MAGIC MEMORIES

These boys are so much fun.  And they still think hanging with Gramma is fun.  Win/win.  I had a 4 hour date with each boy (separately) on Saturday and Sunday.  We had a blast!  

Lunch and a $10 bucket of 100 green soldiers.  A trip to Goodwill to look for treasures.  Costco for samples.  Banana split for dessert.

Breakfast (chocolate chip pancakes for D) and $10 worth of Call of Duty action figures then a trip to a pet shop that still sells pets.  3 large tortoises roaming the floor.  Puppies, kittens, fish ... and reptiles.  Thank goodness for a kind Dad person to reach in and get one for D to hold.

A trip to the Oregon Coast ... they don't care about rain!

Newport, Oregon has a great Aquarium

His first ever banana split ... yes, at Dairy Queen

For our "date" we went to a pet store where EVERYTHING was holdable.  Now he wants a Bearded Dragon for his birthday

OPTICAL DELUSION

I am so looking forward to have my eyesight back (with glasses).

It takes a few hours for the evening ointment to work its way out.  Until then, it's like looking through vaseline.  And I have to close my left eye (cataract already removed) to read or use the computer.  Because it has been set for "medium" distance.  When my right eye is cataract free, I will have to wear reading glasses (hopefully off the shelf!!).  My dream is to be able to not wear glasses at home and while walking or shopping.  Then long distance specs for driving.

I love the feeling of using the ointment as my eyes feel moist.  The over the counter drops feel good for about 30 minutes.  Maybe there are prescription drops that last longer ... and I'm going to ask!

My next appointment is March 24 when my right eye gets measured for replacement lens.  April 1 for surgery, April 2 for follow up and April 29 to be tested for glasses.

My birthday is May 1 and it will be a grand celebration!

I GOT AN OMEN

Nope, I didn't volunteer again!  Apparently, I never hit "send" to step into the WLLO Council as Secretary.  And at our meeting on Tuesday, another member has tentatively stepped up, so I'm off the hook.  I will stay on the Council, one year term.

I take that as an OMEN!  Now I just have to remember to bite my tongue.
At the meeting, I did reiterate what I do NOT want to do.  Since I drafted the minutes, I clearly put them in writing.  It was quickly "edited" to not have most of them in writing, so I quickly went back in and RE-edited to include them!  (then locked the document for commenting only)  I will do March and April but starting in May, I will be a helper for a month or two.

At the monthly meeting, while the outgoing Chair is grandchild sitting four days a week (infant all day, preschooler half days and Kindergartener after school) she may still remain in charge of Volunteers.  She has been swiping leads I have  cultivated for Virtual Office helpers, so it will soon be her problem when I work just 2 days a week.

I do want this Village to be successful but I'm not willing to work 80 hours a week doing things that make me cranky.  Most of the ladies on the Council have been involved for 3 years getting us open for business.  Some need a break.  Many are staying on AND doing more.  Some of them are still employed!

Now ... to finally get my eyesight back to where it was!  Next blog ...

HOW ON EARTH?

OOOPS, I did it again.

I volunteered to be Secretary on the WLLO Governing Council.  With all the changes happening this year, our membership needs a few familiar faces.  The term is just one year and one of the ladies who is running to be co-chair, is easy and fun to work with.    

The plan is for me to stop doing the jobs I don't enjoy thus giving me time to do this.  Council meets once a month and I will record the happenings.  One of our goals is to have each team backed up by a trained member of another team ... in case of long vacations, illness, whatever.  I've been working with Membership (she is running for co-chair)  She has swooped in once she learned of my friction with the outgoing chair.  And has encouraged her other team members to be more friendly towards me.  I guess I work better with people who are kind and encouraging.

It's been a busy WLLO week.  Tuesday was Flick Friends and only ONE member joined me.  She lives about 1/2 mile from me, so I swung by to carpool.  We watched Knives Out which we both loved!  I love reserving seats and I think I'll do that ever time ... there were just three of us there to watch a 1pm show so if other members don't want to go online and reserve a seat, there should always be plenty of room.   Wednesday evening was Happy Hour and my daughter drove me and another member then returned two hours later to bring us home.  (Hopefully good eyes by my birthday!).

I'm in the middle on the left of this photo.  On my right is a member who I drive a lot.  Our day together started at 8:45 when I took her to a lecture at our Adult Community Center.  Then we made a few stops running errands and then had lunch together at our Adult Community Center.  Got her home a little after 1:00pm so I could return at 3:30 to take her with me for Happy Hour.

On my left is a 95 year old member ... sitting across from her daughter.  Ms. 95 is always dressed to the nines, with just the right amount of makeup and coordinating jewelry.  Since we had such a small group, we got a lot of talking in.  She lives in a four generational family!  Ages 7 months to 95.  They built a second master suite for her (I think she paid for it)  She loves it as much as I do.

The Village concept is such a great idea for keeping oldsters involved in life and socializing.  Which is why I like to do my part.  Someday I will be a follower and less of a doer.

P.S.  Boys have a four day weekend ... so I sent them to the Oregon coast, Newport to be exact.  Mr. Ralph and I were married there and they are going to sprinkle a bit of Poppa.

SNIPPETS

Dad, he's distracting me.

Bubba will you read me this?

No, it's a hurricane, not a tornado.

Gramma, will you teach me how to tell time?

Why don't Mom and Dad like to read the Bible? (I suggested he ask them and said I am always willing to read it to him.  Are the stories real?  I don't know for sure but each story teaches us a lesson)

How old is Poppa?

How many days til Halloween?

I wanna go to "R" class with  Bubba!

Do you wanna have sushi for breakfast?

Can you babysit my "substitute anything from stuffed animal to cash box"

My Lambie hurled himself into the lamp.  Sorry Gramma.  He's grounded.

Can we play in your room?

He's looking at me with violent eyes.

 Happy brothers!

 I have so many works of art!

 Stratego has been a BIG hit at this house  (like Chess but military names)

 Sushi dinner fun

A tent from my bed to under my desk

THE LAST LAP

AH!  It may not look like much, but we had a working toilet on Wednesday!  With five people sharing the master bath, we were all excited to have two working toilets.

Jesse traded shower curtains so this bathroom has the all white one now.  We need to find a huge wall mount storage unit to go over the toilet.  And a new inset medicine cabinet.  And then we will be done!

It would look better without the Old Lady arms, but we have no place to put grab bars. These work just fine!

The vanity!  It is several inches taller which is great as we are all tall!  Two storage drawers as well as space under.

The mirror!  And he painted all the trim with 2-3 coats of white.  Caulked along all the edges and then replaced the new bright trim.

My wish come true!  Separate handles for hot and cold. And the bidet is fully functional now.  (I've really missed that).

I'm almost ready to let him try the kitchen!

THURSDAY BLOGGING

Ahhh ... the end of the month crunch is over.

I finally took time to get myself to the Dr for what I've been suspecting is a bladder infection.  She prescribed a five day supply of antibiotic and two doses in, things are already feeling better.  

Tuesday is dental afternoon .... getting the last two crowns replaced.

The best news of all?  I think the commode will be reinstalled today (Tuesday)!

I love how the new flooring looks ... with the paint.  The vanity is a very dark blue and I think the sink is white.  Keep your fingers crossed!

COMMODE CRISIS

We've been wanting to change the flooring in our guest bath (which is really our main bath) for about a year.  I got bids from two remodel companies then decided I didn't want a mortgage!!  Never mind taking out the one piece shower/tub and getting tile.  Never mind taking out the 30 year old vanity with a plastic "marble" sink and surround. 

For some reason, Jesse has decided now is the time and he can do it himself.  It started out with just replacing the engineered wood plank floor.  He and Kate would go get flooring samples to bring home.  Nothing really sparked any joy.  Then they started looking at heavy vinyl that comes in 12 foot lengths.  Which prompted them to say how about a new (higher) vanity with a mirror (instead of the whole wall being deteriorating 30 year old mirror.

Which led to painting the ceiling and walls, before putting anything back in place.  I'm amazed that he would tackle such a job having never done any of the phases before .... except for painting!

Needless to say, we have been down to ONE toilet and shower for five people.  One is an older lady who usually gets up twice in the night.  Two younger people wait until it is an emergency to use the facilities.

So far, it's been two nights and we are all still talking with each other!

Wish me luck!