This morning Roy came over and set down the cement blocks for the shed, which is coming on Monday. I drove to my hair appointment, and there were not many people there. I guess the economy is keeping some at home. There were three operators and not enough clients to keep them busy. When I got home Karen was here, and we had a nice visit. Her leg is still bothering her, and tonight on the skype she said she would not go to Tucson for the Gem Show next week. So, she will be here to go with us to San Marcos. After Karen left we drove to the bank to order more checks, and since we were in the neighborhood, we had lunch at Wendy's, and we bought a few things at the grocery. At home again we rested a while, then I read and Chris worked with the new computer. Tonight we had a skype talk to Kaye, and to Karen, so we are learning to use the new computer. It's interesting, and also a little exasperating sometimes! But we will get used to it. Brittany got home from her job at the golf course just at dinner time, so we had it together, macaroni and cheese and mixed veggies and a cabbage salad. Brittany could eat all of those things with us. It was nice to be together for a meal.

I love the picture of Caden on the blog for today! Thank you so much, Kaye. And also thank you for the information about the table for the computer. It sounds as though it will do the trick very well. We haven't talked to you all day, but as soon as I've finished here, we will do it. This morning I worked on the records for the health bills for last year until 12:30; then we left for Burger King to get a fish sandwich. Then we went for a walk on the beach above the cliff. It was a beautiful day, and the waves were small enough that beginning surfers could handle them. We walked only about a California block,, resting before turning back. We came home, and I worked on the health bills again, and Chris put his new quicken on the new computer. He had some trouble with it, but I think he got done. Eddy, our gardener, brought the cement blocks from Home Depot, so Roy can put them in place for the new shed tomorrow. Things are working out, although slowly.

Video of Greatgrandson

From Seattle, Caden sitting by Uncle Race 25Jan09

This morning Chris went over to Home Depot and ordered the cement blocks to put under the new storage shed. Then we waited for the man to come over to deliver them. Finally Chris called him, and he didn't have a truck, but would come later when he had one. So, I went to Karen's by myself, to take a walker to her. Her leg wasn't as well as she hoped, but she said it was better today than yesterday. When I got home, Chris was talking to Kaye, on the skype on the new computer. It's really fun to use that, and see the person you are actually talking to, at the same time. She is going with Kyle to a shooting match in Idaho next week. She hasn't competed for a long time and is looking forward to it. Charles called while I was gone, so I called him back tonight. They are well, and so are their families. He asked about the baby, and they were glad to know he's getting along well. He is living with his mom and dad in the Ronald McDonald House, that is part of the hospital, but a couple of blocks away. That means Caden gets outside whenever he goes to the hospital for treatments--with his parents, of course. The man never did get the blocks here today. I hope he makes it tomorrow; Roy is coming to put the blocks in place the next day.

This morning I finished the book Karen had loaned me, and I hurried through it, because she wants to lend it to someone else. Russ (Chris, Wally) worked on the new computer, and then tonight we moved it into the computer room. He wants to transfer things from this computer to the new one. We drove to the Oceanside Kaiser Pharmacy to pick up two prescriptions, and then we came home and had lunch. We rested a while, and then I read in the Doctrine and Covenants and in the Relief Society lessons. I'm behind in both these studies because we don't stay for the 2nd and 3rd meetings on Sundays. We have been getting too tired. However, I felt like staying this last Sunday, but Russ did not. We got the skype working today, and we talked on it to Karen. Her leg is really bothering her again. She doesn't know if she'll go with Terry to the Gem Show in Tucson next week. Kaye was out walking when we talked to her, and later when we called, she was at the Writers' Group. She was sitting next to Patricia Briggs. Patty's new book comes out in Feb. in hardback.

Brittany got home about midnight, then we went to sleep, all three of us. This morning we were up about 8, and Brittany was feeling better than on Sunday. She had gotten along well at the U., but she felt she needed to go to the yoga class at the gym. After she left, Russ and I went to Home Depot again. We had talked to the people who will bring out the shed on Monday, and they thought it was a different size; that was why we had to go change it to the right size, 10-x-10 feet. Then we went to Wal-Mart, and then we met Karen at Taco Bell for lunch. At home again I read a while, and then Kaye came on the computer in a skype with us. It was good to see her, but she was tired from her shot, so we didn't talk long. We and Brittany had dinner together, different food, of course. But Brittany made a good salad for all of us. It's nice to have her here.

Just a trip to Home Depot.

We got up early, expecting Roy to come, but he doesn't come until next Monday. However, he will come on Saturday, too, because he is to put red tile on the spot for the new shed. We talked to Kaye on the Skype, and it worked perfectly. We were going to do it again this afternoon, but we didn't get to it. And Kaye was going to Anne's house in the evening, so we just spoke briefly. We went to Home depot to order the new shed, and check on paint something like the Salam Maple color on the dresser and headboard, for the gray chests we will use with them in the bedroom of the apartment. We brought home samples and have picked one. We will go back tomorrow to change the order for the new shed; for some reason the order was for a different size than we wanted. It will be delivered next Monday, or was it Tuesday?

The really great computer!

The new computer is working fine; even the sound is up now. And we can play our movies and CDs and DVDs on it, too. At first we had no sound, but Russ found out how to work that, and now he has "Man of La Mancha" on it. And we also had good pictures from the "skype" of Caden and family. Next time they will be able to hear us, too, now that we have all the sound. Race certainly did a good job of putting this great computer all together, and Kaye for getting it down to us. Thank you so much, both of you! I don't know how we can repay you for all that work! We also watched part of "Finding Nemo",that was already on it. We went to Sacrament meeting this morning, and to Karen's for dinner tonight. Terry wasn't there, he was in San Diego as a docent on the aircraft carrier that's in the harbor. I hope he didn't get too tired doing that all day. Brittany starts her classes at Cal. State U. tomorrow and is busy getting ready. .

This morning I had my hair done, and Chris (Russ,Wally) went shopping in the Dollar Store. He bought 14 things, some of them useful, but some of which we already had. But they are all useful, anyway. We got back just in time to take Karen's call . She came over to pick up the Christmas tree. After a short visit, she was just leaving when my visiting teacher and her husband arrived. They didn't stay long, in fact didn't even sit down. They had frozen food in the car, and so they stayed just long enough to hand me the lesson, and a copy of the Relief Society's class lessons for the year, since I probably won't be attending much. I already have a copy of the book they're studying. We had our lunch, a rest, and then we went back to the shopping center to get some bananas and Soy Milk. I'm still on that milk, and my stomach seems to like it. After we got back, Brittany got home from her once-a-week job at the golf course. She made $100. We really enjoyed our Skype yesterday of Caden and his Dad. That baby is doing so well.

This morning we went out in a thin mist of rain to the Bank and then to Walmart to pick up a few supplies. Brittany had gone to the gym and left a note that she would be back about noon. We all had our lunch, and then Brittany started her work for us. She did the washing, took the ornaments of the tree, helped get dinner tonight, and also bought things we needed at Costco. We don't have a card there, and she got a TurboTax guide and other stuff for us. I re-read the President's speech of Tuesday, and then tonight we had a program on it by Bill Moyers on TV. This program ended on a hopeful note, that perhaps everything will work out eventually, if the President is able to fulfill all he has in mind to do for our country. I hope he has the strength, and the cooperation he needs to do it.

This morning we went to the Kaiser Clinic in Oceanside to pick up some prescriptions and have one more blood test for Chris (Russ, Wally). It started to rain as we came home, but it didn't last long. The sun came out briefly, but it didn't stay out. We had lunch at home, and then a rest, and then I started to record our medical stuff for the last half of the year, so I could start new files for the new year. Also, I found I have some earlier in the year to record. I did one load of washing, but Brittany said she had all day tomorrow to do it, so I stopped there and didn't do more. As long as she's here, she will take Jessie's place on Fridays. Chris has worked on the computer and has also been sorting files. We plan to take a filing cabinet to the apartment though, so we don't have to empty the one in the computer room. The two in the garage we will store.

I had one job set out to do today, and I got only about half way through it; I cut the end off a new blanket, and then I picked out the stitching that held the binding on the cut-off piece, pressed it, and got it ready to put back on the blanket.I did read a little in the church "Doctrine and Covenants" book. I also read a little in a book Karen loaned me. In the late afternoon the sun finally came out, and I went for a short walk up and down our street. I had to get out for a while. Yesterday I called Las Villas de Carlsbad and told them we want a two bedroom apartment, and we must be settled in by the end of March. My dear husband is still ambivalent about it, but he is going through our files to separate those we want to take and those to be stored. I should have done more about separating and packing, but I didn't . Brittany called and she will be back late tonight. She has a part-time job Sunday at the golf course in Carlsbad. Three packages of her books for classes at the U. have arrived while she has been gone. It's going to rain, so I must bring some things in from the patio room, which still leaks. more tomorrow.

More about the new computer

This is another day for the new computer. It is now located on the small computer table in the living room. Karen came over to help set it up. There's a part missing, and we all drove to Best Buy to get it, but they didn't have it. We called Kaye, and she looked around and she still has it and will send it down. While we were out we went to Burger King for lunch. Karen brought us back home and left to go home. We rested a while, then Russ (Chris, Wally) went back to the computer room to clear up some things. I got some more stuff for the Welfare, and we took it down to the corner of Oceanside and Vista. While we were out we bought eggs and bananas and then came home. While we were just sitting down to dinner, Kaye called again. She had a good skype of Caden, and will send us a picture. He weighs 14 1/2 lbs now! I will look forward to the new picture.

Roy came to clean today. He will come back in a week to help again in the yard, preparatory to putting up a new shed by the old one. After he left we had lunch and then got ready to go to see Dr. Donahoe. Chris had that period of not being able to remember things, and everybody said he should see the doctor. Chris had a lot of tests run and he is to go for one more at San Marcos Clinic. He was too tired to set up a time, but he will call tomorrow. We got busy unpacking the new computer Race had put together for Chris, and Kaye had it packed up after she checked it out. We have it out of the box, sitting on the floor in the family room. This monitor isn't doing right, so I'll have to get Chris to come fix it. it's running off at the sides, and the bottom on the page is about half way up the monitor. He told me what to do, and it's sort of fixed at the sides, but not the bottom. I give up for tonight.

This morning we went to Sacrament Meeting and then came home. I picked up things around the house and got 8 chairs into the living room, so we could all sit down. I got glasses down for the punch (3 kinds of punch) and put the cookies on a plate, with the idea of letting everyone help themselves to what he or she wanted. But my plans didn't exactly work; Sherrie and Chris served the punch and passed around the cookies. But we had a good visit. Karen and Al were there, too. Teena and Paul are soon leaving for a mission to the eastern part of Europe. The Mission has five different countries in it, and I asked what languages they had to learn. Paul said, Just English. They have translators for them there, as they did when they went to Bangkok on a mission.. Brittany got back from the Singles Ward in time to get introduced to everyone. They all left about 4, except Brittany. She stayed long enough to bake and ice a cake to take to a party in the L.A. area. She will go to the U. in Fullerton and be back here on Saturday. She'll stay with Bianca while she's gone. We talked to Carla and to Kaye, and Kaye has new pictures of Caden she will send us.

This morning Roy came over, and he leveled the spot for a new storage shed, next to the old one. Now we will have to go order the shed again, and have them come and put it up. While all this was going on, I drove to the beauty shop and got my hair done. After a bit Roy left, and we had our lunch. Brittany's date arrived and drove her out for lunch, I guess. She got back later in the afternoon. Chris and I went out for supper and some lemonade and cookies for our guests for tomorrow. Sherrie and John Massero (she is Fred's Christensen's daughter) and Sherrie's daughter Teena and Paul Lindorf will be stopping by on their way to El Centro. We watched our Brit shows tonight, and now it's bedtime.

Busy, but not much accomplished.

This morning we drove to the Oceanside Kaiser Pharmacy and picked up one of my prescriptions and ordered three more. The doctor has to approve them, so I can't get them until next Tuesday; but fortunately I have enough until then. We had lunch at home and then went grocery shopping. Everything seems to cost more each time I go into a store. It's hard to get used to it, but I guess we must. At home again I had a nap in my chair, as I tried to read. Then I got up and fixed our dinner. Brittany had been gone to the beach and to visit Uncle Al and came back just then. She's a vegetarian, so she cooks most of her own things. We do share when she can eat what we do. I haven't done any segregating of things nor packed up anything today. I'll try to do more. I had a long talk with Kaye, and she said Caden is doing better, and that's always good news. He has gained a little weight, and had some of his meds. reduced. That's great.

This morning Karen came over to pick us up to go to the Temple at 9 o'clock. We got there too late for the 10 o'clock session, but we went to the 10:30 one. I had some trouble with my legs, but not much, because they have taken out of the endowment the several times we used to stand up when doing the signs, etc. And I did forget some of the veil part. Thank goodness they have someone there to coach people like me. But we did get done all right, and drove home in time to get lunch in Carlsbad at the Carl's Jr. We drove on home, and then Karen went back to her house. She is having some lawn taken out and chips put down, to save water. We don't have any grass, but we can cut down on watering the bushes and ground cover. Also, we use the dish washer only every other day, and the clothes washer only every other week. That's not much, but I guess every little bit helps. We did put Caden's and Kaye's names on the prayer rolls again. I'm so glad that baby is doing so well, but he can use all the prayers he can get now and later. Also Kaye.

I missed writing yesterday, I was behind in everything again. I almost didn't get to it tonight, but here I am. This morning I got up early enough to shower and get ready to go to the Alpha Chi Alum meeting at Linda Sheldon's house in Carlsbad. It's not far from the Stake Center where we went on Sunday. Brittany drove me there and came to pick me up at 2 p.m. The Speaker was a financial planner, who told us about what to do in this sad economy, but I couldn't understand much of what he said. He used abbreviations I don't know, and I spent some time watching Linda's pet tortise (?) that was crawling around the yard. The two dogs were shut in their house. Any way, it was nice to see the women again. Most young women are working these days, so we were all the older ones at the meeting. The younger ones in the Palomar area go to a meeting at night.

I slept through the radio again this morning, and I finally woke up at 9. That made the whole day about 1 and a half hour's behind in everything. We did manage to get rid of a little more stuff from the garage, but you can hardly notice any difference. After our late lunch we sat down and had a short nap, and then we went to the Kaiser Pharmacy in Oceanside and picked up 3 medications for Chris. Mine won't be ready until Wednesday. At home we went over 2 days of mail. We must have just forgotten Saturday's. We watched the news, but it wasn't very good. Pres. Bush gave a press conference, and it wasn't much. Neither was the foreign news, except , they had to tell us again about all the killing going on. I really hope the new pres. can do a better job, with that, and also the economy. Brittany seems to be coming down with a cold. We are taking care, so we won't get it, too; such as taking L. Lysine, and washing all the dishes in the dish washer.

Bianca came just after we had dinner, and fortunately we had cooked enough for her, too. Brittany gets her own, most of the time. The dog Bianca brought with her is a big black lab female, a very loving animal. When we all went to bed a few hours later, the dog was put in the patio room, just outside the back bedroom where Brittany and Bianca were to sleep. The dog whined and barked until about 1 o'clock, when Bianca finally took her mattress and bedding out there, and slept with the dog. This morning the O'dous came here, looking for Brittany, whose church records had arrived at our ward. They didn't know it was our house, and we had a nice visit with them. Brittany told them she wants her church records kept at Eugene, Ore. where all her bank, credit cards, etc. are. This afternoon the granddaughters and I went to Stake Conference. Chris was too tired to go. Afterward we stopped at Karen's and she served us decaf teas and cookies. Very nice. Tonight Brittany and Bianca went to dinner at Travis's house, then Bianca and dog went back to Pomona, and Brittany came back here, with fudge.

I had my hair done earlier today. We hoped to see and hear Caden on Brittany's computer, but somehow it hasn't happened yet. Maybe tomorrow. After lunch we went back to our little shopping center where Chris bought a new razor, because his broke down. He's not sure he likes it yet, but at least he can shave with it. This afternoon I went through the Christmas cards we received and picked out those with pictures in them. I will mount the pictures in an album, but a better one that those I've had lately. I'll check with the Bishop's wife who has a stationery shop in Carlsbad, and see if she has some good ones in stock. We are waiting for Bianca to come for a visit, with her friend's dog. I hope it works out OK. Tonight we are watching our usual Brit shows, while we wait for Bianca.

We have had another busy day. Brittany did everything Jessie did for helping me around the house. Then we went out to a picnic lunch with Karen at the beach. It was cool and windy but sunny, so we just ate in the car. At home again we had a rest and then got busy, Chris at the computer, and Brittany and I transferred things, put the washing away, and took out the things in the bedroom desk and in the gray chests in the back bedroom, and then she and Chris exchanged the the furniture. That way Brittany has a desk for her computer, and we have the gray chests to paint brown, to go with our bedroom set. Part way through that last, we stopped long enough to have dinner. Now we have to find storage for Brittany, and paint for the chests. Tomorrow after I've got my hair done and have had the chance to see Caden on Brittany's TV, I'll probably go look for a little chest of drawers for the back bedroom.

We were to go to the Villas de Carlsbad for dinner at 4, but they called and postponed it until 5:30. So, we just went ahead with our usual activities, Chris on the computer and I on packing books. I got one plastic box ready to store, and that's all. We had planned to meet Karen at the beach for a picnic lunch, but we postponed it until tomorrow. Since we had time for other things, we just did the usual things, watched TV a little, had lunch at home, and then had a short rest. Brittany was here all day, and was helpful whenever something needed doing. In fact, she drove us to the dinner and came to pick us up afterward; she went to a gym near there while we ate. It was a good dinner (I had shrimp), with live entertainment., too. I didn't care for their bread pudding, so I had a cookies when I got home.

An odd day.

For some reason I overslept the radio when it came on this morning, and didn't get up until almost 9. That shifted everything about 2 hours behind. We did get breakfast, and then Chris worked on the computer and I finished packing up the Christmas stuff. We went to the store for milk and bananas, and then we had lunch at Taco Bell and then went to the gas station across the street. But it was closed. We didn't want to drive farther, so we just came home. We rested, and then Chris went out to cut down a bush that was growing in the way of the shed we expect to get soon. I tried to decide what bedding to pack and what to store. I got most of it in bags, and then gave up. We had supper, and then Brittany arrived back from her trip. She helped when some of the lights went out; the wiring is queer in this house, but we aren't going to do anything about it.

It has been another day without a nap, but we did sit and rest a couple of times. We had a good breakfast that Chris cooked, great French toast, a banana and hot chocolate. Brittany left a little after noon to go to another session with a counselor at the U. in Fullerton, and to spend some time with Bianca at Disneyland. She'll be back tomorrow night. First of all, though, she went to the gym, and then to the golf course to see what had been done after her letter about the man who came onto her. She'll still be working there occasionally, but not Sundays, when that guy comes. This afternoon we went to the local clinic for a blood test for Chris and prescriptions, then shopping for a blanket and then groceries. We have talked to all three daughters, and that is a good feeling! Some parents and grown children don't get along so well, and that's sad.

This morning Roy came to clean the house, Brittany got registered for her classes at the University, except for one she couldn't fit in, and Chris{Russ) and I went to the funeral of a friend, Bob Cooper. After the funeral we met Karen at Carl's Jr. for lunch. She had arranged the flowers on the tables for the luncheon after the funeral and then her job was done. Because of her twisted knee she couldn't help get the food ready. While we were still at the church, I talked to the Sunday School teacher, and told him about Caden's heart replacement. This man told me he has a cousin who got a heart replacement when he was 5, and now he is 18 and doing well. That certainly is encouraging! Later this afternoon the repairman for the reverse osmosis water purifier came and replaced the filter. It was a busy day; we didn't even have a nap!

This morning Chris (Russ) wasn't feeling well, so Karen came and we went to church. Everyone asked about Chris (Russ) and by the time we got near the door, I felt I just couldn't stay for the other meetings. I wanted to see how he was feeling, so Karen took me back home. He had slept all the time I was gone, and was feeling better. Karen We got a sandwich at a fast food, , and we ate it at our house, and then Karen went home. Brittany had gone to the gym, and was going to the Singles Ward afterward. After a little more rest Chris worked at the computer to get information for the census letter we were to fill out. I read a little of the paper. Karen came back and picked us up to go have dinner at her house, and it was very good, as usual. The kitten has grown into a cat, and she she doesn't run madly about the house anymore. Brittany arrived just in time for the dinner, and then drove us home afterward. Chris had another nap, and I watched TV of the predictions of the end of the world--not very restful, although he went to sleep again. He is awake now, and wants to do his blog, so I'll stop. here.

Kaye reported that Caden did go to the Ronald McDonald house with his parents, and he really seemed to like the change from the Hospital. Also, Kaye went with Kyle to shooting practice. Brittany went to the gym this morning. We stayed home, and I did my own hair wash and set; it isn't as bad as I thought it might be. I'm glad I can do it at least sometimes. This afternoon Brittany helped me pack away sheets and things we don't need now. I think I will add a few more to the storage box. We don't need more that than 4 sets, one set for each bed and one for the change to put on when we wash. It's time for our Saturday night Brit shows, so I'll close.

Karen didn't tell us much about her visit to the Zion Hospital, except that she may have torn ligaments and arthritis, and probably not any broken bones. So, she is to go home and wait another month, and see how she does. But she does have an appointment with a surgeon, just to make sure no bones are broken. Since I had let Jessie go, and Brittany wasn't back, I had the the 2-week washing to do. But Chris (Russ) did help me, or it could have been harder for me. But I was still tired tonight . Brittany got back and saw how tired I was, so she said she would do the washing from now on, as payment for her rent. So, that is taken care of. We did go out late this afternoon long enough to eat a fish sandwich at Burger King. The traffic is still bad, but we got home OK. Kaye says Caden is still improving, and has no tubes in him. He may go to the Ronald McDonald house with his parents, with trips back every day to the Hospital.

Because it's the first day of the new year, I started putting away the Christmas things we want to keep. I got all of it, except the one Santa and reindeer with candles on their backs, and candles with wreaths around them in holders. Karen may take the decorated Christmas tree, because the kitten ruined the one they had. I still have three wreaths people have given us. They and the other stuff may go to some welfare group. We have two weeks of washing to do, because I let Jessie go, because I thought Brittany would be here and I'd hire her instead. But Brittany has gone away for New Years with friends in Riverside. My only New Year's Resolution is to stop worrying about everything. It will take care of itself in time.