Day 334-July 31, 2013

     "Gwamma," I love to hear.  I met Jen at her work, and Precious spent the day with me.  We headed down to Lake Wildwood to get Kamp Kerksieck parking passes.  We played at the boat launch park, she loved the water too.  She was good about leaving the goose poop alone.  We dropped some chairs at Judy Hoddy's and then headed to the library.  To my surprise, it was preschool story time, AND Izzy Tooinsky was doing a show just after.  Alexa, the wiggle worm, made it through about half of the show.  She's not one to sit and watch.  I was delighted to see some former students there as well.  We stopped at Uncle Scott and Aunt Savannah's on the way home.  They are building a big shed, an extension of their little apartment below the big house that they rent out.  I enjoyed their tasty seedless grapes that are beginning to ripen.  The napping house is always a favorite part of my Alexa time too, she wears me out! 
     About 9 I got a call from Cora.  She was headed to the hospital to get Acorn checked.  She wanted me to be on standby.  Another call at about 11.  We agreed I'd come in the morn.

Day 333-July 30, 2013

     I missed my morning walk with the girls on Banner cuz I got to talking to Eddie on the phone, and lost track of time.  I was determined to get good exercise.  I watched a Tevoed Rachel Ray while I worked on Iron Man.  When I peeked out the upstairs window, a deer was grazing on the grass.  She looked just like Karly.  I so cherish our wildlife.  When I headed out to ride my bike to the post office, the tire was flat.  I'm 55 years old, and I didn't know how to pump it up.  I was about to search on You Tube when I got a call back from Eddie, and he walked me through it.  I worked on laundry and Kamp Kerksieck prep, some bills and such.  I made a lovely pasta dish with the roasted chicken and squash from Mark's garden.  Scott showed up just as we were finishing!  A delightful treat to feed him.  We played a close game of ping pong.  I lost in 20-20 overtime.  Fred was scrubbing the box trailer.  I love ping pong!  

Day 332-July 29, 2013

      Still no Acorn, and Kamp Kerksieck is next week.  In the morning I fed the garden and did chores.  Then I realized I needed an Alexa and Megan fix.  Megan had gone back to Yuba City, but I picked up Alexa at noon after fetching a sweet photo of Gary and his kids.  We took a pic to Gramma Jam and had a nice visit.  Time for the napping house.  I worked on the budget and such.  We walked to neighbors Eric and Stephanie to see their horse and garden.  They were on vacation in Alaska, but we enjoyed wandering in their garden.  We found a tomato that had fallen from the vine.  Alexa ate it like an apple.  She walked home from Bonnie's house, good exercise.  It's good exercise for me pushing her in the stroller too.  She played with Grampa while I finished dinner, a roasted chicken and kale with rice.  I'd made a cake too.  After bath time and teeth brushing, I took her home.

Day 331-July 28, 2013

      Great morning heading down to 49 bridge before parking was crowded.  We swam and climbed up river to the wash tub.  Laurie was excited to share her childhood special spot.  The water flows into a stone hole and spins you around.  My feet went straight up as it twirled me about.  Felt like a first grader!  
     I made us tasty burritos for lunch.  We had nap time, always a treat.  Fred joined me for the John Doe Band at Center of the Arts.  They sounded a lot like X in many of their numbers.  Some good covers and country pieces too.  I wore my old t-shirt with holes from the New Year's Eve concert at the Santa Monica Civic, I think it was 1989???  Maybe earlier.  I smiled the whole show.

Day 330-July 27, 2013

     Well it was a Saturday, we bicycled from Champion Mine to Nevada City Farmer's Market.  It was a nice toodle.  I made us nice sandwiches for lunch.  Fred rode his GS down to Jones Bar with Mark in the eve.  We watched a movie about 4 sisters in the eve, James Woods and Kathleen Turner were the parents.  Made me glad we don't have teenagers.....

Day 329-July 26, 2013

     Fred and I headed over to the ranch to cut firewood.  Mom fixed lunch for us.  It was very hot working in the sun, and we relaxed in the afternoon before going to 'Ol Republic for a nice evening with Laurie.  We had a long walk in the neighborhood after our brew.

Day 328-July 25, 2013

     Thursday.  Still waiting for the babe.  Gary's day to be released too.  My friend, Faye, brought fertile eggs from her sister-in-law's.  Sister Andrew is still broody.  Faye also brought her mother-in-law, Joan, who is a neighbor off of Garden Lane.  We settled in the eggs then sampled my homemade liqueurs.  I gave them a bottle of their favorite, blackberry cordial for Faye and peach brandy for Joan.  Laurie stopped by, too, to express condolences about Karly.  Off to prayer group at Starbucks today, then I picked up fair ride tickets for Kamp Kerksieck.  My stew was having trouble getting the potatoes cooked in the crock pot today.   

Day 327-July 24, 2013

     The Royal Family with the new son third in line for the throne of England look so happy and relaxed and normal.  Baby George was born Monday on Acorn's due date.  We're still awaiting the arrival of our prince (or princess).  I took both morning and afternoon walks to keep up my exercise today.  I washed all of Karly's things, there's a hole in our lives with her gone.  I studied a college accounting textbook I had picked up somewhere.  I am thoroughly stimulated by the new learning and I enjoy completing the exercises and quizzes in the chapters.  I also attended the volunteer training for Center of the Arts.  I was delighted that Acorn waited for this, I'll enjoy serving and being part of the great variety of shows they offer.  Afterward, in the Safeway parking lot, I chatted with Eddie on the phone about the good results in court today with Gary.  Still, a very emotionally draining day.  May God's hand of protection be over Gary and his precious family in this fragile time.

Day 326-July 23, 2013

     Here is the email I sent to Coke.  "Karly just joined Lucy.  I'm sure Karl, Roy, and Rich introduced them to Acorn, soon to arrive.  All the GrandFolk lovingly continue to watch over us all.  And I know  our Heavenly Father watches us and the sparrows each moment.  We are never alone.  It was so clear to me when I was with Karly that she wanted to be alone with God.  Fred and I sat together on the deck as the sun went down.  Love and hugs and tears, bren"  It just seems empty here at home without Karly.  On my walk this morning, it just didn't feel right.  I have that numbness that sadness brings, going through the motions of the day but not being fully present.
     I met the gaggle of hens on Banner Ditch for our Tuesday morning walk, there were about 10 of us.  I didn't tell anyone about Karly.
     I did some housework and made a strawberry rhubarb crisp.  I called Scott to see if he wanted to meet for kayaking and a picnic.  He said Savannah had a ribbon cutting ceremony for her business.  I fetched Mom and Pop, and we all went there.  Pop treated us to Kanes for dinner.  It was nice to be together.

Day 325-July 22, 2013

       The vet was called first thing.  Fred took Karly in at 10:45. This was the first morning she didn't walk with me, she was laying in the hypericum.  Meanwhile, I thinned my squash, cucumber, and pea plants. I picked blackberries and made more blackberry-sage syrup.      He picked her up.  The x-ray showed fluid all around a lung.  Possibly a tumor or an aspirated fox tail.  She was given antibiotics and something to help reduce the fluid retention.  She drank lots of water.  She perked up for a bit, I think glad to be home.  But then her breathing became labored.  She kept moving herself farther from us, first she was inside by the swamp cooler, next out on the grass, finally out by the garage.  I went to be with her in each spot. As time went on, I clued in, it seemed she wanted to be alone with God.  She knew we love her, but I needed to let go for her.  I continued to check in on her, about 8:30 she was gone.  I covered her with a sheet.  I went to bed.  
     Through the night I worried that she might attract scavengers.  In the morning, I discovered Fred had already buried her after I went to bed.  Sad for both of us.  It's not often that I see Fred cry.  

Day 323 and 324-July 20-21, 2013

     Two glorious days at home.  I didn't even open the garage door until Fred was due to arrive home from his motorcycle trip to Salem, Oregon.  Saturday morning I watered and deadheaded flowers.  I mowed the weeds for exercise and the park-like effect.  Piddling in the garden, finally tackling the sewing room and putting away the stuff I brought home from Hennessy School over a year ago.  I ate the last of the bbq salmon and smashed potato leftovers.  
     Sunday morning I intended to go to church, except I stayed up late and slept in.  I invited Mom and Pop over for quiche and spinach salad with my blackberry-sage syrup and pecans.  Fred called to report they blew on through Yreka, their last hotel reservation, and he would be home in about four hours.  I made deviled eggs for appetizer and knew we could have quiche again for dinner.  I also whipped up some blue cheese dressing using Sue's recipe, garlic makes it great!
     Karly didn't finish her late afternoon meal.  She began declining noticeably.  There is fluid building up under her chin.  Fred got home, she cried, she was so happy to see him.  We had a cozy evening watching our new favorite show, "Ray Donovan," and kept Karly close.

Day 322-July 19, 2013

     Rise and shine, I've been waking before 6 the last two days.  My full time/part time summer job of watering is usually complete before Karly's morning walk.  I got my fingers stained eating blackberries for breakfast.  This morning I especially enjoyed the quiet of home.  Sharon's banana pecan bread made a nice mid-morning snack.
     I read the E Myth book throughout the day, completing it before turning off the light.  I'm taking notes and appreciate the perspective it brings.  It makes me feel compelled to get our house clean and in order, because I think I'm going to get busy once the business starts.
     I picked up Alexa and she took a nice long nap.  I pointed out the "num num" on the tomato plant.  She grazed on kale as I watered my seedlings on this hot summer afternoon.  Sister Andrew is still broody, but she doesn't seem to be bothering the others.  Alexa helped gather eggs and for the very first time, she didn't break one while helping!  We read books together and she played with the bucket of golf practice balls and ping pong balls.  I think she likes their bouncing sound.  It was getting late, so we had our shower together.  I forgot to shave my armpits, but we both giggled and cooled off and got our dirty feet clean.  
     Mom and Pop treated me to Kane's before the Mary Chapin/Marc Cohn concert.  The Vets Hall was crowded and hot, but it was a nice show.  It was a mellow concert with great focus on lyrics, not a dance party at all.  Over by 10 o'clock, just as I predicted.  Nothing lasts past 10 up here in the country.

Day 321-July 18, 2013

     I got up early and got some cleaning chores on the deck done.  Prayer group met at Melissa's at 8:30, she's recovering from foot surgery.  Next I picked up Delaney at Bell Hill and Elise and sister, Vanessa, at Country Preschool.  They came over for a swim party.  Avary and brother Grayson and Sierra with her dad, Brian, joined us.  Dear friend Laurie even came over for awhile too.  I fed the kids lunch, they picked blackberries and swang on the rope swing.  They loved the slide and water.  I was pooped by 3 when I fetched them back to their daycare spots.  After a stop at the feed store, I washed my hair and slipped into my jammies.  I nice relaxing eve with some laundry thrown in.  I went to bed about 9, then woke and read for an hour or so the business book, E Myth, recommended by the CPA last week.

Day 320-July 17, 2013

     Young fellas need their sleep, it was past 9 when they roused.  I made sausage and laplanders, they're are not the eaters like my boys.  Maybe they were just being polite.  I'll eat the leftovers.  It was great to have three baseball uniforms on the clothesline again, they smell good, but I still am not too hot at getting out those grass stains.  It was like a summer day of old, I piddled with chores all day as I heard their chatter playing Wii and swimming in the pool.  Moss was the ping pong champ, I gave him a good game though.    I got them to the ball field at 4:45, then met Sharon, Nancy, and Judy for dinner at Maria's.  The hens cackled for 90 minutes.  Back to the ball field for the rest of the game.  Good competition, but Woodcreek won.  This team has only lost one game in two years.  I stopped at the store and made tuna macaroni salad when I got home.  I got lost watching a movie and it was midnight before I went to bed.

Day 319-July 16, 2013

     This morning was Fred's departure for a motorcycle trip to Salem for a BMW rally with John and Clint Meyer.  We got up early and did morning chores.  I had an 8:00 dental cleaning, so I was off as the Meyers arrived for breakfast.  I got a good report from Pam, my hygienist.  My flossing has made a difference.
     Next I headed up to Banner Ditch Trail.  I was hoping to catch up with my walking group.  They must have gone down the ditch, and I journeyed up.  I was chatting away with Auntie Carol on the phone, and forgot to turn around.  I barely made it to Laurie's in time for our 11:00 meeting for a trip to the river.  I explored just up from 49 bridge with Laurie, a place I'd never been before, "The Bubbles."  We had a nice relaxing time, Erica, Laurie, and I.  I even fell asleep.
     Once home I did some watering chores, then read my novel for awhile.  One of the Andrew sisters is rather broody, egg production is down.  I'll need to research about this, I don't know what's happenin', at first we thought she was sick.  I'm getting lots of exercise walked up to the coop looking to see if the nests are empty!  The other girls made one more nest on the bottom of the coop.  
     I picked up Mom and Pop to watch Jacob's game.  We stopped at the library on the way.  Another victory for Land Park.  I won the prize of three fellas from the team spending the night, along with big brother Joshua.  I popped popcorn and put out a jar of Skittles.  They entertained themselves with Wii baseball before turning in way past my bedtime.

Day 318-July 15, 2013

     Well, hmmm...  Twas a Monday, let me think...  I got distracted on the computer and finally walked Karly just after 9.  I fixed up the automatic sprinklers connected to the house water for the garden while I'm in Santa Rosa with Acorn's arrival.  Due date it next Monday.  After some bank paper gathering, I stopped by Wells Fargo, then met with Denise, Agate's bookkeeper for over 29 years, almost there as long as Fred.  We talked about details related to the business to help me get my sea legs under me with this new venture starting Fred's Custom Milling and Lumber.  We will wait for the machinery acquisition to be complete before formalizing anything, but I have lots of footwork to do now.  Big learning curve!!!  I did some laundry and such.  Fred needed to pick up his dirt bike at Adam's so I dropped him there, wired $17K to Eddie in Arkansas to buy a truck, picked up some nice fresh wild salmon and some Red Vines at Safeway, then watched a bit of Jacob's third All-star game.  We heard later that he got a home run AND won the game.  Uncle Fred told me to give him a $20 when I see him at Tuesday's game, but he can't tell the other kids.  Mum's the word!

Day 317-July 14, 2013

     A lovely hike on our Bridgeport loop with Karly.  We walked the trail backward of our usual direction, starting up the dirt road because of the fee parking near the river.  Karly and I took a swim in our refreshing Yuba.  It was hot by the time we got back to the truck about 11:30.  Two and a half miles in two and a half hours, so would that be one mile an hour pace?  Maybe we left home at 9.  
     Christina, Jacob, and friend, Alex, came to swim and relax before Jacob's all-star game.  Fred and I had a nice nap before heading out to watch about half to the game.  The team got spanked, oh well.  Another game tomorrow.
     I made a tasty frittata with lots of vegetables.  I used my blackberry sage syrup as dressing with spinach and pecans.  Oh my, that was good.  I'll definitely make some more of that!  We're hooked on the new Showtime series, Ray Donovan.

Day 316-July 13, 2013

     Fred needed to do some work in the morn on this Saturday.  Laurie and I met at her nephew's house in town.  They were having a garage sale.  I scored a nice wood desk for E'lora and some other stuff.  Then we headed to the farmer's market out at the North Star house.  Delightful.  I even bought myself some sunflowers.
     I made egg salad sandwiches for our lunch when Fred got home, home grown sprouts too, yum.  We worked outside in the afternoon, Fred weeding and I did some planting.  Jacob, one of the Kamp Kerksieck kids, had an all star baseball game in Nevada City.  We enjoyed watching his close game, and they were the victors.  I cooked up some nice veggies for dinner and we watched a movie before bed.

Day 315-July 12, 2013

     Sharon came in the morn to pick blackberries.  We chatted the whole time and caught up on our lives of the last two weeks.  I made a BIG blackberry cobbler to take to Laurie and Mark's for dinner.  Mark made pasta and some HUGE artichokes he'd bought in Gilroy earlier in the week.  No Alexa today, as she was still sick.  I met Fred and we went to Summer Thyme for an overpriced little lunch.  I'd planned to make us a little picnic, but I ran out of time.  I went to the library and then found a bra and shampoo for half price at Top Drawer's going out of business sale.  I took some cans and bottles to the recycle place and found out that's not worth my time!  Our stuff will simply go in our bin for pick up.  K-Mart had a coreopsis and a couple of other things on my list, I tried not to fiddle-fart and get too distracted shopping.  I had business calls to make including adding an umbrella policy for our personal insurance.  Something to take care of before we get this business stuff going.  The days are delightful, I love the pace of retired life.  Each day is full, but I don't feel pressed to be places and certainly don't feel like I'm carrying around such a big load.  We had a delightful eve with Mark and Laurie.

Day 314-July 11, 2013

          I mowed and I felt really really bad when I ran over the Direct TV cable.  Fred was able to repair it, but still I felt bad.  Now I know why he won't teach me how to run the weed whacker, imagine the damage I could do with that!
     At 4 with the kayaks loaded, we met with David Scinto, a CPA recommended by Eric, to discuss starting the business.  He was very encouraging and gave helpful insights.  We'll begin small and simple, and take more steps if we reach a point of having employees some day.  We picked up the DBA form at the county recorders office and looked for a book, E Myth, suggested by David at the library.  A picnic at Lower Scott Flat rounded out the day, a lovely eve for kayaking.  Mom and Pop, Laurie, Mark and Alice, and Jacque and Mike joined us.  

Day 313-July 10, 2013

     Firewood morn, we split one truck load, or I should say I "lever girled" one load.  Fred touched each piece probably four times, I did once as I unloaded from the truck while Fred chain-sawed some of the rounds.  While working on our project, I got a call from Jen that Alexa needed to get picked up from school.  
     Alexa went with me on my errands to the bank and Safeway.  We went to Adam's garage to drop off Fred's KTM for repairs.  Nap time went grand.  Our last adventure was a stop at Center of the Arts to get Mary Chapin Carpenter concert tickets for Mom and Pop and I.  She loved exploring the theater at bit, "Ta daaaaa" has its perfect moment here.  I signed up for the volunteer training so I can see shows and help at the same time.  We're now members too.
     Just after 5, I picked up Jenny and her boys with all of their luggage for their journey to Mongolia.  First stop, San Francisco airport!  Traffic was seamless.  I got home before midnight.

Day 312-July 9, 2013

     A lovely home day.  I spent all morning in the garden.  I planted most of the seeds I had laying around, spread some fish immulsion, picked blackberries at noon.  I tried a new drink syrup that I saw in Sunset magazine yesterday.  I infused some sage with the blackberries.  Using that syrup with club soda makes a zesty refreshing drink.  An afternoon nap after reading my novel for awhile.  Ah,...  Gave Fred a nice hour massage.  I also made him some peanut butter cookies.  

Day 311-July 8, 2013

     Arriving at Roseville Galleria today with my friend, Jenny, and her two year old son, I commented that this was about my fifth visit there ever.  After this day, however, I am quite the mall expert.  I walked around ALL DAY, 11 to 5 o'clock, with Tamir while Jenny shopped.  When we walked in Macy's door, we found one of those cute race car strollers that one can rent.  I got the 50 cent return deposit when we left.  That made a great cart, although rather wide, all day long.  Tamir even fell asleep like I do on the back of the motorcycle as we toodled along.  As we drove there, I told Jenny I would use one half of one eye to shop for a bathing suit top for me.  I would use the other 1 1/2 eyes to watch Tamir at all times.  After trying on a few at Nordstrom, and looking at many other stores, I found a cute one at Victoria Secret.  Now a had that eye half to shop some more.  After talking with Fred on the phone, I was on an extra large, all cotton tank top quest.  Found one at the Gap.  One thing I know about that mall, it is laid out in an oval on two levels with crossing corridors.  It was still confusing to me as we left.  I knew what I had seen, but I didn't know where it was.  Misha and Kyle were tardy meeting us at In and Out, but I got my savory burger and had some to read my Sunset magazine.  Once home, I was glad to relax and do a bit of business paperwork.  I've been having trouble getting to sleep, it may be that afternoon iced coffee.  Do you think???

Day 310-July 7, 2013

     Blackberries again, Fred was making pancakes, so...  I made the rest of the bucket into syrup.  That was after our adventurous motorcycle ride with Erica and John.  We rode to Colfax, across the north fork of the American River to Iowa Hill, around to Sugar Pine Reservoir, through Foresthill, then down to Yankee Jim's on a gravel road to cross back over the river into Colfax.  We found a great little diner next to 80, Dine and Dash.  Great burgers and coleslaw, nice energy in the place.  I read and took a nap when we got home.  Jenn made soup and invited us to dinner.  We had a lovely mealtime together, then took a nice long walk around the block, all five of us.  I brought cobbler to share.  My heart sang.  We stopped at friends, Cyn and Gary, who live nearby so I could drop off a book.  We chatted with them for half an hour, then found ourselves getting home past bedtime.  Two late nights in a row!  

Day 309-July 6, 2013

     Blackberry picking, two buckets, started the day.  While is was still cool, we headed over for more firewood.  We worked until we lost our shade.  I then made cobbler for our dinner guests, Mel and Art.  I must have cleaned house and jumped in the pool, but where does the time go?  Oh yes, Fred gave me a fabulous massage!!!  That's where the time went!  Pasta, salad, and bread make an easy meal.  I set the table, and that always make things feel special.  We enjoyed conversation on the deck after dinner.  Art has worked in the mill longer than Fred, and he'll continue to work with Fred as saw-filer and assistant.  We've camped with them before, and we'll do a Nevada trip in October.  We were up past 11, that's late for us.

Day 308-July 5, 2013

     Fred and I worked together to weed the raspberry patch. Oh, it looks so much better!  I bagged up some star thistle, that's nasty stuff.  Then we headed over to the Ranch to split firewood at neighbor Marilyn's.  Mom made us lunch, and it was nice to visit with Mom and Pop.  I'm trying to do some reading on the internet about business stuff, Fred and I chat about our thoughts and ideas as well.  We have a white board full of possible business names.  After firewood, I cleaned up for town to deliver some papers to Wells Fargo and do some shopping at CVS and Safeway.  The temperature has come down a bit, and that's a big relief.

Day 307-July 4, 2013

     A home day with no people was my desire for this day.  I talked with Mom and Pop on the phone, but that was pretty much it.  I picked blackberries and wild plums.  I cooked down the plums to make jam/sauce.  Fred took a motorbike ride up to Grouse Ridge lookout, his knee is feeling better after a cortisone shot.  I put my feet up and read my novel, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats.  I cleaned the bathroom drawers and cupboards.  I cooled off in the pool, I relaxed and savored the quiet.  We had bbq chicken and I watched the Lake Wildwood fireworks through the trees.

Day 306-July 3, 2013

     Blackberry picking is the first order of business.  They are plump and juicy, wonderful bounty this year.  I mowed next, worked up a nice sweat.  The weeds look like a park now.  Fred and I had some nice time together before meeting Eric, owner of Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, for lunch at Diegos.  He is a successful businessman and motorcycle riding buddy of Fred's.  He gave attentive advise and answered questions about the proposition of starting our own business with the mill.  He also was very encouraging.  After that we walked across the street and ordered a new shower door for our bathroom.  Then we headed downtown to apply for a home equity line.  Eric suggested this, "The time to talk to the bank is when you don't need them."  We don't need money now and don't foresee needing to borrow any, but to have this in place will give Fred peace of mind.  As we walked in Wells Fargo, I remembered that it was July 3 of last year that we had gone in to get the same loan.  Long saga, but I so dislike this process.  A whole bunch of people are polite and act like they want to help, but they keep asking for the same information over the course of months and never seem to remember what you tell them.  Hopefully this will go well.  By night time I was in a frustrated funk about the whole bank process, I went to bed early.  Mostly, I was just tired.

Day 303 to 305-June 30 to July 2, 2013

     It's hot.  It's nice to be in our air conditioned home!  E'lora  and I cooled off in the pool, but mostly we just hung out at home.  Here is the email report I sent to Cora, "Guess who slept well on the car ride home, and went right to sleep when we got home about 10:30?  She slept until 7:30 without a peep and woke up happy.  First thing we had to find some turkeys, then we picked blackberries.  I had an idea.  The Raj dog biscuit jar could make a nice on the counter compost holder, better than the bucket and towel???  Make a list of tasks for when I come back at birth time, and I'll get to as many as possible.  Also, any tasks I could do when we fetch E'lora back to you guys in a few days....  I miss the country, and I'm content to be home sleeping next to Fred.  Love you guys, and we're having a ball with Precious!  love MuMMM"  Watering was a key job.  I reviewed and consolidated my "to do" lists, working on the list of tardy thank yous I needed to write.  We watched Tangled, cute.  Grampa took her to Reibes and the grocery store Sunday early eve.  While they were gone, I made tuna macaroni salad.  We had Grampa's leftover stir-fry and sausage for dinner.
     Monday it's hot, over a 100.  We didn't even take our normal walk.  It was important to look for turkeys each morning though.  I did bills and the budget to get caught up on life a bit.  We did some more swimming in the pool, no head under the water though.  E'lora loves my macaroni salad.  
     Fred and I thought about taking a little coast trip after taking E'lora back to Santa Rosa, but with the heat and holiday traffic, plus Fred's knee has really been hurting, we decided not to.  I headed out Tuesday morn with the goal of being home before the hottest part of the day.  It was forecast to be 111 in Rough and Ready.  I wanted to leave by 8, but going poop interrupted our departure.  Success on the number two, but we left close to 9, arrived at Corby at 12, home by 4 with a stop at Roseville BMW to fix the seat belt.  E'lora was a perfect traveler.  I wanted to keep her awake so she would nap in the afternoon.  We sang "Secret Agent Man" at the top of our lungs at least three times on Highway 101.  At our fuel stop she walked around a bit and got her lollipops, one in each hand.  I brought tuna macaroni salad for the kids.  I wanted to pick them some blackberries, but I just can't do it all.  I sure am grateful for air conditioning!

Day 298-302 June 25-29, 2013

     Pop and I headed out in the camper again on this rainy day to Santa Rosa for project Corby House time.  He bought an American flag for the kids at the Dixon Safeway where we stopped for coffee.  

I picked up some Drumsticks for the freezer for survival food.  I had a nice pot of stew in the fridg and some fresh carmel bars to share.  We arrived in time to make lunch for Colin and Jeremy, they had been working hard in the house, something up in the attic.  After lunch we got right to work, Pop was stripping and refinishing the wood cap on the living room half walls, 

I began scrubbing the old kitchen cabinets that were now in the midst of the new and fresh stuff.  I headed over to the old house while Cora headed out to a meeting.  Precious and I even got some packing and loading done.  I had a full Prius when I returned to the fellas to make their dinner.
     Wednesday more scrubbing, clean and fresh and safe.  I did a Home Depot run and picked up In and Out for lunch.  It's getting hot again!  E'lora duty as Cora headed to work.  Cora brought us a lovely pot of split pea soup!  Colin fetched her home so they could go to sleep.  
     Thursday and Friday were trim painting days with more Home Depot shopping mixed in.  Two fellas came to restretch the carpet that was improperly installed.  Good service to fix a poorly done job!  Gold stars for Moises and Luis.

Thursday eve Cora, E'lora, and I went to get more paint.  Precious and I dropped Cora at a meeting in Cotati, then we boogied to the Santa Rosa Home Depot to get the one missing outlet cover piece.  E'lora picked out a big hanging petunia for the front porch.

Jeremy headed back to Arcata Thursday eve, so Pop and I were at the house by ourselves that night.

Friday we backed the camper into the driveway and took it off the truck.  I also gave the bathroom another thorough cleansing.  Pop built a solid floor into the crusty bathroom vanity, we painted up the old rusty medicine cabinet.  A bathroom upgrade is a future project.  Clean and fresh and safe.  Colin's buddy from the bakery, Melosh, came to help with a truck load of big stuff.  I jammed stuff in the van, Cora had loaded up an awful lot already.  Cora had work, so E'lora stayed with us.  She had a nice afternoon nap on Auntie Beth's blanket in her new room.  E'lora and I had a nice refreshing shower together too, her first at the new house!  Colin headed back for another load at the old house and he was gone a LONG time---  It was hot, and it got too late for Foster Freeze, so we had more soup. 

     Saturday morning, Mom and Pop's 57th wedding anniversary, we woke to half of the power not working in the house.  Pop problem solved the issue well.  I also vacuumed lots of dog hair from the couches and cleaned and whiped stuff coming from the old house.  Pop and I headed to Home Depot and got some "wish list" items to surprise Colin, a ladder, saw horses, a hand broom, as well as an electric main breaker that seemed to be faulty.  A few more returns and needed items.  Then we had a nice date at Foster Freeze splitting a ham and cheese sandwich, onion rings, and a root beer freeze.  I headed to the old house with the truck.  Cora had again packed a ton and then headed to Vivian's fairy birthday party, a needed time of rest.  Another bakery buddy with a truck came to load up all remaining stuff.  Another great worker and friend.  After unloading, we put the camper back on the truck.  We headed home about 7 so Pop would have the evening with Mom for their anniversary.  I brought E'lora home with me so Colin and Cora would have time to regroup and bond with the new house.  She quickly fell asleep in the car seat, as did Pop for awhile.  She went right back to sleep in the crib once we got home.