Lea on Thursday and then Honoring John on Saturday

We just had time to go see Lea with her Cheer Team at Torrey Pines High.

 

It is hard to believe that little Lea now towers above and is a beautiful highschooler doing intricate routines.  We really enjoyed watching her.

Thursday night was the first time Matt and I found ourselves on our own and took a simple choice, Carl's Jr,, and then watched some TV before turning in.  We were exhausted.

Friday morning I went to the Temple with Linda, had a nice lunch and then home again to Jacuzzi and eat with Matt again.  We were so hungry for good fish and chips we drove up to the one in Oceanside and it was delicious.

On Saturday morning many of us met at Torrey Pines Beach.  Meagan had decided that after 11 years we should find a resting place for John.  Maria knew that Bathtub Rock was his favorite surfing place and so Meagan and all of us agreed that would be a great spot.

However, the tide was higher Saturday morning than I had ever seen the tide at Torrey Pines and so we gathered around a picnic table at the top of the beach and shared stories about John's love for surfing and hiking, etc.  I read the letter that John's friend Matt wrote as to why Bathtub Rock was such a favorite.  James shared many funny and poignant stories about John as the older brother and their experiences with him in learning to surf and hike.  Meagan and Maria and maybe others also shared.  It was a lovely time talking about him for about an hour.

We then went to get Brunch at a local Mexican eatery and agreed to meet again at 4 pm.

When we came back we found out we would have to be back to pick up our cars from the parking lot by 5 PM when the park closed.  Maria urged Keira and I to get an early start on the walk as it took about 30 minutes.  I so enjoyed walking that beautiful beach with Keira.

When we got to Bathrub Rock I needed help getting up but others quickly gathered and we garnered the left hand corner as our own.  A movie about our gathering together and honoring John is on You Tube at  http://youtu.be/WqKRA7DsgPo
I was so joyful to be there with Meagan, Keira, Eden, Matt and and all my children and other family.  It was a tender remembrance of John all day.

After everyone came to the condo Matt and I were staying in and had a birthday party for me.  My cup runneth over.

 Sunday morning Matt V and I drove home to Lake Almanor.  We had had a wonderful birthday week in Carlsbad and San Diego area!!

Honoring Richard and Frenchie

Thursday morning I walked on the beach and enjoyed the Jacuzzi again.  Then I left for Linda's.  Gary's Dad Frenchie is at home and not expected to live much longer.  Hospice and Amy have been caring for him.  We decided this was a good morning to visit him and Marilyn in El Cajon.  Frenchie and Marilyn are still a beautiful couple.

This is a very caring way to say a slow goodbye to your loved one.  There is so much love surrounding Frenchie.  It is beautiful to see.  Still it is so sad that Marilyn will now be a widow, too.  We have some good sharing moments as we pay our respects to Frenchie and talk to Marilyn.  Amy said that caring for her Grandpa made her look at her job as a nurse in a whole new way.

I don't think I had noticed Marilyn's beautiful garden in the front, it is mostly all succulents.  I have always wanted to have that kind of garden.  Several of the homes around Linda' house have the succulents mixed in with other plants and it is really lovely.

Linda and Maria had invited me to go to lunch after visiting and tending to the grave of Richard at El Camino.  I was overwhelmed to see so many join us.  We had a lovely time sharing stories about Richard.  So many of the grandchildren did not know him at all.  I really appreciated everyone coming.  In attendance Linda, Amy, Kelly, Sarah, James, Camber, Jacob, Lea,  Maria, Matt, Meagan, Keira, Eden, Kristi, Brynn, Molly,

Meagan's Keira and Kristi's Brynn

Meagan's Eden and Kristi's Molly

Then we all went to a Crepe place nearby.  We were the only ones in to store but it overwhelmed the attendant.  Actually she did a great job getting everyone served.  Some of the youth wondered to other near by vendors and brought food back.  It was such a great time to be with so much family.

It was an emotionally packed day as we shared time at Frenchie's and then with Richard and with so many of the family there.

Fun at UTC and More

From the skating rink we went to ride the train.  UTC has a lot of new attractions and makes it a fun place to bring the family.  Matt was a big hit with Keira and Eden and they went on the train with him.

 Next we went to the "Egg" which was amazing to me, large rattan eggs with comfy lining--how fun to have one of these in your back yard.

Eden is a "monkey see, monkey do" so when Keira starts sticking out her tongue so does she!

Now you can see how really nice they are inside.

Keira does pretty good at the hula hoop.  We ended up playing on some play equipment right in back of Macys and stayed there for a long time.  Keira made some friends and loved running around with them.  It was a fun afternoon!

On Wednesday I walked on the beach in the  morning.  So beautiful, I do miss the beach when I am away from it.

Then I met Camber. James, and Jimmy for at a Pizzeria and had wonderful pizza for lunch.

In the afternoon I dared to get in the Jacuzzi and had some fun conversations. 

Wednesday afternoon I stopped over to Linda's and Kristi, Brynn and Molly were there.  They had come down to see Frenchie.  I enjoyed playing with Brynn.  She is a very talkative and friendly girl.

Kristi looks as beautiful and calm as ever.

I have been following my no eating carbs all month and I think it shows.

Birthday Week in Carlsbad

Matt and I traveled to Carlsbad, Ca the week before my birthday as Maria had secured a week for us at a timeshare there!!!  It was wonderful.  We had a lovely kitchen and living room that looked out on the grounds and on to the ocean!  Matt had his own special privacy with a curtain that pulled across in back of the living room.  He had lots of space there.

           

I had a large bedroom with a lovely dressing table and large closets.  In between us was a fantastic bathroom.

The grounds were lovely with a great Jacuzzi outside that I used several times!!  And at the ocean end you could walk down the stairs, cross the driveway and go down more stairs to a beautiful beach that was clean and uncrowded!!

Every day we had someone else to eat with and somewhere to go.  On the first night Matt and I joined Maria in the Jacuzzi after having wonderful pot roast!!

The next morning Kelly invited to go get a pedicure and manicure with her.  At night I saw the movie "Selma" with Linda and Gary and then had wonderful grassfed? hamburgers at a new restaurant.

Saturday I went to Nordstroms with Sarah and Linda as Sarah shopped for a new dress for an upcoming dance.  I bought a new pair of jeans after seeing me in a mirror!  That night Matt and I had fish and chips with Maria in Oceanside.

On Sunday I went to church with the Pulsiphers and had a steak dinner after and then later I went to the parents of Johnny for his birthday party in University City.

  It was near where Richard and I lived when Johnny and Linda were babies.  Sue had her wonderful salad again plus all kinds of delicious food.  It was fun.  Johnny and his sister Michelle get the giggles together, it is so fun to watch.

Monday I saw "American Sniper" with James and had lunch.  And finally there was time to take a walk on the beach and then another movie with James "Black Hat"?--I did not like that one so much but we went to the movies all three times at the theaters with the lounge seat.  Very cool.

Tuesday, Matt and I met Meagan, Keira and Eden at UTC, our old shopping area between La Jolla and University City.  They have added a lot of things so it was a fun afternoon.  First we had lunch at the skating rink area.  I ate a fish taco.

And then we went to play!  More in the next blog.

 

On My 82nd New Year's Eve

More than 82 Things to be Thankful for:

Of course my Mom, Dad, Sisters and Brothers--wonderful family--that is 5 things
Then you add their spouses and kids and mine and that is another 20 so we are up to 25
And then you add my children's spouses and kids and that is another 19 so up to 45 already
Ok, add some more children's children spouses and kids and we are up to 55 or so...
And we haven't even counted other relatives and friends so let's say we are up to 70 at least already!!!

Random thought and degree:

Sadie, so sweet and loving, and even obedient most of the time
Portable heater Melissa did not take to North Carolina--in my bedroom, so great
Seneca Health--caring Drs and caregivers. always just a call or walk-in away
Still have relatively good health...knock on wood.
Wood from Greg and Ron,..enough to take me through the winter and beyond
Wood stove that puts out a lot of warmth
Great furnace that works so well
Phone calls from Maria, Linda, James, Mike, Melissa, the Hardy Children
Kristi's phone calls with children all talking
Skypes with Meagan, Melissa and Maria
Mitch and Matt's help with the yard and house
Meagan and Kristi take pix of their children and post

Love looking at the pix of darling grands and great grands
Grandchildren occasionally post pix

I know how to get those pix in my Picasa and Blog and Google+

My computer works good and I have a tablet, too
My eyes still work well and my ears are ok, just not quite as good as they used to be...
I do not ache too much
All my friends at the Church
A hair cutter whom I like what she does
New recipe for gluten free rolls and pie crust and bread which are wonderful
Salt Caramel Gelato at Holiday
New Taquito recipe from Jean
New Spinach salad recipe from Jean
Wool sox I love (and know where to buy them) from Jean
New organ light from Linda
New Christmas ornaments from Meagan
New swinging Snowman to go with my other snowmen from Maryanne
Peace and quiet where I live
Beauty all around me where I live and on drive to Susanville or Chester or Chico or Westwood
Safe and easy driving all around me
Maryanne likes to drive when we go to movies at the Temple
Delicious gluten free pizza at Buffalo Chips
My new Christmas Tree
My new Smart TV in the bedroom
Love of Jesus Christ and God for us all--constant help from them--answer to prayers
Forgiveness
   and
Still in my own home,


Well, there is over a hundred and I am sure there is a hundred more.  I think I will follow BOM365 on my tablet and read the Book of Mormon each day and think of at least one thing I am thankful for...Resolution for this year.  Not promising anything about my diet or weight...just eat so I don't get tummy aches or outgrow my clothes...

So What Did You Do for Christmas, Lake Almanor, 2014

Christmas this year was celebrated alone with Sadie.  I thought I would go to a movie but I was just happy to sit by the fire and watch Christmas flicks, Christmas music and work on puzzles.

The Mormon Tabernacle Christmas specials from years past, of which I watched about four, were wonderful with all they have added to them.  The Hallmark, Up, and other Christmas shows are always great to watch.

I also have a lot more music from Joanie Hughes from high school and which I never tire listening to.  I haven't even downloaded all of the last songs she sent.

I also have Pandora and of course, the movies on Netflix.

As far as TV is concerned I record everything so I don't have to watch all those commercials.  They are getting longer and longer.

I did two puzzles, one was 500 pieces and easy.   The first 1000 puzzle of Grandma's Attic was quite challenging at the end abut the 1000 piece Snow White was really hard.  I did not finish it until Christmas Eve!!!

For food I mostly had Ham (left over from Branch Christmas Party),  Spinach Salad and Matrimonial Bars.  I had made Mom's Caramel Sauce  for the fruitcake Meagan sent but I forgot about the possible gluten in it and did have a bad reaction so used the warmed sauce on the Mat Bars topped with Cool Whip.  What a wonderful dessert!!

I even ended the year with playing Scrabble with myself--learning new words and I find it quite thought provoking.  I have also been listening to "Unbroken".  I had already read it last year but I wanted to read it again before seeing it, it is at the theater till the 8th.