

If any of you have any suggestions to help me forgive my mother for once and for all, please feel free to share them!

Callie and P'Headro

2010-04-08T18:59:00.000-07:00

These are the two dogs who live at Casa de Refugio. I love them both, but have also failed them both miserably.

Callie will take off and not return when called despite the fact that she is 13 years old and has bad hips.

P'Headro is not house trained or pad trained. He will go outside when I take him (mostly), and sometimes will use the potty pad, but other times uses the kitchen, dining room or hallway floor.

I watch the Dog Whisperer - but nothing improves.

Hum.

What the Heck Have I Been Doing All Week?

2010-04-04T17:08:00.001-07:00

I said I would blog this last week, since I had it off and all. Well, that was just another in a long line of lies. Deep sigh.

In my defense however, I was quite busy.

So the week started with me deciding to paint the upstairs - minus the bedrooms.

This is what my sons and friends did while I painted away, with help from my husband, I might add.

This is my birthday dinner crew (all is forgiven for painting - and actually to be truthful two of the above actually did paint and two of the above - one of them the same person - did the installation of lighting fixtures). Dinner was oysters, heated up with garlic and Parmesan, artichokes with tasty mayonnaise dip, shrimp and tri tip. And for desert we had angel food cake, strawberries and home whipped cream.

Here is the ceiling fan Dandu installed - it's really swell (it's amazing what you can get at Home Depot with a credit card).

Here's the kitchen lighting that Hold See's friend and roommate installed in the kitchen.

That sums up what I did for Spring Break, while I was not blogging.

Just in case you wanted to know.

Sunday

2010-03-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Chem trails - What will the kooks come up with next? (And to think that Wikipedia would lie to me.........) Sheesh!

Chem trails.

I happen to believe that something is being sprayed on a large scale basis to counter-act the greenhouse effect of our addiction to petrochemicals. (I do not believe in the alien theories and I sure hope they are not trying to de-populate us.......)

It really really upsets me that the powers that be are spraying crap into the air we breathe (that falls onto the ground where we plant our food and into the water we drink) and NO ONE is doing anything to stop it.

Not even Henry Waxman.

Denial isn't just a river in Egypt.

I feel like screaming, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore."

But then I get distracted by the TV or my financial affairs or a shiny object or have a seizure and forget about.

This is one crazy world that we live in.

Crazy I tell you!

A Finger From the Sky

2010-03-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

Oh wow! What a week!

One of the many meetings I set up this week was going very well. Very well indeed.

All things were in place and ready to go. Everyone was happy. Very happy.

And then, to quote one of the participants, it was as if a finger came down from the sky and caused a hurricane.

The classroom teacher basically burst into tears.

This is what the room looked like when it was all over.

Sheesh!

It was a very upsetting meeting that caused a very upsetting day.

I could not imagine getting over the horror of it, ever, but really, it was just a meeting.

The next day was just another day.

There you have it - a highlight of my week!

------------------------------------------------------------------

This next week I am going to be home, as in not at work. Yay!

Doing something, not really sure what, though. Not yet.

Today I am leaning towards painting the living room, dining room and stairway.

I'll let you know!

Life is Grand - Life is Large

2010-03-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

It is very spring here. Pollen everywhere. Light green everywhere else.

Busy week at work - I was observed teaching today -

I prepared a great lesson, technology dependent - and when I got to work, the computer would not communicate correctly with the Promethean board (type of interactive white board).

I went to one teacher a borrowed a new connector.

That did not work, so I went to another teacher and told her I needed help. (It is hard for me to ask for help, but I had to get the technology working.)

She disconnected all the wires and restarted the computer and it worked.

I did all those things, but not in the same order.

That was before the day even started, but it all worked out okay.

I survived the observation. Yee haw! Dodged another bullet ;-)

Wrote 2 reports today for 2 meetings tomorrow. Two more meetings on Thursday - reports for those, too, need to be done. And another one Friday - that report is already written, but not the goals. I have not written the goals for any of the meetings.

Sheesh I better get on that.

Deep sigh.

And then Spring Break!

I am so grateful!!!!!

Yard work, house training P'Headro, my birthday, Easter.........

So that's my projected two weeks in a nutshell.

What 'cha got planned?

A SERIOUS MAN

2010-03-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

Here is P'Headro, who pretty much rules my life when I am at home.

As in , "Oh, I don't want to get up yet, cuz I'll have to take P'Headro out in the dark to go potty."

Or, "Crikey, he went poo on the floor and Joe-Ash stepped in it and now I have to scrub it out of the carpet."

Or, "I sure do love that little guy. He makes me smile. Everybody loves P'Headro."

What else have I been up to you may wonder.

Well, pretty much just being overwhelmed and hiding out.

But there is nothing like an award being dangled in front of me to get me out of hiding. A silly little nod. I was going to say piece of paper, but it's not even that.

Anyway, thanks to Texla for coaxing me out of hiding.

I also have been ruminating about A Serious Man,

the latest by my Ditkas, the Coen Brothers. Gosh I love those guys.

We saw it a few months ago, and I have been brooding about sharing my thoughts since then. I love the Coens crazy-like (hence my name - really it all ties together), but I fear that anything that I write about the movie could be interpreted as anti-Semitic. I love the Coens so much I pray for them when I pray for all my family. They actually come way before my brother who lives in So Cal on my prayer list. Which they (my brother and the Coens) could be upset about, I suppose.

Anyway, my husband is in the background yelling at his friend on the phone about Ronald Reagan, taxes, civil servants, our whole standard of living going downhill, yadda yadda, Wall Street bailout, yadda yadda, (which reminds me of my father ranting and raving at the dinner table about the USA being the new Roman Empire and going to hell in a hand basket) and I am totally unable to even formulate a coherent, let alone accurate, reporting of my thoughts on A Serious Man, so suffice it to say that

1) I must be a bit ADD

2) A Serious Man was good and deserves comment

and

3) My husband rants and raves and sometimes even rants and raves about ranting and raving.

More later. More later.

Can You Believe It?

2010-03-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

After not blogging for over a month, I got an award!

Is this a great country or what?

I would like to thank my friend Texlahoma over at BlueBeerRiver for the nod. I'm a total fan of his, and I guess that he enjoys my blog, too!

I would like to nominate my forever friend (okay, 30 years mas y menos) Ananda Girl over at oodles of funch for being a trooper, a true friend and a heck of a writer. She keeps on writing no matter what's happening in her life and she has lots going on (including draining the frog pond - poor froggies!).

I would like to nominate Laura B over at What Fresh Hell Is This? for being a wonderful and kind person. I would bet that she was never (or at least hardly ever) a mean girl. I bet she has always been kind and supportive, not to mention an avid reader and wonderful writer, and librarian extraordinaire.

I would also like to nominate billy pilgrim over at anubis, anubis, anubis. He entertains and puzzles all at the same time. He teases, pleases and more than likely pisses off (once in a while at least) those who follow him. He makes me laugh to beat the band. ;-)

And there you go, my first post in one month and 15 days!

Happy Thursday you bloggers you!

(Oh, I forgot the award instructions - When nominated, you are supposed to paste the award on to your post, cite the nominator - hot link, nominate others and hot link them, too. I think that's it - go to Texlahoma for the correct instructions if this doesn't seem right.......) (Also - let the people you nominated know you nominated them....I think that's it!)

Wait for it....

2010-02-05T18:34:00.000-08:00

We all have those wait for it times.

Friday night is my weekly wait for it time. Ah Friday night! I don't have to go to bed at any particular time and I don't have to get up at any particular time on Saturday morning. And then I don't have to leave the house, either. Ah..... the promises of Friday night.....

I don't know who the Condors are - oh my, my stupidity is showing - but I like the saying and the photo (google images thank you very much).

I have a weekly wait for it time and a yearly one, too.

The yearly one is spring - all the green and the flowers and the life! Ah...the smells the sounds the exultation....

I also have a daily [gender specific] wait for it time. A time that is so luxurious that I feel joy just thinking about it.

I'll share mine with you if you share yours with me.

What is your daily wait for it time?

Morning coffee brewing?

Getting the paper or the mail?

Weigh in and we'll share..........

Thursday is Right Before Friday

2010-01-28T19:21:00.000-08:00

Back when I worked food service, I noticed that Thursdays were quite busy, as was the bar I frequented. With a frenetic manic energy.

Couple Thursday with full moon and you get today.

So there you go!

On the Radio

2010-01-27T18:37:00.000-08:00

I was listening to NPR on my drive home, as is my habit, and there was a story about the Catholic Church and blogging.

Did you know that that the Pope has a Facebook account?

Apparently the Church thinks that Jesus would blog if He were around now.

So I tried to find a picture of Jesus blogging on Google images.

This is what I came up with -

First, there is the Jesus mouse pad.

Then there is the cute little sketch of a hairy guy with a computer.

And finally, the very disturbing -

So, what do you think?

Would Jesus blog?

Would Jesus use a laptop?

Would it be an Apple?

One Hundred

2010-01-25T20:46:00.000-08:00

This is my 100th post!

We have big 100th day celebrations at school - I suppose that it helps the youngsters count. And counting is so important. If you can't count, you can't do any rithmatic.

So there you go!

I have nothing much to share, no great revelations, nothing funny or sad to say.

Hey did you see the last Conan? I really enjoyed it. I liked that he encouraged his fans to not be cynical. He said that if you are kind (and I think he said work hard) amazing things will happen.

I also really enjoyed the last song with Will Ferrell singing and cow bell-ing. The singing went too long and the cow bell-ing was too short, but you can't have everything! I tried to get it off YouTube to share with you, but NBC has blocked it :-(

I noticed that Will was wearing a belt by Dru - we used to live down the street from him (Dru, not Will) - he wore bike pants and liked to rope my children. Boy oh boy, those were the days! (Sounds really bad now, doesn't it?)

One day Dandu came home with a rope burn around his neck. He doesn't remember that, but he does remember running around and getting roped by Dru. Hold See was best friends with Dru's little son, Nicky. (A tad bit off topic, but important none the less.)

Belt by Dru

He also made saddles and said we should get the kids registered with a tribe (my husband is 1/8 Indian and so the boys are 1/16 and still eligible for special stuff - like free dental). (My husband has researched and researched to try to prove his Indian heritage - but it was a shameful thing back in the day and no written records of a tribe exist :-( ) (If it were me, I'd find a tribe that would take me, but he's not me and vice-versa.)

Well, I guess I can find something to say, even when there is nothing to say! I guess that's why I now have 100 posts under my belt!

Ho ho ho!

It Sure is Warm in Here

2010-01-24T19:09:00.001-08:00

So my friend at work read my last entry, was horrified that we did not have the heat on, worried about Joe-Ash in his snowboard jacket and gave me money to buy propane - also she loaned me an electric heater. (I will repay the loan and return the heater.)

Joe-Ash is gone this weekend, but P'Headro (and the rest of us) certainly are enjoying the heat.

P'Headro and Titus (blue) and Squeaky (green) enjoying a moment in front of the electric heater.

(Laura B. please note the James Brown hamster in the background!)

Please don't worry about the toys Barbara - we moved them away. No fire hazards here.

Peddy has been hanging out by the heater when he's not in some one's lap.....

The little orange spot on Chloe's (formerly Toothy) lap is P'Headro.

So, don't tell me blogging doesn't bring results. I actually thought nothing about freezing my family until the first of the month, but my friend at work was horrified.

This brings up many issues on all kinds of different levels, but let me say officially "Thank You Barbara! We are toasty and warm and quite content."

(I actually don't even have socks on - which does seem a bit wasteful, but there you go - warm and toasty.)

When Joe-Ash gets off the train and comes home, he will have a warm spot to come to. I bet he will even take off his snowboarding coat!

Wednesday Rain Rain Rain

2010-01-20T18:07:00.000-08:00

P'Headro chewing on his extra small sweater (which is too big and pinned at the top so it won't fall off).

P'Heado licking his chops.

P'Headro, just being cute.

P'Headro on Joe-Ash's lap.

So here is my life....work, stress, and more work.

Money worries (won't turn on the heater because the propane tank is on 10% and there is no money until next month).

Pouring rain, lots of wind.

If I were a drinking person, I would drink a bottle of wine.

If I were a smoking person, I would smoke a pack.

If I were a running person, I'd run a marathon.

P'Headro is great, though. As you can see above. (Even though his little coat smells like pee.)

P'Headro

2010-01-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

So, as I told you a while back, I decided to get a Chihuahua puppy from a friend who had 4 puppies.

(OK, she didn't have the puppies, her Chihuahua Lady did.)

I went down to So Cal after Christmas and picked him up.

Here he is with his pack of origin.

Here he is with Rain River and one of his brothers, Chocolate.

Here he is on his own in Aqua Dulce (before I picked him up to bring him home - we do not have grass - so you will probably never see another picture of P'Headro on grass).

And here is precious P'Headro on Kimi's lap, here at home in Auburn.

He's a little cute cuddle love bug everybody wants to hold. Right now he's sleeping on my shoulder between my PJ's and my robe.

And here he is on Callie's dog bed (which she does not use and never will use now that P'Headro often runs to it in excitement, piddling along the way). Kimi's husband Caleb (of Mildrid fame) took this pic and put it on my Facebook wall.

Thems the haps around here.

Chi-Hua-Hua

2009-12-26T21:58:00.000-08:00

I'm going to northern Los Angeles county tomorrow to pick up my new dog!

I am so excited!

I'm going to name him P'Headro. (That's the only way I could think of having Pedro pronounced in the correct Napoleon Dynamite manner.)

Here he is with his mom, Lady, and siblings. My husband took this photo on his iPhone when the litter was about 5 days old. I haven't seen them since. (They stopped in on their move from Washington state to northern Los Angeles county.)

Here is a picture of P'Headro with my friend taken on her daughter's iPhone - isn't technology grand? My friend would probably kill me if she knew I was posting this picture, but I really just wanted you to see my newest little bundle of joy! He is the one on the left with the Dobie markings (my friend's right).

I am sure I am absolutely crazy to take on the challenge of raising a chihuahua puppy, but that's what I am. Actually, it's part of my name. Crazy.

[As for the Coens part, Dandu and Toothy got me The Coen Brothers Movie Collection for Christmas, including Blood Simple (I watched it today for the first time - good movie!), Raising Arizona (sound somewhat familiar?), Fargo, Miller's Crossing and Barton Fink, which coincidentally used to be my above friend's favorite movie {and her husband's nickname for her is Sunny - hummmmmm}.]

Aren't the holidays grand?

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T19:58:00.000-08:00

Feliz Navidad from mi casa to su casa.

(Enjoy my recycled photo.)

Went for a Walk Today

2009-12-23T20:32:00.001-08:00

The canal/flume I walk along.

The view to the west on my walk along the canal/flume.

The husband took Joe-Ash for a blood test and shopping down the hill.

I stayed home and took a walk and sewed napkins for Christmas presents.

They came back in a foul mood, and I felt bad that I had just stayed home and taken a walk. I should have been the one to take Joe-Ash and come back in a foul mood.

So I tried going to the grocery store at 5 p.m. to atone for my sins, but the parking lot was a mess and I lost my temper and started yelling in my car. I came home.

I am going to go grocery shopping tomorrow at 6 a.m. I'll let you know how that goes. Wink wink.

I Should Be....

2009-12-22T08:09:00.001-08:00

This photo belongs to the LA Times and was taken by Mark Boster. It's on their home page. I really really like it and wanted to share it. It's my kind of photo.

Have a great day!

Winter Solstice

2009-12-21T20:45:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture I did not take

of the winter sun

- 2 minute exposure, I believe.

Here's a link about the Winter Solstice.

(You can also find a link to Brittany Murphy there - not very informative, though).

It's been a short day and a long night.

I am still not done with Christmas shopping. I am not really a fan of Christmas - I may have mentioned, but I will again, that a few summers ago I threw out all my Christmas stuff - I think I even tossed the Christmas stocking that my long gone (1988) mother knitted for me a million years ago. Can't find it anywhere :-(

So I start over with a white Christmas tree,

a Barbie and

a new holiday candy tradition.

Have a lovely long winter's night.

Great love.

School's Out for Two Weeks!

2009-12-20T15:00:00.001-08:00

Isn't that nice?

After 3 bell choir performances (I suck, by the way - but did look truly festive in my Santa Hat, red jacket and Starbucks deer pinned to my chest - no photos survived, sorry), one get together, one party and one Messiah performance (not at school), I am ready to get ready for Christmas at home with the fam.

BTW - The rocky road candy turned out well enough for gifting - here are a couple of guys ready to go (and already gone!)

The white tree is up. Check. (I really wanted a white tree, and when I got it and put it up, I really liked it. I thought to myself, so that's what it feels like to want something for myself and then get it - humm.)

The wreath is on the door. Check.

Some presents are wrapped. Check.

The tablecloth and napkins are made and in place. Check.

The cards are made, but not sent. Humm. I may not send them, as I don't seem to have the note writing and signing and addressing in me. Humm again.

I am trying to decide what to have for Christmas dinner.

I bought tamales for Christmas eve - one of our parents makes them and sold a dozen for $12. So I got 18 pork and 18 chicken. I ate one of the chicken - it was good! The rest are in the freezer. I am not sure how to reheat them, and I am not sure what to serve with tamales for Christmas Eve dinner. Any suggestions?

Christmas morning will be an egg dish, with canned Ortega chilies and cheese and homemade Cinnabon cinnamon roles, juice and coffee.

Dinner will be either ham (not feeling it), beef of some sort, duck, lasagna, or ???

What are you favorites for Christmas dinner?

Really, I am looking for suggestions. Help a gal out.

While I taking a photo of the tree, I saw the dog bed I just bought, and the dog sleeping next to i. She has not slept on it yet - she has put her head on it and Mildrid has slept on on it - but she has not ventured to get her whole body on it. I snapped it to share with you.

I also caught the chickens on the front porch when I went out the to photo the wreath - so I snapped them to share, too.

Here's to my 2 week vacation!!!! Yay!!!

May you get some time to yourselves, as well!