Bullards Bar

It was a great change of pace to be out on the water for a couple days. Nature is a wonderous way to cleanse your mind.

Reflections

At the end of the lake where it flows into the Yuba River it was so calm and clear you could see any reflection, check this reflection out. We proceeded a little further and we found a floating fence, it looked like there was a drop off...we proceeded slowly right through it, and it went on miles further up river. How funny you can actually boat into the river at this point. It was Beautiful.

Wooden Octopus

There are huge stumps all along the shoreline at Bullards. It looks like a Jules Verne Movie!

Our Camp

If you look close you can see the crazy shelving look to this lake's beaches, the water fluctuates a foot to 3 feet a night. Crazy. But the sandstone granite washes away and makes sand for the beaches. I don't think I have ever seen anything like it. It made for a great campsite, except you had to climb the stairmaster every time you need to go to the tent!

Waterfall Wolf

We came across this really cool waterfall on one of our 3 hour tours on the lake. It is 16 miles long, so it made for some cool day trips. I think you will be able to see his Head with ears, and a big arm outstretched pointing. We stopped by there on our way back and we could not see it for anything. We thought it was cool.

Boat Camping At Bullards Bar

Boat camping is a unique experience, in that you only get to bring what can fit on the boat in one trip. Sometimes things that you bring, just don't seem to make it on the boat, and you never no until you are on the beach wondering 'where is that ?' The answer is always, 'I didn't know that was important...the meaning to that is 'my fish stuff wouldn't fit if I put that in there'.

We barely got unloaded and Matt and Tom were fishing!

Going Boat Camping

Matt and I and our friends Tom and Debbie are going to Bullards Bar Resevoir. We are going to go boat camping today and tomorrow. I have never been to this lake, it is about 17 miles long. It is in a place called Dobbins, Ca. It is a couple of hours from home, the water temp is about 77 so hopefully it will be a great couple days. It is supposed to be about 100 degrees today and tomorrow, so water will be great to be around.

I will post pictures of the trip when I return home on Saturday am. I think this is a great way to get ready to celebrate my "55th" birthday on Saturday. Yes, can you believe it, I will be 55 in a couple days. I still be 30, well atleast in my head I do, not the old bod!

Dirty Work

Now that the compost is in on one side, it is time for the Rotatiller...Yes it does look that hard, you should see skinny little Matt try to push this thing! He's is gonna lose what weight he has left. OMG!

Gardening This Year

The Garden is finally done being graded, now we need to bring in the mulch, then finish the posts, string the wire, etc. etc. Needless to say it won't be a summer garden this year, but it will be great next year.

Matt and I found this 'Bed and Breakfast' feeder on the property on a tree way down the hill. Another cool find, just like the Cindy chimes.

Prowler Is In It's Place

Mom and Dad's Trailer is finally put back almost to where it was when we first moved into it back in February...Wow it was definately a long winter. Matt and I have never been so close as we were in the trailer, in the rain and in the snow.

We are glad not to be living in it now, but we were lucky it was so close to us when we were in such a need.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Animals, Animals, Animals

I am that is what mom and dad are thinking right about now. When mom and dad got home on Sunday after visiting their Crystal and Sasha's families, they found that Bandit was bleeding. Of course they had to run her to the vet hospital to have an immediate, emergency surgery...$$$$. They picked her up this morning, and they say she is fine now...Wow...When it rains it pours !!

Deanna did bring them a baby chihuahua, it is a 6 week old male, they named him 'angel'. I think that is definately an apprapro name. They all seem to be doing okay this afternoon. We will pray to St. Francis to keep all the animals healthy from now on!

Matt Fishing with Grady

We went to our friend's Jeff and Vickie Streeter a couple of weekends ago. We went out on their Patio Boat for a BBQ. It was really fun, as you can see their dog 'Grady' was enjoying the fishing almost as much as Matt was. There is a bridge at one end of the lake, and the people in this boat ducked down and went under the bridge...It was a trip to watch.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Tomorrow is Dad's Birthday...Hopefully he will have a new puppy and be able to see the great grandkids too.

Wish we could celebrate with you Dad. We love and miss you!

Have a wonderful day.

Facebook and A New Puppy

When I first started on Facebook, it scared me! One wrong word and the whole world would know. But it is not that difficult if you stay smart...As long as you do not say anything that you would not say to someone's face, I think your safe!

I was able to chat one on one with Aaron today, he is in Germany for those who do not know. It was great for about 1/2 hour, in the meantime his mom called and told me she and Amber were bringing a chihuahua puppy up to mom and dad today.

Hopefully that will take some of the pain away, not that Tia will not be missed, it just won't be as painful because another will need mom and dad.

Good Luck with the new puppy, hopefully it will work out. I understand it is only 6 weeks old, so mom and dad will probably have their hands full. That will be good for them.

Crystal, James, and Connor are visiting Sasha and Brian this weekend, so it will be fun for mom and dad to see the Great Grandkids for Dad's Birthday tomorrow.

Such a Sad Day Today, Tia is in Dog Heaven Now!

Tia has been sick for several days now, mom and dad have been taking her to the vet and she has been spending the night in the animal hospital. Last night she got to go home and spend the night with mom and dad and all the other animals. But this morning on the way to the vet, she left us...

This picture of Connor is my way of laughing when I want to cry, I thought it might help everyone who will miss her.

We loved you TIA!!

Heather and Connor

Heather and Connor had so much fun when everyone stayed on the weekend of the 4th. They played and played. We all enjoyed spending the time together. It was the first time since Xmas that we were all in the same house at the same time. It is amazing how big and smart he is getting.

Pictures

I found this old picture at a Thrift Store for $1.00, it was drawn in 1954, but I cannot identify the city...I am going to try to find it online. The other picture is of Hotel Del Coronado, it was also $1.00, and I refinished the frame, it came out pretty good. Our house is being decorated in Early 'thrift store'!

Connor's First Mimi Treat

When the kids came over on the 4th of July weekend, we all had a ball. Crystal actually let me give Connor a treat, so I decided on a chocolate shortbread cookie. It was instant action, around and around he ran and ran. I was able to catch some of it on film. Check out the 'cookie mouth'.

Tractor Man

Matt has been diligently working on getting the garden dug out with the tractor. There is an enormous amount of rocks, so it is taking a little while. Looks like this year the herbs will be in pots.

Cindy - "Sent"

For Years Matt has bought chimes for me, for every occasion. Some are expensive, others not so much, but always chimes for birthdays, anniversaries, and new homes. We have not bought a new one since we moved into this home. Yesterday, Matt called me down into the bottom of the property and showed me these 'cow chimes' with a 'heart chime' hanging from it. It was on some random tree, just waiting to be discovered. When I saw it I said "OMG they are from Cindy"...a housewarming chime from Cindy. WOW...I know it is, what a special sign that was, Matt and I both know it! Look where I happened to hang it, right next to the chime from Father Sammon's Funeral...The other chime of the peacock is one of Cindy's that I have had since she has been gone. Notice the bells are exactly the same on all three of those chimes. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!

The Garden

Finally we have been able to borrow a tractor to rip the ground for our garden. Yes, it is very late, but hopefully we will have some fall crops. Sure do miss all the veggies we are used to eating. Luckily there is always next year.

Matt's First 'Frisbee Golf Hole' Done

Matt is using recycled materials to make his frisbee golf course holes. He used old gold mining pans, really old chain, whiskey barrel bands, and some fencing. He has made two and has 16 more to go. He wants me to call this show called 'swap shop' where you can ask for anything you want to buy, thing is you have to talk on the show. I will have to build up to that! Anyways he is having tons of fun working on our own yard.

Deer In Our Backyard

We moved on June 22nd to a fantastic new home. It is on 2.7 acres of wooded grounds. There are gently sloping hills and lots of nature all around. We have Oaks, Pines, Maples, and even some Redwood Trees. It has felt very comfortable and like home from the minute we stepped foot on the property. It is a good feeling to have a home again. The second day we were here, baby deer were born. Every morning and evening since then the momma and her little buck come to eat in our back yard. It is a special little treat from God and Cindy...atleast that's what I want to believe.

I'm Baaaak!!

I cannot believe that is has been almost 6 months since I posted. A lot has happened in that 6 months. It has been an enlightening time for Matt and I. We would have never made it through these hard times without the love and encouragment from our family and friends.

We have moved into a beautiful home where we have plenty of room for all who want to visit. I will post some pictures in the days to come.

Stay Tuned !