Extended Weekend Update

On Saturday, January 30th we attended the ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) festival at Fort Mason. Our wine friend, Gary, was able to get us tickets from our yummy Zinfandel producing Biale Winery to attend during the special, more private tastings starting at 10 a.m. The general public was able to enter at 1 p.m. We were able to taste a bunch of Zin, that is for sure! Of course our good friends David and Vasi were with us, tasting and learning as we cruised the TWO warehouses FULL of Zin Wineries - I think they say about 250 different wineries. We were able to hit about 35 of them from 10 a.m - 5 p.m. They had wonderful cheese, breads, crackers and fruit to offer, along with lots of SmartWater - thankfully!! Our winner? Well, besides Biale of course......we enjoyed Gamba, D-cubed, Seghesio, and Brown if I could just name a few.....

Here is our infamous wineguy, Gary (on the left)

and the winemaker from Seghesio.

Brothers from different mothers!

Hey, it was a 'Hawaiian' theme'

After 7 hours of wine tasting, (no, that is not a typo) and enjoying a GREAT dinner in our 'hood' we were up and out of SF by 9:30 the next morning! WHEW! We were able to give my mom and Frank a hug goodbye in Merced before they left for AZ for the next 2 months and were in Visalia by 2:30 that afternoon!

First stop when in Visalia? Poopa, of course!!! We were happy the Rehab center allowed us to bring Gabby. Poopa loves animals and loves Gabby very much so it was really nice to bring her along! I think she liked it too!

He looks GREAT and was anticipating going home on Friday!! We heard today that he fell asleep in his wheelchair this afternoon and slipped out of it!! So, now they want him to stay at the Rehab facility until Tuesday! He is disappointed in this because he was really counting the days to go home since it has been exactly 1 month today that he has been in the hospital. He is able to walk using the walker and was feeling really good when we saw him! We are so thankful! On our last visit with him on Tuesday he was in the Exercise Room and we were able to watch him do his routine. During the 'Arm Raises' he started swinging his arms above his head, saying, "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!" We all had a good laugh and enjoyed seeing 'the OLD Poops" on a roll! hahahhaa!!!

Jane, Dick's mom, put together a small birthday dinner with some friends for Dick. He is a very fortunate man to have such loving, caring, God-loving friends for soooo many years! I am always amazed and count these blessings as TRUE gifts. Many thanks to Jane for implementing such a special evening!

We left Visalia and went to our scheduled Dentist appointments in Merced. No visit to Merced is complete though without spending time with our grandbaby - Kaelyn. What a way to 'forget' about any pain and numbing a Dentist can give! hahaha!! Spend an afternoon playing with her and one is easily able to FORGET all concerns! She is 17 months old now and full of energy! We played with toys, covered babies with blankets, rode the rocking horse, hugged and she even gave lots of kisses to me!! She fell asleep in my arms - a BIG favorite of mine! Her Daddy came home from work, played with her and she gave him BIG SMILES!! They are a very happy family and my heart SOARS!

Riding the horse!

With water cup in hand!!

Playing with Daddy!

Look at that smile!!

Safely arriving a little late last night, but all worth it. So thankful we were able to see for ourselves that Poopa is healing and in good spirits! Thankful for family and friends and the TIME to go on such a trip!