Dag Nab It!

I cant find where I moved my camera while taking down the decorations! And so that means no photos....just words!

Lots of words cause it has been awhile since I posted.

Christmas was lovely - busy and hectic and noisy. But lovely because the whole family was together. The weather even took a break so that my daughter and her family could get here safely from Nevada - on Tuesday. Owen had a sleep over at his aunties that night so he could play with his cousins. Sounds like he had a good time! And little Miss Kaia looks so cute with her hair trimmed and with bangs (sure wish you could see to agree!!).

Christmas Eve was busy. Last minute errands and all. But John came by and opened gifts with us - along with Katie and her family. It is so much fun watching little ones open gifts! You could literally give them empty boxes and they wouldn't care as long as they could rip the wrapping off!

They went off to bed and we hung up their stockings....which they did not expect as we told them that Santa would probably only fill the stockings they left up at their house.

I worked Christmas Day but was lucky enough - thanks to the cooperation of our patients as well as my fellow co-workers - thanks Jen!!! - to get off early and head over to my other daughter's house. And the nurse I worked with is only an 8 hour worker so she got to leave, which was a blessing since she was sick. And missing all the cooking and prep work! I got there in time to play - and play we did with my son's usual contribution of silly string! The kids loved it! It was a blast!!

And then dinner - and opening presents (or should I say ripping thru presents?).

Friday my daughter and family left to go home. Took them forever - yup, the ski resorts were open and it was a nice long holiday weekend so everyone in the state was going there. But at least the weather cooperated and all they had to worry about was the traffic...

That Sunday I took off to go to a 50th wedding anniversary party. 50 years. You don't see that too often any more! Or at least - 50 years with the same person instead of 2- 25 years! LOL
After that we went to see a movie I did not want to go to - refused to read the book - didn't want to see the movie.....yup, we saw Marley & Me. Identified almost every dog we have every owned, all wrapped up in Marley. And of course I sobbed my way thru the end of that movie...

And then, lucky me, come Tuesday and work....and we are crazy busy and short with one person out on maternity leave...here I am sick again. A repeat of the dastardly cold I got after Thanksgiving. Cant blame it on my grandson this time - so will blame it on my coworker from Christmas Day! Thanks Demi! And I am sure there are lots of people out there right now thanking me! But at work - you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Shouldn't work when you are sick - but boy, if you call in sick too much you get in trouble - and especially on a holiday!!

New Years Eve had slowed down quite a bit - thank goodness! Got off work - went home - had fondue with hubby - and struggled to stay awake until midnight. Poor Dick Clark - the Ageless Boy - the Peter Pan - he has so aged since his stroke but he is still out there trying. Makes me so sad. Mad it till midnight and then off to bed.

The next day one daughter and her family, and son had dinner with us. Prior to that we went to see Bolt at the theater - it was cute!

This past Sat we went to Monterey to exchange gifts and go out to dinner with friends. One of the friends had to cancel because he was sick! And then Sunday we spent the day taking down decorations (and misplacing cameras!). And then spending 3 hours in Urgent Care....

Yeah, hubby was taking down his Christmas village and hit his hand on an angle bracket. Sliced open between his pinkie and the next finger and it looked pretty deep. Plus the bracket was metal and had been stored outside all year round. So I knew he needed a tetanus shot. After three hours, he got his shot, and some steri strips on it. Very frustrating because even tho we knew he was low priority - it wasn't busy so the wait was frustrating.

Today is raining - hurrah! We need it so badly! And I only have one or two errands to run (thank goodness). Need to work on getting ready for school to start on the 20th....

Happy New Year!
According to a financial wizard I heard on the radio last week - SOMETIME this year, things SHOULD get better......

It must be winter!

Every December for more years than we can remember, we spend a weekend in San Francisco. To see the sights - do shopping - and jsut get away from it all. The past two years we have enjoyed the company of old and dear friends. This year it was just hubby and me again. And it was beautiful - even tho the rain and cold came in on Sunday - we didnt care, cause we were leaving that day!

We had a lovely dinner at the Top of the Mark on Saturday night. I dont know why they call them Sunset dinners since the seating is at 7:30 and sunset is before 5 PM! But it is a prixe fixe menu and each course accompanied by wine. I am so spoiled by living in a wine region that I do not know many wines outside of this region. I am also not a big fan of red wines - but we had a lovely pinot noir that I wish I knew what it was - but when I went back to look - they had already changed the menu! Anyway - the view was lovely - we had not been up to the Top for at least 30 years, so this was quite a treat for us! Full moon and all!

Friday night we went to the ACT to see A Christmas Carol. I had never seen this done on stage. This was a treat. First of all - the theater is so gorgeous - it is breathtaking. And the play was done quite well - instead of being the scary ghost story, it had humor. Funny, way back when I attended USF, they used volunteer ushers. You got to see the play for free as soon as everyone was seated. That is when I saw Jesus Christ Super Star. But in my memory, we had to wear these one size fits nobody and gosh knows the last time they were cleaned, red blazers.See

See those 2 blocks up there? Becuase it was only two blocks from the Inn we were staying in - hubby decided we could walk. Not too bad an idea - UNLESS you are wearing the shoes in the first photo. Shoes I have worn 3 times before, but this time the heel decided to be too wide and my feet kept coming out of them - plus trying to walk up steep hills with it. I got sympathy from the women passing me.....BUT I MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And yes, we took a cab home even tho it was only 2 blocks cause there was NO WAY IN H^&$%^# I was going to try to walk down hill in those shoes - especially after 3 glasses of wine!!!!

The old Emporium on Market Street was turned into a shopping mall. But they kept the beautiful details including the dome....this does not do justice to the beautiful wreaths and hanging star streamers....

Even if the calendar says we have another week to go! Oh dear, all my photos loaded backwards...oh well. Above is a phot I took at the beginning of the month. We went to several wineries that day for Holiday in the Vineyards - wine tasting, crafts, and all. I could take lots of photos of the trees that change here for those of you who do not think that CA has seasons....but I thought this was a lovely way to show the colors - and the winter sky!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Before I forget I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
We may be facing harder times, so now is the time to remember the blessings that we have.

And as soon as my last pie is out of the oven, I get to go shopping....to buy a new washing machine! And the blessing here is - that I can.

A lovely weekend off + catching up

We went down to Monterey to take care of hubby's family graves because we will not get another chance to get down there before Christmas.

Started off at our favorite donut place! And then we did some garage sales. Not too good a day - altho hubby is quite happy with his $3 wheelbarrow! And I am quite happy with my Longaberger bonanza! Went out to Pebble Beach for that one. Lovely house for sale on the golf course....they were moving because they didnt realize "how cold it is out here". Hello....northern California, on the coast! Fog and damp!! What did you think!! But when we saw what all they were getting rid of, and some very good prices on things, I think they were just trying to save face. After all, 4 complete Longaberger baskets for $50???? I think they were desperate to make some money!

Also found a lovely street fair in Carmel and did some shopping there too. Altho I did have to pass up the $10,000 dangling earring with cabachon emeralds and diamonds that I fell totally in love with at a vintage jewelry shop...even tho they do layaway!


Isnt this a beautiful sunset? So wierd that it is happening before 5 PM these days!!!!

After going to school in Monterey and eating lunch outside on the quad every day that wasnt raining....these are not my favorite dining partners. And so they are also the reason we choose NOT to eat outside when we are on the coast! Dont mind the attitude - just mind the fact they are not in the least little bit potty trained!

Arent these caps pretty? Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.

Sign of the times?

Yesterday I had an experience, that I still have not decided whether it was on the up & up, or a scam. Either way, I dont care becuase no matter what, the person needed help. And the help I gave was not much.

I had just finished putting my groceries into the truck, and was shutting the door when a young man spoke behind me. He apoligized for startling me (which he really hadnt done) and for bothering me. He was cleanly dressed in jeans, a t shirt with a flannel shirt jacket. He was well spoken with appropriate behavior. It was day time with a lot of people around so I wasnt afraid.

He apologized again and told me that he was asking for money. He said that he had recently lost his job with a landscaping company and in turn had recently lost his apartment since he was not able to pay his rent. He apologized yet another time and stated he was asking for money in hopes to get a room for the night for himself, his wife, and their one year old daughter (and he mentioned names for all three) as the night was supposed to be rather chilly (and it was!).

At first I was going to blow him off like I do so many pan handlers. But something made me stop. Maybe because he did not look like the panhandlers I am use to? He was clean and nicely dressed - soft spoken and well spoken....

So I told him I did not have much money on me since I had just finished shopping. And he told me that was ok, and started to turn away. I told him I could give him a couple of dollars if that would help, and he turned back.

So I got the $2 left in my wallet out to give to him. He thanked me....apologized again for bothering me. At that point I replied "this must be hard on you" and his eyes welled up and he got choked up. If this was a scam, he was a very good actor and deserved more than $2!
He asked me to keep him, his wife, and his daughter in my prayers. And he turned and walked away.

I did not give him enough money to subsidize any addiction, although if this was a scam, he was good and undoubtedly would get more. But something in him made me believe him - and trust me, I am no pollyanna. My husband is the one who gets caught up in the emotions and get scammed more than I do!

But $2 - ok, that means 2 yogurt parfaits I do not buy at McDonalds this week. My husband asked how I thought $2 would help them get a room - and I said, if nothing else, it will get the one year old some food.

I forsee that this is just the start of it. Here in town we have a small group of panhandlers who are always visible - and usually the same 3 or 4 people. In the next town over, there is one old woman you see living on the streets. To see larger groups you have to go into the larger cities. But I am sure that there is going to be more and more asking for help when the helping agencies are becoming fewer.

The organization here in the area who supplies meals to the needy is on the brink of closure becuase the need has grown and donations have decreased in the past few months. Typically they have recieved money from realtors and banks, both types of businesses that have been hard hit. There are a lot of mid sized to larger sized businesses in this tri valley area that could chip in and help tho. Instead, I have written out a check to them which will go into the mail today. As well as some grocery store gift cards which is going to the local food pantry.

I truly believe in paying forward as well as paying back. There have been times in my life that we were barely one step away from needing these services and altho we did not need them, thank God they were there just in case.

So please, even if it is only $10 (and those grocery store gift cards I donated were all in $10 amounts) please remember the shelters, the pantries, and the kitchens this holiday season while you are out shopping for your own meals and gifts!

Every little bit helps, and you never know when you or someone you know, will need the services of these places - and where will people go if these services are no longer available?

Army of Women

I just learned about this great website that I urge each and every one to go to and to sign up:
http://www.armyofwomen.org/. It is a combined effot of volunteers, researchers, fundraisers, etc against breast cancer. Please check it out.

I am reading a great book - The Know It All by A.J. Jacobs. It is all about this journalists decision to read the encyclopedia and how it affects his life and vice versa. Funny, erudite. I am enjoying it thoroughly. And I have decided I need to rename my blog after a book of essays by Anglo-Irish chemist Robert Boyle because I love the title: Occassional Reflections on Several Subjects.

Tuesday November 4 - Make Your Voice Heard