Materialism

Good Morning!

It started out foggy when I got up at 6:30 and now the sun is out!  I have talked to Rory this morning and his black jack tournament starts at 10 a.m.  I know he enjoys this and I also knows he enjoys things.  He told me that after he went to dinner last night, he came back to the room and he had a bottle of champagne that was put in his room by his sponsor.  He told me it was nice to have his birthday remembered by someone other than his family.

My devotional this morning was about the Queen of Sheba and the verse for today was 1Kings 10:1-29.  When I read the Bible, it astounds me at how much people, especially people higher up, had.  I am a very minimalistic person.  I like having my Kindle and my lap top and my cell phone, yes.  Where my gluttony comes in, is with food.  I am not a shoe person or a clothes person.  On my organizing days, I am really working at getting rid of things.

Mari and I are taking the train into Los Angeles and taking a Modern Architecture tour through the Los Angeles Conservancy.  I try to belong to groups that support saving certain, especially, historic buildings.  I know many people would like to tear down old buildings, but I really believe in saving historical buildings.

I got my computer routine done and Mari and I left about 10:15 and headed for Irvine train station. I had to stop at the bank to make sure I had some money for today.  When we got to the train station, there were a lot of people going southbound and the train was standing room only.  I have no idea what was going on.  Our train was slightly late and we headed for Los Angeles.  While we were waiting for our train, I realized I had bought business class going north, but coach going south.  When we got to LA, I upgraded us to business class going home.  We got some lunch and then we headed to the Red Line, which took us to Pershing Square.  We did a little bit of walking around and then we met up with our tour group. It was an interesting tour and we got done a little after 4.

Took the Red Line back to Union Station and got something to eat, while we were waiting for our train.  The train was on time and we headed home.  Stopped at Pei Wei and got dinner.  Got home around 7.  Ate dinner and watched TV.  Having alone time and then headed for bed around 10.

Good night!  Trudi

Watch what you say!

Good Morning!

It is a sunny day and all I am hearing is a dog barking and hopefully today is the last day of the painters.  One of the painters told me they are doing touch up today!

My devotional this morning was from Proverbs 10:16-22.  There were some verses that hit me:  Proverbs 10:19-"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."    Proverbs 10:21-"The lips of the righteous nourish many, but foods die for lack of judgment."  The devotional also talks about, how during World War II, there was a media campaign called "Loose lips sink ships", to help the people maintain a code of silence, which meant security.  In reading this, I have to think what I say in all respects.  Am I building someone up or putting them down?

Today, Rory is headed for Vegas.  Sweet Pea is getting a shot today and the girls of us are hanging out at home.  Today is Rory's birthday and Happy first day of summer.  Summer Solstice was last night at 10 p.m. for us here on the west coast.

I did not realize until today how much stress I have been under this last week and how it has been affecting me.  I have my usual stress of Rory, but I had two added stresses this week and it affected me with my energy level and my eating.  Today, I have more energy and I am making decisions to eat more healthy today.

Today is photography day, which means editing one day worth of pictures, working on scrapbooks and doing one lesson on photoshop.   I did one day worth of editing and I did get to work on some of the scrapbooks.  It is fun to look back at pictures.  This afternoon we took Sweet Pea to the vet to get a shot.  She hates going in her carrier and she becomes like kitty velcro.  She talks to us all the way to the vet and usually she is quiet on the way back.  When we got back from the vet, we got our snack and then Mari and I went to Wing Stop and ordered dinner and then took a 2 mile walk.  Came home and had some quiet time and then ate dinner and watched "Castle" and "Dead Files"  Having girl time  tonight, which is nice.

Going to finish editing my pictures from today and I may work on the 2nd lesson of Photoshop.

Good night!  Trudi

Hate, dislike and sin

Good Morning!

It is a sunny morning in So. CA and the birds are singing.  I can hear the painters around.

My morning read was Proverbs 6:16-19.  The devotional is on things that God hates.   One of the big ones is lying.    I would rather tell the truth than lie.  Rory has a tendency to not tell the truth, but I would rather live with the consequences than lie.  Rory blames me for not getting a job, as I told him to tell the truth about his diabetes and for some reason, the company would not hire him because of that and I have not heard the end of that ever since.  The one thing I really have to look at, is how am I hurting others with my words and actions.  Lying is one big thing that has hurt our marriage.  After the girls were born and Rory says, I pulled away from him, he started to gamble and he would lie as to where he was.  At that point in time, I had twins that I was trying to take care of, I had to work and I had to take care of the house.  By the end of the day, I was exhausted and Rory was really no help with the girls or the house.  He wanted to be taken care of as well.

Today, I have a docent meeting this afternoon and I am going to work on my blogs today.  Rory's birthday is tomorrow and since, he is going to Las Vegas for the weekend, we are going to celebrate his birthday tonight.  Today would have been my mother's 96th birthday.

I did my morning computer stuff, took a nap and did laundry.  I think the painting around our unit is done.  I hope!  Now to work on my other blogs. Did work on one of my blogs regarding the city of Carmel.  Had lunch and left about 12:15 for the Mission and the docent meeting.  Today's meeting was regarding what led up to the secularization of the Missions.  Interesting!  After the meeting I walked back to the car and had an encounter with a person.  Not bad!  There are times I really wonder about people who take advantage of others and I am not saying this person did that to me.  The person I talked to was taken advantage of.  I am just glad I was able to help this person.  On the way home, I stopped at Trader Joe's and got stuff for dinner and then went to Cinnamon Productions and got dessert for dinner to celebrate Rory's b-day. After I left Trader Joe's, Rory called to find out how I was and to tell me it had been 96 degrees in Anchorage.  I questioned what he said, but until I looked it up, I believed him.  There are times when he watches TV, he doesn't listen to the whole thing and he does not quite get his information correct.   On the way home I drove through Live Oak Canyon.  Talked to the girls for a little bit and then had alone time.

Making spaghetti!  Rory decided to eat upstairs and will come down after 9 to have tea and cheesecake.     The girls and I watched Duck Dynasty; which I am coming to like.  Going to hang out downstairs until Rory comes down and then I am going upstairs.

Good night!

Trudi

Wisdom and discipline

My daughters, two years ago on Father's Day!

Good Morning!

We are back to our overcast and cloudy morning!  I am thankful for this new day and the quietness of the morning.  The birds are singing and I can hear the ladders of the painters.  The painters will be doing touch up and trim paint for the next couple of days.

This morning, I was reading Proverbs 1 and that is the reason, my blog this morning is titled Wisdom and discipline.  Wisdom is something I try to constantly acquire, as I know by always learning it helps me in all sorts of other ways.  I try to be a disciplined person, although, I am not always that way when it comes to eating and taking care of my physical body.  I have acquired the habit of reading the Bible every day.

Today, I have nothing planned. Today is organizing day, which means I am going to do some filing and go over to the storage unit and go through some saved emails.  Mari and I are also, going to do a walk.

Got my computer routine done and did laundry!  Took a nap and then got some filing done and went over to the storage unit and did some organizing.  Came home and picked up Mari  and went to get lunch at Chipotle and also some cat litter at Pet Smart.  Came home, had lunch  and I was feeling tired, so I took another nap.  I think yesterday and all the stress, got to me.  About 2, Mari and I headed for Laguna to go walking.

On the way back, we stopped to get some frozen yogurt, stopped at Trader Joe's and then at Target.  Came home and had quiet time and then made dinner, with some help from Mari.  Ate dinner and watched TV.  Marissa still not feeling well.  I am not sure if her anxiety is kicking in, as well.  Just hanging out for the rest of the evening.  It was nice to watch "Ghost Hunters" with Mari tonight!

Good Night!  Trudi

Talking about the good things-Being positive

Good Morning!

Sunny morning this morning and the painters are at work and I am getting a new refrigerator today.  I have a tour at the Mission to do today as well!  I read Psalms 145 this morning and the devotional was talking about bragging about God.  This picture was taken in Yorba Linda a couple of years ago.  I love stained glass windows.

I know in many ways I have a tendency to be negative and complaining.    I am working on being more positive.  When you live with someone who is negative, this is hard.  I like being positive, rather than negative.  I am working on being content with where I am.  Yesterday, when Mari and I were walking down at San Clemente, I was watching a little boy walking with his mom and exploring everything.  I need to do that as well and enjoy being in the moment.  I said to Mari, later, that I have a tendency to think I have to hurry up and get home and now a days, I say to myself, WHY?  When I worked, yes, I did need to hurry up and get home, if I had work to do.  I am thankful right now, that I can enjoy the moment and not worry about hurrying!  I have to be thankful for all we have right now.

Better get breakfast and get the refrigerator cleaned out.  Breakfast made and Mari is getting the refrigerator cleaned out, better go help, as I am feeling guilty, sitting here.  I received a call around 8 saying that the refrigerator would be delivered between 9:45-11:45.  When I left around 10:15, everything was ready for the refrigerator to be delivered.  I headed for the Mission, as I had a tour of adults at 11:15 a.m.  During the summer, we do more adult tours, than 4th graders.  I enjoyed this tour.  I came out to the car and Rory called me and said that the refrigerator had not been delivered and this was 12:45.  The food had been sitting out all this time.  I got very upset and called delivery and they stated that the refrigerator was to be delivered between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., which made me more upset and then the girl on the phone tried to sell me something and I hung up.  I called the store and talked to a manager and told him the whole story and he wanted to know what he could do.  Rory had said to ask for $400 and I asked for $200.  He said he would call back and I have yet to hear from him.

Over the last month, our washer went out and I bought a washer and dryer from Sears and they were supposed to be delivered on the Saturday before Mother's Day and wasn't.  They were delivered on Mother's Day.  After we got back from vacation, I purchased a microwave from Sears and it was installed on time, but I could not open the cabinets above the microwave and had to have someone come out and take care of the issue.  When the refrigerator went out, I went back to Sears and purchased a refrigerator and had the issues I had today.  The sales people tell you that you will be called the night before the delivery as to what time and I was not.  Someone did call me this morning and tell me a time and then when I did call Sears, they told me a different time and the refrigerator was delivered around 1 p.m.  I do not want to go to Home Depot, but I am not sure I want to go to Sears either, anymore.  I will have to think long and hard about where I will buy appliances next time.

After we got the house back to normal, I tried to lay down and take a nap, but couldn't really sleep.  Mari and I hung out in the living room for awhile and then went to Target to get stuff for dinner and also went to Old Navy.  Came home, made dinner and watched TV.  Rory came down and wanted to talk.  I ended up coming upstairs.  Going to finish this, give Sweet Pea her injection and then edit one day worth of pictures and watch the rest of my Lincoln DVD and go to bed.

Good night!  Trudi

Love

This was taken in San Dimas a couple of years ago.  My father grew up in San Dimas and my grandfather worked on the railroad in San Dimas.

Good Morning!  It was very foggy this morning.

We start the process of getting our building painted this morning.  The first thing is a power wash!  Rory is getting some major teeth work done today.  Mari and I are going to San Clemente to walk this afternoon and we will see how Marissa is this morning and how Sweet Pea handles the painters being around.  Marissa is still not feeling well and her anxiety is up, because of her cold.  I feel so sorry for her.

My devotional this morning was Psalm 136-His love endures forever.  When I was growing up, I knew my parents and grandparents loved me.  Each had different ways of showing love.  My father's parents showed love by their actions, especially my grandmother.  My mother's parents showed their love with material things.  My mother, I really believe had issues with relationships, as my grandfather worked a lot and my grandmother treated my mother more like a sister.  Their was a story that was told about how, after my mother got married, my grandmother wanted my mother to come back and live with her. I don't really think my mother wanted kids, but my dad did.  My mother had a hard time being a parent.    I really knew love from my dad.  I thought I was in love with Rory, when I first met him, but now, I really believe it was lust.  He was the first person I had met, who "did not have a wall built around him" or so I thought.  Did I really know what it was like to have a relationship with a person, as the majority of people, other than my family, had put me down.  I was really looking for acceptance.  I was very needy.  I know in my head that God loves me and takes care of me, as I see His actions all the time, but it is hard for me to wrap my heart around that.  There are certain things I love, such as the colors of nature, especially flowers and the colors of green on trees.  I love water.  I love traveling in the car and on the train and seeing the passing landscape.  I enjoy doing things for others, but it is hard for me to allow people to do things for me.

Better start getting breakfast.  First round is done on the exterior.  Rory is off for the dentist.  Marissa is still not feeling well.  Mari and I are doing computer stuff and eating breakfast.  Got my morning computer routine done and took a nap, as Rory went to the dentist.  Got up and did laundry and now I am going to work on my blogs, as today is blog day.  Got some writing done before Rory came home and needed some help.  Mari and I went out to get lunch and came back.  Ate lunch and looked at Rory's pictures and then Mari and I went out to take a walk in San Clemente.  There is a path that goes along the beach and the railroad track.

On the way home, we stopped at Active Culture for some frozen yogurt and then came home and made dinner and watched TV.  Rory is struggling with his dental work and Marissa is still not feeling well.  She has her cold and and her anxiety.  Great combination.  My refrigerator is supposed to come tomorrow, but I do not know what time.  Patience!

Just enjoying quiet time in the living room!

Good night!  Trudi

Father's Day and the men in my life

Good Morning!

It is sunny this morning!  We are going out to brunch at noon today to celebrate Father's Day with Rory.

My father was my best friend and I miss him very much.  Yesterday, when I was picking out cards for Rory, I thought how easy it would have been to pick out a card for my dad.  I might have had the opposite problem that I had with trying to find a card for Rory.  Instead of having a few choices, I would have had too many choices.  My grandfathers were very similar, but very different.  My mother's father was an alcoholic and a workaholic and I don't really believe my mother had a great father role.  My dad's father had a green thumb and was a lover of sweets.  He expected my grandmother to do a lot.  My memories of my grandmother was walking with two canes and having braces on her knees.  One thing I remember about my dad's father was his homemade peach ice cream.  My father-in-law was not a nice man, to be nice.  Rex and I talked until the girls were about 5 and then I got very tired of his cigar and his monologues and Rory told me to tell him that.   I am sorry Rory had to grow up this way and it has affected him and in many ways, he has become like his dad, who he really did not like.  I am sorry the girls have to have a father that they do not really respect; but I am glad they got to know my dad.  I don't know if Marissa will ever marry, due to her Asperger's.  I hope, if and when Mari does marry that she can have a loving man in her life, who respects and treats her with love.

After brunch today, we are going to have to go buy a new refrigerator.  ANYTHING ELSE!  So far it has been the washer and dryer, the microwave, Mari's computer, new set of tires and now the refrigerator.  I am thankful we have the money to do this.

Marissa has now come down with the wonderful cold that is going around our house.

I got my computer stuff done this morning and the laundry separated and one load started.  I took a nap before we left for brunch.  Mari and I drove down and Rory took his own car.  Brunch was nice and not that expensive.  Went over to Sears and got the new refrigerator, which will be delivered on Tuesday.  YEA!  Mari and I went to Trader Joe's, Casey's and Ralph's to get some ice.  Came home.  Rory and Mari are watching the movie he got, Marissa is in her room and I am hanging out in our room.

Came downstairs and watched the end of "The Impossible" with Rory and Mari.  Got vacuuming done, dinner in the oven and the patio ready for the painters tomorrow.  I cannot go shopping and I cannot work on the patio, so my list of things to do is done for today.  I guess I will edit pictures.

Dinner is made and eaten.  Marissa has been having up and down periods and mainly hanging out in her room.  Mari and I have been hanging out downstairs and Rory is hanging out in our room.  Mainly going to edit pictures tonight.  May try to watch a DVD tonight.  Nice relaxing day today!

Good night!  Trudi

Wall art in Seattle, WA