Tom Left Me....

Yes, Tom left me today. As we were sitting in the back yard yesterday, I decided to call Corey to see when he was coming up for a visit. He reminded me that Tom had told him he would come down there for a few days while he was on disability. Well at the spur of the moment, I got online and checked airline flights. Found one. So, he left today. Corey told me their itinerary. Tonight they go visit Ryan and Shelly, have dinner at Olive Garden and head over to the Golden Spoon. A tasty place that serves the best frozen yogurt. Tomorrow is golf, Tues. Universal Studio's, Wed. golf, and then he flies home.
But, before he left today we took a trip to San Francisco yesterday with the Lewis'. It was cool, 70 degrees.

Bob and Dore Lewis.

Going down Lombard Street, brick road and all. The only brick road in SF. The crookedest street in America with tight hairpin turns.

Now this is a beautiful pic. As you drive down Lombard St., the street is in the shape of an S, you will see lots of gorgeous Hydrangea's around each corner.

At the top of B Ave. looking out at Alcatraz. I have no idea who the couple is walking across the street.
Just a shot of part of the marina in San Fran.

Our destination was at the top of the moutain on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. I am not sure which mountain is the Headlands, I think it is the one furthest to the left.

Dore, Bob and Tom climbing up to the top of the Headlands.

Looking East you see the Golden Gate Bridge and the city of San Francisco.

Looking out to the south you see China Beach and Lands End. This is the second Lands End Tom and I have seen. The other was last year while in Cabo.

From the top of the Headlands you can look to the west and see the edge of the world, well the west edge, there stands a lighthouse. We drove around around the island intending to hike to the lighthouse but the trail was closed. So, we continued on around the island and came across an old military complex.

Old military barracks. Currently used as a Hostel and Art studio.

This is a visitor center now, but use to be chapel on an military base. I thought it was so cute and so typical of a little chapel. This is located on the west side of the island, only a little land seperates it from the ocean. It was so peaceful there.

On our way home we decided to drive through Sausalito. Bob wanted to check out homes that float. We all agreed that this one was cute. Some of them looked like, well, I would rather sleep in the street than to climb onto some of them.
The 4th. one from the right reminded me of a little hot dog stand.

Our final stop was Claim Jumpers. We stopped there to eat. It was delicisious. For dessert I got, what they call an "I Declair", which is their version of an eclair. I wish I had thought to take a picture of it. It is so big, Bob, Tom and I had a generous piece and we still have half of it left over. I would take a picture but, Tom dropped it while getting out of the car so, I don't think it looks to pretty. Maybe it's a good thing Tom left for a few days????????

Did You Know?

Did you know that the taco's at Jack in the Box are made of soy meat. There is absolutely no animal product in them.
Teena and I had stopped there the other day for a snack. I wanted my usual smoothie and she got a couple of taco's. Well, we got to talking about it and she told me they were soy. I have to say I questioned that one. So, as we pulled up to the window, we asked. Sure enough, they are soy. The best part of it all is they are two for only 99 cents. Gee, I should do a commercial for them.
So, if any of you know something I don't, like they are not soy, please let me know asap because I have been eating them a lot lately, and with my wages...99 cents is a deal...oh don't forget to add tax...total is 1.08.

A Pleasant Surpirse!

Helen Ida and husband Gary stopped by my office, for a few minutes, on their way back from down south. They were down there for a wedding and visiting their little grandchildren.
I think the scowl on her face is from the heat. It was only 107 yesterday. I think it only got to 106 today. As I type, it is 102. The good news it that next week it is suppose to drop down to the mid 90's. One good thing that comes out of all this heat is our pool is not cold. I haven't had the desire to go out in our back yard and check the temp. but I am sure it feels close to bath water.

Happy Birthday Sean Murphy!

Yes, Sean is another year older. He is catching me. Hard to believe that my kid's are getting older. I say they are getting more mature and wiser. How time flies. Seems that just a few years ago he was still small enough to hang on the door. Yes, he use to get hung on the door by his Uncle Gerald. Gerald would pick him up by his shirt and hang him on the door knob.
Sean is a very bright man. He was such a good student too, except he seemed to have trouble with blurting out the answer when the teacher would ask a question. I can remember as far back as second grade. When I had a teachers conference, that would always be the complaint. They would say "Sean is a very bright boy but has trouble raising his hand, he just blurts out the answer." What can I say...he's smart.
His kindergarten teacher thought there was something wrong with him because he scribbled when it was time to color. Sean hated to color is all. No big deal right?
He is a great father, husband, son, brother and Christian. Has a very deep love for the Lord. He does a lot of preaching at his church and neighboring churches.
Sean is the oldest of the three boys. We are so blessed to have him in our family.
He is pictured here with his wife Alana, another Mrs. Murphy.
We had a great time today, eating, swimming and just loving the time together.
I have a few more pics to enter but it is late and I have to work tomorrow.

Two peas in a pod here. Tom and Sean grilled veggies, potatoes and corn for Seans birthday lunch. Alana made a delicious Carrot Cake. So much food, so little time.

Keiran is getting to be such a big boy and a good helper too. He wanted to water all of the plants on the patio for Grandpa. I think he loves anything that has to do with water. He goes swimming even when the water is cold.

While everybody was getting lunch ready, Lawren and her daddy got to hang out by the pool.

A Change Will Do You Good.

Kathleen and Jeff hit the jack pot yesterday. They were given a load of Sod. There was extra Sod from a job that Jeff is doing. Apparently they ordered too much. So, lucky Jeff, he was able to bring it home and use it on their front lawn, which, two days ago was just dry grass. We were there this last weekend and they were discussing the idea of doing something with their front yard. Boy, did they luck out. Now Lawren has a nice grassy area to play. She loves the outdoors.
Uncle Leonard and Hunter, her cousin, came over to help out. She just loves playing with any little person.
I'm feeling lucky too. Both of my kids emailed me new pictures of my grandkids!

Lawren helping her daddy lay the new sod.

Lawren and her mommy. She loves to give kisses and we love to get them! Notice how long Lawrens hair is getting. ; )

Lawren has a big rock pile behind their house. She loves to go there and play with her dump truck that her daddy got her, its a Tonka Truck. We were there last weekend and she played with that for an hour or so.



Keiran and Lawren playing around in the jogging stroller. I am not sure if Lawren is trying to show you her belly button or just her shirt was up. Either way, aren't they so cute????

Sean and Alana made their annual move a few weeks ago. They literally have moved once a year. I think they may stay in this one for a couple of years.
They were in a home that really had no flat area to play or ride a bike. The only flat area was the driveway. The house was comfortable but on a hillside. So, they found a home that is in a mountain area on a few acres. Now Keiran can play ball, and if he misses it, he or his mommy, won't have to run down the hill to retrieve it.

Now Keiran has lots of room to ride around on his new 20" bike.

"Happy Birthday" Mrs. Murphy

Shelly,
Just want to wish you a very happy birthday. I can't believe it's been another year already.
You are such a blessing to our family and my son. I am so grateful that you have been there for him. I hope that these next three years fly by.
You make such a sweet Auntie too!
Happy Birthday.
Love, Baby Dino's Mom
& family.

Shelly is a beautiful Christian woman, has a fantastic singing voice too. She is a wife, teacher (Spanish) and a lot of fun to be around.
She lived with me for almost a year, before they got married. We have a lot in common. First, we both love Ryan, love hydrangea's, have similar taste in fabric and decorating. Visit her blog, she already made their bathroom look adorable. We liked watching the same TV shows, America's Next Top Model, and Next Pussycat Doll. Yea, they are a waste of time but we liked it.

Shelly in front of their house in California.

Shelly and Ryan at Claim Jumpers for her birthday. Ohh the Cheesy Potato soup there is delicious.

Having her birthday dinner.

Shelly sitting with a couple of gifts from her husband.

We hope you have a wonderful life together and that it continue on in Heaven.

And don't forget that I am still coming down there this summer and we are going to Disneyland.

My New Addiction.

Yes, I have a new addiction, Strawberry Mango smoothie from Jack in the Box.
As some of you know I am (was) addicted to Diet Pepsi, Coke, anything that has cola in it. I decided a few weeks ago to get rid of that in my diet, after reading abook on health. The title is not appropriate to post, so if someone wants to know the title I can email it to you. I stopped drinking anything with aspartame and nutrasweet. Just google aspartame and look at some of the titles.
What's left but water, water, water and lemonade. I saw one of these drinks advertised on TV and thought I would try it out. I have to have something besides water right? Anyway, I tried one and it was yummy. I have tried the other ones too, Strawberry Banana, Orange Sunrise and this one, Strawberry Mango.
I remember listening to Dr. Diehl at campmeeting one time and his main topic was eating more Mango. So, what better way to get a mango down? I know just eat a fresh one!

I find myself going through the drive thru a couple of times a week right after lunch. So, I can say I am addicted to them. I even skipped eating something for lunch so I could have one...now that is not healthy but, I am taking this one step at a time.
Also, I have chucked dairy products too. Well, for the most part. I had homemade pizza tonight with fresh mozzarella. So tasty!

I Have To Do Everything!

Well, you all know that Tom had a hernia repair last week. So, guess who get's to do everything? You guessed it....ME. I have to work all day, and then come home and do all of the yardwork. Where are my kids when I need them? He has a doctor's appointment tomorrow, I will be going with him to see when he can start doing things again. I need the exercise but, believe me, I am not cut out for all of this. I have to admit that I am sleeping better. Must be from all of the activity.

Tom is recovering quite well, don't you think?

While I was outside, after doing all the yard work, I decided to walk around the yard and see how our fruit trees were doing.
Our poor old Peach tree is still producing, although it is going to be replaced by a younger tree that we planted next to it. The peaches are always ripe in July, so we don't have much longer. So many branches have broken off over the years, but we are still counting on the peaches.

Our little Pluot tree is doing quite well, it is only two years old and loaded this year. Shouldn't be to much longer before they are ready to pick. Of course we will have to share with the birds, they tend to attack the fruit. Last year we covered the tree with netting, they pecked right through it. But, there is enough for us and God's little creatures.

This is my favorite spot in our yard. It is just an area we created for relaxing. There is a Bistro Set nestled between a Camphor and Apple tree which is overtaken by Wisteria. Someday, when I retire, and I said when not if, I plan to spend numerous hours out here having my worship, relaxing and maybe even doing some bird watching.

Another view taken from across the yard. Just looking at these pictures gives me a relaxed feeling.

Precious Moments!!

Lawren and her mommie, Kathleen, came to help Grandpa recover from his surgery. While they were here, they decided to take a walk to my office, which is only a little over a mile away. It has been pretty warm outside. She is so good about keeping her hat and sunglasses on. It was such a nice surprise to have them visit. I only wish they lived closer, like in the same town, that way I could see them everyday and Lawren could be my little filer.

She is helping me on the computer. I need all the help I can get!

Lawren and her mommy at Grandma's work.

They also did a lot of swimming while I was slaving away at work. Tom is going to be off for a month or more. One of us has to work...guess that would be me! Anyway...
She is only 17 months old and can already jump off the side of the pool. She so advanced!
She is thinking about how she is going to go swimming, do I want to jump in or go in a little at a time????

Lawren is going to be a very good swimmer. She loves the water, she can kick-kick-kick. She even knows how to go under water and not take any into her lungs. Guess how we found that out??? I was out in the pool with her while her mommy was in the kitchen scrubbing my floor. Lawren and I stepped down into the water, Lawren first then Grandma. We were on the first step and my big foot got in her way and she took a nose dive, hands first, right into the water. I was right there to pull her out. When she came up out of the water she had a shocked look on her face but there were no tears, no gasping, nothing. I just said to her, in a calm voice, just like I did when Corey or Ryan would fall into the water, before they learned to swim, and believe me it happened more times than not, but I would always tell them, Good Job! They would be so proud of themselves. Well, Lawren seemed okay with it but I had to go let her mommy know and her mommy was NOT okay. I thought she was going to strangle me. All of this didn't change Lawren from wanting to swim because she was right back in the water.

A while back, Tom and I bought a couple of Crepe Myrtle Trees at Home Depot that were mismarked. We purchased two 10 gallon trees for $29.00 each. Anyone, that knows about buying plants or trees, knows that had to be an error. Anyway, we are sitting outside enjoying our granddaughter and Tom happens to look up at one of the trees and here is this gorgeous blossom. If you look closely to the left of the blossom you will notice a little bee flying around.

Lawren wanted to go for a walk with her PaPa, but of course she got to lead the way. No, Tom is not carrying a purse on his right shoulder, that is his On Q pump for pain. Amazing! It's time for Lawren to leave and she got to push her dollies outside in their stroller. She didn't want to leave Grandma and Grandpa's house but she was anxious to get home and see her daddy.
I finally am able to load a video. I have been trying to do this since I started blogging. So, I hope you enjoy this short clip of Lawren pushing her dollies. Just ignore my dippy voice, I still think I sound like Mr. Moose.