Ho Ho HO !!!

Here we are....4 days 'til Christmas and I still haven't done all the stuff I need to do!!

We have had a couple of fun events here in the building....Last Tuesday evening the cub scouts came to serenade us with carols...they are so darned cute.,..They love to come here because they can eat all the cookies they want. They always bring us little gifts they have made...this year it was a holiday tree decoration.

then on Thursday it was bingo night and I won the "big" pot...it was 14.50, actually - which bolstered up my quarter supply quite a bit. Gotta have those quarters to do the laundry you know. Friday was lunch out at the Olive Garden in South Center. There were nine of us and it was fun...and tasty.

Sunday was the evening Michael came to treat us. He, as you may recall, is the fellow who comes to treat us with a light buffet abnd a ton of groceries to pack home...,.I understand that he also provided the big TV in the social room....quite a magnificent fellow ! We had lots to choose from - everything from produce to candy...it was amazing!

So-----now, I am off to volunteer today - then do a bit of shopping and home to sew - and sew - and sew! I will be spending the night at Joceyn's house on Christmas Eve and everyone else will be there on the Day! Very best wishes for you all for a Merry Christmas...probably won't see you until next year!

It's Friday - again!!

Hello, everyone....Don't have a lot to report this time, but am trying to be more communicative and thus post more often .

Saturday, Dian came and within an hour and a half had my apartment all cleaned up! Boy it sure does feel good....we celebrated by going down to Sam's Club and came home with a great wreath (among other things, of course) which she installed in my window along with the one string of lights I have...so now I am presenting the Christmas spirit for all to see! Very festive!!

Marcia came down on Sunday and took me to lunch at the Snoqualamie casino buffet. She had a two-for - one coupon -- and it was a wonderful treat. Of course we stayed to play a while - and Dian joined us - and I ended up with a nickle more than I brought....not bad, huh??!! It was fun!!

On Tuesday, Dian and Marcia and Jocelyn and Brooke & Grayson joined me for dinner...being's how that day would have been Mort's 82ND birthday.....then Dian and Marcia took off for the airport for the red-eye flight to New Hampshire to visit Susie. They arrived safely and they are having a good time back there. They will be home Monday afternoon...so it is a short trip.

Yesterday I finally got Fritz to the groomer....his hair was way too long and was getting matted as well as messy in the rear end area, if you know what I mean....He is now beautiful again and is sleeping off the trauma today

With Christmas just two weeks away, I am frantically trying to finish up all my projects. I swear I start them with plenty of time to spare and then here I am - frantic again....All of which tells me that I had best get to gettin' instead of writing on my blog!

Snow is gone!

Thank goodness for that....I do not like the snow much!!!!

Thanksgiving was really nice..we were all there except Susie, Alex and Scott & Leanna and their family...We tried to skype Susie but they were having network problems....so weren't able to stay on the line for much time -but enough to say Hi and they were able to see Grayson and we could see all of them.....boy those kids have grown since I last saw them! Marcia and Dian are making the trip back there for a few days...should be an awesome trip for them. They leave Tuesday night.

Big news in our family is that Jocelyn will be traveling to Germany In February for six months or so. I am so excited for her - and so proud of her. T-Mobile will be sending her there so she can train her German counterpart in whatever it is that she does for T-Mobile,....sorry I don't quite know exactly what that is! but I know she has saved the company tons of money. whatever - I am proud!!

As a matter of fact, I am extremely proud of ALL of my kids! They all seems to excelling in their jobs...they have happy marriages (those who are married) , wonderful kids and seem generally happy in their lives....I couldn't ask for more than that, could I?!!

:I tripped the not so light fantastic again (ie..fell down) last week....I get so angry at myself when that happens - not to mention embarrassed . twisted my ankle a bit and had a bruise or two but otherwise did not suffer any damage, I sure do have good bones! I hear rumblings about needing a walker but I am ignoring them for now....but I suppose I will not be able to ignore them forever!

I have a friend - named Sharon - who lives in the building here. She is confined to a wheel chair -actually it is a Scooter - and she is quite large, so it is difficult for her to get out much. We communicate via computer usually....and I sometimes see her down in the social room. We are going to have Mexican food for lunch on Monday.....she can drive her scooter and I will walk along - She obviously doesn't get out much so - providing it doesn't rain - we will make the trip....should be fun.

I actually got my Christmas stuff down to see what I had....not much, any more....I do have my front door decorated and a couple candles and some lights to put up in my bedroom window and I will call it done.

We have Bingo tonight...so guess I will wander down....Hope there are ore than 5 people there!!

Excitement in the Hall!!

The fire truck came rolling in - red lights a flashing! Wasn't followed by an aid car....The driver got into his fire gear....but no alarms are going off....I hear them in "my" hall... open the door and there is a big old blower going - aimed down the hall - and the fireman said something about apartment 102 - where there is a severely disabled man living - and the smoke smell is definitely in the air!!....Wonder what's next?! wonder if I will ever know??!!

In the meantime, the snow is coming down in buckets!! It was just "spitting" this morning when I took Fritz out...but now it is full fledged snow! Guess I am confined to indoors today....I will let Fritz out to do his business, but I will stay inside holding his leash. This weather is beautiful but I do NOT like it one little bit.

Well, the firemen are packing up their truck....crisis averted, I guess.

I went to the quincinera on the 13Th....it was quite interesting! It was supposed to start at 4pm but didn't get going until after 4:30....I honestly don't think it would have come out as well as it did if not for the Mortland girls!!! We were kept busy from the time we got there until it actually happened. Karina ( the honoree) looked absolutely beautiful in her lovely white gown which Dian purchased and Marcia altered so it wouldn't be so "wedding dressish" She had 5 attendants but there were only 4 there...when it was all over, the 5Th one had appeared and joined the party. Jocelyn decided the room didn't look"festive" enough...so proceeded to place balloons all over the place - which helped a LOT....A family friend did Karina's hair and Brooke did her makeup....The food was decidedly Mexican....right up to the cake - which was a "milk cake" .... so good. Evidently they bake the basic cake and it comes out quite thin...then they pour sweetened evaporated milk, whole milk and half & half on it - which causes it to rise...Usually they pour rum all over that - but in this case it was rum flavoring. The centerpieces were smaller cakes and then there was a big one...We were told we could take the centerpieces home so I took one..I did not realize what kind of cake it was then....once I took a bite I knew and started to worry a bit since I had taken my cake down to the Seahawk game viewing here in the social room...Those who tried it said it was good.....and it was - if you like that sort of thing!!

A week ago, were had a residents' meeting. There was the head honcho from SHAG (Senior Housing Assistance Group) who passed out some surveys we were to complete and turn in...then there was a person versed in security who showed us all sorts of alarms we could carry while walking in the park at night....so....I bought a " shrieker" and it sure does shriek!! I can attach it to my grocery shopping cart, put it in my purse and if anyone gets the idea they want to grab my bag, a big noise will come for their efforts. :-)

Last Friday night we had our Thanksgiving dinner here in the building...it was potluck and there was turkey prepared by our building manager....it was quite crowded - and fun as well.

I have two new neighbors....next door is a woman named Lindsey who has sustained some sort of injury I guess She does walk around - sometimes limping and sometimes not....peeking into the window,k there seems to be a lot of unpacked stuff....also peeking into her car there is also a lot of stuff....I think I have been watching too many "Hoarders" shows! Across the hall is a nice lady named Carol....don't have too much info on her yet - she just moved in yesterday.

Well...Thursday is Thanksgiving, already....we will be at Dian's home and I am looking forward to it....We'll miss Susie - but can skype her so she will almost be there....I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.....and count your blessing! I know I will.....

Crazy November weather!

It is beautiful out this morning... Prediction is for rain...guess one must dress in layers these days..When I turn the heat on here in my apartment, I just barely turn it up...in no time it is too warm and I have to open the door to let in some coolness....

The river has gotten high with all the rain happening lately. I think most of the fish are gone now - it is hard to see them with the water all dusky from the speed of the current. There were three more dead ones on the sidewalk yesterday...guess the seagulls pull them up out of the water. It is gross!! I guess further down the river are where the larger fish are and where it smells bad.

The beautiful trees have lost most of their leaves. The Renton Park Department does a wonderful job of blowing them up and disposing of them . Wet leaves tend to get slippery. My biggest complaint s that whenever Fritz leaves a "deposit" I have a hard time seeing it...leaves are sorta the same color,.,..lol! It is especially bad at night now that daylight savings time is over..and I pack a flashlight when I go out now and even that doesn't always help..... Oh the problems of the aged!!!!!

Saturday Jocelyn and I took a trip to the casino.....I didn't win anything, but did partake of the wonderful buffet which consisted of lots of crab AND a lobster tail...Boy that was good!!

This weekend is our family friend's Quincenera....Hope I spelled it correctly. She is turning 15 this month and it is Mexican tradition that this party is thrown for her to celebrate her ascension into womanhood...Marcia is doing most of the organizing for this and the rest of us are contributing one thing or another to the event. It will be hugely interesting.l I have never been to one of these...let alone heard of it. Should be fun. Karina is a wonderful young girl whom we have known since she was born. I consider her another granddaughter!! I'll let you all know all about it next post.

This past weekend was the building's annual fall bazaar. I had decided last year that I would make up a bunch of tote bags and try to sell them....well....so much for that idea...I am still on the first one....Merry Christmas everyone. !!

Gotta go....haven't had breakfast yet and it is 11AM!!

Happy Hallowe'en

Wow...November tomorrow..can you believe it? Not much is happening...the fish are still here and still dying..no smell yet though...A guy was taking photos of them this morning..

I continue to love my new digs....and so does Fritz! and my family! - they don't have to ring me up to let them into the building. That sliding glass door makes it seem more like I am living in a small house and not a big old building.

My current "panic" is that my TV remote control went out on me yesterday...The TV works fine..I was able to play a Netflix movie....just can't get the darn thing to move off of channel 22! Jocelyn is coming over today and will look at it....I just might need to call my son-in-law Jeff back in New Hampshire...he's the one who fixed it so well when he was here over a year ago...What I really want is a new flat Screen.....that will have to wait a while however - unless this one conks out on me....We brought this one up from Seaside....so it is probably 8-10 years old...amazing it is still going, huh?! Oh yes...I DID replace the batteries...so it is not that! And it turns the thing on....

Today, we are going to the grand opening of a Grocery Outlet store, here in Renton. Should be able to score some bargains there!!

I am really enjoying the audio books Jocelyn put on my computer...She did two of them....Labor Day and Room....I am in to Labor Day right now...Room was fantastic!!

I am trying to sew these days...have patterns for several tote bags and - wouldn't you know -I picked the most difficult one to start out on !! At first I was going to make all of these bags to sell at the building's annual bazaar....well...that happens next week...so much for that idea!

Think I will get to sewing now.....perhaps the remote knows I have all of this to do and that's why it went out????? highly doubt it! Talk to you next month~!

Still Here!

The fish, I mean....they are still here and dying like crazy...watching them is mesmerizing....I suspect we will smell 'em this year...There are two very fat seagulls feasting out there..

So...what else is going on here? not much, actually. Went to the doctor last week for my 3 month check-up...all is well there, fortunately...Susie went home on the 10Th..sure didn't seem like she was here long enough....the days flew by!!

On Monday, we went to the casino on the bus the casino sent....I had a good time, although the machines were not as nice to me as the black-jack table was.....and even that wasn't much...came home $30 lighter than when I started.l...so I guess that wasn't as bad as it could have been . I had fun....so $30 isn't that much for entertainment...huh?!

That night, I woke up at 1:30 am with my feet burning and paining...Had to get up and take some pills and then wait for them to kick in so watched some TIVO and got back to bed at 3...didn[t wake up until 11! This was a problem, once I realized it was Tuesday and I had to be volunteering at noon-30!! So I called in "late" and got up to walk Fritz, eat breakfast and get dressed...not necessarily in that order;. Finally made it there at 1:30...only an hour late. I have come to the conclusion that my feet rarely do this to me unless I have spent the day mostly on my feet...It happened when I went to the mall with the girls a couple of weeks ago too. so....watch it not happen next time I am on my feet for a day...I HATE my feet!! On the other hand I NEED my feet so guess I better be more aware of what causes this dreadful neuropathy..

Nothing exciting scheduled for this week coming up.....I have decided to venture into the sewing mode....I am making a tote bag and, of course I had to pick a complicated one to start with. I will be really cool when - and if - it is done.....talk to you later.

The fish are back!!

Yep...,they're back....it seems like there are more of them than last year...I learned that the salmon head up to the fish ladder at the dam - deposit their eggs, and head back downstream to eventually die...what a way to live!!! The fisheries folks say they have collected more eggs than ever this year..wonder why?!

Steve, Marcia and I made the trip down to Seaside for our friend Tracey's funeral...It actually was an Elks service and held in the lodge hall. It was packed!!! I saw a lot of friends..which is nice...but we only stayed for a while since we had to head back the same day..Took Fritz along with us and he did well...as usual. He is used to riding on long trips - he went with us on our now famous road trip around the country. Anyhow, it was great to spend some time with those two kids.

A couple of Fridays ago, we had a fire alarms testing throughout the morning. For some reason I could not get to sleep that night, so I got up and watched a couple of TV shows on the tivo...and finally got back to bed around3:30...then...at5:30, the alarm went on,...and , since there are not supposed to be any fire drills, we have been told that when that happens we need to leave the building...so I donned my pink robe, hooked up Fritz and out we went...to mingle with other old folks in various night clothes....Finally a fire truck came...and the firemen sauntered into the building...and back out again a few moments later...and the noise stopped. Come to find out, there was a glitch in the alarms they were testing during the morning.,,,.in any case, I decided to stay up...turned on the TV (which I rarely do in the morning) and got started on a marathon of (I still don't believe it!) America's Next top Model....I was so rummy I watched the whole darn thing....with breaks to take Fritz out, of course....Boy o boy!! Did sleep well the next night, however......that was really something.

Next Tuesday, Susie arrives....I am so excited to see her..She hasn't seen my new apartment. She will love it...she hasn't met Grayson yet, and she will love him as well.She is only here until Sunday morning.....not nearly long enough!!

We are having our annual apartment inspections this month...first floor is next Thursday,...so I must get this place whipped into shape...talk to you later.

Hello!!

Hello again...I know it has been a long time since my last post...I am sorry about that....Now that my fingernails are a bit shorter it will be easier for me to type...lame excuse,huh?!

We had Labor Day party downstairs...SHAG provided the hot dogs and we brought the other stuff to go with them. There was quite an array of stuff, believe me! We were supposed to tell about memorable Labor Days we had lived through...Since they weren't all that memorable, it was difficult to come up with something. Buying school shoes was always a chore on that day... particularly for Dian and Steve...shoes in her size were not "cute" and in his size hard to find since his feet was so narrow ( and long!) One year we were between houses and we spent the weekend camping - and had to find shoes then!Not so fond memories!! Anyhow, that story won me a prize - a big coffee mug!

Then I got the news that a dear friend of ours in Seaside had passed away...such a shock that was. He - along with his companion, Jan - was in the Elks with Mort...and in the Cannon Beach Chorus with me...Tomorrow, Steve and Marcia are going with me down to Seaside for his memorial service at the Elks...a trip I wish I didn't have to make...My heart aches for Jan and for Pat (his mother),,,,I can't imagine how awful it must be for Pat. We are not supposed to lose our children like that!! I think he was only in his late 50's...way too young to die!

Today we have had a bit of a respite from the rain...it is quite nice out actually. Hope this holds for tomorrow but I really doubt if it will....

Well - I have a Netflix Movie to watch...talk to you later.

You never know, do you?!

You surely never do know what the day is going to hold for you! So - Saturday we went for lunch to celebrate Brooke's birthday.....she loved the sock,by the way...we were in South- Center which has certainly changed a lot since the last time I was there (5 years ago when I lost my car in the parking lot and swore I would never go back!!) After lunch, Dian, Jocelyn and I decided to go to Nordstrom and do a little shopping. Then we decided to go over to the "Rack" to hunt some bargains...The curb in front of the store is a bit high and I (also known as the klutz!) tripped and fell smack dab on my face...My nose bled like a stuck pig!! A usual when this happens, I was unable to get up on my own and Jocelyn and a kind stranger helped me up while Dian ran into the store to get a chair...which she did....and she was caught on the security cameras and store security people ran out to see what the heck she was going to do with that chair! As I look back on it - that was really funny!! Anyhow, they decided they needed to call 911 and up came a fire truck and an aid car...so embarrassing.....Upshot was that I didn't need to go to the hospital and would be okay...biggest injury was to my pride, I think....didn't even break my nose...did have some right knee scrape but that's about it! I sure do have strong bones!! Now - to the relief of my family - I am taking the cane out whenever I walk Fritz!! (except in the rain when I need the umbrella...can't handle the cane, the leash and the umbrella at the same time)

Yesterday was time for my annual mammogram...and - once again - all is well...I was not worried but all the same it is a relief!

That's about it for now....talk to you later..

Time's a Flyin'

Today is my oldest grand-daughter's birthday...She is now 29 years old AND a mom! How in the world did that happen?? She is special to me because she and her mom lived with us for a while when she was first born...A beautiful red headed child - and, guess what! - she still is!!

This last week was fairly uneventful...no drama out my window. Nice weather for the most part, so the ladies gathered at the river most evenings. On Friday last week, Dian and I went to the Muckleshoot (sp??) casino. I did fairly well...only took $20 in and came out with $53! nice, huh?!Love it when that happens!

Spent most of the week working on Brooke's birthday gift....I made her a Christmas Stocking for Grayson....It is felt with a ton of sequins and beads and is a little drummer boy. My eyes are not good enough for sequins and beads, believe me! It was truly a struggle...but I made it! I think we are doing lunch today.

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Marcia has had a difficult week or 10 days.....Her Husband collided with Isai ( a three year old they have bonded with) and fell on his (Isai's) head and on his (Doug's) tailbone....There were several skull fractures and lots of trauma....Isai ended up in Harborview Hospital in Seattle and now he is over at Children's for Physical Therapy. Prognosis is pretty good...but complete healing will take a long time. This child is a real pistol...he is never still...and he is not too happy with his situation! Poor Marcia has had to be there for Isai's mom to listen to the doctors so that she gets the right information, since mom's principle language is Spanish. And she also has to tend to her hubby and his sore tail bone and guilty feelings over the accident...so her hands have been full....I think both patients are doing well now. I still can feel my tail bone once in a while and that injury was when I was a teen!!!!

Well...I need to take a picture of the sock, since all the "river ladies" wanted to see it....

It's HOT!

Yes..it is finally hot around here.. Fortunately my apartment is fairly cool for the most part. I really don't do too well when it is really hot...tend to stay in and complain.

Dian and her family got home from England Thursday night...they had a great time but are happy to be home...and I am really glad they are back...I missed 'em!

Marcia and Jocelyn catered a "commitment ceremony" up in Monroe on Saturday....so Friday we got together to help with the prep and to celebrate Dian's birthday Went to dinner at Vino's where Brooke works...it was wonderful...then we went up to the dollar store, goodwill store, and Saar's Market for supplies...next to Fred Myer to find outfits for them to wear - which we did - and then I begged out of going any further and had to come home...I have a lot less stamina these days. I dislike that a whole bunch!! They worked until 2AM and then they went up to Monroe to finish the function the next day. I hear it went off well and the customers were really happy with the food...they are quite talented in this area....I am really proud of them.

Yesterday there was an ice cream social downstairs and - of course - I went. It was really nice. We were all supposed to bring toppings and SHAG provided the ice cream.,..there were some interesting toppings,.,..the usual chocolate, strawberry and caramel...along with stewed cherries, apple pie spice flavored pureed apples, apple pie fillings, various nuts, candies, pineapple, marshmallow,.....on and on. It was pretty neat...I was actually sort of worried what all of this would do to my blood sugar...but not worried enough to not "imbibe".....didn't seem to bother it at all....thank you very much!!!

Today must get my nails done...one popped off while I was doing laundry last week....also going to lunch with one of the ladies here....so....have a good week, everyone..I will talk with you later.

Evacuate!!

Boy, we had some excitement last night! About 9:33 nor so,the fire alarms started screeching and blowing like they do...I stuck my head out the door to the hall and was told to get out of the building. So, I hitched up Fritz and went out through my sliding glass door..... Soon the parking lot was full of residents in various stages of nightwear. Of course rumors flew around - mostly that there was a fire on the second floor. Once we heard that, of course, we thought we smelled smoke...One fire engine came and two firemen got out in full gear..,.,it was curious to me that there was only one fire engine and only two firemen.,,...when the guy broke the toilet, that rated two trucks, a pickup and an ambulance! Of course we were worried about the folks in wheelchairs and otherwise impaired....they finally started to trickle out...,.All the time the alarms were going...and all the dogs except Fritz were in panic mode. It was difficult to hang on to them.,.,.Old fritz was completely unfazed by it all....more folks to pet him, was his thought!!

Come to find out it was a glitch in the sprinkler system,....no fire.....we could go back home.....and slowly and surely we did. Ella, the manager asked if I would make sure all was well on my hallway...along with my next door neighbor. Even tho' I don't know most of those folks yet, I agreed..... Then the next door lady knocked on the door and said we needed to check every four hours...was she kidding me? check what? I said okay and got ready for bed. Then, around 2:30 AM, there was a knock on my door (which I didn't hear but Fritz did) and it was next door Mary....all seemed well, she said so I could go to bed....thanks a lot! That's where I was!! Of course, I went back to bed and could not fall asleep.....so I got up again and turned on the TIVO and zoned out on a couple of shows and finally got to sleep at 4AM...So here it is - almost noon - and I have not had breakfast yet. I hate it when this happens - which it seems to be happening oftener these days.

I have friend two doors down who was in Fred Myer parking lot ...stepped out into a crosswalk, and got hit by a truck! Knocked her down and, miraculously (sp??) did not break any bones....but LOTS of internal bruising - putting her into a lot of pain and difficulty in breathing - She spent one night in the hospital and came home.....had to be taken back to the hospital the next day and came home again the same day....she is in some serious pain. She made her way down to the river - God only knows how! On the way back I could see she wasn't going to make4 it on her own.l...so I went and got a wheelchair (they keep 3 of them by the door for just this purpose ) and, with the help of another friend got her back to her apartment,,....All this happened yesterday afternoon. Needless to say last night's excitement she really didn't need !

That's life in the "old Folks" home for today.....Hopefully, today will be quieter!!!

Feast or Famine

I tell you! Its either feast or famine as far as news goes....this time it is feast, so sit back and relax...here goes...

Last week, about 1AM, I woke up to a huge vehicle passing my window...and, Gladys Kravits that I am, I had to get up and see what that was...it was a huge fire engine....It was there for about a half hour and went on its way....then - the next day, an aid car came roaring in and they carted a lady in a pink sweater off,,....don't know who it was - all I know it wasn't any of my friends....On Saturday up came a huge fire engine, followed by another one, followed by a white pick-up truck belonging to the fire dept., and then followed by an aid car...Turned out a gentleman on the 2nd floor fell in his bathroom and - BROKE his toilet! The water finally started seeping down to the first floor apartment underneath and those folks called the manager - who called 911. They pumped the water out, turned off the water to the toilet, took the man to the hospital and about 2 hours later they all went away. (If you are wondering who Gladys Kravits is - she was the nosy neighbor on the Bewitched television show way back when)

Last Friday, I took Fritz to the groomer and boy does he look cute...just like a toy dog. He seems to be happy with it too....it is much cooler for him..and he isn't shedding anymore,.

Then the next day, Dian, Nigel, Brandon and a friend of Brandon's, took off for three weeks in the British Isles...to see Nigel's family. They were so excited to see everyone...they are having a great time.

Then Sunday, Marcia, Karina and I took Dian's car and drove down to Seaside. We stayed with my friend Eileen Hall and her wonderful dog Ichibon....What a superb hostess she is!!! I took Fritz, of course and the dogs got along just fine. Ichi is a Japanese Chin/Poodle mix just like Kimo was....She looks eerily like Kimo. The purpose of the trip was to go to a party for the director of the Cannon Beach Chorus who resigned the post. It was so good to see her as well as all my friends in the chorus....I had a WONDERFUL time, needless to say. Since I still cannot sing, I couldn't get up and sing with them - a huge bummer!! We came home Tuesday with a stop at a friend's house in Gearhart...took us all day ( we did get a late start, I must confess) but the traffic was dreadful on I-5.

Then yesterday evening there was a free picnic for anyone who wanted to come down at the park....so a few of us went..It was put on by a North Renton civic club of some sort...they served hot dogs (actually they were polish dogs) and there were lots of pot luck things like salads and deserts....It was really nice. Next Tuesday the Renton Police put another one on in our park! We will definitely go! The price is surely right..

Well...that about sums it up...if I have forgotten anything, I will include it next post. Have a great couple of weeks...hope the sun is shining for you.

Sorry...

I have neglected you-all and I am really sorry about that. I just haven't had a whole lot happening this month. That being said, yesterday a young fellow climbed the fence on the river side of the building and entered the manager's apartment (no less) He then tried to get in next door but the dogs in there raised such a fuss - and - he saw someone watching him so he left..next he Tried the street side and someone else saw him so he took his girl friend and went across the street to the library area....Needless to say all the little old ladies were in a bit of a panic.... What I don't understand is why no one called the police ????? I'll probably never know!

I am enjoying my little patio....Jocelyn brought me a chair to sit in - and that is great. I love to sit out there and watch the folks coming and going. We decided one of the bushes needed to come out and she said she would be over Saturday with A shovel....Since this isn't my property, I decided to ask the manager.....she came out and looked and said no problem - she got Jimmy (the maintenance guy) to do it - and it is done!!

This weekend is Renton River Days which takes place right across the street.....so I will most likely check it out. Tomorrow, Fritz goes to the beauty parlor for a trim. Also tomorrow, Dian and her family take off for England....that is so exciting.l They haven't been there since 2002 or so. Sunday, after she is finished working, Marcia and I are going down to Seaside. I have a party to go to Monday night and we will come home Tuesday. We are surely looking forward to this trip.......and then it will almost be August,already!!

Enjoy the summer weather.....

Finally!!

We finally have some decent weather! The fourth was really cold and wet...but fun all the same.

Steve and Sherrie came down and hung all my pictures and did several other "honey do's" and it now feels like home again. I decided not to hang all the pictures - mostly because I don't have the room. I think some of them were under the bed upstairs - left over from the old apartment - which had another room.Then we went over to Jocelyn's to visit and see baby Grayson...he is the cutest thing!! almost 20lbs now - a real hunk! Steve and Sherrie had to go home because they have several animals who get spooked by the fireworks noise coming off the Indian reservation they live by - particularly the horse....I stayed to watch the fireworks that night. When it started to rain they put up a couple of tent-like shelters and all of us brave fools huddled under those - ate our wonderful dinner - and ooed and ahhed once the fireworks started over at Coulon Park in Renton. I lasted about 3/4 of the way in and then gave up and came home. Just too cold!!

Car is working well, these days.. I am so thankful!

On Friday, the 2nd, it was Marcia's birthday. We met for dinner at a place called Vino's where Brooke has started working. It was really good - and really fun, as always is when we get together! It was also my brother-in-law John's birthday...he turned 92. He was always the one to extol the glory of going to heaven and let us know he could hardly wait....and here he is, the last one in his immediate family to live. He has had several bouts of pneumonia this last year - but come out of those quite well.....He has a pretty good memory too. I need to get over there to see him some time soon.

Well..I'd better get to gettin' .....Have a good week everyone!

I'm Here!!

Thanks to my three daughters and several family friends, I am in my new apartment...and I LOVE it here. I love not having to take the elevator every time I leave to go out...love being able to see the traffic coming into the apartment...love not living on top of the busy main street...love not hearing the fire engines wail every time they go out....Love being able to take Fritz out oftener because it is easier....etc., etc.

I am still looking for things, since they put stuff away as they found room. Everything is reversed so that is a bit confusing...fridge opens on the left side, for instance....cupboards also open differently...guess I am truly a creature of habit,huh!! Oh well, I will adjust.

While all the moving stuff was going on, I took Fritz and went to get my nails done and to purchase some new sheets and a shower curtain liner. Got back and they were nearly finished...I don't know what I would do if I didn't have those girls!!!!!

I have been having some car issues. I went out to Redmond to pick up some boxes from Marcia and when I went to go home, I could not get the key to turn in the ignition. Marcia called out a couple of guys who tried and they couldn't either. So I called trusty AAA who sent a traveling locksmith....AAA paid $50 of his bill and I had to pony up $95!! The guy got in the car and - whadda ya know - it started right up. He told me to bang it with the head of a screw driver, and it would loosen it up...also to be sure the wheels were straight. So I got home, parked and made sure the wheels were straight. Next time I tried it was moving day and it started right up again... and when I left the nail salon it started right up....and when I left Fred Meyer it started right up.....and when I left KFC I couldn't start it! Called home and Dian came to the rescue...banged it with something heavier than my fist and got it going again. So....yesterday I was telling the ladies in the social room about it and they said there was a locksmith near by....so I took Fritz and went looking and, sure enough, there he was. He said it looked fine to him - lubricated it and sent me on my way....Sure hope he's right...I asked him what I owed him, and he told me to bake him some cookies! What a nice man!! Have to go to volunteer today and am nervous about being able to start it up in the parking garage....He also said NOT to bang it....just wiggle the steering wheel until it starts.....oh my..I really hate having car problems. Wish I could manage without a vehicle - particularly this big boat!

Better get going...wish me luck!!

Rain's back!

Yep...it is back and this is the first day of summer....summer solstice...the longest day of the year and it is so gray out there we'll probably never realize it! Oh well, I have a lot to do this week inside....like tackle the packing. I am going to use the luggage I have to pack up clothes and linens and the grocery bags I have collected for the food items. We have a couple of great carts to transport all the stuff down stairs! This will most likely be the smoothest move ever.!

Yesterday I was coming back from the evening walk and met one of my dog-walking friends and she was tracking a beaver in the river...Sure enough there he was - swimming down the river - we think he was after the baby ducks nearby.,...the mama duck put up quite a fuss as he went by..I love this place!

Yesterday I went over to visit baby Grayson at Jocelyn's house...he was sleeping, of course....but when he finally woke up I was amazed at how he had changed...He is a bruiser!! so strong and big..He has the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen....and that's saying a lot 'cause my own children all had beautiful eyes...(still do, actually). He is too heavy for me to pack him around..and not quite 4 months old!

Well....gotta eat breakfast and then get to work....have a great week everyone!

Finally - it stopped raining

Hello again...Not much has happen in the last two weeks....I am VERY excited about moving downstairs...that'll happen in about 10 days or so. The girls will come in and help and I am seriously thinking about hiring our maintenance guy here to move the heavy stuff. He has all the equipment to do it. He is pretty cheap....$50.....I don't know that I would do all that for 50 bucks!!

I ventured downstairs last Thursday night for bingo here in the building. I was finally getting low on quarters - and I won twice!! Now I can do my laundry!:-) The Saturday before that, Jocelyn and I went to regular bingo and I won there too!! Of course I had to share the prize with someone else but I got $162 out of it.....Split that with Joce and it is still a fine chunk of change!!

I got a bee in my bonnet the other day to round up all my old jewelry that was sitting around. In the back of my mind I was thinking to sell it but once I went through it I decided to offer up whatever the kids might want to keep....and, so far, they have been happy to take a few things. there were things like my mother's rings and other jewelry....she had the smallest fingers possible....my grandmother's rings - tho I had already taken care of all but one of those. My dad's old pocket watch...lockets with pictures in them....various bracelets. Jocelyn and Marcia have gone through it all and tonight Dian is coming down to do the same. I am saving the pocket watch for Steve since he is the only one who remembers my dad.. Also found Mort's original wedding ring - which I am keeping. I wish Susie were closer so she could have a "go" at it as well...but alas, she isn't. I will save out some items she might want....probably the lockets 'cause she would love the pictures......and they are certainly unique!...most of that stuff is already officially antique. :-)

Hoping for a continuation of this nice weather....doesn't look too promising for today...but you never know!!

It's June already!!!

Time surely does seem to fly by quicker when one gets older....why is that???

The last couple of weeks have been somewhat uneventful...I am probably going to move downstairs on June 26, Once they get it all duded up for me I can start taking things down as I see fit. I am so excited!! Especially since summer is coming - or so they say - I wonder about that!! The rain has been dreadful this spring. I am used to rain - I have lived here most of my life - but this year is ridiculous. It isn't really cold, though...but certainly not "tropical"either.

Last Thursday was bingo downstairs and - guess what ! - I didn't win this time. My quarter supply is now seriously depleted. The next day Fritz went to the beauty parlor and got himself a trim. He looks so darned cute! Like a little stuffed toy. He was way overdue for a trim, that's for sure.

On Saturday, Jocelyn had a little "do" at her home for her ex-husband and his wife. It was fun and good to see "sunny Jim" again. He hasn't changed a bit. His wife seems nice - very quiet - it probably wasn't the most comfortable situation for her. I got home that night around 9 or so and took Fritz out and went right to bed....woke up at 3 AM with horrible foot pain...got up and took some extra strength Tylenol....watched a tivo show,....went back to bed around 4:30....and didn't wake up again until 10:30! I couldn't believe it.... it screwed up my whole "clock" for the day....

Memorial day there was a BBQ here in the building. I went - and it was fun. I'm getting to know more and more folks here - and that is nice

Yesterday, we found out that our dear Brooke got engaged to Greg - Grayson's papa. I'm pretty excited about that, believe me! Grayson is getting so big...nearly 17 lbs....and he is 3 months old already.

The month of June looks pretty empty...June is pretty much our least favorite month....we miss Mort a lot this month..,..It has been 3 years - but seems like yesterday. I DO look forward to moving downstairs on the 26th, however!

Big News!

Last Wednesday as I was coming back from a Fritz walk, Ella - the building manager called me in and asked if I was the one who wanted a first floor apartment so I could grow things outside....I have never been a gardener - and I sort of said no, it wasn't me...but if a first floor apartment was available I would love to be considered...Ask and Ye shall receive!! Where I am now faces a really busy street - across from the fire station and a very busy tattoo parlor (which is interesting, I must say) also on a bus route and the library is across the street. All of this makes for a lot of noise!! Since I also get the morning sun, the windows are open a lot and the dust and dirt that gets in is dreadful....The new place will face the parking lot on the front of the building.. #108, it is. There is a fairly tall privacy hedge...and I will probably move in the last weekend in June....The lady who lived there had been there for 8 years or so, so they will be replacing the floors and generally cleaning it up before I can get in there....I will have a small patio so I can sit outside and I can build a fence out there for Fritz...Needless to say, I am thrilled and so are my family. Now they can knock on my sliding door instead of going through the rig-a-ma-role they have to do now. Pretty darned exciting, Huh???

Busy Week

The day I last talked with you, I decided to return some books at the library across the street...so I braved the traffic and crossed the streets necessary to get there and went on the side walk when all of a sudden I tripped over a rise in the sidewalk seam and down I went! Of course I had Fritz with me, and, bless his heart, he stayed right with me. I tried to get up but couldn't - there was nothing to hang on to...I got out my phone to call someone and then realized anyone I would want to call couldn't help me...they all work or are too far away - and I did NOT want to do the 911 thing..Finally a lady came along and asked if I was all-right,,,Duh!! and then a man came along and between them they got me erect again. One of them took my books to the '"return bin" and then after I decided I was okay to walk, the man took me to the apartment building...what nice people they were!!! Gosh, I hate it when that happens...I am no delicate flower and my body gets quite an impact when I go down....Lucky there were no broken bones...huge scrape on my knee, which is still ugly today....I should have fractured my knee...I have been told that I have unusually dense bones....I believe it.

So....that sort of benched me for the most part of the week...felt wobbly and dizzy....promised my family I would go to the Dr. if it continued another day ....and, whatta ya know?...I was fine by Thursday. It was bingo night here in the building so I took my quarter collection and went down...I have won nearly every time I go....and this time I won twice. Had to share both times so we each got a whole $1.50 each time.... I have started to apologize whenever I yell bingo. They tease me a lot.

Friday, Jocelyn called and invited me to go along with her and Dian to "the river"....She has a good friend who has a home on the Naches River....and is very generous whenever a friend wants to get away from it all. It is hardly a cabin....it is a real house! Filled with lots of furniture...a complete kitchen, two baths - one with a Jacuzzi tub....a couple of TVs ....nice porch in back so we can sit out and watch the river go by..Lots of outdoor equipment....a computer....a jillion books and magazines....a jillion cookbooks....lots of "doo dahs"....you could spend all day looking at everything....anyhow, we had a great time.....ate....read....they sun-tanned....beautiful weather. We brought her dog along, a Chesapeake Terrier..named Casey... she doesn't really like to ride in the car but once she got in she was fine....except she had a dreadful odor. She is really territorial so we had to leave our dogs at home - but in spite of the fact she is almost the size of a small horse, she is a dear....

So...I had to hustle to find a dog sitter for Fritz and called on a woman on my floor who really loves him.....and, yippee!, she said yes. I asked what she would charge for this and she said not to worry about it....I did worry, tho'....when I got back Fritz was home...and I went down to Carol's to thank her and generally find out how it went...Of course it went fine. She said Fritz didn't want to stay in her apartment, so she brought him "home" after the 5 or 6 walks they took every day....and he was happy with that - even overnight! I decided she was going to get some sort of "thank you"...so I bought a small bouquet of flowers and a card from Fritz..and when I knew she was going to be gone, placed that by her door.....She was most appreciative and, best of all didn't throw it back in my face.

Yesterday I had lunch with two old friends I bet I hadn't seen in 20 years..Oh my, that was wonderful. We talked and talked, and talked some more.....I surely hope it won't be 20 years before I see either one of them again....One was 86 years old! She gets around with the help of a walker....she is mentally alert (aside from some short term memory problems - which I have as well. The other one is younger than both of us and she and her husband settled in Mesa, AZ. but are seriously thinking about moving back up here. I sure hope they do...Both were in Sweet Adelines with me. I can't get over how great that was!!!

Have to walk Fritz before I head out to volunteer....

Life is Amazing!

Guess what Fritz and I saw this morning.....a bald eagle!! My first thought was that I wished Mort could have seen it....it was so close. I stopped and watched it with my mouth hanging open - like the eagle was a rock star or something. The crows were having fits, of course....and they finally chased him out of the tree and they flew up and down the river and right back to the original tree. I loved it! Then, one of the mama ducks came out with her five ducklings...and a couple male ducks decided to fight her and, boy oh boy did they ever chase her.....She won, however and soon herded her babies back to safety. All this during the first 10 minutes of our walk....What a treat!

Mother's Day was truly wonderful....it usually is, actually.....we had a brunch at Dian's house with sausage rolls, Eggs Benedict, hash browns, strawberry waffles...yum!! Everyone was there except Brooke who had to work...so Jocelyn brought Grayson and, of course no one could keep their hands off him. He weighs close to 15 pounds now.....quite a load to pack around. We were able to "skype" Susie and she got to see Grayson and Dian with her magnificent weight loss...I tell ya' that skype is a wonderful thing....while we were talking to Susie, Jeff was skyping with his niece, Cassidy... and we were able to shout out to her....the amazing thing is that she is in Egypt!!! The weather was perfect....shirt-sleeve, actually. Then, after I got home, dropped Fritz off and went on over to Jocelyn's for a delicious salmon dinner....which Greg (Grayson's daddy) cooked for us and his mom and brother came over too. It was wonderful!

Being a mother is by far the most wonderful thing for me - in spite of the fact that when I had five kids I often thought perhaps I was mentally ill. I am so glad I have lived to see them as responsible, caring, and sensitive people. AND they are surely wonderful to their mama!!

Beautiful Day!!

Boy - is it ever nice out!!! Fritz & I just finished our afternoon walk - I bet it is close to 60 degrees this afternoon. Would that it lasts!!

It has been a quiet week...bingo, last Thursday - I won twice...felt the need to apologize...I think I have won at least once every time I have gone down. Granted, it is all so $1.50 most of the time, but at least that pays for my laundry...:-)

In my quest to wean myself away from frozen dinners, I have decided to cook instead.....at least try to....So far I have done a pork chop, spuds and green beans....and shrimp with al fredo pasta.....Of course I made this vow a couple weeks ago, so you can see I am not vigilant about this. I got a flyer in the mail from Win Co with some killer deals and coupons...so Monday night Jocelyn and I went down there. This is a HUGE store with a HUGE parking lot and it was packed. I loaded up, believe me! Such fun.....but where to put it all???? Not too bright on my part. The sale started Monday morning and they were already out of some things by the time we got there....It is absolutely insane down there! I have never seen so many people in one place....made me want to yell "fire!!" - of course that would have jammed up the parking lot and that wouldn't be cool. They have about a dozen or so check-out stands and the lines all nearly reached to the back of the store...I think in square feet this place would equal Costco..and of course we have to do our own bagging - which isn't so bad...they have a good system where you (or whomever is with you) can bag while she is toting up your stuff. And...the person behind you does not have to wait until you are finished before she can start.

Needless to say, I was a bit pooped after that jaunt!

Not much else going on...Mother's Day coming up....don't know what - if anything - they are planning.....I am sure something will happen - I KNOW I raised them right! :-)

The River

Gosh, I just love the Cedar River.. the other morning, Fritz and I were out walking and I thought I saw some fish swimming....sure enough...they are on their way down from where they were born and on their way to Lake WA and eventually on their way to Puget Sound....and two years from now they will be on their way up-stream to start the process all over again.

Then I spied six baby ducklings swimming around with their mom....was that ever cute!!! I had seen several males (drakes?) but no females, Evidently the males are not too hot about the little ones because they peck at them and toss them around,....The mom fights back and the chase is on....away from the babies.....They run down the river, fly up over the trees , land back on the river and fly some more,,,...the male chasing her all the time. But she comes back to her brood and steers them back to their hiding place....so sweet...

So...while that was going on, I heard a helicopter and looked up and saw it was hovering over the river....and circling around the area of the senior center down "stream" then a fire truck came by sirens and lights going.... found out later that a body was found floating in the river down by the senior center....It was a man who had been missing for a few hours.

Granted not all of our walks are this interesting.....but I wanted to get it all down so I didn't forget anything!!

A quiet week coming up....have a good one!!

Hello, again

I sorta slept in this morning - when I finally rolled out of bed I detected that perhaps Fritz had been naughty....sure enough he was..I cleaned it up, made the coffee and prepared to take him out and discovered he hadn't gotten rid of all of his"stuff".....this called for what I call a "butt bath" and some hair trimming....Not a great way to start the day, huh?!

B y the time I had my appointment with the cardiologist, I had worked myself up into a fine lather composing dire situations with my heart.....in fact I had Dian come with me so she would hear the same thing I did.....come to find out "abnormal" is my "normal" and things are fine....Evidently the heart muscle is somewhat weak from the heart attack several years ago....the one I didn't know that I had.....I complained about the word "abnormal"....and he asked what I would suggest as an alternative....couldn't come up with one.

This past week was "birthday"week....Steve was Tuesday and Jocelyn was Wednesday...gosh it is had to believe all the years have gone by so quickly....We weren't able to connect with Steve but will in a week or so....Jocelyn had her dinner at the Snoqualmie Casino....which was fun ...and Actually came out ahead in the gambling venture....I doubled my money - which isn't all that much 'cause I tend to bed minimum amounts on the machines....but it was fun.

Before I met the girls at the casino I attended volunteer appreciation function at the hospital. It was really nice....they served dinner which was good. Prior to dinner they offered "cocktails" which were mojitos without the liquor....a bit tasteless, obviously.....but the thought was there.

Yesterday we had lunch for Fritz 's babysitter who is moving to Florida this weekend. There were about 12 of us there.....we went to a Mexican restaurant here in Renton...

Well - since I got a late start, I had best get to gettin' It is almost noon and I haven't had breakfast yet...0h dear!!

Hello

Lat time I wrote, I was about to go to my primary doc for a physical.....so I went and, for the most part I am fine. Then she asked if I had seen my cardiologist about the echo results. I figured no news was good news in that department and she said I should call him....so I did and have an appointment this coming week because the echo was "abnormal"......what kind of word is that??!!

That word is not a nice one when mentioning medical tests!! Well, we will see on Thursday!

In the meantime - on Tuesday the building is sponsoring another gambling trip to the Snoqualmie Casino whoo hoo!!!

Fritz's baby sitter is moving to Florida this month so Tuesday will be the last time he will be able to stay with her.

Last Tuesday evening our family friend, Sherrie, had some of us over for dinner. She used to live in Jocelyn's house but moved out when Brooke and her family moved in. She is a great cook, let me tell you ! I was stuffed....so good...

Next week will be "3rd floor inspections"....whatever that means.....I should probably ask someone. They announce the inspections a couple months ago - I had Jocelyn come over and power clean for me - and nobody showed......we'll see...I 'll let you know.

Supposed to be warm today....I ;believe it - I have my windows open and the ceiling fan going and it is not even noon yet.....See ya'!

Happy Easter everyone!

Hi folks...I can't believe it has been two whole weeks since I last wrote......Not much has been happening which can be good or bad - all in how you look at it!

Since I have my new parking spot, I seem to be using my car more often....it is so much easier to get to. I still don't enjoy driving much and rarely after dark. The best part is when I am able to go see baby Grayson.....what a cutie. He looks a lot like his mama - and then it seems like he looks more like his daddy.... He is one month old now and doing just great! I get over there about once a week....a lot can happen in a week of a baby's life!!He has that - if you stretch your imagination - little smile going on...so cute! He now weighs almost 12 libs and has grown an inch and a half.

Tomorrow I go to my primary care doctor for a physical. I don't like those much.....I always have a written list of things to talk to her about....she is very patient with me and my lists. Once I am done with that, then I should be "doctor free" for quite a while. Yea!!!!

I passed my one year anniversary in this building....and that surely went by fast! I still love it here - the decision to move here was one of my smarter ones!

Steve came down this morning - it was so good to see him. We went to see Jocelyn - and she gave us lunch.....

I am tired of eating frozen entrees for dinner....so I decided to cook up some recipes and freeze what I don't eat for another time....Hopefully acquiring a large supply of meals in my freezer. So...with that in mind, Dian and I went to Trader Joe's (almost my most favorite store in the world) and picked up a few things...then on to QFC to get stuff on sale from their ad. Yesterday I finished up at Safeway....and I was so pooped from doing all that shopping that I was not in the mood to cook! Hopefully I can start tomorrow -:-)

Well it is time to transfer from one chair to another - about the extent of my strenuous exercise (aside from the dog walking, that is!) Talk to you soon....

Busy, busy week!

Why do some weeks have nothing in them and others have almost more than one can stand?

Monday was a fun day....Dian treated Marcia, Jocelyn and I to a slot tournament at Snoqualmie Casino....Talk about intense! If you are into that type of thing, you MUST try a tournament. there were 14 machines available and they had ten rounds in the first section...two of us were in round 3 and the other two in round 4, We had 7 minutes to get as high a score as we could and our fingers were flying! When I heard there were 7 minutes I thought I would never last that long...but the next thing I knew they were calling 1 minute warning....None of us made it to the second tier but we all had respectable scores.....and decided we didn't necessarily need to do it again any time soon......Of course we spent the rest of the afternoon at the machines...I didn't do very well...but only lost $20 which wasn't too bad I guess. I got extremely tired ....as usually happens the night before I am slated to do something fun, I didn't get much sleep the night before.....so Mon night I slept a full 9 hours...yay!!

Tuesday was volunteer day and while there weren't many surgeries to keep track of, there were a lot of odd questions....

Wednesday - St Paddy's day _ I had an appointment with the oncologist (an annual occurrence). All is well in that department - in one year I will be cancer free for five years....and I can stop taking the Arimidex and going to the oncologist....Most of those appointments are spent talking about Mort...he really liked him.

That evening there was a St Pat's party here in the building. Of course I went....and it was a lot of fun. We were to bring in a "little known fact" about ourselves...so I went with the famous "smuggled across the border" when I was a newborn.....It was the most unique, that's for sure. There were hors d'oerves (sp?) ,fruit punch and the a full dinner was served with salmon as the main dish.....Really, really nice!

Thursday was my annual appointment with the cardiologist...Evidently I have a heart murmur and that along with the fact I get out of breath easily caused him to order up a cardiogram and after that he scheduled an "echo" for next Tuesday....Sheesh!

That night was Bingo down stairs.....we play six games and I won 4 of them. I now have a boat-load of quarters. It was something else....and a bit embarrassing.

Today I go for an annual bone density test which is a quick procedure....With all the calcium and other stuff I take I am sure my bones are plenty dense!

So....I'd best get to the shower and get ready to go......

Frustration!

I have way too many passwords....can't keep track of them. I tried to renew some scripts at Sam's Club and for some reason it won't accept my password...so I re registered with a new one and it still doesn't work....Guess I'll have to use the phone after all. Last time I renewed I didn't have a problem at all....go figure!

Another frustration this morning was my coffee pot. I usually start it up before I take Fritz out and it is ready when we get back....,.This morning, when we got back half the coffee was over the counter, and about a quarter was in the pot and when I poured the "pot coffee" the other quarter started to drip into the pot! go figure!!

so,...I have a mess to clean up,.....and a phone call to make.....see ya..

He's Here!!

Once again I am a Great Grandmother...Brooke and Greg had their baby boy on Tuesday, March 2. He weighed in at 9lbs8oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. Of course he is beautiful!! He has a bit of a jaundice problem but with some treatment that will go away. It means he has to go back to the hospital for 24 hours. Brooke is doing really well...sleep deprived , of course, but otherwise just fine - and really glad that's over!!

I can't remember if I told you I have a new parking spot....right out front....got it on 3/1. Somehow that liberates me..to go somewhere whenever I want to ....didn't like the hike to and from the last one. Yesterday I finally found the Renton dog park...Dian found the driving directions for me or I would never have found it......I tried the day before with no luck...and it turned out I was right on top of it. Anyhow, there is a section for small dogs...but I didn't put Fritz in there 'cause there were only three other dogs there.....he doesn't s socialize with other dogs much...gives them the sniff all over and then goes off. This park is not quite like the one I went to before.,....no grass...signs that say (besides"pick up the poop") if we could, please bring a bucket of water since the city hasn't gotten around to running the water pipes there..

Went to an Information Volunteers workshop at the Hospital....it was really good - made me feel like I was doing something right there.

Went to bingo here in the building and won one game - about 2.5 bucks...so I am going to do my washing....which I have put off way too long....see ya!

I am NOT a sir!!

I am getting really tired of every stranger on the phone calling me sir!! Then.....since I got a bee in my bonnet to get my hair cut the other day, and she really cut it short, a fellow said, "excuse me sir"...that did it...I went home and the Avon lady was there and I walked in and ordered a new lipstick - one that would last me all day!! Not much I can do about the phone, however...except to make them feel really bad when I reply, "I am NOT a sir!" Sometimes they still do it after I tell them my name....how many men are named Ann???? Sheesh!

Sweet Fritz got a haircut last week too....and he looks a lot better...AND the poop doesn't stick to his rear any more....probably too much information, huh?

On the 1st of March I get my new parking spot...I am quite excited 'cause I have been walking nearly 2 blocks to get to where I park now....this one is practically right out the front door.

February was a birthday month for Dian's family (she calls it birthday hell) Nigel was on the 13th and Chris turned 20 on the 15th...then there was Valentine's day in between there. On the 24th will be Maggie's birthday back in New Hampshire....she will be 6.

Jocelyn just called and she went to Brooke's Dr. appointment with her and Brooke is 1 1/2 dilated....so it won't be long now...maybe even this week....suppose????? I'll let you know. It is a good thing that the baby is a small person - otherwise there wouldn't be room for him in his room...it is pack with stuff....we are all so excited!!

Hello, again

Here it is almost the middle of February already.... As of today it is 3 weeks before Brooke has her baby....they tell her he is around 7 lbs already.... She has all her stuff together in the baby's room and there is hardly room for the baby...:-) Maybe we will be lucky and he will pop out early...She is certainly ready....and we are all anxious to meet him.

I have been to the casino twice already this month....last Friday I went to the "shoot" with Dian for a while....of course I did not win, but didn't have to go to the cash machine either.....a good time. Then this last tuesday I went to the Snoqualmie on the bus which picked us up here in the building.l I didn't win this time either but lasted a long time with most of the money I brought. I do love going there.

On last Saturday I Had lunch with a woman I used to work with back in the day. Found her on Facebook We hadn't seen each other for about 25 years....lots to catch up with on both sides..good times!!

Fritz is going to the groomer tomorrow morning...his hair is so long it seems to interfere with his pooping ability......Not a good visual, I know.....so we shall fix that right away

Sunday, Dian is having us over for dinner to celebrate Nigel's birthday on Saturday (13th) and Chris's on the 15th......and of course we have Valentines Day squeezed in there and there is a party here in the building on Sunday at 1 pm.....so I am now off to find valentines and birthday greetings....talk to you later

Next week I MUST get my nails done.....they interfere with my typing ability....Thank goodness for spell check!!

Good Times!!!

It has been a busy and eventful week, that's for sure. The occasion that caused all this activity was my Grand daughter's baby shower. Daughter Susie and her daughter Maggie flew in from New Hampshire Thursday morning, Dian and I decided to find Trader Joe's before she landed so I set my alarm for 6 AM......Mercy that was early. We found the store and did I ever have fun!! I had received a substantial gift card from there from Susie at Christmas so I shopped with abandon!! I got food (frozen & already prepared) for at least 20 meals as well as a bunch of snacks....boy was that ever fun!

We then went back to Jocelyn's house to pick up Brooke and Wait for the call from Susie telling us she had landed.....and she did...right on time. Picked up Susie and Maggie and continued on over to Dian's and Marcia was already there. Dian was baking cupcakes and Marcia was working on the table cloths for the shower. We dove right in and helped with the table cloths...Marcia had found a lot of white sheets at the Children's Hospital thrift store near where she works - More than enough for our purposes for only $5!! Then she found some flannel with monkeys printed on it for the center of the table. They were turned into about 16" squares......(The theme for the day was Monkeys) So Susie and I

hemmed the cloths with stitch witchery.....The center squares will serve as burp cloths.. Dian had already baked cookies in the shape of bananas -- she found d the cookie cutter on-line as well as bright yellow coloring...then all of us back to Jocelyn's for some pizza and relaxing. Unfortunately Jocelyn had to work both Thursday and Friday... Girls all spent the night there and I went home....to set my alarm again for 6 AM.

Friday we decorated the cupcakes - turned them into monkeys, actually, with the help of some 'Nilla wafers, Chocolate mint candies, and food coloring . They were really cute. The bananas were frosted with yellow butter-cream and trimmed with brown lines...so cute, I am going to try to put some pictures here....wish me luck!..

Well, I can't figure it out....I will get some help later and try again.

The shower was held in the "party room" of the Round Table Pizza where Marcia is the manager. Once you got in there you'd never know it was a pizza parlor! There was a montage of pictures of Brooke from birth through now playing on a TV....Dian worked on that and don't ask me how she did it....but it was terrific. There were balloons and the pictures on the wall were covered in gift wrap and had her name sprawled across the wall. The dollar store had little plush monkeys which were put on the tables as favors. Also on the tables were water bottles where the labels were torn off and stickers saying: "Brooke will find Motherhood so refreshing! Thanks for coming!"

Her gift pile was HUGE! Lots of monkey themed stuff, of course. lots of diapers (there was a drawing for bringing them) and lots of nice things......to put it mildly.

So now it is Sunday...back to normal. Susie flew out this morning....It was so wonderful she was able to come . Next week is looking quiet, which is nice. I'll work on the picture thing!

January is half over already!!!

Two weeks have gone by ...where did the time go? Let's see.....New Year's Eve I decided to go down stairs to the party being held here in the building. There were about 10 of us and we played many games of r-c-l......a dice game that is easy but hard to describe. I didn't win one game. There were hats and horns and at midnight we blew the horns and then went up to go to bed. The visual amuses me...6 old ladies and 2 old men wearing funny hats and blowing horns, just waiting until we could go upstairs and go to bed.By 12:15 the room was empty and locked up.

\So...New Years day was spent recuperating from all the excitement from the night before. :-)

Had a great visit with my grandson Scott and his wonderful family....they are kind of in a transition between this side of the mountains and over into Twisp...we went over to Jocelyn's to visit and play a few lively games of Wii. So good to see them!!

Wednesday, the 6th I went over to Joce's for the night because we had to get up at 5am to get her to the doctor to have her right wrist carpal tunnel fixed. She made it through just fine and is recuperating nicely.

Of course Thursday was my birthday and we decided to celebrate it on Sunday....which we did at a wonderful brunch at the Maltby Cafe......a great place! wonderful food!

We are all looking forward to Brooke's baby shower on the 23rd.....it is going to be wonderful...Susie and Maggie are flying in from New Hampshire on Thursday for the event.

I must get to gettin' however, in order to finish her gift....so I will leave you now.