View from the hills
06/29/2021 The husband and I shopped at Costco. I did some gardening, deadheading the flowers. The husband took me for a brief walk around the 'hood (steps = 4.8K). The husband & I watched the "Secrets of Skinwalker Ranch" 👻👻👻! It's fun! I washed a load of soiled kitty towels. The Rachio went offline again!
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| Ducks in the 'hood |
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| Dinner |
Flowers in our garden
06/28/2021 I hiked with our hiking group at Montalvo. It was a beautiful day & a wonderful hike (steps = 14k). The one unfortunate incident is that I fell tripping over an exposed rock. Fortunately, all is well 👍👍👍! I had a nap 😴 💤.
I picked up a used compost bin from a neighbor & placed it in the back.
The husband & I decided to purée the kitty’s food & she seems to be eating it👍👍👍! The Rachio went offline again & had to be reset. I danced with the club & it was great fun! I FT’d with my sister too.
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| Pano at the Outlook Montalvo Villa |
"Birdhouses" art installation wraps all around the tree
More art installations
06/27/2021 I planted the raspberries & dug out the blackberries for my friend. I had a lovely shower 🚿 🧼 & studied all the square dance plus calls. I also had to reset the Rachio because it went offline & also put away some items. I attended the Quads dance, & it was great fun! The caller had us in all kinds of interesting formations!
06/26/2021 I watered all the inside plants. The husband took me for a lovely walk in the hills (steps = 7.6K) & I said all my prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻.
We continue to worry about Annie LuLu & now she is even in my dreams ☁️. It is very difficult to shepherd our beloved cat through this illness.
Fruit stands in the hills
Flowers in our gardens
Pear tree, each pear hidden in a paper bag
First harvested tomato!
06/25/2021 The husband & I had a walk around the 'hood (steps = 7.1K). I visited my long time friend and she dug out some raspberry plants for my garden. The husband & I shopped at Wal-Mart & TJ's. I worked in the garden a bit.
We are both very sad because Annie LuLu is not doing very well. She licks the juice of the canned food that we got her, but we are thankful she is getting some nourishment.
In our garden
06/24/2021 I had lunch with my long time friend today at Hobees. It was wonderful. Then we toured my garden. The husband & I had a Zoom meeting with our sister / sister-in-law. I worked out in the garden "bagging" the pears on the pear tree and removing the dead branches that have succumbed to verticillium wilt. I thinned the excess fruit on the apple trees. I FT'd with my sister.
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| Hydrangeas |
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| Dinner |
06/23/2021 I "cache-danced" with my partner (steps = 9.5K) at Quarry Park in Saratoga. It was lovely. Two of the caches we found were very difficult, so I didn't return home until after 3:15 pm, quite exhausted. I sent out and attended the club meeting.
Geocache # 1 easy find
Geocache # 3, easy find
Geocache # 4, very difficult find because the coordinates were wrong!
06/22/2021 I worked in the garden a bit pruning offshoots from the fig and redwood trees and digging out weeds and cherry tree spouts. I then lost my glasses and it took me a number of rounds in the garden to find them. They were "snatched" by the blackberries 🤣! We cleaned up the kitty and a few kitty accidents. I washed kitty towels. The husband & I watched "Skinwalker Ranch". It's pretty entertaining 👻👻👻 .
From our garden
06/21/2021 The husband & I finished removing the netting from the cherry tree and I packed it all away. Then I scrubbed stains off the pavers, the bluestones and the algae on the water features. We shopped at Costco, I had a brief nap, studied my square dancing calls, then went to our outdoor square dancing event. It was great! I FT'd with my sister & updated the FF web site.
From our garden
Corvette in Costco parking lot covered in an interesting "skin" Lots of people taking pictures
06/20/2021 I created a Father's Day collage for my dad. I miss him! I sent out the meeting notice for our club meeting & shopped Wal-Mart to get more food for Annie LuLu. The husband & I went to "In and Out Burger" for the first time in over 1 1/2 years. We got our usual two orders of fries 😋😋🍟, a double double, and a milkshake. The husband and I removed the netting from the cherry 🍒 tree & I washed two loads of clothes.
06/19/2021 I work up at 6:00 am because I'm very concerned about Annie LuLu. The husband was also up. I researched what to do about senior kitties who won't eat and found some ideas. I went to Wal-Mart and found one of the recommended foods there. She ate it 🎊🎉! I had a nice shower 🚿🧼 and attended the Bows & Beaus meeting. I then went to my wonderful hairdresser 💇🏻♀️ and got ready for the SCVSDA "Welcome Back" dance. It was a great dance with over 7 squares! The entire hall was crowded and I saw some friends that I hadn't seen in over 1 1/2 years! When I came home, the husband & I watched a TV program.
Phaeleonopsis in bloom
06/18/2021 It was very hot again today 🥵🥵🥵 & I watered all the indoor plants. I sent off the business forms I took myself for a hike in the hills and said my prayers, including for Annie LuLu. We are so worried about her. The husband expressed concern that I'm not paying enough attention to her. I reminded him of all the things I had done!
View from the hills
06/17/2021 It was VERY hot today, over 90 degrees 🥵🥵🥵🌡️🌡️. We mostly stayed inside and for most of the day it remained cool inside.
I filled out some forms for our businesses and will send in tomorrow.
06/15/2021 I was very tired today. I slept in then napped. I FT'd my sister and the husband & I watched "The Secrets of Skinwalker Ranch" 👻👻👻! It's fun!
06/13/2021 I cleaned the algae off the fountains and dug up blackberries for my friend. Some wonderful friends visited for a yard tour. We had a very relaxing, enjoyable time in our backyard. The wife had just returned from a trip to Minnesota so we got to see lots of wonderful pictures. I had a shower 🚿🧼, studied the plus calls, and went off to dance with Quads. Although the club is at a higher level than I'm at, the folks there are very helpful. It's a bit scary because these are VERY advanced dancers and there were 3 squares!
06/08/2021 The husband and I met our friend for lunch at Cafe Nur in Los Altos. Our friend had a bout of bad health so it was great to see him so much improved.
06/06/2021 I removed the trailer listing since we received over 50 responses and have not yet located the pink slip!
06/03/2021 We got up early to take in the husband's car for his annual servicing. There were kitty issues again today and I cleaned and steamed the carpet again. This is three days in a row, very worrisome 😟😟😟. I washed several loads of clothes. After I dropped the husband off to retrieve his car, I shopped at Ace Hardware & Summerwinds Nursery. I bought some dianthus for my front pots to complete the red, white, and blue theme. I updated the FF web site (several times) and FT'd with my sister.
Dinner
06/16/2021 I went to Stanford for my every 3 months blood draw. Some of the numbers have already been posted and all looks well. Afterwards, I went to bed to recover 🤣🤣🤣! I sent out the notice for the club's meeting & attended. I way overate today.
Spotted Towhee bathing in our fountain again. Notice the beautiful coloring and red eyes!
Gardenia blossom
The birds (near our fountain) and the bees (om the blackberry flowers)
Epiphyllum, 1st time this plant bloomed!
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| Scented geranium in bloom |
Lots of hydrangeas in bloom
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| Today's harvest 😋🍒 |
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| Husband prepared meal |
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| Salad |
06/14/2021 We had a wonderful hike at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga. It was the perfect day. I came home, rested, then danced with the club in the evening. I FT'd my sister.
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| Panoramic view from the top ....Could see from Moffett field to downtown San Jose & across the bay |
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| "Nurse" Bay tree ...original (decayed) tree in middle, new trees around it |
06/12/2021 The husband took me for a brief walk around the 'hood. Then I made reservations for our family vacation 2022 in Kauai 🌴🐬🐋🌊🐚🌺. We are all very excited. I had a nap and when I woke up, I had a nosebleed, which scared me. I haven't had one since I was a child. I spent the rest of the day resting.
Flowers around the 'hood
06/11/2021 I geocached with two friends at Shoreline Park. We found 3 out of 5 geocaches. We’re pretty sure that 2 were muggled (stolen or removed). (Steps = 9.3K). I shopped at TJ’s today: no line! Things are returning to normal. The husband “weed wacked” our no-mow grass & it’s looking better! I FT’d with my sister.
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| Lots of geese with their juveniles |
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| Blue heron looking for breakfast |
Geocache # 1
Geocache # 2
Geocache # 3 (part of an astronomy puzzle)
Today's bounty of cherries from our garden 😋!
06/10/2021 I got up early today and washed 2 loads of clothes. Then I returned to bed for a nap 💤😴. We had a Zoom conference with our sister/sister-in-law. I got the white dianthus planted today and did a bit of trimming around the yard.
Hydrangeas in our garden
Dinner 😋!
06/09/2021 I watered all the indoor plants. The husband & I shopped at Costco today. I sent out the club meeting notice & attended. The husband & I watched Skinwalker Ranch tonight, very spooky 👻 👻👻, portals to another dimension suspected, etc!
Dinner 😋
The husband and I had a short walk around the 'hood (steps = 4.5K steps). I FT'd with my sister & napped.
Vegetable and regular moussaka 😋😋😋
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| Hydrangea in our garden |
06/07/2021 I hiked with my group at Shoreline Park. There were many hundreds of birds (pelicans, seagulls, geese) assembled on islands out in the water. (steps = 15.4K). I had a nap and a lovely shower 🚿🧼.
I reviewed our square dancing lessons & attended! It was wonderful!
I gave the angel to one of my friends.
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| Assembly of many birds |
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| Symetrical plant |
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| Angel |
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| Dinner |
I hiked in the hills & said my prayers 🙏 (steps = 7.7K).
I made an angel for a friend. I hadn't made this angel in a long time so it took me a while to figure it out!
Wildlife, views from the hills and Memorial Day decor
06/05/2021 I attended the SCVSDA meeting from 11 am to 2 pm. I also posted a trailer for sale on Craig's List on behalf of the association.
06/04/2021 My friend and I "cache-danced" today at Shoreline Park in Mountain view. We found 4 caches (steps = 17.6K, 7 miles). We also saw a seagull with damaged wings. I reported it to one of the rangers and he was going to try to capture it & send to to animal rescue.
I updated the FF web site, napped, then had a short walk around the 'hood with the husband.
Rhododendron at the Rengstorff house
Jackrabbits
Pelicans
Geocache # 1, under a bridge
Geocache # 2 under a sign
Geocache # 3
Geocache # 4, big and lots of fun things inside!
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| Cat on a 'cat! |
06/03/2021 We got up early to take in the husband's car for his annual servicing. There were kitty issues again today and I cleaned and steamed the carpet again. This is three days in a row, very worrisome 😟😟😟. I washed several loads of clothes. After I dropped the husband off to retrieve his car, I shopped at Ace Hardware & Summerwinds Nursery. I bought some dianthus for my front pots to complete the red, white, and blue theme. I updated the FF web site (several times) and FT'd with my sister.
Spotted Towhee bathing in our fountain. Notice the beautiful coloring and red eyes!
06/02/2021 The kitty had some issues again today and I cleaned and steamed. I sent out the notice or the club meeting today and I attended. I FT'd with my sister and tried to help her with an issues she was having.
06/01/2021 I was very tired today. I did a tiny bit of yard work, & napped. I also cleaned & steamed after some kitty issues. I FT'd with my sister. I updated the FF web site.
05/31/2021. On this Memorial Day, I am remembering all those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸!
I danced with select members of our square dance club met today for the first time since March 2020! I reviewed all the lessons and was not feeling confident and I did fine! It was wonderful to see everyone!
05/30/2021. I had my hair done today by my wonderful hairdresser, studied square dancing, and washed all our rags. I sent out the notice for our club meeting. The husband made this delicious vegetable stir fry with tofu 😋😋😋!
05/29/2021. I washed two bedspreads (cat problem) & steamed the carpet. The husband & I reconciled 3 statements, shopped at TJ's & had a lovely hike up in the hills (steps = 9.6K). I'm starting to review the square dance steps ..... yikes!!!!!The sister & I FT'd. The husband made a delicious tofu and chili meal 😋😋😋; it's my favorite of all the meals he makes!
View from the hills
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| Epiphyllum Orchid Cactus |
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| Chili & tofu |
05/28/2021. I hiked at Rancho with my round dance partner today (steps = 12.3K). We had a very difficult time finding parking ... all of the parking lots were completely filled with lots of people circling around looking for a space. We finally parked in a local residential neighborhood. It was a great day.
I napped, pulled a few weeds, & FT'd with my sister. We are still considering a trip to Hawaii.
Juan Bautista de Anza lookout marker. He was here 1775-1776
Geocache # 1 hidden under marker (magnet)
Geocache # 2 low hanging, a Johnny Appleseed cache
Horses!
05/27/2021. It was nice to wake up in my own bed today. We had a Zoom meeting with our sister / sister-in-law. We ate the rest of the Fat Frank's meal that I brought home 😋😋😋! I updated the FF web site.
05/26/2021. I hiked with my brother-in-law, then veered off and climbed the hill again (steps = 12.6K).
Views of Folsom Lake
I updated the FF web site. I had a nap, packed, and drove home. I stopped for a fill-up at Costco gas on the way. It's great to be home! The husband helped me to unpack and then we had a nice tour of the yard. The plants have really grown in the week that I was gone. We watched Skinwalker Ranch together too.
05/25/2021. I hiked with my brother-in-law today, then veered off and climbed the hill (steps = 10.8K). I had a nap, got my car washed again at Quick Quack, and shopped at Costco. I scored some great hiking clothes. I talked to the husband a few times today. Unfortunately, Annie LuLu's diarrhea has not yet abated 😢.
My nephew visited and we had very interesting discussions.
05/24/2021. I hiked with my brother-in-law, then veered off on my first solo hill climb. I said my prayers 🙏 & had a great hike (steps = 11.6K). We had a lovely dinner with friends of my sister and brother-in-law at Sienna Restaurant in El Dorado Hills. The food was awesome.
05/23/2021. I got up early for a long, uphill hike with my niece (steps = 10K). Then my sister hosted a lovely family dinner for my niece and her family (Taz is part of her family). We FT'd with my husband too. In the evening, we watch a few recordings.
Views above Folsom Lake
Tazzy playing catch, then throwing his balls in the pond so he could jump in after them 🤣 !
05/22/2021. We had a cousins family reunion at Fat Franks Asian Bistro in Roseville. We visited with each other for 5 hours! We had a fabulous time. Afterwards, we rested.
05/21/2021. Both my brother-in-law and my sister took me for walks around their 'hood (steps = 8K). I finished filing in the family history notebook, and updated the FF web site, & napped. My sister and I planted her hydrangea in the new pot.
We then made plans to visit our cousins who are in assisted living. We stopped at the Nugget to buy them a phaeleonopsis and a big bag of Lindor's assorted chocolate candy 🍫. We really enjoyed our visit. Their care facility is quite lovely!
I had a lovely shower 🚿🧼.
05/20/2021. We had a busy day! I hiked with my brother-in-law (steps = 9.6K). Then we rested. We shopped at White House / Black Market & we both bought clothes! Mine is being shipped to me. I had a delicious yogurt with chocolate chip toppings at Pinkberry Yogurt 🍦 😋😋😋! This is the first yogurt I’ve had since the pandemic 😷! Next we shopped at Green Acres Nursery & Supply in Folsom. They are HUGE & we walked every aisle. I bought my sister a lovely pot & matching saucer & some potting soil. We will plant her hydrangea tomorrow. We went through the very fun 🤩 Quick Quack Car Wash! At my request, the attendant drew a duck with bubbles on my window for me!!! I gassed ⛽️ up Costco. Then we conferenced with our cousin on the conversion of our ranch to a water 💦 collection basin & large pond. The pond will attract any birds 🦢! It is on the Pacific Flyaway. Unfortunately,my laptop lost power & took my outlook file with it. I’m now rebuilding the entire thing 😩😩😩!
Drawing the Quick Quack logo on our window!
05/19/2021. I got up early this morning, had a nice shower 🚿🧼, & cleaned my desk. Unfortunately, I found an overdue registration for my car 🚗 & the late ⏰ fee was $50 😬💸! I packed, sent out the club meeting notice & left at 12:30 🕧. I did not run into much traffic 👍👍👍 & arrived at 3:15. We visited my niece, great niece, great nephew, and Tazzy the dog 🐕! He remembered me! I toured their house & yard. My sister & I took the great niece to her swimming lesson. Afterwards, I napped. Then, the niece & Tazzy came over & took me for a walk (steps = 7.8 K). My sister & I watched a TV program in the evening.
Flowers in my sister's yard
05/18/2021. I spent a lot of time securing the netting over the cherry 🍒 tree. In the process, I accidental hammered my thumb 😬! I repotted a Christmas cactus that looked very sad, and planted my new pepper plant.
Flower in our garden
The bunnies are back in our yard (at least this little guy)
05/17/2021. I hiked at Rancho with our SD&R hiking group (steps = 11.8K). Then the husband and I installed netting around the cherry tree. I ran out and procured some more at Ace Hardware. I had a meeting with the Grasslands director regarding our land. We are hopeful that we can get the finances worked out.
I washed clothes & sent out the club meeting notice.
Marker at the top of the trail
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| Annie is feeling better today! |
05/16/2021. I watered all my indoor and outdoor plants today. The kitty was lethargic in the morning, and seems to have perked up this afternoon 🎉🎊! I planted all the new plants I purchased yesterday. I weeded also.
The pineapple guavas are in bloom! The blooms are beautiful!
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| Rose from bush from which I made my wedding bouquet |
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| Passion flower |
Yellow bird at one of our fountains
05/15/2021. We had a Zoom meeting with our sister / sister-in-law. The husband & I ran a lot of errands: taking items to recycle, then shopping at the new Ace Hardware store in Mountain View, dropping off medicine at CVS. At Ace, I scored some red dianthus flowers, herbs, and two red bell pepper plants. I took myself for a lovely hike in the hills (steps = 10K). The kitty is VERY lethargic today, and we are so worried about her.
First passion flower of the year!
05/14/2021. I hiked at Rancho with my round dance partner (steps = 6.3K). We found only one geo-cache & it was quite tricky. It was embedded in a hole in a log! My partner reported that his wife found ticks on him after the hike!
We took our kitty in to the vet today. The vet ran a lot of tests, but really couldn't find anything wrong. She sent us home with an appetite stimulant.
I napped, and FT'd my sister. She is babysitting her two grandchildren & the granddoggy!
05/13/2021. I did additional pruning and weeding around the blackberry vines. I finished removed the rust stains from the new slate. Almost all of the rust stains are gone!
05/12/2021. I picked up our Wal-Mart order, then napped 😴💤. I finished the pruning and clean-up around the blackberry vines. It looks a lot better. I also topped off our two water features. I sent out the meeting notice for our club and attended the meeting.
I'm filing all the "newspapers.com" articles into my family history book.
The pineapple guavas are in bloom
05/11/2021. I FT'd with my sister, organized an electrician for Pelton, pruned out the dead blackberry vines, repotted a plant, and watered my indoor plants. I finalized our Wal-mart order.
Yummy salad!
05/10/2021. Happy 24th Wedding 👰🏻♀️🤵🏻♂️ Anniversary to us!
I hiked with the SD&R group this morning at Quarry Park in Saratoga (steps = 12.K, 4.3 miles). This was absolutely stunning yet challenging. We found a trail that took us through the woods so we got plenty of vitamin N (nature). Unfortunately, I'm in the worse shape of all of us. I had a rough time going up some of those hills! Afterwards, the husband & I celebrated our anniversary by shopping at Costco and getting our free donut 🍩 and coffee ☕ at Krispy Kreme.
My sister and brother-in-law called to wish us Happy Anniversary.
I napped, then we watched our wedding videos.
I finished my research on newspapers.com because my free trial ended today.
Roses from the same bush from which I made our wedding bouquet 24 years ago today!
05/09/2021. The husband took me for a walk around the 'hood (steps = 4.2K). Afterwards we took a drive through the hills to find a path that leads to Rancho San Antonio.
I did major work on the ancestry newspaper clippings because my subscription expires tomorrow.
I FT'd my sister & sent out lots of "Happy Mother's Day" texts.
Flowers in the 'hood
Hidden private Quarry lake in the hills
05/08/2021. I was quite tired today. The husband took me for a walk around the 'hood (steps = 5.4K). I washed a load of clothes, worked on removing the rust stains from the new slate, and did a bit of gardening & major updates to the FF website.
I created a Mother's Day card for Mom.
05/07/2021. I hiked with my partner at Picchetti Winery (steps = 12.3K, 4.4 miles). Our goal was to find the last geo-cache that we had not yet found & we did so easily. At the end of the hike, we practiced "hovers" in round dancing.
I came home & napped. After dinner, the husband drove us to downtown to see the bands and the FF crowd. There were a lot of folks enjoying dinner in the new "street" patios created right outside the restaurants. I washed clothes 🧼👚👖.
A "Johnny Appleseed" cache, easily found
Wildflowers
Scenes from our hike: Stevens Creek reservoir
Steep trails & ravines!
Kangaroo Paws from our yard, so interesting!
The husband cooked vegetables & tofu 😋😋😋
05/06/2021. I went to Sally Beauty to pick up the item I ordered. I continued to do research from the web site to which I subscribed. We had a Zoom meeting with the sister/sister-in-law. I sent the results of my research to family members & they appreciated it. One article is the obituary for my Aunt who died at 26 years old, leaving behind my cousin, her 9 month old son 😢. My mother never allowed us to send her pink flowers because all the flowers at her sister's funeral were pink.
I FT'd with my sister to let her know of the results of my research & sent her & her children the articles. I updated the FF website.
05/05/2021. The husband took me for a lovely walk around the 'hood (steps = 8.7K). I veered off to say my prayers 🙏. I shopped at Safeway for some needed food items. I also ordered a hair item from Sally Beauty.
I sent out the meeting notice and attended. I also subscribed to a great site where I've done lots of research. I found some interesting information on my maternal grandfather.
Flowers in the 'hood
Mock orange in our yard, so fragrant!
Delicious 😋😋😋 chili and tofu prepared by the husband
05/04/2021. It was very hot 🥵 today. I dug up some blackberry plants for my friend. She visited to tour our new landscape and brought me some lovely scented geranium starts. We had a lovely visit; she is very smart and a master gardener with over 300 pots growing in her own garden! And, she hand waters all of these 300 pots!
I watered all my indoor plants, unfortunately spilling water everywhere 😳 .
I updated the FF website.
05/03/2021. I hiked with our SD&R folks out in Alviso (steps = 10K). This is the first time we hiked together since February of 2020! It was wonderful to see everyone and to get out again!
The husband and I cleaned and shaved the kitty then went to Krispy Kreme for our Monday free coffees ☕ and donuts 🍩. We had a meeting with our financial advisor and I FT'd with my sister. Finally, I had a nap 😴💤!
The gang is back together 🥳🎉🎊!
Egrets looking for breakfast
Shoreline amphitheatre visible in the distance
Rose in our garden. The roses from this bush formed my wedding bouquet!
05/02/2021. I saw my wonderful hairdresser 💇🏻♀️, then came home to go through the process of waiting for the color, showering, applying conditioner and letting it remain in my hair for 45 minutes. My hair looks nice!
I sorted through some items that the husband pulled out of the garage. I worked on the rust stains on the grout. They are definitely coming out.
I sent out the meeting notice for our club meeting. I updated the FF web site & it took a LONG time for me to figure out how to change the logo to a text logo. I finally decided to create a ".jpg" out of the text for the logo & it worked! Meanwhile, I didn't get much sleep.
05/01/2021. I pulled weeds from our no mow grass then wondered 💭 if they were really weeds! I worked on the rust stains in the grout of the new slate. I watered the phalaenopsis orchids & washed a load of clothes 👚👖🧦. I installed the update to my expired financial program.
04/30/2021. I hiked & geocached with my partner at Pichetti Winery (steps = 6.3k). We only found 1 geocache. We were positive that we were in the right place for the 2nd one, and just couldn’t find it 🤔. We heard turkeys 🦃, saw beautiful wildflowers a peacock 🦚 on the way out (I cawed at him 😂). Everyone ignored me crazy (Californians 🤣🤣🤣)! I napped then pulled a few weeds in our no mow grass. I FT’d with my sister & updated the FF web site.
Here's the peacock I talked to! He's quite a beauty!
Geocache # 1, the only one we found
View from the cache site (the one we didn't find)
I got my picture taken by lots of wildlife cameras!
Lots of wildflowers
04/29/2021. The acetone poultice on the granite did not work. (Update 5/3/2021: it did work, just took a few days for the stain to lighten). For the time being, I'm leaving it alone. The husband took me for a nice walk (steps = 8.3K). I walked longer to say my prayers 🙏🙏🙏. We had a Zoom meeting with our sister / sister-in-law. The husband took me to the bank, then I met with the gardeners and had a nap. I FT'd with my sister, first time in days! I updated the FF web site: very frustrating. It was challenging to figure out how to add our Silver Sponsor.
Flowers in the 'hood
04/28/2021. I sent out the meeting notice for our club & attended. The husband & I visited Costco to pick up Annie’s meds & shop. I didn’t feel well for most if the day & had a bad night last night from a hurt stomach 🤢. I set up an automatic watering 💦 schedule for all 16 of my zones. I also did an acetone poultice on the granite in an attempt to remove those stains.
Rhodedendrum in our garden
04/27/2021. I washed the dish drainer & worked on the stains on the kitchen granite. I used the electric drill with scrubbing 🧽 pads attached. The cleaner did a great job, however afterwards there were dark stains elsewhere on the granite.
Hummingbirds visit frequently!
04/26/2021. The husband & I ventured over to Krispy Kreme for our free donuts 🍩 and coffee ☕! I look forward to this every Monday. My brother-in-law had to return to urgent care because his stomach was still hurting. They did a CAT scan & discovered that his front rib is broken, not just a hairline fracture. Because he has two damaged ribs cater-cornered it is very difficult for him to get comfortable.
I worked on getting the rust stains out of the outside slate. The pure citric acid is working well, I just want to make sure I'm not damaging the slate.
I watered & fertilized my indoor plants 🌱.
Lots of birds splashing in our fountains today
04/25/2021. I slept in & had an early nap. I washed down both stones in our water features ⛲️ because they were ENCRUSTED with green algae ☹️! The husband previously asked me to leave the green algae alone & since decided that we need to remove it. I also topped off both water basins. I cleaned the risers that had been soaking & washed my gardening 👩🏻🌾 clothes. The sister & I FT’d.
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| Kangaroo Paws in bloom |
04/24/2021. The husband took me for a walk around the 'hood (steps = 9.4K). It was a beautiful spring day. I continued on to say my prayers 🙏🙏🙏 .
I ate frosting 🧁 & thankfully the can is almost gone 🤣. I napped and FT'd with my sister.
The husband made tofu & lentil soup for dinner 😋.
I watered the phaeleonopsis orchids.
04/23/2021. The husband took me for a walk around the ‘hood (steps = 7.7K). We “Zoomed” with our sister /sister-in-law.
We ventured out to Trader Joe's for the first time since March 2020. That was hugely fun. Unfortunately, they just discontinued my vegan ranch dressing.
I added added iron to the orange 🍊 tree “Carnival” & fertilized it. I washed clothes & did a lot of updates to the FF web site.
Roses in our yard
Flowers in the 'hood
04/22/2021. My partner and I hiked at Rancho San Antonio (steps = 14.5K). I was tired today due to all the shoveling of weeds around the orange 🍊 tree. I FT'd with my sister after my nap. I updated the FF website.
Tiny little snake called the ring neck snake. Underside is supposed to be orange too!
Geocache # 2. We think Geocache # 1 was muggled.
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| Pano view from the top. We could see across the bay, all of Mountain View, and parts of San Jose. |
Geocache # 3, under a rock!
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| Wildflower |
04/21/2021. I continued to weed around the orange 🍊 tree. It's exhausting.
I had a nice shower 🚿🛁🧼, sent out the club meeting notice and attended the meeting.
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| Blooming Cymbidium orchid |
04/20/2021. The husband & I took a short walk around the hood (steps = 5.5K). I FT'd with my sister & brother-in-law. He has a medical issue that needs to be addressed. I watered all my indoor plants. I received my new fanny pack & I like it a lot! I updated the FF web site.
04/19/2021. I FT'd my sister. Thankfully, my brother-in-law is doing VERY well! I returned some items from Amazon at Whole Foods. The husband & I got gas ⛽ for his car at Costco, then we shopped. We drove in to Krispy Kreme for our free donuts 🍩 and coffee ☕. Their coffee is so delicious. I napped, then had a walk-about (steps = 7.3K). I updated the FF website.
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| Alligator Lizard, about 1 foot long |
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| Chili and tofu 😋 |
Flowers in our garden
Flowers in the 'hood, another beautiful spring day!
04/18/2021. Today I mostly rested. I started weeding around the orange 🍊 tree and pulled out all the "stray" blackberries. I have a lot more weeding to do around the orange tree. I watered my phalaenopsis orchids. They all look great, except the one in bloom. I'm hoping he (the orchid) makes it.
I FT'd with my sister. My brother-in-law is OK, still in a lot of pain with his rib fractures.
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| Birds of paradise from our garden |
04/16/2021. The husband took me for a walk around the 'hood & I was able to say my prayers. We met a very nice neighbor, just around the corner from us. (steps = 7.969K).
My brother-in-law tripped over something while watching a LaCrosse game. After spending many hours (3 pm to 9:30 pm) in emergency, he was diagnosed with several rib hairline fractures. He was in a LOT of pain. Thankfully, it wasn't worse .... if a piece of rib breaks off, they have to operate to remove it because it can puncture the lung.
I planted my tomatoes 🍅, deep watered the orange tree 🍊, and boiled some of my Miracle Gro soil to kill off fungus gnats.
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| Bouquet still looking great! |
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| Flower from our garden |
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| Delicious salad 😋 |
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| Old desk posted for free |
04/16/2021. I met my partner today for a geocache hunt and walk. We found some VERY interesting geocaches. (Steps = 15K, 6.5 miles 🥳, amazing!). I didn't get home until 3 pm and was quite exhausted. Then I napped & FT'd my sister. Meanwhile, my husband is still cleaning out the garage & it looks great.
Geocache # 1, a shrine, built in 1968 by the St. Joseph's Seminary graduating class. The inscription in Latin is "ora pro nobis, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae" which translates to "Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee"
Geocache hidden in wall of shrine
Geocache # 2, largest geocache box we ever found!
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| My partner wanted me to have this! |
Geocache # 3, by Johnny Appleseed. A small black spider ring is inside!
Clematis Chaparral, climbing up poison oak!
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| Mushrooms |
A bird, maybe a "kite"
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| Dam, completely dry |
04/15/2021. I visited my wonderful ENT, Dr. Vaughan. Both my blood pressure and pulse were very low & his nurse was concerned that I was OK. She looked through my records & determined that I've had these readings before; she advised me to pay attention to any feelings of a light head. Afterwards, I got gas at Costco on the way home, ate, and then napped.He prescribed me a topical antibiotic medicine because I have a sore in my right nostril. The husband & I ventured to Costco to pick it up and did some quick shopping. The gardeners visited today & determined that the one small tree that I thought was dead is not, only dormant 😃.
The husband & I watched the final episode of "Resident Alien". I like that show.
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| Delicious salad. |
04/14/2021. I filled up our fountains today with water. One was perilously low meaning we could have burned out the pump! I also surveyed the yard and pulled weeds.
We had a Zoom meeting with our sister / sister-in-law. The husband and I had a nice walk (steps = 8.4K) around the 'hood, then I continued on to say my prayers 🙏🙏🙏. While on my walk, I talked with my sister. I sent out the meeting notice for our club meeting and attended. The husband & I are watching "Resident Alien". It's a fun show.
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| Birthday flowers still look great |
Birds playing in our fountain
Flowers in the 'hood: fruit tree blossoms, wall of jasmine, painted daisies
04/13/2021. I visited my dentist 👨⚕️🪥 for the first time in a year and 1/2. Everything was surprisingly good. We had a long conversation about rats. He takes a very aggressive approach to them in his yard.
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| Azaela gifted to me by my sister. It is dormant in the winter & looks dead! |
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| First Rhododendron bloom! |
04/12/2021. I had a great day today! I had a lovely shower 🛁🚿🧼. Then 4 friends came over to celebrate birthdays 🎊🎂🥳🎈🎉🧁💐 for three of us. We had a great time. One of the friends brought over cake, another one bought presents 🎁🎁🎁 for each of us. We had a great time visiting.
Afterwards, the husband & I viewed a nearby house that is loaded with tulips of every size, color, shape and variety!
Then it was on to Krispy Kreme for our free coffee ☕️and donut 🍩 ! Their coffee is so wonderful!
I napped 😴💤, washed several loads of clothes and cleaned all the bathrooms and the laundry room sink 💦.
04/11/2021. The husband & I picked up our Wal-Mart order & unpacked it.
I watered the indoor plants & finished the garage sorting project. The husband took me for a walk around the 'hood (steps = 9.7K). I walked longer to say my prayers. It is glorious out there!
Fruit tree blossoms in our yard
Flowers in the 'hood
04/10/2021. I
placed some orders for wire shelving & vitamins & prepared an order for
Wal-Mart. I completed ✅ the sorting of the drip hoses & removing the useable components ♻️.
I FT’d with my sister &
had a nap 😴💤.
Daffodils are opening!
04/09/2021. I
hiked with my friend in the hills. (Steps = 7.5k). It was wonderful to
see her again. She gifted me with a homemade pretzel 🥨 that was absolutely delicious 😋!
I sorted the
drip hoses, removing components for reuse ♻️ & disposing of the rest. I FT’d
with my sister. Her friend is not improving. We believe there are
many more treatments left & are surprised that they haven’t used these! We
are hoping that the family takes him to UCSF 🏥.
I updated the
financial records & paid bills 💸.
Hare in the hills
04/08/2021. Happy Birthday to me 🥳🎂🎊🎁🎉🎈💐!. I had a great day today! I ate a few spoonfuls of that delicious 😋 vanilla frosting 🧁. The husband & I hauled 5 wheel barrels of dirt from the neighbors property (they are excavating for a basement).
The husband & I opened all my beautiful birthday 🎂 cards.
My niece called to wish me Happy Birthday and my sister and brother-in-law sang Happy Birthday to me! I received lots of Happy Birthday e-mails, texts, and social media posts ❤️!
We had a Zoom meeting with the husband’s sister. My friend brought over a birthday gift 🎁 of fresh kale 🥬 from her garden 🪴!
I took myself on a long walk in the hills & spotted a coyote (steps = 12.5K). When I returned home, the husband cooked dinner 😋!
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| The Azaela my sister gave me in bloom |
Beautiful bouquet from my sister & brother-in-law
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| Coyote in the hills |
The reindeers in their Easter finest
The husband cooked dinner!
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| Lentil soup with tofu 😋 |
04/07/2021. The husband worked all day again today cleaning out the garage. I napped 💤😴. My sister's friend is not improving and they are thinking of sending him home 😢😢😢. Now the doctors are changing their diagnosis, something & I don't agree with them.
I worked a little bit in sorting through some items that he identified. I sent out the invitation for the club's Zoom meeting & attended.
04/06/2021. My walking partner & I hiked the PG&E trail at Rancho San Antonio today (steps = 10.5K) & found 3 geo-caches. One required a bit of scrambling down a hill. Meanwhile, the husband spent much time cleaning out the garage due to the evidence of rats or mice.
I gave our neighbors a tour of our new landscaping, had a nap 😴💤, and FT'd with my sister. I updated the FF site
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| Views from the park Moffett field |
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| Views from the park Moffett Field |
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| Views from the park Shoreline Amphitheater |
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Geocache # 1 hidden inside a gate pole
Geocache # 2
Geocache # 2 the stacked logs are a "giveaway"
Geocache # 3. Needed to scramble down a hill. The tricky part was finding the log that was concealed inside a pen! It was filled with the usual "treasures", ie junk!
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| Chaparral Clematis (Clematis lasiantha) |
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| Chaparral Clematis (Clematis lasiantha) |
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| Dinner salad |
04/05/2021. Our wonderful plumber 🔧💦🚰 arrived and fixed the leaking pipe under the kitchen sink. Afterwards, I vacuumed under the sink and much of the hardwood as far as the vacuum reached & washed some rugs. The husband worked on cleaning out the garage having found more evidence of rats or mice.
The husband & I ventured into Costco, then onto Krispy Kreme donuts for a FREE donut 🍩😋 and coffee ☕ each!!!!!.
It is my friend's birthday & I brought her over a lovely bouquet of flowers 🎂💐🎈 & got a tour of her beautiful yard! I cut a bit more of our blue plumbago.
I updated the FF site with major changes.
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| Wisteria at my friend's house |
04/04/2021. Happy Easter 🐣🐰🌺🌼🌷! I got up at 9 am & ate 1/2 can of vanilla frosting 🧁 😋, then went back to bed until 1 pm! The husband found evidence of rats or mice 🐁 in the garage so he pulled a lot of things out. I broke down at least 15 cardboard boxes that we don’t need. I then weeded & cut up the many dead branches from some of our blue plumbago plants. The cuttings filled up 2 toters! I took myself for a walk around the ‘hood, steps = 9.1. I sent out lots of Happy Easter texts today & FT’d with my sister. I washed & dried 2 kitty towels & watered all my plants. I also watered a lot of the outdoor plants.
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| Easter fire hydrant |
04/03/2021. I picked up the groceries from Safeway & the husband wiped them down. The husband & I ventured over to the Home Depot 🛠️ INSIDE! It's been over a year now for me. We bought lots of fun things including some tomato 🍅 plants, seeds, and a variety of miscellaneous things.
I sent out our Happy Easter / Passover / Springtime message & I'm sending replies to those who responded.
I napped and watered my phaeleonopsis orchids.
04/02/2021. The husband & I secured a wheelbarrow of dirt for our yard. I had a lovely shower 🛀🚿🧼 then visited my hairdresser 💇🏻♀️. At home, it’s a long process to wait for the color followed by a deep conditioning for 45 minutes. I had a nap 😴💤 then washed clothes 👕👖. I placed a pickup order at Safeway, updated the books, & paid some bills.
04/01/2021 Happy April Fools Day🤡🤣! I pranked my husband, sister, and sister-in-law. The sister didn’t fall for it, but the husband and sister-in-law did! We had a nice Zoom meeting with our sister / sister-in-law.
The husband & I relocated compost from the bin to one of my raised beds so I can put more things in the compost bin.
In the afternoon, two of my friends, one accompanied by her darling granddaughter, visited us for a yard tour. We had such a pleasant visit. Later, our friend across the street took us for a tour of his beautiful garden🪴🌺🌻. We peeked in at the remodel in progress too.
I updated the FF website.
Fruit trees in bloom
We are enjoying the delicious oranges from the tree my father brought here.
