More Monterey

We couldn't have asked for better weather last
weekend when we went to Monterey with Teri & Mel.

We walked a couple of miles along the waterfront
and through town; first to lunch, then to the aquarium.

There are really great pedestrian/bike paths along
the water with lots of pretty flowers and foliage.






And of course the ever present harbor seals.

This one looked especially relaxed.

Aquarium

Here are just a few of the strange & wonderful things we saw on Monday at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I'll be posting more (non-aquarium) pictures soon.

Amazing...squid egg cases

Hammerhead shark

all kinds of sea horses

sea dragon (above) and leafy sea dragon (below)

many beautiful species of jellyfish

these are sea nettle jellyfish

giant sea bass (500 pounds!)

starfish & anemones

If you come to visit we can plan to go;
it is a bit expensive...but worth it.

Happy Birthday Shannon

Today is our beautiful daughter-in-law's birthday!
We love having another Mrs. in the family.

2009 (in Portland)

2008 (in Healdsburg)

2008 (November - making jam)

2008 (August)

2007 (Christmas)

2006 (September in Yosemite)

2005 (commute from Manteca to Pleasanton)

2004 (July -Dunsmuir)

2003 (Scotland)

2003 - (Engaged! Cliffs of Mohr)

birthdays

Last Sunday was Kevin's 30th birthday! We celebrated both Saturday night (dinner) and Sunday (A's vs Giants in San Francisco). It was fun to have everyone together for both events.

The birthday boy - and soon to be birthday girl.
Shannon's birthday is this Sunday, but we will be celebrating on Saturday with some shopping and a BBQ.

Sad that Charlie won't make it for Shannon's celebration, his life is just too busy.

It was a beautiful day in San Francisco - predicted high was 59 (wrong) & it was more like 75 during the game.

Some photo ops before the game started; and proof that I wasn't the only one taking pictures.

The 4 of us got there quite early (skipped church); Charlie was on the worship team and had to stay until the end of the 2nd service- but he joined us after the game started.

It was a fun day with the whole family!

one down.... (updated)

First thing this morning I had my annual mammogram (one appointment down). I'll know Monday if I need a follow-up ultrasound or not. This is fairly routine for me because of cysts.

I went to the doctor last month "just to get my prescriptions renewed". (ha!!) As a result I will also have an echo cardiogram; blood work; a stress test; and a follow up appointment to go over results, all within the next two weeks! I'm glad they have lengthened the time between colonoscopies or I'd be due for that as well. And I am very thankful that I don't have to schedule all of this around a job.

BUT, due to me not having a job, we are both past due for eye exams & dental cleanings - his insurance doesn't cover those so they will have to wait a bit.

He had a doctor appointment last month & blood work done as well; his follow up appointment is on Monday. Our calendar is FULL - just with doctoring. But with any luck it will be months if not a year before we have to do it all again.

Can't I just be 30 again instead of on the verge of 60?

Update - July 1st: had my follow-up appointment yesterday & everything is A-OK!! Praise God! (I do not want to take good health for granted)

Mom stuff

June 7th - Mom's birthday; today is our first one without her. Fortunately we have some good ones to look back on.

Five years ago today we were all on an Alaskan cruise, celebrating her 79th birthday. If you look closely at the bottom of the photo you can see the candle on the cake in front of her.


A year later was the big blow-out party at her church where approximately 100 people gathered to celebrate her 80th. And one of us had obtained a burn permit from the fire department for all of the candles ;).

In addition to those good memories I have lots of reminders hanging around the house, including some of the pictures she had painted years ago.

Lots of fabric (satin & lace shown here); more embroidery thread than I will ever use, even after giving some away; all of the satin yo-yos which she intended to make into a bedspread; some of her crocheted totes made from recycled plastic bags; and an abundance of crochet hooks with a few knitting needles thrown in for good measure.

And a few things still in her closet.

Good memories everywhere I look; none of these things bring me pain or sadness & I hope they won't for others who miss her. They remind me of a life well lived, an abundance of years filled to the brim and the fact that she is now living a much better life than she could have ever imagined.

p.s. if any family members can use or want something that was once hers please give me a call.

early morning in the yard

We have an almond tree , and most years the birds enjoy the feast. Last year I picked a bunch, but getting to the actual nut isn't worth the time and effort!

a discarded wall sculpture that is aging gracefully

and just some interesting items in the backyard.