While the hotel was closed for three weeks, I pretended I was retired. (Without a pesky pension, I must admit.) There was nothing I needed to do, no job do, no alarm clock to jolt me into wakefulness at 6:10 in the morning. Time was on my side, as the song says, and I made the most of it. Drove to Los Angeles, flew to Oregon, drove to Sacramento, spent the weekend in Guerneville and did not once set an alarm clock.
Two of my brothers and my ex husband John are all retired. I am jealous, I must admit and I want that kind of life. It would take a very long time for me to get bored, and the things I like to do take very little money as long as purchasing airline tickets is not on the agenda. Reading, walking, sleeping, following someone else's lead, visiting friends, sleeping some more; all of these are activities that are pretty much free. But realistically, retirement is not going to be on my horizon for many years unless I either win the lottery or Ed McMahon shows up at my door with the winnings from the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. (The odds of either one of those things happening are about even, especially since Ed is dead.)
So I have decided to really put the brakes on my frivolous spending this year and save money to take more days off. But wait! What frivolous spending? Unless I stop buying alcohol (the odds of that happening are about the same as winning the above mentioned lottery) and never get my hair cut again, there isn't much spending I can cut out since I simply don't spend much. Alas. However, I am still going to find a way to take more time off from work. There's a lot going on in the world and I am hating missing so much of it. I wanted to get to Europe this year but that didn't happen. (It's been more than 7 years since I last visited the Old Country.) So I will go to Europe in 2016. Even if it's just for a week, I am going there. Mark those words!
Hope your holidays have been enjoyable and without stress or too much family drama. Mine have been lovely. Excellent Christmas Eve with the kids, nice quiet Christmas day. The hotel is now re-opened so I am back at work but I feel a lot more relaxed now than I did at the beginning of the month. That's what retirement does for you: it makes you slow down a little and enjoy each day and get to do small things that have a big impact on your psyche. At least, that's what it did for me.
.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Holiday stuff, so short
I should print this in red and green. Let's see how that looks. Well, not so bad.
Last night I had dinner with Stacey and Henry. Henry is four years old, going on 14 in some ways. We met at a very small trattoria in Petaluma and Henry ordered a salad. Not very many four year old kids order a salad. First he ate all the bread that was given to the table, with salt and olive oil. He loved it. When his salad arrived he did not want the chopped tomatoes or the pine nuts. Stacey pulled them off. I ate the pine nuts. (Hey, at $30 per pound, they were either going into my pocket or into my mouth. Mouth won. Yum.) Henry then balked at eating the salad until Stacey bribed him. Then he ate almost all of it in three minutes.
Meanwhile, unknown to Stacey, he was totally making faces at a couple behind him, totally flirting (in the way that only a four year old kid can) with the woman at that table. She was beguiled. Henry, after 5 minutes, lost interest, obviously because she was too easy to beguile. (This is not a slight on women, just an example of how a four year old kid can entice and then be done with that.)
Stacey and I had a lovely dinner and a lovely dessert and it was so nice to be there with Stacey and Henry.
Today I drove to Sacramento to see my Mom. Without too much discussion of that, it was difficult. But Mom asked about Sam! I precipitated the conversation by telling her about the above dinner (always trying to find something to talk about, of course) and she remembered that I watched Sam for two days a week for about six months when he was small. She remembered that and so we had a little conversation about Sam, how he is soon to be six years old and wise in the ways of six year old boys and I told her a bit about what six year old boys are into now. Mom was happy to hear all of it, but then sad and she said "I miss all that. All that running around and their faces when they are small."
Ah, well.
Happy Holidays to everyone who reads this. Enjoy. Be kind, have some joy. Families are often difficult but you don't want to miss much of it. Christmas is short. Smile. Nod. Say "yes" a lot and have some more of that wine. Or eggnog. It's once a year, and thus easy to do.
I love you more.
.
Last night I had dinner with Stacey and Henry. Henry is four years old, going on 14 in some ways. We met at a very small trattoria in Petaluma and Henry ordered a salad. Not very many four year old kids order a salad. First he ate all the bread that was given to the table, with salt and olive oil. He loved it. When his salad arrived he did not want the chopped tomatoes or the pine nuts. Stacey pulled them off. I ate the pine nuts. (Hey, at $30 per pound, they were either going into my pocket or into my mouth. Mouth won. Yum.) Henry then balked at eating the salad until Stacey bribed him. Then he ate almost all of it in three minutes.
Meanwhile, unknown to Stacey, he was totally making faces at a couple behind him, totally flirting (in the way that only a four year old kid can) with the woman at that table. She was beguiled. Henry, after 5 minutes, lost interest, obviously because she was too easy to beguile. (This is not a slight on women, just an example of how a four year old kid can entice and then be done with that.)
Stacey and I had a lovely dinner and a lovely dessert and it was so nice to be there with Stacey and Henry.
Today I drove to Sacramento to see my Mom. Without too much discussion of that, it was difficult. But Mom asked about Sam! I precipitated the conversation by telling her about the above dinner (always trying to find something to talk about, of course) and she remembered that I watched Sam for two days a week for about six months when he was small. She remembered that and so we had a little conversation about Sam, how he is soon to be six years old and wise in the ways of six year old boys and I told her a bit about what six year old boys are into now. Mom was happy to hear all of it, but then sad and she said "I miss all that. All that running around and their faces when they are small."
Ah, well.
Happy Holidays to everyone who reads this. Enjoy. Be kind, have some joy. Families are often difficult but you don't want to miss much of it. Christmas is short. Smile. Nod. Say "yes" a lot and have some more of that wine. Or eggnog. It's once a year, and thus easy to do.
I love you more.
.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Oregon, here and happy
While some people get it, many do not: how I can be friends with an ex and even come and stay in his house with his wife and have a GREAT time. To those who don't get it, I say: Too Bad.
This is what I needed: a place where there is no drama, no expectations, no obligations (except to be a nice guest) and little responsibility. This is where I found it: at John and Diane's home in Eugene. Three days of sleeping in, not getting up to walk a dog, having someone make excellent coffee and huge bowls of fruit and yogurty goodness every morning. Three days of reading, watching TV (which I rarely do), making some dinner, running a few errands and laughing a lot. John and Diane do not require me to do much and they know they do not have to entertain me or change their routine for me and that relieves the "house guest" burden of feeling guilty for ruining someone's daily plan. It's wonderful.
Yesterday we watched some TV and then read and then had those fruit bowls and then drove over to the huge warehouse of a lumber shop that belongs to Seth, the amazing woodworker lumberjack who is Diane and John's son-in-law. He owns Urban Lumber, here in Eugene and a retail shop in Healdsburg. Really beautiful furniture, exquisite craftsmanship. That was our field trip for the day. Today we are going to St. Vincent de Paul to see their used books. This morning I took a long hike through the woods from their house. Could it be better? Not much.
Later today Diane and I are making a new recipe, we will sip wine, cook and chat and laugh. It's the most relaxing three days I have had in quite some time. YAY!
Back to you in a couple of days.
.
This is what I needed: a place where there is no drama, no expectations, no obligations (except to be a nice guest) and little responsibility. This is where I found it: at John and Diane's home in Eugene. Three days of sleeping in, not getting up to walk a dog, having someone make excellent coffee and huge bowls of fruit and yogurty goodness every morning. Three days of reading, watching TV (which I rarely do), making some dinner, running a few errands and laughing a lot. John and Diane do not require me to do much and they know they do not have to entertain me or change their routine for me and that relieves the "house guest" burden of feeling guilty for ruining someone's daily plan. It's wonderful.
Yesterday we watched some TV and then read and then had those fruit bowls and then drove over to the huge warehouse of a lumber shop that belongs to Seth, the amazing woodworker lumberjack who is Diane and John's son-in-law. He owns Urban Lumber, here in Eugene and a retail shop in Healdsburg. Really beautiful furniture, exquisite craftsmanship. That was our field trip for the day. Today we are going to St. Vincent de Paul to see their used books. This morning I took a long hike through the woods from their house. Could it be better? Not much.
Later today Diane and I are making a new recipe, we will sip wine, cook and chat and laugh. It's the most relaxing three days I have had in quite some time. YAY!
Back to you in a couple of days.
.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Out of Town!
For the few people who read this, don't think I have vanished. The hotel is closed for three weeks and instead of hanging around the house with my roommate hovering in the background, I decided to get out of town. I drove to Los Angeles area, saw two of my brothers for a couple of days, drove back to Daly City to house and dog sit for the weekend, am flying to Eugene, Oregon tomorrow (Monday) to visit with John and Diane for three days, back on Thursday in time for my French class. Then Friday and Saturday I will be in Guerneville, house and dog sitting for Jennifer and her girlfriend Dar. Home on Sunday night, perhaps. Gone Monday night for dinner with friends. Then home for Tues and Wed and then it's Christmas Eve!!!! My favorite evening in the year.
And then back to work the day after Christmas. It goes too fast, of course. And there are stories to tell you, and I will try to get to some of those in the next day or two. I hope your holiday season is treating you kindly. Be peaceful! Buy gifts! Eat cookies!
XO
.
And then back to work the day after Christmas. It goes too fast, of course. And there are stories to tell you, and I will try to get to some of those in the next day or two. I hope your holiday season is treating you kindly. Be peaceful! Buy gifts! Eat cookies!
XO
.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
That Muscle Car is Mine!
As you know, my small Honda car was assaulted and physically maimed (not psychologically hurt, so that part is fine) and thus has had to go to car hospital to get new parts sewn back on. Like when your favorite doll needed a new eye. Well, actually, nothing like that, that doll never needed two new doors or sanding or remolding or anything but you get the drift. So I was forced to get a new, temporary doll rental car. I picked Enterprise because they were the cheapest and I could walk to their office.
The car I was promised was something little like a Kia or a Toyota. The car I got was a friggin huge and dark and impressive Dodge Charger! I have always wanted a Dodge Charger, seriously. It's not a wimpy car. It is a CAR. It defines "Muscle Car." Lots of noise, lots of power, no finesse, little class. Who cares. It goes really fast.
Some cars are peppy, they move when you put your foot down. Some cars are even peppier, they just move out there like a rocket. The Dodge Charger is not like that. When you put your food on the accelerator, first it growls. Loudly. Then it shoots away from you like a high school kid on crack. As quickly as possible, it is gone. But wait, not really gone because you are still there, sort of in control.
It has been a very, very long time since I have played with a car like this. On the freeway today (out to Sacramento to take Mom to the doctor's, a story for tomorrow) it put every other car to shame. I heeded my friend Tom's advice and used cruise control when I could but there were times when that was not possible. There were times when that car had to be played. And I played it. Hard. It loved it and so did I.
Seriously, new cars are always peppy. This Dodge Charger had 35,000 miles on it and it could hit 60 in about two seconds. Muscle car, yes! Flex it and bring it on and I loved it. I wanted to drive this car to Los Angeles but that ain't happening. But I will take it out to the coast this weekend and I hope I can make it work for me. As I said, it growls. And that's a good thing.
The car I was promised was something little like a Kia or a Toyota. The car I got was a friggin huge and dark and impressive Dodge Charger! I have always wanted a Dodge Charger, seriously. It's not a wimpy car. It is a CAR. It defines "Muscle Car." Lots of noise, lots of power, no finesse, little class. Who cares. It goes really fast.
Some cars are peppy, they move when you put your foot down. Some cars are even peppier, they just move out there like a rocket. The Dodge Charger is not like that. When you put your food on the accelerator, first it growls. Loudly. Then it shoots away from you like a high school kid on crack. As quickly as possible, it is gone. But wait, not really gone because you are still there, sort of in control.
It has been a very, very long time since I have played with a car like this. On the freeway today (out to Sacramento to take Mom to the doctor's, a story for tomorrow) it put every other car to shame. I heeded my friend Tom's advice and used cruise control when I could but there were times when that was not possible. There were times when that car had to be played. And I played it. Hard. It loved it and so did I.
Seriously, new cars are always peppy. This Dodge Charger had 35,000 miles on it and it could hit 60 in about two seconds. Muscle car, yes! Flex it and bring it on and I loved it. I wanted to drive this car to Los Angeles but that ain't happening. But I will take it out to the coast this weekend and I hope I can make it work for me. As I said, it growls. And that's a good thing.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Just say "Thank You" and this is not about Thanksgiving
Every five or six months my friend Jani and I meet for breakfast. It lasts long enough to be lunch because we have so much to talk about. When the bill comes, I always reach, she always gets it and I always protest. Jani always says "Just say Thank You." I do. And I insist on leaving the tip, which she allows. It always humbles me a little but lifts me up at the same time.
"Just say Thank You" is a good thing to remember. For me, it's right up there with "Just be kind." If you mush them together, as is so easy to do, those two phrases can cover about 75% of life. The other 25% can be covered with "I'm sorry" (if you really are) and the best, "I love you more."
I think of this because it is the time of saying thanks and it is the time to be kind. Everyone loves Thanksgiving but not everyone loves December. Some people hate the commercialization of ..... what? The birth of Jesus? Really? How many people really believe that story, so why get all cranky because that imaginary birth has morphed into lights and gifts and cards and spending money? But the commercialization of the holiday is simply commerce and the evolution of tradition. You can hate the spending but you gotta love the lights and the twinkly stuff and candy and kids and sleighs and dogs with reindeer hats. And Christmas trees, who can resist a lovely pine-smelling, light-covered tree with cool ornaments, some of which were made 40 years ago by one's own kids? Who doesn't love hot cider with spices and brandy? Who doesn't want to see small children (and big ones) on the morning of December 25 stare in awe at what the imaginary Fat Man left under the tree?
So, let's all be nice, be kind and thank our fellow persons that we are here, we can act dismayed at the crassness of buying too much stuff (and yes, it is crass, and yet I know no one who does that anymore) and smile, nod and let it go.
This should be called the Season of Letting It Go. Sigh deeply and find something nice to look at (like that cup of hot cider with brandy) and be joyful.
I know, I am being so simplistic about it all. But why not? Let's not over complicate anything anymore. There are a myriad of sites where you can discover organizations who need your donations and you can give a little card to your loved ones telling them what you gave in their name. (Awkward sentence!) You can buy a flock of chickens or ducks as a gift! Or a small heifer. Or some yarn. Some water bottles, some wooden shelves, a simple wood-fired oven, money for a roof, for fabric. Closer to home you can give money to your local food bank so others can eat. On and on it goes.
But you can also spend a little money and buy presents! Things for your family and friends to unwrap! That urban myth that says "Christmas is for kids" is a lie. Everyone likes a gift, some socks, a bag of almonds, some photos, a jar of salsa, pencils, a second-hand book, wine, a recipe, a DVD that you loved but want to pass on. Wrap it up! It doesn't matter that it cost $2.99 from Trader Joe's, it just matters that someone smiles as they rip the paper off and say "Oh, wow, how cool is this!"
Disclaimer: Tomorrow is the last day at the hotel for three weeks. They are closing up until December 26. The reasons are not important but I know the reason behind this blog is this: I am SO, SO happy that for the next three plus weeks I don't have to go to work!!!! No pay, but I am not caring. I could go on, but I will finish that thought tomorrow......
Thank you. Be Kind. I love you more.
.
"Just say Thank You" is a good thing to remember. For me, it's right up there with "Just be kind." If you mush them together, as is so easy to do, those two phrases can cover about 75% of life. The other 25% can be covered with "I'm sorry" (if you really are) and the best, "I love you more."
I think of this because it is the time of saying thanks and it is the time to be kind. Everyone loves Thanksgiving but not everyone loves December. Some people hate the commercialization of ..... what? The birth of Jesus? Really? How many people really believe that story, so why get all cranky because that imaginary birth has morphed into lights and gifts and cards and spending money? But the commercialization of the holiday is simply commerce and the evolution of tradition. You can hate the spending but you gotta love the lights and the twinkly stuff and candy and kids and sleighs and dogs with reindeer hats. And Christmas trees, who can resist a lovely pine-smelling, light-covered tree with cool ornaments, some of which were made 40 years ago by one's own kids? Who doesn't love hot cider with spices and brandy? Who doesn't want to see small children (and big ones) on the morning of December 25 stare in awe at what the imaginary Fat Man left under the tree?
So, let's all be nice, be kind and thank our fellow persons that we are here, we can act dismayed at the crassness of buying too much stuff (and yes, it is crass, and yet I know no one who does that anymore) and smile, nod and let it go.
This should be called the Season of Letting It Go. Sigh deeply and find something nice to look at (like that cup of hot cider with brandy) and be joyful.
I know, I am being so simplistic about it all. But why not? Let's not over complicate anything anymore. There are a myriad of sites where you can discover organizations who need your donations and you can give a little card to your loved ones telling them what you gave in their name. (Awkward sentence!) You can buy a flock of chickens or ducks as a gift! Or a small heifer. Or some yarn. Some water bottles, some wooden shelves, a simple wood-fired oven, money for a roof, for fabric. Closer to home you can give money to your local food bank so others can eat. On and on it goes.
But you can also spend a little money and buy presents! Things for your family and friends to unwrap! That urban myth that says "Christmas is for kids" is a lie. Everyone likes a gift, some socks, a bag of almonds, some photos, a jar of salsa, pencils, a second-hand book, wine, a recipe, a DVD that you loved but want to pass on. Wrap it up! It doesn't matter that it cost $2.99 from Trader Joe's, it just matters that someone smiles as they rip the paper off and say "Oh, wow, how cool is this!"
Disclaimer: Tomorrow is the last day at the hotel for three weeks. They are closing up until December 26. The reasons are not important but I know the reason behind this blog is this: I am SO, SO happy that for the next three plus weeks I don't have to go to work!!!! No pay, but I am not caring. I could go on, but I will finish that thought tomorrow......
Thank you. Be Kind. I love you more.
.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Bad car karma, but no one is shooting at me
Friday, November 13, driving home and listening to the terror that is happening in Paris. Half a block from my street and a car comes out of a school parking lot, against the flow of traffic and straight at me. I try to scoot over but there is another lane of traffic to my left, but I definitely do not want this car to hit me head on, air bags and all that. So I move as far as I can to the left without hitting the car on my left. There is a yellow school bus on my right side. This random wildcat car drives at me, swerves a bit and runs between me and the yellow school bus, sideswiping me as it goes, to the blaring of all the horns in the vicinity. The car bounces off me and somehow, since everyone in both westbound lanes of traffic can see what's happening and thus can give it space, the car maneuvers around and finally gets in the eastbound lanes and speeds away.
This, as is common, happens in about 3 seconds. I pull to the curb, get out of my car and yell, at the top of my voice "FUCK" a couple of times, which sort of relieves some of the adrenaline that was plowing through my body. I mean, I really yelled it, not like some lady-like yell but a huge, mean, angry yell. Thankfully, the guy in back of me pulled over as well, (he was not daunted by my unlady-like cursing) and he had what he thought was the license plate number, and gave me his name and phone number, and helped me wrench off a piece of the car that was hanging. I drove home, about a hundred yards away.
Sigh. Insurance pays for most of it, but not all. Then, just 5 days later, the car is running rough, really rough, gets worse and worse so I had to take it in to the tune of more than $700!!!!
But I am fine with it all. No one is shooting at me, my life is not in peril, my family is not in danger, my life is simple. I still have water when I turn on the tap, my poop still goes away when I flush the toilet, I don't have head lice and I can pay my bills, sort of. Healthy and reasonably happy, well-fed (my large spare tire can attest to that) and well-lubricated with self-medicating ounces of alcohol, I am so fine it's pitiful to even mention the car. But hey, it's what we do, share our down moments with friends and then share the up ones as well. And to watch the threat of terror around the world makes anyone with a brain just shut up about the small fuck-ups of everyday life.
This week is Thanksgiving, of course, and if you have a computer and can read this, you have tons to be thankful for. Electricity, for one. A computer for another. A roof. A toilet. (Thank that water system every time you flush.) Some pasta or rice and a pot to cook it in. Friends. Some warm clothes, someone to hug or at least talk to, maybe a small grateful dog or cat or goldfish, maybe a simple mug to hold a cup of tea. There is always something. Bread. Apples. And what about those trees outside, the ones that are blazing with color! If a person can't be in awe about seeing that, a person has some explaining to do.
Cars, costly but necessary. Life, so much more in every way. And so much better as well.
LTBT
This, as is common, happens in about 3 seconds. I pull to the curb, get out of my car and yell, at the top of my voice "FUCK" a couple of times, which sort of relieves some of the adrenaline that was plowing through my body. I mean, I really yelled it, not like some lady-like yell but a huge, mean, angry yell. Thankfully, the guy in back of me pulled over as well, (he was not daunted by my unlady-like cursing) and he had what he thought was the license plate number, and gave me his name and phone number, and helped me wrench off a piece of the car that was hanging. I drove home, about a hundred yards away.
Sigh. Insurance pays for most of it, but not all. Then, just 5 days later, the car is running rough, really rough, gets worse and worse so I had to take it in to the tune of more than $700!!!!
But I am fine with it all. No one is shooting at me, my life is not in peril, my family is not in danger, my life is simple. I still have water when I turn on the tap, my poop still goes away when I flush the toilet, I don't have head lice and I can pay my bills, sort of. Healthy and reasonably happy, well-fed (my large spare tire can attest to that) and well-lubricated with self-medicating ounces of alcohol, I am so fine it's pitiful to even mention the car. But hey, it's what we do, share our down moments with friends and then share the up ones as well. And to watch the threat of terror around the world makes anyone with a brain just shut up about the small fuck-ups of everyday life.
This week is Thanksgiving, of course, and if you have a computer and can read this, you have tons to be thankful for. Electricity, for one. A computer for another. A roof. A toilet. (Thank that water system every time you flush.) Some pasta or rice and a pot to cook it in. Friends. Some warm clothes, someone to hug or at least talk to, maybe a small grateful dog or cat or goldfish, maybe a simple mug to hold a cup of tea. There is always something. Bread. Apples. And what about those trees outside, the ones that are blazing with color! If a person can't be in awe about seeing that, a person has some explaining to do.
Cars, costly but necessary. Life, so much more in every way. And so much better as well.
LTBT
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