fossilfreak

 

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!

 

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.

 

356 recordings of 64 types, no old SVU (though some will come later this week) 51 old CPD and oh, yes, 54 old Last Man Standing. 23% clear.

 

Saturday I had dithered about whether to leave the dog out, figuring it would be at least 12 hours so I would have to give him access to the back room (with the kitty litter box, eek) but I was afraid it would be too cold for him outside. At least Andy fixed the back gate to discourage him... he's scratching at it, but I think the gate will outlive him. I finally decided that since it wasn't raining, he could probably be left out. I thought the gardeners would be on vacation, after all it's only two days till Christmas, but at the last minute I decided to leave them a note on the back gate, and it's a good thing I did, because they did come. But they didn't go in the back yard, hallelujah!

 

So I drove down to Elk Grove and moved my packages to Bernadette's car (except for the mandarins and stocking stuffers I smuggled in) and we packed up and drove to San Jose. I didn't get out at the Latham gas station, but Gareth decided he needed to go to the bathroom too. He opened the door and got out and Joanna closed it and he opened it and Joanna closed it... "Gareth! Go in to the bathroom!" And then he did the Midvale School of the Gifted thing of trying to go in the exit. He finally got in.

 

When we got to San Jose I gave the kids some stuff to take in... "Don't drop it." Of course, Gareth dropped the packages. Since they were cookies (from Bernadette) and stemless wineglasses (from me) that was less-than-optimal. However, everything survived.

 

Monica and Charlotte had put together a lovely brunch... chiliquilas, tamales, eggs, salad... Joanna, of course "didn't liiiike it" but at least ate the eggs. Then we opened presents. I gave each family a set of the stemless wineglasses, but since I gave Mark one and Monica one I almost didn't. Oops. They also got a big box of almons. Bernadette had commissioned hats for the kids, though Lexi got fingerless gloves instead. (I could use those... I've had cold hands a lot during this cold wave.) Joanna got a jewelry making kit of at least 1000 pieces. She absolutely loves it, and it's something Grandma could do with her, too. I got a nice tray with dried fruit and a couple of nanoblock dinosaurs. Gonna keep me busy! I apologized to Teddy for giving him a subscription that is too young.

 

 

And off to walk to Christmas in the Park. The kids got well ahead. The teens went off to get churros y chocolate (which I like better here than in Spain, so there) and I bought ride bracelets for Gareth and Joanna and 4 ride tickets for Padreic. Bernadette took them to the train and I caught up with some members of the family, then when the train ride was over she took the kids to the bigger rides and I had P. to go around with Monica and the girls. We got stuck at the adoption place with two of the most terrified cats I've ever seen. Then I took him to the car ride and helped him get a red car. He really enjoyed this. We looked at little houses and special trees, and then went to the ball drop and looked for Bernadette. Finally caught up with her and it turned out that Gareth is too big to be on his favorite jungle walk (a sort of obstacle course.) Joanna had definitely used her ride bracelet but I may have lost money on Gareth's. Bernadette took Padreic to the train again, but the operator wasn't there. Monica asked "why is she still waiting?" just as B. left the line, with Padreic in tears. That's why.

It was time to start to leave, so Joanna and Padreic went on the little Ferris wheel. He was a little dubious at first but then she held his hand and also the operator started to poke him in the leg every time he went by. Unfortunately, though, Bernadette thought the last ride could be the "Frog Drop", and he was quite happy going up, but terrified at the first drop. Joanna held his hand and we all encouraged him, so he was a little mollified by the end, but that really was a mistake.

 

 

   

   

Somewhere in there Joanna wrote a nice letter to Santa.

 

We went back to the house for dessert. I couldn't have any pie myself but probably should have gotten two pumpkin pies. Joanna asked if she could take the pumpkin home and ended up with both of them. OK then. It turns out Joan likes pecan so it's all good. Padreic was having fun giving Uncle R.J. fake cupcakes to eat. They left and then we did, and P. threw a real tantrum, having such a good time at Aunt Monica's he didn't want to leave. He fell asleep on the ride home, almost right away.

 

We stopped at a great light display. I blew it. Gareth was stimming and I commented, sotto voce, that "the Autism is strong in that one." Bernadette was filming. I sure wish I'd never remarked.. I wouldn't want Gareth to hear that and somehow be ashamed. I love him with all my heart, not any less because he's autistic. Nor any more because he's autistic. I just love the whole package, just the way he is.

 

Home. The dog was OK. What a good day, except for my misstep at the end.

 

356 recordings of 60 types, 3 old SVU, 45 old CPD. 25% clear.

 

Wednesday (the 13th) was another babysitting day. Bernadette dropped Padreic off and I left the dog in the back part of the house. I had him make a tree, as the older kids had. He was really careful about where he placed each of the sticker ornaments. Then, after a short time playing, we went off to Wee Wednesday.

 

 

This one wasn't quite as nice as the first one, but Padreic was into it and even contributed a little. The story was "It's Not a Box" and then we saw sculptures up in the galleries and made one with colored popsicle sticks and tape.

 

On the way home I tried to get tickets to "The Star" for Saturday with Gareth and Joanna, but had no luck. They were only showing it at 9:45!! So I decided I would take them to see "Ferdinand" at, gulp, Arden Fair instead.

 

Then home to give Padreic lunch and go to get the kids, play in the park, and read to them. And stick around till Rob got home. Padreic was much more awake and alert this time.

 

 

Thursday morning I headed out to Folsom to meet with other Sacramento Pilgrims to walk on the new Johnny Cash trail. I was wearing my Camino sweatshirt so was easy to find for the others. We were led by a lady who lives in Folsom and is quite excited by the developments here. They have some lovely art work planned. We walked 7 miles, and at a pace faster than I'm used to. It was fun sharing thoughts and memories with others. But I sure was tired coming home!
 

 

 

Back home, emptying the bag I took, I discovered my Renaissance nametag, the one I lost last spring so I got a new one in September!

 

I was so tired I nearly forgot the Posadas out at the Retreat House. Fortunately, I saw a post from Bernadette and remembered, so I called her to ask for a ride. We forgot about "Mexican time" (non PC term!) and were there shortly after it was supposed to start at 6. It actually started at 7:15. Father Clemente had written a nice meditation to go with the songs. One choir was indoors (running from door to door in the retreat house) and we were following Jose and Maria and another choir and singing with them on the outside. At the fifth door we were welcomed, "pilgrims" (oh, yeah, this was definitely a pilgrim kind of day) and went in to a fiesta. Yes, I had a tamale! The kids were funny with the pinatas. I remember in 3rd grade or so we read a story about children in Mexico and how at Christmas time they had a pinata. How exotic that was! Nowadays kids almost expect one at every party. I got home about 9:30.

 

 

Friday I was stiff, but never mind, I walked to the UPS store (about a half mile) and got my passport photo.

 

I was looking for nailless hangers, I know I have some, and opened one kitchen drawer and there was a spider in it! While it wasn't especially black, it was shaped like a black widow, and I didn't take a chance, but smished it.

 

 

Fishdom has a 12 days of Christmas game, but I'm going to wait till it's worthwhile. Right now I get the same prizes over and over, and am not winning anything else... I want the decorations that go into this "Fantasy" aquarium.

 

I did some digging of weeds. I see the dog has started on the gate. It's pretty high, and I don't think he can get a purchase so I'm guessing the gate will outlive him. It looked like the leaf bin was low enough to deal with the newly-fallen leaves. (Then the next day the wind came up and stripped the beds, and I wondered if the gardeners could find room, but it was OK.)

 

371 recordings of 36 types. 6 old SVU, 36 old CPD. 24% clear.

 

 

Friday (December 1) was the last day of Renaissance. I decided to skip the morning class and take the bag of kids' books in after the movie, when I can move the car closer to the drop-off place.  I did find a parking place near the class, and took my seat cushion in, left it and my coat, and went to find some lunch. I had my tuna bahn mi and tea, as usual, took it back, and settled in comfort to watch the movie.  It was Predestination. It's an expansion of a Heinlein short story. I was thinking the original, All You Zombies, story could be applied to the Holy Trinity. It almost makes God easier to understand.

 

I had weird dreams Thursday night, involving online friends I don't know and haven't met, Digital Donna and Rhianna Lewis (well, I did meet her, 5 years ago).

 

I have gained at least $3K on the stock market. I hope this lasts, since I've come to realize I have more money than time and must do the things I'd like to do more quickly than I was thinking earlier.

 

Saturday I went out to the WPAC breakfast. Then I had about an hour before I had to go to Elk Grove to fetch the kids, and the gardeners came during that time. I was a bit early for the kids so sat and read for a while, and then took them to see "Christmas with the Little Women."  Too many words, not enough action. Joanna has given up on autographs, apparently. 

 

To my house where they painted little boxes. In a couple of weeks we'll trim them up. 

 

After I got home again, my DVD of Doc Martin season 8 came!  This took up my time till I was done with all 8 episodes and the bonus disc. I'm eager to go through the whole series now.  And there's one more year to go.

 

10 years ago I was 25 pounds heavier with high BP.  Currently I'm nearly back to where I was after the Camino, which would make my doctor happy if only she was still my doctor.

 

Sunday I woke early, and couldn't get back to sleep. Every time I'd get close I'd think "this is it!" and of course woke myself up.

 

So I got up and put the tree up, risking electrocution with the semi-broken outlet. Half the lights on the trees are out. At first I thought I'd have to go buy more bulbs, because I couldn't remember where the spares were. They were attached to the tree. I tried replacing a bulb or two, but it seems one of the strings is out, so I guess it's the fuse... but where does the fuse go? I tried one funny shaped bulb socket, but it wasn't it. Argh.

 

By 0730 I was at the Hilton to be on a mock jury. There were 22 jurors, and we signed a confidentiality agreement. So I can't tell anything about the case. We heard synopses of both the plaintiff's and defendent's arguments and saw some slides to give background, then split into two juries in two different rooms (all by random, as was the choice of foreman, so no time was wasted.) We deliberated (with a camera working) for about an hour and came up with a verdict. Apparently this law firm does a lot of these (there were three sessions about this one in Sacramento) and usually all the mock juries tend to come up pretty much the same. They present these to the lawyers, sometimes leading to settlements or a bit of a change in the arguments. I got $125 for this, as did the 60 or so other mock jurors, and add in the cost of the rooms at the Hilton and the equipment, all paid for by one of the parties.  Wow. It was fun, and they'll never ask me again (or anyone else. One and done.) In fact, they didn't actually ask me this time, it was a letter from a law firm for Richard, so of course I opened it. Decided it might be interesting and filled out the form and was accepted.

 

In the afternoon I went back out to the wilds of Citrus Heights to see "Holmes for the Holidays." It was a nice job and I sat with a nice lady in a better seat than my last one. I will continue to come out here next year. Free wine with the show!

 

367 recordings of 28 types. 29 old CPD, 4 old SVU. 24% clear.

 

Wednesday I finished Pinocchio with the kids. Not only were they reading along, which is fine, but Gareth was reading ahead of my voice which I found immensely distracting.

 

I ordered Doc Martin season 8!  Also, my African nativity set was supposed to arrive and it wasn't until Sunday that I questioned it. 

 

Thursday I finally heard from a gastroenterologist about making my appointment. I thought I would hear in July, and when I didn't, I tried calling the number on the card my doctor gave me, with no luck. Because my doctor had left me, I finally figured I'd get the colonoscopy next year.  But now, I guess I'll just call them and make an appointment (AFTER Thanksgiving!)

 

I stopped at the SPCA booksale. I had a really good day there, with 2 Trollopes (Anthony, not Joanna) and 4 Cornwells (Bernard, not Patricia) that I didn't have. Yay! I also got a book of Grimm Fairy Tales. It's slanted to grownups, with commentary about the sexual fantasies, etc, but the stories themselves are good. (I was hoping for Rainbow Fairy books, no luck there.)

 

And I finally had the last day of the dinosaur candle and then had to carve away the rest of the wax.  This should have worked better but I had to keep carving down the egg so the flame wouldn't drown. Oh, well. At the end it cracked the glaze, but the dinosaur is cute anyway.

 

Friday the computer was very slow and I spent a lot of time on Facebook. I finally, about 11, got out the door to go to Rancho Cordova and geocache.  I had ten in mind, on a bike trail that makes a loop so I wouldn't be too far away from the car when I finished.  The first two were DNFs, and I was beginning to be dubious, but then I found one.  The fourth I tried was down a really steep hill, and I was a bit scared to try it by myself, but I went down and looked, but couldn't find it, and then somehow managed to get back up the hill, cussing myself out for being stupid. I also couldn't find the next one, then had to try to get to the other side of the loop. I was paralleling it for awhile, but then found access and again couldn't find one. Then I found #7, and was on my way to #8, but by that time the skies opened and I was half a mile away from the car. I had left my raincoat at Bernadette's on Wednesday and forgot I had a decent rain jacket that I had taken to Spain. Hence, I had a light jacket, which didn't protect me very much. I was soaked by the time I got back to the car. I was too wet to stop at a fast food place so came on home, arriving about 1:30.

 

In the evening, the Chatauqua show was "Frankenstein." I was glad to see my friend Bill, who is still looking good despite the Pancreatic cancer. His tumor hasn't shrunk but is less dense, and after Thanksgiving he starts a round of radiation.  I'm impressed with his upbeat attitude. Anyway, it was great to see him (and his wife, of course.) 

 

I had no idea how they would present "Frankenstein" but it was just terrific. It was Mary Shelley telling the story and the other characters showing her story. I was very impressed with it.