I added myself as .5 as part of me will be here when my body migrates back to Phoenix. I picked Bill up at the airport yesterday. As hard as it is to leave, I must pack up my electronics and clothes so we can be on the road in the morning. This is my last blog from Napa as the modem goes back to Comcast and my internet is cancelled today.
It has been a darn good run. I am so grateful to have had this summer, this house, and my family to support me. I am grateful to Paul, my boss for letting me work part time from out of town. See you Tuesday in the office!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday with Linda and a good night for sleeping
Linda and I met in about 1964. We moved to a new high school when our dad began training horses at Turf Paradise. Linda had seen us at the track and said, you're with us. I guess we were a big click but didn't know it. There were the racetrackers and the town kids. That was it.
She has lived in the bay area since 1969 I think. She came up to Napa for my birthday and I went to her house in San Ramon for a family gathering yesterday. Her son and his wife have a 5 month old son and live in Australia. They are visiting, her sister, her x husband's x wife and her kids, grandkids, families. It was fun to see everyone.
Linda's brother in law Carl has a hot red 1952 pick up that he has restored and updated.
I have been so busy. I took this week off work and am getting ready to make a haul back to Phoenix and working 40 hours a week. And living with my own husband, so I'm thinking there will be some adjustments to be made.
The night will be cool. I sleep with the sliding door open a little and have to use the comforter. This fun will come to a screaching hault when I get to Phoenix. Having windows open won't happen until at least October.
She has lived in the bay area since 1969 I think. She came up to Napa for my birthday and I went to her house in San Ramon for a family gathering yesterday. Her son and his wife have a 5 month old son and live in Australia. They are visiting, her sister, her x husband's x wife and her kids, grandkids, families. It was fun to see everyone.
Linda's brother in law Carl has a hot red 1952 pick up that he has restored and updated.
I have been so busy. I took this week off work and am getting ready to make a haul back to Phoenix and working 40 hours a week. And living with my own husband, so I'm thinking there will be some adjustments to be made.
The night will be cool. I sleep with the sliding door open a little and have to use the comforter. This fun will come to a screaching hault when I get to Phoenix. Having windows open won't happen until at least October.
Thirty crayon cases
In the beginning of June the first grade teacher sent out a request for volunteers for sewing projects. I offered to help, so Annie volunteered to make 30 crayon cases for first graders.
The teacher cut out rectangles of red corduroy and a pretty print. They had to be sewn together, turned, corners shaped, pressed, 16 pockets sewed, name tags and ties. We honestly must have sewn 40 hours between us. Although we tried to get another sewing machine, our mechanical luck was poor and we only had one that stitched well enough. It looked and sounds fairly easy, but the rectangles were not the same size, we had trouble marking, on and on, it was a lot bigger project that we thought.
When Tina was here we enlisted her for a few hours one day. Bottom line, they weren't done and the teacher wanted them last Friday. Annie called and requested an extension and her and I hauled our bottoms on Saturday finishing about 8:30 PM. Annie delivered them to the teacher on Sunday.
Tess started school today. She is at Kelly's until tomorrow afternoon. She talked to her mom and wanted to know if we didn't get the cases done. The teacher didn't give them the crayon cases. Other than that, Tess had a terrific first day of school.
There was a Rose Ceremony this morning in which the new eighth graders gave the first graders each a rose. I guess they bigger kids kind of help out with the littles. They all lined up on a stage, we clapped, and they were off to class.
Chloe was nervous as she changed schools to attend the program Tess does. Her phone report also was that she had a teriffic day.
The teacher cut out rectangles of red corduroy and a pretty print. They had to be sewn together, turned, corners shaped, pressed, 16 pockets sewed, name tags and ties. We honestly must have sewn 40 hours between us. Although we tried to get another sewing machine, our mechanical luck was poor and we only had one that stitched well enough. It looked and sounds fairly easy, but the rectangles were not the same size, we had trouble marking, on and on, it was a lot bigger project that we thought.
When Tina was here we enlisted her for a few hours one day. Bottom line, they weren't done and the teacher wanted them last Friday. Annie called and requested an extension and her and I hauled our bottoms on Saturday finishing about 8:30 PM. Annie delivered them to the teacher on Sunday.
Tess started school today. She is at Kelly's until tomorrow afternoon. She talked to her mom and wanted to know if we didn't get the cases done. The teacher didn't give them the crayon cases. Other than that, Tess had a terrific first day of school.
There was a Rose Ceremony this morning in which the new eighth graders gave the first graders each a rose. I guess they bigger kids kind of help out with the littles. They all lined up on a stage, we clapped, and they were off to class.
Chloe was nervous as she changed schools to attend the program Tess does. Her phone report also was that she had a teriffic day.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tina's visit
My friend Tina was here from Northern Arizona; Eagar, to be specific. She came last Saturday and we have had a great visit. Told each other stories about the old days that we probably heard twenty years ago but forgot.
Annie and her girls escorted us to San Francisco on Wednesday. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge in the mist, parked too far from the pier. They moved the departure gate to Alcatraz from where it was in the past which gave us a nice long walk. But we had time for lunch at Pier 39 and hurried to pier 33 to catch our ferry. The weather was warmer than we expected on Alcatraz, we toured the cellblock and walked the steep paths of the island. If you haven't been there, or to San Francisco at all, don't leave the planet without making the trip. It is a beautiful city and the skyline from Alcatraz island is stunning.
Annie left us and took the car and kids to do some shopping. Tina and I got some t-shirts and waited about an hour to catch the Cable Car to Union Square. (This of course was after about an eight block walk not knowing for sure if we were going in the right direction.) Everyone on the waterfront was making the Cable Car trip, I think. When we did get loaded, we didn't have a seat. We both had killer feet, but we had to stand and hang on to a strap or a little pole which puts you right in the faces of anyone sitting down. It's sardinelike. The joy of the cable car is that it travels the amazing steep hills of the city and you have a beautiful view. Joyful, of course if you are sitting on the outside bench and can see. Sardines see little except other sardine's heads. When the car started down hill, I had to plant my feet, one forward and one back to keep from tipping over. After each stop, it started with a jolt making all the standing people sway and lose their footing. When your toes hurt and are sliding to the downhill side of your shoe, it diminishes the joy of the ride.
When we got off at Powell and Post streets, we walked across the street and called Annie. She said cross back, she was sitting on the curb in her car, we hopped in and were on our way. Quite good timing, I say.
When we got off at Powell and Post streets, we walked across the street and called Annie. She said cross back, she was sitting on the curb in her car, we hopped in and were on our way. Quite good timing, I say.
Anyway, Tina had never been to San Francisco. You MUST do the Cable Car when you go, but I recommend not waiting until the end of the day. There are also bicycle rickshaws, fyi.
One day while Tina was here we took a ride to the beach at Bodega Bay. There were some surfers, and a lot of people using the beach. Not many folks go in the cold water here without a wet suit. We stopped to see the town of Bodega Bay which was having a big street party patio sale to raise money for their volunteer fire department. All so small town. There was a band playing and people drinking beer. We didn't see anything we wanted, but it was a kick to see it. Northern California is beautiful, not at all like the LA area.
Oops, I didn't finish the day I started. Tina left yesterday. It's about 60 miles to Sacramento and she was flying out at 10 AM. So to avoid getting up too early on Saturday, we went on Friday and got a room. I dropped her at the airport and was back in Napa by 9:45.
Oops, I didn't finish the day I started. Tina left yesterday. It's about 60 miles to Sacramento and she was flying out at 10 AM. So to avoid getting up too early on Saturday, we went on Friday and got a room. I dropped her at the airport and was back in Napa by 9:45.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Contemplating retinas and mascara
I contemplate more living alone. Maybe I always contemplate, I just speak it. Anyway, I was putting on mascara and trying to remember how many days since I had done so. Then I remembered I can't see all that well. I thought of people who really can't see and how they must do their eye make-up, and I wondered if I walk around with noticeably gobby mascara. I was trying to put it on smoothly and remember what Oprah's make up guy said about doing the bottom lashes when I slipped and make a big black spot on the side of my nose. Now I am wondering about old people putting on make up. Not too good. Think about people with obviously dyed red and black hair, maybe they don't know it doesn't look so good not because they have bad taste; maybe it's bad vision.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tess's day
Chloe spent the night with a friend and was not here with Grandma today. Tess came in time for lunch. She had raisin bread, cream cheese and honey sandwiches and a banana. She is not a huge eater. We had a gift certificate from a local book store. She wanted to see if they had a book by an author she has read, Mo Willems, she brought the book to show me. It's called Nuffle Bunny. Tess was looking for Nuffle Bunny, too. We found that and she was happy. Then we went to the swim club and she swam awhile. I watched. She can jump into the deep end and swim back now. She has become quite confident this summer. Her mom wanted to know if I was watching real closely, which I was. She got a thumbs up. I wasn't worried about the deep end. Apparently they are supposed to pass some test with the lifeguard before they go in the deep end. I didn't know that and I guess neither Tess nor the lifeguard knew either. The afternoon was cut short by the mysterious appearance of some poop in the pool. Ms lifeguard made everyone get out and called whoever. I guess she was closing up shop. We came home. Tess had a dechlorinization shampoo and then we read the new book twice.
I also had my granddog, Sid, who mostly stays outside, but she does like the house, the car, anywhere you are. If you look her in the eye for a moment , she lays on her back with her legs all spread out for you to pet her tummy. She is indiscriminate, she spreads out for strangers, any one who looks like they might pet her.
My childhood friend Janet tells me that her mom just got out of the hospital. She has been in maybe two weeks. They discovered a cancerous place in her colon, and removed a section and felt they got the whole problem. She came through the surgery fine, then got terribly sick to her stomach for several days. She is not able to eat and I guess is in pretty fine shape. We celebrated her 90th birthday last August in Phoenix. We were raised together in Wyoming, then they moved to Tucson. We were all in Arizona for several years, but Janet now lives in the LA area. So we are celebrating in our hearts that Hazel is doing better. I was pretty worried about her for several days.
You all know how sappy I am. I could go on and on about what a blessing this summer in this little house has been for me. But that says it, I think.
I also had my granddog, Sid, who mostly stays outside, but she does like the house, the car, anywhere you are. If you look her in the eye for a moment , she lays on her back with her legs all spread out for you to pet her tummy. She is indiscriminate, she spreads out for strangers, any one who looks like they might pet her.
My childhood friend Janet tells me that her mom just got out of the hospital. She has been in maybe two weeks. They discovered a cancerous place in her colon, and removed a section and felt they got the whole problem. She came through the surgery fine, then got terribly sick to her stomach for several days. She is not able to eat and I guess is in pretty fine shape. We celebrated her 90th birthday last August in Phoenix. We were raised together in Wyoming, then they moved to Tucson. We were all in Arizona for several years, but Janet now lives in the LA area. So we are celebrating in our hearts that Hazel is doing better. I was pretty worried about her for several days.
You all know how sappy I am. I could go on and on about what a blessing this summer in this little house has been for me. But that says it, I think.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Commit random acts of kindness
I saw a bumper sticker with those word years ago and they stuck with me. Sometimes I try of slip in a random act of kindness when I see an opportunity. I must tell you this little story, then I will go watch the Olympics.
I went into a Chinese noodle restaurant the other day, alone. It was full, so I waited to sit at the bar. I was the only person of my race sitting there, and the ones right next to me did not have a handle on English. They kept trying to order and the bar tender kept asking for the menu number and they kept not getting it. It was a little amusing to me, then an African American woman sat down and I started a conversation. She was there alone too. I told her the next day was my birthday. She was very good at English. We had a pleasant chat. I put my debit card out to pay my tab, and she handed it back to me. She wanted to buy my dinner as an early birthday wish. I almost burst into tears. Random act of kindness!
Think about starting some of your own! They have a way of playing on. Bye.
I went into a Chinese noodle restaurant the other day, alone. It was full, so I waited to sit at the bar. I was the only person of my race sitting there, and the ones right next to me did not have a handle on English. They kept trying to order and the bar tender kept asking for the menu number and they kept not getting it. It was a little amusing to me, then an African American woman sat down and I started a conversation. She was there alone too. I told her the next day was my birthday. She was very good at English. We had a pleasant chat. I put my debit card out to pay my tab, and she handed it back to me. She wanted to buy my dinner as an early birthday wish. I almost burst into tears. Random act of kindness!
Think about starting some of your own! They have a way of playing on. Bye.
Awaiting further enlightenment
My time here is getting short, I will be leaving the week of August 25. Bill will be here August 27, then we may hang out a few days, then head for home. This is making me a little sad, and a little happy. I have been away from home for longer than I ever have and I miss Bill and most of my co-workers. It will be difficult to leave Annie's family behind after having them so accessible for three months. Bill always says I am depressed a few days after I leave Napa, this will probably be a bit worse, but I will endure. It was worth it.
Today was kinda hot. Okay, you all in Phoenix won't believe me, but I was all hot and sticky at 92 degrees. I am truly hooked on that 83 degree weather and don't like having to turn the air conditioning on and close up the house. At least, the AC goes off in the evening and I can sit by the open door. Sure can't do that in Phoenix. I took Chloe to the health club for her swimming lesson. This is the first I've been there that there wasn't a cool breeze, and in the shade is nice. Today even in the shade, it was hot. Tess says bet it feels like Phoenix. Not quite.
Annie picked up the girls at lessons, and instead of going home, I headed out to drive through some mobil home parks. I'm not sure how I will get here next year, or how I will be able to be with both my husband and my kids, I am awaiting further enlightenment. So, to help things along, I drove through some parks just to see how they look. Some are pretty clean, but it's not as private as my little place here. Maybe I would make more friends in that environment. Anyway, I drove to Yountville (9 miles) as there is a neat Senior park there. So I decided to stop for something to eat. At a restaurant, not the trailer park. I had a steak dinner which was passable, but not as yummy as I was wanting. I don't much like to eat alone in restaurants, but it wasn't so hard. I sat on the patio and had myself a beer. It's always easier to hear other's conversations when you are quiet yourself. I kept wanting to ask questions, but I stayed quiet.
Then the next exciting thing was buy gas and go through the automatic car wash. I got jet washed, and conditioned!
American Express is going to be displacing some people. I'm awaiting further enlightenment.
I'm going to see what is happening on the Olympics while I'm waiting.
Today was kinda hot. Okay, you all in Phoenix won't believe me, but I was all hot and sticky at 92 degrees. I am truly hooked on that 83 degree weather and don't like having to turn the air conditioning on and close up the house. At least, the AC goes off in the evening and I can sit by the open door. Sure can't do that in Phoenix. I took Chloe to the health club for her swimming lesson. This is the first I've been there that there wasn't a cool breeze, and in the shade is nice. Today even in the shade, it was hot. Tess says bet it feels like Phoenix. Not quite.
Annie picked up the girls at lessons, and instead of going home, I headed out to drive through some mobil home parks. I'm not sure how I will get here next year, or how I will be able to be with both my husband and my kids, I am awaiting further enlightenment. So, to help things along, I drove through some parks just to see how they look. Some are pretty clean, but it's not as private as my little place here. Maybe I would make more friends in that environment. Anyway, I drove to Yountville (9 miles) as there is a neat Senior park there. So I decided to stop for something to eat. At a restaurant, not the trailer park. I had a steak dinner which was passable, but not as yummy as I was wanting. I don't much like to eat alone in restaurants, but it wasn't so hard. I sat on the patio and had myself a beer. It's always easier to hear other's conversations when you are quiet yourself. I kept wanting to ask questions, but I stayed quiet.
Then the next exciting thing was buy gas and go through the automatic car wash. I got jet washed, and conditioned!
American Express is going to be displacing some people. I'm awaiting further enlightenment.
I'm going to see what is happening on the Olympics while I'm waiting.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Birthday wonderment
Wow, I'm still recovering from the celebration. Annie cooked dinner for me and our guests; three friends I met through her, and my friend Linda who lives in the bay area that I have know for forty some years.
What a lovely dinner it turned out to be. She had appetizers of blanched green and yellow string beans, cauliflower, orange and red carrots, cheese, salami, dill dip, various crackers and the other dip whose name I can't drag up from the dredges of my brain. When Cari arrived she had radishes, butter, and some fancy salts for seasoning.
We drank wine or beer while she grilled peppers, zucchini, mushrooms and some other veggies, I think, and chicken breasts. That was the first course served with a wheat berry salad. Just as I was fixing my mind on the chocolate cake, I was reminded the next course is salad, made by her friend Cari which was wonderful greens; I can't swear but I think it was arugula with a yummy vinegarette and some peaches or nectarine pieces in it. Then she passed some little waffer crackers with a tidbit of cheese and fruit which were for eating with salad. I noticed Cari put the greens on the cracker and ate it that way. We are not all that sophisticated with food and didn't know what to do. I broke it up and ate it with a fork.
Then we had coffee or tea and chocolate cake with vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Then we relaxed with cigars on the front porch. Okay, I'm lying about the cigars, but the rest is gospel truth. My daughter cooked her butt off.
Each lady brought a gift: Linda bought a garden ornament made of metal with a twirly thing to hang on the bottom to catch the breeze, Lori brought a tie dye tea towel and a tie dyed bandanna, Chris brought a bottle of wine and some wine bath juice, Cari brought a little plate from a local artist with some grapes and a leaf on it tied in a pretty tea towel. Annie got me a soduku book and a cover for my stainless drinking bottle.
I got my present from Bill on Thursday, he sent some Laural Burch cat earrings and a cat plate with the same design. He sent another as well with a computer game. Then today, as if this is not enough, while Annie, Linda, and I were at breakfast, a box was delivered from work. It is a party in a box with cards from the whole group, and a few individual ones. There are some party favors and a box of Hostess cup cakes. I think I will wait to open all the goodies in there when Chloe and Tess are here.
The girls are camping with their dad, so I guess we will be having another birthday celebration when they get back.
Linda went home a few hours ago, I took a little nap, but I think I may take another. Turning sixty was wonderful. I might do it again next year!
What a lovely dinner it turned out to be. She had appetizers of blanched green and yellow string beans, cauliflower, orange and red carrots, cheese, salami, dill dip, various crackers and the other dip whose name I can't drag up from the dredges of my brain. When Cari arrived she had radishes, butter, and some fancy salts for seasoning.
We drank wine or beer while she grilled peppers, zucchini, mushrooms and some other veggies, I think, and chicken breasts. That was the first course served with a wheat berry salad. Just as I was fixing my mind on the chocolate cake, I was reminded the next course is salad, made by her friend Cari which was wonderful greens; I can't swear but I think it was arugula with a yummy vinegarette and some peaches or nectarine pieces in it. Then she passed some little waffer crackers with a tidbit of cheese and fruit which were for eating with salad. I noticed Cari put the greens on the cracker and ate it that way. We are not all that sophisticated with food and didn't know what to do. I broke it up and ate it with a fork.
Then we had coffee or tea and chocolate cake with vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Then we relaxed with cigars on the front porch. Okay, I'm lying about the cigars, but the rest is gospel truth. My daughter cooked her butt off.
Each lady brought a gift: Linda bought a garden ornament made of metal with a twirly thing to hang on the bottom to catch the breeze, Lori brought a tie dye tea towel and a tie dyed bandanna, Chris brought a bottle of wine and some wine bath juice, Cari brought a little plate from a local artist with some grapes and a leaf on it tied in a pretty tea towel. Annie got me a soduku book and a cover for my stainless drinking bottle.
I got my present from Bill on Thursday, he sent some Laural Burch cat earrings and a cat plate with the same design. He sent another as well with a computer game. Then today, as if this is not enough, while Annie, Linda, and I were at breakfast, a box was delivered from work. It is a party in a box with cards from the whole group, and a few individual ones. There are some party favors and a box of Hostess cup cakes. I think I will wait to open all the goodies in there when Chloe and Tess are here.
The girls are camping with their dad, so I guess we will be having another birthday celebration when they get back.
Linda went home a few hours ago, I took a little nap, but I think I may take another. Turning sixty was wonderful. I might do it again next year!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Hanging in at 59 for now
Boy, it's not long until I reach the threshold of old. Again. Thirty didn't bother me, nor forty, nor fifty. Sixty is not so bad, it's the idea I have that I have twenty good years left, outside. And I know how fast 20 years go by.
I let my sometimes red, sometimes blondish hair grow in grey. Tough question for MVD, hair color, don't know what to say. It sure doesn't look blond which is what I though my regular color is. I think you would call it twilight.
Figure has got to pot, literally, skin is like a lizards, when she's done with it. Eyes are going to hell. But lordy, I think I am so full of wisdom. So if you need some words of wisdom, let me know.
Tess and Chloe are going camping with Kelly until next week. I really miss them when they are not here, even though today we had a heated discussion about if Tess should wear a band aid to swimming lessons. Swimming teacher resolved the discussion, it doesn't matter it will probably fall off.
It is going to be so hard to leave this summer behind. I'm sure life in Napa is not over for me. I am awaiting further enlightenment to see what it will be.
I have been sitting outside in a glider looking at the tree and clouds and blue sky. It seems like looking down from a plane, through clouds to the ocean. Very blue underneath. So I got the camera and took a cloud picture, then I took pics of all the neat places in the courtyard. I know the girls really like it. They sit in a planted area with some long grassy tufts and look at fairies. Tess makes little houses out of flat stones. My granddog, Cid, just wanders around. She sometimes spends a few hours but she is always waiting for her mom to come.
It is a cool evening, God I love this time of day; twilight. It seems to suit my life stage. I't light, but not sunny. Getting cool. Pretty soon I will need to slide the door shut and close the windows. I am crocheting some trim for dish towels, but I don't like the looks of it. Well, not just now, but that is the active project, right now I am typing.
Since I don't have girls tomorrow, I don't have to worry too much about what time I get up as I can work until I am finished. I do have some projects that need attention, and of course, there is income tax filing, which hasn't been done yet. I had Bill bring me the software when he was here last month. I'll get it done. Soon.
I don't rally like eating alone. Well, I like to eat ice cream, but having supper alone is a bit of a drag. I eat with Annie a lot. I think we will miss each other's company. She has a lot of friends, but you know, you don't have to pick up the living room for family.
A few years ago I was in South Wilmington, Illinois, where my grandmother lived and I visited so many times as a kid and after. I was visiting an old friend, Rosemary. Her grandson who was about 9 I guess was hanging around. She kept telling him to go home, probably his mother would like to see him. I guess he had been there for five days. But grandma's is an extension of home as he lives just down the block. People who have this kind of extended family so close don't know what it's like to have them so far that you only see them a few times a year. I am experiencing a little closeness, although it will never be like hers. I missed so much. I must say, this summer has been a gift to treasure for a long time.
I will be returning to Phoenix at month end and back to full time work. Here we go with another break in period. They have hired people I haven't met yet. Usually, I am one of the first people to get acquainted because of the support I supply, system access, supplies, your computer, bathroom passes, etc.
Bill is flying over and will help me pack up my computer and drive back together. We try to talk on the web cam phone, but we get an unclear video which makes it hard for him to hear me. He already told me he put all my clutter and stuff into a box. so lord knows how long it will take to find everything. I have only had mail twice. He boxed it up once, and delivered it in person once. Hopefully he will bring it when he comes in a few weeks and I will shuffle through it shred most everything.
I let my sometimes red, sometimes blondish hair grow in grey. Tough question for MVD, hair color, don't know what to say. It sure doesn't look blond which is what I though my regular color is. I think you would call it twilight.
Figure has got to pot, literally, skin is like a lizards, when she's done with it. Eyes are going to hell. But lordy, I think I am so full of wisdom. So if you need some words of wisdom, let me know.
Tess and Chloe are going camping with Kelly until next week. I really miss them when they are not here, even though today we had a heated discussion about if Tess should wear a band aid to swimming lessons. Swimming teacher resolved the discussion, it doesn't matter it will probably fall off.
It is going to be so hard to leave this summer behind. I'm sure life in Napa is not over for me. I am awaiting further enlightenment to see what it will be.
I have been sitting outside in a glider looking at the tree and clouds and blue sky. It seems like looking down from a plane, through clouds to the ocean. Very blue underneath. So I got the camera and took a cloud picture, then I took pics of all the neat places in the courtyard. I know the girls really like it. They sit in a planted area with some long grassy tufts and look at fairies. Tess makes little houses out of flat stones. My granddog, Cid, just wanders around. She sometimes spends a few hours but she is always waiting for her mom to come.
It is a cool evening, God I love this time of day; twilight. It seems to suit my life stage. I't light, but not sunny. Getting cool. Pretty soon I will need to slide the door shut and close the windows. I am crocheting some trim for dish towels, but I don't like the looks of it. Well, not just now, but that is the active project, right now I am typing.
Since I don't have girls tomorrow, I don't have to worry too much about what time I get up as I can work until I am finished. I do have some projects that need attention, and of course, there is income tax filing, which hasn't been done yet. I had Bill bring me the software when he was here last month. I'll get it done. Soon.
I don't rally like eating alone. Well, I like to eat ice cream, but having supper alone is a bit of a drag. I eat with Annie a lot. I think we will miss each other's company. She has a lot of friends, but you know, you don't have to pick up the living room for family.
A few years ago I was in South Wilmington, Illinois, where my grandmother lived and I visited so many times as a kid and after. I was visiting an old friend, Rosemary. Her grandson who was about 9 I guess was hanging around. She kept telling him to go home, probably his mother would like to see him. I guess he had been there for five days. But grandma's is an extension of home as he lives just down the block. People who have this kind of extended family so close don't know what it's like to have them so far that you only see them a few times a year. I am experiencing a little closeness, although it will never be like hers. I missed so much. I must say, this summer has been a gift to treasure for a long time.
I will be returning to Phoenix at month end and back to full time work. Here we go with another break in period. They have hired people I haven't met yet. Usually, I am one of the first people to get acquainted because of the support I supply, system access, supplies, your computer, bathroom passes, etc.
Bill is flying over and will help me pack up my computer and drive back together. We try to talk on the web cam phone, but we get an unclear video which makes it hard for him to hear me. He already told me he put all my clutter and stuff into a box. so lord knows how long it will take to find everything. I have only had mail twice. He boxed it up once, and delivered it in person once. Hopefully he will bring it when he comes in a few weeks and I will shuffle through it shred most everything.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Friday's outing
I think the girls and I are getting on each other's nerves. There is not enough to do at my house. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are broken up by someone or another kid's swim lessons. So our only day to really get out is Friday.
We left today when I was done working for Sonoma, I suppose about 30 or 40 miles away. There are a lot of large vineyards, dairies, and rural views. It's really pretty. We took some picnic food and got some at a deli on the town square, then ate our picnic in the park there. We had bread for the ducks on the pond. They seemed to be bored with people and bread, but the kids still fed them and they cooperated by eating still more bread.
We looked in a few store and bought momma a polished stone that says "believe" because Tess said she lost hers. Annie called and said she was leaving her office and heading home as the internet wasn't working. She wanted to know if I would bring the girls home; which of course I did. She made it worth my while by grilling chicken and making toast on the grill which we ate with heirloom tomatoes, basil and olive oil.We had a little ice cream and watched a Muppets movie, too.
All's well that ends well. Goodnight I'm falling asleep and typing on the wrong keys, really wrong ones..
We left today when I was done working for Sonoma, I suppose about 30 or 40 miles away. There are a lot of large vineyards, dairies, and rural views. It's really pretty. We took some picnic food and got some at a deli on the town square, then ate our picnic in the park there. We had bread for the ducks on the pond. They seemed to be bored with people and bread, but the kids still fed them and they cooperated by eating still more bread.
We looked in a few store and bought momma a polished stone that says "believe" because Tess said she lost hers. Annie called and said she was leaving her office and heading home as the internet wasn't working. She wanted to know if I would bring the girls home; which of course I did. She made it worth my while by grilling chicken and making toast on the grill which we ate with heirloom tomatoes, basil and olive oil.We had a little ice cream and watched a Muppets movie, too.
All's well that ends well. Goodnight I'm falling asleep and typing on the wrong keys, really wrong ones..
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