Raincharm’s Weblog

Macaroni? No – although that would be a good guess in our family – with lots of cheese.
If we look back three days we see Carl with his pile of presents.

But the elbows we are dealing with today are those that are dislocated – another thing our family seems to do well.

I guess I really miss being on the lake for the 4th. We were reminiscingabout the year the lightning show coming in over the lake made the Brimley fireworks look small and insignificant.

We are having that kind of a show here in the great northwest now. Thunderstorms are fairly unusual here, and to have one that has been continuing to come through in bursts for over 12 hours is even rarer. Ashlan’s soccer game last night managed to squeeze between cells, but we were watching the storm advance on us during the 2nd half.  (They won 4-0)

Forecast is for clearing to sun later today, so maybe the 4th here will be sunny. Unusual weather as well for the 4th.

On other “Stormy” moves, the Storm are not leaving, but the Sonics are – heading to OK City, where they have a lot more T-storms. The NBA kind of reminds me of some administrations – say one thing to make it really expensive to keep a team (like – the current stadium is unusable, and can’t be renovated to meet current NBA standards), and then change your tune when it suits you – (well, maybe the stadium can be renovated, and if you show us you will do that within 5 years we may give you another team), after having previously said (if Seattle fights this move they will never have another team). … Oh well, big rich folks have to have their games to play too I suppose.

We are all feeling a bit tired today.
I am staying late at work so I can go watch Ashlan play soccer later tonight at a field that is fairly close to work. And now it is thundering. I am hoping this will all pass before game-time, as I might become a fair weather fan.

It’s the Big C’s birthday.
Both Ashlan & I took the day off. Carl, on the other hand, is working (Lillian and Angela).

Two friends arrived last night and two more this afternoon, and then 30,000 or so of his closest friends will join us tonight at the Mariners game. Actually, probably about 20 friends and 29,980 canadians. It is Dominion Day and we are playing the Blue Jays.

Anyway – Happy Birthday Carl.

Goals for today – let’s see how many I can attain.

Walk 5 miles – √
Shop with Ashlan – √
Work on Chapter 6 – NOT
Send out several letters – on the way, hooking up a new printer – Sunday PM printing
Clean out closet – Well, I did get out clothes to wear, Sunday PM – Ashlan cleaned out her room a bit
Prune some more out front – Carl did clean out one planter area

Sunday PM – Laundry, some other house cleaning straightening, Euro Cup Finals ( Spain 1 – Germany 0), Carl’s Black Sox won, and the temperature exceeded 90. Weekend is OVER.

OK – GO – Sunday PM – STOP

Finally – the car is back. Carl had to deal with insurance (not ours) to extricate the car from the repair shop – whew.

I have been able to get to and from work via carpools and one bus. Now I owe rides, but thanks to those that cover for us when we need it.

Now can I take it to the next level and get out of the car at least one day a week.

If I had been paying more attention, instead of searching in my purse for my badge, I would have seen the deer sooner – and maybe even had time to get out my phone and take a picture. But – I was searching, and so it was not until I hear the leaves rustle that I looked up. The fawn (spots and all) was about 5 feet from me, crossing the path to the door to our office. I was less than 30 feet from the building. I did not see the mother and somebody said there was a 2nd fawn yesterday. But it was an interesting way to start the day.

Question for the day – try to get a ride home after work or stay and walk a few miles.

Stay and Walk –
Get to walk with a friend, and then get to walk with her son (5 yrs). Possible trip to the park. Possible trip to a farmers market (but a small and expensive one). 2-3 miles total. Need to find a bus. Probably home pretty late.

Get a Ride Home –
Get home much earlier. No bus fare. Could walk once home – probably 5 miles. Walk with Carl if I am lucky. Possibly go to Ashlan’s soccer game.

Put the two together –
Walk with friend and son, while carpooler waits for me??

Hmmmm, what’s a person to do?

UPDATE
Friend ended up working late
I ended up taking a ride home, but too late to really have a walk with Carl
But on the way home I saw a man pulling his kayak along a street (up from Green Lake) and a small tot was enjoying the ride from the kayak seat. Now that’s a fancy stroller.

Watched some boats on the lake today while carpooling home.
Summer scenes, remind me of where I want to be.

But – work calls so off to bed.

I try to give blood every now and again, but am turned down about 1/2 of the time due to low iron.
Today – victory!
They have a new machine that takes a drop of blood and gives a digital readout of your iron level in less than a minute. In the past they would take two or three capillary tubes worth, put a drop in the copper sulfate, and see if it sank, or usually for me – floated. If it floated they would spin the other tubes for a bit,  and take some sort of reading and then tell you to take a hike if you were under a 38.

I can never tell what the difference is when I make it and when I don’t. Must have had some good meals over the weekend.