Birthdays

This must have been one great date….

I have a daughter in law, a son in law, an ex-boss,

a daughter of a friend… and one more, which escapes

me right now…

All born on this date…. September 9^th.

Must have been one bodacious New Years Eve Party.

In fact September seems to be a pretty popular month

For birthdays… just like April is in my family…

Because besides the above, there is about 8 more people

I know who is celebrating… and when I went to a party

Saturday night.. there was 4 more, that I didn’t know.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF YOU September KIDS…

And especially to those born today…

Elaine, Tim, Patience, Nani,

This is short today.. I will explain tomorrow

I REALLY don't Understand...

As we seem to be heading to action in or towards Syria.

I seriously don’t understand why, especially at this time,

why we are thinking of any action at all.

Yes, I understand that they are supposed to have gassed

some of their citizens. Shades of Iraq and Hussein. And I

am not saying that is a good thing.. It is terrible.. horrible.

But so far, the United Nation group hasn’t given anyone

proof of it being so.  I might be a cynic but who knows, if

this isn’t a staged deal to get the U.S. in it with them. Why

would they do that? Who knows what they think. Who knows

what they want.. but if the U.S. were to take action, and every

one is of the same concern, that this could open up the whole

Middle East.  Everyone bombing everyone…. Wouldn’t this take

the pressure off of the King of Syria? 

Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan share borders (so does Iraq, but

we know they wouldn’t do anything) so why aren’t these

countries concern? Why aren’t they talking about action?

After all, the gas could be used on them, if Syria gets stupid.

And of course all of those who are not rebels, who want no part

of this.. are running to these other countries for safety. Do they

have the resources to take in all of these thousands of refugees?

Why aren’t they complaining to the United Nations?  Why aren’t

they protesting all of this.  It seems like they are sitting there,

and figure they will let United States do it. Let the U.S. pay

the bill, which we surely can’t afford as we are barely paying

for Afghanistan and Iraq, where we still have troops.

Then …ok.. so the US is going to do something. But what?

Bomb what? The palace where the President is? Surely we

are not going to bomb the chemical plant and destroy the

country side, say nothing about bordering countries and etc.

They are talking about limited action. Limited action means

what?  Even talk of troops/boots on the ground. And have

our guys gassed?  Surely if they will use it on their own

people, they will use it on our troops.  Brings back the horror

of World War I, gassing… how many have great grandfathers,

who came back after being gassed and those were the very

few who got to come back.

To me, limited means swatting the bull and pissing him off.

Anything more sure should not be for us.. but for the United Nations.

And yes, I know the UN is mainly a group of people who meet

and say they are watching over the world.. and do little.

We are not going to solve anything in the Middle East. It has

been going on over there for over 2000 years, why does any

one think we are going to settle any of this? 

Now if someone was gassing England, France or even Germany,

Or even Australia, Canada.. yes, hell yes, I would say… let’s go…

But the Middle East?  Let some of the ones who the change would

effect their countries, step up to the plate first.  And if they aren’t

worried, why should we?

Sorry if I seem cold hearted…. And cynical…. But with the media so

warped, how can you believe anything you see on it?  Nope… show

the United Nations the proof, and then have the U.N. decided what

should be done… and have the bordering countries start the action.

After all, look at our actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait..We

have lost a lot of our troops for what? Countries that don’t even

want us there. We are not everyone’s big brother…those days

left us in the 1940’s. 

Grandpuppy

We have custody of a grandpuppy this week.

She is brand new to our family.

My daughter in law has wanted a pug for so long.

My son has resisted forever... even threaten us,

who have encouraged her.  BUT on Monday, he

broke down and granted her wish.

My daughter found one on line.. Sandpoint Yard Sale.

Trouble is, my son and his wife had already left the area

and went back home to near Castle Rock, Washington.

And the puppy was in.......................Kootenai.. yes, in

our very own town.

So got the call, shyly asking would it be possible for us

to pay for the pup, before it was gone.. She had called

and talked to the people. That is when they found out

it was in our town.  We, of course, said yes...  She made

arrangements for us to pay and hopefully they would

keep the puppy until she could get back here.

We went over and paid for the puppy. And went one

step further.. We brought the puppy home. Then sent

a picture of the receipt showing the puppy was in fact

hers.  And then I sent a picture of the puppy that she

asked for... with Misty in the picture too. Then she

knew we had Savannah, the pug puppy. And then

we added to it... We were going to go down to Kennewick,

Washington this weekend.. Which was 4 hours from

her, not the 8 hours that we are.

So come this Friday, there will be one very happy puppy,

and one extremely happy daughter in law.  As little

Savannah, is a bouncy, cuddle up, sweet puppy. And

Misty will miss her, as Savannah has put some bounce

in Misty as well... it is like have a kid sister here with her. 

So thankful to the whole crew

 SO THANKFUL TO THIS WHOLE CREW....

The King and his boys....

 details...

 hijinks

 getting tired...

So long August.... so long Summer

So long summer, I hardly knew where the time went.

It seemed like I was just starting plants to put in the ground..

And here we are… the end of August… only 2 days left.

End of summer… fall knocking on our door.

We will be very busy putting August to bed… We have

our company here.. the beginning of them.. more arriving

tomorrow..

And then we begin… the P day will be here Saturday…

Paint the truck… a long time coming… the King is excited.

He has picked out the color… ROOT BEER with sparkles in

It… He picks that tomorrow.

Tomorrow night.. we feast.. bar-b-que ribs is the menu, with

a few side dishes… so it will be good food, good times, and

usually some of the conversations start out with.. “Do you

remember this… or remember when we did this and Mom

didn’t know”.. And the looks on their faces when I tell them,

oh, yea, I knew.  It just wasn’t bad enough to scream at you.

A parent picks their battles…

And once in a while, they actually do have one I didn’t know

about.

Then Saturday… the big day… starting with painting in the morning. 3 sons, and the King will hole up in the wrapped garage… no one allowed in once they start… because dust will come in too..   So we will hear paint guns, and fans going…

The afternoon, will start around 3pm.. where we all shift out of town… for part 2… the celebration of 50 wonderful years…..

(1963 must have been a great year… 3 family members and

about 4 friends celebrated this year)….

My wonderful son-in-law will have 3 of my sons and many, many friends,and more family,  who will help him

celebrate.  And we will party on thru the night… good food, good times… dancing…  Yep, this will be a great day to end a wonderful day…

Sunday… will be recoup day… start to pack things up…. And our son’s will be heading out… safely home…

Yep, August we will do you proud, we will wind you down.. in high style…  

DAMN IT TO HELL.....

DAMN IT TO HELL… CANCER… DAMN YOU TO HELL…

Over the years, I have lost a great deal of friends to cancer.. even my mother had cancer..  My very favorite Aunt and Uncle… both….

My first introduction to cancer was my parents losing a friend at the age of 45 to cancer… and how upset they were.  I didn't understand as I think I was about

10 or 12.  I just understood it was a bad thing.

I can remember my mother talking about cancer after that.. it was more of a mention than a discussion.  Something about her step mother telling her, that my grandmother (her mother) died of the nasty dirty cancer.  And how happy

she was to find out that it wasn't cancer.  About 45 years later, when I was doing some research, I found her death certificate and found out it was cancer caused. It was due to an operation, on the cancer, and the side effects killed my grandmother at the age of 36.  My own mother was scared of the age 36, especially when I happen to turn 13 at the same month and she was 13 when her mother died.

My next introduction to cancer was a friend/neighbor/class mate… He was a big guy.. got married, had two kids.. and at the age of 24 got that word…

Cancer… He went from 200+ pounds to 98 before he passed. I was horrified when I saw him a week before he passed away. They were helping him get in the car to go to the doctors… I went home and cried.. I had never seen any

one dying of cancer before.

Jump forward 30 years, and I started working in nursing home.. then I really got to know about cancer.. 17 years of taking care of cancer patients. Amazing strong people. Some of them so worried about their family members, that they forgot about themselves.  I found out that cancer had no prejudices. Age, color, nationality, thin, heavy… made no difference… And what we were really amazed, was how many people who worked there, got cancer.

Now Cancer is not contagious. But we counted 11 workers, in 3 years. Nurses, aides, kitchen cooks, and housekeeper…. Didn't matter. Some of these people were good friends of mine… I cried a lot. We in the health care business are suppose to have objectivity...but there is no way to take it in stride.

Then my mother got cancer… she lasted 6 months…  My uncle years later, and then his wife, who was my all time favorite person… like a mother to me.

I cried…

A friend lost her daughter to cancer… another friend got cancer. My cousin got Cancer at the same time as my brother and my neighbor.. My brother and my

neighbor are still fighting…but my cousin lost.  I cry a lot… inside as well as outside.

Just when it seem like things calmed down… when I got word again, that another friend had cancer… she fought the good fight.. almost made it.. but cancer return.  What a beautiful voice….  My walking friend, she came down with her 4^th series of cancer… and lost.

And this month… my niece, has cancer and is starting her chemo… she has a good chance of beating it.. She chose to have both of her breast removed. She hopes and we pray, that will end any more chances of a return.

Another friend, his son, and we pray that the procedure will be the end of his.. Another friend lost her husband, in April… he fought the battle, it didn't look good, and then they came up with a new procedure… and it was so hopeful.

It looked good……but then infection kicked in.. and he lost the battle…

All of this… has been heavy on my mind…. this year….and then today, I found out my friend who lost her husband.. now has lung cancer.. never smoked.. yet

there it is.. We are pulling for her.. the chemo has to work…

We put a man on the moon, we come up with all kinds of computer that are out of date before they hardly leave the factory.. why.. oh, why.. can’t we find something to cure cancer… something that will put a stop to ever get it.

I don’t think there is anyone.. who doesn't know someone, who has cancer..

The only ray of hope is there are survivors out there… And there are scientist who are still working hard to find another medical procedure… another med…to help in the battle… and that is our hope…. Our only hope…

DAMN YOU TO HELL, CANCER… we have NOT gave up.. we have just begun to fight…  

Point check...

Back bedroom, clean, bed with fresh linen... check..

Living room fairly uncluttered .... check.. but may not find the stuff later....

Replanting flowers that dried up during the 90's temp...  check... 
replanted the replanted flowers that dried up, because I forgot to water them this weekend... check...
Look into fake flowers at dollar store to replace dying flowers... yet to be done..

Pick tomatoes for the 8 time, and a few zucchini's... check

Got to figure out what to do with the big drawer of tomatoes, already gave neighbor enough that she peeks out her door before going out, to make sure I am not there.  Make stew tomatoes tomorrow.. yet to be done...

Got to mow the lawn ... dang.. rain  made it jump 2 inches over the past 2 days. yet to be done..

Clean the bathroom again... maybe should get pot-a-pots... and rope off bathroom until guest come.  check

Double check freezer and refrig to see if we got all the food... check..

IT'S A WRAP

Got the garage wrapped... (parts are, to keep the dust off) and it is now counting down of 5 days... 
So with the family coming in... any last minute stuff to do... my blogging is going to be sparely....  If so, I will be back next week with finish product.. it won't be put to gether, but
it will be painted...

9 DAYS AND COUNTING...

Ken has been working on his 47 Ford for... well about 11 years. 

He tore it apart 11 years ago.. Has piddled with it off and 

on... sanding and smoothing out bumps. 

and then left again to sit... the cab in 

the center of the garage.. the fender up in the rafters.

the box leaning up against the walls. Motor 

swinging from the rafter on a chain.. the 

frame outside thru many snowstorms and

piles. 

Then this year... I told him. this is it...

THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE TRUCK..

get it done... And that he has done. 

We had to agree on one change. That

was trading out the 47 frame for a 91

Ford ranger frame with motor and transmission. I was the hold out. 

But at this point of the game, if it would

get it done.. then I said ok.. 

In 9 days, our son's are arriving to paint it for him.

One of the son's is a professional.. the other 2 

have done many of their own and friends. So

the 3 of them.. will get it done. 

That will leave Ken the winter to get it put back

together and hopefully we get to drive it

in the Lost in the 50's parade in mid

May. that is the plan.  And yes, ML

we will come out on your birthday and take

a picture... with our truck which is as old as you are. 

So in 10 or 11 days, I hope to have what you 

see here, but in root beer sparkle with black. 

READING... READING... AND MORE READING...

I am supposed to be doing my homework.

I have a 133 page assignment that I need to

have read by Wednesday night. I am on page 101.

32 pages to go.

This is not the most exciting reading.. but it isn’t boring

either. It is a project that all of us have been involved in

for 2 years and some of us for more than that.. about

5 for some.    As they started and then it got sidelined.

But 2 years ago or a little more.. all of us decided to

keep with it until it was done. And finally it is done.

But now we get to read it from start to finish…as in the past

we have been doing section by section.. some of them longer than others.  And after Wednesday night, if all of it passed thru, and no one has anymore to add, or question.. then the next step is to post it on the walls of the city hall and let the public come and read it… and leave notes of questions and remarks and comments.. (not necessarily the same).

AND THEN..Public Notices, and it becomes the policy, for Kootenai..

It is called  Zoning  Ordinance.

Some might think it is boring.. but it sure is necessary.

And if you live here in the City of Kootenai, and want to

build, start a business, be it in your home or a separate

building.. it will be of great interest to you.. to know what

you can and can not do… before you do it.

While the main players are the council themselves… and the

guiding hand is Lisa Keyes… with the lawyer in the background to make sure the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed.. and all of it in legal sense… I got to participate as JANE Q PUBLIC.

Hopefully when it is put up for the citizens of Kootenai to read,They will come and read it and appreciate the fact that the council worked hard on it and while doing so.. guarded life for those who live here and made it fair.

So I am off to read the last 32 pages… and then get together with the great crew/ council persons, clerk and consultant.