After a long couple of days, it was a real treat to just hang out at Anne’s pool all day. Charlie didn’t stop the whole time. He was in and out of the pool constantly. It has been so much fun to watch his confidence grow as he spend more and more time out there. Each time we go, he goes a bit further out in the pool and today he started getting in and out from different locations. By the end of summer, I hope to have him jumping in from the edge.
Doggie Swimming Lessons July 4, 2010
Steel’s Party July 3, 2010
I’ve often compared my life to the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Today, we experienced “My Big Fat Portuguese Graduation Party.” Approximately 250 people attended Steel’s party at the Turlock Ballroom and we were able to get by with a little help from my friends. For those who have celebrated with us before, it was no surprise… but for the newbies… it can be a bit overwhelming. There were so many wonderful friends and family members there. We are all so touched that they would come out to celebrate Steel with us on the holiday weekend. My only regret is that I don’t have time to spend with each and every one of them.
Silver Volvo July 2, 2010
Last winter, I blogged about our experience renting a silver Volvo when we traveled to Southern California for a wrestling tournament. It only matters because the main character of the Twilight books, Edward Cullen drives a silver Volvo. When that’s what we were assigned as a rental last winter… I had to smile. When Steel decided to purchase one today, I had to laugh.
This is Steel’s new ride. I think it suits him perfectly. A new vehicle for a new start away at college.
Eclipse July 1, 2010
I refuse to go to the midnight premiers, but it is worth it to buy the tickets in advanced to go the movie a day or two after it opens. I waited until today to give time for Sierra to come home from school to go with us. I picked her up at home and Steel met us there. I HAD to be there really early so we arrived about 45 minutes before show time. We had to wait in the lobby for about 15 minutes while they finished cleaning the theater… but there wasn’t a line. It did fill up, but much closer to showtime.
Now… for my review. I LOVED it. I thought it was the best one yet. The series of movies just keep getting better and better and it really builds the anticipation. Even the actors are getting better at their roles. In my opinion, they are getting better looking too. (If that’s possible.) There was so much in the movie that I had forgotten about after reading the books, but when the scenes were portrayed, they were almost word for word from the original story which is a huge bonus for those of us who love the books.
There were a few “twerps” in the theater that kept flashing a light on the screen during one of the crucial scenes. It was a scene with lots of dialog too… so I guess I’ll just have to go back and see it again. (Oh darn.)
Spider Web June 30, 2010
I got up early to water the tomatoes (which are looking fabulous, by the way) and zucchini this morning before I went to work to avoid the heat. I noticed this beautiful spider web as I was waiting for the pots to fill. I didn’t get too close, because I didn’t really want to see the occupant, but I couldn’t help but appreciate his handiwork.
Steel’s Truck June 29, 2010
Bye, bye, Silver Beast! Steel sold his truck to CarMax today. I’ve been thinking a lot about our attachment to material things and letting go of automobiles has always been a difficult situation for me. We spend so much time in our cars, it is inevitable that they would hold precious memories for all of us. I remember when Leroy bought this truck and the day he gave it to Steel after he got his license. Even though it was Leroy’s truck, I went along with him several times. This is the truck we used to pull the trailer and the truck I drove when I pulled the trailer (by myself) to Pismo. It’s the truck the boys used to pull everyone else out of the sand on that trip as well. Good times. But, it didn’t make sense to keep it anymore. With the price of diesel what it is, and the fact that Steel could use something smaller with better gas mileage while he’s away at school, it was time to say farewell. I snapped this shot on my way to work. The last time I’d see the truck. Thanks for the memories.
100 + June 28, 2010
‘Tis the season when we start to see the thermostat rise. I mentioned the weather yesterday, but this was the first time I saw the actual temperature in my car. This photo was taken on my way home from work… about 2:00 in the afternoon. It does get hot here in the California Central Valley. As long as it stays under 100, I really don’t complain. There seems to be a HUGE difference between 99 and 100. Once it gets over 100, it’s all the same. Too hot!
Exhaustion June 27, 2010
I took the dogs with me to go swimming at Anne’s today. The predicted high for the day is over 100 F so the pool was very inviting. The entire time we were there, Charlie was in and out of the pool. He chased kids and balls and even tried jumping (carefully) off of the steps. He had a great time. I’m sure he was smiling, but he was panting so hard it was difficult to tell. He didn’t stop the whole time we were there.
When we got home, he crashed in the middle of the dining room floor and didn’t move for the rest of the night. He was exhausted. He wasn’t even particularly interested in eating dinner… but he did manage to muster enough energy to eat and climb the stairs to his bed where he slept soundly all night long.
Mockingbird June 26, 2010
We have a summer visitor that has taken up residence in this tree which is (conveniently) located right outside Sierra’s bedroom window. After some research involving interviewing bird experts and a few searches on Google, we’ve decided it’s probably a Mockingbird. I had no idea how true they were to their name. What kind of bird waits until the middle of the night to start signing? Apparently, Mockingbirds. This guy starts singing about 1:00 am (but sometimes as early as 11:00 pm) and goes until about 5:00 am… non stop… every night. We’ve been trying to sleep with the windows open at night for cool air, but I have to get up and shut them to drown out the noise. Sometimes, it’s so bad, I have to put in ear plugs to sleep. I recorded him on my video camera and you can listen to his song by clicking here. I lay in bed and try to figure out what he’s imitating. So far I’ve heard a car alarm and the frogs… Soon I’m sure I’ll hear the bird imitate Sierra’s groans as she tries to sleep.
Rotary All Star Game June 25, 2010
Although Steel did not play (still recovering from his foot injury) we traveled to Chowchilla to watch the Rotary All Star game. Steel’s classmate Tyler Lee was the only other representative from Central Catholic. The opposing team scored on the opening kick off and I thought for sure we were in for a long night, but the North came back and dominated the rest of the game and claimed victory.
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