My County Fair Ribbon

For several years, (in fact a lot of years), I have toyed with the idea of entering something in the county fair.  A cross stitching, a hand made card, some baked bread...  but I just never thought that my work was quite "up to par" with everyone else's.  Every year we would go to the fair and Dave would say, "your work is just as good, or better - you should enter".  So this year I took the plunge.  I filled out the paperwork and entered a cross stitching that I did.  Actually it was a piece that I did for my friend Valerie Nichols before she died.  Valerie had requested that I stitch this hanging for her house, and she hand picked each angel from 2 different books, along with the placement of each angel, and the bible verse.  After Valerie passed away, her daughter, (Lera), asked if I would like to have the hanging back.  I was so grateful to receive it back and it has hung by the front entrance of our house.   I was so surprised when I discovered that the hanging was 2nd place at the county fair.  This has certainly given my confidence a step up a notch. I told Dave I only won because there weren't that many entries, but he said there were probably a thousand cross stitching entries and I should be very proud. Now I need to do a new hanging for next year...    I am very grateful for Valerie giving me the chance to make this hanging, it was done out of my love for her and I know she really enjoyed it when it hung in her home and every time I look at it, I am reminded of her, (this was her favorite bible verse).

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares - Hebrews 13:2

 

Maine in May

 For quite sometime Dave has always wanted to go to Maine.  He wanted to sight see and mostly see if he could eat lobster every day!!  So we went to Maine from Saturday, (May 4th). through Saturday, (May 11th).

We stayed that the beautiful Samoset Resort On The Ocean located in Rockport, Maine

 
It was a beautiful resort / golf course located on directly on the ocean with spa, restaurants, gym, and other numerous amenities.

The view of our from our balcony out to the ocean was magnificent.  And the weather during our stay was wonderful, it wasn't too hot and the winter cold was finally over.  The busy tourist season hadn't started, so we had come at a good time.  On Sunday, we spend the day relaxing.  We had a magnificent brunch at the resort, spent the afternoon relaxing and catching up on our much needed sleep.

Then that evening Dave enjoyed his first lobster of the week.

Monday morning we headed up North to The Forks to do some hiking and see the waterfalls.  Hoping to see some moose, (but no luck).

 

But we saw some great scenery and wonderful waterfalls. The sun was shining and it was an exhausting day.

On the drive back to Rockport, we stopped for dinner and Dave enjoyed his 2nd lobster of the week.

On Tuesday, we took a Lobster Boat Tour.  We were taught how the fishermen set their traps, pull their traps and catch the lobsters that Dave so enjoys.

 
Most lobster traps are 2 feet by 4 feet, (a few fishermen use 4 X 4 sizes, but not many).  Captain Jack uses frozen red snapper fish to bait his traps.  He finds that the lobsters really like eating that type of fish.  And he has to check all 800 of this traps every 2 days. 

We spent approximately 2 hours on the boat, pulled up 12 traps.  Only 2 traps were empty, the other 10 traps all had lobsters.  We were shown how to tell females from males, how to measure to see if they were large enough to keep, (most were to small and had to be thrown back).  This photo shows a female with eggs.  Captain Jack placed a notch in her tail and told us that because she is a producing female she is now allowed to live her life free and if she is ever caught again the fishermen seeing the notch in her tail will throw her back, (lucky girl).

 

 
When we docked at the pier Captain Jack asked if we wanted to buy any of the fresh caught lobsters @ $6.00 / pound.  Dave bought 4.  We took them back to our room and cooked up lobsters # 3, 4, 5 and 6.  We ate 2 for lunch, shelled the other 2 and I used them  during the week to make sandwiches and lobster tacos - YUMMY.

 Wednesday, we took the lovely drive up to Bar Harbor.  I loved how the forsythias were in bloom all over the whole state.  I remember living in Ohio and how everyone had them in their yards.  It was such a wonderful sight every Spring.  The small back roads made the drive very long - a 60 mile drive takes over 2 hours, (because you have to slow down to 30 miles for all the little towns).

But arriving in Bar Harbor was worth it.  It was a beautiful little town

 The ocean is so blue and the people very friendly.  He had lunch on the pier.  And just enjoyed the view and the atmosphere.



 

 Then we took the Oli Trolley through Arcadia National Forest.  The sights were magnificent, just like photos you see in the sightseeing books.

 On the drive back, we stopped at a lobster pound and Dave enjoyed lobster #7.  I asked Dave if he was beginning to get tired of lobster.  He just smiled and said "NO, not yet".

 Thursday it was so foggy that we decided to spend the day in Rockport.  We visited the lighthouse Museum and the local vendor shops.  Just walked around the town taking in the sights.

 

 

Then we stopped in a small little local bar/grill/restaurant and Dave ordered their fresh caught large lobster, ($17.95). They brought out a 2 pound plus lobster. Boy did the size of this one put a smile on Dave's face. I was wondering if he was going to finish up lobster # 8, but he did.

 

 On Friday we decided to drive to the neighboring town of Camden for lunch at Cappy's, and to visit the local vendor shops.  Cappy's has great food - but when Dave asked for a lobster, they said they only had one left until the boat came in with a new load.  Since it was only 11:30 in the morning, Dave didn't want to take a chance on the lobster being a left over from the day before so he ordered the clams - his only day without a lobster!!  But he still enjoyed the meal.  Their food was fresh and really good.  And the staff was very attentive. 

 

We drove out to the Rockport lighthouse and walked along the break water and took photos of the lobster boats.  Then we spent the rest of the day finishing up what was left in our room refrigerator, packing up our luggage, and just relaxing.   It was a great trip but we weren't looking forward to a long day of travel on Saturday.   Dave so wishes he could come back for the Maine Lobster Festival July 31st through August 4th in Rockland, Maine, (just a few miles up the road from where we stayed).

 

Oh well - time to get home and start getting the garden planted and get ready for Jared's Memorial Day visit.  Dave hopes to get the grandkids, Shelle and Josh over while Jared is home, for a family cookout and stories about our wonderful trip and all the lobsters he managed to eat.

 

OH - Dave even managed to make a collage of his "little friends"

 

 

Welcome Karlyn

On March 8th we welcomed the newest Canine Companion for Independence puppy to our family.  Say hello to Karlyn.  Karlyn will be with us until August 2014, then she will return to Oceanside, CA for advanced team training.

I hope you will follow her many adventures for the next 17 months as she grows.  She has already worked her way deep into our hearts. 

She is a really snuggle bunny, and yet very feisty with her sister Roudy.

WELCOME KARLYN !!

Trevor's Wedding

This month our grandson Trevor got married to his fiancee' Audra Anne Smith.  We are so delighted to welcome Audra to the family.  She is the best thing to come into our family since October 2011, (if  you are wondering what the happened in October 2011, keep reading).  I didn't get many photos, since there was so much activity going on.  The best part of being the grandparents of the groom, we only have to show up and enjoy the ceremony and reception.

I really like their engagement photo

 
My little Trevor, all grown up - but he found a few moments for a quick photo with grandma before the ceremony.

 


 The happy couple after the ceremony.  Dave and I know that if they have even 1/2 of the happiness and love that we have - then they will truly have the most joyous wedded bliss.  We so love them, and they are in truly in love - as you can see.

As a wedding gift, Trevor's maternal grandmother, gave them the reception.  The wedding cake was gorgous, (she did a GREAT job).  And the food was very tasty.  It was so nice to actually go to a reception that served real food and not a scoop of ice cream in a glass of Sprite and a small nut cup.  Great Job!!

 

 
And of course the most beautiful girl at the whole ceremony !!  Our little great grand-daughter Autumn.  She joined our family in October 2011, and she has most certainly been the highlight of our family.  Everyday we get to see the world in a new light through her.

And of course what would my life be without my little Ian, always hamming up the photo.  At least there were no "bunny ears" this time.  I do love this kid, and no matter how old he gets he will always be the clown of the party.  He loves his new sister, Audra.




It was a most enjoyable afternoon and the turnout was very good.  They are have many, many people wishing them well on their new journey.  I can't wait to the see professional photograhers shots.

Trevor's Trip to Cabo

This year for Trevor's 18th birthday present, and a combined high school graduation gift, Dave and I took him and his finacee', Audra, to Cabo San Lucas Mexico with us in September for a week.  They were so excited.  It was their first trip out of the country.  They both worked and saved so they could afford to buy extras and do fun things.  Dave and I covered Trevor's airfare and the hotel and all meals.  We stayed at the Hacienda Encantada.  We were in the Presidental building, (meaning that the only thing between us and the ocean was one pool).

As part of our usual tradition, on our first night in town - we had dinner at The Shrimp Factory.  Lobster and Shrimp for everyone.  We were all so stuffed that it was a real effort to finish off the last couple of pieces of shrimp on the platter.  Most people fight over who gets the last piece, we were fighting over who HAD to finish the last piece - we were way stuffed.  Audra and Trevor signed the visitor's board, so someday when they return to Cabo with their grand kids, they can look for their names on the board, (just like Dave's son, Jared, will be able to).

Next, after a brief stop at the Giggling Marlin, Trevor wanted to see the famous Cabo Wabo.  He wanted to see what band was performing and look at the famous rock star pictures on the walls.  So, we entered in the back way, up the stairs through the restaurant.  First Dave, then Audra, then me, and lastly Trevor.  The security guard asked if we were there to eat and Dave said "no, we're just going down to the bar".  So, Dave, Audra and I go on, and the guard stops Trevor and asks for ID.  Trevor yells for us to wait.  The guard looks at the ID and says who is this?  Trevor smiles and says "me".  The guard shakes his head.  I walk back and ask what the problem is, and the guard explains that the photo doesn't match Trevor.  Trevor laughs and explains that he's gained 60 pounds and cut his shoulder lenght hair off.  I tell the guard, "this is my grandson, and he's 18".  The guard says, I have to call my manager.  The manager comes over, looks at the ID says "who is this".  Dave also explains that Trevor was only 16 in the ID and now he's 18 and he's cut his hair and grown up.  The manager shakes his head.  I say, "he's my grandson, he's 18 - it's OK".  The manager finally said "OK".  Trevor said "from now on I carry my passport everywhere I go down here"...  FUNNY.  Trevor and Audra liked the loud noise and dark bar.  They loved the many photo of rock stars who have visited the area. 

Audra and Trevor liked going down to the Pier to eat at the different restaurants.  They like seeing the boats on the water and talking to people.

 We took them parasailing.  Now, that was their favorite activity of the week.  I think at first they were just a little worried about what was going to take place.  But like everyone we've ever taken out, once you do it, they love it!!

They decided to to a tandem, rather than single, ahh young love - doing everything together.  When they came back down to earth you couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces all day.  And when asked at the end of the week their favorite part of Mexico, they always said parasailing.

 They always enjoyed trying out authentic Mexican food at all the different restaurants.  And I kind of laughed at the end of the week when I asked where their favorite place to eat was and Audra said Gardenias.  It was this little hole in the wall place on a side street that I've been going to for years.  A super cheap place, but very good.  She liked that better than even the expensive restaurants.  Trevor liked the Shrimp Factory.  He has Dave's taste for food.

I also made sure to introduce Audra to my annual tradition - a visit to the baby wild cats.  When she saw the little ones this year, she also fell in love with them.  This year I held a 4 week old Puma, named Eddie.  He was so small, only about 10 pounds.  An orphan. 

Audra held a 2 month old lion named Bella.  She fell in love instantly!!

How I would love to take these home with me.  But I say that every year.  I am so glad this organization is raising and releasing these little ones back into the wild.  They do so much good for their cause.

 We also do a fairly new tradition - a trip to Romeo and Julieta.  Imagine an Italian restaurant in Mexico.  But is is great food.  We sat inside this year, as the weather was just too hot and humid to sit outside on the patio.

Trevor and Audra were serenaded, in fact most of the places we went they were serenaded.  I guess people can see they are a young couple in love and about to be married.  When Audra mentioned that she liked coffee, Dave insisted on buying her a Mexican coffee.  It is mostly for the presentation.  At Romeo and Julieta's they add liqueur to the coffee, set it on fire, then pour the lighted coffee from one cup into another several times to burn off the liquor.  It is quite a show.  Audra loved the coffee.

"Audra and Trevor ventured off by themselves a couple of times.  One day they took the glass bottom boat tour around the marina.  This is their photo in front of El Arco.  The famous landmark arc -" where the land ends and the party begins" .  They saw the usual lover's beach, divorce beach, seal rock, pelican island, etc.  They had a good time.

We also spent one day and evening at the resort, just relaxing.  We had dinner at one of the resort restaurants over looking the ocean.  It was so nice not to have to go into town with the crowds.  The cart driver took us back to the door of our rooms.  Very little walking.  The Hacienda Encantada uses 8 passenger carts to shuttle the guests around the resort as it is built on a hillside and very steep. We spent time one night playing a favorite game of ours Catch Phrase, we had a lot of laughs.

Another day, Audra and Trevor ventured out alone to go ATVing along the beach.  They shared a double ATV and were gone for about 4 hours.  They said it was a lot of fun, and Audra even liked the thrills of the hills and dunes. 

Of course there was the usual shopping, walking the pier, sightseeing and sometimes just sitting in the pier restaurants and watching people go by and we tried to catch a cool breeze from a fan.

 

We hope that Trevor and Audra brought back good memories to last them many years.  And for their 5th anniversary, if they want to go back to Cabo - we are offering them our condo for a week.  They now know how to get around Cabo and their passports will still be valid.

 

We enjoyed our one-on-one time with them, and wished we could spend more time like this with them back home.

My shot at Fame On the Theatre Stage !!

The first weekend in August, Dave and I went to St. George to see the Tuacahn outdoor plays with our friends George and Tammy.  That weekend on Friday night we saw Aladdin (a marvelous production), on Saturday afternoon we saw The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (very funny), and Saturday night we saw Hairspray (the singing and dancing was worth the trip).

 Just before the seating of the show "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", I was in the restroom, when Dave decided to sign me up as a "volunteer" to appear in the show.  They took 6 names for 4 opening slots, (so my chances were pretty slim!!, you would think!!)....  After the initial interview, we were told that if we were chosen our names would be called and to come on stage.  Guess what, I was the 3rd name called. 

 So I joined the other 3 participants and the cast members on stage, took my designated place on stage and nervously awaited for my chance to spell the word or words that they would give me.  Hoping that I would not make too much of a fool of myself.  Let me tell you, when you are on stage you can not see anyone in the audience.  The bright stage lights and the darken theatre gives you the feeling that the people on stage are the only people in the theatre.

 There is a lot of interaction between the cast members and the volunteers.  But you have no idea what is going on.  They are singing and talking to you and all you can do is smile and nod your head.  When they dance, you can stand up with them, but you feel like a fool not knowing where to move or how.  The only thing in my favor was that they placed me in the middle of the bleachers behind another cast member, and I wasn't too visible to the audience.

 At least I wasn't to visible, unless the cast member leaned over, or got up and moved across the stage!!  And then that I sat, smiling like a fool.

 OK - so volunteer #1 got up and spelled her work correctly.
Volunteer #2, she spelled her word correctly..
Please dear Lord - don't let me look like a complete idiot when my turn comes to spell my word!!  My heart is pounding so loud, I know everyone can hear it!!
OH NO, it's my turn,  I walk to the mic, they give me the word...  What in the world is that word... I have never in my life even heard that word...  "would you please give me the definition of the word?"...   mmm that didn't help....  "would you please use the word in a sentence"....  OH GREAT,  that wasn't any help either....  Now what do I do??  OK, let's try sounding it out.  So I get to the last letter and I am stuck, does it end in "y", "ie", or just an "e" ?   I can't see anyone in the audience, so Dave can't help me.  I am frozen in time and space.  I stand there for what feels like eternity, but I know it's only a few seconds, then I go for it - "y"....

BUZZZZZZZ....Sorry  "ie"...  darn, I got shot down on the first word.  As the cast members sing "Good Bye" I am given my going away gift - a box of Juicy Juice and 4 passes to the Spelling Bee.  I hurry back to my seat to enjoy the rest of the performance.  Several audience members congratulate me and tell me that they also guessed it was a "y".  Dave said "good job"...

Afterwards I had my photo taken with all the cast members.  They are a really talented group of people and so friendly.  If I wasn't so nervous it would have been more fun.  I am definitely not ready to become a theatre actor anytime soon.  I will leave that job to my grandson, Ian.