Message 197

I just got back from having coffee with Helen and Jin and Helen's daughter. Jodi and her husband are driving back to Seattle today. They were here for Thanksgiving. Jodi is expecting a baby in June, which will be Helen's first grandchild.

Last night I went to the Couple Club dinner. I took slices sourdough baguettes as my contribution.

Today Joshua said he would come over to watch football and we could go to The Dutch Goose for hamburgers.

Message 196

Yesterday afternoon Jason came up with Carolyn and Melanie and picked up Ellie and Amelia. It was great to see all the girls.

Last night Joshua brought in pizza and we watched the Sharks beat Dallas 6-2. Afterward I watched a DVD of Thelma and Louise. I give it four stars. Even though it is an old classic, directed by Ridley Scott and is Brad Pitt's first role, for some reason I never saw it when it was in the theaters. Maybe I was in Rome at the time and not going to movies.

Today I have already done a load of laundry, including changing the sheets on my bed. My washing machine is so small, I have to wash the two big sheets in separate loads. I washed the fitted one today, so I will wash the top sheet tomorrow. I will remake my bed with another set today.

Message 195

We all (including Jamie and Chelsea and the twins) had a good turkey dinner at Umbach's yesterday. Afterward Amelia and Ellie came with me to spend the night. Ellie and I watched Spirit before she went to bed. Amelia and I then watched the next to last disk of season 3 of Buffy.

We just got back from having breakfast at El Cerrito. Amelia had the American Burrito, Ellie had pancakes and sausage, and I had my usual bacon and eggs and sourdough toast. They are now watching cartoons while I write this message.

Message 194

Last night Joshua came over to watch the Sharks beat Chicago in overtime. I had already eaten, so he cooked one of my chicken pot pies for himself.

I told him he could come to the Thanksgiving dinner at Linda and Walt's if he wanted, but I will be surprised if he makes it. I am taking cherry pie and ice cream for dessert and four bottles of sparkling cider for all to drink.

Message 193

Tonight I watched a Russian movie called Dersu Uzala by the famous Japanese director Kurosawa. It was set in Siberia in the early 20th century. I give it 3 stars, although it was well done with a noble theme and realistic scenes. It reminded me of my life in Alaska.

I am sending this message before I go to bed because I am going to have breakfast with Vanessa and Annie at Heidi's pies in the morning. We are doing it on Wednesday this week because Vanessa and Julian and the kids are driving up to Maureen's place in the mountains for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Tomorrow I have to go to PAMF to refill my prescription again. I have to do it every two weeks. After that I have to go to Martha's Pastries in the Sharon Heights Shopping Center to pick up the cherry pie I ordered for Thanksgiving dinner with the family at Linda and Walt's.

Message 192

Yesterday was a quiet and routine day. I did laundry, walked to the post office, and went in the hot tub. I received a nice Thanksgiving card for grandpa from Alex, with two nice pictures.

Last night I watched a DVD of Lars and the Real Girl. I give it three stars, but it was different and interesting.

Message 191

Yesterday I watched the 49ers lose to Dallas. They played well at times, but did not have what it took when it counted. I also watched the Raiders beat Denver. The finally got their act together and played a good game. I am sure Al Davis must be proud. Later I watched most of the game between San Diego and the Colts. I was for San Diego, but the Colts were better. I changed the channel to Fox at 8 PM when the new mini-part of 24 came on. Joshua came over and watched it with me. It was good to see Jack Bauer back in action.

This morning I am going to walk to the post office, across from the Dutch Goose, and get a receipt for returning the Turbo Tax that came in the mail in spite of my canceling the automatic renewal months ago. I called my credit card company and told them to cancel the payment. They advised me to get the receipt from the post office when I returned it.