I "Heart" New York

If I knew how to add the heart symbol I would have done it, but have to spell out the word because I'm not all that computer literate!

I really do love it here.  Spring is just beginning and there is lots of green on the trees, but of course nothing like it will be in another month.

Sad to report I have seen no trace of a fox this year.  My son filled in the cavity with rocks which may have prevented Mama Fox from making her den under the shed as she did last year.

The weather here is definitely cooler and I didn't pack very well.  I should wait and pack everything just before I leave, instead of trying to get a head start and then forgetting what is in the suitcase.

My niece Katy, and granddaughter Ara, should be arriving later on today.  I will be very happy to see them.  I just love the energy they exude.

Now I'm off to walk on the treadmill.  I probably won't get a chance to walk tomorrow but hope to do it every morning for the rest of my stay.  If I had a basement back in CA I would certainly buy a good treadmill, as it is so convenient and accessible.  I walk in my pj's!

There isn't a whole lot to write about because I'm not driving about and visiting historic sights this trip.  Everyone have a great weekend.  

Quick Update

After being totally stressed out for several days before leaving, I spend the night at Jeannie's and by the time i went to bed I was completely serene.  A couple bottles of Stella and good conversation really helped.

The plane left on time yesterday morning, arrived in Chicago on time, and my connecting flight was also on time.  It was a perfect trip.  The weather didn't interfere although wind turbulence made for a bumpy ride off and on.  I never mind the bumpiness, and this was no exception.

I flew 1st class to Chicago and what a difference that makes!  Unfortunately, leaving early in the morning meant I didn't take advantage of their totally free beverage service.  While others around me were enjoying Mimosas and the like, I stuck with coffee and water.

Breakfast was the most wonderful huge slice of quiche, with asparagus , potatos and chunks of ham, and a good sized bowl of fresh fruit.  It took me a while to finish all that food but I managed!    My daughter-in-law was waiting for me at the airport, and we had great conversation for the hour ride to their house.  My, how my grandsons have grown, both in height and in their actions.  They seem so much older and more mature, but Sandy assures me they still fight and bicker.  They were ready to help me make my coffee this morning, taking turns scooping the coffee grounds into the filter.  

I think I will start the day with a walk on the treadmill in the basement, and then run a couple of errands nearby.  It is a beautiful sunny morning here.   Thanks to all who sent me good weather and airport vibes yesterday.  I couldn't have imagined a nicer trip.

Pre flight jitters

I always spend the week before a trip in a complete fog, and this is worse than usual.  I misplaced a key I need; I woke up an hour earlier than usual this morning and arrived for my chiropractor appointment an hour early.  This is the worst day so far and i can't even think straight!

If anyone would like to focus on great weather in the midwest, especially Chicago, I would appreciate it.  The bad stuff starts this afternoon and goes well into tomorrow, which will mess up Chicago flights for a while.  

My fridge looks like a bachelor lives here.  I removed one of my water pitchers and lined up the beer bottles.  I bought two cases at Costco yesterday which should last them through the remodel, or at least until I return home.   

I'm tired but afraid if I take a nap I won't get much sleep tonight.   My eyelids are getting heavy though. 

Taking a work break!

I took a good look at my fridge and saw grime and fingerprints all over it, but it doesn't come off with regular cleaners, so I brought out my heavy duty stuff.  Fridge front is now as white as snow.

I then decided to clean my oven and found the can of oven cleaner - but I couldn't get the damn child-proof cap off.  I tried every which way and it wouldn't budge, so I used the heavy duty cleaner mentioned above.  I sprayed the oven floor and the door, for starters.  I'll still need to do the sides, but only if this break revives me.  I probably should also put on a pair of rubber gloves.

The name of this spray cleaner is "ZEP Commercial" (Professional Strength Industrial Cleaner and Degreaser).  I can't remember where I bought it, and I don't use it often, for one thing, it doesn't have a very nice smell.

I've been amassing snacks that I can repackage in zip lock bags to take on the plane with me.  I talked with my son earlier today, who asked me if there was anything I wanted them to get in for me, and I replied "lemons".  I don't want to do without my warm water/lemon drink first thing every morning.  I would recommend to everyone to take the 28-day challenge.  Although I noticed a difference in about 1 week,  I would try anything a few weeks before  giving up on it. 

This morning I put a large section of paper toweling in the bathroom sink, and trimmed my bangs.  Looks good enough to me and I saved a bundle of money!  I'll see how long I can last with long hair - I don't look all that good in long hair, and look even worse when I pull it back and secure it with clips or other methods.  But I've just about lost all worry about how I look - I'm not out to find a boyfriend after all - so I will just wait and see how long I can stand it.

Here is a picture of the two photo boxes I bought.  You can see how the photos fall back because there is nothing to hold them upright.  You can also make out the white dividers that accompanied the boxes, plus the yellow dividers I did myself.  (Click to enlarge the picture)

I've about decided to clean the oven sides after I return from NY.  Tough decision, but I should never have taken a break and sat down.

Dark clouds in the west

The rain has been coming in waves today, with sunny periods in between.  I just looked toward the west and see the ominous dark clouds moving in.

It really irritates me that the newscasters in this area are now saying that we are still in a drought - the snow pack wasn't nearly enough and the snow melt won't be what we need, and the reservoirs are too low.  That's a far cry from what I've seen and heard from those very same news people.  I was driving somewhere recently and saw a huge illuminated billboard by the side of the road that said we are in "extreme drought".  

So what are all those drops that have been falling from the sky for the past few months?  I wonder if this is an excuse to tamper with weather, chemtrails, and god knows what else they can do.  Something weird is going on behind the scenes and I don't like it one bit, nor do I trust the government that is causing it.  I'm not the only one who notices that something is different, the skies are different, and it is strange to say the least.

I didn't do much today - just little jobs and little bits of packing for my trip.  I watched some TV shows that I've recorded previously, including the two genealogy series.  My favorite of these two is the one hosted by Henry Louis Gates.  I don't care for the shows that feature commedians, however, as they are constantly wisecracking and laughing about every little thing.  It gets old.  Maybe it's their way of dealing with life events they can't control.

My fridge and freezer are really down to very basic items, and I have no idea what I want to fix for my dinner.  I think I will go through the fridge this evening or maybe tomorrow, and declutter the contents.  I have already thrown out most items that are out of date, but I can probably find a few more.

I've been roughly following the Marie Kondo method of decluttering, but there is another one whereby you collect 30 bags of trash in 30 days, just going through every room in the house, all the junk drawers and the like.  Any size bag, and in no particular room order.  I think the end result of all the decluttering should be a vow to not accummulate so much stuff to begin with.  It doesn't do to throw out items you don't need or use, and then replace them with more useless things.  I wasn't kidding when I originally predicted I wouldn't be finished with all my decluttering until the end of the year.  The photographs alone should take me up to Thanksgiving!

Win some, lose some!

Yesterday was a very good day.  Everything seemed to go well, but that didn't mean that I was on a roll!  This morning my iCalendar told me I had an appointment to get my hair cut, so I was out the door at about 10:15.  I took the 50-Freeway as I usually do, and traffic seemed to be heavier today but I made it with no problems.  When I arrived at the salon there was a sign on the door saying that they had moved a couple of miles away, still on Howe Avenue (one of the busiest streets in that area).  Many businesses in the Center were vacant and it looked like a major renovation was about to happen.

I wasn't sure how far down Howe avenue I had to go, but as it would be on my right, I didn't think I'd have too much trouble.   I finally found it, parked in a terribly crowded lot, and went into the salon.  My hairdresser came out to tell me that my appointment was tomorrow morning.  It wouldn't have bothered me so much, for one thing it was my error as to the date of my appointment, but I couldn't figure out why someone didn't call and say they had moved.

I drove home thinking about what to do - I certainly didn't want to think about driving over there in the traffic tomorrow morning, and decided by the time I arrived home that I wasn't going back.  I have no idea how to even begin finding a new hairdresser, but it will definitely be someone close to home.

Then I drove to Jesse's Neighborhood Garage to check a noise I've been hearing.  Someone told me that it sounded like a fan belt, so I wasn't too worried about something expensive - hahaha - I was told it was the A/C compressor, and I am looking at approx. $350 for the part.   So I will be driving with the windows open and the A/C off for a while.  When I moved to Sacramento in 1983 I drove a 1982 Toyota, with an after market a/c that didn't work all that well.  I never did like a/c so I just drove all over Central CA in the hot summers with the windows open.  I did it then and can do it now, although I don't look forward to it.  My remodeling definitely will take precedence.

So I'm going to deal with my hair being longer than I like it, and see if Jeannie will trim the front so I don't have hair in my eyes.  

A person can't always have great days, but most of mine are pretty good, so I have to take the downers as well.   I'm not happy about it though.

Trip to Home Depot

Steve, Joe, and I went to Home Depot this morning and bought the tub, toilet, window, backerboard for the wall tile, and misc. items such as grouting.  They were doubtful about it fitting in my living room, but I moved a chair, coffee table, etc., and there is room for two more of everything.  (Click to enlarge)

It was fun spending time with them, and they did some other jobs for me such as getting the swamp cooler operational, trimming the deadly oleander bush, and such.

It looks like they will start the demolition of the old tub and wallboard, and window, and install the new while I'm gone.  I guess it's better for me to not be here.  The one thing we didn't get today was the sink/vanity top.   We will wait until I get back, and if the top can be removed without tearing up the vanity base, then all we need is the new sink top.  Otherwise, I might have to buy a whole new set, in which case I might as well go wider.  My current vanity is 30" wide whereas the space is 48"  I would prefer to go with the width in between the two.

I've begun to pack but still am not sure about what to take.   

It's been a fun day and even Mike got in on the action.  Steve was on top of the roof and needed some piece of equipment, but Joe and I were sitting on  the driveway talking and didn't hear him.  So he called Mike in NY, and Mike called Joe on my driveway, and the rest was brotherly, good-natured ribbing for the most part. 

I went to the gym last night, came home and ate an organic ice cream bar, drank a bottle of Sam Adams lager, and slept like a log all night.

Steve and I took a good look at the back yard while we were waiting for Joe to arrive, and he has some great ideas on how to redo the entire yard and rock that is currently there.  The space is absolutely of no use the way it is.  He proposed removing the rock and laying a foundation of crushed granite, then building boxes for gardening around one side and along the back fence.  I would like to plant a couple of lemon trees as well, and growing vegetables in containers sounds better to me than to have a big plot of ground devoted to gardening.  He also suggested putting up lattice along one side and planting something like jasmine, or even grapes or other vines.  In the end it will depend on how much money I have left over from trips to NY and Alaska, and the bathroom remodel.