June Birthday Bash

We used to have a June Birthday Bash on the beach for Linda, James, Camber and my Loan Processor Connie. Yesterday we had one at James' home.

Beautiful Daughters.  Linda is a June Birthday.

Kelly and Matt brought fish tacos.  Camber had beef tacos.  Johnny made his secret recipe of salsa. 

Matt, James, Gary waiting to eat.  James is a June Birthday.

Hardy Children were entertaining the Burnett children.

 

 

 

Sarah Pulsiphr and Hardy Children, neighbors and Burnett family.

Linda and Gary

Matt and Kelly

Me with my beautiful children.

 

Camber is a June Birthday, too.

Lunch in Pacific Beach

Today Linda, Maria, Meagan and I met at an outdoor restaurant in Pacific Beach and had fish tacos again!!!   Camber couldn't make it.  It was a lovely day and very enjoyable.

I forgot my camera!!!

I finished the book  "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway and tried to find the movie on Netflix--couldn't find it.  I was curious to know if I 'got' the movie when I originally saw it in 1957.  It was Hemingway's first novel--lots of dialogue--curious story line but interesting to keep reading and he was certainly praised for it.

I also finished Nora Roberts "Witness" which was a take off from "Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" in that the protagonist was a genious with amazing computer skills.  Actually vaery intriguing book.

Now I am reading a Mary Higgins Clark mystery, she is always fun and light to read.  I learned that although my San Diego Library cards are good at both County and City libraries I should return county books to county libraries--good to know.

I stated a new series on Netflix--an English series about WWII called "Foyles War".  The first episode was very good so it will be fun to continue with.  Last night I tried to watch Netflix on my computer and couldn't keep it going, not enough bandwidth or something but Sarah showed me how to watch it on their big screen.

8th Grade Graduaate

 

Tuesday morning we went to a huge 8th Grade Graduation at Emerald Middle School.  Sarah is one of only two blondes there and they call her "Snowflake".  Sarah was given a special reward for Service and earlier in the  week was given another award for scholastic achievement!

Later Gary took us all (Sarah, Linda, Kelly, Craig and I) to lunch at California Pizza in Fashion Valley.  It was excellent.

Hardy Children 2012

Jacob

Lea

Jimmy

I told the children I wanted my picture taken with whoever was ready for church.  Jacob is 13 and in 8th grade next year.  Lea is 12 and will be in 7th grade and Jimmy is 9 and will be in 5th grade.  Kelsi didn't want her hair brushed so it is a good thing I have her pictures from yesterday.  Her mother finally put a flower in her hair and let it go at that.  She has beautiful hair.

When we came home from church Camber's parents were here with this huge dinner of salmon, salad, fruit, dips, chips, and others added chicken, scalloped potatoes and then Mary had fruit shortcake for dessert.  We were all delighted with the luscious meal.  Camber's  aunt and cousins came from Rancho Santa Fe so there was about 25 of us or so for Father's Day.   Camber had collected some of the famous cowboys rules for living and had different people read them--they were really good and lots of interesting stories were told.  Very nice Father's Day. 

I didn't write anything about my father or my husband as a father but I miss them both.  My Dad was the greatest and I think my children think their Dad was pretty super, too.  We were all very blessed to have such good men in our lives.

More of Maria's Family

Mitch

Matt

Bruce is so happy to be with all his family.

Melissa and Sean

 

Matt, Mitch, Melissa and Sean join Maria and Johnny for more of Tahoe.

Living It Up in Rancho Santa Fe

 

Striker never tires of playing ball.  Kelsi loves to play with him, tool.

California living.

Please play with me!

Bear tries to boss us all.

From Jacuzzi to video games.

  

I actually swam today as well as jacuzzied!

Lea Graduates from 6th Grade

In front of Solana Beach Elementary.

Singing with 6th Grade and friend Camille.

 

At Garden Party with her Mom Camber. 

 

Lea and Jimmy had already gone back to class.  James was talking and I didn't get their pictures.  I talked to Jared and Monica and met their daughter Maysen who also graduated with Lea. I worked with Jared and James in downtown San Diego before moving to Lake Almanor. 

 

Camber also introduced me to the Collins who own the first house on the right as you drive into the Lake Almanor Club.  I will for sure call on them this summer and chat more with them.  Nice!

'

Later I visited James' office and then we picked up Jacob from Earl Warren Middle School and had Mexican lunch (fish taco again) and then dropped him in Del Mar with his short board.  He later said he had one of his best surfing days ever (I thought it was too cold!).

 

Mike Goes to Tahoe

I'm glad Mike got to vacation.  He has been taking care of Bandido and watering while I am gone.  Nice he could spend some time with his Mom and Johnny in Tahoe!!

 

Matt lives nearby so joins his Mom and Mike.

 

 

 

 

Ah, Cool Feet

Keira takes comfort into her own hands or should I see feet.

Shanghai Girls

I went from reading about the Holocaust to the plight of the Chinese  immigrants in America and then on to Homosexuals.  There is so much injustice in the world it is very depressing.  I need to find something light and fun to read for a change.

When you read about what others go through, you realize how easy we have had it.  The book I just finished was "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See.  I think I would like to read more from her as this was a most compelling book to read.   And it was also very enlightening.

Newest Cheerleader Sarah

Here is a picture of our newest cheerleader in the family.  Sarah was chosen for Junior Varsity at West Hills High in Santee.  She is here with her nieces Kate and Brynn who are fast learning some of her moves!  Congrats to Sarah.

 

Mantra to Live By

So much time can be wasted in being angry, feeling sorry for yourself, questioning motives, etc., I am glad I have a poor memory so I easily forget the bad moments of my life.  I found this that  someone wrote and I like to think this is how I live my life, or should live it all the time if I don't.  Anger and being upset is a waste of precious time!!!

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let us down, probably will. You'll have your heart broken and you'll break others' hearts. You'll fight with your best friend or maybe even fall in love with them, and you'll cry because time is flying by.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you've never been hurt. Life comes with no guarantees, no time outs, no second chances. you just have to live life to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off, speak out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone's hand, comfort a friend, fall asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your face hurts.

Don't be afraid to take chances or fall in love and most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back. -Unkown

Meagan's Sister Maya

Such a cute picture of Keira with her Auntie Maya.

 

Nice picture of Meagan, Matt and Keira with Maya.  Reminds me of when Meagan
graduated from high school and Jennifer had a baby with her.

So Far, So Good

Today I had my third Fish Taco and the ratings are the same as last year.  The  cheapest, most tasty, largest, most white sauce, and best flavor comes from the hole in the wall all Mex run place in Pacific Beach.  Rubios, eat your heart out, you are never the best but I do like your atmosphere.

I also had my favorite chocolate frosty from Wendys, I do miss that.

Yesterday I had my eyes tested and it appears it is a cataract in my right eye that is causing the problem, so whether I can get that taken care of while I am down here remains to be seen.  I have an appointment on the 18th.

When I drove to my skin cancer surgery yesterday my eyes were still dilated and I had a really hard time reading the signs.  I drove a little erratic and it is a good thing I generally knew the way.  I just caused a little anger with a few drivers on the way.

No biggie on the surgery, I have about 8 stitches and an inch+ scar but it is fairly hidden by my hair and she didn't have to take too much hair out.  She made me feel guilty about not taking my lipitor.  She said I should try ordering from Canada again as the generic is out and a lot cheaper.

Today I watched the video of the history of the Fort Peck Dam that Steph had put on Facebook.  It was so interesting.  I was ages 1-6 when it was built so, of course, knew nothing.  It was the largest WPA project ever and would probably have never gotten built if Roosevelt was not trying to find work for all those starving during the depression. Over 60 men lost their lives during the process.  It harnassed the mighty Missosuri River.  All I knew is that our Dad liked to go fishing there.

At Fort Peck Dam soon after it was completed.
Friend Donna, me, Marilyn and Jeanne.

WPA projects was what helped  Glendive succeed during the depression also, and was the reason there was customers for the store my Dad was managing.  Roosevelt did a lot of good during his presidency.

Good San Diego Day!

I started the day by checking in at the Cardiology Dept at Scripps Mercy Hospital.  Of course, I totally missed the main entrance and went in the Dr's entrance.  I don't know how I miss the obvious sometimes.  Anyway the gatekeeper gave me an exasperated look and a few wirds as she gave me a parking tab to have validated.

Talk about efficiency, they already had a chart on me and all I had to do was sign.  The operator of the ultrasound was not supposed to say anything but she led me to believe "there was something going on in my arteries but she didn't think it would require surgery at this time".  I surely hope she is right.  What if my doctor says I need it, then what, another opinion?  She said she was sending the records to Dr. Marc also.  I am thinking positive and will know on Wednesday.

I then had two hours before my appointment with Dr. Barbara, my dermatologist and skin surgeon.  Her office is one block from one of my favorite fish taco places.  So Fish Taco and Flan for lunch.  Perfect!!   My favorite Nails by Ann is next door to the medical building so I walked in to see if there was time for a pedicure.  Ann said, "Hi Janet."  Nice to be remembered and I had my first pedicure in almost a year.  It felt so good and I feel like a lady again.

When Dr. Barbara did her inspection of my body and read the biopsy she said yes, I needed to have the Mohl surgery but how long was I going to be here?  She wouldn't have a free time for weeks.  She was very happy to hear that one of her assistants had put a hold on 1 PM Thursday for me, assuming I would probably have to have surgery when I told her the location of the skin cancer.  Dr. Barbara was very impressed with the efficiency of her staff!  She had been on vacation at the time. She reminded me to bring a book on Thursday and be prepared to be there for the afternoon.

Maria and Melissa were just going to Goodwill down the hill in Pacific Beach and then the airport so I met them.  At Goodwill I found a book to take to the Drs and found one dress that Melissa liked.  She went home with a new wardrobe.  Amazing what nice things they have there.

After dropping Melissa off, we went back to Maria's and took Bruce for a walk along the boardwalk.  Very lovely but by the time we got back my legs were really aching and I already had a shoulder ache for some reason.  Maria gave me ibuprofen and put on a Netflix about old people dying in a hospice!!!  It was actually quite interesting but I hope that doesn't happen to me.  I just want to check out of this life very fast whenever the time is right.

After Johnny came home we drove by his Mom's inherited home in Birdwalk.  That was the area I had wanted to live when I first came to San Diego in 1956.  It is such a lovely place and Johnny is doing work on this home that has been in his family since the 1940s.  There is a lot of wood rot so it will be total reconstruction in some areas but how lovely when it is all done.

Maria and Johnny too me to Su Casa for dinner.  I chose the chili relleno and with the guacamole and chips it was a very delicious meal.  I love Mexican and can't get my fill when in San Diego.  I first went to Su Casa in the 50's and it is still the greatest!!!   I bored Maria and Johnny with stories from my past.  Nice to have someone to listen to me.  Oh, and my aches had  gone away! 

Mail had come from Carole and Marilyn and I spent the rest of the night typing up the stories they had sent about the death of my Dad and brother Dick.  They will go in the book I am finishing for the Cabin on my parents.  Lots more interesting things to read that they sent also.  I think I will record some of it here like poems and honors to my  Mom written by my brothers and sisters and me in the 80's.  Life is good!

Traffic is for the Pits!

I am not too good at driving the fast lane anymore.  The cars whiz by me and sometimes honk if I am slower than they are.  One of the best things about Lake Almanor is I do not have to deal with traffic.

So far I have had wonderful food in San Diego.  I have not had time to start my Fish Taco craze here but it will come.

Today I ate some veal at Pulsiphers and then had tacos and ribs at the Hardys.  So much for my diet but I have stayed away from desserts.  (Linda does not have them in her house.)  Although she and Kelly made delicious lemon bars for Saturday night and I ate the lemon off the top.  Great quacamole today and taco salad last night.  And I am eyeing all the Mexican restaurants.  I miss good San Diego Mex food when I am home.

I had gone to Church with Linda's family in the morning and enjoyed the Sunday School teacher very much.  The RS lesson was also good and we discovered she had been raised in Billings, Montana and Wyoming.  Afterwards I found she had been in third grade at Broadwater school when I was teaching second grade at Bench school, small world.

At James' home all the children played the piano for me.  Jimmy is also playing the guitar and played that.  Jacob plays amazingly well and Lea sounded great, too.  Even Kelsi and Jimmy had their learned songs down well.  Lea also showed her flips on the trampoline and her Mom said she had been invited as one of 200 of 2000 who tried out to go to the New York Ballet this summer.  Because of costs it may not happen but she has done really well sticking with her ballet.  Bravo.  I will need to come for Christmas sometime so I can see her perform.

Saturday Night Beach Party in Pacific Beach

Grandchildren Jacob, Sarah, Jimmy and Kelsi

 

Johnny, me, James, Linda, Gary and Melissa 

Johnny and Maria

Maria and daughter Melissa

Granddaughter Kelsi.

Granddaughter Kelly

It was June Gloom as usual at Pacific Beach with Maria and Johnny hosting a potluck for the family.  They said it has been sunny and bright.  It was probably May then! Keria was sick so the Masseys were not there and Camber and Lea were still at an "event" and Matt was working.  But I enjoyed seeing everyone and had some delicious food.  Pacific Beach is booming!  Always liked it here.

James told us a lot about his business.  Sounds fantastic.

Now here is a vain question, why did I not get my hair cut before I left.  It is a mess.

'Yesterday was just awful!"

Those words are from the musical "Annie"of course, but describe a good part of the day.  This was the longest trip to San Diego ever!!

The plan was to leave my house at 4 (we left at 4:45) and drop Mitch off at Melissa's and go on with Melissa and Bruce.  So far, so good.  However. during the almost 100 degree weather down south. things went wrong.  My sunglasses were so weak that when I drove the bright light really hurt my eyes.  Melissa had to take over driving.  Then she wasn't feeling well so we stopped for some ibuprofen and I would take over again driving with two sets of sunglasses on me. 

Unfortunately, previous to this the temperature on the car starting rising and we had to turn off the air conditioner.  Wtih Melissa not feeling well and me with my tired eyes and body and Bruce panting in the back this was not good.

We started off again up the Grapevine with no air conditioner and me driving and half way we had to pull over and rest the car again and Bruce.   I have always hated the Grapevine whether it is winter or summer but I especially hated it today when we felt so vulnerable.  I just wanted to be scooped up and delivered to the top--didn't happen.

We had figured we would arrive between 4 and 5 if all went well.  Unfortunately we had now hit Los Angeles too late on a Friday afternoon and we spend a few too many hours in the traffic.  This is when I remembered how wonderful it was I lived in Lake Almanor and I only had to put up with this stuff once or year or so.  I made my pledge to stay home forever--but of course, with all my doctors down here but Dr. Marc, that will be impossible.

I predicted we would get there at 8--Maria met us at Mission Bay and took Melissa and Bruce and I headed to Linda's and did arrive there in the daylight, which was my main aim from the beginning, and just a few minutes after 8.

Thank heaven Melissa was such a trooper and drove most of the way.  The Valko children have become my chauffeurs it seems.  Still I really enjoyed the conversations with Mitch and Melissa.  Get to know your grandchildren, drive a ways with them.

Staying in Linda's upper room with lots of windows and a comfy bed is like staying in a grand hotel.  I ate some of Gary's good chicken and watermelon, showered off the freeway dirt and slept until after 9 am.  Best sleep I have had in a long time.

Oh, Yes, I vow to really clean my house and simplify some more when I get home.  Linda's house looks great!!!