Shirley's world

50 THINGS TURNING 50 THIS YEAR

2006-04-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

1. My Fair Lady
2. The Interstate Highway System
3. Doris Day's "Que Sera, Sera"
4. Invasion of the Body Snatchers
5. The Hermes "Kelly bag" (inspired by Grace Kelly)
6. Yahtzee
7. Colo, the first gorilla born in captivity
8. Plymouth Fury car (the star of Stephen King's Christine)
9. The Wizard of Oz on TV
10. Masters Tournament on TV
11. Jif peanut butter
12. Artificial intelligence
13. "In God We Trust" as our national motto
14. Elvis's hit "Heartbreak Hotel"
15. Pampers
16. Cytogenetics (look it up)
17. First hard disk drive (from IBM)
18. "Dear Abby"
19. The Hundred and One Dalmatians (the book)
20. Kim Cattrall
21. Toaster Ovens
22. Peyton Place (the book)
23. First climate-controlled shopping mall
24. Queen for a Day
25. Mel Gibson
26. Certs
27. Transatlantic phone cable
28. Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line"
29. Battery-run watches
30. Uncle Milton's Ant Farm
31. As the World Turns
32. First wireless remote control
33. Isolation of human growth hormone
34. Godzilla (U.S. version)
35. Martina Navratilova
36. The Hungarian Revolution
37. Pop art
38. Profiles in Courage
39. Four basic food groups
40. Tom Hanks
41. The Price Is Right
42. Videotape recorder
43. Nonstick frying pan
44. Chuck Berry's "duck walk"
45. The King and I (the movie)
46. NBC's Ann Curry
47. Scotchgard
48. Do-it-yourself haircolor
49. Play-Doh
50. RANDY PHILLIPS

Stranger at my door

2006-04-04T22:23:00.000-07:00

I finally have something interesting to report. This morning at 4:00am I was woke up by a pounding on my front door. It really frightened me and I just laid in bed hoping whoever it was would leave. Then there was pounding again on my door. I still stayed in bed. Then the doorbell rang. Then I got and went to the door and asked who it was. The response was "The police". I said "about what"? He said that Bear Creek was overflowing and they were going around advising to evacuate. Well, that made me a little nervous. I was pretty sure that I was okay in the area where I live, but decided to get out anyway. He said after a while we wouldn't be able to get out. I called Donna and she said to come on over. So I grabbed a few things, my morning medicine, my cell phone (and charger) and took off. I got over there and went to bed but was so stressed I had a hard time going back to sleep. I had to set an alarm for 7:00 to call the girl who cleans for me because she was supposed to come this pm. After that I went back to bed and slept until 10:30. I had previously made a plan to go to lunch with another friend, so after lunch I thought I would drive by the park. Most of the water at the entrance to the park was gone and there was never any standing water on my street. So I talked to the manager and she said if I wanted to come back in it was okay. People were coming and going. So I went to Donna's and got my stuff and came home. I just talked to the police and they said the creek was going down so I guess I'll be okay tonight. It's been quite a day

What a Klutz

2006-01-29T19:20:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with memories from my childhood. These were painful at the time. I had a girlfriend who had a stairstep fence between her house and the neighbor. They were long areas that went up to the top level that was as high as the roof on her house. Yep...you probably guessed. I fell off and broke my collar bone. I guess I was lucky now that I think about it because it could have been a lot worse.

I didn't do too well with fences. I was staying with a friend while my parents were out of town. We were walking along a picket fence on the flat board. Yep...I fell off, but this time I got stuck on a picket and was just hanging there. That makes my stomach turn summersalts just thinking. (I guess this wasn't a pleasant memory) Anyway the mother took me to her doctor, but he wouldn't do anything until they could get hold of my parents. They just let me lay there.Someone got in touch with my grandmother and she came in and they still wouldn't do anything. So she just picked me up and marched out of there and took me to her doctor. He was cleaning the wound and trying to calm me down. I was so scared. In the meantime every one was trying desperately to find my parents. I remember they finally got me calm and my mother walked in all hysterical and there I went again. They stiched the deep gash up, but it never stayed closed due to the area. On the inside of my thigh. I still have a wide scar there.

I have a couple more but I'll save them for later.

Happiness

2006-01-27T14:51:00.000-08:00

I read recently that recalling pleasant childhood memories could make you feel happier. So I dug deep in the recesses of my mind and came up with a few. The first one was when I was about 5 or 6. I used to just love roller skating. The skates I had were the old fashioned ones you strapped on over your shoes and used a skate key to tighten. I would skate for hours on the sidewalk around our neighborhood. The wheels were metal and would wear out periodically on the sidewalk and I remember my skates being replaced quite often. The next memorable skating occasion I remember quite plainly was during high school at the skating rink where I skated with the love of my life.

The next childhood memory was around the time when I was beginning to question Santa Claus. I remember on one Christmas eve my parents and I went to the movies. We lived in Delano which was a very small town at that time and every one knew every one else. At the movies I would sit down in front and my parents would sit toward the back. After the movie I would walk up the aisle where they were sitting and we would go home. This particular night when we got home and walked in the door, there were all these presents under our Christmas tree that were not there when we left. That really got me wondering. Santa came to our house while we were at the movies. Wow! I learned several years later that my Dad had left the theater and gone home to place the presents and was back by the time the movie was over. I never realized he had left. Pretty clever.

Another thing was that I wanted a bicycle but they were very hard to get due to WW2. My great Aunt and Uncle had put their name on a waiting list at a Western Auto store for a bicycle. When I was 10 years old I got my bicycle. But I was not allowed to ride it in town. Instead, it was kept at my grandparent's ranch in McFarland. Eventually I was allowed to bring it home and rode it all over town.

That is enough memories for now. They do bring a smile to my face as I remember them.

Famous football player

2005-11-21T00:03:00.000-08:00

Since Karen doesn't post on her blog,it falls upon me to tell news in their life. Since this is such good news, I feel I must share it. Nick had his football awards party Friday night and he was picked as the BEST DEFENSIVE LINEMAN and received a plaque. I guess he was really surprised and he said the other kids cheered when they called his name. I think that is so great and so good for his self esteem, because he did play hard. That was actually better than getting picked for the allstar game.

The coach's wife who has been battling cancer, got up and thanked everyone for their support and then her daughter pulled her wig off and she daid "I may have lost my hair, but I have not lost my spirit". Then she turned around and on the back of her bald head was written "GO SABERS".

I hope I got this all right because I got it second hand from Karen and Nick.

Do you know why?

2005-10-30T09:32:00.000-08:00

Daylight saving time (note no "s") is not really daylight saving time, but daylight switching time. In the summer months it takes an hour of daylight from the morning and swithches it to the evening. Supposedly it is meant to save electricity but only saves about 1%. Most people like it because its light later in the evening so they can do more things. President Bush has signed legislation to have it start on the second Sunday in March and end on the 1st Sunday in November in 2007. I know my body does not adjust easily with the time changes. I would like daylight saving time to be all year round. But, I guess that would mean some people would have to get up and go to work or school in the dark. It wouldn't bother me though. (I don't get up that early as a rule)

Reuniting with an old friend

2005-10-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

I am so excited!! An old friend from high school is coming Tuesday. We graduated together and she was maid of honor at my wedding. We have completely lost touch for many years. We found each other through classmates.com. I am so glad I registered and she registered. We have so much to talk about, I hope we can reminesce (spelling) about old times. She lives in Valley Springs. I am not sure where that is but I think it is somewhere around Lodi. It's so strange that Karen and Roy have taken their little dog to someone up there for training. When they go to pick her up, I might go with them and meet up with Fran again. We have so much to catch up on. I will write more after the visit.

Reunion

2005-10-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a very pleasant day seeing people I hadn't seen for quite some time. It was the reunion of the Merced Regional Office of Farmers Insurance Group. (which is no more) I saw so many people who meant a lot to me when I was working there. There were a lot of hugs to go all around. People came from So. Calif, Arizona, Las Vegas and I don't know where all. It was so nice renewing old aquaintences. We had a catered meal of Tri tip, rigatoni, salad and rolls. There was a cookie baking contest and after the judging, we got to eat the cookies. There were really some good ones. Most of the time we were on our feet wandering around and talking to people. This is a really good thing to have every 2 years or so. The company has nothing to do with putting it on. Some of the people (who are real good at arranging things) got together and planned this. There were a lot of pictures posted of old times and a lot of albums different people had collected over the years. The most disturbing thing was a long list of those who had passed away. Reading the list brought back a lot memories of these people. But all in all it was a great day. It was held at the lake and was one of the most beautiful days I have ever seen out at the lake. To my kids.....a lot of people asked about you.

My Birthday

2005-09-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

I thought it was about time I wrote about the wonderful birthday that my family planned for me. I went to Karen's on Friday on the train. I don't know if I will do that again. I'm on their schedule (which is usually not on time) and I was restricted on what I could take and bring home. It is better by car and it isn't that far. Not much longer either.

Saturday afternoon I was very pleasantly surprised with the appearance of the rest of my family. I figured if they were coming, they would be there sometime before noon. Noone had said anything, so I figured they were not coming. I was so happy they were there. Denise was on call so couldn't come. But she did send food. (that's always a good thing) I felt kinda bad though since it was her birthday too. We had a wonderful meal. Steve barbequed tri tip, Laurie brought all the ingredients for potato salad and Karen made it. (Laurie says she can't make a good potato salad) She already had the potatoes cooked and ready to go. Randy brought chips (I think). At least he walked in with them. The biggest surprise and quite a shock was my birthday present. It was a certificate for a HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE WITH A BRUNCH AFTERWARD for myself and a friend. I couldn't believe it. They said they had already planned that even before it was mentioned on my blog. That was so amazing. I still can't believe that I am actually going on a HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE. That was something I never thought I would do. Oh, I almost forgot! Karen made me a real neat birthday cake. Actually it was 2 cakes. One was in the shape of a "7" and the other was a bundt cake for the "0"

I guess turning 70 was a good thing after all. But it still seems strange to say I am 70. Saying 50 or 60 didn't bother me, but for some reason 70 seems strange. But, if I can believe what a lot of people say, I don't look 70 so I guess that is a good thing.

All in all it was a very wonderful day and I thank all my family for making it so special.

MY PICTURE

2005-09-15T21:07:00.001-07:00

W O W !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a picture of me on my blog. I didn't know until I saw Steve's comment. Randy did it because I said I didn't have any pictures of just me. He said he could crop one. That is probably one of the better pictures of me. Thanks Randy! You picked a pretty good one. I just got my new drivers license in the mail and I can assure you that the one on my blog is sooooooo much better. Getting ready to go to Karen's for the weekend tomorrow. I decided to go on the train instead of driving. That will be more relaxing and it was only $19.55 roundtrip. Not too bad. Cheaper than a tank of gas.

MY PICTURE

2005-09-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

NOT ACCEPTABLE

2005-09-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

Well, after several comments, I have decided a tattoo would not be in my best interest. A fake one would not be the same somehow. No pain no gain! I guess I'll have to think of another radical action. Or maybe I'll just go along the same as I have been for the last 70 years of my life. Thanks for the feedback.

SOMETHING WAY OUT THERE

2005-09-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

Since I am approaching a milestone in my life, (at least I think it is) I was thinking I should do something very outlandish. Maybe a tattoo! What do you think? Of course I would get it where it would not show, but I would know it was there. Maybe a butterfly. Or maybe letters such as RLSK. (Ring a bell with anybody?) Or maybe a date such as 12-12-53. Anyone have any suggestions? Some people jump out of airplanes when they reach milestones. I don't think I want to do that. Or ride a bucking bronco. Don't want to do that either. There must be something really exciting I could do. Again, any suggestions on what a 70 year old feeble minded woman could do to make herself exciting? I am not interested in having a man involved, so don't suggest something like that. Maybe I could clean my house. Noooooooo

VACATION WEEK

2005-08-30T22:03:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to Reno with a friend. We left on Monday 8-22 on Amtrak at 9:45. We changed to a bus in Stockton to Sacramento. There after a short wait, we caught another train that took us to Reno. We got there around 4:30. It was a restful and relaxing ride. We did only a little gambling after dinner (couldn't afford to do a lot) and then turned in early.

The next morning we slept in a little and had a leisurely breakfast and then caught a city bus to go to one of the malls. (the smaller one) We shopped mainly at Gottschalks, then walked to the bus stop and came back to the hotel. Again a little gambling after dinner.

On Wednesday, we followed the same plan, but went to a much larger mall. Oh boy, did my feet suffer. I had to stop and sit down every so often to give them a rest. Same procedure for the evening as Monday and Tuesday.

Thursday, we kinda layed low and rested. Walked a little ways downtown, dropped a few coins here, a few coins there. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. That night after dinner we decided to each put together $20.00 and play a dollar machine together. We actually won $790.00 on that $40.00. What a great ending to our stay. We then went to our room, so we brought all of it home.

The really surprising thing we found there was all the penney machines. There are more of those than nickle machines. And people are really playing them.

On Friday morning we were supposed to leave at 9:14 on the train from Reno. The train was actually 3 hours late. So we sat and waited. Then because the train was so late we missed our connecting train in Sacramento. So we had to wait about an hour for a bus to take us to Stockton. There, we were catching the last train home. But, believe it or not, that train was 1/2 hour late. We finally got back in Merced at 9:30. We were supposed to be here at 6:20. That was a very long and tiring day. We were certainly glad to get home.

To top things off, I got a sinus infection while I was gone. But all in all, we had a good time. I actually came home with more money than I took including what I spent on food and tips.

NOBODY CARES

2005-08-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

I have decided that noone cares what anyone has to say anymore. Noone comments on my blogs and noone updates their blogs. I have tried to make a comment on everyone's blog, but I guess everyone is too busy to go to their computers and check things out. I don't mean to sound like sour grapes, but I know I don't work and have much more time than anyone else. I check everyone's blogs every day and also check mine to see if there are any new comments. Nothing, nothing at all. I know I don't really have many interesting things to say. I try to think of things, but my life is dull and nothing interesting ever happens to me. I did go to the movies Thursday and saw The March of the Penguins. I really enjoyed it. And tomorrow I am going to Delhi (whoppee) to watch Nick play football. It is a round robbin type of thing where each team plays about 3 shortened games just for practice before the regular season starts. His first game is at 8:00. Pretty early for me, but I'll manage. Those are the only things that are happening at the present time. Does anyone have anything going on in their life?

A PLEASANT WEEKEND

2005-08-12T15:38:00.000-07:00

I spent last weekend at the Stacey's. I drove up on Saturday morning. We did a little running around and some shopping and came home and went swimming! Yes the pool is finished and boy was it refreshing. Nick's girlfriend, Tabitha, came over but she couldn't swim. (Her mother had taken her to get her hair highlighted and she was afraid the chlorine would mess it up)After we were done swimming, we all got cleaned up and went to the Stanislaus county fair. Of course, the kids wanted to go to the carnival and go on some rides. So off we went. I think they went on about 6 rides while we stood around and watched. Of course, we had to wander around so they could decide which ones to go on to make the most use of their tickets. After the rides, the kids threw a few darts at balloons, but none popped. Then we all did the game where you squirt the water at a target and it raised a large stuffed animal to the top. The first one at the top won. Guess who was the deadeye and won????? Yep, Karen won a large purple stuffed dog. (I think it was a dog.) She gave it to Tabitha representing it as from Nick. She said we were all playing as a team and she chose for Tabitha to have it. (That way Karen didn't have to carry it around the rest of the evening.) After that we went into the buildings and then Roy and the kids went back to play some more games. My feet completely gave out on me, so Karen and I sat on a bench and waited for them. Nick won Tabitha a Spongebob squarepants by throwing hoops. Of course we had a few things to eat during the evening. I had a corndog, which you have to have when you go to a fair. Then later I had a Tri-tip sandwich. By the time we took Tabitha home, we got home about 11:30. We were talking about going swimming after the fair, but we were too tired and we just went to bed. On Sunday, we went and got our new phones and went swimming and took it easy. Karen made a macaroni salad and Roy barbequed hamburgers. Mmmm good! I came home on Monday - left about noon and that was the weekend. I had a great time and really enjoyed that pool.

TRIP TO STACEYS

2005-07-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally made it to Modesto after church yesterday. Still no air conditioner! The part came in and believe it or not the repair guy came out around 2:00 to fix it. Turns out it is the motor that needs replacing. Today they were told it would probably be Friday before it can be fixed. I would have told them to just bring out a new unit. That is ridiculous since it is only 7 months old. Oh well, it's not my house. Anyway, we didn't get new phones. Turns out our contract is not up until Nov 7. We looked at phones a little bit and then went back home to the hot house. Karen & Roy fixed a fabulous meal. Roy barbequed tri tip and baby back ribs. Karen made a fantastic salad and we had mashed potatoes & gravy. It was a meal fit for a King (or Queen) And to top it all off she made a great cake called a orange dreamcicle cake. Oh boy was that good. But I couldn't believe she had the oven on with no A/C. They are practically living in the motorhome since it has A/C. They sleep out there. And their neighbor lets them come swim in her pool. Their pool gets the plaster tomorrow and then it starts filling up with water. Roy got a rental car today to use while their truck is being repaired. It is a small Ford Escort but it has air. Nick starts football practice today at 6:00. I think his "girlfriend" is going to go watch. Oh young love. Stay tuned for further adventures of the Stacey family.

MY FAMILY

2005-07-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

This is my family. Look in the middle and you will see me. (All of me) On the far left is Randy with no hair. He has hair now and he looks much much better. Next to him is Laurie. Then to the right of me is Steve and on the end is Karen. I know everyone already knows this, but I just wanted to try a picture. This was taken last year on my birthday. It was so nice to have all my family with me.

k

CHANGE OF PLANS

2005-07-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I said the plans are tentative. I guess plans are made to be changed. Since the air conditioner is still not working and they are waiting for a part to come in so it can be fixed, the trip to the Staceys has been postponed. If the part comes in today, they will come out and install it tomorrow. Or possibly today if it comes in early enough I guess. So now the plan is that I will go after church tomorrow. The whole idea is to get new phones. More when something happens.

ADDENDUM TO LAST POST

2005-07-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

It seems I hit the wrong thing. I'll try this again. I have additional news about Karen. Now their new air conditioning they had installed not too terribly long ago is no longer working. (and it is hot) They say things happen in threes.

ADDENDUM TO LAST POST

2005-07-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

FINALLY A PLAN (TENTATIVE)

2005-07-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

I don't have much happening in my life, but tomorrow I think I will be going to the Staceys and we are going to see about getting new phones. Our contract is up and since we are on a family plan, we need to do it together. I will only spend the day there. I was hoping I could take a dip in their pool (which has been under construction forever) but it still won't be ready. Since Karen does not have a blog, I will tell some of her news. (Although it is not all good) Nick went to camp for the week and left last Saturday. As they were on their way home they were in a turning lane waiting for the light and a car going the other way decided to beat the red light, hit a car crossing on the green light and spun around and hit their new truck. They have only had the truck for a few months, they are heartsick. It was towed away. The next day they found a water pipe had broken under their house and the day was spent fixing that. And of course the heat is terrible. Anyway, the nice quiet and peaceful weekend they had planned didn't happen. Nick comes home tonight and he will be very upset about the truck because Karen said he loved the truck.
Also, Nick has a girlfriend now. He starts football practice on Monday. (In this terrible heat)
It helps out that since I have no news, I can write about someone elses. I hope Karen does not mind.
I have been very under the weather for a little over a week, but I think things are beginning to look up. Thank you to all my family, friends, and especially Jesus.

A FLASH FROM THE PAST - (WAY PAST)

2005-07-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

When I was a child I lived in San Francisco at two different times. The first time was when I was 8 years old and in the third grade. We moved there during WWII (oh no - ancient history) so my father could go to work in the shipyards that were in full swing during the war. The place he worked was called Bethlehem Steel. (not that it is important) I don't remember a lot during that time. I know we lived in a very large house on a hill with the garage underneath. We lived with my grandparents (my father's parents). The name of the street was Rhode Island. The school I went to had no grass. The playground was concrete completely enclosed by a chain link fence. We moved away when I was 10 years old and the war was over. While we lived there we had no car. The gas was rationed and you could get anywhere by public transportation or taxi cab. I remember just before we moved away we bought a car. And I guess that's all I have to say about that!

We moved back when I was 11 or 12 and in the 6th grade. We lived at 26th & Mission in an apartment. That area is a bad area now, but then it was completely different. Anyway that was about 1946 or 47 and things were so different then. My friends and I could ride the street cars all over the city without any danger. We used to ride those street cars and sing at the top of our voice. The conductors got to know us very well. There was a live radio show for kids broadcast downtown around Market St. We went down there every Saturday morning. I even sang on the show one time and got a box of Baby Ruth candy bars. One of our thrills when we were down there was going to the emporium and riding the escalators up and down. (Big deal, huh?) Another thing we did a lot was go out to Playland at the Beach. It was an amusement park that was open year round. They didn't have the thrill rides that they have at parks now and there was no admission. You just paid for whatever ride you wanted to go on. They did have a huge roller coaster which I never went on because I was too afraid. There was a large merry-go-round and you could throw rings into a clown's mouth. (They have one like that at Santa Cruz now) One of our favorite things there was the Fun House. We would spend hours in there playing on all the things they had. There was a huge wheel and everyone would sit in the middle and it would start spinning. You were supposed to try to not get thrown off. Everyone always did eventually. There were moving stairs to climb, a house of mirrors, moving bridges, a hollow tube that was spinning and you tried to walk through without falling down and I can't remember what else. They also had a recording booth where you put in the money and could record a song. I must have thought I was really a singer because I recorded The Tennessee Waltz. I have no idea what ever happened to it. Another place we liked to go was Fleisheicher Zoo. (I probably spelled that wrong) Besides all the animals they had there was a swimming pool. A large one. I was not allowed to go swimming without an adult. But, they rented suits there and had hair dryers and I did go swimming. (BAD BAD GIRL) There was a kind of shuttle that ran between the zoo and playland. It was called the Elephant Train. One time we decided to walk because it didn't seem very far! Boy were we wrong---it was much farther than we thought.

My mother worked in the shoe department in a department store at 22nd & Mission and I used to walk down there and go to the movie which was right next door. Some movies I saw over and over and over. Then I would walk back home with her. It was very safe. We moved away again when I was 14 and in the eighth grade. My grandparents still lived there and I visited a lot.

The memory is a little rusty, but this is what I mainly remember. Any questions?

My flat tire

2005-06-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

There is a light on my dash that shows when my tire presssure is low. Of course, I didn't know what that light meant. I thought it was telling me the car needed service. I was on my way to Modesto when I noticed it. I continued my journey and made it back home without a problem. That night I read in my manual what it really meant. Today I took it in for an oil change and asked them to check the tires. That was when I found out there was a nail in one of my tires. They marked it, but it seems they do not repair tires. They directed me to where I should go (which was where I would have gone anyway). They were very busy and couldn't get to me for an hour. He assured me that it would be okay to run some errands and come back which I did. When I got back, he immediately fixed it and I was on my way. Wasn't that an exciting story? That is how my life is. Very exciting.

I have no idea why I am doing this. I really don't know what I am doing and I don't know how to post pictures. Randy told me I should have a blog and I just found out Laurie has one so I am trying to set one up. I will try to learn more as I go along. If anything halfway exciting happens in my life, I will post it. As you can see above, my life is pretty boring.