Comments appreciated.

I appreciate any comments on my blog; thanks, Kaye. This morning Russ had to get another blood test, I guess because the Dr. didn't like the results of the last one. We went to Carlsbad Clinic for this one. Afterwards we went for a walk at the beach, and we went as far as the other day. It was tiring, but we made it! then we went to Burger King for lunch. This afternoon we put clean sheets on the beds in the master bedroom; Karen's extra guests will be staying there tomorrow night. I started lining up what I will take to Bandon. I know it's early, but I might as well do a little at a time. We watched the news again tonight, and we will also watch the Bill Moyers' show later. He usually has a good guest on it.

Mostly at home today.

We went shopping at Wal-Mart, and bought a few toiletries and some plant food and plant bug killer. We also got some milk and a few other things at Albertson's and came home, and should have taken care of the plants, but it was too hot to stay outside. This is the first day this summer that we have turned on our air conditioner. It was cool enough that I sat and read the paper and the mail. Then I got up and cleaned some spots off the carpet and found other dirty things that I cleaned. We had our dinner and then watched TV. I haven't seen a football game for quite a while, so it was interesting, after all the newscasts we watch. There are so many bad things happening in the world, it's discouraging. But that's an old person's point of view, and I vow I'll not write about that! I wish I could write as well as Kaye does.

It's still summer.

We wore our hearing aids all day, but I don't know if it helped. I'll try again tomorrow. We went to the Kaiser pharmacy for a refill, and then we stopped at Tamarack Beach for our walk. We went from one lifeguard station to the next, but rested several times on the way there and back. It was a nice warm day, and the waves were big. At home again, we had lunch, and then Karen came over, bringing us goodies from Trader Joe's. She stayed a while to visit. After she left I read in "Absolute Power", and finally, after dinner I finished it. It was a good book, in spite of the raunchy beginning.

The nice California day you wish all of them were.

This morning we had business at a bank in Carlsbad, and after that, we went for a walk on the cliff above the beach. It was a really lovely day, the sun shining on the beautiful turquoise water and people on the beach and in surfing and swimming. From there we went to have lunch with Al at his retirement place. He is quieter now that he used to be, and he doesn't talk to a lot of different people anymore. We enjoyed the lunch. We drove to the Kaiser Clinic in San Marcos, where I had my hearing tested. It isn't much worse than it was, but I will have my equilibrium tested when we get back from Oregon. At home again we had dinner, and then I am reading more in "Absolute Power". I must get back to it now. If I don't, I'll lose the continuity of the darn book!

We're cleared to go to Oregon.

This morning we went to see Dr. Donahoe. He said I should keep taking iron tablets until Nov. He told Russ he must have a thyroid blood test and a pro-time. From the Clinic we went to the beach at Tamarack and walked for a while. The summer crowd seems to be gone, and we almost had the sea wall to ourselves. Instead of going home for lunch, we went to Burger King. At home again I read more in "Absolute Power" a novel by David Baldacci. It's quite compelling, but disgusting at the same time. Tonight we read more of the New Testament for our Home Evening. .

Mostly Church.

We went to church this morning, and it was a farewell appearance of the Alexander family. The 1st meeting speakers were all of their family. The mother and Dr. dad are leaving for a mission to the Philippines, where he will be in charge of the health of 1100 missionaries. Karen didn't get there until the last meeting; Trevor Foster, her step grandson and a friend were visiting and didn't leave until almost 11 a.m. (Karen had let them drive her Jaguar to a fashionable wedding the night before.) We went to Karen's for dinner later. Karen, Russ, and I all got our new recommends, so we can go to the stake temple week, beginning Sept. 3. We will probably go to only one or two sessions at the most.

Getting ready--just in case.

I dreamed that the house was on fire, and I was very glad when the alarm woke me at 7 am. and it wasn't. When I got up I immediately started to get my disaster kit and water ready. I remembered we are supposed to have slip-on shoes at the bedside and clothes and medications ready to go. And I don't have the shoes, I'll have to go shopping for them. The others we have, food and eating things. I had my hair done, and then Russ and I went to the Hawaiian fast food place for lunch. Then we visited Juanita Jensen, another lady on his home teaching list. From her house we drove to the church supply store, and we bought two Milar blankets for our kits. We already have the water filter, and the radio-flashlight that doesn't need batteries.

We are fine now.

It was our usual morning, but for lunch we went to Burger King for big fish sandwiches. We just got into the habit of it, and the sandwiches are good. From there we went to home teach Ona Willet, one of the widows on Russ' list. She is our age, and she is friendly and easy to talk to. We stayed about an hour. From there we went to Boney's Market for green veggies. We used the tomatoes with basil leaves and feta cheese for salad tonight. It's good, try it. I haven't heard or read anything more about the movie on the Mountain Meadows masacre. I guess the media won't report it until the movie is showing at local theaters.

I'm concerned.

I just read Race's answer to my blog about grandchildren in school. I realized after I had written it that he wasn't on it, but I hadn't yet learned how to edit the blogs. I'll have to learn! I goofed! I read today that someone is making a movie about the Mountain Meadow massacre. I guess it's because a Mormon is a candidate for President, and they want to discredit him and the church. They don't say anything about incidents earlier, like the Hahn's Mill massacre, and others, against church members before the trek to Utah. I wore my computer glasses all day by mistake, and I got a headache and stomach ache. I'm a grandma for sure!

Another busy day.

This morning we drove to the shopping center and bought greeting cards, anniversary and birthday, bought some milk and came home again. After lunch we drove to the Kaiser Pharmacy, and then we came home by way of the beach, where we walked a little while. We bought gas (it's down to $2.76) on the way back. Russ (Chris) dropped me off at Karen's house, and she drove us in her Jaguar to visit teach Loraine Pepper. Loraine had just got back from her trip on the Danube River, and she and Karen had a lot to talk about. We stayed an hour, at least twice as long as we should have for that kind of a visit. But we all enjoyed it. Loraine went up the river, and Karen and Terry went down it last year. I didn't do anything on genealogy, except put it away, darn.

I have a new duty.

I wrote a blog for yesterday, but somehow it got lost in the computer and I couldn't find it. So, until I find it, I'll just go on as though it's here. Today we met Karen for lunch at Jack in the Box. She had been to a painting class, and she's still excited about painting landscapes. She's doing well, too. After the lunch she and I drove to Nancy Barnhard's to give her the visiting teacher message. She and her daughter have just returned from a family reunion in the south, where she got acquainted with her two new great, great grandchildren! On the trip she and Jean drove 3,000 miles. Tonight I went to Relief Society Enrichment meeting, and learned a little about getting family history off the internet. I guess I'll have to learn how, so I can do as my patriarchal blessing said I should, do family genealogy.

missing blog

We spent the morning on laundry and watering the plants. Roy was here to clean, so that's done. When I went out to the mail box, the man in the Wieland's house, came over to talk to me. He is Heberto (pronounced Ebeairto, I think) , and he asked about our health, and introduced me to his small son. I'm glad this man doesn't hold a grudge against us, for asking a young man over there to quiet down two different times. Since half the people in San Diego County are of Mexican or South American origin, it behooves us to keep peace with them. It will be interesting to see what the government does about immigration. The farmers are complaining about too few workers now.

We went to Church, and one of the Marines has come back from Iraq. That's about 6 that have come back OK. I hope it continues! However, the chapel wasn't full; maybe people are just on vacation. I can hear a little better during the meetings, but it just may be that I tune out the babies who fuss. This afternoon we watched two TV shows on melting icebergs, and I remember Race's comment that once the earth was covered with water. Let's hope it's a long way off happening again! Usually I talk a least twice a month to Kendra Gillian, but no one there answers the phone; I guess I've lost track of her. But we did hear from LuWayne Harris, Tom and Beth Weiland, and Kaye. All are well.

It's hot again.

I had my hair fixed and then came home and finished the Agatha Christie novel I have been reading. Karen came over after dinner, driving her Jaguar. She keeps it for special times, when the weather is good and she can enjoy the top down. I'm glad she can have the things she really wants. I watched Rick Steves in Tuscany, and it looked very nice. Also, he was there in person on channel PBS, helping them to ask people for money to run the channel. That's about the third time this year they have been asking for money. We send a donation once a year, but that's all. I like several of their programs, but not all. It's usually better than the commercial channels.

An ordinary day.

It has been a quiet day. It 's still hot for Oceanside, and it didn't seem worth it to go out. However, we did invite Ruth Shoppe out to a fish sandwich lunch. I invited Karen to meet us at the restaurant, and she did. She brought along her latest watercolor painting, and it's really good. I thought Karen should meet Ruth, because Karen is Compassionate Service Leader for the Relief Society, and Ruth is 90 years old and living alone. You never know what may happen. We got another ad for a retirement place, but we just threw it way. We have Karen, the Church, and the Angel Care people, and we can stay here as long as we want to.

Another lovely day in So. Calif.

We had to go back to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription that wasn't ready last time, and we used the trip to stop at the beach on the way. It was early enough to find a parking place. The tide was coming in, and the waves were beautiful. We went for a short walk, me with the fancy walker, darn. But it was nice. Afterwards we stopped at the bank, We thought of eating out, but came home instead and had sandwiches. Then we sat and read and dozed again in the recliners. I really should do something useful. I did sweep the front walk, but it had dead fuchsia on it later. We got another ad for a retirement place, but we still don't want to go into one. This house has problems, but we can handle them, and we can always call "Angel Care" if we need help.

School has started.

Chris had an appointment with the chiropractor again, and he shoulder is all better. From there we went to Boney's for green groceries, and then we met Karen for lunch. We met at Carl's Jr. and had fish tacos, and learned all about the family in Pismo Beach. They are all in one big house, on different levels, and getting along very well. Danya came, too. She starts teaching this week. On the way home we stopped at Albertson's for more groceries, and in the afternoon we read, and relaxed. We talked to both Carla and to Kaye, and that was nice. Logan is going to Utah State U. at Orem, Utah, and Meret to BYU. Bianca is at Med. School in the L.A. area. Brittany is working at the golf course in Bandon. Stellan is back at college in Richland. So all are busy.

A day inside, but very warm.

The sun came out early and the temperature was 80 degrees or more all day. We stayed inside, except to take care of some plants. We were happy to receive Karen's call telling us that she had gotten home from Pismo Beach area. She will tell us more about the trip when we see her. We see on TV all the suffering the heat is causing all over the world, and there's no reason not be sure it's global warming. And the weather is a mess, with all the flooding in India. Our world is changing so rapidly, it's hard to believe. Let's hope we will be able to slow it all down. On a more cheerful note, we are in good health, thank goodness.

Beautiful blue-green ocean

When we woke up, the sun was already shining! Usually it has been overcast, so we knew that it would be a really warm day. we had breakfast and planned to go down to the beach. I packed a lunch, and we found a place to park at Tamarack beach. We climbed the hill, and sat at a picnic table at the street level. It was a truly beautiful day, warm and clear, and the ocean fantastically teal colored. After the lunch we walked along the top of the cliff and enjoyed every minute of it. We drove from there to the Kaiser Pharmacy, and picked up prescriptions and I made an appointment to both have appointments on the 27th with Dr. Donahoe. For our home evening, we read scriptures.

A quiet, pleasant day.

We didn't go to church today. Chris had another nose bleed, and I wanted to stay with him, in case it started over again. (It didn't). We spent a quiet day, reading and listening to the TV programs on PBS and on the BYU channel. We talked to Carla and Rex and to Kaye a couple of times. Carla said they were back at Eugene. She had stopped to rest on the way. Kaye and Kyle were at a regional gun meet, and were happy with their scores. Kaye said they would call us later as they got close to home. LuWayne Harris also called. He plans to go to Hawaii to visit his son Gabriel and family as soon as the crowds are gone. I'm glad Gabe didn't have to go back to Iraq.

Still a mystery.

This morning as usual, I had my hair fixed. Chris went home and re-potted plants, and then came back to pick me up. I'm still looking the best place for us to retire to, but I haven't found the right one yet. Of course, we will keep this house to come back to, if we don't like wherever we do go. I have done nothing the rest of the day, except to read in the "Deathly Hallows." I finally finished it tonight, but I will have to re-read it; I never did find out what the "Deathly Hallows" were.

Harry Potter gets more interesting .

Chris's shoulder is bothering him today, so he went to see the chiropractor. He was helped, given a relaxing ointment to put on it, and he feels better tonight. While we were out we bought some groceries, had a big fish sandwich at Burger King, and then came home. We rested, made bread, and I read more in "The Deathly Hallows". As we were getting our supper ready Karen came over for a visit. She is leaving tomorrow to spend the weekend at the Foster's near Pismo Beach, and Danya will meet her there. Later I read more in the book, and it's getting better all the time!

Not as good a day.

I had forgotten to do the wash earlier in the week, so I did it today. While that was going on, we went to the post office to return a parcel that came to our house, with the name G. and G. Christensen and our address on it. The P.O. took it and said they would return it to the Co. that sent it. After lunch we did a little gardening and clothes washing, and then rested and read a while. After a dinner of frozen turkey, I read again, and Chris worked at the computer. Now I'm 300 pages into Harry Potter. I should finish it by the end of the week. So far, it isn't as good as the other books. I had expected more, but I guess the author had to finish it up some way.

A good day.

This morning we took our pictures of Gloria Saltzman's visit to be printed, and we will send her one copy and keep the others for us. From there we drove to the Kaiser Pharmacy to pick up refills, and left there and went to the beach at Tamarack. it was a perfect day, the sun warm, the fog all gone, and not too many people there. We walked for a while, and then we picked a picnic table and waited for Karen. She had been to a painting class, and she came and brought sandwiches. We had drinks and potato chips, and we enjoyed our lunch. I This afternoon I read in the new Harry Potter book, and rested. Chris read another book and rested. Quiet, but nice.

The patio room finished.

We worked this morning on returning the patio room to a reasonable state. Chris took three newly-painted book boxes to the garage and stacked them for storing things, and the others into the storage shed, also to be used for storage. Uncle Al came over about 11:40 to see the new cement floor in the patio room, and he stayed and visited until about 2 p.m. While we were all in the back yard, Al said something about the Corser's fence being in the wrong place, and Herman and heard him. He climbed to the top of the hill, and he was very angry at Al. Al went out and gradually talked his anger out of him. I don't know how he did it! Chris went out, but I stayed in the patio room.

Oregon trip arranged!

We finally gave up on getting our own tickets for the plane trip to Ore. and asked Carla for advice. And she promptly got it done for us, and will send us the tickets! We can reimburse her for all. We haven't done much today, except work on the reservations. However, Karen did come over for a little while this morning. She and Terry were going to visit friends in Orange county, and wouldn't be back until late. They will visit their traveling companions. Roy was there this morning, and it's always nice to have a clean house when he leaves.

Stilll making plans.

We went to church as usual, and stayed for all three meetings. Then at home we thawed chicken and strawberries to use for dinner. We overloaded the electric circuits in the kitchen twice, before we got the dinner ready. Later we talked to Kaye, and she is making her plans to meet us in Bandon, in Sept. We also looked for plane schedules and fares, but for some reason we couldn't make our reservations. We all certainly appreciate Carla and Rex inviting us there. We got a nice letter from Gloria Saltzman yesterday, and we intend to keep in touch with her. Family members are great, and real friends are valuable, too.l

We're making plans.

We talked to Karen, Carla, and Kaye, and it's now decided; we will fly to South Bend, by way of Portland on Sept. 11 and come home on the 15th. That means we will be there for Kaye's birthday. I had my hair done as usual, and Chris picked me up afterwards, and we had a Meximelt at Taco Bell on the way home. (I didn't have time for breakfast before leaving for the hair-do). In the afternoon we had a call from Beth Wieland, who is here to help John and Kathie pack for a move to Salt Lake City. Then later they and their 2-year old boy came over for a farewell visit. Beth is leaving at 4 a.m. to drive back to Tom at their home east of Cedar City. Tonight we watched the movie, "Sleepless in Seattle", then talked to Kaye, and Sept 11 is fine for her, too.

Our chance to go to Oregon!

This morning I checked out more books to get rid of, and Chris painted the rest of the boxes. Then we went to get our glasses adjusted. At home again we had a fish dinner, and then we talked to Carla. She invited us to come to Oregon sometime in Sept. 10 to 20! This was important news which we shared with Kaye and Karen. Now it's just a matter of deciding just which days in the week of Sept. 10! Kaye will come with Race, maybe Stellan And Kyle (?). Karen doesn't know yet. There's time to get plane reservations, so we can plan for it a little while yet. It's exciting to think about it.

We live in a nice place.

This morning I washed the plastic chairs and put them back in the patio room. Chris painted half the book boxes that were in there, but they won't go back there; at least half will go into the garage and the others in the storage shed. Then we went to get Chris' blood test, stopped a while to look at the ocean (were too tired to walk), then went to Burger King for lunch. We did a little grocery shopping on the way home. We talked to Kaye, and she was shopping with Stellan. He is still working, but will start back to school soon. Race is teaching at U. of Wash. while he works on his doctorate. It hasn't rained for months, but we live in a nice place, and so far we have drinking water, and some for plants.

A good day.

I went to the dentist, the new one, that Chris and Karen see, and he re- filled one of my molars that needed it. It took only 35 minutes to get in there, get it done, and leave. That's a record in my book. We stopped for a soft drink, to strengthen my nerves, on the way home. Then I did the washing while Chris watered the plants and re-arranged those in the patio room. These activities took a large part of the day, and we spent the rest of it doing the quiet things, like computer work, and having two more meals. I've started playing the piano again, now that my headaches have mostly gone. I have forgotten a lot, but it's fun to try to play anyway. We talked to Carla, and she invited us to come up if we can, and I hope we can arrange it. I want to see them, and also that new golf course!