The Oscars

Look how he's growing....13+ pounds now.  I miss him so much.

I always look forward to the Oscars.  This is the first year I've seen more than a couple of the movies up for nomination.  I have a website in my movies folder that I enjoy looking at from time to time and it shows the movies nominated each decade and who they beat out.  Also includes the actors.  A couple of the years I wasn't impressed with any of the nominees for best picture but on the flip side, there were a couple of years where I liked every single one of them and could barely make a choice.

Some of the "misses"  (in my opinion) include these:

The Greatest Show on Earth beat out High Noon and The Quiet Man
Around the world in 80 days beat out The Ten Commandments
Tom Jones beat out Cleopatra and Lilies of the Field
The Sting beat out American Graffiti

Ordinary People beat Coal Miner's Daughter
Chariots of Fire beat On Golden Pond
Amadeus beat The Killing Fields

Out of Africa beat The Color Purple
The English Patient beat Fargo
American Beauty beat The Green Mile
The Artist beat The Help

The movies that I thought totally sucked include The Artist, Amadeus, and Chariots of Fire.

I found some interesting facts on the Oscar too....

The name Oscar comes from a remark by Academy secretary Margaret Herrick, who said the statue looked like her uncle Oscar. Oscar is 13½ inches tall and weighs 8½ pounds. An Oscar costs $400 dollars to make, but if a winner or their heirs wants to sell the gong, they must first offer the Academy refusal, at a pre-agreed price of one dollar. 

This year, everyone nominated gets a $45,000 gift bag. Presenters and performers at the Academy Awards received some $20,000 in merchandise in a gift "bag" that is sometimes so large that celebrities ask for it to be shipped to their homes, say industry insiders.

Although the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which chooses which products will get into the bag, would not officially comment on what was included, many companies are often more than happy to tell the world that their products are among the items that end up in celebrities' clutches.

This year's goodies included a $1,500 private dinner party for the recipient and friends at any Morton's steakhouse worldwide, a pair of Beamer Video Phones valued at $499 together, and a four-night stay worth $1,500 at Rosewood's Badrutt's Palace Hotel, a luxury hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

But it's not just the official Oscar bag that celebrities had to look forward to. Other marketing companies organized "unofficial" Oscar bags worth as much as $40,000, while companies like Estee Lauder provided free spa days to help the nominated actors and actresses get ready for the big night.

Marketers say the gift bag has become one of the most coveted — and relatively inexpensive — ways to get exposure for a product. One photo of a celebrity wearing your product can ignite sales.

Trips to Australia, plastic surgery appointments and condoms are included in the $45,000 Oscars goodie bags for the nominees who don't win on Sunday. Party bags are not endorsed by the Academy, but that hasn't stopped the swag this year. The company announced that nominees would be receiving trips to Australia, Hawaii and Mexico; personal training sessions, hand-illustrated tennis shoes, acupuncture sessions, a $5,000 plastic surgery voucher, a week's stay at a weight-loss retreat and a year's membership to Heathrow's private VIP service.

Neil Potthoff, former teacher and principal at PT is turning 90 on March 8th. His daughter is welcoming snail mail cards to him at Seaport Landing, Apt. 304, 1201 Hancock, Port Towsend, WA 98368.  I stopped at Safeway and it was dang hard to find a "funny" card that wasn't too inappropriate.  Ha ha  I finally settled on this one:

I went to the physical therapist this morning and she scheduled five more visits for me.  I can only hope we can get to the bottom of this shoulder issue.  I'm getting very discouraged.

Depending on how I feel tomorrow, I may drive into PT for Jack Maloney's funeral at 3 pm.  His wife, Teresa, and I go back to high school days. She's Mary Gaboury's sister.

I haven't accomplished a heck of a lot today but who cares?  I did bake some bran muffins,though.

I also managed to do two loads of laundry but that's probably going to be the extent of it.  Think I'll do a little surfing online and see if I can't find that elusive Charlie Blankenship.

Spring is getting closer

Hunter came over after school to help me with a little yard and garden maintenance.  He rehung a couple of bird feeders from the roof eave to discourage the cats from trying to snag one, and he fixed up a little walkway off the step so I can get up in there without falling on my face.  We also tidied up the backyard a little and set out the trash bins.  We covered the rat holes with rocks and I brought my windmill out of the garage.

I slept in the recliner last night as my shoulders and neck were so screwed up, I couldn't lay down.  I think the exercises I'm doing are helping, though, because I'm feeling better this afternoon.  I intend to make them a daily routine.  They're super easy exercises where you basically just lay there in different positions.  Odd how painful it was just to extend my arms outward as I laid on my back.  Poor ole body is just plain wearing out.

I'm going to the physical therapist tomorrow and will see my doctor in the afternoon to find out what the x-rays showed, if anything. I know you need to keep moving, no matter how difficult it is.

I cut out a couple of quilt squares but that was about the extent of my accomplishments today outside of the yard work.  Mary called and said Jacob had his 2-month exam today and he's up to 13 pounds.  Got a couple of shots which he didn't appreciate but got over quickly.

Jenni's at her scrapbook camp on the other side of Sequim and will be back on Sunday. I'll be picking Maddie up at basketball practice today and tomorrow.  And that's about it for today.

The Piper

Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life. As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late.

I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.

And as I played "Amazing Grace", the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen anything like that before, and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.

Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life. As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late.

I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.

And as I played "Amazing Grace", the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen anything like that before, and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."

Apparently, I'm still lost....it's a man thing.

These made me laugh out loud

Walmart, birds, & cats

I picked the twins up at 9 this morning for one-hr late start at school.  Maddie had asked me to bring a lint roller because she was wearing black and all she sees is dog hair.  I tore the house apart (sorta) looking for my lint brush but danged if I could find it anywhere.  It was one of those searches where I could "see it" but I couldn't remember where.  I even looked some places twice.  Hate it when I do that!

I drove over to Walmart and when I got to the parking lot, I called Jenni to see if she needed anything.  She laughed and told me she had gone yesterday, loaded up her cart with a ton of stuff (she's leaving tomorrow for scrapbook camp) and when she got to checkout,  she discovered only two aisles open.  She was steamed and refused to check herself out with that much stuff.  So she did good.  She left the entire cart and walked to her car.

That's one of several things I don't like about Walmart.  They have over 20 checkouts and often only one or two is open.  The other thing that drives me crazy is that nothing is indicated (except in the food aisles) where various items can be found.  I pass people constantly "with that same look I have" of where the hell is it?!

I had planned to just shop Safeway but it was early and I knew the crowds would be non-existent, plus I needed quite a few items that I knew would be cheaper if I made the extra effort to drive a little further.  On my way home, (along the waterfront) I noticed how beautiful and clear Canada was across the water.  If I'd had my camera with me, I might have drove around to get some pictures.  As it was, though, I hadn't had morning coffee yet and my shoulder was hurting like mad.

Yesterday I was feeling halfway decent.  Whenever that happens I get my hopes up that the shoulders are healing but nope..... I had a really bad night and woke up with terrific shoulder and neck pain.  I guess I'll call the physical therapist today and see if a couple of treatments help at all.  I have my doubts but it does appear I'm going to have to take some action as this isn't going away on its own.  I've got some floor exercises I plan to start but we'll see how successful I am at getting down there. I may have to settle for doing them on my bed.

I've been trying various techniques to discourage the neighbor's cat from taking up residence on  my porch or under my bird feeders.  A book I have on pest control said to spray the area with vinegar as cats don't like that.  I came home to find one sitting under the bush where I had sprayed extra heavy. I moved a bunch of large rocks to that area so they wouldn't sit under the bush hidden and ready to pounce.  That's when they took to sitting on my porch.  My next step was to put an empty soda jug filled with water out there as cats supposedly don't like to see their reflection.

Well, that didn't work either as I got up this morning, opened the curtains, and saw the cat sitting right next to the water jug.  I think I'm going to take the advice of the UPS guy and hang the feeders from the roof eave.

I have some cookie sheets I wanted to clean up without having to use my arm scrubbing.  It was suggested I make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.  I did that and it didn't work.  Next I'm trying plain ole oven cleaner.  I'll do them outside so I can hose them off later.

I finished another jigsaw puzzle yesterday.  This one was 550 pieces and pretty easy.  I like those.

I finished watching House of Cards last night.  My granddaughter and daughter who watch it when they can, got after me for not saying "spoil alert" on my blog.  Sorry.  I forgot.  It was pretty darn good and for once, I was expecting the ending.  Now I have to wait until the next season.

Well, I just looked over my to-do  list for today (6 items) so I guess I'd best get on it.

Things to avoid

I came across some articles recently that discussed various products we use that are probably doing us harm.  It got more and more depressing the further I read.  If ever you wonder why cancer is so damn extensive in our lives, you don't need to look any further than the products we've been using all our lives.  I cut and pasted a few that especially jumped out of me.  Kind of long but important, I think.......

Don’t buy Toilet wipes with methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone.

Don’t buy  juice listing high-fructose corn syrup, added sugars, and petroleum-based food dyes like Red #40.

Watch for acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, to relieve pain and fever symptoms. Why? Because so many over-the-counter and prescription drugs contain the active ingredient, and people are too easily (and sometimes unknowingly) overdosing on the drug, potentially leading to irreversible liver damage and even death. Try This Instead: Make sure you talk to your doctor and pharmacist, letting them know all the over-the-counter and prescription drugs you're on to avoid an overdose. If possible, try mindfulness, ginger, turmeric, vitamin D, and other nontoxic measures for natural pain relief

89 air contaminants were found in a bottle of Febreeze Air Effects, including ethyl acetate, something toxic to the brain and nervous system, acetaldehyde, a known respiratory irritant and possible human carcinogen, and butylated hydroxytoluene, a preservative that's toxic to the immune system and suspected of messing with normal hormone levels. For a more natural air-freshening option, boil a pot of water with some orange peels, cloves, and cinnamon sticks, and leave it simmering on the stove for a while.

Avoid scented tampon and pad products, choose chlorine-free bleached or unbleached options

BPA is found in the linings of food cans, and it's used as a coating on receipts. The chemical is still used in some plastic products and as a flame retardant. Like BPA, phthalates have come under a lot of scrutiny in recent years, after studies revealed that boys born of women with high phthalate exposures suffered from abnormalities in their genitals. The chemicals interfere with testosterone and estradiol, a hormone that affects breast development. Studies have found that women who develop breast cancer have higher levels of certain types of phthalates than women who are cancer free.

Where they're found: Phthalates are used in a vast number of consumer products: flooring, shower curtains, synthetic leather, and other products made with PVC vinyl, where phthalates are used to keep the plastic flexible; in any product with a synthetic fragrance, where phthalates are used to keep the scent from dissipating; and nail polishes, paints, and furniture finishes, where phthalates keep the materials from chipping. They've also been detected in some plastic cling wraps and food containers, as well as pesticides.

Easiest ways to avoid them: Avoid anything with a synthetic fragrance, say "NO!" to vinyl products, and always store your food in glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers.

Flame Retardants

What they do: These toxic, ubiquitous chemicals are most known for their impact on the thyroid and on female infertility. Because thyroid hormones also have an impact on your brain, one class of flame retardants, known as PBDEs, is thought to affect the IQ levels in children, which is why many chemicals in this class have been banned or are being gradually phased out. However, the replacements being used are just as toxic and exhibit the same biological activity as organophosphate pesticides.

Where they're found: Furniture, carpet padding, and even baby nursing pillows contain them. Assume that anything in your home—and your office and your car—that contains polyurethane foam also contains flame retardants. Other major exposure sources include electronics: TVs, computers, cellphones, and video game consoles.

Easiest way to avoid them: Dust and vacuum frequently. It's nearly impossible to avoid flame retardants, given their widespread use, so cleaning is your best defense. Flame retardants bind to dust as the furniture, car-seat padding, and electronics in which they're used break down.

Mercury

What it does: Another metal that does double the damage, mercury is a potent neurotoxin that impairs children's IQ levels. But EWG found that it also binds to a hormone that regulates women's menstrual cycles and ovulation, and it damages cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, the hormone that regulates your blood sugar levels.

Where it's found: Primarily found in seafood, mercury winds up in the environment from industrial sources, the largest of which are coal-fired power plants.

Easiest way to avoid it: Stick with low-mercury seafood choices, such as wild Alaskan salmon and farmed trout, along with seafood that's low on the food chain, such as sardines and anchovies. In general, the smaller the fish, the less contaminated it is.

Perfluorinated Chemicals, or PFCs

What they do: PFCs—which you'll recognize through trade names as Teflon and Stainmaster—have been studied most for their impact on thyroid function and their links to hypothyroidism. The chemicals are also thought to cause infertility in both men and women. One possible reason for that, at least in women, comes from recent research in animals, which suggests that the chemicals inhibit a woman's ovaries from producing eggs.

Where they're found: PFCs are used to make your pots and pans nonstick and your clothes, upholstery fabric, carpets, backpacks, and coats water- and stain-repellent. The chemicals are also used to repel grease in food packaging like pizza boxes, fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, and pet-food bags.

Easiest ways to avoid them: Avoid all of the above! Keep an eye out for anything that utilizes "Gore-Tex," "Stainmaster," or "Teflon," all trademarks for chemical mixtures that contain PFCs. 

Some of these ingredients are so foreign sounding, you can't even pronounce them, let along spell them. I intend to copy them onto a piece of paper and carry it in my wallet so I glance at it next time I'm buying anything.  Just hope I can remember to do this.

Went to the doctor this morning and surprise surprise, I did test positive for something being wrong after I did the exercises I was asked to perform.  I got some neck x-rays as they have to do that before ordering MRIs and she wants me to try a couple sessions of physical therapy.  I was advised to use ice packs, heat, and pain pills only when I really really need it.

I've been very uncomfortable all day but I had a bad night too.  They probably took ten views of my neck and I've got my fingers crossed on what the film will show.  I know I don't want to walk down the surgery road.

I came home to find the neighbor's cat sitting on my front porch.  This after I placed rocks on their perch under a nearby bush they had been favoring to watch the birds.  It's been raining steadily for hours. Even when it was snowing yesterday, I had quite a few birds and hummingbirds visiting the feeders all day long.

I watched a few episodes of House of Cards last night.  Only two left and I'll watch them today.  Some parts were absolutely disgusting!  I could  have done without the vice president doing a 3-way and the lesbians making love.  I don't know why those stupid writers can't just stick to good ole fashion murder, bribery, graft, and theft.

And I apologize to those twenty people I sent a chain letter to yesterday.  I won't do that again.

Made a quick run to Walgreens after leaving the doctor's office as I had some reprints to pick up.  Saw two cop cars parked in the parking lot frisking a teenager.  On the way to the doctor, I had to pull over as two copy cars approached with sirens and lights ablaze.  They were tearing up the road pretty fast.

Speaking of which....I came across car racing on tv yesterday and found it pretty interesting. I don't watch Nascar races but I have always loved car races in person.  I think if I had a high def tv, it would have been even better.

Well, gotta go read some of my brother's book that he's posted online.  Also want to look over Patti Walden's pictures some more.  Am expecting a new frying pan from UPS today. Once it arrives, I'm takin' a nap.

Wet Saturday morning

Woke up to see snow coming down but thankfully (at least so far) it's not sticking. I plan to pretty much stick around inside all weekend but I do have to go to the doctor Monday morning so the snow had best be a thing of the past.



I watched two more episodes of 'House of Cards' last night and I'll probably watch more today.  Also have a jigsaw set up, an audio book standing by, patterns to cut out, and books to read.  Blah blah blah...  Same ole stuff....

Darn ole hummingbirds!  I've been standing and standing on my porch off and on all morning trying to get a video and do you think they'd show up!  No!  But twice since I've sat down here, they've arrived. Back I go to stand with camera in hand and off they fly.  I really need to find another way to amuse myself.

Here's the latest from Mary and Andy.... what a cutie pie!

Well, mailman just arrived. Think I'll walk outside and see if I got anything worth while.  Nope...nothing there but recycle.  And there's another hummingbird.  I need to move away from the light.  Ha Ha

Here's some cute cartoons I got in an email.

And here's a picture I just saw on FB that Joy Bland took.  I love her photos. I've got one hanging in my house.

My mother is 88 today.  I saw her about ten years ago when I visited in Pennsylvania.  I wonder if I'll see my 80's.  If I do, I hope I can still get online.  I'm going to be really pissed off if I get dementia but sadly, I'm already half expecting it.  On the bright side, I probably won't realize I have it.

As the sign on my wall says (that Linda Pedersen gave me)

"We'll be friends 'til we're old and senile....then we'll be new friends!"

My Friday plans

As soon as I opened the curtains in this room, I was eye to eye with the neighbor's cat that was staked out under the nearby bush hoping to ambush my birds.  She ran home as soon as I opened the front door. She hasn't figured out what that umbrella is yet.  I was reading in my "how to rid your home of pests" book yesterday and I think I'm going to spray the area with the mixture they suggested.  I'm also going to place the one bird feeder I have on a higher stake.  I miss my hummingbirds.

I hope this problem corrects itself but I know mother nature is at work here and it's natural for cats to be amused with birds.  Still..... the whole block across the street is FULL of birds and other rodents so why can't they make that their hunting ground.  Actually, I know they do.  I've seen several cats stalking around over there.  Good lord!  I need to find another diversion in my life.

I had another bad night with neck and shoulder pain. Sure am glad I made that doctor appointment.  Now I have to keep my fingers crossed that the problem will be pinpointed.  My guess is impinged nerve but like I said, I don't have my medical degree yet.

I had emailed Mary that I loved any and all pictures she sent me of Jacob and that I found myself just smiling and looking at them over and over again.  She sent me another saying:  How about this one?

I'm betting that was Andy's idea.  ha ha ha ha

Well, the washing machine just turned off so I guess I'll cut this short and get to work around here.  Intend to cut out a couple more quilt squares, maybe lay out another jigsaw, finish listening to my book on tape, put clean sheets on the bed, ride that exercise bike, and make up my spray mixture.  First though, I need to work my morning crossword puzzle online and write a quick letter.

Have a good weekend.

What's in a name? A lot.

Just finished watching yet another story on the nat'l news about how many Americans are taking sleeping pills.  My first thought was....we've already heard this.  My second thought was .... somebody on staff and up high is friends with the Kennedys.  I knew, without a doubt, the upcoming trial with a Kennedy would be mentioned and it would be noted that  women everywhere are taking sleeping pills without understanding what they can do.  Baloney, baloney!

Do they actually think we don't see through this transparency story of trying to turn opinions before the jury is picked?  All depends on who you are.  We all know that.

Interesting too how the Olympic reporting is slanted when we aren't winning medals.  It's the weather. It's the course not being made right.  It's the water.  It's the judges.  It's the new uniforms. GIVE ME A BREAK!

On the flip side, there's a story playing now about a dog they did a brain scan on to see how their brains are like our brains and how dogs feel what we feel.  Hell!  Any fool knows that!  Of course they know. I really need to get a dog.  No, no, I don't.  Yes I do.  No  No ....

Now the Amber alert.  How many times do we have to hear this story?  And how come my cell phone went off with a weird alarm and alerted me to the amber alert?  Never did that before.  And yes, I know Amber Alerts are a good thing.  We have way too many mentals walking around in the role of parent to not have Amber Alerts.

Well, back to my crossword.  I had to bring my laptop out here to have google nearby.  Just couldn't get any of the clues to make sense to me.  When my crossword dictionary won't help (and I refuse to look up the answer) I have to turn to cheating with google.  I tell myself this still okay because I'm improving my brain.

It is hard to sit here, however, with a keyboard in front of me while the news is playing in the background.  Some days (most days) the news makes me talk out loud and say bad words.

Neighborhood activity

I decided to make a library run and noticed a lot of city workers cutting and trimming around the area up the block.

This area that the guy is weed eating now is private property (all scotch broom and a real nuisance) but I figure sooner or later, houses will be built on it.  I think the guy who built this house and all the houses on this block also owns that side of the street.  If  you go up this street a half block and turn right, it's a deadend.  If you turn left, it takes you up this winding dirt road that leads to the fairgrounds and airport.
All that area along there is trees but there's a notice posted that they're going to clear it.  For houses I assume.  I wish they'd get busy.  I can walk through those woods to get to Jenni's as she lives just on the other side but it's creepy in there and me and the kids aren't real keen on walking through alone.

The library has this terrific gift shop that sells like new books that people have donated.  Most are $1 to $4.  They also have movies.  They were having a 'fill your bag for a dollar' sale in the hallway but I didn't stop to browse those.  I did pick up $15 worth in the gift shop, though.  Five hardback (like new) books by J.A. Jance, a really nice quilt book, a book on dogs I'm sending to my brother and two others called "It's taken years to get this old" and "When your phone doesn't ring, it'll be me."

I've got two books on tape that I had to renew. Am halfway through one by Joyce Carol Oates called Little Bird of Heaven.  The other is Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence.  I think I'm going to take it easy today and just sit around and read.  I finished my Grand Canyon jigsaw puzzle and ordered another on Amazon that is covers of popular books.

The neighbor's cat and I continue our contest to see who has ownership of my bird area in the front.  Two of them (but especially the black one) creep back and sit under a nearby bush to try and catch the many birds I WAS HAVING COME AROUND.  They're all staying clear now.  I go out on the porch and open up this umbrella I have that snaps open loudly and fast on its own.  The cat runs home and as soon as she knows I'm back inside, she returns to guard my feeders.  Yeah, this is the way I entertain myself these days.

I think I'm going to plug in my humidifier when I go to bed tonight. I've been waking up terribly stuffed up in the head and a cough is present as well.  I'm sure it's the indoor air.  I'm fairly certain I sleep with my mouth open all night because my nose is so stuffed up.  It's really scary sometimes when I first look up into my morning mirror and see my aging, sagging face and body staring back at me.  I always have a few choice words for the image looking back at me.  Things like:  God, you're ugly!  What happened to you?! Yeah, you're old now!

I wish I could figure out my cell phone.  Mary called me last night and told me (for the second time 'cause I forgot she already told me once) how to edit and delete my contacts.  Now, I need to learn how to pan out on my camera when I've accidentally zoomed in.  Maybe Hunter can help me.  He came over yesterday and picked up a mason jar and lid from me.  He's making something for his girl friend 'cause it's their one year anniversary.  The jar was to hold gummy bears, along with a little poem.  He also got a cute little picture frame that has four places for pictures. Jenni says it's a super cute idea and she hopes they keep that up as they get older.

I was just about ready to hit the sack last night when I started watching this PBS show about this (tallest ever) building in process.  I'm not usually interested in such things but this was fascinating. If you search on YouTube for Shanghai Tower, you can see it.

I think I'm gonna hunt around on ebay or wherever? to see if I can't find out some information about this necklace I have. This shot is kind of blurry but you get the general idea.

My Aunt Elva gave it to me for Christmas when I was about 13 or 14 years old.  I've always loved it.

First though, I just may have to take a nap.  I didn't sleep well last night (damn shoulders again) and this whole routine is getting mighty old.  I sure hope we can find a solution soon.  It's making me cranky.  Well, more cranky than usual.  I've also noticed that I'm cold more frequently than I used to be.  Poor circulation maybe?  I'm gonna blame it on the aging process.

Grandkids make me smile

Having the twins in the car continues to be my best opportunity for a laugh.  I picked them up early this morning for a ride to school and Maddie said ‘thanks for putting my picture on your blog; we’re gonna be in the paper today too.’

I asked Hunter if he had noticed my reply to his post on facebook.  He said ‘yeah, but I didn’t get it.’

(It had to do with the time kids have to change classes)

Hunter’s post: So we have this project in Mrs. Sanders class and we have to get data for it and my topic is longer passing periods. So like this if you would want longer passing time and comment if you don't. Thank you!

Gramma’s answer:  I don't want longer passing periods. I want to go fast!

I explained to him that older people would get it.  Maddie said:  ‘ I thought maybe you were talking about having a period but I know old people don’t have them.’

Hunter:  Wait…what? Old people don’t get periods?  I seriously didn’t know that.

And I laughed all the way home.

It was raining kind of hard as I made my way home after dropping them off and it looked like there was a  bit of snow mixed in.  The mountains do show some white stuff fell overnight.  I hope it stays in the mountains. The sun is out now so I'm not going to worry about it.

I started watching 'Glee' on Netflix last night and am actually enjoying it this time around.  Not being interrupted with commercials seems to be a factor in my viewing choices as I didn't give it much attention when it was on regular tv.  It actually helped me stay on my exercise bike longer so I think I'll use that aid again.  I really need to get outside and start walking.  And how many times have I said that to myself?  About as many times as I said it was time to lose weight.  A hundred million maybe?  ha ha

I had to laugh yesterday when Mary called me while running errands.  We were chatting but had to stop talking while she was at a light because Jacob starts to howl when the car quits moving.  Quiets down immediately once she's underway again.  Oh, how I wish I lived closer.  Last week I answered a phone call from her and she had her and Jake set up on video chat.  Amazing! I haven't figured out how to do that yet but I love that we have the option.

I taped Jimmy Fallon last night as I enjoy his humor but can't stay awake that late. I plan to watch it this afternoon.  Am half finished with my grand canyon jigsaw and am thinking I'll put out another or.... maybe get back to sewing.  Kind of depends on my energy level and mood.  I do love that about retirement.  I can work on a hobby, exercise, watch tv, or nap if I so desire. Ahhhhhh.....

For now, though, I think I'll empty the dryer, put away the laundry, take out the trash, and maybe post on my genealogy blog.  Oh wait, it's Wednesday.  Gotta go read the Leader while I have a second cup of coffee.  I did buy a power ball ticket for tonight's drawing.  Keep your fingers crossed for me 'cause if I win, I'm spreading the dough all over the place with everybody I know.

Here's three cartoons I got in an email this morning.  All made me laugh out loud.

Just another bird watching day

I'm tired this morning.  Can't seem to generate much get up and go.  I'm blaming it on the weather.  Still....I'd just as soon have this rain over the cold temperatures and snow.  I'll take rain any day.  I threw out my leftover popcorn from last night to see how long it would take for the birds to find it.

In about a half hour, one large sea gull and a dozen black crows descended.

The seagull flew off before I could get my camera.  I pulled a chair over nearer to the window to I could get some good shots once the crows returned.  It was a standoff for quite a while.  They watched me through the window and while a couple attempted to show the others how brave they were, none would venture to the popcorn while I sat there.

I finally lost interest and headed back over here to my laptop.  They must have given up too as the popcorn still sits.  I did catch a hummingbird,however.

I wish I had a great big tree with lots of branches so I could hang several feeders.  I'll content myself with two for now.

My knee is a tad sore, stiff, and uncomfortable this morning so I'd probably better spend more time on my exercise bike.  Called the doctor to make another shoulder appt. but she wasn't available until next month and my second choice was also booked.  That left a nurse's assistant but I'll take what I can get for now.  Perhaps she'll order an MRI at least.

I started my Grand Canyon jigsaw puzzle yesterday. I think I'm going to have to put a leaf in the table so I can turn the puzzle as it looks like it's going to fall off the way I have it now.

I channel surfed on tv last night.  I do that a lot from about 6:30 to 8 before I decide to settle in.  I watched a few ice skaters but they only reminded me how out of shape I am so I opted for Netflix.  Ha!
I saw a tv show called Revolution that had a bunch of episodes available so I watched the first one to see if I liked it.  I did so I'll watch more tonight.  I also tuned in to the next chapter of House of Cards. Man, that was a shocker!  Kevin Spacey is so dang cute.

Guess I'll get  moving now.  Maybe 15 minutes on the bike and a half hour on the puzzle. Then it'll be time for lunch and a nap.  I hope I can keep up with this fast pace I've set for myself.

a little later on Monday......

Forgot I had a picture of Maddie's basketball team that I wanted to post.  Also thought the valentine she gave her boyfriend (a big poster) was really something....

Maddie's kneeling on the right. Her team came in second at the jamboree this past weekend.

We've come a long ways since my day when you were excited to get a little sucker.  ha ha ha

Mary sent me a video of Jacob rolling over but I couldn't figure out how to post it on my blog.  That's one thing I really like about our modern technology.  I can open up my phone or my computer and see a moving picture of the grandson performing.  When you don't live close enough to hug him every day, this is the next best thing.

Monday morning rain

Tried to make a doctor appointment this morning but the voicemail said it was closed for a holiday. I guess that means no mail today either. I wonder if there's school.  Doesn't matter, I suppose, I don't have any plans to leave the house.  Rain is coming down steadily and I intend to find indoor activities to amuse me.

Have to post on my genealogy blog, post on my facebook page for my Town Kid book, work on the jigsaw puzzle of the grand canyon that John O'Brien gave me, and I think that's it.  I got two hummingbird feeders hung yesterday in between the rain showers and as soon as I can get my shoulders healed, I'll see about doing a little weeding outside my window. I laid low yesterday and did manage to sleep a little better than the night before but I know I still have to get to the bottom of this ailment as I have things to attend to and don't need to  get any more sedentary than I already am.

I signed up for MGo TV on my Roku device and decided to rent a couple of movies.  Cost me $10 total but that was still cheaper than going to the movie house -- and much more comfortable.  I saw Robert Redford's flick called 'All is Lost' and 'The Dallas Buyer's Club.'  Both were good but neither deserves best movie.  Redford's movie had no dialogue and that irked me.  Even if you're alone, most people mutter to themselves.  I felt sorry for his predicament but also felt like he was a damn fool going out in the ocean on a boat alone.

Matthew McConaughy looked dreadful but I guess that was the plan.  It wasn't a pleasant movie by any means.  The dialogue was rough and the story line was sad, sad, sad.  I like sad movies most of the time but I like happy movies too.  I came across 'Grease' a couple of times while channel surfing yesterday and I always stopped to watch a bit. Even though I own that movie, it still tickles me to hear the music and watch John Travolta dance.  I was  35 when that movie came out.  I loved it then. I love it now. It was nominated for several Golden Globes including best picture but was only nominated for one Oscar --the song: Hopelessly Devoted to you.

Forced myself to stay up to watch Downton Abbey last night.  I sure do like that show.  Guess I'll get to my 'to-do' list now.

Into PT and back again

I left  town around 9:30 a.m. yesterday morning and it was sunny and pleasant. The trip home, however, was anything but! I stopped in Sequim to buy a few groceries on the way home and it was getting darker by the minute. The rains started with a vengeance as I drove two-fisted with the wind picking up, the rains getting heavier, and the traffic getting slower.  If there's one thing I don't like about driving, it's doing it in the dark with heavy rain.  Just my luck!  I drove into the garage around 6.  I had a headache that had been playing with me off and on all day and I ached all over.  Went to bed at 7:30 and tossed and turned for the next 12 hours.

My neck and shoulders are giving me so much grief, I think I'll quit "thinking about it" and just make a doctor appointment.  I was convinced that time would heal whatever is wrong but now I'm not so sure. After I had sacked my groceries at Walmart last night, I discovered I couldn't lift the bag so I had to redistribute a few things into more bags.  Reaching for a half gallon of milk on the top shelf of the store caused me so much pain, I thought about asking for help.  That ain't good!  Time to get assertive and find a solution.

On the way into town, I detoured over to West Valley Road to visit my cousin, Susie and her new husband.  I had missed their wedding because I was recuperating from my knee surgery.  She's walking with a cane and is in physical therapy  from a fall she took in September right before her wedding. She broke her leg and had to go down the aisle in a wheelchair.

I love their place.  They have 40 acres and while he used to have animals, they only feed the birds now. I saw a hummingbird so that was enough to make up my mind -- I'm fixing up my nectar today.  His bird feeders were up high so he  (Cal) doesn't have to contend with the deer. We compared notes as he's also suffering with shoulder issues. He said he's getting a replacement soon.  I hope I don't have to go down that road.  Here's a picture of one of his vehicles parked in the front and another of me and Sue and Sue and Cal.

While in town, I went to lunch with my sister, visited with my pal, Ruthie, who has moved into Seaport Landing from the nursing home in Silverdale, and attended a funeral for Karen Bittner Meehan.  It was a full house with tears and laughter about the stories and memories.  I was too worn out to stop at the Elks afterwards.

By the time I got to the casino, it was still light out and it wasn't raining yet so I thought I would stop and play slots for 20 minutes.  I spent $20 and walked out with $41--just enough to buy my groceries.
I also took half a dozen copies of 'Town Kid' down to the museum gift shop.  They're also on sale at Maricee's on Water Street.

John O'Brien mentioned to me that he thought my rat in the birdfeeder might have been a possum.  He thought the long tail and the large feet looked more like a possum than a rat.  News to me.  I read up on them and it said one way to get rid of them (besides not feeding the birds) is to do this.....

 Ammonia, mothballs, and garlic are all scents that possums tend to flee from.

Pour a small amount of ammonia into a coffee can with a lid. Place a rag inside the ammonia and bring one end up through a hole cut into the lid. The rag will act as a wick to disperse the fumes. Place one of these containers in every area where possums gather.

Scatter mothballs around any area where you have noticed possum activity. You can contain the mothballs in a mesh bag, or you can scatter them around individually.

Place a clove of crushed garlic in any area that you want neighborhood possums to avoid. Crushed garlic is better than whole garlic since crushing it first allows more of the scent to escape.

I was kind of surprised to wake up and see snow on my deck this morning.  Granted it was just a few flakes but still...

I've placed one bird feeder in the front garden area so I can view it while sitting here at my my laptop. It's already attracted quite a few birds so maybe I'll hang just one more along with the hummingbird feeder.  

Not much on my agenda today.  Going to post on my other blog (genealogy notes) and maybe settle in to do a little knitting or cross stitch while I watch tv.  I have Netflix streaming in and I'm anxious to watch House of Cards.

Here's a cute cartoon  I got in an email yesterday.

Valentines Day

Saw this video on tv last night and I thought it was terrific.  They actually only showed a little part but I found it on YouTube and decided to share......



It was another morning of not wanting to get out of bed.  That's a change in behavior for me as I usually look forward to early morning as that's when I have the most energy.  I forced myself up but wasn't happy about it and felt kind of punky.  Ended up taking an hour nap in my recliner before noon so I guess I was still tired.

There's a lady down the street (about my age) who walks her dog daily although she never puts a leash on him and he has free travel through all the yards and the street.  He's a friendly dog (yellow lab I think) and he's always bounding and running fast ahead of her.  The last two or three mornings, however, I've noticed him walking slower behind her with no pep.  Either age is catching up with him or he's got a bug.

I took the twins out for hamburgers last night and we stopped by Walgreens so they could buy Valentine stuff.  Man, have times changed.  Hunter bought his girl friend one white rose (which I thought was too expensive) and Maddie bought a friend a box of candy. (which I also thought was too expensive.) But it's none of my business as they used their own money.  We stopped to eat at the view overlooking the harbor and conversation got around to first dates and such.  They both burst out laughing when I told them I was 17 when I got my first kiss.  They thought that was really old.

I started a new blog yesterday on a different website than blogger.  Going to use this one for all my genealogy notes and pictures and stories.  It's a good way to connect as people can google names they're working on and my blog might be one of their hits.  I got a picture of this farm house from a guy near Salem and discovered it was the same house that I have in one of my collections of grandpa and grandma.

this bottom picture shows my dad and his twin at about age 3 or 4. Uncle George is standing next to them and Aunt Elva is in front in a white dress and tie.

John O'Brien (from my class) is in town to visit his sister, Mary in Sequim so he came over and took me out for lunch.  He thinks the picture I posted on FB of a rat in my bird feeder looked more like a possum because of the feet.  I'll have to look possums up.  He saw a hummingbird down the street when we were coming back from the Cornerhouse Restaurant where we ate so I think I'll hang my feeders next week.

We stopped by Jenni's bank as it's customer appreciation day and they're having a drawing (plus free coffee and cupcakes)  Decided my blog needed something interesting so I had a friend of Jenni's click the three of us.  Man, am I ever short!

Just out of curiosity, what do these marks on my carpet look like to you?  I noticed them in the hallway near the closet doors and haven't a clue what it is. It's not paint.

Well, I guess I'll head back to my recliner now.  I haven't felt really on top of things all day.  I've got ringing in my ears and I'm a little dizzy.  Also have had a upset stomach.  I hope it moves right along 'cause I have plans for tomorrow morning.  Intended to drive into PT early, do some errands, visit a cousin and my sister, and attend a funeral.  It's only 3:30 and I'm already thinking pajamas.  Annoying because the sun is shining brightly and it would be a perfect time to get outside.

And thanks for the Valentine Greeting Jim!

Thursday morning

It was another morning of not wanting to get out of bed but I forced myself up anyhow.  Not that it mattered one way or the other. All I had on my agenda was housework and paperwork.  It's a little after 11 now and I just finished a load of laundry, sweeping the kitchen, vacuuming the house, pulling the two trash bins out to the alley, and sorting through several files of notes and pictures.

I suspect there's no way I'm ever going to be satisfied with the amount of "stuff" that I've got stored away here and there in nooks and crannies.  Pictures are pretty well organized by subject matter in nice tidy boxes and albums; genealogy records are sorta in order by family name in albums; and letters are filed away in individual file folders too.  I just can't seem to throw them out.  I did toss several when I wrote my "Please Mr. Postman" book but since then, my collections are growing again.

I keep trying to get my "must save stuff" into fewer boxes but it's dang hard sometimes.  Especially when I remember that I'm in the winter of my years and all my collections are going to be thrust upon my children to deal with.  More than likely, they'll dismay at the amount and resort to the trash bin.  It does seem a shame, though.  Some of it is definitely trash bin fodder but not all of it.

I've got one folder, for example, on newspaper clippings and pictures from the mill, another on my alumni reunions, one each for the kids and grandkids, one of favorite cartoons and articles from magazines.  I even have a whole album devoted to obits.  Another on Officer and a Gentleman and Elvis....it just goes on.

I guess I should be happy that my biggest frustration in life (besides health and money and weight) is how to preserve my treasures.  I've got to remember that not everyone thinks as highly of this collection as I do.  There's always the Historical Society, I suppose. I'm thinking on that too.

I think I'll go throw a stew in the crockpot now and then try to talk myself out of setting up another jigsaw puzzle.  I need to throw myself into genealogy research again.  Once I get going on it, I won't have any qualms about sitting at the laptop all afternoon.

Mary emailed me that Jacob rolled over yesterday.  Apparently, he's not that keen about laying on his tummy.  Ha!

Starting paperwork

I've been putting off and putting off settling down to work on one project or another.  Kept moving from sewing to reading to audio books to jigsaw puzzles to writing and I knew darn well I needed to focus and decide on what I wanted to get into.  I think I knew it all along but I was having such a good time with my puzzles that I didn't want to stop.

I finished one this morning and went out to the garage to find another.  Before I set it up, however, I had a talk with myself about the loafing I was doing.  It took me a while (I kept finding other little chores to do to side track myself) but I finally buckled down and proceeded to clean up this office and see about getting all my odds and ends sorted, discarded, saved, filed, etc. etc.

I did get two large boxes emptied and set files up in a new area.

Tomorrow morning I will slowly go through each file and see what I can do about getting rid of what I don't need and saving the rest in a way that I can find what I want when I want it.  Actually, I love doing stuff like this; it's just difficult to get jump started sometimes.

I've got a ton of genealogy notes on various family names, file folders on each kid with things they've drawn or wrote, letters, and other notes I wanted to keep track of for my memoirs.  Ha!  You'd think I'd had an interesting life the way I continue to write about memories.  I've heard that's what retired people often do.  I guess it's our way of assuring ourselves that somebody might remember us when we're gone.

Meanwhile, I got things all nice and tidy in here and now I can retire to the recliner to watch the news and make sarcastic remarks about the stories they think we all care about.  Here's a cartoon I saw on Facebook this morning that made me laugh out loud.

and here's a video by Jasmine Thompson that I think is pretty darn good.