Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Photo taken in San Diego by John B

This is such a lovely time for a holiday and fortunately we are all 'forced' to remember our brave who have fought for our freedom. I just put out flags, a couple of banners, a wooden God Bless America plaque, said a few 'I am grateful' prayers and I have a watermelon in my fridge. I am ready...
The weather has cooled down and its lovely outside right now...feels so much better to have fresh air blowing thru our house instead of AC. I am grateful again for this day...

My man and I just returned from a 2 night camping trip with Timothy and Jammie. When the boy called me for mother's day I said I had a favor to ask. I could tell from his voice he was fearing a manual labor request...more tile? Sprinklers?.. When I asked if we could meet up at Idyllwild and camp he was immediately elated and jumped at the chance. I know how to work my boys...and we all had a great time!
We had been having some hot days above 105 so I loved sleeping all snuggled up and sitting by a campfire. We only have to go one hour to get away and I think there may be a few return trips in our future. Here are our awesome campsites in a basically empty campground...T and J have the cool condo attached to theirs...can you see Grace and I looking at them with envy?!?

Poorboys on the fire! YUM!

Breakfast in the woods...nothing better!

We went for a great hike down to Strawberry Creek and I don't know who enjoyed the creek more. The dogs were swimming, rock jumping and sliding and having the best time! Of course we were all doing the same except for swimming and it was a blast. Well worth the long walk there and back...
I just love camping for some reason...the fresh air, the working together to set up and make meals...Jammie and I blended our menus as if we had made a list. It was great fun to spend time with them in such a relaxing setting and catch up. I was a bit upset I forgot to pull out the games...I guess I am a bit rusty since we rarely camp anymore.

We left poor Buster home alone for the 3 days and he had plenty to say about it when we returned. Maybe we will find a little trailer one day so he can come along and be the cute kitty in the window in the wilderness. I would then love to spend the whole summer traveling around and stopping wherever looked fun and leaving when we were good and ready...ah retirement!

Family shot

Enjoying the creek fun

Beautiful setting..notice Wolfgang already napping!

mom's day

Not a good photo of either of us but we are together and its mother's day.

 Well, Rande and the band arrived shortly before 0200 and spent some time in the hot tub before collapsing into the beds. I said it before but I don't know how they survive the touring life but then again I am not 24 with endless energy.
 My man whipped up pancakes and bacon for everyone once they surfaced and I drilled them with questions between bites. They all seem confident they are going to make it big any day now and seem to all be happy doing what they are doing. It was apparent they were on their last stop before going home and were missing gf`~ dog~ home.  The day was spent relaxing and enjoying the pool and sunshine and beers. What more could they need?! I must say Gracie loved having this much action in her pool and spent most of her day hanging with the band.

Craig Grace Matt and Rande

Grace kicking Gauntlet Hair butt in the dog paddle!

Remember my guitar I placed on a stand for that occasional visitor that liked to play?! Here is Andy
making beautiful music on my guitar! 'If you display it a band will come play it'!

Last but not least is a photo of my daughter wanting to run away with the band. I only had sons to avoid this happening and yet even my sweet pup could not resist musicians and the road. Such a glamorous lifestyle!

It was a most unusual mother's day and yet I wouldn't change a thing. A house full of boys is always  my idea of a good time. It was also wonderful to see Rande and share the projects we have accomplished since Christmas. Of my sons, Rande was always the one that wanted to have his friends come over. "Instaparty!" I guess nothing has changed and I am glad.
Hope you all had a lovely weekend as well~

Back by popular demand

I must say I was rather surprised that a few of you were actually upset about me quitting so I am more than happy to carry on.  I do greatly appreciate your comments and feedback so please continue so I know you are out there!!

 I am delighted to post these photos because it was so incredibly amazing to see. We golfed on a local fancy golf course here in La Quinta called SilverRock. Actually some major golf tournaments are held here and for good reason...its drop dead gorgeous.

I however played terrible and had enough sand in my shoes to start up a new kitty litter box. The bunkers were what you would expect a meteor to leave behind. BIG and DEEP! I also managed to hit into most of the water features just because they were there. Good thing the scenery was so awesome!
As we approached one of the tee boxes that was what we saw! They took my breath away because we scour the mountains all winter looking for big horn sheep...and here we had 10 including babies right in front of us! So cool!

I know right? You are glad I was able to share this with you too!

So this morning I finished a big project and couldn't wait to share it with you. Ready?

  

I found these cool sticks while golfing...they thought I was looking for my ball!

Here is it cheering up our great room!

 I did a piece similar to this one on commission when we still lived in Gig Harbor. I thought it was a great piece when I finished it. Now that I have tried to somewhat recreate another I realize just how far I have come in my craft. My work has so much more detail and I am not afraid to experiment by adding materials I find in nature.  I feel good about my artistic growth and more self confident that I do possess a bit of talent even if I dont have an artist show.

I was motivated to finish this up because Rande and his band are suppose to arrive tonight after a show in Pomona. I need to rearrange my sewing room to make room for a blow up bed...poor guys have to be exhausted with the traveling they have been doing. They leave again tomorrow for a show in  San Diego so it will definitely be a quick stop. I am sure there will be pancakes all around in the morning which makes my man feel good. He makes the best ever...
Speaking of touring...Timothy was in Minneapolis this week and after some mom meddling and exchanging numbers he hooked up for beers with my fav MN kids Beth and Will. Beth and Timothy have not seen each other in probably 12-13 years when she was my babysitter for the boys. I thought it was funny she referred to him as a really cool kid. He is 6'2 and 24 yrs old so not much of a kid left in him but she is right he is very cool! <3

Remember me telling you I went to the doctor and she was slicing and dicing me up for biopsies? Well I had to return to get the sutures out on Wed. and one of the biopsies came back invasive cancer so now I need to have Mohs surgery to remove more of the skin. I must say I walked out and cried...its not like I am afraid I am going to die or anything. I think I just really felt stressed being caught between a dr I dont care for and a dr I have never met. Its not like I can say oh nevermind I'll think about it another day. I hate the idea of being one of those people missing chunks of skin everywhere because they keep getting sliced and diced over and over. I guess its not my call.
I have an appt with the new doctor this week and I'll let you know if I am going to live. I am thinking a neck lift would be perfect right now so that much less skin to worry about!
Thanks for dropping by and for asking me to continue writing.
Happy Mothers Day to all my mom friends. Love you!

So long...farewell...its time to say goodbye

This will be my last post and I feel kind of sad to end my year long journal. I began last June while renting in Gig Harbor and so much has changed in that year. I must admit I have enjoyed writing  because in school it was one of the few things I could do well. No math involved! I began writing though because my sons both had blogs and it seemed like such a wonderful way to keep in touch. Kind of like the 'old days' when we actually wrote letters to our friends and family and filled them with details of our lives. Emails just don't feel  nearly as personal and cell phones allow people to be called at times not convenient to a long chat.
I phoned a friend and told her I never hear from her anymore and she said 'well I read your blog and get caught up on your life and don't need to call'. That was never my intention to have me do all the 'talking' and not know anything about people that matter. As I said when blogging with the boys we were all sharing and it felt right. I want and need to know what my 11+/- followers are up to as well. I honestly think my man likes the blog because he finds out way more and its me talking when he feels like listening!  While I have enjoyed having a blog both of my boys have discontinued theirs and dont have the time to read mine so its just not the same.
Thanks for checking in and reading about our adventures and house projects for the past year.  I hope I have not bored you with my writings and please feel welcome to write or phone if you need an update! I will be delighted to share my story and listen to yours as well.
Thanks for dropping by.

TGIF... I guess

You know your day is off to a sketchy start when you push the on button of your coffeemaker and there is silence. We have had a good run for my 12.99 but I wish he had given me a heads up on the check out date. While I am waiting for that first cup in the am is not the best time. I have been thinking I would really like one of those fancy Keurig one cup at a time makers. I realize they are more expensive but if I am the only one drinking coffee it kind of makes sense. Fine..I really want one because most of my friends have one and it looks cool.  WHAT?!

Can you believe its May already? I was going to post on May Day but I still have issues with that day from my childhood. It was a serious business then to do the baskets of flowers, ring the doorbell and giggle behind a tree. The worse part for me was the kids taking these beautiful bouquets to our teacher. What kiss ups...My mom was not a flower grower... which by the way is shocking because its her passion now. So I would show up for the school bus with a couple of dying geraniums with flowering weeds thrown in. I can still remember, (which is also surprising because I cant remember shit now) going to the back of the room and seeing my flowers in the trash can. Still feeling the pain...

I have discovered it rocks to make friends with the canadians in the hood. When it comes time to leave for their 6 months out of the US they bring all their food and drink to us! Sweet deal! Really sweet that my fav gf's son was just here for Coachella Fest with all of his friends and she wanted us to have the case of beer left. I have never heard of beer expiring (never sticks around long enough to go bad in our house!) but she seemed to think it would so fine with me!
We had a bbq their last night so send them off with good thoughts about us and anxious to come back in Nov. It is feeling kind of sad to see everyone slowly leaving the hood and our town. I can only relate it to a college graduation when you are not and watching everyone leave but your life continues on.

Here is a little piece I finished last month thinking I was still in the art show. I figure I can use it in my art festival booth if I ever...trying to think positive. 

This is the piece I am working on right now and my biggest problem is the fat cat lying on it. This happens the moment I leave my room and no matter how many times I toss him he comes back. I am baffled and definitely not pleased. I am going to have to buy the industrial size lint rollers if this continues.
My man went to SD on Mon. to see a couple of friends so I asked if he would check out a fabric store in Fallbrook that I use to shop at. Well he did and then rather than continue our discussion about what was there he handed me off to the owner. So we talked about what was wrong with my machine and easier ways to fix it. I also asked if she really didnt have any good sky fabric like JK said. She replied that she didnt and could not believe my man knew so much detail about my work. She was impressed and I felt proud.  I will admit though totally surprised because what I see when I am talking to him is so different. His eyes glaze over and I can tell he is picturing himself in his man cave and wishing my lips would stop moving so he can get back to impt stuff.
So it just goes to show if you say something enough times.. a man can piece it together to use later. Way to go babe!

Timothy and Rande have both been on the road touring with their perspective boy bands and both seem pretty darn tired from their schedules. I do not know how they do it nor do I care to try. I can say what Timothy is experiencing is as close to an airline job as you can get. Guess he really doesn't care to pursue that pilot position now!
Here is a sweet photo of T and K in the green room before a show at the Univ of Idaho. Ky seemed to really enjoy meeting Donald and the band and of course seeing his bro.
As a parent there is nothing more heart warming than to see your grown up kids choose to be friends.
Especially mine since remember we are that family of gypsies and never know when our paths will cross. Yeah.  I do wish we would hear from him occasionally about his adventure but maybe there simply is not enough down time or ...you choose the reason.

My neighbor Dave has gotten me hooked on the PBS series Downton Abbey and has been Netflexing us the disks this week so we can see season one. It is so entertaining and I just love the british humor.  We have to hurry tho because they will be leaving Tues for their 6 months in WA. I will miss them ~mostly Dave because he is this easy going laugh alot kind of guy. We are lucky in neighbors..ok well on one side for sure. I was able to get Jackie to stop the barking in the early hours which has been heavenly. Now my man is complaining the birds are chirping too loud...I am here to tell you retirement has a whole new set of challenges but we are definitely up to the job so no worries.
Thanks for dropping by.
Happy May! Oh and be sure to tell a mom.. any mom.. you love her!!

might be a nap in the hammock kind of day

Successful party = check! As much whining as I did yesterday about not wanting to host the party it was actually pretty darn easy. I am use to personally making a table full of heavy and light hordourves for my parties so I was feeling guilty about not. Everyone brings something to share and drink so I made popcorn! ha! I would say we had over 20 people and I met some new neighbors and had some great conversations. Also had the opportunity to share my art work with a couple of ladies that thought I was awesome. Always good to hear and one of them has a friend with an art gallery so you never know!  I am thinking I may try to assemble a bit of a portfolio of my pieces large enough to show some details. It feels wrong to say 'Oh, well lets look at my computer at photos'...
kind of hoaky.

I wanted to share a book I just read...The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons. It begins in 1938 and is the story about an old english estate on the Dorset Coast as war was beginning to break out. The author used an actual estate Tyneham as her basis and the history behind that area and time frame is fascinating. Churchill told the people of Tyneham they would have to leave their estate, village and homes so the military could use them but promised they would be returned to them after the war. So the residents all planted their gardens and tidied up their places so when they returned it would be life as usual. They even left a note pinned to the church asking the soldiers to please take care of their village and homes because they were so impt to them. Well Churchill did not ever return their estate to them and the soldiers (British and American) shot up the houses and ruined the village. I found the whole history of this so interesting I am searching Amazon for more books on that time frame. The war from England's point of view is so different from what we learned in America.

Yesterday I finally broke down and wrote to the event planner for the winery and told her I could not come up with an easy way to orchestrate the month of Sept and she would need to find another artist. She merely replied 'OK ..no problem ~soak up some sun for me.'  Geez she could have faked some disappointment dont you think?  I have been trying to understand why I refused to send this email sooner and wondered if I was hoping I could still do the show. Was I sad to give up the dream of being somebody?? Was I embarrassed to once again back out and be a quitter? I have decided yes to all 3. While I was in the process of planning this show and dreaming of possibly being a success I felt full of potential. I feel nothing but disappointment in myself right now yet I know there are different avenues I can pursue. I guess I was riding high on the possibility of being good at something. Oh well. At least its done and I can move on with a clear calendar.

We have rented the wonderful MN lake home again for Aug and from there going to New Glarus WI to see my sweet cousin and on to Door County. I am so excited to see all of these places again! Kind of a cute story...the people we are renting the lake home from emailed me about the dates. So I replied "Great... and the sec deposit last summer was $1000.00~ is that still fine?"  She writes back that last yr was their first time renting but this year they know us and it wont be necessary! Seriously? We have never met and we still have a cat and dog! I write these friendly emails convincing them to let us use their home and saying I wish we could have a cocktail on the deck together...and now they think we are friends. The power of words is incredible~
Thanks for dropping by.

Its Friday already?

This week we had one of those cool retractable screen doors added to our entry and when you look towards the mountains you cannot even tell its there. It provides a wonderful cross breeze for our house and I basically am very pleased to finally have one. My man is a bit tired of me saying 'but all the neighbors have one' and it was obvious it was not on his list.

Here is Buster enjoying the view and the breeze. See what I mean about how you cannot see it?! I know, right? Very cool! I did have a neighbor suggest we add a sticker because someone had walked into theirs. What the heck look where you are going! So far Grace and Buster seem to have no problem realizing its there...

I went to a recommended dermatologist this week and she practically ran out of ink circling what she said was skin cancer. She proceeded to tell me due to Obamacare she could only biopsy 2 at a time.
So I am feeling very vulnerable lying there as she cuts and sutures me twice and wishing she wouldn't.  I went home angry because I felt it was overkill for topical cancers and I will have scars now AND we dont have Obamacare! What the heck?! I have to return in 2 weeks to remove the sutures and to remove her from my life. I am still feeling angry at her process and words...yet because I had melanoma I am forced to find another doctor willing to help me be proactive. Why do there have to be so many lunatics in the medical field?!? You will thank me for not posting a photo of my neck cut...poor Ky had to be 'my person' and receive that shot.Ugh.

My man and I golfed yesterday and it was an absolutely perfect day out. 80 and cool breeze and I finally did not suck at golf. I think I was less distracted because no friends to talk to... I slowed down my swing process and worked on not looking up during putting. Went home feeling encouraged and that is the first time this season. I have been secretly wishing we would quit the club so I would not have to continue to hate myself for not improving. Golf is so unforgiving and only a good round makes one want to return.
I am also going to share a story that definitely does not make me look good but is a wonderful lesson in life. We were playing behind a threesome and they were so darn slow it felt like we would hit our ball and then wait forever for them to progress enough for us to hit again. If you golf you know what I mean. Ugh. Then every hole they would drive their 2 carts right up to the green and park them. This was making us crazy angry because for everyone coming after them their carts leave tire grooves and changed the course our balls might take to the flag. Its proper etiquette to not drive to the greens...or at least not to the approach...park on the side.
So for 18 holes we are complaining and waiting...ok maybe we didnt complain all 18 holes...So when we finish I go in the pro shop and begin to tattle on the member asking who he was and explaining why we were upset. So I am told well he might have been having a bad day because his wife is in the hospital and not doing well...ok well now I feel bad but it gets worse. Once a year he takes these two friends golfing and he told our pro he was dreading it today..one of them is practically blind and the other is deaf and he is miserable the whole round but they look fwd to it.
Can you still see me? Could I possibly feel smaller and more petty? No I dont think so. So here is our lesson for the day/week/year...dont be so quick to judge someone because you never know what battles they are fighting. I wish I could say I am glad I could be of service reminding you all of this but I only wish I had never walked into the pro shop and opened my mouth.
Speaking of opening my mouth...we have been having neighborhood parties every month or so. Its kind of a word of mouth sort of thing and everyone brings something to share and to drink and there are usually 20+ peeps. Well at the last one, after a couple glasses of wine, I volunteered our place for the last one. Why? At the time it seemed fine but its tonight and I SOOOO do not want to do it.
Will I ever learn? Probably not...
Thanks for dropping by.