Bear Chili

For those in the know, I made my bear chili and it was great!!! Had a wonderful time in Chico for Christmas and my Birthday. It is always great to be with the kids and grandkids and I sure hope someday to live closer than 10 hours away. Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year.

looking forward

I am feeling good today and looking forward to being up north with the kids. We saw some old friends today, which was very nice. My forehead is healing well (where they took out the cancer and did a little plastic surgery), I was swollen the beginning of the week but look much better now and I didn't turn black & blue, only orange & red. Hope everyone has a nice, peaceful, quiet Christmas.

wow

I am shocked, I did get the You Tube thing to share on my facebook account!!!

cry

My friend in Wyoming posted this and it made me cry. Thought I would share it (if I can figure out how). Still can't make it work but it's on You tube Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy

hair cut

So glad it wasn't pouring today. Had a hair appointment and the girl called and said she had to pick up her mother who was getting out of the hospital and could I change our appointment from 12 to 2. It worked out fine and now I have shorter hair. Weather man says rain all weekend and Terry will be out hunting all weekend. I hope to get my shopping finished but not if it's raining, just can't move fast enough from the car to the store I would be totally soaked.

Wow

Two babies on one day. That is amazing. Congratulations to both sets of parents and the sister and brothers too. I look forward to meeting the new little ones.

Don't you just love it

Got a surprise letter in the mail today from one of our banks. First page of the letter says (nicely) that one bank has taken over our bank and everything will remaind the same. Our bank will remain open, the tellers we are use to will be there, our money is find! (It really says that!)

The second page of the letter says - in bold letters - oh, and all caps - oh, and star quotes - ***YOUR INSTITUTION HAS BEEN CLOSED *** YOUR DEPOSITS HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER INSTITUTION Then it goes on to explain how to claim ownership to your (own) money and if you don't the money will go to the state in 18 months. "NO WONDER THERE ARE RUNS ON BANKS WITH IS KIND OF LANGUAGE."

Needless to say I do not think new bank will be keeping our money with that attitude.

jays

I have these two (I believe) scrub Jays that come every year. They make a lot of racket but are so much fun to watch. I get peanuts in the shells for them and place them at different places on the patio and birdfeeders. They come and fly off with them, screeching with delight and sometimes I see them shove them in the grass and they hide them maybe like squirrels do for the winter? Anyway they are fun to watch. I will try to get a picture of them.

long time

It's been a long time since I have blogged. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am very thankful to still be here. I am feeling pretty good even with the new cancer diagnosis I am not in a panic. It is curable and we will get rid of it. I am looking forward to being in Chico for Christmas. I am thankful that even though I can't work anymore and Terry will retire soon, we will be ok. Our meal was very nice (bought at Mimi's and eaten at home, quiet day) then our Cambodian neighbors brought us barbqued ribs and rice, just like the first thanksgiving - neighbors sharing - cool.

We're back

It's been quite some time since I blogged. We went to Wyoming, a nice trip, only had trouble breathing one time and didn't have to go to the hospital so that's good. The elevation there was 7500 ft. Terry did not get a deer, but that's the way it goes with hunting. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Chico in about a week. Then maybe things will settle down for a little while again.

Wyoming

Greetings from Wyoming. We had a fairly good trip only one area of sleet and snow. Terry and I have both gotten altitude sickness but are getting better. The hunting starts on Thursday and I hope he get his deer on the first day.

trip

Getting ready for our trip to Wyoming. Terry will be deer hunting and I am along for the ride. Wish (Grandaughter) Faith could go along cause Wyoming is all about the horse and the daughter of the people we are staying with is a state champion barrel racer. It has already snowed once there last week so I expect cold weather. The altitude is 7000 ft so may have some breathing problems but we will hope for the best. I will try to take some interesting pictures.

surprise

This morning I was putting away wash when I heard a commosion in the back yard. I have a bird feeder and usually there are quite a few birds out there. Sometimes Paul's cat, Boingo likes to get himself a snack at this buffet. The birds were going crazy in the butterfly bush almost screaming so I looked out. There was a huge hawk sitting on the awning of my swing about 10 feet from the feeder. I grabbed the camera and got a fuzzy picture (I wanted to show Terry but he was on the other side of the house and missed it all). Then along comes Boingo and he looks at the hawk. His first look was like "get away these are my birds to eat" his second look was like "yum, you would make a good meal" and the hawk took off.

going out

I get to go out and get my hair cut today. My sister is here from Nevada and she wants to get her hair cut too. And hurray it's not so hot today!

pie

I got my shoofly pie by fed ex on friday, so it took 2 days to process the order and 2 1/2 days to get across country (according to there site that you could check your order on). Everything arrived in good shape. the shoofly pie was very good (mammy didn't think they used baking molasses) but I thought it tasted great. The woopie pies are simular to susie-Q's. I got one in chocolate, pumpkin and oatmeal, I only tried the oatmeal so far. It was pretty sweet, I think they used regular icing in the middle instead of whatever I remember being in the middle. It was a fun package to get. I surprised Mammy with bacon dressing (her favorite) she hated it but she liked whatever kind my cousin sent to her about 5 months ago. It's been very hot the last couple of days and it effects my breathing and being able to move, suppose to get cooler this week, I look forward to it.

shoofly pie

I have been craving shoofly pie (from my Pennsylvania days) I could make one but it would take way more energy than I have most days so I went on line to look - sure enough I found a place that sells and ships them. Now I know they are not Amish because Amish don't use computers but I am pretty sure they are Pennsylvania Dutch which is my background. I will let you know if they are as good as I remember.

illness

I fine with my illness (as probably many people with debilitating illnesses do) it's hard to see what God has in mind. How can I glorify God if I can't even get out the front door.

I was reading today in Jan Karons novel Light from Heaven and the Pastor was talking to a lady who had been bedridden for a couple of months. The lady says, she doen't see how God can use this time in her life. He said, "We don't need to see how, but to trust that He can and will. Perhaps God is pruning you. In the gospel of John, Jesus tells us He prunes every branch that bears fruit, that it might bear more fruit. Whatever His plan, God works in our lives for great good - if we ask Him to."

This sounded good to me, He used me at church and starting the feeding of the homeless program and the kids programs and with the seniors so maybe he has something else in mind now, just wish it wouldn't be so painful to get there!

wow

I just got my first Christmas catalog (for this year) today.

heat

I'm making a pork roast with potatoes and carrots in the slow cooker to keep the house from getting to hot. I must admit it is not as hot as yesterday but had this planned for today anyway.

Surprise

I just went out to the garage to find a box to mail birthday presents in. The electric garage door opened and it looked like there had been a fight in the garage. Our garage is not the neatest place but there were can and things thrown all over the place and something had chewed a hole in the side wooded door. It really wanted out, I think. I hoped it was not still in the garage because I didn't think what ever made the big mess, had made a big enough hole to get out the door. I am leaving everything open until I feel safer. My neighbor thinks it was a racoon.

blood work

Oh, happy day the blood work came back pretty good. As good as it was last December. I'm excited to be heading in the right direction again.

popsicle

I was a coconut popsicle but didn't know how to get the picture and comment over to my blog. So much to learn.

Hot

Well, it finally got hot. I'd planned to trim the rose bushes today but I think that will have to wait. Drove today for the first time in about 2 months, it went well, didn't go very far just drove back from the motorcycle shop were Terry needed to pick up his bike that got worked on. For what they charged they could have hand delivered it.

water balloon time

You don't want to go up against these guys!

The peach tree -full

Jury Duty notice

When we got back from our trip, Terry had a Jury Duty notice, I said last time you had Jury Duty I did too. almost on the same day, and guess what today I got a Jury Duty notice too. I will probably have to have the doctor write an excuse. I have never minded going to Jury Duty but I don't think my body could handle it right now. I'm still working on the pictures from the trip, I really have to learn how to do this.

home

Well, we are home and I have a lot of catching up to do. We left Chico at 6am and hoped to eat breakfast at the black bear resturant (as we always do on the way home) but they were closed. They have changed their hours and so we had to settle for an egg McMuffin. NOT THE SAME! Had a good trip home but miss everyone already.

retired

Ok, I guess it's official now that I've had a retirement party. It was very nice, beautiful flowers, great cake and lots of people saying nice things about me. Never would have expected that, almost cried.

short hair

I got my hair cut today for the second time in about 40 years. I think it came out really cute and it is so much easier to try to take care of. I do miss my long hair but I have come to the conclusion it is a thing of the past and I am now a short hair person.

I'm getting ready for a trip up north to see the kids and grandkids. I usually take a ton of stuff for them (Terry always says it's not all going to fit in the car). but with my health lately I have not been out and about so this trip the car won't be very full. I am looking for some interesting items to take since Andi is into sewing now and I know the girls always like new stuff, we'll see what I can find. Yesterday's tests went well, at least I didn't end up in the hospital from an allergic reaction this time. I think I am going to try to change my morning schedule and see if I do better through out the day. It doesn't hurt to try.

Was going to go to an abilities convention yesterday, where they have wheelchairs and gadgets for those of us who need help like opening jars and stuff. Anyway a friend called just as we were leaving and said he had been there for an hour and was leaving cause the only thing they had this year was motorized wheelchairs - no neat gadgets. Disappointed - so we did a little shopping instead. Going to an old friends memorial service today and having a nice dinner with 3 friends tomorrow night (we get together about 2 times a year, should be fun).

trying

I'm slow cooking a pork roast today. Terry got everything together for me last night since I can't hold on to things. The peach tree is sagging with so many peaches, i might try to pick some if I can figure out how to hold on to them (the hands are not working today). I will try to take a picture of the tree and see if I can figure out how to put it up here. The apple tree is pretty full too, don't know when they will be ready to eat.

Mother's Day

It was very quite, I got what I wanted - a call from both sons. It is the best gift ever when you live so far away to just hear their voice and know they are ok. I wish we lived closer I miss being a part of their lives and getting to know the grand kids. (maybe someday)

daughter in laws

I'm just heading out to get my blood test done but wanted to say I have the two best daughter-in-laws anyone could ask for. They are both smart, beautiful, caring, perfect compliments to their husbands and I love them both.

busy

Had two busy days in a row. Yesterday to Social Security to see if I can sign up for long term disability. I filled out all the paperwork - it will take them up to 5 months to decide, but if I get it the pay will be retroactive to Nov 08, which would be very nice. Today went to the GP he said all the Kaiser specialists are hovering to try to figure out what to do with me. Then went to the dentist this afternoon. Have a gum problem they gave me some antibitioc mouthwash (hope I'm not allergic to it). He said it will turn my teeth blue but they will come back to white. Came home to driveway full of dead bees. Seems the neighbor had a swarm in his tree and he sprayed them with water, they got mad , so he sprayed them with something else, now I have a driveway full of dead bees. Never a dull moment.

Well, I did it, today I turned in my retirement papers. I have worked most of my adult life except when the boys were little. It will be very different and of course getting used to no extra income but the recent health problems made it a must at this time. I know God has something in mind for me but I have no clue at this time.

Thankful

I am so thankful for the many people who prayed for me and especially little girl prayers. I am doing better today just tired. Paul's video for Laurie perked me up, I didn't know you liked Sound of Music so much.

I'm alive

It's so good to be home and even better to be alive. Thanks for all the prayers.

I need some good news

I got the results of most my medical tests from yesterday and non of them are good. The blood counts are as bad as they were when I was in the hospital last year. Don't want to go there again. Also my dear son, Paul, got laid off today. I hate those days when life just keeps hitting you.

Stay out of the sun

I take one or 2 medications that say stay out of direct or indirect sun light so when I got discolored skin with scaly skin over it (last June) I of course asked the doctor. She said stay out of the sun! I told her I don't go in the sun except to get to the doctor's office, I'm pretty much a house mole these days. Anyway, we went through this every time I saw her. I finally got to go to a Dermatologist (referred by a different doctor) and she said about staying out of the sunlight. I explained I don't go in the sun anymore. She then says well, do you use those compact florsent light bulbs that are suppose to save $$. I say yes I have some of those. She said stay at least 8 feet away from the light. They give off the same bad UV rays that would effect you from being in the sun. So here I have been, for the last 10 months , using one for my reading light, one for my computer light and in the bathrooms. I might as well have gone out in the sun and enjoyed what is left of my garden. Don't know why the other doctor didn't warn me, maybe she didn't know. and the medication label doesn't have any warning and neither do the light bulbs. OK, so if you know someone who takes sun sensative medications you may want to let them know.

Out with the old

I got a new stove today. The old one we had for at least 15 years and it was used when we got it. The oven part worked sometimes and always did not work at the most inconvient time. I was surprised at the new features on stoves. It has burners for different settings like simmer. The one part I'm not sure I will like is the oven settings are on the top front of the stove and you have to reach over the burners to set the oven, but every new stove we looked at was set up this way. Tonight we will try it, not sure what to make yet!

This is a California Lily I think. This year they came and went very fast - the outside ones died before the inside ones blossomed. Some years they have lasted for weeks.

California Lily

Turtles are fun to watch

I think it's fun to see turtles sunning themselves

Iris on the side of the house

 

hair

Well, I finally had to do it. I got my hair cut short, first time in about 27 years. I could no longer brush it and the tangles were becoming a real problem. My wonderful husband would brush it when he was home, but since he has to go to work at 4 in the morning, most days he could not brush it for me. I am getting use to it, it is cute (but not really me). I must keep telling myself it's just hair and when I get well again I can let it grow to my waist again, maybe? My iris's are beautiful this year and I hope to figure out how to put up a picture like so many of you do, we'll see.

Thanks

Oh, I forgot to thank Andi for fixing the complicated way I was getting into my blog. Thanks Andi.

quiet time

Well all the kids have gone home so the house went to instant quiet, which was fine for a few minutes, I miss them already. I finally got a chance to make the white christmas pie that is in the story "White Christmas Pie". It was a lot of work to make but it tastes real good, but you must love coconut. I still have not figured out how the Amish (who don't use electricy) can whip whipping cream and egg white fast enough to make them stiff and peak. They must have very strong wrists!

quiet time

Well, all the kids have gone home and the house went to instant quiet, it was nice for a few minutes but I miss them already. I finally got a chance to make the white christmas pie that is in the story "White Christmas Pie". It was a lot of work but the pie is quite taste, but you must love coconut. I have not be able to figure out how the Amish (who don't use electricy) can whip both whipping cream and egg whites fast enough to make them stiff and peak. They must have every strong wrists!

cats

We have two cats. Bugsy, who is sweet and loving and comes in the house at night so she doesn't get hurt in a fight like she did a few years ago. The other cat is Boingo, which is actually my son, Paul's cat but he has a huge amount of animals already at his house. Anyway Boingo is a good mouser and loves to kill anything he can get his paws on. He is not suppose to come in the house at any time. The other morning when I was letting Bugsy out I saw a flash of black & white out of the side of my eye come in the sliding glass door. I knew Boingo had come in and I knew the only way to get him out was to get a piece of lunch meat and throw it right outside the door. I went to the refrigerator and got the lunch meat, turned around and there was a dead bird laying at my feet with Boingo looking at me with a smile on his face. He picked up the bird and started flinging it around, feathers everywhere. I grabbed a paper towel and picked up the bird, went to the door and threw both the bird and the lunch meat out the door and there went a black & white flash back out the door. Don't you just love cats!

picture

Well, I got a new picture up but it might be too big? and does anyone know how to get rid of the funny blue square on the bottom? The picture is one I took at the bird sanctuary in Willows, a beautiful relaxing place.

Wait a minute

I was reading the newspaper this morning. There was a story about the black churches(on Sunday)in the country celebrating King's birthday and Obama's becoming president. The one paragraph really made me stop and say wait a minute. The paragraph said. " More than 300 people filled the pews at First Catherdral in Bloomfield, Conn, to praise King and Obama before many headed home to pack for bus trips today to Washington." Aren't we suppose to go to church to praise God?? I am having a hard time with worship being placed on the wrong things or people but this seems to be what a lot of churches are doing right now. This to me is both sad and scary.

Christmas

Christmas has come and gone and it was a wonderful time. We had a great trip but I have been sick since we got back and have not been able to have Christmas with my mother yet. Boingo must have had a fight with something,his one side of his face is weird looking and swollen. We will keep a close eye on him.It is great to be home but lonely, yes, Terry is out in the desert again. I do want to wish everyone a healthy New Year.