BUSY SUNDAY

         

 Before I begin today's post, I want to let you know that some of you have reported having a problem in getting my blog to come up. That, or it takes forever. It is happening to me as well and I have no idea why. I have contacted Blogspot and asked them why this is happening, but so far, no response. If it's something we can fix on our own, I'll let you know. Onward. 

 I'm not exactly sure what got into me, but Sunday was a very fruitful and busy day. The doggies and I had our Sunday morning cuddle while I had my coffee and then at 9:00 am, I got up and got busy by posting to my blog and beginning the laundry.

Then, I went out front and chopped down all the clumps of daisies and filled my yard waste tote. I also trimmed what I think are red twig dogwood. Then I hand watered the front flowerbeds and the pots. Back inside, I continued the laundry, cleaned up the kitchen, ran the dishwasher, and had breakfast and my second coffee.

Full, but still energized, amazingly, I moved to the back garden and hand-watered the flowerbeds around the deck and the pots on the deck. Then, I hooked the hose up to the soaker hose that goes around the back flowerbed and allowed it to water for about 30 minutes. Came back in to change over the laundry, fold and then pay bills.

Put myself through the shower, lotioned up and got dressed. Changed the laundry around and started a new load. Checked my grocery list and drove out to AJ’s because I forgot to give him a check for my share of the cell phone bill. On the way home, I stopped at QFC and purchased what was on my list and only one additional item that was not.

Groceries put away, it was time to clean up after the doggies, so I wandered around the back yard filling up those little poop bags. Then, it was time to finish up the recycle and garbage bins. They’re now out on the street with the yard waste bin.

Pretty amazing, huh. I have no idea where all this energy came from. Saturday was pretty awful because I got a shingles shot and a flu shot on Friday. My arm swelled, was very hot and sore and I got a headache which I never ever get. I canceled my plans with Haley as far as taking the bathroom plants out for a trim and to spray the year’s dust off. I pretty much stayed on the couch for the day and then got a good night’s sleep. I even ordered my dinner and the only time I left the house was to go pick it up. Mexican…yummy!!!

Perhaps I’m energized because the garage sale is now on a front burner. I don’t have time to sit around and mope or read or do whatever the heck I’ve been doing for the last four months. It’s going to happen and beginning next weekend, Haley is going to come help me prepare. I have 10-12 tables we can begin putting stuff on and then wrap in plastic until the day of the garage sale.

When I was at AJ’s he said some neighbors down the street had a garage sale this weekend and judging by all the traffic, it was extremely busy. That would be great if that happened to me, and two weeks from tomorrow I’ll know if it was a success or not. My opinion of success is that the majority of the stuff is gone by the end…the dollar amount is not, although it would be nice if I did make a couple of bucks.

So, with the exception of finishing up the laundry…the dog blankets and beds…I’m done for Sunday. All that’s left is making my dinner which won’t be all that difficult…corn-on-the-cob, steak and some other vegetables I already prepared. I just hope I can continue moving forward as successfully as I feel like I did today. Actually, it would be the best thing ever if I could have every single day be like this one…full of accomplishments that make me feel incredibly accomplished.

AJ AND ANDY

When AJ was in school, he had a great friend named Andy. Andy spent a lot of time at our house and we enjoyed having him. On Saturday, he came by my house to pick up a few boxes of vinyl records. He’s partners with someone who owns a store. AJ also came in his ’57 Chevy pickup and ended the visit by taking Andy on a ride. Seeing the two of them together and watching the way they cracked each other up, brought back some fun memories.

Andy went on vacation with us one year when we trailered the boat to LaConnor and then took the boat out into the San Juans. I think we ended up at some kind of boat resort on the same island as Friday Harbor. Another couple also went with us. The adults camped on shore in tents. AJ and Andy camped aboard the boat. I still laugh when I think of how so not clever they were. I even went through some photos and found two boat trips we took, but somehow Andy managed to avoid my camera on whichever trip he was with us.

Apparently, they either bought some cigarettes while we were in town or had obtained some prior to the trip. Anyway, we go down to the boat the next morning and here are all these cigarette ashes on the dock. Like duh, how’d they get there.

AJ still lived at home and they were probably in high school. We were all in bed and there was a knocking on the bedroom window. I got up and went to the window. I was pretty much nose to nose with Andy and told him AJ’s window was the next one over. He practically fell down trying to get back to the car.

There was the night AJ got into a fight at Dick’s Drive-in and broke a bone in his hand. Did he come home to his mommy? Nope, he and Andy went to the ER and then came home after we’d all gone to bed. This was back when I wore heels. When I was ready for work the next morning, I opened AJ’s bedroom door to wake him up. Andy had stayed and was asleep on the floor. I didn’t see him and almost put my heel through his head.

When Angie and AJ bought the house in Lynnwood, Andy moved in too, and occupied the large room on the lower floor. It was always so great to see Andy when we went out there. He was one of the family and there were times he and I had some great talks. When they had Haley, he became Uncle Andy and was just as delighted with her as the rest of us. I had photos of him amusing his honorary niece and the two of them are delightful, but apparently I put all those early photos on a thumb drive and gave it to AJ. Couldn't find a single one on this computer. 

Eventually, maybe by the time Haley was two or so, Andy decided it was time to get his own place and purchased a condo down by University Village. I loved going to his open house and seeing his mom and other friends. But things were different now. Andy had his own place, a job and a lot of different activities that he hadn’t had when he lived with AJ. I really really missed him a lot and didn’t see him very often at all.

Andy came to John’s Celebration of Life and we had coffee toward the end of the year. Then, he did me a big favor and I told him I’d have both him and his mom for dinner. Of course, that was right at the beginning of the pandemic. I still owe and told him today I hadn’t forgotten.

I don’t know about other parents and how they feel/felt about their children’s friends, but Andy was quite possibly my favorite, even when he was being naughty. He’s got the kind of laugh that you just have to laugh along with. Today, he and AJ were telling stories and sharing memories in the driveway. From the garage I could hear everything they said, watch their faces and body language and had a great time laughing along with them. I even told them I’d love it if they came by every Saturday to entertain me. That probably won’t happen so I’m especially thankful for today and all those great memories. 

WARNING -- PITY PARTY

Okay, I had a bit of gin before I sat down to write this. I’m also having a very private pity party just me, myself and I. I haven’t always been a good person and perhaps the pain and anguish I feel at my own party are my just rewards. I don’t know. All I know is that life can be difficult at times; and sometimes it seems there has been far more negativity in my life than positivity…why else have a self-pity party.

You know when you’re a kid and growing up, there’s really nothing that hurts or upsets you very much at all. You may skin your knee or do something that pisses your parents off, but all in all, it’s not really a big deal. You get a spanking or learn a hard lesson and move on. Your life is fairly optimistic and forward looking.

Then, you grow up and things change radically. Suddenly, the things that really hurt you have a lasting effect. They can really screw with your opinion and your feelings about your own self. There’s no kissing the boo-boo and making it go away. You have to find a way to deal with it all on your very own…and that’s not easy. Plus, sometimes there’s just no dealing with whatever it is and letting it completely go.

And, it’s amazing the things that can hurt you and hurt your heart. You’re in love and it’s not returned. Or, you’re in love and think you’re loved in return, but you’re not, really because otherwise the person causing the hurt would not have caused you that pain if s/he really loved you.

You have children and want only the very best for them. Sometimes that’s exactly what you get and other times, your heart hurts so badly for them you want to crawl into a closet and stay there because you know your child(ren) are being damaged or making the wrong decision, no matter what it’s about. And, there’s absolutely nothing you can do to assist. All you can do is worry and fret and try to let it go.

You have a friend(s) who meanS the world to you and s/he turns and puts a knife into your back as if your friendship had no meaning at all no matter how many years or decades it’s lasted. You’ve always thought s/he would go to the mat for you no matter what only to find out the knife in your back has been placed there by him or her. You simply cannot understand why or how your friend would do this to you. It hurts beyond belief and while the pain may lessen, it never ever goes away and you never stop missing that particular friend.

 Tonight, it seems as if there’s so much pain in my life I can barely keep my head above water…good thing I’m not in a swimming pool or a lake otherwise I’d definitely drown. Today, looking at all the hurts and owies life has handed me in all the years I’ve lived makes me just want to stop living so the pain will stop.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no intention of swallowing a bunch of pills or doing anything that would end my life. I mean, after all, if I cannot be around to watch people suffer over that kind of decision, what’s the point. If I could be guaranteed the ability to watch everyone suffer over my decision to just let go, I’d do it. But, there’s no guarantee, so why would I do something that wouldn’t bring me some kind of joy? Besides, thinking of my loved ones and how they would feel also causes a lot more discomfort.

What I do know tonight is that I’m almost 75 years old and while I’ve had a lot of happiness in my life, I’ve also had a lot of grief. And, it’s not the kind of grief where someone can hug me and tell me it will all be just fine eventually. It’s the kind of grief that stays with me, haunts my dreams, thoughts that come as I’m falling asleep, the thoughts I have when someone pays me a compliment or says something nice. Like, really, you mean that? How’s that possible because I couldn’t possibly be worth it.

Well, the pity party is finished and it’s the next morning. And, since I don’t have a hangover, I didn’t have too much gin. I had a good cry and then slept like a baby, got up, did my exercises and walked for an hour. Today is a new day and all the suffering I enjoyed last night with me and myself at our pity party is finished. I’m really glad and so fortunate that I don’t feel a need to have these pity parties very often. And, aren’t you ecstatic you didn’t get invited?

HELP...I'VE....

       

Sometimes I think I must have been nuts when I committed to posting something on my blog every single day of 2020. Of course when I said that, there was no pandemic in view and I figured I’d be out and about and having fun and sharing that with y’all. But I do deserve a gold star for continuing with the effort even though the majority of what I post probably isn’t all that interesting.

Then, there’s writing a post and losing it which is what I did earlier this week. I had written a post for Thursday and a draft for Friday, but somehow, I guess I wrote over Thursday’s post with the one intended for Friday. Is that making any kind of sense?

So, I’ll see if I can recall what I said about the gentleman from AARP who came to visit me on Monday. A month or so I received a postcard asking if I’d like a free Carbon Monoxide Detector. So, I filled it out and sent it back. This very nice gentleman was delivering the detector, but was also there to talk to me about safety in the home since I’m older and live alone.

Did you know that there’s a difference between a smoke detector and a fire alarm. I didn’t. One senses negative ions and the other positive ones. The smoke detector is photo electric and has little viewpoints around it, so it sees the smoke when it arrives at the detector and goes off. A fire alarm uses ionization and goes off when it senses the larger particles that haven’t yet made smoke. For instance, your toaster catches fire. The fire alarm goes off, you grab the toaster and haul it outside or use your fire extinguisher and get out of the house. He suggested I go online and watch “WTHR Aquarium Test” which I did, but I’m not sure it helped me understand any better. And, forgive me if I got this wrong.

He checked my smoke detectors which is when I realized I actually have two. He told me the oldest one is the bestest one and the new one would wear out before the old one. Hang on to that old one he said. Since I don’t have a fire alarm, I’m going to need to order and install one.

He also explained that getting down on the floor and crawling out of your burning building is not a good idea. There are so many toxic products now that the chemicals from those can kill you before you get out. You should hunch over and be at doorknob level which is about 36 inches. You may get some smoke, but you’ll be able to keep moving more safely.

Finally, he asked me if I had one of those, “Help, I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” personal protectors. I told him I did not. He showed me the one on his wrist and said he takes his own advice and pays $39+ a month for it. He strongly advised I invest in one.

On Tuesday, I went to lunch with AJ and asked him if he thought investing in one of these things would be a good idea. He said he thought so because lots of times they call or text me and I don’t answer or respond for some time. It’s worrisome. I had no idea they worried when I didn’t get right back. Lots of times I garden and leave my phone in the house or go in the house and leave my phone outside.

After lunch, even though I don’t feel old enough to require such a gadget, I went online and connected with Medical Guardian. You don’t have to have one that hangs around your neck…I’d hate that. You can get a wrist unit that has GPS and if you push the button anywhere in the United States, someone will get right back to you…usually within 15 seconds, but no more than 60 seconds. The “guardian” will find out from you your problem and needs and stay with you until the situation is resolved. If you are non-responsive, they will call 911 and send them to you.

So, I ordered a unit. I noticed on the email confirmation that they were sending white when I’d requested black. I called and was told there would be one of each color. Now, the cost is really $39.95 a month and the equipment is free. If I paid the fee annually (which I did), it was $516.34. That includes free shipping, free activation once it arrives, insurance if it becomes defective or broken, a lockbox with a pin that can be provided to the rescue folks so they don't have to knock down your door, and one free month of service.

When I call to activate, I can provide up to four contacts and depending on my problem, the “guardian” will contact them, or at least the first name on the list. I’ll be wearing it on my left wrist I think because my fitbit is on my right. Fitbit and Medical Guardian should link up so I could have all the information on one wrist.

Anyway, my personal gadget should arrive next week and I’ll call and activate it. I’m doing this not because I feel old and feeble but because my slow response to their calls and texts worries my children. I think it’s very important for me to do this so their lives are less worrisome…don’t you agree?

GARDENERS, PLEASE HELP/GARAGE SALE

Okay, there have to be some gardeners out there who read my posts. I really need some advice which I can apply to next year, providing I’m still here. I’ve always grown tomatoes on the deck, usually four big pots. Since the driveway now has only one car, I thought I would put the pots out there on the asphalt. I figured if I got a lot of tomatoes on the deck, I’d get bushels with the pots someplace that gets a lot of sun and asphalt heated by the sun.

Well, nope, that hasn’t happened. I have tomato plants that are actually scrawny. They all have tomatoes, but nothing like what I’m used to. And the squash. Sheesh. I figured I’d tie the vines to the fence as they grew. Well, I really don’t have much in the way of vines to tie up. I’m not going to have much in the way of squash and only one smallish pumpkin that’s already turning orange. Plus, the squash are all getting powdery mildew and that usually doesn’t show up until September.

So, here are my questions for you other gardeners or people who live with other gardeners.

1.     Do you think the asphalt got too hot and I’ve baked the roots?

2.    If I do the asphalt again, should I put the pots up on something so they aren’t resting right on the asphalt?

3.    Was this just a bad year for squash and tomatoes? I’ve seen plants in other places that look outstanding, so maybe not?

That’s it for the garden questions. I guess I am going to have a garage sale the weekend after Labor Day, unless the weather absolutely sucks. AJ and Haley and maybe Thor want to move ahead with it. AJ’s going to borrow ten tables on which we can put stuff. AJ said Haley could make the signs. I guess I need to get busy making signs that have prices, i.e., Everything on this Table = $1.00. I think that will be the easiest way to do the pricing, with the exception of bigger items that wouldn’t fit on the table or that might be worth a bigger asking price. And, of course, customers can always make an offer.

AJ says once this is done, I can call the Salvation Army and ask them to come pick up whatever’s left. I just may be able to park my car in the garage this winter for the first time ever. I figured we would have to wait for spring, but I’ll just wear a mask all day…or stay inside and watch. Also make a sign that says, no mask, don’t come in my driveway.

And, perhaps it’s not a good idea, but today it sounds wonderful. I want to leave this house and all the work it entails as quickly as I possibly can. I don’t want to have to deal with anything that requires a repair. I don’t want to have to deal with putting the garden to bed or waking it up next spring. And, perhaps I’m just having a bad day, but if I could put this house up for sale and include every single thing in it for an extra couple hundred thousand, that’s exactly what I’d do.

Since I have no idea about where I want to go, however, I guess I’d best be looking at that. What I’d really like is a quiet piece of property either on a lake or small stream from which I could launch a kayak. I’d get one of those sheds Costco had on sale last spring and have it turned into a little house with a bathroom, kitchen and loft bedroom. Ah, the dreams I have that will most likely not come to fruition.

Well, I said I was going to try not to whine and maybe this really isn’t a whine. I think it’s just one of those days where I feel like sitting down and having a good cry. I have no idea why I’m so teary today. It’s Xander’s birthday and I saw him, hugged him, got hugged back, gave him his card and present…it was soooooooo good to see and touch him. Maybe that’s why I’m feeling so teary…he’s six now and it won’t be long before he’ll add a one to that six, and I wish I could have him in my life on a more regular basis. Maybe I’ll stop this post and go have that good cry. A good cry really for no reason than I just feel like I need it…I guess.    

HAPPY BIRTHDAY XANDER LOUIE KARLBERG

           Since today is Xander’s sixth birthday, I think I’ll write a bit about him even though I’ve only seen him once since February. I will see him today because I’m going to drive to Snohomish to give him his birthday card and his present. When I talked to him on Monday, he told me he’s going to the mall and to the beach. I asked him what he was going to get at the mall. Was he going to get new underwear and he was appalled at the very idea. Still, he couldn’t tell me what he was going to get besides stuff he wants. His present from me is money, so he’ll be able to get even more stuff he wants. I just wish I could take him and we could go places together.

John and I had sort of come to the conclusion that Thor wasn’t going to be a daddy. He was with a woman who had two children, so when they announced they were expecting we were excited and delighted. Even more so when we found out it would be a boy…we’d have grandchildren of each gender.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the birthing and while I didn’t do much beyond keep out of the way, I was thrilled to see Thor hold his son for the first time and take their picture as I had done with his older brother when he had his child. There’s nothing as special as a grandchild regardless of whether it’s a boy or a girl.

At the time, Thor and Amber and their family lived in Lynnwood and I tried not to make a pest of myself, but managed to get out there at a minimum of once a week. I have so many photos of Xander in his first year, and beyond for that matter, that I can look back and recall what we were doing and what was going on.

Amber had great milk and Xander soon became a little bit chubby, but he was such a happy baby and we all delighted as he developed each new ability even though that meant he was growing. I don’t remember quite when we reached the point where Xander would come here one day a week and spend it with me and Grandpa John. John was thrilled with Xander’s hair because it had a lot of red and John had been a redhead when he was small. I wonder if Xander will grow into freckles like John did…so far not.

From Buy Nothing, I obtained a car seat which allowed me to pick up and deliver and take Xander various places. I have so many great memories of all the things we did whether they were here at the house or out and about. When he was just a baby, I could take and hold him and sing him a little song very quietly. He always immediately calmed and went to sleep.

“Hush little Xander, close your eyes,

“Nana’s going to sing you a lullaby,

“Hush little Xander, go to sleep,

“Nana’s here and she will keep,”

“La la la la la la la la.”

I would simply repeat those lines over and over and in no time, his eyes would be closed and he’d be sound asleep. For most of the time I had him once a week, he took a nap and we always cuddled up in the big chair and I would sing. I didn’t call it a nap, but our “la la” time because after repeating the lines a few times, I’d go to the la la and just repeat softly over and over. There were times in that chair when Nana took a little snooze too. That was the best time, holding that little warm body and watching him sleep.

We had lots of adventures together, sometimes just the two of us, sometimes we included his sister if there wasn’t any school, and sometimes with Nana’s friends. Amazingly, Nana’s friends didn’t mind the little tagalong because he was always so good. I remember going to Alderwood when they had the Lego exhibit there. Xander walked up and down the mall and came when it was time to move on and even let my friend hold him for a photo.

Another time we went to the Japanese Garden and Xander ran up and down the paths, but never strayed too far from the three (Claudia and Maryanne) of us. When we left the Garden, we went to a brewery/restaurant in University Village. Xander sat beside me on the bench and his behavior was excellent. When he’d had enough, he told me he wanted to go. I told my friends to finish their beers because I wanted to change him before putting him in his car seat…he’d be asleep before we left the parking lot.

Last spring, we drove to Greenwood Avenue North and caught a bus to the zoo. That was so exciting for him and we had so much fun at the zoo that, of course, he fell asleep on the return trip. I was able to wake him so I didn’t have to carry him to the car. 

Last year for Xander’s birthday, Nana gave him a ride from Kenmore to Lake Union in a float plane…so exciting. The pilot offered to let him sit in the co-pilot chair, but Xander said, “No thank you.”, and the pilot said he probably wouldn’t be able to see as well from there anyway.

This year has, of course, been quite different because of the pandemic. Not only did I lose John last year, but I pretty much lost Thor and his family this year. Since I have immune system problems, I cannot just go hang out there or have them here to hang out or even go places. I think the car seat can come out of my car now because I’m sure Xander is too big for it now…it barely fit the last time.

Anyway, sooner or later, this craziness has to end. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorite photos of Xander.

First photo with Grandpa

First birthday

Our little Viking.

Look at that Man Bun.

At the Zoo.

My favorite photo of us.

Look at that gorgeous hair.

Xander's first haircut this last February...really looks like a little boy now. 

CHINA, THE END

         Well, the trip was over. From Shanghai, after the rest of the party returned, we flew from there to Narita Airport in Japan and then on home. John and I hadn’t made any arrangements to get from Sea-Tac to home. John sprung for a taxi which was about $45 back then. Didn’t matter, we were tired, we wanted to be home and in our very own house and bed.

One topic I did not address was the traffic. You know how we mark our roads and there are lanes and you stay in your lane? Well, they may mark their roads, but no one stays in any one lane. If you are in the center, then you can usually go the fastest. Then there are however many lanes can fit between there and the group of motorbike riders. Sometimes those are several bikes wide. Then, you have the bicycle riders, lots and lots of them, who are several or more bikes adjacent each other. I would no more try driving in China than I would jump off a building and expect to fly. Of course, there is a sidewalk for the walkers, but I’m not sure I’d feel too terribly safe. One afternoon, I swear the only way our bus was able to move was that the driver had smeared Crisco down both sides…that’s actually how close were on each side. Absolutely amazing…and scary.

Then, there’s the fact Beijing was preparing for the Olympics in 2008. Lots of building going on. We say the “nest” building which I think is where the opening and closing ceremonies were. We were also told they would build in the space of the next two years three subways to move people about…THREE…3…, and we can’t even get a fast train here in a reasonable amount of time. 

Now there are some things I left out of the previous posts, either because I didn’t remember where and exactly when. So, I’m looking back at the photos today and posting either the photos I really liked or photos of whatever it was I forgot.

            I loved this rocking chair. It was on top of a roof in Lijiang…made me chuckle.

          In Lijiang, they don’t remove the trees, they just build around them.

            Notice the painting, rockwork—no mortar, window screens and roof.  Someone’s home.

           This is a photo of the work I requested. In Naxi it is supposed to say something like Haley Autumn, beloved granddaughter. I thought I put the meaning on the back of the frame, but it seems to have disappeared.

            I chose this photo of one of the couples on the trip, mainly so you could see all the food on the lazy Susan.

           Everyone in China has a job. This woman was sweeping the side of the freeway with a homemade broom. We were also told not to provide beggars with any money whatsoever. The government takes care of them and they don’t need it. Let me tell you, there were some sights I’ll never forget…what appeared to be a father holding a severely crippled child and begging. I wanted to empty out my bag. It wasn’t the only instance of begging with children and I wondered sometimes if the parent, if that’s who it was, had deliberately injured or taught the child to look so horrible…only word for it. Our guides made sure we kept to the rules.

           These are tree stumps that an artisan(s) carved and changed to create what looks like either a turkey or a peacock in the first photo.  There’s a bird’s head in the low middle of the second photo, but I couldn’t decide if it was a peacock or something else.

           I loved some of the people we saw and took photos when possible.

           Shanghai and the Pearl Tower from the Bund.

           Building in Shanghai…no tools like here. John and Buck couldn’t believe the scaffolding was bamboo and the building was many stories high.

           Electricity is very expensive, so you see sights like this all over Shanghai. Clothes are washed using a washer and then hung outside your apartment on a line until dry. We saw all kinds of clothing.

Needs no explanation.

Chinese language translated into English often made me/us laugh. The ones that caught my fancy are here.

And, there you have it, a 17-day trip to China with two of those days spent travelling to and from. And, may I say the International Date Line still confuses the hell out of me. I know it’s supposed to make sense and probably does, but it’s just really hard to wrap my head around the fact that in one second, it’s Tuesday and the next it’s Wednesday or whatever days it happens to be when you pass over.

I’d also like to add a few more comments about the trip. It was the best trip ever…the trip of a lifetime. All 16 people were agreeable and fun and I believe we all enjoyed each other. There were also banquets and I mentioned a couple of them. We only had to dress up for the last one which was in Shanghai. In addition, the Chinese give you stuff. I have a couple of dishes hanging on my wall which were gifts. Each night, in most hotels, there were papercuts on our pillows. I framed five of them and they hang on my wall...just noticed the multiple colored ones have faded. We also bought money cats. Supposedly if you put one of these by your entrance, you’ll receive money…still waiting!!! (photos below)

So, that’s it, as much of it as I can remember. I’m sure there are many more files housed in this old 286, but they haven’t managed to rise up to the surface so I can access. Maybe I’ll have to do an addendum if something really interesting comes up. And, if you want to spend time with my scrapbooks and photos, let me know.