Almost time for the Family Reunion

I'm looking forward to seeing my family (Mom's side) in just 14 days!

Catching Up

It's been awhile. We've been doing stuff around the house. Ray has the garage looking great - it all started with a new standing tool box. He has it ready to do some guy stuff, but I'm not sure what he will do.
I, on the other hand, have gotten one of the rooms that I use in shape. We cleared it out and painted and got new carpet installed. Then put in a large shelf unit and I moved stuff back in. Tomorrow we will set up the quilt frame and soon the guy from the sewing machine shop will come and get the machine set-up on it and put the new Qbot on and get it ready for me to do the quilting on my projects. I can't wait. I have had that frame and machine for a few years now and can't seem to get it to work properly. This guy, Joe, said that he would set it up and make sure it was working before he left. I will be forever grateful!

We are planning a trip to Utah. It has been shortened a bit from our original idea, but it should be great fun. Then later we'll go to Florida to see the kids. That's about it for 2010 travel. Next year we will probably take short trips because I got involved with my quilt guild and will stay closer to home.

However, another cruise is always a good idea!

Playing & Fire report

Julie and family came last week. Keith only stayed a few days, but Julie and the girls are staying for a while before Skyler starts school and they won't be able to visit so often.
It's been fun having the girls here; they are getting so big. Skyler wants to do everything all day long and Shea is so talkative. They are both so very smart you know.

We are hoping to go to the lake next week, but there is a fire close to the house that started yesterday and is still going strong. I understand that the valley is full of smoke and I'm not sure we want to take them up there to breath it. I guess time will tell.

Reunion Week

Sometimes it's a pain to live where I do. When I left town last week I ended up sitting on the freeway - yes sitting, with the engine off - for over 30 minutes. Then crawled for another 30-40 minutes. It was because of a jack-knifed big rig and a spilled load of lemons that blocked all lanes. When I finally passed the spot they were scooping the lemons up and the big rig was gone.

We had a great time at the reunion. I love to see the family, even if it is only once a year. The resort we go to is so familiar now, after 20 years, that it is like home. And the people who run the place know us by name and are always happy to see us.

We had lunch with friends on the way home and then decided to go to the lake for a couple of days. However, it was so humid that it was pretty tough to take with just a swamp cooler. Soooo, we decided to pack it up and leave.

Then on the way home we got in a traffic jam that was caused by a big truck that blocked 3 lanes. We crawled along for over an hour.

Don't you just love living in the city?

Family Reunions

Well, I can't believe that my family planned their reunion the same weekend as Ray's family reunion.

His reunion has been the same weekend for at least 20 years now and that is where we are going. But it makes me sad that my family reunion was planned on a day that I can't go, but what can I do. They knew someone wouldn't be able to go and that someone is me.

As it is, Julie is not able to go to either reunion and she is doubly sad. But it is her sister-in-law's 30th birthday and she is Keith's sister so Amber's birthday wins out.

Marcy can't make the his reunion because of work, but because my family's reunion is closer to home she will be able to go to it.


It's been a long few years for his family reunion. Every year it seems that there is another family member that has passed away. This year it was Brenda. We are missing Davy, Tommy, Quanah, Maude and now Brenda. It's sad.

It looks like our family will be spread out this weekend. Too bad we can't be together.

Lovin' the Retired Life

I must say that I love the retired life. I can find more things to do with all my time.

Sometimes we just sit and watch TV: It helps to have the new DVR that records stuff then you can watch it back and fast forward through all the commercials.

Sometimes we take a trip: We've been to Washington, Alaska, Florida and Costa Rica. Next is the Sacramento Delta, then Washington again, then in the fall Utah.

Sometimes I sew: See my latest project above. And I have been catching up on some of my unfinished quilts plus starting some new ones. Also I'm taking a quilting class for older adults. I know, I know, but it's free and fun.

Sometimes we take a Harley ride: We checked out the newly remodeled Griffith Observatory and a couple of local resturants. And are planning more trips. One thing I want to see is the Pilgrim, a tall ship at Dana Point, that is a kind of floating history lesson. Also, I have never been to the Gene Autry Museum. There are so many things around here that are not far from home that would be a good Harley ride.

Sometimes we say "tomorrow": With so much to do, and so much free time, it's hard to feel time pressures. Oh well.

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. I will try to keep up better.

Later,

Getting Things in Order

We've been home a while but there is so much to do; it's almost like moving. Everything from the kitchen, livingroom and bathroom was in the garage or bedrooms. Putting things back is a slow process because as I move things in I am also deciding if I should keep everything. We have a lot of years of stuff to deal with.

We are getting used to no carpet. I love the wood(look) flooring, but at some point we will probably get an area rug for the livingroom. The openness of the whole main area is great; it's like we have a new house. And the kitchen is wonderful too - I've been cooking all the time now and loving it. Also, having a seperate laundry room is so nice.

There's still so much so do plus I'm working on getting some sewing done too. I guess I won't get bored.

We have a few small trips planned, but mostly we will be home for a while in our almost 'new' home.