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.

WHAT A BIRTHDAY!

Yesterday I had a wonderful birthday. I began with Mass. Then I met Ron at Starbuck's. From there I went for a pedicure and manicure. Then Dad and I went to Costco's to pick up his new glasses. When I returned home Ronnie was waiting for me with Ron. He flew down from Portland as a surprise and I was surprised!

After lunch Dad took us all to see the Palm Springs Follies. What a great show! All the actors were 60 years or older and they looked terrific. See me with one of the men. They danced and sang and gave a marvelous show. It was such fun. When that was over Ronnie took us out to dinner. Back at our trailer I opened my gifts and we had some hand picked desserts that were so very yummy. The day was just perfect.

RON'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Last weekend we headed in to Los Angeles for two reasons. First, Dad was invited to ride with Uncle Mike and Aunt Jeanne to Placerville to visit his other siblings. On Thursday we met them at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank. Off Dad went for a wonderful mini vacation. Second reason was so Ron could spend his birthday weekend with his family.

Ron and I then headed to his Mom's. Friday was his birthday and we had a lovely day. We began the day with a walk around the Los Feliz hills. We then stopped at his favorite coffee shop. After that we picked Mother up and went out to brunch in Burbank. From there we accompanied Ron to his number one store, Frye's. He spent over an hour looking at electronics.

Friday evening we went to dinner with Mother, Diane and Jose at the Gaucho Grill. Yummy! Back at Jose's and Diane's there was an amazing Cuban birthday cake that Jose picked out just for Ron. It was such a nice day!

The rest of the weekend we stayed with Mother and enjoyed her company. We did go to the movies to see CHILDREN OF MEN, a rather dark futuristic film. On Sunday I saw DREAMGIRLS. That was a fun movie. And Sunday night we had a great visit with Aunt Cosie, Uncle Bobby and Aunt Anna.

On Tuesday we met again with Mike and Jeanne, picked Dad up and headed out to the desert again. All in all the weekend was good experience for all of us.

FORGOT MY CAMERA OVER CHRISTMAS- Christmas Day

So Christmas day was more about eating and enjoying each other's company. We were blessed to have Aunt Anna and Mark and Mary Alice with us for the day. It was relaxed and perfect. We missed Ron and Amy and Lisa, of course. But each of them had very important places to be.

For those of you who don't follow the other blogs Ron and Amy were in Portland helping provide a great Christmas for Amy's family. Because of Amy's mom's breast cancer Amy carried on many of the traditions for the Pearson family. She did this well, too, I might add.

Lisa was in Hungary having the time of her life. We are all happy for that as we missed her very much. It was a special Christmas for everyone I am sure.

FORGOT MY CAMERA OVER CHRISTMAS--Christmas Eve

Who can believe it? I actually forgot my camera when we went into L.A. for Christmas. So I have to depend on the few pictures I borrowed from Rick and May.

Anyway Ron, Dad and I drove into Los Angeles on the 20th. Patty and Scott came and picked Dad up right away to spend the holidays on the central coast with them. Ron and I immediately set about decorating his mom's house for the Christmas celebration. She had nothing done prior to our arrival because she has basically been living with Ron's sister, Diane and her husband, Jose. However, our traditional Christmas dinner was planned at her home and we needed to get things Christmassy. And we did.

On Friday evening Rick and May arrived from a week in Mexico to spend Christmas with us. All day Christmas Eve Ron, Tessie and I cooked and cooked for the big day. So Christmas Eve dinner was a treat at a Thai restaurant. We felt this honored May in a way and also we all selfishly love Thai food. Ron's cousin, Mary Alice, and Heather's boyfriend, Casey, joined us and we had a lovely time. After dinner we went back to the house to open presents.

CHRISTMASY SATURDAY

Well Saturday at Outdoor Resorts was full of Christmas fun. There was a Golf Cart parade. Some really cute entries went rolling by our place. There certainly was the spirit of the season here. On Saturday evening there was a Christmas Concert that was great fun. They did many favorites with a World War II canteen theme. Dad, Ron and I went and had a nice time.

I am also including a snapshot of this morning's beautiful sunrise. Living here always reminds me of a song from CAMELOT. It says, "The rain must never fall til after sundown. By 9:00 pm the moonlight must appear." We did have a little rain last night while we were in bed. Most of the time the clouds just catch on the mountains as you can see in my photo. All in all it is almost too perfect here this time of year.

BEGINNING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AT OUTDOOR RESORTS

Well this week we had a visit from Mother. Ron brought his Mom out on Monday evening. She just left this morning. While she was here I did a lot of decorating. I even managed a real tree and placed it between the chairs in our main room. I may be in a trailer in the desert. But it is the Christmas season just the same and we have made a cozy little Christmas feeling here. Dad even allowed me to put up his little tree.

Tomorrow there is a golf cart parade with many decorated golf carts. My men weren't too keen on decorating their carts, but we will go see the parade. Then tomorrow there is a Christmas concert. Sounds like fun and I look forward to it. So everything is good.

On Thursday we left Los Osos and headed south. Dad, Ron and I had lunch with Ron's mom in L.A. Then Dad and I left Ron with his mom and went on out to Outdoor Resorts. We were there Thursday and Friday. See Dad's new car.

On Saturday Steve drove out for a visit with Dad and I went into L.A. for an Artshow opening that Rick was having in Echo Park. It was a fun opening as many family members gathered and enjoyed the evening. This art of Rick's is so fantastic with a totem pole theme. Quite unique actually.

Sunday Ron, Rick, May and I stayed in L.A. with Mother again. Rick, May and I went to a Thai Restaurant for lunch. There is nothing quite as delicious as having May help you order Thai food, very spicy and extra yummy.

On Monday May flew home. Rick and his friend, Gabe, drove north for Portland. I drove back to join Dad in the desert. He and I did some banking and major grocery shopping. Ron and his mom came out later in the day.

FINALLY LEFT ASHLAND ON NOVEMBER 29TH

A week ago today we left Ashland. The scenery was spectacular. Mount Shasta was particularly breathtaking.

Our first stop was at Patty and Scott's in Los Osos. Melissa was there with her beautiful family. Melissa even made us dinner, the best chicken dish I have ever tasted. I must get that recipe. Our visit there was warm and wonderful as always.