boxes, boxes, everywhere!

not to mention the packing materials.  What do I do with that?  Recycle the paper?  I suppose so.  There is a huge recycling bin down the driveway by Sam’s apartment.  Maybe he’ll help me tote the stuff on his way home from here one day.  By that time, the living room will be filled to the brim with packing paper and bubble wrap!

I’m just taking a small break, as I promised myself that five, count ‘em five boxes would be unpacked tonight.  I was hoping to find either the iron or my shoes, but so far no go.  Not good enough to label the boxes with the room.  Next time (oh lord, a next time?) I will make meticulous lists and number the boxes… of course I will forget by that time.  I swear the next time I will have someone pack for me and unpack for me.  Or maybe I’ll just have one big come and get it sale right here in the apartment.

Funny thing is that my brain is going well, work went well, I’m nearly up to date on that job I’m subbing in (while doing my own job).  Left knee is much better today without the long walks.  Hmmm…….  weather is cool, life is ok.

Now if I could stop eating!  This month’s drug of choice.  Well, every month’s drug of choice actually.  It’s high time I deal with that issue.  At least I don’t drink alcohol any more or do other illegal and immoral acts. Actually, I lead what could be considered quite a boring life to many.  I like it just fine.  

My break is over.  Back to unpacking.  Maybe I’ll do six boxes!

And not to forget my poor Adam Lambert in the bottom two tonight.  He looked quite incredulous at the announcement that he was in the bottom three.  During the commercials right before the final announcement of tonight’s loser (none of these kids are losers, baby) I started unpacking.  Frustration and all.  Well, it got me out of my chair and out of my comfort zone into the boxes.  

Back to work with me.

Later…. still can’t find my shoes!

wow baby….

Adam Lambert is taking us to new heights.  Last night’s American Idol had me staring at the tv a couple of times…once with the little chickie that deserves a more honorable title than chickie (just don’t listen to her chatter).  The other with my boy Adam.  Apologies to the other guys who have some good licks to show, but these two are just damn good.

The vocal risks Adam takes are not actually risks.  He knows his voice.  That boy knows what will catch the ears and eyes of the crowd.  From the moment he came on stage when they all entered, we all wondered what would match that etherial white suit he was wearing.  The backlighting, the stairway entrance, his communication with the camera…. it’s all there.  Come on people.  Just realize that he is the one.  He will make more of a splash in the world of music than any and all of the former AI winners or runners up.  Who cares about the guy who nearly tied with ClayAiken.  I don’t.  

Gokey has a smashing talent, as do Matt and Chris.  These guys outshine any previous finalists.  But then there’s Adam.  Give over.  The prize is his; even if he doesn’t “win” the contest, he has won.

We have in front of us the reincarnation of Jim Morrison, who left us at a young age.  He also knew what he had, and belted it.  He is the only singer of the past who had anything like Adam has.  I’ll bet you there are six degrees of separation here somehow!

Comeon friends.  Take up the challenge.  Find out how they are connected!

No one in the world could have pulled this off ………. except our boy Adam.

Adam-Lambert-PLAY_THAT_FUNKY_MUSIC_WHITE_BOY.html

Later…………..

big deal…

I know, last night I made a big deal about the fact that it was midnight, and I was about to fall into bed and all that.  Well, I fell into bed, but didn’t fall asleep.  And didn’t fall asleep, and didn’t fall asleep.

My mind whirred about furniture placement, shelving units… heck I even got out of bed close to 1am and looked online at shelving units for my fabric goodies for the studio.  I left the ones that belonged to the house in the house.  Don’t know why.  She didn’t even know they belonged there!  However, I know there is more fabric at the storage place, so need to find a wall unit that will accommodate at least a third more than I have here right now.  Something to think on for several days yet.

As I have said before, I miss my books.  They are my friends…. my wallpaper.  I have an intimate relationship with each one of them.  To look at the books on the shelves that were built specially for them is a treat beyond compare.  There is history in them there books.

This will be the time when I can sort through all the books, fabric, paper, everything. Sam can have the food processor when I find it, rather than spending another $100+ on a new one for his cooking craze.  He’s even started eating carrots with the tops on rather than the bagged ones, because someone on a Food Network program told him that you can tell how fresh they are.  Wow.  Listening to a guy who knows about food and tells him about the food, and what to do with the food.  The other day we were in the store together when he bought asparagus — an asparagus virgin — and asked me all the pertinent questions.  I gave him the low down.  When he got home, he called to ask how to store it in the fridge as he wasn’t going to use it for at least another day. Gee.  Is that my kid?

It’s really kinda cool, actually.  He’s always been expert at the old college recipes, but never ventured out.  He actually brought me a plate of mac and cheese when he came over the other day!  It was delicious with the sharp cheese and the panko bread crumbs on top.  

Cooking is a great thing for a young man to explore.

Ok.  I’m going to redistribute the bedroom furniture first, since I’m still in here.  Maybe it will give me space to bring in the comfy desk chair rather than using this wicker stool that is very cute, but extremely uncomfortable!  Bought it for the birthday party in January.  Now it is a functional stool.

Hey…. even toying with the idea of using the new green fabric piece for the bed!  I’ve never made something for me to use.  What a concept!

This is my morning song-in-the-brain:

And can I leave without acknowledging Timothy B. Schmidt who is from my home town here in Sacramento?  Of course not.  I’ve been a groupie since the 60s.  Amazing that we’re still kicking, ain’t it!

Here’s the one Joe Walsh was talking about after the one above:

a tighter group you will never find.  Harmonies spectacular, and the backup group of horns is always there, but you almost don’t hear them, it’s such an integral part of the group.  Grateful for the boys.

Ok…so I’m feeling teary-eyed this morning.  At least I’m feeling again!

Later……………..

energetically speaking…

Good grief.  Hardly know how to explain this, but two or three conversations recently have re-energized me.  I didn’t fall asleep at work (just kidding — and no I did not fall asleep!), I took no nap prior to my evening responsibilities that included fetching a friend at the airport and transporting her to see her hubby and two wonderful children who are still living in this area until the kids finish the school year.  After that, it’s up north to be back together as a whole family.

Sat up and watched a couple of those HGTV programs I’m already addicted to — did you know I am a freak about homes and architecture?  And to top it all off, while sitting there in my big grandma chair, pictured a layout for the living and dining rooms that might just work.  A bit non-traditional, but then hey… when have I EVER been traditional?  Got married in a navy blue skirt and blouse that had red polka dots; finished making the dress a few hours before the wedding, and sewed it on a treadle machine that I had purchased at an English thrift shop for cheap.  What can go wrong with a treadle machine, you ask?  Nothing.

Now that it’s nearly midnight, my body is starting to feel a bit rough.  Tomorrow is Saturday, and I have no commitments until 5pm when I will happily drive downtown for my first massage in forever!

I want to go over to the storage place and get the two bookcases my old buddy Michiel made for me 15 or so years ago.  I have a great place for them that will enable me to have my books around me once again.  They are floor to ceiling in an 8′x10+’ space. He made them in two parts that can be used together with or without a specially made music shelf between them.  I’ve carried those things around for a long time, and don’t expect to stop that behavior now!

Photos will come eventually.  

I like that my brain is responding to my calls recently.  For a while, it was on pause or something.  Kicked back into gear, but still aware of the brakes to be used when necessary.  

And for anyone who was concerned, the woman of whom I spoke the last time I wrote shuffled off this mortal coil this morning.  Enough said.

Perhaps another thing that has helped the situation along is that I got the deposit money and the rent for the last two weeks of April from my former landlady.  It was touch and go there for a minute or two when she went over and found several things left in the garden.  She had it hauled away and sent me nearly all the $$, taking off very little for the hauling.  I got back nearly enough to pay a full month’s rent at the new place.  

Tomorrow brings hasty watering of the dry plants on the little patio, and a decision about how to do the planting and a few other things that I will discuss at another time. 

It is now 11:59pm.

I’m going to bed.

Later……….

devastated….

I am totally devastated by some news received to day about a work colleague.  Evidently she had pneumonia recently that progressed to sepsis which eventually took over her body, caused irreversible brain damage, leaving her in a totally vegetative state, being kept alive with feeding tubes and breathing machines.

This woman is one of the sweetest, lovliest, most positive people on earth.  Always greets you with a smile.  I have spent some time… not too much, though… talking with her about general stuff, about families, loved ones, community and the like.  She is my age, has kids, a mom, and sisters and brothers.  Grew up in the same neighborhood I did.

I’m all at sixes and sevens.  Nothing seems relevant.  I want to go home and curl up in bed. 

Pure tragedy.  Why am I so affected by this, by the life and times of someone I can’t even call a friend.  I suppose it might have something to do with the fragility of life, the total unknown from moment to moment.  I watch my 90-year old mom having long conversations with me recently, wanting to share her life before there is no more.

But it’s not the same.  This is a vibrant, happy woman snatched from us.  I cannot even begin to imagine what must be going on inside her family right now. 

Ok.  I’m finished with writing.  Her presence is still abounding here.  She will be sorely missed.  I wish there would be a drastic turn of events, and that she would be here tomorrow.  I can always wish.

Later………

a site worth saving….

One of my newest bookmarks is www.apartmenttherapy.com.  I first found it as I searched for ideas for my little patio… should I go flowers, should I go green, should I… should I…. My conclusion is that I want to get something to block the view of two apartments…one quite a distance away upstairs, and the other sort of close but diagonally placed, so there’s not that much overlook, but just enough to make me uncomfortable. 

Now, mind you, there’s not much to see at my place, especially the view of the patio, but I’d like to have something go up beyond the patio so that I, yes I feel comfortable.  Thinking of a conifer corner, or a couple of bamboo plants in containers for containment!

You might be wondering how the unpacking is going.  Well, after last night’s rearrangement of the bedroom (moving the bed to another position) and making the decision to go back to my lovely lime green and yellow color scheme, I’m moving right along.  I feel like I need to unpack the stuff in the kitchen, and decide if I really want it all as I unpack.  Trying not to feel daunted is a chore.  

The main issue is who is going to do it if I don’t.  Answer:  no one.

So the word is GET TO IT SISTER!

Taking my mom to an MD appointment this morning in a couple of hours.  Owner of restaurant we both go to told me that my mom’s eye was blood red.  I called her.  Of course she hadn’t seen it.  She is blind.  I told her to call the advice nurse and ask for an appointment for today.  She did it.  She’s also suffering from sore calves, and gerd.  Poor mom.  

Oh well.  Time for a shower then some tea and off to the doc.

Later……….

mom’s birthday….

Today is my mom’s birthday.  She has reached the amazing age of 90….yes, I said ninety…. nine zero.  As one might expect, some of her senses are not so keen anymore.  Her vision is nearly gone.  Her hearing vacillates depending on the person to whom she is attempting to listen.

After being shipped off to an aunt and grandmother at age 14, she went to high school in Delhi, California and was the only of her brothers and sisters to go to college, during which she lived with yet another aunt.  After college, she was an educator for the following 50+ years.  

She held many positions from teaching in a one room school house — grades 1-8 — to Chair of the Department of English at both McClatchy and Elk Grove High Schools.  The position she held when she retired was Project Facilitator of the Native American Project in a local school district.  For ten years or so after retirement, she worked in the schools as a consultant in Native American culture, with an emphasis on the elementary school-age children and projects in the arts.

As she sat eating her waffle sandwich at River’s Edge Cafe and Espresso this afternoon, I marveled at her alertness, her considerable interest in controlling the world and all near and dear to her.  The vision impairment has curtailed her massive control… something with which we all have lived for our whole lives.  The hearing loss together with the vision means she missed many context clues, causing frustration in all around her.  Still in control, that old broad.  No one stops to say, “Hey, you’re out of line.  Stop yer talking!  Give someone else a chance!”

Ah well, Happy Birthday, Mom. Here’s a little ditty… one of your favorites.

Later…………

boxes, boxes everywhere!

Man, I thought I was so clever, labeling the boxes with where they go. Unfortunately, the two bedroom tapes were blue and green… not always distinguishable by moving men in a hurry!  So, the sleeping bedroom has my bed and the small dressers in it.  The bedroom that will be dedicated to fabric and clay is filled to the door with boxes, desks and everything that wasn’t nailed down in the house.  

The lovely patio is filled with plants I brought with me.  And I mean filled.  I love the jasmine on a trellis and the miniature lacy leaf maple (red) that peek over the patio fence.  The variegated leaf geraniums make me very happy, as do the asparagus ferns in the big yellow pots.  The herbs look and smell wonderful.  All those make me smile.

Ok.  Taxes done, home from work today.  I just barely waddled from the bedroom to the computer in the living room today.  Wow…that was weird.  I just saw Sam walk by my window!  He was on the way to work at the grandparents’ today.

I’m getting the feel of the place today.  Not sure if I’m up to moving one box at all.  Probably will go back to bed soon.  Was going to have a massage tomorrow, but postponed that because I want to be relaxed when I go there rather than have Kate spend half the time getting me relaxed.  So a few bottled drinks filled with electrolytes, some hot showers, and in no time I’ll be ready to be putty in her hands.

Ok, so as I was saying, I’m sitting here deciding where to put furniture. Usually less than conventional, the movers didn’t believe me when I told them where to put things, so everything is higgledy piggledy throughout the house.

I will sit quietly for a while, watch some cable tv (my first experience with it at my house) and decide how to proceed.

I like this place.  Rather surprised.  It is crisp and clean, the leaves on the trees are swaying in the wind, the gardeners just neatened up the lawns.  All is well here.  And I can’t even hear the freeway.  Sam can hear the trains from his apartment.  So far, I can’t.  And there are no chihuahuas barking!  What a treat.

Now for me to go in pursuit of the screen door.  I love having the big sliding door open, but not without the screen, ladies and gentlemen.

Going for a rest.

Yes, that is the view from the living room into the entry hall and dining room. Eek!

And a quick peek at the patio with all the stray plants!

(That was the sound of me sighing!)

Later…….

last day living at this place…

Tomorrow brings the start of a new existence at a new abode.  Sitting at my computer for a few minutes this morning.  I’m going to decline an invitation to lunch out at a restaurant today.  Don’t want to lose momentum.  Yesterday went to bed at 11pm without even thinking about it.  

By this time tomorrow, the moving van should be here loading.  I’m nearly ready.  No stops by storage place after all.  I’ll cope with the stuff at the apartment, then make trip(s) to the place as needed.

Wanted to hear the Beatles this morning.  So I found this… think it’s on here another time, but what the heck.

Ah, that’s good.  

Enough of the fun stuff for the day.  I’ve taken down the front room and kitchen curtains.  About to remove the studio ones.  Might wait for the bedroom ones ’til tomorrow morning.  (Voice of modesty here!)

Ok.  Really getting up now.  Computers can be so warm and inviting!

Later…..

knackered…

still packing.  The clay studio took 4 hours!  but I’m done.  So glad I have cleaners coming in on Tuesday to do all the hard work.  Haven’t quite understood the reluctance of my son to help me.  He asked on Friday if that would be the last time he’d have to come over here — ever.  I was totally non-plussed.  Then there are the hard-working, well-meaning people who would like to help, but all I need doing really is moving the big pots and the plants, some of which I will leave to the professional guys on Monday.

So, I sit here in my fabric studio, with my back to the mess, happy that it is the only room left to do.  I will continue working when I return from dinner with the family… well a little part of the family.  Now I just have to decide what to have for dinner… Korean is always good.  There is a pong to my body right now.  Second day of same clothing, sweating, dirt, and the like.  It’s cool.  I can sort of see why some people don’t shower every day.  It gets comfortable.  Mind you, I didn’t sleep in these clothes!  And I have had a bit of a wash, which I am going to do again in a few minutes before meeting with the folks and Sam!

I can pack the fabrics slowly tonight.  Plenty of boxes left and I’m still using the tape with each room’s name on it.  That is a real boon, I tell you.  I never have done that before.  I always start, then just end up shoving stuff in boxes that were labeled from the previous move and everything goes to the wrong room.  I’m hoping this color coding will be a good thing.  

Off to wash my face and clean the fingernails.  Always helps!

Hope I’ll have good news to report around 10 or 11pm tonight.  Stay tuned….