Then and Now

I was in high school. In the girls locker room after swimming class (UGH!) to be exact. As first it was a murmur through the locker room, and then it got quiet. The radio was on in Mrs. Pringle's office---and we heard it---the president had been shot. We stood there, staring at the radio in various stages of dress, not knowing what to do or think. The president had been shot.

I think we got out of school early. No one knew what to do. We walked home, and it was strangely quieter in the streets. At the 14th street party store, where we always stopped, the radio was on...the president was dead. He had been shot in Dallas. Even the store clerk just stared at the radio. No one knew what to do.

I am not sure how long it was. There were only 4 channels on the T.V. All of them only had "news" about the president being shot, and being dead. It seemed like forever, but I am sure it was only a couple of days that we watched, and watched, and watched....

I learned to knit that weekend. There was nothing else to do, and all four channels had the same "news" , and I think everything was closed, as no one knew what to do. There was yarn, needles , and a book in the basement, and I taught myself how to knit while the whole country sat and watched TV, not knowing what to do.

On Sunday (I am sure it was Sunday) there was more news--some one else shot a suspect. It was "live" and we were watching.....and no one knew what to do then either, as they could not take it back...it was "live" on all three American stations.

The funeral was on all day. Flags, motorcades, John-John's salute. Jackie in a black veil. Very sad. All day. All three stations. Then replayed.

This weekend I was knitting too, and I am a much better knitter now. TV is better too. 100's of channels--so there is always something on--well maybe--that someone would like to watch.

Today it was part of Gerald Ford's multiple day funeral--former President. Not shot. Just died a natural death at 93. He seemed to be a good man--everyone says so. An Eagle Scout. From Michigan. A 32- degree Mason, a dad, husband, veteran, former President of the United States.

Betty Ford looks much like Nancy Regan did when Ronald Regan, former President died, and his funeral was on TV. Hard to share this loss with a country. Hard to put on your public face at 80 something, and be televised while burying your husband--except they really aren't theirs to bury, as former Presidents still belong to the country watching on TV--even when they are former Presidents. Hard for the "children" , who are now adults with lives not usually televised.

My generation was the first to watch this--the funerals of Presidents--on television. It is part of who we are. It is part of what we expect. Every detail. Film at 11. Instant replays. Commentary. The visual images that define our generation. Walk on the Moon, dinner with the latest news from Nam, watch the space shuttle explode, see assassins live, see the plane hit the building, watch "shock and awe" "live".

Life was simpler before we could watch everything detail on TV.

Condolences to the Family of Gerald Ford. I am glad they had the chance to say goodbye before the televising began.

Xmas "sucked"

This year was the year of the vacuuming appliance. D,S,and J got a Dustbuster. M got a rechargeable broom vac. I got the Dyson root 6--paling all other sucking devices with its glory.

Now, as it turns out, we could have used even more vacuuming devices at the house this holiday .....E. spilled wine on the stairs--call in the carpet cleaning device!! E also spilled wine in the kitchen--a wet/dry shop vac would have been handy. (are we noting the pattern here?) Most of the other spills, dropped stuff, tracked in crud and debris was handily handled by the Root 6--for speedy quick clean up.

I ended up washing the kitchen floor this morning--it was sticky. And washed the rugs--they were sticky too! Haven't gotten to the shampooing yet, but am sure eventually it will be so sticky that it will need to be done!

It is so fun to watch the "stuff" whirl around in the tiny Dyson---the ultimate quick cleanup tool for the ultimately ADD--useful and entertaining too! Thanks to Santa.

White Elephants

I love white elephant gift exchanges...mostly because I always seem to have a steady supply of white elephant gifts to select from. I don't want to brag--but my white elephants are funny, and often fought over --but are definately white elephants!

Alas, this may have been the last year for the white elephant at the office. Lest I break the "dooce"rule, I cannot describe the gory details of how the people I work with cannot play nicely with others, but it is sufficient to say, some (mostly one) have ruined the fun for everyone else--three years in a row now. So I get the feeling that next year, we will not have an exchange.

Sad, as over the years I have divested myself of a bell ringing battery operated santa (who has been back to the event four times now!), a black lacy teddy paired with a feather boa (which my co-worker modeled in the side room of a buffet resturant at our party!), a bustiea purse paired with a tee-shirt proclaiming that it is not easy to be a princess, a cymbyl playing gorilla, and a 2 volume book set of why men are the way they are! I enjoyed passing along these treasures to another to enjoy (don't even start with where I get this stuff!)

To my delight (another opportunity to divest) my Wed. knitters decided to exchange elephants at the annual Xmas party! I took a ceramic pig bank that was cute, wearing a Tu-Tu, and had a crown. It was the only gift stolen during the exchange!! There were candles in the shapes of cupcakes--set of four. A reindeer trivet, 2 pair of (new) gloves--the cheep kind that one never looses-still with tags attached, 2 chia pets--donkey and black elephant--different gifts, a jig-saw puzzle, trivial pursuit game, a snowman candy jar, a snowman mug, an emergency radio that you had to crank (this approached the white elephant-ness of my pig) an uncle Sam candle holder (kinda cute). The hostess observed that this group didn't seem to "get" white elephant. Others noted that it was a trash/treasure thing. Maybe this is the problem with an upscale neighborhood? Treasury trash?

Anyway, the pressure is off to come up with a good white elephant for next year. I have one--already wrapped, so can bide my time. Till then, will laugh knowing that people actually wanted the pig and the purse they took home this year!!

Yultide joy?

It is the 16th. The tree has been sitting there looking "lit" for a week--and I make myself go get the ornaments boxes. M had shown up yesterday, and there was a brief hope of help, but she has flitted off again, forgetting that this might be "fun"--or maybe deciding that it would not be as "fun" as her plans.

E. has always wanted a "matching" tree (ironic if you knew her), like the ones in the department stores, with all the same ornaments, perfectly spaced lights, and festooned with matching adornments. I like my tree better, although nothing matches. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it is not the tree or the ornaments that I find beautiful, but the memories attached to each ornament.

I start with the carefully wrapped treasures--feather flamingo from my friend J. representing the now quarter- century long "joke" we have shared, an angel in a tiny snow globe from my "angel" friend at work, carefully and beautifully embroidered German balls from our friends there, beaded bells and candy canes that T. had strung together. There were reindeers (several) crafted in second grade by various of the 4. (One needed his eye glued back on). There were intricately stitched ornaments--one for each year, for each of the four--depicting something related to their self (how did I find the time?). E. has several skater ornaments. D has an adorable cub scout as cute as he was, M. is beaming at me as her most precouscious and photogenic self from a 5 year- olds hand cut construction paper bell- lamnated, name carefully lettered on the back in her kindergarten handwriting. There are several J. trains, as he loved them then. There is the drummer boy from 1988 because D. was really one then. There is an over- the- river- and- through- the- woods shiny metal ornament from 1977, from the "B "s, when we could go to grandmother's house, although it was in a Mazda, not a sleigh.

The years fly by, and I enjoy the thoughts of "them"--both the years, and the children who filled our house with noise and love. Who fought, and squabbled, left fingerprints and glow in the dark glop on our walls, and filled our days with laughter, frustrations, and busyness that I can't even imagine keeping up with now! Thoughts of all the special people in our lives who have over the years, contributed to this collection that adorns our tree.

There is the goofy poodle satin ball and pompom ornament crafted by Aunt H. There are the ornate pearl, bead, sequin creations of Aunt L., looking inspired by her trips to Europe, as these would be more in place in a palace than they were in the modest downriver homes or our origins. There is the obnoxius Pointsettia that sings "rockin around the Xmas tree" from Aunt L2--always a fan of the obnoxious and battery operated. Individually, they are strange, ugly, odd, homemade, tacky, old, unusual, or over the top--but I like them, not for themselves, but for the lives lived they represent.

There is a layer from my youth..mostly ceremic..angels, skiing santas, Mrs. Clauss. I can remember being little, and putting these on my parent's tree.....There are the sequin and tassle balls crafted by grandma F in HER favorite color- tourquoise! There are crochet mice and wreaths, bird feeders made of medicine cups, and winter scenes from discarded holiday cards glued into a canning jar lid by a first grader years ago. There are several "Make it bake it" ornaments, carefully baked by little ones spending the day with Grandma B.

I mist up thinking of those who are not around to wish a happy holiday anymore--I miss the "Scrooge" act, and the egg nog, the burbon balls and fudge meltaways, the krispy treats and wild morning treck from house to house.... The tabacco smell that had permeated even the wrapped gifts... and later, the boxes from Florida. The large extended family gatherings, where people often had a hard time being "nice" for the whole time, and the food was good, although often tepid by the time time we all sat down.

So now we move forward with 2006. New ornaments for this year purchased in fancy botiques, not child-made or home-made, for that is where our lives are now. An acorn, a glass bird, a snowman...to add to the collection and the memories.

I never want my tree to be "matching"......sorry E. Some day you may understand!

Doing Mom Proud

It all started innocently enough. We have a new receptionist, and true to office protocol, she got the short straw--planning the office festivities. Along with the requisite luncheon and the secret Santa nonsense (that we can never seem to keep secret), she added a new office "tradition"--special treat day.

The emailed instructions indicated that we should bake, make, buy and/or bring our favorite traditional holiday treat for a sharing fest during lunch (I think they got a reprieve from weight watchers for a day!)

Tempting as "buy" was, I rejected it. I am a "home economist" after all. But when thinking of my traditional holiday treats--they all seemed most appropriate for 2-7 year olds--candy cane cookies, painted cookies, sugar cookies with sprinkles and frosting, krispy treats--then I remembered--I have been in the workforce all these years---so did not evolve my "holiday traditions" beyond the point when I returned to work full time--thus forever frozen in pre-and early elementary school items (which are currently appreciated by Z).

So, I think, perhaps I will adopt the more "grown up" holiday traditions of my mother. The coveted box (no, any of the 4, you cannot have it--yet) is in my possession! I find the 50's/early 60' plastic box (intended for shoes, I think) and marvel at the collection of kitchen "gunk" that covers it--but cannot remove it--as it is "important". Flour, butter, vanilla mixtures placed by her fingers over the years.....I have "Buckeyes" in mind--not the all time favorite tradition (her fudge meltaways), but I am likely to have all the ingredients on hand.

I start flipping at the front of the box. Cookies (largest section). Then candy...sauces? on through punch, cake, pie, desserts (second largest section). Plod through casseroles, meats (interstingly only two cards: Meatloaf and porkchop casserole), vegetables (another small section with a zuchinni recipe, green bean casserole, and 5 versions of Kansas creamed corn), there is a drinks section with how to make your own Kalulah, salads--subdivided into vegetable, gelatin, fruit, slaws, etc. There is no bread section, but there is a pancake tab--? On throughFrozen desserts, potluck favorites, and some cards with recipes, but no section label. As I am hunting for the buckeyes (to me they should have been in candy), I am amazed at the stuff my mother collected that I never saw her cook...like Chicken recipes, zuchinni anything, and a dozen variations of quiche. Maybe after I left home......

The recipes were mostly hand written in her own handwritting (a little heart tug here), with meticulous notations on who it was provided by--Carrie, Marion, Ruth, Mary, Gladys,
Edna, and Fern--her friends and neighbors, church ladies, relatives and the couples club gals....brought back memories, as I could see their faces, and remember how sad she was when each "left" before her.

About half way through the "fragrance" rose up from the box--how does a box of recipes get and hold that familiar "old lady" odor when the old lady no longer cooked?---or maybe she was somehow there with me--looking for the Buckeye recipe? As quickly as it came, it went--was it in my head?....maybe. It was seeing the writting--a link to my past and my roots!

The first pass did not produce the buckeyes, but I did find several other favorites--and the famous "chocolate Jello" recipe (can't believe she kept this after we all voted!). Determined, I started in again. This time, I carefully separated anything stuck together, and as I flipped through marveled at the careful clipping and neat pasting ...lots of time for zuchinni recipes that she probably never used. But then, how many people have collected 13 inches of reicpe cards in an old plastic box?

Finally, somewhere behind the meatloaf, and in front of the "favorites", I found it....sticky, smuddgy, definately well used, and faded....start with a pound of butter, add 2 lbs of 10X sugar---definately appropriate for the weight watcher at work crowd--HA!

2 hours, many dishes, a dusting of powdered sugar everywhere (and I do mean everywhere), a few chocolate globs, and lots of sticky fingerprints later I had about 100 Buckeyes----and I sort of remembered why I stopped making holiday goodies in addition to the calories.

They look and taste like hers...somewhat of a triamph, as she rarely noted the ways she changed the recipes to make them her own! So off to the office a plate will go--and the rest are carefully packaged for other upcoming events.

Next time I will do this with one of the 4, because they need to know that you can still make these as a grownup, and it will be nice to have someone help with cleaning up the stickiness!

Surprises and Cobwebs

A good friend called and said they were in town. We met for breakfast--fun to see them! She is all about knitting for granddaughter 1. Her hubby is tolerant of our knitting babble! We used to be neighbors, and they did admit that our current "over the river and through the woods" is a far cry from our old neighborhood!

So, in getting ready for Xmas, the week, visitors, etc. I found cobwebs. Not a few. Sometime since I last looked we had become a version of the Munsters House. Probably doesn't help that I leave in the dark, and return in the dark every day now this time of year. Bright sun today--you can see them clearly. Trouble is , they are usually where I cannot reach.

And I would rather knit! Quite a vision, huh? Me, at stately wayne mannor, over the river and through the woods, rocking and knitting, with cobwebs everywhere!!

On a brighter (literally) note, the holiday tree is assembled. Every year, I am determined to get it right the first time. Every year, I don't. This year, Mr. CP was on a plane to DE, so I had lots of help-free time--as I recall, he was part of the problem, not the solution, last year. I carefully laid out the branches as I brought each set upstairs (7 trips). I started at the bottom, fluffing as I went. I got all the way to the last set, when I realized that there were one set of holes, and two sets of branches. I had assumed that the top was "1" (little chinese numbers--hard to read for Americans)--actually the top was "top"--so had to readjust. At least they were in the right order this year. Must learn to step back and admire every couple of rows! It is glowing away, waiting for the decorations.

So, the stockings are hung by the chimney (sort of) with care....it is beginning to look alot like Xmas!

Royal wool winder!

Today I had a chance to play with my newest toy--a "Royal Wool Winder" that I bought myself--ostensibly for Christmas. It is wonderful! It makes your skeins into these amazing, pretty flat balls that pull from the center without (I hope) tangling. It is one of those soothing, repetative activities, where you can view your accomplishments!

I go so carried away, that I wound all the wool that I had in my socks-to-knit basket!! The tricky part is dividing the balls exactly into two equal smaller balls to knit the socks with. Got better at it after the first few skeins. Only problem is the pending carpal tunnel problem, as much wrist action goes into the wool winding....but now I have lovely wound wool waiting.....such fun!

The self striping yarn looks completely different in these balls--pretty geometric patterns! (It doesn't take much to amuse me, obviously). Unfortunately, being slightly ADD, I want to knit it all right now right now! Of course this is not possible, so have tried to calm this urge with arranging them in the baskets again!

I also started a new pair of cotton socks--did all the calculations, and got one toe done. Also finished a pair earlier today. Pictures to follow!

Close calls

Today, after overcoming holiday exhaustion, we ventured out, mostly to get lunch. After eating breakfast for lunch, Mr. CP decided that we should go to Costco. He decided to pull out of the parking lot, turning left into the impossibly heavy traffic--but he has POWER! Saw his opening, gunned it, and OH MY GOSH (not his actual words) there was another impatient person turning left from the gas station at exactly the same time--and they we both headed top-speed for the same exact pavement!!! Close call 1.

Later, same day, ventured out again for Pizza and to look at TVs (much Internet research had been done in the mean time, while I took a much deserved nap!) Around the bend, were THREE deer behinds--right there in the road as we came around the curve. Thankful today for stability control. Close call 2. Would have been extra hard to explain how we hit three deer with the same car on the same side on the same road as just a few months ago!

Too much motoring excitement for one day!

The "M" bomb

We had a delightful time in the sun and warmth (to us--the natives were bundled up like it was going to blizzard any second) of Florida. Nice flight, o.k. rental car, good food, family, fun, nice resort, etc. At brunch, Mr. CP could not "wait" any longer, as he later explained "I could not leave Florida without asking". So between the sips of coffee from the enormous "bowl"of coffee, and the last nibbles of toast and Jam, Mr. CP says, "So, when are you getting married?"--and pulls out his blackberry, poised to note a date, and in the awkward silence (with minds on both sides of the table whirring to think of what to say next...) he adds, I need to plan ahead, you know! He never got an answer......stay tuned (maybe for quite some time) to see how this plays out!

In the mean time, E, mother of M2 (my M2, not E1's -M2) is aghast at an emailed picture showing J's family--that M2 is in---she did not take this well, obviously, as she brought it up at dinner, and it seemed a "thorny" issue. She doesn't know that this years Thanksgiving picture at D's also included P, who is almost family anyway in a different sort of way. We are like that.

So we had a delightful Thanksgiving--and saw all of "the four" on the same day, just miles apart. Go to reset myself with some sun--hope it lasts until we see it again here--and Mr. CP did O.K., despite the need to walk places--tired, but made the trek. He is not yet 100%, and it is good that he is reminded once in awhile! We got back in time for some "leftovers" at D's--turkey, stuffing, bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pie....yum. Sorry(?) that we had to pass on the Curry Goat due to the airline schedules, but I am sure it would have been interesting, if not delightful. Sorry, but I am not interested in the squid.

If J and M ever answer Mr. CP's question, there may be celebratory Curry Goat for all! (and I am sure Squid for those who would appreciate it!)

November Sundays

Are not sunny! Today the weather person said it would be "nice"--a relative term it seems. It is snowing, windy, and only 30 degrees....not exactly my definition of "nice". I had planned to deal with the leaves today in the niceness.....which will not happen in the snow flurries!

I have wasted time on the Internet, ordered stuff I want, but do not need (have been cleaning, so have a little room for new "stuff"), and now must decide on the next project of the day.

Think I should finish the long ago started curtain project for the upstairs front window. 2/3 done--so maybe today is the day for the center panel! The woodpeckers have attacked that part of the house, so a curtain on the window can help me maintain my state of denial that I might have to do something with the woodpeckers! So far, suet has been a good distraction, but there sure are a lot of them! (They must have sent out invitations to all their friends!) Pretty pecking at the feeding stations, but so destructive when trying to rid your house of bugs--they get rid of the bugs, but also the house!!!

Too cold to deal with the woodpecker holes outside!! I would try to convince all that they were trying to nest with us, except that I do not think that woodpeckers are that dumb--and I am pretty sure that there are/were bugs in the cedar at that exact spot!

We just must be a bird magnet out here in the "wild". Just shut out the swifts for good (noisy little chimney dwellers!) and the woodpeckers become pests! As Rosana Rosanadanna would say..."It's always something"!

Friends and acquaintances

Today was a day with a good friend (from forever--we met in Jr. High), visiting an Herb farm, having a delightful lunch, and antiquing--funny how much of my youth is now in "antique" stores (or maybe not so funny!). Anyway, we had fun.

Tonight I joined my acquaintances for knitting. Another fun time as we admired sock yarn (ummm, silk), chatted about various yarn shops, admired each others projects, nieces (pictures), and talked about "stuff". One of the knitters just joined E (matchmaker service), so we all offered to sit discretely in the corner of the public place should she decide to meet with one of the three gentlemen who have indicated interest...Interesting to discuss "senior citizen" dating!!! Usually talk to (or hear from) daters half her age!!!

It is nice to have both in your life--lifelong friends, and acquaintances that you share an interest with (the knitting, not the dating).

It Shouldn't Cost More Than a Luxury Car...

To put a roof on your house! We are in the beginning stages of a new roof--no leaks, just time to begin the process of replacement BEFORE it leaks!

Had the metal roof guys out. Catchy jingle. Good product. EXPENSIVE. We expected it to be More---but not that much more. Could by a luxury car for less! I don't have enough years left for their "lifetime" guarantee. Can put four "regular" roofs on for the price--and still have a little change left. Besides, I won't be living here for 4 roofs worth...Maybe 2!

Metal roofs are cool. Very durable. Energy efficient. Hugely overpriced.

Onward with the inadequate, designed for failure, "regular" singles.

They don't make stuff like they used to!

"Where is my candy?"

...The indignant Disney princess said! The orange blinking pumpkin had just been loaded with a bagged assortment of play-dough---something that lit up the eyes of many, and caused pause with a few parents! This princess was having none of it! She wanted CANDY as this was the day of candy!

Never mind that her pumpkin was bulging with sugary goodies. Never mind that she was 4, and did not need all that candy. Never mind that play dough is dentally responsible, does not contribute to childhood obesity, and has play value that far exceeds the momentary sugary high of Halloween candy! To the very pink Disney princess, a piece of bubble gum in the hand was worth 5 containers of playdough in the pumpkin.

Too bad, Dear Princess. The cowboy liked it, and the tiger was thrilled! The ladybug skipped down the walk excitedly yelling, "Hey, I gots playdough!" My guess is that next week, dear princess, you will love the playdough.

That is the thing with being a princess. It is hard to reconcile your expectations with reality!

Better mousetrap

Faint "tik"

"What's that?" She says!

"The TV" He says.

......

SNAP, RATTLE, CLUNK!

"ZZZZZZZ" He says

"The trap!" She says

Light on, look. Little pink feet--rest of mouse in trap.

Cat, soundly sleeping on couch!

Score: Mom 3, Cat 1.

Message to cat: Step up, if you want to keep the Turkey coming! You could learn from the Yankees!!!

Out of the mouth of a High School Senior

"The days are LONG....But the years very short!"

Sums up life in public schools according to one young lady!

Ladies Night Out!

Tonight after work I had a hair appointment--much needed. Due to multiple surgeries (Mr. CP and my stylist, but those are other stories)...I was long overdue. Traffic was usual rush hour stuff as I left the X-way. When I got the the edge of the village there was gridlock!

We live in the middle of almost nowhere--a land of state, county and privately owned recreation areas where people describe their property in number of acres not feet. The "village" is where I found the stylist--two blocks of "cute", visited by people who live in the suburbs and are looking for "cute" little villages. There is never a traffic jam, let alone gridlock!

With patience, I slowly rolled by way to town---20 times longer than the normal trip! Once in the business district, there were no parking spaces--usually you can have your pick of any one of a few hundred! I parked in the residential neighborhood and walked a few blocks....as it turned out it was ladies night out!

This chamber of commerce event encouraged roving gangs of women to descend on the town seeking discounted goods, stamps on the door prize bingo cards, and sipping from punch bowls with liquids with descriptions that ended in "tini" and "rita". There were limo loads--gaggles of red hatted-purple shirted bargain hunters, mobs in the "cute" shops! I haven't seen this much estrogen in one place since I last visited a sewing expo....

They were gaily amassing stamps, empty punch glasses, and a few toted bags of bargains. It was awful!

We went to the bar at the edge of town--another surprise--I got to observe Bar night!!! No wonder no one ever meets anyone in a bar. The lights are low, music blaring, the guys hang with their pack drinking cheap beer. The girls look slutty, with too much makeup. It was weird watching this pathetic mating ritual. Maybe the guys would be more successful if they would take off the baseball hats! E. pointed out that they were probably wearing them due to baldness!!

Ladies night out. Avoid it if you can!

Techno girl (at last!)

Today is a red letter day! The cable men had to come to fix the "box" for Mr. C.P, as it had some type of malfunction. They left a remote behind. Matching the Mr. C.P. remote. Exactly the same. Mr. C.P even programmed it to match his! Then he gave it to ME!!! My own remote! Imagine that!

Of course, I will only be allowed to use it when he is out of town or in the bathroom, as the king of remotes will still trump my choices. Today was a rainy afternoon, and Mr. C.P. was busy net-surfing. I entered the man-cave bravely, picked up my remote, and found a chick flick all by myself! Had a delightful little "knit in" with "The Notebook"--was a terrific afternoon. Even finished the acrylic socks that seemed to never end! I was master of my destiny!

I also learned how to "rip" a CD and load it into my MP3 player this morning!

Life is good!

Good (?) things come to those who wait!

Mr. Cat is tired today. He had a very busy night last night!

He has insisted that there was something to stalk in the basement for the last several days. I tend to ignore him, as since the chipmunk episode (see prior post), he thinks of himself as the director of homeland security/jungle hunter/the terminator! I let him enjoy his fantasy! He is 13, missing teeth, and has no claws...

But he has proved once again that he is "the TERMINATOR". This morning at about 4 a.m. he sauntered into our bedroom. Gave out the roar of a LION, and beamed at the small furry offering!! LOOK! What I have!. After a rapid disposal/burial at sea (well, actually toilet), he looked at me--"So, where is it? Aren't you going to saute it for me with some gravy?" I was at a loss, except to suggest that he may wish to go get another. After some complaining about the lack of culinary service, he retreated to the media room to "make sure". If he found anything, he kept it to himself!

He has spent the day in the "happy cat" pet bed--dreaming of the chase, I am sure.
Turns out, he was right. Not only does he have good "cat sense", but he can still walk the talk! Watch out rodents! Once they get a taste of chipmunk, there is no stopping them! I am going out to get more "gourmet" cat food. He deserves a reward!

Story problems that (finally) make sense!

Predict the result, in quantifiable terms, of the following:

A red fast Jeep 8 cylinder leaves the driveway at 6:35 a.m., traveling first west , then south, toward an expressway, slowing to approximately 35 MPH on a slight downhill curve approximately 1/2 mile north of the westbound entrance ramp.

Deer (Male) is running east (perhaps after female deer, however this is an unknown variable) at the exact moment that the Jeep approaches the junction of their true vectors with a velocity equal to of exceeding that of the Jeep.


Result: Jeep, $5,000.00 in body work. Deer lost.


Tomorrow: an examination of the historical roots of the saying "I'll knock the sh-- out of you!"

Hangin'in the Man Cave

It has now been 10 days since Mr. CP went under the knife. 10 days of having a "newborn" on my hands...10 days of step aerobics as I attempt to keep him comfortable and alive in the Man Cave.

Mr. CP chose to recuperate in the Man Cave based on the creature comforts he enjoys. LARGE screen. Recliner. The MC came with a kitchen, Oak bar, bathroom, and hideous lighting. We did a little with the lighting--which MR. CP keeps dim. There are speakers that let you "feel" the sounds. There is junk food. A cordless phone. Internet access....everything he needs!

Which is where the step aerobics comes in. Despite his description of the perfect recuperation venue, most often what he wants/needs, right now, right now!! is not in the man cave. It is upstairs, outside, in the garage, or up-up stairs. Not only is it the 14 steps in each flight, but the carrying of the "stuff" from the far reaches to appease the god of the recliner in the Man Cave is adding to the aerobic nature of this experience!!

My knees hurt! My feet "creak". I feel like any moment I will be a >weeble< and fall or bounce down the stairs.

Despite his professed love of the man cave....he is developing cabin feever! Says he will ride in the handicapped cart at the Costco/walmart---may take him up on that. I need to get out of the man cave tooo--am starting to look like a squinty eyed nocturnal animal!!

Go Green! Go White!

In keeping with my need to have more than one project at a time, I started another pair of socks to celebrate the completion of the super secret socks. The yarn is "interesting". A little thicker than I usually knit. Selected for its colors--suitable for Spartan alumni!

Of course, I took them along to the appointment at the rival school medical center--was eyed with suspicion by the blue and gold army with little block M's on their shirts. Opps! Had not meant offense--I just don't do blue and gold.

So...Go green! Go White! First repeat of the yarn pattern completed. Using easy round toe...like the shape--in toe up socks with 2 circular needles--size U.S. 0. Working up quickly! Fun!

I can't hear you...Or ....la, la,la, la, la,la,la,la(with thumbs in his ears)

And here is how the conversation went:

Dr.: Are you employed?

2 days Post knee surgery patient: Yes

What do you do?

Sales

Travel?

Yes. Scheduled for Germany in two weeks. Mexico, and Germany usually.

None of that for at least 6 weeks. Very high risk of blood clots on airplanes!

I thought I would go into the office tomorrow or Monday

Do you have a couch in your office?

no

Can you keep your knee and ankle above your heart---like on a bed or something?

No

Well, that will not work. The risk of blood clots is very high post-surgery!

I suppose I could not go in until Tuesday

And the swelling will impede the healing. Your leg should be elevated.

I have a chair

And there is infection. But the biggest risk is blood clots and swelling.

O.k., then I can work from home until Thursday.

We do not need complications at this point. You need to stay home for at least two weeks. You will use these crutches for at lease six weeks. No weight for two weeks.

I can go in Thurs or Friday.

You can't drive with the pain killers you are taking.

I only took one this morning, but it hurts now.

So no work, no weight on that leg for two weeks. Call physical therapy for an apt. You need to keep that elevated except when you get up to use the bathroom.

I suppose I can work from home and go in Friday.

You are to keep that leg elevated above your heart. And on ice--both the machine and real ice. We will take the stitches out in 10 days, then we can talk about going back to work.

My computer isn't fixed. That will be a problem.

So, see you in 10 days. Rest, elevate, pain killers, ice, home exercises, physical therapy. Any questions?
No.

Walking out of the building:
I have to go into the office.
Wife: In two weeks. Apt for stitches removal is the 7th. You can tell them the 8th.
I can't be gone that long.
???

He didn't hear a word they said that did not agree with his ideas!

Of course, he barely made it home, and collapsed, unconscious, for several hours, so we won't fight the office battle today.

So the people at his office should thank me, as the last thing they need is a drugged invalid in their way....And all the commuters who made it home safely....And the insurance company should thank me too, as I could be a rich widow, unless of course they rule the death by blood clot a suicide!

Super secret socks!

Done!

Not what the yarn ball made me think they would look like--but somehow still "cool" looking!

Bernat--fun colors!

Acrylic--now in the same category as "orange"----nevermore!

Only "real" wool henceforth!

It has been awhile

I have been busy doing other things. Seems I have neglected to blog. There are the weeds (lots of them). New plants to find homes for. The injured husband. Work stuff. Auntie L. stuff. Surgery for Mr. Crabby pants. Life has been very busy.

There has also been knitting. Socks, shawls, UFO's. No excuse really, but have had no issues, interesting stuff, or other topics to blog. So, guess I need to think about some issue to explore. Maybe pharmacies. That was the last frustration in my life....Stay tuned.

The Bionic Man

Men (even those with normal hearing) "hear what they want to hear, and disregard the rest"--nah, nah, nah, nah, nah,nah-nah-nah-nah....Etc.

Did you know that they were going to drill holes in my femur? (yes), ..And they are going to use screws (uh-huh)...And I will have scars here, here, and HERE! (yep).

So went the conversation tonight following his pre-op appointment for the upcoming knee surgery (still dealing with motorcycle accident damage...)

I knew all of this from the detailed explanation provided by the surgeon at a prior visit...He was in the room, (which was barely larger than my oven by the way) but obviously had suffered complete hearing loss during the explanation of the procedure and recovery.....

Men, they hear what they want to hear (and disregard the rest!!)....But I will control the pain meds!!! (tee-hee!) Stay tuned!

Who is Jennifer, and is it that I should I call her?

"Call Jennifer". That is what my "to do" list said. It was among several items, both personal and business that I needed to attend to....

Who is Jennifer? What is it I am supposed to call her about?

It took me days to figure it out! Jennifer is my hairdresser. When we moved, I needed to establish a "new relationship" with someone to cut my hair. This was accomplished by window shopping on Main street with 1's assistance, and choosing the most outrageous person I saw in the shop--which for where I live is still pretty tame.

It was not that I wanted hair on the wild side, but I do like someone who is a little creative, so we are not stuck in a rut.

Anyway, after several days of racking my brain and checking other lists for a clue of who Jennifer was and what I needed to call her about, I looked in the mirror, and remembered that I needed a hair appointment---thus, the need to call Jennifer!!

Now, I do not forget her name, although I usually decide I NEED her on a weekend, and by the time Tuesday rolls around, have forgotten that I needed to call for an appointment.

I need to be able to email my beauty shop for an appointment---maybe I will suggest that! We now have a laugh every time I eventually show up, as she knows the "who is Jennifer and why do I need to call her" story! And this time she actually did what I wanted her to do with my hair--so maybe I should just let her do her thing, as it really did look better last time when I did not interfere!

@%!$@&#^!! Deer

This is what my day lilies would look like if the deer did not keep eating them before they bloom! This morning, I swear they waited until they heard the car leaving the driveway, then sauntered right up to the house to begin their munching. What they hadn't figured on was me being home, gimpy and all. Mr. Buck and Ms. Doe were quite surprised that I took exception to their breakfasting on my plants.

You would think with three acres, and all the neighbors acreage, they could find something else to eat! So I got out my super deer repellent. Sprayed it on the few remaining flowers. Was so rank (had been in the very hot garage) that I had to come inside. Hope it works--sure smells awful!

Lesson learned. You can never drop your guard--deer do not have memories!

Grace

Over the weekend, 2's friends stopped by with new baby "Gracie". Cute. Tiny. Observation: Parenthood seems much more complicated than it did when mine were babies--we didn't have so much "stuff" involved.

Speaking of Grace, or more accurately, lack there of....I managed to take a walk at lunch yesterday, and as I was walking down the street, fell. Not tripped, just hit some uneven pavement and went down. Lots of students from the nearby law school on the sidewalk--very nice--are you o.k? Thought so. One young man pointed out that "people fall there all the time"--either he is destined to be an ambulance chaser, or he has way too much time to spend at this corner.

Anyway, I not really fine. Managed to walk back to my office. Was harder to walk to my car. Harder still to press the accelerator on the way home. Decided to seek medical care. They X-rayed. Don't know anything. Ended up with what looks like an extra large hard boiled egg inserted under the skin at my ankle. Hurts. Gave me crutches (challenging, as I was not graceful enough to avoid the fall in the first place), a wrap, several sheets of instructions and a script. See a real doctor if it doesn't get better on its own. Bill will probably be a thou---if I had an X-ray machine, could have saved my insurance co a lot of money.

I know how this goes. Have been here before. Takes much longer than they say. Hurts more than they say. Crutches are impossible to use unless you are coordinated, and if you are coordinated, you probably wouldn't need crutches in the first place. My hand is bruised--so using the crutches hurts too.

Pass the drugs. Think I should just take a nap!

Federal Feet

I have not mentioned the sock knitting for awhile. It is not that I have stopped knitting, although the production has slowed due to many factors. I finished the Washington D.C. trip socks yesterday. I still have three pair on needles in various stages of completion. Have also been working on gift knitting, which is best not mentioned in the blog in the unlikely event that the intended recipient would be reading.

But the garden beckons....Or rather weed removal is required. Knitting will have to wait for evening.

Deana and Gerard

Live next door to 4. They moved in on their wedding day in 1956--50 years ago. We met them yesterday as we helped 4 start to move in and "fix" things. Deana had on the cutest little house dress, flowered, a little lace collar, pearl buttons and neatly pressed. Of course, she had an apron on to keep it clean. She was hanging out the wash. Gerard (you could call me Jerry, but I really don't like that name) was "puttering". He had embraced a more trendy fashion style, in cap, t-shirt and athletic shorts--a somewhat humorous outfit for someone his age, but perhaps cast offs from a college age grandson.

They had been friends of their neighbors, Helen and Leo. It will always be Helen and Leo's house to them. Deana pointed out what a great house it would be for 4..not too big to clean. I don't think that was one of the selection criteria, but 4 smiled and nodded. (She is very good with the elderly). They assumed she had a husband--she found that "cute".

After the intro's all around, and enough social conversation to convince them that the new neighbor was "worthy", they told 4 to come over if she needed any help. We were actually thinking the opposite.

Alice and Harold, Helen and Leo

The 1940's and 1950's. The American dream. Harold and Leo were Machinists. Alice and Helen "housewives". Harold and Leo made decent money for those days. Skilled and in demand. They bought "nice" houses for Alice and Helen to "keep" on opposite sides of the state.

Alice and Helen had clothes lines where the laundry dried in the breeze. They had plywood kitchen cupboards, tiled baths, and hardwood floors underfoot. The probably both had dust mops. Both "modernized" their bathroom sometime around the late 60's with a vanity.

Harold had a driveway poured, but never got around to building a garage. Leo never got around to the driveway, but had enough garage for 5 cars! Both Harold and Leo took care of things around the house the way a machinist would--- not at all the approach a carpenter would have had. Fortunately, both restricted these activities to areas where it doesn't matter. Thank you, Alice and Helen for making sure.

Alice died before Harold. Harold did nothing to the house..not even vacuum apparently...for years. 1 bought it from Harold. He left behind Alices "special" dresses--too grief stricken, or just to lazy to deal with them. We (really) shoveled the dirt out of the house that had accumulated under the carpet in the years since she stopped vacuuming.

Helen and Leo had more time. Both lived into their 90's. 4 bought their house from "the estate". If they had dirt under their carpets, we will never know, as the carpet had already been removed, but I somehow doubt it. Leo predeceased Helen. She probably continued to vacuum.

Somehow I have managed to raise two independent strong women. I am very proud of them. 1 and 4 both have homes of their own. Independently, their own achievement. They both bought homes from elderly couples who had lived in them a long time. They both have solid, good houses. Along the way, they are also learning to appreciate the history and charm of period homes.

4 has a coal bin, well pit and fruit cellar. Of course she did not know what they were, and even I was a little unsure. 1 has knotty pine and a grotto--basement finishing method of choice in the 50's. Both have unfinished attic space waiting to be turned into living space. Both (now) have day lilies. Both now know how to change out a lockset. Both have tool boxes.

I hope that Alice and Helen and Leo would have liked what 1 and 4 they are doing with their homes...Not that it matters. (I am sure Harold could care less.) But I think they would. I am so impressed.

"The Drawer"

I had forgotten about the drawer until S. mentioned it. It was the remaining part of a "finish it yourself" telephone stand from--1960 or 70 something. The telephone stand was replaced by a microwave cart--but the drawer was salvaged, as she needed the drawer for her "stuff".

Never mind that it was "blonde" and the microwave cart walnut. Never mind that there was no drawer space on the cart. It sat on the shelf for as long as I can remember--full of pens, pencils, rubberbands, miscellaneous scraps of paper, phone lists, and "stuff"--keys and thumbtacks, markers, paintbrushes, etc. It was the epicenter of planning for pot lucks, phone fan outs, notes to self (which were increasingly more important), and the calendars that chronicled the daily life. The microwave cart developed "groves".

It moved with the cart to the apartment, to the house, and then got left behind when we took her to the "home", as she had no more need for pencils, phone lists, planning, or rubber bands. Calendars were of no use. There were no pot lucks or phone fanouts to be done. It was "inherited" by the "keepers" of "the house".

It held phone books, pizza coupons, and pens. I cleaned it out once. Other stuff, important to the keepers found a home in the drawer. We all knew what one would find in the drawer, and what to put in the drawer, although we had never had lessons. It just "was".

E left. D moved in with his boys. Various comings and goings. The drawer had staying power. The microwave stopped working, or moved, or something. There was no need for the cart. D probably moved it to make way for other furniture when the households were combined and S became his wife. I think it went to the garage. Maybe (?) "the drawer" went with it. No one seems to know.

The drawer is only important for what it was. A depository of the stuff that was important in a life that has left us...twice. First in memory, and finally in body.
The drawer is like my friend Judy's daughter's nana's monkey. An item that no one except those who loved the owner would think was anything other than junk.

It is not about the drawer. It is about the memories! (and knowing where to get a rubber band when you need it!)

Hyperopia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

'Hyperopia, also known as hypermetropia or colloquially as farsightedness or longsightedness, is a defect of vision caused by an imperfection in the eye (often when the eyeball is too short or when the lens cannot become round enough), causing inability to focus on near objects, and in extreme cases causing a sufferer to be unable to focus on objects at any distance. As an object moves towards the eye, the eye must increase its power to keep the image on the retina. If the power of the cornea and lens is insufficient, as in hypermetropia, the image will appear blurred.

People with hyperopia may experience blurred vision, asthenopia, accommodative dysfunction, binocular dysfunction, amblyopia, and strabismus.[1]'


In other words...they only see the Forest, not the trees.

Vision, and seeing are important things. Seeing things as they really are is very important. If you cannot see accurately upclose, then you need to do something to correct your vision. It is not as difficult as it seems. Good vision is available if people make the effort.

Remember your first pair of glasses, and how exciting it was to see things clearly? Everyone should remember to change their prescriptions as needed to see clearly that which is around them. Sometimes we get too busy or too distracted or too wrapped up in our projects, but that is not good. It can lead to deterioration. If our vision is not as sharp as it should be we can make mistakes and be disappointed.

Furniture Agnst!

4 admitted that she has furniture agnst. That uncertainty between "oh joy, I bought a house"and "wow,this is perfect". She does not know where the sofa will go. Never mind that she has lived in three apartments and it has always worked out. Must be because this is more permanent....It matters more.

1 has relationship agnst. The uncertainty between the first meeting and sifting through all the meetings to find the right kind to keep. She does not know where she is going to find the keeper....And it also matters more.

I have no agnst. The flowers are planted (sort of), the laundry is not done (who cares, it can wait), and I have the sheet cake for work tomorrow---bringing me full circle to the second blog entry of last year...I have no agnst about seeing the foot Dr. again about my plantar facia, no angst about the big project I have at work, as it is currently going well ahead of schedule, and no agnst about anything, except maybe not taking enough time to knit this weekend.

If you average the agnst, it probably works out to be manageable...Probably doesn't seem like it to 1 and 4. Hopefully next year when it is my turn for the birthday cake at work again, their problems will be worked out.

4 and me

Today 4 came home. We had things to do. It was fun. We did some browsing of stores that we've not shopped together before. She got a doormat for her new back door. We talked of all the things she will need in her new house. Such fun. For me is like having a doll house. Must show restraint--it is her house. Will save it for future grandchildren--the buying because I want to.

So we looked at rugs and curtain rods, and bedsteads, curtains, and "stuff". Browsed the plants at the garden center. We talked about the things that she will inherit. We had lunch, invited 1 (who is still recovering from the fun fair fun) who couldn't come, and then 4 went shopping with Mr. Cp while I took a nap.

Fun was had by all. I like having "quality time" now and then. She found a "treasure" on sale for her living room. The moving starts Thursday.

She can't believe she is buying a house! I can't believe that I have another doll house to play in! I am glad that she is old enough now to appreciate how much little things like curtain rods cost. I am also glad that she will finally have "roots" in a house of her own that she can love. Will be fun to visit, and shop at the kinds of stores that we have not shopped at together before.

Time to plant some flowers

It is that time in the spring that I must find some annuals that the critters won't eat! The perennials have filled in nicely. In several years will not need the annuals, but have big pots.

Need something very distasteful for the deer. Adventures in the flower vendor tomorrow!

Dear FBI:

I am sorry you did not find Jimmy in my neighborhood. I appreciate how difficult it is to find some bones from 30 years ago, especially in a place like this...so many trees on so many acres. Although the townies seemed to have a weird sense of humor over the whole thing, you have to understand that nothing more exciting than a 4th of July parade ever happens here--and even that is not very exciting! Please also understand that the vast majority of us who live here like it that way, thank you very much. It is part of the "charm" of the place.

A couple of years ago my grandson found a bunch of bones on our acreage--and did not have to dig! There they were, right on top for the picking up. I doubt that they were the remains you were looking for, although 30 years ago, my "yard" was just another natural area here in the neighborhood with dense trees--so it is not without some plausibility that someone could have dumped someone here, and no one would have been any wiser. The bones looked pretty much like deer when my grandson assembled them....so we did not call you. He was so thrilled with them, that he bagged them up and took them for show and tell. His teacher (who thought them creepy) allowed them to be displayed on the "back table" for the class. Then they were packed again and kept in the garage, until his mother threw them out.

So, if these were the bones you were looking for, try the landfill at 5 mile in Plymouth Township. They won't be many feet down, as it was just last year (not thirty years ago)and they are probably still in a brown paper bag. I hope they were only deer bones. The parents at the school would probably find it kinda creepy if Jimmy Hoffa's remains were hanging out in their kids classroom for a couple of days.

Lest you think we were insensitive, we did discuss the possibility of famous remains (e.g. the Oakland County Child Killer and Page Marie), however never really thought to call you about Jimmy. Besides, we are pretty sure they were deer bones. We do have pictures, if you would like them.

Sincerely,



A Milford resident

Back from the Oregon Trail

It was beautiful. It was nice to see something new. It was wonderful to be in a place where fibers and fabrics and things related are appreciated, and apparently are big business. I visited three yarn shops!! The first, the Yarn Garden was wonderful. A very nice selection, and nice but not pushy people. I bought stuff I didn't need, but wanted at a reasonable price from a great selection.

The next one was in the "Pearl District". Definitely uptown. Really nice yarn, but pricey (of course what would you expect really nice yarn to cost?) It was a cute shop with an enthusiastic keeper, who sensed immediately that 1) I knew something about knitting and 2) I was a bargain hunter. She left me alone, and worked on more impressionable customers buying $20.00 balls of exquisite wool so they could teach their ten year olds to knit.

I found the bargain bins in the basement. 40%off. Bought another thing I did not need, but wanted, and it was "reduced". Hand dyed, and in my colors!

Third store was the snootiest store. They would (for a price) knit up their pricey yarn for you. She was not interested in knitters (except maybe for slave labor). Interesting--seems you can make a living selling very expensive yarn to the clueless if you have some slave knitters tucked away.

I returned with new additions to my stash. Also visited a needlepoint store, a button store and a very nice fabric store, but bought only a pattern for a jacket. Portland, you are still a wonderland for the home ecers among us (as long as we have enough cash!)

Rocks, Elk, Slides, etc. On the Oregon Trail

We decided to go to the "beach". It required a two hour ride through the rainy wine country, and then arrival in a typical shore town, resplendent with wind sock sellers and taffy vendors. It was hard to see the beach for all the resorts and condos.

We drove up 101 to Tillamock--taking the scenic route whenever available. Oregon has beautiful beaches. (Note, the tour guide warns anyone entering the water to beware of logs--honest! I could see why!). In Tillamok we visited the cheese factory and had some really good ice cream. Then we took the drive back through the mountains--absolutely beautiful, but full of dire warnings of Elk! Slides! Rocks! Snow! Fortunately, it was an uneventful day for our drive through. Except for a little one lane bridge construction, we just enjoyed the forest.

The moss is notable. They get 90 inches of rain a year. The moss is everywhere!! I have seen whole buildings taken over with mossiness!!! Very strange looking.

Oregon is beautiful. Am amazed that not more people live here. I suppose if that happens, it won't be so beautiful.

Oregon Day 4-Beauty!

Today, because we promised to toil under the cover of darkness, we were let out mid-afternoon. Although it was the beginning of rush hour before they stopped talking, Mr. CP and I were on our way in traffic that the residents of our home metro area would not even comment on in their Traffic copters....and in a short time we were headed east along the Columbia River Valley. Absolutely breathtaking. In less time and fewer miles than I drive from home to my office, we were at the pass--lovely!

Amazingly very few seem to live very much beyond the city. Such a different way of life! We had to get gas along the way, and the little man came bounding out to pump it....not only willingly, but required by state law. So unlike our usual existence.

Love the mountains, love the little man pumping the gas, loved the views. But especially loved the waterfalls!

I can see what Lewis and Clark saw in the place!

Bingo on the Oregon Trail-day 3!

After a FULL day of meetings, the hotel hosted a "guest reception". They had food from a Greek restaurant, beer, wine, soft drinks, and Bingo. Really, bingo! There was a whole room full of adults from our conference (most of whom have Masters and PHD's) enticed into playing bingo with pinto beans for markers--not your usual bingo crowd. Mr. CP even got into a few rounds. That was hilarious!

Funny what people will do for a bottle of wine (the prizes). We didn't win. Mr. CP got bored, and tired, and went upstairs. Once the food ran out, the crowd left pretty quickly.

I kept thinking how proud the mothers of those cute, young managers would be of their bingo calling sons! All that money for a hospitality degree, and they end up being bingo callers (but cute in suits and ties)!!! Odd how things work out!

Flip Flops on the Oregon Trail

"They all wear Flip flops"!--Mr. Cp's assessment of the place we are visiting. Perhaps our home climate is wrong, perhaps our friends are just not that "into" flip flops, or perhaps Mr. CP needs to get out more. He honestly observed this footwear preference while on vacation, and found it to be an "unacceptable" oddity.

The city makes him antsy. He had to find some suburbs today.

This city is "nice". Streetcars are free. People walk around on the streets. Most are youngish--20 and 30 somethings. Lots and lots of Tats--another things most of our generation has not embraced. Not little, subtle tats. HUGE, colorful, very visible tats on arms, necks, legs, chests, etc. 1 is right. Laser removal will have its day!

My presentations went "well". This group is a lot like a group attending a wake, and I have been to wakes that are more fun. But at least all I have to do now is sit and listen.

So, although many are wearing various kinds of sandals, Mr. CP has written the natives off as a bunch of urbanized tattooed flip flop wearers. He really does need the suburbs!!!

It is official

4's offer on the "perfect house" is accepted. Still a few more hurdles, but it is looking more like "home"!

Adventure on the Oregon Trail...Day 1

Another early call to be at the airport..Mr. CP in tow. Tried the curb side check in--he deemed slick!!! Dutifully waited with the carry on stuff while he parked and shuttled unencumbered by "stuff".

Security was interesting with sling and brace,etc...Then Mr. cp got upgraded. He was happy:) I however was not upgraded :( however did not expect to be, so was O.K. Did get to board with "those needing assistance"--and good thing too!

I had seat 14C. However the plane did not. NWA had given me a phantom seat! I went back to the "it is too early in the morning for you to bug me" lady at the check in, and after much explanation, and two more boarding passes for seat 14C, I calmly told her AGAIN that there was no such seat on this plane!! Finally, she called someone, muttered a lot, and gave me a boarding pass for 17C.

I was just the beginning of her problem, as there were three rows of other people with no seats either! (I was just the first to appear, due to the assisting part!) At one point, the gate agent boarded the plane and admitted that she had no idea who was on this plane, so if she called out your name, indicate that you were on board. I think people, who had been rioting over "open seating" ,were hesitant to do so, lest they be pulled off....Too much weirdness for my morning.

We had a tail wind, and got to Portland early. Thus had to wait for a gate, and they got the luggage locations all goofed up. It is sunny :) and hot. The luggage arrived, the rental car is a Buick (?), and the freeway was closed. No, really, completely closed!! Thank goodness for GPS, and we have already had the scenic tour of Portland.

So far so good. Tonight we eat...Up the street. Mr. Cp says he can walk. He should sleep well (I hope). Tomorrow I work, and he goes off to play in the wine country....Stay tuned.

You cannot just "run in" to a yarn store

I am going to Portland for a week. I will need to take some sock knitting. Problem is I have 4 or more projects, all in some state near completion,and all unsuitable for a week long trips amusement.

I decided that I wanted to do the pink and black yarn next...but wanted (needed?) reinforcement yarn for toe and heel. So on my "todo" list was the yarn store. Needed black reinforcement yarn. Navy and beige would be good to have too.

Alas, they had no black. Did have beige and grey. Bought that as insurance that it would go away too! Of course saw some purple/beige sock yarn I liked. So more goes into the basket. I still have to find something to take along to knit!

I shouldn't be such an ADD knitter, but it is almost impossible. I have different moods. Different situations. Different lighting and seating. Need different knitting. Only another ADD sock knitter would understand.....

"4" is a real adult!

She will have mortgage debt! That is real!

She found "the" house. It is adorable, and so 4! The cats will love the dining room by day and the upstairs landing in the afternoon. She loves the mail slot, doorbell, the hardwood floors,and the cuteness. Will be so Pottery Barn/Restoration Hardware!! It has good vibes!

It's a grandma b house on steroids with a grandpa B garage on steroids. (We will have to take some lawn chairs, and sit in the doorway of the garage to drink a beer in his memory!) Unfortunately, has a grandma F kitchen (actually worse, if that is possible)where only the cabinet hardware is worth keeping, but we can help her fix that in time.....

I can't wait to plant the ferns and lilies of the valley, and maybe a few hostas...These are "family" foundation plantings.....Handed down from house to house. Needs some day lilies too. And tulips. Must consult on the color. 1's scheme is purple and white. Think 4 will want RED!...Maybe yellow. She will have the sun for daisy's!

It is so exciting.....Now I have a place to move her "stuff"! 4 will be a real grown up with a mortgage, and a little old man neighbor, and grass to mow, and a darn cute doorbell with a mail slot and short drive to work!

Must remember to get her a show shovel for her birthday.....

...and the walls come tumbling' down!

Today was another adventure in house shopping with 4. She had previewed and preselected several, with "the one" on the leaderboard. She was convinced. Cute, Clean, in her price range.

I was less sure, but we went there second. (The first house was cute, inexpensive, painted by someone who had no clue how to paint, had a doggie door that 4 felt no need for, and needed new windows and some siding--making it ultimately, not cheap!)

The pines towered above the house, being planted as tiny things 60 years ago...She thought they were charming. I saw sticky gutter clogers that were going to be expensive to cut down without damaging the house....

The porch was covered with "artificial grass"--probably glued on with some kind of absolutely super sticky stuff that would never cove off--She had not noticed?? (Was she blind!)? We ducked under the pines, scooted past the tacky fake flowers on the step, and behold the lovely floors within.

Really very nice, except for the place where there once was something (a fireplace?) and the floor was patched, oddly. Nice paint, nice redone kitchen, nice bath, three bedrooms, one down, two up. Sparkling, new paint everywhere! (windows hard to open--original, but painted nicely!) Eye candy!!

Then we went to the basement.... 4 pulled out her flashlight!! (MR. CP would have been so proud!!) and began to inspect the rear wall with great interest (I did not share her interest...so I began to look around. Something was not quite right. Two jack stands...not where one would expect jack stands...then I saw it!!

The basement walls were "pushed in"! Second row of cinder block slanted out---below slanted in. Other side was opposite....whole house was going south!!! (Lest you fear for our lives, it probably had been leaning this way for quite some time....). 4 had the "reject look" when she stopped inspecting the wall.

I explained hydrostatic forces (or attempted to). The realtor looked annoyed (or mystified by my explanation of why the house had a bad foundation!). We scampered out , gave the back a courtesy look, and said "not our house". The realtor later called insisting that the owner would call in a structural engineer to certify that the foundation was o.k.---caveat emptor!!

Turns out that the interest in wall inspection was due to new paint since 2 days ago visit! Seems 4 had taken exception to "mold" on that wall, which must have been in the feed back to the owner/flipper.

So, flipper person...We are not buying your house, or your little game. Caveat emptor--or why it is good to take your mother along when deciding on a house. Turns out, she knows a few things from life experience....our pictures are probably up on the realtors board---first an attic with asbestos (hope the buyers will not get cancer---and glad it is them, not us, dealing with it!) Now the hydrostatic action......

For the happy ending, we did come away with 5 possibilities. One of the first two will probably be "the one". Both are sound, cute, affordable, and close to a starbucks ( C1 was right....First find the starbucks, and it will lead you to the right neighborhoods!).....Offer(s) to follow!

Metro Cool

DC was not cool--at least not temp wise. It was cool in other ways. In just 7 years, there has been much "urban renewal"--much nicer now. Condo's and Cafe's and vibrant neighborhoods...

Still lots of street people, beggars, etc. Hard to see people sleeping in the statues and on the monuments--would think they would be rounded up--but know that isn't easy.

Went to the DAR museum. Learned two new things. "Pudding rings". Interesting. Also the origins of bows on the backs of children's dresses. Walked past the south lawn of the white house. Did the moonlight monuments tour with our group. Kind of fun. Too fast to really see monuments (and dark). Mostly a drive by! Still interesting. If you know where to look, you can see the Kennedy eternal flame from the memorial bridge. Coolest view was from Arlington near the cemetery, where everything lines up...Lincoln, Washington, Capital Hill....Quite pretty at night.

But, best of all was finding jeans that fit--on sale!!

I need to get out more!

Hot time in the city

D.C. was hot. It is summer there! Had a great conference, found some bargains, saw some interesting stuff.

Mr. Cat was thrilled that I cam back! Apparently Mr. CP needs more direction than "feed the cat"--which he only did once a day.

Mr. Cat is thrilled that I am back! So nice to be loved, if only for your ability to pull the lid off the cat food can!

Rearranging the hostas

It is that time of the year. It is when I want to play hookey and dig in my flower beds. Today I rearranged some hostas, some lilies of the valley, and filled to huge pots with dirt. I hauled them down to sit majestically on the two stumps left from the removal of the ash trees. It still looks like the Asian bugs killed my trees, but I feel better about it.

I sprayed the deer and rabbit repellent. Sort of in time. Not much eaten yet. Mostly the rabbit I believe. Need to weed. Want to have time to just play in the dirt....Don't.

Must organize my life so I can go to Washington DC for a few days. Always makes me nervous...The flight, being there. 5 years has not made it less so. Always pack too much. Am trying to right size. Hard to do. Cleaned my purse--wouldn't want to have to part with my Swiss army knife. So much to think of. Pack your snacks. Have your ID. Make sure you can lift your carry on over your head....Makes me tired just thinking about it.

Hopefully, I will return unscathed, the house buying agnst will be over, and then I will have time to tackle the weeds!

Game man

Mr. cp got a berry phone! Seems the blue toothed-ness of the car, paired with the injured wing was motivation to embrace the new technology that is available to his level of person.

Took him to the Dr. today--still knitting. Not me, his shoulder bone. 4 more weeks of complaining as he struggles with the splint. They are sending him for an mri--then will decide about the knee....

So, all the way there and all the way home, when he is usually complaining about how I don't know how to drive...he was playing with his multi-purpose electronic toy--it is like game boy for men!! Checking email, editing calendars, organizing stuff....
Probably not as good as Nightmare Before Christmas for game boy, but kept him busy, entertained, distracted from my inability to drive, and thrilled with his ability to tame the "thing"!

Game man....what price sanity?

Location, Location, Location...

C4 is moving closer to work. After doing her income taxes, she is determined to go from apt. Dweller to homeowner. I advised her to pre-qualify for a mortgage and start looking. She surffed the internet. (never mind the back story--if they would just listen to their parents in the first place!)

She found a realtor. The realtor told her to get prequalified. Then they could look at houses. She got prequalified (seemed surprised)(note that parental unit had given this advice and was ignored) and went off to look at houses. She looked at 8. Found 6 to be various degrees of "awful" and "rejects" (duh!)

Then, she called, and invited me to look at the leading two candidates. C1 and I drive to Kzoo (needed a day away from Mr. CP anyway) to see these "gems". First was my definition of awful. Second not much better. Know the realtor thought we were crazy. We though the realtor was "nice"--but offered not much info.

Sans realtor, in an hour, we had scoped the neighborhood, made a list, and laid out a plan for C4. She now has many more houses to look at. At our urging, she went to open houses today. Is headed in the right direction. Wants it to be easy....It never is! At least she is getting a geography lesson.

We have done c4 a disservice. She was too little, not interested, away at school, etc. when we have done the house hunts. C1 was almost always a participant....C4 is house hunting naive. C1 has an impressive grasp of plumbing, electrical panels, ductwork, and structural integrity.

I hope we get through this with C4 intact. She is fragile (and clueless)....And it is totally our fault! Of course, it will be her house, and once she buys it, it will be perfect. She just needs to kiss all the frogs....and find the time to accomplish this important task to find the real "prince"!

Stay tuned!

Who Knew?

I am now in day 6 of the invalid husband game. (Talk about circles of hell!) It is truly amazing how many things a person who is incapacitated needs--usually just seconds after I have finally sat down, or started on a time sensitive project.

My saving grace has been Magnum PI. Who knew that they rerun the old episodes at noon every day. I build my day around it now. On the few occasions that I have forayed into daytime TV I discovered the wedding story, baby story, gardening shows, the noon news, the today show, Ellen, Oprah, etc. Who knew that you could watch the Invasion of Normandy, Magnum PI, the building of the San Francisco Bay bridge, and all kinds of other fodder also on daytime TV? Most peppered with commercials for some type of ED medication or "cure".....Guess I am not the target market!

So MCP is propped up in front of Magnum, enjoying the Hawaiian breezes vicariously. I have at least 1/2 hour before he will need anything--sigh of relief!

GO! -Blue

The saga of the injured husband continues. At at the major research hospital they are obsessed with labeling EVERYTHING with their big blue and gold "M". Now most people would not care, except that we are a family of spartans, and only "do" green and white.

I have been looking at the huge M on the sling, thinking about how a large white S, crafted correctly could almost cover it. Then they added the brace--which comes with it's own "M". Six weeks is a long time, so I guess I will have to detour past a bookstore soon to see if I can find the appropriate cover ups.


In the frenzy of acquiring something that Mr. Pants could wear, I picked up two lounge outfits--the featured item of the week--one for each major university. Today, he noticed yet another "M" on the lounge pants, and wanted to know why I did not just get two sets of "S" wear! (Just so you know it is not just me!)


Who knew that a major teaching/research hospital cared so much about their football team!!

Invalid

So we go off to see the wizard...The ortho guy at the big research hospital. The office personnel were efficient. The forms were dumb, but only because our injury did not fit the pre-defined questions. The exam rooms were small for a big guy and the wheelchair, and the resident was "cute" (and very young looking).

So after some poking and flexing, and pointing at the X rays (which we have the souvenir edition of to bring home) it was determined that there is really nothing that we can do about the broken shoulder but wait--take pain pills, and use a sling. 6 Weeks should bring healing, and we will re-xray. Then the physical therapy will begin.

The knee is another issue. Too swollen to do anything about. Ordered up a nifty hip to ankle brace, and in 6 weeks will see what we can do about it.....At least he can use the walker to get to the bathroom...

So for lots of dollars (supplied by my insurance company)we will continue to continue...And in 6 weeks we will reevaluate. In the mean time, lets hope the vicodin helps make him less crabby!

Getting to know U

So, I had thirteen hours to "experience" the ER--and it is not at all like the TV show of the same name. Major teaching hospital, ambulance bay, and people in scrubs--and there the similarities end.

No Jerry, no Sam, no Luca. Triage had nice male nurses--or at least nurses good enough to make you think they care for the 10 minutes that they record your vitals and complaints. Gatekeepers they are--deciding where you go next. Ours took vitals and a history, looked up the number, and helped with the undressing (not easy)--and with good intentions, routed us to X-ray, packed in ice.

I guess another similarity with the TV show was that we waited in the hall. Next to an empty gurney and some trash bins. Seems there was no room wherever it is that one would normally wait for X-ray. In what seemed like forever for Mr. Pants, but was really not all that long, a perky X-ray person (you can tell by the color coded shirts--posters are all over the place showing the coding of the dress) whisked Mr. Pants and his ice off to the X-rays, while the "unit clerk" who had come looking for us, ushered me to a curtain--small cube on the corner. The nurse for this curtain showed up promptly, but with no patient, there was nothing to do. Pleasant chat, then she was gone.

Over the next hour, as I sat knitting, various hospital employees came and went--housekeeping guy emptied the wastebaskets, Tan scrubs showed up with a chart and some labels, white coat Dr. Breezed in, read the papers, looked quizzically at me until I explained about the X-Rays, and then disappeared. Blue scrubs nurse checked as she walked by to see if there was a patient.

They brought an older lady into the curtain next door. She was profoundly deaf--causing quite a stir among the help--and a little frustration for her husband, who had to explain her plight over and over and over....And although I know it was "confidential", with everyone yelling at the poor woman, and the retelling, I know every detail of her illness while in Arizona. Dialysis. Kidney transplant. Kidney failure again. Removal of transplanted organ. Staples. Fever, more dialysis, High blood pressure. Headaches. Coughing, etc. etc. etc. Poor woman. No easy answers. They were our neighbors for 10 hours until she disappeared into the "hospital" for admitting.

There were wandering pregnant women. Lots of assorted companions. A majorly intoxicated man that the police brought in. The Medical Examiner (honest), with someone at the desk (this could happen on ER) yelling who called the ME?? There was a lady who needed stitches in her chin (fell on the ice), and several worried parents with screaming dehydrated little ones. There were old guys with IV's, ladies crumpled on gurneys with husbands holding the coats (and staring into space). There was lots of activity--but none of it seemed to this observer to get anyone either closer to a cure, or out of there. There was a mysterious "holding area" where people were sent--usually after hours and hours in the ER--to be held for whatever was coming next.

Mr. Pants returned from X-ray without the ice packs, and without the pillow they had provided in X=ray. He was gurneied at this point, and trying to be brave in the face of the pain. The blue (nurse) looked at his wounds, confirmed some info, and said we need to wait for the X-rays. We waited, and waited, and waited.

I found bathrooms. Had to find several, as it seems that there are many more people using them than the number they have. Eventually, I figured out that if you leave the ER and go into the "family" waiting room (where no one was waiting) that you had a good shot at an empty restroom (cleaner too!). Of course, you then needed a sticker, and you were supposed to get the official looking family room attendant to buzz you in....But with the sticker and good timing, I found, I could skip that step, and scoot through the doors.

We had arrived before lunch. It was now well past dinner. We were still waiting, although there were some semblance of bandaging. Also some Dr. walking in and out....Honest, just walking in and out. I asked about getting some food. The tan shirt told me that they could order guest trays, but they were expensive, and in her opinion, not very tasty. She recommended the WEndy's. When it was approaching my bedtime, I decided to set out in search of food. A purple gave me directions--down this hall, turn left, through the doors, left again. Take the elevators to 2. Seemed simple enough.

Got to the elevators, feeling strangely like I was tresspassing. I once worked in an urgent care, so I have some "health care sense"--and much like the time I ended up in the restricted to government workers only area of the basement of the capitol in Washington DC, I sensed that I was not in the most public of areas in this hospital. The doors opened at 2--I stepped out, and was in the operating room hallway--thank goodness there were signs, and I found my way to another family waiting room (surgical), and with more sign reading, found eventually "information".

The info lady (in street clothes, apparently either they ran out of colors, or information is so rare that it does not have a uniform) was nice, and said, go back the way you came. You got off at 2, and should have gone to the other 2. (You would think that if they had 2 2's, someone giving directions should have mentioned it. Use the East elevators!

Again, sign reading led me to the cafeteria, and a sharp left, led to the Wendy's right there in the middle of a major research hospital! No tables, just a queue, and some typical fast food workers. Fast, but not mensa candidates. I got some food, thinking how ironic it was that in a health center one could get frosties and fries without even going outside, and found my way back to the ER, where we were still waiting.

I am sure that there is no marketing plan which lays out the scenario that the plan is to keep ER patients there until the brink of starvation to increase Wendy's sales, but it had that effect.

So, here we were, at 10 at night using a gurney for a table, munching our fast food...While we waited......Just before we were moved to the "holding area"....

To be continued.....

He can't afford a big enough diamond...

When you promise for better or worse...You never really have an accurate concept of the possible variations of "worse".

The buyer was on his way with the trailer, and I was experiencing the joy that his mother must have felt when he sold the kawisaki to by the engagement ring! (note: her joy was not over the engagement, but over the bike being gone) Mr. CP had been admonished to let D. do it, as he was out in the garage rooting around for various parts to send off with the bike. I gave him "the look".

Mr. CP, in a total lapse of judgment, or rebellion, or something "male", decided to take the 700cc Honda motorcycle "out" as the front brakes were "wrong". Sometimes people with testosterone in their systems make incomprehensible decisions....Take the bike for a ride because the brakes were malfunctioning...In the snow.....That is something that a woman certainly cannot fathom.

I am upstairs, reveling in the vision of being able to get into my parked car in the garage without having to snake around the handlebars of the bike, when the phone rings...."Come pick me up,I just broke my leg!"...Love getting those calls!

13 hours in emergency, an hour of X-rays, much pain (me too,the chairs were uncomfortable)...He has a broken shoulder (that is the translation, as the actual medical diagnosis is scarier) and a messed up knee...Exact problem TBD. It collapses when he puts any weight on it. (sounds like potential knee surgery to me, but then I am only a limited expert on this topic, having been there, and gotten that T-shirt.

I have had to rearrange the furniture and rearrange my life to accommodate Mr. CP's rearrangement of him body. We now have a bed in the dining room, wheelchair in the living room, assist bars in the 1/2 bath. He is propped in front of the TV in his recliner--cleaner now as the chippie crumbs fell out on the way up from the man cave! He can't walk, can't move....Amazing how hard it is to be the spouse of an invalid, even when you have good equipment.

Will be an interesting week...Go to ortho on Thurs. They are in no hurry. I cannot wait...pass the vicodin....Oh, wait, that is for MR. CP!

Honey--do!

Well, today we had the septic tank pumped. It was time according to the schedule! It turned out to be quite an event, as after locating the 'tank" (honest, Dean said that he remembered our tank from 2002!?!?!), the digging began, and promptly sliced our cable.

Mr. Crabby Pants cannot live without cable! Already being sickly and all, it was not good for his blood pressure,something we were told to avoid! Dean was very apologetic, but it was not his fault. The Cable wasn't there last time he visited our tank. The silly cable company had run it exactly over the center of the hatches (yes, we have two!) There was no way to empty the tank without damaging the cable.

The cable guy got here about 5 ...And now we have both an empty tank and another orange cable across the grass (that will probably annoy the lawn mowing guys.)

Anyway we had no scum (good) and I got to not only observe, but take pictures of the waste management system. It is much bigger and much less smelly than I thought. I saw the baffles (replaced last time) and will be able to mark the location of the tank hatches this spring to make the next pumping easier.

Will put it on the schedule for about 4 years, and will hope the cable people will avoid the spot--will have to use the snow markers temporarily to scare them away from the tank! Interesting the things you learn when you moved to the country!

Two halfs--but not a whole!

This post is about sock knitting frustration. March is a good month to knit socks (but then so is just about any other as long as you have central air). I had garden socks (now done), some "manly" socks (in a holding pattern, as have run out of yarn) and some really soft interesting ringle type socks (for me) going. Just broke out some multicolor BRIGHT bernat yarn......lots of halfs, no wholes....

And I had been so good about the whole ADD thing!

Chip and Dale

The chipmunks have decided to invade my house! Apparently the Chipmunk massacre of 2005 (see prior post) was not the fault of a careless husband, as they have appeared again in the water treatment area. I am not sure how one gets rid of chipmunks in ones well room.....Must look for "rat traps", I believe. I saw some sticky traps today, but they did not look like they would slow them down enough.

Cannot let the cat get them. Think that is what has made him sick. You never know were they have been!! They are currently being deterred by a few cases of Molson's blocking the space under the door --hope it works. Thank goodness for empty beer bottles and warm weather.

The house has its own set of noises, some of which are strange. But the first indication was a "new" noise in the mud room. Haven't heard it lately. Maybe it is nice enough to stay outside. Will keep you posted, as I am sure it will not be this easy to eradicate the pests!

Wonders of the Work World

Through an odd set of circumstances, Z. Was dropped off at my workplace to be transported "home" (which really was only to my house....S had to pick him up there, but it saved her over 100 miles and a few hours.)

It was supposed to be Wednesday at 4:30, but turned into Thursday at 2:30. This meant that I needed to keep Z. "busy" for two hours while I finished working for the day. I went to the dollar store, and found a 6-pack of colored mechanical pencils--really wanted markers, but had to settle. Figured he would like to color.

Reality was that he liked the mechanical pencils! Something I had forgotten...The little boy fascination with mechanical pencils, and how "cool" it is to have some. Z. made a birthday card for D...Involving using a clip board, stapler, etc....Took quite some time.

Then we visited the snack shop--food is always good for a few more minutes. He choose carefully (probably unlike the choices of the prior few days) sensing that my guidelines were probably going to be very similar to S's. Actually they aren't, but at least it was admirable that he "clicked into" respecting the S list. Of course, my co-workers are suckers for the occasional kid that hangs out there, so they had candies from their candy bowls, pens with goofy tops, and other "stuff" to fill his goody bag with prizes!

Who knew that the most fascinating thing in my office according to Z. is the freight elevator!?! I had never really though about it.

Temporary Insanity

I was on a road trip, with extra time before meeting my group for dinner. I had my list of yarn shops, so managed to find one nearby. It was "cute"--multiple "stores" in this cool turn of the century house. The yarns were in the "parlor and dining room"--best part of the place was the quit fabrics--which filled up several rooms... And did eventually suck me in (where I also bought some fabric I did not need.)

They had added scrapbooking, which was gradually creeping into the yarn space...Like a cancer! They had interesting sock yarn (like I needed any), which I fondled for awhile, and found one ball that was very interesting......Of course there was no second. I also checked out all of the sample socks--(probably the reason only one ball was left, as they always only have one on display!) I recognized many of the patterns from several of my growing collection of sock knitting books, so of course, became excited about trying something "new"--alas, there was no solid color yarn, needed to showcase the intricate patterns. (Thus maintaining the need to continue the quest for more sock yarn!)

Then it "grabbed me"--some "tucked in the back" balls of Regia in bright spring colors. The sun was shining, the weather mild (for winter!) and I thought---I need this to make bright spring socks for planting my flowers! Temporary insanity!

Now that I have started them--what was I thinking!?? Obviously not thinking! The orange leaps out at me.....Rule: never , never, again buy yarn with ORANGE, no matter how "minor" a player it looks like it is going to be. These socks are NEON! The ball of yarn looks "perky" and "fresh"....The resulting socks are shockingly, um....Shocking!

At least they are warm, and the yarn is nice to knit. They would make great little kid socks, and definitely cannot get lost in the wash. There will be some left overs, so I can play with that little socks thing. They will be wonderful socks for gardening, retirement, or a Halloween costume accessory!!

Moral of the story: Just like you should not judge a book by its cover, you should not picture the finished product based on how the ball of yarn looks......