Day Off

And on the 7th day she rested. Well I went 8 days in a row and today I'm not going swimming or walking. The air outside is still really bad. I went to the farmers market. I bought a pepper plant. I read and took a nap and did some into worksheets for next week.

I ran into my swim class instructor at the Farmer's Market and officially gave me the o.k. to take the day off if she took the weekend.

This may be the end of the cherry season too. Apricots still have a few weeks. Last night I made a asparagus and mushroom quiche

Today I may do a peach or nectarine tart. There was a good recipe on my blog link entertaining. I decided not to do a tart because I really don;t like crusts, it's extra calories and since no company is coming, I'll eat it straight up.
I also got 2 lbs. of zucchini to do either a soup or what ever the other thing was.

I'm reading. I'm having a hard time sleeping at night.

Last night I ordered part of the kids books. I don't want to get stuck with them. I ordered them early enough to get super saver shipping.

I would recommend they all go to the library and check them out. I have an order in for the breadwinner, which I read. I haven't read any of the others yet. I'll do a unit on Steinbeck and the dust bowl and migrant workers then during the 1930's and today. A lot of prep is ahead.

This is Gay Pride Weekend in San Francisco.

The gardener turned the switch on the hose so I can't put it back on.

On the way to the market this morning I swung by to see the kitten. She ate the food.

Hairspray

I haven't rented a movie in more than a year I had to update my credit card and I don't even know where the card is but for 4.xx. Beats the 10.25 in the theater or even the cheap 6 something. I rented Hairspray last night. It was cute. Not as good as Greece. (sic) Which seemed similar.

Today I went to the open house at school and talked my classes up. I have 10 6th graders signed up 16,7,8,and 9th and 9 or so 10th and 11th graders.
I can see it's going to be a lot of work. My 2 hour duty turned into 3.

Then I went to swim ans walk on the treadmill. Every day I do a little more.

I got into a fight with a woman who had her 9 y.o. boy in the shower and locker room. I told her it was not o.k. to have them in there and they needed to use the family changing room, she started yelling and I screamed back then went and reported her to the manager. My blood pressure really went up.

I scooted off to the movie at Biblioteca on immigration. I saw part of the 4 part series. It was really good...hum...ironic, well done, might be more appropriate.

I object to the vigilantes who patrol the border. I applaud those that give water and first aide. The coyotes scare me. They take 3k a head to help people cross and don't tell them what to expect.

I saw the kitten last night ans got some cheaper dry food today. The food from last night was gone.

The air is still really bad with a lot of particulate matter.

Bad Air

The health advisory is still in effect and will be until Sun. I went swimming and after class went to walk on the treadmill which give you speed, incline choice of t.v. or the rate I go I could read on the treadmill or bicycle. It was so boring even talking to someone.
It is really grey outside though from the fire. Eyes, & lungs they equate it to be like smoking... it's bad.

Heard that the insurance industry is kooking at a pay as you drive? The less you drive the less you pay. I'll have to investigate putting my bike on the train and riding from the train stop to school. It will take longer and I am not a fan of more time in the morning. I'm up at 7 anyway. That would probably take another 1/2 hr. and cost a train ticket to and from even wit a monthly pass. HASSLE. (exercise)

I was very slow getting started then went to return a book and pick up another on the way back.But I read

World Without End

already.
Tomorrow is the open house at school for 2 hrs. then a movie on immigration at biblioteca. A good thing to do to get out of the heat and air.

I heard today that gas would be 7 dollars in 2 years.

I decided not to go yo the Sierra due to heat and bad air. In addition there is a dry lightening advisory out. Then there is that backpacking factor.

Armando called last night. He's looking at driving back.

There are so many foreclosed homes people are abandoning animals. I may do some volunteer work with them.

Marilyn wants me to do it with mentally ill PEOPLE instead.

My friend P.J. from OR sent me a box of goodies he collected. Some for me and several for my students and stamps for their papers; one of a book.

I'm starting to get antsy being in the house with the windows closed knowing. I shouldn't go out.

I watched a new show, Hopkins, last night that I really liked.

Gas dropped ahain to 4.42.

No Fireworks!

Well the governator said no fireworks and some crazy communities want to sell them to raise funds, I say support those of the city that go off over the ocean or the Bay.

I met with the trainer today to come up with a personal plan and set goals. I gave her 45 min then left to get to my class and will return on Mon. so she can show me how to use all the equipment from weight circuits and bike and register my progress.

I should be well on my way to a towel by now showing up every day. This morning I got up at 7 but was moving slow and went back to bed for an hour after checking the schedule and watching the news.

At the moment for the next week this schedule works for me, It's the only time I go out and the only thing I do. Summer school starts on 7/7 and then I will still have the mornings to swim but I'll spend a lot of time on prep. and grading papers. Guess I better start shetching out my 3 lesson plans for 3 classes per day for a few weeks.
Uggg.....

Last year I slept in. I also spent time with Armando in the evenings. This year we'll see. I could also go after class but I doubt it. I will probably not be going 7 days a week. I may swim that often but the yoga or aerobics, treadmill and weight circuit will be 2 or 3 days a week. Right now I'm not sore. That's unusual with above the water exercises. I smell like chlorine.

With all this smoke in the air I may just walk on the treadmill inside tomorrow. The smoke is moving N and it will be around for the next few days.

The fire on Big Sur is 560 acres now. It doesn't sound like it's to Kirk Creek but the two fires have united now.

Is it everywhere that 7/1 all cell phones need to be hands free or just in CA?

Exhaustion

I slept in till 9:30 today with a nap yesterday. After my class and my laps when I pull myself out of the pool I feel like a thousand pounds and my legs are so wobbly. I came home and napped.

I went on my walk last night too. I sat out on the deck for dinner. It was really nice despite the haze and smoke in the air. We are in a valley and need the wind to blow through.

I'm wearing myself out and my skin is getting dry despite the lotion ans shower oil from the chlorine and soap even though it is OIL OF oLAY.

The kids are driving me crazy. they are so loud and so many on the other side of the pool that one can't hear the instructor. Then they scream and stare at you while you are changing. I am not tolerant.

The Big Sur fire is projected to go on for another 2 weeks and cover over 19 k acres. I see the governator is where I was at Andrew Morea state park. I should check on Yosemite. My window for this week is gone.

I have 2 appointments tomorrow. One at 9 at the Y with a trainer,info. person and the other with a designer to contemplate shaded for the dining room.

I put blinds in the kitchen and the office.

I replaced my drapes after 28 years. They were hung by me and have to be tweeked lowered and were very expensive for 4 windows in the dining room and 3 in the living room...like 3k or so. They offered to hang them for 500 dollars. I said no. They seem old fashioned to me. I want to look at blinds or plantation shutters.

The one's I got for the 3 windows in the kitchen and one in my office were 50 percent off Llevoler at Penny's.

I want to see Mama Mia the movie which opens in July.

My r knee still hurts. No yoga on that knee I can't kneel on it even on a pillow on the bed. It's been over a week. 13 days.

We're being told to stay inside, close windows and I'm going to walk. There is a health advisory out. It's really cool. I need sweats and my fleece jacket. Temps in the 60's and dueing the day 80's

While I was on my walk I noticed a black and white kitten in front of a house. The house was vacant and the a note on the door said it was owed by the bank. I was concerned that they abandoned the kitten. I went home took some water and dry food and went back. I ran into a neighbor around the corner and she said that there were three. She had put food out too. I went around the corner and up 3 houses and saw the baby across the street. I rattled the dry food and it came running, keeping well away from me. We need to trap them and spay them.

I got an Amazon Business Visa to purchase all my supplemental readers for summer school. They will give me 30 dollars free then I'll go back to my United Visa to collect miles.

Oprah's Dr says if you eat 11 lbs of fruits and veggies a day you will lose weight, not be hungry, lower cholesterol and .... I believe it all that fiber.

Let's see I had cherries, strawberries, mushrooms, apricots, tomato, lettuce, avocado, and carrot. I had sushi for dinner and a tuna spinach wrap for lunch. I need to eat more beet top and spinach and cook my beets.

Fire

More than 5 thousand acres burned. and still going, they were bringing in fire trucks and bulldozer's as I was driving out. There is a 2nd fire too three miles apart. They are about to merge. The tinder dry West. It's smoky and visibility is really low.

Things I would have missed:
toilet paper (but I got some in Castroville at the Giant Artichoke. I used to get a bag of frozen srtichoke hearts to take home but I had enough.)
my toothbrush and tooth paste
a brush
my bed
private bathroom
light
hot water
a stove
on the other hand no pans is easier packing.

What I learned:

to check road conditions.
to go and enjoy this incredible area more.
book at the Yosemite or Kings Canyon high sierra camp with hot meals, not freeze dried and cots, sheets already there.

My aqua activity class was good. My arms are always tired first. There were arm float things like weights that you push under the water they were good. I ran the entire time too.
Before class started I swam laps for 1/2/ an hour. It's a lot easier with my mask. A;as. can see the rubber strain from the salt water and metal crust. Pulling myself out of the pool I was exhausted.

Then I changed and went to a yoga cass. I'm nuts. Maybe I could do aerobics better.

I'm really out of shape an inflexible. I cant touch my toes much less than hold them. I took my mat but need a belt? You loop it around your feet to keep them together?

Ever heard of bogo? It's this blue 1/2/ ball thing that you bounce on. There's a class on that too. Got there at 8 left at 12. I might have overdone it a bit. Usually when I leave I feet energized.

The kids were there it made it really difficult to hear. LOT's of KIDS

I filled up again at $4.42 $18.00 for my trip.

Then there is the ten miles back and forth from the Y every day.

I walk at night.

It really cooled off and my walk last night was accompanied with my fleece jacket. I closed my bedroom window.

I planted beets and beans yesterday. I just can't turn the hose switch back on after the gardener left.

I made this great corn, eggplant, salsa to go with the salsa for dinner last night.

Going to the Y daily is costing me gas. My sojourn to Big Sur yesterday cost 18 dollars in gas and 2 for ice. That was 7 lbs.
I used to get frustrated as a teenager and mom would tell me that I didn't put the weight on over night I can't expect the body to improve or the weight to come off as fast.
Yesterday, I had cantaloupe on the road and a ham sandwich driving home, and some artichokes, a feta, spinach tartlet and the halibut with corn. I could only eat about 3 oz of the dish I was too full. I hot a really small piece but it was still 2 meals.

I need to get some more rice chex.

Big Sur!

What can I say..I love this place. I did not make the effort to go last year. The quandary...a tent and the ground.
Yes, I have pads, inflatable, chair, umbrella, lantern stove ...and it's car camping with water and a bathroom but...the ground! I've become old. fat and such a wuz.
Where is that intrepid backpacker?

Once upon a time I headed to the Sierra to Secret Lake in the fall and since it was snowing turned around changed directions, came home repacked my backpack and headed south to Andrew Morera state park.
There you park and it was free and you hike your stuff in about 1/2 mi. Now it's $10.00. I thought I was a Sr. there and at the movies but I see it's 62. There necer used to be a manned station now there is.

It was xlosedand next ti the fire camp. That was before I knew of the best place, Kirk Creek, that Kim told me about.

I'll be perched an a cliff over looking the Pacific. See Big sur images free...

My time is limited, it's now or August.

It took me awhile to find everything. Since I had help cleaning the garage, my tent was in one bog and the sleeping bag in another.
I finally got packed, bought 7 lbs of ice for 2 for the cooler. I couldn't find my stove, which didn't work well last time or my lantern. I think Gloria may have tossed my backpacking stove out like she did to my kite and skateboard when she helped to clean the garage.

Woke up thought it was 7 put on my swim suit then looked again oops 6. I was off to the pool. I liked the aqua fitness class and swam a bit after the 7:3- class.

I walked last night. It was wonderfully cool again, back to normal...60's. I read on the deck too.

I filled up 4 gal which cost almost 30 dollars and that got me to big Sur and back. It is simply the most spectacular place. When I live 2 hrs away I wonder why I don't go more.
I stopped in Castroville for fried artichokes and the weather dropped to the 50's.
The sea air and fog at 12. By 2 I was in Big Sur but was in for a disappointment for there was a fire and the road was closed about 30 miles from my site, the other campground Andrew Morea was closed and though there were people rafting on the Big Sur River you could see the smoke and smell it too where they turned cars around.

I stopped at the outlets on my way home. On that road too there was a fire at the pass.

Next time I'll check road conditions first although it was a lovely road trip. I'd rather be sleeping in my bed and there were no camp fires.

I could go backpacking in Yosemite....hum, I'll ponder that.

I stopped at a wonderful bakery in sand city outside of Monterey that was written up in AAA magazine, Sweet Elena's and got some mango chutney and a nectarine tart. Yum

Geo. Carlin died today...I saw him on a date at the Cellar Door in Georgetown at 18.

Up and at it

Woke up to go to the loo and couldn't sleep, do after 1/2 hr. changed the flannel sheets for cotton and threw a load in the laundry and opened my 2nd window.

I need to go swim between 6-8:45. Then to the farmers market.

A storm blew through, no rain, and brought some breeze yesterday afternoon.
I went back to sleep from 5 to 7:45, then to the pool to swim. After my shower where you hold the button in 40 times to do your shampoo, rinse, soap, face soap and oil I was out of there my 9:10 and to the farmers market where I got halibut and moon fish, strawberries and raspberries, Japanese eggplant,apricots,nectarines, samosas and nan.

I got home and the Gardener and I looked in the rafters for my scuba stuff to no avail. I found my tank below, but I'm still looking for my bag of fins, mask etc. I remember rinsing the bc, buoyancy compensator out and all the gear and the yellow mesh bag, regulator... I think it's in a black bag to keep it clean which is why all bags should be clear like I use now.

Somewhere inside I have some goggles even those would help.
Today it was crowded and the kids came at 9.

The lawn is cut, the agapantha trimmed, dropped fruit picked op, vegetation in compost bin,and pyracantha trimmed again.

Moon fish is really good mild and worth it. I cooked it with heirloom tomato salsa and sherry. I had a tab of basmati rice and a samosa. I've been getting sea scallops. I like this better.

It was in the high 60's again this morning. normal There was a touch of smoke in the air from all the fires and haze though.

Where the fire next to the freeway off ramp was, they jumped on it. It was down to a mow but not black.

Some of the heat lightening caused fires. we are advised to close all wimdows. I may go back to mall walking.

It never really cooled down

At midnight it was still in the 80's. I dragged the 2nd fan from the car, from my office and brought it in and on 10-2. When I opened the 2nd bedroom window at 3 it was cooler then at 9 when I woke up, very hot again. I closed all the windows. It must be in the 90's already. I had one fan on from 4-9. 100 expected. Hopefully, Sun will be cooler and Mon 80's...as I head to the coast where it it generally cooler.

The place I go is on the cliffs above the ocean. It's peaceful. Hopefully quiet too.

Turns out there is a Wachovia next to me at the shopping center where Wells Fargo was. All I need to do is open an act.

Think I'll head to the pool and then walk the mall. perhaps sex....IS Playing AT THE OTHER Nearby Theater. I went to the pool too early for lap swim so I got my picture taken for my IF and then went into a yoga class to stretch a bit.

Then I went into the pool where they told me I couldn't go in because the pool closed at 1? I wasn't having it. I WAS OUT BY 1. I'm, ONLY GOOD FOR 6 laps of varying style right now.

This time I had a comb, shampoo, conditioner a razor, bath oil, 2 towels & face soap.

I need my googlies or mask. I prefer my mask and snorkel because I can clear it and don't have to keep turning my head. My eyes are chlorinated even though I don't open them under water.
I'll have to climb up and get it out of the garage rafters with my scuba stuff or get someone else to. I opened the garage side door last night for a breeze and to take my redwood lounge chair out with the pads to the deck to read.

I', watching my cooking shows in front of the fan.

Ever add pureed frozen corn, melted butter and sour cream to corn bread?

Or a salt bed and red snapper with bay leaves in the belly, cover with salt and bake 29 min.crack the salt to dispose. won't be salty. cut off head, up spine, take skin off and get really juicy fish. If you want put a tad of olive oil and salt.

strawberries, cinnamon, black pepper, red wine, orange, sherry vinegar and later edible flowers like nastrstrums pansies or Johnnie jump ups to eat. (They are cool weather crops like snapdrahons and sweet peas though.

I headed to the library to cool off and watch a movie on immigration from 4-5 then to the mall to walk and see the movie. I really enjoyed Sex and the city but couldn't believe it was 10.25.

Gas is down to 4.44.

Happy Summer Solstice!

The city is opening cooling stations till 8. I went walking in my crocs last night at 9 and it was still warm. I rarely would go in flip flops but it seemed o.k.

I discovered Cheese its white cheddar Crisps. A lot of sodium but lower fat, 36 crackers is 70 cal. I like animal crackers too. For a 2.5 oz box it's only 120 cal.

I'm going into the Y to swim and then to make copies. Joined the Y and did the water step aerobics class and swam laps. I used to swim them far more effortlessly, I'll build up. It was a monthly fee of 58. and a 100 fee if you kept it up. I felt a lot better and tonight I'll walk.
They are open till 10 and have a 7:30- a.m water aerobics class. There are regular aerobics classes too. I;ll have to work my way up. I need to keep a gym bag again and a lock. I wore my swimsuit for the first time. I bought it 2 yrs ago. I took a tiny shampoo and conditioner and lotion but no soap only my razor. No comb.

Afterwards, I went and made copies of

grammar rock songs and exercises

.

Then I went to the library and got books for me and summer reading brochures for the 1-5 ones.

Stopped at the store for a cantaloupe and tortilla chips to go with my heirloom salsa.

Finally had breakfast of rice chex, less, with more strawberries and 1/2 and 1/2 and 1 percent....a compromise.

There was a pot luck today but I didn't stay. It had "bad" food. Most of the people were Asian, Vietnamese or Chinese and I assume retired. I have the summer to go in the morning and then there is probably a whole new group that shows up 4-6.

Tonight in Santa Cruz there is a free concert at the beach. I can stop in Saratoga and take back my chipped guaranteed Caphalon mug and get another and use my gift certificate from Marilyn's cup.

I think I'll go to Big Sur on Mon.

I want to go see Mama Mia, Indiana Jones and Sex and the City movies. It's been over a year since I wanted to go to any flic and not rent it. I may take a foster kid at school to the Indiana Jones movie. She helps me in the library. She's having a hard time in her foster home.

It was so hot I decided to go to the movies, see Sex in the city, stop at the p.o. in the mall and then the movie only I got there at 5 and the movie had 2 showings one at 7:4- then other later. So I left. It was light being hit by the hear from a blast furnace. I should have stayed in the book store.

On my way to the mall, I saw a fire on the next off ramp to the freeway just like I assume there was last year on the other side, It was RIGHT next to the exit ramp and flames were shooting up. I saw the fire truck arrive and the fire people get out. I was watching it in my rear view mirror while I waited for the light to change. I can't imagine people having that job.

I drove home avoiding that street and when I turned onto my corner there was a lot of traffic diverted, I imagine they closed the road.

It seems to me on reflection, I saw a homeless person pushing a shopping cart on top of the overpass looking back and walking away.

I stopped at in and out burger for an ice tea with 2 lemons slices. I'm tempted to go back to the pool.

I'm camped in front of the fan eating frozen grapes. Time to unpack the other fan from the car. It's going to be VERY late before it cools off tonight.

This morning it was only 70 at 8.

I'm reading Sarah Paretsky's Bleeding Kansas.

Water rationing

In the E bay water rationing is in effect. We didn't do enough voluntarily. Another fire in S.F. too.

Good Morning, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. I'm off to water mt tomato and snapdragons and plant sunflowers while the sprinklers water the lawn.

Today, it's still 91-2 out this weekend will cool I may go swim.

I hope the flodding stops.

Noticed the food priced going up?

U need another cantaloupe. I need to join a farm Coop...29. per boz whatever veggies are in season. 2-- saved per year. Then there is the beef. 2l for 1/2 a cow and a freezer for 300.??

I went to my meeting and he save me the leftover fruit veggies to take home. I came home opened an amaxon credit card and ordered 200 worth of books for summer school.

I have to otder more but i ordered the watsons go to burlingham for 6th grade to go w my MLK unit. Grapes of Wrath for 10th, Hush for 8th, Hope was here for 7th along with Touched by fire by Draper, and another Steinbeck novel for 9th for 11th grade. Of Mice and Men.

yesterday was the secretary's birthday she got steaks from Omaha steaks.

Several teachers from last year were returning. They all have aides.

It's 93. Public transit is free due to air and heat.
more acurate count after open house next sat.

ice on them there knees

Oye Ve...I'm sitting at my desk with ice packs wrapped on my knees and moving a bit slower this morning. My neck, back, hip and KNEES are hurting. I don't like this getting old stuff

Today I started the day with a pint of strawberries. I have yogurt, cherries and green beans with me.
Last night I had some tilapia for dinner with heirloom tomato salsa, from the lean plate newsletter, with broccoli and cauliflower and cherry tomatoes.

Carol is out sick today and Friday. I have a student who got thrown out of school, whose mom brought him in and I have him rechecking the 6th grage history books to see if we missed checking any in. He left his in his locker and it's missing.

They won't let him in another school until he clears his record and he wants to get books to check out for the summer. So far no books found in Ancient Civ not checked in.... I'll give him a discarded science book but the others...I'll leave that to his new school.

I just changed ice ice on my knees...oh mercy....

Why did I come in to work today...to get some work done and curry points....not that I think it matters.

I have to move my holds over to the San Jose Library for the summer. I also want to sign all my kids up for the summer reading program. I require it of them. At least they get a book some stupid toys, programs and a pizza coupon from Roundtable for their effort.

Why do kids need rewards to read? I rode my bike miles once a week while we lived in Alexandria to pick up books during the summer.

I lost 10 lbs.

I stopped by Biblioteca to pick up sommer reading logs for my ss students.

It's about time to get a new bedroom and kitchen and perhaps cell phone. My bedroom phone will connect to the computer, I can talk on it but recently the buttons don't emit sounds. Having to go into the kitchen to call is the pits..

What an ass Bush is such let's destroy the coast and drill more. When is he leaving? 5 months how much more damage can he do?

It was 91 here again today. The tomatoes are growing. Tomorrow is my ss luncheon.
Tonight I had 2 pork tacos,carnitas, with cilantro, rice, lime and guac salsa and frilled onion with a radish chaser and broccoli and cherry tomatoes/

Tuesday...maybe the last day

I started the day with 1/2 a cantaloupe, and cherries for lunch.

I picked roses and agapantha for the secretary and attendance clerk before school, Gave the secretary an early birthday card and mailed cards to the retiring teachers.:-)
Then I promptly jammed the copy machine. (the big, fast one with all the bells and whistles.
I told the secretary, Annette and she snapped, "I just got here." (Well, I knew that)
I didn't need it fixed that minute, I just wanted to let her know.:-(

I have a student coming to work for an hour or 2 her penance for lost books. Who knows if they were, I was buried in books and kids were helping to check in and some were not accurately checked in. Then the principal came to see me to ask me what I had left to do and what happened with the book check in. DO I go and recheck in every book? Maybe so.
I finished all the science books.
The girl, Megan, was asked to take the stickers off the magazines and but them away in the back, Instead of peeling the date due stickers she peeled off the bar coses from all the magazines. Very well done, the were covered with a plastic cover. Now we had to rebar code them, re catalog them and delete the old barcodes. a lot of fun, So much for student help. She was helping me copy too and tried to take all 100 pages instead of the first 20. I wondered where the rest of the package went.

She was good at putting paper in the machine until the toner ran out.

Then I moved to the high speed copier in the teachers room and went through 4 reams of paper making 100 pg. grammar handouts for 60 kids. No fun. I "should" go in one more day. I jammed it again and Megan mixed up yhe 100 pages I was coping so whp knows what I have in the final sort. I do know, I killed a tree and have a bankers box filled with grammar handouts. I dropped them off at summer school to lighted the load in the car.

I may get 47 miles to the gal. but weight matters. It has to carry me. It doesn't need 100's of lbs of books and paper for extra days.

I stopped and bought croc flop flops on the bar home not exactly what I wanted, but the didn't have black on black canvas so I got black soles with a white and black print. Then I went and got another pair of SAS shoes W and 1/2 size wider. Then for krmon ice and to get some sunglasses with thin lenses and that thing to the tune of 430.
I vame home, frove into the garage around 7 gathered my bags and fell between the car and the garage wall tripping over a bin,onto my knees, I laid there and whimpered awhile looked for blood or help and when there wasn't any, pushed myself up on all 4's. I'm such having my flip flop's on and my hands full didn't help. At least the garage was carpeted and I had a pillow to put under my knees while getting up. Ouch! OYE!

Hurt and geeling sorry for myself I still went walking with my neighbot...now the whirlpool and ice. Felt better after the walk.

Hate that Thursday show Swingtown in CBS at 10.

Summer time and you can get a lot done without the kids

I'm reading Fearless Fourteen By Janet Evanovitch.

What a difference it makes not having the kids here. Except for one nasty email 2 phone calls from the same student my day has been pleasant and productive.

I'm almost done cataloging all the 7th grade new science books and Carol will barcode the rest tomorrow, stamp them and check them in and put them on the shelves in the book room. Then I delete the old 6th and 7th grade ones.

Karen asked....Armando is still with his son in Indianapolis. He says he's coming back and calls. All his stuff is here and I have his microwave at school and his t.v. in my family room and all his clothes in the garage, or 3 bags full and a suitcase and a few things on hangers and "the hat" el goro. Either he returns of Goodwill will get a nice donation.
Yes, I miss him. He is good company and enriched my life.

He didn't like any of my friends. They wondered what we had in common.

He did a lot for me besides clean, paint the house and do yard work.

I walked a little farther last night with my neighbor. I have a dentist appointment on the 20th and a luncheon on the 21st but until then I'll be free and may go up to the Sierras past Sonora, to Yosemite camping,to Big Sur or Trinidad.

Close to home for a day or 3 may be o.k. A little hiking.

I investigated joining the Y this morning.

It's $100. to join and 50 a person. They have a pool and water and regular aerobics.

I'm going some prep for summer school while I have a copier behind me and don't have to compete for space or fight the heat in a small room.

Gee it takes a Lot of energy to make copies and get organized. I copied non stop for 3 hrs. while I did other things. I've only got a little done.

A lot of prep is necessary to do 3 classes of 6th-12th grade I have some stuff from last year which will help. I hate the thought of being on my feet in that little airless room like last year.

I have my syllabus and course outline intro letter, autobiog assignment for all classes and a lot of grammar for 6th grade.

I prefer less grammar but he asked for it.

I also have a project of Martin Luther King and an scrapbook/family tree project done.

I feel like I have 6th-8th covered. The 9th-12 will take more effort. I have some stuff. Iy depends if I have the dame kids as last year or not.



I went for shoes and found I needed a wider and maybe 1/2 size larger. I'll get some croc sandles and some flip flop orthotics?

I'm going to look at croc flip flops too.

I went walking with my neighbor.

Happy Father's day!

To all you dads out there and to mine whom I miss every day.



I got up at 8 and started to go to the Farmers Market till I realized it didn't open till 9. Then I went and bought 2 2 ft. Roma tomato plants , one heirloom brandy wine tomato for 1 dollar, some tiny ones, apricots, nectarines, cherries, cauliflower, some salsa of heirloom tomatoes, humus w roasted red peppers, bread, a cinnamon roll, long beans scallops and tillapia and sole and halibut fillet. I wish I could grow orchids but I know I kill them and passed the flower stand instead of buying myself some sunflowers or iris.

The I went back to the market for cucumber, cherry tomatoes, basil, romaine, and more corn on the cob. I had two last night for dinner and they were so great that I decided that even at 2 for 1 i got 6 to cut off the cob and mix with basil and cherry tomatoes. 6 ears only equals 1c cut off and it's starch barely a veggie so go easy. (Yes, Michael this means you, but since it's perhaps the only vegetable you eat, go ahead. Try a pea too under your mashed potatoes.(mom used to hide them)

I got home cooked the corn,and long beans cutting them into 1 in pieces and then plunging them drained into an ice bath to stop the cooking while still crisp. I'll put them in soy and sesame oil and rice wine vinegar and chill.

I went walking last night too, Some people do it in the morning I prefer it when it's cool. It was cool till 10 a.m. Now, at 11 the sun is getting stronger and burning off the fog.

I was treating myself to rice chex with 1/2 and 1/2 and strawberries yum. Today i noticed that rice chex are whole grain which I don't mind but it ruins TRIX.

I guess it was time to stop eating those anyway.

Rice chex with one percent even with fresh raspberries wasn't the same. :-(

I'm starting Sue Grafton's new book. Nevada Barr's mystery was really good.

My mammogram came back clear.

My system is reacting to my switch to veggies and fruit after my fall off the wagon last week for BBQ potato chips.

M.H. told me that my maternal grandmother had a sister Anna who died as a baby. I never knew that. Too bad she dies so young of breast cancer. 38

Stephen, Kelly and Kerry? Wonder how they are doing?

I took a nap and then drafted my first handout for ss.

Let the fun begin...at least I talked myself into a 5 dollar an hour pay raise from last year.

This gig entails countless unpaid hours grading papers and prep. in addition to the paid class time.

Now at the onset I like it and I'm a little excited looking forward to teaching again.

I got this catalog of "orthopedic" shoes. I'm tempted to nut some flip flops and heel cushion orthotics to help with my obesity caused plantar fascists from them and am looking at some Etonic walking shoes and Savoney.

The laundry's done and I think my presoak, stain treatment and bleach powder stuff got out the stains on a new short set that I thought I ruined after 1 wearing.

I'm off to walk.

Poor Des Moines et al Iowa

Who would have thunk it... evacuating downtown Des Moines. I hope Mary Helen and everyone is o.k. She's not too near downtown. The flooding is not 31 ft like Cedar Rapids. Not to mention flooding and tornadoes. When I last visited with M.H. she drove out to show me the flooding then. This is their 140 yr high. see: demoinesregister.com Too bad Gwen and Michael don't know Mom's family there.


To think I almost bought a house here in the 100 yr flood plain.
Not to mention earthquakes.

Global Warming it's here...

And then IN. Oye Ve

Go hybrid



Despite a moment of insanity when I woke up during one of my numerous trips to the loo, I thought about booting up the laptop to go some view foils to laminate on Mon for my summer school classroom WALLS. Then exhaustion or sense or a bit of Leno at 2 I went back to sleep till 9.

Lacy was staring at me waiting for her treat. After a few minutes I got up, turned on the news, made some rice chex, boiled some corkscrew pasta for a cold salad and went out on the deck after turning on the front sprinklers to pull dried out vegetation from nasturtiums for the compost bin and put in stuff from the veggie bin. I cleaned out the refrig a bit, did some dishes, cleaned the burner where pasta water boiled out and finished my pasta with celery, mayo and some celery seed, red pepper and pepper. I took out the trash, turned off the sprinkler, planted sun flowers and peas and put out a un turned over full water bowl for the outside stray cats.

I think the black one is Diablo who I tried to socialize 2 yrs ago. He ain't having any but let's me get 6 ft. close. It took 2x as long as the girls to touch. He was just coming around when I gave him up. I guess he didn't get adopted and was put back out after spaying.

He fights with Brutus.

Off to the grocery and to get h20

oops forgot the water, cucumber and peppers I'll stop tomorrow after the farmers market.

I got some more flower seeds. maybe this time I'll water them.
LOL

Stoped for Chinese on the way home.

As soon as it cools off I'll go walking. Ya can't just take pills you have to move the body.

I've only got one and I made it like this. Now to unmake it like this.

Flag day....happy happy

Tim Russert dies of heart attack at 58!!!

Oh No! That's only 5 yrs. more than me. If he can go any of us can. Couldn't believe it.

Today is less busy cuz kids got out at 10:30. Can't believe all the hub bub for an 8th grade graduation, leis of orchids and candy and roses and baloons and yearboods like they were gold. etal.
I still remember what Michael wrote in mine...all 129 lbs of e..."to big fat dumb dumb Jane, go on a died and lose 50 lbs."
Loving brother comments huh? He was 19.Where did the days when we made tents over the t.v. and snuck our to the stables in Rock Creek Park go?

There is a party going on but I'm too exhausted to go. What I'd really like to do is float around in the pool.

I need to stop at the p.o on the way home.

I was up at 4 and couldn't go back to sleep. The brain won't shut off. Could have taken a sleeping pill but thought I'd sleep seeing I didn't nap.

Had breakfast, cut some flowers for the secretary, got here early.

Now I'm leaving and off to read and relax this weekend.

I dropped off some workbooks for summer school.

I need to resume my walking. I was ticked and ate and stopped walking.

I stopped to get gas at 4.51 a gal today and spent 35.00. That;s up 15 dollars since I bought the car.

Then I went home and transplanted tomatoes for therapy and watered plants.

I had not watered in almost a month.

Since I left an hour early today I was going to get some shoes, I need a wider shoe and my tennis shows should not hurt my feet midway through the day,

I made the mistake of trying to get Reebok by mail in a 7.5 W, they went back along with some shorts.

I have to try the shoes on.

My weight also gives me fastitis. My heel ligaments hurt.

In addition to walking and diet I think I'll join the Y and swim.

Busy

All the kids are coming in to turn in books and clear fines so they can graduate. While my able assistant was in sickout mode I was so buried I had kids helping check in books. Needless to say some were not done well. In 6th grade there were 13 language books and teachers are yelling and complaining to me and the principal. Carol took the 250 odd books and rechecked them in.
Need;ess to say there are others. A mom came in today and found 2. Great, Kids sometimes find them and I check it in and sometimes don't. Then I charge them. If the book turns up I will credit them and refund their money. The same thing goes if they later find the book minus a 3 dollar service fee.
The public library won't do that.

I turn in the money to our bookkeeper. I run a tally and then autosum. then she corrects it because excels total was wrong. I can't win.

I found our today that I have 2 extra days per diem after all the kids and teachers are out. swell.

Considering that the 7th grade science books arrived today I need the time to catalog them, and delete the old 6 and 7th grade ones. all a tedious pain.
I'm bit going to the end of the year party I'll be dead then.

Actually, I'd like to see her house....

Today during my 30 min lunch I went to the p,o., library, quiche shop abd froyogurt shop.

I'll be glad when Wed. comes.

Plus its 91 and there's another fire in the hills.

I'm reading Nevada Barr's Winter Study,

Counting down

I'm overwhelmed with all there is to do. I'm buried in checking in books. Having the kids help check in was not the best idea. Not all the books got checked in properly and I have to go and look for them.
Kids are coming to get cleared for graduation and field trips for Great America.
I have boys to help do the heavy listing. Sometimes they put things in correctly, sometimes I have to have it redone.
There is shelving galore to catch up on. I need to delete all 6th and 8th grade science books.
Carol decided to waive all small fines. I wouldn't. I'm pissed. Where does she get off making these decisions.

At least when I teach summer school it's a mile from my house.

Gas is almost 4.50 a gal.

sick out

Carol is staging a sick out and didn't come in again today.

I need a sub. Clerical don't have subs. I am burried in books in the hundreds....HELP!!

Rare Form

My assistant isn't here today on the busiest day of the year. The kids turned in all their books and the locker clean out is this after noon.

The bitch couldn't have picked a worse day to call in sick or from her perspective a better one. I'd fire her for sure.

Today has been hell and it's only 1:24 and this is the first time I've had a break all day.
I left early yesterday to pick up some books. It was an early release day. My last chance.

Police Report

Well for the 4th time my car was struck. I've had my front l tire flattened 2x and the front l door keyed 2 times as well.

I am so ready for the 13th of June to be here. There are a lot of books to check in and put away and on top of that I have new art, science and spanish books to catalog.

I've been throwing kids out of the library left and right because I need the distraction not!

I think I'm crazy to have agreed to teach summer school.

Counting down the minutes!

There is a Civil War reenactor doing presentations in the library all day which is good. I remember going over WW 2 in 8th grade. We watched day after day of concentration camp movies.
Here its all they can do to get them to 1914.

The awards program last night lasted until 8:30. I couldn't wait to get home. There are some days I don't even pick up the mail I'm in such a hurry to get in. I took a bath, read, got into bed and that was all they wrote.

I can't wait for the weekend to get here.

I filled up the car yesterday morning at the price was 411. Today 413. Monday 409. It cost me 33.00

I talked to a contractor and he said he pays 5 dollars and his SUV cost over 100 to fill. I can't imaging. I'd take the train and bike it.
The teacher from here that was going to teach math decided not to. I'll have to lug all this books back. I'm glad I didn't take the Algebra too.

STOP BEING HELPFUL!

Disappointments

The SOB wimp that I have as a principal said that I need to be here for the awards night instead of going to the retirement dinner for another librarian. I couldn't care less if the kid that I gave the award to gets one I don't want to be there. I didn't want to come in this morning and this is what I get in response to the email I sent to him last week. It is considered a work night.

Where is it written in my contract that I have to show up?

I want to read the new Jeffery Deaver book.

I walked the last 2 nights.

I need to get gas.

My tire was 174,00 Gas is over 409.

I walked the last 2 nights. I don't want to tonight.

I'm [laying bridge.

Community Service

Did my yard work at the vacant house. One Asian neighbor I asked to help told me the woman dies and it was private property so I shouldn't go cut down anything. The other just helped me lug the stuff I cut to his pile for the yard trimmings to be picked up tomarrow,
I read a book first and went walking after. Somehow I thinkk the shower should have come last not first.

Got squished

The mammogram is done for another year. I forgot to take them my Rosie O'D T-shirt, I got squished.

I stopped at the Farmer's Market and got some basil and scallops, shrimp and some more sole. She threw in a lemon.

The wind shifted so I'm back to walking. The temps are still so much cooler.
I got some tennis shoes and shorts by a new vendor and back they go with my adviso get shoes in the store. At least there was free shipping one way.

AAA took the tire off and put on the spare and I took it in to the Wheel Works store. They'll call me when it's patched again. I have to buy a new tire sonce this hole is in the side wall.??? It won't be ready until Tuesday.

I wonder if one of the little angels at school are helping me along. Makes me want to put a video camera on the car.

I need to go to the market for a few things like cantaloupe. I stopped for water this morning.

There is a house on the cross street that is vacant. This morning. I put a note in the packed mailbox asking is they needed help with the yard. The weeds are 2 feet high. The neighbor told me it was vacant. I said we should get together as a neighborhood and cut the stuff down. All the weed seeds are blowing I'm sure.

My mower is electric and he said that even a conventional mower would no longer get through it now. We need a scythe and clippers and a guy to chop it. Time to take up a collection if no-one wants to do the work. It's an eye sore.

Im reading Patricia Cornwell's The Front.

That damn tire is flat again!

AAA is on its way...so much for a patch! I guess it got me to work for another couple of weeks. Fortunately I'm getting the spare put on now while it's still light instead of tomorrow when I'm rushing to get to the market and my mammogram. I guess I'll have to buy a new one. I was lucky to be home.

I'm glad i noticed it now in the garage. The air is still smoky.

At the end of the day yesterday I had the kids uncovered more new science books. Here I thought we were done!

John may not teach summer school with me after all. If not I'll end up hauling all his math books back to school. I should had left him alone. If he couldn't make the effort to go see the director, I shouldn't have had the kids pack and lug the books out. He doesn't know where he will be teaching next year either. There for the grace of God go I.

I asked Peggy if she knew where Jacob Wesley was born and she didn't. Our grandmother was Bessie. She had 2 sisters Florence, who we knew and Dora. Wonder what Bessie's real name was? I think she died of breast cancer too in NYC. I'm having the kids do a family tree that goes back three generations and I can't do it either.
It asks only for dates born and died and married and locations. I know grandpa John Edward was born in 1898 in this country while his sister Pearl was not. I wrote to Mary Helen too. When were they married? In Washington D.C.? I've even lost the death dates of my parents mom 1/81 dad 8/85? What day? My maternal grandmother also died of breast cancer. She was a Ziegler. I know her dad was on the railroad and was Charles. Such a shame never to know any grans just Francis.

Joe's sister gave us a bible and I have some of the information there. We don't know for example where in Russia, or Minsk dad's dad was from, now Bella Rus, in Polland. Only that he immigrated during the 1st WW. We would have been in the death camps.

The temps have dropped from 100 to 6o. Ever noticed how much sodium stuff has? Even humus? Crackers? Soup?
Make it at home! It's the only way to eliminate it.

I'm taking the cooler I bought for Bob's visit to the market tomorrow for the fish since I have to go to the hospital afterwards.

I can smell the smoke it's getting closer

The doors of the library are closed today because the smell of smoke from the fire in the Santa Cruz mountains in in the air. It is gusty and it took off at 5:30 yesterday morning and is fed by the fact that there hasn't been a burn in the mountains for 25 years and no rain since Feb. There is a haze over everything near school. I am further south and don't have the scent as much at home. Aftter school I do.

The fog rolling in has to help. Last night during our walk and this morning it was cool. As Mark Twain said "The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco." Actually he didn't say it.

The special ed teachers that are leaving, one to another school as a newbie, and the other because she had conflict with this closely knit 6th grade team are going out to lunch to the Falafel drive Inn.
It's this cool place that's been there since 1959.
There are picnic tables and a tiny eat in space. I rarely eat there. I used to stop at the farmers market and add more tomatoes and cucumbers to the falaffel salad and get extra pitas and white sauce and that made 3 pita sandwiches. They have tabbouleh, baba-ghannou, pita chips and all the usual if you must. Funny Bob just recommended it to me tonight!

The last I filled with tabbouleh, avocado, sun dried tomato humus and tomato.

Gas was $409. on the corner

Disaster Drill

One of our librarians is retiring and everyone is getting ready for summer school.

I dropped off math books last night and now that my car is empty again and I have child labor, helps.

I was going to go out to lunch with the two special ed teachers that are leaving but I couldn't get a line out to call in the order. I like the chicken salad and Inna the flaffels and Lilia a mango salad without onion and both with dressing on the side. I sent them off and came back to have my salad.
They came back having stopped at 7-11 and only ran in and one got something. We'll try again tomorrow. When you have only 30 min. it's a challenge. Fortunately we can call in an order and it's ready by the time we get there. The Chinese and Thai restaurant are next to each other.

I forgot I took my balsamic vinegar spray dressing home. I scrounged 3 types Newman's light honey mustard, ranch and another cilantro one. It should be interesting. I need to remember to bring a hard boiled egg along with my fruit. The last two days it was strawberries and now I'm back to cantaloupe. It's one of my favorite summer fruits. I cut it off the rind into pieces and the ants head to the compost bin in bliss and away from my kitchen.
They don't like lemons are citrus and pineapple and artichokes don't go in there.

I'm thinking of buying some more red worms and starting another worm bin for composting. Vermaculturm produces this rich black compost just from newspaper, kitchen scraps and water.
The plastic bin is compact enough to keep off the kitchen. My compost bin is not hot enough to make quick compost. It's supposed to turn over in a year. In the fall I put a layer of it over the garden to decompose over the winter. No roses or grass though. Pine needles seem OK and I have a lot of them.

I've got to learn not to clean the garden in Feb but to wait till April. It turns so beautiful and all the trees are in bloom and the bulbs open.

I have one of my outdoor amaryllis blooming right now.They can be so pretty. They last forever and come up every year. I can split this one soon. They are huge bulbs and cost a lot.

I planted one of the tomatoes that Hannah gave me last night along with basil and peas. I put out cucumbers too. Last year I got 2. All the growing time I thought it was a flower. Now for the beets.
My salad has peas, cauliflower, carrots, cherry tomatoes, zucchini celery, avocado, radishes and romaine.

Last night I made angel hair pasta with shrimp and fresh peas. I also blanched some fresh broccoli and put in a floret.

Went walking too, even to the drug store to get my prescription. I was thinking. No one will know who I am if something happens while I'm out walking. Then I put my prescription in my pocket and felt more secure.

My neighbor Cathy had a stroke. She was in the hospital a month. I saw her in a wheel chair and her left side is paralyzed. She goes to physical therapy 3s a week and is getting some feeling back. I sent her a note after I got a bill from the ambulance company misdelivered. She was riding the bike at the health club! She is a tiny Vietnamese woman who always walked and gardened.

Disaster Drill

Well the scenario was a 7.5 earthquake just hit the S.f. bay area. The shaking is so strong a person cannot stand. buildings, roads and overpasses have heavy damage. Parts of the school has collapsed from walkways and falling debris. There are fallen power lines, trees and collapsed overhangs. Some of the injuries are very severe. The electricity is not working.
City and County services are not available due to the widespread magnitude of the disaster. A number of the roads to the school are impassible. School cannot count on any outside help. Parents and relatives will be arriving to retrieve their children.
We duck and cover and hold for 90 sec. once we heard the sound of an earthquake. We were observed. We made our way to the track stadium and expected to be there with our red emergency bags for an hour. I didn't have any students 3rd period. Good because my aide was out and I didn't have any students. Bad because I had to haul that heavy bag and water myself.

I came prepared with my water bottle, hat and sunglasses. I didn't need the water but forgot my jacket and it was cool and windy. I didn't hear the rumble or the command to duck and cover so until the people came to clear the building and found me I was still there. They asked me if I was injured. I said no. I have let my 2nd period student go and didn't know my first period student was supposed to find me.

My sweet therapist Hannah is leaving. she brought biscotti ( I hate hard crunchy things) but it was in a cute bag tied with a ribbon with a note and she gave me 4 heirloom tomato plants.

They should have renewed her contract for next year. Her supervisor thought she was getting too close to the kids. well...that's what they need.

I cataloged.

I got in more of my books today and my assistant was out again,

I didn't get a lunch but that's alright. I ate my salad in the staff meeting and on the drive home.

Kids took out math books from John's classes this summer and started packing up my English ones. I dropped them off on the way home. Now I can start on the English ones. They pack them, count them, seal the boxes, load them in the car and on the other end they unload them for me.
I appreciate this service.

Mamogram

It's that time again and fortunately I could schedule time to get squished this Sunday. I hate to take off work. I never knew they had weekend hours.

The fog rolled in and the temps cooled off as the breeze came in.

Glad to have Labor Day this weekend. Santa Cruz and concerts at the beach call. Every Friday night next to the boardwalk they have concerts at 6 and 8....so take a blanket with your baby....
I like to go early and get out of there. The music in all mellow 60's, the Tempations, Drifters,Marvalettes and so on.

It's cool and watching ther sunset over the Pacific while the monorail, but it's open, passes nearby is neat. The beach is big enough so you don't have to be on top of one another and you can move far enough away so that the noise won't feafen you. I like that. My friend want's to be right up close. Not my thing. I don't like crowds or it too loud.

That's a true indication that I am old. I remember at 13 going to church dances in mini sjirts/dresses and standing nect to the bans speakers. Das used to cover his ears as he scoped the place out.

I'm still walking 3 for 4.

I started to pack up my books for summer school. I have the car filled with pre algebra books for my friend John. Then, tomorrow, I;ll get the rest and start on my English ones. I'll still have a lot of prep, but having books for lit. and grammar should save me a lot of copying.

I have a lot of kids "helping" to pay off their fines.

Tomorrow there is a disaster drill scheduled...prepare for trees, people, stuff....

Hormigas!

I have ants again in the kitchen. There is no food out and the kitchen is clean but they are trying to find water and get out of the heat. I need to get some more ant traps. This morning I cut a cantaloupe and put the rind and seeds in the compost bin. The ants attacked. Fine, as long as its outside. Last year I put out traps and once before I think.

In TX there are these huge ant colonies that have taken over a large part of the state. No one can get rid of them. Seems like they were brought in on a ship.

When we lived in Vallejo, the mice would come in. We got traps and one night I heard one snap after it was baited with peanut butter. I woke Joe to go unmouse it. He wasn't happy.
In this house I had a house or two. My cats, Kitty Whiskers used to play with them. He would hold it down and bat it. I'd get it away before he brought it to me as a gift. Once my Maxie brought me a rat. I picked it up and put it in the garbage. Maxie was not happy his gift disappeared even if he did get praised. Once there was a bird on the back yard mat. I'm glad they don't eat them. Now I have some feral cats that visit. They eat everything. I put out ham, chicken, turkey,shrimp, chicken salad once I'm cleaning out the frig and it's gone.

My Lacy won't touch anything not dry or canned except an occasional bit of sliced thin turkey. She won't go out back too long because the big boys BRUTUS and co. want to attack her. I have to go out and rescue the lady while she hides in the leaves.

It's cooled down a bit. I went out to pick some lavender this morning and had to put a beach towel around my shoulders. Caro and I are going to make soap.

Time to make long beans with soy, rice vinegar and sesame oil. I had the first of the corn last night. Yum!

I went walking again last night. 2 for 2!

I got my first cantaloupe too...so sweet.

I finished my course outline and syllabus for summer school which doesn't start until 7/7.

Good. I'll need a break!

Think green

Robert f Kennedy was on Letterman and he said Israel and Denmark will be completely green soon, Iceland too while we continue to use BIG vehicles not hybrid or electric and don't recycle or use the light bulbs. We have the capability to do it too. I replaced 5 IN MY HOUSE, 4 THIS YEAR. It IS THE MANDATE IN San Jose. I also compost and recycle all paper, plastic, and glass. at home and school. We need to DO MORE! We are too wasteful as a country.

Heard about he plastic bag state on the ocean the size of Rhode ISLAND. don't LITTER. stop USING PLASTIC. use CLOTH BAGS.

I walked last night with my neighbor. It was beautiful and breezy cool out at 9.

I went to the Farmers market and got sole, radishes, broccoli, carrots, beets, mushrooms, humus with red peppers, tabbouleh with mint, spinach bread, swirl rye bread, white Indian pacouli sauce, peas. celery, avocados, garlic and to the market for cantaloupe, shrimp, basil, corn, chicken salad, coleslaw, seafood salad, yogurt, and cheese. I need to keep away from carbs. I need some chicken curry.

Well it's a good time of year to do that. I love veggies and fruit and live on them most of the summer. Not too much meat. I made some hard boiled eggs last night. The yokes are good for my Vita. d.

Talked to Michael for a long time last night. We've got to get moving or we'll stroke out.

My lab tests show that my cholesterol is fine but my HDL is slightly low:38 not 45. I can take meds to get this good one up.The glucose too is too high:107 when I need 97 and my triglycerides are 212 not 199.

Almost blew it

I went to get my fasting blood draw x2 this a.m. and took a small sip of tea with mint and lemon and they were going to send me away. I would have drunk water if I knew. I couldn't believe how crowded the pharmacy was.
I whipped into the lab but the pharmacy wait was about 15-20 min in line. Then I asked my question got my d and some aveeno moisturizing lotion and left.
Wish there was a phone there or a computer. I may have been able to save the line.
I looked at my labs online so I'll check to see of i can see the prescriptions too.

Checked on the mg I need of D. She wrote a script for 50,000mg. WOW. I bought 400 mg and took one today since the other is being mailed. I also got my 5 min of unprotected suntime outside today. Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin. I need to eat more tuna. I've been avoiding the sun for 26 yrs.

Went to the Farmers market near the hospital and saved a trip to the supermarket. I got my first apricots, cherries, romaine, cauliflower, strawberries, raspberries, a scone of cranberries and tomatoes. I like big cherries the best and there they pick them the same morning.

I planted dill and sunflowers and some other flowers. I also dead headed my roses, picked a few and did my neighbor Kathy's too. I transplanted some sweet peas from a pot in the back to the front urn.

We had 2 spare the air days. Good that my lawn mower is now electric. I only used 10 dollars of electricity.

I filled up last weekend on fumes and put 20,00 in and I'm not even at 1/2 a tank. That was up 5 dollars from the usual but the light was flashing. The price has also gone up.

My back was so sore all last night I could barely get out of bed for my frequent trips to the loo. I had to get a rolling start and then push on my knees to straighten up. ouch.

My sheets felt great.

melting

Yesterday was only 101 today is projected to be 102. Even the air conditioning in the car never gets it totally cool by the time I get home. I stopped to get lab tests done after my meeting at 5 and there was little waiting for my 6 tests. I have one more but I needed to fast first. I'll go back in the a.m.

When it's this hot, no-one feels like eating. I feel nauseous all the time.

I drank a gallon of tea with lemon and mint and made a ton more to chill while I'm at work and sun tea to brew too. I have lemon and mint tea ice cubes too.

While watering last night I found 5 lemons still on the tree. I may be able to put off buying more for awhile then look for the lemon juice I froze too.

I've started preparing my summer school handouts. I checked out 6,7,8,9,10,11,12th gr texts. If i can get 6,7,8th grade class sets it would help. I may sneak them out.

The Gardiner cut the lawn. The house keeper did the kitchen and i got LACY Some flea MEDS And CHANGED THE FLANNEL SHEETS TO MY 300 THREAD COUNT Cotton and did the wash and vacuumed. I had the car washed too.

I got a call from the dr. about my lab tests. i'm low in vitamin d. i am 7 abd nornal is 30-100.

Too Damn Hot!

Yesterday it was 96. Today about 104. I have a fan in the office and yesterday I opened the windows in the bedroom about 12 and it was cool. Today all the lights are off in the library. Remember those days? Before air conditioning in schools. Well we are a throwback.

I closed all the blinds in the house too. This morning all the windows were closed and I'm thinking I need triple insulated windows. I could really save on electricity if I had solar panels on the roof. I'd end up selling it back to the power company since I'm always below baseline anyway. It helps that I have no air and use no heat.

I have a librarian's meeting after school until 5 and then I thought I'd go by Kaiser and have the blood and lab tests I was supposed to have in Dec.

I got my haircut on sat with highlights and low lights and cut and blow dried and I can't do it the same way. Last night I washed it and put goop in , blew it out and ended up putting rollers in the crown to sleep. It poofef but still needs work. For $150. You would think it would be enough but I don't like to fuss. I don't like products in and hair spray. The teacher here that refer ed me does her hair well but she washes it in the shower every morning. I don't do anything in the morning that doesn't involve dressing, brushing my teeth and gathering a few things to get out the door.

Today is the Micky D's free chicken sandwich day.
I got my med. o.j. and a chicken biscuit.
I drank the juice, ate the chicken and the biscuit I don't need.

I went on a decaffeinated tea making spree last night. This morning I filled my thermos, grabbed two bottles and two more to make more at school made ice cubes of tea and mint here. I stopped by Safeway this morning to get lemons and mint. I also got a pink Starbucks mug. Its shiny, iridescent. So far I've gone through the o.j., the tea in the bottles and am making more. Got to keep hydrated.

The problem with having the lights off in my office is I can't see the keys. I almost touch type but not enough.

The Union is picketing ...again

Teachers are all in arms about the cuts in education money. Last night they lines El Camino Real with signs to protest. On Wed there was a meeting that was tense. The high school teachers are more erudite. They came armed with facts. The middle school teachers complained that they were not listened to and given the facts and the elementary teachers sang a song " Where has all the money gone" It was embarrassing. Today everyone is wearing their $2 T shits to support no cuts.

I have one on that says Cuts hurt with a picture of a 6 y.o. boy.

I actually got out and watered my poor deck plants a little. I've left them for 3 weeks and most are so dry they gave up the ghost.

I didn't do all of them.

I need to cut my grass too. The gardener is coming.

Tomorrow Micky D's is giving away a chicken sandwich with the purchase of a med. drink Go get yours for Breakfast or lunch.
I found cherries in the store.

On the weekend I stay up and read sometimes until 8 in the morning then sleep until 1. I found out this week that the market closes at 1 so I showed up at 12:55 and got nothing. The farmers market has spring peas. I ended up getting some water, a few things like a sandwich of turkey with cranberry for lunch/breakfast and one of ham and swiss for dinner and a baguette from Le Boulengarie.

Apricots are coming out soon too. I love them.

This is the nice time in CA

I just need some rain. Ever read Rachael Carson's

Silent Spring

.?

Water rationing went into effect in the north bay since we have the lowest levels in 20 years. Those were the day when the signs said don't flush if it's liquid and restaurants didn't bring water unless you asked. Families are limited to 100 gal. a day. Since a toilet flush is 2-4 gal, a wash 10-30, a shower for 10 min 30 gal and dishes in the dishwasher 40. It will be a challenge. No washing off driveways, washing cars without a cut off valve....

free lunch

Today we were treated to a belated cinco de mayo luch of burritos, salad, chips and water. There was a cake too saying thank you staff.

Flat tire

Well it's been awhile but I had a flat. I was driving on Sat in a parking lot when someone rat up to me to tell me it was low. Turns out a flat was caused with a nail. I wonder if it happened at school.

I was glad to make it home. Then I waited until the next day to call AAA to put on the temp, check all the tires for pressure and took the tire to Wheel Works for a free fix and picked it up today so I'm back to square 1.

Today we got pictures of the entire school faculty in a frame that says we're a team.
Happy teacher's day.

My back is still hurting me and every day regardless of the patches or exercise or drugs it hurts. I just popped a 800 mg Motrin for lunch.

Lastnight I took a muscle relaxer and a 5/325mg Oxycontin. I have the 10 but think that may be too high for me. I fly and feel like I'm going to puke.

To IRA or not to ira

I decided for the first time since 83 not to fund my IRA. It seems that I've lost about 200k on the principal that was promised to grow exponentially.
Bah Humbug.

I went to see the musical Mama Mia this weekend. It was really good and uplifting.

That was gook I've been fighting a cold all week off. Needed that flu shot. I got a lot of reading done.

I got up at 4,
went to breakfast and came in at 5. Makes for a very long day.

Why does google have suckers on its home page?

I filled up the car still for $25.00. The cost per gallon though is 3.70.

The Breakfast Club

I met with m 3 other friends from SJPL and have been away long enough that I don;t know all the players and notice how much conversation is dominated by the library.

I am getting better and the OJ really tasted good. The rest had me queasy. Out the door and across the parking lot I stopped at Noah's bagels for pumpernickel. That suited my tummy better than crab
For lobster tail or claws I would have tried harder.

I stopped by the library for my books and school to get something and there was the counserlor working.

Couscus

This is the first time I've ever tried to make it. Thought I'd throw some asparagus and mushrooms in too. I cooked the grain like rice. Then I'll add cardamon, turmeric, o oil, paprika, mint, roasted garbanzo beans, red pepper, cucumber, scallions or red onion & tomato. Don't forget the cilantro, red onion, fennel, cardamon, turmeric, paprika,salt and pepper, garlic, and coriander.

On to make humus with roasted red peppers and pine nuts and tabbouleh.

Thank goodness for the Internet.

I have to sleep sitting up so the fluid doesn't collect. I've got a garbage bag next to the bed for all the tissue.

Missed the master Gardiner's sale. Almost fell asleep driving to Kaiser. Even though the prescription was called in at 8 it was not ready at 12.

I slept all day to make up for the up every hr. night.

I wonder if my vitamin c and calcium can be reimbursed under mu medical pretax deductible? I'm itching all over, Call in the Betidine.
remember those 5 foot skateboards and sliding down the street on it on your tummy. <>STUPID!!!!

In the morning I'm meeting my 3 friends from SJPL for beeakfast to celebrate a Feb. B.D. late.

Nice way to kick off a week of vacation. Marilyn also invited me to Trinidad. I may be better but not up to the trip,

Drugged

Too much caffeine in my syrup a gulp from the bottle equals 3x times over the limits zzzzzzzzzz, I've been falling asleep at the pharmacy, drinking tea, reading, on the toilet , blogging, and playing bridge and it continues. I'm so conjested I snore so loud it wakes me up from the noice and choking.

I can't breathe and I am hacking my lungs out every 2 min. I almost slept for 25 hrs straight.

The pizza party was good. I had an aide put the the left over drinks and my brownie pan in the car....they must have found another Prius. I hope I get my pan back.

Its nearly 90.

I tried to make couscouis from mom's joy of cooking. They didn't list it in the 50's.

Pizza Party

I had another massage this morning. It seems like I remember Dad having one of these big white packs with sausage like rolls that was heated in water that he used. They provide penetrating heat and combined with the ultrasound is nice. The massage is a bonus. He's been taking it easy on my so I can heal.

Today is the pizza party. Last night I used Carol's birthday gift certificate at Il Fornaio to get risotto with artichohes, scallops and prawns. They make great bread too when you don't have to dip it in balsamico and olive oil. I had it eaten almost by the time I got home. The rest when I got up from my nap from 5-10 to make the brownies.

I'm still not feeling well. I'm sure it wasn't a good idea to get me to cook. At least they were baked.




The tables are decorated with plastic yellow and purple table cloths from the book fair and we have 4 pizzas being delivered, punch, cups, plates, napkins and brownies for dessert. Now all I need is a trash bag or two.

I'm looking forward to the week off. The weather today is supposted to reach 80.

I've got to go stock up on books for the week.

feeling better

I feel like my mouth is a desert too dry and I'm not taking anything. I got some Sudaphed and cough drops to see me through the weekend. The mint tea helps. still not eating. I slept for 14 hrs. last night and am still tired. I got a refill on the cough syrup from my dr.

I spent my lunch 1/2 hr. running to Safeway and to the library.

I got a blue Starbucks cup at Safeway, like my red one, for spring.

I got stuff for the pizza party. I went back to get some brownie mix. Carol told me the kids had to have dessert. Cookies would have been fine for me especially I know they kids will probably catch my bug through baking. Premade ones were more espensive so there were 4 boxes of mix at 3.00 per 2 and 1 doz. eggs, the eggs were near their expiration date so .50 cents off; need 4 per 2 and 1 c oil.I got the smallest bottle still it was over 3.00. 18. yesterday and 15.00 today and pizza to be added.
We're going to have 20 helpers come.

Is the price of eggs really nearly 5.00 a dozen?

sickie

At physical therapy this morning I got another massage and some heat packs.

I found some cough syrup with codine that helps me get through the night. It sounds like my lungs are coming out. My mint tea helps since my throat is so dry.

I'm not sure I do much at work. I took a nap for 30 min. during my lunch and almost fell asleep 2x.

Not even Lacy would sleep with me.

I think I need to go home and clib under the covers agsin.

All I've done is sleep and I'm still tired.

Today is the last give away sale of the year and I was going to take Caro but I don't think I have the energy.

I'm going home early.

In service day

I remember this feeling. You coax yourself to get through the stack. After 5 practice essays and 60 real ones you want to throw them across the room. There were teachers in front of me drom my 6th grade that wouldn't shut up. It made it very difficult to concentrate. I wanted to yell at them. Decided not to and left. I finished quickly went back to my school and checked out 100 books for a teacher.

I came home, dug out the cold pills, thermometer, cough syrup and climbed into bed.
My temp was 101. I drank mint tea all morning. I ate some oatmeal but even though I was signed up for the taco and burrito lunch couldn't face it. I got a coke to settle my queezy stomach, 7 up to boost my electrolytes and more water. I never if rarely drink anything carbonated. Don't like the bubbles, don't need the sugar or calories or gunk. Then I snatched some a 1/4 bagel.

Read the Tom Cruise biography. Don't bother.

I'm officially not feeling well

I'm listless, may have a fever and runny nose. I called in 1 hr. sick today. I went to PT and they sent me home because they said I needed my chi to heal. Also I am seeing my Dr. at 2. They can't see me on the same day I see a specialist.

I am dragging. I went to bed at a reasonable hr. but I keep remember looking at the clock every hour not sure if I actually went to sleep. I left my cough drops at home and stopped at an Indian quick shop to get some more. I almost tossed the farm with the smell. My friend Hannah, the counselor, brought in some cookies and I couldn't stand the smell either. I have no appetite and feel nauseous. I've been nursing a cup of oatmeal since 10 and it's 1:30 now. I wanted something in my stomach to buffer the Motrin 800 I took.

This is the last week before spring break. Tomorrow is an in service day. I get to go and grade essays all day.

Last night I made a salad with romaine, cranberries, blue cheese, pine nuts, avocado and tomato with raspberry vinaigrette.. Almost didn't get that down either. I almost have this salad right. A little beet greens sealed the deal. Two bites and that was all. Probably not the best choice of food along with the cinnamon roll I gave into at the Farmer's market.

It's a rare thing when I don't want to eat. I'll take advantage of it since I split a zipper this morning on my pants.

Saw the Dr. she said to come back in 3 weeks. and get some tennis balls to self massage my spine.

I brought in cards for out administrative staff and the nurse's aide that has been putting patches on my back. She said it was going "above and beyond". So I gave her some peppermint soap too, homemade in Humboldt county.

Did you know my first pre 16 job was at the Buckeroo steak ranch. I used to greet people on the line with Howdy partner can I take your order? I got groped by the manager in the walk in frig. I went from there to Memco where I sometimes walked from school to work. Then I was a waitress in an Italian restaurant and got groped by the part owner. (Although Dad did go get him to collect my last check) I went on to be head resident of a dorm in college and my first job upon graduation was as a receptionist in an insurance co.
Those are called dues.

Sunday routine

This week I got two pepper seedlings and planted some more sunflowers while I watered. I'm waiting for the sweet peas to bloom I staked them today.

I got peas to eat and peas and beans, basil, dill, cucumber and beets to plant,

Next week I'll score at the Master Gardner's sale. I love spring. With all it's trimming my lemon tree looks a bit bare.

I'm sick. I've got a sore throat and am sneezing. So I went out on the deck and watered barefoot then washed my feet off in the cold hose water??? I don't like to go outside barefoot. Inside I'm fine unless my feet are cold.

I've lived in Washington D.C.,
Alexnandria and Fairfax and Harrisonburg, VA
Orlando, FL and Lighthouse Pt
Detroit MI
Vallejo and San Jose, CA
Aiea, HI
Vallencia, Spain

Been to:
Maine
RI
CT
VT
Mass: Martha's Vineyard,Nantucket
PA
MD
NB
SC
GA
FL
IA
OH
IN
MI
MN
ND
SD
NE
CO
UT
BC, Ontario, Montreal. Quebec, Nova Scotia
Mexico:, Cabo, Cozumel, Cancun, Puerta Vallerta,Tijuana, Ensenada, Zijuatenjo, Xtapa, Chicken Itza
Jamaica
Antigua
Tortolla
San Juan
San Thomas
Europe: Spain, France: Paris and Nice and Monaco, Switzerland, Germany: Cologne and Munich, Copenhagen, Italy: Florence and Venice, Portugal

Many more places to see like Turkey, Rome, Greece, Australia and dive, New Zealand, Peru....
Never been on a Cruise yet either
Never yet grown a cantaloupe or a pumpkin though I've planted each
alas, I'm almost sick of asparagus....

Got Marilyn's birthday present

I finally went all the way across town to the rich enclave of Saratoga to shop for Marylin's birthday present. I kind of found what I wanted but they didn't have it in stock so it was a special order. I liked the one they did have but the one they ordered is "more free form" whatever that means. The bad news is it takes 2 weeks.

I put off going last week to be lazy while it rained. Now it will be late. Oh well. Another trip to the store and then another time to the post office. I sprayed somer lavendar on my coat from a tester and used some lavendat hand lotion then looked at the first closer...it was for the home not body spray oops!

Last night I toasted pine nuts. They are wonderful. I put them in humus and had a food orgy. There is a salad I love too with mixed greens, cranberries, pinenuts, blue cheese and raspberry vinaigrette.

Now I've toasted pine nuts. mustard seeds for Indian cooking, and pumpkin seeds for Armando's mole verde. I like the first 2.

I got my new issue of Bon Appetite. It's like a present a month. Thank me. I gave one to Pat and Kim too.

I missed the play Hero's on Friday night I was just too tired to make a 6:45 curtain. I could do Sat. or Sun. matinee. I guess I'd value the tickets more if they weren't free.

We made it to Friday!

I got another warm heat pack for an extended time and a massage at PT today. I could get used to this.
I just have to bring him some lavender oil and some aloe wipe off pads.

Off to the post office during lunch and we have a Talent show during lunch. Even the teachers get into the act.
I remember being amazed in high school when my Spanish teacher, a tiny thing was dancing with a strapping teacher and he threw her over his back. aka 50's dancing.
Remember those poodle shirts and sock hops?
Not me but my brother Bob, 10 years older probably does. He had an incredible collection of 45's. My favorites were "that little Nash Rambler", The Battle of New Orleans, and "When a girl changes from bobbie socks to stockings..."

Then he moved away and left them and I took over his record box and put his in a box. Karen and I used to go to the mall every Sat. buy a 45, a cherry coke and hot dogs and fries and Woolworth's. at Tyson's Corner.
Thank you mom for driving us each week.

Karen also remembered that sometimes she would spend the night and I would sleep in and she would get up and go down and have breakfast and talk to my mom. I slept on and she went home. I didn't remember any of that.

It's good to have a double checker. We all remember different things.

I almost remember going to the stables in Rock Creek Part with my brother Michael early one morning and having the police stop and ask where we were off to. I was really young, so I really don't remember this and was probably told.

My memories start at about age 6. I remember walking home from 1st grade school in FL because it was an early out day and my mom didn't come. She finally found me. It scared her to death to see me walking along that busy Hy.

I also remember going to the beach with dad without a towel. (only men) Anyway I was in the ocean and got hit in the nose by a flying fish! Blood everywhere. Dad cleaned me off and hustled me back into the car for the ride over the inner coastal and home.
2nd and 3rd grade were in Detroit. I remember segregated school, my best friend Janet, and frequent visits to a penny candy store. Then I could climb to the top of the rope in the gym. I used to buy Ludden's cough drops because they were chewable and allowed in class. Cherry of course.

4th and 5th were back to D.C. where mom went back to work for the government and I went to St. school on PA Ave. I placed kickball and kicked my Hushpuppy into the sewer. I wore my foot in my book bag to mass and on the bus home. The next day, My mom told me to climb down in the sewer and get my shoe so I did. I used to roam the city alone on my bike, walk into MD and roller skate and skateboard all over the place most days with my best friend Ilona.

Then we moved to VA.

First we lived in Alexandria. I went to 6th grade then moved to Fairfax for 7th thru 12th.

I went to NOVA and off to Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.
Michael married Pat and came to visit. I was Head Resident of a dorm for Sorority girls all 400 of them.

Then, in 1975, I married Joe after his graduation from USNA. I finished one more year at Madison. We moved to Orlando, FL,E. Windsor, CT, Groton, CT, Vallejo, CA and Honolulu, HI where we bought our first townhouse in 1978.

We left HI in June of 1980, Joe got out of the Navy and I finished teaching and came to the mainland. Joe and found jobs in Sunnyvale, the capitol of Silicon Valley and we bought our first house. It's a good thing we did get started in 78 because the price went from 75 to 125 in 2 yrs. We bought this house for 130 and it is now worth about 650.

We got divorced and annuled in 83 after 10 yrs. 25 years already!

I went from Lockheed to sales in computer graphics, to books, to teaching and to the library. I think I'll stay here.

Thought the alarm was a fire drill

Welcome to Thursday, I haven't known what day it was all this week. I read until 1. When the alarm went off I didn't know where I was. I thought it was a fire alarm.

The principal surprised us with bagels and a smear this morning. That was nice. No pumpernickel though. Noah's are my favorite's out here, perhaps because they have rye and pumpernickel.

My friend Inna got a job offer but she wants another on the back burner. One in the hand....this always happens.

Time to send off my property taxes.

I can't decide to fund my IRA this year or not. I did not take it off on my taxes but can next year retroactively. It will make for a lean month.

It seems that all the money I have put in my IRA has been lost due to collapse of the stock market and the money that was supposed to be there through just compound interest isn't.

Those rats! As I walked out to my car I noticed that some one had keyed the rear l door of my car! I think there is som teachers insurance that may pay for the repair if your car is damaged on school grounds.

Open House

I forgot to put the brown sugar in my oatmeal even with strawberries it isn't the same.

The literary magazine is for sale.

The library is filled with science projects. Every counter, chair and space possible is covered with the inventions of these 8th grade minds.

I'm put of here until 6:30 when I get to open this up and my kids come to see literary magazines. We sold about 10 and got out of here by 8:30, still it made for a long day.

The kids were cute saying welcome to the library to everyone that came in and honing their script.
First it was "would you like to see our literary magazine, it's $8."
Then, You can look for free
then
if you don't want to buy one now you can come back
and finally, "Welcome to the library. Before you go and explore our science exhibits , would you like to see a copy of our literary magazine? It has art work, poems, compositions and comics from our students. It's only $8.00."

My back is killing me and I am going to lay down in the nurses office until then to nap and read....3 hours, it doesn't make any sense to go home and come back. I could go over to Caro's but I called and the machine picked up. I told her about the free sale on the 9th. I'm going to bring her with me this time. She can use file folders and all the stuff too.

Imagine, the ergonomic assessor said not to worry about scavenging for a chair and a floor mat...a novel thought.

April Fools!

"your're cute"


April Fools!

Physical therapy was nice this morning. A new fellow used heat and gave me a massage. It didn't last long but that along with my exercises, walking and swimming might. My back was hurting before 8 and after 11.

I think cutting out that morning and occasional other time run to Starbucks and its look-a-like has helped me too.

I bring a thermos of tea with lemon, a cup of oatmeal with strawberries and today raspberries and a bowl of pineapple that I cut up yesterday and yum.

I always have a hard time threading the laminator and today is no exception it is not good for my back either to list the heavy rolls of film. I had kids help. Although the light on the back is lit the light on the front isn't. I called in a service call..the tech called back and said that the light wouldn't come on till they tray was on and the cover was down...oh...ok... did that, still no cigar.

Came home took a nap Then got up and cooked the beet greens with garlic, salt and pepper. They were better this time. I added some beets and yum, I'm stuffed.

The school is doing the play Bye Bye Birdie.