Grands and Great Gran in the News

Keira became a tiger on a recent trip to Cabo with her parents.

Sarah and her cousin compete in a swimming meet and both win one race!!  Sarah won in Backstroke and Kirra won in freestyle.  So cute!

Lea is so beautiful as a lovely ballerina--10 years now!

Keira and her Grandpa John

 

 

 

 

They really do look alike, don't they?

It Is Spring at the Lake

The daffodils are blooming and it is in the mid sixties today.  Sadie likes to sit in the sun.

Utahna's husband made this sign for me in 2000.  Most people think I am referring to my house as the Great Escape.  Actually I am basing my reference to the movie The Great Escape and am referring to Bandido and I making the Great Escape from the City!!  It was a miracle we were able to escape and move to the mountains.

April, 2013

I think this has been the longest I have gone without writing in my blog.  It has been a month of unpack, sort, clean, everthing from top to bottom plus do all my paperwork and print off necessary papers, pay taxes, etc. etc.  Since I don't have the energy I need and got sick along the way it has taken me a looong time.

I also made time to travel to Chico for my reading glasses from Costco and get more collage paper and materials from Michaels and travel to Susanville about three times for things.

 Then I also found time to start the yard clean up and start decopouging boxes for all my dolls.  I was exhausted every night but also found time to read "Poaching Daises", see the movie "42" with Maryanne and prepare my Relief Society lesson  plus walk with Sadie a few times a day.


My dolls had been all wrapped up and in a chest and I decided since I am not selling my house and moving I want to have my dolls out but there is not room to put them anywhere so I will put them all in nice boxes.  Finding the right size boxes is the hard part but I really enjoy doing the collage with the books of paper I bought for half prize.  They will last me a long time and are much better than calendars.

Matt came last weekend and did all the raking, finished the garage, and we took six very packed carloads to the dump.  We also bought what was needed to fix the hoses and for the first time in many years I do not have any leaks anywhere and no twisted hoses, etc.  He also cleared all the needles off the roof and out of the rain gutters.  That is a BIG and MESSY job.  Although there are branches left to chop, the rest of the wood is chopped and stacked.  I have never been so ready for spring and next winter.  Matt did a super, super job with everything and I mended the birdhouses and did a little paint touch up...and it is warm enough to start watering.  Many, many thanks to Matt.

We did have a cold spell though and all the pink blossoms disappeared off the apple tree--

The river rock patio even  got more sand and Sadie has a lot more space for her run.  She is finally learning where to do her pooh and adjusting to life on a leash.  When Bruce was here he led her astray a few times but I was happy to see that she did return promptly when called.

Yesterday she met her first deer.  Three of them were in the back yard and she actually barked at them and then she cried a little, too.  So many new things around here.

All in all I think we are ready for a great summer here and I am now ready to get started on all my projects again.  It is lonely without Mike to talk to occasionally but I have so much to keep me very, very busy.

Oh, yes, Sadie loves her new bed which Bandido did not use very much.  I now tell her goodnight and do not take her to bed with me.  She will not be allowed in my bedroom until she absolutely never has another 'accident' in the house again.

Mike is On His Way

One of Mike's friends had to travel to a funeral so Mike's Sacramento trip was cut short and he came back to pick up some papers and spend a few more days.  We had our Easter dinner on Saturday night.  I tried out a chuck roast in my new Dutch Oven and I liked it really well.  Very tender and delicious.  I also tried cooking my spinach in the rice steamer and loved that--I am not putting it away.
We had my favorite Waldorf Salad and Strawberries and Cream over homemade Sponge Cake.  The only thing that came out of a package was the Rhodes rolls and they were really good, much better than at Christmas.

Mike solved my printing and tv problems and is on his way.  Who is going to be my new guru?????  Sadie can't do it.

Matt willl be here tomorrow and help with organizing the garage and cleaning the winter debris from the yard.  He has already cleaned the roof, chopped the wood and repaired the deck.  What wonderful grandsons I have.  I will miss them all.

The Only Love You Can Buy

A friend recently told me that the "a puppy is the only love you can buy".  What a lovely thought and it is so true.  Sadie loves everybody and when I sit at the computer she gives me big wet kisses on my neck and she snuggles close when we sleep.  Of course, she also likes to escape me and the leash and run free whenever she can..


She is learning to love to sit in the sun on the deck.  She is frustrated by the no grass anywhere to do her wee and pooh, though and she misses running around in circles like she did at Linda's house.

One big advantage to her habitat here is that there are lots of sticks and does she love twigs and sticks.

Except for being frightened when the leash handle chased after her on the road (after I dropped it) she appears to really like it up here.  Soon I will take her to Maryanne's for a playdate so she can tussle with other doggies.

She really liked Mike and I am so glad I will not be alone--now that Mike is leaving!

Melissa and I drove to Chico on Sunday the 24th and had an easy trip.  Melissa is a wonderful traveling companion.  Very competent driver and most interesting conversationalist.  It was a great trip both ways and we loved the new car to drive in.  We arrived in Chico in time for me to go home to Lake Almanor.  Mike was packing and said he was leaving that night to visit his friends for a last time before driving East to Chicago and then his grandparents in Michigan and then on to Baltimore.  I never thought he would make it but he was out of the door by 8:30 pm.

I spent four days reorganizing, unpacking, cleaning etc etc.  The boys had done a nice job of cleaning out my freezer, cupboards and fridge.  Mike said they threw away all dated thing and ate the good stuff..  Saved me a having to do it and I just had to put things back the way I wanted.  I love being home  though I am really going to miss all the good food that Linda and Gary prepare and seeing all the grandchildren and lunching and going to movies with my daughters and visiting with my son and his family---nice options though, there in the winter, here in the spring, fall and summer!!!!! 

Farewell and Welcome Beach Party

What a fun beach party at Paradise Point in Mission Bay.  Maria and Johnny brought kayaks and a paddle board and Linda and Gary brought a cooker, table and most delicious cupcakes and everyone brought their own meat (except me) and food to share.  There was no wind.  Unfortunately my camera battery went out and I didn't get many pix.  Maria shared some and hopefully Meagan will have some.



Mitch entertained with his guitar and singing!!!

Melissa was beautiful as ever.

Maria and Melissa from another day.

Keira and Sadie get reacquainted.

Linda and Gary enjoy the sun.

Meagan and Me and our sunglasses.

Staying warm around the fire after cooking Smors--thanks to Camber for bringing!!

Keira loves the beach, so happy!

Enjoying the kayak and paddleboard.

Sorry we didn't get pictures of everyone!!!

A New HIgh...or Should I Say Low

Earlier this week I lost 4 important things within two days, an 18 karet gold earring, my watch, my phone and my glasses.

I eventually found my glasses and phone, the earring is gone forever, I suppose, and I am hoping still to find my watch when I pack to go home.

Today Linda and I saw "Quartet", a very charming movie.  But I was reminded of how old I am and of all my frailties.  They kept saying that 'old age is not for sissies' and that is so true.  I hated seeing myself as I look, It was a movie of old people with wrinkles and all.  Some grow old more graceful than others, but none escape totally the pitfalls of old age.

I just finished another British series on Netflix.  It was "Call the Midwife" and was about young midwives serving the East End of London which was a tenement section.  It was very well done as all the Brit series are, enjoyed it very much and learned quite a little as well.  I was so fortunate to be raised in a clean home and have a lovely home always for my own family.  It was interesting how happy people can be if they want to, no matter what their circumstance though.  I was particularly impressed by the midwives themselves.  This was a true story based on the memoirs of a real midwife.  Britain has health care for everyone and this midwife thing is a part of that.  They lived and served with a home of Nuns.

I also watched anothe picture from WWII and it was in Poland when the Germans were getting rid of the Jews, supposedly a true story called "Spring 41".  So sad.  How fortunate to be in America during WWII, so sad to see what is happening to America and how times have changed since the Happy Days of the 50s.  With all the technology so much of happiness from a simple life has been lost.  Today I was reminded of all the home made bread we had with butter and home made jelly or jam and always lots of cold milk and cinnamon rolls on Saturday.  Simple pleasures.  And fresh lettuce from the garden with sugar sprinkled on and then rolled or rhubarb and salt.  Cooked spinach with hard boiled eggs, rice pudding, tapioca, frosted graham crackers. I think the only thing my mother made I didn't like was liver and onions and cooked cereal. 

What was probably nicest is that we all walked to school together and played after school together and not a lot of cars and traffic to hinder our ways.  What a lot of freedom we had and how many activities and things to do...no tv, no computers, no telephones, only radio when sitting in the living room or if you were lucky by your bedside. 

Sadie Did It!

Sadie took her test today and received her certificate.  What was the test?  Sit, Stay, Down, Come, Stop and Sit when commanded during a walk.  She did very well.  Of course, that doesn't mean she won't run under the bed or out of the room if she would rather do that than Come!!!

But she performed perfectly in Petco so it isn't that she doesn't know what to do.  She just is still reserving the right to choose when she wants to obey.  That is something we will have to work on.



I think she is a very smart dog and she is certainly loving.  She gave Taylor a lot of loving kisses before she left the store and she just lavished me with a ton of them, too.  And she continues to grow . 

Netflix

Netflix continues to entertain me.  I just watched a corny movie 'Lucy Gallant' from the late 40's or early 50's when Charlton Heston wore his pants too high and Hollywood did not know how to do hair.  But they surely had high fashion then.  Loved the clothes.  The story line was pretty corny, too. with the "women need to stay at home", blah, blah, blah   Of, course, it wouldn't have looked corny to me then.  Time has changed us all.

A very interesting movie was "The Proposition" about a time before artificial insemination and a woman who wanted her own baby and her rich husband was sterile.  Quite a mixed up story but well done.  The star was the Grayson beauty on "Revenge".  Loved the clothes in this movie, too, especially the nightgowns.

Netflix continues to be what keeps me awake at night.

I spent the afternoon delving into the new Family Search and it is amazing  what you can do on the internet and the records you can find.  I looked at the 1940 Census when we were living on Hughes Street in Glendive.  I was in first grade and we moved that summer to the house on the Heights.  You can actually save the copy of the document in your own Document Folder in Family Tree.

Sadie was a real scamp today.  I need to get her more tired with more exercise and running!!!!

Sadie and Her Ears

So Sadie has this wierd thing going on with her ears--often the right ear is sticking straight out or as it was in class last week, both ears were sticking straight out.  The instructor commented she had not seen that before.


Then there is often the right ear sticking all the way back.  What does that mean???

I bought these stairs for Sadie with her Gift Certificate she had won.  Works well on the couch.  May work on my bed, too.

This is the way Sadie's ears are supposed to look.  Does it mean anything at all to have them take different shapes from time to time?  I wish I knew.

She is getting awfully long.  How will she turn out?  We have no idea!

 

 

Winds of Destruction

Today a Rich Hardy (no relation) gave a very good talk in Grossmont Ward.  It was about the Cedar Fire on the outskirts of San Diego in 2003.

He told how he and several of his friends and ward members were playing golf in Ramona a the Santee Stake Golf Tournament.  At the same time a hunter in a nearby wilderness area had become disoriented and lost and decided to set a small fire as a small signal to help find him.

While they were driving down from Ramona late that Saturday afternoon they were already being surrounded by ominous fire.  The dangerous Santa Ana winds had picked up the fire and begun a treacherous march in all the area bordering east San Diego.  Many people went to bed that night not realizing the threat that was upon them.  One man in the early morning hours in Lakeside was on his radio phone and became aware of what was to come and quickly awoke the neighborhood and told everyone to evacuate.  Many lives were saved because of his alertness.  Alas, his own home burned to the ground. 

Before the fury of the fire was finished and the winds of destruction had settled down over 100,000 acres had been burned, thousands of homes damaged or burned to the ground, hundreds of wildlife burned to death and 14 people had been killed.  He likened those winds of destruction to Satan waiting to fan the flames of our bad decisions or misguided thoughts to lead us to our own destruction.  He emphasized how Satan has no power of us unless we invite him in but once the invitation is there he uses his power to destroy us and our faith.

Bro Hardy talked about how just as we are to make defensible safe space around our homes to protect them from fires of destruction we need to build defensible space around our Spiritual Mansions as well to protect from the powers of Satan.  He used the word PRAYERS to help us remember seven habits which will protect our Spiritual Mansions from the winds of Satan's destruction.

Pray daily by ourselves and with our family.  Keep the communication open with the Lord always trusting in Him and in his love for us.

Read daily from the scriptures or modern revelations and be guided by our Prophets and words from the Lord.  Refrain from letting trash into our minds.



Yearn to live the Commandments of the Lord and to know and understand the Gospel of the Lord and His teachings.

Engage in the work of the Lord by accepting callings and performing them to the best of our ability, always being in the Service of the Lord.

Return to the Lord a full tithe.  Tithing has been termed Fire Insurance for us as the promise is those who pay tithe will not be burned in the destruction of the earth.  Be honest in paying a full tithing to the Lord and reap the blessings of obedience.

Stand as a Witness for Jesus Christ and His Gospel and always be ready to defend his teachings and mission and speak up for Christ and his Church.

It was a good analogy and very well done.  Wish I could remember the A--I am sure Linda or Gary will remember!

Sadie, Sadie, What Can I say?

Aha, so I am sitting with my ear plugs from my lap top and no sound is coming out.  On closer inspection I see little cuts in the wires...there can be only one explanation, Sadie has left her teething trademarks.

And just a few minutes before I was thinking about the Bumper Sticker I saw which was a Paw with a phrase written across it "Who Rescued Who?" and thinking how much I would love to find a sticker like that for my car because it is so true--she rescued me from  my loneliness--so comfy having that warm love to snuggle.

Still, Sadie, Sadie, I wish you hadn't ruined my ear plugs, and my sandals,,,and and I know there will be more, we must try harder to keep those teeth where they belong.

My Bucket List

At my 80th Birthday Party written suggestions were given to me for my 'bucket list'.   Several of them I have done all ready as in:

• Get a new Dog--Sadie
• Live in a Cabin by the Lake--15 years now
• Go on a date--tried that a few times
• Visit the Watt's Tower
• Flirt with two boys in one night--well they were a little older than boys
• Make-out--ha ha, believe it
• Visit the White House--I think we did that on our Washington trip, can't remember
• Whale Watching--been there, done that, more than once.  Well worth it.
• Get your Handwriting Analyzed
• Just take a Day off--that IS my life now
• Take Subaru Offroading--Marjorie and I tried that with the Outback-almost got lost and we realized no one knew where we were
• Play Hard to Get--from whom???
• Go to Muscle Beach--Went there when I was young, single, and pretty.  Neat!
• Sing Karoke--Did that in '98, Did the song 'Crazy'

A few of them I would not do even if I was able:

• Wear a bikini--you would not want to see that, trust me
• Do a 5K--Ha
• One Night Stand--with whom????  And I could not stay awake...
• Go Shopping on Rodeo Drive--Rodeo Drive is for Size 2 people
• Join a Motorcycle Club--I hate motorcycling
• Go Sky Diving--could care less about that--I already went up in a Balloon, now that was really fun, for our Wedding Anniversary, thanks to our children
• Earn some Beads at Mardi Gras????  What is that about?
• Leave money to Linda's family--sorry I am spending it all...
• Learn how to Arc Weld Iron???? Why?
• Have a Late Baby--Ha, I have trouble just taking care of me and Sadie
• Curse Just Because--Something my lips just can't do for some reason
• Go on a Mission--I was working till I was 78, too late now.
• Be in a Flash Mob in Hollywood--I doubt I could follow directions
• Go to Thailand Beach for 3 months--if I was 40 years younger maybe

Some I would like to do:

• Go Stand Up Paddling with John and Maria--when it is warm
• Ride an Elephant
• Try Caramels from all over the world
• Cruise to Alaska!
• Read 80 Books in 80 Days--Now that is a challenge!
• Take a Cruise Around the World--Cruises Rock!
• Vist Great Grandkids in Las Vegas--that would be fun...
• Night a Disneyland Hotel--though not sure why...
• Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge--yes, would like to visit San Franciso again
• Read 50 Shades of Grey--who is going to loan me the book?
• Climb Mt Lassen--well part of it anyway

That soungs like plenty to work on...

Keira reads to Baby

Sadie and Anal Sacs? Who Knew?

Last month Sadie was scooting and I thought it was worms--San Diego Rescue gave me some worm meds.  But lately she has really been uncomfortable and I am not seeing any worms, just lots of scooting and restlessness--like did I get any sleep last night?  So I read this and Voila $10 to Pet Smart and Sadie is a happy puppy again!!!  This was written by a Veterinarian... I googled ' why a dog scoots on his butt'.  Anyway, I am writing this down because my memory--you know...

This is only rarely caused by worms. Most dogs who have worms do NOT scoot. (ETA: Dogs absolutely can NOT get pinworms. Not possible. That's a human parasite which does not have the ability to infect dogs or cats. If any worms are going to cause anal itching it will likely be tapeworms, which are caused from swallowing fleas that contain part of the tapeworm lifecycle.)

99% of the time, scooting is caused by the anal SACS (they are NOT glands, even though that's what most people call them!!!!   What are anal sacs? They are very much like the scent glands that skunks have. Nature designed them to fill up with a disgusting-smelling fluid, and to be emptied each time a dog has a bowel movement, thereby 'marking' its territory. Dogs can also forcibly evacuate them when startled by a predator, in order to scare them away. (Again, similar to skunks.) Although the anal-sac 'smell' is one which is quite familiar to anyone who has worked with dogs, each dog has its own individual scent, whether we can pick up on it or not.

The problem is....

That is how nature *intended* it to work for dogs who roamed the wild. Nature did not intend for poodles, Yorkies, Schnauzers, chihuahuas, etc, etc. to roam the wild, however. We humans created all the different breeds, and in selecting the traits for all of them, no one cared/paid any attention to where the anal sacs were located. As a result, in many dogs (especially the smaller breeds), they are not always located in 'exactly' the right place or have the muscles around them developed enough for the dog to do what nature intended. They can't empty them out by having a bowel movement, but the sacs continue to fill up with the disgusting (bacteria-filled) fluid. It's not painful (unless a blockage in the duct occurs, leading to an abscess), but it is uncomfortable to have full anal sacs.

So......

The dog has only 2 other options to try to empty them out. One is by 'scooting' their butt across the floor. The other is by licking. (Which is, btw, the most common cause for coughing/gagging/hacking up phlegm that looks like egg whites in dogs who are not sick. That's because the nasty fluid trickles down the throat, causing chronic tracheitis and tonsilitis.  

Since neither of those 2 solutions is very effective, it is necessary for us humans to help these dogs out by emptying those sacs for them periodically. Some dogs need to have it done every couple of weeks, some every month, some every 6-8 weeks. Each dog is different. Larger breeds seem to have fewer problems, but it can happen in them, too.

Sadie Goes to School

Sadie gives me a soulful look before we start our 'work' for the day,

She missed the first class but quickly picked up everything and caught up in the second class.  She played the name game well and came to me from another aisle in the store.  She already knew 'sit' and 'come' and soon picked up 'down'.

I found out she was treating Keira just like another dog.  They supposedly do not distinquish between little children and animals and attempt to find out who is 'alpha'.  So one behavior we have to work on is to greet 'four on the floor' and no jumping.

Bandido was so independent he would come when he wanted to and ignore you if he didn't want.  He would hide and not answer which caused a few problems.  I don't want Sadie to be like that.

Sadie, MVP of Puppy Bowl

I think it was all this tusseling with Bear this last month that prepared Sadie to be the toughy she was at Petco's Puppy Bowl.  She made both touchdowns for her winning team and then she was unanimosly voted MVP by all the spectators.

I didn't have my camera.  We went there for a Rabies shot and the Puppy Bowl was starting so I put here in the ring and finished my shopping.  They were aghast when I missed her first touchdown.  It was fun to watch and she was very aggresive with them all.  The finale was for her to go steal the treat out of Big Sadie's mouth!

Netflix Rules!

I am keeping busy with running errands and walking dogs and eating plus a lot of watching Netflix.  I finished the series "Upstairs, Downstairs", "Doc Martin" as well as some choice movies.  Currently I am really enjoying "House of Cards". 

Saturday I met Maria at El Callehon in Encinitas for some really delicious Mexican food.  I have mostly been eating fish tacos but that night I had pork tostados.  The pork was so good.  They also make their own chips and salsa and we had to have refills.  It was funny when we met at the restaurant.  I thought I was in the wrong place (I was parked so I could not see the restaurant).  I called Maria and she directed me.  I left the parking lot, drove a half block and turned around and then had to turn around again and I ended up in exactly the same place I was before except this time I saw Maria standing in front of the restaurant.  Duuuh, I am such a looney sometimes.

Then we went to La Costa to catch a movie and it was all filled up!  I drove all through Encinitas with my lights out and didn't realize it.

Today I met Connie and we ate at Chilis in Clairemont.  We took a long time eating and talking and I am sure it irritated them but there was plenty of seating available.  When we got up to go to the restaurant (in a hurry) the waiter told us it wasn't available as there was work being done.  We were aghast and then he told us he was kidding.  I thought that was very mean of him.  I should complain to the manager!!!  You don't fool old ladies about that!

Sadie and Bear

When I nap, guess who naps with me.  Bear is the Hardy dog and Sadie has taken a big liking to him.  They chase and tussle and love to go out walking together.  In fact, it is hard to take one without the other.

Since it is such a big house and so many doors it is hard for them to tell you when they need to go out--so I take them out quite often.  It doesn't always help.

Yesterday I went to a movie and ran some errands and left Sadie in her 2 by 8 ft cage.  She had food and water and her 'cave' to sleep in.  She was fine.  But Bear wanted her out.  When I came home, Bear gave me a long, loud scolding.  There was no mistaking what he was telling me with his angry barks..

Keira is Two Today!

At my Birthday party Keira hears her music begin and she looks so excited and then climbs up onto the hassock and begins her dance to "It's a Hard Knock Life".

 

 

 

 It was really good, we all loved it.
(except Ryan wasn't watching it, ha)

More Birthday Pix

My children with great granddaughter Kate and granddaughter Kelsi.

 

Featuring Kate and Kelsi.

Great granddaughter cousins Keira and Brynn.

Daughter Maria with Nieces Meagan, Amy and Kelly.

Family Celebrates My 80th Birthday

Many, many thanks to my children for having such a super 80th birthday party!!!  And many, many thanks for all those that came.

 

We gathered at James and Camber's home for my Family Birthday Party.


Kristi and youngest great grandchild Brynn from Las Vegas

Kate and Ryan from Las Vegas with Kelsi from RSF

Kristi with Ryan.  They drove from Las Vegas with Amy and new van broke down in Victorville!!!   Not fair.

Brynn

 

 

Camber's parents Mary and Greg came from San Clemente and of course, James and all their children were there.  

Daughter Linda from San Carlos and son Craig from Santa Monica

Gary, Linda's husband has Doctorate from Loyola with daughter's Kelly and Amy

On the program, teaching the Jitter Bug from the 40's, Lea learned it that afternoon and helped me.

Keira danced to "It's a Hard Knock Life"  from Annie!!!

Maria came straight from San Marcus where she works for CSU--she also has her Master's!!!

Other families in attendance were the Rasimas and Hinton families--(my camera ran out of batteries but Linda has more pix to come).

Cousins playing in Kelsi's 'cave'.

Wonderful guacamole and salsa.  The menu was Mexican with gluten free cupcakes, cheesecake and root beer floats for dessert.  All my favorites!

Other items on the program--James had people try and answer questions about me.  Some answers were a surprise to them!  Linda made a 13 minute movie of my life and put it to music.  I loved all the pix with my family,  my children and husband, my grandchildren and great grandchildren and the great music that went with it.

Everyone wrote down ideas for my "bucket" list.   Most of them were beyond my capability but I will consider a few of them!  I have no desire to skydive, however.