Simple things 08-08-08

The only things I have to write about tonight are things that will surely only be exciting to me! The painter has completed the siding and the stucco and will start on the white trim tomorrow. There is LOTS of trim and, as you know, it takes longer because of the masking required. However, the grey color is perfect.

Jeff, the painter, asked me what color to paint the weather vane which is original to the house. Previously it was dark green to match the shutters, which will not be reinstalled. I told him a medium blue and left it to him. He chose this lovely pale sky blue - looks great against the blue California sky and I really like it. It will probably disappear when the sky is grey, but that's okay - I'll still like it. Notice the mourning dove on the roof peak over the garage, he was there when I went out and still there when I came back in - just coo-coo-cooooooing away.

Another REALLY exciting event was that I found my checkbook! With moving things around and putting things temporarily in boxes, it had just disappeared. I knew it had to be here because I don't ever carry it, it always stays at home. It was, of all places in a basket that I had filled with a small project that I might work on if I watched TV. But I haven't had the time or energy to do that for weeks until tonight when I thought I would watch the opening events of the Olympics. Out came the basket and there was the checkbook. I can only guess that it fell in accidentally when I put the basket in the office to get it out of the way while we were moving stuff. Simple things can be exciting!

House Painting 08-07-08

Yes, the images in yesterday's blog were of painted wood siding that has been scraped and sanded.

I have neglected my house for too many years. The beating California sun is so hard on painted siding. I even thought of redoing the siding with one of the alternate wood-like products. Instead it is being painted. There is some cream colored paint left, but not much. Notice that the chimney is plain brick. Oddly the opposite side of it is painted the same color as the house. We have never figured out why that is so.

The painters start setting up their equipment about 7am, but they are very quiet, not waking me until they start the compressor or the sander or.... one of the other noisy things they use. So, when I walked down the front hall this morning and looked out to see this blue paint I almost shrieked. I quick went out through the garage since the front door is 'plastic-ed' and confront the painter, "Why is it blue? That isn't the right color." He replied calmly, "No, that is the first primer coat." I've never seen primer this color, but he is the expert. He put up a little of the "Grey Wolf", the right color, so I could see what it will look like. You can see at at the bottom right above or in the picture below.

This is "Grey Wolf" as it appears on an late 19Th C. building that has been added to and converted to offices. In these pictures it looks more like the blue undercoat! But this building was painted at least four years ago, so the sun has faded the paint some.

Before he left today he had painted the porch and the side of the garage. I think the color is perfect. He says it will be done by next Wednesday. I'll post pictures again then.

What is it? 08-06-08

Another guessing game! No prizes - just focusing and seeing what is actually there.

I really like this one.

The Party Doggies 08-05-08

I'm am reposting this because the picture disappeared. I can't remember which picture I used - so here are two.

Corky had his 12th birthday last week and we celebrated with him on Sunday evening. Here are the party dogs with their mommies.
Gracie with Joyce, Corky w/Sherry and Dahli w/Peggy.
We couldn't get them to sit still together last year and it was a repeat performance on Sunday evening. After the photo session we went to a nice restaurant, Bono's, in Belmont Shore (an area of LBeach) where they have tables outside in an area between the restaurant windows and the potted trees that line the sidewalk. The doggies all laid on blankets beside the table and had special treats. The parents (and nanny) ate lovely food.
These are only three of the many white dogs in the neighborhood. White and silver cars are also popular. Guess it's what is "IN". Corky is the only poodle - and the only prince

Wonderful Card Art 08-04-08

Corky's parents and I hosted a group of quilt makers who Mary and I know from Empty Spools classes at Asilomar and who attended Quilt Festival - Long Beach. We went for an electric boat ride in the area of Los Alamitos Bay, followed by dinner. It was a lovely evening, no sweaters needed, and a delightful event. Of course, Corky had to stay home because dogs are not allowed in restaurants. But we were all together at his house before and after, so they were able to meet the famous Poodle Prince.

Susan Terry was one of the group and she sent me this great handmade thank you card with lovely calligraphy. I did not know that Susan is an author for C&T. She wrote "Card Art" which is available at Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/5avdhe

And also "Fast Fun and Easy Christmas Stockings": http://tinyurl.com/6osp52

I've done a lot of fabric art cards, but mine were never as elegant as this one from Susan. It needs a frame so it can hang in my office. Thank you, Susan.

Lonely Highways 08-03-08

These days I sometimes find driving the SCalifornia freeways rather creepy! People are driving less, so there are fewer cars on the road. Unfortunately, this just gives more incentive for some drivers to put the pedal to the metal. So, some vehicles are going 85 and some are going 55 - much more dangerous than when everyone is creeping along together at 25 - 35 mph!

This was at 4pm on Sunday, driving west on the Garden Grove Fwy (CA 22). I'm coming up on what is known as the "Orange Crush" because several freeways cross here making high traffic times a "Crush". Obviously there was no crush here today.

A few miles further on, still not much traffic going west, the east bound lanes are heavier.

Looking behind in the rear view mirror also shows less traffic. It seems this way most of the time now, except at peak traffic hours. Somehow I keep thinking of the movie "On the Beach". Creepy is the only word I can think of that applies.

Walking 08-02-08

The only thing that gets me out to walk is Corky! He came home with me last night (Friday) and pretty much slept the day away. There has been a seven-year old grandson visiting his house and he had to keep track of him and what he was doing. so very little sleep during the daytime. The Poodle Mommy thinks Corky knows that when he comes to Camp Del he can catch up on his beauty sleep. Guess so, this time anyway.

Here he is in his blue bed (to match the Family Room floor) snuggling with his apricot pillow. You can see why sometimes I lose him - he blends so well with the lining of his bed.

Roses are still looking good if the rose growers pruned them properly - I did not. This one is growing in the front yard about four houses to the south. Not much fragrance, but lovely color. I'll get a view of what is blooming around Corky's house tomorrow when we walk in LBeach. His birthday was July 29, so there will be a dinner party in his honor tomorrow evening at a Belmont Shore restaurant that has a patio where dogs are allowed. His two Lhasa Apso girlfriends will attend along with their parents. They are all very well behaved and people always smile when they see them together - three very well groomed white doggies.