Thrills and spills

Father's Day. Daddy is wearing necklaces made by his boys.

We picked oranges twice, the sweetest, juiciest ever.

 MB, MM, JD at Lindsay Wildlife Experience in front of the sweet barn owl.

In HOA pool with winged angels, JD and MM.

 MM and JD in the front yard.

MM on the library playground slide.


My son came June 10 and stayed three nights with me, here on business. His wife arrived with the children June 13 for a week and they enjoyed two nights away together. I had the grandchildren overnight four nights and every day was a great time with planned events including bowling with three families, outdoor concert, burritos, and dancing, Lindsay Wildlife Experience in W.C., picking oranges twice riding tiny cars, baby pool, 30-minute laps for me on nice enough days and once after MM joined me in his water wings, a Corvette car show and playground fun with us all followed by dinner at Naan 'n' Curry, attending church on Father's Day and being invited to a giant pot luck with friends after a fun time in the afternoon at my home. We all attended a friend's youth basketball game. I read lots of books to my grandchildren and set up two baby pools in the front yard. MM got a record 15 stacked blocks. We played Chinese checkers and Scrabble Junior. We went to two library story times and the dinosaur stories went great with the dinosaur shirts the boys wore that day. The playground by the library is new and fabulous. The tuna sandwiches and chips picnic was delish. Then inside the library was free lunches for children later and planting in the library patio. I showed them the stick-pull game the prophet enjoyed playing and they liked it too. Twice when we waited in the car for shopping I tutored them and sang songs. We stopped by to pet Sheba, the beautiful little black cat. They all took naps to go to the drive-in the last night and were all packed up to spend the night with friends and leave for home. We Facetimed E and D!

The end of an era

RR retired today after being my sup these past 14 years. She worked 37 years and looks about 37. Yesterday was an in-house buffet in the morning and in the afternoon she was presented with two dozen red roses and cards with over $200 in cash. She's always encouraging us to be our best and help each other and by doing that we've made her look good. I was asked to say a few words to present her with the flowers and cards. Today we took her to Don Ramon's. She gave another one of her encouraging speeches of appreciation. I stood and asked all to raise their glasses. Through thick and thin, sick and well...good luck in your next chapter. I think there were 20 of us at one long table at the end of the dining hall. One retired clerk came for the celebration. One is missing from the picture. I ordered shrimp burrito and guacamole. Delish. I just stepped into her office. It's devoid of her spirit and I'm on the verge of tears. She asked for a hug after the luncheon and I told her it'd been grand. She thanked me for everything and said she'd enjoyed our visits. Good luck to her in her next chapter. There will never be another one like her. My friend V and I walked over together and she gave me a beautiful three-diamond ring on the way. And it fits on my right hand. Real or not it's gorgeous and what a sweet gift and friend.

Shrimp Burrito$11.95

Juicy shrimp sauteed with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, rice and beans rolled in a soft flour tortilla with guacamole, sour cream and salsa fresca on the side. Order of Guacamole $7.25.

Flan was given to RR who passed it around the table for all to taste and I finished it off. Yum.

Me, Mike, RR, V in RR's office 30 May 2018.

Family togetherness

Z and E's birthday celebration

S and ZP

Me and JD

A and P

A, P and R

A, P and R

Christmas 2017.  Good times. Paul's commencement was May 3 and his convocation May 4, 2018. Z and E's birthday celebration was Sunday. They turned 1 and 3, one day apart.

Magna Cum Laude

I had a 12-day vacation in Utah to enjoy the college graduation of my youngest son Paul who had a 3.84 gpa. There were many events including the commencement, convocation, multi-cultural breakfast, first-generation reception where President Matthew Holland spoke with the graduate and me. There was another meet and greet with him before the convocation that we did not arrive in time for. Pictures were taken after on the lawn and Rick went down before his name was read to get a picture too. A buffet was available for us after as well and we were the last to leave. We met up at Paul's new condo which is fabulous. It was a whirlwind two days. We ate at Tsunami, and a place at the college between events, after the commencement an excellent Indian cuisine, and topped it off at Texas Roadhouse with everyone who attended the convocation. Congratulations to my son. I attended the temple with my friend Carolyn and was thrilled to see the painting Beaux had told me about where he modeled for the Savior with the two Lamanite children. I arrived early on a Thursday to watch my daughter's children while she had a reunion with college roommates until Sunday. Two of my five grandboys are born one day apart and the celebration Sunday for them after she arrived was wonderful with three grandparents attending. We got the news she's expecting and I'm very happy about that. The moms, their boys and I went to the dinosaur museum which was a great time and we ate an inside picnic together there first. I attended church twice and neighbors had parties we were invited to including a Cinco de Mayo patio party and on Sunday a buffet after a baby blessing. Those were so enjoyable. Neighbors were aware of Freeplay and had signed up. While at the college between events we all played in the game area: ping pong, air hockey, pool, bowling. I didn't bowl. At home the children enjoyed a day in the jumpy house and played inside and out. Stephanie prepared many delicious meals. She made a breakfast oatmeal for us and I made my uncooked oatmeal for the five grandboys and me other times. I read to the boys, changed diapers and assisted with training and washing hands after. I enlisted help to unload the dishwasher which the boys enjoyed too. We played bat and ball and I attended two of Adam's baseball games, and after the first one the boys had a great time playing at a wonderful playground. I only smelled smoke once the entire stay in Utah. We had a pro photo shoot outdoors. My five grandboys are five and under. Life is good.

Happy 70th Birthday to Scrabble!

Who knows how many hours of enjoyable Scrabble games I've enjoyed over the years. I know I've played since 1976 back in the 20th century. I enjoy playing online when I have time too and currently am playing Julia, Brenda and Donna. Michael and I played often and he usually beat me. I have every size of Scrabble. On our flight to and in Hawaii we played. On our camping trips we played at the campsite and with a tiny version on hikes. On a trip for my 60th birthday we played. And of course at home. I love seeing Scrabble in movies and TV shows. It's the best of games.

Brilliant Mind, Gentle Heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKiYPK_rEPk

Scrabble personal record

I just scored 461 points on Facebook online Scrabble, a record score for me. My friend and opponent usually beats me nine out of ten games but I was smokin' lucky this whole game. I love the online Dictionary. Missing however are the in-person friends after a lovely pot luck dinner. Five of us have enjoyed getting together for five years.