New Year's Eve

We are getting ready for our friends the "DeadBeats" New Year's Eve Show. Matt and I are working security...I know I think it is funny too, but all it intails is checking tickets at the door. It has been 10 years since we went to the DeadBeat show on New Years! We are looking forward to ringing in the New Year in Grass Valley. It is truly our new home.

Happy New Year To All

Grass Valley Is Being Great To Us

We have been nothing but super welcomed since we got back here to Grass Valley. Way more accepted than either of us had expected. We had our first Christmas Party since being back here (it was annual for Matt for 15 years). We had about 50 people. The ones that did not make it to that party, have come over since to say "Welcome Back!" Wow, right. Anyways, like I have said before, the only thing missing in our lives, is Mom and Dad. Even our friends want to know where Dick and Shirley are, and when they will be up. Wow...Love to All !

Christmas

I know Christmas is past, but Matt and I enjoyed this Xmas being able to watch Connor open his presents. OMG it was craaazy. He was a crack up to watch. Mom and Dad gave him a Quad and he is a holy terror on it. Crystal says now he is even more brave. Hopefully you will all get a chance to see exactly what I mean. (you know, when you visit).

We also went to Victorian Christmas with all the kids, I got pictures of Connor and Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus, but of course I cannot load them onto this until I get my own computer. But I atleast can keep you up to date with what is going on with us here in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.

The Library

I never really realized how important a library can be...I have been coming here to get cookbooks since we moved. I write the recipes I like down on 3x5 cards. It is amazing the amount of great recipes I have collected. Each week I pick a different catagory. So next time I am looking for great recipes, they are at my finger tip. I have so far explored Southern Mexico and Northern Italy. I can't wait to try them, all of them, one at a time. I am also enjoying the fact that you can rent movies here. Free ! If people would listen to me I would tell them how amazing the library really is.

Computer Is Definately Crashed

As we speak I still have no computer...I have just found that our local library not only has computers, but it has dvd's too, free. So you make an appointment for the computer and you get an hour, so I will try to update as often as possible. Getting a new computer is way way way down the list of priorities, so the library is a cool find.

We went to Crystal's for Xmas Eve and it was so fun, Connor is quite the comic, at least to Matt and I. Crystal and James, not so much. Mom and Dad got him a Quad for Xmas, and at first he was intimidated but shortly thereafter he took off. It was a crack-up. When I can I will post pictures or maybe I can put them to disc and send them to all of you. It was a picture not to miss, we feel so lucky we are so close to those who love us and want us for part of their lives. Like I have said for three months, the only thing missing is Mom and Dad.

Well love to you all for today, my time is ending. We miss you Mom and Dad, and Trude and Gordon. We hope this posting finds you all well.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To All !!!

The Long Long Transition

It is definately taking a long long time to change from Broadband to Dial-Up. I am already being billed for Dial-Up but cannot connect until I have a Modem...something I have not had since the 80's. This one is a Dial-Up USB Modem, wow what a mouthful. It is also $59.00. So, please do not forget about me, I have many wonderful things to tell you all, but it will have to wait. I am at a friends using their computer, checking my email which I had 1875, so that pretty well took up the time I had on it. Sorry, I will update as soon as possible. I will take pictures of all the XMAS celebrations going on here. There are many, Cornish Christmas in Grass Valley, Victorian Xmas is Nevada City. Crafts all over the place. We are in heaven here, Matt is back at the Amaral's 'temporarily'...hopefully it will work into more work, but he is employed for a couple months anyways. We listed the property in Georgetown today...I will get back to it asap. Love to all of you. Merry Christmas and Good Wishes to all of you this season....

Thanksgiving Getting Closer

It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is coming around again, it seems so quick this year. Maybe it is because there was so much change during the past months. Things started changing early this year and have not stopped since. I have always said 'change is good', I still believe that is a true statement. Matt and I have sooo many things to be thankful for, I do not know where to begin. My only regret is that my 'whole' family cannot be as thankful for the many gifts that they have, and so sorry that they refuse to 'see' them. Yesterday I had kind of a sad day, I was thinking about how much I miss Cindy, it seems more overwhelming at this time of year. It is sad for me that I have also lost my other siblings companionship as well. I feel so bad for mom and dad, that this is their 'family', but I did everything I could to try and change it (for years) to no avail. This years celebrations will not be quite as 'christmassy', because all of our Decorations are still down south. It does not look like we will be able to get down there as planned before XMAS. We were hoping we could have an early Thanksgiving with mom and dad, but finances do not permit it.

But it is about Jesus, right?! Happy Days to All

Japanese Maples

The Japanese Maples we have been carrying around with us for almost 13 years, are having an incredible time adjusting to the climate. They have usually lost all their leaves by now, but not this year, one of the 5 is just now starting to change colors. Talk about reluctantcy to change... I am sure as the days go on, they will get even more colorful.

Figuring Out 'Bob'

It seems that it is only when I start cooking for the day that this cat comes around. I know that sounds crazy but it is true. Yesterday we did not seem him/her all day until we started the BBQ. Immediately the cat darted out from some unknown hidden secret spot, comes over to the BBQ and climbs up to the meat, literally climbs up. He stands and stares at the meat, the BBQ has to be 400 or 500 degrees, and blatently trys to grab at the meat. Of course we shut the BBQ, but can you believe that. We finally realized that maybe becuz this cat has lived outside it's whole life, it must be CARNIVEROUS!? Right. Ok that is pretty scary stuff...

Endless Colors

There is an endless amount of colors right now wherever you look. I know Mom loves the colors that's why I keep posting them. I know it does her heart good to look at them just as much as it does mine. It is so overwhelmingly beautiful when you are used to no Fall color in So Cal. So I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Bob Is Back

I know this is not the best video, but check out 'bob', he left for a day and tonight when Matt came home there he/she was...Climbing on the door again. I quickly tried to get my camera to videotape this cat acting like a dog wanting in...What're you gonna do? So ignore Matt and I talking and my terrible video-ing, and check this cat out...

Two Months

Amazing that two months have gone by...sometimes it seems like two months, and other times it seems like it has been longer. We have settled in pretty good. Getting used to burning wood for heat, instead of having Dad turn on the heat in the am, seems old hat now. There are too many things to list that I miss from Mom and Dad's, I think one is most certainly TIA and BANDIT, making me laugh everyday. Yesterday I was going through pictures and I found tons of ones taken of them, they made me laugh. Mom and Dad taught me that you've got to look for the little things in life, or it could be overwhelming, right?! Right. And yes, I am not sure why I am still on line, but I can't complain.

Bob

Bob is the name of the cat that our landlord has had for years. Matt calls him or her Bob, because at some point it lost part of it's tail, so it looks like a 'bob'ed tail. Ok, so this cat has never been an indoor cat (we have been told that) but it seems to think it belongs in our house. The last couple of days it has come to the front doors (french doors with windows) and not just meowed crazily for litterly hours, but it also scratches like a dog on the doors. When the curtains are on the windows, it actually looks under the curtains to meow right at our faces. It is crazy...I should have thought to take a picture since it has been outside the door for two whole days.

Foggy Morning

This morning it is in the low 30's and Foggy. We usually do not get fog, but it snowed down to 4000 feet last night. The wet weather and snow made it foggy. It is kind of cool loooking peering through the trees.

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Internet Providers

I have decided that I need to change Internet Providers due to the cost. I have had Broadband for almost 4 years now. It will be interesting to see how I weather with 'Dial-Up' after all this time. There might be a few days between providers, so I might not be able to post, but I will catch up when it is resolved. Hopefully, that is a speedy task ?!

Beautiful Scenery

I was out and about today so I took some pictures of the local color. Just when I think it is coming to an end, there is still more color. No matter how many times I see these colors, my eyes are still consumed with their beauty!

The Road To Our House

They Hydroseeded he Road that leads to our house. I am guessing that means that they are not going to finish widening it until after Winter. I think that is probably a good deduction.

Happy Birthday To Heather

Heather is celebrating her 23rd Birthday today. She and Cody are in San Francisco for a couple of days, taking in the sites and enjoying a few days off to celebrate. We love you Heather. 23 years old, holy moly, am I getting older...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Rain on Sunday

Sunday we woke to rain, it fell all day long. Leaves fell off the trees. Matt had his first Burn Pile in almost 8 years. We watched movies and the rain all day. It sure is making our lawn grow.

Saturday Night

Saturday we went over to our friend Tom Menigs for a BBQ. Lots of friends were there, really good food, and lots of great music. It took us 10 minutes to get home, wow...We love being so close to our friends and most of our family.

More At Home

We have been here now for almost 2 months and we are finally starting to realize that it IS real. We so enjoy nature, and you can see it everyday here. This is our backyard and the side of our house. As you can see we have huge vining roses all throughout this side of the house. After enjoying the scenery Matt grilled us some steaks for dinner. We might have a bite on the property, so keep your prayers coming.

Picking Flowers

We went for a walk in our neighborhood this evening, and I know, but I could not resist...and I know some of you do love them. Then Matt picked flowers for me from our back yard.

Background Change

When I saw Crystal had changed her Blog Background, tried to do the same...I figured 'matsu's world' put a world, right? She is obviously waaaay more advanced than me, but I hope you enjoy the changes.

The Polls on Voting Day

Matt and I found our voting poll very easily, it was 1 mile up the highway at the Bethel Church. It was so easy.Not to be said for some Counties. Later that night we were watching the results and heard the funniest thing: 'BREAKING NEWS: JUST OUT - GEORGETOWN VOTING POLLS ARE HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS, THE POWER IS ALL OUT AND THE ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES ARE NOT WORKING, AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PAPER BALLOTS"! Crazy, right? They called in all the Generators from the locals they could so that they could finish voting. Sure am glad we are not moving there...We are going to sell that property, we definately were not meant to live there. Oh well, a lot of good has come from the purchase of that property. We were meant to be back in this area.

So Many Colors

I know you are probably sick of seeing Fall Colors, but I could not resist this one! So many different colors in one parking lot.

A Girl's Get Together

Monday I drove over to Heathers and picked her up to go to Crystal's. We had a nice lunch and a great visit, all three of us. Then I took Heather home and went back and spent the night at Crystal's. I so enjoy being able to see the girls whenever I want to, and of course my Angel Baby. He is so smart it amazes me each week how he is changing. It is so great to actually be able to watch and see the subtle changes.

Connor's Drivin'

Here is a quick clip of Connor Drivin with the Steering Wheel his GG's sent him. He was a little shy, but as you can see he loves loves loves it!

Pumpkins

Today Matt went up to the North Fork of the Yuba River to Fly Fish, and I caught up on some chores that needed to be done. He came home with a pumpkin...I thought we were going to miss the pumpkin this year, but alas. I drew it, and Matt carved. A great combined effort, for the last minute. Pumpkins are so fun, it really gave us the Halloween spirit. Right at the last minute. The pictures do not do it justice, so imagine, it's dark and glowing, because here it is!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone.

Friday, Again?

I can hardly believe that it is Friday, again. It seems time goes by soooo fast, how do you make it last? I was in town today, all the little stores had 'trick or treat' candy out for the kids. The moms and dads and kids were going store to store to get candy while the businesses were open today. It was so cute to see all those little guys in costume. I know we will be seeing 'Angel Baby' in his costume soon enough. As I told you yesterday, the trees change every day. They sure are pretty, aren't they?

Soooo Pretty

It is amazing how beautiful it is this time of year in the Foothills. I have forgotten that there are really Seasons. You get used to pretty much the same weather in So Cal. It is crisp and incredibly stunning with the colors. Everyday they get even more brighter than the next. It is matter of time before it will be done, but we really enjoy it. Hi everyone.

Grass Valley Fall

Our weather has been getting increasingly cooler at night, so that means the trees are starting to change bigtime. My camera ran out of battery yesterday before I could take the best ones, but here are a few.

Matt and His Crew

Matt is working on a new project, it is an 8 acre clearing job. It is brutally steep, full of blackberries. It also has an abandoned mine on it. Matt was lucky enough to get workers from one of our friends, Howdy. So here is Matt and his crew.

Finally Fall

The weather is changing day by day. Last week we had our first real rain. We got over 5 inches in 24 hours. I have not seen this much rain in years. We stocked up on wood, for the wood stove, which we need on a daily basis now. One of the best things about Fall is the trees changing colors. We are in a perfect place for that. So here is the first tree that is changing. I will post more as they change. I know everyone loves the colors as much as me.

Name Change For The Blog

I guess since I no longer live with Mom and Dad, it is time to change the name of my blog. This way I can still stay in touch with all of you and let you know what's going on with Matt and I, and the Girls and their lives. It is hard to even begin to know what is going on in Mom and Dad's life when I am not there. I enjoyed being able to bring all the news about them to you, but now it is time for a change.

Lots Going On

I have been pre-occupied for the last week, so sorry nothing new is posted. I will catch up this weekend.

Heather and Cody/James and Connor

Heather and Cody made it to Apple Hill with us too! I can't say it enough, great to be so close to my girls, again. James was trying to hold Connor back from jumping over the fence to get to the horses. Connor loves horses because his Gramma and Grampa Swicegood have lots of horses for him to see.

Pumpkin Patch Pictures

Here are some more pictures of Angel Baby's trip to Apple Hill last week.

The Trailers Are Moved

Mom and Dad and Trude and Gordon have had their trailers moved. Last week both of the rigs were moved from Coloma at the Ponderosa Resort over to Oregon House, California. That is a resort called Lake of the Springs. Pretty Cool! They are only about 30 minutes from Grass Valley now. Yeah!