The End of A Decade?

I question mark that because I heard a discussion that the answer has split the camps of the experts. Some say the beginning of the new decade is in fact 1/1/2020 - others say that 2020 is actually the last year of the decade.

I say - who cares? It is still going to take me a month or two to get use to writing, hearing, and saying 2020!

Christmas was lovely. Drove up to daughter's house that morning. Had a wonderful time there. Opened gifts - husband and grandson did most of the cooking - the next day everyone, except me, went to the Star Wars movie. I stayed home with the animals and had a nice quiet time.

 The Crab Guys!

 And here they are cooking! Yes - the youngest grandchild did need a stepstool - it was a tall pot on top of that stove to cook the cioppino in!

 The only girl grandchild.....thank goodness she has a phone to play on - ha ha!

 I cant even remember when it started - and only have a vague remembrance why it started - but the girls give each other a Hannukka gift every year. This time the younger (on the right) outdid the older (on the left)!

I guess the Bob Ross ornament was a hit! Have already found something for next year....

I forgot - Christmas Eve night a friend came over and had - well, we call it crab shit, but I guess marinated crab legs is a better name - as well as marinated octopus

Drove home Thursday afternoon and traffic was so bad. Took us almost 3 hours to get home. And for dinner - nothing heavy - nothing fishy - nothing meaty....KFC hit the spot!

 For daughter and myself Its A Small World is NOT our favorite ride.......even though she has a newish middle name because of that ride....lets just say getting stuck in that ride is not fun!  So of course she had to get a print and a tshirt from that ride!

Oldest gave me this wonderful Irish Soda Baking Dish. And I tried it out this weekend. Came with a recipe. And I have FINALLY found a GOOD soda bread recipe! It turned out so good!!!!! We ate about 1/4 of it that evening!

A dear dear friend gave us her 2 guest passes for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They were good until today. So we went yesterday morning. Got there before it was too crowded and left when it became unbearable.  I only took out 1 kid - which is impressive since I don't know how many little ones were having tantrums laying down on the floors - in darker areas where most people are not looking down!

These guys cracked me up with how huge they can open their mouths!

Well, this evening we are going over to a friends house to have horse eggs (hors d’oeuvres) and pizza. Sure we will not stay there long. Then we will come home - change into MeMaw and PaPa leisure wear - crack a bottle of bubbly - and see if we can make it till midnight! Guess it will depend how crazy the people in town go with fireworks and all.....

Tomorrow will be a lazy day - looking for the Monterey antique fire truck in the Rose Bowl Parade and also the Livermore Rodeo queen - and then our typical roast and black eyed peas for dinner! May or may not have company for dinner.....have not heard back from anyone who was invited.

Wishing all of you a safe - prosperous - healthy - and wonderful 2020!

What will my word of the year be? Adventure? Contentment? Sleep? I don't know yet.....

Just had to add one more thing. I bought this (used) chart/kit from someone in a forum on FB I follow. All because our travel trailer is an IMAGINE and I wanted to make this for the trailer. Right off the bat I knew I was not going to do the unicorn....and was doubtful about the swirls, and maybe the beads. But I thought I would do the "stars". Just finished stitching and I have pretty much decided I like it nice and plain and simple. So I think the stitching is done!

But I wanted to find one of those metal signs that were so popular at Christmas last year. Thought I could paint one black and mount this on the sign - and it would be nice and lightweight to hang. Yep, have gone to 4 different craft stores and no one has what I am looking for! So now I don't know how I am going to finish this for hanging! LOL. Maybe time to start searching the thrift stores in the next week or so....

Well, I have sent the photo to my email 4x already and it still has not showed up. So when it does. I will come back here and add it!

Monday Catch Up

It has been busy days - lets see if I can remember what all went on....

Made fruitcake. Used a mix from King Arthur Flour. And I am very pleasantly surprised. Cant say it is amazing - but it is very good! Made 2 pans and the first loaf is almost gone.

Did the Christmas in the Adobes Tour and it was wonderful! Took 2 nights to do it in - first night was exhausting and it did not help that all the buildings were over heated!

Oldest daughter and her 3 sons showed up Saturday to surprise PaPa to take him to birthday lunch! And the amazing things is - that we were all able to keep it a secret!

Sunday we had belated birthday dinner - his birthday dinner has to be pot roast with potatoes, carrots, sliced white bread, and chocolate cake for dessert. Invited friends over and had a very nice time.

No landscapers on Monday or Friday. Apparently he came by Saturday to pick up a check - he called but we weren't home. Still weren't home when he came by. Oh well.

All my shopping is done, and wrapped, except for gift cards for the grands, and money for their parents!

Husband has a friend that goes back 50 years, maybe slightly more, or slightly less. Well, he insulted me about my weight on FB. I made the mistake of telling my husband. And they have not talked since. So he did end up saying HB in a text message to hubby. And hubby asked when he was going to apologize to me - and he said never. And then he went into a rant about husband valuing money over friendship - based on the fact husband would not loan him money (none of his other friends were loaning it to him either so not sure if he dumped all of them too) and 2 boxes of macadamia nuts we were supposed to give him (first I had heard about that). All I can say, maybe this is proof that smoking marijuana all your life is not a good thing...because most of what he was ranting about had no basis in reality and did not even make sense. Oh well. I did suggest taking him 2 boxes of the candy.....AFTER he had taken a bite out of each and every one....but my husband is more willing to take the high road than I would be.

But husband came home today ranting and raving about treatment in a THRIFT SHOP!
There is a thrift store in Pacific Grove I like because they support an animal rescue. He went to see about getting a GC certificate. First he was ignored by the 2 people working - then he had to listen to some random explanation of how "she" stopped the gift certificate because people were copying them and stealing merchandise from them.....so he thanked her and turned to leave. Stopped at the end of the counter because they have one of those revolving shelf things under glass - you push a button and it rotates different shelves up. He always looks there. He had started looking, and she walked over, didn't say a word to him, and turned it off, and walked away!

Someone else had walked up to the counter and she spoke with her - and when she turned around he asked why she had turned it off - and she said it was because she was not available to help him right then - and when she was she would turn it back on. What help? He was looking! He hadn't asked to see anything in the case!

Never had anyone do that before in that store - or anywhere else! So he left! Came home ranting about that - and telling me I cant shop there anymore! So he dictated a Yelp review for me to submit; so I did; and discovered a couple of other people who posted about their rudeness there in the last couple of months. So then I went to their page on FB - and sent a message to them - pointing out that ours was not the only negative review on Yelp. Got a message back, while I was out shopping, and apology from the director asking for a phone call. So sent it to husband - but when he called the number she gave, he had to leave a voicemail.

Very chilly today...but clear and sunny, and pretty!

So here are photos from the last few days! (Not in any particular order)

 Colton Hall and the Monterey Christmas Tree - this is where the statehood declaration was signed

 The Royal Presidio Chapel, AKA Cathedral, at Christmas

 decorations at the tree down at Fisherman's Wharf

 The boys looking thrilled to have this photo taken!

 Inside San Carlos Church - the last time the renovated they found layers of painted murals - so they copied them (by hand) and left areas where you can see the original

 Very poor photo of the Light Boat Parade with some lighted paddleboarders in the foreground! Lovely but disappointing - all the boats moored in the marinas and only 18 participated in the parade!

 Our reclaimed and recycled TV tabble! A china hutch from the 50's or 60's that we had gotten at a garage sale years ago. Been looking for a TV table and could not find one we liked or agreed upon. Then I remembered this! So we took off the hutch part (where you would put plates behind glass doors). Hubby removed all the old darker stain, sanded it all, put some clear varathane over it. Removed one door - put a shelf behind the closed door - could not find new hinges that worked, so cleaned the old ones up and put them back on - with new knobs. So thrilled with how beautiful this turned out! And the craftsmanship that went into the original work!

Some lighted boats moored in the marina

They Showed Up!

The gardener came and cleaned up the front yard - made the plants look like plants again!

And the landscapers showed up. But oh - I am not supposed to talk about this. Because I expressed an opinion my husband does not like.

Now I knew they were putting in plants. PLANTS. Not trees. And yes we talked to him about trees - talked about how we eventually wanted to put in some FRUIT TREES in the back of the yard along the fence.

 We currently have this maple. And we even talked to him about how yes it is pretty but I am concerned about it being so close to the patio and the cover. And I complained about all the leaves, and the fact that no one rakes up the leaves so they are all over the place which I don't like. (We didn't plant this - one of the tenants did). (Didn't get the palm tree in this photo - which they planted behind and to the left of this maple - but they supposedly left it in the pot - it is ugly, and stunted, and sad looking).

 And then there are these 4 oak trees. I don't like oak trees. I don't like the mess they make. Husband likes oak trees. These are out of control - hanging over the fence into neighbors yard, over the back fence over the right of way.

And the landscaper put in this neat little island. And smack in the middle is ANOTHER Japanese maple. WTF?!

 And back there - underneath the overgrown oaks is some tree that is ugly - and when we first moved in it was blooming which drove my allergies crazy. And 2 palm trees that are really ugly cause they are under the oak trees and the other tree and get no sun. (what isnt pictured is some sort of stunted fruit tree along the back fence - never bloomed - never produced any fruit - it needs to come out too!)

And look against the side of the house he has placed ANOTHER TREE! I have no idea what it is - but I bet you anything it is another freaking Japanese maple.

2 more trees - we don't need any more freaking trees.....And I complained to husband about this - the fact that we didn't need any more trees in the back yard  - and especially trees that make such messes and I was told to shut up - it had been discussed and I had agreed to it.

WRONG.

And to think I was just starting to be nice to this man again.

Wonder what I can do to cause those trees to die....

Heaven! I Was In Heaven!

We drove to Gilroy today to go to Barnes & Noble.

A BOOK STORE!!!!!!!!!!!
Even though I was lost in there - cause the set up is so different from the one I have been going to for years.....I. WAS. IN. A. BOOK. STORE!!!!

Got the shopping done for the grands - and at the check out line I picked up a book to look at - and the man behind me highly recommended it so the husband got another gift.

Don't know why I was being nice....

Also stopped by Happy Daze RV in Gilroy for husband to talk about changing out a single battery to a double battery and getting a new hitch for the trailer. It doesn't make you very happy when they ask you the year of your trailer and then say, well, that is the hitch that should have come on it....

But one thing we liked about this dealership (which is the 3d one of the company we bought from) is that we can call and get an appt in a week (so they say) instead of 2 - 3 months.....AND they tell us since we bought from the company we get 10% off. Hmm, never heard that at the other dealership.

Went to the Wharf last night to see the Lighted Boat Parade. For some reason husband decided we needed to be there at 4 PM even though it didn't start until 5:30 PM. So of course we ended up having a drink,  and sharing an appetizer.

The parade was nice but I was disappointed - only a total of 18 boats. ALL those boats in the two marinas and only 18 boats....oh and 5? paddleboarders!

 Told my husband next year we will go see the one in Santa Cryz....or maybe watch it from further down the route. (You can barely see the paddleboarders in the foreground)

And here is the lovely wreath made for us !

Beyond Pissed Off

Gave husband my gift list.
Told him specifically NOT to use my gift card credits (I had amassed over a hundred dollars).

Went to order something today from Amazon, and clicked on the how to pay screen to make sure I did not use my GC money and guess what?

Yup.

Every

Single

Penny

Of

It

Is

Gone

all of it.

So you know what? I will be returning my Christmas gifts this year

So Merry NOT Christmas to me - and gee thanks honey for ruining it for me.....thank goodness for grandkids

December 5

So it was a lazy morning. We slept late and just not motivated to get going. And once we did, I didn't really feel like going to a Holiday Festival and walk around with a lot of other people.

So we went to the PO and mailed the last of the Christmas packages, and a bunch of Christmas cards! YAY!

And then we went to the cemetery and put wreaths on the graves that we didn't have enough for before.

And went to a cute little shop - http://www.historicgardenleague.org/shops/ - that I had read about but we didn't get to on Small Business Saturday (today it wasn't raining!). They have a lot of local items - and we gave in to some honey from a family in Gilroy who were severely impacted by the shooting there earlier this year - and some yummy artichoke spread. But I want to do some Christmas shopping there next year! Cute ornaments, local jellies, etc

Hubs got the outdoor lights hung - most but not all. The wind came up - the temperature dropped - it got dark - and so we thought it was going to start raining....which it hasn't....yet.

The other day I lugged in a heavy box full of my shawls and scarves. So finally went through it today and found some I know I will never ever wear. Some I made - some were gifted to me. Either the color is not one I would wear - or the styles, etc. So I sighed and thought "off to the thrift store" but I really didn't want to do that.

I thought - wish I had a venue to sell them through because then I know they would go to someone who wanted them (that is, if they sold). Got all the ones I am keeping put away and came across 2 hats I had knit (and I don't wear hats) - thought to myself, well, 2 more hats for Pine Ridge Reservation...and then it hit me! Send the shawls there! Weather-wise they will be used! So I have them packed up in different bags for different groups but you know what? I am NOT going back to the post office again before Christmas! So these will have to wait until after Christmas and by that time I will have some more to add!

 Received our first Christmas card today!! Pulled out my new holder. When I took this photo I didnt realize I should have swept first....and you can see the missing strip which is all that is left to completely finish the floor...

And I found this photo. This is the pen pal I have had since I was in Junior High - and calling it JH is some indication of how old I am! Maureen is from Jamaica - went to nursing school in England - ended up in what was West Germany at the time - and has lived in Germany ever since! And thanks to the internet, this very lazy letter writer has reconnected with her pen pal! Not sure what year that photo is from but I am thinking the 60's or 70's?

Tired

The stupid smoke alarm woke us up at 0530 this morning.....and then I could not get back to sleep.

I got the Molasses Raisin cookies baked. The only trouble is - having to substitute butter for shortening turns them into DVD discs! But they taste good!

Got the caramels cut up and wrapped and oh my, are they good! Kinda soft though. So I HAD to make another batch - to use up the rest of the condensed milk of course.....

The Nut Mallow Goodies are good. I don't think I have ever made them although I have had the recipe forever.

Sold the one headboard/footboard that we got from our neighbor across the street in Livermore. I really liked it. Wood - very Craftsman-like. But the headboard was too tall - we would not be able to open the shutters if we used it. And since we already put the TV up, we couldn't really move the bed...

Was hoping to go to the Aquarium tomorrow but sounds like husband is going to go help our friend again. So I will make a trip to the post office and mail off the majority of Christmas presents.

I am frustrated - I had found my Christmas Card notebook - and now I have no idea where it is!
Darn it! Even wrote my Christmas letter too!

Should Have Been Sunday....

Rain rain and more rain....but not the pouring rain they predicted, and not the winds they predicted.

Managed to get to storage and get the tree and ornaments.....but where is my Advent wreath? I know I have seen it recently! And all our statues....most importantly - WHERE ARE THE STOCKINGS?

The battery run lights I bought for the wreaths did not work - none of them. Not any of the 4 boxes.....so they have to go back.

And I just saw a wreath hanger - and now I cant find it! And I have 1 more wreath I could hang!

More rain today. So I really don't want to go out.
I need to do laundry. And I could make some cookies. But I feel lazy....

Small Business Saturday

I tried.
I really did.
But didn't do as well as I wanted to.

Primarily because hubby spent too much time yakking at a friend's house - not that I begrudge the time cause we love the guy - and then service at lunch was so slow...….yet so good!

We each ordered soup and salad - the guy who seated us said the soup was clam chowder.
When it came out it was red....hmmm, NY style?.....wait, since when does clam chowder have pieces of beef in it? Yeah, it was beef vegetable - but oh my was it good!

Then the first place we went had nothing that I was willing to spend the money on. Did go and see some doggies. And went to the thrift shop that supports said doggies - and I bought 3 items there. I spent $7+.

Crossed the street to the yarn store and bought a new pair of knitting needles.....could not buy anything else. Finally had to admit to husband I have a BIG yarn order coming soon.....but first of all it was on super sale - and it is enough to make 5 shawls/lap blankets for www.alicesembrace.org so eventually the yarn will no longer be in the house....but it means like 25 skeins....

I didn't have the courage to tell him about the other order - but that is only 2 skeins of yarn.....and 1 is to make knockers for www.knittedknockers.org so that yarn wont stay around long.

I have finished 2 projects for GAL2019 - and those projects wont be staying either.

Will have to come back later and add in the photo for the 2d project....

Then we ended up going to Target, PetSmart, and Lucky's. Never made it to storage to get Christmas decorations. Hopefully we can do that in between rains....

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

I hope your Thanksgiving was as lovely as ours was!

Got up Thursday morning and drove to daughter's house - traffic was light. But we went from sunshine to overcast and cold! Took us just over 2 hours because we stopped for gas!

And oh my - the food! There was so much! A turkey, ham, and salmon; TNTC side dishes.....pumpkin pie and caramel apple pie (I didn't get any of that - but the grandson who doesn't like pie gave me a thumbs up - so of course I had to leave the last piece with him!!)

So daughter, her husband, and 3 boys hosted. My other daughter and 2 kids came. My SIL's parents were there - it is always a joy to see them! And my SIL sister, BIL, and their 4 kids.

Now I must say - the nice thing about older kids and electronics is how quiet it can be compared to years past when they were all much younger and more boisterous!

So we spent the night. And I slept on our concrete slab air bed. My husband puts it on firm which just hurts everywhere - but considering the last times we used it, it collapsed under me, I was afraid to change the setting!

So I was awake and tossing and turning A LOT last night.  I do know I slept in between but I am still tired. AND I FROZE TO DEATH because hubby had to open the window - which put the cold air right in my face (he was sleeping in grandson's bed which of course is higher off the floor) so I spent the time sleeping with my head under the comforter.

When the garbage mean came by with their noise and lights that was it - I was up and reading at 0600.

Time to get dressed and my toothbrush is MIA! Now we were only spending one night - so I only packed pjs, a change of clothing, and a toothbrush. And the toothbrush is gone. We are home now and I still haven't found it! But for some unknown reason the pocket it was in - the zipper was open so I am betting it fell out somewhere!

So just a few blocks before daughters house - my husband realized he did not bring his medications.
And this morning he could not find the clean shirt he brought! We did not do a very good job for an overnight visit! Luckily he did not spill ANYTHING on his shirt yesterday. (Got home and unpacked the bag and there was his shirt. Now, I do have to say, he did pack a BLACK shirt, with a BLACK apron, in a BLACK bag...…)

Did some shopping while up there. Not Black Friday but places we cannot find down here. Went to the European market and got some frozen pierogies and kielbasa and the beet/horseradish sauce. Went to Hallmark and got a couple of things. Went to the Walgreen's there and they let me down too....went to Safeway and Lucky's and they let me down - no bangers anywhere! But we got the split peas for hubby to make soup this weekend, and Lucky's has the frozen cherry turnovers that no one else has, so it wasn't a total loss.

And then the trek home. And the traffic - which surprised us as being lighter than we expected from Walnut Creek to Pleasanton - did not surprise up in the Gilroy area.  The parking lot started before Morgan Hill and did not let up until after the exit for the Outlets. And of course it started pouring during the stretch!

But then it got better, with the usual slowdown at the merging of 156 onto 101....and we still got home in just over 2 hours, even thought it poured on us once again!

The dogs seemed happy to see us - hope they aren't too upset when we leave again tonight - our friends invited us over for leftovers - which is better than the original - and especially since we don't have any leftovers!

Day Before Thanksgiving

So - cannot blame anyone but myself - but had to go back to the grocery store AGAIN.
For 5 items.
5 measly items.

But you know it turned out ok, it was not as bad as I expected!

On the way home was the most beautiful rainbow - intense colors - distinct colors - and a complete rainbow! And of course, I had left my phone at home....but it was still there when I got home so I was able to run out and take a photo - which of course does not do justice to it.

 I was home less than 5 minutes and the heavens opened up and it POURED!

Got my baking done - 2 pumpkin pies, and a caramel apple pie. Made the 24 hour salad - plain and with nuts. Made the new recipe - apple cranberry sauce. I have not tried it but smelling it there is just too much ginger. So then I made a batch of the usual regular cranberry sauce. Also tried a recipe for a new dip - Benedict. It is, ehh, good. Rather bland. Hoping that maybe tomorrow it will taste better.

Finished my first project for GiftAlong2019. Very fun and easy knit, very easy pattern to follow. But at the very end I decided to kitchener it together - which meant I had to unpick the cast on edge. Thank goodness it was only 24 stitches! Love the color! Yarn is Cascade 220 Superwash. I think I will be making more of these!

Rubio came and worked on the inside of the front door. Not quite done yet, He has apparently showed up yesterday morning when we were not home - because the communication we received was that he would be here today. So he came this afternoon and was here quite sometime. He still has to come back and do a little more work and is going to try and make the deadbolt work more easily.

Have cast on another hat - with more Cascade 220 Superwash. This will go in the box to be sent to Pine Ridge Reservation next year. And it is another GiftAlong2019 pattern..

We will be heading up to Walnut Creek tomorrow morning. And heading back Friday morning. Planning to do some shopping on the way home. Not really Black Friday shopping, more shopping in stores that we don't have here at home now - primarily Hallmark!

The First Storm in Our New Old House

Bleak and gray and chilly all day.

Waves are building.

And then this afternoon, like a scene from the movie Birds:

A murder of crows took over the power/phone lines all around and set up quite a chatter.

I tried a new recipe which was good but I should never ever have put the jalapeno pepper in it. I managed to eat almost a bowl of the Taco Bowl and hubby actually had 1.5 bowls but it was even a bit hot for him! I might keep the recipe and not add any jalapeno at all!

Tomorrow is baking and prepping day.

Tonight we had a quick off/on power outage - just enough we had to wait for Xfinity to boot back up.

And now the storm has hit. The wind is rattling windows and doors, yelling around the house.....and the rain is pounding. The dogs are looking at us like - what the heck is going on???

Not Too Much Complaining

But boy is it chilly out! The wind has come up and the wind is chilly. It hit mid 70's yesterday - it is 60 today. And the rest of the week is supposed to be in the 50's - even up in Walnut Creek! And rainy! Which is wonderful - don't get me wrong - but sure had hoped to have had the back yard done before the rains came in...

Our friend who made beef tamales last week (and boy they were good!) made chicken tamales this week. So guess what we are having for dinner! We traded her some stuffed cabbage husband made.

Tomorrow I am trying a new crock pot recipe. Yep, went to the store today - oh my lanta - it was busy! But I did not want to go in the rain - or closer to the holiday. So got the rest of the things I needed for baking and putting together on Wednesday!

Today is laundry day. And hubby finished the big sanding on the hutch-soon-to-be-TV-table. Now he is down to hand sanding. Because of the wind and the rain coming, moved it all into the garage.

Looking thru 113 pages to see what patterns I want to buy from the GAL 2019 (on Ravelry) this year. I thought I already weeded down my list - now I am adding to it! I know right off the bat, I am buying a headband, and 2 hat patterns, and hopefully a pattern to use the yarn I received (which I do not like the pattern that came with it)….then there are some mitts and and and.....Trying to stay away from socks, shawls (not so successfully) and sweaters (only a couple have snuck in).

I tell you, being retired is not for sissies. First we got notified that our LTC insurance is going up 80% - that is EIGHTY PERCENT people! And now our supplemental insurance is going up in January - and then again July!!!!!!!!

The good news is my COBRA Dental is going down by approx. $1/month, but the Vision is staying the same....

And speaking about process going up - I almost choked when we went into See's the other day!!! And the worst thing is - it is such good candy that yes, you just choke, and then suck it up....

I found out recently that the Senior Sorters who run some of the best estate sales, is stopping business. And today I found out that 2020 will be the last Bras For The Cause Walk. That is very poignant for me, as well as disappointing, since I was not able to do it this year and was wondering if I could do it next year (logistics are a B you know - would be better if there were more camping facilities up in that area!)

Complaining

I will never ever complain about having a husband who cooks for me. BUT....

Now that I am retired I do the dishes after dinner. No biggie. But could he ONCE put things away???
Not just the clean dishes. But all the things he used for cooking - put away the oil - the vinegar - the spices. Throw out the empty containers (the trash is what? 6 steps away?) Take the sponge and wipe down the countertop that you have made a mess on.

Just once. Please.

Moved the folding bookshelf out of the "bedroom" and into the "den" for now. It is holding the Christmas presents that are wrapped and will need to be either mailed, or delivered.

I was putting something up for sale and realized I had deleted the photo from my phone - thinking I had downloaded the photo. But apparently I did not download the photo. So that means another trip to storage.....and emailing the photos to myself, to download, is taking hours.....I don't know what the hold up is...

And now later....AFTER I swept and vacuumed the kitchen floor.....and AFTER hubs made a delicious dinner, I walk in to find lots of pieces of cabbage all over the floor GRRRRRRRRRR

Was listening to a video blog - a you tube thing - and decided to get out some of the cotton  yarn I found and start crocheting a washcloth for next Christmas. After all, I took that class last month right? Right....a little over 1/2 way through I realized I was making my SC totally wrong! But I don't want to rip it out, so will finish it wrong and then hopefully when I start another one I will remember that I am reverting back to my bad habits and actually make it the right way!

Yeah I know...

that I missed yesterday. But you know, there really wasn't much to report. We put the 2d coat of paint on the bookcase and then pretty much had a lazy afternoon.

Today we have been busy. Went to breakfast at a new place in town - it wasn't bad but they need a bit of work.

Then started clearing out the 2d bedroom. Emptied out the older bookshelf and filled up the 2d one that we brought in. Went out to storage and got the headboard/footboard for the twin bed that is going in there. Took 2 big boxes of donations to a place in town. Stopped and treated ourselves to an ice cream cone.

Put the bed together - the frame goes directly on the headboard/footboard  so we had to use it. Now I cant find the sheets - mattress cover - and quilt for the bed!!! Typical …..

Still have some more clearing out to do in there - mainly moving things to where they belong but quite an improvement and I am tired.

The House of Representative voted to pass HR 1309. Now it will have to go to the Republican Senate, which means they will not pass it. And if they do, supposedly our President has already said that he will refuse to sign it into law. I am on a FB page about Silent No More and it is just sickening to read about how healthcare workers are treated. Please people - write to your Senators and tell them to pass this.

I have 2 knitting machines, neither one of which gets used. One was my mom's, it is a German model and if not antique now, pretty close to it. Mine is American - and if anything, at least vintage. I don't want them. But I don't know how to get rid of them. If anyone reading this post has any ideas, please share them with me!

November 19

Chilly day - very windy - and that wind is very chilly.

Because of that, the primer coat we put on the 2d bookcase is not drying in a timely manner.

Moved the first one into the room and started transferring books into it.

Now I have been working on a cross stitch Christmas present. One of 2 I need to get done. Lots of white on this one and somehow some of the stitching got dirty. Trying to wash it. We will see if it works at all. A good part of it will be covered with buttons.....so as soon as it dries I can start all the back stitching.

Meanwhile I think I will start the other one!

Today an old friend is having surgery. Been praying for her and her family. She is having a lumpectomy done. Hopefully only a lumpectomy. Havent heard any news yet.

Another Nice Day!

I thought the way the weather has been going, today would be foggy. But no - woke up to sunshine - after sleeping in "late"! Had to put my glasses on - I thought the alarm said 0900, but no, it was only 0800 but was nice to sleep that late.

Speaking of weather - it has been warm lately so thought I should do some watering. And I discovered that the bulbs in one of the pots our old neighbor gave us - seems to think it is spring!

We painted the first bookcase. It is all done. Sanded the 2d one - tomorrow we will prime it, and then paint it too.

And it is red!

So today got a call from the landscaper. HIs truck is in the shop for the next 2 weeks - or so he says. Said he had planned to have the yard done by tomorrow. But, since the truck is in the shop for 2 weeks, he is going to go visit family and will call us when he gets back on or around December 2. We get so close to getting things done and then, boom....

Still don't have that one remaining little strip for the floor around the hearth.....and the front door is not completely done because we need to finish off the inside because the inner trim of the door is not deep enough - wide enough - something - to completely cover the hole where the door was....

It just can never be easy.

So this afternoon we took off and had a "date". Walked around the mall - had lovely samples from See's candy (love the California brittle) and Williams Sonoma (yummy hot apple cider!). And then gorged ourselves on popcorn while we watched a movie. The 2 time we have gone to a movie since we moved here in mid June!

Beautiful November Day

Sunny and warm - unbelievable - seems like recently every other day is to die for.

Drove out to Moss Landing to the fruit and vegetable market. tried to stop at the fish market but there was absolutely no parking.

Came home and sanded the first bookcase. My failed attempt at staining. And put a primer coat of paint on it. Hubs did come caulking on the 2d one.

He chose red paint for these two bookcases. I think I know why. But you know what - he built them - he can choose the color!

We are invited over to friends house for pumpkin pie tonight. Hubs is excited. He LOVES pumpkin pie. Me - not so much!

November 16

After such a lovely day yesterday, woke up totally socked in with fog.

The people on the cruise ship yesterday had a gorgeous day to be in Monterey!

It did burn off here at the house but you could still see it out over the bay. And it has since started moving back in.

Got the first bookcase stained. And I suck at staining. Probably will have to put another coat on it - but guess what - Home Depot doesn't have any more of the stain we bought.

Someone was watching while I stained! The "eye" on the inside had really nice long eyelashes!

Meanwhile hubby built the second one. Which I will stain tomorrow. We got some of the same shade of stain - just a different finish. The first one said it was "gloss" but sure doesnt look or feel glossy to me! The one we got today is satin. We will see if there is a big difference.

I find it fascinating to see how the wood - the grain - the imperfections - etc affect how the stain looks! At the bottom of one side, it looks bright red! And the back for the 2 one, which I stained (learn from the past people!) before we put it on - is much redder than anything on the first bookcase!

November 15

Today is a beautiful, sunny, warm day. Yesterday was overcast and chilly, especially the wind.
Today is a day that just makes you smile!

Got some errands done.
No the landscaper did not show up.
Really hoping he will be here Monday.

Got the wood for hubby to build the 2d bookcase.
And the stain to start staining the first one.
That will be tomorrow's work.

Told the trailer we hope to use her more next year. Hubby said - but that is what we said last year. And I replied - but we did! So this winter we will be planning future trips!

November 14

Yay - the front door is being replaced!!!!

As you can see - it is in - but not finished. That is because old houses just aren't easy....
But boo - the landscaper did not show up...

We waited until 0930 and called, but his voice mail box was full.

So we texted.

And heard nothing back.

Finally he called. And told us on the way here he was T-boned.

But I have to say - he has the worst luck. Because his truck already had a huge dent in it. Said he was at the dumps one day, and the only one there. And a dump truck hit him.

And now this. Glad we don't need him driving for anything.

Of course, the other thing too is - he never showed up yesterday - his guy had to work all alone (and he worked hard!). The guy told hubs that the landscaper had to go back to what they thought was a finished job because the people were not happy about something.....

So this is what is looked like  yesterday, and today. He finished putting the rocks in for borders for the planting area.

The big question is - will he show tomorrow?

But the dogs have a day of being outside!

November 13

My dog sees ghosts.
He thinks his water bowl is haunted.
I wish I had taken videos of him.

I got tired of refilling the small indoor water bowl. And since the dogs are not spending that much time outside, I brought the giant one in from outside.

And our terrier thinks it is haunted. But only after dark. He shies away from it - walks around it - and stares intently at it and into it. He will take a small drink and then jump away from it, run, and hide.

So I got tired of this and switched the bowls back last night. You would have thought this dog had not drunk anything in days, or weeks. I had to refill it twice, between him and his big sis.

Ok, so he is just neurotic.....but if you watched him you would believe that he can see ghosts!

So the kitchen guy came bright and early today - did the work in about 1/2 hour. And the landscapers showed up when they said they would.

But the door guys? Yup, no show. I swear I am not paying out any more deposits.
Called the guy who did all our inside work - and whose brother we gave the deposit to. And said, hey - your brother said he would be here Tuesday, and worst case scenario today. And Elvis (yes that is his name; and no, there is no way he is Him!) said - oh no - he is coming Thursday. Nope, he marked it on our calendar as Tuesday after checking with his wife....oh ok, well I will call him and get back to you.

Phone silence ever since.

Busy/Not So Busy Day

Well, we thought today was going to be very busy. Supposed to have the new front door put in, and the backyard landscaping started, and my hair cut.

0800 came and no one showed up. Just before 0900 the landscaper showed up and they have been busy at work today. Building planter areas.

But the guys for the door never showed up. And never called. Which is very frustrating because we had this long conversation with the one guy about the importance of communication....

So we will see. Maybe tomorrow is going to be very busy. Because early tomorrow morning (we will see - giggle laugh snort) the guy is coming to put in the new slide out shelves on two cabinets in the kitchen, and some shelving thing under the sink....and the landscaper....and maybe the door guys?

The dogs are being exceptionally good.  I feel so badly about Bella though. I gave up and went to bed before hubs last night because I knew we were having an early day today. And besides I didn't want to watch the show he was watching. And even then I fell asleep before he came to bed. So that meant he had to bring the dogs in after I put them out - and after I put the bootee on Bella's foot.

 Ever since we started using the bootee (as in 2 days ago) I have emphasized that the bootee needs to come off when she comes in.....so what happened last night? The person who brought her in did not take the bootee off. When I saw that I immediately took it off and changed her sock and bandage - both of which were soaking wet from sweat. And her poor paw was puffy. But the boo boo looked better than it had yesterday after she licked it to pieces!

Husband is pacing like a prisoner in his own home! Which is good cause that means he is letting the guys work without talking their ears off....

Speaking about communication: the two Sagittariuses in the family are pointing fingers at each other right now! I sent an text to both my daughters about what we will bring for Thanksgiving.....and the one wrote back saying essentially - wait, what? First I have heard about this...

So I spoke with husband who said, since older daughter speaks to other daughter more frequently he ASSUMED that she had spoken with her sister.....And then said older daughter wrote back and said that since he was the one doing all the planning she ASSUMED he had spoken with other daughter...

So of course I had to write back to point out what the definition of ASS...U....ME is!!!!!!!!

Post #????

Uh oh - it has already happened....I skipped a day!
The funny thing is I remember planning what I was going to write about!

All the moving of things in storage and piling some of it in the truck, bringing in parts of the china hutch to make sure it was gonna work.....and I woke up Sunday morning and my shoulder felt fine.

Then later that day I started doing Christmas wrapping and the next thing I know, I have to take some Tylenol because my shoulder is hurting.....go figure.

So today is an auspicious day - worldwide, nationwide, and in out family!

First of all - today is my oldest grandson's 17th birthday! I thought the years went by quickly with your own kids - that is nothing compared to how they fly by with grandkids! No more babies in the family, sigh.....and one is almost an adult (in chronological age at least).

This was just a little over 16 months old - with both his grandmothers.....time has flown!

And today is also Veteran's Day. So we bought some red carnations, and went to both cemeteries to put flowers at our family vet's graves. And the roads in the San Carlos Cemetary were lines with flags - and all the vets graves had flags on them. Looked so pretty! But when we got to the mausoleum area where hubby's father is - none of them had flags??? Wonder why?

Then we drove out to where my parents are entombed. And we got there  minutes before they were having a Veteran's Day Ceremony. It was very nice.....but TAPS gets to me every time.

Of course there were flags out, but this is a military cemetery and there are ALWAYS flags out! After the ceremony we went over to their crypts, and someone had already put mini roses in the vases, different colors for the men and the women. Very nice!

Came home and finished cleaning up the back yard for the landscaper to begin work tomorrow. And found that yes, we were gone longer than we expected and Missy had taken the sock and wrap off her foot and licked the sore - which had been healing nicely - raw......I am so mad at her!

Post #8

Some time ago I bought a china hutch at a garage sale.
I think it was $20 - $25.
My plan was to redo it and use it.
Of course I never got round to that.

Came time to move and hubs wanted me to get rid of it.
I wouldn't.
Well, there is no place in this house to put it.

But then came an idea!
we have been looking for a TV stand and cant find what we want - mainly because we want wood and not the crap they sell (and we can afford today).
Why don't we take the hutch part off and use the bottom 1/2?

hubs actually liked the idea so we went out to storage today.
Boy - things from past eras are made well!

I forgot to take a before photo - I think this is from the 50's or 60's.
The craftsmanship is amazing.
And although it is just pine - oh my gosh - is it PINE! The top piece, the piece on top of the cabinet part, and the bottom part has to be at least 3 - 4" thick. Solid. And it is all put together with screws. Not staples. Screws.
It took us a while to get the top piece off - and then we had to take the piece off the top of the cabinet part because we just could not lift it to get it into the truck.

So now, we are going to bring it in the house, set it back together, and see if it will work.

If so, then we will refinish it and rebuild it (my hubs would say - what, you have a mouse in your pocket?).

Meanwhile today we also bought the lumber for the first of the 2 bigger bookshelves he is going to build for me. Says he is going to start tomorrow.

Next week, the guy is coming to install the pull out drawers in 2 of the kitchen cabinets, and whatever he built for under the sink. We both finally booked haircut appts. And Tuesday the front door is going to be replaced. And now today the landscaper called, and he is going to start on Tuesday too!

Boy the dogs are gonna be a mess....

NaBloPoMo #7

A year ago, one of the most generous and genuinely NICE women I every worked with organized a drive to help out a family who was burned out in the Paradise CA fire.

We donated items needed - or money - or gift cards. And Lisa and another staff member drove them all up to where this family was living in a trailer.

I cannot even imagine having children (3 in this case) and losing literally every. single. thing. you. own.

Mind boggling that all you have are the clothes you were wearing and the few items you were able to save.

This family posted a one year later post on their blog. And showed exactly what they lost, and what they were able to find.....the frame of a bike....a Christmas angel....a climbing gym thing in the backyard...3 handprint stepping stones. Also what was left of her parent's house.

On June 28 she posted what is basically PTSD, and what common everyday things that can trigger absolute terror of another fire .I cannot even imagine.

 And this year there are more families facing this. But we are not hearing about them as much as we did last year. Because whole communities were not destroyed? Because we have been saturated with this kind of news? I don't know why.

Some firemen on the @Ellen Degeneris show talked about how few fires we really hear about. If it is not big enough, it doesn't make the news. And yet, no matter the size, someone(s) have had their lives devastated by something that is beautiful if it is in a controlled setting.

Please please please make sure you are taking all possible precautions - keeping weeds down, and brush trimmed back. Remember to have an emergency TO GO bag. Make sure you have contact information with you at all times.

NaBloPoMo #6

Grey, chilly day. But what should I expect - it is November after all!

Took the cone of shame, and the dressing off the paw of Bella for a little bit - and of course she started licking it - and it started bleeding. Tracking blood all over the house. So redressed it. I thought it was starting to look better but I don't know. Might be time to take her to the vet again.

Fried chicken breasts, mashed potatoes for dinner tonight - a fire in the pellet stove - all comfort time.

Wrapped some presents (Christmas) today. Mailed oldest grandson's birthday card and present. Boy that makes me feel old....don't know how #1 can be turned 17 already!!!

Plugging along of the Alices Embrace shawl. Have everything ready to begin the Bob Ross Christmas ornament for middle grandson but just haven't gotten started yet.

Need ideas for presents for the grands and the kids! Gets harder each year!

#5

Today was chilly....the sun was warm, but the wind was wintery.

Hubby did a Dump Run with friend....And was amazed at how cheap it was compared to Alameda County!

While he was gone I decided to make the date nut bread for the holidays. And found that I had thoughtful wrong dates!!

So I had to chop up 3 packages of (luckily they were pitted!) Of dates. And because they were so sticky, I had to do them by hand. Oh well, 6 loaves + 2 mini loaves. And I thought I was only doing 4....

Work in away on a shawl for www.alicesembrace.org and last night I thought there were some mistakes, but the yarn (which I am totally in love with) is dark and hard to see at night.

So looked at it today and sure enough there were several mistakes ROWS back....thank goodness it is only 58 stitches wide because I think it was about 8 rows I had to rip out. But I am all caught up again

NaBloPoMo #4

This morning the news is about the women and children killed in Mexico as they were caravanning to AZ for a shopping trip. Made me stop and think about living in a foreign country.

I have made jokes that if I ever decided it was time to leave the USA it would be to Canada, BC or Ireland. We were so impressed with the cleanliness of Vancouver and Victoria and just fell in love with those areas. And the people in Ireland - so friendly and so supportive when we were there over 9-11.

But honestly, I cannot imaging leaving the USA. Mainly because of SOSDD - Same Old Shit Different Day. No country is perfect. They all have their issues.  Either it is political - or language - or something.

But to leave this country and move to another country that has been dangerous to live in for years?
I would like to understand what makes people do that.

The logistics of moving to another country are daunting - but to move somewhere where they are murders and kidnappings just about daily? And where those murders are divided between their own citizens but also citizens of other countries? And the criminals are rarely found - and the punishment does not deter a repeat of the action? Like I said, I would like to understand why people would think "it wont happen to me".

Ok, off the soapbox. Woke up to a very foggy morning. And I need to pick on the dog. She has a sore on the bottom of one of the pads, on the paw that had surgery. So last night I cleaned it up, bandaged it, put the donut on her.

(I just realized that the last several photos I posted on facebook I put into the October album - but it is actually November! Wow - time flies!!)

Did this about 2200 last night and by bedtime, an hour later, the sock was off. And sometime after we went to be the donut was off.

So today the Shame Collar comes out. And I found another sock to try to see if it would stay on longer! Have tried explaining to her if she wants out in the yard - this place has to heal - and it will not heal if she keeps licking it!

NaBloPoMo #3

Well, no baking today. But got several more boxes cleared out of the den. And the desk top cleaned off. And some Christmas presents wrapped. Overheated the shredder. And still a lot of shredding to do.

The file cabinet is almost bursting at the seams. But it will get cleaned out again next year and that will help.

Hubby got the other side of the walk, on the side of the house, cleared out. Now he needs to dig out the dirt and pack it down and then we will buy some concrete to put down there. And talking about moving the table - a picnic table my dad repurposed into a plant holder many many years ago - to the side of the house so when I want to repot plants I have somewhere to work. Unbelievable that the table is still in such good shape - the one remaining bench was not and we trashed that.

The side of the walk that he bricked in for all the trash bins and all looks great. Funny when he was clearing it out he got very frustrated at one point because he could not get the grown over paving stones out - turns out it was a concrete slab that I can now remember that my dad put in to put the garbage can on top of (back then there was only one garbage can - not 3 bins!!)

And that was our day!

NaBloPoMo #2

Well, holiday baking has commenced!

Took over 1/2 the frozen bananas and I have 4 loaves of banana nut chocolate chip bread in the oven, and 2.5 more to go when these are done!

Later this week I will make the date nut bread.

Then right before Thanksgiving will be pies, maybe a cake/maybe not, the cranberry sauce (trying a new recipe this year) and 24 hour salad.

After Thanksgiving will be cookies and candy.

Hoping to drop off some cookies and candy at my old job on the way up to daughter's at Christmas; or on the way home!

We were supposed to go see youngest grandson in his water polo games today. Husband feeling (and looking) better but he just wasn't up to a 3 hour round trip drive. And I didn't want him to share this bug with daughter and grandson. So we will see him another time. Daughter says we have to come up when they swim at the pool in Atherton - says it is a gorgeous pool (which it should be!).

No working on house today. Working on Christmas presents.....have 3 out of 5 done, with the 4th on the needles. One cross stitch project almost done (it is at the very very boring part so I can only stand working on it a bit at a time) and want to start on the other cross stitch project but trying to be methodical - have to finish the first 5 projects before I start that one!

NaBloPoMo - Day 1

First I have heard of this - and it is already November 2 - but it is "National Blog Posting Month. The idea is to commit to writing a blog post daily in November. It’s a riff off of NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month."

So wonder how many days I can do that this month.

Just read an article in the paper for a writing contest - 101 words. I would love to try that. But have to decide what to write about in such few words.

These are 3 pairs of socks I have knit since September.

There is this awesome yarn store in CO...nope, never been but it is on my bucket list. And several years ago they started Camp Loopy. A virtual knitting camp with challenges each summer. A great way to get some Christmas presents made!

They then branched out to Loopy Academy -  All 4 years. Which I finished. And now there is grad school. And this semester you could choose 1 of several 'majors' and do 3 of something in that major. I chose socks. And I am done and the semester lasts until December.