being prepared

When I went through financial hell (after the marriage from the same place) MANY years ago- I learned, as a method of defense, to prepare for the worst case scenario. If you can do that (which I did numerous times before it resolved), you can manage. It won't be pretty, it won't be fun. But you'll manage. And so .... with some pending developments recently, I did just that- then I set the thoughts aside ... since I had no real control over the situation. AND TODAY, for the 1st time in ALL the times I have ever prepared for the worst ..... it was the opposite outcome. It was the mostest, bestest news we could have hoped for.
Dick & Jane are NOT moving .... they are staying on as one of the 3 anchors of the CDSFEOTSG. I'm so happy, I could spit! (wear a slicker for a few days y'll)

tough love 101

Tonight was the first official night of NO FEED'UM FOXES ... amongst the "parents" here at our end of the street. The CDS Wildlife Committee discussed it at length yesterday and it was deemed that the 5 we are still seeing , are old enough to spend MORE time hunting and less time jumping all over themselves entertaining us (the 6th hasn't been seen in nearly 2 wks). IF they are hungry in the morning, they will pop out of their habitat when they hear us talking ... but for tonight.... well, we just have to exercise some tough love and leave them to their own devices (instincts). At their normal playtime, I glanced out this evening & 3 of them were jumping around like little monkeys. They were chasing each other back & forth across the street. Next thing you know # 4 popped out and before I could complete the question in my head "I wonder if Dick & Lisa" - the phone rang and IT WAS Dick, making sure I was watching "the kids". I was standing at my front window and I could see him across the street on his lanai. While we were on the phone the little minxs were acting like cockroaches do when you turn a light on ... skittering about. The next thing I knew, all 5 were on the platform right in front of the window, just nosing around. When they noticed me standing there, they came right up to the window, as if they were placing an order for a burger & fries. Monkey was on the widow sill, watching intently, when one came to the screen & they sniffed nose to nose. After that, I closed the window all but a sliver, concerned that she might want out, or they might want in. It was quite a show. Then, up over the fence by my side window they came, one by one & 2 of them even hopped on the bench beneath it, & stood up as if to look inside. (maybe they thought it was the drive thru window?) Poki was perched on this sill. He didn't move, & they weren't intimidated! Just now, I glanced out to see 2 of them trotting down the front porch steps of Dick's house! THEY KNOW which side of their bread he used to butter (?) SO WITH the morning light tomorrow, we will see if they found an all-night Denneys. (or if I have any apples left on the tree) Good night Manny, Mo, Jack, Isabel, & Daisy. happy hunting!!

I 'll have what he's having!

This guy is a master napper. He often sleeps in a cubby at the foot of our bed during the night, but at the first hint that one of us is getting up in the morning .... he is walking around in circles, meowing for breakfast. He knows it at least has to be daylight- because if either of us is up during the night for any reason-

he doesn't even lift an eyelid! MOMENTS after eating breakfast (his & the rest of Monkey's of course), he is usually downstairs in another catcubby in the guest room. This nap will usually last at least 2 hours. THEN, he will move to a bed or mat in my design studio (that's where he is in this pic), where he stays until he thinks there is any chance at all to talk someone into giving him a lunch snack. He will go back to napping, but trot into the kitchen eveytime someone else heads in its direction. FINALLY, after a bit of tuna or lunchmeat ... he will settle down for a long nap (?)- quite often in Pa's recliner in the living room- UNLESS someone has come to the door, or the phone has rung, or a vacuum comes out of the closet, or the day of the week ends in a Y ... then he's back to the master bedroom (under the bed). He IS A creature of habit ... that is, the habit of sleeping every chance he gets!! AND DID I MENTION that he seems to know what the closing credits of a movie sounds like (either that or he tells time) .... no matter where he is in the house ... he ALWAYS seems to show up in the living room JUST as we are shutting down the TV, to let us know that he would be fine with it if we wanted to give him just one more little handful of dry kibble in his dish. Now mind you, he is well aware of where the food dispenser is and goes to it regularly on his own ... but IF WE PULL OUT a few pieces and put them in his dish (after he smells them in our hand) .... he thinks it's a real treat. He's one strange guy .... I'm just sayin'

I can hear your laugh

I wander through my picture files (on the computer) on a regular basis. Usually looking for something for a scrap layout, or a card-

and everytime I see this one ... I remember the event (Thanksgiving 2005) and I can hear your laugh. You are here with Dad and Anthony. I love the smile on dad's face. I'm not sure we have seen one that genuine on him since you passed. He misses you so. (as we all do of course) You are wearing a shirt I gave you. I probably even gave your hair a trim that day. Yesterday, the Captain & I watched a DVD that was made in '02 when you, dad, Lisa, & Cindy came to Palo ALto to watch my chorus perform. Coincidentally, the 4 of you were in the FRONT row, right next to Betty, Bill & Ken- and I found myself watching you guys as much as the performance on the screen. It was one of the very few times you actually have seen me in action. I loved that you guys were there. It's probably what got me thinking about you so much the last couple of days. Even though I can feel a lump in my throat right now, I still smile with the memory of your laugh and how much you liked my harvest cobbler I made for dessert this day. I cook a lot like you used to - throwing things together that sound like they might work, rarely following a recipe word for word. Yeh, I have some goofs like you did now & again ... but I haven't double salted any scratch biscuits yet and you would LOVE my latest batch of fresh applesauce!! I miss you mom. Come by sometime soon.

Have I thanked you lately?

There MUST BE numerous times a day that I say thank you for this & thank you for that, out of common courtesy ....
and yet ..... I wonder if the times when I r-e-a-l-l-y want someone to know I am REALLY thankful .... do they know it? Do they know I'm not JUST being polite? I have a half a million things to be thankful for. But most importantly, I would want those I love & care for ... to know how much I appreciate .... how thankful I am for the things they say, or do for me. I'm not talking so much about the momentous things that have huge impacts on our lives, I'm talking about the little things that sometimes people don't even expect to be thanked for ... that make a difference at just the right time, on just the right day. Things like the strawberry fairy, or a smile, the mango cutter, soothing tea, spur of the moment berry sangria, ribbon spools, a funny joke, pulling in the trash cans, get well cards, funky music, texted pictures, and best of all ... the hugs, for anything and everything. IF BY SOME CHANCE, haven't said thank you lately .... I say it now- loud & clear and with much, MUCH love !!

I think the Captain was my sister in a previous life !

NOW LET ME elaborate ... lest someone gets the wrong idea here .....
there are certain bonds & intuitions that sisters share, that I find also in my relationship with the Captain. He is man, he is ALL man, let there be no mistake about that- but there is a feminine side to him that few men have, much less admit to- that makes him a more beautiful person.
I say these things in preface to what he's been feeling over the past few days and, though I know his angst will subside, it's times like these that remind me of my sisters & our lioness instinsts to protect each other. I'm not going into what has put him in this emotional turmoil, I was thinking about it this morning, and the words began to pour across my keyboard. Were he not such a good man- he would'nt be feeling the way he is at the moment (and not keeping constantly active, & not gone so much, and not a little quieter than usual, and not shaking his head in thought, and .....)
As we continue our lives together ... I see a bit of a trend here- while he is becoming more sensitive to other peoples' feelings, as well as their perception of him .... I find that I am less concerned in those areas. It's only a matter of time before we meet in the middle. For now, as he feels the need to talk out his thoughts (which is not unusual for him anyway), I will take an extra dose of patience each morning until he is over the hump. (and hold down the fort) ILY Captain.

HAPPY #3 to Vanessa & Fernando!!!

you have LOTS of years to go to make it a milestone, but then again .... falling in love & trusting your heart to someone is a pretty big milestone itself!! CONGRATS kids!! XOXO

another weekend bites (the dust)

This has been a whirlwind couple of weeks. I have been sewing & singing, singing some more, scrapping, nursing, shopping (only groceries), researching, rehearsing, creating, companioning, gardening, laundering (clothes, not money), sorting, organizing, picking (fruit, not noses), watering, wrapping, calling, collecting, & playing WWF & HWF.
I HAVE NOT finished cleaning out the store room, made the treadmill a regular habit, caught up on my magazines (since April I think), canned my apples, listed the items in the Goodwill box, finished the sewing, or embelishing, or rehearsing .... BUT, tomorrow is another day & I will either come out ahead, even, or further behind by the end of it .... it is what it is & not worth another gray hair!
AND- we finished off the weekend with the most dede-lightful evening with friends ..... we are so fortunate to live near people who are as funny, helpful, knowledgeable, amiable, talented, flexible, and just plain groovey .... as we think we are! (haha) It makes for the most outrageous & entertaining conversations sometimes. We gathered at 4 and by 8pm, we were wondering who set the clocks ahead!! These are a bunch of nuts that I cannot get enough of.
SOOOOO .... assuming that everyone had a grand Father's Day weekend such as we did, what with perfect weather, no trips to the hospital, a few laughs (and ONLY couple of tears) .... I hope EVERYONE has a good start to their week and .... that I can find the 4 days that I have managed to lose over the past 2 weeks! (hmmm, maybe I put them in the recycling can?)
TTFN

a village of fathers

thanks Dad .....

grab a tissue, click on the picture & enjoy the story.

real.

true.

special.

I love you Dad !!

it's time to move !!

There comes a time in MOST of our lives, when we know we need to look for a new job. (but) even once we have made the decision ... the actual transitioning can be scary & riddled with anxiety. In our head, we KNOW it's the right decision- but with every breath, we often justify staying-EVEN WHEN we are not being treated fairly or with respect. Psychologically, we stick around the wrong place longer, because at least we know what we don't like about it. We settle. Those who are wiser ... don't waste so much time. They see the change as opportunity (and it usually is just that!!) I've done both.
I believe it's even more difficult when you've built up seniority, & a solid skill where you are .... knowing that even if you are going to a job in the same field ... there's more "learning" to do. BUT, those afore mentioned (wise) people do it.
AND SO began the journey of my daughter, Vanessa ... just a couple of weeks ago. After 10+ years with her first solid employment, there were some inequities that took the enjoyment out of her job. With great trepidation- she interviewed elsewhere and was hired on the spot. She has just finished her 2 week training period that culminated in a skill & written test (she had to memorize the entire menu), both of which she scored 98%!!

and ... TO HER CREDIT (on top of all that) ... she is currently working BOTH jobs temporarily. She's young & healthy & doing it with grace. We've discussed how to best handle leaving Mimi's with professionalism, and she is giving it some more thought. But in the meantime- she is supporting those she has worked with for a while, and getting to know those who will no doubt become her friends. AND.... enjoying to a little pad to her savings account PLUS a shorter commute! It's a present tied up with a pretty bow, and we are VERY proud of her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HEADLINES today .... Princess assulted by disgruntled subject

Hot off the SB Press, it's been reported that our beloved Princess was forcefully pushed down the stairs during a visit to a local establishment. Seen earlier in the day assisting the disabled, participating in a recycling drive, & setting up a wildlife habitat .... it is unknown what the motivation was for the attack. Her injuries, which include 3 broken ribs, a fractured knee, the sprain of both wrists, & a possible concussion- are not considered life threatening, and she is recuperating in hospice at her castle by the water.
***More of concern is her face that is still red with embarassment, & the bruised ego that could keep her on bedrest for an undetermined amount of time. In lieu of flowers, please send well wishes, along with a nod that you understand this story has been blown WAY out of proportion and that only the last paragraph*** has been confirmed by a reliable source!! ha-ha ALL is well :o)

MY princess (in waiting) turns 4 !!!!

our little munchkin turns 4 years old today!! And I sooooooooo wish I was there to show her just how special she is to us. The first time we kept her over night .... mommy & daddy were actually JUST OUTSIDE in their trailer. It was only 1 night (and most of 2 days) & until she saw "daddy's truck" coming down the street ... she never even asked about them (until she was sleepy). NEXT time around, we kept her for 4 days and we had a couple of tantrums that turned into "I want my mommy" tears, but they faded fast. Most recently we had her for almost a week (boy was I exhausted) and she only gave mommy & daddy a thought at bedtime! We hope there will be another stay VERY soon. She keeps us entertained and we are amazed at her deep thoughts and questions! SHE IS our grand-daughter! We love you Addyson! HAPPY BIRTHDAY xoxo

I want a lid lift ... but only for an hour (or two)

It's after 11pm and it's been a long, busy, day .... but just another hour, or maybe a half one ... or, for that matter ... the 5 minutes that we always ask for when we're little kids. My eyes are tired, my brain is nearing mush, & even the fox cubs have left my yard to go home.
My design studio is cluttered with projects in mismatched stages of completion, and I don't like it this way. I want to clear & clean & organize. TONIGHT. Because I want to play here tomorrow!! But alas .... it will not happen. (tonight anyway). I brought home as many "need tos" as the "outa-heres" I took to chorus tonight. HOWEVER ... the procrastinators' stuff will just have to step aside for a couple of days!! (you delayed, and so shall I)
I will twist my own arm and find a bag to put the will-do-later items, so that 2morrow is just for 365'ing & creating (OMG, father's day cards need finishing too) !!
I will burn smelly stuff, play music, play WWF, play HWF, and drink an extra cup (or 2) of coffee. I will enjoy a spinach omelet. I will relish a fog soaked morning. I will smile when I see that BOTH kitty kats have joined me. I will wear my PJs at least half the day. Tomorrow will be a great day .... I can feel it already :o)
SO- for now, I will just have to give in to my fatigue and sleepy eyes .... for I can take my Kindle to bed with me & read a bit .... and fall asleep to the fog horn of Pt San Luis in the distance, & the tricklin waterfall on the lanai. Ahhhhh ..... tonight ain't so bad either!

Marlin Perkins .... wish you were here!

the WILD KINGDOM lives and breathes on Costa Del Sol!
While I agree that our foxlets are the best thing around since sliced bread .... I'm giving equal time tonight to a feather friend I spent some photo time with today. Hearing the chipring of the California Towhee is not unusual around here, but this morning it was more exagerated than the norm- so I went out to investigate and found a tiny hatchling sitting in the middle of my driveway. .... hmmm ... what to do, what to do. Well, DUH, get the camera! With some observing while clicking off frames- I saw 2 adult birds that were keeping a close watch, and while they didn't seem intimidated by me ... they did seem to be communicating with the little one. He appeared a little confused and at one point was even following me a bit, so I picked him up and took a good look at him. He was able to move pretty well, but with more fuzz than feathers, he definately was underage for flying! Once I put him down ... the adults came closer & the talking began again. They coaxed the midget all the way across the street and when they got to the sidewalk and the pipsqueak couldn't jump up like they had ... one of them hopped over to the driveway & chattered until the youngin' went in that direction so it could again follow along. As they traveled across the grass, he would disappear in the green carpet between hops .... but they continued until all them disappeared thru a gap in the fence of the yard. What an adventure for him (and what a LONG walk)

pete, and repeat ....

I'm sitting in my design studio (turned sewing center over the past few days) ... playing WWF, enjoying my evening decaf latte .... AND watching a quintet of fox pups playing animal tag on my garden fence. Monkey (my calico) sits frozen on the window sill watching, as a couple of the more adventurous pups, hop down into the yard via a table, then a stool .... stopping to look at, but not partake of the water fountain. I see the 6th & final sibling now ... arriving late for what seems to be a nightly raid on our apple tree. I saw a couple of them as they were leaving night before last ... and bite-ridden applets on the ground this morning.

It's a beautiful night. A halfmoon hangs watch over the black heavens dotted with stars, and the gentle breeze is dancing with my windchimes. The hanging lanterns in my garden are swaying- casting light puppets. I love these moments .... just me & a little bit of nature ... and time, however much I want, to do whatever I wish to do with it. I think I'll fill my smile tank!

the drama in my life (love it)

THE GREAT AMERICAN MELODRAMA & VAUDEVILLE

okay, OKAY- it's not REAL HOUSEWIVES, it's not White House liasons, but it's the closest thing to drama in my life and I like it that way ..... Pops, Lisa (our neighbor) & I went to their presentation tonight. We have season tickets, so it's been on the books since January ... but the Captain had to go north to work so Lisa was the happy recipient of his ticket. It was a fun show and the 3 of us had a great time. We took as many precautions as possible for Pa's cough and he did pretty well! More importantly ... I had the piece of chocolate cake that I wanted last time. ummm ... ummmm ..... good! Since returning home, I have completed another chorus button redo (the 4th today & 9th overall) .... 1 more tomorrow and then I'm done for at least a few days. It's a good thing .... I think I have a dozen needle holes in my finger!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!!

sometimes ... a picture is worth as many words as you place upon it!!

hope it was a gooooood day for you.

XOXO

happy birthday YOUNG man !

A LOT of special dates take place this month ... particularly on the Captain's side of the family. BUT TODAY is the mostest, specialist, of all. It is the Captain's Birthday!!!

He is the most amazing man. And the youngest 62 year old that I have ever known! (I want to be like him when I grow up) He's enjoying his birthday weekend, more so that usual, because he's been gone a few days for work. He always makes a huge effort for mine, so I'm glad when I see this huge-er-than-normal smile on his face. BUT- I'm also glad this birthday FINALLY got here. I say that- because since he is DIFFICULT to buy for ... so last year I thought I was being clever by gifting him with my "full support for whatever choices or purchases he chose to make for 364 days". THAT HURT, and boy was it difficult- and I admit .... I only managed to stand by that "present" about 92% of the time! Be that as it may ... he has hit his SS milestone this year, and he looks better than ever!! I love this guy and I hope he has a VERY happy birthday!!! XOXO to you, my hubby.

GLAD grads of 2011 !

and because you can never show too much pride for (kids) family members ... here's a kudo to the latest "batch"!

Beautiful girls .... beautiful dreams still to discover.

WE LOVE YOU ALL!

I've been REALLY bad!!!!

BETWEEN being sick, being a caregiver, being without the Captain for a few days, & just plain ... being B-U-S-Y ......
I HAVE NOT BEEN DILIGENT in making the necessary greeting cards lately (one of the things I'd hoped I could do now that I'm retired)- SO, rather than just let it pass ... I am posting these LOUD & CLEAR to some very special people for some very special reasons!! Forgive me on their "timeliness" and remember if you will ... it's the thought that counts!

I can do A LOT ... but some things ....

Time to put the big girl panties on (as my friend Lisa would say). Time to buck up. Time to get controlling. Time to get bossy & naggy - if that's what it takes. I can do this. I can do ALL of it. I can.
BUT.
There are things YOU have to do. You have to care enough to help. You have to care enough to do more than you feel like. YOU have to help ME, help YOU. I expect that it will get more difficult. But that difficulty should be coming from things neither of us can do anything about .... and that's not the case right now. WE ALL have to do things from time to time that we just don't feel like, or would prefer not to do. We all procrastinate on some level.
BUT.
There comes a time when you gotta do what's right. what's healthy. If the house was on fire- you would move. If a tsunami warning came- you would move. If one of US was hurt and needed you- you would move. NOW is the time (way over due) for you to think of it that way. YOU are in danger & you gotta move. You gotta eat healthy, drink more, and MOVE your body. NOT just when you feel like it, not just a step or two ....
BUT.
I don't expect it to be easy. I can see that's it's not. BUT, it will only get more difficult ... AND, I know someone who would be very disappointed to know that you aren't trying just a little harder. And "trying" is not enough. You gotta do it. NOW.
BUT.
I don't expect this to be your wake up call. It's just my "reserve" call. Meaning, I am calling up the reserve I have within me to be even more direct, even more demanding (if that's what it takes), & even more stern. If you're gonna go .... then you're gonna go having done the very best you & we could do!! You're gonna go from being active. You will not be allowed to waste away on my watch. Don't even try that (anymore).
USE IT OR LOSE IT. It's never too late ... but you are testing that and making EVERYTHING much more difficult that it has to be. Get a wiggle on Pops. I need your help. AND EVEN more importantly, we need YOU for a while yet!