Boxes and wrapping are better than toys

Most parents have experienced a child unwrapping a toy and then playing with the box it came in - or the wrapping - for longer than the toy (yes, that is her toy box behind her).

Our dog, Bailey is well trained and doesn't tear up things in the house (not since she was a puppy, anyway).

However, when we moved we ordered almost everything we needed for the house online. That meant that UPS and FED EX were delivering packages frequently for well over a month.

Bailey soon learned that when a box comes, there is usually bubble wrap or cardboard or some kind of protective coating around the item. Bailey goes crazy for the packaging. Her favorite thing is bubble wrap.

Seriously, Bailey will take bubble wrap - holding it between her paws - then she will pop each air pocket between her teeth. She uses a back and forward motion like she is eating corn on the cob. It is so funny to watch that relatives and friends now save their bubble wrap for her. (Don't worry she is always closely supervised).

Today, she was disappointed. We ordered some folding chairs and while they were well protected, it was not with bubble wrap.

Nevertheless, she had a ball shedding the padding. She makes a big mess but it cleans up easily and she obviously has so much fun with it. Yes, Bailey is spoiled, but she makes every delivery seem like Christmas!

The building of a pond

A water feature is a nice thing to have when you live in a compact neighborhood. So, prior to our move, I started investigating, fountains, ponds, waterfalls and every other type of water feature. I had decided on a small, pondless water feature as our new house has more of a back patio than a back yard; it is only 40 feet long by 13 feet wide.

The goal was low maintenance; Jim said he was not moving the lawn mower. I was concerned we would be left wit a concrete slab or decorative rock. The developer had "back yard tours" to see what others had done with the small spaces.

They seemed unimaginative. As most landscapers had suggested to me, there were patios with retaining walls or patios with concrete sitting walls or maybe a small patch of grass. Most reminded me of property in the desert. I wanted more of a mountain retreat. There had to be a way to do it.

Shasta College Community Education to the rescue. I enrolled in a landscape design class. Our pondless water feature turned into a a three level waterfall - with a nine foot stream flowing into a Koi pond. The pond has a 3 foot culvert tunnel, buried underground, so the Koi can hide from predators.

I would have never thought about doing a feature that large in a such a small space without the encouragement of the instructor. He said it could actually make the space look larger.

The next decision was to put in artificial turf - no, not astro turf. It has long blades, more like the turf at Big League Dreams. We actually paid more to have 'dead' brown and yellow blades mixed in with the green to make it more realistic -seriously. We are so happy with the results, no mowing, no watering and it always looks great. The grass is bordered by flowers, ground cover and my mini -vegetable garden.

This is a new hobby for me. I have never liked gardening or working outdoors. Of course, having cool mornings and evenings makes a huge difference. Still, it surprises me how much I enjoy checking on the Koi in the morning, feeding them at night and plucking a weed out of the borders here and there.

Having coffee outside watching the Koi is icing on the cake.

Can't slide anything past your sister

You can always count on your sister to know everything about you. Yesterday, I talked about how much I enjoy a pedicure. As a visual learner, I like to have pictures with my blogs.

I went searching the Internet to find a picture of a pair of feet with toes painted in a spring setting. Let's just say you want to be careful when you Google "feet" pictures. I never would have thought to add that word to Net Nanny!

Not finding suitable pictures,or non copyrighted ones, I finally decided it would be a lot faster to take a quick picture of my feet in our back yard water feature. I figured no one would know the difference. So that is what I did.

Less, than an hour later, I get a one line email from my sister, Dennie:

"OMG, you put your FEET on your blog !!!!! I can't believe it. "

Jim, never recognized my feet; I am sure no else cared or recognized them either.

It just goes to show, you can't slide anything past your sister - no matter how small!

Rest In Peace

There are some that go about their daily routines quietly - touching other peoples lives and hearts and asking nothing in return.

They are the unassuming ones.

They are the ones that you know you can always ask for help.

They are the ones with the quick smile and kind words.

When they are gone, there is left a big void, not only for their family and friends, but for the entire community.

Rest in Peace Terry Quibell.

My one indulgence

Jim calls me an easy keeper (maybe that is why we have been married for 37 years).

I can go from the bed to coffee, shower, and out the door in a half hour. Towel dried hair is fine with me; a little lipstick and I am good to go. The quick hair cut places are just as good as the expensive ones as my hair always does what it wants anyway -no matter the cut. I color it with hair dye that is on sale. I've thought about letting it just go gray, but then another good sale pops up.

I have never had a message,nor do I want one. BUT, the one indulgence I love is a pedicure. Having a pedicure during sandal weather is the ultimate indulgence for me. A manicure is a waste, as the polish chips within a day. For some reason, a pedicure doesn't chip and lasts nicely until the next time.

I think I have just talked myself into a nice relaxing pedicure today!

Camelot

Following a beautiful spring day, it rained last night. This morning the ground glistens with the evidence of just enough moisture for the budding flowers and my newly planted vegetable garden.

It reminds me of the movie and Broadway play, Camelot. A place of beauty, where it is decreed that “it only rains at night” in Camelot.
We use the word Camelot to describe our vacations. We are usually very lucky in enjoying great weather - even when it has rained the prior week or is expected to rain the following week.
Today, I feel like we are enjoying Camelot right here at home!

The results of the complaint to California State

Some may remember me writing about the incident that happened at Crystal Cove State Park where a ranger denied my right to walk on the beach with my service dog, Bailey. The saga is recounted here.

I did file a formal complaint against the ranger and asked for two things, 1) that the park be provided ADA training, specially related to service dogs and 2) A formal complaint be put in the personnel file of "Ranger Rick".

Yesterday, I received a call from the "Human Rights Office, Department of Parks and Recreation. " The representative was very pleasant and wanted to let me know the results their investigation.

First, ADA training was provided to all the rangers in that district and the south district. They even shared the access information I provided to other parks in the state.

Second, Ranger Rick was "counselled." She stated they have a progressive discipline policy and they could not skip the verbal counselling step. Having worked in personnel, I understand that policy.

The Human Rights Officer asked me if I was satisfied. Yes.

I was so flabbergasted that California State Park employees had not had any ADA training, related to service dogs, that I felt I had to file the formal complaint in order to initiate change.

Case Closed.

Dog Park 101

Dog parks are generally so much fun - for both the human and dogs.

There is such joy in watching your pet run loose and find new play companions.


They also give humans a chance to get out and interact with others.



Some dog parks even have walking trails for owners to use while Rover is playing.

My Favorite place to run Bailey is Huntington Beach Dog Park.

One walks down a 20 foot cliff' to three miles of beautiful white sand beach.

The dogs are safe to run with ocean on one side and the cliff protecting them from Pacific Coast Highway on the other side.

It is also a great spot for visitors to watch the local surfers. The parade of dogs - every size and breed -

the sea breeze, crashing waves, and near perfect weather, makes this my #1 choice. It is one of the cleanest beaches in southern California.

But, as with anything, a few inconsiderate people can ruin the dog park experience. Here is Dog Park 101 from the W.O.O.F. (We Offer Off Leash Fun) committee that oversees the three large dog parks in Elk Grove.

• Dogs must be leashed when entering or leaving the safety entrance of the Dog Park. (Do not keep your dog leashed inside dog park).
• Dogs and children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Maximum of 3 dogs per adult.
• Dogs that are aggressive, in heat or sick are not allowed.
• All dogs must have current vaccinations and license.
• Owners are required to pick-up and dispose of their dog’s feces both in and out of the Dog Park.
• No strollers, carriages, bicycles, or children’s toy allowed in Dog Park.
• No smoking, alcoholic beverages, food or dog treats allowed in Dog Park.
• Owners must carry a leash and closely supervise their dog(s) at all times.
• Owners are liable for injuries or damage caused by their dogs.
• Owners use the park at their own risk.

Most of the rules are common sense. A leashed dog inside an area of unleashed dogs is vulnerable. Having children running around the park unsupervised can be an attraction for some big dog to chase them or two dogs running may not be watching the children and run into them -possibly causing injury. Strollers or bikes can cause obstacles for running or may be damaged by dogs. Smokers tend to leave cigarette butts that are poisonous to dogs. Someone carrying a treat or sandwich in their pocket can find themselves cornered by dogs with sensitive noses. The best guideline is to have control of your dog -even off leash.

Since Bailey is my service dog, I am often asked if she ever gets to be "just a dog." It's obvious by the smile on her face that she really enjoys dog parks!

Pictures: top left; two unknown dogs at dog park
top right: Bailey and Zetta at Huntington Beach Dog Park
center bottom: Bailey at HP dog park

Dog Parks

Dog parks are generally so much fun - for both the human and dogs.

There is such joy in watching your pet run loose and find new play companions.

They also give humans a chance to get out and interact with others.

Some dog parks even have walking rails for owners to use while rRover is playing.







My Favorite place to run Bailey is Huntington Beach Dog Park.
One walks down a 20 foot cliff' to three miles of beautiful white sand beach.


The dogs are safe to run with ocean on one side and the cliff protecting them from Pacific Coast Highway on the other side.

It is also a great spot for visitors to watch the local surfers. The parade of dogs - every size and breed -
the sea breeze, crashing waves, and near perfect weather, makes this my #1 choice. It is one of the cleanest beaches in southern California.

But, as with anything, a few inconsiderate people can ruin the dog park experience. Here is Dog Park 101 from the W.O.O.F. (We Offer Off Leash Fun) committee that oversees the three large dog parks.

• Dogs must be leashed when entering or leaving the safety entrance of the Dog Park. (Do not keep your dog leashed inside dog park).
• Dogs and children must be accompanied by an adult.
  Maximum of 3 dogs per adult.
• Dogs that are aggressive, in heat or sick are not allowed.
• All dogs must have current vaccinations and license.
• Owners are required to pick-up and dispose of their dog’s feces both in and out of the Dog Park.
• No strollers, carriages, bicycles, or children’s toy allowed in Dog Park.
• No smoking, alcoholic beverages, food or dog treats allowed in Dog Park.
• Owners must carry a leash and closely supervise their dog(s) at all times.
• Owners are liable for injuries or damage caused by their dogs.
• Owners use the park at their own risk.

Most of the rules are common sense. A leashed dog inside an area of unleashed dogs is vulnerable. Having children running around the park unsupervised can be an attraction for some big dog to chase them or two dogs running may not be watching the children and run into them -possibly causing injury. Strollers or bikes can cause obstacles for running or may be damaged by dogs. Smokers tend to leave cigarette butts that are poisonous to dogs. Someone carrying a treat or sandwich in their pocket can find themselves cornered by dogs with sensitive noses. The best guideline is to have control of your dog -even off leash.

Since Bailey is my service dog, I am often asked if she ever gets to be "just a dog." It's obvious by the smile on her face that she really enjoys dog parks!

Pictures: top left; two unknown dogs at dog park top right: Bailey and Zetta at Huntington Beach Dog Park center bottom: Bailey at HP dog park

edited 10:35

We do too

The person that said, "women don't sweat, they glow" never lived in Redding or went through menopause!

No More!

How many times have I missed fun events because I was worried about what I would look like in shorts - or worse , the dreaded bathing suit. No more!

I was always worried about running into someone I knew - what would they think? I didn't join water aerobics for years because of the bathing suit thing. After I tried it once, I realized everyone is in the same boat and no one really cares what I look like.

This evening while riding my bike IN SHORTS, I made a decision. I have just as much right to enjoy the pool and other spring/summer activities as skinny people do. I am not going to worry about what I look like. It is what it is. No more yo-yo dieting and obsessing about my weight and how I look in cool clothing.

I can never get back all the time I lost not participating in social gatherings, not going to the lake with the kids and not accepting invitations that involved being outdoors in the summer.

At this stage in my life, all I need to worry about is eating healthy and staying active - no matter what I look like to others.

I need to do this for for me.

I keep thinking of this lady

If you have been living in a cave for the last couple of weeks (or have a life) you might not have seen the number one You Tube video. Believe me, it is worth the 3 minutes to watch it - click here.

I believe the reason it is on top is because it reminds us of ourselves. We know we have something wonderful to offer the world, if only people wouldn't judge us before they get to know our inner strengths and talents.

Remember the store clerks in the movie Pretty Woman? Julia Robert's character has a lot of money to spend but was dressed as a hooker - so they ignore her - Big Mistake.
I think of the person that doesn't get a job because they are fat or not as "polished" or disabled, has tattoos ,or is just different than the interviewer thinks they should look.

But the video is successful because we also see ourselves rolling our eyes and smirking when Ms. Boyle first came onstage. I confess, I identified with both perspectives while watching it.

It is humbling to be reminded again that one shouldn't judge books -or people - by their covers.

Frumpy and Invisible

If you have been living in a cave for the last couple of weeks (or have a life) you might not have seen the number one You Tube video.
Believe me, it is worth the 3 minutes to watch it click here.

I believe the reason it is on top is because it reminds us of ourselves.

We know we have something wonderful to offer the world, if only people wouldn't judge us before they get to know our inner strengths and talents.

Remember the store clerks in the movie Pretty Woman? Julia Robert's character has a lot of money to spend but was dressed as a hooker - so they ignore her - Big Mistake.

I think of the person that doesn't get a job because they are fat or not as "polished" or disabled, has tattoos ,or is just different than the interviewer thinks they should look.

But the video is also successful because we see ourselves rolling our eyes and smirking when Ms. Boyle first came onstage.

I confess, I identified with both perspectives.

It is humbling to be reminded again that you can't judge books -or people - by their covers.

Green Bananas

Overheard last night at a meeting regarding long term planning in our senior community.

" AT THIS POINT, I DON'T EVEN BUY GREEN BANANAS!"

Dude, you're next..

What do you think of sales clerks or service providers that call you "dude?"

How about if you are a woman?

What if it was your hair stylist and she used the term to refer to you?

My sis reported trying a new hair stylist in Redding. The first impression of the salon was favorable; clean and relaxing. Then she noticed every stylist there looked like she was still in high school. Okay, no biggie, as long as they can cut her hair, sis thought.

But then the stylist kept referring to my sis - who is in her 50's- as 'dude'.

I just hope they have lots of younger customers - they will need them to make up for customers they offend and won't return .

Ferdinand Desoto

There is a little quiz going around Facebook about he first five cars friends have owned. Their first car creates a picture on my mind of their youth. Cars listed included a '57 Chevy, many VW's and VW buses , and a 1991 Nissan Sentra.

My first car was a 1949 Desoto, given to my sister and I in high school in 1968. Just putting it on a list wouldn't do it justice.

The car had literally been the "Sunday" car of my paternal grandfather. He drove a blue ,paint -splattered station wagon to work everyday - where he painted billboards and houses. When he died, our grandmother , who never drove, gave the car to us -with all of 39,00 original miles. We were so thrilled we named it Ferdinand after the explorer, Ferdinand De Soto.

We were free! We no longer had to take a bus for over an hour down rural roads from Penn Valley, down hiway 20 to Smartville, Timbuctoo (real towns, check the map) then up to Nevada City to school - yes, even in the snow :).

Visualize the best years for fast, sleek, muscle cars; Mustangs Road Runners, Hemi Cudas, Super Bees, GTOs - oh, be still my heart. I lusted after THOSE cars.

Now, visualize two sisters in a 1949 Desoto. Okay...... that's enough -it wasn't' THAT funny!

Actually, everyone loved Ferdinand. He was the best for cruising on Friday or Saturday night. Ferdinand wasn't sleek or fast (at least off the line) but we could easily fit 8 teenagers in the huge bench seats. Gas was 34 cents a gallon when I started driving him. Eight teenagers could scrounge up enough pocket change to keep cruising all night. Hooking up with friends was easy - nobody could miss the big green tank.

If we wanted to go to the drive-in Ferdinand was the best. Not only could we fit 8 comfortably -or 10 squished - in the front, we could fit another 6-8 in the trunk without the spare!

Gotta love the carload price of drive-in theaters. Years later, my sister would surprise workers at the feed store by asking them to put 2 large bales of hay in the trunk - it wasn't even a tight fit.

Of course there were no seat belts, but parents knew their teens were much safer in Ferdinand than in the little VWs or Corvairs of the time. Some other funky features of Ferdinand:

• Fluid Drive; push down the gas until a certain speed, let off, clunk , it would shift into the next gear. This was a precursor to the automatic.


• Air cooled air: there was a metal cage with a squirrel wheel that hung on the OUTSIDE of the rear window. A curved vent slipped into the 4 inch opened window. You would put a five pound block of ice in the cage, the moving car would cause the wheel to turn , blowing air over the ice and transferring the cool air in the car!

Aaahh, the memories....

TAX TIME

Why can't I just think of paying the taxes the same as paying any another bill?

Anything marked IRS or County Tax Assessor, puts an immediate stress load on me the equivalent of a Mack truck.

I was writing checks for the property taxes. I am so afraid of making a mistake. I just have this paranoid fear about missing a tax payment, the check getting lost in the mail, the clerk not crediting the right account.

Then I have to take it INSIDE the post office to make sure it gets a date stamp. The thought process ends somewhere with me being hauled off to jail in front of my family and neighbors by burly IRS guys . Then they put padlocks on my front door.

Totally illogical, but I go through that twice a year with property taxes, then for state and finally federal.

I hear the federal prisons are much nicer - but that is probably just a rumor.

I am so happy we mailed our state and federal taxes today. We did not wait until the last minute - this time.

edited 4/14/09

Fleetwood Mac Tickets $25.00

Even the price of concert tickets are coming down - as evidenced by this email from Travelzoo this morning:

OAKLAND--APRIL 14, 2009-- Tickets to see Fleetwood Mac at Oakland's ORACLE Arena on Wednesday, May 20 have been cutto just $25. This 45% OFF deal is for Upper Level seats that regularly sell for $47.50.
This is the only discount ticket offer available for this stop on Fleetwood Mac's popular "Unleashed: Hits Tour 2009."
To buy tickets, click below. Use code LANDSLIDE to get this offer. An additional charge of $9.65 per ticket will be added by Ticketmaster.http://www.travelzoo.com/Newsflash.ashx?568933-24390945

Role reversal

There is a time in life when the adult children start taking on the parental role to their parents. I am not sure when this is SUPPOSE to happen but I saw evidence it WAS happening this weekend.

Our two adult children came to visit us for Easter. When I found out they were coming, I made sure we had enough eggs to dye, a chocolate bunny for each of them and Peeps sitting on a bed of Irish moss. Hey, I know they are too old for baskets - Laura is 31 and Jeff is 27 years old!

Okay, I admit, I was the one that suggested we try the toothpick jousting Peeps in the microwave. They humored me and came to watch (the yellow peep got an early lead and stabbed the pink one to win the match).

When we went out, they drove. True, Jim's collar bone is still healing from his recent bike crash in Vietnam. Still, I believe he would rather have either one of them drive - and so would I.

Jeff opens the door for me and makes sure I have my seat belt on. He did this so naturally - it made me smile. When we were in PetSmart, I tried a new harness on Bailey. I wanted to make sure it was comfortable for her so I walked her around the store. When we were leaving, Jeff asked me if I remembered to pay for it-yes!

Laura is an amazing advocate for me with my medical stuff and was for Jim when he was injured. She still is so protective it makes us feel good.

Coming out of our favorite Mexican Restaurant they were both ahead of us. When we caught up with them in the parking lot, they were talking with an lady, dressed in her Easter finery, who told me she was 88 years old. She was parked next to us and had a flat tire.

We observed Laura offering to change the tire and Jeff doing the actual change. While Jeff was changing the tire, Laura looked like an operating room nurse as she handed him the jack, pulled the spare from the trunk and put things away. Jim and I just stood there as we watched our two offspring jump into action to help a stranger. They had the tire changed in less than 10 minutes.

I think back at all the times I worried if they would grow up to be giving, loving adults. I realized I didn't have to worry at all.

We had a wonderful Easter - even if they did "forget" the eggs I dyed for them :)

Good Intentions

I don't lack for good intentions. I intend to:

Try Zumba (Gold) -again - but now, with my new prism glasses, I am hopeful they have improved my balance enough that I can do it.

Eat better. No, I will never diet again, I have already done the yo-yo thing too many times.

Write real (not email) notes to people; thank you notes, thinking of you notes, great job notes.

Gosh, before I do that I need to really work more and being able to write my letters again. I can barely read my writing.

Do a load of laundry a day - including folding, steaming, hanging and putting away - should two people really have a load a day?

Invite more people over for coffee. I always feel it has to be a big production- but it doesn't have to be.

Spend less time on the computer and more time DOING.

Well, I guess that is the end of the list - as I intend to turn off my laptop now.