The Things We Do

Now that Taylor's school year started we've been feeling more as if we are truly retired!  Many people ask,  "So, how is retirement?"  So, I thought I'd take a minute and just reflect on this and blog......

So, I'd have to say,  this retirement business is pretty relaxing, FUN and very enjoyable!  I am beginning to lineup some volunteer jobs that will fulfil some goals/ambitions and keep me occupied.  We also reeeeeeeally appreciate our full 8 - 10 hours of sleep most nights. When we worked, we'd get up at 5:00 a.m. and was ALWAYS sooo tired and complained about getting up so early.  It is amazing what a well rested body can do!! 

When Dick uses three examples to describe retirement he says 1) that he is happy 2) he feels like there is still something that he needs to accomplish but doesn't exactly know what that is - yet. He likes being more available for Taylor but realizes that will change in just 7 years when Taylor goes to college so he thinks about what it is that he can/should do to 'leave his mark'.... and 3) it is relaxing.

For the past few weeks, we've kept busy doing all sorts of things, besides running the B & B that is (which can be a full time job!)   hahaha   Of course, first and foremost, we begin each and everyday by thanking God for EVERYTHING!  We truly feel very blessed and are thankful beyond words for the life we are able to live.

So, some of the things that we've been up to....

We may have found our church! When we have Taylor we take him to his Catholic Church but needed to find our own.  We attended Calvary Presbyterian Church this past Sunday for the first time. The pastor was on a trip but the guest pastor did a good job.  We'll be able to attend again in a few weeks when the official Pastor is back, but, so far so good!!

I renewed my California Driver's License with CURRENT info, so I am an official resident of San Francisco, and eligible to vote locally!

Dick bought a San Francisco residence card - to play golf at a discounted rate at the public courses - which he plans on doing a little more often now.

We take Gabby to weekly Animal Assisted Therapy training classes and are practicing each day. She should graduate in October, then we'll be scheduled at least once a month so she can do her job!

We enjoy walking from our house to Fisherman's Wharf, check out the street vendors goods, tourist watch, catch a bite to eat, and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of this hustle and bustle part of town.

We pop into Art Galleries - trying to locate that special painting to hang above the fireplace and to give our hearts a taste of the beauty that only art can give.

We took Taylor back home on a Sunday and then drove over to Napa, picked up some wine, did some wine tasting, had dinner at our favorite restaurant, then tootled home.....on a SUNDAY!!! Instead of having to drive to Merced!! It was nice and we felt really special!!  Almost like we were doing something really bad!! hahaha

We are fans of Netflix, American Movie Classics and Turner Classic Movie Channels and watch a movie almost every day! 

We've been members of the YMCA at Part Presidio for awhile and have started going to the gym to workout each Friday morning - I still use the indoor pool 3-4 times a week - but Dick has NEVER worked out at a gym! We use a lot of muscles in our legs while running each day (we usually run about 4.5 miles each morning) so we've been working with the 'arm'  and 'stomach' machines. 

We take Taylor to his Monday after school Soccer practice - so that means we get to see him 4 out of 5 days! 

We got Library Cards and discovered the SF Public Library is AMAZING!! They have a HUGE Audio Visual Center where you can check out everything from music cd's to old tv shows, movies, concerts - unreal!! Having the time to read a good book has been very enjoyable.

We are looking forward to the first week in October when the President's Cup is being played at Harding Park.  Dick's brother, David, has tickets and invited friends up for the week long event.  I've never been to a pro golf event so this should be interesting! 

We went to the bank the other day and the WINNING trophy for the Presidents Cup was in the lobby of the bank!!  They asked if Dick wanted his picture taken! Giddy-Up!!

Also during this same week, four girlfriends from Merced are coming up, spending the night and riding bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge the following day!  Yes, we did it last year and had so much fun, we thought we'd do it again!! But, THIS year, we planned it during the Blue Angels PRACTICE day!! 

We also make time for weekend trips to our favorite destinations as Cayucos, Morro Bay, Merced and Visalia.

So, yes, retirement is good!  We highly recommend it!! ;)

Another celebration?

Yup, cuz you just cannot have toooo many birthday parties!!! hahahaha....Actually, because we had our Labor Day Weekend planned, we were unable to attend Kaelyn's Family Bday party that Andrew and Erika would host for that weekend. So.....we had our own birthday party for her in Merced the weekend BEFORE!  Amy drove up from HB and it was even a Taylor weekend! We stayed at my Mom and Franks house. Hung the decorations, made Kaelyn a birthday cake and had a fun time! Soooo thankful we were all able to get together.

Taylor took some GREAT photos that I thought I'd share.

This is Kaelyn saying she was bored with the dinner, where's the CAKE!!?

Ok, this is what I'm talking about!

Happy Birthday Kaelyn! We love you sooooo much!!

Hmmm, I think I like this!

Opening presents!!

Enjoying her special day!

This is the photo album book that Taylor made of Kaelyn's first year! 

I think she liked it!

Thought this one was just a pretty one of MY little girl!! ;)

Uncle Taylor LOVES this little one!! I think she is starting to think he is OK too!

Just waking up and sooooo cute!!

I think here she is saying, "Yea, being one ain't gonna be that bad!!" hahaha

37th Annual Labor Day Weekend

Yup, these guys have been getting together for 37 STRAIGHT years!! This year it was in Wilsonia, which is a community in the Kings Canyon National Park.  Drew's family purchased the cabin in 1955 and allowed us to return to the place it all began!! (We've been alternating the years between Cayucos - the Carlstrom beach house - and Wilsonia.)

Of course the traditional Mai Tai's were served! Think we have enough?

Rev. Dr. Feelgood working his magic! 

The 2 hour hike was beautiful through the trees.

The weather is always PERFECT! 

This was an interesting OLD branch. Well, Lori Reed thought it

was interesting!! hahaha.... just kidding Lori, it IS cool!! ;)

Our cabin is DOWN below among those trees! 

The hike up was a challenge

 but it was all worth it for this view!!! 

We had 18 people show up throughout the weekend. Some stayed for the duration, some for a day.  Each night we had campfire with the best voices singing the best campfire songs, telling funny jokes, and reminiscing of the past. 

Another hike was to the BIG Sequoia trees! Always amazing!!

FOOD is always delicious and in abundance!! Vasi and I made Indian meatballs for Friday night that was a big hit! On Saturday, Drew BBQ'd up AMAZING beef tenderloin! It was sooooo good! If only we had a fresh, green salad along side!! Darn, oh well, JANET??? hahhaha

On Sunday Lorna Bair brought up a HOMEMADE Lasagna! We ate like ROYALTY!

Yup, a footloose kind of weekend!

This was my 5th year in attendance and I have to say, these are beautiful people! What a history they all share!  Many trials of life, happy and good, these guys are there for each other - Always.

Needless to say, I leave feeling honored to be included in this special group and also very blessed that I can call them Friends For Life too! :) 

Sherfy's Arrive in SF!!

Brad and Jen Sherfy came up for a Giants game and to hang out a few days with their son Jimmy and two friends.  We walked around the neighborhood....

Another beautiful day. The boys enjoyed it.

Boys will be boys! hahaha

We joke about it.....we REALLY enjoy having awesome friends and family stay with us... we often wonder, is it our LOCATION or do people want to hang with US? It has been an exciting time here in SF so far, living in a Vacation Destination is quite a blessing!! We joke that we are running B & D's B & B most of the time. But, we truly enjoy it all.

Good Times with the Sherfy's - many more to come!! :)

Kaelyn's First Birthday

LOTS of celebrations for this special little girl!!

The parties started on her ACTUAL birthday - Sunday, August 23

Dick and I met with Andrew, Erika and members of Erika's family along with Kaelyn at The Outback Steakhouse in Modesto.  Erika was CRAVING it during her stay in the hospital a year prior by having to watch the commercials and felt the need to celebrate this occasion with a good dinner.

A great time was had!  We could not help but to discuss what we were all going through a year ago and how blessed we all are today. Our wish is that God continues to watch over and guide us all.

Mmmmmm, yummy!!

Afterwards, we went over to Andrew's house and gave Kaelyn her bday gift - a BABY!!! 

Examining the baby's feet!! haahhaa

Song on my heart

Today is Kaelyn's First Birthday and I hope that she will learn to sing this song too!

It is an OLDIE but a GOODIE.....Heard it this morning and found it to say what is on my heart.

IN CHRIST ALONE

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease 

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

 

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied 

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

 

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain 

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Brought with the precious blood of Christ

 

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

'Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

MOOOORE BASEBALL!!!??

Well, I have to post these pics.....

On July 31, Gary and Hillary invited us to enjoy the Biale Winery season ticket seats!!

We enjoyed dinner at our new Mexican restaurant - Tres Agave -  The Margaritas are EXCELLENT and they offer an abundant supply of  tequilla as you can see in the pic!!  It is located at Townsend and 2nd - same block as the parking garage that we use! I cannot believe we never stopped in!! Having dinner before the game was CLUTCH! Waaaaay better!! Yea, the dogs are good and fun at the park, but....

Our view!!! Yes, 'Visitors' Dugout is to the left but 3 rows from First Base? We'll take it!! Sweeeeeeet!!! Good times and always a pleasure to hang with the Swiggetts!!

No zoom here! Sorry, didn't pay much attention to the camera -

 tooooo busy watching for foul balls!!! 

Then.....Gary gave us 4 tickets to the Giants vs Dodgers game - SAME LOCATION!!!! 

So, we invited the BIGGEST Dodger fan we know - David Nash - to use the 4th ticket!! 

At our row!!

Taylor and I like to go to the Giants dugout before the game. 

This game? Pitcher Joe Martinez!! SIGNED!

After getting the ball signed, a young Spanish speaking boy walked up with another English speaking boy and asked Joe to send out Bengie Molina - that this Spanish speaking boy was his cousin Yada! They waited for awhile next to us. Shortly thereafter, here comes Bengie!! He motioned over and these two kids RAN where the pitchers warm up. Taylor told me to follow them, but the security guy was telling us NOT to jump the rail. So, unfortunately, we did not follow until the security guy wasn't looking, then we jumped it.  Benjie talked to these boys for awhile, signed some items - not ours - and the excitement was over.  Yea, we should have followed those boys, they KNEW to go to this area to talk to Bengie. Got a nice pic though!! :)

Happy Dodger!

Had to take a picture of Manny WITHOUT his hat!! 

No, we are not Dodger 'FANS' 

I really wish that we Giant fans would have this much fun when EVERY team comes to town. The chants of, "What's the matter with Manny?" and we would answer, "He's a BUM!" LOL!!! The "BEAT LA" chants were awesome - the kind that you can feel the stadium voice in your chest!! Yea, there were some really bad umpire calls AGAINST the Giants!! It was really bad. We were all yelling at Umpire 29 - mustache boy - because of his bad calls.

Giants lost this Monday night game. But, WOW, what a game! Lots of fun!! 

Animal Assisted Therapy Class

I went to the first information meeting on Monday, August 10. Ten of us were at the meeting. It all sounds very interesting and I am excited to start!! Gabby and I must take a 4 week - 1 hour of training beginning September 17th. They suggest other 'trainers' in the house also attend the training so everyone is on the same page - so Dick will join in this part.

 

The first class will train her on the command - "Leave It" - she must be able to understand this command very well in case medications were to drop on the floor or what have you. 

The second class will focus on touching/manhandling - that is of Gabby, not me - LOL! Anyway, she needs to be somewhat comfortable with touching her feet, hind, tail and face. 

The third class will introduce hospital equipment. Sometimes animals are fearful of wheelchairs and especially crutches. 

The last class we must pass all of the tests and we go into the field. 

I will make a once a month commitment for 6 months and then evaluate, see if Gabby enjoys it and if all is well.  Every month will more than likely be a different location i.e., hospital, retirement homes, shut-ins, and AIDS facilities.  The program serves 250 - 275 visits PER MONTH! They have over 100 companies participating in SF that request the service. 

Some volunteers go more than once a month, depending.  The program is 20 years old and they have it down like a SCIENCE!! They also offer other programs to 'merge' into after you've been established - if needed.

They described the 'perfect dog' for this situation is a dog that pulls at the leash when the trainer is approaching because the dog is THAT eager to meet someone new. PERFECT!! That is GABBY!!! 

Part II - Taylor's Summer Vacation

LOTS of BASEBALL this season - it's a good thing!

Aug. 1 - Started the second half of Taylor's summer. We kicked it off by going to a Giants Baseball game with lots of GREAT friends and family! But, before the game, we took a walk with the Singer Family!  Paul was surprised with the size of our garage and asked if we ever see anyone towing a boat through the neighborhood....um, that would be a NO..... We laughed about that, can you imagine? In these streets? But, on our walk, we turn the first corner, and lo and behold!!!! Someone backing in their boat - and a MALIBU nonetheless!!! We could not believe our eyes!! We chatted with the owners, laughed about our story and gave them a few pointers on how to get that boat in the garage! Paul, did you ever send him a Malibu t-shirt?

The 25 of us had our usual seats - yup, the birds-eye-view.....but good times were had and Giants beat Phillies! Thanks to all for coming up!! (I have to show you the view cuz it gets BETTER!)

On Monday, August 3 we hopped on a plane headed for beautiful, sunny San Diego!! Yup, home of the PADRES! Yes, and that was the first stop too!! First, we checked out Piper Nash's place - she is living down there while going through Nursing School - then twisted her arm to join us for Padres vs. Braves game. GREAT seats, pretty quiet fans - kind of strange, yummy ice cream cones and a PADRES WIN!!

Told you the seats got better!

I like how they kept the old Supply building and used as part of the park!! 

Tuesday was the BUSIEST day of them all with the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Mission AND SeaWorld!! All were a good time with LOTS of walking! One of the many highlights thus far was riding the Journey to Atlantis in SeaWorld with Taylor - Dick is not a fan of roller coaster rides. It has a pretty steep/angle drop - a water log type ride! Pretty fun!! I think I was screaming louder than Taylor!!

The other highlight of that day was a somber one. We went to the Mission because Taylor just finished 4th grade and spent a lot of time studying them last year. Also, it being the FIRST of the missions was pretty cool! Well, while sitting in the church admiring all of the work and feeling the presence of years past, in walks a young teenaged boy, with his arm around another teenaged boy. The second boy appeared to be mentally challenged along with being physically challenged. I believe that God puts us in places with people at certain times for a reason. The friend/brother helping the other was showing so much love and affection to the inured boy, it was touching. The healthy boy lowered the kneelers, he bowed his head and prayed for awhile. I sat wondering what he could be praying for and thought that his prayers were needing to be met waaaaay more than mine. After praying, he rubbed his friends head lovingly and kissed it. It really touched my heart and I had to sit, pray and think for awhile......

Wednesday was BEACH DAY!!! YEAH!!!! Yes, since moving to SF fulltime, I have been complaining a little about the LACK of sun in July!! I LOVE the sun and miss it sooooo much. There were days in July when we would drive 10 miles north, just so I could sit in the sunshine. My daughter, Amy drove down from Huntington Beach and we all enjoyed the afternoon catching up and boogie boarding!! We caught some AMAZING waves!!! Dick even played in the water - showing us his boogie boarding skills!! Taylor and I love the beach and go boogie boarding every chance we get but we have to rent the wetsuits in our northern california beaches. Down in SoCal, the water is warm and it was spectacular!!! We count our blessings daily!!

Thursday we traveled about 40 minutes north of SD to LegoLand. This was going to be a first for all of us! It was pretty cool to see the 'cities' built of Legos - pretty amazing actually.... the rides were pretty weak with very long lines. We walked the entire park - and stayed for about 5 hours!! A really fun place for 5-7 year olds.

I zoomed in to show the detail!!

All made out of LEGOS!!! 

On Friday we met up with Piper for breakfast before our plane departed this beautiful vacation spot for many and HOME for the lucky ones!! ;)