A dreary morning, but hopefully, like yesterday, it will warm up in the afternoon and get sunny. I'm going out to lunch with two friends, and look forward to the outing. Yesterday my granddaughter and I kind of flopped. We watched the "Swan Princess" and she snacked her way to fullness in preparation for her softball practice. I had tried to get her started on a project for her mom, but really, in the end, I made the bouquet and arranged tissue and ribbon. Some days are like that after school. When I have her on Wednesdays, it's a short day and she has more time and energy. But I was at the cabin this week on that day, so I moved it. Well, not every time is quality time. She has a busy life and schedule. Flopping is not so bad.
It's getting close to mother's day, memorial day, and our daughter's wedding. The week before we go my cousin is coming out for his brother-in-law's birthday, so we'll get to see them for a lunch or dinner. I haven't seen him in a few years, so am looking forward to the visit. Lots of future events to enjoy, and summer coming. Goodie!
Friday, May 10, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Old Age Day by Day May 9, 2013
We returned last night from the cabin. The weather up there was a steady drizzle, but we managed to walk the dogs and get the stuff done on the decks. We lugged everything up, and my husband assembled the two tables one day, then the next we took down the huge picnic table, which is now in boards as a walkway to the laundry room under the cabin. Both sets look great, but we were not able to sit out in them and the tables are now covered with tarps and the chairs and umbrellas inside. We did sheets and towels, cleaned out the refrigerator, and reorganized. We played a lot of Scrabble and read by the fire. We listened to music. When we are up at the cabin we are totally disconnected: no computers, the cell phone doesn't work, no TV. It's a welcome break.
The weather here is overcast and chilly as well, but no drizzle. I have to figure out something to do with my granddaughter this afternoon. Perhaps a quick trip to a nursery and making a bouquet for her mom. She loves doing that.
The weather here is overcast and chilly as well, but no drizzle. I have to figure out something to do with my granddaughter this afternoon. Perhaps a quick trip to a nursery and making a bouquet for her mom. She loves doing that.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Old Age Day by Day May 6, 2013
We're off to the cabin today to bring up our new deck tables and chairs. I'm going to my eye doctor, then we load up. The weather is moody again, and I expect to see sun, heat, rain and clouds on the drive. I met and talked with two neighbors while walking the dogs, and I love those casual interactions. My knee was bothering me all night, so I felt I needed to exercise before sitting at the doctor's office and in the car all day.
I'm looking forward to seeing the lake up again, and looking for wildflowers and spring cleaning. Summer is coming, and quickly!
I'm looking forward to seeing the lake up again, and looking for wildflowers and spring cleaning. Summer is coming, and quickly!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Old Age Day by Day May 5, 2013
Cinco de Mayo is quite moody, weatherwise. Sprinkles, some thunder, clouds, sun then back again. I cheered myself up last night reading David Sedaris' new book of essays. He's amazing. One minute I'm laughing so hard I can't stop, the next he's pierced me to the heart with sadness, and in between is so much recognition about myself and the goofy, screwed up state of the human race. He's a genius. His honesty gets the rest of us admitting feelings and prejudices and petty cruelties we'd never own without his fearless leadership. It is a brighter, more wonderful world with him in it.
Last night someone tried to break into our garage again, only the metal plate kept the person from getting the door open. It's disconcerting. We didn't hear a thing. My husband talked to a policeman this morning, who spent half an hour scaring him about the crime rate and needing motion detectors, a steel door, a gatling gun and armor plating. What happened to reassuring? And what were they after? Were they trying to steal a car? Did they want two huge iguana cages or our son's electric train set? Perhaps the dried up cans of paint and a broken bureau and cedar chest? If they'd left the cars I would have been happy to help them load up the contents of the garage. I've been meaning to pay someone to haul it to the dump for ages. And while they were at it, they could have stolen the resin white table, four chairs and chaise lounge on the roof of the garage. It's indestructable, I'll vouch for that, and so ugly it could win a contest.
Well, I'm grateful they didn't try to get in our house, or damage the car parked next to the garage. This time they didn't try to steal the catalytic converter for the lithium or whatever metal it is they like. And inside the car was the new deck furniture for the cabin, but thank goodness for tinted windows. We were lucky.
Last night someone tried to break into our garage again, only the metal plate kept the person from getting the door open. It's disconcerting. We didn't hear a thing. My husband talked to a policeman this morning, who spent half an hour scaring him about the crime rate and needing motion detectors, a steel door, a gatling gun and armor plating. What happened to reassuring? And what were they after? Were they trying to steal a car? Did they want two huge iguana cages or our son's electric train set? Perhaps the dried up cans of paint and a broken bureau and cedar chest? If they'd left the cars I would have been happy to help them load up the contents of the garage. I've been meaning to pay someone to haul it to the dump for ages. And while they were at it, they could have stolen the resin white table, four chairs and chaise lounge on the roof of the garage. It's indestructable, I'll vouch for that, and so ugly it could win a contest.
Well, I'm grateful they didn't try to get in our house, or damage the car parked next to the garage. This time they didn't try to steal the catalytic converter for the lithium or whatever metal it is they like. And inside the car was the new deck furniture for the cabin, but thank goodness for tinted windows. We were lucky.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Old Age Day by Day May 4, 2013
I am having meltdowns lately. I had another crying jag yesterday and one the day before. I canceled plans for Mother's Day. My first plan didn't work because there was a big event at the place we were going to. Luckily, I have great kids who figured out what to do. We're going to keep it simple. A hike and a BBQ. I don't why I'm feeling so overwhelmed lately. I'm seeing my therapist once a week to try to figure it out. There's just a lot of sadness and fatigue. I'm such a chipper person normally that I'm shocked at myself. It may be partly to do with my thyroid. Maybe something is off and my medication needs adjusting. And maybe I'm feeling a lot of sadness that I was unable to feel at various points in my life. Maybe I'm going through a huge change. Only time will tell.
Today I'm going to watch my granddaughter play softball with her team. I'm been meaning to go, but if I don't go today there are only a couple of games left. I played softball as a kid, and loved it. It should be fun to see her.
Yesterday we got really, really cheap furniture for our deck at the cabin. One set was a table, four chairs and umbrella for a hundred dollars. I hope this stuff holds up, but it looks pretty sturdy, and if it doesn't, I guess we'll try something else. Our goal is to disassemble our falling apart picnic table before it hurts someone. And have tables that we are able to move around, and chairs that stack. So we got two small tables, that we can handle without help, and mostly the one with four chairs will be enough. The other can be for games and cards. And they can go under the deck in the winter. The picnic table has served us well, first in the cabin then on the deck, and twelve or more people have squeezed around it at times, but now we're usually up alone, and when the kids come they don't even have that many people, so it's time to change. Ahhh, a real chair instead of a splintery bench.
Today I'm going to watch my granddaughter play softball with her team. I'm been meaning to go, but if I don't go today there are only a couple of games left. I played softball as a kid, and loved it. It should be fun to see her.
Yesterday we got really, really cheap furniture for our deck at the cabin. One set was a table, four chairs and umbrella for a hundred dollars. I hope this stuff holds up, but it looks pretty sturdy, and if it doesn't, I guess we'll try something else. Our goal is to disassemble our falling apart picnic table before it hurts someone. And have tables that we are able to move around, and chairs that stack. So we got two small tables, that we can handle without help, and mostly the one with four chairs will be enough. The other can be for games and cards. And they can go under the deck in the winter. The picnic table has served us well, first in the cabin then on the deck, and twelve or more people have squeezed around it at times, but now we're usually up alone, and when the kids come they don't even have that many people, so it's time to change. Ahhh, a real chair instead of a splintery bench.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Old Age Day by Day May 3, 2013
Another day in paradise. Summer prevails. We're going to look for a table for our deck at the cabin, and new sprinkler heads and all kinds of outdoorsy stuff like that. We're in a drought, so watering is going to be necessary, if we're to keep our plants alive. Everything looks pretty dry now. Ironically, we spring for a new roof in the year when there is no rain to cause leaks. Oh, well. I had scrambled eggs wrapped in a tortilla this morning, so I can face anything.
I'm about to do my exercise video, and I'm feeling good, because I have a new dentist and she's really competent and I feel so relieved. She spent a lot of time with me yesterday, answering all questions and reassuring me. Now if I can find a new gardener!
I'm about to do my exercise video, and I'm feeling good, because I have a new dentist and she's really competent and I feel so relieved. She spent a lot of time with me yesterday, answering all questions and reassuring me. Now if I can find a new gardener!
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Old Age Day by Day May 1, 2013
May day, may day. And it is as warm as it should be. The spirits lift automatically with this weather. I watched a terrific 1940s movie last night with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, directed by George Cukor. "Keeper of the Flame" it's called. Very dramatic, but so pertinent still, it's about a charismatic leader who is actually a fascist. It was great fun to see. Three thumbs up.
I had a bracing discussion with our older son at breakfast. I like it when he stays over for his work and we get to talk a bit. We were of course discussing the A's, but then admired Jerry Brown, our fair governor. Talk about pragmatism. This guy knows how to get things done, and he has a vision as well. Sigh. Wish there were more politicians like him. Maybe you have to be a Jesuit first. It's a thought.
Now I'm off to walk to the post office, just for the air mainly. But there are things to be mailed. There usually are.
I had a bracing discussion with our older son at breakfast. I like it when he stays over for his work and we get to talk a bit. We were of course discussing the A's, but then admired Jerry Brown, our fair governor. Talk about pragmatism. This guy knows how to get things done, and he has a vision as well. Sigh. Wish there were more politicians like him. Maybe you have to be a Jesuit first. It's a thought.
Now I'm off to walk to the post office, just for the air mainly. But there are things to be mailed. There usually are.
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