fossilfreak

 

263 recordings of 45 types, 38% clear.

 

Monday, while in Ashland, I had made an appointment for Friday.

 

When I got home (the 22nd) I started the Crater Lake puzzle. I got most of the frame and a bit of the sky done. I enjoyed saying "where's my Spooky cat?" and having him come!

 

The 23rd I changed the kitty litter, policed the yard, watered the flowers and soaked the trees. Brought in the laundry. And oddly enough, I got tired.

 

 

USAA gave me all kinds of trouble about logging in. (And today SAFE is doing the same. Sometimes I just hate computers!)

 

 

The 24th was my appointment with the surgeon. They sent a message to the cell phone that doctor was running late, but I was prepared with a book and just stayed there. About 2 hours. But when I met him I liked him a lot. I was surprised to learn, though, that this will be a more complicated operation than I thought and will involve a hospital stay. I found the rectal exam embarrassing. However, the staff and surgeon are nice. I initially scheduled the operation for the one day Roni said she couldn't come, but they ended up postponing it for a week to the 26th. There are tests I have to take, and the receptionist Jen was quite helpful telling me where I could do that. (Kaiser and/or the military spoiled me, everything being in the same place.)

 

I watched Safari Live, which I love.

 

On the 25th I spied HUGE toadstools in the zinnia bed! I guess something in the compost I put in was rotten.

I finished the Crater Lake puzzle, now to get it sent to Niki! And I went to see "Christopher Robin", which is cute.

 

I didn't do the paper bag of papers I'd planned to sort, didn't write my TripAdvisor reviews, didn't do much of anything except make eggplant parmesan.

 

On the 26th I went across and told my neighbor my medical news and also that Bill was coming to live with me. She tells me there are two newborns on the street, and another expected in October! How neat.

 

We had an African missionary at church who claimed the source of the Nile was Victoria Falls. I was sure he was wrong, and at home confimed that he meant Lake Victoria.

 

I started a 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle, that's too big for anything so I have the frame on the table with a cloth over it, and some of the pieces on boards, and some still in the box. Later I decided to put different colors in sandwich bags and that's been helpful. Day 1 I didn't even get very far with the frame, day 2 I got the right side of the frame done and Day 3 got the frame all done apart from one piece. I also got a lot of the big brown cookie done and a white one with green sprinkles. Day 4 I got most of two identical cookies with candy balls. Day 5 I hooked a lot of stuff together, and also got the red sprinkle ones partly done. I also found the last frame piece. Day 6 I started slow but then hooked up the green sprinkle cookie to the brown one. Then the last three days have been slow, maybe 20 or so pieces attached. I'm trying to get the big lump attached to the frame, but it's slogging.

 

On the 27th I spilled the dog's water all over the floor just as the cleaners came up. I went down to see Bernadette and the kids, at last. Joan had only 10 days to destroy Bernadette's system so she didn't do too much. I started reading "Stowaways in Paradise" to them.

 

Sadly, the surgery was postponed a week. This helps Roni but gets it uncomfortably close to the Kingston Trio concert. I've arranged a ride if I make it out of the hospital in time.

 

I played a lot of Fishdom on this day and Albion on the 28th. I signed up for Western films at Renaissance. I'd decided against going back to the guy who did time travel films, because that room is far too uncomfortable to watch movies in. I went to

 

Wednesday the 29th I took a marble run down to Padreic a day early for his birthday. He was THRILLED!! He had seen the same kind with A.J. and he just played and played with it. I read another chapter to the kids and then they tried to play with him, but he still needs help with sharing. Anyway, it was the best present I could have given him. Before I gave it to him, I read the Seuss Happy Birthday book to him.
 

 

   

 

Pharaoh was reluctant to come in, and on the 30th he spent the night out.

 

The funeral services for John McCain just went on and on... I reluctantly voted for him in 2008, deciding that it was either the Democrat or the Democrat Light (McCain) and I'd have preferred Sarah Palin. And the fact they didn't invite her to the funeral... I understand not inviting Trump, but they ruined Palin, not the other way around. Facebook quote: "I've grown quite tired of the white-washing for a vindictive, petty man." And another, about Palin: "The whole thing just illustrates the reality that John McCain was a giant A***ole while alive and now can be thought of as one in death as well."

 

I went to Mass at the Retreat House and then went to Mercy San Juan and got my EKG and chest X-Ray done. And I accidentally lost 70K "gold" in Albion which sets me back considerably.

 

And Padreic is 4!

 

On the last day of August, and my last day to live alone for awhile, I went to see "Operation Finale." I spent some time arguing with the ticket lady demanding my Monday discount, until she convinced me it was Friday. THAT's embarrassing! But the movie was great. I knew what happened and I was still on the edge of my seat!

 

293 recordings of 52 types. 32% clear.

 

August  2 I wasn't going to leave the house at all, but I found some books of McClellan history in Hoarder Central and thought I'd try donating them to the air museum. They were delighted. While I was out I finally took the coffee I've been carrying around to Ann, who takes care of the donations for Sharing God's Bounty.

 

I called Carol to find out how her colonoscopy went. Better than mine, it appears.

 

 

The 3rd was Bonnie's birthday so I called her, which was fun. She was quite amused with Joanna's plans for Boxcar Children camp when SHE is a grandmother!! We discussed falls, too.

 

I was at Bernadette's from 10-1, helping sort through books, old board books out, slightly more grownup children's books to the living room (including some I took over which Padreic enjoyed), Joanna's books to her bookcases, Gareth's books to his. You can sure tell this is a family of readers!

 

Then I took some books to the library. (MY books, not hers, which she wanted to take to Little Free Libraries.)

 

Day 4 of a jigsaw puzzle I was trying to do before I go to Crater Lake. It was going fast, but it was obvious there were lots of pieces of another puzzle, as well. So I had no idea if I had enough pieces of the real puzzle. I would only know by finishing it.

 

I love watching Safari Live, and I also went onto the computer for an extra hour after the tv show was over. I just love it. I really want to go with Benson next year, but Zimbabwe is still roiling, and South Africa is looking a  bit odd too. 

 

On Saturday the 4th I got a free breakfast at the WPAC breakfast, so I left a tip and went out full and flush. One of the ladies had her daughter die of cancer. I feel, sometimes, like i've been dancing between the raindrops.

 

Willie (Bill) is going to be homeless at the end of August so will be coming to live with me for awhile. This will have some advantages... he can clean out the rain gutters which are full of driy leaves and palm seeds, and will be here if I want to take off for an overnight or two. 

 

I was a bit appalled in the morning because Pharaoh ran into the kitchen with his rat-chasing look. Didn't spy any long tails, though, and the dog relaxed. 

 

Sunday the 5th I went to Mass and Father asked us to pray for him. Apparently he's been the subject of some gossip, which isn't true, but he got a "canonical warning" (in other words a wrist slap) by the Bishop.

While in church I had a bad pain in the gall bladder area. I really don't need to add that, do I?  However, it's gone now, so it was probably gas.

 

I kept thinking there was something I wanted to do this afternoon at 2, but of course I didn't remember what till 4:30, so I missed the Knights of Columbus ice cream social.

 

Charles Spinks, my friend whom I never met, the guy who went on the Camino 5 days ahead of me, died. :(

 

So. The doctor told me to come in to his office on the 6th, so I thought maybe I could do an end run around Kayla the unhelpful receptionist by calling the doctor's office directly. Michelle, his receptionist, didn't call back till the afternoon, and told me the doctor is not in his office on Mondays. Why did he tell me this? I will see this through, with the Nurse Practitioner Svetlana, on Monday the 13th, and get my operation, but I am definitely going to deal with some other group next time. I liked Svetlana, I liked the doctor, and the nurses were fine, but I can't take the stress.

 

I was trying to remember who I gave the baby gate to. I guess it was Pagan.

 

On Tuesday the 7th I went to breakfast and updated the ladies on my medical frustrations. First off, though, I listened to Jackie's stories, and it was something like having a MadLibs read to me, without any of the blanks filled in. I had to use a lot of imagination!

 

Then I went down to Elk Grove and read to Padreic and played with him while she worked on Joanna's stuff. She's going to have that room all cleaned up so Joan can trash it.  Apparently J. complains that they don't have a decent guest room (and I've stayed at Joan's, so this is a bit hypocritical.) Anyway, I helped a bit, but mostly by keeping Padreic busy. I took a box of "food" and dishes (tiny Tupperware) to him and he was thrilled. I took the dehydrator to Bernadette. (When I dug it out I found a box, kind of a shelf which used to hold vinyl records, apparently, in the bar area and now it has scrapbooks in it)

 

Because of the smoke, it was possible that Vince would cancel Crater Lake, but now, a few days later, it seems like it'll be OK. I decided I would go anyway.

 

The 8th I apparently lost my Tac glasses, no idea how or where. Early in the morning, I removed some trumpet vine from the side yard. 

 

Then I walked over to see the doctor. I was waiting in the room and he tapped on the door and opened it and said "sorry!" and backed out! That was puzzling. When he finally got back I teased him about being afraid of me and we had a good laugh. What had happened was he wasn't quite through with the other patient and just opened the wrong door. 

 

He also took his time with me. He updated my shot records (though I'll have to correct one next time. I told him I'd had an injection for Typhoid but it was actually Yellow Fever.) He checked on the colonoscopy stuff and I told him how frustrated they are making me. He listened to my heart and lungs and felt my neck for lumps and, woe, looked at my feet. The prescription is to put Vicks Vapo-Rub on my toenails three times a day for one or two years! OK then. He said I was mildly depressed and I argued the point. It's because I don't sleep well.

 

Still, it was a satisfactory visit.

 

Once I got home again I went to the commissary for a big re-stocking (and of course, I already have two more items on the next list (oatmeal and RealLime)). It was over $220, so I'm sure glad I don't do this monthly. In fact, the last BIG one was in September, with a medium one in March, and I go pick up this and that approximately once a month. For the big ones, I go through the checkout and tip the baggers ($10 this time. Rich would have a cow.)

When I was putting the food away I heard the back toilet gurgling. Has that been happening since the cleaners were here?  And if so, why didn't I hear it when I was putting papers in the back? 


The temperature was back at triple digits.

 

 

On the 9th, I slept 9:30-2:40 and then went right back to sleep till 4:30.

 

I watched Gordon Ramsay's new show. He's doing a Sacto Restaurant next week. The post-show reviews don't look good. I believe I'll skip it.

 

I took the car in for its 122+K mile check-up. All it needed was a tune up and a replaced third brake light. (I hadn't even known I HAD a third brake light!) I took a long shuttle ride home, through downtown and East Sacramento, but that's nothing, he was in Rancho Cordova when I called him back so it took more than an hour. It's OK, though. At least I got to spend some time at home.

 

And THAT was interesting. Because it's Thursday, I took the dog poop bag out to the trash. While I was puttering back there, I decided to lop some of the lowest branches on the mulberry, so I opened the shed door to get the pole lopper. Like a flash, Pharaoh jumped into the shed and trapped and killed a squirrel right before my eyes. He was so proud of himself!  He strutted out of the shed (thank goodness. I really didn't want to try to get the corpse with all the junk all over the floor and shelves) and brought his trophy to the porch, where I was waiting with a plastic bag. Then, as I took it to the trash, in front, I could hear him back in the shed. He then presented me with a dead young rat. So back into the house I went for another plastic bag (AFTER shutting the shed door!) and took THAT body to the trash! At least it's trash night!

 

And yes, I lopped the branches, and when I put the pole lopper away, I had the dog shut in the house.

 

I got new TacGlasses when I drove home. I see Sprouts has come into the grocery store that used to be SaveMart! If my food storage wasn't so chock-a-block full, I'd have checked it out, but maybe in a week or two.

 

That night, Pharaoh was still full of himself and wouldn't come in when I called him. I got the flashlight, which is usually the magic tool, and he still wouldn't come in. So I got a newspaper and whapped him when he came in. The next day again he didn't come in and I left him out for a couple of hours. Since then he's remembered to come when I tell him. (Which was something I taught him after Rich died. He needed to know who was boss, and it isn't him.)

 

The 10th, I was weeding the zinnia garden, one foot in my garden, one in the neighbor's yard, and I tripped over my little wire fence. Fortunately I didn't fall, but I sure got a big, painful, bruise.

 

I went back to Bernadette's, and again helped mostly by letting Padreic show me stuff. "Look!" every little thing he does. That and he starts every sentence with "no." "Are you going to put that in the dollhouse?" "No, I'm putting it in the dollhouse."  Bernadette says he inherited it from Rich, who was very contradictory. "Why do you contradict everything?" "I don't contradict all the time!" he would say, contradicting me.

 

I finished the puzzle, 9 days, 995 pieces. There were 5 missing, but they didn't really ruin the picture.  There were 31(!) pieces that didn't belong to this puzzle. No, I didn't pack them up with the puzzle!

 

My driver's license renewal came. I can't get an appointment until I know when my surgery will be. This is so frustrating. I did spend some time looking for my social security card, which I'm sure I used when I got my TSA pre-check number. Oh, well. I did find a piece of paper in my tax papers with the full number in it. And today I talked to Joan M. who didn't have an appointment but went at 0630 in the morning and got it taken care of and home by 9. So I'll do that.

 

I was invited to the Sharing God's Bounty board meeting, which was at a pizza place. I was amazed at how this ministry has grown. When it came time for me to speak I talked about the start, 35 years ago, and how Rich and I were in on the planning. How he did security/parking for something like 20 years. How I don't do much since he died except provide coffee.  (Ann said there was more, but I didn't want to brag up my donations in his name.) I sat with Peter Mithin and talked to Bill Durborough.

 

I really pigged out on the pizza. And on the way home, my jaw hurt. I'm thinking imminent heart attack (no, if I get a heart attack, I want to do it in Svetlana's office!) It stopped when I got home, though I had it happen a little the next morning.

 

I was too late to see most of Safari Live live on the TV, but I managed to get to it overtime on the computer while I was finishing the puzzle. And it was exciting. There was a leopard (Hosana) stalking prey (and not getting it) and a hyena baby!

 

The next morning was the second Saturday breakfast, and I saw many of my friends. Mostly I talked to Marty.

Afterwards I went to Raley's for my prescription, and to Lazy Boy to look around (lots of pretty stuff, but I actually don't want any more overstuffed furniture in my living room. Something more like Bernadette's gliding chair which was initially Roni's.  I don't like the new covers Joan put on that chair and stool so I've told her I don't want it. I got 4 glasses. 

 

291 recordings of 53 types (most of them individual NCIS episodes), 23% clear.

 

The 19th of July, the day after the long San Jose trip, I sat on the edge of the bed for a long time talking myself into digging. I did it, finally, though not for long.

 

Ann G., from Sharing God's Bounty, called to invite me to the board dinner in August. I've been on the mailing list forever but the only time I actually went to one was back when it was a couple of blocks from Music Circus the same night as a play we were seeing. Rich went every year, since he was in charge of security. My current contribution is giving them coffee every so often, though at the moment the coffee has been riding around in the back of my car for a couple of months.  Ann doesn't go to Mass at St. Philomene's as often as she used to, as she has issues with Father Martin. (After the really bad start when he shut SGB down, I thought he'd calmed down.)

 

I finally buckled down and finished reading Little Women.

 

The 20th was Moonwalk Day. I remember when North Highlands had a parade every year. 

 

Bernadette and the kids came over. They leave a terrible mess. Joanna in particular... "here, put these blocks away" and she puts one in the bin and gets distracted. They built a nice tower, though, which I left up. 

I showed Gareth how to log onto The Tech to scan his TechTag.

 

Bernadette weighs 20# more than I do! It's not lack of exercise, that's for sure.

 

Saturday I was awake from 1:30 to 4:00, possible because I was nervous about the colonoscopy.

 

Kimberly Guilfoyle is gone from Fox. Darn.

 

I trimmed back some of the mulberry, which is taking off again. It's getting low enough to touch the mandarin and my head, and going towards the peach tree. I'll need a tree guy again, but my old one blew it last year and I'm not having him again.

 

I went to Bernadette's to have a last day with the grandchildren till the end of August, as they are off to Joan's. Joanna and I showed Mommy the sticks and rocks game. We tried to get Gareth's real tech tag up but apparently they'll only take one a day, so we're stuck with my experiment. Oh, well. Next year we'll get it right. Then I read a couple more Grimm tales (in both senses of the word) to them and said goodbye. Sniff!

 

On the 22nd, I didn't sleep that well. I've been spending far too much money on the Mirrors of Albion game, so I've cut back enormously (since I won't get any of the special temporary prizes anyway).

 

You would think the last regular poop before a day of liquid would be normal but apparently my body knows what's coming.

 

I've missed two VIP weekends at LazyBoy, darn it. I hope they don't take me off the list. I never buy anything but it's fun to look and I get nice prizes.

 

Steve has started paying me!

 

I called Pittsburgh and had a nice long talk with both Frank and Carol (who is having her colonoscopy next week). I thanked Frank again for his good cooking and said I'd picked up some ideas.  We discussed our innards quite a bit.

 

I finally caught entirely up with Chicago Police Department. My next project should be to get last season of SVU done. I can use On Demand for the episodes I haven't taped. Meanwhile, I'm still in season 2 of NCIS and as I remembered, Tony is a real dick..

 

I figured out how to set the alarm on my Timex. I was concerned that I would have to figure out how to unset it, because I don't want to get up at 3 AM forever.  (I usually DO, actually, but I wouldn't mind sleeping longer!)

 

And I woke up on my own on the 23rd, so I went online and learned how to unset it. The yucky drink worked (and stayed down) so I was ready. Bernadette, worried about traffic, actually got here at 7 so we were a few minutes early for my appointment.  

 

And then they didn't take me back for a half hour or more and didn't start the procedure till 40 minutes late. The doctor seems nice. I felt the cold in my vein as she put the sedative in, then woke up as he reached the end of the trail, where there is a big polyp growing in my appendix tube that he couldn't remove. I jerked a bit when I woke up but then just lay there enjoying the movie of my insides.

 

This big polyp will need surgery and he said he wanted to see me on the 6th. This has proven to be a lot more difficult than you'd think, and I'm still (the 30th) waiting for a call back on it. The nurses sent a "thank you" card(!) but I'd much more appreciate someone being able to set up an appointment.  I still don't know if I can go to Crater Lake and Ashland, as I've been planning for months! Roni has said she can help (as long as it's not over Labor Day) and I think I would need her for three nights. But nothing is going to happen IF THEY NEVER CALL BACK ABOUT AN APPOINTMENT!!

 

 

On the 24th, I learned Lexi, again, is an All-American cheerleader and this year she'll be going to Rome!

 

Jackhammer noise all day, as the neighbors in back, the ones who took care of Pharaoh, took their pool out.

 

I went to breakfast with the ladies. Afterwards I went to the neighbors to get painter recommendations, but it's been too hot to call anyone.  Because of the hassle of my surgery, I've decided to put the painters off Yet Another Year. This is when I started trying to get hold of the doctor's office to make an appointment.

 

I had the first peach off my tree. The squirrels were quicker, so in the week I only got 3, but they were good while they lasted.

 

And I finished Pere Goriot. Im not surprised that Balzac was on the Index. Not that we ever followed the Index, but the "morals" of this book were really grim and depressing.

 

And Vince called.

 

 

On the 25th I took Spooky in for checkup. The woman who took my call apparently forgot that part after she told me he needed two shots, so I was quite surprised when the tech came out for the carrier with the cat inside it and was starting to take him away. We got the checkup anyway.  Next time I'll have the blood workup, though he's in fine health at the moment. 13#! 

 

 I called Road Scholar to beg for no more neck wallets. I already have seven!

 

On Thursday the 26th I went to Mass at the Retreat House, and then to the State Fair with Bernadette and Padreic.  He wasn't very interested in most of the kiddie things, but loved the corner of the Counties building (only 18 counties? Shameful!) where they have a little store with play food. It was well over 100 degrees and very very tiring.

 

On Friday I was SO TIRED* but went down to Elk Grove to babysit so Bernadette could go to Camp Winton for their final campfire. I took some P.D. Eastman books to the boy (I've been helping to rearrange the books, and Bernadette got rid of a lot of the not-so-popular board books so the other preschool books could leave Joanna's room for the living room. So more of HER books could be shelved (though most of them end up on Gareth's floor anyway.)

*because I changed the bed, did laundry, finished digging, evened out the dirt, added compost and new garden dirt, and planted zinnias.

 

I got home about 5 to calls from the doctor's assistant (argh) and Road Scholar, all of which had to wait till this week to deal with.

 

 

In between I read Old Goriot by Balzac!

 

After I got back from Boxcar Children Camp, I had a blood test and then a followup visit with the Nurse Practictioner.

 

June 30, I policed the yard and got money and gas. (Great gas mileage!) 

 

Lexi won all sorts of awards at the Marin County Fair, and Eric designed the logo the Scouts used when they went diving in the Bahamas.  Meanwhile, Monica and her family were protesting while they were at the cabin. The family keeps busy.

 

Saturday night, there was a MUPT, a reunion Modem User Pizza Thingie.  Bernadette and the two younger kids came. (Gareth was camping with Rob.) I saw a number of people for the first time in almost 30 years. It was a lot of fun catching up!

 

Then Sunday, July 1, I went to church, then out to Elk Grove for a memorial for a geocaching friend who has been fighting thyroid cancer about as long as I've known her. I met some of her cousins and told them about geocaching. I also ate a lot. (At this point, after a week of camp and the three parties this weekend, I'd completely given up on the blood test!)  I left there about 3 because I didn't have any specific memories to share.  

 

Then Bernadette picked me up for a 50th anniversary party of a couple from church whom we've known forever. Boyd is from Wyoming and was a student teacher (but not one of mine) when I was in high school. Mary Frances is very proud of her Croatian ancestry and used to have a sort of friendly rivalry with Rich on a lot of shared Eastern European traditions. They initially had trouble having a family and had adopted two boys and a girl, then lost them in the courts, but then had Amy, Brian, and Ned. Ned is about Bernadette's age. Amy married a few years ago, and has two stepdaughters, and their own daughter, Delilah, who is a healthy, delightful Downs child. Neither Brian nor Ned have married, so Delilah is the only grandchild and is the light of their lives. It was another great party, with all my church friends. I was surprised at how many people had seen my Facebook bruises pictures.

 

Then, as usually happens, Monday rolled around. I had made an appointment with the Quest diagnostics place at the same building where I had my colonoscopy pre-appointment.  Once I found the Quest place, the blood test went smoothly and I had a full hour to have breakfast in the cafe. 

Svetlana (an NP from Russia) gave me the preliminary exam and then I was scheduled for my colonoscopy on July 23, at 8 AM, in Roseville!  And poor Bernadette has to come from Elk Grove, and stick around. Rob has agreed to stay home that morning so the kids (who aren't leaving till the 24th... I really have to write all this stuff down!) don't have to stick around the medical offices with her. I initially thought it would be just Padreic and she'd be able to leave and come back. (That's what happened with me last two times and with Rich's tests.) They sent the pharmacy the prescription for the colon cleanser, may I only be able to keep it down, and I was able to pick it up the next day.

 

I got home by 9:30 and spent the rest of the day waiting for the cleaners. When I was going to call them I noticed I had a message... they had come early! They never do, it's usually sometime between 1 and 3! So I called and they did come, about 3:30. How annoying!

 

I rather reluctantly reminded Steve that he owed me money (from maybe 20 years ago) and am quite relieved that he's still speaking and is willing to start paying me back.

 

July 3 I got back to digging up tulip bulbs, weed roots, and loosening the soil. The nearby country club had its fireworks, but I didn't feel up to going over this year. However, I stepped out in back when I heard the booms, and ended up watching most of them, the ones that rose above the neighbor's tree. Beautiful!! Vince had called early so I was able to stand outside and enjoy them.

 

On the 4th I finished watching "The Americans." It's interesting how the KGB wanted to stop Gorbachev. Think how Putin is now doing his best to undo everything since the fall of the Wall. It's a shame.

 

Benson was denied a visa to come to the US this fall. According to Fiona they didn't even glance at his paperwork! Grrrr.

 

July 5 I woke at 3:30, I went out to Mass at the Retreat House. It felt like coming home. Father Giltus is great. I sure hope he's going to lead a group to Oberammergau!  I ate a little of the goodies, and talked to the guy who always is barefoot in church. A woman gave us plums! 

 

Then I went to the Commissary for a few things, but didn't shelve the stuff until after I got back from Elk Grove.  I'm reading fairy tales to the kids, but I can hardly wait till late August when they're back so I can start Stowaways in Paradise.

 

Bernadette has a friend who is going to start a kindergarten, so she wondered if I had stuff. Oh, yes, counting dogs and counting bears, and buttons, and keys. I threw my mom's tin she used as a button box away.  I used to love to play with the buttons, but never got to it with my kids or grandkids. The keys are a lot of ours and even more of GoE's. I always thought they'd make great wind chimes, but of course never got to that either. 

 

On the 6th the laptop didn't get recharged overnight. (When I moved the television I also moved my chair, and suddenly I can't leave the computer plugged in.) There's one of the outlets in the power strip that doesn't, apparently, work. I finally got the computer charged so I could upload the pictures. 

 

There's a girl named Carol Powers (my sis-in-law's name) in an episode of NCIS!

 

On Saturday the 7th I went to the WPAC breakfast, and Gene, who had a stroke last month, was there. The girls' government teacher at Loretto had a couple of nice pictures of Bernadette's graduation for me. 

 

I stopped at WalMart on the way home and got some dish disposal cleaner. It took all 4 packets, but the disposal is finally pretty clean.

 

Then I finally got back to the Nano T-rex Monica gave me at Christmas. I built a couple of ribs, but other pieces began to fall off, and it was hard to figure out where they came from. I'll have to take it all apart and start over, and it was just too frustrating, so I've put it away for awhile.

 

At Mass on Sunday the priest didn't consecrate enough hosts, so we all had tiny bits.

I took Joan M., a new widow at church, to WPAC.

 

I played a lot of Fishdom on the 9th. Then I watered the entire back yard.

 

On the recent commissary visit I'd gotten some curry noodle bowls. The instructions say to shake the curry to one side. I'm guessing it got a little damp, as the curry was hard. And no, it wasn't past the best-use-by date. Tasty when it was made up, though.

 

I finally wrote up the boxcar children entry.  This got me into Flickr for the pictures and I got sidetracked correcting a lot of past omissions.

 

My car registration came! I made sure to put the sticker on right away, and put the paper into the car. I've printed up my insurance form, too, but it isn't in the car yet.

 

My doctor visit was the 10th. I actually thought it was the annual physical (which apparently I don't get anyway), but it turned out just to be a followup with the blood test. My A1C is 5.8, better than last time. Then, no surprise after the week of being bad, the glucose is 129. My cholesterol and thyroid are OK. Since the Lifeline screening found something maybe wrong with my thyroid, I could wish we'd looked into that a little more.

 

Vince's call was mostly about Eric, swimming with the sharks. Oh, just great.

 

 

 

 I'm still reading Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire; Pepys' Diary; Embarrassments by PJ Nel; Little Women, Louisa May Alcott; We Die Standing Up, Dom Hubert van Zeller; Over the Gate, Miss Read; Archie Meets Nero Wolfe, Robert Goldsborough and Pere Goriot, Balzac. (Everytime I hear that name I think of Music Man!)

What a waste of a month May was!  I got home, all bruised and miserable, on the 2nd, took Alicia home, then sat and vegged and tried to heal up.

 

 

 

I had an appointment with Dr. Ullery on Friday to try to figure out what caused my fall. I got the nurse practicioner (about half my height) and she had me go for a head CT scan and a 24-hour cardiac monitor (which was a pain, but I managed.) In the end, all is normal, so no explanation of my sudden reacquaintance with gravity.

 

And then, suddenly, a letter from Dr. Ullery, who is closing his practice. I wasn't heartbroken, since I've only seen him for all of 10 minutes, but I WAS suddenly panicked. Where to find a new doctor, preferably a female, who takes Tricare, and by preference would have privileges at Mercy San Juan (the other doctors go to Sutter, which is downtown)? Who was accepting new patients. I had a couple of leads, but it didn't look good. Then I went online again in a different direction and found an internist (male) who's just around the corner, a doctor who specializes in over-50s, takes Tricare, goes to Mercy San Juan.. in fact, the only thing wrong with him is his gender, BUT the practice also has a female nurse practioner if you feel embarrassed. She also specializes in diabetes and pre-diabetes care. Perfect.  So I first off applied online, but when I didn't hear for a couple of business days I went over and talked to them. "It's not about this!" I said, pointing to my face. So their system was down but they photocopied my medical cards and gave me the intake paperwork and said they'd call when the system was back up.

 

Carolyn called, then, about a week later, in relation to my online application and I told her I was signed up, so she made an appointment for me, June 7, with the nurse practicioner!  I've since disconnected from Ullery, told them to send the records to Dr. Young. 

 

I also finally filled out the paperwork for my upcoming intake interview for my colonoscopy, a year late. Dr. Camisa, in July, had ordered it, but no one called, and when I tried calling, had no response. So I figured it could wait and then I heard from this doctor (possibly the person I had 10 years ago) just before Thanksgiving. I finally called back in the spring, then had to delay it (it was supposed to be the second week in May, but I was fed up with doctors at that point). They wanted photocopies of my medical cards, which took some time. Finally I finished it, folded it up, then couldn't find the envelope and was out of business envelopes. So I had to go buy some. At last it's been sent off. That appointment is July 2.)

 

Two days after I got back Laurie called to ask when I was going. Since I saw her two days before I left, she should have known.  So I told her about my accident. Then she went off on vacation in the  east, and then saw me when I got the envelope.  Finally beginning, after 3 weeks, to look human.

 

 

I got back on a Wednesday, but wouldn't go down to see the kids for a week, because it was too scary, especially for Padreic.  When I did go down, I still wouldn't take Padreic to Wee Wednesday for a couple of weeks.  My first appearance in public was for Joanna's First Communion.

 

I was disappointed in that. With my unerring instinct for what's really important, I didn't like the dress Joan had picked. I'd have thought it would be all frills and furbelows, but instead she chose a simple plain dress, with a jewelled headband.  All the other little girls in their fancy Communion dresses (the last time till they're married or at least quinceañera) and there's Joanna in her "skimpy" (B's word) dress. Of course, *she* was OK, she'd have been happy in a burlap sack if Grandma gave it to her. *I* was the one who was sad about it. Bernadette's only little girl, and her only chance. This all gets back to "she stole my daughter's wedding." I guess since Joan is a convert, she didn't really understand the tradition.

 

    

But I was griped enough I decided not to go down for Mother's Day until Bernadette called and begged me. I really didn't want to go, but it was fine. And Rob put together a great meal.

 

I went to breakfast with the ladies on the 8th, mostly because I had to go on out to Easter's to buy a present for Joanna. I got her the usual First Communion set, with the rosary being pink and the beads roses. It's lovely. I've gotta teach the kids how to say a rosary!! While there I thanked Fay for the nice get-well card from the First Saturday group.

 

I also went to the Appleby's dinner both on the 10th and the 24th. I forgot the Tuesday group on the 15th but then went after that.

 

As for Wee Wednesday, I took Padreic on the 24th. I didn't go before that because I still looked awful. 

 

My water pipes finally went in on Thursday and Friday the 18th and 19th.  The plumber surprised me... I had thought my water would be off those two days but he didn't do it that way... instead of replacing the pipes right where they were, he dug a new trench. He discovered the water enters the house in a different place than we thought, so they had to demolish a little of my patio.  They dug the trench on Thursday, including going under the roots of the mulberry.  I could see a damp patch on the side of the trench, indicating the swiss cheese pipe was leaking again. Friday was exciting... they put the pipe in, and the water company came through and attached the new main. (Still turned off.)  This was great timing... they had been going to do it a couple of days previously which would have been troublesome. When David (my guy) finished attaching everything but the house inlet, that's when he turned my water off and attached the new system.  I was maybe without water for 30 minutes, though I didn't even realize it till I went out to check what he was doing.  Then he turned on the meter and we poured water from every faucet, hooray.  He also replaced both the hose bibs in front and back.

    

Initially Bernadette had planned to go to Gilroy Gardens on the 20th for Gareth's birthday, but I was concerned about the dog (I'd thought he'd have to be at the kennels for the plumber and didn't want to add more time for the weekend.) It was lucky we put it off, anyway, because the trench was open all weekend for Monday's inspection.  This county inspector really did his job (unlike the windows guy last year) and checked everything. Then when he was done, David and his helper filled the trench, and I had water! They cleaned up most of the rubble, though I see I will have some stuff for my hauler. The next week I put bricks down in the hole in the patio.  

 

So, instead of Gilroy, we took a day trip to Angel's Camp for the jumping frog jubilee. It was hot but fun. I mostly sat around keeping an eye on Padreic while Bernadette stood in line for herself and Joanna, and eventually Gareth, to jump a frog. Gareth's frog in particular really jumped.

 
I took Padreic to Wee Wednesday on the 23rd, because while I still had some bruising and the bump, it was a lot better. I was trying to finish Charlotte's Web with the kiddies, too, before they headed off to Oregon.  Gareth had already read it, but he was polite about sitting there with me. They were out of school on the 25th.  

 

So, Saturday the 26th I drove down to Elk Grove and parked my car in Bernadette's driveway. We stopped at Panera for bagels (I got a breakfast meal... this was using my Panera gift card anyway) and then when we got back in the car Gareth opened the door too wide and banged a guy's truck. It was a little ding but he got all annoyed so he and Bernadette had a long conversation and I talked to Gareth about being careful (since Daddy's truck has a row of these dings.) Finally we were able to get off. 

 

She took a route I didn't expect (which we apparently did 2 years ago, too) and we got to Gilroy Gardens just as they opened. But here's where it got hairy. Monica had given the family passes to Gilroy Gardens for their Christmas present, but she hadn't realized they were for the winter festival and expired on December 31.  I had to go back to the ticket booth and pay the difference for the summer pass.  Initially he told me $28 (each) but there was another option of $15 but we wouldn't get the option of converting them to season passes. No problem there, at our distance we wouldn't be coming back this season anyway. So I was immediately down $60 before even getting into the park. (I had, wisely, left everything but my credit card back with Bernadette so I didn't have to go through bag check again.) Gad. 

 

We all rode the train around first, then Bernadette figured that if I took Padreic it would be easier than chasing after the big two. It sounded like a good idea, but I ended up having to go on a lot of rides with him, and they are kids' rides so I had a hard time getting in and out. My biggest mistake was going into the Apple Worm ride.. the operator had to help me winkle out. This was after I'd stood in line with him for driving the old-fashioned car (with him insisting he wanted the new cars) because Bernadette wanted a picture of him in his '20s straw hat driving a '20s car.  He discovered immediately that it wasn't important that he should try to follow the track because the car would go along the track, so he enjoyed turning the wheel back and forth and bumping into the side, and I got SO bruised and battered.

 

 

OK, one more time in the flower boats before we catch up with the others... and the line was so long!  There was a large family with a little girl who cried a lot, and a boy about Padreic's age and they were on the verge of blows. They were in front of us. At one point the baby was tantrumming and I "sympathised" with her... "I know, it's the worst thing in the world. When you're an old old lady you'll still be bitter about the total injustice that they wouldn't let you throw rocks." The adults were cracking up and the little girl was totally puzzled.  Behind us were some pre-teens with a pop gun. If they make it to 16 with intact eardrums, it'll be a shock.  Every time we thought we were getting close the fast passers got through. But, after about 45 minutes (Padreic was such a good little boy all day!) we got to ride the boat, and then we went looking for Mommy. We walked all the way around, and I saw a nice little garden it would have been nice to be alone in, and finally found the kiddie-only rides!  I called Bernadette with no answer and I was in tears. Fortunately Padreic wanted to ride these over again a few times, which simplified life. And finally Bernadette found us, and eventually (I forget what happened in here) we met up at the water park. OK, I could sit, in the shade, with a book and an adult beverage.  I talked to an Indian lady who had been visiting since February.  
 

 

After a couple of hours, we dried them off and went on a couple more rides, and stretched pennies for Padreic and Joanna (Gareth doesn't want them any more) and drove into town. This time we stayed at the Econolodge, with three beds (one in a separate room, where we put all three kids. We had to put them in three different rooms till Padreic cried himself to sleep. (I loved this suite, which was not near any other room or over one, so their noise wasn't so bad) Then Bernadette and I each had a queen bed to ourselves.) We ate at Black Bear (which was better service this time than 2016, but the food's not so much.)

 

They were awake at 7 so we went to breakfast, then they mostly had a pillow fight until it was time for church. Timing was such that it was the Spanish Mass and a First Communion, which was lovely but lengthy so we left after Communion so we could check out in time.  

 

We got a bad start at Happy Hollow, because when I went to pay for parking Bernadette locked up the car and went to a shady spot to apply sunscreen to the kids. I walked back to the car and I couldn't put the parking ticket into it. So I tracked her down and sent her back to put the ticket in, and she didn't bring my pack. She told me the code to get into the car, but I couldn't find the numbers, so I was in tears again, so tired, so hot, so convinced that my main function was to pay. 

 

This time B. took Padreic and I was with the others, but after the zoo part they mostly were at the playground. My book in the car, I was bored and hungry so took a lunch break for about 45 minutes. When I got back Gareth was walking around and around, and Joanna was up on a rock coloring flowers.  I kept asking G. if he would like to go on the roller coaster that he loved so much last time, and he said "no, I think I wore myself out." You and me both, kid, but it's a lot of money to walk around and around. We caught up with Bernadette and the three rode on the helicopter, and again we stretched pennies and the kids who wanted to  (this would not be Gareth. He only rides in the chairs if he has to) rode on the merry-go-round, and then we went home.

        

My phone started ringing. It was the woman behind me who had heard Pharaoh crying and wanted to go in and comfort him. She said she'd sit with him, because he was much happier when they were there. She said he'd knocked over his water, and not touched his food, and apparently ignored his bed. Anyway, she rang about 4 times as we drove home, but the dog was actually fairly happy to see me. I guess I can't leave him alone any more now that he can't demolish the gate.

 

I took her a box of Girl Scout cookies the next day as a thank-you.

 

Then on the Tuesday after Memorial Day, Bernadette came by here and picked me up and we went to the light rail station and rode the train downtown. An adventure!  They've changed the route a little so we got off at 7th and Capitol, then walked to Old Sacramento. We were looking for the sea lions that came to town, but didn't see them. The kids liked the old school, and I was disappointed that the hardware store wasn't open. Joanna was interested in the whole concept of jacking up the buildings a story so the city wouldn't flood.  She says we have to go back to Old Sacramento. 

 

And I took Padreic to Wee Wednesday, a comparatively lame final meeting of the spring. Joanna's was better. However, he enjoyed it.  

And while I'm still bruised, I'm nowhere near as bad as I was.

 

305 recordings of 21 types, 65 old CPD. 31% clear.

 

Tuesday (the 19th) as I was driving home, I decided to stop at Wendy's for a burger. I think this may be the first time I've been at a Wendy's since David died and Rich walked me down to the local one to help me calm down.

 

Alicia had left the baby gate open so the dog got into the kitty litter. She left the shower leaking. She didn't eat the strawberries and grapes I had out for her, and she had the heater up to 72%. (darn. I was really hoping this month's usage would be down.) However, she was able to come at the last minute and the dog didn't have to stay out in bad weather.

 

Vince called and they planned A.J.'s birthday party for Saturday. Vince wanted to put together some kits so they could make their own trains.

 

Wednesday Fishdom came up with an Easter game. While I had most of the things from last year (and put the delighted hedgehog into the Wonderland aquarium) I did want the two fish again (Humpty and Dumpty) so I played.

 

Bernadette had work this day, so she brought Padreic over in the morning on the way. I decided it was too rainy to go to Wee Wednesday, so we just stayed in the house and I gave him macaroni and cheese for lunch.

 

 

He was playing with the Cookie Monster toy and had discovered it would travel across the kitchen floor, so of course the batteries ran down. It was C batteries, and I found a pack of two unused Cs. Then I see they were both corroded. Who knew that not using batteries in many years wasted them? So I need to get new Cs.

 

I drove directly to the school and went out in the rain with Padreic to go to the office and donate Charlotte's Web. We hung out then for about 10 minutes until we could go wait for the kids on the school grounds. I saw Joanna and told her to go to the crosswalk and then go to my car, which was unlocked, and get into it, and then waited for Gareth. The three of us walked toward the crosswalk, at Padreic's speed, and there was Joanna with the principal holding an umbrella over her. Apparently, she only remembered the first part of the instructions, and I believe this is the second time that's happened, so from now on I'll have her repeat the whole thing.

 

 

Back at the house, I read to them and watched their homework, though Gareth needs constant prompts. Joanna played with Padreic. When Rob got home he helped set Gareth up to edit his paper (which gets electronically sent to the teacher: wonderful technology) and then went to relax. I stayed around to keep the kids sane (not that it was hard) until R. came out to start dinner and I told him B. was going to bring something. Then I asked if he was prepared to rejoin the world, he was, so I left about 5:45. It was late enough that going up Watt actually was OK and I got home myself about 6:30.

 

Thursday, rain rain rain. I stayed in. John called. As I suspected, he's found a widow he knew from the past and is beginning to date.

 

I made the backspout *whoosh* out, very satisfactory. However, I got a hand cramp. The first one I ever had was in Zubiri, Spain, but I'm getting them more often now. Foot cramps I've been having for years.

 

I uploaded all the pictures from my camera. It's been a couple of months.

 

There was a shooting over the weekend... it was initially presented as a poor unarmed young dad, but there was a bit more to the story. It's our own Michael Brown incident, though so far the Black Lives Matter people have only blocked off the Kings games. No rioting to date, which is promising.

 

 

 

Friday I did some digging in the garden. I called Brenda to find out how Renee is doing, and she's been removed to a convalescent home. I also called Darlene. She was on her way to St. Augustine.

 

Then I drove down to the Feickert school Carnival. Bernadette had bought my raffle tickets and a ticket for a cheese pizza slice. (Friday in Lent, no hot dog for me!) I danced the Macarena and Y-M-C-A, but mostly I hung out. Bernadette actually can do the hula hoop! I put my tickets mostly in the bag for the gift cards, and a few in the Kindle Fire bag. And I won nothing. However, Bernadette (and Padreic, who had carefully put the ticket in that bag when she told him to) did win a basket with a really cute bunny. And Joanna was totally thrilled with the bag.

 

&bsp

 

I sadly told them goodbye, since this is Joan's turn to have them for Easter.

 

Saturday I spent a lot of time playing games, then went back to sleep and ended up with 8 hours of sleep. This hardly ever happens.

 

I went to the store, then later went to evening Mass to avoid the Palm Sunday processions. Ever since Alan left, our Palm Sundays just aren't that exciting any more. I talked to Peter Mithin for a bit.

 

I adjusted a slow cooker orange chicken recipe for the Instant Pot. It wasn't bad (it's from a diabetes cookbook) though I forgot the grated orange peel which is ridiculous with all the oranges Monica gave me!

 

Sunday morning the dog wasn't in his bed. I went looking for him and there he was in the kitchen with a RAT! A big one! Eeek!! It scurried off to the hole next to the dishwasher. Sunday morning at 4 AM, I couldn't call the rat people till Monday. That night I tried blocking the hole with a lead weight, but it pushed it over and got into the kitchen again, though this time I didn't see it. Then I put bricks there and that seems to be working to keep it out of the kitchen.

 

I dug up the garden for peanuts which I planted on Monday. I'm also trying to sprout kumquats. And I have a different kind of avocado pit I hope to grow.

 

I had a long talk with sister-in-law Carol. Frank will be 75 on April 11th!

 

Fiona (from Ngoko safari) has posted her trip report. They (she and Benson) will be coming to the US in October, maybe to Seattle!

 

I printed up the Canadian Geotour passport, and put Doug and Nancy on the GPS.

 

Monday I had a nosebleed. I spent a lot of time playing games. I am spending too much money on Albion, but it's very addictive.

 

The cleaners were early so I had to do a quick final pass. Then while I was in the bedroom I kept hearing this "tap tap tap" and wondered what they were doing. Finally, when they tapped on my window I learned they had locked themselves out!!

 

My tulips are so pretty!

 

 

I'd been wondering if Roni would ask me for Easter. She finally emailed the family, what fun it would be if everyone came for Easter dinner. (This was a surprise, lately they've been taking Grandma to dinner in a restaurant. Apparently Kathy has become totally anti-social, doesn't want to go out, doesn't want people to visit.) Monica is going to New Orleans, Bernadette is in Oregon, and I said no because I'm on retreat till Easter morning and am going to want to go home with my dog. Poor Roni!

 

338 recordings of 36 types. 1 old LMS, 69 CPD, 8 LMS. 23% clear. (Friday's statistics. I start this so early and then get too busy to finish.)

 

Sunday February 18 was great fun. I met my geocaching friend Carol in Folsom. The restaurant I was thinking of turns out to be closed on Sunday mornings. Oops. And she got stuck in terrible traffic so was late, but we finally met up. 

 

Her usual geocaching partner doesn't like walking, and Carol does, so this was perfect. For starters, she'd marked a cache I didn't have listed, so looked for that while I dashed back for my sunglasses. Then off we went, off to the trail. There are no new art works since I was here in December, so no new geocaches. Yet. But there were 4 I was unable to get last time. Carol had found one of those, but not the others. And it was such a pleasant day for a walk. I think she and I should go to the Lafayette reservoir one of these days!

 

We came back in sore need of a bathroom, and hungry, and stopped at Pizza Classico (where I had a salad. Yay me.) All in all, a very pleasant day!

 

I was watching a show about the Galapagos and learned that a volcano there erupted in 2015!  I must not have been paying attention.

 

Monday's only event was that I went to the Newcomer's Dinner. I had called to remind John, so he came. He and Bill (a neighbor, on Pounds Lane) had both gone to Grant High School in the 40s, so they had a lot of reminiscences that I found fascinating.

 

I cleaned out the kitchen pantry (except for the pasta shelf, which I got the next day). SO much vinegar! So much alcohol!  I DID have corn starch after all, so now I have far too much! And so much gelatin!!

 

I've been watching old movies. TMC has a pre-Oscar special, and so many are interesting to me. So I had to cancel S.W.A.T., that I never got into, and cut out a lot of the How the Universe Works segments (all about how the universe is going to kill us... maybe in 5 billion years, or maybe this afternoon.)

 

Tuesday, my USAA subscriber bonus came, which would cover the deposit for Oberammergau. I found out that it's not refundable, but for $200 I could transfer it to another program, which might be useful, if I do it and then go with Father Giltus.

 

I actually made it to the breakfast. I like the people but really am not impressed with the restaurant.

 

Wednesday I had another nosebleed. Sigh. This gets old. 

 

At Wee Wednesday Miss Jill was gone so Miss Michelle was the leader. She did a "criss cross" rhyme and Padreic learned to sit cross-legged.  We showed Mommy when we got home.  It's a lot better when they sit that way so they dont get in everyone's way.  Too bad Arthur doesn't get it, and too bad Arthur's mom and grandmom don't try to get him to behave. 

 

The parking meter acted up, told me I was paid till 11:30, but when we came out at 11:10 it had expired. There was no ticket, but I thought it should be reported.  I tried calling the number on the meter but it continually kicked me off.  Later, about Monday, I reported online. And yet, the next Wednesday a woman was unable to pay at that meter. She has a smartphone so could do it, anyway.

 

Back at the house, I was picking up stuff (Bernadette had turfed out Gareth's room and it looked great) and found Joanna's Thanksgiving list.  She's thankful for Grandma, but not for me. This little girl manages to hurt my feelings on a regular basis! She is still not doing her writing. I keep asking why and she doesn't know. I asked Joan to tell Joanna she, Grandma, would like her to do her school writing. That might work.

 

Thursday I was almost late to the Retreat House, swallowed up by Facebook. But I made it. Again, a huge amount to eat! 

 

I got Pharaoh's DNA kit and swabbed his cheeks. I really am curious. 

 

I have decided not to play the regular levels in Fishdom until they come up with a new aquarium. But I'm OK playing the additional game of Herman (the crab) even if it means (and it did) dropping another league.  They add 15 new games every Thursday, and I've been buying the diamonds at a discount, so by mid-March I should have enough to play the 60 or 75 games I'll have before they go to the "chests." Those games don't let you get new decorations or fish.  When they do open the Wonderland exhibit I can buy a lot of goodies right away.  The fish keep nagging me to go to the store, but I have everything already and the aquaria are stuffed!

 

360 recordings of 36 types (so many TCM movies!) 72 CPD, 1 SVU, 11 LMS, 18% clear.

 

(This was Saturday!)

 

I know, I know. When the news of Russian meddling and the total incompetence of the FBI in the Florida shooting came down, the low-level anger I've felt ever since the sore loser Resistence movement rose up, that anger reached boiling point and I've been unable to write. I'm just furious over Russians, Resist, Cryin' Chuck, Adam the Buffoon, the "unwittting" helpers on Facebook, the FBI, knee-jerks and just plain jerks.

 

And last year, just before I left the house to go to Roni's, I said "Besides getting to see Africa, I also will be happy to have almost three weeks without the panic-of-the-day, the hysteria, the riots, the hyperbole, the Godwin's law violations, the BS and outright lies, the hypocrisy..."

 

But a lot has gone on. And at least I caught up with the pictures, so I can illustrate our adventure on Monday the 12th.

 

The kids were out of school, so I went down to Elk Grove and Bernadette and I took them to Calistoga to see the Old Faithful Geyser of California. Rich and I had been here long ago, as well as the Petrified Forest in the same area. Unfortunately, the big fire last summer closed the Petrified Forest. It also affected Old Faithful, but just the bathroom block (which they had just built. They put in two enormous port-a-potties to replace it until it's rebuilt.)

 

The geyser goes off every 5-10 minutes, so we didn't have to wait. It's fascinating. Joanna brought along her drawing tablet so she could draw it. (She and I kept knocking heads on this trip, not only about the drawing tablet but later about the playground. One of those days.) Padreic was enthralled. And he understood the chart about why the geyser happens.

 

 

Gareth mostly walked around. At the end he disappointed me by not wanting a stretched penny. They're "not interesting." (Padreic, of course, wanted one. I'll have to get him an album.)

 

They weren't that interested in the fainting goats. I was so tempted the last time to scare them. Then they were in a smaller pen, now they have a huge paddock and don't look like anything would make them faint. There's a cute little playground. Padreic was climbing into the plane but slipped and hit his eye on the pipe. He was crying but Bernadette put him into the plane before he'd calmed down, so he's unhappy in this picture. Later, though, he was happy to play in the plane. Joanna had some elaborate story going on when we stopped for lunch.

 

 

 

Then we looked at the other things (not much, actually), and got the stretched pennies, and went back to Napa to the Playground Fantastico. This is another place Rich and I had visited in 2004. We'd recommended it to Roni and Monica for their families. It's still nice enough, though not as incredibly special as I had remembered. I walked across the freeway and around under the bridge to look for a geocache, without luck.

 

 

After about 90 minutes we packed up and went home, in the Bay Area rush hour, but it wasn't too bad. (Not like the horror of getting back from Rodeo Beach.)

 

Tuesday the 13th I had the cleaners. I walked to Raley's to pick up my prescription and a salad. I watched the Westminster dog show, and learned that Lex, my grandparents' dog, was an ENGLISH cocker spaniel. I'd wondered why cocker spaniels were so much smaller than I remembered. I worked some more on the jigsaw puzzle. I also dashed over to the neighborhood street to take a picture of the leopard in a tree!

 

 

 

 

352 recordings of 35 types, 1 old SVU, 71 old CPD, 39 LMS, 23% clear.

 

I had to leave the retreat early because I had tickets for "Carnival of the Animals" by Circa in Davis. I left here about1:50 and got caught in the usual Sunday traffic jam near IKEA, but arrived at the theater by 2:30 as planned. Then I waited and waited and waited for Bernadette, who was planning to leave the bowling and pizza party the kids were at at 2:00... I began to think I was going to miss it, $135.00 wasted.

 

Bernadette drove up about 2:50 and got parked and to me by 2:56, so we raced in... to find someone else had our seats. This was a bit confusing (they'd not realized their seats were on the orchestra side) but we were seated and the show started about 10 minutes late or so. Which was our hope, that a kids' show might be a little confused and not that prompt to start.

 

It was fun, and the kids liked it. Gareth laughed right away, and eventually Joanna started to smile. (The last time we were at the Mondavi she didn't much like the show at all, but that was 3 years ago.)

 

Bernadette was behind me getting out of the parking lot, but I was a bit surprised when she also followed me on the Reno exit. When she got off at IKEA, I figured it out.

 

When we went to bed, suddenly Pharaoh upchucked everything he'd had to eat the last 3 days. This was on the tile floor, so while it was an enormous paper towel job, it wasn't too bad. But then he upchucked a small amount on his bed, so I had to rinse that off and then find a quilt for him to sleep on. The next day I properly cleaned his bed and it was dry by bedtime. I guess the dog was anxious about missing me, but next time I bring his own food.

 

Monday was the cleaners. This time I was ready.

 

I had two nosebleeds this day!

 

After the cleaners, I drove out to Citrus Heights, where the other BevMo! is, to the Skechers outlet and I found two nice pair of shoes that DO fit!

 

 

Tuesday I didn't feel like going out to breakfast, and in fact I mostly spent the day playing Fishdom!

I also finished the scratch-off map and framed it (though I didn't take the pliofilm off the front of the glass, so will have to do that when (if) I ever scratch off anything else. 17 countries! I also did more on the jigsaw puzzle.

 

 

 

In the afternoon I went to get vitamins, milk, and gas.

 

My Apple charging card finally broke, after years of abuse. I taped the insulation back on so I can use it till the new one comes. (Which happened Thursday.)

 

Wednesday was great. The Wee Wednesday program was about the senses and Padreic contributed. The first time was quiet and not really on topic, Miss Jill had said she liked to touch her cat and P. said he had a cat... and Nana has a dog. I was the only person to hear this. Later, though, he answered a question Miss Jill asked him, and to the point. They "planted a garden" and he loved that. Then the exhibit Wing Dings was back, and Padreic didn't want to leave it.

 

I read the beginning of "The Land of Oz" to the kids, leaving them at a cliffhanger place. Heh.

 

Then yesterday I went to Mass at the Retreat House. I talked to a fairly new widow and found out her daughter and granddaughter don't talk to her. Just awful. I also saw another woman and we talked, but I cannot remember her name... she knows mine.

 

At home I finally noticed John had called. Since he called on Wednesday and I didn't call back, he was worried he was bothering me. No, I enjoy talking to him.

 

I actually opened the windows in the house and aired it out. I noted there was mud on the outside of one, so I took it out of the frame and washed it! (This is a first, and this is one of the old ones!)

 

359 recordings of 60 types, 1 old SVU (though the machine keeps trying to give me more no matter how many times I say "don't record"), 59 old CPD, 51 old Last Man Standing. 23% clear.

 

On New Year's Eve I drove down to the Crocker and parked where Bernadette usually goes for these events. Parking was free, even though I thought Sundays and holidays were now charged for. I waited a few minutes and here came Bernadette. We moved Gareth's bag to my car and walked the block to the museum, where we lined up to wait for the doors to open for their Noon Year's Eve event. In the end, there must have been almost 1000 people there. The first thing we did was watch the Pixie magic show (by the Pixie who did Joanna's birthday last year) and then we went down to Tot Land for awhile. Then Joanna was interested in arts and crafts, and made a lovely headband hat and then a stick with ribbons to wave and then a shaker. Padreic did one of these, too. Up in that gallery I spied someone I knew. I'd said "hello" to her earlier but was trying to remember who she was, but up in the gallery I figured out how I knew her so went over to say a better hi... "you were in the mock jury!" I was able to meet her kids and ask about the one who just had brain surgery. He looks great.

 

 

(I told Joanna to smile. I love the gappy-toothed real smile, but I guess she's sensitive about it.)

 

At noon the star balloon dropped. And then we went back to the cars and I drove home with Gareth.

 

 

Gareth played with his iPad and he and I did some work with his Continental Drift kit. There are things he wouldn't enjoy, like coloring the flip book. We didn't do it all, but got a pretty good start about rifts and plates, anyway. I told him how I'd learned in college that continental drift was a stupid idea, and then everything changed. Science is like that, it's never settled.

 

Because my DVD player was toast, I actually paid On Demand money so we could watch Cars 3. Then after dinner, about 8, we started watching the news. Fox was a bad choice, because when midnight came, they didn't watch the ball go down. Next year, ABC. Also next year, he'll get to stay up through Chicago! We toasted (earlier, so he didn't have a bedwetting accident) with sparkling cider.

 

I went to bed by 10, woke up with the bangs at midnight, and back to sleep till almost 6. Gareth also got up pretty early, we had breakfast, and his iPad needed charging so he was at loose ends. After I'd watched him galloping through the house for awhile I suggested we walk around the block to get rid of wiggles. I showed him how so many of the tract houses had changed, and we looked at Christmas decorations. Then he was eager for Mommy to come pick him up so he could go with the family to see Grandma off at the airport.

 

I spent the rest of the day watching the London parade, but I didn't see Lexi. I also tried the YouTube film but kept missing the cue. Fortunately, one of Roni's friends got an excellent picture.

 

 

All in all, a great New Year's.

 

On Tuesday I went in for my A1C test, hooray, now I can have a few carbs until they tell me I can't. I won't pig out, but it'll be nice to have some of these things I've been not-having.

 

Back at home, I called the garage and then took the car in. It was going to have a major tune-up, as well as fixing the oil leak. I took the shuttle home, and was second to be dropped off, which didn't bother me at all. I enjoyed the trip to West Sacramento, noted new construction near the railyards , a new light rail line, and an access point to a number of geocaches.

 

At home, I discovered my goodies had been delivered, so spent the next hour or so setting up my cordless phone and three handsets, and my new DVD player!

 

Then when Vince called, I had no idea how to answer the phone. We finally figured it out, so when my neighbor called, I was able to answer it... but as she wanted a ride to fetch her car from the garage on the next day, I pointed out my empty carport and had to tell her no.