Well hi again everyone. As you can see, we've done a little work on our igloo to make it look a little better. We've weeded out a bunch of stuff we didn't need any longer and have hopefully given the igloo a fresh new look.
Much has been going on here. Our primary concern has been our big boy Jake. He's had a bout of pancreatitus over the holiday season, but now seems to be doing better. When a 24 pound cat decides he wants nothing to do with food, that's a sure indication that something is wrong! Daily trips back and forth to his great pal, Dr. Tracy McFarland, have been helpful--although JAKE isn't too sure of that! He finally has started eating on his own again and no longer has to go on the daily treks. "Mom" hasn't seen the bill yet, though. So--if you hear a LOUD thud, you'll know it's been seen.
Although the holidays aren't quite over, we decided to go back live a bit early and without certain elements, which will be added later. We may or may not put back the awards page, and the clip art and animations will be different from what was here before. Links will be posted shortly, so stay tuned. For now, we'll sign off and get back to work. There's still much to be done.
Jake...Photo taken 12/23/07
It's just after midnight here on a Saturday morning. Sleep will be difficult and yours truly will probably just drop from mental exhaustion. Quite suddenly, my sweet big bundle of joy has been taken from my arms and my life. Jake suffered an apparent heart attack and died in the early afternoon of Friday...January 11. Although I have his pretty 'sister' Misty, Jake was absolutely THE love of my life from day one. He loved to be cuddled, held, and just loved. I could pick him up (what a load!) and hold him and he would actually hug my neck. About a month ago, I had a cold with a slight fever. As usual, Jake tried to lick away the fever from my body. This was a most unusual boy. Sometimes---he would be in another area of the house and for some reason be confused or not sure of my whereabouts. He would actually meow maaaamaaa. When he did this, I simply called out where I was and he came trotting into that room. Misty and I will miss him so very much. She knows something is amiss, but not too sure just what right now. She is also a love, but he was so open about showing it and making sure I knew he loved me. As I sit here, I can sense his scent (funny--what sticks with you, isn't it?) and feel him around me. He was much too young to be taken (not quite eight) from me, but somebody up there needed him. He was my child and my loss is enormous. Sleep well, my little angel, sleep well.
Jake & Misty--1/9/08
Remembering is easy -- It's the forgetting that's so hard
~~Anon~~
Wow! Where DOES the time go? I just realized that it's just about a new month. Wednesday would have been Jake's eighth birthday. Hard to believe he's been gone almost three months. Hmmmm. Our new little girl, Miss Tiffany has settled in quite nicely, and Misty is a tad better about the little one's existence. A tad. Life has been busy for me lately, as I have been creating and actually selling some things at Zazzle. Be sure to check out what I've added. The condo association also keeps me hopping, with many changes taking place around here. On the work front, I actually did work for a week. It was the first time since last October. I am NOT accustomed to that pace and that schedule anymore. The commute was not too terrible. I think traffic is lighter because the days are longer. Isn't it funny how people change their patterns as the days change. I'm not complaining, mind you, but I DO find it rather interesting, to say the least. The change in Daylight Saving Time made it seem like I was traveling in the middle of the night as I was going TO work. I don't like that aspect of it.
Well...I guess I'll get back to doing something. Be sure to check out my blog and also my penguin "goodies" at zazzle.com/webpenguin. Oh..before I forget, here's a picture of our newest member, Miss Tiffany....a seven month old seal point Siamese. So long all.
carolyn
Miss Tiffany, Adopted from Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue, in Palmdale, California
This page was last updated: October 31, 2009
Summer's coming and that means T-shirt weather, and cute baseball caps and other neat stuff. I've been doing some stuff at zazzle.com and maybe you will see something you like (hopefully something that I made) and buy it. Got a graphic you'd like to see on something sold there..send it to me and I'll design it for you. Lots of penguin stuff, mixed in with music, political statements, cats, and dogs. Some other fun stuff, as well. Like shoes? I've got tote bags and aprons and hats for the shoe lovers. Anyhow, please check out what I'm doing by going to www.zazzle.com/webpenguin. There, you'll see my things.
Other news around here does not include work, except for condo stuff, which keeps me rather busy. Getting ready to do some work on the inside of my place and that's just about it. More news as it happens. In the meantime, waddle on.
Just trying to make a buck or two...
Wow! It isn't even Memorial Day yet and the temperatures are already hitting the century mark. Looks like it will be a long summer again this year. I just don't want any repeat of last October's fires. That was a bit scarry. Things here at the igloo have been kind of busy. The main focus of attention seems to be on condo stuff these days. That, and preparing for a short vacation to Arizona. Lots of new things have been added to my lineup of goodies at Zazzle.com. Check it out when you get a chance.
There are mugs, T-shirts, some tote bags, bumper stickers and hats. Some of it is political in nature and some just for fun. I've added a few postings to my blog lately, as well. Finally getting a new refrigerator this week. The old one still runs, but after seventeen years, I think I'm on borrowed time with it. The new one has all the goodies I couldn't afford to get or wait for when I had to have one ---like yesterday--when it was a matter of absolute necessity. More later. In the meantime, stay cool as a penguin!
We celebrated Father's Day this year by visiting with a cousin, in for a photo show, from Silver Spring, MD. He and I were quite close as kids. Jeff and his wife, Susie, live in Maryland along with their two daughters, Lily and Eve. Just Jeff was here on this particular venture. The three of us headed to a local coffee shop and enjoyed a nice lunch and an even nicer round of chatter and nostalgia. It's amazing how time just flies. He made a comment that hit home, stating that most of our family reunions now involve going to see our deceased loved ones. He went to see his Mom, dad, our grandparents and other family members no longer with us. While at the cemetery, his cell phone rang, receiving a call from his girls wishing HIM a Happy Father's Day, as he was 'visiting' his own father. I think one day soon I'll go visit my father at that same cemetery. It's been a long time since I've done that.
I recently had the pleasure of doing some travel with my mother. We went to Arizona to see my sister and brother-in-law. It was a road trip for one simple reason...my mother WILL NOT fly. Now don't try to convince her, because it won't do you any good. At 80+ she is rather set in her ways. No matter. If she wants to go, I'll gladly drive her. So off we went right after Memorial Day. First there was the issue of boarding my two cats. They stay at the vet's office, where she has kitty kondos. Yes...that's exactly what I reserve, and NO...my cats are NOT spoiled. OK...drop them off along with their bag of comforts from home and head for Mom's place. She's packed and ready to go, so loading up was a breeze. From Glendale, CA, it normally takes just about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to make it down to the Palm Springs area. We were in Cabazon in one hour. Where was all the traffic? What did they know that we didn't? Well...no complaints. We had an early lunch and tromped around the outlet stores. This was much nicer than our trip two years ago when we practically froze! We left there and stopped for the evening in Beautiful Downtown Blythe. Anymore, we make the trip in two hops. It's just a bit easier that way. Got up early the next morning, had a bite to eat and were in our hotel room in Mesa by noon. Nice and easy, without a whole lot of traffic. Gee...maybe the gas prices have a good side. NOT!
Had a nice chance to rest and relax a little and then head over to my sister's place, which is probably all of two minutes from the hotel. They decided we would have Mexican food and we all enjoyed it. The next few days were spent running around a bit and even involved the four of us taking in a movie. All in all...nice.
From Mesa, we headed north and west and made a stop in Wickenburg, AZ. It's an old west town with some interesting history. I gave Mom a choice of going home by way of either Laughlin or Havasu to see the London Bridge. Since we were just in Laughlin in January, and she had never seen London Bridge--the choice was easy. Originally, we were going to stay somewhere near Havasu before heading home. That changed. We finished our Havasu sight seeing tour at around 11 a.m. and headed West. Had a bite to eat in Needles, CA and ---well---from there, it's nothing to get home in a few hours. Mom is a home body, so I told her that we might as well just go on in and we'd probably be home around 5 pm or so, if traffic moved. Pulled into the drive at 5 on the dot. Not bad, and not a bad trip.
Going to be a LONG Summer!!!
Well...last month we took a little trip to Arizona to visit my sister and brother-in-law. Mom was absolutely fine during the entire stay and the entire trip, for that matter. Within two days of arriving back home, the problems started again and were terrible. She couldn't sleep in her room, tried sleeping on the couch, in a chair, or wherever she could find someplace to land. We were talking on the phone one evening and she brought up the possibility of perhaps there being mold in her unit. She said maybe that was causing her problems (logical to me!) and who should she call about getting it taken care of. She kept thinking, "What else could be causing this terrible thing"? Being the president of my own condo association, I immediately responded that SHE should not call anyone except the management company and/or her board of directors. So she did. They sent out somebody to do all sorts of tests--all over her condo. They took lots of pictures and found mold in just about every room of her home. The picture above is along the baseboard, and a small sampling of what's in her bedroom. It's no wonder she was suffering! Good Grief, Charlie Brown!!! The moisture has come from several sources, including an upstairs neighbor who has something that's leaked in his master bathroom. Mom's ceiling in HER M.B. is all peeling. There was moisture found in her linen closet which--as it turns out--comes from an inner pipe leading down from the roof mounted unit that is not wrapped. So--when the pipes sweat.....! What a mess!
CATCHING UP...
MOLD--AND NOT ON CHEESE!
Mold be gone...finally
After a three month displacement, the mold is finally gone and all the repairs have been made. It's a heck of a way to get a bathroom remodeled or any other part of a house, for that matter. If you must be displaced at any time, try staying at a Residence Inn. What a terrific place! Mom basically had her own little studio apartment of sorts. The kitchen had a dishwasher, garbage disposal and more. An icemaker in her freezer added to the list of conveniences. The staff was absolutely fabulous. From the moment she checked in, she was family. From the front desk crew to the housekeeping staff, everybody was wonderful!
So now Mom is home and things are slowly returning to normal. She'll be happier when the monetary dust settles....but she's home!
As for the head penguin (me), things were just fine until a couple of weeks ago when there was a MAJOR computer meltdown. For more on that saga, please visit my blog. Until next time, take care.
Did somebody yell FIRE?
Here we are--holiday season is upon us again and I can't help but think of those who recently lost homes and more in the fires we had a couple of weeks ago. The Sylmar (Sayre) fire took 95% of a mobile home park and leveled it. A family friend of 70 years was among those who lost everything. How do you rebuild? Your whole life is gone--in a flash! Very tragic. The whole story is on my blog. In other news, I haven't worked at all this year and probably have finally closed that chapter. Right now, I'm quite busy with condo stuff and also the prospect of selling my barely used motor home. I think that chapter is about to close as well. Not much time to go anywhere, and at the moment, there is no longer the desire to roam. Traffic is crazy and it just isn't worth it. Not much else to report for the moment. Check out the blog, and in the meantime, Happy and safe holidays to all!
cw
Wow! It's been a while....
Well I guess I've been neglecting this site for a while, except for the dancers. Sorry. Been very busy with condo business and am also involved these days in a fitness program, through my doctor. I go three days a week, but will probably increase that very soon. It's kind of fun, with only about 25 there on a full class day. There's an RN there all the time, too. The igloo is scaling down a bit these days. How many penguins can a person have??? Am also looking at condos a bit closer to my mom. Makes it a lot easier to travel back and forth when you live closer.
Another candle was added to my cake last month and to celebrate, we made another Arizona trek. Incorporated in the trip was getting to see the Dodgers play at their new Spring Training home in Glenadle----Arizona. Camelback Stadium is very lovely and we enjoyed it very much. Also went to a Chef's Association outing with my sister and brother in law at a ranch. Had a ball. The trip was great.
Not much to report here, but you can always find something of interest at my blog.
Also...if you've dealt with Ebay and are familiar with their not-so-popular policy changes, check out the new site of my good friend. For many years, he sold things on EB, but became quite upset when they decided he couldn't accept payment the way he wanted to. They've created a nice little monopoly for themselves and it's a shame.
I need to get a pet peeve out in the open, but first--since today is the 25th, I'll start by saying there are only THREE MONTHS till Christmas. Start shopping NOW! Ok. Now then, it's time to 'air' some things and feelings. I don't know about the rest of you but I can't stand these disk jockeys who feel it is their duty and God given right to talk over the beginning of a particular song.(ok...just about EVERY song, except...YOU TALK TOO MUCH) It doesn't matter whether you are on AM, FM, or Sirius/Xm. These people are so enamored with their own voices they can't just start the music and simply SHUT UP! For me, sometimes the first part of a record is the best part of it. The intro simply MAKES it. But these airwave egoists seem to feel the need to drown out the intros in favor of their own voices. Enough is enough. Does it bother anybody else, or am I the crazy one. Wait. Maybe you shouldn't answer that.
While we're on the subject of annoying things, TV commercials are another thing. I've gotten to the point of simply recording the shows I really like so I don't have to view ten minute interruptions of commercials. Some of the commercial breaks are LONGER than the segment being shown. The break is so long that you could easily forget what you were in to! Especially at this stage of my life! LOL! An hour show is only about 22 minutes long in reality. Speaking of reality....the reality shows are simply NOT REAL!
Anybody ever watch the comedy network? If you do, you'll notice that swear words (some of them) are bleeped out. Why? It's cable, it isn't being aired during the 'children's hour' and on and on. They bleep out swearing, but on network television they practically show you an entire act of intimacy. Nothing seems to be taboo anymore. Do the writers really believe that sex is the only thing that sells a show? Get real. Since this seems to be a good day for bitching about stuff, here's another one. . . Movies will always show naked women, but why don't we women get to see NAKED men. A bare chest does NOT qualify. Hey--maybe we like to look, too! Knowing how the network exec's think, they may be a bit self conscious. Ya think!?!?! Ha ha ha.
Don't guess there's much more to gripe about except...why don't people pick up after their dogs? Maybe every neighborhood needs a poop patrol. My condo community is constantly dealing with people who think there is maid service to pick up after their animals. Wonder if they let their kids poop in the living room and walk away from it. Our lawns are OUR living rooms, when you get right down to it.
Ok. That's it and that's enough from the gripe department. September is just about history and so is another year. Here's to good times and good health for all of you.
webpenguin
2009
Halloween, 2009. My oh my...where does the time go. Just got back from a trip to Arizona. Went looking at homes with the intent of re-locating (along with my mom) a bit closer to my sister. The homes were beautiful, the community great, and all was fine. We even found a couple of homes we really liked. After arriving home, though, my mom was feeling pressured and decided to wait a bit. OK. I certainly don't want to FORCE her into anything, but I do feel that her place has seen better days (the building) and that it would also be much better if we were all closer together. We shall see. Been very busy as condo HOA prez these days, as well.
What did I do before retiring??? I seem to always be busy lately.
Still going to the fitness class in Burbank and enjoy those people very much. If you get a chance, please check out my 'goodies' at Zazzle. Do a search for webpenguin, all products. I've been adding a bunch of holiday stuff lately and maybe you can find some neat Christmas/Hanukkah gifts there. www.zazzle.com/webpenguin.
More in a bit. Need to get back to work. Happy Haunting, everyone!
This page was last updated: October 31, 2009
BOO!
BOO!
