Cho Chos and Tummy Ache!

For two weeks I have had a kind of earache, jaw ache, head ache kind of thing but have put off going to the Dr.  I am afraid it might be a tooth but I keep hoping it will just go away.

Now I have made a pig of myself on Chocolate Malt Ice Cream Mix and have a tummy ache. 

I had decided to be prepared when the ice cream maker I ordered came, so I researched recipes for chocolate malted ice cream and finally bought the ingredinets and kept adjusting the recipe till it tasted just like the Cho Cho pushups from my childhood.

However, the ice cream maker still did not come but I would keep going into the refrigerator and pouring some of it in a cup, like a milk shake, so good.

Tonight I finally looked up my order and it said it will not be here until the 5th!!  I decided I better put the mix into the freezer in the meantime.  Then as it froze up around the sides and bottom I would go get spoonfuls of it.  I can't believe how delicious it is and I just kept eating and eating until I have the worst tummy ache I can remember.

I then decided to look up Cho Chos just to see if anyone is still making them.  I didn't find that but I did find on Diana's Desserts a thread that has been going on since 2002 of other peoople who loved the Cho Chos of their childhood and would like to find them again or at least a recipe for them.

Cho Chos were push ups with chocolate malted ice cream inside--like Wendys Frosties, only smoother, not so grainy, more solid and with the chocolate malt taste.  I found them once in the 70's in the Santa Monica Temple when we ate there.  I was so thrilled, everyone thought I was crazy.  Now, I know there were a lot of us crazy all over the midwest for the Cho Chos.   But now I know how to get that taste and I will have the Chocolate Malt of my childhood any time I want!!!   Oh, woe is me.

Maria's Master's Degree Celebration!

 July 2  Newsflash === Postponed until August!

 

Graduation Celebration!

Celebration date: July 09, 2011

Come celebrate with me! 

 

The celebration will be at the Law St beach in Pacific Beach and on the deck of John and Maria's place at 860 Law St.

Melissa, Mike and maybe Matt and myself are driving down from Northern California for a long weekend and will stay at John and Maria's.

So proud of all Maria has achieved in her search for education and degrees to further her career!!!

Craig Graduates from BYU

I finally received the graduation announcement for Craig. 

It says Craig Andrew Pulsipher graduated on Thursday, the Twenty-first of April, 2011 with a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology - Cum Laude.

From Brigham Young University

Craig will be furthering his education at UCLA to receive a Masters in Social Welfare.

Congratulations, Craig, you are nothing short of amazing.

Anne of Green Gables

For the past several weeks I have been watching "Anne of Green Gables" on BYU television.  The original book was written in 1908 about a girl who lived in Canada.  I think the versions I watched were some or all of those below.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the series and I am sure there are several that have been added on to the original book story line.

Anne of Green Gables film series, a television film series directed by Kevin Sullivan, perhaps the most famous dramatized version of the "Anne" stories.

Then I read "Anne and the Dream House" online and there are several more I can read online anytime for free.
These are some of my favorite quotes from Anne Shirley:

Anne Shirley: My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes. That's a sentence I read once and I say it over to comfort myself in these times that try the soul.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anne Shirley: This is the most tragical thing that has ever happened to me.
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 Mrs. Cadbury: Tell me, what you know about yourself.

Anne Shirley: Well, it really isn't worth telling, Mrs. Cadbury... but if you let me tell you what I imagine about myself you'd find it a lot more interesting.

Every night I either read a book online or listen to an audio for free.  This is all possible by "Library on the Go" furnished for the Northern California library system.  I can check out three books at a time from Plumas Library and three books at a time from Lassen Library and a many as I want from the other sections that have books always available, like the classics.  It is a wonderful source of books, what a service!  And good reason why I am not buying books lately.

Tanner Graduates!

This is the fifth Pulsipher to graduate from Hoover High School in El Cajon.  Congratulations Tanner!  You are looking so good and Linda and Gary look like very proud parents.

My Mourning Gardens 2011

In 2004 Matt started my Mourning Gardens after the death of John.  This picture was probably the following summer in 2005.  Today the gardens are overflowing and 

will soon be  blooming with beautiful lillies.

Frightening News

One unfortunate accident and one near tragedy marred this weekend.

First, Gary, on a scouting trip to Havasu, jumped in a lake and landed on a rock with his right foot.  His body went one way and his foot the other, resulting in a painful, fractured ankle.  It took 30 guys to carry him to a place that a helicopter could pick him up and transport him to Flagstaff, AZ. where he had emergency surgery.  He is resting at home and will probably have to stay off his ankle for up to 12 weeks.  It was his right foot and so looks like Kelly will be designated driver back and forth to his Orthodontist office--hope he can manage!

Secondly, Ryan, Kristi and Mike's second child, nearly drowned in a Community pool in Las Vegas.  Apparently he had been playing away from the pool and was not wearing his floaties.  Then, unseen, by anyone,  he apparently jumped in the pool and bumped his head and was discovered by Kristi at the bottom of the pool.  Tender mercies, a nurse was in the area and did CPR and he is recouperating in the hospital.

Life is so fragile, I am so thankful that both are mending at this time and there were good people around to help when needed.

Reading about the flooding in Minot is also frightening.  This is the worst flood since 1890s and may divide the town as the town is two hills with a valley in the middle.  The flooding comes from a river from Canada.  1/3 of the city has had to be evacuated and they  believe the water is contaminated so water has to be boiled.  I don't think FEMA has arrived with any help yet.  Over 10,000 people out of their homes!

My Name Is Khan

This is one of the most heart wrenching movies I have ever seen.  It makes you realize how much prejudice has followed the Muslims since 9/11.  I cried all through the last half of the movie.  The end about Pres. Obama was  a bit of good propaganda for him but made a good point.

Rizwan Khan, a Muslim from the Borivali section of Mumbai, suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of high-functioning autism that complicates socialization. The adult Rizwan marries a Hindu single mother, Mandira, in San Francisco. After 9/11, Rizwan is detained by authorities at LAX who mistake his disability for suspicious behavior. Following his arrest, he meets Radha, a therapist who helps him deal with his situation and his affliction. Rizwan then begins a journey to meet US President Obama to clear his name. Written by Auntie A

This is a story reinforcing the Gospel truth that love, not hate, is the only way to peace in the world and we need love for all colors, all faiths, all ages, all abilities. It  also emphasizes how the children reflect the hate they are taught by the actions of their parents, teachers, leaders, and media, etc.

This is a must see movie that I never heard about until Netflix and Roku.which, incidentally, really are the best deals on TV.

Grandniece gets written up in New York Paper!

Street Style: Ginger Lights Up the Sidewalk

Catherine Blair Pfander

Amid a sea of black umbrellas, Ginger Warburton stands out like a beacon of light clad in a simple white sundress and teal suede flats.

A living embodiment of "understated," Ginger -- who, we soon learned, works at the famous Williamsburg eatery, "Diner" -- had just biked from her apartment in Bushwick in search of lunch fare.

While Ginger may not have been prepared to choose a favorite sandwich ("I have no idea what to eat!" she laughed), when it comes to clothing, she's obviously making all the right decisions.

"This dress is actually from Urban Outfitters, if you can believe it," she explains. "It just fits me so well. I put it on in the dressing room and was like: 'Yup, getting this.'"

Her teal blue flats, which feature dozens of tiny geometric cut-outs, were purchased while traveling in Austria. "I can't believe how long these have lasted," she says. "I got them five years ago and still wear them all the time!"

Clearly, anyone who looks this pulled-together in the middle of a summer rainstorm is someone whose style we need to steal -- even if it means high-tailing to a remote Austrian boutique.

BY Catherine Blair Pfander // Thursday, Jun 23, 2011

Father's Day, 2011

Many reminders of how blessed I was as a child.  Happy Family. Loving Mother. Wonderful Father.  We all got along, had plenty to eat, lots of friends, warm clothes, fun activities, parents who loved each other and us and had no vices, as far as I could see.  We were so blessed.  So much of it was the times, the ability to have freedom to roam the neighborhood without danger, plenty of jobs for everyone, enough, we had enough of everything, not rich, but enough, which was all we needed.

Some Father's Day pictures I found on Facebook:

On the Patio with the Fuquas in Billings, Montana

The Twinnies Sage and Raina look so grown up!

Meagan and Matt with Baby Keira and a Father's Day Card!

Marjorie's Mom

Tuesday Marjorie called and asked if I could drive to Vancouver with her and her 103 year old Mom.  Her daughter Karen had had to fly home to care for her grandchildren as Karen's daughter was in the hospital having a baby.

Michael drove me over to Red Bluffs.  Fortunately for Marjorie it now appeared she would be able to get her Mom in a private Home Care in Corning and she wouldn't have to drive her all the way to Vancouver, at least at this time.  I stayed with her during the day as she had her Mom's TB test read so she could enter the home.

What a delight the home turned out to be for her Mom.  She was happy to sit down and play the piano and enjoyed her meal at the big table with the other live ins and sitting in one of the comfortable recliners around the TV.  The home is run by an ex-Marine and his Philippine wife and they appear to do a super job.  We were amazed to watch Marjorie's mom walk around by herself and just beam.  She even sang for everyone.  She knows all the words to several songs...it is absolutely amazing at 103!!

Marjorie came back to Lake Almanor with me for a couple days to see if the home "took" with her Mom and the report was very positive!!!  Marjorie may move her to Vancouver later but it would have been very hard to take her to her two story home until she found a "home" nearer.  It is very hard to take care of elderly people unless you are set up for it and have the strength. 

Anyway I was glad to be of the little help I was and it was fun to visit with Marjorie again.  She and Michael had many lively discussions while she was here.

Lovely Summer Day!

What a beautiful day!  Temp just perfect, no wind.  Lots of sunshine and a few fluffy clouds.

Everything growing so fast!  All plants were watered today and all fertilized this week.  Michael and I cleaned the house, did a few windows, washed and dried our clothes, and washed the car.  Michael even made spaghetti for dinner.  So nice to have Michael here, we get so much done and with good conversation, too!

Tony Awards

"Book of Mormon" won as best musical of the year at the Tony awards.  In accepting the award, the acceptor made several jokes--"we wrote it because we wanted to be a big Mormon family, and now we are"--"we want to acknowledge one of the authors who died, thank you Joseph Smith, now you got your Tony Award".  The singer who did "I Believe" did a great job of singing the song and it was quite clever and sung with enthusiasm, really looked like a Mormon missionary.  From the little that I saw, it did look like it had a lot of humor and fun music.  They did not show any outrageous scenes.  Hard to assess without seeing it all.  It evidently is a hit so will be around for awhile, that is for sure.  Question is why they wanted to write it in the first place.  They said it took them several years.  Obviously they had a Mormon author to help write it.

It was a beautiful sunny day today.  We had several visitors at the Branch and a good pot luck.  My lesson went ok with lots of participation, especially from the visitors.  They were a lot of fun to talk with after the meetings. 

Michael and I drove to Frosties and I had a root beer float and he had a shake and then he worked on his assignment to create a Web Site and I watched the NBA Final game.  It was very exciting and the Mavericks won, yea!

Bandido is not getting the idea of the training pad at all--don't know what to do with him.  His eyesight is really getting bad also, poor doggy.  Growing old is for the pits.

What to Do With Bandido?

Yesterday Mary Anne and I went to the Reno Temple--oops, they were cleaning it when we got there--closed!!  So what do we do?

Head for the Dollar Store, of course,  where I found all kinds of things I absolutely needed.  Wish I had bought more of the Minute Maid Lemonade in a box!  It was really good.  I found training pads for Bandido there that were cheaper than the ones I bought at Pet Smart but first we have to see if he will use them.

The problem is that both my sister Carole's and my dog are old, and for some reason they have begun piddling on the rugs.  Now it is not that they don't get outside to piddle, they do, but for some reason they are confused.

I thought if I used the training pads like when he was a puppy he would go to that place when he needed to if no one was around to let him outside.

Well, today, he was using it all right, TO SLEEP On, like it was his own special spot.  So I am sure the problem has not been resolved.

We also headed for Wal Mart on the way home and bought plants.  I have my geraniums planted for the summer and even a rose bush.  So nice to have Michael here to help me, makes the job go so much faster.

So a good day, even if we didn't get to the Temple.  At least we had good intentions.

Diversity in Life

Today was one of those days when I rejoiced in all the different kind of activities you can enjoy when you are retired!

I slept in after reading till 4 AM.
I finished my book as soon as I woke up.
I didn't wash my hair and get dressed until after 1 pm.
I cleaned branches off my lot.
I listened to Big Band music from the 40's and 50's and danced in my sox.
I did my laundry.
I shopped and enjoyed the delicious fruits available right now.
I watched "Anne of Green Gables--really enjoying the series on the BYU Channel.
I watched the 5th game of the NBA Finals and screamed and cheered.  Mavericks won!
I planted some petunias in pots.
I communicated by email and facebook.
I blogged
I watched "Blue Bloods"--good, new TV show.
I ordered Roku on the internet.
I changed addresses on some of my mailings.
I ate spaghetti three times today and still didn't finish it!!
I ate peaches and raspberries and cream.
I ate chips and sour cream.
I studied my lesson for Sunday.
I took a walk with Bandido.
I chatted with Michael.
I talked by telephone to a daughter.
And I did not make time for my back exercises...again!

In other words, I did nothing vitally important but just what I felt like all day long...
just a simple life, filling my hours.   And finally, SUMMER IS HERE!

Black and Blue

Yesterday I read from start to finish one of Anna Quindlen's Books.  I love her writing.  This one was a sad one though, about an abused woman and her need to flee through the help of the underground that exists for such women.  The book was "Black and Blue".  When I read something like this I realize again how blessed I was to have gentle and kind men in my life.  The book also  helped me to understand a little as to why women who are abused stay so long with their abusers.  I have often wondered why there are so many of these male types, though.

Hedda Nussbaum was one of the most famous cases of abused women and her husband Joel Steinberg was convicted of manslaughter in the deadly abuse of one of their foster children.  Ms. Nussbaum spent years in therapy and then working with abused women and this is what she listed as red flags in abusive men.

Nussbaum's List of Red Flags:  (I don't know why anyone would date someone like this!)

1.He pushes too far, too fast, planning your future together right away.
2.He hates his mother and is nasty to her.
3.He wants your undivided attention.
4.He must always be in charge.
5.He always has to win.
6.He breaks promises all the time.
7.He can't take criticism and always justifies his actions.
8.He blames someone else for anything that goes wrong.
9.He's jealous of your close friends, family members, and all other men
10.He always asks you where you went and whom you saw.
11.He has extreme highs and lows that are unpredictable.
12.He has a mean temper.
13.He often says you don't know what you're talking about.
14.He makes you feel like you're not good enough.
15.He withdraws his love or approval as punishment.
16.He pushes you to do things that make you feel uneasy, like taking the day off from work or even breaking the law

Keira at Three Months

Keira and Daddy Matt

I can laugh.

I am pretty.