Wednesday evening, August 24, Tim and Marilyn from Scottsdale arrived for a short visit. Arne and I were scheduled to fly to Oakland on Friday, the 26th. After watching the weather channel for days, we decided Hurricane Irene might cause us a problem so changed our flight to Saturday morning. This required changing reservations for rental car and hotel in CA but also gave us a little more time with Tim and Marilyn. They loved pickleball as we played Thursday and Friday mornings. Marilyn promised to come back again for a longer visit. They were quite impressed with The Villages.
Arne and I stayed near the airport in Orlando Friday night (26th) and left our car there. As we began our return home on Thursday, Sept. 1, Arne mentioned that he wasn't sure where he'd put the keys. Once we got to the airport, we found a table in a corner near Security so he could go through his suitcase. No key! I called the places we'd stayed in CA and no key! I actually made 13 calls that day and 11 calls on Friday. Such a mess! We couldn't decide whether to take a shuttle home, get our extra key, drive the Corvette back to pick up the Avalon OR to have the car towed to a Toyota dealer and have another key made. We stayed in Orlando Thursday night and the next morning the towing company sent a flatbed truck. This wouldn't work as there was not enough room for the truck. The next truck was smaller with front wheel lift but no way to get at the front of our car as another car was parked in that spot. After finding out that it was going to cost almost $500 to have a new FOB made, we decided getting our other key was the best thing to do. We were also hoping the lost key would be found. As we're standing in front of the hotel thirty minutes later, waiting for their shuttle to take us to the airport where we could get a van to take us home, Arne noticed our car was gone from its parking spot. We walked over there to find the towing company had come back! There were 4 guys with the two different trucks. They had put concrete under the front wheels and dragged the car out of its spot. We told them we didn't want it taken to Toyota. Since they couldn't put it back, they said they would store it overnight. So...this afternoon we'll drive back to Orlando to pick it up.
The good news is that Arne finally remembered that he had put the key in the nightstand drawer. Sure enough, after calling the hotel they were able to find the key. This morning, I'm lying in bed and remember I left a bathing suit, coverup and a tank top in a dresser drawer in that same hotel! I was blaming Arne's forgetfulness on his turning 70. Guess I'm already there. :-(
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Visiting California Cousins
Our trip to California was to surprise cousin Eileen at her 70th birthday party and surprise her we did. The party was Mexican Fiesta and Eileen's daughter-in-law had done a superb job with the decorations. Along with the Mexican cuisine, there was a performance by a Mariachi band.
Eileen and son, Stephen
Stephen's vineyard behind Eileen's house
Marge, Sharon, Arne, Lynn
We stayed at John Muir Inn in Martinez, birthplace of the martini and Joe DiMaggio. This Inn was just two miles from Eileen's home. We spent Sunday with her and she drove us to the waterfront which is actually the east end of San Francisco Bay.
Monday, we went with Eileen, her son Eric and grandson Evan, to San Francisco. We rode BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to Powell Street and then took a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf. We had lunch at Bodin's, home of delicious sourdough bread. Thanks to Evan's insistence on going into a gift shop, we discovered Hyde Street Pier which is a historical site under the National Park Service. I was able to use my Golden Eagle Passport to get us onto the ships for no charge. We spent over an hour walking through an old ferry which was used before the Golden Gate bridge was built and a ship used to haul cargo to and from San Francisco.
Tuesday, we checked out of the Inn and drove to cousin Marge's home where we spent the next two nights. We joined another cousin, Lynn and her family, for lunch at their country club
.
Lunch at Castlewood. Aunt Eleanor is center front.
Wednesday, Eileen came to Marge's so the cousins could do more reminiscing while looking at pictures from times past.
We had a delightful five days in northern California. The weather was perfect...comfortable during the day and cool in the evenings.
We stayed at John Muir Inn in Martinez, birthplace of the martini and Joe DiMaggio. This Inn was just two miles from Eileen's home. We spent Sunday with her and she drove us to the waterfront which is actually the east end of San Francisco Bay.
Monday, we went with Eileen, her son Eric and grandson Evan, to San Francisco. We rode BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to Powell Street and then took a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf. We had lunch at Bodin's, home of delicious sourdough bread. Thanks to Evan's insistence on going into a gift shop, we discovered Hyde Street Pier which is a historical site under the National Park Service. I was able to use my Golden Eagle Passport to get us onto the ships for no charge. We spent over an hour walking through an old ferry which was used before the Golden Gate bridge was built and a ship used to haul cargo to and from San Francisco.
Tuesday, we checked out of the Inn and drove to cousin Marge's home where we spent the next two nights. We joined another cousin, Lynn and her family, for lunch at their country club
.
Wednesday, Eileen came to Marge's so the cousins could do more reminiscing while looking at pictures from times past.
We had a delightful five days in northern California. The weather was perfect...comfortable during the day and cool in the evenings.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
2 Weeks with K & G
Saturday, July 30, Arne and I picked up our beautiful granddaughters, Kadin and Gracie, who flew in for a two-week visit. On Sunday, I set up "desks" for them in our office. Kadin proceeded to print out reams of paper for her studies on marine biology.
Monday, Arne took the girls to his art class. They spent three hours drawing and then I took them swimming for a short time until lightning forced us to go home.
Tuesday, the four of us went to see The Smurfs movie in 3-D. It was cute and the girls enjoyed it.
Wednesday morning, we took the girls to a Camp Villages class in which they put together a board for Morse code. After they were finished, Kadin announced that she never wanted to work with wires again. They did put together lots of wires and lots of screws. After a couple hours swimming, I took them to a class at She Scrapbooks
in which they made 5 notecards with scrapbooking materials. In the evening, we celebrated Arne's birthday.
Thursday morning, the girls loved the class on How to Train a Lemon Brain. There were seven different dogs and the girls were told how to train them. They then got to spend time with several of the dogs. Swimming again and then a late afternoon class to make a scrapbook out of brown lunch sacks.
Friday morning, the girls participated in Water Sports. I think Gracie picked up an ear infection during that activity. She told Erik to bring her ear drops, which he did, but they only helped for a short time as you'll read later in this blog.
Saturday, we took the girls to a clown show at our local rec center. They had a great time playing games and getting their faces painted. Around 3:30 we headed to Orlando to pick up Erik at 5. We spent the night in a hotel near the airport. On Sunday, we drove to Cocoa Beach where Erik and the girls spent three hours in the Atlantic Ocean. Arne and I spent most of our time in the shade. We all went to Ron Jon's Surf Shop and did some shopping.
Monday, the girls again went to art class with Arne.
Tuesday, Aug. 9, Erik, girls and I spent 14 hours at Universal Orlando. It rained in morning and we thought it was going to ruin the day but actually cooled things off. Temperature stayed below 80 and we had a great day. Universal charges for their Express Pass, similar to Disney's FastPass, which is free. On this particular day, an ExpressPass was $69.99 per person. That's in addition to your entry fee, which was $130. We skipped the EP and it was the right decision. We waited 45 min. to get on the Hulk and Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey. HPFJ doesn't accept EXPass anyway. We rode everything we wanted to ride including Hulk 3 times in all and Dragon Challenge 4 times. I only rode Dragon Challenge twice as I had felt weezy after riding it with Taylor. With Erik and girls, we rode in the front and I was fine because I could see where I was going. FUN DAY!!
Wednesday, Erik took Gracie to Urgent Care as her ear had gotten more painful. Doctor said it was swimmer's ear and gave her some drops. I then drove Gracie to join Arne at the Orchid Club meeting as she loves orchids. That evening we celebrated Erik's birthday.
Thursday afternoon, the five of us went to Silver Springs, about 23 miles north of here. We saw lots of aligators. We took a ride on a glass bottom boat and looked down into the clear water. Not many fish, probably too hot. We went on a jeep ride and were told that many movies and tv shows had been filmed in this area.
Friday, Erik took Gracie back to Urgent Care as her ear wasn't any better and we were concerned about her flying today. Doctor gave her some different drops and moxicillin. Also told Erik that all three should take Sudafed an hour before the flight to clear their sinuses. She said it might be contagious. After dinner, Erik, the girls and I played pickleball. Kadin really likes the game and wanted me to take her today, at noon, for a one-on-one to play pickleball. I had played earlier and showered but I took her. We played two games and she kept pouring water over her hear to keep cool. She then went swimming with her dad while I went home and took another shower.
We headed for the airport around 3. Their flight was supposed to be 5:25 but due to bad weather in the Northeast, they didn't take off until 9 PM and didn't get to Los Alamos until almost 2 AM. I Skyped them today and got to see Lil E. Gracie said she's working on her back pack for tomorrow's first day of school. Kadin said she doesn't want to go to school, which her father said every Sunday evening. :-)
I've been blue as I walk around the house seeing reminders of their visit. One of those were these signs hanging on the guest room door.
Tuesday, the four of us went to see The Smurfs movie in 3-D. It was cute and the girls enjoyed it.
in which they made 5 notecards with scrapbooking materials. In the evening, we celebrated Arne's birthday.
Thursday morning, the girls loved the class on How to Train a Lemon Brain. There were seven different dogs and the girls were told how to train them. They then got to spend time with several of the dogs. Swimming again and then a late afternoon class to make a scrapbook out of brown lunch sacks.
Friday morning, the girls participated in Water Sports. I think Gracie picked up an ear infection during that activity. She told Erik to bring her ear drops, which he did, but they only helped for a short time as you'll read later in this blog.
Saturday, we took the girls to a clown show at our local rec center. They had a great time playing games and getting their faces painted. Around 3:30 we headed to Orlando to pick up Erik at 5. We spent the night in a hotel near the airport. On Sunday, we drove to Cocoa Beach where Erik and the girls spent three hours in the Atlantic Ocean. Arne and I spent most of our time in the shade. We all went to Ron Jon's Surf Shop and did some shopping.
Tuesday, Aug. 9, Erik, girls and I spent 14 hours at Universal Orlando. It rained in morning and we thought it was going to ruin the day but actually cooled things off. Temperature stayed below 80 and we had a great day. Universal charges for their Express Pass, similar to Disney's FastPass, which is free. On this particular day, an ExpressPass was $69.99 per person. That's in addition to your entry fee, which was $130. We skipped the EP and it was the right decision. We waited 45 min. to get on the Hulk and Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey. HPFJ doesn't accept EXPass anyway. We rode everything we wanted to ride including Hulk 3 times in all and Dragon Challenge 4 times. I only rode Dragon Challenge twice as I had felt weezy after riding it with Taylor. With Erik and girls, we rode in the front and I was fine because I could see where I was going. FUN DAY!!
Wednesday, Erik took Gracie to Urgent Care as her ear had gotten more painful. Doctor said it was swimmer's ear and gave her some drops. I then drove Gracie to join Arne at the Orchid Club meeting as she loves orchids. That evening we celebrated Erik's birthday.
Thursday afternoon, the five of us went to Silver Springs, about 23 miles north of here. We saw lots of aligators. We took a ride on a glass bottom boat and looked down into the clear water. Not many fish, probably too hot. We went on a jeep ride and were told that many movies and tv shows had been filmed in this area.
Friday, Erik took Gracie back to Urgent Care as her ear wasn't any better and we were concerned about her flying today. Doctor gave her some different drops and moxicillin. Also told Erik that all three should take Sudafed an hour before the flight to clear their sinuses. She said it might be contagious. After dinner, Erik, the girls and I played pickleball. Kadin really likes the game and wanted me to take her today, at noon, for a one-on-one to play pickleball. I had played earlier and showered but I took her. We played two games and she kept pouring water over her hear to keep cool. She then went swimming with her dad while I went home and took another shower.
We headed for the airport around 3. Their flight was supposed to be 5:25 but due to bad weather in the Northeast, they didn't take off until 9 PM and didn't get to Los Alamos until almost 2 AM. I Skyped them today and got to see Lil E. Gracie said she's working on her back pack for tomorrow's first day of school. Kadin said she doesn't want to go to school, which her father said every Sunday evening. :-)
I've been blue as I walk around the house seeing reminders of their visit. One of those were these signs hanging on the guest room door.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Taylor Home Safe
We both have a lot more sympathy for Lisa as this was our first time with just Taylor. I heard "Grandma" at least 50 times. And the questions!! He says he asks questions so he can learn things. OK. But some of the questions...How long does it take a man to get ready? (He thought I took entirely too long getting ready, especially when he was waiting for me to go with him so he could drive the golf cart.) Grandpa, is that a toupée? He gave us many laughs also with his wonderful sense of humor.
Lisa is planning to come out in October so we will see Taylor again then. At least, we can share the load. :-) Tomorrow night the girls come. Kadin is ADD but that's not so bad, since half our family is ADD. The hyperactivity is the killer for old people! Taylor warned me that the girls will be waking us up at 5AM. I said they would not...hope I'm right!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Taylor's Visit
Grandson Taylor, 15, or as he kept reminding me, almost 16, arrived in Orlando July 17. Since his flight didn't arrive until 11:40 PM, I got a room at a hotel near the airport. The next day, Monday,I took him to Kennedy Space Center which we toured for about 5 hours, arriving in The Villages around 6:30.
For the next three days, Taylor went with me to play pickleball. We played singles and he kept commenting on my long reach as not many balls got past me. It took Taylor three days to get used to the humidity as he constantly complained at how hot it was here. Wait a minute...Arizona is hot, isn't it?? Oh, yeah, HUMIDITY! Makes a difference when you're not used to it.
Thursday afternoon, the three of us went to see Transformers 3 in 3D. Taylor loved it, I thought it was OK and Arne thought it's never end.
Taylor brought his golf clubs and we planned to go out each evening after dinner, when golf is free on the executive courses. :-) However, the first three days he was too tired and the next two evenings had thunder storms. I finally took him on Saturday to play one of the Arnold Palmer Championship courses Saturday afternoon. It was hot but clouds help keep it bearable. While Taylor didn't beat me, as he predicted, he did have a great shot out of the sand on the Par 3 #8 and into the hole for Birdie. He was happy!!
Sunday morning Taylor and I left the house at 7:30 AM and headed for Universal Orlando. We spent almost 8 hours riding all kinds of coasters. The last one, Dragon Challenge in Wizarding World of Harry Potter, finished me. I was nauseated as the ride flung us up and around and back and forth. Taylor rode it three more times without me. For the day, I had 13 rides and Taylor 16. Three of those rides were water rides and by the end of the third one, I was COMPLETELY soaked. While I had a bad hair day, I actually stayed quite cool for the remainder of the afternoon.
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Dragon Challenge
Today, Arne took Taylor to his art class where T behaved like a gentleman. I took him for an hour of pickleball and after dinner, Arne took him golfing. He should sleep well tonight. No special plans for tomorrow except steak for dinner. He flies back to Phoenix Wednesday afternoon. We then have three days to recoup before Kadin and Gracie fly in Saturday night...
For the next three days, Taylor went with me to play pickleball. We played singles and he kept commenting on my long reach as not many balls got past me. It took Taylor three days to get used to the humidity as he constantly complained at how hot it was here. Wait a minute...Arizona is hot, isn't it?? Oh, yeah, HUMIDITY! Makes a difference when you're not used to it.
Thursday afternoon, the three of us went to see Transformers 3 in 3D. Taylor loved it, I thought it was OK and Arne thought it's never end.
Taylor brought his golf clubs and we planned to go out each evening after dinner, when golf is free on the executive courses. :-) However, the first three days he was too tired and the next two evenings had thunder storms. I finally took him on Saturday to play one of the Arnold Palmer Championship courses Saturday afternoon. It was hot but clouds help keep it bearable. While Taylor didn't beat me, as he predicted, he did have a great shot out of the sand on the Par 3 #8 and into the hole for Birdie. He was happy!!
Sunday morning Taylor and I left the house at 7:30 AM and headed for Universal Orlando. We spent almost 8 hours riding all kinds of coasters. The last one, Dragon Challenge in Wizarding World of Harry Potter, finished me. I was nauseated as the ride flung us up and around and back and forth. Taylor rode it three more times without me. For the day, I had 13 rides and Taylor 16. Three of those rides were water rides and by the end of the third one, I was COMPLETELY soaked. While I had a bad hair day, I actually stayed quite cool for the remainder of the afternoon.
Today, Arne took Taylor to his art class where T behaved like a gentleman. I took him for an hour of pickleball and after dinner, Arne took him golfing. He should sleep well tonight. No special plans for tomorrow except steak for dinner. He flies back to Phoenix Wednesday afternoon. We then have three days to recoup before Kadin and Gracie fly in Saturday night...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Villages Pickleball Report on CBS
I love playing pickleball. There was a segment about pickleball in The Villages on CBS news which you can watch here. When I first started, I took a clinic last Fall from Coach Mo and also played a game with him one morning in May.
Pickleball Report on CBS
Pickleball Report on CBS
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Independence Day!
July 5 is not only the anniversary of my father-in-law, Ralph Swensen's 100th birthday but it's an independence day of sorts for Casey Anthony. While I knew they couldn't find her guilty of first degree murder due to the lack of evidence, I never dreamed she would be found not guilty on all counts in the death of her daughter. She was responsible for her daughter at the time she "disappeared" and should be charged with something. While most mothers would have been frantic trying to find their daughter, this mother chose to party. Very sad for little Caylee.
On a happier note, Arne and I went to the Town Square last night for dinner and good music. This picture was taken last year. The two "tall people" on the right were present last night and I had on the same shirt so decided to use the same picture, since we didn't have a camera last night. :-)
My wound is pretty much healed so I started playing pickleball again. Played the last four days. Really enjoy it. I'm hosting Hand and Foot (card game) Thursday which has given me a good reason to finally clean house.
I'm happy to report that Erik is back home even though the fire is still burning on the other side of the mountains. While that's fortunate for Erik, it's not fortunate for the Indians who have sacred ground in that area.
The Villages continues to grow. While this video is a sales video, it gives an overview of The Villages lifestyle and the family who created it.
On a happier note, Arne and I went to the Town Square last night for dinner and good music. This picture was taken last year. The two "tall people" on the right were present last night and I had on the same shirt so decided to use the same picture, since we didn't have a camera last night. :-)
My wound is pretty much healed so I started playing pickleball again. Played the last four days. Really enjoy it. I'm hosting Hand and Foot (card game) Thursday which has given me a good reason to finally clean house.
I'm happy to report that Erik is back home even though the fire is still burning on the other side of the mountains. While that's fortunate for Erik, it's not fortunate for the Indians who have sacred ground in that area.
The Villages continues to grow. While this video is a sales video, it gives an overview of The Villages lifestyle and the family who created it.
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