THURSDAY ALREADY?

Time seems to go faster and faster.  And since pictures are worth a thousand words ...

Got my eyebrows tinted on Monday and hair cut on Tuesday.  Much better in my mind.  A few swipes of mascara and Burt's Bees on my lips.  Easy enough.  Next to practice casual eyeshadow to highlight the eyes. My hair is almost 50% white/grey.

Despite having their own boy and a little tent and a little sleeping bag, these strong military guys spent the night with me this past weekend.  I've never felt more safe.

Yes, the HOA and the Landscape Chairperson visited us last week.  Then this showed up on Facebook right after.  We have to submit a landscape plan and then "they" will decide what can stay.

Oy.

CALENDAR GIRL DUTIES

I can't believe how quickly a month goes by.  I dread the end of each month ... but not for long ... just two more months.

It's difficult to get people to turn in their information on time.  Even Board members.  Days/times get double booked and it is embarrassing for me to "tell" (not ask) a host to choose a different day even though Happy Hour has been the second Wednesday of the month for the past two years.

I maintain a spreadsheet by date, mind you, so that Council members and hosts  can see what has been scheduled.  Yet many still don't check their first and then choose their date.

This past week was busy with WLLO and I took myself to my room and had a serious talk.  I have a list of things I currently do and then I made a list of what I enjoy doing.  I sent it to the top three of our future Governing Council with the caveat that if I get my mojo back, I can always volunteer for more.

Since I became a severe social Introvert, I don't want to be in charge of anything.  I want to be a helper or behind the scenes.  My FAVORITE part of WLLO is providing services for the members!

Recently the current Chair scheduled an event at our condo clubhouse ... but didn't check with me (or other resident who is WLLO Council) about availability .... and the room is booked ALL day by three different activities!  Now she is in a tither to find another space.

Last but not least ... I posted an ad for a Virtual Office volunteer so it's not just two of us handling everything.  Within 3 days we had three potential helpers!  The current Chair met one of them who attended our monthly informational coffee get together and now wants her to be Volunteer Coordinator!  Slow down.  She volunteered for one day a week not a full time job!  Based on previous experiences, let's work with a new volunteer and once we know their skills and personality and desires, then we can ask if they would like more responsibilities.  But curren Chair is not listening.  She told me she is still in charge until April 18 and is working towards the sustainability of the Village, not just office.

Back to the calendar work. Not a very happy volunteer right now.

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

Mr. Almost 6 lost his first tooth!  While sleeping.

About one fourth grey/white.  Continue to go with it?  Definitely need to learn how to make my shrinking eyes look bigger ....

OH MY GOSH, Internet Provider!!! REALLY?

We have access to just two internet providers.  Xfinity and Century Link.  I've always used Comcast (now Xfinity)  and the bill just continues to go higher and higher.  (Many neighbors have switched to Century Link but switched right back after a few months.  Unreliable and weak service)

We've cut out television but upgraded our internet as on occasion, all five of us are using the internet at the same time.  Even with JUST internet, it's $150 a month!

Last week when I pulled into my home parking space, Kate came quickly over to say Comcast wants to talk to you about lowering our bill.  R I G H T, I think to myself.  On a cold rainy night in the dark, an employee is going door to door to lower my cost?

Believe it or not, after checking his ID to be sure he was truly an Xfinity employee, we spent 20 minutes and by the time he left, I had confirmation email that my monthly bill is now $100 and it includes an internet phone so we have a "land" line!  Now to find an easy-to-use phone and where to put it.

They provided a combo modem/router but I need to make sure I'm not paying to "rent" that.  We have one.

BIRD NERD

Last Spring my daughter decided to interact with nature.  She is active and prefers to be outdoors and while out supervising her cavalry, she noticed the different kinds of birds and squirrels.  And up went that first bird feeder.

In May, she and Jesse designed and built a bird bath with flowing water.  Having water nearby attracts even more birds (thirsty?)  We have a locally owned company, Backyard Birdshop, and they have 5-6 locations.  All the employees are totally into outdoor life, particularly birds.  She is there weekly.

Jesse has made a bird house and several bird feeders as well.  Each bedroom has a suction cup bird feeder!  She makes suet and hummingbird syrup.  She refills the feeders every day.  She hand feeds them meal worms.  She knows the birds by their sounds, as well as their names.  The boys also know sounds and names!

Now she is learning how to keep squirrels and cats out of the bird area.  She has made evergreen planters for the birds to hide.  She hangs evergreen fronds on and around the feeders, so the birds are out of sight from the local hawk who scares everyone away.  The squirrels now follow her off the condo complex where they are rewarded with treats.

Both parents are night owls and go on an 11pm walk every night.  They hear owls but can  never catch sight of them ... until last week.  And she even got a photo!

Last and certainly not least ... Jesse got her a motion detecting outdoor camera so she can watch her birds from her job.  Said job most likely will be the Backyard Bird Shop.

Bird Nerd is her screen name for groups on Facebook and elsewhere.

GETTING UP. GETTING DRESSED. GETTING OUT.

2020 continues to be kind to me.

My quarterly Dr visit says I am down 6 pounds (and I didn't take off my shoes or my sweater) and my blood pressure is down on the first try.  I did calm deep breathing while waiting and the assistant put my hand of the arm she was checking ON her shoulder ... I think that helped also!  Sugar remained the same so I need to get my body MOVING.

I called around within a 7 mile radius (because, CONVENIENCE) to find a place with water aerobics and other fun-without-sweating things in the water.  24-Hour Fitness is just $46/mo for month-to-month membership.  Heading in to sign up on Monday. (Just 4.5 miles)

Weight Watchers is on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am.  Weather permitting (Portland is predicting snow ... and people here do NOT know how to drive in snow!)  I'm heading there to be weighed in once a week and learn some better substitutes for carbs.  I keep trying to find a buddy but no one has stepped up yet.

It will be interesting as I don't understand their new Three Color plan.  Based on your answers to their online assessment, you’ll get matched with a color (Blue, Green, and Purple) that guides you toward food choices geared for your goals.  I just want to track what I eat, drink more water and cut back on the junk food.

 Last but not least, I'm reducing my WLLO work hours.  On April 18 we will have our first annual Members Meeting and a new, elected Governing Council will be selected.  I sent a Council wide email last week explaining that I will go back to member services at this same time.  Hopefully I can "adopt" a gal pal and provide an extra member-to-member drive as three rides a week barely covers doctors and errands.  I want to be the FUN things.  More one on one.  Go over to visit or play games.  Go out to the movies.  Share lunch.  I will continue to be a driver and maybe one or two days of virtual office (right now it is 4-5 days a week!)

Color me happy!

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

Writing down lyrics so he can decorate a song book.













Well loved stuffed animals, swaddled in paper towels and bright colors of masking tape brought in for tending.

Salted soft pretzels delivered warm from the Easy Bake Oven.

Playing with my Polly Pocket charm while waiting (a well chosen Christmas gift).






Love messages in homemade envelopes, slipped under my door (stickers for stamps).

Watching You Tube videos of songs from the Sound Of Music.

Sharing a bathroom.








Welcoming a Kindergarten boy who comes in at 4:00 am to spend the rest of the night ... because of monsters.

ROARING TWENTIES

2020 is off to a great start ... just five days in!

On Thursday I received notification of an old IRA that I had not rolled over when I left that employer.  I seem to remember I had to leave it in for a specified amount of time and then I promptly forgot about it!  What an awesome surprise.  Yes!!!  There was a comma involved!!

Friday, I got the second dose of Shingrix.  I was getting a bit concerned since the first dose was August.  I sure do have a sore arm!  Medicare does not cover it and my insurance plan only covers  $20 so that was a BIG number.  Twice!  But watching two friends deal with over a year's worth of big pain, worth every penny to me.

On Saturday I went with a condo friend for a luxurious pedicure!  It's a new spot in a brand new retail section of the most exclusive/expensive continuing care community in Oregon.  They are running a 20% off sale until business picks up so we were treated to over an hour's worth of detailed foot care.  We made a pact to go every four weeks this year.  My daughter has been doing mine for several months but we don't have the right height of chairs and stools to keep her (or me) comfortable.

THE YEAR OF THE HAT

I'm sure I mentioned I'm letting my hair go white.  It's about 4" of white right now with the rest a dull golden blond.  The more white that takes over, the less I'm sure.  It's a long, challenging process to let it all grow out.

So maybe this should be the year of the hat!

     

      

   

Returning to this color??