First Round

We picked Taylor up for Part 1 of summer vacations on the 15th. We stayed a few nights in Merced packing the very last of our belongings. On Tuesday we took a much deserved break from it all and went to Blackbeard's in Fresno for some miniature golf, go carts and video game playing. Back in the day, Blackbeard's was the place to have some fun but nowadays it is like a ghost town! Pretty sad, but we still had some fun and I got TWO hole in ones!!! YES!! Of course we must keep score and I won 1st place! No, we are not competitive at all!! LOL!!

We started our summer out right, by go-cart style. Taylor riding the 8 - 14 year old go carts!

After playing around at Blackbeard's we went to the Fresno Grizzlies Baseball Game! Beautiful field! Pretty good baseball too!! 

The MOST fun was when a foul ball came at us, bounced on the higher ledge and landed in our row! Dick ran over to pick it up and an 80 year old man started rushing over, as the elbows came out, the other guy did not have a chance! EVERYONE was very happy, except for the 'other guy' of course!!!

We'll be on the move with Tay until the 30th.......stay tuned for more fun times to come!

Graveyard

Without going into much detail - if you want more detail ask me some day when you have more time - today was the day to visit my Dad's grave.

The five sisters all pitched in and bought a stone, had it engraved and placed it today. Debbie and Jimi were on vacation from Texas, Cindy and my Mom came up from Merced, and we all enjoyed a nice lunch together at the Squat and Gobble on Chestnut before heading over the Golden Gate Bridge to Mill Valley.

It was a beautiful day in SF so the trip over the bridge was crystal clear!

Dick dug out the old marker.

We all told him to not go TOO deep!!

Then Jimi placed the rock.

I cut some geraniums from the yard. The rock looks GREAT and we were all very pleased.

Yup, 16 years ago. We've been wanting to place a headstone since we located the grave back in 2000.  

This morning I looked in my Bible for a verse that I felt was appropriate.  I had this Psalm tagged with a piece of paper because it stirred something in me at some point. I read it after the stone was placed.  It is one of my favorite Psalms and very fitting for my Dad - I hope.

Psalm 34

    ^1 [a] I will extol the LORD at all times; 
       his praise will always be on my lips.

    ² My soul will boast in the LORD; 
       let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

    ³ Glorify the LORD with me; 
       let us exalt his name together.

    ⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me; 
       he delivered me from all my fears.

    ⁵ Those who look to him are radiant; 
       their faces are never covered with shame.

    ⁶ This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; 
       he saved him out of all his troubles.

    ⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, 
       and he delivers them.

    ⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good; 
       blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

    ⁹ Fear the LORD, you his saints, 
       for those who fear him lack nothing.

    ¹⁰ The lions may grow weak and hungry, 
       but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

    ¹¹ Come, my children, listen to me; 
       I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

    ¹² Whoever of you loves life 
       and desires to see many good days,

    ¹³ keep your tongue from evil 
       and your lips from speaking lies.

    ¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good; 
       seek peace and pursue it.

    ¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous 
       and his ears are attentive to their cry;

    ¹⁶ the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, 
       to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

    ¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; 
       he delivers them from all their troubles.

    ¹⁸ The LORD is close to the brokenhearted 
       and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

    ¹⁹ A righteous man may have many troubles, 
       but the LORD delivers him from them all;

    ²⁰ he protects all his bones, 
       not one of them will be broken.

    ²¹ Evil will slay the wicked; 
       the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

    ²² The LORD redeems his servants; 
       no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

I can only hope that my father was able to hear these words in his life here on earth and MAYBE even know what God's spirit has to offer. MAYBE then he would have finally found peace.  I may never know but I do know that God planned this day a long time ago and I could not be more thankful to Him for more reasons than will fit this page!

Nice visit!

Andrew, Erika and Kaelyn came up to SF to spend the night yesterday. I am soooooooo happy! In the past, Andrew would have many reasons why he CANNOT make the trip, nowadays, he is up to try most things! I like it a lot!! This is pretty important to me since he'll have to come to SF more often now that we won't be going to Merced AS often.  I am very thankful we have the guest room and a bed for Kaelyn so we are all comfortable. 

We enjoyed dinner at a Sports Restaurant with HUGE screens for the Lakers WIN! That was fun. Erika and Andrew stayed a little longer so we were able to take Kaelyn home and they enjoyed some time together. 

I taught Kaelyn how to play Pat - A - Cake! It is the cutest thing ever! When I start to sing it now, she begins clapping!!!

She and Gabby were able to hang out too!!

In the morning, Andrew and Erika went out for breakfast while I was able to spend time with Kaelyn.  I believe one of life's GREATEST pleasures must be rocking a baby to sleep and the second most GREATEST pleasure is to hold a sleeping baby! LOVE IT!!

Taylor enjoyed the time with Kaelyn and is now enjoying a play day with 3 of his best friends until this afternoon.  Everyone is excited to be singing Schooooooools OUT for SUMMER!! Movin' on to the big 5th grade already!!

Latest Activity

Since I am leaving my volunteer position with the Merced Women's Rescue Mission in Merced, I needed to fill that 'void' in my life. I've been thinking and praying where I am to be led. I know this won't be the ONLY avenue, but at this time, I've sent my application into the SPCA here in SF as a volunteer with Animal Assisted Therapy.  Yup, if accepted, Gabby and I will commit to at least once a month visits to the elderly, mentally challenged, or handicapped individuals and visit with them.  Gabby is such a friendly, loving dog that I think she can bring happiness and peace to them in their worlds.  We'll have to go through some training first, but I hope we are chosen.  In SF alone, this organization reaches out to 40,000 people a year! Wish us luck! 

RELIEF!!!

Today is the day!!! 

ALL of my belongings are in ONE location!!! 

Dick has a few things in the closet in Merced but other than that, everything that is coming up to SF is here!! YEAH!!! Do you know how much of a hassle it is having two homes? UUGGHH!! I found myself thinking, 'is that item here or there?" I am already enjoying the feeling of being more 'grounded'.  Don't get me wrong, I feel very blessed to have the two homes and their purposes.... 

For the past week we've been packing, selling, taking to GoodWill/Rescue Missions or simply throwing away 20 years worth of accumulation.   THAT is a lot of work!! I am sooooooooooooo glad that is done!! Now, we just have to put it away but that is by far easier than figuring out what to do with it in the first place!  Thankfully the weather cooperated and has been absolutely beautiful in Merced during all of this. :)

GREAT NEWS!!! We were able to donate the pool table!!!  I know, so sad it could not come with us!! But, we were able to donate it to Gateway Church in Merced! They have a large young adult program that HAD a pool table and it was in need of repair.  It was all 'perfect timing' that ours became available! God is good!!

Right now, the goal is to put the house on the rental market for July 1 availability.  We are feeling pretty confident that the rental agent will be able to meet that goal - even when there are 850 other rental  homes available in Merced! We'll see.

Thankfully, Dick and I have been able to work together, one working just as hard as the other. Many times, ONE person is doing MORE and that can get so frustrating.  It is very nice to be able to work side by side.  We've learned a lot about each other during this process.  It has been interesting! We are glad we now have only one house to call OUR home.  

Well, better get to unpacking a few boxes  - I am afraid if I stop for long I may not be able to start up again! 

No Leash?

I am sooooooooooo happy and proud of Gabby!! 

We brought her out during the Garage Sale with her leash attached.  After cruising around with her, I got brave enough to drop the handle and let her hang out. She was FINE! She just stuck around!! Eventually, we unhooked the leash and she was still FINE! WOW! My goal has been to take her down to the beach and other open areas to run and play catch but had a fear of taking her off leash. 

A major worry is that she will start running and not listen to the 'Gabby Come' command. We've been playing the 'Hide and Seek' game in the house by hiding and calling 'Gabby Come', she finds us and we give a treat. She has been enjoying that game! 

This was the second part of attempting while in our yard and was successful!!

We'll continue to work with her in hopes to someday be able to let her enjoy some freedom with all of the other dogs on the beach and Crissy Field.

Here she is after working so hard at the sale today!

A FIRST!

Well, we've decided to rent Merced house in hopes to have it ready July 1. Dick has lived in it for the past 20 years and even though he lives with less than the average person, there is still so much STUFF! And, as you know, he's had a second home in the Bay Area for the past 8 years so he bought some duplicate items for that home.  It is not like we can pack everything up in Merced house and take it with us cuz more than likely the item is already in SF!! 

We have a thing about doing 'firsts' together. You know, first time to run in a race together, first time to go to the top of the B of A building, first time to Seattle, Hawaii, Disneyland.....you get the picture. Well, Dick has never experienced the thrill and excitement of hosting a GARAGE SALE!! 

Today was THAT day!! We had an add in the newspaper and on Craigs List.  We put most of the items in the garage when we were in Merced on Monday and Tuesday, left for SF on Wednesday, arrived back in Merced at 9:15 on Friday night and finished setting it all up until midnight.

I read online 'How To Have A Successful Garage Sale' and learned a few tips. I felt we organized it very well, priced the times to SELL, played the radio for some 'shopping' music, and offered bottled water for 50 cents! I should have taken a picture, it looked GREAT! The furniture was in two rows in the middle and we had two tables on the right, two tables on the left and one extra long table in the back.

We were ready 30 minutes before the scheduled time - opened the doors and the people CAME!! My mom and Frank came over to assist - THANKS AGAIN!!!! Frank even picked up lunch for us!! :)

I'd say the majority of the people left with something in their hands and hardly anyone haggled over the price! One person made my day, she commented, "This is the most organized garage sale I've ever been to!!" YES!! Goal achieved!!!  In asking how they heard about the sale, EVERYONE I asked said, "The newspaper." Interesting. For Merced Garage Salers, the good ole newspaper is the chosen route.

The Women's Rescue Mission will come over tomorrow and take the rest of the furniture and the other misc items have been delivered to Goodwill.

Glad that is done.  Our wallet is happy - $460 later!!! I think our 'winnings' will go toward our summer vacations! 

When asking Dick, "So, in a few words, how would you describe your FIRST garage sale?" He replied, "Hard work." LOL!