Holiday Lights, Potlucks and a Christmas Puppet Show

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I went with my friend Barb to an Audubon potluck and auction.   They did a nice puppet show. 

There were nine puppets with two women controlling them.
They presented different holiday situations told in poetry.
Lovely!

It occurred to me we are the generation of casseroles.   I make a salad of some kind to break up the starchiness of the casseroles.  I brought a green salad and it was almost all eaten.  What variety of food.  In the silent auction there was a used electric Yamaha organ. I bid on it and got it. I used to play the piano, so this is exciting. Then they had a auction caller. Barb and I checked out what they had and we were interested a tour of Tejon Ranch Conservancy. Including us, we can have 6 people. I picked my daughter Shelley and friend Janet. By Barbara and I splitting the cost of this, we were able to go higher and win the bid. Now Barb needs to pick two people. We want to wait until the weather is milder. We will pack a gourmet lunch and wine. 

This is the Yamaha I got sitting on my dining room table.

If you are interested in what we will see when we do the tour of the Tejon Ranch Conservancy, go here.  There are pictures, a blog, a write up on what they want to accomplish. and other information.

Tejon Ranch Conservancy

Wayne came back to art class!  Yeah!  I enjoyed him and he is very talented so that is good. Linda was also there, so we actually had a "class". We started on lions and next week is our last class until sometime in March.  Carol will have surgery, then have rehabilitation. My plan is to work on transferring  drawings from tracing to  drawing paper by measuring and blocking it.  I've never fully understood this, but in class, we used this technique in drawing lions.  We have done this before, but I think I'm just beginning to get this.  Linda picked up on the problem with my deer.  I thought it was the bent back leg, but she felt I needed to put a little angle on the front back leg.  That solved the problem.  I showed them my horse, but I was embarrassed by it.  They felt just a little work would do it.  So, I re-did it.  It looks better, but something is still off.  While Carol is off, I'm going to work on the pictures that I have.  And finally, I did a lion.  Though, it may be a little off, I like him.  He is sitting on his haunches, somewhat to the side.  I can't seem to show all the skin that is wrinkled, but I got the idea.  Also, he had a lot of hair, not just in front, but underneath and to the sides of his belly.  I never noticed that before.

My deer continues to improve!

She is improving, no longer a cartoon, but she is still off on
proportion.  I think it is the legs mostly.

I like him!  He has character!

Janet and I went to the Holiday Lights at the California Living Museum (CALM).  We really enjoyed it!  It wasn't quite as cold as last year. I bought these Hot packs to attach to my socks at my toes and to also place in my pockets.  The Christmas lights were timed with the Christmas music.   It was all so lovely. After, we went to The Red Pepper to top the evening off. 

Janet at The Holiday Lights at CALM

Me at The Holiday Lights at Calm

So here is another picture of Conner and Kason.  They are a year apart, and they look like twins to me!

My great grandsons Conner and Kason

My granddaughter Crystal is ready to deliver Nylah Marie this month.  She is more than ready.  She feels fat and ugly, though none of us feel she is.  She is just a beautiful young pregnant woman.  She is running out of clothes to wear and feels very unattractive.  I have heard this from others, so I think this is common.  She and Lorence got an apartment.  She came to borrow money to get cleaning supplies, but I had a lot here and gave it to her.  I think things will be so much better after Nylah arrives.

I did see my primary Doctor, Doctor Quiogue. She had breast cancer and chemo and recently returned.  She used to have long straight hair. Now it is short and curly. She looks lovely the way it is, but my friends whose hair did this eventually returned to how it looks before chemo. She said she will leave it short because there is little to do when leaving the house. It saves a lot of time. So I told her my right hip joint was really hurting for about six weeks. She felt it and told me I had bursitis. She gave me a cortisone injection in that point and now it feels a lot better. She gave me instructions on exercises which will help with this. She also had me get lab work done. I'm so glad I saw her.

Here is an excellent description of grieving. This is how it has been for me. 

http://www.thatericalper.com/2015/08/16/person-is-asking-for-advice-hn-how-to-deal-with-grief-this-reply-is-incredible/

So, I liked the week.  It was not completely filled, which is the way I need it.  I have events scheduled this next week that I am looking forward to.  I really hope your week went well and I will see you next Sunday.    Rachel

Wow, What A Wonderful Week!

So when weather reports show lots of rain coming to Bakersfield, it is not worth getting excited about. Skies looked like they would break again, but they didn't.  Here is a picture my daughter Shelley Jerdin Schmitt took after one of our recent rains. 

Rainbow over Bakersfield, taken by Shelley Schmitt

So Norma Neil had a somewhat "impromptu" art session at The Art for Healing Center where were brought food to supplement the soup she made.  That was a good idea.    It wasn't on the full schedule.  She showed us other mediums to use and special techniques.  I loved it but was done in because I had Occupational Therapy before it.  I was out and about for seven hours.  A little bit too much for me.  I need to bring a cot along with me!

I thought my friend Janet and I wouldn't be able to see the Holiday Lights at CALM (California Living Museum), but it held. Love this!  It is so magical!  Last year it was in Sunset Magazine as one of the 10 best holiday experiences in California. Now I just heard of another one that I understand started last year called Bakersfield Christmas Village. It is a little more expensive. I understand there is also ice skating there.  Perhaps I'll check it out next year. 

Holiday Lights at CALM by Janet Seinturier

My niece Shannon, her husband Patrick and their son Jordan were here this weekend. We went to the Holiday Lights at CALM. I loved it as much as the first time.   There were some sprinkles, but it stopped before we got in.  At my home they put up picture tiles on my patio and put the bird feeder in a tree.  With it on my patio before, I had bird doo everywhere! They gave me an owl with various scented oils. We are burning winter pine on the patio and have my sound effects of birds and my fountain going for the water effect. The outdoor heater is on. It is sooo wonderful right now!

Shannon and Patrick McDonnell

Shannon and Rachel

Holiday Lights by Shannon McDonnell

Holiday Lights by Shannon McDonnell

We went for brunch at Anita's on 178 meeting my daughter Shelley there. Delicious!

My Daughter Shelley Schmitt, Niece Shannon her husband Patrick McDonnell
and their son Jordan McDonnell

Then we went Geocaching.  Didn't know a thing about it, but it was worth it!  They picked two easy ones and we found them driving around town.  So much fun. It is an adventure. They are puzzles ranging from easy to hard.  You can download the application for android phones and iPhones. There are free ones. The one I got cost 9.99.  This is the official one connected to the web site.  It has a GPS and a compass. The rest of the family has now heard and is trying it out. Who would have known? Millions of people all over the world do this. 

The main website that will teach you about this is:

Geocaching

Jordan and I opening the first one at the Albertson Shopping Center

This one was in the parking lot at Albertsons near my home.

On the left is Wes Sandiford with my Granddaughter Heather Estes
and my Grandson Kevin Schmitt.  They are excited to find their
first in Geocaching.

So I have written down several tasks to get done in the next two weeks. First, if I write it down, I won't forget it and I am so much more likely to get them done. It is also satisfying to cross them off as I get them done. 

Here is a sentiment that fits for me and I think many others keep it in mind or share it.  It comes from HealingWell.com

It is chilly - much more like I expect it to feel at this time of year.   It is hard for me to find the right temperature in the house. I'm bundled up. 70 degrees feels like the cold is seeping in!  That seems so ridiculous!  I'm putting another layer on. 

Had lunch with Janet, Lisa and Charmaine at Sandrini's. It is an Italian and Basque Fusion. Very tasty food.  I've met Lisa ( who cuts my hair) and Charmaine (who does real estate) through Janet.  They are all locals.  I came here when I was 27. It is interesting to hear their stories. 

My great-grandson Conner is trying so hard to get up to a standing position. Not there yet, but close. 

Harvard Medical School puts put a newsletter and publishes papers on a variety of issues. This one had questions and answers about end of life  issues. I have had questions about this, so I figured others did too.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/archive

In the December 18, 2014 issue, they talk about commonly held myths about end-of-life issues and about living wills.  It is free to subscribe to their email, but you don't have to subscribe to read them.

There is also a useful site called Grief Tool Box.  You might want to check it out.  I like it!

http://thegrieftoolbox.com/

So that is it for the week.  I liked it.  I hope yours is going well.  Christmas is around the corner.  I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas enjoys it.  I like it as a family gathering.  Happy Hanukkah for those who celebrate it.  Whatever is your celebration, enjoy it.  See you next Sunday.          Rachel