Sunny Southern California

I'm back from a trip to Sunny Southern California. Went to my cousin's wedding and it was beautiful. Check out the pics on picasa. The bride was glowing and so were all her family. The reception was great. Gracie got to dance a lot with several different people. She and "her brother" were doing quite well on the dance floor. Libby had fun too with the baby sitters. At least I think she must have. Her mother got away without any crying. She played awhile then slept.

When I arrived in California Gracie, Libby, Lexie, and Mary picked me up at the airport and we went to Seaport Village for supper. Wandered around for awhile looking at the lights and decorations before eating at the Pier Cafe. It was kinda cool after the sun went down, but I was fine. Lexie borrowed my heavy sweater and she really liked it. It did look good on her too. She was hoping I would forget she had it on, but I reminded her when we dropped her off at her house. I needed it in Salt Lake and Billings.

Friday we went shopping and the little girls got to see Santa. Libby didn't care much for that, but Gracie did. I ended up getting a new dress, a skirt and blouse, plus some other stuff. It was fun. Haven't done anything so rash for years.

Saturday was the wedding, Sunday we just rested. That evening we met the Dwyers for dinner at the Yard House. They serve Bailey's Coffee there and have Guinness too. I had Bailey's. Not as good as in Ireland, but there wasn't that Irish atmosphere.

Monday we were to go to Disneyland, but it was cold and rainy all day. In fact it was cold enough I had to wear my heavy winter sweater in Sunny Southern California. Can you believe that???? We thought about going to a fish museum and then driving up the coast for lunch, but it was just too miserable to go anywhere. However we did go to the movie in Murrieta. Saw "The Fantastic Mr. Fox". It was cute. Mary and I liked it, but Libby only lasted halfway through before she wanted to explore. Of course that distracted Gracie and she got bored with the movie too. She seemed to be enjoying it though until she got more interested in what Libby was doing.

Tuesday I left. It was -10 in Billings when we landed. Pat brought my tennis shoes and my scarf which was good. I needed those.

Got the oil changed in my car Wednesday and bought a toner cartridge for my printer. Thursday the weather was above zero and the sun was shining. Wind died down and roads were clear so I came back to Meeteetse while the getting was good. Now I'm back in business. I can print and I remembered to bring my cord for the computer so I don't run out of battery. My cell phone works, but I don't get a lot of calls. Hmmmm.

Men of Worth

Gma and I went to a concert tonight at the school cafeteria. These two guys were really good. One is from Scotland and one from Ireland. They play celtic music on different instruments. There were two guitars, a banjo, a Toys R Us remade banjo type guitar and a mandolin, plus two goat skin drums. It was a most enjoyable evening of music and storytelling. They just told a few funny stories. But they did give some history of the area they were singing about, or where the songs were written. They weren't the usual tunes you hear all the time, but were definitely Celtic. They even sang some in Celtic. Don't think I've ever heard Celtic sung.

It was a 2 1/2 hour program and we went a 1/2 hour early to get a good parking spot and good seats. That was a long time for Gma to sit. She was pretty stiff when we got up, even though we stood up at the break time. They had a 10 minute break and sold CDs and had info on tours to Ireland and Scotland. These tours go more into the music parts of the countries. I didn't pick one up. Not ready to go back yet. I haven't digested our last trip.

Went to Cody on the bus today and our waitress in Sunset House said she wanted to go the Meeteetse to hear these guys if it wasn't snowing. She was there, so I guess it didn't snow. There were quite a few people from Cody there. Sure was cloudy and dark today. Maybe I'll have to shovel my way to the house in the morning.

scanner

I fixed my scanner all by myself. Guess I just needed a good night's sleep to calm down and follow directions. It said I needed to unlock the device and replug it in. I couldn't find an unlock place yesterday and pushed all buttons I could find. Today I found the unlock button on the bottom of the scanner which I thought was a place for batteries or some such. But there is a little unlock symbol on it. Did that, replugged it in, and it works just like always. So I've been busy scanning the old portraits. Don't know most of the people but they are interesting looking. Have also been taking pictures of all the treasures I brought home. Will get those up one of these days. I'm not done with the dishes yet.

Home again. Home again. Jiggety Jog!

I'm back in Mtse again.

My computer wouldn't connect to the internet. Had to call TCT and was talked through several things which didn't work. Today they sent a guy out to the house and he couldn't make it work either. He had to call for extra instructions and they finally reconfigured the isp or something like that and it works. So I'm back in business. Hooray!!

Gma and I got back from Napa in between snow storms. It was good weather the day we came home and the roads were dry until we got to five mile hill. There was more slush on that one than on South Pass. Was just wet and slushy, but not bad. It was icy on our road out of Mtse, but again, not too bad. And we were home!!!

Its been cold ever since, but hasn't really snowed any more. We did have a few flakes now and then, and a slight dusting on Sunday morning. Its supposed to warm up some now.

Got the car unloaded into the trailer. Today I picked up the three big heavy boxes I mailed and brought them to the trailer. Will have to go through all that stuff and repack it according to which kid will inherit what. I'll take some pics and post them for you so you can choose some of it.

We got everything done that we could do. Cleaned out the house, attic, and 3 sheds. However one shed was rat infested so we just left everything in that one and let the shed man haul that. He was to come and haul off all the sheds and whatever was left in them. I did look in the rat shed and there were probably some treasures there, but they would be ruined anyway. There were a couple of shelves of books and old 78 records. I couldn't read the titles from the doorway, but they were no good anyway.

Went through the other two sheds and there were lots of crafty stuff that Spuddie made Christmas decorations with and stuff like that. Lots of old fancy jars and bottles that went to Goodwill. The ladies made two trips to the thrift shop and Goodwill with stuff. There was still a load to go when we left. I got everything I could in the car and the rest just had to stay there. Gave Susan a couple of boxes of glasses because they sort of matched the ones she had already taken. She doesn't know she's getting them. I think there are quite a few Payne pictures in all the picture and letter stuff, so will send it to her after I scan it.

The train set will go with the tool sale. We boxed up all the loose pieces, but left the track and attached buildings in the attic.

So, my dear children, when you come to visit next summer leave space in your vehicle to take back some stuff.

More later.

We're back!

WOW!!!! What a trip! Had a super good time and saw lots and lots of stuff. Want to go back again to see what we missed.

Got back in Hardin around 12:15 a.m. We left Dublin at 11:40 a.m., but had to get up that morning at 6:oo in order to get to the airport 3 hours before take off. The shuttle to the airport from the hotel went at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30. That's actually the time they arrived at the airport. They left the hotel 45 minutes before that. Had to board the bus at 6:45. I suppose we could have gone on the 9:30 bus, but that didn't give us the 3 hours our instruction book said and we didn't want to take a chance on missing anything. It took quite awhile to go through all the stuff one has to do to get into the boarding gate area. Actually we only had about an hour wait before boarding. When you don't know where to go and how to decipher their signs it does take some time. But we did fine and really didn't have any hassle. The lines were long but moved fast. Some others from our tour came on the 9:30 bus and they made it just fine. Dublin to Atlanta was our super long flight. Had two hours between Atlanta and the Salt Lake flight. Took one of the hours to get through customs and recheck our baggage. I did have a couple of cat naps on that flight. Not on the one from Salt Lake to Billings though. That one was too short and had a few rough spots. Gary said it was really lightning when he came to pick us up. No wonder it was rough. I got in the house, after using all the wrong keys in the keyhole, and emptied the contents of my big suitcase all over the floor. The bag got dampish on the way home as it was raining. Then I crashed and didn't get up til 10:30a.m.

Got lots of stuff done today so I can head back to Meeteetse in the morning. Gma is anxiously waiting to hear the stories and see pictures. Good thing I didn't spend all my money in Ireland. Its going to cost a small fortune to get all the pics printed that I want. Also have to get an album for them.

More on all the activities later. I have to sort it all out yet.

Ready ! Set !

Is it time yet? Are we there yet? Can you tell I'm getting anxious for this trip to luxurious Ireland?

I'm headed for Hardin tomorrow after lunch. I'll bring Gma home and them I'm gone!
Have my Hardin stuff packed and ready to go. I'll be in Hardin Tuesday night and write out all the bills. Wed. I pay bills, vote, pack, and sleep. Thurs. we are outa here.

Saturday we took a drive up to the Jack Creek campground. Beautiful scenery and I got quite a local history lesson. Just hope I can remember it. I'm going to have to take you kids back up in there. Don't understand why anyone in their right mind would want to pull campers and horse trailers over those rocky roads and steep hills, but I'm not an outfitter or hunting guide. And I'm not a hunter either. Except with a camera. We need to go in a high clearance vehicle, and with 4wheel drive, not in my subaru.

Now I want to go to some of the other places that I've heard about for years, but never been there.

Will let you know all about the trip when we get back

Fun visitors

We've been busy. The relatives arrived really late Tuesday, actually Wednesday a.m. as in 2:00a.m. When Gma and I went for coffee Wednesday we were greeted at the door by the relatives. WOW!! So we had coffee while they finished up their breakfast. Then we said we'd meet them at the Senior Center for lunch at noon. Told them at the Center we'd be having several extra guests and we set them up at the middle table. We waited and waited and waited. Finished our lunch and three of them showed up. So they got to eat after all and we visited some more. The rest had gone back after breakfast and taken naps . Originally we were expecting three of them, Tom, John, Will. There were seven, Tom, John, Will, Brandon, Mary Jo, Sam, Shannon. Anyway Tom, Will, Brandon were the ones that ate at Seniors. Then they got extra stuff to take home with them for later. They are growing boys, they need food. The boys went walking and Tom came to the house with us. Wasn't long before all the rest came out.

We took them for a drive up to Sunshine and they had a great time up there just looking around. The boys found a bunch of good dried driftwood on the lake shore that they loaded in their van for their camping excursion. They wanted to spend at least one night camping up Wood River. That evening we had really good sausages for supper at their cabin at the Oasis. They get the sausages at a certain place in Oregon that just sells it one day. They have some sort of celebration that day and make lots of sausage for the celebration. The extra is sold to whoever gets there first. So you have to be sure you are there super early to get your place in line.

Thursday we met them all at Lucille's for their breakfast, then we went to Joe and Joy's house. Mary Jo had gotten fresh salmon and had it vacuum sealed so they could bring it out here. That's what we took to Joe & Joy's. Joy had fresh garden salad, some chili she made, and brownies with fresh raspberries & cool whip. The garden stuff was from her garden, the chili was their own beef, and the raspberries were from her tree in the yard. After we ate Will and Joe played and sang for us. Joe fixed his guitar so he can sit and play it with a dobro (sp). He can't hold his guitar over his shoulder and pick like he did. His fingers don't bend as far as they should and he doesn't have full use of his thumb either. But they are getting better. Then Will played the dobro and picked it up quickly. Joe said he learned in five minutes what it took Joe three months to learn. Then Joe took them around his place and they had great fun looking in old barns and sheds and a cabin. Lots of machinery to see too.

This morning we met them at Lucille's again. Some wanted to go to Thermop swimming. The girls wanted to go shopping in Cody. So John went to Cody really early to see about renting a plane to take Gma for a ride. He came back before the rest were up for breakfast. Gma and I said we'd go for a ride. He had to go back to Cody to do the paperwork and then had to go up with an instructor for their and his safety and insurance purposes. Standard procedure. The girls went with him so they could shop. Tom and the boys dinked around town for awhile and then came to our house for lunch. We fed them lamb burgers from Bill Bain. They loved it. By that time the girls came back so they could go swimming. John was still doing plane stuff so Mary Jo had to go back to pick him up. Tom spent the afternoon at our house.

We planned to take them out to supper at the Cowboy tonight as Tom flies out of Cody at 6:00a.m. The boys were going the WoodRiver campground after supper. So that's what we did. Four of us had ribs and everyone else ordered off the menu. They all loved their food. Raved about it. They said they have to come to Wyoming to get really good meals. Everything they have eaten here was wonderful. Glad they like it. Maybe they will make this an annual trek.

Sometime tomorrow they will all leave. Probably after lunch. Gma and I will meet John at the Oasis at 7:30 as our plane ride is scheduled for 8:30a.m. John wants to fly over Joe's house to see if he got his hay cut yet. He has the plane for two hours. That will be fun.

Then Gma got a call from some friends of hers from Wisconsin and they will be in Cody next week and would really like to see her. They will call again with more particulars. We can do that.

Gma said she'd be glad when I go to Ireland so she can get some rest. Hmmm.