...nearly empty your dishwasher and then realize the dishes had never been cleaned? I just did that. Emptied everything until I got to the silverware and found traces of almond butter on the knives. I'm not one who washes the dishes prior to loading them into the dishwasher, but I just didn't see they were not clean when I put them away. Then, try to go back and try to remember everything that was in it!
It's downright warm today - supposedly got up to 81. I got a lot of weeds and grass pulled, but still have a long way to go before I'm ready for the Park police inspection.
I was fooling around looking for the current time in Ireland as I was thinking about phoning a friend there. I found a web page that offered the html for this clock and decided to put it on my blog, when I realized it is a 12 hour clock - Ireland is 7 hrs. earlier than Sacramento today, but they go on Daylight Savings Time on March 31. I haven't figured out if they will then be 6 or 8 hours ahead, but I will figure it out when it happens.
Speaking of Ireland, I have been tossing around the idea of flying to NY in September, and then flying to Ireland for 6 wks or so. I don't think I could afford the trip if I had to pay the fuel to drive to and from NY from here. It was a lot easier finding flight schedules when I lived in the east, than from CA. It's just dreaming, after all, and probably will never happen especially considering I've sworn off flying.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Maps
I guess you can consider this somewhat of a post on travel. I often feel guilty writing a blog that originally was about my travels, but mostly ends up being about my humdrum day.
In my computer/camping stuff/junk room I have big laminated full color maps on two walls. One is a map of the United States, and the other is a world map. Am I the only one, or does anyone reading this have the same experience when looking at a map - the feeling of being drawn into it.
I first experienced this phenomenon when I worked in an office in Sacramento in the 1980's. One of my co-workers got a big laminated map of the U.S. and hung it on the wall outside my cubicle. When I was bored or needed a short break, I would walk to that map and look at the different states, and before long I would be drawn right into the places I was studying on the map. It still happens to me, and is a wonderful way to be transported to another place, and to dream about "what if".
This morning after reading the news headline about the threat by N.Korea to launch a nuclear weapon, I went to the world map to find it's exact location and proximity to the West Coast of the U.S. and Hawaii. Dang, it's right on the border with China, as well as with S.Korea, of course.
I hold in my heart the U.S military personnel who are stationed in S.Korea. One of my uncles, a U.S. Marine, fought in the Korean War. My husband served in S.Korea (Camp Casey) during the early 1960's. I spent 5 weeks in S.Korea in the mid 1980's, mostly in Seoul but was able to visit the demilitarized zone at Panmunjom. We have a lot of military personnel at Panmunjom, and they would be the first line of defense in an attempted border crossing. The N.Korean army has always tried to tunnel their way under the DMZ, and the Corps of Engineers have the eternal job of finding and filling in the tunnels. So I really hope that negotiations can prevent another war with the N.Koreans.
I followed up with a look at the U.S. map which I always find calming and exhiliarating at the same time. It isn't practical for planning a road trip, but it's good for an overview of the possibilities.
I just got my mail and had a letter from another of the three friends I wrote to in Ireland. She owned the house I lived in for the first two years I was there, and was a wonderful friend. I would really love to go back for a couple of months, but the cost is prohibitive. For one thing, it would mean a rental car which would be a lot of money for that long. But I can nearly taste the Murphy's Stout, and hear the music and laughing in the pubs. Time to go look at the wall map and let myself be pulled in.
In my computer/camping stuff/junk room I have big laminated full color maps on two walls. One is a map of the United States, and the other is a world map. Am I the only one, or does anyone reading this have the same experience when looking at a map - the feeling of being drawn into it.
I first experienced this phenomenon when I worked in an office in Sacramento in the 1980's. One of my co-workers got a big laminated map of the U.S. and hung it on the wall outside my cubicle. When I was bored or needed a short break, I would walk to that map and look at the different states, and before long I would be drawn right into the places I was studying on the map. It still happens to me, and is a wonderful way to be transported to another place, and to dream about "what if".
This morning after reading the news headline about the threat by N.Korea to launch a nuclear weapon, I went to the world map to find it's exact location and proximity to the West Coast of the U.S. and Hawaii. Dang, it's right on the border with China, as well as with S.Korea, of course.
I hold in my heart the U.S military personnel who are stationed in S.Korea. One of my uncles, a U.S. Marine, fought in the Korean War. My husband served in S.Korea (Camp Casey) during the early 1960's. I spent 5 weeks in S.Korea in the mid 1980's, mostly in Seoul but was able to visit the demilitarized zone at Panmunjom. We have a lot of military personnel at Panmunjom, and they would be the first line of defense in an attempted border crossing. The N.Korean army has always tried to tunnel their way under the DMZ, and the Corps of Engineers have the eternal job of finding and filling in the tunnels. So I really hope that negotiations can prevent another war with the N.Koreans.
I followed up with a look at the U.S. map which I always find calming and exhiliarating at the same time. It isn't practical for planning a road trip, but it's good for an overview of the possibilities.
I just got my mail and had a letter from another of the three friends I wrote to in Ireland. She owned the house I lived in for the first two years I was there, and was a wonderful friend. I would really love to go back for a couple of months, but the cost is prohibitive. For one thing, it would mean a rental car which would be a lot of money for that long. But I can nearly taste the Murphy's Stout, and hear the music and laughing in the pubs. Time to go look at the wall map and let myself be pulled in.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Getting What I Always Wanted!
For years now I've been interested in getting a Jitterbug cell phone, and this morning I called and placed my order. I used my Tracfone to place the call as I still had almost 300 minutes to use in only 5 days. Would you believe that with placing the order, asking all the questions I wanted to ask, and getting all the details of the phone, I only used 10 minutes! I really dislike the whole idea of a cell phone and would cheerfully toss it in the trash and never again be bothered, but my kids feel better about my traveling with a cell phone. For myself, I truly don't care.
The painting is finished, at least in the living room. Jeannie came over on Saturday and put the final coat on ceiling and walls. I did a little bit of the trim, but mostly just watched her work. It was exhausting! Of all times to have to undergo that stupid time change it would be Saturday night.
I will try to finish the kitchen painting soon, which only amounts to four bottom cabinet doors and 12 drawers. The worst part will be the cleaning before I even start to paint. I'm so happy with the way the living room looks and I'm really anxious to get the kitchen finished. Not sure if I will do the bathroom, but it's an ugly pink color, is a very small space, and it would be nice to brighten it up a bit.
I haven't been feeling well lately and think I will try to eliminate, or at least reduce, the amount of dairy products I'm consuming. In trying to gain weight I cover all vegetables with a liberal dose of cheddar, plus sour cream; eat a bowl of cereal each morning with whole milk, and then have a big bowl of ice cream every night. I will use up the products I have left, and then just use half & half in my coffee. If I don't feel any better I'll go back to the rest of the dairy products, but it's worth a try.
The flowering trees are in bloom and already I can feel and see the pollen everywhere. I had a bad enough headache a couple of nights ago that I got out of my warm bed to go take an aspirin. Since I rarely get a headache it was enough to make me wonder if the headache might be a sign of something else. Evidently it was a combination of pollen and paint fumes, and not anything worse.
For some reason I haven't even been turning on my computer lately. Once in a while I check email, but I think I'm close to OD'ing on computer and television. Don't know what's going on but thought I would check in from time to time until I figure it out.
The painting is finished, at least in the living room. Jeannie came over on Saturday and put the final coat on ceiling and walls. I did a little bit of the trim, but mostly just watched her work. It was exhausting! Of all times to have to undergo that stupid time change it would be Saturday night.
I will try to finish the kitchen painting soon, which only amounts to four bottom cabinet doors and 12 drawers. The worst part will be the cleaning before I even start to paint. I'm so happy with the way the living room looks and I'm really anxious to get the kitchen finished. Not sure if I will do the bathroom, but it's an ugly pink color, is a very small space, and it would be nice to brighten it up a bit.
I haven't been feeling well lately and think I will try to eliminate, or at least reduce, the amount of dairy products I'm consuming. In trying to gain weight I cover all vegetables with a liberal dose of cheddar, plus sour cream; eat a bowl of cereal each morning with whole milk, and then have a big bowl of ice cream every night. I will use up the products I have left, and then just use half & half in my coffee. If I don't feel any better I'll go back to the rest of the dairy products, but it's worth a try.
The flowering trees are in bloom and already I can feel and see the pollen everywhere. I had a bad enough headache a couple of nights ago that I got out of my warm bed to go take an aspirin. Since I rarely get a headache it was enough to make me wonder if the headache might be a sign of something else. Evidently it was a combination of pollen and paint fumes, and not anything worse.
For some reason I haven't even been turning on my computer lately. Once in a while I check email, but I think I'm close to OD'ing on computer and television. Don't know what's going on but thought I would check in from time to time until I figure it out.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Taking a break
I haven't done anything to post about, so I'm taking a little break for another day or two.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Recovering at home
After all the work Jeannie did painting my living this weekend I am simply worn out today, and I decided to rest the entire day.
The walls and ceiling still need one more coat which we will do next weekend if possible, but in the meantime it is so improved over what it was I think it is beautiful.
The new thermostat is also installed and looks much better than the old one, although I'd rather have a "new old model". The old one had one big dial by which you dialed the desired temperature and you were done. The new one is digital and has a readout screen, up and down arrows which I can understand, and three buttons used to set date, time & temp. Evidently I can set temps for four different time periods in one day, but I really don't need but one. I want to set it and forget it. I have it set right now to 55 degrees round the clock, but in the morning I would like it to come on and warm up to say, 70 degrees for a few minutes and then turn it back down. I need a college degree in digital technology to do this. I'm not saying I couldn't eventually figure it out, but as with many things, I simply don't want to waste my brainpower on it. There are much better and more fun new things I'd rather learn.
It was so nice to go out to eat last night. I rarely eat out and this was such a spur-of-the-moment thing that it was great fun. Straw Hat Pizza is a family friendly place, and owned by the same family for years. Our table this time was near one of those rocking horses that normally cost a quarter to ride, but this one is free and all kids love it.
I've had a wonderfully lazy day today that included a nap on the couch.
The walls and ceiling still need one more coat which we will do next weekend if possible, but in the meantime it is so improved over what it was I think it is beautiful.
The new thermostat is also installed and looks much better than the old one, although I'd rather have a "new old model". The old one had one big dial by which you dialed the desired temperature and you were done. The new one is digital and has a readout screen, up and down arrows which I can understand, and three buttons used to set date, time & temp. Evidently I can set temps for four different time periods in one day, but I really don't need but one. I want to set it and forget it. I have it set right now to 55 degrees round the clock, but in the morning I would like it to come on and warm up to say, 70 degrees for a few minutes and then turn it back down. I need a college degree in digital technology to do this. I'm not saying I couldn't eventually figure it out, but as with many things, I simply don't want to waste my brainpower on it. There are much better and more fun new things I'd rather learn.
It was so nice to go out to eat last night. I rarely eat out and this was such a spur-of-the-moment thing that it was great fun. Straw Hat Pizza is a family friendly place, and owned by the same family for years. Our table this time was near one of those rocking horses that normally cost a quarter to ride, but this one is free and all kids love it.
I've had a wonderfully lazy day today that included a nap on the couch.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
The primer is on
Between Jeannie and me, mostly Jeannie, we got the primer on ceiling and walls. We even did the wall that needs to be replaced, because I won't have the money to do the job right for another year and will just go with what is there. Strategically placed curtains will cover some of the bad paneling around the windows. The weather was perfect and I opened several windows to keep the air circulating.
I had a very restless night with terrible leg cramps and pain in my abdominal muscles. I can't believe how different it is between now and one year ago when I painted all the other rooms. Jeanne did the ceiling and I did a couple of walls and trim, but she did the biggest part of it. She wants to come back today and get the first coat of ceiling paint going. The room is certainly brighter with no more wood paneling showing.
I sat in my recliner for a couple of hours last night in a near catatonic state. I'll be glad when this is all finished and then I will start on finishing up the kitchen. All I need to do there is the cabinet and drawer fronts. Then I'm going get rid of all painting supplies, and never attempt it again!
Later after we had finished, Donald brought the girls over, and Steve, Meg & Liam stopped by. The boys got my new thermostat working and we all went over to Straw Hat Pizza for dinner. My sister Amy also joined us, and it was a nice time. We always have a great time there, nostalgia playing a big part of it, and the food is always good. So I'm back at home now, ready to drop into bed soon. What a difference a couple coats of paint can make on a room, and especially covering 50 year old paneling.
I had a very restless night with terrible leg cramps and pain in my abdominal muscles. I can't believe how different it is between now and one year ago when I painted all the other rooms. Jeanne did the ceiling and I did a couple of walls and trim, but she did the biggest part of it. She wants to come back today and get the first coat of ceiling paint going. The room is certainly brighter with no more wood paneling showing.
I sat in my recliner for a couple of hours last night in a near catatonic state. I'll be glad when this is all finished and then I will start on finishing up the kitchen. All I need to do there is the cabinet and drawer fronts. Then I'm going get rid of all painting supplies, and never attempt it again!
Later after we had finished, Donald brought the girls over, and Steve, Meg & Liam stopped by. The boys got my new thermostat working and we all went over to Straw Hat Pizza for dinner. My sister Amy also joined us, and it was a nice time. We always have a great time there, nostalgia playing a big part of it, and the food is always good. So I'm back at home now, ready to drop into bed soon. What a difference a couple coats of paint can make on a room, and especially covering 50 year old paneling.
Friday, March 1, 2013
It's a gorgeous day!
I finished cleaning the paneling on the ceiling and am ready to start painting. I'm tired of it already. I've had to push furniture out of the way when cleaning overhead and everything is in real mess, but I can live with it for a day if I need to. I think Jeanne is planning to help me out on Sunday.
Last night I happened to turn on the TV to the local public station and watched a show featuring the Irish Rovers. They have been around a really long time and are now old guys but they can still sing the rousing Irish songs and beautiful ballads. This particular show took place in Belfast as well as in the countryside of Northern Ireland. Since I lived in the southwest of Ireland, just about on the line between Counties Cork and Kerry, I really knew very little about the terrain of the Northern Counties. I did drive up to meet a friend in County Mayo and drove to Donegal for a day (northwest), but I'll have to say that from the show last night the north has some gorgeous scenery. Now I'm really wishing I could go back for a visit, although I'd probably head straight for West Cork.
I wanted to clarify part of what I wrote yesterday about the Houston SPCA. They are probably one of the largest animal welfare units in the country, and not only cover Harris county but several counties surrounding it - many thousands of square miles. They have a lot of support in the way of people who foster animals until they are ready for adoption; equine clinics and experts; breed specific rescue organizations, local law enforcement and legal systems, and no doubt some really wealthy donors. So for these and many more reasons, Houston SPCA can reach more animals in need, and provide more services than a smaller organization could. No doubt all SPCA's do the best with what they have, but Houston clearly provides excellent and consistent treatment of the animals they encounter.
Since I doubt I'll ever have another dog, I get my "doggie fix" by watching Animal Planet, and I've learned a lot about other animals as well.
I just went outside to check my mailbox and can't believe how warm it is. I knoe it won't stay this way for long, but it's great to have such pleasant weather.
Last night I happened to turn on the TV to the local public station and watched a show featuring the Irish Rovers. They have been around a really long time and are now old guys but they can still sing the rousing Irish songs and beautiful ballads. This particular show took place in Belfast as well as in the countryside of Northern Ireland. Since I lived in the southwest of Ireland, just about on the line between Counties Cork and Kerry, I really knew very little about the terrain of the Northern Counties. I did drive up to meet a friend in County Mayo and drove to Donegal for a day (northwest), but I'll have to say that from the show last night the north has some gorgeous scenery. Now I'm really wishing I could go back for a visit, although I'd probably head straight for West Cork.
I wanted to clarify part of what I wrote yesterday about the Houston SPCA. They are probably one of the largest animal welfare units in the country, and not only cover Harris county but several counties surrounding it - many thousands of square miles. They have a lot of support in the way of people who foster animals until they are ready for adoption; equine clinics and experts; breed specific rescue organizations, local law enforcement and legal systems, and no doubt some really wealthy donors. So for these and many more reasons, Houston SPCA can reach more animals in need, and provide more services than a smaller organization could. No doubt all SPCA's do the best with what they have, but Houston clearly provides excellent and consistent treatment of the animals they encounter.
Since I doubt I'll ever have another dog, I get my "doggie fix" by watching Animal Planet, and I've learned a lot about other animals as well.
I just went outside to check my mailbox and can't believe how warm it is. I knoe it won't stay this way for long, but it's great to have such pleasant weather.
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