LAST DAY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

Guess what? Scott came to Outdoor Resorts. This is something Patty has wanted for so long. The rest of us were so happy also. Scott finally took some vacation time to go on the family cruise. Then on Saturday his daughter, Brigette, graduated from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. On Saturday evening Patty and Scott attended her graduation party in Riverside. Once they were so close it was easy to persuade Scott to pay us a visit here. So here they are the day before our cruise.

We had a lovely day with breakfast on the patio, a tour of the resort,and a stop on the golf course which Ron describes as closest to his heart. We went to Patty's favorite place for shrimp tacos and ended the day with a steak barbeque. Perhaps the funniest part was checking on the computer for ways to sneak liquor onto the cruise ship. Ron thinks this is a great adventure. I believe he called it flirting with danger. Anyway we had many laughs putting vodka in mouthwash bottles and food coloring it. In addition we finally decided to wrap up a large bottle as a birthday present for Dad. We will see what happens.

So wish us luck, one and all. We sure are looking forward to this sailing tomorrow. As you may already have guessed by this blog entry Patty, Ron, Scott, and I are novice cruisers. We are counting on having the time of our lives. Thanks, Dad.

HERE IS JOANNE

OK, so here are the pictures of Joanne. Everyone always enjoys getting together. Joanne with Ron, Joanne with my Dad, Joanne with Aunt Cosie and Uncle Bob. Also a photo of Ron wih his Mom.

VIEWS ON THE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS

Ok, it has been 10 days since I've blogged. Ron's mom stayed five days, went home for five days and is back again visiting for five days. Is this beginning to sound like a pattern? This time Aunt Cosie and Uncle Bob brought her out. Today we attended Ron's cousin, Joanne's, 50th birthday. I swear she doesn't look a day over 35. I could show you pictures, but my camera went dead before I took the first one. How dumb is that? Hopefully she will be coming for dinner on Tuesday at our place and I will take some photos. She lives here in Palm Springs and we never see her enough.

Other than that our resort keeps on celebrating. Last night was the Sweetheart dinner and dance. We did catch a snapshot of Ron and I as we were leaving. It was great fun. I am also including a picture of some friends on the way to the Mardi Gras dance last weekend. Next Saturday night its the Potato Bake and dance. Even my Dad has agreed to go to that one.

Ron and I saw two more films nominated for academy awards, BABEL and THE DEPARTED, this past week. Both were excellent. Both were intense. Now I have managed to see all five nominated pictures. My number one pick is LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. My dad saw both FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS and IWO JIMA. He said he liked IWO JIMA best of the two. It was very interesting. My next favorite would be THE QUEEN. Although top notch, BABEL and THE DEPARTED, were pretty disturbing. I found BABEL quite sad and THE DEPARTED far too violent for my taste. I wouldn't discount for a moment their excellence. I just have a difficult time with the subject matter. Of course, who wouldn't love LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE? Yet, for some reason, it seemed a bit light to be the year's best, considering the competition. Next week we will see what the big wigs think.

Yesterday was Lisa's birthday. I was lucky enough to talk to her on the phone for a long time. That always lessens the pain of separation. Besides she is having such a wonderful time I can't help but be thrilled for her. Good for you, Lisa.

A SPECIAL VISIT

Yesterday Diane and Heather brought Mother and Aunt Anna out to Palm Springs to visit us. They all stayed for lunch. We gave Aunt Anna the grand tour. Heather spent some time in the sun. They had to leave early because Heather had to work at 5:00pm. It was so very nice to have them here. When they left Mother stayed to spend some days with us.