Enough of 2008 Already!

Last night my husband and I took our daughter and her boyfriend to dinner as they were leaving this morning for LA and bringing in the New Year at Disneyland. Sounds like fun and a great way to end 08. Had a nice dinner and better company, paid up and exited the restaurant. Well, almost exited.

My husband did a superman off the last two steps down to the street level, flew off into the double doors with his head, punched through the doors landing outside on his hip. The same side as his 6 months old knee replacement! Long story short, I am writing this as I wait for him to come out of surgery to replace his hip. No, there was not excessive alcohol involved. Truly one beer each. That's it. As he lay in the rain vocalizing his pain, not one single employee of the Racoon Lodge stepped forward to help us. Total strangers put their coats on him, covered his face from the weather and helped us get the ambulance on it's way. Even when we asked for someone from the establishment if they had a procedure for getting help there, they stayed away and said there really isn't any sort of manager available! Is that something? Am I crazy? The four people who helped us were as dumbfounded as I. If my daughter and her boyfriend had not been there for my moral support, there would have been no one to assist the great strangers with getting help while I was trying to comfort my husband as much as I could.
The positive of all this is the amazing help offered by strangers to us. They were just great and gave me hope for human kind. I am thankful one of them slipped me a small peice of paper with their names and phone numbers on it so I will be able to let them know how really greatful we are.

We have had a long day and night but hope that the surgery will begin a rapid recovery for my husband. He has had so much more than his share this year that it is time for a new page in his health status.

So ends my saga for now. More to report after he gets out of surgery. But do me a favor if there is a Racoon Lodge in your area...forget about it!

let's get on to the New Year

There has been just something strange about this holiday season and I have not been able to put my finger on exactly what it is. Sometimes I think it's the state of the economy, but that's not enough to have placed a funk on the endorphins that usually rampage through my family this time of year. I think it may be a combo of the gloom of the last 8 years of a vengeful and greedy man as our president running our country into the ground. I also think it is a post election hangover. The energy of working the election and all the expectation was so heady that it took a while to get back to normal.

I think it has to be not having the family in the same space and dynamic as in years gone by. It is so hard to see our loved ones age out of some of their most dearly held traditions. I do know this: The incredibly beautiful snowfall made a huge difference in my perspective during the holiday. It lifted my spirits, cleaned the cobwebs off the joy of the season and put the meaning of Christmas to the forefront at last. I was fortunate to have my daughter, her BF and his sister and husband at Christmas dinner that filled the house with laughter at last.

I am looking forward to a happy and healthy New Year and hope we all get our perspective back to having realistic expectations of one another and life in general. Maybe this time has forced a lot of us to seek a little more simple slice of life and appreciate it more. I don't know. I know my New Year resolution will be the same as it has been for a few years. I will continue until I finally achieve a modicum of success at "being more patient" with myself and others! I know, I know...good luck.

Winter Wonderland

We are in the midst of the biggest snow storm in 40 years here in the Northwest. It is at the same time spectacularly beautiful and throwing a wrench in the works for Christmas celebrations. We are one of the lucky families that have a well equipped 4 wheel drive with studded tires so have been able to get the necessities and take neighbors with us for groceries and good fellowship. We do have to wait for breaks in the storm to do these things but at least can when we need too.I had the added benefit of having my daughter stuck at he house with us while her boyfriend was snowed in in the countryside. We made Italian Christmas cookies and fudge and watched three really good movies. My favorite was "Under the Same Moon" (La Misma Luna), a Spanish film with subtitles. It was very moving but the little boy stole the show. Super sensitive actor that I hope to see again in something. Worth a look for sure.

I have included a photo of my Rico enjoying the snow like he's part otter! Cannot believe he is of Latin decent!

After several days snowed in with us, the daughter finally was able to transfer to the country with the boyfriend for a few days of snow fun out in a beautiful place with really good people. They came all the way in to get her! She'll be back for Christmas day if the weather allows. We are now preparing for more white stuff Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Who would have thought it. I am hopeful that we can get up the hills to our parents for our usual celebration Christmas Eve and morning and for our wonderful "roast beast" dinner. If not, we'll just pull something together with other stranded neighbors and enjoy the true meaning of the holiday. Either way, I have not lost the feeling that this is a special time and the snow is perhaps a way to remind us of what is real and necessary to this life. It's the feeling of fellowship and the smiles on peoples faces I haven't seen in a while that surprise me the most. This is not adversity, it's opportunity to come together and enjoy the beauty of this holiday.

A very Merry Christmas to you and a healthy and happy New Year.

Fake Trees

My daughter posted a protest over my choice of trees this year.
In my defense of the fake Christmas Tree: I too hate them, and never would have believed I would have one in my house; except that I found myself in circumstances this year that almost negated the tree altogether. It is impossible to cut, put in the stand, do the lights and decorate by myself! My husband has pretty much retired from Christmas although he has always been one to piss on the mood of the holidays (birthdays too). He doesn't do ANYTHING. Oh, he did complain that I had not done enough outdoors. I only went around the lower roof sections with the lights, did the porch and shrubs, put out the lighted candy canes, etc. But the critic needed to move a bulb or two to make it just right. Soooo, this year I got a fake tree and at least got into some of the mood for Christmas. It is not the same. I know that. But had to get it done and took the bull by the horns. I hate seeing my mom slow down. This is HER season, one she dominated and love with a passion. She keeps her Christmas clock up all year round. It's July and we hear CHRISTMAS CAROLES! I was able to get my mother's tree up too, and decorated. I swear it lifted her spirits when we had visible Christmas in the house.

I am being boycotted by my youngest elf in protest of the "fake". She doesn't live here any more is not expected to take over my duties as well as her own. I am hopeful that she is having the happiest holiday season she has ever had because she is incredibly happy. I love it! SHe hates that it doesn't smeel like Christmas at our house(me too). The Glade just doesn't do it. But if one were to read the old Christmas letter I wrote when babies were new, the family all available (I mean like 10 of us) tramping out for the trees, having breakfast, doing the lights, laughing, watching Chevy Chase....well, it certainly isn't the same, I agree. So much of the family dynamic has changed that I almost am anxious for the new regime to take over and let me join the new traditions that they will create. It's a little hard to roll out a 86 year old who wants to do all the old stuff but can't. My answer was to do what I could. Oh well. Maybe next year I'll be able to get back into the spirit without synthetic assistance. The new snow is the one thing that is helping me cope with a very weird and strange feeling I have this year doing the holidays. I want this to be a good one for mom and for her to feel the special attachment she always had for "her month".

It's Snowing!

It is so beautiful to look out on the fresh winter white of overnight snow. We don't get it that often so when it falls on a Sunday and we can get out to enjoy it before everyone gets into trying to go to work driving without the right equipment (or experience for that matter), this is special. My dog loves it! He was out rooting through the snow, chasing birds and squirrels in for their daily feed, sliding to a skidding stop. I swear, if he could laugh out loud he would.

The "varmits" (squirrels & birds) have spread the word that the feeders are full. They have been here all day plumping up. It is a joy to watch. For those of you who are used to it, or live in it all winter long, forgive my cheap thrill. I'll get over it in about an hour when company from out of town arrives here for a visit. Hpoe the kids are ready for snowman construction.

Black Saturday

As the stadium filled with hopeful OSU Beavers all turned out in the orange and black, the energy was absolutely palpable. Smiles all around, more than enough pre game "refreshments" to keep the spirits high, and "terrible towels" given out at the gate in hand. We would twirl them in the air and do our first down cheers with them held aloft. Information was exchanged all around about flight and hotel accomodations to Los Angeles; could we get tickets for "Jay Leno"? Maybe get on "The Price is Right" and return home with some loot. Oh, and Disneyland and is in my package, how about yours. Do you have your Rose Bowl tickets ordered? Shopping on Rodeo Drive (looking I suspect), and New Years Eve with the Beaver Boosters all in the California sun in December!

One quarter of football is all it took to get the feeling in the pit of my stomach that things were not going to go so well. It's the bleak understanding that we all looked beyond our arch nemisis, the Oregon Ducks, to the big game New Years day. RATS! As the game proceeded, we showed absolutely no defense (we were rated # 2 defence until today) and actually scored enough points to have won most college games. 38 is good. But, the ducks went on to run up the middle, around the ends and go over the top for so many points and yards I lost count. Holy Moly... talk about pay back! 65 to 38 final score (can you believe 103 total points scored). Are you kidding?

So, I'll be home for Christmas, as will the rest of my family! Won't go to Texas (El Paso) for that Bowl, a decision we had made some time ago. I surely will miss the anticipation that led up to this game. It was fun thinking of all the great times had 44 years ago at the last Rose Bowl I attended. I ran into some old classmates and will no doubt see them from now on at future home games. So that's the end of our football saga circa 2008. What a ride.

A Happy Thanksgiving

I have chopped, sliced, rolled and done my prep work for our feast tomorrow. Even got the baking done on time and have an outside shot at not having the "what have I forgotten" moment just before we sit down for dinner. I want to send this note to wish all who see this a most Happy Thanksgiving. Wherever you spend it, with family, friends or both, may the plenty on our tables remind us all that we are indeed fortunate to live here. We are, even during this time of financial strife, so much better off than folks in other countries. If nothing else, the history making election we just experienced gives us hope for the future. I also hope that those who are able have had the time to donate to some food bank, kitchen or coat drive and spread our good fortune around. Happiest of holidays.

Oh, & Go Beavs!

One down - One to Go

Whew, what a game. After we lost two of our best players I was feeling the likelihood of the Beavs pulling this one out was pretty slim. Imagine that we win by a last second field goal (when field goal kicking has been our nemesis all season) in Arizona! We are on track for the Rose Bowl if we win the Civil War next weekend. It should be an incredible game with lots of pregame celebrating and hopefully a lot post game too! What a great diversion from serious matters of state and world. It is fabulous to be brain dead for just a few weeks after the knot holes we crawled through this election year. Now if we can get our guy Quizz Rogers and quarterback Moevo back in the game, we have a chance. I am holding my breath and packing a bag for Pasadena just in case.

I am writing this before the kick off of the game between Oregon State University and the University of Arizona. I can still be hopeful and positive in my belief that we can go all the way to the Rose Bowl!

Wow...I was there in the meeting between Michigan and the Beavs in 64 as a student. I was so excited as my best friends brother carried the ball early on to the end zone for a touchdown. Oh Boy! We have a chance and we are on the board at the Rose Bowl. Unfortunately, it was the last time we would hear our fight song for the day, and we were beat by a score of 34 to 7 I think. Coach Prothro deemed we would kick on third downs, and is ever known as "Punt Prothro" to all of us who witnessed our demise. The results of the game did not dampen our overall experience. We had the most fantastic time being a part of it, doing New Years eve with the boosters, supporting the whole OSU experience.

I am hopeful for all old Beaver supporters and all the new Beavs who have come along since, that the event will take place. Getting by Arizona and then winning the "Civil War" with U of O will do it. But the scenario if we loose one on the way is interesting too. Lose to one team we go to San Diego to the Holiday Bowl and lose to the other, we go to Vegas. Both good deals but not the holy ROSE of them all.

Keep the good thoughts. GO BEAVS! More after the game today.

President Obama!

We win! The country wins, the world wins! Did you see the faces in the crowds in NY city, Chicago, Spellman University, Portland, Los Angeles? The congruity of ethnicity, sexes, ages, all smiling, crying, still, in stunned belief that the dream has been realized. I am so grateful that this candidate came along in my lifetime, to take American back to where it belongs; a decent,mindful leader giving us back our national pride. Now pray for Barack and his family during this transition and that he can satisfy the hunger this nation has for unity and something to believe in again. I opened a vintage bottle for this one! Clink, chin chin, moseltov(sp), prost.

Election "Empty Nest" Syndrome

The end of this election is near and I have done my duty: I have worked for the campaign, I have tried my darnedest to get people to at least here my reasoning for supporting various candidates, I voted early. Now what do I do? It is such a helpless feeling to know all that can be done has been accomplished. Now we just wait. It feels a lot like when you realize that your child no longer requires your advice, but may chose to request it from time to time. It's like feeling this terrific exhilaration working hard on something you believe in and then handing the final design of your product off to strangers to complete.

This campaign has done more for me than just give hope for us and our children's futures. It has reacquainted me with very old friends not heard from for 30+ years. It has reignited a spark in me that I can contribute to our society in a meaningful way. It has given me hope for our country and it's reemergence in the world as a decent and thoughtful nation. Now, if my candidate wins, I will have faith once again in the ability of fellow Americans to have the courage to do the right thing.

I have some good wine ready for tonight's poll watch and hope I'll be sipping instead of feeling the need to swill.

ooops!

For reference to "Final word", see "Wow, what a couple of months"

Final Comments regarding the engagement

Wow, I had no idea that the comment was on my blog regarding my daughter's broken engagement because it was written some time ago. It's probably good I didn't see it sooner because I would have responded, and frankly, it does not deserve response.

Anyone who knows me knows that I would never be malicious or purposely hurt someone. Especially Josh, who has been in the family and on vacation and a part of our family spectacles. Josh is a good and kind person. I will cop to expressing my concerns before the engagement because it is a mom's job. Who in the world would not? I cannot believe that as parents we are to remain silent. Once we had our talk and Josh had come to talk with us, we went with their decision and began planning for their wedding. I met his mom for lunch, and heard some of the same concerns from her I had shared with my daughter. See, it's what Mom's do. As stated before, we trusted our daughters judgement. I still do. She searched her soul, and determined what was best for both their lives, not just hers. What she did was so much harder than going on with the engagement.

I am sorry there are people who need to write the sort of comments left on my blog but understand your right to do so. Hopefully, you will direct your emotions and some good healing vibes toward Josh, who needs you. I don't intend to comment further on my blog about other peoples business, but will end with this thought; Kindness is more healing than venom, and Josh deserves positive feedback, not childish displays that tell him he used bad judgement in the first place. Be good to him if you are reading this.

Justice Is Served!

With all that has been going on in our lives of late, I think I neglected to say that my husbands little Nissan Truck was stolen right out of our driveway two weeks ago Sunday. We were so bumbed because we were home, our bedroom is right over the driveway, the dog growled, and yet we remained in bed groggy from a late night ride home from a Beaver game. That'll teach us to ignore our pup! He growled, went downstairs and growled again, came upstairs on the bed, looked at us, and as if to say, "Well, I told you dopes, now I'm going back to sleep", he crashed down in a ball and rejoined his snooze. Next morning when Bill went for the paper, he noticed something missing!

Long story short, they recovered the truck yesterday, without dammage but totally empty of gas and full of schizzle: Beer bottles, cigarette ashes and butts on the floors, floating spillage in the cup holders (no, I don't know what it is and I don't want to find out) and general filth. Our game jackets were of course gone along with our other gear we had left in the jump seat to clean out "in the morning". But, they left behind my prized hat. It is a fadora with OSU pins all around the hat band that I have been adding over the years. Can you believe they didn't take it? My daughter can; she says it's really dorky and laughs when I roll it out for games. I'm so pleased the rotters that took the truck thought it was dorky too! I'll have my lucky hat for the Arizona game right to the Rose Bowl! I know, I know, wishful thinking. So what do you think of my dorky hat?

The Best of Oregon

This is one of those days that reminds me why I remain in Oregon despite the sometimes awful unrelenting rain and gray sky. We get a fabulous late fall and summer and sometimes, like today, a spectacular October day full of crisp air and golden sun. It does not get any better than this for fall color and fabulous photographic shadows. It has brightened my spirit and made me "whistle". I am loosing it! This is for me a true recharge the soul day. I'm in the kitchen making a pot of chili for dinner, enjoying the afternoon, and hope your are somewhere you can do the same.

Hurray - We Win!

What a fun weekend we had in Seattle. Beautiful football weather, a gorgeous cruise around Lake Washington, "Boat" gating before the game. Then we won and had reason to celebrate all the way back to the hotel. It was a good day to be a Beav!

My daughter is back among the living, still smarting from the decisions she made but gaining insight everyday. Her friends are so amazing and good to her. I am very thankful she is blessed with them. She ran a race this morning and is getting healthy. It's always good to take care of the body, then the rest will follow.

Deafening Silence

It's Friday and another week has slid by. We are preparing to go to Seattle tomorrow morning to see the Beavers take on the Huskies and enjoy the company of some good friends. I am leaving with a unsure feeling because I have not had the opportunity to speak with my daughter so really don't know where she is in her journey through the pain of a break up. I know, I know, but I'm a mom, and can't help what goes through my mind. I do know that she is communicating with her friends and working so she has herself in a place that functions. I just worry about her "heart" and that she is taking proper care of her emotional health as well. Anyway, I'll post again after we beat the Huskies and hopefully have more news that is good and healthy for my girl.

Wow - what a couple of months!

My blog is beyond in arrears…it has been deliberately ignored for a few months now because I have been at a loss as to what to write. I love the idea of the blog because it gives me a way to “spill” what’s on my mind, share ideas and new approaches to life, and I have met some really nice people thru the blog.

I found myself in a place where I really did not know what to think, much less what to say. My household has been through the economic tornado caused by all the Wall Street and mortgage fiascos, (along with the rest of you I am sure). As recently retired, I can tell you that waiting to see what becomes of this country’s financial deportment is certainly a priority. This election has me terribly concerned, and about out of words to convince anyone who is not on board (with me of course) in my support for Barack Obama. Surly Sarah Palin should have been the last straw. I must take find some prozac for election night!

Next, my daughter got engaged over Labor Day and we set about the business of planning and preparing to reserve places for the event. The whole while, I had an uneasy feeling that all was not as it should be. I felt a reserve about it from my daughter I had never felt before. Without detail, I will say we had many discussions over the months about what her dreams are about her life long adventure, what she wants professionally and personally, how they’re relationship is with each others friends; the usual mom stuff I think. I never really heard my daughters “voice” in her responses. I felt like someone was giving me the responses as though applying for a job. I am so used to free flowing and honest conversations with her that I just got more and more confused. I decided that she has all the tools to figure out and understand what is best for her life and decided to trust that instinct. To have blogged my own fears, and place my own baggage on her life’s expectations would have been wrong. So I didn’t blog, so as not to insinuate myself beyond my borders (I am not sure how good I was at that because a mom still has to ask questions).

My daughter called it off this week, and is in a good deal of pain since she decided that the best thing for their futures was to go their own way. She said she has traded a pain in her stomach for a pain in her heart, but knows it was the right thing to do. Their many differences in life experiences and wants and desires and methods to achieve them were just too vast to overcome. I know it was the right thing to do, and I admire her tremendously for having the courage to do what she had to do. It doesn’t make it feel any better to see her in pain, but I do know she will live through it and heal and move on with her life. Her pain today is far better than the pain that would have come a few years down the road. I am thankful too, that she has wonderful friends that will support and help her through it. I know he will heal as well because he is a tough and worthwhile individual who will now have the chance to grow-up, learn and know what his aspirations and dreams are, understand how he wants to go about achieving them and do those things for himself before anyone else becomes a permanent part of his life. I hope that with all my heart for him.

So I am back, I am turning another page and the goal now is to support our girl with all our might and love. A job I take on willingly. I am here when and if she needs me and have a nice glass of wine and a swinging hammock just for the soothing process.
Hope to hear from any of you who have advice or just a friendly comment.

Success!

My DMV saga continued today as I built my day toward completing certain tasks! My Olympics if you will. I entered three events today. Licensing in less than an hour, Mexican fabric shopping, and classroom decorating, all in less than 4 hours.

I breezed though DMV with my three ID's and a tax return that proved I am who I say I am. I have my photo taken and was presented with a paper document to suffice as a license until the authentic plastic one arrives by mail. That'll be $39.00 please!

Joann's fabrics is phase two. I am hunting chili pepper cotton fabric for a table cover in my daughters classroom. Wow, Joann's is huge and has so many neat things, I was temporarily distracted from my event. Back on track, I find the perfect selection and toss it in my basket. Right near by are my two other targets, bright turquoise blue and bright yellow fabric. I cannot be stopped now, just get a number and wait for my turn with the fabric cutter! I was in and out of there in record time, (and $60.00 later) and on the road to Newberg to meet my daughter and start transforming her sterile, easy-eye beige room into a delight for the senses!

Wow, two hours to go and we just jumped on the project. Covered her bulletin boards with the fabric, got posters and teaching aids up, hung beautiful boarders around the top of the room, and put the cute little monkey around the flagpole! We win, and never dropped the baton!

Seriously, her room is so inviting and open to learning in a pleasant, non- intimidating atmosphere that I believe her sections will enter in with a good feeling about getting started. I was so happy to be invited to work on it with her. It's so different doing these things for her classroom instead of working with my old staff. It's fun making a place for her where she can do her thing. I am so proud of her and the life she is building there. Good people around her too! What more could one ask.

No where's my gold medal?

Gotta Love the DMV!

Once again I had a befuddling and frustrating day at our wondrous DMV. My license is expiring and new rules require me to appear in person. It is now necessary to produce three pieces of ID for renewal to include 1, the old license, 2, a passport or birth certificate, and 3, a social security
card. I arrived with the passport and license but neglected to bring my ss card. In fact, I don't believe I have seen it since I retired. Never mind, as instructed by my friendly DMV employee, they must apply the new rules evenly to all people applying for license/renewal, and even though we have record that you have been driving for 50 years, we still need proof you have had a ss card and are not trying to work illegally in this country. They sent me and about 10 Mexican nationals 15 blocks down the road to the ss office to get the proper documentation.

Recognizing the faces from the DMV at the SS office, we all quietly waited our turn to see someone who would stamp the paper work needed to get back to the DMV for the coveted license.

Back to the DMV and in line again. I present my new paper work proudly, the employee looks at the new paperwork, looks at me, looks at the paper. "Madame," says she, "this will not do!"
"Your social security number is not on the this temporary form!"
Say What? I went where you said with the paper you gave me and got the stamp and signature you requested, but it's wrong? OK, now what.

"Well, we can issue a temporary (which I can pay for) and you can come back in a few weeks when your new ss card comes in the mail. " " I think not", I say, "I am at the end of my last nerve standing in lines and waiting for formal stamps and documents, so if you don't mind, I'll just drive on home on my expired license and come back tomorrow with my a new note from my mommy and an other fresh ss document."

As I was leaving the office, one of the Mexican fellows who had been to the same circus at the social security office and back again with me says in his heavy accent, Hey Lady, you really got f--ked! Wow, he spoke good English! He made me smile and get over myself. So I'll go back tomorrow and try again to prove I able to drive the roads of Oregon. In the meantime, I'll just show my international drivers license and play dumb if I get stopped.

A Good Day!

I had a great day going through the birthday plan. First went to my daughters new classroom with the idea we would get her bulletin boards up, decorations around, and help her organize the room the way she wants it. Unfortunately the "tool" of a teacher that had it before her left a real mess. Files full of old student work, torn up teacher resources, instructional CD's out of their cases, and a filthy desk. We spent our time sorting and tossing instead and will return tomorrow to "Lysol" clean the place and hang things up. It is a great space and will be terrific when it's the way she wants it. Tomorrow we will stop at a office supply place for some odds and ends she needs, get a few more Mexican items to add a little international flavor and color to the room and get going on the project. It will be great.

Lunch with friend was fun and learned about a new place to go for Reuben sandwiches and such. Of course I don't remember the name but will post it tomorrow! It's after 1:00 am again, so my memory fails once more! I really do need to address this insomnia problem. It's not incapacitating yet but I realize it could be so, got to figure out a way to get to sleep with the noise laying next to me. Drug him or drug me? hummmm. To be determined.

Had a fabulous time at Piazza Italia as usual. I love that it never disappoints. The food superb and the staff warm and homey. Just what I wanted for my birthday. Josh, LJ , husband and parents all had great meals and interesting company. My family is so off the wall sometimes, with bizzare conversations that come for now where.

I have noticed that now my parents are as comfortable talking about their dogs potty habits as they are about their own( it's an old thing I am told). Both subjects totally unacceptable and more than I want to know, but there it is. The dog is their baby so the poor thing has not one unobserved and documented moment in his life. I still do not want the lab notes on his bm's at anytime, much less at dinner! Size, shape duration, hang time,....gross! Thank G the restaurant is buzzing and we could change the subject in short order. BUT REALY?

I did feel comfortable taking out my new face. LJ has some photos I will publish tomorrow when I get them off her camera. Wow, I have come a long way. Never would have allowed a public photo even a week ago. See? I am growing!

I shal now tuck my one year older bod back into bed with the hope of catching some "z"s. More with photos later...of the dinner, not the dog!

It's My Birthday!

Hurray, I have healed enough to go out into the night with only light Shades on and as a bonus, I won't frighten little children. I will be a able to go to my favorite little Italian haunt for Bresole and field green salad, and scuaceritteli, a little red table wine and great atmosphere. The best thing about Piazza Italia is the is is so authentic, run by real Italians, and makes me feel like I am back in one of the neighborhoods meshing "with my People"! It will be a little celebration of just 6, possibly 7 people and a simple little evening. Just what I want. I am excited.

This morning I will get to go to Lindsay's classroom and help decorate some of her boards, make space plans, etc. I am anxious to see her new digs. It will be fun experience helping her plan her world out there. I am getting some posters made from her travels abroad and hope they will be available before her classes are in session. Should be nice to have some of her actual photo posters rather than the usual travel posters. I will definitely enjoy my morning with the Lindz.

I will have lunch with an old friend (who is an makeup artist and is anxious to see my restoration project). She will have hints for doing my makeup and emollients for soothing the still sore areas. She saw me three days into this project and was amazed how well I was progressing so I am anxious to see what she thinks now. Having practiced in San Diego for years, she knows her Facial plastic procedures. See, yet another birthday activity all about me. It will be far better than pin the tail on the donkey.

I believe Wednesday night my new "pen pal" and her family will be coming here for dinner. I am excited because after our girls night out with our daughters, I know there is sooooo much more to say. I was amazed at the conversation between the four of us, that the amount of wine consumed was commiserate with the amount of mother/ daughter roll reversal behaviors. God help me, I believe I have crossed over! I wonder how long it will take me to learn the new rules of the M/D game; you know the one where I her original thoughts, fight back tendencies to blurt out embarrassing childhood memories, and generally admit that things have changed since my time at this point in her life. All true I must say. Thank God again, that it's no longer my turn to learn how to build for the rest of my life, decide which friends I want to know 40 years from now, get a career moving, and generally do it all correctly. Bless the youngsters. I'll know they'll do it better. I am old enough now that if I accidentally hurt peoples feelings or say something foolish, I have an excuse. ha!

It's another ambien night due to a sleep machine that sound as though it in the depths with Jacques Cousteau, a my ever-lovin's constant flipping and flopping around trying to get comfortable. I am now into Olympic recaps!

I shall get my restorative beauty sleep and prepare for my birthday. Hurray!

Let's Hear It for the Olympics!

While I know a lot of people don't care for all the hoopla and tv time given the Olympics, I truly am a fan. I couldn't have picked a better time to have to lay low because I have been able to watch on two stations most of the interesting events and see athletes from so many countries do their thing. Mostly I feel a sense of awe for these "kids"who have given so much of their young lives to become the very best they can be. I marvel at the discipline, dedication and what ever it is in them that makes them tick the way they do. For two weeks, they will do their thing in all the various events. When you think of the fact that even the kids who finish dead last in their events are still in the top 20 in the world at what they do! Geez, how is that a loss? I hope they know that when it is all said and done they still deserve our respect and admiration for what they have accomplished. As to the winners; wow! So I shall go on watching and learning about some sports I have never paid attention to much less understand the rules for, and the glamor sports as well while enjoying and marveling every minute. Here's to the Olympians, wherever they are from. Too bad the worlds problems cannot be decided in as civilized a way.

I had intended to post a day by day diary of my voyage through the vanity surgery maze but discovered pretty early on that 1.) I could not see through the swollen slits of my eyes to read much less write 2.) The drugs made it impossible to compose a full sentence with any kind of an ending thought and 3.) the tendency to whine when the whole experience is self inflected would be too great! So here I am two weeks post scurgery and feeling really pretty good and feeling more satisfied with the results as the days pass and the swelling goes down. It's a "left" side "right" side kind of race. Oooo, right side looking good today! There is a reason folks, why there are back doors to all vanity surgery clinics; You never use the front door or waiting room post surgery, just for initial consultations. Us graduates always are brought in from the back door straight to the treatment rooms. New candidates would pee their pants and change their minds if they saw us three days after surg having the first recheck. Me Too....I would have chickened out.

Seriously, the process has gone well, but I will admit, I underestimated the discomfort level a bit. I wouldn't call it painful as much as gnawing irritation, pinching, I want these damn stitches out kind of pain. The drugs work well, but I am not a fan of feeling out of control and hallucinating so I swapped them for Extra Strength Tylenol and got by. Oh my, the hallucinations! The worst one was the night I saw Japanese Shogun masks fading in and out of the window over my bed. They were exquisite but frightening. All red and black lacquered Dragons in various forms with flared nostrils, smoke and fire! Wish I could have sketched them as they were spectacular. The odd thing is I knew I was "out there" so wasn't scared as much as just worn out. I could squint my eyes and realize I was seeing reflections of computer lights and cables forming the visions on the window, but the brain tires of reality in a hurry on drugs. I decided it was time to end the show! No more Vicodon. One of Lindsays friends says I may have been subliminally influenced by pre-olympic visions from tv adds. Could be. I also have a love of masks and a small Italian collection of theatre masks so who knows. I did feel as though I had been out of town for a while. The combination was a powerful creation of my mind and drug interaction and perhaps I will be able to sketch them out some time. I'll post my critters if I ever do.

I had the best care possible from my best ever daughter thank goodness. She has a true aversion to seeing wounds, blood, stitches, etc, so I really don't know how she managed to help me through the first few nights of ice bags and pain pills but she trooped through it for sure. She kept my bunny ear ice bags full and applied through the night as my husband slumbered blissfully on ambien up in our bed. He was just exhausted thinking about all this! haha He took over the day shifts and was good (and smart) about giving me ice, pills, and a wide berth! I lived on jello, sherbet and H2O for the first three days (5lbs, yes!) and then graduated to Speghetti O's! can you imagine a good Italian girls eating that stuff from a can? It's great cause you can sort of suck it through your teeth, it's soft and not much chewing involved. It all worked well and I remained nourished.

I get out the last of my sutures tomorrow. I will celebrate by going to a darkened theater with my daughter to see Mama Mia! I am almost to the point where I don't look like a car wreck but could possibly caught a right hook to the left eye and cheek. Not bad for two weeks but I am told I will be astounded in a month. Ok, I'll take it.

I'll talk more of this adventure soon, but this just to let you know I am still out there, feeling better and happy with my results so far.

They say day three is the worst.

Tried to post pre-op pics for your viewing pleasure since my mom never said I couldn't do THAT but blogging karma was against me and wouldn't let me upload. Jerks.

Dad and I have been nursing mom for three days now. Dad's shifts are during the day and mine as soon as I get off of work and thru the night. I must say my Mom is an amazing patient. She isn't demanding and is overly apologetic.

Today is the worst pain she has experienced thus far. She tried to take just one pain pill instead of the customary dose of two but then my Dad kept talking, and narrating his every move and she asked for the second. Good choice.

She has a follow-up appointment today so we'll see what kind of excitement is in her future for the next week.

She looks scary, very scary. Like a brain surgery patient mixed with a trauma victim who was thrown through a car windshield. This is probably exactly why she doesn't want me posting pictures, eh!?

An update courtesy of the daughter...

After an evening of "family time" in preparation for the big day today - complete with "Face Off" jokes and general easing of the nerves of my mother on the eve of her surgery; I just received a phone call from my dad that she came through the procedure(s) with flying colors and is in recovery as we speak.

Last night was rather sleepless for her despite the anxiety meds they started her on last night in preparation for today's happenings. Might have had something to do with the late night phone call she received from the nurse telling her to warn whomever would be picking her up that she would be / will be quite the sight - very brain surgery-esque in order to keep her eyes from swelling.

We stayed up past midnight watching Chelsea Lately (freaking hilarious) and peeling my dad off of the floor when he fell out of bed. Are you kidding me? Apparently the plastic surgery gods were throwing my mom curve balls every chance they had. Dad is fine, hit his chest on the bed stand. Mom and I are now discussing strapping him into bed at night like a crazy person to avoid things like this.

I digress. She went in this morning at 6ish and was wheeled into surgery just after 7AM. My dad was told that she should be out by 10:30AM. Around 10AM, we received a phone call from the nurse stating that it would be closer to noon. Apparently they had forgotten that they would be working on mom's "howdy doodies" as she calls them.

She has informed me that I am, under no circumstances allowed to post pictures of her looking like a mummy - much to my dismay.

So, I have to respect her wishes for now.

She should be coming home around 3PM.

Thanks to those of you out there who offered her words of encouragement. This is a huge step for her, something she deserves and that will hopefully make her feel as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.

I feel like a yo-yo

So here's the latest in the over-haul saga. My Dr's got together and decided that a large injected dose of iron (ouch!) would do the trick to get me in shape to go ahead with my planned surgery. If my levels have improved by Monday, it's a go! I guess because it's done under local and there is very little chance of loss of blood they feel it should go well. Then I will have a few weeks of taking it easy and building my stamina up with oral medication during the recovery. Sounds good to me. Here we go again!

Mother Nature Pitches a Curve!

RATS! I was sitting here yesterday afternoon, still nervously anticipating the prospects of my "freshening" next week when I got a call from Angela, my MD, with my labs from a recent physical. She was to forward the stuff to the surgeon for the pre-exam for my procedure but wanted to "talk" first. First clue this conversation was not going to go well! Among the results pertinent to the surgeon were the usual things and then, a little bonus piece of info. My red count is in the tank again! (a problem I have had off and on but that has been under control for some time.)
I could just scream because the likely hood is that my surgeon won't touch me until I am in normal range again. It's nice to know that I have been exhausted for good reason lately, and not just getting more lazy as the days go on. I should have know my levels were down again because the signs were there. Lack of energy, sleeplessness, exhaustion, trouble focusing, an need to chew ice (weird I know but a sign of low hematocrit). But I have not felt as lousy as I have in the past when my count went low so I chalked it up to not being very happy with myself. Lesson: Listen to you body when she talks to you. She is your best friend and rarely lies.
The result of last evenings activities are that I am now waiting to hear if I am cleared for my surgery, if not, when I can reschedule. What needs to be done to rebuild my puny blood supply, & when will I be able to make it up for having had to disappoint my daughter because I was forced to miss an important motorcycle race her boyfriend ran last night. I am now lousy company and feeling the "fate gods" messing with me. I refuse to throw a pity party, and must consider that I am lucky I didn't get into a situation that is risky, but I am profoundly disappointed and afraid it will take me forever to get back on schedule. My surgeon is going in for rotator cuff surgery himself soon, so I guess I will be pushed into September. Rats, and Rats again.
More when I have it.

What am I thinking!

I came to the realization some time ago that the last year's events have somehow left their imprint squarely on my face, and not in a good way. I felt like I looked tired all the time, and saggy and swollen in the face all at the same time. Sorting through recent photos, I came upon validation that it was not my imagination. One photo was this time last year, and one just about a month ago. It looked like time lapse photography, over the period of 6 or 7 years instead of just one. How in the world does gravity jump up and smack you in the head with a boat oar so quickly I ask myself. I don't use drugs, I am not into frequent bouts of alcohol frenzy, I have not lost gross amounts of weight. So I get to blame the obvious culprits of age, Age and AGe...with a generous sprinkling of a year's worth of stress that snuck up without me even being aware that I was wrapped so tight quarters could be bounced off my nerves, well ... you get baggy eyelids, sagging cheeks (the Howdy Dowdy lines) and all that extra neck! After nursing my husband over the course of 11 months through a cervical fusion, pneumonia (7 days in hospital with a "code"thrown in for good measure) and a total knee replacement (to replace the partial which failed after just one year), a little stress if you please. What the hell!

I have decided to kill the turkey, waddle and all!

I looked up an old classmate of mine who along with being a friend, happens to be a world class plastic surgeon. Yes, I am succumbing to the vanity thing, but not so much to look younger ( I don't mind looking my age) but to look fresh and not like I constantly am in need of a nap. I am nervous as can be about it, but looking forward to getting it over with too. I am promised that I will not look like Joan Rivers, there will be no ass fat transfered to my cheeks, no plumping of the lips, no artificial inserts of any kind. Just good-bye to the turkey neck and my eyes opened up so I can see out without seeing side curtains! I will no longer be able to pull my lids out and time how long it takes them to settle back into place. I will be able to put on eye shadow that will show with my eyes OPEN. All this is supposed to be done with minimal surgical invasion and a few weeks recovery. I am nervous and apprehensive. After all, if I don't like the results, I can't exactly return it for my old face. I have confidence in my surgeon and am counting the days (next Tuesday at this time I will be in my recliner with ice bags and a straw) and on the mend. But I get to be nervous if I want, right?

So am I having a late mid-life crisis (to late for a real one as I really don't think I know anyone 126 years old) or just tired of looking in the mirror and seeing my 86 year old mother? While she looks amazing for an 86 year old I am 24 years her junior and not ready for that look just yet. Am I way too indulgent and self absorbed to have noticed my mug and let it get to me? The money could feed starving children in third world countries (the USA for that matter), a daughters college loan it could reduce, many other worthy causes it could enhance. How selfish is it that I have committed to this? Don't answer that one. I am giving this to myself for my birthday. It's like this: To late to back out, paid in advance on the "classmate special" rate, got my nerve up and going on with it. Wish me luck and hopefully I will come to grips with some understanding during my recovery as to why I needed to do this and why I think I will feel better about myself when it's done. Rest assured, I am doing this for myself; I have no plans to do anything like get a new job, make new friends or change my name. I just want to see myself looking back from the mirror again. At least the drugs will be good and I will be relaxed for the first time in a year. Maybe photos later, we'll see!

Central Oregon

Just returned from 8 days in Central Oregon, (Sunriver to be exact) with some color on my pasty whites and fresh color on my roots! What the hey, a little mind body overhaul in the sun! I got in a few rounds of golf, bike rides, good photo 'ops" and read 4 books!

The golf was really Not Bad, considering that I haven't played in months and was playing with my husband who fancies himself a coachadysst! That would be someone who isn't playing worth spit so take it upon their shoulders to tell others how to perfect the game as it is in progress. REALLY? I managed to escape the front nine with a 50, (I had a few 7's along the way) so was delighted to post the score for my first time out in almost a year. I beat my husband and felt a pang of satisfaction that I managed to par a hole or two even with his voice in the background saying "are you sure you want to do that" and "check that grip" or "watch that alignment", usually during the back-swing or just as I settled into a putt. Good heavens, there was no money on this game dear! I must remember to eat some chilly or something before our next twosome outing!

The bike rides are spectacular around our end of Sunriver. We are located out near the Marina and airport so have pretty quick access to the the trails going away from population and toward scenic waterways, mountains, horses and glider planes. Also only a 10 minute peddle away from a nice resturant on the water with a lovely bar looking out on the scene. I jaunted in on my own once for a cooling ice tea (not long island) before my peddle back. I had intended to go back for a mojito but never got the op again. Oh well. "Drunkin' woman wipes out on bike, drowns in irrigation ditch!" Not a pretty headline eh? On one of the rides, I saw in the distance a great cloud of dust coming up off a otherwise calm and clear horizon. The fields and mountains behind the cloud were in perfect evening light so was spectacular for filming. No' I had left the camera at the condo! RATS! Rode on up to see that it was a herd of 50 or so horses being escorted out to new fresh pasture after a day hauling tourist on their backs all day. Wow, were they enjoying running free, going home for their day to enjoy a great pasture meal and just "be" horses. It felt like a snapshot from the past and gave me chills. I got a close look into the eyes of one horse as it passed near the fence where I was watching. I swear it raised it's head a little higher and fluffed it's nostrils as it look right at me, like "don't even think about coming out for a ride old girl"! I vowed to get back out their and see the end of day release once more before we left for home. See the photo? I loved this moment.

As to the books read: I started with a small serving called "Four Season's in Rome" that was the lead into the reading orgy that was to follow. It's about a fellow who was given a grant to go live in Rome for a year, given office space at the University with other Fellows, and a good chunk of money to do whatever. He didn't even have to produce, just be! The catch was that he and his wife had 6 week old twins and the courage to go ahead and do this thing. It was interesting to rad about them covering the same areas in Rome where my family live, and see them grow with the twin boys in a foreign land. A good quick read.

Next I took on "Loving Frank". It is a historical novel based on fact about Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress Mamuh Borthwick. I got about four chapters or so into it and was still ambivalent about finishing it...still hadn't really hooked me. Once I got really interested in the some of the characters, I was totally STUNNED by the finish. So unaware of this little piece of relating to Taliesin North and Frank and Mamuh. I got on line to be sure the author hadn't gone off her rocker but sure enough the things she wrote about were true. Oh how I wish my grandmother was still with us, (I miss her everyday yet, but that's another blog) because she no doubt would have known all about their affair and the outcome, it had to have been such a scandalous and shocking thing in the thirties.

Finally, my daughter introduced my to a set of novels I never would have found on my own. I am into historical novels, bios and auto-bios, travel novels, etc. But books about Vampires and Werewolves? She said she had noticed a lot of her high school students reading these books while student teaching a began reading them to see what they found so compelling. My goodness! I got through the first two she brought and bought the third on as fast as I could when we returned to "P" town. It is all based in Forks, Wa, our backyard, and runs off to other places where I have traveled around he world. The best foreign site was one of my favorite places in Italy, Voltera! Wish I had read this book before I visited there again last September. So many of the things would have made more sense, and been even more intriguing because they still have some of the festivals mentioned in the chapters. Because Voltera is the site of one of the oldest Etruscan civilizations, it is already fabulously interesting to me, but with the Vampire thing, well, you see where this is going. SO, if you feel like reading something quite out of your usual genre, take a look at the Twilight Saga books by Stephenie Meyer. Nuff said.

We celebrated Rico's bday while there too. "Best puppy in the world" had a great day, got a new birthday hat (thanks for the humiliation LJ) and got to eat ice cream! What more does a 3 year old pup want!

So for now, back home and inspired to do more each day that is 1), physical, 2), simply because I want too, 3), see Mama Mia as soon as it comes out, 4), golf at least once a week, 5), read a book a week . Humm, best get up from this computer and start!

orgasmic pasta

My favorite cousins are in town and so it feels festive meals are in order.
woooow! This first night I started off with the idea to make a nice seafood pasta and went a little over the edge with the quantity prepared. As the cook sampled the wine, the recipe continued to evolve. Doesn't a saute of Shitake's, garlic,shallots, asparagus, shrim, scallops and crab in a heavy cream sauce mellowed with bit of Chardonnay sound Davine? The aromas from the kitchen were orgasmic and the flavors superb, however I feel I did a little too much pasta for the sauce kind of thing. It was sensational but I always need a second chance to adjust the recipe. Served with a salad of field greens, fresh raspberries, sliced figs prosciutto and raspberry vinaigrette. I think everyone was sated by the end of the evening. As I had overloaded my victums with carbs and artichokes, desert was out of the question, as was the desert wine. I didn't want to waste so I drank it myself.! YUmmmm. It's now three o'clock and I am writing this blog instead of sleeping waiting for the sleepy slam to hit me. Damn. My reward is that I get to enjoy the rest of the 4Th of July holiday with the cuzns enjoying great restaurants and events. Are you ready...no we are not going to the blues festival this year...we have opted for a bonefide rodeo. Farm barns, western cultural displays, and art show and let er, buck. Horse shit and hot dogs, eeeehaw! Gwad, I need to get to bed!

Mom had a birthday celebration at the house for dad yesterday to commemorate his 90th year. It was the culmination of birthday festivities for my three birthday people as seen in the previous blogs. Yesterdays gathering left me almost numb with contradictory feelings and ambivalence toward further extended family gatherings. To say it was bizarre doesn't really cut it.

First, it was great to see some of my parents oldest friends still with us and able to come celebrate the event. These people have been a part of my life since childhood, and to imagine that my parents have held these friendships since their childhoods boggles the mind. Their collective memories reflect early immigration, the great depression, WWII, live big dance bands, hard times, good times, and all in between. I looked around the room and for a moment saw them all as they had been; when laughter and wit and humor rang out from the backyard on Sherman street, Dad flaming up his first bar-b-q, Sam pouring wine, cards being played, and all of us "kids" running and screaming around he street playing "kick the can" out front of the house. Just for a second I saw this group of people together and imagined the voices of some of those missing from the group now, but it made me smile none the less.

There were second generation people there too (me included) and grandchildren as well. Those of us who are the children of the last of our parents generation have aged into our 50's and 60's with the knowledge of our parents ties to each other, flaws and all, and have that to share as time goes by. Also, with the grand children came the bizzaro part of the event, the part that made me shake my head and decide I prefer the fairy tale still in my mind about the old days to what I see with some of the "youngsters". Some have received little to no direction from their families and reflect that "loose canon" effect. I feel they have missed the benefit of having shared moments listening to the old farts talk around the poker table, or the women kibtzing in the kitchen, and the cousins playing in the yard together. It was strange. Then again, the strangest of all was the rude exit one of the relatives took from the party....a true "parting shot" as it were.

Seems there has been an ax to grind for some years that only now surfaces. Perceived slights administered to that branch of the family no one was aware of until now. A missed invitation Apparently on my part) to an event for LJ to some of the cousins and a mystery phone call that I swear never came to me. I am astounded that nothing was said until now, and only 4 years later the reason for my parents being slighted comes out. The Aunt and Uncle say on their way out the door, "It's a shame your nieces weren't invited to come to Uncle Ray's 90th, but they received no invitation and will not come where they are not invited." "After all they were not invited to LJ's graduation party!" I was so suprised, I said "Whaaat?" My aunt tells me she called to see if they could come to LJ's party and I told her there would be no room! are you kidding me....I would not forget such a conversation. Never Happened! That they have been avoiding my parents for this long is beyond me....if they perceived this slight, why take it out on them? Just weird. I felt totally validated by another guest who heard the parting shot and thought it was the rudest thing they had ever heard.

The coup d gras was watching my brothers offspring spend time together having conversation as adults for the first time ever... The whole event made me feel very skizophrenic!

My conclusion: Thank God We had the wonderful celebration at Piazza Italia! It was wonderful and had all the warm fuzzies. LJ had a fabulous party thrown by her Josh that was the best she ever enjoyed with her friends. Good job Josh! I will count Sunday's bash for Dad as something Mom needed to do for Dad, and chance for them to celebrate with all the important people in their lives, and something I wish I had somehow missed!

Twenty-Six years later! The Birthday celebration goes on. This one held at Piazza Italia was by far the most fun we have had celebrating the big three since we traveled to Italy to have Dad's 80th in his original village ten years ago. In some ways, it was even better because this little bit of Italian ambiance exists right here in "P"town and is available to us whenever we need a reality check. It feels like Italy, where the company, the meal, the conversation creates a timeless comfort zone. The realities of life become so clear...don't waste this good time thinking about what's next...just enjoy life as it is.
Happy Birthday to Youz!

The Best Day of the Year!

26 years ago today (at 4:46 pm) my beautiful baby girl was born. It just so happens (and by total coincidence) that she was born on her father and grandfathers birthday too! She has been a source of joy and pride to me her entire life and I love that she gets honored today with good wishes and fun and games. As a child she was thrilling to watch grow through her stages of life, learning and applying lessons, managing peoples hearts, and flashing that beautiful heartfelt smile. As an adult, she is thoughtful and insightful, and just the most fun to be around of anyone I know. She is the best thing I ever did in my life and has spread her joy to all who know her. Happy Birthday baby girl! The mother is resting well.

What would you do?

If you were walking along and spotted a load of cash laying off the side of the path, after you counted it a screamed a little, would you keep it?

If it was a million dollars in $100 bill's what are the chances that the drug lord or mafia magnet would hunt you down like a dog and pull your tongue from your head until you gave it back?

If it was $800 in cash, good chance nobody dangerous made the sidewalk deposit so probably safe to say that if no one claimed it in a reasonable period of time, you keep it. Nothing to sneeze at.

Our trip to the Lottery office sort of worked out to be the $800 kind, and while the daydreaming of what I might do with the 4.2 mil went up in a poof (from Manolo's to Keds) it's still better than not winning anything. Our vacation in Sun River will now be FREE! I must say the juice one gets going in anticipation of what that little piece of paper might be worth is a rush. Could have looked it up on line, but then where would have been the drama in that. I consider this just a practice run for when I do get the BIG ONE. Hold on Lindz, that school loan is still top of my list!

Finishing Hell Week!

Once again I am experiencing the joys of remodeling our home; unfortunately, this is a repeat performance to fix mistakes made on the hardwood floors during the actual remodel project; which means I have zero patience and there is virtually no room for error in this process if I wish to keep my nerves inside my skin! We moved into my parents home (where there is no such thing as a silent moment), brought the cat and the dog along, and hunkered down for our two day wait. During the stay at parent-ville, my daughter got in her first car accident and scared hell out of me( a moms worst nightmare), I caught a cold, and haven't slept well in days. I need my own bed! It's soft and luxurious and large and spacious and I need it!

I spoke frequently with the contractor who pledged to fix the original problem of improper spacing in the floor and was assured of the fine progress they were making. We came back to our home three days later in horror to find that while the original spacing problem had been replaced with a beautiful finish, it was laid over over big gouges they had sanded into the middle of the kitchen floor. How, one might ask, did workmen, or "craftsmen" as the call themselves, not see this before the finish went on?

Holy Merde! Back to the parents chirpville for another two nights (this should be the last night), hoping all will be well in the morning. So I find myself sitting in the driveway where I can get a internet connection and blog and bitch away about the interruption of my life yet again for work that should have been long done, looking at the sawdust that somehow creeps through plastic draped shields, and wonder how many days it will take to suck all the crap out of the furniture and pots and pans, etc. POOP!

On the hopeful side, perhaps some luck is finally coming our way. My husband came how with a winning lottery ticket! How much you may ask. ME TOO. The lottery person says they cannot pay out the amount won at the 7-11, we must bring it to the Salem office to collect. That sounds really good don't you think? Well, it could be anywhere between $600. and 4.2 million! A spread I know however either end is more than we started with from friend lottery. But my imagination is having a hard time switching day dreams...what a difference between, say, paying for a birthday party for my family and lets say buying a new car, paying off our daughters school loans, fixing up everyone we love with a debt free start, getting a place in Spain or Italy. See the problem...you cannot dream of new manolo's on the $600 budget!

More later after we return from Salem!

ROAD FOOD

Something happens to men when they get behind the wheel of a real truck...It's like watching Cptn Kirk on the Star Ship Enterprise....in control, happy in command of the mission, big smile on face ... ooo - ooo - ooo! I have discovered that my husband has a secret eating ritual for truck trips (totally different than our auto trips and unknown to me before today). I am hoping this was an aberation, and not his usual and customary bill of fare.

He started the day eating from the home fridge at 7:30 am. He had left over spicy tuna sushi and a cup of coffee. Ok, so he was hungry and really wanted to try the sushi LJ brought home last night. He gets this one.

We made a potty stop and to get a cup of coffee at 10:00 am at one of his favorite stops on the way up I-5 called simply "EAT". OKeeeey. We go in, I head to the "john" while he orders our coffee and a donut. When I come out, he is chasing down the donut with a tuna sandwich. Ok again, the guy was still hungry and in need of a little more than the sushi he had for breakfast. Off we go to make our delivery.

On the return trip to Portland, we stop for lunch at another old standby, Taco Bell. There we order 6 tacos and dine in! I eat 2, he eats 4 and feels sated at last. Cool. We are almost at the end of my courtesy ride, no major mishaps and good will created. The biggest problem we have encountered today is that the truck gets about 5 miles to the gallon and we have had to stop twice for gas already. To get all the way back to Portland with enough to spare, we have to stop yet a third time to top off the tank. My husbands goes in to pay for the gas and comes out with a bag of...get this...fried chicken gizzards! At a gas station? You have got to be kidding? I now know what true happiness looks like; A guy behind the wheel of a truck, popping greasy chicken gizzards in his mouth while singing Oh Suzanna in Gubbish!

Once home, I met up with my daughter to go shop for a wedding gift. As we prepare to leave the house, my husband wants to know "what's for dinner tonight?" Are you kidding me? I almost barffed thinking of the food he had ingested this day, in two hour intervals, from 7:30 am til 3:30 in the afternoon. "What's for dinner?" Mylanta followed by Alka Seltzer.
I have fulfilled my girl scout badge for companionship while trucking material up the I-5.

YELLOW SUBMARINE

I did a mercy run today with my husband up I-5 to Chehalis on a little business delivery trip. Now I normally wouldn't be the least bit interested in this activity but since he has been unable to travel much since his surgery, it seemed a reasonable thing to accompany him on the jaunt for the day. He thought an assist would be nice since I was taking the day off from my little temp job (not that I had any intention of actually driving).

Woops! Not in our comfortable little pick-up truck, but a great eye watering ugly yellow van truck that is old as snow. Forget there are no steps or hold on handles while I tried to hike the my butt up onto the seat. Forget the seat has a spring protruding that is impossible to adjust around to one cheek or the other. Forget the poor ole things 140,000 mile and counting engine strains and whines it's way up the highway, or that "someone" left the ER Brake on and the stench coming through the vents was like tires on fire. No, the worst thing was that the major flaw in this old ride was that there are NO CUP HOLDERS! My coffee -- balanced -- in hand -- bouncing down the highway banging over the smallest highway flaws as though they were the grand canyon. The absolute coup de gras.....the radio was turned and blaring out the god awful
swill of Rush Limbaugh. Urgghhhh!

Yes, the Ma and Pa Kettles' still live and wander the roads of OR & WA. Dear God, don't let me see anyone I know, pleez. I readjusted the radio to my progressive and very liberal station 620, and settled in once I got the coffee balancing trick mastered. Then, I heard a sound filling the cab, a sound I had not heard before but somehow vaguely familiar...Could it be, is it, yes, it is! My husband singing Ole Suzanna in GUBISH! "Tomasuki mascoloki ugaliski doodie with a banjo on my knee". what the hell? Thus begins the trek with a load of some kind of wood product tucked in the van on it's way to Chehalis.

A New Citizen

My husband and I have known some workers from Mexico over the years, mostly from his work in the lumber business where a great deal of the workers in the manufacturing plant were Mexican (with green cards). Many of them work here the bigger part of the year going back to Mexico to visit families for a month at a time over Christmas and so on. Great sacrifice on their part to be sure to feed and educate their families. One fellow has saved enough to get his son through University with a degree in engineering, but has missed so much of his little girls life that he wonders if it will have been worth it. To compensate and stay bonded, he calls every Sunday and they read together.

Today, one of my husband's old employees came by to earn extra money and help us out with trimming hedges and other work Bill can't do right now due to rehabilitating his recent knee replacement. Leo was so proud because today he became a citizen of the United States. He said he did it for his children so they would always know they belong here and will also become good citizens. He wanted to give them a living example of being a part of his country and contributing as well as enjoying the benefits of being an American. So much we all take for granted. The studying after work, citizenship classes, swearing in, all to be a part of a functioning country.

He is so excited to get to vote in November. No matter who he supports, I am certain that he will have put a ton of thought into who he votes for after working so hard to gave the right to do so. Wow!

Congratulations Leo. Celebrate!

May in "P" town

I think Oregonians are born with some of the drugs given to women in labor, hidden deep into the layers of white pasty skin we morp into over the winter-spring in "Gods" country. The drug that has made it possible for women to elect to have more than one child. The drug that wipes out all real memory of the pain and contortions we go through to produce the beautiful new human specimens we fall immediately in love with.

See! It only takes one decent weekend of warmth and sunshine to wipe out most memories of the terrible spring we have had so far. Forget the rain, the cold, the wind and constant grey. "Get ye to the garden shope" and whip out the credit card for some brightly colored jewell's to place throughout the yard and garden to remind us that summer is indeed just around the corner. I almost got my sky swing hung before the cold came back. Can't wait to feel the warmth of the sun through the canvas, put my feet in the foot rest, sit with my glass of wine and let the wind gently swing me while enjoying the end of the day.

I love that we have an excuse to get the yard whipped into shape and ready for the first celebration of the year...LJ gave us that excuse. We will soon celebrate with friends and family the completion of her Masters Degree and the fact that she has a job in the wings for September. We need little excuse to celebrate her, but it's always nice to have something official that lets all the light in. Thus, the reason I published the first blog I ever did regarding her student teaching gig. Now if the weather just cooperates, doesn't suddenly hail or blow all the flowers off my deck, we are set.

I'll get better at this, but I am breaking into my blog speed a little better now and will, I hope not bore myself much less anyone else with my "stuff". The views of this old bag will be foisted on my readers from time to time, and I hope I will here some pearls from others from time to time.

Post from old August Blog

OLD BROADS AND HOT CARS
GAWD it's hot.
Now I love the heat, and generally do not complain no mater how bad it gets. But when the air goes out of the car, and the leather fry's my buns,...that's another story.
My air in the car has turned into a soap opera repair story. Bill took it to a gypo ma/pa shop where they put in more freeon and sent me on my way...but didn't help. Took it to Ford where they said it needed a $1300. part.(Not even the computer that runs everything, but a little door that flaps between heat/cold for the system). When I went to get it found that they had disconnected it instead of fixing it cause Bill said something that led them to believe that would be acceptable (something like"you've got to be kidding you screw artists!). I limped off the lot heading for yet another place Bill had found that may be able to fix the problem. By the time I got to Tualatin My car was 104 inside, I was stuck to the seat and having the vapors! I left it and for $820, I should have a car again sometime tomorrow. Old broads CANNOT be hot in their cars...period. The moral? Don't allow your husband to attempt to find a "deal" when it's "your" car and the temps in the 100's!

Pasted from old blog:2007

It's the first day of my daughters student teaching experience and I know for a fact that she is prepared to the teeth, competent beyond reason, and totally freaking out! I know this because I have witnessed similar "LJ protocol" for all sorts of milestones in her life...state competitions, off to college, rush; how about the START weekend at OSU where students re tested for placement in all subject areas. Now that was a grueling chore...testing in MATH at 9:00 PM in weather hotter than hell! I am so excited for her and so proud of the effort and knowledge she will bring to her career. Those kids are so lucky. She will hit her comfort zone and take off like a rocket. How many teachers did any of you have that you knew loved their subject and truly wanted to share it with you? That's my girl. Go Get em!