Painting Class

 

Vic's painting is on the left.
Mine is on the right. 

Painting class was a lot of fun. Vic asked if I was going to buy some acrylic paints and start painting. I told him I'd already done that once and gave them all to Katie because I'm not very good at it. She is, though. 

Connie, the artist teacher, said we should sign the pictures, to which Vic said, "Can we put "anonymous?" They had wine and snacks for us. At one point, Vic said, "I don't drink but I better have some wine!" He kind of complained the whole time! I doubt he will go if we do it again someday! I vowed not to complain because I have in the past, and I didn't!! Good for me. It took me a lot longer than the others to finish and I left a few things off. 

I am having a lot of trouble with this post, the placement of the photos. So please excuse that they are not as they should be.

Vic, no he isn't praying, I don't think, anyway.

Reality

Our son-in-law's stepfather passed away last night in Indiana. Rick's mother has pneumonia and is staying at Rick's sister's house while she recuperates. She hasn't seen her husband in over a week. Bill has had medical issues for some time now and his body just wore out. I feel so bad for Joyce. She is sick, plus her husband died, life's reality has hit home for her. Hubby and I are not young by any means, so it is no wonder we are being hit with these losses. Three cousins, my dear friend, Celine, and our brother-in-law's sister have all passed since mid-October. 

This day in 1991 my mother passed away. The day she retired. Rest in Peace, Mom. I still miss you every single day. 

I guess my point is that we should live each day as if it is our last. Don't take your loved ones for granted. Don't regret that you didn't say, "I love you," to people who mean the world to you. 

I can't imagine how devastating Joyce feels right now, I am praying for her to get well and to be able to cope with Bill's passing. Won't you join me?

Today we are going to a painting class with lots of our family members. Derek and Vickie got this all set up with us. So far the painters are: Derek, Vickie, Nancy, Vic, Katie, Audi, Macie, Macie's friend, Catherine, Aremy, and Carol. Maybe more. I'll post photos but mine may not be in them, I'm not creative when it comes to painting or drawing. 

There is an organization, for lack of a better word, that anyone can join, called LetterMo. The idea is to send a piece of mail for every day there is postal service during the month of February. You will receive something, hopefully, and if you do, you respond. You don't have to write a letter every time, you can send post cards, notes, etc. It will be quite a challenge! I might just send something to you! It doesn't have to be to another member of LetterMo. I have no idea why this paragraph won't left align. I can't fix it. 

Letters

Some of you may not know that I have pen friends. I had about 25 until a year ago when I found out I had more health issues and needed to cope with them. I still have some pen friends, and I also write to relatives or friends of our families. At one time I wanted to have a pen friend in every state! Wow! That would take a lot of time...and postage stamps.  I send birthday and anniversary cards to everyone in our extended family, i.e., our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (over 50 now) as well as siblings and some cousins.

Those of us with pen friends are always aware of the increase in the prices of postage stamps, they have been going up and up. Currently a forever postage stamp is 73 cents and post card stamps are 56 cents. International or global stamps are $1.65. An unusual sized envelope will cost $1.19 to mail. I look at it this way: think how much it would cost to drive to the person's house to give them the birthday card, or any other mail! 

So cute!

In addition to writing letters to pen friends frequently, there are a few "clubs" or groups which have seasonal events. For example, at this time of the year, you may send "cozy" mail. There are birthday groups. I am no longer involved in the clubs but the last time I participated in a birthday group I received over 50 birthday cards! The goal is to have fun. 

We don't put our outgoing mail in our mailbox because it is on the sidewalk next to the street where a lot of people walk. When we are gone, we get our mail held. To have your mail held, you can go online to do it or go to the post office. You need to have it held for at least three days. You choose to pick it up when you return or have the carrier deliver it to you at the end. I couldn't grab the link but just type in: usps hold mail. 

A friend asked our daughter, Katie, to send mail to her father because he looks forward to going to the mailbox and getting mail every day. Katie passed that on to me, so I've been sending the gentlemen a piece of mail about once a week. I don't know him, he doesn't know me, but it is fun for me to do, and I hope it is fun for him, too. If you know someone whose day would be brighter by receiving a card or note in the mail, let me know!

There are so many different stamps, some fun, some commemorative, some for certain events. Our little post office doesn't offer too many choices, but a person can order stamps online. 

Wooden Shoes

I do not know how a person can wear a pair of wooden shoes comfortably. My Grandma Dillon's father and uncles came to the United States from Holland. She had a pair of wooden shoes displayed in her home. As kids we all tried to wear them, of course. They were heavy and clunky. 

I started wearing Birkenstocks when I worked in the office at a school. Many of the teachers wore them so I got my first pair. Then another, and another... I just got my 11th pair. They are not the typical Birkenstock with the cork. They are called Boston Exquisite and they are totally black leather. I wore them today for the first time and didn't even have to break them in. They didn't hurt my feet at all. I needed a closed toe shoe for the bad weather, so it can snow now. 

Birkenstocks are expensive, but they last forever. New styles are coming out all the time. Now, which ones should I get next? Purple, army green, thongs with flowers down the strap? Shearlings? Platform? (Shearlings and Platforms I will not get, they are ugly.)

True Dat

 

I'll be back soon with another riveting post. (haha)

Brrr!

Winter has arrived. It is darn cold; my least favorite part of the year. 

Just a reminder: if I repeat myself, it is because I am old! And I don't go back and read the blog posts to see if I already talked about something. Disclaimer!

I'm working on getting my blood pressure within an acceptable range. No salt. I cut it out quite a while ago but I still want it on my food. I just don't go there. Now I take a water pill to help in that department, too. I may as well put a TV tray in front of the toilet with my laptop on it! It's ridiculous, really. My siblings and I have the "Burnett Bladder" already, and now this? No fun. I definitely can't go anywhere in the mornings and even early afternoon. Which means if I have an appointment, I can't take the pill at all.  

We had a great lunch and visit with Audi yesterday. We went to Sterlings, one of our favorite restaurants. Not a chain, but they had three locations in the Tri-Cities. We were there about 3 hours and they didn't kick us out. We had a lot of catching up to do! So glad she is living back here once again!

Vic continues to do his cardiac rehab twice a week and thinks it really is helping his energy levels and stamina. Good for him!

Derek and Vickie are getting together a painting class for family members. Painting as in portraits, not walls. We think it will be fun with all family members! Lots of laughter, I'm guessing. I vow not to complain like I have done in the past. I know I'm not a good artist for that kind of creativity, but I'll go just for the fun of it. 

Have a great weekend. I'll be in my long johns and have 2 or 3 throws wrapped around myself, LOL!

Busy Day

I feel as if I accomplished some tasks today. I got the craft room sorted out and put things away where they belong. But then I got out the supplies to make Valentine cards. I have a lot of Valentine supplies and have had to sort out the bin they were in before I can actually start making the cards.

We are on Season 6 of Downton Abbey and I'm sad. I've really enjoyed watching the seasons and episodes and wonder what show I can binge on next. Any recommendations? I'm to sit with my feet up for part of the day so I watch tv when I do. 

So here is the old age hint today: your skin gets thin and you get little annoying cuts here and there on your hands. And the fingernails get ridged. Did I already say this? If I did, it is because I'm old and repeat things. 

I have a headache and I'm pooped so it's off to bed for me.

Adios. 

Where are we now?

We are at home. I just want to remind you to see Jerry and Anne's travel-blog. The link is on the column to the right. 

Vic picked some flowers out in our yard yesterday. Can you believe it is January and these roses hadn't died yet? It's good he picked them yesterday because it froze hard last night. It was 26 degrees when I got up this morning. 

These are tiny spray roses. 

These are normal sized roses, except maybe the one in the front.

I am listening to "Caruso" performed by Luciano Pavarotti and Lucio Dalla. I love it. Many have recorded it but I like this version the most. 

Stay warm! Jerry and Anne, bottle up some of the warm weather and send it to me, please!

Word Games

I like word games. Hubby likes numbers games. He plays Sudoku and when he goes to a casino, he plays KENO. The games I like are word searches, crossword puzzles, and now a game on the internet called "Wordmeister." That game isn't the best copycat of Scrabble, but it does challenge one. Sometimes you can't place a letter because there is an invisible one there! That is an error, not part of the game. And the dictionary it uses is supposedly English. Yeah, maybe Olde English. The words are obscure! The funny thing is, I have won every single game I have played! Really. With a handicap, because it uses such obscure words I have no idea if they are nouns or verbs, etc., so I can't add an "s" or "ed". I try anyway! The game is not timed. I also like to play the daily Mahjong games, and they are timed, with goals. 

The board looks similar to Scrabble. There is another word game I used to play called Lexulous. It was better than Wordmeister. There are so many odd words that it would take forever to look them up in the dictionary. But just to show you, I will list some of the words and then look a couple up in the dictionary. 

cticion    oe    odour    fars    et    ja    bemoil    eluents    salet    fluking    chib    emong di    frore    judogi  noria    scaw barefit    cito    firlot    isospin    niqabs    japed    fados    somy    ravigote    disas    yaup    judogi    isospin  gi    (and many, many more)

Are you familiar with any of these words? If so, leave a comment. It would be interesting to know. I feel I have a good grasp of the English language since I have read many, many books and played many, many crossword puzzles. But these words stump me. Let's see what some of them mean.

I don't use a dictionary much anymore, I Google words for definition and spelling nowadays. But I have a Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary Eleventh Edition here at my writing table. Oh, boy! The print is very small. Get the magnifying glass, it's right there, just behind the laptop.

Cticion - nope, not there. Internet? Nope.

Odour - Chiefly British variation of odor. Technically, it is in the dictionary!

Judogi - nope, not in dictionary. Internet: formal Japanese name for the traditional uniform used for Judo practice and competition.

Fluking - fluke is in the dictionary and we all know that's a noun, but it does not have fluking.

Isospin - a quantum characteristic of a group of closely related subatomic particles...blah, blah, blah. I am not a chemist or an engineer but maybe it is a more common word than I realized.

Ravigote - not in the dictionary. Internet: "a mixture of chopped chervil, chives, tarragon, and shallots, used to give piquancy to a sauce or as a base for an herb butter."

gi - an abbreviation for gill. Internet: "a lightweight two-piece white garment worn in judo and other martial arts. A gi typically consists of loose-fitting pants and a jacket that is closed with a cloth belt."

I'm pretty sure Lexulous or Scrabble would now allow some of these words but I'll keep on playing the game and winning them. 

Where is the snow?

Not that I like it necessarily, but we usually have had some snow by now. Audi and John gave Vic one of those snowblowers that you push like a lawn mower for Christmas. He has the batteries all charged up and ready to go when the snow does fall. It is in the living room. Next to it is the drafting table (in a box) that I gave him for Christmas and his birthday.

We went to the beach and it was beautiful weather the entire time. I stayed in the room and just watched the waves, the birds, and the dogs on the beach running with wild abandon! They are supposed to be on a leash, but most people don't heed that rule. I love watching them. (I did read a book while we were there.)

On the way home, we stopped for lunch with our son, Zach, in Portland, OR. He was looking good, and I got some of his great hugs. Hubby, Zach and I had a long leisurely lunch. I gave him a sewing machine because he wants to sew things! He sewed in Middle School; I helped out in one of the classes. I'm eager to see his first creation. 

I'm still watching Downton Abbey and enjoying it very much. Vic isn't too keen on it, though he will watch some. I just mainly watch it when he goes to bed. He retires earlier than I do. Maggie Smith's character, Dowager Countess/Granny/Violet cracks us up! I love the fashions! But I wouldn't like to change my clothes several times a day. I'm lucky to get out of my pajamas some days. I told Vic when I wear pajamas at night, they are pajamas, but when I wear them during the day, they are loungers. I'm always cold and flannel or fleece pjs keep me warm. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

Have you heard this song? This duet? It's awesome. I love Eros Ramazzotti by himself, too. The words are Spanish or Italian. Ramazzotti is not bad looking, either, LOL. (I've been married nearly 56 years so it's okay if I say stuff like that!)

Luciano Pavarotti & Eros Ramazzotti - Se Bastasse Una Canzone - TelediscoVideoArte  If this link doesn't work, please leave a comment. (I moderate comments so you won't see your comment until I review it and publish it. 

Jerry and Anne are leaving tomorrow on their great adventure. Jerry says he will blog when they have service. Here is the link: Where Are We Now? Have a wonderful time! 

Wow!

 

We've never seen the sunrise like this before in all the years we've been going to the beach, even when we were living here part-time. It was beautiful! These photos were not touched up, I took them with my phone, which isn't the best camera, but it did fine this morning. We were in our room, and on the balcony for some of the photos.

Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day here at the coast (Oregon). The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the air was fresh and clean. Perfect. I woke while it was still dark, and the sky was so clear I could see the stars, and the waves looked fluorescent. I watched as the world woke up. Well, at least Lincoln City woke up! There were boats out in the ocean so with the stars, the waves and the lights on the ocean, it was a gift. Room service for dinner was excellent, too. 

I feel spoiled. And blessed. 

On the Road Again

Brother Jerry and his lovely lady, Anne, will be going on an adventure soon. Anne retired after 30 years at the same place. If I remember correctly, she was employed at the Public Defenders' Office, in Tacoma. They bought our motorhome, Tulip, and traded her in on a shorter version. We don't blame them, Tulip was awesome, but it was a little taxing to drive, especially when you had a toad behind her. Have a great trip, Jerry and Anne. Jerry is planning to have a blog, so I'll post the link her when he gets it up and running.

We are going on a trip to the beach, Lincoln City, Oregon. I need some of those calming vibes. The whales are visible at Depoe Bay so I want to go see them. The only good salt for your blood pressure is salt water. I think that's how the saying goes. I've been logging my blood pressure daily on my nephrologist's orders. And taking a diuretic. I will not take that before we head out on our 7-hour drive. And no, I'm not wearing a Depends, I beg your pardon! (haha) I'll take the pill when we get there. Maybe. I don't think I want to be up all night....

I want to go see the movie "Wicked." It's playing locally and if I want to, I can watch it on our TV for more $$ than the Fairchild theater, but, at least I would be closer to the bathroom. Which is important for me presently. And speaking of TV, I just started watching Downton Abbey. I love it!! I love the clothing, the accents and the plot, too. How fun! 

Hope you are having a good weekend. Today was beautiful here: sunny and blue sky. Cold, though. 

My posts might be delayed in the next few days, but I'll be back -- or I may not be gone at all. 

Katie's Student

Our daughter, Katie, teaches 2nd grade. Last year, in her cold weather box, there was a scarf I had knitted some time ago. She said all the kids would "fight" over who got to wear it. I remembered that and decided to knit a scarf for each student in her class this year. There are 22 students.I knitted until my fingers bled. Not really, LOL! After she gave the children their scarves, they all wrote thank you cards to me. Remember, these are 2nd grade students, just learning to print. We were astounded at the thank you one little guy gave me. See for yourself:

This little guy drew this! You will see that there are 22 students with their teacher, Katie, in the middle. Each side has 11 students. Katie said this boy has trouble in class with math and another subject (I can't remember the other) but my goodness, he has a very creative mind. We'll watch to see if he becomes the next Picasso or Monet.

...I can't even draw a decent stick man.

Funny

I ordered new under panties. I know, that is TMI. Anyway, I was taking them out of the package to wash them and found a little thank you note. It reads: "Thank you for choosing us and products , If the product does not meet your expectations , please don' t hate contacting us. Your career and happiness are everything to us , our policy is to reply to all customers within 24 hours. Thank you sincerely, MOLASUS Shop." (Typed as written.) 

I'm getting a new career? I don't want one!

A Christmas gift I ordered came in a box within a box, small, for a necklace. The outer box said, "Thank you for your meeting." I didn't use that one.

We all need a little chuckle now and then! I don't intend to make fun of the writers, but to give you a chuckle, too. 

Happy New Year to all!