Foggy Saturday Morning 9/18/10 in Concord

Yesterday is blank. Didn't feel well all day. Did go to Anna's Attic. We get there a half hour before they open and watch the people arrive. They always get out of their cars and walk up to the window and look inside, then try the front door but they don't open until ten am. Some people come to drop items off, they are let in.

Stopped at the Dollar store as this one is nicer than ours. Picked up some more 4x6 cards for my photo books that I have started as an art project. I tell you about that later. I brought some with me so I could make one to take with me to St Charles. They are my inspiration.

Traded beds with Mark last night and slept better. In fact feeling really good this morning. The fog has brought cooler air as I don't do too good in hot days. He got up early with Gordon and Bella so I slept in until seven.

Had found a book at library that I thought was a Agatha Christy mystery but it was just Agatha in the title, "Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist" by MC Beaton. English lady detective so close. It is 5x7 paperback and LARGE PRINT. A comfortable book to hold and read. Went to bed early last night and read half of it. Not one I would recommend but just an easy read.

Yesterday at Anna's Attic found a book, but not the purse I was looking for, "Poems of Joy", poems of inspiration and lovely paintings.

Now today my object is to work on projects I brought. Making the book I mentioned already and addressing and put into the mail.....a card to Chris' new granddaughter, and a card to Chris' son and daughter in law and a birthday to my sister, Lari. Lari keeps telling me she is going to jump out of an airplane on her upcoming 89th birthday and asking if I will do that too. NOOOOO way!!!!

And I want to finish this book and I have four more to read and I can drop them off at Clayton Library before I leave here.

Also today is first day of a 100 day project from the internet on how to make goals work. More about that later.

I think of September as my New Year and love enjoying the whole month as being mine. But this year it is just going too fast. I don't feel in control of it. It is sweeping me along.

Three jobs this month....Taylors', my friend Chris, and next week my friend Jill in St Charles. ALL three are my favorites. So I am not complaining.

Oh, heard from Chris yesterday and it was raining in Seattle. Don't know why she was surprised as it always rains in Washington. smile Also heard from John David in Alaska as I wrote and asked him about weather up there this time of year and he said it was "nippy" as fall was fast approaching. It was August in 1993 that I was in Alaska on 17 day cruise and the weather was perfect.

Not to work.....I'll be back.....

On the job in Concord.....September 16, 2010

Mark woke me up this morning at four am. He just has to turn on the light in my bedroom and that is a gentle awaking. I enjoy waking up slow. Need to be at work at six am. Had coffee and left over brownie from last night. Last sweet for a while. The scales threw a few bad numbers last few days.

Received a call from the Pet Sitting agency with a job from client I sat for last spring. October 8 through Oct 11th. I'll be back by then from St. Charles. I called her back at five this morning and said I could do this.

Chris and Lee were up when Mark and I got here at 5:55 AM. Chris has a new hair do and it is beautiful. Lee was reading the morning paper. Chris had sticky notes every where and I love that. Appreciate too much information than not enough. Chris is so efficient. Gordon had greeted us when we rang the bell with his happy bark. Bella was right there too waiting to investigate us and all things we brought. Cats are so different from anyone else. Pepper came in the house before we left home and checked to see what was going on and then left when we did.

Chris said they had planned on picking up their daughter and son in law as they are going on this trip along with Chris' brother and his wife. But Chris said Rachal called to say they would just meet them at airport as they had four suitcases. This for a ten day cruise to Alaska.

They left as planned at six thirty. I unpacked, sheets and put on our beds, books I brought to read two novels and 2 non fiction, and set up lap top. Went outside....the pool is clear as glass too bad I don't swim. I enjoy sitting by pool anyway.

At nine thirty drove over to Anna's Attic....thrift store. Looking for a purse for trip to St Charles next week. Wanted an outside zipper pocket, zipper main section, and over the head strap. They had lots of purses but not that one. She said to come back tomorrow as they get things in every day. I did find a cap like I wanted in case it is cold back in the mid west. It has San Francisco on it....but...it is a carpenters union label. But the cap is black and fits perfectly. I got it.

Stopped at Lucky's grocery store and got food for next three days. Frozen pot pies, a bag of bananas for $1.49, some fresh veggies to snack on, a fried chicken, bread and baloney for sandwiches, milk, cereal, think that was about all....oh, cranberry juice.

Got back and Gordon was all happy to see us and wiggled all over as he gets a treat when his family goes away and comes back. Bella came and checked us out again and walked off with her tail straight up in the air. Now they are taking a nap and so is Mark. I'm ready for nap also. the Hills are so beautiful here and look so close. Well, they are close. And I can see a few while skinny clouds in the sky approaching . I'll check in later after nap....

Prime Time Day....fun for seniors

With the little time and extra effort on me that made a difference yesterday at Prime Time. I walked in the door and the guy who greets you (the father of Billys friend) saw me and said first thing.....we are having meat loaf today. Ha ha I complained so much in the past about the food and said I loved American Food like Meatloaf....the squeaky wheel gets the attention.

I had decided before I got there to change my seating. You can sit anywhere you want. Eight to a table and beautifully decorated. I'd enclose photo if I knew how. This was the once a month Happy Birthday for Septembers BD's. Fourteen of us.

Stopped by the refreshment table for coffee. They have fresh fruit and sweets and coffee, tea.

The table I first saw was with these two gentlemen and I stopped and said, "Have you been sitting here since last spring?" They always sit in the same place and always look the same. They smiled and said 'Yes". Anyway they invited me to share their table so I did. I asked where they were born, what month was their BD, and they were friendly. I said my BD was in September and I came to the party to celebrate. The one gentleman leaned forward and asked me "How old are you?" Age gives you privileges. I told him 81. He thought I looked pretty good for that age and that he was 79.

Then a young man who is a caretaker for one of the regulars that come here stopped by. I've talked to him before. He is from the Philippine Is. Has a college degree in accounting. His brother sponsored him to get into this country. He is a delight to talk to. I had encouraged him the first time we met to keep a journal. And we have talked about this each time we met. He says he does keep one now. He has lived in other countries. Sorry I can't remember the one he just mentioned as it was in Europe but not one I could image anyone wanting to go live in. I'll ask again when I see him again. Any way he sat down next to me and the two other gentlemen and we all talked light talk. He inquired if I ever ask people what church you belong to. As I do talk to strangers. I said no. I don't feel any one church is the 'only' church. All religions offer something and God just happens to have a different name. He smiled and said he felt that way too. So we talked for a while about that.

He really impresses me. Always dressed casual but well groomed. He moves around the room and talks to others. So friendly. Not sure what age but probably forty. Older I get the harder it is to guess anyones age. smile. These caretakers who come with their companions are well trained I learned. They know CPR, and know how to be a practical nurse. Also cook. He is always interesting to talk to. Not just because his life is interesting but he shows interest and asks questions. So anyway another caretaker, a young woman, and her ward joined our table.

Changing tables yesterday was a good idea. I had always sit with Elvira Lynn and when she was no longer coming I just stayed at the same table. And the same people were very nice and we all knew each other so didn't seem to need to look for others. Or no reason to change tables. But change is good once in a while.

Saw Candy and she told me the St Raymond church had started up the five dollar Friday night Fish Fries up again. She is so friendly. She had fallen and had a bad bruise on her face. Also stopped and talk to Bobbie, she was in the Grandmothers club and good friend of Elvira. Saw and chatted with others. Visited the Free table. Some books but small print so I have lost interest in some books. Did pick up two frames, 4x6. I did pick up the Sept 2010 issue of Sunset. Gave it to Mark. Got my Blood Pressure and the nurse said how good it was. 115/67 and Pulse 76 So I guess I'm still alive.

The two gentlemen got up and said they had the job of putting water on all the tables just before the food was served. One pushes the cart and the other places the water.

The food was served at twelve. There was no entertainment yesterday. The Meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy was delicious and then for dessert Angel Food Cake with ice cream and one beautiful Strawberry on top.

The tables all have fresh flowers on them and at the end the birthday people were give them to take home. Usually a number is drawn 1 through 8 and the winning number gets the flowers.

You of course picked me up which I appreciate. But I may see about taking the bus this winter. If I keep going.