A Wild Five Days in LA

Sitting here nursing a cold and reflecting on what a crazy life I have at times...just spent five days in LA at a seminar.  It was a  WOW...and a whole lot crazy.  Fun as you can see from the photos.  It wore me out...up at 5:30 and to be at 2:00.  We were busy...busy.  Took bus tours of LA...I know one thing for sure...I will never move there!  Just to much traffic and grid lock.
We had tickets to watch a portion of the Jay Leno show being filmed..what a hoot.  Loved being in the studio and then we were off to visit an old friend and his family. Great times.

Tree Art

Recieved a gift a couple of years ago from a dear friend, that I never was able to use...you can see it on this tree stump.  Knew I would be moving and didn't want to put it up and have to leave it there.  So today while trying to organize the garage the gift was found again and this time attached to this wonderful old citrus tree.  Though long dead... the eyes, nose and mouth fit this tree...perhaps a bird will actually get a meal...the mouth is a bird feeder. Love it!  Another addition that makes this place a home.  Come and visit some time. And thanks again for the gift!

80th Birthday

A celebration of live!  My father in law turned 80 last Friday and we did celebrate at the Olive Garden.

The attendees and the honored guest enjoyed a wonderful meal, music and companionship. We toasted, talked about life experiences and wished Wally a happy, happy birthday.  The cake shown was made by a family friend, a pastry chef, and it was as good and delicious as it looks. Chocolate leaves and sugarcoated raspberries covered the top. I believe that Wally was touched (saw some small tears) and had a wonderful day.  And that is what life is about...wonderful days.

Home for a Cat

Another cat?  No, oh No! I seem to attract cats...all kinds and sizes. This has been a reoccurring theme through out my life.  And guess what I am a dog person.... these critters just some how enter my life.  Here is the newest addition...a white male that has adopted us and especially Mattie May.  They do the walk about together around the property each morning.  Stretch as I am calling him now (that's what he does a lot of.... fitting) is a cute guy who was abandoned and has been on his own since last June. He is just a friendly boy, loves to be petted, stroked and loved.  Spice, my other cat is not a happy girl; she does not like him around.  Have you ever seen two cats fight thru a sliding glass door...squeals, scratching and posturing...what a scream?  So we now have an outside cat...and I am sure a new cathouse will need to be built. Got to love it!

Tostada Bowl, A Flag Day

One thing that I was able to do and never will forget the wonderful, almost floating experience happened at the Tostada Bowl this year.  I got to be part of the volunteers to open the flag on the field.  We arrived at the stadium in Glendale around 2:30 to meet and be oriented on the procedures of unfolding, running the flag and actually keeping it off the ground during the pre game ceremonies. What fun we had, though the wait for 45 seconds of fame was trying.  That’s how long the song was played and we had to unfurl it and refold in that time frame. Meet lots of wonderful people from Alabama and Oregon.  It was a feast for the eyes or should I say imagination...seeing some of the costumes and outfits.  And I must say I love those southern ladies attitudes, makes me smile just thinking of them. If I come back to another life on earth...please I would love to be one, a southern lady.

This flag is the size of the football field and we had 200 volunteers helping with it. I was under the flag helping to keep it afloat.... what a feeling!  I will never be able to describe it...seeing the flag above and the grass below...almost like a dance. Next year...hope I get to do it again.  It was a WOW! 

Little Dog with a Big Attitude

Barkley is his name. He is a Miniature Pincher that we adopted about 10 years ago and dearly love. This little dog has been such a great pal and pet.  Last summer he developed diabetics unfortunately it took a while for us to realize he was sick.  A trip to our vet and he knew just by looking at his eye what the problem was. Several test later and days spent measuring his glucoses levels, he is now somewhat under control.

He has lost seven pounds in the last few months and now has a cataract brought on by this disease. His life now revolves around a special diet, shoots (this is the worst part for me) and a quest for walks. We are hoping that we can keep it under control to avoid more side effects (loss of his vision) and other problems.  Though along with his allergies, some days it’s one or the other of these afflictions are bothering him.  My hope is that Mr. Longlegs as I affectionately call him is with us for a long time. This is his favorite poise and chair....so cute.

The Last? Yucky Project

Powered soap scum

 Finally started attacking the master shower stall today and what a mess.  Moldy caulk and soap scum are abundant in this shower.  I have rinsed it with bleach and soaked some of the caulk with no success at removing the mold. So now its straight edge blades and box cutters to the rescue...not really a rescue just more hard work.  I have always wanted a walk in shower and more than ever wish I had it.  No cleaning of shower doors and the metal fabricated frames that have lots of small cervices full of old moldy caulk, just waiting for me to remove...and its a nuisance and hard work.  But this is it for now on the inside of the house..the last gross item to be cleaned.

Removed caulk and scum

Last night the smoke alarms kept making that sharp annoying wail every five minutes...and guess what it started at 2 o clock in the morning...had to disconnect the thing...close the 12 foot high ceiling. Imagine finding a ladder and opening my eyes wide enough to figure out how to disconnect it.  First thing this morning four of the seven smoke alarms were replaced...the rest perhaps tomorrow.  Have you ever seen fly poop on a smoke alarm...these alarms were covered.  Hopefully the last of the items covered in poop.  Cannot imagine how many flies must have made this house their home.

On the war front with the pigeons...we are winning.  I shake a broom in the air at them and they leave, now George has a silly little gun that shoots yellow balls...and they leave.  One day soon, they will not visit our roof, leave thier deposits  and not lay any more eggs.  I have to say...Oh Happy Day.  And no more poop...is there a theme here?