Gabby is 2 years old!!

Yup, on April 17th!! My how they grow up so quickly! We actually accidentally 'forgot'! We looked down while enjoying our cup of coffee in the morning and Dick made the comment, "Gabby looks kind of sad!" That is when we remembered!!! She looked sad cuz here it was, already 10 a.m. and no one even wished her a Happy Birthday!!! hahaha...so, sang 'the song', later that day gave her a special dinner and then she was happy!! The photo above was after her party when she was happy!! :)

"Do you have the SWINE FLU?"

LOL!!!!

My sister Debbie - the 'first born' that lives in Texas - called last night and asked this question....I answered, "No, I do not have Swine Flu."  She then explained, "Why haven't you blogged in the past 12 days?" hahahahaha LOL....

My only answer was, "Well, I have a husband that is retired and we've been BUSY enjoying the days and I am not sitting still for very long!"  Blogging takes TIME and we like to keep movin'!! 

Yes, Dick does go into Malibu for a few hours when we are in Merced still but each week it is a little less.  He cares and loves that place so much! Thankfully, everyone is very supportive and enjoys it when he is there.

The BIGGEST news with us is that I am going to be joining his more carefree jobless lifestyle.  I've been working 2 days a week and the Montessori PreSchool with Vasi since June and have been enjoying it very much.  I especially LOVE to give and get hugs and laughs from the children!  Well, during Easter Break (when Taylor was with his mom) the two of us had a pretty nice routine in Merced.  Each morning started of kind slow, enjoying a cup of coffee, a run, house stuff, movie watching, etc.... and decided that THIS was pretty SWEEEEEEET!  Dick and I talked about it and decided life was toooooo short and we need to do enjoy these days - EVERY DAY!  We talked it over with David and Vasi and came to the decision that May 1st will be my last day at the school - which is TOMORROW!!! 

What will we do now? Well, Taylor keeps Dick hoping every Wed - Fri - and through Sundays on our weekends! So, really that leaves Mon and Tues that are free days.  Right now, the goal is to transition to SF FULL-TIME!  Then, we will be able to commit ourselves in some different avenues that are appealing to us.  We'd like to explore the opportunity of perhaps being 'Wine Pourers' or assisting at Wine Events at wineries in Napa.  Perhaps Dick will explore working a few hours at a golf shop!  I am interested in finding a similar type of 'Rescue Mission' as in Merced where I would volunteer my time as their 'Fitness Leader' or another capacity that I have yet to discover.  I have not been able to teach clarinet or saxophone due to our schedule so perhaps I could start that back up.

Whatever we choose, there is not a day that passes where we do not THANK GOD for having this opportunity TO CHOOSE!! We feel so blessed to have each other!  Our love continues to grow as we learn more about each other.  Each 23rd of the month we still CELEBRATE our anniversary - 28 now!! ;)   We are so thankful that our loving children continue to bless us, along with our family and friends!

Taylor's Baseball Season Update

This photo taken after a WIN!!! 

Saturday, April 25th

This is Taylor's 4th season - 2 with T-Ball and 2 playing for his school team.  Well, last year for the school, the LOST every single game.  It was terrible.

This year, they are 3-4!! IMPROVEMENT!!! It is still a 'coach pitch' team with your one and only Dick Nash as the one and only PITCHER!  He does a GREAT job, if only the kids would do their part!! :-/

Dick is out with the coach every Wednesday from 2-3:30 at practice and pitches every Saturday game.  He really adds a lot to the team and the head coach is always thanking him for his support. Thankfully,  the fields offered to the 4th grade in the city are much nicer than what is offered to the 3rd graders.  They are BEAUTIFUL and located in the most picturesque locations!!  Holly Field is my favorite park because it has a bike path all the way around the park and Gabby LOVES to walk it! There are more dogs than people most Saturday mornings!! She can meet, greet, sniff soooooooo many friends!!

See the CITY? I often wonder if these kids really know how lucky they are!!

Holly Field

On this particular Saturday......we actually lost - 20 - 0!!!! OUCH!! It was horrible!! We've decided our team is not a morning team.  The games WON were all AFTER school!! But, we are all still learning and try to keep it all in perspective.  It is still NOT a good day after a game like that!! 

The kids are still 'rotating' their positions but Taylor's favorite position is 3rd base and I have to say, he does very well when in that position! He is also swinging the bat with more confidence and strength!  We have about 3 more games - hope we can win a few more cuz it is a lot more fun when we win!! ;)

Off to Napa

Friday, April 24, 2009

About a year ago while wine tasting in Napa, we joined our first and only 'Wine Club'.  The main purpose was, well, two reasons.... 1.  We really like their wine - Thank you Steve Strong for introducing us to it - and 2.  We thought it would MAKE us get to Napa - a 1 1/2 hour drive from SF - every 4 months.  So, Provenance called and said, "Come pick up your NOVEMBER and MARCH shipment of wine!!" See, we have not been making ourselves STOP and go over!! I have a feeling we'll work on that!

Well, Vasi and I needed a day out of the office so off to Napa we go after making sure everything was under control at the school.  We had a great drive over.  She doesn't usually take a day off from work with a girlfriend to play!  The hills are so beautiful and green right now! We pick up our wine and had to SADLY decline the offer of 'free wine tasting' for wine club members!! Since we did not have a Designated Driver, we thought that was the safest route....

Vasi never explored Yountville so we drove through the town, looking for a place for lunch. We stumbled upon CHANDON!! We enjoy their champagne aka Sparkling Wine. The grounds are beautiful! This photo (the only one I took all day - DOH!) is pretty cool. This form of  art - Rock Balancing' is popular around here - we see it often along the beach - these are stones that someone BALANCED! 

So we tried to have lunch at Chandon - but was waaaaaay to 'foo foo'.  We wanted a LUNCH not some hoity toity appetizers.  We left and drove back to the Napa Bar and Grille on the corner. We enjoyed a wonderful, leisurely lunch with a glass of wine.  After a few hours of laughing, joking around and thoroughly enjoying each other's company, we decided we better get back to our hubbys.

Upon my arrival home, I was greeted, along with with my "SBH4L", Brad Reed and David Nash!!  Another big BONUS of living in SF are the VISITORS!! We love it! David was going to stay with us for 4 nights while he was officiating at the PAC 10 Women's Golf Tournament - held at Stanford.  Brad was just up for the day, taking his choir on a field trip to Fisherman's Wharf for the day.  Dick had a plate of hors devoures and wine spread out - he is always the host with the most!! Later, we walked around the block to the Dragon Well - our newest restaurant and enjoyed some yummy Chinese food!!  Unfortunately, the choir members started calling their teacher, saying the bus arrived to take them back to Merced so Brad had to depart the party.  But,  Ahhhh, great way to start a weekend!! 

Enjoying some down time!

Since we do not drive to SF this week, (Taylor is with his mom this year for the break) we are enjoying some down time in Merced during this Easter break. 

What we've been up to:

1.  Dick still goes into Malibu for an hour or two to check on a few things - it is a challenge to break a 20 year habit!! But, the alarm is not set!! :)  So, we have a leisurely morning, enjoy a cup of coffee, get caught up on the news, go for our run - which is so much nicer than waiting until the afternoon! We've really enjoyed starting our days in a slow way! 

2.  On Wednesday we saw the Modesto Nuts single A baseball team play a day game in Modesto and enjoyed the afternoon at the ballpark! Ate a corn dog and some popcorn! Afterwards we spent a gift card at Kohl's and Marshalls! Slowly we are getting rid of these cards!! The biggest and most difficult one is Brooks Brothers!! Dick can never find anything and he doesn't want to 'spend' that HIGH price - even though it is a gift card! GGGrrrrrr..... 

3.  We went to Merced High and enjoyed an evening of BINGO! We were the youngest ones but had a GREAT time!.  

4.  We finished watching a movie in the middle of the afternoon - Quantum of Solace.  It was ok. We did not see Casino Royale and we heard we should have, Q of S would have made more sense.  We liked the new James Bond guy though!

5.  We gave blood at BloodSource one day.  Our blood pressures were 100/66 - Dick and 100/56 for ME! We were pretty pleased with that.  Must be all of this STRESS FREE livin'!!  The past two times we've tried to give blood, my blood was lacking iron - Dick never gets turned away.  I started taking a slow release iron supplement along with my daily vitamin and that BARELY did the trick! The lowest it can be is a 38 and that was my number after 'spinning it'.  I have not been consistent with the iron but I will make sure I take it daily now.

6.  I met up with my best friend from high school - Melanie - through finding each other on Facebook! We walked around Bear Creek and enjoyed the time together! It was really fun reconnecting and we will stay this way - hopefully getting our families together - she lives on a ranch outside of Madera.   

7.  We made our summer plans with Taylor! THAT took awhile to figure out all of the details. Taylor wanted to see SoCal one more time before venturing out Disney World! So, we'll do Disneyland in June and San Diego in August.  We went to Sea World and the Zoo last year and he really enjoyed it - we did too!  We'll add the Wild Animal Park this year to the list - that should be fun!

8.  Tomorrow is the Annual Malibu Golf Tournament with proceeds going to Relay for Life. Dick's parents gave him a Hybrid 3 iron for Christmas.  He used it for the first time on Good Friday and liked it.  We'll see how it goes tomorrow.  Our good friend Gary was going to bring the wine and I was going to 'caddy' for him - yes, at 9 a.m. we drink wine!! LOL! But he is unable to make it this year.  :(   Oh well, hopefully next year!  I really enjoy watching Dick play so that will be fun.

Another bit of news for today is that it is Gabby's 2nd Birthday!!! They grow up so fast! LOL!

Oh yea, APRIL FOOLS!!! Number 3 is not true!!!! hahaha GOTCHA???! LOL

Easter!

We hope you and yours had a blessed Easter! We had Taylor last Easter Break so we do not this year... :(

But we were able to pick him up on 'Maundy Thursday', drive to Visalia from SF, decorate Easter eggs with his grandmother, play golf on Friday with his Dad and a few friends, and have dinner with his cousin from San Diego along with Aunt and Uncle before driving back to Merced.

Amy drove up from HB so we enjoyed dinner - at LaNita's of course on Saturday - along with my sister Brenda and her two girls - from SoCal - and my mom! We met up with Gary and Antonio later at our house, ate ice cream sandwiches and enjoyed being together!

On Easter Sunday, Amy, Taylor, Dick and I went to church and enjoyed the hymns of PRAISE! What a wonderful day to celebrate our risen Lord - my favorite holiday of the YEAR!!! Pastor Henry always has a great sermon. The music is getting better too so that makes me SMILE!

When we came home, Taylor took this pic of Gabby and Pnut! Priceless! Hahahah

Afterwards, the work began! Andrew, Erika, Kaelyn and my parents came over for a homemade Easter brunch! I am not in the habit of doing so much WORK!!! But, everyone seemed to enjoy it so it is always worth it in the end.

Taylor had to be returned by 4 p.m. so Dick drove up to Novato for the drop off, then turned around and drove the 2.5 hours back to Merced. THAT is a lot of WORK!!! ;) While he was on the road, I was with Amy playing with Andrew's horse Molly! We enjoyed watching him train her and the other horses that Erika's father owns.

Since I was so busy, I was not able to take many pics.... Here are just a few:

Andrew running 'Blackie'

I think this is Amy's first time EVER touching a horse!

Our little cowgirl! She loves to sit with her Gma and watch the horses!

SF Garden

This is the Easter Lily that I plopped in the ground last year after it died. It is coming back!! Can't wait to show you the bloom!

The view from the living room balcony. On the ledge are a bean that will hang down, Italian Oregeno and Edamame! I thought, why not? Let's see what'll happen! Everything grows in SF - lets' try it! Notice the purple? Gotta love it!

Four different tomatoe plants, jalapeno peppers and cilantro.

In another corner I planted green onions by seed - sorry no pic - but my hope is to make some SALSA with all of these veges!! Hey, YOU bring the CHIPS and I'll have the Salsa!!! YES? ;)

Our crazy Gabby

We were out at a friends 50th birthday party BBQ and upon our return, our PILOW QUEEN was sittin' pretty comfortably!

She did not flinch when we walked in. When we left, the pillows were neatly on the couch! Crazy Gabby! What a life!

Gardening

I planted a vegetable garden in SF! Hopefully it will be successful! I planted tomatoes, jalepenos, cilantro, onions AKA Salsa garden - along with a few other veges.  When I plant flowers in the area that I chose, they grow like WEEDS so I am hopeful the veges will get enough sun and give us a little something!  I was unable to take a picture but will make sure I do when we return and I'll post. 

But, I was excited to see the Clivia that Dick's mother gave us from HER garden in Visalia last Spring and it is in bloom now for the first time in its new home!! It is beautiful and I had to share!

These grow WILD in SF! We see them all over the place and are so happy to have one in the garden.  I am sure, when we return it'll be in FULL bloom.  I'll probably update that too. The color is so vibrant! I love them.

My son, the horse man!

No, we were not around horses "growing up", but Andrew has taken a liking and it is quite enjoyable to watch! Erika's father is a 'horse man' and has the property and horse stalls. Andrew's father knew someone needing to get rid of his 13 year old Arabian horse and thought Andrew would like it.  Since Erika's family already has the property and 'home' Andrew took it and has been LOVING Molly Parton for the past month.  He has groomed her, put horse shoes on her - she hadn't had any for a very long time, fed her, and has been working with her to establish their relationship.  

The LAST thing I thought Andrew needed was a HORSE!! He has enough in his life to keep him busy.... But, I have to say, when I see him around this horse, his confidence, his whole self is enjoying it so much!  Erika's father - Lalo is teaching him everything about it.  Lalo's horses are AMAZING!! They DANCE!! They are so well behaved! They let the horses out of their stalls and they walk around the yard like very large DOGS!! NO KIDDING!! It was really weird!! It also gets the whole family out in the fresh air and really good times for everyone!

Well, yesterday was the BIG DAY!! Andrew was going to ride her for the first time! Thankfully, we were in town and I was able to be there! Andrew worked with her by guiding her with the rope, getting her used to him, working out, listening to his commands.

Then, time to actually GET ON!! Lovin' it!

It is quite fun! Molly is a fine horse!!

At first, Molly did not like the shoes on her feet, and she had an infection.  She would only walk on the grass.  After checking her foot, they decided it was healed enough to work her out in the corral!  She did GREAT!!  They continued to work her out - it was so fun to watch!!

To view more pics, go the Web Albums link on the right and click on Andrew Ridin'.

What's goin' on!

I know! I have not blogged in awhile! Gee, Dick retires and all of the sudden, we loose track of the days!! LOL! Actually, that is true! 

This past week was our first week of staying up in SF after taking Taylor back to Novato.  No packing up the car, and Gabby, no bleaching the toilets, no emptying the frig - FREE TIME!! So, on the way home we took a side trip to Mill Valley.  The downtown area - which is very cute - was closing up but we managed a peek into a few stores, and enjoyed a cup of coffee at the open area cafe - watching the dogs and children play.  We had a very nice dinner at the Buckeye Roadhouse right next to the Highway on our way out of town.  We think it is the "VP" of the area!  It sure was nice not to drive anywhere! We think we are going to like it a lot!! 

Since I work at the PreSchool only on Thursday and Friday, that gives some FREE TIME! We've watched a few movies, planted a vegetable and herb garden, enjoyed our daily runs together, getting together with friends, walked Gabby all over, and thanked God every day for allowing us to enjoy each day.  On our run the other day, I thought..... if Dick was not married, he would be doing all of this on his own, and I would be so sad for him. I thanked him for giving me the honor to assist him in his retirement!!  It is a tough job but someone has to do it eh? 

Here is Gabby enjoying one of her walks. 

Dick was a chaperone with Taylor's class on a Crissy Field outing.  The children took the city bus from school, down to the Marina, took a class by the naturalists about the wildlife of the wetlands, had lunch then made the walk back to school.  The weather has been absolutely beautiful and everyone enjoyed the day.

While they were on their fieldtrip, I was walking Gabby and we saw this dogwalker.  We see him often.  Today he had NINE!! Impressive eh?

Taylor is in baseball for his school team so he has practice on Wednesdays and games on Saturdays.  In fourth grade, it is still a 'coach pitch' game so Dick volunteered as pitcher.  He does a GREAT job, if only the kids would! DOH!! No, they try but still struggle at this age. 

Well, it is after 5:00 now, hubby just gave me a margarita and now we'll walk and pick up our Chicken with Black Bean Burrito to share for dinner.  Can't wait for that vegetable garden to grow so I can make some SALSA!

Cheers!!