Update on my Kitties

An update on my kitties, Pepper and Daisy:  Pepper is extra loving since her two week adventure somewhere outside. I think she is very happy to be back. Daisy has learned to be a little more independent. She used to follow Pepper to the living room, but she finally comes out on her own starting when Pepper was away. I think she found that it was okay to come out, so now Daisy comes out and Pepper follows.

Pepper has become more loving!

Daisy has become more brave!

I have complained a lot that my nails have become dry, brittle and very week. I hear I'm not getting enough protein. I have not changed my eating pattern substantially, so I don't think that is the problem. I am getting chemotherapy. It is Herceptin. It doesn't make me feel bad, but it could have an affect on my heart. I will have an echocardiogram in a couple of weeks to see if there is a problem. A doctor friend of mine suggested that the chemotherapy may be causing my nail problem. It is frustrating because it breaks even in the nail bed. I have used creams, lotions and oils on my nails. I'm not sure they help. I also have tried pills like Biotin and a multivitamin. I still take those.  That would be long term if it is going to help!  So, I think I have tried all the types of polishes for strengthening my nails. Most don't last well at all and my nails were still breaking!  Well I saw that OPI has this nail strengthener called Nail Envy. When I go for a pedicure, I pick OPI, as it lasts much longer than other nail polishes.  I think I finally found what works!  If you have a problem with you nails, check out OPI. I am really impressed and relieved to find something that works!  By the way, gel does not work for me because they file across the whole nail to help make it stick better. My nails are already thin. I don't need more of it removed.

My daughter Shelley talked about going to the coast for Independence Day. I just thought "hot and crowded".  Ugh. Neither of these are appealing to me. Then she said that there was a concert and fireworks show on the other side of town. I bowed out of this also for the same reason.  I know I would have loved this when I was younger.  I no longer enjoy this. There used to be a fireworks display put on at Bakersfield College three blocks away. We didn't see the ground displays from my home, but we did see the ones shot into the night sky from my front yard. They stopped this because of cost.  I liked when I could see it from my home, because I can go into my home immediately and cool down.

My daughter Ronda in Illinois sent me pictures of their celebration.  Their food sounded great. Here is a picture of Ronda and her partner Tom.

Tom and Ronda

Our Red Hat group met at Dewars, a local well-known ice cream parlor.  This is a once a year event.  My daughter Shelley and I enjoyed it a lot. I brought my own whipped cream because they use marshmallow cream.  Shelley got ........... And I got a banana split.  This is a once a year experience.  I also took a sweater because it can get soooo cold in there. It is okay for a few minutes, but after a bit, I feel it in my bones!  They also have wonderful chews which are addictive to me. I took some peanut butter chews home. As you might notice, extremes in temperatures are very difficult for me to handle!  And, I was not always like this!

Me, Evelyn and Shelley, my daughter

Me and my daughter Shelley

Those of us who came for ice cream:
In back Claudia, Jo
in front Shelley, Evelyn, me and Judie

Judie, one of our Red Hat ladies asked if anyone had given shots and Shelley said "Rachel has".  She needed an estrogen shot in her bottom. I could not draw up the liquid to give the shot, but then this young woman comes in who was an RN. She did it but was unwilling to give the shot. I tried twice and the needle would not go in. We got Evelyn who noted the end was in two parts (a deformed needle) which was probably the reason it wouldn't go in.  I was just imagining how much this was hurting her. I wasn't willing to push harder. So she was going to take it home and put a new needle on it.  That was stressful!  And to think I used to have a terrible fear of needles.  I don't want anyone to hurt from this!  Next time we meet in September,  it will be at the Crystal Palace.

I drew another toad.  We have class on Tuesday.  This six week round we will be drawing a peacock, a lizard and a snake.

Another Toad!

I did have dinner at Mexicali's with my friend Janet and she is doing well.  And that was my week.  It was even a little slower, but that is okay.  I expect to be doing more this next week.  I do hope you have a good week and I will see you next Sunday.               Rachel

Doing New Projects

When I visited my friends Marykay and Mike, there was a birdbath outside their backyard window. Their backyard is a haven for small critters including squirrels.  The squirrels enjoy the birdbath to quench their thirst. Marykay and I both enjoy watching them.  When Marykay is on walks, she picks up acorns to leave out for the squirrels. Mike then stated that he sees them as rats with furry takes. My husband Paul did not have kind words for squirrels either. I always was taking pictures of them. He finally got me a squirrel statue to look at through my back window. It broke and I think I'll get another so I can see one in my yard. 

Years ago soon after I adopted my daughter Ronda, we went camping with an adoption group we belonged to.   I had a package of Stella Doro cookies opened on one end on the picnic table at our camp ground. Most people were away from the site and no one was at the table. I noticed a squirrel go up to the package of cookies and gently pull one cookie out and then head to the tree line. When I looked back, there was another squirrel doing the same thing then also going to the tree line and then another one. I looked where they were coming from and there was a line of squirrels each waiting patiently it's turn, not moving forward until the last one had left the table. I was fascinated with this behavior. That incident increased my interest in them. 

An attempt at drawing a squirrel.  I'll do a better one next week

Our Red Hat group was much smaller this month. However, we still enjoyed each other's time together. Catching up is good.  When I was looking at us, I have this sense I'm shrinking.  Maybe it is the angle of the pictures.

Evelyn, our Queen, Judie and Pamela

Claudia and Me

Our Small Group this Month, Left to right,
Claudia, Me, Evelyn, Judie and Pamela

I got a notice urging people to go to the Board of Supervisors meeting to attempt to stop them in putting control of our county library in the hands of a private corporation from out of state. . Our libraries have been woefully supported for years, to such an extent that hours have lessened drastically, they buy few books and they have few librarians. Our county is rated poorly in reading ability.  Many are illiterate. The library is very important to encourage reading and to supply the reading material. We are requesting an 1/8 percent dedicated increase for our library system. The majority of people support a dedicated tax because without it being dedicated, it gets pulled to cover shorts in other areas. We are requesting this be put on the June ballot.  We'll see what happens. 

This is a nice picture of Bakersfield looking over a vineyard before it starts greening up. I got it on Facebook. I think that Mary Wardell may have taken the picture, at least it was on her Facebook site. Beautiful!

Vineyard in Bakersfield  by Mary Wardell

 Here are pictures of two my great grandchildren. 

Nylah has character!

Nylah is pretty when she sleeps too!

Kason is one happy child!

So I have a couple of projects I have taken on. One is reading the Qur'an, The Bible and the Talmud. Fascinating!  I finished the the Qur'an and about a quarter of the way through the bible. Though the Old Testament is a part of the bible, I want to see if the Talmud is different. 

The other project is the development of a family tree. My friend Mike is the one who started this and has done an amazing job. My cousin Barrie gave me the name and email of a second cousin Simy. She has responded with great detail.  Now it is my turn to give her information. I'm hoping I can get some dates to correspond to the people she listed. I also need to give her pictures. I have a lot of research to do. 

I hope your week has gone well. What I'm doing is very different from what I've done. I'm enjoying it. I hope this next week is good for you and I'll see you next Sunday.          

Rachel

I'm Going to Control Myself to Not Overdo the Holidays

My teacher Carol had a minor suggestion for my deer picture. My contour drawing of a horse needs more work, but she was impressed.  I told her it looked a little off to me. She said when I felt that way, check my measurements. That was fascinating.  They were such small changes that made a big difference. Then we worked on drawing horse tails and manes. I watched how she did it and I was awed at how well it came together. 

I've been getting rid of strong lines

Ugh!  Still not right and I feel her eyes look like a puppet!
And, her body is still off!

I'm going to try another picture I have, like a portrait and
I swear, the horse looks like she is flirting!  So cute!

My friend Janet and I joined my neighbor Celeste for dinner at the Renegade Room at Bakersfield College. This is a junior college that has a program in Culinary Arts.  You can earn an AA degree and transfer to get a BA degree. They also offer a certification for their program. Celeste's son who is looking at a second career is in this program.  He hopes to do catering which he had done before this program.  Celeste had shared the menu for this last term.  They do two nights and one lunch for the weeks school is going. This was the last week and they will start late February.  When I asked why so late when school starts in January and I was told, "Well they have to learn some things before cooking."  My friends had shrimp scampi and I had chicken. Janet and I would like our dishes with more flavor. Janet felt there was not enough garlic.  I thought I was getting chicken piccata. But, no, it had a coating, but too bland for my taste. I had clam chowder which was wonderful. The salad was unique with puff pastry and a very interesting dressing. Dessert was Tiramisu or Butternut Squash with Maple Syrup and Vanilla Ice Cream. I had the Butternut Squash. It was tasty. So, even if you are thinking it is a vegetable, it was sweet and met the need for my sweet tooth.  Dinner was less than $20 each. They don't serve alcohol, so Janet and I had a glass of wine before going. Tips are shared with all the students working and you must make reservations early. 

  

Shelley and I went to the Red Hat dinner at the Mark. At this dinner we have an exchange of a Christmas ornament or something for the holidays.  I got Shelley a pink hat since she has 3 years to go before wearing the red hat. Though, I don't think any in our group would mind if she wore a red hat. So now she has a red and a pink hat. 

Marti and Jo

Claudia, Me and Shelley

Evelyn, our leader and Pamela

Shelley and Me

We had a gift exchange

Barbara brought me homemade vegan chocolate fudge with walnuts, homemade bread and three avocados from her tree. I have no restraint. I ate the fudge as soon as she left. The following day, I had the bread with butter.  Delish! 

So that is it for the week.  I did schedule to see my primary doctor next Friday about my hip.  It is still bothering me.  My granddaughter Crystal said "Why do you wait so long Gramma?"  I told her I didn't want to keep complaining, though I think I already do that a lot.

So I have something going almost every day this next week, most okay.   Oh, I said I was going to control myself to not overdo the holidays!  Oh well, I did some this week.  I hope your week went well and I will see you next Sunday.               Rachel

It Is Beginning to Cool Here!

My heater would not turn on Monday night. It was the first night I attempted to turn on the heat. The next morning I called to get it fixed. I could hear it attempting to run, but it would not light. I called the repair company and they came that evening   My fingers were really cold. I was fine when I was in bed. It was tough moving out from under the covers.  I realize that for those people in real cold weather, they would think it was a joke. But when it has been so much warmer, like low in the 80's, the 50's seem very chilly!    So when he came, he said the sensor wire was crimped and stuck in the metal cover, so it wasn't getting the message to light.  I was so glad there was no charge for fixing it because they did the last repair.  All I see is my money floating out the window. I get so anxious!

I showed Carol, my teacher, my art work. She feels I'm coming along quite well on my drawing. She had thoughts to improve each picture which wouldn't require too much. This week we started drawing deer. I printed pictures I thought would be good practice.  I worked on all the animal pictures I did. When I met with my friend Janet, I gave her the two pictures I did of her dog Poopy. She plans to have them framed. I look forward to seeing them on her wall. The picture I did of Barbara's dog Patti I will have framed because the size is not standard and I know what needs to be done to get it framed correctly. I am pleased with what I did with my cat Pepper. I'll pass by Carol, but I think it might be ready for framing.  No class this week, but I'm working on contour drawings of deer. 

My Cat Pepper

Contour Drawing of a Deer

It rained much of Monday and some on Tuesday. While in class, a news item came on my iPhone that two boulders the size of cars and another much bigger came down closing the mountain road to Lake Isabella.  There was also a mudslide. I wasn't thinking to offer my home if she got stuck here since she lives by Lake Isabella. I called a little later and left a message of my offer. She didn't get the message until she got home. She took an alternate route which adds quite a bit of time.  She will pack an emergency bag just in case she gets stuck and will stay at my home if this occurs. 

I ordered a used book through Amazon.com that Janet loaned me called The Watercolor Cat. Art by Peggy Chun and story by Shelly Mecum. Beautiful art!  This woman had ALS and switched hands when her right hand stopped working, then used her mouth when her hands stopped working. Then, when that stopped working, she used a computer program that followed her eye movement. So this used book I got, was signed by the artist (who lived in Hawaii) the writer and a paw print by her cat Boo. In addition to that, it says, "Aloha Rachel, By all means Paint". This was given to a woman's granddaughter Rachel as noted on the back of the book cover, but I was amazed by this.  I showed Janet this who thought it was beyond amazing. 

My daughter Shelley and I went to the Red Hat Dinner at PF Changs.  The food was delicious. The previous time we were there, it wasn't consistently good. I'm glad we gave it another try.   I always enjoy getting together with them and I'm glad Shelley goes. I'm trying to get my friend Janet to go. I'm sure she would like the our gatherings and the women in it. Shelley took a group shot and since she was not in the picture, we did a selfie outside. Since there were lights at ground level, I look odd because the cast shadow makes it look like I have cat eyes. 

Shelley and Me

Me with Evelyn, Jo, Vicki, Pamela and Marti
Shelley is taking the picture

My friend Barbara invited me to a Sierra Club meeting which was held in the hall of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Truxtun.  They had great food and a silent auction. After these, there was a presentation on how the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution  Control District is failing in protecting the health of the citizens of this valley, and in particular, the southern part of our valley which includes Bakersfield, Arvin, Lamont, Shafter, Wasco  Delano, Taft and Buttonwillow. The oil companies have no useful standards that they are held to.  Particulate matter and ozone levels are so high that the average age at death is four years less than the rest of the United States and we have the most polluted air in all of the United States. At one time that was Los Angeles. But no longer. We are now the winner in that category.  The Kern County Board of Supervisors give the oil companies here a pass. It is better not to look than to find information and be forced in some way to deal with it.   They hold the people to do much higher standards than the industry which is here. We agree that we all need to play a role in this, but this must also include industry which does the bulk of polluting our valley.

Here are the most recent pictures of my great-grandsons Conner and Kason. They are handsome boys who are growing like Weeds!

Conner

Kason

My niece Kerri Buttler shared this with me. We all, including me, could learn something from this. I'm aware of it for my issues, but not always for other people. We all could benefit from a reminder on what is empathy.  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?sns=fb&v=1Evwgu369Jw

So that is it for the week. I continue to feel good. So, I will continue to do the things I want to do. I'm so fortunate. I hope you have a wonderful week. I'll see you next Sunday.      Rachel

Red Hats and a Baby Shower

This has been a much better week for me. I definitely feel my energy improved. 

On Monday, my friend Barbara and I went to a concert hosted by the Bakersfield Concert Association. The singing group, with their pianist was Vivace from Canada. They were fantastic and had two standing ovations. What an enjoyable evening. The best deal is to buy the season series (8 shows) for $80 for an adult. There are family and student rates too. They announced that this might be the last year for this (which has been here around 100 years). They need to double membership or have more major sponsors to cover the cost. It sure is sad. They bring a lot to our community and it is a reasonable price for the series.  

At my art class. Carol had a couple of ideas to improve my drawing of Patti.  Then she suggested I draw just a section of the picture multiple times so I can improve that area- like the nose, the eye and the paw. I worked on my picture of Poopy and I know I will need to work more on it. 

Patti

Poopy

My friend Marc called me back. I gave my condolences on the death of his wife Mimi. He is keeping himself busy with his daily routine. I told him that several people want to gather to remember Mimi in mid November. He likely will not attend. He moved the conversation away from him to me. He was okay that I would call him periodically and later we will meet. 

We had our Red Hat group. I brought my daughter Shelley who is a few years short of being Red Hat.  She can be a Princess. I gave her one of my red hats which was so becoming on her.  The group accepted her well so she is now a part of the group. 

Shelley and Me

Me, Jo and Stephanie

Evelyn, leader of our group, me and Claudia

Pamela and Jo

Shelley Looks Great in Red!

The baby shower for Crystal was yesterday. Stephanie and her daughter's, Cassadie and Meghan came. They made cupcakes with an owl design in the colors Crystal had for her theme.  They were so cute!  There were a lot of adults- men and women and many children.  It got a little chaotic, but it was a success for Crystal. There was a barbecue meal with all the side dishes and on one table, an incredible array of candies and sweets with a chocolate fountain.

Kayla

Crystal, her mother Jennifer and her aunt Shelley
with Shelley's son Kevin photo bombing it.

Keven and Me

Crystal and Lorence

Gathering on the Patio which extends to the Yard 

Alyssa, Heather and Shelley

Kayla does this a lot

Heather and Stephanie

Kline's and extended family with Devin and Heather

The Jerdin side of the family with Casey

Crystal is carrying the baby in the front

This table became much more crowded with candy.
The cupcakes are owls done by Stephanie and her girls.

Ready for Nylah Marie

Crystal with friends 

Crystal with the Garcia side of the family

                                                                                                                                                                                

Today, I am going with my friends Barbara and Janet to see the movie The Martian. It was a fabulous book and I hear the movie is also excellent.  Then we are going to a Mexican restaurant close to my home called Loma Linda. I think it has the best chile rellenos (a mild chile filled with usually Jack cheese, dipped in a batter of egg and flour then deep fried to a golden brown) in town. 

This was a loaded week. I feel so much better and would not have been able to do this s a couple of weeks ago.   I have had regular breaks between each of these events and also slept well. 

I hope you had a good week. Mine was good.  I'll see you next Sunday.           Rachel