Catching up Big Time - 9/12/2016

 It has been a very long time since I posted anything on my blog.  So long in fact that I had a hell of a time getting to the correct place to add this to it.  Would you believe that it is September, 2016.  Over two years have gone by and there has been so much water under the bridge, so to speak, in that time. 

I have fractured ribs.  This happened November of last year (2015) and it took me around 8 weeks to get back to normal.  Was not a fun experience and I have no intention of ever repeating it.

I have lost weight.  Almost 100 pounds total.  Knees feel better and I have had to buy some new clothes to wear, which any self-respecting woman likes to do.  Now I just have to get rid of the stuff that is too big.  When that finally happens some charity is going to be very happy.  I started up at a new gym and this time I am doing it right.  I even got myself a trainer.  I have decided that I am going to work on toning things up, getting my core stronger so my back doesn't hurt and just feeling good about myself.  If I lose more weight then so be it.

I have had my heart checked out (it is in good shape) and have been diagnosed with Asthma.  All this was because I would be out of breath after walking from on end of the house to the other and the heart would be pounding way too fast.  So far things are working out and I only have to use my inhaler once in a while.  I must admit though that the past couple of weeks have been the worst part of summer for me.

I have lost two friends the past four months.  This is not good.  I don't have that many good friends that I can afford to lose any.  Both were younger than me and both were a big shock.  One had a heart attack and the other was a victim of cancer.  Two rather bad things that take you whenever they damn well please.  I was looking forward to them retiring because they would have been good traveling buddies.  Once again if I am going to travel around the country I guess I am going to have to do it on my own.

The family is doing pretty good.  Terry is still working for the landscape company and thankfully his job is mostly sedentary because his chair broke on him and he is now fighting with Workman"s Comp to get his back taken care of.   Liz is working for Mod Pizza and loving life (or at least was until she fell at work the other day and screwed up her good knee).  I am just beginning my 7th decade and I seem to be the healthiest adult in the house at the moment.  Knock on wood, that stays the same. 

Eddie graduated from high school this year.  He will be starting college during the spring next year.  He needs to turn 18 and get his driver's license so that the rest of us don't have to play driver for him.    He is currently working and trying to learn how to drive.  He has his learner's permit but still needs to find a driving school and get 40 hours of drive time under his belt in order to get his license.  He is finding out that life is not free because he will be paying for the lessons, plus other things, on his own.  His pay check goes a lot quicker than it comes.

Those are the major things that have happened over the past couple of years.  Otherwise is has been pretty normal day in - day out kind of thing.  

Catching UP!!!!

June, 2014
It has been a year and a half since I last posted on my blog.  Very lax indeed.  So much has happened and that is probably why I haven't ........ just hit the wrong key and wiped out the two paragraphs that I have completed already.  I could really learn to hate this machine if it didn't provide me with so much, i.e. place to save my writings, photos and keep in touch with family and friends via the social network.  So I put up with the quirks.  It's just that when things like this happen and I don't know what I did to make it happen - it makes me a little bit paranoid.

I have been been on this machine since early this morning.  My first task was to print out the message that I typed for my son a month ago in honor of  father's day. He is not a father for real, but he has done his best to help his girlfriend with her son (15 already - was six months old when they started going together).  He would have made a good dad, too bad it is never going to happen.  That's just the way it happens sometimes.

I have organized my photos and saved them to a flash drive to protect them in the event my computer decided to crash or some such thing.  I also saved some of my more important writing projects.  I would not want to recreate them in any way, shape or form.  I enjoy writing and I really have not done enough of it during the past year.  Probably would have felt better if I had filled up my time but putting my fingers to the keyboard and produced words.

I did this because a virus attacked my phone and in order for it to be fixed they had to do a Master Reset-they managed to save my photos and my contacts, but the info in my task and memo folders was erased and had to be recreated, which I did with flying colors.  Buggar!!!!!!  The only thing that I have to do is to put birthdays back on my calendar (already replaced the dr. appointments etc.).  It was my fault that the virus hit my phone - I thought I was doing good but in actuality I did bad.  A message popped up telling me I had three viruses that I needed to handle and that I should click okay to start the cleaning process.  Guess what - clicking on okay is what gave the viruses the go ahead.  I paid for it - took a couple of hours at the AT&T fix-it store in Pikesville to get rid of it.

This past winter did not treat me well.  I was not a happy camper.  I do not like cold and I do not like snow and we had tons of both.  Unfortunately the snowblower gave up the ghost so it was shovel time.  I did get plenty of exercise because of the shoveling.   We had two major storms that if I had my way would have closed down the household until it melted, these were the two times that I was very glad that the neighbor from across the street came over with his snowblower and moved the majority of the snow before we went out to shovel.  God bless neighbors who look out for us.

There have been a lot of storms this spring as well - wind, rain and once or twice there was hail.  The temps are still on the cooler side, but that is going to change this week.  Looks like we have some warm and clear days coming up this week.  They will be greatly appreciated.  Doing my outside projects has not been easy cos it hasn't been dry enough long enough to get them done.  Painting does not like wet.  Still have some weeds around the perimeter of the yard that need to be sprayed, but once again rains reek havoc with that as well.  I am actually hoping that we are almost past this stuff.

I have not been very faithful with my exercise routines.  Haven't been to the gym in months.  In fact, I am not even sure that the  gym is still in the same place.  The jist of the last Facebook post is that it has moved.  I am going on a hunt tomorrow to see if I can find it - I really need to get back into a routine.  I have gained a few of my lost pounds back - more due to inactivity than eating too much because I have managed to maintain my 1200 calorie limit for the day.  Something to be said for that - even if I do say it myself.

Time to think about cutting this off - it is almost dinner time and I am in need of a cup of coffee.  Take care world......hi to anyone who might run across this and take the time to read.  I can get pretty long winded sometimes.

The New Year is here, already!

It is a great surprise to me that it has been six months since I posted anything here.  Lots has happened in that time.

I have gotten good words from the doctors - I am healthy as a horse and doing everything right to make my recovery go good.  My docs were all very pleased with my progress and the fact that I am doing so well - so am I.

I made a trip to Detroit in August.  I jumped in my car and drove.  I really surprised myself and proved to myself that I can do it.  I had a nice visit with my friend Diana and look forward to going back again and again for as often as she will put up with me.

The work in the basement (making it habitable for my son, his girl and her son) is going well.  There has been a lot of improvement - a really nice bathroom, painting, floors being put down and finishing touches.  Too bad that money has gotten short.  But tax money looms so I am hoping that the job can be finished.  Then I can start with the projects that I want to do upstairs - painting, refurbishing old furniture into new and just freshening things up.  Fortunately it is all stuff that I am going to be able to do myself.  My hubby taught me enough in the way of carpentry and painting etc. that it is going to be a "cake walk".

The holidays came with a bang and kinda slithered out with very little fanfare.  I have two (no make that three) wreaths outside and a tree inside (which is going to come down this weekend).  That is the extent of my decorating for the holidays.  Everything - energy, money and time - went into the basement, which is okay.  Did get a gift card from WalMart and a gift certificate to my favorite restaurant - Mo's.  Spent my gift card today (a new coat, two new blouses and two pairs of leggings) and have had two meals at Mo's so far.

We have had three snow storms already this year.  Luckily my exact location was not affected all that much.  Western Maryland got major inches and lots of ice as well, Eastern Maryland got mostly rain, and the Northeast was lambasted again.  Snow on top of Sandy, what a way to end the year!!!!!

That has been the last six months.  Lots of down time, lots of lunches with friends, lots of gym time (lost 60 pounds so far with 35 more to go to get to goal weight) and lots of time doing e-mails and Facebook.  I have been keeping busy and that is all that counts - doing what I want, when I want and how I want.  Retirement is great.  I have done nothing earth shattering, nothing that would change the world in a major way, and nothing that would be considered major in scope.  Just me being me.

Miracle of Life

The other day at about 4:00 p.m.,while I was walking around in Wal Mart, I came across a young mom holding her baby.  Me being the nosey thing that I am asked how old the baby was.  To my astonishment she replied 15 hours - yep, 15 hours. 

She explained that she had given birth to the little darling at 1:15 a.m. that day at a birthing center (water method was her choice of procedures).  She and the baby were doing well and had been released.  Fifteen hours - WOW!!!!   I was amazed.  She was walking around like nothing out of the ordinary had happened that day.  Shades of the pioneer spirit.  She was a little surprised with herself because she said it was an easy birth with not much pain involved.  Something to be said for that "water thing".

This is the youngest baby I have ever seen except for my son when he was born many many years ago.  This has given me a new found faith that just maybe the next generation is going to do okay.  She had courage and a fortitude that not many young ones exhibit in this day and age.  Bless her heart.  I wished them both well and went on my way with the realization that I had witnessed a minor miracle.

Farther into the Future

I am moving even farther into the future of high tech computer stuff.  My old cell phone gave up the ghost - it was turning itself off whenever it decided that it was a nice time to do so.  Very inconsiderate of the blamed thing especially when I use it for my alarm.  A missed appointment is no fun.  Soooooo, I upgraded. 

This new phone lets me do everything - most importantly it can be set up as a WiFi hotspot that will handle up to five items (computers, etc) at a time.  I can now be in the middle of nowhere and use my laptop - will wonders never cease.  I can actually get on the internet with the new phone, but it is a little small, especially the keyboard.  My fingers are not compatible and I was doing a lot of backspacing (more than normal) to correct things.  I solved this problem by getting a stylus.  I do so much better with this little tool.

I bought a portable netbook the other day as well -has a 7 inch screen and will be good for traveling.  It actually fits in my purse.  I am toying with the idea of taking it back,but probably won't because it is convenient for traveling like I said.

I have truly become a techie - I like using the things, but when it comes to the inside workings I am not so good.  I have to rely on people that are smart about the inner workings of these modern marvels.

Graduation Bell and More

May 11, 2012 was the big day - It was my last day of 7 weeks worth of radiation treatments.  You are given a bell on a pink ribbon to ring as you walk down the hall for the last time so that everyone could cheer for you.  Since that day I have gone to several doctor's appointments for follow ups -  all of whom are very pleased with my progress.  The only thing that I have to get through now is five years worth of Exemestane (a medication that takes estrogen out of your system to keep any cancer cells from transferring to any other part of your body) and mammograms every six months.  Better to be safe than sorry.

I am back to my normal daily routine - which really doesn't mean much.  I go out to lunch with friends, go to the gym at least three times a week and sit around home thinking about all of the things that I should be doing in the way of house work (cleaning and/or laundry) that I don't have the motivation to do.  Procrastination is my middle name at the moment.

The weather has been very nice for the past few weeks - winter was warmer than normal, spring was wetter than normal and so far temps are bearable as is the humidity.  I am hoping that it continues this way because I really want to do some traveling in August.  I am hoping to visit a friend that lives in the Detroit, MI area.  It will be a two day drive, which some of my friends are concerned about.  They can be over protective at times.  If  I don't do it because I am worried about what could happen to me I would never walk out the front door.  None of my friends in the area are retired yet so I have no choice but to do things on my own.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

I have spent the past few minutes going through all of the stats etc. regarding my blog.  I did not realize that so many things were kept track of.  I especially liked finding out that my blog has been looked at by someone in New Zealand (no surprise actually because that is where my pen pal lives) and Germany.  I was in a quandary about Germany, but then I realized that my nephew is in the military and stationed in Germany - maybe he was the one that looked at it - will never know because those who viewed my blog are not identified, just that they viewed it.

It is a quiet spring day - just the right temperature and the humidity is very low.  A nice day for the running of the Preakness - the premier horse race for the State of Maryland.   The race is either close to starting or is over, I haven't checked it out yet.  I got a lot of my spring yard work done early because it was so nice early.  I have some new plants that need to be planted and that is my task for tomorrow.  The rest of the family will be taking a trip to Pennsylvania to hit outlet stores, but I have decided to stay home this year.  I have bought some new clothes that actually fit me now, but I don't want to buy too much more because I have plans to lose more. 

I have so many things that need to be done around the house, but here I sit typing away.  I need to get motivated but have not quite made it just yet.  Oh well, it will all get done in time - at least that is what I keep telling myself.  Won't be long before my son gets home from work and dinner will be ready, this is good because my stomach is starting to talk to me.  I hate it when it gurgles and makes all kinds of noises.

Time to move on.   Take care everyone and hope that I didn't bore you too much.

Update on my "Bump In The Road"

As of last Friday (5/11/12) I completed my seven weeks of radiation treatments.  The time went by fast and I am glad that it is done.  I was given my "graduation bell" which I was required to ring as I walked out so that everyone could cheer me on and wish me the best of luck.  I will miss the people, but the place is one that I want to see as little of as possible.  I do have to go back in a month for a follow-up visit.

I kept waiting for all of the bad things that people said was going to happen did happen.  Guess what - the bad things never happened.  At the end I was a little tired (fatigue was one of the side effects), but that was it.  I came through with flying colors and now the only thing that is left for me to face is the fact that I have to take medication for the next five years, at which time, if everything goes well I will be declared "A o.k.".

Truth be told I think that I am going to miss the daily trip, but only because it got me up in the morning (early) and motivated me to do all sorts of things that kept me busy until early afternoon and I went home.  I think that this is one of the reasons that the seven weeks flew by so fast.   My motivation for early starts will have to come from something else - anyone have any ideas.  It is easy on Monday, Wednesday and Friday because those are gym days - Tuesday and Thursday ????????  Especially if Tuesdays and Thursdays are anything like today - rainy and gloomy, but not cold.  Can't complain we need the rain - especially the Eastern Shore.

What My Future Could Have Been

I wrote this the other day while I was sitting at a table in my favorite eating place here in Eldersburg - Mo's Cafe.

Today I had a glimpse of what I wanted my life to be in my golden years.  Walking hand in hand with my husband.  An older couple walked out of Mo's holding hands for one of three reasons - he was guiding her, she was making sure he didn't walk too fast for her or just because they were still in love like a couple of kids.

As it turns out, it was a mixture of two reasons - she needed help to get around safely and because they loved each other like they did when they were kids.  He still opens the car door for her and gives her a big smile as she settles herself into the front seat.

It is nice to see.  This is the way it should be for everyone in a perfect world.  However, for most of us we can just watch and dream of what could have been if things had happened differently.  For me, if Paul were still here and we were holding hands it would have been to keep him from walking too fast and leaving me behind (he never slowed down and had a military stride except at the very end).  It was this way even when we were young.  I had to hold on to a belt loop on his pants and reign him in.  That was our reality.

All is not lost!!!!

I was reminded last week that there is a future for this country.  I have been eating breakfast at Bob Evans before going to the gym (I have to fuel up).  One day last week I started up a conversation with a young man whose name was Paul - maybe it was destiny I don't know.  Anyway, we started talking - we covered all sorts of topics, i.e. religion, comedians, politics, science fiction (Star Trek in particular) and the fact that he was going to be married in a few days.  We spent almost an hour chatting over breakfast.

He finally said that he had to go - time to get back to work.  As I was gathering up my bill and getting ready to pay my bill the waitress came along and grabbed my bill and walked away.   She came back and stood in front of me with a "cat who ate the canary" look on her face and would not say a thing.  I asked for my bill back and wanted to know what was going on.

Next thing I know she is pointing behind me.   I turned around and Paul is standing at the register doing a "happy dance".  He had paid for my breakfast and was happy that he had managed to surprise me.  I had never met him before and probably will never see him again, but he made my day.  I had a "ear to ear" grin for the rest of the day.

 All is not lost - there are still intelligent young people in this world who will make sure that the future is as good as it can be.  This chance meeting was uplifting and gave me hope.

Cancer - A Bump in the Road

Back on December 28, 2011 I started a new phase in my life.  I went for my annual mammogram which resulted in the diagnosis of Cancer.  It was called DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in situ).  It was a stage zero cancer  (doctors told me that if I was destined to get cancer this was the best kind to get) that has been taken care of.  After two surgeries (both lumpectomies)  in February (2nd and 16th) I was put on a cancer medication (will be taking it for five years) and as of the end of March I started a seven week course of radiation treatments.

I knew that the chances of me being diagnosed with cancer at some point in my life was pretty good.  My mother died from the disease.  She let it run its course and did not tell anyone, including the family, until what turned out to be about a month before she succumbed to the disease.  I vowed that if I were to get it that I was going to do everything to fight it.  I am winning the battle.  Surgery removed all traces of the cancer, the medication is keeping any cancer cells from slipping out to the rest of my body and the radiation is making sure that any cells left behind are being, as they put it, "fried".   That sounds so radical.   I guess that it is.

So far things are going great.  No major side effects are showing their ugly head and because of the fact that I was so active before all of this started it is a good chance that many of them will not materialize.  I am just getting back into full swing at the gym.  It has taken a little bit of time, but I am getting there.  I have managed to maintain my weight (I lost 50 pounds last year) so I am very happy about that.  I am ready to start losing the next 50 - then I will be ready to take my dream trip to New Zealand.

Christmas 2011

As you can see by the date on the picture it was taken in July. These are the Sierra Buttes and yes they still had snow on them in July. This was my first trip home since I went home for my father’s funeral in 2007. This was the highlight of my year to say the least.

They first six months of the year were fairly normal and run of the mill. I got up each morning, ate breakfast, and depending on the day I either stayed home and “futzed” around the house or I went to the gym. I also spent time reading, watching television and being on my computer keeping in touch with family and friends via digital means. I must admit that I also made use of those old fashioned means of communication – pen and paper. I still have a few friends that do not make use of modern technology and I have to resort to putting pen to paper and actually slowing down my mind to allow the words to flow.

Going to the gym was good for me. I have gotten more exercise in the past few months than in all of the years since I graduated from college (I hate to admit it but that was 1966). It has helped me to lose 50 pounds or thereabouts depending on the day etc. It has been a long time since I have felt this energetic. It is nice to go walking and not have your back hurt etc. I was at the 30 pound milestone when I made my trip to California and it helped considerably – I fit in the seat comfortably and I did not have to ask for a seatbelt. I was in 7^th heaven. I have since lost the additional weight and I noticed the other day that it won’t be long before I will have to buy some new clothes that fit better. I have another 50 to go before I reach my ultimate goal. It may take some time, but I am confident that I will make it. The reward at the end is a trip to New Zealand to visit my pen pal.

I would have been farther ahead in my goals if I had not lost a fight with my driveway on the Fourth of July, just four days before I left for California. I took a wrong step and ended up face first in the dirt. I had a purple eye and a bummed up left foot (a really bad sprain and a small fracture) that put me in a “black boot” for six weeks. The flight to California was not the best, except it was nice to have someone push me around the airports in a wheelchair from one point to the next. By the time I got to Reno, got to my room and took off the boot my whole foot was purple and swollen. I guess that it did not like the changes in altitude along the way.

However, I did not let this mishap stop me from having a grand time in California. A week in the mountains with my family was very enjoyable. The weather was magnificent – temps in the 70s and low humidity; the views from the “cabin” (a three-bedroom, two bath A-frame with all of the amenities) were very beautiful and being able to spend time with family was priceless. I was able to drive so I was not housebound, not that my brother would have let me sit around and do nothing. We revisited old haunts and places where we had lived as kids etc. I realized something – things that appeared large in our childhood were actually rather small. I guess our memories tend to make things larger than life. This trip did bring back some really nice memories. My second week was spent at Vance’s house in Cottonwood after which I drove back to Reno via Susanville so that I could see just how much my college town had changed – WOW!!!! Recognized just one thing – the theater on Main Street.

After I came home, things slowed down quite a bit, except for the weather and bouts of excitement provided by Mother Nature. Within a very short period of time we had a hurricane resulting in massive flooding, an earthquake and an early snowstorm, all of which hit the Mid Atlantic states with a furry. The earthquake was the biggest surprise. I did not feel the shaking but I was at the gym and it sounded like a freight train ran across the roof. I did not realize it was a quake until a fellow exercise buff came in and told me. The hurricane and the snowstorm just brushed by us personally, but hit other parts of the state harder. For some reason we seem to be in a “protected” zone that doesn’t get hit as hard as everyone else. We get our share of unpleasant stuff, but we come through relatively unscathed.

We have had more than our fair share of grey and gloomy days over the past couple of months, but nothing that we should really complain about – even though I do because they can be depressing for me. I am a sunshine, blue skies and warm weather person and make no bones about admitting it. Going into winter is not my favorite time of the year and already I am eagerly looking forward to the coming of spring and warm temperatures.

All in all this has been a decent year. I have had good times with family and friends and look forward to continuing these activities. Maybe I will even expand on them. I hope that everyone has a happy holiday season, whether it is Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or whatever, and that 2012 brings you loads of love, good cheer and happy moments.

$3349 vs. $1269

The above numbers represent prices quoted to me for a new flue for my oil furnace. The first company (which shall remain nameless) came to the house, inspected the flue and told me that it was in very bad shape and the following things needed to be done: a large hole cut in my basement wall so that the terra cotta tiles lining the current flue could be broken up and retrieved; a new 5" stainless steel flue inserted; an insulating material added to the chimney; fix the hole in the basement wall; replace the crown of the chimney and install a new rain cap. All of this was going to cost me $3349.

Sticker shock hit and I called a second company to inspect the flue and give me an estimate. They came, checked things out and quoted me the price of $1269. Why so much difference in the prices I asked. I was told that the first company had added all sorts of procedures to inflate the price. I was so glad that I called the second company (one that I had dealt with in the past and new to be honest). I had my flue repaired that very afternoon and I was given a lifetime warranty on the work as well, something that company number 1 did not offer.

I am so glad that I called company number 2. I had the money to pay both companies but being the "tightwad" that I am I did not want to part with so much money. I am of the opinion that company number 1 thought they saw an easy mark. I may have had blond hair at one time, but I have never been "dumb". Only goes to show that it pays to get a second opinion, someone may be trying to take advantage of you.

Goodnight Irene!!!!!

The end of last week was the end of a very eventful week for the east coast. First we had an earthquake (8/23) and then a hurricane (Irene - 8/26-27). I do believe that Mother Nature was trying to give us a message. I have yet to figure out what it is, but when I do I know that it will be very enlightening.

I was at the gym for the earthquake - it was all noise for me as the building protested. No rippling of the ground etc. Truth be told I really did not know that an earthquake had happened until the next patron came in and asked if I had felt "it". "It" being the earthquake - 5.9 on the scale and centered in Virginia. There was minor damage in Baltimore and DC, but nothing that claimed lives.

Irene on the other hand came ashore in North Carolina and proceeded up the east coast - hitting land a couple more times and slinking away as a tropical storm going towards Canada. Each part of the country was the recipient of it's own type of damage from wind, storm surges, high winds and mega rainfalls. It had been decades literally since some parts of the northeast actually experienced this type of storm. The politicos went to work and they evacuated thousands of people in harms way and closed stuff down - some are claiming they went overboard, while others were glad for the precautions. I am a firm believer in the fact that there would probably be many more storm related deaths if these precautions had not been taken.

My little corner of the world was barely phased by either event. My trees stood firm and only gave up a small portion of their branches and we avoided the lose of power as well. The only thing that went wrong was the fact that we lost cable for a couple of days. A minor inconvenience considering that we could have lost the contents of our freezer, which was full to capacity with newly purchased supplies.

We were told to prepare for the worst and expect the best. This is exactly what happened for me and mine but for others it has been catastrophic - loss of a few lives, loss of home, loss of a way of life and in at least one case the loss of a whole a town. It is as if it never existed. It is going to be quite some time before some semblance of order is restored and lives can be put back together again. My heart felt wishes and prayers go out to each and every one them for a speedy and full recovery.

Another Fitting Monument

It has been over six years since my husband - Paul John - passed away. Does not seem like it has been that long, but it has.

My husband was cremated and expressed the desire that his ashes be scattered at his "crabbing spot" on the Eastern Shore. This will be done someday, but in the meantime he is resting on a shelf above the television set in the living room.

For the longest time he was in a plain black box, but I decided that I needed to find something more appropriate. After searching I came up with the sea chest (thought that it was a nice homage of the fact that he was in the Navy and his love of the sea) and it has been his home ever since. The "sailor" bear is a Boyd's bear and represents his younger self and the old time seafaring man (hand made by me years ago) is representative of him in his later years.

I tell people that he is with me always - he is sitting on a shelf at home being a part of the family on a daily basis.

A Fitting Monument

This is the mountain top - Mills Peak in the Sierra Mountains of Northern California - that is the final resting place for my parents, Arlys Louise and Harry Aaron Hemping. They are together overlooking the land that they fell in love with many years ago (the mid-50s) and made their home from then on. My mother was a "housewife" and my father worked for the U. S. Forest Service. They raised two of us. We are ten years apart in age so it was like they had two families.

I left home at 18 (two years of college and then to San Francisco to work for the U. S. Government) and from then on I was a visitor in their home. I kept in close contact over the years, mainly by letters (yep - snail mail) and telephone calls. I would call home and even though it was mom that I talked to, my dad was on the other line listening in and ever once in a while he would "add his two cents worth" on whatever subject we happened to be talking about.

I just went back to Graeagle for a visit and the homes that seemed so big when I was growing up now seem so small. It is amazing how time makes things seem to shrink. The house that we were living in when I left home is now a shop called Eco Centric. Seems strange to see display shelves and cases in place of the furniture that I remember. Time marches on with very little regard to those of us that leave.

California Fantasy

This was the beginning of my ride on my brother's motorcycle. It was my birthday wish. I rode roller coasters for 50 and motorcycle for 65 - never too old to have some fun. I also have some video - approximately 2 minutes worth, you definitely can tell that it is me having a blast.

Notice that I have a black boot on my foot - a week before I came on this trip I lost the battle with my driveway. I thought that I had only sprained my ankle, but it turns out that I have a small fracture and I was put into a removable cast. Oh joy - what a way to spend my vacation right. I have managed very well considering.

The mountain cabin - in the background - was a tree bedroom, two bath, two-story home that worked out really well for us. It was me, my brother, his wife and son and my niece Erin and her family, husband and three kids. It was a joy and I am very glad that I decided to do it. The motorcycle ride was the highlight of my stay.

We brought that beautiful mountain weather (70s during the day, 50 at night and very low humidity) back to Cottonwood with us. I am going to miss this weather. I wish that I could bottle it and bring it home with me. That would be the perfect ending to this trip.

The Driveway Won!!!

This is a second attempt to post - the first was wiped out by the computer or blogspot or somewhere else along the line. Sometimes computers are the bane of my existence, especially when they mess things up. I am trying again......

This picture is the result of my battle with my driveway on Saturday. I was walking to the mailbox at the end of my driveway, my foot misplaced itself half on the drive and half on the ground. I was thrown off balance and before you know it I am face down in the dirt. Not a flattering position for a 65 year old woman. Welcome to my new status as "senior citizen" or at least the brink of said status - still a few weeks to go.

Anyway, I have the equivalence of a very nasty rug burn and some swelling. The color purple is also prevalent in the mix. All this just one week before traveling to California for a family reunion. This mug will make for some interesting stories when it comes to picture time. If my body reacts as it normally does I should be at the "green yellow" stage of bruising by the time I am ready to leave for home.

I also did something to my left foot, not a sprain per se just a minor amount of pain and a lot of swelling. Hopefully my regimin of propping up, ice and wrapping it in a magnetic knee brace at night is going to make it easier for me to navigate the BWI, Fort Worth/Dallas and Reno airports next Saturday when I am traveling. So far these precautions seem to be helping. First true test will be tomorrow when I go to lunch with a friend. I have been looking forward to this lunch for a long time and I am not going to miss it.

My husband would have said, "the Hudak luck caught up with you - if it weren't for bad luck we would have no luck at all". He was a pessimist - me I am an optimist and fully believe that the Hemping perseverance will prevail and I will have no problems.

Fourth of July, 2011

Second big holiday of the summer. People are now crowding the roadways on their way to the beaches or mountains, whichever floats their boats. Me, I am firmly ensconced in my home and intend to stay here. I do not have to go far to enjoy the pleasures of the weekend.

We will be grilling our holiday fare and awaiting the fireworks which are kindly provided by several people in the immediate neighborhood. The neighborhood shows provide just as much noise and spectacular flashes across the sky as the big shows do and we do not have to fight traffic or crowds to enjoy.

The weather promises to be nice - not too hot or too humid, which is great. The "walk, jog, run" club that I belong to will not be meeting Saturday morning as usual, but I will make up for it by going to the gym and walking a mile on the treadmill and riding the bike for a mile as well. After that I will go to Denny's for breakfast (I get a free Grand Slam breakfast because I went online and filled out a survey).

The energy that I garner from the walk and bike riding I am going to put to use to do some much needed cleanup that needs to be done outside. Never ends does it?

It won't be long and I will be getting on a plane to California. I fly into Reno and rent a car to travel around - the mountains and Central Northern California - and then back to Reno to fly home. I am looking forward to the trip.

Fourth Day of Marvelous Weather and Coming Events

This is the fourth straight day where I have had the windows open and breezes blowing through. It feels good to have fresh air blowing through the house and making everything smell nice. Although it is a little bit on the gloomy side today = a new front is getting ready to move through and is supposed to bring us some rain. Can't complain, it has been awhile since we got some and my plants deserve it. Have been watering them, but they like fresh rain water better.

Watched a squirrel out my window today. He was eating a leisurely lunch and oblivious to the fact that he had an audience. Me and my cat Scooter. She was very interested, but maintained her composure and just decided to watch what was going on.

Today is the first day of summer for Eddie. Yesterday was the last day of school already. Doesn't seem possible the school year is over. Grades, homework assignments and attitudes were all over the place this year. Was just like a roller coaster ride around here - this summer promises to be more of the same, except for homework assignments. Eddie is going to have a very long list of chores to do over the summer and much prompting by his mother is going to be required - going to be interesting.

Next month I will be going to California for a couple of weeks. A week in the mountains and almost a full week at my brother's house in Redding. I am looking forward to it - going to be some driving involved because will be flying in and out of Reno. I hope to see some countryside that I don't normally get to see when I travel to Cali. Pictures will be taken and posted, both here and on FaceBook.