The patio room finally finished.

This morning the men came and finished the floor in the patio room. It looks like tile, but it's really concrete with acrylic top coats. It looks fine, with new baseboards, too. We have the rug down, and the men put back the drafting table. We are waiting a while to see what other things to put back. Not the bookcases, for sure; the spiders had made homes all over the back! We went to the Kaiser Pharmacy in Carlsbad for refills, and we stopped for a while to look at the ocean. Then we called Karen, and she was at our house, seeing the new floor. We arranged to meet her at Carl's Jr. for lunch. At home again I read a while in the New Testament commentary Karen had loaned us, and then we went to their house for dinner. It was a nice end to the day.

Our visit with Gloria Saltzman

Karen called this morning to say that she was with Margie Rempel, and she was doing well. About 10a.m. Gloria Saltzman, our friend from our days in Tracy, came to visit. we talked until noon, and then we went to the Olive Garden for lunch. We got back about 2, and talked some more until 4, when she left to go back to relatives she has in San Diego. Her mother, Elizabeth, died this spring, and Gloria is sort of at loose ends, trying to decide whether to stay in Tracy, or go somewhere else. Her brothers, Richard and Lenard, live in that general area, so she may not go far away. When we lived in Tracy there were only 8,000 people there; now, 56 years later, there are 80,000!

A different Sunday.

We went to all three meetings at church, and all were good. One thing, though, the babies in the first and last meetings were too noisy. I don't know why the mothers don't take them out. Karen had invited us to dinner, so we had just a light lunch, and then we read in the book she had loaned us, on the New Testament. Then the Bishop, our Home Teacher came for a visit. About 2 p.m. Karen called, saying that she was taking Margie Rempel to the Scripps' Hospital in Ensenitas. She called later and canceled dinner; the tests on Margie weren't all done yet. She called again to say Margie was having an emergency apendectomy, and she, Karen, was coming home; Margie didn't want her to stay. She'll go back in the morning to see how she is. We talked to our other daughters, and everything is OK with them.

Everything is working out OK

We had a nice surprise today; when we got home from the Saturday hairdo and shopping, there was a message that Logan had called! We called back, and it was so good to hear his voice, and know that he is home and is all right. I didn't know quite what to say, because I know he has a lot of people there to be with. But I hope that we will be able to come up sometime and see him in person, and of course the rest of the family, too. The workmen came back and put the "grouting" stripes on the patio room floor. They left again in the middle of the afternoon to let it dry. They didn't say when they would be back to do the final coat, maybe tomorrow, or maybe Monday. I had lost my keys, so I spent the rest of the day looking for them, and finally there they were, in my right top drawer in the dresser. That was a relief.

Logan is home from his Mission!

Logan has arrived in Eugene, also Bianca, so the welcome home has started. I'm glad the sisters could also be there also to welcome Logan. I wish we could have, too. The workmen came about 8:30 to put the next coat on the patio room floor. It's a nice tan color. They left by noon, to let it dry until tomorrow. We asked Ruth Schoppe to go with us for a fish sandwich, but her family had just arrived, so we went alone. At home after the lunch we checked over our mail, worked a while on the computers, and then rested (maybe napped) . Karen came over while we were having dinner, and she has enrolled for another art class. She's really interested, and she is doing well. We have one of her pictures in our living room.

Lunch at Al's place.

The concrete men came this morning and put down the first coat on the patio room floor. It already looks better, because it is level where it was uneven. My visiting teacher came about 10 and stayed until 11. We had a lot to talk about. Also she brought us more crookneck squash, a zucchini, and some cherry tomatoes from their garden. We went to Al's retirement residence for lunch with him, and we didn't leave for two hours. It's been a while since we were there; many of the older people are gone now, but there were a few we knew. Al doesn't go for walks anymore, but he does swim in their pool. He complains of back pain, so he is going to try a brace. We went for a short walk, down by the power plant, and it was nice so near the sand.

The new project.

This morning a concrete man came and estimated the cost of repairing the floor of the patio room. It seemed reasonable, so we hired him. That meant we had to move out the stuff in there. It took all day, with breaks for lunch and dinner and several rests. Karen came over with some food for us, and she helped, too. Tonight we are tired, but it's done. The man and his crew will start tomorrow, but fortunately we are going to Al's for lunch, and we won't be here then. It will take three or four days to finish the the topping, so it looks like tile.

A nice interlude at the the beach.

Today started out warm, with sunshine. We were to meet Karen at the beach for lunch, and we were to bring the drinks. It worked out as planned, and Karen came with tamales and cantaloupe , and we had brought potato chips. I was the only person among the summer crowd that had a jacket, and I soon took it off. We enjoyed the lunch and the day, and being with Karen. Later the sun was covered by clouds, but when we got home the sun was still out. We had enough of the outside, so we stayed inside. I did the week's washing, and Chris decided to re-do the filing cabinet. It's a job, and I offered to help, but I didn't do much good. It may take a while.

A new idea.

Roy came to clean today, and that left us free to do whatever we wanted. We fist watered the front patio, then the back. And read the paper. At noon we had lunch and watched Perry Mason. Then Chris went to the computer room, and a sat in the living room and read in the sci-fi book, until it was time to fix dinner. After dinner I finished the book, and I decided not to read any more for a while. Chris and I talked, and we decided that we would live here another year, and then we would find an apartment that wouldn't have any gardening taken care of. In that year we plan to get rid of books, most of the furniture, and other things. If anyone wants anything, this year is the time to claim it!

A satisfactory day.

We went to Church this morning and stayed for all three meetings. They were good, as Chris said, which is unusual for him. There was a large congregation, but the babies were quiet, and the speakers did very well. Sunday School and Relief Society also were well done. Later at home we had a light lunch, and then we went to home-teach Ruth Shoppe. She is 90, but very alert, living alone now and not going out unless it's necessary. But she may go to dinner with us on Friday. At home again I read the newspaper and napped a little. We collaborated on making dinner, and we'll have a dessert later, as we usually do on Sunday.

Danya and Matt are settling in at Porterville.

This morning I had my hair fixed, and Chris did a little shopping. He picked me up, and we did a little more shopping, and then went home. There's very little traffic on Saturday mornings. At home we had lunch and checked out some little jobs around the house. Then Karen came over. She told us about Danya's house and that the furniture should arrive sometime today. In the meantime they have got a man to fix up the neglected yard. The house was empty 7 months. Later I read in the sci-fi book, and Chris worked on the computer. Tonight we will watch the Brit shows and study the Sunday School lesson.

Hooray for Harry Potter!

We decided this morning to go see the Harry Potter movie that just opened. We went to the 10:15 a.m. show, and finally got out about 12:45. The actors were great, but the movie was too loud and too dark for us to greatly enjoy it. Maybe they just need a different director. We got a big fish sandwich at Burger King for lunch, and then came home. I spent the afternoon reading in the sci-fi book, "Midworld", by Alan Dean Foster. It seems vaguely familiar! Karen got home OK, and we will see her tomorrow or the next day. We called Carla and wished her Happy Birthday. Kaye was on her way to pick up Race for a visit home.

The day slid by.

Today we got a call from Albertson's Grocery that a bottle of glycerin I had ordered had come in. We went to pick it up and I was shocked by the price - $23 for a pint of the stuff. I only needed 4 onces of it for hand lotion. But since I had ordered it, we bought it. At home again I picked up another Sci Fi book, and I read 90 pages. I did make a loaf of pumpkin bread, one useful thing, and I cooked dinner. That was about all. Karen called from north of LA. She was late getting away from Danya's house, because "Thor, the Wonder Dog", was sick, and they didn't know if he'd make it; he is old, and yet they didn't want to do too much to stop the course of nature. He did feel better later, though, and Karen left. She's at a hotel tonight and will drive home tomorrow.

Golfers are on Bandon Crossings!

We got a slow start this morning, but we did manage to pack a lunch and drive down to the beach. We got a handicapped parking space when a couple just left as we arrived. There were no other parking places, and the cars were piled up waiting for someone to leave. We enjoyed our lunch, and then we went for a walk, not as long as before the falls, but quite a way. I had the big walker and used it to rest a couple of times. The sun was out, but just as we were leaving there, the clouds came up again. We talked to Carla, and the opening day at the golf course went well. I'm so glad it's finished, and people are actually playing it! Now maybe Carla will be able to take a break. I finally finished the Sci Fi book, and I don't think I will start another very soon, although there are about 2 feet of Sci Fi books on that top shelf that I haven't read..

I got a new slant on dieting.

This morning I decided to get that washing done. It took all day, but I did it, off and on between other things. We had made a present for Carla and mailed it this morning, along with a letter to Logan, which he may or may not get before he leaves his mission to come home. Since we were out anyway, we stopped at Carl's Jr. for lunch. At home again I read some more in the Sci Fi book, and then this evening my visiting teacher came to take me to the Relief Society evening meeting. The speaker was Dr. Alexander, a member of our church. I left my hearing aid home and missed some of what he said about foods we should eat. He and his wife are going to the Philippines where he will be in charge of the health of 1000 missionaries!

I forgot the Monday wash!

This morning I went out with Chris while he watered the plants. We found a lot more plums fallen on the sidewalk on the north of the house. I filled a plastic bag with the good ones, and another with the mashed ones and put it in the garbage. I thought of cooking the good ones, but instead I washed them and put them in a bowl, and we have been eating them off and on all day. We watched Perry Mason and another re-run, and then we got ready to go to the dentist. I went in first and met the new (to me) dentist, and had x-rays and my teeth cleaned by his staff. It was a good experience. Tonight we read and listened to more of the New Testament. It certainly helps to understand it that way. And I want to read more in the book on it that Karen loaned us. I'll be interested in talking to Kyle about the various translations.

A pleasant Sunday.

This morning we went to church and stayed for two meetings. We came home, rested awhile and I read the paper while Chris watched TV. He gets his news off the computer, but I did notice his looking briefly at the comics in the paper! We had lunch and then planned to do his home teaching. Karen came over before we left and brought her monitor. It wouldn't work with her computer, and it wouldn't work with ours, either. We did go to see two of the women, and visited with them. At home again we ate our turkey dinner, the turkey we bought at Christmas, and then we went to Karen's for dinner instead of cooking this one. It's been in the freezer, so it's still very good.

I need light reading!

This morning I had my hair fixed again, and Russ, or Chris, as he likes to be called, got some milk and a few other things. While I was there, I started reading a Si Fi book from our shelves. When I got home, I read some more, and I still wonder if it's worth trying to read. It's 10,000 years in the future, and there's an ice age, and all the land and people names are new. It's like when I tried to read "War and Peace" the first few times. (I finally finished it years later.) But this book is only about 250 pages, so I may finish it next week. We talked to all three daughters today, and all are fine. Kendra Gillian called, and they are having trouble again.

A big question.

We needed gas in the car this morning, so we drove down Vista way to Coast Highway, where we usually buy it. It was $3.10 a gal. We got 8 gal. From there we went to Carlsbad and found a parking place at Tamarack Beach, the last one on the lot. From there we went for a little longer walk than the last time, and the sky and ocean were lovely, and the breeze so warm I didn't need a coat or sweater! A beautiful day. From there we went to Burger King for a big fish sandwich, and then to Wall-Mart. We bought another lamp shade and few other things and came home. After a short nap, we read a while, had dinner, and watched a couple of news programs. The idea of impeaching Bush was discussed. It makes you wonder--- I like the new pictures Kaye added.

Chef Karen!

This morning we picked up a prescription for amoxicillin at the dentist's office. Russ needs it before having any dental work done. He had it filled locally, instead of driving the 10 miles to the Kaiser Pharmacy. I'm sorry to have missed the trip there, we always get to see the ocean then. At home again we did a little work on pictures, and then we went to Karen's for lunch. Uncle Al was there, too. and we all had a visit as we ate the very nice lunch she had prepared. It was an eye-opener for me; I need to spruce up the lunches I prepare when we have somebody here! Karen loaned us a book which will help us get a better understanding of the New Testament.

Down memory lane.

Kaye put that picture of Russ and me on the blog. It was taken when he was on leave from the army in WW2. We both think it's fine. It shows us when we were young and very alive. This morning we went shopping to find a birthday present for Carla, with no luck. But we did find a white teapot that Karen wants. We'll have to go out again to the stores. At home again we had lunch and a rest, and then we checked out old pictures to put on CDs or in albums. There are loads of them! They certainly bring up lots of good memories, and I am enjoying them, in spite of all the work.

A reasonable day.

This morning we drove to the Kaiser Clinic in Carlsbad for Russ's blood test, and he was so disgusted with the wait, that he vowed to go to San Marcos after this. From there we drove to Tamarack Beach, parked and looked at the ocean a while, then drove to Boney's for groceries and home, in time for lunch. We read a bunch of mail and ads, with nothing personal in it. It all ended up in the waste paper file. Russ seems to be over his illness, but he still coughs. I guess that's part of it. Other than that, we are fine. It's nice to be able to say that.

I forgot about Roy.

I forgot that Roy was coming today to clean, so I went along is usual with breakfast, and forgot all about trying to retrieve Sunday's blog that I lost last night. I re-wrote it today. While Roy was here I helped Russ a little in watering the plants. There were some roses to pick, so I did that and brought them in the house. There were more plums on our side of the fence, but we didn't pick them up. we already have made jam for at least two years! The plants on the patio room are getting very big; we may have to take out some of them. While I was out there, I put a few more pictures in albums. I should work on that every day. For our home evening we read and listened to more of the New Testament. We have only three more CD's to listen to.

missing blog

I went to Church with Karen this morning, and stayed for only one meeting. She went back for the last one. Russ is still recovering; in fact I left him still asleep, and I pinned a note on my pillow to tell him I was going. He was awake and dressed when I got back, but he spent most of the rest of the day in the recliner, resting. I read most of the paper, and then after our dinner Karen came over and brought us more food! She is really taking care of us. Tonight we will watch a mystery on TV and eat our dessert from dinner. Gloria Saltzman , a friend from Tracy many years ago, called; she will come to see us on the 30th, while she is visiting relatives in San Diego.

I left a note pinned to my pillow.

Russ was tired this morning, so I left him asleep and went with Karen to Church. I left a note pinned to my pillow. I came back after the first meeting, and Karen went back to the church. Russ was up and dressed, but resting in the recliner. After a while we had a little lunch, then rested, and read, and watched a special on PBS about Mormons , but not a very flattering presentation. I guess this interest is generated by Romney running for President, and done by people who want to discredit him. Tonight we watched a couple of British mysteries, and I can understand them a little better. One is contemporary and the other set in World War 2.

New Perm

I got new perm this morning; (that helps hide the thin spots in my hair). Russ bought a few groceries and bought plumbing for our front bathroom, and fixed it. We met Karen for lunch at Taco Bell and had a visit with her. She also gave us our dinner she had prepared. Bless her! At home we spent our usual afternoon, resting, reading, and watching the news. Tonight after dinner, which we enjoyed, we watched our Brit shows, re-runs we had seen but mostly forgotten. And this ends tonight' blog.

A quiet day, but nice.

We went to the Kaiser Pharmacy in Carlsbad this morning to pick up a prescription, and then we drove to Tamarack Beach and sat in the car and watched the waves for a while. There was a cloud cover over the sun, but the waves were high. After watching a while we drove to a Wal-Mart store and bought a new lampshade and also a new floor lamp, and then came home. Russ is still fighting the results of the predisone, so we didn't stay away long. After lunch he rested and slept a little while watching TV. Tonight we'll watch a movie on TV, and get to bed early.

A few problems, but they should go away soon.

This morning I got my new glasses, and I haven't had a headache since I started wearing them, and it's a relief. I'm all healthy again. We stopped at the bank, to complain about their cashing a check we had asked them not to. So far we haven't had satisfaction, but we will try again at the central customer service tomorrow. We have stayed around the house the rest of the day, either at the computer, or watching a little TV or reading. Russ is still having the after- effects of the prednisone the doctor gave him to help stop his cough; he still coughs and is nervous and shaky. I hope he's feeling better tomorrow.

A nice 4th of July.

I thought we were done with plums, but this morning Russ took the pits out of another kettleful, so I made jam. Then we watched a long program on the Revolutionary War. I learned a lot of things I didn't know. One thing was the reasons for Benedict Arnold's betrayal. We watched from about 1o:30 until it was time to go to Karen and Terry's for dinner. It was a good dinner, barbecued ribs that Terry did on the grill, and corn, beans, salad and ice cream pie that Karen made. She used sugar-free ice cream, so Terry could eat it. Tonight at home we watched some far-away fireworks through a dying Eucalyptus tree, and then on TV we watched the program at Washington D.C., then New York's fireworks.

Too many plums.

This morning I was going to make more plum jam and then do the washing. but Russ insisted on making the jam--his mother had taught him how when he was young. So, I did the washing, and he made the jam. We still had a bucket full of plums, and I thought of throwing them away, but Russ suggested we give them to the Mexican family in Tom and Beth Wieland's former home. So I called, and said I would bring them over to them, but Russ wouldn't let me take them over to them on the fancy walker. The daughter, Elizabeth came over, when she saw us outside, and she carried it. She's strong for a young girl! Russ was tired after making all that jam, so I cleaned up the kitchen, and then we watched a little TV together.

It's nice to know another neighbor.

This morning we went out and picked more plums on our side of the fence. For the first time, Mrs. Sullivan who owns the tree, came over. and helped us pick up the smashed ones on the cement walkway. And she took them home to put in her garbage can! That's the first time she has been neighborly since we moved in. We got some of the plums cleaned and stoned and ready to cook into jam, but we didn't have enough sugar. We went to Wall-Mart and bought some. By the time we got home again, it was dinner time, so we didn't finish the jam. After dinner we read and listened to more of the New Testament.

Overall a pleasant day.

We went to Church this morning, but Russ got a coughing spell, and went home. Karen said she would take me home after the three meetings. I was glad to stay, because I have missed so many lately. When I got home Russ was feeling better, and we had a snack, so we could take our medications that required food in the stomach. We watched a little TV, and then Russ went to his pictures on the computer. I read through the Sunday newspaper. It wasn't too cheerful, so I watched a concert on TV. and wrote a letter to Judy Creighton. Karen had provided our dinner, so we enjoyed that, she is a good cook for sure! Tonight we will watch a British mystery program while we eat our dessert. Kaye just called, and they will stay another week in Denver. This weekend they found a NRA place to shoot, and she seemed to enjoy the day.