May 31, 2013

May 31, 2013

Bill and I went to the Post Office this morning to mail a package to Lori.  It has been nearly ready to mail for several days.  Last night I finally got it addressed.

We also went for our shingle shots.  We have had that on our "list" for several months, so the day to cross that off the list was today.  We went to Walgreen's to get the process started.  One of the pharmacy assistants spent about 15 minutes tapping on her computer.  Then she took us to some computers where we were to fill out information to allow Walgreen's clinic to "shoot" us.  When we finally got into the clinic room, the nurse practitioner had to put our information into her computer.  Ugh!  The whole process took way too long.  But we finally “got the point” and went home.  And I’m glad to report that Brave Bill didn’t faint.

I spent the rest of the afternoon working on our checkbook.  It balanced!  Yippy, Skippy!

Meredith and the pups came after she finished work.  Connor and I went with them to get pizza for dinner.  Everyone went to Meredith and Dwaine’s house for pizza and salad.  There was also KFC for our enjoyment.  I think Dwaine and I were the only ones eating chicken.  I also had a piece of pizza.  Happy, happy tummies!

May 30, 2013

At 11:00, Joshua and I went to get Matthew at school. He's out for the summer now.  And very glad of it.

He and I have been root beer float buddies for several years.  To celebrate his release from the institution where he's been held captive...school...we went to Red Robin.  Their root beer floats are very good.

Joshua was our limo driver, aka Honda CRV driver.  I'm getting very use to the luxury of a handsome young man at the wheel.  This cast on my hand does have some benefits.

When we got back home, Connor had just come home from his last day of school.
We've had some strong winds off and on all day, but it doesn't seem to be blowing any rainclouds our way.  More moisture would certainly be welcome.

Michelle and Ron had a cookout tonight.  They had buffalo burgers, corn and two kinds of squash roasted on the grill, baked beans, and watermelon and cantaloupe.  It was all so good.

Meredith and Dwaine joined us for dinner and a gabfest that went on until 9:00.  Somehow, we never seem to run out of things to talk about.

May 29, 2013

May 29, 2013

According to Bill, rain began to fall at 5:00 this morning.  By the time I got up at 7:00 we were having a "real frog strangler."

At 8:30, we went to hear Matthew's POL.  Each 8th grader does a Presentation of Learning about his years spent in Middle School.  Matthew did a good job.  He made good use of his iPad, projecting pictures onto the movie screen.

I didn't get too wet going into the school.  Matthew carried an umbrella to keep me dry.  He's such a gentleman!

Bill and I went to Taco Bell for lunch.  From there we headed for Walmart to get our prescriptions refilled.  While waiting for them we shopped.  That was a good use of our time, don't you think?

Bill bought three shirts today.  That was monumental.  He usually resists that kind of thing with all the strength he can muster. Today he weakened.

Dinner at Meredith and Dwaine's tonight was great, as usual.  She made shrimp and pasta, salad, and served hot cheese bread with it.  Yum, yum!

May 28, 2013

This morning we went to see Meredith.  Our purpose, other than to spend time with her, was to take showers and use their laundry facilities.  With all the extra company at Michelle's, their house is on overload.

I stayed with Meredith to tend to the laundry and sit on her deck and enjoy the view of the lake.  Bill, on the other hand, went back home to vacuum and "inspect the insides of his eyelids," otherwise known as taking a nap.

Meredith and I went to lunch at Arby's.  Neither one of us had eaten there in a long time.  They have a new item...homemade potato chips.  I ordered them without their special seasoning sprinkled on them.  They were very good.

We went to Ft. Collins to Sprouts for a few groceries.  When we got back to Meredith and Dwaine's we sat out in the yard and played with Joey and Hapa.  Bill came after me at 4:00.  Soon after we got back to the motorhome we had a terrible wind and rain storm.  It was much more wind than rain.  We need the rain, but not the wind.  It was all backwards.

Ron's mother, Susan, made jambalaya which was served over rice. It was very good.  I can't remember if I've ever eaten it before. There's always a first time for everything.

May 27, 2013

May 27, 2013

At 9:30, Meredith, Dwaine, and the pups came to take us to Broomfield.  Meredith needed some papers from her office.  We took advantage of the situation to see her office.  It is an impressive place for her to work and she does an impressive job!

Before leaving for home we went Geocaching   Our efforts weren't completely wasted, but nearly.  We found one and had two DNFs. After that dismal outcome we decided to treat our disappointment to a Subway lunch before going back to Loveland.

Michelle and the other two ladies were gone when we got to 1268 Tupelo Drive.  I went into the house and discovered three boys seemingly in need of a useful direction.  Drill Sergeant Dane enlisted the troops!  Joshua emptied the dishwasher and began reloading it.  Connor washed the items that wouldn't go in the DW and I dried.  Matthew grudgingly did two small chores that I asked him to do for the good of the cause.  Many sighs were heard coming from his direction.  By the time Michelle got home, she had a clean kitchen!  I don't know how the boys felt, but I felt good that we had perhaps made their Mother's life just a little bit     better.

Meredith came back to Michelle's for dinner of really great lasagna, salad, and hot bread.  We had fresh berries for dessert.

At 8:00, I took the boys, Joshua, Connor, and Matthew, to Sonic for milkshakes.  We sat and visited while we enjoyed our treats.  It is so much fun being with those three.

May 26, 2013

I didn’t get up until after 9:00.  Today was a holiday, wasn’t it?  Bill went to McDonald’s for pancakes while I got dressed.  

Bill and I spent most of the rest of the morning watching the race from Indianapolis.  It has been several years since we have watched it.  

Meredith came after getting groceries and I went back to the house with her.  I played with the pups while she worked on dinner.  The whole group was meeting at 4:00. We had pulled pork sandwiches, watermelon, coleslaw and potato salad that Ron’s grandma made. Dessert was pound cake, fresh fruit and ice cream. 

This tribe is nothing if not well fed! Don’t you agree?

May 25, 2013

Today was Joshua's graduation day!  Wow, the time has flown by.  This morning, Michelle made cinnamon rolls.  Yum, yum!  For more reasons than homemade goodies, I'm glad I was there for his big day.

Meredith and I went to the library this morning.  We each checked out a book, but didn’t stay just to browse.  Time didn’t allow us that luxury.

I went home with Meredith.  Just as we finished lunch, Bill came to take me back home.  Don’t feel sorry for him because he wasn’t invited for lunch.  He was!  But he was working on the front of the coach and couldn’t leave it.

I took an hour nap before it was time to get ready for graduation.  I was glad for the extra rest, because we had to walk a long way between the car and the Arena.  Maybe it wasn’t as far a trek as at JP’s graduation, but it didn’t miss it by much.

It was a nice ceremony, but we had to sit a long way away, so we couldn’t see very well or hear a lot of what was being said.

We went to dinner at a Mongolian Grill place in Fort Collins.  The food was good, as usual, and we had a semiprivate room, which gave us a good opportunity to visit.

May 24, 2013

At 9:00 this morning, Michelle, Susan, Pat, and I set out to find some Garage Sales.  There weren’t many, but we found a few and made a couple of purchases.

We ate lunch at Applebee’s.  It was fun being with the women of Ron’s family.  With happy tummies, we went back home to rest.

At about 3:00, Bill took me to Walmart.  After shopping for a few items, Bill went home and I stayed for a manicure.  When I called for him to come back for me, the clown answered with “Limo Service.”  It is going to be that for awhile because it is hard for me to drive with this cast on.

Meredith and Hapa came for a visit after dinner.  It was the first time Hapa had come in contact with the Oregon visitors’ little dog, Toto.  Hapa wasn’t too impressed!  Maybe that will improve.  We are going to Meredith and Dwaine’s on Sunday for a cookout in honor of Joshua’s graduation.

May 23, 2013

This morning got off to a very slow start.  By the time i got my cast on, with help from Bill and Michelle, it was 10:30.

The cast is a nuisance, but it keeps the pain at bay.  I should be use to nuisances by now, having been married to one for 53 years.  With all that practice I should be able to tolerate the cast for a month.

I spent part of the afternoon visiting with Ron’s mother and grandmother and Michelle.  We were talking about how things have changed over the years.

Bill and I had dinner with Meredith and Dwaine.  He grilled steak that was really good.  We sat around afterwards and talked about places we had traveled to.  It was a fun time.

May 22, 2013

Just after 12:00 Michelle and I drove to Berthoud, about 15 minutes from Loveland.  We went to the Habitat Thrift Store.  They didn’t have much that we were interested in.

When we got back home, I told Bill that I wanted to find a doctor who specialized hand injuries.  My right hand began hurting yesterday for no apparent reason.  When I would turn it a certain way, pain would shoot through it.

We went to an orthopedic center and was told that if I came back in an hour I could see a doctor.  I took Bill and the paperwork home, filled out way too many items, and went back for my appointment with Dr. Seiler.  The x-rays showed a stress fracture in my right hand.  It wasn’t very recent because a ridge of bone had formed along the fracture.  Honestly, it just started hurting yesterday and I have no idea when I hurt it.

So I came back home with a removable cast that I am to wear for a month.  Driving home in rush hour traffic with one hand in a “cast” wasn’t too much fun, but I made it.

Bill said I am trying to self-destruct.  He may have a point.

Ron’s parents and grandmother arrived last night for Joshua’s graduation.  His mom’s birthday was today so Michelle fixed a wonderful dinner and Ron’s dad bought two cakes.  We all ended the day with very happy tummies.

May 21, 2013

After a slow start to the morning, I went out on my own to try to get some errands done.

I went to the beauty parlor where I got a really good permanent last November.  Debbie was still working there.  I wanted to know if my hair had grown enough since my last perm to get another perm.  She said it had and did I want it done today.  I couldn’t believe my good luck.  And to top it all off, Tuesday is Senior Day, 20% off.  Wow!

I called Michelle to tell her why my errands were taking so long.  She said she would go to Habitat Thrift Store with me, so I changed my route and went to claim her.  We both had donations to drop off.  We also went into the store to shop for just a bit.  

Our “score” for the day was a small metal and tile table.  Michelle has my grandfather’s typewriter from when he was a judge in Hale County, Texas.  (That calls for a great big YeeHaw!)  The typewriter sits on it perfectly.  By the way, the typewriter is over 100 years old.

Wow!  That’s older than Wild Bill!

Before going back home, we went to Sam’s Club.  Food is always a top priority for this group.

Bill and I went to have dinner at Meredith and Dwaine’s house.  That’s always a good time for us.  We spent quite a bit of time hearing about their plans for their backyard.  Dwaine has some interesting ideas for the project.

Meredith potted a plant for me.  I saw it at one of the nurseries where we shopped a couple of days ago.  As I passed it I heard it say, “Psst, Lady!  Take me home.”  That’s the story I always tell Bill, and it still works!

Ron’s parents and grandmother arrived tonight.  Like us, they wanted to be here for Joshua’s graduation.

May 20, 2013

We had a few rain showers this morning.  If all of them were lumped together they wouldn’t even fill a thimble.

Bill and I went out to do some errands.  We didn’t accomplish very much.  We’ll continue tomorrow, hoping to get a few things marked off the list.

Ron is doing a lot around their house.  His parents and grandmother are coming for Joshua’s graduation.  He’s trying to get some of the jobs around here finished so the house will look better.

Michelle bought some bushes and flowering baskets for the front of the house.  Ron planted the bushes and put the hooks in place for the hanging baskets.  Those things, along with the tulips that Michelle planted in the fall, will make the house colorful.

For two years, I have requested that a handrail be installed on the basement stairs.  No luck...until today.  Ron wants it there for his grandmother to use.  Hooray!!!  I don’t care what motivated him.  It will just be great to have it finally done.  Maybe I should hire his grandmother to come more often!

We had quite a windstorm this evening, but it settled before bedtime.

May 19, 2013

Michelle, Meredith, Dwaine, and I left the house at 7:30 and drove north to Fort Collins.  There was an estate sale that Meredith and I   went to on Friday.  Today everything was half price.  We spent lots of time going through all of the rooms in the house, the garage, the shed, and even things on tables set up in the backyard.  I have never seen so much stuff at one place.  

As Michelle and I were going into one of the upstairs rooms a woman coming out told us there were some beautiful things in there.  Michelle pushed me on into the room.  She knew I was going to tell the woman what I thought about the stuff.  Does the expression P.O.S. come to mind?

We did buy several things, including a stain glass angel for a coworker of Meredith’s.  We were glad we went back to the sale.  It was an experience!

Meredith cooked ribs and baked potatoes for dinner.  Michelle made an apple cobbler and a peach cobbler.  Joshua brought ice cream.  It was a belated birthday dinner for me.  The food was great, as usual, and the family gathering was even better.

May 18, 2013

Michelle and I went to garage sales this morning for a couple of hours.  I did some Christmas shopping and Michelle purchased at baking dish.

We went to Jax’s Ranch and Home store to shop for a hat for me.  Dr. Bair said I needed to wear a hat when I’m out in the sun.  I’ve known this for a long time, but hats are very uncomfortable to me.  I bought a hat that I think might work OK.  I’ll give it a try.

Our next stop was at Sam’s Club.  We needed some items for our dinner plans.  We went back home after shopping.  I rested for about 30 minutes.  Michelle’s knee was beginning to swell so she took the time to ice it.

Once again out on the shopping trail, we went to the day old bread store and then to Lowe’s for hanging baskets and plants to put in them.  After we were about half through the list I sat in a swinging chair and rested while Michelle finished shopping.

Michelle invited Meredith and Dwaine to eat with us.  She was fixing “breakfast for dinner”...bacon, eggs, hash browns, and French toast made with Trader Joe’s cinnamon bread that Lori had sent from California.  Meredith assisted Michelle in the kitchen.  We all ended the evening with “happy tummies.”

May 17 2013

Meredith and Hapa came this morning.  They had left Joey at the vet's office.  The problem with his paw has gone on for several weeks.  He has had medicine, x-rays, and things like that.

Today, the vet sedated Joey and discovered a thorn embedded deep in his paw.  Meredith measured the thorn...it was one inch long.  The “culprit” was removed, the area was drained and three stitches were used to close the "clean out area."

We had time to stop at two garage sales.  We didn't buy anything, but it was fun to look.  Hopefully, we will get to go to more sales tomorrow.

I stayed with the pups while Meredith and Michelle went to get their hair cut.  When Meredith got back to her house, Hapa, Joey, and I were all asleep.  Meredith “questioned” my dog sitting skills.  I told her that I was teaching them to nap and I must have done a good job because we were all snoozing.  I think she accepted my explanation, because she didn’t dock my pay for sleeping on the job!

Michelle and her boys, plus Grandpa, came to Meredith and Dwaine’s for dinner.  We had “build your own burritos.”  Dwaine grilled the meat (steak and chicken).  There were several varieties of tortillas, plus bowls of cheese, salsa, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado.  My burrito was very good and I’m sure everyone felt the same about their own concoction.

May 16, 2013

May 16, 2013

I really, really didn’t want to get out of bed this morning.  My busy, busy day yesterday had caught up with me.  However, we had appointments with my dermatologist this morning...10:30 and 10:45.

We both went in together.  I wanted to make sure Bill showed Dr. Bair all of the places that needed to be checked.  She froze some places on his face and the top of his head.

I had several places she wanted to recheck from my last visit.  She froze several of them.  Two places she did biopsies.  Now I have to wait for the test results.

The doctor recommended better hats for both of us and suggested a place to get them.  We were going that direction for gasoline, but Himself didn’t want to go hat shopping today.  I may just have to go by myself.

Meredith came this afternoon to get help from Super Mechanic changing from the snow tires to the summer tires on her Mini Cooper.  For some reason, she seems to think winter is over.  Hm-m-m!

She and Dwaine and the pups stayed to visit for awhile.  That’s always fun.  I guess the dogs spent some time in the motorhome with Bill while I was in California.  When they come in the MH they always find spots for naps.  They are very good in our house.

May 15, 2013

May 15, 2013

Michelle sent a text early this morning that yesterday's blog didn't post, so Lori immediately posted what I had written yesterday.  Thanks to both of you for your help.

We were on the road for the airport at 6:45.  There had been a serious wreck on the route we were to take.  Fortunately, Lori knew of another way to get to the airport.

My plane left at 9:00, right on time.  It was a good flight...translate that to mean uneventful.  We arrived in Denver on time.  Wow!  Southwest Airlines is doing it right!

Meredith came to fetch me.  We went to lunch and to Costco before returning to Loveland.  The ride home gave us a chance to catch up on news of the week I was in California.

Joshua had an awards ceremony tonight at school.  He was presented an award by the Army for his sports accomplishments and his academic achievement.  He received a certificate and a Army achievement medallion.  Way to go,  Joshua!

I had a great trip to California.  I enjoyed the time spent with family and friends, but it was also nice to be back with Bill and the Colorado clan!

May 14, 2013

May 14, 2013

After Lori and Natalia got back from their yoga class we went to Panera for lunch.  The food was very good.  We sat outside and had a leisurely visit.

There were several places Lori and I needed to go this afternoon.  A thrift store was first on the list, but they weren't taking donations.  Ugh!

Our next stop was at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  I bought JP a crock pot and a cookbook for his graduation gift.  That may sound like a strange gift for a young man, but he does most, if not all, of the cooking in their house.  Maybe he takes after his Uncle Brent.  Anyway, I thought a crock pot was a good idea.  And it might be the beginning of his collection of stories to tell the next generation of family! 

We went to Trader Joe's.  Lori wanted to send cinnamon bread to Michelle's boys.  It is one of their favorites.  So...mission accomplished!

We decided we wanted to go to a yogurt shop for our evening nourishment.  Lori chose Coco Swirl in Pleasant Hill.  There were about a dozen flavors of yogurt and lots of toppings.  You are charged by the weight of your cup after everything has been piled on.  I had a small amount of three flavors with several kinds of fresh fruit.  It was yummy!

I spent the evening packing for my trip to Denver tomorrow and watching Dancing With The Stars.

May 13, 2013

May 13, 2013

It was cool this morning so a sweater felt good.

At 1:00, Natalia, Lori, Alex (Lori's deputy sheriff friend), and I went to see a movie, The Big Wedding.  It was really funny, with a great cast.  And, as usual, the popcorn was yummy!

We went on some errands...Target, Big 5 Sports, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  We also tried to help Natalia's boyfriend, Mario, get some new tires and rims mounted for his Miata.  He had an appointment only to be told that they couldn't do the job.  Ugh!

It was nearly 7:00 when we got back to Lori's apartment.  I told Lori that as far as I was concerned dinner could be a banana and peanut butter.  She agreed, and made each of us a bowl of fruit salad, also.

I had meant for this to be an "early to bed night."  It didn't turn out that way, but I had good intentions.

May 12, 2013

May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day!

JP came this morning.  Rosy went to Half Moon Bay to spend the day with her family.  We drove into San Francisco for brunch at an Italian restaurant that JP knew about.

We were in really heavy traffic after the tunnel in the Berkley area until we got past the toll booths on the Bay Bridge.  It was bumper to bumper.

We were late for our reservation at Trattoria Contadina, but Natalia had called from the "freeway parking lot" to  explain our tardiness.  The owner said he would hold our reservation.

JP, Natalia, and Lori ordered different kinds of pasta dishes.  I ordered Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.  They were exceptionally good...perhaps the best pancakes I've ever had.

After eating, we walked around the area looking at the row houses.  I find them very interesting.  There was a cold wind blowing so we didn't go down to Pier 39.  JP drove through some neighborhoods that we hadn't seen before.

Before bedtime, I watched part of the season finale of Survivor, but decided to go to bed early.  I'll catch up on it later.

May 11, 2013

May 11, 2013

My 76th birthday started with bright California sunshine.  I certainly know that the weather isn't always this beautiful, but it has been great since I arrived.  That's a good present!

We left for JP's graduation at about 1:00.  We stopped at McDonald's for a snack to eat on the road.  The graduation ceremony may last until 6:00.  That's a long time for a person like me to go without food.

Well, things weren't quite as we had expected.  There were probably two thousand people without seats, including us.  We found a wall to sit on and waited to hear JP's name called so we could cheer.  

JP, Rosy, and Rosy's mother soon made their way to where we were.  It was 5:00.  We went to a small park to take pictures.  It was about a mile hike back to the car.  I certainly got my exercise in for today!

Back at Lori's we discussed dinner options.  Both of us were tired from a very busy day so we decided to stay home and have a fruit salad and cheese and crackers from last night's party.  It was a perfect birthday dinner.

May 10, 2013

May 10, 2013

Lori's friend, Carol, stopped by for a quick visit.  Natalia was there for waffles.  We talked Carol into staying.  We had a nice visit while we ate.  Then we had "show and tell" with some of Lori's beading, weaving, and scarf making projects.  I showed some of my beadwork, also.

Carol went home, Lori went to Trader Joe's, Natalia went home, and I stayed with the pups.  Tucker stayed beside me most of the time.  Maddie, on the other hand, is part wombat and is on the go, most of the time.

When we gathered back at Lori's we took the dogs for a walk before the three Dane girls went to Penney's, etc. to shop.  It was nearly 2:30 before we went to In-N-Out for lunch.

 Lori invited several friends for dinner.  These are women we have both known for lots of years.  Since my birthday is tomorrow, Lori and the group sang to me.  It was different though.  No cake and no candles...a small cup of flan and a burning match.  That was a first for me and probably everyone else, too.  Whenever we are all together we always have a great time.  Tonight was no different!

May 9, 2013

May 9, 2013

We left home at  8:30, went by a donut shop for "breakfast on the go," and drove to Rohnert Park to help JP and Rosy move to Benicia.

It took longer to load the truck than we had expected, but they finished just after noon.  My main job was to be in charge of Tucker.  That went OK, but he would rather have been with Lori.  With much apprehension he watched her go back and forth between the apartment and the U-Haul truck.  Our task was to stay out of the way and we did an admirable job.

We drove to Benicia to JP and Rosy's new apartment.  They have a really nice place to live.  It is much bigger than where they have been living.  iCat was confused by the move and hid in her "cat house" until Rosy dumped her out of it.  

iCat is a Munchkin, a breed that looks much like a Siamese, but with very short legs.  She is a bit chubby, weighing a couple of pounds more than Maddie, Natalia's little dog.

Unloading went much faster than loading.  I didn't help much when it involved carrying things down stairs, but I could carry some things up the stairs.  JP passed by me on one of my trips up and said "old lady pitching in."  He may be a college graduate, nearly, but I still may have to take him down a notch or two.

It was nearly 4:30 before we got back to Pleasant Hill.  Lori had a stain glass class tonight, so I was the entertainer for the two pups.  We had a good time.  They are both so cute!

May 8, 2013

May 8, 2013

Bill and I left Loveland at 8:15, heading for the airport in Denver.  There wasn't much traffic until we got closer to Denver.  When we got onto the Toll Road, traffic was fairly lite.

I got through security with no problems.  Because I'm old I didn't have to take off my shoes.  Mark that as one point for being 75.

We were on board and in the air on time.  Yippy , Skippy for Southwest Airlines.  I couldn't see the snow covered Rockies because of the clouds.  Rats!

We landed in Oakland 20 minutes early.  I sent Lori a text when I was in the terminal.  She was just getting to the airport and as I walked outside, here came the three of them...Lori, Tucker, and Maddie.  How's that for timing?

Our first stop was In-N-Out for lunch.  Lori and I each had our own hamburgers, but the furry beasts had to share one.  We went to Walmart for a few necessary items.  Before long we were at Lori's apartment.  As soon as Lori finished putting the groceries away, we took the pups for a walk.

I unpacked and rested for awhile.  I was very comfy wrapped in a soft blanket, listening to the fountain outside the window.  It was so relaxing.

We went to Joann Fabric for some beads, before going by the dental office to get some paperwork.  We made a stop at Big 5 Sports on our way back to Lori's apartment.

We had pasta, bread sticks, and a tomato salad for dinner.  With happy tummies we got down to serious business...beading, weaving, and fun things like that.

May 7, 2013

The first task for the morning was to finish Matthew’s quilt.  I worked on it last night until 11:30, but couldn’t go on any longer.  So it became this morning’s job.

Next was to get some packing done for tomorrow’s trip to Lori’s in Pleasant Hill, California.  Since I don’t check any luggage through I am limited on the amount of clothes I can take.  That’s not too much of a problem since I don’t have very many clothes to begin with.

I went for a pedicure and decided to get a manicure, also.  I usually polish my nails and do a fair job of it, but decided today was a good day for a special treat.  I don’t splurge very often!

The afternoon was much like the morning, getting ready to travel.

We went to Meredith and Dwaine’s for dinner before going to Matthew’s Spring band concert.  The dinner was enjoyable and so was the music.

After finishing with my packing challenge, I went to bed earlier than usual.

May 6, 2013

Bill and I had errands to run this morning.  I made appointments for both of us with my dermatologist.  Our next stop was at the Habitat Thrift Store.  

From there, we went toward Fort Collins, stopping at the outskirts of town, at a feed and store.  I am needing a few horseshoe nails, but not a whole box.  They didn't have any at all.  

We went on into town to the Penney’s store.  I purchased a pair of pajamas.  On our way back home we stopped at the Habitat Store again, buying a radial arm saw to add to Dwaine's collection of power tools.

After lunch I started a sewing project.  Michelle made a Star Wars quilt and I am going to put the binding around the edge.  It will look good with all of Matthew’s Star Wars things in his room.  I had hoped to get it finished tonight, but it may take longer.

May 5, 2013

Today was a busy, eventful Sunday.  Meredith and Dwaine took us to Estes Park for a late breakfast at the Big Horn Cafe.  The food was very good and we had a really relaxing time.

Afterwards, we went to a park area next to the cafe.  Hapa and Joey played in the river for a few minutes before we looked for a geocache close by.  We searched for about 20 minutes before giving up.  Drats!

We drove south of Estes Park on Hwy. 7 called the Peaks to Peaks Highway.  Most of the snow had melted as we left Estes, but the higher we drove (8400 ft.) the more snow we encountered.  It was beautiful.  The peaks along the way were covered in deep snow.  

Once we had to stop to let a herd of 10 deer to cross the highway.  Not too much further along we saw a herd of 12 elk in a pasture on the west side of the road.  But the most unusual “critter sighting” we saw today was a lady walking a pot bellied pig on a leash.  How about that?

The best critters of the whole trip we the two in the back of Meredith and Dwaine’s SUV...Joey and Hapa.  Joey is a great traveler, but its another story with Hapa.  She panted the whole way while looking out the back window.  That is how she is when riding in a car.

Our drive through the beautiful Colorado Rockies ended in Boulder.  Soon we were back in Loveland at Michelle and Ron’s house.  The dogs were out of the car for about 20 minutes before Meredith and Dwaine headed for home.  Joey was happy to get back in the car, but not so with Hapa.  She sat down and wasn’t about to move that furry bottom.  She was perfectly happy to stay in the motorhome with us.  The three of us napped for about an hour.

Soon after 5:00, we all went to Meredith and Dwaine’s house for dinner...steak, Michelle’s garlic mashed potatoes, and salad.  It was a celebration of Ron’s birthday, which isn’t until Wednesday.  On that day Ron works and I fly to California.  So we celebrated early.

I was correct in saying it was a busy day, wasn’t I?

May 4, 2013

We had meant to go to a Geocaching Flash Mob today.  Geocachers around the world were doing flash mobs on the fourth of May.  The event in this area was further away than our little group wanted to travel.  Add that to the fact that there were garage sales that needed our attention, and you might understand our choice of actions.

And we did find some garage sales.  There weren’t as many as we had hoped, but we went to some very interesting parts of Loveland...from very high priced neighborhoods down to the level of a hovel, where we didn’t stay too long.  Yikes!

Dwaine took us to Carl’s Canteen in old downtown Loveland.  A sign painted on the window read “World Famous Burger.”  I think we would have changed the word to “infamous.”  They serve “canteen burgers” made with “loose meat.”  I will translate...loose meat is hamburger meat browned in a pan with no seasoning.  It wasn’t Sloppy Joe meat because there wasn’t anything added to the meat...just meat.  We had several choices of what to put on it...pickles, onion, mayo, mustard, or catsup.  The thing was hard to eat because when it was picked up, it fell apart.

Compared to In-N-Out, Dairy Delight (we got great burgers there a couple of days ago),  and Cool Al’s (where you stick to the floor, but the burgers are fantastic), a Canteen Burger was way down at the bottom of the list.  It was truly an eating adventure!  Or maybe it was a misadventure!

This afternoon, Michelle and I went shoe shopping and on the way home we bought pizza to take home for the always hungry boys.  Afterwards, we went to Meredith and Dwaine’s house to see a book she had ordered.  Dwaine was watching a recording of The Closer.  I had never seen it, but found it very funny.  It is no longer on the air, but is running as reruns.

May 3, 2013

May 3, 2013

The sun was out this morning, melting all that beautiful snow .  (sigh)

Meredith and Dwaine came to go to a special Geocaching evènt with us.  I discovered I was confused about the date.  Ugh!  It is for tomorrow.  So what were we to do?  Go to garage sales, of course!

We found several sales and made a few purchases.  We went to one at a church.  When we went back out we saw an amazing sight.  In a green belt area was a mother fox with three babies.  She was keeping a vigil on us as well as watching her pups.  We watched for several minutes.

Two of the little ones were playing “rough and tumble” and had a good game of “chase and tackle” going on.  The third baby was sitting looking at the other two as if to say "What's your problem." 

Before going back to Michelle's house we stopped for lunch at a hamburger place.  The burgers were very good.  They were celebrating their 35 years in business with a small soft serve ice cream cone for 35 cents.  We all got ice cream.  Joey benefitted because he finished Meredith's cone and mine.

Michelle and I went to Longmont to watch Joshua's track meet.  It was a great weather to sit and watch all the kids participate.   Joshua was throwing the discus. He had some good throws, but I don't think he placed very high.

Bill and I went to Meredith and Dwaine's for dinner.  Great food and a great visit with those two.  And of course, the pups were very glad when we came in, but they were soon napping in the family room.

I have a critter count---a mama fox and her three babies.  Wow!  What a treat!

May 2, 2013

The temperature was 21° this morning, but warmed up to 45°.  

Bill got on top of the motorhome to remove the snow.  He had forgotten how heavy snow can be.

I think snow must make me sleepy.  I have had trouble staying awake al day.  I did treat myself to an afternoon nap, but I’m still having trouble keeping my eyes open.

We went to Sam’s Club and Walmart this afternon.  Other than that we just stayed home and worked around here.

There is still lots of snow on the ground, but it has melted from most of the trees and fences.

May 1, 2013

Another month has flown by!

It started snowing during the night.  By 8:30 there had been 8”.  I was cheering and “Oscar, the Grouch” was doing his “bah humbug” routine.

I called Dwight and Sheila to take a trip down memory lane with them.  The four of us were snowed in for three days in the mountains on our way to Chihuahua, Mexico.  It was a snow much like this one...very heavy.  It stacked up on the barbed wire fence about 8” high.  That was quite an adventure.

At 11:30, Meredith came to get me so I could watch it snow.  They have a picturesque view of a lake.  Since they moved into their house I have said I would like to watch it snow from the big picture window in their family room.  Today is the day I get to do it.

When Meredith and the pups brought me home at 6:00 it was still snowing.  It has been at it all day.  And the temperature is beginning to drop.  We are in for a cold night!  Br-r-r-r!

For dinner, Michelle had made spaghetti, with apple crisp for dessert.  Happy tummies all the way around!