Farewell Summer!

The summer is gone, it was too short but very nice.  We did not have any storms but I was able to keep everything watered.  I think the Jack Rabbit I see around has eaten most everything he can though.  That is not good.  I will have to find something that he does not like I guess.  I have learned how to pace myself and only do certain things on certain days so I do not overdo.

I especially enjoyed having the bird bath in perfect view from the patio window so I often caught birds enjoying it.  Of late there have been two huge pileated woodpeckers, supposed to be the largest woodpeckers in the world, hanging around the bird bath and the two trees.  In reading about them I find they like carpenter ants and dead trees and like to make nests.  If they eat all the carpenter ants around here that will be a big plus.

I spent July with my house shut up and the humidifier on because I was so congested and I figured the allergies were bad and then I started this "ban the bloat" diet and had to give up dairy.  Voila, my congestion cleared up after a few weeks without dairy so I am making that a part of my lifestyle, too.  I like all the soups I have been making and good food I have been eating.  Even eating steel oats for breakfast now and almond milk and enjoying it with all the fresh berries I buy each week.

I have also been doing more walking, which Sadie loves, and I lost about 10 lbs, so that is good.   Actually that means I have lost about 40 of the 50 lbs I gained after joining Richard in the mortgage business in 1980.   Feeling great, still need to get more off the waistline if possible.

Last night I could not get to sleep so I kept listening to the Ron Chernov history book "Alexander Hamilton" and finally finished it.  It was very enjoyable and I will not remember it but the musical helps to remember the important parts.  Glad I got to meet Eliza, his wife, she was a very choice person.  It is very disillusioning to realize how imperfect men are, politicians especially, so egotistical and power hungry and jealous of each other.  No wonder we can never get it right as far as our country is concerned.

The other book I finished was Elin Hilderbrand's "The Blue Bistro".  She writes summer romance novels all taking place in Nantucket, but she is really a good writer.  How she can come up with so many different stories is only amazing but I have liked every book I have read, which is at least 6 or 7 of them.  There are about another eight or so to go and she looks young so will probably keep writing.  I have read a lot of other books this summer but I have not listed them all.  Actually I do not read them, I listen to them on Library to Go on the App Overdrive.  Love it.

I do not understand why I get so many drafts of what I am writing.  I will have to look at it tomorrow when I am not so tired.

Succulents

This pot of succulents has made it all through summer with no breakage, no hail storms, so it has remained beautiful.  

Yesterday I peaked out at the deck and there was a huge face peeking at me through these deck pickets.  It was a huge deer with antlers and it looked like he was ready to make lunch of my pretty succulents.  I shooshed him away fast.  He had huge antlers, too.

Strange Peskies

Seems each year there are peskies in the yard that I never see again.  One year it was all those moths. Last year it was the 100 year storm that had hail damaging everything and mud all over my patio.

This year it is the little burrs from weeds that stick to Sadie's hair.  I feel so badly when she tries to stay away from me because she doesn't like me to comb them out but they bother her, too, so it has to be done.

I am trying to think of something I could do to keep them from sticking to her underside and legs, not sure what.

Hamilton

I just finished the most fascinating book "Hamilton" by Lin-Manuel Miranda.  This was not the history book but this book is all about the making of the musical which is currently on Broadway.  

Such a talented young man to be able to write this and pull such experts in to make history come alive in such a fascinating way.


Someone has paid for the school children in the area to see it so the teacher's have done amazing preparation in the classrooms, what a great learning experience as well as entertaining experience.


I also downloaded the music and words.  When I had first read about it I could not understand how a musical be made from the material but it really works and since I will never see it, I am sure, I am enjoying it all the same.  I can actually understand the words and on You Tube you can see and hear excerpts as well as Google lots of the images.  The costumes represent the historical time and from the neck up it is modern time.

It is actually quite moving.  I cried through "Stay Alive" and "It's Quiet Uptown"--reminding me of John and then "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells your Story?:" reminding me of Richard.  Very emotional.


It is a really amazing musical...


Now I am waiting for the audio book of Hamilton by Ron Chernov to become available on my San Diego Library to Go.   Miranda makes it sound most interesting to read!!

Linda Was Here!!!

Had  a whirlwind week with Linda here and loved every minute, there was the Republican Convention  to watch, beautiful weather, and lots to eat.  When Linda comes she always jumps in and does what needs to be done, and there is always something that needs to be done!!  This pic is just before we left for Reno to take her home.  

While she was here more groceries were bought, carpets were cleaned, the front steps stained, Venetian blinds actually taken down and washed and windows cleaned, new mailbox mounted, two loads of yard waste taken to the dumps, Sadie taken for a loooong walk, and we went out to eat at Happy Garden, her treat.  Wow, how did so much get done????

We also had lots of fun conversation, the one thing I miss when I am alone.  Now my fridge is full and I am catching up on paper work, sleep, and reading.

While Linda was here, more lilies bloomed, but I wonder why were so many lilies bare of a bloom at all?  I have used the deer repellent a lot!


But I noticed some other things besides the lilies low down were eaten and today I saw one of those ugly jack rabbits hop out of the yard. They must be eating some things when Sadie does not see them.


Wish I had their pix, they are so ugly, not the cute little bunny types who hop around Marilyn's yard.

One thing that has been a problem is the umbrella on my porch.  Matt figured out why the other umbrella stand would not work on it, so I had Linda help put it back under the picnic table umbrella and on the way home from the airport I dashed in to see if Rite Aid had any stands and lucky me, there was one left and it was on sale for $15.


Now after the summer is almost over the umbrella can stand without moving the table around, and the table can be used for eating, yea!!!

Hard to see, but the bird bath has been getting lots of action, saw a huge blue bird take a very leisurely bath one day.  I should learn their names.

While Linda was here, I had a long talk with Jeanne at Treeo and she loves it there!!!  How great.

Jeanne Makes the Move!

Supposedly Jeanne is moving into Treeo on Center St in Orem today.  She changed her mind several times but I think once she realized Cathryn was not planning on staying she finally decided to go for sure.  She does not like living alone and she really does need someone there.  As she says, "I have perfect health from my nose down!"

The nice thing about Treeo is that the cost is month to month and so if you change your mind or want to go somewhere else, you can.

Marilyn says her room will be right next to Deloris--Deloris lived just down the street from us in Glendive and was in between Marilyn's and my age and we were all in the same group in high school but she was closer to Marilyn.  Plus they both did athletic things and had that in common.

Jeanne met Deloris over at Treeo when she was checking it out and she said, "Are you Deloris's mother?"--

According to Marilyn and Alice, Deloris is quite happy there.  For one thing she is getting better health care and realizes her situation was not quite as bad as she thought it was.  The other thing is she is not working the yard all the time and doesn't have those aches and pains so much.

I can understand how nice it will be to always have someone to talk to at meal time, if you want to. That is the way it was in SBA--even though you were alone in your room, you always had someone to chat with at meal time or work time.

I will be anxious to hear if she actually makes the move and how she likes it!!!

6 PM--Marilyn called Jeanne and confirmed she is in, She has her own phone with her regular number.  She just had supper downstairs with her friend Madeline and she is happy.

The Unforgiving Computer

The young man who traded his skills to teach me the computer in exchange for our office to use the loan processing program  he was trying to get public used to say to me, "Janet, the computer is unforgiving, now listen to me!" (1985)

Yet, again, I find out how unforgiving it is...I wake up around midnight to take Sadie out and could not get back to sleep so I worked on my newest blog--The San Diego Scene Part 2.

I was already frustrating on finding the pictures I wanted but I worked for two hours on finding them and adding them and editing my text only to find none of it had been saved!!!

Now, I thought it automatically saved a draft when you forgot to do that, but evidently not...
Bummer.

Thanks for the Memories...

Sadie woke me up at 3:30 this morning and wanted out for a minute so I came in to work on the computer and ended up reading John's Web Page and Memoir.  I am so glad Maria taught me how to do blogs in 2005 so I can do all these blogs.  About a 1000 had viewed his Web and over 800 on his Memoir.  John was such an interesting person with so many passions, as his friend told me, passions he actually carried out doing.

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There were other things I was thinking I was thankful for this morning and the last few days.  I am so thankful I was taught not to smoke or drink, what a gift that has been in my life, to never be tempted and not have it interfere with my life, my health, so not needed.  Never wanted drugs or pills, etc in my life either, so thankful for that.  I was also thinking how blessed we were in the 40s and 50s to associate with friends who did not have to use the foul language so prevalent today, with friends who really enjoyed dancing and dating and picnics and horse back riding and all kinds of activities that did not include foul language, drinking, drugs, etc.  We had no tv either, but we did have lots of fun.

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I am so thankful for the many opportunities I have had over the years to have responsible leadership and teaching roles, helped to learn so much that I have needed to carry on by myself, to keep my faith, to stay sane, to stay self-sufficient and carry on and recognize truth. 

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I am so thankful for this lovely home and yard to work in, the quiet, the peace I always wanted,yes, it is work but thankfully I am able to handle it with a little help from my friends and family.

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I appreciate my good car, my ability to work on the computer and carry out so many tasks I have set for myself, I appreciate that I understand a few techy things and can enjoy listening to so many books and appreciate good music and documentaries, always more things to do than I have time for.  I seldom need to leave my house and yet I am never bored.  I need to force myself to walk more, I just do not like to get out and do that much to Sadie's sadness. 

Learning the computer in 1985

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I am thankful for my Smart phone that James and Camber provide, it is really a joy to communicate with my sisters and children and see their pictures and keep up with them a little.  I wish they shared more but everyone is so busy, I know.

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I am thankful I am healthy at the moment and enjoying doing things.

A few years ago with Bandido.

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I am especially thankful for the special people I have known in my life that have given me so much in the way of friendship, learning, wisdom, so many people I have appreciated.

 

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I am thankful for my family, so many people have no one in their life, I may live alone, but I am not alone and I am so grateful for that.  Wish everyone kept their blogs going or used instagram, and I knew how to get pictures to my computer, everything is always changing...

 

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I am glad I have enjoyed the pursuit of family history over the years, such a blessing in my life, always something to do, never bored with that.

Great Grandfather Benjamin Lillywhite

What has been frustrating me is photos, I can never find the photos I want and I am not sure if I scanned them or just can't find them, so frustrating Google...  Photos is definitely a frustration in my life at the moment.  But mostly life is good.  Thanks, God, for good family, friends, and memories.

Beautiful Weather and Books

I am enjoying getting up early and watering and watching the lilies bloom.  Just hope the deer won't chomp at them.  I was surprised to see a deer had moved the wires around the little bushes to get at some of the branches two days in a row but did not take a try at the lilies.  Perhaps the spray I use on them really works!

Just finished another book by Mary Kubica.  She writes thrillers, no doubt about that, I just have to keep listening even if it is late at night or I am cleaning or whatever.  What would I do without my books.

It is time to start summarizing all those black books on my shelves and finish my life, once and for all.  I wonder if I am up to it.  I was looking at the years 81 to 90 for the dividend I should have received from the stores as Carole and Marilyn said.  I do not remember it and I can find no reference to it at all...and as I read through some of the letters, I could not remember very much of what I read. However, I do have some vivid learning memories about the loan business which I never wrote down so now is the time.  Why does it matter, it matters to me, that is why.  It is time...to write about the Business...

Mitch, Bahia and Matt

Mitch, Bahia and Matt didn't get here until early Saturday morning, it was almost and all-nighter for them.  So they were really tired on Saturday.  I really like Bahia, such a lovely girl, she and Mitch seem to enjoy one another's company so much, I am glad they have found one another.


They went to Rec 1 and Rec 2 in the afternoon and Mitch bought me the rest of the things I needed for supper.  We had Karen Price's Chicken Enchilada outside with muffins and they really liked it.

Sunday I fixed them my gluten free waffles, scrambled eggs and bacon and then Matt and Mitch started on the wood and got quite a lot done.  They went fishing and brought back a Buffalo Chips Pizza, two, in fact and I had my quarter of Jalapeno Popper.  So good. I also had a loooong nap, I get so tired, especially my feet.


 Bahia showed the boys she could chop would, too!

Sadie loved having Bruce here.  Bruce gets really nervous when the boys are gone.  For awhile she sat on the side of the house watching for them, then the front of the house, then inside at the door, looking for them. He was so excited when they finally came home.  I suppose he thought they had left him.

Anyway they had to get out of here by late morning so we never did have out taco meal.  I finished the day watching Park and Recreation.  I don't know why I did not watch it when it was on...I did not realize who Amy Poehler was and how funny she was.  It was very enjoyable, Mitch got me on to it.

I so enjoyed having the boys and Bahia here, Mitch found his Magic Cards, surprisingly enough, they do not have much left around here but they were in a backpack.

Now That is Just Mean...

Yesterday I had the infection in my mouth again!  Come to find out Nasacort which I have been using while working in the pine trees can kill the good bacteria as well and make you vulnerable for infection...and as Dr Tonya says,  my immune system is not working too well.

But I had given up on Golden 1 coming through and I thought it was strange they did not at least let me know but...anyone as I went off to the Walk-in Clinic I retrieved my mail and there were two letters from Golden 1 and one said I had been approved for a $10,000 loan.  Wow, that is great, I will have a payment of about $212 and the water heater would be paid for and all my cards paid off.  A good start again!!!  I was elated.

By the time I got back from Chester it was too late to call.... so in the morning...I finally figured out how to get a person...not easy on their answer call...certainly not the way I remember it when I was working in Sacramento and used them all the time.

Anyway I finally got a person and she looked my loan number up and then asked, "Would you like to sign on-line or go down to the Susanville Branch?"  Wow again, sign on line, and that is it...how simple.

Then, oh, wait a minute she says...there was a note added on the 27th and they will not count any your other income because it is not on a tax return...you will need to get a co-applicant.

Whaaat...not that is just mean, to get me all excited and think I have money and then bring me way down with that.  I don't have a co-applicant...I would rather have not heard anything at all.  So depressing.

Now I Know...

What it feels like to be the one wanting answers.  When I worked as a loan officer for so many years my time was always well used and there was always so much to do and I tried to get answers for people as fast as I could but...

To the one waiting for answers it feels like they just don't care.  I stopped in to the Golden 1 on Saturday to deposit some money and thought I would talk to the manager about my chances to get a personal loan to pay off that expensive water heater and some high interest charge cards at the same time.  She was so empathetic and taking notes all over a little piece of paper.  She thought they would call me around 12:15 when I had driven back home with my groceries.  I didn't get a call so you imagine all kinds of scenarios and I had pretty much decided it was not going to be.

Then today I get a call from the loan officer and she started chatting as if I would know they were working really hard on this and she said we can loan you this much, will that work?  I was thrilled to think they had gotten to that point already without even asking me any other questions.  Then she said, "We will need a copy of the last two years tax returns."  "Oh, I don't need to file any more according to my accountant." I said.  "And it is a Family Note and I would not put it on my tax returns anyway, but I can show the spread sheets from my computer and bank statements with matching deposits.  She sounded disappointed and then said,  "Oh, wait, Kareen said she has another idea."  (Kareen is the manager)

And no call back... I know they hate to work with bank statements, etc. and just keep it simple  and not get creative so I understand,  but now I know how it feels to wait for that call...

And now I remember how much I hated working in the loan business.  I used to threaten to write a book called, "Everything I Never Wanted to Know About the Loan Business"!!!

So, if wishes came true, what would I have wanted to do with my life...well, of course, I always wanted to be a blues singer...but I can't even carry a tune.

Time to listen to a book about someone else's life, mine is not so great right now.  Although Will said he would look at my leaf blower and see if he can save it, and he said my grandsons could use his log splitter this weekend if they want to, and he suggested what to do about those carpenter ants I keep seeing.  Will is a nice neighbor.

My brother Dave this weekend said he gets more help from his neighbors than his Mormon leaders who live on the same block.  "Mormons are too busy being Mormons to be of  much help, but my other neighbors are great. "  Dave turned 89 Saturday and he does most everything inside and out for he and his wife Dorothy.  He said the young guy across the street volunteered to clean out his gutters and had it done in no time.  Yes, neighbors can be very nice...

Back to the Forest

For some reason I am getting up at about 4:30 A M and going to bed at about 9 PM.  I finished the book yesterday by Sarah Waters called "The Paying Guests".  She is a marvelous writer.  Definitely a book about lesbianism, but relationships in general, too.  The funny thing I thought is she had the mother at 55 not doing much physical work at all and needing to be taken care of after her husband dies.  Wow, things are surely a lot different here in America.  But I am not sure what year the book was supposed to take place, that may make a difference.

Finally made it to church yesterday but I was listening to my book and when it was past time to leave and I had just grabbed my purse and left my house in a hurry to get there on time!!!  While I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting I suddenly remembered I had not brought Sadie in from outside or did I not put her outside?  Was she wandering the house or was she waiting to be let in? .I did not have water outside and I could not remember!!!  I don't think I have ever done this before.  After Sacrament meeting I told Karen I will have to go home, I can't remember where Sadie was when I left...I get dorkier all the time!!!!.  I had left her outside and she was waiting to come in!!!!

The neighbor boys next door are up and they keep their dog tied up outside.  Yesterday afternoon Sadie dashed out without me getting her leash on.  I did not want her bothering that pit bull so I grabbed my leash and followed her toward the next lot.  When she saw me following her she actually turned and came back and let me put the leash on.  Wow, this is a switch.  Is she actually trained to mind me now?  Or does she like that I am feeding her better food now and she does not want that to end???  I have no idea.

Anyway it is a new week, end of June and I am heading outside to put piles of waste into the garbage bags and also do the watering...glad I have such important work to do!!! Ha!

Saturday I called Dave and we chatted for a long time, he does a great job doing everything for Dorothy, this is his 89th birthday and health wise they do very well...so far.

The Water Heater

I must say my water heater is beautiful and has all kinds of attachments for safety and drainage and venting...and no matches, state of the art, and much safer than my other one.  They were here from 8 to 4:30 sawing pipes, welding, etc etc and the water ( if need be) would go down a pipe and out the house onto the dirt!!  And I don't have to worry about it exploding. So all in all it is a very good thing for me.  If I leave for any length of time I just turn it to pilot and no matches and crawling on the floor to light it when I come back.  But it did cost even more than the estimate so I begged for four months and he finallygave it to me.  So humiliating, but... However I tracked down the ad that said I got 50 free gallons of propane and 2 years free rental on the tank so I have a full tank for a little over a $100 and that is amazing.  Sue found the ad in her newsletter and texted it to me!!!

Yesterday I really got a lot of work down on the back, I now have 33 bags of waste and I have been putting out two a week since I got here and there is 30 more piles of waste to pick up.  There is a huge pile of great branches to chop and about 3 x 8 pile of logs to split.  The drier the trees the more branches fall off I guess and the trees that were felled are quite dry so I will have lots of twigs and hopefully by winter the logs will be split and dry enough to burn.

Anyway James sent some money, yea, so I am off to Walmart;s this morning.  It is so calm and lovely and no hot or windy, perfect weather and the lilies are starting to bloom so great time to be in Lake Almanor.

Stop the World, I Want to Get Off

The Ferrellgas came this morning and installed the new tank.  I chatted with the young man who had severe burns from an explosion two years ago when he was exchanging a tank and a spark somehow ignited the tank, burned him and the house but the owners got out.  He looked really good, has one more surgery to replace skin on both arms, they may use pigskin, he says.  Marvelous attitude about the whole thing, but he has this nerve damage that is a constant pain and that is why the surgery is needed.  Still it is most amazing what they can do now days.  He looked great.

Meanwhile the water heater is still being installed.  When I told the Ferrellgas how much it was going to cost, he rolled his eyes,  "For a water heater? I will never recommend them again, I am so sorry." "He says it is very complicated with propane as opposed to natural gas or electric.." I said.  They have been here almost four hours and it is not completed so I guess it is complicated.  It may cost even more than they estimated.  Certain things that were not there before...etc.  Maybe that is why it went bad?  At any rate, life goes on, I can't afford it but I have to have it so what do you do...I am living too long, that is all there is to it.  Stop the World, I Need to Get Off...

Super Hero in the way of a Serviceman to the Rescue!

I have been back from Marilyn's and another month in San Diego for almost three months now and have not written in here.  Just let me say I have been working hard...and Today I am feeling very grateful and weepy at the same time.

Last week I decided I should make the change to Ferrell's Gas as it will be cheaper.  This morning a guy from Ferrell's came and as we walked down the hall to check out the furnace register I said, "Hey, you're a smart guy, could you look at my water heater and see what is going on."  He took one look and exclaimed, "You are very fortunate your house has not burned down!" That is when I became weepy.  (There was black soot all over and he turned it off immediately and said the controls were burned out and it cannot be turned on again.)  Why didn't I address this sooner? I looked at it the other day, but my mind did not process to call a plumber and take care of this!!!)

Such a nice guy, I was having a melt down, (Thank you Lord for watching over me!) He began calling plumbers to no avail, plus I would need to buy the heater in Susanville, Reno, or Chico and get it up here....and finally he said I could use the one in town but he hated to see me taken as they are very expensive but they would have the tank and could install it!!!!  Today, maybe? He talked to them to get a quote and he had to take a picture and send them first.  (Mind you, this is not his job, he is just being super kind  because I appeared so helpless!)

When the quote came in, I really became weepy...me. Janet who never cries.  So expensive.  I had called Linda to see if she remembered seeing any of this burned soot and she said NO but she did sweep up some black stuff (burned stuff?, or what).  I asked the plumbing company if they could take payments and the lady asked if I could three--on a charge card I said? Yes, OK.  They can't come till tomorrow and Ferrell's will come after them.

I also had to have three trees cut down.  Evidently the drought has affected the trees (this is an old forest I live in so they say)  They were grateful for the work and would charge only $300--and cut it in logs and stack it.  What a deal, two summers ago I paid $1100 for three and didn't even keep the wood.  My nice neighbor across the street was looking out for me, too.  He found a good deal for his five trees and sent them over to me!!!

About 2 pm yesterday I heard a light knock on the door, I had been napping and just woke up.  I asked if he had come to cut the trees and he said they were already done!!  I had slept through it all.  Did not hear a sound...anyway they were very thankful for the work and the check...no shopping till July, Janet...

Anyway I have been feeling especially vulnerable lately and not too physically well and yes, always needing money since James is having his problems which affect me.  Anyway I always think to myself as I say my prayers, the Lord knows my problems and will send help if I am really in trouble. Well, today he sent help in the way of a super nice service man who has probably saved a big fire in my house.  I said, "And you saved my life, too,"  He said he would not go so far as to say that, but defintely the house...

The Beach Boys

What an enjoyable day today.  It was a "The Beach Boys" marathon on AxsTV and I loved all the music.  What talented boys, so sad for a lot of the things they went through but I loved the music.  So many times this past year I have been watching a musical show on TV and had to turn it off because there was just jumping around noise and not music to me.  Is there any beautiful music being written today?  I wonder.

I am so in awe of people who understand music, it is so complicated to me.  I was just thinking (again) how lacking in any real skills or talent I am.  But I so appreciate those who can make beautiful, meaningful music and I love hearing their stories.  It just seems that those of us who are not talented have a much easier life without all the stress, demons, and pain that artists seem to have.

Health Issues and Sadie is Groomed

Yesterday we took Sadie to be groomed and on the way I was telling Marilyn how I had fixed a hot lemonade/honey drink because of this darn sore throat I had and my mouth was really hurting.  It reminded me of when I had that yeast infection last summer and they put me on two bottles of $75 medicine!!!

She told me that the King Soopers next door to Pet Smart was the one that had a Clinic and so we should go.  It has been totally remodeled and had the big pharmacy next door.  Yes, they took Medicare and after a short wait I was ushered into a new med room that was very nice and the little gal took all my vitals.

Shortly a lady PA in her 60s or so came in with a young intern--they are a part of the University of Colorado.  He did the exam and she wrote everything in to the computer and gave him suggestions. They did a strep test as well, she was very thorough with the questions to help him.  I told them I had no med insurance and she gave me one $4 pill to replace the two bottles of $75 medicine I had last time!!!  She gave me a refill but doubted I would need it.  She also gave me $4 lidocaine for the mouth pain.  She also suggested to try Nasacort for my allergies which have been giving me such a bad time.  She said they are prescription dose but recently went over the counter.  I tried it last night and I am sold.  Anyway good medical experience.

They also gave me a complete printout of what they gave me and all my vitals.  Quite impressive.  I have scheduled appointments for carotid screening, dernatologist, urologist, and thoracic surgeon in San Diego so should have a good med update while in San Diego.

I have decided it is invaluable that I record this Med stuff, I went right to my blog in July and found exactly what medicine was given and what preceded it, could not remember on my own, of course.

Carly Simon

This past week I have enjoyed listening to "Boys in Trees" the memoir of Carly Simon.  I have also gone into Google and YouTube to learn more and listen to her music and interviews.  It has been most interesting.

She has written over 50 diaries and began this practice at a young age so her memories that she wrote have to be what she felt and saw at that time.  She is a very sensitive and interesting writer and I really have so much more appreciation for her music and singing voice and things she wrote about.   Very large vocabulary which she worked at and very expressive...


She had a habit of writing down interesting phrases or comments that she heard and later worked them into her music.  I remember so many of her songs very well but did not remember that she was married to James Taylor for over 10 years...that was most interesting.  I also was surprised about the "Mockingbird" song she and James sang together in the 70s as I sang a longer version of it to my babies in the 60s!!!


The fact that she had so many insecurities though she appeared outgoing was a revelation and endeared her to her fans though that is the reason she did not do much touring.  I did not know she had written music and sung for movies, did a musical, wrote children's books and that she could sit and play the piano while singing, without any music, of course.  Exceptionally talented.  When I saw her sing with Taylor Swift I could see they were built a lot alike.  Both have very long legs.  Carly is 70 and lives with a Dr. for the last 10 years, 13 years her junior, in the home she and James Taylor created on Martha's Vineyard and raised their two children in.  He has not spoken to her for the last 40 years...but she spoke very lovingly of him.  She was married to one other man later which she appeared to be happy with.


I don't think her music will every really die...and she was the singer of "Wee Hours in the Morning" one of my favorite songs in "Sleepless in Seattle".  I did not realize that.


She admitted that Warren Beatty is the subject of her second verse  of "You're So Vain" but has not disclosed except to close friends who the other two are.

You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte
And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner
They'd be your partner, and...

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? don't you?

You had me several years ago when I was still quite naive
Well you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave
But you gave away the things you loved and one of them was me
I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and...

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? don't you? don't you?

I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and...
You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? don't you?

Well I hear you went up to Saratoga and your horse naturally won
Then you flew your Lear Jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun
Well you're where you should be all the time
And when you're not you're with
Some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend
Wife of a close friend, and...

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? don't you? don't you?

Jacob!

Seems it was just a few years ago I was tending a curly headed toddler and here he is all grown up looking so handsome with a pretty girl.

Catching Up With the Masseys

Nico is alnost two months old and I haven't had any pictures on the Masseys since he was born so here he is with his darling sisters and Mom.  

 Keira tending to her dinosaur eggs!

Eden doing some pondering or pouting, not sure which, but surely cute.

Girls tend to Nico's needs...

Eden tends Nico.

Steaming Nico while Keira gets her bath.

So what's up, world?

Life is good...

Daughters Have a Fun Paint Night

Johnny wasn't feeling well so Linda filled in on a fun paint night with Maria!

Michael Jackson

The other night I watched a documentary on Michael Jackson and I had to download his song from his first album in 1979 (I think) "She's Out of My Life".  It is a gorgeous song.  I love to play it over and over.  He has an amazing voice.  It was the next year he did "Thriller".  Why do we destroy some of our greatest talent?  So sad.

She's Out Of My Life
Michael Jackson
She's Out Of My Life
She's Out Of My Life
And I Don't Know Whether To Laugh Or Cry
I Don't Know Whether To Live Or Die
And It Cuts Like A Knife
She's Out Of My Life
It's Out Of My Hands
It's Out Of My Hands
To Think For Two Years She Was Here
And I Took Her For Granted I Was So Cavalier
Now The Way That It Stands
She's Out Of My Hands
So I've Learned That Love's Not Possession
And I've Learned That Love Won't Wait
Now I've Learned That Love Needs Expression
But I Learned Too Late
She's Out Of My Life
She's Out Of My Life
Damned Indecision And Cursed Pride
Kept My Love For Her Locked Deep Inside
And It Cuts Like A Knife
She's Out Of My Life

January is Gone!

Where did January go?  I haven't written in my blog for a long time.  That is because I finished my puzzles and decided to get back to working on uploading stories and pictures to the Memories Section of Family Search.

I am so glad I scanned all those pictures a couple years ago, it makes it so much easier.  I am also glad I typed up so many family stories and have them on my computer.  The new system for labeling and uploading is so easy, I am really enjoying it.

I recently reviewed the suggestions which I never got around to reading and went back and labeled all pictures by family names which soon became albums to they are organized much better than they were.

For my birthday this year Maria gave me Aromatherapy and I have been enjoying scent and smell as I work at the computer or read before bed.  Very nice!  With Linda's gift I got the larger George Foreman "lean, mean grilling machine" which I will enjoy.  We have used Marilyn's several times and really like how quickly it cooks the chicken or ground beef.  I do not know why I keep forgetting to take pictures!!!

Yesterday in Church I shared my experience of working in Family History for the past 65 years.  It seems no matter how much I have done there is always so much I do not know and have not done. But for the most part it has been a joy in my life.

I watched several sessions on Root Tech this past weekend and realized I should have permission for live people who end up in pictures I am uploading so I sent an email out to some nieces and nephews and heard back from most of them with enthusiasm for having me do it and that they were grateful for all the work I have done.

Marilyn and I went to lunch at Olive Garden with Marilyn's friend Shirley Friday before last and then saw the movie "Brooklyn".  It was very enjoyable.  I have to remember to just do the endless salad and soups when I go to Olive Garden though, I ordered the Lasagna and of course, didn't eat the pasta and I don't really like all the tomato sauce so it was a ridiculous order.  Soups and salad were good though.  We had intended to go to Red Robin but it was very crowded.  Marilyn has so many good restaurants close around.

Last Sunday we went to a Mexican restaurant which was wonderful and I really like "Bonefish" and we have been there twice and each time I have the Fish and Chips, excellent.

Yesterday was a good day, we cooked a Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin and baked potatoe and Marilyn mde a good pineapple cabbage slaw and then I made Hot Fudge to enjoy on ice cream while we watched the Super Bowl.  It was very fun to see the Broncos win!!!

Wow--Who Knew How Great This Would Be

So we all bookmark, correct?  And I have ended up with long lists of bookmarks which take forever to find which one I am looking for and then I got this wonderful idea.


I made several folders and put the bookmarks all in folders that made sense!!!  Now it is so easy to zip around my computer and find anything I want...so smart.  Sometimes I amaze myself.  Ha.  Of course, probably all the organized young people do this, right?

Norm Passes Away!

When I was a Sophomore in high school, I sort of liked Norm Anderson, #83 and we dated some.  He was a very likeable, fun, and kind guy.  When Harry moved to town, it was soon over but I stayed good friends with Norm.

He passed away this month from lung cancer.  So many of my friends are gone. Sad.

This was the Jr. Prom when I was a Senior and Harry was away at college.   

My date was actually Lee B. the dark haired boy on my right who had always had a locker next to me and I did date some, but Norm "Andy" was standing behind me when Deloris (his date) took the picture and it looks like I am with him. 

We surely didn't know what to do with our hair!!!

At the 2000 Dawson High School Reunion for the classes of 49, 50, and 51 Norm's wife was not there and of course, I was alone, so we spent a lot of time talking and catching up on the last 50 years. Norm was one of the "good guys".  I went around and had my picture taken with every guy in high school that I had ever dated, even once,  thus this picture.  Even at that time, two, Dean and Lee, had passed away and George was not there, but it was a fun thing to do.

I just remembered, one of them, Don B. laughed when I wanted to take his pix and said, "What, I never dated you, you were way out of my league."  So I took his picture alone, but I thought it was funny, true we did not date, but I never knew he thought that way except he was quite a drinker, even though he was a super runner on the football field.  And I stayed away from drinkers.

But I had this memory of sitting next to him at some place when I was home from college, guess there was just a group of us getting together at a nightclub, because I remember Harry coming in (we were broken up) and as he sat at another table his chair broke and he landed on the floor and I so remember Don "Poot" looking at me and really laughing, his whole face crinkled up when he laughed.

Funny the memories we have...I did feel sorry for Harry.

Amy's Wedding

I was very fortunate to be able to fly home for Amy and Joe's wedding.  It was a great week!

As soon as I got off the plane, I called Nadine and she was able to take me in the next day and cut my hair, it was a real mess, Marilyn and I had both been chopping at it.

The Temple Ceremony was lovely and I especially loved the way the light shone on the chandelier, there was about 60 there and Amy and Joe looked so happy.

Amy and Joe had planned this reception at the Warehouse in downtown San Diego and I rode with Maria, Johnny and Matt.  In front of the Warehouse was the Food Truck parked and the food turned out to be wonderful sausage, potatoes etc.  Great food, wonderful cake, delicious homemade lemonade.  There were 18 tables of 8 so lots of seating and in front for the "Ring Ceremony" there were chairs to sit, I think she just had a few friends and family to that.

The dancing was especially fun to watch and I got to see Meagan and Matt's new Nico and watch Keira and Eden really having fun dancing.  I was so afraid Eden would get her bare toes stepped on!!

But I did not take any pictures, I keep hoping I will find some more on line or on someone's blog, but so far, no luck.

Anyway loved having my pix taken with my beautiful daughters, I am so lucky to have them in my life.  We tried to track James down and get us all together but it never happened.

Oh, yes, one of the funnest part of the reception was the Photo booth, I did not go but they really had fun taking a lot of funny pictures.

Congratulations to Amy and Joe, they will be living in Henderson.  Amy is a Traveling Nurse and Joe has some schooling to finish, they will be living near Kristi!!!

P S - (written later) The Denver airport is so big and I had two big bags!!!  My legs ached for weeks after I got home.

Things to Remember in the New Year

1. Vida used to send us genealogies and family histories from every reunion.  She saw that each of her boys received every one and paid for them all.  I doubt we thanked her as we should have.  It was years later when I came to appreciate them.

2. No matter what, no matter how much luggage, always pay for a cart to carry the luggage in no matter what airport you might be in because you never know how far you might have to walk with it and your legs, feet, arms and back cannot handle the strain anymore.

3. Never buy anything you do not have cash for...no matter what.

4. It's you and you alone who is going to have to take care of you, so be careful...take care of yourself, don't do anything that might make you strain your back, slip and fall, get too tired, get an upset tummy, strain your pocket book, damage your car or house, etc. etc. etc.  Be very kind to yourself and your stuff, you are all you got...

5. Do the things that bring you joy and don't expect anyone else to appreciate that what that is or thank you for it.  Appreciate whatever communication you get from family, there lives are very busy, as yours once was.

6.  Always get enough sleep, eat when you need to eat, drink when you need to drink, nap when you need to nap.  Treat yourself as well as you would your baby.

7. Get out of debt, don't buy anything but food and necessities until you do.

8. Smile and think of a happy thought first thing every morning and last thing every night.  Be grateful for your family, home, car, health, your body, your sight, your hearing, read, listen, enjoy. Gratitude, positive, love...

9. Walk every day with Sadie, she needs it, you need it.

10. Get the oil changed on your car the first time you drive it again.  Pay the other half of the insurance!!!

11. Don't forget your taxes are due February lst...pray James pays you off before...

12. Watch the Test Kitchen and make at least one meal a week from their directions...

13. Exercise more, dance, sit less...

"So This Is Christmas" 2015

"And what have we learned, another year older....." can't remember the next line.  I do remember the first time I heard that song in 2005, working in Texas after Hurricane Katrina and Rita, driving back to the SBA office after lunch.  I asked my music and computer guru (ITA guy) about it when I got back and he said it was a John Lennon song and not new at all.  I then learned over the next week or so about John Lennon and bought a CD and listened and realized I liked his music. Probably first heard it when John was laying on the couch listening to his music in the 70's.  Anyway what have I learned?..same thing every year I guess,  I just read my post from last year and I could say, ditto, so I will...Ditto to this...

December, 2014 

I enjoy watching all the Hallmark Christmas movies each year, happy endings only!  I like happy endings but old age doesn't seem to be a very happy ending.

I wish I had more energy,

I wish my memory was sharper,

I wish I could move faster,

I wish my shape was better,

I wish I had money,

I wish my hearing was better,

I wish my eyes didn't get so tired,

I wish my hands were more dexterous,

I wish I didn't ache at all.

I wish I didn't have so many wrinkles.

All the things we could do at 25 we just took for granted and never even thought about a day when we could not do them.

The year is almost over.  I had hopes of being totally out of debt and in a more comfortable financial situation, It is not going to happen.  Do I believe in miracles?  I have had a few miracles in my life.  I guess the fact I have a home I was able to buy on my own when I did not even have secure employment is one miracle for sure.  The fact I have a new, safe car to take through my aged years is probably another kind of miracle.  The fact I can get by month after month without enough money is probably another miracle.  I have always wondered if those people who have always had lots of money know what it is like to not have enough?  I doubt they think about it anymore than I thought about wrinkles and loss of energy at 25.

Ha, I remember even at 25 I never had enough money to make it through the month it seemed.  The only time I seemed to have an abundance of money was in the 70's and when I was working for the SBA in my 70's.  I should have saved more or paid off my house as I planned.  Not too smart, Janet.

So shall I wish for a miracle for Christmas?  Why Not?  My life continues to be a Catch 22.  But one can always hope.  No one can take that away.

December 2015

Too late for a miracle for Christmas, maybe for the New Year.  Last year I did not make any resolutions, this year I will. 

Eat less, move more, give up sugar again, smile more, think positive, get out of debt, find joy wherever, "live a life of no regret"...and never give up hope on a miracle!

Back to my music...that always gives me joy.