I'm Back-(Hopefully)

I know Kathleen (and everyone else) is surprised to hear from me.  I have had a little set back the last few months with my health, but hopefully we are getting things under control.  I have quite a few ideas for future post.  It seems as though thinking is just about all I have accomplished lately.  Today's post is just going to be a few of my random thoughts, as scary as that seems. 


I just got a notice to serve on jury duty.  I haven't done that in quite a few (maybe 13) years and it is something I really would like to do Except-----I have to use the bathroom at least once every hour.  Usually it's more that once and hour and also I have been having a lot of problems with my ilieostomy pouches, for a lack of a better term, blowing up.  I don't think any of the previous situations would work very well during a trial, should I be chosen for one.  So I went on line, filled out the jury qualification questionnaire.  When asked about health issues I answered the question.  Two days later I receive a letter saying I need a doctor's statement.  I was tell my daughter, Maria, about this and she told me she got out of jury duty because she was breast feeding.  Are you Kidding me!!!!!!  Like pumping for a week would scar my grandchild.  Somehow this has me puzzled. I breast fed and know how important it is, but!!!!!!!!!  Either they take my doctor's word for it, or it might be a very interesting week.  So off to the doctor I go. 


That is another issue.  I have been seeing this doctor for about 15 years.  He is my primary and know all about my issues with Crohn's disease relating to my retiring from work and all of my insurance issues.  Not having to start over with someone else is probably the main reason to stay with him.  He is quite different now than 15 years ago.  He used to actually touch his patients, and now seems to avoid that whenever possible.  Don't get me wrong, he is a nice man.  He seems to be way too busy, which I believe is probably much too common now days.  This is the doctor who asked me to return his video's for him when I was done with my office visit.  Thank goodness he can write without too much physical contact.


Well I am going to sign off for now.  Kathleen I hope you are proud of me. 

Until next time,

 Love to you all

Sue

Flat Stanley

Sue's grand daughter Lauryn set me up with a wonderful guy name Stanley.  I've been with Stanley for a little over a month now and I'm sad to say it is time to send him back.


If you don't know the story of "Flat Stanley" by Jeff Brown, he is a young boy who is accidentally squished "as flat a pancake" when a bulletin board falls on him.  He discovers that there are advantages to being flat.  One of the advantages is that he can fit into an envelope and be mailed on adventures.  In the book he is mailed to California.  As with the book, he ended up in California since Lauryn picked me for her adventure contact for Stanley.


Here are some pictures of Stanley's and my adventures.

Here is Stanley in Peace Plaza in San Francisco Japantown

Stanley on Post Street in Japantown San Francisco

Stanley shopping in Japantown - He picked up the bento book in the background "Yum-Yum Bento Box".  He also purchased some cute little animal food picks.  This way the kids in Lauryn's class can learn about how some Japanese kids have awesome bento boxes that they take for the lunch each day.

Stanley at one of the fortune cookie factories in San Francisco Chinatown.  Stanley picked up bags of fortune cookies to take back to Minnesota with him.  He got the original flavor and some chocolate ones as well.  He also picked up a bag of flat cookies.  He couldn't pass these up as they are "flat" like him.

On the street in Chinatown.  Notice the lanterns lite across the street in the background.

Flat Stanley at the Snoopy Museum in Santa Rosa California

On Snoopy's Dog house outside of the museum.

Hockey Charlie Brown outside of the Snoopy Ice Arena

At the Warm Puppy Cafe next to the ice arena

Here he is sharing cookies with Snoopy.  He also picked up some beanie bands shaped as Peanut characters for Lauryn and her classmates

I had so much fun with Stanley.  I will be sad to see him go but excited for Lauryn and her classmates to receive the package with Stanley and the goodies.  

Have you noticed that my pictures are a better.  I finally purchased a new camera.  I purchased a Sony Cyber-shot and I love it.

I should have more news to share with you later this week.  One that will mean that I will be more consist with my blogging post.  

Until Next Time

Kathleen

More Christmas Pins

These are the pins I worn this last week.  I have a confession to reveal.  I forgot to wear pins on Friday and Saturday   :o(

This pin is sort of the one that started it all.  Rather it started for me as an adult.  This pin was in the costume jewelry that was left by my grandmother.  No one else wanted it so I grabbed it up.  Once I got this pin that is when I started adding to my collection.  This pin is very heavy.  You can tell it is old and it is the one that I keep very close to my heart.  I look forward to wearing it every year.

so sorry about the bad photo.  I really am looking for a new camera.

This pin is very pretty.  I wish you could tell.

Okay - I promise new camera real soon.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays.

Kathleen

The Christmas Pins

I have a tradition this time of year.  I have a small or large depending how you look at it collection of holiday pins.

Beginning on December 1st I try and wear a different pin each day to work.  On the weekends I also wear them but sometimes I will have to repeat one I have worn during the week.

So here are the ones I have worn so far this month.  I apologize for the bad photos.  Currently I am using the iPhone.  I am looking for a proper camera though.

You will find snowmen as reocurring theme in my life

This one is painted on the back of a domino.  My parents taught me how to count by teaching me to play dominos.  I remember once in 1st grade the neighbors coming over and asking if I could be their 4th for a game of dominos.  My parents let me go and I felt so grown up playing the game with all these grownups.

My friends Betty and Aldo gave this to me one year for Christmas

and this is the one I wore today

So stay tuned and I will share more during the rest of the month.

Kathleen

Christmas Movies

It is the most wonderful time of the year as they say.  Celebrations of many faiths take place during this time of year.  To try and keep my spirits up no matter what is happening in my life I like to watch Christmas movies.  It really helps me get into the spirit and magic that can happen this time of year.  I try and add a movie to my collection every year.  This year I purchased two.

Christmas in Connecticut Original Version

Christmas in Connecticut Remake

I also collect other things during this time but then that is another post waiting to happen.

So what about?  What holiday movies do you like watching.

Kathleen

Jay Chou and my love for Chinese Music

Okay, so it is true.  I am crazy about the music of Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou.  In fact I believe one of the best things that happened to me this year was getting to see him in concert for New Year's Eve.

Orange Jasmine

I live in the San Francisco East Bay.  There are lots of people who like Jay Chou.  I seem to be one of the only ones who is under the age of 30 and also I am a white lady who lets just say I really stuck out at the concert.  In fact I had people coming up to me asking if they could have their picture taken with me.  This totally freaked me out.  I finally asked this one guy why he wanted his picture taken with me and he said "You don't even speak the language.  You have to be Jay's biggest fan."  It is true I don't speak Mandarin Chinese yet but I can sing in Chinese all the words to the songs.   I may not be able to translate word-for-word the songs but I can tell you the meaning of each song.  

Blue & White Porcelain Vase. When I speak to other Jay Chou fans this by far the song that comes up as their favorite. Please stick out the video. The video has nothing to do with the words. If you have to just close your eyes and listen to the music.


I first came to know of Jay Chou through the movie Initial D.  Which I loved.  That is right, I first got hooked by watching Chinese movies.  At the end of the movie they played one of his songs and well that was the end of that.  At the time I was working as a buyer and I could listen to his music all day long on my iPod.  That is how I learned all of the Chinese words.

Hair Like Snow (one of my most favorite)

So why am I brining this up now.  Well it is because Jay came out with a new CD this month and I just purchased it over the weekend.  When I went into the store the woman behind the counter said "Do you see the CD?"  She only had one copy left.  I said "Oh, so you knew what I was looking for."  Her reply "But of course I remember you.  You only buy Jay Chou."  Let's just say that just as the concert - I sort of stuck out in this store.


So I guess that is it.  I must tell Jay next time I see him that I am his biggest fan.  After all everyone says so.

Dad I'm Back (considered a hip hop tune)

Jay has many types of music.  His ballads are some of my favorites.  To let you get a bit of an insight into my world,  I've decided to link some of his music from youtube.  I hope you enjoy what you hear.  One of the reasons I really like him is because of the blend of Asian traditional music, with classical music as well as a bit of the unexpected.  

Superman Can't Fly (I just love this video)

I'd love to hear what you have to say about his music.  I get teased all day about my choice in music so whatever you say will not hurt my feelings.


Kathleen

Crazy about scarves

I love wintertime.  I love wearing winter clothes.  Okay so I'm crazy about Northern California winter and not so much "real intense winters" like Sue has in Minnesota.   Wintertime gives me a chance to wear scarves.  I have a bit of a collection going but I get stuck on how to tie them.


I came across this video on youtube that I love.  I hope you enjoy it too.


25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes!


Kathleen