Dirt Person

Kristin and Breezy

2006-07-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

Talk about hot. I went to Burbank yesterday to watch Kristin and Breezy show. Getting out of my air conditioned car and into the heat, took my breath away. Guess it was around 105 there and very little air was moving. I found Kristin sitting in the stands dressed and ready to show. She had a long sleeve blouse on and of course her hat and jeans. I felt so sorry for her and we where in the shade. About 45 minutes before she was to inter th pen, she had to go warm up her horse and put on her chaps. I worried both she and Breezy would fall over from the heat. They made it into the pen and ran the course with little trouble, even showing off a little. I was proud of both of them. Now, how do you cool down a horse while riding in 105 degree heat? Kristin was walking Breezy around outside (no shade) and they both looked very tired and weak. Got some water for Kristin and that seemed to help a little but Breezy was still pretty hot. He finally cooled down enough to squirt him off and my bet was he was a happy baby after that.
8:30 a.m. this morning Kristin and Breezy are getting ready to do it all over again. They will show around 2:00 p.m., the hottest part of the day. The arena is indoors but still hot hot hot.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that they both handle the heat and do well.

Hot Hot Hot

2006-06-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

And it is only the end of June. The pool won't be ready until August if we are lucky. Actually it might be ready before then but the yard landscape will take some time. Everything is dead in the yard so we are starting over. Trying for a tropical theme with plants and tree's that can handle the heat and don't drop a lot of flowers and leaves into the pool.

Miss Daisy is doing fine and we decided to breed her back to one of Jeanne's studs. She will have another baby in about 11 months. I have worked out a deal for free lessons in exchange for allowing Miss Daisy to be the baby oven. She had a nice colt by My Key T, so we hope she will throw another nice baby by Rumble or Spirit, not sure which one is the Daddy. Wendy has two baby mini's, Cooper and MyKey. They are very independent little boys.

Baby Arrived

2006-06-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

Finally Miss Daisy was ready to get this show on the road. Wednesday June 7th around 10:00 p.m. Daisy gave birth to a baby boy. She had a hard time because the baby had a leg twisted around and behind her neck. Danny and Jeanne DeBruce, owners of the Ranch where Daisy foaled were there and pushed the baby back inside Daisy and pulled the leg foward. Out came a long legged colt very healthy and active. I will put a couple of pictures for you to see on this page. One will be of the colt about 15 minutes old and the other will be the next day when he is 12 hours old. Wendy, is actually the owner of the new colt. When we purchased Daisy, Wendy paid for half, the half that was in her tummy. So I have a driving mare (Daisy) and Wendy will be learning all about breaking tiny horses. Should be lots of fun. Happy Trails, Lynell

Baby Watch

2006-06-04T19:36:00.000-07:00

Poor Miss Daisy, it is so hot and she is so very large, and the baby is still rolling around in her tummy. Wendy and I go visit her everyday. I take her for a short walk and let her hang out with us at the barn. She is being monitored 24/7 and they say she is the quietest mare they have had in a very long while. Last night however, she started to pace and get very hot, as in warm. She paced most of the night but cooled off and was calm and collected by morning. Jeanie, the lady that trained Miss Daisy, put a box fan in her stall today to make her more comfortable. I bet she has the baby in the middle of the night, tonight or tomorrow night. Just a guess on my part, we shall see. They will call us when she starts labor. It usually only take between 10 to 30 minutes from the time she goes down. They had one baby this season deliver in 5 minutes. These little horses don't mess around. Happy Trails, Lynell

Summer is almost here

2006-05-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

Dirt Person
I decided to write in the blog today after a 4 month dry period. Really, I can't tell you where the time has gone but lots of things have been getting done around the old farm house. Actually, if you want to know how things are going just check in on Wendy's blog page and you can see pictures and activities we have done over the past few months. Http://wkanderson.blogspot.com
Miss Daisy's picture is on Wendy's blog and you can see she is about to pop. Her foal is due around June 1, 2006. I am soon to be a Mother again. Of course Kristin doesn't really like haven't a mini for a sister but if she has to have a sister, a mini would probably be her first choice.
Pug is well and not liking life much these days. Wendy has a puppy named Jazzy and Jazzy is driving Pugsy crazy. Pugsy will not stand up for herself unless it is over food. No food, no fight back! It is sad to watch her be run around the house. She finally gives up and takes a running leap into my lap. I protect her for a while and then, down she goes again for more abuse.
Kristin and Dave are selling there house, the time is right and they are ready to move on. Not sure where but local for sure.
My brother Ed is happy and working the AA program. He had a bad spell for a while there but I am so proud of him for picking himself up and starting over.
I feel good these days for a broken down old P.E. teacher. Retirement has taken some getting use to but I have the hang of it now. Life is GOOD!

Where Did January go

2006-02-08T21:10:00.000-08:00

You would think being retired I could get things done, wouldn't you? Well I guess it just doesn't work that way. I keep busy everyday doing this and that and before I knew it, Christmas was over and it is February already.
We did get a doghouse finished for the dogs during the month of January. My brother turned another year older and I lost almost 20 pounds. Don't get all excited for me, 20 lost and 45 to go!
Miss Daisy is finishing up her cart training and soon we will be traveling the streets of Norco.
Actually I am the one that should be in training, and I should have been learning all last month but for some reason, I just didn't get over to join Miss Daisy in her lessons. I will do better this month for sure!
Oh, I did trade in my P.T. Cruiser for a 2006 3/4 ton Ram Truck. Had to have a way to pull the travel trailer so bye bye Cruiser. Wendy pulls the horse trailer with her truck and I handle the travel trailer, sounds fair to me.
Found a fun place to take the horses for trail rides. It is about 10 minutes from the house and we trailer over. It is a Regional Park and it is designed for horses, bird watchers and nature walks. Very cool place, lots of nice people riding everywhere and miles of trails. Last time we where there we saw two Coyotes walking across one of the hill sides.
Well I guess this pretty much brings me up to date. During the next two months, Wendy will be working on getting a covered bull pen constructed and the pool should just about be ready to break ground. Like I have said before, LIFE IS GOOD IN NORCO!

December Already !

2005-12-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

Gosh, it is December already! Since I have been retired, I have been twice as busy as I was with a full time job. The move to Norco was the best thing that could have happened to me. The people are friendly, there are horses everywhere you look, and soon I will be riding the trails daily.

My miniature horse should be arriving from Oregon any day now. She is trained to pull a small two-person cart. The way I figure it, my dog Pugsy and I have lots of miles to cover if we are going to meet the other horses in the neighborhood.

Wendy’s new horse will be here Thursday. Her name is Smarty and she is coming from Tennessee. This is a picture of Smarty in a show however Wendy is not the rider.As soon as she arrives we will have three quarters horses on the property plus Miss Daisy (my mini horse). Talk about being busy. It will be a fun busy so I don’t really care.

I have been able to watch my daughter ride her new horse a few times, this past month. I really enjoy seeing her ride. Kristin is a very graceful rider and she makes it look so very easy, and I know it is quite the opposite. She is one talented young lady and I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t’ true!

Well, Happy Holidays to All and to All a Good Night.

Happy Trails

2005-10-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

Had a great time this past weekend. Wendy brought home from the stables in Huntington Beach, her mare and Kristin’s gelding for us to ride Saturday and Sunday. We were able to trail ride both days. It was especially fun for me to be able to ride with Kristin and Wendy. I don’t own a horse and almost never get to ride, so the weekend was extra special. I will try and put a picture or two of us together during the ride on this blog page. Never really sure where the picture will pop up but here goes nothing.

By the way, I just looked at the pictures after publishing them and they came out on top of each other. Sure isn't the way they look on my draft. Told you I don't know what I am doing.
Happy Trail to You!

Love at first sight

2005-10-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Miss Daisy on the lower right corner. She has just come off pasture with her baby and she is in foal again. She will clean up nice when the time comes. Right now she is being trained to pull a cart. She is 33 inches tall but is a little heavy in this picture. When she finishes her training she will be shipped to Norco California to become my new pet.
On the left is a picture of her husband, but just remember he never has to give birth so he stays in shape. Looking at them next to each other tells me Mikey isn't picky. I am sure Miss Daisy probably has a good personality and that is what attracted them.

Spam Comments

2005-10-14T16:46:00.000-07:00

Because life is so short and I get excited to see who has commented on my blog , I have put in letter recognition on my comment page. This will stop much of the Spam comments because the spam will not be able to recognize the letters to re-tpye. Comments welcome but advertisement stay away!

Life in the Slow Lane

2005-10-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a while since I last updated my blog. I think when you are retired each day seems to slip by and you tell yourself, "that's alright, I will get to it tomorrow." Now, as you can see that can lead to a lot of tomorrow's slipping by with out updating my blog.
Speaking of slipping, I went to Pechanga Casino with Wendy the other day and boy have things changed. The last time I visited a Casino the machines actually had arms to pull down that started your game. I didn't even know how to play these new video slot machines. Yes, I feel very very old. Push the wrong button and you end up betting half of your money on one push. I only did that once on purpose and two other times by accident. My money went pretty fast when I pushed the wrong blinking button!
I tried reading the instructions to the games and also felt old but this time you could add stupid. I thought coming to play the slots for a little while was going to be fun. Heck, I never even knew if I won or not there were so many buttons flashing and numbers showing. You think you are playing a nickel machine but by the time you bet all the lines you are at a .45-cent machine. Oh it pays you now and then, a huge 15 cents here and there. Bet .45 cents get back .15 cents, such a deal.
Now that wasn't the case for Wendy, she would sit next to me and win. Not big bucks but played for a long time and leave with the money she started with. She would put in five bucks and follow me to the next machine cashing out with 30 bucks. I, on the other hand, would put in five bucks, and another five bucks and another five bucks and all the while Wendy would be hitting and keeping her start up money alive.
Actually everywhere I sat, the person on my left would hit small winners and Wendy would hit small winners on my right and I would, put in five bucks and another five bucks and another five bucks and that is how it went during our visit.
Got that out of my system for a while!

Settled in

2005-08-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I am now in Norco and happy to be here. The move was like most moves, busy and stressful. Wendy, my room mate did most of the work and so she should. After all it is her house, I am only a renter:)

The barns are up and we have one new horse at this time. It is a quarter horse mare that Wendy will be breeding her stallion, Max. I purchased a mini horse and she will be arriving next month. She is in foal and will be having her baby June of next year. Wendy will be the owner of the baby and I will use my mare to pull me in a cart, on the trails of Norco. We hope to find a nice gentle quarter horse mare for me as well. There are miles of trails here in Norco and we plan on enjoying as many as we can.

I still go back to Chino and help with a computer class on Wednesday's at the Senior Center. The gal that lived next to me in Chino, is learning to use a computer and she is the one I attend class with on Wednesday mornings. Ended up I assist the teacher with the beginners and we all have a good time.

That is about it for now. Until next time.....

Busy Days Ahead

2005-07-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

Whew, have I been busy! Lots to get done before the move. Everything seems to be coming together, despite this hot weather.

We have been spending some time in old town Norco. It's been really fun to visit the restaurants and meet the local people. Everyone has been very nice.

Here is a picture of the barn that is already on the property. Corralman is coming to put up some corrals and cementman is coming to do cement work and fenceman is coming to do the dog fencing. There are alot of "men" coming to do work at the homestead.

On The Road Again

2005-06-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

Well, where to start? I love Chino and being a Dirt Person but we will be leaving it soon. Wendy purchased a new home in Norco. One acre of property with 3,300 sq ft of space assigned to animals only.

The house in around 4000 sq ft, big enough for us not to get in each other’s way! The Ironbark home will close escrow around July 28th, while the new home closes on July 6th.

Mover and packers are doing most of the work but there will be plenty for us to do. The new property as a two-stall barn with a tack room between the two stalls.

Norco has 90 miles of riding trails. This will be a new adventure for me, my very own Horse! Starting to like retirement.

LIFE IS GOOD

Lazy Days of Summer

2005-05-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

It isn't summer yet but in Chino the temperature is getting hotter with each day.
The pool is staying around 83 degrees so that means I get wet each day. Reading while walking around the shallow end of the pool is what a retired person calls, multi tasking.
Doing a little volunteer work at the Senior Center these days as well. Ends up that I know more than lots of the Seniors when it comes to basic computers. Each Wednesday, I assist the computer teacher with her class. Never thought I would feel smart about computers but the students in this class, very very beginners, think I am a genius.
Average age of the class is around 70; of course I am the baby at 56 years young.
Wish I had something a little more exciting to write but I live a simple life.
Signing off from the Valley of the Dirt People

Mothers Day

2005-05-08T16:27:00.000-07:00

Mothers Day started by Kristin, Dave and Wendy attending the Church I go to here in Chino. I think they enjoyed the service. Of course the topic was a little rough dealing with, “letting go of the reins.” I did have trouble in that area with Kristin. Did my Best but didn’t let go the way I should have. I think she forgave me and realized it was out of love and worry not control.
After Church we went to breakfast and enjoyed catching up on what has been happening in each other’s lives. Now the real adventure begins. After breakfast we went on a critter hunt through the streets of Chino and Ontario. I practiced my animal sounds and managed to call a couple of turkeys over to the side of the road where we were parked. I think they liked me just a little too much if you know what I mean.
Next stop I called over the cows using my best moooooo. They came over and watched Kristin as she took some pictures of them for the memory book. There are lots of critters in Chino and our surrounding cities. We had a good time.
Finished up the visit with homemade banana strawberry smoothies for Dave and Kristin.

Del Mar Horse Show

2005-04-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Just got back from attending the Del Mar Show. Wendy showed her horse Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We took Wendy's new fifth wheel travel trailer and we stayed on the show grounds. Lots of fun, and way more rest, not having to drive too and from the grounds daily.
Wendy did a great job showing and her Max (Horse) was a very good boy. This was the first trip she made in the new trailer. All went well! Very relaxing.
I had a tooth extracted yesterday. Can't say that was a pleasing experience! Now I need to wait for the hole to heal. In about three months, a post goes in. Wait another couple of months for that to heal and then an implant will be installed. Last thing is a crown and all done with that tooth. I am such a big girl and so very brave.
Kristin and Dave will be going to Church with me on Mother's Day. It will be the first time they have attended my Church. After moving to Chino I needed to find a Church that I was comfortable in and I found one just down the street.
Because of the tooth extraction I will not be able to have my left knee replaced until that is finish and totally healed. That is O.K with me, not looking forward to another surgery. My right knee is feeling better each week so I am happy I had it replaced. Enough for now!

Progress

2005-04-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

Well, the good news is, I am off all heart meds. Passed all my tests and only have to pass a stress EKG before going in for my left knee replacement surgery. Going to wait until my right knee is 90% pain free before replacing my left knee. According to the Doctor that takes 6 months from the day of the surgery. I am only starting month 4 of my rehabilitation, so I have a little more pain to handle.
The new rules on Workman's Comp won't let you have more than 24 visits to rehab without requesting special circumstances. Because my knee keeps swelling up, I am getting 12 more sessions. So I will cut the visits down to two a week and hope my knee starts to cooperate.
The sun is out in Chino and it is getting warmer daily. I can still see snow on the mountain tops across the way, but it is melting fast. Looking forward to watching Wendy ride her horse at Del Mar next week.
Wendy just purchased a 29 foot fifth wheel travel trailer with three pop outs, lots of room. We will be staying on the fairgrounds in the new trailer during the show. It will make things so much easier.
Life is Good! Love, Lynell

Birthday Bubbles

2005-03-28T08:29:00.000-08:00

Great Day,
My daughter Kristin and friend Wendy took me to a movie and out to dinner. It was all about me day. Kind of nice once-in-a-while! They gave me wonderful personal gifts, the ones you usually wouldn't buy for yourself. The day ended with a warm bubble bath and candles lighting the room. It is so nice to be loved!

Feeling Better

2005-03-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

It has been almost 2 and 1/2 months since my knee surgery. I can finally say, the pain is gone when I am doing nothing and much much better when active. Down to one pain pill a day and almost ready to stop that one.
Of course this only means the left knee could be done sooner. After my echo cardiogram on the 30th of this month, maybe we will know what happened to my heart during the last surgery. All is fine now but I don't want another surgery until I am sure nothing is really wrong.
Broke off half of a root in one of my back teeth. It had a cap on it and no root left anyway but they pulled the splite piece out and now I need to fill the hole. That will take an inplant. So before I can get my left knee replaced, I will have to finish all the work on the tooth first. Could take about 2 months from what I am told. Has to do with removing the tooth, putting in a post, and building a new tooth to fit. All procudures take time between one another. Guess that is why it takes so long. Sure hope it isn't painful. Doesn't sould like much fun.
Growing old is not for sissy's

Forced Family Night

2005-03-08T13:29:00.000-08:00

Kristin and Dave came over last Friday evening for a simple crock pot dinner and a few games.
Kristin and I teamed up and with an outstanding come back, finally kicked Dave and Wendy's butt.
Dave was kind enough to get Wendy and my incredimail program up and running on the lap top.
We spend days trying to get it going and Dave does it in 5 minutes. What a Brain Boy he is!
Looking forward to our next night together!

7 weeks Down

2005-03-01T21:07:00.000-08:00

Hey, after 7 weeks of physical therapy, I think I am actually getting stronger. Of course, as my new knee heals, my other knee weakens but that was to be expected. Still facing surgery on that knee but waiting until I am almost totally pain free. The doctor says that should be in 3 or 4 more weeks. I will believe it, when I feel it or should I say don't feel it?

Looking forward to this coming Friday. Kristin and Dave are coming over for dinner and maybe we'll play some games. Wendy and I are always looking for a game we can beat them in. Haven't found one yet!

The sun has been out the last few days and it looks like the worst of the rain is over for us here in the Valley of the Dirt People. We did O.K. with the rain, no damage here at the home front. Flooding in several areas of Chino but not near us, thank goodness!

Got my very first retirement check Monday of this week. It is fun being paid and not having to work for it. When all my medical issues are under control this retirement thing might just work out!

New Knee Installed

2005-02-13T14:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven't really been feeling all that good these past four weeks. The rehab for this new knee is a little more painful than I thought it would be. I am on pain pills 24/7 and that helps.

My left knee is hurting almost as much as my new knee. Both knees were bone on bone and I think the rehab on my right knee is causing the left knee to break down faster. As soon as I can walk without pain on my new knee, it will be off to have the left knee replaced. This time I am going to try and find a doctor that cuts on the side of the knee for the replacement.. The recovery time is suppose to be half of the time it takes when the cut goes down the front of the knee.

I do need to find out what caused the heart issue I struggled with while in the hospital, for my last surgery. Going to see a specialist but have to see my primary doctor first and follow the change of command. Mean while I am on some kind of pill to help keep my heart beating regularly.

I retired from teaching on Feb 1, 2005. I do miss my students and some of my co-workers.
This is the first time in my life, I really don't have to be anywhere, at any particular time for any reason, daily. Don't really like it all that much. Need to get back on my feet so I can do something useful.

I am so very lucky to have a wonderful daughter (Kristin) to watch over me while I am going through these surgeries. Also couldn't do without my best friend, Wendy. She helps me daily!

Year 2005 will be my year to get my body working properly once again. One day at a time!

New Knee Tomorrow

2005-01-17T13:39:00.000-08:00

Howdy, this time tomorrow I will be starting my physical therapy, after surgery. The operation is about an hour or two long, then a few hours in recovery and off to my room I go. According to what I have read, I will be getting up and about, the same day as the surgery? Hope they give me lots of happy juice. Physical Therapy starts two times a day while I am in the hospital.

With any luck at all I can come home Friday. I sure am going to work at it; cause a person can go crazy trying to sleep in a hospital. All set up for physical therapy at a location, five minutes from home, after returning home from the hospital.

Must admit, I am a little worried about the first hours after surgery. Had a little trouble with recovering from my back surgery and I sure don't want that experience again. Hospitals can kill ya, you know :)

Well, better get my bag packed and everything ready for the morning. Tomorrow we leave Chino at 4:30 a.m. Need to be at the Huntington Beach Hospital by 5:30 a.m. and the surgery is at 7:00 a.m.
Signing off from the Beautiful Valley of the Dirt People, Chino California 90710

The Sun is Out

2005-01-13T17:09:00.000-08:00

It has been a long week of rain, rain, and more rain. The good news is, it is OVER.

Tuesday I took care of all my pre-op orders for my knee replacement on Tuesday 1/18/05. All tests indicated, it is a go! I will be in the hospital for about 4 or 5 days, so I won't be answering any e-mail for a while after entering the hospital.

Wednesday I had lunch with Kristin and had the opportunity to spend a few minutes with her boss. He is a very caring person, easy to talk with and very down to earth. I can see why Kristin enjoys going to work each day.

Wendy has been out of town for a week and the kids and I have spent many hours watching T.V. together in the evenings. They love to sleep with me but it does get a little close with three dogs on a queen size bed. Pugsy loves to spoon and is not happy unless she is under at least the top cover and touching some part of my body. Sunny sleeps under his very own blanket on top of my covers and doesn't move all night. Rascal stays all curled up in a ball on the corner of the bed trying not to upset Sunny by taking up too much room. I try to slip in between all of them and it isn't always easy.

Talked to my School district and they approved the physical therapy place I wanted to work out in after my surgery. They have a list of approved places and this one was not on their list. They were very nice and set it up for me today. It is a go, as soon as my doctor says, "start your rehab."

Whit stayed over night Wednesday and we ate one of my favorite meals. Baked pork chops in cream of mushroom soup. We watched Lost and I think I am a little lost when it comes to guessing what will happen next.

Enjoyed having Lunch Tuesday with a friend from my world of teaching. We have worked together, now and then, for the past 29 years or so. Virginia Terry was the athletic director at O.V. for most of my teaching years. She helped me out with all my aches and pain as well as cared for all of my athlete's when they needed help.

Yesterday and today the Sun has been out and the clouds have blown away. Both mornings I could see the snow covered mountaintops. They look so close, what a joy. That is what I see when I look North, when I look South, I see rolling hills covered in a blanket of very green grass/weeds but so very beautiful.

Well, better feed the kids and cook something for myself. Until next time.........

2005-01-07T18:54:00.000-08:00

Here would be a closer look at them. Too precious!!

2005-01-07T18:50:00.000-08:00

Here are Pugsy and Sunny on a cold, wet rainy day in Chino. Sunny is pretty tolerant of the little pug. She just makes herself at home.

2005-01-07T18:42:00.000-08:00

Yep, if you look really close, you will see a full grown hog in the back of this pickup truck. There is another one laying down in the bed of the truck. No telling what you will see when driving around on the streets of Chino. Certainly nothing like this in Huntington Beach!

Welcome Wendy and Whit

2005-01-06T11:32:00.000-08:00

I realize, in no time at all, Wendy will be the super blogger from the Valley of the Dirt People. Just look at her page now!

Whit, you don't have to write much, just a few words now and then to keep us posted. Maybe you can get Patti up and running. Could be fun.

Kristin has everyone's blog so she might be making comments now and then as well. Another fun way to keep in touch. Spelling does not count!!!!!!!

2005-01-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

This is my wonderful dog, Pugsy. She is the best.

Holidays Have Come and Gone

2005-01-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

Had a wonderful Christmas. Visited Kristin and Dave on Christmas Day. Enjoyed myself very much. Played a game called Catch Phrase and laughed a lot. Come to find out there is not one activity, thus far, that Wendy and I are able to beat Dave and Kristin. We have tried many, maybe in bowling we held our own.
The day after Christmas I went back to Kristin and Dave's house to enjoy a home cooked meal, (by Kristin no less, it was great) and was able to visit with my Mother-in-law from Arizona. I enjoyed the visit very much.
Also managed to go see the Body Exhibit in L.A., what a trip. It was so interesting. Patti, Whit, Wendy and I were amazed by the whole thing. Patti and Whit spent the night with us and we again played Catch Phrase and laughed till our sides hurt.
Wendy and I also enjoyed having a couple of her co-workers over for dinner last week as well. My Thai brought her one-month-old son with her and I was the babysitter for most of the night. Lots of fun but remembered the work involved in caring for a baby. Of course, Kristin was perfect when she was a little baby:)
We played Catch Phrase for about an hour and again laughed very hard, great way to end an evening with friends.
All the Christmas things are put away and ready for 2006 to roll in. This will be a very interesting year for me. First year to be a retired person. We shall see what that is like? With a little luck, both of my knee's will be replaced and should work almost as good as new!!! I hope everyone will be able to fulfill their New Year's Resolutions. Happy New Year to All.

Boat Parade

2004-12-24T19:01:00.000-08:00

Hey, I may live in Chino but we have a boat parade just like the Big Cities! All the locals decorated their boats, large and small, put them on their trailers, hooked them up to their trucks and off to the parade they went. The streets were full of city folks watching the beautiful boats being pulled down the street. Must have been two or three hundred spectators, waving at the boats as they passed by. The Cheer of Christmas was on every face in the crowd. ONLY IN CHINO!

Two Days Before Christmas

2004-12-23T13:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas is easy these days.

My brother and I have everything we want, so no presents there.

My daughter and son-in-law recieve one large gift each year. It is usually a picture and they pick it out during the summer months. That gift covers birthdays and Christmas, so no shopping there.

Pugsy is an easy keeper and is happy just to sit in my lap. Not present there!

Wendy and I don't exchange formal gifts because we help each other out all year long.

So I am enjoying the Holidays without hitting the malls. Looking at Christmas lights now and then around the hood and just kicking back in general.

Looking forward to spending time Christmas afternoon with Kristin and Dave. Going to the movies Christmas morning. The day after Christmas, I will be visiting with my mother-in-law from Arizona. Haven't been able to see Margaret in a very long time so that should be a fun visit.

On Monday the 27th Wendy, Patti, Whit and I will be going to see the body exibit in L.A., not sure of the name. We have heard it is outstanding. Wednesday the 29th fixing dinner for My Thai and Sharon Spears, friends of Wendy from her work. Friday, New Years Eve, (afternoon) getting my teeth cleaned and a bad tooth checked out. Hope I still have it when I leave the dentists office.

Staying home, safe and sound New Years Evening. Will be lucky to keep my eyes open until 10:00 p.m. I am an old fart these days and usually hit the sack for a little T.V. by 9:00 p.m. So as you can see, I live a slow pace here in the Valley of the Dirt People.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

Lunch with a Friend

2004-12-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

Well, today turned out to be a good one after all. The moring started out by getting a poor set of instructions to pick up my Bladez Scooter. My scooter needed new batteries so I could continue riding the hills at Prado Regional Park, with my Friend Wendy and Dog Pugsy.
After spending two hours driving in circles, I finally found the company. I ended up about a mile from my daughters place of work. So being lost for so long put me there right about lunch time, lucky me!
Kristin and I enjoyed a little power shopping first, then tried the BBQ chicken wings at Oscar's. What started out a very frustrating morning, turned out to be a fun time with my daughter.

Rainy Day Schedule

2004-12-05T13:52:00.000-08:00

It is a cold Sunday afternoon in the town of the dirt people. Around 50 degrees and a brisk breeze that will reach right down to your socks.
Maybe snow is on the ground, around Ed's new home? Must be beautiful looking out your Kitchen window and finding a snow covered mountain side. Of course, I wouldn't really know because Ed doesn't write in his blog and share these kind of things.
Guess I will go sit by the fire and watch a little Football. You might have thought I was going to say, "read a good book", right! You don't know me very well if you thought that:)

Knee Replacement Date

2004-12-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally have the actual date of my knee replacement surgery. Huntington Beach Hospital January 18th. Sure hope all the pain of surgery and rehab is worth it. All I really want is to be able to walk without pain. Is that too much to ask?
My final retirement date is February 1, 2005. The only thing that might change is the amount of money I will get each month. That will depend on the districts willingness to waive the second part of the retirement package they are offering.
According to the package, they want all the teachers that retire on the 1st, to continue teaching on sub pay for the rest of the second semester. Of course, along with the sub pay they will be getting STRS pay and PARS pay. It is a good deal but I won't be able to do the sub part because of the knee surgeries. In April I should be strong enough to get my left knee replaced. I will keep my fingers crossed and just maybe things will work out in my favor. Not really looking forward to the next six months.
It is kind of sad. Each morning I wake up, I have my breakfast, feed the animals, and sign on the blog page in hopes my brother Ed or my daughter Kristin have updated their blogs. They are pretty busy and I guess they don't have the time or desire to write now and then but I won't stop looking!
Patti and Whit, I know you read this now and then so, Hello to you both. Happy to hear you enjoyed Thanksgiving. You Dad is in my thoughts.

Server down more than up!

2004-11-28T19:34:00.000-08:00

It has been a rough week as far as computers go in this household. Now that the computers are all set and running fine, the server is down more than up. Guess I will just have to be patient!
Gotta go for now. Freshed baked cookies in the oven, the milk is poured, the fireplace is calling. Nothing like warm cookies, and cold milk while sitting next to a cozy fire!!!!!

Computer Down

2004-11-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

What a problem. Started with my CD hard drive not working. So, dell comes out and replaces it. Still doesn't work, so it is a software issue. Dell says, do a total reinstall of everything. Needless to say, things pretty much went down hill from there. I couldn't find all the disks that needed to be reinstalled because of the move from H.B. to Chino, not sure where everything went!
After 8 hours on and off the phone with Dell tech people, that I couldn't understand because they were from another country, I finally got things up and running. Of course then I had one final install and the was Service Pack 2.
Back to square one, things stopped working but this time it was all my USB devices wouldn't run. Trying to reslove issues without a mouse or keyboard working is a little beyond my talent. Dave to the rescue!!!!!!
He helped me find the problem and get things back under control. By phone no less, he talked me through the corrections one step at a time. Dave is my Hero!!!!
Everything is working so far, I am back amoung the Cyber users!.

The Sun is OUT !

2004-11-23T11:07:00.000-08:00

Good Morning,
I am please to have my brother Ed as a fellow blogger. Now Ed, don't write things that are over my little brain. Wendy and I just looked at each other when the word Muse came up on screen? I will be looking that up to see how it applies.
This should be fun to comment now and then. As I look out my bedroom window, I see blue sky full of white fluffy clouds. It is a beautiful day for the dirt people. I bet you have snow where you are Ed. I will be coming to visit you if and when my knee's get replaced.
Speaking of replacing knee's. Waiting to her from the hospital for the date on my right one. Three months of rehab and planning to have the left one replaced. Of course, if the right one does not go well, we will see about the left. My goal is to be free of daily knee pain. According to the doctor, I should be able to play doubles tennis, slow and easy. I will be happy just to walk Wal Mart without pain. Maybe shop Sam's Club without resting now and then.
Going to spend Thanksgiving at home. Cook something simple, relax and enjoy the day. Oh I forgot, going to see a movie too!
Well, I wish all that read this, a Very Happy and Peaceful Thanksgiving Holiday.
Until my fingers dance across the keys once more, Good Bye for Now xo :)

Snow Capped Mountains

2004-11-21T17:36:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to bed with the wind blowing ever so softly through the palm trees in the back yard. It must have been around 2:00 a.m. and I heard the wind whistling through the trees with much more force. The rain started to fall and it rained pretty hard on and off for the remainder of the early morning hours.
After Wendy and I woke up and finished feeding the animals their breakfast, we left the house to go get some food for ourselves. Once our car rounded the corner and we faced the mountains it was so pretty. The mountains seemed so close, we could almost reach out and touch them. They were covered with snow.
Now I am new at being a dirt person but after living here for the last four months and three of them being summer months, snow was the last thing I thought we would be enjoying so close to home.
It was about 42 degrees this morning and the sun was shinning through the clouds. I love it here in the Valley of the Dirt People.

Beautiful Day

2004-11-18T08:39:00.000-08:00

The sun is smiling on us today here in Chino.
I was able to get on line without a major issue: Life is Good! Tried to get my brother Ed to join the blog group but he also had an issue with signing on. It is all about security levels on our own computers. Ed, give it another try. You are a great writer and I would love to read about your activities and life experiences. Make it happen Bro!

Finally

2004-11-17T22:09:00.000-08:00

I have spent a good part of today trying to sign on to my blogger site.
After much frustration and several attempts, I think I resolved the issue.
For some reason after posting two different items, my computer decided to block my URL. This is a test to see if things are up and running.
Kristin, thanks for trying to help me today. I new the problem had to be at my end because you opened my blog from your computer. Well, going to push a few more buttons and see what happens. For a old fart, I don't give up easily.

Physical Therapy

2004-11-17T09:02:00.000-08:00

Off to my third session of P.T. Trying to get my back stronger so I can start enjoying life again. Wouldn't hurt if my back was a little stronger before knee replacement surgery in December as well. Hope my brother and daughter start to visit my blogger site. We shall see.

Valley of the Dirt People

2004-11-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

I am taking a chance and joining the bloggers of America. Just moved to Chino California and loving it. This might be my only entry. We shall see where it takes me.