OUR TRIP TO CLOVERDALE TO VISIT LONG TIME FRIENDS - 10/5/09

It had been way too long since I had seen Jack
I am so glad that we made this trip,
he looked great

Soon after we arrived, Jack had me come to the front of
his house to show me all of his trains and how some worked.
It was simply amazing and so beautiful to see.

So much love went into what he had done.

This was my favorite

So many trains in one room but done so nicely

So much love and work into every piece

Jack's love for trains has been a lifetime passion

This tree is what you see when you walk
into Jack's house. It has been up since his wife Jo
passed away several years ago. It is breathtaking.

We had a wonderful lunch

Judy and Elaine

Mom and Judy

Jack and Mom

Jack and Dan

Our group photo after lunch in Jack's backyard
Darlene, Dan, Janet, Jack, Mom, Judy and Elaine

David came with he and Janet's dog after lunch.
We got a little show.

Jack asked that I take a photo of this dog
I do not remember the story about it though.

It was fun looking at the photos we took while
we visited and old photos that I had on my computer,
even captured a photo of David in this photo

and Dan in this one

I could not resist taking photos of an old framed photo of Judy

and an old framed photo of Janet

So many beautiful things throughout the house
That Jack wanted me to take photos of

Jack asked that I turn on the lights
and take a photo of a beautiful Christmas
set up in one of the bedrooms

Special musical items

David (Janet's husband) did this sketch of Jack
I asked if it was ok to take a photo
and Jack said sure, looks just like Jack
David did an awesome job

The view from Judy and Dwight's home

We got to see Dwight and meet he and Judy's granddaughter

We followed Janet to the freeway and continued on our way home
What a great day with wonderful friends,
Memories I will cherish forever

A NEW ADDITION TO OUR FAMILY - MEET OSCAR

If you would have told me that we would get another cat after losing George, I would have told you absolutely not. My husband and I visited PetsMart a few times since the passing of George. Two weeks ago we visited PetsMart and there he was, Oscar. There were many kittens but Oscar caught my eye. We talked to the people at PetsMart but decided to leave and finish our shopping. We passed by PetsMart on our way home and my husband asked if I wanted to stop and see about Oscar. I said no, but had e-mail information to find out about Oscar. I went on my computer as soon as I got home and found out about Oscar and sent an e-mail. I got an e-mail and phone call right away. We went back to meet Oscar and the woman that had Fostered him for 8 months. Oscar was the victim of foreclosure, had been in a shelter, then a Foster home, then Pets Mart to try and get a home. We could not resist. We bought a carrier, food and paid for him and brought home our 5 year old, 17 pound 12 ounce Oscar. He loves us and we love him. He is a gem. We still miss George so very much, but could not have asked for a better addition to our family.

From Our Wonderful Neighbors The Todds With A Cat That Misses George Through The Knothole In Our Shared Fence

My Beautiful Silver Paw Print Necklace From Carol at silver-byfire

My very talented friend Carol at www.silver-byfire.com made this gift for me. Thank you so much for this beautiful necklace in memory of our wonderful cat George.

Hugs To Remember George From Nisa

With Sympathy from Bradshaw Vet

MUSIC TO LIVE/LOVE/SING/ENJOY/DANCE/AND REMEMBER

Today, 12/28/2009, I finally learned how to move my playlist to the bottom of my Blog, so my music never moves as my Posts do. I have to thank a fellow blogger for helping me with this, Barb at Bella Vista. The music I had was a dedication to the passing of George on August 2, 2009. The dedication music remains on my playlist, as do the comments . I have added music that I enjoy and holiday music for those that come to visit my Blog.

My Heart Is Heavy As We Have Lost George

I started this blog as my first blog and thought George would be my perfect subject as he has been the center of our world. That world suddenly changed around 1:30 this morning when an injection was given to him to end what was inevitable, as his body had collapsed and he became non responsive. He is finally at peace. Our wonderful furry friend of almost 18 years will be deeply missed by the 3 of us. For now this Blog will remain silent in honor of George.

OLPH CLASS OF '69 SUMMER GATHERING July 18, 2009

Top Row - Left to Right
Kathi Denning (Baladad), Christine Daniele, Cathy Verette (Fesinmeyer), Sue Radiotes (Sanz), Susan Votaw (6th grade teacher), Jackie Hastings (Hanson)
Middle Row - Left to Right
Darlene Dinius (Solem), Elaine Lew (8th Grade teacher), Genise Valcazar (Nisa Monterrey), Patti Spinetti (Pacini), Valerie Blasi (Hansen)
Bottom Row - Left to Right
Gary Aguiar, Peter J Martin, Rick Pacheco

George taking an early morning bath and lounging

George decided to take a bath this morning and lounge. He lasted outside for 15 minutes, as even at 9:15 in the morning, it is already hot in the sun. Another 100 plus for us today, so back into the A/C and sound asleep.

George and our Neighbors Playful Cat

Beyond the fact that our neighbors cat likes to peek through this hole in our fence, she likes to try and play with George by putting her foot through the hole in our fence. It is funny to watch when George and her are at the fence together and hit at each other. Free entertainment at its best.

Pets do take over

Did you ever bring home something new and your pet takes it over? George has claimed my new Butterfly Chair, that we set up on Sunday, July 5, 2009, to try out and then pack away for future use. I have not had the heart to close it up and pack it away, but tonight will do so.

Street Vendors play "924 Gilman"

4th of July, 2009, my son (Erik) played Tenor Saxophone, with the Ska Band he is in "Street Vendors" at "924 Gilman" in Berkeley.
So proud of him and what he has accomplished.

Something from My Past - Pussy Willows

On Sunday, July 5, 2009, we ventured to our large Sunday Farmers Market in Sacramento. Everyone In Sacramento must have been there and the same with vendors. I came across a table with what was familiar to me from my youth. What used to sit in a dry vase in our family home was lying in bunches on a table for sale, Pussy Willows. They were beautiful. I picked up a bunch, paid for them, and brought them home to enjoy. It is nice to have such fond memories, sitting in a vase on my mantel.

A Sign of the Times

My Husband and I went to one of the Malls that we have not been to in some time. We were shocked at the few cars that were in the parking lot. It used to be hard to find a parking place. We took the elevator upstairs and it was empty. We went to another level and found very few people and only some stores open. What an awakening to the sign of our economic times. We will know that our economy has bounced back when this Mall also bounces back.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

George Cooling off

Our furry friends have a hard time cooling off when it is warm outside, so George stretches out on the lawn. One of his favorite places.

My Pineapple Sage

I am enjoying my Pineapple Sage, but the leaves at the bottom of my plant keep turning yellow and falling off, or come off easily. Moved it to get more sun today.

Want it to last till Christmas time, since I will get beautiful red blossoms which will draw Hummingbirds.

If anyone knows why the leaves get yellow, please let me know.

ALBERT EINSTEIN QUOTE

"It is almost a miracle that modern teaching methods have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for what this delicate little planet needs more than anything, besides stimulation, is freedom."

George Kicking Back

I guess I can say that King George rules our house. He is an old man that requires high maintenance, but we do not mind. We enjoy each and every day with him. After all, he has given so much to us over the past 17 plus years. A well deserved rest after watching the cat peeking through our fence shown in my Post below.

George and our Neighbors Peeking Cat

I enjoyed watching and photographing George today, as he watched the next door neighbors cat through the knothole in our fence. He has not been moving around too much and not interested in much, but this cat had him up, moving around, watching and oh so curious.

Cherish Your Friends

Always remember that good friends are hard to find. Enjoy the friends that you have. Laugh, smile and be happy.

And My Blog Becomes A Bit More Diverse

I was sitting on the edge of my pool as I started my therapy on my foot. I looked to the sky and it was unbelievable. I knew this needed to be a post to my Blog to share with all. I hope you enjoy what I saw as much as I did.

Week 2 Recipe Challenge Chicken Tostadas

The photos that I have posted show all of my ingredients. Make the rice separately per the instructions, in the pot that you will mix everything in. Next, use 2/3 of the taco mix and put it in a skillet with the amount of water on the package, adding your chicken. Saute this mixture for about 10 minutes. We have been cooking a whole chicken, and using most of the breast meat for this recipe, cut up small. When the rice is done, add the chicken mixture, beans (drained), 2 tomatoes (skinned and cut to your liking). Mix all together and let simmer till it is all warmed up. You can add cheese to your liking at this time or wait till you build your Tostada.
Spin a taco size corn tortilla in a very warm pan top and bottom (a few seconds each side) just to warm it up. Put tortilla on plate (I use a paper plate) then mixture to cover the tortilla, then cheese to cover the first layer, then another tortilla, then mixture to cover the tortilla, then cheese to cover the mixture. The rest is up to you. I spread sour cream across the top, and have used avocado on it also. You can also use onion in the mixture that you make. ENJOY!!!

UPDATES TO MY BLOG

"MY BLOG LIST"
I have recently added "Blogs I Follow" which allows you to check out the Blogs I am following. If you have a Blog of your own, please add it in the comments section of this post, and I will add it to "Blogs I Follow" for others to check out. If you are unable to do this, just add yourself as a follower of my Blog, and put your information there.

"SEARCH MY BLOG"
I have also added "Search", so you can find things that you may be interested in, within my Blog.

Happy Blogging!

Week 1 Recipe Challenge (catching up)

I am starting my part of the recipe challenge on a blog that I follow created by Carol, called Cocoon.
http://www.summer-cocoon.blogspot.com/
I will attempt to post a new recipe each week. This is week 4, so I have some definite catching up to do.

CHICKEN AND NOODLES
This is a favorite recipe of mine and of course the chicken is loved by George. Make your favorite Pasta Roni (my photo shows my favorite), cook a boneless skinless chicken breast (we barbeque it with a little garlic powder). Cut up the Chicken, giving George some on his own plate, then put the rest it in a bowl. Top with as many noodles as you like, and cut it all up in the bowl. You can also make some garlic toast on the side or have some fresh french bread. A Delicious Dinner.