End of winter break

The last sweet days of winter break. I think it was about 83 degrees today. Went hiking in Elfin Forest today with Brady, Angelica, her son and friends. Brady, Angelica, and I have become quite the regular hiking partners.

It was a beautiful day, but all I have to say about these pictures is.....I have obviously not been missing any meals. Ah well, hiked 6 miles and still voluptuous!

Hi Everyone, we have had a great Christmas time. Many parties and meals with family. On Christmas day Matt and I rode the bike through 2 deserts, had dinner in the Joshua Tree Saloon with Jessica. We stayed in the Joshua Tree Inn which is a fun, funky place and had a beautiful ride back to Vista.

Matt finally finished Painting the house single-handedly! We also tore down the old patio cover. Someday I hope to send pictures of what is , not what is no longer. Happy New Year!

Hey there Quincy. I had a really fun weekend visiting your aunt Jessica in Joshua Tree. She lives up in the desert now. Your Uncle Gunnar went with me. We took a load of her stuff up since she has a new house now. It was very warm and at night the stars are sooooo bright! Jessica's boyfriend Dominique made a nice dinner for us. We danced all night at a wedding, and went hiking in the Joshua Tree park the next morning. Maybe you will be able to visit someday. Love Grandma

What a great summer it's been. I got to visit cicely, Dan, and quincy. Quincy and I visited the Burke museum in Seattle and Greenlake. Matt met me out on Olympic penninsula and we had a great time hiking/biking the area. One day we hiked to some hot springs and a deer was following us down the trail. Then I went back to North Bend where Cicely Dan, Quincy, and I walked through an old train tunnel in Snoqualamie Pass. The Olympic mountain range is unbelievable and Quincy is the best grandson ever! The day I returned home Ann and I attended a musical at the Old Globe Theater where we always have a marvelous time together. Back to school next week.

moving Brady

Hi Quincy, today I helped our friend Brady take a load of stuff out to her ranch where she is moving. The Braun's are our most special friends. They live on a big ranch with dogs, avocado and orange trees, a pond, a swimming pool, AND a cave with dinosaur bones! Maybe you will get to visit there someday, that would be really cool.

Marla came out with her two girls, Elle and Ruby. They are super smart, fun girls just like their mom and aunties. Marla made cake balls which are chocolately and good. Tomorrow is back to school after a long weekend. Have a great week! love grandma

Presidents' day weekend

Hi Quincy, just got back from visiting your aunt Jessica in Joshua Tree. They opened a new pizza place. Everyone in Joshua Tree is REALLY happy they are there and are buying lots of pizza. I got to wash some dishes and pretend like I was the boss. It was fun. Jessica came and stayed with me at the historical Joshua Tree Inn. It is decorated in 70's funk, the place where Gram Parsons stayed (and died). They're really milking that one. Our Innkeeper had dreadlocks down to his knees and served us Chai Lattes for breakfast. Very cool.

I explored the area. Here is the integratron, a place where aliens and geophysical forces help to make you a smarter stronger person? I'll get back to you on that one.

I did a bit of hiking around. There are a lot of rock climbers out in Joshua Tree National Park. I hope to see you soon. Love Grandma

Announcement

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The deal is done. We closed escrow yesterday. I am now the homeowner of the hilltop cottage on Cabrillo Circle! I got such a great price and interest rate that my mortgage payment is the same as my rent was. But I had to pinch pennies so hard to close this deal.....you might not expect extravagant gifts from me for Christmas this year.
Now I have plumbing to improve, wiring to re-wire, fences to tear out, trees to prune, windows to replace, furniture to buy, remodelers to contact, grading and cement work, a deck to build, ........oh and I need a chimney sweep. A whole new set of problems I am so lucky to have. Ohhhh, and I also need to make a special bed for Quincy when he comes to visit. love Grandma