Sunday, December 30, 2007

New Years and undecorating comments.

I don't mind decorating for the holidays, in fact I absolutely love it and start Thanksgiving weekend. The house looks great inside with my village in the front window (I leave the drapes open the entire month) and mini lit up trees, along with my Christmas mooses (I have about 10 of them including 4 which hang on the walls and play music when you squeeze them). My neighbors love the village and usually stop as they walk by to inspect and make wonderful comments. The outside is lit up with lights on the bushes and Christmas Moose wreaths all about. Even my SUV has a wreath on the front of it for the holidays.

Unfortunately in only a month, everything has to come down and that's what I absolutely hate to do. Boxing everything up for the shed is so depressing to me. I have decided to leave the village up for the winter at least. It's not exactly a Christmas village, merely a Victorian one. Some of the houses have decorations on them but from the outside, one can't tell. Everything else including the skating park, carousel, train station and City hall plus all the accessories are your run of the mill late 1800's little town so it won't look strange from the outside.

This New Years I have decided not to go to our Moose family Center. I am one of the few who doesn't drink and I always feel obgligated to be a designated driver. This means that at 2:30 AM, I am still driving around town. I am too old to be driving at that hour of the morning. I will be going to Lynn's and she lives close to the office (I have work tomorrow). I will let one of them explain their New Year's tradition. Suffice to say it will be nice for me to visit with my Aunt and I always enjoy spending time with the girls,their hubby's and kids.

So another year draws to a close. There have been some wonderful times (losing weight has been super) and some tough times this past month (losing my brother has been the pits) but we will move forward, and hope that next year will bring more weight loss (don't say it Joan and Carla, I know exercising will help), the chance to visit with my Iowa friends at our Moose Convention in Las Vegas in June and hopefully making some more great memories to last a lifetime.

I wish all of you a very wonderful New Year and hope that everything you wish for comes true.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Boy these are heavier than you think


Each year I spend Christmas Eve with some very close friends (he is a buyer also, she is a nurse). Usually their son and daughter-in-law are also there but this year the kids were invited to visit family in Florida so it was just the three of us. We had a super time and of course great food.

This year was also a cause for celebration because their son won his 2nd Emmy in two years as one of the editors of a daytime T.V. show (can't remember which one). Last year he offered to let me have a picture holding the Emmy but we forgot to do it before I left, so this year we made sure to take the picture before dinner.

In 1969, the company I was working for, one an Academy Award for creative lighting of a movie set (The Molly MacGuires was about a mine strike and required special lighting for the mine scenes) but no pictures were taken of the employees holding it (maybe they didn't want it fingerprinted to death).

So here I am holding not one but two beautiful Emmys. They weigh about 10 lbs each. Seeing them on TV or in pictures doesn't do them justice. You cannot imagine how absolutely gorgeous they are, and I can understand why these and the Academy Awards are not only coveted to prove the quality of one's work but also for display.

I sure wish at least one was mine to take home but alas I have no creative talent whatsoever so I will just have to be happy for the chance just to hold them and be grateful for the picture to prove it.


Saturday, December 22, 2007

My wonderful co-workers

Sometimes I teach purchasing classes, and one of the things I have always taught is respect for our co-workers for whom we do our buying. Since we spend most of our waking hours with these people, actually more than with our families, it seems important to me to always try to get along with them.

Some of you know that I have a very difficult co-buyer who has hardly spoken to me the 4 and a half years I have worked at the company. I believe she intended someone else for the position but the Vice President at the time of my hiring was someone I had worked for before and he made the decision to bring me into the company. The legacy of this is that she has never warmed up to me and sarcasm towards me has been evident since day one. I don't work for her so most of the time I just ignore her and try to stay out of her way.

About a year ago, our boss changed the products we buy, giving her mine and giving me what she had been purchasing, and apparently didn't want to do any more. I was more chagrined than unhappy because to me buying is buying. What it did though was allow me more interface with the other employees of the company since instead of purchasing for production, I am purchasing what our other employees need to do their jobs, ie, computers, stationery, marketing stuff plus the materials for our other offices in Europe and India. I also place the orders for our sales and marketing departments when they do conventions and shows. These are orders for the hotels, booths, food, lighting, signs etc. I try to place the orders quickly because I do know that time is a big factor. If there is an error in the requisitions, instead of returning them to the sender, I call the person and immediately fix the errors so that the orders can be placed. Apparently this is something my co-buyer refused to do. She would just return the requisition out of the system with notes indicating what was wrong. This would delay the orders being placed. I have never done this to gain anything but more to make it easier for my co-workers to do their jobs in an expedient manner.

Doing, this, I have gained more than I have expected. Once I lost the weight, the marketing department conveniently sent over more than a few company shirts for me to wear. They have also provided me with the promotional items they purchase which I share with the other buyers including my nemesis (doesn't improve her behavour towards me but I can't share with the other buyers without giving to her too) and the people who work in our customer service department next door. When my computer failed, it was only a half hour before I had a brand new computer with all the bells and whistles. Even my boss commented on the speed of the service I was given. When something breaks in our building, everyone comes to me. They know that if I ask, something, including a new coffee pot this week, will appear quickly.

When I was in Iowa in June, I took my Ipod with me and somewhere (I am assuming running through airports) I lost it. When we had our company Christmas party last week, I mentioned to the other people at the table (I sat with sales and customer service, not purchasing) that I was really hoping I would win a new Ipod because there were three amongst the 20 gifts they were drawing employee names for. I didn't win one of the prizes (3 people at our table did win prizes - no Ipods) and the rest of us at the table celebrated their wins with them.

Yesterday purchasing passed out the gifts we were given by suppliers to the people on the line (we do that every year instead of taking the stuff home). When I returned to my desk, there was a Christmas wrapped gift on my desk with a card indicating the gift was from our sales and customer service department. When I opened the package, there was a brand new state of the art Ipod. I was overwhelmed. The card was signed by all the people in the departments. I was so touched, I cried. The past three weeks have really drained me and I must admit my holiday spirit since I returned from Georgia is the lowest it's been in years. I immediately went next door to personally thank everyone for being so kind and generous. Everyone commented that what I do for them both service wise and making sure I share what I have with them gave them no choice but to show how much they appreciated everything I do for them.

This must be the true spirit which I try to carry all year. It proves to me that doing unto others all year not December is what it's all about I am very grateful for the co-workers who do appreciate the service I provide and have proven to me what the word "SHARING" is all about.

I wish all of you a very happy holiday and most important a VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR. I hope everything you wish for comes true and I thank you all for being my blog friends.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Temptation, thy name is Christmas Goodies

As most of you know, I am a buyer, and for the past week, our department has been given every kind of sugar something in the world by our suppliers. I promised myself that I wouldn't give in to temptation of any sort, during this holiday season, which could cause a weight gain since I still have 40 lbs to lose after my stomach bypass surgery, and can't seem to get myself motivated to exercise. Logic indicates if I am not moving around fast enough to lose more weight, I must keep focused on eating very small amounts of healthy food, a very difficult thing to do with all the goodies being passed around.

What I have done this week is share with the other employees in our building who aren't fortunate enough to have suppliers bring them great tasting sweets. Everyone thinks I am the most generous co-worker, and I almost feel a twinge of guilt when they heaping thanks on me. Little do they know, it's the sharing which is keeping me focused on my goal not to gain during these times. If they happen to love the glut of cookies, brownies, chocolates and whatever else I can unload, then so be it.

I am still very thankful I had the surgery in February 2006. If I can behave through New Years, I might even make a promise to start exercising or just walking around the building and, hopefully, lose the 40 lbs by next Christmas. Heck, by then, I might even be able to indulge in a brownie or two.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Not enough time for everything

Here we are at not only the end of a quarter but also the end of the year. We are swamped here at the office, plus I was out the week I spend in Georgia so I have been playing catch up for the past week and a half. I wrote before that the end of the quarter is always busy since we are trying to ship as much out as we can. The end of the year increases the stress level by 25% because we really want to get everything out as we close the year.

On top of this, there has been distressing news regarding my brother's estate. 2nd son (you know the one who did nothing regarding the apartment and who made absolutely no arrangements at the mortuary leaving me with all the responsibilities and payments, then left the day before his father's memorial service) has applied to be the administrator of Frank's estate. The legal notice appeared in the town Newspaper. Fortunately my wise cousin Joan has been searching the web using Frank's name to see what's out there and has found some things on line issued from 2nd son which are extremely disturbing to me, the request to be named administrator of the estate being the highest item. While he has asked the courts to name him administrator, he has done absolutely nothing about Frank's apartment or car, leaving the responsibilities up to Frank's boss and his wife to clean out the apartment and store the car on their property.

It's obvious that 2nd son is only hoping to expedite the probate of the estate so that he can get his hands on the money faster. Since I have no doubt that 2nd son has no intention of repaying me, I have contacted an attorney in that area and asked him to file a claim against the estate on my behalf.

All this saddens me. This is not what I expected of my brother's legacy. It's shabby and goes against everything I believe in. This is how my nephew has dragged me into his low life world and it makes me very angry, but to allow him to keep my money when he has done absolutely nothing, makes me even angrier. How it will end, I have no idea. I just cannot give up the fight.

Monday, December 10, 2007

A Legacy Of Love

I went into Frank's obituary page Saturday where friends and family can leave messages. There are 5 pages of messages and they made me cry. Most say how much he meant to these people and how much they will miss him. What better legacy is there for a person, but to be remembered by so many with love and respect. It's just too bad that his sons will never be able to appreciate who their father was and how much he meant to so many people. It's obvious his was not a wasted life. How can I not be proud to say I was Frank's sister?

There is a way to order a book which includes all the messages left, and I think I will do just that so our family will have a rememberance to keep. I will wait until just before the obituary expiration date so that as many are included as possible. I have asked family members to write messages as well as friends in Iowa who got to know him in June.

It's now time to move on with my life, return to work and get on with living. I can only hope when my time has come to be with Frank and my parents, I too will have touched people's lives in such a manner, and receive the same type of loving messages.

Friday, December 7, 2007

A family of love



As Joan wrote in her blog, she and I returned from Georgia yesterday. It was a very difficult time for both of us but not for the right reasons. Joan and I have had this week to mourn the loss of Frank. Unfortunately we have also seen the good and terrible of the people in Frank's life. In Lynn's blog, she hinted at her disappointment and surprises. Since my brother can no longer be hurt, I will attempt to set down into words some of those things.

Last Saturday when Frank passed on, I knew it was my responsibility to accompany Frank's 27 year old son to Georgia . Fortunately for me, Joan understanding my pain decided to accompany us. Our goal was to help him handle the funeral arrangements, clear out Frank's apartment and do whatever else was necessary. Unfortunately, 2nd Son, apparently, did not see his responsibilities as son and heir in the same light as Joan and I saw them.

We were met at the airport by Frank's girlfriend A, who was obviously devistated by his passing. She was the person Frank called and it was A who along with a few of Frank's co-workers who received the news of his death from the Doctor. To be honest, I was surprised by the committment she indicated to Joan and I that she and Frank shared. To be honest, in all my conversations with Frank, and we spoke at least once a week, I never got the impression that Frank felt the same way about A. 2nd son decided to stay at Frank's apartment, while Joan and I decided to stay at the local Marriott. "A" told us that she had made an appointment with the mortuary at 11:00 the next morning, so we told 2nd son that we would call him at 8:00 and make arrangements for him to pick us up in Frank's car. After we dropped him off, and it was just Joan and I in the car, "A" completely fell apart. It was like she was mourning a husband, she was that devestated. She told us of the plans she and Frank had been making, including the move to Iowa. Joan and I told her nothing, we only listened and tried to console her.

When Joan and I were alone in the hotel, Joan who along with Lynn also spoke frequently on the phone with Frank asked me if she had missed something about Frank and A. I told her that in my mind, he was obviously leading her on. When we were in Iowa in June, Frank never mentioned bringing A. Although they had been together 7 years, they never lived together and Frank always told me he would never marry again. Frank and I were always honest enough to express what was in our hearts and if there was a thought of marriage and lifetime committment on his mind, he surely would have told me, yet he never gave me any indication he felt anything more than friendship for A. Joan and I decided that we would allow A to keep her memories and beliefs because Frank was gone, and there didn't seem any point now in taking her obviously cherished feelings about him. We have to let her keep whatever she believes Frank's intentions were.

The next morning, I called 2nd son at 8:00 but there was no answer. I kept calling every 15 minutes until it was 10:15 and I had to accept the fact that he was not going to meet us. His mother said he called her around 4:00 AM Georgia time, telling her he was driving around and was lost. Knowing his history, I figured he went to the Casino. I called A who came over to the hotel to pick Joan and I up and we went over to the Mortuary where we were met by Frank's boss S, his wife D and A's brother. I again called 2nd son but still received no answer. Arrangements had to be made at the Mortuary, so I decided that I would be the one to make them. Frank had wanted to be cremated. We were told that only Frank's heirs could sign the papers. My oldest nephew is in Federal prison (I am not going to even try to explain) and of course 2nd son wasn't with us. The funeral director told us he could contact the prison for 1st son's signature but had to have 2nd son's too. I told him I would find him and bring him down but in the meantime, I would accept the financial responsibility to the Mortuary for the funeral arrangements which was fine with him.

Fank's boss S told me that Frank's co-workers wanted to have a memorial service and that his company would probably shut down so that his co-workers could attend. We made arrangements for the services to be at 4:00 on Wednesday. Joan and I decided that no matter what, we would be there. After making the arrangements we could, we got the chance to spend a few moments with Frank. "A" went in alone first, then Joan, the rest of us. I had the chance to spend some time alone with him. I was both heartsick and angry and took the opportunity to tell him exactly what I was thinking, some of which wasn't very nice. It was a moment Frank would have loved, to be honest, and he would have put his arm around me and reminded me that nothing since we were kids had changed. He was exactly the same incorigable adult, he was as a child, and he still had the ability to make one forget how angry they were with him.

After we left the Mortunary, we headed over to the apartment only to find 2nd son asleep. When I woke him up, he was beligerant with us and could not understand why we were angry with him for missing the appointment. When I demanded that he come with us back to the Mortuary to sign the papers he reluctantly agreed. Apparently he was angry that he could not immediately get into Frank's bank account to remove money. It finally dawned on Joan and I that this was the ONLY reason he had come to Georgia. He didn't care about his father at all, only the money and once he found out he would have to wait for his inheritance, he was furious. After he signed the paper for the creamation, he was asked if he wanted to spend time with Frank. The look on his face showed that he really didn't but he was forced into a position to say yes, since Joan and I were with him. To say he spent a minute with Frank would be an overstatement.

When we left the Mortuary, I told 2nd son that there would be services for Frank on Wednesday. His response was the he would not attend. Joan and I didn't argue with him. We were both still angry with his attitude. My anger was not based on how he was treating his father, but how he was dishonoring my bother by his actions. We asked what he intented to do about the apartment and he mumbled something about not caring. All he complained about was not being able to get the money immediately.

Joan and I decided to rent a car so that we wouldn't have to depend on 2nd son for transportation with Frank's car. The next morning, Tuesday, 2nd son's mother called me to say that he had called her to say he wanted to go home immediately and that she had made airline reservations for him to do so. I was furious and told her exactly what her son was and told her what had occured the day before at the Mortuary. I asked her what they intended to do about the apartment and the car and she informed me that Frank's co-workers. I immediately called Frank's boss and told him that they were to do NOTHING and requested that he call her and tell her exactly that. Within a very short time, she called me and said that 2nd son had left the key to the apartment under the mat and was leaving immediately. Nothing about the apartment or car had been resolved.

Wednesday, we had Frank's memorial service. I was overwhelmed by the attendance. I think there had to be at least 200 people, maybe more , including the President of Frank's company and customers who had known Frank the 12 years he was with the company. there was a video of pictures plus Frank's favorite songs. Joan and I had written Frank's eulogy which I delivered, then of Frank's friends also spoke, then I delivered the closing prayer which was from the Moose Ritual. We asked if anyone wanted to speak and some did. Some also asked questions about Frank which I answered. After the services, many came up to me with hugs and encouranging words of love and friendship for both Frank and I. Some commented that my hand actions were so similar to Frank's that watching me talk about his life and telling naughty stories about him, was like watching him deliver his own eulogy. Everyone told me that Frank always spoke about his love for his family and that we would be surprised to learn how much they knew about us. I was not surprised. Frank loved to tell stories. That was one of his best attributes. Fortunately, none of these people knew the other side of Frank, especially A and that's the way it must remain.

I spoke with the funeral director, and asked him if I was authorized to make arrangements with him for Frank's ashes and he said that I could do that. I spoke with Joan and we decided that if I had them shipped to my home in California (2nd son never gave them his address), I could bury Frank but there seemed no point. A and Frank's friends and co-workers really wanted him to remain with them in Georgia. These people were not only his friends but by their obvious love for him, I understood, they would visit and maintain his grave site so I signed the papers to give his ashes to A who was so grateful.

After the services, Joan, Frank's boss, his wife and I went over to Frank's apartment. It was exactly as Frank left it Saturday. All 2nd son had taken was Frank's wallet (including the credit cards) and his important papers. The keys to the car were on the counter. The 4 of us looked through apartment. I found Frank's good watch in a closet, which I gave to Frank's boss to keep and his wife took some momentos of Frank. including some of his cooking utensils. I collected his work achievement certificates plus an award Frank had received (since there was no monitary value, 2nd son left those). I also found Frank's photo album which I claimed and a couple of Frank's shirts which I will wear and treasure. His boss agreed to send whatever I wanted to my house. Everything else we left exactly as we found it. I gave his boss the keys to the car and asked him to have the assistant manager of the apartment complex whose husband worked with Frank, move the car which is part of Frank's estate, to a secure place in the complex so that it won't be towed away when the managememt clears out the apartment. He called her and she agreed immediately. I told him to tell her to donate everything in the apartment to charity. There was nothing else I could do since it was obvious that 2nd son doesn't intend to handle anything.

Yesterday after we flew back, Joan and Rick dropped me off at 2nd son's mother's house to pick up my car . I met with her and let her have both barrels about my brother's greedy (plus a few other choice words) son, then I walked out of her house with the intention of never having anything to do with them again.

Joan and Lynn are furious and worried that I will be stuck with the bills incurred on my credit card, including the Mortuary, air fair, hotel and Car rental. A's brother who is an Attorney in Georgia suggested that I contact him if I needed help recouping my mortuary and other expenses.

I am so grateful to Joan for coming with me. She was my rock through this experience. She also help me write Frank's eulogy. Alone, everything would have been too overwelming to bear but having her with me made it so much easier.

I loved my brother so much. We shared a lifetime together. What I have seen this week is not important. What is important is to remember how much he loved us, something he reminded us every time we spoke. I am sorry we won't share Iowa together but knowing it was where he planned on retiring, is something I will have always.



Saturday, December 1, 2007

A loving tribute to my brother Frank.

The call we all dread came to me at 8:00 this morning, Saturday December 1, 2007. One of my brother's co-workers was on the phone telling me the most horrible thing one can hear. My beloved baby brother had a massive heart attack and passed away just a few minutes before. He was just 61 years old as of May 11th. He didn't suffer, he had mild ache and called a friend who took one look at him and immediately called 911. The paramedics realized immediately what was happening and gave him a dose of morphine to ease his discomfort. By the time they got to the hospital, it was too late. His heart had just given out. There was no previous warning. It was the first and only heart problem, and it just gave out too soon.

My brother lived life to the fullest. He loved good food and was a wonderful amature chef, specializing in Oriental cooking. Like me, he was severely overweight and diabetic, but unlike me, he absolutely refused to have the stomach bypass I had a year and a half ago. When we were together in Iowa in June, I discussed the surgery with him, encouraging him to considering having it, but when he saw the amount of food I could have, not to mention the type of food, he waved his hand at my plate and commented that he loved his good food too much to live with my diet. Just like my dad, Frank chose his favorite lifestyle which always included rich food. Also like my dad, Frank suffered the exact same fate. The only difference was 8 years. Dad was 70 when he passed on. I know Frank understood the consequences of his actions. I just think he figured he had the same amount of time and I will always be grateful he planned to spend that time with me.

Frank was an absolute joy to be around. He had a wonderful sense of humor and everyone loved to be around him, including my friend's grandkids. We were planning on retiring in Iowa together in the next couple of years. He was really looking forward to spending time with me and our friends. This will not be, but I take comfort in knowing he was as anxious as I was to just be together again.

Frank travelled a lot for his company. He returned Tuesday from his latest trip and, fortunately managed to call our Aunt ( Lynn and Joan's mom). He also spoke with both of them. He also called me, something he did before and after every trip. We chatted about the snow in Iowa and how we would both be housebound for 3 months a year once we moved there. It was a light and cheerful conversation. His last three words before we ended the conversations were "I love you".

Joan and I will be accompanying my newphew Brian to Georgia, where Frank lived, tomorrow morning. We will help Brian with the arrangements and try to ease his pain in losing his dad.

So goodby baby brother. Thanks for sharing my life. Thanks for taking the blame and the punishment for my childhood misdeeds and most important, thanks for loving me., and always making sure that I never could question your love for me right to the very end.

Friday, November 30, 2007

The sweet sound of rain

It's 6:00 in the morning, I am dressed and ready to leave for work at 7:00. The reason I am so up and at 'em is because it's actually seriously raining, and the sound woke me up at 4:00. We in southern California haven't heard this sweet sound for about 2 years. We have had some rain but nothing like we have today, where the sound is strong.

Naturally, as desperately as we need the rain, it could bring problems for the areas so recently destroyed by those horrible fires. The ground has absolutely no cover to protect the earth and too much hard rain will cause floods down the hills, and on to the roads, so what we really need is something gentle but continuous. It's only going to last today and the weather people predict no more for at least 7 days.

So, I will leave this blog and go to my front window and just watch the drops hit the pavement. I will savor this picture for as long as it lasts, then get in my SUV, and thank God for the free car wash. Hopefully, this precious liquid will allow ground cover to grow on the fire damaged hills and bring some green to an otherwise brown and beige landscape. We have absolutely lived with these two colors for far too long.

Monday, November 26, 2007

My Dream Village




Every year after Thanksgiving, I assemble my Christmas Village. It's not one of those name brand villages, it's just a jumble of ceramic and plastic things I have purchased over the years, and somehow it manages to become a perfect turn of the last century village. I start with my large coffee table (used to be big enough, but this year I had to add an extension table) which I place in front of my living room window, and put white stryofoam on the bottom, then add assorted white boxes and hard foam around the outside edge to create different levels for the Victorian houses (I think I have 8 or 9 at least). On the right hand side I place the skating pond (mirror with people on it) in front and carosel (musical 10 songs - lighted and the horses turn) behind the park. In the middle, I have the train station with the train in front, city hall with clock tower behind the train station then people and lights all around. I have a horse pulled carriage, a coffee vendor, benches, trees etc. On the left hand side (where you can't see in the picture) I have a band playing and above that a horse pulled sleigh with people. All the houses light up. The first picture was taken behind the table, the 2nd one from the left hand side.
It's very relaxing for me to put it together, moving pieces around to fit, making what I would consider the perfect place to live. When I get home at night, I turn on the lights so that people passing by can see it.
I was thinking this year that maybe after the holidays, I may leave it up all winter. It's so pretty and calming, I just like to stand there and imagine what it would be live to live in such a place. Pretty darn good I think.

Friday, November 23, 2007

WHAT A SWELL PARTY IT WAS











What a super Thanksgiving we had yesterday at our Moose Family Center. We advertised on our local Government Channel and in our County Newspaper that our lodge would be open from 2:00 to 5:00 for a free Thanksgiving dinner to anyone who didn't have a place to go. Our lodge and social quarters were closed and no alcohol was served. We were lucky enough to have food donated by local stores. We had 12 turkeys, 5 hams, 16 pies, potatoes, stuffing, green beans, rolls and another of our district Moose family centers cooked and donated enough yams for 250 people. Boy did we luck out.


We had decided that rather than having people stand in line to be fed, we would personally serve each person, not only bringing their food to them,but also providing soda, coffee or tea which someone would deliver. We had about 20 of our members sacrificing their family Thanksgiving to show up and volunteer, so two were assigned to each table of 10, to provide the service then clean up and reset their table for the next people who showed up. The other volunteers would be the ones who keep the food coming.

First, Ventura County, where we are is under another fire alert this weekend so 30 Fire Fighters from around the state are camped out at one of our local parks, and of course, were invited to join and boy did they ever. Men and women showed up in full uniform, ate their fill along with the first batch of people. Then they did something spectacular. They took over serving, giving our members a chance to eat. It was the best of the Thanksgiving spirit.


The newspaper sent a photographer (we had seen him before when we donated stuffed Moose to our local search and rescue folks) plus a reporter who walked around talking to the firefighters and diners. Our local CountySupervisor also showed up to mingle with everyone.


There was no way to count how many people showed up to eat because we weren't giving out tickets, but there were a few families who filled an entire table. The folks ate and then the kids noticed our back yard playground and basket ball court and once they were done, they rushed outside to play. We also had quite of few senior members of our community who had no other place to eat show up. They kept shaking our hands, thanking us. We figured we serve at least 150 to 200 meals by the end of the day.


Needless to say, everyone decided this would be an annual event. The outpouring of gratitude towards us, completely filled our lodge. We have more than enough love to carry us through the next few months and the memories for those of us who participated will be something we will not soon forget. It was absolutely worth every minute spent, preparing and serving all those wonderful folks who showed up.


Oh, one more thing. In case you are wondering if I blew my diet - well actually, no I didn't. All I had were a few pieces of celery, a few olives and a lot of coffee. Nothing really appealed to me even though as you can see while I was dishing out the food. I am very grateful that the surgery I had a year ago really does work to keep the hunger away. Besides helping me, it saved at least one dinner for the people who were really worthy to share this wonderful feast.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Sometimes I envy Joan

this will be quick because I am swamped here at the office.

I have been reading Joan's blog every day, and I really envy her the time to do one every single day besides having something to say every single day.

We are busy here at the office trying to get everything bought to ramp for year end shipments and I am not sure how long it will last. Besides, we only have 3 working days this week.

Until then, please know blogging friends I haven't forgotten that I promised to do a blog about my stomach bariatric surgery.

Tonight I promised to work our football mini-meal at the Moose.

Hope everyone is well and if I don't get back this week you all have a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

Patti, I am praying your mom is handling her fire crisis. I can't imagine how tough it can be.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Sometimes the timing is wrong......

I went on the interview yesterday. The company is very small, and their procurement department is somewhat still in the dark ages, and not a very good fit for someone with my experience.

I didn't think that any company was still entering purchase orders in DOS but this company still is. Not only that but their bill of materials system (lists all the part numbers required to complete a project) is manually entered on Excel. Very primitive and slow. They are in the process of updating their systems, but this could take 2 or 3 years, and at this time in my purchasing career, I am downsizing, and not looking to help a company begin their growing.

Most important though, they cannot afford to hire someone at this time with my salary requirement. Even though the company is a mile from my house, and there would be gasoline cost savings, the salary they are offering is not nearly enough to compensate.

If I am meant to stay with my present employer, so be it. The company is great, and the compensations are greater. I will just have to buck up and accept the situation I have with my co-buyer. It's been 4 and a half years. Another 2 years won't hurt me. After all, I do have something great in the future to look forward to....RETIREMENT!!!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Sometimes the timing might be right...

I wrote a couple of weeks ago that our the Vice President of my company left here to go work for the management of our previous company, and how concerned I was what life would be like here after he was gone. So far, there has been no trauma and I am very grateful.

Last Friday, late in the afternoon, I went into Monster.com the job search web, which I do sometimes just to see what is out there. Something popped up a quarter of a mile from my house and although the job description fit, it seemed to me that the company was searching for someone less qualified than I am. After giving it 15 minutes of thought, mostly about the fact that it was so close to home, I decided it wouldn't do any harm to E-mail my resume over to them. In the E-mail I explained that I have been with this company 4 and a half years, but it's 25 miles from my house and with gasoline prices exceeding $3.50 for regular around here, it was time to consider changing to a company closer to home.

That was Friday afternoon at 4:30. Yesterday at 8:05 in the morning, the director of operations of the company was on the phone to me. He asked how soon I could come in for an interview. I explained to him that it might be tough but that I had an appointment scheduled in town on Wednesday and if he could wait the couple of days, I could be at his doorstop around 4:00. He said he would check with the others who would have also have to meet me. Within 15 minutes I received an E-mail from him confirming the 4:00 time as well as listing the names and positions of the people I would be meeting.

So there you have it. I don't know if a job change will happen. I don't know if they will accept my salary requirements, however, they should be aware approximately how much a senior buyer with my experience is worth, and if they weren't interested, I figure they wouldn't have contacted me. Stay tuned for another blog on Thursday after the interview and please start crossing those fingers and toes. Lighting a few candles wouldn't hurt either.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Charlotte's Birthday continued...


As I wrote in my last blog, Charlotte turned 89 on Saturday. I drove up to her town and met one of the co-workers from her Chapter, and she and I drove up the mountain (when I say up the mountain, I mean that literally. Charlotte and her late first husband bought their house in 1958 and to get to it, one must drive past one of the very very old California Missions and up three miles of winding roads). This neighborhood as well as most of the town can now only be afforded by the very wealthy so Charlotte and her present husband of over 35 years are very lucky to live there.

At the house, we met Charlotte and her daughter and all four of us went back down the mountain to a local Chinese restaurant. The food was some of the best Chinese food I have eaten and the company I was with was pretty wonderful too. We had a marvelous time talking about the Moose Organization and, of course, Charlotte shared some very old memories with us. We spoke of members who have passed on and just shared some funny stories of the way things used to be. After lunch, we stopped at the local ice cream store and picked up a birthday cake which we took back up the mountain to share with Charlotte's husband, son-in-law and old friend who stayed up at the house while we had lunch. Charlotte opened her presents (what does one give to an 87 year old woman who has everything - her daughter gave her a brand new state of the art waffle machine, and I brought a dozen yellow roses which are her favorite).

It was an absolutely super day with a very super lady. I never get tired of listening to her stories or being around her. She is someone so very special, not only to the Moose members but to everyone who meets her. We Moose are just lucky that she belongs to us, and we all know it.

Lynn asked what keeps her so young. I will tell you, it's her joy of life and always being optomistic which keeps her young. It's also what keeps her so beautiful. This is a picture I took Saturday.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Happy Birthday Special Lady


The reason I joined the Moose Family Center 20 years ago was because a friend needed two women to join so that she could receive her higher honors in the Moose Organization. My intention was to pay my dues and not go into the lodge because along with most people, I just figured it was a bar and all people did there was drink. I didn't drink because if my diabetes so why bother.


Well, needless to say, what happened isn't even close to my original intentions. Like most fraternal organizations, the Moose Family Centers do have social quarters where alcohol is served, but that's just a very small part of the whole Moose program. There are so many other things including dinners, kids activities, parties, sports functions - well something for everyone!


When I joined, someone convinced me to attend a session to learn about the Women of the Moose program (from here on known as WOTM). The session leader was someone special by the name of Charlotte. Her title is Past Grand Regent (in the entire WOTM program, out of all the members, one woman is chosen each year to be Grand Regent. She travels all over the United States and Canada meeting and greeting WOTM members and building up the Moose program. When her year is over, her permanent title is Past Grand Regent). Boy could this woman's enthusiasm for the WOTM convince one to do anything and by the time I left the meeting, I was not only committed to the Moose program but also to doing whatever I could to help my local Chapter build it's membership. I also promised to accept a Chapter higher office. That was in 1990. Charlotte and I just clicked that first day.

By 1998 with this special lady's help, I achieved all the local honors offered a WOTM co-worker by taking the offices necessary to achieve them (I wrote a blog in August about having my Moose College Regalia shortened because of my weight loss). While the rest of us wear black and red Regalia, you can see Charlotte wears the white of a Past Grand Regent. During the 17 years, along with a few other co-workers, I have helped my Chapter become one of the most successful in California. Everything I do is based on the golden rule "do unto others" which Charlotte continues to instill in all of us. If the members are treated with respect, they will want to help this wonderful organization. I have lived this rule for a very long time.


Over the past 17 years, Charlotte and I have maintened an adopted mother/daughter relationship. Her joy of life continues to amaze me each time I see her. She continues to have a memory as sharp as a tack and remembers what happened in a specific Chapter 25, 30 or 40 years ago. When the rest of us are wearing comfortable tennis shoes or clumsy clogs, Charlotte is still wearing heels and dresses most of the time. In short, she is a very classy lady with a great sense of humor, still teaching all of us the lessons of a great life.


Tomorrow is Charlotte's birthday and I want to take this time to let everyone know how much I apprecial all this special woman has taught me about human nature. We will be having lunch, sharing Women of the Moose memories and just enjoying the company.


Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention her age. Charlotte will be 89 tomorrow. The picture of her was taken this past September. Don't you think she looks pretty darn good???

Thursday, November 8, 2007

So Far So Good Here at Work

Well it's been almost a week since my work mentor left and so far it's been a pretty good week. We had our first staff meeting Tuesday. Turns out my company is going "green" and our manager presented all the things management is going to do to change our way of thinking. The first thing we are giving up is the bottled water which has been provided and the styro cups we have been using for our hot drinks. The company has purchased special green water bottles and ceramic cups for each employee. Our tap water will be filtered so we will be reusing the new cups and bottles. We have also been given "recycle trash cans" to toss all paper into along with ones for cans. Together with those items, our company will be offering the chance to win gifts to those who carpool and names will be drawn every month. This company gives out pretty good gifts like I-Pods and other goodies so I for one am very happy that I car pool with one of our other buyers. There are other incentives to save the planet which will be announced in the future. It was a fun calm meeting with no work discussion.

As far as my co-buyer goes, so far so calm. Maybe she was intimidated by our V.P. but she seems a little less hostile, and I even got her to chuckle (very small one) this morning so maybe just maybe...... I can hope it will be better, but I can only wait and see what happens.

Monday, November 5, 2007

A very sad day

Today is a very sad day for me. Our executive Vice-President left our company.

I have a couple of reasons for being sad. First, this is the 2nd company I have worked for this wonderful man. Before I came here, I worked for him 8 years at our last company which was acquired by a major corporation and closed. When he came here, he offered me a job which I immediately accepted.

Unfortunately, my co-buyer had someone else in mind for the job and over the past 4 and a half years has never gotten over my getting the job. I have written about her on this blog before. She has never been nice to me and the only time she has ever spoken to me since I started all those years ago has been to be sarcastic and critical. This past year it got worse and this wonderful man went to bat for me to our relatively new boss and the sarcasm and critical attitude disappeared.

Now he has gone to work with the management of our former company who have started a new company and I am alone with no protection here. What will happen, I have no idea. I know for sure that the new company will not have a place for me because it's a start up company with very little money for an experienced senior buyer. I must remain here and hope for the best. I love this company, except for my co-buyer, and I really plan on finishing out my purchasing career here. Whether or not I remain the next two years is to be seen.

In the meantime, I mourn the departure of my wonderful mentor and hope everything works out for the best for both of us.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

America the best place for employment

I have finally figured out why the rest of the world thinks America is the greatest. It's not because we are a democracy or that we are a very friendly country, or that we have more food than any other place.

No, it's because only in American can you get fired from your job and still walk away with a
$160 million dollar package. This is what happened today to Merrill Lynch Chairman, Stan O'Neal. While he was in charge of Merrill Lynch, the company lost $8 billion dollars and the board decided to fire him. So how does one fire a chief under whose watch the company lost so much money? Of course you punish him by giving him an exit package including unwarranted bonuses, stock, perks and whatever else you can find probably including free coffee for life, and I am willing to bet he still can use the company jet whenever he wants. All told, Stan's exit package totals $160 million dollars.

How monoric is this??? When the average person is relieved of their job, all they get is a boot in the butt but if you are an executive, you get this great package. Even the chairmen and presidents of other companies who have been found guilty of stealing company money and go to jail, still somehow end up with a ton of money so that after they get out of jail, they can live exactly the way they did before they were incarcerated.

This is wrong!!! I don't know who can get this corrected, but something has to be done pretty soon. Am I the only person who is irked by this legal thievery?

Monday, October 29, 2007

Holy Moose, I won at the Halloween party




I am going to try and post a picture. Just as I promised Michele, I wore one of my Canadian shirts which is much too large for me and since I can't wear it any more, I spilled coffee on it to make it look more authentic. I won for the most original costume.
The party was absolutely fantastic. Lots of prizes for ticket drawings, games, pumpkin carving and of course lots of food. It was probably one of the most successful parties we have ever had, and I had the best time. Of course winning was an absolute bonus.
Now, we move on to the November and december holidays topping the year off with our grand New Year's eve party. Gosh, it's great to be a Moose member!!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

HOT TIME IN THE GOLDEN STATE


I know all of you have been reading and watching California's fire woes all week. It's the worst fire week in the State's history. Needless to say the fire officers have gone above and beyond their call of duty, completely ignorning their own safety to save people, pets, houses etc. It's been absolutely amazing what these people have accomplished. Considering we have 14 separate fires in just southern California, only 1500 houses have been lost. Almost 500000 people have been displaced, most of them hanging out in the Stadium where the San Diego Chargers play. California learned quite a bit from the flood disaster in New Orleans where the people stayed in their stadium and suffered. The people staying at the San Diego stadium are not complaining at all. Rather they are giving thanks to the supermarkets and giant supply stores who have provided tents, food, water, clothes and anything else everyone needs, all without charge.
There was a famous castle owned by an Iranian princess on top of the Malibu hills. It burned to the ground. Fortunately the castle was highly insured. Unfortunately, the owner also had the largest collection of Elvis memoriabilia including costumes, one of his cars, movie scripts with notes hand written by Elvis himself and many of his old 45 records. Unfortunately, the only thing she was able to save was Elvis' army uniform. No insurance can possibly cover the lost legacy of all her Elvis treasures.
I live 15 miles from the Malibu fire. My town is not threatened but I wanted you to see what the sky has looked like all week over us. You can see the sky in the distance. The dark part over the sky is smoke from the Malibu fire and it has been with us all week along with soot. It's not pretty but it also not as dangerous as the actual fire has been.
Today the wind has died and the humidity has gone from 3 up to 20. It will give the fire officers a chance to work their miracles and, hopefully, by the weekend all the fires will be out and California can again become the Shangrila we are supposed to be.
We Californians thank everyone for your kind thoughts. It's been a very tough week but thank God the mortality rate has been exceptionally low (5 lives lost). Most will rebuilt their houses exactly where they were before the fire knowing that this can happen again at any time. These are the chances we take to live in the "Golden State".


Thursday, October 18, 2007

this and that

First, I would like to thank Ralph for bestowing on me the "Christmas Spirit Award" which of course I have no idea how to post. I have mastered pictures but obviously not awards and have asked my cousin Joan to post it for me when she has time. Anyway I thank you very much Ralph. It's very kind of you to think of me.

Second, as many of you know, I spent a few Saturday nights last summer celebrating parties in Hawaiian shirts, gritting my teeth each time and hoping it was the last for a very long time. Did I say hoping??? Praying is more like it. Unfortunately one of the Moose Family Centers in our district is celebrating their 50th anniversary on November 3rd, and I am sure you can already guess what kind of party they are having and you would be right. I get to wear one of my 2 Hawaiian shirts again. Hopefully this will really be the last one for a very long time. How can one wear a Hawaiian shirt so close to the winter season??

Now that I have my Halloween bag lady outfit ready to go, I was thinking I could have gone as a Hawaiian bag lady. Outside of the shirt, I am wondering what they wear over there (do they even have bag ladies?). They cannot wear the infamous plaid flannel jackets, scarves and boots. Do they wear flip flops and shorts and flowered leis?? Just curious!!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Nothing to blog about

I have been getting E-mails from my friends asking why I haven't blogged for a while. Truth is nothing has been happening worth blogging about.

I figure to report on the Moose Family Center Kid's Halloween party which is on Saturday, Oct 20. We expect about 70 kids and it should be a blast.

My Bag Lady Halloween costume is done and ready to wear on the 27th, and hopefully win a prize. That would be a very nice bonus.

There is really nothing else going on. Unlike Ellen Degenerous, I haven't adopted a dog or given one away. What I cannot believe is that anyone would issue death threats because of a dog to the two women who manage the pet adoption center. Maybe calmer heads should prevail in this. Ellen may be famous but mob thinking shouldn't set off anyone and I really hope everyone involved works it out logically to everyone's best interest (well mostly the dog's best interest).

Monday, October 8, 2007

Lousy Sport Weekend for Los Angeles

This has got to be the lowest for Los Angeles and for me. First my beloved USC Trojans were creamed by Stanford. We were pegged to be 40 point winners and obviously the Trojans might have let that go to their heads and played like a horrible high school team. The question now is whether they can overcome this terrible loss and forge on for the rest of the season. There are some very tough games coming which will tell what the team is made of.

UCLA were also beaten by Notre Dame. Granted Olsen, their quarterback was injured in the first quarter and having to depend on a freshman untried quarterback left them unprotected. Hopefully Olsen will be back very soon and UCLA can salvage part of their season too.

This leaves the Angels who were demolished by Boston in three straight games. This might be the time for the Angels to give that famous baseball cry "wait until next year". Barry Bonds has been dropped by San Francisco. I am hoping the Angels will pick him up and use him as their designated batter. Barry still wants a World Series Ring and the chance to hit 3000. The Angels could use a strong batter without sacrificing a spot in their outfield so it would seem to be a possible marriage.

Both our hockey teams were idle this weekend so there wasn't even something to cheer about.
Maybe it's a good thing we don't have a professional football team because losing across the sports board would have been really awful.

Hopefully next weekend will be better. There is no doubt, it can't be worse.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Marion Jones drug downfall

Marion Jones the Olympian today admitted what people in the sports business have been accusing her of doing the past 7 years. During all those years, she won every award available in track and field, which will probably all be taken away from her. She is also completely broke not only financially but I am guessing more important in spirit.

What breaks my heart most is the waste of it all. I knew her when she was a teen because for one year she went to high school with my daughter. She was a beautiful, sweet, extraordinary athletic child who celebrated her wins, along with the other kids in the school. She could not only run faster than any girl in the school but she could also beat every boy. Watching her the past 7 years, you would think she would have teased the other students, but the kid we knew is not the professional athlete who in hindsight was led down a very ugly path. The Marion we knew was still facinated by her own capabilities and shared her successes with us. She wasn't known in the outside world yet.
She was still enjoying the thrill of running.

You see this was before the media, managers, hangers on, lawyers and money grubbers and dope peddlers got ahold of her and convinced her to switch to another high school with more visibility. She moved on up to the big time to quote George Jefferson and with it lost everything she was.

The saddest thing is that I really believe she was good enough to win on her own. When competing with the kids, she was a blur as she ran past. It was so fast, one could barely tell the color of her school sports outfit. Her potential was unlimited, and maybe if she had stayed in our small town with the people who loved her giving her advice, it would have turned out better.

What I do hope for Marion Jones is an opportunity to fill her potential. Her sports career is obviously over but she is still an absolutely beautiful girl, she has admitted in tears in front of everyone how she messed up her life and I truly hope she has learned enough the past 7 years to understand that what made everyone love her in high school is still a part of her and if holds her head high and learns from her mistakes, she will always be welcomed home to become one of us again.

Monday, October 1, 2007

The Moose battle of the sexes continues

It's been a while since I reported on the goings on at our Moose Family Center because it's been a quiet month since the "keys" fiasco. I thought the battle was ended but apparently not.

Yesterday there was a pool tournament between our team and one from another lodge. It's customary to supply lunch to the participants and when it was time to serve lunch one of the players on our team, who also happens to be a past Senior Regent started to prepare lunch. When she went to use paper plates out of the pantry, she was told by the kitchen ChairMAN that the pool team should be supplying their own paper goods. This was the first time she was told this and it was a complete shock to her because the pool tournaments bring in quite a bit of money to the social quarters of the lodge. She tried to argue the point but the "man" became nit picky about it before he relented and allowed her to use the paper plates. Our past Regent was one very angry person.

This guy has no idea what a stupid mistake he made. Instead of trying to understand what was at stake, he angered one of the women who has for 14 years contributed food to EVERY lodge pot luck function. I am not talking a little food, I am talking potato salad, macaroni salad, cakes and much more. Now she is very upset with the attitude of the men and will probably discontinue bringing food to these functions.

So how stupid is that?? The battle of these new idiots continues and this time instead of keys to the freezer and fridge, it's about paper plates. Rather than learning how things have been done successfully for 18 years, these men are blindly going their own way. At some point, they will understand how much they are hurting the lodge by refusing to co-operate with the women because at some point, the women will start refusing to do what they have done for the lodge since the beginning, which is contributing food without charging the lodge. Unfortunately by then, these idiots will be long gone and our Moose Family Center will be the casualty. It makes me very sad to continue to watch without being able to help. As long as these men are officers, the decline will go on.

Friday, September 21, 2007

What to wear for Halloween

Now that I can finally fit into a store bought costume for the first time in 25 years, I have decided not to go that route but to make myself into a bag lady. There happens to be a Good Will shop in the same center as our Moose Lodge so I went in Monday night just to look around (never know if a treasure will pop up) and I saw a men's flannel jacket which reminded me of something a bag lady would wear, so I picked it up and decided to wander around the store and see what else I could find. I found an old hat, wig (I will wash it 10 times at least), apron, big ugly shirt and leather looking shopping bag with handles to carry whatever " bag lady valuables" I can come up with.

I already have a skirt which is two sizes two big and I will use a rope belt to hold it up. I have boots and bulky socks to fold over. I got a doll's dress which I will put on one of my stuffed mooses to carry around like a baby. I will put a bandaid on my glasses, wear a ton of red rouge and blue eye liner.

So I am asking everyone what else you might suggest to make me more authentic. I also need help deciding what to put in the bag which I will carry around like my life depends on it.Your suggestions will be appreciated. Our Halloween party is October 27th and I will have someone take a picture to post.

Monday, September 17, 2007

the way I used to be

When Joan was teaching my blog things, we posted a picture of the way I looked at Valentines day this past February. Here is the way I looked before I had the stomach bypass surgery. This was taken in December 2005 and I had the surgery in February 2006. As you can see, I really did need to have it because I was pretty darn big. I have lost 144 lbs. I still have about 40 to go mostly stomach and I really should exercise but so far I just keep thinking about it.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Here I am with Joan

So this is lesson day. Don't know what I will learn but we are going to try. So here goes nothing. Stay tuned for either strange or good things. Right now I am not sure.

The first thing Joan is going to try to teach me is how to do a link to something! I am going to create a link to Joan's blog (maybe). Here is the link.

The next thing I am going to learn is how to download pictures into the blog. Since I am using Joan's computer, Lord knows what picture will appear - SURPRISE!!

This is me at the Moose Valentine's party. One of these days I may show you a before my stomach bypass surgery picture.











Now we are playing with award insert so here goes nothing.... ok so I learned how to insert an award in my sidebar and since Joan doesn't have "you make me laugh" I now have "you make me smile".

So I have overloaded my brain with three new things. I will go home and try them one of these days. In the meantime, I am going to use the next few hours to visit with my only 2nd oldest cousin.

Friday, September 7, 2007

I know what mom and Fay are doing today

Yesterday I paid respects to my mom's childhood friend, Fay, who passed away on Monday. In my blog, I mentioned that I could see mom and Auntie Fay on a cloud somewhere catching up on the past 26 years since mom passed away.

Today my sister and I realized exactly where the two of them are. They probably have cushy front row seats to the first Heaven performance by Luciano Pavarotti. Both were huge opera fans and I can guarantee they would never miss this opportunity to hear Pavarotti sing in Heaven.

I also know what my dad and Uncle Sammy are doing while their wives are at the opera. Just as they did in life, they are fishing in some icy lake, probably soaked and muddy up to their waists, having a great old time just as they did every chance they got.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Goodbye to a close family friend

The obituary reads Fay Shuster passed away Monday. She was 87 years old and until my mom passed away 26 years ago, they were best friends from childhood. My siblings and I actually owed our lives to her because it was at a party in 1938 at Fay and her late husband Sam's house where my parents met. Dad was the date (casual) of Margie, a friend of mom and Fay. I never knew who mom's date was but apparently she and dad must have hit it off, because they married in April of 1940 and the rest as they say is history. Fay, Sam and my parents were as close as Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel.

Fay and Sam and their three children were always a part of our family. They lived within 3 blocks of our house and either they were at our house or we were at theirs. Sam passed away in 1966 after a very long illness and even though Fay was only in her mid forties, I don't think she ever got over losing him. She was one of the kindest, gentle people I have ever known. A true treasure to everyone who knew her.

I never remember a time when Fay and mom weren't friends. I don't think they ever had an argument where they didn't speak for a time. Every day until I moved to California, I remember my mom either talking with Fay on the phone or gossiping in our living room. Fortunately for me, one of Fay's daughters also moved to California 10 years later, so I still had the chance to spent time with her when she came from Montreal to visit Ellie and her grandchildren. Before mom passed away, I would drive her and my aunt down to see Fay. After mom passed away, my aunt and I would go down.

I am certain that mom has been waiting in Heaven 26 years for Fay and now they are together again. I can easily envision the two of them sitting on a cloud somewhere just gossiping and catching up.

Goodbye Auntie Fay. Thanks for being part of our lives. We will always miss you.

Friday, August 31, 2007

This and That

First, I would like to thank Patti for the "Blogging Star" award. I am not sure I deserve it, since I can't seem to post the award on my blog, but I have asked Joan to do it for me, so hopefully, it will appear soon. Joan and I are meeting on Sept 13th for blogging classes. We will probably visit and do lunch too.

Last night Lynn and I had the chance to visit. I have been trying to convince her to take our grandmother's 1905 Singer sewing machine (with all the gold fru fru) before I move to Iowa. I really don't want it to go out of our family which it might if I take it with me. Lynn hasn't exactly said no but she hasn't agreed either. Last night while we were discussing it, my aunt who has very short term memory suddenly popped into the conversation with "I learned to sew on that machine". I looked at Lynn and asked how she could possibly turn it down. She agreed to think about it before I move. Lynn and I also discussed family members, namely our great aunts and uncles, plus other strange relatives. Fortunately my aunt does remember them so she could participate in that conversation also, which was very nice. I keep reminding both Lynn and Joan that I am the only cousin who actually old enough to remember these people and we have got to get the names and who they all were related to in writing so there is reference for future generations. I will also push Joan about this when I see her and maybe the three of us can get together and do this. My aunt also has very old pictures of all these people, but if I remember correctly, a few years ago, the three of us went through the pictures and put the names of the people on the backs. I must ask Lynn to check and see if we really did that or if it's wishful thinking on my part.

I didn't think it could get any hotter but it is. It may still be 109 outside but it's a little muggier (is this a real word) and seems much hotter than it did two days ago. I think I heard the plants sobbing when I went outside for lunch.

Big Moose weekend on tap. Tonight is our annual Hoe Down. Fortunately it's not as hot where I live as where I work and it will cool off to about 75 when the sun goes down, so it should be a fun evening.

Tomorrow morning it's off to another lodge for a Chapter meeting in full College Regalia. This is why I had to have my gown lengthened a few weeks ago. Most of us who wear the Regalia also have little battery operated fans, which we use if necessary. Maybe tomorrow it might just be necessary.

Outside of these functions, it's Labor Day weekend so there might even be a bar-b-que or two. Fortunately, with this heat, I am not really super tempted to eat heavily. Without exercising, I have still managed to lose a couple of pounds in August. As long as I am still losing weight, why strain myself with exercise???

Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend and the chance to visit with friends and family.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

110 IN THE SHADE

It's 110 here today. I was just outside and it's not quite as bad as it might have been if it was muggy out. It's actually quite dry but I am very happy that I don't work outside. There is a crew tearing up part of the parking lot. Unfortunately, they are completely in the sun, using a jackhammer. I cannot imagine how unconfortable it is for those guys, and I don't envy them one little bit.

My cousin Joan's home air conditioning is out, but fortunately she is at work today, and if I remember correctly, it's supposed to be repaired today. For her sake, I sure hope it is because I can't imagine how awful it is to come home to a very hot house. I am fortunate enough to live in a beach town where it's 15 degrees cooler and by the time I get home, the heat has started to deminish. It's been running about 75 at night. I do have air conditioning, but try not to run it during the day because of the expense. I turn it on auto pilot when I get home and set it for 78 degrees so by the time I am ready for bed, the house is quite bearable enough to turn off the air and run the overhead fan all night.

This part of California (southern) has been hit by drought for 2 years. We have had only 2 inches of rain during this time. Any moisture from Heaven would be truly welcome, but nothing is predicted any time in the near future. It's sad to look at the hills across the office parking lot and see only brown and beige and fire everywhere is a constant threat.

Still, I consider myself lucky to live where I do, and if I must spend the day in a place where it's 110 outside in the shade, at least I can spend it in a very comfortable air conditioned environment. Still, it would be nicer to spend my days at the beach!!!!!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Aloha to Hawaiian shirts and parties

Saturday night was my last Hawaiian event for (I hope) a very long time. It was the third time in 6 weeks I wore a flower shirt and I really don't look very Hawaiian if you ask me.

This Moose party was about 75 miles south from our Moose Family Center but their members have been very supportive of our Chapter, and this is event signalled the opening of their new Lodge, so 4 of us decided it would be nice to show our support.

We had a wonderful time. The lodge building is small (two stores in a mini mall put together) but their members (about 70 of them) put on a super party with great Oriental food (I have always said the slogan of the Moose fraternity should be "it's all about food")wonderful music including a couple of Hawaiian dancers (1 from our group, which is one of the reasons we attended) and prizes raffled. I won a very nice pair of leather gloves which will be perfect for driving on those colder (it does get down to the 30's) winter mornings. This was the first time I had been in this particular town, but all southern California towns look pretty much the same if you ask me, and they all have the same MacDonalds, the Colonal, Burger Kings and pizza places, but we did notice that gasoline was about 10 cents lower.


The toughest part was leaving at 10:00 PM and getting home at midnight. I am just too old to be out partying until the middle of the night. I can't drink alcohol (diabetes) so I was in pretty good shape Sunday morning.

So now the Hawaiian craze is done!!! If you think I am finished with costume shirts, guess again. Friday night our lodge is having it's annual Hoe Down and the dress, of course, is Western. To be honest, I don't look any better in a western shirt than I look in a shirt covered in flowers and,I have never given in to the temptation to buy boots or a cowboy hat. Besides,I am so ungraceful, I can't even line dance, but I do enjoy watching the others and I plan to have a super time with my friends. Heck, maybe I will again win something terrific in our raffle. That would be a nice bonus.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Equality - aftermath

It's absolutely amazing what a few days will do to change the attitude in a Moose Family Center. I was so upset on Tuesday that I decided to stay away for a couple of days.

The Chapter has their monthly business meeting the 4th Thursday of the month so I showed up at the lodge at 5:30. A few Moose Loyal Order brothers almost met me at the door (mostly the old timers) to explain their side of the key story. Some had excuses, others were determined to make sure I understood that the importance of the Chapter to the Lodge is very much appreciated.

Apparently at the men's meeting on Tuesday, the past Governor I had just spoken with went in with a determined attitude to correct any misconceseptions the Loyal Order officers might have as far as the position of the Chapter to the Lodge. He proceeded to remind everyone just how much our ladies do and listed some of the future fund raising plus holiday events we have coming up, providing the names of the women planning these events. He also reminded his lodge brothers that while some plans are in conjunction with the men, a few events are being planned souly by the Chapter. He also reminded everyone that all the children holiday parties (Halloween, Christmas) are the handled and paid for exclusively by the Chapter.

He must have been very eloquent because after the meeting, our Governor told our Senior Regent that he was not going to keep his appliance keys. Only the Kitchen Chairman and lodge administrator would have keys.

In my conversations with the men last night, I explained that it wasn't the locking which upset me (whoever is taking food has great taste because what's been missing are steaks and tri tip), it was the fact that it was perceived that only the men are responsible enough to have keys, which to me was insulting and degrading to the Chapter. Some of the men apologized while other put blame on others which I found very funny.

So where do we go from here? Hopefully some of the new Loyal Order men have learned exactly how valuable the Chapter is to the lodge. I sincerely hope they also understand how insensitive they appeared. The past Governors have promised they will present stronger Moose orientiation to the new members so that future officers will understand the necessity of responsibility sharing. As of now, life has returned to normal. Hopefully this short lesson will be remembered for a while and our lodge can continue growing and thriving.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

What's the price of equality

One of my favorite books has always been George Orwell's "Animal Farm". My favorite line from the book goes something like this "we are all created equal, but some of us are more equal than others".

I have spent my adult years refusing to be less than equal. This was one of my reasons for the stomach bypass surgery. Extremely obese people are treated less than equal when we are required to pay for two airline seats, when we don't fit in theatre seats, hospital equipment, most chairs, etc. The list goes on and on.

I have also refused to belong to any organization which believes it's female members are less equal than the men. Although the Moose fraternal organization was founded by men over 100 years ago, Moose International realized how much women contributed to it's cause, and over the past 25 years, they have changed the name from Moose lodges to Moose Family Centers to encourage the members to understand that EVERYONE is equal and must be treated with respect. Not every lodge has embraced this equality philosophy, and some women have been treated less than fairly over the years.

The Moose Family Center where I am a member was founded 20 years ago. From our inception in a very small 850 sqare foot building with 200 members, it was understood that ALL members are to be treated as equals, and whatever decisions are made for the good of the lodge, both the men and women would have a fair say. For all these years, we have been a shining example of how to keep a successful Family Center going by sharing responsibilities 100%. When I transferred into our Chapter 19 years ago, I immediately found myself anxious to be a part of this young vibrant lodge, and as I have said in past blogs, I achieved all the honors available to me within the first 7 years of my membership. What I have always loved most was the family love and respect our men and women share. I truly believed our officers, both men and women, shared not only the love of our lodge but the love for each other. We have since moved into much larger quarters (5 years) ago and our membership has increased to almost 1000 members. Still I believed that all our members, especially our officers, felt the way our founders did.

This week something VERY SMALL happened which could have festered into major proportions. Apparently food has been missing from the lodge refrigerator and freezer. Who is taking the food isn't the issue and the fact that the men have decided to lock the fridge and freezer isn't an issue either. What is a major issue, however, is that our lodge brother officers, without discussing anything with the women (who also use the kitchen)decided that only three men (the Governor of the lodge, the administrator and the Kitchen Chairman) should have keys. When the Chapter Senior Regent (equal to President) and Recorder (money person) asked the Governor if our Senior Regent would have a set of keys, they were told absolutely not, only the men would have keys. In this one short sentence, the women members were immediately dropped to second class citizens, whose Senior Regentcould not be trusted with a set of keys to the fridge and freezer. I must in all fairness add that these men are members who were not part of our original founding, but are members who have joined the past 5 years but saying this, I never thought any of our brothers, old or new would ever consider not sharing with the Chapter.

Within two (maybe even one) seconds, I was slapped in the face of reality by these men. I wondered if all the work by our women, which has always been appreciated by the men, has suddently become devalued by this group of men who so recently joined and obviously have no idea how much work and money this hard working Chapter actually contributes to the success of lodge. I found this not only unreasonable but extremely difficult to bear.

Our lodge brothers were set to have their general meeting so I approached one of our past Governors and expressed my view of the apparently new attitude of this men's board in a not so polite way. I also told him that if this new attitude was, in fact, real, I could not participate in any lodge where the officers believed the women should not be entitled refrigerator keys, but count of the exact same amount of work or more than the men do. I told him that if the Governor didn't give up his keys or make sure our Senior Regent was given a set of keys, I would walk out of this lodge after 19 years without a second backward glance.

Apparently I made my point. After the meeting, our Governor told our Senior Regent that neither he nor she would have keys. Only the lodge Administrator and Kitchen Chairmen would be responsible. Do I feel vindicated? Yes and no. I am relieved that logic prevailed and these men now understand the Chapter's importance? I am not sure. The fact that this happened at all is what upsets me most. How angry am I that these men are so inconsiderate to have even created the situation over two stupid little keys to appliances, and how am I supposed to respect this particular group of men in the future when it's now clear to me that they even considered the Moose to be a man's lodge and women inconsequential . The Chapter can only continue working and hopefully these men will understand what the founders of our lodge understood 20 years ago. Everyone must be treated with equal respect or failure is a guarantee.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Tagged by Patti

Patti tagged me with a 7 p"s meme so I will give it a try. I have no idea how to pass it on but at least my version is here:

Passion - I have lots of passion. I just have no idea what to do with it.
Purpose - The true purpose of playing the lottery is to win. Maybe one of these days
it will happen.
Persuit - I am in complete persuit of retirement in 2 years.
Position - Truly middle of the road, trying very hard not to get run over.
Pummeling - Sometimes I just feel like pummeling my co-worker.
Progress - Each day is a little more progress towards my retirement.
Personality - I do think I have a pretty easy going personality.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Dinner with the family

I think you know that my cousin Lynn and family are on vacation in Northern California. Joan is house sitting, taking care of my Aunt as well as Amber the Lab. Last week, Joan and I made arrangements to go out to dinner while she was so close to my office.

After work yesterday, I drove up to Lynn's house. Lo and behold, Rick had decided to join us for dinner and they were all waiting for me when I arrived.

It was decided that we would eat at an Italian restaurant not too far from the house. The place was great and the food was wonderful. Just as I always do since having the stomach bypass, when I order my meal, I get a take out container at the same time then drop half of what's on my plate right into the container so that I am not even tempted to try and finish everything. It really works and saves a lot of overfull stomach pain plus I still have enough food for lunch today.

After dinner, we went back to the house. Rick left for home while Joan and I took Amber for a walk around the neighborhood. It gave us a chance to visit and it reminded me how much I miss the visits we shared while driving to the doctor, before and after my by-pass surgery last year. We are all so busy that making time to just visit in person, aside from family holiday gatherings seems so difficult. Last night was a wonderful catching up time with Joan and my Aunt.

In a couple of years I will be moving to Iowa. I must make more time, while I am still living within driving range of both cousins, for face to face visits, especially with my wonderful Aunt who still looks at me with the unconditional love I have seen all my life.

Yes, I absolutely have to make a lot more time!!!

Monday, August 13, 2007

100 Moose members can keep a secret.

Last Saturday night, our Moose Family Center helped one of our members celebrate his 60th birthday. The preparations for this party were tough on Bill's wife because she had to give invitations to 100 people in writing. Janice wanted it to be a surprise so not one word could be said in the lodge so that Bill wouldn't hear anything. Janice started giving out the invitations over a month ago, making everyone promise not to breath a word to Bill, asking everyone to be at the lodge no later that 6:15 PM. Everyone agreed to keep the secret and to show up on time.

Janice promised Bill that she would take him to dinner at his favorite Santa Barbara restaurant. She told him she made reservations at 8:00 so they had to leave about 6:30. On the way, she asked him to stop by the lodge because her camera was still there because she forgot it Friday night. Bill in his usual good natured mood agreed to the stop.

Saturday night was an absolutely perfect night for a party.The temperature was 76 outside and the hall was very comfortable. Just as we promised, everyone showed up at 6:15. We all herded to one side of the hall (good thing we weren't on a ship). No one made a sound. When Bill walked into the hall, everyone yelled the compulsory SURPRISE. Bill was shocked to say the least, and when he realized there were about 100 of us to share his birthday he started to cry.

After everyone was seated, Janice had Bill stand to receive his birthday present. She apologized to him for the cost and size of the gift, telling him that when she saw it, she knew it was something he would love. She had one of the men blindfold Bill then went into the kitchen and brought out their daughter, son-in-law and 4 grandchildren. They live on the other side of the country in Virginia and the last visit was Christmas when Bill and Janice were there.

The kids all lined up in a straight row in front of Bill. Not one of the little ones (5 up to 12) made a single sound. Then the blindfold was removed. It took a second for Bill's eyes to adjust to the light then he was staring right into the eyes of his beloved daughter (Bill and Janice only have two kids, their daughter Casey and son Todd,who lives in our town and has no children). He look down at his grandkids then fell to his knees hugging all of them at once and sobbing uncontrollably. It was the most beautiful sight we have all seen and there weren't many dry eyes in the room.

During the entire evening, all Bill could repeat was "I can't believe everyone kept the secret!". Janice showed a video of Bill's life from babyhood to the present including his years in Vietnam. It was a wonderful party. The food was super, the music was great, including the karioke (his grandkids sang to him),and dancing. Everyone had the best time teasing Bill about his crossing over the "60" mountain, but Bill didn't care. He was just so jazzed that we were all there sharing his birthday.

The fact that the secret of the party was kept by 100 people for over a month and a half was the best surprise of all. It goes to show that anything is possible. I have said before that our Moose Family Center is well named. Our family shared one very special evening which will be long remembered not only by Bill and Janice but by all of us who were given the chance to participate in this wonderful secret.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

How do you say "Oh Heck" in Hawaiian

When I bought my Hawaiian shirt, I just picked it off the rack and didn't try it on. Last night I don't know why but something made me decide to try it on. Good thing I did because along the right underarm seam there is about a 4" slash. It's not the seam, it's about a half an inch beside the seam, not repairable. I did save the receipt (had to search the bathroom trash bucket but I found it along with the store bag) so I will go back to the store Saturday morning as soon as it opens and, hopefully, find something else in my size.

Oh well, just one more thing to cram into Saturday along with picking up my Moose Regalia gown from the cleaners, and spending time with one of my Moose co-workers picking out pictures from our July 14th Moose weekend so that she can make a video. I think there has to be at least 200 pictures between her camera and mine for us to sort though. We already have 40 orders (mostly paid) for the videos, so it's got to be done soon. We also have a surprise birthday party Saturday night for one of our male friends, so I must stop somewhere and pick up a gift certificate. I am thinking one from a new steak house in town would be perfect. I will do that after the picture session, after I stop for gas.

Keeping busy is nice but I wish the weekends were just a little longer. Sure would be nice to switch to 2 working days with 5 days off. Oh well, two more years and I will be off 7 days a week. I just can't wait.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Finally, the famous home run and ball

For the past month, we have been waiting for Barry Bonds to pass Hank Aaron's home run count. Last night he finally did it. I am not really a baseball fan but I happened to be channel surfing last night and caught the San Francisco Met game (about 10 minutes before Bonds got the home run) so I decided to watch at least until Bonds came to bat. Lo and behold, he hit a beaut into no man's land (the right field bleachers) instead of McCovey cove where all the boaters were waiting because that's usually where the Bond's home runs end.

Unless you have been living in a cave on a deserted island, you know that the sports writers are saying this achievement is probably tainted because of the steroid question. I don't know what the results of this will be. What I am commenting on today is not the value of the home run, but the value of the ball which was hit.

The kid who caught it is a 22 year old New Yorker who happened to stop in San Francisco yesterday on his way to Australia with a friend and they decided to see if they could get into the game, which obviously they could. The seats, however, are in a horrible part of the stands, far back of right field. Most players don't have the power to even get near the spot but Barry did last night. The sports writers are lamenting that because of the potential steroid scandal, the ball will ONLY be worth a fraction of what it should be, namely $500,000.00.

So in a nutshell, this 22 year old kid who was looking for something to do while he waited for a flight out the next day, happened to be able to get a ticket to a baseball game where he caught a world famous ball, devalued to $500,000.00. How jaded have become when such an amount is taken to be chump change by the media? The bottom line is that by a quirk of fate, this catch will probably give him more money in one lump, than he would normally see in a lifetime.

I would love such an opportunity to acquire an amount devalued to $500,000.00. Does anyone out there have anything worth this amount they would like to get rid of and pass on to me? I would be more than happy to take it off your hands. $500K might not be the 3 million other sports stuff is worth but to me and I am sure the kid who caught the ball last night, it sure sounds like a darn special amount.