StumbleUpon | applznorngz's blog posts

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Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:03:35 -0700

Kind of put myself on an enforced hiatus, while waiting for inspiration to strike...
I wouldn't even let myself sign in to see if anyone had come to visit.
Still don't have much to say, but, what the heck... I've missed all my SU pals...
Might as well be part of the Village instead of sitting in my house with the curtains closed! X X X X O O O O

http://applznorngz.stumbleupon.com/review/33978266/

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:02:09 -0700

Just letting you know that I'll be gone for awhile... when I come back, it will be with vigor or not at all. (Empty promise, I know, but good intentions and all that.) I'm tired of feeling too guilty to even visit folks...
Love to all... Chris

http://applznorngz.stumbleupon.com/review/32909767/

Mon, 18 May 2009 10:44:50 -0700

George and Gilbert: Men of Art

http://www.aboutfacemedia.com/Additional-Work.aspx?bcpid=1691027998&bclid=1659839496&bctid=1628282770
�� (dammit, that widget doesn't work now!� Well, If you go to this page, you'll find three short videos from last summer at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Their Slogan "ART FOR ALL" ... and possibly, All Is Art... and therefore, ALL ARE ARTISTS... oh I may be getting them mixed in with the other surrealists now...
I just learned about these guys from Renrutia . (From his Comic pages). R and I may disagree about the definition of Artist, but I think he is one, so he better not discount my opinion!

I think they Are Art!
... I really like their statement,"... When you get up in the morning,
sit on the edge of the bed, keep your eyes closed, and only stand up when
you've thought, "What do I want to say to the World today? And then it doesn't
matter if you have a typewriter, or a computer, or a brush, or a pencil... once you
know what you want to say today, then you're there."

http://applznorngz.stumbleupon.com/review/32837003/

Fri, 15 May 2009 09:14:48 -0700

To view this widget, please install EmbedWidgets script
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Thanks Mr. Bear, for teaching me how to "embed"!
And thanks, Mr. C. for reminding me about the perfectness of imperfection~ Again!

http://applznorngz.stumbleupon.com/review/32359032/

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:32:50 -0700

Sorry, I'm still not back in SUWorld.... My three-dimensional life is still in chaos, and I need to climb up and out before I can fly here! love, C

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Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:26:56 -0700

In California , I had many little details to take care of for my mom. Some financials, some computer updates and untangles, and a few medical, including scheduling an appointment for a new hearing aid. She chose a woman who will come to her apartment to fit the hearing aid so she doesn't need to find a ride.
As you read this, keep in mind that Mom has had quite a few set backs lately, not the least of which was moving from her independent, 2-room apartment to a 1-room Assisted Living, and the adjustment hasn't always been pretty. She is a woman who is used to doing things Her way. After catching me up on the latest indignities, she said, "Well, I have to laugh, or I'd cry. So, I just try to pretend I'm living in a Sit-Com."

But the last big thing I needed to do was to schedule a meeting with The Neptune Society, cremation specialists. My sister-in-law insisted that I get this taken care of above all else, because eventually Mom Will take her leave from this world. (Incidentally, we hadn't taken care of this because up until 6 months ago, her plan was to donate her body to science. Apparently there was an expiration date on that (after 97 you're out!) Mom liked the sound of the Neptune Society because, "I like the idea of being blasted out into space, maybe to another planet." When I made the appointment, I found out that it was important that Mom be "of sound mind" so she could sign, because otherwise I'd have to track down all my brothers and sisters to sign an agreement...not an easy task. Tuesday came and I went to Mom's place. Had to walk up the 4 flights of stairs because the elevator was jammed, someone was stuck inside--not an uncommon occurrence.

At 10:30, Sam arrived. I guess I was picturing someone like Bumapples to be the salesman... So, the tall, skinny, gray-faced 80-year-old guy with a cane was not quite what I'd envisioned.
I wish I'd taken a picture.
My sister-in-law, Tania arrived at the same time, so we got comfortable and Sam began his spiel. Well, I'm already laughing at the sight of this ghoulish undertaker, but when he started delivering, it was too much. I ask Sam to speak loudly because Mom can't hear. He continues to speak in his normal hushed tones. It's not like he had to Sell us on the deal, we had her checkbook handy. I think there were legal things he needed to be sure to cover, so... First selling point: OUR service is Not like others. There is Never a recorded message. No matter What time of day, No matter What Day, WE Always have a Real Human Being answer the phone! I start to laugh. Not giggle, laugh. Trying to control myself, I lean over to Mom and yell, "A Human Being Answers the Phone!" Mom nods. Next point: "Everyone gets a stainless steal medallion that is engraved with their name and special number. After it is used, that number is retired, so no one else Ever gets to use that number again." Oh my god...I'm picturing a pile of ashes with a stainless steel tag lying in the middle. So, shoulders shaking, I lean over and yell, "They tie a stainless steel tag to your toe!" Mom, nodding, "And how does that work with the hearing aid?" Tania and I have tears rolling. I'm trying to "fix" this so he doesn't think Mom is nuts... and us too...

(Continued below.)

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Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:26:18 -0700

He is completely straight faced. I think he's chiding us when, after I assure him that Mom is just hard of hearing and had this event mixed with tomorrow's hearing aid sale, he just says, "And I usually don't deliver my talk to people who are on drugs."
I try to shape up, but next he pulls out his catalog to show us the "resting boxes"... you can get any quality of wooden ones, or cardboard, but they are all 6 feet long. Mom catches this, and exclaims, "6 Feet! What do I need 6 feet for?" I quickly say, "Cardboard is fine." He responds, "You can get a pillow for extra." We decline.
Then there are the urns to choose... least costly is actually a pretty (in the picture) "hardwood." For $200, that's our best choice.
Much legalese, and then arrangements for her to be FedExed to Florida to be with my dad and we're just about done. (My other sister-in-law, Gina, was willing to do a cross-country road trip to deliver the goods; when I told Mom, she appreciated it, but said it wouldn't be necessary. )
Sam, the Cremation Man, was just about finished. He said, "I've said everything I have to say, I just want to know if you have any other questions..." Mom was on it, "Just one, (pregnant pause)... are you married?" ba da boom.

http://applznorngz.stumbleupon.com/review/31751507/

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:51:00 -0700

Paul and Gina drove us down to Stockton to get me to Mom's. This is us playing her favorite game, Bongo. She would play all day, if she could find willing partners...
We also went back up to Sacramento for the birthday of my grand-niece, Nicole. Now there's a good way to see many relatives in a short time.

http://applznorngz.stumbleupon.com/review/31752517/

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:50:40 -0700

SO, this is what I'm telling you... It feels VERY GOOD to be WARM, especially when you go outside in your bare feet and you are still WARM.

I left Sacramento at noon, and got home at midnight to THIS SCENE. Sorry but I'm sick of WINTER right now!

http://applznorngz.stumbleupon.com/review/31355419/

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:04:12 -0700

Bye Bye... see you all next week... Gone to California, but NOT on vacation!