summer time

It's hotter here than it was in CA. Had 96 or so yesterday and its up to 98 on my porch thermometer. Don't know what the official temp is, but I don't really need to know. Not too bad in the house if I don't do anything physical. Have the fans going and a nice big glass of iced tea. Ahhh!

When I got here yesterday I had a note on my door that the MDU guys had been here changing the gas meter and needed to get in to relight my gas appliances. After I called necessary people to let them know I arrived here safely, I was in the process of calling the 800 number when the MDU guy came back. He had just been 3 houses away and decided to see if anyone was home yet. I was so he came in and lit the water heater. My furnace would relight itself (which it did - I tried it out early this morning while it was still cool - had to turn it up to 75 to get it to come on and when it did I turned it back down as far as it goes). Everything else is electric. He had done the meter at 3:30 and I got here at 4:30, so timing was good for this trip. I never did get anyone on the 800 number, I was still waiting when he came back.

Our CA trip was great! The weather was beautiful. Was only 79 at Baker when we crossed the desert. Was 103 on the way back, but it didn't last long. Ed was in front with me so Gma couldn't see what we were doing with the air conditioning. She was real surprised to find out how hot it was, sure didn't feel that hot. We stopped at Peggy's Diner for a break. We always pass it and think we should stop there sometime. This time we did. It's strictly a tourist trap, but has lots of 50s era stuff. I liked it. There were a couple of Betty Boop things there so I got picks for our Senior Citizen cook. She's a Betty Boop collector.

We got Ed home just fine. He drove to Vegas from Jean and showed me how to get out from his house. It was really easy and his directions were just right. No problems. We were in all the correct lanes for all routes. Just like I really knew where I was going.

The wedding was very nice and Katie was beautiful. Andrew was at his handsomest (hmm, wonder if that is a real word). The bridesmaids were in mermaid colored dresses and shoes. The groomsmen had tuxes, but their vests were the same color as the girls's dresses. Even Gracie was at her best. Libby never squawked, at least not loud enough for anyone but her mother to hear. The ceremony was short and to the point, the reception was fun with really good food. Some of us stayed at Pachenga for the wedding and the accomodations were great. We got in some good visiting too. My kids all had to try out the gaming machines and I think they all won a little, but don't know how much they spent to win something.

Graduation was impressive. Lex didn't like getting her picture taken, but she was resigned to it and did cooperate quite nicely. We got lots of pics. There were 725 graduates or something in that neighborhood. She even had a small cheering section in front of us. We didn't know who they were, but they knew Lex was the one with the pretty eyes. The graduation reception was on Sunday with lots of the SD relatives. Was good to get to see them all again. It's been many years since I've seen any of them. Most of them was at K&M's wedding over 20 years ago.

It was a long 10 days for Gma, but she did well. She's just super tired now. After we got home we were busy. Went to the Larsen annual Father's Day barbecue the next day, then Mon & Wed we were in town for coffee and Senior lunch. Tues we had to make a quick trip to Cody to the highway dept. There were 9 campers on our hill and our contract says "no camping". We no sooner got back than the foreman was at our door to see if we'd reconsider if they offered to pay. But Gma said "NO! No camping means no camping". She felt someone should have read the contract. Not sure if they have all moved yet or not, but I do know where 6 of them relocated. The road construction is really coming along fast. They are repaving from the main street to the Wood River bridge. Its 6 miles out of town and that one main street. Its moving right along. Who knows, they might be done by the time I get back. Then another company comes for the final overcoat and chip sealing (I think).

While we were in CA the Game Warden mowed the rest of the lawn that I didn't get done before we left. That was a relief because it was getting really tall. The front part that I had done was as high when we got home as it was when I did it the first time. I did get one little piece done again. Maybe the Game Warden will come back again while I'm in Hdn.

Sometime while we were in sunny CA there was a cloudburst and hail storm in Mtse. It flooded a bunch of the little gullies and the barrow pit and culverts couldn't handle all the water, so some flooded almost up to our house. Didn't quite make it to the house, but here was debris all over the yard. I did get some of it picked out of the fence along the highway and out of one side of the yard. Had to mow some to find were the gunk is so I can rake it up. We heard that the house up by where the big rock with the crack in it is located had water in their house. If they opened up their back door and front door it would have run right on out. There were a couple of places where it was over both sides of the highway and a couple of lanes had to be fixed, but don't know which ones. Glad we missed that storm.

I did get another album on picasa, but it took 3 hours. I went to the library to see if it would work faster on their wireless connection, but couldn't get it to work at all. Must not be doing something right. I'll keep working on it. Have to go back to the library tomorrow and take pics of all the quilts.

Sunny Southern California

Gma and I had a good trip. We stayed in Cedar City and left after breakfast at the motel. When we crossed the desert it was only in the high 70s all the way. What a pleasant surprise. We had lunch in Baker and it said 83 on their big thermometer, but my car one said 79. It did get up to 83 after that for a short while, then we went over a hill and it cooled off again and never go to 80 again the whole trip. Sure a difference from June two years ago. It's been real pleasant here too as its been overcast every day. Have met lots of family members we met years ago and haven't seen since and some new ones too. It's been fun. Graduation was nice and got lots of pics. Sunday we had the grad party and it was fun. Went to a farmer's market one morning and bought lots of fruit and veggies. Then Gracie got to ride on a tractor which she didn't ever get the hang of, so the guy gave us back the ticket and suggested we take her on the canoes instead. So we did and she loved that. Even told the attendant that she was a flower girl. Saturday she got her hair cut and her nails done. WOW!! Nail polish was almost off before we ever got home. Couldn't wash her hair again either, at least not the top of her head because she had sparkles in it on top. This evening we had the mini-wedding shower. The kids were thrilled with all the "stuff". And they knew what everything was. I"m impressed. It's been busy every day, but everyone is surviving just fine.

Hi All

I haven't done this for awhile so guess I'd better get on the ball.

I'm back in Hardin for bill paying time. Have all the washing done and the bills paid so don't want to start any more big projects as I'm going back to Mtse Sunday. Went to lunch with the wolfpak Thurs & Fri. Will have coffee with them Sat. morning, then maybe I'll put more pics on the flickr site since I have more room. I did change them and have Gpa's trip to Sweden in 1978. They are kinda interesting. Will have to take a trip there sometime. Anybody want to go with me?

Gma had a cute B'day card which was very fitting for her.

Today was Pete's last day at the library and they had cake and punch for his retirement. Had to go and have my pic taken with him since he had his taken with me when I retired. His wife also retired from Heritage Acres. Her party was last Wednesday. It was fun to visit with some I haven't seen for a long time..

New Outfit

You girls can get off your sister's back now. We took my car for servicing and went shopping. Got me a new pant suit. Its dressy, but casual, and can be worn for numerous occasions. The pants are gray and the blouse is multicolored (reds, greens, pinks) soft colors and springy. It has a white shift under the blouse, so can be buttoned or not. Depends on the temperature. And it's age appropriate. I did try on a dress and couldn't get it over my shoulders, let alone the rest of me. That was really an exercise in futility. The dresses really weren't "me". They don't make them for people with a waist like a sumo wrestler and a top like the wimp in the Charles Atlas ads. However my 20 year old red dress does cover up all those faults and I think it still looks good. And everyone else won't have one like it.

My car is already for a long trip. I told the service man that I wanted it made good and safe for a long trip and a few short ones, too. They did all the fluids and flushed out numerous things, changed oil, rotated tires, checked belts, washed it, did safety inspection, etc. Took it in at 9:30 and it wasn't finished until 1:30.

We had time for lots of shopping and lunch too. We had a good time.

Then later I went out to do some more raking. All that's left is the rose bush in the back yard corner. It is really full of leaves and garbage that has blown in over the years. That is always the last thing to get done and it usually gets put off until it is too bushy to get under it. The neighbor guy trimmed it for me last fall. He really trimmed a lot, so I can get under it now. Got two sacks full in a very short time. Then I broke the rake (not intentionally). I think I can fix it with a screw, but don't think I can drill a hole through the little metal piece that holds the rake to the handle. I'll take it back with me for some of Gma's helpers to do. Think I have another rake here somewhere. Seems like I used to have two of them when the boys helped me with my yard. I sure miss them at times like this. Oh well, I'll get it done eventually. I'm not getting stiff and sore which is a good thing. Maybe I'm in better shape than I thought. Must have been all the times I chased the deer out of the yard. I'm getting in practice for our Ireland trip.

Picasa download

The #1 Wolf came over this afternoon and we downloaded Picasa3 twice. It never did anything. Said it was done, but I never got the instructions to do anything. One little tab said it was still downloading, but none of the little round things were going like it was working. We looked for the file in the programs but it wasn't there. Went into the "computer drive c" thingy and it wasn't there either. Did a search for it but couldn't find it. All the little notices said it wasn't there. So I shut down and started over. Downloaded it again for the third time and now it says "one active download (unknown time remaining). It stayed that way while I went out and raked up another sack and a half of grass and leaves. So I shut everything down again while I finished the yard work and took the sacks to the garbage in the trusty little red wagon. Gave it an hour rest and now that I'm back on it still says its downloading with unknown time remaining. That's in the corner of the bottom bar. However it doesn't seem to be stopping me from getting into other programs. None of the little round things are going like its working. Don't know how to make it go away. I might just wait until we come to visit you. Oops! A little notice just came out the side that said all files were downloaded and the "download" stuff is gone off the bar.

When you go to my picasa site can you see the doll museum file as well as the wildlife one?

Thanks for all the info. I'll print it for reference. Will just have to see if I can put more pics on faster or something, or not.

Hardin Home

I'm back in Hardin again. Will be here for two weeks this time as I need to do some manual labor and get my yard in shape. Also have to do some sorting in the basement, and, of course, pay bills.

Got my windshield chip sealed this afternoon. It had a pretty big chip in it that looked like a quarter circle on the bottom. Now you can't even tell where it was. It was in the middle so wasn't interfering with my vision, but with all this warmer weather it would no doubt have spread. Anyway that's done.

Have to work on new pics on flickr too.

Sure can tell Spring is here. The bluebirds have been fighting over the nest building. Silly birds. The picket pins are out in full force, but so far are staying across the fence. Although one was in the pipe the other day and I got close enough I could have stepped on him, but he ducked in the pipe too quick. Another one sat by the pipe on the sidewalk until Gma got her gun out. Think he must have heard her getting it ready because he hasn't been back since. Haven't seen much of the rabbits, but there are a couple of them out once in a while. Haven't seen the baby bunny since I got his pic.

I'm Back!!

WOW!!! What a trip. Lots of things to do in a very short time, but we got it all in. Even got in a place we hadn't planned. As soon as I arrived everyone was hungry so we went to Seaport Village. Neat little place to wander. The little girls even got to ride the carousel. Gracie rode a horse and Lib rode the elephant. Gracie had to try out the elephant and a camel when we stopped. While eating a big bird came right on our table and stole Gracie's hamburger. It was really quick, but it got quite a scolding from G. The trucks drove all around the railing and didn't fall off into the ocean.

Sat. we went to San Juan Capistrano and wandered there for 2 hours. Lots to see and the little girls loved it. Gracie got to play hoops on the grass and even got to dance with the people from Lincoln's era. However, when she found out there were instructions and rules she decided she didn't want to dance. Got back home in time to get ready for the other party in San Diego. The was just M & Me. We had a fabulous dinner and even did some dancing.

Sunday we stayed home and celebrated with the Birthday Girl.

Monday we went to Disneyland all day. Got there about 11:00a.m. and left at 9:30p.m. The little girls had a great time. The big people did too. Gracie got to see her princesses. That was an hour and a half wait, but well worth it to see her with them. Even Libby got to sit with them. We rode the paddle wheel, cars, Buzz Lightyear, It's a Small World, went through the Tiki Hut, and did a lot of walking. I'm getting in practice for Ireland, and I really need to do more walking. We were all absolutely exhausted when we got home. It was such fun.

Then Tuesday it was time for me to fly home. My seat mates were chatters and I loved that part. Made the trip go so fast. The weather was good the whole time.

Now its time to figure out the next trip.