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.

SO MUCH HAS PAST

All the grandchildren gathered to support Grandpa on the central coast.

With the death of my mother I am finding it difficult to return to this blogging. We are still in the midst of so many details. There is a lot left to do. But Dad has been moved into Patty's temporarily until we take off for Palm Springs the first of February.

In the meantime, I am spending a couple of days in L.A. with Ron and his family. I return to the central coast tomorrow. For our birthdays Ron's sister, Diane, took us to Picanha, a fantastic Brazilian restaurant. We celebrated there Friday night after I arrived. Saturday evening Ron and I took a walk along the beach at sunset. We had dinner at Mexico City, a restaurant recommended by Rick and May from their L.A. days. It was very good. I didn't take many photos, but I do appreciate all everyone is doing for us.

CHRISTMAS EVE and CHRISTMAS DAY

Our celebration was mainly on Christmas Eve. Ron and Amy had to drive north on Christmas Day to spend some Christmas time with Amy's family. We are so grateful that they manage to make the effort to be with us each Christmas. They are so special!

So we had our main meal on Christmas Eve and opened most of the "non-Santa" gifts that evening. A great time was had by all until we were all exhausted and turned in for the night.

Christmas morning the fun continued. Ron and Amy left right after breakfast. The rest of us spent a very pleasant day eating leftovers and just relaxing. As soon as it got dark Lisa and I revived an old tradition and walked around the neigborhood looking at Christmas lights. I really enjoyed that!

MID DECEMB ER

We returned to Ashland on the 18th of December. On the 20th Rick, May and May's cousin, Jody drove south from Portland to spend the holidays with us. On Thursday Ron and Amy joined us also.

We spent time watching movies, playing games, eating, and visiting. It is so wonderful to have all the kids home for Christmas. My concern for my Mom and Dad overshadows everything I'm afraid. It is difficult to be so far away.

SO MUCH TO BLOGG, SO LITTLE TIME

EARLY DECEMBER

December started with sad happenings for my mom. She ended up needing a masectomy. She was courageous and strong and brave and faced all kinds of annoying stuff.

The light of my stay on the central coast was seeing all the family and all the beautiful little children. So sorry I missed the birth of Mason Matthew McComb.

It was difficult to leave Mom and Dad and I look forward to returning in a couple of weeks.

OUTDOOR RESORTS

We have arrived at our winter home last Monday. After being away for the off season there was much catching up to do, cob webs to be removed, tons of dust, sprinklers to be fixed etc. None of the jobs were too cumbersome. Don't miss the beautiful white heron sitting by the lake.

Otherwise, Ron has golfed almost every day and I am busy settling in. It is nearly paradise here. Weather is too perfect for me the Fall lover, but Ron is truly in heaven. Everything is flowers, green, and sparkling air. The nights are a little chilly, I guess, by southern California standards. In any case, one cannot complain.

LAS VEGAS, SATURDAY

We sure walked our feet off today. After coffee/tea and bagels in the morning we thought we would once again do a Casino tour. We visited the Balagio and Ceasar's Palace once more. This time we saw the Balagio Lobby with some incredible Fall decorations. There was even an agri-sculpture. Agri-sculpture is something made out of plants. This one was a bridge with a walk through gateway. Indescribable,really, but I will include a picture of Lisa on that particular walkway. Some of the pumpkins there were over 500 pounds.

This evening I won $63.00 on a nickel machine. And it only took me a dollar of nickels to do so. That was neat! The kids bought margaritas by the yard and we all shared them. Even at that we couldn't finish them. Unbelievable! This place is so incredible.

LAS VEGAS, FRIDAY

This beautiful day began with Heather handing the keys to her old car to Lisa. Lisa is thrilled with the sweet Honda. It is a 2002 Civic and in excellent shape. Heather got a new 2006 model.

Well after traveling to Los Angeles on Thursday we took off for Las Vegas on Friday morning. Mother (Tessie), Lisa, Ron and I took one car. Diane, Jose, Heather (the birthday girl), and Heather's boyfriend, Casey took another.

What a marvel this place is!!! A Disneyland for adults I would say.

We stayed at the Aladdin right across the street from the Balagio. The Balagio is probably my favorite hotel. We were next to the Paris. Such fun! We also walked to Ceasar's Palace. I am amazed at how Las Vegas has turned into a major shopping mall. This seems to be more of an occupation for visitors than gambling or shows. Wow!

We celebrated Heather's birthday with dinner at P.F.Chang's. That was great. Of course we tried a little gambling. Being old fashioned we were disappointed to find out there were no coin machines in our hotel. We all yearned for the sound of real nickels falling into the tray. Oh well! We had a lovely day anyway.

TRAVEL SOUTH

Ok, so we left Ashland Saturday around noon. We spent the night with friends in Walnut Creek.

On Sunday morning we continued south. We stopped by Blackstone Winery in Gonzalez, California. Ron remembered an excellent Merlot that Connie had shared from there one time when she was out west visiting. He was interested in rediscovering it. We ended up buying a couple of bottles of things only available at the winery. Fun though!

After that we spent some time at Montana de Oro. This is the beautiful beach that Angie loved so much. It was here that we scattered her ashes. I have included some pictures.

From there we went to Patty's and Scott's. We arrived at the same time as Grandpa and Grandma. We were so happy to see Grandma Amy, Melissa, Matt, Angela and of course Patty, Scott and my brother, Dave. The meal was delicious and the company was a favorite.

Since Sunday we have been spending time being with my Mom and Dad and that is wonderful. I really haven't taken any more photos. Last night Patty came over and joined us for dinner. Today we went into San Luis and had Frank's famous hot dogs for lunch. Tomorrow we should be having dinner once again at Scott and Patty's. That way we can see everyone again before we head to L.A. on Thursday. With any luck I will remember to take more photos tomorrow. Maybe David III and Kim and Chloe will even join us.