Nobody drowned

While it was extremely wet at Anderson River Park, the Lions Club managed to keep anyone from suffering.
The annual eggstravaganza was transformed into a drive-thru.
Dozens of eggs were distributed to the brave few who came out to see if we were crazy enough to try to pull off this event in the rain.
We were.
And they were rewarded.
The lawn was much too wet to risk having the little ones search for eggs.
It would not have been beneficial for the hunters or the grass.
The few eggs that were not distributed were turned over to charity.

 
On the other hand, it stopped raining at about ten minutes to nine...
...and the Easter Bunny was seen lurking.

Yes, that is who you think it is.

John Wayne

Yes... it's still on

We've had about three-quarter of an inch of rain since 8:00pm yesterday.
Unless the Anderson River Park is Flooded the Egg Hunt is still on.

glad there's a rainsuit that fits me

Yep

And nope.
There's not much to post.
there's a houseful of people...
...and they're not all here, yet.

the "Yep" is we're gonna dig up names for the regulars I talk about.
But we're not necessarilygoing with use acronyms... unless I change the name
I like Gramma Daughter for the permanent house guest.
But GD has been nixed for a couple of reasons having to do with higher power.
So maybe we'll just go with PHG.
So maybe it will be acronyms after all?
Number two daughter may as well be NT.
That will work just dandy if my memory holds.

Look at the last post from yesterday and you will see what the temperature around here is holding at today... at least until the predicted rain arrives.
It could theoretically screw up the Easter Egg Hunt in the morning.

theoretically

Good Friday

In more ways than one...

Normal Friday

Well... we managed to follow up this one time.

we're just trying to figure

 out what normal is

I'm glad that's out of the way

Yesterday we left for Sac about an hour or more too early.
Why I had it in my head we needed to leave by nine is still beyond me.
GS has an appointment with her cardiologist.
It was a follow-up.
We had arranged to move it up a couple of weeks so we wouldn't have to scramble for information and/or documents later.
It turns our he is familiar with the cancer GS has.
That's because he has two other patients with the same cancer.
He doesn't believe there will be any issue with treatment for the cancer other than GS not having the ability to absorb nutrition.
He also believes that this particular cancer responds well to treatment.
We both felt much better after we visited him.

While we were away our permanent houseguest* baked cookies and cleaned house before the chaos begins the clan from Washington arrives, the kids from Sac descend upon us, and the Cottonwood crew drops in.

Also while we were away GS's brother, the one who isn't afraid to fly, called and said they found a really good deal on airline flights. They're coming to visit right after the clan leaves. They're flying into SFO, renting a car, and driving up.
My first thought was after they drive through The City during rush hour to get here, we may never see them again unless we go there.

Today GS has another appointment with the oncologist. It will be nice to be able to give her (lady Doc) some news.
Maybe she will have some news for us?

Tonight is the annual marathon egg coloring.
Well, it used to be a marathon.
We have managed to take it back a notch so it only takes us about four hours total.
We could theoretically finish faster, but we have always held club elections and had pizza, too, before we go home.

mmmm, pizza!

*[I will come up with a name for GS's daughters. I just don't want to call them #1 and #2. I suppose I could call her Grammadaughter since she has a grandchild? Ooh... GD works. Now what'll we call the other one... OD? Yep, that works for me]

Not here

That's us.
A brief road trip to Sac...
...and back home.

I managed to get all of my tasks completed yesterday.
Only one minor incident.
Wouldn't you know it was about the eggs.
I'd been told to call "after eleven" to make sure there was someone at the distribution center.
The folks at the distribution center were told I'd be there before eleven.
I called.
Nobody answered.
Finally, someone at the head office, down in Durham, picked up.
He said he'd take care of it and get back to me.
I sat in a parking lot twiddling my thumbs for a bit.
My phone rang.
It was the guy at the distribution center wanting to know if I intended to pick up the eggs.
I told him my tale and said I'd be there in ten minutes.
About five minutes later my phone rang again.
It was the guy from the head office.
I said it was handled; I was driving; and hung up.
Did you know eight cases of eggs will just fit in the trunk [boot, Brian] of a '66 Honda Accord.
That's not a question.

Then I went to Costco to get supplies for the invasion visit of the Washington clan.
I'm sure glad the back seat of the Honda folds down for additional cargo.
I have a love/hate relationship with Costco.
I can actually save money by shopping there if I stick to the shopping list.
The feeding troughs they set up to give samples to the cheapskates really clog up the aisles.
Folks should take the sample and move on.
Then there are the folks who run into their next door neighbor.
They'd never think of visiting them at home, but they'll block an aisle for a half hour catching up on gossip.
I have been sorely tempted to tell some of them how to block the aisle even more by turning their cart [buggy, Brian] cattywhampus to the traffic.
Grandma Skip thinks I need a keeper.
She may be right.

I did, too, get the minutes and agenda typed for the Lions Club meeting last night.
Now there are more minutes to type.
In addition I have to prepare a ballot for the club elections, which will be held at the egg coloring tomorrow evening.
The results are pretty much a foregone conclusion since there is only one candidate for each office.
The only real need for secret ballot is we also elect the Lion of the Year.
The winner of that prestigious award will be announced at the installation of officers in June.

I know who won't get it

Busy day

Lots of things to do today, betting ready for Easter.
First off, there's the Lions Clubs Annual Egg Hunt to prepare for.
So I'm off to the purveyor of eggs to lug them back to color on Thursday night.
I would wait, but we'll completely occupied with other duties all day tomorrow and most of the day Thursday.
I also have to pick up more dye for said eggs.
The club members will color them on Thursday evening.

Then I have to shop for the big time groceries for the weekend and beyond.
The Washington clan is coming for another visit.
Normally Usually we see them here about every other year.
This year they are revisiting because we were weren't home at Christmas when they were here.
There are five of them and a dog.
They are here for a week.
It should be great fun.
GS is already has been planning Sunday breakfast for a week or so.

I have to find the time to complete the minutes from the last Lions Club meeting (yes, I know I've had two weeks) and prepare tonight's agenda.
There are a number of things for which I haven't found time lately.
They aren't important to me.
There is something that has always been emphasized since I joined the Lions Club.
Family comes first, then job, church (or other spiritual wellness) and then the Lions would like a little of the time you have left over to give back to the community.
Sound like a pretty fair balance to me.
I've been fortunate that GS has shared the Lions experience and participated since we met.

have to go now

*thank you Mrs Cuz for correcting a grievous error

Monday... no update

I'm sorry to say there's nothing to tell today.

Enjoy the picture.
Better yet, click on the image for a story about an O-47.

fly over,walk back

Updated

GS had company yesterday

They brought flowers

Well, it's Sunday

just seemed appropriate

We need some divine intervention here

I was reading a blog I happened upon out of curiosity.
That's how I find other blogs ...out of curiosity.

Anyway, the blogger was relating a humorous story about her mother's funeral mass.
The priest, who'd been the family's spiritual advisor for some years, had gone into auto-pilot mode and kept referring as to how the deceased would now be enjoying the companionship of her husband.
The catch was said husband was still very much alive and sitting in the very same church.
The priest repeated the same error two more times during the proceedings.
Nobody bothered to correct him.

It reminded me of the occasion some years ago at the funeral mass of my paternal grandfather, R.J. "Bob" Neilan.
The church in San Franciso was full.
My grandparents had been founding members of the parish and Grandpa had friends, relatives and business associates from all over the Bay Area and beyond. 
The pastor, who was not Grandpa's spiritual advisor, misspoke his name as Nelson.
I heard a stir in another pew.
You could have heard a pin drop.
He misspoke the name again as Nelson.
Another rustle and a throat cleared... LOUDLY.
One more time the priest said Nelson.
"It's Neilan!" Retorted my middle cousin.
You could hear a collective sigh throughout the church as many of the others realized they were in the right place after all.

St Brendan's church, SF

Normal Friday

The Ol' AF Sarge started something that just may catch on.
I don't know if he intends to follow up this week because I haven't been over to his place yet.
I'm not sure I will be able to follow up here.
You know how I have an aversion to the use of that word in the post title.
But were going to give it a shot.
We'll start off with this

Notice how there's a duck involved.
Ducks populate this blog more than bacon.
They just aren't labeled like bacon.
There's even a shaggy duck story somewhere.

It wouldn't be normal if I didn't add a little something.

why would I use my own 

photo as an avatar when 

I can use a handsome duck?

I really didn't ask for this

First...
Today would be my mother's 99th birthday if she were still with us.
It has been 15 years... seems like yesterday.
I miss her, but don't mourn.
There are few, if any regrets.

Then there's the sudden increase in blog visitors.
I know only a little is about the subject matter and style.
It's mostly because of Monday Updates.
What would I give to have those done for?
OTOH, seeing how many care gives some balance.
Knowing you're all waiting for more information, just like us, provides support.

Finally, the time for the newest arrival to the family draws near.
My daughter is now working from home because her "due" date rapidly approaches.
Well, actually she's not working because her Internet connection has fizzled and her provider has just put her off one more day for coming out to diagnose it.
That, after she waited most of yesterday afternoon.
I'm kinda glad I don't live in a place large enough that said provider deems to be a target for their service [sic].
Saturday is my grandson's birthday.
He is waiting... and chomping at the bit... to open a package that arrived in the mail yesterday.
My daughter is hoping the newest arrival is not on Saturday.
Of course we are waiting to find out the name.
I won't ask.
I know they've been looking at girls names.
Grandson says he wants a brother after this one.
Daughter does eyeroll.
I'll wait.

So what I didn't ask for is to learn to be patient.

well... didn't ask to wait either

Let relieve some stress

We'll blow up some stuff...

Read more: http://www.dailybulletin.com/breakingnews/ci_22819208/bridge-implosion-marble-falls-texas#ixzz2O10Emu4O 



I had a third one but it doesn't embed well.


UPDATE at 0805...

 Then I found this.

 Too bad there's no sound.

feeling better now

What I was gonna do before the interruption

Sunday wass kinda special at our house.
Every year we celebrate St Patrick's Day in some manner.
We've had as many as 20 or more for dinner.
We've just about always concerned ourselves about the weather.

Sunday it was just about perfect.

One of the mums is showing off already.

I almost didn't come inside to prepare dinner.

I missed one item when I shot this picture.

The Irish soda bread was perfect.

and delicious

Monday updates I hate

When we left you last Grandma Skip was recuperating from the after effects of major surgery.

In fact she had been cleared by the Docs in Sac.

They weren't even concerned that the primary care physician (PCP) had taken her off all meds except for low dose aspirin and a multivitamin with iron.

Her wounds were all but healed.

Today they are healed entirely.

Believe we had mentioned there were still the underlying issues of weight loss and fatigue that had brought her to the doctor in the first place?

Then there was the addition of diarrhea [I can spell that now without looking it up] and a worsening appetite.

We finally reached a day far enough after the surgery so further extreme tests could take place.

I posted about the colonoscopy.

Now I will tell you about the results of the biopsy.

In short, GS has cancer.

We have been told that it is an extremely rare cancer.

Rare enough that the GI Doc with over 25 years experience has never encountered it before.

Rare enough also the the routine screenings for cancer don't turn it up, even when it's in the usual places.

The PCP ordered up a PET scan and sure enough it showed nothing.

Meanwhile a referral to an oncologist was made.

We saw her last Monday and it was confirmed that this is a very unusual cancer.

It did not originate in the intestinal tract, but more likely in the breast.

It is stage four but treatable.

It just isn't treatable here in the North State.

We must go even further afield than for the aneurism, to either Stanford or UCSF.

We have opted for Stanford.

The most recent activity was the insertion of a port to handle both intravenous feeding and chemotherapy treatment once they are approved.

Now we are playing a waiting game.

First for Medicare to approve the feeding via the port.

It seems the weight loss and diarrhea aren't evidence enough for them to concur it is necessary.

They need lab test results showing no nutrients are being retained.

Then we should hear about scheduling an evaluation by Stanford.

GS goes back to see the cardiologist, Doc K, on Wednesday.

He will most likely be shocked or at least surprised at GS's situation.

Thursday we see the oncologist again and possibly learn more, but as I mentioned there is little she can do but support any treatment ordered by the experts down south.

She has said that she has never come across this before, also.

So quite probably I will be posting Monday Updates again.

They just might occur on days other than Monday if there is big news.

pray for lots of nice little news

Last year I posted an image and a "secret message."

This year's a bit more traditional.

I collected a ton [virtually, not literally] of items relating to March 17.
I also decided not to burden you with them all....
....except for this one

instead of secret, the message is subtle

Too bad this won't last

This is almost ideal.
We get a few days like this each year.

cooling down 
rain Wednesday?

...and again?

Here's another song I like.


I didn't hear anything I shouldn't.

sorry!

Does anyone mind if we do music again

I heard this song on the radio yesterday...
...and I really, really like it.

There's a line I heard as

"...there are pie holes
you could see all the way to China through the assholes."

Do you think that's a mondegreen or do I have to visit an audiologist?

don't burst my bubble

Oh Dear.... I forgot

It's today

Pi day

what'd you think?

Wherein I play my favorite part of a larger piece

I have always enjoyed and appreciated this, too.

right... got nothin'

Funniest thing I've seen in awhile

I saw this yesterday while following a link on whatshisname's blog.

they should sell tickets to view that

A small apology

If some of you find some of my comments [on your blogs] a wee bit venomous lately.
I am sorry you feel that way.

how's that?

The Sun did shine a little today

 

I did miss capturing the high for the day.

wardrobe change is due

So let us call it what it is

Yesterday, sometime during the darkest hours, an hour was stolen from many of us.
Well, from those of us who must suffer Daylight Savings Time (DST).

Enough... I have another issue.
As many of you know, I volunteer for the monthly breakfast at the Frontier Senior Center here in Anderson on the first Sunday of each month (except July).
It used to be that the spring forward of the clocks occurred on the first weekend in April.
That was a double whammy.
To have to get up before sunrise and lose an hour on the same day wiped the volunteers out.
Then spring forward was moved up to the second weekend in March..
That eliminated one hits.
I can handle getting up early without much difficulty.
This month it caught me again.
Thursday I received a phone call from a member of the Cottonwood Lions Club... could I assist them at their pancake breakfast on Sunday (yesterday).
Without thinking I cheerfully said, "Sure!"
About an hour later I remembered the clock change.
I may recuperate by the time we get that hour back.

Also yesterday Buck posted about DST.
I asked in the comments if there was really a useful purpose for turning the clocks ahead.
He explained that it allowed more veranda time.
I hereby venture that we should call it MVT, rather than DST.
I had thought about suggesting Buck just start earlier instead of changing the clocks.
But that seemed just too practical.

Saturday turned out to be light on the chaos while the two and a half men [two grandsons and the great grandson] were here.

GS with the half man

Maybe it's because the men outnumbered the women?

Pay no attention to the Halloween plates.
We celebrated #2's birthday and it was on Halloween.

live dangerously

Works for me

and blogger didn't like all of the labels

I gotta get moving

I was awake early.
That would be before six.
I'm off to a meeting at eight.
I do that almost every Saturday.
Then it's time to get moving because company's coming.
Two of GS's grandsons and her great grandson a driving up from Sac for a visit.
They are the offspring of the daughter who moved back home.
The one who has help make life much simpler because there are two caregivers.
The one who I that God for whenever I remember.
It should be fun.
There may even be more attendees.
There might even be chaos.
We're talking about four generations here at one time.
And St. Patrick's Day isn't for another week.
It should be fun.
But I don't have any particular expectations.
It will seem really quiet when they all leave.

we're blessed

I have been so screwing around today

I only a few moments ago realized I have yet to post.
I've been all over the blogs commenting on other posts.
Don't bother to look.
I haven't said anything profound ...and if that's what you're looking for, you can stop now.
You won't find it here, at least not today.

My good friend, the Brighton Pensioner (BP for short) posted about five pet peeves.
He wrote six.
That's okay.
He's English.
The English don't know on which side of the road to drive, either.

I have to take a potshot at him every now and again or he forgets how much I really like him.
We've met ...several times.
He hasn't even tried to hit me.

The Old AF Sarge posted about those infernal word verification things.
He posts a lot.
Like Buck, the Exile in Portales, who sometimes posts enough that you don't have time to read other blogs, and sometimes doesn't post at all.
Maybe it's an AF thing.
Then again maybe they got too close to the radar?
Buck is also an old AF sarge.
If I had an acronym page, you could go there and find that AF means Air Force as in USAF.

Anyhow, I mentioned I had a collection of the old verification words.
Here's a screen shot of some of them.

Click to enlarge

There's another blogger I know who collected some, too.
I won't mention his name or post a link because of his ego.

I will leave you with some other stuff I found while surfing the blogs...
This takes a bit of time to get where you can understand it...


...and this is because somebody else posted about it

that's right ...still nothin'

One of those moments

Really... I'm not AWOL.
I'm procrastinating.

OTOH the muse must me hibernating...
...or something.

got a new smartphone

now I feel stupid

Well... maybe the weekend will be nice

We finally had a turn of events weatherwise.
The latest system actually brought some rain ("...and snow in the higher elevations") and wind.
There is even the potential for some more rain before it clears out.
Of course our worst has been nothing like the crap folks Back East have seen.

weather and  whatever are just another form of procrastination.

 can almost always post about them

Later... maybe

I'm taking a page* from the BP's book blog.
GS has a hair appointment in Redding.

*not so much a page as a screenshot

Since there's nothing new to report, Monday's update will probably be on Wednesday afternoon.
However, the following quote seems to fit in with some of the recent posts

"Every man, wherever he goes, is encompassed by a cloud of comforting convictions, which move with him like flies on a summer day."

~ Bertrand Russell

stolen from BP's blog's sidebar yesterday

Suddenly I feel like scratching

Blame it on Mrs Cuz.
She's the one who piqued my curiosity about bug GIFs.
I just had to go looking.

Maybe these will help?

 last bug GIF isn't working right...

uh, fixed it!

We could get all sappy

But then we'd have to personalize it.
I don't know Stevie Wonder that well.
In fact the only other musician I knew all that well is also named Jim and had his own 56th birthday on Thursday and I know he's still asleep until at least noon... and probably more like 2:00pm

Happy Birthday, Jim (yeah, both of ya)

What bugs me

This...
       
  ...not so much


But there's something about this that's just so wrong...

  ...in a number of ways.

had a better example
 of the parking issue... 
...can't find it  
that bugs me, too