Leaving on a jet plane....

We received word today that our sister, Fredia, is not doing so well. We have changed our reservations to leave as soon as possible, which will be at 7:40 PM 22 Dec 2006. We, naturally, regret not being able to spend more time with Dale and Shane but they understand that family is our priority.

We were first led to believe that Fredia’s body was riddled with cancer, but have found that not to be true. She is, however, not doing well and we feel that our place is with her. Fredia and I have always been one another’s rock and I cannot be that here.

So, I will end my New Zealand blog with this entry.

My love to you all and God bless.

Billy

Poor People-Carol

billy didn't tell you when I was helping wash dishes that I broke both French Press coffee makers. I thought "oh, poor Shane." Their poor you know. Shane told me so, and I believed him. NOT! Hes always fibbing to me and gullible me. Now if his lips are moviing I know its another fib, with a straight face. I just laugh at him and say "yeah right."

Tea was very good last. Was tied in knots worrying about my sis. Didn't know id I could eat or not. But I never pass up Billys cooking. Have lost 4 pounds though. Running up and down stairs and all about the place probably.

More later maybe.

What Happened To Yesterday?

The pork loin I bought while at the butcher the other day was very tasty. We cut half of the meat into pork chops and enjoyed it thoroughly. Then yesterday I took what was left after cutting the loin off and enough some of the other meat for stir-fry, sprinkled it with a generous helping of salt and roasted it in the oven about 350F until it was very crisp. We broke it into pieces and munched on it until my pancreas began to act up…lovely stuff that crisp skin and fat. Haven’t had that since I was a kid and my mom made cracklins.

Found out today that my youngest sis, Marilee, took Fredia to Portland and put her in the hospital there. They found, almost immediately, that she had low potassium and sodium, which was making her throw up, dizzy and fall down. They are running extensive tests to find out what’s going on with her. She is also on my niece’s floor [niece, Dione, is the assistant charge nurse on that floor], which means she will be well looked after.

Let’s talk about what we had for tea last night. Carol bought what she thought was a brisket at the butchers and was going to make Corned Beef and Cabbage. When we got home, I looked at the piece of meat and told her it wasn’t a brisket, more like a rump roast. So we had Beer Braised Rump Roast, fried okra, mashed potatoes and the gravy from the roast. The meat was so very tender and moist, just falling apart. Shane went to the store for cornmeal since they didn’t have any and brought back a box “they” called cornmeal. It was very fine, more like corn flour. Today we will get some proper cornmeal and have some cornbread to go with the leftovers. Shane was very surprised to discover I’d used heavy cream in the potatoes instead of milk. Needless to say, there wasn’t a smidgen of potatoes or okra left. Shane had told me that I’d made too many potatoes and I’d said, “Oh, I don’t think so.” While at the store I’ll have to get the ingredients to make my Carrot Cake and Sugarbrown’s Mama’s Mama’s Banana Cake. Soon I’ll be making the Parmesan Chicken Roulades, the Tomato Concasse and maybe the salad that went with it…the name escapes me. Oh yes, we have to go to the cheese store for more cheese today. It’s all gone! We must have had burglars or something.

I miss all the “stuff” from my kitchen. I was looking at all the empty space in Dale/Shane’s kitchen and thinking about all the “stuff” they had room for.

I think we’ll have Shane drop us downtown Pukekohe or maybe it was Papakura, one day this week so we can browse around through the different stores. Maybe go back to the Pastry shop/Espresso place and get some recipes.

Sure have some strange names down here and they put the emphasis or accent some where other than we would which makes it sound even more strange. We are going into Manukau today to visit a shopping mall where there is a store similar to Target and a seafood store. So, I’ll be back later to tell you all about it.

At The Party

First we went out to Shane/Dale's daughter Elizabeth's place to see her pets. She has a Kune Kune pig, without a doubt one of the ugliest animals I've ever seen; 25 chooks [chickens]; 2 dogs; 2 horses; budgies [parakeets]; fish tanks; frog tank; sheep; all kinds of wild birds; peacocks and about a million miles out in the country. We then went on over to the party where there were about 40-50 people and lots of food. We remained at the party for several hours. I ate mutton [about a 2 year old lamb], ham and lots of different types of cold salads and some yummy desserts [I'll try to get some recipes for you].

I'll post some more pictures for you in a little while.

Here ya go: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/bjcotton/New%20Zealand/

ET Call Home

I spoke with Fredia this morning. Apparently she isn't doing to good. The Dr. gave her an inhalor to prevent bronchitis from turning into pneumonia, which she is prone to. She is also having dizzy spells and has fallen a couple of times. Two of my nieces look in on her every day, but she is alone at night. I suggested that she go up to our sister Marilee's and stay with her. I gave Shane a heads up that we might not be staying the entire 6 weeks. We'll have to see what happens.

We are going to a friend of Dale's and Shane's birthday party this afternoon. Apparently he has slaughtered 4 yearling sheep to BBQ. I do hope it clears off and doesn't rain. Guess I'll be tasting NZ lamb for the first time today. I'll let you know what I think of it.

I bought Fredia a mohair shawl, not thinking she can't wear wool. So I fear someone else will be getting a nice shawl. Bought myself 4 pair of cotton shorts which I just figured out I paid way to much for...I won't tell you how much as I've been berating myself all morning about it.

I prepared tea for us last night. I made Lorraine's Leek, Gruyere, and Cream dish, of course I bastardized it with bell peppers and celery. All seemed to really enjoy it. Will probably make my Pork Stir-Fried Rice tomorrow, which the rice isn't really stir-fried. I marinated the pork in Cabernet Sauvignon, Sesame oil and Balsamic last night. Sure smells good.

We visited a Tourism office yesterday and came away with a whole arm full of brochures. Carol got a little stuffed toy Kiwi bird that you squeeze and it chirps; also, got a card with the bird on the front which when you open it, it makes the Kiwi bird sound.

We stopped by an Espresso/pastry place yesterday and I'm sure when we left they had to clean the drool marks off the display case glass. Oh yes, Jean, I asked the owner about the Sausage Rolls. They use the phyllo dough to wrap them in. The meat is already cooked and well drained before rolling the pastry dough. I asked if they used phyllo dough and they didn't understand what I meant. They finally said phyllo pastry?

Well, I've got to go shower and shave for the party. See y'all later.

shopping day-Carol

Carol

Hi everyone. Had a day of shopping. Shane threatened to lock me in the car or take my purse away. Which would have done no good since Bill has the money. I got a nice silver and abalone bracelet, wrapping paper, bows, face creams and a sweet. I don't think that was to bad. Much better than Bill and Shane getting groceries. Those guys spent 190 New Zealand. Of course 2 bottles of wine were for me. Bill got 2 ice creams. I bought Dale.....and some waffle cones.

Some little midgies are biting Bill and I at night. Mostly on the face and neck. I told him people might think we're bringing them measles or something.

Shane is such a fibber. He gets me everytime. Then I look at him and know I've been taken in again.

The weather is getting warmer. Today was very nice until we got into the car. Then it was hot.

Bill will be fixing tea soon. Don't know what it will be. He and Shane talked about so many things I lost track.

Must call home tonigh and see if Ronnie is home from elk hunting.

Bye for now.

A side trip

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/bjcotton/New%20Zealand/

Today we went on another sightseeing trip up and down some high hills and along the Auckland coast road. I can again verify that there are some huge private "summer cottages" as I call them. You could put a family of 10 in some of them and they'd have trouble finding one another.

These Norfolk pines are really beautiful and are quite plentiful here. In a couple of days we are again going up into the "mountains" to photograph the small ferns here. They are the size of trees...huge things. I also want to photograph some of the noxious plants along the roads, they are beautiful and closely resemble wild iris', both lilac colored and white. There are many lovely plants and flowers here. Another noxious plant is the Banana Passion Fruit. The fruit is apparently edible, but doesn't compare to the real Passion Fruit.

We ate in a small Greek Sidewalk Restaurant for lunch today. Shane had a Greek Salad, Dale had a pizza, Carol and I had Rice Pilaf with Sauteed Chicken and Mushrooms. Shane says the salad was fresh and exceptionally good. All I could see were a couple of different lettuces, red onion, tomato, cukes, Feta and half a lemon. There was olive oil on the salad. I couldn't tell what was with/on the pizza. The Pilaf sucked, just plain rice, but the sauteed chicken and mushrooms were very tasty. It was topped with Walnut sauce which couldn't hold a candle to Jean's. I had "lemonade" to drink, which turned out to be a clear liquid with somewhat of a lemon taste. Shane said if I wanted lemonade such as we have in the states I would have to order lemon juice.

I fired up both of my coffee makers this morning, one for coffee and the other for my beloved green tea [infusion].

We have another party to attend Saturday. One of Dale and Shane's friends, a bbq. Either lamb or pork I'm given to understand.

I'm off to grocery shop, will talk with you tomorrow.

Let's Talk About Stuff

I thought if I titled my post like I title my emails we could talk about anything we wanted without going off topic :D Clever of me huh?

We went to a Cheese store in Mercer, NZ yesterday and did some tasting and buying. The cheese was cut directly from a round about 4" thick and 14" across. I bought some Gruyere, Mature Gouda and Walnut cheese [I don't know what the basic cheese was, but it had chunks of walnut in it..Jean it had the taste of your walnut sauce]. We tasted cracked pepper cheese, cumin cheese, chive and garlic, garlic and I think that's about it. Must admit though that the lady running the store was an old grump. As Dale would say, "Well, bugger the old cow!" Their way of speaking here can be quite quaint :D

I got a lovely mohair [I think it is anyway] shawl for Fredia. Cost about $83 USD. It appears to be a rather large hole knit/crochet that the wind would blow right through, but the lady said it was really quite warm.

Their sausage rolls are quite delicious here. I think most of the grease has been drained/blotted from the sausage before it is put in the roll.

It's a beautiful day with scattered white clouds and the wind blowing like crazy. A nice day to sit in the sun and burn...don't think so! It feels like it's about 60F.

We are supposed to go get my automatic drip coffee maker(s) later today or tomorrow. We're on the way...bye

Migraine Day, Carol

What a day. Typed a message and forgot to publish it so now get to redo it.

Slept half the day. Woke with a blinding headache. Ate breakfast and went back to bed. Woke up and went sight seeing and to stores for things I wanted. Found a pashens but couldn't find another I liked. That was a craft store. At home a craft store would have oil paints, beads and what not. Next to the chemists (drug store). Couldn't get my medicine without a prescription. Which I didn't have. Have to wait for my daughter (Crissy or Janis) to mail me some. Then to a cheese store. Ronnie (my husband) would love that. Large wheels of cheese of different kinds and you could taste them. Then to a furniture store. Not your regular furniture store. Hand made things. Found a vase I liked. The man said its bamboo. You cut off the roots and the stem. What is left is a pot bellied vase. Laquered and stained, I supposed. It was a lovely shade of red like cherrywood.

Finally got so ill feeling I had to ask to go home. Took a pain pill and slept for awhile and woke feeling better. Thank goodness.

Also found earrings for Marilee. Will for more later as I'm not sure these are what she wants.

I love everyone. Yes, even you Jean.

A little sightseeing

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/bjcotton/New%20Zealand/

I added some photos yesterday after our sightseeing trip. In the middle of Auckland are some extinct volcanos. Our trip included a journey to the top of one where as you turned 360 degrees you were still seeing parts of Auckland. Although it is a city of 1 million people it is quite spread out and extends over many miles/kilometers. It's kind of like the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, "water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink." As we drove through neighborhoods, there were many magnificient homes, truly huge and expensive. You were as apt to see an insignificant home cheek by jowl next to it. Shane, Carol and I drove through the country and he pointed out some newly constructed homes that were large and obviously cost lots of $. As in town, there is liable to be what could be considered a shanty on the next lot.

As Shane and I strolled around the property here, he would point out a plant and say it was a noxious weed, tell me what it was and I would say, we put those in pots and grow them as a house plant...Wandering Jew was one of them; another that we plant in our flower gardens was Oxalis [probably spelled that wrong]. I asked him what these cute birds were that are literally all over the place and he said they were Myna birds and a nuisance. Another pretty bird here I wanted a picture of was a Magpie and another nuisance. The have another lovely bird that is an irridescent dark blue, a Paka..something or other [a Swamp Hen] that is about as big as a chicken and I asked him if they were good to eat. He said, "Oh yes, you put them is a large pot, put some stones in the bottom, put the hen in, cover it with water and boil/simmer for an hour or so, throw the hen away and eat the rocks!" If you like eels, there are plenty in the stream that runs through the property. It's a really lovely country and the place here is quite soothing.

While I've been trying to complete this blog entry, first Carol came and started yammering, then Dale came in to join in. I am the type of person that cannot study if music is playing, can't think and type if someone is talking, etc. So, I said, "Why don't you two go into the office and talk while I finish this." Dale said, "Did you just tell me to bugger off?" I said that I had. They have been gone about 2 minutes and I'm done!

See you later.

Yesterday..a day of rest

I wasn't feeling tip top yesterday so we more or less sat around nattering about this and that. Just stories about our lives.

When I first got here and took a shower, I used a shampoo that was already in the area. I have used it everyday and yesterday discovered little red bumps on my face and neck that itch like crazy...look kind of like pre-zit bumps. Since my head, face and neck are the only places the shampoo gets to sit for a few moment I figured that was the culprit. It is the only thing I use that is different from my usual. So, I used MY shampoo today and we'll see what happens.

Oh yes, we had NZ pizza for supper last night. Different from ours, not as spicy, but still good.

I am going to upload my pictures to Photobucket and post a link here. I think that will be easier than posting them individually to this site. Be back when I get them uploaded.

Here is the URL: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/bjcotton/New%20Zealand/

Just a short one....

I don't know if the short one is Carol, me or Dale :D

Our supper last night consisted of bite size chunks of chicken in a seasoned white sauce with a crispy crust on top like a layer of buttered panko or something. We also had roasted veggies, parsnips, yams/kumara, pumpkin and another type of sweet potatoes/kumara; potatoes duchess, steamed asparagus and rolls. For dessert we had Pavlova...if you've never had that, I would advise you to get the recipe and make it. It's kind of like the consistency of the inside of a marshmallow on its inside with a crispy crust. Glennis and Doug [Dale and Shanes friends of 27 years] kept saying, "Eat up, there's plenty." They had fresh strawberries to serve with the Pavlova, but I'm allergic and Carol won't eat them after years of picking them. So as a consession to us Glennis pealed and sliced some kiwi fruit to go with it for us. The tart sweet/sourness of the kiwi really set off the Pavlova.

Carol casually mentioned the Crema de Balsamico we found at the local liquor story, but didn't go into it. This stuff is THICK and you have to squeeze the bottle to get a drop out. A really good balsamic vinegar has a certain sweetness to it, but nothing like this. I ate it on my french fries [crisps according to Shane] and on my ham steak which he breaded and cooked on a griddle along with roma tomatoes that had one end cut off and then placed on the griddle next to the ham steaks...it was all yummy. It's really too bad all of you weren't here to share it with us, but I'm kinda of glad you weren't or I'd of had to share!

Carol

WHAT A HOOT!

I love these people. They certainly give directions like I do. Wave your arms around and get confused. Yourself and everyone else.

Met Doug and Glynnis last. Very nice people. Had a great dinner with lots of laughter.

Doug was impressed that I can hunt and shoot. talked hunting and shooting awhile.

Chris, you would love this place and I know Shane and Dale would love you. Such nice and fun people.

I have my xmas nails done. Look very nice and red with gold feathery stripes on them.

Shane is such a good cook, I've been eating to much. Have to quit.

Oh, you should see the ferns. They're trees. Really tall. Everything is lush and green. It is so pretty. Some of the flowers blooming here Shane says they are a pain, they grow everywhere. I told him we buy them to plant in our flower gardens. He couldn't believe it.

Had a good sleep after a glass of
Dougs wine last night.

Will close and go have breky.

Love you all.

What the hell is that and where are we?

If you find a few letters or words that don't fit into the sentence, just ignore them. I'll be typing along and my cursor will disappear..it has gone somewhere else and placed part of what I typed there. Quite confusing.

It is so much fun here. Janis, a natter is a chat. I've discovered that the cars here are much the same kinds as in the States, just different models. Shand has a BMW that he said I could drive any time I wished..my reply was, "You have to be kidding!" I would do just fine on the straightaways, but they have roundabouts everywhere and at most intersections in town. I'd come to one of those and have to stop to figure out what direction I was supposed to go and who had the right-of-way. I think a good bought of hysterics at each one would be my mode of operation.

Yesterday Shane took Carol and I into town [one of them anyway, there are so many and each with an unpronounceable name] to get some stamps. We got those and wandered about some. This is the wrong time of year to find some sweats and [for me] too cold to wear shorts. Carol wanted to have her nails done so we asked this salesclerk at the cosmetics counter where she could do this..where we could find a manicurist. The clerk proceeded to tell us where to find all the products, but not the manicurist. Shane finally rather bluntly asked her for a manicurist, not the products. She proceeded to wave her hand toward the back of the store and said, "Oh there's one on the "road" back there! It's quite a ways, just keep going." After much puzzlement at her directions Shane finally got the name of the street. We went back "there" and the shop was about a block away. We made an appointment and had about 2 1/2 hours to kill, so we went driving around in the country...trying to find the address for Shane to deliver a package. Want to talk about having a hard time. In the States, one side of the street/road has the even numbered addresses and the other side has the odd....it's like that here too, except on one side it might be #600 and immediately across the street might be 231. Time to get Carol back for her appointment...we didn't know where the hell we were...exactly. Managed to get her back with 3 minutes to spare. Pick her up in 2 1/2 hours. Shane and I launched out again to find this address. We finally found addresses all around it, but couldn't find the right one. We saw this man and boy walking in a field beside the road and stopped to ask. Shane said, "Do you know someone named Toby Lange and where he lives?" The man replied, "Who wants to know?" Shane explained that we had a package for him. The man says, "Oh, I'm Toby Lange!" Next, Shane wanted to take me to Hunuea Falls and asked the man how to get there. He proceeds to wave his arms around saying you turn here and turn there and go here and go there..a bit confusing to say the least. We finally found it after a harrowing journey. Walked to a viewpoint and there was this lovely fall about 200 feet high. I gazed at it a while and commented, "Oh, a magic waterfall!" Shane, of course, looks at me like my marbles are rolling around on the floor. I told him, of course it's magic. See how the water comes over the top all brown and muddy? About half way down where it strikes the rocks it turns pure white looking...magic! He kind of rolls his eyes like, what a goofball. It is really fun to tease and talk with him. Now, it's time to go get Carol. We come out of the park to Hunuea Road and can't remember which was we came in. I said we made a right turn to get into the park so we should make a left to get out. That sounded reasonable so off we went. A few kilometers down the road I told him I think we made a mistake...it's hard to find where you are on the maps...we turned around and sped off again. Finally found out we'd come in a different way on a different road. Well, who'd a thunk? Finally find where we are and arrive to pick up Carol. She'd been standing outside and half an hour. The manicurist had thought she wanted a pedicure also...how he came by that I'll never know because it wasn't mentioned. Then we were off for home because we were going to a friends for supper. More later, I need coffee and my feet are cold!

It's my birthday and .....

I don't give a damn :D We are talking about things to do while we're here. I'm not much of a zoo, water park, museum type thing goer, but Carol wants to go to them so I will tag along. I'd much rather wander along the streets, in and out of stores, look at the people, visit with the clerks, paw through and check out all the goods, etc. While Shane and I were out yesterday we passed an Espresso place that had some pastries and things that made your teeth hurt just looking at them. Maybe I could get a lower set of dentures to match the uppers and then they wouldn't mind so much.

One thing I've noticed is that things like the window screens Carol mentioned are just not used here and even with the cool weather all the windows remain open. Things that we take for granted like a Mr. Coffee pot are unknown here. I use a French Press every morning to make coffee and we all know it makes excellent coffee. I just mentioned to Shane we needed to get more coffee and apparently it doesn't come ground in cans like I'm used to. He said a kilo of good coffee costs about $30NZ [~$20USD], so we're going to get some.

The cream here is pasturized, not the Ultra stuff and quite thick. As you use it [for coffee of course] it clots around the rim of the bottle. We buy our milk by the gallon at home and I don't remember seeing gallon jugs of it in the store, but 1 liter jugs. Heck, with cereal I'd use a liter in two mornings. You ought to see the kumara [yams/sweet potatoes] in the store, 3 or 4 different kinds/colors and bins of them. There was one item that looked kind of like an acorn squash and I asked Shane what it was...he gave one of my smart ass answers back to me..."it's a green one." I love these people and it is so much fun to talk and be with them.

Well, I am off to have a natter with Dale, see you later.

news

hey, this is Carol!

I love these people. They are super nice. This house is huge. #2 bedrooms I think. My room is 31 and Bill's must be 32. I asked about bugs and Shane told me they have BIG beetles with pinchers and they sting too.. They come in the windows at night. I guess you know that I shut my window. I love to leave my window open at night too. They have no screens on the windows. The windows open from the bottom out.

Dale and Shane have 3 dogs. Two are mastiffg mixes and are sweetiers. They are known far and wide as being bad watch dogs so bad people stay away. The other is a black ankle biter.

They have 3' nd 4' eels in the creeks here. Guess who isn't getting close to the creek. Shane said the maoris smoke them and are very good. Not close to my mouth. Although I must keep an open mind and try new things.

When they picked us up at the airport and we got to the car I started to laugh. Hadn't thought about it but the steering wheel is on the passenger side. Also drive on the left. Kind of scary at first.

Totally wiped out after the flight. We watched a mother with 3 kids at the L.A. airport. Kids were wild. We said hope they aren't on our plane. Our seats were row 74. Next to the last row. Guess who was behind us? Four year old boy and twin 2 year old girls. All 3 were autistic. I got about 1 hour sleep. Towards morning they woke up and used the back of our seats for a trampoline. Never so glad to see the back side of anyone.

At the moment it is pouring rain. Earlier the wind was blowing hard.

We are having bolognese meat sauce and spaghetti pasta with a green salad and herb and garlic focaccia(bread) for tea (dinner). Last night we had fillet, avocado with lemon and pepper, green salad and focaccia bread with Crema de Balsamico vinegar. Yummy!

Then it was off to bed. Beat to a pulp.

The Things We Do

We haven't really done anything unusual, but I certainly have enjoyed myself. Shane and I just got back from a trip into Auckland to visit the American Express Company. Shane was frustrated to accomplish nothing, but I enjoyed myself gawking at the buildings, people, cars, etc. It is overcast and blustery, but the air is so fresh compared to the US. Normally, the first thing I do in the morning is use my anti-allergy nasal spray so I can see and my nose doesn't run and I don't sneeze all day. I didn't bother to use it this morning...no need. They do indeed live rurally, but it is such lovely country the getting to a place is half the enjoyment.

An interesting tidbit. Yesterday we went to a grocery store and Shane said that tomorrow we would go to Woolworth's today. I asked him what in the world would we get at Woolworth's? To me, Woolworth's was a place that you went for costume jewlry, off brand clothing and cheap stuff. Not here, it is an upscale grocery.

Another thing, I want one of their "loos!" They have a pushbutton flushers instead of the handles we have. There are two buttons, one is a half-flush and another is for a full-flush...which one you use depends on why you need to flush it. I want one!

We are supposed to go out to a party tonight. I will take my dictaphone with me to record my impressions.

Anyway, I'm off to yak at Dale, see you tomorrow or later today.

My first meal in NZ

I know all of you are anticipating hearing about the first tasty and surprising meal Carol and I enjoyed on our arrival. Believe it or not, Shane and I [Dale's husband] first had to go shopping. We then came home and prepared one of the most delicious meals I've had in a week or two anyway...a ham sandwich! It was absolutely magnificent after that 12 hour flight in a cattle car and the noxious airline food.

I am about brain dead, so will continue tomorrow.

Ain't Things Funny?

I have been trying to pack my suitcases today. The medium size case is packed, it's full of gifts. The small case, my carryon, was giving me trouble. It's supposed to be a maximum of 15 pounds, well the only thing in it is my laptop [7 lbs] and my meds [?] and my camera [1 lb]. The total bag weighs 19 lbs. I know damned well my meds and the bag doesn't weigh 11 pounds. Finally said to hell with it, let it weigh 19 pounds.

Ok, now we're on to the big suitcase, which are my clothes, shoes, etc. I've been working on this ALL day with the help of my BIL and sister. I finally got frustrated and quit. They left for a company dinner at 5:15 PM and by 5:45 PM I had that sucker packed. That was the comment in CAH I made about maybe not going because I'd be in jail for murder. I'm sure there will be some odds and ends I'll need to stick in, but the big part is now done. Thank the powers that be!

All I really need to do [that I'm aware of at the moment] is some laundry tomorrow and then Monday go to the bank for Traveler's Checks and cash. Then about noon time, I'm out of here for Portland.

A Sad Day

My friend John [the guy with kidney disease] called me this afternoon and asked if I could come over. He was his usual courteous, cheerful self and we chatted for an hour or so. He finally told me that the reason he'd asked me over was that he'd seen his doctor today and wanted to share his news with me. His doctor had told him that there was no use in limiting his diet or not having anything he wanted to have because it wasn't going to affect the condition of his kidneys. It would not slow down his disease. The only thing that would help was a kidney transplant and the chances of that happening were approximately 1 in 86,000, unless he had someone of the same blood type direct one of their kidneys to him. None of his friends that had volunteered kidneys were even close to being a match. We talked about the depression that was beginning to manifest itself and how he was beginning to withdraw from everyone. He said that the only real pleasure he had now was grocery shopping...."I don't cook much of anything, but I really enjoy browsing through the grocery stores." He and I frequently shop together and I know how much he likes asking me about different things, how they're cooked or spiced and telling me about how he cooks things. He was telling me about how after the last time we shopped and I'd bought the pork tenderloins and I'd cooked them and told him how tender and delicious they were, that he was going to try it. He went and bought 3 packages and in the first two packages the tenderloins had been cut and packaged in 4 equal portions. He had pounded them out, put some mozzarella cheese and seasoning in them, then made roulades. He had to use a bunch of toothpicks to keep them rolled while he breaded and cooked them. They apparently turned out very tasty. His wife took 2 of them to work with her the next day and her co-workers wondered why she was eating "porcupine dicks?" She had left all the toothpicks in the roulade. John thought that was about the best description he'd ever heard.

I am going to try to be like John in thinking of this. He has decided to go on with his life, taking the best care of himself he can and get what pleasure and joy in it he can. He will try not to anticipate the end coming, but when it arrives, so be it.

That's about all I can say right now, I'm not hanging in there too well.

See you tomorrow.

Isn't It Strange?

I was sitting watching TV tonight and a couple of commercials came one, one was about the battery operated toothbrush and the other about "Whitestrips" for your teeth. As I watched these two ladies smiling with both their upper teeth and lower teeth fully exposed. A beautiful toothy smile. I began to run the people I know and have known through my mind and not a one of them smiled like that. Where in the world do they find people with all those teeth? No matter how I try to smile like that, it doesn't work. Hell, I have to take my denture out to see all my teeth! :D

I know, I know! My mind is strange. I bet you have strange things run through your mind too! Maybe it's because I'm tired...then again, maybe I'm just strange.

Do you ever have people/family put things over on you? I was sitting there reading and my sister Fredia says, "I think I'll have canned beef stew for dinner tonight." Now you have to picture this, she's sitting there all wrapped up in a comforter, layed back in her lounge chair and a ski cap on her head. Does she look like she's going to get up and heat a can of stew? Why not say straight out what she was hinting at, "Will you fix me a can of beef stew?" My younger sister always says, "You wouldn't do me a favor would you?" Some day I'll surprise her and say, "Of course not!"

Have a lovely rest of the day, I'm going to go read a while.

Things Is Lookin' Up

Fredia came home today. The doctor told her, "I can't find anything, so go home!" Typical Roseburg doctors.

Other than that, not much happening except I'm getting antsy. If I pack somethings now and then pack more as I go along I am bound to forget something. If I wait until the day we're leaving Roseburg, I'll remember everything (well, usually anyway). I've got all my bills for December paid except two and will take care of them tomorrow, then nothing to worry about until January.

Do y'all do things like I do? Make lists for everything, i.e., put these and those in this bag; this stuff in that bag; this in my carryon [a list of lists and a list for each thing]. Then you walk out leaving all the lists that you made so you wouldn't forget anything? That's me!

Here We Go Again

Yesterday I woke up as usual, got up and brewed my coffee, sat down to talk with my sis, Fredia, and it was obvious she wasn't feeling well. She was having pain right below her sternum and said that if she ate a little something the pain went away for a while. I suggested Tums and she said she had been eating them like candy. She wanted me to go to the store and get her some half-and-half to "coat" her stomache. I suggested it might be a better idea if she went into urgent care...I should have known how bad it was when she didn't argue with me. Urgent care sent her immediately to the hospital emergency room. She was there 7 hours while they rambled around with their thumbs up their butts. They couldn't decide if it was an ulcer or her pancreas. They finally put her in a room, plugged her into an IV, filled her full of morphine and began giving her nutrients via the IV. Her doctor, of course, was out of town this weekend, so his standin [I'm not impressed] came in to talk with her today and asked if she needed anything. My neice [an RN charge nurse] had looked over her charts and satisfied us this wasn't life threatening, asked this dufuss if they had decided what the problem was. He said tests showed her pancreas was inflamed so they were feeding her via the IV. Dione, my neice, began asking him questions and his answers were things like, "I'm not sure." Dione finally asked him [she tends to take after her Uncle Bill] if he had any inkling what the hell he was talking about. He admitted he hadn't looked at her chart yet and hurridly left the room. Fredia is resting comfortably in a morphine haze and will be there until at least Monday or Tuesday when her regular doctor will return. He, Dr. Weingarten, used to be my old Dr. He doesn't like to see me coming because I cut him no slack. I have asked him in the past why he doesn't recuse himself and get someone to take care of his patience that knows what the hell he's doing.

Well, that all of my whining today. Now I'll go listen to the 800 pound gorilla whine a while.

Patience

I have little and what I used to have is wearing mighty thin! Thank God my BIL is only home 2-3 days a week or I'd be in jail for murder. If he asks me "When are you leaving for NZ?" one more time I'm going to write it on a PostIt note and staple it to his forehead. I've already threatened to have his nipple pierced, a long chain attached, and the other end fastened to his glasses; put a shock collar on him and when he asked me the same question for the 3rd time, hit the button. Here's a few of his questions: 1] What kind of airplane are you flying out of Portland on? 2] How long does it take to get to LA? 3] How fast does it fly? 4] How many people does it carry? 5] What's the seating like inside? 6] How far does it take to get off the ground? 7] What size crew does it have? .......I have just started making up answers: 1] Airbus 300..real answer..I haven't the foggiest. 2] 2 hours 36 minutes 3] 452 mph 4] 176 plus 4 children under the age of six 5] Naughahide, alternating rows of 3 and 4 seats on both sides 6] 4, 291 feet 7] 10 plus 2 relief pilots

NZ, here I come

Ok, here I am on my new blog. So far, I have selected all the presents and packed them in #2 suitcase. The tickets are set, passports acquired and now I'm just trying to make lists so I don't miss anything. I also have to make sure my sis, Carol, has things under control. She is still waffling about how to get to Portland for our departure. That's about it for today. It's approaching my bed time so I'll sign off

Really don't know what to say since I've never had one of these or been much of a reconteur.