End of the week

I haven't felt like blogging much this week. Not really much to yak about. Course I've never let that stop me before. It's 8 a.m. and I opened the curtains to this view.

I don't care if they graze on that side of the road. I'd just as soon, however, that they avoid my lawn. I haven't really got any flowers planted yet but I'm thinking about it.  I found some tulip bulbs in the garage that I'm wondering if I can still stick in the dirt.  I've been trying to get in garden mode for over two weeks now and I think today's the day I just might go outside and play around.  At least with those pathethic looking pots on the back deck.

My tulips in the raised flower beds are looking okay but the ones I planted along the fence didn't fare as well.  Slugs, I imagine. I bought slug bait but then forgot to use it.  Wasn't exactly sure when I was supposed to use it.

It's actually halfway warm outside this morning so I may get  busy as soon as I finish here.  I know it will be fun once I get going. It's kind of like cleaning out dresser drawers or closets --you put it off but once you get started, it's fine.

I walked around the backyard a little bit yesterday when I was pulling the trash bin out to the alley. I need to get out my "notes" and take action on the moss.  If it was "pretty moss" I wouldn't care as much but my moss is ugly.  Over in one corner where I had a  small garden patch, I noticed the hole near the fence that I plugged up with a large rock has another hole dug nearby.  Not sure what kind of critter is coming in but I'm hoping it's not a rat. 

There isn't really that much of interest in this little corner. A small droopy rhubarb plant that I may transplant somewhere else 'cause I do like rhubarb; a small rose bush that needs fertilizer in the worst way; a half dozen strawberry plants (not sure why I even bother) and then the bird feeders. I only have three up now as I need to clean the others. I'd really like to get them all situated in another corner of the yard but I'm not sure I have the strength to get the stake in the ground. It's like cement where I want to put them.  The corner where they're at now is soft and moist.  Which is why I was able to take a photo of this......  Yep!  A toadstool or mushroom. Whatever it's called. Tall one too.

I had a dentist appt yesterday and I usually cope while sitting there by rearranging every room in my house.  It was only 45 mintues (2 fillings) but I was tense and uncomfortable the entire time.  And my mouth is sore today.  Cost me over $700 for those two appts. First one was an exam, x-rays, and cleaning.  He says I need a crown too.  Another $1200. I'm putting that off for a while.  Seems like such a waste of money. Spending that kind of dough on my teeth at my age.  It's not like my teeth are even worth looking at!  And yes, I'm well aware of the fact you need teeth for eating and good health.

I wonder how much dental insurance runs people these days. I'm betting it's not cheap. I figure I'm just as well off not having it since I put off going to the dentist as long as I can.

Anyhow, I came home and rearranged a few things here and there. Started on the front porch when I noticed the wind had blown down a hanging decoration from the back deck.  Now I've got most of my doodads in the front.

My porch rocks are looking kind of faded and in need of a fresh coat of paint so maybe I'll play around with those this weekend.

I decided to move a couple of bookcases and change where I sit at the computer.  I think I like this better although knowing me, I'll probably put my desk in front of the window again. I need to keep an eye on what passes by my window.  Ha!

I was reminded when I had to remove all the books from the shelves just how many books I have that I still need to read.  Like most of 'em!  I like having books around. Always have. You'd think I'd read more than I do.  I did take a couple to put by my bed -- even though the one I chose is one I'm sure I read back in the 70's.  The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart. I also have The Hollow Hills.  I don't remember one single thing about them but I do remember I liked them.

The dryer just turned off so I guess I'd better retrieve the whites and get them folded and put away. Looking kind of gray outside but the wind's not blowing and it's warm enough so I'll work with a rainhat if I need to. 

The sooner I get those pots done, the sooner I can get back to ancestry.com.  I'm still looking for cousins and I was successful this week. Connected with a couple in North Carolina and they're going to send me pictures of their grandfather who I've been researching off and on for weeks.

My grandpa's sister, Georgianna, married Jake Stark and they ran hotels in Oregon.  They had four kids (one set of twins --a boy and girl) and this boy and girl are the ones I was working on.  Inez, who I wrote about on my Town Kid blog, was a teacher in Seattle.  Her brother, John, had restaurants in Oakland, CA.  John, in turn, named his son, John. This guy married Jean Robinson in Seattle and I'm still working on what he did for a living. He's the father of the N.C. people.  I know. Could I bore you even more?  Ha Ha  But it's interesting to me.

I looked over various programs online where you can fill in family tree forms but I found them too slow and burdensome to navigate. I think I'm going to make my own system and just write about the various relatives giving them their own file page.

Looking forward to settling in to watch golf this weekend. I still find it kind of funny that I'm interested.  I don't like Tiger Woods, though. He'll probably win but I'm hoping somebody beats him.
And tonight at 8 is Doc Martin on PBS. One of my favorite shows along with Call the Midwife.

Watched Southland last night and I can hardly wait for the finale next Wednesday.  Made me TENSE!

Okay. Time to get to work.

Hey! The Sun is Out!

At least for now, the sky is blue. I may get to those pots on the back deck this afternoon, but if I don't, that's okay. I've got all week. All month really. I'm going out for lunch with Mary Norton today and later in the afternoon, I'll be picking the kids up from track and transporting Maddie to softball.

Had a repeat dream last night. At least it seemed awfully familiar.  As usual, it was weird.  I was looking out on Port Townsend bay from Water Street (down at the clinic end of Water) and there was a lot of commotion out on the bay.  I spotted 8 elephants and a couple of zebras in the water. Dave Marriott showed up in another dream segment. I have no clue why but he appears every now and again. In this chapter, he was trying to teach me how to use this special remote control that would open doors. Everytime I pushed the red button, I would get a pain from a paper cut on  the tip of my finger.  Then I had a paper cut on a second finger and I was at a park of some sort and hunting for bandaids.  Everytime I put a bandaid on, it wouldn't stay on and I went through a whole series of steps trying to retrieve more bandaids.  Another chapter had me at the mill parking lot helping to arrange an antiques car show. 

I've always found dreams especially intriguing. Would love to know how to interpret some of the things I experience during the night but I suspect I've just got a jumbled mind.  Some nights are way more interesting than others.

My tongue was continuing to feel burnt and uncomfortable this weekend so I googled it again. This time I found a test you could do to see if you had a yeast infection.  Basically, you rinse your mouth out in the morning with water when you get up, and then you spit into a clear glass of water.  Within a half hour (if you have a yeast infection) the spit will have dangling strings going down into the water and there will be cloudy specks floating in the middle of the glass and cloudy residue sitting in the bottom.  I love science projects.  ha ha  Anyhow, I spit in my glass and apparently, I don't have a yeast infection. That's good.  Am going to the dentist a week from today.

Pat O'Day for Schick Clinic just came on again. What a cornball commercial that is.  I used to listen to him on KJR when I was a kid but he's no where as interesting now.

Oh brother! The Today Show has this dame sitting with three cute guys and her shirt is about to fall off her shoulders.  The topic is looking for your soulmate.  Give me a break! Time to switch the channel.  Back to Good Morning America. Carol Burnett is being interviewed and I'll give her the time of day anytime.  I see Betty White, Georgia Engle, Valerie Harper, Mary Tyler Moore, and Cloris Leachman are going to be on Katie Couric's show today. I'll probably watch that. I kinda like Katie's show.  Mary Tyler Moore is sure looking old, though.  I think she's had a facelift or two 'cause she doesn't look natural.

Hmmmm... Harrison Ford is up next. He's a year older than me but he's lookin' a whole lot better with that crooked smile of his.  I loved him in American Graffiti.  Okay..I'm rambling...time to get back to ancestry for a while.  I've got to track down John Stark. You wouldn't believe how many people share names.  I thought I had the right John but alas,  I think I was going down the wrong road.

Here's a short minute video I told Jenni I wouldn't post on my blog but I lied. Sammy's so cute. They had a great time at the REO Speedwagon concert but Sammy was beside himself with joy when they returned yesterday.

Scanning old photos

My sister wanted to see some of the pictures of my mom's biological family but emails take too long so I decided to post all at once on here.

Doris Forslund, my mother's mother, on a street in Aberdeen.

My mother's father on the right.

Ava, my mother's grandmother. She's mother of Doris.

Bert, my mother's grandfather. He's father of Doris. He married 4 times.

Ava, my g. grandmother with her dad, James Peterson.

My grandmother, Doris,
on her wedding day. Fred Forslund.

Doris and Fred in later years. She died of TB in 1942. He remarried and died in Aberdeen at the age of 66.

The town where my grandmother lived in the 1920's. McCleary, WA

My grandmother, Doris, her mom, Ava, and her sister, Erma.  It got these pictures from Erma's son, who lived in Montesano but has since moved to Chehalis.

Gettin' better I think

Sure does make a difference when you get to sleep at night. I actually woke up feeling better this morning.  Am hoping that means I'm on the road to recovery.  Still have remnants hanging on but at least I feel like doing something today. I pulled out the ironing board (I know...totally boring) but I'm way overdue on ironing a few shirts and I think I'll change the curtains in the living room too. Also going to change where I have stuff on the wall.  A typical OCD habit but sometimes a change is nice. Plus I can use the exercise of going up and down on the step ladder.

Later I plan to scan in some old pictures that I want to incorporate into the genealogy piece I'm trying to figure out how to assemble.  The twins are going to the other grandpa and grandma's house this weekend so it will just be me and Sammy.  If I get real ambitious (and the weather clears a bit) I may go outside and start working on the large pots on the deck.  But I'm not going to put it on my definite list. All depends on my energy level.

I've got my Pandora Music Channel on and it will probably stay on all day. Television can sometimes crank up my agitation within ten minutes.  I sometimes sit down to watch the national news on ABC and NBC at 5:30 and 6.  I've become very aware, however, that the commercials take up more time. And you can't switch channels because the drug companies (who obviously have more money than they know what to do with) are EVERYWHERE with their ads.

I've taken to using the mute button more and more frequently.  Especially annoying are the good looking middle aged couples who giggle at each other as we're told they've got sex on their mind.  Then we're told to buy this particular pill to help us enjoy sex more. But..... be careful...as it has a bajillion side effects and some can kill you!

And if it isn't sex you're interested in, how about lowering your cholesterol, fixing your diabetes, lowering your blood pressure, getting help for your achy joints, regrowing your hair, or fixing your eyes so they aren't so dry.  It never ends.  I'm also sick of having to turn page after page in magazines to bypass all the drug info in tiny print that they think we read.  I sometimes tear whole pages out of magazines if they're back to back drug ads.

Intolerant?  You bet!  Especially when these ads are rammed down your throat day in and day out for weeks and months.  You wouldn't believe the way I talk back to my television.  Well, maybe you would.  I'm also sick of hearing about certain celebrities who act STUPID and continue to get press.

It also disgusts me the way nut cases are covered for months on end.  Saw a story a few days ago about women who get up at 4:30 a.m to drive to get in line to be in the courtroom of that Jodi Arias case--the  dame who killed her boyfriend and stood on her head while waiting to be interviewed. It was reported that over a MILLION DOLLARS has been spent on this case. Money the AZ taxpayers are being charged.  She doesn't deny (not now anyhow) that she stabbed the guy 27 times but oh woe is me, he was mean to her and drove her to it.  Blah blah blah!

Something is wrong with this picture.  People are rearranging their lifestyle to sit all day in a courtroom and observe this garbage?  Obviously, their priorities are out of whack.  Everytime I see Nancy Grace is going to get a microphone again, I immediately change the channel.  A lot of the problem is the media.  They've managed to make something out of nothing and have worked it up to a fine art.

For example, Obama had to apologize for saying the attorny general was good looking. People took offense.  GIVE ME A BREAK!  And that coach who should have been fired....Yep!  He was an ass and good riddance but do we really need to see the video 16 times?! Sadly, we're going to see that video for the rest of our lives. Everytime I surf the upper channels to see if maybe this time there's something worth watching, it's the same ole low class dialog.  People being rude to each other while wearing next to nothing.  And how that Snooky continues to get a show is beyond me.  I feel sorry for her kid.

Okay. I got that off my chest. Now I'll say something good about TV.  There are some fun shows that I find entertaining.  Last night it was Flea Market Flip and Doc Martin.  I often stop to watch cooking shows. I never make any of their stuff cause who could afford the ingredients or the appliances and pans they have to cook with.   I enjoy those shows where they go in and fix up a house (Love it or Leave it) and I like to see people looking for a house to buy.  Course most of them are way too persnickety.  Does entertain me, though. Especially when I tell them what I think of their opinion.  Ha!

Most of the commercials are beyond dumb but some make me chuckle and watch them again and again.  Like that guy who's up at 3 am to talk to his Allstate agent and his wife comes downstairs in her housecoat thinking he's on the phone with his girl friend.  They crack me up and I laugh everytime.  Even if I have seen it more than I need to.

Another day of Not much...

Finally decided to bite the bullet and make a dentist appointment. I think this ongoing misery I'm experiencing is more allergy-related than anything but I'm way overdue for a check up and I know it. Been a couple years. Plus my tongue continues to act up. Got my tax return so while it wasn't my intention to share it with the dentist, oh well...... this is my life.

Just finished writing  an essay for the AARP newsletter. They have a column where they invite people to write 400 words or less on a subject they choose. This month it's "What I know about dads." I figured I could write on that easy enough so I just sent it off.  It's hard to get published in that paper, though. They get a ton of entries and all the ones I read later are pretty darn good.

I just took an Allegra D. I've got my fingers crossed that it works quickly.  I hate to over-medicate myself but I've been taking this other generic allergy pill (that makes you drowsy) before I go to bed. Sure does help me sleep better. I'm conscious of not becoming dependent on them but gees, you spend enough days feeling like crap, you're ready to take anything!

I hate it when I can't get energized enough to get outside and play in the dirt.  I need to clean the garage but I'm thinking if I start stirring up the dust and dirt, I'm only going to aggravate things. So...I'm staying inside and pouting.

Was sitting here working on genealogy and noticed this large bird (maybe a hawk, maybe a seagull?) across the street over the weeds and scotch broom.  All of a sudden, it started taking a nose dive in circles (like a helicopter with engine problems). It flopped down into the tall grass and didn't get up. I think it died.  Just like that.  I'm tempted to go over there and look but sometimes it's hard to walk in that stuff. Maybe I will. I need the air anyhow. Be right back.


Well, I'm an idiot!  I walked out into the field where I thought the bird fell and this big ole hawk comes flying up with a mouse in his beak.  ICK!  Needless to say, I made a beeline home again. Nature can amuse me another day.

Think I'll get off the computer now.  Maybe I'll make some peanut butter cookies.  Doc Martin is on tonight and that always makes me smile.  Looking forward to Mad Men on Sunday too.  Yeah, my life is down to revolving around TV again. So sad.

Better now...

I doctored myself up last night by taking an allergy pill (marked 'take at night as it makes you drowsy) and I kept the humidifier on high. Also used handy dandy Vicks for under my nose and forced myself to sleep with three pillows.  Woke up feeling a lot better although I'm still plenty stuffed up so maybe I'll make a Safeway run and pick up some Allegra D. Seems like I've taken that before and felt better.

I took advantage of my early morning energy and did a lot of household chores like sweeping and vacuuming, shaking out rugs, taking out trash, loading the dishwasher and tidying up here and there. Somehow I don't feel quite as guilty spending a lot of time online if I've cleaned up around here first.
I took all my hats, gloves, neck scarves and heavy coats and moved them from the entryway closet to the back bedroom closet.

At some point today, I'll probably start in on those large pots on the back deck but mostly I think I'm gonna play on ancestry again.  I've gotten discouraged with finding Jane Downs folks so I'm going to switch over and do my mother's adopted family and biological family. At least I'll have new stuff to look at.

I wrote to the Delaware archives to see if I could get a copy of Ben Downs' will which I thought might give me clues but they wanted $15 and I'm not willling to pay that when I don't even know for sure if this is the right Ben or if it will even mention his daughter, Jane, and who she was to live with. I'd like to try for guardianship papers if I can figure out where to look for them. I'll make that another project.

And thank you, by the way, to the four people who gave me tips on lawn care, mosss removal, deer repellent and what to plant.  I do appreciate your taking the time.

The kids are staying overnight Saturday (Sammy too) so maybe I'll use that day for garage cleanup. Unless we can get it done one day this week.  Mary and Andy are bringing me some shelves to get stuff up off the cement floor so I need to get the area ready.

Gotta set up my VCR for programming tonight. I like Mr. D (Canadian), The Middle, Modern Family, Law & Order, Chicago Fire, and my favorite -- Southland.  One of my Facebook friends has a nephew on the show tonight.  Also will probably watch the 11 a.m. New Day NW on Ch. 5 today. She's interviewing Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild.  A great read, by the way.





And an interesting commerical..

And April Begins...

I finally got around to changing my calendars today.  I used to have calendars in almost every room in the house but now I'm down to three places only.  I always look forward to flipping over into a new month just so I can see what picture awaits me.

Yesterday the twins came by (with the dog) and helped me get a few chores done. We were going to clean the garage but I was suffering with a stomach virus or something.  I put my coffee pot away to force myself to NOT make a morning pot -- just to see if it would help me feel better.  I'm pretty sure I don't have a sinus infection but I am definitely dealing with headache and a sore throat caused by post nasal drip.  Trying to develop a little cough too but I suspect it's allergies more than anything else.  Yesterday I had nausea and diarrhea (yeah, I share everything!) and I was really really cold.  This was especially annoying as it was super nice outside. Just the perfect day for getting out there to play in the dirt.  I sat in my recliner for hours wrapped in a blanket and wondering why I was so dang tired.  I'm still nauseated today so I assume it's sinus-related

I've also been dealing with a sore tongue, which according to google can be anything from a food allergy to a virus to a mouth problem.  I've been gargling with hydrogen peroxide but they say if it continues for more than two weeks, you have to make a dentist appt.  Which I'm way overdue for and I know it -- but I'm still giving it two weeks.

I went to the podiatrist this morning at 7:45 to see about my foot that has been bothering me off and on for months. He ended up giving me a cortisone shot and said the symptoms I complained about were quite common and he knew exactly what was going on. (sinus tarsi syndrome)  I'm hoping it will allow me to get outdoor chores done more easily.

I have to remember that I just plain can't do as much as I used to or as much as I think I'm still capable of.  Hunter weedeated all around the fence and Maddie helped me move rocks.  We got everything moved from the west side of the house back over to the east side. This area never sees the sun but hopefully, I can get it looking better than it does right now.

I weeded the two little areas in the front and we set up more rocks for a border. Now I have to figure out what I can plant out there that the deer won't eat.

I have this old beat up box that my dad made several years ago for the back of his pickup truck and it's handy to store yard tools, sprinklers, gloves, pots, etc. in.  It doesn't have a bottom and it's really looking pathetic. Hunter feels I should take it to the dump but it's still usable.

 

Later this week I'll work little by little on the pots I have on my deck. I think I'll dump the dirt out of each and clean it up before putting in new plants.  At one point I handed Maddie a little kids hoe that has a purple handle and said: Maddie would you put this hoe in the garage?

 

Hunter laughs. Maddie laughs. Gramma looks at them and says "What?!"

 

"Put this hoe in the garage!"  ha ha ha   That was funny.  They're at that age where the word HOE is funny.

 

Maddie had an orthodontist appt about the same time I was seeing the podiatrist across the street so Jenni dropped her at Safeway where I was shopping so I could take her home and Jenni could go back to work.  Jenni treated Maddie to a doughnut (and bought one for Hunter too) and Maddie was eating it on the way home.  I looked over at her and said: "Don't you think it's kind of strange to be eating pastry right after a dental appointment.?"

 

"Oh no. It's a family tradition. We always have bakery food after the dentist."   hee hee

 

Watched a pretty good movie on Netflix last night. "Another Happy Day" with Ellen Burstyn and Ellen Barkin. My neighbor, Yvonne, called this morning to tell me she has a new apartment in Olympia. She'll be moving April 18th.

 

 And here's The Wailin' Jennys............