I climbed the stairs at the library the other. On purpose. Physical therapy is over and everything seems to be working fine. I can get up or down without using the arms of a chair. I'm no longer afraid to sit in the middle seat of a sofa. Life is good!
Now to get packing. I treated myself with a one way first class ticket (for knee protection) so I get two free checked bags. I didn't check a bag last time so I'm searching for affordable (disposable?) large bags so I can take a few items back. A couple of my favorite cookbooks. Some kitchen doo dads. Old photos so I can scan and save (never did get around to doing it here). The flight is nonstop so I'm hoping there will be no trouble.
My room is a MESS ... sort of an organized mess ... but many tax papers, medical summaries and recently purchased back up drive and DVD reader. Much of it needs to come to Maui as well.
Followed by a couple of important decisions. Medical insurance in Maui? Will it cover pre-existing conditions ... if I would get any complications or flare ups? Or should I keep my Oregon insurance as I rarely get sick enough to see a Dr. Should I file Hawaii taxes? It will save me $$$$ on property taxes ... will it affect where I vote? Oh, the questions I have!!
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Monday, November 9, 2015
WIDOW-NESS
The overwhelming feelings come out of nowhere. I do enjoy the happy memories and funny parts of our lives together. Maybe the sadness just means we were pretty meshed together.
Or maybe it's the grey, cold weather here in Portland. Who knows! Plus all three boys have a stomach bug with the littlest guy being hit the hardest. Dr. said he can have one TEASPOON of Pedialyte every 15 minutes. When he can keep four doses down, he gets one ounce! As long as he has a wet diaper every EIGHT hours, no need to bring him in. UGH. Kate has been up since 3am and has to go to work (for just four hours ... they found someone to cover the first part of her shift).
Have I ever told the story of how Mr. Ralph and I met? He tried to hire my husband!!! They both worked at the same company, at different levels, and Mr. Ralph was terminated after 25 years. He and a friend decided to start a business and called my spouse (software dude) to get him interested. He wasn't at the time, but this was when the first Apple home computer came out ... and this new start up had one! I was interested!!!
I called the next day to volunteer secretarial services. They said, no, no ... we have a secretarial service ... please have Mr. X call us. When they received their first invoice from the service, Mr. Ralph called back to see if I was serious and we worked out a stock option payment.
What fun I had learning how to use that old computer! After typing one line of information (they were writing their business plan for venture capitalists), you had to insert a dot command. Like carriage return or punctuation. The machine had one floppy disk drive and I had to insert either the program or the saving file. We sure don't know how lucky we are these days! (my current computer does not have a DVD drive at all!)
During my tenure with the startup, evenings after I worked and half day on Saturdays, I finally filed for divorce. A year or two later, Mr. Ralph decided he wanted to get his divorce and asked for the name of the attorney I used.
And the rest is history!
Or maybe it's the grey, cold weather here in Portland. Who knows! Plus all three boys have a stomach bug with the littlest guy being hit the hardest. Dr. said he can have one TEASPOON of Pedialyte every 15 minutes. When he can keep four doses down, he gets one ounce! As long as he has a wet diaper every EIGHT hours, no need to bring him in. UGH. Kate has been up since 3am and has to go to work (for just four hours ... they found someone to cover the first part of her shift).
Have I ever told the story of how Mr. Ralph and I met? He tried to hire my husband!!! They both worked at the same company, at different levels, and Mr. Ralph was terminated after 25 years. He and a friend decided to start a business and called my spouse (software dude) to get him interested. He wasn't at the time, but this was when the first Apple home computer came out ... and this new start up had one! I was interested!!!
I called the next day to volunteer secretarial services. They said, no, no ... we have a secretarial service ... please have Mr. X call us. When they received their first invoice from the service, Mr. Ralph called back to see if I was serious and we worked out a stock option payment.
What fun I had learning how to use that old computer! After typing one line of information (they were writing their business plan for venture capitalists), you had to insert a dot command. Like carriage return or punctuation. The machine had one floppy disk drive and I had to insert either the program or the saving file. We sure don't know how lucky we are these days! (my current computer does not have a DVD drive at all!)
During my tenure with the startup, evenings after I worked and half day on Saturdays, I finally filed for divorce. A year or two later, Mr. Ralph decided he wanted to get his divorce and asked for the name of the attorney I used.
And the rest is history!
Sunday, November 8, 2015
SATURDAY NIGHT and HOME ALONE
Yesterday I had seven hours on my own. Kate was working and I dropped Jesse and the boys off for Braeden's cousin's birthday celebration at Jesse's brother's. When Kate got off at 7pm, she drove over, visited a bit then brought everyone home.
I went shopping for a bit but it was pouring rain so it wasn't worth it to me to go in and out of stores very much. A new burger joint opened next to Walmart and I decided to give it a try. FABULOUS! Frack Burger, a new local chain. Fresh everything as well as artisanal buns and a special frack sauce. They have not had their official opening yet, so things were still being smoothed out. I brought more than half of my meal home ... and gave it to the dog! Saved the fries for the boys today.
When I returned I took the dog for a walk, tidied up, did two loads of laundry while watching HGTV. So peaceful. So quiet. Kinda TOO quiet.
I return to sunny Maui next week. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be homesick for this amazing little family. Stay tuned! I think I want to be with them while they boys are little and still adore me. By the time they are 11-12 ... they will roll their eyes and say "do I have to?"
What's a Gramma to do?
I went shopping for a bit but it was pouring rain so it wasn't worth it to me to go in and out of stores very much. A new burger joint opened next to Walmart and I decided to give it a try. FABULOUS! Frack Burger, a new local chain. Fresh everything as well as artisanal buns and a special frack sauce. They have not had their official opening yet, so things were still being smoothed out. I brought more than half of my meal home ... and gave it to the dog! Saved the fries for the boys today.
When I returned I took the dog for a walk, tidied up, did two loads of laundry while watching HGTV. So peaceful. So quiet. Kinda TOO quiet.
I return to sunny Maui next week. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be homesick for this amazing little family. Stay tuned! I think I want to be with them while they boys are little and still adore me. By the time they are 11-12 ... they will roll their eyes and say "do I have to?"
What's a Gramma to do?
Friday, November 6, 2015
MY GAMBLING ADDICTION
Nope. Never!
Yesterday my neighbor couple, Gary and Gail, invited me to come with them to Chinook Winds Casino on the Oregon coast. They are "frequent flyers" so my room rate was $35! The room had two queen beds and was right on the ocean.
We took a scenic trip over stopping to have lunch about 20 minutes south of where we were staying. And we decided to have a drink at lunch. Oh my gosh! When we later checked in, we all took a nap! They got up and headed over to the casino (shuttle bus service at your beck and call) about 4:30 ... I met them about 5:30.
We all played penny slot machines and my $40 was gone in an hour. Gary and Gail are luckier than lucky! Two friends of theirs also joined us and they, too, were lucky. Gary won over $1,000 and Ben over $700. I should have just opened my wallet and handed them my twenty dollar bills! It was incredible. Every time he sat down at a new machine, by the third pull (well, button push) he would win $100! The most I ever won was $5. I was thinking I would have beginner's luck.
I guess bad luck is better than no luck at all! And I don't have to worry about becoming a gambling addict ....
Yesterday my neighbor couple, Gary and Gail, invited me to come with them to Chinook Winds Casino on the Oregon coast. They are "frequent flyers" so my room rate was $35! The room had two queen beds and was right on the ocean.
We took a scenic trip over stopping to have lunch about 20 minutes south of where we were staying. And we decided to have a drink at lunch. Oh my gosh! When we later checked in, we all took a nap! They got up and headed over to the casino (shuttle bus service at your beck and call) about 4:30 ... I met them about 5:30.
We all played penny slot machines and my $40 was gone in an hour. Gary and Gail are luckier than lucky! Two friends of theirs also joined us and they, too, were lucky. Gary won over $1,000 and Ben over $700. I should have just opened my wallet and handed them my twenty dollar bills! It was incredible. Every time he sat down at a new machine, by the third pull (well, button push) he would win $100! The most I ever won was $5. I was thinking I would have beginner's luck.
I guess bad luck is better than no luck at all! And I don't have to worry about becoming a gambling addict ....
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
HOLY CRAP
While Kate was working yesterday, me and all three boys ran one fun errand and one grocery shopping errand.
Braeden got his first fishing pole for his birthday, so Dadda took him to an outdoor store to get a few things. My leg has been bothering me, so I stayed in the car. (Dr. appointment today to see if it's "normal" in the recovery mode). He was enthralled with an entire huge store filled fishing and hunting and camping stuff. And guns. REAL guns. Bullets. Scopes. So many guns!
Off to Walmart for restocking the pantry. Again, I stayed in the car. Imagine my surprise when Braeden walks out ahead of Dadda, carrying a box of cookie cereal and a box of candy. Not in a bag. I let him in and asked if Dad and Deacon were right behind him. Nope. I couldn't find them so I will meet them here with you Gramma. Well .... I decided to wait to get the whole story from Dad.
Oh my. Was Dad MAD. Never leave a place without your parents or the person who brought you. Ask a worker for help. Next time you will have to sit in the cart with your brother. Dad was so mad, I suggested I take Braeden and the stolen merchandise back inside to apologize. The Customer Service guy was SOOOO nice and understanding. Mr. B cried a little bit at the end and said he "didn't mean to be a stealer who goes to jail."
For the ten minute drive home, we all had conversations about stranger danger and taking things before paying.
Scared me to death!
Braeden got his first fishing pole for his birthday, so Dadda took him to an outdoor store to get a few things. My leg has been bothering me, so I stayed in the car. (Dr. appointment today to see if it's "normal" in the recovery mode). He was enthralled with an entire huge store filled fishing and hunting and camping stuff. And guns. REAL guns. Bullets. Scopes. So many guns!
Off to Walmart for restocking the pantry. Again, I stayed in the car. Imagine my surprise when Braeden walks out ahead of Dadda, carrying a box of cookie cereal and a box of candy. Not in a bag. I let him in and asked if Dad and Deacon were right behind him. Nope. I couldn't find them so I will meet them here with you Gramma. Well .... I decided to wait to get the whole story from Dad.
Oh my. Was Dad MAD. Never leave a place without your parents or the person who brought you. Ask a worker for help. Next time you will have to sit in the cart with your brother. Dad was so mad, I suggested I take Braeden and the stolen merchandise back inside to apologize. The Customer Service guy was SOOOO nice and understanding. Mr. B cried a little bit at the end and said he "didn't mean to be a stealer who goes to jail."
For the ten minute drive home, we all had conversations about stranger danger and taking things before paying.
Scared me to death!
Monday, November 2, 2015
DAY OF THE DEAD
Two and a half years ago, Mr. Ralph made his exit from this life.
He used to be a great believer in Christianity but NOT a fan of organized religion. Every year he ordered The Daily Word which featured religious quote of the day and a paragraph to go with it. Most importantly, he led a moral and ethical life. Every day. That was so much more important to me.
It seemed appropriate to remember him and celebrate his memory on the Day of the Dead. We never celebrated it and most likely won't today, but it allowed me to take pause and spend more time with my memories.
Every day I think about him. And smile. I love how any bad memories are fading into the background of my life. We keep his memory alive with stories and humor so Braeden will always remember. We have tons of photos of the two of them (well, two and a half years worth!) which help.
Despite the sorrow and loneliness, somehow I muddle along. Not "past" it or "through" it. Just onward and upward (thanks Blogger Buddy "Onward and Upward"). Ever forward.
Miss you buddy.
He used to be a great believer in Christianity but NOT a fan of organized religion. Every year he ordered The Daily Word which featured religious quote of the day and a paragraph to go with it. Most importantly, he led a moral and ethical life. Every day. That was so much more important to me.
It seemed appropriate to remember him and celebrate his memory on the Day of the Dead. We never celebrated it and most likely won't today, but it allowed me to take pause and spend more time with my memories.
Every day I think about him. And smile. I love how any bad memories are fading into the background of my life. We keep his memory alive with stories and humor so Braeden will always remember. We have tons of photos of the two of them (well, two and a half years worth!) which help.
Mr. Ralph, age 3 and 1/2 .... already missing a tooth!
Miss you buddy.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
MY EXTRA HOUR
Maybe I am just NOT a daylight savings gal. My body much prefers this "extra" hour for getting up. Hawaii doesn't do DST so I especially love living there. I used to be such a morning person. After Mr. Ralph retired, I quickly embraced his sleeping in mode. And staying up til midnight reading or watching. It is the life. So many of my older friends set an alarm to get up at 6:00 am or 7:00 am. And lots just naturally get up that early (or earlier) UGH!
I feel bad for parents of younger children with this time change. Especially those who cannot tell time. We drove out to Kate's job last night for the kids to go trick or treating at the businesses on her street. It was POURING rain. Dutiful Dad took them around for an hour (Kate had to work for another hour and Gramma stayed in the car with magazines and online games). When Kate got off work, SHE wanted to watch them trick or treat. They changed them out of their WET clothes, put a skeleton suit on our baby lion and Braeden just wore his drench SWAT team hat.
One of her coworkers lives in the area and told her about a nearby neighborhood that closes off their street and has a haunted house. PLUS the neighboring houses are all decorated and since the rain stopped ... they went trick or treating for another 90 minutes! I think we have ten pounds of candy!!
We left Kate's car at her store so I drove her back this morning at 9am. Stopped for coffees and yakked our way over. As I was heading back for a refill ... my calendar alerted me.
Tomorrow is two and a half years since the death of my buddy. I just can't believe it. We were just teaching Braeden about the saying "sweet tooth" and he brought up that "his" Poppa had lots of sweet tooths!
Right he is!
(Last year's costumes ....
I feel bad for parents of younger children with this time change. Especially those who cannot tell time. We drove out to Kate's job last night for the kids to go trick or treating at the businesses on her street. It was POURING rain. Dutiful Dad took them around for an hour (Kate had to work for another hour and Gramma stayed in the car with magazines and online games). When Kate got off work, SHE wanted to watch them trick or treat. They changed them out of their WET clothes, put a skeleton suit on our baby lion and Braeden just wore his drench SWAT team hat.
One of her coworkers lives in the area and told her about a nearby neighborhood that closes off their street and has a haunted house. PLUS the neighboring houses are all decorated and since the rain stopped ... they went trick or treating for another 90 minutes! I think we have ten pounds of candy!!
We left Kate's car at her store so I drove her back this morning at 9am. Stopped for coffees and yakked our way over. As I was heading back for a refill ... my calendar alerted me.
Tomorrow is two and a half years since the death of my buddy. I just can't believe it. We were just teaching Braeden about the saying "sweet tooth" and he brought up that "his" Poppa had lots of sweet tooths!
Right he is!
(Last year's costumes ....
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