Affording one of the most expensive cities in the USA

I have too many clothes.  I have so many clothes that I only do laundry once a month.  And I rarely repeat.  Well, that's not true.  I usually wear pants, shorts, and skirts twice before they're tossed into the hamper.

Two thoughts occurred to me the other day.  One, if I got rid of all the colors, and keep only the black and white, I could get rid of two rather large pieces of "furniture".  But then I think how much I love peach and the horrible lime green colors, and they look GOOD on me.  And if you have a bunch of black and white things, which I do.... well, so many colors DO go well with black and white.  It's a quandary for sure. 

The other thing is that I never wear pants anymore.  If I got rid of all my pants, that would be progress.  But I don't have enough skirts and dresses to last the entire month, and I'd hate to start doing laundry twice a month...

Why am I blogging about this?  Because, once again, the Oprah effect happened.  Simply by thinking about the clothes situation, evidently is enough.

Yesterday, I rode past two bags of clothes.  I normally ignore bags of clothing, because I worry about cooties, bedbugs and lice.  But there was a gorgeous mint colored ... something, made of the fuzzy material that I used for my quilts.  We were in a good neighborhood, and everything was folded nice and neatly, so I risked it.  Also, I got a whiff of laundry soap, so it seemed like they'd been freshly washed!  I grabbed both bags and threw them into the basket.

First, the lovely mint green thing...

For some reason, I didn't have a bathrobe, which wasn't a problem until I made friends with the 2 gays guys on my floor.  The kind of friends who knock on your door late at night to borrow something, or to gossip about the lobby rats.  (Residents who hang out in the lobby all the time)

This fits the bill nicely.  It's made of that lovely soft fuzzy material too, that I love.  It doesn't seem to attract cat and dog hair either.  Or maybe you just don't see it.









And then... guess what?
                   

Simple black wrap around dress

Blue shirt dress

Green little dress (Liz Claiborne)

Black sleeveless cotton dress

Rust colored dress (Liz Claiborne)

 

Black shirt dress

Dressy dress w/belt

Lacy table cloth that looks very expensive

The tablecloth is too nice to use as a curtain, I only hung it in order to get a good picture of it.  It's perfectly made and clean - I love it.  There were several blouses and little sweaters in black, white, and lime green.  Everything but the light blue shirt dress are designer labels.  I'm really picky about synthetics material - don't like them.  Everything but the black wraparound dress is made of some blend of cotton - very comfortable. 

Everything is also bike riding friendly.  There's a couple things that might be too short, but it's very fashionable to wear little shorts under dresses here, because of the wind.  I'll have to find some of those.

Boy, as I type this... I'm getting a good whiff of pot smoking from the apartment downstairs.

See, Michael?  I can too afford to live in San Francisco!

Speaking of which, I found a new food source.  Every Monday, the Women's Building (3 blocks away) gives away food.

With Weight Watchers taking space in my head, I actually made of stew with the potatoes, onions, carrots and cabbage.  I kept thinking it was missing something and then I realized it was missing stew meat.  Protein.  So I added a can of garbanzo beans instead.

DELISH!

When school starts up again, there's another food giveaway on Fridays at the school (2 blocks away).  They have milk, juices, and whatever else got leftover from the lunches.

I think I'm doing just fine, thankyouverymuch!

Affording one of the most expensive cities in the USA

I have too many clothes.  I have so many clothes that I only do laundry once a month.  And I rarely repeat.  Well, that's not true.  I usually wear pants, shorts, and skirts twice before they're tossed into the hamper.

Two thoughts occurred to me the other day.  One, if I got rid of all the colors, and keep only the black and white, I could get rid of two rather large pieces of "furniture".  But then I think how much I love peach and the horrible lime green colors, and they look GOOD on me.  And if you have a bunch of black and white things, which I do.... well, so many colors DO go well with black and white.  It's a quandary for sure. 

The other thing is that I never wear pants anymore.  If I got rid of all my pants, that would be progress.  But I don't have enough skirts and dresses to last the entire month, and I'd hate to start doing laundry twice a month...

Why am I blogging about this?  Because, once again, the Oprah effect happened.  Simply by thinking about the clothes situation, evidently is enough.

Yesterday, I rode past two bags of clothes.  I normally ignore bags of clothing, because I worry about cooties, bedbugs and lice.  But there was a gorgeous mint colored ... something, made of the fuzzy material that I used for my quilts.  We were in a good neighborhood, and everything was folded nice and neatly, so I risked it.  Also, I got a whiff of laundry soap, so it seemed like they'd been freshly washed!  I grabbed both bags and threw them into the basket.

First, the lovely mint green thing...

For some reason, I didn't have a bathrobe, which wasn't a problem until I made friends with the 2 gays guys on my floor.  The kind of friends who knock on your door late at night to borrow something, or to gossip about the lobby rats.  (Residents who hang out in the lobby all the time)

This fits the bill nicely.  It's made of that lovely soft fuzzy material too, that I love.  It doesn't seem to attract cat and dog hair either.  Or maybe you just don't see it.









And then... guess what?  
                   

Simple black wrap around dress

Blue shirt dress

Green little dress (Liz Claiborne)

Black sleeveless cotton dress

Rust colored dress (Liz Claiborne)

 

Black shirt dress

Dressy dress w/belt

Lacy table cloth that looks very expensive

The tablecloth is too nice to use as a curtain, I only hung it in order to get a good picture of it.  It's perfectly made and clean - I love it.  There were several blouses and little sweaters in black, white, and lime green.  Everything but the light blue shirt dress are designer labels.  I'm really picky about synthetics material - don't like them.  Everything but the black wraparound dress is made of some blend of cotton - very comfortable. 

Everything is also bike riding friendly.  There's a couple things that might be too short, but it's very fashionable to wear little shorts under dresses here, because of the wind.  I'll have to find some of those.

Boy, as I type this... I'm getting a good whiff of pot smoking from the apartment downstairs.

See, Michael?  I can too afford to live in San Francisco!

Speaking of which, I found a new food source.  Every Monday, the Women's Building (3 blocks away) gives away food.

With Weight Watchers taking space in my head, I actually made of stew with the potatoes, onions, carrots and cabbage.  I kept thinking it was missing something and then I realized it was missing stew meat.  Protein.  So I added a can of garbanzo beans instead.

DELISH!

When school starts up again, there's another food giveaway on Fridays at the school (2 blocks away).  They have milk, juices, and whatever else got leftover from the lunches.

I think I'm doing just fine, thankyouverymuch!

City Hall Bike Ride

Safe feeling bike path

Hank and I went bike riding last week, and I warned him that if he didn't let me start letting me post pictures of him, I'd start referring to him as Hank E. Panky in the blog.

There's a HUGE biking community in this city, because it's "green", and people are encouraged to ride bikes, to ease up on the public transportation system.  I recently attended a 4 hour bike safety class and learned all the many ways I've been breaking the law!



Hank E. Panky, Annie and I enjoyed biking downtown around City Hall and the Civic Center. 

Sitting so GOOOOD even tho her ball is rolling away...

I get confused every time I see this building, because to me, it looks like a capital building, which would make San Francisco the capital of California.  But no, this is "just" City Hall.  I got the opportunity to go inside the other day, as there was a hearing about a group of people who wanted to get funding for getting Delores Park and area designated as a Historical .... site.... place.... Neighborhood.  Which would delay the renovation of the park for years.  It's already being delayed by the Arts Counsel right now - they don't like the look of one of the restrooms the Steering Committee approved of.  It would have entailed getting the okay of the residents of over a thousand buildings, most of which are apartment buildinngs with multiple families in them.  One of the guys who was on the Steering Committee for the park renovation emailed everyone, warning of the "danger" of this, and our presence would be good at the hearing.  Three of us showed up, and spoke of our disapproval of the Historical plan, based on the fact that we hadn't been aware of such plans during the Steering Committee process, and it seemed a bit shady that a small number of people who claimed to have been meeting once a month for 7 years to get this done, but no one had ever heard of this group.  I even spoke up - me being "political", but they were messing with MY park, gol darn it! 

This is a good picture of the weird trees in front of City Hall, but I was mostly taking pictures of this guy with his pugs.

His fat pugs.

See how cleverly I used Annie as my subject?  

She always does as I tell her.  All I had to say was "Annie, go smell the flowers so I can pretend I'm taking your picture rather than the Fat Pugs behind you".

She so smart.

Snort.  

The very Fat Pugs

 Here I was cleverly taking a picture of this girl's shoe.  Imagine my surprise when I noticed the Fat Pugs in the same picture.... 

 Could they be fat because he brought them to the park in a stroller???  He parked them at the halfway point of the block, and walk them only one time the length of the block.  They wanted to play with Annie, but the man wouldn't let them - poor things.  Pugs often have breathing problems anyway cause their breeding has mushed their faces/noses so much, and I could hear these poor dogs wheezing the entire time they were there. 

Hank E. Panky thinks I get too overly worked up over dogs.  Sniff.

The Asian Museum.  Dog Park peops say well worth going

Hank is obsessed with how many newspapers SF has.  I told him he gets too worked up over them  

No idea...

I think this is the San Francisco Symphony Center

Speaking of the Symphony, they played in Delores Park last Sunday.  It was A MAZ ING.  

Our bike ride mapped at 5.93 miles.  

~

Lessons Learned

Things I Learned Today on a Bike Ride that Started Out as A Dog Bathroom Break But the City Lured Me to Keep Pedaling:

1.   Bring a map.  I ended up under the Bay Bridge, and the Ferry Building.  And took the LONG way around.  I in no way planned to go there.  The street I kept looking for never showed up, and I kept going. 

2.  Bring the camera.  When you find yourself in areas of the city you hadn't planned on but suddenly you're at places you've been wanting to see... it'd be nice to have the camera.

3.  Bring money, debit or ebt card.  Today's ride was 8 miles.  I got HUNGRY, and passed a million cheap places to eat.  Alot of restaurants will take food stamps too.

4.  Always, always, always bring water for the dog.  Luckily, I ran across two parks that had water bowls for dogs next to the people fountain, which Annie didn't think was good enough for her (none of my animals like San Francisco water unless it's ice cold).

5.  Always bring a jacket.  Weather changes from neighborhood to neighborhood.

6.  Always bring an umbrella, for the same reason.

7.  Always wear the weird toe shoes.  The other shoes don't work - by the end of the ride today, my ankles were two joints made of jello and kept collapsing.  The toe shoes will work better than clogs.

8.  Don't wear twirly swirly skirts without shorts underneath - the wind is a factor in San Francisco. 

9.  Go again tomorrow cause it was so fun.



By the way, I lost 3.7 pounds on my first week with Weight Watchers.  I'm afraid I'm not a support group sort of person anymore, tho.

~

Another I Can't post. I think it needs it's own category

I'm having to re-vamp my San Fran Plan.  Which was to walk everywhere, and work up to my former 4-5 miles a day.  To go the beach often, and explore all the dog parks regularly.

Physically, I simply can't do it.

So I will start to explore the city via the public transportation.  With an eye towards learning how people in wheelchairs manage the MUNI, and keeping an eye out for easy access.  Because a wheelchair is going to happen alot sooner than later, no matter how much I don't want to think or talk about it. 

Today was hard, emotionally.  MS keeps slapping me in the face.  I don't WANT to think about it all the time, but it's being very abusive.  Thought I was done with that aspect of my life.

When I left for the dog park this morning, I felt great.  Not a clue of what was to happen less than half an hour later.  It was a rainy, deary damp morning.  I put on rain boots, because the park is a mud pit from the sprinklers, let alone the rain.  And I wore a long poncho thing that my mom gave me a couple of weeks ago.  I've discovered that if the boots are a bit too big, then they're less likely to over-heat my feet.  Sure, I'm clumsy instead, but that fits right in with the MS.  No, my boots aren't too big - I have MS!

I can't wear a raincoat most of the time, because it's like being in a sauna.  Cooking inside plastic is not my idea of a lovely time.  I have a really nice raincoat that I picked up for 3-4 dollars, lined with a light fleece, which is the same thing the poncho thing is made of.

It's only rained 3 or 4 times so far this winter, so I have yet to get my rainy day attire lined out.  On a normal day, I have to take my key card, keys, glasses, leash, Chuckr, ball, and poop baggies. A hat on bad hair days.  And a camera, but I either forget it most of the time, or it's just too much to carry.   I love days when I discover there's pockets in my clothing.  Oh, and the dog.  Some days, I really wonder if having her defeats the purpose.  I NEED two hands, but she requires one of them.  I try not to make her work at the park, and she's off leash there, but the block in between the park and home can be a battle at times, especially when she REALLLLY needs to go potty!

Add an umbrella to the mix, and I've reached the limits of coordination.  And then there's elevator buttons to push, handicapped door openers to punch, and a heavy gated door.... let's just say today was a bit much.  Plus the wind was blowing my umbrella inside out till I finally got pissed and tossed in into the garbage bin at the park.

Guess which one I'm leaning towards...

I ran into my friend, who lives on the next block, and we walked together to the park.  I told her we had to keep moving, cause Annie had on her fancy raincoat, and I didn't want to give her a chance to roll in the mud.  She loves to roll over her ball, like it's a personal massager of some sort.  A really nice man gave it to her, so I wanted to show him it was appreciated (if he happened to be there).  (Which he wasn't)   Plus it matched my coat.  After today, I've decided it's a walk about town on the sidewalks sort of coat - not a muddy rainy day at the park sort of coat. 

So we headed right up the hill, and about halfway up, I asked Sadie when the hill grew taller.  By the time we got to the top (one block, mind you), I was done.  Done. DONE.  Hunched over.  Had to stop and rest under a tree.  Had to make Annie work, because I couldn't walk straight.  But she can't help with the weakness.  My legs were noodles.  Wet noodles.  Weak noodles.

I didn't dare do the staircase, so we went around, which added footage to the journey home.  It took twice as long, and I had to choose between slight hills, or longer footage.  I chose the hilly route, and by the time I dropped Sadie off at her block, I had to lean against a house for awhile before going the last half block to my apartment.  I think it took 15 minutes to go that half a block.

This feeling great, without a clue or symptom when I leave the house, only to hobble back like a trussed up calf is one of the reasons why I am afraid of a wheelchair.  "They" say once you get in, you never get out.  I WANT to walk as much as I can, but based on today, I'd have to be in it all the time "just in case".

The Curtains are Drawn

Last night, I watched the news as it showed stunning pictures of the day's sunset.  Hmmm, I wondered, why hadn't I noticed?  I opened the curtains from my bed, to check the skyline.  As always, a beautiful sight.  It hit me like a Muni Bus... I hadn't seen it cause my curtains had been closed.  Duh.  As they had been for days and days.  Something was wrong.  Ya think? 


Some years ago, maybe 5?, I stayed with an older gentleman, for 3? months, in his home, basically as a hospice person during his last months on earth.  During that time, there was a wheelchair in the home, that I sat in because it was there, it was comfortable, and it was handy.  I remember at the time what a feeling of relief it gave me - how EASY life seemed from a wheelchair, how easier it was to have MS, how much energy it saved.  Of course, this was only inside the home, so I had no idea of how it would be outside, maneuvering curbs, ramps, doorways to public buildings.  All I remember is the feeling of physical relief. 


My own stubborn nature, and knowing that I am lazy at heart, I've not been willing to "give up" and get a chair, afraid I'd never get out of it.  I'd been warned that once you're in, you don't get out.  Right before I left Idaho, I had qualified for a motorized chair thru the Sc*oter Store.  You know, that commercial on TV that asks "Do you fall more than once a year?"  If you do, you might need a wheelchair.  Ummm.... I fall, or nearly fall, almost every DAY!  Inside the apartment, I usually am close enough to something to stop the fall, but I count it as as fall, cause I would have fallen if the wall or chair or door or bed hadn't been there.  Outside, I have Annie, and I rarely fall with her.  In the mornings, when at the dog park, I am at my best, and rarely fall out there cause I feel stronger in the mornings.  I'm also using great amounts of energy and concentration, focusing, so I don't fall when other people are around.  I don't want to worry new friends, or see that "look" in eyes, that I saw constantly in Idaho.  That look of worry, concern, pity, even irritation sometimes. 

It's not till the late afternoon and evening that I just plain fall from turning too fast or from being too weak. To me, it's a fact of life, and I am good at ignoring the facts of life if they're unpleasant. 

Having recently started both physical and occupational therapy, I've been more aware of having MS and how it's affecting me.  Paying attention, so I could report back to them and their questions.  In Idaho during the 6 weeks a YEAR that I qualified for, he would have me do physical exercises, and stretches.  It was okay, and my therapist was a Jeff Gordon fan, and he was good looking too.  He was one of the first people I called when I got my San Francisco housing letter.  That's him, stretching my leg in ridiculous positions while I concentrated on not farting in his face. 

I've only had two appointments each with the PT and OT, and they have focused more on evaluating and suggesting better methods.  In OT, we're working on methods on how I could remember things better - like doctor appointments.  In PT, she agreed that I might need a wheelchair and would look into it for the next appointment, which is next week.    The OT asked me how that was coming, and I told her it seemed like the PT didn't want to work with the Sc*oter Store, and she told me yes, they don't like the Sc*oter Store.  I didn't ask why because I am not liking them either, because they call me all the time, wanting to move forward.  Not only do I not WANT a chair, I can't make the medical process move any faster than it is right now. 

I didn't move to San Francisco so I could be in a wheelchair. 

I've been here almost 10 months.  During the first few months, in walking the block around Delores Park, I could FEEL myself getting stronger, almost day by day.  It was easy to do the dog park in the morning, and errands either walking or biking in the the afternoon.  Well, not easy, but certainly doable.  I didn't dread going out for fear of MS hitting me.  If it did, it was easy to figure out why - the heat, and over-doing it. 

But in the last couple of months, it's not getting easier.  It's not that I'm out of breathe, marching up the hills, for the most part.  I FEEL good, want to go more.  But it's the weakness in my legs.  Annie can't help with that.  I don't make her work at the dog park, cause I have this crazy notion that she should have "time off" to be a dog.  Taking me up 6 blocks to the pharmacy is as exhausting to her as a half hour of chasing the ball.  She knows she's on duty when the vest is on.  She sleeps like a rock after errands, where she doesn't so much after  playing in the park.  There is a notable difference. 

I could have stayed in Idaho with the curtains closed.  I didn't come here to do that in San Francisco...

~

There Oughta Be a Law #1

There oughta be a law against the return trip on Muni not being the reverse of the departure trip.

After months of taking the bus, and finding my way home again via the exact opposite of how I got there, I've become lax in researching on Google Maps on the return trip on MUNI.  I get off the bus, do whatever I'm doing, and when it's time to go home, I just go to the same bus stop where I got off and wait awhile, and it comes to get me.  We go home the same way, except in reverse.  Easy Peasy.

But today, in my adventure of picking up a couple Freecycle items, it didn't work out that way.  I got to both places A-okay, but getting home was a different story.  I was lost both times, and also couldn't tell where I was north, south, east, west wise.  My sense of direction doesn't exist down here cause there are no mountains.

However, I didn't mind finding McLaren Park and wandering around for awhile.  There was a pond where Annie splashed herself wet as a beaver cept for the part of swimming underwater.  The battries in my camera died, so I didn't get the pond pics.

It was beautiful and reminded me of camping in Idaho.  

 A pinecone.  Lots and lots of pinecomes, but I was afraid to take one home cause there's some law about picking flowers, etc. 

 At some point I dropped my glasses, and had to retrace my steps, and sure enough, I found them!

Annie let the ball get too far/deep in the pond, and she was too afraid to get it cause it meant she'd have to swim.  She did eventually swim out a couple of feet, and turned back to shore.  After much much encouragement, she finall swam out to the ball but then she didn't know how to get it in her mouth without drowning, so she turned back around to shore.  A lady with a black lab came by, and I asked if her dog could get my $13.00 ball.  I didn't think it would see the ball cause it was so far out by now, but the lady threw a rock at the ball, and her dog went out and got it.  The ball - not the rock.  Annie was quite excited and the two dogs played like long-lost friends who hadn't seen each other in 5 years.

~

Giving Thanks

Annie and I walked around the block to the park.  We reached the sidewalk ramp where she now "sits" all on her own so I can take the leash off.  I then throw the ball onto the grass where she pees where she always pees.  Then we walk up the ramp and she poops where she always poops.  I pull out the baggies that I always have in the pockets of everything I wear, and pick it up.  We then throw the ball several times, while I scan the field for anyone I know, or it's if a solitary feeling day, we go up the sidewalk instead.

Today I had a question, so we headed out over the field, where there were maybe 10 people and as many, probably more, dogs.  First I scan the dogs - they're easier to recognize, and I often know their names, but not their people's name.  Annie runs ahead with the ball in her mouth, as I realize I don't know anyone by name.  But a guy says "Hi Annie!" and she runs up to him for her pat on the head.  Most people who know her knows she has to "sit" before she gets petted, and so he told her to sit.  Awesome.  That means he knows me, even tho I don't remember him, but in the dog park people world, that is good enough.  Everyone said some version of "good morning" or "welcome".  We chat about the weather (cold), and watch a man a few yards away yelling at his dog.  He's so mean to Rusty, and Rusty runs up to everyone for attention or maybe for protection?  I always want to confront the man, and ask him "how's that yelling working for ya, hmm?"  But I don't because in this town, you have to be careful - he might be a "crazy" and go off on you.  The group of us in the circle glance at each other, all of us acknowledging the same thoughts I'm thinking.

I remembered my question and put it out to the crowd.  "Does San Francisco close down on Thanksgiving night, or do the restaurants stay open?"  Awesome - the majority stays open.  By this time, someone I do know has joined the group and she asks what I'm doing for the holiday.  I know that if I say "nothing", somebody will invite me to their Thanksgiving meal, and I would feel comfortable saying yes, because that's how us dog people are.  It's been the perfect way for me to get to know people - this dog park society.  But I tell them that my son will be here Thursday nite and I hadn't decided whether to cook or go out for dinner yet.  As I listen to everyone talking about their plans, I decide it'll depend on the weather.  If Thursday was a good flying day (no storms cancelling flights backing up the entire system), then I would cook.  If it looked risky like Jeremy wouldn't be able to get a flight until really late, then we'll go out.  I never really know what his schedule is, so the more easy going I can be, the better.

After talking to Jeremy, it's decided.  A pork roast instead of turkey will be easier than a turkey.  Dressing, mashed potatoes, maybe with a bit of cauliflower mixed in, or a bit of yam?  Annie and I go home and get the bike/trike so we can go to Safeway, 6 blocks up from where we live.  At the check stand, I have to put the salad mix, raisins, and ham hocks back cause I don't have enough, and I didn't check the prices beforehand.  Meat is OUTRAGEOUS here, even ham hocks.  Salad mix is always too expensive, but I'm going for "easy going", right?  Raisins are a luxury, so I actually did pretty good.  It's hard to get used to prices here.

I packed the two paper bags into the bike basket, and pedal towards home.  Stop!  There's a guy laying out a ton of books on the sidewalk, so I check them out, but decide he's got high expectations at five bucks a book! for paperbacks.  We pedal on further, and saw a cat inside a store window.  Coolbeans, it's a bookstore and they're selling 2012 calendars and datebooks for $5.00, so I grab one of each, as I keep one eye on my bike full of groceries on the sidewalk as I browse.  I had to leave a calendar of Volkswagons behind.  :- (

As we head on home, riding so easily and effortlessly - I am aware of how happy I am.  I LOVE life this way - getting my groceries bit by bit, doing it on a bike/trike.  I can handle a grocery trip consisting of only 2 bags worth - I don't get too tired or overwhelmed.  I can handle unloading two bags of groceries - it's not too much work that I have to lay down for awhile, even tho that's what I end up doing.  It's because I WANT to, not HAVE to.

After unloading the groceries, we lay down for awhile, so I can get on the computer.  Annie watches out the window so intently that it catches my attention.  There's a hummingbird at the feeder, less than 3 feet away from us!  The movement of my head turning to look makes it fly away, but it comes right back.  Awesome.

As I contemplate the menu and the schedule till Son Jeremy arrives, I realize that I forgot bread crumbs for the dressing.  Or stuffing.  Mom, how come we call it "dressing"?  Jeremy asked for dressing and mashed potatoes, so not having it is not an option, but I don't want to go to Safeway again - the crowd was just beginning to be at my limit of tolerance for people when I left 2 hours away.  And I remember one of the dog park peops saying the checkout lines at Safeway will get up to 75 people!  There's a store that sells fancy bread on the corner, but I haven't been, assuming it would be very expensive.  But how expensive can a bag of breadcrumbs be, I ask myself, so off I went, alone, without the Annie, but with a walking stick.  The little store only had one customer sitting at a table eating a sandwich, but they were loading up a vehicle with dozens of huge bags full of breads of all kinds.  But they didn't have breadcrumbs.  They asked what I was doing with them, and then they suggested their "day old" basket, which had a loaf of something with rosemary in it, and it would make a LOVELY stuffing, all I had to do was break it into pieces on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven for a few minutes.  Awesome, and cheap too!  I can't keep bread in the house, or I will eat the whole damn loaf in two days, but now I have a near-by option less than a block away.  The people behind the counters were soooo nice - that personal touch makes such a difference in a big city.  Safeway has to deal with vast numbers of humanity... which is often not a good thing around here. 

As I walked back home, again, if I could have skipped, I would have.  I am so damn happy here.

~

Winter's coming, HA!

Anyways, we're moving into winter here in San Francisco, or what I used to call 'Suicide Season' when living in Idaho.  And that right there, friends and neighbors, is yet another HUGE reason why I quit blogging so much.  I made the mistake of allowing family to read my blog, which isn't really a mistake as far as what is right or wrong is concerned, because I don't mind them reading, really.  But reading about painful MS days made them feel bad, and I found myself censoring because of it.  My first blog got tons of readers, mostly strangers from the Internet, because the they would search for MS, and my blog would come up within the first 3 Google pages.  Not so much now, because I don't have MS in my title or blog address.

Which reminds me, I got a comment the other day that said "God bless you, Pee".  I had to laugh.  I wonder if I should change my online name?  I considered myself the P Lister, as opposed to those on the A List, cause all I did was pick up after 3 dogs and 2 cats.  I never thought I'd ever be CALLED Pee, but I kinda like it.  

It's a vicious circle I walk.  I'm a complainer and have alot to complain about as far as I'm concerned.  If the symptoms would just stay static... one or two, just stay the same, I'd learn to live with it and get tired of complaining.  But noooo, every day is either something new, or a different level of intensity.  I don't "mind" most of them.  The peeing by accident always brings a challenge to my life, for one.  Me likes a challenge!  (Insert roll of the eyes)  And wondering why I smell rotten meat or cherry almond for days on end, always makes for interesting discussion when I'm out in the lobby.  General consensus?  If it's the rotten meat - clean out the fridge.  If it's the cherry almond - why you complaining?

 My dog park peops keep asking me "Aren't you cold?", as I walk out there in short sleeves, shorts, a skirt, or ... what are those pants that go up halfway up shin?  I can't remember.  Everyone else is wearing coats, hats, gloves, scarfs, or at the very least, a sweatshirt with 1 or 2 more of said accessories.  They complain of the next few months being winter and "the rainy season", while I think to myself what wimps they are!  :-)  And that I need to get an umbrella.  Which is no small feat - they are major fashion accessories here.  

Then I think of Idaho, and get all sad for my friends and family who also hate the winter... it makes me soooo SAD...

...

....

....

that I can't gloat ABOUT HOW HAPPY I AM DOWN HERE!!!


How ever, there's still this:


Me:  Do you smell rotten meat?
Random Person:  Nope.
Me:  You don't?
Random Person:  No, I really don't.
Me:  Hmmm.  Wonder why I smell it.  I've already cleaned out my fridge, so I know it's not in my apartment....do you mind if I visit your apartment and clean out your refrigerator?

Most, oddly enough, do mind.  Imagine that.

~

I'm be coming around the corner ...

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Finally received my freebie-er transit card.  Now I can take all public transportation for 1/4 of the regular price.  Boy, this having MS gives me alot of perks.  (Notice the lack of exclamation marks...)

I've updated my calendar and Facebooked all the farmer's markets around here, so I will know what days and times, etc.  And signed up for their various newsletters, so I will know what stuff is in season when and how much. 

I haven't slept for 2 nights now.  Of course, as soon as I started to blog, my head rolled off my neck, trying to sleep without me. 

I miss my friends and family!  It only took 6 months. 

Oh, that picture challenge where I was spose to take a pic every hour and post them each day?  uh huh.  Not going to happen.  Why didn't someone tell me I had to ta

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My Big Mouth

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I spoke too soon.  This was not there yesterday.  I KNOW this for sure because I installed a hummingbird feeder out there.  So that means this built it's web last nite, less than 4 feet away from my sleeping head, with the window wide open.  For all I know, it could have crawled in and scoped out the joint before deciding on spinning it's web right there.

Yes, Virginia, San Francisco has spider webs.  And earthquakes.

I'm going to be participating in "A Day in the Life" photo challenge.  Great pic to start with, yes?!  I misunderstood tho - I was spose to take a pic each hour that I'm up.  Will do so tomorrow! 

So glad we could chat.  That is all.

Steering Committee Meeting tonite, and ohbytheway, Earthquake Education

I may have mentioned that I'm on the Delores Park Rehab Steering Committee.  The park is getting a 11 million dollar renovation, and the local community is providing their comments as to what we would like to change, and/or add and remove.  Quite the interesting experience of which I will be writing about at another time.  I am usually so frustrated by the meetings that when I come home, the last thing I want to do is rehash the stupidity.

But last nite, which just happened to be the nite of the earthquake, we had another meeting and this one was open to the public.  On the agenda was whether or not to remove the "clubhouse" or if not, what to do with it.

But first, I was asked to open the meeting, make introductions, explain the process,  and tell a bit about myself and why I was involved.  So I said:

"Thank you for coming, blah blah.  I've been so proud to be a part of team and it's been a learning experience, and I'm very impressed with how well the design team has facilitated the entire process, because ohmygosh, do people in this city care about Every. Little. Detail!

I'm from Idaho.  Seven years ago, I loved a man who lived here, and fell in love with San Francisco.  I fell out of love with him, but stayed in love with the City.  (People clapped at that)  Five years ago, I signed up for public housing because I'm on Disability, which was why I was involved, because I wanted to represent the needs of the handicapped.  Eight months ago, I finally got my letter saying I had a studio apartment if I wanted it.  So, six months ago, I moved from Idaho.  From a community of 3,000.

During those 5 years of waiting, and losing hope basicially, I kept the picture of the city skyline taken from Delores Park as my screensaver.  The money shot.  (People laughed).

So imagine how thrilled I was to take this walk (as I pointed to the path I walked on a map of the park behind me) up Church Street, only to discover that I lived less than a half block away from the picture I had had on my screensaver for 5 years!"

I then asked the other Steering Committee members to stand, so that the rest of us could see who they'd be working with, blah blah.  Well actually, I forgot that part and had to poke it in after someone else got done with his part.And then I also said,

"Oh, and by the way, if there's any counselor or psychiatrist in the building, please can I talk to you after the meeting?  I just experienced my first earthquake today, and I need to learn some emotional coping skills!" (Big laughs)

So, all fine and good, right?  We broke into smaller groups with each steering committee member facilitating the discussion at their table.  Then we regrouped as a whole, and reported our findings to the entire meeting.

There just happened to be an expert person on building earthquake proof buildings.  When she got up to report on her table's decision on the clubhouse,  she told us that if we kept the clubhouse it would have to be retro-fitted to meet current earthquake standards.  She went on to tell us that the worst buildings that suffered the worst damage were made of concrete, and prohibitively expensive to get up to code. 

My building is made of concrete.  I'm four stories up.  There's one more story above me. The city/county/state of California is broke, remember? 

Crapola.  I had often wondered if I'd rather be on the first floor during a disaster.  Less falling that way.  Then I decided noooo, I wouldn't want four stories to fall on me.  (I decided this during all the 9/11 ten year anniversary stuff was airing on TV).

However, since the earthquake, I've decided I'd rather be smushed by four stories above me.  I'm glad I could have this discussion with myself.  They say preparedness is everything.  

~

Re-thinking this San Francisco thing

In my old blog, I wrote a series of post "Reasons to Move to San Francisco".  One of them, written on Thursday, July 27, 2006, was this:

"Reason #1 - Variety of Eating, Entertainment, and Things to Do

Reason #1 for Moving to San Francisco: I can't wait to be able to have the choice of being able to go to things like this and this.  

And I can walk anywhere.  

In my little town, we have 3-4 bars, 2 gas stations, 2 variety stores, 1 grocery store, 1 Wendy's, 1 Taco Time, 1 Artic Circle, 2 restaurants, 1 Curves, and a few more miscellaneous shops.  A library.  Main street is 3 blocks long.  

That is all."

So today, I came across this idea.  A place to hike
. 

Mitchell Canyon  - Take the kids out to see the big spiders. In the fall, Mount Diablo​ is one of the top places to catch the tarantulas out and about during their mating season.

It made me think of my niece, Heather, who likes tarantulas, which I think is just wrong.

"Take the kids out to see the big spiders"?  Is that something a responsible parent would do????  I feel faint.

~

Way To Go Wednesday!

Today I accomplished several errands on a 3 mile trike bike ride:

• Applying for another Energy Credit.  Tore my apartment apart looking for a recent power bill, cause that's what they ask for, as well as proof of income, and proof of address.  Finally, it dawned on me that I don't get a power bill!  I was thinking of Idaho's requirements.  I will be getting $226.00 sometime in December.  It's no wonder California is going broke. 
• Finally got Annie's dog license.  Wish someone would have told me I should have done it within 30 days of moving here, cause there was a $25.00 late fee.  But I have to have it cause the lease requires it and the landlady sent me a letter.
• Picked up Annie's proof of getting her rabies and distemper shots.  Again, for the landlady.
• Went to library to print out ADA (American Disability Act)14 page document regarding Service Animals rules and guidelines.  Received yet another card for my wallet... a "copy card", much like a debit card, only I stick it into the machine, feed the machine cash/debit card to load copy card with $ balance to use to make copies)  
• Went to ... somewhere to apply for my disability bus card, called the Clipper Card, which will enable me to ride public transportation free.  
• Mailed another application to apply for ... another card that allows me to use cabs or door-to-door transportation, in case I can't managed public transportation.  Which sometimes I can't, depending on the errand.  For instance, it's hard to go shopping for 2 boxes of cat litter with a hand cart and Annie on the bus.
• Called 2 friends back in Idaho.  

Tonight I compose a informative, friendly letter to the San Francisco Housing Authority, educating them to the fact that there is no weight limit restrictions on Service Animals, and Service Animals do not have to be "certified" or have proof of training.  The lease says no animals over 50 lbs.  Annie is 60 lbs.  A smaller dog can't do the bracing she has to do, in order to help me when I fall.  

It was also the first day I left the apartment without consulting a map to figure out my route.  I'm getting a sense of where I am, and where to go.  

~

I can fold my own clothes!

LOVE, Love, love.

 My hands HATE to fold clothes.  Or wind up electrical cords.  And garden hoses.  Even tho they are numb, they can't stand to touch anything that requires more than just a second or two of contact.  Like hand rails.  Which would be sooo handy with walking more steadily... but nooo, can't stand to touch it. 

 I saw this on TV quite some time ago, and loved it.

 Yesterday, I rode the trike downtown to the Container Store, to get a smaller container for the dog food, rather than the large, black garbage can it's currently in. Taking space in my tiny kitchen. 



The bike ride was over 6 miles, and easy for the most part.  Annie went with me, of course. First I had to find a Western Union store to cash my energy check..  The state of California pays my power bill, PLUS gives me more money!  I got a check for 161.00 in the mail a couple of weeks ago.  No wonder the state is going broke. 

I found the store with no problem and prepared to be awed.  All the reviews had postive remarks for the Container Store.  And I'm from Idaho.  Where there was no such thing as a monster store full of nothing but things to organize your life.  One of my most favorite things to do.

I found the container for the dog food, and perused the rest of the store.  Came across these folding bowls.  Hopefully it'll help me remember to take water with me when Annie and I go places.

I'm really lax on making sure she's hydrated, but luckily, there are many cafes that set out water bowls for dogs.  This is a very dog-friendly town.  One of the reasons to move to San Francisco!

 She slept very well for the rest of the day when we got home.  Sometimes I feel so guilty for her down-sized life here in the studio apartment on the 4th floor, but her social life is so much better here, with all the dog parks, every day, twice a day.  

Anyways, back to this miracle find. Amongst a million other handy dandy finds. 

As I haven't got a home health aide yet, like I had in Idaho... sniff.  (I miss you, Cheryl!), every time I do dishes and fold clothes, I think of her. 

It takes mere seconds, and so much easier for me.  Poor hands. And it's a space saver too!  Look how neat and tidy it ends up!

Ta da!

~