fossilfreak | Entries tagged with passport

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 1 p. 572

3.8 miles

cool, partly cloudy

350 recordings of 51 types, 1 old SVU, 62 old CPD, and 53 LMS. 24% clear.

Sunday I forgot to bring the donation envelopes. I've adopted Rich's program of giving one big donation on the first Sunday of each month and not on the other weeks. But that does mean giving on the first Sunday! I'll catch them next week. At least I did remember to bring a Mma Ramotswe book to Gerrie!

About five pews ahead of me was a big black man I've never seen there before. I didn't notice him until he suddenly sat with a *thump* from standing during the prayer. A woman sitting with her family in the same pew leaned over to ask if he was all right, and then a couple of other people came to talk to him and someone called 911 and went out to wait for the paramedics. 5 minutes later, Communion time, he was given communion, and then someone ahead of me in line told the priest about him and the priest went down to give him a blessing, too. Shortly after that the paramedics were there, but the man was well enough to walk to the gurney. I'm glad this stranger came to our church to be taken ill!

About 2:30 I drove with Pharaoh to drop off the chocolate-y popcorn I'd bought from Teddy. No way I could eat that. So I took it to Sunday Support. Imagine my surprise to find the meeting already underway. They've changed the time so people don't have to drive home in the dark. I tiptoed in and dropped off the snack and left, and came home to read the bulletin which I keep forgetting to do. I knew about membership and the luncheon this month, but I hadn't known about a trip to see an Eberley Brothers retrospective in March. Sounds like fun!

Monday morning, early, it started to rain and it rained for at least 30 straight hours. By the time it was done, the back yard was back to swampy, but at least this time the leaves are where they belong.

Monica decided to berate me publicly in Facebook. "Why do you post this stuff?" I was pretty mild telling her to back off, but I was mad, and went into messenger to tell her so. I told her she can disagree with what I post in public, but keep the personal stuff private, and besides, it's not her job to teach me to think. Honestly, I thought I raised her better not to be rude.

I decided, after 7 years, it's probably time to change out the Sonicare brush. I checked in the back bathroom cabinet and yes, Rich had three Sonicare heads. Unfortunately, they don't fit this model too well, but I made it work. They say to change every three months. Ha.

There's lots of stuff in those three drawers in the back bathroom. Aspirin, for one. I have to go through it (yet another thing.)

Tuesday I went to the WPAC breakfast, then to the Carmichael Post Office (which is mostly self-serve and PO boxes) to finally mail off the passport application, and on to the Ford garage, downtown, to give them back the engine fluid they left in the car.

In the afternoon I popped Spooky into the carrier and listened to him meow and squeak all the way to the vet, where he was checked (he's fine) and got a shot. I had to turn around halfway there as I forgot his stool sample, and as I'd cleaned out the box the day before I knew for sure the sample was fresh. I called from here to let them know I'd be late, but I wasn't all that late.

And yesterday I finally got to see the kids again. Padreic cried when he was told it was time to go with me, but he had a good time at Wee Wednesday. The lesson this time was about opposites, and I think most of the kids, who seem to be 3 rather than 4, were completely baffled. Then we looked at a painting with "warm colors" and "cool colors", again too much. They played a game with objects either "hard" or "soft" and that, too, was difficult. Arthur, who may be 4, he's talkative enough, was convinced his wooden truck was "soft." They did better with pictures of "hot" and "cold." However, on the whole this wasn't that successful. Padreic decided he wasn't interested in a third game, but he was well-behaved.

Back at Bernadette's, I got told that Joanna's teacher had called to have her talk to Joanna. The assignment, a 5 minute writing thing on "how I help the community", was too hard for her, she couldn't remember anything she did, and Bernadette reminded her about the things she does with the Brownies. But, when I went to get her, it appears that Joanna still hadn't done it, despite a talk with the principal and another talk with the teacher trying to talk her through it. She lost her eraser, broke her pencil, was told she could do computer once she'd finished it, and still didn't even start. I'm baffled, as she writes all the time at home. Anyway, I brought them home and read to them (although I stopped halfway through a long chapter because my voice was giving out) and Bernadette was pretty much standing over Joanna to finish the FIVE MINUTE writing. ("You'd rather have me than your Dad.")

And I left my raincoat. With my WPAC name tag in it. Sigh.

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 1 p. 572

2.8 miles

rain!

351 recordings of 53 types, with 1 old SVU, 62 old CPD, and 51 old Last Man Standing. 24% clear.

Oh, I forgot to mention taking Gareth to Flapjacks for lunch. Yummy, I'll have to go back!

Wednesday I waited till 1:30 to call the shop and whine "am I ever getting my car back?" The answer was yes, he was waiting for the paperwork so I called the shuttle, which really worked out well as he was also picking up another woman in Carmichael. So we chatted on the way down there and while we were waiting to get our cars.

Thursday the cleaners were coming, about 1 she said, so I had time in the morning to make a huge commissary run. I went through self-check but also had a bagger, 9 big paper bags full! I managed to back the car in and get the groceries in quite efficiently. As it happened, the cleaners came up just as I was stashing the dog (at 12:30) and putting the dog dishes outside. They were only here a half hour (and they threw the trash bag into a green bin) but it sure was needed!

I finally wrote the check and signed my passport application, then put it in an envelope... but then when I was writing out the address (the second time, I blew it on the first envelope) I saw the line that said not to fold the form, but to put it in an envelope that fits. Oops. So I had to reprint the form and fill it out and put it and the check and my former passport in an envelope... oh, wait, I forgot to put the passport picture on! So the completed (I hope!) form is sitting on the table ready to go, but Friday it was raining and I just didn't feel like going to the post office (they make a big deal of not using another mailing place.) I don't know what's wrong with me, but I just seem to be reluctant to actually send this off!

Friday morning I walked over to the Powerhouse museum (we joined there when we moved here in July of 1997, shortly after they moved to that Auburn Boulevard location.) There I waited for the Feickert school bus to come with Joanna's second grade for their planetarium field trip. Another school bus came first, which confused me, but theirs eventually came. I joined up with Joanna and we stood in line about 20 minutes before the planetarium lady was ready.

I ended up sitting one kid away from Joanna and she was all wiggles. She kept arching her back and sliding to the floor (though I do think she was paying attention.) She had a bracelet that glowed in the dark and I had her put it in her pocket, but later she had it as an anklet. What really surprised me, in the audience participation part, she put her hand up and knew two answers (the Great Red Spot and that comets are made of ice.) She also shouted out answers, loudly, when the classes did. All in all, she was good. After they got back on the bus I went into the museum to go to the bathroom and also chatted with the docent, who I thought had done an excellent job. When I mentioned my rocket scientist son, she introduced me to another lady whose husband also works for Aerojet!

The museum currently has dinosaurs and planets, and not too much for Padreic. When I started walking home, a light rain was falling. Later on Friday, it rained a lot. My neighbor Ako, down the street, is eager to hire my gardener and we had a number of phone calls back and forth. My answering machine actually keeps the right time!

Then I went to see "The Regifters" which was cute. It got a little preachy at the end about the True Meaning of Christmas, but they did an adequate job.

On Saturday morning I went to the Widowed Person's breakfast and had a good time. (Sitting with women this time. I found out that Heinz is no longer a member. Sigh.)

My neighbor had a loaf of homebaked bread to share. Yum. Staying low-carb is definitely hard-to-impossible.

We're Still Better off With Trump Than Clinton:

Indeed, as Trump’s accomplishments accumulate, the mere thought of Clinton in the White House, doubling down on Barack Obama’s failed policies, washes away any doubts that America made the right choice.

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 1 p. 560

215.4 miles

cold, rain last night

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.)

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 1 p. 560

207.0 miles

c-c-cold!

371 recordings of 35 types, 41 old CPD, 5 old SVU. 24% clear, but that will change with Big Cat Week and babysitting Padreic!

Monday I swept the leaves off the back porch, and the palm seeds in front, but really, why bother? Every time I sweep it up, more fall and it looks just the same. Plus this week the wind blew all the leaves off the garden and out of the yard onto my back porch. I had to sweep a path out.

I went really early to Supercuts for a much-needed haircut. The young man was quick and did a good job, though not quite as short as I would have liked. It still looks a LOT better. Then I made a quick stop at Emigh Hardware to ask where the fuses are. She showed me, in the plug. Mind you, when I got home I still had a hard time opening the plug, so went online. Oh, it slides! So I tried various permutations to replace the fuse, and nothing worked. Apparently it's the wire itself. Now I have a case for the tree, but I believe I'll get a different tree next year saving all these fuses and bulbs. In fact, I'll try to get next year's on the 26th, since as I say, I have a case. I wound up turning the tree so the lit string is in front. It looks OK.

The cleaners were early, and I'd just finished the bonus disc of Doc Martin.

They were done early enough that I decided to go to the movies, and saw "The Man Who Invented Christmas." It was a pleasure to see Ian MacNeice playing an entirely different part. There was also someone else from Doc Martin, though not a main character like Bert Large. I enjoyed the movie.

Tuesday was babysitting. Padreic was interested in all the toys I brought out. When I went to change his diaper I managed to get poop on the floor. Later, he was playing with the enormous number of toys I brought out and said "I found all the tools." I am reminded of Vince at this age when we'd given him a tool bench... "this 'ittle boy is workin'!"

I put batteries into the talking snowman and while I was about it, did the same for the singing snowmen. I could learn to regret that!

(click for the video.)

He was getting along fine with Pharaoh (once the dog calmed down) but then the dog barked at someone and Padreic decided he was afraid of him. So after I'd read "10 Little Toddlers" three times to him I put him down with the book and he cried and "cried." The quotes are for when he was faking it. So I put him down on the couch for a nap. After a few quiet minutes he was fine.

We had macaroni and cheese for lunch and Padreic fell asleep on the way home. We went to fetch the school kids. Joanna had had a terrible day (B. had forgotten her meds). She passed it on with her rhapsodizing about Grandma coming to Christmas in the Park (which was wrong but I had a fit first) "Grandma sees you more than I do." "It's because we love her so much." Well, that puts me in MY place. Vince told me off about that.

Wednesday was St. Nicholas Day. I woke up sad, partly because of the whole Grandma thing and mostly because of St. Nicholas Day, but then Bernadette brought me a puzzle when she brought Padreic over.

My Facebook post:

Bernadette had an old tent she wanted me to take to Loaves and Fishes. I had it in the car, thinking I would add the bag of motel toiletries and take it in tomorrow. But I was a bit faster with Padreic today than I thought I would be, and would be driving right past L&F, so even though the motel soaps weren't with me, I decided to drop off the tent. Great timing. We got to the Crocker Art Museum just as it opened, for Wee Wednesday. We went to the Tot room, which Padreic loves, and I wondered if he'd be OK to leave it for the Wee Wednesday program. He was perfect, plopped right down on a mat for the story, which was a book about "lines." Then we walked on lines, a straight line, a curved line, a zigzag line. And on up to the Diebenkorn exhibit to plop down on another mat and look at lines in the painting. Padreic didn't contribute, but he took everything in, and when it was time for the activity he carefully covered the zigzag line on his paper with plastic bugs, and did a second one with gems. I was really impressed with him, for his first time. It could have gone either way, and I'd have tried again in a month if he wasn't ready. Afterwards we went to the WingDings exhibit, which is for the littles. He got too tired going back to the car (he's still limping a little, and it's hard for him) and slept going home (for the second day in a row.)

We all stopped at the park after school because I usually rush past it so I can read to the kids and get home before the bad traffic, but since I was waiting around for Rob to get home after work, I had time. Padreic got very tired again. Anyway, a satisfactory day.

Joanna still had a sad day, and playing in the park didn't help much. They ran ahead of me, and I'd forgotten to lock the door. Oh, dear. I read them another chapter of "Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill." Later, after her homework was done, Joanna was buried in "The Secret Garden", no pun intended. That book was what she got from St. Nicholas.

And I drove home with the carseat! I have been coming up Watt, long trip, but probably better than the freeway. I don't get home till dark.

I realized that I didn't have the book "Little Women", which was always one of my favorites, so I ordered it, So now reading:

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire; Pepys' Diary; Embarrassments by PJ Nel; Shattered, Jonathan Allen & Amie Parnes; The Little World of Don Camillo, Giovanni Guareschi; Little Women, Louisa May Alcott; and The Golden Spiders, Rex Stout. (I've gotten up to 1953.)

I printed up my Passport Renewal Form. Then I made mistakes (with my own cell phone number!) on the second page.

Fishdom finally opened a new aquarium but I had to wait to play a couple of days till the "levels" came up, to get the decorations. Once more I've played beyond where they are, so stopping until it's worth it to me to play. I imagine I'll have Christmas decorations pretty soon.

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 1 p. 560

196.4 miles

clear and cold

371 recordings of 29 types, 7 old SVU and 32 old CPD. 24% clear.

Thursday the 16th I was a seething mass of resentment because Bernadette and family were going to Oregon for Thanksgiving, even though they had been planning to be at Roni's with me and the rest of the family. There's a good (though sad) reason for it, in that Rob's Aunt Marie is sick with bone cancer. But I really resented it, and it brought up memories of some of the other good reasons, like last Christmas, and really, tellingly, Bernadette's wedding, which Joan took over. I had wonderful plans for here, but it had to be in Junction City, for the good reason that Rob's dad was too ill to travel here.

Joan only left 10 days ago, and would see the kids again on Saturday. She sees more of the kids than I do!

When I got to Bernadette's, she was gone. I burst into tears. Then I called her, where the heck are you? She was at her Mom's group, Heart 2 Heart, which I thought she'd had last week, so would be home this week. FINE! I'm going home!! Wait, wait, she said. Why don't you come to Heart 2 Heart with me? I grudgingly said OK, but really was considering going home anyway. But I drove over there and she was waiting outside in the cold for me. In we went, with me griping about the trip to Oregon. Then I hear the speaker talking about "how to get along with your inlaws this holiday season!"

She was really very good and made a lot of telling points about relationships and how a quick prayer can help. Most of the mothers there are young (Bernadette, at 40, may well be on the old side) but the points still applied to me, and I got the definite feeling God got me here. I definitely finished with a better attitude and am trying to hold on to it.

When we got back to Bernadette's, it was almost time for me to fetch the kids. I stopped at Joanna's class (she had a good report for a change!) to talk to the teacher and ask if I could chaperone the planetarium trip in January. It's at the nearby museum so I would like to meet them there rather than ride the bus. We don't know yet.

Meanwhile, all the way home Joanna insisted the field trip would be tomorrow. She only heard part of the directions, that they had to return the permission slip the next day. This was one of the things the teacher meeting talked about, that her comprehension was down. Apparently we need to have her feed back what she heard. She didn't really believe me till Mommy told her the permission slip was what she needed.

Vincenik sent my Christmas present already. Since I hadn't actually read the Facebook thread, I'm afraid I opened it. Then I re-packed it. (It's a scratch-off map, you scratch off places you've been.) . I think I'll know where I'll put it.

(On Friday, in the Travel discussion at Renaissance, which was about Panama, I started listing all the places I want to go. There are at least 10 of high priority. Then I realized that we didn't travel (out of the country) for 40 years! (Rich had trips to Europe, but I stayed home except for a quick trip to Burwell in 1977.) 40 years between 1972 and 2012 wasted. Lots of travel in the states, but a lot of it was to places we'd been before. So this map will have a lot of places not scratched off, and never will. Well, at least I got to Hawaii.)

I finished And be a Villain which introduces the criminal master Arnold Zink. So I am now reading

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire; Pepys' Diary; Embarrassments by PJ Nel; Shattered, Jonathan Allen & Amie Parnes; The Little World of Don Camillo, Giovanni Guareschi; and The Second Confession by Rex Stout.

I have to renew my passport next month! I was thinking of doing it next year, but now realize I'll be going into Canada just a couple of weeks before it expires. Can't do that! I guess (see above) it's possible the next one will be my last.