darn you Netflix

 Ah! Reggie and I decided to get rid of Netflix in January because we weren't watching it much through most of the year. My grand plan is/was to get it again in the fall so I could watch all of the Christmas shows and others that I love - like especially Klaus, and Finding Ohana, and the Potatoe Peel Pie movie. But, I just watched a few intriguing trailers for movies not coming to the theaters like I thought, but coming to Netflix, in March. I really want to keep may plan of waiting till the fall, but this is hard!

So, I think I will try just keeping a running list here, on this post, until the fall, and therefore hoping to not forget about any that I am so interested in right now. So here goes:

SHIRLEY (I've always liked Regina King, and it looks like she does a great job here)

IRISH WISH (yes, I am willing to give Lindsey Lohan another chance)

dragon hunt

 A couple of weeks ago Reggie and I went on a dragon hunt and found the 5 beautifully decorated dragons placed throughout San Francisco, in honor of this Lunar "Year of the Dragon".  I looked up their locations and so appreciate Reggie's driving skills - he seems to know every inch of this city.

First up was the "Heavenly Jade Dragon" near the San Francisco Warrior's arena. We were able to easily park and walk around.

Then the "Blue & White Porcelain Dragon" at Union Square. Couldn't find parking nearby so I jumped out and took a picture - hooray for the long light, as I was able to hop right back in and we were on our way.

Next was the "Gold Luck Dragon "at Rose Pac Station - another hit and run. I think this was the prettiest. What would we do without pictures?

At the Lucky Supermarket on Sloat we found the "Rainbow Dragon",

And in the Stonestown Mall was the last one, the "Ping An Dragon".

The fun would not have been complete without a drive through China Town. We got just a glimpse of the end of a dragon parade with the beautiful drums a playing. 

Then this last weekend our Last family visited and we made a Chinese Dragon out of egg cartons. 

(Thankfully I can't seem to upload the example of what it's supposed to look like  ha ha! Ours looks more like a bunny or a bug, but it was fun.)

So much fun, sharing in other's cultures that surround us.  Consequently, the 7th graders February social studies curriculum was all about Medieval China. I learned a lot as I sat in on lessons, helped the children take notes and study for their test. Many things we still use today originated in Medieval China - like paper, the magnetic compass and other improvements in shipping, gun-powder-powered fireworks, etc. Back in those times, rather than driving around the city to share in other cultures, they had the Silk Road, where people from many countries traveled to sell their goods and share their ideas.

Speaking of ideas, I have so many running-a-muck in my brain! I keep telling myself this is my year of practicality and to keep things simple. But, since Reggie and I have been blessed with both our Mother's "China", as in beautiful dish sets, which are packed very carefully and take up quite a bit of space in the basement, I am thinking that I should put them to good use and share them. To go along with what the kid's have learned in Social Studies, I want to bring to class the dessert plates and tea cups, and have the table set for when the kids walk in to RSP. We can have a small treat using these, just so the kids can see what "fine China" looks like, which is named after China. Maybe they already have these in their homes, but whether they do or not, it just sounds like fun.

Speaking of treats, my childhood exposure to Asian food was rather limited, but so appreciated, as my parents loved to shop at Cost Plus, which is now named World Market. They always bought little stocking stuffers from around the world at this store, and during the year they brought home "rice paper" candy, where you could eat the wrapping. 

Well, to quote Kenny Chesney again, "It's a Big, Old, Beautiful World". In March the kids will be studying ancient Japan. I guess that means it's time to break out more origami paper and start folding those paper cranes!

Ok, winter, I'm putting you on notice

 Alright, one week left of my winter playlist and then I'm calling it - atmospheric river or no atmospheric river, I need it to be spring.

I love the changing of the seasons, which in a lot of ways, for me, is more about my thoughts and feelings than about the weather. I've realized I see the year as 3 months per season. 

Winter gets its turn in December, January and February, and has the nice feeling of coziness: warm clothes, blankets, fireplace, the heater and home. It starts out with the best holiday of Christmas, brings the excitement of a new year, and ends with a loving Valentines Day - which, in recent years has become a holiday about friendship and family, besides romantic love. In our Pineda's Seattle-area school district they have an annual family Valentine's Day dance, which is adorable. Lester's Dad flew out there this year to attend, and that just makes me smile thinking about it. Since January I have been saving the following cute images that have popped up on Facebook. They have made me happy:

Then, in my mind, March - May is Spring, June - August is summer and September - November is fall. (I will elaborate on my thoughts about those seasons as they and more cute pictures come). 

So Spring - get ready, because I am getting ready for you, which I didn't quite realize until I noticed Spring things showing up in the stores. They made me smile and reminded me of good things to come. Maybe it's sad that the stores and marketing can affect someone's thoughts and feelings. But in this case it's a good thing, for me anyway. Just when I was feeling particularly "blah", pastel colors and gardening supplies and flower scents and the like made me feel like something different and good is on the horizon.

 

Reggie's Birthday

 We didn't do much - definitely one of the quietest birthdays of his life. But we had a nice weekend all the same, and especially marked his day with a nice homemade dinner, carrot cake, a few presents and some tv watching. 

Regarding the presents, I got him a couple of ties in significant colors: orange, because it is his favorite color, and teal because it is one of mine and it was our wedding color. I also got him a panini maker with the promise of my making hot sandwiches throughout the year. And . . . . I ordered him a present of something HE thinks he doesn't want but I think he will come to treasure. Ironically it is hiding somewhere in the basement and I haven't been able to find it. So, until I do the following picture (which is one of my favorites, and from 7 years ago) will serve as a hint to what the present is (And no, it is not another grandchild.)

Happy Birthday Reggie!

February beginnings

I wrote the following on February 1st, and then forgot about it in my drafts. Well, better late than never!

 Today was wonderful and I think I should document it to look back on when there are not so wonderful days.

 At the beginning of each school year the children are divided into families, consisting of one member from each grade. They get together once a month, on Family Day. The 7th and 8th graders are in charge of meeting and walking the little ones to and from the assigned classroom (which remains the same all year). Each room hosts 3 families. One or 2 staff members are assigned to pick the activity and provide the materials each month. Today was Mancala day. I noticed the 7th and 8th graders playing all week to prepare.  As I was getting ready for my "family" to arrive, my plans changed. The one on one aide to one of our boys with autism was absent. The principal asked me to be his substitute, meaning I would not work in my classroom but go and be with him all day in his. Our RSP teacher had to adjust her plans to carry on without me. 

Ironically we had given Addy Mancala for Christmas, so I was especially happy to learn how to play. The school was very resourceful and made boards out of egg cartons for all the classes.

So, I sat with this boy's "family" as a 6th grade girl was his Mancala partner. She taught him how to play and they had a great game. Afterwards he and I took a lap around the track. In fact, with PE and recess and his sports elective we spent a good amount of time outside. The weather was magical - it was beautiful and sunny enough for a nice PE and then started pouring just as the students went back to their classrooms. Then, luckily it was sunny again for lunch, and pouring rain during Social Studies. Besides walking the track, this boy and my 58 year old self shot hoops, threw around the football and kicked the soccer ball to each other. We also took a break by watching some of the kids play an organized game of soccer and I couldn't help but cheering, especially for the girls.

Speaking of the other kids, it was fun being in class with them. Some I already knew from coming to RSP, and I in fact multi-tasked by helping them as well, which took some of the responsibility off of our RSP teacher. I also got to know a lot of the other kids better. The boy I was with is quite popular. So many of the kids were high- 5ing him throughout the day and just being good friends to him. I think also that, because he is good at math and tends to call out the answer pretty quickly, they enjoying have him in their groups. 

In respect to our RSP kids in their general ed classes, when I walk around to check on them I try to "blend in" and stop and talk to the other kids as well. Most have been receptive and not too irritated at having me around. As I was passing by one girl's desk she gave me an origami crane she had just folded. One little thing like that just meant so much to me. So, tomorrow I am going to give her some of my origami paper that I keep on hand.

I could get addicted to Origami paper

When the day was over I drove home during a downpour, and realized how much I needed a day out of the classroom, and how fun it was to be with this boy and the other students. 

I've got them all fooled

 Perhaps the biggest theme of this blog over the years has been my efforts to be organized. I think I will always be a work in progress regarding that. But, for a while now, Reggie has mentioned how I've come a long way and my Mom would be so proud. I appreciate this observation.

However, it is kind of freaking me out how many people have used that term to describe me in the last year or so - people who don't know how much I struggle with it. Being the trustee of my Mom's estate, and her preparing me for that for the last several years of her life, has thankfully kicked in and I've managed things I never thought I could. But as primary president and at work, well I admit there's been a lot to juggle, and I guess I've done ok at that too because people keep referring to me as being organized. 

I heard a funny saying on Abbott Elementary (my new favorite show) that schools have more turnovers than a bakery. That is certainly true of mine. For example, there has been a new RSP teacher or two (or three) for every year I've been at my current school, not to mention 3 principles, and this year a new counselor, psychologist, 6th and 8th grade teacher, and even others that come through our classroom that I don't even know what their position is. So when they have told me I'm so organized I feel like saying "you don't even know me". But as I've brought in so many file folders and other school supplies my Mom left behind, and am putting them to use, her expertise and spirit has rubbed off. 

This is my corner of the classroom. I think it is a bit messy, but I admit that compared to the rest of the room it is pretty organized. Who knew that I would ever be the one in a room to work on not judging others for their disorganization or messiness.  My teacher keeps thanking me for keeping her organized, and I should recognize her for her humility kind words. 

So, I will continue to try to "make weak things become strong" as the scripture says. This weekend I couldn't help but smile as it occurred to me that "I'm still me". My 7th grade math notebook is my lifeline at school. My first year I put every minute possible into working out every math problem in the book, with the answer key by my side, so that when I help the kids I not only have the answer but can teach them HOW to get the answer. But . . . I realize that I am the only one who can decipher my notebook, as it really looks like "a hot mess" as some would say.

 And, I finally got around to my home project of putting my printed-out recipes and decades old recipe cards into a folder. It is actually an old-time photo album of my Mom's where she put colored paper into sheet covers but never got around to adding pictures. So I just grabbed each recipe, stains and side notes and all, and put in the sheet covers. No time to re-print them or clean them up.  But that's ok - it works, and I think my Mom is probably proud of me and laughing all at the same time, and that makes me happy.

 

Hitsville USA

 Reggie's last stop on his business trip, before coming home, was a little house in Detroit called "Hitsville USA", or in other words, where Motown began. It is now a museum. He took a tour and enjoyed all the info and things to see, and kept thinking how about much I would love it too. 

So Saturday night we watched a documentary about Motown. It was fun re-hearing all of those songs that are such a part of our Americana. I loved the footage of "Little Stevie Wonder" who went from one instrument to another with his amazing voice. I enjoyed footage of young Michael Jackson and his brothers - he was gliding across the floor long before hi '80s Moonwalk (see the video below, starting at about 33 seconds in). The Temptations dance moves were impressive too, and the lyrics to the songs are just so clever - and all the instruments used on all the songs. It was a great weekend sitting back and re-living Motown.

I knew Smokey Robinson was one of the artists but I didn't know how much he did with the writings of songs for other artists and worked with founder Barry Gordy on the business end of things. It was funny hearing them tell the stories and then disagree, etc. on the documentary.

One song I do have a specific childhood memory of: "Can't Get Next To You" fascinated me as it seemed to be talking about people's superpowers. I was so young, that I kind of thought it was a true story - and it reminded me of one of my favorite books that intrigued me called "The 7 Chinese Brothers". And that is a wonderful Segway for a future post of how I've been enjoying "Lunar New Year".

Before the outage

Sunday was a very fun day, in spite of the storm. Our Dobbins family came, through the rain, Saturday night, to support Samantha. Knowing she would be home all week after her outpatient surgery, she asked Hillary if they would come keep her company. Since Hillary home-schools the kids they can do their school days while out of town. I was touched that they said yes, and even came in 2 cars so that Andrew could go back for work.

They got to the house late Saturday night, but you know I needed (for my Grandma heart) to have heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies ready. We ate them while watching an old Little Rascals episode, which was a good laugh.

During the wind and rain we headed to church the next morning and then spent the afternoon at home playing games. Jade came over to hang out and brought her card game Sky       which our family loves. I had taken a good power nap and got started on dinner a little later than planned. The wind was blowing hard by now - the news said similar to hurricane strength - and the lights were flickering for quite a while. Hurray for the insta-pot though, because the pork chops were done just as the power went out. The rice wasn’t though, and we were out of bread, so we had it with chips; not my favorite combination, but it was good enough. 

The power outage was wide-reaching at this point. Everyone we called from Daly City through Pacifica had no power, and the businesses were dark as well. Jade made it home safely, thank goodness. Luke went to his bakery job at 4 Monday morning, but came right home as their power did not come on till Tuesday. 

Inspite of no electricity Sunday evening was fun. Andrew made it home safely, thank goodness, and the rest of us hung out in the living room for hours. After all, Reggie was home, and the kids adore him as much as he does them. It was fun to watch them play - 1 year old Nori is starting to discover how fun it is to climb on Grandpa. I did my favorite thing of reading to the kids, and I was so glad to get them to play “Coco Bingo”. As Hillary was putting the 2 youngest to bed I fell asleep on the couch, to the sounds of the oldest 3 hanging out with Samantha in her room.

This is a really pretty game - I love the illustrations. It is also fun becoming more familiar with some Spanish words.

After a rough and cold night with the kids (sleeping in the downstairs family room) Hillary decided to head home Monday morning after all. We assured her that the time they spent with Samantha was well appreciated, and she felt the love and support. So while Samantha was in the hospital, and with a break in the rain and traffic, they headed home. We didn’t know then the power would be out for several more days, so it was clearly the right decision, and all is well.

                                       They call it an atmospheric river, or river in the sky.

                            Looks like we need to get through a few before winter is over.

A long power outage, and story to go with it

Part 1 

This power outage certainly has the potential to mess with our minds. But if we stay calm and keep a long term perspective we should be fine. I mean, 58 hours and counting without electricity feels a bit crazy. The most maddening part is getting well meaning updates from PG&E, telling when they expect the power to be restored, only to have it pushed back and changed. Today we got 6 different time frames, which didn’t happen, and now I think they’ve given up. I know they are still working on it, but they are not sending the texts anymore. 

So I called. The new time frame was 24 more hours. So, if that is true then we will have gone 80 hours without electricity.

I think the most challenging part has been no heat in the house. Sleeping is ok, because we have mounds of blankets to lie under. But getting up, even just to use the bathroom is so uncomfortable! Now I see why people keep a robe nearby and put on right out of bed. I mean, we usually don’t run the heater at night, but I am able to click it on as soon as I get up. So during this outage, getting ready for work has been painfully cold - which is ridiculous of me, but that’s how it feels. Tonight Reggie built a fire in the fireplace, which we haven’t done in ages, and that was nice. The other hardest part is no way to heat the water. I just can’t do a cold shower. I think I might give in soon and go to the Porters or Reggie’s family’s houses to shower. 

Eating out for dinner each night has been fun. My frugal self wants to be mad about this, but if I just go with the flow, and enjoy the break from cooking, and enjoy all our varied choices in the neighborhood, it starts to feel fun. Usually, when we occasionally do eat out, we bring the food home and eat while watching tv together. But the other night Reggie & I “dined in” at Wing Stop, which felt like a date night, and was very enjoyable. (Luke went and got In n Out for he and Samantha and they ate at home. They will never get tired of In n Out.)

Charging our phones hasn’t been too bad because we can do it when driving or at work. We are getting used to no tv and no internet at home 

 I do, however, really miss playing my music in the house. So today I’m going to get some “C” batteries for the small boom box we’ve held on to.

Time has become blurred as we are getting used to going to bed by 7pm. It’s just hard to stay up and get things done by candlelight. But then, a good 8 hours sleep means we are up by 3 am, which of course means several more hours till sunlight. Ironically, I was craving some camping when the seasons change, but this experience might have cured that.

When the power first went off, Sunday afternoon, we were one in several, several thousand residences and businesses. By now most have been restored. So, it is also maddening to drive home, past all the regular lights, and into our completely dark neighborhood. There are about 1,000 residences still without power. So, we are definitely not alone in this, but it certainly feels like we are part of an unlucky few. However, if we keep that long term perspective, it really isn’t so bad, and it feels like it is just our turn to be last to get the power restored. 

Epilogue - we got our power back on Thursday. Wednesday night we were struggling to mentally keep it together as it was down to a 17 house outage, due to equipment failure. We felt like we were being taunted by our neighbors across the street when they opened their garage doors and we could see they had power. (Of course they were not taunting us). We've now thrown away most everything that was in the refrigerator and freezers, and will definitely be making a claim that PG&E offers.  

smiling through another surgery

 Do you know what's perfect for a couple of days of illness and a Monday surgery to look forward to? A Road to Avonlea marathon. My brave Samantha is having outpatient surgery on Monday for her ear birth defect. 

"A preauricular pit is a small hole or cyst just in front of your ear above your ear canal. This hole marks a sinus tract under the skin that’s in the wrong place. Preauricular pits are congenital. This means you’re born with one when your ear doesn’t fully develop before birth. It’s a common condition and is considered harmless. However, some people get cysts and lots of infections." 

Reggie's Mom, niece Malia, and Samantha were all born with this. Malia had the surgery a few years ago.

Samantha's wasn't much of a problem when she was young, but in the last couple of years she's had 2 huge flair ups where antibiotics alone and needle aspirations did not relieve the abscess.  They had to resort to incisions to finally get it to drain, and then antibiotics took care of the rest. Well, Samantha has had enough of that and has been pro-active in scheduling this surgery, for this coming Monday.

 "Your doctor might recommend surgery to take out the entire sinus tract. This procedure is done under general anesthetic but can often be done in an outpatient clinic." 

She's been given a whole list of things to do to prepare. Getting sick, or course, was not one of them. We don't know if it was a 24 hour flu bug or a side affect of her terrible headache that she is not supposed to treat with Excedrin because of the upcoming surgery. She is getting better now - while watching road to Avonlea - and is very happy that her surgery is still on. 

So good luck to our Samantha. She is one of the most resilient and happy people I know. And hurray for Road to Avonlea which has gotten our children through many an illness throughout their lives.

February 1st

 Seems like January 1st - only one month ago - was a lifetime ago. But here we are, and

 HAPPY FEBRUARY!

And thanks to my hubby for the flowers. He bought these for me a few weeks ago - showed up at my work with them, and took me out to lunch. Then he flew away on another business trip. I am keeping them on the table until he gets home.