Easter Sunday

Started falling asleep on the sofa last night around 8:30 pm. Keith had left around 3:30 yesterday afternoon. I guess I was a little tired from running around while he was here. Hiker and I slept in until around 8 am. I made breakfast and did a load of laundry. It was overcast here all day. I decided to just stay around home because I live near a big Catholic church and would have to drive past it to go anywhere. The traffic from the church is bad enough on a “normal” Sunday but it is much worse on Easter Sunday. Did a little housework. Jean called to see if I was coming over to walk one of her dogs, which I had thought about doing, but she wanted to let me know that she was going to a neighbor's house for the afternoon, so I told her I'd come by tomorrow sometime and walk the dog. It drizzled around 1:30 this afternoon. All in all, today was a pretty “boring” day I guess.

Relaxing Saturday

For some reason, I had trouble going to sleep last night. I remember looking at the clock at midnight and I was still wide awake. We slept until around 7:30 am and then got up and I made breakfast. Keith and I decided to stay home most of today. I had to wait for the gardener and I wanted to do a load of laundry. We watched a move called “Dark Night Of The Scarecrow” which had always been one of Ben's favorite movies. Keith had never seen it before. After the movie I made lunch and then Keith and I headed over to the bank so I could use the ATM. We then came back home and picked up Hiker and took her over to Bridgeport Lake for an afternoon walk. The weather was beautiful...around 80°.

Good News/Bad News

Had to get up early to get over to Kaiser this morning. We never know what kind of traffic we will run into between Santa Clarita and Panorama City so we always give ourselves enough time to get there. As it was, since it was Friday (and Good Friday at that), there was hardly any traffic at all and we arrived at Kaiser about 30 minutes before my check-in time and about 45 minutes before my appointment. I went to the check-in point that Ben used to go to only to find that my doctor had moved down the hall. After checking in, they called me into the exam area. They put drops in my eyes and took so photos of the insides of my eyes. When the doctor finally came in, he said he felt the diagnosis of a Macular Pucker that I received from Facey Medical back in 2005 was incorrect. At Facey I had only gone to see an ophthalmologist, whereas today at Kaiser I saw a retinal surgeon. Today the doctor diagnosed my problem as Cystoid Macular Edema which is something totally different than the Macular Pucker as it has to do with the vascular system and according to the doctor, much easier to treat. I go back on April 15th to have dye injected into an arm vein which will run all through my body so that they can take photographs of the inside of my eye to see if there is any hemorrhaging anywhere in my eye and so the doctor can verify his new diagnosis. The on April 18th I will go back on a follow-up so the doctor can tell me how he is going to proceed. I felt so much better after I left his office. Keith drove us home and we went up to visit with Jean for a little while. Keith and I then decided to go over to Backwoods Inn Steakhouse for lunch. Had a great lunch, but then as we were leaving, I bumped into a car in the parking lot. NOT just a car...A LEXUS! No damage to my car but it put a 7” dent in the back passenger door. Thank goodness I was only going about 2 mph. I went back into the restaurant and found the owner and we exchanged information. He was very nice about the whole thing and I was very shaken up. This is the first insurance claim I have had to make in about 40 years. I called Mercury Insurance when we got home from lunch and they too all of the information and said a claims rep will be calling me later today or Monday. I hope it doesn't cause my insurance premium to go up. So my “good morning” turned into a “not so good afternoon”, but I feel I did the right thing finding the owner of the car I bumped. Some people would have just taken off and never admitted that they had done it.

Busy Day With Brother Keith

Hiker and I got up around 7 am and Keith got up around 7:30. We had breakfast and then Keith and I went over to Wal-Mart. Came back home and picked up Hiker and headed over to Whitney Canyon to do a little hike. Nice morning over there. Came back home to drop Hiker off and then Keith and I headed out for lunch. We had planned to go to Lily's Cafe but we walked in and there was not an empty table to be seen so we decided to go over to Cathy's Deli for lunch instead. Came home and then went to do my grocery shopping. Finally settled down at home and played some ball with Hiker. Will probably try to do a walk this evening after dinner. We rented “Lincoln” last night from On Demand. We both said it was not quite what we expected but neither of us really knew what we expected it to be. We found it historically interesting but did not really find it very entertaining. Oh well. Tomorrow we have to get up early so Keith can get me over to the Kaiser Medical Center for my eye appointment. I am NOT looking forward to this appointment at all.

Gift To Myself

Got up and did a little house cleaning this morning. Wanted to get it done before Keith arrives. He is coming to stay with Hiker and me until Saturday afternoon. The main reason he is coming is because he is taking me to the retinal specialist on Friday morning over at the Kaiser in Panorama City. I would not be able to drive myself because they will be dilating my eyes. I will be going to the same retinal specialist that Ben went to. Don't know how I will feel about being in that office again since I sat in that lobby so many times waiting for Ben to come out after his exams. I hope it does not bring up too many memories. Hiker was anxiously awaiting Keith's arrival. He got here just before 11:30. We headed out to get my 4Runner washed and then to lunch at Del Taco. Then we went to Sam's Club. I had decided a few months ago that if I got enough on my tax return, I was going to buy myself a bigger television for the living room. I had a 42” Vizio that Ben and I had bought about 6 or 8 years ago and it was still working just fine, but I just wanted something BIGGER and I wanted an LED instead of LCD and I wanted a Wi-Fi one. Didn't need 3D as I don't watch that many movies to need it. Anyway, I got a 55” Vizio LED Wi-Fi one. Keith helped me get it home and all set up. It is HUGE! I'm giving Keith my 42” one because he is always doing things for me when he comes to visit.

Good Friends/Good Food

I had to get up earlier this morning because I was going to my group over at the senior center. The session was extremely crowded today. The “new” guy from last week came back and we also had 2 new ladies. Our sessions are in a very small room in a trailer and we were packed like sardines. We really need a larger place to have our meetings. Saw Lisa who works for my attorney. I was just thinking that in a month or so, I will not longer have that attorney on retainer. I had signed up with her for 2 years when Ben was in the hospital and those 2 years are almost up. When we were leaving the senior center, I noticed a little dog tied up outside of the main lobby of the center. We knew it belonged to someone who was inside probably having lunch and they had left the dog outside in the shade with a bowl of water. The dog had a “growth” on its head and I told the ladies that if Hiker ever had anything like that's I'd have it removed if possible. It was a cute little dog and very friendly. Then when I went to get in my car, there was a Weimaraner sitting in the driver's seat of the car parked next to me. For some reason I seem to notice dogs all of the time now (LOL). After group, about 7 of us went over to Lily's Cafe for lunch. Only 1 of the ladies had ever eaten at Lily's so it was new for the rest of us. Years ago, this cafe was a 50's diner and Ben and I used to go there a lot. Then it changed to an Asian cafe, but now it serves all kinds of foods. The food was very good and the prices were great as was the service. When I got home and came in the door, Hiker didn't come to greet me like she normally does. Before I had gone to the senior center, I had scolded Hiker for digging a small hole in the back yard, so I think she may have thought I was still mad at her so she was “hiding”. I called her and she came running and once I hugged and kissed her, she was all over me.

Hiker And Her Red Ball May Be The Death Of Me (LOL)

Didn't do much today. Went over to Jean's around 9:30 am and picked up Charlie to take him for a walk with Hiker. I'm beginning to wonder if there is prostitution going on down in Discovery Park. I've seen some scantily clad “ladies” down there two days in a row. This park does not have any grass, so it is not the type of place you would go to sunbathe., but these “ladies” appear to be doing just that (maybe). They are lying on the wood chips that are in the playground area. They have on extremely short shorts and sports bras. They are very thin in appearance and they are wearing a lot of makeup. There were two of them yesterday and today there was only one there. She was lying on a towel and a young man came into the park and he set up a “portable punching bag” and was doing some boxing moves. After awhile, this “lady” got up and went over to him and said “Hi. What are you doing?” then she started flirting with him. By the time the dogs and I left the park, she had this young man showing her how to do some boxing moves. I guess what has me wondering is the fact these ladies are dressed the way they are and that as I said before, this is not the kind of place people would go to sunbathe. Played some ball with Hiker in the backyard this afternoon. Was getting a little overcast while we were out there.

Another Weather-Perfect Day

Had a busy morning. When Hiker and I rolled out of bed around 7:30 am, I made breakfast then put the sheets and towels into the washing machine and vacuumed the carpet. When the wash was done and I could put it all into the dryer, I headed out to get my lottery tickets and the went up to Sam's Club to pick up a few things. I was surprised that I got in and out so quickly. When I got back home, Hiker and I headed over to Jean's to pick up her mail for her and to take Sassy out for a walk. After the walk, we sat and visited with Jean for awhile. Came home and had lunch and then put the sheets back on the bed. It was about 86° here today. Hiker kept barking at me to come out into the back yard to play ball with her. I would go out for a little while and play and then come back into the house, only for her to bark for me to come out and play more. She tires me out LOL!

Warm Saturday

Chilly morning when Hiker and I woke up. I actually had to turn the furnace on for a little while to get the chill of the house, but then it warmed up. Did some laundry and after the gardener finished with the lawns, Hiker and I headed over to Jean's to pick up Timmy as it was his turn to go for a walk with us. It was beautiful outside by the time we went. Sunny and breezy. Came back to Jean's and visited with her for a little while then headed home to have lunch. After lunch, Hiker and I went out into the yard and played ball for awhile, then we went for another short walk down to the park. By now it was in the mid-80's and so we didn't stay out too long. Going to have one of my favorite comfort foods for dinner tonight...mac, cheese and little smokies. MMMMM.

Happy Friday All

Hiker and I played with her big red ball in the backyard this morning. She loves running around the year with it. Around 9:15 am, we went up to Jean's and got Charlie to take him for a walk then went back and sat with Jean for awhile. She is now able to walk around some but the doctor told her not to go outside yet. Beautiful morning. After lunch, I decided to wash the Corolla. I wish I could keep it in the garage with the 4Runner but with the shelving and the fridge and the freezer, I can only get one vehicle in the garage. After I did the car, I pulled a few weeds in the front yard. Don't want the community coming after me for having weeds on the slope. Got up to around 82° today.

Looks Like Spring Outside

Got up around 7:45 am and had breakfast, then decided to take Hiker up to the Pet Smart and see if I could find some breath freshener for her. Sometimes her breath smells like an outhouse (LOL). I found some liquid that you put in her water that is supposed to help prevent tartar and also freshen her breath. I sure hope it works. When we got back home, we went up to Jean's and got Sassy and took her out for a morning walk. Came home and sat down to watch “The Young And The Restless” but found out that the STUPID “March Madness” was on so no Y&R. It makes me so mad when the pre-empt Y&R every year at this time for a dumb basketball playoff. I really don't think anyone really cares about the playoff and I really doubt there are that many people who are home to watch it during the day anyway. Hiker and I played a little ball out in the backyard. She loves me to kick the ball and then she chases it all over the yard. She even gets hold of it with her teeth and tosses it into the air, or kicks it with her legs. It got up to around 80° here today.

Hump Day

Hiker gets really upset when she cannot find me in the house. This morning when we got up, it was still dark outside. I let Hiker outside to go potty and then I put her food in her bowl for her and I headed into the front bedroom to turn on my small laptop and run my weekly scans and cleanup on it. I didn't turn the bedroom light on when I went in there and I was standing in the dark waiting for the computer to start up. Hiker came running down to the bedroom to look for me but she could not see me in the dark, so she ran back to our bedroom, but she could not find me there either. I could hear her running all over the house looking for me and I could tell by the noises she was making (a little whimper) that she was panicking. She came back into the bedroom where I was at least 2 more times and still did not see me standing there. Finally when she came back again, I said something to her and she ran to me and started jumping up on me and she finally calmed down. When I tell her I am going somewhere, like to the store or to group, she knows I'm not going to be there and she does not panic. It was overcast today. A storm was coming through the center of California, but bypassing us. All we got were high clouds. I went over to Wal-Mart this morning and bought a 10” digital photo frame for my photographs of Ben. I had bought a 7” one right after Ben had died, but I've been wanting a bigger one. While I was eating lunch, my brother Keith called me and said that his doctor had called him and told him that his last blood workup showed that he is slightly anemic. They want him to run a few more tests. After the phone call, I took Hiker out for a 1.5 mile walk. It was cloudy but very humid.

Group Day

Really didn't want to get out of bed this morning but had to so I could go to my grief group. It was a little chilly here this morning but warmed up to around 80° by the afternoon. When I first got to group today, hardly anyone was there but they all came in right around 11 am. We had a new guy named Bernie. He had just lost his wife on February 26th and they had been married almost 69 years. He cried when he was telling some of us about her. Felt so bad for him. Another member Jane, said she remembered him and his wife from the hospital when her husband was there for dialysis. She said that she thought Bernie is about 93 years old. It is scary enough to lose your spouse, but I cannot imagine losing them at that age. I guess the only consolation is that you probably won't have too many years left to live without them. I keep thinking that maybe I will wash my vehicles tomorrow, but they have said we “might” get rain. Just have to wait and see. Jane, Ruth and I went over to Jimmy Dean's for lunch after group.

Ordinary Day

I have gotten used to my habit of letting Hiker outside to potty around 6 am and then going back to bed until 8 am. Didn't do that when Jean was able to go on the dog walks because she likes to go early. After breakfast I headed over to Sam's Club to pick up a few things and to put gasoline in the 4Runner. Gas prices have come down a little but I still paid $4.079 for regular. Soon the oil companies will be switching over to the “summer blend” which means prices will go up again. After lunch, Hiker and I went over to Jean's house and got Timmy as it was his turn to go for a walk with Hiker. After the walk, we sat and talked with Jean for awhile. She goes back to her doctor on Wednesday for him to see how her foot is doing. When Hiker and I came home, noticed that it was starting to get cloudy. They keep saying we may get a little rain on Wednesday.

Here is a photo of Hiker and Timmy while out on their walk

Had A Great Hike This Morning

Got up at 6 am to let Hiker outside and it was already 61° because there were a few clouds. By 8 am it had cleared up and was beautiful outside. I really could have stayed in bed longer but made myself get up to take Hiker for a morning hike over in Whitney Canyon. The canyon is beautiful in the morning, this time of year. Even without us having much rain, everything is so green. I love this canyon because it has such pretty oak groves and so many nice grassy meadows. Did not go all the way to the waterfall because there is no need to when there's no water in the canyon. We've had a little rain this winter, but not enough for the creek to run. We hiked in a little over a mile and then back to the car so we did almost 2.5 miles. Got there early enough today to find a nice parking spot. The last time we tried to go there could not find a place to park. There were a lot of cars in the lot but Hiker and I did not run across anyone on the Whitney Trail so everyone must have been over on The Beast or on the Elsmere Canyon Trail. Today I didn't wear my hiking boots or my hiking shoes, I wore my regular walking sneakers and my feet didn't hurt like they did last week when Hiker and I went hiking. So it must be the boots. After lunch, Hiker and I went over to Jean's and took her dog Charlie out for a walk. He and Hiker get along, but they are not as “close” as Hiker and Sassy are.

Nice Day

Slept in a little while this morning. Been doing that a lot lately, and since we have not been doing our dog walks with Jean since she had her foot surgery, it's easy for me and Hiker to just crawl back into bed after Hiker goes outside to potty in the morning. Being Saturday, we had to wait for the gardener to come so while waiting, I did a load of laundry. After the gardener finished, I leashed Hiker up and we went up to Jean's to take one of her 3 dogs out on a walk. I told her I would not take all 3 of them at once, but had no problem doing one at a time. We chose Sassy for today's walk and I took Sassy and Hiker down to the park for a little while. When we took Sassy back home, I went out and watered some of Jean's plants that are in her backyard. Told her that either tomorrow or Monday, I will come and take Charlie for a walk.

Fun Lunch With The Lockheed Girls

Slept in for a little while. Actually was watching TV more than sleeping. I had on an old “Matlock” episode. Went up to Palmdale to have lunch with some of my Lockheed retired girlfriends. Sandi Owens and DeDee Parenteau rode up with me and we met Kay Limpus and Judy Holdt at the Hometown Buffet up there. The Hometown Buffet here in Santa Clarita closed down several months ago, so I' surprised that the one in Palmdale is still open. They didn't get very crowded like they used to. We always have so much fun when we all get together. Warm again today but not quite as bad as it has been. Only got into the mid-80's instead of the mid-90's. Was a little windy too so I'm thinking that is why it was a little cooler. When I got home from the lunch, I changed from my jeans into some shorts. A couple of the girls said they had already turned their A/C units on but I have not uncovered mine yet. If it stays this warm I think I will uncover it and try it to make sure it is working properly before the really hot weather gets here.

Didn't Do Much Today

After breakfast this morning, I had to go to the bank, so I put Hiker in the car and off we went. I also needed to drop a donation bag off at Goodwill. When we got home, I took Hiker out for a 1.6 mile walk then came home and settled down to watch Y&R and then have lunch. After lunch, we went over to Jean's house. She had surgery on her foot yesterday so I went by to see if she needed anything and to see how she was doing. I had planned on letting her rest a couple of days and going over tomorrow to see her, but I have a lunch date with my Lockheed retired friends tomorrow, so decided I'd check on Jean today. It got up into the low 90's here again today.

Did SoCal Skip Over Spring And Go Right Into Summer?

Hiker and I slept in until 8 am. She would not let me sleep any later than that. She went outside around 6:30 am and we went back to bed then she tried to get me up around 7 am and I told her to lay down and go back to sleep and she did. But then at 8 am she started kissing me and would not leave me alone, so we got up. I made breakfast and then headed over to Wal-Mart to get a new paper shredder. Got the exact same kind I had last time. They keep going up in price. I think I paid about $15 for the last one and I paid $25 for this new one. Came home and took Hiker out for a morning walk. She saw her dog friend Sophie along the way and she met a chocolate lab named Ruby. We had met Ruby once before when Ruby got out of her backyard and came running over to say hi. After lunch, I took Hiker out for another walk inside of our gated community. Was HOT out there, 90° according to my thermometer at 2:30 pm. I did my first Wii workout. Did 26 minutes of aerobics and worked up a sweat, but I don't like the way the Mii does not move with me like it should. So I did 2 walks and a Wii workout today. That's a lot of exercise for one day.

Good Group Session - Good Lunch

I hate this time change. I am so sleepy when I wake up in the morning and then I'm a little grumpy the rest of the day. I wish they would just pick either standard time or daylight saving time and just leave it on one or the other all year. Besides, you still use your lights just as much so you don't save electricity. Now instead of having to turn them on early in the evening, you have to turn them on in the morning. But I've heard that the real reason they change the time is because retailers have found that during daylight saving time people have more sunlight in the evening so they go out more after dinner and spend money more than they do when we are on standard time. During standard time, people tend to go home from work and stay inside. So it's all about the money, just like everything else. Had a good session at the Grief Support Group today. After group several of us went to Cathy's Deli for lunch. When we left to head home a couple of women came by with 2 beautiful Lab and they were both "pure white". They were Beau and Buddy. Beau was 3 years old and Buddy was 4 years old. I had never seen a pure white "golden" retriever. There were so sweet too. When I got home, Hiker wanted me to come out and play with her ball. It was 85° and felt very warm so I didn't stay out in the sun too long. Also discovered that my criss-cross shredder quit working so now I'll have to go up to Wal-Mart tomorrow and see if I can get a new one.