Finally, Internet Seems to be Working

This morning the internet was still going crazy and I really didn't have a good feeling for when I got home tonight but lo and behold it seems to be working. I will reserve finally thoughts until it has been up and running for a couple of days.

Riley has finally figured out how to open all doors so the apartment looks like this. Most times I have no problems opening the door but a couple of times I forgot that the child proofing was there and it would just spin in my hand. At least it keeps Riley out of the places he shouldn't be.


Had kind of a strange morning, Kaleigh decided she was going to sleep until 0930 so Riley and I had some time together. We read lots of books and played with his blocks. Then it was time to take a break and kick back for a bit and this was his way of doing it today.


When Kaleigh finally got up, she had a bottle and I got her dressed and we were ready to go for our walk.


When we got to the pond someone had thrown some chinese noodles for the fish and they were everywhere. Never really noticed these little fish before. They were really enjoying the noodles.


This is what happens when you insist on taking your blanket on the walk, you just get tired and sweaty. I think from now on the blanket will stay at home.



Because we were so late taking our walk by the time we got back Riley had time to have some juice and then he was ready for his nap.

Kaleigh napped for a little bit, they she sat with me and kept me entertained until Nikki got home from school. Riley must have heard all the commotion because he woke up shortly after that. Made him a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and then I was off.

Stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up a few things, I really hate going in the afternoon. Then dropped some stuff by Goodwill, it was about time because I think it has been in the car for more then a month.

Finally heard from Dan at about 1800 that he was heading home from Deland so he has had a long day.

Sunday

I am hoping to get this out today, the internet is still up and down, mostly down. When I called Comcast this morning they said it would be up by about 0730 well I called again at about 1600 and it is now a recording saying call back for updates. So it isn't looking to promising.

Dan isn't feeling very well, sore throat and cough, think he got it on the plane coming back from California. But that meant I had to call Andy and Nikki to say they probably shouldn't come over today because we don't want to spread this thing around like the stomach flu thing that went through the family like wildfire a few weeks ago.

Not much going on today, shopping at Publix. Do you know a package of Oreos costs more than $4.00, I didn't until I picked a pack up to buy.

Finished up the Norway pages, just have to get an album to put the last 20 pages in. Now I have to clean up my craft room and decide what I'm going to work on next.

I'm going to try to upload some pictures from our day on Anacapa Island to the Kodak Gallery. Too many to post here, so hopefully you will be getting an e-mail saying they are ready for viewing.

I’ve been trying all afternoon to get this blog entry done, but the internet has been up and down all day. Sure am glad that I uploaded the pictures first thing this morning.

Pretty normal Saturday, went to Wal-Mart and Home Depot and then it was home to chores. Dan cut the lawn, can’t believe how much it grew while we were gone. Guess that is what happens when it rains every day. I took care of the vacuuming and laundry. Also worked on the Norway album, got 14 pages all done and into the album. Decided that was enough pages for that album not too bulky and a good stopping place for the pages. I have one more album but I think I’ll have to get another I still have 36 pages to go and some extra enlargements I didn’t scrap but want to put somewhere.

Cooked chicken on the grill for dinner and got it done just before the big storm came so we were pretty lucky.

Not much else going on here, so hopefully the internet will come back up for just a few minutes and I can get this posted today.

These are some of the roses from the garden across the street from the mission. They were beautiful and so well maintained.

This didn't actually get posting until almost noon on Sunday when the internet is finally up at least for right now.

Flowers, Flowers, Everywhere Flowers

Today Tammy and I did some scrapbooking. Started out pretty early, I picked her up at 0630 and we went to Wal-Mart to do Friday shopping. Of course stopped at Sonic and then back to her house.

We worked until about 1000, took a break to go to the Bank, Post Office, and again to Sonic, then it was back to the salt mines.

Things went pretty fast today with what we had left to do on Panama Canal Cruise Scrapbook, we had settled on a formula the last time and had gotten quite a few pages done then but Tammy had to order some more pictures and that is what we worked on today. We got the whole thing done by 1300 and it is beautiful, doesn't hurt that we started with some really nice pictures. The next time you are at Tammy's don't forget to ask to the album.

When I got home I did some cleaning, I know how exciting. But now I don't have much to do over the weekend.

Today you are going to get to see some of the pictures I took of flowers while we were in California. I don't know what they all are but I will identify them if I know.

This is a Jacaranda Tree, they were just coming to the end of their blooming time but were still beautiful.



All the rest were found in Grampa and Lois' yard or on the walk down their street.








This is Mexican Sage below.

Thought I would remember more of the names, I asked Lois what most of them were and guess I should have written down the names. They are all so beautiful and I have lots more flowers for you to see. Roses tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Santa Barbara Mission

First about our day. We were dressed and ready for our walk early today, wanted to beat the heat. Here is Kaleigh just kicking back getting ready to enjoy the ride.

And Riley making sure no one got any of his honey bees, because he may never get any more.

We had a good walk and it didn't get to very hot, we were back to the apartment before 0900. Spent the rest of the morning playing and reading. Kaleigh didn't take much of a nap all day, just a few 15 minute ones here and there.

Today was one of those days Riley knew when he was ready for his nap, grabbed his blanket and went to the door of his room, this let me know he was ready. Only 2.5 hours today but I can live with that.

Even though it was quiet Kaleigh still didn't want to nap, just eat today. She just didn't seem like she was ever getting enough to satisfy her. So I just kept giving her more.

Here are some of the pictures we took of the Santa Barbara Mission. It was a beautiful morning and we were there bright and early and pretty much had the place to ourselves.





This is one that Dan took and it turned out great with the reflection.

Back to the Best Job in the World

But first I had a request for hummingbird pictures so here are a few:





There were three hummingbirds flying around but I never got a good shot of all three together.

This morning I was back to watching Riley and Kaleigh. Riley just wants to be as close to Kaleigh as he can get and here he thinks he is sneaking up on Kaleigh.


And you can see how happy she was to get a kiss from him.


Here she is just enjoying a few seconds of peace and quiet.


We had a very busy day. Mornings start off kind of hectic because everyone gets up at the same time and they both are starving and think they will die if they don't get something to eat. We were able to get by this point and Kaleigh got her bottle and Riley got his cup of milk and the day was off to a great start.

Chris dropped Dan by on his way to work so Dan could install the latch on the front door, have to slow down the escape artist somehow.

Loaded everyone into the Honda and we were off to Home Depot and Wal-Mart. When we got home Dan found that he needed something else so he and Riley went back to Home Depot, they were gone so long I thought they had run off and joined the circus. They finally made it back and finished up the latch installation.

We all got back in the car and drove Grampa home. Before we could get out of the driveway to head to the apartment Riley and Kaleigh were sound asleep. When we got to the apartment everyone went down for their nap. Riley slept for more than 3.5 hours so he must have been very tired. Kaleigh slept for about 1.5 and then she was ready to eat.

In between all the napping, Andy came home for lunch. He is usually in and out in under 30 minutes so it is almost like he isn't really there. Nikki stopped in between school and her doctor's appointment.

Shortly after Riley got up and ate his lunch, everyone arrived home and I was on my way home.

Dan goes back to work tomorrow and he has no idea what his day will look like so it should be interesting for him.

We're Home

Finally made it home, didn't start out very well. Didn't take off from Santa Barbara until 40 minutes after we were suppose to. I thought there was a time change when we arrived in Phoenix but they don't do daylight savings time so we ended up with almost 35 minutes to get from one gate to the other. We made it with plenty of time and were able to stop and get some breakfast along the way.

Took off right on time from Phoenix and even arrived early in Orlando, but Chris is the only person I know who can take more than an hour to get from our house to the airport. But he finally did arrive and we got the car and headed home.

The traffic on Boggy Creek was terrible so decided to go through BVL and stop to see Andy, Nikki, Riley, and Kaleigh, sure did miss them while we were gone. Just spent a few minutes because we really wanted to get home. Always a nice feeling after being away.

I downloaded all the pictures to the computer and a few caught my eye so here you go, a very small sampling of the pictures.

First the baby gulls on Anacapa, they were very cute, very funny and very dumb.


Here we are on the furthest point we could walk to on the island, it is called Inspiration Point and we really enjoy just looking out over the ocean. It was another self-portrait, setting the camera on a rock.

This is a sunset from Grampa and Lois's backyard. I went out and watched every night, always very pretty.


That's it for now, more pictures will be coming. I will have to go through them more carefully, I'm pretty sure there are about 2,000 or so. Shot on the sports mode when I was taking pictures of the hummingbirds and really added to the total.

Last Day

Can't believe we are at the end of our last day in Santa Barbara. It turned out to be a beautiful day, cool breeze, blue skies, and comfortable temperatures. At least we got one day.

Did the last chore today, Dan hung up some pegboard in the garage so tools and whatever could be hung up and not on the floor of the garage.

We also went to Borders to get some magazines for the trip home, found three new photography magazines, didn't think I would find any. The last few I have bought have had so much information that I want to try out. Some in Photoshop and some just in picture taking technique.

We celebrated Lois's birthday after dinner today. It isn't until Friday but we wanted to do it before we left. Dan and I got a cake for her at Albertson's, it wasn't a Publix cake but it was a close runner-up. We surprised her and I think that she liked that.

I did a couple of loads of laundry so we will arrive home with all clean clothes, that is always nice.

Hope to have some pictures for you this weekend. Will probably upload them to Kodak Gallery, so keep your eye open for that.

We have an early morning tomorrow. Have to be at the airport by 0500 for our flight at 0620. So we are off to bed.

Also, Nikki started back to school today. Hope you had a good day, will see you on Wednesday.

Santa Barbara Mission

We started the day by heading to the Mission. We arrived before any tourist and before the services began so we got to enjoy the Mission and the grounds all by ourselves. Took lots of pictures and walked around for quite a while. There is a huge rose garden across the street that we also enjoyed.

We then headed down to the beach and walked there, again not many people but the venders were setting up for the art show along the walkway. Always some interesting things. Walked out on the wharf and took some pictures of the mountains, everything was very beautiful.

When we got back to the house decided what we would do for the day and there wasn't really anything left on our list so we all just climbed in the car and went for a ride. There is always something to see in Santa Barbara, such a pretty place.

Stopped at the grocery store to pick up some things for dinner and then we headed home.

Spent the afternoon watching the race and taking it easy. Went out to see if any of the hawks were flying in the canyon, but none could be found. Instead the hummingbirds were feeding so I set up the camera on the tripod and watched them for about 30 - 45 minutes. There were three of them flying around and they are so fascinating to watch. Got some good shots.

The wind has really kicked up and we are hoping it will bring some cooler weather, have to wait and see. Nothing else planned for tonight except maybe watching the sunset.

Quiet Day

Today was finish up the chores we started on Thursday, so that meant a trip to Home Depot. Also stopped by the Farmer's Market where we got some strawberries, onions, and some fresh bread. Picked up some cut flowers to take to the cemetary for Dan's Mom and Keith.

We were out so long that we had to go out to lunch, found a hole in the wall Mexican Restaurant and it was great. We all had something different and we all enjoyed our meals, took home some leftovers too.

Got home and finished up putting in the new track lights, replaced a couple of outlets and repaired one of the toilets. Sounds like I did a lot but it was really Dan, I was just the gofer and light bulb screwer inner.

Took the rest of the afternoon and did nothing, just took it easy.

Tomorrow Dan and I are getting up early to go down to the Santa Barbara Mission and get some pictures, looking forward to that.

Anacapa Island

We were hot, tired, and red, when we got home last night so there was no posting for me.

We did have a great day. Left the house at about 0700 and drove to Oxnard and we were only about 35 minutes early so we just took a walk around the marina. When Island Packers opened we got all checking in and received our boarding passes. Then it was another 30 minutes until we could get on the boat.

It took us about 1 1/2 hours to get to the island but we saw lots of things on the way. First were the brown pelicans, they were everywhere. Swooping and diving and catching things. A couple of seals made an appearance but all you really see of them is their head sticking out of the water. Sunfish were next and that was just a fluttering of the water and went by really quickly. Then the excitement began. A pod of about 200 dolphins joined the boat for a ways. Jumping and swimming along side us for quite a while, really enjoyed watching that.

Before landing we took a quick tour of one end of the island, lots of interesting formations including a huge arch off the end of island.

Finally arrived at the island, only about 9 other people got off with us, the rest were just taking a boat tour and going back in a couple of hours. We weren't leaving until 1700 so we had lots of time to explore.

First we had to walk up 154 steps to the top of the island. Wasn't to bad, Dan and I ended up going first and we made it with only stopping once. We had to enjoy the view, right. Well that is my story and I am sticking to it.

Once we got to the top saw the first of hundreds of baby seagulls, it is nesting season. Very few of the adults were still sitting on eggs because they had hatched. They were everywhere.

The island (the part we were on, East Anacapa) is about 1.5 - 2 miles long and we walked the whole thing. It was beautiful. One spot reminded me of the southern most point of the Big Island of Hawaii, you'll have to look at the pictures Tammy and see if you agree.

It was very hot on the island, it is pretty flat with no trees so there was no shade and a couple of areas we lost the breeze but we just took our time and enjoy all that there was to see. One thing I really enjoy was at the opposite end of the island from where we landed was a huge cliff with lots of air currents. The pelicans and seagulls were just going round and round soaring on the currents. Watched that for a long time.

The boat back left right on time and we made a pretty straight shot in to the marina, slowed down once when we saw a blue shark. All we really saw was fins and it was about six feet long.

Went to dinner at Red Robin, seeing all the commercials made Dan want to try it out. We both got burgers and they were very good.

Got home at about 2000 and we were ready for bed. Took showers and that was all she wrote.

Chores

Well even going to bed late last night didn't help with sleeping late this morning, we were awake at about 0300 and got up just before 0500.

Dan went out to get the paper and saw that the full moon was looking pretty nice setting so he came and got me to come and take some pictures. I grab the camera and tripod and head outside and the next thing we know we are locked out of the house. Spend some time taking pictures and walking around and around 0600 finally have to wake Lois up to let us back in the house. Pretty silly aren't we. At least I got some good pictures.

The rest of the morning was spent getting some stuff done around the house. Fix a wire, replace some overhead lights and a few more things. Dan got a list of what he needed and we were off to Home Depot. By this time we were hungry for lunch so that is where we went.

Got home and did most of the chores and piddle around the house. Then Dan and I went down to Shoreline drive and went for a walk. Then we took a drive around to see how much things have change and boy have they.

Called it a day we are both pretty tired again tonight.

We Made It

Had a pretty good travel day. Phoenix turned out to be a run for our flight, we landed in the A concourse and our next flight was in the B concourse. I still haven't figured out how people walking on the moving sidewalks can go so slow and take up so much room. One lady just saunter along holding up everyone behind her.

When we arrived at our gate they were already boarding our flight. Just a tiny plane so we actually had to walk out onto the tarmac and get on the second plane, not the first or the third but the second. Then we started taxiing out to the runway and for awhile I really thought we were just going to drive to Santa Barbara. We finally did take off.

I passed the time on the flights watching the show Samantha Who?, downloaded the first season for my I-pod. Watched about nine episodes and they were pretty good.

Get into Santa Barbara right on time. The only bad thing is the hot weather followed us, it was in the 90's today. Suppose to be the same tomorrow and gradually go back down. We really weren't expecting this.

I go away for one day and Riley has figured out how to open the front door of the apartment, we will have to make sure we lock it all the time. Maybe we can just put a baracade up so we don't have to worry about it. This just means the inside doors are next, they just don't lead to an exciting place like the front door so maybe he won't be as interested.

It has been a long day and even though it is only 1850 here we are beat. Would like to stay up for the sunset but I'm sure I can make it, maybe Dan can wake me up.

Pictures will be coming when we get home.

Ready to Go

Today was a trip to Wal-Mart for everyone, while Nikki and I were getting everything together so we could head out, Riley decided the boppy would be a good place to rest a spell. He figures if Kaleigh can lay on it so can he. Kaleigh looks much more comfortable when she is laying on it though. Good thing he had the chair to lean against.


I had a short day because I wanted to get home and get a couple of loads of laundry done and get everything packed.

We are pretty much ready to hit the road tomorrow morning bright and early. I have verified with our driver (Chris) that he will be home and what time he needs to get up (he decided he needs ten minutes before we have to leave).

Looking forward to arriving in Santa Barbara, their weather has been in the low to mid 70's, what more could we ask for?

I will try to post from out there just don't know what we will be doing. If not I will post when we get home.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Kathi

Hope this is what you are doing today, kicking back and taking it easy. Have a great day.

It's Stroller Time

Today was the first time the three of us went out for a walk. Got the 18-wheeler (it only has 6-wheels but looks long enough to have 18) out and we were off. As you can see Riley was all set, had his animal crackers and juice. He would move the crackers from one space to another and eat a few on the way. The only thing I had a problem with was I can't just push it off the curb and then back up on the other side, so we just looked for the ramps and went across there when we needed too. Didn't really change our walk pattern at all. It wasn't to bad out this morning, a bit muggy but the sun was behind some clouds for the whole walk and there was a tiny breeze. It still felt good to get back to the apartment.

Here is Kaleigh doing some tummy time. She doesn't like to be right on the floor, I think it is to hard. So put her on the boppy and she was trying real hard to lift her head up. Her little legs and feet were going like crazy and she almost flew right over the boppy.


She liked this much better, just kicking back on the boppy taking it easy.


Riley was in taking his nap so she got a reprieve from him pulling her binky out of her mouth and then trying to stick it back in. It wouldn't have been bad but today a couple of times when he pulled the binky out he caught her face with his nails and gave her some good scratches.

When Riley got up from his nap, he and Nikki went to a play group at the Kissimmee Library and I'll have to find out about that tomorrow because they drove in just as I was leaving.

Did you see the play-off at the US Open today. Can't believe 18 extra holes weren't enough and it came down to sudden death. It was pretty exciting because you never knew what way it was going to go until the last putt was sunk. Turned out Tiger held on to capture the title.

Happy Father's Day

Just a quick post today. Took a ride up to Bass Pro Shop to get Dan a new pair of shoes and stopped at Panda Express on the way home. Not sure if it was just the one on Osceola Parkway or all of them but the drive-thru is not the fastest way to go, took forever.

Spent the rest of the day at home. Some surprises in sports today. Thank goodness for the caution flag on the last lap of the race because I don't think Junior would have won otherwise. Right now we are watching golf to see how Tiger will do, he has quite the day yesterday.

Last but not least, Happy Father's Day, dad. Sounds like you had a very nice day.

Flag Day

Dan had a couple of jobs to do today, trying to get some stuff out of the way before we head to Santa Barbara this week and I rode along with him. Took some magazines, the puzzles from the paper and my I-Pod. This first stop was the worst just because it took much longer then it should have and I didn't have a breeze where I was sitting. The rest of the day went very well and he finished up at about 1330.

We headed over to Waterford Lakes because his last job was off of Curry Ford and we were ready for lunch. Chose Chipotle's and it really hit the spot, I don't usually have lunch this late. Also stopped by the Scrapbook Store there to get some cardstock for the journaling in the Norway album. Then we headed home.

Chris arrived shortly after we got home but didn't stay long, did some stuff on the computer and then he was gone. Although he did get to see Andy, Nikki, Riley, and Kaleigh who stopped by to pick up some stuff I had for Nikki. They didn't stay long either because they had been out all day and fed Kaleigh her last bottle as so as they arrived and she wasn't happy with what she got and wanted more.

Another history lesson, this time about Flag Day.


June 14: 1777 : Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes

During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating that "the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white" and that "the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." The national flag, which became known as the "Stars and Stripes," was based on the "Grand Union" flag, a banner carried by the Continental Army in 1776 that also consisted of 13 red and white stripes. According to legend, Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross designed the new canton for the Stars and Stripes, which consisted of a circle of 13 stars and a blue background, at the request of General George Washington. Historians have been unable to conclusively prove or disprove this legend.

With the entrance of new states into the United States after independence, new stripes and stars were added to represent new additions to the Union. In 1818, however, Congress enacted a law stipulating that the 13 original stripes be restored and that only stars be added to represent new states.

On June 14, 1877, the first Flag Day observance was held on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes. As instructed by Congress, the U.S. flag was flown from all public buildings across the country. In the years after the first Flag Day, several states continued to observe the anniversary, and in 1949 Congress officially designated June 14 as Flag Day, a national day of observance.

Always nice to learn about our history.

Tired Kids are Cranky Kids

Riley and I were out to do errands after he ate what seemed like everything in the house. Two waffles, grapes, a piece of cheese and his cup of milk. There may have been a few miscellaneous honey bees thrown in for good measure.

We left at our normal time and went to Mal-Mart to pick up a few things. Stopped by Sonic for a diet coke for me and then we were off to Hunter's Creek to the new Weight Watcher's Center. It is a really nice place. Has a front check-in area that is separated from the meeting area so it should be quieter when people are still checking in during the meeting. We arrived right on time, the new hours are weigh-in at 0900 and meeting at 0930, which we didn't stay for. Went to Target instead. Almost forgot, I was down .4 today.

While we were at Target, checked out the dollar spot and saw these cute slippers and even though they are too big for Riley he really wanted them.

Here he is admiring them.


Riley had fallen asleep on the way home from Target and it was just enough time that he didn't want to go down for his nap. We tried but he was having none of it. I ate a quick lunch hoping he would just fall asleep and he wasn't giving up.

Got him up and made him lunch, which was way earlier than normal but he had no problems filling up his hollow leg with a peanut butter sandwich, another waffle that Andy gave to him and then a banana. I really don't know where he is putting it all.

Kaleigh wasn't really cranky but every time she would get comfy in the bouncy seat or Nikki's arms Riley would have to poke her or kiss her or bump heads with her and she would finally just get a bit fussy and I don't blame her.

Kaleigh had her 1 month doctor's appointment yesterday and she is doing great. Up to 8 lbs 11 ozs so that is good. She also got her ssn today, so she is official and can get her own savings account.

I Really Do!

Work on the Norway album, that is. I spent most of the day doing just that and I'm happy to say I have completed all the places we went. Now I just have a few filler pages I want to do and the journaling. Haven't really decided how I'm going to do the journaling but once I do it should go very fast. Just have to refer back to the journal I kept on the trip and get all the particulars.


I have about forty pages done and I do each place in an assembly line. So once I pick the pictures to use it goes pretty fast, just have to cut the pieces of paper I'm using as embellishments. Can't wait for it to be done and be able to look through the album (actually it will probably be 2 -3 albums because I don't like to over stuff them).


I also did my hair this morning and again some laundry, where does it come from? Then I spent quite a bit of time getting I-tunes and our I-pods up to date. It is a real pain when you have to move you whole library from one computer to another. Sure wish they (Apple) would make it easier.

Then there was the horrendous rain storm this afternoon. For a while I didn't think it was going to rain here, thundered for about an hour before the first rain fell. But then it rained pretty hard for about an hour. Guess the plants are well watered.

One Month Old

Can you believe Kaleigh is one month old today. Decided to get some pictures of her but a big boy in the house was having problems with that. He feels if she is laying on the floor he needs to be right on top of her. We still got some pretty cute ones. You can see in the background of the first picture Riley is right there.




Riley and I went out for our walk and it was a beautiful morning. The family of ducks, which are the mallards seems to have grown in numbers. We counted about 12 today. Don't know if some are just visiting or they are the babies from earlier in the year and they just disappear to another pond for a while. We'll have to see if they stay around, the ducks don't seem to come and go like the herons and egrets.

Not much else went on today. Riley is still on the frozen waffle kick, wonder how long that will last. He is also enjoying peanut butter sandwiches for lunch.