Consequences of Being Healthy

Just when you thought it was too good to be true!!!

Lyn, my dear friend, just had a total knee reconstruction. She prepared herself for surgery by walking, exercising, strengthening herself for post-op recovery. She did all of this in extreme pain, she was supposed to have surgery last May but ended up putting it off (partly to build herself up).

She has state-of-the-art surgical procedures and surgeon. Typically a Total-knee takes a minimum 3 day hospitalization. Lyn went in with the mindset that she was going to do it in two days!  Huge winter storm threatening the west coast, prediction of 4 to 6 feet of snow east and west of us was a bit of a factor.

This morning, her doctor is totally blown away by her progress. First night after surgery she walked 70'! Yesterday she was making loops around the nursing station. He gives her the go ahead and signs the discharge papers.

Twenty minutes later, just before we walked in to bust her out, she gets a visit from the finance department. Medicare is denying a huge portion of her costs!

Why, you might ask!

Medicare informed her that her stay at the hospital is considered "outpatient" care because she didn't spend three nights in the hospital. Because it is an outpatient procedure, they are only going to cover a small portion of the costs.

Layman's terms: Because you got better faster it's going to cost you more!

Great method Medicare has adopted to help a person recover from major surgery?

Medicare friends, stay or pay!

A Lesson Learned

Home Safe.

After lots of debate and discussion, we decided to leave earlier than originally planned for our drive straight into the winter storm of the year!

The Guy bought cables for me, packed up two extra blankets, bottled water and oranges, and tore down a huge box into a long piece of cardboard about 10' long (in case I had to get on the ground to put on snow cables or work on car!) Always thinking, that Guy!

The sun was shining when I reached Lyn's house, not a cloud in the sky. The mountains were beautiful. We packed up her stuff and got back on I-5.

Mt. Shasta and Castle Crags looming in the distance were bright and shiny. Still no clouds. The wind was a different matter. Mr. Wind was blowing with all his might.

All this sunshine and I'm still full of anxiety, worried about the 7 mile steep grade headed up to Siskiyou Pass.

We round the mountains just after Weed (yes, there is a town in California named Weed!), we've made it through the Cascades! No problems! Of course there were the 18-wheelers swaying in the wind and crossing lanes at the last minute but that is a given.

There is a long stretch of plains and rolling hills between the Cascades and the Siskiyous, Yreka nestles in on the west side of the valley; a total sucker for the icy north winds.  Looming in the distance is a menacing, bank of dark ominous clouds! (I start wondering why I hadn't called the kids and told them how much I love them and how proud of them I am!)

We head up the grade, sun still shining on us, pavement dry.  We get to the Pass, road still dry, sun still shining. From Pass to hotel is about 10 minutes. By the time we get to hotel, the dark clouds have swept in. It is only 1:30 but seems that night has just leaped out. Temperature is about 36.

Just made it.

Looking out the hotel window at 6 AM, everything is white! Car is surrounded by 6 inches of snow. I know you Canada and snow country people are thinking 6" is nothing. You have to remember, I am from Redding; 2 inches of snow and we close the schools!

Started car to heat it up for Lyn. She is wearing pajamas because she just did pre-surgery wipe down.
She also only wore slippers! Six inches of snow! How she going to get to car? The Guy's cardboard!
I laid it on the snow, like a red carpet! Isn't he the best?

Packed up the cardboard and headed to hospital. But First, getting out of parking lot that no one has driven in, so I don't have tracks to follow in. More anxiety. Backing out of spot was okay until Malibu decided to slide sideways! Why did we decided to book a hotel with a sloped parking lot?

Roads were mushy but doable. Hospital parking lot was fun, again, tiniest bit of slope so my little car refuses to park facing west because there is a grade of about 2%!  (Could it be that my car suffers from more anxiety than her driver???) So, I back out, turn around and park east, sliding into perfect spot.

Cute little Malibu but she's going to need some therapy!

Lyn is admitted and on to surgery. The sun pops out and I discovered that I am in paradise! I love Ashland anyway, but dusted in snow, she turns into a magic world!

While Lyn was in surgery, I took a walk. Discovered that in my hurry to leave early, I left camera at home, right by the door, where I wouldn't forget it!  Met some nice people walking their dogs, some dogs had little booties. Scared a guy in a long (cashmere looking) top coat, carrying his gourmet coffee and newspaper. He saw me coming and crossed the street! (That's right, buddy, be afraid of the old woman in a USC sweatshirt and levis!) He could probably smell the sandalwood and patchouli on me and thought, "Oh, shit, an old hippie!"

Talked with Julie, my Portland friend. Another storm was coming down from her end of the state and there are several mountain ranges to cross to get there. We decided to skip my visit.

Best part of experience. Lyn sailed through the surgery. Knee replacement is a whole new world since mine (or maybe it's just Oregon). She didn't have to have General Anesthesia. They do an epidural, place a small catheter in thigh, just above the knee for immediate pain control meds for 36 hours after surgery (no narcotics or waiting 20 minutes for pain meds to take effect, yahoo!) and she is given something to put her in a bit of a 'twilight state', she is awake but mostly unaware during surgery. She may hear conversations and maybe not. No urine catheter, no intubation, no post surgical vomiting from anesthesia. She walked 70' yesterday, just a couple of hours after her surgery.

Headed back tomorrow to bring her home. Next storm is not until Thursday, so no worries! The Guy is going with me to help get Lyn in and out.

So now you are all aware of one of my most dreaded fears! What are yours. What makes you sweat bullets? 

Those of you that drive in the snow on a regular basis:

Yes!

Friend sent this to me on Facebook. Couldn't resist sharing.

Yesterday I had my annual Medicare wellness check. The nurse said that at my age I should have a bar in the shower. So I took her advice.

Crap!

Guess what highway has Severe Weather Alerts and Warnings for today?

Shit-oh-dear!

Snow! 8 tp 15 inches predicted.

50+ mile an hour gusts.

Guess who has only driven in snow twice, maybe!!!!

Guess who doesn't own chains!

I'm packing blankets, pillow, water and little ketchup packs, just in case we get stranded and I have to eat my friend!!!!

This is a bit of Karma. When I had my total knee replacement, I was originally on a 3 month waiting list. I got a call on Friday telling me that several patients couldn't reach the hospital due to a blizzard, so if I wanted, I could have my surgery on Monday! Yahoo. I went for it!

Paybacks are hell!

Road Trip

Do you love road trips? I thrive on them.

Really don't know where it comes from, but I love driving alone! Primal screaming, top of the lung singing (totally off key and no one suffers!), audio books, making up stories about random drivers or houses as I pass.

Sunday, I pick up a friend who lives alone in the mountains, then we head to Ashland, Oregon. She is going to have a total knee replacement and, sadly, not many physicians or either hospital in Redding is trusted by any of us locals.

She needs to be at the hospital at 7 AM, so we're spending the night in Ashland. I love her dearly, but I can't imagine driving through the canyon at 3 AM, and, bless her heart, neither can she!

I'll stay at hospital until she's out of surgery then I jump into my chariot and drive to Portland to visit Julie!

Color me excited!

Julie, the best friend in the entire world, was my maid of honor when the Guy and I were married at Shasta Dam a million years ago. We have tickets to see Cheryl Strayed, of Wild and Brave Enough fame. Can you imagine hiking the Pacific Crest Trail by yourself?  I would love to tell you that I would hike it without a moment's hesitation if it wasn't for my bad knees but, sadly, that would be a big fat lie. Bears, Mountain Lions and a 70 lb pack...yeah, NO!

Depending on how Lyn progresses with her physical therapy, I will pick her up Wed or Thur on my way back home. Lyn will have some pretty heavy duty pain medication in her for the drive over the pass and through the canyon, so conversation may be minimal but there are those audio books. I don't care how medicated one is, I would never put them through the torture of my singing!

I gave my laptop to my grandson and his wife, so I will be able to read everyone's blogs while I'm gone, but won't be able to comment. I'm a little hesitant about putting too much info on my IPhone, so I can't post on my blog or comment on other blogs. Every time a prompt shows up on my cell asking for a password, I turn it off and say a prayer to the Tech Powers That Be to back off! I don't even have Messenger on my phone which is apparently a major sin to some!

The Guy is going to be in 7th heaven. He works with customers all day and has a commute of about 2 minutes! Before we moved to town, he had a good 25 minutes of down time before getting home. His days off are usually jam-packed, so, other than hanging out with my parents for a bit on Wednesday, he is going to have at least three evenings to do as he pleases, no pressure. He's acting like he's going to miss me...but we all know the truth, right?

As much as I love being with him, there are those times when being alone is more precious than gold or cheesecake!

Oh, the other part of that stupid promise I made to get out and be more adventurous...the weather predictions for days we will be headed over Siskiyou Pass are for snow and rain. Oh yeah, there is a huge climb heading north, or drop when heading south.

At least the highway is divided!

Just saying, there will wine at the hotel and probably a bag of Almond Joys (self medication) on the ride up!

Wish us luck. See you on the flip side! (p.s. to Martha. I'm praying there is no V-8 on the road!)

Random Thoughts about White Hair

When I started Wandering and Wondering, my hair was a dark mahogany, then it was black, then it was a lighter mahogany, then it was just brown.

Premature Gray Silver is a dominant trait on my mother's side of the family. My hair started to turn gray white in my late teens. By the time I was 25, I would estimate my hair was close to 25% white.  Luckily, I had been dying it since I was 14, so the only way one could tell how white it was is if it took me more than three weeks to retouch it.

Yes, my mother let me dye my hair at 14. I wasn't allowed to pierce my ears, wear make-up, tampons or bikini underwear (what would people think!!!!) but I could support Clairol!

My hair grows super fast. If I dye it, about four minutes past the 21st day a quarter inch neon stripe of silver glows at my scalp, yelling to the world, "FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!"

I stopped dying it ages ago and now my hair is mostly silver with some dark 'low lights' that don't cost me a dime!

My old Blogger profile photo was taken maybe 11 or 12 years ago. Yesterday one of my friends asked me why I have such an old photo representing me. She accused me of being ashamed of my hair color and age! She knew better but she was trying to make a point. So, this morning I have updated my photo.

All of you young women without gray in your hair, you are probably unaware or maybe you have asked these questions of your silver friends.

These are my answers to questions that are asked all the time:

Yes, I have white hair and I love it.

Yes, it is naturally curly, I only blow dry it if the humidity is below 38%, otherwise it is a useless task.

No, I don't think it ages me, having had 67 birthdays is what ages me.

No, white hair did not make my hair unruly. My hair, like myself, has always had authority issues! (Which brings me to the items above that I wasn't allowed to do...it didn't mean I didn't do them, I just wasn't allowed to do them!)

Yes, The Guy likes my white hair? Well, I don't really know for sure. He says he doesn't want me to dye it but I'm not sure if it's because he likes the white or his wallet likes the savings!

Lots of words here to assure you all that I didn't have some tragic event that made me go white overnight.

Are you happy, Jessica?

p.s. The Guy has the most awesome wavy silver hair. When he was younger his hair was black. He looks just like his Uncle Richard who has had the most gorgeous silver hair since I've known him. I couldn't wait for the Guys hair to turn and make him even more handsome than he already was. Now he looks just like Uncle Richard. Oo la la!

Celebrate The Small Things & Friendly Friday Fill-ins!

Time to Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain.

Somehow, nothing seems like a small thing this evening. It's one of those evenings when all the blessings to celebrate seem big!

Last year, a patch of California Poppies sprouted up in my yard from a handful of seeds my grandson tossed out. They were gorgeous in their golden dresses. I let them go to seed. This year they are everywhere. The whole yard will be a paradise!

Rex's back seems to be healed. He's getting up and down with agility, energy and persistence! Poor boy, doesn't have any sheep but he has enough tennis balls to keep him busy for a long, long while.

It is incredibly easy to celebrate Feta Cheese with Mediterranean Herbs, Toscano Cheese with Black Pepper, Cambozola, and a Black Pepper Chevre. Celebrating these cheeses takes  a little (or lot) of Rosemary Focaccia bread, Garlic Olive Bread and, of course, Extra Sour Dough Bagette!

Photo Courtesy of http://www.docaitta.com/

The photo of the bread above is borrowed as the sisters and I devoured our breads, cheeses and wine in extremely short order. It actually took us three days of grazing but the platters weren't pretty after the first half hour!

Speaking of sisters, being with them was plenty of reason to celebrate!

I am celebrating Wild Card Scotch Ale! Oh my gosh, possibly the best Ale ever.

What small things are you celebrating this week?

Time also for McGuffy's Reader Friday Friendly Fill-ins! Another opportunity to get into each other's heads and see some of the fine tuned gears, or, in some cases, the gears that need a little tweak!  Which one am I? I guess it depends on the week!

1. My favorite President is_______________________

2. This weekend I have plans to ___________________

3. I _______ my _______________________________   Hmm! Just a bit confusing but willing to give it a try!

4. I believe ___________________________________


Ready, Set,

1. My favorite President is/was John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. They were/are men of integrity, composure and compassion. They cared about people and humanity.

2. This weekend I have plans to pick up my friend Lyn and drive her to Ashland, Oregon for a total knee replacement. While she is in hospital I will continue on to Portland to visit another bestie, Julie. We will have three days to visit, see what she has discovered about her new home in Portland. We have tickets to see Cheryl Strayed. Lyn will be discharged on Wednesday, so I'll take her home to Lakehead and make sure she is all tucked in. A long weekend but excited to be on a road trip. Got my audio books packed. Camera batteries charged. Ready! Can't say The Guy isn't excited to have some lone time. He's probably counting the minutes...though he's smart enough to count quietly!

3. I give my doggies, Rex and Lily, treats and love every day.  I toss Rex his ball because he keeps dropping it next to me and Lily just wants to find a blanket or throw to burrow under, so I pray I don't sit on her! 

4. I believe that we need to put our phone down, toss out XBox and sit face to face with our children and get to know them, let them know that they are loved and that they count. I believe we need to teach them about consequences of good and poor choices. We need to get over ourselves and Parent UP! To teach a kid respect for life, it starts by showing them that their life matters!

I believe that we have failed our children with our worship of external success and failure to model character and values.

Whoa! Check out my soap box!  I think I'll paint it and make it pretty!

Have a great weekend.

I Was Propositioned!!!!

How many times have we reminded each other, "Be careful of what you pray for"?

This last weekend, I promised myself to be open to new adventures and opportunities. Who knew the universe was listening!

This morning I met with a friend for coffee. He and I collaborated on a book on parenting. I was also his researcher for a radio interview show he had several years ago. After the show, I would download the podcast, edit it with Audacity (the software, not the attitude), then make CD's for him and his guests.

We worked together on a couple of other projects and have always worked well together. He's type A and I'm type OK!

He interviews people who change the world; people who are passionate and altruistic.  He changed radio stations, and is now with a non-profit station. He found that the last station lacked a bit in the integrity department.

This morning he asked me to be his sound engineer!

Yeah! I didn't know my eyes could get that big or bug out that much!

"You want me to what!"

 I searched my entire Bucket List. There wasn't anything close to Sound Engineer on it.

Funny thing, synchronicity is magical. I took a 'Job Assessment Quiz' early this week; as usual, the jobs that popped up for me are Writer, Researcher, Editor, Photographer, Artist, but the top fifteen included Film Editor, Music Producer, Music Editor, Set Design!

Some of his shows will be aired live but many will be pre-recorded (so I can edit out my mishaps)!

He only does one show every other week but is scheduled to start weekly shows in May.

He said I could think about it...Big Mistake...don't ever let me think about scary stuff! Even though I am a cup-half-full kind of person, I always start my 'thinking about stuff' with the WHAT COULD GO WRONG part of the equation!

My son Adam once told me, when making a decision, he imagines what's the worst that could happen and what is the best; if he can live with anything in between he goes for it.

What's the worst thing that could happen? I could screw up and get fired (I know my friend wouldn't shoot me because he doesn't pack a gun and he wouldn't run over me because his car is new). I could handle getting fired but not getting dead!

What's the best that could happen? I could learn something new and meet some really kick-ass people while I'm at it!

I can live with any and all things in-between!

Sound Engineer will look really good on my resume! Who knows, could be that I could be in New York at the Jimmy Fallon show when their sound-guy doesn't show up because of bad weather and they ask the audience, "Anybody know how to work one of these boards with the thingies that go back and forth?"

Jimmy will be blown away by the silver-haired old woman in the baggy sweatshirt and jeans who stands up in the back row in her best-ever superhero stance, "I can!"

Sound Engineer Nana!

 I say, Yes! A Big, Fat YES!

A to Z Challenge! Almost Time!

Just a tad bit early, but the 2018 A to Z Challenge is fast approaching.

April 1!

Got you theme? Been thinking about a theme?

If you are thinking about joining or have participated in the past, the Challenge Hosts have a survey that can help give them the answers to make this year's A to Z, the best ever.

Do the survey! A to Z Challenge Survey!

Intervention Needed!

The To-Do list has more crossed out items than items still to do, for the first time in years!

Really hard stuff is looming ahead. Easy-peasy first, I have a couple of boxes to mail to Massachusetts today, then it's on to demo! I promised myself I'd demo the shower and tub area in the front bathroom.

 Not sure if I want to tackle it right now or give myself some down time. Somewhere in the far recesses of my mind, though, I remember Grandma saying something about idle hands being the devil's playground, and I do have a new addiction. Sanding and painting furniture is my newest love. Bathroom might have to wait while I feed the monkey on my back!!!!

Even the surprises and challenges of painting furniture are exciting.

First I painted a couple of old tables for the living room. That was fun.

Moved on to an old, old vanity that I have had for at least 35 years. The wood isn't the best quality but it is solid wood. It has hand cut dovetail joints, beautiful locks on each drawer, an old mirror that has a couple of spots where the silver is missing. I know the piece was built prior to 1870. The handles are copper but when I took them off to sand and paint the drawers, I discovered older holes from the original handles.

I sanded down all the sharp edges from years of bumps and bruises but left most of the distressed edges and gauges. The color is Little Whale from Fusion Mineral Paint. Little Whale is one of colors made especially for toddler rooms. (I have mentioned my issues with authority, right? Toddlers-smoddlers, I'm putting this in a room for old people...The Guy and me!) It is the sweetest of blues I have ever seen. Reminds me of a blue that older people used to call "Eleanor Blue".

The handles are cool. PBR 's Antique Roadshow personnel and dedicated collectors of antiques will probably get the heebie jeebies from this, but I cleaned them up, just a bit. Yes, I know. Never clean antiques!  Add it to the list of 'Never do's" that I've done and get over it!

I have a collection of skeleton keys, but none of them work the locks, though a couple do fit in the key hole.

 I aged it just a little by lightly sanding some of the edges and waxing with light, then dark wax, but I didn't want to get too carried away. I figure that it will get worn and scraped on it's own living with the Guy and I and the troops that come in and out of the house.

Next, I painted The Guy's bureau. His mom says it's way over 100 years old. His dad had it forever and he got it from his dad. Frank's dad died when Frank was just 18 (oldest kid of 10). He's had his dad's dresser for more almost 50 years! So, when I've discussed with him, over the years, about painting it (and OMG did it need to be painted) The Guy always insisted on white.
"Always been white, will always be white. Paint it white or don't paint it!" He rarely puts his foot down, but when he does, he means business.

White it is! He didn't say anything about the knobs though! Surprise! He likes them! He is actually very happy with the results and thinks his dad would like it.

We had to glue a couple of the drawers back together on his dresser. Even dovetail joints need new glue every hundred years or so!

There are three drawers behind the doors. Whoever built it was super diligent. Each drawer has a floor built under it and each is on wooden rails. The Guy's grandpa was a carpenter (built sets for movie studios) so maybe he built the cabinet. It is a fine piece of furniture.

The last project was a large chest of drawers. I bought this at a garage sale about 15 to 20 years ago for $35. The man I bought it from built it himself. This is the most solid piece of furniture I've ever owned.

First thing I loved about it was the secret drawer inside a drawer. It slides way back, out of sight. Great place for old letters, cards, memorabilia and those 'special' trinkets my grandchildren have discovered on our walks.

Secret drawer for treasures!

This dresser was the challenge to beat all challenges.

I bought new knobs for it, thinking it would be as easy to change as any other dresser in the world! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

The carpenter built the sturdy drawer bodies out of solid knotty pine. Then he built a knotty pine facade for each drawer. He drilled a hole in the facade, mounted the drawer pulls and countersunk the screws. He then screwed the facade to the front of the drawer. I cannot replace the pulls without dismantling the front of the drawer. Each facade has 6 screws holding it to the drawer body!

How to paint without painting pulls? I unscrewed the pulls but it was a tough job and he apparently glued the screws in place because two of the pulls won't tighten all the way. The screw turns as I twist on the pull and there is no way to stabilize it.

When the bug hits me, I will dismantle the drawers, replace the pulls (not that I don't like Lions, I just like whimsical more than hardcore traditional), then reassemble the drawers. In the meantime, I like it. Body is Homestead Blue ( a dark teal and drawers are Little Whale, matching the other little dresser across the room).

 Would you believe that I'm jonesing to paint more furniture? I'm addicted!

 I painted the little bench while I was waiting for paint to dry on dressers.

Maybe I should borrow my grandson's truck and make a Craigslist run!!!

My grocery list for this week:

Eggs
Kale
Carrots
Sumo Oranges
Sandpaper
Painter's Tape

Heaven help me!

Slow Exhale!

The last three days were incredible; a whirlwind, but incredible.

Friday, my sister-in-law, Jacqueline, showed up just after noon. We hit World Market and Trader Joe's for cheeses, crackers and oh-my-god-good Sumo Oranges! How come I didn't know about Sumo oranges. What else is out there that my aversion to leaving the house is preventing me from experiencing?


We also picked up a couple of extra bottles of red wine. I lean towards Merlot, she is dedicated to Zin. We both discovered some new 'likes'!

Gathering of the sisters was a blast! The Guy and I have been the family photographers since day one. He, being the oldest of 10, always made 3 or 4 extra copies of all the photos we ever developed in the old 'film' days. Part of our 'purging' process is to par down (politically correct way of saying 'get rid of') our 15 or more photo boxes full of family photos.

Supper done, we sorted through all the boxes, dividing photos and revisiting the past!

There were weddings, births, baptisms, graduations, holidays.

"Is this Davie?"
"No, my hair is too big for it to be Davie!"

"Toni, do you remember when you and Francis ripped off your bikinis and jumped off the houseboat?"

"OMG, that's huge! Whose bra is that?"
"Mine, remember I was nursing Syd!"
"What is it; a Double G?"
 
Hospital Waiting Room Photos galore! When any one went into labor, everybody else would go to the hospital to wait. It was fun to guess who was having a baby by seeing who was missing in waiting room photos!

"Whoa! This must have been a long night, you look like crap in this pic!"

Women on Wine!What can you do?

End of evening, everyone had a nice share of photos and I feel so much lighter!

Jacqueline and I sipped wine in jammies until the spirit said get your butts in bed.

Saturday morning, coffee in jammies, couple of sisters popped in. We packed up and headed for Wild Card Brewery.

We ordered a flight of brews. I am not a fan of dark beer but OMG, apparently I am of huge fan of Ale! Scotch Ale to be exact. It tastes like a good scotch! I swear, it is delicious! One more thing I didn't know, and the dang brewery is in my own town!

I resolved to wrestle with my tendency towards being a recluse and walk out that front door more. Who will win? Recluse or Adventurer? I guess it depends on who is the hungriest and needs to be fed, or thirstiest!


The afternoon and evening were totally mellow. We met up with The Guy, his brother, Conrad and Conrad's family.  We had divine Mexican food at a super little hole-in-the-wall place with the freshest ingredients in the world.

After eating we headed over to our house to hang out for the evening.

Sunday, we hosted February birthdays for the Guy's family. Eleven birthdays in February but only five of them local! We had at least 40 people at the house on Sunday, not counting those in mother's arms and laps! It was a blast! It was chaos, but happy chaos!

Our Sycamore was having a happy day, filled with kids again!

The Guy, some of his siblings and his ma! Two of the brothers are out of the area and couldn't make it. Don't recognize the Guy without a camera in his hands, right?

Did you guess right? Isn't he just the most handsome man?

Two of the Littles who couldn't go out by the pool with the big kids. Hard rule at our house: If you can't swim, you must (MUST) wear a swim vest out back. (Yes, Mom, this means you, too!)


Day end, The Guy, two sisters and I sitting around, polishing off the pesto and bread, crackers and cheese, good wine and good talk!
Es was ein guter Tag!
Fue un buen dia!
Itan mia kali imera!
C'etaite une bonne journee!
Goede Dag!


However you say it, it was a good day!

Jacqueline and I had a couple of great cups of coffee this morning. Fleshed-out some upcoming events; big shindig for oldest niece turning 40 in June; July birthdays' celebration on the coast in July; bought tickets to see ELO, Electric Light Orchestra in August in Oakland plus spending a couple of days in San Francisco with sister-in-law and her hubby. She says she wants photography lessons from the Guy! I say, 'what ever works for you to get him down there!'

Today. Quiet! All are gone. Just me, my tea, my worn out dogs and my jammies!

Life is good!

Friday Friendly Fill-ins!

Catching my breath! (Otherwise known as procrastinating, I'm really good at it).

Kitchen...check
Guest Bedroom...check
Guest Bathroom...check
Dusting...check (cough cough)
Soup back on simmer...check

Plastic, tape, brushes & paint out to garage...next!
Mop floors again...why do dogs drip water for three feet after heartily drinking?
Shower...for everyone's sake!
Go to store for promised Artisan Bread for dinner.

Feet up, wine, visit with sisters!

In the meantime, time for McGuffy's Friday Friendly Fill-ins (Feelings, get it?)

1. My Chinese zodiac animal is________________

2. My (Astological) zodiac sign is ______________

3. Income tax season_________________________

4. In hindsight______________________________


1. My Chinese zodiac animal is the Tiger. Apparently I am internally strong, so much so that I may explode and get guts everywhere. I act without warning (WARNING!). I am adventurous and, apparently can seem aggressive in the romance department or would you call that passionate?
I like this part: A tiger may have difficulty "finding a balance between disciplined trust and whimsical passion!"

2. My (Astological) zodiac sign is Capricorn. My birthday is the 18th so I am a bit on the cusp. I am an earth sign but being on the cusp I can sometimes be a little airy (like now, instead of getting to the To-Do list I am playing! Dang me!)
Capricorn Traits from This Site:

"Strengths: Responsible, disciplined, self-control, good managers".......ME!
"Weaknesses: Know-it-all, unforgiving, condescending, expecting the worst".....ME!
"Capricorn likes: Family, tradition, music, understated status, quality craftsmanship".....Me!
"Capricorn dislikes: Almost everything at some point"....ME!

Good news is Capricorns are very compatible with Taurus'! The Guy is a Taurus. (Earthy, Stubborn and Compatible! That's Us!)

3. Income tax season is here again...shit!

4. In hindsight, I wish I had mopped the floor and taken a shower and was on my way to the store instead of 'taking a breather!"

"When you know better, you do better!"