YIKES!! Post Views 10,282

     I think this is the longest I've gone without blogging.  I sure hope there is a good reason for that.  Don't know.  When the days get away I don't remember what they got away with.  Maybe taking the days backwards will recall memories.
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   Today, February 20 is the Birthday of my first child....the one who transformed me into a forever MOM.  Her dad affectionately named her Super Debbie as he held her high and floated her through the air.  She is the first of our "Magnificent 7".  Today she remains "Super Debbie" and is now mom of her own family here in Vancouver, WA.  

                    Debbie, daughter-Angie, Sister-Angie, Grandma G

 Thanks, Debbie, for starting the story of our GeoLou Schmidt family legacy!!

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    Today I am still in VC rather than flying the friendly skies.....thanks to another snow storm bearing down on the Midwest.  I think it is the frozen version of the "Pineapple Express" that has been dumping tons of rain here in the PNW. Mid Wisconsin flights were cancelled for today and tomorrow.  So.....instead I am flying out at 6AM tomorrow.....into Atlanta, into Milwaukee, and then by car to Wausau.   Whew....tired already.  

     Chuck and family had already planned to drive to Wausau to visit me while I am in Wausau.  Now they can visit with me all the way to Wausau to visit with me.  Cool.  I hope I am there when they get there.  

       And Burt and Jen for whom I am watching the boys? What did they do?   They got out on Wednesday before all the mess set in.  Burt got to co-ordinate all the travel plan changes via phone and FB. What some folks won't do to get away from the cold and snow.

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 And then there was yesterday. Wednesday.   A day worth skipping over.....a living awake nightmare.  I had some meetings I didn't know about and the gentleman in charge kept talking and talking and talking the day away until my brain could take no more.  That was yesterday.

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Somewhere between Sunday and Tuesday evening I got out for a walk while the sun was shining.  They dub it a "sun break".  It was a great opportunity to try out the new camera I got for Christmas. (takes awhile to bond with anything new.)  I was going to take it to San Diego with me a few weeks back, but  couldn't get the cover over the battery to close.  Wouldn't you know the young store clerk reversed the battery and....wonders of wonders....the cover closed.  HMMMMM.....

      Enjoy views of early spring, though out here they are complaining that spring is late this year.  Oh.   

typical sky formation......gray rain clouds interspersed with white clouds, blue sky and "sun breaks"

                        Grandma G casting a long shadow.....
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 Sunday was Al's Big 40 B-day.  Happy 40th B-day Big Al.  Though he was only 5lb 11oz at birth.  

       Big Al...second on the left.....with the Magnificent 7

   This has been a good 5 "gotta away" days in the life of Grandma G.

    "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."  (Proverbs 27:1) 

My Valentines Have Gone to the Dogs....Post Views 10,252

         Happy Valentine's Day.....

According to my own mood, timing, drumbeat......

     By now Valentine's Day is here and gone.  The stores are stocking Easter candy along with a smattering in St. Pat's green.  (I have observed that one can eat one's way through the most of the year on a sole diet of seasonal candies.  There seems to be a lull between July 5 and Sept.8.  I'm sure, though, that some enterprising entrepreneur-- is that like a widow woman?-- will remedy that before too long.)

    My Valentine's Day was pleasantly quiet and alone.  I did dream of finding a date. Rather, of a secret doting gentleman calling me for a surprise evening out.  Surprise.  No such caller.  I thought about my 7 little Valentines who are now all grown up and raising their collective 18 little Valentines.  

    The GeoLou Family Happenings calendars were delivered earlier so now is the time to distribute them along with simple Valentine wishes.  I sent 4 through the mail.  I hand delivered 4 of them on Saturday when I went to Deb's for a combined B-day dinner for Micki, Debbie and me.  Hence the "gone to the dogs" Valentines.

     I found a box of hologram doggie Valentine's. With 2 dogs in the local families I figured they could get Valentine treat bones.  The dollar bills are for grandkids.   

  

      The GeoLou Family Happenings calendar runs from February to February.  Hmmm.....that's MY B-day month.   (Oops, I just noticed I forgot a B-day son's picture---he's the second to the left in the blue T-shirt in the group picture.  Maybe he won' t notice that his mom forgot him on the monthly picture.)  That's what happens when one is under a time constraint.  

      Nine calendars are going along with me to Wisconsin.  Wisconsin?  In late February?  Why,Yes.   Son Burt bought me a plane ticket if I would come stay with their boys while they go someplace warm for a week.  For their 20th anniversary they said.  Check back later in the week to share Grandma G's adventures in Arctic land.   Burrrrrrr...............

       

     This has been a good 2 "gone to the dogs" Valentines days in the life of Grandma G.  

      "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."  
(John 3:16 & 17)

    

     

"Why Not" Jerk Chicken....Post Views10,229

 Earlier this week I decided I wanted to cook something with Caribbean Jerk flavor.  So....I took stock (ha,ha) of what I had in the kitchen.  Set it out on the "island".  Went culinary......
     I had chicken, potatoes and small carrots to use.  What else to include? I found a few more ingredients and thought, "Why not?".  Thus was created Grandma G's "Why Not" Jerk Chicken.   I had  frozen green peppers that needed to be used....why not.  I added garlic and onion....why not.  Then I thought of...raisins....why not.  A couple of chicken bullion cubes...why not.  Something was still missing....   

 Oh ya, Caribbean Jerk Seasoning......Yum.....

          

Ready for the slow cooker......

8 hours later......I thought it was set on high, but was set on low.....

  Dinner is served.......

   Critique?   I am not fond of carrots but the resulting flavors  made them quite tasty. Chicken and potatoes are always a great staple.  The combination of garlic, onions, green peppers and raisins surprisingly blended and mellowed very well. The sweetness of  raisins cut the sharp flavor of the peppers and onions.  The subtle spices of the jerk seasoning gave just the right amount of kick for Grandma G.  Satisfyingly quite tasty.  
(A bit hard on the digestion after a few meals.)  
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 Wednesday brought another culinary adventure.....
lunch out with the ladies to a German Restaurant.  I have lived "German" of over 50 years, yet this was my first visit to a German Restaurant.  

 What to order?.....




Sauerbraten.....Spaetzle... 
hot potato salad

    I have heard of them, but never eaten them.  The sauerbraten was quite tasty, tender and tangy.  Spaetzle is a small twisted noodle.  I enjoyed the meal other than the potato salad had a more mustard flavor than I care for.    

 Since this was my Birthday lunch I was treated to complimentary dessert of apple strudel. Yum!!  

Ladies of 
Creekside....

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              Happy 15th B-day to granddaughter, Micaela!!

     















  Thursday brought a morning of not feeling well.  I had a dental appointment across town mid morning.  What I thought was going to be a brief  check up turned out to be over an hour of x-rays, exams and discussion....looking at possible sinus infection, obtaining a mouth guard to relieve joint pain, potential ears/nose/throat specialist appointment, future extraction and optional implant.  Gonna take some thinking and money.  
    After meeting for lunch with friends and a drop off at UPS I headed home for a 2 hour nap, followed by blogging and watching the Olympics.  Good stuff!

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

     "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you."  (John 6:27)

    

Olympic Inspiration....Post Views 10,209

       As I was watching the Olympic games yesterday and observing the young athletes I was taken by their enthusiasm.  Even those who did not do as well as they hoped talked of hoping more. They looked to the future and how they could improve, of how they can learn from the difficulties, of how they can go on to try new techniques, approaches, skills, programs.  They were completely enjoying and appreciating the moment, even if the results weren't what they hoped. The injuries, surgeries and sicknesses of the past and present did not hold them back from accomplishing what they loved.  
     I thought about most of us older folks who settle into routine, the ordinary, the comfortable, the familiar, the safe, as life goes on. How marvelous it would be if we could maintain an Olympic attitude throughout life....doing what we love, always seeking a new adventure or skill, determining to "keep the energy flowing" (that alone is Olympic, for those of us who know what I am talking about) 
    I think we....at least those of us in America....have to get past the mentality that when we past "our prime" we are through.  First of all, what age is "our prime"?  So much of my growing up has put focus on "being elderly" as one reaches Social Security age.  In my mind "elderly" is an honorable title for those who approach their 90th Birthday.  I don't want to be "elderly" until then.  
   For me it is a battle and attitude of mind and self-perspective.  It is true that I have gotten a bit out of focus the past 18 months with having moved cross country and developing a new life.  But I believe there is a lot of life still waiting to be discovered and developed.   
    Anyway, I admire the energy and "looking forward" that these Olympic athletes have and determine to learn fresh motivation from them.   
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 I went for a walk this afternoon and thought I had been transported to the Olympics.
But then I realized the name of the  venue is SOCHI---NOT----SLUSHI.









"You see, Gentlemen, I told you they would get their heads above snow once again." 

                  Ah.....the wonders of the Pacific Northwest......   

"Wait a few hours and that white stuff will melt away...."

the rose bush will start budding...








                           A Robin will sing of spring......

    And Grandma G will wonder at 11PM if a water pipe has burst when she hears the flow of water all around the house and it is not raining.  She wondered so much that she put on boots and a coat and with a flashlight in hand headed outside to see.  It was the snow on the roof quickly melting and rushing across the gutters and onto the ground.  Ah...the PNW. 

  This has been a good 2 Olympic and snow melting days in the life of Grandma G.  

      "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green." (Psalm 92:14)

       

Winter Resort, Senior Style....Post Views 10,165

  

   Our "Winter Blast" (official news title) continued into the weekend.  While I have been snug in my little house, those who've had to "get out and about" were not so fortunate, unless you were a student and got 2 days off of school to go sledding. (As one news reporter stated, "making a lifetime of memories".  My memories are of a lifetime of snow and ice.  This is as novel out here as 75 degrees in Feb in northern Wisconsin would be.) 

     Portland reported over 600 accidents (minor) and over 900 stuck cars. A normal trip of 2 hours took 7.  People just left vehicles stranded wherever and walked home.  Two babies were born in the back of ambulances. Stores and churches remained closed for Sunday. The entire metro rail and bus system closed down Saturday night and most of Sunday.  Portland even made national news Sunday PM. 

    After the 6 inches of snow on Saturday came melting, and then freezing roads, giving a thick layer of ice. Sunday evening and then forecast for Monday morning was freezing rain.  

    As one reporter said, this is a once every 5 years occurrence.  And another said, this is bizarre since it is so late in the winter season and it is actually daffodil time. Bizarre!! (My psyche says this is the middle of the season and there are 3-4 months to go before one can even imagine what a daffodil is.)  Bizarre.  

    The upside?  Winter resort has come to Creekside Estates.  Who needs to travel to the mountains?   Enjoy a visual stroll.....  

     

 Yeah, Grandma G.....I have a little life......

 "Gentlemen, what do you think of the new kid on the block?"

"Aw, he'll just hang around till he melts away."

             Snow on the mountain

Picnic, anyone?
 soft, fluffy seating

Crow convention....

Grandma G's house is for.....
THE BIRDS......(might be a good horror movie title)

"I'M MELTING....BEFORE I had some fun...."

    Indeed, I have fond memories to last the next 5 years...or more, I hope.  This was a good weekend to kick back and enjoy watching the Olympics.  I love the ice skating.  I skated for the first 35 years of my life, though not quite as elegant. 

    This Sunday finds one of my families flying to Florida for a few days at Disney World and a son from California flying to New York.....where he might encounter the winter blast that is now leaving us.  I talked with a daughter from southern Wisconsin.  The winter there is dragging on and dragging folks into the doldrums.   

I think our winter of 4 days will be giving way to spring as the temperatures are forecast to rise into the mid 50's by late week. Yeah!

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

     "He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.  He hurls down his hail like pebbles.  Who can withstand his icy blast?  He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow."  (Psalms 148:16-18)