LISA'S VISIT-----PART TWO

OK. Heather drove to Outdoor Resorts with Grammie on Tuesday and stayed until Thursday.Mostly the girls spent time in the sun visiting. Heather got a beautiful tan. We always loved having Mother here and Heather was a bonus.

Dave and Olivia came down on Wednesday. They stayed until Friday afternoon. One morning they even treated us to breakfast at the Resort Cafe here. Dave really wants Olivia to like it here.

Saturday night Lisa and Grandpa dyed eggs and Easter morning after church we took Lisa to breakfast before she drove home and we headed to L.A. for Easter dinner at Aunt Cosie's and Uncle Bob's.

WE ENJOY LISA'S COMPANY ----PART ONE

The morning after Ronnie left, on Monday, Lisa and I headed to Disneyland. We had an absolutely perfect day. We went on all our old favorite rides and some new ones. Lisa's favorite land is Adventureland. Fantasmic was so amazing. We stayed until the fireworks ended. We ended up at our hotel around 11:00pm.

The next morning we were up early to go to California Adventure. Now this is the place with all the wild and crazy rides. Lisa is one who loves the roller coasters and free fall rides. Her personal favorite was Hollywood Tower with some 14 story drops. Quite thrilling, actually, and we did that one twice. My favorite ride was Soarin' California. It was like hang gliding through all of California's most beautiful places. They even include the frangrances of pine trees and orange groves and Pacific surf. I loved it. We had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Wine Country. Too cool! After the Electric Parade we drove back to Palm Springs where Heather was waiting up for us at Outdoor Resorts.

GREAT TIME WITH AMY AND RON

MARCH 30 THROUGH APRIL 9TH

Amy and Ron flew into Palm Springs Thursday evening, March 30. Early the next morning they left for Mexico to witness Amy's brother, Aaron's, exciting and romantic engagement to the love of his life, Christina. But I will let Amy tell you all about that event.

On Sunday they returned to Outdoor Resort with Amy's parents, Mike and Kathy. On Monday the group, minus Amy and with Ron, my husband, headed out to opening day at Dodger Stadium. Amy and I stayed here just enjoying the sun and each other's company (also my Dad's).

On Tuesday Ron and Ronnie returned from L.A.. Wednesday the men went golfing at the Westin-Mission Hills. Amy and I went to a Spa for body wraps, a facial and a massage. These were Christmas gifts from Ronnie and Amy to Ron and me. That was so wonderful. (Thanks, kids).

Thursday evening we all took Grandpa to an absolutely beautiful hotel on the hillside for cocktails. It was one of the nicest places I have ever been. On Friday we went into El Paseo for dinner at Picanha's, a Brazalian barbeque. There's an experience I would wish for everyone I love.

All in all we had a perfect visit. Lisa joined us on Saturday which was the beginning of her Easter break. More of that in my next blog. Ron and Amy left after that weekend which is always sad.

A VERY BUSY WEEK

Last week was a busy one. Just as they began work on Dad's patio (see photo) I left for L.A. to visit Mother and the family there. We had a very nice visit. On Tuesday Aunt Anna and Aunt Cosie and Uncle Bob treated us to lunch at the China Inn. (See photo). We even ran into their friends, Mimi and Nadine. They both shared their drinks with Aunt Cosie. (Another photo). A wonderful time was had by all. I spent three days mostly catching up on everything with Mother.

While there I attended Mother of Good Counsel Church for morning Mass. They have just recently acquired my favorite painting of Our Lady of Guadelupe. Pope John Paul II is kissing her hand and she is comforting him. I really like it. It was painted by an unknown artist in Mexico. I am so sorry not to have his or her name. But I wanted to share it anyway.

I will soon take pictures of Dad's completed patio and get them on the blog. In the meantime, my love to all interested persons.

ANOTHER SWEET WEEKEND

This weekend's treat was a visit from Lisa. She brought her friend, Amberly, along with her. They arrived Friday afternoon. We celebrated with corned beef and cabbage. On Saturday we walked, talked, sat around the pool and had barbequed steak for dinner. After that we went to the dollar movies to see CRASH. Granted it is already out on DVD, but seeing it at a theater was better.

This morning we went to Mass and spent much of the day sitting in the sun again. Lisa had to leave around 4:00. It is always a sad time for me. She called three hours later when she arrived again in San Diego. I guess that she had a lot of rain and stormy weather on her way back. Hard to imagine. We have had cooler days lately, but still warm and sunny. Another wonderful weekend was had by all.

THE POST BIRTHDAY PRESENT & SOME SNOW

How about this? The coldest we've ever felt it in Palm Springs was last night----34 degrees. It rained much of Friday and most of Saturday. Then when the clouds lifted we had these beautiful sunrise views of the snow covered mountains. I did ride in the 35 degree temperatures in my pajamas in the golf cart to get these fabulous photos for you. Actually Ron took one of them just a bit later than sunrise. When I returned Steve was headed to the showers. Anyway enough of my fun pictures. Now to the big news.

Finally this morning Steve's birthday gift to Dad arrived. Steve had hoped it would be here last week, but it still needed some work. So Steve came out again this weekend to be here for the delivery. The golf cart arrived this morning. It is gorgeous. Dad was totally overwhelmed. He cannot believe what Steve and all his kids do for him. He actually choked up once or twice. He isn't accepting that we can't do enough for him after all he has never ceased to do for us. He is moved and very grateful. Steve has really gone all out this time. Just look at this little beauty. Enjoy. Dad intends to.

THE REST OF DAD'S BIRTHDAY

In afternoon Ryan and Kim arrived. We headed to the Cimmaron Cove Golf Resort. This is one of Ron's favorite places on earth. Note the photos with all the mountains in the background.

From there we went to the revolving Tram. It is one of the three largest and the longest and the highest trams in the world. We saw beautiful mountains at the top. There was even snow. We stayed until after dark and took the Tram down in the dark. How dramatic that was!

We had dinner at Billy Reid's, a great old fashioned restaurant in downtown Palm Springs. Back at Dad's, he opened gifts and we ended the evening. Wonderful day!

DAD'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

OK. Here's what we have thus far.

Friday afternoon around 4:00 Dave, Patty, and Steve arrived at Outdoor Resorts. We were all so happy to be together. So we pretty much just poured wine and had spaghetti and visited. No pictures.

Saturday, the "boys", (my brothers) embarked on some projects for Dad. They anchored down his awning, put together new patio furniture that Dave bought Dad, and fixed various other little problems with the new 5th Wheel. In the evening we just enjoyed each others' company. Dustin left around 9:30. It was so neat to have him here. I know that Patty especially soaked in her one on one time with Dustin.

This morning we all went out to breakfast at the resort cafe. Kimberly and Ryan should arrive around noon. We then hope to have lunch at a beautiful golf course with a view of the Palm Springs mountains. From there the plan is to take the tram ride up the mountain. This tram revolves as it goes up the cable, quite exciting. Dinner is to be at Billy Reids, a great old fashioned restaurant in Palm Springs. So those are the goings on and the plans. I will update tomorrow I hope and you can see what actually occurred.

MARDI GRAS

This weekend was the celebration of Mardi Gras at Outdoor Resorts. We had a delightful dinner dance last night. We couldn't talk Dad into joining the evening festivities. There are very bad acoustics in the big Clubhouse. I do plan to get him there somehow in the future. Plenty of people here are hard of hearing. I will give him more time to adjust to everything.

Today Ron, Dad and I worked more on organizing all of Dad's stuff. It seems an endless job. This afternoon we all did join the Phase party. I hope Dad enjoyed it. There was lots of food, a putting contest, dancing and a sing along.

LISA JOINS US TO CELEBRATE HER BIRTHDAY

Last weekend, in addition to having Mother here, Lisa drove over from San Diego to celebrate her birthday with us. We all loved having her here Saturday and Sunday nights. Saturday night Ron treated Grammie, Grandpa, Lisa and me to dinner at the Black Angus. It was delicious. Sunday Aunt Cosie, Uncle Bob, and Joanne joined us at Outdoor Resorts for spaghetti. Mother had brought her scrumptious meatballs and sauce. Sunday evening Lisa and I went to see BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN.

It certainly was well done. I always try to see all the academny nominated films. I am such a movie buff. I like to have my own personal favorite among the year's nominations. I am so behind this year. I've only seen BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN and CRASH. We'll see. I still need to see CAPOTE, GOODNIGHT AND GOODLUCK, and MUNICH.

Anyway we sure enjoyed having Lisa with us. Poor thing it took her three and half hours to drive home on Monday with all the holiday traffic. He normal drive is only two hours at most. Thanks, Lisa, for the extra effort to be with us.

GRANDPA'S SETTLING INTO HIS NEW PLACE

Today Aunt Cosie and Uncle Bob brought Mother to Outdoor Resorts to visit us. This encouraged us to take some pix. It's about time, we have had the new home since Monday. We still need to do a bit of settling in.

Here we are at last with snapshots of Grandpa's new digs. It has been work, work, work. We spent almost a month packing up his house. Then we were only set up, or barely set up, for three days when we all encouraged Dad to purchase a new 5th wheel. It is gorgeous as I am sure you can see. We didn't send in photos of the outside because we are still working on all the boxes etc. Enjoy the pictures. They can't really capture the beauty of it. The best part is that Grandpa seems to like his new place so well. I know he enjoys showing it to all the interested people. It is such fun!

Pictures of Grandpa's new motorhome will soon follow, I hope.