Tomorrow is Nolan’s birthday, and in just a little over a week, it will be Janet’s. August and the first part of September are busy birthday times.
We enjoyed Jeff and Bev’s visit. They got here mid afternoon on Friday and left about 2:30 on Sunday. Jeff suffered in the motor home because of Cooper, so we spent a lot of time sitting outside. They stayed in a nearby motel, so at least he could have a good night’s sleep.
Other than just visiting, the guys went to a baseball game and Bev and I shopped for a couple of hours. Then she and I came home to play Blokus which is a very fun board game, one that everybody from three to ninety three can play.
Bev and I talked about attending the Pacific International Quilt Exposition in Santa Clara the week end of October 13. That is right at the end of Ken’s treatments, so if I were to go, I would have to fly and then have him come through San Jose and pick me up. I think it is second only to the quilt show in Houston in terms of the size so it would be fun to attend.
We aren’t sure if we are going to try to go anywhere next weekend. We are not so sure we want to attempt the traffic. If anything, we will get together with Colleen, either here or in Phoenix, and that all hinges on whether or not she makes other plans. There could be worse things than to stay inside where it is cool.
We now have ‘permanent’ neighbors on both sides of us. Al, a salesman from Missoula has been here about a week and is undergoing proton treatment for cancer in his sinus’. On the other side is Karen, who is a teacher. She is married with 3 teen agers, but they are in Washougal, WA with her husband. They used to live here, he retired as an electrician, they moved to Washougal a little over a year ago, and now she is back here to teach.
I made this recently, didn’t have any pine nuts, and it still was very tasty.
PASTA WITH TOMATOES, PINE NUTS AND BASIL
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup pine nuts
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 6-ounce jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried, crumbled
Salt and pepper
9 ounces angel hair pasta, freshly cooked
Grated Parmesan
Heat oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add pine nuts and garlic and sauté until light brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and next 3 ingredients and heat through. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over pasta and toss thoroughly. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Serve immediately, passing additional Parmesan separately. Serves 4.
Ciao
Monday, August 28, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
8 Down 36 To Go
Ken is off getting his daily zap, and I have dinner ready, so here goes the blog.
We are looking forward to a visit from Jeff and Bev this coming weekend. Bev is taking Friday off so they will get here Friday afternoon and leave about noon on Sunday. I don’t know how Jeff is going to fare with Cooper in the motor home so we might spend a lot of time sitting outside………….if we can stand the heat.
The thermometer has climbed above 100 the past two days, but the paper keeps saying it is going to gradually cool back down to the low 90s. I never thought I would see myself being grateful for low 90s, but I am and I will be. We have stayed inside for the better part of the last 2 days.
We did drive to March AFB this morning for grocery shopping. We also drove by the FamCamp to check it out for storing the MH when we go back home in October. It will be just fine. The storage area is inside the guarded gate of the base and is fenced in and locked. For $25/month, I think it will work out just fine. The FamCamp itself is small; only about 20 sites, although each site has a bit of green grass and a picnic table and it is located adjacent to the runway.
The entire base which, I’m sure, was one of the premier bases 30 years ago is quite pathetic now that it is just an Air Force Reserve Base with only a part of it being used. The rest of it is very rundown and deserted looking. Being located here in the sweltering heat with all the dry brown grass and all the smog that obliterates the nearby mountains doesn’t help. But it does have quite a good commissary.
Minnie with the Hat has been very quiet – most of the time. But she must have had a window open about 11:30 last night when she went on a yelling rampage. I had to close the window to get to sleep.
Another friend, another car accident. Sharon Jayne was driving home on I-90 when the car in front of her lost a big inner tube that hit her windshield. In addition the car lost some other part that flew under Sharon’s car and destroyed her oil pan. Thankfully she was not hurt. There are severe penalties in the state of Washington for driving with unsecured loads as a result of a beautiful artist from western Washington who was rendered blind and disfigured because a piece of heavy pressboard flew through her windshield.
Our Sarah turned 19 today and moved into her dorm for her second year at the University of Maryland. We gave her a subscription to Netflix so she can watch movies instead of studying – but I know she won’t!! She said now she and her friends won’t have to walk down the street to rent a movie.
It is official. Colleen will be the assistant director at the Fuller Seattle campus come the first of the year. It is a lateral move for her, but she is thrilled to be moving back to the Northwest. The Seattle director has been talking to her for the last month, but just this week he made it known to the Fuller community. That will put 50% of our kids in Washington!
Ken is back so it must be time to open the bar. Dinner is easy, it is a pasta salad that is chilling out in the refrigerator!!
Ciao
We are looking forward to a visit from Jeff and Bev this coming weekend. Bev is taking Friday off so they will get here Friday afternoon and leave about noon on Sunday. I don’t know how Jeff is going to fare with Cooper in the motor home so we might spend a lot of time sitting outside………….if we can stand the heat.
The thermometer has climbed above 100 the past two days, but the paper keeps saying it is going to gradually cool back down to the low 90s. I never thought I would see myself being grateful for low 90s, but I am and I will be. We have stayed inside for the better part of the last 2 days.
We did drive to March AFB this morning for grocery shopping. We also drove by the FamCamp to check it out for storing the MH when we go back home in October. It will be just fine. The storage area is inside the guarded gate of the base and is fenced in and locked. For $25/month, I think it will work out just fine. The FamCamp itself is small; only about 20 sites, although each site has a bit of green grass and a picnic table and it is located adjacent to the runway.
The entire base which, I’m sure, was one of the premier bases 30 years ago is quite pathetic now that it is just an Air Force Reserve Base with only a part of it being used. The rest of it is very rundown and deserted looking. Being located here in the sweltering heat with all the dry brown grass and all the smog that obliterates the nearby mountains doesn’t help. But it does have quite a good commissary.
Minnie with the Hat has been very quiet – most of the time. But she must have had a window open about 11:30 last night when she went on a yelling rampage. I had to close the window to get to sleep.
Another friend, another car accident. Sharon Jayne was driving home on I-90 when the car in front of her lost a big inner tube that hit her windshield. In addition the car lost some other part that flew under Sharon’s car and destroyed her oil pan. Thankfully she was not hurt. There are severe penalties in the state of Washington for driving with unsecured loads as a result of a beautiful artist from western Washington who was rendered blind and disfigured because a piece of heavy pressboard flew through her windshield.
Our Sarah turned 19 today and moved into her dorm for her second year at the University of Maryland. We gave her a subscription to Netflix so she can watch movies instead of studying – but I know she won’t!! She said now she and her friends won’t have to walk down the street to rent a movie.
It is official. Colleen will be the assistant director at the Fuller Seattle campus come the first of the year. It is a lateral move for her, but she is thrilled to be moving back to the Northwest. The Seattle director has been talking to her for the last month, but just this week he made it known to the Fuller community. That will put 50% of our kids in Washington!
Ken is back so it must be time to open the bar. Dinner is easy, it is a pasta salad that is chilling out in the refrigerator!!
Ciao
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Two Down and 42 to go
Ken had his first treatment yesterday, so he is underway. He was told by some of the staff that he was being treated for something, that if he had not been told, he would not know he had and if he didn’t know it, wouldn’t be able to tell that he was being treated.
The actual treatment only lasts one or two minutes, but with driving time and prep time, he is gone about 1 ½ hours.
We took a drive to Temeculah yesterday, but since it was hot and we had Cooper with us, we could not stop and do any wine tasting. We did drive through some areas that were quite pretty, and a relief from all the brown hills around us.
Minne with the hat was pretty quiet over the week end, but she got on a rampage yesterday morning, that after 1 ½ hours, I called the office and ask them to ask her to close her door. They also told her that if she didn’t fix her leaking gray water tank that she would have to leave. There was a repairman there this afternoon!
We have had a repairman here twice for our hot water tank. He has replaced a part and done I don’t know what else. We could use it, but if left on, it would weep. Of course it went out of warranty two months ago!
A motor home came in yesterday that was covered in advertising for ‘on the move internet’ so we tracked them down this morning. They make their money consulting for construction companies and other businesses, but the basic technology utilizes cell phones so with about a $500 investment and a cell phone one can have high speed internet wherever one can get cell service. It could conceivably replace our home service for internet as well I’m ready.
I came across a great quick pasta sauce with the key ingredient being marinated artichoke hearts. Saute some sliced cloves of garlic and a sliced small onion in some olive oil. Add a small can of diced tomatoes and a jar of marinated artichoke hearts, chopped. Add some dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste and let simmer while sipping on your afternoon cocktail. Add some chopped fresh basil before serving over pasta. Pass the fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Ciao.
The actual treatment only lasts one or two minutes, but with driving time and prep time, he is gone about 1 ½ hours.
We took a drive to Temeculah yesterday, but since it was hot and we had Cooper with us, we could not stop and do any wine tasting. We did drive through some areas that were quite pretty, and a relief from all the brown hills around us.
Minne with the hat was pretty quiet over the week end, but she got on a rampage yesterday morning, that after 1 ½ hours, I called the office and ask them to ask her to close her door. They also told her that if she didn’t fix her leaking gray water tank that she would have to leave. There was a repairman there this afternoon!
We have had a repairman here twice for our hot water tank. He has replaced a part and done I don’t know what else. We could use it, but if left on, it would weep. Of course it went out of warranty two months ago!
A motor home came in yesterday that was covered in advertising for ‘on the move internet’ so we tracked them down this morning. They make their money consulting for construction companies and other businesses, but the basic technology utilizes cell phones so with about a $500 investment and a cell phone one can have high speed internet wherever one can get cell service. It could conceivably replace our home service for internet as well I’m ready.
I came across a great quick pasta sauce with the key ingredient being marinated artichoke hearts. Saute some sliced cloves of garlic and a sliced small onion in some olive oil. Add a small can of diced tomatoes and a jar of marinated artichoke hearts, chopped. Add some dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste and let simmer while sipping on your afternoon cocktail. Add some chopped fresh basil before serving over pasta. Pass the fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Ciao.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
TGIF
TGIF. Oh that’s right, we don’t need to do the TGIF anymore.
It has been an unremarkable few days save the heat. I know it has been right around 100 for the last few days, but it looks like it is supposed to cool down by about one degree per day over the next few days.
For those of you who know my friend, Karen Sprague. She is recovering from whiplash and a sore chest (from the seatbelt) after being rear ended by someone while driving on North Division. I think she said this is the fourth time she has been involved in an accident with a male driver and none of them her fault. At least this one had insurance. She thought she was well enough to finish loading the trailer to leave last Wednesday for a trip to the Puget Sound area. You go girl.
We must be pretty settled into a routine. Last night was our second visit to the downtown Farmers’ Market to stock up on fresh produce. None of it inexpensive, but all fresh. Then it was too late and too hot to cook so we dined at In N Out Burgers.
We are feeling more comfortable with leaving Cooper for a few hours as long as everything is closed and he can’t see out. I thought I had done that before but learned that he can see out the window in the door so have to remember to pull that shade. He is feeling more settled too. He hasn’t been sleeping on the floor right beside Ken but rather on the sofa in front; and I was up before he was this morning.
The sewing machine is out, and I started back on my project yesterday. Now maybe I’ll make some good progress. No reason not to!!
We still have problems with the water heater weeping. Ken thought he had solved it, but not to be so we have the repairman on standby if it doesn’t shape up.
Have a great week end. Ciao
It has been an unremarkable few days save the heat. I know it has been right around 100 for the last few days, but it looks like it is supposed to cool down by about one degree per day over the next few days.
For those of you who know my friend, Karen Sprague. She is recovering from whiplash and a sore chest (from the seatbelt) after being rear ended by someone while driving on North Division. I think she said this is the fourth time she has been involved in an accident with a male driver and none of them her fault. At least this one had insurance. She thought she was well enough to finish loading the trailer to leave last Wednesday for a trip to the Puget Sound area. You go girl.
We must be pretty settled into a routine. Last night was our second visit to the downtown Farmers’ Market to stock up on fresh produce. None of it inexpensive, but all fresh. Then it was too late and too hot to cook so we dined at In N Out Burgers.
We are feeling more comfortable with leaving Cooper for a few hours as long as everything is closed and he can’t see out. I thought I had done that before but learned that he can see out the window in the door so have to remember to pull that shade. He is feeling more settled too. He hasn’t been sleeping on the floor right beside Ken but rather on the sofa in front; and I was up before he was this morning.
The sewing machine is out, and I started back on my project yesterday. Now maybe I’ll make some good progress. No reason not to!!
We still have problems with the water heater weeping. Ken thought he had solved it, but not to be so we have the repairman on standby if it doesn’t shape up.
Have a great week end. Ciao
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Minnie in the Hat
This is definitely more a trailer park than RV park. About 1/2 of the sites are either trailers or mobile homes occupied by people who come and go to work every day. But management is very nice, and the price is right. Plus they give a discount for patients of Loma Linda.
We are just one row of trailers from a busy street, but after a while I can almost turn that into white noise. There is a single woman who just parked next to us on one side, and the other side is empty. Then there is the site right behind us!! What I know about it is from observation and input from some folks who have been here a while.
Minnie with the Hat (my name for her) looks to be about 50 or 60 or 70 or 80 years old, black, and only able to hobble around with a cane. She is in a motor home the same size as our first one, but older and no slideout. She has a new little car, a Scion.. And she is probably certifiably crazy. She sometimes starts ranting as early as six in the morning. Our first morning here, I thought she was yelling at someone on the phone, and I thought it was a man because the voice is so raspy from all the yelling. I have only ever understood a word or two, but yesterday she said Bush is an idiot and they should send him back to Africa (maybe she isn’t so dumb after all). Another time she was saying to have the police come and check it out. And another something about right between the eyes. Last night she kept up her tirade for about an hour until after ten. Thank goodness she goes someplace during most of the day.
According to others around here, she says she owns 4 houses in the area but her kids bought this motorhome for her. She says the kids come and help her – haven’t seen a kid yet. There is a leak in her gray water tank so we had to tell management about that. We can tell she showers because that’s when the tank leaks. She comes out all dressed up with a hat on her head, gets in her car and goes somewhere. Sometimes she is in and out of here three times a day. She can hardly get up the steps into the motor home she is so crippled. We wonder how she manages to get around in this traffic and find her way back.
We suspect, if she owns anything, the kids have it and have dumped her here so they don’t have to deal with her. I don’t believe there is a thing we can do for her, and I hesitate to get involved because that is what it would probably be – involved!! Maybe I could invite her over for tea and spike it so she would go to bed earlier and sleep longer.
There isn’t really another good option to move to because of noise, sun, heat, etc. To be continued……..
We have subscribed to an internet service, so we have reliable internet - all the time!!
The weather has been quite bearable. We do have to run the air conditioners in the afternoons, but it cools way down as soon as the sun goes down. We actually sleep under our comforter with the windows open!.
Ciao
We are just one row of trailers from a busy street, but after a while I can almost turn that into white noise. There is a single woman who just parked next to us on one side, and the other side is empty. Then there is the site right behind us!! What I know about it is from observation and input from some folks who have been here a while.
Minnie with the Hat (my name for her) looks to be about 50 or 60 or 70 or 80 years old, black, and only able to hobble around with a cane. She is in a motor home the same size as our first one, but older and no slideout. She has a new little car, a Scion.. And she is probably certifiably crazy. She sometimes starts ranting as early as six in the morning. Our first morning here, I thought she was yelling at someone on the phone, and I thought it was a man because the voice is so raspy from all the yelling. I have only ever understood a word or two, but yesterday she said Bush is an idiot and they should send him back to Africa (maybe she isn’t so dumb after all). Another time she was saying to have the police come and check it out. And another something about right between the eyes. Last night she kept up her tirade for about an hour until after ten. Thank goodness she goes someplace during most of the day.
According to others around here, she says she owns 4 houses in the area but her kids bought this motorhome for her. She says the kids come and help her – haven’t seen a kid yet. There is a leak in her gray water tank so we had to tell management about that. We can tell she showers because that’s when the tank leaks. She comes out all dressed up with a hat on her head, gets in her car and goes somewhere. Sometimes she is in and out of here three times a day. She can hardly get up the steps into the motor home she is so crippled. We wonder how she manages to get around in this traffic and find her way back.
We suspect, if she owns anything, the kids have it and have dumped her here so they don’t have to deal with her. I don’t believe there is a thing we can do for her, and I hesitate to get involved because that is what it would probably be – involved!! Maybe I could invite her over for tea and spike it so she would go to bed earlier and sleep longer.
There isn’t really another good option to move to because of noise, sun, heat, etc. To be continued……..
We have subscribed to an internet service, so we have reliable internet - all the time!!
The weather has been quite bearable. We do have to run the air conditioners in the afternoons, but it cools way down as soon as the sun goes down. We actually sleep under our comforter with the windows open!.
Ciao
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Sewer Pipe, Farmers' Market and Internet
Yesterday was the first official visit to LLUMC. We joined a two-hour newcomers’ tour which included a look inside one of the treatment rooms and an in-depth discussion of the treatment process. Afterwards Ken had his first doctor’s appointment to confirm the treatment plan (9 weeks of Proton Beam Therapy) and schedule a CT scan and full body scan. Once the last scan is done next Monday, it will be about one week before the start of treatments. He is at LLUMC right now for the CT scan and the body mold.
I found it interesting that they use a half piece of plastic sewer pipe for the mold and use an expanding foam to fill in the space around the body. That sounds like great low high tech!!
Having always been in the military or HMO medical system, we are quite taken with the differences found here. Everyone is very professional, helpful, friendly, and available. All of the doctors and nurses wear white coats with the LLUMC logo on the pocket, and they look very professional. We were quite taken aback at how often we were reminded that patients could make requests for such things as a different time for treatment. Even though the Proton Center can treat up to 175 patients per DAY, there is no feeling of being crowded or rushed.
The Proton Center has its own entrance and elevators in one wing of the hospital so it is its own little community. Waiting rooms are very comfortable with coffee and tea available; one room has a piano and both waiting areas have a table with a jigsaw puzzle in progress.
We went to downtown Redlands last night for the weekly Farmers’ Market which consisted of several fresh produce stands, some lively live music, and about 50 booths hawking everything from Avon products to snake oil. We did score some white peaches and some lovely heirloom tomatoes. I think I will look around for a fresh produce stand and skip the Thursday night market. Oh, and we each had a huge tamale for dinner.
We are having trouble with the hot water heater and the awning. At least the awning is still under warranty – the wind sensor is not working. With the hot water heater on electric it acts like the thermostat is gone. The water gets scalding hot which causes the pressure valve to release water so we are thinking there is a problem. We can manage with either of the above for a while as long as the air conditioning keeps working!!
We have been to In N Out Burger and Wal Mart. I know the location of Costco, Camping World and Trader Joes, all of which are quite close by. There is a small mall in Redlands with a Gottschalks and new Penneys. March AFB is about 20 miles away so we haven’t been there yet.
As usual, internet is a problem. This park just decided not to try for WiFi, and for those of us who were down south last winter, we can understand why. I don’t think there is a reliable service out there. Others staying here rented a high speed modem and paid for Adelphia to get reliable service, so guess what we are going to be doing this afternoon?
If you choose to mail anything to us:
Ken and Helen Kirkwood
C/O Mission RV Park
26397 Redlands Blvd
Redlands, CA 92373
Ciao
I found it interesting that they use a half piece of plastic sewer pipe for the mold and use an expanding foam to fill in the space around the body. That sounds like great low high tech!!
Having always been in the military or HMO medical system, we are quite taken with the differences found here. Everyone is very professional, helpful, friendly, and available. All of the doctors and nurses wear white coats with the LLUMC logo on the pocket, and they look very professional. We were quite taken aback at how often we were reminded that patients could make requests for such things as a different time for treatment. Even though the Proton Center can treat up to 175 patients per DAY, there is no feeling of being crowded or rushed.
The Proton Center has its own entrance and elevators in one wing of the hospital so it is its own little community. Waiting rooms are very comfortable with coffee and tea available; one room has a piano and both waiting areas have a table with a jigsaw puzzle in progress.
We went to downtown Redlands last night for the weekly Farmers’ Market which consisted of several fresh produce stands, some lively live music, and about 50 booths hawking everything from Avon products to snake oil. We did score some white peaches and some lovely heirloom tomatoes. I think I will look around for a fresh produce stand and skip the Thursday night market. Oh, and we each had a huge tamale for dinner.
We are having trouble with the hot water heater and the awning. At least the awning is still under warranty – the wind sensor is not working. With the hot water heater on electric it acts like the thermostat is gone. The water gets scalding hot which causes the pressure valve to release water so we are thinking there is a problem. We can manage with either of the above for a while as long as the air conditioning keeps working!!
We have been to In N Out Burger and Wal Mart. I know the location of Costco, Camping World and Trader Joes, all of which are quite close by. There is a small mall in Redlands with a Gottschalks and new Penneys. March AFB is about 20 miles away so we haven’t been there yet.
As usual, internet is a problem. This park just decided not to try for WiFi, and for those of us who were down south last winter, we can understand why. I don’t think there is a reliable service out there. Others staying here rented a high speed modem and paid for Adelphia to get reliable service, so guess what we are going to be doing this afternoon?
If you choose to mail anything to us:
Ken and Helen Kirkwood
C/O Mission RV Park
26397 Redlands Blvd
Redlands, CA 92373
Ciao
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