Martha I am not!

Orris root iris

The most important thing that happened this week is that I am going to be a granny again! Cody and Mel's second will be here around Ryan's birthday in November. We don't know whether Oliver will have a brother or sister yet but it's very exciting :)

Well, this pr and marketing push that wicked-pr is doing is very exciting and interesting! 

The funniest, to me anyway, but so far the most exciting, is interest by Martha Stewart Living Magazine! I mean really! If Martha could see where the wonderful mixes are coming from, she'd want to redecorate! And I am so not a fan of hers! But if we get a mention there, it's worth a huge amount. The only thing better I think would be to get on Oprah!

What's even more interesting is that they are pitching my story to other magazines and tv and radio stations! You know, the old gray mare may not be what she used to be, but she's still got a lot of get up and go sort of thing. What a laugh! So who knows where this will lead. They are calling it a second career! I look at it as a clutching at straws endeavor in the beginning, but now I feel so much more confident about what I can do. It's like I have, in the last seven months, been in a crash course in start up business, yet sometimes I feel like I've barely scratched the surface. 

But I think if more women and men who are retiring know what we really are capable of, when are feet are to the flames, maybe you'd see more of us gray hairs out doing something that is so far from our comfort zone that we might as well be on the moon. And loving it!

It's long days of everything from vetting the web site and hounding the developers to mixing and packing nuts to bookkeeping - and whatever else pops up. But the days are never boring, that's for sure.

But I am keeping perspective and not letting the work suck me in to where that is all I do. Yoga is becoming more and more important to me. It's quite amazing, really. It's about the only activity I know of where my mind doesn't wander from the physical; it is a totally whole body/mind experience. And even though I am just a beginner, I know it is making a huge difference in the way I feel. Now I just have to be more disciplined to practice at home. 

I am so enjoying my orris irises. They are corms I got from a house Susan had listed about three years ago and I planted them out in the bed against the bulkhead. This is the first year they have bloomed and I had no idea what color they would be - and they are gray! Apparently, the root is used in perfume and gin! But you have to have acres and acres and dry the roots for five years before they are ground and then distilled. My tulips are finally over, sad but they lasted almost a month and were a very welcome splash of color and spring rolls in. Next are the other irises, then lilies. We are going to put pots on top of the pilings with hanging plants which should look really pretty - probably petunias, geraniums and lobelia. Possibly nasturtiums too. The poppies are all about to pop too, which really is a surprise as it is about a month earlier than last year. But I love it, they take over the side of the sunroom so I don't have to weed.

It's hard to believe it is almost May and that in seven weeks, it will be the longest day of the year! Even now, the evenings are stretching out, but it really isn't warm enough yet to fire up the weber, but soooooon.... And the early sunrise is messing up the kitty schedule! Buddy thinks that because it is getting light - now at around 4:30 am it's time to go outside! I might have to get him a sleep mask!

Saturday is a Kangen Water Super Saturday in Seattle - well worth the trek over there. Lots of information from doctors and naturopaths, and lots other testimonials about the magic the water is bringing to so many people's lives, both health-wise and financially. So am looking forward to that, and looking forward to being more knowledgeable about it too so I can spread the word.

Second Half, SoCal Trip

Well, here I am back in Washington and today the outlook is typically gloomy and drizzly. But fortunately the first couple of days back were clear and warm, so the transition wasn't too traumatic.

Susan and I had such a good time down there at the Straitiff's house. Mel brought Oliver over a lot and the little family came over for Friday dinner before we left. Such an incentive to be near them all. I was just sad that Ryan wasn't around (he was in New York filming a pilot show and comes back today, I think) but at least I got to see him once on the way down.

PIX HERE

On Thursday, we went up to Newport to see Betsy, and took the coast route, from San Clemente all the way through Laguna and up to the boat yard. Although it is very crowded, lots of traffic and fancy cars and posturing Newport-ites, SoCal is still a good place to be. There are ways around freeways and places to duck away to, to avoid the masses. And, believe it or not, prices are quite often less than here. Most rentals are higher but not that much more unless you go into the super ritzy areas, and food is way cheaper! And there are Trader Joes everywhere!!!!!

So we watched an Antrim 40 arrive at Basin Marine. The boat is spacy - like an Open 50 but

smaller. It was built for the all-women team, Nauti Chicas, that Betsy sails with, although she won't be sailing with them for a while as she is going to Antarctica to sail there! I know, you are going "Whatever for?" She will be crewing on an expedition boat down there for the season and is busy buying heavy duty polar fleece underwear!!!!

Friday, I picked Mel and Oliver up and they spent the day with us, and Cody came over after work for pizza - which I made and were yummy! What fun to have them all there. Cathy will definitely need to baby proof her house when her grandbaby arrives next year. There were chairs blocking access to things, cookie cutters strewn all over the place, spatulas and bowls strategically placed for his entertainment! The day went by way too fast.

On Saturday morning, we went to see Steve and Cathy's boat in

Chula Vista. A Cal 246 that he has brought back to life and is the perfect cruising boat! I was ready to move on board and take off! That is a lifestyle I really love and would do it again in a heartbeat if there was someone I trusted and who had lots of experience invited me.

Cooked dinner for Straitiffs, had wonderful chats with them, and loaded the little Honda Fit and headed north on Sunday. Two days driving, trading off, 650 miles each day got us home Monday evening. Hinckley and Buddy were sitting in the driveway, almost as if they knew I was on the way. Neither of them pouted, both were really happy to see me and both slept on the bed that night.

I did find out on the trip, that I do have some limitations, which is very frustrating for me as I have always thought I can do anything. Tiredness impacts me. I find that if I go full bore for a few days, suddenly I am so tired I can't do anything, so I have to learn to limit myself (hard to do) and rest. But if this is all I have to deal with, then I am very fortunate.

So now it is all about getting things done to move south, pacing myself.

Granny Susu and Oliver

Here is our Oliver at three days old - and Granny Susu

I'm a granny!

So my most beautiful grandson was born on Monday night in San Diego. Oliver West Simpkins weighed in at eight pounds! And he was only a day late - can't imagine how big he would have been if he had waited another week.

I spent some time with them at the hospital yesterday afternoon and Cody was amazing with the little guy. Totally enamored with him. He was the one changing the diapers and holding Oliver as Melissa was very tired. The had a shared hospital room and the baby in the next bed had colic and was crying all night so they got no sleep. I'm amazed the nurses didn't take the baby to the nursery so everyone else could get some rest. It certainly isn't like when we had babies. Oh well...

Tomorrow I will go to the house to see them as they will be much more settled and comfortable. Karen, Mel's mum is with them for a few days, but then when she leaves, I worry that Mel will be by herself a lot with no support.
I called about a job in San Diego today but it was already gone - Program Director for Challenged America. I still don't have a clue what I will be doing. I do know that I like being warm and the thought of a cold, wet, gray winter up north is depressing. So as fast as I can, I will get the house on the market and get the hell out of there.