Thanks for the birthday wishes

Thank you all for the birthday wishes~both as comments in my journal entry and all the e-cards I received.  My day was ok...I got lots of phone calls from friends and family.  Bob had asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday and I had told him I wanted to go to Point Defiance Park and Zoo, as I had not been there for years.  Well, the weather was so ugly and he is still coughing away with a bad cold, so I let him off the hook.  I didn't feel walking around the zoo in the rain & wind would be a good idea for him. We'll wait until the weather is a little nicer.  He did take me to lunch and then went on home.

I spent a couple hours in the afternoon visiting with Susan & Linda...who held the same job I did before I retired.  It was the first time the 3 of us had been together in over a year.  I retired in February 07, and Susan had to resign shortly there after as she was going thru treatment for Lymphoma and Linda has now been laid off because the health system decided to outsource that particular job.  We had a nice visit and then I left and headed home, stopping at the Safeway to get some milk.

Once I was home, my friend Barbara came over for about an hour.  She brought me a card and a gift and offered to take me out for a bite to eat but I was still so stuffed from lunch...I felt I couldn't eat a thing.

I got a couple more phone calls from friends this evening and then watched a movie ("Love Actually" with that naughty boy Hugh Grant).  

The wind is really kicking up out there, a couple times I was afraid my house was going to be lifted up and carried away.  The temperature was up around 48 degrees during the day on Friday, but now it's dropped to 40 degrees and along with the wind gusts, there's rain. 

Well, here it is after 1 o'clock in the morning, I think it's time for this old hen to turn in for the night. 

By the way Guido, I loved your comment; 21 years old with 45 years of experience.  That's a good one.    I usually say I'm 29 not counting weekends....until next time, Linda

On Getting Old

Note; I've recieved this in email form several times in the last few weeks, from "old" friends~decided to share it with you all, today  Linda

 

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know. Old Age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 and 70's, and ifI, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)

Another Year Older

It's true, January 4th is my birthday.  I admit to turning 66...there's just no use trying to fool anyone.  I'm not a "spring chicken" anymore...I'm a true "old hen."

The story that I was told is that my dad was working 12 hour shifts as a train dispatcher, from 7pm until 7am. So mom was home alone when she realized that the time had come.  There was no one who could take her to the hospital, so she called a cab.  She told me, even though dad wasn't able to be there, she felt at home once she checked in, because she had been working in the Maternity Ward there (she was a registered nurse) and knew all the staff.  She tried to hang on until dad could get off work but I didn't wait.  I was born at 5:27am, Sunday morning, January 4, 1942.  Dad raced to Tacoma General Hospital, as soon as he was relieved at work, to be at mom's side. I was looking in my baby book this afternoon and it's dad's writing that filled in all the details. He must have been a proud dad.  Usually it's the mom that does that. He even wrote in my birth weight (7 lbs 8oz) and height ( 1 foot 8-1/2 inches)...that made me laugh...mom would have written 20-1/2 inches.

I noticed an interesting note in the back of my baby book; mom wrote "registered on January 29, 1942 with D.A.R. at McCarver School.  Identification to be used in case of air raids.  Number 9356."     I'll have to do some research on that. 

I'm so thankful, that I was born to William (Bill) and Edythe (Edy)Smith.  They were the best parents anyone could ever ask for. 

My darling grand daughter and son-in-law stopped by and brought me a lovely card with 2 gift cards and......a beautiful white cake with lemon filling that Meghanne made.  There's a beautiful mauve rose that came with it and rose petals on and around the cake.  Thank you again Meghanne...I cut a piece of it and it's yummy. 

Photo Scavenger Hunt #123

     

Photo Scavenger Hunt #123 will be due on Sunday, January 6, at 11:00 PM EST.
                                              
Our subject this week is:  "New"

I am picking up the very first Hunt of the new year for Krissy and am very honored.  Thank you, Krissy.  I thought the subject "New" would be an appropriate one.  Krissy will be back at the helm very, very soon.  I will let you know when.  Thanks for being patient while we took a break for the holidays.  The Hunt will be every week as scheduled.  You may interpret the subject any way you wish.  PLEASE post your submissions by copying your FULL entry URL and pasting it into the comments section below.  If you have any questions about how to do this (or how to upload or post photos) do not hesitate to send me an email at valphish@aol.com.  I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve and I am wishing all the best for 2008!!  Hugs, Val xox

Well, I'm slowly catching up on my alerts of the last week and finally got to Val   posting the Photo Scavenger Hunt for her sister Krissy.  It just so happens I got a new  book in the mail today, a birthday gift from my cousin Sheila, who lives with her hubby in Nevada. She and I are definitly cut from the same cloth in so many ways.  Our mother's were sisters and sometimes I feel like she's more like a sister than a cousin. One thing we both love is historical reading.  The book is titled "The Fateful Journey of Tamsen Donner" by author Frankye Craig.  (By the way Sheila even had the author autograph it to me~even more special).  It's the story of the Donner Party, who headed west in 1846.  I know the story of their horrible mistake of leaving the established trail and heading off on an unproven route over the mountains. But am looking forward to reading this author's diary format of this story.

When Bob and I were on the road last spring, we went over Donner Pass (named for this pioneer party, led by George Donner).  We stopped at the summit, to stretch our legs and as I stood there, listening to the wind in the huge trees and looked around at the snow covered peaks all around us~I wept, when I thought of those dear people who came this same route over 150 years ago.  Here we were walking around in a paved parking lot, with warm coats on, there was a warm building with restrooms and we crawled back into Bob's warm pickup and headed over the pass on a 4 lane highway, cleared by a snowplow.  I can't even imagine the suffering the Donner party went thru the winter of 1846-47 as they were attempting to cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains at this point.

I finished a book last night, so will be able to start this new, compelling book tonight. 

If interested you can order a copy of this book for yourself at; http://www.amazon.com/Fateful-Journey-Tamsen-Donner/dp/0972262466

Amazing Pictures From San Francisco

I got this link from a friend in an email.  These are some amazing pictures !!   If you've ever been to San Francisco, you'll recognize seeing some familiar landmarks.  Enjoy.......

<http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1a/>

Two Days Into the New Year

New Years day, my friend Barbara and I went Goodwill hopping.  I found a couple books (just what I need) but other than that, nothing caught my eye.  We did go have lunch at a place I've passed many times have never stopped to investigate.  I'm sure there's one near you.   Anyway, the restaurant is called Panera Bread and let me tell you...their food is good.  I had 1/2 chicken salad sandwich on their Sesame Semolina bread and a cup of the best low fat Black Bean soup I have ever had in my life !  Barb bought a small loaf of the Sesame Semolina bread (they even sliced it for her) to take home and I got a small loaf of their Sour Dough bread (also sliced.)  I had a piece of it this morning, toasted with a light coating of Trader Joe's Almond Butter on it....ohhhh my !!!!

I got up early this morning and went to Curves...I'm switching Medicare supplement insurances for this year but the new one also pays for my Curves membership. So was able to get that squared away.  I'm thrilled to have this benefit at no cost to me.

This being the first Wednesday of the month, I went with my old buddy, Jan, to the Book Club luncheon get together.  Last month author Debbie Macomber was the special guest.  Today we met two authors, Sheila Roberts and Gerri Russell.  I had not heard ofeither one of them before but have already ordered Sheila's latest book "On Strike For Christmas"  from Amazon.com.   She has a new book coming out in May called "Bikini Season."    Gerri told us about the two books she's written for her "Stones of Destiny" series.  They sound like a type of book I've never read before but I may try them.  Apparently the setting for these books is mostly in Scotland and England, way, way back in olden days.  I'm looking forward to February 6th...the next Book Club meeting.  The ladies in charge, have local authors lined up already for that date.

I spoke with little Peyton's grandma the other day and Peyton is up to over 6 lbs.  Her official due date was January 8th so by that time, she should be close to 7 lbs...a normal birth weight.  She's apparently a very good baby and even though she had a rough start back on October 28th, coming into this world way too early, weighing only 2 pounds and 1 ounce...she has made great progress.  The family appreciates all of your prayers and good thoughts sent her way over these last couple months. 

Our weather this week has been dreary & gloomy.  But that's January in the Pacific Northwest.  At least it was nice & clear for the Space needle fireworks on New Year's Eve.   There was 30 inches of new snow in the mountain passes in a 24 hour period, so the skiers and snowboarders are in their glory.  Bob's anxious to ski, too but is waiting for winter break to be over & the kids are back to school.  He hates fighting the hoards of teenagers on the slopes.

Well, that's all for now....hope everyone is doing well.  Do youhave your Christmas decorations down yet?  Not me...I always leave everything up until after my birthday.  Then it can come down and be put away for another year.  Until next time...Linda

 

 

News Year's Fireworks off the Space Needle in Seattle

click on the picture to start the video
News Year's Fireworks from the Space Needle 

I wasn't going to stay up for this but it was so noisy in my neighborhood, I decided to get up and watch it, then decided to record it off the TV.  I don't think they showed up on the web cam, all I saw were the light of the city and the light decorating the Needle for the holidays. 

They had a little glitch in their show.  Apparently, the computer program didn't work correctly, so the fireworks started, then stopped, then started again....It was supposed to last about 8 minutes, I'm not sure if it did but I got less than 2 minutes of it recorded.  But at least you can see how beautiful it is.  It's cold and clear here tonight, so the thousands of people on the ground watching it, got a good show this year.

Pardon, the heavy breathing (you can turn your sound down).  I was trying so hard not to move, that I didn't concentrate on "quiet breathing."   LOL 

Now I'm going back to bed....Happy 2008 everyone !!!