GIRLS' WEEKEND FALL 2008

This past weekend on our way south to Palm Springs Ron left me in Walnut Creek to enjoy my semi-annual girls' weekend. We had a wonderful time. My one regret is that we stay with Mary and Roseann and they do a lot of cooking, driving and work.

Thursday night Mary Schaub made chili, cornbread and baked apples. Yum, yum. For breakfast the next day she had blueberry french toast with homemade jam. All so very good.

Ron left for Burbank and his sister's house on Friday morning. The girls and I shopped all day at an outdoor mall. We came back to enjoy a delicious chicken cacciatorre dish cooked by Roseann. For dessert she made a homemade cheesecake, the best ever.

Saturday morning we drove into San Francisco's Union Square and had breakfast at Sear's. This place had an outdoor line of people waiting to get in. They are famous for their mini pancakes. Of course this is what I tried. We once again shopped all day in many top line stores. For dinner we went to Scoma's on the wharf. I made halibut my choice. It was their special that night.

Sunday after Mass Roseann served breakfast. We actually sat around and visited until 2:30 in the afternoon when we left for the airport. Although we did spend most of our time in stores and eating we still had plenty of time to talk and share our lives which is always the best part. I loved being with my wonderful friends. There is never anything quite like it.

Some of the fun gifts that we give each other can be seen in the last couple of pictures. The masks are actually placemats that I gave everyone.

FINAL FALL COLOR FOR ME

This week the fall colors are finally showing themselves. The change has come really late this year and I leave to go south tomorrow. But luckily, this last week the brilliance of fall has returned. I am just thrilled as I always am this time of year.

Ron, Lisa and I have been taking pictures each day as we walk. Then yesterday Lisa and I decided to walk through Lithia Park. I have never seen anything so beautiful. It rivals the leaf peeping Ron and I did in New England a few years ago. I know there are a lot of pictures. Bear with me.

SUNRIVER SATURDAY

A typical day here is one in which we wake up and discuss the news. We usually take a nice long walk among Fall's beauty. Today the wind was freezing so our walk was short. Ron and I drove into Bend and shopped a little. We made pizza for everyone for dinner. We played games before dinner and visited.

Ron, Jim and Gary did the dishes. Jan and I did our yearly jigsaw puzzle. The day ended with some college football on TV and a movie.

LAST FRIDAY IN PORTLAND

We began the day with a walk with my favorite people. It was a bit cold and damp so everyone is all bundled up.

In the afternoon we signed final papers on our new condo. We are so excited.

From there we drove to Sunriver for our annual weekend with friends. It is really cold here for sure.

BEAUTIFUL GRANDKIDS

What else can I say?

LIBRARY DAY IS TUESDAY

On Tuesday mornings the library has a class for babies under one. This was my second visit there and as you can imagine I just love it. Poppi had never gone before. Games, toys, songs and books. What could be better? Watching all the little guys have such fun is a real kick. I even like to believe that my grandchildren can pick each other out around the big circle of children.

MONDAY BABIES

Monday morning Poppi and I took Alice and Anthony for a nice long walk. Ronnie had an early appointment and Amy needed a quick nap after a long night of babies waking up. I just love playing with the little ones in the playroom and snapped a couple of pics. These were my favorites.

In the afternoon we moved over to Rick and May's. Nico was also quite willing to play with us also. Aren't we all having fun?

OCTOBER SUNDAY WITH THE GRANDKIDS

What a lovely Sunday I had today! The morning started off with Ronnie bringing the babies up to see me around 6:30. By 8:30 we were joined by Amy and Ron for a nice long walk. We had a delicious breakfast at Petite Provence. My Collette omelette was perfect. We went to a baby toy store and saw all the delightful toys kids have to choose from these days.

Once Alice and Anthony went down for their morning nap I headed over to see Nico. He and I played with his mommy and daddy for awhile. Then we took another walk while Nico fell asleep. When he was sleeping deeply enough May and I stopped for lunch and a visit. Rick joined us.

In the afternoon Nico went on a play date to the OMSI, a great museum and I returned to Ron and Amy's. Amy and I then took the twins to Chelsea's shower. (Chelsea is Amy's dulah. Chelsea's baby's due in December. She's the one in the blue shirt.

A DOWNTOWN CONDO FOR US???

Today Rick, May and Nico went with Ron and I to do a final walk through on our latest adventure. We are a couple of days away from signing final papers for a condo in the Pearl district of downtown Portland. It is on the tenth floor of one of the nicest places in the heart of the city. The building is called the Elizabeth. I am so excited. The view is spectacular. There is a wide expanse of windows. I can even see my favorite cocktail spot called The Portland Grill. It on the top floor of the tallest building in Portland and has fabulous happy hours. The condo is very perfect also. I love the kitchen. Ron says the place is even better than he remembered it and Nico likes it too. In fact, we have all our children's approval.

My inspiration (besides the kids and grandkids) was hearing my Uncle Jack once say that he would like to live in downtown San Francisco for awhile. He mentioned how stimulating it would be to live right in a big city. Well now we (almost) are. There are art galleries, book stores, theaters, coffee houses, several parks and so many fun places within a couple of blocks of our new home.

Also we can purchase this place near the kids and still keep our house in Ashland which really feels good. We can have the best of all worlds. We are so blessed. I hope it all works out. I probably shouldn't post this until the deal has been finalized, but we are so close so here goes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RONNIE

Although Ronnie's birthday isn't until the 8th, Amy had a nice party for him today. She made the famous family spaghetti. It was scrumptious. Rick, May, Nico, Cristina, Aaron, Mike, Ron and I joined the family celebration. There was ice cream cake also.

All three of my grandchildren were here and that is an incredibly special time for me.

Oh yes, the first snapshot is at the mall with Nico. He is asking, "How much is that doggy in the window?"