No problems today,

We have had our usual Saturday morning, I got my hair done, and Russ bought some groceries. After lunch we watched the rest of the Harry potter movie. Then Karen came over and brought us two dinners, one for tonight and the other for tomorrow. She said she was just in a cooking mood. After she left we watched "Les Miserables". The singers are great and the music really memorable. I enjoy it every time we watch it. I almost wish I had been in that audience at the Victoria and Albert Theater when it was first performed. After our nice dinner we watched our usual Brit shows . This blog shows how we were entertained the whole day.

A relaxed day.

This morning we didn't hurry; we breakfasted, and then I made another batch of plum jam. Russ got an appointment with a doctor at San Marcus Clinic for 5:55 this afternoon. We had to wait most of the day for the nurse to call back, so we didn't do much except check out our photos, and decide which to keep. We talked to all three daughters, and things seem to be going well. In the afternoon Al came over, and he said he is doing a lot of swimming but not much walking. We left for San Marcos early to miss the commute traffic, but we still had time only to buy some dinner to eat later. The doctor gave Russ a couple of prescriptions for his cough, and he should get better with them. Tonight we watched another third of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

The End of Bianca's Visit.

This morning Russ took the car to have the mirror replaced. Someone from the shop brought him back. Bianca was sleeping, so I went with Karen to do our visiting teaching. When we got back Bianca was busy on her computer, and Karen didn't come in, but we made an appointment to have lunch as soon as our car was back. As soon as it was, Karen was back, and we all went to a French bakery for lunch. It was good quiche, and then Bianca and I had a wedge of flan, the French variety, not Mexican. At home again, Russ went to sleep in front of the TV and Bianca worked on her papers for school next fall, and I went back and forth from one to the other. Then Bianca left to go to Travis' house for dinner and then on to her apartment in Whittier. Russ and I had our dinner, and then watched half of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The pacemaker clinic called to take a phone reading of Russ's pacemaker speed, and it was OK.

And I still have plums!

We all slept in this morning. Then Bianca went to have her car washed and then to have lunch with Uncle Al. While she was gone I made some plum jam of the plums from the neighbor's tree that hangs over the fence. I didn't get it as sweet as I like it, so later after Bianca had gone to get her brakes fixed, I made another batch and put more sugar in it. It tastes a lot better. Russ (Chris, or Wally) watered some more plants and typed some letters. He also helped with the jam. When Bianca got back, we went to dinner at the Sizzler's restaurant. At home again we made some phone calls and got letters ready to mail.

Things will work out after all.

We did some positive things today, like watering the plants and doing the washing. Also, I got my prescription for my glasses and took it to the Lens Crafters. By the end of the week I'll have new regular glasses and computer glasses that won't hurt my nose. I had thought that breaking my nose would maybe make it smaller, but it sticks up more than before. Later we went to a car repair shop and they will get an estimate on fixing the mirror I broke. Also, the girl who owns the other car called and left a message, but I couldn't get her back on her phone. We had a nice surprise tonight, Bianca came to visit, arriving a day earlier than we thought. She has rented an apartment with another girl to use while she's at medical school.

It's a better day today.

This morning we got up earlier, mainly because Roy was coming and we wanted to be out of the kitchen when he got here. We were. Karen arrived about 9:30 and drove us to San Marcos where she and her Dad had blood drawn for protime and for thyroid checks. From there Karen drove us to a spot on the beach, where we parked just off the roadway and on the edge of the sand. It was a good place to watch the waves and the blue ocean and sky. From there we went to Carl's Jr. in Carlsbad for lunch. Then we came home. I never did get a call from the people who owned the car I broke the mirror off. We talked to Kaye in Denver, and they got there late but fine, and Kyle is at work already. Also, Race called and told us about his work and play, mostly work. We got the car ready to take for repair of the window I broke, including taping the mirror back in place.

A stressful day, but it could have been worse.

My dear husband didn't want to go to Church this morning, because his cold isn't any better. I started out by myself, and got within 100 yards, when I moved to the right to miss another car, and I side-swiped a parked car. That took off our left mirror, and the right one on the parked car. I went on to the church, and Karen was there, and she went back with me to the parked car. We tried to find the owner at the house there, but they didn't know whose it was. So, I left a note saying I had knocked off the mirror, that AAA was my insurance Co. and gave my phone number. I added please call me. Well, Karen brought me home, and Terry picked her up and they drove to Lisa's to celebrate Terry's birthday. I waited all day for the call from the car owner, but none came. I did call AAA and reported it. Kaye called, and they were on their way to Denver. They stopped in Butte to visit Patty Briggs and husband, then drove on.

More about our family than us.

Carla called last night, and Rex was out finishing up a game on the golf course! I guess everything is almost ready for an opening next month. They have the new golf pro there now. He has rented a place to live in Bandon. Brittany is helping with the publicity, and I'm glad she can be there to assist them. Today Kaye called, and she and Kyle got recognition for their good shooting at the National Meet, Kaye's was a box of shells for her gun, and I don't know what Kyle got. Karen called, and she and Terry had gone to San Juan Capistrano for breakfast, and then came back. It's Terry's birthday. Maybe we will see them tomorrow. I had my hair cut and set, and Russ bought some groceries again. We came home and watched some TV, and then he went back to sorting pictures, and I did some mending. It has been a calm day, not as pretty outside as yesterday, so we didn't go out again.

A better day.

We slept in this morning, and that was a result of staying up too late last night. After breakfast we decided since Russ' cold seemed a little better, to go for a walk along the sea wall. The wind hadn't come up when we got there, and I had to take off my sweater, it was so warm! I guess summer has finally come here. There were lots of people on the beach and in the water, and the sun was shining everywhere. We got home in time to watch Perry Mason while we had lunch. Afterwards we watched some more of the Star Trek the Next Generation. I got dinner by myself again, because Russ was busy filing away pictures on the computer. Now he's loading his mp3 with new music, while I write this . Karen got home this afternoon, and I hope to see her tomorrow. Kaye called, and she and Kyle are still in the running at the gun competition.

One of my busy days.

I've decided to keep the Governor Winthrop desk in the family room, and the free up the desk in the bedroom for Bianca to take, if she wants it. I cleaned it all out today. Besides doing that, I finished up recording in my little red book all the medical expenses since April 21, when I fell on my nose. Russ has a cold, so he rested most of the day and watched several Star Trek the Next Generation episodes. I watched some with him, when I got too tired clearing out the desk. I'm glad that's done, the desk, I mean. Tonight we watched a TV special on migrating birds. There was very little commentary, just some music with it. Finally I left and had my shower. It's 11p.m., so I'll stop here.

More health news.

We got the results of our blood tests; Russ has to go back and get another thyroid test, and I need to take 325mm. of iron each day for three months, and have another test for anemia, which I now have. My blood isn't back to normal yet after the nose episode. Russ finished watering the plants, this time in the patio room, and then he cut back an oleander to make more room for the bay tree outside the family room. I cleaned up clutter in the Gov. Winthrop desk in our bedroom, and rotated the end tables. Bianca is coming down a week from today, and she'll see if she can use any or all three in her new apartment she just found near her medical school. Tonight we saw a program on the struggle of US forces and Russian forces to find and get hold of the German cache of uranium and the scientists who were working in Germany to make an atomic bomb. It was very interesting.

Back to read-write again.

After fasting for 12 hours, we drove down to Carlsbad for our blood tests. I was surprised by how rapidly we got there, considering how many other people now know our route down College Ave. to Cannon to the Coast Highway. And then, too, it was before 8 a.m. We thought if we went early, we wouldn't have to wait. But we did wait, about an hour. Afterwards we went to Denny's for breakfast, and it was as good as I remembered it. But it costs twice as much as it did about twenty years ago! We stopped at a computer store and bought a disk drive, to replace one on the south computer. Russ couldn't install it, so we asked John Diaz to do it. He repairs, as well as teaches, to earn part of his living expenses. Karen came over and told us about their trip to Denver. Later she left to visit Candace a few days, and they'll check out housing in Porterville, where Danya will be living.

'Another Monday.

This morning I caught up on paying bills, and we decided to have more paid through Discover Card. Then I made a mix for biscuits, muffins or pancakes. Tonight we had strawberry shortcake, made with some of said biscuit mix. We had the shortcake about 8 p.m., so I would have 12 hours fasting before my lab tests tomorrow at 8 a.m. Monday is our day to water and fertilize the yard, so that took up most of the day. I brought in a yellow rose that's 5 inches across. It won't last long, but its gorgeous now. Danya's card to Grandpa on Father's Day came today, and it's a funny one, but nice, too. We enjoyed the CD's from Karen and Kaye yesterday. We read and listened to our New Testaments.

Father's Day.

I appreciate the comments some of you have made on my blog; I welcome them anytime. We went to Church this morning, and we stayed for all three meetings. I miss Bro. Johnson as the the Gospel Doctrine teacher, but this new one may be OK. Russ got several calls wishing him Happy Father's Day, some he didn't expect, but welcomed from grandchildren and a son in law. We didn't do much celebrating; we had a nice barbecued steak dinner and then watched a couple of TV shows, all original with PBS. There's another one we will see later, after we have our strawberries and ice cream.

Once I wanted to be an Egyptologist.

The woman who usually does my hair each Saturday was sick today, so someone else did it, in a huge pile of hair! I'll have to flatten it somehow. Anyway, Russ did some grocery shopping, so I don't have to. I suggested looking for another cabinet for the music system, but he said no. He'll do almost anything, he says, to avoid shopping for one anymore. Maybe he will put it in a closet and pipe it into the speakers in the living room. That's what he did in Fallbrook. Workmen digging for foundations for another housing development in Carlsbad found bones of a hairy mammoth. They won't tell the public which development it was, for fear people will dig there for more, and mess up their find. My guess it's the big one on south College Way.

We are healthy!

This morning we went to see our primary care doctor, M. Donahoe. He burned off a spot on my back, and he checked us both thoroughly. Except for the lab work. We have to go back another day, after fasting for 12 hours, for that. After our appointments we went walking on the sea wall. It was a beautiful day, and we didn't really expect to find a parking place, but we did, and walked from one lifeguard station to the the next one and back. Then we went to an unfinished furniture place to look for a new cabinet for our music center. We decided to come home and measure the space before buying anything. We had a big fish sandwich at Burger King for lunch, and then came home. We still are not sure about the music center--should it stay in the same place, or be moved next to the TV cabinet.

A busy day.

We spent the morning getting papers ready and sent to Fry.com to get a rebate from what we paid for the new monitor. We had to get all the papers duplicated, and that took a trip to the shopping center. After lunch we went to Home Depot to get fertilizer and pot to grow cherry tomatoes in, and I looked at carpets. We'll wait a while before we carpet the rest of the house. The family room looks so good, with the Pergo on the floor, I do want the rest of the house to come up to it's standard. Tonight, instead of watching TV or a movie, we got our papers ready for our appointments with our regular doctor tomorrow. Karen called, and she and Terry arrived in Denver OK. They are enjoying their visit.

Karen and Terry are going to Denver.

This morning Karen came over and told us about their trip to Denver. They will fly there tomorrow and visit friends and family and then be back home next Tuesday. She had been scheduled to conduct a tour of the Gemological Institute this afternoon, but she hoped it would be canceled, so she could finish packing for the trip. Only one person had signed up yesterday. This afternoon we went shopping for a new suit as a Father's Day present, but we didn't find a good one. We'll try again tomorrow, if my husband agrees to go. Also, we couldn't find the right poison for the white fly that's on the fuchsia bushes, nor a light for our small magnifying glass. I tried moving more furniture around tonight, but I finally put it back where it was before. I'll try again tomorrow to place it. Danya has a job in Porterville, and she's happy about that, so are we!

A larger-seeming living room.

This morning we went ahead and moved the bookcases from the living room into the family room. It was quite exhausting, so we didn't do much after that. We rested until lunchtime, and then watched Perry Mason while we had our lunch. Russ needed a prescription, so we went to Carlsbad and got it. From there we went to the beach and actually found a place to park at Tamarack Beach. We walked from one lifeguard station to the next one, stopping several times there and back. It took a whole hour! I used the big walker, and I followed Carla's advice here as well as at home, to go as fast as I could, to get all my strength back. When we got home the gardeners were just leaving. They did the usual blow and go routine, but then we don't pay them much. The yard will look neat until the wind blows again!

I want to stay here.

This is the day to water all the plants. They are doing quite well. The orchids are still in bloom and also the gardenia bush. The roses aren't doing as well right now, but the bugs are gone. Roy came to clean, and while he was here we got him to move the sewing machines into the master bedroom. The larger one doesn't work, and the small one I use once in a while. My next idea is to move the two bookcases in the hall into the family room. I want to clear up the house, so it doesn't look quite so cluttered. If any of you want some of the extra furniture, you are welcome to it! As I walked around the house, and outside in the yard, I appreciated how much I enjoy living here. I really don't want to move into one of the retirement places; the apartments are so small, and we wouldn't have a yard to enjoy.

Testimony.

This is a fast day, so we didn't have to get up early, except to get to the Church by 9 a.m. I told everybody at testimony meeting about my faith-promoting experience, when the Bishop's priesthood blessing stopped my bleeding, after the hours that the hospital people couldn't do it. We stayed for all three meetings for the first time since I broke my rib. Afterward we came home, and we rested, make that napped, for a while. Then Karen came over and brought us dinner, all prepared, including a salad. It was great. Later we talked to Carla and Kaye, and things are going well with them. I called Kendra Gillian, in Port Jervis, N.Y. She said they are buying their two-story rental house for $110, 000. I imagine it would cost at least $410,000 in California. That's about what houses like ours are selling for.

Saturday, all day.

This morning I got my hair done, and I found out one of the operators has quit. I wonder if this shop will go out of business, like the other one in the neighborhood. Then I'll have to fix my own hair! Darn. Karen came over after lunch and we had a good visit. She said Candace may come down soon, for just a weekend, I guess. But it would be nice to see her. After Karen left we watched an old movie, "The Planet of the Apes". I had forgotten most of it, even though I had read it and then seen it years ago. As I remember it, there are sequels. I missed seeing Rick Steves' travelogue later, and I'm sorry about that. I can see places on his shows that I'll probably not see in person. Bu we'll see the usual Brit shows later.

Two decisions taken care of.

We went to the Fairwinds Retirement Residence this morning, in response to a call from the rental agent there. Our names are still on their list of potential residents. We looked at two apartments, and we took a long while to decide we didn't want to move into either. At 1 p.m. we went to get a big fish sandwich at Burger King, and then we came home and deliberated again. But it was still "NO" to moving. It just isn't worth it. We mailed off two checks for the head stone, one to the Logan Memorials Co. for half the cost, and the other half of the money to our nephew, LaDel Harris, to give the company when the job is done satisfactorily. He lives near the cemetery. I think we will now sleep well tonight.

Brittany's visit.

This morning we ordered a stone to be placed on our cemetery plot in Bothwell., Ut. It will have our names and birth dates , with the girls' names and birth dates on the back. This was following Helen and Al's example of planning for the future. Kind of silly, but it's done. Brittany came over about 11a.m., and she went with us to Carlsbad for Russ' blood test. Then we went to lunch at the West Buffet, and it was awful- everything tasteless and saturated with fat. At home again Brittany tried to help us get color on the blog, but she couldn't do it, either. We talked about hers and Bianca's trip to Eugene, in time for Fathers' Day, and then Brittany staying all summer and Bianca coming back early for her introductory class at Medical School. Brittany had to leave again about 5:30, but we did have a nice visit.

Not much news.

This morning Karen came over, and we had a nice talk. She picked up her groceries, and she told us that Danya flew back to Sacramento, where she will contact the schools where she wants to teach, and decide just where it will be. I hope it's near here, not Sacramento or Las Vegas. I did the washing, and after lunch, we went to the Carlsbad pharmacy and picked up some prescriptions. The sun had finally come out, so we went for a walk on the sea wall. It was a little shorter walk this time, but OK. On the way home we stopped for gas, and there was Uncle Al, also getting gas at the same station in Oceanside. He had been trying to find Mac and Marge McDonald, who are moving back into their former house in Costa Serena, leaving the senior retirement home they had been in a few months. Marge hated the senior place.

A Usual Day

This morning I got a birthday card ready to send to Race. I put it out for the mail man, but he didn't come by 2:30. So we took it to the post office and it was to go out right away. I hope it reaches Kaye and Kyle before they leave for Seattle, so they can give it to Race then. From the P.O. we went to shop for green groceries. Karen called to say she was back from Las Vegas, and so we bought things she wanted, to give to her. I'm glad she's back safely. Brittany and Bianca called, and they are going to Oregon for a month, where they can help out with the golf course Carla and Rex are finishing and opening soon. Tonight we saw a fascinating show on PBS, about American prisoners of the Nazis in World War II, who dug a tunnel and escaped from their prison. But in the end all 75 were caught and killed. Some of the remaining prisoners are with the archaeologists digging and finding remains of the tunnel.

Walking again and religion

This morning Russ watered the flowering plants and set the water to run on the others. It's nice to have so much color in the yard. I wish you all could see it. I brought some blossoms into the house. After lunch we went for a walk, even though it was cloudy all day. There were people on the beach, and in the water, but I was glad I had a warm wind- breaker on. We went a little more than half the way between the lifeguard posts. I had the walker, and rested once in a while. Then we went to see Uncle Al, to give him some religious CD's he asked for. Could it be he is changing his mind about such things? This evening for our family home evening we read and listened to the Book of Romans in the New Testament. I'm going to have to go back and read it again; I'm confused by all the wording.

Positive actions

Karen and Danya came by this morning on their way to Las Vegas. Danya had lent me her book she takes to interviews to read. It was interesting to see how much more is required from new teachers. They called later to say they had arrived there. This afternoon Russ and I went to our Stake Conference and I managed to stay all the way through it, and I was glad I went. Our favorite Sunday School teacher is now on the stake board, and we hate to lose him. But he spoke today at the Conference, so that was good. At home again we worked together to fix our dinner, and it worked out well. We had our dessert as usual on Sunday, but to prevent eating sweets during the week, I threw away all left-over candy that was in in the refrigerator!

Family visits

Karen and Danya went to L.A. to a meeting of a group of people who represented schools needing teachers. There were several possibilities Danya liked, but she decided to check out the ones in Nevada before deciding on one. They came back here and we all had lunch at the Sizzler Restaurant. Danya lent me her folder she takes for interviews. I just wanted to see how things have changed since I went looking for a teaching job years ago. I've read part of it, and it's amazing what's required nowadays. This evening Rick and Lisa Christensen came by to see us. They are visiting Lisa's siblings near here. It was nice to see them and catch up on the family. Aunt Marge is back in Tremonton, where her kids and families can see her more often.

Positive actions.

This morning we went to the bank and cancelled the check we had given the young man. If he is on the level, he will come back to see us. A plumbing company rep. came to our house, and she estimated what it would cost to put our plumbing in the ceiling instead of in the slab. We are hesitant... Uncle Al came over this afternoon, and he seems much better. He has had his prescriptions all altered, and some dropped out, and he feels a lot better. Good. I'm changing from the dental group I have been with for 30 years, and I am now with the one that Russ and Karen have. I hope it's better than my last dentist.