Not-quite bionic woman

Not really the million-dollar man, either.  Maybe the $5K woman?

Wednesday was spent modifying my body a bit.

Up first was a temporary crown.  I think since it is so far back they used the copper cap.
The permanent one will match my teeth.
I am not sure which is worse, the anticipation or the sounds of the drill.

Later I picked up my hearing aids!  The top one has a microphone and transmits what it picks up the right one, which is only a receiver and does not amplify sound.  The feeling in my ear is mildly uncomfortable (a little itchy and a little feeling of stuffy ears) and the results are mixed.  I still have no directional sound (D. thinks my brain will learn which sounds are coming from the left and adapt).  I was able to hear my friend as we walked together and she was on my right, but I can not hear anything when I hold the phone up to my hearing aid.  Or maybe I am hearing a faint something?  Nothing useful.  I will continue to experiment with them for a few weeks and at that point I have to decide whether I want to purchase them or return them at no cost.

Even though I wear glasses I don't think I qualify as a cyborg.

Competition

Last June there was a story in the paper about the discount grocery store chain Aldi opening 45 stores in Southern California.  I completely forgot about that until I saw this sign today.

The first Aldi I shopped at was in Ithaca, right by the Farmer's Market.  If you plan to visit do not try to leave the parking lot on Saturday or Sunday morning.

I found this review of the Ithaca store.

I have also shopped at Aldi in Roskilde and still have a cycling shirt I bought there.
It is also on the edge of town, but I am guessing they save money
by renting or buying where it is less expensive.

Fun fact :  Two brothers started Aldi and one went on to buy Trader Joe's!

By looking at today's hiring event listing I see that a store will be opening in La Verne.  I'll keep you posted if I learn more.

Why I didn't post on Sunday

Blogging was on my list to do, but I received a last-minute invitation to go cross-country skiing.  I couldn't think of a reason to say no.

The drive up was awful since everyone else wanted to enjoy the snow, too.
We did have some nice views.

It was worth the drive!  The last time I skied on groomed trails was in the early 1990's.
Plus the skis did not have to be waxed and did not have three-pin binding.
I wasn't worried about falling as much as I was worried about not being able to get up.
I proved several times that I could get up!

The drive home wasn't great, either, but we had podcasts and tush warmers.
It was a great day!

Catching up

It is a good thing when life is full and I don't have time to post.  It is also good to slow down and reflect.

Saturday we said sad good-byes to company, but then jumped right into schoolwork, a bike ride to San Bernardino and back, and playing with friends.  A couple of us stopped by the grand re-opening of Shelton Park.

"In a related agreement in 1997, the City acquired from the College Leonard A. Shelton Park, at the corner of Harvard and Bonita avenues."

You can learn more about the history of land disputes between Pomona and Claremont here.  You could also attend city council meetings in 2016 and learn about the current relationship!

I was lucky to bring home a cookie with a picture of the new stage.

Festivities included live music by professionals and a school band,
a planting, and comments from dignitaries.  

Also filling the day were college basketball games (I went to the women's game and was lucky to see a win), a movie, root beer floats, and a sleepover.

I was so caught up in the action that I took a picture only before the game.

And a parting shot of another exciting part of the day.  A. can now captain the tandem (if he has a willing friend).

DTLA, take four

In October I went downtown with an international visitor, in November I went with A. and his friends, and in December we went skating downtown.  This month's trip was with family and we did two new things.

As we were walking through Union Station we could see that something was going on in the front room.

This is a picture of the "tightly choreographed news conference,"
as described by the L.A. Times ,when the new M.L.S. team,
Los Angeles Football Club, was announced.

They were already selling scarves with the team's logo.

We pulled ourselves away and took a DASH bus tour past the museums and around the library, then caught another bus and took a little tour around Little Tokyo.  We got on a third bus to go to Grand Central Market for lunch.  After an uphill climb we made it to The Broad.

We looked at a lot of art, but I especially enjoyed the building and looking at it in unusual ways.

Here we are in the elevator looking up to the roof.

I like the way the building is reflected in the Koons sculpture.

a different style selfie

We were so lucky to have good weather!

Flip House

Last October I wrote about an house in poor condition that was being remodeled with the intent to sell it.  The new owner lives in the neighborhood and flips houses for a living so I was hoping the updated version would fit in.

a screen grab from a 2012 Google map
Too bad you can't see how much stuff is on all the porch
and all the abandoned cars and motorcycles in the back.

This was taken last October at the beginning of the project.

taken yesterday
Check out the website for more photos!  
At the open house D. learned that there have been multiple offers and
when I stopped by to take a picture more people were looking.
I miss the greenery (and who puts in grass these days?),
but I think it is an improvement for the neighborhood.

~~~~~~~
Thanks to sharp-eyed reader D.T. from California, here are couple more before photos.

A good start

After celebrating on the last day of 2015 we all got off to a good start to 2016.

bicycle parking along the route

D. was the first out the door to meet a group that planned to cycle to Rose Parade. Even though it started at 8am the route was so long they were able to get good viewing spots and see a lot of it. Even though the floats and bands were fantastic, the most talked about event was the skywriting.

Anybody but Trump
funded by a Sen. Rubio supporter

It wasn't nearly as exciting, but I enjoyed a hike and swim on a beautiful day.  The other highlight was celebrating the birthday of a friend who had been in the paper for being the first baby of the year.  Rumor has it that her parents almost named her Missy since she missed the tax deduction deadline.

The youngest family member spent a good chunk of the day practicing tricks at the skatepark and on the campuses.  I am so grateful that we did not start the year with any broken bones.  Here's to another 365 days (leap year) of the same.

R. was able to celebrate finishing college applications. The party was also a nice chance to catch up with people home from college. It is great to live close enough to everything so R. could walk home when we decided we wanted to stay a bit longer.

The day wrapped up with a funny dinner, serving the food intended for company that did not materialize.  Appetizers make a great meal!

Best wishes for a good health and peace in the year ahead!