Friday at the Fair

I had half a dozen stops to make BEFORE going to the fair this morning.  We got there around 10 and left a little after 2.  It was fun but as I knew I would be, I'm worn out.  It wasn't too hot so that was a good thing but I knew my foot was going to limit my walking and standing to some extent and it did.  I think the exhibits were down a bit this year and the Friday crowd seemed light.  But then Fridays are usually that way.  I took a few pictures throughout the day and will post them below.

Our raffle baskets at the alumni booth sure look terrific. Kris Logue made a second basket this year and it looked awfully interesting.  I bought $5 worth of tickets.  Also boght a white t-shirt, and a black hoodie sweatshirt.

I bought raffle tickets in the rock building and other raffle tickets as I saw them on quilts.  Barbara Shaw and I walked around and then she left once my shift at the booth began. We bought hamburgers at the Rebecca booth and ate them in my car.  I picked up free pens and keychains for the twins and The Leader was giving away handy scratchpads and insulated cups.

Mary Norton and I left and decided to stop at McDonalds for iced tea and a vanilla milkshake for the ride home.  I've got a couple pieces of chicken baking in the oven and I suspect I'm gonna be in bed early tonight.  Tomorrow I'll make a quick Safeway stop and pick up a book at the library.  Sunday Mary N. and I plan to take in a matinee (The Help). Here's the photos I took...

Clarence Lammers

Dana & Brad Madison with their two sons (one in stroller)

Donna & Charlie Freitas

me and Smokey the Bear

Our two booths

me & Barbara Shaw

Mary Norton and Neil & Katie Glessing

Ruth Kvinsland, me and Linda Pedersen

Pat & Carol Plaster

This was one of my favorites. I think it was a 1939 photo in our alumni booth and I'm pretty sure it was taken in a Lincoln School classroom. It's the only picture I've ever seen of the inside of those classrooms. Wish I had more. You had to attend there to understand my fascination with it.

For Bob B.

George Cadero just emailed me that he visited Bob Blaurock yesterday and Bob wanted to see the video of his class.  I assume it was this one I put on YouTube.  Poor quality, I'm afraid as I'm new at using video cameras but you can see a few people from your class, Bob.

I'm using the Mute Button

Sure am happy my remote has a mute button. I'm utilizing it more all the time.  Right now, for example, I really don't care to hear what Starr Jones has to say.  I'd turn the Today Show off altogether if I wasn't curious to see if the picture of my toilet collection gets air time.  Ha ha  (It's all about me, 'ya know)

Yesterday I got next to nothing accomplished.  I just couldn't get motivated to do a thing.  Part of the problem was my joints were sore and achy.  Everytime I got up  out of a chair, I was moaning with discomfort.  I even got on my bike for a bit and rode around out front but that about killed me so I gave up and came back to my computer.  This morning...WA LAAA!  I'm much better.  Always curious why my body goes into shutdown like it did yesterday but I do have a theory.  I think it's related to my bowels.  Yes, you read that right.  I share everything on my blog. Many of my friends will appreciate this.

Everyone knows the discomfort of constipation and diarrhea. I think it's a tie on which one is worse.  As you age, it can become warfare when it comes to staying regular.  One little splurge of eating poorly can alter your whole outlook on life for hours or days afterwards.  Eating right and exercising regularly are topics we've heard about all our lives.  Some people's systems act up early  starting in babyhood, and most older people deal with it on daily basis.  Interesting topic when you stop and think about how our bodies operate. 

A lot of my time yesterday was spent in front of the computer trying to decide what I wanted to work on for my next project.  This led me down all kinds of side roads as I'd stop to research some topic.  I'm leaning more towards my life story.  That is, after all, what interests me most.   I wrote 'The Alphabet of my Life' in 2007 but it was mainly short anecdotes on various subjects having to do with my life.  This next book will cover other things and have more detail. It will also give me a chance to use a lot of the pictures I have on hand.

Although I may change my mind, I've got my life events separated by years..... 1943-1953, 1953-1957, 1958-1963, and so on. Some cover 3 years while others cover 5, 6, or even 10 years. Depends on what I want to talk about.  I love having a project.  Another project I've got playing around in my head is compiling all my Leader blogs about high school topics into a book.  I've posted 84 blogs already and I'm sure I can edit them down to something that would be a fun read.  At least for people who attended PT schools.

Jen dropped off Sammy this morning and said the twins are staying home until I pick them up at 11:30 to take them to her bank. Their grandpa John is driving them to the Bainbridge ferry so they can spend the weekend with Uncle Andy and Aunt Mary.  Maddie called a few mintues ago to tell me she has a "surprise" for me but I can't see it until I pick them up.  Maddie's like me in that she has a hard time keeping a secret. She says:

I'll give you a clue. It's red and white and rhymes with Moogle.  ha ha ha ha ha ha  I have no idea but I bet it's something good.

I watched an interesting Netflix movie last night. Winter in Wartime.  It was a foreign film and had subtitles (which I usually don't care for) but it was partly in English so you could watch it without having to constantly read at the same time.  Pretty good flick. It was filmed in  The Netherlands and got a lot of awards.

Looking forward to tomorrow. Gonna do the Jefferson County Fair. Hope I see lots of people as I'll have my camera handy.  I suspect most go on Saturday and Sunday, though, and we'll be heading home by 2:30.

By the way...if anybody sees a mobile for sale that looks similar to this one, could you buy it for me and I'll reimburse?

It doesn't necessarily have to be boats. I just want one about this size and make. I picked this one up in a gift shop along the Oregon coast back in the mid 80's and I can't find one online. My granddaughter, Catie, has been eyeing mine and asked if she could have it if I ever decide to get rid of it.  I'd like to surprise her with one so she doesn't have to wait until I die.  (hope she doesn't read my blog today)  hee  hee

Later....Okay...my gift from Maddie was a gift certificate for fries from FRUGALS!  I guess that rhymes with Moogle.  ha ha

Just me and the dog today & tomorrow

The twins are visiting the other grandparents today so Sammy and I are hanging out.  I spot-cleaned the carpet early as I knew I would find excuses to get out of it if I put it off.  Now I have to wait for the many spots to dry so I can vacuum and see if it made a difference.  I also finished the ironing because I didn't want it on my list.  I only had three pieces and I made things easy by sprinkling them with water and putting them in the fridge for a couple of hours.

I returned a sack of books to the library and filled my bag up for the return trip. I do love having new books by my bed.  I picked up three movies on VHS, F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton (on audio tape) and four books--No Laughing Matter by Joseph Heller, The Hiding Place by Trezza Azzopardi, One Drop by Bliss Broyard, and The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.

I was thinking of picking up Roots (on video) and watching it again but that first episode is so distressing I just hate to watch it.  A lot of movies I won't watch because I can't wait for the bad guy to get his in the end.  There's a movie on AMC right now that is playing in the background that I may have to turn off for that reason.  It's got good actors in it and they're doing a terrific job but the bad guys are so bad, I can hardly stand the killing. (The Texas Rangers, 2001 flick) The worst villain is a detective I've seen on Law & Order. Stars include Randy Travis, Dylan McDermitt, and Ashton Kutcher.

When I left the library I decided spur of the moment to turn right instead of going left. I wanted a Subway for lunch.  I planned on getting a $5 foot long with a lot of veggies on it.  The guy in front of me ordered a chicken sandwich and it looked so good, I said "I'll take what he ordered" when I got to the front of the line. Unfortunately, I discovered too late that it was a $7.50 sandwich.  Oh well, I'm saving half for tomorrow's lunch.

I finally pulled out the sprinkler yesterday so I can start watering the front lawn 20 minutes twice a day.  It's turned so brown and yellow out there, it crackles when you walk on it. I thought I'd see if I can't get a little green to appear--even if it is mostly weedy looking.  I also added more dirt to my "special strip" in the back and it gets a good watering twice a day as well.  One way or another, I'm gonna get some grass growing around here.

I think yesterday was the first time that Sammy didn't put on  a show of affection when Jenni arrived to pick him up.  Usually, it's a spectacle to watch as he licks her face and wags his tail, and generally has a happy fit.  I had just sat down to supper and gave him some of my fried chicken skin.  He gets table scraps seldom and he gobbled it down fast.  And then sat there begging. When Jenni showed up, he ran to her and after getting petted, ran back to my table, stood on two legs (and stayed standing on two legs) while he eyed my plate begging for more. And he wasn't about to leave!  She finally had to pick him up and take him to the car.  We all laughed.

Well, I guess I'm gonna spend the rest of my day relaxing in the recliner reading and watching videos.  Oh woe is me.  Nothing to do except fun stuff.  (:-)

Here's a video of Paul Anka singing one of my favorite songs that he does---Papa.  This particular video isn't the best quality but you can still see what a great performer he is.  I taped a show that PBS presented of Paul on stage in Vegas and I play it every now and again.  He has the audience in the palm of his hand.

It's happening....

I've been noticing a problem with my memory lately. Seems to go in cycles and it can get scary as I'm all too aware of the problems with dementia and Alzheimers these days.

It doesn't bother me when I go into a room and can't remember what I was after. It doesn't even bother me that I can't get my grandkids' names right.  I get irritated when somebody tells me something and I've forgotten what they said 5 minutes (or less) later.  What gets scary is two things that happened today.

The car was parked in the driveway as I planned to wash it later.  As the kids and I climbed in, Hunter says:
Can I put it in reverse?
Okay.
He does and then I immediately take the gear shift and try to put it in reverse again.  As the car bucks a bit wondering what I'm doing, Hunter reminds me that he already put it in reverse.  But that's nothing compared to our conversation further down the road.

The kids asked me how long they were going to get to stay at Aunt Mary and Uncle Andy's house this weekend?
I said:
Well, Mary is taking Monday off so she's probably bringing you back then.  Oh no, wait a mintue. You have school so she'll have to bring you back on Sunday.

We don't have school.

You don't?  Well nobody told me.  Why don't you have school?

It's summer Gramma.

Oh....yeah.  I guess I'm losing it.

Yeah, you are!  You're really losing it!

Where'd that sun go anyway?!

Foggy, misty, and overcast this a.m. but I suppose it will burn off this afternoon.  I don't mind, really.  Too hot makes me irritable. Or should I say, more irritable than usual.  Ha!

Sitting here with my second cup of coffee browsing websites. Sent a picture to the Today Show of my toilet collection so now I'll have to watch daily to see if it shows up.  Also posted a couple pictures on somebody's page on Facebook.  And before I forget (I was too tired to post yesterday) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COUSIN CINDY in Gig Harbor. Here she is with her husband, Jeff.

Yesterday I did several odd jobs around the house.  Little stuff mostly but I got quite a bit accomplished. Today I plan to wash the car and spot clean the carpets.  I have to take the twins to the doctor in an hour. Maddie gets a physical and Hunter will have his arm looked at. Jenni will meet me there.

The four of us went to the movies yesterday at 5. Saw 'The Rising of the Planet of the Apes.'  I liked it.  Maybe a tad cornbally in parts but I enjoyed the special effects.  Stories about apes have always interested me and at least at this flick, I wasn't anxious for it to be over so I could get up and get out of there.  Which is usually what happens when I have to sit in a theatre for two hours. As it was, I could hardly walk after I stood up.  A little embarrassing but I always look around at the other old folks in the theatre to see if they're having problems moving too.  They always are and it's comforting.

After leaving the theatre, we made a quick Walmart stop.  As usual, I was irritated with the service. Not enough checkers and no one on the floor to help you locate items.  I did see one guy and when I asked him where the plastic bags were, he pointed in a general direction. At least Safeway will TAKE YOU AND WALK WITH YOU without even being asked.  And I HATE it when they cram products in the middle of the aisle so you can't get through with their large bulky carts.  Walmart is becoming a place I will frequent as little as possible.

I needed a garden hose.  I've been battling with two and patching them with duct tape but it was getting to the point where I was getting a shower everytime I tried to use them.  I hate to throw away one of the hoses as the hose itself is in good shape and sturdy.  It's the metal part at the end that is corroded and you can't attach a spout to it. What can you do with a hose otherwise? Must be something.  I'll google it.

I cleaned out my music library online yesterday afternoon.  Probably deleted over two hundred songs.  A lot of the stuff was just in there because I made CDs out of them or transferred records onto CDs for other people. Also had a lot of music I never ever listen to and I wanted to free up some space on my hard drive.

I really need to get going on my picture sorting project.  My picture collections get away from me so easily because I'm always snapping photos.  Like these, for example.  Here's a progression of my grass planting strip in the back yard.

I keep looking at those blank circle spots and wonder if I should toss more seed and dirt out there. Anyone know?  I did sprinkle some more seed but not dirt.  I wonder if it will grow in. I'm thinking no.

Well, I guess I'll go post on my Leader blog now. Want to remind people to come to the fair this weekend. I always look forward to our county fair. I'll be in the high school alumni booth on Friday at noon time. Come and look through the dozens and dozens of pictures I'm giving away.

1st Saturday of August

Got up this morning and when I clicked on Facebook to see who might have posted something, I noticed that my grandson broke his arm at the skating rink last night. Will be in a cast for six weeks. That's a hard pill to swallow for an 11--year-old who is very active and never idle.  Poor kid. I wonder if he'll have to pass on the carnival rides at the fair in two weeks. Maybe.

His twin sister, Maddie, is such a sweetie pie. She's waiting on him and doing extra little favors.  She did mention at one point, however, that the more she did, the more he requested. Ha!

Our yard sale yesterday was kind of a flop but then we didn't advertise except with lame signs around the neighborhood. Signs that needed to have the address a lot larger but oh well....  I went around this morning and hung up four signs again and thought perhaps we'd pick up stragglers hitting other sales.  And while we did get a little more business, it was a whole lot more work for me than I wanted.

My foot continued to ache the more I was up and about and it didn't take any time at all for me to reach my "can't do no more" point.  I think I'm getting too old for yard sales. Not to attend them but to have them.  Especially when you have to pretty much set up and take down by yourself.  Maddie helped quite a bit and I probably could have managed if I'd been a little stronger health-wise.

We got everything bagged up and put back in corners here and there, and I moved tables and such back to the house.  There's actually a whole lot more work involved than you'd think.  I told the twins we could try to have another sale in two weeks when the fair is on as we'd probably get more business then. (The fair is in our neighborhood)  After thinking it over, though, I'm gonna pass on having another sale.  Just too hard on this old lady.  I'll help somebody else put one on. 

I didn't actually have that much to sell anyhow.  The kids made around $20 a piece. I'll probably take my things to Serenity House. I do have this computer desk I'd like to get rid of, however.
I think I bought it at Habitat for Humanity for $20 or $25.  I'll sell it for $15.  It's got two shelves I took off to make it easier to get down the steps, and the computer keyboard can be pushed in or pulled out.  The desk is on wheels and it's a nice size if you don't want something really large.

My Netflix movie last night was Hal Holbrook in 'That Evening Sun.' I liked it.  I'm playing with the idea of going to a matinee tomorrow. Would really like to see that Apes flick and it's showing now.

Well, gotta go wrap up some chicken pieces for the freezer that I bought at Safeway this afternoon.  I might bake a cake too.  Depends on my energy level.

Here's an interesting mix.... one guys list of the top 15 best songs of the 50's:




And here's a song about me and a lot of my girl freinds....Single Ladies.   And I dance just like this too!