Oh, boy. The A's won the Division, and my granddaughter and I heard the 9th inning on the radio and screamed, along with my husband. She and I had been to our favorite plant nursery and she had found A's pumpkins, and we were completely prepared for victory. I've just finished hovering over the sports sections of the newspapers - so gratifying. Yesterday I called my kids, except for the one who lives in another state, and they were just as excited. It turned out our younger son had seen the two night games before yesterday's clincher.
It was especially soothing, because I did not like the debate last night, and thought Romney's aggressive stance would be taken for being presidential, and from the papers, it seems it has. I thought he insulted Jim Lehrer, and that he trampled all over the format and the moderator. The public wants to see a fight, and dualism personified, and I wish we could get the discourse beyond black and white, rhetoric and sound bites. I don't think we did, because the form of TV commands drama and pugilism and simplifying ideas. I hate watching these things. I feel diminished just sitting there like a sap.
Oh, well. Back to the A's. Ain't they grand?!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Old Age Day by Day October 3, 2012
Well, the A's won again, and gee, they might even cinch the Division today. It's very happy late summer news, and it certainly takes the edge of the Fall doldrums. I have my granddaughter this afternoon, and she and her family are rabid A's fans, so we'll probably be discussing the team. At seven she's seen a lot more games her her years on earth than I have in those seven years. We also will do a little Halloween decorating and stop for an ice cream for her and probably play games. She's a lot of fun at this age, and she also likes to have heart to heart talks, which are endearing.
In the meantime we are getting estimates today for having our kitchen floor redone yet again. It's not that old, about fourteen years, but there has been a fire, and two floods from the refrigerator, and this will be the fourth repair. Of course, the heavy, claw footed dogs don't help either, or the chairs scraping back and forth from the table. I should have gone with concrete. It must be done. We've reached the tipping point of standing the eyesore of it. Then, onto painting, which I dread, but it must be done. These old houses just nag at you until they get fixed. I hear it loud and clear.
In the meantime we are getting estimates today for having our kitchen floor redone yet again. It's not that old, about fourteen years, but there has been a fire, and two floods from the refrigerator, and this will be the fourth repair. Of course, the heavy, claw footed dogs don't help either, or the chairs scraping back and forth from the table. I should have gone with concrete. It must be done. We've reached the tipping point of standing the eyesore of it. Then, onto painting, which I dread, but it must be done. These old houses just nag at you until they get fixed. I hear it loud and clear.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Old Age Day by Day October 2, 2012
Well, my beloved baseball team is in the playoffs! I am thrilled! I'd like to see them take the Division outright, but we'll see. They're young, they're crazy, they are in love with baseball, as they should be. May the force be with them. I was so excited last night I couldn't get to sleep right away, and neither could my husband. Okay, maybe it's not important in the larger scheme of things, but it's fun.
Now I've got to decide if I'm going to the game tonight, or if I'd be bad luck. There is a whole lot of magical thinking in my baseball attitude. I admit it. I don't want to jinx the team. They did win the last time I went, but the times before, well, it wasn't a pretty picture. If I had a palm reader handy.
Now I've got to decide if I'm going to the game tonight, or if I'd be bad luck. There is a whole lot of magical thinking in my baseball attitude. I admit it. I don't want to jinx the team. They did win the last time I went, but the times before, well, it wasn't a pretty picture. If I had a palm reader handy.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Old Age Day by Day October 1, 2012
Well, howdy do. It's October. I don't know where September got off to. So here comes Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas. I went in a craft store a couple of days ago and there was the whole season assaulting my eyes. I was buying scrapbooks for my granddaughter's pictures, and it took a firm grip on my mind to not veer in the holiday isles. And I don't even WANT to buy that stuff. It's hypnotic.
What I do want to do today is get an LED lantern and more flashlights and a battery radio, because on Saturday we lost power for one hour two separate times, and it made me realize all my emergency stuff has migrated to the cabin, which is good, the power often goes out up there, but I am ill prepared here for an earthquake. Sitting in a dark room my flashlight was NOT a romantic way to have our dinner. And my husband had to drive out to get our meal in an area with electricity, or otherwise we would have had cold sandwiches.
My lack of preparation reminds me that I think like the herds. We borrow with no ability to repay if things go south, we don't plan sensibly, then get angry at officials for not having the water and food and things we need to survive. We're like helpless babies. I like to think of myself as sensible, but I do not have tucked away cash in the house, or extra toliet paper etc. I used to, then got blaise. No more. I'm going to stock up today, not out of negativity, but knowing I'm not helpless and should not act that way, and because it is so easy, and I will not think well of myself if something happens and I have not at least done these few preparations that are wise. Mother nature does not promise us the unalienable right to electricity and clean water and food and shelter. She's got other things on her mind.
What I do want to do today is get an LED lantern and more flashlights and a battery radio, because on Saturday we lost power for one hour two separate times, and it made me realize all my emergency stuff has migrated to the cabin, which is good, the power often goes out up there, but I am ill prepared here for an earthquake. Sitting in a dark room my flashlight was NOT a romantic way to have our dinner. And my husband had to drive out to get our meal in an area with electricity, or otherwise we would have had cold sandwiches.
My lack of preparation reminds me that I think like the herds. We borrow with no ability to repay if things go south, we don't plan sensibly, then get angry at officials for not having the water and food and things we need to survive. We're like helpless babies. I like to think of myself as sensible, but I do not have tucked away cash in the house, or extra toliet paper etc. I used to, then got blaise. No more. I'm going to stock up today, not out of negativity, but knowing I'm not helpless and should not act that way, and because it is so easy, and I will not think well of myself if something happens and I have not at least done these few preparations that are wise. Mother nature does not promise us the unalienable right to electricity and clean water and food and shelter. She's got other things on her mind.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Old Age Day by Day September 28, 2012
My younger daughter snuck into the house early this morning before work to borrow some pjs. It's pajama day at her school, and I assume she figured her mom would have the most ridiculous pajamas. What does this say about my style and taste?! I dare not think. She took the green apple pjs, but I have not idea how she's going to keep the pants up, as I am the apple shape not she. Anyway, she figures the kids will be so wired with the costuming that no work will get done anyway, so if the pants fall down it will be in keeping with the circus atmosphere.
It's pretty deary here and foggy, and I've already conned my husband into seeing a matinee film later, as I'm going stir crazy with lack of plans this week. I like to get out every day, and he's content walking the dogs and being done with the world. Yes, we are an extrovert and an introvert. It's a classic battle. Luckily, almost all my friends are extroverts as well as the kids, so I have people to do things with. And he is willing to hold the fort down at home. Too willing, in my book.
It's pretty deary here and foggy, and I've already conned my husband into seeing a matinee film later, as I'm going stir crazy with lack of plans this week. I like to get out every day, and he's content walking the dogs and being done with the world. Yes, we are an extrovert and an introvert. It's a classic battle. Luckily, almost all my friends are extroverts as well as the kids, so I have people to do things with. And he is willing to hold the fort down at home. Too willing, in my book.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Old Age Day by Day September 27m 2012
Well, I did not do my driving test, because they wanted the form from my eye doctor which was the sole reason I came in 21 days ago when I presented it to them. They neglected to tell me I needed to bring it in yet again, when I did the test. They made me reschedule Oct. 18, and I have to bring in the form that I already brought in last time. I will be grinding my teeth a great deal today, I can just feel it. So I still have the temporary license, but all that anxiety from last night and this morning wasted! Only to be whipped up again in two weeks. Ye gods!
I was going to celebrate if I passed the test. I think I'll just celebrate not losing my mind completely. I was very mature with the DMV guy, very gracious. No yelling, just jokey and friendly. But inside, a tyrannasaurus rex was raging. "This is idiotic," I wanted to say. "I could be back with the form in 15 minutes, can't you squeeze me in?" But maybe by then my frame of mind would have made me run over a pedestrian or worse. This is how they rid the state of licensed drivers. Getting the numbers down of legit drivers, so the manics without licenses, who have been driven crazy by the rules, just take us out like bowling pins.
Oh, well, I still stick by the truth that the DMV employees are really, really nice and friendly. But I really, really don't want to see any of them ever again.
I was going to celebrate if I passed the test. I think I'll just celebrate not losing my mind completely. I was very mature with the DMV guy, very gracious. No yelling, just jokey and friendly. But inside, a tyrannasaurus rex was raging. "This is idiotic," I wanted to say. "I could be back with the form in 15 minutes, can't you squeeze me in?" But maybe by then my frame of mind would have made me run over a pedestrian or worse. This is how they rid the state of licensed drivers. Getting the numbers down of legit drivers, so the manics without licenses, who have been driven crazy by the rules, just take us out like bowling pins.
Oh, well, I still stick by the truth that the DMV employees are really, really nice and friendly. But I really, really don't want to see any of them ever again.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Old Age Day by Day September25, 2012
Tomorrow I have my DMV driving test, because of my eyes. I'm nervous and though I know I drive fine, it's like when you see a police car and feel like you're about to get arrested, though you aren't actually guilty of anything. I imagine a car around me doing something sudden and crazy and me doing the wrong thing, or not looking long and carefully enough, or not being able to merge into the lane on the freeway. There are so many ways it could go wrong. I need a tranquillizer! On the other hand, they absolutely should test me, and I am not the best judge of my driving. Oh, heck, I'm just going to have to make the through the test and survive either way! I have to remember not to hit another car or pedestrian or bicyclist - and where I live that's a daily challenge.
My friend called last night and said her son and his wife are expecting their second child. That was really great news, and I'm so happy for her and them. They are fabulous parents and it will be adorable to be a witness again to their wise and gentle treatment of their children. And it is so fun to be a kind of distant Auntie to the kids. Happy news being shared is one of the great perks of friendships.
My friend called last night and said her son and his wife are expecting their second child. That was really great news, and I'm so happy for her and them. They are fabulous parents and it will be adorable to be a witness again to their wise and gentle treatment of their children. And it is so fun to be a kind of distant Auntie to the kids. Happy news being shared is one of the great perks of friendships.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)