Good Weekend.....

     Gerry arrived home about midnight.  The kids were up early Saturday to greet their dad and to see what he had brought them--gift cards!   We went out for breakfast at a local favorite spot and then on to spend their gift cards.   I was happy to tell Gerry that the kids were rally good during the week.

 

 

 

 

  For the afternoon Gerry worked with his new saws-all, trimming some trees in his yard.

       Towards evening the neighbors in the cal-de-sac had an impromptu supper get together.  The kids played outside until dark while we adults sat around, talked and ate M&Ms.  The kids playing reminded me of when my kids were young and the entire neighborhood would turn out to play ghost in the graveyard or time-tunnel.  Fun times.

 

 

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     Sunday was beach day after church.  Gerry knew that it would be crowded and parking would be hard to find.  At 9:30 in the morning he and I took a vehicle to park along the beach.  Already parking was almost full. 

        The waves and surf were large.  Great conditions for boogie boarding!  Which Jude and Uncle Bill enjoyed later in the afternoon.

waiting for the big wave...

  riding it back in!!



 

 

        keeping the 80+ degrees sun rays away....

 working hard to create.....

 Gemma, Gerry, Bill, Jude and sand mount....

and  Grandma G...

     I had a great time walking the beach, catching a few big waves (across my legs), soaking up the California sun and hanging out with family!  I have lots of fun, satisfying memories to take back "north" to Vancouver with me.

 

   

You-all come back again, you hear!!

 

 

  Gerry treated us to pizza for dinner; Bill left for home.  And now it is time to think about another work week. 

      This has been 2 good California weekend days in the life of Grandma G.

     "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it, for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." (Psalm 24: 1&2)

 

Raising the Bar!

 

 

     Friday morning I read an article on the computer about a 102 year old lady who is going back to college with a "full ride" from an automobile company.  What is intriguing it that she is 102 years old and returning to college.  I have decided to remain mentally (and physically) fluid and functional until at least 105.  Yeah!
     I took Gamma to school for the last day of the week.  On the way into school I asked her if the school gives her something to drink with the lunch that she brings.  She said no; I am suppose to  put water in with her lunch.  OOPS.  One didn't know that.  But she said that she can go get a glass of water at school. 

     Before returning home I went to a grocery to buy fixings for a dumpling dinner.  Dumplings, pork and sauerkraut is a German meal I learned from my mother-in-law.  (More on that later---the dumplings, not my mother-in-law.)

    


     View into the shopping complex.

 Ducks chilling out in front of the store

Typical store front

 

      Back home I decided to chill out for the mid day.   Sitting on the back patio I soaked in the home ambiance while allowing my mind to wander and debate a decision I needed to make.

 

  the breeze flowing past flags by the local school

 California blue skies and white clouds

 

From a palm tree a spider dangling  on her tightrope to retrieve her "fly for lunch" 

 

 

 



Patio "back yard"

Grandma G could totally get used to this California life!  I am  privileged to enjoy it for 12 days. 

 

     Soon it was time to pick up Gemma for the end of the school week.  After some playtime she and Jude had a late dinner.  Gemma and I watched a digitally enhanced DVD of Bambi.   (That was probably the 2nd movie I watched as a kid--60 years ago.)  Interesting how movie styles have changed, but Gemma loves the story.  Jude and I watched the new Alice and Wonderland.  I hadn't seen it and enjoyed it. 

     With the kids gone to bed, that ended my watch for the week.  Gerry was to be home about midnight.  Come Saturday AM I will be in visiting mode.  The week went well, the time passed quickly and I know Gemma and Jude better than I did 8 days ago.

 

     This has been a good last grandchild care day in the life of Grandma G.

 

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (Ephesians 2:10)

 

    

 

 

Reality Check/Face Your Fear....

Gerry and Gretta's back yard

       Reality set in this morning at 5:45.  I woke up with a pain in my chest and couldn't go back to sleep.  The kids were up at 6:15.  The traffic noise was (and stays) very loud. The humidity was quite high; I have a difficult time breathing in high humidity.  Allie was jumping and yapping like crazy to get up on my bed.  (Sorry, Allie, I don't do mornings.)   Haaa, the California life! 
      All three of us were crabby.  That's what happens in the early AM from TOO much fun in the sun the day before.  Jude got himself off to school and I dropped off Gemma a little late.  Then.... Then..... Then.......I had this terrible urge to ...... wash dishes and do more laundry.  I gave into the urge.    Then another urge......do stretching exercises.   By noon I was ready to sit in the sun and finish the humongous salad from the day before. 
      Gemma needed another bottle of cough medicine.  She was already coughing hard when I arrived on Sat.  She is sensitive to upper respiratory infections, asthma and gagging as a result of her esophagus surgery.  I was quite concerned earlier in the week that I might need to take her to the doctor.  I was concerned for her, but also for me since driving in strange city territory is a panic for me.   With God's blessing we've made it through the week, even with a critical point early Wed. AM.  She is much improved, but the cough syrup bottle was almost empty.  What to do?  I knew there is a pharmacy not far from here,  But what about the traffic?  I debated with myself and the panic feelings.  Decided that facing one's fear is the best way to beat it.  So.... off went Allie and I to the store.  Was quite easy.  No one even knew what a nut case was driving around.  Upon arriving home Allie gave me a high five (with a little help from me).   I do believe I am becoming a cosmopolitan driver.    

     The after school hours with Jude and Gemma were wonderfully peaceful.  They played with their friends a bit, painted, had dinner, watched TV and were off to bed.  Which again proves, "All's well that ends well".  
     I have completely enjoyed this time with them.  Getting to know their mannerisms and personalities is  satisfying to me as Grandma.  Since up till now there has been 2,000 miles between us there hasn't been a chance to really get to know each other and to feel relaxed on a routine basis.  They are both great kids.  Late tomorrow night their dad will be back.  I can then enjoy a few vacation days with all of them. 

     This has been a good "face your fear" day in the life of Grandma G.

     "I have set the Lord always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:8)

Living the California Life......

     What lady would not be fulfilled strolling through the outlet mall in the California sunshine?
     Then enjoying a Mediterranean salad at an outdoor table?  With a couple feathered friends stopping by?



  And then later chill out with a pizza/pool party?    Haaaaa, the good California life!

 

 

 

   

       I did behave responsibly the rest of the day by washing 2 loads of clothes and getting Gemma to school and back. (I am conniving that if I do a bunch of laundry now, Gerry will take us someplace fun over the weekend since he won't have to do laundry--or so much of it.  Grandma plans.)  Also, sort of looked for a library book that belongs to the neighbor and has to be returned tomorrow.   Can't find it.  It is somewhere among the 200 kids' books here in the house. 

     I was happy to receive and reply to a facebook message from a dear friend back in  Wisconsin.  We hadn't communicated since before I moved. 

    This has been a good "living the California life" day in the life of Grandma G.

    "By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop their dew."  (Proverbs 3:19 & 20)

 



    



No Cutesy Little Dog for me.....

   I am proud of myself for driving in San Diego!  It is actually a suburb, but still city.  I need to drive Gemma to her school.  For some people this might not be such an accomplishment, but for me, well.........  My idea of traffic is 3 cars sharing the same block with me.




      Gemma loves to sing.  She sings about everything.  She was hospitalized the first month of her life for esophageal surgery.  She had been born with a disconnected esophagus. Her dad put a small recorder in her crib to constantly play soothing music to  her. I sometimes wonder if that didn't wire her little subconscious to express everything in song. 

ocean view on foggy day

    After returning home I had until 2:15 to occupy myself.   I went for a 40 minute walk about mid morning.  The air was quite humid though the breeze from the ocean was cool.  There was a mist across the shoreline and it drifted up beyond the hills.

    Back at the house I spent time "cleaning out" my computer.  I reduced one email address from 720 messages in the  inbox to 6.   And then deleted the "trash".  My computer is lighter already!!  That plus tending to a business issue brought me to time to pick up Gemma and spend the rest of the day with her and brother, Jude. 
 
   I may even drive around a little more tomorrow!   Maybe.


      Bird of Paradise flowers

 

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      Jude and Gemma have this cutesy, fluffy little dog named Allie.   Gemma said that Allie's tags jingle like Santa's sleigh bells.  I started out for a walk this Tuesday morning.  About a block into the walk I heard Santa's sleigh bells.  Allie was following me.  So back I go with her and figured she may as well walk along on a lease.   It wasn't the most enjoyable walk I've had.  To Allie, though, it was a bonding experience.  She never left my side the rest of the day. 

     With the  mom of the house gone, I guess I'm the next best.  The little darling was constantly under my feet or gazing expectantly into my eyes.   (I actually gave no thought to her digestive needs until I was sitting on their patio and I realized it graced 5 clumps of doggie do. Guess who gets to clean them up if one wants an appealing patio.)

     Anyway, what this is leading to is that just last week I allowed my mind to picture a cutesy, furry little dog running around in my new house--for companionship, you know.  However, today brought reality to me.  I know there are genuine doggie lovers out there, but I am not one of them.  I quite enjoy my lonesomeness and aloneness.  Having an affectionate pooch under foot is not the remedy for me.  Therefore.....No Cutesy Little Dog for Me......Nope.

     I did take some time today to sit and reflect that I am now a West coast mama.  Wisconsin seems so far away.  I still have a lot to do to settle in and be at home.  But I have the rest of my life to do that.  Lots of years, I hope. 

 

 ocean view on a clear day.....

 

                            supper at a local Taco Bell....

 

    This has been a good 2 "hanging out in San Diego" days in the life of Grandma G.

 

     "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."  (Psalm 37: 3 & 4)

 

 

    

 

 

 



        

On to San Diego....

 

      After two fun filled days at the Oregon coast and a super tried (though necessarily busy)  Friday I headed off to San Diego on Saturday morning.  (As Garfield says about eating lasagna, "it's a rough life but somebody has to do it".) 

      Gerry and Gretta bought me a plane ticket to come down and watch their 2 children while she is in Italy with 2 lady friends and Gerry is gone on a business trip.  To me this is what family and being partly retired is about--helping out and spending time with grand kids at the same time.  I want to stay involved as long as my health allows me to.

      Travel TO the airport is much easier now.  I am there in 15 minutes.  In Wisconsin it is at least a 2 hour drive.  And then 5 hours flight time to arrive on the west coast. 

      My son, Bill, picked me up in San Diego mid afternoon.  I'd forgotten how pretty the white buildings and palm trees are--and how much fun to land almost parallel with the downtown buildings.  Unfortunately it is way bigger and busier than Portland/Vancouver.  Unfortunately, also, Bill, will be traveling for the week as well.

      This is only the second time I have flown south from Portland.  The scenery was stunning with almost steady mountains in view--the San Andrea's, I think.

      It was hot and actually humid when I stepped out onto the San Diego sidewalk.  Bill had circled and then parked while waiting for me waiting for my luggage.  Soon we were on our way to Gerry's.

     I will be here several days---bonding with the kids and catching up on LOTS of computer clean out. 

     Now it is off to bed for me--still catching up on energy.  I hear the kids are up at 6:30AM.  Ouch.  



 

 

goodbye to Mt. Hood.....

hello San Andrea's....

                                 And Golden Gate Bridge....

mysterious San Fransisco landmark.....

San Diego sunset.....

paint project after movie watching time.....

 

     This has been a good 2 "travel to San Diego" days in the life of Grandma G.

 

"The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.  The heavens declare his rightousness, and all the peoples see his glory."  (Psalm 97: 5 & 6)

Oregon Coast, Baby!!

 
 heading across a Portland bridge Wed. AM

 

driving through the mountains

the cow and the farmer.....

                                                Oregon Coast

           entering Ocean Side

passing through the tunnel
 

 

 A visit to Happy Camp....

 Houses on stilts....

       Let me hold you!!

         Our motel at night.....we had the upper floor



    mist and low tide

 

 

 self portrait and ocean

 lunch at Rosanna's cafe....

 

sun through the rain forest

 

 Rock-Away Beach revisited.....(last time was in 2003)

 our favorite coastal store

      treasures from Flamingo Jim's

Hurry Back, Ya'all!!

     Sissy did most of the driving, even through Portland.  We had a great time exploring the coastline and climbing through the tunnel and on rocks.  Tired out Grandma G, but great fun and nice bonding time with Sissy! 

 

This has been a good 3 Grandma and Sissy Oregon Coast days (and day after) in the life of

Grandma G.

 

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14)