The blasted noodles are cooking - such hard labor - especially when one cannot locate ones rolling pin. Unfortunately, I never got around to the onions and mushrooms so these are just plain old noodles - sorry, Rich.

Tis time for more vacations days - being home for three days makes me itchy to roam - so I am heading westward - all the way to Rocklin for turkeytime at Karen and Barry's. I plan to return to my saltmines Friday. How I wish you all could be there. (That makes it sound like I am going southward.) (I don't know who even reads my words of - who knows what?)

sittin' time

It seemed like a good idea to attack my house this morning - and so I did with gusto - but I am fresh out of gusto at the moment. But it has almost been fun sort of restoring sanity on the household front. I do expect a reward - certainly my missing tv control will turn up in some mysterious spot where only a four year old would deposit treasures. It is difficult to enjoy tv when one cannot switch channels at ease.
Tis time to call Shellie and wish her a most happy day - Barry also - but I think I will wait til he is home from work.

Nothing

My 13 1/2 hours of Ragtime music was much better than Janet's ridiculour concert, I am sure. I even enjoyed this one more than my first one a year ago. And yes, Lorraine and I are planning to go next year. It certainly is a day I would recommend to anyone.
Shopping with Karen Friday was fun, of course - not terribly successful but still fun. I has also bummed around with her Thursday afternoon in Roseville at my least favorite mall - and I could care less if it is the largest in our territory.
Jen and the boys have departed - I am sure it was a good weekend to not be here. I had thought they would still be moving when I arrived home at noon today but it is obvious that they got everything packed up and off to South Tahoe.
Yikes - almost time to give noodles serious consideration - at least I should start griding the onions and mushrooms so they will be ready.

Escape

I am off for a "vacation" weekend with friend Lorraine in Sac. I am meeting Karen for a tour of 250 (that can not be) new shops at The Galleria. Then on to Lorraines for the evening. Tomorrow will be my great shopping day - Karen is meeting me at our favorite spot - Good Old Gottschalks Attic. Sat is the wonderful all day Ragtime Festival. Home again Sunday - with a meeting at 2:00 related to all our local problems. Jen et al will be moving to Tahoe this weekend - i.e. I am missing out on alot of mass confusion.
I forgot to tell you that I saw my heart doctor Tuesday - I had hoped to start giving up some meds but not yet - my bloodpressure was high (for me) - I realized later that the three cups of coffee I had previous to my 9:30 appt. were probably the cause. So, once again, I scratch coffee off the list.

Another Goo Day

Ah, yes - Jennifer and the boys returned yesterday afternoon. Their actual plans are unknown to me but they will be moving to Tahoe. The little guy is determined to learn how to turn from his back to his stomach - I remember watching Russ's efforts to achieve this marvelous feat. (Sorry, K, S and R - the first child's development is so fascinating plus there is time to watch - and truthfully, I was ironing clothes while watching when he made it over.) (Yes, I had to iron clothes - and they were "starched and sprinkled" to boot.) (Yes, it is weird that I even remember what I was doing at that momentous moment.)
Enuf - M-G

Fun and games

Well, sometimes it does seem like fun and games - then there are all the others days and months and years. Ah, well - I am in the fun and games mode at the moment.
My fun yesterday was taking part of my once gorgeous old bed and starting the necessary destruction to turn it into a sort of night stand that will stretch between two beds in the yellow guest room. It will be quite a unique and gorgeous piece when done. As you all know, I am much better at starting projects than I am finishing them - but I am so anxious to see how this works that I will continue my attack - I have to figure out how to really dismantle - i.e. I have done the easy part - which, by the way, wasn't that easy.
I head to Sacramento Thursday - will return on Sunday. Saturday Lorraine and I will spend the day at the "Ragtime Festival" - it was such fun last year and we both have high hopes that it will be even better this year. Friday will be a day of shopping - always fun!
Jen is up at Lake Tahoe for a few days - she and Tommy/Gavin went up Sunday. It appears that she and Matt are trying to work things out. It would be wonderful if they can. I have seen Matt quite alot recently - and he quite nice to Terry and, of course, bonkers about his own son. Anyhow, the latest word is that she will be moving up there this month.
Yesterday my partner and I had such a fun game and I was certain we would be first - we were second with a rather nice game but not nice enough. Boo-hoo. M-G

Back again

Thanks to Karen I can take computer in hand again and say "Hi!" to everyone who has nothing better to do than read this foolishness. Perhaps I will add some news later or tomorrow - or next week. Love to all

the marvel of instant glue

Without the glue mothers would scream loudly!

he's all grown up

Can you believe it - after a big dinner Greg was pushing the ceiling out.

More bloggy foolishness

It is 8:34 AM and I am exhausted already. I spent the last half hour herding kids around while their mother prepared to take them to the doctor in Auburn - appointment time - 9:00 AM. And they were underway five minutes or so ago. Fortunately, Terry is very helpful - I cannot say the same thing for Tommy/Gavin - he mostly wailed.
Last week Terry "dictated" an e-mail letter to his Uncle Brian - a very short letter as he quickly lost interest. His very super Uncle wrote an e-mail letter back which I read to Terry this morning during a quiet moment - it all seems to be over his head as he was answering every question that Brian asked as I read the letter. It does make one realize that there is so much that seems normal and natural to me that has to seem weird to Terry.
Bad bridge yesterday - ugh! And I cannnot put all the blame on my partner - as it happens she expects to learn alot by playing bridge with me and she does have alot to learn but I did play extremely dull minded bridge - extremely! I played with her once a couple of years ago and my advice then was that she needed to focus on what was happening at the table - and that was my main recommendation yesterday.
I sort of plan to get the vacumn out today and at least smile at it - if it smiles back I may turn it on and let it run around in my bedroom. What a treat! If anyone would like to have the joy of following my happy vacumn around just come on over.
So, have a good day -

Shock! I never expected anyone but family would read my blog - somehow, someone stumbled onto it. Perhaps it will lead to fame and fortune.
So, I am busy sewing bells onto the outfit I will wear Greg's opening night - having promised I will be there with bells on I have no choice. Although, my ever so kind and gracious grandson has turned into such a tyrant I am quite fearful of his wrath - will bells upset him, or will no bells (as promised) upset him. Do I dare make gentle George Bailey angry?
Showers today and tomorrow - still much needed. I am determined to accomplish something today since I failed to do so yesterday. Somehow, doing the dishes just does not qualify - maybe I need to go shopping - ah, yes - that certainly qould qualify!

November 7th already . . . .

Today I intend to accomplish something worthwhile. Already I have attempted to explain to Terry everything he needs to know about teaspoons, 1/4 teaspoons, 1/2 teaspoons and tablespoons. And I attempted to explain why builders measure things. He more or less listens and then bounces on his merry way. Four year olds are delightful. I do hope to have a cookie baking session with him - he will see all the measuring spoons in action.
Tommy (formerly Gavin but being officially renamed after Matt's father) is almost three months old and quite a mellow little guy. He is very smart - he already knows that a smile brings a great reponse. I have yet to hear him during the night. I really enjoy watching him as he works to master the art of turning from his back to his stomach.
Jennifer is working alot plus having to drive an hour each way - plus depositing and picking up the kids. Terry is going to pre-school and his dad is very helpful when she has to work late. The baby stays with a friend.
Me - well, my partner and I were first at bridge yesterday - ah, I have accomplished something this week. And so it goes - seldom boring!

Twists and Turns

Yes, I know - life would indeed be dull if nothing every interfered with one's normal routine - I find I have to repeat that frequently with hopes that I might believe it
.
So, O.K., the latest! Jennifer called me yesterday morning and asked if she and the boys could stay here for a week. After establishing a few house rules, I agreed to take them on. It is, of course, delightful to have Terry around and the baby (almost three months old) is great fun - and, of course, having time with Jen is special. However, she is very busy - work, getting Terry going in preschool and caring for the baby. Today she works until ten tonight - starting at one - so I won't see them later as it will be too much later! Where she plans to go in a week is unknown by me - but when we have a chance to sit and chat I expect I will find out.

Not that I don't have enuf to deal with, Rich requested thousands of homemade noodles at the Great Thanksgiving Dinner that Karen and Barry are hosting. Plain old noodles - and I was exploring my "new to me" cookbooks for the great recipe for something so special that all would be amazed. I think I will have to mix finely chopped mushrooms and onions to the noodles so they will fill the amazing bill. Ha!

Never changing

No - I am not referring to the weather. It is just that decision making meetings never change. This morning I attended our homeowner's monthly meeting and left it thinking about PTA meetings as far back as Woodland Hills To be honest, at least we had men at our meeting - but then, we did not have slightly senile senoirs at the PTA meetings.
And the rain returned - just a lazy shower so far. We had a few inches over the weekend. We really need to welcome all rain as there seems to be quite a concern re water for our faucets in coming years.
I noted that Karen is planning the Great Thanksgiving Gathering. Both she and Barry really hope to have all of you there. And I am studying my recipe books for the perfect something - any requests?

November Greeting
Be sure to change your clock the right direction when you head for bed tonight. Well, that gives me a fair amount of time to figure out what the right direction is.
I wasn't going to blog today - then I read all the other blogs and could not resist throwing in my Wisdom! or perhaps my shame. Like, I got bored with the cat and the vultures and missed out on all the real fun. That seems to be the story of my life - too wise or too lazy.
Now, we do need to recruit more grandchildren to this world of blog - Shellie, I will e-mail your darling daughters with an order from Gramcie's headquarters. Would Gem or Gus like to leap into this madness? - several of you could check that out.
Yesterday I bought two cookbooks - and am looking forward to trying some "new" recipes - like I don't have hundreds of never tried recipes in the dozen or so cookbooks I already have. Why do "new" cookbooks have such a moment of inspiration followed by residing on the shelf with all the other formerly inspiring cookbooks. Certainly on of you can solve this great mystery.
Have a good day - each and all of you - G