July 2008

July 29 (Tues) Here is a picture of 3 generations of Kowal men in Israel (June 2008).

Alex & his sister, the princess.

July 29 (Tues) I was on my way to the dermatologist this morning when my tire blew out. I pulled over, called AAA, then called my dr to reschedule. The tow truck took 1 hr to come. I was sitting in the car reading, using my time wisely. When he finished changing the tire, I took the car to the tire store to get a new spare. But I needed all new tires. So I waited another hr & a half for that. The tire guy noticed the air system didn't come on. That's the shock system that makes the car ride so smoothly. He said the guy who changed the tire didn't turn the button off before jacking the car up & that it ruined the air bags so my car looked like a low rider & drove like a truck. I called the towing company, then we called the Lincoln dealership. I have an appointment to take the car in next wk so they can "examine" the bags of the air system. Not a good day, so far.

I kept calling my office giving them updates. Finally had to tell them I wouldn't make it in at all that day.

Rosalie is finally back from vacation. I've missed her. No one to give my daily cantaloupe report to. We're going to meet at Salty Seniorita's next wk for a margarita & to catch up.

Then I will start my next project. I will put together the Israel album. I'll have to print out the pictures from 3 disks & 1 memory card & put all of the souvenir stuff Lewis brought back in there too. I just love my little projects.

I just finished a project - - Put together a nice photo album of Sevilan's life for her 80th birthday (which was a few months ago). Did it through the Snapfish site. I know it's late, but I really wanted to be able to put that "3 generations of Kowals in Israel" picture in it. I kept telling Lewis to be sure to take a picture like that when they were gone. I think it's a pretty good one.

Have to return a pair of shoes. The last pair came & they are TOO SMALL. How could that be? The other ones that came were too big & now these - same size, brand & store - are too small. This is making me nuts.

My sister Cathy & her family are doing some neighborhood walking this wk-end to gather more support for her campaign as she is running for re-election. Also, someone is lying to the Peoria paper about Cathy. It's upset her, but she'll make it through this. The next time they do their neighborhood walks, Lewis, Alex & I will help them.

I have my songs on my new iPod now & I'm very happy about that. But I can't seem to find my good earbuds. I bought these really nice, soft, comfortable ones from Sharper Image for my last iPod & I loved them. But since I can't find them, I've been using the ones that came with it & they hurt. Maybe I'll get used to them. Or maybe I'll break down & go back to Sharper Image. Of course that's when I'll find the old ones.

Last wk-end we took 2 of our cars back to Discount Tire to have the tires rotated again. My car was not one of them. While we were waiting we went to McDonald's again & I had an iced coffee & a sausage mcmuffin without the sausage. Lewis was reading the paper & I was reading my book. He came across an advertisement for a new wine/beer warehouse store near us. They were having wine tastings all Sat & Sun. So he went there when we left. Came back quoting me these great prices. Even my bourbon - Wild Turkey Rare Breed was much cheaper there. They have over 100 kinds of beer. Lewis seemed excited about that. He wanted to check them out.

I have a little time now so I think I'll sit down & read. I can finish the book by tonight & then return it to Julia (my sister-in-law). They will be in town until next Sun. Jason & Matthew are coming over here tomorrow night to hang out with Alex.

July 25 (Fri) My friend, Lori has untangled my necklaces. There were 2 of them entwined together – 8 strands. I don’t know how she did it, but I had to promise never to let them get near each other again. Alex spent the night at my mom’s on Weds. They went out for Chinese food & made magic bars (which he loves). He told me they did some digging & planting or something like that. He always has a good time when he’s over there.

Alex & Lewis saw the new Batman movie. They both loved it. Alex says it's the best movie he's ever seen. Lewis says it's the best of all the Batman movies & it was great.

Aug 1 (Fri) Jan, Julie, Jason & Matthew are here for a wk to visit with Jan's parents. Yesterday Sevilan's walker collapsed & she fell. Cut her head, got a concusion, went to the Mayo Hospital. They did tests yesterday but wanted to keep her overnight. I don't know when she'll be going home.

Jason spent the night at our house last night. He & Alex seem to have a lot in common since they are both a little older now. And Jason brought Alex's phone back to him -- the phone he left in Virginia 2 wks ago. And as usual, Julia & I continue to exchange books when we see each other. After I read them I give them to our friend, Jane & Jane gives me hers. We have our own little roving library.

Lewis is working at home today. The roof guy is coming to give him an estimate. While he was in Israel some of the tiles fell off of the back corner of the house. Figures. Yesterday he tried to change the burnt out light bulb in the entryway to the front door (outside). He got the bulb out, & he got the new bulb in (with that long stick thing), but the new bulb doesn't work either, so he thinks he needs to call an electrician.

Aug 2 (Sat) Alex spent the night at the hotel again with Jan's family. They've been out swimming & floating along in that lazy river. This morning we visited Sevilan in the hospital. She can get out tomorrow but has to go to a therapy facility for a few more days. She's still real dizzy.

Everyone is here now. Jan, Julia, Jason Matthew, Allan, Madison, Sam, Lewis, Alex & me. And Sparky. They are playing games in the living room & it is freezing in there. Jan & Julia love it cold so we have the air conditioning on really low when they're here. I'm ready to put mittens & a coat on. I think I can see my breath when I talk.

Lewis made a really good chicken salad with walnut pieces, grapes, & dried cranberries. It was delicious. I hope there's some left so I can take it with me to work on Mon. for lunch.

I think we're going to Friday's tonight for dinner.

Hugs,

Candace

We're Home

July 15 (Tues) After being delayed for a day in VA, we finally got home on Monday. Lewis had to miss a day of work & I lost my "buffer" day. Sparky was excited to have her family home. She grabbed her favorite ball & started scampering around the living room. Since we were a day late, she was here alone all of Sunday. Rosalie picked her up so she would be here when we got home. Then our friend (the one whose name I won't use -- or picture or address or blood type), came over to make sure she was alright, fed her, took her out, played with her. So she was in no way neglected. I gave her a bath that evening & brushed her. She's beautiful again, as usual.

We had a ton of mail that the post office was holding until Mon. And my other pair of shoes finally came. Now there's just 1 more that I'm waiting for. My iPod was not in that mail because I have to sign for it. I signed the little yellow slip & put it back in my mailbox, so I should get it either today or tomorrow.

Recently Rhapsody joined the list of music compatible with iTunes & the iPod. I use the MyCokeRewards site to put in the numbers on the inside of Coke product tops. Then you can redeem the points for stuff. Rhapsody is on there, & I now have enough points. That is probably the first thing I'm going to do when I finally do get my iPod.
By the way, that MyCokeRewards site isn't bad. I've already redeemed for a $25 gift certificate for a restaurant we've wanted to try. It's a good deal...Buy nothing / Get something. Some friends are saving their Coke tops for me.

There's a site called BuyMyTronics.com. This guy will buy any electronics you have to sell. It can even be broken to bits & he'll take it. You can get an exact price of what he'll pay also. This guy was on some news show I saw a few wks ago or I wouldn't have known about it. My old iPod, which is no more than a paperweight at this point, isn't worth much, but it's worth more than nothing. I'm going to send it to him. He'll deposit the money in my PayPal account. It's worth more than what it would cost me to ship it.

Garbage truck just came & Sparky is barking like a wild girl. But this will not wake her brother, who is dead to the world until around 11:30 or noon. He's going to be getting back on a more normal schedule soon because school starts Aug 11. First day of high school - 9th grade. My baby is growing up too fast.

Jan & Julia & boys are coming out here for a visit in 2 wks. Seems funny because we were just there in VA visiting with them. But they are coming for a wk to see Jan's parents. Their hotel is about 10 minutes from our house & about 50 minutes from his parents' house. The kids will still get to hang out together for a few days. Alex'x cell phone slipped out of his pocket while in the car going to the airport. He called it, Jason answered. Jason will bring it back when he gets here, so Alex is without a phone for 2 wks. I think he'll survive, but he has his doubts.

Yesterday Alex asked me if he could stay at my mom's house for a day or 2 & spend some time with her. I called her yesterday - No answer. I will try her again today. He also wants to spend a wk-end at Jack & Jonella's when they're back from their cabin where they spend summers.

July 18 (Fri) Another pair of shoes came. Now I'm just waiting for the last one. And my new iPod came yesterday. Alex called me as soon as it was delivered because he knew I've been waiting anxiously for it. It's beautiful. My new best friend. I'm hoping to be able to load my library onto it this wk-end. I think we're going to Lewis's parents' this Sunday, but Saturday is clear. Except we have to straighten up for Mon when Hilda & Blanca come to clean.

Lewis is working at home today. No hearings today. He made breakfast for me & brought it to me while I was in the bathtub. He's very kind like that.

We're all happy to be back in our routines. Alex has been trying to get kids to come over but they all seem to be tied up in camp or something. This is only the 2nd yr he hasn't gone to camp in the summer. Last yr because of his bar mitzvah & this yr because he went to Israel & then to Virginia. Too much time gone couldn't fit into any camp schedule. He would always miss part of a wk. He was even considering doing the CIT (counselor in training) this year for the JCC. Maybe next summer.

Speaking of Israel, with the pictures Lewis took & the pictures our friend Dirk took I'm going to put together a very nice scrap book for Alex. Lewis saved the itinerary & other things like that for me to include. It will be a nice thing for him to have.

July 20 (Sun) Just got back from visiting Lewis's parents in Sun City West. Sevilan is having knee surgery on Aug 4.

I finally got all of my songs on my new iPod then backed it up on the external hard drive. Can't take any chances anymore. Worked on it most of yesterday. I had the time because Lewis took Alex & his friend Josh to see that new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight". They said it was great. The best one yet. Then Alex spent the night at Josh's. Lewis played tennis this morning (every Sunday). On the way to Sun City, we picked him up at Josh's house. He told us what Josh's mom made him for breakfast. It was a huge breakfast. Then we went out for lunch & Alex was still hungry. He's growing so fast. And he's really tall now.

Alex is supposed to spend the night at my mom's on Weds, but Lewis may need to take him to the orthodontist on Thurs a.m. so we're not sure this will work out. Maybe he can stay there on Thurs night.

Back to work tomorrow. Why are wk-ends so short?
Hugs,
Candace

July 4 in Virginia - Part 2

Still in Virginia -

This is a picture of Sparky at her hotel in the indoor park during group play. I got this picture from doggie cam. She is the cute one. (If you don't know Sparky, there is another picture of her in the older blogs. She is a sweet little Westie. In the picture to the left, she is the Westie behind the other Westie. That other Westie is a puppy.) The individual condos are on the other side of the park.

It's July 9 (Weds). Lewis woke me this morning at 9:00 am. He brought a Kowal McMuffin for me into the bedroom. Egg & cheese on an English muffin. I love those. Since I was awake, I thought I would get up. Earliest I've gotten up since I've been here. It was raining. Nice, though. It's cold in the house so I like to go out on the back deck & get warmed up. After the rain I can smell the warm, musty smell of GREEN. I even saw leaves rustling in a tree. Rustling! We don't see much rustling in AZ. We see lots of branches bending, but none of that gentle rustling.

We played a couple rounds of Rummikub last night. Ate dinner & played again. All 7 of us. We had to use 2 sets of tiles.

I watched Sparky play for a while this morning. She was running around with another little dog. Seems most of the little dogs are gone - back with their families. For the little dog playgroup it was just Sparky & 4 other dogs. During the wk-end there were 10-12 little dogs in there. Once they take the little dogs back to their condos, they bring the bigger dogs out to play. So Sparky goes back to watch Animal Planet & look out her window which overlooks the soccer park. She is so cute !

July 10 (Thurs). I actually got up at 10:30 today instead of noon. Checked out Sparky on doggie cam just at the right time. The little dogs were out playing. I have attached a picture of her. From doggie cam, I can hit the "capture" button & get a picture of her.

Lewis did our laundry this morning. He'll do another load before we leave so we won't have anything to wash once we get home. That's a big advantage to staying here. Alex's clothes were a mess; He's been playing that shooting game outside with his cousins & their friends for a couple of days. They run all over the neighborhood wearing these full face masks with guns that shoot those little foamy balls. It seemed like they spent all day out there yesterday, running around in the humidity. They love it.

Right now Lewis, Alex, Jan, & Jason are playing pinochle. I'm going to try to finish my book. I borrowed it from Julia & only have about 30 pages to go. Then I can leave it with her & go on to the next one in the series, which is mine. Might seem a waste of time that I spend so much of my vacation reading, but that is what I love doing. And being able to sit down & read, uninterrupted, is a REAL vacation to me.

I also got a bunch of pictures taken in Israel from our friends who were on the same tour as Alex & Lewis. The pictures are postcard quality. They're beautiful. When we get home I'm going to print all of the pictures he sent us plus the ones Lewis took & make an Israel photobook from their trip.

Got a notice from the person I bought my new iPod from (on eBay) that the post office tried to deliver it but no one was home. I put a hold on our mail until 7/14. They aren't supposed to be delivering mail. I guess it needs to be signed for. Darn! If they don't find us at home after the second attempt, it will be sent to the post office to wait for pick-up. That's okay. I just wanted to have it there when I got home.

July 11 (Fri) Lewis, Jan, & Julia & I went to a very nice restaurant last night called Cafe Renaissance. Sort of a French/Italian. Best meal I've had in a long time. Started out with an artichoke heart covered with white crab meat, then onto the filet mignon, mashed sweet potato, yellow squash patty, pea pods, & then the dessert which Jan & I had - bananas foster, prepared tableside. Lots of fire. It was wonderful. Then they gave us all some port, which I've never been a fan of. Tastes too much like figs to me.

Lewis made Alex & me pancakes for breakfast (well, lunch really, since I didn't get up until 1:00) & fruit. Everyone else had already eaten.

Lewis, Jan, Alex, & Jason just left a little while ago to go to the Air & Space Museum. From there they will go on to a baseball game in DC, the Nationals, I think the team is called. The last time we were here, Jan took Lewis, Alex & me to a Nationals game, but they have a new stadium now. Jan has the box seats where he gets the good food at the good buffet. Real food. Seats are right behind home plate. So they won't be home until late tonight. This gives me a very long time to read. Julia is upstairs reading now too. She reads like I do.

I finished my book yesterday. I've read 3 since I've been here & started the 4th one yesterday. I was sitting on the patio reading earlier & I will go out there again as soon as I get some water.

The guys just got home. They loved the simulators at the Air & Space Museum!

July 12 (Sat) Just finished a long game of Balderdash. Lots of fun. Had more of those great pancakes for breakfast this morning. It's raining now. Now we're thinking of what to have for dinner.

Ended up going out for Chinese food. When we got back Jan, Julia, Lewis & I played a couple hours of Password. I haven't played the game in ages. Then we packed to get ready to go home tomorrow.

July 13 (Sun) Delta Airlines is not my favorite. We sat at the Dulles Airport for 4 1/2 hrs & finally had to have Jan come back & get us. Our connecting flight was cancelled from Atlanta because of weather, so we would miss our connecting flight. I told the lady we would take anything. She did her little keyboarding thing & kept saying, "Overbooked," "overbooked," "overbooked." "I'm sorry. You'll have to come back tomorrow." Tomorrow ! So we are now back at Jan & Julia's house. We took our sheets off the bed this morning & brought the towels up for the laundry, & now we have to do it all over tomorrow.

I was very worried about Sparky being home alone. Rosalie picked her up & then another friend (who doesn't like his name in blogs) will feed her & take her out to go potty. But she'll be alone tonight. At least she's home. I was going to have a buffer day before I go back to work, but that won't happen now. Lewis is actually missing a day.

I guess I'll go ahead & send this out now. I was going to do it when I got home, but who knows when that will be ? !

Hugs, Candace

July 4 in Virginia - Part 1

Today is the 4th of July. We arrived in Virginia yesterday & will stay with Jan (Lewis' brother) & Julia & their boys for the week. A neighbor 2 doors down & in a cul-de-sac just exhibited the most amazing display of fireworks I've seen since Disneyland. Jan said it's illegal & that another neighbor got arrested for doing the same thing a few yrs ago. I told him we should send this guy a gift basket for entertaining us for so long with such cool fireworks. There are green trees & green grass here. I sort of remember what green looks like, but it's a vague memory from years ago when I lived in Indianapolis. It was raining when the neighbor was doing the fireworks. I'm surprised he bothered to go out in the rain.

I checked out Sparky again today on doggie cam at her hotel. She sure looks like she's having a good time. I got to see her scamper around the indoor park with another little white dog. They both looked like they were having fun. I'm really happy about the doggie cam. Now I don't feel so bad about leaving her when I see she's having fun.

We have no agenda & no plans. We are going to play every day as it comes. The perfect vacation.

Today is July 6, Sunday. Just taking it easy.
We went to see the new "Get Smart" movie yesterday. It was pretty good.
I've been keeping up with Sparky's activities; I check her out on her website a couple times a day.

Jan & Julia have this bar game called MegaTouch, which has about a zillion games on it. Lots of trivia & word games. You could spend a lot of time on that thing. I did this morning.

This morning there was a Monopoly tournament. That goes on forever.

Julia is now making huge chef salads for everyone. There is certainly no shortage of food around here. Before we come here Julia buys all the foods we like. It's really nice here. This morning I sat on the back deck & read the paper. I can never do that in AZ. It smelled so fresh & green.

The boys were outside playing basketball with Jan & Lewis for a while today, until they wore out the 2 old guys. Then the kids played alone.

Alex & Jason are down in the home theatre area watching "24". I think tonight will be movie night but I'm not sure which one. Tomorrow we're going out for seafood.

It's now July 7, Monday. Julia & I just got back from doing a little shopping. Went to a used book store & got a few books, went to another store & got some pants & earrings. We're going out to dinner tonight - just the adults. The kids will stay home & eat pizza. They're playing another card game now. I'm glad Jan & Julia are game people. We love games. Probably Rumikub tonight after dinner.

It's July 8, Tuesday. Last night the 4 of us went to a seafood restaurant & had the best crab cakes we've ever had. They weren't really "cakes" as much as crab "clumps". No fillers, just pure, sweet, white crab. And sweet potato fries. Pretty darn good dinner.

Alex & Jason went to Jason's friend's house last night to play Texas Hold 'em. Just a $5 buy-in game. Alex loves playing poker. They were gone a few hours. Had a good time.

Lewis, Jan & Julia just left to go pick up some falafel & other weird food for us. Then we're going to watch the pictures on disc that Lewis took in Israel. There are 3 discs, but they're not all full. I haven't seen these pictures yet. I've only seen the ones he took with the digital camera.

I woke up this morning listening to Jan play his baby grand. An Eagles song, a Dan Fogelberg song, a Coldplay song, & something else. He is a wonderful pianist.

Things I've learned while in Virginia:
1) There really IS good seafood on the east coast
2) I can eat anything I want while I'm in this house
3) Not all grocery stores have those wipes by the front door
4) Utz brand pretzels are the best
5) Lewis cannot relax, even when on vacation (Oh, wait. I
already knew that.)
6) Sparky does have fun when she's at her resort & not with us
7) I need to bring warmer clothes when I come here
8) I LOVE singing in the Kowal band
9) Jan Kowal may have all the music in the world with nothing
left to put on an iPod
10) I need to take more pictures with a little one-time use camera
Julia gave me
11) I really miss green grass & trees - & that green smell
12) I keep in touch with my sisters, no matter where I am
13) I'm happy when I can eat a banana every morning
14) I learned all the words to a Foo Fighters song
15) Dave Grohl (lead singer of the Foo Fighters) used to be a
drummer with Nirvana
16) I love sitting on the back deck reading the paper in the morning
17) I would not do well anyplace where I couldn't have computer
access

Well, we finally looked at all of the Israel pictures - 3 discs. When we get home I will put them on my computer & put them in order.

Jan made some pretty good margaritas, we warmed up cheese dips & had salsa & chips. The kids were outside playing this shooting game with these little spongy balls. One of the guns broke so Lewis took them to the store to get another one.

Listening to Frank Zappa now.

Just wondering - does anyone actually read my blogs all the way through? You don't have to tell me. I'm just wondering who would read all of this. Actually, this is more of a journal. After I finish each entry, I print it & paste it into my journal - usually with additions.

So this is the end of Part 1 in Virginia.