Abby – Spot – Heidi

Allison “inspired” me to find some little friends and place them around the office.  You remember, I posted this to Facebook, “Kaiser reminds us to make play a part of every day. The day we stop playing is the day we start aging. How do you make play part of your day?” last Thursday. 

Allison Voigt Hamaker commented “At my last job we had a styrofoam rocket on a rubber band that we used to shoot across the office at each other. We also had a little bear that we would hide and leave ransom notes. It was fun when the person discovered where it was hidden and moved it to a new place.”

I took Friday off – the lack of pressing work at the office contrasted with the amount of pressing work at home had me sick and anxious.  Andrew, Benjamin and I went to DI – the guys needed clothes. 

I found some little playmates. Back at work Monday, I made them little books.  

Hi!

My name is Heidi

 Now that you have found me,

please sign & date my book.

 Then “hide” me somewhere in

rm 1040 for someone else to find.

                 Thanks,  Heidi

Heidi is a little light brown bear. She is still sitting amongst some manila envelopes where I placed her Monday afternoon. Spot the Dalmation remains on a window ledge.  Abby the red crab who was left sitting on a red box in the supply area is gone.  I hope someone found her and is playing the game and NOT that someone found her and confiscated her and stopped the game.

I thought I bought a moose  I called Hunter, but he disappeared before I got to work.  

I am so professional!

This is not an off the road vehicle

My children, the older ones especially, probably remember that phrase.  Something I learned the hard way with our Chevy van when I drove the kids down to the river and got stuck in the rocks.   Something we would repeat often when one of our motoring adventures looked like it might be getting too adventuresome.  Apparently, something I need to remember about my bicycle. 

I probably should avoid riding on cobblestone streets, boardwalks, and rough railroad tracks.  Also, be wary of near-collisions which send me staggering to the side of the path.  After the near collision yesterday – coming out of Old Sacramento, I swerved around some pedestrians, not realizing until too late that another bicycler was passing me.  We actually did body bump and my bike and I kind of bounced to the side.  We both apologized; he looked to see that I was still upright, and rode on –

Anyway, after the near collision, I noticed that my front brake was acting a bit funny.   Going home, it was rubbing against my wheel.  I couldn’t figure out how to stop that, so I rode home with it disengaged.  Joseph looked at my bike last night.  It appears that a spring or two is lost or broken. 

This morning I noticed that my back brake is also rubbing sometimes.  And my back wheel is a little wobbly.  Not good. But I rode in – even though  I really wanted a mental health day. 

I was going to do a lunch time ride, anyway, but when I pulled Sylvia out of her locker, she just seemed too gimpy.  I hope we do ok going home this evening.

I am feeling gimpy, too.  A couple of joints making me a bit too aware of them.

I am trying to figure out the logistics of taking her in to the bike shop for a day.  That mental health day just might be in the works tomorrow.  I need to watch that.  I so often find myself wishing I could have many more days at home. 

Yesterday, my supervisor asked me a couple of times if I was ok, which I was.  I rather wish she would ask me today.  I could honestly answer  that I am functional but not feeling top form. Which would set me up for calling in tomorrow.   The work has been slow enough lately missing a day now and then doesn’t cause any stress.  Just wish I didn’t have to burn leave time.

On my bike or on the computer,  lunch break flies by.

Busy Days as usual

As Andrew is going about the business of life biking around town alone and because I worry, I did a little (admittedly very little) on-line research, then stopped by Target on the way home last Friday and got him a Trac phone. I don’t see going to the expense of getting him a Verizon phone right now as Benjamin will be leaving on his mission in a few months and Andrew can take custody of the “boy phone” then.  

In part of his biking around town - Andrew went to his Dad’s to help out Friday – after taking care of our freezer  exchange.  Emptying out the old freezer, dealing with the delivery people, and filling the new freezer.   I am not totally thrilled with the freezer, but it will be very nice to have frost free.  The ancient one we were using was one I got for something like $25 from a neighbor.  Before that I had a chest freezer which I liked, but had had for decades and it got to where  we had been duct-taping the lid for quite some time.  It’s day was over.  I find that, unlike most of my friends, I prefer chest, but they take up a lot of floor space and I don’t think they come frost free.  So I got this upright.  It is a bit smaller than the old one, but I figure not having ice formations taking up space will counter that.  Actually, I hope to figure out how to afford space and money to get a small chest freezer as well.  Sometime in the future – All you upright lovers, tell me how you get a decent amount of food in there without having an avalanche when you open the door?

Andrew went over to his dad’s from about 11-5 Friday, wonderful young man that he is (Andrew, not Glen).  Fortunately, a neighbor suggested they bolt the ramp down so Glen is no longer so concerned that the ramp might be stolen so Andrew doesn’t have to get it out and put it away every time Glen wants to go anywhere. When that looked like it was going to be the case, Andrew had a complex chart drawn up to try to accommodate school, quorum responsibilities, meetings, and Glen.  He was even going to miss half on one class’s meetings.   As it was, Andrew helped Glen with some chores and shopping.  He thinks that he can just go over and help once a week instead of the complicated and demanding, weird hours, daily schedule Andrew was looking at when he was on ramp duty.  Since that happy thought however, I had to discuss a bit of business with Glen who said that he wanted someone to be there whenever he goes in or out because he is unsteady on the ramp. He is working his State job from home and taking a few more days off from his security job which is why he thinks Andrew doesn’t have to come every day this week.   He has not asked Andrew yet.  Andrew cannot stay even if he wanted to.  He has obligations and responsibilities.  Oh, if it were really necessary he could make arrangements. Andrew may be the only one of his children willing to help so much.  David and Teresa have helped with driving chores, but I think there was no thought of asking David to help with the odd hour schedule which included middle of the night.  Hopefully, Glen can get better used to the ramp and learn to handle it on his own very quickly.  I know there are a couple of ideas to make it safer – tennis balls on the legs of his walker and going down the ramp backwards so he is not pitching forward downhill.  Glen should have a prostheses and be walking pretty normally by the end of October.   Anyway, Andrew is pretty awesome.

As he often does, wonderful young man that he is, Benjamin made dinner Friday night– pizza – Friday is often pizza night.  I think once Esther told Benjamin that Friday is pizza night at their house.

I spent much of the evening observing Joseph and Andrew figuring out the new phone and talking on (another) phone to one of my daughters.  Benjamin felt a bit neglected.  He didn’t pout much.  He came up with a plan.  Forced Family Fun Friday.  He baked cookies, put on a movie, and gathered us round to learn to play Chapter and Verse.  http://chapterandversegame.blogspot.com/   We just played simple basic because some of us were tired  and hadn’t seen it before. 

Saturday was a busy day. 

I dropped Andrew and Benjamin and their bicycles off at Elk Grove Park where they helped work on maintaining a dirt bike park.  They planned to bike home, I would have picked them up had they called, but another Institute person gave them a lift home.  

Joseph, Anna and I went to the Great American River Clean-Up.  Not sure whether it was because there was less litter or because there were so many volunteers, but we only picked up a small amount of trash in the hour or so we worked.  

Then we did chores – took my bike to the bike shop expecting to leave it and hoping to pick it up later in the afternoon, but they worked on it while we waited, went to Costco for much needed gas in the car and a quick, light shopping trip – over $200.  Oops. 

Saturday evening we went to movie night at Okie Park and saw Gnomeo and Juliet.  That was fun.  We enjoyed  it.  However, it is not going on my must buy list.  

Sunday was a busy day, too.  

Our Home Teacher visited us before church Sunday.  I took Sophie (my laptop) to church for the first time.   I thought that I would either nap or write letters  on Sophie while Andrew and Benjamin were in choir.  Sophie, had her own ideas – installing updates.   I socialized.  I did take notes on Sophie during Sacrament Meeting.  Not great notes, but it helped me resist the too-often tendency to drift off.  While the last speaker was talking, I got a text from Liz R.  She wasn’t feeling well, had just awakened, could I teach her Primary class.  I got the text telling me which lesson when we were about to sing the closing song.  Fortunately, the kids are very cooperative and the lesson was based on a scripture event I had recently read.

We had my birthday dinner with Hinds, Miriam, and Debi Sunday evening.  French dip and fruit salad.  Delicious!  And dessert!  Homemade chocolate cookie cup filled with homemade chocolate ice cream, topped with homemade whipped cream and decorated with homemade chocolate – I don’t know what you call it – filigree – hearts, flowers, and I love you.  A treat for the eyes and the palate. 

 Busy and pleasant weekend. Over too soon, as usual.

Lock 'er Up!

Thursday afternoon the gal who handles our transit discount vouchers  and the bike lockers for Parks came to my office with 3 keys in her hand.  She had done some shake downs and found lockers that were not being used.  Shhh!  Don’t tell anyone, but I think she moved me up the line a little.  I used to email a couple of times a year asking where I was on the list.  I also submitted  ideas for more bike lockers.  It is well know that I bike daily year round. In other words, I showed  sincere interest.  She not only gave me a little boost, she let me choose which of the 3 lockers I wanted.  We went down together and she opened each one. The one I got was slightly easier to open, NOT full of cobwebs and on an end which I like.  Sweet 16! Nice happy birthday to me!  (16 is the locker.  I am *cough* multiples of 16)

I put my bike in the locker right away.  Slight problem, either the locker door is a little too low, or my bike handlebar  a bit too high, but it took some wrestling and tilting to get the bike in.  Saturday, Joseph and I went to the bike shop.  He had gotten me a new front basket for my bicycle, but we couldn’t install it because of my quick release wheel.  We exchanged the basket.  I also had them lower my handlebars and rotate them.  I had been riding with my arms fully extended forward.  Now they are pretty nearly fully extended but a little more down.  The bike slides right in!  Joseph also got me a quick release extension bar for people without enough room on their bars.  We put my headlights on that (one to flash and a brighter steady one).  I take the extension bar off the handlebar to put the bike in the locker, but that is easy and fits  better than the lights directly on the handlebar.

Now that I have a bike locker, my bike is safer from thieves,  won’t be out in the winter weather all day, AND I can go out on a lunch time ride and have a place to park when I get back!  

 Friday, I rode over to California Parks Foundation Park(ing) Day.  A temporary mini park set up in a couple of parking spaces.  They had a fire ring and camp chairs, little trees, and a petition and postcard for the Governor asking him to save our parks.  A futile effort, I fear, but we must try.

Yesterday,  I rode south out past the Sacramento Marina to the end of Miller Park on the river then back north through Old Sacramento (cobblestone streets and wooden board walks are BUMPY!) to the Sacramento History Museum.

Today I rode to the Old City Cemetery where the Native Plant Society has some areas planted with (would you guess) native California plants.  I am thinking about planting some native plants in my yard.

 

It is quite nice to get a mini get-away!

When I got back today, my supervisor said she doesn’t like me having a bike locker because she cannot come talk to me at my desk during lunch now.  Another plus.  : )

Birthday Weekend

Hawaiian Haystacks and happy company were the order of the evening Friday at David & Teresa's (2 of 8 and better half).  They also invited their landlady and son/ church friends Velma and Moroni Leash.  Moroni is also Elder's Quorum President to whom Andrew is 2nd counselor.  The food was good and the conversation pleasant. 

One of the most interesting tidbits is Velma's assertion that science says there is no reason people shouldn't live to be 120-150 meaning I am barely entering middle-age.  Of course, my first thought was "I cannot afford to live that long."  Which is so very true.  Unless I can work until I am at least 110.  Isn't that a bit of an exhausting thought?

David and Teresa are pretty much settled into a cute little cottage in the Leash compound and I think they have the nicest backyard of the set.  What a change from their last couple of living quarters - especially including our family room floor for a few months!

Saturday morning the boys made me a delicious breakfast. 

Then we went to the Single Adults Ceramic Tile class.  We learned to operate a wet saw and cut tile.  We learned a little bit about thin set.   Our teacher, Max, supplied a lot of discontinued ceramic floor tile and some 24 x 16 wood pieces.  The idea was that we would each tile our board which would make a nice little table top.  However, more people came to the activity than was anticipated.  There were plenty of supplies, but tile cutting takes a long time and the morning was long gone and it looked like it would still be some time before our turn to cut.  Andrew had designed one table top and Benjamin and I another (with minimal help from Joseph),  Like the other ladies ahead of us, our design was a tad more ambitious than Max had anticipated (he didn't give any guidelines about that and ours wasn't really fancy).  Anyway, we finally decided we didn't want to spend ALL day at Tiffany's (delightful though she is) and I fancied I could see some signs of stress in Max at the idea that we might.  So, we abandoned our tiles. I think we learned a good bit, but I am not sure if we are ready to take on any important tiling jobs.

After a change and a bite to eat, we entered what I think of as our Keystone Kops mode.  Calls back and forth with a daughter who might join us on our adventure, muddling about trying to get our act together, finally admitting that Joseph did not want to go anywhere whether State Park or Beach.  Eventually, we decided on the beach partly because Anna could go and it was her Adoption Day as well as my birthday.  And finally, after determining that daughter cannot come, Benjamin, Andrew, Anna and I hit the road - stopping to tank up at Costco on the way.  It takes us far too long to get out of town!!

As we drove, I enjoyed a birthday call with Sariah (hands free Bluetooth).  Maybe partly because I was slightly distracted, because changes have been made, and because I haven't made the drive in too long, I missed  a critical turn off that would have taken us past where Marine World/Africa USA (how I miss it!!!) used to be and around to approach from the north.  Instead, we found ourselves on the Bay Bridge - a TOLL  bridge heading into the Oakland/San Francisco area. argh!  Andrew loaned me the toll money.  As we were crossing the bridge, Andrew exclaims, "That's where Huell Howser went!"  I glance over and say, "The Coit Tower?"  "I don't know what they call it but he went there."  Impulsively we take the next exit and try to find "the Coit Tower".  The guys start going "That's it, we're there!" and I find myself circling the TransAmerica Pyramid building.  Apparently, Andrew and I had watched different episodes.  : )   It's getting a little late, I am not that good at driving in San Fransico anymore, and I don't have money for parking even if I could find any place, so we abandon the Pyramid which is not the Coit Tower and try to find our way to and across the Golden Gate Bridge so we can get to Rodeo Beach.

It was evening by the time we got to the beach which meant that we had the excitement of seeing racoons who were out checking the picnic areas.  Anna really liked that, but would have liked it better had she not been restrained.  At least SHE thinks so.  I don't think that it would go well if she did get a chance to see a coon up close.  We all walked along the beach.  The guys and Anna went up on the rocks a little bit.  Our visit was very short, but even that does something healing to my spirits.  I have said it before, but the only thing that makes me think there is anything to that theory of evolution is the pull I feel to the ocean's edge.  Something in me just has to go to the seashore.  Not some long sandy beach.  Rocky coves with crashing waves.

Today was a pleasant typical Sunday.  I seem to be hearing more push to prepare for General Conference than usual.  Our talks in Sacrament Meeting were about following the prophets.  Always a good idea!

While not attending any official observance, I have been mindful of the 9/11 annivesary all weekend.  Mourning the loss, sympathizing with those who lost so much, thinking especially of the emergency responders, and being grateful for my life.

This evening the guys and I were settling into a bit of Reading Club - reading an exciting yet-to-be-published novel by a dear friend (and talented first time author)- when the phone rang and there went the evening.

The boys' dad, my ex, is recuperating from a further amputation (diabetes complication) - now mid-calf.  He wants Andrew to come stay with him for a month to help him out.  Starting possibly some time next week. Supposedly the thing he wants help with mostly is an aluminum ramp to help him get in and out of the house but dares not leave set up lest it get stolen.  (I expect that there will be "other duties as required."  Andrew is trying to work out how to handle his SCC classes and Elder's Quorum Presidency meetings and responsibilities. He will be able to light rail from near Dad's right to SCC.  But he is going to have to drop his aerobics class. He will come to our neighborhood Thursday night for EQP meeting, sleep over at home and go back to Dad's Friday morning. It means Andrew won't be available for Saturday adventures for awhile.  Maybe some late Saturday afternoon. Andrew has a good attitude about this. (Better than I do, although I expected something like this) Anyway, as you can imagine, it is going to be a bit of a sacrifice on Andrew's part, so keep him in your prayers.  Pray for Glen, too.  The better he does, the sooner Andrew can come home.

Tomorrow I am taking the day off work for my birthday present to me.  I hope to do some stamping.  And maybe get some Christmas ideas.  Unfortunately, I don't have definite plans yet.  I hope I get "inspired" tomorrow morning - or dream up something tonight. 

Things Cut - Parks, Hair, Downspouts

I had intended today to visit another couple of our lovely  State Parks marked for closure - Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park.  However, as both Joseph and I were also feeling the burden of things that need doing, that pleasure has been deferred.  Hopefully not too long. 

Joseph spent much of the day working on computer issues.

Andrew cut his own hair - as is his habit since some time on his mission.  He keeps it pretty short. It looks good on him, but it took some getting used to for me.  I think he has great hair and I miss the more traditional business cut he used to wear.

Benjamin and I went to Home Depot where we ordered a freezer (upright - because of floor space and frost free, but I still want a chest freezer - maybe a small one later, when I figure out where) and bought diverter supplies to turn the force of water from being directed straight to our foundation when the rains come.  Then he went to get a haircut (more the style I prefer, but a little shorter than usual this time) while I picked up milk and a few other food stuffs.  Benjamin has been observing the hair cutters each time and may one day attempt to do his own.  But the business cut is more difficult that the style Andrew does.  Why does their mother not cut their hair, you ask?  Because they hope to be able to be seen in public without having to wear bags over their heads, that's why.

The guys and I spent more time than I had expected wrestling with downspouts, but I think our foundation is now under much less of a delugenal threat.  Also we did battle with a few weeds, but I must say the weeds are still in command of the battle field.

Eventually we decided we had worked enough.  Joseph built a fire in the family room fireplace.  Andrew popped in a DVD of some of America's Scenic Wonders or something like that - Pacific Coast -- Death Valley, Big Sur, Yosemite, Olympic (or is it Olympia?) National Forest, Glacier Bay, and unpronouncable, unspellable volcano on Maui, and maybe others.   We roasted hot dogs and made s'mores.  Lazy, stay at home "camping" fun.

We did not play a game  Learn the Scriptures While Harnessing Your Inner Geek.  I did not do any recreational reading although my book lists, both personal and Reading Club (the "boys" and I), are quite long and getting longer.   I did not untangle Debi's furry yarn. I still have not started anything for Christmas, and oh, boy am I in trouble.  Oh, there are hosts of things I did not do.

Again I lament, as I so often do, weekends, even three day weekends are TOO SHORT.

But it has been a good one and I am grateful.  

Hooray for Home Depot

I emailed both Home Depot and Fiskars about my nasty, soggy rain-barrel installation instructions yesterday.  This morning I found an email from Home Depot
thanking me for contacting them,
apologizing for the unpleasant experience,
telling me that the store manager has been instructed check into storage procedures with the intent to prevent this from happening
AND a gift card.  
That's customer service!

I believe that often happiness is a choice.  I believe in living the dream and blessings that you have rather than pining for the ones you have not.  I sometimes forget! but I believe in more fully living your life.

Friday night Debi invited family over for Toy Story 3 and pizza.  Benjamin made pizza for us to take.  Debi provided a pizza and DELICIOUS chocolate chocolate chip cookies.  Neither Andrew nor I had seen Toy Story 3 before.  Good company. Good movie.  Most all of us at least got teary-eyed.

Of course, Debi also entangled me in an evil scheme or, rather, skein.  She has some (probably expensive) furry yarn which is (we hope not) hopelessly tangled.   As in the past I have been able to straighten out some knotty problems, she handed this one to me.   I was up a bit too late working on it last night after we got home.  It's a bit addicting, strangely.   I cannot tell if I am actually making any headway.  One minute I will think I might be.  The next I will be tempted to chuck the whole thing.  But stubborness, pride, love for my daughter, the conviction that it probably is a pricey bit of "yarn" have me still at it.  Well, not at this exact moment.  But off and on through the day.  It may take a very long time (before I either succeed or give up).

This morning Benjamin, Andrew and I set up the two rain-barrels I got at Home Depot some time ago.  The instructions were sealed in a plastic bag sealed inside plastic with the diverter parts but still soaking wet, slimy and foul smelling.  nice.  I emailed the company and Home Depot.  I also found installation instructions online, although for a slightly different diverter, it turns out, which messed up our measurements in downspout cutting.  But Benjamin is Benjamin and he made it work.  (I think)

When Benjamin poured water in the gutters to test the downspout/rain-barrel connection we found that they (the gutters) leak a bit a the seams.  sigh.  I don't know if we will fix it or live with it.  I also need to work on diverting water away from the foundation instead of gushing down the spout directly at it.  another day.  Enough domestic duty for one day.  Time to play.

We spent about an hour at the Sacramento Chalk It Up Festival at Fremont Park watching some of the artists at work.  Maybe we will go back Monday to see finished art.  Or at least I will go by on the way to the BloodSource Tuesday afternoon.  It is right by there.

Finally around 2 we headed out of town for Jack London State Historic Park  - one of the 70 California State Parks slated for closure. Another treasure!  Wonderful hiking trails through beautiful woodlands, history, love story, adventure.  We arrived fairly late, in fact the House of Happy Walls Museum should have been closing, but we spend some lovely time there enjoying the beauty, the dreams, the adventures of the Londons.  We hiked to the ruins of the Wolf House - Jack and Charmian's dream house which was destroyed by fire just as it was finished and just before they moved in.  Some of the trails while not paved are wide enough and just about smooth enough for wheelchairs, but they do have steep ups and downs, so wheelchair patrons would need strong helpers. Dogs and bicycles are allowed on some of the trails.  We barely got a taste of this lovely park, but enough to know that it is a treasure.

Have I discovered one that is not?  It breaks my heart that these parks will be closed.  Which really means open to natural deterioration, but worse, vandalism, crime, and other problems like fire and accidents.  Oh, California, it is a false economy!  The potential liabilities, the loss of public education, recreation and pleasure. These park closures are going to cost us greatly in tangibles and intangibles.   I know our budget is in need of dire action, but these park closures have so much negative potential.  Besides simply being heartbreaking.

We thoroughly enjoyed our brief visit to Jack London SHP, increased our appreciation for the man and for his wife Charmian.  Park signs and Benjamin tried to teach me to recognize poison oak, but I seem to be hopeless.  I looked and looked at clearly identified plants knowing that I am very unlikely to recognize it next we meet.  Best I just stay on the trail and not touch anything.

On the way home we stopped at the 99 Cents store for our contributions to the Feed The Homeless lunches our Stake puts together periodically.

Finally home.  Home-made macaroni and cheese (I actually cooked.  Benjamin does not do ALL the cooking) Family Prayer and Scriptures.  And another Reading Club chapter of a yet to be released novel by an (as yet) unknown author whom I think has a lot of promise.  We feel quite privileged that he is allowing us the honor of reading it before he releases it.  You will want to read "All Things Being Equal."

happy day.  Happy night and good Sabbath to you.