The Autumn of My Life

Re-Work my Blog

2011-06-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my wonderful daughter, I will be re-constructing my Blog. Work to start next Wednesday June 8. Stay tuned........

It's a New Year

2011-01-25T18:24:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that I have actually lived until 2011. In 1990, I don't even think anyone thought about the next century. When 1999 arrived, I can remember how worried everyone was about what was going to happen when we turned over to the next century. That New Years night we all held our breath as 2000 came and everything still worked the same as it had the previous years. So much for that and now it is 2011. Every year gets shorter or so it seems. I am a year older (68), and grandpa will be 70 in August. Can we really be getting that old?

Last year held so many storied events. Joan and Blaine both turned 45, Elizabeth turned 21, Nick turned 18 and graduated from high school, Benjamin graduated from college and married Kirstin, all within 2 weeks. Dean retired from the Navy in Boston and we traveled there to see his retirement ceremony. All of a sudden it was fall again. No RVing last year. Won't be again (we're selling the RV), but that's another story, for another time.

No gardening last year either and now I am going to have to start all over again, but this time with help from Marci (who is a checker at my Albertson's) she is great and is always on the go. She does gardening for the joy of it. Bless her, as my back is horrible and I can't pick up pots any more or bend over to do the weeding. I think I will need her soon as the weeds are already going crazy. We have lots of projects around here this year that we have put off since we got the RV and now they need to get done. I have a list a mile long (well not exactly a mile long, but you get the idea.) For instance: Cleaning out the shed and plugging all the holes that are in the roof. Getting rid of boxes and boxes we haven't looked in for years and years and years etc. Redoing both of our decks. Redoing the garden(only potted plants, they are easier.) The house needs painting (hasn't been done for ten years and I want a different color.) We also need a new roof. I discovered the other day that it is full of moss. We had a new roof put on right after we moved in 13 years ago. This is just the outside of the house. The inside of the house needs work also. New paint on the ceilings and would like to paint the kitchen walls and cabinets. So as you can see I have a lot on my list.

Health wise, we both are feeling the effects of getting older. I have a problem with my feet and suffer greatly at night. This has kept me from doing any walking, so of course I am now heavier than ever and that doesn't help either. Don't sleep a lot and that gets me down some days. My hips and back are giving out and I find it hard to do a lot of everyday chores
so depression sets in, but I do find that when the sun does come out I want to really do a lot and than pay for it the next day.
Dean has given up playing racquetball. His ankles and arms are just weary. He has bad bursitis in his shoulders and finds it hard to do anymore large lifting. Getting old sucks.

I finally had to get off of Facebook. I was finding myself sitting at this stupid computer for hours on end looking at it to see what was happening with all my friends and family. On December 31st I deactivated my FB account and now am on the computer first thing in the morning to read the papers and look at all my animal cam sites. I have a new baby panda (Atlanta Zoo), 2 new bear cubs in Ely, Minn, just born on the 22ND of January. There is actually a cam in the den in the woods. It is so fascinating to watch. Got to see the births. Another long story. The eagles all over the US are now starting to build their nest and laying eggs, there are new baby Gentoo penguins in the Antarctica. So I get to keep up with those sites. In March all the Osprey come back from Africa to start new families. It is so much fun to watch all this going on.

Hopefully I will do better with my Blogging this year, but that is not a promise. I have pictures to put on here and stories to tell about 2010.
So hope to see you around sooner rather than later.

Love, Me

A very Busy Summer

2010-10-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I haven't been on my Blog since May 5th. This was such a busy summer and now it is Fall. Where has the time gone?

We had 2 Graduations. Nick from High School and Benjamin from Seattle Pacific University. On yes, one day apart from each other.

And then one week later, a beautiful wedding on June 20th between Benjamin and Kirstin.

Nick's 18th birthday on July 3rd.

August 25th we took off for Boston to see our son Dean retire from the US Navy after 23 years. Got to visit with our Grandchildren back there and see a few sights. Home again on the 31st of August.

Was supposed to go camping for a Kite Festival On Sept. 8th, but had a adventure with our RV (will explain in a later blog).

Now it is time for my favorite part of fall, FOOTBALL.

Hopefully my next blog will feature pictures of each happening from this summer and go more into detail of each special day. Until then, enjoy each day.

Ben's Recital

2010-05-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

Ben is principal French Horn player in the SPU
Wind Symphony

The beginning of the Recital

Ben accompanied his beautiful fiancee Kirstin
she has the most beautiful voice and also plays
the French Horn along side Ben in the symphony

Ben and tuba duet with Josh Jorgensen

A final bow

For the past four years, Grandma and Grandpa Steiner,have been attending Ben's SPU symphony programs. This would be both Thalia(which I finally figured out how to pronounce after the second year) and the Wind Symphony. This is his final year and he just completed his Senior recital. I must say that I do not have an ear for the music he plays, but I try. I am going to miss going to the concerts and watching Ben as he plays his beloved music. I know that we will go to a Symphony, wherever he might be playing in the Seattle area as often as we can.
Thank you Benjamin for letting Grandma and Grandpa be a part of your musical life.

New Home For RV

2010-05-04T22:58:00.000-07:00

All tucked away and cozy

My new Home

Love being covered and plugged in

Just my backside showing

Dad with his "girl"

Home Sweet Home

Here is the story of our RV's new home:

I do not like riding in our RV. Mostly because I have a motion problem. I had pretty much decided that we needed to just sell it and find some other way of vacationing at the beach.
My poor husband Dean, who makes Windspinners as a hobby and loves to display them, was not too happy about selling our vacation home on wheels.
Our RV is 28ft and is an older (1988) model. But it works for us. We bought it from our neighbors after it was broken into about 4 years ago. We used it constantly for 2 years, than last year Dean had eye surgery and we haven't been back out for over a year. We've put a bit of money into it ( a little more than a bit) and he was troubled thinking it was going to be sold.
BUT, I got this brilliant idea that if we could find a place down at the Ocean to store the RV, (we live in Everett, Washington) which is about 160 miles from the coast. Takes about 2 1/2 hrs to get there. I wouldn't have to ride in the Motor Home, but could drive my mini van.
One Sunday in February I looked at the newspaper from the city of Aberdeen and found a place where you could store RV's year round and it wasn't that expensive. Called the number and to our delight found there were still available slots. Took a trip to the storage lot and signed up that day. We have a covered space and electricity to plug the RV in. It costs just a little more that what we were paying up here in Everett (with no covering and no electricity).

Last Wednesday (April 28th) we took the RV to it's new home. Yea, no more riding for me and it will be a whole lot cheaper on the gas. We only get 7 miles to the gallon. But verybody is happy now. We still get to go to the beach and don't have to worry about staying in a motel. I love happy endings.

Annual Check Up for the Girls

2010-05-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

Miss Sugar (Everybody loved me!!!)

Miss Missy
(Everybody, just keep your Paws off me!!!)

My girls (Sugar and Missy) had their annual check-ups from the Vet this afternoon.

Sugar weighs 11 lbs, is very healthy and Dr. Lester and assistant fell madly in love with her.
She did not like the ride in her crate to the Vet and going home wasn't much better. But her Daddy (Dean) got her out of the crate at the Vet's and petted her and calmed her down and then she put on quite a show. She loved all the attention given to her during the exam and didn't even yelp when she had her shot and her nails clipped. After the exam it was back into the crate and the yowling started again. We just ignored her.

Missy's turn~ She weighs 10+ lbs, is very healthy and hated everyone, including us. What a performance she put on hissing and spitting, growling at us all. Now SHE wanted back in her crate where she could be left alone. Naturally she screamed when she had her shot and had to be taken to the back of the office to have her nails cut. I figured better them doing it then me. I'll bet she had to have four people hold her down while cutting her nails. When she came back into the room she was still hissing. We put her back in her crate and never heard another peep out of her.

Now both girls are back in their beds and sleeping off their exhausting day. Thank goodness that is over for another year. Gotta love them.

Springtime Blooms

2010-04-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

First Rhody of the Year.
Blooms are huge and the bumblebees just love them.

Grasses and Day Lily's beginning to come up.

The Myrtle is just such an amazing blue.

I have had this Bleeding Heart for at least 10 years

and it will be huge by July 4th.

The Hellebores are just beautiful this spring.

This is a "Blue Lady" Helebores.

Ahhhh, the wonderful spring days are finally upon us.

After a walk through my garden the other day, I discovered some of my flowers were blooming. Lots of greenery also coming up and lots of cleaning up of leaves and branches that had fallen during our many wind storms these past few weeks.

I love the springtime as it is a renewal of garden life from a winter sleep. Now it is time to get busy and get old plants cleaned up and new plants into their new beds for the warmth of the season.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

2010-04-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be wonderful to see these guys back on the field again? Randy looks absolutely joyus. Never have seen him smile that much. I sure miss the good old days.

Grrrrr-Why Ask?

2010-04-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Why do you make an appointment with a doctor or dentist? Usually, it's because you don't feel well or you have a toothache. Then why do they always ask you " HOW ARE YOU TODAY?" and do you always answer them "FINE, AND HOW ARE YOU?" now how stupid is that?

Thank You

2010-03-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

And this would be my "DDD"

A big THANK YOU goes out to my "DDD" or as I would say my "Dear Darling Daughter" for all her time and help in trying to get her mother(that's me) to get into my head how to remember to do all of this blogging stuff. It has been a lot to learn and I have forgotten some it. And yes I do have cheat sheets to remember it all. What would I do without her? Love you so much.

Your Grateful Mom

Hello-I'mmmm Baaack

2010-03-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

That's me on a very beautiful,cold,windy day at the ocean.

A huge tree brought in by the winter tides.

It's been quite a while since I have done anything with this blog- just haven't been in the mood I guess. I am going to try again to do a little better.

Even though it has been a relatively mild winter, here in the Pacific NorthWest, I seemed to have the dulldrums. My health has been just "ok" and I have had a issue with my teeth. Right now I am waiting to see if I will have to have another extraction. I love dentist-not.

I did spend a good portion of the first two months of 2010 catching up on my reading and then passing the books on to my neighbor and sister-in-law Marilyn.

Missy and Sugar are doing just fine and are enjoying being able to go outside on their deck. We have also fixed our side yard off the deck for them to be able to have a yard to play in. They go out around 8:30 and come in at around 7 now that we are on DST. Ya ya, I know lots of people hate DST, but it seems to make me feel better and in these later years of my life anything that helps me is A-OK.

I so want to get into my garden and get things planted, but I know it is too early. I had a gentleman come in and do a winter cleanup (charged me way too much and then wanted more) and that will help me to get going when the time is right.

We were going to sell our RV, but came up with a solution that will be good for both of us. Found a place between Aberdeen and Westport that will store the RV for as much as we pay here at our Mobile Home Park. So we took a little trip on March 17 to take a look at the facility. This storage is much better than the one here as it is covered and has some electricity. It is also in a 55+ park and will be watched. This Mobile Home Park is so pretty and well taken care of. There are only 20 homes in it. One does happen to be for sale, but it needs a lot of work as it has been empty for 2 years. When we take the RV down to park it in mid April we plan on getting to see the inside. One never knows maybe we will have a place at the Ocean. It is something we have always dreamed about.

While at the coast we drove to Ocean Shores and had lunch at our favorite Chinese restaraunt. Then checked out the town. Not a lot of stores open and locals only. Went on to the beach, but it was so cold and windy. Didn't stay long as we wanted to drive back while it was still light out. Long day, but sure worth while. I love the ocean.

Will try to stay in touch, but I won't guarantee it. Have a great Spring.

Blessings

2010-02-03T18:57:00.000-08:00

My cats waking me early this morning wanting to go out and chase squirrels.

Sending my taxes off so I can get my refund back ASAP.

The special call from MC at Harris Ford that my van was ready to pickup and that I had the $$$ to pay for it.

My hubby for driving me to all my errands.(before I got my van back)

Mei Lan

2010-02-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

Mom Lun Lun and Baby Mei Lan

Mei Lan at 2 yrs

Mei Lan- My Beautiful Panda

I have had a love for Panda's ever since Mei Lan was born, three years ago.

On Thursday Mei Lan will be going back to her homeland of China to begin the
second phase of her life. She goes back to start with the research and breeding
that the US agrees to when they are born here. Also going back is Tai Shan who is four.
Both panda's will be going to different facilities.

Mei Lan was born at Zoo Atlanta and Tai Shan at the National Zoo in Washington D.C.
Both zoo's have web cams and it has been so very interesting watching them grow to be
the Panda's they are now.

Good Bye and Good Luck to both of you. I shall miss you most Mei Lan.

Blessings

2010-02-02T15:53:00.000-08:00

TODAYS BLESSINGS

I was able to scrape up enough money to hire a nice Mexican gentleman to clean my garden.

It looks so nice now. He was here for three hours and cut back all my hedges and pulled weeds and sculpted my trees. Picked up all the leaves from this fall and took out a tree we have been wanting to get rid of for a couple of years. Everything looks so nice and fresh. I love it. Thank you Miguel.

Read a lovely article about Benjamin's Thalia Symphony from Saturday and it mentioned how wonderfully he played. Good job Benj.

The sun has been out all day and it is so nice and warm for a February day. So what does "Phil" know anyway?

"THANK YOU'S"

2009-12-14T11:56:00.000-08:00

There are days when I wonder whatever happened to a good old fashion "Thank You".

Gifts are given for all kinds of special occasions, but the "Thank You" seems to be missing.

Maybe I am old fashioned, but in my younger days, politeness was pointed out to us almost on a daily basis. Even today I have to remind my husband of 47 years to say "please and thank you" if being given something or asking for something. A random act of kindness will always need a "Thank You".

So if want to make a person's day after being given something, a simple "Thank You" will certainly make their day and bring a smile to their face.

Random Thankfulness

2009-10-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

Ten things to be thankful for:

1. The first daffodils of spring.

2. A smile from a stranger.

3. More TV channels=more choices.

4. Blueberry scones.

5. Low-fat ice cream.

6. Friends who believe in you.

7. The chance to give to a favorite charity.

8. Love notes.

9. Art museums.

10. Satellite radio.

More to come later.

Birthday Celebration

2009-10-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

Today was my 67th Birthday. Here I am with my beautiful daughter. She made me a wonderful gluten free apple pie. It was great. Also a beautiful bouquet of flowers from her favorite flower lady at the Pike Street Market in Seattle.

Enjoying Life

2009-09-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me by a very good friend and I decided to share it with others.

I would never trade my loving family,my amazing friends, and my wonderful life for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I have aged, I've become kinder to myself,and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement cat that I didn't need, but looks so cute on my patio. I am entitled to a treat,to be messy,to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's, and if I,at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love--- I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and I will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances of the younger set.

They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one,or when a child suffers,or even when somebodies beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older,it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've earned the right to be wrong.

So,I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER!!

Aches and Pains

2009-09-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

All my life I have been an active person. The last 4 years or so have been a real challenge. I have Osteo Arthritis and it's very painful.

With most other people it can be managed with any form of ibuprofen. Unfortunately I am unable to take that particular drug. I have a low platelet count and have had for many, many years. My brother, daughter and granddaughter are also plagued with this. After seeing the rhumatoligist this past summer, he can not help me.

I have ventured on my own to try and find some kind of relief. I have started with my Chiropractor. He has made it his quest to try and relieve me of this pain.( As best he can.)
I see him twice a week and have added Massage Therapy once a week. Jeri is great and consults with Dr. Mike before each session. I do have to have her modify her massage. Sometimes she gets carried away and I have to have her be a little gentler. Otherwise I can't move later and that just makes matters worse.
They say you have to hurt more to get better. Ugh. Today is one of those hurt days. In about two months I will start Acupunture.

The only drug I take is Tylenol for Arthritis and that doesn't help very much. I use warm moist heat on the back and hip a couple times a day and that is really nice and soothing. I also use Arnica cream and tablets when the pain is bad and they are helpful, but not a solution.

Today the weather is cold and rainy. So the old body is not happy. But I will just push on. Life goes on and so do I.

Hopes

2009-09-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

"New hopes are born with each new Sunrise."

The Girls

2009-09-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

I have been a cat lover all my life. When my husband and I got married 47 years ago I decided that while he was off saving the world, I needed company. (No kids yet.) We were stationed in England and he would have to go different places for his job, so I got two cat's. A black cat and a white cat and I called them Midnight and Shadow. We had them until we left England and then our landlord took them. They lived until they were 16 years old.

Over the years we have had a variety of cats. Siamese, heintz 57, mostly tabbies. Names such as Sooty,Charlie and Buddy. Most lived long lives. I had always wanted a orange tabby and finally got one in the fall of 2000. I named him Buddy because that is what he was. He passed away 2 years ago of cancer. My heart broke and I haven't had any cats for 2 years.

I've never adopted any cats from a shelter. Always had them from kittens. But this last February 14th I adopted 2. They are not related, but seemed to like each other ok. They were one year old at the time. One is a tabby(shorthaired) and one is like a ocelot. Beautiful markings both of them. They had some crazy names when we got them and were promptly changed them to Sugar and Missy.

These two are crazy. Missy chirps like a bird all the time and Sugar hardly meows at all. But they chase each other around the house and try and wrestle like the pro's. It's hilarious. I decided to find some different balls for them to play with and discovered the wooden balls that are used for making necklaces. They are really big and they skid so good on the floor. They absolutely love these and bottle caps from pop bottles. Can't tell you how many I have found in the bed.
But I love them unconditionally and I will have many stories to tell you in the future.

I have found that animals of any kind make us oldies enjoy the days more. I laugh a lot and that is so good for anyone to do.

Maxine Say's

2009-09-25T12:16:00.000-07:00

"I'll be impressed when they make a thermostat that programs for hot flashes."

My thoughts exactly. Not the best time in a woman's life. But we continue on. Don't we ladies.

Have a Laugh

2009-09-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

Maxine say's " Instead of blogging about your life, try getting one."

I should look more closely at that one. Starting this blog has been a challenge.

Life's Lessons

2009-09-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

I received this from a friend of mine and thought I would share it with all of you.

This is something we should all read at least once a week.

This is written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of THE PLAIN DEALER, Cleveland, Ohio..

She says "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me..It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more."

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it come to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's ok to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry, God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never to late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it come to going after what you love in live, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these five words:"In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in Miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of
anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside everyday. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, get dressed and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.

The Crazy Cats

2009-09-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

Sugar and Missy!

The Beginning

2009-09-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

I am hoping to share with others how I feel about the "Twilight" years of my life.

Life seems so short anyway. I find it hard to believe that my children are already having their children (my grandchildren) leave home to start their own lives. I can remember when each of my grandchildren was born. It has been amazing seeing them grow and each become an adult.

When I first found out that I was to become a grandmama for the first time I was so thrilled. I was only 45 and all my friends thought I was crazy to be so happy. That meant I must be getting old. Back in the late 80's it just wasn't fashionable at that age to look at grandparenting.

But it was a beginning for me to move on to the next phase of my life. Now I am looking to see what is instore for me as I move on to being an "ole lady" as I call it.

I hope you will all join me in this adventure. I will talk about my life, children, grandchildren.

I will not post every day as I want to think about what I am putting in this blog before I make a complete fool of myself. Blogging is so new to me. I would love to hear from you how you are coping with this later part of our lives.

Thanks to my wonderful daughter Joanie, she has set this up for me to begin.

Here we go. I invite you into "The Autumn of My Life".