Christmas At My Nephew Edward's House

I am kinda jammed getting things ready for show and tell with the realtor, packing boxes, house cleaning etc , etc, etc ad nauseum.  SO thats my excuse for not getting my xmas pics posted til now.  However, better late than never, and here they are.

From left to right we have Carl, Tish, Melanie and Bill. (as you all may know, Tish and Melanie are my nieces.

This is one of the cousins in the clan ,Tracey, and My nephew Eric's wife Jennifer

This is Alexandra and her boyfriend Phil.

and this is a group pic of the good looking women we have in our family, the girls at the ends are some of my Great GrandNieces (as you can see good looks run in the family)

---and this old dude is Moi, with my blogger sponsor Judi. (we can title this one "Beauty and the Beast" (lol)

Merry Christmas one and all!!

Well its Christmas eve--(finally its only taken since before Halloween to get here)---I'm tired of xmas music, xmas promotions at the stores, in short I'm close to being totally bummed out on the theme of xmas, and STILL another day to go.  Well I got the rent-a-car picked up, going to the family gathering in a PT Cruiser, kinda appropriate, what with being a single adult male again. its a nice jet black in color---way cool.   Looking forward to the Christmas day family gathering, and the "Gil-Olympics" which are now a well entrenched tradition.  I have yet to win the damn competition, have come close a number of times, but still---its alluded my grasp.----maybe this year------time will tell.
     So just want to wish all those following my blog , as well as those that havn't signed on , a Merry Christmas, and a good 2009!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

Here's A Seasonal Thought---good for year round too

  A couple more pieces of Bric-a-brac to some people, but these kinda are my touchstones to my outlook on life in General. (click on he make bigger thingy)

BELIEVE IN MAGIC

Living inside the Box

-----Normally I get upset with people who can't think outside the box, and yet today it occurs to me that I am now pretty much living in a box---some would call it a house, but----nah, this might technically qualify as a house, but ---its no longer a home. I have been reduced to living in a box. Just waiting for that person that wants this box, meets my price and this boy flies down the freeway----.(lol)
Actually still have a lot to sort through and pack up---what am I suppose to do with 29 champagne flutes---can't remember the last time we used all of em, its been awhile, still there they all are, nicely washed and shiny, and that's not counting the fancy ones I also have.
Then there is the garage----what the hell is in the garage?? talk about a time capsule, I know there is this huge bag of pine cones, that were to be used in making a pine cone Christmas tree, which never got done, assorted wicker baskets which can be used to make Easter Baskets, and then too there are a few pieces of luggage, couple cabinets with drawers all filled with assorted ribbons and wrapping papers, about a dozen wrought iron candle holders of various heights and widths, and I have no idea whats up in the rafters----like I said, twill be like opening a time capsule.
Well I got three boxes packed today----my back says enough already!!---So its late afternoon,k and here I am blogging and enjoying a cold beer, and listening to Christmas music on the old HI-FI stereo. (life is good).

ADAPT OR DIE!! (The times they are a changing!)

It is in its own way it's exciting to think about changing one's lifestyle, and old patterns of behavior.  Now having said that---I'm finding its almost gut wrenching to actually do it.  Today being an example.  As you all know my day for doing "fluff and fold" (aka a laundry) has always been on Thursdays.  (I have posted my adventures at the Fluff and Fold Laundramat in previous posts)----but my life IS changing, and changing faster than I had expected it to---today is Sunday, and lo and behold I did  the fluff and fold bit this morning----its the way things just worked out----busy preparing my house for the lookee-loo's and the be prepared at all times for a realtor wanting to bring somebody through----the holidays falling on Thursday this year doesn't help either.  So I am kind of taking each day as they come, and doing my best to stay flexible.   It dawns on me most all my old patterns will ultimately be changed, deleted, and new ones added.  I keep setting the table for two, not just one now----so its Adapt or die, we have opted to go down this road, so be it----or like the admiral said---Damn the torpedoes FULL SPEED AHEAD------NO-O-O-O WAIT!!! (LOL).

Watch Out For Penguins

Just a quick post to allow those that still bother to check my blog to know that I am alive. Today we met with our lawyer, and completed the legalities , and now I can focus on where I am going to move to, have pretty much decided it will be in the area of Temecula/Murrieta, California. The big problem is I will have to drive down and spend a day or two interviewing potential apartments, and then figure out what furniture I have now will fit in them. I need to do that soon, as I want to have an address to give the movers, and avoid if possible having to put stuff into storage and pay THOSE costs (shiver).----so far no surprises, and everything seems to be under control-----but I am trying to keep an eye out for those pesky penguins-----!!!

Downsizing---(aka off loading)

Well its starting people, reality is taking form. Moving from a house to most likely an apartment, and making the decisions as to what I wish to retain, versus what has to go--(sob). My Niece Melanie and her husband stopped by and I was able to talk her into taking a few things. She was kind enough to send me pictures of the things I off loaded on her, as they are now in her home. I thought I would share them with you.

This first pic is a painting done by an artist in Hawaii, (Oil on canvas) depicting the Queen of Hawaii's Lady in waiting. and is now hanging in Melanies lovely home.

Here is a pic of a fun little Vase she found to her liking (lol)

----and finally the pair of free standing Bronze Cranes which stand about 5' tall, and are now standing on her patio with a view of the San Bernardino valley, and the mountains beyond.

Today, one of my other nieces , Tish, is coming over, to assist me in packing up the 16 tons of bric-a-brac I have in the place, and no doubt we will go out for lunch or dinner, so it should be one nice day.

What I did today (not to get excited over people)

Today I was awakened with a phone call at 6:30am, from my friend Midge advising she would be unable to meet me for coffee as it is our norm on Friday mornings. (just as well as in that it was already 6:30am and I hadn't got up yet, I would have been late. Anyway that's how my day started out---with a negative. (Don't ya just hate that when that happens?)
To awake to go back to sleep, and yes I did give that option a bit of thought, got up showered, shaved, wrestled with the coffee maker (I won---pretty sure the machine saw I was not in the mood for any attitude from it, and acquiesced to making me coffee)
Then sipping my coffee gazing out at the pool, decided it looked like the rain they had predicted for Saturday might come in early, and so I decided to go out and wipe down my bronze cranes and drag them into the house, and have them ready to fly when my niece Melanie and her husband bill arrive Saturday to pick them up.(Leastwise they won't have to put wet birds in their trunk. (lol).
Then I killed a couple hours walking back and forth through the house, measuring furniture, and letting my mind deal with what might fit in an apartment, which I have decided either has to be a very large one bedroom, or more likely a two bedroom unit. Then I leaped on the old puter and googled apartments for rent in the Temecula/Murrieta towns, then got to looking at condo's available-----next thing I knew it was 3pm, and then I remembered I had to go to the supermarket.
Returning to my domicile, put groceries away, and began preparation of the evenings repast, (will be reprised on Saturday night as well), which hopefully will be a big pot of beef stew. Browned the beef, chopped the onions, carrots and celery, potatoes, and even as I write this its all simmering on the stove----we won't starve tonight anyway.
Anyway, will finish this posting, review some of youawl's blogs, eat my dinner, catch the evening news and watch the next three hours of "Entourage" with Danny Divito. So did I get anything packed for moving?--NO. Did I make any firm decisions on what furniture I am taking?---No.-----do I know how to procrastinate?---OOOOH YEAH!!

The Living Room At Matilija

Before I begin dismantling the place, figured I should take some pics to share with ya, the following pics are taken giving you a lil tour starting with the sight you see upon entering my front door--(don't forget to click on the make bigger thingy)

then if you step forward about 12 feet and look to your right, you see across the room to the opposite corner, and see this view.

now, this next shot is taken from the corner of the room to your right (from the above pic), which is the view from the kitchen entrance to the living room. (my blogging center in the far corner)

this next pic is taken looking from the above corner towards the doorway to the kitchen, and looks like this.

-----and finally I took a pic looking from the poolside windows looking across the room---shows the entrance way where this tour began and please note the packing boxes in the entrance way------(my back hurts already and havn't even started) (lol)

-------its hard saying good bye to this old home.

The Last Christmas at Matilija--such as it is

Hi people, thought I should put up a post, if for no other reason that to allow you to know I am still alive and kicking. As you all know I am in the process of selling my home, and agonizing over what to keep (to feather my nest at my new place), what to sell off for whatever I can get for it, and trying to get organized and start packing up.

Not knowing exactly where I am going to settle, what size place I will settle in makes deciding what furniture to keep a real problem, then there is the 16 tons of "decorative" stuff that makes a place a home to keep or sell or give away (sigh). However have started on that. Sold my Japanese Garden light tower to my neighbor, who is in the process of dismantling it , to be reassemble in his back yard. My Niece Melanie has adopted my bronze cranes, (five foot free standing ) and they will next in her yard. My nephew Eric, will take the pair of 37" tall wood sculptures currently adorning my master bath and dining room. My other neighbor has purchased one of the five lamps I have.------so it begins.

I took a deep breath and have purchase some two dozen boxes, and if I can stop procrastinating will begin the fun task of removing brick-a-brack and packing it up. and too, sorting through all the books in the house and deciding which to keep which to sell or give away.

My Niece Tish is keen on doing a yard sale to dispose of clothing, sweaters, jackets, suits, as well as the ton of kitchen dishware I no longer want (example, two dozen champagne flutes, a George
Foreman Grilling Machine, etc, etc, etc. ---

I most likely too, will be having an estate sale, but first gotta decide what I AM keeping----decisions, decisions, decisions-----Anyway that's why I am not posting as often, but hopefully at some point in the not to far distant future I will be relocated and manage to regain some control of this old dude's place in the sun.

Looking Outward---

Its a nice neighborhood I live in, and I got me good neighbors----here for example is the view as I step out of my front door, looking down the drive to matilija ave.  Its my neighbors Smitty and Virginia's house-----.

  isn't that one magnificent tree?   and this is the very same view taken at night-----Santa and his Reindeer.------SANTA'S COMING, SANTA'S COMING!! (LOL)

(CLICK ON THE PIC TO ENLARGE)

I figure Christmas finally getting here, that I should post something in the spirit of things, so thought you all might enjoy this little input.

Color me "Lurker"

Just a quick post boys and girls to offer you some evidence that I am alive and well. I am kinda involved in a period of introspection, having lost my LP, and transitioning to a new phase of my life. file my mood under "What NOW Brown Cow?".

Today for example was spent diligently ransacking the closets, dresser drawers, desk drawers, filing cabinets in the garage etc, etc and etc. and making hard core decisions like giving up keeping old tax records some dating back 15-18 years ago,and piles of photographs I can't even identify where they were taken let alone when, and then re organizing my files so I can lay my hands on any pertinent information required.-----anyway that's what I am doing, closing out one phase of my life, and setting the baseline for the next one. I will endeavor to post something of more interest tomorrow-----course that will be Saturday, and nobody ever reads my Saturday and Sunday posts (sigh), but hey I post I hope they get read, but I can't force anyone to read my crap----being the nice guy that I am and all-----code of the west and all that jazz. and ooh yeah I AM reading your posts, but not commenting, just color me "lurker"

Apria Healthcare---A company with a cold,cold heart.

Yesterday in the mail I received a bill from the Apria Healthcare Corporation, in the amount of $35.01, billing for a full month of rental of the oxygen unit that the LP had been using for the better part of two years. The billing period was for the month of November (the month just past) billing me for the rental period beginning Nov. 8 . My initial reaction was that like most companies the billing office had not been notified that the said rental equipment had been returned on Nov. 11Th, (The LP having passed on on 11/06, two days before the start of the billing period in question), and that the said bill would be prorated for the four days that the equipment was in my possession before being picked up by the Apria service.

So wanting to resolve the bill, I of course called them to confirm the above, confident that it was an oversight , and the bill would be adjusted accordingly and I could complete the closure of that account.

I called, the 800 number referenced on the billing, and the phone was promptly answered, I explained the reason for my call, and was efficiently transferred to the billing dept, and the individual that answered was polite and knowledgeable, she was quick to pull up the LP's account, confirmed that the bill in question was what it was. I politely explained, that the LP had passed on the 6Th, that I had contacted them on the 10Th and said equipment was picked up on the 11Th, and she confirmed that was indeed what the record showed, but then she quickly and efficiently told me that SHE did not have the authorization to prorate the billing for the four days of the billing period in which I had possession of the equipments, and then she kind of muttered, that she was fairly certain that most bills were never prorated, but she would transfer me to someone that had the authorization to do so------I was on hold for the better part of 25 minutes, waiting for that individual.

Finally I was talking to a real person and not a recording telling me ad nauseum that all representatives were busy but that calls were being answered on a first come first serve basis, with bouts of inane Muzak between these announcements. I went through the same drill as the first and was once again told their records agreed with my own , but to bad the equipment was received four days AFTER, the start of the billing period, and NO they would not prorate the bill accordingly.

Here we have a situation, where a loved one has passed on, those that remain behind now must deal with not only their immediate loss, and grief, but deal with funeral arrangements. Had I made getting his equipment back to Apria the top priority, and put off dealing with the disposition of his mortal remains, I could have avoided this problem. I didn't know the Apria Corporation could care less about my grief and from their perspective getting the money was of paramount importance. Their policy of billing for an entire monthly period, and not prorating a bill due to a death makes --------Apria Healthcare Corporation, a company with a cold cold heart.

Well it will be a cold cold day before I allow another penny to go that Company. I would caution all my readers to avoid Apria like the plague, and hope that those who read this will caution all their friends and relatives of this companies greedy policy.

Okay I got tagged---so now I'm "IT"

My blogging buddy Wayne tagged me, and I don't wish to be a drag on the party, so will play the game----

First I gotta give ya the rules of the game and they are as follows. (don't get tensed up, the rules are simple and easy to follow)

1. Identify the party that tagged you, and leave a link to their blog page, and before you post your response, post these rules on your blog . (what?? you don't know how to create a link? let me know will try and teach ya how to do that)

2. Now share seven (7) random/weird facts about yourself.

3. Tag seven (7) others, and create links to each of their blogs

4. Now having complied with the three rules up above, your almost done, all thats left to be done is to go to each of the persons you tagged, and alert them that you have tagged them by leaving a comment on their blogs.

(okay I have identified who tagged me, made a link to his page, so now I gotta put up seven wierd facts about myself----hmm this could take some time---I need a few people---actually what I need is a beer----BRB)   okaaaay here we go-----

1. I get uptight with people who ask me for my opinion of something and then after I give it,

proceed to disagree with me, and argue about it.

2. Start cooking something only to find I don't have all the ingredients necessary to finish the

job. (in my case like Denny Crane---I blame it on the "mad cow")

3.  I have a propensity to view both sides of a given topic, that is to weigh the pros and cons, and in doing so end up unable to state with any sincerity my own opinions---which I think makes me come off as being a person without convictions.-----a neutral nebisher (bah humbug)

4.  I like parties, but hate crowds

5.  I like feeling my life is moving to accomplish whatever goals I have in mind---and thusly I get very uptight when I find myself faced with indecisive moments, example, right now know I will be moving in the monthes ahead, but at this point in time, do not know where, do not know what to keep, or sell or give away, and the clock is ticking------(but I know in time this will ultimately come to a conclusion----eventurally, but til then---yuk!!

6.  It irritates the hell out of me hearing advertisments promoting this is or that credit card telling you the more you spend the more you save --(for each 100 dollars you charge we will give you 2.00 back or similiar fuzzy thinking)

7.  I am not a good listener---people start to talk, and even before they are finished my mind had leaped ahead and I interrupt them with my response before they finish, only to find had I waited and listened properly that my response was incorrect, or at best merely underlining what they were saying all along.  A most annoying trait I have been unable to break.

Alright, enough about this old dude-----so who am I going to tag?? (hey where did everyone go??), and the winners are:  hmmm, I think I will not tag anyone---but (big grin on my face) anybody wanna volunteer?   I double dare ya ! (lol)

The Day After, The Day after Thanksgiving 2008

Greetings From Matilija---

My apologies for not posting sooner, but I went heavy into the turkey and was in the inevitable "Turkey Lethargic Haze" that one can not avoid from such acts of gluttony. (I plead guilty, as I don't get such great food at home!!) The gathering was terrific, and aside from eating way more than I should have, spent several most pleasant hours mingling with ALL my nieces and nephews, their wives and husbands, their children and the children's children, and a number of family friends. If this family gets much bigger, we will have to start renting out restaurants or social halls for these todo's. (lol)

I took over a dozen pics , which I had planned to bore you all to death with posting them, but a few moments ago, I loaded them into the old "puter" and alas and alack, most of them came out blurry and are not fit to be printed. The lesson the old dude here now has learned is to review each pic as taken, delete the ones not fit to be printed, and take new ones at the time (sigh).

The gathering was held at my Niece Melanie's home in Redlands. When feeding a mob of 35 or so, it was not a formal sit down, but served Buffet style, and as at all our family gatherings, it was not possible to get a portion of everything offered on one's plate, one was forced to go back for seconds to complete one's sampling of all the offerings----and this was before the desserts came forth!! (lol)----unfortunately it was all superb, and my compliments to the cook(s), and a "Hats off" to you Mel for all the effort you put forth in making it such a great day.

Here are a few of the pics that I did manage to salvage, this first one is a pic of the entrance hall to Melanie's, and gives you a modest idea of how wonderfully decorated it was for the occasion.  I just hope the click make bigger thingy works.

The rest of the pics that follow are of my family the nieces, nephews, wives and husbands etc etc etc.

Bill (Our Host) with friends

Here's my Niece Gabriel (who lives in Phoenix) and yeah thats me, hamming it up for the camera

My Niece Tish

Jennifer, my Nephew Eric's wife, and Patrick, my Niece Gabriel's husband Patrick

I'm afraid all the other pics came out badly, due to the lack of camera savvy on my part, and hope at the Christmas gathering at Edward's (my oldest Nephew) in Corona that I achieve much better results.

Turkey Day Eve

Met with mylawyer and got alot of my unknowns resolved, and I must say I am feeling alot more optomistic about what the future portends. Looking forward to spending time with my family, and eating waaay to much, but then who can say no to good cooking right? (lol) The weather even appears (at least as I write this) to be cooperating and the rains are ending , so the drive out to Redlands (about 80 miles) should be less stressful, hopefully all those leaving town for the weekend will leave today or tonight.

Tonight I will eat "light" as I wanna show up "hungry" for the good stuff (I'm thinking Onion soup, with grilled cheese sandwhich, okay maybe two sandwhiches.

Tonights evening entertainment will be the next six episodes of the continuing saga of "Its always Sunny in Philadelphia". (compliments of Netflix)

Guess thats it for now sportsfans---you all have a great Thanksgiving, and I will hope to have some pics to share with ya on Friday.

Christmas Quiz

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your blog friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do. Just copy this entire post and paste into a new post on your blog. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag 5 people to post this on their blog. How simple can it get!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?  Wrapping paper here
2. Real tree or artificial?   Real trees are of course very nice, but---artificial is less of a fire hazard, and easier to dismantle when the holidays are over.
3. When do you put up the tree?   Three weeks before Christmas
4. When do you take the tree down?   The day after New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? --Yes, but only acouple of glasses, its to rich to enjoy drinking more than that.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?   Guess looking back, would say it was a Kodac Brownie camera, which I received at the age of 9.
7. Hardest person to buy for?   Jerry, aka LP (little prince) He would never give me a hint--and no matter what I got him---he would tell me it was great.
8. Easiest person to buy for?   The Pool Man, He was always glad to get a bottle of Jack Daniels
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes.   Actually have two of em, one for the living room a second one for the Den.----and also a large santa riding a tricycle which goes on the dining room table as a center piece
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail cards, cept this year may not -----not really in the mood this year.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?   A Soap On A Rope, from my brother when I was 10, which I saved and gave back to him the following Xmas, and he gave it back to me the following xmas, and we did that for over a half a century----(talk about family xmas traditions!!)
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?   White Christmas
13. Better to give or receive?  As a child receiving is the big deal, as an adult much more enjoy giving gifts.
14. Favorite Christmas Food?   Gosh so many, but if I have to pick one---would opt for sugar cookies cut in the shape of stars, santa clauses and elves., but then I got this thing about good chocolate fudge Brownies too.
15. Favorite Christmas tradition? My personal favorite tradition is spending Christmas day with my family, I have only missed spending xmas with them twice in my life, and those were the two most miserable xmas holidays I've had.
16. Colored lights on the tree or all clear?   Traditionalist here, has to be all colored, all one color is to trendy.
17. Favorite Christmas song?   White Christmas, the original Bing Crosby rendition, as sang in the Movie of the same name.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?   Always go to wherever the family is gathering, Last year it was at Pete & Judi's home on Shogon Mtn, ---this year its to be in Corona at the home of my eldest Nephew Edward and his lovely wife Sherri---I got high hopes of winning the family "Gil-Olympics" (lol)
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen , and of course Rudolph.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?   Star.
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning?   When the families children were little it would be Xmas morning, but as they became teenagers we, opened gifts xmas eve.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? ---The total emphasis on buying material things, stores advertising xmas even before Halloween, and clerks afraid to wish any one Merry Christmas, forced  to make it a neutral Happy Holidays.
23. Favorite Ornament theme or color?   Christmas is predominently green, red, and white
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?   Slices of Hot Hickory Smoked Ham. Mashed potatoes, and all the fixins.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Well there are a number of items----and I will be submitting my letter to Santa after Thanksgiving. (stay posted sportsfans)

     OKAY have answered with my answers and guess I need to tag a few fun souls ----okay, how about Alexi, Tish, Helene, Dots and Matt.  (you all have a nice Thanksgiving ya all)

FIRST THE FIRES---NOW THE MUDSLIDES

Every year we go through this cycle here in Los Angles. We get hit by forrest fires and we all stay glued to our TV's to watch the conflagation and worry about our family and friends who live in areas near the fire. Last year I worried about my Nephew Eric, with the fire in the Poway area, also at the same time Judi and my Nephew Peter were under evacuation orders with the fire near Fallbrook (the town of fallbrook was almost evacuated), Tish was inundated with heavy atmospheric smoke and ash from the fires near her place. So far this year have not had quite that much worry, although for a time I worried about my oldest Nephew Edward as he lives in Corona, and they had a large fire near them.

Now the fires our out, but we now get the rain, if its heavy, we will get mudslides off the burned hillsides, and much feverish sandbagging is going on in those affected areas. and once again we will be given live coverage of those disasters. It is truly not my favorite time of year here in my area. Hopefully the rain will come slow and light, and the dry ground will absorb it, without turning into walls of mud running down the hillsides . Time will tell------.

Tonights dinner menu will NOT be Red beans with Rice casserole---

Hi sportsfans, old dude checking in here, with an update on tonights dinner menu.  It had been planned to be a Casserole made with redbeansW/rice, and browned hamburger---but due to the ineptness of the cook, the hamburger did not get defrosted in time.  (I had a long talk with the chef about that----(sigh), and I think he now understands he must pay more attention to details, no excuses allowed..  Anyway after I  he got done sulking about that, a new menu was put in place.

So in lieu of the above planned dinner, tonight we will feast on a nice macaroni and cheese casserole and a tossed salad. and maybe tomorrow night we will go for the redbeans, hamburger, rice topped with extra sharp cheddar cheese.----unless the cook screws up again that is.

Had coffee with friends this morning, and made a trip to the library to renew some books I had yet to finish reading. (am into the works by Christopher Reich).  Lots of international spy intrigue----good escapist fare.  Tonight of course will be watching "Chuck" and "Boston Legal"----I like a certain amount of absurdity in my intertainment.  Neither of these two programs require any deep thought on my part, yet they amuse me.

Tuesday, (thats tomorrow right?) I must remember to pick up my dry cleaning, outherwise will have to stay home on thanksgiving, which will lead to my demise as my family would kill me if I don't show up.---and then on Wednesday I have a meeting with the Lawyers---thats gotta be a real nerve-wrack.----anyway thats as far into the future that I can plan at the moment.

(dear readers, thanks for all the kind words, cards and blog comments--Like Dana says on her blogs, you CAN meet good people via the internet.

Laid Back--but not comotose

I was asked what I had planned for this weekend, and I kinda didn't know quite how to describe this weekend. Having pondered the question some, and now the weekend is about over, I guess I have to say I had no plans for the weekend, and as such it was THAT kind of weekend. The highlight of the weekend so far has been my tackling the concept of making French toast, something I had never done before---so with wild abandon, I dragged out the old Betty Crocker and got the recipe, big deal, called for eggs and milk, and day old bread---no real surprise there, in that I have eaten French toast since I was a mini-kid.

Anyway I had all the ingredients in the old larder, and gave it a shot, and the end product was pretty good, not great---not bad, I like to think my first attempt came out closer to my grandmothers French toast than the forgettable fried bread most coffee shops put out. Next time it will be better, will do the powdered sugar bit , maybe add a touch of cinnamon. That was last night (Saturday)

Now today (Sunday), allowed myself to sleep in til 8:15am, got up made coffee, took a nice long hot shower, and have played on my blog page here ,did Missy's "99" challenge, (see next post down from this one), played with the stereo in the living room and settled on a country western station, ----drank a glass of milk mixed with dark chocolate Instant breakfast, cleaned out the LP's car, in preparation to giving it to a charity, ----walked around the backyard and came across a damp spot, that shouldn't be damp and now suspect I might have a plumbing leak with the outside plumbing to the back yard sprinkler and pool systems---(sigh), am ignoring it for the moment, but will have to check it out in a few days, after thanksgiving, unless it becomes more serious between now and then.

I have an appointment with my lawyer for 11/26, and hopefully can get started on resolving all the legalities of things----the terms of the LP's will are such that I have to survive him by 30 days, before anything can be legally concluded or initiated. Til then I just mope around, trying to come to grips with what has to be, and try and get things clear in my head of what I want to do with the rest of my life------right now I can't even decide what I will have for dinner tonight (lol).

Later tonight will watch some television, and be back in bed by 11:30pm---one more day gone. I don't have any plans for Monday, aside from having Coffee with my friend Midge, and oh yeah a trip to the library to return books, which I haven't read, can't seem to focus on anything long enough -----to many balls up in the air, my mind seems to have about a 30 second attention span, then takes off on another topic.

Sorry about this rambling post---allowed me to kill another 30 minutes---maybe later I will actually come up with something more interesting.

STILL GOT STUFF TO DO

Okay, not having a life, and all this time hanging on my hands,  I will play the game, and identify my experiences from the list of 99 (Thanks Missy)

(Things I have done are in Blue)

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis - on a stick!

10.Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - by the sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked -

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching - those amazing orcas!

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Caught a fish

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating  (caught em, cleaned em and fried em--Rainbow Trout)

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

FLY DUMBO FLY----nooooo wait!!!

Having just made a post of the oldest still useful item in the house, my mind has kinda lingered on that "Starving Student" era of my life, and my mind set during those days, and comparing it with the mind set of the last 20 years of my life, and then looking forward to the future, and attempting to bring to focus how my life might go---in that suddenly I find myself being once again a solitary man.

It strikes me that in the last couple of weeks since LP's passing on, that I have to come to grips with the fact that every minute of everyday is all mine to use, I can come and go as the mood strikes, meal times are whenever and wherever I care to make them----it, at the moment anyway, boggling my mind---don't laugh, but I kinda am identifying with that baby bird standing bravely at the edge of his nest, flapping my wings----but not sure yet.!! (lol)

Time will of course resolve all the many questions that I am now having to deal with, Keep this, dispose of that, move---and if so where, what is affordable, etc, etc, etc.----and of course the overall overiding question----what do I want to do with the rest of my life?? I have no definitive answers at this moment---the old dude's mind is truly Boggled---I need more data, need lots and lots of data---knowledge is power----(sigh).

FLY DUMBO FLY!!

STILL USEFUL AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

A few days ago one of my friends here in the bloggosphere posted a article with a picture of something that they had had for a good number of years and still had on display in their home today, and kinda issued a challenge to others to post about the oldest thing in their houses that were still in use. This is my reply to the challenge.---

The year was 1956, September to be more exact.  It was during my "Starving Student" period.  I was a Sophmore at the University of Colorado, in Boulder, Colorado (Go Buffs!!).  I and a friend of mine, who I had met the year before when we both lived in the on campus Dorm Houseing, had opted to rent an apartment and live off campus (this showed how daring and sophisticated we were).  In anycase we needed to furnish the place and make it compatible to our needs, mainly build a desk, put some posters on the wall for ambiance etc.

The desk we constructed was made from a plain panel door, with four study metal legs on the four corners, to allow it to be desk height, One side of the desk was my area, the other half was my roomates. in the center of this (mentally picture the dividing line between the two halves, we decided we could make use of a place to keep all the various writing emplements students use, pencils, pens, erasers, rulers, paperclips etc, etc, etc., and so we went out looking for something to put all that crap in to sit on the desk.

In our search we found a hole in the wall 'antique' (aka junk) store, and in that store for the PHEEnomenal price of $1.00 (an outragous waste of money by a starving student) we acquired the needed accommodation to our desk/study station., a large china bowl-----the rest as they say is history.

Here is a pic of that very same bowl, as it currently is displayed in my house today (2008), you may have to enlarge the pic, but there it is on the top shelf on the right hand side---

To give you a better perspective of what this little pot looks like, here is a close up (as you can see its full of potpourri at the moment)---

  , so-o-o-o thats the oldest thing I have had for some lengthy period of time, and still make use of.  I look forward to reading what others might post.

ITS A RED LETTER DAY---EEEEEEEHAWWW

Today sports fans the old dude successfully performed a great performance of "Fluff N Fold", if it had been formally judged, I like to think I would have scored a 8.5 (out of a perfect 10 possible), ---it wasn't my fault the first washer coin intake jammed on me necessitating taking the clothes out of the washer and going to another machine, and if anything I should have been scored higher in that it was a more difficult maneuver than a basic straight in and out machine load, but I digress. (it should be noted the owner of the machine refunded the coins I had started to put in before the jam)

In any case I finished the necessary fluffing and folding and returned to the palace, put the laundry away, and grabbing a fresh cup of coffee from the dependable coffee dispenser I operate in the kitchen, have sat down to my computer to peruse my friends blogs, do some commenting and then to review how my own modest inputs were received, and "YOWZER"!!! FIRST THING I NOTICED, was that I had a new follower to my blog-------(and YES Virgina there IS a Santa Clause)----which kinda just makes my day. MY humblest thank you to the new person following my blog. Makes this a Red Letter day in MY book.

One small step for the bloggersphere, one giant leap for the Old dude----(life is good).

Wednesday 11/19/08---in summary

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, I would give today a 4. The weather was most excellent, the temp in the mid 80's, clear and sunny. My garden crew was here early and did their mow and blow thing, and put out my trash cans for pickup. I had my morning coffee and the last of Tish's great muffins on the patio for breakfast.

Later I went out and got my haircut for Thanksgiving, should look great in a week, (won't have that raw fresh cut look to it). I re-discovered the big stereo console in the living room and have found a nice radio station playing my music of the 60's and 70's, bringing back a rush of my single bar hopping days , ----what a wild era that was.

Tonight I will have a thick sliced ham steak dinner, with mashed potatoes, and corn---and will watch the last six episodes of "Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia" (Season 1&2 on disc from Netflix---3hrs running time)---no commercials, no interruptions---and what the heck will have a package of jolly time popcorn to go with it.

Tomorrow is "Fluff n Fold" time-----(sigh)(lol)

Beef Stew

I have to much time on my hands right now---so opted to cook a meal from scratch, to kill the time, and not to mention do something to balance the old budget. (now only if somebody would get the cook in balance somewhat mutters---)

So I made use of the standard chunks of beef round, coated in flower and a splash of Lemon pepper, browned on all sides in a couple tablespoons of canola oil, and to that added water, chopped up celery (2 stocks), and a couple big carrots cut into bite sized pieces, two potatoes cut into pieces and a can of whole tomatoes. I also added about a quarter teaspoon of Lee&Perrins worchestire sauce.--- put lid on and simmer for about two or three hours, add small can of peas during the last 10 minutes-----good with hot rolls or thick slices of French bread.

--Inquiring minds need to know----

I have been a miss in not acknowledging a few important favors that have been done for me of late, and so I must take the time to address my negligence. Since I lost my companion of many years---I have been flooded with condolences, cards and people stopping bye, neighbors having me over for dinners, and bringing me cupcakes and all. So in no particular sequence allow me to verbalize my gratefulness. To My neighbors Nick and Helen Pappas, thank you ever so for the beautiful flowers. To Smitty and Virgina Smith, thank you for having me across the street for Dinner , it was delicious. (and so were the leftovers you sent me home with). My thank you too, to my other Neighbors Jane and Brian, for your kind words and for the most tasty Cupcakes, made for a most pleasant late night snack while watching TV alone---which I guess I will eventually get accostumed to--(sigh).

I must too, acknowledge those members of the family---Melanie who drove the 75 miles from Redlands to my house to assist me with the Forrest lawn arrangements,and who also brought med a quart of great chili ---(I'd like the recipe if you would be so kind ??), and of course I also need to mention my other Niece Tish, who drove up from Irvine some 60 miles, to be with me in those first number of hours, dealing with the 911 people, the police, and calling Forrest lawn to come -----, and who came back a couple days later to take me to Lunch and brought me a dozen of her famous tasty muffins----I am allowing myself a couple muffins a day with my morning coffee-----PHEEnomenal!!

No doubt there are others I should speak of who have been here for me when I needed support, which I haven't mentioned here-----and I will be giving you my thanks in the very near future.

HEY!! THANKS EVERYBODY!!

--The Next Day----TADAAAA!!!

Monday, the day after the Gardner and House Keeper have done there thing----gone, all my dust balls are gone, I can see my foot prints in the knap of the carpet, my tables all shine, the house permeates with furniture polish odors etc, etc. and the back yard is once again something to be proud of------and here's the proof ( a few before and after shots for ya, along with a pic of Lolo and his Wife-----

Before Pruning:

Lolo at work:

and heres how it looks right now: (yeahhhh!!)

-------and here below are the hard workers that keep my yard looking great and my house sans dust balls.----Heliodoro Silva (aka Lolo) and his lovely wife Maria.

House Cleaning Time

Well its that time of the month again---the time of the month when one calls in the professionals and spends the day staying out of their way---like I have cleaned the place as best I can (meaning as much as I am going to), and now its time for a professional house keeper.

Actually what is happening here is, that its that time of the year again (happens about every three monthes), when we, oops now I (sigh), need to have the hedges in the back yard all nicely trimmed, and as it happens, Lolo, (my gardener), has a wife that does house keeping, and so both will be here today. One working inside, the other outside---with me staying out of their way and  I will also make lunch for the three of us.

Todays lunch will be Egg Salad Sandwhiches, Potato chips, and Coke Cola's (all compliments of Ralph's Deli).

 

ITS FIRE SEASON AGAIN

As you no doubt are hearing in the news , California is burning again. Every year we have fire season, and you have to wonder why people continue to build in the canyons and hard to get to places. For those of you wondering, I am not located close to any of the fires currently raging, the closest is the Sylmar fire and its 30 miles from me, in North Los Angeles---although I am getting the smoke and some ash fall from it.

I feel very sympathetic to those families that have lost their houses, especially at this time of the year. Not that there is ever a good time of the year to have your house burned down.

I must also salute the hard working firemen, out on the lines , fighting the fires, and saving so many homes that could well have gone up in smoke had it not been for the heroic efforts of the firemen, the water dropping planes and helicopters. Unfortunately we are also getting high Santa Ana winds, (a hot dry wind ) blowing through the canyons and its almost impossible to stop the fire under those conditions, usually the winds die down at night.

FORAGING TIME---(sometimes called saturday)

Some people live to eat, while others just eat to live-----the difference between these types is how many trips to the supermarket they make in a given week. I use to think the difference between these type of people was in how much weight they were toting around, but I have learned as I got older that is not a good means of measuring as some people can put on weight just by watching others eat, while some can lose weight even as hey eat---(I HATE those people).

I have perused the larder here at the Palace, and well its getting kinda bleak---I'm over stocked on Arrowhead water, paper towels and Tomato Sauce----and out of everything else-----this last week or so has been kinda surreal-----but now I have to get back on the horse and---well at least venture forth and get some food in the house---its SUPERMARKET TIME!!

For the last couple decades I have gone to the store shopping for two----but now I only have to shop for just one------I am sitting here thinking about making a list and it occurs to me that I consciously have to remember now not to over buy foodstuffs that have a limited shelf life, (IE;, lettuce and other perishables)---and it occurs to me to that now when I cook a meal, I need to only prepare half of my recipes, unless of course I want to create a ton of left overs, which then reminds me of one of Erma Bombecks remarks---leftovers are okay, it takes a week to make garbage!!

I am sure all of you have in your hours of waiting in line to check out of the grocery store observed those individuals ahead of you in line, that are buying the small individual servings of soups, and frozen entrees, maybe a small piece of fruit and 27 cans of cat food----I am determined not to become one of those sad lonely people. I will buy in bulk, and learn how to make use of freezer bags, and keep the place stocked so should the occasion arise, I can whip up a dinner for 4-6 people, and I am determined to not lean on frozen entrees for the bulk of my meals, but to cook up good healthy meals from scratch---like what the heck I can burn meat with the best of em when I apply myself.(LOL)

OKAAAY, I'm glad we had this little talk, yeahh its gonna be okay----I can do it, I CAN go to the store and all I need to do is maintain some semblence of sanity and not over buy---I mean even if the price is right, not gonna buy 25 pound sack of potatoes----ten pounds is enough right?

LOOKOUT RALPH'S---ready or not, here comes the old Dude!!

The Sun Sinks In The West---again

I have no idea why I titled this post as I have---me thinks it has to do with my acknowledging my place in the scheme of things----kinda reminding me that I am just here temporarily---and life goes on, whether I want it to or not---watching the sun set, signifying the end of yet another day, in spite of me and my doings---well keeps a guy kinda humble ya know what I mean?

The sun sinking in the west does make the question of what will I cook for dinner a bit more important, kinda running outta time on answering that question---yeah, yeah I know its fashionable to eat late----but I hate waking up with heartburn caused by eating late and going to bed to soon afterwards. Okay, with my back to the wall and not feeling all that industrious, I have decided tonight's gourmet selection will be ---(wait for it)-----(insert trumpet fanfare here )---Spaghetti with Classico Florentine Spinach & Cheese sauce-----wow, gone!!, my headache is gone!! (meal planning can really put the pressure on a guy)

Tonight's movie will be the old classic "Pajama Game", with John Rait and Doris Day and Eddie Foy Jr.

Your Not ALONE IN YOUR ADDICTION SADIE---

I was reviewing my blog roll and catching up on current postings and came across Sadie's current post, where she confessed to having an addiction to salted nuts, cashews to be more specific.----so as that post rattled away in my head, I am thinking ---hmmmm, I got this big jar of almonds, and all those cold O'Douls in the fridge, and will be watching a movie tonight and----, well Sadie, what good are addictions if you can't feed em once in awhile----eeeeeeeehawwwww!!!!

FLUFF N FOLD and margaritas too

Well some parts of my routine are still in place---Thursday is still "Fluff N Fold" day, and we did that and returned to the empty palace by 9am. We then put the laundry away, made the bed, washed our cereal bowl and coffee mug, ---decided the window over the kitchen sink needed cleaning so got out the paper towels and Windex and killed about 10 more minutes doing that.

then toyed around on the computer and reviewed blogs and current postings, and left comments where I found something worth saying---otherwise I am guilty of lurking.

Finally around 11:30am, my niece Tish arrived and brought with her a dozen home made muffins for me, and we chit chatted about nothing and everything, and then headed out to the local El Torito's for lunch.. A good friend of ours Midge Lebell joined us for lunch----and over margaritas and tostadas we had a most congenial time.

Now its 3pm , Tish just left to drive home (an hours drive on the freeway, if she beats rush hour, if not add at least another 20-30 minutes transit time. Tish brought me the Sweatshirt from Duke University my Nephew Eric and his Wife got me while at an IBM business conference, held near the University. (I was originally suppose to take possession of the sweatshirt at a birthday party Tish threw for another Uncle in the family , but I was unable to attend , having to deal with Jerry and unable to be gone that long.)

I am now thinking I will take a small nap, and sleep off the margaritas and then all I will have to do is figure out if I am watching TV, a Netflix movie, or a movie off the wall from the house collection. So many hard decisions to make -------I'm exhausted (lol)

--and the winners are----??

It occurrs to me that in the bloggosphere, if one spends sufficient time and effort to develope one's page, that one acquires a steady circle of fun fellow readers and it is not unusual to from time to time recieve awards from them. These awards are intended to be compliments and as such should be put on ones' page with pride, not to mention acknowledgment of who awarded it to me. If you look at my page you will see two such awards now, the Proximade Award, given to me by Wayne John, and the "Proud Old Dude Blogger" which came from my blogger friend Sue.

The nature of these awards frequently, is such, that one is requested to pass them on to others we deem worthy of receiving them , in the case of the "Proximade" award, I am expected to pass it on to five worthy souls. I will reference these good people below.

First allow me to give you some explanation of the purpose of the "Proximade"----one creates one's blog and one makes posts to it---over the course of time, one receives comments and develops regular readers, and via reading each others pages and exchanging comments one grows "closer" to these people, ---so via blogging one moves into closer proximity to some individuals than one might not otherwise have come into contact with----and acknowledging this "friendship", this proximity---one earns a "proximade".

I hereby award the following people the "Proximade Award", and request that they in turn pass it on to five other worthy readers of their blog. Missy, Sue, Alexi, Matt and Dana

(Note: should you already be fortunate to have received a "Proximade", consider the receipt of another as a reconfirmation of your worthiness (lol)-----

Wednesday 11/12/08

We are having an unseasonably warm spell , with the temps hitting the 90's predicted for this weekend, about 85 here today, clear and sunny. I will spend the better part of the daylight hours turning this and that sprinkler system on and off, and by sundown will have the entire grounds watered. I will break up that boring regiment with a sandwich for lunch---going for the ever popular Peanut butter and Jelly creation. (will put it on whole wheat bread and call it healthy and nutritious)---once you have lived your allotted threescore and ten---one shouldn't have to deal with frustrations of having to watch diets-----, and besides, Peanut Butter N Jelly sandwich's don't require having a complete set of teeth.

I will kill the afternoon watching movie from the old tape collection and in the evening, after dinner, will watch the one from Netflix (a double header no less). The Movie from the wall will be "Bull Durham" with Kevin Costner, and the one from Netflix will be "The Browning Version", starring Albert Finney.

Dinner will consist of a Marie Calendar entree--Teriyaki Chicken------the jury is still out regarding whether I will indulge in late night treat of a dish of ice cream or not----(Its plain vanilla bean flavor---eatable, but nothing to go crazy over.)

Monday 11/10/08

I ventured out today. I was up at the crack of dawn, and made it to Coffee with my normal group of people (here to fore referred to as SOCDS (The Sherman Oaks Coffee and Debating Society), where I endured all the compulsory comments that friends and acquaintances offer to one suffering in the situation I am in----we went on to resolve all the worlds more immediate problems and concerns, just in case the man calls and asks for our advice---(yeahh that will happen!!)

Then I sallied forth to the local Kaiser Hospital to pick up a prescription I had phoned in early last week but only now in a position to pick up---fortunately I took my last pill last night so picking up the refill today was timely. I also walked over to the adjoining building in the hospital complex and got my annual free flue shot---I don't know why I do that, been doing it for a good number of years but have never got the flu---but then what do ya expect when its free right? I then drove to the other side of the valley here (20 miles), and deposited some checks in my credit union, then 20 miles back to the barn here, stopping on the way to drop off books due at the library and pick up a couple new mystery novels to kill time with---as nothing I can do til I get the required official death certificates----which won't happen til later in the month approximately 11/21, and arrived back home only to find Forrest Lawn Mortuary had called, seemed a form had not been given to me to be signed---and rather than drive to Glendale to sign the silly form, I drove the 3 miles to Kinko's (next door to where I had been earlier for coffee), then called Forrest Lawn had them fax the forms, signed them and faxed them back----and came home.

A friend of Jerry and I, stopped bye and offered his condolences, and now I am alone again, its 4pm----way to early for dinner, nothing on TV, to late to take a nap----whats the proper response time to mail thank you notes? I have this list I am creating ----?? 2 days, 3 days??

I watched two movies from Netflix yesterday----mailed then off today, replacements will be here by friday----have two more still here at home to watch, -------have no idea what I will do tomorrow, nothing mandatory anyway, maybe I will sleep to noon----naw!! I think tomorrow I will make up a list of things I need to do-----change the utilities to my name, and stuff like that----