Rain, rain, rain and more rain.

Three days to go and a wakeup... WoW!!

I woke this morning about 4:10 AM and then laid there till about 4:30 AM and decided to call Nora and wish her a happy New Year’s. She was quite happy to get my call and yet she questioned me why do you call so early. I told her I could not help it I had just woke up early and decided that I wanted to talk to her. She said that she had baked chicken today and also bought a cake at the market for tonight. She also told me the house was full of relatives and that they all want to meet me and that at midnight they would celebrate the new year and eat dinner. I told her that she had my best wishes and they should have a good time and she said we will celebrate next year together as a family and I said I really look forward to that. I talked to her for a total of about 17 minutes. I told her we will not talk on the Internet today but probably on Saturday as today is a holiday and the Internet café will be closed. She agreed that that would be a good idea. Well ladies and gentlemen today is the last day of 2009... what a tumultuous year this has been. I can honestly say that with the exception of meeting my future wife has not been a year I would care to remember. If you party tonight please do so keeping safety in mind both yours and those around you. If you possibly can take a cab where you’re going stay off of the roads. And I wish you the very best this new year coming. See you next year.

It is still dark and it looks cold...

I woke at 4:22am and said “No”, not yet then rolled over and dozed off till about 4:56 and decided to call Nora. She answered the phone on the 4th ring, she was watching some TV in the living room and had not yet gone to bed. We chatted for about 14 minutes. She told me that we may not be able to chat on Friday (that would be the last time we chat until I am there) because 1 January is of course a holiday and the internet cafe may not be open... I said ‘Not to worry’ if we can it is ok and if not no big deal. We wished each other good days, I told her to dream of me if she can and she told me to have a nice day... If she’d been here, I would have pulled her close, snuggled up and drifted back to sleep... as it is, I will bare the cold day and have lousy coffee at McDonald's and listen to the babble of my friends... Take care everyone, the new year is almost upon us...

Dark and it appears to be cold and foggy too....

This morning, I didn’t wake early nor did I wake up during the night. Slept pretty good actually... the phone alarm woke me up. When I called Nora, she was a little worried because I have been calling her closer to 9pm and this morning it was about 20 minutes later... Now she knows how I feel when she doesn’t answer the phone I suspect. Well, time is really moving now. I will be in Manila next Tuesday. Take it a moment at a time folks... be careful out there.

Fog and ice... Carefully must we go this day

Woke up the first time at 3:15am and then rolled over to go back to sleep. Next time was at 5:05am so I decided to call Nora and tell her goodnight. She was awake this time... She tells me that the baby sleeps in her bed along with Joyce ann... must be crowded. Nora told me the baby sleeps all day and wants to play at night... goofy little guy. She showed me a picture of him yesterday whilst we were chatting on the Messenger. He is good looking little guy, just like his grampa. Today is the last Monday I will stay in the US for awhile. A new saga will begin next Monday as the airplane departs Portland for Seattle and ultimately Manila. I cannot begin to explain how exciting this is for me. Hope you all have a wonderful week. Make the most of each moment, once it passes, you can NEVER get it back.

Still dark outside and I think rather chilly... looks wet too.

I woke up about 5:10am and decided to give Nora a call in case she wanted to go to bed early... She was already asleep, I had to call her back 3 times before she finally heard the phone... I suppose I was remembering how she used to stay up really late in Korea watching TV. Now, in Basud with the family, she is going to bed much earlier... That will fit in with my lifestyle quite nicely. I am not really too much of a night owl. I am going to coffee at McDonald's now so all of you have a great Sunday.

Doesn't look foggy, but I bet it's cold outside...

I awoke once at 3:38 then went back to sleep until 5:16am. I decided to call Nora in case she was tired and wanted to go to bed early. We had a nice little chat and I asked her to pray for Michael and Lollie and Gareth as they are not doing too well dealing with Michael’s death. She said that she will and also told me about the funeral mass that the Catholics perform when a member dies. I will go to coffee at McDonald’s, Nora told me I will not be going there after she gets here because she wants to make my coffee in the mornings plus she wants to make us hot chocolate also. Wow, that will be nice. Have a wonderful day, I know that many will be heading out to return unwanted gifts but try to keep a good attitude.

Foggy again...

I did not sleep well last night, woke up many times... too much wine I guess. Tried unsuccessfully to call Nora 6 times this morning, it just rings 15 times then gives me a message. She is likely watching a movie or the kids turned down the phone again. I will call a little later. I don’t know if McDonald's will be open today, but I will drive down there and see anyway. Merry Christmas to everyone.

A foggy this morning but not nearly as cold as was predicted...

I really slept good last night, did not have the alarm set on the phone as Nora had told me she wanted to call me. At about 7 AM this morning she did call, but her phone cut out so I ended up calling her back and we chatted for about 20 minutes and I wished her a very Merry Christmas. After we hung up, I dressed and went down to McDonald’s for coffee. After that I went to Wal-Mart and picked up my prescription for Ambien which will make the flight from Seattle to Seoul Korea much easier. I don’t have much scheduled for today as it is Christmas Eve, I will however, go to Melissa’s place for dinner at 6 PM this evening. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve and that all your shopping is done. I know the last part of that wish probably is not true. Anyway, please do enjoy the day.

Foggy and cold this morning...

I woke up the first time at about 4 AM and rolled over and went back to sleep the next time I woke up it was about 5 AM and I decided to call Nora in case she wanted to go sleep early. I actually woke her up and we only spoke for just a few moments and I told her to go back to sleep and we would chat today when she got to the Internet café after taking care of some business at the hospital. I am glad I don’t have work today, I don’t really like to drive in the fog. This afternoon I will stop at LinnCo and conduct a little business and then come home. For those of you who must travel today please do so carefully and keep in mind that other people may not be as diligent in their driving habits as you are. Please, be safe.

It is still dark outside...

I woke up at 4:30 then dozed off till a little past 5am. Tried to call Nora, but no answer. I got up and dressed and called her back about 5:20 and she is on the way back to basud from Daet... awfully late for her to be out so I suppose she was at the hospital with Jenny and the baby. I hate being this far from them. Oh well, it will not be for many more days anyway. I have deliveries today and after that I will only have one more set of deliveries and I will be done at the Senior Center for awhile. I think I will clean the main bathroom today. Have a nice day everyone. Only 18 clients today all but one was home. Back home, put the wheel and tire back on the Mini and moved it to the other side of the garage and backed it in... hot chocolate and raisin toast for lunch... I will go to Bi-Mart after lunch then to Wal★Mart and get the sleeping pills I ordered from Dr. Thayer... I haven’t heard from the other Doctor yet either.

Actually, only 13 and a wakeup...

Called Nora at 5am, thinking that after the last couple of days she might want to go to bed early and hopefully get a good nights sleep. She was very happy, now that Jenny has given birth to a healthy 5.5lbs baby boy. Mommy and son are in good health and in the hospital yet, might come home on Wednesday but Nora is not sure yet...

Nora will go to Daet, to the registrar office to submit the paperwork for the baby's birth certificate... can you believe that Jenny and Nora are naming this child after me... what an honor that is. I was really knocked off my feet when Nora told me that. I will deliver meals today and tomorrow and then again next week on Monday and Tuesday and those will be the last ones for awhile. Enjoy the day folks...

Early and also dark outside...not raining though

I woke up the first time about 3:30 and rolled over and snoozed back to sleep. The next time was around 4:45 or so. I am not sure why I have been waking up like this lately, it might be in anticipation of the coming baby of Jenny or maybe the trip... probably a little of both. Today, I will attend church with Maria and perhaps speak to the minister about performing a wedding ceremony in my home. I am not sure yet how Nora feels, she said she wants to think on it a little. I can understand that as she is Catholic. No particular plans today, I may do a good cleaning of my bathroom and that will finish off the master bedroom with the exception of changing the linen just before I leave. Have a great Sunday to everyone...

I found out this afternoon that Nora's eldest, Jenny gave birth to a brand new baby boy... I am a Grand daddy again... I love it.

Damp and may rain again today... warm though

I woke at 2:30am then back to sleep till around 4:30. Dozed on and off until about 5:20 when I called Nora. Nothing has happened with Jenny... Nora is worried about her as a good mother would be but I told her that Maria told me most filipina girls run late in their first childbirth... my only hope is to reassure Nora and help alleviate her fears. I am certain it will be just fine. It is now 5:41 AM and I am getting this update out of the way. I may write more upon my return from the McDonald's coffee time... we shall see. McDonald's was OK, the coffee always reeks but that is OK also. A quick trip to the Senior Center to dispose of the boxes then back home where I made some oatmeal and hot chocolate. Kitchen is now clean. I also put my paperwork and Maria’s in envelopes to put into my carryon luggage for the trip. Hope you all find something rewarding to do today... I am tying up loose ends...

Overcast but no rain so far...

I woke up the first time at 2:30 AM then went back to sleep then I woke up again at 4:30 AM and dosed until about 5:38 AM at which time I called Nora, she is worried because Jenny is late and she has a lot to do. I did tell her that we received the cards she mailed and she was quite happy about that She did also tell me that we would probably not chat on the Internet considering Jenny could deliver at any time. I told her not to worry about that just take care of Jenny. She will call me if there is any change. I got up and got dressed then proceeded down to McDonald’s for coffee. After that I decided to go to Wal-Mart and send the money gram to Nora for the bus fare that we will need when I am there. That went without a hitch so then I went down to the grocery part of Wal-Mart and bought six cans of soup that were on sale and happened also be very low calorie content. Back home now having some hot chocolate and a couple pieces of raisin toast. I hope you all enjoy your day and I’ll chat with you later.

Warm this morning and a light rain.

I woke early this morning about 3:45 AM then dozed off again until nearly time for the phone alarm to go off. I called Nora and spoke with her for about 12 minutes and then hung up. I then got out of bed, got dressed and went down to McDonald’s for coffee. While Maria was having breakfast I spoke to her and relayed what Nora told me had happened between her eldest daughter and the parents of the boy who is the father of her child. Although I would like to address a situation when I am there about them bad mouthing Nora and Jenny, Maria advised me that as a American in the Philippines I need to stay out of that situation.

Probably good advice but the chivalrous part of me cannot help but want to come to my future wife and daughters rescue. It will be a battle... and I am not accustomed to sitting on the sideline during a fight. Hopefully my good lord will keep me peaceful and passive. I stopped at Wells Fargo on the way home and took care of some minor banking and also notified my credit card company of my impending trip. Everything seems to be going very nicely. I don’t know that we will see any sunshine today, but make the most of the time you have and please do enjoy the day.

It is overcast and cloudy today I expect to see rain...

I woke a little bit early this morning about 5 AM and waited until about 5:22 AM to call Nora. She didn’t have a lot to say this and this evening she was watching television with the children. She did tell me that she received both letters that I had written earlier this month and she was happy about that. The one special letter I wrote her she will read later this evening before she goes to bed. After hanging up with her I got up and got dressed and went down to McDonald’s for coffee. After coffee I went down to Wells Fargo Bank and change to pin number on my travel card. After that I came back home. Then cleaned up the kitchen from last night’s dinner made some hot chocolate and an English muffin for breakfast. Have a nice day everyone keep your powder dry...

December 15, 2009 2:16 PM

I didn’t wake up until the phone alarm on off and even then I had to call Nora four times it seems as she was watching a television show “so you think you can dance” and she didn’t hear the phone ring. Evidently her children also used the phone and they had turned the ringer volume way down. I had 20 meals today with one no-show. I stopped at Safeway and filled up the pickup was gas and then went to Albany. I stopped at the Elm Street pharmacy to pick up my sedative which they wanted to charge me $10 for and I asked him if that wasn’t covered by my insurance which they said it was so I ended up paying only $1.96 for the bill versus the $10. I got into my appointment about 45 minutes early so the effects of the sedative actually didn’t it be until I was driving home I might add in a very relaxed state. I’ve been on the phone with AT&T trying to figure out why I can send text messages to Nora, but I cannot receive them from her. We are in the process of straightening that out I hope. If they cannot then I would assume a bill adjustment and would be appropriate. The MRI went well and the doctor/technician said that the pictures came out very well so hopefully I will hear from Dr. Thayer by the end of this week. Have a great day... I am working with ATT to get the text messages from Nora to work. Most of my evening was spent watching television. I am tired now so I will go to bed.

About 31° outside and a few slick spots.

I woke up about 3 AM this morning then went back to sleep and then woke up again at about 5:38 AM. I placed my ritualistic phone call to Nora, but the phone went directly to voicemail so my assumption is either the battery died or she forgot to plug it in after we spoke yesterday which is more than likely the cause. Got dressed and went down to McDonald’s for coffee. After that I went to the senior center and had 21 deliveries with one no-show. I had one new delivery on 12th St. that was very difficult to find. After deliveries, I stopped at megamart and got some milk and some dipping chips and a chicken breast for lunch. Enjoy the day ladies...

Much warmer, light rain and thankfully no ice...

I started waking up early this morning about 3:30 AM then again about 4:45 AM and then when the alarm to the phone went off at about 5:40 AM I called Laura spoke to her for about five minutes as we will be chatting on the Internet when she gets down to the café in Daet tomorrow. When she gets up in the morning it will only be 21 days for her to wait. Nothing special planned today after getting home from coffee, I’ve decided to have a raisin bagel for breakfast and perhaps some hot chocolate also. Well tomorrow is a work day I don’t know how many deliveries all have, but probably about 19 I did talk to Melba at McDonald’s this morning and she said the Filipinos will be rescheduling the Christmas party possibly for this next weekend. That is a good thing. Hope you all enjoy today tomorrow morning you can hit the rewind button and do it all again.

I was up early this morning.

I awoke before the alarm went off then made my phone call to my lady in the Philippines. I did inform her that if I go to the Christmas party this afternoon that I will be about four hours later calling her for our weekly Sunday phone call. I got dressed and drove down to McDonald’s albeit very carefully, the roads are a sheet of ice this morning. When I got there, there was a sign on the door that said they would not open until 7 AM so I came back home.

It took 4 tries to get up the driveway and into the garage... I would not want to be walking today...

The forecast is for just rain this afternoon although with the temperatures hovering around the freezing mark that could still make for very precarious driving.

Dear friends please please be careful, not only for yourself but for those around you and always expect the unexpected... my friend, Leann, can attest to the fact that the emergency rooms get very busy during this type of weather.

Another cold morning but warmer than the preceding three days

I woke this morning again before 5 AM, actually I think the time was about 4:25 AM and then I drifted in and out of sleep for a while and about 5:38 AM I picked up the phone and turned off the alarm and called Nora. She was already in bed but not asleep. From there I got up and went down to McDonald’s to have coffee. All my typical friends were there, and I was surprised that Delbert was there. He told me that they had lost power and so he decided to come in where it would be warm. When Julia got there she told me that someone had hit a power pole on Waterloo Road and that’s what knocked out the power. Nothing exciting is planned for today.

Another cold morning but only 25 days to go...

I had dreams last night I’m not really certain what they were about, but they were a little bit disturbing anyway, I woke up at about 5:30 AM and at about 5:39 AM I called my lady. About five minute conversation and she was off to sleep. Then I got up wash my face and got dressed and went out for coffee at McDonald’s. After talking with Maria she had her breakfast I came back home and cleaned the kitchen toasted English muffin and made some hot chocolate. Today I am my appointment with Dr. Thayer at 2 PM and hopefully he will be a will to tell me why I have the weakness in my left foot. Stay warm my friends the cold is not good.

9° that's not really cold that's bitterly nasty weather.

I woke about 5 AM this morning and laid in bed and finally picked up the phone about 5:26 AM to call Nora and we’re sure a good night. After we hung up I got up and got dressed turned the heat up to 68° and then left to go to McDonald’s’s for coffee. I stayed there until Maria had her breakfast then I took the rim over to let Schwab and showed Brandon what I needed and he will check and see if you can find a replacement for me. I told him to keep it and I would check back with him in about a week. I call now cleaned up the dishes and posted an English muffin and made some hot chocolate for breakfast. I turned the heat up to 70° and it feels much nicer here. In McDonald’s it could not have been much over 60° in the lobby area... not very comfortable for customers. My friends, please stay warm stay hydrated keep your gloves on.

It looks like approximately 16° out and that my friends is cold.

I woke up this morning about 5:15 AM and then laid there until the alarm went off on the phone and then made my morning call to Nora. I had to call her back because she didn’t wake up the first time she told me that she had gone to bed early because she had not slept the night before. I told her no problem that I would talk to her on the Internet later on today and she said that would be fine so I wished her good night and then got up got dressed and went to McDonald’s for coffee. Maria will come over today sometime and bring the things that she wants me to take to the Philippines for her. And I thoroughly expect that Myron will show up wanting me to write a letter to the girl he jilted in China. It seems my life is its own little soap opera however I feel like I’m more in the directors chair then the actor’s chair so I like that. After delivering meals I went to the hospital and had some blood drawn. I hope I can get off of the cholesterol medication and downgrade my blood pressure medication. Dr. Thayer seems to think that can happen. To each and everyone I wish a wonderful day and I will talk to you tomorrow...

Very chilly this morning it was 16°

I woke up just before the phone alarm this morning and called Nora and only spoke with her for four minutes. Then down to McDonald’s for coffee. I left McDonald’s at about 8:40 AM to go to the senior center for my deliveries. I had 21 clients today and one no-show. I’ve noticed a little numbness in my left leg and it seems like my foot is plopping down differently than it should. I don’t know if it’s a medication problem or something else there aren’t any other symptoms that I noticed. I will mention that the doctors they are today when I see him and see what he says. I’m also thinking it might be hunger related. I just called consumer power and switched over to an easy pay plan that allows me to pay the same amount each month. Having some toast now hope you all have a great day.

Not as cold, but not warm either...

The phone alarm woke me this morning, I called and unfortunately, woke Nora, she had fallen asleep waiting for my call, we only spoke for less than a minute and will meet on the internet later today. Coffee at McDonald's then home again. Cleaned the kitchen and made toast with peanut butter and hot chocolate for breakfast. Have a great day, mine will be spent doing laundry...

Very cold this morning 27° at 6:30 AM and going down...

I woke a little bit before the phone alarm went off this morning and made my daily call to Nora to wish her a good nights sleep and see how her day went. She was in good spirits but told me she did not sleep well last night for some reason. I told her that hopefully when I am there she will sleep well... when one shares a comfortable and close relationship with other it oftentimes brings serenity and peacefulness. A little later this morning I think I will go and visit JJ at the rehab center and then perhaps stop and buy some hot chocolate at the MegaMart. Tomorrow I will do laundry. Stay warm my friends there’s a chill in the air...

Very cold again this morning to Windows on my pickup frosted over while I was having coffee...

I didn’t wake until the alarm on the clock went off at 5:20 AM this morning and after a brief eight minute phone call to the Philippines I got out of bed got dressed washed my face and went down to McDonald’s for coffee. I had to scrape my window onto pickup when I got ready to come home because it had frosted over. Back home at about 8:45 AM at which time I took care of some personal issues and then cleaned up the kitchen and made some hot chocolate. I will not be having breakfast this morning as Myron wants to take me out to lunch today. It is very cold outside so I hope those of you who read this are able to spend the day inside where it’s nice and warm...

It is Thursday beautiful clear and cold...

I woke up this morning once about 3:30 AM and went back to sleep, then the alarm on the phone will be up and I made my daily call to my sweetheart to wish her a good night. I then got up and made the bed and wash my face and got dressed and went down to McDonald’s for coffee. It is now 9 AM and I’ve been home for about 10 minutes have my toast going in my hot chocolate cooking so pretty soon I will have my breakfast. Enjoy the day everyone it’s going to be cold but it will be pretty.

Today is Wednesday and it is a very beautiful but cold morning...

I woke this morning a little bit before the alarm went off on my phone, and when it did finally go off I called Nora to wish her a wonderful evening we had a great seven minute conversation and I felt very elated at the end of it. I got up, washed my face and got dressed, and headed down to McDonald’s for coffee. Ralph was already there as were some others. Myron came in and he is going to come here today at 1 PM with the intent of purchasing airline fare back to China. I dropped off my mileage sheet at the senior center and then drove down by Claudine’s house, and no answer at her door then I stopped at Rhodes Warden and asked Don Riemer to give me a price on some term insurance that would cover my remaining mortgage. Back home now, cleaned up the dishes, made some toast and hot chocolate for breakfast. I called the credit card companies to notify them of my impending travel out of the country so that is taken care of now I will call the water company and ask them about turning off the water at the meter while I am not in the home. I always wonder about a broken water pipe and the accrued costs of water flowing constantly while I’m gone. So having them turned off the street just makes good sense. Have a lovely day everyone and I’ll be back tomorrow...

Well it's foggy out there and cold.

I woke up this morning before 5 AM and called Nora to wish her a goodnight. She was in very good spirits which is always nice. We will be chatting on the Internet tomorrow morning when she wakes up about 10 AM is about the time that she shows up at the Internet café. At the senior center after copy I only had 16 clients which was not bad and I was finished with my deliveries before 11 AM. Stopped at bi-Mart check my numbers and of course my number was off by four so I won nothing. I also stopped at postal connections to see about a mailer to the Philippines with registered and signing for it will cost me about $40. Also when I was downtown I turned in the authorization letter to LinnCo and also Wells Fargo Bank. Back home now and thinking of the things I need to do. Make sure and keep your powder dry but have a good day...