it's pouring

its raining, its time for all the daffodils to be out and the hills are so green. Mustard is starting to bloom in the fields, it's really pretty.

I taught 3rd grade today, a really nice class. They are old enough to understand and still young enough to want to please.

I was glad to see that Helen Miren won an Oscar for the QUEEN along with Jennifer Hudson for Dream Girls.

Drug seeking

It makes me crazy that the pharmacy treats you as though you are drug seeking when you ask for a refill before it's time.

I lost the second bottle of my meds. I looked for 5 days and was without during that time. Finally, I got in touch with my doctors. They called in another prescription yet when I went to pick it up I had to fight with the pharmacy staff, wait 30 min. then talk with the pharmacist before she would fill it. This is not a narcotic or class 3 drug. You'd think they were protecting the vault in accusation to a addict.

I finally found the other bottle under the bed.

My friend had major surgery and she had to go from Safeway to her Dr's to turn in her drug that was not strong enough then back to another store that had the dosage and have her insurance co. called before they would fill it. She was barely walking. They think she's gonna OD or sell them? She was in pain.

My other friend is at the Mayo clinic and since her dr's haven't found anything they think she's drug seeking too and want to report her dr to the drug control board.

Aye......

There's snow on them there hills

After a rain on the flats I look out my window to the hills in the distance and there is snow. They say 2 inches. Everyone is taking their kids up to play in it. It beats a 5 hr drive to Tahoe.
I haven't been up there to ski in a couple of years. I remember driving up listening to Dad's tapes while at the Pritikin Center and having the snow come down and people slip and slide all over. I was glad to get over Donner summit and start heading down lower. I hate to put on chains. Usually, thank goodness, there are people to put them on for you.Then, hopefully I can figure out how to get them off again.

I went to look at granite for the kitchen counters. There is a lot to choose from.

I made steel cut Oatmeal. It beats Quaker Oats. Then I add rasins and cinnamon and vanilla...yum. I used to make it for Gwen and Michael when they were little. The I would pretend yogurt was like ice cream to get them hooked. worked!

Ah, the webs we weave when we practice to decieve.

House ownership

Its always something. Houses require upkeep.

I need to paint the outside.

Having redone one bathroom and part of the kitchen the rest remains.

I got a quote today on kitchen cabinet refacing. I also want to replace the counter tops, sink, faucet and put in recessed lighting. Then I've just got the ovens to replace. All it takes is cash.

I know resale will increase but in the interim....ouch.

I also want to demolish my existing fireplace and replace it with marble and new mantle.

Fat Tuesday

and now Lent starts. One of these year I will go to New Orleans. I've been close to Baton Rouge and on the coast where they gamble bit it was on business and I was with someone and although we were 2 hrs away it was his car and I didn't rent one after dinner of shrimp and craw fish and drive down. I love the Parishes though. We stopped in several throughout our day and the Cajun names and towns like Natchoches. It was in Feb. right before Mardi Gras too. Gaberdine suits, silk blouses and nylons were almost too much even then with the humidity.

I got to visit with my friend Kim yesterday and her daughter Breanna, 9. We finally exchanged Christmas and birthday gifts. Hers is in Sept. and mine Dec. She's so busy with her work at Cisco, Breanna and life that we visit by phone mostly. She's been out a lot for medical issues this year and last so ironically we've had more time. They have this amazing, 4 story home in the hills with turrets on acres with sauna, wine cellar et al. We met over 21 years ago when she and I worked together. Her family shared many a holiday with me. Her mom who passed 2 years ago was very special. We miss her a lot. She was so loving and never had a bad word to day about anyone or anything. A gentle soul.

After working 3 hrs, I came home so exhausted. My back and shoulders were killing me, it's usually my feet. We were very busy.I stopped by Trader Joe's for some of my favorite French Onion soup, took a bath, had bowl and read until I passed out at 8. I wanted to get up and watch something at 10 and although I opened my eyes it was for a moment and back with Morpheus. My girl Lacey came to snuggle up too. Now at 4 we're up.

After the wedding

After Michael's wedding I'm going to go to Charlotte, maybe the Outer Banks, perhaps to see my friend Jane in Chapel Hill, Charleston, Columbia, St Simon's Is. and Md all in a week after Thurs. in No. VA Fri. and Sat. in Williamsburg for the wedding. I'd like to see Savannah too.
Hopefully I can see Gwen too.

I fly in Thurs. to Dullus arriving at 3:30 and will stay with my friend of 39 years, Karen.

Maybe I can see Michael. Once the wedding hoopla gets going it will be more difficult to visit. All family will convene from MD, NY, NJ, VA, IN and CA, and CT. Over 33.4 in all not including our Iowa family.

There will be over 150 at the wedding. I'm looking forward to going back to Williamsburg. I love the place. I always intended to go back for the kids graduation from Wm. and Mary but I never heard when it was until after the fact.

When I sometimes feel so issolated I realize that. I'm just on the l coast. Fortunately , I have good friends as a surrogate family.

It was 70 and sunny all the trees are fruiting and the plum blossoms petals floating off in the breeze. The tulip trees are beautiful.

When I was traveling a lot in sales I used to kove having spring here then again in Salt Lake, Seattle and Denver.

La dia de Presidentes

Had a nice two hr. breakfast with some friends from the library this morning.

I got there 1/2 hr, early misunderstanding the time.

I had just convinced myself it was the wrong day when they arrived.

It was good to catch up.

We are the birthday club and meet respectively on each birthday 4 times a year.

Afterwards, I went to finish my taxes. It sure helps to have a good person help.

Mine are quite complicated and it takes some work to come up with a refund this year.

My dear friend Carolina fortunately is quite skilled. Caro and I met in business school.

She's got quite a little tax service run out of home.

Then I met my friend Karen. She has a 9 y.o. son.

I often spend passover Seder (we eat but don't do the reading or have the horseradish, but she does have the traditional plate) and Thanksgiving with them.

Last Thanksgiving I made the pumpkin pie while visiting and forgot to put the sugar in!

We like to cook and have a lot to visit and catch up on.She's an immigration lawyer and we used to work together.

Communication

Why is it that Communication is so difficult.

I have always wanted to know what's going on with people.

(Maybe noisy, but I don't see it that way) I'm interested. I want to have a relationship. I care.

I want to share.

Guys don't share as much I guess.

This may be a generalization but my experience has been unless I ask the questions and pull information out I remain unconnected and uninformed.

Frustrating.

It is especially curious to me that family can be spectacularly unconnected.

People can get hurt or ticked and go for years and not talk to one another.

Sometimes they don't even know why.

I have a person who has not talked to me in 12 years and although I've asked, I don't honestly have a clue why she has chosen not to talk to me.

At one time I thought we were close I still love her and always will.

Then there are acknowledged family feuds.

It seems like a waste of time and love and connection.

Why can't we just get along.

Isolation is not good.

Exclusion hurts.

Why can't we just love one another.

Ironically, I think that under the hurt and hate there is still love?

Oye

Started taxes today. I even have a preparer. I'll go back Monday.

I was sure I had all my stuff together. Then, there is always something else.

I even had my stock capitol gain calculation done from the sale of stock!

They stopped giving carpool stickers for hybrids 2/14.... Happy Valentine's.

Now all I need to do is find the transponder and the stickers.

Went on eBay to find baby coupons.

I used to get them and send them to Gwen and she sold them.

Now, these new parents of Brianna are supplementing with Silmilac, so even at 6 days they are looking for bargains.

Death and Taxes

My dear friend Tommie Lei died of asthma. She leaves behind a beautiful daughter AJ.

I'd change placed with her if I could.

She was so young at 54.

Tommie gave love and light wherever she was. I was lucky to have her in my life.

She is the second death of a friend.

My boyfriend Bill Brown died of a heart attack at 37.

All that's left that we're sure of is taxes

Reading

I'm reading John Grisham's new book The Innocent Man, not to captivating so far and I'm 1/2 way through.

I went over and saw Brianna a new 4 day old baby about the size of Brandon. She was so tiny. I'm looking for that breast pump of Dad's.

I saw it recently, just can't find it again.

I finally have a new mom to give it to. I was saving one for me but that's most unlikely.

She's feeding every 4 hours.

I told her dad not to give her honey. (Saw that on ER)

I'm making up a list of my financial assets and account numbers for my estate et al.

Taught 5th grade today. There has to be an easier way to make a living.


Next, I'll do some monthly expenses and retirement calculations.

Selling

There is a law that can save 125k on your house if you turn it over after 55.

I'm looking at it and thinking about it and reverse morgages.

Michael says I need to look at the laws.

The internet info is outdated.

Now the level is 250,000. one time deduction at any time. No longer do you have to wait till 55.

It was 72 sunny and warm today.

We have a new cousin from Tina and Denzil, another boy, Brandon, born before Valentine's Day.

How great! Congratulations to you all! We're thrilled and happy to hear of your new home in Clarksburg, MD.


I'm also looking to sell my engagement ring. I need to figure how to load pictures on the computer from the camera.

I think I need to run some software.

I've been exploring ebay.

Valentine's Day

I need a Valentine.

I had breakfast in bed.

I had a nice bubble bath

The day was sunny and warm.

All the trees are in bloom.

Like cupid I went out and delivered my Valentines.

I got some in return too.

Had some chocolate.

Now for dinner.