We have welcomed another new year - 2008. The time has just flown by since the big issue of turning over to the year of 2000. Nothing happened and we are still going about our business.
Dad and I had a quiet new year as we went to bed very early. This was a first for us, to miss bringing in New Year's. We both are fighting off colds. I seem to have it a little worse than he but we are both taking the same medicine. We haven't gone to the doctor's as it isn't that bad. We will keep track of things as we were around some sick kids and adults on the plane and for our visits.
Chester was glad to see us after we had returned. It has been hard to give him the attention he wants when you aren't feeling good. We will work through it ...
We haven't taken our tree and decorations down yet. It is one of those chores that require energy which we don't have right now. By this weekend, by this weekend. We will do the deed. It is a good thing we don't have a real tree and have to clean up needles.
We are expecting three major rain storms starting Thursday. It might be 5-7 inches. I don't think it will be on us but more into the desert region. Rain will be good as things are so dry around here.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
WE ARE HOME!
We had a great time traveling but we are glad to be back home again. The trip started off well. We were able to get everything packed into our suitcases with out going over the weight limit for the airlines. We were making our first stop in North Carolina. Dad had wanted to see a development called Ford's Colony in Rocky Mount. We did not check the map very well as we had landed in Charlotte at 4:30 PM and Rocky Mount is about a 4 hour drive north. As we were still on California time, it wasn't too bad getting there. Dad did all the driving, as I have a tough time driving at night.
We had a great hotel room at the Residence Inn. More room than we actually needed. It had a small kitchenette and breakfast bar to eat at if needed. We didn't. We did spend a full day at Ford's Colony looking at their model homes and at lots available. Even though we did find a couple of lots of interest to us, I think we are going to pass. The question of where we are going to be once Dad retires is still up in the air. Dad has decided not to worry about it anymore until the time is closer.
We left a day early from Rocky Mount to make our way to West Virginia. We were able to get our room a day early so that made our decision to move-on that much easier. Again, the drive took us about 5 to 5 and 1/2 hours. The drive was uneventful. We even stopped along the way for lunch.
We finally arrived around 4:30-5:00 at the hotel. The Clarion Hotel was tucked away from the road so you did not see it right away. Once you do, you are amazed at the site. It is a very large hotel. It was now our home away from home for a few days. We saw Jon and family that evening for dinner. We visited some the next day but we also needed to visit Tony and family too so we split-up the day.
Dad wanted to do the Farmer's Market with Tony on Saturday but was talked out of it by Tony. Dad did not want to disappoint him but was told that it might be too much for Dad to do. Dad listened. I helped Abby make the fruit cake cookies and Gabe and Sophia and I put gingerbread houses together. We thought the houses were the best ever!
We tried to get together as often as possible to see everyone. We hoped we spent enough time visiting but we know that it is not the same as if one is available every day.
We did attend Christmas service on Christmas Eve which was very nice. We opened gifts with Tony and family before the service and before Jon and family arrived. We had decided to do this as the gifts were quite large. It made it easier to leave the gifts home the next day.
We arrived at Jon's house on Christmas about mid-morning. We started to open some gifts and Katelynn was very excited. She wanted to keep opening presents when we stopped to take a break to have some breakfast. It was a good way of doing things as it made the morning's excitement last for awhile. We think everyone received what they wanted.
Tony and family arrived later in the afternoon for dinner. Jon cooked a large turkey with all the makings. Some dinner rolls and cranberry sauce were forgotten but no one seemed to mind. It was a fun time for everyone. Afterwards, the Wii game was used and everyone had a lot of fun. Gabe, Tony, and Dad seem to have a rivalry going with that game. Tony and Jon do so also. We need to get one so we can practice for the next time. Now, we just have to find the game system...
After returning to the hotel, we went down to the lobby to use the hotel's computer. We wanted to print out our boarding passes for the trip to Denver. It was a good thing that we had tried because our flight had been CANCELLED. United said they did not have a crew to fly the plane. (We found out later that United had let a number of crews off so they were short handed. The cause was two major snow storms that had caused many flight delays. No pilots - no planes) We had not been notified and at the time we did not know what was going to happen. It took a long phone call from Dad and some very strong conversation to get us on a flight. There weren't flights available from Dulles Airport or Ronald Regan. The only flight we could get on was out of BWI at 8:00 am. This meant we had get up and moving by 4:00 am in order to arrive at the airport on time. We did make it and even had a quick breakfast. We weren't even finished eating when we thought our flight was being called so anything left over was thrown away. It was a false alarm but we rather had been safe than sorry.
We had to call Jennifer when we had the flight change. They were picking us up originally in the afternoon but it had to be changed for the morning. Luckily Mark was home and could do the job as Jennifer had a haircut appointment for the kids. They had also received 3 inches of snow on Christmas Day so it was a pretty sight. On Thursday, they received another 6 inches. We definitely experienced snow this trip. Noah and Madilynn loved playing in the snow. There were drifts that were a little deep and hard for both of them to manage but it usually did not slow them down. It was hard at times to get Noah to come inside as he was having so much fun.
We had a great visit with the Colorado group. As we were getting ready to leave, we checked on our flight several times to make sure it was still on time and flying. It was and we arrived at the airport in plenty of time. The only problem we did have was a gate change. It wasn't a major problem but you start to wonder whether there would be anything else.
The flight was a little bumpy but not all the way. We had our small packet of pretzels and one drink of water or soda. It was a short trip, only two hours or so. We were finally in Orange County. It took awhile for the bags to be found but that was a minor problem. We at least had the bags. We then loaded up the car and away we went. Boy it is good to be home.
Now the laundry, ironing, going through the mail, and on and on.
Happy New Year to everyone!!!!
We had a great hotel room at the Residence Inn. More room than we actually needed. It had a small kitchenette and breakfast bar to eat at if needed. We didn't. We did spend a full day at Ford's Colony looking at their model homes and at lots available. Even though we did find a couple of lots of interest to us, I think we are going to pass. The question of where we are going to be once Dad retires is still up in the air. Dad has decided not to worry about it anymore until the time is closer.
We left a day early from Rocky Mount to make our way to West Virginia. We were able to get our room a day early so that made our decision to move-on that much easier. Again, the drive took us about 5 to 5 and 1/2 hours. The drive was uneventful. We even stopped along the way for lunch.
We finally arrived around 4:30-5:00 at the hotel. The Clarion Hotel was tucked away from the road so you did not see it right away. Once you do, you are amazed at the site. It is a very large hotel. It was now our home away from home for a few days. We saw Jon and family that evening for dinner. We visited some the next day but we also needed to visit Tony and family too so we split-up the day.
Dad wanted to do the Farmer's Market with Tony on Saturday but was talked out of it by Tony. Dad did not want to disappoint him but was told that it might be too much for Dad to do. Dad listened. I helped Abby make the fruit cake cookies and Gabe and Sophia and I put gingerbread houses together. We thought the houses were the best ever!
We tried to get together as often as possible to see everyone. We hoped we spent enough time visiting but we know that it is not the same as if one is available every day.
We did attend Christmas service on Christmas Eve which was very nice. We opened gifts with Tony and family before the service and before Jon and family arrived. We had decided to do this as the gifts were quite large. It made it easier to leave the gifts home the next day.
We arrived at Jon's house on Christmas about mid-morning. We started to open some gifts and Katelynn was very excited. She wanted to keep opening presents when we stopped to take a break to have some breakfast. It was a good way of doing things as it made the morning's excitement last for awhile. We think everyone received what they wanted.
Tony and family arrived later in the afternoon for dinner. Jon cooked a large turkey with all the makings. Some dinner rolls and cranberry sauce were forgotten but no one seemed to mind. It was a fun time for everyone. Afterwards, the Wii game was used and everyone had a lot of fun. Gabe, Tony, and Dad seem to have a rivalry going with that game. Tony and Jon do so also. We need to get one so we can practice for the next time. Now, we just have to find the game system...
After returning to the hotel, we went down to the lobby to use the hotel's computer. We wanted to print out our boarding passes for the trip to Denver. It was a good thing that we had tried because our flight had been CANCELLED. United said they did not have a crew to fly the plane. (We found out later that United had let a number of crews off so they were short handed. The cause was two major snow storms that had caused many flight delays. No pilots - no planes) We had not been notified and at the time we did not know what was going to happen. It took a long phone call from Dad and some very strong conversation to get us on a flight. There weren't flights available from Dulles Airport or Ronald Regan. The only flight we could get on was out of BWI at 8:00 am. This meant we had get up and moving by 4:00 am in order to arrive at the airport on time. We did make it and even had a quick breakfast. We weren't even finished eating when we thought our flight was being called so anything left over was thrown away. It was a false alarm but we rather had been safe than sorry.
We had to call Jennifer when we had the flight change. They were picking us up originally in the afternoon but it had to be changed for the morning. Luckily Mark was home and could do the job as Jennifer had a haircut appointment for the kids. They had also received 3 inches of snow on Christmas Day so it was a pretty sight. On Thursday, they received another 6 inches. We definitely experienced snow this trip. Noah and Madilynn loved playing in the snow. There were drifts that were a little deep and hard for both of them to manage but it usually did not slow them down. It was hard at times to get Noah to come inside as he was having so much fun.
We had a great visit with the Colorado group. As we were getting ready to leave, we checked on our flight several times to make sure it was still on time and flying. It was and we arrived at the airport in plenty of time. The only problem we did have was a gate change. It wasn't a major problem but you start to wonder whether there would be anything else.
The flight was a little bumpy but not all the way. We had our small packet of pretzels and one drink of water or soda. It was a short trip, only two hours or so. We were finally in Orange County. It took awhile for the bags to be found but that was a minor problem. We at least had the bags. We then loaded up the car and away we went. Boy it is good to be home.
Now the laundry, ironing, going through the mail, and on and on.
Happy New Year to everyone!!!!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
California's Winter
We will be having rain and cooler temperatures this weekend. Now you may think what is the big deal ... well, this is winter for California. Our snow is the rain. This is rain that we so desperately need. We have been so dry for so long. It will mean snow for the mountains which will help the ski season and also to provide water for the state. We are expecting temperatures during the day to be in the 50's and overnight in the 40's (temperatures in the mountains will be colder). Snow may be down as far as 5,000 feet, These temperatures won't last long but for now it is a big deal to us Californians'. We are having high surf at the beaches with the surf being as high as 15 feet. Rain will be starting tomorrow night into the weekend.
We have had to leave our cars out of the garage because the "apron" of the garage had to fixed. They dug up some asphalt and put down concrete in its place. We were told to not drive across it for 2 weeks. That is a long time to not be able to use your own garage. The concrete has had time to dry some so the rain shouldn't do anything to it.
I guess the colder weather is for us to get use to our trip that will be here soon. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate and we won't have big problems. This is a first for us to fly to one place and then drive to another. We can't wait though. We have all the arrangements made and they have been checked.
We will see everyone very soon.
We have had to leave our cars out of the garage because the "apron" of the garage had to fixed. They dug up some asphalt and put down concrete in its place. We were told to not drive across it for 2 weeks. That is a long time to not be able to use your own garage. The concrete has had time to dry some so the rain shouldn't do anything to it.
I guess the colder weather is for us to get use to our trip that will be here soon. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate and we won't have big problems. This is a first for us to fly to one place and then drive to another. We can't wait though. We have all the arrangements made and they have been checked.
We will see everyone very soon.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Holidays
Am I rushing the holidays by asking for suggestions already? I don't mean to make one feel that way. I see the holidays moving quickly into view (Thanksgiving is next week!) and I wanted to get a head start, as well as, get the best selection. I have had things already mailed ahead.
I am excited about Christmas and Thanksgiving. We will be traveling but we will be able to see everyone this year. Of course, it won't be as long as we want but it will help some in the long run.
We will have a couple of holiday parties to attend here. One will be on a yacht with dinner and dancing.
The holidays in California is very different. No snow and really cold weather to get you in the spirit. Homes are not decorated as much as those back east. We have our artifical tree up but not decorated yet. We want to have time to enjoy it before the trips. At least we won't have to worry about it drying out. I know it is not the same as the smell of a real tree. I can still bake and fill the house with the aromas. Smelling the cinammon, gingerbread, turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, dressing, and even fruitcake, makes one think of holidays past and future.
Enjoy the time before, during, and after the holidays. They just move too fast!
I am excited about Christmas and Thanksgiving. We will be traveling but we will be able to see everyone this year. Of course, it won't be as long as we want but it will help some in the long run.
We will have a couple of holiday parties to attend here. One will be on a yacht with dinner and dancing.
The holidays in California is very different. No snow and really cold weather to get you in the spirit. Homes are not decorated as much as those back east. We have our artifical tree up but not decorated yet. We want to have time to enjoy it before the trips. At least we won't have to worry about it drying out. I know it is not the same as the smell of a real tree. I can still bake and fill the house with the aromas. Smelling the cinammon, gingerbread, turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, dressing, and even fruitcake, makes one think of holidays past and future.
Enjoy the time before, during, and after the holidays. They just move too fast!
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Fires Continue
Some of the fires have been contained and people are being allowed to go back home. It is sometimes just to see what is left of their home and whether they can find anything in the ashes. How sad! Some will find their home OK.
The Irvine/Santiago fire has burned 27,000 acres. It has now moved to the Cleveland National Forest. We just have the smell of smoke around us. Last night and today has been the first time we have smelled the smoke inside the house. We have everything closed up but it still gets in somehow. It is like the smell you get after you have had a fire and the smell lingers. It will be around for sometime until that fire is contained and we get some rain to wash it away.
The President was here yesterday to look things over. He told people that they be feeling bad today but things will be better tomorrow. How sweet was that?! Now he should make sure those people get the money they need to rebuild!
Anyway, we continue to do what we need to do. We try to stay inside as much as possible but life goes on. We were told that smelling the smoke is like smoking packs of cigarettes. Not good. Again, once it all goes away then your lungs can clear. I just hope it is soon.
The Irvine/Santiago fire has burned 27,000 acres. It has now moved to the Cleveland National Forest. We just have the smell of smoke around us. Last night and today has been the first time we have smelled the smoke inside the house. We have everything closed up but it still gets in somehow. It is like the smell you get after you have had a fire and the smell lingers. It will be around for sometime until that fire is contained and we get some rain to wash it away.
The President was here yesterday to look things over. He told people that they be feeling bad today but things will be better tomorrow. How sweet was that?! Now he should make sure those people get the money they need to rebuild!
Anyway, we continue to do what we need to do. We try to stay inside as much as possible but life goes on. We were told that smelling the smoke is like smoking packs of cigarettes. Not good. Again, once it all goes away then your lungs can clear. I just hope it is soon.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Fires
Day 3 - The fires keep burning and growing. We have about a dozen fires all around us. The fire for Orange County/Irvine was started by someone. Can you believe that? Actually starting a fire! No one has been found yet but they are looking.
The fires are not that near us. We can see one but again it is not close. We feel sorry for those people who are loosing their homes or having the uncertainty of whether they would have a home to return too.
We are at the mercy of the weather and the winds. It is scary. You want it to end!
The fires are not that near us. We can see one but again it is not close. We feel sorry for those people who are loosing their homes or having the uncertainty of whether they would have a home to return too.
We are at the mercy of the weather and the winds. It is scary. You want it to end!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Traveling ...
We have finished our latest trip to Indian Wells California. Indian Wells is very near Palm Springs which is in the desert. We had a bit of a problem with blowing sand during a portion of the trip but it wasn't as bad as the day before our trip. On that day there were major accidents. Two people had died. We did not encounter anything like that.
The temperature was very nice which was a surprise but a very nice surprise. We only stayed at the hotel, for the meeting that Dad was going to, for a night. The drive was only 2 1/2 hours and the traffic moved very well.
This trip came only one day after we returned from DC and Maryland. I had just enough time to do some laundry before we were out the door once again. Our next trip will be for the two of us going in different directions. Dad will be flying to Oakland and I will be flying to Sacramento. Dad will be helping on a job for Clark and I will be attending a meeting for the Operation of Emergency Services for California.
Once we return from those trips then we will be off to San Diego for a weekend the beginning of November. We will then have two weeks before the trip to Denver for Thanksgiving. We will be checking the area out and visiting.
Then we will move into December. That month will be very busy too. I can't worry about that now. I need Christmas suggestions .... send out cards ... what to take??? TOO MUCH! One day at a time.
The temperature was very nice which was a surprise but a very nice surprise. We only stayed at the hotel, for the meeting that Dad was going to, for a night. The drive was only 2 1/2 hours and the traffic moved very well.
This trip came only one day after we returned from DC and Maryland. I had just enough time to do some laundry before we were out the door once again. Our next trip will be for the two of us going in different directions. Dad will be flying to Oakland and I will be flying to Sacramento. Dad will be helping on a job for Clark and I will be attending a meeting for the Operation of Emergency Services for California.
Once we return from those trips then we will be off to San Diego for a weekend the beginning of November. We will then have two weeks before the trip to Denver for Thanksgiving. We will be checking the area out and visiting.
Then we will move into December. That month will be very busy too. I can't worry about that now. I need Christmas suggestions .... send out cards ... what to take??? TOO MUCH! One day at a time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)