CAUTION - READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

This will be my last blog.

My heart is not in it, I struggle to find topics and readership is half of what it used to be.  If I have a negative title, I get lots of "reads".  And lately the blog only gets one or two comments.

My Awkward Widow days are over and now I'm just a Grateful Gramma.

Thanks for stopping by and reading.  It was great fun for almost ten years.

P.S.  Please keep blogging as I am still reading!

LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY!

Wow.  Google can do just about ANYTHING!  So so many sites that will share tips and tricks about Google with you.  I will share a few that I found useful

Use a colon to search specific sites

There may be an instance where you need to Google search for articles or content on a certain website. The syntax is very simple:

• Sidney Crosby site:nhl.com

This will search for all content about famous hockey player Sidney Crosby, but only on NHL.com. All other search results will be removed. If you need to find specific content on a particular site, this is the shortcut you can use.

Use Google search to do math

Google search can actually do math for you. This is a rather complex one to describe because it can be used in so many ways. You can ask it basic questions or some more difficult ones.

It is important to note that it won’t solve all math problems, but it will solve a good number of them. For example

• 8 * 5 + 5

If you search, it’ll return 45. It will also show a calculator that you can use to find answers to more questions.

Use words that websites would use  This is a very important one. When people use Google search to hunt the web, they generally search for things using the same language that they would use for speaking.

Unfortunately, websites don’t say things the way people do; instead, they try to use language that sounds professional. Let’s look at some examples:

• “I have a flat tire” could be replaced by “repair a flat tire.”
• “My head hurts” could be replaced by “headache relief.”

The list goes on and on. 

Google search has shortcuts

A number of commands can be entered to give you instantaneous results.

Like the math example above, Google can immediately give you the information you need that is displayed right at the top of the search results. This can save time and effort so you don’t have to click a bunch of bothersome links.

Here are a few examples of some commands you can enter into Google:

• Weather *zip code* – This will show you the weather in the given zip code. You can also use town and city names instead of area codes, but it may not be as accurate if there are multiple area codes in the city.  I used to go to my phone and use the weather app!
• What is the definition of *word* or Define: *word* – This will display the definition of a word.  Although I just type in the *word* and it shows the definition (and synonyms and antonyms)  A mediocre tip in my book.
• Time *place* – This will display the time in whatever place you type in.  Again, I would use my iPhone when my sister was in Hong Kong.  
• You can check any stock by typing its ticker name into Google. Just type in GOOG, it will check the stock prices for Google.

These quick commands can take a web search that is usually multiple clicks and condense it into a single search. This is very helpful for information you need repeatedly.

Track your packages

This last trick (and my favorite so far) is to use Google search to find out where your packages are. You can enter any UPS, USPS, or Fedex tracking number directly into the Google search bar, and it’ll show you the tracking information about your package.

This is much easier than going to the specific sites, waiting for them to load, then searching for your packages there.  How many times have you done that???? Me?  Millions and going to the delivery site is usually very cumbersome for me.

I updated the operating system on my Mac and man it changed everything!  Currently I hate it but once I watch a few more videos, I'm sure I'll find everything somewhere and will be able to make Ventura do things my way.

GOOGLE GURU

I love Google!  I think I’m going to try to learn one new thing about Google every week.  This search engine has so much capability.  Maybe someday I will be a Google Guru.

(Birthday boy with his Mom)

Sorry this post is so late in the day.  We all went to the Oregon Coastal town of Seaside for two nights and what fun we had.  Mr. B turned 12 on Friday so it was anything he wanted to do!  We left about 3pm Friday afternoon as Friday night is pizza and movie night … and he got to pick the movie, of course.  MAJOR traffic accident on the only straight way home and we were diverted into a rest area just 35 miles from home.

It was a trailer truck and a pick up truck and oil had spilled all over the highway.  It would be 4 - 6 HOURS before traffic could move again.  Luckily Kate uses the Waze app and she asked for directions home without using any highways.  It was a meandering beautiful fall drive with just a bit of fog.  

Every once in a while there was a home, or 2-3 to make a neighborhood and I always wonder where they work!  A heck of a drive even to a suburb of Portland.

We went through the tiny town of Vernonia and stopped to get water and a power bar but they had jacked the gasoline rate to almost $6/gallon so we made it home on fumes.  Picked up an already baked pizza (ordered an hour ahead of time!) And finally got home after 8pm.

While the boys played on devices in the car some of the time, we had GREAT conversations about any topic someone brought up and all of us chimed in.  Just delightful.  Yet exhausting.  Deacon and I shared a room but mostly we were in the bigger room (with a view of the ocean) (and a fireplace).  He loves to have his privacy and he is always building "tents" or "clubhouses" or "nests."

(D is under the table and B is on D's bed in my room)

Now .... I’m going to continue to sip my cold brew while I do a little more Google research for my NEXT blog!  Hopefully I'll write it before Saturday so it posts on time.  Such a slacker ....

TIS THE SEASON

 

Two spiders this year!

Black vampire flamingos 

Welcome!

The wicked witch within

QR CODES ARE TAKING OVER!

 Bar Codes vs QR codes  

Believe it or not, bar codes were invented in the early 1950’s and patented in the US and are kinda based on the Morse code.  However, it took over twenty years before this invention became commercially successful.  

Now we see them everywhere! Groceries are probably the first and most successful use of barcodes. (Which are now referred to as automatic identification and data capture - AIDC).  In fact, the first barcode was used on a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum in 1974.

With the widespread use of smart phones, AIDC has now turned into QR codes ... short for Quick Response).  Invented in 1994 by engineer Masahiro Hara, the original purpose of the QR code was to track vehicles and parts moving through the assembly line.  When QR codes first morphed into more than that, we had to download an app to read them.  I first used one in the 80’s at a state park to guide you through and see special sites.  It was incredible in my mind.  Like magic!

In 2017, Apple integrated a QR code reader in their camera app.  There are two kinds of WR codes used in 2022 … static and dynamic.  A static QR code contains information that cannot be modified once it's live. This means any typo or misstep will require you to create a brand new one. The good news is that static codes don't expire — so once the content is set, your work is done.

Static QR codes are ideal for storing fixed or sensitive info — think Wi-Fi passwords, employee ID numbers, or access codes. But they're not so helpful if you need to update your data regularly.

Dynamic QR codes allow you to change your info as many times as you want. This is because the information isn't ingrained into the code itself. Instead, it redirects users to a specific URL that can be changed at any time. For example, a restaurant can redirect users to a menu on their website.  Our local Olive Garden uses a dynamic QR which instantly opens their Current menu on your phone or pad.  We could also pay our bill using a QR code.

The Food Pantry will be using bar codes or QR codes soon to identify clients.  Because in the next month we will have to limit shopping to every other week.  I stopped in to Hunger Fighters on Friday to pick up a project and was shocked to see how bare the shelves are.  Both in the shopping area and in the storage area.  We are again offering Thanksgiving Boxes and all clients were mailed or emailed information on contents and how to order.  Unfortunately for us, some clients photocopied the flyer for their friends and neighbors and now we have double the number of recipients over last year.

It reminds me how privileged my life is.

IT'S COMING TO AN END

My town in Oregon has had the best, sunniest Summer and Fall ever.  We are still enjoying 55 at night and 80 during the day.  And the 80 seems so much cooler (tilt of the earth?).

My kidults are squeezing every bit out of summer.

All four of them enjoy fishing and since Kate has three days off during the week, the two of them go almost every day.

They are pro at catch and release, even though this is an edible size it won't feed all five of us!  It's a bass.

My sister's son had his first grandson at the beginning of September.  In Hong Kong (where she is from and where her parents live most of the time) which was an interesting journey with specific Covid testing 48 hours or sooner before boarding.  They had a snafu with their documentation and had to have Covid testing at the NYC airport (to the tune of $600).  When they planned their trip, Hong Kong was requiring 7 days of quarantine but when they arrived, they learned it had shortened to just three days.

Chinese tradition is a big celebration at the baby's one month birthday.  Red and gold, red envelopes with money, festive foods.  This is my brother-in-law holding his first little one.

I made this larger so you could see those booties!  He looks like a future King!  His full name is Solomon Zhao-Zhe (晁喆) Hadas!!  I looked up each of the Chinese words (and the symbols) and the symbols have so so many meanings, the best I got was morning and sage/wise.  The grandparents got to stay for ten days and just landed in NYC on Friday night.

Last but not least, my newest summer hat!

(I really should wear make up!)

TECHNOLOGY OR NOT

I like using email or texts to remind me what I've said or asked (so as not to nag).

It comes in handy a LOT (explanation near the end of this short post).  My kidults get way too many texts so most everything I send them is smothered by "word of the day", Facebook group alerts, etc.  They rarely check their email although with two kids in school we get email every day so they are getting a little better.

But I have found that handwritten notes work better at this home.  All supplies and extras of things are stored in part of the gigantic closet in the master suite.  Jesse has his photographic memory so he can find a bottle of hydrogen peroxide or a box of Qtips or matching pillowcases in an instance.

Now I use a bold marker, the back of an envelope (or a post it) and put it on the stove.  As if by magic, the request returns and sits atop the note.  Many items are stored above my reach or in awkward places where I can't lean over, lift paper towels to reach the toilet paper.  He doesn't use our bathroom (my and two boys, one who now enjoys LONG periods of time in the bathroom) so now paper notes work well.

Yesterday my WLLO Village held an event in our large Riverside Room and the patio.  Perfect weather so we had people outside most of the time.  (There is a door from Riverside room to the patio).  Our event was in celebration of International Older Persons Day and was from 2pm til 4pm.  About 2:30 an angry bald man (who doesn't live here) came into the party and said the Board (Mary Beth) told just told him HE could have the patio for a birthday party.  Turns out he is brother to one of our renters and it was a spur of the moment swim party for Rob's niece. (My son-in-law had blown the patio clean and washed all the tables and chairs and the set up committee decorated the tables).

I had sent Mary Beth a text on September 15 to ask if we could leave the furniture out for our party.  She agreed if we would put everything into winter positions, stacked against the back wall.  WLLO was paying Jesse for his time so I agreed.

Bald Boy was angry but being the nice little old ladies we are, the party committee said they could use one of the big tables.  They were noisy, lots of kids and adults, lots of commotion, so we all went inside.

I was rather cranky because we had filled in the reservation sheet at the beginning of September and included patio use, AND I had double checked about outdoor furniture as it is usually put away at the end of the month.

I've calmed down overnight but am preparing a solution ... a new sign up sheet that includes each clubhouse room AND the patio all in one place.  So the Queen can simply direct newer people to the sign up sheet.  We used to have one for each location but apparently that is too much work for people to check all three.

It will be a legal size sheet now so people have enough room to write in the boxes!  I added "be sure to add set up time and clean up time" to the column for TIME.  Also a box to remind people to post their alcohol insurance rider in the kitchen.

I've been suggesting using a Google calendar online but not everyone is computer savvy.

And that's the rest of the story!

IT'S ONLY GETTING WORSE

Hunger Fighters Oregon has done too great at their job.

In August, we served 891 people facing food insecurity.  HFO is a nonprofit all volunteer local organization ... we hired our first salaried person last July.  Supposedly for just 20 hours per week but really, it is more like 20 hours per day!

Two key people have stepped down from their long held posts (I think because the job hours kept increasing until it was more than full time) and our Executive Director and our past President have kept this place running in these extreme conditions.

Inflation is sending us more clients.  We offer 180 different food products as well as personal hygiene and cleaning products.  Clients can shop in person (we are open for two hours three times per week) or I lead a group of callers who contact 3-5 homebound clients and take their orders on the phone and input as we chat.  We deliver every Monday to about 25 homebound clients, some of whom are good with a computer and order their own 30 items.

Inflation, as you probably know, have made a huge impact on the cost of food.  We get food donations at three locations, we get fresh food from local farms, we glean food from many locations and yet it is hard to keep up.  Some items are in such high demand we can only offer them once a month.  One problem we are facing is we opened our service area to a 10 mile radius.  We are so well run and have such a variety clients come from everywhere.

Hopefully we will get more food drives, more corporate partners and entice more volunteers.

Support YOUR local food pantry.  With food or with money to buy food.  We can make a difference!

NORC

We bought this condo almost 13 years ago.  There are fourteen buildings, each with eight units. Some buildings have all 2 bedroom units and other buildings have all 3 bedroom units (although many have removed a wall between the smallest bedroom and made a large room.  It never looks like one room to me, as two columns have to remain for structural integrity.  Most people usually decorate like two living rooms.  Very odd to me.

Our community is mostly over 65 although we do have a few young families (who usually move when the kids need their own backyard). These have been condos for 25 years and the original 50-somethings are aging.  (NORC means naturally occurring retirement community).  

An ambulance or fire engine drive in at least twice a week.  My friend drove himself to the ER while having a heart attack because he didn't want neighbors to gossip about who the ambulance was for.

We have several deaths every year which leaves a lot of single 80+ year old ladies on their own.  Many of these are slowly becoming more demented.  A few of these have fallen for scams from potential "husbands" and have lost thousands of dollars.  One neighbor even reserved the Clubhouse for her "wedding" to a rich man who lives in a mansion in Hollywood, CA.  She had to send him money several times because his is tied up in big investments.  So sad.

Due to their dementia, (or maybe bad childhoods) these ladies are mostly estranged from their children.  It leaves our Village trying to help these singles.  One neighbor finally relinquished her keys and had her neighbor sell her car.  Another neighbor had to sell her car to afford necessities.  She can't sell her condo (now going for $350,000) because early on they got a reverse mortgage.

But it's not ALL bad/sad news.  With a community of 112 owners, every one recognizes almost everyone.  There a several groups of close knit neighbors who help people so much.  Whether setting up a meal delivery after surgery or doing a surprise birthday party, most everyone gets along.  Many of the folks love seeing our boys outside playing.  They are polite and chat with them, accept cookies or candy, then continue being army guys.  They get Christmas gifts, Halloween bags of candy and other treats so it's like having 5 grandmothers.  The boys write notes back and the ladies are delighted.

Covid threw a big wrench into our community.  We have some die hard anti-vaxers so they were excluded from small outdoor gatherings.  I stayed home and out of sight for so long, several thought I passed away. Things are getting back in swing!  One neighbor just turned 95 and a parade was organized around her building.  Banging pots and pans, birthday kazoos, balloons, silly hats and many happy birthday signs.  Ending with someone providing her with her own individual cake.

I'm lucky to have my family living with me so when I retire from driving I'll still be able to get around.  The grandsons are still a hoot and I love their curiosity.  That's for another blog!

 

sep·tu·a·ge·nar·i·an

Yep.  That little box I have to tick saying I am between 70 and 79.  I'm officially a Queenager and I hope to live at least as long as Queen Elizabeth II.

I would love to have hats made to match my outfits.  And outfits to fit my body type.  Sometimes even her gloves matched her outfits.  I love her monochromatic style (mine too)  She always looked stunning.  Currently I have a dozen hats, five are the ball caps which I don't really wear these days.  (Need to donate those)

Lust is the word I would use for her home life.  Maids, cooks, people to dress her, business secretaries, drivers, horse and barn employees and so much more. Maybe a full time flower arranger!  Oh, and I bet a make-up professional and hair stylist (491 direct employees to the Queen ... I could work with half that many!)  

She had more than 40 tiaras.  And how many sets of China and silver?  Shoes?  Up to 12 people staff the queen's wardrobe department for big occasions including three dressmakers, a milliner and four dressers whose job it is to help the queen get dressed as well as keep her clothes in pristine. 

I think it would wear me out just living like the queen.  I'm a wash and wear 100% cotton kind of girl.  I occasionally glam it up by adding a scarf!

THE DAILY RITUAL

Gosh do I enjoy my septuagenarian daily ritual.  After all those years of rushing to get a wee one off to preschool and myself off to work, and then all the years of just getting myself off to work, retirement is something I just immerse myself in.  It has changed very little since I first retired.

One cup of homemade cold brew coffee.  I add a scoop of Benefiber, some cream and my oh my it's good.  Then I open my computer to read and answer any emails of importance.  Next I read/skim our local City paper followed by the Portland paper.  My favorite next step is the NY Times.  I pay just $4 per month and there it is! After checking out articles of interest, I play the mini crossword and wordle.  Followed by Facebook and Instagram and NextDoor.

Once again we have wildfires very close to Portland.  Our air quality today is "unhealthy for sensitive groups."  Yesterday the air was a greenish grey and smelled of smoker.  So far the worst fires are across the Willamette River so Lake Oswego is just getting a Red Flag warning.  My kidlet has mild asthma and yesterday she took her inhaler to work.  My neighbor friend has a moderate case of asthma and just walking a block to her mailbox gave her a 15 minute coughing session and watery eyes.  She and her husband are invited to an outdoor party tonight but she is probably not going.

Thanks for reading ... not the most exciting blog of the century but a little glimpse into the first two hours of my day!

 

COOKING FOR ONE

There are days when the family is eating kid friendly food.  Chicken nuggets.  Corn dogs.  Sloppy Joes.  You know the stuff.  I, of course, still like these foods but I shouldn't eat them very often (diabetes).

I love reading recipes and I discovered a woman on Instagram, Cooking for One.

https://onedishkitchen.com/

She posts almost every day and has the best photos. Some recipes look like two servings for me but I like leftovers. 

Some of my favorite ideas for just me ...

Microwave poached egg.  You will need to try a time or two to get the right sized cup and the right number of seconds.  One cup of water in a regular coffee cup, cover with a paper towel and zap for 60 seconds. I usually leave mine in the water for another 15 seconds. Turkey bacon takes another 60 seconds.  Toast takes the longest!

I haven't tried this Pumpkin Spice Latte yet because I'll have to bake a pie that day as it only calls for one tablespoon of pumpkin!

Usually I'm not a dessert eater (I have wine ... counts as a fruit, yes?)  But those make it in a mug desserts are so great to whip up.  Most of my tries have been via 

https://www.biggerbolderbaking.com/preparation/single-serving/

So so yummy to have a warm brownie whenever you have that urge.

We have a very tiny kitchen so I either have to make my food first or when they are done.  I also keep a stash of Lean Cuisine frozen meals for when I have no energy.

The food pantry I volunteer for has a lot of Indian dishes.  I hesitate to try cuisine where I'm not sure if I would like it but I did buy two pouches (microwave).  

What are some of your favorite "just for you" meals?

OH GOOD GRIEF!

Do you think your mother lives here?  Well, yes, I guess I do. I'm devoting this (hopefully short) blog about all the things that drive me crazy.

 

Let's start with the kidults.  Who are both approaching 40 although I pretend they are approaching 30 due to ten years of addiction.  Makes it easier on me.  They rarely write things down.  Phone numbers (and they both have iPhones), passwords, account numbers (they don't use checks and every once in a while you need to provide your account number) and Kate usually puts thing on the family calendar.  Jesse?  Not so much.

Our calendar has a different color for each of us ... I'm grey, Kate is yellow, Jesse is red and the boys events are purple.  With just two cars, two boys at different schools, different sports with practices and games and hangouts with friends and overnight adventures.

Now I write "JB needs the van" on my appointments that are away from here.  Jesse still acts surprised when I come out with the keys.  We already have days where one of us will need to drive Kate to work because we need both cars.

They are both lax about responding to text messages or checking email.  Even school related stuff!  Fortunately, since we live together I have gotten myself on both schools' emailing lists as well as Deacon's teacher's.  And I finally got Kate's password so I can use ParentVue for more specific things, like progress reports.

No one else who lives here makes ice cubes.  Currently we have NONE because I went on a silent strike.

No one else replaces the toilet paper.  So I hide a roll in the back of the vanity or bring in my own.

Rarely do either of them make our cold brew coffee.  I make a half gallon and keep it in my fridge.

No one remembers to charge their devices and both kids have already gotten warnings for not having a fully charge (school supplies) laptops.

Each child should read a minimum of 20 minutes a day.  Parents are not enforcing that (okay, it's the first week of school but starting next week, I'm cracking down).  They do take turns reading to the boys before bedtime.

No one else cleans out the fridge and again, I'm on a silent strike.  They both know I enjoy most leftovers but if it's not labeled and dated, not me!  I have a dorm size fridge in my "apartment" so I keep things they would never eat in here.  (Currently hummus, coastal kale salad, cooked beets, feta cheese, hard boiled eggs and olives).

Still ... the pros outweigh the cons.  When they are away, I remove all the crap left on the kitchen bar.  As well as that pile on the dining room table.  Usually, if the items belong to one of them, I put it on their side of their bed.  

When that balance tips ....

P.S. I'll do the boys next Sunday!

OH NO! UNBELIEVABLE

School started on Monday.  I have no words how quickly these two gents are growing up.

6th Grade at Jr High and 3rd Grade at elementary.

Sorry this is so late ...

CANCER HAS HIT HOME

It's not as dreadful as it sounds but somehow generic blog names do not get as many reads!  I went to the dermatologist on Friday and had the most thorough evaluation ever.  On Saturday, MyChart had her two page synopsis that was written with great care and detail.  I feel like I have the best ever medical team!

I made this appointment in October 2021 ... yes!  Almost a year ago.  She explained that a lot of people did not do doctor appointments during Covid then when it was safer, everyone made a date with all their various doctors and dentists.

The bad news is she had to biopsy three suspicious spots. None that I would have ever seen ... behind my knee and two on my back. 

Others that looked worrisome to me were nothing.  It’s so interesting to me that things I notice on my skin are never anything but common Seborrheic Keratosis (barnacles) Cherry angioma (new to me), petechiae (thin skin … like bruising easily … she thinks maybe I cause them myself at night, fingernails barely touching my arm).

The worst news was that the spot on my upper thigh that I thought was a spider bite that never returned to normal skin color is lichen sclerosis!  On my thigh!  It's the most disgusting condition.  No known cause and no cure.  I've had it "down under" since 2018.  Little did I know it could appear on other places on my body.  It's not contagious.  It is more common in menopausal  women.

Annoying but so less stressful than my brother in law who has prostate cancer and is on last resort treatment, hormone therapy and radiation.  Or my sister in law who had a double mastectomy in December last year and is still on chemotherapy and still pretty bald.  I kinda hate complaining.

The good news??? I asked for advice for deep moisturizer for my face … damp skin and Aquaphor!!!

JUST THURSDAY

My sister's wedding in 1989 ... Kate was one of the flower girls (age 3)

From our front garden

My morning view of our patio

A group of condo gals celebrating TWO of our members who bought park benches!

These two brothers on a recent camping trip

QUERULOUS QUEEN

Yep.  Definitely crabby and all adjectives of the same.

A distant neighbor came knocking one day last week and wanted to relay some rumors she heard.  She's an anti-masker so when I handed her one (to come in) she refused so I masked myself and went to her condo.  The rumor is a near future assessment.

After listening, I came home and looked up our past three years of balance sheets and my oh my have we blown through a LOT of cash.

I sent an email to everyone in my building:

I think it is IMPORTANT that we attend the annual meeting next Weds, Aug 25.  5:30 on the patio, I think.

Rumors are about that there may be an assessment in our future (on top of an increase in monthly fees) as the Board has spent way more than was budgeted or in our Reserve Study.

We have prided ourselves on having a large reserve fund and have not had an assessment in my 12 years here.  Here is the balance sheet from June 30 (these documents should be forwarded to us every month, with the newsletter, as we did in the past). But they are on our web portal at CMI.

Expenses over $3,000 need to be voted upon.  Not just by the Board.  WHERE HAS ALL THE MONEY GONE?

Attached are June asset pages from 2022, 2021 and 2020 … read the TOTAL FUNDS line in each … in June 2020 we had almost $800,000.  In June this year, we have $200,000.

I don’t remember voting to spend this????

Stay tuned.  The same person has been on the Board since the beginning of time.  She never gets three quotes on major expenses (yes, remember when I was on the Board?).  Wednesday night is our Annual Meeting.