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| Flower Girls Alyssa, MeLeigha and Constance (Coco) Meaghan, Sherran, Billy and Ian |
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| Meaghan and Billy with Sherran |
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| Meaghan and Billy |
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| Conner and Meaghan's sister |
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| Flower Girls, Bible Bearer and Minister/Grandmother |
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| Ian (Meaghan's Brother) and Meaghan |
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| Ronda and Billy |
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| Rachel and Billy |
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| Rachel and Billy |
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| Billy and Gavin Payne |
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| Beautiful Table |
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| They each poured sand in here showing how they will work together |
Last weekend my phone kept ringing with the same number. I finally answered and this man was saying they were picking up malware on my computer stopping all my Windows programs. They said I had to take care of it immediately and that there were 12 computers using my internet. I couldn't understand how this could be but finally got frightened enough to agree to fix it. Yes I fell for all this and can't believe I could be sooooo naive. I am on pain pills. Maybe that was part of it. So I stupidly agreed to pay $600 for a lifetime of caring for my computer and gave them remote access. This was for all my items with computer access. First computer supposedly done. Go to second computer and the monitor goes black. I can't figure what is going on and I said I needed to get my son-in-law over here because I really was not understanding and he could talk to them. Then I started feeling pushed when I couldn't reach Michael and told them I'd call them the next day and I hung up. My cousin Steve calls and I tell him I'm too upset to talk because of what I think is computer fraud and I fell for it. Now I'm crying. He said call credit card company and call him back. My crying got worse with all this. I felt vulnerable and really stupid. The bank lady said take a deep breath, then we'll talk. She transferred me to the fraud dept. I said I disputed the charges and told them what I did. They reversed this bill, canceled my credit card and told me what to expect. This was all a relief but not the end of the problem. I took the computer to The Geek Squad (as my cousin Steve recommended) and they found several viruses on both computers and cleaned it all up. Then I changed my passwords. My daughter threatened this internet place when they called today. Hopefully they won't call back. Ronda hooked my computers back up. It did turn out that one of my monitors did go out which I'll deal with next.
My friend Valerie came to take me to my art class this and then to The Geek Squad. I had not worked on any art, though, one day I attempted to start. We worked on doing a fence. I really can't do much work because my cast is in the way. I did get my friend Barbara Long to come over and glue non-skid rubber to the back of one mat and on the back of a 12 inch ruler. I got my pine cone back framed. It is amazing how much better everything looks framed. While there Toni Lott framed two other pictures. What a great job and reasonably priced! Val and I went across the street to Mama Roomba for lunch (I just love this place!).
My friend Janet took me for a follow-up visit with the surgeon Dr. Wong. My appointment was at 4 pm. Got there about 3:45. We did't get called back until after 6 pm. Questions I asked were can I go visit my brother in Connecticut in September (yes). When can I drive (when I'm not on narcotics). Can I get physical therapy to work on balance (sounds like a good Idea). Found out a fellow doctor friend of theirs lost his wife to breast cancer and they took a day off for the funeral and a child set off the fire alarm that day forcing everyone out of the building for about a half hour. I missed my Red Hat ice cream social at Dewars.
I got a cast above the elbow. Though Janet and I thought it looked horrible (there was a green drainage), Dr. Wong assured us it was okay. No smell. It was very sore and I was glad to get back into a cast to support it. We went to Mexicali's by 7:30 for dinner and a weak margarita. I think we both felt our heads would fall in the food. When Janet got me home, I crawled in bed and was out like a light.
Independence Day celebration was at my home. I was expecting fireworks display at Bakersfield College, but one of my friends Evelyn Elliott told me it was canceled. They are doing construction, so that was the reason. Billy picked up a box of fireworks. Dainette (Meaghan's mom) Meaghan, Billy with five children (including Conner), 5 years and younger, Shelley with Kevin, Jennifer with Kayla and Devin, Ronda and me made up the group. Shelley and Ronda took care of the food, Billy barbecued. There was a nice breeze which made the heat more tolerable. It all turned out very well and when everyone left, I fell asleep instantly. I just seem to max out, and that's it.
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| Jennifer, Shelley and Coco |
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| Alyssa, Meleigha and Gavin |
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| Meaghan |
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| Billy |
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| Cousins Devin and Kevin |
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| Shelley, Jennifer with Coco and Kayla |
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| Conner at 12 weeks |
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| Dainette |
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| Ronda and Conner |
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| Rachel, Coco, Meaghan with Conner |
So I was watching this wonderful documentary that I recorded on PBS. This young man had this job as a documentarian. He traveled over the world. He one day couldn't get up from sitting on the sand and others had to help him get up. So this is his documentary about finding out he has MS and how he takes as much control of his life despite the continued decline from the disease. Very touching. It is universal. It was shown on POV (stands for point of view on June 24, 2014. The title is "When I Walk". Look for it.
Here is a wonderful article about why you should ask a physicist to speak at you funeral. I spoke with my physicist friend Michael Feit. He has agreed to do this. I think I have brought this up earlier, but if you haven't seen it, check it out.
Ask a Physicist to Speak at Your Funeral
I have really had an achy week. Last night was particularly rough and I'm not doing the work! Ronda has helped me a lot while she has been here. I've been very short and snippy with her and I apologize for this. She says "Oh, mom, don't worry about it. I'm not taking it personally. I know you don't feel good". I'm appreciative she understands. I am so appreciative of family and friends who have tolerated me and been so helpful. I really think this would be a "no go" without the support I have gotten. What's difference it makes.
I have a friend who made an interesting comment saying she liked her boring life and would find this overwhelming. Actually I agree with her. It might make it an interesting story, but the stress of it is really too much. I would have scheduled the wedding for a much later date and I think I would have rescheduled Independence Day to October first. I was glad that the wedding was not at my home and I was glad I was not the photographer. Billy said they realized right away that they had to change plans. I'm so appreciative I didn't have to bring it up though I understand that I also have to get much better at saying "no".
Tomorrow, Monday, Ronda returns home (Illinois). Billy, Meaghan and Conner will join us for breakfast at Cindy's. This was a good visit despite the pain and I was glad it all happened. Now is time to put the emphasis on healing as my teacher Carol Bradshaw states.
The Bakersfield Art Association is offering a variety of one day classes for $35 each in a variety of media. Check out what they are offering below and if you live in Kern County in California consider. This includes the supplies. You need to pre-register because they need to make sure they have enough supplies. Having taken classes since September and meeting many of these very talented artists, I believe you would enjoy this. It is a way to try your hand in a particular art medium without committing a lot of resources to find out if it is for you. Then, if it is, you'll have an idea of what it involves. I will be signing up for as many I can. Perhaps I'll see you there!
ART SAMPLER SERIES at the BAA Art Center
With Bates, Bradshaw, Lott, Mathie, Neil, and Oliver
Many people who think about taking art classes aren’t sure what they want to take. This is your chance to find out with this special series of classes….take one or all of them! Do you want to draw/paint/ watercolor/oil/acrylic/oil pastel or something completely different like mosaics?
Come and play around and just have fun with the possibilities!
All classes are held at the BAA Art Center, at 1817 Eye Street. Cost of the classes is: $35.00 each, and include all materials needed for the class. Pre-registration is required because of the materials. Please contact the class instructor.
Pen and Ink: “Playing with Pen and Ink” with Jim Bates, This class will explore different methods of using permanent ink pens in drawing and inking in your art work. Examples will be cross hatching, stippling, scribbling, small/large lines etc. We will ink the same subject using only one of the methods per drawing. Class is Thursday, July 31st from 1-4 pm. For additional information or to register contact: Jim Bates at 6612-871-7640 or jab888’s@gmail.com
Drawing: “What You Can Do with a Pencil!!” with Carol Bradshaw Experiment with all of the different marks you can make with a pencil and find out what the different kinds of drawings you can do! Drawing can be done with pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, crayon, pastel , etc. Class is Thursday, July 24th from 1-4 pm. For additional information or to register contact: Carol Bradshaw at 760-376-6604 or bradshawartist@earthlink.net
Watercolor: “Splash and Play” with Norma Neil In this class students will learn basic wash techniques and play with techniques that add sparkle, texture, mood and personality to the painting. Students will end with an 11x14 watercolor suitable for framing.
Class is Thursday, August 7th from 1-4 pm, For additional information or to register contact: Norma Neil at 661-283-1376 or nneil2@att.net
Oil Pastel: “Drawing and Painting with Oil Pastel” This inexpensive and versatile medium can be used for drawing or painting. It works like soft pastel, without the dust, but can be blended with other mediums such as oil, acrylic and watercolor paints Oil pastel is a fun medium that can be used for expressively for drawing or for completing rich finished paintings. Class is Thursday, August 14th from 1-4 pm. For additional information or to register contact: Phyllis Oliver at: Phone 661-348-4717 or pegoliver@ix.netcom.com
Acrylic: “ Acrylics are Easy!: with Toni Lott, This class is just pure fun playing around with acrylics. It is a very forgiving medium- you can paint over your mistakes! You will be surprised at what you can do! Class is Thursday, August 21st, from 1-4 pm. For additional information or to register contact: Toni Lott at 661-205-3488 or tlframer@gmail.com
Mosaics: “Mosaic Brief” with Leslie Mathie, Come and try out mosaics and all of the fun that can be achieved with them. This is a chance to do a” hands on” project. Class is Saturday, August 9th from 9-12 pm. For additional information or to register contact: Leslie Mathie at 510-914-6897 or leslie@mathiemosaic.net
Thank you for reading and I'll see you next week. Rachel
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