The Erstwhile Librarian

Been Thinking Lately...

2009-12-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note for anyone who still might be checking in to see if I've found my blogging voice again. I've been thinking alot lately about returning to BlogLand. I've mentioned before that I've been spending a great deal of time social networking and, while I've made a number of new friends (as well as reconnected with long ago ones), I'm just not finding the personal satisfaction that comes with sharing events, thoughts etc in a personal blog.

The one thing I really need to decide, if I do come back to blogging, is what to do about my Erstwhile Librarian persona. It's been nearly six years since I retired and I realize now that I do not think of myself as a librarian anymore. Each day I move farther and farther away from that life I led for 26 years and it no longer defines who I am...only who I was.

So I've been contemplating starting a brand new blog. I have some ideas and I'm mulling them over. Who am I now and who do I want to be 5...10...20...years down the road? Stay tuned...

Can It Really Be September?

2009-09-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

Holy heck! I just realized it's been more than two months since I last posted. It was never my intention to leave BlogLand permanently. It's just that I discovered the joys of social networking and I've been trying my hand at it. The real joy for me is that it limits how much you can say in one sitting and has forced me to leave my verbosity at the door. And that's always a good thing...brief is most always better.

For the most part, summertime has been fairly quiet and it's hard to believe that autumn is just around the corner. We've stayed close to home for the past two months letting families enjoy the various vacation destinations...both here in town and around the country.

About the only news worth reporting is that I had cataract surgery on my right eye on August 31st. The vision in that eye has been deteriorating for some time and I finally called the doctor and told him it was time. The result is that, for the first time since elementary school, I now have 20/20 vision in that eye. It's pretty miraculous and I'm still adjusting to being able to see clearly...at least in my new bionic eye. I am having one annoying issue...sporadic flickering light on the outer edge of my eye...which is extremely distracting and is causing nausea. The ophthalmologist is asking me to be patient in hopes that it will eventually go away once the healing process is complete. Always the impatient pessimist, I'm having doubts that it will get any better but I am willing to try and live with it for a while. Sigh...

Other than that, nothing much has been happening. As we move into the Fall months, I'm guessing we will be traveling more...at least that's the plan. We are going up to the Santa Cruz area for our annual golf tournament at the end of the month and we may extend the time away to include a road trip to Northern California...and maybe the Pacific Northwest. We shall see.

I have been lurking around everyone's blogs and I hope to have the energy to start commenting again. I make no promises except to say I will honestly try.

The Fiber Optic Dangle

2009-07-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

Today's lesson...what to do when you're watching TV at 7:00AM and the picture suddenly freezes:

1. Check the other TVs in the house to see if they're frozen too. Yep
2. Check the phone for a dial tone. None
3. Check the computer for Internet access. No connection
4. Scream loudly.
5. Go outside the house to see your FIOS cable dangling from the utility pole across the street.
6. Call Verizon, wait 15 minutes for a representative, explain the problem and finally get promised a technician home visit some time before 2:00PM.

And that is how my day started. When the technician arrived (thankfully sometime around 9:30AM,) he smiled and pointed to the trash barrels which were out by the curb. Apparently, Verizon has had a number of FIOS cables downed by trash trucks as they go from house to house extending their mechanical arms to pick up the trash bins. Definitely not a good thing!

So the technician reattached our FIOS cable placing it higher on the side of the house so that it doesn't hang so low across the street from the utility pole. He thinks that should solve our trash truck problem...or not. Here's hoping...

Cruising and Personal Responsibility

2009-07-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

It’s been more than a week since we returned from our Baltics cruise and I had intended to write posts detailing our grand adventure. Trust me when I tell you that, for the most part, Hubby and I enjoyed our trip immensely. The weather was spectacular, the ship was fine, the ports and excursions were fascinating. I took lots and lots of photos and eventually I will try and post them here for your enjoyment.

So why have I been so reticent about regaling you with stories? Quite frankly, it’s because an end-of-the-trip incident occurred which has left a terrible pain in my heart. I won’t go into details but I will say that it involves the friends we were traveling with and has more than likely created irreparable schisms in our relationships that have existed for many, many years.

The saddest part is that all it would have taken to overcome this split would have been a simple “I’m sorry.” But I have disappointedly discovered that not all adults are willing take personal responsibility for their actions and own up when they have done something to hurt another. Why is it that so many adults cannot find it in themselves to say "I'm sorry"…and how truly sad is that?

The Adventure Begins...

2009-06-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe this day has finally arrived. It seems like only minutes ago we were booking our Baltic Sea cruise (it was actually last October) and now it's here. Our bags are packed and we will be driving to our friends' home to meet the airport shuttle in just a few short hours.

I promise to take lots and lots of photos to post when I get home and I'm taking my travel journal with me to record all the wonderful adventures we expect to experience. Here's hoping the weather cooperates although I know we will have a terrific time no matter what the skies do.

I hope everyone has a wonderful next two weeks and I'll "see" you soon.

Down to the Wire

2009-06-09T08:51:00.001-07:00

It's been a hectic week as we prepare for our Baltic cruise. I've spent most of the past few days shopping for last minute items and getting some new pants shortened. I've also been playing with my new iPod trying to learn what I can about it so I can use it to hopefully email family while we're away.

I think almost everything is now in the suitcases and we did a preliminary weigh-in. One large bag weighs 45 lbs while the other big bag is weighing in at 40 lbs. Since the airline baggage weight limit is 50 lbs per bag, that gives us a total of 15 lbs to play with. I might move a few items from the heavier bag to the lighter one to even things out but it looks like we'll be safe from paying overage charges.

Along with all the trip "chores" I've been doing, my leisure time has been taken up with "social networking." Yep, I've joined a couple of very popular sites and have been searching for friends and posting tidbits about what's been going on. It isn't that I'm abandoning blogging; it's just that I wanted to try some new things for a change. And I've reconnected with several childhood friends and that's the best part of it all.

Weaving My Way to Happiness

2009-06-04T07:59:00.001-07:00

It's one week and counting before we leave for London and today I finally get my pre-cruise haircut and weave. I haven't had a weave since just before Christmas so you can imagine how depressed I've been watching the mousy brown hair growing in...oh and, of course, those annoying gray ones too. I don't know why getting a haircut and color always lifts my spirits but I will hopefully be a happy camper later today.

In other travel news, I did a bad bad thing yesterday...I bought yet another piece of luggage. I was at T.J. Maxx and, as always, I wandered through the luggage area. Sure enough...there was a large suitcase with a built in suiter (perfect for taking formal wear) calling my name. The only thing is it's a magenta color which goes with absolutely no other suitcase we own but that didn't stop me from plunking down my money for it. How tacky will I look traveling with multiple suitcases all in different colors? And, more importantly, where the heck am I going to store this suitcase once we get back from our trip???

10 Days and Counting

2009-06-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

Ack! We're 10 days away from our trip and I am most definitely in denial. Our suitcases still sit unopened in the corner of our bedroom; our travel clothes remain in the closet and in their shopping bags; our travel accessories remain in the plastic storage boxes. What the heck am I waiting for?

FIOS Fever

2009-05-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but Hubby is a real TV watcher. He loves sitting on the couch watching news, golf, dramas, comedies...you name it, he watches it. Me? I "watch" television with my back to the set while I'm on the computer.

So, after much dithering, Hubby finally decided to make the move to digital TV just in time for the big June conversion deadline. Actually, he'd decided some time ago to switch from Time Warner (analog cable) to Verizon FIOS. The only problem was that we had to wait for Verizon to install the fiber optic cabling in our neighborhood. Ten days ago, we went down to our local Verizon store and did all the sign up stuff.

Saturday the tech guy arrived to actually install FIOS. Along with digital TV, we also made the move from DSL to FIOS for our computer and had our telephone service converted to FIOS. We were warned that it would take 4-6 hours for the install and they weren't kidding. Thankfully, the tech arrived fairly early in the morning and was done by early afternoon.

So now we have hundreds of new channels to watch, faster computer connectivity and telephone service with a few features new to us (caller ID, Voicemail, etc.) We decided not to go with any of the pay premium movie packages but we do have the HD package so now Hubby can watch golf in high definition glory. Can you tell he's a happy camper?

Back From the Mall

2009-05-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

Okay...I guess I should have posted this graphic a few weeks ago to explain my absence from BlogLand. I just never thought I'd be gone for such a long time.

Yes, I've been shopping like a mad woman trying to fill in wardrobe gaps for my upcoming cruise. So far I've bought pants, jeans, blouses, t-shirts, walking shoes and a few other necessities I won't mention. I honestly thought I needed nothing for this cruise but, once I looked in my closet, I realized that a few new articles of clothing wouldn't be such a bad idea. That's when my shopping mania took over.

I'm proud to admit that each and every item was bought on sale. My mantra? "Never pay retail." The best bargain were my $150 walking shoes which I picked up for a mere $12. Pretty good, huh?

Aside from shopping, not much has been happening. We celebrated my Mom's birthday and then Mother's Day and I'm spending quite a bit of time with her this month between the YMCA Aquatics classes, her multiple doctor appointments and lunches, of course.

The only other news is that Hubby and I signed up for Verizon's FIOS fiber optic phone, Hi-Def TV and computer service. Installation is scheduled for next Saturday and supposedly this will make my computer connectivity speed much much faster. Technology changes always make me a little nervous but I'm hoping everything will go well with no glitches. Fingers crossed.

For the Love of Books

2009-04-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Today Judy and I drove to the UCLA campus to attend the 2009 Los Angeles Times' Festival of Books. This annual event brings publishers, bookstores, libraries, and other organizations associated with the love of books to one place where booths are set-up to promote books, reading and other cultural activities.

Authors come to talk about their books and writing styles during various panel discussions while others come to sign their books for excited fans. There are cooking demonstrations, live music, poetry readings and other great entertainment. It's a heck of a lot of fun for adults and children alike.

This year's attendance seemed just as strong as in the past (it's a free event for the public) although we did notice that several of our favoritie bookstores (including one really large chain) and a few other regular vendors were not present. There also seemed to be fewer free little gifts which are often handed out at booths. All this we are definitely chalking up to the current state of the economy.

Still, it was a lovely day. Our only complaint? As usual, the weather forecasters got it all wrong. In years past, we've often experienced blazing hot sunny weather for the event. This year, all the weather gurus promised partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the 60's. Wrong, wrong, wrong!!! It was sunny and warm to start and it just kept getting warmer and warmer as the hours passed. You'd think we would learn what to expect weatherwise after all these years. Sigh...

Library Ladies Who Lunch

2009-04-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

Today my friend Sherry and I had lunch with our library friends. When you work at a place for a very long time, you develop friendships that don't end once you leave.

Such is the case with the eight women who get together once a month to reminisce, share family stories and grandkid photos and listen to the current state of affairs at the library. We represent all levels of staffing...librarians, library assistants, part-time staff...and yet we are all equals around the restaurant table.

Three of the group still work at the Library and they regale us with stories about other employees and regular library patrons. We laugh, we groan, we giggle, we sigh. Is it any wonder why I always look forward to this special day each month?

I've Lost My Mind...and My Bluetooth

2009-04-20T07:07:00.001-07:00

What is wrong with me? I must have some terrible aversion to using a Bluetooth earpiece while driving or I truly am losing my mind.

Yesterday I was out and about at a shopping mall just killing time and enjoying their air conditioning. On my way home, I discovered that my Bluetooth earpiece was chirping which means that it needs to be charged. I distinctly remember taking it off and putting it into my purse. Honest!

Of course, I forgot to take it out of my purse when I get home to charge the darn thing. Then, late last night getting ready for bed, I had a vision of my Bluetooth so I opened my purse to get it out to charge overnight. No Bluetooth. I emptied every last item out onto the bed...still no Bluetooth. I went into the garage and tore the car apart looking for it...still no Bluetooth. Even Rick spent time searching the house, garage and car...still no Bluetooth.

So where is that damn thing??? My guess...it probably vaporized in the 90+ degree heat. Yep...that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

That's What Friends Are For

2009-04-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hallelujah! For many months now, I've been searching for a particular childhood friend. Robin and I were the closest of friends in Bayside and, after my family moved to California, we continued to correspond. She visited me in Los Angeles after we moved and I went back to New York to see all my high school friends graduate in 1970. Even after that, we wrote letters and, after I became a librarian, she came to L.A. with her husband and baby girl for a visit.

And then, as it happens, we lost touch. I will take the blame for letting our friendship fade away although we are both probably responsible. Suddenly our lives were filled with work and family and other matters and we just drifted apart.

Through the years I've thought about her and wondered what her life was like. Then a few months ago, I decided it was time to try and reconnect. I did some searching on the Internet and came up with some addresses and phone numbers for people who shared her name. I dithered back and forth...should I mail notes to these individuals in hopes of finding her; should I trying phoning these people or would they think I was a nut or, worse yet, a stalker?

Then last month Lynn suggested we both join a certain social networking website in hopes of locating childhood friends. And, much to my delight, I discovered that Robin too had joined the network in hopes of finding friends from her past. I immediately contacted her and the rest, as they say, is history. We've exchanged long emails detailing the past 25+ years and it's as if we've never been apart. I feel as close to her today as I did so many years ago and I couldn't be happier. Isn't life grand?

Can You Hear Me?

2009-04-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

I'm beginning to think there's a communication conspiracy against me. First, I seem to be having problems sending and receiving some messages on my web-based email account. A friend sent me a message on Tuesday and it never appeared in my in-box. And I'm thinking I haven't heard from a few other friends in the past few days and that has me worried.

Then...I've had my cell phone in my pocket from the moment I got up this morning and I just looked down and discovered someone left me a voice mail message. When I dialed in to hear it, it turned out to be my sister who called this morning when my phone was with me and definitely turned on. Did it ring or vibrate, absolutely not.

Is it something I said? Is is something I wrote? Have I somehow offended the communication gods? Whatever it is...please make it go away.

Quick Catch-up

2009-04-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

* My sisterly nursing duties are now a thing of the past. I guess I can put my little white cap away until the next family medical episode.

* I had to take Hubby's car in to the repair shop today. The darn "Check Engine" light came on again. It turned out to be a potentially faulty gas cap. Total cost: $0.00 Whew!!!

* I picked up Hubby's medication at the pharmacy this afternoon while on my way to WMart to exchange a knee brace he bought for a slightly smaller one. My wifely duties are never done.

* I'm still waiting for the paperback fiction book I ordered online for Hubby. Can you guess what's the general theme of this book? One word: golf! I'm hoping he will save it for our 10 hour plane trip in June to meet our cruise ship.

* My new pair of shoes, ordered online, was delivered late today. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em.

* I confirmed my lunch plans with two Library friends scheduled for Friday.

* I tweaked the Baltic cruise countdown timer on my sidebar this afternoon since we're now flying to London two days earlier than originally planned.

* I'm planning to take Mom to the YMCA Arthritis Aquatics class tomorrow. I guess I'd better go search the house to find that ever elusive swimsuit.

Where Did My Scrubs Go?

2009-04-07T19:09:00.001-07:00

I realize I haven't been around lately but I have a really good excuse. My sister Lynn had foot surgery last Thursday and I've been playing nursemaid at her house during the week while her hubby is at work and the kids are at school.

She (and her foot) are doing well but, with the need to keep her foot elevated most of the time right now, I'm needed to run up and down the stairs, get things for her and just make sure she doesn't get herself into any trouble. I've also been chauffeuring her around while she sits in the back with her leg resting on the seat. Yep, that's right...Driving Miss Lynn.

Anyway, her 2nd post-op appointment is next Monday and we're hoping her podiatrist allows her a little more freedom. Until then, just call me Nurse Joan.

Money In Our Pocket

2009-03-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

If you take a look at my vacation countdown timer on my sidebar, you'll see that our Baltic cruise is fast approaching. This week we make our final payment and, minus our $900 deposit in October, it's one very large $$$ amount. I've been fretting over it for some time now (what with the economy the way it is and our investments significantly down) but we are determined to make the trip and enjoy every moment of it.

One of the things I've been doing to ease my mind is monitoring the cruise line's website to see what's been happening with our cruise fare. Cruise lines are hurting big time and I have been reading message boards where the hot topic seems to be the falling cruise prices. Sure enough, today I discovered that our cabin category price was reduced by $620 per person. I called our travel agent who, in turn, called the cruise line. The result is that each of the five of us is having our final payment reduced by that amount. For the two of us, that means a savings of $1,240 which is nothing to sneeze at.

Is this the end of it? Heck no! I'm guessing that fares will continue to drop as the cruise lines struggle to fill up their ships with guests this summer. Hopefully we'll see more savings even after making the final payment and, you can be sure, I'll be watching our cruise line's website with a great deal of interest.

In My Humble Opinion...

2009-03-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

Today Rick and I had one of our daytime movie dates. As usual, I let him choose the film and this time it was "The Watchmen" based on the graphic novel of the same name.

I'm afraid to say I absolutely did not "get" this movie. Oh, I understood the storyline, the iconic references, the themes, the images. It's just that I found the film excessively long (nearly 3 hours), far too graphically violent for my tastes, and the storyline disjointed...moving chaotically between the present and the past over and over.

Now I know there is a large legion of fans of the novel who have adored this film adaptation and I'm happy their expectations have been met. For me, however, this was definitely the wrong choice! Oh well, at least I get to choose the next film we see.

Survey Says...

2009-03-21T13:09:00.001-07:00

While visiting Are We There Yet? today, I came across this fun meme that Linda did and thought it would be nice to do on a lazy Saturday so now let's play Family Feud - the Blog Version.

1. Name something you use in the shower: Razor
2. Name a product for men: Old Spice Aftershave
3. Name something people hate to find on their windshields: Advertisements stuck under the windshield wiper
4. Name something a man might buy before a date: Um, let's just call it "protection."
5. What is another word for blemish: Pimple
6. Something you cook in the microwave: Popcorn
7. Name a piece of furniture people need help moving: Refrigerator
8 Name a reason a younger man might like an older woman: Experience
9. Name something a dog does that embarrasses its owner: Sniffs a visitor's private parts
10.. Name a kind of test you cannot study for: Mammogram
11. Name something a boy scout gets a badge for: Knot Tying
12 Name a phrase with the word home in it. "There's no place like home."
13. Name a sport where players lose teeth: Rugby
14. Name something a teacher can do to ruin a student's day: Give a surprise quiz
15. What is a way you can tell someone has been crying: Red, runny nose
16. Name a bird you wouldn't want to eat: California Condor
17. Name something someone would wear with a hole in it: Sock
18. Name something that gets smaller the more you use it: Pencil

If you want to play along, copy and paste the questions to a new post, erase my answers, and fill in your own answers. Remember, you can't use the same answer as the person whose post you read (that would be me) and, if my answers don't make much sense, it's because the person before me had the good ones and I was stuck thinking of acceptable substitutes!

If you want to tag 5 people, that's great. I'm not going to tag anyone but please let me know if you decide to play along so I can come by and check out your answers. Happy Weekend!

Wearing of the Green

2009-03-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

Wow...it's already St. Patrick's Day; in a few days, it will be Spring. Yep, time really does fly by.

Today is also "Library Ladies Who Do Lunch" Day. We missed our lunch in February so we'll have lots to catch up on. I've been searching through my closet this morning trying to find something that's green. I originally planned on wearing a shirt I have but it's long sleeved and it's supposed to be close to 80 degrees today. I am wearing my green-framed glasses today (I nearly forgot I had them) so I guess that will save me from the traditional pinch.

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Last night I played computer tech on the phone most of the evening. First I had to help my sister who was having trouble downloading songs from the iTunes website. Now I know most computer geeks don't read manuals and help screens but I'm a big believer in researching when help is needed. Sure enough, I came across a solution to the problem when a I read a message board reply which came up when I was Googling. Then I tried to help a friend with her computer problems when an attachment I had sent her wouldn't display. In turns out, she never set-up her Word program when it was loaded so she has to find that long ID key number from the original box to start the process.

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If you noticed the countdown timer on the sidebar, we are getting closer and closer to our Baltic cruise. On Saturday, we met with the couple we're traveling with to do an initial selection of the excursions we want to do in the various port cities. Now we're trying to arrange a meeting with our friend who will be going with us so we can make the final decisions and purchase the excursions on the cruiseline website. Ka-ching, ka-ching...

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Hope everyone has a happy and pinch-free St. Patrick's Day!

Oops...I Did What?!?!?

2009-03-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

I feel like such a dolt right now. I just noticed that we seem to be missing one of the two wall chargers that came with our cell phones and which normally sit on the bookshelf with our TV. And I also discovered that, instead of having two Bluetooth headset chargers, we somehow have three.

A few months ago, I purchased a new Bluetooth headset and had to exchange it for a new one three times when they kept dying after only a few weeks. Apparently, when I packed up one of the headsets with its accessories, I must have accidently packed my cell phone charger instead of the Bluetooth one. Damn!

Thankfully Rick and I have the same phone model so we can, in theory, get along with just the one phone charger. Still...there are times we need to charge our phones at the same time and what happens when one of us goes out of town without the other? Who gets custody of the one charger?

Like I said...I feel like such a dolt.

A Word to the Wise...

2009-03-04T20:07:00.001-08:00

Okay...I've learned my laptop lesson Wanna know what it is? In plain English...never let your laptop sit in its case for months on end without taking it out, turning it on and letting the darn thing do its updating thing.

This morning, in preparation for syncing my new iPod Touch, I took out my much ignored laptop, turned it on and then went through hours of agonizing grief trying to get all 40 updates (yes, 40) to load properly.

...and then, when I finally managed to get most of the updates installed properly, I made the ridiculous decision to try and load Vista's Service Pack 1 (which failed when I tried in January). Yes, I finally got it to install fully and now Silver Wonder seems to be working OK but not without a whole lot of grief.

...and then, when I went to load iTunes on the laptop before syncing the iPod, of course that didn't go quite as planned...but it finally got done.

...and then I tried syncing the iPod and that didn't go quite as planned...but it finally got done.

...and then I tried to load one free Games app as a first step and that didn't go quite as planned...but it finally got done.

...and, at that point, I unplugged the iPod, turned it off, turned off the laptop and left it all in a heap on the dining room table.

After all...tomorrow is another day.

Another Year Older...Finally

2009-03-03T07:09:00.000-08:00

My family may be slow but eventually we take care of business. Thankfully everyone was healthy this weekend so we finally got together to celebrate my birthday on Sunday evening...which officially made me a year older. It's become a tradition to go to an Italian restaurant in my sister's neighborhood and my cousin Ina was able to join us as well. We all had a great time and the food and service, as always, was terrific.

During dinner, Lynn took out her new I-Pod Touch and was showing us all the great free apps she was able to download. I could see Hubby making eye contact with her and I knew I was to be the recipient of one as a belated gift. Sure enough, yesterday while out for lunch with Mom and Rick, he presented me with a birthday gift bag. Inside was my brand new I-Pod Touch!

This is my very first I-Pod and, with every electronic "toy," there's a learning curve. It's still in its sealed box waiting for me to open it up and charge it. Then it will be time to go through my huge CD collection and start selecting songs to sync. Oy...so much work...

Put Another Candle...And Another...

2009-02-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

OK...I have to admit it...today is my birthday. Yep...I'm another year older. So what am I doing today to celebrate my birthday? Not a heck of a lot. Now it's not because we didn't make plans. Actually my family was supposed to get together last night for a birthday dinner but I still have a head cold (sniffle, sniffle) and so does my sister so we have postponed getting together until we both feel better.

Since I'm still not feeling up to par today (oops, sorry for the golf reference), Rick and I have no real plans and that's honestly OK with me. While birthdays were fun and exciting times when I was a youngster, now it's just another day in another week, in another month, in another year, in another decade...you get the picture.

Economic Stimulation at Our Home

2009-02-20T18:15:00.000-08:00

OK...so yesterday Rick and his buddies drove 65 miles to one of his favorite courses to play golf. Since I drive the "newer" of our two cars, he asked if he could take mine while I drove his for the day. No problem.

When he came home in the afternoon, he spoke these ominous words to me: "When are you taking in your car for its next service?" Uh-oh!

It seems that, while applying the brakes to slow down on a particularly steep grade, he could feel a pronounced vibration in the brake pedal and a thumping noise. The noise was loud enough that one of the guys in the car remarked "That doesn't sound good." Duh.

So this morning before dawn, I drove on over to the place we get our car serviced to be first in line since I didn't have an appointment. My friendly service writer David came out and I explained the problem. Hmmm...his tech would check it out and let me know the verdict.

I went to sit in the waiting room knowing that somehow this was not going to be a cheap fix. How right I was. When I heard my name being called to the service office, I prepared myself for bad news. The diagnosis...bad brakes, hot spots on my brake rotors (whatever that means) and torn something-or-others in the suspension. Gasp, gasp, gasp...

So after nearly three hours of waiting time, lucky me got to hand over my credit card and sign for a $839.61 repair bill.

Breathe in, breathe out...

This Week's Date Day

2009-02-18T20:17:00.000-08:00

Today was Date Wednesday with Rick (we're back to trying to spend a day together each week) and our friend Joe joined us at the movies. This week's selection was "The International" with Clive Owen and Naomi Watts. Yes, it was definitely the guys' choice (that makes two weeks in a row) but I have to admit I did enjoy the film.

It's an international intrigue story with beautiful locales (Luxembourg, Paris, Italy, Turkey, New York) and the story was quite compelling and interesting. It used to be that the villain in this type of movie would be the Soviet Union, China, Nazi Germany or some other evil empire. This film's "bad guy" is an international banking conglomerate and its executives. In these scary economic times, it somehow seems fitting to have a big bank wearing the "black hat." I did find myself closing my eyes during a number of the more bloody scenes but that's usually the case with any film where violence is portrayed. And how can you have a modern-day thriller without bullets flying and blood spurting? Yuck!

Not much else is going on. The sun is finally shining here in Southern California after several days of rain (sometimes intense) and Rick is golfing tomorrow with other retired buddies from his former workplace. I'm supposed to get together with a friend but I've come down with a head cold (thanks Rick) and I'm thinking maybe I should just stay in and rest. We have a number of plans for this weekend and I want to make sure I'm feeling tip top. I promised I'd call my friend in the morning to see how I'm feeling and hopefully we'll be able to do something fun...I need a day in the sun.

And To Think They Make Coffee Too

2009-02-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

Now...all my friends know that I have difficulty finding my way around the kitchen. I leave that room of the house to Rick who is a terrific cook. So you can imagine my surprise when one of my friends sent me this information about a simple kitchen item which apparently has far more uses than its name would infer. So I thought I'd share with you these helpful hints regarding the use of coffee filters.

Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.
Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.
Protect China. Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish.
Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.
Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.
Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.
Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.
Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.
Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.
Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters.
Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. Soaks out all the grease.
Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

So next time you reach for that coffee filter, remember it can be your household friend. And, of course, they are great to use in your coffee makers too!

Oops...I told you Rick knew his way around the kitchen. Just as I was putting the finishing touches on this post, Rick came in and read it over my shoulder. His comment? "You know, a paper towel would work just as well on most of these and it'd be a heck of a lot cheaper." Damn...he's so right!

My Past Responds

2009-02-15T11:23:00.001-08:00

There aren't adequate words to express my excitement when I checked my email yesterday to find a response from my long lost New York friend. If you missed that post, you can find it here. My friend's excitement at hearing from me was evident in her email and she gladly gave me her home phone number and encouraged me to call.

So this morning I dialed her number and heard a voice I immediately recognized...35+ years later. We had a wonderful chat catching up on our lives and families and it was as if all those years of silence simply vanished in thin air. She still lives in our old neighborhood (just around the block from where we lived 40 years ago) and she filled me in on what it's like there now. We compared notes about our moms and what it's like to be an aunt (she's divorced and never had children either) and we spent 20 minutes getting to know each other all over again.

We exchanged cell phone numbers, double-checked email addresses and have promised to send photos (I've already picked out a few to send). So now a link to my past is re-established and, thanks to the Internet, I have renewed a friendship with someone who "knew me when..."

Searching For My Past

2009-02-13T16:09:00.000-08:00

OK...I admit it...I do have too much time on my hands. That's what some of my friends have been saying to me and I'm beginning to think there's something to it. How else can I explain why I've been searching the Internet looking for long lost friends from my childhood? Maybe it's because I'm trying to prove to myself that I haven't lost my librarian research skills; maybe it's because I have a birthday coming up and I'm feeling extraordinarily nostalgic.

Now, in my own defense, I'm not the only one doing this. Several years ago when my mom still lived on her own (before she moved in with my sister), she received a phone call from a man who was one of my closest friends growing up in New York. He located Mom using Internet phone books and was calling from Israel (where he apparently moved after college) just to touch base and to find out how we all were. Mind you...the last time we'd had any contact was when we were both 17 years old. He gave Mom his email address and, for a while, he and I corresponded catching up on our lives and families.

So...yesterday I sent an email to a woman I believe is a childhood friend who lived on our block in New York when I was growing up. She and I corresponded for a while after I moved to California and, thankfully, we were in contact long enough for me to know her married name. I located an email address on the Internet (without using one of those fee-based "reunion" websites) for someone with her name who works fairly close to where we grew up. I took a chance and sent an email explaining that I was looking for a long lost friend, giving her some information to help identify myself and asking her to respond if she, in fact, was the friend I was looking for.

Now I wait to see if I get a response. I'm curious...would you respond to an email from someone claiming to be a long lost friend?

Short Hair Be Gone

2009-02-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been letting my hair grow out since October. I can't remember the last time I had long hair and I know for a fact that I've never let it all grow out including my bangs.

What started me on this crazy quest was playing golf at the beach last fall. No matter how much hair spray I used or what hat I wore, the humidity just made my short layered hair a miserable mess. Then Rick would want to go out for lunch after our golf round and I'd be embarrassed to be seen in public with a wavy mess on top of my head.

So, as I sat in my hair stylist's chair in October, I mentioned that I'd like to let my hair grow out. I could see her eyebrows arch in disbelief but she agreed to help me meet my goal. Each haircut since, she's been trimming the ends trying to shape it without taking off too much length. So after 4 months, I thought I'd share my hair journey with you.

October 2008

February 2009

While the back is coming along nicely, I've been fighting my bangs every day. No matter how I style them to the side in the morning, they end up down in front of my eyes blocking my view. I've been using headbands, which make me look like Alice in Wonderland and give me headaches, and the amount of hair spray I'm using is surely burning my very own hole in the ozone.

In hopes of finding some solace out there in BlogLand, here's my question for you. Have you ever tried to grow out a short hair style and, if so, were you actually successful or did you throw in the towel and cut it all off???

My Winter Blogging Vacation

2009-02-10T18:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is one of those "What I Did On My Blogging Vacation" posts. No...Rick and I didn't "go" anywhere in January and early February. Rather, I just couldn't seem to find the motivation to sit and write about my life. It wasn't that there weren't highlights in the month...I did actually do things. It's just that I couldn't or wouldn't sit in front of the computer to relate any of it. I'm just a really bad, bad blogging girl! Anyway, here is the Reader's Digest condensed version of "What Joan Did On Her Blogging Vacation."

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Lynn and I took Mom to the Indian casino not once but twice. The casino was offering $100 in free play money ($50 per new player on the first visit, another $50 on the second). All I can say is it's a heck of a lot more fun when you're playing the penny slots on someone else's dime.

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I finally got an appointment with the dermatologist to have him look at the bleeding little red dot on my face. The diagnosis was just a blood vessel that made its way to the surface so he froze it, forming a covering which will hopefully prevent further bleeding. Whew!

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I spent several days having fun with retired friends. Mostly it consisted of shopping and lunching but it got us all out of our houses and that's always a good thing.

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I took Mom out for our monthly haircuts and lunch. I can't remember if I've mentioned that I decided in October to let my hair grow out so I can wear it in a ponytail for traveling and golf. Since my hair started out super short, it's slowly making its way to ponytail length. My goal is to have it long enough for a ponytail by the time of our cruise in June. I have my fingers crossed.

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Speaking of our cruise, I used it as an excuse to start my January exercise resolution. I went out and bought an exercise DVD and miraculously I have been doing 3 miles most mornings. I wish I could say that my pre-cruise diet has been as successful but no such luck. And while I might not lose any weight before our trip, I'm hoping that my cardio will be sufficient to make it easier to do all the walking we're expecting during our onshore excursions.

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Rick and I went to our friends' home for their traditional Super Bowl party. We had a great time and I managed to refrain from eating every bad thing on the table. Oh...I cheated...but I could have done a lot worse so I'm chalking it up to a win in the health column.

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Rick and I are back to seeing movies after a December moratorium. We went with a friend last week to see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Although I hadn't really wanted to see it, I actually enjoyed it immensely. Now tomorrow we're going to see the Liam Neeson film "Taken." We're going with the same friend and he and Rick really want to see this action thriller. Me? I'd rather let the two of them go without me but, for some reason, Rick wants me to see it too so I will go. I'm not sure how many more times he can appeal to my sense of guilt since he graciously went to see that all-time chick flick "Mamma Mia" with me but so far it's working. Sigh...

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I think that about covers my January and early February. I admit to lurking in BlogLand and have been keeping up with most of your lives. Now I promise (yet again...I know) to start back to commenting. Did I mention that's my February resolution? Let's hope I can be as diligent about it as I've been about exercising!

Happy Happy New Years!

2008-12-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

Yes...I am still here in BlogLand and my one and only resolution for 2009 is to spend a heck of a lot more time doing what I love to do...blogging and reading posts. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year's celebration and I will visit you all very, very soon.

I Guess The Car Was Jealous

2008-12-15T08:56:00.000-08:00

Waaaaa...! Here it is Monday morning and Rick and I are sitting at home waiting for the tow truck to arrive. Yesterday we got into the car to go to our friend Judy's housewarming party and, when Rick turn the ignition on, there was a terrible whine coming from under the hood. He pulled the car out of the driveway, drove around the block and, every time he turned the wheel, the sound changed. Oh, oh...sounds like power steering problems to us. So back into the driveway he drove.

I called the Auto Club this morning and it's a 2 hour wait for a tow because we are having our first major rainstorm of the season. I've already called the car repair place and they are waiting for us to come in. I'm sure they're seeing dollar signs aplenty...lucky them at Christmas time. Oh well, first it was the house and its new garbage disposal...now it's the car. Damn!

Music of the Season

2008-12-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season...Rick, our friend Judy and I attended a fun, free holiday organ concert at the Nethercutt Museum last night. The Nethercutt family owns the Merle Norman Cosmetics company and created this wonderful place where they display the many treasures they have collected through the years. Guests tour free of charge.

The museum is especially known for its large collection of antique automobiles. Rick and I have toured the museum before and this area is definitely Rick's favorite. Here's just a sampling of the cars on display.

The Nethercutts also own and display a world-class collection of automated mechanical instruments including musical repeat striking watches, Swiss bird boxes, cylinder and disc music boxes, and grand pianos. The "grande dame" is their 5,000-piped Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.

Last night's concert featured 21 year-old organist Mark Herman who treated the audience to a wonderful selection of holiday music, showtunes, vintage songs and a few of his own compositions on the Wurlitzer organ and on one of the museum's prized pianos. I have to say that the three of us were amongst the youngest in the audience which makes me wonder how many more years the museum will offer these free concerts. It's sad to think that this terrific music will someday fall victim to the changing tastes of the world's audience. Oh well...I'm just happy we had the opportunity to enjoy Mark's performance and the wonderful music.

Gifts for the House

2008-12-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

Why is it that household expenditures always seem necessary around the holidays? It never fails that something goes wrong around this time of the year requiring money leaving our pockets. It's no fun going out to the home center trying to buy gadgets and other "stuff" for the house when I could be out amongst the throngs shopping for gifts.

Today Rick and I will be going to a few home centers to look for a new ceiling fan, a new bathroom light fixture and a few other small items for the house. It's a long story but basically the new garbage disposer installed at the beginning of the week requires that we have an electrician come out to change the electrical do-dad beneath the kitchen sink. What can I say...we have a very old house. Since that will take all of a few minutes for an expert to do, we figure we might as well have Mr. Electrician do some of the other work we've been talking about.

While I'm sure Mr. Electrician will appreciate the work and the money that comes with it, Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner will not be so happy to write that check. It's like buying tires for a car...they're a necessity but what fun are they?

Just Catching Up...Again

2008-12-08T16:30:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that I haven't been around BlogLand since Thanksgiving. Actually, I have been lurking about...reading new posts by my blogging buddies but I just haven't felt like posting or commenting. So trust me...I have been keeping up with things even if you didn't see me.

One of the reasons for my absence was a general feeling of punkiness. I kept feeling like I was coming down with something...achy muscles, sore throat, headache. The symptoms kept coming and going from one day to the next and I never knew how I was going to feel when I got up each morning. I'm still not feeling 100% and I continue to have trouble sleeping a reasonable number of hours each night but I'm trying to go about my business now and ignore how I feel.

Despite my general feeling of malaise, I've managed to do some holiday shopping so I don't feel too frantic or panicked. Our family and friends have decided to do away with gifts for the adults and just concentrate on the kids. That's made this season much less stressful although I'm still trying to figure out a few gifts for people. Most of my shopping has been for my Mom and she will be getting lots of clothing and other necessities. I've been trying to take advantage of all the sales and coupons and I have to admit I've gotten some amazing bargains.

Today I actually started wrapping some gifts so I don't fall too far behind. I had to wait for the plumber to come to replace a leaking old garbage disposer so it was the perfect time to sit down with wrapping paper, scissors, ribbon and tape. I managed this year to remember to label all the boxes so I know which is for whom when it's time to get ready to exchange gifts.

I've been visiting lots of blogs to see how everyone is decorating their homes for the holidays and I've seen some incredibly elaborate scenes. It puts us to shame so don't expect photos of a beautifully appointed house and tree from me. Nope...no decorations for us this year except for stringing all the beautiful Christmas cards we receive from family and friends. For us it will be a lowkey holiday season. How about you?

Count Our Blessings

2008-11-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

To you and your family...

Another Birthday...And It's Not Mine

2008-11-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

Today is my sister Lynn's birthday. I will be a gracious sibling and not reveal her age but I will admit that she is my baby sister. So on this very special occasion, let me wish her a very "Happy Birthday" with many more to come!

Blood and Fog

2008-11-19T19:09:00.000-08:00

This has been a very long day. It started very early this morning...yes, 5:00AM is definitely early...when Rick and I got up to get ready to play golf. Let me tell you, there's nothing that wakes up a brain more than to see a splotch of blood on your pillow.

At first I thought it might be a bloody nose (I can't even remember the last time I had one of those) since the humidity has been almost non-existent in our neck of the woods. Wrong! I stared in the mirror to see a streak of blood starting from a little red speck below my eye and across my cheek. I've had this little red dot for months and months and I meant to ask the doctor about it when I had my physical early this summer but we got so caught up in my high blood pressure readings that I totally forgot. Now this red dot has suddenly decided to bleed and I know that's never a good thing.

After washing my face and getting ready, off we drove to the beach for our round of golf. The sun was shining and the temperature was mild as we teed off on hole #1. Somewhere on our way to hole #2, the fog rolled in, the sun disappeared and the temperatures dropped at least 15 degrees. Yep...definitely my kind of weather but definitely not Rick's. Not being able to see the group ahead of us or the flag on the green certainly made for some adventurous golf. I loved it...Rick whined. The sun finally made a return engagement around hole #14 and then it got warm...Rick loved it, I whined. We're not exactly the most compatible couple when it comes to weather.

Anyway, we stopped for lunch after golf and then we came home, unloaded the car and relaxed. You'll be happy to know that I actually called our HMO and made an appointment with my doctor to have her look at that little red dot on my cheek. With the Thanksgiving holiday next week and my suddenly busy schedule, I don't get to see her for 2 weeks but the dot has been with me for months and months and I'm thinking, at this point, what's another few weeks?

Sunday Update

2008-11-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

With a bad case of cabin fever, I decided to venture out today to do a little shopping. To avoid the really awful air quality, I headed west over the hills to a brighter and less affected community. On my way back I could see the smoke from the northern fire which is now approximately 40% contained. I took out my camera phone (yes, I know I shouldn't be shooting photos while driving) and took these photos to demonstrate the current state of things.

The weather forecast indicates an end to the "red flag" warnings sometime tonight or tomorrow and that will hopefully make fighting the various SoCal fires easier for the firefighters. Here's hoping...

Southern California Danger Time

2008-11-16T07:41:00.001-08:00

I hate this time of the year here in Southern California. Our weather just screams "fire season"...high winds and temperatures accompanied by low humidity. Here it is mid-November and the trees are moving sideways and the temperatures are into the 90's.

First it was the devastating fire Thursday night in Montecito with the loss of 100+ homes. Then Friday evening, I opened the bedroom window as we were getting ready for bed and had to close it a few minutes later due to the smell of smoke. Oh, oh...we knew something wasn't right but everything seemed OK when I stepped outside so to bed we went. Then, sometime in the middle of the night, my computer battery backup alarm kept going off in the den. Finally at 4:30AM, I got up, went into the den and turned on the TV. Sure enough, there were scenes of a terrible fire in the hills north of us and in the area near where last month's fire burned.

Thankfully we live in the "flatlands" so our home was never in danger. Still the smoke was nasty and we tried to stay in the house with the windows shut all day long. The TV was on and we were greeted later in the day with images from another fire which began in an adjacent county to the southwest and which has now spread to a second county to the south.

Hundreds of mobile homes and houses have been destroyed and my heart goes out to the families who will come back to their neighborhoods to see the utter devastation. In one mobile home park alone, more than 500 homes were destroyed and many of the residents are senior citizens who will have to face the loss of their prized possessions, the daunting task of dealing with insurance companies and the difficult decision of what to do next...move or rebuild. All the victims and the heroic firefighters who are putting their lives on the line continue in our thoughts and prayers during this horrendous battle.

Roll of the Dice

2008-11-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

Yeah...I'm a winner! Last night my friend Sherry and I went over to Judy's home for a fun-filled evening of bunco. Judy has belonged to her monthly bunco group for many years and each member chooses a month to play host. This year, a few members were unable to attend so Sherry and I filled in as substitutes.

If you've never played bunco, it's basically a dice-rolling game requiring absolutely no skill which probably explains why I had so many buncos (you have to read the rules to understand what that all means.) Claudia and I had a roll-off of the dice to determine which one of us would win one of the prizes since we both had the most buncos. And even though Claudia almost always goes home a winner, this time I actually came out ahead! Thanks Judy for a great evening.

Sadly, I came home last night to find out a devastating fire was raging in the town of Montecito...a beautiful area of expensive homes just south of Santa Barbara. We are having terrible winds at the moment and this wind-driven fire has burned 100 homes and 5400 acres so far. The winds have died down this morning and hopefully that will give the firefighters a chance to get a handle on the flames and embers before the winds pick up again later today. The victims and firefighters are in my prayers as they deal with the devastation and continuing threat.

Just Catching Up

2008-11-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

Here it is nearly a week after the election and I'm just now getting back to blogging. I watched the news today as our current President and First Lady graciously welcomed our President-Elect and the future First Lady to the White House. I can only imagine what emotions must have gone through the future President's mind as he entered the Oval Office for the very first time. Soon he will be spending a great deal of time sitting in that grand room making decisions that will hopefully pull our country out of this current quagmire. Will it happen overnight? Not a chance. But I'm hoping we can all find a way to join together to make it happen as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile Rick and I are doing our best to help stimulate the economy. Our friends, while on a Panama Canal cruise in late October, booked us on a 14-day Baltic cruise. Right now there are 5 of us scheduled to sail next June and I am already counting the days, hours, minutes, seconds. Can't you tell? Just look at the new countdown clock on my sidebar and you can count right along with me.

I went to my HMO ophthamologist last month and was still ambivalent about having cataract surgery on my right eye. Then I went to our optometrist's office last week and had a chat with him about the surgery. He was very encouraging about having the surgery and now I'm thinking it would be really nice to have good vision while on our cruise. With the holidays coming up, I think I will wait to make the final decision until after the first of the year.

Not much else is happening. Lynn and I are still dealing with Mom's blood pressure issues and I will be taking her to two doctor appointments scheduled for later this month plus a panel of labs which need to be done.

I'm sure there's more to report but I just can't think of things right now. I know I've been tagged with an award/meme by blogging friend Patti and I promise to get to it soon. Until then...

Starting the Week

2008-11-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

Tsk, tsk...I've been a bad girl. This morning I received an email from my HMO doctor reminding me that I am a month overdue for my 14 hour fasting cholesterol blood test. Oops.

I'm ready for tomorrow though. I've finally completed filling out my sample ballot so I know which dots to blacken when I get into the polling booth in the morning. Anticipating long lines, Rick and I are taking water bottles, some reading material and we're even putting two portable 3-legged sports chairs in the trunk of our car just in case the wait turns out to be hours.

I hope everyone who is eligible to vote tomorrow has already or will cast their ballot for their chosen candidate. I don't care which candidate or side of a ballot issue you are on. Each and every eligible American citizen should vote...it is your right; it is your responsibility.

Plural Puzzle Poetry

2008-11-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is enjoying this last weekend before Election Day. I don't know about you but Tuesday can't come soon enough for me. My brain seems to have finally reached maximum overload with all the last minute campaigning and associated materials being sent our way and I just can't seem to think of anything interesting or creative to say so I thought I'd share this little poem a friend sent me the other day. It has absolutely nothing at all to do with politics but it did make me smile and, these days, I think a little humor is what we really need. Here goes...

AN ODE TO ENGLISH PLURALS

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Eye to Eye

2008-10-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my annual appointment with my ophthalmologist...oh goody. The good news is that both eyes seem to be healthy although the vision in my right eye continues to deteriorate. The doctor keeps referring to the problem as a "cataract" but it's not the usual cloudy problems associated with a typical one. Basically, the lens is a sac of protein and apparently my sac is changing and not for the better.

Anyway, it's still up to me to decide when to have the intraocular lens replacement surgery and I'm not ready. As long as I can see to drive, read, watch TV, blog and all the other necessities, my quality of life in terms of vision is just fine so why mess with things?

Now I've made appointments for the two of us to see our optometrist who usually takes care of the glasses/contact lens end of vision. Because of the problems with my right eye, I gave up wearing contacts a few years ago. Now I want to see if there is a way to somehow get myself back into them. Part of it is vanity but part of it is also the fact that wearing contacts offers a much better peripheral view. Stay tuned...

The Blather Continues

2008-10-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

Can it possibly be true that this is my 300th post? And remarkably, I will celebrate my 3rd blogoversary in a few short weeks on November 13th.

I've loved blogging...even when I've taken blog vacations to let my mind rejuvenate. And "yes" sometimes it seems like a chore to come up with something to write about. Still..I continue to love making new friends and getting to know everyone here in BlogLand so onward to post 400.

On another note...

Rick and I went to a semi-annual golf show yesterday. Rick goes to look at new products while I go to shop. One of the local golf stores has a section of the building where they sell much of their discounted merchandise...golf clubs, bags, balls, accessories, clothing, shoes. Oh, oh...shoes. Yep, what can I say...I now have two new pair of golf shoes in our golf gear closet. And "yes" I just had to buy them. After all, they were my size in a narrow width and they were my favorite golf colors...black and white. And here they are:

Pretty nifty, don't you think?

The Great Halloween Debate

2008-10-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

Ack! It's only 9 days until Halloween and we still haven't bought our bags of candy. Of course, it's been only a week or so since I threw out the 2 unopened bags left over from last year.

Every year Rick and I argue over the number of bags to buy. He insists on buying at least 4 big variety bags from the our favorite BBW (Big Box Warehouse) which is, quite frankly, ridiculous since we don't get scads of trick-or-treaters. Of course, Rick insists on giving out handfuls of candy bars to each and every child which then makes him a hero in their eyes. Me? I think 2 or 3 tiny candy bars per child is perfectly fine but will he listen to me? Hah!

So I'm thinking maybe a little input from my fellow bloggers might settle our Halloween dispute.

Question of the Day

How much candy do you hand out to each trick-or-treater who comes to your door on Halloween night?

Another Busy Week

2008-10-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

It seems I'm always thinking about posting something new when things just divert my attention. What can I say...focus is not one of my strengths.

The week started out with two wildfires which were within our view. Thanks to the amazing efforts of firefighters from across California, both were finally contained mid-week and now we are just holding our breaths hoping the hot, dry weather we are having will not stir up any embers causing a restart.

Then yesterday I took Mom to the doctor's for what I thought would be just a normal uneventful checkup. Wrong! It turns out she's having some cardiac issues which required us to hike on over to the Cardiology Department for an EKG. Thankfully the problems are not life-threatening and so they have adjusted her medication in hopes it will help return things to an acceptable level. Days like this remind me that, at 87 years old, every day we have with Mom is a gift and we need to enjoy them while we can.

Hopefully, the rest of the week and weekend will be less stressful and allow me some time to get my thoughts together for a little blogging and a little commenting. Stay tuned.

If It Ain't Broke...

2008-10-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

So here's the prologue to my story. I was raised by very frugal parents. What can I say...I'm frugal too. I was taught that one does not discard household items and appliances until they no longer work. Yep...they have to be "dead," most sincerely "dead." Trust me, we were the last family on the block to buy a color TV because our old B&W just wouldn't die.

Anyway, Rick and I went off to C*stco yesterday to look at new digital TVs. Mind you, we have 2 perfectly good, older 27" TVs (one in the living room, one in our bedroom) plus one fairly new digital 20" TV in our den. For some time now, Rick has been lusting after a 56" TV for our little tiny living room. Why he thinks we need such a big flat-screen television is beyond me but I'm guessing it's a "boy thing." Anyway, I've humored him these past several months allowing him to drag me to numerous audio/video specialty stores while at the same time reminding him that our current TVs work just fine.

So, off we went yesterday to what I commonly refer to as the "$199 Dollar Store" just to look. I knew I was safe because Rick's been talking about a new generation of 55"-56" TVs which aren't supposed to be released for sale until later this year. I should have known better.

Remember I said we also had a perfectly good, reliable 27" bedroom TV. Well, you can forget that now. Before I knew it, we had a brand-new 32"digital TV (ostensibly for the bedroom) on a flat-bed cart being wheeled to the cash register and I was writing the check.

The TV is still in the box 24 hours later. I think I've finally convinced Rick to temporarily set-up this new TV in the living room where he can enjoy his new toy since we hardly ever watch TV in the bedroom except for the 10:00PM local news. There's this little part of me that hopes he'll get so accustomed to watching this 32" television in the living room that he'll forget about that 56" monstrosity he's lusting after. Sure...

Power of Four Meme

2008-10-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Lynne at Lynne's Little Corner of the World for this little meme today and I thought I'd give it a whirl.

What you are supposed to do is copy/paste my post, remove my answers and type in yours and then tag four people in your lists! Don't forget to change my answers to the questions with those of your own.

Four places I go over and over

* Starbucks

* T.J. Maxx

* YMCA

* Costco (AKA the $199 store in our house)

Four people who e-mail me regularly
* My sister Lynn
* My cousin Ina

* My friend Judy

* My friend Sherry

Four of my favorite places to eat
* Our local Argentine restaurant
* Our local Mexican restaurant
* Any one of several really good Italian restaurants

* StoneFire Grill which has the best salads

Four places you'd rather be
* The British Isles

* Vancouver (never been, can't wait to go)

* Anywhere there's a beautiful waterfall

* On a cruise ship sailing just about anywhere

Four TV shows I could watch over and over
* Law & Order

* Law & Order Criminal Intent

* Law & Order Special Victims Unit (notice a theme here)

* The Closer (I just love Kyra Sedgwick's character)

Four people I'm tagging
* Patti @ Late Bloomer Boomer
* Rosemary @ Rosemary's Attic

* Linda @ Are We There Yet?

* Renee @ fefyfomanna

Have fun!

Slow Cooker Conundrum

2008-10-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

Okay...so remember that slow cooker I bought months and months ago? Well, except for a trip to our friends' home with turkey chili (which Rick made) for the Super Bowl, it has remained lonely and unused shoved to the back of a kitchen cabinet.

With the weather supposedly turning cooler this weekend, my desire to start cooking using the crockpot has suddenly resurrected itself. So this week I managed to find not one, not two but three (count 'em) slow cooker cookbooks while I was out and about. Two of the three were actually on sale at 70% off so, of course, they just had to come home with me.

And, of course, Rick had a word or two to say about these new cookbooks. "Yes"...I do have a bookshelf filled with cookbooks that have spines still unbroken. And "Yes" I've made several promises to use the slow cooker only to bail out at the last moment so I can hardly fault him for his snide comments. Still...a little show of confidence from him would have been nice.

So I stood up and declared that I would cook Friday's dinner using the crockpot. And here it is Friday and the slow cooker is still sitting silently in the cupboard. I am making progress, however. I've opened all three books and have searched through the numerous chicken recipes looking for the perfect healthy dish. I've found a few that look interesting and now I need to have Rick pick the one that sounds the best to him. Then I will go to the market, buy all the ingredients and finally drag the crockpot out, wash it thoroughly and then set to work.

When? Stay tuned...

Random Wednesday Thoughts

2008-10-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

* Here it is October 1st and it was a sweltering 104 degrees. By Saturday the temperature is supposed to reach a "high" of 72 degrees with the possibility of showers. Welcome to the wacky world of Southern California weather!

* Yesterday my friend Sherry and I went to our monthly lunch with several of the ladies we once worked with at the library. A few of them still work there and it's always so much fun to listen to their library horror stories and realize that those of us who are retired no longer have to put up with all the craziness and agony.

* I took Mom to the YMCA Arthritis Aquatics class this morning. It's been three months since we went last and there were lots of hugs as everyone was glad and relieved to see us. When you have participants who are in their eighties (that would be Mom...not me), you get nervous when one of them doesn't show up.

* I'm sitting here watching cable news listening to pundits talk about the Senate vote on the re-vamped economic bailout package (oops, I mean "rescue" package.) To be honest...I'm not sure why all this fascinates me but it does. I've forbidden myself from looking at our retirement investments knowing that it will probably freak me out. I keep telling myself that, as long as we don't need to dip into these funds, we will be just fine because everything is cyclical and things will eventually turn around. OK...call my Pollyanna.

* Tomorrow Judy and I are going shopping...or should I say "returning." During our last shopping spree, we both overdid it big time and now our buyer's remorse has kicked in and we have items we need to take back. What can I say...we seem to have this problem whenever we get together.

Stay tuned...

Errant Golf Shoes and Mosquitoes

2008-09-27T07:04:00.000-07:00

Home sweet home. We arrived home yesterday, unpacked, read our mail, did loads of laundry and now I need another vacation. Whew!!!

All in all, it was a wonderful week away from home. As always, I'd been very meticulous about creating a packing list, doing last minute chores and getting the car packed so we could leave on time. And halfway to Santa Cruz, my mind suddenly replayed all that planning and I realized I didn't remember loading into the car the bag which had my 2 pairs of golf shoes and boxes of golf balls. Not a good way to start a golfing vacation. Anyway, we stopped at a well-known golf course near the highway and, lo and behold, they had exactly one pair of women's golf shoes in a narrow width and wouldn't you know it was in my size. Talk about the golfing gods looking down on me.

We arrived in Santa Cruz, checked into our hotel and then spent the rest of Friday and Saturday wandering around the area. We've been doing this trip annually for a number of years so there's very little we haven't seen. Still...we managed to find a new restaurant for breakfast (thanks to my sister Lynn's recommendation) and had a great day in Capitola wandering in and out of the quaint little shops and walking along the beachfront road.

Sunday was the annual "Friends & Family Golf Tournament" and I made the decision not to play. Still...I had a great time as I rode around the golf course with Michael, Karen and Sue whom I've played with before. They are fun golfing companions and we chatted and joked as they played great golf while I watched. Rick was in a threesome following us and here he is (the little orange speck) teeing off on the #5 hole.

Monday we left Santa Cruz and played golf in the town of Aptos before heading down to Cambria. That was my first round of golf on our vacation and I have to say I played really well... for me. I guess watching Karen and Sue the day before really helped me find my swing and tempo. Oh...and the new golf shoes fit like a charm.

Our time in Cambria was wonderful. We stayed in a quaint motel along Moonstone Beach Drive and walked along the beachfront boardwalk. I did venture down to the sand and, for the first time in years, I actually put my toes into the Pacific Ocean.

On Tuesday we visited Hearst Castle and it was the perfect day. I managed to take some photos inside the magnificent home as well as photos of the incredible outdoor and indoor pools.

We also visited the Elephant Seal viewing area along the coast just north of San Simeon and it was fascinating to watch these huge creatures sunning themselves on the beach and romping in the water.

Wednesday we headed for Pismo Beach but stopped off in Morro Bay to play a round of golf at the golf course in the State Park. What a fun experience. The fog was incredibly thick and never lifted the entire time so we saw very little of the ocean and bay...and the golf course. It was like playing in the dark, unable to see more than a few yards in front of us. We played with a father and son who were great fun and the four of us did our best not to hit anyone in front of us with our golf balls.

We arrived in Pismo Beach, settled into our hotel and then went to a fabulous well-known restaurant in the town of Nipomo for dinner. Jocko's is known for its meat and so Rick and I each had steak...something we almost never do since we've generally given up meat for health reasons. Still...how can you go to a steak restaurant and then order chicken???

Thursday was yet another round of golf at one of the nearby courses and I was exhausted so I only played 9 holes. The course meandered through a development of large homes and wasn't nearly as interesting as the courses we played earlier in the week. And to top it off, I became the food source for a large colony of mosquitoes. I have bites all over the back of my legs, ankles and wrists and I'd forgotten how miserable it can be. We have very few mosquitoes here in Southern California so it never dawned on me to bring bug repellent on our trip. I know the itching will disappear in a few days but, until then, I'm not a happy golfer!!!

So now we're home and back to our normal routine. We're already talking about planning our next golfing vacation and I want to go back up to Cambria in December to visit Hearst Castle when it's decorated for Christmas. Stay tuned...

Which Way to the First Tee?

2008-09-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

Our bags are packed; we're ready to go...

Bright and early tomorrow morning, Rick and I will be leaving for our golfing extravaganza in Central California. First stop is Santa Cruz, followed by Cambria and then Pismo Beach. We'll be back next Friday.

The only non-golfing plan at the moment is a visit to Hearst Castle (San Simeon) which was the home of newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst. I will do my best to squeeze in a few other sightseeing detours although we've been making this trip every September for several years now so we've seen practically everything between Los Angeles and Santa Cruz. Still...I'm sure there are a few off-the-beaten path sights we've yet to discover.

I am taking Silver Wonder (my laptop) with me so I will try and post while we're away. I'm also taking my camera so hopefully I'll have lots of photos to share when we get back. I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up with your blogs but I'll do my best to stop by and visit while we're on the road. I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

What Map Skills???

2008-09-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

I've always prided myself on my ability to read a map. I can still remember learning how to navigate using a map when I was in elementary school. Whenever we've taken road trips, I've always been the one to plot our route and to make sure we've been on course to our destination.

In some respects, mapping online sites such as Mapquest and Google Maps have taken much of the fun out of planning our trips. Yes, I admit that I use these sites to find directions to destinations around town and when we travel. Even so, I always make sure we have a map in our car to follow along when we're traveling to places we've never been before. What can I say...I'm a map junkie.

So why did I not put a stop to it when Rick started talking about buying a portable GPS unit for the car? Several of our friends now have units and I think Rick was feeling a little left out and behind-the-times. He's been doing his usual in-depth research on the different units and features and I figured it would be months and months before he would decide which one to actually buy.

Anyway, we mentioned our interest in GPS units to my cousin Ina when we had dinner with her two weekends ago. She has a unit and she was telling us how wonderfully convenient it is. Then last Thursday, she sent me an e-mail with the news that she'd been given a new one and that she was generously donating her older one to us. We met for dinner on Saturday and Rick and I are now the proud owners of a portable GPS device.

Here's the surprising part...I've been having waaaay too much fun with it. Since Rick is a technophobe at heart, I've been playing with the unit trying to figure out all the cool features and I think I have it down pat. I've already programmed some of the hotels we're staying at on our fast approaching golf vacation as "Favorites" and I've checked the "Points of Interest" feature to make sure the golf courses we're playing are included. Oh boy!

Of course, you can be sure that I will still take along those old-fashioned things called "maps." What can I say...I'm still a 20th Century girl living in a 21st Century world.

Not Always A Loser

2008-09-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

You lose some; you win some. On Monday, I took my mom and my cousin Ina up to the casino at one of the tribal reservations. Mom loves to play the slot machines (the penny ones) even though they now seem overwhelming to her. Mom always wins and this time she walked away with $40 while Ina ended up a whole $1 ahead. Me? As usual, I ended up losing only a few dollars which for me is pretty darn good.

Then on Tuesday I was informed by Lynne over at Lynne's Little Corner of the World that I'd won her very generous book giveaway. So now I will be the happy recipient of a Debbie Macomber book which I will comfortably read while sitting on my brand new loveseat in my still-a-work-in progress den. Thanks Lynne!

Speaking of my den, I know I promised photos but since the book nook is not done yet, I hope you'll be satisfied with a photo I took of the loveseat while Rick and I were in the furniture store a few weeks ago. It fits perfectly in the den and I've already initiated it by sitting on it to read and watch TV and the all-important napping.

Not much else is happening. Today Rick and I went out for our weekly golf game. Sigh... Let's just say that today was not one of my best efforts. This is all very discouraging because we are leaving the end of next week for a weeklong golfing vacation in Central California. The first round of golf will actually be in an annual family and friends golf tournament which always causes me great consternation and fear. Although the people we play with are all very nice, there is a certain amount of competitiveness amongst the men and women and it makes for a very stressful round of golf. Yes, I know I should ignore the psychological torment and have a good time but I just can't seem to get over caring what these people think of my game. Oh well, we have one more practice round before we leave and maybe I will miraculously find the perfect swing somewhere on the golf course. To steal a mantra from my sister Lynn, "breathe in, breathe out."

Labor Day Weekend Fun

2008-09-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

Although the Labor Day weekend began with the traumatic theft of Rick's beloved watch on Friday, the weekend itself turned out to be quite happy.

Saturday we basically took it easy but Sunday turned out to be a blast! We went to our friends' home for a family and friends BBQ. Joey's grandparents (now to be known as Grandpa B and Grandma J) hosted the party for their 4 children and respective spouses along with 2-year-old Joey and 2-week-old Kaitlyn. In addition, Grandma J's two sisters were there as well as another couple who have been longtime friends. The food was wonderful (steaks and ahi tuna, assorted salads, corn on the cob, desserts) and Joey kept us entertained with the little plastic rolling golf cart with clubs and golfballs that Rick and I bought him. Poor Kaitlyn...she got passed around from female arms to female arms although I have to give us all credit for our restraint and cooperation. We managed to remain civilized and shared the joy of holding the little angel.

Yesterday, Rick went to the YMCA for a workout while I went to the market to pick up dinner items. Then I suddenly had the urge to visit one of the nearby furniture stores looking for the elusive loveseat for the den/computer room. So, how long have I been looking for a loveseat? I admit it...years and years. And what happened yesterday? I sat in four loveseats (this one's too soft, this one's too deep) when suddenly I got to the fifth one, sat down and shrieked "this one's just right!" Yes, ladies and gentlemen...I did my very own version of "Goldilocks and the Five Loveseats." Out came the credit card and, before I knew it, I was scheduling delivery for this coming Thursday. Yes...I promise to post photos once it's here and in place.

So what am I doing this morning? I've truthfully been using our den as a storage/junk room (along with the computer and TV) and so I've been moving boxes and "stuff" into the garage and other parts of the house. Then it's off to lunch with my retired friend Sherry. I am so excited. Soon I will have my own little retreat where I can relax and get started on the piles and piles of books I have waiting for me. Ahhh...

Combination Lock Users Beware

2008-08-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a scary followup to the theft of Rick's money and watch on Friday. It should be particularly unnerving to all the parents out there who send their kids off to school each year with combination locks for their school and gym lockers.

Yesterday, Rick went to the YMCA (the scene of the crime) to do his normal workout and the very nice young man at the reception desk (whom we'd spoken to on Friday after the theft) immediately came over to speak with him. Apparently, this young man went home on Friday absolutely believing Rick's contention that his locker had been securely locked during the theft. This young man decided to help Rick figure out how someone could breach the combination lock that had been used. Leave it to the expertise and inquisitive nature of young people. Sure enough, this young man found hundreds of websites detailing various ways to crack the combination of these much-used locks. Yikes!

What makes this all seem so surreal is that, after the theft, Rick and I went to W*lm*rt to buy a brand new lock to replace the breached one. When we got home and opened the packaging, lo and behold, we discovered that the new combination was exactly the same as the one he'd been using for three years. Now...what is the likelihood that, with all the locks out there in the world to purchase, we would find one that had the same combination as a 3-year-old lock??? So now we are wondering whether this lock manufacturer uses only just a few combinations and that the thief simply tried combinations until he found the right one.

In some ways, Rick feels a bit better knowing that it is absolutely possible he did not fail to lock the locker securely before going off to work out and that the thief had used a devious method to gain entry. Still...how scary is it to be reminded that, while the Internet provides an incredible amount of worthwhile information, it can also be used by criminals to commit evil acts against innocent victims?

There Is No Safe Haven

2008-08-29T19:46:00.000-07:00

This has been a tough day for Rick. He went to our YMCA this morning for his usual 3 hour workout. When he went into the locker room at the end of his workout, he discovered that someone had entered his locker; $130 was missing from his wallet; and his very valuable Breitling watch was gone. He was devastated...not only at the loss of his beloved watch but also at the thought that a community institution such as the YMCA is not the safe and secure place one would hope or expect it to be.

How did the thief manage to gain access to the locker? Rick is not sure although our guess is that either someone was surrepticiously watching him use his combination or the lock hadn't been latched properly. Yes...in either case, Rick knows that, most likely, he is at fault for not being more security conscious and that only makes him feel more responsible and imperfect.

He reported the theft to the YMCA staff and then went immediately home to cancel all his credit cards since he knows that at least one of his cards was removed from its slot and replaced backwards. His concern is that his card numbers were compromised and could potentially be used by the thief to make purchases online or by phone. Then he went to our local police station to make a formal police report.

Neither of us believe in our hearts that the thief will ever be caught or that the watch will be recovered. We know that, in the grand scheme of things, this crime is miniscule compared to the violent and major crimes that go on in this city every day. Rick keeps trying to remind himself that the money and his watch are simply "things" and that nothing is more important than his safety and his well-being which thankfully remain intact.

I think what is saddest for us is that this crime took place at a YMCA where they strive so hard to impart their "6 Pillars of Character" (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship) to people who walk through the door. Apparently someone at our YMCA just hasn't gotten the message.

Who Exactly Am I?

2008-08-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

For some time now, I have been thinking about changing my blog identity. When I became the "Erstwhile Librarian" almost three years ago, I'd been retired only two years and was working part-time as a staff trainer for the library. Images of me sitting at the reference desk or walking through the library stacks with patrons still permeated my dreams...and nightmares.

How things have changed. On Tuesday, my friend Sherry and I stopped by our former library on our way to lunch with our also-retired friends. Walking through the front doors of the library where I'd spent so much of my professional life was an entirely different experience. I knew practically no one at the Circulation Desk and most of the librarians were strangers to me. I passed by the office where I once spent so much of my time and felt not one pang of sadness or even recognition. It was as if all those years of library experience had simply vanished from my life's resume.

So now I am thinking that it is time to change my blog title. I've been sitting in front of my computer trying out new blog names and URLs. So many of my creative choices have already been taken so I am still trying to find one that will carry me through the years to come. And this exercise has made me sit down and think about who I really am now and how I want others to view me. This self-analyzing stuff is really hard...

Who Said Retirement Would Be Boring?

2008-08-26T07:15:00.001-07:00

Whew...I'm in the middle of another busy, busy week. Yesterday I spent the day with Mom; today it's lunch with some of my also-retired library friends; tomorrow it's golf with Rick and some friends; Thursday it's a morning dentist apppointment and then the movies with Rick; Friday it's a fun day with another retired friend. I promise never to complain again that retirement is anything but stimulating.

With all these activities, I've been pretty negligent about my health. I haven't been to the YMCA for several weeks (except for my tap dance class) and I really do need to set some time aside to go and do some cardio and weight work. And then all the lunchs with friends and Mom have put a kaboosh on my diet. I've been trying to stick to salads with lo-cal dressings and I have managed to stay away from french fries and other salty dishes but I can't say the scale has been very cooperative. Sigh...

On another note, Rick and I were pleasantly surprised to see New Dad, New Mom and Kaitlyn at church Saturday evening. At 6-days old, she was as cute as can be and so well behaved...not a peep out of her during the entire mass. We've been invited to Joey and Kaitlyn's grandparents' home for a BBQ on Sunday and we are so looking forward to seeing the two young cousins together. Get those cameras ready!!!

I Should Have Stopped After 9

2008-08-20T18:27:00.001-07:00

Today Rick and I played our first round of golf together in 5 weeks...since my orthopedic boot ordeal. Although we've been to the driving range a few times, I've been a little nervous about how my swing and fairly new clubs would work once the boot came off.

We've been playing this summer at a course near the beach since I absolutely melt when it gets hot. We try and play early in the morning when there's a nice fog bank to keeps things cool. Today was not that kind of day although the breeze did keep things from getting blazing hot.

So...how did I do? My front 9 was the absolute best golf I've ever played. I shot a 47 and hit my driver, woods and irons extremely well. Even my putting, which has always been the bane of my game, was outstanding and I made some incredible putts. Geez...I even chipped in from off the green on one hole.

Okay...so that was the front 9. Apparently, a whole different person showed up to play the back 9. I couldn't seem to make my swing work and suddenly balls were veering off to the left, to the right, dribbling along the grass. Sigh... Let's just say I had an 11 on one hole and a 9 on another. My back 9 score was 22 shots more than my front 9...a whopping 69.

Now every golfer will tell you that their very first goal, when learning to play, is to shoot under 100. If I'd only played as well on the back as I did on the front, I would have shot a 94! Instead, my score was a disappointing 116. But the good news is that my game is coming along and, somewhere out there, is my very first round under 100. We did make a tee time for next week after our round was over and you just never know...

In Her Own Time

2008-08-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday now seems like one long blur as our entire day was spent at the hospital awaiting the birth of our friends' first grandaughter. Rick and I arrived at the hospital at 9:40AM followed shortly by the anticipating grandparents and great-aunts. We spent the morning and early afternoon in and out of the soon-to-be-parents' room. Then it was time to get down to business so we took our places in the labor and delivery waiting room. And we waited and waited and waited. Rick's contact lens began to bother him big time so he left for home around 8:30pm. The rest of us hung in there until the happy end.

I won't go into all the details but let's just say we were extremely relieved when one of the nurses finally made a rocking-the-baby motion with her arms, sometime around midnight, to let us know that, yes indeed, Baby Girl had arrived. I guess it's the hospital's rule that only the new dad can make the announcement to the waiting family so we had another long wait before New Dad came out with the joyous news. Baby Kaitlyn was born at 11:10PM weighing in at 6lbs 15oz and 20 inches long. We finally got to see the new bundle of joy around 1:00AM and she indeed is one beautiful little girl.

So now Rick's grandgodson Joey has a new baby cousin and Kaitlyn is one very lucky little girl to join this incredibly loving, warm and close-knit family.

Our Version of "A Baby Story"

2008-08-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

When we got home from church this evening there was a message on our answering machine to call our friends B and J. To recap...B and J are really close friends and their #2 daughter is Rick's goddaughter and her 2-year-old son Joey is Rick's grandgodson.

Since their #3 daughter is due with her first child in 10 days, I was pretty sure the call had something to do with it. Sure enough...when I called I found out their daughter is in the hospital and the doctor will be inducing labor.

When Joey was born two years ago, we had to make a beeline run up to Northern California to be there for his birth. This time things are much more convenient. The hospital is only a few miles from our home which means that we can drive at a much safer speed to get there when it's time. Joey's Grandma has promised she will call us when she gets the call from her daughter or son-in-law that true labor has started. I've instructed her to call us no matter what time of day or night so this may be an interesting rest of the weekend.

We are hoping all goes well and I will let you know when Baby Girl arrives.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2008-08-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week so far. On Monday, I spent the day with my sister Lynn, Mom and the kids. Maybe it's me but, whenever I spend the day with my niece and nephew, I come home exhausted. I guess it's because, having never had children myself, I'm just not used to the level of activity and noise kids produce. I did complete one task that I've been promising my niece I'd do for her. I taught her how to make (and eat) chocolate chip cookie dough. For some reason, she has always been fascinated with my story of how I made it through graduate school by studying with a friend while eating uncooked cookie dough and now Elle knows what it tastes like. Mission accomplished.

Tuesday was a Mom day and, as usual, I took her out for lunch and then to her Fall Prevention class. Next week is her 8th and final class where the seniors will be re-tested and then gather for a little potluck goodbye party. I'm in a quandry as to what to bring. The class starts at 2:00PM and I need something that can sit in a hot car (in a cooler if necessary) while we go to lunch first. Any ideas (and recipes) would be greatly appreciated.

Yesterday was very busy. Rick and I went to the YMCA in the morning where I tested my newly healed foot on the treadmill, followed by some work on the weight machines and then part of an Aqautics class. Then he and I went out for lunch and to a golf store to buy him some more golf balls.

In the afternoon, we attended the funeral of a 59-year-old friend who passed away after a long courageous battle against cancer. Craig was a runner, writer, a true Renaissance man, and the nicest, gentlest man I've ever known and we (his friends and family) will miss him greatly. He is now the third friend who has passed away after the discovery of a melanoma and I urge everyone to make sure that all family members (particularly youngsters) take great care to protect themselves from the sun.

The Unveiling

2008-08-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

Yippee! I went to the Podiatrist yesterday and I am now boot-free. Of course I have to be careful with the foot, not to re-injure it, and I need to work on restoring the flexibility I lost while it was basically immobile for the past four weeks but I am so happy to finally be able to wear shoes on both feet.

There's no way I can describe the look on his face or the heavy sigh when I asked Doc if I could take a tap dance class. But after a few moments of composing himself, he did say I could try it and see what happens. He made me promise that, if I felt the slightest pain or discomfort, I would stop immediately.

So off I went last night to my tap dance class. I made sure I had lots of padding in my new tap shoes but the bottom of both feet did bother me during class so I was good and sat out some of the more ballistic dance steps. I had a great time and I'm hoping that, over time, my feet will be more cooperative and let me make it through the whole routine. Shuffle, shuffle, stomp!

Erstwhile Yet Again

2008-08-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember my little staff trainer job with my former Library Department. To refresh anyone's memory, I was asked to come back in late 2005 from retirement to help train staff, on a part-time basis, in the use of the Library's computer system. I worked fairly consistently during the first several months but then slowly my hours dropped and I've worked only occasionally over the past year or so.

Well, today I finally went in and signed my release papers and turned in my ID and building entry cards. I'm done. The Library now has a new computer system, fully trained new trainers and staff and I am an anachronism. So it was time to let go. Am I sad? Absolutely not! I've found that the longer I've been away from the Library, the less I identify with my role as librarian. Now it's the "erstwhile" part which seems to define who and what I am.

Catching Up...

2008-08-04T20:03:00.001-07:00

It was a busy weekend for me and this is the first free time I've had to post. My once mundane life has suddenly taken a turn and now it seems there are things to do every day...and that's just the way I like it.

Let's see...Saturday I went to a baby shower for Rick's god-daughter's sister who is due near the end of August. Just to refresh your memories, that would make the honoree's mother my good friend "Joey's Grandmother." Yes...I know it's all very confusing. And, now that Joey will have a new baby girl cousin soon, I'm thinking I need to rename his Grandma since she will now be the grandmother of not one but two.

On Sunday morning, Rick and I went for our monthly golf lessons. Surprisingly, I hit the ball really well with the orthopedic boot protecting my right foot. Hmmm...maybe all I need to do is put spikes on the bottom of the boot and try a round of golf.

In the late afternoon, Rick and I met another couple and their nephew and we all went to the theater. We saw a really funny troupe of performers whom we've seen in other productions. They normally satirize works of Shakespeare, turning his plays into hilarious musicals, but this time they took and twisted Lewis Carroll's "Alice Through the Looking Glass." It was a truly wild and funny evening.

Today was my much awaited return visit to the doctor for a blood pressure check after a month of watching my diet and taking the new medication dosage. Sigh... She and her nurse took a total of three readings during the exam and each one was worse than the last. Now Rick has to take my pressure at home every day so I can chart the results for several weeks and then drop them off at the doctor's office so she can decide whether to change my medications again. The good thing is I'm expecting that the Podiatrist on Thursday will tell me to get rid of the boot and then I can begin the next step in my health rehab...exercise!!!

Finally, tonight we went over to Joey's grandparents' home and then out to dinner with them. Rick hadn't seen his grand-godson on this visit and we wanted to make sure Rick had the chance to see him before he and his mom (Rick's god-daughter) leave later this week for their home in Northern California. It's hard to believe that Joey has just turned two (where has the time gone?) He proudly recited his ABC's and numbers 1-10 for us and Rick was the hit of the evening with his oh-so-very talented ability to make authentic pig noises. Joey roared with laughter and now I'm thinking Rick will forever be the "Pigman" in Joey's mind...oink, oink.

Tomorrow it's lunch with Mom followed by her Fall Prevention Class. See...I told you my days are now filled with "stuff" to do.

Shuffle, Shuffle, Stomp

2008-08-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

I have a little secret. Ever since I retired four years ago, I've wanted to do two new things in my life...learn to play the drums and tap dance. I've talked about both activities over and over but just never found the time or energy or will to do anything about them.

So a few weeks ago I was at my YMCA when I noticed a sign announcing a new class starting on July 31st..."Tap Dance for Adults." My heart skipped a few beats as I suddenly saw an opportunity I just couldn't miss...until I looked down and realized I was standing on a "damaged" foot sporting a big black walking boot. Damn!

So what did I do? I immediately went home, turned on my computer, searched my favorite shoe buying website and ordered tap shoes (in a narrow width). They arrived, they fit and they are sitting on the floor of my den.

Last night was the first class so I went over to the YMCA and explained my predicament to the instructor before class. She suggested I sit in on the class and assured me she'd let me into the already full class once my foot healed.

I purposely left my tap shoes at home fearing I might suddenly decide to throw off my boot, put my shoes on and join in. It's a good thing I did! The class was incredibly fun and the students were all ages...from teens to seniors. Some admitted to taking tap classes when they were young while others were first-timers.

So yesterday I learned some of the fundamentals of tap while sitting on the sidelines. Oh wait...I guess you could say I took a "Chair Tap Dance" class because there I was sitting in a chair moving my feet (boot and all) just like all the rest of the students learning the various tap steps and dance routines.

I go to the Podiatrist next Thursday and I'm expecting he'll tell me that my foot is healed and I can stop wearing the boot. I'm sure he'll urge me to wear really supportive shoes and go easy on my foot for a while. So what do you think he'll say when I tell him I'm planning to take a tap dance class that night?

A Whole Lotta Shakin'

2008-07-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

I knew it had been too quiet lately...quiet on the earthquake front. When you live in Southern California, you come to expect a little temblor once in a while. And today was that "while."

Mom and I were sitting in my car at a red light this morning when suddenly the car began to rock and roll. At first, I thought maybe my engine had decided to sputter badly but then I looked at the car in front of us (which was doing the same "dance") and realized we were having an earthquake.

I immediately turned on the radio to a local news station and, sure enough, they reported that we indeed had just had a 5.4 quake centered nearly 70 miles from where we were. I was pretty amazed at the intensity of the rolling considering the distance from the epicenter but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. We've had other quakes some distance away and have felt them too.

I don't think you ever become totally blaise about earthquakes but I think I've learned to take them in stride. The first earthquake I ever experience was the 1971 Sylmar quake (2 years after arriving in L.A.) which was pretty intense (particularly since we were living on the 3rd floor of an apartment building only 10-15 miles from the epicenter). I still, to this day, remember the rattling sound of the bathroom door which was right next to my bed.

Then there was the 1994 Northridge quake which was "just around the corner" from my house. Although our house itself was not damaged, many of our possessions (including Rick's running trophies) were smashed on the floor and our exterior block walls came a 'tumbling down.

Thankfully, today's quake caused very little damage (even near the epicenter) and that's a good thing. I think all the shaking did was rattle a few nerves and remind us, once again, how important it is to be prepared for when the "Big One" comes.

Mamma Movie

2008-07-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Rick and I went to the movies yesterday on another one of our weekly dates. This time I got to choose and so I decided on Mamma Mia. I know it's been described as a "chick flick" so I gave him every opportunity to pick something else...he declined so off we went.

We usually go to a movie which has been in release for several weeks so there are very few in the audience. Although we were the first into the theater, the place began to fill and, by the time the movie started, there were actually 40 people in the audience. And, "yes" it's definitely a "chick" flick. How do I know this? Because, of the 40 movie-goers, exactly 4 were men. That's right...10%...which means that 90% were women (see, I can do math).

I know the film hasn't gotten the best of reviews but, from the reaction of the audience, it was a winner to them. Women were simultaneously singing on screen and in the audience and I think everyone would have gotten up out of their seats to dance if given the chance...me included.

Was it a great movie? No. Was it a fun summertime escape...you bet!

Damn...It's Only July!

2008-07-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

So I'm sure you're wondering why I have a jack-o'-lantern graphic in today's post. After all, Halloween is still three months away.

Well, yesterday I was in a local store when I turned the corner only to find myself facing shelves and shelves of Halloween decorations. That's right...Halloween "stuff." I'm sorry but did the store manager rip too many months off the calendar that must be hanging on her office wall??? Did she forget to look at the date on the front page of her morning newspaper?

I can understand all the back-to-school supplies and clothing which are now displayed in every store. School here begins in late August-early September and moms need that much time to get everything their kids will need. But honestly...Halloween in July?

Then, to add insult to injury, I had the television on this morning and found myself watching a Monk re-run with a Halloween theme. Again...it's still only July for goodness sakes!!!

Yes, I understand businesses are now run by youngsters pretending to be adults. And I understand my middle-aged self no longer fits into the demographic they're trying to attract. But still...someday they will be my age and realize that time is already moving far too fast. The one thing they won't need is corporate America helping to rush them (and us) along.

A Most Perfect Weekend

2008-07-20T19:46:00.001-07:00

Rick and I are home now after enjoying a wonderful weekend in Laguna Beach. Our friends Joe and Sue were kind enough to ask us to accompany them to the Pageant of the Masters which is an incredible 90 minute art experience which is held in conjunction with the summer-long Festival of Arts. We've always wanted to go and so we were thrilled when Sue invited us, not only to the Festival and Pageant, but also to stay at her brother's incredible hillside home.

We arrived early Saturday morning and marveled at the wonderful home and its views of the Pacific Ocean. We stayed in the home's "mother-in-law" suite which consisted of a living room, dining area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom all beautifully furnished. We even had our own little balcony with a wonderful view of the ocean.

The four of us went out for breakfast and then took a backstage tour of the Pageant. From there, we walked a few blocks to the Sawdust Festival. This arts and crafts fair is also held in Laguna Beach during the summer and provides booths for less "formal" artists and crafts people to sell their creations. We wandered around looking at all the beautiful things and Rick was sweet enough to buy me a pair of beautiful silver earrings. Although I'm still in my black walking boot, there was no way I was going to miss any of it and so I trudged along, stopping to sit when I needed a break. Thankfully, the weather was overcast so it was much cooler than in previous years (at least that's what Sue told us) and it made my life a heck of a lot easier.

After our shopping extravaganza, we headed back to the house for a little R&R. Then it was off to a local beachfront restaurant for dinner where we ate out on the patio watching the waves.

After dinner, we walked over to the Festival of Arts where artists display and sell their work. We wandered around and did find an oil painting we liked but not at the $6500 purchase price.

Then it was time for the Pageant to start so we entered the outdoor theater and took our seats to watch the show.

It's really hard to describe exactly what the Pageant is all about. It's basically 90 minutes of "living pictures" which are exact art re-creations of classical and contemporary works (paintings and sculpture) with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. It is truly amazing to watch these performers hold difficult poses for 90 seconds to 2 minutes in intricate costumes and makeup.

This morning the four of us went out for breakfast and then Rick and I bid "adieu" to our friends and got on the road and headed home. This was definitely a memory-making weekend and we're already talking about ordering tickets when they become available for next year's Pageant.

Back In My Own Bed

2008-07-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

I've been away from BlogLand for the past few days thanks to my house-sitting, Mom-sitting, dog-sitting, kitties-sitting, foreign exchange students-sitting time at my sister's home while they were off camping this weekend.

I've done this every July now for a few years but this time they added my niece's two new kitties plus the two foreign exchange students they have been hosting for a few weeks. Actually, Yulia (from Russia) and Surya (from Indonesia) spent most of the weekend in San Francisco but I picked them up at the meeting point Sunday evening and then got them ready on Monday to be picked up for their morning English class/afternoon Santa Barbara excursion. Surya left for home Monday evening and Yulia will be here for another few days and then leave for home late Sunday. I know it's been a great experience not only for these two fine young people but also for my niece and nephew who have had an opportunity to learn something about life in other countries.

On another note...I've been trudging along with my black walking boot counting the weeks until I can get rid of it. Besides being difficult to find a shoe for my left foot that is the same height as the boot on my right, it's been really hot and humid here in Southern California and my leg feels like it's in an oven. The good news is that I tested the injured area this morning and the pain seems to have disappeared. Yeah!!! So now I'm thinking maybe I won't need to wear the boot for the entire four weeks. I think I'll give it another week and then call the podiatrist and plead my case. I can be pretty convincing when I need to be.

Blame It On Mom (and Dad Too)

2008-07-10T07:37:00.001-07:00

It's never a good thing when your doctor's nurse leaves a voice mail message on your cell phone less than 24 hours after you've done your lab work...trust me. Rick and I were playing golf with friends yesterday morning (OK...I spent most of the holes sitting in the golf cart nursing my still-hurting foot) and, when we were done, I checked my phone and retrieved the message which basically said "call me back ASAP." So I did and that's when I got hit with the bad news. My LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) number was way off the charts! Yikes! So now my doctor has switched me to a more effective cholesterol-lowering medication and, of course, I have to watch my diet and do that evil thing called "exercise." Then I have to re-test in three months. Can you hear me sighing...?

So now I'm even more depressed than I was on Monday when I was told my blood pressure numbers were too high. You have to understand...yes, I haven't been exercising like I should...I admit it. But except for a sudden yen for salty crunchy snacks (which probably explains the rise in blood pressure), my diet has always been a low fat, low cholesterol one. When I look at the list of foods to avoid, I'm already avoiding most, if not all, of them. All some people need to do is cut out all the bad food and their cholesterol numbers come down dramatically. Not mine! Geez, I lost 40 pounds nine years ago after my original high cholesterol, high blood pressure diagnosis and my bad lab numbers did not budge...not one point! The doctor's reasoning was simple...blame Mom and Dad for my lousy genetic makeup.

So I guess that means I need to do it with a combination of my more potent drugs AND exercise. Oh wait! My foot problem is causing excrutiating pain when I simply walk. How am I going to add cardio exercises to my life when I can't put even the slightest pressure on my foot without pain? I guess that's a question the podiatrist is going to have to answer when I see him this morning. Lucky man.

Update: Well I'm back from the podiatrist appointment and the good news is that the Xrays indicate no stress fracture. The bad news is that the diagnosis remains undefined. He and I both assume it's some kind of soft tissue injury so he gave me a cortisone shot to reduce the inflammation and then put me in one of those heavy black orthopedic boots which I need to wear for 4 weeks (count 'em...4) until I have my next appointment with him. This will not be a fun month and it means golf and all the cardio exercises I was planning to start need to be put on hold. Damn!

I Wanna Cup of Coffee

2008-07-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

It's morning and normally I would be seated at our kitchen table with Hubby; we'd be reading the newspaper; and both of us would be sipping our deliciously smooth cups of coffee. Instead, I'm sitting in the den, writing this post and trying desperately to avoid the wonderful aroma of just-brewed java coming from our kitchen. Why am I depriving myself of my favorite morning drink? I'm fasting.

My doctor appointment yesterday went pretty much as expected particularly since I hadn't done any lab tests yet so she couldn't scold me too much. She did the normal physical exam and we discussed the questions on my list. My foot problem remains unresolved so she's referring me to Podiatry where hopefully I will get some answers and relief. My blood pressure numbers were depressingly high so she's increased one of my medications...damn. And she scheduled me for a battery of lab tests...no surprise there.

So now I've been fasting for nearly 14 hours. When I'm done posting this, I'll throw on some clothes and drive to the lab to have vials and vials of blood drawn. Then I'll race on over to the closest St*rb*cks where I will order my usual vente latte and savor each and every drop. Then maybe this headache I have will finally go away.

What's Up Doc?

2008-07-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

I've been dreading today for three weeks now. Why? Today I have a doctor's appointment and, since it's been 3 years since I last saw her, I'm guessing she's going to read me the riot act about ignoring my health. And I have no excuse...I have been ignoring things. I guess I've been subscribing to that very wrong philosophy that "ignorance is bliss."

So today is the day I will face the truth. I've been sitting at the kitchen table this morning making a long list of the various questions I have for the doctor. I'm sure she will discuss in great detail my hypertension, high cholesterol, weight issues and a variety of other conditions that come with middle-age so those aren't even on my list. My questions are more individualized and specific to my quirky body.

It doesn't help that I'm going to be walking into the exam room limping dramatically. I've had a terrible pain in my right foot now for a few months and it only seems to have gotten worse. Had I not had this appointment scheduled, I might have asked Hubby to take me to Urgent Care this weekend which tells you the amount of pain I'm now having. Yes, I've been playing golf. Yes, I've been out shopping. Yes, I've been trying to ignore it but that time has long passed.

My appointment today is a "physical" which means that my time with the doctor will be longer than usual and, considering my already known conditions, the length of my questions list and my very sore foot, it's a good thing. I have a feeling I'm going to need every minute I'm entitled to.

Independence Day

2008-07-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone enjoys the usual festivities of the day...parades, BBQs, picnics, beach parties, fireworks. We're going to our friends' annual BBQ this evening. Their home is on a hill and each year their backyard gives us a view of not one but three (yes, 3) fireworks displays put on by their city, the nearby community and the big amusement park in the area. So have a wonderful time today and remember to stay safe.

Balance Anyone?

2008-07-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

Today I took my mom to her first "Balance and Gait" class presented by our HMO's Physical Therapy department. The purpose of the class is to help seniors prevent falls by developing better balance and it is held once a week for 8 one-hour sessions. The class has 8 students all of whom qualify for Medicare and I'm guessing my mom is close to the oldest (if not the oldest) member.

Anyway, today's session consisted of an introduction to the class, a demonstration of the 3 exercises each student is expected to do on a daily basis as homework, and then a series of timed tests which are used to evaluate each student's starting physical capabilities. These tests included:

Standing up from a seated position, then sitting down and then repeating the action as many times as possible in a 30 second period
Standing up from a seated position, walking as fast as possible for 8 feet and then turning around and sitting back down as fast as possible
Marching for a 2 minute time period and counting the number of steps taken
Standing still with arms crossed against the chest, feet together and eyes closed for 30 seconds without losing balance

Well, let me tell you...my mom's performance was surprisingly good considering her age. Yes...she does have balance problems when she walks yet she was able to complete most of these tests well within the expected results for someone her age. The only one she had any real problems with was the "standing still with eyes closed" test. She did lose her balance on that one and had to grab on to the rail next to her. Still...I tried that one myself and I can tell you that it's not as easy as it sounds. Hmmm...maybe it's a good thing I'm going to take her to each session and sit in with her.

"Cool" Art

2008-06-28T07:46:00.001-07:00

I was sitting at the kitchen table this morning drinking my coffee and reading the newspaper when I looked up at our refrigerator. At least, I think it's a refrigerator and I think it's white in color. It's hard to tell when all you see are notes and receipts and business cards and all sorts of odd shaped papers attached by magnets to the three visible sides...not to mention the erasable monthly calendar obsuring most of the freezer door.

I can't remember the last time either of us culled through all this refrigerator "art" to see what was outdated and needed removal. I guess I'll add that little chore to my long "To Do" list. And where do you think I keep that list? You've got it...on the refrigerator!

Can You Hear Me Now?

2008-06-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

It's been in the news but, in case you missed it, California is set to become a "hands-free driving" state on July 1st. That means that adults will no longer be able to hold and talk on their cell phones while driving their cars. Juvenile drivers will be prohibited from having any cell phone conversations...hands-free included.

Needless to say, there's been a run on Bluetooth equipment lately. Everywhere I've gone in the past few weeks, I've seen more and more people seemingly talking to themselves with little black rectangles attached to their ears. Not too long ago, I took my mom to lunch and two men were walking to their cars with headsets on. Suddenly Mom pointed to them and asked me if they were aliens. Believe me...she had a big smile on her face so I knew she was just joking but they did look like castoffs from a Star Trek episode.

So with July 1st just around the corner, I finally dragged our headsets out from the closet. I don't use my cellphone in the car very often but I know there may be times when I might so I want to be prepared. Our cell phones are a year old and we did buy Bluetooth equipment for them at the time but we never did anything about them.

So last night I ripped open the plastic packaging and charged both headsets. Then I took out the tiny instruction manual (I swear I needed a magnifying glass to read the darn thing) so I could figure out how to sync the phones with the headsets. Next I set about learning how to operate in a hands-free world and, after a few miscues, I finally managed to turn on the headset, make a call, and then turn off the headset (without accidently re-dialing my sister for the umpteenth time.) Once I was successful, it was time for me to show Rick how to use his phone and headset (thank goodness we have the same model of phone).

So this afternoon, there I was in Costco talking to Lynn on my headset. I can only imagine what I looked like to the other shoppers. Oh wait...I know...I was just another alien communicating with her species.

The Good, the Sad, the Necessary

2008-06-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

I'm having a little trouble focusing the dear ol' brain so I thought I'd just ramble about this week's things that were and things that will be.

In another quest to recapture our early dating years together, Rick and I decided to spend another afternoon at the movies yesterday. This time Rick's choice was Iron Man and, although I knew the film had gotten pretty good reviews, I wasn't particularly anxious to see it. Still...going to the movies in this awful Southern California heat wave seemed like a good idea so off we went. Truthfully, I did enjoy the movie. Oh, it wasn't anything deep or thought provoking but it did provide two hours of rollicking good fun so for me it was a success.

Today was yet another day on the golf course for us. Rick was kind enough to make our tee time at a course near the beach so we were able to escape the heat. To be honest...I actually had a really good time. No, I didn't have a stellar performance (I think I lost 3 balls along the way) but I did have a few good shots and I'm feeling more confident with my new clubs. Best of all...my putting has improved big time with my new putter and that's always a good thing!

I don't have any plans for the next few days but on Saturday Rick and I will be attending our friend's brother's memorial service. Dave was 54 years old and died a week after suffering a debilitating stroke. It's frightening to think that someone so young can die so suddenly. Sadly, we will miss the Saturday funeral of someone Rick has known since elementary school who also died this week...this time from cancer.

These deaths plus the recent death of Tim Russert have really made me face my own mortality. And it has also made me realize that ignoring my own health issues has got to stop. To this end, I actually sat down yesterday and made a much overdue appointment for a physical with my doctor. It's scheduled for the first week in July and now I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to lose some weight and lower my cholesterol before facing her. I'm sure she'll have lots to say about my current condition and I'm ready to hear it. It's time I get serious and take control...I want to have lots and lots of years on the golf course with Rick.

From Bay to Ocean

2008-06-24T11:14:00.001-07:00

We're back from our long wedding weekend in Coronado. In case you're not familiar with Coronado, it's a peninsula just across from San Diego. People always think of it as an island because you take a trip over the famous Coronado Bridge to get there but, trust me, it's really a peninsula. It's a quaint beach town as well as home to a naval installation which means, along with the thousands of tourists roaming the streets, you'll see lots and lots of military personnel on the streets and in the restaurants. And, of course, its claim to fame is the historic Del Coronado Hotel.

No...we did not stay at the "Del." Instead, we stayed at a hotel directly across the street from it as did many of the wedding party and guests. The centerpiece of our hotel was the "Mansion" which was the former home of an early 20th Century California sugar magnate. Sadly, we didn't stay in the Mansion with its cute bed-and-breakfast type rooms. Instead, our room was in the modern section of the hotel but we did have a bay view room. Here is what it looked like from our balcony.

Like much of Southern California, the weather was unseasonably warm and uncomfortably humid. Since the town is small, we left our car in the hotel's parking lot and walked everywhere. We spent our time seeing the sights in town, discovering excellent restaurants and visiting with our friends and their families. The wedding was Saturday evening at the local community center with a beautiful view of the bay. It wasn't too far so we walked from our hotel as did the members of the wedding party and many of the guests. Thankfully, the outdoor ceremony was short and then we all moved into the reception room to enjoy a wonderful dinner, lots of dancing and cool air conditioning.

So...what did I finally wear? The weather made me decide to wear my newest black dress which was thankfully sleeveless. I know "black" is not the usual color for wedding wear but, here in California, it has become quite acceptable to wear it and so I did as did many of the guests and even the mother-of-the-bride. Here is a photo of my dress and "no" that's not me wearing it!

This will probably be the last wedding for a very long time since all of our friends' children are now married. But that doesn't mean the celebrating is over. In August, there's a baby shower on the calendar and I'm guessing there will be lots more of those in my future.

Joan-i-locks and the 3 Dresses

2008-06-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

Rick and I will be traveling to the San Diego area on Thursday to attend our friends' son's wedding Saturday evening. The ceremony will be outdoors right by the bay in Coronado while the reception will be inside the Community Center. So...the major question (for me, at least) has been what the heck am I going to wear? I have a very nice long black dress with a little jacket that I've worn to a number of weddings and I love it. Unfortunately, I don't think this wedding is very formal (I believe the bridesmaids are wearing tea-length dresses) and a long dress on me would probably be over-the-top.

At the beginning of the year, I bought a fairly plain black sheath dress with sheer long sleeves thinking I might wear it to a wedding we attended in April. Then I found a second knee-length, cap-sleeve, A-line dress with beading around the neck just before the wedding and wore it instead. And today, while I was out-and-about, I found a 3rd knee-length black dress with a belted waist on sale for an incredible low price so, of course, I just had to buy it.

Now the quandry...which one to wear to Saturday's wedding? The 1st dress has always been a little tight plus it has long sleeves so I'm thinking that one is not right for a summer wedding. The 2nd dress fits better but I'm not sure it's very flattering plus Rick thinks it's a bit matronly so I'm thinking that one is not right either. So that leaves the 3rd one as the dress of choice. The only problem is the dress is a little big plus it's sleeveless and I have a "thing" about exposing my upper arms...think middle-aged wings. So...what's a girl to do???

Life's Highs and Lows

2008-06-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was "Culmination Day" for my niece Elle and my nephew Sport. So...what's culmination? Apparently the kids' school district wants to refrain from using the word "graduation" for anything other than high school so they came up with this term to cover elementary and middle school ceremonies. The problem, of course, is that Hallmark has yet to catch up with this new terminology so finding the appropriate greeting card was impossible.

Sport's elementary school outdoor culmination was first...at 8:30AM. Believe me...I'm not complaining about the early time. The sun was already burning brightly and the temperature was rising quickly. We did manage to snag seats under one of the provided canopies and the ceremony went off without a hitch. As ceremonies go, this one was actually quite entertaining and the speeches were kept short. Yeah! Rick and I left early with Elle who needed to be at her ceremony by 10:30AM (the ceremony was scheduled for 11:30AM).

Thankfully, this year the middle school was able to secure the Performing Arts theater in town so we had the luxury of comfortable seats and air conditioning. The theater allowed those with disabilities to enter first so we took advantage of this perk since my mom was with us. Our seats were perfect (in the row behind the last of the graduating students) and we were at the end of the row by the aisle for easy restroom access (what can I say...Rick and I are middle-aged). The ceremony was longer (more than 300 names to read through and students to trudge across the stage) but it went fairly quickly and was well orchestrated so there were no delays.

What started out as a happy day soon took a turn. After the ceremonies, Lynn, the kids, my mom, Rick and I went out for a late lunch. While in the restaurant, Lynn received a call from my brother-in-law (who was on his way back to work after the ceremonies) to let her know about the sudden death of NBC's premier political analyst Tim Russert. Rick and I have been admirers of Tim for some time and his death, at such an early age, was devastating for us. We cannot imagine this election year without Tim and his incredible ability to explain the intricacies of American politics in his very personal, down-to-earth way. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Maureen, son Luke, dad Russ, the rest of the Russert family and his family at NBC/MSNBC as they all face life without this wonderful man.

Not a Kiddie Matinee

2008-06-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

Boy...I'm really enjoying this married dating thing. Rick and I decided to spend another day together (not on a golf course) so we went to our second movie in two weeks. Amazing! We saw Prince Caspian yesterday afternoon after I agreed to watch the first Chronicles of Narnia movie on DVD the night before. I'm not much of a fantasy film lover and Rick has been urging me to watch the first film for some time so I finally relented. Surprisingly, I enjoyed The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe so much that I was actually anxious to see the second in the series.

Now maybe I'm old fashioned and out of touch with current practices but when did it become acceptable to bring a 3-year-old and a baby to the movies? I like going to the early afternoon showings to avoid the noise of a large audience so you can imagine my dismay when we walked into the theater only to find a young couple with two very young children sitting right smack in the middle of the theater. Besides the fact that the movie was wholly inappropriate for a 3-year-old and baby (too violent, too mature, too long), why would adults subject other film viewers to the possibility of a fussy baby and chatty child?

Yes...I know some families can't afford a babysitter or don't have family members available to help out and they did bring the kids to an early afternoon showing when the audience would be much smaller but still...a baby in a movie theater?!?!? The family did eventually move to aisle seats when the baby became fussy and the parents did alternate taking the children out of the theater a number of times when they started to make noise. I actually felt sorry for the parents who each missed a substantial portion of the film. So...do you think, for their own viewing sake, they'll stay home and wait for the next movie they want to see to be released on DVD?

Farewell May, Hello June

2008-06-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy weekend and first part of the week and, believe me, I'm not complaining. I like it when my life is filled with activity and variety and I've been trying hard to fill my days with things to do.

Last Friday, my library friend Sherry hosted a wonderful tea party at her home. Guests included current and former employees of the library where we used to work (Sherry retired in March) and it was terrific seeing everyone again. Sherry did a remarkable job setting a beautiful table and serving perfectly steeped tea and wonderful little sandwiches, fruit, chocolate dipped strawberries, tea cakes and a scrumptous trifle. Yum.

Rick and I spent Saturday evening driving the 35 miles north to visit my cousin Ina, The Moose Buyer. We had dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant and spent the evening chatting about family, retirement and future plans.

Sunday was golf lesson day and, after our lessons, we spent a little time at the driving range practicing. While stepping out of the golf cart, I heard an unusual and terrifying sound eminate from my right calf and then the pain started. Ouch! The rest of Sunday and then all of Monday I spent trying to nurse my leg back to health.

Yesterday, Rick and I decided to go out on an afternoon date so we went to the movies to see the new "Indiana Jones" movie. We got to see it on a gi-normous former IMAX screen which made the action even more intense and dramatic. That, of course, made Rick a very happy boy!

Today Sherry and I spent the day together at our local zoo. It was a nice walk amongst the animals and it gave me a chance to try and stretch out my still-hurting calf muscle. Here are a few photos from our excursion:

Tomorrow it's off to the stores with my friend Judy to look for a dress for a wedding Rick and I are attending in three weeks. Wish me luck!

Calling the Computer Gods

2008-05-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

OK...I knew I spoke too soon about my self-repaired desktop computer. So, yes...we still have a working computer...graphics and all images. We can still do research, send and read email, blog, and most everything else. Unfortunately, when I went to watch a short video online today, there was suddenly no sound. Yep...just like the silent movies from the early 20th century minus the music track...total silence. Since I can't remember when the last time I listened to anything online and since I never use our computer to listen to CDs, I have no idea when our sound disappeared.

So now I get to figure out if I can fix the damn quiet. I'm hoping all it will take will be a re-install of the audio driver but then it might be hardware and is it really worth sinking more money into a 4-year old desktop? What do you think?

In Search of the Golfing Gods

2008-05-27T19:33:00.001-07:00

Warning...if you have absolutely no interest in the game of golf, avoid reading this post because I guarantee you that my life at the moment is nothing but golf...golf, golf, golf!

So...how anxious was the golf manufacturer to get my clubs shipped to me so they could start charging my credit card? Well...when we returned from Carlsbad on Thursday, the first shipment (driver and woods) was already sitting on our porch waiting for us. On Friday, my putter and new hybrid club arrived and on Sunday I finally got up the courage to unpack the two boxes and put my new clubs in my nearly new golf bag.

Yesterday, Rick and I went over to the driving range and each of us hit a large bucket of balls. Sigh... There's nothing more frustrating than watching your golf balls go left, go right, squibble in front of you, bounce out of the grass tee box. I've said all along that my problems have nothing to do with the equipment...it's my swing that keeps failing me.

Today the final shipment arrived (my irons and wedges) and I've promised Rick we will go back to the driving range on Thursday to practice some more. Mind you...I've taken golf lessons for nearly 20 years (OK...I admit it) but, when you only have a golf club in your hands for 30 minutes once a month, I guess you can't expect perfection.

And while I might be the ultimate duffer when it comes to golf, apparently I'm a heck of a computer technician because our desktop continues to perform flawlessly. Thank goodness I seem to have a talent for something constructive.

Carlsbad Ka-ching and More

2008-05-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

To continue our Carlsbad tale, Rick and I were fitted for new golf clubs on Wednesday. Rick really went down there with the idea of new irons and wedges and that's all he ordered. Still...the cost of his new clubs will basically be paid by President Bush and Congress thanks to their economic stimulus check which we will hopefully receive in a month or two. And, although I know I went with the thought of ordering some new clubs, I ended up ordering everything! That means new driver, fairway woods, irons and a putter....the cost? Well, let's just say Rick and I won't be going on any cruises for a while...a very long while.

So we came home on Thursday with pockets empty and what happens when I turn on our beloved 4-year-old desktop computer...yikes! The first attempt resulted in the monitor going black for a moment, coming back and then repeating the cycle over and over. I turned off the computer, tried again and the same thing happened...only much more frequently. Soon the display got all blocky and distorted followed by everything just freezing. Damn! All I could see was more money flowing out of our pockets at the thought of having to buy a new desktop after just spending so much money on something as frivolous as a set of new golf clubs.

Now I know zip when it comes to anything technical about our computer but being a librarian has taught me that a little bit of research can sometimes help what seems like a lost cause. So I got out my laptop and started searching for troubleshooting solutions. I soon discovered that it sounded like my graphics card was failing and, lucky me, when I went to our local computer mega-store, I discovered that my $55 graphics card was on sale for $50 plus they were offering a $40 rebate. What did I have to lose?

So today I went through all the basic troubleshooting steps in Safe Mode including using System Recovery. When nothing else seemed to cure the problem, Rick and I opened up the chassis (I think that's what it's called) and easily replaced the graphics card. And the result? Well, I'm composing this post on our desktop so, at least for the moment, I think everything is fixed.

I have to admit that I'm pretty proud of myself and, most of all, I'm relieved to know that I can enjoy my new golf clubs without feeling guilty for spending way too much money. Whew!

Happy Birthday Rick...and Cher

2008-05-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

Yep...today is Rick's birthday and he always likes to tell folks that he and Cher share the same exact birthday...day and year. He also likes to admit that Cher looks a heck of a lot better than he does but that a little "nip and tuck" would certainly help him "turn back time" too.

We had a lovely day here in Carlsbad. First we ate breakfast at our very nice hotel and then headed off to a local course for a round of very frustrating golf...sigh. That was followed by an outdoor lunch at an Armenian cafe across the street from the beach. We then drove south along the coast to the northern part of the city of San Diego before getting on the freeway and heading back north to our hotel. After taking a very short nap, we went out for a lovely dinner at a high-end Steak and Seafood restaurant and they were kind enough to treat Rick to a Creme Brulee dessert to celebrate his big day...yum! Then we stopped at a local Starbucks for a relaxing cup of decaf and now we're back in our room watching a little television and playing on the computer.

Tomorrow is our big golf club fitting day. It supposedly takes 90 minutes of hitting golf balls over and over until they have all the measurements they need to proclaim the best set of clubs (irons and woods) for you. Rick originally thought we could play golf afterwards but I've put my foot down. No way am I going to hit golf balls for that amount of time and then spend another 4 hours doing the same on a golf course!

We leave Carlsbad on Thursday and I've told Rick I might be willing to stop and play a round of golf somewhere between here and home. What can I say...I'm a glutton for punishment.

The Sun Rises in BlogLand

2008-05-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Can it really be more than two months since my last post? I never intended to take a respite from blogging but a bit of depression came my way and suddenly I just couldn't find the energy to turn on my computer and blog. In fact, for a while I couldn't find the energy to do just about anything. Slowly though, I found the will to resume my daily life and activities and now I've found the will to come back to BlogLand. To be honest, I've been lurking out there for a couple of weeks now trying to catch up on what's been happening with all my blog friends and I want to thank those of you who expressed your concerns about my whereabouts in comments on this blog and my sister Lynn's blog. Hopefully there won't be any more of these sudden disappearing acts again.

So what have I been doing since the beginning of March? Here's a quick overview of what I did on my blogging "vacation":

Worked just a little at my part-time Library job at the beginning of my absence
Attended a retirement party for 7 (yes, 7) librarian friends I've known for many years
Attended our friends' daughter's wedding
Spent 5 days in Palm Desert playing golf with Rick (yep, golf)
Played golf with Rick several times at local golf courses
Attended the Los Angeles Times' Festival of Books
Attended a bridal shower for the future daughter-in-law of a friend
Took my mom to several doctor appointments at our HMO (she's having hypertension issues at the moment)
Took my mom to our weekly Arthritis Aquatics class at the YMCA

Now Rick and I are getting ready to spend a few days in Carlsbad playing golf and being fitted for new golf clubs at one of the well-known golf manufacturers in the area. We're leaving tomorrow morning but I'm planning to take my laptop so hopefully you'll hear all about our golfing vacation while it's actually happening. And why have I suddenly decided to invest what seems like quite a bit of time on golf courses with Rick? Well...it's his birthday on Tuesday and my gift to him this year is a promise to golf more often with him. Now I'm only hoping I can continue this golfing madness once his birthday passes. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Good Things Come to an End

2008-03-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

I realize it's been nearly a week since I last posted and, once again, I apologize for my absence. Last week was a tough week and I am still trying to recover from the emotional turmoil which resulted from two very different experiences. While one is something I can and want to share, the other is still too painful to relate...maybe soon.

On Thursday, I helped teach the very last training session for the Library's antiquated computer system. That marks the end of a 19-year run of classes I helped develop in 1989 when I was asked to serve on a little 6-week committee to write the policies for the new computer system. That little committee was then asked to extend its life to train the staff at the first 5 pilot libraries. Then, my very dear friend and co-committee member Harriett and I were asked to stay on to train all 1500+ full and part-time staff. Those were exciting and thrilling days and I look back upon those classes with the fondest of memories. Sadly, my time at Headquarters came to an end when a budget crunch required me to return to my community library as a reference librarian after a few years.

Then 2 1/2 years ago, I was asked to come back from retirement to help train when the Training Unit was down to just one lone trainer. I gladly accepted and, once again, the excitement was back. Two new trainers were hired while I was there and now the Library is moving forward with the installation of a new computer system in June. Plans are underway to train the entire staff on a new computer system once again and the two new trainers, along with library staff from the field, will have the fun of teaching it all.

So Thursday's last day was a bittersweet experience for me. I'm happy that the Library is finally getting the much needed new technology but, at the same time, I am sad to see our legacy disappear. Most sadly, Harriett is not here to watch our "baby" end. She passed away a few years ago from cancer and, on Thursday, her loss was felt by all of us who shared our training experiences with her during her many years as the head of the Training Unit. I know she would be excited to see the progress of the Library's new upcoming system and would bid our old training program goodbye with a smile on her face. Good things eventually come to an end.

My Closet Is Not a Barometer

2008-02-26T07:17:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I had this sudden desire to clean out my closet. Yes, I know it was my birthday but maybe it was all about facing a new age with a clean slate. I started trying on clothes and filled two large bags with things to take to the thrift shop. I was a little surprised that, after all that work, I had so little to dispose of but I guess two bags with shirts, pants, sweaters and dresses are better than nothing. The other thing I did was organize all my clothes. Since it was cold and rainy all last week, I placed my long-sleeved shirts and pants towards the center in easy reach and relegated all my summer wear to the back. Wrong move! The rain is gone, the cool temperatures are a thing of the past and today it's supposed to be in the 80's with the sun shining brightly. Sigh...

This week is actually filled with activity so there won't be much time to tackle the next closet project...the growing stacks of shoe boxes. Yesterday I took Mom to the YMCA; today I have to shop for an outfit to go with the hat I bought for Saturday's bridal shower tea party since the weather has suddenly warmed and my planned outfit is too wintry; tomorrow and Thursday I work. This is the kind of week I look forward to...there's no groping for things to do to occupy my time. Sadly, my little part-time job with the Library is coming to an end and I will need to focus on finding something else to do to fill up the hours...there's only so much shopping I can do. Suggestions???

AKA Birthday Girl

2008-02-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

Yes...today is my birthday and this year it all seems to revolve around food. Yesterday I took my mom out for lunch as a thank you for creating my birthday; last night Rick and I went out for Japanese food. After church tonight, the two of us will probably go to our favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant to celebrate. Then tomorrow evening it's a birthday dinner with Lynn, her family, Mom and, of course, Rick at an Italian restaurant near Lynn's house. Sigh...by the time this birthday weekend is over, I'll definitely be another year older AND will probably weigh a whole lot more. How's that for a double whammy!

Happy Birthday George

2008-02-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

In case any of you have forgotten, today is George Washington's birthday. Poor George. Until 1971, our country celebrated his birthday with much fanfare...many businesses and government offices closing for the day, newspapers and television networks reporting on the special celebratory events, annual recitations of his many accomplishments and importance to our country in schools across our nation. And now poor George's birthday has been relegated to just a normal week day while a general celebration for all our nation's leaders is celebrated one week earlier on President's Day. How sad.

For me, George's birthday has and will always remain special. On February 22, 19??, my parents were at a birthday party for one of their friends when suddenly the first pangs of labor made their presence known to Mom. Borrowing a friend's car (my folks had yet to buy one), my dad drove Mom to the hospital where I was born in the wee hours of the next morning. Because George's birthday fell on a Sunday that year and it was still considered a national holiday (now don't you go looking at a perpetual calendar to figure out what year I was born), my dad and most of the country had that Monday off with plenty of time to celebrate my birth.

So on this important day of celebration, all I want to do is wish everyone a "very happy George Washington's birthday."

That Was the Week That Was

2008-02-16T08:03:00.001-08:00

I haven't been online most of this week and, when I looked, I realized that it's been 7 days since I last posted. Shame on me. Chalk it up to a fairly busy week plus a little bit of blogging blues. Here is my week in a nutshell:

Monday: Work 7 hours
Tuesday: Work 7 hours
Wednesday: Take Mom to the YMCA for aquatics arthritis class and then lunch
Thursday: Attend the Northern Trust Open golf tournament
Friday: Shop for a hat for a bridal shower tea
Today: Blog!

The highlight of this week was most definitely Thursday. Rick and I started attending the Los Angeles Open golf tournament (it's had many names in the past several years) in 1987 when, for my birthday, I decided I wanted to be able to check off "attend a golf tournament" on my very own personal "Bucket List." Except for a few inclement weeks during the past 21 years, we've been pretty consistent attendees. This year, however, we attended in high style thanks to the generosity of our friend JAM's son-in-law.

When we decided to attend this year's tournament, we invited JAM to accompany us. JAM was kind enough to ask her SIL, who is the President of an international media company, to see if he could arrange to find tickets for us through any one of the tournament sponsors. SIL came through with flying colors as he was able to get us tickets through the major sponsor of this year's tournament. These tickets not only granted us entrance to the Riviera Country Club but also gave us clubhouse access PLUS access to the Panorama Suite where the sponsor provided stadium seating above the 18th green as well as an incredible buffet of wonderful food and drinks in the ballroom of the clubhouse.

First we had breakfast in the Club's dining room. Then we wandered the course watching all the different golfers driving, hitting, chipping, putting. For lunch, we walked back to the clubhouse and sat in the ballroom and munched on a wonderful buffet lunch assortment. Then it was back out to the course for a while followed by a return visit to the ballroom where we enjoyed superb afternoon appetizers. Exhausted (I'm not sure if it was from all the walking or all the eating), we finally left the tournament in the late afternoon.

And the great thing about this year's golf experience? We get to do it all again tomorrow since JAM's SIL secured us tickets for Sunday's final round. Rick and I are not used to living this high income type of life but we're thinking we certainly could get used to it.

We Have Liftoff

2008-02-09T09:01:00.001-08:00

Will wonders never cease?!?!? As I am sitting here composing this post, Rick is sitting in the kitchen busily searching the Internet for golf club information. "How?" you might ask. He is actually using my one-year old Silver Wonder laptop computer for the very first time. Amazing!