Real Life.......

     Guess the idealistic PNW "great place to live" honeymoon is over. One trip past the south side of my house took care of that. 
     I was a good lady yesterday and pulled up 2 garbage bags of "ground cover" weeds, only to uncover  multi-colonies of tiny "body snatcher".  By late afternoon they had invaded almost the entire side of my house, including the front door.  It was probably good that they did that because it forced me to look over everything, which encompassed the top peak of the porch roof.  WHOPS.  There's a small hive up there.  A closer look revealed several hornets hard at work building a snug home for themselves.  Word must have gotten around that Grandma G is a wimp and she won't do anything to eliminate varmints.  But they don't know that Grandma G has her ruthless side.  A few swipes of a broom stick got rid of the nest.  Unfortunately, a rebuilding crew was back on the job an hour later. 
      

 I mustered up my courage and made a run to the local retailer.  Loaded up on supplies, I did.  I am now ready to take on them there varmints, including the weed cover--tomorrow.  (It's raining this evening.)

Also gonna try to clean up the red rocks the comprise my front yard.  Bought a lightweight, electric blower.  Hope that works as a great broom for my front "lawn".  (I am planning to landscape next summer, which includes hopes for a patch of grass in the back, north yard. I think, "north" yard.  Haven't gotten my directions figured out yet.)

I did do a little something to beautify the environment.   I made a trip to the hair salon.  

 Yesterday......





                         Today......




  This was a good Saturday, starting out with water aerobics. I also had an enjoyable lunch out with my four Vancouver girls--Debbie, Angie, Micki and Carole.
(And yesterday?   I worked on filing my taxes for 2012.  REALLY? Yes, really.  Also went for half hour walk. AND. Watched Men in Black, Three. Really.  I've been wanting to see it.  Very absurd movie, but fun to watch.)

________________________________________________________
 AUGUST 10, 2012 FLASHBACK    PACKING DAY

     My sister, Katie and Betsy, arrived from Indianapolis in the early morning hours.  Katie mistakenly thought I would have everything packed, ready to go and we would party all weekend.  NOT.   They were kind to help me finish up the 60% that was left to do. 

My 52+ cups collection

           Sons, Burt and Al, Grandma G and Lou

Grandma G's belongings heading west--just like Lewis and Clark and Sacajawea.

 

 

 

 

After dark we sat around the campfire at Burt's cabin and watched the Perseid meteorite shower.  We each saw at least one good fire streak fly across the sky. 

It is noteworthy that the same show is happening right now in the eastern skies as I am writing this.  When I finish this entry I will watch the "show" live on NASA'S website.  (You can watch it Sunday night,)

 Observe the jackets we are wearing. 

 

 

     This has been a good 2 "real life" days in the life of Grandma G.

 

     "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  (Philippians 4:13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

BLUNDERS AND INSECURITIES....

    Guess we all do it......make bumbling decisions.   Bummer.   Seems to be happening to me lately.

Lesson  #1:   Don't break apart frozen chicken pieces on the partition of your manufactured home's kitchen sink.  Now what to do?   Fill it in with super glue until the funds are there to buy an new sink.







Lesson #2:   Don't pretend weeds are a decorative ground cover.  Might look nice, but underneath are a bunch of tiny, annoying bugs and flies.  The park frowns upon folks "growing" it in their yards since it quickly takes over everything.  Would have been easier to get rid of a few weeks back, by spraying a weed killer.  Now I need to yank some of it out and then apply the weed killer.  Is there some redeeming value to yanking out weeds?  NO

Lesson #3:   Don't keep buying potted plants if you are not going to see them thrive.















Lesson #4:  Be careful of wanting a fresh new look.  Do senior blonds with wiry hair really have
more fun?   Probably not. 



Lesson #5:  Be thankful one lives in the Pacific Northwest when one reads on Face Book that there was frost on the ground in Park Falls in the morning of Aug. 8.  (This is a good lesson.)

       It's been a couple days where, pardon me, my insecurities and indecision are showing.  How to tackle those relentless bills; how does one spray weed killer?; "where to next" questions; oops--taxes aren't done yet--where's the info; "service engine soon" light is on AGAIN?"; there's got to be potential students out there somewhere; hope that slightly achy tooth stays stable for another 3 weeks; is it healthy to be home alone all day; to turn or not turn on the TV--and sit in front of it all afternoon?; is it good to be munching all day on potato chips and dark chocolate covered almonds.  
     It is SO much more fun to out visiting family.  BUT. Time comes when the business of finding a settled in routine becomes serious.  It is a matter of focus and self-discipline and relying upon determination after one has thought and prayed about what needs to be accomplished.  AHHH,  the determination and self-discipline part.  Even Grandma G struggles with that. 

_________________________________________________________
FLASHBACK AUGUST 8, 2012  Moving Prep

Must not have had too much going on that day.  Must have just been engaged in packing.  There were only 5 days until actual moving so something must have been happening.  At some point granddaughter, Autumn, and her friend came over to help with a porch sale.  We had a tea party. Some church friends also helped set up the sale.  A friend gave me a bracelet she made out of beads made from paper.

       This has been a good 2 "blunders and insecurities" days in the life of Grandma G.

      "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been  called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28)

Trilogy Time....

        Grandma G ended up a bit sick starting Sunday morning--stomach pains and feeling "icky".   I went to church service and enjoyed (sort of, with a stomach ache) a potluck lunch there, but then wilted the rest of the day and into Monday.  I thought maybe the walk the day before was too much for me or maybe got low on potassium (something I have to regulate).  I don't like being sick---too boring. 
         By late afternoon I decided it was a good time to watch the Lord of the Rings movies.  Since there are 3 of them and all quite lengthy, they would occupy my attention for 9-10 hours.  The first one satisfied for Sunday evening.  The last 2 occupied Monday afternoon and evening.  It is a great trilogy with intriguing story, epic battles, strong characters and magnificent scenery.  Recommended by Grandma G.
        I was somewhat gratified Monday when I found out that Deb, my daughter, had also been sick the past 4 days.  Not that I was glad she was sick, but it gave agreement that I must have had a virus. 
        Monday was not a stay at home sick day.  NO.  I had an appointment with the periodontist a half hour drive from here.  The follow up check from a deep cleaning went well other than an x-ray revealed the need for me to visit a "root canal" doctor, "endodontics".    I remember the days one simply went to the dentist and that was that.  Anyway that will be in 3 weeks.  Check back then to see what happens. 
        On the way home, I found my way to the second hand store to pick up my new antique small black rocking chair.
Presently it is resting in the back seat of my car until I can find someone stronger than me to carry it in for me.  Such is Grandma G's life.
(Tuesday: I just asked the neighbor fellow to carry it in for me.  He also instructed me on keeping a fast growing weed cleaned out of my yard.  I was considering it a ground cover.  Guess that doesn't go well around here.)






_______________________________________________________

                            HAPPY 10TH B-DAY, RYAN!!  AUGUST 5

I just finished a visit with Ryan a few weeks ago.  He is the fellow who drew the black and white design dog that I like.

 

 Eddy, Austin, Jake and Ryan in southern Wisconsin woods.










____________________

FLASHBACK/ AUGUST 5 & 6, 2012

 

     On August 5th and 6th I visited the city hall of Park Falls to look for souvenirs to take with me when I moved.  That day I also noticed that the maple trees were starting to show signs of autumn. YIKES.   That is why my goal was to cross the Rocky Mountains before any danger of snow setting in.

 The Paper Mill, the main industry of Park Falls.
I walked and drove across the far bridge hundreds of times during the 55 years I lived there. 

Nice cups with print on both sides for righties and lefties.





     
With the schedule to move on the 13th I was still busy collecting boxes from the local grocery store, where  I met up with a couple friends asking donations for the Salvation Army.
 



      

 This has been 3 good "trilogy time/Ryan's B-day/reminiscent days" in the life of Grandma G.

      "He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge." 
(Proverbs 14:26)





Saturday, the Way I Like It.......

      It's NOT loafing around, like you might think.  Think, ACTIVE, senior style.  I went for a walk with my church friend, Kahana--2&1/2 miles/ 1&1/2 hours.  Vancouver has a system of walking trails, wet lands and "green spaces"  throughout the city.  We started the Burnt Bridge Creek walking trail.  We did about 1/5-1/4 of it.  The morning was cool in the 60's and cloudy.  By the time we finished the sun was making it quite warm.

      I did get a surprise right after I pulled into the parking lot and got out of my car.  I went to greet Kahana and saw at a distance a dog similar to one I know.  Then the lady exclaimed, "Hey, I know you".
It was Carole, my "fellow" mother-in-law.  She was just finishing a walk with Nemo (a dog, not a fish).  I had never been there before so it was quite well timed for them to show up. 

Kahana and Grandma G

We finished our visit with a "box" lunch at a teriyaki chicken café.  Very yummy!

 

       When I arrived home I SO wanted to nap, but didn't.  The afternoon passed as I made potato salad for a church pot luck tomorrow, did 3 loads of laundry, cleaned up the kitchen and floor, played piano a bit, and telling myself this is great fun.  Not as much fun as it was in years past. Now  I am SO looking forward to going to bed soon.
_______________________________________________
  August 3, 2012 Flashback: Moving Prep Days
Not much happening/just sorting out and packing boxes
There was a foot race and motor cycle rally in the area outside my house for Flambeau Rama weekend--the big annual town celebration.

  















      This has been a good active Saturday in the life of Grandma G.

       "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."  (Colossians 3:23&24)

 

Grandma G, where art thou.....again....

      I am here!   Just having a lazy week.  I think I am an adrenalin junkie---senior lady  style.  Staying home stifles my energy flow.  It is time to deal with reality and get the work, chores, doctor appointments, exercise routines, cooking, car repairs, piano practice (and enjoyment), paperwork all back into order.  Did I say "car repairs"?  Really?  Yes, really.  This last "fix it" of a fuel/air mixture sensor HAS to be the magic cure all.  I think this car over the past 9 years has been bought  2 times over. Even the kind fellow at the repair shop said to me today, "You can just stop to visit us sometime with cookies or something rather than having a car problem".
     I don't remember fully what has gone on these past 4 days, but there was still plenty of activities. 
Tuesday I got back to water aerobics for the first time in a month.  I was pleased that ladies said they missed me. (One lady said she's been trying to contact me. She and 2 others are going to the Oregon coast for a few days soon and I am invited.  BUMMER.  Not that they are going, but that I will be in San Diego those days.  Well.... someone has to be an adrenalin junkie senior lady style.)   Later in the day Angie came over and we went to dinner at the local Applebee's. We hadn't visited for the past month also.   

       Yesterday when I took the car in for an oil change, Carole picked me up from the car repair.  We spent a few hours together, starting with lunch at a Thai restaurant.  We had spring rolls and I was served such a large portion of rice noodles that I will have 4 meals from it.

 
 
 
 
 

      Next door was a well kept second hand store.  I fell for a unique, black rocking chair.  I have a lot of black accents in my living room; it should fit right in.  I hesitated to spend the money for it, but all the proceeds go to a charity that cares for the homeless here in Vancouver.  It won't find its way here to my house until Monday, when I will be back in that area. 


    Keep on checking in on Grandma G.  There are plenty of adventures yet to come. 

    With the start of August I thought it would be interesting to do a daily flashback to a year ago when I was preparing for my move here to Vancouver. 






_________________________________________________

August 1 & 2, 2012:
 I was getting ready for a garage sale.
Louie and I had a day trip to the Lake Superior area. 
He came over to haul away things for the thrift shop.
On the way up I sold several boxes of misc. from my
music store to a pawn shop....was paid pennies for what
it was really worth.

  The sandstone rock that I picked up on the beach along Lake Superior.  I had it set into a necklace.

Bay of Lake Superior
One of my favorite places---
In the summertime

Beautiful Bayfield, Wisconsin

You all come back now, you hear?

In the summer time, you hear?

 

      This has been a good 4 semi-lazy days in the life of Grandma G.

 

     "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." 

(Proverbs 10:4)