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Marigolds in the west front garden has the lovely colors of the fall season. These have seeded themselves from a previous year.
I didn’t go to my friends viewing tonight. I didn’t feel up to it. My cold had me feeling exhausted. If I lived closer, it would have been different. I hate living so far from my family and friends. Driving back and forth is a real drag. I’m feeling better now. I’ll see how I am tomorrow. Also, a friend from church called and let me know that another friend, June’s brother had passed away. Calvin had been having health problems before Ted got sick. June has been a good friend to both Ted and I. I feel very sad for her. We have all been praying for Calvin’s recovery all this time. He has had ups and downs.
Danny has an appointment with the vet in the morning. I may be able to make it to the funeral if I’m feeling up to it. It’s easier driving in daylight than in the dark. Danny whines and cries while driving in the dark. I guess he can’t see anything out the window. I don’t know if he has to go, or if he’s going to be sick, or whether he just wants attention.
I found some more of Ted’s clothes and put them in the bag for the Salvation Army. I did some work online. I took Danny for some longer walks today. Maybe that’s why I felt so tired. I haven’t been walking him far since I sprained my ankle. It is feeling better now so I walked around the block with Danny this morning. He doesn’t like to turn around so if I walk around the block he doesn’t realize he’s headed back home.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I went out this morning in my long red winter coat with hood. Danny was also in his red plaid coat. It was in the thirties. I did some straightening up as my real estate lady was coming to take some photos or the house. After she left, I took Danny out in the car to do some errands. We stopped by the bank and the teller gave Danny two dog biscuits. He doesn’t like most dog treats. Sometimes he will eat them if I break them up for him.
I had a lot of branches to pick up today. I got most of them but there are still some more. There are a lot of leaves that came down with the storm. They haven’t even changed color yet. There was a branch with green leaves and red berries. At first, I thought it was a holly but when I picked it up, I saw it was a dogwood.
I have some errands to do tomorrow morning and then I’ll be going to my friend’s viewing. It all just so hard to comprehend. My friends and I all lost our husbands too soon. Our parents all got better than 50 years and we didn’t. One just never knows.
I want to read some more of my mystery before turning in.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I didn’t do too much today. It stormed most of the day and the wind was very bad, too. I have an inch and one half in the rain gage and there are a lot of branches for me to pick up. I put Danny’s coat on him to take him out. I tried his new sweater but it may be a bit too long for him. He kept scratching at it. I guess he wondered what it was. He looked real cute in it but he is an odd size for a poodle. He is larger than a toy but smaller than a miniature. He has short little legs. I put his red plaid coat on him. It’s a little small so I’ll have to put an extension on the strap so it will fit better. He looks real cute it that one too.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I packed up some more things today. I packed some of Ted’s things for the Salvation Army. I went to the office where Ted and I had our office and made a copy of a letter from the Social Security. They had some questions about Ted’s earnings in 2006. They seem to have things messed up. Between the government and the insurance company, they are driving me nuts. I also took some papers from our business to the big shredder at the office.
I learned that my friend, Brady, passed away. He had leukemia. His wife, Rose Mary, has been my friend since we were four years old. I was saddened. Rosie and three of her sisters all lost their husbands at an early age.
I think Danny has a sore foot. He limps sometimes. I don’t see anything obvious and he doesn’t limp all the time. He did get an acorn shell caught in one of his paws the other day. Maybe it cut or bruised it. He goes to the vet for his annual check up on Friday so I’ll keep an eye on his paw and have the vet check it out. He has had acorn shells in his paw before. It is strange. It fits right up between the pads of his foot and at first looks like part of his foot.
Danny’s birthday is tomorrow. That’s the day Ted and I adopted him. It will be two years ago that we brought him home. He is a sweet little dog. He brought joy to Ted and to me.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I didn’t do much today. I went to church and mostly rested due to this miserable cold I have. I did bag up the leaves from the gladiolas I dug up. I still have lots more digging to do.
It seemed like it rained all day yesterday but only a half inch in the rain gauge.
I walked Danny a few times but his walks have been shortened since I sprained my ankle. It is feeling much better now but I still have to wear the brace a few more weeks.
I am still getting things ready for the house to be shown.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I woke up with a head cold yesterday. I felt OK in the morning but as the day went on, I felt worse. I didn’t go to Nature Club. I just wasn’t feeling up to it. I woke up feeling awful again today. I had some hot coffee and felt better but still have the cold. I had soup for lunch and dinner. I didn’t do much but lay around. It rained mostly all day so Danny didn’t want to walk. He did his business and turned around to head for the house. I picked up some branches that fell down and that’s about it for today. I hope I feel better tomorrow.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
My porch planters do not flower well because there is too much shade. They do however have a little color. I used lavender impatiens this year.
Today, I paid some bills, cleaned out the fireplace, did some wash, dug up some more glads, packed up some more stuff, and gave Danny a trim. I put him up on the washing machine with treats ready to reward him after I make a few snips. His fur grows so fast I have to trim him every week.
No bites on the house yet. My niece and her husband and my brother will be coming next week to help with some things. Cheryl and Ed will take my plastic lawn furniture, some plants, and some computers. Ed fixes them up. My neighbor gave me a computer when he moved so I’ll give it to Ed. I also have a few computers from the business that he can take.
Last night, I remembered that Ted and I stored some lumber up on the loft in the garage. Maybe my brother and Ed can get it down and put it out on the curb to be recycled by the trash pickers. They can also take the air conditioners out of the windows and put them in the basement. I will leave 3 of them. Two are very energy inefficient so I do not want them. The other is making a noise so I don’t want that one either. I will keep the 4th one. If I can’t use it in my new home, I’ll give it to my brother. He could use it in his bedroom. He only has one downstairs.
Tomorrow, I will clean the fish tank, dig some more bulbs, and do some more cleaning in the basement.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
Today, I packed up some things in the little bedroom, cleaned around the fireplace and started to clean the cellar. I walked Danny, showered and went to the Bible Study meeting. After the meeting, I went to the Acme for groceries and the new WaWa for gasoline. It was $2.499. The Park Ave WaWa may be cheaper but this one is closer.
Danny happily greeted me when I got home and it was time for his afternoon walk. I rested up a bit and got dinner for both of us. He got dog food and I had ham, potatoes and carrots. He got a little of mine. He likes potatoes and carrots. He barks and then he sits to wait for his reward. I fell asleep watching the television.
I’ll try reading for a while and probably fall asleep. I woke up at 3am last night and didn’t get back to sleep until around 5am. I got up at 7am and I am really tired now.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
Well, it’s done. The house has been listed. The sale sign is out front. The main thing I have to do now is clear the clutter off and around the fireplace because this is a main focal point. I also have to pack up the clutter in the little bedroom because that is a very attractive room. It is also, where I store my stuff.
I don’t know where I will be moving as yet so I have no idea what I will need and what I can put in a yard sale. I’ll just have to pack it all up and have a yard sale where I get wherever I’m going.
One house in the next block sold in 51 days. It is similar to mine so I hope I can sell quickly. Other houses have been on the market for years. Although one of them sold recently.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
Today, I went to the Homecoming Sunday at the Holmes Presbyterian Church. It was the 50th Anniversary of Pastor Bill Carpenter’s Ordination. Pastor Bill married Ted and I and has been with the church ever since.
After the service they had a luncheon and presented some awards and speeches on the service of Pastor Carpenter over the years.
After the luncheon, I went to my brother, Rick’s. My sister-in-law, Sylvia and I went to see an open house near where they live. It was a lovely home and well maintained. It had a deck with awning and a hot tub. The problem was, there was no yard to let Danny run around in.
I liked the Real Estate Lady showing the house so, I’ll look some more and find the right house for me and Danny.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
Well, I got the car serviced today. I also got a key for the door made. At first the service man said the cost would be $60.00 because of the chip but he called me back saying the door key didn’t need a chip. When I looked at the bill, there was no charge for the key. The first thing I noticed when I got the car back was they had vacuumed the rugs. They needed it. When I got home, I noticed they had also washed the car. How wonderful. It was really dirty. There was no charge for that either. They also brought me back and forth to the house in their Honda Mobile. I hope I can find a good Honda dealer when I move.
I cleaned the oven while I was waiting for the car to be done. It hadn’t been done for a long time. I can’t even remember the last time I did it. It didn’t come clean. I’ll have to do it again. I hate that job. It’s hard to lean over the door to wipe it clean.
I was going to dig up some more plants and bulbs. I put on my old sneakers and they must be slippery. I slipped at the top of the porch and slid down the steps like I was on a sliding board. I was not injured but banged up a little and it takes a lot out of you. Needless to say, I didn’t get any bulbs dug up. I'll probably have to see the chiropractor tomorrow. I did mend the hoses so I could water the flowerbeds. I took the timer off in the back. It was leaking like a sieve. I cut the hole out of the one in the front and put a connector with clamps on it and to my amazement, it worked.
I fell asleep watching Caruso. I awoke at five so I’m tired. I hope Danny doesn’t need to go out. He was out at 7:00. I hope he is set for the night.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I thought fall was late this year but this photo I took last year shows the same fall folage as this year.
I made more phone calls today. Danny’s vet appointment will be Oct. 31 for his annual check up and distemper shot. My car needs its 90,000-mile check up tomorrow. That will cost over $300.00. I got a statement from Blue Cross saying my claim for my ankle has been denied. I called and got a computer voice. They claim was denied because my contract was not in service, however, when I go to the option to verify my membership, my contract date is fine. It kept going around in loops so I hung up. I called my administrator and they are looking into it. There has been no gap in my coverage and I have made all my premium payments. These kinds of things drive me crazy.
I packed up some more things and took them out to the garage until I can take them to the storage bin. I’ll have the Honda dealer bring me home so I can pack up some more stuff. I’ll pack up things in the closet and in the basement.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I made some phone calls today. I called the real estate lady. She’ll be coming tomorrow with the paperwork to put the house on the market. I also talked to the IRS lady. The Post Office didn’t have that the form I sent had been received. It turns out they had been received. The Post Office either hasn’t updated the information or never bothered to put it up. I haven’t received the little green card either.
I went to the Red Hat meeting. It was nice to see the ladies. They are a good group. We had lunch at a diner down on Rt. 47. It’s called the Maurice River Diner. It was a very nice restaurant and the food was very good.
I went to the Toastmaster’s meeting tonight. I enjoy being with Ted’s friends. He really liked being a Toastmaster.
At 10:00, there was a knock on the door. It rather scared me. I did not answer. Danny barked from behind the door and the man went away. I peek out from behind the blind in the laundry room and it was a pizza deliveryman. I don’t know whether some one gave him my address or what. He drove away.
Danny came to get me to go to bed so that’s what I’ll do.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
A volley ball tournament on the beach at Santa Cruz.
I went to the foot doctor today. I am doing very well. I have to continue to wear the brace for another 4-6 weeks and do some exercises so as not to have a recurrance.
I dug up some glads and lillies to take to my niece. I dug up a half bushel of glads and there are a lot more left. I don't want to leave all the flowers I have planted over the years. I have plenty for my other niece and nephews.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I cleaned the fish tank today, I trimmed Danny’s nails, I balanced the checkbooks for 3 different accounts, and I sorted some things in the basement.
The battery back up system in my office computer went bad so I disconnected one of the office computers that I’m not using and plugged my office computer into its battery back up system. It worked out fine.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
Bob and Dana with Dana's children, Jimmy and Ashly who served as Ring Bearer and Flowergirl.
It was very difficult to get a good photo of my nephew, Bob and Dana's wedding as it was back lighted. It tried to adjust the lighting and shadows but couldn't do much with it.
The new pastor had another excellent sermon today. The service was poorly attended, however. I think so much damage has been done in the congregation that it may never rebound.
Danny has just begged me to pick him up on my lap. I trimmed his face and back paws today. His fur grows like wildfire. His winter fur is like cotton down and mats very easily. I guess you either have to do the fussing and grooming of a non-shedding dog or have dog hair all over your furniture and clothes.
I went to lunch with my lady friends from church and one gentleman. We have one married couple who goes with us. The rest of us are widows and one lady whose husband is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s.
I have a couple projects to do tomorrow to get my house ready to show. I also have to clean the fish tank. That hasn’t been done since I’ve been away.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I cut the grass today and then vegetated the rest of the day. I packed up the ceiling fan, wrapping the globes to the light in newspaper and getting the box ready to tape up and take to the storage bin. My real estate lady may want the desks that I have in there. I kept the office desks that Ted and I used. When I put them in there, we still hoped Ted would pull through. Ted bought a nice desk for our office at home so I don't need the ones in the storage bin. If Melissa doesn't want them then I will donate them to a charity that will come pick them up. I donated the others to Ranch Hope but I'm not sure they are doing very well.
Saturdays are really a downer. I thought of going to Ocean City but don't know if I want to go by myself. It's hard to go there. It's hard to go to the Toastmaster's meetings and drive down that road that Ted and I drove down so often.
I do want to get out of this place. I don't like it here any more. I hope my house sells quickly.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
Little by little things are getting done. I took some of Ted's clothes to the Salvation Army today. It was one of his favorite charities so I decided to take them there. I took his suits, sport jackets and white shirts. I also took some things of mine that do not fit.
I stopped at the farmer's stand and got some fresh produce. Corn on the cob, lettuce, tomatoes, beets, zuccini, apples, and pears. I forgot the green beans. Next week will be the last week they are open. The corn was excellent. I'm surprised it is available so late in the season.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
Flower in pond at the Japanese Tea House Garden in San Francisco.
Yesterday, I was taking the blades off the ceiling fan that the contractor took down and a couple washers fell inside the casing. I opened it up, got the washers out, and couldn’t get it back together. I put it aside and worked on it today when the light was better. After a few attempts, I finally got it back together. That was my big chore for today. That and downloading the wedding photos. I had to deselect over 400 photos from California as they were on the same memory card. I didn’t want to delete them yet.
I walked Danny a few times but am not able to put the distance in that I used to because of my ankle. I have another week and a half before I go back to the doctors.
I haven’t cut the grass for over a month and it needs it. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
The view from Glacier Point, Yosemite, CA September 2008
I got some things done today. Joe the construction man called and came over to fix the stained tiles in my laundry room, swap out the tiffany chandelier in the kitchen, and ceiling fan in the living room. The replacement chandelier is one I found in my neighbor’s trash. I didn’t know for sure if it worked or not. It had 2 bulbs that were broken off down to the socket. I used needle nose pliers to get them out. I bought some new bulbs and a new base plate for where it attaches to the ceiling. It worked fine. It is very bright as the light reflects off the ceiling. The tiffany has the colored glass so the light just comes out under it.
The fan didn’t work. It had been in the box for many years and perhaps the motor froze up. It’s supposed to have three speeds but only has one. I really don’t care. The new owners can replace it if they want. Melissa, my real estate friend will probably call tomorrow and we’ll get this house listed.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
You might know, the moment I sit down at the computer, Danny Boy is right here demanding attention. He has his back paws on my lap and his front paws on the desk with his head looking right into the computer.
I went to the Church’s Women’s Service meeting tonight. We decided to continue our mission to the Battered Women’s Shelter. They were so grateful to us for last year’s donations.
Danny has gone to bed. He is sleeping in my space. I guess he is warming up the bed for me.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I just sat down to blog and Danny came to me whinning to sit on my lap. I thought he had gone to bed but he is up and now he wants my attention. He will be pouncing on the keys soon. I called my real estate friend. Her husband will call me to make an appointment to fix the ceiling and which out my light fixtures. I did a little trimming of the hedge with the grass shears today. There were just a few sprigs sticking up and I didn't feel like dragging out the cord. Danny's patience has come to an end so I'll sign off. He's a spoiled little dog.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
We had our yoke minister preach today. He is minister with the Millville Church and we have joined together. He preaches there at 9:30 and here at 11:00. The Millville church has no parsonage so he will be staying at our parsonage. He was living in PA and had an hour and a half drive back and forth. This way, he gains 3 hours each Sunday and I don’t know if Millville had a Bible Study or not. But we all looked at it as a win win situation. I hope all goes well.
Everyone like his sermon this morning and seemed very pleased with him.
I walked Danny about 5 times before he did his business. I even extended the walks hoping he’d go. I would get annoyed thinking why did I bother to walk the extra distance and he not go. He likes to walk for a while before doing his business and I have been cutting his walks short since I sprained my ankle. He can’t tell me whether he has to go or not.
I can’t wait until I get a new house with a fenced in yard and I can just put him out. I will still take him for a walk but I won’t have to if I’m not feeling up to it.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
I went to my nephew, Bob’s wedding today. It was a beautiful day and a lovely ceremony and reception. I’ll post some photos as soon as I figure out how to copy my 400+ photos to a CD. I didn’t want to delete them until I copied them. I was going to change the memory card in the camera but couldn’t figure out how to get it out. I am technologically inept. I didn’t used to be but it’s gotten beyond me.
I intended to wear my purple dress but with this leg brace, I have a choice of sneakers or my black tie boots. I opted for the boots and wore a red pants suit. I took Danny out to Erica’s for the day and he was happy to see me. He stuck to me like glue until he had his dinner and his walk and has now gone to bed. He has no way of knowing whether I’m leaving him for a day or 10 days.
I’m pretty tired so I’ll sign off for now.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
This photo of the petunias was taken in August 08. They have pretty much disappeared. I don't have good luck with petunias. They have been replaced with vincas that had reseeded themselves from other years. There is still a lot of color there but not the same flower.
I'm feeling better today. A good nights sleep can work wonders. I also got a lot of support from my friends and family. Thanks so much to all of you.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
It’s 7:30 and I’m ready for bed. I started feeling awful and I took a Rolaid. I must have had indigestion from my dinner as I feel better now. The thought of getting my house ready to sell is overwhelming. I have no one to help me. I feel more lost and alone than I did last year. Maybe it’s a cycle one goes through. I miss Ted more than ever and I miss my parents. I have called other family members and it helps for a while.
I went to the Dentist today. They skipped the x-rays because I had a full face last time. The bill was still astronomical for check up and cleaning. I dropped my dental insurance. I only kept the medical. It still probably cost less than the premiums per year. I’ve been going to Dr. Dudley for 25 years. They all liked Ted. They are like family.
Maybe my sprained ankle has me down. My body is going through the healing process. I hope I feel better in the morning.
News from the Vorlon Wife.
Utah and Nevada looked very much like this photo from the airplane. There is a ribbon of a river in the photo but notice the valley it flows through has no green vegetation and there is no sign of a town. I believe this is Utah because of the red rocks. Athough the rock formations are beautiful, I could not believe the vast emptyness and stark dryness of the landscape.