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.

Sunflowers

Ethan the preppie boy.

I planted some of the sunflower seeds I started soaking yesterday. I'm not sure they need to soak like nasturtium and sweet peas though.

I love them. I always plants dozens and never get the yield.

I picked up the literary magazine today.

I made a poster and they go on sale tomorrow for $8. Hopefully some of the parents will buy one too while they are here for back to school night.

The ergonomics guy came, took pictures and made recommendations for my work place.

He said to lift the computer on my desk, get 2 new chairs one for my desk that will support my back and also allow the arms to be fitted, type with the keyboard going down and get a new high chair for the circ. counter. He took pictures and immediately took a shelf out to allow room for my feet under the counter.

I've been going to the freebee sales to scavenge stuff.

The stuff there has been there for years and I know it was surplus. I brought one chair back the first day. The others flipped over backward.

Tomorrow I go to PT.

I need to learn how to write grants. ironic.

I talked with Armando tonight he;s ready to come back. The fish and visits rule is beginning to apply.

I told him to take the train back. It goes from Indianapolis to Chicago and then nonstop to Emeryville/Berkeley, near San Francisco.

Farmers Market

Abby dressed for spring.

She reminds me of Tina with Emily and Connie's dark coloring.

I went to the Farmers Market then home to have my oatmeal bypassing the bread stand...well I did look to see if they had a cinnamon roll, but the only ones they had, had nuts. I don't like walnuts. I miss my own juice. Even the fresh squeezed stuff you get in the store doesn't come close. I've been spoiled. Today I started on grapefruit juice.

I got my beets, radishes, turnips, which look like easter egg radishes, strawberries and some broccoli and cauliflower. Then I got seedlings ready to transplant in 4" pots of 3 types of tomatoes.
I came home and transplanted them.
I'll keep them indoors for another week or so maybe putting them on the window sill to sun.
I watered all the plants outdoors on the deck.. We need the rain that is coming this
week.

The guy at the ham and sausage stand took back my old package and replaced it with a ham and made a customer for life. I added his ham to the icky, normal ham steak I got and to the scalloped potatoes or au gratin, I made last night. Finally got around to "Easter Dinner."

Then I went to the supermarket to get water and oatmeal, zucchini, pineapple, blueberries and raspberries. I also got some zinnia and 3 types of sunflower seeds.

Now to plant them and weed a bit.

Emerald hills

Libby is so cute in her spring dress.

Untampered joy,some how as we socialize we get taught "appropriate behavior".

The hills all winter get greener and greener and by St. Patrick's Day they are brillant.

I just squeezed my OJ and oatmeal with strawberries. I've been on it a week now. When I bought one basket of strawberries it was too few but this week 3 was too many. It depends where I am. This week I had a pineapple too.

For grilled fish or chicken make this sauce. Add mint, lemon,dill,yogurt and grated cucumber for a nice raita.

We stayed till 4 last night working on "the present" and finished another part. It's going to cost a fortune to ship.

I'm thinking of having a mothers day card workshop.

We're going to have a pizza party for our library volunteers.

I transplanted my beautuful amaryllis today to find the root ball was really all there was the bulb had not attached to any soil so I probably put it in shock and it didn't need to be in a larger pot.

My last window got installed.

We may get a tiny bit more rain. I smelled it driving home last night. 1 tank of gas lasts 2 weeks so I spend $50 a month on gas.

I've been watching The Complete Jane Austin. The last two Sunday's on Masterpiece Theater it's been Pride and Predjuice, which I read,Emma and tomorrow it's Sense and Sensibility.

I need to go out shopping for a pretty over sized china tea cup for Marilyn's

birthday.

I'm finally going to use my birthday gift certificate from Carol to go to Il Fornaio, they have Risotto with shrimp and scallops with sliced artichokes. It comes with potato,basil and roasted garlic focaccia and Crostata al frutti di boso, a fresh berry tart with blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. With A little dry white wine yum.

Apple Blossom Amaryllis

My 2nd Amaryllis opened. It's absolutely stunning. The second bloom opened this morning. The bloom is pale cream with apricot colored stripes and a second bloom inside. I had to stake it. Although it only comes to my knee it is top heavy and fell over. Perhaps time to repot it too.
The Christmas tree I had in the bedroom is now all but dead in it's pot and this is where I go from the 6".

I've been spending the last of my library budget. They tell me I have $400 and I spend 300. and they tell me I have 200. more so I just spent that. I like their math. Maybe I can have them do my personal budget too.

I squeezed the last of my OJ this morning. I guess I have one or two more days with my own oranges. Usually I do it the night before but I have a few of those mornings that it has to wait.

Last night we stayed till 5 and when I got home I finished my book.

Today I have an aide I'll have working on the "project" some more. I ended up having her shelve, but she found a box to ship "it" in. Two of my aides came in during lunch.

I finally got to my oatmeal with strawberries. It's 12:00. The OJ went early.

I think I'll fix my "Easter" dinner tonight.

6 more physical therapy sessions were "approved" for me. I have my 1st of the second 6 4/1. I feel it already in my upper back.

The ergonomic guy is coming to assess my workstation on Mon.
That's a tight fit, ist the p.t. then the assessment. I had to think a moment to make sure I'd be here.

I brought in my pillow for my chair and at this point of the day, I have the upper portion rolled over to support my upper back and my shoulders are screaming at me for typing all morning and pulling a heavy shelving cart. USE KID LABOR had to be my motto.

Victor is coming tonight to install my last window above the fireplace where the Christmas tree was (and the rosebush is). Then he has to paint the wall he messed up with his ladder.

Bowling?

In our faculty meeting they announced a bowling league starting. I might do that. I've been in 2 one at 19 and one at 29. I even have my own ball somewhere..if I can lift 12 lbs. ant more. It was a gift from my boyfriend at the bowling alley when I was 19. It's purple.

The mainstreaming of special Ed. students is changing next year now they have a special day class and study skills and teachers next year they still will but wit larger group integration.

Our school is the academic school. Also, the bad kids are getting dumped from one school to another so that the 3rd will not suffer during their WASC accreditation.

The kids stayed after school to help me with a big project It's going to be such a surprise . Probably a waste of my time though. She won't appreciate the time or effort or even acknolodge it but anyway....

I went to nap at 6 last night woke up at 1 read till 4 got up to squeeze juice and make oatmeal. I've been on my oatmeal regime all week with strawberries and brown sugar.
I'm reading a really good book by Jayne Ann Krantz, Sizzle and Burn.