January 1, 1991 (Tuesday) Melbourne - Well, I

Transcription

January 1, 1991 (Tuesday)
Melbourne - Well, I started the new year well cause I wrote to Steve and
Mary Yakich, Alice, Priss and my sister. Tomorrow I will try to write to
Mike and Karen and then I can relax for a while. It was not anywhere near
as hot today as yesterday. We went on three long walks. On one we got
chocolate ice cream bars plus a container of chocolate ice cream, so that
bad desire was satisfied but I will have to wait to get home to have Best
Foods mayo. But I think Jenny has a pint. She says that when she realized
she was going to live here she would have to use the Australian foods
rather than buying some American ones and now they are used to eating
sandwiches without using it. I haven’t asked her yet about potato salad
but I suppose she could use the French recipe that uses new potatoes,
onions and vinegar and oil. In the morning Jenny & I went out with the
clippers and cut back a lot of stuff. We are far from done but we got a
lot done. Niki went to a friend’s house right after lunch and planned to
spend the night. I suggested to Jenny that she go out with Barry tonight
but I guess he couldn’t make it cause she said maybe they would go out
tomorrow night. We have been gone two weeks today. Don figured out we
have three weeks to go and that seems like a very long time. I would like
to go home in ten days but I suppose that is not to be. We are spending
so much money! Every time we turn around we spend money. Today the two
ice cream bars and the small amount of ice cream in the container was
over $8. I hate to go to the store. Don doesn’t seem to be bothered by
it. I wish I could be so casual about it all. Tonight Jenny fixed salad
greens, a small can of red salmon, onions, snow peas, radishes and some
vinegar and oil on top. With that she had some French bread. I wasn’t
crazy about it, but it was ok. Don was not so sure that he liked it at
all. Well, if we can keep away from the ice cream, we won’t have any
trouble if we keep walking too. I would like to go shopping tomorrow but
I will have to wait until Jenny is ready.
January 2, 1991 (Wednesday)
Melbourne - And to think when we first got here, we were chilly! It was
110° today and it is supposed to be hotter tomorrow! It was ok when we
got up although I had a restless night cause the moon was so bright and
it shone right through our window and kept me awake. Well, anyway I got
up and made the bed and then did all my exercises before coming out to
have my apricot, vitamins, two crackers with jam. Jenny went to work for
a few hours and Niki was not back from her friend’s house so we left a
note for her and walked to the French bakery and got sweet rolls but they
don’t seem to use sugar in this country cause they were not very sweet.
When we got back, there was a note from Jenny who had come home and gone
for the day with Barry. Then Niki got home. But before that we cleaned
the fridge but we still need to defrost it. Well, anyway, when Niki came,
it was lunchtime so we snacked. I did two loads of clothes and hung them
out and they were almost dry by the time I finished. Then Niki and I
walked to the super market and got cukes, tomatoes, bananas, cantaloupe
and apricots. It was hot going and hot coming back carrying groceries but
we made it. For dinner I sliced up the leftover chicken and got out some
cooked rice and heated some soy sauce and chicken bouillon but it was
still pretty blah! Niki and I made a fruit salad and we finished up the
ice cream. Barry and Jenny came back and left again for dinner. Don is
getting very restless and I don’t blame him. We are not having a very
exciting time. But Jenny promises more for tomorrow. The mail came and
Mike and Karen sent their wedding picture with the families to Jenny and
Niki and a card to us to with Merry Christmas. After dinner, we walked
again to the video store and Don and Niki finally settled on a movie Air
America. I am not planning on watching. I showered and washed my hair
this afternoon but I am so hot now I should do it again. Don who was
bored he started cutting back the old palm fronds in the back yard and it
looks great but he needs a ladder to finish. The little rabbit seems to
be surviving the heat. Jenny just called to say they were just now going
out to dinner and if it were too late, she would stay with Barry and be
home in the morning. I realize this is her life, but sometimes it is
awkward being involved in it. But I guess there is nothing we can do
about it.
January 3, 1991 (Thursday)
Melbourne - It was very difficult to sleep last night cause it was so
hot. In fact, this morning we heard that it was 80° in the night and
today it got up to 114° by mid afternoon. With no air conditioning, and
nasty hot wind it was not the best of days. We started out at 9:00 to go
downtown to where Niki and Jenny get their haircuts. It didn’t take as
long as Jenny thought so we were very early. So, we stopped at a place
where Don had an ice coffee, Jenny had a cappuccino, Niki had a coke and
they had croissants as well. I begged off. Then we looked in stores and
Jenny bought another tennis skirt and Niki got a t-shirt. Then till 11:15
we sat in the hair dressers place while Niki got a haircut and Jenny got
hers tinted where the gray is in front. I am sure I will get used to it
but I liked it better with the gray. Haircuts are $35 each. I think the
woman is great who did Jenny’s and I would like to have mine cut but not
at that price. We came home and had a bite to eat and then we drove a
very long way to a huge mall called Forest Hill. I was disappointed cause
all the plants were fakes and the whole placed looked rather chintzy but
I did buy a divided skirt in a printed rayon that I liked and it was on
sale for $29 so I got it. We stayed there for an hour and then we stopped
at another mall called Westfield and there Jenny bought another fan for
the house and we looked at other things but didn’t buy anything. So we
got home hot and tired. Stopped to get gas and ice so we had something
cold to drink. We watched some tennis and then at 5:15 Jenny and Niki
went to Kentucky Fried Chicken and for $18 Niki got chicken nuggets and
cole slaw, Jenny and I got chicken burgers and salad and Don got nuggets
and potatoes and gravy and slaw. It wasn’t very good and it seemed very
expensive but it meant no one had to cook. We watched the news and then I
did the dishes. At 6, they said it would start to cool off at 7 and at 7
it clouded up and started to cool off so Don and I went for a walk. Now
it is 8 and it has cleared some and it still is far from cool but it is
better than last night at this time. Melbourne has about 2 ½ million
people and it is very attractive with lots of parks and lots of old
interesting buildings. One we saw today was a knitting mill with a metal
awning all the way around and beautiful stone walk. Some of the old
buildings are up for sale. They can’t tear them down but they can
renovate them. I think Jenny is finding it a strain to have us here so
long and we wish we could go home sooner.
January 4, 1991 (Friday)
Melbourne - It was a strange night. I woke at about 1 and it was so hot
and humid that I was sweating so I got up and went to the living room
where the fan was on. I dozed till 2 when it lightening and thundered and
then the rain came and it rained off and on all day and now at 8 pm it is
still raining. It seems odd to have it so cool today when it was so hot
yesterday. In fact, it was 41.5 and that broke records. So when it got
cool with the rain, I went back to bed. Don went for his run and was able
to make it before the rain came back. Then I went to the fridge to get
out the spread and a whole shelf came crashing down and the noise was
horrendous. It got Jenny up and after we cleaned things up, Jenny found
out that the water outside had been left on all night and she couldn’t
turn it off but Wayne is coming tomorrow to fix it. So then I walked with
Don to get the paper and when we got back, I pinned up my hair cause we
had planned to take the bus to a place that Jenny thought we would find
interesting but then Niki didn’t get up till after 11 and by then it was
raining, so we decided to postpone that. Don called United and we are
going to try to leave on Saturday or Sunday. Probably the latter. I would
like to go home a week early, but I guess we will not do that. Anyway,
with the rain, we watched tennis off and on all day and evening. It rains
for a while and then it stops but the sun never came out today. But the
tennis is constantly being stopped and when it stops they dry off the
courts and begin again. When it rains they show tennis matches of other
areas and of other places like Germany, Switzerland, etc. And the day
went by and Jenny got home a little before 6 with some pasta that she
cooked with mushrooms, parsley, etc. Don threw his in the garbage when no
one was looking but I ate mine but didn’t much care for it. But I made a
good green salad and Don and Niki had gone to the bakery and had bought
éclairs and they got some chocolate ice cream so that helped. I am not
impressed with Jenny’s cooking. We went to bed at 10 and we were the
first to go. I took a shower. I like the bathroom arrangement. There is a
shower stall with a light, then there is a bathtub and sink in the main
part and the toilet is in a separate room.
January 5, 1991 (Saturday)
Melbourne - I woke up in the night to go to the bathroom and Don was
awake when I got back and so we made love. It wasn’t great but ok, at
least my part ended up right but his didn’t. Still it was nice to be
together and then I said we have been married for 48 years and so I
remembered that this was our wedding anniversary. So then we whispered
for a while and then we went back to sleep. We could hear the rain and we
had our blanket on. Don got up before 6 and it was still raining so he
couldn’t go for his run. I did all my exercises and then had some Arnott
crackers with jam, an apricot and a little bit of juice for my vitamins.
Then we decided to walk to the News Agent for the morning paper and so we
both took umbrellas and it was fun walking in the rain although very
chilly. Jenny wanted to look for a desk, a dining room table and a chest
of drawers so after lunch, even though it was still raining, we set out.
She had made a list of the places and how to get there. We went to some
fancy antique stores where the things were stunning in looks and prices.
Finally we ended up in a place where she hadn’t been before and she saw a
dining room table that she loved for $295, which seemed cheap after what
we have been looking at. And I saw a pair of brass lamps that had very
different looking shades for $75 that I pointed out to her and she liked
those too. Well, we kept on checking some places and finally came back to
the house and we talked about the things we had seen and she decided to
go back to talk to the man. Don and I went to the supermarket to get
bananas, Nescafe and tea but we couldn’t find the tea I wanted. When we
got back, Jenny had brought home the lamps, and the table is being
delivered free on Monday night and he cut down the price by $50. She was
so thrilled and the lamps look great. So then we got dressed and had a
drink and talked about when Jenny was born, etc. and that pleased Niki.
We toasted each other cause it was our anniversary and then we went to
McDonald’s and the food was terrible but I had ½ of my hamburger, most of
my French fries and all of my chocolate sundae. But we didn’t have to
cook or do dishes. Then home in the rain and we watched TV sitcoms and
went to bed. A really good day. I just wish it would warm up so we could
dry clothes, etc.
January 6, 1991 (Sunday)
Melbourne - This was one busy day. We woke up to a dark, gloomy and very
chilly day. I didn’t get to walk to the News Agent with Don at 7 cause
the Sunday paper is delivered. After breakfast, I put on my black slacks
and a top and my black knit coat sweater that I wore on the plane. We
left for the Victoria Market at 8:30 and got there just as it was opening
at 9. It is a huge place with row after row of stalls selling everything
from shoes to plants to birds, puppies, cheese and every kind of clothes.
We were looking for presents to bring home to the York girls and we found
three Australian t-shirts and some little stuffed toys. Niki bought a few
things, but Jenny didn’t buy any although she looked at a lot of things.
We got home and fixed lunch and then Jenny washed clothes so we waited
till she had put in the fabric softener and then we went for a long walk.
When we got back, we hung up the clothes and then the clippers came out
and we both worked like anything to cut back and rake up. Wayne had
brought a ladder on Saturday so then Don went out and finished cutting
the palm frauds and the result looks just great. I went in and did the
salad greens and then back out to work till dinnertime. We had the
leftover pasta from the other night and the salad, French bread and
chocolate ice cream. Don hates pasta so I fixed him bacon and eggs. We
had a small drink before dinner and it was all very pleasant. I washed
the dishes and then Jenny and I had a sort walk in a new direction and
when we got back I took a shower and pinned up my hair. Played a game of
Rummy with Niki. Don got a headache so he took a pill and laid down.
Tomorrow morning we go down town so Niki can go to the dentist and Don
has to go to United to change our day back. If the weather is good, we
will stay down to look at things, but if not, we will come home and go
another day. It was chilly and gray all day. I just hope tomorrow is
better. Jenny asked today if we would mind being with Niki on Tuesday and
Wednesday cause she wants to be with Barry and would not come home at
night. I said it was all right. I have to tell Don yet.
January 7, 1991 (Monday)
Melbourne – In the night I saw stars outside our bedroom window so I was
hoping that when morning came, it would be a good day, but it was cloudy
and cold. Don was going into the city with Jenny and Niki who was seeing
her orthodontist and I was to go too but I decided if we were not going
to the museums, etc., there was no point in my going in and watching
everyone else have breakfast and go to the United office, so I stayed
home. It was rather nice really. I put potatoes in the oven and went
outside and cut back some stuff that Jenny had wanted out of there. When
the potatoes were done, I made twice baked and put them in the fridge. I
read and had lunch and then Don and Niki came back. We leave on Saturday,
the 19th, so that cuts two days off the trip since to begin with, we were
due to leave on the 21st. Niki and I walked to the store and I got a
chicken cut up and some oranges and pineapple (canned) and some apricots
and I got a papaya for Don for $2.77. We carried it home, divided it up
so it wasn’t too heavy for either of us. I fried the chicken the set it
aside and lastly, Niki and I made a great fruit salad. Then Don and I
went for a walk. I am trying to get six miles a day in but I may not make
it every day. When we got back, we called Lin and told her about the time
we were coming and she is to call Patty. There was an earthquake in
Carson City but she had not been at work since it was in the night and
the second one came at 3:30 p.m. and she was on her way home. She sounded
great and said she misses us. Then Jenny got home early and so we turned
up the oven to speed things along. The meal was great: chicken, the baked
potatoes, green beans, the fruit salad and Don had bought candy bars and
we all had that for dessert. And, then the man came with the table and it
looks great. I cut roses and put them in a vase and we put candles on
either side and Jenny is very pleased. Then she wanted to go for a walk
so I went wit her. So, I got my exercise today for sure. So today is the
7th and we will be leaving on the 19th so 11 more days and then we leave.
It has been interesting to be here but now I am beginning to think about
home and it would be good to be there. It would help if the weather was
kinder and if I had brought warmer clothes.
Melbourne - We woke up at 10 to 6 to see a cloudy day yet again. I did my
exercises quickly cause I wanted to walk with Don when he got the paper.
It was sweatshirt weather again. Jenny went off to work. I wrote a letter
to Priss, played some solitaire and read my book The Embassadors’ Women.”
Niki woke up earlier than usual cause she is going to the movie with
Reneé who is coming at 11. But she was late. Then they went off and Don
and I had lunch. I made him a BLT. Then we set off for another little
shopping area and we got a beautiful big papaya and some radishes. Don
went to the post office for stamps and then we came back. A good walk.
Jenny came home to work here. I took a shower and suddenly the sun was
out and it was gorgeous. I did a load of clothes and hung them out and it
was so pleasant out I just couldn’t believe it. If only it would stay
this way for a while. Poor Don wants to be at home. Well, I am not having
all that great a time, but I can keep busy cooking, washing dishes,
ironing, etc. So the time moves by much as it does at home. Niki and
Reneé got back from the movie at about 15 to 6 and then I found out that
she was staying the night with Reneé and was eating dinner there and
Jenny was going to be with Barry tonight so the three of us had dinner:
leftover cold chicken, a green salad and the rice with fresh peas, green
beans and carrots – no dessert. After dinner, I got all the clothes in
and ironed all of our things. Jenny left at about 8:15 and then we had
the house to ourselves. So Don fixed us drinks and I had a number of them
but they were small and then we went to bed and made love and it wasn’t
quite as it should be for Don or me but still somehow it was ok and we
laughed a lot and talked and then went to sleep.
Melbourne - We woke at 10 to 6. The same birds start shouting at that
time. I did my exercises and walked with Don when he went to get the
paper and to buy out train tickets. Jenny came and I gave her money to
buy meat pies for tonight. The girls arrived at 15 to 9. Reneé was
invited to go with us today. So then we walked back up to the shopping
area and waited for the train. When it came, we all got on and it was a
smooth and pleasant ride. We got off at Fluiders at the railroad station
and walked to the art gallery. It was a very attractive building by the
Yarra River, which is brown and filthy. There was an exhibit of
aboriginal art done on bark and it was very interesting and very
primitive. We took a long time on that and then we looked at Australian
art and then the European art. We finished at around 11 and then we
walked to the mall for lunch. We met with difficulty here. Niki wanted a
hamburger, Reneé wanted Asian food and I would have liked that cause it
looked great. We decided to have pancakes so the girls went to the
hamburger place cause Niki insisted. We sat for 20 minutes and no one
came to wait on us so we went to a deli Jenny had recommended and had a
croissant with ham and cheese that was terrible. We went back upstairs
cause the girls were still eating and I got a Mrs. Fields chocolate chip
cookie that cost over $1, but it was delicious. We tried the museum but
it looked tacky and there were a lot of people around, so we decided to
come back to the house. Waited a long time for a train and then found we
were in the wrong place. But we did get squared away and we stopped so
the girls could get a coke before we walked from the train stop. I made
an orange salad and heated the pies for dinner. I didn’t like the pie,
but Nike loves them. Don didn’t like them either, so I suggested that we
go buy ice cream. Barry had come to pick up Jenny so they went to get it
and we went for a walk. When we got back, we each had some. I got the
rest of the clothes off the line and then washed and dried the dishes.
Don plans to watch something in the evening and then Niki comes along and
says she wants to watch something so he goes to bed. It will be better
when we are at home. But, then he goes to bed early there many times so
it isn’t all that different. It is 9:35 and I will read for another half
an hour. Niki is watching tennis. The tournament is in Adelaide and Boris
Becker is playing a Yugoslav.
Melbourne - I woke up to a clear sky. No clouds or mist this morning. Did
my exercises, had a bowl of cereal and my Pero and then Don and I walked
to get the paper. Very pleasant walk. When we got back, I read the paper.
Jenny came and Nike woke up earlier than usual. Her cheeks were red and
she had an allergy attack. We had thought it was sunburn, but now realize
it is not. They went off to buy school uniforms and Don and I walked to
the green grocer to buy cots, lettuce, cantaloupe, tomatoes, etc., and by
the time we were walking home, I knew I had dressed too warm and was glad
to get home and put on something cooler. Jenny and Nike drove up just as
we arrived. Niki put on her uniform. It is a pale gold/orange plaid, very
simple. She got the T-Bar shoes, the white sox and a gray pull-over
sweater with a little gold trim. She put all these things on and Jenny
took her picture. Don changes his clothes, as did I, and we went outside
and put down a fitted sheet and took all the debris from the back yard to
the driveway in front of the garage. Niki carried all the palm frauds to
the front and finally we got everything in the back to the front. Don
worked very hard and it was very hot. I went in and made lunch and Niki
and I hung up clothes so we kept busy. At 3, Barry arrived and he had a
huge deal that took everything. Don and Jenny helped, but I stayed in the
house and washed the salad greens cause we planned to have BLT
sandwiches, salad and chips. When everything was gone, I swept up all the
leaves and that filled a big plastic bag. The man had come to mow so with
all the junk gone and the grass mowed, it looked just lovely. It was a
lot of work, but it was worth it and with Barry carrying it away, we
saved $90. Dinner was good. We had a drink fast and that helped, too.
Afterwards, Jenny and I went for a walk, and then people watched tennis.
Don was very tired cause he worked so hard so he went to bed early. Jenny
went next and now I am about to go. Poor Linda called today to say she
can’t come cause she can’t get off work for two weeks. Both Jenny and
Niki are very disappointed.
Melbourne - Up at 10 to 6. That seems to be the time we wake up these
mornings. Don went for a short run, but he was really stiff from all the
work of yesterday. I cut my exercises short too, and then had some cold
cereal and an apricot. Jenny got up fairly early and went off to work. We
walked to get the paper and I wore my white knit shorts and matching top.
It was still fairly cool but it was rather sticky. The morning wasn’t too
much different. I washed some clothes and hung them out and I made lunch.
For Don and me, I put a slice of tomato, cheese and pickle on whole wheat
cracker. That tasted great. Then Don got the idea of trying to open the
two windows that have screens on but were pained shut. One in the [?]
room and the other in Niki’s bedroom. With a knife and a hammer, he got
both of them open and then I scrubbed the sills and washed the windows.
We walked to the store in the middle of the afternoon and it was really
hot. I was glad to get back. We got four apples and that was over $2.00!
Everything is so expensive here. When Jenny got home, she didn’t have any
suggestions on dinner. I made a big fruit salad and scrambled eggs and
Niki made the toast. Then there was the news and really it was very bad.
It looks as if Congress may not ok Bush’s attack on Kuwait at the time of
the deadline. I don’t want war but if that happens, what will Bush do
then? Australia had a phone poll and it turned out to be about 50-50 for
and against going to war and the US polls are about the same. I know Don
thinks we should go, but I am not so sure. Well, after that, Jenny, Niki
and I went for a walk. The weather had changed at about 4:30. One minute
it was 38° and then in 15 minutes it dropped to 18° and suddenly a lovely
cool breeze came. So when we walked, it was very pleasant.
Melbourne - I am starting to write this at 5:15 in the evening. Jenny is
washing the car and Niki and I have just finished playing rummy, and I
won 3-2. The sun is out and the sky is blue and it is a lovely day. We
woke early this morning to clouds and a nice cool breeze. After
breakfast, Don and I walked to get the paper. My first two miles for the
day. When we got back, Jenny was packing a picnic lunch and at 8:30, we
were off to the Healdsville Wild Life Sanctuary. We got there at about
9:30. It cost $7.50 for adults and $3.50 for children, and it was worth
it. We saw birds, bats, wallabies, kangaroos and some of them were
sunning themselves in the road and let us pet them. There is wire mesh
overhead and around the areas but one forgets it is there and it seems
that the birds and animals are free. The wetlands had just been added and
that part was wonderful, too. Niki got into a pout cause she wanted a
hotdog and chips and her mother felt she had had enough junk food in the
last few weeks, so she said no. So the last part, Jenny and I did cause
Don was getting tired and went to the shop and Niki went with him. So
when we got back, Don had bought a poster calendar for Jenny, something
for Niki and a book on Australian birds for me that I was very happy to
get and I know Jason will love looking at it. We drove to a little picnic
area on the way back and had buns with tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and
sliced meat, chips and fruit. But it seems like nothing has much taste,
but maybe I use too much seasoning and there is no Best Foods and I miss
that, but I am sure this type of diet is healthier but not as much fun.
Since I have given up smoking, I hate to give up condiments, too. When we
got back, we put things away and I had some Pero and read a bit and then
Jenny went to the store, but forgot something, so she and I walked to the
store to get it so I got in my second two miles but I may not walk after
dinner. We shall see. I made the orange slice, black olive and onion
salad while Jenny washed the car. Then the news at 7, we sat up Lonesome
Dove and until 10, the four of us sat and got so involved that we hated
it when it was over but we have tomorrow night to see the rest of it. I
had forgotten just how good it is. Don had a headache, but he took a pill
and I just laid down and thought of Gus and Cill and all the rest of
them, especially Newt.
Melbourne - It still seems strange that although it is Sunday here, it is
only Saturday in Chico. We got up at 6 and followed our regular routine
but the paper comes here on Sunday, so we didn’t walk at 10 to 7. Instead
we read the paper and then we walked to another section and to the bakery
and got scones, a cinnamon roll and croissants. I had one scone and it
was good, but their things here tend to be heavy and not very sweet. Then
I went out to the back yard and filled three plastic bags, although
small, with junk from the borders, and while I was doing that, Jenny was
defrosting the fridge and what a job that is. I got all my cuttings in
the garbage and then it was time for lunch. Jenny got out the vacuum and
did all the rooms and then washed the kitchen floor. She works so hard.
In the evening, Don and I went for a walk and Jenny went to buy a pot
cause she found a plant in the back yard she wanted to transplant. Then
we washed clothes and when that was dry, I ironed Don’s and mine. I did
the salad greens and she made a very good chicken dish and we put it on
rice. Did the dishes and then Jenny and I went for a walk and she talked
about Barry. Some days it goes well and some days she wants to be done
with him. He doesn’t want to commit himself and it is a problem, and
there are no easy answers. When we got back, I took a shower and by then
it was 7:30 and we watched the second half of Lonesome Dove. It was just
as good as the first time and I cried just as much. Again, Don’s head
began to ache, so he went to bed. When we get home, I think Dr. Shaw will
have to laser that eye like he did the other one after the operation. So
now it is after 10 and I am ready to go to bed, too, I guess. A week from
tonight, we will be back in Chico if all goes well and that seems
strange. I am rather used to being here. Don is most eager to be there.
That I know. So now I will say goodnight and tomorrow is another day. I
keep wondering what the 15th will bring. Congress backed the President on
his stand in Kuwait. What will happen on Tuesday?
Melbourne - I feel it is sort of a countdown cause tomorrow is the 15th
but it won’t really mean anything till Wednesday cause we are a day ahead
here. Today was a walking day for sure. We got up earlier than usual, so
I did all my exercises and then at 10 to 7, we went to get the paper.
After reading that, we went back at 9:15 to go to the bank cause I wanted
to get some money. On the way, we saw a big plume of smoke and when we
got closer we saw it was a building on fire and found out it was a Greek
restaurant. We went to the butcher and got some ground meat (mince) and
then got some things at the supermarket. I found Pero but it is called
caro here. I had called at 9 and got an appointment to have my hair cut
at 11:30, so we had some lunch and set off a third time for that. The
place was very attractive and the girl who cut my hair was nice,
articulate and intelligent. We talked about the gulf crisis, etc., and
she cut my hair well. It cost $22 and I gave her a $2 tip but I meant to
give her $1. Oh well. Then back home and in mid afternoon, Niki wanted to
go to the stores, so again I went. I made sloppy joes for dinner plus a
fruit plate and we had bought vanilla ice cream this morning and we had
that for dessert. We had a drink before dinner and the main dish was
good. Then the news - all bad. They are going to vote tomorrow morning on
whether or not to continue the garbage strike and poor Melbourne is under
a sea of garbage. Then Jenny wanted to go for a walk and so for the 5th
time, I set out. She is into succulents and she snips some off if we are
passing a house with a wall with them hanging over the edge. Back to the
house and no more walking today! Don’s war wounds are very painful for
the moment, so he took a pill and went to bed. I hope he is better
tomorrow. What can I come up with tomorrow for the family to eat? It is
much harder than at home where I have so much more to work with. I am
beginning to look forward to going home although so far I have been
content. I would like to have done more but I don’t feel too bad about
it. I wonder if there will be a war? I hate to think about that. I think
I will pin up my hair tonight to see how it looks when I take the time to
set it. It will seem strange to go home.
Melbourne - Woke up to clouds and by noon, the sky was clear and it was a
lovely day. We walked to get the paper and I carried an umbrella cause it
was sprinkling but I didn’t have to open it. Niki wanted to be awakened
at 6:45 cause she was to go to Reneé’s at 8. When we got back, Jenny was
off to work. So there we were. There wasn’t that much to do. Well,
finally we decided to go to the stores. So off we went. We stopped first
at the butcher and got four lamb chops. The man was very nice and ended
up giving us a thermometer that we gave to Jenny. Then on to the green
grocer for potatoes, cots and nectarines, and then to the bakery for
scones and some cinnamon rolls for tomorrow. Then back home. We ate the
scones; they were not as good as last time but maybe it was cause they
were not warm cause we came later. So then I read and we watched some
tennis and I fixed lunch and Don decided he wanted bacon and eggs and
toast, so I fixed that and then later Jenny called to say that she was
leaving work at 2:00 and would I want to go shopping? I showered and put
on my white culottes, the peach and white top that Priss gave Niki a long
time ago. We went to an antique place. There were beautiful and exotic
things but the prices were incredibly expensive. Then we looked at
clothes and she told me that Don wanted us to buy something cause my
birthday is Friday. Well, I just couldn’t find anything I wanted, so
finally I settled on buying a book to read on the plane going home and so
then we went to Safeway to get milk and juice, etc. Then home. I had
fixed potatoes and made the salad greens before we went so I cooked the
peas and the lamb chops. Jenny went off with Barry for dinner and the
night and the three of us had dinner and we certainly cleaned our plates.
Then Niki and I went for a walk trying new streets. When we got back, it
was time to see The Gods Must Be Crazy part II and although we had
already seen it once, it was even better this time and Niki laughed so
hard that she couldn’t stop so we all just loved it. Then we stayed up to
see a program on TV and then at 10:30, we went to bed. I sang I have a
lovely bunch of coconuts and wrote on Niki’s back in shorthand and then
Don and I made love and it was great for both of us so it was a good
evening all the way around. I am going to miss Niki very, very much.
Melbourne - Well, today was the day cause it was the 15th in the US and
that was the deadline for Hussein, but as of tonight, there has been no
fighting so far. The TV keeps going over the same material but no one
really knows anything about what is going to happen. This was a good and
bad day in some ways. Don and I went to get the paper and then after we
had read that, I kept going out to see if the eclipse had started since
it was to be from 8:15 to 10:15 but with clouds, I was afraid we had
missed it, but at about 10 to 9, I went out and saw it very clearly cause
there was enough cloud cover to make it safe to look at. Then we went to
buy groceries. Jenny said she would not be here for dinner. We went to
the supermarket. I got three chicken thighs, eggs. Don was interested in
pancakes and we finally found a mix and syrup. We got more Arnott
biscuits and crackers. Well, anyway a lot of stuff to carry back. So we
walked home with all of that and when we got back, Niki was up. We had
planned to drive to the Daudenoug Mountain. Then Niki told us she was
going to the movie with Sally, so she went off and Jenny, Don and I drove
to our outing. It was a pleasant afternoon, and the drive was fine. We
stopped along the way to look at antiques and galleries. That proved
interesting. We kept going higher and higher. The view at the top was
breathtaking. The whole valley was laid out before us and in the distance
through a haze were the skyscrapers of Melbourne looking like the City of
Oz as Jenny said. We stopped for a Devonshire tea, which meant two
scones, jam and whipped cream and we each had two. They were good, but
heavy and I don’t need all that cream! We got back at 4 having left at
12:30 and Niki and friend were here. I started in cooking dinner, getting
the chicken ready, etc., when Niki told me she was eating dinner at
Sally’s and staying the night. So, I put things I had started away and
made pancakes but although I had them, it wasn’t what I was hungry for
and now I feel like I weigh a ton. After we had eaten and listened to the
news, Jenny left to be with Barry. I don’t know if she is coming back
tonight or not. There is tennis on again tonight but I am bored with
tennis. I am now getting eager to get home, although I have adjusted well
here now. It is cool and windy tonight, but clear. It is supposed to be
“fine” for the rest of the week. I hope it is fine on the way home. I
tried to play a little solitaire and then turned TV back on to watch Same
Time Next Year with Ellen Bursten and Alan Alda. Ok, but didn’t appeal to
me so much this time.
War started today. Slept well. Don woke a little earlier than usual but I
felt rested so got up and did my exercises. I decided to try to be more
careful about eating today. Did my exercises and listened to the TV news.
No war yet, but they are getting ready for it. I have decided that the
media is partly to blame for this war. They keep talking about Bush as a
wimp and now he has to prove how tough he is and the whole world will
suffer as a result. The early morning was cloudy and cool. We went to get
the paper and read it and then decided around 10 to get some groceries so
we went to the supermarket but I wanted to buy tomatoes and theirs were
not good, so we walked to the little shopping center and then walked home
and got here a little after 11. Don turned on the TV and we heard that
the war in the gulf had started! We put the groceries away and sat down
to listen and watch. I am writing this at 8:15 p.m. here in Australia and
we have listened off and on all day. Linda called in the late afternoon
cause as she said, she was very lonesome and worried, and she had to hear
the voices of her family. So we all talked and she said she was eager for
us to get home and now more than ever, we want to be there. I did take
the time to make a good dinner: baked chicken, twice-baked potatoes,
green beans and a half peach with cottage cheese salad and for dessert
ice cream with crushed chocolate cookies on top. This is the birthday
dinner cause tomorrow we are having a very simple dinner. I know it is
silly to be giving a menu when we are at war, but life does go on.
President Bush talked. Experts have been called in to give their views.
Ethnic minorities have been interviewed here in Australia and some of
them are worried about retaliation by Australians at people against the
war or marching in all the big cities. They have the right to demonstrate
but I hate it when they go to the military bases and harass the soldiers.
That is wrong. After dinner, Niki, Jenny and I went for a brief but brisk
walk but we had to get back at 7 to Jana Wendt who is very popular here
and she was very good. It is cold and dark this evening, and we all
bundled up as we watch the war right in our living room. So far, it is an
air attack and it seems to be very successful so far. That started when
it was night over there and so far there has been nothing from Iraq.
Friday, and I am 72. A strange birthday far from home and no special
birthday dinner certainly. Jenny had bought me a book to read on the
plane, and Don had given her the money for it, so I guess it was from
him. When one is 72, it isn’t really all that important. Don and I had a
quarrel though about money cause he has $500 left and he wanted to give
it to Jenny and my feeling was that we have given enough here and I would
like to have that spent on the kitchen, but I told him to make up his own
mind. I was not going to aye or nay, but I didn’t think it was a great
idea. We left it at that. Really, the day was spent on the war. We went
to get the paper and later we went to the meat market and I walked with
Niki after dinner but the rest of the time we were not far from the TV.
After the great success of the aerial bombing the first night, last night
the Iraqis sent missiles (8-10) to Israel hitting places in Haifia and
Telaviv. No one was killed, and seven were hurt, but there was a lot of
damage and at first they thought they were nerve bombs. It was very scary
and nerve wracking. We had Peter Jennings on all day and I decided he is
the best. He is kind, funny and talented. He is just great! Jenny went to
work and didn’t get home till 4 cause she had had a late lunch with her
friends since someone was getting married. I made myself a cheese and
bacon sandwich, for Don and Niki, I fixed bacon, eggs and toast and for
all there was a fresh veggie salad and we had ice cream and chocolate bar
for dessert. That’s right, Niki and I walked to get a candy bar in the
afternoon. And, so the day passed. I washed and set my hair. I showered
and I washed all the clothes and ironed them. Thank goodness they got dry
cause it wasn’t all that sunny. Well, tomorrow we go home and I am glad
and sorry. I guess that is the way it should be. Because this book is
heavy to pack, I wrote in a plain notebook with a blue cover during our
Florida trip and during our stay in Australia, so on the 19th, I am
starting to write in my new 1991 book.
We got up at the usual time but then instead of making the bed, I
stripped it and put the sheets and cases in the laundry room. Did my
exercises. I had a piece of toast and my Pero and then I went for a walk.
I just did a short one in the area and then came back to finish my
packing. At 8:15 I woke Niki cause we were leaving at 8:30. I wore the
same clothes I had arrived in. I kissed Niki goodbye and we were both
crying. I will miss her so much since we got just as close as when she
lived here with us. Then into the car and Jenny pulled up at the airport
at 9. We hugged and kissed and she and I were both crying. It is so hard
to say goodbye when we love them so much and they are so far away.
Security was tight at the airport. We had to show our passports before we
could get into the terminal. We checked our bags and that didn’t take too
long. They said they wanted three hours before flight time but we did
have a long wait cause we had come so early. Still it was better to be
there than back at the house cause it was better to leave and be done
with it. Finally the plane came and we went aboard, then on to Sydney
where we had another wait and then this time we were really going for the
long part of the trip. It seemed like we got a lot of food. We had a
snack with little finger sandwiches and two Arnott biscuits. I miss
telling Niki this. Then later we had a dinner that I didn’t like much,
but I did eat the roll and the little cake that was there. Then we had a
movie with Steve Martin that was really dumb. Then another movie with
Clint Eastwood about making The African Queen, and it was really bad. By
then Don was asleep. Then they passed out sandwiches and lemonade. But it
was a big roll like thing, very tough with cold sliced corned beef and
cheese. I took a few bites but that was all. Then I spent the rest of the
night trying to sleep and not really succeeding. Finally it got light and
we looked out the window to the most beautiful sunrise at the very edge
of the horizon. Then it was hot wet towels and breakfast. Don took ham
and an omelet. I took a fruit plate and a bad sweet roll. By then the
time went fast and it was 9:30 and we arrived in LA. When we got off, we
had to go through customs and there were security people everywhere and
they even had a dog sniffing the small carryon luggage and the people
themselves. The war is making everyone more cautious.
Still another wait and then we got on the plane to Sacramento, the last
leg of our flight. It was dull, but fast and at 2 we were in and had our
luggage, which we took outside. Patty arrived right at 2:30 and we drove
home. We got here a bit after 3:30. Daisy was out of her mind with joy
when we came in. She was barking as we drove in the driveway to unload,
but once she saw us, she went crazy. Lin called shortly after we were
home, so we told her about the security at the airports and she was glad
we were home. Then the dreary part started. Taking everything out of
suitcases and putting them away and into the wash and there was little to
eat in the fridge and Jason was not going to be here for dinner, so I
made grilled cheese sandwiches and that was it. I will cook a good dinner
tomorrow. The strange thing is that we had two Saturdays starting in
Melbourne and ending in Chico. I called Mary Yakich to tell her that we
would be picking her up mid morning and after dinner I called Priss and
heard what she had been doing. Mac (McIntyre) died while we were away and
she talked about that. She seemed glad to have me back. Don went to bed
early. Jason went to work out at the Racquet Club (he got a 4.0) first
semester. I thought that was great. So now I am back home and after I get
things back in order and make bread, etc., get in groceries, I guess I
will be back in the old routine. Monday I work at the Discovery Shop and
Tuesday I have been called to the jury. I just hope my number is not the
one that is needed.
Well, this turned out to be a busy Sunday. We got up a bit after 6 and I
did some exercises and had my Pero and toast. Then off to pick up Mary
and go to church. Father O’Hara had heart surgery and is in Sacramento
[?] [?]. Today we had a priest who talked against abortion. Sometimes it
seems very unfair to be a woman cause men make all the rules in the
churches and in the houses of laws, but it is the woman who has the
responsibility of having babies. Don picked up doughnuts on the way home
and I dropped him off and then went to Holiday to get some fruit and
veggies. When I got home, I changed my clothes and made a chocolate chess
pie and then I had lunch before going to give Priss her present of four
placemats and napkins. We then had a short visit and then off to buy
groceries at Food for Less and at the Cannery. Put everything away when I
got back and then went for a walk for 40 minutes. Stopped on the way home
to talk to Packy for a while. Alice is in Yucatan and will be back on
Tuesday. I had a good but simple dinner. I made a turkey hot dish, green
salad and French bread and then the pie for dessert. I did one load of
clothes and will do two more tomorrow morning. Jeff Sloan called and he
would like me to work three days a week for the second semester at Chico
Jr. cause Jim Byrnes is going to work two days a week at Continuation. I
have mixed feelings about this. I would like to get more than just
substitute pay, but I can’t get over $15,000 and I have already earned
about $5,000. Then I wonder if I will say that it is too much and if I
commit myself, I will have to do the full year. Well, tomorrow I will
check with the business office downtown and see what they say. I called
Lisa Van Rossum and told her I would bring the gifts for Nicole and Kasy
to her at Bidwell and she can pick them up. Called Chris Syvone and she
can come over tomorrow to pick them up for her children. I am heartsick
cause Patty didn’t water most of my plants and the ones on the top of the
bookcase are all dead and some of the others look pretty sick. Then the
big freeze while we were gone killed my beautiful gardenia plus some of
the other plants and the eucalyptus trees may be dead! Called Mike and
had a great talk with him.
This was a busy day from beginning to end. Since it was a national
holiday, I wasn’t able to call about the junior high job, so that will
have to wait and when I called about jury duty, I have to go tomorrow and
be there by 8:30, so I can’t do much about it tomorrow either. I have
decided I don’t want to do it anyway. Now what all did I do. I went to
Stars and worked out till 15 to 9. Stopped on the way home to buy a roast
of beef cause we had so little meat in the last month. Changed my clothes
and made bread. Priss came over and brought me a kaluha cake . It was a
good one and I had a piece after lunch, mid afternoon and after dinner.
Can’t keep that up so I froze the rest. I kept on washing clothes and I
think I am all caught up. It was painful putting all those summer shorts,
etc., away till spring. It is cold and clear here. When the bread was
done, I went for a 40-minute walk crossing the creek and walking down the
other side to the 5th Street bridge and back. Then I ironed all the
things that needed it from all the washing. Made a great dinner: roast
beef, mashed potatoes, a new recipe - spinach soufflé, gravy, waldorf
salad and cake. Jason went on a hike so he didn’t get here till 6, but we
went ahead. I even managed to wash Dons’ sweater and block it. We raked
up a lot of leaves and debris and sacked it. I am very afraid that we may
lose all of our gum trees. The leaves just look silver instead of green.
Having just been pruned before we left for Australia for $425 and then
have them cut down makes me want to cry. Both Don and I wrote Niki and
Jenny. I even watched the news and read a little. Some of our pilots have
been captured and they appear on TV giving their message and saying we
should not be at war. The situation looks worse and worse as the days go
on. What a mess.
Well, this was a rather hectic day. I took a pill that Dr. Wooding had
prescribed and so I slept very well. In fact, too well, and got up late.
I did my exercises and then got dressed to go to Oroville for the jury. I
wore my turquoise slacks and sweater and my Reeboks. We got there a
little before 8:30 and I was told to go to room 2. Don and I sat in the
back till 9:45 before anything started. My number was called and from
then till after 1 I sat while questions were asked of each of us and some
people were asked to leave and then new ones came up and I kept hoping
that I would be asked to leave, but no such luck so finally we had 12
people and two extra and then we were told to come back tomorrow at 9:15
and we will stay till 4 with an hour for lunch. I plan to make my lunch
and take my walking shoes and I will walk after I eat at noon cause
otherwise I won’t get my walking in. When we got home, we had lunch and
Don ran errands and I called the district office and asked about how much
I would get for 3/5, and they said about $10,000, so I went to see Jeff
at C.J. and he wants me to come so they will decide and let me know. I
won’t do it on a long-term sub salary. So then I came home and made a new
recipe – corn soufflé. I didn’t like it. The rest of the dinner was
leftovers. Tomorrow Jason is going hiking at Lassen so he may not be here
for dinner. We had a drink before dinner and ate and Jason came later
cause he was having a battery put in his car. Linda called and we had a
long talk. MJ talked to her a little about Alex. He is not doing well at
school and when asked to draw a picture of himself, he drew a ninja
turtle. Linda called Donna and talked to her and it doesn’t sound good
for Alex. Then I talked to Priss, or rather Priss talked to me about her
day and then at the end she asked about the jury, etc. Don went to bed
with a bad headache and now at 8:30, I am going to take a shower and then
pin up my hair and then maybe I can read for a little before going to
bed.
The second day of the trial. We were to be there at 9:15 so we got up a
little after 6 and I really worked hard on my exercises before having a
bowl of cereal and juice, vitamins and Pero. Got dressed in my black knit
skirt (short) and black top and black and white silk scarf, dark hose and
shoes. I walked over to Bidwell and took the material from Balwyn Hi for
them to see. Then back home and Don drove me to Oroville. I packed my
lunch. The trial is interesting. This morning we heard from a deputy
police officer for the prosecution. Then we had lunch break and another
lady and I had our lunch and then went for a long walk. She lives in
Durham and teaches in Paradise. The weather was bright and balmy and
walking was fun. Then this afternoon, the defense witnesses and there is
to be one more, but they couldn’t come so we were done at 2:15, so I
called Don and he came to get me in a car that looked just terrible cause
the birds started eating the pyracantha berries and dive bombing the car.
We got home and I changed my clothes, fed the dog and then thawed chili.
Got out hot dogs and buns. Don is whittling away on a long list that I
made when I got back. I walked to Safeway to buy cottage cheese to have
on peach halves. Jason had gone to Lassen hoping to find snow but there
was none. Still he said it was beautiful there and they had a good time.
He had packed a lunch and I had added some extras, so he had plenty to
eat. We had dinner and then watched the news. Things are pretty much the
same. The war is not going to be over for a long time, I am afraid. Jeff
Sloan called to say that they cleared me for 3/5ths and I will go on
Friday and then every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for the rest of the
semester. If I had been a long-term sub, it would have been $5,500 cause
I will work 55 days, but this way I hope that it will be closer to
$10,000, so it was worth fighting for. I just hope it doesn’t make me to
tired. We will see.
We got up before 5 cause we wanted to call Mike before he went to work to
wish him a happy birthday. Well, he had already gone before we called,
but Don left a statement on the answering machine and he called back
while Don was out running. He was fine. Thinks the war is going to be
long and thinks Israel is being difficult. He had a busy day ahead but
they were going out to dinner tonight. We did not send anything this
year, but we will have to send a card and some money to Tyler. After
breakfast, I took a shower and then we went grocery shopping together at
Food for Less and the Cannery. On the way home, we stopped at CSH cause
they were having a plant sale and I thought maybe they would have pathos
to replaced the ones that died while we were gone to Australia, but they
didn’t have any. So then Don took me to Oroville. I had packed my lunch
and today I wore the gray skirt and navy top. We heard both lawyers sum
up and then at about 11:15, we went to the room to try to come to a
decision on five counts. About four of us were not sure whether or not he
was guilty, but the rest were sure. We really had very little evidence.
We had the man’s wife who said that a man other than her husband was
driving the white Mustang with her two-year-old son in the back seat, and
we had the deputy sheriff Lydon saying that it was the man who was
driving the car who was her husband, and he had an expired license, he
resisted arrest, he sideswiped a car and would not stop. He endangered
the child and he ran away. Finally we all found that he was guilty. I
could see the logic and the wife’s story was full of holes, but I didn’t
like the deputy sheriff. At last it is over, thank goodness. Don had been
waiting, and we drove home and I explained it to him. Then we watched the
news – all war – and then I put on my longer black skirt and top, the
black and white silk scarf, black high heels and at 6, the Heins’ came to
take us to dinner. It was Lois’ birthday, and we gave her a gift
certificate at Dalton Books. We went to the place on 20th where they make
beer and they serve food. It was ok, but nothing super. Now it is after
8. Don said he felt rather uncomfortable after eating food he didn’t like
very much, so he went to bed and I think I will read awhile and then go
myself. Tomorrow I must be at Chico Jr. at 7:45. It is the beginning of
the new job.
We got up at 5 this morning. Another cold, clear night and it didn’t warm
up much during the day. Did all my exercises, and had OJ and Pero. I
decided not to dress up cause there would be no students today at CJH, so
I wore pants and two sweaters. Don took me at 7:30 and the PTA put on a
beautiful breakfast with every kind of muffin and sweet breads plus
lovely fruit plates and coffee. Then they had ceremonies saying goodbye
to people who were leaving at the semester and then they introduced the
new people, and Jeff said some very kind things about me, but funny too.
I spent some time with Jim Byrne and we talked about things and then I
decided to go home cause there was no room available for me to work,
since they were laying linoleum where there had been water damage. So I
called Don and he picked me up at 11:30 and I had my lunch at home. Then
I went to Simply Cotton and with Mary’s $25 gift card, I got a chartreuse
skirt that will have to be shortened to mid-calf and a matching short
jacket and I love it. Stopped at Holiday and got some things and then
home. Suggested that Don and I go for a walk, so we went to the mall, so
I could get Hallmark’s little calendar book. When we got back, I made
macaroni and cheese, green salad and muffins, plus canned peas for Don
and Jason. Today many scud missiles hit Israel and Saudi Arabia and
Hussein allowed a lot of oil to flood the Gulf. When is this going to
end? Cathy called to say that MJ will be confirmed on the 24th of
February. Food Fiesta is tomorrow in Oroville and she was running around
getting things ready for that for the three girls. I watered the plants,
took a shower and now I have clothes washing. Called Priss and talked to
her for quite awhile. Then about 9, Don asked if I would like a drink and
I said yes, so we talked and sipped and then to bed and it went well for
both of us, so it was a nice ending to the day.
Well, this was a busy day. I did my exercises, had a cup of Pero and then
got dressed to go to the food market. I put in a load of clothes before I
left. There were very few people there. I got $1 worth of kiwis (8) and
$.75 worth of broccoli. Mary wanted to stop at Lucky and I needed things
at Safeway, and then I took her home. Put things away, put the clothes in
the dryer and decided to go for a walk. I did the walk to the creek,
crossed over to the other side and came out at the 5th Avenue bridge and
then on the Manzanita side. I had Don check it and it is 2.3 miles. Since
the clothes were dry, I ironed shirts, etc., and then I ironed the new
top and skirt I got Friday, and shortened it with pins. But it didn’t
seem even, so I asked Cathy if she would help me with it, and she said
she would be coming in tomorrow. Buy then, it was noon, so we had some
lunch, and then I used some new stuff to take spots off windows and did
the study door, which was badly rain spotted. Then I did the kitchen
windows. I cut up the roast that was left over into strips and made a
sauce to put over noodles, and a carrot salad. We had a drink, but before
that we walked to Safeway again so I could get a can of whole kernel corn
and some split peas dried cause I should do some cooking before I go to
work this week. We called Jenny at 2:30 and it was early Sunday morning,
and Niki was still asleep. Jenny said everything was fine. Niki wrote a
very sweet letter that had been sent on the 23rd and got here three days
later, but the letter we sent last Monday had not arrived there. Jason
went to get a haircut, so he did not eat with us. Don is in agony from
his war wounds, and he laid down after dinner and now at 8, he is going
to bed cause he can’t sit without pain. I have talked to Priss and she is
lonely and I should invite her to dinner but I know it is difficult for
Don and Jason, so I probably won’t do it. The Super Bowl is tomorrow in
Tampa, and they are concerned about whether or not there will be
terrorist attacks. Now Sudan is pumping oil into the gulf and the slick
is huge plus last night there were more send missiles so the war will not
be over for awhile and things seem to be getting worse instead of better.
I am tired tonight but can’t see myself going to bed right yet. I think I
have a yeast infection, and am very uncomfortable. Will go to Dr.
Hagewood on Monday. Must also go to Dr. Murrill for a broken tooth.
We woke up at 4:30 and decided to get up. My, it was cold! I made hot
cereal and Don welcomed it. Read the paper without much enthusiasm.
Clipped a lot of coupons. There was so much time I made the lemon pie
filling. Then I got dressed and went to church, picking up Mary. Don says
he will not go back until Father O. H. is back. He is staying with his
brother in Sacramento who is also a priest. When I got home, I went for a
40-minute walk. I had planned on Cathy’s coming in today, as she had
promised, but she said she got up late and couldn’t make it, so will come
on Thursday. I fixed the potatoes for dinner, baked the crust for the
pie, fixed a grapefruit and orange for a salad and then it was lunchtime.
After that I went to look for plants at Target and found three beautiful
pathos so I bought them at $4.69 each. Looked in some stores for clothes
cause there were sales, but didn’t find any that I liked, so came home.
The Super Bowl between the Buffalo Bills and the NY Giants was being held
in Tampa and was to start at 3:15, so I fixed Don some snacks and then I
fixed the broccoli and the piece of the ham that Gail had sent for
Christmas. I wrote a long letter to my sister and one to Niki and Jenny.
We went for another walk, Don and I, for about 1 ½ miles, so I got my
exercise today. The game was close and NY won by one point. Don and I
had dinner. Jason was at Mario’s. I seem to have a bad pain in my right
elbow rather like tennis elbow. I wrote so many letters in Australia;
maybe it is from that. I just took some aspirin and hope it will help.
Then I must have a yeast infection and I am most uncomfortable with that,
and my tooth is broken yet, so tomorrow I hope to take my mind off these
things. I feel I am falling to pieces. It is a hell of a way to begin a
new job, and tomorrow afternoon, I work at the Discovery Shop. I hope I
will be feeling better soon.
These dark cold, cold mornings are terrible, and I hate them. I could go
the rest of my life without winter and not miss them. Well, anyway I did
all my exercises, fixed Don breakfast and then had my Pero. At 8:30, I
dressed warm and walked to Dr. Hagewood’s office where Mandy took a
sample and called in two Rx’s for me. Don and I went to Bidwell and got
the typewriter and the table (I didn’t think we would get that), and he
took it over to C.J. But, after Dr. H, I went to Dr. Murrill and I had
not broken my tooth. It was just a sharp edge on the filling and he filed
it down and it is fine. So then back home. Good walk and not too cold
cause once the sun is up, it is ok. So then I made a big batch of hot
dish and froze it. Had lunch and there was enough time left to wash the
living room windows. The man was coming to fix the drape cord and I
didn’t want him to see just how dirty the windows were. Then off to the
Discovery Shop, where I had a busy afternoon. We made $90. I got a gray
skirt for ½ price so that was about $1 and a navy blue one, very short,
for summer. Oh, that beautiful word summer! Got home at 4:30 and raided
the fridge and put together a dinner of leftovers. Some chili, some
potatoes au gratin, some macaroni salad I had made earlier in the day,
French bread, some ham and it all tasted good. Don and I ate and Jason
came later. The news was all about the war and each night, we get a
detailed account. I think the American people are going to tire quickly
with all this, but maybe not. I don’t feel great. But, I did take the one
suppository that is supposed to knock out the yeast infection, and I have
put the cream on for the itching, and I just hope that by tomorrow
morning, I will feel better. After all, I go back to work tomorrow
morning in a new job. Sometimes I think I am crazy to be doing this at my
age. But I want things that the salary will buy. While I was at the
Discovery Shop, Don called cause the man had given a price on the drapes,
but I said it was too high, and he called back with a better price, and I
gave in. Read in the evening but dozed too, and was in bed by 10.
This is one tired lady tonight. I have had a very full day. We got up at
5 and I did my exercises and had a piece of French bread and a glass of
juice and my Pero and wrote in this because I had fallen asleep last
night reading an article about housing. Got dressed in my black skirt
(short) and top and dark hose and black shoes and Don took me to school,
so I was there at 20 to 8. Tomorrow I am going to be there at 7:30. It
was a very busy day. It was the second day of the second semester, and
there were class changes all day long. I was in a terribly lit office
while they laid the linoleum in the office I will be in till Easter
vacation and then Jim and I will be moved again. Everyone is very nice to
me and I feel good about that. I am going to work hard. Don picked me up
at 3:15. When I got home, I changed my clothes and walked briskly till 4.
The only thing that worries me is that already my shoulders and neck hurt
a little bit and I don’t want to have that trouble again, so I must be
careful. I fixed waffles for dinner with the usual side dishes of fruit
and cheese and pickles. Then at 10 after 5, Jason and Don went off to see
The Godfather III. I really didn’t want that much to go and I was glad
Don found someone to go with. I made my grocery list, cleaned up the
dishes, ran the washer, then I ironed two skirts, and pinned the new
cotton skirt more carefully and I think I have it right. Linda called and
we talked for about ½ hour. She is such fun to talk to. She will be down
Friday afternoon about 3:30. I polished two pair of navy shoes, laid out
what I am going to wear tomorrow and then I took a shower. I started to
read after Don went to bed, but I kept dozing off, so I finally went to
bed. There was supposed to be an eclipse of the moon, but I didn’t see
it. So to bed and to sleep.
Woke up in the night and couldn’t get back to sleep but finally did. We
got up a little after 5. I made the sweet rolls Don likes made by
Pillsbury. It was not quite as cold as yesterday. I don’t have to run the
car as long to get the ice off the windshield. I decided I had best be at
school by 7:30 from now on so Don got me there. Today was a repeat of
yesterday. I was busy every minute. No thought of a break in the morning
or the afternoon. I moved back into the room that was originally Jim
Burus'. It is gloomy and ugly and his desk is a nightmare. I thought when
I no longer had to work with Mark Bain I was free of the type, but Jim is
the same way. Jeff came in with a note from B. Conklin saying that I have
to work 55 days. That means when there is a holiday on one of my days, I
have to work another day. Really that is ok cause I am getting good
money. I got home at 3:30 and then we went for a walk, Don and I. We
stopped and got M. Broderick’s movie with M. Brando. Then we came home
and I quick made a chocolate pudding, did the salad greens and heated up
the spaghetti sauce and cooked the pasta. So, with French bread, we had a
very good dinner. Then we watched the news and I hemmed my green skirt.
The Iraqis attacked all them in Saudi Arabia and the marines got attacked
and 8-12 marines were killed and many were wounded. We are going to have
a daily account of this war, and I am not so sure that is a good thing.
Well, I have to take a shower, brush my teeth and think about what I am
going to have for dinner tomorrow and what I am going to fix for my
lunch. Talked to Priss a long time, or rather she talked to me about
going over to Lake County to see her sister. Think I will go back and
watch the movie some more.
Well, today was my 3rd day at work and now I am off till Monday. I took ½
a pill last night, one of the ones that Dr. Wooding gave me and did I
ever sleep well! Well, I can’t do that every night, but it was great for
the one night. So I got up this morning feeling fine. I wore my new
chartreuse long skirt, black top and the chartreuse top over it. Everyone
at school said how great it was. That is one nice thing about working.
Women notice such things and make one feel good. Today Jim Burus was
there too, and so I said that we should do something about the desk and
he didn’t get mad. He got a box and we took everything out of the middle
drawer. He said he had not cleaned it up in 18 years and I praised him.
Then we took everything out of the three year old drawers and I put that
stuff in the filing cabinet so I have the middle drawer and the right
hand ones and he can have the rest. I wasn’t busy today like I have been
cause he got some of the students and anyway they are easing off. So at
3:15 Don met me and I suggested that we go grocery shopping. So we went
to Food for Less and the Cannery. They were both very busy but we got our
stuff. Came home and Jason said he was going to eat at Baba’s so we had a
drink and instead of making a mock crab salad, I sliced some ham to eat
and got out the leftover spaghetti but then Jason said Baba had had her
big meal this noon, so he had to eat here but we had enough. Then there
was the news. All about the war again and then Don had checked out Die
Hard II, so I watched that. I wrote a letter to Tante You and then I
guess I set the water on the stove and came in the living room and
started to read and fell asleep cause when the movie was over, I heard
Don say that the tea kettle had been on and it was burned. That is the
first time I have done anything like that. I haven’t gone out to look at
it yet, but I suppose I had better. Too tired I guess, and getting
forgetful. Tomorrow Linda comes and I am looking forward to that. Called
Cathy on the phone today from work and we had a good chat, but brief. Now
to bed.
February 1, 1991 (Friday)
I woke up this morning and decided I was going to get with the day, and I
did. Did my exercises, had some shredded wheat, then I got out the vacuum
and I cleaned the whole house. But I didn’t just do the floors; I got
around to all the ceilings and got rid of cob webs. Then I washed the
kitchen floor so the whole house looks great. After that I got dressed
and went to Holiday, S & S and Lucky to buy things on sale. Put them away
when I got home and went for a walk down to the end of North Avenue the
long way. When I got back, I showered, shampooed and pinned up my hair
and then I made chocolate chip graham cracker pie. Had lunch and waited
for 1 p.m. when the tile man was supposed to come. At 2:30 I gave up and
walked to Lucky for French bread, stopped at the bank and turned in my
traveler’s checks and was home just a short time and Lin arrived looking
wonderful. I gave $150 to Don to pay for the drapes that are due back on
Monday. Got busy on dinner. Made a mock crab salad, did some stewed
tomatoes, scalloped corn, and French bread with dessert of blueberry
crumble. Jason ate at Baba’s so there were just the three of us. Don then
watched the news and I told Lin about Australia. She hopes to go in June
when her boss is on vacation. She is going to Australia and she is trying
to work out a way so that Lin can go as her secretary and maybe she can
go for less that way. It is so good to have Linda here but she can stay
such a short time. I called Priss and we had a good visit. Don said he
was very tired after dinner, so he laid down right after the news and he
has been asleep ever since, so I am here alone since Lin is over at the
apartment with Jason. I am going to read.
February 2, 1991 (Saturday)
Rain, beautiful rain! It started raining in the night and I heard it
before I got up this morning. When Don and Daisy got back from their
walk, they were both soaked. Don’s arm hurt so much that he decided he
could not wait until Monday when he had an appointment so I called and
Dr. Wooding was on call this weekend, so he made an appointment for 10. I
called Mary and suggested that cause it was raining so hard, no one would
be at the food market and she was willing to stay home. In fact, she said
she was not going to church tomorrow and that was fine too. So I ironed
clothes and cut off the belt on my gray skirt and made it so I could wear
it without having to hold my breath or pin it to make it bigger. Then Don
got home and he has to wear a stretchable splint cause he has carpel
tunnel syndrome, or so the doctor thinks. He is to wear it for a week and
take pain pills and then maybe he will have to have an operation. Poor
Don, so he spent a quiet day lying down much of the time and now at 9
p.m. he is asleep. When he got back this morning, I went to Long’s to get
their coupon bargains. It was pouring rain at that time. We had lunch and
then Cathy arrived with the girls and she had to check on plants so she
was gone. We (the three girls and I) went for a walk but it started to
rain again, so we came home. I made turkey divan, orange salad and
crescent rolls. I had made a graham cracker pie yesterday, so dinner was
easy. I had two drinks. Don made a fire and it was all very cozy. We ate
after the York’s left, but I told Cathy that they should all come to
dinner on Thursday. I don’t work that day, so I can make something nice.
I didn’t watch the news tonight at all. It is all very depressing. We
talked to Jenny and Niki at about 5. Niki said school was ok. She has one
mean teacher who had pages of rules. Jenny was fine. Got a letter from
Jenny today, too, and she sent a picture of one of the chairs she bought
to go to the tables. Also got a letter from Pauline with pictures of Aunt
Prudence’s 90th birthday party. I wrote a letter to Lolly today. Will
probably never hear from her but at least I wrote. It is only 9:10, but I
am tired and I am not going to sleep in my chair tonight, but in my bed.
February 3, 1991 (Sunday)
We had hoped it would rain again after the 2” Thursday night, but maybe
it will come tomorrow. Don did not have a good night and finally he went
out and slept on the lounge. So we didn’t get up till almost 6. I
stripped the bed and washed the sheets. Linda got up around 7 and after
she had her coffee, we went for a walk, and it was balmy and very
pleasant, though cloudy. We ended up at Safeway, and I got a dozen
doughnuts so everyone but me had one when we got home. I love them so,
but I want to keep my weight down. Lin left about 9. I made up the bed
and then dyed a red cotton sweater Lin had not wanted any longer. It
looked rather faded, but now it looks great cause I made it red again. I
saw an ad at Target for a good looking cotton blouse, so at about 11, I
went out to Target and tried it on but the size small was too big. I
really liked it. Sooner or later, I hope to find one that fits. I looked
in at Ross and Clothes Direct, but didn’t see anything I wanted. Picked
up The Education of the Little Tree for Niki. Stopped at Thrifty to buy
playing cards and some gaviscon and them home. Put a chicken in the oven
to roast. Made split pea soup for dinner tonight. Fixed salad greens and
made mashed potatoes and gravy. Thawed a Sarah Lee pound cake for
dessert. Cleaned up the dishes and watched Diane Sawyer. Then took a
shower, pinned up my hair and called Priss. Have laid out what I am going
to wear tomorrow to school. I have a scratchy throat and my neck and
shoulder hurt. I just hope I am not getting sick. Finally it was 9 p.m.
and I watched the Hallmark – Sarah, Plain and Tall, which was very good.
I cried and the Hallmark card commercials are little mini tear jerkers.
So the time went fast and then it was 11 and over and I went to bed with
my hair pinned up and had an uncomfortable night.
February 4, 1991 (Monday)
Rain! It is 7:00 and thank goodness this day is over. I just don’t feel
very well. When I woke up this morning, I had a scratchy throat, so I
took some Sucrets and I got through the day, but it wasn’t easy. I was
very busy and that helps, but the room I work in is so depressing and
ugly and cold that I think it does something to my morale. Jeff came by
today and said that he would like to get the work done sooner than Easter
vacation, but that probably won’t happen. Oh well, it is just for a
semester. Had a pretty little girl come in today. She was all in black
and very tastefully dressed, and the best was a black velvet had with a
jeweled pin. The teacher had sent her down cause she would not take her
hat off. I talked to Mr. Miller and he suggested that she not wear it in
that class. Then I talked to her and told her to choose her battles cause
she couldn’t fight or win them all. We talked about changing her schedule
but that wasn’t feasible, so she finally agreed. Other than that, it was
a very dull day. I came home in the rain. Oh yes, it is raining at last,
but I don’t know for how long. Thank goodness I had made split pea soup
yesterday, so I opened a can of peaches, sliced an orange and kiwi, had
French bread and that was it. Now I have washed my face, brushed my teeth
and I plan to watch a show at 8 for half an hour and then I am going to
take a pill and go to bed and just hope I feel better tomorrow. I don’t
want to miss any days cause I have to make them up. Priss called and was
going out to dinner, so she wanted me to know she would not be home. The
drapes came back from the cleaners and they look very nice. With no
smoking in this room any more, they should stay clean for a long time.
Still no word from the tile man who was supposed to come Friday
afternoon. I don’t feel well enough at the moment to do anything about
it.
February 5, 1991 (Tuesday)
We got up at the usual time and it was misting but not really raining. By
the time Don took me to school, it had stopped and it didn’t rain during
the day. We had a fire drill and we had to walk out in the muddy area. I
was busy all day, but some of it was stupid work cause I called students
in who had asked to see one of us and then found out that Jim had called
them in on Friday but had not thrown away the request, so I was calling
them in again. I felt lousy in the morning, better by noon, but worse
again by 3, so I had Don drive me to Convenient Care where the doctor
looked at me and gave me an Rx for my throat and one for my cough. So I
came home and fortunately I had taken the meat off the chicken yesterday,
so I mixed it with the fried rice, heated the leftover green beans,
celery and onions, and then made a cabbage salad and it all turned out
fine. Linda called. Her neck still bothers her and she is alone this week
since Craig is off to a race. She wants Jason to call Mike since he is so
up and down in his moods and seems to be unhappy much of the time. He is
so alone cause he has made no friends at school and so he has only Mario
and they don’t have that much in common. Whether he will call Mike or
not, I just don’t know. We watched the news, which consists entirely of
the war and the economy. I felt so wretched that I went to bed at 9. I
just hope tomorrow is better.
February 6, 1991 (Wednesday)
Our day was a little bit better. I woke up feeling just terrible, but
after I did my exercises and drank juice and Pero and took my pills, I
decided I could make it. I wore my turquoise slacks and sweater with
black wool top and shoes and it looked nice. Everyone was very
sympathetic at school. It was the first day that there was not a list of
students wanting schedule changes so mainly I worked on report cards to
see who has F’s and so when I come back on Thursday, I will finish that.
When Don came to pick me up, he said he felt just terrible. He had had
chills and his body ached so we both have had something and I just hope
it goes away soon. Jason went to eat at Baba’s, thank goodness, so I
didn’t have to cook anything very fancy. Don had bacon and eggs, and I
had a ham sandwich. He went right back to lie down. I ran a load of
clothes, did the pie crust and will make a chocolate chess pie tomorrow.
The York’s are coming for dinner, and I will have hot dish, a green salad
and the pie. I talked to Priss and then I called Linda. Her shoulder is
better and she was in good spirits. I made pie crusts since I used the
last one tonight, and now I must fold the clothes in the dryer. It is 9
p.m., and I am weary, but I don’t want to go to bed too early or I will
end up waking up in the night and I hate that. I will go grocery shopping
in the morning and Priss has some daisies for me that she took out of her
garden, and maybe I can plant them this weekend. I raked for a little
while before dinner, cause there are gum tree leaves all over the back
yard, and they are so hard to rake up. I hope I feel better tomorrow.
February 7, 1991 (Thursday)
Our day was a little bit better, but when I first got up, my throat
really hurt, but it got better as time went on, or was it that I just
didn’t think about it? It was a beautiful day. It got warm so that Jason
wore shorts to school, and when I went for my walk at 12:30, I saw
violets, jonquils and crocuses in bloom and I saw the first robin! There
are buds on the tree where the leaves are trying to unfurl, so it won’t
be too long and it will be spring. We were working outside before lunch.
Don had dug up two bushes that didn’t make it through the frost, and the
man came to give us an estimate on the kitchen. He would tile all the
counters and up to the cupboards and then he would do the floor as well.
He called back in the afternoon to give us an estimate and it would be
$3,567. I think that is just too much. I want to have the kitchen done
over, but that is too much money to invest. The business office from the
school district called, and the Board approved my taking the job at Chico
Jr. I will have 55 days and will be paid $187.00 a day so it comes to
about $10,000, which is fine. But, do I want to put over 1/3 of it into
the kitchen? Then too, this does not cover the cabinets. Don wants me to
get another estimate, and I will do that. We had Cathy and family for
dinner tonight. I put a leaf in the table, had candlelight, flowers,
pretty place mats, etc. I served hot dish, green salad, French bread and
chocolate chess pie. The girls were so well behaved. The food was good
and it was really a very pleasant time. After they left, we watched Old
Gringo, but it was dull and didn’t seem to have any direction, so at
8:30, we turned it off. As Don said, I was sleeping anyway. So now at 9,
Don has gone to bed and I will try to read for a while. I went grocery
shopping early today, and spent quite a bit of money, but got some good
prices. Don and I went to Pay & Pac this afternoon and looked at
kitchens, and there were some nice ones.
Thank goodness I woke up this morning at 6:30 feeling like myself again.
What a relief. I don’t remember waking up in the night at all. In fact,
Don was gone and as the pillows were gone too, I figured he was laying on
the lounge in the living room. He said when he came out, Daisy would not
get off the lounge as she usually did, so they slept together. While Don
went for his run with the dog, I set up breakfast and then I did my
exercises before reading the paper and having my Pero. I called Priss and
asked if I could come over to get the daisies and she said yes, so I went
over to pick them up and then from there, I went to C & J. I picked out
four roses – a climber, Peace, Queen Elizabeth, a yellow one and another
pink one called Sonia. I got some mild fertilizer mulch called Pay Dirt
and the whole thing came to $55. The woman there was very nice and most
helpful. Stopped at Holiday on the way home. When I got here, I fixed my
lunch. Don was going to Dale’s for lunch. Then I changed my clothes, put
Daisy on the leash in the front yard and put two different sections of
daisies. Then I cleaned up the borders cause there was a lot of leaves
and I filled two bags. Then we moved to the south yard and I put the old
groups of daisies there, too. By then, I was getting tired, so the roses
will have to wait till tomorrow. I took a shower and washed my hair and
set it. Called Cathy and she thought I would like her hairdresser, so I
called and made an appointment for 10:30 tomorrow. Then I made a potato
salad, the first since before we went to Australia. I fixed hot dogs and
baked beans, although I had a cheese sandwich. Then I watched the news
and just fell asleep the last five minutes. Woke up and called Priss and
invited her to dinner for tomorrow night. Then I read the Digest and the
recipes in Good Housekeeping. I walked this morning for 30 minutes and I
walked to the S & S this afternoon late and got some grapefruit so I got
plenty of exercise today. Poor Don feels lousy, and he has gone to bed at
8:10. Thank goodness I am better.
Another day and no rain! Beautiful sunny day. Cool to cold in the early
morning and then warm by 10 am. Took Mary to the food market and got a
dozen eggs and eight huge kiwis for $1. Then I took Mary home and got
home myself. Changed to the dirty clothes I wore yesterday and went out
to the south yard and planted the four roses I bought yesterday. I put
Pay Dirt around most of the roses and still have to do some tomorrow and
then I will be done for the time being. Moved the stuff out front and we
will call Bill Roberts to pick all of it up. At 10, Don took me to Durham
and I got my hair cut and I like it very much. It cost $10, and Connie
charges $13, and I haven’t been pleased with her anyway, so I will
continue to do this. I had invited Priss to dinner, so I made salmon loaf
cause Thrifty had canned red salmon on sale this week. Made cheese sauce
to go on top. Made a lemon soufflé for dessert. I did twice baked
potatoes and green string beans. A good dinner. We had drinks before and
little tidbits. She left at about 15 minutes to 8. I got so hot working
outside that I had to take a shower and then I pinned up my hair and it
turned out great. I wore my calf-length khaki skirt and navy top and the
navy and khaki scarf Priss gave me. It was a pleasant evening. Jason
decided he wanted to eat in the apartment, so there was just the three of
us. I worked very hard today, but I am not all that tired. I didn’t go
for a walk today, and I miss it when I don’t go. My right leg hurts, but
then it tends to do that and if I take some pain killer, it goes away. We
went to bed and made love and finally it was ok for me, but not for Don.
He felt bad about it, as did I.
Already it is 10 days into February and Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and
Lent will start. I have seen the first robin and the quince is in bloom
and I have a bouquet on the dining room table so surely before too long,
it will be spring and I can’t wait. Don was up long before 5 to take
Daisy to their run, but I stayed in bed till 5. Not as cold as yesterday
morning. I did my exercises and then read the paper. Went to church, but
Don stayed home with a headache. Picked up Mary. Afterwards, I came home
and changed my clothes and went for a long walk. Don had raked leaves in
the back yard while I was gone. I started a batch of bread and then I
worked in the north yard taking leaves out of the borders and putting
them in piles. Don called Bill Roberts and he will come to take them
away. Thrifty Rooter came to fix the disposal and since they had been
here less than two months ago, they didn’t charge this time, so that was
nice. A couple were coming from Oroville for cocktails at 4, so I wrote a
letter to Melbourne and then I got dressed in my black skirt and top and
I fixed tidbits: little pizzas, cheese and crackers, jalapeno jelly with
cream cheese, etc. The woman had gone to school with Ann Von Antwenp and
her husband had taken a summer school class from Don, and they were both
very nice. He teaches history in Paradise and she works at Butte College.
They came at 4 and stayed till 5:30. We enjoyed them very much. Then I
quickly was able to put a meal on the table: made spread from the salmon
loaf for sandwiches, cooked broccoli and used the leftover cheese sauce
from last night and there was potato salad and lemon soufflé leftover, so
we had a good meal. Don’s headache was back, so he went to bed early.
Tomorrow I must make a beef stew. I have a list of other things to do,
too. It was rather cloudy this evening, but I don’t suppose there will be
any rain. Called Linda and she thought it was too expensive for the tile
in the kitchen. This week I will call people who do Formica.
Today was a busy day. Nothing great happened, but still it was a nice
day. Like in the expression “have a nice or good day.” Before breakfast,
I sent Don off to Safeway to get milk, three bananas and ½ and ½. Then
after breakfast while Don went off with Carl to have a second breakfast,
I walked to Lucky to get salad greens and then to Safeway to get
mushrooms, but they were too expensive. Then home where I put together my
fresh stew and put it in the oven. Ran two loads of clothes. The man came
from Paradise to decide how much it would cost to wash the ceilings in
the living room, dining room and kitchen. He decided it would be $45 and
we said yes, and he will come on Wednesday at 1. I got dressed and walked
to the mall – no Don took me and I walked home. I wanted a pair of red
flats, but no one had any. I also tried on some navy blue sacks, but they
didn’t fit. So I came home and lengthened the ones I had on that were too
short. Then I ironed the clothes that I had washed. I made the salad
greens, thawed some French bread. I had called a cabinet maker this
morning and he called this afternoon and came over and he will let us
know how much it will cost if we put Formica in the front of the cabinets
and drawers and the counter tops. Alice stopped by and brought me a
bottle of vanilla from Yucatan. Our dinner was great. The stew turned out
beautifully sans mushrooms. Watched the news – dull. Called Priss – dull.
Took a shower, pinned up my hair and began reading Dazzle for the last
hour. It was ok, but not great. Don went to bed with a headache. He is
going to see Dr. Shaw tomorrow and Dr. Wooding and then in the evening,
we are going to Shrove Tuesday at Jackie’s.
Well today was Shrove Tuesday. I wore a navy top and my old navy slacks
that I lengthened yesterday. By afternoon, it got nice and warm. It was
like spring with violets and jonquils, but no rain. I was busy all day. I
tried to call parents of children who got all A’s and got only a few. I
started checking 9th graders to see if they had enough credits, etc. I
had the duty afternoon bus deal, so I stayed there until 3:15 and then
waited inside for Don, who saw Dr. Wooding at 3. She had some options for
him like taking two Tums in the morning when he runs before breakfast and
gets nauseated sometimes. She also wanted him to have his blood tests now
and get his physical earlier than planned. He went to Dr. Shaw, too, and
yes, he has to have the laser thing done tomorrow morning. Mike called
right after we got up and we told him about Jason saying that he really
wanted to sleep all the time and Mike said he thought he should see a
therapist. That concerns both of us. When I got home from school, Don
said the Formica man had called with the estimate and it was $595 for the
counter tops, and $665 for the cupboards and drawers which adds up to
$1,260 all together, and that we can afford. We go tomorrow after school
to choose the Formica. I walked to Longs to get Don’s Tums, and to get my
walk in for the day. Then I put on my long black skirt and top, etc., and
at 6:30 we went to Jackie’s. It was the usual great menu: all kinds of
sausages, waffles, scrambled eggs, orange juice, strawberries and cream,
liqueurs, mints. Billie and Kirk, Joanna, the Parker’s, the Steiner’s,
the Rafferty’s and son. I can’t even remember her first name. Emily,
Cottrell’s. It was fun. We came home and Jason was here waiting for his
father to come over cause he and Marilyn are here till Friday. Then we
went to bed and made love, and it was just right for Don and nothing for
me cause there wasn’t time, but that was fine with me cause it was great
for him and that has not been the case lately.
Well, it is 7 p.m. and I have just spent ½ an hour on the phone talking
to Priss. I didn’t call her last night, so she had much to say tonight
about the Discovery Shop and the financial problems. It was a lovely day
again and I think tomorrow is going to be much of the same. I wore today
what I wore last night. Now tomorrow, since it is Valentine’s Day, they
want everyone to wear red and white, so when I got home today, I tried on
that red linen skirt I got at the Discovery Shop, and a red top I bought
there and I have a red and white silk scarf and red shoes and cream
colored hose, so I am set. I had a very busy day at school, but I like
that cause the time goes so fast. Don picked me up and we went out to
Silver Bell Lane and saw the Formica man and I brought home samples. I
plan to do it sometime in March. I like this man very much and I trust
him. Two women came to wash the ceilings and she did the kitchen and said
she would not charge me. But she was not going to do the rest. So Don
gave her $10 and that was it. Strange! When we got home, I warmed up some
stew and fixed a fruit plate but I had a cheese sandwich. It was Ash
Wednesday and I didn’t want to eat meat, but I don’t want to make a thing
of it, so I just didn’t say anything. Then after we ate, I went for a
long walk, but my knees really hurt. Why, I don’t know. Very bad news
about the war. The Americans bombed a building that was supposed to be
military and it was being used as a bomb shelter by people and supposedly
over 400 people were killed and many wounded. Sudam says it was just a
bomb shelter so who is one to believe? At one time, I would have believed
the Americans without question, but now I am not so sure. Don went at
8:45 this morning to Community and had a laser zap on his eye, but
tonight he has a headache again. Now I am going to read Dazzle for a
while.
We woke up in the night and couldn’t get back to sleep, so we talked
about various things. Daisy came in for a while and then she decided it
was too early to get up, so she went back to the living room and finally
we got back to sleep and then didn’t wake up till 5:30. I wore my red
linen skirt, a short sleeved top, white hose, red shoes and a red and
white silk scarf. Jim Burus came today too, but we didn’t get much done
on checking 9th graders cause I got so many phone calls and he had to
write up reports, etc. By the end of the day, I was very frustrated and I
wished I had never taken the job, but I hope I will feel much more like
it on Tuesday. Don picked me up. Mike had called and had told Don to take
me out to dinner and to a movie. We thought the movie started at 5, so we
decided to eat at home and then go, but today it started at 5:30, so we
had time for a walk and then came back for split pea soup, fruit, bread
and cheese and then went to the movie Dances With Wolves with Kevin
Costner, who had the lead, directed it and produced it. It was three
hours long. I liked it better than Don did, but we both thought it was
very good. The scenery was stunning and it gave a picture of Indians I
had never seen before. They laughed, they loved, they were so much like
us and no one has ever bothered to take the time to portray them that way
before. So then we drove home and since it was at the N. Valley area, it
wasn’t far. Daisy was glad to see us. Tomorrow I must buy groceries and
Don is going at 7:30 for his blood tests. Clear, warm day. No rain in
sight.
Well, it is 8:30 p.m. and Don has gone to bed with a headache. He does
not go to have the new glasses till next week, so there will be more of
this before it is over. Well, what about my day? I got up at 5:30 and at
6, the news said that Sadam Hussein was going to leave Kuwait but that
turned out to be false cause he would leave if about 15 different things
happened and none of them ever would, so the war goes on. Don did not eat
breakfast cause he went to have his blood tests at 7. He was the first
one so when he got back I fixed him eggs and toast before I left for
grocery shopping. Went first to Food for Less and then to the Cannery
where I saw frozen halibut chunks, 3# for $5, so I called Cathy and told
her and later she called to say she had bought the last three packages
and she was happy to get them. When I got home, I put the groceries away
and walked to the mall to see about paint for the kitchen. I think I will
do the inside of drawers and cupboards in a clay pot color to match the
fireplace. Had lunch. Took out the shutters in the kitchen window and
then went off to the Discovery Shop. We made about $109.00. I didn’t like
the lady too much who was cashier, but she was ok. I brought a lot of
stuff home to try. I think I will keep a black skirt with flowers, a pair
of beige slacks, a corduroy dress and a turquoise cotton one, a blue and
white striped top for summer and a fairly long cotton flowered knit
skirt. Quick made a chocolate cake. Had made a tuna salad in the morning.
Heated rolls and had carrots and peas. Then there was the news – all
about the war and nothing else. I tried to fill in the holes left by
taking out the shutters. Got a long letter from Jenny. She is going to
have her chairs dipped to take the finish off, and I think that is wise
cause she doesn’t have the time. Was a letter from Niki about school. She
hates her history teacher, and I can see why. I must write to them
tomorrow. Well, I now have three days off before I go back to work on
Tuesday. It was like summer today, and the trees are beginning to bloom.
It seems like summer instead of winter.
It is 9 p.m. Don went to bed with a headache at 8:30. I had just a little
bit of Dazzle left and now I have finished it. It was ok, but not great.
I think her first two books were the best and it has been down hill ever
since. Well, what all did I do today? After breakfast, I cleaned both
bathrooms and watered all the plants. Then I filed my fingernails before
going to pick up Mary. At the food market, I got a dozen eggs, some kale,
and some purple and red cabbage. Dropped Mary off at her house and then I
went for a long walk. It was a lovely morning, and just right for
walking. When I got back, I sanded the sides of the kitchen window where
I had filled in holes yesterday and tried to fill in spots, but it still
looks terrible. We had lunch and Don went to sunbathe and then nap. I put
Pay Dirt on the roses I had not done last week. Then I shampooed and
showered and set my hair. I called Priss and visited with her. I read for
a while, and Don decided to water the lawn ½ an hour on each sprinkler. I
cut up a cantaloupe, cooked the kale so it just had to be heated, got the
scrambled eggs started, cut up cheese and pickles. At 4, we went for a
walk and were back at 4:30 so we could call Jenny and Niki. Nike answered
the phone and we asked her about school and swimming. There had been a
meet just the day before, and Niki swam in two events, and got first in
each. She was so far ahead in one that she thought she might have made a
false start cause she couldn’t see anyone behind her. We could tell that
she really felt good about it. She is back to taking tennis lessons, too,
and seemed pleased about that. Then we talked to Jenny, and she was in a
good mood, too. She has started sewing again. The yard is great, and the
roses are all in bloom, so it is a good conversation all the way around.
Then we had a drink and I put dinner together. Jason came back just as we
were about to eat. I had washed clothes earlier in the day, so I ironed
everything while the news was on. We called Lin in the afternoon and she
plans to be down for MJ’s confirmation. I got $24 for being on the jury.
I think I will buy something silly with it. Cathy was supposed to come in
today, but she didn’t show. It is too early to go to bed, so I guess I
will read for a while.
Well, this day did not start out well. Don went over to the apartment to
get milk out of the fridge at 6 a.m. and found Jason lying on the floor
in front of the heater with his head right against the heater and he had
all his clothes on. He has been depressed lately, and Don was afraid he
was trying to do away with himself. He was so upset and then I got upset.
He decided to call Mike to see what to do. Then he decided to move Jason,
but when he got back, Jason had gone to sleep in the bedroom. I went to
church, and when I got back, Don had reached Mike, who said that he
thought Jason should see someone and that we should tell him how
concerned we were. Well, we did that and he was embarrassed. Said he
watched a movie later at Mario’s, was cold when he got back and so laid
down there and fell asleep. Well, anyway, Mike called Lin and she planned
to come down tomorrow and she called Melanie Weintraub and she said she
would evaluate him and then tell him who to see at the university. Other
than that, which meant many phone calls, etc., we got busy on the
cupboards in the kitchen and we threw away tons of stuff and filled a box
to take to the Discovery Shop tomorrow. Some I would have kept, but Don
was adamant. Then we took the shelf paper off the inside of the cupboard
where all the pots and pans are and so we will be ready to paint. Thank
goodness Montgomery Ward put paint on sale this week, so I can get it
cheaper. I fixed sweet and sour pork chops, stuffing mix, a green salad
and green beans for dinner tonight. I wrote a letter to my sister and one
to Jenny and Niki so that is done for the week. Took a 40-minute walk to
the other side of the creek since there is no water in the creek right
now. That is a long walk and I was glad to get home. My neck hurts today,
and my cough seems to be back, but I think that was because there was a
north wind today, and that didn’t help. Anyway, it was a traumatic day at
best. I think we are getting too old for this type of thing. We have paid
our dues, but we still seem to be asked to do more. We love Jason very
much. He is more like a son than like a grandson, and so we get really
emotional when something happens that concerns him. I hope everything
works out ok.
Today was a work day! We got up at 5 and I made Pillsbury sweet rolls for
breakfast and afterwards, I started in on the kitchen. I made up a
solution for washing windows and then I worked on the shelves in the
cabinets. That meant taking everything out and washing each shelf and
then putting everything back. Tedious. And then some shelves had shelf
paper that had stuck so there was a lot to do. I stopped at 9:30 and we
drove downtown to the bank and then to the Discovery Shop. We had a box
of things that I decided I didn’t use any more: cookbooks, the shutters
from the windows and little knickknacks. We stopped on the way home at
Focus to buy paint, but I had forgotten to bring the samples, so Don went
back home and I went to Mervyn’s to try on slacks, but they were all too
big around the hips. I found size 6, but it was still too big. Came home
(walking) and had lunch and then I did all the drawers and finally was
done. I cut up a chicken, fixed broccoli, potatoes, heated up yesterday’s
dressing, and made a peach cottage cheese salad. Made a chocolate
pudding. Then I started an old Mrs. Palifax book. Jason seemed in good
spirits today. He and Don keep speculating about when the ground war will
begin. The ambassador got back from Moscow to Iraq with a proposed peace
treaty, but I don’t think the Allies will buy it. There was a north wind
blowing today and tomorrow it is supposed to be warm again, so I haven’t
decided what to wear. I took a shower and then pinned up my hair. Then I
called Priss and heard about her bridge today and Erika Ahue’s dog –
should it have a root canal or not. What next? Now I must do my nails and
bandage my thumb, which is cracked again from all the work today. I wore
gloves, but still it took a beating. I have jonquils and quince in the
house. No rain and none predicted. Don is watching TV and Daisy is
asleep. I will read for a while and then go to bed. I am weary tonight.
This was not a good day. Oh, the weather was fine. Clear, cool in the
morning and warm in the afternoon. I wore my black watch plaid skirt and
navy top, but somehow it didn’t look as good today. Then I picked a lot
of camellias and gave them to the office help and they were pleased about
that, but when I got to my office, I was appalled cause they had worked
the weekend doing something about the asbestos in the library and they
moved all the audio visual stuff out and into our office! Plus, there was
a very strange and unpleasant odor in the whole area that lasted all day.
What a mess and it will probably be there tomorrow, too. Then BJ came in
and someone had complained again about the Crawford deal where she wanted
girls out of the class, but didn’t tell them why and when I told them
when they asked, she got upset and went to Jeff and is evidently
spreading the story around. I was in no mood for that today. I was ready
to throw in the towel at about noon, but finally Jim and I sat down in
the afternoon and went over the list I had made of problem 9th graders so
we have started now. At 2:15, there was a faculty vs. 9th grade
basketball game. I watched for a while and then went back to work till
3:15. Don picked me up and his eye has changed so much that he needs new
lenses in both of his glasses, so he is without any and naturally can’t
read or watch TV, and he is upset and doesn’t know how to fill the days.
I fixed leftovers for dinner and then we went for a walk at 4. But
suddenly I seemed to get a lot of pain in different places and so when we
got home, I took a pain pill, but now at 7:30, I still don’t feel exactly
great. I think tomorrow I will cut down on my exercising and any walking.
I talked to Priss tonight and folded clothes and brushed my teeth and now
I guess I will read but I am in a sad mood tonight for some reason and
this morning when I got up I felt so good.
Woke up this morning at 5 and decided to try something different. I
didn’t do my exercises today and I didn’t walk and I didn’t have any
pains in my legs. Now I am at a loss to know what to do. Things at school
went well today. Jim and I finished checking the 9th graders and then I
worked on a letter to send to parents but it is in a rough draft stage
and we will work on it tomorrow. I took a better lunch today: cottage
cheese, orange, kiwi and date pieces chopped up. When I got to the
lunchroom, some parent had sent in a lot of pizzas so I had a piece of
that, too, and then I had a chocolate. When I got back to the office, Don
picked me up at 3:15 and thank goodness he already had his new glasses,
so hopefully this will solve the headache problem - at least it better.
We decided to go to Lyons for dinner since I had seen something in the
paper that you buy one entrée and get the other one free. Jason was going
to eat at Baba’s, so it seemed a good time to do it. We went at 5, had a
drink and had popcorn and I even smoked ½ a cigarette. I ordered roast
beef and Don had red snapper and we both liked what we got. So, it was
inexpensive and nice to be out and I didn’t have to cook dinner and it
wasn’t all that expensive. Came home and took a shower and now I must go
to set my hair cause I have one more day at work for the week. Had a good
talk with Cathy. She is getting all set for Sunday and I offered to have
them come here before at R-Fish for drinks and tidbits, and then they can
come afterwards for dessert and coffee. It starts at 3:30. I must buy a
present for MJ. Visited with Priss by phone. She wanted to take us to
dinner Friday or Sunday, but I told her we would rather wait till later
in March and she agreed. So, now to my hair and then do a little reading
before going to bed. Tomorrow and then Friday, I will go grocery
shopping.
We both had a restless night. It didn’t help me any that I had pinned up
my hair and that makes it hard to be comfortable. So we were both glad
when it was morning. Today I wore my red cotton slacks, white blouse and
red sweater. I even wore my red flats and they didn’t hurt my feet all
that much. I am glad that this is the last day of the week that Jim B.
and I will be working together. I get along fine with him, but it is
difficult for both of us to be in the office at the same time, and he
just doesn’t seem to be able to get things done on time, so he is always
trying to catch up. We are too different in our outlook. Well, finally
3:15 came and Don was waiting for me. The man came today to wash the
ceiling in the living room, dining room and front hall. It looks a lot
better, but it still probably needs to be painted. We shall see. When I
got here, I made a potato salad. Tried a new recipe with cabbage that I
wilted and heated margarine, rice wine vinegar and pepper. It was ok, but
not great. When I had things pretty well done, Don and I walked to the
end of North Avenue and back. Then when I got home, I heated the ham Mary
had given me last Saturday, and that was dinner. The news is that Iraq
has taken a peace proposal to Russia. Then back and forth and now many
people in the world are saying that we should accept it and no one knows
if Bush will accept it or not. So, it is a wait and see situation at the
present. I have mixed feelings. I was glad I had pinned up my hair cause
I thought I looked nice today. It is important for me to look good. I am
old and wrinkled but I think I should try hard to look as good as I can.
David and Rose stopped by. Rose is writing a paper on the Civil War, and
she wanted Don to check it. I talked to Priss after dinner and we had a
good talk. Now I think I will go to bed.
This was a nice day. We woke up a lot in the night and finally Don went
out in the lounge and then we didn’t get up till almost 6. I fixed
breakfast and then was off to buy groceries at 7:15. By the time I went
to Food for Less, the Cannery, the Wonderbread store to get hot dog buns
and then to Holiday, it was after 9. President Bush had just finished
talking at the White House, and instead of agreeing to Russia’s peace
proposal, he said he had talked with all the Allies and Hussein had till
12 a.m. tomorrow (9 am our time) to start getting out of Kuwait and if he
didn’t leave, the Gulf war would begin. He set down the rules and they
were very different from the Russian and Iraqi ones. So now time will
tell as to what happens next. So I put the groceries away, mulling over
all of this. I don’t know what to think. I had finished lunch and Don was
resting before going to Joanne’s for lunch when who should walk in but
Cathy. I fixed her some lunch and then we had a marvelous time visiting.
Bill Roberts came and mowed and fertilized and the lawn looks so great.
We talked about plants, and David and this war and the Vietnam War and
the girls and the time just flew by. Don came home and finally Cathy had
to leave. Afterwards, I thawed part of a cake that Priss had brought much
earlier, and I made a mock crab salad, had canned peas and French bread
with parmesan and Best Foods toasted. I forgot to mention that I made
dressing for the turkey I will cook tomorrow. Don and I had a good walk
this afternoon. It was a very pleasant day – sunny and warm. I made a
fresh bouquet of quince in the living room. It was from the bush in the
northeast corner from a bush that just started up again after a long time
and it is doing very well. After dinner and the news, I showered, called
Priss and then we watched Cinema Paradeso and it was very good. I cried a
lot and more than I usually do, but it was very touching. We had planned
to make love, but Don ended up with a headache, so we decided to
postpone. Tomorrow Lin will be here and Sunday will be the confirmation.
So it will be a busy weekend.
It is 9:40 p.m. and I ate too much dinner and I thought maybe Don and I
would make love tonight and he came in from the bedroom a while ago to
say he wasn’t able to do it tonight and then went back to bed. So that
takes care of the end of the day, and now for the beginning. We got up
rather late (for us) and I read very little of the paper before getting
ready to go to the food market. Picked up Mary and realized when I got to
the market that I really don’t need anything in the way of food, but I
would get two pony packs of calandos and two coreopsis plants. Stopped on
the way home and got doughnuts and things for the cake I will bake
tomorrow. When I got home, I put things away and then went to K-Mark,
Lucky and Longs, looking for a sink colander, but no one had one. Put the
dressing in the turkey and then vacuumed the living and dining room area.
Had some lunch and then went for a walk. Lovely, warm day like April.
When I got back, I put the turkey in the oven and then planted the plants
I had bought this morning. I just hope the snails leave them alone. I
decided against mashed potatoes and gravy with the turkey tonight.
Instead, I made a relish plate and a fruit plate. I had made a pound cake
earlier in the day, so people could have that with ice cream and
chocolate sauce. The war, or rather the Gulf War, started today and it
upset Don a great deal, I think. That was on the news all day, and I am
sure it will continue to be on the news. I stopped by Priss’ today and
she had brought home some clothes from the Discovery Shop. I will keep a
short skirt but the kelly green silk slacks were too tight. I can take
them back. Lin and Craig came just a little before 6, so Lin was with us
but Craig went to have dinner with his father. I called Priss after
dinner and she said she was glad I had called cause the war was
depressing and she wanted someone to talk to. Now it is after 10 and I
must get ready for bed. Tomorrow is the big day for MJ.
Well, this was a big day. We got up at 5 and I did my morning routine and
then got dressed for church. Don stayed home. I picked up Mary and didn’t
have to stop on the way home cause I had bought doughnuts yesterday.
Changed my clothes and Daisy and I checked on the plants I had put in
yesterday, and they were still fine. Made a chocolate bundt cake and then
went for a walk with Linda. Had a light lunch and went to the mall to buy
gray panty hose. Came back and frosted the cake and then did celery,
carrots, made dip so that when the people came after the confirmation,
there would be tidbits. Took a shower, pinned up my hair, did my nails
and then got dressed in my chartreuse skirt and top with the black wool
top. I even put on my high heels. We left for the church at 3. Craig has
a big Olds convertible and it was a luxury to ride in the back seat. We
got there and found our seats right near the front. MJ looked very nice
in a blue print dress with a white color that came down to form reverses.
It started at 3:30 and it was over before 5, so that was much better than
we had expected. Don has trouble with the hard seats, so he and Craig
went out early. He said later that they settled all the world’s problems.
I have grown to like him a lot. He is so kind to come to these things and
to be surrounded by so much family. When it was over, they all came back
here and I baked little pizzas, had a relish dish with dip and chips and
salsa. With the three little girls, etc., everything was gone in no time.
We then went to R-Fish and everyone ordered something different. The
treat was on Cathy and she was so proud to have enough money to pay for
nine people. Jason had to study for a test, so he didn’t come. Then back
to our house again for cake and coffee and finally they all left. Lin and
Craig to Tahoe and the Yorkw’s to Durham. I figured then we would make
love, but Don got a headache, so I am here by myself as usual and Don is
in bed. I give up. I wrote to Mike and Karen today. Mike called and I
wanted to thank both of them for being so helpful last Sunday. Now I
guess I will go to bed, too.
We woke to a clear but chilly morning. I did my exercises and had two
crackers with my Pero and had a juice. Then it was time to get dressed
and I put on the gray corduroy dress that I got at the Discovery Shop for
$2. It didn’t look or feel right somehow, but by the time I had on the
light hose, etc., I decided I didn’t have time to change, so I wore it
but I hated it all day and decided that I would give it to the church
rummage sale. I must be more careful about what I buy at the Shop. The
day wasn’t bad really. I started to check yet again the 9th graders to be
sure I wasn’t missing anyone. Ken Miller came in about 2:15 and kept me
laughing for half an hour telling me about his family’s trip to Texas. He
is a comedian. Then Jeff stopped by for a while and that was very
pleasant, but other than that, the day was dull. One meeting was canceled
but I went to the SS meeting and assumed it would not last long, but I
was wrong. I told Don to come at 3:20, and he came and I didn’t get done
till 10 to 4. The chairman – Wasinger – is a rigid man who wants a role
for everything and doesn’t like kids from what I saw today. He laid into
the counselors and the administration. He got very mad. Well, then it was
over and Don drove me home. I got busy and fixed mashed potatoes, a
Waldorf salad, canned green beans, and sliced cold turkey and delicious
gravy. Jason ate at Baba’s. We had a very good dinner and then finished
it with chocolate cake from yesterday. Then I went for a walk, watched
the news, read the paper, called Priss, wrote to Australia and then since
a piece of my tooth fell out, I realized I would probably have to go to
the dentist tomorrow so I made a turkey stew so it wouldn’t be too hard
to fix dinner tomorrow. Don ran a lot of errands. He got the tests and
everything is fine. Cholesterol is 187 which is very good. He is going to
be tested for carpel tunnel syndrome on the 5th of March. He is in much
pain.
It is 8:40 p.m. I have just finished showering and pinned up my hair. I
checked on how much water is used before it gets hot in the shower and it
is two gallons. From now on, we will use that to water plants outside so
at least it won’t be wasted. Since dinnertime I have been working on
transcripts and when I finish with this, I will go back to them for at
least another hour. Don had so much trouble sleeping last night and
wheezed and snored so loud that I finally took a blanket and my pillow
and slept on the lounge in the back room. Then it was a rush to make
breakfast and my lunch and get to school. Today I wore my navy skirt and
top and I felt much better than I did yesterday in that corduroy dress. I
really didn’t do all that well in dresses. I had made a turkey stew last
night, so tonight all I did was make a green salad and heat up some
mashed potatoes. I worked hard at school today trying to get caught up so
we can send out the letter to parents about promotion. I really don’t
like the job all that well, but today I found out that I get over $2,000
each month so that will really be good. Today Don hired a man who is
going to paint the ceilings in the living, dining room and kitchen so
although it costs over $200, it will be worth it. We just can’t go around
painting ceilings any more and with Don’s arm troubling him, so we
shouldn’t even be painting walls. Well, we will take it a little at a
time and that will make it easier. We went for a walk before the 6 p.m.
news and that was pleasant, but by 8, Don was miserable with a headache.
Will they never end? Talked to Priss briefly. Called about the tooth that
broke last night and I go on Thursday at 11:15. What next and the war
goes on, but Iraqi soldiers are surrendering by the thousands so I hope
it doesn’t last too much longer. I can’t think of anything else of
interest, so that will be it for the day.
Well, this was a pretty good day. We got up a little later than usual at
about 5:20. I fixed Don a poached egg for breakfast and then did my
exercises before having my Pero and some old “biscuits” as Jenny and Niki
would say. I wore my short black skirt and black top and sweater. It was
cool and cloudy and rain was supposed to start tonight. If only that will
be. I worked hard and finished doing the transcripts. Talked to some
students and just really had a nice day. The janitors came and sent me
boxes, pieces of furniture, filing cabinets, etc. They are a friendly
pair and we get along fine. I was done by 3:15 and left a lot of notes
for Jim. Poor fellow, and Don picked me up giving me the news of the day.
I had no idea what to cook for dinner, but Don suggested waffles. I had
just enough buttermilk for ½ a recipe. I wasn’t hungry for them myself,
so it worked out fine to have the two men for them and I had a turkey
sandwich. Don wanted desperately to have a dessert, so I made a chocolate
pudding cake. I guess the war is over. Bush came on at 6 to say that
there would be a cease fire and if Hussein followed it, then it was over
and so far there have been only 79 casualties and that includes those
killed in the scud missile attack, and those killed earlier by our own
fire by mistake. There are so many Iraqi prisoners they have stopped
counting them. That was the news. I went outside after dinner and cut
down all the gopher plants in the south yard cause they were killed by
the frost and I started on the quince to shape and trim it but it is
going to take time. I found it takes two gallons of water to wait till it
gets hot for the shower so I put the pail in and then put the water on
the things in the south yard. When I came in I sanded the edges on one
cupboard and I will keep at it so when we begin to paint that will be all
done. There is a lot of prep work to be done. The painter says he can
come on the 11th but Don has something in the morning on that day so he
will call and ask him to come at 10. I want all this done. Now it is 9:30
and my neck hurts and I had better think about bed.
It is 10:15 p.m., and I have just finished a fascinating book called
Old Sweetheart, and I liked it very much. Well, what happened today?
rained in the night and that was great. And then during the day, it
rained off and on. After breakfast, Don suddenly got a terrible pain
his stomach that really scared him and me. I wondered if I should go
My
It
in
get
the groceries, but then he felt better, so I went but I was back by 9. I
bought a clock at the Cannery that will go well with the colors in the
new kitchen when it is done. I called the school and my first paycheck
was there. The gross was over $2,000, but then they took out for the
taxes, so it was much less. But I gave all but $120 to Don to put in the
bank to pay for the blind and for the Formica and the ceiling being
washed, etc. When we got back home, I started out again to walk to Dr.
Murrill to have him check the tooth I broke off and he told me I had to
have a gold crown that will cost $450! That was a blow. So I walked home
and had lunch and then I made spaghetti sauce and then we went to the
library – the first time since I have been back from Australia. I fixed
turkey divan for dinner with a relish dish, French bread and leftover
chocolate pudding cake. Then there was the news and a promise of rain for
the next few days. I started my book and Don read till he got his
headache and then he went to bed. I tried to call Priss, but got no
answer. Tomorrow morning, I go to Dr. Heath at 9:30. Don looks forward to
that. Tomorrow night we take Priss to dinner. Well, I had better go to
bed cause tomorrow will be a big day. I just wish Don felt better.
Sometimes I think of when we were younger and we could have a drink at
night and then go to bed and make love and it was great for both of us,
and Don wasn’t always sick with some strange kind of illness, but it has
been a long time since something like that has happened.
March 1, 1991 (Friday)
Rain, rain, and how welcome it is! We woke up to it and it rained off and
on all day. I did put on a plastic rain coverup and walked this morning
at about 7 and it was not too cold. That came later in the day. It was
the day to go to Dr. Heath which I always dread, but it wasn’t bad this
time and didn’t hurt, thank goodness, and he said I was in good shape, so
that was nice. When I got home, I washed and set my hair cause we were
going out in the evening and I wanted to look my best. I had showered and
shaved my legs before I went to the doctor, so I didn’t have to do that
later. I ironed clothes, ran the washer and got that done. Tomorrow I
will clean. I got all the things I am going to give to the church bazaar
together and then suddenly Don suggested that we rearrange the closet
where I keep all the food. I took all the clothes out putting some in the
guest room and some in the back back. Then we put the wooden blocks
against the back wall and Don went out to the shed and brought in the
stacks and I put things in them, too. It all looks so much neater and
better and it will be much easier to find things. Then I neated up the
front hall closet as well, so I felt good about it all. Then I got
dressed in my chartreuse outfit. I am getting a lot of wear out of that.
We picked up Priss at 15 to 6 and went to Oaks. Don had heard it was
under new management and wanted to try it. We will not be going back. I
had prime rib, but it was dry and tasteless. The other two felt the same
way about theirs. We had a quiet but pleasant time. Nothing great. Now I
am back home. I have washed my face, brushed my teeth and am going to
read. I have on my gown and robe and shawl and feel comfy.
March 2, 1991 (Saturday)
Woke up to rain and wind yet again. Don and Daisy were not gone long on
their morning run. I have been brushing Daisy every morning and her coat
looks beautiful. Did just a few exercises and then read the paper. Don
was watching the news and yelled out that Bob Simon had been released. He
had been captured along with three men (camera men, etc.) 40 days ago. I
have always been very fond of him, so I was glad he was safe. At 20 to 8,
I picked up Mary. We got to the food market and there was very little in
the way of food or people. My egg lady was not there so we left. Stopped
at Safeway for milk and doughnuts, bananas, etc. Got home and must admit
I had one of the doughnuts. I am better when I am at school all day and
there is no such thing available. Don and I tried to clean out the middle
cupboard in the back back room. We threw out a lot of paint and other
things. My heart wasn’t in it, but we did get it done. Probably tomorrow
we will need what we threw out. Had lunch and made a chocolate chip
graham cracker pie to please the men in the family. Finally Jason woke up
at noon. He leads a strange life. Then I went to the mall. First to
Long’s for vitamins and then to the Plaza Shoe Store since they were
having a sale. I got two pair of shoes! $18 for one pair, $17 each for
two pairs. I got a pair of red flats and a pair of dark brown suede flats
with the T strap. When I got home, Don and I went for a walk in the rain.
Rather fun. Then I wrote a letter to Elizabeth Chamberlain since she had
written to me. When the mail came, I got a note from Victoria Secret
saying that the dress I ordered would be sent on the 4th of April. Made
macaroni salad and fixed hot dogs for dinner. Not much interesting and
didn’t do anything more. Then it was the news and then I read and dozed
in my chair till now at 10 to 9. I just realized I forgot to call Priss
tonight. Oh dear. We did call Jenny and Niki at 4:30. They were fine.
Jenny is having problems at school about the hours and old course of
study. She alone is not having trouble, but the whole place is in a
transition and is complicated. Niki seemed to be fine, but busy with
school. It is raining as I write. We have gotten a lot of rain in a short
time. Nice, but too late and not enough.
March 3, 1991 (Sunday)
Rain in the morning. This was one of those days that was busy in a small
sort of way. We didn’t sleep all that well and Daisy kept us awake in the
night. It used to be children and now it is dogs?! Anyway, I got ready
for church when Mary called saying she didn’t want to go so Don decided
to go. I wore my teal blue sweat suit. It rained on the way and later
stopped. When I got home, I made a cranberry jello salad, marinated the
game hens. Then I watered and fed the plants. Got out the Red Devil
little vacuum and did the kitchen and bath rooms. I then cleaned the
bedrooms, which I had planned to do anyway. Ran a load of clothes.
Sometime in there, I went over to Priss’s and took her raincoat she had
left in the car and got some books and visited for awhile. I dusted, I
changed the flowers and finally after lunch, I went for a long walk. No
rain then, but a tail wind one way and a strong head wind coming back
home, but it felt good to be out. I wrote a letter to the Melbourne ones.
Dinner was good. The game hens, rice, some leftover dressing from last
week’s turkey, the jello salad and the chocolate chip pie. I realized
that this year, I have been making that pie for 50 years cause when I
went to teach in Elk Point, South Dakota, Mrs. Kimmel made the pie and I
loved it and got the recipe. I have been making it ever since and the
family has always loved it. We watched the news and Bob Simon and the
three men with him are now in London and they talked of their ordeal and
later on 60 Minutes, they were interviewed again and went into more
detail. It was grim. I have always been so fond of him. Then I took a
shower and pinned up my hair. Went to the kitchen and made my lunch for
tomorrow. Don called and he has to be in Oroville tomorrow for jury duty.
He is going to take a lunch, too, rather than buy something. I started a
book by Jessayan West called A Matter of Time. It is about two sisters
and one is dying of cancer and they think about their life as children.
Well done but sad. Well, this will be a busy week, so best that I go to
bed to get ready for it.
March 4, 1991 (Monday)
After a night of rain and wind, we woke up to a wet and windy morning.
Don and Daisy didn’t stay long at the Jr. High. This was the day Don had
to go to Oroville to serve on the jury, so since I had made my lunch last
night, I had time to make his lunch and even found a thermos so he could
have milk. I wore black slacks, a white blouse, a little black tie and
black sweater. A lot of people said how nice I looked. Don took me to
school at 7:15 and at 8, we met in the library for a report to the WASC
committee where I didn’t have to say anything. But, there were goodies to
eat and it was interesting to watch and listen. I didn’t have enough to
do today. There were new students to enroll and I talked to some teachers
but I just have to have more to do. Jim said he would come tomorrow
afternoon and we would be able to get the letters off. I want them out of
the way. One member of the committee came to see me and said he had
talked to a number of students and they said sometimes one waited weeks
trying to see a counselor. It put me in a bad spot cause they were
talking about Jim. I keep calling home to get a ride cause Jason said he
would come for me, but he didn’t answer, but then I tried our phone and
Don had just come in so he came to get me. Daisy was so upset at our both
being gone that he brought her with him and she was just crazy in the
car. I made spaghetti for dinner, so it just meant making a green salad
and heating bread. Tomorrow I won’t be home till 5, so I guess we will
have enough. I walked after dinner and this time, I walked into the wind
going and had the tail wind on the way home when I was tired. My neck
bothers me, so I have the neck brace on tonight and that helps. Don is
watching TV, so I think I will read for a while and then go to bed early.
I am got going to pin up my hair tonight. So, I guess I won’t look so
great tomorrow. We went to bed and tried very hard to make love, but it
was a failure for both of us.
March 5, 1991 (Tuesday)
This was a busy day. I sit here tonight with my neck brace on having
taken a shower and pinned up my hair. Tomorrow is my last day for this
week and I am glad. I got to school before 7:30 for one busy day. At
8:30, a girl came in crying with an ice pack on her face saying her
father had beat up on her so I had to call the Child Protective Agency
and finally a woman came to talk with Lisha Corova. I had to give all the
information over the phone first and was hard to write up a report.
Really I was involved in it all day. Then we were to meet with WASC
committee at 4-5, but they changed the time to 1:30 and we met for just ½
an hour and really it went very well. I expected much criticism. Then
since Jim Burus was there, I asked him to stay and we worked on the
letters going out till 4:30. There are still a lot to do, but Jim will be
doing some of them and I will try to do the rest tomorrow. I just hope I
will have time tomorrow. And then, too, we all met at 3 to listen to the
report from the committee. Don picked me up from school and when I got
home, I changed my clothes and was going to make dinner when Jason called
saying he was going to eat at Baba’s, so I got out some leftover roast
from Friday night at the Oaks and some game hen from Sunday and had some
broth leftover so I sliced the meat, put on the sauce and heated it.
There was some cranberry jello salad leftover and so that was dinner. We
decided to go for a walk but my neck hurt and I decided to come back home
after ½ a block. Cowardly, I know, but this once I couldn’t do it.
Listened to the news, typed up the report on the girl to send in, called
Priss and now I am going to read, then make my lunch and go to bed.
March 6, 1991 (Wednesday)
Today was a good day. I woke up a lot in the night but I wasn’t worried
or anything. I was just awake. We got up a little before 5 and I fixed
breakfast, brushed Daisy, which she really loves, did my exercises, then
had my Pero and read the paper. I got dressed in my chartreuse skirt and
top with the black knit top underneath and had Don take me to school
early. I was there by 7. I started right in and got the last of the
letters to parents done and then I started in on failure notices and
called in students on those in the afternoon. It is good when you feel
that you have really accomplished something. The WASC committee called
people back and there was no time to get substitutes, so I came in on a
computer class and it was fine. Then at 15 to 3, Veronica Elliott’s
mother came and although the WASC committee met at 3, I didn’t get there
until about 3:30, so I didn’t hear all they said about counseling. When
it was all over, Jeff said we had done very well and so we will just have
to wait and see. Don picked me up and I changed my clothes and fixed some
cantaloupe and kiwis and had a turkey hot dish ready to put in the oven
and heated some bread. I had frozen pieces of cake, so I got that out and
there was dinner. Then I went for a walk cause now it is light after
dinner and then heard the last of part of Bush’s speech, which wasn’t
bad. Now this evening, I don’t have to make a lunch for tomorrow and I
don’t have to pin up my hair, so I will read and then go to bed when I
get sleepy. Poor Don has a terrible headache again, and is in bed at
8:25. Thank goodness he goes to the doctor tomorrow and let us hope he
will do something for him. Had a good talk with Priss tonight.
March 7, 1991 (Thursday)
Today was a fun day. We got up at 5 and I put the sheets in the wash
while we were getting breakfast, and we were able to make the bed before
I left at 7:15 to pick up Mary to go grocery shopping. Chilly night cause
there was frost on the windshield this morning. We went to Food for Less
and the Cannery. Mary especially liked the latter. I got home and put
away the groceries and then walked to Dr. Murrill’s so that he could file
down my tooth and put a temporary cap on it. They put that metal thing in
my mouth and then had trouble getting it out and I just panicked that it
wouldn’t come out. I walked home rather shaken and certainly didn’t eat
much lunch. I then drove over to the church to help set up the rummage
but they were all done, so I came home and worked outside cleaning up the
patio and raking up the petals under the camellias. Bill came and mowed
and the lawn looks great. Called and made an appointment to have a perm
at 6 so I made a mock crab salad and stewed tomatoes. Don went at 4:45 to
have his carpal tunnel syndrome tested. This is his right hand and arm,
and although the doctor will have the final result on it, the man said
there was definitely some damage. He goes on Tuesday and then we will
know more. He was with Dr. Shaw today, and yes, his eyes are still not
tracking right, and that explains his daily headaches. We are going to
pieces! At 5:30, we drove to Durham and I got my perm; $35 plus tip, but
I think I will like it. Cathy brought me home and we talked all the way.
She is reading A Mother and Two Daughters and liked it and since I liked
it so well, we talked about that. When I got home, Don was listening to
the tapes that he and Ed made in 1972 when we were in Hawaii. While he
was listening, Ed called. How about that. Called Priss and had a good
chat with her. Now I am having a little liquor and will read a bit before
going to bed.
My poor fingers are driving me crazy. I have splits on my thumbs and two
other fingers and they all hurt. Another reason to hate winter. We got up
early and I did my exercises and then at 15 to 8, I set out for the
church. The walk takes about 25 minutes. It was sunny and not too cold,
so it was very pleasant. This time, I didn’t see too many things that I
liked or wanted. I brought home two sweaters, some Rockport navy sandals
that I think will be comfortable and a little white vase. Certainly
nothing like $20 that I will contribute tomorrow. But it is a good cause.
The ladies bicker with each other and I didn’t like that. Don picked me
up and after lunch I went to Stars and asked to be put on hold till the
15th of June. Went to the Discovery Shop and returned the green silk
slacks, paid my bill and then on the way home, stopped at Holiday for
fruit and veggies. Don went off to his luncheon and I walked to the mall
and put some peach colored sheets on hold cause I didn’t want to carry
them home. Would like a new bedspread, but they are into comforters only
right now. Got home and read a bit before Don got back from Jackie’s.
Made a simple dinner of sausage, scrambled eggs and biscuits with a
relish dish. Jason went off and we had the evening to ourselves. Watched
the news, which was mainly the homecoming of the Desert Storm soldiers
with many tears and kisses. Brought back memories of a much wanted war
when we were young. I read and Don rested and then at 8:30, we each had a
drink and we talked and talked. We thought about moving somewhere else to
a smaller kind of place, but then where would we go? Finally, after I had
two drinks, we went to bed and made love and it was good for both of us.
We didn’t come together, but we both came, and we helped each other and
in a way it was better than the old way. Well, am I saying that cause
that is the way it is now? I don’t know.
This was a busy day. We got up and did the usual things at the usual
time. Picked up Mary and went to the food market. I got a dozen eggs and
some kiwis and some chicory-curly lettuce, then on to Safeway for milk,
etc., and home. I put everything away and walked to the church and to the
rummage sale. Not very many people and not much buying going on and there
was little that I saw that I wanted. I did find a pair of white thin
cotton slacks (White Stag), and a pair of rose colored knit slacks, but
that was about it. I walked home and got here a little after 10:30. Don
had not felt very good when I left, so I was careful about lunch. I fixed
him a poached egg and toast. I had some and then went over to the mall
and picked up the peach colored sheets, and at Montgomery Ward I got some
painting equipment. Then Don took me to the church again at 1 to help
take everything down and pack all the boxes for a later sale. So, I was
home by 2:30. I ran the washer for the new sheets and then did a load of
darks. I decided on bacon and tomato sandwiches, green beans and
applesauce for dinner. Don wanted to light the fire and have a drink
before dinner, and that was fine with me. I got all the darks ironed
before we had our drink. Jason called to say he would not be here so we
had dinner by ourselves and that was a nice change. Then afterwards, we
watched the news as I finished the ironing, so now all of that is done.
The man who is going to paint the ceilings and the kitchen called and he
will be here on Monday to start. Tomorrow, I must sand the edges of the
cupboards and then Don wants to start painting on Monday. That will be
good cause if he reads, he gets a headache but it is hard to do much else
this time of year and since he can’t play tennis cause of his right arm,
he is in a bind. So, tomorrow I will try to make a nice dinner and I get
to shampoo my hair since it will be three days since my perm and I will
get the cupboards ready to paint. Busy, busy that’s me. Well, tomorrow it
is back to school for this next week and the next and then it is Easter
vacation! No word from any of the family today.
Another busy day. I sure work hard on the weekend. Read the paper and
then we went to church. Father O’Hara was there but he didn’t say mass.
He talked to us saying that he was going to Ireland in April and hoped to
be back mid October. Don thinks maybe he won’t be back. I hope he does
come back cause we all like him so much and he has been so good for our
church. I changed my clothes and started the bread and then I went for a
walk. It was raining but just a little and so it was rather pleasant. Don
and I started taking the knobs off the drawers and cupboards. Don started
but then quit and I did the rest. I sanded some of the shelves so if Don
gets the chance, he can paint one of the cupboards. He is going to eat
breakfast with Earl Kruske and then go to see John Powell about our taxes
and then the man who is going to paint the ceiling will be coming at
about 10. I hate to miss him, but I have no choice. I watered the plants,
I fixed chicken thighs and drumsticks, peeled potatoes, washed salad
greens, made a chocolate pudding. Wrote a letter to Jenny and Niki.
Talked to Mike. Mrs. Neeley is dying of cancer and Donna will be coming
out for spring break. Tyler had his tonsils out and lost 15 pounds. He
and Jill are both on the tennis team. Matt’s time was extended to
September. Then they may come to Tampa and he will finish his AA at the
junior college. Then he may join the army so he can learn to fly
helicopters. Mike and Karen will be out for Christmas this year. With
Jenny and Niki here, that will be the big event. We had a good dinner. I
had shampooed and set my hair earlier, but now I must take a shower and
do my nails. I am very sleepy tonight and my neck hurts. I am convinced
that typing makes it much worse. Lin and Craig are in southern California
this weekend. Best that I go for my shower before I fall asleep in my
chair. Had a long visit with Priss by phone. She has a man who calls her
on the phone and he called at 2 in the morning this time. She says she is
not afraid, but I wonder. I don’t like that sort of thing at all.
I am one tired lady tonight cause this was a big day! It was cold this
morning. In fact, there was ice on the windshield of the car. Don thought
the locks were frozen and poured hot water on them only to find out that
Jason had locked the car after he used it last night. We got a laugh
about all that! Busy day at school. I got caught up on things and saw
students who got progress reports. I felt it was a worthwhile day. I had
the duty after school outside and it was so cold and windy that I was
miserable. I will dress in warmer clothes tomorrow. Rain was predicted
and snow at 1,000 feet or less, so who knows. We may have snow in March.
So, Don picked me up and I got home to loads of activity although
everything was just about done. They did two coats of paint on the living
room and dining room ceilings and they look great. They decided the
kitchen ceiling was too dirty so they washed it and then painted it two
coats; same as the walls and everything looks just great. Don had to wash
behind the stove and the fridge and I guess it was pretty appalling but
now it is done. The Formica man called, Shane Barker, and he will pick up
the doors and drawers tomorrow. Well, when I got here I changed my
clothes and then we put everything back and dusted everything. Anything
that could be moved was moved, so there was a lot of things to put back –
plants, lamps, pictures, drapes, boxes, etc. But finally it was all done.
The man was all so nice and helpful. So then I made grilled cheese
sandwiches and tomato soup, chips and pickles for Don and me. Jason ate
at Baba’s. There was enough chocolate pudding left over for Don, and I
had some ice cream. After dinner, I went to Holiday to get bananas and
grapes. Then Don and I did a mile by walking to the end of North Avenue
and back. Called Priss and then finally I sat down to read the paper. So,
it was a long day, but a satisfying one. I finished Far Afield by
Susanna Kaysen about the Faroes. Very good.
It is sometime after 9 p.m. and it is raining very hard. It has been
raining off and on all day, but now tonight it is really coming down and
it is cold too. It is supposed to be clear part of tomorrow and then rain
again on Thursday and Friday. Again, I am tired tonight. We got up a
little late this morning and I had to be at Marie Collendar’s at 7. Don
drove me there through the rain. It was rather fun. People seemed glad to
see me and the program was interesting. I rode back with BJ. All day long
the people who are renovating the room I work in were there doing
something to the plumbing to convert the sink that will be part of the
nursing station. I was calling kids in and sometimes as many as three of
them were in there. I was not happy about it, but didn’t want to say
anything. And there was something wrong with the heating so it was cold
as well. After school, I had the duty by the bank and as it was raining,
I stood under the overhang. Today I brought a headscarf and gloves so I
wasn’t quite as cold as yesterday. Then at 3:30, I had a conference with
Nathan Pegg’s mother and Mrs. Branam. Then I remembered that I had met
the mother at the Marquis’ when they had the brunch. Well, anyway, I will
have to try to put the boy with another teacher, hopefully Roxanne Lake.
That will be the job for tomorrow. Also had a Korean family and none of
them can speak English, but there was an interpreter. I was done at 4 and
Don was waiting. The man came today and took the cupboard doors and
drawers and they will be bringing them back tomorrow. So when I got home,
I made macaroni and cheese and a green salad and canned peas. Put out
applesauce and dried apricots and prunes cooked. After dinner, Don and I
painted the edge and inside of the cupboard and the selves. The man will
be coming back tomorrow, so we had to do it tonight. Don said he would
put a second coat on tomorrow. I wish all of this could have been done
during spring break cause then I could be here to help out. Well, we will
just have to put off painting the insides of the others till I am home.
When I got done, I called Priss. By then, Don had a headache and so went
to bed. He went to see Dr. Wooding today, and he will have the operation
on his arm so Dr. Lobaski should be calling soon. Don is very uptight
about the whole thing, needless to say, and I understand that, but it
gets a bit much at times. So now I am done for the day and still the rain
comes down, but then we need it so much.
We are now up to over 11”. Chilly, rain till 2, then clear. Well, at the
end of today, I was at the end of the working week since I have done my
three days. Then three days next week and then spring break! It was
chilly this morning. I wore my dark red hand knit sweater and my long
black skirt. I had traded so I had duty in the cafeteria first and then
in the main hall, but that was before school and I like that much better
than outside after school. I was supposed to have a meeting with Nicole
Brown’s mother, but she didn’t come. But, I registered a new student from
Nova High School in Redding, and I was to call her counselor about her
driver’s ed class and the counselor turned out to be Pat Yarbrough. So,
we chatted on the phone. It was really a very dull day, and I couldn’t
wait to get home. We stopped on the way at Pay N Pak to buy a new faucet
for the kitchen, and we bought a good one – a Price Pfister for $53 on
sale! It had better be good! Then when I got home, I saw all the work Don
had done. He had painted all the insides of the cupboards and shelves –
two coats – and it looks great. We went for a walk to get movies and when
we got back, Priss had called offering us shrimp and sauce and some [?]
pecan pies. We stayed for a drink and then we had the shrimp and the
pies. Then we watched the news and then we watched one of the movies we
got called The Movie Box with Jessica Lange. It was very, very good but
pretty heaving going. Mary called wanting to know if I was going
shopping, so I will pick her up in the morning. It is supposed to rain
again tomorrow. I hope we can start putting the kitchen back together
tomorrow cause I am sick of the mess and confusion.
It is 8:10 p.m. and Don has been long in bed cause he was so tired. I
read Newsweek and now before I start to read a book, I will write on the
day. This morning was so cold that I had to scrape ice off the windshield
before I went to pick up Mary to go shopping. I didn’t buy anything very
exciting or interesting. Later I went to Holiday and got a beef roast
that I was going to cook for tonight, but then Don said we had best eat
out cause with no counter top and no sink, it is difficult to cook a
meal. The man came with the drawers and cupboard doors and he took out
the countertop. He left a lot of mess to vacuum up, and also made a crack
in the plaster that I must mend. We had a wonderful mail call today.
There was a letter finally from Dimitry. He really said very little. He
has a job as a translator that pays poorly. He made no mention of his
family or his girlfriend that he was going to marry. Letters from Jenny
and one from Niki. Niki swam the 50-meter freestyle and got a first in
the inner-city competition, but broke the school record as well. Now she
moves on to the district. She probably won’t win, but even so, it is
great. Jenny’s letter was good, too, so I woke Don from his nap to read
it all. Then we put the drawers on the floor on papers and painted them
inside and out and later, I painted the front edges with white. It
started to rain at about 4. Don had to go get Jason cause it was raining
too hard for him to come on his bike. Priss called to say that Lolly
Franklin had an aneurysm and is in intensive care. Very ill indeed. That
really upset me. The three of us went to Lyons for dinner. It was good.
Lin called and we had a good talk. She has been very tired lately and she
is having problems regulating her estrogen. I went to the Beauty College
at 12:30 to make an appointment to have my neck trimmed and they took me
right then and for $2, she did a great job and it looks much better. Now
the drawers are all in and I think they look a little too plain and
rather cold, so I got the idea of having Cathy paint some flowers or
vines or leaves, not on every one, but on some of them rather hit or miss
and I think it will soften the effect. I tried to call her but got no
answer. Will try in the morning. Tomorrow the countertop will be here and
Monday he will put the hinges on and then hang the doors. We are coming
down the home stretch for sure.
Well, the kitchen is almost done. Friday is the only day all the week
that I don’t have to go somewhere early in the day. Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday I work at Chico Junior. Thursday I go grocery shopping, Friday
is free. Saturday I go to food market and Sunday I go to early mass. It
will be better when summer comes. Our day was a busy one. I had to paint
the edges around all the doors and drawers and there were over 20 of
them. I solved the problem by stacking them on the floor with books
between. I had to give every one of them two coats of paint, so it was a
long, tedious job. Don went to the Datsun people to see about buying a
new car. They were having a three-day sale. He saw a car he liked for
$10,000, and it was a good buy, although it was an automatic rather than
a stick shift, but they would not give us enough for our car. Finally, he
decided to forget it. I called Cathy and asked her if she would paint
some flowers on my cupboard and she said she would. She also said they
would come to dinner on Easter Sunday. Now I must plan a nice dinner. I
will also have to get Easter baskets for the girls I suppose. When will
they decide they are too big for this sort of thing? Don went to Dr.
Lobosky and the operation on his carpel tunnel syndrome will be April 1.
I got a letter from Pauline today. She is fine. She feels rather
different about the war than we do, and she always gives a little lecture
on art. I don’t feel as comfortable with her as I used to. The man worked
on the kitchen till almost 5 and then said they would be back on Monday
cause there were five doors left to hang. I quick made a tuna salad and
cooked some broccoli, thawed some cake and we had a quick dinner.
Afterwards, Jason hung the blind in the kitchen and it looks just
wonderful and matches the paint just perfectly. It is called cinnamon in
color. Afterwards, I started putting things back into drawers and
cupboards and tomorrow I will try to paint the louvered doors and then
just the cabinet behind the stove will be left. Don went to bed early and
I read for a while. I had called Priss earlier. So next week, three days
of work and then spring break! Don and I walked to the mall this
afternoon. Bright, but chilly. It is supposed to rain again on Monday.
Wasn’t really so cold this morning, but there was a very nasty wind and
so going to the food market was not much fun. I got eggs and that was
all. Then we stopped at Lucky so Mary could get buttermilk and then at
Safeway to get milk and Mary got some things. When I got home, Don was
just finishing the café doors in the kitchen and he had done all the trim
at the top. Everything looked great. So, I decided I would paint the
white cupboard where all the glassware is to be. I used the gadget I had
bought at Montgomery Ward. I got the front and top done and then started
on the pair by the stove and the thing fell apart and I couldn’t get it
back together. I was really put out. Then Julie called from Chico Junior
ready to be picked up, so Don went to get her. So we visited and then she
and I walked over to the mall. I was mad and Montgomery Ward gave me a
new and bigger one. We looked at dishtowels, but I didn’t like any of
them. We came home and I fixed lunch and then Cathy and MJ arrived. Cathy
loved the kitchen and said she would paint the flowers next Thursday or
Friday. I hope she remembers. I made a potato salad and a blueberry
crumble and we had hotdogs. After dinner, Don and I went for a walk and
it rained a little bit but the big storm isn’t going to start till about
Tuesday. There was no news at the regular time. I called Priss. She has
been called to jury duty again and unhappy about it. Started a book
called Mother Earth Father Sky. It is like the Clan of the Cave Bear only
it is about Americans this time. Not quite as ambitious but not bad. I
really didn’t accomplish much today. We talked to the girls in Australia,
but it was rather unsatisfactory, but then it usually is. Mainly we
exchange information but there is little of just visiting. Jenny said Lin
had called and she will probably be coming in July. I measured the window
in the dining room for the blind that Don will have to order on Monday.
He looked in his wallet and realized he did not have his Visa. I called
to let them know and they said he was paid up and to cancel. We will be
getting new ones this week. We tried to make love and it was not very
successful.
Rain, rain, rain. This was a hectic day and a sad one. Liz called in the
evening to say that Virginia Franklin had died. When we wrote to each
other, we always signed our letters “your friend,” and that is what she
was. We commuted together for eight years from Chico to Paradise High. In
recent years, we had not seen too much of each other, but when we did
talk or write, it was always the same. We went to church in the rain and
when I got home, I changed my clothes and then got to work. Did the salad
greens, then made mayo, then made a lemon pie, shampooed and set my hair.
Ran a load of clothes, wrote a long letter to Jenny and Niki. I did a
marvelous roast beef with potatoes and carrots and it was so good that I
think I could have eaten the whole thing, but I didn’t. I think Don and
Jason felt the same way. In early afternoon, I finally had just about
everything done, so I put a pair of old sweats over my slacks, put on a
hooded jacket and took an umbrella and walked. There were gusts of wind
so strong that I felt as if I could take off: a shabbily dressed Mary
Poppins. Mike called after dinner, and we had a good talk. They had been
to a wedding in Orlando and stopped over to see an outdoor art show, but
it rained all day. Still they had a good time. I told him about Don and
having to wait two weeks after the operation to type and then six weeks
before he can play tennis. He said when his knee hurt him and he couldn’t
walk he went on a chocolate chip cookie binge and he was so funny telling
about it. I have taken a shower and brushed my teeth and am doing my
nails so I can be ready for school tomorrow. Three days and then
vacation. I can’t wait. I hope Shane Barker comes tomorrow to finish the
kitchen. Today I ordered the five white knives from Pottery Barn and
tomorrow Don will order the blind for the dining room. I still have
plants to buy for outside. I am so happy about the rain, but I hope there
will be some days with sun.
This was really a very dull day. We got up to a day without rain,
although it was cloudy. I fixed breakfast and did my exercises, got
dressed in my turquoise slacks, black wool top and turquoise sweater and
at 7, Don took me to work. Jim had left some things undone so I worked on
them and I had a parent come in whose daughter will begin at the quarter
and so the day went. Called Don at noon and he was busy scraping white
paint off the edges of the doors and drawers and then applying something
that will keep them looking good and he sounded very tired and
overworked. He picked me up at 3:15 and when I got home, I changed my
clothes and made a beef stew, cooked some potatoes carrots, and then I
did a big fruit salad and made biscuits. Brad Westre’s wife called and
talked to Don for a long time. He had written suggesting that Brad and
Sissy help out so that Gail could go into a deal where her meals would be
done for her, etc. She wants that now. Barbara feels that Brad and Sissy
don’t like his mother and she doesn’t like them, which is probably true.
Well, nothing was settled. I cleaned up the kitchen and then Don watched
the news and I went for a 30-minute walk. It was a beautiful evening and
the sunset was pastel and soft colored. When I got back, Don had a
headache. He went to lie down for a while and I did my nightly things and
then washed my slacks and now I am writing in this. I plan to watch The
Princess Bride at 8, although I have already seen it, but it was fun as I
recall. Well, I watched it again and it was just great and very funny. To
bed.
Sometimes I think March, well at least March this year, is going to go on
forever. But maybe after tomorrow, I won’t want it to be over cause I
don’t have to go back to school till April 1st. I got to work a little
after 7 and had a parent conference at 7:30 with Darcia Johnson’s
parents. They were both very handsome black people and very concerned
about their daughter. Then the Korean brothers came to register and I
took them around the school and showed them our rooms and the lunchroom
and library. I couldn’t open the locker, but Mr. Sloan came along. He got
it open. Most of the day was spent on Nathan Pegg with the mother Peggy
Pegg calling throughout the day. I just hope that we finally have him
settled and he can get to work on his classes. Don picked me up and it
was chilly and windy out. I wore my new light brown and black T strap
shoes that had been $54 and I got for $17 at Plaza. We got home and I
sliced the roast to make French dip for Don, and a sandwich for me,
leftover potato salad, pears with cottage cheese, green beans and
chocolate cake. When things were set, Don and I went for a walk and we
had to dress warm. When we got back, I called Cathy and she won’t be
painting flowers this weekend cause of her going to a conference in S.F.
I did want so much to be done with it all, but I will just have to be
more patient I guess. So then Don and I had dinner and Jason went over to
Baba’s. We watched the news and then I showered, brushed my teeth and put
on my gown and robe. Called Priss and then read for a while. Don went to
bed with a headache. I got up at 8:30 and emptied the dishwasher, had a
bite of ice cream and now will read a little while longer and then to
bed.
Daisy came in at 4:30 very restless so at 4:30, Don got up and took her
to the Jr. Hi so I got up too and so we have been awake for a long time.
It was cold, dark and windy when I got to school, but later the sun came
out and it cleared up for the rest of the day, but still there was a
biting wind. I had a different kind of day at school. The Johnson’s came
in again to meet two more teachers who have Darcia and that went well.
Then I worked on the HS counselors coming over on the 22nd and 25th of
April and got that set up. But then at the end of the day, the Sisay’s
came to talk to Mrs. Crawford about Souilay and that went very badly.
They were there for a while and they claimed that their son was always in
the right and teachers if they criticized him did it cause he was black
and so it went on and on. They stayed a while. It was a bad day in that
regard and a bad way to end the week. I didn’t bring my lunch today, but
bought it and I wasn’t all that thrilled so won’t do it again. I called
Mary when I got home and she wants to go shopping again tomorrow at Food
for Less and the Cannery. I put the stew in the oven, made a green salad
and heated bread and there was still some chocolate cake left and so that
made dinner easy. Don and I had a good walk after I got the stew in and
then I didn’t have to walk after dinner. We watched the news and then I
called Priss, but she said she would call back. Lois Hein called about
Lolly since the article was in the paper tonight about her death, plus a
ghastly picture of her. Why they put that in, I will never know. So
anyway, we had a long talk and then Priss called back and we talked for a
long time. She got very touchy about her kahlúa cake. One never knows
when she is going to get upset. Don was watching The Two Jakes, but he
came in saying he had a terrible headache, so he had to take a pill and
go to bed. He went to see Dr. Shaw today and he will have the lens
changed again, but won’t get the new glasses till Friday. Now I am going
to read.
Well, this is sort of the first day of my vacation. We got up at 5 and I
hurried through my early morning routine and made a big batch of hot dish
before 7:15 when I left to pick up Mary to take her shopping. Don’s
luncheon group meets tomorrow and so I made the hot dish for that and
will have a green salad, French bread and later in the day, I made a
chocolate mayo pie so they should be well fed. We went to Food for Less
and the Cannery. I think the Food for Less has raised their prices and so
I didn’t get all that much for $27. And they did not have my papayas. Got
home and then walked to the dentist. Dr. Murrill was ill so another
dentist put a temporary filling in the one that had fallen out and I go
back in a week. Came home and we had lunch and then we went out to the
floor covering place and looked at linoleum. We brought home three pieces
and I think we will get one if, when the man comes tomorrow, it is not
too expensive. We shall see. In the afternoon, I made chili and then for
dinner, I made salmon loaf, baked potatoes, grapefruit/kiwi salad and
strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was all very good and I will save
the chili for a night when I have worked during the day. Cathy called and
Grandparents Day is on the 12th. I think that was when we planned to go
to Santa Rosa, but we will change unless Lin comes down from Tahoe for
the weekend and comes early. Cathy thought maybe she would like to come
to it one time. After all, we have gone for eight years now. Watched the
national news and I thought Diane Sawyer looked ill. They showed a school
in Squatters Village outside Capetown, South Africa. It was in an old
railroad car – roof leaked, no books, blackboards and a teacher who had
not gone to high school. They brush their teeth with brick dust. Yet they
were smiling, and laughing and singing and writing words. My heart hurt
seeing it. We have so much in the way of schools and they have so little.
It is 10 to 10 p.m. Don has been in bed since 8. He woke up in the night
feeling nauseating and when finally he did get up for the day, he felt
terrible. He was having breakfast with Jim Sowter and his group here for
lunch. Fortunately, he began to feel better after he ate something. When
he left for breakfast, I got out the vacuum and did the whole house and
then dusted. I realize at such a time how big our house is. Then I fixed
the salad greens, got out the hot dish to put cheese on top and set the
table. Then I changed my clothes and got ready to leave. I ate a little
before going. I got two pineapples at Holiday for 99¢ each. Then I went
to Gates Resale and got some “foam rubber” to fill the two pillowcases
that I got at the church sale to put on my chaise when and if it ever
becomes spring. Then to Clothes Direct where I couldn’t find anything I
wanted. Then to Target where I got two cute knit – one black and one pink
fuchsia – pleated divided skirts at $10 each. Then to B & B Floor
Covering where I found another sample of linoleum that I brought on home.
A man will be out Monday to give an estimate. Got one from the place on
Zanella Avenue and it will be $1,250. A lot of money. Went to S & S for
new potatoes and celery and finally I was back home. No, first I went to
C & J and got another rose and two star jasmines. Had finished filling
out my $100 so instead of paying $24 and had to pay only $14. The
luncheon group was still here so I went down to the study and had my cup
of Pero till they left. Dinner was easy. I put out fruit and cottage
cheese, leftover hot dish and I made last night’s salmon loaf into
sandwich spread and we had some of the chocolate mayo pie that was very
good. Watched the news. Talked to Priss who had very kindly come over
this morning to look at the samples and advise which one would be best.
Then Don folded. I had run the machine this morning and I folded Jason’s
clothes that he had washed. I washed four of Don’s sweaters by hand and
they are drying. Now since it is 10 p.m., and I am tired, I am going to
bed.
Rained off and on most of the day. Daisy was restless and came in to get
us up way too early, so Don went out and laid on the lounge in the TV
room till 5:30 and then I got up and woke both man and dog so they went
off in the rain. After breakfast, I made the bed and neated things up and
then went to pick up Mary. It was raining hard and we were the only
people at the market. I got eggs and chicory and then we came home. Don
had gone to have breakfast with Carl who was finally back from the Bay
area where he had stayed at Sally’s house while she and her husband went
to Denmark for his mother’s funeral. I decided to shower, shampoo and
shave my legs and I did it all in the shower. For once, I said to hell
with saving water and I used a lot of the hot. Then I decided to pin up
my hair and went out to iron. There was quite a bit of it but I got it
all done. By then, my hair was dry so I combed it out and then made
lunch. Don took a nap, and I read. We drove out to the linoleum place,
but it was closed so we came back and Cathy arrived with MJ. I taught MJ
to play our kind of solitaire and Cathy and I visited. Then they left,
but they came back to show the paint they had bought. Cathy hopes to come
on Friday or Saturday to do the flowers on the cabinets. Linda called to
say that her ticket to Australia is bought and she will be going in July.
We had a good talk. I made waffles for dinner with cheese and pickles and
a fruit plate. Jason called to say he was not coming home for dinner, so
it was just the two of us. Then it was the news and then we both read. I
wrote a letter to Pauline today, too. Tomorrow, I will write to Jenny and
Niki. Well, later on in the evening, we had a drink; in fact, I had two
drinks and then we went to bed and we made love and Don was fine and then
we took care of me and I was fine, too. Ours may not be like other
people, but it works for us right now, and that is all that matters.
Woke up to rain. I insisted that Don stay home since mass is a long one
today. So I picked up Mary and it wasn’t too long. When we came out, it
was raining even harder and in fact, it rained most of the day and we
have past last year’s now, but we are still short although it gets better
each day. When I got home, Jason was up and he said two of his friends
had “crashed” and he was going to fix them breakfast. He made juice and I
had thawed rolls and doughnuts so he took care of things. I went to KMart and got some vegetable powder since it was on sale and I bought
three white bowls of Corelle that matches what I have on hand. They cost
$3.50 each! But, I didn’t want the yellow ones any more and now I have
four white ones. Cathy called to say that David had fixed the picture and
she would bring back the clock either tonight on her way to work and if
not, then tomorrow morning when she was done and since she didn’t show,
it will be tomorrow morning, I hope. I really didn’t do all that much
today. I fixed some dressing and filled the chicken and cooked it whole
and fixed salad greens and mashed potatoes and gravy and I made vanilla
pudding. Jason plus friends left and did not come back and he didn’t call
to say he wouldn’t be here for dinner. That bothers me cause I have no
way of knowing where he is. I will talk to him about that tomorrow. Wrote
to the kids in Australia. Then got a call from Australia. I think it was
Marjorie’s daughter who will be in the US in June, and will come visit
us. Mike called while I was out walking, and Donna is coming to CA on
Thursday cause her mother is very ill with cancer and her father may have
to have both legs amputated cause of poor circulation so I called her and
told her if she could get away we would love to have her come here. She
said she probably wouldn’t be able to but will be out again this summer
and then she will come. Bill Davenport called and told Don about wills
and property. We had a fire and we had a drink before dinner and I took
the liver that I was cooking with the chicken and made some pate, and we
had that. It was nice to have dinner alone and then we watched the news.
Don watched 60 Minutes, but I read. Now it is 9:30. Don was watching The
Untouchables, but came up and is going to bed and I will read for a while
and then go. And, it is still raining.
I know we need the rain, but I am tired of it and all the cold. I want it
to be warm and sunny for the holiday. Let it rain when there is school.
We woke up and got up at about 4:30 cause Daisy comes in at that time.
So, I was all done with breakfast at a little after 5. I decided to
really clean and clean out the fridge and it looks great and I threw away
some things and found some things, but by 7, I was done, and then what
was there to do? It was raining, so I could not go for a walk, and I was
bored! So I read and played cards and took the meat off the bones of
yesterday’s chicken. Don ran errands, and finally there was a time when
it wasn’t raining, so I did get a walk in and then I drove to Holiday to
get asparagus and onions. So for dinner, I made a very good chicken
salad, using leftover mashed potatoes. I made soup and with the asparagus
and fresh bread that was dinner. In mid afternoon, I made chocolate
cookies and I had found some leftover frosting so I didn’t have to make
it. Jason came home and washed clothes, but was not with us for dinner. I
called Priss earlier cause of the Academy Awards. Dances With Wolves won
best picture, best director and some other things as well. I wanted it to
win, so I was glad. It was the best Academy Awards I have ever seen. The
speeches were short, the dresses were all in good taste, and the right
people won. Billy Crystal was good. I really enjoyed it. Don got his
glasses today, and I think maybe these are going to do the trick. Between
showers, I went out this afternoon and planted the rose bush, the two
star jasmines and the three red gardenias. They should all do well cause
the ground was so wet. Inside I potted cuttings from pathos and hoya so I
have one new plant and one that I added to. I called Linda to ask if she
was watching, but she was watching the Search for Red October, so when it
was over, she called back and we just finished talking. When I watch TV,
I don’t fall asleep like I do when I read. But, now I will read for a
little while before going to bed.
Here it is 10 p.m., and I wanted to finish my book but I don’t think I am
going to make it tonight. The paper today said that we have now had the
wettest March on record and it isn’t over yet. We woke up to rain. I did
my exercises and had my breakfast and then I decided to clean the stove.
I had sprayed it last night with Mr. Muscle, so the oven was easy, but I
worked on all of it and when I was done, it looked like a new stove
instead of one almost 40 years old. After that I moved to Don’s bathroom
and I washed the walls and floor. Then I did the same with my bathroom.
By then I figured I had done enough and it was almost 11, so Don and I
went to the library. I took my time and came home with a lot of
mysteries. The woman from the linoleum place called saying we had to
deposit $250 and bring back the samples so Don went right out to do it.
Now we have to wait 10-12 days for the stuff to come. We had lunch and
then Don went to nap and I read and watched the rain. When he got up, we
took Daisy and walked around the Jr. High and then we went home and I
walked to the end of North Avenue and back. Took a shower and changed
clothes. Got out a little meatloaf and baked that along with potatoes and
made a fruit salad. It all tasted great. Watched the news for a while but
it is so depressing I came and called Priss instead. We got our tax stuff
back and we get $2,500 back. That was good news. Don watched TV in the
bedroom and I read. Jason had two friends over and I decided to make
popcorn and I took some over to them. Mike called and wanted the recipe
for lemon pie. I wonder how that will go? Best that I let Daisy out and I
had better go to bed. I am going shopping tomorrow morning. I hope the
sun is shining.
The sun! We woke up to a very chilly morning, but while I was doing my
exercises, there was a gorgeous sunrise and though I had to scrape ice
off the car windows, it warmed up fast and it was a gorgeous day. Mary
didn’t want to go grocery shopping with me, so I left at 7:15 and got
home fairly soon having gone to the Cannery and Safeway, too. After I put
the groceries away, Daisy and I went to the north yard and I cleaned up
the patio. Neated up the shelves of the book cases out there and swept
and raked and it looks very nice. Then I did some pruning till lunchtime.
At 12, I set out for Holiday and I got some bananas and walked back. That
was about an hour’s walk and it was along the creek with the poppies out
and the water high, so it was most pleasant. When I got back, Don was
working on the shed in the south yard, so I helped. I cut up some long
pieces of wood and raked up leaves and tried to fix the roof. It looks
better. When I came in, I made a macaroni salad, fixed some egg salad and
a chocolate pudding so we had a little sketchy dinner, but it was ok.
Pauline had brought me a white cotton tablecloth and 12 napkins with
green embroidery. I didn’t think I would use it as white, so today I
decided to dye it and I mixed some purple, royal blue and denim blue and
put it in the machine and everything turned out beautifully, but it took
a while to iron it out. The tablecloth is very long. Talked to Priss and
we had a good chat. David is coming tomorrow and she is looking forward
to it. Don went to bed and I stayed up and read. Nice to have new library
books on hand to read in the evening. I never really think to turn on TV.
I am sure there are some good programs, but I just never think about it.
Another busy day. Woke up to a clear sky. Cold, but it warmed up. Did my
exercises and read the paper. There is supposed to be a big march in
Moscow for Yeltsin. Gorbie has said that demonstrations are illegal. Bad
scene. After I finished the paper, I washed the windows in the living
room on the inside. It was still too chilly to do it outside at that
hour. Then I got interested in sanding the door frame to the back room
where the paint has been chipped. Found the paint and strained it through
a nylon. Then I started to wash the area and ended up washing the whole
north wall. It was filthy – mainly from cigarette smoke. I had to quit
cause I had to be at the dentist at 11. I took a shower and got dressed
and walked to Dr. Murrill’s office and sat in the chair for an hour while
he put in the $450 gold crown and replaced a filling. Walked home and had
some cottage cheese cause I wasn’t supposed to chew anything hard for a
while. Then Don and I went to Big 5 and tried on shoes and I found a pair
for $10 and Don found two pair for $20 each and he paid for them all.
Then we stopped at S & S and got apples, an artichoke, cheese, lemon and
some bananas plus a papaya that cost $2.59. It is expensive shopping with
Don. Got home and then we walked to the mall and I am going to have that
poster of the Aborigine art from Melbourne laminated. Then home and I
made brownies and got out a little turkey hot dish and made a salad.
Painted the door frame. We had a drink before dinner and then Jason and
Tyson got here and so Jason put two dinners together with a little bit of
this and a little bit of that and got rid of all the leftovers. They went
off to the movie. I took clothes out to wash and to my horror, there were
the little flying things that turned out to be termites two years ago. So
we will have to call tomorrow to have them fixed. Don is in bed with a
headache. I just made up 10 hamburgers and if it is this warm tomorrow,
we will have our first barbequed hamburgers of the year. Now I am going
to read. Jason and Tyson were planning on seeing the Silence of the
Lambs.
First barbeque of the year. I woke up early but stayed in bed till 5:15.
Don was on the lounge in the TV room, evidently cause he wasn’t in our
bed. Did my exercises, had my breakfast after I fixed Don’s and then I
went out front and planted the mums that Alice gave me yesterday. I put
Daisy on her leash and tied it to a rope on the tree so she could be with
me while I worked. When I was done with that, I went to the back yard and
washed the living room windows on the outside. Washed and set my hair and
then Don and I walked to Dr. Shaw’s so he could get the TV glasses. They
were ready and then we walked back. A really nice walk. Had lunch. Got
out hamburgers for tonight and then went to the Discovery Shop. Took a
lot of things to give. Worked with Mrs. Fast and it was an easy and slow
afternoon. Still we ended up making $96+. I brought home two brown tops,
a white blouse and a navy blue dress. The dress and one brown top did not
fit, but I kept them, too. So, I owe $2.50. When I got home, Don told me
that Tyson and Jason would be here for dinner, so I made a green salad,
cooked the artichokes, sliced tomatoes and pickles, put French fries in
the oven and Don did the burgers. They were the first of the year, and
they tasted wonderful. The boys each had two. There were brownies
leftover for dessert. Then Don and I went for a walk and it was still
light and very pleasant. Tomorrow night the time changes. Don called
about the termites and they will come Tuesday afternoon at 2. Don got
Ghost for tonight, and at 7:30, we watched it. We liked it, but not as
much as I thought I would. Demi Moore was lovely and there were certainly
clever special effects, but not as good as I thought it would be.
This was a rather busy day. We got up a little bit later today and it was
already light in the east and that is a nice way to get up. I took Mary
to the market and got eggs, kiwis and lettuce. Stopped at Safeway on the
way back for a few things. Put everything away and did the ironing that
was waiting and then I made two graham cracker pies. Realized that Mrs.
Kimmel had given me the recipe in Elk Point 50 years ago, so I have been
making that pie for a long time. Don sunbathed cause it was such a lovely
morning. Had lunch and then walked first to K-Mart to look at bedding
plants and then to Lucky to see if they made bread tomorrow and they do.
Then to Long’s to buy nail polish. Then to Mervyn’s to buy Don two
shirts. If he doesn’t like them, he can take them back. When I got home,
I told Jason he had to put the blind up in the dining room so he finally
got to it. I went to Holiday to buy a pineapple for dinner and cut it up
while Don and Jason worked on the blind. Finally it was done, and it
looks just great. I took down the curtains and the rod and filled in the
holes and painted the three little places and I like it better without a
drape. Pinned up my hair and read a bit. Did my nails, watered the plants
Alice gave me. We called Jenny. Niki was not at home, but we had a good
visit. They had loved the Phantom of the Opera. Niki said it was the
greatest experience of her life. She came in second at the regional meet
and she wants to join a swim team now. After all, she has not done any
swimming since she left here. They will be coming just a short time
before Christmas and may stay two weeks. After that, we both took showers
and then I put on my chartreuse outfit and went to Scott’s. David is here
and we had drinks and snacks and then at 6:30, we went to The Albatross.
I had the roast beef and Don had the scallops, and then it was home by 8
and now I have put on my gown and housecoat and it is 8:30.
A busy day. We got up at 5:15 and I gave Don his card and two shirts. The
one may be too small, but then I realized that might happen and they said
they were getting in more. We had breakfast and I read just a little of
the paper and then we got ready for church. I wore my chartreuse outfit.
I certainly have gotten a lot of wear out of that. The church was
crowded, and Father O’Hara said mass. I got a crying jog. Not that I
wept, but I kept tearing up for some reason. I guess I kept thinking of
my parents like I do on holidays. Came home and I cleaned both bathrooms
and watered all the plants and then I made a potato salad. Then off for a
walk and it was pleasant out. Tried to get Cathy, but no answer. I got
concerned that maybe they had forgotten they were coming and I had all
this food. I wrote a long letter to Jenny and Niki. So for dinner, I
fixed ham; potato salad; a beautiful fruit plate with green grapes, fresh
pineapple and kiwis; then a vegetable plate with red peppers, radishes,
black olives, jicoma, carrots, celery and cherry tomatoes; fresh bread;
corn chips and graham cracker pie. I called Priss to see if she wanted to
come for dinner, but she was tired and said no. The table looked very
nice. I had bought flowers at the market and added some of our own. I had
the nut cups out with jelly beans, there were candles lit and we had the
wine glasses out, but the sparkling grape juice was not a success. But,
other than that, everything was fine. The kids played outside after
dinner. Cathy went to work and then David came from work, so I fixed his
dinner and then he took the girls home. So, it was a nice time for all.
After everyone had left, Don and I had a drink. He made me a Manhattan
and it tasted just great. Then to bed and we made love and that was just
as great so the day ended just right.
April 1, 1991 (Monday)
It is only 8 p.m., but I am very weary. We got up at the usual time and I
was shocked to weigh almost 105#. I think it has something to do with
taking a milder thyroid pill. I think I will call Dr. Heath about this.
Drove to the Elk’s Lodge to hear the speaker. Everyone from the district
was there. She was very, very good indeed. We got out at about 10 to 12
and since there were so many cars, there was a bottleneck getting out,
but finally I got home and had my lunch and went off to school. Don went
to Enloe at 10. Jason took him. Dr. Lobaski was doing the carpal tunnel
syndrome operation on his right hand. When I got to my room, I found out
that they had not done anything to it at all. I dashed off to a meeting
about the Asian students. This woman was very dull indeed and at 2, there
was a break, and I left. I called home first and Jason answered and said
he was going to pick up Don, so I came on home and fed Daisy and then Don
arrived. He was not in any pain, but he said the operation was very
painful and he was very glad to have it over. I fixed dinner, which was
easy since there were all the leftovers from last night, so it was just a
matter of putting it on the table. Put turkey parts in the oven to cook
for Daisy. After we ate, I went for a walk of 25 minutes. Now that it is
light after dinner, it is nice to be out. Got back and called Priss who
had not had a very good day, so I heard all about it. By that time, the
turkey stuff was done, so I cut the meat off the bone and got it all in
containers ready to freeze. Then I took a shower and got in my gown and
pinned up my hair since I didn’t do it last night and this should carry
me through Wednesday. So tomorrow I go to school and again on Wednesday
and then off again. It was hard to go back today, I must admit. Got a
letter from Jenny, but it was mostly about school and the job and her
income tax. I just got Don bedded down. He took two of his pain pills and
I hope he will be able to sleep.
April 2, 1991 (Tuesday)
This was not the best of days. Don had a miserable night, and so I didn’t
sleep very well either. I fixed him some scrambled eggbeaters and toast
for breakfast. I didn’t know what to wear, and ended up in my khaki skirt
and brown top and my brown flats, but I felt dorky somehow. The pest
quality man came. He was the one we had in 1989, Zigler, and he said the
termites swarm every 4 years, which means that when they did the work
they missed them, so he is coming tomorrow afternoon and he will not
charge us anything, thank goodness. I had a very dull day at work without
much to do and so I made work and that is always difficult. Paul Carras
talked to the faculty before school and said there was a chance of yearround school for the junior highs. When I got home in the afternoon, Don
had been very sick to his stomach and vomited and then he did it again
and again after I got home. He is not going to take any more pain pills
in case that is what caused the nausea. So I cleaned up after it all and
he certainly didn’t have any dinner, so Jason and I had chili and veggies
and he finished up the last piece of the pie. I went for a walk while Don
watched the news, and then I drove over to Lucky to get 7-up since the
coke he tried to settle his stomach didn’t work. I called Priss and
chatted with her and then I sat out what I plan to wear tomorrow and I
made my lunch and then I read through the ads in the paper and made up a
grocery list. So now it is 10 after 8 and Don is finally asleep, poor
dear, and I am in my house coat and gown and I think I will read for a
while and then think about going to bed. I will be very glad when
tomorrow is over or at least the school part, and then maybe by Thursday,
Don will be feeling better.
April 3, 1991 (Wednesday)
It is a little after 8 p.m. Don is asleep as is Daisy. Jason is in the
apartment watching a movie, and I have just had a shower and am going to
write this and then read for a while. Donna just called me a little while
ago. She is back in Florida after being with her parents in Guerneville.
Her mother has a very bad cancer and is undergoing a six-month
chemotherapy. She is very thin and weak. Her father was in the hospital
most of the time while she was there and his circulation is so bad they
may have to amputate one foot. He has guns (loaded) all over the house
and he does all the time so the situation is grim indeed and her brother
is really no help at all. She plans to come out during the summer and we
will see her then. I wore my kelly green cotton skirt and the top that
matches today, along with a navy cardigan. Today was not as dull as
yesterday, thank goodness, but it was not great. Jeff said they were
going to work on the room this weekend. This time I am not going to
expect it. I drove home and dinner was easy. Put three yams in to bake,
fixed broccoli au gratin, sliced the rest of the ham, and made pear
cottage cheese salad. We had a drink before dinner and that was nice. Don
feels better today, but his hand still hurts a great deal, and he got a
headache as well. The pest quality man came and he feels he got all the
little termites this time, but he said if they come back to just call and
he will come right out. I found myself dozing off here. I am really tired
tonight. After dinner, I worked out front getting all the dried leaves
that were under the bushes and I got a lot of them and stuffed them in
the garbage since the man picks up tomorrow morning. Lots of catalogues
came today, but I didn’t see anything that I just couldn’t live without
and so I didn’t mind throwing them all away. It is supposed to rain at
the weekend, but if Bill comes tomorrow to mow, I am going to water cause
already things look dry. There just isn’t much to report, so I guess I
will try to stay awake to read.
April 4, 1991 (Thursday)
It is so nice to be free of school for two days. Don had to go to Lyons
to meet Mary and Nancy, so I drove him and then came back home. I then
went for a walk and it was a beautiful morning, and I loved the walk. By
the time I got back, it was almost time to go get Don. I did manage to
plant the sage and parsley that Cathy had brought me on Easter. So I got
Don and then went to get Mary and we did our shopping. I like it much
better when we leave at 7 and then there is so little traffic. So, I put
the groceries away and changed my shoes and then went out to work. I put
systemic on all the roses, worked it in and watered them. Then I pruned
the old camellias by the house before going in for lunch. After we ate,
Don went in to lie down and I went out and started hauling the logs out
to the shed in the south yard. I did three loads with the wheelbarrow and
that left the biggest ones. Jason got home and he got the really heavy
ones and so then I cleaned up the area and it was all done. I shampooed
my hair and set it. We kept waiting for the man to come out and put in
the window in the southwest bedroom. Finally he came and the rest of the
afternoon was spent waiting for him to get it done. Then I cleaned up the
dust and put the things back in place. We were going to go to the
library, but we had promised Jason he could have the car to take the
recycling things in. He did it and got $7.50 so he did very well. He went
to eat at Baba’s and I made sandwiches, chips and raw veggies for dinner.
Don watched the news and then we went for a walk and ended up at the
video store. Don got Robin and Marion. I read my book. The curds are
dying of starvation in Iraq. Some are getting into Iran and Turkey, but
it is terrible what is happening to them. Talked to Cathy. She thinks we
should intercede. She was upset cause I told her that Cost Less Food has
gone out of business. That is where she shopped. She and David hiked up
above the golf course and had champagne and croissant sandwiches to
celebrate their wedding anniversary cause they were both working on the
1st of April.
April 5, 1991 (Friday)
It is 7:30 p.m. and I am sitting here in the living room in my chair and
Don is on the lounge reading. He went over to Daltons today and they were
having a sale so he bought five books for the price of one book at
regular price. I have my shawl around my shoulders cause it is chilly
tonight and it is raining outside, but how much I don’t know. We got up
this morning at around 5:15. I got ambitious and washed not only the
sheets, but the mattress cover and the little white sheet blanket. I put
on the new peach colored sheets for the first time. Then I went for a
walk. Don went to breakfast with Carl. I ended up doing all the clothes,
so I won’t have to wash again over the weekend. Later in the morning, we
went over to the mall and exchanged the shirt I got for Don for a bigger
size. Then Don walked to Dr. Lobaski’s office and I went home and then
stopped at the S & S to buy strawberries before picking him up. Dr. L.
changed the bandage. Said everything looked good and he will take the
stitches out a week from Monday. Don feels better about the whole thing.
Came home and had lunch and I washed the salad greens and got them ready
for dinner and got the stew out to heat. I stopped at S &S and got
strawberries. I drove to the Discovery Shop and spent a quiet afternoon.
Still we made $139 and I felt good about that. I worked with Mrs.
Robertson and she needed to exchange with someone in the middle of the
month, so I offered to trade. I was at the end with Priss and I was
cashier and I don’t want to do that. When I called Priss this evening, I
told her and she thought that was fine, so I am relieved cause sometimes
she gets nasty about things of that sort. I am suddenly very sleepy and
it is so early for that. I think I will try reading and maybe that will
help. What I want to do is just to put my head down and close my eyes.
Tomorrow morning is the food market and best that I make bread tomorrow.
I think I will make a rhubarb pie on Sunday. We will see.
April 6, 1991 (Saturday)
I am sitting here in my chair, and since it is a bit chilly, I have my
shawl around me. When will it be warm enough to wash it and put it away
till fall? My watch reads 10 p.m., but in reality, it is only 9. Tonight,
the time changes, and Don has already reset all six clocks plus our
watches so we are ready to accept day light savings time. I had a busy
day. First the market for eggs and salad greens, and some asparagus. Then
Safeway for rhubarb and home. I made bread and set it to rise and then
ironed clothes that had piled up in the TV room. Then went for a long
walk. For some reason that I cannot explain, the bread did not rise. It
was after 1 before I worked it down and put it in the pans and it was
almost dinnertime before I baked it. Never happened before. I washed the
new window in the bedroom inside and out and I even got the brown stain
and started to paint the wood they had to use around the window frame,
but I felt insecure on the ladder and quit. I worked outside trimming the
bushes in front early in the day and raking up leaves and sticks in the
south yard after lunch. Don and I walked to the mall to go to Longs to
buy vitamin E. And after dinner tonight, I walked to Manzanita and back,
so I got in a few miles today. For dinner, I made a tuna salad, squaw
corn and toasted French bread spread with Parmesan and Best Foods. For
dessert, I thawed a piece of chocolate cake, or rather a portion of cake
that made into three pieces. I made chocolate sauce and then some
frosting for the cake. So, although I didn’t do anything big, I kept busy
all day. Don tried to open the mayo jar at the table tonight and used his
right hand and really hurt his wrist and has been in pain ever since. In
fact, he went to bed a while ago cause it hurt so much. He took a
Naproxen and should have taken something stronger, but now it is too late
to take something else. He drove the car today, too, and that was a
mistake, but he gets so impatient to do things and I do understand that
certainly. I called Priss and invited her to dinner for tomorrow. I wish
I were thin. I feel pudgy these days. I don’t know what the answer is. I
try not to eat too much and I try to exercise, but I just can’t win.
April 7, 1991 (Sunday)
A busy day. We got up at 6 by the new time and there was a very cold west
wind blowing and it blew all day. I wore black wool slacks to church and
they felt good. When we got back, I changed my clothes and went to work.
I cut up the chicken and did the first part of fixing it. I did the salad
greens and got the rhubarb chopped for the pie. I did a load of clothes,
sweaters, slacks, etc. Later I ironed them. Shampooed and set my hair.
Had lunch and came outside out of the wind on the south deck. Fell asleep
and got some tan. When I got up, I went to the store to get apples and
some asparagus cause I had invited Priss to dinner. Then I took a shower
and shaved my legs. Made the pie and got dressed in my black skirt and
top. Fixed the rice and fixed the veggies in a vinegar and oil deal that
turned out very well. Wrote a long letter to Australia. Don and I went
for a walk. Priss came at 5 and we had drinks. The dinner was good:
chicken in the oven, rice, asparagus, tossed green salad and the pie. All
very good. Mike called just before Priss came and he seemed to be in good
spirits. Priss was charming tonight. Brought a lot of things for the
little girls: talcum, shampoo, bubble bath, etc. Don did not feel all
that great, so after dinner, he went to lay down and Priss and I visited.
Now it is 9 p.m. and I am so tired I think I will go to bed early tonight
and forget about reading, which would just mean falling asleep in my
chair anyway. Tomorrow I go back to work. Nine weeks of school left which
means 27 more days of work for me. But I can’t complain since I will be
making good money. Now off to bed.
We woke up to a very chilly morning indeed. Where is spring? So, I put on
my black wool slacks, white blouse and black wool sweater. I was a little
late getting to school cause I had to help Don dry after his shower and
then I re-bandaged his hand. He is still in so much pain. I wonder how
long that will last? It is still a week before the stitches come out. It
was a busy day at school cause being the first day of the new quarter.
There were some schedule changes and there were new students coming in.
Also, I got the lists of 9th graders and typed up the schedules for the
counselors from Chico High. So the time really went quite fast. Now I
just hope that I got all the rooms right. Billijeanne told me just before
school was out that the counselors were to eat with the school board
members tomorrow noon who will be at school and eat lunch in the school
library. I will take $3 with me and maybe also take a lunch just in case.
When I got home, I changed my clothes, got the leftover stew out to put
in the oven, made a waldorf salad, fixed potatoes for mashing and heated
some fresh bread. There was rhubarb pie leftover and I heated that in the
oven and we had it for dessert. I managed to work a mile walk in before
dinner and then Don and I walked after dinner after the news. Then I
called Priss and we talked briefly. Linda called and she sounded
lonesome. They are going to a race this weekend, but she said maybe she
could come down next weekend. I realized, too, that we have to go to
grandparent’s day on Friday. I don’t look forward to that believe me, but
we will do it. I have just done my fingernails and I guess tomorrow I
will wear my chartreuse outfit, so I will look nice.
Well, it is just 7:20 p.m., but we plan to watch a movie at 8, so I will
write in this now. It was warmer today and sunny, so maybe spring is here
after all. Don is in such pain with his hand that he said he would not
drive today, so I went in by myself. It was the public school day deal
with 120 people touring this school by bus and then having lunch at C.
Jr. Jeff said we should come, too, so I wore my two-piece chartreuse
outfit and felt that I looked well in it. I visited with a lot of these
people: Stan Hensley, Barbara Conklin, Les Wohl and nodded to others. Oh
yes, Bob Kirkman, too. They all seemed pleased to see me and made me feel
good. The food was incredible. I have never seen food presented so
beautifully. There were huge platters of potato salad, black bean salad,
tomato, beautiful jello salad, fruit, etc. Jeff gave a very good talk and
it was all very pleasant. Had some interesting and sad interviews with
students today. One girl who has been raped by her father and stepfather. Had a mother come in worrying about her son who may or may not
make it. Anyway, it was a good day and it went fast. Came home and Don
was in agony. I think it is strange that it hurts so much. I had a
meatloaf in the freezer that I had thawed and we had that and the men had
baked potatoes and there was a huge green salad. I walked while the
things were in the oven and after we ate, I walked again with Don. When I
got back, I watered the plants and then showered and put a few curlers in
my hair. We got a letter from the girl in Australia saying she will be
here in late June or early July.
This was really a dull day. Don said I should drive to school cause his
hand hurts so much that he has trouble driving. It is nice to come and go
when it is convenient and not worry about having someone waiting. I had a
busy day and a strange one. Some of these junior high girls are
something. A girl from Nebraska, who is living with her father, gave her
boyfriend two of her father’s blank checks and was surprised that her
father was angry when the boy forged his name and cashed them. She really
couldn’t understand why her father was upset. It just went on and on one
thing after another. It was sort of that kind of day, but finally I left
and came home to find out that Jason was eating at Baba’s, so I suggested
that we use our coupon from Denny’s where you buy one dinner and get one
free. So, off to Denny’s we went. I ordered chicken breast. Don ordered
ham. My chicken was delicious and so was the salad, but the rice and peas
were terrible. But it cost only $5.41, so no need to complain. We went
for a walk when we got home and then I talked to Priss for a bit and then
I got very sick to my stomach and went to the bathroom twice, and I felt
so rotten I gave up and went to bed. Was it Denny’s or was I upset by
things at school, or what? I don’t know. We called Linda and had a good
talk with her, and later we talked to Mike and to Karen. They were both
fine.
Another cold, windy morning. When will it warm up I wonder? By 7:15, I
was off to pick up Mary and go shopping. I didn’t shop much. In fact,
just $40 between the two stores. Then I took Mary home and came back home
to put away the groceries. The wind has left branches and leaves
everywhere. So after I got things squared away in the house, Daisy and I
went outside to pick up sticks and rake leaves. The phone rang and it was
Rev. Wakefield saying since I was working only one semester, I didn’t
have to pay the full $360 CUTA fee, but only ½, so that helps. Then Cathy
called to say that they were leaving for Calistoga and they were going to
have mud bathes and massages and they had a babysitter for the girls.
This is their delayed wedding anniversary outing. Came in for lunch and
then sat in the sun for ½ an hour on the south deck out of the wind. Very
pleasant. I had fed all the gardenias and camellias and must plan to keep
doing this cause they don’t look very good this year. I don’t know what
to think of the trees. I don’t know whether they will make it or not.
Right now, I don’t have much hope. We went to the library at 2 and got
books. Don hurt his hand pulling out a book and is in agony. I made a
simple dinner of hash browns, leftover meat loaf and a veggie relish
dish. I made little pizzas and put them in the freezer and I made
chocolate chip cookies and they were very good. Went for a nice long walk
at 3:35 and then we had dinner. I wanted a drink, but since Don didn’t
suggest it, I said nothing. Watched the news and then we went for a walk
and then I sewed silver buttons on my chartreuse top and then washed and
ironed the outfit. Called Priss twice, but no one answered. It is going
on 10 now and best that I empty the dishwasher and get to bed. Tomorrow
is grandparent’s day and I have to fix lunch. Durham school called to say
Rosalie and another girl had bumped heads, but she called later and said
she was fine.
It is just 9:15 p.m. and I am fighting to stay awake. My yawns are real
jawbreakers. A busy day. We got up at 5 and after I fixed Don’s
breakfast, I washed and set my hair and then I did my exercises and had
my Pero and a little cereal. Went to kitchen and fixed lunches for
Rosalie, MJ and me. Don was going to lunch with the group and doesn’t
want to eat. Then I took my shower and put on my simply cotton chartreuse
outfit. Don took Daisy to the vet for her bath and then picked me up and
we were off to Durham. We had some bad muffins and then visited the
classrooms and at 10, the outside program started. They all sang
patriotic songs with the band playing short pieces between. Rosalie plays
the clarinet in the band. Then we had our lunches and we left. When we
got home, I changed my clothes. I made up 10 hamburgers to put in the
freezer. Then I walked to Holiday and Pay N Pak. The creek is still high,
and there were CA poppies all along the way and it was a lovely walk. I
bought nasturtium seeds and got some things at Holiday and got home just
as Don did. He had had a good time. I made a tuna salad, cooked one huge
artichoke and made muffins. We had a drink before dinner. Don wanted to
celebrate the fact that Nick is retiring. At dinner, we regaled Jason
with horror stories about Nick. We watched the news and then Don and I
walked to the mall so he could buy a pair of boxer shorts. I think they
would be more comfortable and have been trying to get him to try a pair.
When we got back, I started to read the new Good Housekeeping and just
put it down. I called Priss this afternoon and since her grandson Peter
and his girlfriend are due tonight for a weekend, I told her I would call
her Sunday night. Daisy looks nice and clean from her bath. I hope the
wind goes down and the warm weather continues. I finally got angry and
called the people about the linoleum. She said it had to be backordered
and they hoped to have it in Monday and they will lay it Friday. I will
believe that when it happens. I think I will have to go to bed cause I am
so sleepy.
It is 9:25 p.m. and I am yawning but so far I have not actually fallen
asleep. This morning when we got up, it wasn’t as chilly and later there
was a lovely sunrise. I went for a walk after my Pero and then while Don
called his sister, I cleaned both bathrooms and then it was off to the
food market. Today I got eggs, lovely red radishes, romaine lettuce and
onions. Each week, there are more things to buy. Took Mary home and
stopped at Safeway for a few things. Mary gave me some African daisies –
10 to be exact, so I planted them in the front yard. I put Daisy on the
leash and tied it to a tree so she could watch. Then I pulled all the
weeds that had grown on the outside of the fence and swept so it looks
nice. Don was sunbathing so I had lunch and made some mayonnaise and a
potato salad. Then I went to K-Mart and bought a beautiful grape ivy and
I put it in the oak planter in the living room. I decided to repot it and
then I repotted the red ficus that Kathleen Muldoon had given me some
time ago. While at K-Mart, I also bought some flower seeds and I will try
to plant them tomorrow. Don and Jason got out the lawn furniture, but
then I remembered that the table and umbrella are in Hal Bishop’s
storage, so we will have to wait till Linda comes. Called Cathy and she
and David had a great time at Calistoga – she in the mud bath and he in
the glider. She says she is going to do the painting next week, but I am
not going to hold my breath. Sometime in the afternoon, I made a
chocolate cake, so for dinner, we had hot dogs, the potato salad, cottage
cheese, corn chips and baked beans with the cake for dessert. We watched
the news and then went for a walk ending up following a path by the
creek. Then we called Melbourne and we got Niki. They had just gotten
back from going to a swimming club, and Niki will be going there two
times a week. Jenny was fine on her 40th. She was having a dinner party
tonight with Barry and another one tomorrow night, plus she had had
people from work over on Friday night. So she was in good spirits. I ate
too much today and I had the thought of getting on the scales. At the
moment, I seem to have a problem with eating too much, but I can’t seem
to quit. I am tired, so best that I go to bed. Oh yes, I sunbathed today,
too. 100#
My thumbs hurt so much tonight I could weep, but I won’t cause it would
solve nothing. It is going on 10 p.m. and I have showered, set my hair (I
hate to go to bed with them on) and I just finished a letter to Jenny and
Niki. Don is in bed. It is the end of a real hectic day. Don did not feel
well this morning. He said his arm really hurt so I made him stay home
and I picked up Mary and went to church. Father O’Hara is leaving this
week and will be back on the 10th of October. That is a long time to be
away, and I don’t like the other priest that well. When I got home, Cathy
was due to bring Julie in to talk about her schedule. I picked sweet yams
and fixed them like twice baked potatoes (everyone liked them very much)
then I did the salad greens. Got the ham out to heat and with sugar peas
to cook at the last minute and leftover chocolate cake, I was set. Cathy
and Julie came and Don asked Cathy to look at his hand. It was red and
swollen and she thought he should call the doctor. Dr. Lobosky was not on
call but Dr. Burke was and would see him at Euloe at 12:30 so Cathy took
him at that time. At 2, she came back to say he still had not seen the
doctor, so she left with the girls and I went to Enloe. He saw the doctor
then and it is infected so it means an antibiotic and soaking in Epsom
salts four times a day. He still goes to see Dr. Lobosky tomorrow. When
we got back, I went to Target and got two four inch pot plants for $1
each and another star jasmine that I planted between the two yellow
jasmines on the fence outside the apartment door. We ate at 5 and Jason,
who had spent the night with a friend, got back and ate with us. Then he
left again and just got back a few minutes ago. He is gone more and more.
I went for a walk this morning and another one after the news tonight.
Talked to Priss. Had not talked to her since Thursday since her grandson
and his girl were here from Friday till noon today. She was tired, but it
had gone well. Well, now I am tired and so will finish this. I worry
cause I seem to have so much discomfort and flatulence. I don’t know what
is causing it. I suppose I have to go see Dr. Wooding though I don’t want
to. Maybe it will get better.
It is going on 9:30 p.m. and I am falling asleep over my book, so I put
it down. In fact, I didn’t seem to be reading much between. It is very
chilly this morning, so it was back to a navy wool skirt and sweater and
a white sweater over that. No work done on the room. I doubt if there
ever will be, but all the report cards came so I went through them
marking low grades. At 2, we went to Mr. Noe’s watercolor class of 13
cause he had a meeting. I enjoyed that. Saw a few students, but not many.
Had the bike rack after school and it was chilly standing outside. Don
went to Dr. Lobosky who told him to continue taking the pills and soaking
it. He did a lot of errands today. By evening, it was hurting badly and
he is in bed now, having watched TV. Mike called and talked to his dad.
He had promised Jill a car at 16 and now he can’t afford one and she
wrote him a very angry letter. He is sad and hurt, but realizes that he
made her a princess and then fell in love with Karen and so she was set
aside. Don had seen Stephens up at school and he is going to call someone
at Humboldt. So Jason and his mom will be going up on the 29th, which
means she will be here that weekend before. So that will be a week after
next. It has been a long time since we have seen her. Jason ate at Baba’s
so we had a drink and had leftovers from last night. It was pleasant. I
walked for ½ an hour after dinner while Don watched the news. Then I
called Priss and then I shampooed my hair and set it. I then read. Now it
is going on 10 and I must get to bed. In reading this over, I must say it
was a dull day. But then there is little excitement in my life - let’s
face it.
It is about 9:30 p.m., and after I have written in this, I will have done
the last thing I have to do for the day. It has been a day of “have
to’s,” believe me. Rushed around this morning making the bed, neating
things up, doing my exercises, fixed Don’s breakfast and finally getting
dressed so I was ready to go by 10 to 7. When I got to school, it was a
busy day all around. I worked on report cards marking out the D’s and
F’s. I checked on those who already had letters to see if they were going
to make it or not. At lunchtime, I walked over to the senior high to meet
about class offers for the 10th grade next year. It was a pleasant walk,
but not as easy when I didn’t have on my walking shoes. Worked all
afternoon on the report cards and saw some students as well. Then after
school, it was time to stand out by the bike racks. It was not as chilly
as yesterday, so more pleasant. Don came at 3:15 and I came home. Got
right to work making a green salad and a chocolate pudding. We had
spaghetti. I didn’t eat all that much. Jason is miserable with a cold and
flu. Don is miserable with his swollen hand. I called the doctor and was
told to call in the morning if it is not better. We watched the news and
then went for a walk. When we got back, I ironed clothes that had been
sitting in the back room. Then I made a hot dish with turkey. Made my
lunch for tomorrow. Took a shower and brushed my teeth. Another filling
fell out - I can’t understand why this is happening. I made an
appointment for Thursday afternoon at 3. I go to the Discovery Shop from
10 to 1 and I have to do my shopping before 10. Then they are coming on
Friday at 9 so we will have to move all the stuff out of the two cabinets
before they get here. Called Priss. Then filed my nails and now at last,
I can read for a little while before going to bed. The pace is getting
hectic. Both Mike and Linda called again today. No word from Cathy.
It is 10 to 8 p.m. Don’s hand hurt so he went to lie down about ½ an hour
ago and has not been heard from since. I was reading a book, a mystery,
but I didn’t like the tone of it, so I decided not to finish it. It is
still not dark and I haven’t turned on the lights yet. I have been just
sitting here thinking about a lot of things. My life is really very dull.
If I were not working, it would be worse. We don’t do anything. Right
now, I realize there is not much we could do cause of Don’s hand, but
once it is better it won’t be any different. Maybe life comes to that as
one gets older. So what was my day like? It began really very nicely. I
like Mr. Ramay and he and Ken Miller came in to talk about a student and
we really had a most pleasant time. I worked on the last of students who
may not meet all the requirements prior to the end of the year and when I
get back on Monday I will start calling them in. It will keep me busy for
weeks and I like that. I had a parent conference and Denny Bruce called
to say one of our students had bought a gun from a kid from Fairview so I
told Mr. Miller and it was taken care of. At 3, I went over to the high
school and sat for a while listening to 9th graders who want to be
officers in student government next fall. It was very dull. They talked a
while and we were done by 4, so I called Don and he came to get me. Since
I had made turkey hot dish last night, I just had to make a cole slaw and
that was dinner. Jason stayed home all day cause he had a very bad cold
and he is studying for a botany test. After the news tonight, Don and I
walked to the mall and I bought some of those sponge brushes used for
painting. We got a wedding invitation for Lisa Menke’s wedding on the
27th of April, so I must buy a wedding present. It will be nice to have a
place to go. We have not been anywhere for so long. Now I must keep my
weight down so I will look thin. Tomorrow will be a very busy day cause
we have to take all the stuff out of the two cabinets. Friday, they put
in the floor in the kitchen. I must remember to get a hair cut this
weekend. I go to the Discovery Shop tomorrow in the morning. I wish it
would warm up. It is still chilly. Got a short letter from Niki today She
didn’t have all that much to say. Well, I guess I had better find another
book to read.
This was a rush, rush day. I was awake in the night but then slept in
till a little after 5, so I popped out of bed and got busy. I took the
sheets off, but too peach I have decided. I hope they fade, and put them
in the wash and then put the ivory colored ones on. I did my exercises
and had my Pero and was on the road at 7:15 to go grocery shopping. Mary
went to Reno with a church group, so I was alone and I love it that way.
I bought $30 worth at Food for Less and about $9 at the Cannery. Stopped
and got wiener buns and then home. Put the load in the wash and then
hurried off to the Discovery Shop. The other lady did not want to be the
cashier so I did it, but when it came time to tally up, we were $4.56
short, so I put in the money. Damn! I brought home a top, a white skirt
kind of big and baggy, and a pair of navy slacks that I will keep. The
black slacks were too big. I had some lunch, folded the clothes and
walked to the dentist. Had the tooth filled. A piece had broken off.
Walked home and by then it was 4. I made imitation crab salad and
strawberry shortcake. Both delicious. Jason feels better today. I checked
on Jado at noon, and then went over and cooked dinner and ate with him.
He said the botany test was hard. Well, the lottery at $160 million was
finally won last night. A bunch of people from Red Bluff had one ticket
that won, so they will all make a lot and there were other people, too,
who won, so it will be spread around. After dinner, we went for a walk
and then I took all the stuff out of the white cabinet and put things in
the back room and then we moved the table into the living room and put
all the things from the buffet on the table. Then I washed down the
inside of both cabinets, vacuumed the floor and even finally washed the
outside of the fan over the stove. Finally I was done with everything so
I took a shower. Don is in bed. Jason is going to stay with Jado till
Mary gets back and now I am going to read for a while.
Well, it is after 10 p.m. and I had better think about bed cause I have
lots to do tomorrow. Finally the linoleum is done n the kitchen and it
looks great. We got up at the usual time. It was chilly yet again. Don
went off at 7 to have breakfast with Jack Napel. At 8:30 the men came
with the linoleum. I put Daisy outside and they went to work. Don got
back so I went for a walk. Ended up at Safeway to get cottage cheese and
some ground beef marked down. Then I worked outside. We decided to prune
the camellias in the back yard. They have looked sick this spring so we
topped them and cut out all the dead branches and they look better. I
just hope they survive such drastic measures. I had packed a lunch early
this morning, so when the time came, we went out on the patio and ate. I
had an appointment at 2 for a hair cut at the Beauty College. Mindy cut
it and it looks fine, but I haven’t tried to pin it up yet. It is pretty
short and there is very little curl left. When I got back, the men were
just finishing. We had to wait two hours for the seal to dry, so I could
put everything back in the white cabinet but we waited till after dinner
to put the dishes back in the buffet. We had a very simple dinner of
leftovers and then Jason and I got the buffet back in front of the
fireplace and I put the dishes back and then we put the table and chairs
back and so at long last, everything is done that we had planned to have
done. The linoleum cost $1,250 so all together we spent quite a bit since
the Formica was about the same amount. Thank goodness, I had my job this
semester. After dinner, we went for a walk and I didn’t have to call
Priss tonight since she was going to a Stanford dinner. No word from
Cathy this week. It is supposed to rain tomorrow. I wonder if it will.
Don had to go to bed before 8 cause of the pain in his arm so I opened up
the sewing machine and took deeper seams in some slacks I have bought at
the Discovery Shop and then I shortened the navy slacks I got there
yesterday, so tomorrow I must iron them along with things I have washed.
I am growing weary of spending every evening alone. If I were really
alone, I would contact someone like Alice or Priss, but this way I am all
by myself night after night. It is strange to say the least. Maybe the
next week will be better. I hope so. I had a kahlúa and ice cream a few
minutes ago. Made Don a milk shake this afternoon - the first of the
season.
Got a letter from Pauline. 8:30 on a Saturday evening. I am remembering a
time when Saturday night meant that we were going somewhere or someone
was coming here. I guess those days are gone for good. I woke up at 5
alone in the bed, so that meant Don was in the TV room sleeping on the
lounge cause he has to lie on his back there and so his arm doesn’t hurt
as much. So I got up and made the bed and then went in to put the drops
in my hair and use the things I breathe into, too. Went to the kitchen
and started breakfast. It was raining at 3 a.m. and was still at it.
Isn’t that wonderful? Before I went to the food market, I cleaned both
bathrooms then went to pick up Mary. Didn’t get anything except kiwis and
lettuce. Took Mary to Safeway and then home. I put things away and then
insisted Don take the car to have the tire fixed and he did and there was
a nail in it and so it was flat. I vacuumed the whole house and dusted
and neated things up. My thumbs really bother me cause they never healed.
And today the left one bled. When the mail came, there was a tax refund
from the state for $1,232. That was certainly fine. And we still get the
one from the federal government. After the house was done, I ironed all
the things I had set aside and the slacks I worked on last night looked
good. We had lunch and Don went to nap and I read for a while and then
dozed off. Daisy woke me up asking to be fed. So then I made graham
cracker sandwiches cause Don wanted something sweet and then I went for a
walk from 3 to 3:30. The rain had stopped and it was nice walking. For
dinner, I made scrambled eggs, ham heated and oatmeal muffins. I made a
full recipe and plan to take the muffins for lunch this week. We will see
how that works. Don watched the news and read, but didn’t like the book I
got, so I shaved my legs and took a shower. Pauline sounded sad and
depressed. I think Phil annoys her much of the time and she was wanting
new clothes but didn’t have the desire to go looking, etc. I can relate
to all that certainly, I will write to her. I must write to Melbourne
tomorrow. I am not all that full of joy myself these days. Don is in bed
and spends most of his time lying down and life is pretty dreary here.
Mike called today. He was in a good mood. He has quit drinking Pepsi!
Today we had sunshine! It was chilly when we got up, but by the time we
got home from church, it was already much warmer. I went for a walk after
I changed my clothes. Then I skinned and partly deboned the chicken
breasts and sautéed them and got them ready for the oven. I went to KMart and Lucky and when I got home, it was time for lunch. Oh yes, I
forgot that I bought the wedding present for the Lisa Menke wedding next
Saturday. I got place mats, napkins and candles. It came to a little over
$18, but things were on sale. I wrapped everything and so we will take it
with us when we go. I had lunch and then I sunbathed. It was just
beautiful for it. Not too hot and not too chilly, so I wore a swimsuit. I
made a big fruit salad, rice and I cooked artichokes. In mid afternoon,
Don and I went for a walk and when we got back, I wrote to Australia. It
was rather a dull letter, but then we had cut out the picture in the E-R
about grandparent’s day, so Don added to my letter and pointed out where
we were in the picture. We had a drink before dinner and then I ate too
much cause everything tasted so good. Afterwards, I did some pruning of
the bushes in the front yard while Don watched the news. I am getting
very sleepy even though it is early. Linda called and they were painting
the house inside. I would certainly like to see that place. I am
rereading for about the 5th time Family Affairs by Catherine Caskin. I
asked Don to check at B. Daltons tomorrow cause I would like to buy the
paperback for Jenny, and Linda could take it over. When I came back in
the house, I read and Don then got a headache and his hand hurt so he
went to bed very early tonight. Priss called. She and Alice had gone to
Walnut Creek. She had bought a blue jacket, three blouses and a white
skirt. Well, I know if I go to bed now, I will get up in the night, but I
am too sleepy to make it any later.
Today was a busy day at school. But first it was the usual here at home.
I had thought of wearing one of these outfits, but ended up wearing my
black knit skirt and top and black and white scarf. I took a rose to Pat
Heskett and to Jan Coffman I made up a little multi-choice question that
told about all her good qualities and I marked “all of the above.” She
was pleased. I had made a mistake on one of the room numbers for the
senior high counselors and that caused some confusion but I got it worked
out. But I spent the morning going back and forth. Then I finished up
going through the report cards and made a list of those I wanted to see
about D’s and F’s. I made up more slips for tomorrow and I hope to see a
lot of students. Had a parent conference and then after school, I took
BJ’s duty near the bank across the street and finally it was 3:15 and Don
picked me up. He had gone to Dr. Lobosky and he said that the infection
had caused swelling inside and the pressure of that caused the pain and
he gave him some pills that should help. He started taking them right
away but it will be a while before he gets some relief. When I got home
and changed my clothes, I took out the leftover spaghetti, the rice I
mixed with the leftover chicken chopped up, the turkey hot dish - it all
quickly went into the oven. And then I made a green salad and heated
French bread and we finished all of them and it was a very good dinner.
Then there was the news and I must admit I dozed through some of it and
then Don and I went for a walk. I had walked to the end of North Avenue
at 4 and so with the one tonight and with a very good exercise routine
this morning, I feel I have done my part today. Jason is writing a paper
for his music class and going through all kinds of agony over it cause he
really doesn’t have any sources so he is just sort of making it up as he
goes along. But he writes so well he will probably get by. Now I am going
to do my nails and then I will read. I would like to stay up till 10 to
see Northern Exposure, but I may not make it.
Well, I have dozed off about five times so I had better write this as
soon as possible and go to bed. It is chilly tonight and rain is
predicted so I sit here in my winter housecoat and shawl on the 23rd of
April! It would seem more realistic in January. How I hate the cold! Each
year I hate it more. A very busy day at school, so the time went fast. I
am calling in students who got 2 F’s at the quarter and then students are
coming in to talk about next year’s schedule in the 10th grade. I should
have gone to listen to the counselors talk about high school yesterday,
but didn’t. I came home and made a new pork chop recipe that called for a
jar of baby food plums with tapioca. I found it wasn’t all that great,
but ok. Then I baked potatoes, made a delicious apple crisp and cottage
cheese and pear salad. It was a good meal and a pretty one. Oh yes, and
the men had canned peas. We had just finished when Cathy arrived with MJ
and Rose. MJ had been bitten by some insect, and her arm was swollen and
Cathy was concerned, but it got better almost at once. It was good to see
them cause I had not heard from Cathy for over a week. They loved the new
floor in the kitchen and Cathy still promises to do the painting. We will
see. One more day at school and then four days off. Each week, it seems
harder to go back although I like the people at work and I think they
like me. After Cathy left, Don and I went for a walk and it was really
chilly. Then when I got back I took a shower, whipped through Newsweek.
Everyone is in bed, but me and I must go right now before I fall asleep
in my chair.
Well, this was a strange day. I got up and had the bed made before Don
and Daisy got up. I decided to eat a breakfast this morning, so I had a
glass of orange juice and then a bowl of Raisin Bran after I had my
exercise routine. Got out my black watch plaid skirt and navy top to wear
to school cause it was cold and cloudy. When I got to school, BJ had the
presents for all the secretaries from Body and Bath, and we had to pay
only $5.90 instead of $7.50 and then some students dressed as clowns sang
a song to them and gave them corsages and then someone brought a huge
fruit plate and muffins and juices and we all got in on that, so it was a
big noisy success and everyone was kind of noisy and crazy all day. I was
busy and the time went fast. Then after lunch, I called Don. He said he
had been to Dr. Hediger cause all the buzzing in his ears and he said it
might be nothing, but it might be a brain tumor and so on Monday, he is
going to have an exam for that. Boy, was that a blow to the solar plexus.
Well, I just refuse to believe anything like that could be so I won’t
think about it. He picked me up at 3:15 and I can imagine the kind of day
he had by himself and thinking of that. Jason was going to Baba’s, but
then he decided to make it tomorrow night so the men had hot dogs and
chili with a fresh fruit and veggie plate and I just had the chili and
veggies, but I did have some pound cake and ice cream and chocolate
sauce. Can’t resist dessert. Slept through most of the news and then we
went for a walk. Then Don watched Die Hard and I put the turkey deal for
Daisy in containers, emptied the dishwasher, neated up the fridge and
counters, got into my night things and started a load of clothes. Then
Don made me a Manhattan.
Today I did not have to go to work, but I had to pick up Mary at 7:15 to
go shopping. But tomorrow is the one day of the week where I don’t have
to go anywhere early in the morning. I look forward to that. We shopped
at Food for Less and the Cannery where I found out when I got home that I
had been short-changed, but I decided not to do anything about it. It
wasn’t all that much. Then Don ran his errands and then I ran mine when
he got back. Went downtown to get a special kind of hair curler, then to
S & S for grapefruit and broccoli, then to Lucky for bananas and to get
my Rx filled and then home. When I got back, Don was eating lunch, so I
ate and then walked back to K-Mart to return the curlers Don had bought
that were wrong. Then back to Lucky to find that the company making the
Rx I needed had stopped making the product so Dr. Hagewood will have to
be called. It was raining lightly both ways when I walked, but I had on
the yellow slicker jacket, so I didn’t mind and it warmed up with the
rain. For dinner, made bacon and tomato sandwiches. I had made a macaroni
salad and I had gotten strawberries today so we had shortcake. Jason was
driving to Sacramento with a friend to go to a concert. He was taking the
friend’s car. So then we called Linda and we told her about Don and the
brain exam [?] on Monday and there was a long pause, and then Linda said
she was having one on Wednesday. She had gone to this specialist on sleep
problems and he was a neurologist and when he tested her, her whole right
side reacted much more violently than the left side, like the knee jerk,
etc. So he thinks she may have a brain lesion and what do you think about
that? Two people in the same family having the same test in the same
week. Spooky! So we had a long talk. Then Don and I went for a walk and
came back to read till 9, when he went to bed cause his arm was hurting
so much. When will that get well, I wonder. So now I am going back to
Family Affairs that I have read many times, but still like to read again.
I was awake at about 4, but didn’t get up until after 5 since Don and
Daisy slept on. It was a little on the cool side but clear, thank
goodness. Don went off to breakfast with Carl. I got out the vacuum and
did the kitchen cause Daisy’s black hair really shows up on that white
floor. Then I decided to go for a walk, so I left Don a note and set out.
It felt so good to walk without being all bundled up in a jacket. I just
had on a turtleneck and a sweatshirt and slacks but I wasn’t cold and I
can walk so briskly in the mornings. When I got back, Don was back and so
I vacuumed the living room and then Daisy and I went outside and I
cleaned up the poop and then raked and neated up the borders. Made
cuttings of the mums and hope they will root since I didn’t have very
many. Then we had lunch and I shampooed and set my hair. Read a bit. Made
grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and set them aside to cook at dinner.
Cathy came and we enjoyed her visit. She is concerned about Linda and
Don, as I am, but she is funny and casual and puts on a good act. One of
the lambs died and she told us all about that. After she left, I went for
another walk, just to the end of North Avenue and then we ate. Jason was
eating at Baba’s so we had a simple dinner, but I made brownies knowing
Linda would like them when she came. Then after the news, Don and I went
walking again, so that was the third time for me. Then I called Priss and
listened to her talk about Joe Hunt cutting down her jasmine. She was
very upset. Don then watched a movie and I read my book. Linda and Craig
will be coming late, but I hope to stay up to see them before going to
bed.
We had trouble getting up this morning, but that was not surprising since
Lin and Craig didn’t get here till 11:45 and I had stayed up reading all
that time and then we visited before going to bed. I read the paper and
then got dressed and went to the food market with Mary. I will be glad
when there is more offered at the market. I got lettuce and radishes but
there really wasn’t that much there. When I got home, I made the
chocolate chess pie. I had done the crust yesterday, so it was a snap. I
had marinated the game hens last night, too. I did my nails and pinned up
my hair and at 1:30, I took a shower. To begin with, I put on my skort
from Australia with the black top, but somehow I didn’t like that. I
ended up wearing the coral and white print dress with the bone colored
shoes and hose. Don looked great in his silk sport coat in the black and
white woven fabric with his new black slacks. We got to the wedding at 15
to 1 and there were a lot of people and everyone had to stand up. But at
the end, I was able to see the bride and groom from where we were. It was
nice. The sister sang a love song. But Lisa is real loud and she laughed
a lot during the ceremony. The lawn and pool were beautiful and everyone
went outside after the ceremony. We stayed till 2 and then came home. I
changed my clothes and then went for a walk. When I got back, I cooked
the broccoli, did the salad greens and sliced the French bread to heat.
Before dinner, we called Australia and Lin and Don told her about their
tests this next week. We had mixed feelings about telling her, but Lin
felt we should. When they come this next winter, they will stay a month.
She wants most of the time to be in January. Craig had dinner with us
tonight, and everyone cleaned their plates. Then Lin and I went for a
walk, and then Don and I went for a walk, so I got in three today and I
am terribly sleepy tonight.
Today it really seemed like spring. It was cool when we got up, but by
the time we got back from church, it was really pleasant. I changed my
clothes and went for a walk. I decided to do something different, so I
walked to PV and back. I got involved with the Mormans cause they were
all going to the church that is on the way. It was amazing how many there
were and they were all dressed up. Not as casual as the Catholics! When I
got back, Lin and Don went out to prune and she decided we should cut the
camellia bushes on the east side of the house way down and when Linda
decides to prune she does! They were looking so sick that I think this
was a good idea. We tied them up and put the cuttings out for the
garbage. Craig and Jason tried to dig a hole for the cherry laurel, but
they hit cement cause of the fireplace, so Lin pruned it way back and
they took it to Tahoe. I doubt if it will live, but at least I don’t need
to worry about it. We had lunch. Cathy came with her girls and they said
goodbyes to Lin and then they left and Lin and Craig left and it was
decided that they would go to Humboldt St. on the 17th of May. After they
left, I puttered around. I potted some cuttings, I washed our bedroom
windows inside and outside (and that was hard). We went out to Cathy’s
and saw the little goat, Lucy, and the sheep and the goose and the
bantams and the cats and then we came back. I made a simple diner of hash
browns, link sausages, eggs, a fruit salad and that spinach dip on bread
with pie if they wanted it. I had the salad, spinach dip and the leftover
½ of the game hen. We watched the news and then Don and I walked. He is
very worried about tomorrow and I can understand why. I called Priss,
took a shower, did my nails and now I am going to bed.
Well, it is 10 to 10 p.m. and the day is just about over. Up at 5, the
usual routine. I was going to wear the navy slacks I got at the Discovery
Shop, but they were too long and baggy, so instead I put on a pair of
beige jeans and a navy top. Busy all day at school, thank goodness. I
asked Jeff if I could leave at 2 to pick up Don and he said “you will
have to think of a better excuse than that to leave early.” He is always
so funny, and I like him very much. Anyway, I left at 2 and walked to the
place on the Esplanade. It took 20 minutes but it was a lovely afternoon
and the houses were interesting, and I had never seen them that close
before. Always I have been driving in a car instead. I didn’t have to
wait very long and then Don was done. He was not groggy or anything. I
drove home and I got busy and made macaroni and cheese, a green salad. We
had some French bread left and I had cooked the green beans on Saturday
and there was the last of the chocolate chess pie. Don wanted a drink
before dinner, so we had one and after dinner, we sat on the patio and it
is good to be outside and now we have the table and the umbrella. We
talked about the trees and kept wondering if they will make it. Then Don
went in to watch the news and for some reason, I looked at that ugly
stump that is next to the house behind the camellias and I got a shovel
and I started to dig underneath it and all of a sudden, it just popped
out of the ground and I got the wheel borrow and got it all out of there
and now we have to get dirt from various places and level it off and get
some new cement blocks and it will look much better. Then Don and I went
for a walk and then I called Priss and then I shampooed and set my hair.
Linda called. Mike called and Ed Mizel called. But the trouble is that we
won’t know anything about the test until tomorrow at the earliest or
Thursday at the latest. Don didn’t find the test as terrible as he had
imagined. They gave him a shot before and stopped in the middle and gave
him another one. Now we can just hope and pray that he is ok.
It is after 8 p.m. I have had a shower and am in my gown and housecoat. I
look out on a very dark, cloudy sky. Will it rain? Hard to tell, but it
looks ugly. I am very weary tonight. Not that I did so much today, but I
could go to bed right now. Maybe I will get a second wind later on. This
morning I wore my black long sleeved t-shirt and a black skirt with lots
of bright flowers on it. Black shoes and barely black hose. Felt that I
looked good. I saw students all day, so I felt I earned my money today
and just to believe it I got my monthly check net pay $1,600+. This time
they took out for CUTA dues - over $60 and they will do that for the next
two months, too. I told Don to take $1,000 out for the kitchen linoleum
and $140 out for the knives I ordered yesterday from the Pottery Barn. I
decided to give them as Christmas presents to the three girls, Karen and
Mike and maybe Donna, or I will save a set to use as a wedding present.
We will see. You can’t say I didn’t do my Christmas shopping early. There
was a faculty meeting after school about Channel I, so it was after 4
when Don picked me up. He was jittery cause he didn’t know what the word
is on the test he had yesterday, so he didn’t feel like cooking
hamburgers, so I said let’s order a pizza, so I made a green salad and
Jason ordered a large pizza with everything on it for $15.15. I thought
it was very expensive but it was good and certainly easy. Then there was
the news and then we went for a walk. Mike called. Cathy called. Linda
called about three times. She was worried about her father and scared
about her test tomorrow. I will be glad when all this is over and we know
one way or another about the whole thing. Now I am going to read for a
while and then to bed. Don is watching an old Eastwood movie.
May 1, 1991 (Wednesday)
It is 8 p.m. Don is watching a crazy movie based on a book by Westlake.
Need I say more? At 3:45 this afternoon, the doctor called back and Don
does not have a brain tumor! What a relief! Cathy came in this morning at
8 and stayed with Don all day and they kept calling tracing it until it
arrived at Dr. Hediger’s and then he called. Mike had called and Linda
had called, so they had to be called back and Don had to call Ed Mizel
and Cathy was going to call Jenny tonight and give her the news. Now we
have to sweat out waiting for Linda’s report. She had a bad time with her
test and had a terrible headache afterwards. Now to turn to the mundane
daily report. I kept busy at school. I bought the Mexican lunch for
$1.60. It wasn’t bad and I ate most of it. One thing I know is that I
wasn’t hungry in mid afternoon. When I got home, I made a meat loaf out
of a pound of ground chicken breast that I got for 69¢. It was ok, but
not great. Well it was an experiment. I fixed mashed potatoes, pear and
cottage cheese salad and I even made a chocolate cake to please Don.
Jason ate at Baba’s. He has a cold or allergies and is cross and
irritable and hard to live with. We watched the news - a terrible storm
in Bangladesh and thousands were killed. Don says it is the poorest
country in the world. After the news we went for a walk and then I called
Priss. Was going to suggest that we have lunch together on Friday, but
she already had luncheon plans. Maybe next week. So now I am going to
read my book. I have watered the plants and I have lots of things to do
this weekend around the house and yard.
May 2, 1991 (Thursday)
I am fighting to stay awake and not doing very well. But then I was awake
before 4 this morning and had a busy and tiring day. When I did get up
this morning, I did my exercising without music across the hall and then
woke Don and Daisy by coming to the kitchen. Today I decided to go for a
morning walk (run) with them, which totally threw Daisy. She didn’t know
what to think or which one to follow. We went around twice and then came
home. After reading the paper and drinking my Pero, I got dressed and
picked up Mary at 7:15 to go to Food for Less and then the Cannery and
last Safeway before taking Mary home. While I put the groceries away, Don
ran his errands and then we went to Lamberts and bought round and square
cement blocks and Don dug around the three camellia bushes and laid them
so they look artistic and strategic since Daisy insists on digging holes.
We had lunch and then I went to Big Five - the shoes I wanted were not
in my size. To the Discovery Shop to return what didn’t fit, pay my bill
and I got a white drape on sale ($10) that I want to put in the music
room. Looked at bookstores for Conrad Richter’s The Town to no avail.
Back home and we went to the library and then I made rolls that turned
out very nicely and I made three huge chef salads with the main part fake
crab. Then the news. Oh yes, somewhere in there I ironed five shirts,
four pairs of slacks, Don’s and mine and miscellany. After dinner, we
talked to Linda and she felt better today. They were going to a race this
weekend and she would not hear from the doctor till next week. Don and I
went for a walk after the news and then I called Priss after I put my
neck brace on cause I was so tired and my neck bothered me. I walked to
the mall this afternoon to put $300 in the bank and bought a birthday
card for Pauline. I will write to her and to Jenny and Niki this weekend.
Don went off to bed early with a headache and I read a little, but didn’t
start a new book. I have a lot to do tomorrow, too. Emptied the
dishwasher and had a sip of Kahlúa and went to bed.
May 3, 1991 (Friday)
Another busy day. I swear that tomorrow I am going to take it easy! Well,
today started late cause I woke up very early, but then I went back to
sleep and I woke up the second time after 6:15 and Don had already had
breakfast. So I got up and exercised and had my Pero and then I got to
work. I cleaned both bathrooms and vacuumed them with the Dust Devil.
Then I washed the kitchen floor after vacuuming the kitchen and living
room but this time with the big vacuum. Then I cut the white drape I
bought yesterday at the Discovery Shop. Then I had to pin and then sew
the two edges. I shampooed and pinned up my hair and I showered. By then
definitely it was 11:30, so I ate lunch. Don was going to Dale’s for his
group. I walked to the mall taking my skort that I bought in Melbourne to
try to find a blouse that would go with it. I checked at Casual Corner,
Mervyn’s, Penney’s and Grenages. I did find a beautiful blouse at G’s but
it was $50 and I felt that was a bit much. Well, maybe I will go back and
try it on. So I came home. Don wasn’t back yet, so I fed Daisy and then I
made tuna for sandwiches and egg salad, cut up carrots and celery and
made dip. Don got back and he thinks he should drop the group cause they
talk of nothing but what is happening at the U and he is out of it and so
he just sits and is not involved. I know how he feels. Jason was eating
at Baba’s. He said he had told me and Don said he had and either I didn’t
hear or I forgot. It worries me when this happens. I hemmed the two
drapes and ironed them and hung them and they look rather nice. Not
great, but worth $10. We had strawberry shortcake after our sandwiches
and after the news we went for a walk. I talked to Priss and said I would
come over tomorrow. I am very tired tonight and my left hand and arm hurt
a great deal. I don’t want to say that I have carpal tunnel syndrome, but
it seems that way.
May 4, 1991 (Saturday)
I hope tomorrow won’t be quite so busy. Well, maybe things won’t be
easier till school is out. I just don’t know. We got up at about the
usual time. After breakfast, I was able to go for a walk before picking
up Mary to go to the food market. I got lettuce, two dozen eggs and green
onions. On the way home, I bought buttermilk bars. Oh, I know I had said
we would not have them any more, but I am weak. When I got home, Don and
I had one. I went over to see Priss and bought a skirt she had bought at
the Discovery Shop and then didn’t like. She gave me some t-shirts and a
sweater. We had a nice visit. When I came home, I sat out in the sun for
a while and then I came in and made bread, made a potato salad, cut up a
honeydew melon, took a shower and shampooed and pinned up my hair and it
turned out beautifully this time. Too bad it can’t look like that when I
am working or going out. Don barbecued hamburgers and so we had a good
dinner. We went for a walk. It is not as much fun to walk in the evening
as it is in the morning. I wrote a long letter to Pauline. I told her
that I would like to have a gorgeous new wardrobe, go to a lot of
parties, have a lot to drink and smoke a lot of cigarettes and have a
marvelous time, but as I realize, those days are gone forever and I have
to face the fact that life is really pretty dull and I can’t see it
getting any better. It would be nice to go somewhere for a day like
driving up to Redding or go a few days to the coast, but we have Daisy
and no one to leave her with so we are stuck in Chico and we go no where
and see no one. Well, we read a lot. I am afraid I am in a bitter mood
tonight. I know tomorrow things will look better.
May 5, 1991 (Sunday)
We woke to a sunny morning, but later in the day, it got hazy and then by
dinnertime, it was cloudy. Strange day since it was supposed to be sunny
all day. Don decided not to go to church, so it was just Mary and me.
When I got back, I changed my clothes and went for a walk. Then I changed
the cement blocks that are under our bedroom window. I think they look
better and I got rid of the small pink ones that were at the end. I tried
a recipe I saw in the Reader’s Digest. It was for oatmeal cookies and
they were very good. In fact, between Don and Jason, there were just a
few left in no time. Had lunch, read a little bit of Dorothy Gilman’s new
book, Mrs. Pollifax and the Whirling Dervish, which is good, but I don’t
like her as well as I used to. In the afternoon, I put a chicken in the
oven with some stuffing in it. Washed salad greens, fixed potatoes for
mashing. Forgot to cook the peas, but will have them tomorrow and I made
a lemon soufflé - one of my favorite desserts. I wrote a letter to Jenny
and Niki. Jason came home all excited about the possibility of living on
the second floor of a house on 4th and Pine with a young man who was in
his class till he moved to Willows during Junior High. It sounded like if
he can do this, he will not go to Humboldt. We agreed it sounded good
cause at this time, I think that is the wise track to take. Bush is still
in the hospital and they have not been able so far to get his heart to
beat quite as it should. They may have to give him an anesthetic tomorrow
morning to get it going right. When I talked to Priss, she is concerned
as we all are that we might end up with Quayle. What a terrible thought.
We went for a walk after dinner. It is much harder to walk at night than
in the morning. Don wants to make love tonight. I just wonder how it will
work this time. Something has come up for at least three nights. I would
rather not do it tonight, but I will. Well, it turned out to be ok. We
had a liqueur and then to bed and it was just fine. We were both very
pleased and then to sleep.
May 6, 1991 (Monday)
Woke a number of times in the night to go to the bathroom. I had pinned
up my hair and so it wasn’t very comfortable, but I managed. I had a hard
time trying to decide what to wear to school. Started out with the skirt
I paid $1.50 for from Priss, but I didn’t like the way it looked on me,
so I finally ended up with the brick colored striped blouse and plain
skirt that color, and it was ok. Not great, but ok. The scales say I
weigh 100 pounds, but I feel heavier. I just don’t know what to think.
Got to school at 7 and on Monday, it takes time to get used to things and
get back into the swing of things. I seemed to have a lot of different
problems today. Kathy Peneaux got beat up by her father. Called her
mother in Nebraska, and she called the sheriff, so now Kathy is in a
foster home but when she gets back to Nebraska, her mother doesn’t want
her so she will go into a foster home there. Two boys I dealt with today
both have only about 25 credits since the 7th grade! What is going to
happen to these people? Don picked me up at 3:15. He had been to Lobosky
and he says his arm will be ok, but it will take time but he can start to
try tennis in a week, and Dr Wooding said he was in great shape. I made a
chicken salad and cooked pea pods and we had lemon soufflé leftover from
last night. Jason ate at Baba’s. We went for a walk and then I called
Priss. Bush is back from the hospital, having to take heart medicine.
Jason is now gung-ho on Santa Cruz and talks of nothing else. Mike called
concerned about Linda, and she won’t know till Wednesday. Linda called
saying that she thinks Jason is wise to have a goal like Santa Cruz.
Well, it goes on and on. I guess Humboldt is out. We shall see. Tomorrow
night we go over to Priss’ to have a drink and then to a Chinese
restaurant. I hope that goes well. Well, I guess I will get ready for
bed. It is 9:30 and by the time I get everything done, it will be about
10.
May 7, 1991 (Tuesday)
We got up a little after 4:30 this morning. Daisy woke us up but I didn’t
mind cause I was awake anyway. I fixed breakfast and then did my
exercises. I can’t understand it. I weigh 100 pounds every morning, but
my stomach sticks out and I feel so fat. I put on my pale blue knit top
and the skirt that Jenny gave me some years ago and that has always been
rather big on me, but today it was really tight. I just have to do
something about it. I got to school at 7 as always and there was a
faculty meeting at 7:30 and there were all those doughnuts and I ate a
huge one. Now why did I do that? It was a dull day at school. Nothing
much happened but that was rather nice cause so often what happens is not
pleasant it all. One more day this week and then I am finished till
Monday. Don picked me up at 3:15 and when I got home, I changed my
clothes and went for a 30 minute walk. Then I changed again and put on
the flowered black skirt and the black t-shirt, sox and shoes and we left
for Priss’ house. We had drinks till 6 and then we went to the Hanging
Gardens – a Chinese restaurant and thank goodness the food was very good.
I had sweet and sour chicken and Priss and Don had the lamb. We had tea
and the meat and the fortune cookie and it was less than $6 each. Very
good. Then we went back to her house to get our car and home. Changed one
more time. We looked at the trees that we were worried about. The ones in
front look so bad we think maybe they will not make it and that means we
will have to have them cut down and that will cost a fortune plus we
won’t have the shade. We keep hoping and we are going to give them one
month. Star Man was on and I started watching it and then decided to take
a shower and get ready for tomorrow. I have a headache. Maybe the food
and the drink before dinner. I am going to really try not to eat so much
tomorrow to see if I can get rid of this pot belly I have.
I woke up determined that I would not eat as much today and I did pretty
well. Some juice and a soda cracker for breakfast, an apple, some cottage
cheese and some crackers for lunch, a fruit salad, a little chili and
fresh bread for dinner. But I am trying to cut down. Wonderful new movie
out about women and eating. They talk about food and how they feel about
it and it is on their minds all the time and I can relate to that. I got
in two walks today. Went right after school when I got home and changed
my clothes and after dinner, we went to the mall and Don bought a whole
lot of shirts, about 5. Very good walking. I am always fascinated how he
just buys all these things at once, but I suppose if I added up what I
buy over the period of time, it would be about the same amount. Linda
called and she does not have a lesion or a tumor, but she has very
strange brain waves and this explains the jittery feeling in her leg,
etc. That seems to come and go without reason. He can treat it with
medicine, but she should decide whether she thinks it is necessary. The
one acts as a sedative and that might be the one to take at night. Then
if she slept better, she might have less of a problem with the other. We
got a wonderful letter from Niki and a lovely Mother’s Day card for me.
How I love that girl. She writes so well already. We watched a program on
channel 9 about aging. They interviewed a number of very old people: a
farmer who got polio in his 30s, a man at 100 who was from Italy and was
a chef, a woman who was a dancer, a woman who writes poetry and married a
man 20 years younger than her, a black nurse who had trouble getting
hired in the 1930s cause she was black, etc. Very good and very
inspiring. So now I have clothes drying and clothes washing. I have
watered the plants today. I had a strange day at school with all kinds of
problems, but it is over and I don’t have to go back till Monday, and I
am going to enjoy life till then.
Today the wind really blew all day and it made things rather unpleasant,
although the sun was out. At 7:15, I picked up Mary and we were off to
shop. But for some reason, things didn’t look very exciting or
interesting. Papayas up at $2.69 each, for example. I got cereal and two
pounds of the new light Velveeta that I had read about in the Chronicle.
At the Cannery, I got the usual and then we went home. Don went to the
Dodge place to look at cars, and came back with one but it was two-door
and he decided to wait. He called Ed Mizel and he turned him over to
Jerry who said not to buy an American car, but get a Nissan or a Honda. I
ironed clothes and had lunch and then I walked over to Alice’s and
visited with her and took her invitation to the retirement dinner that
she and I will be going to on the 22nd. When I got back, blown to pieces
by the wind, Don went to the Datsun place and came back fast with a
white, two-door and then with a dark red four-door. Then he went back to
dicker and ended up getting the red one for $11,000, I think. It has a
stick shift, but air-conditioning, radio and power steering. I walked
over to Longs to get vitamins and then fixed broccoli, made a chocolate
pudding and then the leftover Chinese food for Jason. We watched the
news. Then we got in the car and drove out to the airport where I
practiced cause I wanted to do that before driving in town. It does very
well. Got a nice Mother’s Day card from Jenny with a sweet note. Called
Linda and she seemed in good spirits. She will be coming down the last
part of the month to stay for a few days and that will be nice. Called
and chatted with Priss. Don and I started watching Lady Hawk but he got
tired and went to bed and I wanted to read. Now it is 10 p.m., and I am
tired and must get to bed.
It is 9 p.m. and another night by myself. This time, Don did something to
his shoulder and has been in agony since afternoon and then tonight added
to that, he has a headache. Jason has gone off for the evening, and Daisy
is asleep, so the house is very quiet indeed. I shampooed and set my
hair, took a shower and thought maybe tonight we could make love, but
that is out. I walked this morning to Safeway and on the way I made an
appointment to have a perm on Friday afternoon. I can’t go on pinning up
my hair every night and during the day as well sometimes. I just wish I
could think of a hairstyle that didn’t require a perm every 2 ½ months or
not even that much really. There is a little dog in the neighborhood who
continues to bark a little sharp bark. Someone should let him in the
house. Cathy stopped by and bought me a little cactus. I hate cacti, but
they are hard to kill. Well, I shouldn’t say that. I will take care of
it. Cathy was very funny. She was telling us about the girls writing
letters about the lambs to people they want to bid on them. She liked our
car. They put the radio in it today and so I can listen to my station. I
made a simple dinner tonight: scrambled eggs, potato pancakes, relish
dish and there was some pudding left over for Don, and I had some pound
cake. Then I remembered my candied ginger, so I had some of that. Noticed
on the bottom of the container it said to use by May 31, so I have been
eating it. Not just a piece this time. Re-reading the Summer of the
Spanish Woman and enjoying it as usual. Tomorrow I must clean the
bathrooms. I washed our imitation sheepskin and covers and they turned
out fair and we gave them to Cathy for her car. Talked to Priss tonight
on the phone. My eyes are driving me up the wall. I hope it is the
pollen. It is always at the end of May that they are the itchiest. I left
a note for Jim Burus suggesting that he make some kind of arrangement so
that we could work on the 9th graders who are not going to make it to the
promotion period. It will be interesting to see what he says on Monday
when I get back. Well, I guess I should go back to reading. It is too
early to go to bed just yet.
Well, today I figured I walked 5 ½ miles! How about that sports fans! I
got up and did my exercises while Don was still asleep and then I walked
over to the junior high with Don and Daisy. Came home from there and we
had breakfast and then I cleaned the two bathrooms before getting ready
to go to the food market, but I got scared and didn’t want to drive the
new car, so Don did and we picked up Mary and I got radishes, lettuce and
sugar peas. Mary bought me two pounds of almonds again, and I must do
something about this cause it bothers me to have her giving me things all
the time. When I got home, I walked to the end of North Avenue and back.
Then I dusted everything in the house and then mopped the kitchen floor.
I read a lot of Summer of the Spanish Woman. Went to Longs to buy things
and stopped at the bank to cash Jason’s check. The last one I will get
from him. In the afternoon, I read again and then made a salmon loaf,
read a while, made the salad greens, then I walked to Holiday (3 miles),
there and back, and got some tomatoes. It was cloudy most of the day,
although it had started out clear. For dinner we had the salmon loaf,
corn for the men, green salad and a fruit plate of fresh pineapple, kiwis
and cantaloupe. After we got the kitchen cleaned up, Don and I walked yet
again and I made it 5 ½ miles. We talked to Jenny for a long time and to
Niki briefly. Things seemed to be going well there. Jenny loves her new
sewing machine. Don felt lousy. The pulled muscle in his back that was so
painful yesterday is better, but not well yet. He went to bed at 15 to 9.
It is now going on 10 and I must let the dog out and get ready for bed.
Talked to Priss. Got a card from Mike and it is ghastly full of doggerel
and not like he sends usually. I prefer funny ones. Oh well. Jenny says
they will probably leave on the 21st of December and arrive here on the
21st. Still months and months away.
This was a very quiet Mother’s Day. We went to church and when we got
home, I did a long walk in new territory. To Manzanita, then left to
Floral, down to East Avenue to North and home. It is nice to do a change.
Then I called Priss and drove over so she could see the car and I stayed
to visit. She gave me some good cookies and I got the recipe and will try
it. I thawed three filets and fixed twice baked potatoes, did the sugar
peas and the salad greens. I had made a graham cracker pie last night, so
the dinner was a snap. I decided to make the menu of what I wanted and
the men loved it as much as I did. In the early afternoon, we walked over
the Longs and I bought aspirin and exchanged my hair rinse from Ultra
White Mink to White Mink and then we went to Mervyn’s so I could buy a
mattress pad. When Jason goes, I will put it on the bed in the apartment.
They have gotten expensive. It cost $16. I keep reading Summer of the
Spanish Woman. I may finish it tonight. Linda called to wish me a happy
Mother’s Day. We got to laughing cause I put a pair of coral colored
slacks in with the whites and all of Don’s underwear are pale pink. She
had done the same thing with Craig’s underwear. Well, I will get bleach
this week and I will get them white again. We went for a walk after
dinner and we got to talking about SF and Don was saying how awful it was
and I said people come back from there and they don’t find it so
terrible, and he got mad and said there was no point in talking to me. So
I shut up and we went the rest of the way in silence and all evening the
same way. To hell with him was my feelings. I went into the bedroom and
shaved my legs, showered, pinned up my hair and came out and did my nails
and he listened to a program on TV. Fine. Tomorrow it will be ok again I
am sure, but one doesn’t disagree with Don. He wants to be right. There
was a message from Mike on the machine. He wished me happy Mother’s Day.
Great.
This wasn’t a particularly good day for me. I didn’t wake up till 5:15,
so it meant I had to rush a bit and hurry through my exercises. I put on
a lot of different things before I ended up wearing something I still
didn’t like, but it was getting late. Don and I are talking, but there is
still a strain between us. I had a very busy day at work and that was
good cause the time would not drag by. There is still a lot to do about
the 9th graders and Jim B. has to be a part of that, yet he is never
there at the same time I am. Then since I was cross today anyway, I was
talking to Billy Jean and I said that I was upset that they had never put
my name on the door like they did Pam’s and on the slips the students
filled out, my name did not appear until the first week in May. Oh, she
got very apologetic, and I realized I should have kept my mouth shut.
When will I learn? The problems of the students didn’t help either. Shay
Holbrook wants to walk across the stage so her grandfather will buy her a
new dress – a black one with little straps. About as appropriate as
wearing a bikini. And another little girl who is so self-centered that
she can’t understand why her mother doesn’t divorce her father cause she
doesn’t like him, and if her mother loved her, she would get rid of him.
It was not a good day and that was just a little of what went on. I came
home and changed my clothes, cooked some chicken thighs, made rice, a
fruit plate and a veggie plate and there was pie leftover. Then I made ½
a batch of cookies with Priss’ recipe and they turned out very well. It
rained off and on during the day and I was afraid I would not be able to
walk, but at 7, it was not raining, so I went, but Don felt he had to go
with me. Why, I don’t know, but anyway we didn’t say hardly anything to
each other so it was not a pleasant time. I wish I had a pill I could
take that would make me fall asleep right now. Talked to Priss on the
phone and heard about her day. I felt fat and ugly and don’t know what to
wear tomorrow. I think if the weather improved, that would help a little
bit. Ed Mizel called tonight. Dimitri’s father is due in the US at the
end of May. Poor Ed – how will that go I wonder? I think I will go to bed
early tonight. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
It is going on 10 p.m. I have taken a shower, pinned up my hair, brushed
my teeth and now before I go to bed, I will write in this. This afternoon
when we got home from school, Don told me that he had not had a cigarette
since Sunday morning. That explains his being so short with me and my
being upset. Before when he wasn’t smoking, I knew about it but now when
he always goes down to the study to do it, I am not aware when he isn’t
doing it. I don’t know if he will make it or not. I hope he does make it
but it is very hard for him. I had a very busy day at school. This
morning Don had breakfast with Mary and Nancy. So, I wore my walking
shoes and walked from Lyons to the school. It was foggy which is most
unusual this time of year, but it burned off quickly. Six boys from the
9th grade were caught in the boy’s restroom smoking marijuana, were
arrested and taken to juvenile hall and were suspended for five days. So
they won’t be back till next Thursday. The progress reports came out
today in the mail and there were lots of phone calls and I have
conferences tomorrow. Had a conference this morning with Carol Crawford,
Mrs. Phillips, Ken Miller and me regarding Zach. So the time went quite
fast today, thank goodness. When I got home, I went for a walk and then
since Jason was eating at Baba’s, I made salmon sandwiches, fixed some
soup for Don and we had sliced tomatoes and chips but then I also had two
cookies. Don found a substitute for Pero that is made in Poland and it
tastes great and there are no calories so I am for that. We went for a
walk after dinner. Linda called cause she was feeling really lousy and
she was lonesome. Mike called to wish me a happy Mother’s Day cause he
had called on Sunday but we were out walking. My stomach sticks out so I
must eat less and I am going to try to do that tomorrow. Now I am going
to bed.
It was like a spring day and I wore my summery cotton chartreuse outfit,
but this time with a white mock turtleneck top, cream colored nylons and
white shoes it made an entirely different outfit. Had parent conferences
– one good and one bad but that is about par for the course. Time keeps
going on and no word from Jim about getting together and solving the
promotional list. Many people did not pass the math competency so what is
going to happen about that? Rick Wallace implied today that they might
just ignore it! I am not sure I would go for that. Don picked me up at
the usual 3:15 time. I quick changed my clothes and got busy in the
kitchen. I had cut what was left of Gail’s Christmas ham in two and put
it in the oven, made new potatoes with cheese sauce, fixed a pear cottage
cheese salad and fixed stewed tomatoes. I will be very glad when it is
June 5th and I am done. I feel pushed about getting dinner. After dinner,
we watched the news and then made our walk going to the Big 5. Since that
is down on Mangrove, it was quite a walk. Don got new dark glasses for
$20 and they were marked $60 and I got a pair of canvas walking shoes for
summer. When we got back, I talked to Priss for a long time and then I
showered and put on my nightgown and then I had some brandy and Don had
sherry and then we did our thing and it worked out quite well really. We
sort of do it separately but together if that makes any sense and it
probably doesn’t to anyone but us. So now getting back to the job, I have
9 days left but two more checks; that is nice, right?
Woke up to a fairly mild morning. Did my exercises and managed to get in
a walk before I went to get Mary. Now the car seems just fine and I
wasn’t all that nervous about driving. It was one of those days when I
bought a lot of things but much of it was inedible: charcoal, Clorox,
coke (I don’t drink it), soap, etc. but I stayed within my budget and I
had some good coupons. We did the Cannery and Safeway and then I took
Mary home. Don and Jason helped me get things in the house and I put
everything away. Before I knew it, it was time to have lunch and then I
did another walk before going to the Beauty College to get my perm. Mindy
did it and I was there from 12 – 1:50 and that wasn’t bad at all. $22.50
and a $2 tip, so it was still under $25. When I got home, we went to
Holiday and S & S. Don still isn’t smoking, but he is so jittery, he
finally bought a carton of cigarettes just in case and he may not make
it. I keep trying to think of things for him to do to take his mind off
it. I made a crab salad, cooked asparagus and had French bread for
dinner. Got a letter from Pauline and she asked what I thought about her
coming out in early August. I must write at once to say yes to coming. I
just hope it works out ok. This time we will have to do more than we have
in the past when she comes. Maybe we could go to Tahoe or to Sacramento
or to Redding? We will come up with something. Well, we had dinner and we
watched the news. Queen Elizabeth is visiting and she spoke before
Congress today. Then Don and I went for a walk and it was so cold and
windy today it was miserable. When we got back, I made hot dish to take
to the history potluck tomorrow night to honor Mary Bock who is retiring.
Then I called Priss and then I read. Now it is going on 10 and I am going
to bed!
We are back from the history potluck that took place at Judy Rafferty’s.
Don has gone to bed and although it is just 9:25, I think I will go as
soon as I finish this. In the night, I heard rain and we woke up this
morning to a dark cloudy sky. The sun came out once in a while, but
mostly it was cloudy with rain now and then. After exercising and my
Pero, I neated up the living room and dusted, changed and washed sheets,
pinned up my hair and then while Don went to breakfast with Carl, I
walked the new route clocked at 2 ½ miles to the 5th Avenue bridge, then
down Floral to East and then home. It rained a little just about the
whole way. When I came back, I folded the sheets and then Jason washed
some clothes so I folded them. Washed my long flowered muumuu cause of
the retirement dinner for Chico school women that is this week. Don went
to lunch at Jackie’s and I read. When I got back, I went for another walk
about 3 p.m. and when I got back, I showered, brushed out my hair and
then went back to reading. I had made a big hot dish yesterday, so all I
had to do was put the cheese on top and put it in the oven. Judy’s house
is in the complex across from the old county library building and it is
behind a fence from the street and the houses are all nice and hers is
just gorgeous and she has beautiful furniture. The food was delicious.
Mary got a big card and $800 in money and a pair of binoculars. Everyone
loves Mary so they were so sincere in saying we hated to see her leave. I
had a good time: talked to Mary, Gloria F., Delores Campbell, Lois
Christensen and a couple from Baltimore whose daughter is in the
department and new this year. Well, let’s see – Cathy stopped by today
and we had a good visit. We are all looking forward to having Linda down
and I think she will be coming this week some time. I am falling asleep,
so best I go to bed.
This was a strange and sad day. When I came back from my early morning
walk, I picked up the E-R and saw a picture of Kevin Campbell on the
front page. Then to my horror, I read that he collapsed on the golf
course in Monterey and died at the hospital shortly after. He was only 42
years old. At 15 to 10, we picked up Priss and went to the Union for the
retirement brunch. Here again, I was upset by the lame, the halt and the
deaf, people with canes, people with hearing aids, people with palsy.
Everyone looking pale and worn and very old. Maybe we looked that way to
other people. We stayed a little way into the presentation for each of
the ones who are retiring this year and then the three of us slipped out.
It was good to get home and get into comfortable clothes. Yes, I had worn
my chartreuse long skirt and top again with black cause it was cold and
rainy. Went for another walk. Went to the library. Wrote to Jenny and
Niki. Heated up the leftover hot dish from last night’s potluck, talked
to Linda on the phone who now has the flu Craig had last week and she was
so upset about Kevin that she could not talk any more and hung up. I
wasn’t all that hungry for dinner and fried an egg and ate the green
salad. Then since I had washed clothes earlier, I did the ironing while
the news was on and got that out of the way. Then Don and I did the third
walk of the day. I am very tired of walking and it doesn’t seem to do any
good. I feel and look fat and my left eye is bothering me. It weeps all
the time and itches and feels like something is in it. I will try to see
Dr. Shaw on Monday. And, I am sad and upset about Kevin and about the
people at the Union who we have known for years and we are all getting
old and frail and I hate seeing us all together. Jason went out for the
evening. Don watched TV in the bedroom and I read for a while and then
made a chocolate mayo pie on the off chance that Linda might come
tomorrow and if not, we will eat it anyway. Anything chocolate will be a
success.
Sunday morning and a pleasant one. It was chilly, but the sun was out and
it stayed out all day long! I walked the mile to the Manzanita and back
before I got ready for church. I wore my calf-length black skirt and
turtleneck and white sweater to church. Don was not as restless in church
this morning, and that made things easier. We went to Hubbard’s to get a
camellia, but they didn’t have one that I liked, so then we came home and
had doughnuts and coffee and then we went to K-Mart and I ended up buying
two canvas to put by the fireplace at the apartment. It wasn’t really
what I wanted, but I felt I should get something in. Don is going to call
Bettencourt tomorrow about the trees. I hope the news is not too bad. We
called Linda and she is not feeling well at all, so she won’t be down
till later in the week. I had made a chocolate mayo pie last night, so
dessert was made. I had the beef roast with potatoes and carrots, a green
salad, rolls and the pie. Wonderful dinner, and I ate too much of it. I
shortened the two skorts I bought at Target about a month ago - the black
one and the deep mauve one. Maybe I will wear one of them to school
tomorrow. Depends on the weather and how much courage I have. I walked
again in the afternoon and then after dinner tonight Don and I walked. I
feel the four days I am off that I should make up for the little I do on
the days I work. But there aren’t too many days left anyway. About 9, I
think. We watched the news before the walk and 60 Minutes after. Harry
Reasoner was doing his last thing tonight and so they went back to the
past and he did the one on Casablanca and it was so good that it brought
tears to my eyes. Jason finished his paper for the history class with
Livingston and it was very good. He was writing a letter to his father
and grandfather about the war in Vietnam and it was to be written in the
60’s. He writes very well. I still have to make my lunch for tomorrow,
but at last I don’t have to pin up my hair. I washed it this morning and
pinned it up and now hopefully I can go to bed at night and not worry
about it – at least for a while.
This was not a good day. I was sick and I am sick so seldom that it
frightens me when I am. I woke up feeling lousy and decided that I should
not have had a drink last night, although it has not bothered me in the
past. I got dressed in my long black skirt, a black turtleneck and black
shoes and hose and went to school. I had the duty in the MP Room and then
in the front hall. I was not too busy, thank goodness, although it would
have been better if I had been cause it would have taken my mind off of
things. When lunchtime came, I had a few pieces of apple and a cracker
and then left the rest. By 1:30, I really felt wretched, so I called
home, but Don was not there so I left a message on the machine. Later I
realized today he went to see Dr. Shaw, so I called there and told them
to ask him when he came out to come to get me. Well, of course, at Dr.
Shaw’s, one has to wait so long that he didn’t get to the school till the
regular time. Well anyway, I got home, got out of my clothes and went
right to bed. Fortunately, David Yakich came today so Jason ate at Baba’s
and Don fixed something for himself. I tried to go to the bathroom with
no success and then suddenly I got up from bed and dashed into the
bathroom and vomited. I can’t even remember the last time this has
happened to me. After that, I was able to sleep and although I woke up
many times in the night, by morning, I felt better. Packy called to tell
me that she was a grandmother. Keith and wife had a baby girl who was 22”
long and weighed 7# 13 oz. She was so thrilled.
Well, today was May as it should be. I decided to stop wearing all this
black and today I put on white slacks, white turtleneck, a wide blue and
white striped top and white shoes, and I felt I looked great and many
people commented on it. I felt much better today. In fact, it was amazing
that I could feel so good. As the day progressed, I didn’t feel quite so
good, but still ok. I was very busy all day so the time went fast, which
is like I like it to go. I took ½ a papaya and some crackers for my lunch
and that was a good choice. When I called Don at 11, he said Lin was
coming down today. When he picked me up after school, we still had no one
but she arrived shortly afterwards. She looks great – tanned and rested.
She got a Demi Moore haircut and it is most becoming. It is always the
same. We just started talking and we never seem to stop. I love that
girl. She brought me a very pretty silver bracelet for Mother’s Day. I
don’t need another bracelet, but it is very fine. For dinner, I made
rice, sugar peas, sliced some of the roast and heated it with juice from
the roast. I made the pear cottage cheese salad. We talked till it got
cooler and then went for a walk. When we got back, she went over to talk
to Jason who had gone with his dad and I read the grocery ads and made a
very sketchy list. Then I took a shower, pinned up my hair, talked to
Priss and now I am going to read the new Newsweek and go to bed early.
Ghandi was killed today while electioneering in India. That family should
stop running for office. His mother was killed not so long ago. My
stomach still feels queasy but I am on the mend.
Now the weather has changed and it is May as it should be. I wore the
white slacks, cerise cotton top and the scarf from Australia with pinks
and other pastel colors. I had a busy day at school and the time went
fast. I keep thinking that one of these days, and there are not many
left, all hell will break loose when kids won’t be able to get through
the promotional exercises cause they haven’t passed their competencies or
they have not passed Health or something and we will not have notified
their parents. I just know this will happen, but I don’t know how to
avoid it. The letter came today saying that Chico Jr. had gotten a sixyear accreditation, which is the most you can get. So everyone was very
pleased. I dashed into the house when I got here after walking around the
yard and seeing that there were not many eucalyptus trees living. I
wanted to cry and I still want to cry that they are actually gone and we
will never plant any more. I fast made brownies, then I got out the meat
grinder and finished the ham and made ham salad. Then I ground up the
rest of the beef roast and made that into a sandwich spread, cooked corn,
marinated leftover peas and asparagus. Then I got dressed in my beautiful
muumuu that I bought back in Hawaii in ’72 when Don was teaching at the
University in Honolulu. I thought I looked very nice. Alice picked me up
at 6:30. I bought her a drink and we sat at a table with Noreen Ross,
Helen (?) Downing, Carrie, Alice, Kathy Theile. The food was really ok,
although I didn’t eat much and the speeches didn’t last too long. Still I
was glad to have it over. I am not much good at those things. I would
have been more comfortable sitting with the Chico Jr. High people, but
since technically I was retired, I stayed with my people’s group. Now I
am home and getting ready for bed. I think I am rather upset cause I feel
I look very old tonight and I don’t want to look that old and yet I can’t
do otherwise.
A very busy day. We got up at 5 but today it was warm already and there
was no need for sweats and sweaters. I went for a walk before going to
get groceries. Mary had called last night to say she was not going today,
so that was rather pleasant to go alone. I didn’t buy much at Food for
Less and more at the Canary. Then home. The man had come to dig out the
stumps of the trees cut down yesterday but the fan belt broke, so he left
and will be back on Monday, we hope. At 15 to 10, Don took me to the
Discovery Shop and I worked with Mrs. Howlett. I brought a lot of stuff
home, but am taking most of it back. Linda got the red sweater with the
white trim, cashmere. She was so pleased with it, I couldn’t say no. I
got a short nightgown and everything else went back. Since I work again
tomorrow, I can return it all. I had some lunch when I got back and then
I washed the windows and screens on the front of the house so Don could
lower the blinds. I was going to wait till tomorrow, but after dinner I
washed the insides too so I am done with that. Don vacuumed today so
tomorrow morning, I will dust and straighten. Friday is the one day that
I don’t have to go somewhere in the morning, so that will be nice. I made
a good dinner. Fixed a big fake crab salad, made broccoli au gratin, hot
French bread and the dessert brownies with ice cream and chocolate sauce
again. Cathy called and all three lambs got blue ribbons so they will all
go to auction. I bet she is relieved. It is a long way from over but at
least that part is over. I called Priss and she was in a sad mood and
depressed. Since Don had been dealing with Mary Wyle of the day cause she
is having so much trouble with Fred (her former husband), we discussed
their problems for a while and then Lin and I went for a walk. It is
always such fun to walk with her and the time and distance flies by. When
we got back, I showered and tried on clothes and I look fat and dumpy in
everything. My stomach sticks out no matter what and I am so discouraged.
When I was sick Monday and Tuesday, I flattened out, but now I am right
back where I don’t want to be. I look scrawny at the top and fat from the
waist down. Called my sister and told her to come later in August since
the woman from Australia changed plans and will be coming at the end of
July instead of in June.
It must be about 10:30 p.m. I have come back to the living room to write
in this having made love and it went very well indeed for both of us and
Don, who has gone back on cigarettes, had one in the study while we
chatted. He has gone into the bedroom for the night, but I am out here.
Cause it is now really late spring and going on summer, we decided Daisy
did not need to lie on the lounge, so we have put books and magazines
down on all chairs and lounges. So far she doesn’t seem to mind. What a
busy day today was! We got up at 5 and after breakfast, I did a little
walk before it got warm. Lovely time to walk right now with the birds
singing and it is still cool. Then when Don went to play tennis, I got
the wheelbarrow and filled it many times with the sawdust chopped by the
man who pulverizes tree stumps. I spread the stuff all around the roses
to keep the weeds down. I also dug up one rose that isn’t any good. I
worry about them this year cause there is mildew on them. Maybe the hot
weather will help. It is very hard work and when done, I was exhausted so
I came in and showered and shampooed and set my hair. Lin left at about
this time to drive back to Tahoe. I laid down to rest, but that really
didn’t work. I got kind of scared cause I was so weary but then I ate a
little and felt better. Then I got ready to go to the Discovery Shop yet
again today. This time, I found some things that I will not have to
return like yesterday. I found a pair of pink slacks, a bit short for a
change, that I can wear with a white top, and a yellow terry top that I
can wear with white slacks. Two things I will be returning. When Don
picked me up, I got busy and made scrambled eggs, a cabbage salad, and I
fried up the potatoes and carrots from Sunday. Then after dinner, Jason,
Don and I finished getting all the chopped wood from the stump sites and
tomorrow we will dig up some dirt to fill in and plant grass. I have
decided to paint the apartment living room and kitchen off white as soon
as Jason leaves. Lots of things to do. Called Priss and she was going out
to dinner, so she must feel better today. Happy about our lovemaking. Now
back to bed, this time to sleep.
It is 9:30 p.m. and I have just left the kitchen where I have been
working the last hour and one-half. I first made the spinach dip, then
homemade mayo, then I mixed up hamburgers for 15, then I let the coffee
drip through while I cut up a pineapple. The day started out with doing
my exercises, having my Pero and a piece of French bread. Then I cleaned
the two bathrooms before going to get Mary to go to the food market. I
didn’t buy much: eggs, some very small turnips and some very small sugar
peas. Stopped at Safeway to get milk, etc., and then took Mary home. I
ran a load of clothes and hung some on the line. Worked a little on
bringing dirt to the tree holes, but then suddenly I was too tired, so I
quit and sunbathed. Ate lunch. Set my hair after my shower and read and
rested and then called Priss and went over for about an hour. Oh yes, I
made bread first. Priss was in one of those moods that no matter what was
said, she was abrasive and argumentative. We had to go see the wild
flowers at the Hunt’s and she complained about them and then to the
Dohlius where again she complained. I was almost glad she couldn’t come
to dinner on Monday although I asked her. Stopped at Holiday then worked
down the bread, then we called Melbourne. I have grown to hate those
calls, but Don wants to do it. Made a simple dinner. Cooked the turnips,
some green beans, made a green salad and grilled cheese sandwiches. While
we watched the news, I ironed the things I had washed this morning. Then
sat down to read for a while and then we went for a walk. MJ called and
her lamb went for $400+. Rosalie’s was $350+ and Julie’s for $278.
Tomorrow Lucy is shown and then things wind down. It was very windy this
morning, but by afternoon, it had calmed down. We had a drink before
dinner on the patio and that was nice. Went to K-Mart and Longs this
morning, too, and got two more chairs at K-Mart and will wait till the
car covers are on sale. I hate my perm this time. I don’t know what is
wrong, but it doesn’t curl right. I look terrible these days and don’t
know how to make it better. Enough already.
We woke up at 5:30 to a very chilly morning. In fact, I put on a
sweatshirt, did my exercises, had my Pero and then got dressed. Don
decided to stay home this morning. I put on white slacks and top and that
peach linen jacket I bought for $4 at Penney’s years ago and wore to
Seattle and never again. Don thought I looked wonderful. Came home and
changed my clothes. Don had gotten dirt and filled the holes where the
stumps had been. Now I will plant seeds. I went for a long walk crossing
the creek and coming up the other side. When I got back, I went over to
the mall to look at rugs at Mervyn’s, but didn’t buy but I got paint
sample colors at Wards for the apartment. Will do the living room and
kitchen over in an off white. Then I made two graham cracker pies. Had
lunch and then sat outside just getting my legs tanned while I read and
dozed. Got dressed to go out to dinner late in the afternoon. We took
Jason to Happy Gardens on Cohasset for Chinese food, but first Cathy and
the girls stopped by to tell us about Lucy, the pigmy goat who clowned
around but got first place cause she was the only one. They left at 5:30
and then we went to eat. It was not great, but ok. Jason ate a hot pepper
and it burned for about 10 minutes. When we got back, we changed clothes
and then I called Priss. She was in a better mood than yesterday but not
great. It is hard to talk to her when she is like that. I feel sorry for
her up to a point and then I tend to lose patience but try not to let on.
Anyway, after I was done, we went for a walk and it was most pleasant
cause it was cool and breezy. Tomorrow should be easy cause I just have
to make a potato salad and fix baked beans. I will wash some clothes and
get them ironed and put the dinner together late in the afternoon. Hope
to sunbathe some and shampoo my hair. I wrote to the kids in Melbourne
this evening. So now I am going to bed.
This was a very busy day and now tonight I am tired indeed. We got up at
about 5:30 and I went with Don and Daisy to the junior high. Daisy really
gets a workout running back and forth between us. Got home and had my
Pero. Don went off to play tennis and I went for a walk. Lovely morning
and very nice for walking. When I got back, I fixed the baked beans and
made the potato salad. Then I went out to the shed and took everything
out and swept out all the cobwebs and mess. Brought a fan inside. There
was one more green block so I put it in the closet as part of my pantry.
I reorganized everything and Jason was able to put some of his things in.
The lawn is looking dried and burned, so we ran the sprinkler from the
hose on it. I did a load of clothes and when dry, I ironed. I found a
pair of white slacks that were still too long, so I turned the hems up.
They look better. I ironed scarves and lined up clothes to wear to school
this week and next I showered and shampooed but I didn’t set my hair
today. I wonder what it will look like in the morning? Well, I can spray
it and hope for the best. Jason spent the day putting things away for the
summer, throwing things away or packing things to take. They are supposed
to leave on Wednesday. TheYorks were due at 5, but kept calling
postponing and finally got here at 6. By then Don had added coals to the
fire a number of times. I had potato salad, baked beans, spinach dip,
sliced tomatoes, onions, pickles, chips, salsa, hot dogs and hamburgers.
David was working, so it was Cathy and the three girls. By the time they
finally arrived, I must admit that I was a bit cranky. They are so casual
about being late. Jason gave the girls a lot of stuff that they were
thrilled with and I think he was glad to get rid of. Still it was nice of
him to do it. Don had some Reeboks too narrow that were to go to David.
There was a pair of blue jeans from Linda to Julie and a blouse I had
bought at the Discovery Shop that both Cathy and Julie can wear and I
sent them home with a 20# turkey that I decided was just too big for me
to cook. The graham cracker pie is always a success so I guess everything
was ok. Now I have set the table for Don’s group tomorrow and this time
they will have a brunch so I will try to finish as much as possible
before I go in the morning and I have set the table. Well, back to school
tomorrow. This week and next and then it will be over.
Don had his group for brunch today, so when I got up this morning, I
fixed the eggs for scrambling, got out the link sausages, fixed the
papaya and since the table was set last night, I could then fix my
breakfast. I had pressed all my white slacks yesterday, plus all the
scarves so this morning I wore white slacks, red shoes, a loose red top
and a red, white and blue scarf and I thought I looked very nice. I had a
busy day at school. Courtney Campbell came in in hysterics and stayed for
a long time till I got her calmed down. It was supposed to get up to 90
today, but it didn’t. They turned on the air conditioning and I was cold
all day. I walked outside but wasn’t all that much warmer there, so I
came back in. Don picked me up and said their brunch had been a great
success. The pink drink was a hit, but I can understand that cause I have
always loved it. When I got home, I got things out of the fridge and
there was potato salad, and a tomato to slice, snap peas that I cooked
and some leftover baked beans and from the freezer, I thawed some chicken
nuggets that I heated and we had with salsa. Not a great meal, but not
too bad. Jason is cleaning up the apartment. There are going to be a lot
of things left, but he has no place to put them till fall, so we will
just have to work around them. We watched the news and then walked to
Longs to pick up the pictures. Some were old and some were bad (of Don
and me and we tore them up), but there were some good ones of Jason and
Linda but then they are young. It is hard to grow old and to accept the
way we look. We both want to still look young. When we got back, I called
Priss and visited with her and now after making my lunch, I should go
shower and then I guess I will read for a while. Jason will be going
tomorrow for Tahoe. It will seem strange to have him gone since he has
been here since August by himself.
Woke up to a cool morning, but the paper said it was going to be warm and
sunny, so I dressed in white slacks and shoes, black top and white jacket
with a black and white narrow tie. Looked great but it kept getting
colder and cloudier so I was not warm all day. What a month this has
been. Thank goodness it is almost over. I was busy today – saw students
and worked on the list of potential no-shows for the promotion exercise.
Called parents about the awards night tomorrow night, those who had not
received a letter. Had a long talk with Mrs. Castro about daughter Ana,
who ran into Bill Larkin and he made an obscene phone call in the night,
and she (the mother) couldn’t decide what to do about it. And, so the day
went. Don picked me up. I quickly changed my clothes, washed salad
greens, put a turkey hot dish in the oven and went for a walk. So we had
dinner, watched the news, called Priss and then Don and I went for a walk
to the end of North Avenue, with a sprinkle now and then. Then at 7:30,
we went to see Thelma and Louise. The reviews were rave and Jason had
seen it and thought it was fantastic. We were not quite as impressed
although I think I liked it better than Don, but I, too, was a little let
down. It was a road movie, a buddy movie, although this time with
females. It spoke out against the way women are treated in our society,
and it was a lot like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. We came home
and talked a lot about it, but we were both tired, so I didn’t stay up
too late. We just both went to bed. Today Jason left for Tahoe. It is
going to seem strange without him. I must admit I prefer our being alone,
but his being here worked out very well. I have no complaints and I love
him dearly.
I certainly worked today and I am weary this evening. I went shopping at
7:15 to Food for Less and the Cannery. I didn’t buy all that much cause I
decided to start using what was on hand. When I got back, the plumber was
here fixing the toilet in the apartment. I changed my clothes and walked
to S & S to get dates but they didn’t have any, so instead I got some
jack cheese. Then I got to work. I took curtains down in the apartment
bedroom and bathroom and washed them. Filled in holes where the rods had
been, washed the windows and the screens, and did part of the floor. Will
finish that tomorrow. Then I reorganized the closets to make more room
and I hope to finish with all this tomorrow. Don wants to start the
painting of the living room and I can’t wait to get rid of that yellow
but I would like to be done with the bedroom first. We will see how long
it takes to do that. I still have to wash the sink, tub, etc. Although
Linda did it while she was here, so it can’t be too bad. I thought a lot
about Thelma and Louise today, so it says something for a movie when you
keep thinking about it the next day. We had a simple dinner, but I loved
it – bacon and liver, corn on the cob, a fruit salad with lots of
different things in it. I love liver, so it was a treat for me. I had
more than enough, so cut up the rest for Daisy since she loves it, too.
Then there was the news and then Don and I walked around the big blocks –
south then north and ended up at All of the Best to get Nuns on the Run.
I am so tired tonight and my neck hurts [from the time] I spent cleaning
in the apartment. I defrosted the fridge over there. I didn’t think it
had been done since Jason moved in. Daisy misses him, I think. She keeps
moving from place to place looking for him. Well, finally it was time to
have that drink that we have always before thinking about making love,
and thank goodness it worked again so we were both satisfied and then it
was time to get our shuteye cause tomorrow we paint.
I slept in a little and Don got up around 5:30. Then after my exercises
and breakfast, I decided to take my walk early. Don was watching the
French Open so he didn’t mind my going. I was in front of the Garst house
when I tripped over a rise in the sidewalk and down I went. My glasses
flew off. I hit my chin, wrenched my shoulder, cut my right hand and left
knee, but I got up and came home and Don helped clean me up and we put a
band-aid on the hand and then I went for my walk. I have a feeling that
tomorrow I will be one stiff lady. I think I bruised a rib, too. How
clumsy can I get. Don got back from tennis and ran errands and then got a
roller at Wards and by 10:30 we were painting. He did all the roller part
and I did edges, the fireplace and the bottom part and the living room
window. Tomorrow I must finish the woodwork and then we can put
everything back together. I have the edge of screens to paint and windows
to wash, so it will be an all-day affair. Fortunately, I had some chili
frozen so I thawed that, made a cabbage salad and strawberry shortcake
and so we had a simple but good dinner. We quit work at about 3:30 and
then we both showered and got dressed and we felt a little better, but I
know Don was in agony and with his right hand hurting so much. We had
vodka tonics before dinner and we sat outside on the patio and that was
most pleasant. We ate and watched the news, and I think we are going to
watch Peter Jennings from now on. Afterwards, we went to Pier 1 that has
opened across from the Chico Mall on 20th Street. They have the kind of
things that Cost Plus had 20 years ago, but better quality and the prices
are higher, too. I ended up not buying anything. I went to Pay N Pak
today and I saw a lamp there I liked so I may buy that for the bedroom.
Well, it is 8:30. Don has gone to bed, and I think I will read for
awhile.
June 1, 1991 (Saturday)
I didn’t have a good night. I woke up a lot trying to get comfortable and
finally came out to the TV room and laid on the lounge and then the time
went faster and it was morning. I started my exercises and managed ok
without too much pain until I came to the sit-ups and the crunches and
then it hurt so much I had to stop. I didn’t let on to Don but I am
concerned about the pain. Now I think maybe it is a pulled muscle instead
of a bruised rib. Well, hopefully things will be better tomorrow. Well,
we finished the apartment and it looks just marvelous. We had all the
woodwork to do, but Don pitched right in, did more than his share so we
were really done by noon. I did all the mopboards, the TV table, the
screens and around the windows and then I cleaned up the mess. The man
came to fix the sprinkler in the back yard, and that cost $59. It seems
as if we are paying out money all the time. The food market moved to 2nd
and Wall to the block square parking lot and it is just great. I got
enough cherries, apricots, parsley and tiny potatoes that I will cook
tomorrow. I have decided to serve chicken and the potatoes, green beans,
tossed salad, and rhubarb pie. Mary went to the market with me. She had
gotten a perm and looked very nice. I told her I thought we would stay
home from church tomorrow and she said fine. I am so tired and I seem to
ache all over, so I will have plenty to do tomorrow here at home. We went
for a walk after dinner, but it was slow going and I had to make an
effort to go at all. It was very warm today so maybe that was part of the
problem. It has been cool for so long it is hard to adjust to the heat.
Now tonight, Don thinks we should paint the TV room. It wouldn’t be all
that hard cause it is mainly just walls plus the doors. We will have to
decide on a color and he wants to go tomorrow to look. Talked to Priss
tonight briefly. Don went to bed before 9 and I am going to read for a
while and then I will go, too.
June 2, 1991 (Sunday)
It is 15 to 9 and I am having trouble keeping my eyes open. Not only did
I work like crazy all day, but I also had two vodka tonics before dinner,
and that is a wicked combination. Mary and I decided yesterday not to go
to church today, so when I work up, I started in right away thinking of
what I was going to do today. Right after my Pero, I got out the stuff
and started washing windows and ended up doing them all, except the bath
and bedroom windows. That meant inside and outside. Then we moved the TV
onto the table now painted white and put Jason’s coffee table in the
bedroom across the hall from us and took that coffee table to the
apartment since it has a dark finish and looks better with what is there.
I got some stain and did it all and it looks great. Then I put all the
little things on the shelves in the kitchen, swept the driveway and the
patio and finally came in. Don wanted to go to the stores so I went to
Lucky and Montgomery Ward where we picked up paint samples cause Don
wants to paint the TV room. He wants to start on it right away. We walked
around together and then I went down to a yard sale on North Avenue but
couldn’t find anything I liked. When we got back from our shopping, I
fixed a light lunch and then I started in on dinner. I scrubbed the baby
potatoes, skinned and deboned six chicken breasts, fixed the green beans
and did the salad greens. Then I showered and shampooed, put on white
slacks and white top and a scarf. We all went to the deal together, but
we didn’t stay long. Our dinner was great. My rhubarb pie was delicious.
Priss was in a good mood and she didn’t argue about anything or make
things difficult. The dinner was delicious – chicken breasts in a good
wine sauce, little tiny new potatoes in olive oil, green salad, French
bread and rhubarb pie. Conversation went well and we visited at the table
till she went home. Then Don and I went for a walk and now it is 9 and I
am falling asleep, so I will say goodnight. Wrote to Jenny and Niki.
Pauline called to say that she would be coming out to Chico direct on the
14th of August. Now to bed.
June 3, 1991 (Monday)
When I got up this morning, I really hurt. I did the first part of my
exercises, but when I laid down and put the weights over my head, I just
couldn’t handle it, so I tried the sit-ups and did 10 of them, but
couldn’t do the crunches so I quit. I took a Naproxen and ate some cereal
cause it says to take them with food and I went to school. I wore white
slacks and a bright yellow terry top with a yellow and orange scarf that
looked great with it. I didn’t feel quite right for the first part of the
morning, but then I started a list to give to Lucille cause she wanted to
know who could and who couldn’t go through the line on Friday. It got so
difficult that I called Jim and he came after lunch and going over it
together we got most of them done and I typed lists to give to the
teachers where students were in [?]. Hopefully tomorrow I can be done
with it. Don picked me up and dinner was a snap cause I heated the
chicken, the little potatoes, the green beans, the pie and put some fruit
and veggies on a plate and that was it. I cooked up some liver for Daisy
so I was busy till it was time to eat. I had run a load of clothes this
morning and did another load before dinner so while the news was on from
5:30 to 6:30, I ironed and got everything done and put away. Then we went
for a walk and it wasn’t too hot by then. It was supposed to get warmer
tomorrow. When I got back, I cooked some salad macaroni, cut up the last
chicken breast and tomorrow it will be easy to make a salad. I like the
idea of cooking enough for at least two meals. I got my check today and I
must cash it and decide how much to save out and do I want to put any in
savings, or spend, spend, spend? Probably I shouldn’t do that. Now that
it is hot, I suppose I could eat less, but I certainly ate plenty
tonight. Bob Theile just arrived and looked at the wood and said he would
come tomorrow or Wednesday night. Don will be glad to be rid of it. I
would like to save it or sell it, but he wants it gone and will give it
free. I can’t argue. Today was two years since the Tienaman Square
Massacre and China is more repressive than ever. It seems to me that the
world gets no better.
June 4, 1991 (Tuesday)
Another day and another dollar. Still couldn’t do my exercises in the
morning. I can do the stand up ones at the beginning of my routine, but
when I lie down and start the one where I put the weights over my head,
the pain is too much. Went to work wearing my pink slacks with white top
and silk scarf. While I was gone all day at school, Don painted the TV
room. That meant taking out all of the box-like things that make up the
book case and TV rack and he sorted all the books putting in one pile the
ones to get rid of and the other the ones we will keep. I called David
and he will be in Thursday morning to check them out and take the boards
and some of the box deals. I plan to keep some of them. Well, today was
Mary Cooper’s birthday and there was the cake, etc. She is a very sweet
lady and I like her a lot. I spent the day seeing the kids who are not
going to be promoted, and that is a very unpleasant job, and in some
cases, I had to call the parents and that was worse and I have to do the
rest tomorrow. I will be glad when tomorrow is over. Then I will work
Thursday morning from 10:30 to the middle of the afternoon and Friday I
will go at the regular time till noon and that should take care of my 55
days. The staff party was tonight and part of me wanted to go, and part
of me didn’t, and so we didn’t go. Instead, I came home and made a
chicken salad out of the last of the chicken from Sunday. Made broccoli
with cheese sauce and hot bread. Don had a drink and I just had some
tonic water. Then we watched the news. Priss called and then I sorted
through the box to be sure I did keep the ones I wanted and then Don took
down the curtain rod and we decided to get another blind, the same color
as in the kitchen and dining room and we will get wooden book cases and
deals for the TV. Don will start checking on that tomorrow. We seem to
spend a lot of money each year on this house. I hated to do it, but I
told Don I thought he should put on a second coat. He wasn’t happy about
it and I don’t blame him, but he said he would do it and then there is
still the woodwork. It is 9:15 and I must do my nails and read a bit
before going to bed. Tomorrow will come to an end and then the last two
days will be ok, I hope.
June 5, 1991 (Wednesday)
I keep waking up at 3:30 or so and then I didn’t really go back to sleep
but doze and then look at the clock. I think once school is over, I will
be more relaxed. I certainly hope so. I did manage to do the one-mile
walk to the end of North Avenue and back before I went to school. Today I
wore my peach linen jacket and I got a lot of compliments. I will be glad
when school is over cause every day someone brings something sweet and I
always eat some of it cause I have no will power. I called parents and
parents called me and some were nice and some were nasty, but now the
list is made and the program is done and anyone who makes a fuss now will
probably not get what they want. I think I handled things pretty well.
Came home and the man was here putting in the two windows on the east
side of the house. I am not sure I would have bothered with them, but
they do look nice. Don did a second coat of paint on the walls and did
the first coat on the woodwork. I canceled my hair cut appointment so we
went to Danny Moser’s wood place and picked out a cabinet for the TV and
two bookcases for either side and I will stain them to look like teak. I
hope I can do a good job. We shall see. For dinner, I fixed Don bacon and
eggs plus the rest of the broccoli and some sliced tomato but I did make
him a vanilla pudding and that pleased him. At 5:30, two boys came with
one of Bob Theila’s big trucks and loaded up the eucalyptus logs and
drove off. I felt bad that we couldn’t sell it or keep it, but couldn’t
make a fuss about it. I ordered a blind for the TV room before I went to
school today. It will be $66. After dinner, I drove to K-Mart and got a
good bargain on veggie powder, then to Longs for bronzing jell and then
to the mall. I wanted a plain white t-shirt but they were all so big. I
ended up with 100% cotton white long sleeved heavy top that had been $22
but was marked down to $5. Still don’t have a white t-shirt like I want.
Maybe next time. Now I am going to read for a bit before going to bed.
June 6, 1991 (Thursday)
Well, we are coming down the home stretch. I still couldn’t exercise, but
I did get a mile in this morning before I picked up Mary and we went
shopping. Was only $21 at Food for Less and got quite a few things at the
Cannery, so I had $40 left when we were done. Took Mary home and then Don
ran errands. David came to pick up the books, the boards, boxes and
chairs. When Don got back, he took me to school. Just before 11, when I
was to go to the music room to sit with the kids who could not be at the
rehearsal, BJ called me into the office of Kenny Miller and everyone was
there and they had a eucalyptus tree with a huge ribbon and a card and
they all sang “She’s a jolly good fellow.” It was very sweet. Then I sat
in room 505 with about 25 kids and we watched Days of Thunder or some
such movie with Tom Cruise. I told Don it was a Black Stallion on Wheels.
When the picnic started, everyone rushed out to the pool where they had
pizza, chips, salsa and cold drinks. It didn’t look good to me, so after
a while, I called Don and he picked me up. I went to Holiday and S & S
and got some things and then came home and changed my clothes and painted
woodwork, the little cabinet were I kept my vases, the screens that had
to be washed, dried and then the edges painted and the door to the back
yard. Finally about 4:30, I was done, so I showered, shampooed and then
made dinner. We had mock crab salad, white corn on the cob, green beans,
bread, and for dessert strawberries, grapes and cherries. Then the news,
then a chat with Priss and then a walk. I cleaned up the TV room but
tomorrow I have to give things a second coat. The unfinished furniture
came and there is a cabinet and then the two bookcases. I am a bit
nervous about doing but I will try to do my best. I am weary tonight and
I will be glad when tomorrow morning is over but I will miss all the good
people. They were fun and so kind to me. I have many things to do here at
home that’s for sure, and I am eager to get things back to normal and
maybe some day I can just be lazy and do nothing.
June 7, 1991 (Friday)
We woke up a little late this morning, but since I can do so little in
the way of exercises, right now I was able to get ready and be at school
at 7. I wore (finally) the skort I bought in Melbourne with white shoes
and my white cotton top. Would you believe parents are still coming in or
calling asking why their child would not get to be promoted! I went to
505 where I sat for all of Mrs. Delgardo’s class while she directed the
choir at the promotional exercise. It is the music room, has tiers and it
is big, so the kids moved around a lot and as the morning progressed they
got noisier and more of a problem. I couldn’t wait for it to be over.
When she got back, I went back to the office and said I was going home,
so I called home and then Jann wanted a picture with me, so someone took
it and I was off. I had some lunch and then changed clothes and got to
work. Put a second coat on the small vase cabinet, the back door, the
windows, the wastebasket, then I stained the two bookcases and the
cabinet that will hold the TV. Very long, tedious job. Then I showered
and put back all the vases into the cabinet, and neated up the room. For
dinner there was enough crab salad left. And I ended up with miniature
pizzas, had cottage cheese and chips, and strawberry shortcake for
dessert. Watched the news, called Priss and then Don and I walked to
Safeway to buy sour cream. Got home and made the spinach dip and will
take most of it to Mary tomorrow. She is not going to the market with me
this time. Then I read the E-R and now I am going to try to read my book,
but I am so, so tired.
Another one of those days where there was so much work and I got so
tired. We got up and I tried to do some exercises, but it still hurts.
Then I went for a walk before going to the food market at 7:30. Mel was
here so Mary went with him and I didn’t have to pick her up. There wasn’t
all that much to buy this time that I needed. I got lettuce and some
nectarines, but that was all. Came home and changed and then took my
board back to Barewood cause I didn’t like the color. It doesn’t look
like teak. Finally we decided to mix with cherry so I came home and tried
just straight cherry over the teak and it was perfect color, so I did it
all and then showered after I had vacuumed the bedroom wing. At 12:30, we
went to the Plaza Beauty College and I took with me a picture of a hairdo
that I liked and they did a marvelous job of matching it and I loved my
hair. Thank goodness. So then I did the fast coat of polyurethane and
that was it for the day. I did a load of clothes and then took a second
shower and washed my hair, but didn’t have to set it. I baked two
potatoes in the toaster oven, fixed salad greens and made a chocolate
cake for Don. I had already made him a milk shake but he loves sweets so
much. So, before dinner, we had drinks on the patio and my spinach dip
and then we had filet steaks, the potatoes, green salads and for dessert
for Don the cake with whipped cream. Then we watched the news mostly
about the big parade and celebration in Washington DC with the troups
back from Desert Storm. Bush is going to wave the flag right into the
campaign in ’92. I had taken a nap in the afternoon, so after dinner, I
felt chipper, so I cleaned the bathrooms, watered the plants and dusted
the living room. We talked to Jenny and Niki this afternoon and tonight,
I talked to Cathy then I had another vodka tonic and at 9:30 we went to
bed and made love. It was not good for Don, but it was for me. We had
talked today about what would happen if one of us died and we decided our
sex life was too complicated to share with another partner in the future
so any relationship would have to be platonic or not at all. No more
about that tonight. I am going to bed cause there is a lot to do again
tomorrow.
It is a very warm night after a hot day. We got up at 5:30 but my aches
and pains would not allow me to exercise, so I gave up. I took Naproxen
and that seemed to help a little. We decided to go to church and I
decided to get dressed up, so I wore my two-piece coral print dress,
cream colored hose and bone pumps. I felt I looked nice. On the way home,
we stopped at Safeway and at Holiday. Then I changed my clothes and got
the three pieces outside and sanded them and then put on the
polyurethane. Now tomorrow I will sand with wax and we will be done. I
showered, shampooed and went to the mall. I bought two t-shirts – navy
and bright green for $13. Good price. At Longs I got rubber gloves and
some tack cloth at Montgomery Ward. When I had finished with the
furniture, I ran a load of clothes and then ironed all the stuff that had
accumulated. I went to Pay N Pak and got the white lace light. Don wrote
to Niki but I will wait till tomorrow to write to them. I fixed bacon and
tomato sandwiches, a big fruit salad and I cooked the corn and cut it off
the cob, but it was not very good. Don had cake for dessert, but I wasn’t
hungry for it. Suddenly I am into yogurt and candied ginger and things
like that. Then Cathy showed up. She liked the color we had painted the
TV room walls and she liked the furniture. We helped Don put the lamp
together. I have it in the living room, but I think I will put it in the
bedroom. Priss called and we set Tuesday evening to see Billy Crystal. We
made lemonade for Don and after 8, we went for a walk and it was not too
hot. I am weary tonight, but not as tired as last night. I have many
tasks tomorrow so best that I go to bed.
One more day this busy and tiring and I will throw in the towel. Got up
at the usual time and I admit that when I did my exercises my muscle, rib
or whatever didn’t hurt as much. Don was not as lucky when he went to Dr.
Lobosky this morning. He said that he couldn’t explain why it still hurt
and maybe in six months it would be better. The infection may have set it
back. Very discouraging. Anyway, I went to the medical lab to have my
blood tests for my physical on the 20th. When I got home they called and
they had forgotten to have me give a urine sample, so I have to go back
tomorrow. When I got back, I sanded and oiled the main piece where the TV
will go and then at 8, I started out for a walk, but Emma was at Bidwell
so I stopped to talk to her and Barbara came and then Kathleen, so I
stayed till 15 to 9 and then started on my walk and by then it was
getting pretty warm. I did the long one cutting through the creek bed so
I was really tired when I got home. I then waxed and polished all the
pieces and we called David to bring the drill and put it all back
together. He didn’t come so finally Don found our drill and he made the
holes and we got the TV on top, the radio in the space below and the VCR
inside the doors. But we couldn’t get it to work, but then David and the
girls arrived and he fixed it and we all had lemonade and they left. I
had a great dinner. I cooked the whole canned ham, had green beans, two
leftover baked potatoes in the shells, cabbage slaw and chocolate sundaes
with chopped cashews for dessert. Then the news in our beautiful new
room, and then to Target where I bought three plants – two for the top of
the book cases and one for the mantel in the apartment. They have such
beautiful plants, and I love getting them there. Then I talked to Priss
and now we are going for a walk. I don’t feel like it, but we should go.
Another hot day, but it was cool this morning when we got up. I did my
exercises and didn’t hurt too much. Had my breakfast and then I got
dressed and went first to the medical lab again to give a urine sample
since they had forgotten to ask for one yesterday. Then I dropped of a
book at the library, went to Stars to see how much it would cost and it
is $30 a month or $349 for two years. I have not decided yet what to do.
Stopped at Pay N Pak to get light bulbs and a small piece of screen to
patch the door Daisy leaped at yesterday when the mail man came. When I
got home, I went for a 40-minute walk and then did things around the
house. I asked Don about what he wanted for Father’s Day dinner and he
said shrimp salad but when I checked the paper tonight, Safeway had
turkeys for 87¢ a pound, so I will have the salad on Friday night when
Lin comes and then the turkey on Saturday. Jann from Chico Jr. called and
they are all going out to lunch on Friday at Cory’s and they invited me.
Don is going to Dale’s then so that will be nice to have us both go. I
laid down after lunch and that was a mistake cause I woke up sticky and
groggy. Made mayo and potato salad, sliced some ham, cooked broccoli and
made a butterscotch pudding. We watched the news and I put on white
slacks, navy t-shirt and scarf. We picked up Priss at 10 after 7 and
drove downtown to the Senator and just sat down and the movie began. It
was City Slickers with Billy Crystal and we all liked it very much.
Dropped Priss off at her house and went to ours. Then Don told me he had
a very bad headache. In fact, he almost decided not to go to the movie.
Poor dear. He does have something wrong all the time it seems. I wrote to
Donna, Pauline and Jenny and Niki this afternoon. Or, did I say that
above? I added on the part about the movie on Wednesday.
We got up this morning at around 5 and it was cooler than yesterday
morning. In fact, it got to 90º and that was much better than yesterday
and there was a breeze. I changed the sheets and washed the peach ones
and hung them out. After breakfast, I went for a walk and then walked
again to Safeway to buy buttermilk and some yogurt. Checked on turkeys
there and they said they had plenty so I will pick one up on Thursday or
Friday. When I got back, I swept the north patio and then Don and I moved
the last bit of wood that we kept from the tree cutting to the south yard
so I could clean up that area. Came in and shampooed my hair and put
conditioner on it and sat in the sun cause the people at Plaza Beauty
College told me my hair was too dry and doing that would help. I sat
there for a little while and then took a shower before fixing lunch. Then
we read till Don took me to the Discovery Shop. It was a rather slow
afternoon and we made only $75, but I got something interesting. I found
a pair of slacks that may fit Lin and a Lanz winter nightgown (50¢) that
may fit her or if she doesn’t want it, I could wear it all an evening. I
think it would be too hot for me to wear to bed. The best was a black
cashmere sweater for 50¢ also that had to be washed but so what. And a
very cute red print dress with a drop waist was for 50¢ that I washed
along with the sweater after dinner. When I got home I made waffles,
sausages for Don and a fruit plate and a cheese and pickle plate. Then we
watched the news and I called Priss. After that, we went for a walk and
it was really quite pleasant. Came home and I have been reading The 7th
Commandment by Lawrence Sanders and I hope to finish it before I go to
bed, but I am getting sleepy. Tomorrow is shopping day. Oh, when I got in
bed, Don and I made love and it went quite well but certainly different
than it used to be. Still as long as we both get some satisfaction, we
should not [?] it is my feeling about it.
We woke at 5. I fixed Don’s breakfast and then I did my exercises. I
didn’t feel exactly great but I did them. Had my usual and read some of
the paper and then I went for a walk. Was back by 7:15 and I asked Don if
he wanted to go shopping with me since Mary wasn’t going, and he wanted
to go so that was fine. We bought about $25 worth at Food for Less and
then on to the Cannery where I got very little but I got the last of the
three new frying pans. The old ones were all so decrepit that I had
decided to buy one a week and now I have three new ones. We put the
groceries away and then Rose called saying they would be in about
lunchtime. I cleaned the bathroom of the apartment, scrubbed the tub and
really cleaned the floor. Then I got out the ham and ground it up and
made spread for sandwiches. Got out fruit, corn chips and little package
of honey bears. They came and had lunch. They were also selling Murphy’s
pizzas for the Durham Dolphins so I bought $9 and when we buy a pizza,
25% goes to the swim team. Don left for Dale’s and the lunch group and I
read and then went out and started to get my legs tanned. The Discovery
Shop called cause there was a dress that they thought I might like, so we
went down and got the framed map of the world that cost $7.50 and I
brought the dress home, but although it fit, it had puffed sleeves and
was far too dressy for me ever to wear. I helped Don put up the map and
it looks great. Fixed dinner. Made the ham spread sandwiches, heated up
the broccoli from Tuesday night and we had huge strawberries with
powdered sugar. Watched the news and then went for a very brief walk. Don
had a terrible headache and when we got back, he went right to bed. I
rolled out a pie crust, did my nails and spent the evening reading. I
have Don in the daytime, but normally in the evening, I might as well be
a widow. All our lives, it is jokes about women having headaches – well,
in my case, it is turned around.
I hope I can find a wristwatch tomorrow. I didn’t realize how much I used
it till it stopped working. We got up at the usual time. I had rolled out
the pie crust last night, so I just had to put it in the oven. It turned
out fine, and then I made the filling. I was ready to put it in the crust
so I unplugged the beater and it caught on the pan and it fell on the
floor. Fortunately, it landed right side up but a little flew out and
what a mess to clean up. Well, I cleaned up the mess and put the rest in
the crust. We will just have a thinner pie. Then I made the dressing for
the turkey that I got at Safeway fresh so I didn’t have to thaw it. Then
I had to get ready to go to lunch at Cory’s to be with the Chico Jr.
staff, who worked a week after school was out. I wore the red dress I had
gotten at Discovery Shop, but I realized that it was too big, so if Cathy
can’t wear it, I will take it back. Well, I decided to wear it anyway
cause it was too late to change into something else. So, I drove downtown
to Cory’s, and there were about 16 of us at two tables. It was ok, but
they gave us so much food and it cost $6.10 and then I left $1 tip. It
lasted about 1½ hours, and then I stopped at S & S on the way home. I
changed my clothes, scrubbed the bedroom and kitchen floors in the
apartment. The blind had come last night just about dinnertime and Don
put it in the bedroom window of the apartment. Now the only one left to
come is the one for the TV room. I fixed the shrimp mock crab salad, the
green beans, thawed the French bread and made the blueberry crisp for
dessert. We had drinks and Lin arrived a little before 6. She is fine.
She loved what we had done to the house, and we had a good dinner. Poor
Don had a headache again. We sat outside and visited and then Lin and I
went for a walk and it was like old times. Don finally took a pill and
went to bed. We, on the other hand, talked for a long time. Then Lin went
to read and I did the same. Now I have finished this and the thought of
bed is wonderful.
A lovely day. It never got too hot and although we turned on fans, we
didn’t turn on the air. I took Mary to Safeway and the food market and
saw some first: cucumbers and green beans, but the best will be when the
tomatoes arrive. When we got back, Linda was up. It is always such a
pleasure having her here. I got out the dressing and the turkey and got
the bird ready and then I made spaghetti sauce since the meat was thawed
and I cooked Daisy’s liver for her daily food. Then I walked to S & S to
get some mushrooms and added them to the spaghetti sauce. Cathy came in
and she and Lin went shopping. I laid out in the sun and I am really
beginning to get tan, thank goodness. I know the sun is supposed to be
bad for us, but my skin is always so much better in the summer in the
sun. The girls bought Don a small Weber barbecue and that was what he
needed, so he was pleased. Then Jenny called wanting to know if I would
like to come to Australia during the month of September to stay with Niki
since Jenny has been asked to go to Hong Kong to teach for a month. In
some ways, I would like to go, but I don’t think I could leave Don for
that long. I could do it, but I think it would be very hard on him. I
told her I would think about it. Back to dinner: the turkey went in the
oven, I fixed mashed potatoes and gravy and cut up the new cukes and
added jicama, onions and tomato with vinegar and oil, same with green
beans and then we had the chocolate mayo pie for dessert. Then the news
and then Lin and I went for a walk and then back to watch movies. First
Green Card that was good about a woman who was interested in plants and
wanted a separate apartment but had to be married and a Frenchman who
wanted a green card to stay in the US. I didn’t like the ending but then
I like happy endings. And then we watched for the 3rd time When Harry Met
Sally with Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan and I loved that one and then to
bed. It was a nice day.
It was 5:30 when we got up. I fixed Pillsbury rolls for Don and Lin, did
my exercises and suggested Don stay home from church since he had a bad
night cause of his war wounds. I picked up Mary and took her. When I got
back, Lin was beginning to pack up to leave for Tahoe. She left about 10.
I walked to Lucky to pick up my thyroid Rx. They were out and I will have
to wait till Monday. I checked out K-Mart, Longs and Mervyn’s for
wristwatches since mine is no longer working and found they are expensive
in deed. I think I will wait a while. When I got back, Don was eating
lunch, so I had some, too, and then I laid outside. It was sunny and
breezy – beautiful for sunbathing. After an hour, I came in and showered.
What a wonderful way to live. Eat, drink, sunbathe, shower, read. The
good life indeed. Dinner was easy cause I just heated leftover potatoes,
gravy, some broccoli and some dressing, and made a green salad. There was
enough pie left for Don, and I had some frozen raspberry yogurt. We
watched Siskel and Ebert and they both panned Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood.
It sounds violent, ugly with a rape scene, etc. Certainly not the Robin
Hood of Errall Flynn. This is one we will not go to. Then the news and I
guess the volcano eruption is pretty much over, but the mess left behind
is terrible. Then we went for a walk and then I watched Midnight Run yet
again. I went in and out. I called Priss and she wants to go to lunch on
Wednesday. I never want to go to lunch, but I will go this time to please
her. She is so abrasive these days that it makes it hard. She said my
life was so structured that she never knew when we could do anything. I
am saying it’s harder and harder to tolerate her, but I guess I must
continue to do so. I am rereading 8 (Eight).
We got up a little late this morning, but Don said he did his run
completely around the junior high, and he hasn’t been doing that much
lately. He went to breakfast with Carl and I went for my walk. It was a
more pleasant morning and the mocking birds were singing their hearts
out. When I got back, I put Daisy on her leash that I tied to a tree and
I trimmed bushes in the front yard. I could work an hour there every day
for two weeks and I would still have things to do. At 15 to 10, I got
dressed and went to Pay N Pak to buy light bulbs, then to the Discovery
Shop to return the clothes I took on approval and paid for the ones I am
keeping for $3.50. I had the red dress that Lin is taking to Jenny, the
Lanz winter nightgown that Lin will wear next winter, the t-shirt that
was for Don, a silk blue and white polka dot scarf and a black cashmere
sweater for myself. Then to Lucky to get salad greens and home. I changed
clothes again and sat outside for an hour to get some tan and then I had
lunch and took a shower. Suddenly, I was so tired that I laid down in the
TV room to read and fell asleep and didn’t wake up till 3. Fixed salad
greens and made salad, got out the spaghetti sauce, cut French bread and
we had a very simple but good dinner, and I sliced two peaches for Don
for a fresh peach sundae and I had frozen raspberry yogurt. Then the
news, then a chat with Priss, and then a walk with Don. He has a headache
now. I think we had both planned on a little lovemaking, but that is
probably out. So I read in the TV room and I checked outside and saw the
interesting formation of planets with the moon that will not occur again
for 21 years. Since I certainly won’t be around at that time, I thought I
had better look now. Went to bed at about 10:30.
We got up at 5, got everything ready for breakfast and then did 20
minutes of exercises before having my Pero and a piece of French bread
plus a small bowl of cereal. Then dressed and went for a long walk.
Covered much the same territory, but took it from a different angle.
Walked the other side of the street, etc., just to vary the routine a
bit. I get too bored walking the same areas day after day. Now if I was
walking on the ocean shore every day, that would be different but that is
not to be. Came home and took all the meat off the turkey, cooked the
bones and added carrots and ramen for Daisy. Then I trimmed bushes in the
front yard. That is a never-ending job. Don was working in the yard, too,
and he cleaned up the two barbecues so that I can take one to the
Discovery Shop next week. I went outside to sunbathe - ½ an hour on my
back and ½ an hour on my stomach. I am determined to get fairly brown so
I won’t have to wear hose. Had lunch and went out again for a while. Then
Don decided to replant the grass cause it is not coming up and I ran
string around the camellia area cause Daisy was digging again. Then I
went in and cleaned up and shampooed and got dressed. I made the turkey
salad. Alice stopped by just long enough to give me some boysen berries
and I made a cobbler that turned out to be delicious. I just
experimented, so I probably would not be able to do it again. So for
dinner, we had the salad, green beans and hot bread and the berry
cobbler. I called Alice and thanked her. We watched the news. I called
Priss and we are going to Mr. Chu’s tomorrow. I wrote to Jenny and Niki.
We went for a walk. It was very breezy. In fact, it was windy and then
Don watched some of The Little Drummer Girl and I made a small batch of
the pink drink and drank quite a lot of it. Made up a grocery list. Then
we went to bed and it was not good for Don, but sort of ok for me. I have
no answers to this problem.
What a strange night. The wind came up and the temperature dropped and it
was really chilly. We got up and closed windows and dressed warm to have
breakfast. Then I went for a walk and it was just plain cold and it was
cloudy as well. I came back and puttered around, running a load of
clothes, reading a little from 8 that I am rereading. Went to S & S and
Holiday to buy some things advertised. Then suddenly it was going on 11,
so I got dressed. I wore white slacks and top and my peach colored linen
jacket. Priss came at 11:30 and we went to Mr. Chu’s that is next to all
the Best Video. The meal was ok, but not great. It cost $5.00 and with
the tip it was $6. I want no part of the luncheon routine. I found the
whole thing real dull but that was probably my fault and not Priss’. When
I got home, I changed my clothes and did a little reading and a little
snoozing. A woman called and asked me to exchange to Friday from Monday
at the Discovery Shop and I said ok. We went to the library and I offered
to work on Wednesday from 1 on. Will start next week. When we got home, I
fixed green salads, got out the spaghetti to heat, and the French bread.
Removed the clothes and hung them out. We had a good dinner and there is
still some left. So tomorrow will be all the leftovers put together.
Tomorrow I go to Dr. Wooding and it will be a year since I quit smoking.
I didn’t watch the news tonight. Louisiana overrode the governor’s veto
on the abortion bill and Peter Jennings was doing a long segment on
children in the US and poverty and suddenly it was too much. Cathy called
and Julie must have braces and they have to put $850 down to start with
and $110 a month. I think we will have to help in some way here.
One year ago I quit smoking. It was really cold this morning. In fact,
Don got up in the night and put a blanket over us! So it was so cozy I
didn’t get up till 5:30 and Don had already fixed his breakfast. I did my
exercises but a shortened version and then had something to eat but not
much. By 7:15, I was ready to pick up Mary and we did our Thursday
morning shopping. Didn’t buy anything very exciting, but just got the
usual things. I was home by 9:30, put the groceries away and then got
into my sunbathing outfit and sat outside. Don fixed the door that opens
into the shed in the south yard, and I put a new board across the bottom
of the fence around the red climber rose in the north yard. I sprayed the
roses again. The mildew is going away, thank goodness. I came in for
lunch and went back out. I had washed clothes earlier and hung them out
so after I showered, shampooed, pinned up my hair, I ironed all the
clothes that needed it. Then I got dressed and by 3 p.m. I was in Dr.
Wooding’s office waiting for my yearly physical. My tests were all fine.
My cholesterol was 214 but the good kind was so good that it was ok even
though it was over 200. Everything else was ok. I questioned the thyroid
Rx that Dr. Heath had changed so she wants me to have one more test, and
I will do that tomorrow. She thinks my arm hurts cause of tendonitis and
I suppose it is that and not carpal tunnel syndrome. Really it was not a
bad visit with a doctor at all. I tend to be prickly with her I admit,
and I will try to be nicer from now on. Got home and told Don what had
transpired. We had a drink and then I fixed all the leftovers. We had
some turkey salad, spaghetti, some chicken cashew from Mr. Chu’s
yesterday and I fixed a cottage cheese pear salad. It all tasted great.
Watched the news. We walked to Lucky to get a Rx and then to Longs and
then home. Don watched a movie Funeral in Berlin and I am rereading 8
(Eight) and enjoying.
Another cool night with more than the sheet needed before morning. We got
up at 5 and I did some exercises but not all. Fixed breakfast and then
Don went off to play tennis and I cleaned the two bathrooms. At 9 we left
the house at the same time. He was driving with Carl Hein to have
breakfast with Carl Peterson in Paradise. I was walking to the Discovery
Shop and I got there at 20 to 10, so I made it in plenty of time, and it
was a pleasant walk. Marie Bowen was working in the back room and I
helped her until time for the shop to open. Mrs. Seawall, who Priss had
so much trouble with last week, was the cashier but we got along fine and
the time went by quickly. We made $183+. I brought some things home but I
think I will keep only one top and take the rest back. So at 1:30, I had
lunch, finishing off the rest of the Chinese food and the rest of the
turkey salad. Then I washed the kitchen floor so when Alice came at 3,
everything looked nice. She loved the new kitchen and we sat and drank
iced tea and got caught up to date. After she left, I made a big fruit
salad and then fixed a hot turkey and gravy sandwich for Don and a cheese
sandwich for me. Then the news – dull – read for a while, called Priss
and then Don and I went for a walk. Very pleasant. Nice breeze and then
the rest of the evening reading. Today on the news they said this was the
first day of summer and there would be 15 hours of daylight here and in
Alaska no night at all. Then they said on the other side of the world in
Australia it was the first day of winter and there would be 9 hours of
daylight and suddenly my two darlings seemed far away indeed. Tonight the
lawn looks beautiful. Bill mowed today and all the watering and
fertilizer has made for a luscious lawn.
Really a rather nice day. We got up at the usual time. I did a few more
exercises than I have been doing lately. Then I got dressed after the
paper and my Pero and got ready for the food market. This year for some
reason I am not as enthusiastic about it. Too many flowers and the fruit
and veggies are much higher or so it seems. I did get cucumbers, some
apricots, eggs and green beans. Took Mary home and when I got home I put
things away and went for the long way across the creek and up to the 5th
Avenue bridge. Sat out in the sun for a while before lunch. Went to get
my Rx for Naproxen for my left arm that bothers me. Ran a load of white
clothes and put in the one white cotton skirt that was too big, but after
being in the dryer it fit ok, but I would have to shorten it. I got that
done before dinner. Somewhere in there I did shower, shave my legs and I
put on my black shorts and top. My tan is beginning to show. For dinner
we had bacon, eggs, toast, and fresh apricots and cantaloupe with cottage
cheese on top. Don wanted a dessert that last a few days, so I made a
chocolate mousse from a new recipe that I changed a bit and it turned out
to be very good indeed. This time, I wrote out what I had done instead of
trying to remember next time. While the news was on, I ironed all the
things I had washed so that is out of the way. Sunan is getting his
comeuppance from his fellow Republicans and hopefully he is on the way
out. The Albanians greeted Baker by the thousands. The air force base in
the Philippines will probably be withdrawn after the volcano eruptions
etc., etc. Then we went for our walk. Oh, I forgot the most important
thing that happened today. The blind came for the TV room and Don put it
up and it looks just wonderful. So now all our renovations are finished.
Now I am going to read the evening away.
I liked today although I don’t have much to show from it except a very
good dinner. We got up and I really worked on my exercises. I had planned
to wear the white skirt I got at the Discovery Shop, but it was just too
chilly, so I wore my turquoise slacks and sweater instead. Don decided
not to go. I also decided I would no longer gripe about the man who plays
the guitar and stutters when he talks, but doesn’t when he sings. If I
stammered it would be such a joy to sing I would want to all the time, so
best that I accept him and quit complaining. When I got home I changed my
clothes, and walked to Longs to take something back that we had decided
we didn’t want. Came home and had lunch and then decided to go to
Mervyn’s to look for a rug for the kitchen. Found a braided one in the
right colors that was 50% off I thought and got it home. Then I got to
thinking that I had not gotten the right amount of change so I went back
again and found that it was only 40% off. Well, that was ok. I like the
rug anyway. Made a meatloaf from a new recipe, fixed potatoes quartered
in the oven. We had our first fresh tomato cucumber salad, green beans
and some chocolate mousse. The dinner was just delicious, especially the
meat loaf. Afterwards, we watched the news and then I called Priss and we
had a good visit. Then we went for another walk. My fourth one and it was
cool and breezy and very pleasant. Then it was reading time. When I did
go to bed, Don was not asleep so we tried to make love with some but not
a lot of success. I guess we will just have to keep on trying.
Well, this day was a little bit different. We got up before 5. I did my
exercises and fixed Don a minimum breakfast and I had my Pero and a
couple of bites of yogurt. Then I got dressed and we drove to the Nut
Tree for breakfast. It was clear when we left Chico but it was cloudy all
the way to Vacaville and so chilly we had the heat on in the car. The
breakfast was ok, but just. Afterwards we looked at prints and chose
three. Then we drove home. We started out at 5 after 6 and got back at 5
after 11. Daisy acted as if we had been gone a month. We had a very light
lunch and then I took a picture frame over to Ben Franklin to see how
much it would cost to put one of the prints in and they said $33! I just
about fainted. I bought the matting for $10 and called David and he will
do it. When I got home, we went over the list of things we were going to
save for tomorrow when Warren and Maureen Olson plus the Heins came for
lunch. Then we drove out to Wood Brothers and got a pad to put under the
rug I had bought yesterday cause it kept slipping. They were very nice
there and they are sending out a man to check on the wrinkles in our rug
in the living room. Back home and I read for a while and then put a
simple meal together for our dinner and then the news. After that, Don
and I did the long walk going across the creek and up to the 5th Avenue
bridge and back. When I got back, I called Priss and talked to her. Then
Lin called saying that Jason was due down here this evening. We had a
good talk. Jenny is going to Hong Kong for two weeks and taking Niki with
her since she has two weeks off in September. So that solves the problem
of our going out in September. I just finished talking to her and was
sweeping the front walk and Jason drove up. He looks just marvelous, so
tanned! And, he seemed happy to see us. He thinks the things we have done
to the house are great. Naturally he was hungry so he ate a lot of things
while we talked. I made oatmeal lace cookies and now it is after 9 and I
will read for a while and then go to bed.
Well, if yesterday was a little bit different than usual, so was today.
Since I had made cookies last night, today was really just putting things
together. First I dusted everything and then when Don got back from
tennis, he vacuumed. I had to do all the flowers. Thank goodness for
daisies and day lilies. Then on one platter I sliced ham, turkey breast
and meatloaf and on the big stainless steel platter, I put all the
different fruits. I deviled a dozen eggs, put out chips, had a veggie
plate with pickles and olives. I put on white slacks and a red top with a
red, white and blue scarf. They got here at about 1. Maureen has gotten
to be just huge! She has had all kinds of troubles and has had knee
problems, etc. Warren seems very subdued and quiet, not at all like his
flamboyant self of the past. And, of course, Lois with all her ailments
is in a bad way, so by comparison, I felt we were very lucky. They stayed
till 3 and it was all very pleasant. Then I walked over to Packy’s and
picked apricots for Cathy who said she would pick them up tomorrow
morning. We read for a while and then it was time to get something to eat
so I just took out some of the leftovers and we ate very simply from
them. The Olson children are certainly different. One is becoming a
Buddhist priest with shaved head and one is still finding himself at 35,
but this summer has stopped drinking as Maureen said and is walking a
600-mile trail with his girlfriend. They will be done in late August.
Marcy, the daughter, is married but not clear what she does. No
grandchildren. After dinner and the news, we walked and then I called
Priss, who was in the depths of despond. Her children, and grandchildren,
in some cases, are going to be in Oregon for the summer and Priss has not
been invited and she feels very badly, but then she criticizes them all
all the time and maybe they don’t feel comfortable with her. She expects
too much of everyone. But, naturally I can’t say that to her. So, after
that I read and then Don got a headache and went to bed and I read till
10 and then I, too, folded my tent and went.
Well, this was a different day again. Don got up at the usual time but
for some reason, I just couldn’t get out of bed at 5, so I stayed till
5:30. Did a few exercises and then had my Pero while I read the paper.
For my walk this morning, I went to Safeway and got cinnamon rolls and
three old fashioned doughnuts and when I got home I got out the fruit
plate left over from yesterday, made coffee, set the table so when Ken
Miller walked over from Bidwell at 9, I was ready. He stayed for an hour
and we all had a good visit. He says Paul Carras is coming back to
Bidwell in the fall. I believe he is disappointed cause he enjoyed being
acting assistant superintendent. After he left, I went out and worked on
the hedge in front of the house cause it has been growing too tall. Mike
called to give us his phone number when they are at the beach for the
month of July. Then we had lunch and then at 12:35 I set out for the
library on foot cause I have gone back to work there once a week. For the
first time back, I got a lot of work in 79 cards to type up! It took the
whole two hours. Since I had checked out only two books, I walked home as
well. By then it was 3:30, so I fixed the broccoli for cooking and did it
and then made the sauce, fixed potatoes for boiling and mashing, sliced
turkey, thawed gravy and made a cottage cheese pear salad. We ate and
then watched the news. Then we walked behind the junior high and I did
prefer walking there cause no streets to cross, no narrow sidewalks and
no car fumes. Then I called Priss and asked to come over and I took some
books back. She was in a better mood tonight, thank goodness, so I stayed
and visited with her. Later Don suggested we have a drink and we had some
of that wonderful bourbon Makers Mark and we visited and then went to bed
and tried without too much success but not total defeat – just about as
usual lately.
What kind of weather is this anyway? It was really chilly this morning
and dark and gloomy – like November, not June. Did my exercises. Had my
Pero and then got dressed and went grocery shopping. Since Mary was going
to Oakland to watch the A’s play, I took my time and looked at lots of
things but I didn’t buy much this time. At least not at Food for Less,
but I got quite a bit at the Cannery. Then on the way home, I stopped at
Lucky and Safeway. Put everything away and then went for a long walk
cutting through the creek bed and walking on the north side. Had lunch
and then read and dozed for a while until Cathy and Julie arrived and
informed me that it was Julie’s birthday! And we had forgotten! After
they left, I fed Daisy and then put dinner together. Made a green salad,
doctored up the mashed potatoes leftover, heated green beans and then
heated the ham. So we had a good dinner. Afterwards we watched the news
and then went for a walk. Don was in agony – the old war wounds acting up
again so we didn’t go far. Tried to call Priss twice but no answer. Don
got a very crazy movie Naked Gun but after a while I got bored. I did a
load of clothes and got everything ironed during the news. I hope
tomorrow the sun shines. I am tired of dark, cold weather. It’s summer
and I want it to be sunny and warm.
I heard it raining in the night and when we got up, it was still raining
a bit. It was so cold and dark. This is June? The end of June! Today I
decided I was going to be careful about eating since last night when I
got on the scale, I was at 105 and it wasn’t much better this morning. So
I started out being careful at breakfast: a small glass of juice, two
small apricots and three light wheat thins. Changed the flowers, neated
things up and then Don went over to Ben Franklin and they still had not
cut the mattings so Don said we would go downtown to the other frame
shop. He had also bought a birthday card for Julie and we decided to
drive out to take it to her. The frame shop is fascinating and the lady
said she would have the picture done by Monday afternoon after 4:30. It
will cost $33+ so I put down $20 and we left to drive to Durham. I must
go back there cause they have wonderful cards and frames of all kinds.
Well, we started out and it began to rain and then it began to pour and
pretty soon we could not see out in spite of the windshield wipers. I
hate the midway and wanted to stop till it let up, but Don went on. He
ran in with the card and I had decided to have Cathy return the paints
cause she is never going to get around to doing the flowers on my
cupboards. When we got home, I didn’t want cottage cheese and fruit, so I
had tomato soup and crackers and it tasted wonderful. It rained off and
on all afternoon. I read. I got my stole out of the drawer and wrapped up
in it just like winter. Dinner was a breeze: sliced meatloaf with
barbecue sauce heated, warmed up the leftover broccoli, made rice and the
cuke-olive, radish, onion salad. We had a drink before dinner and then
ate and everything tasted great. Then the news – earthquake in Pasadena.
Supreme Court Marshall has retired and Bush will put still another
conservative on the bench and these people will continue to influence our
lives for years. It stopped raining at about 6, so we went for a walk
after the news. Then I called Priss. Now I am reading Mary Higgins
Clark’s latest Loves Music, Loves to Dance. I hope it is clear tomorrow
morning for the food market.
Well, this was an interesting day. All kinds of things happened. I picked
up Mary at 7:15 and we were off to the food market. I got me a dozen eggs
and they were green again. I keep thinking of Dr. Seuss and green eggs
and ham. They are supposed to have less cholesterol. I got cukes, green
beans, some little squash and some nectarines. Stopped at Safeway and
then took Mary home. On the way home, I remembered that Noah’s Ark was
having a yard sale behind the church across from PV, so I decided to stop
there before going home. In walking around, I saw pictures and here were
two with metal frames, both of flowers, really nice and they were $5
each. So I got them both. Two footed ice cream dishes, a basket and a
Mexican pottery in pretty colors all for $11. There was also a chair that
the woman said cost $11 that had orange upholstery and was very dirty. I
said I would think about that. Came home and Don thought the pictures
were great and when I told him about the chair, he said let’s go look at
it. This time, the lady said it was $5 so we bought it and went out on
Nord to a place where he said it would cost $50 to have it upholstered,
so we went to Clearwright and they said they would see if the spot would
come off and they ended up cleaning it right before our eyes and charged
us $15 and we took it home. We let it dry and brought it in to use in the
apartment bedroom once Jason takes the desk out. Then in mid afternoon,
Linda called to say that Hal had been in the hospital with pneumonia and
they were coming down to see him and would be here about 5. I quick made
a hot dish, fixed salad greens and made brownies so when they arrived at
about 6, we were ready with a hot dinner. Then we went for a walk and
chatted away as we often do. That is one reason I miss her so. She had
talked to Jenny and they probably will not be going to Hong Kong cause it
would cost $1,500 for Jenny’s fare. Well, Linda will be leaving on
Tuesday and when she comes back, we will have the whole scoop about
everyone. Called Priss and she had had a busy day and she was in a good
mood. Now it is after 10 and I must get to bed. Lin has been doing
laundry and folding clothes as we visit but it is late.
Well, the rain and the cool weather are over. We got up at 5:30 and were
ready to go to church at 10 to 8. Picked up Mary. Church at the moment
means little to me. In fact, I don’t think I would be going if we were
not committed to taking Mary. I miss Father O’Hara but it is more than
that. Maybe if something terrible happens in my life, I will turn back to
religion. It has been that way in the past. When we got home Linda was
up. She was just about finished with Loves Music, Likse to Dance and was
washing clothes. I changed and walked to PV and back as my walk for the
day. It took about 50 minutes. By the time I got back, it was beginning
to get warmer and the sun was out so the cool weather is over. Lin and
Craig left at about 15 to 11. Don and I had lunch and then I laid out in
the sun and read the above book and I finished it. It was good but scary.
It was hot sitting out so when I was done I came in and showered and
shampooed. Then I worked in the kitchen briefly fixing things for making
sandwiches for dinner - cheese, sliced tomatoes, and cucumbers, pickles,
ham, bacon, lettuce and chips. So it was nice to just make sandwiches
with as much or as little as one chose. Then Siskell and Ebert and the
news. I am reading a new PD James Devices and Desires. I called Priss and
she was in her depressed weekend mood. At 7:30, we went for a walk. It
was still rather warm and it is hard to be perky walking in the evening.
Came back and stripped down to a short gown. Had a cold Pero. My ideal
weather would be 80-85º. It was much hotter than that today. On Tuesday,
Linda will be on her way to Melbourne. I hope she has a good time.
July 1, 1991 (Monday)
Neither of us slept very well, and Don ended up in the TV room. I had
dreams that I couldn’t remember when I woke up. I had rather wanted to go
to Stars at 6:30 but didn’t make it, so ended up going at 8. Don went to
play tennis then. I didn’t do too much but it was good to be back and I
have decided to sign up for two years and do that on Wednesday. Well, I
went for a walk before I went and it was just as well since it got hot
early. I did very little. Stopped on the way home from Stars and got a
turkey on sale for 69¢ a pound and some lettuce. Don called the Boyles’
and asked if they would like to come for a drink. I set out lots of
different things and since I had fixed a chicken and rice, I suggested
that they stay for dinner and it was so easy and simple. I had made bread
so we had the chicken, rice, green beans, a fruit plate and there were
brownies left so I put ice cream and chocolate sauce on them and everyone
had everything. Don wanted some help on Lyndell Van Stove and since she
is a lawyer, he thought maybe Barbara would have some idea about someone
who was a woman lawyer and she said she would call some people. Bush
today nominated a black by the name of Thomas to replace Marshall. He is
ultra conservative and not liked by his own people and not liked by
anyone cause of his various stands. He has been a judge for two years.
Bush will win whether the Senate accepts him or not cause he can say he
appointed him even if he doesn’t make it. We turned the air on early in
the afternoon and didn’t turn it off till 9. I wrote a long letter o
Jenny and Niki and we got a letter from Jenny today. Tomorrow Linda
leaves for Australia. Don and I walked at a little before 8. It was still
pretty warm. Called Priss and she was depressed. It is hard to know what
to say to her when she is this way.
July 2, 1991 (Tuesday)
It was already warm when we woke up this morning. After breakfast, I
decided to walk a long walk in the morning cause I knew it was going to
be hot later and would not cool off early. So I did a 50-minute one and
it was pleasant enough. When I got back I showered and got ready to go to
the Discovery Shop. Arrived at 9:45 and everyone was there ready to
start. We were not all that busy but the time went fast and we made about
$138 so that was good. I brought things home and kept a pretty turquoise
short night gown, a belt that said jeans, jeans in red and blue, two
little pictures that I put over the stove in the apartment and two small
Paul Revere stainless covered containers that I will keep or give to
Linda. I got home at 1:30 and had some lunch and then read my P.D. James
book and took a little nap. I heated up the hot dish leftover and made a
green salad and did a butterscotch pudding for Don. We watched the news.
Big trouble in Yugoslavia with parts wanting independence and fierce
fighting going on. Lee Remick died of cancer and since Michael Landen
died yesterday, I keep wondering who the third one will be. I made up a
tentative grocery list, tried to call Priss twice but got no answer. We
had the air on till after 9. Got a letter from Pauline and her life seems
so busy and active that I worry about her being bored when she comes
here. We have very little to offer really in Chico and especially in the
summer. Barbara Boyle got busy right away and she called this morning to
say that she had talked to Ann Rutherford and she would be willing to
have Lyndell sit on the bench with her on a Friday. She was given the
name of the woman who is in charge of the organization for women lawyers
and so Don called Lyndell who was very pleased at all this and he will
call the woman tomorrow. I am going to read for a while longer before
going to bed.
July 3, 1991 (Wednesday)
112º. Don said that at 4:30 this afternoon Linda will be arriving in
Melbourne. Now that we have been there ourselves, I can just see her
getting off the plane and Jenny and Niki waiting as they did for us. I
hope she has a good time, and I know she will. Well, today I took the
plunge and at 6:30 I was at Stars. I took the check along and got my
contract and paid $319 for two years. It is $349, but I paid $30 last
week and they just added that to the check. I stayed 20 minutes on the
floor exercises and did some of the machines. I kind of want to do all
this gradually so I can adjust. I called Priss and asked if she wanted to
come to dinner tomorrow night. We are having hamburgers and she said yes.
When I got home from Stars, I did a long walk cause it is going to be hot
again today and I don’t feel like walking in the evening. Had it been
cooler, I would have walked to the library to work from 1-3, but that was
out, so I drove. Typed cards again the whole time. Came home and got out
the rice, chicken, squash to heat and made a big fruit salad and that was
our dinner. There was even enough pudding left for Don to have it again.
So dinner was a snap. I ironed the clothes I had washed in the morning. I
was going to watch the news, but then Cathy called and we talked for ½ an
hour. She was fine and they were planning on finding a place with water
and spending the 4th there. We both read in the evening and finally I
finished the P.D. James book. It was ok, but I have read better ones of
hers. Then we sat outside while Don had a smoke and then we went to bed
and tried to make love but without success. I have come to dread these
nights but I know we have to keep trying.
July 4, 1991 (Thursday)
Hot! The 4th of July is not like it was when I was a child. We got up at
5 and I cooked bacon and eggs for Don and then did my exercises and was
in the car by 7:10 to pick up Mary and go shopping. But when I got there
I had forgotten my list and my coupons, so I didn’t buy some of the
things I had planned. Then when we got to the Cannery, it was closed so
that, too, was disappointing. When I got home, I got to work. I made a
potato salad, three-bean salad, chocolate sauce (for another day), baked
beans. I went for a walk at 9, but it was already getting very warm. We
had lunch and then I laid down to read and I had a little nap. Got up and
made the lemon soufflé, fixed sliced cukes and tomatoes and fixed the
hamburgers. I showered and put on the white top with the cut-out around
the neck, the long flowered skirt with a pink sash. Priss came at 5 and
we had a drink and then had our dinner, which was very good. She leaves
tomorrow for Tahoe where she will be for a week with five other ladies. I
just hope that they all get along. After she left, we both read and
finally at about 8:15, we decided to go for a walk although it was still
very warm but we made it for about 20 minutes. Don had a headache so he
went to bed and I stayed up and read. I wish it would cool off. I don’t
like it when it gets this hot.
July 5, 1991 (Friday)
Not quite so hot. Got up this morning and for a little while at last it
was cool. I weighed 105# and this is getting to be a problem. At least I
should stay at 100. That is bad enough when I was 95 until I quit
smoking. If I am careful, I can get back down to 102 or so and maybe I
will have to settle for that. After my Pero I went for a walk hoping to
beat the heat but by the time I was done, I was very warm and I feel
shaky these days. Am I not eating right, or what? Don said that today we
would go to see the day lily garden so we started out at 9. It is beyond
the covered bridge, a beautiful home right on the creek and hundreds of
plants all in bloom right now. They had a brochure with the names and
prices (271 plants) and I mean different kinds and prices from $5 to $75.
I chose a pink one and a wine double for $5 each. The lady was very nice.
When we got home, I cut back the ivy on the front fence and then took out
the orange double lilies in the front yard by the palm tree and put in
the ones I bought. I have tried to reach Cathy by phone to ask if she
would like to have the ones I took out. I was so sweaty I had to shower
and shampoo, had lunch and laid down to read and fell asleep. Woke at 2
and we watched some tennis at Wimbledon and then I fed Daisy. No
interesting mail. The exam for Don’s possible brain tumor cost $1,400. It
took less than an hour and he has to pay $140. Dinner was a snap. There
were so many good leftovers that I just sat them out plus the rice with
the leftover chicken chopped. We watched the news, local and national,
and then read. I stayed outside cause it was cooler. At 8, we went for a
walk and it really wasn’t too bad. Then back home and I changed to a
short gown and read.
July 6, 1991 (Saturday)
Woke at 5. Did my exercises. Made breakfast. Walked to the end of North
Avenue and then took Mary to food market where I bought cukes, tomatoes,
green beans, apricots and eggs. Stopped at Safeway for milk and a
cinnamon roll for Don. Mary had brought me peaches and I found a pound of
almonds when I got out of the car. On the way home, I stopped at a yard
sale. They had a lot of fabric and I got two pieces of wool for $1 each
and each had many yards, plus four pieces of cotton at 25¢ each. I knew
Cathy wanted to go into sewing again, so I called her to tell her that I
had day lilies, material and another chair from the junior high – oak –
to match the others I had gotten for her there. Then I went over to
Alice’s and she told me to change the zipper on the white skirt and that
would solve the bulge in the back. Went to Montgomery Ward and bought a
new watch for $30 that I think I will like. Then down to the Discovery
Shop to pay my bill and I found a yellow sleeveless skort outfit that is
cool and cost $1 cause they were having a ½ price sale. Came home and had
lunch. Stephie Graf won the women’s at Wimbledon. I read in the afternoon
till Cathy came and she seemed pleased with the things I had gotten for
her. The girls came with her and had lemonade and watched TV. I made a
cobbler with some of the peaches and we had hot dogs and finished up some
of the leftovers like the potato salad, baked beans, etc., then there was
the news and then I read for a while. At 7:15, we called Australia and
got Niki. Lin and Jenny had gone to look at a Picaso exhibit. She had
gotten her report card and had all A’s but a C in music. She will be
going to the mountains next week and was looking forward to that. We
didn’t talk very long. Don told me at dinner that he thinks we should
give Cathy the $800 so that Julie can get started on her braces. He said
we had helped Jenny that way and we should do the same for Julie and I
agreed. Now it is going on 10 p.m., and I will go outside for a while and
look at the stars and then I guess I will go to bed.
July 7, 1991 (Sunday)
It is cooler today, thank goodness. We used the fans but did not turn on
the air. I went to mass, but Don stayed home to watch the two Germans –
Becker and Steele – play and Becker lost in three straight sets. Took
Mary to church. No singing today, so mass went very fast. Stopped on the
way home to buy Don a cinnamon roll. When I got home, I changed my
clothes and went for a walk and then I folded clothes and ironed. I have
decided until we have guests I am going to leave the iron board up in the
apartment kitchen. It makes things easier. Then I did the pork
tenderloins for dinner in sweet and sour sauce, snapped the beans, fixed
the new potatoes and the salad greens. Wrote a letter to Jenny and Niki.
Then I made apple pie with apples I got at the market yesterday. Before
dinner, I had Don take two big pieces of pie over to the Yakiches. We had
a drink before dinner and sat on the patio and it was all very pleasant.
Dinner was very good. Afterwards, we watched the news, which was dull,
and then we both read. I sat outside on the chaise and Don sat inside.
Then I suggested that we go for a ride. I have wanted to see Sierra
Sunrise and we finally found it and it looks very attractive, I thought.
It might be something to consider if the house ever became too much for
us. If something should happen to Don, I might think about selling the
house and moving there. We saw a lot of houses, and there has been all
kinds of building going on in the last few years that we have not been
aware of. Many of the houses are very expensive indeed. Our house itself
is fine, but this is not a very good neighborhood. I have no idea how
much we would get for it if we wanted to sell it. When we got home, we
went for a walk and since then I have showered and read. Now I must think
about bed since it is 10 pm.
91º. I looked in the mirror this morning and there I was with a broken
tooth almost in the front of my mouth and a scratch on the end of my
nose. I looked like the mean witch from the North. I walked to Dr.
Murrill’s and arrived at 8, but they could not take me till tomorrow
morning at 9, but would call if there was a cancellation. So I walked
home and just got home when they called cause someone had cancelled. They
had to put a crown on it and to file it down, he said they just had to
use Novocain, so I went along. I was there till after 10:30. I had driven
this time, thank goodness. So when I got home, I had some lunch and then
at 11:30, I drove to Stars and did the machines till 12:05 and then I
stayed the whole time for Tone and Trim. It wasn’t all that hard but I
will probably be stiff tomorrow. When I got home, I read for a little and
sat with my legs in the sun on the chaise in the back yard. Then I came
in and made a tuna salad and mayo since we were out. For dinner, I added
stewed tomatoes, green beans and bread and heated the rest of the pie for
dessert. Then the local news, then the national news, and then the
reading of the ER. It was really a pleasant day. We didn’t turn on the
air conditioning but got by with fans. The crown is temporary and in two
weeks I go back to have the permanent one put in. It will cost $450. I
didn’t know how much the insurance covers of that. I can certainly think
of nicer things I could by with that money. I wrote to my sister, read
after dinner and then Don and I went for a walk. I am weary of the
Raven’s Bride, put down H is for Homicide, started a book about Japan but
not much interesting in that either. Maybe I will have to do something
else with my time and not put so much time in reading. I wish I were more
interested in TV, but we really don’t watch any more except for news and
sports for Don. I am also worried cause I seem to have stomach pains a
lot. When I drink too much tea? Am I eating the wrong things or too much?
I am going to start being more careful.
It is 8:30 p.m. and I am weary. We got up at 5:30 this morning. I did my
exercises and went for my walk. Don played tennis and took Daisy for her
bath and shots at 8:30. I did some weeding in the front border and cut
back some daisies. Then at 9:20 I left for Stars. I did the machines and
stayed 20 minutes on floor exercises. Came home and decided today was the
day to start work on the dining room table and the lamp table in the
living room. I find that I don’t have such a high standard any more. I
worked at it but wasn’t quite so fussy. Tomorrow I will give them all a
second coat of tung oil and then they will be done. I tried very hard not
to eat as much today. Did pretty well but did eat quite a bit of
chocolate frozen yogurt in the afternoon. Ruth Lavarre called. She used
to be in the English Department here years ago. She asked Don to go to
lunch with her and a Liberian who went to school here and was a friend of
the Benedicts. He is making a pilgrimage. He will be there for lunch,
too. Then Jackie called and invited us to dinner on the 20th (Don’s
birthday) and that will be nice. Nadia is here or will be there that
time. Then Don went to Dr. Wooding to see about his problem regarding our
lovemaking. She suggested going on a trip somewhere by ourselves. I am
not sure that is the answer. Then Gail Avistur called and asked if I
would like to be on a Foundation Board for Chico Unified for a four-year
term and we meet four times a year. I said yes and then a short time
later Stan Hensley called and thanked me for saying I would be on the
board and he offered to send me material to read and he would then talk
to me about it. We had a simple dinner. I had a poached egg with toast
and a fruit salad. Don had a grilled cheese sandwich with chips and
tomatoes sliced. He has lost the key to the shed and although we looked
in many places, we could not find it. At 8, we went for a walk – ½ an
hour. It was pleasant out, although it was supposed to start getting
hotter tomorrow. Mike called. They have refinanced their house and at the
end of July, he is going to sell the Mercedes and get something more
practical. They are having a good time at the beach. I think I will go to
bed early tonight.
Well, I can’t complain that I didn’t get a lot done today, cause I did.
Up at the usual time. Went for a nice long walk after exercising and
breakfast. Sanded the two tables after we put them back on the patio. Put
the 2nd coat of tung oil on and left them to set in the sun all day. When
Don got back from tennis and started to water the borders, I walked to
Safeway and got him a cinnamon roll. I wanted a doughnut so badly, but
was brave and didn’t get one. Left a little before 9:30 and got to the
food market and Stars in time to buy some green apples and two beautiful
big tomatoes that cost 60¢ each but was worth it. Then I did the machines
till 10 and then did 20 minutes with Cathy on the floor exercises, but I
was getting weary so I quit. Came home and had lunch and then went to the
library so that was my 3rd walk of the day. It was getting pretty warm by
then. Again, I had to type cards the whole time. I talked to Mrs. Thom
who gets the books ready for the Saturday book sale. She found A Town
Like Alice that I wanted and I got nine others cause I can read them and
then give them to Jenny to take back when they come. They were 10¢ each.
Don picked me up at 3. I had made macaroni and cheese before I had lunch
so dinner was easy. I made a chocolate cake and then put the macaroni and
cheese in the oven, sliced one tomato and some cucumbers and put some
three-bean salad on and that was dinner and it was good. Then we watched
the news but I was dozing through most of that. I had done two loads of
clothes so I folded those in the dryer and then decided to do Linda’s
dining room table. I had finished the other two when I got home from the
library and they both look just great. That final waxing with steel wool
does the trick. So Don helped me put it on the patio and I got the
surface clean with some of the Formsby remover and then I put the walnut
stain on it and tomorrow morning I will put the first coat of tung oil. I
think it will look just great. Then I took a shower and shaved my legs
and now I guess I will read. I was in the mood for lovemaking, but Don
just said he was going to bed so that takes care of that.
Don got up very early to take Daisy but I stayed in bed longer. I had a
wonderful dream and Lolly was in it and it was fun and exciting. It ended
with a student saying that she needed five more credits to graduate. I
did my exercises and had breakfast and then got ready to go grocery
shopping with Mary to Food for Less and the Cannery. I spent more money
than usual but I got some things on sale plus coupons. When I got home I
put the first coat of tung oil on and let it set in the sun. Linda’s
table is really pretty and I think it is going to look great. I had
bought doughnuts at Safeway on the way home, so we had those. Don
vacuumed the whole house and I dusted and neated things up. We keep
waiting for the eclipse of the sun that was supposed to start at 10:20
and go on till after 11. We never actually looked at the sun, but watched
it on CNN. It was a total in Hawaii and Mexico, and we had some here but
naturally I didn’t look. Had lunch and read a bit and then walked to
Holiday and bought an ear of corn. It was a hot time of day but it wasn’t
too bad. It takes about 50 minutes to get there and back. Then I decided
to shorten the pair of black and the pair of deep cerise skorts I had
bought at Target in the spring. I had decided not to wear them at all but
by making them short, they look much better. Before dinner, I put the wax
on the table with steel wool and it looks just great. We brought it back
in the house. Saturday Lin will be back from Australia and I hope she
calls us once she is home so we can hear all about it. I got both items
shortened and pressed and after the news we went for our walk. Thomas,
the new S. Court nominee, says he used marijuana and the Senators and
Bush seem to think this is ok but they are spending millions every where
destroying the plants and sending people to jail for using it. Why is it
ok sometimes and not the rest of the time? I think it should be
legalized. We got two movies and I was bored with the crazy one and upset
with the serious one – Top Secret and My Life as a Dog. The second one
was supposed to be so good but it did not please me. So now it is almost
10 and Don has gone to bed and I have showered and I suppose I will go
too before too long. Tomorrow Ruth Lavorre and the man from Nigeria are
coming to pick up the old typewriter and some books.
And this is Friday. After my usual morning routine, I went for my walk.
Down North to Manzanita, over to Ceres, down to Lupin, over to North and
back home. About 40 minutes and it was a pleasant morning. Then I potted
the cuttings of hoya that I have been meaning to do. Washed the cover to
the lounge along with some other things and at 9:30 I got ready and left
for Stars. This time I lasted a little longer on the floor exercises and
did some of the machines, but not all. Came home after stopping at S & S
and Lucky. Had lunch and then went through the bookcases looking for
books to give to the man from Nigeria who came with Ruth Lavarre at 1:15.
There were a lot of English texts that I have kept, but will never use
again probably and Don set out the typewriter, the one that he got when
we went to NY, and that Linda tipped over right after we got it. They
arrived and it was fascinating to hear about the school he is starting
for 12th graders and first-year college. It is really a junior college.
He seemed pleased with the things we gave him. He was saddened to hear
about Ben and Lolly cause he knew and liked them both and he was very
close to the Benedicts who are both gone also. After they left, I went to
the mall and looked at things that might be gotten as a birthday present
for Don since he is going to be 70 on the 20th, but I didn’t see anything
that I thought he might like. I did find a little white with blue stars
skort on sale for $10, so I bought that. When I got back, I made a crab
salad, steamed broccoli, hulled strawberries, sliced tomatoes and dinner
was ready. We had a drink first. We had turned on the air when the people
came this afternoon and we left it on. It was hot outside so it felt good
to have it on. We ate and then I started to watch the news but Priss
called and she talked for over ½ an hour she was back from Tahoe and she
had not had a good time. Too many ladies (6) to hope to get along well.
Got a sweet letter from Niki today and it had come in record time. I was
amazed. We walked after dinner and then Don got a terrible headache and
had to go to bed. He forgot to drink coffee in mid afternoon and that
seems to help prevent getting one. Now it is going on 10 and I am going
to listen to the radio and read.
90’s. Lovely cool morning. I went for a walk after breakfast and it was
most pleasant. Picked up Mary at 7:15 and off to the food market. Today I
got tomatoes, cukes, eggs, green beans, two ears of corn and some straw
flowers. Put everything away and then went out in the north yard and dug
up some more lilies to put in other places. Some were crowding out the
camellias. I put some in the south yard and cut back daisies and iris
that had stopped blooming. Then I sat in the sun, came in and had lunch
and went back out for another 25 minutes. Came in and showered and
shampooed, read a bit, dozed a bit and then fed the dog. Dinner was easy
cause I heated up the broccoli, fixed cukes and tomatoes, had the crab
salad again and hot bread. We were careful not to eat so much this time.
I hemmed two t-shirts that were too long and that I had cut off. Did some
ironing. Lin called. She had gotten into Reno which made it nice for
Craig to pick her up. She was very tired having had no sleep for 30
hours. She had had a wonderful time, loved every minute of it and didn’t
want to come back. Jenny and Niki were fine and she thought the house was
great. She felt they were really settled and this was their home. After
dinner we watched the news and then I called Priss and she chatted away.
She was in a better mood tonight. Then we went for a walk. Sometimes I
have trouble breathing and I get very scared wondering what the future
will bring. Talked to Cathy today. She had gone canoeing yesterday, saw a
deer with her fawn who still had spots. They have enjoyed the time away
from their children who will be back tomorrow from camp. Don is watching
Zoro from long ago with Tyrone Power. Then it was 9 pm and we decided to
have a drink and I had brandy and Don had Maker’s Mark and we each had
two. We sat on the patio and talked about all kinds of things. And then
we went to bed and we made love in a different way but it worked out for
both of us.
I got up in the night to let Daisy out and then we all slept in till
6:30, so it was a bit of a rush to get to church but I made it. Don is in
a lot of pain with his back and his right hand, so I insisted he stay
home. When I got back I fixed him a poached egg and cinnamon toast. Put a
load of wash in and went for a walk. It was lovely and cool and I enjoyed
it. When I got back, I skinned thighs and legs and browned the chicken
pieces and set aside. Husked the corn and did the salad greens. Cut roses
and rearranged bouquets. I seem to be busy all the time but don’t always
have so much to show for it. Called Linda, but Craig said she had a bad
case of jet lag and would call later. She did and we had a long talk. She
had had a wonderful time. She had gone many places and had seen many
things. When we were there, Don, who doesn’t like to do spur of the
moment things, kind of held us back but with the three of them they went
from here to there without plans and it sounded like great fun. She
thinks they will stay and be a part of the society there. She says Niki
sounds more and more like an Australian. Don doesn’t want to hear that
sort of thing. He keeps thinking that they will come back. I would like
to have them closer but I can understand their wanting to stay there. In
mid afternoon, I made an apple crisp so we had chicken, corn, a green
salad, little hot rolls and the apple crisp. It was a good dinner. Then
we watched the news and I finished the mystery I had been reading and
then called Priss and heard about her day and then we went for a walk and
it was very pleasant out and nice for walking. I emptied the dishwasher.
The spring broke in the door and so it falls down with a great bang if
one doesn’t hold on to it. I will have to call Ginnos in the morning.
Then tomorrow afternoon the people will come in to tell us about cleaning
our living room rug. I will go to Stars for the 10 a.m. class.
It is 9 p.m. and I have been watching a program on channel 9 where a
woman is traveling to tropical islands – Fiji, Cook Island, etc. but I am
sleepy and I think after I finish this I will go to bed. I really didn’t
do all that much today but still I am tired. We got up at the usual time
and I set out everything for breakfast. Then I really worked on my
exercises and stayed with them longer. Then I went for a walk and it was
lovely and cool. I crossed the creek and walked the other side. I like
that walk. When I got back, I did the last bit of ironing I had to do,
then I got dressed to go to Stars. I started at 20 to 10 and did the
machines and then at 10 did the floor exercises for ½ an hour, so I did
rather well I thought. Came home and had lunch. Don went off to Jackie’s
for the luncheon group and I went to the mall where I got a pot holder
for $1 and some black paint and some dark blue candles. I used the black
spray paint to do the outside of the pictures in the bedroom in the
apartment and I sprayed a lamp that was green black cause with the black
chair with orange upholstery, the green just didn’t look right. Didn’t do
a great job cause the paint came out in globs but it will do for the time
being. For dinner I made bacon and tomato sandwiches and a great fruit
salad of mango, pineapple and peach with a little crystallized ginger
chopped in it. Delicious. Had the other ½ of the apple crisp from last
night. Then the news and a chat with Priss and a walk with Don. The man
came and looked at the living room rug and it will cost $100 to have it
cleaned, and he will do it on the 25th. It had better look good at that
price. And tomorrow Ginnos will be out to fix the spring in the
dishwasher door. When I got back from my walk this morning and before
going to Stars, I just sat down and read for a while. Why not? I don’t
have to be busy all the time!
100#. Well this was rather a nice day. Up at 5 and it was so cool that I
wondered if we should shut the windows. Made breakfast for Don and then
really worked out on the exercises. After my Pero and a small bowl of
cereal and part of the paper, I went for my walk and wore a sweater for
most of the time. Crossed the creek and walked the other side. I like
that walk. Don went off to tennis and I decided to cook. I had just
started when my temporary crown came out, so I drove to Dr. Murrill’s and
his nurse glued it back in. Back home. I made a huge batch of chili. Then
Priss came over and brought me a can of Australian candied ginger from
Williams Sanoma. We had coffee and visited. When she left, I made a batch
of spaghetti sauce. I sent some chili home with Priss. After lunch, Don
took his nap and I went to the mall and exchanged some jockey undershirts
for Don. Looked around but didn’t see anything I wanted to try on or buy.
Had called Ginnos this morning and they have to order springs for the
door of the dishwasher. I made a chicken salad with Sunday’s leftover
chicken, green beans, heated rolls, sliced tomatoes and corn chips.
Thawed the rest of the chocolate cake and we had that for dessert. Lin
called and wanted us to disconnect the phone in the apartment so I called
the phone company and took care of that. Got a Pottery Barn catalogue and
got bold and ordered $140 worth of stuff for Christmas presents for the
girls – votive candle holders, the round candles to go in them, a tomato
timer, paisley coffee mugs, and some very pretty modros tea towels for
me. After dinner, we watched the news and then I called Priss and then we
went for a walk. When we got back, I shaved my legs and showered. Don is
watching some crazy movie on TV and now I am going to read.
Woke at 4:30 and just had to go to the bathroom so then naturally Don and
Daisy woke up, too, but we stayed in bed till almost 5. I did my
exercises after breakfast and then went for a walk but it was not really
as cool as yesterday. Went to Lupin, over to Cohasset and then to Safeway
where I bought Don a doughnut and got some Australian biscuits made by
Orowheat that turned out to be very good. Don went off to tennis and I
fed all the plants inside and the ones in the planters out front. Then
when he got back, I went to Stars but although I did everything, it took
effort somehow. Came home and had lunch and started the book Don has
wanted me to read called Refiner’s Fire by Mark Helprin and I really like
it. Then I put on my new skort, the white one with the little blue stars
and a navy shirt and walked to the library. Thank goodness there were not
as many cards to type so I got done fairly soon. Shelved a little and
then one of the ladies wanted me to type a list for her and to type the
magazine cards so I did that and went back to shelving and then it was 3,
so Don picked me up. For dinner, I heated the chili I made yesterday,
fixed a fruit plate and had French bread. I had some ice cream
afterwards. Did two loads of clothes, folded them and will iron the ones
that need it tomorrow. Don and I went for a walk and it was pleasant, but
with little breeze. The big meeting in London is over and the Russians
and Americans have agreed on an arms reduction and Bush will be going to
Russia at the end of the month. Don wanted to try the lovemaking thing
and we tried but neither of us had any luck. I feel bad that I do much
better when I have had something to drink. I should not be dependent on
that. How to solve that problem I have no idea. I am now going to read
for a while.
We got up at 5. I did my exercises, but without much enthusiasm. Mary had
called last night saying she did not plan to go shopping with me so at a
little after 7, I set out for Food for Less. Didn’t buy anything
particularly interesting. Then I went to the Cannery and got much of the
usual but they had Dreyers Frozen Yogurt at $2.00 for ½ gallon so I got
it and it turned out to be just delicious. A very good buy. Stopped at
Holiday and got whole milk and a turkey for 69¢ a pound. On the way to
the store, I drove by Priss’ and she was out getting the paper and so I
stopped and she asked if I would work at the Discovery Shop for her, so
when I got home from shopping, I put everything away and it was time to
go. I worked with Mrs. Howlett and we got along fine. It was very busy
and we made $195+! There was not a helper yesterday, so there was a great
deal to bring out and I worked very hard indeed. Got home a little after
1 and was starved and had a headache. Well, I made some iced tea and had
a little cheese sandwich and then changed my clothes. It was warm but we
did not turn on the air. I read and then I ironed the clothes I had
washed yesterday. I made a simple dinner of scrambled eggs, the new
toasted biscuits from Orowheat, cukes and tomatoes. We watched Tom Brokaw
at 5:30 and at 6 we called Mike. They had been looking at the sunset but
they were a bit upset cause someone had broken a window in the beach
house where they were now and while they were gone the first part of the
week someone got into the house and took Karen’s bathing suit and some of
her lingerie. It sounds like someone not quite normal cause they left the
guitar and other valuable things. They had the police out and then had
the window repaired and the locks changed. They had no idea about the
chemical spill in the Sacramento River so we told them about that. Later
I called Priss. She is sad cause all her family is up in Portland and she
has not been invited. Then we went for a walk to the end of North Avenue
to Lupin and back. I sat outside and read for a while but it is 9 and
dark. I will read until I get sleepy.
This was a different kind of day in some ways. Don got up before 5 and I
slept in till 5:30. Then I didn’t much feel like doing my exercises, so I
did just a few. It was cool and cloudy so when I went for a walk, it was
most pleasant. I washed the sheets, made up the bed and put our pillows
on the line to air. Then went off to Stars and when I got back, I
suggested that we go to the mall and get Don some new pillows cause his
were so tired. We went over and found one at Mervyn’s that he liked and
then I wanted him to see a bedspread at Wards that I thought might go in
our bedroom and I am weary of our faded one. So we went over and he liked
it and we took it home to try. It looked fine on the bed but I had to do
something about the headboard, so later I went back and got a valance of
the same material and ripped it apart and had enough to fit on the
headboard. Cathy came by and brought four books she and Linda were buying
for Don’s birthday tomorrow. She stayed and visited. When she left, I
sewed the material and pinned it on and it looks great. We had a simple
dinner of cheese sandwiches, chips and stewed tomatoes. Then the news and
then we walked over to the mall cause I had to buy a birthday card for
Don and I ended up buying two. Then to Swensons and I bought him an ice
cream cone before walking home. Called Priss and she is depressed and
Cinders is lethargic so she is taking him to the vet tomorrow at 8:30,
and he is going to look at him all day to see if anything is wrong. She
wants me to go shopping with her tomorrow at 10 and I said I would
although I didn’t want to. Afterwards I took a shower and pinned up my
hair and then I watched Georgia O’Keefe and it was very good. Christopher
Plummer and the woman who had played Mrs. Roosevelt were in it and they
both did a fantastic job. Now it is 20 to 11 and I had better go to bed.
Don’s birthday. He was 70 today! When he got back from his run, there
were the four books from the girls and my two cards plus two cards from
them. At 7:15 I picked up Mary and we went to the food market. I got some
red onions, cukes and tomatoes, some tiny potatoes, parsley. When I got
back, Don was off playing tennis with Carl and then went to breakfast at
Denny’s where it is free on your birthday. I shortened a pair of navy
slacks that I had bought at the Discovery Shop and then got ready to go
shopping and have lunch with Priss. I really wasn’t looking forward to
this, but it turned out very well. She bought some glasses as a thank you
gift for the people in Tahoe, and I found a stainless steel double boiler
for $13 and bought it at Gottchalks. We walked around and walked through
the mall and then went to lunch at Marie Callender’s. We had chicken
sesame salad and it was very good. Priss paid. Then we came home. I read
and dozed and then fed Daisy. Both Linda and Mike called and that pleased
Don and then Miss Sheets called from Philadelphia. That really touched
him. We got ready to go to Jackie’s for dinner cause Nadia is here. The
Geschetters, Dale and Karen and Don and I were the guests. As usual,
Jackie had gone all out. There were margueritas before dinner and then
she had Mexican food that was excellent with a fruit salad and a veggie
salad and three kinds of pie: strawberry, peach and nectarine. We brought
wine, a can of almonds and some little tidbit things that I get at the
Cannery. It was a most pleasant evening. Conversation was stimulating and
we all joined in. I like Charlie’s new wife. They were married on June
29th and are going to Africa from September to November. I ate too much
today and I feel fat, fat, fat tonight. I must reform. Now I am going to
read for a little while. It is 10:25 but I am not all that sleepy.
We both woke up feeling rather lousy, but after a while it got better. We
all went to church and picked up Mary. When we got back, I changed my
clothes and went for a 40-minute walk. It was still cool enough to be
pleasant. Then I sat outside in the sun for an hour. Then a healthy
lunch: some jack cheese, four little crackers, grapes and ½ an apple.
Then I cooked. I made a big apple pie, I baked potatoes and did them on
the ½ shell. I fixed green beans. I made a green salad. Finally I was
done and I had a shower and put on clean clothes. Then I read Refiner’s
Fire. Took two pieces of pie over to Priss and stayed and visited. Don
got the barbecue started and we had our filets and what a dinner we had.
It was great and the pie was perfect. Then I wrote a letter to Australia
and then we went for a walk and it was really warm. Don went to bed at 9
and I watched the first ½ of Out of Africa. Now it is 11 p.m. and I must
go to bed cause I have a lot to do this week.
98º. It is 8:30 p.m. and I feel I got a lot done today for a change. When
I got up, I fixed the things in the kitchen, did my exercises, had my
juice and vitamins and Suka (I like it better than Pero and no calories)
and went for my walk. It was cool but I knew that it was going to be hot
later on. When I got back, I got right to work. I cleaned the blinds in
the dining room and kitchen, washed the windows in and out and washed the
screens. I raked up all the leaves around the heavenly bamboo, swept up
the mess on the sidewalk and then did some trimming around the bushes in
the front border. By that time, it was time to go to Stars so I put on my
leotard and tights and got my stuff together and was off. I did some work
on the machines and spent ½ an hour on the floor exercises. Stopped on
the way home at S & S and Lucky to buy things such as another mango (they
are wonderful right now and cheap), orange marmalade, etc. When I got
home, I made a veal stew putting everything in it: tiny potatoes,
carrots, peas, green beans, onions, mushrooms. I turned on the oven in
the apartment and cooked it there. Then I made bread and in the heat,
that turned out great, too. I sat outside for a while just to get my legs
tanned. That is the main thing so I won’t have to wear hose till fall.
From then on I slowed down, but I felt I accomplished a great deal.
Finished the book mentioned on the opposite page and that was good. I
liked it very much. So dinner was a snap. There was the stew, a delicious
fruit salad, bread and another piece of the apple pie from yesterday.
Then I called Priss. Then we walked to the mall and I got Don a down
pillow that cost $39. I thought that was a bit much but I had promised
him. We came home and then drove to Longs so Don could buy a corn plaster
cause he has a very small corn on his little toe and he is making a big
fuss about it. Now I am going to read while the clothes are in the dryer
and I will fold them later.
It was warm in the night so I was not surprised to wake up feeling
uncomfortable. Did my exercises and went for my walk early, which was
wise cause it was still pleasant and I did about 35 minutes. Don went for
breakfast with Carl and Ellsworth Faris. Anyone who has that kind of
first name and no nickname is assumed to be dull and Ellsworth is no
exception. I decided to make dinner of a meat salad that I saw in the
Good Housekeeping. We had some of our steak leftover from Sunday, so I
cut that in thin strips, boiled new potatoes, boiled eggs, had green
beans already cooked, peeled a tomato and onion and had everything ready
to put together just before dinner. Made a dressing of pickled beets and
horseradish but we didn’t like that and so we used ranch instead. I
washed the sheets for the bed in the apartment and then we made it.
Cleaned the bathroom, did the blind in the bedroom and so everything is
pretty well set there. Don stopped on the way home and saw the foot
doctor at Chico Medical and he cut off the corn and said there is a bone
that is moving and probably will have to be cut out. We had lunch and
then I read till 12:20 and then walked to the dentist. It was hot but not
impossible. The crown matches my other teeth perfectly and so it is nice
to be able to smile without feeling conspicuous. When I got home, I read
and dozed and woke at 3:30 feeling hot and sticky and groggy. Fed the dog
and then the paper came, so I started a grocery list. Then I put the meat
salad together and that was our dinner. We could not finish it so we each
have some left over for lunch tomorrow. We watched the news and then we
drove to the Chico Mall cause I wanted to go to Trautman’s cause they had
girls’ turtlenecks for $7 and I tried a 14 at Mervyn’s and it fit. But
these were not so well made, so I decided against buying one. We walked
around but Don is not the type of person to browse with. He wants to
hurry up, not look to right or left, and get home. Since we didn’t have
the air on today, I would have been happy to look around more, but no.
Now I have showered and will read before going to bed.
It is 8:30 p.m. I have taken a shower and am sitting in the TV room with
the fan going full force. But it isn’t as hot today as yesterday and it
really isn’t unpleasant now. It was fairly cool when we got up at 5 this
morning, and I decided to walk to Lucky rather than to circle the same
area around here. I bought a cantaloupe and two cinnamon rolls for Don.
Then when I got home, I had a lot of ironing to do before I got ready to
go to Stars. Don was meeting with a man who wanted to sell him on a
living trust but he decided instead to go to see our broker and they
discussed stocks and he ended up deciding to put some money into a new
stock. I went off to Stars, stopped first at the market to get apples,
corn and a bunch of yarrow. Then did my workout at Stars. When I got
home, I put the yarrow in the tall basket in the hall along with some
dried eucalyptus. It looks very nice. Then I had lunch and then off to
the library for two hours of typing. Oh, I forgot. I spent time outside
raking up leaves from the borders to put in the garbage and I will be
doing that from now on cause we seem to have a lot of room in the huge
garbage container. For dinner, I made a raw veggie salad, heated the
stew, made a pound cake, heated French bread so we had a good dinner.
Afterwards we watched the news and then I filled a paper sack full of
weeds from around the camellia bushes. I had hoped the aguga would be in
at Hubbard’s but it won’t be till next week. I want to plant that around
the cement pieces in the back. Tried to call Priss two times but no
answer. Tomorrow the man comes to clean the rug so we have moved most of
the things from the living room. All that is left are big pieces. I hope
it turns out well. Don says he is very happy with his new down pillow. I
am glad about that. Well, then Don and I had two Maker’s Mark and we sat
outside and watched the moon come up and it was almost full and then we
went to bed and made love and it was wonderful for him and almost ok for
me but it was all very fine, and Don was so happy.
We got up a little late this morning. I rushed through my exercises and
had my drink and read the paper. Then I got dressed in white slacks and
my short sleeved purple sweatshirt cause it was cool. Picked up Mary and
we went to our usual stores. I seemed to spend more money than I had
planned, but that is ok. With our guest coming Monday, I must realize
that there will be added expenses. When I got home, the people who were
going to clean the rug called and said they would like to come earlier so
they came and started in. I sunbathed and then we had lunch. They got
done and left and we barricaded the living room so no one could walk on
the rug and each time we wanted to get to the bedroom wing, we had to
walk around to the study. That was ok cause I didn’t walk at all today.
Most unusual. I waxed part of the furniture and will do the rest tomorrow
morning. I get so warm when I do anything physical that it worries me. I
didn’t used to be this way. We had a good dinner of crab salad and corn
on the cob and sliced peaches for dessert. Called Priss and we had a good
talk. Don went to see Dr. Swartz and he told Don that he was a good
looking 70 year old and he looked better than most of his patients, and
that really pleased Don. We called Lin and had a very good visit with
her. David was taking Rosalie camping this time. He took MJ first and he
told Cathy that MJ said, “I really don’t like Rosalie and Julie, but I
must admit, I miss them.” Trust MJ to say something like that. Don told
me tonight that he had asked Pauline to come out. I just wish that he had
not done that. With the best of intentions, he often does things that I
wish he would stay out of. I read Woman with a Past by Phyllis Whitney.
Not great, but it gave me something to do today. Now at 10:45, I am going
to bed.
Just about 100º today. I didn’t get to sleep till 11:45 and then I had
very strange dreams that were not much fun, so I was glad to get up this
morning. Don had to take the car to play tennis and I couldn’t go for a
walk till he came back cause I was waiting to hear from Ginnos but they
didn’t call. So I waxed the coffee table and all the things I didn’t get
done last night. Brought all the furniture back in and the books for the
book case so finally everything was back in place. The thought that I
have to do all this again on the 15th of August makes me wince to think
about it. When Don got back, I walked to the end of North Avenue and when
I got back, I put on my leotard and went off to Stars. I stayed 35
minutes through the floor exercises so I am doing better. Came home by
way of S & S and got some produce and then home to have lunch. Priss
wanted me to go to J & J at 2 to look at lamps so I got cleaned up and
was going to read, then Julie and her friend Alegra stopped by and they
phoned Cathy to come get them. I had to tell Cathy that I had to leave at
2 and she arrived at 10 to, so I didn’t get to visit much. I loved the
lamps Priss had picked out and so she was happy that I agreed with her
and when she brought me home, Cathy and the girls were gone. I brought
out the stew for the third time. Sliced cukes and tomatoes, heated up the
baked potatoes from Sunday, and cooked broccoli, made a chocolate pudding
for Don but I had pound cake. Then the news and then a walk and it was
still pretty hot but Don wanted to get home to watch Good Fellas. I
wasn’t in the mood to read so I decided to wash the living room windows
tonight instead of tomorrow morning. It worked beautifully cause there
was no sun and cool in the house and not all that bad outside. Then I
took a shower and I feel that I got a lot done today. Letter from Jenny
and it upset me. She said that she wished I had told her right away that
I couldn’t come to babysit Niki while she went to Hong Kong. I just don’t
understand it. I didn’t hold out on it, at least I didn’t think I did. I
think I will just not say anything about it cause I am hurt but they are
too far away to discuss it logically. I think I will go out and watch the
end of the movie with Don.
July 27,1991 (Saturday)
Hot! Woke up to a warm day that got hotter. Got dressed and took Mary to
food market. Got green beans, tomatoes, cukes, red onions, corn, and
cantaloupe. Stopped on the way home at Safeway and bought a cinnamon roll
for Don and a sweet roll for me. I seem to have lost my self control when
it comes to eating lately and yet I want to look slim when Pauline comes.
I must start tomorrow to do something about this. When I got home I went
for my walk and then I discovered that I was really weary for some reason
and I didn’t do much of anything for the rest of the day. I read for a
while. Had lunch. Then Don took a nap and I drove out to Simply Cotton
but they really didn’t have any stock at all and what they had was ugly
and expensive. Stopped at the Salvation Army but there was so much there
that it overwhelmed me so I came home. I laid down and napped and then
fed Daisy. Dinner was simple. I fixed scrambled eggs, hash browns, sliced
tomatoes and toaster biscuits. And would you believe that before dinner,
I made fudge?! What is wrong with me? And I had a lot of it. I give up.
We talked to Jenny and she was fine. Niki has been sick all week with a
respitory problem and missed school. It was very cold out and windy. It
is hard to believe when it is so hot here. I realized today that I don’t
like it when Don paws me during the day. I know he is very affectionate,
but it bothers me. I don’t think he would like it if I fondled him in the
same way but then maybe he would. Who knows. I guess after all these
years, I am not going to say anything about it although I would like to.
Now it is 10 pm. Don watched The Big Easy on TV about crooked cops in New
Orleans. The 49ers played the LA Raiders today in an exhibition game and
won 24-17. I hope I feel a little bit peppier tomorrow. This heat is not
for me but I can’t make it go away. I am running a load of clothes and
when they are done, I will put them in the dryer and go to bed.
Hot! We got up this morning when it was still cool. Did my exercises.
Fixed breakfast but I was careful and just had juice and some cantaloupe.
I put on my red slacks and red short-sleeved cotton sweater and red shoes
and went off to church. Picked up Mary. Don didn’t go. When I got home, I
changed and went for a30-minute walk and it was almost too hot. Don
vacuumed the house and I cleaned both bathrooms. Tomorrow I will dust,
wash the kitchen floor and vacuum and dust the apartment. I read Antonia
Fraser’s new book The Cavalier Case and finally finished it at 8:30 p.m.
I ran a load of whites and did all the ironing. Made a potato salad,
cooked green beans so that on Tuesday night, we can have ham, potato
salad, beans and I will figure out a dessert tomorrow. Don plans to leave
early in the morning for breakfast at the Nut Tree. Spend the day with
Mary Wilde and pick up Lyndell Van Stove at 4 something. I hope they eat
on the way home so I don’t have to feed them when they arrive. We had
corn on the cob, tomatoes and cukes, potato salad, hot dogs and fresh
peach sundaes tonight. I insisted on the air conditioning by 3 p.m. so it
was pleasant in the house at dinnertime. We watched the news. Well, I
watched some of it and then I called Priss at about 7 and we walked at 15
to 8 and it was still very, very warm. I hope there is a break in the
weather soon. Don said while we were walking that he planned to wear his
tennis shoes, his white pants and a shirt and he asked me what I thought.
I told him that in the bay area, it would be better to wear something a
little more dressed up and he got mad and sarcastic. Why does he ask me
if he really doesn’t want to take my advice. I was ticked off. I felt
like saying I don’t give a damn what you wear. I am not having lunch with
you and I am not meeting you at the airport. Go in anything you please.
But I didn’t. Sometime I will. Sometime I will.
Very hot. I didn’t write in this on Monday. It is now Tuesday evening and
I must write for this day and the next. Don had the usual breakfast and
then left for San Francisco by 6:30 and I was here all day by myself. A
most unusual circumstance. After my exercises and breakfast, I got
dressed and went for my walk and then I got busy. I dusted everything in
the whole house, vacuumed the apartment and put everything to rights.
Changed all the flowers, washed the kitchen floor. I couldn’t go anywhere
cause I called Ginnos at 8 and they said they would be out later in the
day to put the new springs in the dishwasher door and I called Thrifty
Rooters and they said they would call when a man was able to come out. So
I was here for the day. I decided to make cookies and so I made chocolate
chip and oatmeal. I made the spinach dip for the cocktail party on
Wednesday. I read, I washed and set my hair, I watered plants outside, I
swept and washed the driveway. I listened to the radio. I read in the
afternoon and even took a little nap. I fed Daisy. It was very hot, so I
turned on the air at about 2 p.m. Don called at 6 saying they were at the
Nut Tree and would have dinner there and they would be here at about 9.
So I read and then I turned on the air in the apartment but it didn’t get
as cool as I thought it should. Finally I checked and it was cool at the
top but not at the bottom so I turned on fans in the living and bedroom.
They got here at about 9:30. I had watched CBS sitcoms cause I was tired
of reading and I really enjoyed them: Burt Reynolds, Major Dad and Murphy
Brown. So then they arrived. Lyndell is a good-sized girl with dark curly
hair, a very nice smile and she is very friendly. I liked her right away.
She seemed comfortable and Don liked her too so I think her visit is
going to be just fine. Don was tired but not as tired as I had thought he
would be after driving down and back in one day and not having a nap.
Very hot, no breeze. We got up at about 5:30. Not knowing when Lyndell
would get up, I waited to walk until Don got back from tennis and then I
did my stint. I find that with this heat, I have trouble breathing so I
called Dr. Wooding’s office and found out that she was not in this week,
but the office lady said if Lucky called, she would ok having the Rx
renewed so I called Lucky and explained. Don went to Safeway and got milk
and ½ and ½ and then I went to Lucky for bananas, French bread still warm
and my Rx. When I got back, Lyndell was up and she was eating some
breakfast. By that time, we were ready for lunch, so I made us sandwiches
and there was fruit and cookies. In the afternoon, we all read for a
while and then Lyndell and I went over to the mall and looked at clothes,
etc. She couldn’t get over how cheap everything is in comparison to
Australia. She bought some books, some perfume and she wants to go back
to try on a jacket that she liked very much. She is fun to be with and we
all seem to get along just fine. She bought post cards and she called to
check on reservations in New York and Chicago. Don called Ed Mizel and he
is going to work out something in Chicago. I made an apple crisp when we
got back and dinner was easy. I had a piece of ham and I heated that. I
had already cooked the green beans yesterday so I just had to heat them.
Fixed cukes and tomatoes and there was potato salad so it was a snap. We
all had a drink before dinner and we showed her pictures of the family.
Then we had watched the news and then watched When Harry Met Sally. She
liked it very much and we both have seen it many times but like seeing it
again. Yesterday, I ordered the gray trapeze dress and would you believe
that it arrived today! They send everything air express and it fits! I
just have to shorten the sleeves. I love it! It cost $107.50 and that is
a lot but for once I think I will keep it. Now it is 10:30 and I have to
make a grocery list before going to bed.
Hot! Well, today was the day of the cocktail party for Lyndell. I got up
and did my exercises and had my Suka and went for a very short walk. With
this heat, my desire to walk is much impaired. I went to Stars a bit
early cause of the market. Don had taken Lyndell with Carl to play tennis
and they all seemed to enjoy it. I got tomatoes and cukes and apples at
the market. Did the machines and 15 minutes of the floor exercises and
then quit. Got home and had some lunch and then I went to work. I made
dip. I did fruit sticks with red and green grapes and cantaloupe. I
sliced rolls to make small pieces for the cheese and carrot and celery
sticks. Got out all the things that we were going to be needing and then
I pinned up my hair and laid down to rest and slept for an hour. Don
called Ed Mizel about Lyndell’s going to Chicago and he called back and
set everything up so that she will be staying with them for the time she
is there. They are so wonderful about things like that. So then late in
the afternoon we all showered and dressed. I put on that white top with
the open look that is still nice after all these years and the purple
skirt and pink tie. At 6 the people came: three women lawyers and two
husbands, the Marklands, Jackie, Dale, the Gesehecters, the Livingstons
and the three of us. It went just beautifully. Everyone talked and
everyone seemed to like Lyndell. Cards were exchanged and no one seemed
to want to leave. Then we took Jackie and went to Happy Gardens for a
Chinese dinner. When we got home, there was a breeze and it was actually
cooling off. We all sat on the patio and talked for a while and then
everyone was ready for bed or at least we were. Don did a marvelous job
on the party. He had called all these people and written them and he was
a good drink maker and he dressed all up and looked good so I was so
proud of him.
August 1, 1991 (Thursday)
We overslept this morning and it was 5:30 when we got up and it was
cool!! I think that was why we slept in. I did my exercises in a haste
and read very little of the paper cause I had to pick up Mary at 7:15.
Today I bought very little at the stores cause I had so much on hand from
all the times I have bought too much. When I got home, I put things away
and then I went for a walk and it was the first time in weeks that I
really walked and it felt great. I also got my Rx for a spray to help me
breathe and I think that helps enough that I should continue it. Don went
to the airport and bought a ticket for Lyndell to go to San Francisco so
that she can visit her friends in Los Gatos. He insisted on paying for
the ticket. I think that is a bit much, but I decided there was no point
in arguing about it. I called Priss and asked her to dinner for Friday
night. She wanted me to come see her chandelier and new table and floor
lamp, so I went over. I love the lamps. Wasn’t quite so thrilled with the
table. She had made the Indian curry dip for the party when Pauline comes
so I put it in the freezer when I got home. We had lunch and then I did
the salad greens and husked the corn so dinner would be no problem. After
Lyndell had had lunch, we started out. Stopped at Big 5 and she got two
pair of Reeboks and then we went out to the Chico Mall where we bought
perfume, a beautiful set of sheets and a lot of books. These are things
she is going to ship home. It was a long afternoon, but she seemed to
enjoy it and it was cool inside. We got home and she showed Don all she
had bought. On the way she said it was really lovely to be with us cause
we were so much in love and that was nice to see. She is a very sweet
woman and I like her a great deal. We had our dinner: hamburgers, corn on
the cob, the first she had ever had, a green salad and apple crisp with
frozen yogurt. Then she read and we watched the news. Don was going to
show Lady Hawk but it was a poor film so he got Robin and Marian. He has
gone to bed and Lyndell and I are watching. I will go to bed soon. The
man came today to put the new air conditioner in the apartment. He has to
come back tomorrow to finish.
August 2, 1991 (Friday)
We woke up to a cool morning. In fact, it was so cool that Don found
Daisy sleeping on the lounge! And naturally we did not have the cover on
it cause Lyndell is here. I did my exercises and fixed Don’s breakfast
and then I went for a 40-minute walk and it was lovely out. The man came
to finish installing the new air conditioner. Don went off to play tennis
and have another breakfast with Carl. I walked to Safeway and got grapes
and some ground round. Lyndell came over to have cereal, etc. I got into
my leotard and went to Stars. Cathy was not working today so I did the
machine but didn’t stay long for the floor exercises. Stopped again on
the way home to buy more cantaloupe and then went to Pay N Pak and got
light bulbs. By then it was time to eat lunch and then Lyndell and I went
to the mall again. She tried on the jacket she had liked at Casual Corner
and also a pair of black shorts and bought them both. Then to the
bookstore where she found some more things she wanted and then we just
looked around at things. When we got back, I fixed her some lunch since
she seems to be on a different food schedule and then Don went to get
boxes for the things she has bought and they went to the post office and
sent them off to her office in Australia. I made the crab salad, made a
beautiful fruit compote, and slice tomatoes and cukes and cooked green
beans so that was the dinner menu. We had asked Priss to come for dinner
and she arrived at 5:30. We all had a drink and tidbits and then dinner.
Priss was rather quiet and she seems at times to have trouble remembering
things but then we all have that problem. But it really all went well and
Priss liked Lyndell very much. After we left, we watched Gloria. I think
we should stop showing that movie to people cause no one likes it but us.
And this time, I didn’t like it very well myself. Lyndell didn’t like it
at all. Then Don went to bed and we stayed up and talked but finally
decided we had better go to bed cause she leaves tomorrow morning at 6:30
to catch the 7 a.m. flight to San Francisco, and then on to Los Gatos. We
have really liked her and we are very glad she came.
August 3, 1991 (Saturday)
Cool and pleasant. We got up before 5 so Don could do his run and I fixed
his breakfast and then did my exercises. Lyndell got up and had a bowl of
cereal and at 6:30 she and Don were off to the airport. After they left,
I checked and she had put the sheets, towels, etc., on the washing
machine so I started the wash. She had left the apartment as neat as a
pin. She was the ideal guest. Don got back and I went off to the food
market with Mary. I really didn’t need all that much today. I did get
some tomatoes, cukes and beans and two nectarines. Stopped at Safeway for
milk and for roll for Don. Then I went for a long walk. Buy the time I
got back, the sheets, etc., were dry so I made up the bed in the
apartment and dusted and got everything back to normal. By then it was
lunchtime so after eating, I sat outside in the sun for an hour and read
a bit. Came in and shaved my legs, showered, shampooed and set my hair.
Priss called. She had made a rum cake and so she brought it over and I
cut it in ½ and froze both pieces. Cut up most of the apples in the
fridge and made sauce. We had walked today to S & S and I got the first
gravensteins but will make something with them later. For dinner, we had
last night’s crab salad leftover. I creamed the green beans and sliced
tomatoes. Just before dinner, Cathy arrived with the girls. They had been
at a swim meet. So we got cokes and I gave them cookies and then a
container of applesauce and we got a lot of visiting done, too. When they
left, we ate and then during the national and local news, I ironed for an
hour. Afterwards we went for a walk but we were both tired and we decided
that entertaining was a tiring job. We watched a program on TV about
London cops and then Don went to bed. I am looking to read for a while
but at 10, I too am going. It is nice to have it cool. I hope it lasts.
August 4, 1991 (Sunday)
We got up at 6 to another chilly, not just cool, morning. It felt
wonderful. I must admit I am looking forward to fall. I did my exercises
very briefly, got Don’s breakfast, read a little of the paper and then
got dressed for church. I wore my peach linen jacket with white slacks.
Don didn’t go this morning. The priest really works hard on his sermons.
I think for the most part, he has a lot to say. Came home and Don was
already working in the yard pulling weeds, so I changed and used the rest
of the systemic on the roses, pulling a lot of weeds and tomorrow I will
feed the camellias. We came in and had Denver sandwiches for lunch, but I
did work a walk in there this morning, too. Then I pinned up my hair and
sliced things for chef salads for dinner. At 3:30, I walked to K-Mart to
check on acid food for plants and I saw a birdbath for $37 that I wanted
but I don’t think we will buy it. After all, Don offered to pay for
Lyndell’s phone calls and she made a lot of overseas ones so we will be
short of money when one thinks of the air conditioner for the apartment
plus other big bills. I made a vanilla pudding for Don for dinner and I
fried the corn left over, heated bread and we had the salads so it was a
good dinner. We watched Siskel and Ebert and they said Doc Holiday with
Michael Fox was really good. I made a list of things to do tomorrow and
there are a lot of things. I called and offered to work at the food bank
on Tuesday each week so that is one more thing to do with my week but
that is all right. We watched the news and then went for a walk. It was
pleasant. Later in the evening I decided I wanted a Manhattan so Don made
drinks and we sat outside on the patio and sipped and talked and then
finally we went to bed and made love and it was great for both of us
although at different times. Then to sleep.
August 5, 1991 (Monday)
Now when we wake up in the morning, it is still dark. It is hard to
believe that the 21st of June and the longest day is long past and now we
are heading to fall. I did my exercises and had my breakfast and then
went for a walk. When I got home, I got out the acid food for houseplants
and evergreens and so first I did all the plants inside and then did the
camellia bushes, our new little tree and other bushes. That is work cause
you have to lug two gallons of water around for each plant. Then I got
into my leotard and stopped at Priss’ to take paperbacks and pick up some
of hers to read. On to Stars where I did the machines and ½ an hour of
floor exercises. When I got home, I was starved, so we had lunch – mostly
leftovers. I then browned the chicken breasts, fixed potatoes for boiling
and mashing, did green beans yet again and a lovely fresh fruit salad.
Got dressed and went to see Mr. Hensley about the foundation that
appointed me. We talked about what their plans were and then I went to
Chico Jr. I wanted to get the gossip from Pat Heskett but we just got
started and a parent came in to register a student, so I left. Don found
me a hose and spray to use in a tub instead of a shower. I don’t always
like the shower and I think this will use less water. Dinner was very
good and then we listened to the news - all bad. A cruise ship sank off
the coast of Africa and the captain and the crew left before the people
who were passengers. Incredible. Then there was a part about the soldiers
and their families adjusting after the Gulf War. These people were gone a
few months and when I think of people who were gone for years and didn’t
make that kind of fuss – it seems pretty stupid. Went for a walk and
talked to Priss. Wanted to watch movies at 8 and 9 p.m., but they were
both so bad that I didn’t stay with them. Did watch Major Dad. Don had
gone to bed by then. I went shortly after. Question of Guilt by Frances
Fyfeld – excellent. Mary Wyle sent it back with Don on Monday.
August 6, 1991 (Tuesday)
So cool! It was in the low 80’s today. It is supposed to last for two
more days and then get hot again. The usual morning routine. Then a
pleasant walk. When I came back, I cooked liver for Daisy and then made
up 12 hamburgers to put in the freezer. Then at 15 to 9, I drove to Nord
Avenue by way of Sacramento Avenue and ended up at Safeway and then found
the thrift shop and behind it the Food Center. It was much better than
the one on Park Avenue where I worked before. I filled plastic bags with
dried beans, 2 & 4 cup ones. I marked canned goods and filled shelves
with them. I packed bags. It was much the same as before but not much
better surroundings. The ladies I worked with were nice so the two hours
went by fast. Then I came home and had lunch. Don was going to his
luncheon group. He didn’t eat with me. When he went off, I decided to go
outside and check the bushes on the east side of our lot. Well, I got
started and I did a lot of cutting and raking, but we will need a
dumpster to get everything out of there. We need to cut the bushes right
by the fence so the sun can come in. It is like a forest right now. There
is plenty of work to be done. I had used my left hand so much at the food
center and then to do a lot of cutting certainly didn’t help any. Well
tomorrow I will be more careful. Don got back and I quit for the day.
Dinner was easy. I heated the potatoes and gravy, fixed cukes and
tomatoes, heated some French bread and I had a piece of pound cake for
dessert. Then I read. I got so upset by the news that I walked out -killings, dismembering of bodies, scandals, local, national and
international. Israel will go to a peace conference but will not talk
about Galan Heights – it just went on and on. Talked to Priss. No, that
is not right – I listened to Priss and then we went for a walk. Lovely,
breezy evening. Then Don’s war wounds hurt so much that he took a pill
and went to bed. Now I have pinned up my hair and will read a bit before
going myself.
August 7, 1991 (Wednesday)
Another cool day but the weatherman said tonight that we had one more day
and maybe two and then it was going to get hot again but it is cool right
now. I walked early but it was one those days where my knees felt
artificial and I was rather jerky. I like it when I sort of flow along.
But not today. Came back home and felt shaky so I ate some cereal. Then I
cleaned both bathrooms and by that time, Don was back from breakfast with
Carl. So I got into my leotard and went off to Stars. Stopped on the way
and got two melons, some peaches and tomatoes. A man and two boys were
selling things right beside the street near Neal Dow store. When I got to
the food market and Stars, there was no place to park. I drove down three
times and finally came up and parked way down the street. I got cukes and
nectarines and took them into Stars rather than going back to the car. I
did the machines, stayed 25 minutes at the floor exercises and felt much
better. Came home and had a wonderful sandwich of cheese and last night’s
tomato, cucumber and onion drained. It tasted just great. I must stop
eating so much cause I am gaining weight and my stomach sticks out. I
can’t understand why I am hungry all the time. It is as if I had a
tapeworm but I am not thin. I so much wanted to look good when Pauline
came but I can’t seem to stop eating. I started out for the library to
put in my two hours but stopped at Bidwell to talk to Emma. She told me
all kinds of gossip but mainly about Barbara not being a very good
chairman. Also, that Kathleen had taken some students over to the jail so
they could visit their parent and on the way out gave a boy a ride home
who was escaping from jail. That I thought was very funny. Did my library
stint. Don picked me up and when I got home I got the stuff out for
waffles, fixed a fruit plate, cheese and pickles and sausages. It all
tasted so good. Watched some of the news. Took two loads of debris from
yesterday’s trimming to put in the garbage. Walked to the end of North
Avenue. Did a load of clothes. Read a little and went to bed.
We got up late again. I was awake earlier, but then I dozed off. I have
been dreaming about my mother lately. I don’t know why. So I got up and
put my eye drops in and used my inhalator for my lungs and then I weighed
and it was too much so I decided to be more careful today about eating.
We will see what tomorrow brings. I fixed Don’s breakfast, did a few
exercises, read the paper and then got dressed to go grocery shopping. It
was one of those days where I kept putting things on and everything
looked wrong. Finally it was 7:10 and I was on my way to pick up Mary.
She is a depressing lady. She is always looking on the dark side and her
tone of voice and the way she looks drag one down. I try to kid her but
it is hard. Well, we got our groceries and I got home and started to put
things away. Don is very discouraged about his tennis cause he is not
doing well playing left handed and his right hand hurts too much to play
the regular way. I sunbathed and I went to Lucky, Holiday and to the man
selling melons near Neal Dow to get many things. Had a healthful lunch,
ironed clothes and then went off to get my perm. Back by 3 and I think it
will be ok. Not very curly and very short. Fixed a green salad and we had
bacon and tomato sandwiches but I put ham in mine. Don had corn and he
had a fresh strawberry sundae and I had fruit. Watched the news, called
Priss and then we went for a walk. Well, the cool weather is over and we
are back to hot again and it is supposed to stay that way for about a
week. The new digest came and I have been reading that. Don has gone to
bed but it is just 9:30 and I think I will stay up and read. Talked to
Cathy today and told her I had not heard from Linda. She called Lin and
so naturally Linda called me. So we had a good visit and I am to call
from now on when I don’t hear. I couldn’t tell her that when I don’t hear
I worry that things are going wrong again for her and that she doesn’t
want me to know. But from now on, I will call.
9:15 p.m. and I was reading and enjoying myself and then I realized I had
better write in this or it would be bedtime and too late. Ok, today is
not great, but ok. We got up at 5. Each day is a little warmer than the
day before. I did my exercises, read the paper and drank my Suka. Then I
got dressed and went for a long walk. A nice morning and not too hot at
7:15. I did some trimming of plants in the front yard when I got back and
then got ready to go to Stars. Stopped by to see Priss on the way home
and gave her some catalogues and picked some up. I was really hungry and
had fruit and cottage cheese for lunch. Then I emptied the dishwasher,
made a tuna salad for dinner and then decided to make a cheesecake. I had
gotten cream cheese for 49¢ for 8 oz. at the Cannery so I bought two
packages. That made for a very cheap pie. Then I fed the dog and went off
to the mall. I want a pair of black slacks, preferably knit. I tried on
seven different pair at three stores and really didn’t like any of them
well enough to buy. Some were expensive, too. Even went to K-Mart but
they were poorly made so I didn’t try any on. Came home and cooked the
broccoli and made the cheese sauce so we had the salad, cukes and
tomatoes, the broccoli and the cheesecake. It all tasted just great.
Watched the news, then went outside and read. Mike called this evening.
Don was not here at the time. We had a wonderful talk. He is so easy to
talk to. Matt and Lisa are back in Florida. He won’t talk to his dad but
Mike seems patient and willing to wait. He feels Matt has had no success.
He blew shop and did nothing in the service when he could have taken shop
classes, etc. So when you don’t like yourself, it is handy to blame
someone else and naturally, he blames his father. Donna is out here
visiting her parents. Matt and Lisa are living with her. Well, we talked
about many things and it was a good visit. Now I think I will go back to
my book.
We woke up at 5:30 to a clear day naturally and it got rather warm before
it was over. I picked up Mary at the usual time to go to the food market.
I got eggs, green beans, cukes and peppers. Everything seemed rather
boring to me this morning. Maybe it was just my mood cause it lasted
through the day. Came home having stopped at Safeway to get doughnuts
since there was a swim meet and the Yorks were coming and in fact, they
arrived shortly afterwards. So everyone had a doughnut and then the last
girls went over and Julie and Cathy stayed for a while to talk. When they
went over, I went for a walk and it wasn’t too hot. Came back and read
for a while and then Cathy and Julie returned and we made sandwiches and
there were cookies, coke, juice, etc. I had made egg salad, there was ham
and I must work out something cause they will be back tomorrow and I am
now out of the above and will have to get something else. We got a lot of
visiting done. I made bread after lunch and I read. Then I went over to
watch and I got to see both MJ and Rosalie swim. They do ok but Durham is
not a strong team so they didn’t win any medals but they accomplished
their time and that is the main thing. When they left, I made cheese
sandwiches, set out the rest of last night’s tuna salad, sliced tomatoes
and there was cheesecake and that was our dinner. Then we watched the
news. Later I went for a walk by myself since Don has a pain in his
thigh. For some reason today, I was very unhappy with my life. We never
go anywhere or do anything. Every day is just like every other day. From
5 in the morning till I go to bed at 10. Or on Thursday I go shopping and
Saturday I go to the food market, Sunday is church and M-W-F I go to
Stars but none of that is very exciting. We can’t even go out of town
cause of the dog. I can go for walks and not mind but today I really do.
I went through my clothes today and Cathy & Julie took what they wanted
and the rest I am taking to the Discovery Shop on Monday. Maybe Pauline’s
coming will help.
We didn’t go to church this morning and it was very pleasant to read the
Sunday papers and enjoy them leisurely. Then I started a load of clothes
and went for a long walk. It was cool to begin with but got warm before I
got home. I see that right now I seem to tire more easily and I worry a
bit about that but maybe it is just cause it is hot. Then I put in a
second load of clothes, made a tuna spread for sandwiches since the Yorks
were to be here again today. Then I made a turkey hot dish and put it in
the fridge so I didn’t have to do it later in the day. MJ came first and
had some juice and then came back for lunch. Then Rosalie and finally
Julie. Cathy didn’t come over at all so I sent a lunch over to her. I
played cards with MJ in the afternoon while she was waiting for her team
to swim. Jason and Linda called wanting to know when Jason was to
register and when they should come down. Don will check tomorrow. They
both sounded fine. After the Yorks left, I put the hot dish in, made a
green salad and sliced the French bread. It all tasted very good and we
finished the last little bit of the pie. Then we watched Siskel and Ebert
and that was interesting, and then the news. Today a man was released –
the second hostage and his name was Tracy and no one seemed to know much
about him or to care. His mother hadn’t seem him for 20 years or heard
from him. No yellow ribbons for this fellow. Well, hopefully they will
all be released soon. So then we went for a walk although it was still
very warm and then I took a shower and now I have a beautiful Manhattan
before me and I am going to start sipping. We sat outside and had a good
talk about a lot of things. Then we went to bed and things did not go so
well there. So we win a few and lose a few and so to sleep.
We got up at 5:30 and it was pleasantly cool at that hour. I fixed Don’s
breakfast and then went through my exercise routine. Read most of the
paper and then got busy. First I had to debone the turkey legs I had
cooked last night as well as add carrots and ramen. I did that and put
everything in containers for the freezer. Then I cleaned the bathroom and
kitchen in the apartment, vacuumed, dusted and am all ready for tomorrow
for Pauline’s arrival. Then I shampooed my hair and got dressed to go to
the Discovery Shop. I love working there. I found this time two very
sweet pictures to put in the kitchen for 50¢ each and I got them as a
gift for one of the girls for Christmas. I got a very nice all wool
sweater, cardigan, red that is now washed and blocked and folded waiting
for fall. I also got a little top and a good-looking pink long sleeved
top. We made $156+ and the time flew by cause I was busy bringing things
out and wrapping things up for customers. When I got home, I had lunch
and then washed the things I had bought. I also bought cloth napkins very
cheap. We had bacon and eggs for dinner, then the news, then I talked to
Priss who was in a good mood and then Don and I walked to the mall so he
could buy a book he wanted. Pauline called and she is packed and ready to
leave tomorrow at 7:30. She sounded in a good mood. In the paper tonight,
it said the police had arrested [Name redacted] and his brother for
selling cocaine. We don’t know if this is the [Name redacted] we know who
went to school with Jason or not. Don called Linda but she didn’t know
the name of his brother so it is still a mystery. Cathy called from work
wanting to know how to set the color in a garment. I checked my Mary
Ellen book, but couldn’t find anything. I think I will call Alice Wipf.
She might know. Now I am going to read my book.
Pauline arrives. A little rain! Woke to a cloudy day. I went for a walk
after breakfast and there was no sunrise today. When Pauline called last
night, she asked if it ever rained here this time of year and I laughed
and said no it didn’t, but would you believe that in mid morning, it
rained!?! I was really stunned. Priss called and reminded me cause she
thought it was funny, too. Well, I dusted and I fixed the game hens in
their marinade and I put roses everywhere and I followed Priss’ formula
of one gallon of water, one tablespoon of sugar and one tablespoon of
Clorox and we will see how long they last. We went to meet the plane at
1:30 and we drove up and got out of the car and she was just walking into
the building. She looks just great. She is not anywhere near as heavy as
she was before. We are now the same height. Her hair is tinted a nice
shade of brown and it is short (she cuts it herself) and she looks very
good indeed. We came home and started talking and it has gone on ever
since. She rested a little in the late afternoon. The dinner was good.
The cornish game hens, rice, green beans, cukes and tomatoes, and sweet
melon pieces and Priss’ rum cake. After dinner, we went for a walk but
she doesn’t believe in walking shoes so we sauntered along at a snails’
pace. I must get up early and walk before she gets up. Then we watched
the news and McNeil-Lehr and nap but that was before the walk. When we
came back, we sat on the patio with Don and told her about Lyndall Van
Stone and then Don went to bed and we stayed up and talked. I think it is
going to be a long ten days. I am not so involved in world affairs and I
cannot get as vehement as she does. I think it is going to be difficult.
We will see.
Today was a better day. We got up at the usual time. Well, I was a little
later and Don had done his own, but I got out the vitamins at last. I
went to the music room to do my exercises and then Pauline got up so I
went to Safeway to buy her a grapefruit since she has ½ of one every
morning. The she wanted to go for a walk and we went behind the junior
high and then to Manzanita and North and home, but she walks so slowly. I
find it hard to slow down all the time. Then I went to the food market
for tomatoes and nectarines and then did the machines and then 20 minutes
of the floor exercises, but Cathy was not there. Then home and lunch.
Since it is Wednesday, I was due at the library at 1 to work and so
Pauline decided to come with me so I drove and I worked on cards and she
found books and read. The time went pretty fast today. I picked out some
books and so did Pauline and then we came home. I made a green salad,
there was hot dish left over from Monday and I heated French bread.
Afterwards, I made hot fudge sundaes for everyone, then we went to the
Big 5 cause Pauline thought maybe she would like to buy walking shoes.
She found some white ones but Phil makes fun of white shoes and so she
hopes to find black ones. We stayed in the car when we got back and
talked for a while. It was better than last night since we were talking
about ourselves rather that about wars, etc. Pauline and Don were going
to watch Russian House. I was not interested. Don decided he wanted
popcorn so we popped some for him. I then took a shower and pinned up my
hair. Tomorrow I will go grocery shopping with Mary and then we will go
to lunch with Priss at the country club. I rather dread that but maybe it
will be ok. It is cool and windy tonight.
Woke up and managed to get in a fast walk before going to pick up Mary
and do the Food for Less and the Cannery. Then back home. Very chilly and
cloudy to begin with, but it did clear. I wore my two piece coral and
white dress to go to lunch. Priss picked us up at 11:30 and we met Alice
and Cassie there. I don’t like going to lunch at the country club and
there were a lot of people and it was noisy. We had cobb salads and they
were not great, but there was a very good chocolate mousse cake. We got
home and I decided to make chutney after I changed my clothes. We had
mock crab salad and broccoli with strawberry shortcake for dessert. I
realized that I really don’t like to have our usual routine changed and
that is what a houseguest does. And Pauline is so conscious of the events
of the world and so knowledgeable and I am not and I am bored and
frustrated and I feel inadequate and a stupid jerk and hearing it all
days makes me very irritable. The UPS man came at dinnertime and Lyndall
had sent pairs of sox for Don and my Clinique perfume and a sweet card.
We watched When Harry Met Sally and Pauline liked it and that was good.
Now I am going to bed cause it is 10 p.m.
I was so sleepy that I went to bed and didn’t write in this, so now I am
doing it on Saturday. Let’s see! What happened during the day? I got up
early and went for a long walk by myself and when I got back, I found
Pauline ready to go for a walk, so we covered the same territory in three
times the time, but visited on the way and I decided not to push speed
cause she just can’t or won’t do it. Then I lined up things to do about
the evening party: I had made the spinach dip yesterday, so I did a new
bean one that turned out very well, did fruit sticks, got the cheese out
to come to room temperature, made onion dip, got everything out that was
going to be needed, did the flowers, dusted, ran a load of clothes and
got everything ironed. Decided to wear the purple cotton skirt, white
scoop necked cotton top and pink sash. We called the Boyles and they had
just gotten home but they came and the others: Heins, Marklands, Rawlins,
Rosemans, Priss, Alice, Cassie and Jackie, so there were 17 with us
three. It went very well. Everyone seemed to have a very good time and I
felt good about it, too. We were going out to eat but there was so much
food that we just kept on munching and stayed home. Then we sat down and
the three of us talked over the wonderful party and then we went to bed
and I was ready.
After the morning routine, I took Mary to the market and I got corn,
green beans and nectarines. Stopped at Safeway and got rolls for Don and
Pauline, plus cottage cheese and then I came home. At 9:30, Pauline and I
went back downtown and we went to the food market so we could see it and
we bought lavender, some Asian pears and apples. Then we went to the
Discovery Shop and we looked at a lot of things. I finally got a pair of
bright yellow pants that match a yellow sweatshirt and she got a top. We
had lunch and then she had a navy skirt that had to be made over, so we
ripped, set up the machine and she fixed it. I gave her a pink blouse and
a black and white cotton dress I had bought earlier at the Discovery Shop
and she loves them both. For dinner, I fixed scrambled eggs, sausages,
cukes and tomatoes and hot biscuits. Everyone seemed to be satisfied with
that. We watched the news and read and then Don said he was going to bed
but he did fix us a drink before he went. I just took tonic water and
Pauline had a gin and tonic. We went out to the TV room and sat down and
started to talk and we ended up at 11:30. We talked about what we
remember of our childhood and naturally we remember different things, but
it was really very fine and I was able to say things and she was also
able to say things that we would not say to anyone else and I think that
was needed. Lin called and they will be leaving Tahoe after work on
Monday and will probably arrive between 8:30 and 9.
We got up at 5 and I was able to do a long walk before coming back to get
ready for church. I wore my kelly green skirt and top. Pauline came but
Don stayed home. We picked up Mary and it all went well. The priest gave
a good sermon and it was all very brief cause there was no singing. I
changed my clothes and deboned the chicken breasts and got them ready for
the oven and later in the afternoon. I also fixed green beans for Tuesday
night’s dinner and I made a gorgeous fruit salad with mango, pineapple,
mandarin oranges, Asian pear, nectarines and grapes – wow! Then we had
lunch and Pauline went to take a nap and I made a gravenstein apple pie –
a big one. I had bought fresh corn yesterday so that was husked. Then I
read. We all had a drink before dinner and we ate so much that we went
for a walk afterwards before eating our pie. I have been eating a lot and
I have gained weight naturally. Mike called earlier in the week and he
said they were going to be here two weeks at Christmas. I shudder to
think about cooking for them and Jenny and Niki and some of the time Lin
and Jason and the Yorks, too. Not only will it cost a lot, but it will be
a lot of work. Well, that is a long way off. I called Priss tonight and
made appointments for lunch on Wednesday and we will go to Rubinos. She
seemed in good spirits. I had Don take her two pieces of the apple pie.
Now it is 8 p.m. and Pauline and I are outside on the patio. She is doing
a crossword puzzle and I am going back to my book. At 9:00 p.m., we
decided to watch Romancing the Stone and right in the middle of it they
came on with a special bulletin and Gorbachev was deposed and a committee
of five men have taken over and the KGB is involved and it sounds just
terrible.
We got up at 4:30 cause Daisy was restless. But even though I had gone to
bed late, I was ready to get up and we turned on CNN right away and there
are tanks in Moscow and people in the streets and rumors flying around
like crazy. I fixed breakfast and then went for a walk with Safeway as
the ultimate goal since we need bananas. I saw Alice walking her dog so
we had a good visit as we walked. Got home and by then Pauline was up and
so we all watched. Then I got ready and went to Stars. Did all the
machines and then just a little of the floor exercises cause Cathy is not
there and I don’t much care for the substitute. When I got home, Don and
I washed both cars and then it was time for lunch. I put out every single
piddly leftover and we ate just about all of them. Afterwards we got
dressed and went to Bidwell Mansion. They have a docent take people
around on the hour every hour. We both enjoyed it although I had done it
before. Then we came home and changed back into comfortable clothes and I
made a cabbage salad and with the chicken from yesterday, and some
leftover rice and made a good dish. We had the rest of the apple pie and
then we watched the news. Afterwards I went for a walk and we just got
back and Lin and Jason arrived both looking just great. Jason seems
taller and very tanned and handsome as ever. They ate with great gusto
and then we sat and talked. Now it is 10:30 and I must go to bed cause I
am weary.
We got up at 5 and after breakfast I had a fine walk. It was a beautiful
morning and not too warm. When I got back, Pauline was awake. I made
potato salad and throughout all this, we were listening to what was
happening in Russia. Yeltsin was in the building housing his people and
the people in the coup were saying that the tanks were going to take over
but all day long various people talked and threatened. Bush had a press
conference and the other countries said how displeased they were. Linda
and Jason started to move Jason’s things over to the house where he will
be living. Now that the moving has begun, I want all the things out.
Pauline and I sewed the covers for the chairs that I will be bringing
over from Priss’ garage once Jason has taken his things out. Linda
brought down some clothes and I got some very nice things: a pair of
Cherokee cotton beige slacks, a beautiful white cotton sweater, and a
very good looking black, red and white plaid skirt. I ironed them all and
they look great. I can’t wait for fall. I am tired of some of my clothes.
Well, I guess that happens after the middle of August. Dinner was great:
hamburgers, green beans, potato salad, cukes and tomatoes and brownies.
Then the news and a long walk with Linda. The table looked great: dark
blue mats and candles to match, red napkins and red roses. Don went to
bed early with a headache. The three ladies visited about all kinds of
things and now I think I will go to bed. I love having Linda here and
Jason, too.
We got up a little after 5 and I did a few exercises and then turned on
the news to hear that evidently the Russian coup is unraveling and there
are all kinds of rumors. Bush talked to Gorbachev this morning and he is
on his way back to Moscow. Some of the “committee” are sick and we hear
that some have committed suicide though that may be just another rumor.
Anyway, it sounds as if the bad guys lost. I put on my white slacks, red
top and white jacket, red shoes and drove to the Chico Mall at 7 only to
be told that it was supposed to be 7:30. I had a glass of juice and a
stale sweet roll and then I left cause it looked as if it was going to be
a long affair. Linda and Cathy came home from having had breakfast and
Cathy regaled us with stories about the swim meet in Redding. Then I went
for a walk and by the time I got back, it was time to pick up Priss and I
drove to Rubinos on the Esplanade and the lunch was great. Went to Priss’
for a few minutes and then home. Changed my clothes and then back to the
library to work for two hours. Don picked me up and we both had something
cold to drink. By this time, the afternoon was hot, but by dinnertime, it
had cooled off. I had fixed salad greens in the morning, so I had Don go
to Murphy’s Pizza to finally cash in on the $9 pizza we had bought to
help the Durham Dolphins back in June. So we had the pizza and the salad.
The pizza was really very good. Jason came along later and finished off
the pizza and the salad. He is gradually getting things over to the house
where he is going to live, but he still has a lot of things here. We
watched the news again this evening and it is almost all about Russia,
but I suppose in a day or two that will end. On regular TV tonight was
the Black Widow with Debra Winger and I had liked it the first time and
it was good again this time. Now it is 10 p.m. and I think I will go to
bed.
Up at 5 after a bad night cause I worry about Jason not having a bed over
at the apartment. And I worry about whether or not he will get his
classes today and if they will accept the fact that he doesn’t have all
his papers and will have to pay his tuition. Well, I got up and fixed
Don’s breakfast and then did my exercises and began to feeling a little
better so I got dressed and went for a nice walk. The morning was fresh
and cool and I felt better. At 7:15, I left to pick up Mary. I got
groceries at Food for Less and the Cannery and milk on the way home at
Safeway. We put everything away and I made up a can of tuna for
sandwiches cause Cathy said she and the girls would stop by for lunch.
Then I went outside and sat in the sun for a while. Something I have not
done for a long time. It was not too hot. I ran three loads of clothes
during the day. Cathy came after we had eaten so I fixed the girls
sandwiches and there were grapes and chips and some store bought cookies.
After they left, I read and dozed and then took a shower. We listened to
the news off and on all day. Gorbachev is back in Moscow and he had a
long press conference. In the meantime, Yeltsin was talking to the
hundreds of thousands of people in the square. I think Gorby may be on
the way out but Don doesn’t think so. We went out to dinner at 5:30 to
the Happy Gardens. It was good and Pauline seemed to enjoy it. We came
back and I ironed shirts, etc., and then we watched The Little Drummer
Girl. Pauline liked the book and wanted to see it. Tomorrow morning we
take her to the plane so she can leave at 7 a.m. At 9, I have to go work
at the Food Bank. Don got a call from Dale and there is a deal tomorrow
night to meet new people in the department. I don’t really want to go,
but I haven’t said anything to him about not wanting to go. I think it
will be a relief to say goodbye to Pauline. We are too different anyway.
I think that is the problem.
We got up at the usual time and I woke Pauline at the time she had asked.
She got up and had breakfast along with Don and at 6:30 we were at the
airport so that she could check in. We stayed until she went through the
door where they check to see if you have weapons and then we left. She
said she had had a very good time, but whether she really did is anyone’s
guess. I told Don that once she got home, she would be telling Phil all
about it just as Don and I talked about it. I think the fact that her
hearing is a problem may be some of the trouble. I can imagine how
frustrating that would be. Then too, the Allens are all great talkers and
they are very opinionated and she is certainly that and she has the
attitude that what she says is right and she is not willing to accept any
other view. Oh well, it is over and there were some times when it was
very good. I can’t complaint but I think this is the last time that Don
will ever try to have my sister come out as a surprise. I got busy and
washed the sheets on the apartment bed and put them back on and we moved
the table to the living room. Then I went to Pay N Pak and got a picture
hook and we hung the picture of irises over the table and it looks great.
I made bacon and tomato sandwiches for dinner and then I took a shower
and got ready to go to Dale’s to meet the new people in the department.
We stayed for just an hour. There were a lot of goodies, but we didn’t
eat much and had lemonade. We came home and I put on my white cotton gown
and we sat on the patio and I had vodka tonics and Don had bourbon and
water. The moon was almost full and it was a lovely evening and we talked
and talked. Then we went to bed and tried and it worked but separately
but we are willing to settle for that at present. And then it was time to
sleep and it is good to have the house to ourselves again.
I feel good about today. I got a lot done. First I took the sheets off
the bed and washed them. Did my exercises and had my Pero while I read
the paper. Got dressed to go to the market. Today I bought a lot:
nectarines, tomatoes, green beans, red onions, pears, cucumbers. Stopped
at Safeway for more things and then took Mary home. She took one sack of
mine by mistake so I had to go back over. Put everything away and went
for my walk. By 9:30, it was getting too warm. Stopped at a yard sale and
bought a pair of clippers for $1.50 and a nice big shallow basket for
50¢. When I got home, I washed the kitchen floor on hands and knees and
it looks just great. Then I did the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom floor
in the apartment, changed the flowers and dusted. Had lunch and in the
afternoon, I walked to the mall and tried on many black knit pants, but
they were either too big and baggy or too tight. Walked over to the
Almond Orchard and to the shop sponsored by the cancer organization and I
found a pair of black stirrup knit slacks for $10 that fit so I bought
them. Then home where I got out the chili, hot dogs, buns, made a huge
fruit plate and grated cheese and we had a good dinner. Then the news.
Now Gorbachev has renounced communism. Yesterday he had to fire the man
he had appointed the day before and he now begins to look like a loser.
Yeltsin is calling the truce but although he is good at the barricades,
he may not be so good when it comes to getting them food and a better
life. The three countries – Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have declared
independence, as have the people in the Crimea, etc. So the whole country
is in a state of flux. We are living through perilous but exciting times.
Now I think I will look at the moon for a while and then to bed.
It is 9:40 p.m. and Don has gone to bed and I am about ready to go. I
have a headache tonight, which is most unusual so I just took a pill for
it, and hope it helps. What did I do today? Well, we went to church and
it was a very cool, clear morning, so I wore off black hose, that black
skirt with the colored flowers and a black turtleneck. When I got home, I
changed and went for a walk. It was most pleasant. Then I went over to KMart cause vegetable powder was on sale and got some. I priced systemic
for the roses, but it was $6.99 and that seemed a lot so I went over to
Longs but it was $7.99 so I went to Pay N Pak and they were closed and
won’t open till Thursday at 9 a.m. I want to be there cause maybe the
birdbaths will be on sale. I must work something out. So I came home and
got to work on dinner. I did the salad greens, boiled the potatoes and
made the cream sauce and I made a lemon soufflé. Had lunch and then I fed
all the indoor plants and then I did all the camellias, the two trees and
other green all year bushes. That is very hard work cause I filled the
pail with three gallons of water each time and it is heavy. We watched
the track and field in Tokyo and that was exciting and I read. I fed
Daisy at 3 and then put the ham in the oven. Don suggested a drink at
4:30 and we sat outside and talked. We are enjoying each other and being
alone. I must write to the people in Australia. We called yesterday and
it was not satisfactory at all and I see no point in wasting money to
talk about the weather and little else. I think from now on unless we
really have something important to say, we just won’t call. I talked to
Priss tonight and she was fine. She is looking forward to having David
here for the weekend. Now I am going to take my headache to bed and hope
I will be ok in the morning. Much talk about Russia in the news again
tonight naturally.
It is 8:30 p.m. and I am pooped! What a day. We got up at about 5. I did
my exercises, fixed breakfast and was off to Stars by 6:15. I did my
machines and then did ½ an hour of floor exercises. When I got home, I
changed clothes and walked to Holiday to buy bananas since they were on
sale for 19¢# and we were out. When I got home, I shaved my legs, took a
shower and shampooed and set my hair. Then I decided I wanted to shorten
the flowered skort I bought in Melbourne and have never worn. So I pinned
it up and sewed it out on the patio in the sun so I could get my hair
dry. When I had finished that and ironed it, I found it was lunchtime so
I ate and then got dressed. I was just about the leave for the Discovery
Shop when Mike called. He had had chest pains so went to the doctor and
did the treadmill and appears to be in perfect health. I left while Don
and Mike were still talking. I worked hard all afternoon. Skirts and tops
were on sale so I went through and picked out a lot of them and brought
them home but will keep just two. I was really weary when I got home.
Fixed Don leftover chili with a hot dog and bun, an ear of corn, and
fresh pear with cottage cheese. I had a ham sandwich and the salad.
Watched the news and then walked to Longs to buy some nighttime bufferin
for Don. He went to the foot doctor today and he is going to have an
operation a week from tomorrow. Jason came over and brought his laundry.
He hates the place where he is cause it is so dirty and the people are
such slobs. So now he will have to move again. I just finished making a
pie crust for the pie I will make in the morning for Don’s luncheon
group. It was only 83º today and so it was really a very fine ay. I
called Priss tonight and we had a good chat. I am running a load of
clothes and when they are in the dryer, I will read for a bit and then go
to bed.
Another cool, clear day. I took a bufferin nighttime pill last night and
I slept very well. I had an ear ache yesterday but no sight of it today,
so it must have helped that, too. So when I got up, Don had made his own
breakfast and I just had to put out the vitamins. I didn't go for a walk
after having my Suka, but instead I started in on the dinner. I had done
the pie crust last night so this morning, I just had to make the
chocolate chess filling
and so that went fast. Then I made a potato salad, fixed the tomatoes and
cucumbers and I had already cooked the green beans so I just had to put
them in a pan to heat. Thawed the burgers and everything was set. Dusted
the living room, set the table, arranged the flowers and at 11:30, I left
for points unknown. Well, not really. I drove out to Good Will but the
place has changed so much and I wasn't really interested, so I went on to
Target where I bought a black and white turtleneck and since they were
$6.99 each, I figured they were a good buy. I got them in the children's
department and a size 14 fits me just fine. Then I went to Pier I and I
looked at everything. It is a very attractive store. I bought a brass
candlestick and then came on home. Don had everything all cleaned up and
so he went to take a nap. I got out the ham from Sunday and sliced it
plus the creamed potatoes, made a fruit cup and that was dinner. The news
was mainly about whether the people in
power will buy Gorbachev's saying that he will resign unless they are
willing to go along with his suggested reforms. Nothing will happen
probably till next Monday so now we will probably turn to domestic
problems. I called Cathy and visited with her. The girls seem to like
school. I chatted with Julie and she seemed enthusiastic. Don and I went
for a walk and it was almost chilly. Called Priss and had a good talk
with her. She has been
feeling much happier lately. Maybe cause David is coming this weekend. It
is 8:30 and I will read for a bit. Read Imagining Argentina by Lawrence
Thornton. Much like the House of Spirits. Mary Wyle sent it to Don. Grim,
but fascinating.
And this is August? I put on a sweatshirt this morning when I got up and
I wore it when I went for my walk! But by the time I was ready to go to
Stars a little after 9, I changed to something not quite so warm. Had a
good workout on the machines and did about 20 minutes on the floor
exercises but my weight on their scales is still 103. I am really trying
today not to snack and to eat less. This morning, I had my little glass
of juice and a
thin slice of bread with very little spread. At lunch, I had some yellow
cheese and a chopped nectarine with a small amount of those little
oriental tidbits. I did eat some little crax that Don brought out about
3:30. I did the salad greens right after lunch and put them in the frig
to crisp. Then it was time to walk to the library where I typed 60 cards
and did the info on about 10 magazines. Don picked me up at 3 and dinner
was a snap: green salad, spaghetti, French bread and chocolate chess pie
for dessert. Cause we don't seem to have much in our garbage can each
week, I filled it up this morning with debris from the big bushes in the
back yard. There has to be a lot of pruning back there and we will need a
dumpster when the time comes. Things have pretty much settled down for
the time being regarding Russia. They will be meeting next week on big
issues. In the meantime, nothing much is happening. Jason called at 4:30
and I asked him to come to dinner much to his relief. He was late cause
he was riding on the scooter and it gave out 1/2 way. He had the
spaghetti, salad, bread and had some frozen yogurt. He hates where he
lives and is trying to find something else. I think it is rather late to
go in with someone else, but maybe not. Then he called his mom and then I
talked to her. They are coming down next weekend. It is now about 9 p.m.
and I have had my shower. My stomach is acting up and I don't feel great.
When I got in bed Don wanted to make love and we tried but not
so good tonight.
Wrote to Jenny & Nike. Letter from Pauline. This was one busy day. I
started the day with the usual routine. Then I went for a walk before
going shopping and it was lovely and cool. Picked up Mary and we did our
usual Food for Less and the Cannery. Rushed home and put the groceries
away and went to Pay N Pak cause they are going out of business and their
sale started today. I had priced bird baths two weeks ago and they were
on sale for $29.95 and I was [counting] on their being even less today
since I wanted two of them: one for food and one for water. I dashed in
and found them and they were marked $79.95. I couldn't believe it. I
wanted to weep. Well, I came home without buying anything. When Don got
home from tennis, we decided to take the American Heritage magazines that
we have taken since 1970 and put them in the hall bookcase. We had to get
rid of a lot of books and I dusted each one and sacked them up and then
we brought out the American Heritages and put them in so that is done.
They were taking up a lot of room in the closet. Then Don took down the
magazine rack in the front hall and now we
will have to paint that area cause it is a different color underneath.
Today was the day I decided to cut down on fat and sweets and I did
pretty well. For dinner we had a crab salad and I used just one teaspoon
of sauce that contained some mayo. I had green beans, beets, tomatoes and
cukes with no oil in so that was good. I did have some frozen yogurt in
the afternoon but it is fat free. I wrote a long letter to Jenny and Niki
and thank goodness this was a good one. They haven't been all that great
lately. Walked to Longs after the news to buy shampoo and found I didn't
have enough money so went back in the car and got it plus at K-Mart I got
rose food and systemic and will feed the roses this weekend. I work at
the Discovery Shop tomorrow afternoon and Saturday David and Priss are
coming for dinner. I hope Sunday will be a day of rest. I am ready. I
keep wondering how long I can stick to a diet low in fat when I love Best
Foods mayo, chocolate and cheese so much??! A letter from Martha today.
George is going to be 80 years old the first part of September. She goes
to see him every day. She says his memory
is very bad.
Warmer. Now at the end of the month, the weather is heating up and it was
warmer today and is supposed to keep on getting even more so. Did my
exercises and then had the most wonderful breakfast: 1/2 a cup of
grapenuts and then a scoop of strawberry yogurt on top. Food for the
Gods. I could have that every morning. Then I went for a quick walk and
then I came home and got busy. I got out the rose food and fed all the
roses. Then I saw lots of weeds cause I have neglected it outside for
some time so I spent time pulling weeds and digging with the hoe when
necessary. Came in the house and did the ironing and then made lunch. Had
to get ready to go to the Discovery Shop. Today I was working for Priss
since David is due in at 1:40 p.m. It was rather a slow day. We made
$110. Not great. I looked at a lot of clothes and brought quite a few
home but fortunately most of them didn't fit, so I ended up with a very
good looking top - blue and white stripe Esprit for $3.00 and possibly a
pair of slacks. Made Don a bacon and tomato sandwich and I had more crab
salad with leftover green beans and some tomato slices. We watched the
news and then went to Holiday and S & S by work to get some things I
needed. We skipped the walk tonight. When we got back, Jason came over.
He has a lead on a place to live and I hope he gets it. I fixed him two
ham sandwiches. He had some frozen yogurt and I sent him home with fresh
fruit. I marinated the game hens for tomorrow night. I got 13 napkins for
$1 and I hemmed the ones that needed it tonight and washed and ironed
them and I plan to get six blue place mats and I have blue candles and
that will be part of Cathy's Christmas present. Don went to bed very
early with a headache. He seemed very down and depressed tonight. I hope
he will get some help from the psychologist he is going to see on
Wednesday. We both wrote a letter to George and Martha today remembering
times past cause Martha thought George would like that. Now I will read
for a while and then to bed.
We were late in getting up this morning and before I knew it, it was time
to get ready to go to the food market and I had a lot of things to buy.
Picked up Mary and away we went. I got eggs, cukes, tomatoes, green
beans, pear apples, peppers and some basil. Came home and put things away
(Don was still playing tennis) and went for a walk. Stopped at a yard
sale and saw a very pretty house coat for 50¢ but one doesn't know if it
will fit or not, so I didn't get it. Came back and decided to shorten two
pair of slacks. My left hand hurts so much when I cut or sew but I got
them done. Fixed lunch for Don and had some myself. There were a lot of
things to do - had to pin up my hair, take a shower, fixed the beans, do
the vegetable salad, cook the came hens, make an apple pie - so I had a
busy afternoon. Unfortunately while I was doing all this, I managed to do
some snacking and my being so careful the last few days so that I had
actually lost some weight, went by the wayside. Where is my will power
when I need it? I got cleaned up and put on my blue and white striped top
I got yesterday at the Discovery Shop and it went well with my white
slacks. Don was looking great in his white slacks and pink and white
striped knit top. Priss and David came at 5:30 and I had almonds, tiny
tomatoes, the delicious Indian chutney dip and the oriental mix. We
talked about Russia, and CA politics. Dinner was fine but after that it
all sort of fizzled out. Well, we tried and the meal was good but I think
everyone was bored before it was all over. Don ran the dishwasher and
then we sat on the patio so he could have a cigarette. He told me that
when Kent first came out with a filter they used asbestos! And we smoked
them for a long time. Yipes! Well, since I don't smoke any now, what does
it matter? I think I will read for a while and then go to bed.
September 1, 1991 (Sunday)
This was a strange day. I didn’t like it! Daisy woke us up in the middle
of the night barking, running from one end of the house to the other.
Since I had gone to bed at 11:30, I was not happy about waking up so
soon. Then again at 4, something and at that time, we gave up and got up.
I fixed breakfast but Don didn’t feel very good either and he wasn’t much
interested. But we got ready and went to church anyway and we gradually
began to feel better. I went for a 30-minute walk and would have gone
farther but it was getting too warm and I was dressed too warm. Came back
and decided to be lazy so I read and dozed the morning away. Don watched
tennis. I fixed him some lunch and Jason came by and made himself one of
those huge egg deals with cheese, tomatoes, onions, green peppers. He
calls it his cholesterol fix for the week. I napped and read in the
afternoon. Finished finally The Piano Man that was a very good mystery. I
had bought a package of riso at S & S cause I saw a recipe in the
Chronicle and it turned out good: riso, fresh tomatoes, onions, green
peppers. I made a salad and that was dinner. Neither of us was very
hungry. We turned on the air for about two hours and then turned it off
at 6:00. Still most of the news is about Russia. Tomorrow night after the
football game there will be a town meeting with Gorbachev and Yeltsin
answering questions from people from other countries. Should be
interesting. Tomorrow we must strip the living room cause on Tuesday they
are coming to take the ripples out of the carpet. Big job and in the
afternoon, Don has his foot operated on. I hope it won’t be too traumatic
for him. He has had bad luck lately.
September 2, 1991 (Monday)
It is 8 p.m. and I am hot, tired and sweaty cause it is 99º today and I
worked my ass off. This was Labor Day and I took the labor part
seriously. After my Suka this morning, I walked down North to Lupin to
Cohasset to Safeway, to East and back to North. Then Daisy and I fed the
roses systemic, pulled weeds and got leaves out from some of the laurels.
Came in the house and washed the living room windows. Some of them I did
twice cause the Windex seemed to streak so. Then Don got out the ladder
and after I got the water spots off, he washed the bedroom windows and I
did the screens. Then in the afternoon, it was tennis and Jason brought
his wash and he did three loads. We folded and I ironed things from my
wash earlier in the day. Busy, busy. The tennis was very exciting cause
Jimmy Connor on his 39th birthday beat Crickstein (?) in five sets and a
tiebreaker. In fact, we watched during dinner. I had ground up the rest
of the turkey ham and made sandwich spread. We had a green salad and the
rest of the riso. Mike called and wanted the recipe for graham crax pie
and they were ahead on the Connor/Crickstein but they didn’t tell us out
it ended. So we watched some more and Don called again but they still
wouldn’t but then it ended here and Connor won. After dinner, we watched
the news and then Jason came back to call his mom and he helped us move
more of the big furniture. I took out all the little stuff and tomorrow
morning there will be just three big pieces to move and the people fixing
the rug will do that. Then I took a shower and put on my nightgown and I
watched Burt Reynolds in a weekly deal called something Shade and then
Major Dad. Don was watching the 49ers get beat by one point! Joe M.
didn’t play then we had Manhattans and talked and went to bed and made
love and it was great for him but not for me but I didn’t mind. Next
time.
September 3, 1991 (Tuesday)
We got up at 5 and after my Suka, I went for a long walk. It was cool and
lovely out. Came home just as Don was leaving for tennis. Everything was
out of the living room ready for the men to come fix the rug. At 9 they
still had not come, so I called and they arrived at 9:20. The main person
looked [at] the rug and said he would not do it cause it wouldn’t work.
The rug had not been installed properly and the pad was gone. I was
ready to cry. I had worked all day yesterday taking the room apart and
then we had to put the whole thing back together. The men did help us
move the big stuff back and that helped. So now we will have to get a new
rug and it will cost a fortune. Well, we don’t have to do it right away.
We can live with the loose rug for a long time as far as I am concerned.
I was going to Stars but after that I was not interested. I went to the
Discovery Shop to pay my bill and return the things that didn’t fit. I
tried on a gray sweat outfit I have been looking at for some time and
decided I wanted it. It cost $4 but it is interesting and different and I
think worth it. I put it in the washer and dryer and it shrank a little.
We went to the doctor at 2:30 so that Dr. Taylor could operate on Don’s
toe. He was very nervous about it and he is trying to stop smoking again
and so it was a bad time to have both on his plate at the same time. He
wasn’t all that long and I drove home. He will go back on Friday and
until then he is to stay off of it as much as possible. I had hot dish
from the freezer, a raw veggie salad, French bread and I made a vanilla
pudding. Jason called at 4:15 and there was enough for him too, so he
came and ate with us and talked to his mother by phone. I wrote to
Pauline. Did a mile walk but it was so hot that it was no fun. Now after
8, Don is going to bed and I plan to read.
September 4, 1991 (Wednesday)
I am glad I write with my right hand cause my left hand really hurts
tonight. But it hasn’t been a bad day really. I had a walk this morning
to Manzanita and around and wasn’t too hot at that time. The problem is
that the kids are coming to Bidwell and so there is a lot of foot,
bicycle and car traffic. Don said his toe really didn’t hurt all that
much and he walks on his heel and gets around. I left at 9, stopped at
Pay N Pak, but the birdbaths were still $79.95. Went to the food market
and bought tomatoes and bought 10 # of nectarines since today was the
last time they would be selling them. Then I went to Stars and had a good
workout. When I got home, I had lunch. Then I trimmed some of the bushes
out front and went to work at the library. Went early and got home at
2:30 and at 3:15, I took Don to see Dr. Coyle, psychologist. Picked him
up at 4:30. He didn’t think this man would be any help but then I don’t
think he is ever going to find someone who can help him because he won’t
let them help. I had made dinner while he was there so I suggested we
have a drink before we ate and he made a Manhattan with brandy and it was
very good. We ate, watched the news and then I talked to Cathy and to
Priss before going for my walk. It was still hot but not unbearable. Took
a shower when I got back and read a little. Don was tired and went to
bed. He couldn’t cope with not smoking and went back to it. I have been
thinking about the media and what an important part it plays in our lives
today. I have the radio on all day. Though it plays music most of the
time, for every hour there is a brief news cast and I try hard not to
miss it. I read the paper in the morning, turn on the news at night and
somehow feel I have missed something if I don’t listen. And, they have so
much power to influence our views and thinking. Life was very different
before radio and TV. Now the question is, was it better or worse? Jerry
Brown says he is going to run for president. I do not like him. Don
called his sister this morning. She has moved to a new apartment and
naturally even though nothing is unpacked yet, she doesn’t like it. Every
time it is the same thing. How sad. I am getting sleepy and I think I may
go to bed even though it is just a little after 9.
September 5, 1991 (Thursday)
We both had a rather restless night. Don was in and out of bed and I
couldn’t get comfortable and I did a lot of dreaming. I was on a cruise
ship with a lot of other ladies and Donna was on it too. Strange! We got
up at 5 and I was out walking by 15 to 7 and it was most pleasant at that
time. Then I went to pick up Mary and we went shopping. I really didn’t
buy very much. Just wasn’t interested I guess. By the time I got home, it
was warming up. Don got home right afterwards and had breakfast with
Carl. I put everything away and then Cathy came and what a delightful
time we had. I fixed her a lunch and then we sat outside on the north
patio and just visited. We talked about her children, the house and
whether or not to add on (it was too expensive), about their school
politics, who is running for president. We just went on and on and then
Don got up from his nap and he joined us. It was a delightful afternoon.
She is so perceptive, witty and just plain fun. We are so lucky with our
children. She left just about 3 and then I fed Daisy and made a stir-fry
for dinner: carrots, zucchini, celery, snow peas, onions, peppers and
mock crab and rice. For dinner, I served tomatoes, cukes, bread and for
dessert strawberry frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries on top. We
called Jason and told him there was enough for him so he came over later
and ate. He had been fined $50 yesterday cause he was riding on the
sidewalk and went through a red light. He didn’t seem very upset. Don and
I went to Big 5 and he got two new pair of running shoes. Then we went to
the bank and then home. Then I worked on the windshield and windows on
the car cause the sprinkler had water spotted them. I think I got them
cleaned. Then I read the ER, then at 9 Yeltsin and Gorbachev were both
open to speakers from the US. People from many different cities: LA, NYC,
Miami, Chicago, etc. Very interesting.
September 6, 1991 (Friday)
Wrote to Mike. A nice Friday. I weighed 100# this morning on our scales.
Felt good. Did my exercises and then went for a long walk. It was cool
and pleasant. Then got in the car and went to Stars. For the first time,
I tried “steps.” It was rather fun but I did not stay very long. It looks
so easy but one tires quickly. Stopped at Holiday on the way home and
then afterwards I went to Longs and Lucky for things needed. By the time
I was done with those errands, it was time to think about lunch. Tennis
was the order of the day. Martina won in the morning against Stephie Graf
and Monic Seles won, who is the little 15 year old from Florida, in the
afternoon. Tomorrow there will be tennis all day again and then Sunday
will be the end. Don went to see Dr. Taylor at 1:30 and he was able to
drive himself. The doctor thought his toe looked good and he can shower
tomorrow and change the bandage. I read and dozed in the afternoon. Made
a chocolate cake for Don but didn’t have any myself. Really didn’t even
want any. We had broccoli, tomatoes and cucumber slices, mock crab salad
and French bread. Nothing much of anything on the news. I went for a nice
long walk after dinner. Very breezy so although it wasn’t all that cool,
it was pleasant. Don says he has a headache so will be going to bed
early. When I was walking tonight, I realized that I really enjoy a drink
and I think I could have one every night. We don’t do it that way but I
could certainly get into the habit without any trouble. But I won’t, I
guess. Wrote to Mike this afternoon and sent him the recipe for graham
crax pie. Lin called to say she would not be coming on Monday and now it
is to be Thursday. She will leave after work. I will believe it when I
see her. Tyson is supposed to be here this weekend so I don’t think we
will be seeing much of Jason. I kept to my no fat diet today, but I ate
too much even though it was all the good stuff. Tomorrow I will be more
careful. Now I am going to read for a while.
September 7, 1991 (Saturday)
Today was a pleasant day and the weather is simply lovely. In fact, I
sunbathed and didn’t get hot! We woke at 5. Don took Daisy to the junior
high but she was worried about him, I guess, so didn’t run off but stayed
right with him. He had his bed slippers on cause of his toe operation but
when he got back, he found an old pair of tennis shoes and cut the
material on the side so now he can wear a regular shoe. I picked up Mary
and went to the market. After I took her home, I went to the yard sale
down the street. I found a navy cardigan for $1 and at another sale I
found a funky little mirror for $1.50. Then at the Methodist Church sale,
I found a pair of knit pants for 50¢. Then I came home and sat outside in
the sun and read. Went in to fix Don lunch cause he was watching tennis.
Monica Seles beat Martina in the final for women. Edberg beat Lendl in
the semis and Currier beat Connor in the semi so tomorrow it will be
Edberg versus Currier. Jason came over and we had words cause he said he
was going to maybe buy a second hand oak desk for $200! I felt that was
ridiculous and told him so. He went off mad but came back later just
fine. Tyson is here this weekend and when he comes, Jason becomes
dissatisfied with everything, especially Chico State. Mike called and we
had a good chat. He and Karen are going to have this wonderful dinner
cause they went to eat at a man’s house and he is a marvelous cook. For
dessert they are going to have the graham crax pie. We had a drink before
dinner and sat on the patio and it was no nice. There won’t be too many
more weeks of that. Our dinner was gorgeous! Big steaks, twice baked
potato, corn on the cob and a green salad. Then we watched the news. I
tried twice to call Priss but no answer. Got a letter from Jenny today.
Niki is having sinus trouble and Jenny sounded kind of overwhelmed by too
much work. I think she is looking forward to Hong Kong. Well, it is time
to read. Stayed up till 11:30 finished an Ed McBain book called Widows.
We got up at about 5:15 and I did my usual exercises, etc. Don decided
not to go to church so I got the pound of almonds Mary had left in the
car and asked her not to do this type of thing again, but she insisted
and finally I gave up. We went on to church and then I took her home.
When I got home, I changed my clothes (I had worn my red slacks, white
turtleneck and red wool cardigan and it all looked pretty great I
thought). Well, anyway, I then walked to Holiday to get bananas. That
ended up about an hour walk. This time when I got back, I cut up the
chicken and sautéed it to cook later and I got out the Rice-a-Roni, put
leftover green beans in a pan to heat, as well as broccoli. Then I fixed
green beans I had bought yesterday to cook and then put them back in the
fridge to use another day. Fixed my lunch and Don’s and then laid down in
the apartment to read and fell asleep for 1 ½ hours. During that time,
Edberg won the US Open from Currier in three straight sets and the 49ers
beat the San Diego Chargers. Jason arrived to wash clothes so I got up. I
cured two pounds of almonds and then put the chicken in to cook at 3:30.
I had salad greens left over so I didn’t have to do much there except add
cukes, tomatoes, etc. We had a good dinner and Jason had said he didn’t
have time to stay to eat but then he was here waiting for his clothes to
dry so he did stay to eat. I tried not to eat too much. Then Lin called
to say she was coming tomorrow after all cause there was a race next week
end and she wouldn’t be able to come on Thursday as planned. After Jason
left and I watched the CBS news, I went for a walk and then got back in
time for 60 Minutes. Very interesting episode concerning a black who
wants to die rather than serve 30 years in prison and is having a hard
time getting to do so. We decided to wait until Wednesday to make love
cause of Don’s toe. Well, I can wait always, but I really wanted to do it
tonight. But I can understand about the toe. Did a little ironing and got
that out of the way. Will read now.
We woke up to a very chilly morning! I put on a sweatshirt and started to
close windows. Fall is here or at least early in the morning. Don was
going to breakfast with Don Marquis and I thought he was going to use the
car so I decided not to go to Stars. Since Linda was coming, I made a
potato salad and did all the chopping for the stir-fry. Don picked up
some dicondra and so I went outside and worked the ground around cement
blocks and now we are going to plant. There is lots of crabgrass and so
we have to pull that out, too. I did some of it today before going to
take a shower, shampoo and set my hair. Then I made brownies. Lin had
called saying that instead of leaving at 4 she could leave at 2. So we
decided to wait until she came to have dinner. Then Jason called and I
told him to come, too. We had a drink and sat on the patio and it was so
cool we got our sweatshirts on. Then Lin arrived bringing the futon and
chairs to exchange for the two chairs here. I quickly did the stir-fry
and we ate. Afterwards we went for a walk and how I love those walks with
Linda. When we got back, I called Priss and talked to her for an hour.
Then Don, Lin and I sat and talked in the dining room and then Don went
to bed. So now it is 11:15 and Lin and I have watched Northern Exposure
while she did her exercises. Pauline sent a beautiful dark green pitcher
from the NY Metropolitan and it is stunning. I must write to thank her.
Now I must go to bed cause tomorrow I work at the Food Locker from 9-11
but Lin says she will stay till about 1.
Not as cool as yesterday morning. Still very pleasant. I went for a long
walk and when I got back, Linda was up. So we had a short visit before I
went to the Food Bank. I was the only one there except for the woman who
sits behind the desk and answers the phone and checks people who come in.
There was a lot of fresh food that was no longer quite so fresh, so we
sorted through it and threw a lot away. For the whole two hours, only two
people came in to get food so I had very little to do. Came home and had
my lunch and then Lin and I went to Pay N Pak and she bought a lamp like
I got for the apartment bedroom and with 20% off, it was a good buy.
Then she picked up the car and left at about 2. While I was gone this
morning, she and Don had a very good talk. They both told me that and I
was glad I had been gone cause then Don got a chance to talk to her. She
has so much to say. After she left I decided to make a lemon pie cause
Don had said something about it earlier so I did that and then dinner
consisted of lots of veggies – cooked and uncooked – and leftover cold
chicken. I took two pieces of the pie to Priss. Then I write a letter to
Jenny and Niki and walked over and mailed it and then walked a few more
blocks. Ran two loads of clothes, folded and put away and set aside for
ironing. Don is watching a movie about Vietnam and I have emptied the
dishwasher, made oatmeal for breakfast and now I am going to bed.
We got up at the usual time. I am amazed at how many and how bright the
stars are. It is a beautiful sight. Then I went in the house and called
my sister to thank her for the present she sent. We had a good talk and
agreed that we lived so far away from each other and should try to see
each other more often. I left the house at a little before 8 and found a
place to park at Stars. Before going in, I got cukes, tomatoes, pears and
figs at the market. Had a good workout and then came home cause Don had
to go to Dr. Taylor at 10 to have the stitches taken out of his little
toe. We had lunch and then I walked to the library. Worked my two hours,
checked out about 10 books. Don stayed home till after 2 so that the man
from Ginnos finally came and put the right springs in the door to the
dishwasher. When I got home, I read (reading Talking God by Tony
Hillerman) and then I made waffles, kippers for Don, a fruit plate and
cheese and pickles. One of my favorite meals and so easy. After the news
I started out for my walk and came in to tell Don that the people across
the street who just got back from Turkey must be having a party cause
there were so many cars. As I walked down North Avenue, I realized that
Bidwell was having a back to school and I have never seen so many cars.
When I got back, Don and I had a good laugh about the “party.” Then I
showered and read and then Don asked if I wanted a drink and I said I
wanted a Manhattan and I had two and we tried and didn’t have any luck
with lovemaking, but Don didn’t seem too upset about it. I decided I am
not going to drink so much. One mild drink is enough. I like it too much
and it worries me. I just hope I can stick to this now.
Well, today was grocery day. We got up at 5 (it is now dark at that time)
and I did a few exercises and then had my little bowl of cereal and
juice. By the time I got dressed and straightened things up, it was time
to get Mary and go shopping. I forgot to buy charcoal and lighter. They
had no papayas and I really bought very little today at Food for Less.
Then at the Cannery, they had no vanilla frozen yogurt so I didn’t buy
much there either. At Safeway I did get two papayas but they were so
high: $2.29! Got home and put things away, pinned up my hair and sat in
the sun and read Talking God. Then I ate my lunch (Don was going to
Dale’s for lunch). So afterwards, I walked to S & S to get Suka, a coffee
substitute that I like better than Pero, but they didn’t have any and
they will order it but it won’t be in till next Thursday. I decided I
would try to get by with just tea till then. I may have to buy some Pero
instead. We shall see. When I got home I read till Don got back. For
dinner, we had chili and cukes, black olive, radish and onion salad and
French bread. Then Jason came over and told me all about his classes. He
is also very pleased cause the two people that were spoiling things where
he rooms have been asked to move out and things will be much better now.
In the afternoon, I finally arranged things on the wall in the front
hall. I put the long narrow mirror in the middle and then got things out
of other rooms and arranged them and I like how it looks. I was planning
to walk after dinner, but Jason stayed and talked and then I called Priss
and she talked a long time so it was dark before I was done. I have
finished my book and I suppose I will start another one cause it is just
8 p.m. I may try to pin up my hair again tonight to see if I can make it
look better. I think I will have to have it cut soon.
We got up to a warmer morning. No oatmeal today since Don was going out
to breakfast with Carl. I got in a good walk and then went to Stars for
the 8:30 step class. It is ok, but I tire rather easily but I got all the
machines in first. Stopped at Lucky on the way home to buy some things.
When I got here Don was in the north yard pulling up crabgrass so I
changed my clothes and joined him. We worked for quite a while and it is
hard work and then went in. I got my lunch and fixed the first part of
Don’s and then at 12 I went over to the Beauty College and had my hair
cut by Yvette. She did a good job. It is very short and rather flat on
the sides like the picture I kept taking. When I got home, I read and
then fixed salad greens, got out a rather tired frozen blueberry crisp
that wasn’t very crisp that I heated and there was corn off the cob and
Don had a bacon and tomato and I had a very thin ham with pickles.
Everything tasted great. Then there was the news and then I took another
long walk. Came home and talked to Priss who had worked at the Discovery
Shop today. She was going to the President’s reception but we decided not
to go tonight thank goodness. Tomorrow I will have to make the turkey
deal for Daisy and I have some ground meat in the meat cooler so I will
make chili again cause it is easy to heat up when needed. Now I am going
to read as Don is already doing.
We got up at 5 and everything was the same as usual. Went for a walk
before leaving for the market. Don was listening to Gail when I left and
he was still listening when I got back. Then it was off to pick up Mary.
I got: cukes, tomatoes, figs, peppers, green beans. Pretty soon I will be
buying winter squash, almonds, persimmons, etc. but right now it still
seems like summer at least during the day. When I got back, Don was
working on the crabgrass. I went to Longs to get vitamins, rubber gloves,
etc., and then to Safeway to get a cinnamon roll for Don. Then I, too,
worked on the weeds for a while. I cooked the turkey parts for Daisy,
made a meatloaf and a pumpkin pie. Jason came over and told me about his
classes and had some breakfast. I took the two chairs that were Yvonne’s
to begin with outside and stained them with dark walnut. I didn’t take
the original stain off but I covered up a lot of wear and tear and they
look much better. I washed and ironed clothes. Mary Wyle called in the
afternoon and talked to Don for a very long time. She is all upset again
about the amount of money she gets, etc., etc. I don’t know if that is
what set me off but suddenly I was angry at the world and at Don, too.
Since we got back from Australia, we have been out of town once to go to
the Nut Tree for breakfast. We are never invited anywhere and we never do
anything. I realize that I can go for months without doing anything
interesting or going anywhere interesting and then all of a sudden I feel
very unhappy with my [?]. And football, college and pro, has started and
Don will be watching that till the end of January. I read but sometimes I
get tired of reading and I get tired of working all the time and I know
that when the holidays come I will be really working cooking for everyone
as they go hither and yon. I suppose tomorrow I will feel better but
tonight I feel bitchy as hell.
We got up and I did my morning things. I felt better than I did yesterday
but I am still a bit on the weepy side. Don went to church this morning
and we picked up Mary as usual. When we got back, I changed my clothes
and went for a very long walk. That helped. Then I got drastic and tried
to cut my hair over my ears and I think it was a mistake. I can’t make it
look like the girl who cut it made it look and I feel ugly today all the
way around. Don asked me if I could talk about why I was upset yesterday
and finally I told him a little bit about it anyway. I asked him how
tolerant he would be if I had been in constant contact with some man,
wrote letters to him all the time, called him on the phone, went to see
him, etc. He admitted that he probably would not be very understanding
about it. I feel sorry for Mary W. but at times I still resent her. Then
I told him that we had not gone anywhere since we got back from
Australia. Well we just talked and that helped. Then I showered and
started to get dressed. I had planned to wear my flowered skort that I
had bought in Australia but when I put it on, I looked terrible. Then I
put on the black rayon slacks and top but I have gained weight since last
November when I went to Florida and I looked ugly. Finally after trying
on two or three more things, I ended up wearing the kelly green cotton
skirt and top. We did not have a good time at the country club with
Priss. She is a table hopper and she doesn’t seem to realize it is rude
to leave the people you have brought behind while she chats away. I
didn’t like the food this time either. It was Italian and not great. I
was glad to get home. Changed and Don and I agreed it was not a good
evening or a good weekend for that matter. I began to feel terrible so it
must have been something I ate. At 1 a.m. I woke up and started going to
the bathroom and this went on till after 2 when I finally got to sleep.
Yuk. I am writing this the next morning.
I felt very weak and lousy when I got up. No exercises, no vitamins to
begin with. Later I had a piece of toast and some tea and as the morning
went on, I felt better but as always after a bout of diarrhea, my
hemorrhoids got bad. I laid down for a while and then felt better so I
cleaned the stove. Then Daisy and I fed the camellias on the east side of
the house and the little new tree from the junior high club and then I
fed the roses and all the houseplants. Came in and had a very light
lunch. Then I had to get ready for the Discovery Shop. I worked with
Katie Sullivan. She had trouble with the cash register and so it was slow
going. People came in and got a lot of stuff and then realized we did not
take checks so they had to go to the bank and sales had to be voided. We
made $98. I brought home a hooded sweater for Don in medium but it was
too small. I tried it on later and it fits me so I think I will keep it.
Also got a little scarf 50¢ and two small pieces of brass. Came home and
sliced meatloaf. Fried the leftover baked potatoes, cooked green beans
and made a fruit salad. Was not too interested, but I did eat. Read a
bit, called Priss and then went for a walk and by then I seemed pretty
good. Jason stopped by to get the stapler and he seemed fine. Murphy
Brown had an hour special cause she thinks she is pregnant and then there
are the decisions to be made. She is 42. Don came out while I was
watching (the football game was over) and it seemed pretty silly to him I
could tell so I turned it off and then right at the end I turned it back
on and she is going to have the baby but not get married. Interesting. So
then we went to bed.
My head is still sore where I bumped it on the café door going into the
kitchen and that happened last week. I went for a long and brisk walk
after breakfast. Now the mornings are nice and cool although it still
gets hot in the afternoon but the house stays cool pretty much and we
didn’t turn on the air. Then I went to Stars thinking that the class
started at 9:30 and it wasn’t till 10 so I did the machines and came
home. Don finally finished pulling crabgrass and he planted seeds and put
peat moss over and I pray that the grass will grow! I was rather in the
mood for cooking so I made a macaroni salad but instead of putting peas
in it, I used string beans and three different colors of peppers and it
not only looked good but it tasted good. Then I decided to make chocolate
cookies. Haven’t made them for a long time. Don has been thinking about
my feelings over the weekend and today said he felt I had gotten the
short end of the stick. In many ways, he is probably right. But then no
marriage is 50/50 no matter what people claim. He has gone through this
type of thing before but I have never noticed any change and didn’t
expect any this time. It is too late and too many chances have been
missed but I won’t tell him that. I think as men go, he is one of the
better ones so I should not complain. Back to dinner. I fixed cukes and
tomatoes and made a new sauce for the meatloaf and it tasted much better.
Jason called at 4:30 and naturally was invited for dinner and I just
fixed more meat and more veggies. We don’t need to worry – he cleaned up
everything. After he left we watched part of a movie called Why Me and
realized we had seen it before and then we had a drink and this time I
had only one and a mild gin and tonic and we made love and it was just
great for Don and not so great for me, but ok and then to sleep. Not a
bad day and I finished my book The Past is Another Country and loved it.
I hope to get something else by this author.
We woke at 4:30 and Don put Daisy outside and came back to bed so we
actually didn’t get up to stay till 5:30 and that was a nice change.
After my morning routine, I went for a walk before it started to get too
hot. Each day it gets to be over 100 but by evening, it is comfortable
again. I went to Stars a little after 9 and checked out the market. I
found a man selling the almonds 5# for $7.50. The others charge $10-12
for that amount. Then I got some little onions and some walnuts. Went to
Stars and did the machines and 20 minutes of the floor exercises. On the
way home I stopped at Payless for chocolate chips. At Holiday, I got
bananas, Light & Less ice milk. Checked at Pay N Pak but the birdbaths
have not gone down yet. When I got home, I was starved so had lunch, ran
a load of clothes and got ready to go to the library. I walked and it was
hot going. When I arrived, I found that there were 118 cards to type.
Sometimes I am not happy to be a volunteer. The people who worked there
when I started doing this were such fun and so helpful but now they have
all gone and the ones at present are not at all appealing. Don picked me
up and when I got home, I made a turkey hot dish and a green salad. Don
wanted a drink before dinner and I had one, too. We sat on the patio and
talked and it was very pleasant. After dinner, I watched the news and
then called Priss and then walked. Don’s toe seemed swollen and it hurt
so he called Dr. Taylor who suggested soaking it in cold water and then
putting the bandage back on. I went for a walk and then washed the navy
blue sweater I had bought Monday at the Discovery Shop. Took a shower and
shaved my legs and then came to the living room to write this. It is
almost 10 p.m. and still pretty warm. I think I will read for a while.
Had a long talk with Cathy and she has this marvelous idea for a
screenplay about the Arthur legend. Don was watching a movie called Cuba
with Sean Connery and suddenly he didn’t feel well, so he went to bed.
I didn’t want to get up this morning. I seem to have lost my enthusiasm
for early rising somehow. But I did get up and did a few exercises and
then had my Suka and read the paper. Then I washed my hair but didn’t set
it. It really didn’t look too bad for just using the mousse. I did a long
walk and it felt good. It is the only time of day now that is still cool.
Then I went grocery shopping. I was going to ask Don if he wanted to go
with me but Carl had invited him to breakfast so he went with him. Got a
lot of dull things and then came home and put everything away. Went to
Lucky to get some Rx’s filled and by the time I was done with that, it
was lunchtime. Then I read for a while, changed to a pair of white
slacks, black top and black and white scarf and went over to Priss’ to
visit Cindy since Priss was at an all-day bridge deal. Cinders was asleep
and not too interested in my being there but I had promised to go. Then
on to the Silverstein building and found the conference room, Bob Fortino
and sat for ½ an hour discussing the brochure they plan to send out to
get money for school projects. Afterwards I went to Hart’s to look at
material for a tablecloth for the white table for the apartment. When I
got home, I fixed strawberries, made a mock crab salad and cooked
broccoli and green beans and an ear of corn for Don and made a cake. Read
the paper and sat everything up for dinner. After we ate there was the
news. Then a talk to Priss and then a walk. I got to thinking about our
parents. C. B. died in 1965, my father in 1969, Neva in 1971 and my
mother in 1974. We lost all four of them within 9 years. I talked about
it to Don and then he began thinking about his childhood. So now he is
watching The Jewel of the Nile and I have been reading. I made a long
list of things I want to accomplish tomorrow. I just hope I can do all of
them.
This morning I made a list of thing to do today and realized I did very
well and got most of them done. What I didn’t do: go to Stars, write to
Pauline, Niki & Lyndall. What I did do: did 20 minutes of exercises,
really working at it, vacuumed the living room (Don did the rest), dusted
all the furniture with Pledge, washed the kitchen and both bathroom
floors, cured 5 pounds of almonds, did a 30-minute walk this morning and
walked to Longs and back after dinner tonight. Picked up my Rx’s at
Lucky’s. Went to Ben Franklin and found some material to make a
tablecloth and to cover the pillows on the white chairs. We will be
bringing in the white table from the back yard and will put it in the
apartment kitchen for the winter. I bought too much material cause I
didn’t need to make it as big as I thought. Well, it cost only 65¢ a
yard, so I haven’t wasted too much. Cathy stopped by in the afternoon and
we had another wonderful visit. She told us that when she and David went
to back to school night, the teacher had put up each student’s statement
about what they wanted to be when they grew up. M J’s said she wanted to
be the first woman president and in order to do that she should become a
lawyer. As she put it, that was evident. She is something else. It is a
joy to have Cathy come and she is so perceptive in so many ways. Before
dinner, I got the ironing done so that was something else I could cross
off my list. The meal was easy tonight. I had the leftover turkey hot
dish to eat. Had French bread, made a fresh peach cottage cheese salad.
No word from Jason today. I didn’t think Don felt too well today. He took
two naps before lunch for example and again later this afternoon. His toe
really pains him and his right arm is worse since the operation instead
of better. He has had a bum rap this year. It is just 9:30 but I think I
will go to bed early tonight.
Letter to Lyndall and Niki. On this day in 1952 my sister Yvonne died. We
had just moved to Chico on the 27th of August so we had been here less
than a month. Our furniture had not arrived yet and it was a difficult
time. I loved her very much. So now at 9:10 p.m. with Don gone to bed, I
sit here with a glass of brandy and I salute her! And now back to today.
We got up at 5:30 and at that hour it was really delightfully cool. Fixed
breakfast, did a few exercises, read the paper and was ready at 7:15 to
pick up Mary. At the market, I bought 3 pounds of graven steins,
tomatoes, cukes, some peppers and an ear of corn for Don. Then to Safeway
and home. I put things away and then went for my morning walk. Took in
three yard sales but didn’t see anything that I wanted so came on home. I
made a graham crax pie for tomorrow. I then made the first part of a
carrot soufflé and took most of the apples and made sauce. I saved out
enough to do an apple crisp. I got out a chicken to thaw for tomorrow.
But then it started to get hot and I lost interest in cooking and went
outside and cut back the star jasmine in the south yard. Fixed lunch.
Jason came over and I had him eat leftovers. When he left I started to
read but also closed my eyes and ended up taking a nap. I woke up to a
very hot afternoon. Yuk! I want it to be fall. I fed the dog, made a
cuke, olive, radish, onion salad, peeled tomatoes and fixed lettuce
leaves for bacon and tomato sandwiches for dinner. Don watched football
and I wrote to Niki and to Lyndall Van Stone since she will be getting
back to Adelaide shortly. We had our dinner with applesauce for dessert.
Watched some of the news, called Priss and then went for a walk. It is
quite on Saturday night and there were no people and no cars. When I got
back Don was feeling very lousy so he took a pill and went to bed. His
head hurt and his foot hurt. He is in a bad way and depressed as well.
Life is not much fun really and I think it will only get worse. I must
start making a life of my own so that if he is unhappy and not well, I
can handle taking care of him. Tomorrow I must write to my sister and
then I can start the new week with a clear conscience. Now I am going to
have some more brandy and then go to bed I guess. When I think how
exciting Saturday night used to be.
Letter to Pauline. We got up at 5:30 to a cool morning so I wore my navy
skirt I got to go to Europe in ’84 with a matching sweater and I was not
too warm. Don stayed home and I was relieved cause his foot obviously
hurts and going to the junior high with Daisy is enough right now. So I
took Mary and stopped on the way back to pick up a cinnamon roll for Don.
Then I changed my clothes and walked to Pay N Pak to see how much the
birdbaths were. Still $57.50 each. On the way, I saw Packy and we talked
for about 15 minutes so I was a rather long time being gone. When I
returned I ate my lunch and then made a little dressing for the chicken
and stuffed it, did the salad greens and I had made the main part of the
carrot soufflé yesterday so that just meant adding the egg white at the
end before putting it in the oven and I fixed the potatoes for mashing. I
had done the graham crax pie yesterday too, so there wasn’t all that much
to do today. I read for a while and then wrote a letter to Pauline. Jason
called and asked to come to dinner. He arrived with his laundry and so he
washed clothes and we sorted through his clothes he had left here and he
gave a lot for me to take to the church rummage sale the first week in
October. Lin called and said it would be better to postpone our trip to
Tahoe cause Craig is going to be gone for the next two weeks so she will
let us know when he will be there, too. Dinner was great. Everyone ate
too much but it was hard not to. It has been a long time since we have
had mashed potatoes, gravy, etc. Jason ate a great deal and was really
surprised when he saw the pie. Afterwards, I watched the news, talked to
Priss and went for a walk. The 49ers beat the Rams 27-10. I was happy
about that. Now I plan to read for a while. Later. I read till 11 and
then went to bed. Still didn’t finish the book.
Woke to a cool morning. After my usual routine, I went for a long walk
and I was glad to get home cause it seemed an effort. I left a little
after 9 to go to Stars and did the machines and went into the aerobics
room and some of the ladies were talking and I found out they were
talking about Liz Rawlins who has an inoperative brain tumor. I was
stunned. I left early and when I got home, I realized Don had gone to
breakfast with Don Marquiss. They came back and they showed me the book
D. M. had made of his visit to Australia and there was one page with
Jenny and Niki in there in front of their house. After he left, I told
Don about Liz and he was as upset as I was. I had to do something so I
ran a load of clothes. Made ranger chocolate chip cookies that turned out
to be delicious. I ironed. I dusted. I changed the flowers. I fixed a
huge fruit salad, cut up the leftover chicken to make a sandwich for me
and a hot one for Don with gravy. Heated the dressing and the carrot
soufflé. Then I called Helen Roseman. It seemed about 10 days ago Liz was
at the canyon with Jack and she couldn’t remember where the bathroom was.
Well, they went to the doctor and after a load of tests, etc., it was
malignant. Tomorrow she starts radiation and then it is hoped it will
shrink and then maybe they can operate. I will try to write tomorrow to
offer to do anything that may be needed. We had dinner and then went over
to get Jason’s car cause tomorrow I work at the food bank and Don has his
brunch with Jackie and the club tomorrow. Then we came back for part of
the news. I then went for a walk and the moon is full tonight and simply
gorgeous. I showered and now am going to watch TV for a while and then I
guess I will read.
Each morning we wake to a lovely cool day and by mid afternoon it is in
the upper 90’s. When is this going to change? Don went off at 6:45 to
have breakfast with Mary and Nancy and while he was gone, I went for a
long walk and I did well. Came back home and cut up the chicken to make
salad for dinner so I put it all together except for the dressing. Then I
got dressed in my tan shorts and matching knit sop and drove to Nord
Avenue to work in the Food Outlet of the Catholic Ladies Relief Society.
As it turned out, there was just the lady at the desk and I for the whole
morning and we were very busy so I spent my time bringing out sacks and
then immediately replacing so I did not get behind. At first, we had no
give-away fruit and veggies but then a man brought a lot and that helped.
I planned to stay till 11, but I stayed 45 minutes longer cause they were
so busy. Priss called before I left and she had called Patty and got the
scoop. When I called her this evening, she had called Liz and said she
seemed in good spirits. When I got home, I ate my lunch and did a load of
clothes and got everything ready for dinner. Don arrived at 2:30 and he
had walked all the way from Jackie’s cause he wanted to leave the car
there at Jason’s. He said he had not called cause I had said I needed the
car to go somewhere. I had told him that there was no reason to leave the
car right away for Jason and to ask for a ride from Dale. With his sore
toe and the heat of course, he had had a miserable time. I did not spend
any time feeling sorry for him cause he wouldn’t have to do it that way.
Dinner was fine. Then we watched the news. Diamond National buildings
caught fire in the night and they were completely destroyed. The Iraqis
will cause difficulty and there has been a lot of sword rattling. I
walked and then came home and took a shower and now at 8, it is pitch
dark, so fall is here. Now I will read for a while. Well, later Don asked
me if I wanted a drink, and I said yes and that led to our going to bed
together and making love and it was great. Nice end to the day.
Another cool morning and Don, for the first time since he had the
operation on his toe, ran around the course at the junior high once. He
said it was not great but he did it. After I got dressed, I went over to
Bidwell and asked Viki to have Mr. Bain try to fix the brass sconce I
found in the closet yesterday. She said that Barbara Applegate was going
to be gone for a week October 7. I just hope she asks me to substitute. I
could apply $300 to the tree trimming and $50 to have the phone connected
in the apartment. Well, I will just have to wait and see. After my walk,
I went to the food market and got two kinds of green beans and three
pounds of graven steins. Then I went to Stars and did the machines and 15
minutes of the floor exercises and then home. I had lunch and then walked
to the library and put in my two hours. There were not so many cards
today so I also shelved. Don picked me up. I had put in a call to Liz
before I went to the library and she called back and talked to Don. I
called her and we had a most pleasant chat. I offered applesauce and
cookies and she said she wouldn’t eat them but Jack loved applesauce so I
had Don take both over. We had spaghetti and a green salad for dinner.
Then it was time for the news and then I called Priss. She goes on and on
about Liz’s brain tumor. I had to fight not to be rude. Then Don said he
wanted to walk with me so we did just a short one. Then we watched Legal
Eagles with Debra Winger and R. Redford. Well, we got bored cause we had
seen it many times so I went to bed and I read but then I did watch the
end.
Today was a busy, busy day! We got up to clouds, lightening and thunder.
When I went for my walk after breakfast it was sprinkling and it felt
great but then by the time I got home, it was all over. Tonight’s paper
said that at 1:15 a.m. lightening struck two houses (one was Dr.
Ledford’s) and there was some rain. Well, at 8:15 I picked up Mary and we
did our shopping. I bought stew meat and I want it to cool off so I can
make pea soup, stew, baked potatoes, etc. But it is too hot to do that
yet. We had lunch and then I started doing things in the kitchen. I made
applesauce. I cured almonds. I made a potato salad and I made chutney. At
one time, it seemed like all these things were going on at once. It was
2:30 before everything was done and everything cleaned up. Oh, I forgot –
I made stewed tomatoes cause Carl had sent some plum tomatoes home with
Don. For dinner we had hot dogs, which I really didn’t like, the salad
and stewed tomatoes and a new kind of green bean that I had bought at the
food market and will not buy them again. And we had some applesauce for
dessert. We had just finished when Jason stopped by so I fixed him
something to eat. He is going to go to Berkeley over the weekend and I
worry about his driving that old car. I just hope it gets him there and
back. I think he is nervous about going cause he doesn’t know where Tyson
lives, etc. I am sure Lin would say he has to start doing things so I
will say nothing. She is off for the weekend again Friday to Vegas to
meet Craig. Don is watching a movie and I am going to read.
After breakfast this morning, I went for a long walk and it was cool and
perfect for walking. I hope it will be a very lovely fall and it can be
here but I suppose I should be praying for rain. Came back and changed
the flowers and neated things up and at 9:15, I set out for Stars.
Weighed in at 102# on their scales or if I want to be happy, 100# on our
scales. I had moved the hoya plant into the sun and in doing so I hurt my
back but I decided to act as if nothing were wrong so I did all the
machines and 20 minutes of the floor exercises with Luann who is very
good. When I got home after stopping at Lucky and the fruit stand for
produce, I made my lunch and then I walked to the mall. I have wanted
black walking shoes cause in the winter they seem more practical. At
Penney’s they were having a shoe sale and Reeboks were on sale for $29
and they had them in black. So I went ahead and bought them. Also got a
pair of gray hose and stopped at Hickory Farm and bought turkey stick, a
new product. Read in the afternoon and then made a simple dinner of
leftover spaghetti, a grapefruit and peach salad and I baked a chocolate
cake and put chocolate sauce in with the cool whip as a topping. Don
loved it. Then there was the news, a walk, a call to Priss. Jason came
over to see if Tyson had called since Jason is going to Berkeley and
wanted to stay with Tyson. But he had not called. So Jason had some
spaghetti, had some cake and then left. He is nervous about driving to
Berkeley and I certainly can sympathize with that. He has never done it
by himself and I just wish he were in a better car. About 9 p.m. Tyson
called with the directions thank goodness. I was afraid Tyson wouldn’t
want Jason to come. I am so sensitive to one of mine being rejected. Is
it that I have been rejected and so I am overly aware of the fact that
someone I love may get hurt? I just don’t know. Had looked forward to
watching a new sitcom called The Princess but it was just terrible.
Since my back hurt last night I took two Bufferin PM and I slept
beautifully and didn’t wake up when Don got up. Did wake at 5:30 and Don
had already fixed his own breakfast. I did my exercises this morning but
did an abbreviated version since my back still bothers me. Took Mary to
the food market. Bought another five pounds of almonds for $7.50 since
that was such a good buy. When I got home, I walked to a yard sale down
the street and got a lovely brass base shaped like a miniature spittoon
for 10¢. After I polished it with brass polish, it looked great. Wanted
to go to a big sale on Hooker Oak Avenue but Don gave me the wrong
directions and I couldn’t find it. When I got home, he offered to go with
me, but I didn’t want him to come cause he always makes me feel I am
taking too much time so I said no. Ran two loads of clothes. Jason came
by and got the directions and he is off to Berkeley. We had lunch and Don
laid down and I read for a while and then I ironed clothes. Later Don
watched football – the fall pastime for him. I made a simple dinner.
There was leftover potato salad. I fixed cukes and tomatoes, heated some
Canadian bacon, scrambled eggs and made toast. It was all very good. I
cured the five pounds of almonds and it made enough for two big coffee
cans full. I don’t know how many more to buy to last the year. I suppose
I should send some to people and give some to the kids. We tried to call
Jenny, but no answer so she must not be back from Hong Kong. I went for a
walk for about ½ an hour. My back hurts, but not too badly. I showered,
shampooed and set my hair, which I hate at the moment. I wish it would
grow fast! I munched my way through the day. I hate it when I do that but
I am bored and in the past, I would have a cigarette. Now I eat. I just
don’t seem to be able to stop. Damn! I am not in a good mood tonight that
is for sure.
I spent a busy night dreaming. The University of South Dakota, good guys
and bad guys, snow, sleet in the winter on and on and I was glad when it
was morning. I made Pillsbury sweet rolls for Don for breakfast and then
I did my exercises even though my back still bothers me. I put on a skirt
that used to fit perfectly and now is plenty tight to go to church but I
eat just about as much as always so until I can get control of my
willpower, I will have a stomach too big. I didn’t like the sermon this
morning. He said Mary was just a little Jewish girl who gave birth to
Christ and she should not get any special credit. I didn’t like that
attitude. Came home and changed my clothes and walked to Pay N Pak.
Birdbaths still too high. I think it was a mistake to walk that far and
my back didn’t like it. Had lunch and then Don and I went to both Home
Club and Fred Meyers to look at birdbaths and one was too cheap – just
plastic – and the other was like at Pay N Pak so we came home without
any. Then I went to see Priss and we had a good visit. I brought her
applesauce and cookies and she gave me peaches and muffins. When I got
home, I made salad greens, got out the squash, got out the spaghetti yet
again, heated green beans and Don barbecued filets and so we had a good
dinner. I had Don take Mary two flowerpots and he made them two
Manhattans cause she had told me she liked them so much. Naturally when
he got back, he had tomatoes and almonds from her. Jason arrived at about
7:30 with lots of dirty clothes to wash and with a big appetite. So he
got rid of the leftovers and even the spaghetti. Now it is 9:15 and when
his clothes are dry, Don will take him back to his house. He had a good
time in Berkeley and I am glad he got there and back safely.
It is going on to 10 p.m. and I must write in this before going to bed.
Don took two pills last night to help him sleep and they worked so well
that I woke him at 5:30. So Bufferin PM really does the trick. I didn’t
walk at all today. My back hurt and I knew I was going to Stars so after
breakfast I finished up Don’s shower getting all the grout clean. Then I
did both bathrooms. A job I hate so it is nice to have it done. By then
it was time to go to Stars and I did all the machines and ½ an hour of
the floor exercises and I enjoyed every minute. Got home and fixed lunch
and then read for a while before getting ready to go to the Discovery
Shop. I had Don take me cause he had errands to do. Betty Pyle was in
charge and she decided that we should clear one whole rack of blouses
that had been around too long so since there was very little business, we
worked at that all afternoon and we could take home any we liked cause
they were all going to the Salvation Army otherwise, so I took quite a
few home and after dinner I tried things on and will keep quite a few.
When I got home, though, I had to start dinner. We had bacon and tomato
sandwiches, Waldorf salad and corn chips. We were both hungry and
everything tasted good. Tomorrow I will make a proper dinner. So then it
was time to try on things and then I did a load of clothes so I could get
everything washed. Will iron tomorrow and I must make bread too. Jason
came by and he is leaving the car so Don took him home. He took his
plants and the bad guys are moving out so now they can start fixing
things up. We talked to Linda. She is coming down a week from Friday. No
word about our going there. I guess she has forgotten about it. I talked
to Priss and we had a good visit. She has been up [as] of late, thank
goodness. I am not very sleepy so I think I will read for a little while
longer.
October 1, 1991 (Tuesday)
This was a satisfactory day. I got a lot of things done. Cooked a good
dinner and did my exercises and walked twice. That is the day in a nut
shell. Now for particulars. After exercising, breakfast and a walk, I
shortened the sleeves and length of the blue and white striped top I
bought yesterday and then I ironed everything. I put away the light
colored short-sleeved tops and will wear them next year. Then I watered
the borders. Don forgot about them and got cleaned up and I didn’t mind
doing it. In fact, I washed the patio as well. Then I came in and made a
batch of bread that turned out beautifully and I made a great dinner:
chicken thighs, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli au gratin, fresh raw
veggie salad, croissants, and apple crisp! How about that? I also made
applesauce. I have started The Kitchen God’s Wife by Amy Tan. Priss leant
it to me. Mike called wanting to know what the winter will be like in the
Mediterranean area at the end of October and November. I checked with our
travel agency and they said they thought it would be ok. They plan to go
to Alaska next spring as well. By giving speeches on these cruises they
just have to pay their airfare to and from the starting point. Not bad.
Cathy called and will be in tomorrow cause Julie is getting her braces
on. Linda called and she suggested that we come up on the 22nd of
October. No word from Jenny or Niki. I walked after dinner and then
shaved my legs and took a shower. My back is better I think. I did not
take a pain pill today and I got by ok. Between my left wrist and my back
I have had a lot of pain these last few days but I think my back is
better now. I guess I will read for a while and then to bed.
October 2, 1991 (Wednesday)
The weather continues to be strange. When I got up, it was cool enough
for a sweatshirt but by the time I was ready to go to Stars, it was much
warmer and I had changed again. I bought another five pounds of graven
steins for $2.50 and will try to make a pie this time. I got some grapes,
too, but that was all. I worked hard on the machines and stayed 15
minutes on the floor exercises and came home. Cathy and Julie were here
when I got home. Julie had her braces on. Cathy was upset cause the vote
on salary raises went against her. She felt that the union people did not
help at all. She had to go to an orientation at the hospital and I had to
go to the library to work so we said goodbye and Don was to take Julie
home later. I typed cards the whole time cause there were so many. When
we got home, Don wanted a milk shake so I made one for Julie, too. Her
braces are uncomfortable but she didn’t complain too much. She had taken
a nap and that helped. I dyed a pair of her jeans that were light blue
but they did not get navy. So I don’t know if she will like them or not.
Don took her home and I got busy with dinner. It was going to be all
leftovers so that made it easy. But then at 4:30 Jason called and asked
if he could come for dinner. Sooooo – I had three little pieces of
chicken left, a dab of stewed tomatoes for Don, I made fresh pears and
peaches and grapes with cottage cheese. There were mashed potatoes and
gravy left and broccoli au gratin left, there were slices of turkey stick
and some apple crisp. So when everything was heated up, there was enough
and I got rid of all the leftovers. Then we watched the news. Jason left.
We went for a walk. I called Liz and she seemed in good spirits. Called
Priss and then we read. Don suggested a drink and after my shower, I had
a bourbon and water and then we went to bed and although we tried neither
of us came but neither of us seemed upset so we went to sleep. End of
day.
October 3, 1991 (Thursday)
We got up at 5:30 and it is still pitch dark at that hour. I fixed
breakfast and did just a few exercises and then after reading some of the
paper, I got dressed and left for grocery shopping at a little after 7. I
went to Food for Less and the Cannery and spent very little but then I
have so much on hand and I decided not to get anything but what was
actually needed. Then I went to Pay N Pak to get the two birdbaths cause
it was now 50% off, but they said it was 50% of the original price
instead of the $56.99 that was on the things. So naturally I didn’t buy
them. I could have wept! Came home and told Don and then walked to the
church and spent the morning taking things out of boxes to put out for
the rummage sale. Don picked me up at 11. Came home and had lunch. Then
while he napped, I went to Thrifty and to Lucky to get a Rx and get some
things on sale. I am going back to Oil of Olay for my face. I realize I
have many wrinkles but at least it should look soft. I go to Dr. Schwartz
soon for my scalp and eczema. At 1 Don took me back to the church and I
worked till 3 when he picked me up again. I have so little in common with
those ladies and yet I want to be friendly with them. They said that
Father O’Hara is due back next week but then the doctors have to decide
if he can take on the parish again or not. When I got home I made a mock
crab salad, heated green beans, sliced cukes and tomatoes and made a
chocolate pudding. Just when we were going to sit down to eat, Mike
called and they are going to Europe for the Mediterranean cruise from the
27th of October to the 9th of November. They fly to Lisbon and pick up
the cruise ship there and they set sail the day of their wedding
anniversary. They were very excited. We ate and watched the news and then
I walked. Came home and called Priss and then showered, shampooed and
pinned up my hair. Now I am going to read for a while. I have put in a
load of whites and will put them in the dryer when they are ready.
October 4, 1991 (Friday)
I did my exercises, a brief walk and was then off to the church at 7:30
to avoid the Bidwell traffic and to help set up by 8. I didn’t know that
they had changed the time and it was to open at 9. This was the first
Friday of the month and everyone was going to church so I went too. It
was then 15 to 8 and they were saying the rosary before it started. This
brought back memories of first Fridays and novenas and going to mass
every day during Lent. I hadn’t even thought of these things of late.
Interesting. So then I worked till 11 at the sale. It is wearing and the
ladies who all go to church so faithfully are constantly backbiting each
other. Came home and had lunch and then I ironed clothes, read a little,
dozed a little and then got ready to go to the dinner for the University
Associates that Priss and Alice belong to. Alice is out of town and asked
Priss to take me instead. I wore my black turtleneck and black flowered
cotton skirt. I drove and we got there, had a glass of wine and I saw
many people I know and most of them asked where Don was thinking that we
belonged. I would like to but I think Don would be bored. Then we sat
down to dinner. All this was outside in the open part of the library.
There were about 210 of us. The dinner was typical banquet style, not
great, but ok. I sat next to Mrs. Fortino and since we had been in the
dinner club of AAUW, we had a lot to talk about. I was always very fond
of her. I got home at 9:30. Don was watching a gangster movie and seemed
glad to see me. We talked for a while and then went to bed and I was
ready. It was a long day and tomorrow will be worse.
October 5, 1991 (Saturday)
We got up at 5:30. I had been wide awake at 3:45 and then went back to
sleep and dreamed about Jack Barneson as one of the Irish mobsters. He
wore green sox so I was dreaming in technicolor. Well, we got up and did
the usual – exercises, vitamins, and some grapenuts. Then off to get Mary
and to the market. Bought cukes, tomatoes, a squash, golden delicious
apples and five pounds of almonds. I am not going to buy any more nuts
even though they are cheap. This is it. Stopped at Safeway for milk and a
sweet for Don. Got home and Mary called cause she had left her sunflower
seeds at the store, so I put things away and drove back and picked them
up and took them to Mary. Stopped at a yard sale and got two old
tablecloths that I can use for the table in the apartment, then to the
church. For the first hour no one came and so we just sort of sat around
but then they did start coming and buying. I really couldn’t find
anything much that I wanted. I did bring some things home to try but
nothing fit. Had lunch. Jason arrived and made himself an omelet that had
so much stuff in it you wouldn’t believe. Then off to S & S to get
bananas at 19¢ a pound and candied ginger plus some limes on sale. Took
them back home and back to the church. Now it is bag sale and this time
you got to fill two bags for $1. We started to put things away and I
found a skirt that might fit Cathy, a gray turtleneck that turned out to
match a gray wool skirt that I got at the Discovery Shop, and a beige
cotton sweater that fits. Got a wrought iron basket deal that is
interesting. Put a turkey hot dish in the oven made a green salad, then
it was the news. We tried to call Jenny and Niki many times with no
success. I walked to the end of North Avenue. Called Priss and talked too
long. Beautiful sunset tonight, mostly in coral. Took a shower, cured the
almonds, washed my tablecloths. At 9 we called Australia and this time we
got through. Jenny had been home just an hour. She had an interesting
time and learned a lot. She had only Indian and Chinese food cause it was
cheaper. She said Niki had had a wonderful time with Renee. They were off
for the same weeks and they explored Melbourne together. Jenny promised
to write and put down her thoughts about her experience. She was amazed
at the splendor and the poverty.
October 6, 1991 (Sunday)
We got up at 5:30 and before I got ready for church, I did my mile along
North Avenue to Manzanita and the sunrise was so beautiful that it almost
brought tears. I ended up at the creek and was looking to the east when a
car drove up and the woman stopped and said “Isn’t it beautiful?” I
wonder if a man would have seen it in the same way. Anyway, it made my
day. I came back and put on my gray turtleneck that I got yesterday at
the rummage sale, the gray skirt from the Discovery Shop along with the
belt from there and I looked very fine. I am tired of summer clothes and
it was cool this morning. The priest gave a good sermon about marriage
and that people are more interested in the hoopla of the ceremony than in
the seriousness of marriage itself. Came home and changed my clothes to
light beige slacks and a matching sweater from the same place as the gray
turtleneck. Drove to Pay N Pak and now the bird baths are marked $69.95
instead of $79.95 so 50% would be $35 but the four are still there. If
they come down to $30, I will buy them. We shall see. Went to Longs and
then home. Had lunch and got out the turkey ham, cooked the butternut
squash, made a salad of grapefruit and pears, made a chocolate pudding
cake. Wrote a long letter to Jenny and Niki and to Pauline. Read a bit.
Dinner was good and then we watched the news. Then the walk and a nice
sunset but nothing like this morning. I realize that I have thickened
through the waist and hips. The slacks I put on today were really tight
and they weren’t that way in the spring. I still weigh about the same but
still – help! Liz called and I visited with her. She was in good spirits.
October 7, 1991 (Monday)
Hot. It has been cooling down and at get up time, it is down right
chilly. The tree people were due at 7:30 but they had not come yet when
Don went off to tennis so I stayed rather than go for my walk but they
never did show up and they didn’t phone. I am ready to tell them to
forget it. Then the plumbing man came to look at the toilet in the big
bathroom and they say the stains mean the toilet was not put back on
properly and there is a leak from the time of the termite repair way back
in April. Bad news all around today. So now the plumbing people will have
to come back and then what do we do about the ugly stain? I did go to
Stars at 9:30 and I had a good work out. When Don laid down after lunch,
I walked to the mall with my two brass sconces. Stopped at Montgomery
Ward. They had no soldering device. Stopped at a jewelry repair man and
he would do it for $15! Went to Ben Franklin and they suggested a glue
that cost $1 and it worked! Will hang them in the front hall tomorrow
morning. Read when I came home and then made a simple dinner of Sunday’s
hot dish, a raw veggie salad, croissants and the last of the chocolate
pudding cake. I didn’t bother with the news but instead went for a long
walk and got home just at dark. The days are definitely much shorter.
Watched a movie of the Columbus Voyage and then Don went to bed and I
finished my book at about 11:15 and then to bed. It is supposed to be
cool again tomorrow and then get hot for the weekend. Lin will be here on
Friday.
Hot. Today I worked! Don got up before 5 and took Daisy to the junior
high but I stayed in bed and when he came back, he came back to bed for a
while and that was nice. Then I got up and fixed breakfast and did all my
exercises. Had a piece of toast and my Suka and then put a load of
clothes to be washed and went for a very long walk. It was cool and
pleasant. Don went off to play tennis and Mr. Bettincourt finally came to
trim our trees but he had the flu and so he wasn’t here much of the time.
I fed all the house plants and then went out with Daisy and watered and
fed all the camellias, the two small new trees and the jasmine in the
east and north yard. That is a job. Came in and folded the clothes and
then put the tung oil on the small table I was retouching. All day long
the chain whined away. They really trimmed them plus they cut out the
dead stuff at the top of the eucalyptus in the north yard. Cut one huge
branch of pyracantha in the back yard and cut back that damned locust in
the north yard. I trimmed and swept and picked up loose branches most of
the day. And then came the stinger. The Modesto Ash tree by the driveway
has a great big crack in it and is a danger cause if it broke off it
would hit the roof of the house so on Thursday they will be back to cut
that off to the tune of $225 more than the $630 they charged for today’s
work. What next? And then Don told them we did not want any of the wood
and he is never willing to stand up and complain about anything, but I
calmed down and we had a drink before dinner and that seemed to help. Had
a simple meal of boiled new potatoes, some of the ham sliced and heated,
fruit salad and some leftover squash. The news was all about Judge
Thomas. A black lady who worked for him some years ago claimed he
harassed her and she told the Senate committee that, but they didn’t
think it was worth investigating cause he said he never touched her. She
had not claimed he had but you can be harassed in many ways. Of course,
the committee was all men and the senate is 98 men and 2 women. Well, the
women are furious and so they have postponed the vote for a week.
Hot. We got up before 5 but I was not surprised since I had gone to bed
earlier than usual so was slept out by 4. It was chilly. I made breakfast
and after my exercises, etc., Don and I got back in bed for another 15
minutes and Daisy came in to check since that had never happened before.
I busied myself around the house and then at 9, I got ready to go to
Stars. On the way, I passed Pay N Pak and noticed that they had changed
to 60% off so I went in and two of the famous, much wanted birdbaths were
gone but two were left and so I said I would take them. I gave them my
Visa card and they gave me two red sold signs and I put my name and phone
number and I went back with the man and we put them on. I went on to
Stars, came home and told Don the good news and after we had lunch, we
went to pick them up and they were gone. Evidently someone just took the
sold sign off and bought them. I was so upset and wanted desperately to
cry. I had waited so long and I had them and then I didn’t have them.
Both the clerks involved denied everything but since they knew there were
just two and they had already sold them to me, it was pretty hard to
take. Maybe the person offered them something on the side. Who knows. I
came home and got ready to work at the library so I typed cards and
shelved books and Don picked me up at 3. I made a simple but good dinner:
scrambled eggs, hash browns, three link sausages for Don, sliced tomatoes
and muffins. It all tasted very good. Then I walked to Penny’s to check
the catalogue cause I would like to put up shelves in the back back for
my canned goods. I was hoping to find something in the catalogue but no
luck. We will have to check at Colliers and Mick’s. When I got back, I
called Alice and thanked her for her ticket and I called Mary to tell her
we would be leaving at 7 tomorrow cause Don made appointments to have the
car serviced tomorrow at 9 and we will have to get back. Jason came by
and called his mother. He wants to go to Costa Rica over the Christmas
break. I had counted so much on those two birdbaths and to think I
actually had them, I thought, and now I will never have them. Sometimes
life is just not fair.
Hot yet again. This week has been so hideous that I wonder what horrible
thing will happen tomorrow. Bettincourt and his crew came back this
morning to cut back the part of the one tree where the big crack is and
it looks just terrible. Maybe in a few years there will be some green on
the huge bare parts but I doubt it. The finally cost was $900. They left
and the Thrifty Rooter man came and reset the toilet in the big bathroom.
It won’t leak any more but the huge ugly stains are there and we must do
something about them and that cost $46. So with all this cheerful
experience beneath my belt, I had lunch and then went to the Discovery
Shop. Priss has been telling me about Lynn Burch and she was sure that
Lynn would be willing to be cashier since I was down for it and I have
never done it before and did not take the course in it. Well, I found
Lynn to be a very cold unpleasant woman who barely spoke all afternoon,
refused to [work] near the counter even to call out prices and put things
in bags. I had a terrible time with the cash register, made all kinds of
mistakes. For a long time, we couldn’t even get the damned thing open and
we had to call Delores Campbell who was most kind and helpful but still
it was a terribly long afternoon and I came home hot and tired and just
plain mad! I brought a pair of jeans for Linda to try, a stained glass
deal for Cathy for Christmas and a pair of slacks for me just the color I
wanted - that stone gray. Fit perfectly but someone even shorter than I
had cut them off and so I can’t keep them. I give up. We had a simple
dinner of sandwiches, sliced tomatoes, chips and an ear of corn for Don.
Later I made hot fudge sundaes. We went for a walk and I took a shower
and pinned up my hair. Priss called concerned about the lady across the
street from her who has Lou Gehrig’s disease and she wants me to type a
letter. I said I would. It is dark but I suppose it is about 8 p.m. I
will read for a while. Best that I stay up late cause it is not easy to
sleep with curlers in my hair. The paper tonight said Jess Starr, one of
my favorite students when I taught at Paradise, died at age 46 of Lou
Gehrig’s disease. If Lolly were alive, she would be sad, too. This is not
my week. I keep thinking about those two birdbaths, too.
Woke before 5 and we got up. Did my exercises and then before going to
the food bank, I got busy and made a chocolate chess pie that turned out
beautifully. With no rain and continued dry heat, there is dust
everywhere and I keep dusting and sweeping and mopping to no avail. Don
went off to tennis and at 15 to 9, I left for the food locker. I wore
beige jeans, a matching cotton sweater and a silk scarf. The first two
came from the Discovery Shop and rummage sale but when I go there I feel
as if I am from another planet. The people coming in are fat, doughy,
they have lived their lives on welfare and that is all they know. Some
are down temporarily but most have lived this way forever. I sacked up
groceries all alone and the lady worked the desk. Got home at 15 to 12.
Cathy’s car was here and Linda drove up right behind me. From then on,
the day was wonderful. Linda tried on the clothes, Pauline’s jacket, the
blue jeans from the Discovery Shop and the shorts from the rummage sale.
Then Cathy had clothes I had gotten and there were some for the girls so
that worked out well. We all had lunch and then talked and talked.
Finally the girls went off shopping and I made a potato salad, did a pot
of beans, sliced tomatoes and got the hamburgers ready. Jason came for
dinner and afterwards Lin and I went for a walk. She told me that she and
Craig plan to get married sometime next year. And she also told me Niki
has been asking her mother about who her father is and Jenny has been
thrown by this and is asking Lin for advice which she is giving. It would
be an ideal time to tell Niki and have her meet Ken Pierce when she is
here at Christmas. The other news is about Judge Thomas and about the
woman lawyer who has accused him of sexual harassment that he denies. The
hearing will continue tomorrow and who knows how it will all end.
Don was up early so I got up, too. Not a bit cool in the morning either.
When is it actually going to cool off I wonder. Took Mary to food market.
I got tomatoes, cukes, green beans, eggs, but nothing new or exciting. We
stopped at Safeway on the way home and I got milk. When I got home, Linda
was awake and reading the morning papers. I went for a walk and when I
got home, we talked – there is never any problem about not having enough
to say in the family – it may be a problem sometimes to get a chance to
say it. I took the time to shop at the other stores and got another
turkey at Lucky cause they were 58¢ a pound. When I got home this time, I
got out the turkey and put the dressing in and then I cut off the drum
sticks and wings and cooked them for Daisy. I read in the afternoon and
got busy with the dinner. We had turkey and dressing, green beans, mashed
potatoes with gravy, a relish dish, croissants, and the chocolate chess
pie. Linda got dressed and she looked adorable in a long dress of a
calico print and Jason got here looking very fine, too. Everyone ate well
but I was more careful and did not eat the potatoes or gravy and had no
second helping. So they went off to Kathy Marler’s wedding and I went for
a 40-minute walk. Got Priss on the phone and she had gone to a cocktail
party but as I had walked tonight, I thought about the fact that when I
was young, we always did something special on Saturday night and I never
thought the day would come when Don would be home watching a football
game and I would be walking! When Lin came home, we heard about the
wedding and then we just visited. Don got a headache and went to bed. I
showered, Lin went to read and I read till about 10 and then I too went
to bed. We lead a very quiet life these days. I will hate to see Linda
leave tomorrow cause it is so nice to have her here.
Don had a restless night so he went to sleep on the lounge and got up
early. I got up at 5:30 just in time to set out the vitamins. He didn’t
go to church so I picked up Mary. As we were leaving the church at end of
mass, Father O’Hara came in. I thought he looked pale and thin. I don’t
know whether he will be allowed to take up his duties or not. I guess it
is up to his doctor. Came home and Lin was up and so we went for a long
walk together. The one where we cut through the creek bed and go up the
other side. Then she went to pick up Jason cause his bike was here and
she had some food from yesterday and then was on her way. I washed
clothes, even hung some outside cause by afternoon it was hot again. Mike
had called while I was at church so we called back so I could talk to
him. He feels as we do about Judge Thomas but he, too, thinks he will be
confirmed. More of the pity. Heard this afternoon that she took a lie
detector test and the man who gave it to her said she was telling the
truth. After lunch I said I was going to the mall cause turtlenecks were
on sale and I need a navy one. Don said he would go along and while I
tried on one (but the small was way too big), he decided to buy a pair of
501 jeans in charcoal gray. Naturally, he never looked at the price and
it was $45 with tax. A lot for a pair of jeans! So I got nothing and he
got a lot. I never buy anything when he comes along and he always buys
something. Best to shop alone I guess. Dinner was made up of yesterday’s
leftovers plus a green salad. Everything tasted great but I love the
dressing best of all. Then we turned on the news and again it was about
Judge Thomas so I said I would do my walk and I left. When I got back, I
showered, fixed my nails and toenails. I tried calling my sister and
Priss, but no answer from either one so then I came in the living room
and read The Kitchen God’s Wife. I don’t really like it but best that I
read it so I am skimming mostly. I just hope tomorrow will be cooler. I
am tired of the heat. We had a drink and then went to bed and tried to
make love but gave up quickly cause we were just not getting anywhere.
Last night my nose was stopped up, so I took a Benadryl and it certainly
helps you sleep. I woke up at 5:30 and Don and Daisy were gone and back
and Don was making his breakfast when I got up. I did my exercises and I
went for a walk later. My back is bothering me. I certainly wish I had
never moved that planter with the hoya in it cause it has hurt ever
since. Don had an appointment with Dr. Taylor about his toe and when he
came back, he said the doctor felt it was going to be ok, but it did take
a while. I put on my leotard and went to Stars and I did the machines and
about 20 minutes of the floor exercises and then I left. I stopped at Pay
N Pak and saw some wooden letters for the house and the 2 and 6 cost 64¢
and they had cost $3.79 each. Got some things at Holiday and then came
home and made my lunch. Afterwards I made a macaroni salad using some ham
and green beans plus the usual things. Then I cut up the turkey putting
aside some slices, ½ a breast and pieces to the freezer. The timer went
off in the middle and I went out to change the sprinklers and when I came
back Daisy had pulled the whole thing on the floor. I was furious. I
washed off the pieces cause I wasn’t going to throw it all away. I fixed
broccoli and cheese sauce, made a vanilla pudding for Don and fixed cukes
and tomatoes. The radio and TV kept talking about Thomas all the time. I
will be so glad tomorrow when the vote is taken at 5 p.m. our time. I
know he will be confirmed but he should not be. They are supposed to have
53 votes and all they need is 51. After dinner I got dressed to go to the
Governor’s meeting of the Chico Foundation. I wore my black top and
flowered black skirt. Everyone was very nice to me. At the end, I wished
I had parked my car in front instead of in back but Ed Masterson walked
me to the back and waited till I got in the car. Tonight I am going to
try sleeping in the music room to see if lying on a firm mattress will
help my back.
Hot. Last night I slept in the music room cause I wanted to try a firm
mattress and I slept well and my back did not hurt so much this morning.
In some ways, I would like to sleep there every night but I realize I
could not do that to Don, but I may do it one more night. This was not a
good day. I felt angry and defeated somehow. I think the Thomas affair
really got to me. That might be it in part. Then I so much wanted to get
the apartment squared away but the huge desk is in the bedroom and the
green chair is still in the living room and I am afraid they will stay
just like that. I did move things around in the closet and got more room
that way and I took the vacuum out to the shed so I puttered the morning
away. I painted the house numbers white and tomorrow I will try gluing
them to the fence. But although I kept busy, my mood did not really get
any better. Usually if I work hard things ease off but it didn’t work
that way today. I made an apple pie and later in the afternoon, I called
at Rawlins and talked to Jack and he said he would like some pie so Don
took two pieces over. He said Liz did not look at all well, know that I
should not be complaining about my life. Priss called and I said I would
go to the Family Service coffee tomorrow morning at 10. But I am not in
the mood for that and I have no idea what to wear. I may back out. Went
to Dr. Schwartz at 2:30 and he gave me Rx’s for my scalp and my skin.
Will get them filled tomorrow. We had leftovers again tonight. I wasn’t
all that hungry but I still ate more than I should. Well, on the news
tonight we saw the final vote on Thomas and he was confirmed 52/48 so he
just barely made it. But he did make it more is the pity. This day has
seemed endless and it is still only 7:45. We went for a very brief walk
after dinner but Don is still having trouble with his toe so we cannot go
far. I would rather go alone but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. I
wonder if tomorrow will be any better. Probably not. It is supposed to be
cooler though and that might help.
Hot. Another night sleeping in the room across the hall and I must admit
I slept beautifully but I will go back to the regular bed tonight. We got
up at 5 and Don decided to have an egg on toast since he was going to
Oroville for jury duty. I fixed him a lunch plus a thermos of coffee and
he left. I did my walk and then dusted. Neated things up, etc., and then
got dressed cause Priss was to pick me up at 10. I wore the chartreuse
skirt and jacket with a black top and black shoes and hose. We picked up
Lynn Burch and then drove to Jane McCullock’s. I went ahead of the others
too and did not realize that Priss leaned over to pet their dog and he
bit her on the cheek. She insisted it was nothing. They have hundreds of
birds in huge screened areas in their back yard and it is a joy to see
them. Then they served coffee, mineral water, fruit and breads and then
the man in charge of Family Service spoke. It was all very nice. Then
back to Priss’ and Lynn B. took me home. When I got home, Don was back.
It was all very strange. The jurors had to fill out a long form and then
they must go back next Tuesday and they will decide who will serve on
this jury but the case will not be heard till November. So this means
that we will not be able to go to Tahoe next Tuesday as we had planned. I
had some lunch and then walked to the library and typed cards and then
put books on the shelves to be later put in their proper place. I found a
lot of books to read and then Don came to pick me up. When we got home, I
made a salad with the last of the turkey, chopped up the cooked broccoli
and made a cream sauce with cheese, sliced tomatoes and heated rolls.
Heated the apple pie from yesterday and we had that for dessert. I called
Pauline. They had just gotten back from Colorado last night. We talked
about Thomas and about Telluride where George and Susan live and they had
had a great time in spite of the hearings. Then I went for a walk. When I
got back, Lin had called and Don had talked to her and the trip has been
put on hold. Lin agreed that it was rather foolish to drive to Tahoe one
day and come back the next morning. Don had not seen it that way. In
fact, at the moment he is impatient with me cause I am upset about the
desk in the bedroom in the apartment and the green chair in the living
room over there. He thinks I am overreacting and maybe I am but it has
been a bad time lately. The birdbath fiasco, the Thomas hearings, the
trip to Tahoe cancelled, the fact that I am bored to death and my only
recreation is reading. I feel fat and old and ugly. I wish I were
working. That helped a lot but it doesn’t look like I am going to be
doing any work this year.
Sunny and warm. Well, things were better today, so I did my exercises and
fixed breakfast and then at 7:15 I was off to pick up Mary and go to Food
for Less. Somehow I just wasn’t into buying much and so I got very little
and my bill was for $11.18, the lowest it has ever been. But when I got
to the Cannery, I saw quite a few things I wanted and that bill was for
$18. I got a very nice plant for $3 and I got Knudsen’s ice milk. We used
to get their products all the time and now I just get their cottage
cheese so it will be interesting to see how their ice milk is. When I got
home and put things away, I decided to defrost and reorganize the freezer
and is that ever a job! But now it is all neat and I got bold and threw
some things out and it is really hard for me to throw anything away.
There is so much food there that I should not buy anything till I have
used up some of the stuff. Had lunch and then read for a while. When the
mail came, there was a letter from Jenny and one from Niki. The day Jenny
got home from Hong Kong she went to the grocery store and someone stole
her purse from her cart and she had $250 in it plus her credit cards.
What a homecoming! But her letter was really great about her experience
in Hong Kong. I decided we needed to have a rest from turkey and ham so
we had filets tonight, baked potatoes on the ½ and a wonderful green
salad. To me that is about the best dinner there is and we ate every
bite. I insisted that we have a drink before and we sat outside and had a
good talk while we drank and I even smoked ½ a cigarette and it tasted
just great. Now I think I will read for a while. Went for a walk finally
this afternoon but it was very warm and I didn’t go too far. I wish it
would cool off. We had a drink and then went to bed and tried. Didn’t
work out in the regular way but it worked out somewhat.
I seem to be sleeping in till 5:30 these days. Had a dream just before I
got up where the doctor was checking me for all kinds of problems and
then I woke up just as he was giving me the conclusions. I did all my
exercises and then after breakfast I got out the vacuum and did the whole
apartment. I took a Teldene cause my back and my left arm hurt and it
gave me terrible stomach cramps. People told me it was hard on the
stomach but so far it had not bothered but today it did. Then I did the
living room and kitchen and hall and left the bedroom wing to Don. I went
to Stars and did the machines but when it came to the floor exercises,
there were not five people so it cancelled so I came home by way of S & S
and got some things. Ran a load of clothes and folded the ones that were
in the dryer. Had lunch and Cathy came and I fixed her some lunch and
then we went to Costco. Cathy put in her application and paid her $30 and
then we went from one aisle to another looking at things, pricing and
figuring out whether or not it was any cheaper than Food for Less and the
Cannery. I didn’t buy anything. She got garbanzo and kidney beans,
hamburger, etc. but we were both disappointed. It was mostly food and we
had expected a store more like Fred Meyers. Then we came back home and
she left for her home. I made a simple dinner: grilled ham and cheese
sandwiches, chips and tomatoes but I did make a chocolate cake and it was
so good with chocolate sauce blended into cool whip as a topping. Watched
the local and part of the national news and then went for a walk. When I
got back, I showered and then had Don spray the Rx on my scalp that Dr.
Schwartz gave me. It seems to be getting better and tomorrow I am going
to shampoo with the special shampoo. I want to hold off till the first of
November to get a perm and then it will be still ok for the holidays. I
hope.
It is 8 p.m. and completely dark outside and to think in June it was
still very bright at this hour. After my exercises this morning, I got
dressed and took Mary to the food market. I brought her some applesauce,
pound of butter I found when I cleaned the freezer and some chocolate
chip cookies. I bought: tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, a squash and some
pears and kiwis. When I got home, I put things away and then went for a
walk. I stopped at the house next to Packy’s and asked about a lamp she
had on the porch. She wanted $25 and I said I would pay $20. We will see.
She had new puppies and I went to look at them. They were adorable. When
I got home, I washed and set my hair and then I ironed all the things
waiting. There were seven shirts, for example. Had lunch and then decided
to go to Fred Meyers to see if I could find some shelves to put my canned
goods on. They didn’t have any but when I left the store, I could not
find the car! I must have walked back and forth for 30 minutes before I
finally realized I had parked around the corner and there was the car. I
was hot, tired and embarrassed to be so stupid. When I got home, I made a
cheesecake and then fixed chili, a veggie salad, French bread and there
was cake left for dessert. No news at regular time so I went for a long
walk. I had written to Jenny and Niki in Australia in the late afternoon.
The walk was pleasant cause it had cooled off and so with the breeze and
a lovely sunset, it was grand to walk. When I got home, I called Priss
and then watched news at 7 and since then I have been dozing in my chair
but now I am going to read for a while. Stayed up till 10:30. Watched
channel 9 for a while where story tellers were doing their thing but I
got sleepy so went to bed.
We got up at 5:30 and the day looked like it would be clear and it was
not too cool. I did my morning routine and then put on my gray skirt and
turtleneck for church. We did not have to pick up Mary so we left at 10
to 8. There was a missionary but Father O’Hara said mass. When we got
home, I changed clothes and went for a walk. I picked up 9 walnuts so
decided I had enough to crack – counted and I had 31. I wonder sometimes
why I always count everything. I cracked them out and put them in the
toaster oven for a while before putting them in the freezer. Then I
decided to shorten two skirts and redo the gray one I wore this morning.
That took most of the morning. I used vinegar and pressed all three hems
and they look great. Don was cleaning out the leaves under the bushes in
the east yard. We had lunch and I watched the 49er game. Thank goodness
today they won and they won big. I called Priss and invited her to
dinner. I had made a cheesecake yesterday so I did the salad greens. I
had green beans already fixed and cooked and they just had to be heated
and I made scalloped potatoes and ham. An easy dinner. I read in the
afternoon. Priss came at 5 and we had drinks and I had tidbits and then
we ate dinner. It was one of those times when everything went well. Priss
was not cross or sharp as she is sometimes. Jason stopped by to get the
keys to his car. He was eating at Baba’s. I think he is still mad cause
we had words the other night about the desk and the fact that he is not
making any move to take it over to his house. Linda called during the day
and we had a long talk. It was nice of her to call. Cathy goes up on
Wednesday and they will have a good time together I am sure. Priss left a
little after 7 and Don went to lie down cause he had a headache and I
have been reading. We want to watch a John LeCarrie program on channel 9
made from one of his first books. We watched it and it was good but the
takes were all so unpleasant somehow. I would never send a son of mine to
an Eng. Pubic school.
So another week begins. We found out last night that the Oakland Hills
caught fire and with five years of no raining, a strong wind and houses
went up in flames and lives were lost. We watched CNN this morning. Don
went off to play tennis and I went for my walk. I picked up 8 walnuts. I
am rather like Jenny who snipped off people’s succulents when she went
walking. When I came back I cleaned the shelf over the wash machine and
put things in order. Then I swept the driveway getting up the leaves that
collect there when the wind blows. I ran a load of wash and even got them
ironed by noon. Pinned up my hair and it was dry by the time I left for
Stars. I told Don since we could not find shelving that maybe we should
put in another shelf for canned goods like the one over the freezer. I
got ready to go to the Discovery Shop and Don said he would check on the
Home Club to find a board for the canned goods. I worked very hard at the
shop this afternoon. I don’t think we made so much money but a lot of
things came into the shop so I was constantly going back and forth to put
things on the racks, etc. I owed a bill and I paid that and then I got
some things but this time there was nothing to wear but things for the
girls at Christmas maybe. There was a tall narrow can that is to put
spaghetti in, an interesting shaped heavy [?] fluted square dish of brass
but it will take a long time to get the stuff off to see the brass, a
cheese board that needs to be refinished and a pretty tin can. Nothing
very expensive or very important but kind of fun. I fixed the scalloped
potatoes again by heating them and made a great fruit salad and we had
bread and I had a small piece of pie. We both tried very hard today not
to snack and not to eat very much. We want to get our weight down. Walked
after dinner. Tried to call Priss but no answer. Emma Rovey called but
when I called back, got the answering machine. I fell asleep watching TV
so should go to bed. The shelf looks great and I rearranged all my canned
goods.
Much cooler. Windy. In two months Jenny and Niki will be here. I wonder
how everyone being here at the same time will work out? I hope it will go
well. This morning I made a lunch for Don and he was off to Oroville to
find out if he was going to serve on the jury. After he left, Daisy and I
went to the north yard and I spent a long time cutting back that stupid
bush “tree” in the north border that is a pest and I wanted to get it
down to a manageable size. Well, at last I made a dent in it. Then we
came in the house and I got out my Windowmaid and started in on mirrors.
I got most of them done and they do look good. Then I heard the door open
and Don was back. He got on the jury at last. He has been called so many
times I can’t believe he is actually going to serve. But the trial does
not start till the 19th of November! It is supposed to last two or three
weeks with time off for Thanksgiving. I went for a walk this morning to
get bananas at Safeway and this afternoon I walked at 3:30 after I had
fixed the salad greens and had the spaghetti sauce thawing. The bad news
concerns Jason. He sent away for a false ID saying that he was 21 so he
has one saying that he is 19 and the other one. A man from the DMV called
here yesterday wanting to talk to Jason and Don explained that he did not
live here this year and asked what the problem was and the man told him.
We called Linda and she filled us in. She had called Debbie Estren who
has worked in this type of thing and is a lawyer. It is a misdemeanor and
at 4 p.m. tomorrow he will go before a judge and admit guilt. She thinks
they will take away his driver’s license and give him a big fine and he
will have to do public service. Or, he may be arrested. He had wanted
Craig to be with him but he is deer hunting and can’t be reached so he
asked for David. Don felt bad that he wasn’t asked but Lin said he didn’t
want her either. We are all worried and scared and it is going to seem a
long time till after 4 tomorrow. It was a stupid thing to do but then
people at 19 are not always the wisest people in the world. Linda had the
famous drug problem at 19 and now Jason has come up with another problem.
The weather has changed and today it was really fall. No rain, but a lot
of clouds and wind.
Very, very chilly this morning. Don got up before 5 to take Daisy but I
waited till 5 and I hated getting out of bed cause it was so cold. New
weather – but clear and no rain. I started a load of clothes and went for
my walk at 7:30. Tomorrow I will wear gloves cause my hands always get
cold. Kept busy till 9:15 and then I went to Stars. Stopped at the market
but didn’t see anything I wanted to buy. I still had tomatoes, etc. Came
home and had lunch and then it was down to work at the library where I
typed 46 cards and then shelved books but there were so many on the shelf
that it was hard to put any in. When we got home, I started in on the
pound of ground lamb I had gotten at the Cannery some time ago. I made
meatballs and made a sauce to go with them. Fixed the fried rice and
sliced some tomatoes and avocado to put on lettuce. The meatballs turned
out to be very good. We had enough left for tomorrow night, too. Jason’s
deal was at 4 and Lin called at 10 to 5. He answered all the questions
the judge asked and he will be arraigned in Truckee cause that is where
he got the deal saying he was 21. He will receive a note in the mail
saying when he should appear and his mother will go with him there. So we
will just have to wait. He will lose his license for a year. That is for
sure, but about the fine, etc., and will he have to go to jail, we just
don’t know. After dinner, we watched the news and then I called Priss and
since Don has a movie called Malcom made in Australia that is supposed to
be good. The other news today was a letter from Jenny telling about Niki.
She had found her birth certificate while her mother was in Hong Kong and
was very upset about the fact that the father was listed as unknown. She
said she wanted to come live with us, etc. She wanted to know how I felt
about it all so I must write to her. Too many problems all at once.
Later, the movie was funny and interesting. Malcom was either retarded or
anti-social but he was a marvelous inventor and when he rents a room, he
enters into crime with hilarious results.
Change in the weather – chilly and cloudy. We both got up at 5 this
morning to a very chilly morning. I cut short my exercises cause I was
really stiff. I guess all the work outside on Tuesday waited a day to let
me know my muscles hurt. I had read the paper and was ready to shop at
7:10 so I left to pick up Mary. I bought $23 worth at Food for Less and
$17 at the Cannery. I like to get things at the Cannery more than any
other store. Today I bought wine, some very good corn chips by Pringles
and one extravagance – a brass bell shaped like an apple. I love it. It
cost $3.00 but I figure I spend $6-8 on papayas for Don every week and
they don’t last! Came home and Don was having breakfast with Carl and
John Boyle so I put the groceries away and went for a walk. Picked up
some walnuts on the way. Don, when he got home, watered the borders and
put a load of leaves from the bush area in the east yard before coming in
for lunch. While he napped afterwards, I walked again dropping off the
video from last night and mailed letters. I thought a lot about Jenny’s
letter that came yesterday so when I got home, I took notes and when Don
woke up, I read them to him and we discussed them. Then Cathy called from
Tahoe. MJ had come home and no one was there. Julie was doing stats for
the volleyball team and Rose had come up to stay with a friend. So Cathy
called her and Don went to get her. We played cards and then we watched
TV and then we read from a book she had brought. She is an easy one to
babysit. David came to get her to take her to the tutor. Jason had said
yesterday he would call to let me know if he was coming to dinner. I
heated up spaghetti and chili and made a green salad. By 5, he had not
called so I went ahead and we ate without him. He called later saying
that he had tried for 40 minutes but the line was busy. Since no one had
called, I thought that was a bit strange, but didn’t say anything. After
dinner, I went for my last walk of the day. After this weekend, it will
be too dark to walk after dinner so I am doing it till Sunday night. It
is now 7:30 and I am reading and Don is reading. I showered and shampooed
when I got back from my morning walk. It is cold and cloudy today and it
spit rain now and then but it hasn’t actually rained. I wish it would.
The first rain. We work up to a warmer day and it was rain! There was an
outage in the night so that meant Don had to change all the clocks (6 of
them). The two quartz ones were fine but tomorrow night he will have to
change them too since the time goes back to standard. So we got up and
Don took Daisy for her run in the rain. Before walking to the food bank,
I walked to Safeway and got Don a cinnamon roll. The traffic is so heavy
what with McM, Bidwell and PV that it looks like LA between 8-8:30. So
then I went to the food bank, which is on Nord on the way to H. City. We
were very busy today so the time went much faster. The lady at the desk
brought her daughter and she helped me sack the food and that made it
much easier. I checked out the shop next door and bought 6 navy blue
napkins. On the way home, I stopped at S & S produce and got a lot of
grapes for 39¢ marked down plus pears and ginger. Then to Longs for
various things and a nice roast at Holiday. I washed the grapes and put
them on trees and froze them. I will have to do some more later cause
they were so good that way. So I had my lunch and Don napped. Later I
went for a walk and the air was damp and balmy. It felt like Hawaii only
a bit cooler. It had been a long time since rain and it is so welcome. I
just hope we get a lot more. Before dinner I made a crab salad, heated
the leftover rice, made tomato soup and heated some little pizzas. Jason
came by and stayed for dinner. He talks about going to Santa Cruz next
year and is filling out an application. I wonder about Cathy in Tahoe. It
is supposed to be snowing there and I don’t know if she has chains. We
called Jenny at 4 and told her about Jason and about the letter she had
written about Niki so tomorrow I will write to her and send it to the
school. Don got a movie and we started to watch it but it was so bad that
we gave up after about 15 minutes. Set in 1501, it was all about rape and
pillage and I was not in the mood and he wasn’t either. So we will read
the evening away.
Rain. We got up before 5 to a very dark morning with lots of clouds and
yet balmy. It is nice to breathe moist air for a change. I took Mary to
the market and even though it was still wet and misty, the stalls were
there and I got tomatoes, cukes, green beans, some red peppers, and some
grapes. I froze the grapes cause they are delicious in the wintertime.
Came home and since Don was going at 9:30 to a brunch with his group, I
went for a walk cause I did have to stay to listen to the phone cause
Cathy was going to call before she left Tahoe so we would know when to
expect her here. When I got back, Don left and I pinned up my hair and
neated things up. Lin called at 11 saying that Cathy would be leaving at
11:30. She said it was windy and snowing there. Don got back and went to
Durham to pick up Rose and MJ. When he came back with them, I fixed them
a lunch. Rose had a black eye from playing football with the boys and MJ
had hurt her foot playing basketball. They were both very good. They
watched TV and we played some cards. I went out and swept the sidewalk
and the gutter. I had just finished when we had a cloud burst for about 5
minutes. Then at 3:00, Cathy arrived safe and sound, thank goodness.
Sometimes I forget that she is now a grown woman and is not the young
girl who went to Sanora and drove home for the first time and then going
back ending up on her way to Reno cause she took the wrong turn. I wrote
a long letter to Jenny cause she had written asking me for advice about
working with Niki. When Don and I talked about it, what I had to say
sounded good, but I didn’t think I did as well in writing it although Don
thought it was ok. I made a good dinner: baked a potato for each of us,
heated up the lamb meatballs, canned peas, a waldorf salad and I made
chocolate pudding for Don. I was hungry and I ate too much I guess even
though I didn’t have second helpings, but I felt not good in the evening.
It is now 9 and Don is going around changing the time and we have a lot
of clocks. Mary called and is not going to church tomorrow so I don’t
think we will go either. We could be lazy for a change. I talked to Priss
and will go over tomorrow probably. I have a little brandy to drink cause
my stomach is upset and that is supposed to help. I hope the rain keeps
coming since we need it so desperately. Another few days (5 to be exact)
and it will be November. Suddenly the year is going fast. Tomorrow Mike
and Karen leave for the European cruise. How exciting.
Clear, chilly, windy. Well, I guess we forgot to tell Daisy about the
time change so she came in our room before 4 ready for her run. Don
finally got up and took her and I got up at 4:30. After breakfast, I took
a shower and pinned up my hair. I ran a load of clothes and then Don and
I walked ending up at Safeway so he could buy a doughnut. I folded
clothes and then since my hair was dry, I put on my gray sweat cloth
skirt and top that I got at the Discovery Shop for $4 with a red
turtleneck, red tights and shoes. I love this outfit. I went over to
Priss’ to see the clothes she had bought at Walnut Creek and Grivayes.
She had made muffins and I got 4 to take home. When I got home, I changed
my clothes and had lunch. Then I worked in the kitchen. I fixed potatoes
to go with the roast and carrots, got the salad greens ready, made a
lemon soufflé and then when things were in the oven, I went for a walk
and it was very pleasant and windy. Mike called this morning saying they
were just about ready to leave for the airport on their way to NY and
Portugal and then will get on the cruise ship. Jenny called to tell Don
about how to send the money so that she can buy her plane ticket. She
will have to get here to cash her tax check and pay Don back. Jason came
to dinner and the beef roast with browned potatoes and carrots was
delicious. He did a load of clothes and took some things with him and
left. The 49ers won today. They are finally getting their act together.
It is only 8 p.m. but I am sleepy tonight. It always takes a while to
adjust to the time change, too. So far, the World Series last game is 0-0
and they each have won three games so this is it tonight. I used to get
excited about the series, but not any more. So now I will get back to my
current book.
Very chilly in the morning and we have the heat on for a while to take
off the chill. Did all my exercises and got in a walk before going to
Stars. Don had to go to Dr. Taylor about his toe at 9:30, so I took him
to Chico Medical and then went on to Stars. Worked out for ½ an hour and
then had ½ an hour in aerobics and it all felt good and I walked good
this morning cause I am down to 98 on our scales and 100 on the Stars’
scale. Now I must keep with it. When I got home Don was fixing a board on
the fence and I helped him a bit with that and then went in to fix lunch.
Beautiful day - clear and breezy. After lunch, I cracked out the walnuts
I picked up off the street during my walks and I got over a cup of meats
this time. Then I read. At about 2:45, I fed Daisy and then made a stew
out of the leftovers from yesterday’s dinner. A very strange thing
happened to Don. He was in the bedroom and he yawned and he did something
to the back of his head or neck and he was in agony. Finally I said we
should go to Convenient Care so we went and they gave him a shot and some
muscle relaxers. It is 9 p.m. as I write this and so far nothing has
eased the pain at all. He has been lying down since dinner. He seems to
have so many things that go wrong with him. Poor dear. I cleaned up the
dinner dishes and then tried to make cookies. I got everything ready to
put together but then I had to go finish my book cause I was near the end
so I didn’t start the cookies till almost 8. They are done now and since
the oven was on already, I put a squash in to cook and I am curing some
almonds. Tomorrow I go to see Dr. Wooding and I am making a list of
things I want to talk to her about. I played hooky tonight and didn’t
watch any news. Sometimes I feel guilty cause The Atlantic, Harpers, etc.
sit here in the living room and I rarely read them. Instead I am reading
light fiction. I do read Newsweek but that is all. Talked to Priss while
the cookies were baking and so I didn’t have to talk too long. Tomorrow
morning I mush shower and shampoo and I have to do something about my
hair. I guess I will have to get a perm but where? That is the question
at the moment. Best that I go to stir the almonds.
I had a productive morning. We got up before 5 again. Daisy wakes up and
won’t lay down so Don gets up. I did my exercises and had my drink as I
read the paper and then I got out my cleaning things and did both
bathrooms. Then took the Dust Devil and vacuumed and then washed the
floors and shook out the rugs. When that was done, I went outside and fed
the camellias and the two new trees and then fed the indoor plants as
well. Then I made a macaroni salad before lunch. I forgot to say that Don
and I went for a walk right after breakfast so that we could buy him a
roll and we went the long way around by Lupin. I had also washed and set
my hair so you can say it was a busy morning but I felt good cause I had
accomplished so much. When Don laid down for a nap, I did another long
walk before coming back and getting ready to go to Dr. Wooding. I wore my
black pants with the stirrups and a black, green and red striped top and
felt I looked good. I had a lot of questions and we got along well today.
She suggested that I use the spray for my scalp on the itch in the pubic
area and I tried that and it seems to be working. She gave me some
samples for my arthritis too. I decided not to go to Dr. Chicapella right
now. Maybe some cortisone shots will help, too. Dinner was easy: bacon
and tomato sandwiches, squash and the salad. I forgot that we got our flu
shots, too. We had a drink before dinner. Funny I had wanted one and was
going to suggest it to Don and he asked if I would like a drink. Lin
called after dinner and we chatted with her. I didn’t bother much with
the news. In fact, I dozed through most if it. Then I read with little
naps in between. Called Priss and she annoyed me more than usual. I have
come to dread calling each night and now I know I can’t quit. Don took
some cookies over to Liz’s today and she was very down. I worry so about
her. I will try calling her tomorrow.
Well, it wasn’t the greatest day by any means, but not too bad. We got up
at 5 and it was very chilly. I did exercises but did not use the weights
cause Dr. Wooding thought it would be best not to for a while. Around 8,
I went for a walk. Don watered the lawn today but won’t do it again till
Saturday. When I got back, I dressed for Stars and off I went. Cause I
couldn’t do a lot of the machines, I stayed longer for the floor
exercises and I enjoyed them. Then home to lunch. Cathy came and we had a
good visit as we always do. I hated to leave to walk to the library but
she had errands, too, so didn’t mind. I began to feel lousy as I walked.
I had taken one of the new pain pills that Dr. Wooding suggested at lunch
and it wasn’t setting well. But I stayed my two hours and did the typing
and shelved some books. Came home and made hash from Sunday’s dinner.
Fixed creamed broccoli and a pear salad. Don and I then sat down during
the local and Peter Jennings and I did not close my eyes once. Usually I
tend to doze but not tonight. The Middle East Conference started today in
Spain and most of the news was about that. Then a student came to talk to
Don so Daisy and I went to the apartment and I called Priss and then read
the paper. Don went off to a meeting about stocks and bonds and I checked
all the new catalogues. Didn’t see anything I wanted. I felt lousy
tonight but as I told Don when he got back, that is to be expected.
Whenever I go to the doctor, I always feel terrible the next day. Never
did figure that one out. My hemorrhoids have flared up and I feel
uncomfortable. I just hope tomorrow will be better. It is Halloween!
Yipes! Tomorrow that is, not today. I got three walks in today and I
weighed 100# when I got into my gown and housecoat a few minutes ago so
now I must work at losing some more. I have sort of slacked off the last
few days. Lin called. She is leaving tomorrow to be with Craig for the
weekend and so she gave the number where she could be reached. Last night
after I had written in this, Ed Mizel called saying he had checked with
all his lawyers about Jason and gave his advice. He is a dear kind man
and the best friend anyone could ever have. Don is so lucky.
Chilly morning, but by afternoon, it warmed up. I walked a lot today. But
first I went grocery shopping with Mary. Didn’t buy all that much. Don
walked Daisy to the vet for her bath and this was a big event since she
has never gone out at that time of day and to cross streets, etc., but he
said she was good. When I got home, I put away all the food and then I
went for a walk. Ran into the Kirkman’s and had a good visit with them.
By the time I got home, it was almost time for lunch. I called the woman
who Mini Andrews had recommended and for a perm and cut it was $60 and
she could not take me till December! So I walked over to the Beauty
College and made an appointment for next Friday. Then lunch and then I
drove to S & S and got all kinds of goodies and then to Lucky to buy a
14# turkey that I will probably use for Thanksgiving. If you bought 10#
there you could get a lot of things free so I came home and picked up the
deal and walked back and I got a head of lettuce (89¢), zee towel (79¢),
Oreo sandwich cookies ($2.25) all free so it was worth walking back. At
3:30, we picked up Daisy who was wild to get home. Made a dinner of lots
of leftover veggies, made meat spread from the roast, chips, and the end
of the macaroni salad. Then there was the local and national news and
then Trick or Treat. We didn’t get very many. About 14! Just as well
cause I didn’t have money left. Then I took a shower and pinned up my
hair. I think Don is smoking the last of his cigarettes this evening, so
tomorrow will be the beginning and I look forward to it with dread. I do
think this time he is going to try harder but it will still be far from
easy. Pauline today sent a wool knit top, navy and white, a turtleneck,
warm, but too long and the sleeves are, too. Will have to shorten both
but I think I can. We will see.
November 1, 1991 (Friday)
It is 7:05 p.m. and I have just spent ½ an hour talking to Priss on the
phone. As I walked back to the living room, I noticed that Don is in bed
sound asleep. This is his first day without a cigarette and it has not
been easy for him. I am afraid it will only get worse. He seems to be
determined this time and it would be nice if he could quit since I have
and he insists on smoking only in the study with the door and window open
and as the weather gets cooler, it becomes more and more difficult. We
got up at 5 and by 7 I was walking but saw no sign of any damage so it
was a peaceful and quiet Halloween at last around here. Came back and got
ready to go to Stars. It went ok, but Luann is more vigorous than Cathy
(this is the 10 a.m. class), so I didn’t stay very long. When I got home
Don was getting ready for lunch. I had washed two of his sweaters before
going and then I ran two loads of clothes after that. I got just about
everything ironed as well. I insisted when we decided to go for a walk
this afternoon that we take Daisy with us and she was really pretty good.
I would like to take her every day. She slept a lot when we got back but
I think she needs the exercise and I don’t think she would be quite so
bored. I wrote a long letter to Pauline and Don mailed it. When the mail
came, there was a letter from her. Also a letter from Jill. As Don said,
she must be thinking about Christmas. There was also a letter from Niki,
typed this time, so we had a good mail call plus a lot more catalogues.
At 5, we walked over to Mr. Chu’s and had dinner there. I had sweet and
sour chicken and Don had Mongolian lamb. There was so much that we each
brought enough home for a dinner tomorrow night. It was a most pleasant
day – bright and sunny. Chilly in the morning, but by afternoon it felt
like summer. No rain. I think now I will read for a while.
November 2, 1991 (Saturday)
Don woke up at 4:30 and shortly afterwards we got up. I heated up the
oatmeal and sat everything out before Don and Daisy got back from the
junior high. Then I did my exercises before reading the paper. The peace
conference seems to be in disarray and the economic news continues to be
bad. At 7:15, I left to take Mary to the food market. Didn’t buy much
today. I got a bunch of onions, some green beans and apples. When I got
back, I made a graham cracker pie and cranberry jello salad. Then Don and
I went for a walk. I had wanted to check on some yard sales but didn’t
come across any on Ceres so we came home. Then I walked to K-Mart to look
for some kind of rug to put around the toilet bowl in the bathroom where
the linoleum is stained. I looked there and at Penney’s and Mervyn’s. I
will probably have to buy a fairly large rug and cut it to fit. But none
of the others had gray so I came on home. Had my lunch. Jason came over
to wash clothes. He seems to be in no man’s land. He is applying to Santa
Cruz for next year but his chances are slim. He wants to get out of Chico
but doesn’t know where to go. He thought about Sanoma State but Don
pointed out that it wasn’t a very good school. I suggested San Diego and
he thought about that, but he is so undecided and vague and he seems
unhappy and I know he is worried about the driver’s license deal. I told
him not to do anything till he talked to his mother. She seems to be far
away and not too involved. Well, Don and I took Daisy for a walk again
and she was better than yesterday. Then I drove over to K-Mart and bought
three 10” saucers of clay that go under pots and I put those on the plant
stand. Two are for seeds and the third water. There will have to be our
birdfeeder and bath. They were expensive! $3.99 each. Put together
leftovers for dinner and Jason stayed. It wasn’t a great meal, but we ate
all of it and I put some things together for Jason to take home to eat.
Not a great deal. Don is having a terrible time about the smoking.
November 3, 1991 (Sunday)
It wasn’t all that cold this morning so I wore my gray skirt and long top
made out of sweatsuit material. Wore a red turtleneck and shoes and I
felt good about how I looked. We worry about Father O’Hara. He looks
frail and he doesn’t seem to have his heart in it any more. When we got
home, I changed clothes and made dressing for the chicken, fixed potatoes
and green beans. Since the salad and dessert were made yesterday, I was
pretty much done. Went to the mall and got four pairs of underoos as Niki
used to say and a navy turtleneck. Got home and made lunch and then read
for a while. Don wanted to go for a walk so we went and then came back
home so that I could put the chicken in the oven. I wrote to Jenny and
Niki. Then we took Daisy for a walk. All went well except when a nasty
rat terrier dashed out and wanted to fight. Finally his master came to
get him. I took one more walk at 4:10 so I got a lot of walking in today.
Dinner was lovely. I had black placemats, red berries, candles and
napkins and with the white dishes, it was very effective. We had wine and
the food was delicious. Then the news and then I called Priss. She was in
one of those moods where she claimed I had told her she didn’t have any
taste in colors. It was about a pair of slacks. I thought she was talking
about one pair and she was talking about another. Then she said I dressed
younger than she would and I listened to what my children advised. Well,
frankly I was insulted but I didn’t say anything. What is the point, but
sometimes I wish I didn’t have to call her every night and maybe I will
just gradually call less. Can I get away with it? Probably not. Jason is
enough of a burden now with his indecisiveness. He can never make up his
mind and he claims he hates it here and wants to go somewhere else. Fine.
Go is what I say. Don began to feel sick to his stomach and so he went to
bed very early. I read and watched channel 9 about the two Russian spies.
It was good.
November 4, 1991 (Monday)
I worked very hard today. We got up at 5 and things went as usual but
then Don was sick to his stomach right after breakfast. But he felt well
enough to go to play tennis. I went for a walk and then I started washing
windows. I got one of the living room panes down before going to Stars. I
am using Windowmaid, which is great but it is very hard work getting all
the streaks out. Worked hard at Stars and when I got home, I fixed Don’s
lunch and mine and then I did all the windows on the car again and then
using the special paste, I got the spots out of the study door and then
used the Windowmaid on it and it looks much better. From there I moved to
the kitchen and made bread. It didn’t go like in the summer and I didn’t
bake it till when we were eating dinner. I got yesterday’s dinner out and
got all the meat off the chicken then I heated in the oven the potatoes,
gravy, green beans and a little bit of dressing. We had the cranberry
salad leftove, too, so with the sliced cold chicken and the rest, we had
a good dinner and there was the pie as well. Watched the news. Then
called Priss and then a long hot shower. I forgot there were two walks in
the afternoon: first with Daisy and then with Don and me. She seems to
love the walks though she strains on the leash all the time so her neck
must be very tired when she is done. Tomorrow we vote on the library and
I work at the food bank and I want to do at least one more window, too.
At around 8, Don fixed me a Manhattan and we talked and talked and then I
had another one. He didn’t have anything cause he said for a while since
he can’t smoke he doesn’t want to drink. Then we went to bed and made
love and we both won tonight and it was great. So that was a nice way to
end the day.
November 5, 1991 (Tuesday)
Got up at 5 and did the usual and then did my exercises. We read the
paper and then I got dressed and we went to vote for the library. If we
all pay $38 a year, we can keep the Chico branch open. I don’t know if we
will win or not. I was the first person to vote and by the time we left,
there was a line of people. Don went home but I did my walk and when I
got home, he had taken the car to play tennis. I dusted and watered all
the plants and cleaned the mirror in the long hall. Then Don got back so
I went to the Food Locker. There were two different women this morning.
Not one person came in for food although there were a lot of phone calls.
At 10:30, they suggested that I not stay and I was happy to leave. I got
home and fixed lunch for us while Don ran his errands. Mary called and
wanted us to pick walnuts so I said I would pick her up at 1. Then I made
macaroni and cheese, fixed the salad greens before getting her. We went
to a house of a friend and in the back yard were two trees and we picked
a lot of nuts. Many of them were not good but many were. Got home and
started right in cracking them and Don went to the library and when he
came back, he helped. He had taken Daisy for a walk while I was gone. I
cracked about ½ of them and then I made a new chocolate dessert. When it
was done, we walked to Lucky to get a Rx for Don that should relax him a
bit while he is not smoking. We had a good dinner with the macaroni and
cheese, the salad, green beans and the chocolate deal that sort of made
it’s own crust. Watched the news and while I was doing that, I got all
the walnut meats and put them in the oven to dry. I got a big coffee can
full. Read for a while and then watched Flying Up that is very, very
good. Don is asleep but I thought I would try to stay up to find out
about the election. In the local news, they said that for 50.02% and
against 49.8%. But you need 2/3 to win!
November 6, 1991 (Wednesday)
It is hard to get up when it is dark and chilly but I shouldn’t complaint
cause it really isn’t cold yet. No papaya this morning so I had to slice
a pear to go with the banana and I gave him some prunes, too. I had
pinned up my hair last night and it looks just great this morning but
then after breakfast I went for a walk and by the time I got back, most
of the curl was gone. I can’t wait to get that perm! Went to Stars and
really worked out and stayed for 20 minutes of the floor exercises and
then home. Daisy and I cracked out walnuts for a long time and I got
quite a few good ones but not as many as yesterday. Came in and made
lunch and then it was time to walk to the library. It was all gloom and
doom there cause the library deal had lost and I have no idea what will
happen next. I suppose they will close. This has been going on for so
long. It must be terrible to work there at a real job not knowing from
one day to the next if you were going to come to work the next day. Don
picked me up and I went back to shelling walnuts and finally cracked them
all out. I will check at the food market on Saturday and buy some good
ones. So many of these were no good. Dinner was a bit odd but good. I
reheated the macaroni and cheese, tried to fix the leftover mashed
potatoes like Priss’ recipe, made a tomato and cuke and lettuce salad,
cooked the one artichoke and finished up the chicken heated with a little
gravy and the pie from last night for dessert. Then the news and reading.
I am tired tonight and plan to go to bed early. Don told me that while I
was at the library, Lin called and wanted him to send her $200 – no
explanation. What next?
November 7, 1991 (Thursday)
Woke up to a clear, mild morning. Fixed breakfast and got a good brisk
walk in before picking up Mary to get groceries. I didn’t buy all that
much. I got some things at the Cannery but again there wasn’t all that
much today that I wanted. I still will have to go to S & S, etc., but I
will do that tomorrow or Saturday. When I got home, I took a shower and
shampooed and set my hair. Then I went over to the apartment and ironed.
While I was doing that, Cathy and David arrived. They came to tell me
that they both had to work on Thanksgiving and wondered if we could
postpone it till Friday. Well, I suppose we could do that but it would
seem strange somehow. I don’t know if Linda will be coming down or not. I
thought she would call today but she didn’t so I suppose Cathy will
contact her. They did take the green chair and she will use it in the
bedroom. Somehow they managed to get it in the little Geo. They said they
would try to find a pickup so they could take the desk. I so want it out
of there. So anyway, I finished the ironing and then had lunch. Sat
outside for a while cause it was so warm and sunny. Then I got dressed in
my red slacks, sweater, shoes and purse – all red! But when I put my
shoes on, I realized how much my left big toe hurt so Don said he would
call Dr. Taylor, the foot doctor, and when I got back from my meeting, he
had an appointment for me at 9:45 tomorrow. I went out to Philadelphia
Square to a meeting with Helen Deatsch and Jerry Buislain about the
affair for new teachers in the fall. It was decided that I would present
the material to the Chamber of Commerce next Tuesday morning at 7:30.
Came home and made a lousy dinner. I had a soup made with chicken broth,
grilled cheese sandwiches and a pumpkin pie. The canned pumpkin from New
Zealand and it was not very good and so the pie was not very good. The
dinner was about a C-. Watched the news and then talked to Priss. Don is
having a terrible time without smoking, so he is lying down. I am going
to read.
Woke to a cloud cover and moist cool air. Did breakfast and my exercises
and then went for a long walk and it was very pleasant. My appointment
with Dr. Taylor was for 9:45. Lin called while Don was at breakfast with
Carl. She had reached by phone someone in Sacramento about Jason’s
federal aid grant and she wanted Don to type a letter cause they had sent
the money to Humboldt and since he wasn’t there they sent it back and
Jason needs the $2,500! So, Don wrote the letter and then he dropped me
off at Dr. Taylor and went to get Jason to sign it. Dr. Taylor checked my
left big toe and said there was not much there to cause the swelling and
pain. He did some scraping and hopefully it will get better but if not,
x-rays will be done to see if there is a bone spur. Yuk! We stopped at S
& S and got two pineapples 79¢, ginger, new potatoes, and grapefruit.
Then to Lucky where if you spent $10, one got 5# of sugar, a duraflame
log and a can of olives. I bought vitamins, fresh bread and a papaya – a
great bargain! Home and lunch. I made a tuna salad, fixed green beans and
then went at 1 p.m. to get my perm with Doris. She was very nice and she
gave me a good perm for $22.50 plus $1 tip. I got home at 3:15 and made a
very good sauce for fettuccini that turned out to be delicious so with
the salad and green beans and cherry tomatoes, we had a good dinner. Then
Jason called so I cooked more noodles and he had a good dinner finishing
with a chocolate sundae. Lin said that she didn’t know about coming down
for Thanksgiving. They are laying off people where Craig works and he is
worried about his job and so she doesn’t want to insist on anything given
the circumstances. Jason is thinking about not being here for
Thanksgiving so the day seemed to be going to pot. I talked to Priss
tonight but didn’t have the heart to tell her about Thanksgiving. We will
see what happens. I have been reading and Don is in the bedroom watching
TV and I imagine he is dozing.
There was some fog this morning and it had rained a bit in the night, but
then it got clear and warm. I got a lot of things at the food market:
persimmons! apples, grapes, 10# of walnuts in the shell - the ones not so
great, so only 30¢ a pound, eggs, tomatoes. Took Mary home and then
stopped at Safeway for milk, ½ and ½ and a doughnut for Don. When I got
home I went for a walk and it was most pleasant. Then at 9:30, we went to
K-Mart where I got plant food and then to a rug place where we got a
square yard piece of rug that I will try to fit around the toilet to hide
the stains on the linoleum. When we got home, it was time to have lunch
and then I drove over to the mall to look at a toaster at Penney’s. I
looked around at other things and found a pair of gray sweat pants that I
hoped matched the top of the two-piece outfit I have but it was not the
same color so I will have to return them. Will do that tomorrow. Went for
another walk and then read. I had decided to make waffles for dinner but
then I realized I didn’t have buttermilk so I walked again to Safeway to
get it. We had a good dinner: the waffles, a gorgeous fruit plate of
fresh pineapple, pears, kiwis, persimmons and grapes and then the
standard cheese and dills. It looked so pretty and it all tasted so good.
Somehow somewhere in this day, I took a shower and rinsed my hair
although I didn’t shampoo it but it still smelled of perm. We watched the
news and then I talked to Priss and now it is 7 p.m. and I guess I will
read the evening away. Don is watching TV but I am not interested. No
word from any of our children today. I should think that Mike and Karen
should be back by now. Maybe they will call tomorrow. Jason said last
night he thought he would go to Tahoe this weekend but I don’t know
whether he went or not.
On Sunday, we each have a B-6 and a vitamin A. Maybe it is just my
imagination, but I always feel so energetic when I take these. I would
like to take them every day but one is supposed to be careful about
overdosing on vitamins, so I am careful. We went to church and when we
got home, we went first downtown to the Chamber of Commerce building so I
would know where it was since I have to go there on Tuesday morning at
7:30. Then we went to Mervyn’s and Don bought another pair of jeans cause
they were on sale and we looked at washable bathroom rugs since I think
it was a mistake to buy the one we got yesterday but we did not buy
anything. I sent Don home to watch football and I walked over to K-Mart
to look at sweat pants but they were the wrong color of gray. Then I went
back to Mervyn’s and Miller’s Outpost but they didn’t have any either, so
I walked home and I was really hungry when I got here. Had lunch and then
fixed candied yams, cooked broccoli and made a persimmon pudding with
lemon sauce. Then I wrote to Pauline and to Jill in Florida. Now I just
have Jenny and Niki’s letter tomorrow. Then Daisy and I went to the west
patio and cracked walnuts. I think I have one more day’s worth to do.
Came in and put the ham and yams in the oven. We watched Siskel and Ebert
and then dinner was ready. The yams, ham, broccoli, cukes and tomato were
all great. The pudding was terrible! We threw it out but the lemon sauce
was great. While we watched the news I got the nutmeats out. Then I
called Priss and had a most pleasant talk with her. No word from Mike and
Karen. There is supposed to be a bad storm in the east so I hope they got
home safely. Today at mass while we were all reading aloud from our
Missals, I suddenly thought about how marvelous it is to be able to read.
We all see those words on the page and we all read them and know what
they said. Isn’t that miraculous. We take for granted something so
mysterious as being able to read and understand the printed word.
Incredible.
This was a better day. It seemed cooler this morning but clear again. I
fixed breakfast and did my exercises. Had ½ a grapefruit and some French
bread. Then I went for my walk and that was pleasant. When I came back I
shampooed my hair but didn’t need to set it. Got ready and went to Stars
and I stayed till 10:30. When I got home, Don was on the south deck sun
bathing. We had lunch and then I went to the mall and got a bath mat and
a toilet cover. I had made a pattern earlier so I did know what size to
buy. I want to cover the stains around the toilet. I had changed our
sheets earlier and I got them washed. I went to K-Mart and bought
Fantasia for $16 – it brought back memories of Madison and Don taking
Mike to see his first movie and he was so scared they spent most of the
time in the lobby but then the Sourcer’s Apprentice is real scary. When I
got back, I cracked out the rest of the walnuts but they took quite a
while. Don helped me sort them out while I made a potato salad, sliced
some of last night’s ham, got the yams out to reheat and some croissants
and sliced some tomatoes. Made chocolate sauce so we had sundaes for
dessert. Then it was time for the news – pretty much all bad. Don and I
had gone for a long walk at 3:30 and he took Daisy for a walk before
that. After the news, I called Priss and then I did the ironing. I typed
up my notes for tomorrow morning and then I took a shower. The day seemed
very busy for me. Sometimes I can read in the afternoon but today it was
rush, rush. I forgot to mention that I washed the living room windows,
too. I rather look forward to the time when Don goes on jury duty. I can
do some special jobs and I won’t be able to go anywhere cause there will
be no car. Lin called this evening and we had a good chat. She is fun to
talk to on the phone. I called Cathy and suggested that we have dinner at
12:30 on Thanksgiving and then she can go to work and the girls can stay
here till David comes. Thank goodness she liked the idea.
This was a busy day. Don had planned breakfast with Mary and Nancy so
after our morning routine, I quickly got dressed putting on my black
stretch pants and black, green and red top and took Don to Lyons at 6:30.
Went back home and left again at 7:15 for the Chamber of Commerce where I
made a presentation about the breakfast for new teachers in the fall. The
Chico University School Foundation wants to change this to an afternoon
affair but I had to wait till 8:30 to have my say, then I left and dashed
home to go to the bathroom and to pick up Don who was walking home but it
was so late he had already arrived and gone on to his broker. I went to
the Food Bank were I worked for two hours and then I stopped at Dr.
Shaw’s to pick up Don who was having his eyes checked. Again, he had had
to walk there but at least I picked him up. Dr. Shaw says there is
indication that he may get glaucoma so he will have to put drops in his
eyes every night so pressure cannot build up. He was upset. We had lunch
and he laid down and I read. Then I fixed salad greens for dinner and
cooked the green beans for Thursday’s dinner. Mike called this morning
just as I was leaving so we called him back tonight but first I walked to
Dr. Shaw’s where I had my eyes tested and I didn’t need new glasses and
there is still just a trace of a problem with cataracts so I was ok. Our
dinner was hamburgers, the broccoli again and a green salad. Then we
called Mike and although they both have colds, they had a wonderful time
on the cruise. He gave three speeches that met with great success and
they sold $1,400 worth of tapes and they loved the food, the countries,
etc. This is the Royal Cruise Line and it was all very posh. They have
colds but they were going to bed early and hoped to get rested and will
feel better. Then we watched the news. Now Don is resting and I am going
to read.
I didn’t write in this at the end of the day. There was a National
Geographic program on at 8 and Don said it should be good cause it was
about Hawaii so I went out to watch and fell asleep! So at 9 when it was
over, I just gave up and went to bed but that was a mistake cause I woke
up a lot in the night. What did I do during the day? It is strange but
although I am always busy, sometimes I can’t remember the next day what I
did. I went for a walk in the morning and stopped at Lucky and bought Don
a cinnamon roll. Then when I got back, I changed my clothes and went to
Stars. Did the machines and 20 minutes of the floor exercises and then
came home. We had lunch and then we walked to the library. There was a
touch of fall in the air so it is beginning to feel a little bit more
like November but still no rain. When I got home, I decided to make
something simple for dinner so I fixed scrambled eggs, a marvelous fruit
salad with grapes, dates, persimmon, pears and pineapples, all fresh and
we put whipped cream on top but we both ate two biscuits and that is too
much. Before the time changed, I did go for a walk after dinner and that
would take care of eating too much sometimes. But now it is dark and I
can’t go. Linda called and wanted to know the history of migraines in the
family. None of us ever had them but Don’s mother and his sister had and
have them very bad and he has had some, too. She got one that was just
terrible and it scared her so she is going back to the doctor who thought
maybe she had a brain tumor. The appointment is next week and I just hope
she is ok. When she had the exam about the problem, it was at the same
time that Don thought he had one and was having the same test and I am
afraid we spent all our time worrying about him and not enough attention
was paid to Linda. I think she is under a lot of stress right now with
Craig’s jog shaky and Jason with his court case coming up.
After going to bed too early and having a restless night, I woke at 4 and
at 4:30, we got up. So there was our usual routine but we just started ½
an hour earlier. So I had time to clean both bathrooms before I went
grocery shopping. There was a cold, nasty wind from the north, dry and
unpleasant. I wore my yellow sweatshirt and pants but they were not warm
(the pants I mean). When we got back, Don went off to run errands, so I
put the groceries away and fixed lunch. I am reading Light A Penny Candle
and I really like it, so I would have liked to read all day but naturally
I didn’t. Instead, I deboned 6 chicken breasts and sautéed them and then
made the wine and sour cream sauce for them. Made the cranberry jello
salad. I had already done the green beans so they will just have to be
heated. Set the table with black mats and red candles, pyracantha and
napkins. I had made the chocolate mousse yesterday so there is very
little to do with this kind of meal. Changed my clothes at about 4:30
into my black stretch pants and the top that is black, dark green and
with a little red stripe. This may be my uniform for winter. I gave Don
all the last minute instructions and took off to pick up Priss. We had a
good time. No anger or criticism from Priss. The meal was lousy but other
than that, it was a good time. Came home and the people were still here
so Daisy and I went to the apartment and I read till they left and then I
came in and helped Don clean up. He said they liked everything, cleaned
their plates, etc. Dale and Karen are having another baby in June. Nino
and Jawed invited us to dinner next Friday night. I stayed up and read
till 11:30. That will balance off sleeping too much the night before.
Clear and cold this morning! I did my exercises but Don just walked
around with Daisy cause he fell yesterday playing tennis and he has a
very sore left hip. I walked for 35 minutes all bundled up but it felt
good. Then I made the sleeves of my sweat suit dress not quite so [?] and
I think I will like it better. Then I got ready to go to the Discovery
Shop. I usually don’t work in the morning, so this was different. I
worked with Alice Douternion and she was really fun. We had a terrible
time with the cash register but other than that, everything was ok. I got
some scarves and a black wool top. The other things didn’t look great on
me. When I got home, I made a mock crab salad, fixed the rice to heat and
opened a can of stewed tomatoes. There was leftover mousse so we were all
set. Then the phone rang and it was Mary Y. and she had fallen and her
arm hurt so we drove over and took her to Convenient Care. We had to wait
for an hour before the doctor could see her and then we found out she had
broken her shoulder. She was very upset naturally and was in pain. We
took her home and Don stopped on the way and we got the Rx for pain for
her. By then it was going on 6 so I heated things up in a hurry and we
had dinner and watched the news and then Don took the prescription over
and I sent a hot dish that was frozen plus applesauce and cookies for
their dinner tomorrow night and I will work out something for Sunday.
Mary told Don that she had called David and he will be here on Monday.
That will help. We read till 9 and then I watched a special on Doris Day.
It was fascinating and I had not realized how many movies she had been in
and how good she was. Don went to bed but I stayed up till 11 reading
Light a Penny Candle. It is a long book but I like it. By 11, I could
tell that it was getting very cold outside. Winter is on the way.
Did a lot of dreaming in the night and then slept in till 5:15. That
sounds ridiculous cause it is still hideously early! Don had gotten his
breakfast so I just set out the vitamins and then did my exercises. I was
right about the weather cause the house was cold. Got dressed in sweats
and swept the patio and replenished bird seed and put out water. Then Don
and I swept the driveway. Then off to food market. I got lots of things:
green beans, broccoli, persimmons, onions, eggs and kiwis and little
tomatoes. Came home and put everything away before going for a walk. Don
was off playing tennis. Went by a place that was having a yard sale and
saw 5# weights for $1 each so I got a pair. I have the 3# ones but
sometimes I want the heavier ones. I went over to see if Mary was all
right. She was in bed but she seemed calm and she said they would be ok
and that David was coming on Monday. So I came home and we had lunch.
Then Jason arrived and managed to eat cereal and then had rice and stewed
tomatoes, an interesting combination. I ironed clothes. Don napped and
Jason watched TV. Then he left and Don and I raked leaves. I rather like
doing that. Then I cleaned out the middle cupboard in the back back and
threw some things out and neated up the rest. Don and I went for a walk
at 2:30 after I fed Daisy. The weather is changing. It got cloudy and
windy but now at 7:30 still no rain. We had our leftovers at 5 and
finished up the mousse. It is too rich and I feel stuffed. Watched the
news and I finished my book. I decided of the two girls that Elizabeth
was a cold person and I didn’t like her very well. Don is lying down
again. I suppose he is desperate for a cigarette. My left eye is very
bloodshot. I don’t know why. If it is not better by Monday, I will go to
see Dr. Shaw. There is still a long evening ahead of me. Got a letter
from Jenny and Niki. Finally Jenny had received my letter. Niki was funny
and she may get her braces off this month.
Rain. Wind. Woke up to a wet, cold, windy day. I don’t think we got much
rain but it was a start. We decided not to go to church. Don had the
terrible pain in the back of his head again so he went back to bed and
took a pill. My left eye is still very red so tomorrow morning if it is
not better I will go to see Dr. Shaw again. Well, it doesn’t hurt at
least. I am still looking for the canvas deal to cover wood and I just
can’t find it. Today I cleaned the other two cupboards in the back back
with no luck. Well, at least I am neating up the territory. After
checking the local paper, I went to K-Mart and bought an air corn popper
and a big jar of popcorn for the Yakiches for Christmas. Found a daily
calendar for Priss also for Christmas so I am beginning to think about
it. When I got home, we had lunch and Don began to feel better so he
could watch his Sunday football. Then I drove out to 20th to Target cause
I wanted to check on a sweat suit but it was too thin and I need warmth.
Every winter I mind the cold more. I ended up just buying a pair of
tights in a black and gray mixture. Then went to Pier I. I love to go
into that place cause there are always so many interesting things. I got
two white bowls to go with my better dishes but I looked at all kinds of
things. When I got home, Jason was here washing his clothes. I fed the
dog, made scalloped potatoes with ham, fixed the green beans, washed the
salad greens, made an apple crisp and then went for a walk. Asked Jason
to stay for dinner, but he said no, so we fixed him a care package –
apples, Rice-a-Roni, some canned goods and ramen. Dinner was good and
then we watched the news. Not too much excitement there but there rarely
is on Sunday night. For once, Don fell asleep instead of me but then he
has been taking pain pills. Now I think I will read for a while. Mary Y.
called to thank me for bringing over their dinner for tonight. I will be
glad when David gets here tomorrow since she needs someone to be there.
We watched the last episode of The Sleepers about the Russian spies who
had defected after 25 years. It was good but it is so hard to understand
those British. Still it was fun and then bed.
We keep waking up too early. This morning, it was a little after 4 and we
stayed in bed for a while but then got up before 5. It was very chilly
this morning and that doesn’t help me either. I got dressed right after I
finished the paper cause Don insisted that I have my bloodshot eye
checked and while he was reading the paper, he leaned back and his neck
and the back of his head hurt so much he had to take a pill and lie down.
We are falling to pieces. He wanted to check with Dr. Wooding. So first I
went for a walk to the end of North Avenue and then it was 10 to 8 so we
went to Dr. Hall but he wasn’t to be in today so I was to come back at
9:30. Don brought me back then and he went on to Dr. Wooding and I told
him I would walk home. The other doctor said it was common and nothing to
worry about and it would go away in about a week. Dr. Wooding will call
Don. She had a very busy schedule. I washed two loads of clothes. I took
everything out of the shed and redid it so that I could put more things
in it. After lunch, I read for a while and then I made fudge. Don is so
nervous about serving on the jury starting tomorrow that I will be glad
when he is on his way. We were talking about his lunch to be taken and he
started in about he didn’t want a big sandwich, etc., and I got mad. Damn
it. Why doesn’t he buy his lunch if he is so fussy. I told him one would
think that he was on trial instead of being on the jury. Giving up
smoking certainly doesn’t make him easy to live with.
We got up and after breakfast I made a lunch for Don and at 8, he left
for Oroville for his trial. He looked wonderful. Beige slacks, white
shirt and beige mixture sweater. So then Daisy and I were alone. First I
got out the gray dress I sent for and have never worn. I thought maybe it
should be shortened but when I put it on with heels, it looked ok. Then I
got out the top to the other gray outfit, the sweat suit material and I
decided to make the sleeves shorter by taking a seam at the shoulder so I
basted and sewed that and I think it would be better. Tomorrow I will
iron them both. Then I walked to Safeway to get mushrooms for the
spaghetti sauce that I made right after Don left. Sewed some buttons on
another sweater and by then it was lunchtime. I skipped all the fruit I
have been eating and had a ham salad sandwich and that was all. No
flatulence for the rest of the day so I must think about this cause I
love fruit and I know it is good for me. Well, we will see. Then I made a
chocolate cake and then put the beef roast in the oven. Fixed potatoes
and carrots and the greens for the salad. It was so quiet here. I don’t
think we realize how much we have fallen into a pattern of
interdependence. Daisy was very quiet all day and I know she missed Don,
too. In fact, she didn’t eat all her dinner and I am sure that was the
reason. Well, at 4:20 he walked in and Daisy was overjoyed to see him. He
changed his clothes and then we had a drink and then we had the dinner,
which was great. Next came the news and then we called Linda. She had
been to the doctor about the horrendous headache and he said it was a
migraine. Hers had been so bad that she had to pull over to the side of
the road and she saw an aura. He said it was a classic example and since
it was so powerful, she may never have another one or she might have a
number of them. After all, both Neva and Gail had and have them so since
it is genetic, she can expect them. But she was relieved that it is that
and not something worse. She also said that Miriam Bounett had [?] with
the top Jenny had bought in Hong Kong (she doesn’t like it) and Mr.
Bounett died. No details. Then I talked to Priss and that went on for 40
minutes but it was all very pleasant. Now it is 8 p.m. and I am going to
read. I have showered and brushed my teeth and the duties for the day are
over.
Here I sit with both thumbs bandaged cause they are split and they hurt
so much I could weep! It rained in the night so it wasn’t all that cold
today and it was cloudy most of the day. What did I do? After Don cleaned
up, I did a load of clothes and then later today I ironed them plus I
ironed my two gray outfits so I am set for Friday night when we go to the
Joweeds. I will still have to cook dinner for Jason and Linda since she
will be coming down that day and will stay till Sunday morning. I also
made a big pot of chili and froze it so that will be something I can
serve when all the people are here at Christmas. I went over to Yakiches
and took a load of magazines for her to read. I called again tonight
since Don doesn’t have to go till 10:30 tomorrow so I thought Mary might
want to go but she said she would be going next week. So I will go alone
tomorrow or with Don. I walked to and from the library today. I was
worried that it would rain cause it was so dark and cloudy but I made it.
When I got home, I started in on dinner. I made a grapefruit and kiwi
salad, made fried potatoes and carrots from yesterday’s dinner and sliced
some of the meat left over. It was all very good. The cake is never as
good the second day but we ate it. The news tonight was about giving
grain to Russia, which made a lot of people mad and the fact that the
stock market is holding its own after last week’s big loss. Bush is going
to the Far East after Christmas, etc., etc. Jason came over after having
dinner with his dad and the Yakiches and Anna. They had had a big fight
as usual. He was all excited about his zoology professor who had a debate
last night with a creationalist. It is good that he is so excited about
it. Well, now I think I will read. Cut short my visit with Priss tonight
cause Jason came.
This was a very strange day. First of all, I had a bad night. I woke up a
lot and my arms and legs seemed to hurt. I got up but didn’t do my
exercises and I just had a cup of Pero. I kept feeling worse and I wanted
to get the shopping done and since Don would not have to be in Oroville
till 10, I asked him to take me to Food for Less, thank goodness cause by
the time I arrived, my legs hurt so much that I just could barely get
around. At the checkout, I told him to pay and put the stuff in bags and
I went to the car. We did not go to the Cannery, but came home and I was
in agony. I took a Naproxen and laid down in the living room and Don put
the groceries away. My legs hurt so much that I wanted to cry or scream.
I called Cathy but they didn’t have any idea of what was wrong. Finally
the pain pill began to take effect and I was ok. Then David and Cathy
arrived and they stayed till 10:30. Don left at 9:30 and I seemed to be
ok. After they left, I got up and made a pie crust and the chocolate mayo
filling cause that was what Linda asked for. I showered, shampooed and
set my hair. I cleaned the toaster oven. I ground up the rest of the ham
and made more ham spread then I ground up the rest of the roast beef and
made spread of that. I made five pie crusts and put them in the freezer
ready to make into pies come Wednesday. By then I was running out of
steam so I took another Naproxen. Don came home early. I read and made a
simple dinner: bacon, eggs and tomatoes and chips for him and a sandwich
for me. It is almost 10 now. Don has gone to bed long ago and I suppose I
should go, too. I just hope I will be ok tomorrow what with Linda coming
and I want to go out tomorrow night to the Jawed’s. Alice called and she
will be able to come to dinner on Thanksgiving. And that will be nice.
Got a great letter from Niki today. I must write to her this weekend. In
just a little over a month they will be here.
I just woke up in my chair in the living room and it is almost 10 o’clock
so best that I go to bed. I will after I write in this. Whatever sore
legs yesterday, today when I woke up I had a pain in my back on the left
side. Both Cathy and Linda think I hurt myself when I helped to lift the
metal desk into the garbage deal. Surely in a few days I will be ok. In
the meantime, I certainly am using a lot of Naproxen. Getting back to my
day, I drove out to the Cannery at about 8. I also went back to Food for
Less to get some things we had forgotten yesterday. Came home and took it
easy for the rest of the morning. I deboned six chicken breasts so
tomorrow I can just cook them and won’t have to get them ready. Then Mary
Y. called saying that she wanted to be picked up at the doctor’s office
but I understood her to mean I was to take her to the doctor and so I sat
outside in front of her house for over ½ an hour and finally went in and
found Steve sitting outside in back so I quickly drove to the Chico
Medical and there she was. On the way back, I bought a 17# turkey for 33¢
a pound. I will cook that after Thanksgiving so that I can fix most of it
for Daisy. I did my nails and visited with Lin who had arrived while I
was taking care of Mary. She is fine. We were going to the Joweed’s at
5:30 and I wore my gray sweat suit outfit that has a long full skirt and
a very long top. I wore a red turtleneck and shoes with it. The food was
all rather strange and tasteless. We talked mostly to the Steiner’s and
it was pleasant. Priss almost lost Cinders today. She was in the yard at
Hunts and he had put out rat poison and she had some but they got her to
the vets and she had her stomach pumped and she is going to be ok. So now
I am going to my bed.
It is 9:40 p.m. and I am lying in bed in Community Hospital with
pneumonia and my blood pressure was 78/46 but now after having my feet
up, it is 87 over something. I should remember. They seem to be concerned
so are calling the doctor. I woke up this morning at 5 and took my
vitamins, had a piece of French bread and my Suka. Then I went to the
Food market and bought broccoli for Mary. Took it over and came home. Don
went off to play tennis and Lin was up so we talked and then when Don got
back, we (Lin and I) went over to Mervyn’s cause they were having a sale.
I went to begin with to get earrings for Niki but they were all so pretty
that I decided to get them for Lin, Jenny and Cathy as well. It still was
a mad house and when I took a ticket to be waited on, my number was 87
and I had to wait a long time. Right in the middle, I began to shake and
felt terrible. Well, we got them at $13.99 each and then we got home and
Linda called Cathy and they said I should go to the emergency. Then they
took x-rays, chest, ribs, etc. and the girl didn’t seem to know much
about it so they kept having to be retaken but finally she was done and
we went back to emergency and it was decided that I had pneumonia. Then I
had to breathe into a gadget so they could get a sputum sample but I
couldn’t cough so tried another gadget and finally I got a little bit up.
Then they took me to a room and I had three different blood samples taken
and I got oxygen. Don was very concerned and he called Mike and Jenny and
they both called back. Linda and Cathy were marvelous. Dinner finally
came and I couldn’t eat the meat but I did have the baked potato. Don
came back one more time and brought my own pillow and that helped. I
washed up and brushed my teeth. Watched the 19th anniversary of The Bob
Newhart Show that was very funny. I think the nurse is going to call the
doctor about my blood pressure. Tonight I didn’t feel good at all. I
think I will lay down and try to sleep. Cathy says she is going to cook
the Thanksgiving dinner. I have always done it and I feel cheated that I
can’t do it this year. Deep down, I am very scared but hopefully tomorrow
things will look better. Since they are worried about my heart, they put
me in ICU in the middle of the night and I was on all these monitors for
my heart and blood pressure and oxygen. Scary.
I felt better today but I realize I have a long way to go. And I can’t do
much or move around in the bed. I am puffing and exhausted so I have a
long way to go. Still I do feel better, thank goodness. I finally got to
bed to sleep at 2 a.m. cause the doctor thought that I had a spot on my
lungs so I had to go way down to another x-ray place and they took many,
many pictures and finally decided there wasn’t a spot on the lung after
all. I just hope Dr. Wooding will have the same feeling about it all.
Jenny is really upset about being so far away and so I talked to her
today and she talked to the charge nurse who read all that was on my
chart and she wants me to have Wooding contracting pulmonolist Wilms. Don
came many times as did Linda, and Cathy arrived with her three girls plus
Julie’s friend Allegra. Mike called and asked if he should come out and I
pointed out that since I didn’t plan on dying right now, I didn’t want
him to come so he laughed and said ok. I had Don call Priss and Alice to
tell them that we would have our Thanksgiving a week or so after
Thanksgiving. Don said Priss was upset but I called her this evening and
she understood then or at least she didn’t sound upset. I will call Alice
tomorrow. I find I get very tired when I talk any length of time. Well
the meals aren’t all that bad here. I naturally can’t eat them all but I
am probably gaining weight cause I am just lying here in bed. The scary
part last night was when my blood pressure went down to 74/46 – now that
is low! I watched 60 Minutes tonight and then Murder She Wrote and then
The Best of Ed Sullivan. Either the books are not very good that I
brought or I just can’t get into them cause I get tired of reading so
quickly. The main thing about hospitals is that they are boring. Rev. W.
Pew stopped in to see me. He is always so kind. Now at 10:25, I am
quitting and going to sleep I hope.
Boy was I stupid to want to leave ICU and go back to the floor. In the
morning, they took away the heart monitor and the catheter so I am left
with only the antibiotic and the oxygen. But I say that going to the
bathroom is a major project and since I am supposed to drink a lot of
liquids I have a real problem. Oh, to be home! Lin left this morning. It
seems like a week ago. Then Don came before going to Oroville. Dr.Wooding
came and said my heart was fine. I asked about Premorin and she gave me a
bigger dose of Premorin and something else and I take them every day. We
shall see. Had another chest x-ray and John Colne’s ½ sister asked about
Jenny. Also had an EKG and that was ok. The lady who gave it to me had
had a [?] [?] on her and lived but it did terrible things to her spine so
she gave up being a typist and did this instead. She was very serious
about her religion and said that saved her. Janet McElroy (?) was Dr.
Newman’s nurse and remembered us all. Mary N. lives in Washington near
Puget Sound and Walter and family are there too, but she didn’t know
about Mike or Julie. Joan Hagewood stopped by. She and Jack have bought a
38,000 foot house on a 10-acre spread near Butte. Joan looked great. So
the first part of the day was fine and the lunch was great – shrimp and a
good sauce, etc. But then we picked up and went to 1111B and everything
changed. I didn’t realize that I had been living like a queen. I was in a
double room with a lady who must weigh at least 350 – 400 pounds, has
diabetes and asthma. I feel sorry for her and we visit, etc., but still
she is not my type. Well, anyway, now I have to push this heavy thing
with long plastic cords and then I have to put things in to catch the
urine, etc. I hate it! Well, to go on. Father O’Hara stopped by and gave
me communion. He still looks pale. I had a very simple dinner: baked
potato, cottage cheese. Don and Cathy arrived. The girls had all sent
pictures or cards so later I called and thanked them, then I called Priss
and she is going to come in tomorrow. Then suddenly I went to the
bathroom once more and the phone rang and it was Don and I started to
cry. He said he would come over but I said no and now I am ok again but I
am tired and depressed and discouraged. It seems I have been gone from
home a month. Watched some TV and read and I just pray that tomorrow will
be better.
This day started out terribly but got better. I woke up at 5 after being
awake till 1:30 when finally the light went off and I didn’t get to sleep
right away. Thank goodness Cathy had talked to people and I also thought
earlier that I would be moved. I first heard from Linda. She was getting
her eyes tested this afternoon. Cause Hal is also here, they may be down
this weekend. That would be nice. Just hope I will be home by then. Then
Mike called and they will put their house up for sale after Christmas and
the car is already up and they plan to scale back. Clients have been
canceling and they are worried. Then Don came in and he brought the paper
so I read that and my breakfast came and I had a little but wasn’t hungry
and did not go to the bathroom and that upset me. The huge gal in the
other bed heard I was moving and asked why. I told her that I could not
sleep with the lights and TV on in the middle of the night and anyway, it
was a small room and hard to get around in with those things we have to
push. Lunch was good. Chicken strips, sweet and sour, a veggie salad and
a fruit salad. I ate all the chicken but the rest was not so great. Then
all of a sudden they came in and I was on my way. They just move the
furniture with the stuff in [?] the bed so it was easy. I was moved to
the pediatric room. It is huge, beautiful with teddy bears on the
wallpaper and I am by myself and it is peaceful and private!! Then the
administrator sent a lovely bouquet of flowers from him and the staff. I
walked back and forth putting things the way I wanted them. It was great.
Liz called and she sounded fine and she may come see me. I called Priss
in the a.m. when I had a terrible headache and told her not to come
tonight but to call. She can come tomorrow. Saw Dr. Wooding and said I
will be here for a few more days. Dr. Wiland is in Redding today so I
probably won’t see him till tomorrow. She felt I was much improved. Got a
long letter from Pauline. Made a long list for Don that I gave him when
he came and tomorrow I will take a shower and shampoo my hair and change
my clothes.
I woke up early and went to the bathroom and had a BM, thank goodness, so
I know this will be a much better day. Then a man came in and gave me
inhalation therapy and then Cathy stopped by on her way home so she set
up the shower for me and I had my arm taped to cover the IV outlet and
took my stuff and went. I sat down most of the time and it was wonderful
to get clean and do my hair. Came back and decided not to set my hair.
People stopped by to talk and then Don came with all the vitamins and
then my breakfast came: two pieces of dark toast, two glasses of tomato
juice and tea. It rained a bit in the night I hear and it looks cold and
windy outside now. Linda called and suggested that I call Jason. He told
her he didn’t know what to do about Thanksgiving so I said he could eat
with Don and me. I called him at 10 and suggested that he come either at
noon or evening or both and he seemed pleased. I did some walking in the
hall. Called Alice and she cried but she was ok and I told her that we
would be having our dinner later on. Dr. Wooding stopped by and she said
the headaches are probably from the antibiotics so they are giving me
Tylenol but it really doesn’t help. So I have been drinking a lot of tea
but now I realize why I gave up tea cause I think it is giving me the
shakes so as of this day, I think I will quit cause it doesn’t stop the
headaches anyway. Priss came and we had a good visit. Liz called while
she was here. Don came with letters from Jenny and Niki. Niki is getting
her braces off in early December and she is really excited. Jenny’s
letter was very depressing cause she is tired at the end of the school
year and she still has a lot to do. And to think, these were written
before I got pneumonia! I had a big lunch again. After tomorrow, I must
go back to more spartan habits: chicken breasts, broccoli and mashed
potatoes! For lunch! The paper came with tons of ads and I went through
every single ad. I get a beautiful plant from the people at Bidwell
(Emma). I will call on Monday. Then in a little while, I got one from
Jack and Liz. Dinner was simple: cottage cheese and I cut up the
persimmons and grapes Don had brought. There was cheesecake, too. It was
different but not bad. Cathy and Julie stopped by and they helped me eat
it. Don came having eaten a greasy hamburger from Burger King. I have
little patience with his being so helpless. Mike called. No word from the
pulmonary man. Will read for a while (it is 7:30) and then get ready for
bed.
Well, it is 7:15 and the day is pretty much over for me although I won’t
actually go to bed for another two hours I suppose. My hands are shaking
a great deal tonight so I will have difficulty writing. I went to take a
shower this morning but I could not remember how to turn it on so that
the water would be warm so I sort of did a spit bath standing up. Not
great. Then Dr. Chu came to see me. I guess Dr. Wooding (his wife) was
stuffing the turkey. I really liked him very much. He said I should wear
my oxygen all day so I tried to do it. Last night after I wrote in this,
Dr. Wilms did come and he wants me to have a bronchoscopy Friday morning
at 9 a.m. It doesn’t sound like a fun thing but I guess I had better do
it. After he left, a man from x-ray came and he took two chest x-rays and
brought me back. Finally about 9, the breakfast tray came and I ate. Lois
and Carl came and brought me a beautiful poinsettia in a red basket and I
will be able to use that for Christmas. They stayed and we had a good
visit. I got my antibiotics by tube and the bad headache came back. Don
got here at 11 and he went to get his food and finally mine came and it
was very good. I liked the corn bread dressing. The pie was ok but they
almost seem to use different spices. Don had brought wine and we watched
football then he left and I napped a bit. Rev. Pew came by for a few
minutes. Packy called and we had a good talk. Linda called. She was at
Lake Meade and it was warm but windy. At 5, Don and Jason arrived and
they went down to get his plants and Don finished off the wine. We
watched the local and national news and then they let. Cathy came just
before they left and had her dinner. She couldn’t get away sooner. I keep
starting books but I am tired of them all but I don’t like TV so I guess
I will try the books again. Don said Mike called at home.
The day started at about 6 when I asked someone to help me with the
shower and then bathed and shampooed. I also weighed and it was 101 so
that isn’t bad considering how little exercise I have had. Dr. Chu
stopped by again and implied if the bronchoscopy went well, I could
probably go home on Sunday. That would be fine with me. So then I read
waiting for the 9 a.m. time but they came in to say there had been an
emergency at Enloe and Dr. Wilms would be late. They came to get me at 20
to 10 and they put a lot of stuff up my nose to deaden it and then at 10
the doctor arrived and the show started. I expected it would be much
worse and couldn’t believe it when it was over. He called Jenny right
then in Australia and told her everything was ok and then I was taken
back to my room. They checked me 2 ½ hours till 12:30 and then I had
lunch. Don had brought me a huge piece of French bread. I had ordered an
egg salad sandwich and chowder. The sandwich was on wheat Wonder bread,
the kind that sticks to the roof of your mouth so I just scraped it all
off onto the French bread and it was great. Finished with a piece of
fudge. Called Liz and thanked her for the plant. Then Nilo and Nassim
came and they were very kind. Don came by to have me sign my check for
delivering groceries. Cathy and Julie came and stayed for a nice visit.
Priss called while they were here so I called her back when they left.
Now I am without oxygen and we will see how it goes. I have a headache
but I get them every time I have the antibiotics in the IV. I am getting
very bored with reading but if I wasn’t reading, I would really be bored.
I had to have them take the intravenous out of the right arm and put it
in the left cause the arm was getting so sore. I am shaky, too. Maybe
just hunger. Haven’t eaten all that much today. Later: I have eaten ½ a
game hen and some rice and I feel much better. Mike called and Linda
called and they were both pleased to hear the good news about the
bronchoscopy. Don came for about 15 minutes and then was off to see a
video with Jason. Lin told me about two boys on the plane and as always
she tells it so well. Many of the people have gone home and I seem to be
about the only one around. I forgot Pauline called, too. So now everyone
knows I am ok.
I woke up at 4:30 and got up at 5. I asked for a cup of hot water and
made my drink and had a cracker and then went to the bathroom. Then I
changed my clothes, put on my sweats and laid a blanket on the floor and
did my exercises. Changed back into my nightgown and was demurely in bed
when Dr. Chu came and said I could go home tomorrow if my temperature was
ok. Breakfast didn’t come till 8:30 and I had ordered only toast and
juice. Tomorrow I will order a big one since if I go home in the morning,
I won’t be having a lunch here. I had an intravenous antibiotic and later
one of those things that I blow in and out of. I had both. Then I got the
shakes. At 12, I still had them. I just hope when I get home that my
headaches and body aches go away. I know it [?] get to stay in bed so
much and I am probably reacting to some of the stuff I have to take.
Lunch was not bad. It was a chicken stir-fry with veggies and I ate it
all. There was some salad too, and I ate some of that. I called Priss and
told her I was going home tomorrow so she is cooking all these things for
us and I just hope we like them. The afternoon dragged by. Don came for a
little while. I was hungry for ice cream and he went to get some but they
said they would get it at the nurse’s station so he went on home and they
didn’t bring it till 4:30 and then it wasn’t very good. Cathy called and
she said they would not be coming in today. She was able to get her
period and didn’t want to get out in the cold and I don’t blame her. Don
arrived at 5:30 along with my dinner. It was a bit of a disaster. There
was a baked potato not cooked enough and cold and an egg salad sandwich.
I managed to eat a few bites of potato and some of the sandwich. I want
to go home and eat my own cooking! We watched the news. Terrible accident
on I5 near Bakersfield. Mike called and we chatted for a good hour, too.
More women are running for office and I hope they all win. It is 7 p.m.
and I have finished the book I was reading and I have at least two hours
before I will think about going to sleep. Nothing more to say tonight.
December 1, 1991 (Sunday)
I just took one Excedrin PM instead of two and so I woke at 3 a.m. Well,
for once I could turn on the light and not disturb anyone else so I read
till 4:30 and by that time someone came in to check my vital signs and I
laid in bed and thought and dozed and then got up to take a shower. Did
my exercises, had a cup of Pero and some crackers and then got back in
bed and read till 8:30 when my breakfast came. I sat at the table to eat.
Everything was cold this time: fake eggs, bacon, toast, muffin, juice and
water. They must have made it at 6:30. Then I just waited all morning
till Dr. Wooding came a little before 2. Cathy, Julie and Rose stopped by
after church. I was all ready to go so since Dr. Wooding said I was
released, I called Don and he was there. I had everything packed so it
just took a few minutes to leave. Daisy was so glad to see me. The house
looked fine. I took out all the dead flowers and berries and since I had
the beautiful plants I just put them out inside. I dusted, cleaned out
the things in the fridge that had not been used and were rotted. I pinned
up my hair and changed my clothes and had a small snack lunch. I watched
the birds eating [?] in the back yard. My make shift bird feeder seems
to be working very well. Priss called and said to have the oven on at
4:30 and she arrived with the new mashed potato dish, lamb shanks and
carrot soufflé. Everything was delicious. There was a dessert of pound
cake strips with chocolate sauce but I didn’t care so much for that. The
nice part is that there is enough left so that we can have it all again
tomorrow night and I will just have to make a salad. I called and thanked
her. Father O’Hara called to see how I was and Mike called and I
reassured them both that I was fine. I had a drink before dinner and
since the doctor said that was ok, I really enjoyed that. Now we have
watched the news and maybe all the hostages will be home by Christmas. I
certainly hope so.
December 2, 1991 (Monday)
My first full day home and I was a busy person today. I had trouble
sleeping. I went to sleep ok but then I woke up at 1 and couldn’t get
back to sleep so finally I got up an hour later and took my pillow and a
blanket to the TV room and read till about 3 and then went back to sleep
and all of a sudden, it was morning and I had fixed oatmeal so I had to
get up. Once up, it wasn’t so bad. I fixed Don’s breakfast and his lunch.
Then I ran two loads of clothes. I checked on the food Priss had brought
yesterday and put thinks in smaller containers, cooked those turkey
drumsticks for Daisy. I called Emma and told her about the hospital and
thanked her for the plant. Tried to reach the counselors at Bidwell but
they were all at a day-long meeting elsewhere. Called Dr. Wooding and
made an appointment for two weeks from today. Called Colliers and found
out about a magnetized deal for Cathy’s knives. Called the Marquis about
the division Don was in. Tried to reach Mary Bak to thank her for the
dates but no one was home. Ironed all the clothes from the wash that
needed it. Read a book by Ed McBain, did the salad greens for dinner.
Walked over to Just for Kids and bought a sweatshirt for Niki. That was
on her list. Tried to rest a bit but really wasn’t all that tired. Don
got home at 4:30. He does not want to go back at all tomorrow and
hopefully the jury will get the case on Wednesday. Called Mary Y. and she
is in a bad way. Don had a drink when he got home and Jason called so I
asked him to come to dinner. I made a chocolate pudding. We ate and then
the news was on. Another hostage was released, Sissipico, and now there
are just two left – Anderson and Steen. Mike called and we talked about
Frank Lamphier. He and his wife are going to be in Tampa the weekend and
Mike and Karen are going out to dinner with them. Right after he hung up,
a lovely bouquet came from Mike. Tomorrow Don and I are going to run a
lot of errands and hopefully get a lot of things done. Talked to Priss at
length.
December 3, 1991 (Tuesday)
We had a rather busy run around day today. We got up at about 4:30 but I
slept pretty well. I was going to wash my hair but decided to do it
tomorrow when Don will be gone anyway. So I just pinned it up and after
breakfast I read for a bit and then we both walked to Safeway to get
doughnuts. After I had that with another cup of Pero, I went over to the
junior high to thank them for the lovely plant and tell them I was now
ok. When I got back, we started in on our errands. We went to the bank
and then to Colliers to get a rack for Cathy’s knives. Then to Gates
Resale where I got Don rag wool gloves, a beret, and a warm cap. Then to
Thrifty where I got nail polish and Max F. lip stick, two for one. Then
to K-Mart to buy drinking glasses for Cathy. To Lucky to get my Rx’s and
to the mall for the Far Side calendars. We looked at placemats but I
didn’t like any of them. Finally we got home. That was a lot of things to
do. We had lunch and I read while Don napped. Then we went to the library
for books and stopped to drop off Priss’ casserole dishes. When we got
back, we walked to the end of North Avenue and back with Daisy. Then I
fixed chicken breasts, broccoli with cheese sauce, a great fruit salad,
squash and Don had the rest of the chocolate pudding. I had bought small
bottles of wine and we lit the candles and it was all very festive. We
got a long letter from Jenny so I wrote to them telling them about my
hospital stay and making it funny. The news today: Steen was released and
now just Anderson is left and Suaccnu resigned and that is good news
indeed. Had a long visit with Priss on the phone and then I read and
dozed. Don went to bed at 8:30. He seems sad and depressed tonight. Hope
he feels better in the morning.
December 4, 1991 (Wednesday)
Today was a stay at home day all the way. Again, we had trouble sleeping
so at 3:30, Don got up and went out to the TV room. This time, I didn’t
just lie there. I got up and got my book and read till it was time to get
up. Well almost time. It was 4:30. I made him a good breakfast: pancakes,
eggs, bacon – plus the usual things. Then I made his lunch before we sat
down and played solitaire until he left for Oroville for the trial. Then
I got brave and I showered, shampooed and set my hair. By then, it was a
little warmer so I dusted and neated things up. Made a meatloaf for
dinner. Baked two potatoes and fixed them fancy, segmented a grapefruit
and made a salad of that and kiwis. With last night’s broccoli and cheese
sauce and redid it so dinner was set. I read a lot. I was very pleased
that at last Terry Anderson was freed. He was the last of the hostages to
be freed. The doctors have examined Steen who was released yesterday and
he has brain damage from the beatings of his captors and has seizures and
lack of feeling in one arm and leg. Then there is the Kennedy trial in
Florida and that is being televised in all its gory detail. I don’t know
if the young man raped her or not but it is getting a lot of messy
publicity. Don didn’t get home till about 5:30. The case finally went to
the jury and he will be going back tomorrow but he doesn’t know how long
it will take before they come to a decision. I didn’t have any dessert
for tonight so I decided to make divinity and it turned out ok and we had
that tonight. It is strange cause I make it just a few times a year. Mike
called and we visited. I think he just got in the habit while I was ill
and now he just likes to talk and I enjoy it, too. I didn’t go outside
today, but tomorrow I am going to. I feel logy tonight and so I will walk
and maybe we can rake leaves, Daisy and I. We went to bed and tried to
make love but with little success.
December 5, 1991 (Thursday)
Since I took some Excedrin PM before going to bed last night, I slept
much better. We got up at 5, cold and clear Don said when he got back
from his run with Daisy. I fixed breakfast, made Don’s lunch and then did
all my exercises before reading the paper and having something to eat.
Don went off to Oroville at 8:15 and I called Thrifty Rooter cause Don’s
sink is stopped up. They came in about ½ an hour and it cost $45.
Plumbers are expensive Then Daisy and I went out in the north yard and I
raked leaves. Then I took down the fence around the camellias by our
patio and I sprinkled hot pepper flakes where Daisy has been digging and
I hope she burns her nose and stops doing it. We came in and I made
potato salad, dried bread cubes and made a coconut cake. Read and dozed
and had some lunch and read some more and then Daisy and I went to the
south yard and I raked leaves there for about ½ an hour. There are still
roses blooming. I don’t think I will cut them back till next month. Came
in the house and decided that I should walk cause I had not done it today
so at 4 p.m., I walked to the end of North Avenue and back doing my mile
but I didn’t have much speed. Just as I got home, Don drove up and the
trial is over. The man was found guilty. We came in the house together
and Don said he wanted a drink so he fixed one for both of us and then he
talked about the trial. I had sliced the meatloaf and heated it with a
sauce. We had stewed tomatoes, the salad, cottage cheese and the cake.
Then we watched the news and then Don laid down in the bedroom and fell
asleep. He is going to play tennis tomorrow with Carl and I called Mary
Y. and she isn’t up to shopping yet but hopes to go next week.
December 6, 1991 (Friday)
Rain! Another night where I got up and went out to the TV room but it was
ok and I was not tired when I got up for the day. After my exercises and
breakfast, I read the paper and then I cleaned the two bathrooms before
leaving to buy groceries. It was good to be doing it again and to be
alone cause Mary didn’t feel up to it. I went first to Food for Less and
then to the Cannery. I found two small presents for Julie and Rose both
things like bubble bath, etc. Then I stopped at S & S for bananas and
Lucky for butter, milk, etc. Got two cinnamon rolls and took them to Mary
along with a loaf of bread. Then home. I was unloading the car when Don
drove up with Carl, so we put the groceries away and pretty soon it was
time for lunch. Linda had called to say she and Craig would be down at
noon but they would not come till 2. In the meantime, David and Cathy
arrived with a trailer behind the car and they took the desk! Now it is
in the garage at Cathy’s. I gave them $10 for doing it. Then I got busy
and made brownies, a salmon loaf, washed potatoes for baking, made an
orange, olive salad so we had a good dinner. I vacuumed the bedroom of
the apartment, put up the table and it all looks great now. Before people
come at Christmas, I will have to scrub the floor, etc., but that can
wait. Linda washed her laundry and we really got to visit quite a bit.
Jason came at 5 to eat dinner with us and Craig came at 6:30 and they
left shortly afterwards. I visited with Priss on the phone for a long
time and I invited her for dinner on Sunday and I called Alice and asked
her too. Tomorrow I will do the two pie crusts. I guess I will make the
dressing tomorrow and do as much as possible before Sunday. I think Cathy
and the girls will be coming too and Jason was. I want to get this over
cause I feel guilty about being sick on Thanksgiving. I want this over
and done with. The rain started about dinnertime and it has been raining
ever since. We need it so desperately. I hope it rains for a long time.
December 7, 1991 (Saturday)
Well, today 50 years ago was Sunday and although I was teaching at Elk
Point, I was home in Vermillion and Don and Yvonne and I were in the
basement room with the sun streaming in when the radio said that Pearl
Harbor had been bombed by the Japanese. But now it is 1991 and we got up
at 5 and I fixed breakfast and did my exercises and read the paper. Then
I rolled out two pie crusts and put them back in the freezer. I then made
the dressing to be put in the turkey tomorrow. Got dressed and drove to
the food market through heavy fog. It had rained most of the night, thank
goodness. I didn’t buy anything at the market except broccoli and eggs.
Stopped on the way home and got doughnuts, etc., at Safeway. We had the
doughnuts and coffee. Ran three loads of clothes and by 10:15, I had
everything out of the dryer and had ironed all that needed it. Went into
the bedroom and shaved my legs and then showered and pinned up my hair.
Then I read and had lunch and got dressed to go with Priss to a boutique.
I wore my two-piece gray knit with a navy turtleneck and shoes. She
picked me up at 1 and we went to this house on Hooker Oak Avenue. They
had a lot of stuff. I bought a beautiful silk scarf and told Don he could
give it to me for Christmas. Made sandwich spread out of last night’s
salmon loaf, fixed a fruit and cottage cheese salad and fried up some
potatoes. Then Don and I went for a walk. I still try and huff and puff a
bit but I walked farther today. After dinner there was the news and it
was all about Pearl Harbor. Don went to take a little nap and I have been
reading.
That Daisy is getting spoiled. Don had to take her to the junior high a
little after 4 this morning to go to the bathroom. She doesn’t want to do
it in the back yard. That might be tolerable in the summer but not very
appealing in the window. I didn’t get up till 5. Very chilly morning.
Looked at the paper and then got dressed in gray skirt and turtleneck,
hose and heels. It was cold when we got outside with ice on the
windshield. More singing than usual at the mass and the guitarist drives
Don up the wall. Came home and I changed my clothes and made the pumpkin
pie, put the dressing in the turkey. Made the green bean dish, fixed
potatoes. Then I decided I would walk to the S & S produce but on the way
I realized I was getting too tired so I did a much shorter walk. Don
watched football. The 49ers won in the last few seconds. I got the meal
together so that at 5 when Priss and Alice came, we were ready. We had
drinks and I watched the potatoes, heated the gravy, etc. Somehow the
dinner didn’t quite come off. It would have been better with Cathy and
the girls here, too. It was ok but just. However, the food was good.
Jason came after all and ate with us and that helped a little. They left
at 7 and we watched 60 Minutes that was interesting, especially the part
about country music in this small town in Missouri. Then we watched an
interview with Reston about a new book he has written called Deadline. I
will try to get it for Don for Christmas. Now it is 10 p.m. and I suppose
I should be going to bed. I may read a bit more before going. Mike called
today. Frank Lamphene had been to see them and he had enjoyed the visit.
Pauline called and we had a good chat. She has been concerned about me.
Now just a little more reading and then bed.
Woke up to a very cold, clear day. To think that in my younger years, I
lived in a cold climate and yet was never really cold and now I live in a
mild climate and I seem always to be cold. I did my exercises and read
the paper and then Don went off to play tennis and I got dressed to go to
Stars. I got there at 9:30 and I did all the machines till 10 and then
stayed for 15-20 minutes so it was just like usual and I seemed to do
fine. Saw Liz and she seemed to be doing ok, too. Stopped on the way home
at S & S and I got bananas, lemons and candied ginger. We had lunch and
then we went to Ross cause I was looking for something for Mike but
nothing looked right. Stopped at Target and Pier I for place mats but
didn’t like any. Came home and I decided to walk to the mall. I bought
Deadline by James Reston for Don and I got some potholders, etc., for
Priss. When I got home, I sliced turkey and then took some mashed
potatoes, dressing, gravy, green beans and rolls for dinner. Made a green
salad and so it was easy all the way around. Watched the news. Wrote a
short letter to Jenny, talked to Priss, took a shower. Niki has her
braces off and got can’t stop smiling. They are getting excited about
coming and so are we. We will pick them up on the 22nd in Sacramento.
The mornings are really cold and the grass is white with frost but the
little birds still come to the feeder and they look fat and sassy and
don’t seem to mind the cold. I called at 8:30 to see if I could get an
appointment to have my hair cut and they said I could come at 10:30. This
time I got Katie and she was good and will be there for four more months
so I should be able to get a perm and a haircut afterwards. Don went off
to play tennis at the usual time. I finally won at the very difficult
solitaire we play. Don, later in the day, bought oranges and sent them
off to Gail. I worry now that my package to Pauline won’t get there
before they leave for Washington D.C. Tomorrow I work at the library and
I will try to get the books I wanted to send to her and so we should be
able to send the nuts, knives and books Wednesday afternoon or Thursday
morning. We will see. Julie called saying she was having difficulty with
her English so David dropped her off while he and MJ went Christmas
shopping. It was rather fun to go over subjects, verbs, complements, etc.
We talked about going to the new Wendy’s that is near us here on Cohasset
but decided to go tomorrow night instead so I fixed Don a hot turkey
sandwich and made myself a regular one and we had cottage cheese and
fruit. Then I made a cheesecake and took it out of the oven and forgot to
put the sour cream on top and put it in the fridge. Remembered it at
12:30 and got up and fixed it. Crazy. Decided while reading after dinner
that I wanted a Manhattan so Don fixed me one and finally I finished my
book and we went to bed and made love. Not the old way but the new way.
Not as good but not bad either. The main thing is that we tried to
satisfy each other. Read a very interesting book To Know a Woman by Amos
Oz. It concerns an Israeli Int. officer who, when his wife dies, resigns
to live with his epileptic daughter, his mother and his mother-in-law. I
liked it very much.
This has been a busy day. We got up before 5 and I had had all kinds of
strange dreams with people like Gephart (the Senator), a Japanese lady,
etc., etc. They were certainly interesting. After breakfast, I got out
the wooden magazine rack that used to be in the front hall and I finally
found some white paint. Not great, but with two coats, I hope it will be
ok. I will put it up tomorrow. Ran two loads of clothes, fed all the
indoor plants but I must still do the outdoor ones. Maybe I will get to
that tomorrow. Had a good lunch and then set out for the library. Since I
had to go the long way, I started early and walked slowly so it took
about 45 minutes, I think. We will have to clock it to see how far it is.
Lorna Thom had my art books ready for Pauline so I chose the ones I
thought she would like the most and paid $5.25. Then I did the cards and
then I shelved books till Don came. I was pretty tired and ready to come
home. We stopped and bought a Christmas tree at S & S and got a beauty
for $20. Since Lorna had given me a box, we put the knife set, a can of
walnuts and one of almonds and Don took it over to UP and it cost $8 to
send. Now that is out of the way. Then I started wrapping packages and I
got them done. Well, I got some of them done. I still have a long way to
go. At 5, we drove over to Wendy’s cause Don wanted a hamburger. We had
fries. He had something like a milk shake. I had a grilled chicken breast
in a bun and there were salads for both of us. It came to $10 and we had
about ½ of it and when we got home, we were full I guess, but not
satisfied. Well, we won’t go back there again, that is for sure. So while
the news was on, I got all the ironing done and folded the rest of the
clothes and put everything away. Then I called Priss and we talked for
over ½ an hour. Then we both read. Don went to bed early cause his war
wounds are bothering him but now it is 10:10 and I am ready to go to bed.
I think it is going to be a cold night.
Very dense fog this morning. I left the house a little after 7 and one
needed the car lights on and even then it was very difficult to see.
Well, I got to Food for Less and did my shopping there and then on to the
Cannery and then home. Dropped off all the groceries except the 5# of
honey for Mary. Went to Safeway to get her bananas and eggs, also took
her two pieces of cheesecake and some cookies. Then home to put things
away and change my clothes to go to the broker’s. Larry Johnson is now
the man we see since E. Bratt retired and I liked him very much. He spent
an hour with us and he made things clear. We decided to buy more stock
and to open a money market account. We got back a little after 11 and we
had lunch and Don ran some errands and I decided to wrap presents and
that took most of the afternoon. Finally tonight I finished the last one
(Cinders’ cans of tuna and salmon). That is a real job! Don went to
Colliers and bought another deal to carry wood and since Cathy couldn’t
think of what to buy for him, I called her tonight and suggested that and
she said they had our carrier. They had borrowed it to weigh the sheep!
So now Don will have to take the one he bought back. At 3:30, I quit for
a while and went for a walk and it felt good to be out, but my back gets
tired for some reason? Jeff Sloan called and asked me to work for six
weeks cause Bernie Vigalhon is going to have a back operation and J.
Burus is going to act as principal at the Continuation School. I said yes
I would do it. It will nice to make some extra money. I just feel bad
that it will be while Jenny and Nike are here since I start on the 9th of
January. Dinner was good. I made potato soup from the leftover mashed
potatoes, made a new turkey salad with apples and nuts, heated the
leftover green bean casserole and heated French bread. Talked to Priss,
showered and pinned up my hair. Tomorrow I have to have a chest x-ray and
I go for my mammogram. Will try not to go to bed too early so I can sleep
well.
Fog again and cold! I was supposed to get a chest x-ray today so that
when I see Dr. Wooding on Monday, she can have it so I left the house at
15 to 8 and went to Community and it took an hour to do all the
paperwork, etc., and about three minutes to do the x-rays. So I stopped
at Safeway on the way home to buy milk and pick up a cinnamon roll for
Don. Then I made chocolate chip ranger cookies cause I have to start
making things for the time when everyone is here. It makes such a large
batch that the last ones to come out of the oven were timed at 15 to 11
and I had my mammogram at 11. I got there and they took me right away. It
was very painful this time. Well, for some reason, I am taking a
different dose of premorin and my breasts were sore to begin with but at
least it didn’t last long. So I came home and had lunch and then decided
to take stuff to the Discovery Shop and return things I didn’t buy and
pay my bill. I didn’t realize that Priss was working today. I took a pair
of gray flannel slacks that are beautifully made of wool, lined, etc. But
they are too big, so I will have to take them back on Monday when I work.
Got back home and Don had fed Daisy so I went for a walk to the end of
North Avenue and back and that was enough cause it was damp and cold. I
fixed a simple dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and I had made potato
soup for Don but then Jason called to come to dinner so he had the soup
and I made him another sandwich and he finished up the cheesecake and I
also fixed him a care package to take back with him. I called Mary and
she didn’t think she wanted anything but I am to pick up milk and bread.
She is so discouraged about her broken shoulder. So then I talked to
Priss and now I am in my gown and robe and we will spend the evening
reading. Don wanted to get a video but the one he wanted was not on Ray’s
list so he gave up. I called Linda today cause I was lonesome. She said
Jason was getting depressed again and Carla, her boss, suggested getting
a bright light and he would sit in front of it one hour twice a day. I
think Don might benefit from that, too. She is going to check into it.
Fog again at the beginning of the day. I decided to follow Lin’s advice
and after breakfast I put a chicken in the oven but this time with broth
I had frozen some time ago. When I got home from the food market, I
poured off the broth and then cut all the meat off and I am going to make
something with it tomorrow. At the market, I got eggs, persimmons and
kiwis. Then I went to Safeway and bought things for Mary. I decided to
walk this morning instead of waiting till afternoon when I am more tired
but still I huffed and puffed more. The walking just isn’t enjoyable at
the moment but maybe that is cause it is so cold and dreary right now.
While I was gone, Lin called to say she would be down on the 27th but
they will stay at a motel. I will have to find out if this means that
they will be here only on the night of the 27th cause if so, we will have
to have a big dinner the night that Mike and Karen arrive. She is coming
down this weekend so I will check on that when she comes. I did two loads
of clothes. Daisy and I worked outside for quite a while and I am trying
to clean up the north border in the northwest yard. There are leaves and
ivy from next door and lots of dead branches so I got a lot done but
there is a lot more. The 49ers won today so they are still in the running
but they play the Bears next week and that will be tough. Don and I took
Daisy for a walk about 1:30. She cries to go and is so excited but her
neck must hurt cause she strains so on the leash. When we got back, I
cooked up the liver for her. Made sweet mustard dressing, fixed the eggs
for dinner tonight. We had sausage, eggs scrambled, muffins and it tasted
good. I was careful about eating today. I don’t want to gain weight
before the holidays are even here. I ironed after dinner and then we
watched the news. Called Priss and she was very tired having made
cookies, etc. I am weary myself tonight. We are starting to get bills
about my being ill. It was the x-rays this time and they were over $200.
It is a good thing that I will be working for six weeks cause I can help
pay for some of this. Now it is after 7 and Don is napping. I am going to
read for a while. I don’t want to go to bed too early.
Today was a rather lazy day. We decided not to go to church – it was
foggy, cold and dark and I just didn’t want to get dressed at that hour
so after breakfast, Don went out and raked leaves and I stayed in the
house. Made pumpkin bread in a lot of small loaves and will take some
over to Bidwell tomorrow morning. I thought about going to the mall but
again, it just seemed like too much of an effort. In fact, I am beginning
to dread in a way everyone being here at Christmas. Oh, I want them to
come but I keep thinking about all the cooking that will be expected and
I just hope I can cope. Then, too, I worry about how the girls will
handle Karen. They really are not all that keen about her and I worry
that it will show and that will upset Mike. I will just have to hope for
the best. I made a good dinner although simple. Yesterday I boiled a
chicken and took everything off the bone so today I made chicken divan
and then I did green salad greens and a lemon soufflé for dessert. All
very simple and yet it was all good. I did go for a short walk in the
afternoon but my heart wasn’t in it and I didn’t go far. I called Priss
at 6:30 after the news and then we watched 60 Minutes, which was very
interesting tonight. Starting tomorrow, I will have to get busy and clear
dresser drawers and closets for the guests. I should dust the mini
blinds, wash the floors in the apartment, etc. I don’t seem to have too
much ambition these days. We will see what Dr. Wooding says tomorrow.
Well, I am going to read for a while. Maybe tomorrow I will feel peppy
and productive. Both Linda and Mike called today. No word from Cathy.
This turned out to be a busy day although it started quietly enough with
another foggy, cold, dark morning. I did my exercises and had a leftover
muffin for breakfast and I got such terrible stomach cramps I was worried
but then they went away and I was ok. I washed the kitchen window and
cleaned the blind. Then I cleaned the counter on the window side and
tomorrow I will have to do the other side. Sunday is not far off and I
have a lot to do yet. At 9:30, I got to Stars and did the machines and
even stayed ½ an hour for the floor exercises. Stopped at S & S for more
oranges and mandarins and then on to Longs for vitamins. I bought allpurpose and Vitamin C for Jason for Christmas. Had lunch and then Don
took me to the Discovery Shop and I worked there till 4. It was a
pleasant afternoon. I brought home a lot of things but only one pair of
slacks seems to be worth keeping. The rest were all too big or just
didn’t look right. Don picked me up at 4 and we drove to Dr. Wooding’s.
We had to wait almost an hour before I got in. My mammogram was negative
and my x-ray looked fine. I am to have another x-ray in eight weeks. She
gave me a cortisone shot in my hand in hopes of taking away the arthritis
pain. We will see. Then Don went in and got some pills that should help
him relax a little. So we came home at 5:30. Don went out to watch the
news and I made some soup out of the chicken broth and then I heated the
chicken divan. I had segmented a grapefruit this morning and I added a
persimmon for a salad. There was even leftover lemon soufflé. At 6 I
watched an hour about trees that was beautiful. Called Priss. She had
seen the 60 Minutes deal on Halsyn and she had a different view of it
than I did. We agreed that we would not agree but knowing Priss, she will
keep at it for a long time. I went in and took a hot shower and now at 15
to 9, I am going to read. Got a very sweet card from Donna and the
children hoping I was getting well. I was touched.
Rain! Just two more weeks of 1991. It has gone so fast. But Don and I
agree that the days, weeks and months fly by at this time of our lives.
What did I do today? I got up to a foggy morning. I did my exercises and
had my breakfast and then I finished cleaning all the cabinets in the
kitchen. Did some laundry. Don ran errands. For lunch, I used the chicken
broth to make a very good soup adding noodles, veggies and some of the
leftover chicken. We both enjoyed it. Then I decided to walk to the mall.
Don laid down with the heating pad since his back is bothering him. I
walked first to K-Mart and I found what I think is a good looking belt
for Don and it cost only $6+ - not bad. Then I went to the Almond Orchard
to the shop run by the cancer society and I feel in love with a black and
turquoise sweater but it was $12. I left and went to the craft place that
was open in the area but didn’t buy anything. Their stuff is so
expensive. I went back to K-Mart and looked at sweaters that were ugly
and cost more than the $12 at the shop so I went back and bought it. I
have to change the buttons but that’s ok. I was gone over an hour and I
never sat down and yet today for the first time, I enjoyed walking and I
didn’t get tired. When I got home, I made macaroni and cheese and I also
made a macaroni salad. Made a chocolate cake, got out the green beans I
had cooked a few days ago and made Don a green salad. Then I shortened
the plaid slacks I got at the Discovery Shop and narrowed the legs. After
dinner, I ironed four pairs of my slacks and all of Don’s shirts while I
watched the news. Bush has finally agreed that we are in a recession.
Russia is in such a state of flux that no one knows from one meeting to
the next what is going to happen next. It rained this morning and a
little off and on during the day. Anthony, our weatherman, says it is
going to rain off and on through Sunday. We need it so desperately I will
be happy to have it rain!
A little more rain but not much! Daisy got us up at 4:30 this morning.
Don decided to take her to the junior high right then so I got up, too.
It was raining a bit at that time but then it was just cloudy most of the
day. Don went off to have breakfast with Mary and Nancy and came back
with a huge plate of cookies from Mary and a loaf of pumpkin bread from
Nancy. Then I went off to Stars and did the machines and 15 minutes of
floor exercises before coming home. I had a cheese sandwich for lunch
plus some of the cookies. I decided to put black buttons on the sweater I
got yesterday and I like the result. Then at 12:15 I was off to the
library. Having to walk the long way takes so much longer but it was a
pleasant walk today. In fact, it was too warm and I took my jacket off
and carried it. I told them that I wouldn’t be back till the end of
February. I decided not to go the next two weeks. Well, the library isn’t
open those days but I mean the week after that. The typing is ok but
shelving is very hard on my left hand so it will be nice to have a break.
I took a pain pill this morning and my face got all red. I called Cathy
and she said to call Dr. Wooding. I called but she didn’t call back till
afternoon and we were gone so she left a note on the answering machine
saying not to take the pain pill. We had a simple dinner of leftover
soup, heated up macaroni and cheese and cottage cheese and fruit. A lot
of cheese today. Then there was the news – all bad. More and more
companies are laying off workers. I think our recession is just about to
begin a depression. After it was over, I talked to Priss. Her sister had
been here today. Rick and Susan had brought her over. Priss was very
tired and she now feels her sister is senile. We talked about going to
Dale’s on Friday and her coming for Christmas Eve. She doesn’t want to
come but I think she wants to be coaxed. We shall see. We are going to
watch Fantasia tonight.
Today was a high-energy day for me. If I worked this hard every day, what
would I accomplish! Right after breakfast I cleaned both bathrooms and
even did a little to the one in the apartment, then off to buy groceries.
I went just to Food for Less and the Cannery. I bought more than usual or
at least I spent more money. Came home and put everything away and then I
vacuumed the apartment and dusted cause Linda is coming tomorrow. I
watered the plants and brought in holly and greens. I made potato soup
that turned out very well. I fixed candied yams and then put them in the
oven but we can have them tomorrow. I made a chicken salad that was very
good. In the afternoon, Daisy and I worked in the yard. I raked all the
leaves in the south yard cause the neighbor’s fruitless mulberry has
dropped more of its leaves. So I got huge piles of leaves. Mary Bock had
sent lots of cookies yesterday so I made up a plate for the York’s. They
stopped by after the girls had been to the orthodontist so I gave them
the cookies, the Safeway receipts, the 24 glasses that I had bought since
Cathy said they were forever breaking glasses. Don went over to the mall
looking around. He found a book to give to Linda. Later in the afternoon,
we went for a walk. For some reason today, Daisy didn’t seem to want to
go particularly so we went without her. We walked down to Lupin and on
the way back, I tripped and fell coming down hard on the left hand, the
one I had the cortisone shot in and it was sore to begin with. I really
just hurt that hand, but I felt so awkward and embarrassed. I realized
the other day that I have never fallen walking in the street. It is
always on the sidewalks and I hope I don’t do anything too bad to my
hand. So there was my day. I probably will not go to Stars tomorrow. I
want to wash my hair and do my nails to go to the Steiner’s tomorrow
night. Now I am going to read.
Cold and clear morning. I hate the cold more each day. After breakfast, I
got out the vacuum again and the kitchen and living room then Don did the
bedroom wing. I then washed my hair, shaved my legs and took a shower.
Pinned up my hair and got dressed for the day. I started out with the red
sweater and slacks but I was too cold so I changed to my navy slacks and
my heavy hooded navy sweater. I started a letter to Donna and the family
after I had lunch and then Linda arrived and was starved so I got her
something to eat and then we unloaded the car and she washed some
clothes. She had brought presents for everyone. Don went to lunch at
Jackie’s. He had bought her a book by Hillerman about the Indians he
writes about. I know she will like it. Jason came by and Linda gave him
the jacket she had gotten him for his birthday and he was pleased. Don
and I went for a long walk in late afternoon and it felt good. Then I had
to put a dinner together so I had the macaroni salad I had made yesterday
and there was the potato soup plus the candied yams. So we all ate dinner
and then there was the news. I got dressed in my new trapeze dress that I
had not worn before and Don put on a sport coat and slacks and looked
great. The Steiner’s had a marvelous spread but I didn’t eat and I just
had tonic water. I visited with Barbara Boyle, Billie Katz, Mary
Peterson, Lois Hein and Mary Bock. When we got home, Linda wanted us to
open our presents. Don got a good-looking gray sweatshirt and I got very
pretty placemats and napkins. Don said he didn’t feel very well so he
went to bed after covering the windshield so when I go to the food market
tomorrow morning, there will not be frost on the windows. Don is in bed.
Lin is talking to Craig at Lake Mead and I am watching channel 9 and they
are doing Amazing Grace.
It is 6:20 p.m. and I am very tired indeed and angry as well. More later
on that. We got up at about 5 this morning. It was really cold and clear
but it helped to have covered the windshield on the car so that when I
left for Safeway and later the food market everything was clear. I bought
broccoli and eggs for Mary and Linda took them over when she went over
with her Christmas presents to them. I made a new recipe for a dish to be
used for a brunch that had to set for eight hours. We had it for dinner
this evening. It had bread cubed, eggs, cheese, sausage and Jason liked
it but the rest of us did not think it was great. Don had thought about
serving it to the club but we decided not. After I prepared it, I went
over to Longs and got the things on my list except coat hangers that were
not on sale and thus too expensive. Came home and by that time, Don had
had lunch and was napping so I had leftover chicken salad and cottage
cheese. Jason and Linda did some shopping and then they came back for
lunch. Since Jason doesn’t have any money for presents, they decided to
make candles. I said fine but they had to clean up the mess and they said
they would. They didn’t have any luck taking them out of the containers
so they decided to put them in clear glass things and leave them. All
that was fine by me. Cathy came in with Julie. She had made a stuffed
bunny all dressed and it was adorable and she had also made a sox monkey.
Well, we all had a good time while Lin opened her presents and then they
left and Lin took Jason home and then I went over to the apartment and
the stove, counters and floor were covered with wax. That is why I was so
angry. I finally managed to get all of it or at least most of it off but
that is the end of making candles in this house. Linda and I walked this
afternoon and I am tired tonight. I guess I am still not quite up to par.
Made penuche this afternoon and it turned out beautifully. Now I must
make divinity and more fudge. Don got Dick Tracy and we will be watching
that soon. In the meantime, I will read. Well, Don gave up but Linda and
I watched and I really liked it. Very colorful; stylized, but good. Then
to bed.
The big day finally arrived. We got up at the usual time and I fixed
breakfast and then did my exercises. Didn’t read much of the paper. I
wore my navy slacks and sweater with the hood but the church was cold so
I should have worn a coat as well. When we got home, I made tuna salad
and egg salad for sandwiches to eat when we got back from Sacramento.
Then I washed the sheets from the apartment and when they were dry, I
remade the bed and dusted and neated things up. Linda left for Tahoe at
10. I pinned up my hair so I would look nice when the kids got off the
plane. I ate lunch and then I folded clothes and/or ironed them and got
everything put away. I put on my gray sweatshirt top and skirt, navy
turtleneck and navy shoes. I fed the dog and then we left at about 2:30.
The ride down was pleasant enough although there was a lot of traffic. We
got there long before the plane was due. Don moved the car so that it was
very close to US Airways and then we went to the lounge where they would
come in. I had brought a book so I just sat and read and Don paced the
whole time. The plane was right on time: 5:07 p.m. but they didn’t come
out for a long time and we were afraid they had missed the plane, but
finally they came. Now Niki is at least 2” taller than I am and she is
very sturdy. She was tired but in good spirits. Jenny has a sinus
infection and a sore throat, but she was glad to be here, too. We drove
home and soon it was pitch dark but Don did very well and he doesn’t like
to drive at night. When we got here, Jason and his friends were watching
TV. We all had a little bit to eat and then I changed my clothes. Jenny
took a shower and Niki put the ornaments on the tree. Wayne from
Melbourne sent a plum pudding, which was certainly sweet of him. Jenny
talked at great length about Hong Kong and she had brought the things she
had bought in Hong Kong with her. It is now 10 p.m. and she has gone to
bed as has Niki and also Don. I will read for a while.
Woke to a cold, clear day. It is really hard to get up in the morning. I
fixed breakfast and did my exercises. Lin had made copies of a lot of
exercises for sore necks, etc. If I did them all, I would not do anything
else all day. But I did a few. Read the paper and then I skinned the
chicken thighs and got them ready to put in the oven this afternoon. Then
Niki got up and she had slept the clock around so she was fine with no
jet lag. Her mom got up and she was ok, too, although she started with
the cough, etc. Niki and I made fudge and then we made divinity. With all
this, I forgot about Stars and now there won’t be any until after
Christmas. People kept calling or coming over so that the house hummed
with activity. I took a shower and got dressed in my red slacks and
sweater and fixed lunch. At the moment I am in love with cheese and
pickle sandwiches. Then I read till it was time to go to the Discovery
Shop. Jason had borrowed the car to take Mary Y. shopping. I worked very
hard at the Discovery Shop. We made about $121 and for once I didn’t
bring things home to try on. Don Mahlen, Nancy and Clarence came in and
bought a lot of children’s clothes. Don’s hair is to his shoulders and is
it not becoming to a man his age. But he was very nice and seemed glad to
see me. Betty Pyle brought me home and I put the chicken in the oven,
made an orange salad, did fried rice and broccoli. Don didn’t feel well
so he had poached eggs on toast and then laid down. Jenny was with Debbie
so she called to explain that she would be late. Jason was here so he,
Niki and I ate dinner. Amy Gardner came with a plate of all kinds of
cookies and candies. Now we will have to take the same to them. I am
really not in the mood for that but I will do it. Talked to Priss on the
phone and she refuses to come tomorrow night so I finally gave in. Jenny
has someone visiting her and Niki and Don are in bed. Tomorrow is going
to be a big day. I just hope that Don feels better. But I have a lot of
cooking to do and I have to go to the stores to get things. I have a
feeling that things are not going to work out as well as I had hoped. I
think I will have to do a lot of pretending about Christmas and having
fun and maybe I will just have to see it through and it won’t be great.
Now I am sure that there won’t be any fuss in 1993 about a 50th wedding.
I forgot to mention that a deal came from Matt and Lysa with little
cheeses and jams, etc., in a basket. I will have to write to them. Maybe
tomorrow will be ok, who knows.
A really lovely Christmas Eve. We got up at 5 and I woke Niki up at 6:30
but she went back to sleep so Don and I went grocery shopping at Food for
Less and the Cannery at 7:30. When we got home, I made the spinach dip
and the Mexican dip. I ironed the green table cloth and for the
centerpiece I polished my silver bowl and candle sticks and I put gold
and silver around Christmas ornaments with green [?] and candles and it
looked very nice. Since the Gardners had sent over a Christmas dish with
goodies, we made one up for them today. I cooked a dozen eggs and deviled
them and I cooked a canned ham. I had a candy dish and a cookie dish. I
wore a flowered and black hostess gown. At 5, everyone was here: the
York’s, Jason, Jenny and Niki and Don and me. We had Manhattans and then
ate. Cathy brought stuffed mushrooms and they were very good. Then we
went over to the apartment and opened our presents and I got wonderful
things. There was my beautiful silk scarf and then Jenny and Niki gave me
a huge square scarf that was from Hong Kong in rich, dark colors. I got
all kinds of bulbs from the York’s, a pedometer, a radio - earphones,
place mats and napkins, a pedometer. Never have I gotten so many lovely
things. Jenny took over food and presents to Priss and she was acting
very strange in this was her last Christmas, she was a burden, etc.,
etc., very difficult indeed. Then the Yakiches gave me a $50 gift
certificate and that was way too much. I don’t know what to do about
that. Everyone seemed pleased with their presents and everyone seemed to
have a good time and they certainly all ate well so it was a success.
Jenny still has jet lag and she is still coughing but hopefully the
antibiotics will help. It would have been just perfect if Lin had been
here but still it was very nice indeed.
Christmas Day. We got up at the usual time and I made Pillsbury rolls and
then I did my exercises and read the paper. Mass was not till 9:30 so we
did not have to hurry. Don dressed up and looked very nice and I wore my
new black and teal sweater. But once we got there, Don was so restless
and impatient about the guitar playing that I got upset so when we came
out, I suggested that we go to St. John’s cause he was so bothered about
everything. Well then he said he wouldn’t do it any more. We will see on
Sunday. So we got home and I changed my clothes and I adjusted my
pedometer and walked to the end of North Avenue and back and so now it is
set and tomorrow I plan to wear it all day to see how much I walk. Then I
decided to make bread even though I still have some from the last batch
but it isn’t very good so I did a different time and it turned out
beautifully. Priss called and she had had a good night’s sleep and she
felt much better and she was pleased with her gifts so I guess she will
be ok for a while at least. Niki went to see Hook with the York’s and
Jason stopped by and had something to eat. I called Mary and thanked her
for the $50 gift certificate. I talked it over with Jason and Jenny and
they agreed that there was no answer. I made a potato salad, cleaned the
barbecue, fixed baked beans cause that was the menu Jenny and Niki chose.
Don and I went for a walk with Daisy and that went ok. It was warmer
today, not a lot, but a little. Man, how I hate the winter. Dinner was
good and we all enjoyed it and cleaned our plates. I weighed after dinner
and I gained two pounds so no more candy! I took a shower and we watched
The Grifters. Don quit first and then I did. I think I will read instead.
Gorbachev resigned today. People in the US feel bad about it but everyone
says the people in Russia are glad. Strange how people are not loved in
their own land. Mike called and wished us a Merry Christmas. They will be
here in two days.
A busy day. We got up at 5 and I did a lot of different exercises. I am
not going to Stars right now so best that I exercise and walk. I put on
the pedometer after breakfast and wore it all day and with two walks plus
what I did around the house, it came out 5 ½ miles. I had planned to go
grocery shopping early but Niki didn’t wake up till 9:30 so we got a late
start but I watered the plants and washed and folded clothes so I wasn’t
idle. We got a few things at Food for Less and then some things at the
Cannery before coming home. Then I had lunch. I did a mile and ½ early in
the morning when Don went off to play tennis and late in the afternoon I
did a mile with Jenny. Don and I went over to the mall and finally he got
a toaster. He has wanted one for months. It didn’t seem necessary or
important to me, but it did to him. I got mock crab at the store so I
made a salad plus fettuccini that turned out good. I decided to make
potato soup tomorrow to serve with French bread and a fruit plate. Talked
to Linda and they will be here tomorrow too. Jenny spent a lot of time
today with Debbie Reed and seemed to have a good time. She still isn’t
sleeping and she is still coughing. She talked to the doctor today and
got something to help her sleep. Talked to Priss. She is getting ready to
leave for Bakersfield on Saturday morning. I am very tired tonight and
tomorrow will be harder. I just hope that things will be ok and that the
girls will be ok with Karen cause I don’t think they like her very much
and a lot depends on how she is while here. Donna called this morning and
I talked to Matt, Tyler and Jill as well. They were all just fine. So now
at 8:20 I am going to read for a while and then go to bed. It has been a
big day.
I had a busy day. Up at 5 and did a few exercises but I am being careful
at the moment cause my neck has been hurting and I don’t want to have
that trouble again. Don went off to play tennis and I made the dressing
for the turkey and then put the heavy pan outside cause there was no room
inside. Then I started the potato soup to serve for dinner. When Jenny
got up I washed the sheets for the bed in the apartment and did the bath
mat, towels, etc. Then I dusted and neated up the apartment and mopped
the floors, changed the flowers and watered the plants. I changed the
dining room table cause I have six blue placemats so I put them out with
the blue and white napkins, put camellias in the silver bowl and blue
candles in the silver candle sticks and the table looked very nice. Made
a huge plate of fresh fruit, one of cheese and pickles and a dish of
candy. I took a shower in Don’s bathroom and shampooed my hair and set
it. So it was a busy day all the way around. Don and I went for a walk in
the mid afternoon so I got some exercise as well. It was mostly cloudy
all day and now at 10:10 it is raining and is supposed to rain a lot. We
had planned since the plane got in at 1:00 that Mike and Karen would be
here for dinner at 5. But the time crept on and at 6 Jenny, Don and I
ate. (Nike went to Van Rossums for the day and night). At 7:00 Mike
called from the Nut Tree. The plane was two hours late and it took an
hour to get to the city so they didn’t arrive till about 9. In the
meantime, Linda and Craig arrived. They had not eaten so they had the
soup, etc. In fact, Craig had four helpings. Hal Bishop is in the
hospital with chest pains and Becky had come from Hawaii to visit. Then
finally Mike and Karen arrived very tired and hungry and they ate the
rest of the soup so it was a good thing to have made. So now I must go to
bed cause tomorrow I cook the turkey and everyone will be here and I have
to make three pies, etc. A busy, busy time indeed.
Rain! This was a big day and the family dinner. Really it went very well
but I was so tired at the end that I didn’t write in this but instead
went to bed and now it is 15 to 8 on Sunday morning. How did the day go?
After my Pero, I got out the first pie crust and made a pumpkin pie. Then
I made the pecan one. By that time, Mike and Jenny were up. I had to go
to the food market for Mary so I told them to check on the pie cause it
was almost done and take it out. They left it too long but it was still
good. There was no market so I got things for Mary at Lucky. When I got
back, I made the chocolate chess pie. I had made the dressing on Friday
so I got it and stuffed the turkey and got it into the oven. Then I fixed
potatoes, etc. Lin and Jenny spent the day shopping so they were not
around and Niki was at the Van Rossum’s. She didn’t get home till 4:30.
But finally at 5, everyone was here, even Craig who usually can’t come
cause he is with his father but both Pam and Becky are here, so he could
get away. The food was good and everyone seemed pleased with it. I say
that these deals make me very tense and tired but I had a drink before
dinner and that helped. Don was good about cleaning up afterwards and
that was helpful. In the morning, I gave Mike and Karen their Christmas
presents: an evening bag for Karen, a calendar for Mike and a set of the
knives plus a cheese board. They gave us a cookbook and some fudge. After
dinner, we all moved to the living room and there were the family
stories: all the dogs, from Pepper, Dolly, Poncho, Gigalo, Lady to Daisy.
Then Don talked about the trial where he served on the jury and that was
interesting. Craig stayed the whole time and seemed to enjoy himself. At
least, I hope he did. Then everyone left cause Cathy has to work tomorrow
night and she wanted to get a good night’s sleep and I was equally tired
so suddenly everyone left and we went to bed.
Rain! We woke up to rain and I decided that we were not going to church
and we would probably instead go on next Wednesday. After all, when we
were in Australia last Christmas, we did not go to church for a month and
we survived. So we read the papers and then Mike got up and he walked in
the rain but I didn’t want to do that so at 10, Jenny and I went over to
the mall and we walked there for 15 minutes and then we went to Longs to
get things and then drove home. The men watched football and I read for a
bit. Then Mike said Karen did not feel well so we made her some tea. They
have to go to San Francisco tomorrow cause he has to make a speech
tomorrow and one on Tuesday. Then they will be home later on Tuesday.
Jenny plans to go to Debbie’s on Tuesday (New Year’s Eve). Maybe Niki
will be going to something on that night and I don’t know about Mike and
Karen. Naturally we will not be going anywhere. In mid afternoon, I
decided to get all the meat off the turkey. What a buy! I paid 33¢ a
pound for it and it was delicious. I made up three containers of meat and
ramen for Daisy. I got one container of chopped turkey to freeze and then
there was a whole lot left to eat in the next few days. Don and I took
Daisy for a walk and then I fed her. For dinner, I just heated up last
night’s meal and there was some left of everything so it was easy. Jenny
and Niki went to Chico Mall and later they went to Chris Sylvane’s and
were a little late getting back. Barry called but the connection was bad
and since Jenny was not here, I told him to call back at 5:30 and he did.
She said she was very lonesome for him when she finished so I guess they
are still very serious about each other. Karen came to eat with us so I
hope she will be all right cause it would be too bad if she got sick and
spoiled her trip. We watched Siskel and Ebert and one liked Prince of
Tides and one didn’t. I hope Jenny and I can go. I washed and folded
clothes. Now I will read for a while. But I am weary still so will
probably go to bed early.
Well, the rain seems to be over for the time being but there is supposed
to be a new storm coming in on Wednesday. I started out the day trying to
learn my new exercises to help my arthritis. Linda made copies for me
from some medical journal and I am working on them. After breakfast, I
put on my pedometer and went for a long walk. It was very balmy out and I
walked 2 ½ miles. I was pleased about that. When I got back, Jenny and
Mike were having breakfast. Jenny took Don’s appointment with Dr.
Schwartz to have her retina A checked and he said her face looked great.
Then Don went to the dentist to have his teeth cleaned. I fed all the
indoor plants. Karen and Mike got ready to leave for San Francisco and
got off by10. They will be back tomorrow evening some time or maybe by
the afternoon. Then Niki woke up and when she was ready, we went to buy
groceries. We got things at Food for Less and the Cannery and got home
about 12:10. I had something to eat and I had made a pumpkin bread so we
had some of that, too. Then I read and finished the book I was on called
IOW by Mary Pickard and it was very good. Don ran errands and then when
he got back, Jenny and Niki left to shop and then they are going up to
Paradise to have dinner with the Marquises. Don and I sat and talked
about our children. We love them but we realize that when they come home
there is not much for them to do. Jenny has lots of friends but Mike has
been gone so long that he doesn’t have anyone. We are not particularly
comfortable with Karen and I am sure she feels the same way. We look
forward so much to all this but then it doesn’t turn out quite like we
have fantasized it. We watched the news and then read during the evening.
It seemed very quiet after all the activity of the last few days. Finally
after dozing in my chair we went to bed. I planted all the little bulbs
that Cathy gave me for Christmas. I had put them in the fridge for five
days as she suggested.
December 31, 1991 (Tuesday
We woke up at 5:30 after we both had a restless night. I worried about
all the meals to serve for the next three days and about the hospital
bills and about Niki who refuses to talk about Ken Pierce, let alone meet
him. Jenny and Niki got up much earlier than usual. Jenny cause she had
finally had a good night’s sleep and Niki cause she didn’t feel so good.
They had had a wonderful time at Bessie and Don Marquis’s and they want
to buy a game called Scatagory. After breakfast and when the fog lifted
at about 7:30, I walked to the Safeway to get butter, milk, ½ and ½ and
whipped cream. That was about 1 ½ miles. Later I walked to Lucky and got
broccoli for turkey divan tomorrow. Then I also walked to the mall in the
afternoon and looked around at lots of things and got a nightgown and
long t-shirt in navy on sale for $7 and a bra for $7.50. That was another
long walk so I did about 5 ½ miles today. Not bad. By afternoon, it was
so balmy that it felt like spring. Packy saw me coming back and had me
come in to see pictures of her granddaughter. We had a good visit. Niki
felt better after she had slept ½ the morning and decided she could
probably see Daphine and Suzanne Silvane tonight. Jenny gets so many
calls that I finally found her a calendar and now she can write down when
she is going to have a breakfast or lunch or whatever with all these
people. If I went away for 1 ½ years, I know I wouldn’t get all these
phone calls. She said Mariam says it is like a train passing through and
Jenny says she feels that way, too. I decided to make waffles for dinner
and I did a big fruit plate and a cheese and pickle plate. I set the
table and had everything ready when Mike and Karen called from the Nut
Tree saying that we were to call Jeff and Patty to say they would be here
about 6:30 and they were to make a reservation to have dinner at 7:30.
They had not said they would not be eating here. Then we took two plates
off the table. Then Jenny said she was eating at Debbie’s. One more plate
off. Then Jenny said Niki was going to stay at Casey’s till 8, so another
plate off, so we ended up having dinner alone. Then after 8 when everyone
was gone again, we read for a while and then we had drinks and talked and
then we went to bed and made love without too much success. But we tried.
Talked to Liz today and we laughed and had a good visit. It was a strange
day. Now the year is over and 1991 is over. Not the greatest year but not
too bad either.
Diary of Florence Belson Lillibridge - 1991
Page 1

January 1, 1991 (Tuesday) Melbourne - Well, I

Transcription

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