Midsummer Thoughts

I am home now and getting things back to normal after our trip to Oregon.  We enjoyed our time there, but it was still nice to get back home.  The girls really had a great time, and they wrote some cute thank you cards to send out.

 4th of July fireworks 

Since coming home, I've started the first week of my final class.  Yeahhh.  I can't wait to be finished. Of course then I will probably have to do some things that I have been putting off forever!  Anyway, for the next little while, at least, I will be at home working on finishing up my schooling. 

Right now though, I am working on birthday gifts for the three grandchildren who celebrate this month.  I don't know why this is the "birthday" month.  

Since we returned home, it has been warm and humid here.  Not a usual condition for the desert.  So, in the evenings when it cools down we've spent some of our time in Marion's jacuzzi.  I know, a warm dip!  It is during the evening cool, and it is relaxing, though.  

Marissa, Derek, & Kayla

At least these three think so!  

The Oregon Trail

Wow, I didn't realize how long it has been since I was last here!  I have been so busy that the time has just flown by.

I have been on my computer somewhat, however, not as much as usual, as right now I am on vacation!  Jennifer, Kayla, Marissa and I are up in Oregon having lots of fun.  We drove up on Sunday, June 26.  We arrived at LuAnn's house, and have been constantly busy ever since.

LuAnn's nephew and his cousin have been visiting also and they have kept the girls busy swimming in the pool, playing ping pong, riding bikes, and playing Wii on the big screen TV.  They have been having lots of fun.

All four at the river today.

So far we have been to an old, still working, mill and museum,

and wandered through Jacksonville which is an old, very quaint town.

We also went to Harry & David's which is where LuAnn and Israel work.  It is a very large place and they have duck ponds, rose gardens, and a park.

Kayla & Marissa at the duck pond

Today since it finally stopped raining and we had some warm weather, we went to one of the local rivers.  It took us half of the day to pack up everything.  Finally we headed out for the day.

The water was cold, however, once we got there we enjoyed it.

Jennifer and Marissa headed out for a river rafting ride.  I couldn't see them but I heard them hollering a little way down the river when they hit the rapids!  They had a great time.

Then it was my turn.  It was a lotta fun!

Kayla decided she didn't want to go.  She's the cautious one!

We have done a lot and had lots of fun.  Tomorrow we plan on resting for the day.  We have all been running non-stop and it's time for a rest!

Some Random Music Thoughts

I am sitting at my computer desk working on yet another final paper.  Yes the time goes by quickly!

Anyway, I love sitting in here at this time of day because of my across-the-street neighbor. Every day at this time he practices his violin.  I love listening to it.  He doesn't play many actual songs, mostly he just has a way of playing the scales that sounds beautiful.

I love the strings instruments, violins, cellos, violas, bass, all of them. I love listening to Vivaldi.

My neighbor used to have a whole family full of children who played instruments and on quiet summer evenings when windows were open to let in a breeze, I could hear a whole orchestra practicing.  I kid not - he has raised about ten children!  There is only one left at home now, so no more concerts.  I did love to listen to them, though.

The practice does make me feel guilty though.  I have a violin sitting over in the corner which I haven't touched for many years!  I am sure I am very rusty - but maybe once I am finished with school I will pull it out of its case and see what happens!

So for now, I need to get back to that final paper - and open the window wider to let in more of those scales!

Two Days Of The Quilt Run

This was a hard one to choose which photos to use, so I decided to use them all.

I just finished up two days of the quilt run.  This is a two weekend event covering quilt shops in the Southern California area.  The idea is to travel to as many of the participating shops as you can where you will find prizes and goodies for all.  The event ends with several drawings for grand prizes.

Laura and I, and the girls, have gone on the run for several years.  The girls love it, as all the ladies make a big fuss over them.  Laura and I love it, as we get to look at all the fun things to make!

This year we were driving the little economy car and just didn't have room for all four of the girls, so we decided to split up Kayla and Marissa. The first day Marissa went with us and the second day Kayla went.

Here is a look at the first day.

Just finished up at the first quilt store of the day, and ready to head for another one.

About the fourth store it was time to take a break!  Quilt runs are hard work.

The girls thought this was a cute one!

We finally finished up for the day and stopped for some dinner well after dark.  We thought the girls would fall asleep on the drive home but they were still chatting at 10:30 when we pulled into the driveway!

And the second day went something like this.

Heading into the first store, ready to go.

 About five stores later, and rest time for this group!

Some interesting scenery along the way.  The girls loved watching these.  Katie thought the blades were scratching the sky because it was probably itchy!

Almost finished with the last quilt shop, and still smiling.

Well there you have the condensed version of our adventures.  Did we get to all of the quilt stores?  No.  We only made it to about half of them.  There were thirty some participating shops so I think we did pretty well.  

Actually, Laura and Tara are going to continue the run tomorrow, but Katie will be staying home with her daddy, and I am staying home myself.  

Maybe next year I'll get to all of them.

On another subject, just thought I would let everyone know that I fixed the comment settings, and leaving a comment should be easy now.  Just leave it under anonymous and that should do it.

Church Picnic

Sunday was our church picnic.  The grandkids always enjoy going to them because there is always a huge water slide for the kids.  This year we were afraid that it was going to be too cold as the weather hasn't been very warm for this time of the year.

The weather did decide to cooperate and give us warmth, and most importantly, no wind for a change!  So, at practically the last minute, I picked up daughter and granddaughters and we headed to church and the picnic.

The sermon was good, the food was good, and the girls had a really fun time on the water slide.  They did forget to bring their bathing suits and towels though!

As you can see their clothes got soaked!

Kayla on her way down

Marissa is next

Did I tell you it was a huge slide?

They both had a really good time, with lots of trips up to the top.  

My car seats didn't fare so well on the ride home, though!   Next time we'll remember to bring some towels!

Trucks And Marion, They Don't Go Well Together

Decided to meet up with Marion and Derek for lunch, then send Derek on errands and take Marion back home.  I forgot one little detail until Derek was gone and it was too late.  I was driving the truck and Marion is way too short to climb into it without a step stool.

So what did we do?  Luckily I had a couple of books in my book bag in the back seat, and a bag full of dirty towels I was bringing home to wash.  We stacked them up and as she stood on them, and I shoved from behind, (sorry Marion!) she managed to climb into the truck.  I won't mention how many people were laughing...er, watching.

Reenactment! The real event was much better.

In case you were wondering, no I don't normally carry dirty laundry around in my car.  It happens that I had just come from my weekly volunteer receptionist job at the church, and my usual custom is to bring home towels from the church kitchen that need washing.

We couldn't have planned our entertainment for the day any more carefully!

Where Are My Posts?

I have been away from the site for a few days.  Sometimes things are just a little hectic around here!  One major reason for my lack of posting was my impending final paper!  I have been working furiously on it for days and have finally turned it in.  Yeahhh!  So glad to have that behind me.  Now on to the next class.  Only two more to go!

I had planned a family bar b que for Memorial Day.  I didn't realize that the family let me get everything together for the day, all the while planning a celebration of my birthday.  So I was surprised when cake, ice cream and birthday singing happened.  It was a fun day with lots of visiting, eating, and even a card game or two.  You can watch the girls sing for me here.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3MPCgJZvQw0#at=12  I noticed that I had to "drag" the video back to the beginning, as for some reason, it starts in the middle of the singing.

Today was a long drive to Thousand Oaks for a doctor's appointment.  We left early in the morning and returned after dark.  We did make a couple of fun side visits, though, so not all was drudgery.

In other news the foxtails have struck again!  This time poor Schultz has one in his ear, so off to the vets he goes tomorrow morning.  No wonder Kayla and Marissa jump back every time they see one close by!

Did I mention it has been a busy few days?