Spring is in the Air

And what better way to celebrate spring than to attend a softball game? We're cheering on the Panthers and in particular KC, a super short stop with a mean swing at bat. 

The whole back yard is being renovated and the swing set isn't completed but C can still get a ride on the slide-mommy simply lifts it up!

It was warm enough for Buddy to take a swim so C threw his footballs into the pool-it's one of his favorite games..

And here's the gang-Sandi, Kris, C and the next addition (coming in June) EM

C finally likes hats! This is grammys latest summer choice....JH is one of C's BFF

C, little C and JH found the dash on the motorhome a cool place.

Suddenly C got a bit shy-maybe she didn't want anybody to see her get a pedicure. K transformed from ball player to manicurist. 

And, to wrap it all up we had a traditional hot dog/hamburger dinner. Alysonn relaxes after dinner.

The adventure continues...

We began by checking in to Happy Hollow RV park, just outside of Algodones, Mexico, for dental work/  Waiting to return to the US was anywhere from 1-3 hours! 

Enterprising folks sought to relieve our hunger and thirst...

We never did find out what they were selling.

Here's our dental office..A lovely freshly painted green...Dr. Fidel Valdez's offices are in the rear.

This hill separates us from Mexico. We had beautiful weather the whole time we were traveling. Below: Look closely at the ridge-there's a figure close to the flag and he/she's there to take the flag down.

Cecile and I began "The Adventure" by driving down to Los Algodones, Mexico to have dental work done. Sorry there won't be any pictures of us on here-after dental work we were way too scary looking! We had lots of  laughs, some tears, always a new something to look forward to  every day. I have great referrals for dentists from here (Coarsegolld) to Bullhead City to Algodones. 

Welcome to Casa de Fruita

Years ago Ray and I joined a group of Square dancers called the Jokers. We enjoyed their company both on the dance floor and at monthly camp outs. I still keep in touch with my friends from the Bay area, and joined them this weekend at Casa in Hollister, CA. Casa de Fruita began as a fruit & vegetable stand and now is a landmark at Pacheco Pass. There are 300 rv spaces, a park, restaurant and acres of land where special events are held throughout the year.  

From L to R: Ellie, Marlene, Bev, Estelle. They're sifting through magazines looking for fresh ides for the next pot luck...

From L to R: Ed, Dave, Bev, John playing a favorite-Pegs & Jokers. Ray and I introduced P&J to the Jokers.

jerry is and old firend-I think he's waiting for an opening for one of the games. Frank brings a ton of magazines to share so there's plenty of reading material.

Foreground L to R: Ellie, Marlene, Dixie, and Linda playing my personal favorite, Minnesota canasta. We played 'til the wee hours of the morning-I think i got my fix and it will last for a while.

Did I mention Casa has some wild animals? They're so tame you can walk up to them! We learned if we had something colorful to wave in front of the male he would show off his plume...

Then he turned his back on us

So Ellie tried flashing him, without success.

Poor lady! Not only is she dull compared to her mate, her R claw is deformed and she hobbles! 

Al in all, it was a great time. These folks are pros at organizing a weekend. The food was sumptious, the entertainment silly and funny, and the friends divine.

Superbowl Sunday

It's best to prepare for an all day eat fest by having something nurtious. C and Mama start the day with strawberries. 

That's a strawberry bubble on C's lip....

Little C, JH and C helped put the food out-there were lots of favorites and just trying a little bit of everything took 2 plates-not including desserts!

Sandi had to stay close to the food table so certain little hands didn't go overboard.

Sorry, guys. You had to stay outside 'cause there's too much temptation to eat people food. 

Number 1 best fan -and John's favorite (Steelers) won!

K was torn all day between watching the game and reading the 2nd book in the Twilight series-after all, she's 13!

Nothing like a little rough housing to break up the game...

And, having a friend like Alyson doing clean up.

Poor Kris...she's always loyal to the Lions, no matter how hopeless they are...

January Ramblings....

For those of you who think I can only post pictures of grandchildren.....

AAAHHH! Is this really January? Or did we miss 4 months and it's really April... I noticed my friends haven't posted since Christmas so I thought I'd let you know they're still alive and well....and moving to another site! 

Here's Garys new home -the shed on site#529! Nice digs, Gary

This is what it looks like when you're moving. You have to really, really, want that new site...

Of course, moving also means thinning out, getting rid of, and shifting a whole bunch of stuff.  

And here's why they're moving..

This will be their view outside their living room..beautiful, yes?

This will be Mittens' new hunting grounds...

Possible deck here....

Who knows why I took this...

My friend, Jeanne, came down from WA to get some seratonin... She's a former member of Park Sierra and moved north to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter. But sunny California is something you don't get out of your system easily. She's lapping up the rays on a late afternoon-in short sleeves, on my deck IN JANUARY!!

We played cards for hours, reminisced, and promised to meet up in the desert in March. Hope my hands are in shape for another marathon Minnesota Canasta!

Construction Day

The man team, John and JH

weather stripping on the steps to no one will slip...

Beautiful low voltage lights around the deck and down the ramp....

The Piece de Resistance! My new sink...I'm going to organize a dishwashing party-bring your own and wash your own dishes

The girl team-Kris and C

JH and C were invited to my neighbors'  house for cookies and See's suckers..

JH likes my neighbors

No rest for the construction team...

Of course, emptying the truck was a full team job!

I always have a "to do" list for Kris, and this goes back to forever! I wanted to change the kind of sink I had in the park trailer. She wanted to confer with her boss/partner John for the best approach and that was the perfect excuse to invite the whole family up to visit. While they were here he and Kris conferred about other tasks and arranged their schedules so they could come and spend a whole day doing various jobs. JC and C came, too. The results? A new sink (I LOVE it!) ambient, low voltage lighting around the deck and down the ramp (no excuse for tripping now!), weather stripping for the steps to the deck and better lighting in the shed. These guys are so awesome-that list was completed in one day! i'm so blessed....

The Grandmother's Club

One of my goals this year is to get more involved in my community-expanding outside of Park Sierra. The Grandmothers Club was formed in the late 1940s, probably to have a place for women to meet and socialize. later, a mobile home park was developed (in Arroyo Grande) and an apartment complex right here in Coarsegold. The Grandmothers' Village has a lovely clubhouse where the Coarsegold chapter meet. This Chapter has been working on reducing their debt and will have paid the mortgage off by June this year. They are a lovely group of women (and some honorary men and angels who might not have grand children)  who invited me to join. I will be "installed" next month.  There are many chapters around CA, all having local projects and social activities. I'm looking forward to participating!

Opening the meeting includes the Pledge of Allegiance, Officer roll call, and a short prayer

Of course, after the business meeting, lunch is served!

Some folks stay and play cards after lunch.