Jury Duty For Matt

At the very last minute this morning, Matt realized that his Jury Duty notice was dated for today. He quickly got himself together and headed for the Court. As I write, he is waiting, with 300 other people, to see if he has to go...That should be interesting, since he and I are going next week to look for a place to live in our olding stomping grounds. We are going to check out work opportunities also, as there is no work left here. Even Pacifica, no longer has any landscaping opportunities in So. Cal. So it is time for us to take a Leap of Faith, be pioneers, and start over again. Mom is going to rest today, and Dad has an appointment in Tustin this morning.

Monday

I canned again today, with success this time. I made 14 jars of chile tomatoes. Matt worked in the Garden, Dad fixed his brakes on the Suburban, and Mom fixed Dad's computer again with updates. It was a cool, breezy day. It was only about 80 degrees, what a change from last week's 110 degrees. We will gladly take the 80.

Saturday

Yesterday I attempted canning again. Matt picked, prepped the onions, and I made Salsa. All went well until after canning, I realized I forgot to get the 'air' out of the jars before canning. Needless to say, we will be eating a lot of salsa in the next couple days. Mom worked on the computer, Dad on his truck, again.

Back at Angel Baby's

Sunday we made it back to Crystal and James. It is so wonderful to have a grandchild. It is a completely different feeling from raising your own children. There is such an ease to it all. Being a grandparent, I mean.

Last Night of The Gafbo

Saturday night ended the camping adventure for Matt and I. We thoroughly enjoyed all our friends and family. Sunday we headed to Colfax to drop off our boat at Eric and Cindy Menig's.

Potluck on Saturday Night

On the last night of camping we always have a Potluck Dinner. There were dozens of Appetizers, dozens of Entrees, and tons of Desserts.

Fishing

Saturday afternoon was super windy on the lake, so no one went out in boats. Instead they shore fished.

Heather and Matt Fishing

Matt and Heather were the first to wake on Saturday, about 6:00, so they decided to go fishing.

Heather and Cody

Heather and Cody came up on Friday evening to camp for a couple of nights. First time Heather has been on a camping trip with this bunch in 11 years. That seems crazy, she was 11 the last time.

Friends Camping

Friends

Beautiful Nights

Breathtaking views day and night, we had a blast. Actually, it was a 'Blast From the Past'. The reunion went really well, about 100 people showed up to camp. It was much more organized than when we were young.

Our Campsite

We camped right on the lake. The weather could not have been better, it was about 80-85 in the daytime and about 40 at night. Great sleeping weather.

Finally, Kidd Lake

We were the first one's to arrive. It was like our own private lake for about 2 hours.

Going To Kidd Lake

We left about 9:00 from Crystal's house on Tuesday morning, last week. The fog was so thick when we left their house, it was pretty cool looking.

We got to Soda Springs, the last stop before camping. Finally we got to the Kidd Lake Campground. The sky was blue, the air was fresh, and the smell of the pine trees was overwhelmingly breathtaking.

Visiting with Connor

Visiting with Connor made both Matt and I very happy. He has warmed up to us in the most special way. He shows off for Matt, he loves Matt's Truck and Boat, and he makes us feel very loved.

First Night of Vacation, At The Swicegood's

We got back on Monday, since then I have been searching for my Camera Cord. You know the one that lets you download the pictures...I found it this morning, so now I can post the pictures from our vacation.

We started on Tuesday night a week ago at Crystal, James, and Connor's. What a great start to a vacation.

Vacation

Matt and I are leaving on vacation tomorrow morning. Mom, Dad, Gordon, and Trude will actually have a night without kids. I think Gordon and Trude are leaving one day this week to go home, too. So it looks like Mom and Dad will have a little vacation at home as well. We have all had two very trying weeks with serious 'drama' going on, so a rest is needed by all of us. Gordon and Trude drive safely...

Boat is Ready

The boat is ready, the camping gear is near ready, and we are definately ready for a vacation. We are gonna stay with Crystal, James, and Connor on Tuesday night before camping and Sunday night after camping. Both Matt and I are so excited to see our 'Angel Baby', Connor.

Finally, Some Real Help

Finally a big truck came along and helped these people and their truck out of the ditch. This was an hour and a half after the guy dug a ditch behind his wheels and the girl fetched rocks to put in it. It was quite comical, a busy night on old Gavilan Springs Ranch Road.

Help is Coming ...

And the help passed them right by, waiving! These two buggies passed them at a very rapid speed. The people in the truck were awestruck.

Truck Stuck on the Hill

The guys down the hill from us had a party last night, live music and tons of people. Usually when this goes on, we have stragglers that try to climb the hill beside the house. Two wheel drive vehicles cannot even make the first hill, they gun the motor trying to climb and throw themselves and their trucks in the ditch. It happened again last night.

Chillin' Last Night

Everyone was relaxing last night out on the patio, just chatting and listening to music. Do you think TIA has it made in the shade?

Getting the Boat Ready

Matt's been diligently working on the boat, cleaning and shining it for our camping trip to Kidd Lake next week. I have mixed emotions about this trip...I am excited because Heather and her boyfriend are going to be camping with us, but then so is about 50 of our high school friends?! It is somewhat of a reunion. I have not seen most of them in about 10 years, so the anticipation in great. I will definately let you know after the fact. So this week we are getting ready to go. Kidd Lake is up in the Sierra Nevada just south of Donner Pass, so it will be cool in the evening for sure. But, it is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever been on, and Matt is dying to Fish.

Coffee Hour

Matt and I get up between 5:00 and 6:00 on days Matt does not work, 4:00 on days that he does. Mom, Dad, Trude, and Gordon on the other hand get up around 8:30 - 9:00. We are ready for lunch when they are having coffee, we cannot wait until we retire. Ha Ha, that is not in the near future though...

A Monday Full of Jobs

Mom and Trude were working on many different projects today, Tia was making the most of their few relaxing moments. Dad and Gordon fixed the water heater, I think, something happened to it today, they are still working on it as I blog, and the water is still off. Matt is getting all of his fishing gear ready for our next camping trip which is next week, and I finished my canning for the day. A long day had by all.