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Monday, October 27, 2008

Way Overdue Update

Yes, I'm still alive.

Where to start?

Most of the hot summer is behind us but we're still having air quality problems. Ray's been in and out of the hospital a few times - he's home right now.

Jim's so called desk job in Iraq has turned into flying here and there. I heard from him yesterday - he spent last week in Baghdad. He says he's staying very busy.

Tim and I are hanging out whenever we can. His friend in Fresno is in the chorus of the Fresno Grand Opera so we went yesterday to see him (and the rest of the cast of course) in La Boheme. I took the train down (Tim was already there) and we all had breakfast. Then we saw the opera which was wonderful. I was so surprised to find that kind of quality in the middle of the farming area. They do two major productions a year and I'm already planning on Faust next June. They import the leading singers; all of whom are young, extremely talented and on their way up.

We were planning to attend a pizza party for the cast later but decided on a quiet dinner instead. I still met some of the cast in the parking lot and that was enough.

Tim may move to Fresno next year. He's been busy with college here but his credits will transfer to either the Junior College or Fresno State so no problem. And the job market may be a little better in the larger city. It's awful here. Businesses are closing down almost every day, houses are either standing half build or empty. We made the New York and London Times as one of the most depressed cities in the country. I can think of better ways to be famous. Of course it's bad everywhere.

And, now that the court hearing has been held, I can say that the girls are back in town and living with their dad - right around the corner. I see quite a bit of them - they show up to raid the refrigerator and I've tried to have them over for dinner most weekends. It's great to have them close.

I've been somewhat involved in local politics which is nothing new. I haven' t been able to do much but I've helped with phone banks. I just can't seem to walk or even stand for any length of time without paying dearly. We did get to one rally at the University and I'll do a little more this week.

Our tomatoes are still producing. For some reason they turned from plants into very tall bushes. Strange. We had a few bell peppers too.

Oh, and my kitty died last month. She'd been slowing down a lot so it didn't come a shock but still we were sad. Spunky had been part of our family for around 10 years or so. Now I have a visiting cat. He lives in the front house and used to visit us often. Then I didn't see him for months. He turned up a couple of weeks ago so I went and bought a small sack of cat food. He comes in each morning for a snack and water, visits for about an hour, and then leaves. Sometimes he repeats in the afternoon. He's a beautiful, neutered male, mostly Siamese and mostly while with streaks of light orange on his ears and tail. Great cat - much more affectionate than most Siamese I've know. Dawn's daughter named him Sally when he first started turning up months ago. We explained Sally was a boy but the name stuck. It can always be short for Salvatore.

I should go back and read from I wrote in the last post - I may be repeating.

I've been doing some baking - experimenting with different kinds of bread. We decided we like the banana the best and it's certainly the most economical. I can get day old bananas at half price and friend Janet and I picked up large sacks of walnuts and pecans at Costco.

I'll be cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year. My friend, the computer geek and his wife, will be here, possibly Tim and his friend later in the day, and possibly the girls with their dad. As usual, I'll cook for an army. Melissa (Jim's wife) and the kids are always invited of course.

Baby Zachary is walking and Jonathan is talking a blue streak. They're adorable.

I think that's about it from me for now.

Take care everyone. It's cooler now so maybe I can start spending a little more time at the computer. I've missed keeping up with all of you but it's been almost impossible.

24 comments:

ancient one said...

Sounds like you've been very busy... good to catch up with you again..

Anvilcloud said...

It was a pleasant surprise hearing from you.

~*Jobthingy*~ said...

Granny! *hugs* i was so glad to see you posted. i have been thinking about you.

i am glad to hear all is well over there.

take care :)

Yondalla said...

I am so glad to hear from you!

Carole Burant said...

Hello dear Ann:-)

Thank you so much for posting and letting us know how things are going!! Sounds like you've been keeping busy, as well as doing some fun things:-) I can well imagine how glad you are that the girls are leaving nearby again and that you see so much more of them now. They must have grown again in the last year!! Take good care of yourself and hopefully you'll post again soon:-) xoxo

Peter said...

G'day Ann, nice to see you back on the air, stay well.
BTW I removed a few duplicated entries from your guestbook if you noticed the number dropped a little.

Kendra Lynn said...

Ann:
It is so great to see you back and blogging! I have missed you...hope to hear more from you soon.

Kendra

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Hi, Ann,

I've missed you! I was so glad to see this post come up in my Bloglines.

I'm glad you're getting to see more of the girls these days. Hope things work out with them living with their Dad.

We're supposed to have our first hard freeze and frost tonight. I love Fall and cold weather. I also love the changing of the seasons and I know you don't get as much of that where you live in CA.

Sorry to hear Ray has been in the hospital so much over the Summer. Hope he does better now that it's cooled off, and hopefully the air quality will improve soon too.

Love,

Diane

Unknown said...

Thank you for the update, Ann. Many blessings to you and yours.

Puss-in-Boots said...

Ann, it's so good to hear from you. I've been wondering how things were going with you and Ray. Glad the weather is getting cooler for you both. Good to hear the girls are a bit closer,too.

Keep well, Ann, and I hope all stays well with you and yours.

Hugs.

granny p said...

Oh thank goodness! Was beginning to get worried. Glad things are going as well as they might and that you see so much of the girls. love from this other granny.

Carin said...

Hey there Ann. good to se you back. I was soon going to email you. Hey, if I'm not mistaken, Rebecca's birthday's coming up? Or maybe I'm nuts. Hope she has a good one.

Pat said...

Glad you are around again. How lovely to see La Boheme - my favourite opera.

Merle said...

Hello Dear Ann ~~ What a great surprise to find a new post from you, I pop over occasionally. I am so glad the girls are closer and you see them more. Glad Ray is OK for now and the cooler weather will be better for you as well. You will miss Tim if he moves. Glad Jim is OK and hope he stays safe. I have missed you, my friend. Please don't be as long with your next post. Much Love, Merle.

Jo said...

So happy to hear that all seems well in your little world. It has been a while and I think of you and wish you the very best. Sorry about Ray's health, your pain, and the loss of your kitty, time marchs on, but sometimes seems to leave us wounded in the wake of it. Hugs dear.

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Ann,

I'm glad your back, long time no see.

Janice~

lindsaylobe said...

Hi Ann ~~ Nice to see a new post from you, and to catch up with all of your news.
Best wishes

mreddie said...

So glad to read a post from you and that all seem to be doing well. Good news about the girls being so close, I know you are enjoying that. ec

Anonymous said...

So sorry about your kitty. We lost one last year and it was awful. Just awful.

clairesgarden said...

good to catch up with you over there! jobs and economy not good here either, I'm clinging onto mine even though I've been looking for another job for over six months there is nothing.
its so good to hear the girls are close by and your fridge suffers!! my daughter has gone off to share a house as she has started college so my house stays tidy and my fridge full!! its nice to have the peace!
much like the economy the weather has depressed the garden, it rains so much I'm surprised we are not on constant flood alert....

zztop357 said...

I've been wondering about you and your hubby Ann. I know times are busy and money is tight.
I'm glad the grandkids are closer and you get to visit more.
I hope things are doing ok there. I miss coming here to read your daily life. I hope you come back soon.
God bless, Donna

Turtle Guy said...

Hi Ann,

There is a whole cyclical thing with cats. They seem to come and go on their own terms. Some stay, some leave, some pretend to leave but stay anyway, some stay then leave then stay again, and some never leave, some never stay... and so on.

Beautiful beasts, none the less.

Glad to hear all is well with you!

Dave

Andrea said...

Dont worry about keeping up with us I am just so glad you posted. I have been worried. It was great to just read your words again.
Hugs Granny.

Marty said...

Hi Ann,

Stopping by to check on you and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

I've not been in the blogging world much lately either. Life has taken over with sick parents and in-laws. Plus I've got a beautiful little granddaughter who was born on October 7. What a joy she is!

Take care.