The best pictures, ever!!!!

Saturday Update

It sounds like Thomas and Diedre are having fun on their mini vacation. Last night they went to the dog track and bet on a couple of dogs. They didn't lose too much and had fun. I am very worried about Doug, he may have broken his hand when he fell yesterday. I hope he doesn't have as much pain today.

Wednesday Update

Wow, what a storm early yesterday morning. Mark and Wanda had a huge branch split from the tree in thier back yard. After I got off work we went over to take pictures. Mark's brother was using a chain saw to cut it in pieces. It had reached from the tree clear over to the fence on the other side of the yard and touched the house by the back door. No damage to the house and only a small chunk of wood was broken off from the fence. A piece of branch even landed on the roof of Subway. Most of our tomato plants were knocked over on thier side. Luckily none of them were damaged much and only two tomatoes actually feel off. We had a few branches come down in our front yard. We had thought they were very big until we went to Mark and Wanda's.

Monday Update

That was a fast three day weekend. Yesterday's Birthday Bash for Chloe was wonderful. Lots of people showed up, the food was fantastic and the fire was great. Diedre made the best ice cream cake ever.

Happy 19th Birthday Bobo










Hobbit Drive

US first lady (1963–9), born Claudia Alta Taylor, in Karnack, Texas, USA on December 22, 1912. As a child, a family nurse declared she was as "pretty as a ladybird." The nickname stuck. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in art followed and continued on there studying journalism, with the plan to become a newspaper reporter.

In the summer of 1934 she met Lyndon Baines Johnson who was a Congressional aide. They married in November 1934, just seven weeks after their first date. Johnson gave her a $2.50 wedding ring bought at Sears. She borrowed from her inheritance to help finance his first election campaign.

As first lady, she supported the ‘war on poverty’, the Headstart Program, and worked for the ‘beautification’ of Washington, DC. Following the presidency, Lady Bird Johnson wrote the 800-page White House Diary which detailed her husband's life including the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination. She also remained active in beautification projects.In the1960s, she planted bulbs and trees along roadsides to call attention to the growing crisis of habitat and species loss. Lady Bird Johnson created the First Lady's Committee for a More Beautiful Capital and her work became the first major legislative campaign launched by a first lady, the Highway Beautification Act of 1965. Her love for native wildflowers inspired her to create the National Wildflower Research Center in 1982 near Austin, Texas. It was renamed in her honor in 1998.

Lady Bird Johnson also remained outspoken on women's rights issues, calling the equal rights amendment, "the right thing to do." She was honored with the country's highest civilian award: the Medal of Freedom in 1977, and was given the Congressional Gold Medal in 1988.

The widow of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson, had suffered a stroke in 2002 that left her with difficulty speaking. She died on July 11, 2007 at the age of 94.

Biography.com

Wednesday Update

It's Wednesday and I can't think of anything to write about. I am taking off this Friday in honor of Chloe's 19th birthday. She says her hair will be red, hmmm. There will be Choc-O-Magic Pie for her and all who love her.

Sunday Update

I don't like the big downtown Farmers Market. Way too crowded, too many old people just stopping in front of you and people taking dogs where they have no business being. The prices are jacked up and we couldn't even locate Diedre and her mom. The only good thing was that I was able to buy 6 nice plants for $4.

Saturday Update

Last night we watched a very funny movie, "Hot Fuzz". It was made by the same people who did "Shaun of the Dead". I laughed a lot.




This morning Wanda is coming over at 7 to go to the farmers market with Doug and I. We are going to meet Diedre and her mom there. I hope to find another nice house plant.

Friday Update

I can't believe it is Friday already. The days have been going rather quickly at work this week. Tomorrow I am going to the downtown Farmer's Market with Diedre, Wanda and possibly Diedre's mom. I hope Doug decides to come along as well.

Happy 4th of July

We need this cool grill for the 4th

Tuesday Update

I think I will get off work early today. Probably around 2 or 3. Yeah!!

Monday Update

This will be a weird week. Work Monday and Tuesday, off on Wednesday, work Thursday and Friday. It will also be weird because now that June is retired I will have the cubicle to myself.

Saturday Update

Two of the young owls were hunting in the neighbors back yard at 5:30 this morning. They are so cool. This morning I am going to the flea market with Thomas and Diedre.

Wednesday Update

It is quarter end at work. That means Old Tony is back. We watched a really good movie last night. It was 'The Holiday' with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black.

Breaking News

Paris Hilton walks out of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, Calif. , Tuesday June 26, 2007. Paris Hilton has been released from jail after serving about three weeks for an alcohol-related reckless driving case. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Sunday Update

I saved four kittens from the Aldi's parking lot yesterday. Now I'm the crazy turtle/cat lady. I really wanted to keep the one that was trying to hitch a ride on the frame of the van.

Saturday Update

At work we have been very busy because next week is another quarter end. Next Friday I will have to probably work rather late. Next Friday is June's last day and I am guessing she probably will not work too hard, if she is even there the whole day. Today I plan to grocery shop and maybe go to my Dad's to help him hang some pictures. That should be real fun.

The Tool concert was unbelievable. The lasers were awsome. I didn't care much for the opening band Melt Banana.

Tool Today!!!!

Tool in 1 Day!!!

Tool in 2 Days!!!

Wednesday Update

Yeah, I work today and then the rest of the week is off. John and Elaine will be here the rest of today and then they will stay with Curt until they leave on Friday. I guess I took the wrong days off for vacation. Or did I? My orange roses are blooming. I wish our camera was working better.

Tuesday Update

Busy at work. Busy entertaining old people. Two days of work before a short vacation. The weather seems to be turning from wet to hot. The air conditioning will have to go on soon.

Happy 45th Birthday Doug!

Tuesday Update

I have managed to bend another lawn mower blade. I was the last person to mow and yesterday Thomas started the mower, when he pushed it, it shook so bad that it hurt his hands. They looked under the mower and the blade was bent. All I know is it was fine the last time I used it and I don't remember hitting anything. Yesterday was pretty much work, eat supper, wash dishes and go to bed. My Dad called last night and said Ilse was so excited because she had seen her first deer on East Post. It had been many years since she had seen a live deer.

Monday Update

This week is going to be very busy at week. It is the last week for most schools that order for us. Every one that has ordered is going to want to recieve thier orders beofre they close for the year Also my supervisor is in Boston all week doing training for the people who will take over my job at the end of June. At the end of June I will go back to full time on the phones doing customer service and sales.

Yesterday was a very busy and very fun day. In the morning I scrubbed both kitchen floors and the dining room floor. I also washed laundry and washed dishes. We switched cushions on the couch in the day kitchen because it was coming apart. I think it looks better now. I also shaved Doug's head. We had a very full house for supper. Jamie showed up early, he was alone because Lauren is in North Carolina visiting her Mom and it was storming off an on all day, so Justin had to stay with the dogs. Mary and Jordan also came. Jordan has gotten so tall and his voice has gotten deeper. Of course Diedre came, also Mark, Wanda, my Dad and Ilse. The meal was delicious, beef & broccoli in oyster sauce (Doug), garlic shrimp w/snow peas (Doug), white rice (me), fried rice (Mary), oriental salad (Wanda), mixed fruit (Diedre) and Reeses Peanut Butter ice cream cake (Chloe). A fun time was had by all. Dad an Ilse took a little bit warming up, but they ended up having a lot to add to the conversation. I think everyone likes them. And Ilse thinks Mark looks like Bill Gates. Wanda brought Doug a nice Bonsai tree for his birthday.

Sunday Update

This weekend is going fast. Yesterday was busy. In the morning I did some laundry and washed dishes. Then Doug and I went over menus and made the grocery list. On the way to Sam's Club, I stopped at a garage sale. They had very low prices and I picked up a very nice wrought iron plant stand for $1. It's too bad they didn't have anything else we needed, because most of the things they were selling were very cheap. Also before stopping at Sam's, I decided that I needed to birthday shop for Doug. That wasn't going too well until I got to Sam's Club. Then I found exactly what he had wanted. After grocery shopping, I made supper. We had salisbury steaks, mashed potatoes and gravy and salad. Yummy! After Chloe got off work, we decided to give Doug his birthday gifts early. He loves them all. Chloe gave him new guitar strings. Thomas gave him a Capo for his guitar and a nice tuner that actually hangs on the guitar when he is tuning it. I gave him new toothbrush heads for his Sonicare and a silver Ipod Nano. He was so happy, because his Shuffle wasn't working anymore. And because Thomas has been trying to learn to play guitar using Doug's guitar, he decide to buy himself one. He bought a beautiful Oscar Schmidt 3/4 guitar. Doug says it is great for learning.

Today we are celebrating Doug's birthday. We are having garlic shrimp and beef with broccoli. Mary is bringing fied rice. Wanda is bring an Oriental salad. I think Diedre is bringing fruit. And Chloe mentioned an ice cream cake. We also invited my Dad and Ilse, I hope they show up. It should be a good time and I hope the rain stays away. Tonight is the next to the last episode, ever, of the Sopranos. So, you know we will be watching that with Wanda.

Saturday Update

Yesterday was very busy at work. I am glad it is over. Last night we watched a bad show about the best comedy moments from TV. I didn't agree with some of the moments and especially the number one, it was Chris Rock. We took the carpeting out of the den/music room and moved things around. We decided to leave the foam matting down and put flooring over it. I'm not sure when we will get the flooring down, so we put Chloe's old rugs down for now. I think we should probably paint before putting down new flooring. John and Elaine will be here at the end of next week for thier yearly visit. They say they will be staying for a week.

This is just a great turtle picture that I found.

Friday Update

I am glad it is Friday. Today should be very busy since my co-worker will be out today. I need to find a place to plant my eggplant and squash seedlings this weekend. We also need to go in the garage and the basement to decide what we will be getting rid of in our big trash pickup. I will be happy to have the old couch out of the garage and out of our way. Thomas' birthday gift finally arrived and of course he loves it. It had a short when he first opened it. But Doug fixed that. Doug also went over to my Dad's yesterday and hooked up the electric cord for their new stove. Last night we watched The Warriors. I alway like that movie.

Wednesday Update

It is already Wednesday, I wish every work week started with Tuesday. Not much happened yesterday. I went to work, worked until about 5:10, came home, fed Mao, ate supper, washed dishes, went to Walmart and bought 2 box fans, watched After the Catch, went to bed. Yah, that's my exciting life.

Tuesday Update

It was a busy weekend. Saturday I spent at my Dad's until about 5:00. Sunday I slept in until almost 10:00. Then we had to grocery shop and get ready for our barbeque. The pork chops and chicken were excellent. Wanda's beans and pumpkin bars were also excellent. I loved the watermelon ice cream cake that Diedre brought from Dairy Queen. Sunday night we had a fire it was very relaxing. While we were sitting around the fire, two owls flew into the tree on the other side of the garage. They started hooting like crazy and then another owl from the distance started hooting. It was wild. Monday, Thomas and I went to my Dad's for about two hours. I cleaned out the linen closet and drawers, while Thomas ate an egg and hotdog concoction that Ilse cooked up. Then Thomas showed them some of his Oregon pictures until my Dad's eyes got tired. Before we left, we brought in some boxes from the garage that contain linens. Ilse has more linens and clothes than any 77 year old woman should have. I hope she decides to either store or get rid of most of it. Monday evening we had Mark and Wanda over for another barbeque. This time we had brats, hotdogs and hamburgers. Doug made his famous pasta salad. Wanda brought broccoli-cauliflower salad and cole slaw. Diedre wasn't able to come because she was on her Dad's boat and eating with them. Chloe was able to join us after work. And Matt brought his girl friend. Thomas went to Diedre's after supper and Chloe left to have fried ice cream at Carlos O'Kellys with some friends. At 7:00 we watched Star Wars specials. There were 2 different specials, the first was about the technology and the second was about all the different episodes.

Saturday Update

Well, we got Thomas all moved back. It wasn't a bad move and Bjorn helped with the heavy stuff. I didn't do too much else the rest of the day. Of course, I did do some laundry because Thomas never washes his bedding when at school...Yuck!!

Now I just have to finish getting my Dad and Ilse unpacked. What a long drawn out process. They got the washer and dryer hooked up, but they have not used them yet. They are probably waiting for me to do it. They also bought a new stove yesterday. Sears is loving them! Oh well, now we get a washing machine and a stove from the deal. I'm holding out for a new refrigerator! My Dad says he has some paperwork he wants me to help him with and then I have to help move Ilse's 'Black Panther' from the family room to the living room and an entertainment center from the living room to the family room. This should be loads of fun. Not to mention the china and trinkets still left to unpack.

That's all for now. I hope I survive the day with the old people.

Friday Update

Thomas got home yesterday. He took over 1,000 pictures while on his trip to Oregon. Most of them are amazing. He says now he would like to take a photography class some time. Diedre came over last night and brought Tommy a lemon cake for his birthday. We went to the Metro Buffet for supper. Unfortunately, Chloe was too busy to come along. As usual, I ate too much and did not have dessert. I think the dessert at Metro Buffet is flavorless.

This morning we are going to Waverly to bring back the rest of Tommy's stuff. He already brought back his clothes and some smaller items. So, it shouldn't be a bad move. I can't believe next year he will be a senior.

Wednesday Update

Things have been crazy at work. We are getting more phone calls than ever. It is also the end of the school year, so all of the schools are trying to use up thier funds. That means lots and lots of orders to enter. I worked late yesterday. After work I stopped by my Dad's for a quick visit, he gave me a key to his house in case I ever needed to go in when he wasn't there or if they had an emergency. He also had to show me a new chaise lounge and cabinet that they bought at one of the consignment stores in town. The chaise lounge is similar to the one in the picture below, only a different color and it has a pattern on it.


Chloe started her summer classes at Kirkwood this week. She has two classes, Social Problems and Lit. Thomas is on his way back to Waverly. He had a most excellent time in Oregon. I can't wait to see all of his pictures. He said yesterday they went on a 9 mile hike and saw a lot of waterfalls. Friday I have the day off to help him move back home. That means I get a 4 day weekend from work. Yeah!!!

Happy Birthday Tommy!!

Saturday Update

I have been rather preoccupied lately. Sorry about the few updates.

Today I am going to post some pictures of Cape Arago where Thomas is in Oregon. These are not pictures that Thomas took. To see his pictures go to his blog.

Cape Arago Lighthouse, Oregon








1867

Good morning Thomas. Have a fantastic day!!

Thursday Update

I like grapes.

Wednesday Update

I'm tired. Drinking emergen-c. Yesterday morning I scrubbed out Dad's shower and bathtub. They were both very dirty and Ilse and my Dad were not able to get down on thier knees to do the scrubbing that needed done. After the cleaning I took Ilse to Walmart to pick up some cleaning supplies, a trash can and a dish drainer. Ilse said she likes Walmart, she didn't think she would because it is bigger than the one she went to in California. When we got back to thier house we ate lunch and then I spent the rest of the afternoon clean kitchen cupboards and putting down contact paper. They have a lot of cupboards. I am happy, today Thomas comes home until Friday.

Tuesday Update

I decided to take vacation Monday and Tuesday of this week to help my Dad and Ilse get settled. I don't think I could have kept my mind on work yesterday if I hadn't. When I got there yesterday my Dad said "Thank god you're here." I helped him make phone calls to Kaiser insurance and his eye Dr about getting a new pair of glasses since his pair was very damaged. The Dr office was a bit stubborn and tried to tell me that they could not fax a prescription anywhere it would have to be mailed. I said you can and you will. If you won't I want to talk to someone above you. They said they would talk to one of the optometrists when they got in. They never called back when they said they would, so I called them. They said the Dr was with a patient and they would talk to him when he was finished. I had to make one more phone call before I got someone who know Dad and Ilse and actually helped. We found out later at Lenscrafters that when they faxed over the prescription they never even sent a note with it. We got to Lenscrafter at around 3 and his glasses were finished at around 4:45. It would have been sooner, but my Dad is very talkative and so was the woman who helped him. After we left Westdale he wanted me to stop at Walmart and get him two resin chairs for his deck and a little patio table.

Anyway after we made the first call to Kaiser, I thought it would be a good idea to call the moving company to see where the truck with the furniture was. They were glad that I had called because they said they never got a phone number to call anyone. My Dad says he thought they gave them my phone number. They gave me the truck drivers cell number just in case. I called him and left a message on his voicemail. Later he called and said that he was sorry no one had contacted us to say his truck had broken down and he would not be here until Wednesday morning around 8 AM.

In between all of this I convinced Ilse to get up out of bed, get dressed and come to my house. She was just lying around looking very colorless and acting like she was on her death bed. I told her she needed to get up and move around and get out. My Dad had me take his station wagon to get gas in it at the Sinclair station. Ilse was looking so much better when she got to our house. She said she loved our house. Mao was a very good boy and let her pet him (rather roughly for him to normally allow). I think he knows better than to bite old people. She sat in the living room and talked with Doug while I put some of their laundry in and got a few things they needed for the next few days together. A frying pan, spatula, bowls, plates, silverware, blankets and our folding table. Doug helped me put the table in the car. My Dad wanted Maid Rites, so I left Ilse with Doug while I got the food. Dad told me to get whatever Doug and I wanted too. I ended up buying 7 maid-rites and an order of onion rings. Doug had 2 maid-rites and onion rings, I had 1 maid-rite. The other four were for my Dad and Ilse. While she was at our house Ilse ate some ratatouille. She said it was very nurishing. Later my Dad had some and he said, "Wow, tell Doug this is like a gourmet meal!"

While we were at our house my Dad decided be wanted to move a small heavy dresser that was in his garage to the kitchen to get his mail and medication organized. He joked that he carried it in on his back. He actually says that he tumbled it all of the way through the garage, up the deck steps, acroos the deck into the house until he got it to the kitchen. It's know wonder he was pretty exhouseted the rest of the day. When I left them Ilse looked much better than he did.

While my Dad and I were at the mall getting his glasses, Isle was at home resting and getting to know one of the neighbors behind them. She said she took the dogs out and a neighbor dog was out. The dogs owner was in her yard and started talking to Ilse. I think Ilse was proud of herself for talking to a neighbor with no one else there. My Dad always says she is very shy. When we got back from Westdale, I took Ilse to Hy Vee to get some thing they needed. She seemed to like the store, but she thought the groceries were a little higher than in California.

After we got back with the groceries I was getting ready to put my Dad's car in the garage, the neighbor on the other side of the driveway asked if I was her new neighbor. I told her my Dad and Stepmother were. She asked if she could meet here. I had to convince Ilse to come out, but she did. I think the neighbor is older than them because she said she had been married to her late husband just short of 60 years. She also has lived in her house since it was brand new. She told us her name is Geraldine and everyone calls her Jerry. I think she is going to make sure they meet all the old people in the neighborhood.

All in all it was a very tiring day. I got there at 7 AM and got home about 7:20 PM. I think I helped them accomplish a lot. Today I am going back to help Ilse clean out her cupboards and put down need contact paper. She is worried about butting her dishes in dirty cupboards. The cupboards are actually very clean compared to what ours looked like when we moved into our house. I also need to help clean the shower and bathtub in the bathrooms. I am going to try to break away earlier today. It can be very tiring trying to get old people to stay on track.

Monday Update

The furniture didn't arrive to my Dad's house on Sunday after all. They were having a hard time sleeping on the air mattresses and refuse to come sleep here. My Dad and I went over to Gander Mountain and Diedre's Dad helped us find cots that they could sleep on until the furniture arrives. At least they are able to get a little sleep now. My Dad wants to try and do everything himself, even though he is still too tired and his glasses are bothering him. Yesterday I drove him on his errands in his station wagon and today Doug is going to convince him to let him help if he needs anything. We have to discourage him from driving around trying to find things while he is too tired, he just gets lost. He got lost finding our house yesterday. Luckily I was outside watching for him and I saw him turn around between 11th and 12th streets and pull over to the side of the street. He even got out of the car and started walking to the house on the corner of 11th while I was getting in the van to go get him. I hope things will go better today.

Sunday Update

My Dad and Ilse finally arrived yesterday. When they left Kansas City my Dad told Dave to drive ahead and let him go at his own pace. Dave and Ilse got to town around 5:30. Ilse was very upset that my Dad wasn't here when she first saw the house. She cried and said it was supposed to be a happy time. All she could think of was if he was safe. She said he had been acting so strang, she thought he might be getting alzheimers and she was afraid he would get lost. He never activated his cell phone, she said he tried but they didn't think it worked and he refused to try to learn how to use it. When he got close, he stopped at a Maid Rite to eat and rest. He had a woman who worked there make a call to Dave and Sue to let them know he was okay. I'm not sure what time he got into town, but it wasn't dark yet. He found his way to the house without calling to ask for directions. They both seem to really like the house.The dogs were't nearly as bad as I thought they would be. They all liked me right away. The dogs do need a good bath and brushing though. My Dad said when he gets rested up he wants to send his church a message on the www that they got here okay. He has a lot to learn. Doug says we can set him up with an extra mchsi account that we have, or gmail or hotmail.