Category Archives: family

Dinner with Daughters

Posted on by June 16, 2017

Two of my three are relatively local to me. Well, one is really local, living across the hall. The other lives just down the road in Richmond. Last week we got together for dinner. No fool, I buy the groceries and let them cook.

Dani picked the menu this week with an Asian flavor – there was spicy Thai beef salad –

on a bed of romaine

 

a lovely mushroom soup with Udon noodles

sprouts and a bit of tofu for protein

 

and quick grilled peppers because I thought they looked pretty in the bag and brought them along –

which turned out to be mild and nice

we made it an early evening. The As had already managed to loose to the Marlins..

Defeat from

Posted on by June 8, 2017  

the jaws of potential victory.

It seems like the As pitchers just can’t stand to have a winning streak. After the previous two good games, the As pitching left a bit to be desired. Of course, the starting pitcher didn’t get hung with the loss because he was not the idiot who proceeded to deliver balls that turned into Blue Jay home runs.

I didn’t see the end of the game. For Oakland it was cold and the wind was blowing. For once common sense applied and I left after 8 innings when the score was tied. I didn’t have to watch the As lose and I didn’t spend money on another sweatshirt or jacket since I had stupidly left mine at home.

Had a lovely evening spent with The Eldest and Ms Runner where they tried out three recipes from a new cookbook and I had a chance to haul the Spiral Fractal from where it was languishing and add a few stitches.

Not fit for civiliazation

Posted on by June 8, 2017  

It is not that I have fallen off the face of the earth exactly. It is more that the bounce after steroids this time was slightly beyond belief. I won’t tell you that I am ever the most even tempered individual, but but being totally and completely evil is not what I want to think of as my normal mode.

Especially once the temper gets out of control and doesn’t easily want to be reined in.

What really doesn’t help (ok, lets just be honest here and say that it makes things even that much worse) is if the individual with whom I started a discussion starts to argue with me.

Hello? I am the mom. Even if I could be wrong (which of course never comes into consideration), I am still the MOM and therefore right.

I think it is time to go and hole up once more…

27 May 2017

The House – part 1

Posted on by May 4, 2017

Ok, this is the last time I am going to be answering the question of what we are doing with the house, It is not like I haven’t explained before (yes really, but I don’t expect anyone to remember what doesn’t personally involve them.

To backtrack – we bought the house here in Berkeley in 2009. Well, actually George bought the house and I just went along with it. Thought he knew what he was doing. Claimed it was just what we always wanted. Husband’s don’t exactly lie, but they are really capable of deceiving themselves when they find what they really want.  My criteria were access to public transport, near a synagogue and accessible.

The house is on a freaking hill and there are stairs all over the place. The other two factors are satisfied. Provided you only want the bus before 2000 at night and don’t mind hiking up the aforementioned hill from the shul.

We took the house back from tenants in fall of 2014 when Shana came out here to go to grad school and Noah decided to make a serious stab at University. They oversaw the third floor and bathroom renovations. George and I moved in Dec 2015.

Since the beginning, I have maintained this house is not mobility or age friendly. Trust me, this past six months have more than proved both of the above to me. In concession, a couple of years ago we started the process to finish the lower floor into a one level accessible unit. The permit process wound up being insane and took us almost two years from start to finish.

We are trading in dirt floor crawl space, totally disorganized utilities with vents going everywhere and a laundry room that doesn’t connect to the rest of the house. What we will gain is a self contained 1 bedroom unit with bath, great room and pullman kitchen. Did I mention the sunroom?

When I am old and grey I will move downstairs, sit in the sun and have meals delivered…

(Ok, I am already older and have a fair amount of grey…

actual construction pictures tomorrow…20

No parades for me

Posted on by May 2, 2017  

Yes, it is the first of May. A day for worker celebration. A day with a significant number of demonstrations.

To tell you the truth, even if I wasn’t immune compromised at this point, I would not be out there marching, protesting or demonstrating. I don’t like crowds, I don’t like stressing police and I don’t see what any of it accomplishes (other than feed the press who seem to be able to manage frenzies without much assistance).

So instead I ran a few errands, appreciated that Saul’s was closed again today in order for its people (huge number immigrants) to be out and involved.

More importantly, we sprung my SIL from UCSF and got him home. Not sure if Gwen (one each Golden Retriever) was more relieved or Alex was. He didn’t have a huge fun time in the hospital. Duh

Back in the Lounge Chair

Posted on by April 27, 2017  

Since I had essentially been up all night, I was more than glad to see that the coffee stand at the VA had both coffee and muffins. Driving over from UCSF wasn’t all that challenging. Not even given the stupid directions that Google Maps was trying to give me. It was just easier to back track to Stanyan, cross the panhandle of the park and drive up Geary to 42nd. Would have been much, much easier if the fog had not decided to be a cold, wet blanket over everything.

As soon as the infusion center opened, I crawled into a chair with a pillow and two blankets. I stayed awake long enough to get blood drawn; then had to be woken to see my doc. After a nice discussion, two of my chemo meds are being reduced, my echo is ok. My anemia is a huge pain and I can get a scan next week if I really want one.

I crawled back in my chair and dozed off and on for the next couple of hours. That turned out to be good because the dipping Google/Siri voice wanted to send me through downtown on the way home. Or to the Golden Gate Bridge. Me? Geary to 36th to Fulton to Stanyan to Oak and away we go. Only took 20 minutes to get those last couple of blocks to the freeway and forever after that. I gave up and bailed @ Ashby. Meanwhile – there is a faster route available… you can save two minutes….

Right. Not.

Saturday, at the park

Posted on by April 23, 2017  

and it was most than lovely.

The food was good, the friends fine and the As managed to win their game by getting three runs in the first inning and managing not to blow either the fielding or pitching too badly after that. The final score was OAK 4 – SEA 3. Please note, the Mariners actually had 9 hits to the As 4. Go figure.

The RF149 section count today was four flags, three drums, three cowbells, triangles, jingles and a lot of yelling. Oh, yes, and banners across the entire front. Several of the fans are die hards, planning to drive to Stockton after the game for the evening game there (Asparagus Day with Sonny Gray pitching). Seems to me a long drive.

I caught the first BART out, then waited at Lake Merritt. As I was standing there, a guy came running past with a backpack. Behind him an elderly gentleman was screaming “stop thief.” Me? I can’t run right now without going on my face and I was too slow to stick out a foot. But another fan, complete with yellow jersey took off after him and captured the dude by 2/3 of the way down the platform. The train, which had been about to leave, waited. The dude, having tossed the pack right as he was caught was arguing to leave. The security guy who apparently saw the whole thing on camera came down to hold him till the police came. Meanwhile, the rest of us picked up all the scattered belongings. The older guy just wanted his stuff and headed back to the train (he also had a suitcase…).

We all congratulated the Good Samaritan; mentioning that he was a whole lot faster than Billy Butler (well on second thought, I am faster than Billy Butler with zero cardiac reserve at the moment). Probably faster than Khris Davis who can hit but doesn’t seem to throw or run. In any case, a good citizen was much appreciated by all.

I ran out of steam by the end of the afternoon and an early supper at the Eldest turned into me crashing for the evening. Since she was home, the cats pretty much let me sleep….

And in NYC

Posted on by March 7, 2017 1

the birthday box arrived in plenty of time with clear instructions not to open till today

special for the 6th

 

Miriam actually waited until her birthday to open it.

#24

I figured the birthday girl needed a tiara, and every young woman needs a unicorn headband. Both together?  She is living & working in NYC and having a good time. According to her note, I think a few of the items wound up at work providing entertainment all around.

unicorn horn taking a break

 

Otherwise, the eldest provided these for memory time –

~ 10 years ago + Dec

My day at sea was relaxing as always. Tomorrow, since all the family birthdays are past till July, it will be back to the regular cruising natter….

Quiet at Sea

Posted on by March 6, 2017 2

and busy in California.

I can happily report that not much of anything going on here. It was sunny and humid, then it rained. and rained and rained some more complete with thunder and lightening. It cooled off a bit and I spent a wonderful afternoon sitting with Jill in my cabin with both of us working on Cross stitch.

Meanwhile in California – College Guy celebrated his birthday (#26) prior to heading off to work closing shift at CVS. So much for giving him a birthday off.  Two of the girls contributed some pictures –

Maus and Noah a couple of years ago

Shana & Noah – Vampire Ball Heidelberg ~ 6 years ago

along with him opening presents this year –

I’d left a sack ‘o stuff for Dani & Shana to bomb his bedroom (lights, glitter, streamers) so far I don’t have know if it actually happened. Given that there are currently a couple of dogs in the house, I’m thinking that they probably limited the mess to inside his room……

 

Ok, I think I am ready

Posted on by February 27, 2017 5

Well. Almost. I have all but one scarf sewn. I’ve repacked the suitcase. Took a few things out, added a few scarves.  Repacked the craft supplies, taking a few things out and making sure that I had actually packed the paper charts that I will need.  While I was at it, I checked in with the airlines, printed all my reservations, and charged up at least some of the electronics.

Decided to swap out the small camera backpack for a regular travel backpack. Since I’m not planning on spending any significant time out and about, I’m limiting myself to one camera body and two lenses. So all that remains to pack are those cords, connectors, backups and duck heads so that I can face just about any type of outlet with equanimity.  I’ve printed everything and even got around to making a plane reservation home (imagine that!). That flight will take me through Munich as it leaves an hour later than the other options (United direct or Lufthansa with a plane change in Frankfurt. Pushing the envelope on flights is so not me.) George located my credit card case that I had put in a “safe place.” That place was just fine, never mind that I had forgotten it as long as I was carrying the camera backpack…..

The only things remaining are to finish up the PJs. Yes those ones that I have been commenting about for the last several days. I have four pairs to go. All that needs to be done is waistbands sewn and elastic threaded. I might even consider hemming them if everyone talks nice to me…

I finished knitting another hat and tossed it in the suitcase just in case.

——————>-8 ————-

Just ran the elastic through 4 of the remaining five pjs. The fifth is for the Eldest who isn’t currently in town. I’ve put Dani in charge of hemming her’s and Alex’s. Noah’s are done and his birthday isn’t till next week (note, the others have had birthdays long past but sometimes my bright ideas strike me rather late.)

Tired, off to bed. If I catch the 5:40 or 5:55 BART from Berkeley I can find a place to sit and not change till San Bruno. If I go later? Too many people, too much crowding plus I really hate hurrying to get through immigration. Who knows what they are up to at this point? I am leaving and look rather suspicious don’t you think? White woman over 65 with a fat passport. Obviously, I am a problem……

 

Packed

Posted on by March 9, 2017 10

Ok, so I don’t leave till Tues. So what? I decided that one burden off my to do list would be good. That and I had to replace my beloved Rimowa suitcase that the airlines finally managed to break. I would have just gone and bought the replacement in a heart beat but….wait for it…. they don’t make that model anymore. In stead, since it was a decent suitcase and not terribly heavy, I bought a black with bright lime green accents when at the Mountainhardware/Columbia store the other day.

New suitcase. New method of packing. This one has one large compartment with a cover that zips back. The old one was a clamshell that opened in half. Breaking five years of frequent packing habits turned out to not be as easy as I had planned. The clothing part isn’t that hard, it is adjusting the rest of it and brining along enough cross-stitch and knitting supplies. After all, can’t run out of things to do for 23 days…

Back home for the day, I attempted to clean up my sewing room a bit, make a couple more scarves. Knock out some more PJ bottoms (I really need to pick up large safety pins, it makes threading elastic through waistbands so much easier.)

Sleeping (attempting) once more with the cats before College Guy takes over on Sunday eve for a couple of nights.

Oh, and finished my audio book and off to find another.

No Alarm

Posted on by February 24, 2017 7

It is quiet here, except for the purring cat. The occasional train rumbles by with the tracks within a couple of miles. I can hear the whistle in the distance as the freight trains roll across the various crossings.

And the cat purrs on. Only one of the two, Onyx is being both chatting and actually physically demonstrative. I am not sure what he thought when attempting to chew on a small bit of my hair and it all came out in his mouth. I wish I had a photo of his totally astonished look. He is wandering back and forth behind me looking for something I am sure to play with. An item that I would appreciate him appropriating. Yarn? Embroidery floss? Perhaps a nice rattling rolling object? No, not my pill bottle thank you very much!

George did the transportation services while I had the pleasure of a day of mostly rest. A bit of sewing, a bit of knitting, a decision not to cross-stitch on black without enough light. With a bit of over the phone help, I have completely conquered threading my new serger (well, ok Nov new) so will tackle the entire pile of p.j.s and head scarves tomorrow besides packing for Singapore.

It is later than I planned, but listening (I think I skimmed the book when it came out) to Bujold’s Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance which I am enjoying quite a bit although I think she overplays Ivan’s lack of ambition and excessive ignorance at times..

And the rain continues

Posted on by February 23, 2017 6

It was an extremely productive day. And that is in spite of the rain pounding us off and on all day.

I found mailing addresses for three packages outbound probably Thurs (this time Colorado rather than Texas) as well as Zimbabwe and Georgia. Go figure. I offered to send more yarn to Minnesota, but the young farmer I know there gracefully declined as planting season is just around the corner.

I’ve someone coming to pick up my remaining floor loom shortly after I leave for Singapore. I managed to find all the related items (bench, shuttles, raddle, reeds, bobbins etc) and even a couple of books. It is going to be so nice to have it in the hands of the woman who is getting it.  I’m looking forward to seeing what she does in going beyond four-harness & back-strap weaving.

But my most fun was taking my three in town (Dani, Alex, Noah) off to the Mountain Hardware Employee/Outlet store on Point Richmond. It is amazing how many shoes one needs to try on when looking for hiking shoes (the key being lousy muddy terrain and a German-Short Hair). In the same complex which is the old Ford Assembly Plant one can find the Rosie The Riveter Museum and the Assembly Restaurant.

Otherwise, I appreciate all the good thoughts about hair, the lack there of, how to deal etc. I think about 1/2 my hair decided to take leave of my scalp over the day so I am now figuring about 1-2 days more before head covering, wig or more than one of the above. I’ll spare you another photo of hair…..

Sewing with Cats

Posted on by February 18, 2017 1

You might have heard of the commentator and humorous writer David Sedaris. George thinks he is hysterically funny. I have tried reading him – the last attempt was Diabetes with Owls.   I guess I appreciated it just about as much as sewing with cats.

Let me demonstrate –

It has been years since I faced the pleasure of trying to cut out anything with helpers. The last time that it really was a challenge might have been – oh – about 22 or so years ago and the helper was a toddler, not a cat. Since then, I haven’t had to worry about pin or scissors safety. What I hadn’t counted on was the temptation of crinkling tissue paper of the pattern. I think I had a lucky escape when only the pattern was torn on the last piece I needed to cut out.

Back in Dec, I wound up making a lot of polar fleece pullovers for members of the family. I think it came to about 14 or 15 when all was said and done. Several made their way to NYC, the rest stayed local to the Bay Area. I think the only one who didn’t get one was George. Since I didn’t have any fabric that said “Cal” I didn’t think he was interested.

Piles of fabric turned into tops …

and otherwise as the Eldest is on her way to Germany, we are staying at her house for the duration. Which might just explain why I am arguing about pattern pieces, fabric and pins with two Benegal cats. It is not like either Ghost or Onyx are malicious. They are just cats.

Now I have to wonder what they are going to happen when I pull out the knitting and join George watching “Driving Miss Daisy.”

Failure to show

Posted on by February 11, 2017 5

Now, for any of us, not showing up to a dental appointment would be incredibly stupid. Especially if it didn’t cost you anything. After all, unless you are on active duty or eligible for the VA, exactly how many of us can claim that we don’t have to pay for our dental care. OTOH, not having to pay is probably exactly why several people failed to show up for their tooth cleaning this morning at the SFVA. All to my benefit since all I had scheduled was an exam. When others failed to show up for their appointments, the hygienist slid me into the slots and I was able to accomplish a complete (oh, how I hate some one poking around in my mouth) cleaning in one go.

Other than that – we did the dinner thing out followed by cake at home

birthday cake from Massa

It was lemon meringue and incredible.

and

the birthday girl

 

Lemon Tree, very pretty

Posted on by February 10, 2017 11

and I am still waiting for my lemons.

Last week, I was thinking this week. Now I am thinking by the end of this coming week. Or maybe when the Messiah comes, which ever happens first. Those lemons just aren’t ripening all that fast. Could perhaps be because it has been a bit cool and a lot rainy? Lack of sunshine? Or just so many on the tree that they are all just hanging there with yellow starting to appear but still so solid as to not bother to pick them. (que the rest of the song which most of us remember from Peter, Paul & Mary.

George & I took Shana out for breakfast today on her birthday with a planned family dinner out tomorrow night. Unfortunately as we all get older, the realities of work, multiple people’s schedules can move a celebration. I think too, for most of us, once past a certain age a celebration the exact day may not be as important as the ability to share with family and friends.

She is our Eldest but it seems only yesterday when she was small

Looking through the photos I have, I realized that in the last couple of years I have more photos from her of her cats than of her. She is bright, capable, beautiful inside and out. I am so proud of her and glad I can claim her as my daughter.

Waiting for Bauer

Posted on by February 1, 2017 23

Is kind of like waiting for Godot, only without the bus stop benches i have seen in many productions.  My stop is on 5th right in front of the Pickwick Hotel and co exists with Muni 27. There is a line up along the wall not quite those just waiting for mug shots. At this time in morning most are staff; at least i am assuming so since I am now starting to recognize faces. To be noted, Bauer never came. It is 1 Feb and the contract changed resulting in a crowded bus and disgruntled people. I am not taking this as an omen.   

My mood is better now than it was in those dark desperation hours of pre-dawn when you can only focus on the monsters. Waking with a migraine just put the icing on the cake. Crawling out of bed and avoiding all the traps lying in wait for my bare feet, I managed to find and take my meds. I crawled back in bed comforted by the knowledge that I still had three hours before my alarm was due to shriek.

All I can say about today was that there was a lot of IV fluids involved with getting this particular regime, especially when you run in a couple of extra bags to insure adequate hydration. I spent most of the day either chatting or knitting

and managed over 1/2 a hat.

in the six hours it took to get everything in. And run to the loo. Can’t forget that side effect of fluids. And the dance with the IV pole (unplug, wrap cord, get out from between chairs, waltz across the floor, pop over the sill – then deal with the reserve on the way back to my lounger) interrupted me on an increasingly frequent basis.  George rescued me at the end and took me home.

Now, I am no longer looking at this as a nightmare? I have decided it will be a new adventure. My life will be different than before. Perhaps a bit more like sky diving where, once you have committed yourself, it is a bit late to say you have changed your mind as you are falling away from the plane..  But I have confidence in the parachute provided by SFVA the nursing staff, family, and friends.

 

 

 

Garage of Shame

Posted on by January 30, 2017 18

Anyone who has ever had a dog or cat has probably had experience with the cone of shame. It is that wonder plastic collar with cone extension fastened around the beast’s neck which prevents it from apply mouth to whatever portion of the anatomy is injured or recovering from surgery. The animal, at least dogs, look totally and completely embarrassed to be seen sporting such an unfashionable statement which attests to their inability to leave that bit of injury/surgery/stitches alone.  Cats just look annoyed; probably to the extent of applying claws to the perpetrator of the cone.

We have the garage of shame. You have heard me complain and moan about it now for about two years. Our household shipment (thank you Uncle Sam) arrived in Fall of 2014 and was loaded mostly into the garage as the house was under renovation at the time. I actively avoided that particular location for as much of 2015-2016 as was possible. Meanwhile, we had things in and out of storage as the garage needed sealing, lights and new doors. Unfortunately (for me) it has been complete for a significant number of months and I still don’t have the place organized. Screaming, yelling, threatening and whining haven’t worked on me – why would I think that those methods would work on anyone else?

Admittedly, there have been a couple of spurts of organization. For example, after my shelves were built into the one bay I managed to unload a lot of boxes and sort a number of others onto the shelves. Then Dani & Alex moved here and contributed their fair share to the garage box chaos. Right now they don’t have a lot of room so most of their possessions are in the garage.

This is where I started this morning –

The first being the left side of the middle bay and the second being the right wall of the last bay on the right.

Noah and I put in a couple of hours during which we were able locate the loom which will be picked up later this week, unpacked a few boxes completely and located a number of items which have been missing since – well – when they were packed in Germany. Such as my Canon AE1 (film) which I had figured on being permanently lost, some scarves, clothing items and a number of cookbooks. George helped me haul the easy carry items up to the house.

the loom ready to be picked up, other things sorted

Dani and Alex accomplished close to a miracle turning their chaos into

this neatly stacked cluster of boxes

which replaced the boxes badly placed and damaged by the movers in the second picture above.

This is real progress and perhaps I can actually both get the place organized and distribute all the things which would really be happier in other people’s lives.

Cross Stitch

I finished the alternate 363 this evening

30 Jan 2017

which wasn’t that hard once I had access to the rest of my threads and accomplished a bit more on the other 363 fractal

20 Jan 2017

 

Tomorrow’s forecast is more of the same.

‘

Running away

Posted on by January 15, 2017 19

When things get beyond what I want to deal with or experience, I have been known to run away. When I was on active duty, that obviously wasn’t an option. TDY was, one could agree to go on short notice, an acceptable way of getting out on a temporary basis. Deployments came with enough other negatives that it wasn’t all that tempting.

Fast forward to Fall of 2011 (skip this if you have heard the story before) – I drop Maus off at University. I come back to Heidelberg. I wind up with three adult off spring + a dog on various reasons for a short bounce back. The DH is working in Switzerland. I have two choices – work or escape. No one was happy. I was irritated. George keep leaving for Switzerland every Monday and coming back toward the end of the week.

I ran away. Went to Ramstein. Paid something expensive like $10-20 for a Space A seat and left for the US. It was lovely. Quiet. Visited friends. Traveled around. Left me ready for another adventure when the opportunity to take the Grandeur of the Seas from Barcelona to Florida that Nov for really cheap.

Fast forward to the present. To say that the last few months have been a bit stressful would be an understatement. To pretend that I am completely coping would be a total lie. I can argue around a subject, prevaricate like mad or sign on for denial but I don’t like to lie. Not even to myself (which mostly is the easiest of all)).  I’m sharing a house with four people I dearly love, but rarely have any time completely to myself. This is also a significant change from the last 5+ years (see running away from home in para2 above).

I’ve finished the first four rounds of rubitaximab and have to be back in to see my Oncologist on the first of February to decide where & what we do next. It has been raining. All of this added up to me taking a bit of time for myself in a state far away since I couldn’t hitch a ride to another galaxy except through reading and my imagination. Trouble with that method is that it really doesn’t seem to last for very long before reality intrudes again.

So this episode in my ongoing saga of life, liberty, coffee and the pursuit of health (not to mention various fiber crafts) is coming to you from Fort Lauderdale.

No news

Posted on by January 12, 2017 2

I’m sitting here thinking about heading to bed. I have heard nothing out of the VA today which actually doesn’t bother me a bit. Bad news travels rather rapidly. Stable conditions and good new take a bit longer especially when one is dealing with results from a radiology department study. So I am assuming that everything is ok unless I hear otherwise.

No, I don’t consider this being an ostrich. Or chicken.

So instead, I had a chance to talk to the EBMUD (East Bay Municiple District) men working in front of our drive. They have been dealing with emergencies secondary to all the rain. Since the next four days are supposed to be clear, they are trying to proceed as fast as they can. What is important is that they should be finished in front of our garage by the end of today. After that, it won’t be making my life hard since I will be able to get in and out of the drive way again.

Tower in the full moon

A friend with a scheduling conflict gave us his tickets to the Cal Men’s Basketball Game tonight.  We parked and walked across campus.

They won. But still, I think I prefer the women’s game. There was just too much hype, replay camera work and glitzy type of competitions. Plus, I am sorry, but “media breaks” which stop play because the TV folks need to stick in a commercial or three really disrupt momentum. Plus there were twice as many cheerleaders. Seriously, how much hair flipping do I really need to see?

Haven’t done a whole lot more on the cross stitch.

12 Jan 17

 

But did manage to get the band finished on the beret and most of the crown.