Catching Up

Catching Up

Finally, I took the time to get caught up on my blogging. I had not made an entry since October, 2009. So now there are FIVE new entries. I think that since this is mostly a journal for my kids to have someday (and I post a lot of photos), I've let Facebook somewhat take its place. So I will try to pay more attention to this blog. I do have two other ones that I am slowly getting together. They are even more for just my family.

The Holiday Season 2009

2009

The Holiday Season

random shots

Twins 4th birthday Dec. 9th

Kyle in front and Cole behind blow out candles.

Dec. 15th, Viv put on a Swedish
party and served a special drink glögg.
Kathy B., Viv T., Patty M. and Anne M.

Mary B. and Patty M.

Anne M. and me.

Dec. 16th Mary C. had a cookie exchange party.

Plenty of cookies to sample and take home.

Dec. 19th Billy's 4th Birthday

Billy's cake

Dec. 19th Cathy and Mike gave an
afternoon Christmas party.

That same evening there was a Christmas party
at Patty and Gary's. Always fun as we play the
white elephant gift game.

On Dec. 24th, Alison and I went to visit Bill's grave.

My front door

the dinner table

the tree

Alison, Josie and Chris

Chris, Josie and Ogee the dog

Alison, Chris and me


Alison and Josie with chocolate mustaches.

Chris (looking a lot like his Dad)
with chocolate mustache (and Ogee)


Ogee ready for Christmas

Dec. 26th, Alison and I went to give
out Christmas a gift to the twins.

It was a basketball hoop.

Also went to see Billy and Emma

Emma playing with basketball hoop.

Billy and his Dad putting together one of his gifts.

Dec. 27th an annual mother/daughter luncheon

Having a drink at the new Capone's Speakeasy.
Alison, Matt M. his lady friend and Josie.

New Year's Eve
Patty M. and me

Dick Clark ready to announce the new year.


And the crystal ball falls!
Happy New Year 2010!

Family Wedding

Family Wedding
and much more

The wedding would not be until Sunday, but we went down to Santa Clara on Friday, (so that Chris could spend time with his girlfriend--who lives down there) and I could go to the Outdoor Community Christmas Concert that my nephew George (trumpet player) was performing in. Before the performance, Mike and Jack had prepared a wonderful clam chowder dinner for all. Then we walked to the community center to celebrate Christmas with the local community. It was so great to be part of the outdoor celebration. What a fun evening. George’s school performed and then alumi from the school also performed. Afterwards, we walked back to my niece Bonnie’s house (where I was staying) and had snacks and visited with Mike’s family members.

George is the tall trumpeter towards the left side.

George on the left.

George in his band jacket.

The next day was the day before the wedding. Bonnie and her friend had plans to go to a Victorian Home Tour, so I joined them. We visited several old Victorian homes in the area, and enjoyed ourselves. We also stopped for lunch. That evening, Bonnie, had not yet decided on what to wear to the wedding...so we went shopping. She found a top we all liked and so we went home and joined Mike, (her husband) in a game of Scrabble.

Steve and his wife to be, Tonya

My nephew, (on the Hastings' side), Steve was getting married on Sunday evening Dec. 6, 2009. Interesting wedding, since the entire family was not invited. There have been some riffs in the family and so if to avoid “drama” certain members or more distant members were not invited. My adult children, even though they are the same generation, are over ten years younger and had not spent time growing up with Steve, so it was understandable that they were not invited.

I was allowed to bring a guest, and my son, wanted to go, so I chose him. My daughter, would not have been able to go, even if invited, as she lives in Portland and would have to work the next day.

Sunday, the day of the wedding. My son, Chris arrived (in his new suit), and we all prepared to go. The wedding was held in a gorgeous St. Joseph’s Cathedral Basilica in San Jose. Then we all moved to the reception at the Corinthian Event Center for a lovely dinner and an all night open bar, with dancing after. So much fun even though a couple of the nephews who had RSVP‘d that they would come, did not show.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral Basilica in San Jose, CA

Corinthian Event Center

Family guests: Chris Hastings, Mike Clow, me,
Bonnie Clow, Al Jurado and Peter Hastings

Tonya and Steve


Steve's younger brother, Tommy reads
scripture at the wedding


Patty Hastings (mother of groom) & Jeff Hastings
groom's older brother
Judge Tom Hastings, father of the groom

The new Mrs. and Mr. Steve Hastings

Chris and me at the reception

2009 Turkey Trot And Thanksgiving

2009 Turkey Trot And Thanksgiving

They way we start every Thanksgiving morning!

The kids race is first.

Kids race begins.

The cutest little chick!

The adult 2 mile walk/ run.
This is the one I do with my friends.

A couple of my friends watch the
6 mile runners come in.

Here come the runners!


Later that day my son Chris and I went out
for our Thanksgiving dinner.

3 Nephews and a Niece

in Turkey Shirts I Made For Them
November 2009


Billy and Emma Billings

Cole Hastings

Kyle Hastings

My Youngest Turns 30

My Youngest Turns 30

Since it was a special birthday, I wanted to do something unique for him. My daughter who lived in Portland, on her 30th birthday, had received a poster of “30-deer” (standing for $30 bucks) from me and “30 pebbles” (standing for 30 ROCKS) from my sister! So for my son, I decided to give him a Money Tree with 30 dollars on it. First, I needed a mazanita branch. My friend Patty,had some on her property. Of course, it wasn’t easy, we had to hike up a hill through stickers and under barbwire. Finally, I was able to select several branches that might work. When I got them all home I selected the best one for my plan. The next step was to remove the leaves and spray paint it gold. I also, had to find a pot and fill it with plaster (which of course, I did not purchase enough plaster, and had to return to the store for more). I also, did not realize HOW heavy the plaster would be. Now with the branch gold and firmly stuck in the plaster in the pot, I began the tedious job of rolling and tying on 30 one dollar bills. When I was finished, they did not look quite right so I again tied them, this time with a really shiny tinsel type of ribbon. Lastly, I added some moss at the bottom to cover the plaster.

The day before his birthday, he would be at work and I felt that would be a lot more fun than giving it to him one on one. So my friend, Viv, drove me to his place of work so I could hold the MONEY TREE. When we got there (camera in hand) he was not yet there. However, he finally showed and got a kick out of it. I also handed him a card with more money.

Chris with Money Tree and friend and coworker, Andy.

In addition, to my present, I’d emailed many friends and asked them to send him birthday cards...hoping he would receive 30 or more! He called me and said who are these people?

His friends, also gave him a party after work. They had made him a big sign and a poster collage (which I had contributed photos to). So he had a FUN time turning 30.

Vegas Baby!

.

Vegas Baby!
2009

On 10-21-09, the girls picked me up.
After the mandatory trip photo with sign,
we headed to the airport in Sacramento.

It happened to be Mary's birthday.
After stopping in Corning to get a card and
gift from her sister, her twin brother, Joseph,
and his wife met us with celebratory cupcakes.

Arriving in Las Vegas!
(Viv & Patty)

A stretch limo picks up passengers
at the airport. There was not enough
trunk space so they had to make do.

We took a shuttle bus and soon
arrived at our hotel, the Plazzao.

It was a huge, lovely ornate place.
Decorated beautifully for the fall season.

Viv, Patty (modeling clothes left in
our room) and Mary.

We had a suite on the 19th floor.

Just arrived and ready to settle in.

Views from our room.

We registered and collected our materials.
Then we signed up for next year's AARP
Convention.

Orlando will be the site of the next
AARP Convention!

Scenes in the casino.

Our first dinner was at P.F. Chang's
in Planet Hollywood.

Some of the condiments.

We shared the dishes.
Patty taking her share.

My plate!

After dinner we walked the strip
and took in the sights.

The Bellagio's water show. The water
moved to the music of The Pink Panther.

Photos from inside Ceasar's Hotel
and Casino.

Day 2...
We grabbed some quick breakfast
and hurried to the opening session.
Patty carried her banana on her shoulder.

It was a long line as there were 9,000+ participants.

Keynote speakers: John Amos, George
Takei, Garry Marshall and his sister,Penny
Marshal spoke about The Golden Age of Television.

Garry Marshall and sister, Penny Marshall.

George Takei (of Star Trek)

John Amos, actor.

Some of us went on to other sessions, some
went to the exhibit hall, and some took a nap.
Then we joined together for dinner at
Wolfgang Puck's POSTRIO for dinner.
There we had a wonderful dinner before
the evening concert.

The evening concert was Gloria Estefan.

She was amazing and we gathered at
the stage edge to dance.

At the end, she invited Perez Hilton &
his mother (on the right) up on stage
to dance with her dancers.

Gloria was very friendly and shook
hands with the crowd. Viv, even got
a handshake.


Day 3...
We chose our own sessions to attend.
Viv and Mary got up early and went to
exercise with Martina Navratilova.
Although, I've been on Facebook for
over a year, I attended Facebook 101,
to see if there was something new to
learn. It was a huge class, so obviously,
the AARP crowd is now on Facebook,
much to the horror of our children.

We joined together later, to hear
travel reporter, Peter Greenberg speak.
He was very informative and an
excellent speaker.

Later, in the exhibit hall, Patty found
an inflatible cow at the Vermont,
Cabot cheese counter. She talked
them into giving her one of the cows.

Music instrument exhibit, got the crowd
involved is making music. Very fun!

More to see on way to dinner
at the Venetian.

While getting ready for dinner,
Viv and Mary told a funny story that
had us all in stitches!

Another wonderful dinner, this one
at Table 10, an Emeril restaurant.

After dinner we attended
The Blue Man Group Show.

It was a very funny and interesting show.

We had to wear plastic ponchos, as
we were in the second row.

The whole time we were afraid of what
would be coming towards us.

No cameras allowed so the above
were some photos of a preview of
the show.

After the show.

Next day we decided to get outside again,
and view more of the strip.

At Treasure Island

Buildings in the front are part of the
old Vegas.

It is ok to walk around town with
alcoholic drinks.

You don't find these in Redding.

Fun statue.

A real person statue.

Buying tickets for the monorail ride.

Dancing with the Stars performers.
Professional Anna and actor, Steve
Guttenberg.

Professional dancer, Jonathan, and
actress, Jane Seymour.

The closing session was Al Roker.
He spoke on the power of family
in a comedic way. Very enjoyable.

The final concert was by singer, Faith Hill.
Very fun, great singer, wide range of genres.

And finally...

Can't wait for the AARP Convention of 2010!

Link: http://www.aarp.org/aarp/events/Life_at_50_Las_Vegas/

Wine Tasting and Rose Show

Wine Tasting and Rose Show 2009

Portland in Autumn

Portland in Autumn

Recently, my nephew Peter need to go to Portland for a non-profit job fair. He invited me to go along since my daughter lives there. He would see her new home andwe would stay with her. Thus, began our "wild" road trip! We happened to leave Redding on the worst storm day of the season! We had to drive on windy, windy (two different words), rainy roads. The huge trucks were hard to pass. So often I got stuck rightin their spray with a hard rain coming down and sharp curves coming often. I believe that Peter regretted that he let me drive that leg. He finally took over in Ashland.
That evening Peter met up with his friend, Rob (Yuba) and we all got together for dinner.
We ate at the Rogue a popular Portland place.

'Yuba' and Peter

Me and Alison

Next day, Alison went to school and Peter went to his non-profit job fair. I hung out and later, Peter and I met up for lunch. We got picked up groceries and Peter cooked an amazing dinner. Afterwards, we went to one of Alison's favorite bars. Her friend Clara joined us, as she
herself has spent time in non-profit.

Alison, Me, & Clara

Alison, Peter, & Clara

Peter being goofy

Female DJ

After a few...Peter and me

There is a famous food cart in Portland that has been written about in the NY Times. It is very popular and different. They prepare their potato fries in a different way and serve them with gravy and special chunks of cheese. MMMMM....good!

Alison at the cart

Peter at the cart

Alison and Clara eating the fries

Peter dips into the amazing fries

Next day we headed to a special neighborhood where Beverly Cleary lived and wrote the Ramona Books Series. We saw the school named after her and we visited a park where
there are statues of Ramona, Henry and Ribsy (the dog), characters in her books.

Statue of Ramona


Statue of Henry and Peter

The neighborhood surrounding the park was so fun to walk through and capture photos of the Autumn season.

Peter and Alison in the park

Most had their front porches decorated for the season.

This guy was watching out the window.



A metal sculpture.

Pumpkin patch in the front yard.

Before

Soon to be

Another decorated porch

Alison found a lovely leaf

Peter and Alison walking through the park.

Another delicious meal. Unique sandwiches are made and eaten here!

Great food...Alison could not wait!

On our way back, we stopped in Eugene and had lunch with Heidi (Peter's ex and my
friend). She took us to McMinnemins, a very cool restaurant on the river. Fun visit.

thought of the day: This is me pretending to be normal.

photo hunt: Words

Weekly Theme: Words

The English language is so confusing.