Picnic

Yesterday we went to Manito Park with the girls for a Picnic. .




Sydney had just finished VBS (Casey opted not to attend) and was really hyped.







They had a Christian Rock group that lead the singing with a lot of "get down, jump up, turn around" sort of dance steps

humming birds

Saw in the paper a neat site so went to it.
Check it out http://community-2.webtv/velpics/HUM/
Truly amazing shots.

Ginkgo

While moving into this unit (#1) Jerry & I often spoke of planting a tree. We looked in nurseries and talked to various friends but nothing struck us as being an indication of who we are as a couple. Then, on our recent trip, I said how about a Ginkgo? And it fit. The Gincgo dates from dinasour times. Trees are either male or female but you don't know which you have until they mature at about thirty years of age. So we stopped at the Petrified forest gift shop and bought a three year old tree. It is about 15" tall right now and goes striaght up (no branches). It has been very hot here is Spokane, so I have not as yet planted it, waiting instead for somewhat cooler weather (which should decend upon us next week). I'll post a picture or two later.

Bats, Bats, Bats

Saturday evening we, Jerry, Sydney, Casey and I went to Deep Creek for the Parks Dept. presentation on bats. The girls were reluctant to go at first but were very enthralled when the biologists finally began catching and measuring the bats.


Here is one caught in a harp trap





These next two pictures are of the scientist measuring the ears and forearm bone for identification. Yes, they have sharp little teeth. No, we could not handle them, however, we were able to touch their wings and back while they were being securely held by the biologist.






All in all six species of bats were snagged in the nets - 20 in all - 19 males and 1 female. HMMM. Males like to party at night?
The girls are looking forward to next year's hunt.

Excusses

See, this is why I don't keep a journal. I don't record regularly enough to make sense of it. I have been busy, though, since last I blogged.
Last week we drove to Sequim (pronounced Squim) to see the Lavendar Fields. The climate at the north end of the peninsula mimics that of Provance, France, so makes ideal growing for this beautiful herb/flower.














Then we traveled west to the Old Growth Forests. Magnificant - Awsome - etc. Saw a two point buck, resting in the shade of some trees, just feet from the road. He had no fear. It wasn't hunting season and he was in a protected National Forest.






We then went to to the Washington RainForest on the Olympic Peninsula.

While there we came upon a hear of Roosevelt Elk lounging in the sun. Quite magnificent.
Loved it.

Saturday

This is a Red Hat day. We will be meeting in Manito Park for lunch and touring the conservatory after. That should be fun. The weather is cooperating with us today. (Last year when we tried it we were rained out).
Then this evening we will be going to a birthday party. Jerry isn't too enthused about it but, "Oh, well", we are going.
Guess I will have to pack this morning for our trip to the Olympic peninsula. I want to get on the road right after church tomorrow. We will stay in a different motel every night and come back home on Thursday. Hope I can see everything I want to see in that short time frame. Again I seem to be dragging a reluctant husband. He made the reservations for the motels and now he's sounding like "do we really want to do this?' I just wonder about him. All the beauty of God's world and he doesn't want to see it.

hummingbird

Yesterday, just before we were to leave for a wedding, a hummingbird came sipping at our nectar bar. It was the first one I've seen there. I was thrilled. He/she had to sip out of all four spouts. Looked like he/she was sitting on the little roosts and taking his/her time. I really would like to get a picture of one at the feeder - if one comes again - if I am there to see it - if I have the camera ready.

Before church

And another week has slipped away. This being a short week, we seem to be back around all too soon.
We had grandparent duties a couple of days. The girls love to sew and can be entertained for hours creating cloths for dolls. We made bead dolls this week and Casey is trying to figure out a mobile apparatus for them. Sydney is working on a nine patch doll quilt.
I really enjoy have them here. But I really don't care for the bickering that sometimes accompanies them. I guess because it upsets their grandfather and I don't like it when he scolds them. They are off camping next week and then to Seattle for a week's visit with their other Grandma Bowers.
Might take Jhary to see Cars today.

Wooden boat

Won a ride on a paddle boat at our auction this year. The person offering this cruise made the yacht begining in 1972. He worked painstakingly over the next 25 years peicing it together, varnishing every board and polishing every peice of brass.

This is a picture of the proud owners. A very nice couple.








The boat has a tank of water (in the wooden box
in front) sitting over a small furnace (note the black smoke stack) that he keeps blazing to boil the water that turns the paddle wheel in the rear. The interior is marvelous. Just room for four people. Since we had six on board, the guys sat outside steering and stoking.




There is quite the ritual to get the boat in and out of the water, but once in and underway it was glorious. Hope they put it in the auction again next year so I can bid on it again.

I'm the Queen

After church today I will be attending the Coeur d'Alene Theatre's performance of "Peter Pan" with seven of the women I swim with. Afterwards we will go to dinner. I wish Jerry liked plays. He doesn't mind going out to eat but plays, movies, mystery dinners, auctions etc. just aren't his heart's desire. Oh, well. He has no other faults, is a good lover, a hard worker, makes me feel like a queen so I really have no room to complain. "Off of the tree of life I picked me a peach" (I know that should be plum but I like peaches better).

blocks

I decided to try to clean out my enourmous stash of fabric. My method is to cut all the odd sized pieces into 3" and 4" blocks with the intension of piecing them back together as table runners, quilts or purses etc. This morning I tackled my Purple bin. Half of the bin in satiny, silky, flimsy stuff for doll dresses and not at all suited for my supposed projects. The other half got whacked. I spent a good three hours just cutting squares. I was seated so my feet did not suffer but even with a rotary cutter, my wrist is tired. What color do I tackle next?
Bought some more elastic 'cause I STILL have not found my little box of elastic assortments.
The people are moving into unit #9. Maybe I should bake a cake and take it to them. Or not.

pocket purses

Today I had Casey & Sydney decorate Pocket Purses. I saw the project in a children's activity magazine & went for it. Just have to cut the back pocket off the rear of a pair of jeans (used ones) and decorate. The two large ones are from Brian's jeans and the two small ones from a pair Casey had outgrown. Pretty cute?

Baby pictures

Here she is. Such a cutie.







And here is her mom (holding her), her grandma on the left and her great grandma on the right.

Then of course we had to get a picture of Uncle Christopher, Mom (Jessica) holding Anessa, and Aunt Kimberly. Don't you just love it when the kids all smile?

Arizona

Well, we made it to Phoenix without any problems. It is hot here.
The baby is addorable (of course). I will post pictures when I get home as I do not have the capability of downloading pictures onto this computer from my camera.

Bat flowers

One of the girls in the pool told me about this little plant, (Firecracker Cuphea). She and the
nursery attendant call it a bat flower because, if you have a good imagination you can see a little bat face and big red bat wings.

It's real name is Cuphea purpurea. There is another branch of this plant that they call little mice. Much the same in configuration but with smaller red petals.

They say that hummingbirds love them. We shall see.

Red hat lunch

Our original plan for today's Scarlett O'Hatties gathering was to go to Lake Coeur d'Alene and take a cruise around the lake. The weather has been cold, stormy, windy, wet and only two ladies were going to attend the event. HMMM. My thought then was to change the venue of the meeting to something a bit closer (the lake is 30 minuts away) and less expensive (cost of the cruise if $15.00 plus food). Therefore I opened my home to a lite lunch. The same two ladies who were going on the cruise were the only ones in attendance. Go figure.

The best part of that whole scenario is that my house is all clean (company coming clean) and we have less than a week before we go to Phoenix. With any luck the place will be tidy when we leave so I won't be coming home to a sloppy house.

Phoenix has been having 95-100 degree weather. Ours on the other hand has a time getting into the 70s. I'll pack lite - shorts and t-shirts.

Sewing room organized

As you can see, I had a big mess on my hands. Stuff was brought into the sewing room and placed where ever there was room. Since the room is smaller than the one I had upstairs, rearranging has been a challenge. I have finally gotten the bulk of it done.














Now I can actually get to my machine and find room to cut out a doll dress or two.





My grand daughter, upon seeing that the room was tidy again, said, "can I make a purse"? I had to take some pictures of a clean room before she started.

Now If I could only find my small box of elastic I'd be all set.

My garden

After being scratched this spring by my "attack rose bush", I told her that she had better be spectacular or out she was going. See, she really is outstanding. She stays.







As does the docile, "nice white bush". The first cuttings I brought inside lasted quite a while. Then came the rains and the second cuttings did not fare as well. I think I have to snip off all the spent flowers now to ensure a healthy bush, right? I sooo know nothing of roses.








I had the grass removed (dirt area to the right and in front of the gas meters) so that I could put flowers in. I put sunflower seeds in front of the gas meters. Should block that view in a month. Trouble is the meter readers have to have access to the little dials on the front of the meters or I'd box them in entirely. This

More rain

This rain just won't stop. Yesterday the hillside next to a well traveled road near us washed away and took part of the road with it. We have now broken the record for rainfall during the fiest 13 days of June set in 1888. We officially have 2.73 inches this month. The last time June was this wet was 1983 whe we had 2.85 inches for the entire month.

Rain Rain go away

I suppose the farmers love rain but I, personally, am getting a bit boored with it. Sure it makes the grass green and the flowers grow but it also makes weeds grow. (Now I remember why I didn't want a yard to take care of). I only have a small plot so I really shouldn't complain. It will give me something to do when I get boored of sitting on the patio sipping a tall glass of crystal clear water.

Went to "A Chorus Line" yesterday with seven of my swimming companions. We have asked our instructor to incorporate some of the dance steps into our swim routine. That could happen, right? "step, together, flip kick, turn, slide , slide" all in the deep end. Ha Ha We are taking hats today for the routine. I'll let you know.

Called my daughter in law last night - the grandmother of my great granddaughter. Seems the father of the baby is living with them. Now I might be able to agree to such an arrangement IF they couple were married and IF he had a job and was contributing to the household expenses, but guess what? He's not. He has put off asking Jessica to marry him (until after his brother gets married this summer) - what's up with that. He has lost a couple of jobs in the last year and has now been hired by someone who says he really has no work for him. What part of job does he not get? Job is something you do for pay, not something you say you have and do nothing for no pay. Brian must be a saint to put up with this situation.

Garden Project

Yesterday was lovely, not too hot, not too cool, no rain. So I decided to clean up the small bed in front of some shrubs at my front door. There had been a large, old, overgrown sick shrub there and the condo residents voted to remove it leaving a bare hole with the decorator rocks nearly all covered in soil. Simple solution to making it look fresh again was to remove the soil from the rock area and plant a heat loving ground cover/rock garden type plant. Did I say simple? So I got down on the ground and started removing the rocks, separating them from the soil they had rested in for many and many a year. Being as I am, unaccostomed to such activity, I could only work for 45 minutes before I would have to come in and rest my knees and back. It took four sessions of 30 to 45 minutes each. I'm talking a fairly small area here. Dig out rocks, scoop up dirt replace rocks, haul dirt away (thank you Jerry, I could not have lifted those buckets as easily as you did). But I did it and it's done and the portulaca (not sure of the spelling of that) I planted will soon fill the dirt hole that once housed a shrub.


Then I look to the other side of the entry way --- "that's not my chicken". BUT ... it would look so nice if that little triangle were all rocks or all grass. Take your pick. Right now it is rocks, grass, dirt and Thistles. It's only about four feet by three feet. I could do that in an hour. But not today.



Right now my sitting muscles are screaming every time I stand up. They did not like the kneeling position I took for those periods of time. (I finally resorded to just sitting and moving the rocks and dirt between splayed out legs - not very efficient.)

Today it is rainy and gray. Jhary's community had their annual BBQ. They moved it into the staff office. We went early, ate and came home so there would be room for other guests.

Sunday nite

We are completely out of #9. We have signed our part of the paper work and turned over the keys. I sure hope the new owner is the mom not her daughter and small son.
Although we are out of #9 I still have some unpacking to do. I am finding it difficult to find places for all the "stuff" I have accumulated. I hung the pictures last evening so I guess now it is "ours". We even purchased plants for the small garden. It has been raining for the past four days so I do not feel like going out and digging.
As a note to the future, we have decided that we will not accept gifts for various occations unless they are consumable. No more books, fabric, Knick Knacks etc. etc. etc. Comsumables are gift cards for dinner, flowers, candy, food stuffs. This only makes sense. We have crammed every cupboard and closet with stuff that we may or may not every look at except once a year. Why take more stuff in just to cram it into yet another drawer or shelf?

Writers-Winners

Casey took first place for her story of the day her dog got hit by a car and died in the street (she was only 6 when that happened). She took home a $100.00 check. (Shy Casey, doesn't want her picture taken.)













Sydney took second place with her story of the Little Pumpkin who wanted a pumpkin friend but discovered that you don't have to look just like someone else to be friends. She took home $50.00.
















Casey and Sydney, winners in the Coeur d'Alene Library's Writers contest. What a great way to encourage young and older people to express themselves in writing.

Friday already

Jerry has been working all week trying to fulfil his prediction that we would be out of #9 by Friday. He lost Monday and Tuesday waiting for workmen. Monday the patio door was scheduled to be installed at 8 am. They didn't arrive until 10:30. Tuesday the plumbers were due at 8 am they didn't arrive till noon. Sort of shoots the rest of the day. Anyway, he has everything out except the closet in my sewing room (which has no place to go down here) and our everyday dishes. When the place is empty I'll finish up by cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. He loves to vacuum so I'll let him. Just in time as we are suppose to be signing off on it next Friday.

The girls both won a prize in the Coeur d'Alene writing contest. We don't know what prize yet as the awards ceremony is Saturday. I'll cut my visit with the Red Hatters & Elvis short so we can make the trip over there.

BALLOONS

Went to Walla Walla for the Annual Balloon Festival this weekend. They were magnificent.

Saturday evening they inflate the balloons in the evening so you can see them illuminated from

the inside.

Then on Sunday morning we went back to the field and watched as they inflated them for flight. Truely a magnificent sight. I want to ride in one now.

Wednesday

Slowly, slowly, we are getting out of #9 & into #1. Jerry has really done most of the hauling of the "small stuff". All the books are down, all the furniture is down, all the bathroom is down. Notice I did not say put away, only down. Still to go are three closets, one storage cupboard and most of the kitchen. Then the cleaning of #9. Shouldn't be too bad with all the stuff out. I just don't want to leave grime in the bathroom and spilled food in the fridge. After all, I have to live with the person moving in as a neighbor. We still do not know if it is the mom or the daughter and child moving in. I hope it is just them mom, but I'll probably be wrong.

Sunday evening

Spokane hosts a very large running competition named Bloomsday, held on the first Sunday of May. I ran it in 2000 and received the ugliest t-shirt. I vowed never to run it again. So now I volunteer at a water handout station. Last year the weather was pleasant, this year it was 51 with sprinkles and wind. I did not dress for the occation. When I came home I had to take a hot shower just to warm up. The shirt is periwinkle (close to purple) with a strange figure on the front. Oh well, I can wash the car with it or do the gardening in it.

Tomorrow is the day. Computer will not be moved until Tuesday so I'll not be in touch for a while. There is still so much to do and Jerry has been a dear hauling stuff down stairs. I still cannot fathom where I'll put everything.

Saturday morning

Monday is set for the big move. I've been painting the last bits in the livingroom and climbing those *^&%$# stairs more than I normally do. That and the tension from just the IDEA of moving and I'm getting all stiff and sore. I have a massage scheduled for next Friday. Hope I can survive til then.
Ralph comes today to get the China closet. I guess Darla was supposed to call me and ask that I round up someone on this end to help. I didn't get that message. Ralph can't move it (his knees and legs in general are bad), Greg too is loosing leg power. I won't let Jerry help - his surgery is too new and I'm tired already. 64 may be the old 44, just tell my body that.

Thursday

I remember now why I don't like moving. I love the working with workmen fixing up the new place. It's all done. Now, Monday, the movers come. I used 5 boxes just unloading the china cabinet so Ralph can take it on Saturday - and that was only the top half. Then I look around and think "what was I thinking about". Where is it all going to fit?
The walls are lovely and clean, the ceiling is beautiful, the carpet fresh, the sewing room all put together (but not all the stuff has been put in place). Where is that magic fairy that will do all the work while I sleep?

Friday

Yesterday Marvin (#1 boy cat) appeared to have a swollen eye. Probably the result of a "slap on the face" from one of the "girls". So we made an appointment with the vet. Today his eye looked better but we took him anyway. You should have heard the noises he made on the short 1.5 mile trip to the vet. He sounded scared, mad, nervous, angry - all at the same time. Two shots (rabies & distemper) later and he repeated the performance all the way home. His eye was clear. We decided to take the girls in too. One at a time. Much meowing, hissing, and slapping. Just for shots. Well, I hadn't had them in since 1998 so I guess it was time. Polly has real bad teeth. After the move we will look into that.

Other than that the day was rather calm. I did go over and preview the color the finisher had applied. It will look great.
Next week we should have everything finished; Lights, ceiling tiles, carpet and appiances delivered. Then the move....

Wednesday

It's 2:50 pm and the plummer finally showed up. He was due at 9:00 this morning. I skipped swiming so I would be here for him to let him in etc. We installed a tall toilet in our unit two years ago and want to take it with us. So the toilet in #9 went to #1 & vice versa. That chore is done.
The electrician, who I wanted to come in this week, won't be able to come until next Monday. That means that the ceiling guy won't be in to drop the rest of the ceiling in until Tuesday? But the carpet is due to be installed Tuesday.....
It will all come together in the end, I know, but it is rather frustraiting, especially since I was unable to do much else today except wait.....and pack boxes.
I did send my entertainment center and dining room table out to get refinished. They will be stained dark Mahogany to match the chairs and end tables.

Old Pictures

For Christmas, Robin always wanted what the boys asked for. Skate board - not skates; sports stuff - not dolls. One year I got her a toy sewing machine - I don't know if she asked for it or not. Anyway, it was the first "girly" thing she took interest in and now she is an accomplished quilter/designer/fabric artist.

We're getting there

The vinyl is all in and the trap door looks great. The grid work for the ceiling is finished. I purchased new light fixtures today and will get rid of the ceiling fan that was in the bedroom. So, the electrician finishes up. The ceiling guy follows him. And then the sewing room gets put together. And finally the carpet gets laid. By the second week of May we should be calling the movers to haul down the bed and dressers etc. And I'm looking at what to do with the back yard.
Went to the doctor yesterday for my annual physical. I had had my blood work done so she could review it with me. ALL the numbers are within the normal range. Hooray!! My cholesterol is 190; Triglicerides are 90; and HDL is 57. With these three numbers so good the fact that the LDL is 115 does not bother her (should be below 100). So, all in all I'm feeling pretty good.

baby name

And her name is:
Anessa Elizabeth Francesca Kruczek.
Good thing she doesn't have to learn how to spell all of that before she graduates from Kindergarten. lol

Baby

She appears to have Chinese Eyes. What do you think?

Little miss bright eyes. Seems to be very curious about her new world. Only one day old and so allert.
Wish I could be there to hold her. I've got tickets for June.

I'm a Great Grandmother

My first born in now a grandfather. His first born delivered a little girl this afternoon, weighing in at 6 pounds, 8 ounces, she is 20 inches long and has gobs of black hair (so, her grandma says). The name - Anesia - I'm not sure of the spelling.

Workmen

Lets, see. The front entry way tile is now down and grouted. I feel like we are finally on our way. Had the electrician in yesterday. He gave me power to the north end of my living room (where the walls were torn down). Very good, ' cause that's where the computer goes. I got a chance to go into the crawl space. I wonder how much trouble I'd get into if it excavated down a bit so I could stand up down there. I was hoping to put plastic bins there but the dirt floor isn't level. Well, it is where the furnace and AC are but the rest of it sort of slopes up to the footings.
We decided to replace the patio door. It is of the old aluminum vintage. The guy comes today to measure. Carpenter comes to make repairs to the scared areas, and the realtor is showing our place again. Have had lots of visits but no nibbles yet.

Tuesday

The tile man took up the subflooring at the entry way and found concrete. The plywood was only glued to the concrete so he cleaned up the surface and put a "leveling compound" over it and will come back and lay the tile tomorrow.
While he was there, I had asked the carpenter to come in and decide what he would need to fix the bare ends of the walls (where the old walls were removed). He thought I meant for him to do the work today. But he couldn't do that with the tile man working at the front door. He left in a bit of a huff. Said he would be back on Friday. I hope so.
The carpet guy brought three boards of carpet samples today (because the one I picked out isn't available). I picked a Mohawk in Rainforest green. Then the carpet I picked for the bedroom looked dead so I changed to Lavender (very soft and warm). I will certainly be glad when all of this is a done deal and we can finally move something into the unit.
Sydney has her class music performance tonight.
I still need to look at a new slider to go out on the patio. The one there is very old, single glass and aluminum frame. Talk about energy loss.

Monday

How does that go? The only thing for certain is change? Well, that seems to be my life of late. Last week the carpet sales person called to say that the tile I had selected was not available therefore, the installation could not occure today (Monday). I picked out a new tile, which he assured me could be delivered Wednesday (day after tomorrow) and installed on Friday. So I called the ceiling installer and put him off till next week. Today I am informed that the tile will probably be here Tuesday noon so the installer is going to prep the area tomorrow and probably install in the afternoon, finishing Wednesday. That will be one job finished. The vinyl will be installed next Monday.
Then, today (Monday) he tells me that the carpet I chose .. You got it.. isn't available and won't be made until May for a middle of the month ship date. BUT he can probably get the same color in Mohawk .. at the same price. (I'd like to know the price of the one I'm not getting and the price of the one I am getting to see if I really am getting a "deal".) And if he can get the livingroom carpet in the emerald green I want it would be a good idea to order the bedroom carpet from the same manufacturer because then they would be the same heighth. OK. I"ll look at samples tomorrow.
Wilst I was contemplating the hanging of the ceiling I suddenly realized that the wall scar where I tore out the room divider should be repaired before the ceiling guy comes in. Quick call to my carpenter. He'll be here tomorrow to have a look-see. Hopefully he will be here in the morning -- but, the tile man will be here in the morning -- EEEEK! The tile man doesn't want anyone walking through where he will be working and since it is the front (and only) door...
And I wonder why my sholder is in constant tensness.
Happy spring.

Unit #1

I typed up a whole paragraph just a minute ago and inadvertently deleted it all. Bummer. Let's see if I can remember what I said.
I didn't get much sleep last night because I am fussing about what happens next in the remodle. Sunday the walls came down. Tuesday the carpets came up. Wednesday the painter began - he did my bedroom and all the prepwork. Today he is finishing up. I have a call in to the electrician, plummer and phone guys. They can come at any time. The ceiling sample came back with asbestos so I am dropping the ceiling. That guy finally returned my call today. He should be able to work me in the end of next week. I hope so. The carpet can't be laid until the ceiling and walls are finished. So, then it looks like the first week of May is our move time frame. Mind you, I have been taking a load down each time I go down the stairs. Yesterday the carpenter came and dissasembled the built-ins I have in the sewing room. He hauled them to unit #1 but could not install because the vinyl hasn't been laid. So they are in the dining room. I have half of my "stuff" from the sewing room in my livingroom here and the other half in the kitchen there. Moving is such fun.
There, I'm not going to do a spell check this time as that is what deleted my first attempt.

And the walls came tumbling down

Here are Jason and his son Joshua (Jerry's son and grandson) working dillegently to remove the rock facing on the wall that would have been my computer room. It will now be part of the living room in my new unit. Lots of dust and rubble but it's all gone now. I have to call an electrician to see what can be done about the electrical at that end of the building (there is none now). Things are moving along.

The ceiling

As you can see by this picture of the living room ceiling, I have a big UGLY going on throughout the entire unit. The ceiling in the kitchen/dining area has been dropped but the ceilings in the rest of the unit look like this. Those beams are concrete supports covered with that sprayed accostical stuff. I have a sample in to the lab now for testing. If it contains asbestos, I will have the ceiling dropped. If it does not, I will have plasterboard installed. I'm not at all sure which is the least expensive way to go. At this point I really do not care as the uglyness just has to "go away". Why would I want to keep dirty ceilings that have those ugly beams when I'm getting new carpet and fresh paint? You agree, right? Today we purchase the paint. Hopefully, next week the carpet comes up and the painting begins and I find out what will happen with the ceiling.

This is my sewing room floor sample. There are green leaves, yellowish/tanish flowers and a hard to describe purple that I will try to pull for the walls. Definitely not what I have in my sewing room now. The carpet man dropped it off. Glad he did 'cause I need to take it to the paint store. 

Wednesday

Picked out carpet, entry tile and vynil for the sewing room yesterday. Today we picked out the washer/dryer & fridg. This is all very tireing. Next, I suppose is to find the right color for the walls. Now is the time I guess I should get the flooring samples to put beside the paint chips.
The ceiling is still a mystery. There are really ugly cement beams running through the unit. They have sprayed them with that popcorn stuff. I'd like to just cover it over with sheetrock. Hope I can find someone who is willing and able to do that.
I haven't started packing up anything yet. The realtor is already showing this unit. I hope this all falls into place and we are out of here (meaning this unit has been sold) and into the new one by the middle of May.

Looks interesting

My daughter, Robin found this website and is doing the challenge. Here's the plan for the week. Each day she'll focus on one color when taking photos. I've decided to participate in Kerstin's week of colors challenge, but not just now. Robin will take a pictures and post her best on her web sit http://quiltantics.blogspot.com/. If you decided to do this challenge too, e-mail me so I can see your pictures.

Monday morning

Last Sunday our pastor informed the congregation that he was being transferred to Salmon Creek UMC in July. There were tears is sadness in the congregation.

This week he announced that his father had died. Sighs on Ohhh, then Julie (minister of education) got up and prayed a beautifully touching prayer of supplication and comfort for Mark to be able to greive and heal. Hardly a dry eye in the house.

Julie is a loving person. I love her prayers, her mind is sharp and her heart is only for the Lord. She is trying to jump through the Methodist hoops to become an ordained minister. She has all the schooling in the Presbyterian church but is switching to Methodist. Her sermons are getting better, still reads a lot but she is getting easier with delivery. I think she will make a great loving pastor of a small church that needs nurturing. I think Central would be too much just because it is a big facility with lots of people set in their ways and we do minister to the downtown people (a challenge in and of itself).

Saturday evening

Well the auction is over. We only made a little over $2000. I am really bummed. We worked so hard and there were no bidders in the audience. My tea party went for $10. Should have gotten $75 at least. A full Mexican dinner for 6 went for $10. That is pure bull. I'm really thinking strongly of not doing it again next year. Too much work for so little return. Maybe its because I have gotten my eye off the reason (fellowship, social hour, drawing the church together) and gotten it on "the bottom line" ( wanting that almighty dollar) and it has taken the fun out of it. I'll sleep on it and hopefully fell better in the morning.

Saturday

Today's the day. The auction is turning out to be OK. We have 36 items for the oral auction and 77 items in the silent. The entertainment should be great. And Robbin always fixes great a great meal.
Carrie is working today so we have Grandparent duties. Planning on going out to breakfast to celebrate Caseys birthday. Then Jerry goes to Yoyo club (no foolin, he loves to yoyo and they actually have a group of kids that get together to practice their stunts). After he returns we go to Central to set up the auction. Jerry takes the girls to their dad's in the afternoon. Show time is 5:30. I will be glad when it is over but am secretly looking forward to next year's.

This week

As I looked at my week from Sunday's point of view, it was rather non hectic. Then came Monday and we find we are to pick up the girls every day at 1 PM - early dismissal. No biggie. Throw in a dentist appointment, meeting with the condo president at the bank to change signature cards, try to get a PT session in a couple of times, the final auction meeting before the big event, finishe auction projects, and take Jhary to get her passport renewed and the week fills up. I guess it keeps you young to have many things going on. No time to rust.

Salt Lake City Opera house

Jessica reminded me that I had not sent her the picture we had taken in Salt Lake City. Here it is. Jessica is the one in the middle. Carrie is on the left. I, naturally, am on the right.

Saturday

Went to see Steppin Out at the Interplayers today. The theatre group is 25 years old this year. The play was great. Kathie Dole-Lipe stole the show. Great acting.
Casey is having her birthday party at her dad's house today. She asked me to bake the cake so she could decorate it. Then she sent Jerry to Baskin Robbins for Oreo Cookie Ice Cream. What the heck. Her dad and his girlfriend ae the ones who have to endure the sleepover with six extra little girls in the house (Casey, Sydney, girlfriends girls - a 16 year old and a 4 year old - and she invited ten of her closest friends - only 6 of whom showed up. Better them than us I say.

Picture

HEY! It's there! Great!

Friday

Well, I got my picture to the profile page but not to the About Me section. Baby steps.
Just ordered 12 cubic yards of bark to be spread around the trees here. It always looks so nice with fresh bark and it smells great too.
The Zags lost last night. I am truly sorry for them but on the other hand, people will be more focused on the auction and not distracted by the game.

Thursday

Got the papers from the Mortgage co. yesterday. Guess we're really going to do this. Should sign the final papers on or about the 31st of March. Except the Zags might be playing. Then we will have to wait until after the weekend. You see, our broker is a huge Zags (Gonzaga Basketball) fan. I tried to call about something yesterday afternoon and was told he was on his way to Oakland for tonight's game and wouldn't be back till Monday (or Tuesday?). On the one hand, I'd love to have Gonzaga win - they've been to the dance several times and haven't quite gone all the way. On the other hand if they get into the final four our Auction on April 1st will be hurt. The fans are not going to want to listen to the auctioneer while the game is in progress. The auction committee will have to watch the GU schedule in years to come. This year's auction will be awful - what with GU and spring break we have lost several of our bidders. Well, if it is ment to be it will be.

Casey the artist

This is Casey. She is in fourth grade. She is quite the artist and loves to create.

Syndey the Author

This is a picture of Sydney. She is in Second grade and has a great imagination.

Monday the 20th of March

First day of Spring!!! Hooray!! The sun was out - still clouds in the sky but it did smell like spring. We say a whole field of buttercups yesterday. Many yards have crocus in bloom. This has seemed like a very long long long winter. January and February especially.
Working hard on getting people interested in the Auction. To no avail. I truly love auctions. Why doesn't everyone?
Tomorrow I have to serve the reception for a funeral. I don't know the person. Would rather be singing with Project Joy at an old folks home but duty calls.
Sydney has written six short stories for a contest at the Coeur d'Alene Library. Deadline is March 31st so we are going to drive over on Wednesday and hand deliver them. Each story has to have the original and four copies accompanied by the registration form and one dollar. First place in her age category is $100. I think she has a good chance.

OK this is one of the pictures.
















Lets see if I can get another one to load. No luck. Sure wish I could get it to go on my profile side. 

Pictures

Picked up some Portaits yesterday and have tried - to no avail - to post one to my profile. Then I went into the site this way and can't find how to add a picture. I guess I really have to play with this site more.

3/13/06

My, it has been a while since my last entry. Much has happened.
Jerry is much much better. No blood for a couple of weeks now.
The auction is still coming up. I only have 40 items on my list. A few of the couples we plan on having at every auction will not be there because of Spring Break. Why can't they just leave a day or two later? We are planning a great dinner and wonderful entertainment. But without the people or items we really will not be making much money.
The apartment complex that Gonzaga U. had under construction with occupation scheduled for September 2006 has just burned down. They will rebuild and hope to have the students move in in September 2007.
Went to Salt Lake City this weekend for the Opera. Jessica Bowers was Lady number 3 in the Magic Flute. The reviews in the Utah paper really raked the cast members over the coal but raved about the "sparkle that the three ladies" brought to the show. Her costume was fantastic. Purple dress made from a sari.
Tonight is a benefit concert here is Spokane for the Interfaith Council. It is the regular meeting night for our UMW but we opted to go to the benefit instead.
I really feel out of it. The auction isn't inspiring me. The doll I'm dressing for it isn't inspiring me. The UMW is not exciting. The Red Hat group is so so. I'm involved in a coral group that sings to retirees in rest homes. The Sunday School class I lead is sometimes a chore. And I swim every morning. Maybe I am just too involved with too many things.
Jerry & I are looking at purchasing the unit down stairs this spring. Maybe that will get my creative juices flowing and I will get out of these blahs.
I should get some cheese for all this whine. Oh, Yeah. I'm allergic to dairy.

President's day

This has been a week. Last Monday Jerry had elective prostrate surgery and was hospitalized for three days. Came home with a cathater in and was improving until Sunday evening when he started clotting and plugging the tube. One trip to the ER and the cath was cleared. Back home, into bed for two hours, and it plugged again. Back to the ER at 1 AM. This time they kept him over night and have been keeping an eye on him. I feel a bit responsible because I encouraged him to get his prostrate pared down. He is a healthy man so should have come through this with flying colors. We will find out more later.

In the mean time, I really need to concentrate on the Church's auction. I just have not been enthused about it this year. Luckily the members of the team I have worked with for the past three years are enthused so they are carrying more of the stress this year. I always worry that we won't have great stuff and then that if we do we won't have anyone there that will bid on it.

One of the lower level units is going up for sale. I am putting a bid in on it. It is 100 sq ft smaller than this one so my built ins in the sewing room will have to be remodeled (cut 8" off) and the China Cabinet my mother bought me will have to go. Anyone want it?

Must get moving.

Almost complete

I have been working on a baby quilt for my great grand daughter for a couple three months now. You would think that a baby quilt would go rather fast. I've been challenged by this one. It is a double wedding ring only all of it is done on the sewing machine. Blocks are quilted as finished units then sewn together and topstitched. I just have some hand work to do and it's ready to be shipped off. I think I'll actually have it done before the big event (May 11).

Changing - Changing

On the first of Feb. 2006 I weighed and measured myself and compared to what I weighed and measured on Jan. 1, 2005. I have lost a total of 30 pounds and a total of 20.25 inches. I really think this is a big deal. I had struggled with "diet" programs for a number of years, never being too successful. I guess being "bigger" than the other girls all through school gave me a minds eye of being big (tho I really was not). I carried a normal-for-my-height weight from the 60s to the 80s. Then we started to adopt kids. When I carried my own kids I would gain "baby" weight and take it off. Did that three times. When I adopted kids I gained 5 pounds with each one - four times - and didn't take it off. Then there was the ever present candy dish at work, stress from various principals I worked for, stress of an ailing husband, etc., etc., etc.
So, what happened? After trying Weight Watchers (again) in 2005, I went to a naturopath who told me I was allergic to milk (read some lables, milk is in a lot of processed food) and that I should not eat sugar and fruit together - in fact keep consumption of them 8 hours apart. I switched to honey and fructose as sweeteners of choice and dumped sugar (look at lables, sugar is in a miriade of processed foods). The weight has been melting off. (I once told a friend that I just seem to have a paintbrush that I dip in fat and keep painting on me. That's the way becomeing overweight felt.)
I have dumped all my size 16 and 14 pants. Am shopping for new bras today. Got a couple pair of size 12 jeans last week. I really need a new swim suit. Maybe I'll get that next week.
Life is good.

Kun He Fat Choi

I really tried to find Chinese New Year cards in Spokane - to no avail. I just wanted the little red envelopes to put money in, I saw some in the Current catalog in January and should have ordered them then. But figured I could find some in town. Wrong. Why would Spokane have such an item? So Happy New Year to all my Ching Grand kids. Maybe Grandma will get her act together next year.
The Coeur d'Alene Library is sponsoring a writing contest. Casey and Syndey spent all morning writing a story. Sydney is quite the author and will bring some of her stories here so I can type them up in the correct format for the contest. Casey does write and is quite imaginative but just not as prolific as Syd. It only costs a buck to enter a story so I figured why not? Gives the girls something to do and who knows, they just might win the $100 prize.
Got our first donation for the auction today. I just sent the letters out on Friday. Wish all the businesses were as generous and prompt with their reply. The Auction is April 1st. I really need to get motivated. One day at a time.

What a Week!

Well, after a lovely coronation, I just came home and reveled in the wonder of it all. Then Lynn started sending me stuff that I needed to know about. I had most of the info but it all of a sudden hit me that this "fun" position just might possibly be a bit of work. Oh well. I guess I will just put my multi task skills to work.
My church, Central United Methodist, hosts an auction every year. It started as a dinner with a few things out on a table for silent bidding. I entered the picture and "took over". Now we have a silent auction, and oral auction and dinner, and entertainment. All for the price of $20 per ticket. Since we do not serve booze, we are able to offer children's tickets for $10. Now it is time to get rolling on preparation for the auction. Actually, I really like to start meetings the second week of January with the auction date set in the mid to late April. I'm behind the schedule this year as we just had our first meeting Wednesday for an April 1st (no kidding) date. I got the Procurement letter revised and mailed to 48 vendors today. I have another 20 letters sitting here waiting to be mailed (ran out of stamps) and I want to send one to various banks in town but need to work on that letter. There is also the letter I send to the Methodist churches in town letting them know about it. My next meeting is next Wednesday. Things will fall in place, but I do get anxious. We only have to raise $3500 this year to make the line item on the budget but I really would love to raise more. Our problem at Central is that we do not have the people who would be able to bid on stuff. We have lots of stuff and it goes super cheap. Our congregation is just not rich. Our people are older and don't need more "stuff". What to do. Any ideas?
The youth ministry is investing in puppets this year. They hope to draw kids in with the puppets. The demonstration we had was very charming (that with professional puppeteers). I hope our amateurs can pull it off. They will be presenting at the Auction.
I finished Sue Grafton's E is for Evidence today. I am waiting for the F book (it is checked out by someone else). The G & H books are waiting for me to pick them up tomorrow.

Coronation Day

Today my red hat group, the Scarlett O'Hatties, crowned me Queen with much pomp and circumstance. My sisters, Sue and Darla, were in charge of the ceremony which included oaths of office, proclomations, toasts, a robing, toasts, a crowning and more toasts. Darla started the proceedings with a trumpet blare - she does not play a wind instrument so it sounded like and old man blowing his nose. Off to an hilarious start. Then she "decommissioned" our Queen Lynn, and swore me in. Sue wrapped me in a lovely red satin robe (worn my a ballerina at the Opera House - her daughter, Julia), and placed a ruby encrused crown (my tiara) on my head. Such frivolity. We had the wait staff as our audience and I'm sure the tale is being told over dinner tonight in many a household.
I got right down to business - "I do have an agenda" - updating our roster, welcoming a prospective new member and making announcements about Red Hat events area and nation wide this coming year. The convention in Coeur d'Alene looks interesting to me. Maybe just the Saturday events, tho. Don't know if I could handle three days of red hat foolishness.
Our waitress brought our lunches and we visited for the rest of the time we had together.
I want to thank those who put this event on and those who attended. I had a great time and hope to fulfill the role of Queen to your satisfation.
Queen Mum Leonna

This is Polly, sniffing our narcisus.

Friday

It's already the end of the week. I haven't been in the sewing room all week. There are projects to finish and others to start. I tried to have a meeting with the auction committee this week, but no one showed up. Maybe I'll have better luck next week. Letters need to go out soon.
Tomorrow is the Scarlet O'Hatties meeting. I will be crowned Queen of the group. Should be fun. Then in the evening I'll attend the St. Al's annual auction with Genevieve. It's been a while since I've socialized with the girls from St. Al's so it should be a great evening. I don't need anything but I'm sure I'll find something to spend some money on.
Today we went shopping for jeans for me. I only had one pair of jeans and was not wanting to purchase any new ones until I could fit into a size 12. Guess what? I fit into a size 12 again. Last January I was in a size 16 so feel fantastic that I'm down to a 12. What a difference two sizes make.

I'm the Queen

I tried to upload pictures with that last blog. It didn't happen. Will have to look into that.

Happy Tuesday

Yesterday we took new computer and new program to Computer Station and like magic, Riko fixed it. I now have a super speedy computer running a truely great set of programs. I spent all morning updating the Condo records, my medical records (for taxes) and getting ready for the first auction meeting of this year.
Robin mentioned that she was trying to force some narcisus bulbs for Chinese New Year. (It is good luck to have them blooming for the new year celebration - will bring good luck all year.) So, I went out the the florist and purchased a pot of them.
As with all flowers brought into this house, Polly has to sniff.
I have read the first three Sue Grafton books, since Jan 1, and am on the fourth. I am not getting much sewing done. Oh, well.

I'm the Queen

Sunday frustrations,
So, now I have a new cpu with Microsoft XP loaded on it. And no program to open any of my documents (which by the way were successfully saved and loaded on this machine. I can see them, I just can't open them). So I trot off to Staples and purchase Microsoft Office professional Edition 2003. This thing is supposed to have all the bells and whistles. IF IT WOULD LOAD. I keep getting an error message. So, tomorrow I'm taking both the CPU and the program back to the computer store and see if the tech has any better luck.
Well, grand daughters have arrived so I'll see what happens next.

Friday evening

We have a new computer brain. Small little thing. Sits on the desk top (not under the desk like the old tower). And it has XP on it so I should be able to do more stuff.
Waiting for Jason (Jerry's son) and family to arrive for dinner. They called and I had to scurry to throw something together. I think I did OK since I have so little in my lardar. We'll have pork pie and spaghetti bow ties and a spinach salad and home made biscutes.
Tomorrow I really need to study my Sunday School Lesson.

Wednesday Evening

The mother board is dying on my PC. That means a new beast. That means learning a new operating system, loading the printer, embroidery programs, cable, etc. back on. The tech said he would be able to save all my documents and pictures and (best of all) my address book in outlook express. So on Friday we will go out and purchase a new brain. Guess what I'll be doing Saturday. I need my Saturdays to prepare for Sunday school. (I'm leading the adults in a study on the book of Acts. And I have all this sewing to do. I really have been lazy since Christmas.Heart burn. I ate dinner too late. Off to bed and the bottle of TUMs.
posted by Leonna at 8:41 PM 0 comments

I'm the Queen

Wednesday afternoon.
Went to talk to a new lawyer today. Ours had to quit when he became the Mayor of Spokane. Such is life.
Just found out a dear friend has been diagnosed with Hodkins Lymphoma. Ran to Google and read up on that. It's nasty. My prayers are really with her. She is a wonderful, energetic, risk taking lady. I know she will come through this OK.
Finished the second of Sue Graftons mysteries. They are a fun easy read. I'm really impressing myself tho, cause I have never been much of a reader. People will say have you read so and so and I'll just shrug. Never had the time before.
Did I talk about Ben, the kitten that adopted us? Actually, he was dumped at our condo and since he was little and hungry and cold... yup, I took him in for the day. My three cats were very put out. So he went home with Jerry's grand daughters. Since we brought him into the family we (Jerry) feels obligated to make sure he was healthy - off to the vet for shots and check up - $$$. Then it was time for second set of shots and to take away his "manhood" - Oh, and can you have him declawed too so he doesn't ruin my furniture? $$$. He is home now. The girls love him. He has a cozy spot to live. Food, soft beds to sleep on, clean litter (most of the time) and I hear even a dog to play with now and then. What a lucky guy.
You know, when Im not able to write to this blog, I think of tons ofl things to say. Then I get on and my mind goes blank. I'll sign off and see what happens.

Monday afternoon

No word yet on my PC. Guess it was more messed up than I thought. Hope I don't mess the laptop up while waiting for the PC to get fixed. I was able to get the printer to load ok. So at least now I can produce documents _not just play on the internet.
Tyrone go a guitar. Hope he is happy now.
Traivon just called. Seems he has a new job. Hope he can keep it long enough to pay off some bills.
Uma should be having a meeting with her job coach to see about getting her employed. She has entirely too much time on her hands.
Jhary - what can I say. We should have stopped with her. She is my favorite cause she doesn't cause me any greif - well not a lot anyway. She is a good kid and just likes attention occationally.
Have a UMW meeting this evening. Installation of officers. I've been pres for a couple of years. No one else wants it soI guess I'll be it again for a while.

I did it

Finally. It worked. sorry for all the extra dumb posts.

Dec 30, 2005

Leaving.
I'm trying to leave the ltbowers.blogspot and direct a message to anyone reading it to the other one. e-mail me at leonna@comcast.net if you can't find me at the I'm the Queen one.

Dec 30, 2005

I'm leaving this site and going to the other one.
Please look for me at leonnabowers.blogspot.com

I'm the Queen

That's wrong!!!! I'm staying with I'm the Queen blog site. How can this be so hard?

I'm the Queen

That's wrong!!!! I'm staying with I'm the Queen blog site. How can this be so hard?

Dec 30, 2005

Jan. 8, 200r
I am leaving this site and going to another. Please look for me at leonnabowers.blogsite.com

I'm the Queen

Trying something different.
I copied from this blog to the other, now I'm going the other way. That way everything I've blogged will be together and I'll have the pretty format with ability to post pictures. Here goes.
Hooray!! it worked. I'll leave a message on ltbowers to look for future updates here.

Tyrone was at church this morning. Acting out as usual. After church I chewed him out and said that it was perfectly OK for him to be there but he needed to act like a 25 year old and not some stupid kid. He was contrite and all. Sure wish something could be done about him so he would be OK again.

Now if I can only figure out how to change the title of this blog from Dec 30, 2005 to I'm the Queen. I also do not have the capability to ad pictures from this venue. interesting
posted by Leonna at 7:59 AM 0 comments

Sunday morn
First two posts minus pictureWell, that went well.I can see that I have much to learn about this set up. Hope I can remember what I did today so I can continue tomorrow.This is a picture of Jhary in the Christmas dress I made her.Hope I can figure out how to add my picture to the profile part of this blog.posted by Leonna @ 1:21 PM 2 comments Ready set GO!Here I go. Never done this before. Tried the website routine but found it too hard. Robin claims this one is mondo easy. We shall see.Want to see what this post looks like and how to up load a picture or two.I have loads of grand kids so you all will get bored looking at them.posted by Leonna @ 1:05 PM 0 comments
posted by Leonna at 7:56 AM 0 comments
Saturday, January 07, 2006

Saturday
After doing nearly nothing yesterday, I continued the same today. Actually, my gut is feeling better so I should be all better by tomorrow. I did finishe Sue Grafton's first book, A is for Alibi in record time of two days - I haven't felt like doing much else but read. Started on B is for Burglary today. Want to read clear through the series.At 6 am Tyrone called collect. (If you accept this call the cost will be $24.95 for the first 4 minutes. I hung up on that one.) He called back using MCI's 1800collect. Hope that is a cheaper way to go. He just wanted to find out if it was OK for him to come over. What could I say... He showed up on the doorstep smelly, dirty, disheveled. I took him in, fed him made him take a shower and listened to him ramble on about nonsensical stuff. (Riverfront Park was his idea, there should be sidewalks everywhere, there are too many potholes, David Smith's father, Lester gave him a table, got to get my guitar back - several references to that). I guess his most bizzar behavior was putting food in his hair. Jerry says it is just an attention getting device. First he goes into the shower (wanting to use sugar and salt instead of soap) and gets all clean. Then he's eating waffles and puts butter and syrup in his hair. Goes into the bathroom and dumps alcohol all over his head then dowses his head in mineral oil. Starts picking out his hair and great clumps are breaking off. Tries to streighten his hair with my curling iron (oil all over everything). Then he goes to the kitchen cupboard and sees the honey. Opens the jar and starts to pour honey into his mouth, it overflows and he has his hand full of honey, which he smears into his hair. My kitchen was sticky. I finally had to get him gone so we drove him to Wendy's, bought him a couple of burgers and gave him some cash. He still has some "stuff" here and his coat, so we will probably see him again. He is just too weird for my tastes.Time to get some food into my grumbly stomach. Probably just a PBJ sand. Nothing else sounds good.
posted by Leonna at 4:34 PM 0 comments
Thursday, January 05, 2006

jan 5, 2006
Trying the Blog This button to see what it does. As you can see My first postings are at a different site. Oh well.
posted by Leonna at 11:26 AM 0 comments

Thursday morning
Happy Birthday Robin. I'll call later. Hope you are planning something special for today.I have already been swimming, took Ben the cat to the vet (for his "operation") and done a bit of grocery shopping. I wanted to go to the Library but forgot my card. Will have to do that later on the way to Finch school to volunteer for the second grade teacher.We had dinner with Jerry's son and his fsamily the other night. I was seated across from Tracy - the mom in that family. She was looking longingly at the close relationship Jerry has with Carrie's (his daughter) two girls - we watch them frequently - and she became tearie eyed. They live about 40 minutes away from us so we really don't see them much. Guess Jerry watched their son a lot when he was little so they know how special time with grandparents can be. I really miss not being able to be around my biological grand kids - what with two in Illinois, three in Hawaii and three in Arizona. One visit a year is about all we can manage. I am using all my spoiling skills on Jerry's grandkids. Life is too short to have to worry about what could have been. I just have to deal with what can be.
posted by Leonna at 11:26 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Wednesday afternoon
So why can't I see the last three posts I've made when I go to leonnabowers.blogspot.com?When I so to view blog there they are. This may become more frustrating than it's worth.Off to yoga now. Must chill down. MMMMMM
posted by Leonna at 3:56 PM 0 comments

January 4
I'm back. Computer has been down. It's all those programs I had to download, I'm sure that crashed my PC. I'm up now on my lap top. Tried posting yesterday - to no avail. Sure wish I was smarter than this machine.Jessica is back on her way home. It was nice having her here, tho tiring having to go "out" for meals all the time. I really am tired of restaurant food. Will be eating lots of fresh veggies and pbj sandwiches so my system can get back to normal.Let's see if this posts. Later
posted by Leonna at 1:46 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Frozen Computer
I finally got my laptop to talk to the internet. Wow! Was I lost without internet connections.I blame this blog spot. lol. In trying to load my picture into the bio area, I downloaded "Hello" and the picture program they request. I guess my PC and it's antiquated Windows 98 just could not handle the load cause I had to take the PC into the shop on Saturday. Sunday I tried to connect the lap top to the internet and was unsuccessful. Even the tech support (with whom I was on the phone for 45 minuts) was stumped. Said I needed a disk from Comcast. Waited until today (office was closed on Monday) to pick it up. Then called tech support when it didn't behave and he walked me through to fruition. I didn't need that disk afterall. Just the right technician.So, things are pretty much back to normal after the holidays. The tree and decorations are down and put away. I have tried several times to clean my sewing room - to no avail. I just have too much stuff in there. Jessica Blowers (Jerry's daughter the opera singer) has been here for a few days. That means eating out a lot. Pasta, sandwiches, Chinese, etc. I need to not be tempted by out of the house food. The scale shows that I have overindulged. Course the dozen or so cookies I ate instead of dinner last night probably didn't help.Will hear from the computer repair person tomorrow - I hope and be able soon to get back on my PC.All is well as I start a new year.
posted by Leonna at 11:21 AM 0 comments
Friday, December 30, 2005

Maybe I'll figure this out yet. This is the picture
I want to post (for a while) in my profile. I have loaded Hello and Picasa but can't seem to get Picasa to find any pictures on my hard drive (wrong - my hard drive is loaded with pictures). Speaking of which I should back up my drive soon. I digress. Maybe a bit more fussing with this and I'll have it figured out.
Jessica, Jerry's daughter, is in town for a couple of days. She is living now in New York City and commented on how small Spokane is as she easily walked the six blocks from the Davenport Hotel to Aunties Bookstore this afternoon. She does walk a lot in New York and in doing so has really trimmed down and firmed up. As an operatic performer, appearance is very important and her efforts are paying off. She will be singing with the Utah Opera company in March. I'm flying down to attend the performance.