momsnobest

more memorial day

2010-06-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

WONDERFUL WEEKEND

2010-06-01T10:22:00.001-07:00

SHADOW CAME OUT OF THE CLOSET

2010-05-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

That is literally not figuratively.As most of you know Shadow follows me everywhere, but once we go to bed he is all over the house. I never know where he is going to sleep. When I get up in the morning he appears. Sunday I got up and no Shadow. I finally started getting worried and looked for him. I looked in every room and even under the bed. No Shadow. Then I looked outside and in the car. Ray was asleep, and I woke him up to help me look. He put his robe on and it was when he opened the shut closet door to get his slippers that we found our stupid dog. All night and not a sound was made.

YIKES!

2010-05-05T08:33:00.001-07:00

As some of you know we just remodeled our bathroom. Well I suddenly noticed a big brownish/blackish hole the size of a half dollar on the wall. There would be a picture if my normally procrastinator of a husband hadn't quickly painted over it. Anyway ,this is what happened. I put a magnifying two sided mirror on the wall. Evidently my large eyebrow window over the sink sent sun beams directly to the mirror and just like Survivor it started a fire. Lesson learned and shared.

2010-04-12T15:00:00.001-07:00

This free photo album created with Smilebox

two more days

2010-04-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday it was about 80 degrees. Now I am not complaining but it was hot. And the first nice day here and everyone is on spring break so you combine that with a free zoo and Oh my was it crowded.Ray got tired and went home before me so I got a little lost. But just for a minute, just turned the wrong way.Finally found my way to the blue line and got home safe and sound.
Today it was also very warm. We went to the museum of science and industry. It was wonderful. I have never seen anything like it. Our kids especially Sam and Aiden would have loved the weather place with Tornado's and lightening.It is really a great museum but it would take at least a week to see everything. We also saw little chicks hatching right in front of our eyes.We have taken only public transportation, buses and trains, no taxis. We are very proud of ourselves. Tomorrow we will do Oak Park with the Frank Loyd Wright tour. Then maybe just hang around millennium park and watch people. Also there is a free ice skating rink.

IT IS WARMER

2010-03-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

Lovely day. Much, much warmer. Probably 60.Went to the Art Institute and saw a wonderful exhibit of Mattise plus wonderful impressionist artist like Manet, Monet, Pissaro etc. Also took a long ride on the elevated train, which allows you to se in peoples windows and office and many cool neighborhoods. We also had a nice lunch at a fancy restaurant. so all in all a good day. By the way Jennifer we went past Rick Bayles's restaurant. Evidentally he owns three and he does not take reservations,you have to stand in line.

day two, Chicago

2010-03-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

High today of either 44 or 42 depending on who you believe. It is easy to tell the difference between California and native. One(California) has seven layers, hats gloves and scarfs. Native people are in shirt sleeves, flip flops and beach wear.So today, since we are now pro with the Chicago transit system .We are on the blue line, we went downtown and then got on the hop on hop off bus for a overall picture of Chicago and then went to the Field museum We saw great exhibits and a wonderful 3 d movie of the Egyptian Kings and mummies and how they were found. 40 in one below ground grave. And because we are so honest and finally told them, when we did not have to that we had not paid,(on the bus) I am sure we get extra gold stars or something. If it is warmer tomorrow, then the zoo.Oh and we stumbled on the wonderful stained glass museum at the Navy pier. I took pictures but can't post them because I forgot my memory card, (XD) more expensive and mine is home!!!!

chicago

2010-03-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

Well in spite of myself I decided to do a blog. Chicago is definitely a story and not a conversation. The house is very old and has a lot of charm. Heather my exchange person noted that we must be a perfect match because we have the same bathroom floor and the same breadbox.It is icy cold here but is supposed to warm up. We got wonderful help from the transit people and think we have it figured out.. We were on our way to Millennium park when we saw a free concert was starting at the Chicago Performing arts theater. So we were waylayed.. But it was worth it. Classical music. Wonderful musicians.Tomorrow we are going to do a "what to do in a day" from my guide book. But will end up at the zoo, which is one of very few remaining free zoos. There is also a Oz garden in homage to Frank Baum, with oz statues.We have not changed to Chicago time yet so are still two hours behind the city.We ask for help a lot and people are very nice about giving it.Had left over Pizza for dinner and a little wine. Can't be on vacation without wine. Ray is doing great and said he feels better after the walking. By the way we did go to Millennium part and it is pretty special.

A BAD TERRIBLE AWFUL MOVIE

2010-02-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

OK. We all can remember the worst job we ever had or a terrible meal or the most embarrassing thing that ever happened so I am sure you will understand when I truthfully say that Jennifer. Sonrisa and I saw the worst, really terrible movie, probably ever made. Now on Fandango one person said it was really funny but I figure she probably got her brains from the same gene pool that Sarah Palin got hers. Probably a member of the Tea(Pee) Party.So Listen to me when I say that "When In Rome" was not only bad but no one could figure out how it ever got made. As Jennifer said "did some big studio say, Oh what a great script. Let's give them tons of money and make this picture." And don't be fooled by the title and think you are going to see scenes in Rome. They are in Rome for five minutes at the beginning and two minutes at the end. Sonrisa said"it should be titled five minutes in Rome"I NOT ONLY WANT MY MONEY BACK I WANT TO BE COMPENSATED FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING

THE JOURNEY

2010-01-30T15:48:00.000-08:00

Well it all started when I found a small German phrase book that I wanted to send to Jennifer and Scott, so that they could learn German before they actually go to Germany. So I hunt all over the house for a envelope that it will fit it. No such thing. To the drugstore, where I buy a the "perfect" size. At the register I try and put the book in the envelope but it would not fit. The cashier also tried to force it in.Back to the place where the envelopes are buy a package of them. It fits in these. I start to put their address on it and remember that I made a mistake on their Christmas card. Was it 110 or 112. I have known this address forever but now I am confused so back home. Where I decide to go to the post office the next day. In the meantime I bring it in the house because if I leave it in the car , for sure we will be in the other car. The next day I totally forget to mail it. But I did carry it out to the car and then back in the house. I was going to mail it on the way to meeting Sonrisa but realized I did not have time. So back in the house it goes. Now today I put it in the car but we ended up having our car serviced and there was no post office within miles. All but the main ones close at noon.And that blessed little envelope is back in the house and can not go anywhere until Monday.

2010-01-15T11:10:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

OH DEAR!

2010-01-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

Today in restraining order clinic, I had a lady have a pretty big seizure. I noticed she had stopped writing, when I asked her why, she looked at me and uttered gibberish. I thought maybe she had Tourettes Syndrome, but then she fell across her desk. All my first aid classes flashed before my eyes. I went over grabbed her and with the help of another volunteer, we got her on the floor on her side. I asked someone to get me a towel and I just kept telling her she would be fine, while using the damp towel on her forehead. Suddenly there were Sheriffs and EMTs all over the place. They transported her to the hospital. I just got a email saying she is feeling much better now. Thank heavens. Wew!!!!!

A Christmas tale

2009-12-18T13:58:00.000-08:00

A very cute real
christmas story from our friends Amanda and Jesse and the twins

A few weeks before Christmas, a family of four went to a Christmas party. The party had a “special guest” on the itinerary and the instructions for all parents were to bring a small wrapped toy for each child. Before the party, the toys were collected and put into a big red sack. When Santa arrived, he distributed the gifts from his sack and the two boys received a set of four cars each. Both boys were overjoyed with the presents and thanked Santa very much. Santa responded that, “the next time they saw their good friend Chuck, tell him he’s a ‘great guy’!” It was very cute. The family stayed at the party for a while, then when it was time to leave, collected all of the cars and set off for home. Once they arrived home, one of the boys became bossy and possessive regarding the cars. “Be careful!” the father said. “Santa brought those toys and he can take them back whenever you misbehave.” Thinking he’d tamed the dragon, the father turned around, only to have one of the cars ‘whiz’ by his head. “Okay,” he responded, “it’s gone. You lose it.” The father took the car and hid it, amidst the crying of the young boy. “You need to make better choices,” the father said.
“I’d like my car back please,” the boy said the next morning.
“Sorry,” replied the father. “You need to make better choices. If Santa wants to return it to you, you’ll have to wait until Christmas. If you’ve been well behaved, you’ll get it back.”
After a few days, the boy threw another tantrum. “You lose another one!” The father said promptly, taking another car, to the boy’s protest.
“I’ll make better choices,” the boy sobbed, slowly, after calming down.
The following week, the family decided to visit a Christmas show, with a song and dance routine by multiple characters including Santa. “Daddy,” the boy said, “can you tell Santa to give me my two cars back?”
“I sure will,” the father said. “But you need to make good choices until Christmas.” Eventually, Santa and the rest of the show came down to see the people, wave and say, “Ho Ho Ho!”
“SANTA!!,” the boy shouted, “I would really like my cars back, please,” after getting a brief moment of time with the showman. “Umm…” the Santa started, “I’ll see what I can do.”
The boy behaved well for the next week and the family decided to attend another function. This was a city-sponsored float, in which Santa rode around the town and waved to people who came out of their houses to see him. Occasionally, the float would stop and Santa (and other helpers) would hand out candy canes. Because the float would have to drive down some areas with heavy traffic, the city added a microphone and giant speakers to the float, so Santa’s merriness and cheer could be heard by everyone. The family watched as the float went by and waved to the Santa. At the next intersection, the float stopped and the family trekked down the street to get closer to Santa, and possibly capture some candy canes. The young boy, broke away from his father and ran to the side of the float.
“Santa!” he yelled. “Santa!!”
It would be at this point that the city-sponsored Santa SHOULD have just said, “Merry Christmas little boy! Remember to behave and leave some milk and cookies out for me…” Instead, he said, “Someone get that kid the microphone.”
“Would you please bring the two cars back,” the boy spoke clearly and directly into the microphone. “The two cars that were taken away from me…will you please bring them back to me. I’m making good choices now.” The crowd spun and looked at the parents.
“You have to make good choices until Christmas,” the father said loudly.
“Yeah,” Santa replied. “Then you’ll get those cars back…and two NEW ones.”

Thanks Santa. The lesson? Never give your child a microphone. Merry Christmas!

PS – This story is true. The boy’s name is Jack. The family’s name is Armitage.

click on this

2009-10-17T11:33:00.001-07:00

Piano stairs - TheFunTheory.com - Rolighetsteorin.se

A wonderful young man.

2009-10-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that my dear friend, Mary Ellen's daughter has Leukemia, the same kind that Jennifer's best friend Carol died from. She is in her 30's. She was in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. Her brother was not a match and her parents were too old. A 24 year old man who did not know Emberly or her family had volunteered on a donor list. He was a good match. And he went through the marrow donation. Not a pleasant or easy thing to do. Today after about three weeks Emberly has been moved to The City of Hope apartments for the next 100 days. This week her doctor said, after a bone marrow test, that all the cells were of the donor, which is very good news. Thanks to a stranger she has a good chance of surviving. They will not reveal the name of the donor for a YEAR.

JURY DUTY, Need I say more.

2009-10-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

Oh how much I did not want to be put on a jury. And finally at 4pm I was allowed to go home. But first I had to be tortured. Arrive at 8am and listen to how many cases were asking for juries (119). Sounded bad to me. Out of the 200 people who had been called ,two panels of 50 people were led up to two different courtrooms.They called them alphabetically so once they were on the E's I could relax. It was finally clear to me that the rest of us had escaped but we still had to sit there. The man behind me was snoring loudly as were several other desperate people. Of course I brought a book which I almost finished but it was purely terrible to have to sit there, and sit there. In the same length of time I could have flown to New York or farther.

some pictures from the trip from Hell

2009-08-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

The top picture is where it all began,then a picture going into Stolkholm, then Gypsies on a boat in Russia, then the Hermitage,the city of Tallinn, Estonia(where Ray went to the hospital)and finally a video from Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark
. Ray only saw Tivoli Gardens .

Chris this is for you

2009-06-18T15:50:00.001-07:00

First I broke my camera, and before we left had to get a new one. These pictures are in San Diego. We stayed in two different hotels the two dark pictures and the sailboat are from the same one.

Thomas the train day

2009-04-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

Muna's new car

2009-04-21T15:25:00.001-07:00

Ain't it pretty. It is a 2008 Suzuki, with only 500 miles on it. What I don't like is it is a stick shift. However, because of the 500 miles they had to sell it as a used car, which made it a super bargain. So there it is. And we sold Ray's truck on Craigs list in one day. I'm so happy.

CHECK THIS OUT

2009-04-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

Click here: YouTube - Dawn Wells Potato Peeling Video

TATTOOS

2009-03-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

Susie told me that all the old ladies when she gets old will have them(tattoos). Yep. Know that is true. But whatever you do never, never put someones name on your body that you think you will love forever.Today I had a young, pretty Latino lady seeking a restraining order against ERIK. She might hate him now but she will never be able to forget him. She had put his name in giant letters across the back of her neck. E R I K

Nature at the beach

2009-03-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

My nature walks. Twice I have seen a seal pup very much alive on the beach. The first time Shadow went running up to it and got the scare of his life when it raised its head and hissed at him I went home and called the marine rescue people, left a message on their machine. Two days later another pup, but this time it was roped off with a sign to leave him alone, when he was ready he would go back into the water. And sure enough that is what he did. These pups were very small and had to be just a few weeks old. Then Ray and I watched a blue heron catch a field mouse or rat and then slowly swallow it whole. I did not know they did that. It was just like a snake seeing the big bluge go down the skinny neck.

REVISED AND FINISHED ALBUM COVER

2009-02-23T09:20:00.000-08:00

AND MORE PICTURES

2009-02-19T09:49:00.000-08:00

no words needed

2009-02-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

2009-02-03T20:15:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures from Anaya's sixth birthday party. Gordon pushed her face in the cake. This did not make me a happy grandma, but everyone else, including her thought it was funny.

PICTURES

2009-02-03T15:55:00.000-08:00

And here is China, minus one eye.

Up date

2009-01-30T06:29:00.001-08:00

The vet could not save both eyes and had to sew one of them up. They do not know if China can see out of the other one. Casey and Gordon are on the way to get her this morning.(Friday)

OMG

2009-01-29T20:47:00.000-08:00

Well today Casey's, husband Gordan came home for lunch and found their little Shitzu, China in the front yard and HER EYES HAD POPPED OUT. This is true and evidently not uncommon with this breed. Their eye sockets are larger than their eyes and if you pull on their ears or they bump their head(what must have happened) well their eyes pop out.She is at the vets and we do not know the outcome. It is possible that she could be blind.I had never heard of such a thing but my vet confirmed it.

NEWS FROM THE GRANTHAM RANCH

2009-01-06T09:27:00.000-08:00

When the Granthams woke up this morning there were darling twin lambs to join the family . They are named Sugar and Spice. Very cute and everyone is very excited. That means seven lambs, two horses, six dogs and millions of wild chickens!

I also wanted to tell those who do not know that Oliver is in the hospital with Pancreitis, caused from drinking. He has been there for three days and is still in a lot of pain. We hope this will be a wake up call. He had to go to the hospital in an ambulance, of course I am very worried about him. Casey is , as usual ,the caretaker of them all. At the moment he is too doped up to talk, but Casey is going to see him today. She will let me know his status.

THE NAUGHTY CHAIR

2008-12-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

A CURMUDGEON ??????

2008-12-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

Now I ask you does a curmudgeon like Christmas, children, ice cream, dogs, thrift shops, camping and chooses"Meet me in Saint Louis" as their favorite movie? I don't think so.

THE CRITICAL CRITIC

2008-11-30T14:30:00.000-08:00

OK, Australia is a really bad movie. I have decided that the critics that were kindly toward it, didn't see it. They must have sent their 14 year old daughters or kindly elderly aunt ,who reads
romance novels ,and spliced their reviews with the info that the studio sends them. I mean this movie is over acted, over directed, badly written and just plain ridiculous.Unless of course you believe that a 7 year old, three foot tall boy can stop 1500 stampeding cattle, by staring them down on the very edge of a cliff.If it was supposed to be funny(it wasn't) or a fantasy(No) then I could accept it. BUT IT WAS A SERIOUS MOVIE.And furthermore it forever spoiled the "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" song, which I used to like

EIGHT YEARS TODAY(MARRIED)

2008-11-18T14:59:00.000-08:00

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? AND TOMORROW WE ARE GOING TO THE OPERA(CARMEN) I HAVE NEVER GONE TO THE OPERA, SUSIE AND I ALMOST DID BUT I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE TICKET PRICES. SO THIS IS WHAT I FOUND OUT IF YOU DON'T MIND SEATING IN THE CEILING , YOU ONLY HAVE TO PAY $65, IF YOU WANT GOOD SEATS, THEN IT IS MORE LIKE $350, THAT'S PER SEAT!

OH NO

2008-11-12T16:22:00.000-08:00

THE PURPLE ROOM IS NOT PURPLE ANYMORE

AMERICA WINS

2008-11-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

What Obama has done is engage people in politics for the first time in a very long time. This brings politics back to the people. It feels like my vote does count(even though I lost the gay marriage one) I am just sooooo happy! I am just so relieved! I am just so grateful!

ADDENDUM TO PREVIOUS POST

2008-11-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

FORGOT TO ADD.... THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING AT THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN CENTER WAS SEEING THE PARENTS , WITH THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN(10 and up) WHO WERE WORKING RIGHT ALONG SIDE THEM, USING THEIR OWN CELL PHONES ,THEY WERE BUSILY CALLING OUT OF STATE AND FOLLOWING THE SAME SCRIPT.

TIME TO VOTE

2008-11-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

I had a very interesting weekend working the phones at the Obama campaign headquarters in Ventura. On Saturday I called registered Democrats in New Mexico urging them to early vote and telling them where their polling place was one sweet little old 85 year old lady said" drop dead and go to hell" but most of the other people were polite. On Sunday I called all registered voters in Indiana and most were going to vote for Obama and had already been called 2 or 3 times, but were nice and wanted to talk about the election. One bonus for me was my awful cheap old cell phone stopped working after two hours, even though I was plugged in to my charger and the socket. So I got a new much better phone from good old Costco. Yea!

Now we just have to wait .For you that don't care or want the same old policy of the last eight years you can not imagine how nervous the rest of us are. In my long life this is the election of a lifetime.

JUST FOR JENNIFER AND SCOTT

2008-10-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

This started out itty bitty but after the Master Gardner got hold of it it turned into a big beautiful Rose. Thank You

WHY I LOVE MY CLOTHESLINE

2008-10-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

Oh yes! This (clothesline) is a great invention. There you are outside, nothing to do but day dream, smell the nice clean clothes and even better, putting those sun smelly sheets on your bed. What a treat. Most people don't know of this invention because they are too young. They think it is a chore to shove clothes in a dryer, listen to the noise and check to see if they are dry. My clothesline is a magic clothesline, instantly returning me to my youth, but no diapers, no bad dogs tearing sheets off the line and no forgetting to get the clothes off before it rains.So there it is my favorite NEW thing. It is such a good secret I think I will keep it to myself.

THE CRITICAL CRITIC

2008-10-12T16:44:00.000-07:00

Go see Appaloosa, it is really a good movie. A old fashioned Western with Ed Harris, Renee Zellwiger and Viggo Mortenson. What I really liked was the bad guys were sooooo bad that you were happy when they got shot. The sets were great and it was a well written story. More or less a perfect movie. You really did not know how it would end. I also saw August Rush, and even though the critics did not like it and even though it was a fairy tale and even though it was slow at the begining I ended up liking it. And of course I loved the music.So two for two

Now back to the forbidden subject of politics, Chris's comments made me a happy muna.

REGISTER ON LINE

2008-10-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

http://justvote.org/registration?gclid=CPfJqvaLmJYCFSJIagodYFh85w

CORRECTION

2008-10-06T16:13:00.000-07:00

THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING TO VOTE IS OCTOBER 20th. The other deadline must have been for absentee voting. so all you good citizens you still have time to register.

House exchange # 5

2008-10-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Why Vote

2008-09-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

OK I know this is unwanted information. However, remember not voting is still a vote. It can effect an election. If you don't care about what is happening to our economy,if you are not worried about health care( it is so expensive that your place of employment might not give you insurance) if you don't care about Iraq and the possibility of going to war with Iran or Russia, well then don't complain if any of these issues suddenly effect you. I know it is overwhelming and it is hard to know which side to believe, but there is plenty of information on the Internet. Here are some web sites

pewresearch.org drudgereport.com thepage.time.com politico.com realclearpolitics.com

The bottom line is it is a privilege to be able to vote. I also want to add that if you have children you are a role model for them. Don't you want them to grow up to be good citizens?

THE CRITICAL CRITIC

2008-09-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

OK I snuck off to see "The Women" and well sorry to say it was not very good.I really wanted to like it. But the cast did not have any chemistry. They did not seem like real friends. Also I am way old enough to remember the original which was very good. This is not the same story. On the other hand we DVR'd " Bridge to Terabithia" and I really liked it. The acting was much better and the story made sense. Yes I cried but this is a charming movie. I would give " The Women" about a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10 and "Bridge" a 8.

So today I go to my class on red states versus blue states. A note to my Grandchildren. Please get informed, please register to vote, please VOTE. Of course I want you to vote for Obama, but more than anything I want you to vote. This is your country, your future, your duty.And that is the end of the lecture. Sometimes I can't help it, it just comes out.Well while I am at it, Susie and Abby and Katie clean your apartment or room. Ya know it is all about respect.Lazy does not run in our family.

Victim's Advocate

2008-09-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

I think it is time to talk about what I do about twice a week. As you all know I am a volunteer Victims Advocate, what you don't know is what I do. Well when someone, either man or women wants a temporary restraining order against some one they come to our office, they go through intake and someone determines if they have a good case.They are then required to come the following day and go through a workshop, which I do. It is part PowerPoint presentation to help them fill out the forms correctly and partly help in making sure that their declaration (what happened) is fully descriptive. Not enough to say he/she yelled at me and called me names, but be explicit. At some point someone from the Coalition Against Family Violence comes in and makes a short presentation. They are attorneys and offer free legal help via phone as well as shelter. As you might imagine people are very emotional. Every single workshop I have done has at least one man seeking aT.R.O against his wife/partner. We have also had mother's vrs daughters, sister against brothers and I am sure the list goes on.

The following day I go to court with everyone from the workshop. I can't speak but I offer support and even stand or sit with them in front of the judge. Today two of my five people did not get their restraining orders. Of course this upsets me and them too. The workshop takes about four hours and court can be 30 minutes or two hours, depending on the judge. This is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I got two big hugs today and one lady(older) said she could not have done it without our help. It is a great, free service.Amazing that so much is offered for free.
When they come back for their permanent restraining order, we help them again. By the way a restraing order says stay 100 yards(football field) away, no text messaging or calling and turn all, guns into the police department. If someone breaks it they can be arrested. It is especially hard for women with children. Sometimes they want the fathers to see their kids, sometimes not.I do a workshop tomorrow, my third day this week.Wonder what it will bring.

GOOD BYE TO MATTHEW

2008-09-05T14:15:00.001-07:00

2008-08-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

OH SO MUCH FUN

2008-08-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

We got to go sailing with Ken and Patsy. This is Ken's boat and I bet it has been a year since he took it out.We had a great time. Please note the buoy with sea lions on it. They cost me a dinner. Ken suckered me into betting him that it was not a boat. From far away it sure looked like one!

ALL THE REST

2008-08-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

LOTS OF CASH

2008-08-25T11:42:00.001-07:00

He is very good and very cute and very loved.

Family night at the Silver Pony

2008-08-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

Well it seems that at a certain neighborhood bar, kids can go until 7pm. So... here we all are having a great time at the Silver Pony

Lots to say

2008-08-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know that it has been a while. so here goes ,the trip to Iceland and England was even more wonderful than just the amazing countries because Jennifer and Scott were with us. It has taken some time to get back in the groove. I did not want to watch or read news, it was just so good to be removed from all of that. Slowly I am being sucked back in. My volunteer job is mostly interesting and rewarding. There was one day when the lady wanting the restraining order had willingly gone to his house, got in a fight and did not want to leave. Ya had to wonder about that one. Tho I am glad when the abuse is mild or questionable. Of course there is often a"he said,she said" thing going on. Anyway today should be interesting because I called both parties and informed them about the restraining order and both were irate and indicated they would be in court today. This is unusual. And then one woman got a restraining order against her husband who is in jail. No brainer.

Certainly I am very concerned about Carina, tho I feel she is going to be alright. Lots of love out there for you, Carina. Then my almost sister, Mary Ellen's 30 something daughter has AML (leukemia) the same kind that Jennifer's friend, Carol has. This is very worrisome. Mary Ellen and Tom have had to move to Emberly's house in Las Vegas to be at the hospital with her.She has been in the hospital almost a month.We still do not know when she can leave. And more sad news. my friend Cara's beautiful horse had to be put down.

Happy news is we are finally going to meet the newest member of the family. Yes tomorrow(Thursday) we will drive to Phoenix for two days. Oh and,no surprise, Anaya has been recommended to the gifted child program, after a week and a half in kindergarten. Have to take Shadow to the park so please family stay well, get well.

two more

2008-07-26T12:49:00.001-07:00

The first so you could see the view from the hot tub and the other, because it is such a good picture.

More Iceland and England pictures

2008-07-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

The first picture is the dining room in our Iceland house.

, Ray finally got into the hot tub.

Flowers from the Botanical gardens in Iceland.
Jennifer and Scott trying to figure out "how to get there" England
Swan and baby in King James Park, England

How to make a vegetarian out of you.

Another picture from the museum

2008-07-14T23:15:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post this cute picture. In the same house with the disco floor was a drum ,guitars etc. A father,obviously a professional drummer, because he was good, was playing the drums. His cute little daughter didn't enjoy it so much.

Still having fun

2008-07-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

We have now experienced all the Iceland weather ,except snow. It has been very cold,windy and rainy today. The first museum we went to was a collection of old houses.also where Jennifer feed the horse and shrunk in size. I am also including a picture of the Blue Lagoon that I took from inside. In answer to Gita, yes it is a hot spring. They built a geo thermal energy plant and when they saw how blue the water was they decided to make this gigantic pool. It is really fun, with water falls and everything. it is as big as it looks and it is what Iceland is noted for.One explanation, the Blackburn name was in the print shop. We are guessing that it is the name of a font. Also the dance floor was in one of the building, I guess a tribute to the disco age.And Jennifer was delivering a "get it together" sermon the museum church.

You have to click on the picture

2008-07-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

That is because the pictures of the water fall are amazing. See the rainbow.And yes i am going to put more pictures on my blog.

Yeah more Iceland

2008-07-12T04:02:00.001-07:00

Ok I want everyone to look at the picture of my daughter sitting on the edge of a very deep crater,loose gravel and all * see her post(. Now I begged her to move back.... kids ...as she would say sheesh.The pictures on my blog are from whale watching, the cafe where we had lunch and the famous, but very far away glacier. Today we went to a organ concert in a famous church and to a flea market. Fun

2008-07-11T01:06:00.000-07:00

The pictures of the children were on the side of a building in Reykjavik. The funny sideways picture is , of course, Scott acting like a viking in the most interesting and bloody museum I have ever seen.and then the beautiful falls and Jennifer and Scott having a picnic.

2008-07-10T00:49:00.001-07:00

Sceness from Reykjavik

Iceland grafitti

2008-07-09T00:56:00.000-07:00

looks like a little ralphie

2008-07-08T02:04:00.001-07:00

TRAVELING THROUGH ICELAND

2008-07-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

On the way to who knows where in the most beautiful country I have ever seen. We stopped here for a hot dog and met some people from Amsterdam and a very quirky artist/proprietor.

Check out the thermal pools!

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE FAMILY

2008-07-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

Cash Dixon Dee Grantham was born about 8 PM tonight.
He weighs 7 lbs 3 oz and looks just like Casey.

TOO MUCH TIME ON HER HANDS

2008-06-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

guesses

2008-06-26T18:11:00.001-07:00

Gita thinks iti s a zebra bug in a salad. Actually it is the same picture that is right below it with a guest bee. Click on it Gita.

Is it photoshop or is it real

2008-06-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

Bees

2008-06-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

I did want to post this swarm of bees.

Last week and new trees and farm tour

2008-06-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe I overacted about the trees now that the new ones are in it is not so bad Then we had a brilliant ( too many London chick books) day at the beach Also a very HOT tour of "the farm" given by Ray. I declined the Attic part but Aunt Pat and Uncle Mike gamely went up.

Iceland is looming and I am procrastinating getting ready by writing this blog. That said I think I better get cracking sooooo

TREES

2008-06-19T08:03:00.000-07:00

Well the Master Gardner has struck! Ray did not like our trees in the front yard. He claimed their roots caused our lawn to be bad. So after five years of complaining he finally managed to convince the association to take out not one, not two but all three trees. Yes they will replant at least one tree, but who knows when. In the meantime there is one very unhappy wife living in a bare house. IT LOOKS AWFUL.I mean terrible did I say UGLY?

????????????????

2008-06-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

and you thought she was sleeping in her bed.

just for fun

2008-06-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

another story

2008-06-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Well after reading Susies story I had to add mine. Outside the window on the third floor of the courthouse building(DA's office) Two crows(very large so I think they are actually Ravens), built a very heavy duty nest. Full of large sticks, some a foot long and thick. There is a large ledge for them to strut around on. The babies were almost full grown. While we are trying to listen to why people beat up their partners , these crows are marching along the ledge, and of course pecking at the glass to get our attention. One day the mommy crow called her two babies to come stand in front of her. The father was long gone.She then proceeded to give them one long and I am sure very important lecture. They just stood at attention and listened.It must have been the final one, "remember to look where you are flying, the best food is fast food , don't forget me"etc.because when I took my camera to get the picture for this blog they were all gone.

May 28th

2008-05-28T16:58:00.001-07:00

I know ya'll know this. But if you click on the teeny picture it gets big. Also the Susie picture was done very quickly right after I got my photoshop softwear, just to see if it worked. Not really to brag. And it was also a Happy Birthday, Anniversary in that order. All squeezed in between school and school.

Look what I can do! Yea me

2008-05-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

Arroyo Verde Park

2008-05-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

more critical critic

2008-05-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

In the order they were seen. "What Happens in Vegas" bad movie but fun to watch . I expected it to be bad but it was the only one playing when I needed to go see a movie. But it was bad in a good way. anyway it entertained me just fine. " The Visitor". This is a very, very good movie. The same beginning premise as "Smart People" but so much better. It also exposes the secret detention centers that illegal immigrants disappear into and are never seen again. Lots of good music involving a man from Syria and A woman from Senegal. Drums. Loved this movie. " "Young at Heart"This is a documentary about a group of really old people(71 to 95) who are part of a singing group that performs current songs. They have traveled to Europe many times and sell out in every place they go. Some can barely walk, some need oxygen tanks, but still they attend three rehearsals a week for eight weeks. They come in the rain and the snow.They learn very complicated songs(Schizophrenia} Two of the group die while filming this movie but it has such a good message. A really good movie but probably not for everyone.

The best of times and the worst of times

2008-05-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

First the worst, I had a tooth pulled on Tuesday and it hurt, hurt, hurt. In fact like a big baby I screamed and then I cried. The Dentist was not pleased. Sort of like I insulted his skills. He is probably going to fire me. My mouth is finally feeling better. But much worse is that Casey just found out that she has gestational diabetes . Which explains why she has had such a difficult pregnancy and why the baby is so large

Now the best. I went to the orientation for my volunteer job. This is going to be a wonderful opportunity. To begin with we are the first group ever. We will be just like employees(without the pay). We will be assigned jobs and will do everything the staff does. We will go to court a lot. We will even go to the jail. We will have clearance tags that will get us in every where.We will learn everything about restraining orders. Apparently there are three kinds, domestic, civil and ?.There are only five people in our group.One lady is a retired attorney, one wants to change jobs and thinks volunteering is a good way to try it out. Then there is a 18 year old and the other lady came in late, so don't know her story.Training begins on the 21. Can't wait.

cheating is fun

2008-05-07T08:41:00.000-07:00

Thought I would come clean and explain that Gita's picture of Dani and me on the couch was taken when we tied for first place at the "unscramble the words game". Our papers were identical because, of course we shared answers. Who says cheater's never prosper?After all we both won a prize, snatched from the hands of honest people!

Four Generations

2008-05-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

critical critic

2008-04-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Birgita suggested that we do movie reviews. And as I do not have anything else to say ...here goes. Sonrisa and I saw Smart People. It did sort of entertain us. However, Dennis Quaid played the most obnoxious person and it is hard to imagine Sarah Jessica Parker ever going out with him and certainly not more then once.Then there is the slightly disagreeable premise that Ellen Page playing a socially isolated teenager, goes out with her "adopted uncle" and he allows her to get very drunk at which time she makes a big pass at him and carries on her crush through out the movie. And of course the most unbelievable premise of all that he (Quaid) would "get it" and just change into a reasonable human being instead of a self-centered , self-pitying jerk.

PS I did spend about five minutes correcting the spelling of Rachel. I hate it when people spell my name Joe. Don't know what happened so sorry, Rachel

PPS Ray and I went with Birgita to see the mobile home she is thinking of buying. The location is really wonderful and the mobile home has been well cared for and Gita could do amazing things with it. Maybe it could be a flip. The beginning of a new career. Or maybe a always house at the beach.

And now Sonrisa and I are off to the Ventura Art Festival.

YEA!

2008-04-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Well you would think I got a job I am so happy that "they want me to work for free". I probably did talk too much but they said"they were very impressed with me". So that will round up my week just perfect. And the other good thing is that Ray took the money from the sale of his house and paid off our house.A really good thing for me.

I am so sorry that Lacey is having such a hard time. There is nothing fun about feeling sick all the time. However, I am glad that it is fixable. I love reading all the blogs, how else would any of us know what is going on in the family.And once again both Rachel and Susie have a real nack for writing funny.And I am sure that there is a market for them. Maybe "A day in the life of two sisters".

Creative Ladies

2008-04-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

Clearly, both Susie and Rachel are missing an opportunity to become famous bloggers. Maybe for a magazine (parents for Rachel) and some Internet site for Susie. Both are very funny and it is not easy to write "funny". With a little enterprise both could be making $$$$$. Think about it then "just do it". Remember ladies when you are rich and famous, whose idea it was.

Today I interviewed for a volunteer job with the District Attorney's office, victims unit. It would be perfect for me and I really want to do it. But I may have talked and interrupted too much. They appeared to like me and they don't have to pay me but it is possible that they will turn me down. They might think I am too old.OH No!

Happy Birthday Beautiful KKKKatie/ Cat and Mouse

2008-04-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from my friend Rinda (high school ).Also Happy Birthday Katie

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

2008-04-13T12:38:00.001-07:00

Rachel asks.... what is a grown -up?

2008-04-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

From a twilighters perspective there is no such thing as a finished grown-up. Grown -up is supposed to denote a high level of maturity, but of course that is subjective.So let me share my feelings and experiences. As you live you begin to realize how complicated life really is. It is both very sad at times and very happy at times. Expectations to some degree can help you but they also get in the way of seeing things clearly. They also can set us up for big disappointments. It is hard not to compare others to ourselves. We don't understand why our family and friends don't do what we want them to do. After all we all know how to fix everyone else. One of the better things I have learned is that we need to accept people as they are.I am speaking of friends not children or spouses. ( they need direction and clear communication, especially spouses) Being a mature adult is a day by day occurrence. Sometimes you are successful and other times you fail miserably. I think growing up implies confidence and being happy with yourself without trying to please everyone else. I think it is very hard to not depend on others to make you happy and it takes work. When you define yourself instead of accepting other people's definition of you, maybe that is grown up. Sam defines being a grown up as learning and acquiring skills , a process not a end product.Being responsible for one's life, whatever happens is also connected to maturity and this is why some people never do completely grow up.

MOUNTAIN LIONS AND SALESMAN

2008-04-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Today I talked to Mary Ellen and heard her Mountain Lion story.They live in Bootjack, which is near Yosemite. Well Mary Ellen like cats ! She has many inside and also outside cats. Of course she takes very good care of them all. Anyway she was in the house and Tom said "go chase that squirrel away" She stepped outside and a mountain lion jumped out of the bushes. Naturally this was a little frightening. She was worried that he was after the cats. So for the last year they have built a fence to keep the cats safe. Of course cats go where they want and no fence can keep them in. But she is hoping that she can now sit outside and not worry about being attacked.I am afraid that all those well fed kitties look like a super market for ML.

Different story. Birgita and Dani and I looked at houses on Saturday. The ones she really liked were called The Cottages. However, they had a very high association fee. They told us of another development with a lower one so we went to see them. Now their salesmen were obviously trained by GW. After looking at them all and finding one that was really great we went back to the salesmen(only way out) and the big boss came out and said" you must have had a bad experience with real estate people?" Me!!! no and she...(Gita) is the one looking. How did we find their place, told them who sent us. So ( to me again) how did you like their houses? We loved them I said .He responded by saying well go buy one of them. Uh ! Then they asked what we liked about them. Gita said the pool and the fact that they were free standing. To me again...well then go buy one of them. Why they were so upset with me I have no idea. Even if they could hear what we were saying in the houses, I don't remember saying anything bad, except not liking some of them.Maybe it is a new style of salesmanship.

Life is Good

2008-03-31T19:43:00.000-07:00

Excitement in Arizona, Anaya is "gradulating" and this is wonderful news. after all she has been in preschool for a whole year. As you know "gradulations" are not easy, much preparation goes into it. So Casey received the schedule for two weeks of rehearsals and responsibilities. But to Anaya, no work is too hard because she has always wanted to "gradulate" and now she is. And Azyra is not. Of course there will be caps and gowns, it is to be expected. We assume she will attend kindergarten and after a year she gets to gradulate again!

Cool

2008-03-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

MARRIED, Casey and Gordon Granthem

2008-03-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

Casey called this morning and she and Gordon were, indeed married yesterday. She said it was perfect and the justice of the peace had a nice way to do the ceremony.

When they left his office all the other couples ,waiting to get married ,clapped. The night before, her boss gave them a nice party. Thanks to Priceline they got a real deal in Scottsdale. for their really short honeymoon. Right now it is spring break so all hotels are expensive. For (gulp) $175 they landed at the Ritz Regency something Ranch that is listed for $495 on Hotel.com. I checked it out and it is unbelievably beautiful.She sounded very happy and excited. Here is her address, 3624 W. Minton St., Laveen, Arizona 85339.

Jennifer wanted to know what The Secret is. Well it is a book that was all the rage about a year ago. Basically it says your fate is determined by your thoughts. Negative thoughts led to bad times. Positive thoughts get you what you want. Everything you wish for is in the Universe, wanting you to have whatever you desire. You simply have to believe you will achieve and you will. It says that YOU are in charge of whatever happens to you.

What's the point?

2008-03-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

O.K I know I am complaining again and I'm sort of reading The Secret so I know that one negative thought can lead to a bushel of trouble. But never-the less I am going to point out those so called secret letters that I have to type in before I can leave a comment on anyone else's blog. It is not just blogs but lots of sites that demand this test. I mean if I somehow mistake a I for a l I get another chance and if I screw that up, another chance. But let's face it even Aiden could do it. So as I said, what's the Point?

Something good to eat

2008-03-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a really good and easy recipe for pork chops
Mix 1 cup of flour, 2tsp coriander,salt, pepper. set aside. Mix 2 tbs of vanilla , 2 tbs of oil, 1 tsp cinnamon and one tsp of lemon juice. Slice 4 apples and leave peels on. soak apple slices in this mix. cut pork chops in the middle to the bone, Put soaked slices between slits in pork chops, coat in flour, brown in skillet on both sides(don;t cook, just brown) Put in oven at 350 for about 35 minutes. This is for ten pork chops so you don't need so much liquid or flour for fewer pork chops. Trust me this is good and it is also different.

Fact or Fiction

2008-03-12T15:03:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful lunch with my friends from AmeriCorps. They always make me feel loved, wanted and missed. And I just went through all my CDs and sortted many out which will go to the good will. Put that job off for about six years! Now we come to the mole in the bucket, dear Liza and I realize that for a minute I was had. Come on Miss forty something, clever, I will give you that. You probably are still laughing at all us good people, who believed you would go pick up a sick mole.

Paths

2008-03-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

I have finished Eat, Pray,Love and thought, I would like to do that. Go some place and eat whatever I want especially ice cream. I would have to skip the Pray part. I already know that I am no good at meditation and I like saying thank you in prayer but not the begging part. And in general India would not be my cup of tea. Now Bali sounds like fun. But then I realized that Gilbert's path would not be mine. I think that I do learn something about myself and others through travel and I do like to travel. So maybe my path is just different. Being paid to travel sounds good but would really be work and pressure. Lots of pressure. I am reading a book called Sick Girl, who is on a terrible path to live. She is the longest surving heart transplant and none of it has been fun.So I am glad that is not my path. But we all have hard paths at times ones with lots of hills and twists that never seem to end.

Now a strange thing has happened the Blog Gobblins have been at it again. I was playing around with titles and discarded Who am I? However, those BG posted it anyway. Making me look silly. But it did cause my oldest grandson to leave a comment. Maybe thats what the BG wanted to do.

Who am I?

2008-03-09T18:06:00.001-07:00

2008-03-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

My Photoshop class is so much fun and everything I can do there I can't do at home. For one thing I only have elements and another thing the teacher isn't right here helping me when ever I raise my hand. Anyway I had dolphins diving out of the sky and Brad Pitt hiking out of a jungle. It is all about selections and lassos and masking. I have already signed up to take the class again. This is a class that bears repeating.