Maria's Apartment

This is the colorful quilt Linda made and gave to Maria--it goes well in her living room!

I love the bright colors in the bedroom and the large windows in both bedrooms as well as the great room.

There is a lovely gated court in front of Maria's apartment. And with the large windows in all the rooms and the wide door open there is so much light that comes in, I love that.

Maria has not taken up surfing yet, Matt borrowed the boards from Tanner.

Lots of light and very roomy, colorful from Maria's touch and notice the handmade quilt Linda made for her with all the apartment colors...very nice! OOps, the quilt is on the papason chair and can barely be seen--will have to get another pix!

CSU at San Marcos

This is the view of CSU Campus from the Ralph's parking lot below...

Maria's Workplace

Maria has a wraparound desk which I would have loved. Maria took Matt and I on a tour of the campus. It is very lovely, so clean and new looking. Looks like a great atmosphere in which to be employed!

Our Digs for Two Days in Oceanside

We spent the weekend a Maria's timeshare in Oceanside. Too bad we didn't get here earlier. It was very nice!!

Bedrooms are upstairs with a lovely seabreeze--one oceanside 4 stories up and one streetside one story up.

It is on the 4th floor of the timeshare but the front door opens to street level.

Back door patio is on the 4th story up from beach...jaccuzi is one apt away on the left. The beacis incredibly clean and long, very nice. There are many beautiful rentals all along the oceanside.

Maria Moves to Oceanside, Harbor Cruise 2009

 

San Diego Harbor Cruise

I picked up Matt at Squaw Valley and we spent the night at Kristi's in Reno. Kate was very fun to play with and she commandered Bandido on our walk, but Grandma did not get a picture of her. Saturday we met James and family, Linda and family, and James' business friends at Joe's Crab Shack to take a harbor cruise. Matt charmed Kelsi when we ate pizza on Friday night with James and family. The cruise was about 3 hours long and it was a beautiful calm, San Diego day. The captain of the ship was a very smooth driver and took us to see the 'Midway', Coronado Bay, lots of sea lions, and the beautiful sail boats were all over both bays.

Jimmy and Jacob posed for Grandma.

Kelsi scared us all by walking around the edge of the boat by herself while it was in fast speed. Thankfully James saw her and had someone grab her as fast as they could.

Lea is the big girl of the family. Linda's Sarah was there, too, but Grandma didn't get her picture either.

Great shot of my children Maria, James and Linda and they are all smiling. We should frame this one!

Ensign

The conference issue of Ensign came this week and I decided to read a little each night and underline what is of most needful to me. There is so much timely advice and wisdom I am just overwhelmed. Even though I heard most of the talks I am totally amazed at how much is so important for me to study and follow right now, so much that is so pertinent to what is going on in the world and my life today.

For instance the talk by Robert D Hales on 'Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually' "With all the love I have in me and with the Savior's love through me, I invite you to come unto Him and hear His words:

'Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted.' (2 Nephi 9:51).

I testify that the appetite to possess worldly things can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. The hunger of addiction can only be replaced by our love for Him. He stands ready to help each one of us.

'Fear not,' He said, 'for you are mine, and I have over come the world.' D & C 50:41.

I bear my special witness that through the Atonement He has overcome all things. May each of us also overcome worldly temptation by coming unto Him and by becoming provident providers both temporally and spiritually for ourselves and others is my humble prayer.'

I feel so fortunate to have a source of truth and wisdom at my fingertips. There is so much of little worth and so many untruths being bandied about it gives me such peace to have prophets speak to me through the Ensign.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Last week I started getting smoke in my house from my wood stove. I wasn't sure whether it was a leaky stove, bad wood or what. I sort of ignored it till Marjorie came over and I realized how bad it really was. After a few phone calls I learned of two problems I definitely had and a third I might have.

#1 The sealing around the stove door was coming apart and not secure. The owner of the 'Main Street Fireside and Garage Door' showed me how to replace it, sold me the materials I needed and I completed that task myself.

#2 He asked me about the grate around the upper chimney and could I reach it and give it a few whacks. No, I could not. Then I remembered a friend had removed the grate years ago and then the last chimney sweeper had put it back on. He explained it really isn't needed where I live and the problem is it becomes coated with creosote and has to be cleaned. Mary Anne told me she used to shoot a bee bee gun at hers. I had another chimney sweeper come (should be done once a year). Anyway he cleaned it well and took the grate off.

#3 Some of my wood has too much moisture in it so I need to be more selective.

So all is well this week but I can still smell the smoke! So much I am still learning about living in the mountains.

Jacob and his Heritage

Since I am going back down to San Diego next week I decided to take something I made for Jacob on the day he was born. Jacob is 10 years old now and I had actually forgotten about it.

Anyway it is an Ahnentafel Chart which is his direct ancestors as far back as are shown in the Family History Center computer on that day Feb 3, 1999. Of course, it does not have all his direct ancestors on each line but it goes for 15 generations and the 15th generation has 54 listed. Most of them are from Richard's side of the family when it gets back that far but mine go back to the 13th generation.

Then I took from the direct ancestors as shown in the royalty lines and take it back to about the 900s.

What he will find is that most of his ancestors come from England and Sweden but he had a lot in the American colonies in the 1600-1700s and prior to 1500 had ancestors from France, Belgium, Scotland, Poland, Spain and Germany, etc.

The darker skin that some of the children and grandchildren have must be that French and Spanish influence, certainly not the Swedish.

Jacob's Heritage

Since I am going back down to San Diego next week I decided to take something I made for Jacob on the day he was born. Jacob is 10 years old now and I had actually forgotten about it.

Anyway it is an Ahnentafel Chart which is his direct ancestors as far back as are shown in the Family History Center computer on that day Feb 3, 1999. Of course, it does not have all his direct ancestors on each line but it goes for 15 generations and the 15th generation has 54 listed. Most of them are from Richard's side of the family when it gets back that far but mine go back to the 13th generation.

Then I took from the direct ancestors as shown in the royalty lines and take it back to about the 900s.

What he will find is that most of his ancestors come from England and Sweden but he had a lot in the American colonies in the 1600-1700s and prior to 1500 had ancestors from France, Belgium, Scotland, Poland, Spain and Germany, etc.

The darker skin that some of the children and grandchildren have must be that French and Spanish influence, certainly not the Swedish.

Swedish Crazy Quilt

This week I worked a little on a crazy quilt I started years ago. I used material scraps taken from my sister-in-law's home in Glendive, Montana. I am supposed to have nine squares and I only have three nearly completed. They are so imperfect I often think I should scrap the whole idea. Embroidery is not a gifted talent of mine. I would never have made it in the 1700-1800s when needle work was so important as a skill.

I can only work on a project for so long and then I am bored with it and have to do something else. I remember a talk of Sterling Sill called 'Finishers Wanted'. Not sure I am a finisher but I know I am a great beginner.

Which reminds me, all those trees that were given to me last fall which I planted and then paid someone to water after I left for Sacramento so they would get a good start before winter set in--well, anyway they did not make it. Now what I have is some great tree holes with good soil and nothing growing in them. Not that anything grows too well in this yard. Bad soil? Too many pines? Not sure why. C'est la vie.

Water for Elephants

When I was in the 4th grade our teacher read to us each day after lunch. The book I remember was 'Toby Tyler'. It is about a young boy who runs away to join the circus and actually spends 10 weeks there. That seemed to be a dream life in our day.

This week I 'read' the book 'Water for Elephants' which is kind of an adult version of the same type thing. A Cornell veternarian student doesn't finish his finals for certain reasons and ends up jumping a circus train and spends his summer there--which leads to a life change.

It was a well-written book with lots of action and gives a good slant on the way circus life used to be. It also gives a clear picture of what it is like to live in an old folks home today. It sets a clear picture of how the elderly who live too long are a burden for their family and neither have too much in common with the other at that point. That part was sad but rang true but the hero in the book still had a very rich life. Good reading--I recommend the book especially for the over 70 crowd.

The Quilt

When I came to Lake Almanor 10 years ago I was enchanted with all the quilting that is done here and all of the listening to books on cd or tape while quilting (it is too hard to watch tv and quilt). I immediately enrolled in a beginner's class of quilting "Big Bear Lodge" and chose colors to match on original painting I have of a victorian home. I thought this would be a great quilt and picture for my guest room. I also became a regular at the local library and found it was brimming with tapes and cds. I quite enjoyed this new hobby and Linda helped me get a new sewing machine to help with the project. All went well until one row of bear paw squares did not match well. I became discouraged, put it away and then became distracted by working disasters for half of each year and catching up on everything else when I was home.

Now that I have more time for myself I decided to get it out and try again. Fortunately I overcame the original problem and decided to finish the quilt this time, but my memory of certain skills and what to do next overcame me and I went to the quilt shop for answers. And lucky me, they are redoing the class this month and anyone who took the class before can sign up for half price. A quilter in the shop said "you really learn the basics the second time around, it makes so much more sense, you will love it" so I signed up. Now I can finish my quilt, and who knows, if I really learn the skills this time, I might just try again. This is a picture of half of the center of the quilt (don't look too close).

The other part of quilting I love so much is the listening to cd books. This week I have enjoyed John Grisham's "The Appeal" (that will scare you to know how we are manipulated) and a very delightful love story and WWII memoir "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" and "Beyond Tuesday Morning" which was a post 9ll love story. You not only accomplish something but save your eyes from all that small print. I find the cds are also a great way to put me to sleep at night and better than tv while getting dressed in the morning and doing my chores.

So goes another exciting chapter in the life of an old lady.

And the Lights Went Out

For the first time in my life I was the first one to call in a power outtage. Of course, there are not too many people here this time of year. At any rate 1 1/2 hour later the best looking guy I have seen in a long while came to my door to check out the problem. If I had been 30 years younger I would have been embarrassed to have him see me in "my just got out of bed look", of course, if I had been 30 years younger I would probably have looked pretty good regardless.

Anyway while he was checking things out and could find nothing wrong, (I am sure they are always suspicious of an only call, especially from an old lady) another call came through so he went that direction to see what was wrong.

He checked back shortly and told me there had been a fuse blow at the riser--the riser he explained was the box where the out of the ground electricity changed to under the ground electricity (which is what I have).

Anyway I greatly appreciated the service and learned two things about power outtages.

(1) Call immediately

(2) Have a land line phone you can plug in. A land line phone (as was explained to me) goes directly into the phone socket and there is not an answering machine or cordless phone attached to it. AND THE IMPORTANT THING is it will work even though your power is out. Your cordless phone will not, and eventually you will need to power your cell phone so it will not. Anyway it was explained that when living in the mountains you should definitely have a land line phone on hand!

And...

Another of life's simple pleasures for me has been completing a task. And the big task we have just completed, thanks to Mitch's help, (he traveled all the way up here twice and worked tirelessly) is getting the yard fairly clean of branches, twigs, pods and needles (a fire hazard). Mitch had to haul all the debris to the back of the yard, except for the long branches which needed to be stacked and will later be cut for kindling and... pile the twigs, also used for kindling. Next comes the breaking and chopping of the kindling to under 18 inch lengths.

This is such an important part of the yard clean up, the creation of the kindling. I will never forget the difficulty in getting a fire started in my wood stove after I first moved in. It could take me as long as a half hour to get it burning. Now I can have it blazing brightly before you have time to settle yourself in a chair. That kindling is the key (plus a chunk of fire starter). Of course, you realize a wood fire is not necessary. I do have a marvelous new furnace which was put in a few years ago with a humidifier even. But a wood fire is another of life's simple pleasures which I enjoy as often as possible, (saves a lot on the propane bill, too).

But what a joy to look out at a clean back yard. And for all of those anxious to hear how the river rock patio made it through the winter--well, it did. Still very solid, though the sand between is not quite so clean as it was. Now I just need to handle the sloaping dirt banks around it, another task for another day...ah, life is good. As President Naylor once adviced me, as long as we always have too much to do, we won't have time to get in to trouble and we will never be bored.

Life's Simple Pleasures

Life's simple pleasures--different for everyone--today I put a new cover on my ironing board and that for me has always been a pleasure. To feel that padded, taught surface, to see it so clean and unscorched... I think it was Vida, Richard's mother, who made me so aware of the importance of a well-padded ironing board. She taught me a lot about practical things, seems we are more aware of the need to learn in our early wedded life (though I did not let her know she was teaching me anything) silly me.

But as I was putting on that ironing board cover I couldn't help but reflect on how easy it is now. No pulling of the string and getting it just tight enough, no working hard at getting the bottom section pulled tight, no putting extra pad on (course I always leave the old pad on just for good measure). Anyway I became aware how badly a new cover was needed when I began working on the quilt I started the first year I moved here. Then I came to a patch where things didn't match quite perfectly and I put it away. Then working for SBA took me away from home for several months at a time, and I never sewed on the quilt again.

It actually looks quite good and I do think I will finish it this time. But you know another of life's simple pleasures? Sewing a perfect, straight seam. That simple pleasure, I believe, will never be mine again. Something to do with old age, perhaps, or maybe I am just not as careful as I once was? Anyway the ironing is such an important part of the quilt square, perhaps the new ironing board pad will overcome the not so perfect, straight seam. Let's hope...

It's Been a Wonderful Life!

Last night I was reading my Life Book--it is complete through college and I have 12 volumes of information plus a journal on my computer to go through to finish it to my current age. It may never be completed as a readable book. But I guess it does not really matter. I remember the lady who had lost all her family memory books and photos that she had spent so many, many hours on and then they were all lost in the Idaho floods. She said the important thing was not the books but the joy she had in putting them together that had made her realize what a blessed life she had. That is the way I feel today. I have had a wonderful life full of so many happy times with loving family and friends. My childhood, high school days and college time were memorable. I am so glad I had so many pictures, letters, and other memorabilia to draw on as well as my memory.

In fact, except for a couple of broken hearts along the way I didn't really have any hard times in my life until the 1979 - 1999 period. That is a 20 year period out of my life that has a lot of very unfortunate, forgettable happenings and probably has the least recorded information to draw from to write about it. But maybe that is a good thing. I have been blessed with a very bad memory and unless I have something to jog it, I don't remember at all...so maybe that period will just reflect the good things in our life like Meagan and all the other grandchildren that were born during that period.

I have so many projects indoors and outside here at my home I won't have a minute of boredom for a long, long time.

It's a good life!

Five Years Ago Today

It is so hard to believe it was five years ago today that I received that painful phone call, "He didn't make it, He didn't make it..." In remembrance just let me share again the poem John wrote, that I like so much.

Very Essence

"Is not general incivility the very essence of love," Jane Austen said.

Judging from our God's Plan of Salvation for us, I must say he has a very great love, indeed.

I hope our God is able to discern the depth of my love for Him and my brethren when I begin to giggle on Judgment Day.

Such incivility was always successful for Jane's characters.

John Hardy

Maria's Farewell Breakfast

Thursday I drove to Susanville for a Farewell Breakfast with Maria, Mitch and Matt. (Mitch had to rush off to a college class so didn't get his pix.) Matt swapped his curls for a 'heiny' as they called it in my day as opposed to a 'crewcut' which left more hair up front.

We are all happy for Maria's exciting move to work at CSU San Marcos and know she will love her new life.

I don't know how I will get along without Maria, but I always knew I could be left here alone and yet moving here was definitely the right thing to do for me, just as moving back down south is the right thing for her now. As long as I can escape for most of the winter I think I will be ok. At least there will be three down there to put up with me in the winter so no one will have to keep me for too long. Gosh, I hate this growing old business.

Kristi and Mike's Babes

Linda drove with me as far as Kristi's and I stayed overnight so I was able to enjoy the babes. They are both so cute and so sweet. Here Kate does a nice pose for her Grandma Linda.

And Grandma Linda even got a smile out of Ryan.

But it would be interesting to know what was going on in Kate's mind when we tried to get a picture of her sitting on my lap. She acts like she is my friend but she would not allow a picture without her Mom holding her. This is like the Santa Claus picture we have of Linda crying and trying to get off Santa's lap when she was about that old.

Kate wouldn't let her Grandma Linda hold her for a picture either so I don't feel so badly. Wonder what the problem is about picture taking with Grandmas? Hmmm.

At any rate we did a pictute of Kate with her Mom holding her and even a 4 generation shot on Linda's camera--at least I hope it was on Linda's camera, it isn't on mine!

Physician, Heal Thyself!!

After the cruise I slept all Sunday afternoon and then took Bandido for a walk. I immediately tripped and fell flat on my face as I reached the sidewalk. My hand is bruised but it wasn't as painful as when I sprained it so I just used ICY HOT on that.

My lip though was split quite deeply with a inch long strip of lip 1/8th to 1/4th inch wide dangling loose. What to do? Stitches? I had had enough of them on my nose so I washed it good with soap and water and hopefully got out all the grit and then kept dobbing at the bleeding and trying to straighten out the lip piece (it kept curling and turning over). I actually stayed up until 2 am working on it every half hour to keep it from bleeding more and trying to lay it down in the gash so it would heal itself. (Good thing I was reading a good book on Barbra Streisand.)

Don't use Mederma! It made it red and nasty--then I read not to use it on an open wound. But the Neosporin, q tips and tongue worked best to straighten it out and finally get it positioned to stay. I prayed it wouldn't look too bad and would heal and finally went to sleep. When I woke a couple of times later in the night I had to clean off more blood but the positioning was staying quite well. Since then I have been drinking from a straw and avoiding eating (except for Tanner's Scotcheroos which were wonderful--he used Guitard Milk Chocolate chips instead of Nestles--really good!)

Interesting dream I had though after going to sleep feeling sorry forself and my misfortunes. I had been talking to my girlfriend Myrna earlier on the phone and I dreamed we were walking and then she disappeared and I was alone in this very dark scary place. I called and called for her and then called and looked for anybody but I was very alone and and very scared and then someone took my hand--I looked and it was Richard! He was smiling warmly and I felt safe and all was well and I wasn't frightened anymore. Nice way to end another of my 'all alone' nightmares.

If my lip heals beautifully, I will become a Plastic Surgeon!!!

Carnival!

What a nice end to a two month hiatus at the Pulsipher home. Jimmy had told us cruises were cheap right now so Meagan and I sailed on the Carnival Elation on March 19th to the 22nd. It was very restful and a great way to catch up after a long year. The last time I saw Meagan she was busy getting married so I especially enjoyed this time together.

The food was plentiful and available 24 hours a day--not quite on par with the Italian luxury liner on the Mediterranean with James, but still good. The first night we were so tired we couldn't stay up for the comedian's chatter at 11:30 pm but we enjoyed meeting our dining partners. A Father and Son bonding from Arizona and California, A Mother and Daughter bonding from Arizona (they were beautiful) and two women from USB In Salt Lake City. All friendly and talkative, especially the guys.

There were a lot of singles on board--Spring Break! So they were fun to watch.

In Ensenada we didn't take a tour but walked the town and bought fruitsicles and churros and I found a great sunhat for gardening in. The highlight of the trip was the 'Las Vegas type' musical and dancing shows the last two nights. Beautiful young girls with great legs and costumes--good singers, choreography and scenery. Very well done.

Since Meagan is getting ready to leave again on Wednesday I especially appreciated her taking the time to be with me. She is very patient with her Grandma. Luckily I didn't embarrass her too much with any falls or other stuff I sometimes do. We paid extra to have an ocean view and were glad we did!!

The beds were very comfy and we were given lots of attention by Elio--but they do not have hair dryers in the room. We had to ask for one...

I didn't take many pictures so will have to wait for Meagan to publish hers. A great trip and I recommend it highly to everyone--it is even cheaper now.

Enjoying Reading

One of the greatest pleasures of not working and having your eyes happy is being able to read. I am enjoying the El Cajon Library and encourage everyone to read Nicholas and Micah Sparks' book 'Three Weeks with My Brother'. It is not only an interesting look into most exotic places to visit in the world but it is the life of the Sparks boys. You get a lot into family dynamics and understand why he and his brother are so close and what great kids imperfect (crazy) parents can raise.

Nicholas who has had about five of his books made into movies (The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, The Guardian) published his first book when he was 30 and was astounded to receive $1 million for it. He was a pharmaceutical salesman and writing was just a hobby. He tells us who the inspiration was for the theme of his books and most were family members. You will be amazed at the hard life and tragedies they have had in their life so far. I really loved the most recent book of Nicholas 'The Lucky One'. So enjoyable to find authors you like when they keep writing.

At James & Cambers in Capistrano

Imagine having this out your back door each evening. Life doesn't get much better than that.

Meagan and I drove to Capistrano on Saturday and Linda and Sarah followed to see where the Hardys are wintering.

Jacob was suffering from a sore throat but on Sunday morning felt well enough to walk the strand with me. Wow, did we see beautiful homes and no one on the beach--

What lucky kids to be able to have a whole beach and ocean in their back yard!

The air felt wonderful.

James, Jacob and Roger were having a serious Monopoly game.

Roger Frith was best friend to James when we lived in La Jolla. He brought his wife Caressa from North Dakota to enjoy Southern California Sun!

We enjoyed eating and sunning and walking on the beach--wear your shoes though--there are lots of large and small pebbles and rocks.

Great way to get a walk but Bandido didn't like the rocks and kept sniffing at the surf to see what it was...

Every Monday Matters

I know I must be feeling a lot better because I have actually written something in my blog today! Also take the time to enjoy the video on the left called "Every Monday Matters." I am always wondering what I should be doing with myself. This movie has the answer...