Happy Birthday, Jake!

Today is Jake's 10th birthday - whoohoo! 10 is getting up there for a boxer, but he's doing pretty well for a crank old fart. He got an In 'n Out patty for a treat last night, and we'll be taking him down to AnnaBee's, a doggie cafe and bakery in Pacifica, for a little birthday treat.

Here's an adorable pic of Jake shortly after we brought him home - wasn't he CUTE?

Always look on the bright side of life

Gotta love that Monty Python. We're trying to look on the bright side today. Yesterday, both my cars were damaged in one fell swoop - or one swell foop, as my Mom used to say. Both were parked out in front of the house, the Honda wagon behind the van, when a driver in a Jeep Grand Cherokee came down the street and just plowed into the front of the van, which then ran into the front of the wagon --- in which I was sitting, ready to leave to go donate blood. I hadn't even started the car - didn't even have my seat belt buckled. The driver of the Jeep - older man - said his knee locked up and he couldn't get to the brake. He was heading to his daughter's house, which is at least 2 miles away - he was lost and a bit confused. So the van got towed - we'll hear today if it's fixable - and then we have to deal with getting the Honda repaired too.

Oh yes - the bright side! If the van hadn't been there, he probably would have hit the Honda with me in it! AND if the van's wheel's hadn't been curbed, it would have hit the Honda MUCH harder. So I have my dh to thank -- for taking the Acura shopping instead of the van, and for curbing the wheels. So far, I feel fine - well, except for the nagging sinus headached I've had for 3 days.

All is calm, all is bright . . .

Perhaps a bit late - we are now in "ordinary time", having passed Epiphany -- it's not Christmas anymore. But the words ring true around here. S. is pretty darn well settled in her new home and has hit the ground running with classes at UC Santa Cruz. She's working hard and loving it. The living situation has turned out to be quite good so far - a bit far from campus, but close to the bus line, and very beautiful.

Spring semester starts for L. at SF City College next week - for the first time, she'll be carrying a full load -- 12 units. She needs to, so she can stay on our health insurance. While on break, she's moving into S.'s old room, and we're repainting the now-"guest"-room. It will also hold my sewing machine and knitting stash, plus other random crafty stuff, board games, books, etc.

I've been busy knitting some little things - baby hat and booties for a couple of people, now working on a pair of socks for our friend M. Don't know if she'll like them, or wear them, but it's what I do. Other people might bake you some cookies, bring a casserole or a pot of soup - I'll bring you a handknit hat. Or a scarf. Pair of fun socks. If I'm really feeling ambitious, a shawl. It's just what I do. And while I knit, I think about that person - I guess it's a kind of praying, really.

Off I go to work - and while all there may not be calm, I'm hoping it can be bright.

Welcoming 2010

We rang in the new year in a home with a somewhat raised stress/anxiety level and changes at hand. Our eldest, S., moved out on Jan. 2nd, heading down to UC Santa Cruz to continue her education. She's renting a room in a home with a single Mom and her dtr., and it looks like it's going to be a good place for her and for her dog Winston. It was a teary parting for all of us - we miss her, and she misses us. But she's not far, and I expect we'll see her fairly often.

Right after Christmas, a friend of L's called and asked if I could drive her to the hospital - she had decided, on the advice of her doctors, to check herself into an inpatient program for her eating disorder. She was having some difficulty convincing her mom that it was the right thing to do, and needed someone to take her. She's an adult, so it's not like I was doing anything illegal! She is doing well - we plan to visit her as often as we can. We have also offered our guest room if she needs a place to stay after she's discharged.

Ken and I start up rehearsals with Musica Sacra next week, preparing for our Lenten concert at the end of February, and a spring concert in April. The group does all early sacred music - beautiful pieces, beautiful sounds -- and I get to sing alto! My voice just can't do the soprano thing anymore. They are also planning a trip to St. Petersburg, Florida in April, but we're not sure we'll be able to manage that -- both the $$$ and the logistics. We'll have to see.

I finished all my Christmas knitting projects, and am now browsing around for something new. Knit up a hat last night, and started some handwarmers this morning so I'll have something to knit while visiting my sister! Would like to fine a fairly easy lacy sock pattern - will be searching online for that. Might also try to find another vest pattern - I'm not terribly fond of the one I knit a couple of years ago. We'll see.

Now how'd that happen?

It's Christmas Eve! The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas passed awfully fast.

My youngest, L., (who, at 19, isn't really all that young) left yesterday with another family and will spend Christmas with them in Disneyland. I'm not really sure how I feel about her being gone over Christmas - I think it will be ok, but I won't really know until tomorrow. Dh, S and I are planning to go see a movie tomorrow, then we'll get some food ready for our family gathering in Santa Rosa on Saturday.

Tonight we have our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at church at 11 p.m. We used to have it at 7 p.m., but last year our interim pastor thought we should move it to 11 so when the Christ candle is lit, it's actually Christmas. Worship Committee agreed, and there you go. I'm not a fan - too late for me. At that time, I'd rather be in bed. But I sing in the choir, and I really don't want to miss the service - I'd just prefer it were earlier.

Unexpected

I think I know my dogs pretty well - we've had Jake since he was 9 wks. old, and he's fast approaching 10 years old. Mira we've had for almost 5 years. So when they do something out of character, it surprises me! Especially Jake, my grumpy old man. He's not a cuddler. If another dog is lying to close to him, he'll move. There have been times when he's been sleeping on my bed, and if I lie down to take a nap, he'll leave. He likes to be near us, just not too near. But recently he's done a couple of things that are out of character for him, and I have photographic proof! Maybe this is the time of year to expect the unexpected, being Advent and all. Blessed Advent to you!

Pretty!

The last few days, I noticed some really pretty mushrooms growing in the front yard of a house I walk by every day when I take the pups out for their afternoon walk. Today, I ran by and took a few pictures - you'd almost expect a fairy peek out from behind!

Curious, I Googled them: "red mushroom with white spots" -- it seems they are amanita muscaria, poisonous and hallucinogenic. Who knew?