Wild Flowers

I had taken some pictures of the wildflowers that grew on the hill below us. They were so pretty.








This last one I thought turned out really neat. This tree is next door to us. I thought the picture was one you might see out in the country.

Where does the time go?

I noticed that time just seems to disappear lately. We have been so busy lately that if it wasn't for our calendars, we both would be lost.

We have a main calendar at home but we each have an individual one so we know what is going on with each other. At least that has been the plan. We have to check our calendars with the main one on a regular basis so we don't schedule something at a time that has been booked. I didn't do this and now I have to reschedule an appointment. It is far enough out that it shouldn't be a big deal except I am limited to days I can use.

We will be going to Monterey California the middle of May. It was originally set up for us to leave on the 14th of May. I marked my calendar. It was then changed to leave on the 13th but the change didn't make it on my calendar and therefore I scheduled an appointment. Figures!

With meetings to go to for the Associated General Contractors, functions to attend for the company or for the MS Society, meetings that I have to attend, whether it is by car or by phone, or another golf game with a subcontractor, everything is important. You really can't say NO (I guess you can but you would feel bad doing it) as you are expected t attend. I have been very involved with the MS Society. Dad would always say "everyone knows Betty". That is pretty true but it also includes the other half too.

I guess it is good being busy as it makes the time go by but does it have to be so FAST!

The MS Walk

Betty's Builders walked today for finding a cure for MS. Our team stood at about 20-25 people but we raised, at this point. $32,000 with other money coming in. We walked at the University of California/Irvine campus. I am not sure how many people were in attendance but there were a lot!

There were dogs of all sizes and breeds. They all actually got a long with one another. Some of the bigger dogs were afraid of the smaller ones which was comical to see.

It was a HOT day. We were in the 90's and it was only 10:30 in the morning. Last year we needed to wear jackets to walk as it was chilly. Much water was drank this day. When we left UCI, we had to make a run to TCBY for yogurt as this usually cools me down. I was very red in the face (and not from embarrassment).

During the walk, my wheelchair had a malfunction : ( One of the front wheels broke. It broke at a welding site so one of our group took the chair to see if their welder could fix it. We should know next week. If it can't be fixed, I will just get a new one. We have had that chair for quite a while and it has been many places. I usually don't have to use it unless we are going on a very long walk. I certainly could not do a lot of walking today because of the heat. My legs were not cooperating.

Clark really did a nice job with our tent. The company provided water and candy. We also had jump ropes, yo-yo's, pens, band aid containers with Clark Construction name upon them. Be prepared to be receiving something in the mail for the grandchildren.

We have been so busy!

It has been one of those years that we seem to be so busy doing a lot of little things and doing a lot of flying. It even caused us to miss getting a card and a gift to Elizabeth for her birthday. For that we are sorry.

I was in Colorado for two weeks helping Jennifer. It was a difficult time for her as she separated from Mark. I helped her find a new place to make a fresh start. I was also offering moral support and continue to do so during this difficult time. Jennifer had tried everything to make the marriage work but she reached her limit with the verbal abuse she had been receiving from Mark. Jennifer is on to a new start. Her business is doing OK but just a little slow. She has been applying for work but she is competing with those many other people also looking for work.

I was only back from my trip for a week before I was flying back to Colorado for another week. This time it was to help her move and set up her new place. It was tricky to be at two places at once, so I was at her new place waiting for deliveries while Jennifer was at the old place waiting for movers. Noah and Madilynn like the new place. They are also getting use to going to Daddy's house or Mommy's house.

Once I returned from Colorado, I was home for a day before boarding another plane to San Francisco for an awards dinner for the AGC (Associated General Contractors). Dad's company was up for an award for a project they did in Pasadena. The company was one of three nominated in their category. They WON! It was a happy time.

We don't have our house on the market any longer. The market is so depressed around here as it is across the country. At least we do not have an urgent need to sell as other people. We will wait until the market rebounds.

We thought we were going to Bethesda around Jon's birthday but that trip was cancelled. Our next big trip will be to Monterey California for an AGC State Board Meeting. Dad is on the State Board so a trip we will make. He will also have an opportunity to play golf at Pebble Beach. The views are supposed to be spectacular and the course is great too. Dad has passed this opportunity up in the past but he isn't this time.

Dad had to go to the doctors today because he had been seeing some blood in his urine. The doctor wants to do a cat scan to see if he has a stone in his bladder or kidney that is causing the problem. Dad does not know what they will do if this is the case. He is doing OK and is in no pain. We are just waiting to get an OK from the insurance company for the procedure and then set the appointment.

I have been still doing fine. I do get fatigued if I do too much and it takes a little bit to recoup. I know what you are saying - I also get tired from doing too much but it does not take you a day or more to get your energy back up. It doesn't happen that often. Dad and I will be walking for the MS Walk this Saturday. Actually, I will be in my wheelchair as I am not able to walk the full two miles without having some leg problems. Dad feels better if I don't give him a reason to be concerned. So either I stay behind and wait for them or go in my wheelchair. Hmmm, I guess I will use my chair.

Dad has been playing a lot of golf by invitation of sub-contractors. He tells me it is "for work". Uh-huh, I believe that one....
Dad will be getting a new car to replace his Buick. He asked for a Ford Explorer. Dad had looked at a Ford F-150 with the Harley Davidson package but for some reason they won't go for it. It might be the cost? ;-) We aren't sure when he will get one as the 2009 models will be coming out soon so the company might wait until then.

We are having refrigerator problems and we may have to get a new one. We are going to have another company give it a shot to fix it but if this doesn't work, then we will go shopping. We have been having water coming out from the bottom of refrigerator. We had Sears out to look at it and the repairman said it was due to a defective filter. We replaced it but we still have the problem. Of course, the water problem started up when I was gone so Dad had to deal with the water on the floor when he returned home from work. Not a pleasant thing to have. He turned off the cold water line to the ice maker but this also closed off the cold water to the sink. Now when I do dishes, I just have hot water. It makes for a fast washing. This too will be fixed but not until next week. The earliest someone can come for the repair.

Whew! I think I have caught you up with everything. I am a big one for making lists, as I tell everyone, and thank goodness I do. I could not have made it without one. How are your gas prices? Ours are close to $4.00 - $3.80 a gallon for regular. Aren't you glad you aren't here...OK

Stay happy. Things will be OK. You just have to trust. Love you.