2016 IN REVIEW

January - Celebrated the new year at my sitster’s house in Reno with Kyle and our dogs.

Princess Pepper

Got to spend quality time with Laura at our old haunt, The Peppermill Lounge for a celebratory drink.  This place hasn't changed in decades and I hope it never does.

Kyle and I left on New Year’s Day and drove to Bishop where we spent the night.  It was a beautiful drive through the snow covered mountains.  

We checked into a budget hotel with a sizable room on the second floor.  Lots of fun lugging our dogs and suitcases up the stairs.  Once we settled in, we walked across the street to a sushi restaurant our hotel recommended.  It was very busy and festive there, a great choice.  We dined with the Christmas tree in the bar since the restaurant was so full.  We had miso soup and lots of yummy sushi and were quite full and happy when we left.

Do I dare?

I went jogging the next morning with the dogs and went back to get Kyle and pack up.  We went to Schatt’s, the famous local bakery, for my favorite cheesey bread to take home, then to the book store we like so much.  It's filled with interesting books, calendars, gift items and has a warm and cozy atmosphere. The workers have posted their own reviews on 3x5 cards pasted to the shelves to help you decide which book to buy.  I bought a lovely book that I enjoyed reading - a historical fiction about a young English woman in the 1700s who was an expert at collecting sea life fossils.  I love the time we spent together in Bishop - it seems magical, like all our travels together.  

We saw the strangest sign outside Bishop.  It says Provincetown, MA 3205 miles. !?

Just in case you decide to drive to Massachusetts from Bishop

For the second time in a row, we missed the exit to the little lake outside Bishop where we like to picnic so we just kept driving.  

Beautiful sunset!

We had some rains in January that shifted the sandy floor on the riding trails at the ranch.  I was riding bareback one afternoon when the sand gave way underneath us and suddenly we were airborn.  Then Scotch changed directions in mid air, and I bounced off and fell on my back.  I lay there for a few seconds trying to decide how injured I was, then Scotch kicked me in the face as he ran away.  I decided to lie there a while longer.  My lip was bleeding and my face was bruised, as I slowly limped back to the stable.  Scotch had run ahead of me and looked back now and then to make sure I was still alive. My loyal horse.

Mary and I met Ginny at the Brigantine for a cocktail.  We hadn’t seen her in so long and it was great to see both of them, even though my face was bruised and I was limping a little.  Embarrassing.

I  went to the second annual Robert Burns Scottish dinner at the ranch.  Whiskey tasting, bagpipers, Scottish dancers, what's not to like?  I strained to understand the jokes and poems in thick Scottish brogues but only understood every other word.  Brian's beautiful daughter gave a funny and clever speech too.  A roaring fire in the outdoor fireplace kept us warm while we listened to live music after dinner.

FEBRUARY - Peggy, Milly, Alyssa, and I went to the Pomona Horse Show and had fun shopping and attending some of the demonstrations.  I always get some great horsemanship tips and have fun checking out all the cute clothes and bling.  Of course the highlight was going to dinner at a wonderful restaurant on the hill with a fabulous view of the city, and spending the night in our free hotel, thanks to Milly.

Tangerine laid an egg!

MARCH - Peggy and I rode the Big Sky trail - beautiful day.  

Rode Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

APRIL - The kids and I dyed Easter eggs and took the dogs for a walk at the lake.

I got a job!  I applied at a temp agency, Office Team, and they called me about a month later and said a company needed a receptionist the very next day and could I go.    I’ve been there ever since, and am so happy to be part of a team that is helping others.

MAY - Krista and Kyle took me to the ranch for a Mother's Day picnic.  We played with Scotch and the dogs and they made dinner for me that night.  Perfection.

Good day for Pepper too

Diane Hemmer, one of the nurses at work, invited me to a party on her boat in Oceanside over Labor Day weekend.  

JUNE - Kyle and I checked into our time share on Sunday, June 5.  I commuted to and from work the whole week, and on Thursday, I picked up Krista and Mercedes from Jersey Mikes and drove them up to spend the weekend with us. 

 Kyle found a friend to stay at our house to watch the dogs.  It worked out perfectly.  My commute to and from work every day wasn’t much fun but I always enjoy being there, and we had a great room. We barbecued, and went into Laguna Beach to shop and had lunch at a great roof top bar.  

On the way home the following Sunday, we stopped at the Shake Shop like we always do.

This is where they filmed the original Beaches

I worked at the German Club and had fun visiting with Hanelore, meine Deutsche “Schwester”, (everyone says we look like sisters) and Erika.

JULY - Auditioned for some plays.  Spent time with our pets.

AUGUST - Went to the Sawdust Festival with Ellen and celebrated her birthday. Dinner at Las Brisas. 

Kyle turned 21!  Krista, Mercedes and I took him to Stone Brewery for dinner.

SEPTEMBER - Went to a Labor Day part on Diane’s boat.

Can you see the sea lion?

Performed in the Carol Burnett Skits at Lake San Marcos - I was a madam.  Tim Conway’s granddaughter came to our final performance!  She was a doll!

I took Kyle to Wilson Creek to celebrate him turning 21.  Sheila hooked him up the same as she had done for Krista.  We also went to Ponte’s (had lunch there) and Leonase, and ended up joining their wine club.

OCTOBER - Krista and I saw deer on the golf course!

Krista left for Utah.  She drove with her friend Amanda who went along for the road trip.  She arrived at her new home on the exact same day - October 15 - and exactly the same age - 22 - as I was when I left my home in Reno and moved to San Diego.  How weird is that.

Goodbye!

Come back!

I performed as Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet in Harvey at the Village Church Community Theater.  Loved my part - though small, it was a great character to play.  Got to work with Twyla for the first time.  She took over from Margie as director.  

Terri was our back stage manager again.  Love her.  

Pam Shane, who has been acting as our ED, quit and we had a goodbye happy hour for her at the Elephant Bar.

I took Pepper for a little trip up to Julian.  It was cold and drizzly, great Husky weather!

She was a great traveling companion.

Chester had to have surgery to have a growth removed on his eye.  He was a conehead for Halloween.  

I  stayed home with the dogs and passed out candy.  Kyle came for dinner and helped for a little while.

NOVEMBER - My birthday was on a Saturday this year.  Denyse brought a beautiful cake to the office on Friday to celebrate.  

Kyle and I took the dogs for a walk, then went to the ranch for a horse ride.  

Ranch-hand Tim was so helpful - gave him all kinds of instruction and advice and we had a great trail ride together.  Then we went to Altiplano and watched the sunset with a glass of wine.  

We decided it would be a great idea to have dinner at Cordiano - what a great night.  Got to visit with Gerry, and Rosa spent a lot of time sitting with us and telling her Italian jokes in her thickest Italian accent.

 I rented another house in Big Bear for our annual trip and it was perfect.  

We got over the mountain before dark on Saturday and checked into our cabin which we really liked.  Nice fenced backyard for the dogs.  Kyle had a loft room with a cutout window looking down into the living room.  

I had a nice room with a queen bed and balcony.  Pepper made herself at home on the other bed in the corner.  

Sweet dreams

I always enjoy shopping at the local Vons which was unusually crowded for some reason, then going home to make dinner and relax by the fireplace.  The next day we went for a long hike.  

My new home

I’m so glad we went when we did.  It was not snowy or muddy and the dogs got a great workout.  I think we overdid it with Chester because he acted like he didn’t want to move when we got back.  Went into town and saw my friend Lorena, who always has the latest gossip and tips on where to go.  We checked out the brewery but ended up at the new outdoor bar with live music.  We sat by the fire pit and ordered a drink.  So fun to be able to have a drink with my son now.  

We awoke the next day to a winter wonderland!  

It snowed over night and the balcony, yard and deck were covered with a beautiful white blanket.  

So glad we went for our hike the day before!  We walked the dogs around the lake - a short walk because it was bone chilling, teeth chattering coold!!  Such a dramatic change in temperature in 24 hours. Went into town again for last minute shopping, to see Lorena again and to go bowling.  Lorena told us to check out the new German deli in town so we did that first.  We found my favorite Mettwurst and Flensburger Bier!  Couldn't believe they had beer from Flensburg!  So exciting! 

At the bowling alley, I started off doing pretty good, but then got worse and Kyle beat me 2 out of 3 games.  Back at the house, we played Fussball in the game room before dinner and checkers.

We had to leave early the next morning because Kyle had a class he had to go to that afternoon.  Stopped for an exhilarating walk outside of Yukaipa.  There was a lot of water in the creek and it was cold!  Made it back in time to unpack and for Kyle to go to his class.

Had Mike and Emile over for Thanksgiving per usual.  It was a nice day and we sat outside enjoying a drink before dinner.

Carol just got back from her travels in India and took me to Vincents the following Saturday for my birthday dinner.  We had an even more excellent martini from a different bartender.

 DECEMBER - Kyle and I picked out our tree one evening after work and decorated.

SQUIRREL!!

Had my All Girls Christmas party on December 10.  It was a small but nice turnout, and Beth came!  I haven’t seen her in a couple years and she was the only one out of our old group who came.  It was great to see her  - she never ages - and she had quite an audience, talking about all her travels.

Ellen and I went to the Sawdust Festival the following Saturday to celebrate my birthday.  I bought a pair of Hookers (earrings), we wandered around the festively decorated fair, then went to Las Brisas.  So lovely there.  Even though it is even more expensive and pretentious than ever before - no more quesadillas or nachos - I love the atmosphere so much and it’s always a special treat.

 Went to the Rancho Bernardo Winery the next night - all lit up and decorated for Christmas.  They even had a horse drawn Cinderella carriage.  All the houses around that area look like castles - beautiful Christmas lights.  

You coach awaits!

Mike flew Krista home!  He brought her by Friday night.  I made quiche and salad and it was so good to see her!  We visited after the guys left until her friends Amanda and Angelica came over and they partied in her room.

On Christmas Eve, we went to the mall, because it’s tradition.  Nothing says Christmas Eve like shopping for last minute gifts in the crazy busy mall.  Also I had run out of butter.   Kyle and Krista baked sugar cookies while I took the dogs to the ranch.  I got to inspect their works of art when I returned. We went to the Christmas church service, had our traditional oyster stew, listened to Mike read the Christmas story,and left cookies out for Santa.  Old habits die hard.  

Dad used to tell me how his family made him wait for two hours while they sang Christmas carols around the piano before they let him open presents.  That tradition has not survived the years but we do have a traditional Christmas "dance", jumping around saying Merry Christmas! a bunch of times.  It sounds silly but it's a great mood enhancer.  My mom did it with me and I have kept that going.  I also serve hot toddies and cinnamon rolls before opening presents!  Thanks Mom!

Kyle got me an awesome John Wayne plaque.  Krista got me some new burgundy colored slippers.  I spent the rest of the day in the kitchen, getting dinner ready.  It seems to always take longer for the prime rib to cook than the instructions say, but everything turned out fine and we had a great dinner.  Kyle stayed the night so he could spend time with Krista.

The next morning, we ran to Costco to exchange Krista’s gift that wasn’t working, then we took the dogs to the ranch and visited Scotch.  

Helped her pack and Mike came over around 3 and I drove us all to the airport at 4:30 for her 6:30 flight.  So hard to say goodbye.

I worked the German Club on New Years Eve.  It was raining all day Saturday and I really wanted to stay home, but I had promised I would help out.  It turned out great.  I got to speak German all night, reminisce about my time there and enjoyed all the festive decorations, music and entertainment.  I was home by 10PM and curled up by the fire to watch 3 Stooges marathon and the countdown and listen to the rain.

Happy 2017!