Merry Christmas!!!

Six more days.....hard to believe! I got my shopping done a week ago yesterday, when Marcia and Dian came to take me down to Macy's at South Center....and....thanks to a bunch of sales...was able to finish off my whole list! Feels quite good...and unusual for me....furthermore, everything is wrapped - how about that!!

We usually have Christmas at Jocelyn's house but this year we are going to Dian's...Jocelyn will be returning to Germany in a month so isn't doing the tree thing and just didn't need the further stress.

On last Thursday evening the cub scouts came to carol for us. Is there anything cuter than a little boy singing carols?? except a whole troop of them ?? They were so much fun. Then...since we have a resident here who has a full white beard, white hair AND a Santa suit, came down...You should have seen the looks on the little ones' faces...it was priceless...FUN!

Last night, was the night Michael came to visit/ Michael's mother used to be a resident here and enjoyed it so much, he started "paying back" by providing us with a big screen TV and DVD player...and to annually come to us with a huge offering of stuff from Costco along with a cold cut/veggie/cookie buffet....and big white sacks to put the stuff in to pack it home. This was my third time to experience this and it was wonderful. I think he goes to the other SHAG building here in Renton. He brings his family along to help out and they would carry people's stuff home if they couldn't carry it themselves...They also filled up a cart with sacks of stuff and went to apartments of people who couldn't come down...It was wonderful!!

I have become fascinated with knitting fingerless mitts...found a lot of patterns online...and came across one particular one that stumped me...it had a "lateral braid" - but I finally figured it out with the help of a few women who knit here in the building...It really doesn't look that great but will when I get more practiced at it.

Well...time to take Fritz out.....Talk to you later....

For some strange reason my posts keep publishing themselves when I sometimes hit the wrong keys...

I am mighty sick and tired of diabetes supply companies calling me! One day last week the call came at 6:30 AM!!!! I have gotten so I just turn the phone on and then off again without saying anything. Between Nov. 23 and today (Dec. 4) I have had 11 calls. I went ahead and re-registered at "do not call" site...hopefully that will help!! It is so annoying!!!

Back pain has gotten either much better or I have finally gotten used to it....Yesterday, Dian and Marcia came down to take me to South Center Macy's so I could do my Christmas shopping. Got it almost done!!

I should probably be able to pay off the Macy's bill in about 3 months...which I don't think is too bad considering the length of my list...This is what I get for having so many kids, huh?!! anyhow I have only two more to get which I should be able to do on Tuesday when I am out and about... Now to wrap this stuff....

I sort of got in the spirit when I hauled down the Christmas box....decor on the door, winter rug on the entryway, a Santa on the floor on one side and a snowman wooden cutout on the other...That's about it....Don't have much room for anything else...

Jocelyn had another friend from Germany last week....a real nice lady!! Jocelyn is returning to Germany probably in January. She really liked it over there. Met a lot of new friends...

Well...better get to gettin'...have started a new finger-less glove pattern ....Hope I can finish them....it is sort of difficult to figure out...but once I get it, it should not take much effort to finish them....I surely do have a lot of yarn to use.....

Don't freeze out there!

Busy, busy!

Howdy!!

Tell me, please, where is the time going? and why is it going so quickly??

Still raining leaves...that is quite a sight.. This morning I counted 36 trees shedding their leaves..and it isn't that large of a park!! There a lot more to come down before it is over!!Kudos to the Renton Park Department for keeping up with them.

Well...I got another back brace and this was equally uncomfortable and I still didn't see any difference...so....This week I am going to call the doc and have him show me what is wrong and if, indeed, it can be fixed...if not, I will live with it...I am almost used to it.

Had a lovely Thanksgiving meal Friday night down in the social room. There were a ton of people there...which is quite a thing because that doesn't happen very often. We have a lot of new residents and that is probably why it was so crowded. Our manager cooks the turkeys and we all bring whatever we want. I had a "trader Joe's" brownie mix so I brought that.

Also this morning (after counting the trees) there was a blue heron down at the river....they are so regal and beautiful...and then when he decides to take off it is incredibly beautiful with his huge wing span and the deep blue stripe at the bottom of the wings!! Love it!!!

Our Mortland Thanksgiving will be at Dian's again this year....we will have another one of Jocelyn's German friends with us this year. Looking forward to meeting her!! I am still torn about what to bring,,,,most likely a cranberry jello salad.....SO unoriginal!!

Guess that's it for now. Have a marvelous Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

Hello Again

I didn't realize how long it had been since I last wrote...Time sure does fly, doesn't it!!

Latest on the back pain saga....I am now in a back brace which I am not too crazy about. It does indeed keep ME sitting straight and walking erect....but it is really uncomfortable. I sit down and it climbs up my body, rubs against my arm pits and pushes my boob(s) up almost to my chin. Furthermore, I don't see a whole lot of difference with the pain....I will give it the old college try, though...I realize it takes time...

I do not care for the standard time...it gets too dark too early...Don't like venturing into the park in the dark - even tho' it is well lit. There are still a lot of lethargic fish in the river....I don't recall it being this long that they have been there...Of course it is raining leaves again...Monday morning the parks department crews were the blowing the leaves into a pile and then vacuuming them into a truck...looked so nice...Tuesday the leaves were back....Talk about a frustrating job!!!

Glad the election is over....I was getting plenty tired of all the commercials...one after another and each one different...pro and con on every issue...The liquor one was particularly nasty and often misleading...it did pass and if the people against it are right, we will all become alchololics - as will our children....sheesh!

Not much else going on here....and it is almost noon....and I haven't had breakfast! see you later...

Disappointment!!

On the Tuesday before my "procedure" I called the hospital to ask a question and they told me that the procedure had been cancelled.....huh????....when were they planning to tell me this??? Called the doctor doing the procedure and he said he had tried twice to call me but I didn't return the calls...of course I didn't...I didn't have any calls from him showing on my phone!! Boy was I mad!!! Evidently he didn't see the fracture so I wasn't a candidate for that procedure...Went back to the doctor who saw the fracture in the first place and he insisted he saw it and wanted me to do another MRI...well....I had had one prior to this mess and Medicare won't pay for more than one a year....So now I am getting a back brace and stronger pain meds! Today is the day I get the brace..Sure hope it does the trick!

Aside from that, life has been decent! Jocelyn has a friend from Germany visiting her and that is really fun....a delightful young woman! Very fluent in English too...Another friend is coming for Thanksgiving - such fun!

The river is still full of fish...more than ever before I think...the river is almost red! Every once in a while we see men from the county trying to count them. Once I saw a boat with two guys in it counting fish..

The leaves are finally turning - and falling....the park has so many trees that shed...and they are so pretty when they are full...I almost hate to see them drop.....

Gotta go now....hope all are well!

Finally!!

I'm finally going to get some help with this more than pesky back pain. Next Tuesday at 2PM I am getting a "Vertebral Augmentation".....Which is, essentially, an injection of bone cement into the fractured bone which will stabilize the bone and thus not ache!! Hooray!!! I evidently have Osteoporosis - exacerbated by the many falls I have taken this year. I didn't even know that!! I figured when I fell down and didn't break anything I didn't need to be concerned.. well..evidently I did break something...my back! Fortunately I will be put out during the procedure....therefore I don't dread it as much as I would otherwise. I'll also come home the same day...which will make me happy...

I have been going to physical therapy because my legs are getting weak...I have been pretty good about doing my exercises at home this time...I would think that walking Fritz three times a day would strengthen the legs...but evidently not...

Not much other news this time....Surely do enjoy visits with my great grand babies.....they are both so sweet!

Take care!

Fish

The fish are back!!! It must be October! There are a lot more of them this year...but perhaps I just am able to see them better...who knows?!

Another wonderful thing about the river is that I have seen several blue Herons lately. When they take flight it is so regal...their wing span is enormous and a beautiful blue stripe at the end of their feathers.....

Needless to say, I love that river walk! And I love living in this building! I have made so many good friends here - unlike the last place . One lady moved into another apartment on the second floor...and to celebrate that, had a few of us in for cocktails last week....she has two dogs...Bert - an old doxie - and Lulu - a wonderful Beagle. So, of course Fritz was invited too...It was super nice...then...another good friend ( who was there ) invited us all up to her place for spaghetti dinner..This is where Bogart lives....an absolutely beautiful Peke....Debbie also has a husband who is in stage 4 cancer and her sister Mary also has an apartment in the building. Debbie and Ron, as well as Bogart, live in one of the larger apartments in the building...it is really nice! They actually have room to put in an extra freezer....Debbie is the youngest one in the building - 59 -but is able to be here because of Ron...She has a huge heart! She has a great - if not boisterous - personality...and will do anything for me and for Fritz....Needless to say we love her!

I took Fritz to the vet last week....I had found one flea on him several weeks back and immediately put on the flea stuff - and didn't see any more. Well...he started chewing and scratching and was beginning to look like a junk yard dog with all the hair he chewed off...not to mention the activity was driving me nuts! Vet put him on some anti-itch pills and some more flea stuff...and I could see improvement the next day! He's doing really well again, thank goodness....

Started Physical Therapy.....ugh! I don't like going there...evidently my legs are extremely weak and my leg and back muscles are hard as rocks.....I still hurt tho' and probably will until the PT is over....I assume the stress fracture will heal itself so I am not going to worry about that.

After the appointment yesterday, I decided to go to Sam's Club to pick up a prescription I had there. I took a cart - BIG mistake - and decided to wander around.....Mercy me! I came out of there with a lot more than the darned pills! I can use everything I bought - but really - do I need all that stuff?????

Had a nice time with son Steve on Tuesday...He came down and took me out to dinner...went to the Muckleshoot Casino buffet and then, of course had to play a bit...It was fun! Tomorrow morning I'll be having breakfast with a couple of the girls.....Really looking forward to that!...

Well...it is getting late and I haven't had breakfast yet.....Take care, everyone!

It's Almost Fall!

Hard to believe, isn't it!!We have had marvelous weather the last few weeks.....but it is now going back to the normal stuff...I did enjoy the summer - even if it was late - and short!

I went to the physiologist - and liked him a lot! He sent me for another test - a SPECT test...good grief - it was an all day affair, almost...Went in at noon to get an injection of some radio-active stuff...then had to wait two hours for it to get into all my bones....then back to the nuclear medicine place...They put me on the table - strapped my feet together, strapped my arms to my body and started the machine...they were done two hours later...Thought I would go crazy!! Fortunately I am not claustrophobic!! The next day the doctor called and I have a stress fracture in my spine...no wonder it hurt! Must have happened during one of the many falls I have had over the last year...so...back to PT for four weeks...if that doesn't work then he'll do an injection of some sort....I would think it would heal in that time, wouldn't you???? We shall see.....

Best news now i s that I now have a new great grand-daughter....born 9/9/11, 8 lbs, 3 oz., and 19" long..named Brynlee Ohana Mukai....and, of course she is a real sweetie!!!! Ohana is a Japanese name (her daddy is half Japanese)...it means something, but I don't know what...I love how the name flows tho'.... She is a week old yesterday and doing very well....so tiny! - compared to her big(!!) brother Grayson....Grayson seems to have accepted the new one pretty well...he does have his moments but that's to be expected...He is a precious little boy...so cute - and so smart....do you suppose I am prejudiced?

Better get going here....it is almost noon and I haven't had breakfast yet!! Talk to you later.

Time Flies.....

Boy...where did the month go? It has been a busy one....

I had a MRI a couple weeks ago to see what was going on with my back...Come to find out I have lumbar spinal stenosis...a product of old age, I guess. I go to a Physiologist - whatever that means - on the 9th. In the meantime I am on a non-narcotic pain med and Aleve....I surely don't want back surgery but I surely don't want to hurt either. Perhaps a cortisone shot or two will do the trick like it did with my knee.....The short time I spent in re-hab didn't do much but make it hurt more....Mercy me!!

Susie came to visit from New Hampshire...and that was fun!! We were able to have the whole family together for Dian's birthday. What a treat!! Love it when that happens! Her birthday was the 18Th and we went to dinner at the Cabbage Patch, In Snohomish. Then she left the 19Th at midnight for the long flight home. Fortunately they have avoided both the earthquake and the hurricane that are plaguing the East Coast.

We finally have some actual summer weather.....I LOVE it! My apartment stays fairly cool - compared to most of the others - I have a hedge in front of me and that seems to provide enough shade to keep it cool. Down at the river, however, the breezes blow and it is ideal!

Granddaughter Brooke's birthday is the 28Th (August was a busy month for the Mortlands ) She will be 30 years ole! I can't believe it! Her 2nd baby is due the 10Th of Sept...it is a girl...and we are super excited...

Well...I'd best get to gettin' Talk to you later!

August already!

Howdy....here we are....already into August - My oh My, how time flies as we get older!!

Enjoying the summer weather, finally. The rubber ducky race was much fun. I learned that one can purchase a ducky for 5$...and they set up a finish line at the bridge down the river. There were a lot of "officials" making sure the kids didn't go out and grab a ducky, or otherwise impeded their travels down the river. Quite a sight, believe me....hundreds of yellow rubber ducky's floating down the river...much fun to watch!

Had a tragedy happen Tuesday....one of the residents here - a stubborn, cantankerous old man, who drove his "scooter" way too fast - got hit and killed by a truck in the intersection at the end of the building. He had been a long time resident here and many were really upset about it. I always passed

his window on my morning walk with Fritz, and saw him often sitting in his chair in his underwear....That's about as far as I knew him...

Yesterday I had a wonderful visit with some old Sweet Adeline friends...One of them lives in Merrill Gardens a few blocks over, and the other is in Walla Walla......It was so good to see them...we yakked until it was almost dark!

Physical Therapy is "going"...I don't like it but I do it...I always hurt more afterwards...perhaps that is a good thing????? I see my doc on Monday.....What I want is some stronger pain pills but maybe I need a cortisone shot instead??? We'll see what she says on Monday.....

Fritz gets his hair cut this afternoon....I know if he knew what he was going through he wouldn't be looking forward to it....but I surely am...He is extremely hairy!

That's it for now.....see you later.

Hello, again

It is finally looking like the weather is going to behave and become summer! I feel so sorry about the rest of the country that is baking in the heat!!

Back is continuing to bother me....but the bed and chair are wonderful! I am continually on Aleve which does help a lot. I also should avoid constant activity...which is funny because I try to do that all the time! LOL

Jocelyn came home Tuesday...Marcia, Brooke and I went to the airport to get her...It was so good to see her!!! We came to her house and Dian was there with lunch for us all...all in all a great day! She has until August 1st until she has to go back to work so that will give her time to adjust to being back from being half way around the world!

Last night we went to a Rainbow Bingo game...which we call "gay bingo"...it was a fund raiser for the Southeast Seattle Senior Center...My goodness - there were some strange people there! Several fellows in drag....and several more in weird costume and white face makeup...It went slowly - and the chairs were hard - and parking was not as easy as one would like...They provided a hamburger dinner with the $15 ticket - which was good. They also were serving beer and wine AND Jello shots....I had never tried a Jello shot..but I did like it! A lot!! None of us won anything and we left before it was over because it was so slow....and the chairs were hard! Still a fun night.

Tomorrow is the annual Rubber Ducky race down the Cedar River. This is the final event of the Renton River Days..I missed it last year but \hope to make it tomorrow...They release a ton of yellow rubber ducky's and let them float down the river. Should be fun to watch - the river is really running fast this year. I have no idea how they declare a winner....

Finally I will be going to physical therapy to figure out how to make this back feel better...Wednesday at 1 pm is the day. It's been a long time coming! This is the first time in my life that I have had to cope with chronic pain....and it is probably not as bad as most folks who have to deal with it, but I don't like it! Let;s hope they can figure out what to do with this old body!!

Well...I'd bet get to gettin'.....Breakfast awaits!!!

Sorry!!

I cannot believe it has been almost a month since my last post!!..So sorry about that!...

As I scan my calendar, there has actually been nothing much happening this last month... They're still talking about Fritz's party around here. I actually saw a U-tube video about a doggie wedding! It was cute...but a bit weird. The groom had a black tux and the bride wore white...they were chiwawas. (sp??)

The biggest event was the acquisition of a new bed, chair and DVR! I have been having bad lower back problems..and suspected that the bed and chair were both the problem....so..off to South Center with Dian and Marcia and Brooke....Found a twin bed with memory foam...like a Temper-Pedic ...and a bit smaller recliner (which makes it easier to get out of)....both at decent prices. A bit of a hassle with Macy's regarding when we could pick up and when they were available to have stuff picked up...but Marcia ( bless her heart) kept on 'em and we were able to pick up everything Friday night....when we had a truck and "muscle" to do the job...Marcia cleaned my carpet while Dian & Chris disposed of the old and picked up the new....What a difference in my apartment!! I feel like I have a new place with all the room I got....It is wonderful. I also had Comcast come out with a new DVR and to up-grade my channels to the next "tier" I am enjoying that for sure!!...Unfortunately, however, I still have the back problem, as well as sleeping problems...but my attitude is sure better!! Guess I will be off to Physical Therapy for the back..

Big News! Jocelyn is coming home from Germany on Tuesday, the 19Th....We are all so excited about that...She will have been gone about 10 days shy of 6 months...that is a long time!

That's about it for today...I will try to be better about writing oftener....Love you all!

Puppy Party

Guess what! Fritz turned 11 years old...(77 in people years) this month...so I decided that warranted a birthday party. Went online and found invitations and ordered them. Then decided it would be down at the park...made my usual tons of lists, decided whom to invite..and actually distributed the invitations..,.No backing out now! There were about 9-10 dogs along with their people....so...what to serve? how? what am I leaving out? To the rescue...my wonderful daughters, Marcia and Dian....Marcia offered to provide the cakes...one for the dogs and another for the people...Dian decided some snacks were in order so she made sandwiches shaped like dog bones, as well as some chips and dips.... It was awesome! I got dog themed stuff at the party store, PetSmart and the dollar tree that just opened up a few blocks away....The day arrived and wouldn't you know it....it rained. What to do?? The building manager offered the lobby and we were on our way.....It actually turned out better than the park because we were able to let the dogs off leash...they all knew each other, so there were no growling confrontations. Also we had more room to set up...the girls really got into the project...they did all the set up (and take down)...the cakes were outstanding! The dog cake was made of grated carrots, flour, lots of eggs and strained baby food chicken.. the frosting was yogurt... the candles were Pup-er-oni sticks.....the dogs all loved it...especially Fritz who ate his up and proceeded to help the rest of the pups eat theirs! All in all a resounding success. They're still talking about it!

Otherwise...it has been quiet around here. Sure do wish the cool weather would go away and the warm would return...this every other day stuff just won't do!!

I got up early this morning and hope to get a lot done...so I had best get off this computer and get to it!

Reflections!

I know I said two weeks - but I feel like writing now! Today is the day we lost Mort - four years ago! Time has flown by hasn't it! We are all feeling the loss today...but life goes on and we must go with it - right?

Last week I happened to spot a beaver down at the river! He was a big one....of course Fritz got excited and barked at him...he slowly got himself down into the river again....I didn't know they got that big!

Plans are coming along for Fritz's birthday party...such fun! Marcia is making the dog cake as well as the people cake. We'll put Pup-er-oni sticks on top of the doggie cake to act as candles. fun, huh?!! Hope all the guests

show up no9w...June 18 is the day - needless to say I will report in detail once it is over.

Let's hope it does NOT rain!

Went to the Claim Jumper in SouthCenter area for dinner with the building ladies last Saturday. It was good food - but HUGE portions....Then on Sunday we all got together at Dian & Nigel's for dinner. IT was fun!! I love it when we all get together.... (I wonder how I got italics ... I must have pushed a button somewhere)

That's it for now.....take care, everyone!!

Memorial Day, today...

So...,isn't the sun supposed to be shining today - the almost first day of summer?? Thinking of all the folks I have lost in my life...especially Mort, of course. June is definitely not my favorite month, that's for sure!!Oh well...it will pass and I will carry on!

Let's see....what has been going on in the last two Weeks or so? Dian got home from Germany last week....she surely did enjoy her time there and being with her sister....They poked around Germany a bit, went into Amsterdam and took a trip down to the Italian Riviera....sweet!!

Jocelyn will be staying an extra three weeks and won't be home until July 22.....She is doing so well over there....I know she will come home a changed person - and changed for the better!! I am really proud of her!!

Fritz will turn 11 years old some time in June....so I am seriously thinking of throwing him a birthday party down in the park....I started to list the invited dogs and came up with 11!! Now that seems like a major undertaking, doesn't it! Went on-line to see what's available in doggy birthday parties...and...oh my! there is a lot!!!I can get invitations, balloons, birthday hats, table cloths...you name it...Who knew??? Of course the 11 dogs means they all have humans to accompany them....so, of course, the humans need to be considered as far as refreshments are concerned....Have I bitten off more than I can chew????? Stay tuned...I just might do it if I can enlist some help with it....actually the only thing I am worried about is schlepping all the stuff down to the park....Should be fun,huh?! Needless to say, Fritz has made a lot of friends here!!

Guess that's it for today...I'll be back in a couple of weeks.....

This is CRAZY!!!

May is half over, already....what's with that, already??!!

This ancient old body has started to hurt more than I would like......so....the doc sent me for an X-ray which showed a bunch of arthritis (My sister used to call it "arthwrongis") so I guess there's not much I can do about that . So, for now, it will be Tylenol Arthritis for me. Now, I wake up this morning with my left hand/wrist aching....Can't lift anything with it! I tell you....this whole thing sucks the big wienie!!

On a cheerier (?) note, it is raining.....quite hard, actually...my sweet peas have popped through and once it dries out - or at least stops raining - I will go out to thin them and start them on their journey up the trellis...Yesterday was such a glorious day...warm and sunny!!

Once a month a bunch of us go out for dinner together...this month we were going to the Red Lobster....so we piled into a couple of cars and journey down there....Once we got there, they told us about an hour and a half wait.....that surely would not do so we spotted a fish place across the street and went over there...It was wonderful! I had brown sugar,balsamic salmon....yum, yum yum ! I enjoy these outings,,it is pretty much the same folks that go every month...

Also, last week Dian made her way to Germany to be with Jocelyn.... She will be home next Monday - the 23rd. She is having a wonderful time and enjoying meeting a new culture - and, of course, seeing her sister!! They went over to Amsterdam on the train...don't know where it will be next weekend.

Well...it is time for an attitude adjustment here...I will take some more pills and take Fritz out in the rain to do his "thing" Then I am going to attack some "crafty" projects I have going which must remain name-less because they are various gifts...I will be lucky to finish them and when ( notice I didn't say "if") I finish I will take a picture and hopefully by then I will have figured out how to post pictures on this blog!! I did it once - but so long ago I forgot how to do it..... Mercy me!

Here's to your good health and happiness.....Have a good rest of May!!

May Day!!

When I was a little girl, May Day was a big day...always had flowers for our mothers and neighbors..not expensive ones, mind you...just things already growing in our yard. When we were living in Fife I had a friend who exchanged May Day greetings with her only daughter....I think of her every May Day...it must be a bittersweet day for her...her daughter passed away several years ago.

On a cheerier note - I went to visit my cardiologist on Thursday...and he pronounced me extremely healthy for a woman of my age.It must be the 26 pills I take every day!

About a year ago, I volunteered with a woman who I felt was very strange!! So much so, I told my supervisor if I had to work with her any more I would probably quit. I found it very frustrating to be around someone unwilling to help herself - or ask for help..She had had gastric by-pass surgery and had lost over 100 lbs...which is exciting....but she blamed that surgery on anything that happened to be wrong with her at the time...be it sniffles, burping or passing gas....She claimed she did not have money for anything...new clothes, skin removal surgery, or a smallerapartment....and....she had over $10,000 in the bank....I kept telling her that if she spent some of that money on new clothes and/or the surgery she would feel much better. She was afraid of the economic situation in the country....and didn't want to spend it. Well...later on she did get some surgery done on her arms and evidently it did not go well....Well, the upshot of this story is that she passed away last week.....so I went to her funeral (along with some hospital friends) and it was nearly as bizarre as she was. Only one relative there..her brother..., the five of us and a few of her old neighbors. The minister obviously did not know her....He quoted a lot of poetry and a few scriptural passages...There was a woman there playing the harp - not to well, sorry to say....and, of course, no reception afterwards. Glad that is over!!

Dian came down yesterday- along with Brooke - and we had lunch and got "a mani" (me) and pedis - (them) It was fun!!

I wonder where April went....I almost missed it - it was so fast. Next week I see another doctor - this one my primary one. Should be a-okay there too. Just got a call from Jocelyn who is spending this weekend in Spain....how fun!!! Have a good one everyone.....

Happy Easter everyone!

Boy...Easter sure did sneak up on me this year!! No special plans this year...quiet day, in fact.

Well - I got cleaned up for the big inspection - but nobody came! One time, long ago, that happened to us with a birthday party....What a weird feeling that was!! This time it was no problem, however....I actually dragged the vacuum cleaner out and used it!!!! I also made the bed. I told our assistant manager that I had made the bed for the inspection and she laughed!

Last Sunday, Marcia came down and we went to the store(s) and bought stuff to plant in and to plant. Came home and she did all the work...and now I have a window box with pansies, a couple of pots with geraniums and a big pot with a trellis and sweet pea seeds.....I can hardly wait for the sweet peas to come up...they smell so great!

On Wednesday it was Steve's birthday....and Thursday it was Jocelyn's birthday...Those birthdays surely do come up quickly... Wednesday was the volunteer appreciation dinner at the hospital...it was really nice...A full dinner this year featuring salmon AND chicken breast smothered in a good mushroom sauce...I love going to those affairs...keeps me stoked to go another year! LOL

Thursday was bingo in the social room...once again I won - along with 2 other people..I got a whole $1.25!!

Yesterday Dian and Marcia picked me up and we went to the airport to pick up Brooke and Grayson back from visiting Jocelyn in Germany....It was so good to see them again. Grayson is - sort of - walking now. He scoots around on this knees, it's like the bottom of his legs hasn't figured it out yet so cute! She finds out if it a boy or a girl she is carrying....tomorrow. Needless to say, we are all on pins and needles to learn who he/she will be!!

Had a nice surprise visit from an old Sweet Adeline friend yesterday as well...She lives in an assisted living place only a few blocks away. It was nice to visit with her..hopefully we'll do it again soon...

Guess that is it for today...have a good one, everyone!

Try Again...

I wrote a big long post yesterday and couldn't get it to publish...so will try again.

I seem to have trouble with remembering that I have a limited amount of cupboard space and that I am responsible for only one human and one dog....I seem to go overboard every time I go to the grocery store. Fritz has enough treats to last him the rest of his life...and I seem to have enough food to last me the whole month at least.

I must learn that when I go to Sam's Club to get my pills, I should not take a cart in with me...I really didn't overload the cart - but I did get a lot of stuff - including doggie treats...When I came out of the store the rain was coming down in sheets...and I still needed to get my nails done. So I did that with hair dripping and the back of my jacket soaked. I was really pooped when that was done I decided to forgo the Safeway trip until another day. Two days later I went to Safeway...coupons in hand..and while I did not buy out the entire store, I realized when I got home that I could probably set up a grocery store in my apartment!! When will I learn???? My kids always remind me that I don't need all this stuff....but I guess old habits are hard to break!

On Wednesday, the 6Th, I went \on another casino junket. This time it was a sort of private bus which we caught somewhere up in the Highlands....It was hosted by a woman and her husband - they charged us $5 each to ride and away we went.....down to the Red Wind casino near Olympia. The gambling gods were not with me this trip. however. But...I brought the same money I brought two trips ago so I guess it was about time to loose it, huh! They had stuff for us on the bus...a hard boiled egg, a small bottle of water, some cookies and candy, and an Easter basket to put it in. The bad part of the day (aside from not winning) was that I had to be up and at-em and in the lobby at 7:30 ....AM!...I had forgotten that there was such a thing...Dian offered to call me at 6 so I would be up in time to do all my morning stuff...mainly take Fritz out, read the paper and eat breakfast...so it all worked out. Got home around 4:30...so it was a loooong day!

I had Fritz groomed last week and he once again looks like a little toy puppy....can you believe he will be 11 years old in June? He is spry like a puppy though...and a love!

Guess that's all for now....lets hope the publishing gizmo works this time...Love to you all!

Been a Long Time!!

I cannot believe it has been so long since I last posted....Well....Fritz got home feeling much better..and no more scooting! :-) Had his drain removed on Saturday and feels fine ever since. He is getting way too hairy so I have arranged to get his hair cut next Wednesday.

I managed to wear something green this time ( on Valentine's day everyone wore red but me!! Corned beef and cabbage was the main fare, of course, along with a lot of side dishes folks brought. I brought a potato salad which everyone seemed to enjoy. and...of course...there were a lot of desserts - Yum!!

On the 21st, we all went up to the Snoqualmie casino on the bus they send down for us. I had a couple of coupons I had received in the main so I cashed those in and played all day on that money...I came home with around forty bucks more than I brought...Didn't dip in to the stash I had brought with me....love it when that happens...and i t doesn't happen often enough, that's for sure.

Yesterday was my 6 week diabetes exam with my doctor...all is well there. Bingo was last night and I won the last pot!!! I sure wish that would happen when I go to the bingo hall!!! There was probably $10 in quarters there...lots of laundry money.

A week ago Dian brought me to lunch and then to the mall because I wanted some new shoes. I was able to get some nice ones (unlike the old lady clunkers I was wearing) I don't seem as inclined to fall in these because the heel and sole are not so thick....Thank you, thank you, thank you Dian!!!!

Well - that's it for today....

Hello, again....

This has been a busy couple of weeks.....I spent a lovely evening with Dian at the Mukilshoot Casino with Dian....the gambling gods were not looking down upon us favorably, however - tut the company was great!!

Sunday, the 27Th was Grayson 's first birthday party...can't believe he is one already!The theme was pirates and he arrived in a red bandanna dew rag, a striped shirt and blue pan ts that were cut off in jagged edges...way too cute. Marcia made two birthday cakes...one a pirate's treasure chest and the other a skull and crossbones cake. the skull cake was his to plow into...and he certainly did that....It was so cute to watch....

Friday the 4Th was my appointment with the retina specialist...Marcia came with me to hold my hand and generally keep my spirits up.. Bless her heart - I practically broke her hand bones as he put the injection directly into my eye-ball... They did numb it a lot...but it still hurt like crazy. It was two years since the last one and, I suspect, it will have to be done in another two years...I also sort of jumped when he did the injection so I have a really red eye these days - tho' it is getting better. Doesn't hurt and hasn't dried up...so all is well now in that department.

Steve came down on Saturday - so good to see him!!!!! We went to lunch......he walked the dog....and went home. It was a good afternoon!

Saturday night, the building manager organized a dinner out.....We went to an Irish Pub here in Renton First problem with that was that we had two individuals in power chairs....and they restaurant had put us in a spot that had a step to go up...which the power folks could not manage.....one decided to stay by himself on the main floor and the other one went home...(The place was only three blocks from the building) From the time we got in until we left they played, sang and danced LOUD Irish music....We couldn't hear ourselves think let alone have a conversation....To top it all off,,,,my beer was $6 a glass! Needless to say, I most likely won't sign up to go there again!

Monday, as I was walking Fritz, I noticed he was having a hard time pooping...and when he did do the deed, he would scoot and try to drop more...and generally make a mess in his hind end. I am sure that this is too much information! LOL I had brought along a paper towel to wipe him down 'cause I didn 't want him on my lap in that condition....saw some tiny blood spots....and knew that was not good...so off we went to the vet....Come to find out, he had ruptured an anal gland....they had to put him under in order to drain it...and fix it....and then they had to give him antibiotics. While he was under, they cleaned his teeth - a good thing!

I can pick him up this afternoon (Wednesday)...it has been really weird not having him around...I will probably spoil him even more than I already do!!!!

So...that's that! I was able to talk with Jocelyn on the phone the other day...so good to hear her voice....she is having a great time in Germany....I miss her LOTS.....

Better go....It is nearly noon and I haven't had breakfast yet!!!

Lazy - quiet Saturday

Good Morning!! It has been a really busy week.....going to be nice to have a quiet day!!

The 13Th was Nigel's birthday so Dian had us over for brunch. Poor boy was not feeling well but he didn't let that slow him down!! After brunch, we went to the casino - which I always enjoy.. I had a $5 coupon the casino had sent me and that was gone in record time....the place was packed!!! Finally found an empty machine and stuck my $20 in.,..,.thought it odd that I only had 400 credits instead of 2000....Don't know what I hit but it gave me a lot of credits so I decided I had best get out of there and cash in my ticket....low and behold, I had $101!! So I played the whole time on their money - always a nice situation...and surely rare. Come to find out it was a nickel machine, of course, and needless to say I was a lot more careful picking out my machines of choice....So..took in $60 and took out $70...not bad, huh!!

Monday was Valentine's Day and there was a party down in the social room. They sure do a nice job on these party's.... We each were to bring a valentine and that was our "ticket" to get in. Numb-nut that I am, I didn't think to wear red - everyone else did....Now that I think of it I don't think I have anything red...hmmmm. Anyhow, I went on complete sugar overload - there were a lot of sweet goodies....I survived it just fine tho'.

Tuesday, was P,.T....I have been going to PT for balance problems since I have fallen a few times in the last 6-8 months....come to find out that my right leg is weaker than the left....thus I don't pick it up and tend to trip over uneven=ness in the sidewalks.....I am not too good about at-home exercises....but, aside from that, I am learning a lot....Then, after that I go volunteer...by the time I get home, I am truly bushed!!! B y the way, Grandson Chris turned 21 this day....how in the world did that happen???????

I had calculated that I have finally hit the five year mark since the mastectomy.....so I needed to know if I could quit the medication I had been taking....so off to Dr Fer on Wednesday. I hadn't gone there for a year...Worried that I was late for the appointment - why???Once I got there I had to wait an hour anyhow! So...all is well I am now down one pill Yeah!!

Thursday was the eye doctor who had told me I would most likely need to see the retina specialist again...you may recall that I saw him a couple years ago and that resulted in an injection into my eyeball - nightmare! Well...I now have an appointment for March 4. Woe is Me! As I recall, this particular doctor wore extremely interesting - and usually awful - neckties....We'll see if his taste in ties has improved!! (Taking my mind off the injection!!)

Jocelyn is having a fine time in Germany - and she is writing a blog! Never thought that would happen!! Think she will most likely be semi-proficient in German by the time she gets back.

Well....must have some breakfast - it in 11:30 already.....Take care, everyone!

February already!!

Pretty hard to believe, isn't it! Grandson Chris turns 21 this month! Wow! He's quite a handsome young man...and a nice one too!!!

Saturday was a busy day for all of us. I set the alarm for 6:30 AM - and that was unusual in itself! I drove over the Jocelyn's house - Marcia, Dian, Brooke and Grayson were there - and they were all trying to help with the packing.,...She was allowed 70 lbs per bag - and they had the scale out and weighing the bags and shifting stuff - very busy Marcia cooked breakfast - which was yummy! Finally it was time to go to the airport...Dian said her goodbyes there and stayed home with Grayson....Jocelyn, Brooke and I piled into my van and Marcia drove it down to the airport....Finally found the Luftwansa (sp???) counter and the bags passed inspection okay...but her carryons didn't. Discovered she could have three instead of two so she shifted stuff around (again!) and it was time to say goodbye....Gosh, that was hard. Especially when it was Brooke's turn...What an adventure this is for her!! It was a 10 hour flight with another hour on the train from Frankfurt to Bonn....She e-mailed us all that she had arrived safe and sound. She was in hotel for the first couple of days and is now in her apartment - which she says is "okay" - I say that is better than a "dump"...LOL

So....after that, we came back to my place and Dian and Marcia moved stuff around my apartment to accommodate Jocelyn's smaller computer table...It is really nice but I have one major problem....since I have hi-speed Internet, there is only one telephone line that runs my Internet....and it is in the bedroom...I called and the phone company told me it would charge me to switch the outlets...so hopefully, on Saturday, Marcia will come down and we will see about stringing a longer phone wire - tacking it to the floor...and voila---it will work!!

Needless to say - I was exhausted by Saturday night! Still have to figure out what to do with the stuff I took out of the old computer table but that will come...A trip to Target is in order, I believe!

Went to Physical Therapy yesterday...because of my many falls....come to find out that my right leg is weaker than the left - thanks to the neuropathy - and that makes sense since, now that I think about it, my right foot is the one tripping me up all the time! Who knew???

Well...I had better go unplug the Internet and get busy. I will be glad when I don't have to do that any more. It does cut down on my computer time, though;....Have a good one everybody!!

Good Times!!!

Saturday was quite a day!! Got up early so I could take Fritz out and get dressed and ready for Marcia to pick me up to go down to Kent for Brooke and Greg's wedding. There were about 15-20 people there and the wedding was sweet....Grayson was dressed up in actual black slacks (with cuffs already!)He had on a coral shirt and a bow tie and black vest = and - "big boy" black shoes with heels on them...way too cute! Brooke wore a short strapless dress with a white top and a charcoal grey skirt and a short black sweater .....and black high heels...Such a pretty girl she is!!

After the wedding and a zillion pictures, we went to the Rock here in Renton at the Landing ... it is a pizza place - and the food was really good. They had drinks - and I indulged myself with a Manhattan......Marcia had baked little heart shaped cakes and a larger one as well for Brooke and Greg..the small ones were favors for the guests...she covered them with fondant - a technique she had not tried before....they were awesome. There were well over 20 people there..they just kept coming in....Greg's parents picked up the tab for the affair So nice of them!!!!

Then, after a few hours at home when I concocted a dip using sauerkraut....I had made the crescent rolls the night before...(I still have a ton of "little smokies" left...any ideas what to do with them????) Then I got picked up and went to Jocelyn's house for her "going away" party. What a good time that was! Dian and Marcia were the "hosts" and a ton of people were there, it seemed....I left before midnight and it was going long after that, I hear....

Jocelyn leaves for her 5 month life in Germany on Saturday....she got her braces off her teeth and looks fabulous! After talking about this venture for so long, it is hard to believe that the time is actually here! I will miss her so much....but we have Skype which will help. She will miss us all too....especially Brooke and Grayson....So.... Saturday at 1PM her plane departs....WOW!!!

Well...I'd better get to gettin'...have a good day, everyone!!

The River Runs Thru' It!

Boy that Cedar River is getting high!!It is running fast and carrying logs as big as trees down with it. Quite a sight, believe me! The poor ducks have to come clear up to the trail to get to any high ground..The viewing area down below is flooded over the benches they have there...and up at least 5 steps leading up to the trail.

My new TV arrived Saturday...Steve came down and installed it for me. I thought I wanted it up on the wall so we \went to the hardware store to get the stuff for that....but the stuff we got didn't fit the TV..so it is sitting on the same stand the other one stood on. He moved the stand over where I wanted so if it ever comes to pass it will go up on the wall, it will already be in place. Now I need the smaller computer table Jocelyn is giving me and I can place the chairs where I want them and I will be all set. The only thing that didn't get hooked up was the DVD player....and I think I can do that when I find the correct stuff to do it with. (I looked on the set-up directions so I can do it myself -easily - she said confidently!) LOL

Once that was done, I took Fritz and went over to Jocelyn's house to dog sit while she went away for overnight. She left the key hidden outside, so I got in okay. THe pellet stove was going like crazy and it was toasty warm....She left a page of instructions as to how to turn it on and off so I settled down for a warm winter's night, as it were. The dog door had been shut and I found it stupidly difficult to open it up again....but finally got it; played a couple games on her laptop; and it was time for bed. First problem was getting her dog, Gizmo, up on the bed. He is HEAVY...between us, we got it done; then I discovered the bed light was not working so I had to use the overhead to read by; tried the TV in the bedroom and couldn't get it to work; so....went to sleep...and lasted a long time in that state. Got up and went to make coffee and couldn't figure out how to turn the darn coffee maker on....finally got it after a few zillion tries......then decided to take a shower but couldn't figure out how to turn on the water in the stand-up shower. (Didn't want to use the other shower 'cause the tub is slippery) Suffered through the first half of the Seahawks game and Marcia called telling me she was coming down....so I decided to go on home and wait for her there...Joce came home soon after I left...When Marcia arrived and properly oohed and awed over my TV we went back to Joce's house and were joined by Dian and Brooke and Grayson. Brooke and Grayson went down for a nap and the girls and I went for some brow waxing (them) and nail filling...(Marcia and me)....then to Marshall's for some shopping - to Ezells for some chicken - and back to Joce's to eat it - and chat about the upcoming wedding and going away party - less than a week away!!

Boy oh Boy!!! It;s either feast or famine these days.

Week ago today was my 3 month checkup with my doc. All seems well. I asked if I could qualify for a handicapped parking thing - since I was so old - and she said yes...so that should be coming this week. Get my eyes checked on Thursday.

I am hunting for some innovative ways to use sauerkraut I was looking for some appetizers I had one time using the stuff...but can't find it. Come to think of it - it may have been cookies or candy that I ate...I'll look in that area. Did find an appetizer that looks easy using Crescent rolls and little smokies which I will take to the party... I forgot...I have laundry in the machine..I had best go get it!! Take care!!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted...sorry about that! Christmas was wonderful - as it usually is - Christmas Eve Jocelyn and I went over to Dian and Nigel's for dinner..Nigel had smoked spareribs all day - and they were mighty delicious ! I went back to Jocelyn's to spend the night, as I have done the last 3 Christmases,....Everyone came there on the big day..I was so proud I completed all my projects...a crocheted afghan for Dian and handmade tote bags for Marcia, Jocelyn and Sheri...( I had already sent a bag to Susie) everything looked great, if I do say so myself! We had prime rib for dinner - I LOVE prime rib!! A very busy day and I was really glad to home to my own bed. The kids all went together and got me a new flat screen TV..which thrills me to pieces!! I will get it some time this week - I hope. I will need to rearrange my whole living room set-up so we can hang it on the wall - but that's okay. We brought the TV I am now watching up from Seaside 6-7 years ago....and it was not new even then. ,..So...a treat for ME!

New Year's Eve was pretty uneventful...Had dinner with Dian and Jocelyn and then went down to the party the building was putting on. We played CLR and I won two times...greatly increasing my quarter collection....(for the laundry) .. I left around 11 - I was tired - and I didn't want to be embarrassed by winning any more! LOL

This week is being spent gearing up for my Birthday on Friday....by that I mean MENTALLY getting ready for it....I will be - (HOLD YOUR BREATH) 80 years old....I am really finding it difficult wrapping my mind around that......that hardly makes any difference - it is going to happen whether I like it or not. I just never figured I would be around that long..I am glad I am though - around, that is. The first Tuesday of each month they have a party for us birthday people...so, of course, I went...it was nice. They have a cake and punch and sing to us,...lasted under an hour. It was nice.

Friday will probably bring some casino action and out for dinner with everyone...Love it!!