Last Day of January 2019

Like all other days, this day is a new one and we only have it once!  I vow to make it an awesome day. Thursdays, as I have said before, are bowling days during the non-golfing winter months.  Jeremiah and I started Kon Mari on the garage yesterday.  We made some good progress.  We've been storying his and his X's stuff for almost a year - and as usual with stuff like this if you haven't used it in a year one has to question if it is really needed. Oh well, it is trips to good will and extra bags of trash on Tuesdays.

We've been getting some nice snows the last few weeks.  We are expecting some more next week.  I'm experiencing a bit of a problem with my snow blower.  The blower part works great but there seems to be an electrical glitch.  I've written the manufacturer about it.  I hope to hear from them today. 

I'm having the arborist come out tomorrow to look at our trees and determine what if anything has to be done this spring.  I'm sure there will be some pruning.

I did some window covering yesterday.  I'm noticing a few of my "mistakes" this morning.  I'm going to do two more this morning.  It is a learning process - I'm excited to get the first perfect one.  I'm trying different levels of privacy in the office so that I can get Caroly exactly what she wants in her office.  Happy wife, happy life!  Where did I hear that one?

Enjoy your moments!  You only get them once!  The good news is there are always new ones to go.  Just don't hang on to the old ones for too long -- you can't get them back! You can only look at the new ones with a different attitude!

Squirrels

Squirrels can be a nuisance, joy, and other descriptive adjectives better not stated in this blog.  I love squirrels!  They are so animated and playful.  Chuck and Charlene (our playful pair) have started playing their annual courting ritual.  Chasing up and down the tree limbs, across the fence top round and round the blue spruce from one end of the back yard to the the other.  I'm not sure who is chasing whom but it is fun to watch the frolicking.

We've been here for 7 years now -- we put corn out in the winter.  This year they got a gingerbread house ( not so sure that was good for them).
 But, they sure did seem to enjoy out, lasted a week or so.  I know this picture arrangement is hinky, but I'm too lazy to get it right this morning.  Enjoy your day - whatever day it happens to be when you view this!

 

Sound, Gadgetry, and Other Things Fun

I do like gadgetry and even some "geeky" stuff.  I have a 30" Vizio in my office, as a matter of fact I'm watching it now.  A few weeks ago the sound started getting hinky.  The speaker(s) started vibrated like they had cracked cones.  Imagine what those might cost to replace.  Instead of replacing them, I started looking at soundbars.  I finally found a reasonably priced one at Walmart - a 32" remote controlled, google assistant integrated, bluetooth enabled, smart - all that for 69 bucks.  I figured I saved myself (finding, ordering, shipping, installing replacement speakers , hours)two or three times that by just getting the soundbar... and it is a great improvement.

What does that have to do with the title of this post?  Well it is a gadget that is sound related and lots of fun.  Now, to get it mounted and placed just right!

Living in the moment yet another day!  (I gotta figure out how to add stickers and gifs to this blog. -- that would be fun!)

Oh, I decided to leave the long form date off the title -- it was a bit redundant and, it was taking up too much space!

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 - Maria Kondo and Tidying Up

"Tidying Up" continues, as well as exploring 1 way or daytime privacy window coverings.  Right now I'm working on my office, and Carolyn's office.  But the clean-up is bringing up other sentimental delights.

My old Air Force Master Instructor badge, some of our archery achievements, one of dad's "Member Montezuma, Iowa Fire Department " badge, a tea set that belonged to mom, and much more.  One item brought back a lot of Junior High "stuff" - some good memories, and some not so good memories. 

The pictured wallet was one I made in shop class in, I think 1959.  I really did love leather work.  This one was retired some 15 years ago, but it is still serviceable  if I wished to use it.   I still enjoy leather work from time to time.  About 14 months ago Carolyn asked me to repair a purse strap.  Well, after purchasing a new stitching awl and wax string I was successful -- and that purse strap is still holding tight.  I've found my old hardboard, hammer, tools and, well, almost everything I need to pick the hobby up again.  I'm looking forward to it - once I finish my tidying process in my basement workshop.

I'm also thinking about a better refurbishment of the electronics in my very old Zenith radio.  It is gonna be a wonderfully busy summer!

Enjoy your moments!  Laugh and smile a lot!

Monday, January 21st, 2019 - Another Monday

Mondays are good!  I start my week on Mondays.  I'm sitting here just cogitating the day and looking forward to what it will bring.  What new adventures are just around the corner, what new challenges, what new......?

Whatever the day brings ( or the week) I'm sure there will be a little of everything that will have some significance in life.  I've told this journal that I've started Spring Cleaning.  It is looking like that activity is going to last until summer.  The minute I clear and/or clean something up - it just seems to get cluttered again  I'm going to have to review the concepts of tidying  up!  I highly recommend the book

I've been working on my dresser, closet, office, garage, and basement workroom.  I haven't taken any before and after pictures.  I really don't want to remember the before.  Just know I've made several trips to ARC and Goodwill already.  I'm sure there will be more trips. 

I've also been researching a lot on the proper way to "get rid" of things like metal, old broken small appliances and other things that can't be dropped in the garbage or taken to the thrift stores.  Turns out there is recycling businesses out there for almost anything!  Thankful for those things that could have ended up in a land fill, but now will be repurposed.

Have fun with your week!

Friday, January 18th, 2019 - Games

I'm not much of a socializer, but I do like games.  I like some on-line games like Jackpot Party, Words With Friends, and Fairway Solitaire to name a few.  Only one of those games involves a social aspect.  I also like poker -but, don't get invited to play much.  I do get some of the kids together to play Texas Hold-em from time to time - that is a nice friendly social event.  It just doesn't happen frequently enough.

I like golf, bowling, archery - they are some nice active sports and sometimes involves others and they do provide for some interesting socialization.  Though, sometimes even in these activities I don't tend to socialize very much.  My Myers Briggs type is INFP, that explains some of it.  It isn't that I don't care about others, it is more like I'm at a loss for intersocial thoughts.  Oh, I like fishing too, and darts.

I really like scrabble, bridge (but haven't played for years) - like most card games that involve 4 or more players - pinochle, spades, hearts, canasta, pepper - I used to play a lot of cards, but not much after marriage - my lady just doesn't seem that interested in card games  The good news is that we are now playing scrabble pretty frequently and we do enjoy that time together.  

I keep trying to talk Carolyn into letting me set up an archery target in the basement - I think we would both enjoy that a lot.  Carolyn was very good at archery!

I'm not sure exactly why I'm writing about this - maybe, just maybe it has to do with my lack of socializing!  A lot of times, even when I'm on a team or in a group - I feel alone - I think I'm participating, but perhaps I'm just not totally there and in the moment like I should be.  There is a lot of room for reflection on this subject.  I think sometimes I shut down because sometimes when I do talk - I can be very "blunt" and straight forward - not necessarily appreciated by many people.  I think my dream home is still a two or three room cabin with a deck overlooking a pond - tall trees and remote access... Right now, and for the past 18 months or so, we've had our son and grandson living with us - sometimes that feels crowded!  There is a lot of freedom and personal sanctity that is lost, but I'm thankful we are able to provide when there is a need.  It just isn't the same as when Carolyn and I are alone!  Just not the same.  Part of it, I think is a lack of privacy and freedom. Yet I know they try as hard as the can to keep from being intrusive.  

I think that grown-up kids living with parents or coming back to the nest is much more prevalent than it used to be.... thanks for listening! 

Thursday, January 18th, 2019 - More Early Spring Cleaning and Bowling

Today is a 2 league bowling day.  Mountain Range in the afternoon with Carolyn and Wooden Shoes at night with "the guys".  I'm looking forward to consistency today.  That is the goal.  Hit the mark and make appropriate adjustments when necessary.

Spring cleaning  I know it isn't spring, but I've started early - it is a way to avoid working on things like "taxes" - but I vow to get an early start on that this year too.  My project the last few weeks has included garage and basement hideaway (different than "man cave").  I'm making excellent progress and ARC Thrift stores or Goodwill shall certainly benefit!

I'm also looking for some very specific remote controlled lights - where in the heck are they?  I love lights, I don't know why.  I especially like those battery operated ones that have many modes and/or remote control, or are on for 6 hours then off for 18 -  now I've got some that dance to the sound.  I really like that - how do they make those things so "inexpensive".  I've got what I call "mood lights" on the mantel, the television cut-outs, in the sauna (which I also had to fix - that was a two week project also)!  That sauna door must weigh 200lbs!  It was easier to "adjust" the frame!  I took the easy way out - but now it is working like a charm.

I found these wonderful "MainStay" drawer organizers.  You should see my sock drawer now.  I got all my batteries squared away and my office supplies are now so easy to keep organized.  I think I'm a bit OCD  Some people might say a lot OCD.  I do like order, but chaos doesn't drive me nuts, I just deal with it.  When you have a grandson and son living with you - chaos can be the norm.  They do try though.

On a totally different subject - we just got a factory recall notice on Rosie (our Hyundai Elentra)  She has about 170,000 miles on her and is going strong - kinda like me but I'm a he.  That is something I need to take care of today!

Then there's the kitchen undersink drinking water system! $200 for replacement filters - talk about "sticker Shock"!  Oh well!  Then "of course" there is the $95 to sanitize the drinking water storage tank and the $45 service call.  So, you may ask,  "why didn't you change the filters and get them from Amazon?" Well Amazon didn't have them, whoa - they have everything! NOT!  So I ordered them from what I thought was the OEM for the unit.  Got two years supply for $100 plus shipping. Oops, wrong filters.  Turns out the filters for this system were "proprietary".  I had to get them from the local supplier!  Luckily, the RO filter (Reverse Osmosis) only has to be replaced about every 4-5 years - the pre and post filters every year or 2.  Now I know where to get them - so it will be a "honey do" job next time around.

Wow, a bit wordy this morning.  Have an awesome day.  Smile at a stranger, hug someone - get hugged by someone - it'll do wonders for your attitude!

Monday, January 15, 2019 - "Sticks and Stones"

We all know the old "saw" "Sticks and Stones...." .  Your "Daily Brain Game" is to finish that "saw".  (Which, of course, brings up another question - what is the source of the word "saw" to describe this kinds of witticisms?  Anyhow, back to the point.

The reader probably well knows that the rest of this has a part that says "but words will never hurt me!" Yah, right.  At least for me the words can hurt worse than the "sticks and stones".  Yesterday I had the occasion to experience that again and, I think, perhaps re-discovered the sensitivity my silly brain has in connecting words, their inflection when stated, and the links to past memories that trigger something inside of that tends to "over react" to what is being said.  I read into the words - almost instantaneously- things that are really not there or that are not intended by the sender or fellow communicator. 

On reflection, I can easily call many instances where my reactions caused hurt and/or pain in others - and for that I am truly sorry. If you happen to be reading this you know who you are and I do not need to name names.  I need to figure out a way that when I am in such an exchange of words that I think before I speak -- which in the heat of the moment is not always easy.  For me it is important to note that the feelings that arise as a result include:

• context - what is the situation, i.e  Discussion? Banter? Argument? Emotions?
• the word or words stated
• the inflection of the delivery of the words, i.e. loud, soft, kind, not so kind, rising, lowering
• the body language of the communicator -
• eye contact
• the fellow communicator

I'm sure if I kept listing there would be a longer list.  The incredible things is that the resulting response is instantaneous and sometimes hurtful.  Escalation is inevitable - at least for me, and de-escalation is not easily forthcoming.  

.\

For me, at least on this occasion the overall result is a fairly sleepless night - hence the early hours of this diatribe. But, once again, I'm finding reflection helpful.  This is not a new thing for me - but putting it down in words on paper (or in this case - digital paper) in this detail is new - and feels helpful personally.

I think that conclusion is all a part of "living in the moment".  Please know that if you are one of the persons I have somehow  _________________  (Fill in the blank), I am truly humbled and sorry for what I said at that moment.  Or if it was a good think - well I'm just humbled.

FYI:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saw_(saying)  and there are many other resources for this. Have a truly awesome week!  Finally, from "Family Rules"  "Show Compassion" and "Use Kind Words" - "Know you are loved!"

Suday, January 14th 2019 - Nice Snowfall the Last Few Days

 This one was taken Friday - first real snow this winter.  Picture was taken at Chad and Wendfal's.  The Pinery Golf Course is seene in the background.

The one below was taken out our back window.  It is our KOI pond.  The fish have not eaten since October 31, 20 - that is when the water temp dropped below 51 degrees.  They won't eat again until late March or Early April 2019.  This will be their 8th winter and all 6 of them have done just great.  I got a new thermostatically controlled surface heater to make sure there is always space for gasses and such to escape.  However, this new one seems to keep the pond clear of ice.  Not so sure that is a good thing - but I think everything will be just fine.

So far out of this snow we've only gotten about .5 inches of moisture.  We need a lot more than that.

I'm guessing some kids will be out building snow persons today!  (Is that PC?)  Brings back some memories when I was a kid and when my kids were kids!

Enjoy your winter fun!!!!  There are many memories to be made!

Thursday January 10th, 2019 - A Day of Bowling

Carolyn and I bowl in a Thursday afternoon league - our team (Orange Crush 2) is in a constant battle for 1st place.  I did not bowl well this afternoon, but we did win 3 or 4 points.  We'll see soon where that puts us.

Thursday nights I bowl in a "men's" league at Arapahoe Bowling Center - I bowled really well tonight. I bowled a 640! One of my highest ever series.  The only way I can describe the difference between this afternoon and tonight..... it is like I could "see the line".... sort of like a great putt, you can just see the line and the ball goes in the hole, or in bowling, all the pins fall down for an awesome strike.

Later!

January 9th, 2019 - Christmas Gift Storm PhysiX

If you are a bowler you know what that is.  Carolyn gave me a gift certificate for the Pro Shop at the bowling alley.  The gift was very nice but ended up costing me 125% more than the gift amount - but, I did get a very nice new bowling ball.  It is my first one that did not have a shiny surface. Carolyn and I hit the lanes today so I could check out the new bowling ball.  I think I like it.  I've bowled two games... had a 179 and a 196 - the new ball gets some great pin action.  Carolyn bowled well today too.  In other words we had fun!

I fixed my old weather station using two 1 tbsp plastic measuring spoons and SUGRU - works like a champ and very colorful.  Now my wind speed gizmo works just fine.  It works much better with 3 cups rather than 2!

I'm getting caught up on NCIS LA - finished all available episodes of NCIS NO - waiting to catch up to watch the next season of the original NCIS.  One has to get in sync because of potential crossovers.

No, it isn't a real one.  But I was testing out a new way to add pictures to my blog.... Awesome.  It works really well!

Ya'all have an awesome day! (Of course this applies no matter when this is read!)

Monday, January 7th 2018 - Yada, Yada, Yada

So, I kinda know ,even though I have some followers, there's not much reading going on - or, I may be so boring that no one cares to comment - and that's okay.  I think I really do this for myself anyway. 

It helps me get a few things off my mind that seems to be ever churning with chaos!  Today is going to be a great day - a very busy one as most Monday's seem to be.  We have everything from Bowling to Physical Training. That covers a good part of the alphabet anyway.  Today is BAMF's birthday.  We celebrated at Lava Island.  The kids have so much fun there and Bishop was "King" for the day in the Lego Land Room.  He was excited, calm, sociable, and very polite.

Here's the link to the celebration:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vLGiKTC7CXx7h8eZA

 He was one happy kid.  Today is his actual birthday so he can enjoy the gifts he got yesterday.

Enjoy your special days!

January 5th, 2019 - BEANiTOS Crunchy Mac and Cheese Snacks

One of Carolyn's good friends introduced her to a product called BEANiTOS Crunchy Mac and Cheese.  They look like Cheetos, but they are baked and they are made out of beans.  When I fist tasted them I was a bit disgusted by the flavor - I detest Mac and Cheese.  However a few weeks after the first trial, I tasted them again - I was hungry and desperate.  They grew on me.  These things are not always easy to buy - they can be hard to find.  The other BEANiTOS chips and such are readily available, but these seem to disappear off the shelf.

Today's emergency - Carolyn ran out of BEANiTOS.  We checked our usual online sources, i.e., Amazon and VitaCost.  We absolutely could not find the 11 oz packages which she likes to get.  Some of the suppliers were charging as much for a 6 oz package as we have paid for the 11 oz package.  Prices for 1 bag of 11 oz size, were as high as 15 bucks -- I can go out to a fairly decent meal at a restaurant for that.

We called some of the local businesses that claimed to have them in stock.  They didn't.  Carolyn made some calls - she found them at BigLots ... we bought them out at a very reasonable price - Carolyn felt like she struck gold!  I'm so happy for her - it made for a really wonderful ending to the afternoon!

Good luck finding your treasures - whatever they are.  (I know, I use far too many hyphens.)

All I had to do was hit "Publish"  -  but no, I had to wait for the picture. So I missed my deadline - it is an artificial one, but .....For some odd reason my phone is no longer updating Google Photos.  Oh well, I can always add the picture later.  Love it... Time to do some troubleshooting!  10:30A.M. 01/06/2019  Problem Fixed.  Wahoo!!

January 4th, 2019 - A Very Busy Day

I can certainly attest that I was NOT bored today.

• Took Carolyn to her Personal Trainer
• Great conversation with my son Chad concerning the Real Estate Business
• Had Rosie's emission check completed.  She passed with flying colors!  (Rosie is our Elantra)
• Shopping trip to Costco - we always go for 1 item and come home with way more than that.  Today the big extra was a new weather station
• Did some garage clean-up.  I usually start spring cleaning way before spring gets here.
• Installed a pond heater in the KOI pond - the old heater lasted almost 6 years.  
• Played Scrabble
• Installed the new weather station.  I got a new one, because I couldn't find replacement parts for the old one- plus the new gizmo's and screen readouts are better.
• Of course I completed my exercises for the day, why would you even question that!
• Welcomed our grandson home from his visit to Glenwood Springs
• Played another game of scrabble ( We just got the game yesterday - somehow I give things away thinking we would never use them again...) So we had to buy a new Scrabble set.  I love playing scrabble.
• Time to relax and watch some TV - or just fall asleep

Oh yah, we were driving down the road and Carolyn spotted this great license plate:

I think that is about it - we do keep busy around here!

Enjoy the first weekend of 2019!

January 3rd, 2019 - At a Loss for Words

Little stuff!  I sometimes let "Little Stuff" get to me.  I guess, in that sense, I could be considered moody.  I can be in the middle of a golf or bowling game and something just gets to me.  I get stuck with an attitude that is not conducive to playing the game well.  I lose focus.  Like I often say, "there is always room for improvement!"

Consistency is definitely not my middle name when it comes to sports.  That may be the biggest difference (among many differences) between us more common amateurs and the professionals and much better amateurs. There is also always the frequency of playing the game and practicing!

This diatribe started because of the quality of my bowling this afternoon.  It wasn't horrible, but it was inconsistent from game to game.  Perhaps a better evening.  We shall see!

Have an awesome week!

January 2nd, 2019

Two days in a row.  That is a record.... many years since I've done that.  I forgot to mention in 2018 memories that I had a hole in one!  That is a golf term for putting the ball in the hole from the tee box (just in case you didn't know)!  That was my first one ever.

Today was a busy day.  I put up this "hanging" shelf in the garage when we moved in.  I used  clothesline wire to attach it to the beams.  After 7 years I decided (for safety sake) that I over-engineer it a bit.  I added safety chains to the support points.  Looks darn good even if I do say so myself.

Carolyn and I played Bananagram tonight.  Jeremiah joined us for a game.  It is a fun, fairly fast paced word game - good to know all your 2 letter words if you want to win this one.

Tomorrow is bowling - afternoon and evening.  We are looking forward to it.  I think my game is coming back.  We dropped out of first place by 2.5 points, but have moved back up and can close the game to tie or lead this week.

It was good to see the grandkids over Christmas and New Year's break.  Brooke graduates from college this year and will move back to Denver after graduation.

As for me, I'm always learning new things.  I bought this Daily Brain Games Calendar to stuff in my stocking.  Day 1 I did fine.  Day 2 I can hardly understand the instructions.  Duh -- I got it!

Counting my blessings and there are so many to count.  Today was full of joyful and restful moments.  Make someone happy when you get the chance!

January 1st, 2019...

First off, I did not make any written New Year's Resolutions.  Life can be enough of a challenge... without setting one's self up for failure on the first day of the year!  I do have something in mind though and I think it is attainable! (Live a healthier year... communicate better with family and friends!) I kinda kicked that one off last evening and yesterday morning. I did have some accomplishments in 2018:

• I lost about 45lbs... and only gained 15 of them back.  Now I'm aware and ... well can get back on track
• We sold our home in Aurora - the one we lived in for more than 36 years - I'll miss that tree, so many memories - Jeremiah was less than 6 months old when we moved to that house!
  
• My golf game improved as did my bowling!
• Stuff that needed fixing around the house got fixed.  I actually undid some of the automated things like lights and fans and put manual switches back in.  Sometimes convenience can be a nuisance.  I am, however, thinking of putting in some "Smart" devices
• We improved the Koi pond - new liner, new retaining wall, deeper and a couple of new pumps.  
• The furnace died a couple of weeks ago. Turned out it was 22 years old - so we replaced it!  That event helped me realize we've lived in this home for 7 years.  Time does fly.
• We had some great parties at the house in 2018 - ending with the Joseph and Margaret Martinez Descendants Annual Christmas Celebration.  At last count we had about 70 guests.  Our children were the hosts, Carolyn and I provided the venue -- it was a wonderful get together!
• We purchased some Echo Shows for the kids that would accept them (the ones who were not too concerned that they were an evil tool of "big brother"....) we enjoyed lots of remote video conversations with Oscar and a few with Kairi.  Carolyn is getting more comfortable with Alexa!
• We had a great vacation with sibs and family at the Cliffs in Ridgedale, Missouri.  Brooke and a couple of her friends were there as well.... It was a great week!
• Carolyn started a new business on the QT or is it DL.  She surprised me with it a couple of months after she started - so Proud of her... she is really sticking with it - the products are awesome and the business plan is excellent!  
• I talked a lot about fishing, but didn't go fishing - this year I'll do some fishing!

Well, enough for now.  It is good to reflect.  2018 was a great year!  2019 will have its surprises and the full range of feelings, emotions, adventures - whatever it brings - live the moments with openness, joy, love -- what ever touches you in the moment.  Smile often hug often... be yourself!