Growing and Growing Up !

Family News

2010-09-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well it has been quite a while since I have even looked at my blog, let alone changed anything one it, so I thought it was about time I did both. Since I've last been here Katie has celebrated her 1st birthday and will be celebrating her 2nd in just a few months. She is such a little miracle, her parents have given her such love, she is confident,loving, spunky,and is developing quite a sense of humor. Jamie has also turned her into a water lover, they swim at Jamie's sisters condo pool a couple of days a week, we took her out on the boat this summer, she was a little tentative about the boat at first, but loved being in the lake. When Grandpa got her on his lap and showed her where to honk the horn, she started liking the boat a lot more ! She definitely has her sea legs now, check out the video of her uncle Casey tossing her into the water, she was giggling and laughing, and trying to get back to Casey and the boat as quick as she can to do it again. It's hard to hear her the giggling cause everyone on the boat was laughing with her. My mom finally got to come out here and meet her a few weeks ago, Katie took right to her, like she had known her all her life, that was very nice.
AND THE BIG NEWS: Jay and Janelle are expecting their little bundle December 16th. We are sooo excited, we know it's a girl and they will name her Anabelle Lynn. Her birthday comes right as Janelle is getting ready to graduate from Nursing School and be a Maid of Honor at her best friends wedding. I think we are praying that she makes her arrival a week or so early ! Jay and Janelle plan on moving to Birmingham next summer so jay can attend Beeson Divinity School
( where Casey just graduated from) They will work hard at parenting,school and jobs when they get there. Casey is eagerly looking forward to their arrival !
Yes, Casey Graduated from Seminary last May, it was a incredible day ! Aside from the speakers and the ceremony, each professor prayed with hands on every graduate, it took a while but man what a Spirit Filled time that was. Casey is quite at home in "the ham" and is very involved in a ministry with addicts, he has great friends and mentors there, and feels that's where God wants him. All is good.
I think I've covered all the bases with our family, John and I have had a interesting summer..........but I'll save that for my next post

Hobbs Happenings

2009-02-24T21:43:00.000-08:00

Been a while since I've updated, so here it goes.......We are back in the stone age as far as isp providers, had a change not of our making and it did not go well, so we chose to go back to dial up rather than pay almost 200.00 to continue with service we had for 7-8 yrs, as Casey would say "their screwing us". Actually Its going pretty well, I do all my work on line and its been just fine for that. It also provides plenty of time to do a couple of chores while loading up !
Well, the end result of all the Bostich turmoil is that John still has a job, in fact he has a larger territory ! however he will only be taking care of construction accounts, he's busy now renewing accounts he has not had for a couple of years now.
NC looks like it's on hold again for a while. We think we'll make that our vacation spot for a few years till things balance out, not a bad options, you've seen our beautiful baby.
We are having fun with her, she is so intense sometimes, she'll look at us with such expectations it's kinda intimidating, she's got me beat on the furrowed eyebrow look !
Since it's been raining quite a bit lately we are a little hopeful that we'll get to use the boat this summer, the american fork of the river has risen and widened considerably in the last week or two.
My work is still a little slow, looks like march will be a little busier. It has been nice to be home on rainy days. I've been up to pollock pines a few times lately, the snow on the mountains is very scenic, makes for a nice drive.
Enjoy the pictures of John and Katie, I need to get the camera in his hands so I can get some pics of her with me........ Love to all

Revisions To Sunny Side.........

2009-02-10T20:16:00.000-08:00

You may or may not have noticed that john has been tinkering with picture on our wall, he added a little more land, I like that, makes blue look more like water to me. He also added our boat close to the shore, just so you know he did not "beach" it. When we are out on boat, he will not pull the boat up onto beach, we swing around about 10-20 feet out, dogs and people who want off have to walk/swim to shore. So this is a true depiction of our boat in water !
Most of you know that I've had Zell and Rolla this last week, it's been quite the adventure, I took some video of them all, but have not posted it yet !
Weather is getting colder, it is supposed to snow in georgetown tonite, maybe we'll catch a little bit of that... watch for pics....

Otherwise, johns job news is everchanging, so I'll leave that till we have some clarity.....stay tuned.......that's about where john and I are at these days...
As most of you also know john and I both joined facebook late last week, goodness that's quite the communication tool.
So far I have 10 friends, took a personality test that's pretty spot on, took a "If I were an alcohol drink I'd be Vodka, if I were a dog I'd be a Chihuahua. So how's that for a time waster, so no work is not really picking up yet and I'm wasting more time than I should.

First part of speed weeks have been pretty good for John and I. Kevin Harvick won the shootout, Bill Elliott is fastest in practices, and Martin Truex is on pole for Daytona 500. All that means that so far the Rousch and Hendrick cars are not dominating !

That does need to change for 500 though, I don't care who starts where, and who leads how many laps, or even who comes out of turn four in the lead. The only thing I insist on is that either the #88 or the #55 or the #21 (for john) or the #9 ( for john) cross the finish line first..............see ya in victory lane...........

P.S. For the rookies- #88 is Dale Jr. (my guy) and #55 is Michael Waltrip (my 2nd husband) (no, my son's don't have to call him dad)
#21 is Bill Elliott, johns all time favorite and #9 is Kasey Khane, who he's met !
Thats the short version of "our" drivers..........On With The Show

Welcome To The Sunny Side

2009-01-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

Well, I had finally had enough in the bedroom, color that is. As most of you have seen I painted our bedroom grey a couple of years ago. I really like it, most of the year ! This time of year when it is dark a lot outside, and hopefully rainy the room tends to be waaay to dark,besides the main overhead light i have 3 pole lamps, 2 of them have 3 bulbs on em. Most mornings it's just too dark for me.
SOO I bought a gallon of "Papaya" paint to literally throw it on the wall and see what sticks. It actually wasn't bad, took 3 coats to cover gray. It also became clear that the entire room could not really be this color. SOO, I gave john the opportunity to blend the two colors.
We figured what the heck, do a blend over the window, I had a picture of sunset over folsom lake , we printed it, John just kinda freehanded it. I am very impressed with his work and think it blends pretty well. So the way I look at it we have a daylight and nightime room, what the heck ! I love the bright color.

Meanwhile, we've been to see Katie as often as possible, my gosh it's been over a month since she was born ! I got my little brag book that fits in my purse, ready to whip out at any time. She really is quite a cutie.

Work is slow, I applied to work for a different merchandising company today, hopefully between the two I can get busy again. Seems like even the merchandising business is a little slow........

Not much else going on, John has been clearing brush from all around the house, opening up areas never seen before, quite interesting, and a good excuse to have a fire !!

I'm still hanging in there with leg and neck pain stuff, have appt. in early Feb, hopefully I will get things taken care of before summer, so I gotta get moving on it now...ho hum....tired of dr. appts and talking about it.

Hopefully D.W. and Charlotte have been laying on the bed to warm it up long enough, our water froze last night and tonite should be as cold. Here's to a 2 dog night.....love to all........

Where to Start.............

2009-01-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

Last few weeks have been pretty full of fun, adventure and a little disappointment, but I do recommend a Christmas after New Years, kinda perks up first part of Jan !

We have been as busy as can be seeing Katie, she is growing and starting to look like herself instead of what "we" all see in her. Sadly she is getting bigger ears, that's a Dustin trait! Yeah Dad

Since we expected Casey, Jay & Janelle and Jason and his buddy for our Christmas in Jan, John and I had to finally gut the office, found some interesting things we had and had not been missing. I took 4 lap tops, 1 printer, 2 cell phones to a eco-recycling place over in Shingle Springs. They refurbish with Microsoft to give to needy, they are very proud of the fact that they do not send work overseas (child labor ,etc) it's all done in Calif. They also have e-waste fund raisers. Pretty neat, I'm going to talk to Janet who is youth leader at Cool Community about doing a fund raiser for youth group. It's weird how now everyone has some kind of e-waste in their home, but we're not sure what to do with it. I got a answer !
Anyway on to Christmas. Jay and Casey drove up wed, Jason was leaving Utah Thursday after work. Janelle was flying in Friday night about 9 pm. As we were sitting around Thursday night, jay realized that Janelle's flight was booked for am. None of the other flights were going to work, so she had to miss Friday class, but got to come up earlier, that was fun. About 12:30 am Jason called, he was in Battle Mountain Nevada. He had hit a deer, not a lot of body damage, but his radiator was crushed and car was overheating. He had to have it towed and never made it to California.

We were soo disappointed not to get to see him. He and Casey have not seen each other in over 4 yrs. Casey has Southwest credit, so I think they are going to work out getting Jason back to Birmingham on a long weekend.
Despite missing our 4th son, we had a great day, Great Grandpa Hobbs came up, we just kinda hung out and opened presents. I think the coolest gift, besides Katie, was we were able to get Casey a copy of a picture of Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison Concert that has never been public before. It's not the greatest "Cash" picture but a great performance picture.

Casey is quite the guitar player, recently he bought another harmonica, total of 5 now.He's got the neck holder so he can play guitar and harmonica together. I'm quite impressed ! He is quite influenced by Bob Dylan's songwriting. No Idea Where That Came From At Our House. Hank, Jackson, Jones,Haggard, I could understand. Dylan I'm at a loss to explain. But he is becoming a great songwriter and musician, I am so proud of him, miss him a lot.... 2-3 times a year is never enough to see your children.
Janelle and Jay are becoming Ucker (card game) pros. They are always eager to play, and getting pretty good. Very cool for John and I to be play the card games we used to spend many a night playing with Grandpa and Grandma Holcom. Brings back good memories. So enjoy the new pictures.

Notice my Dale Jr. Ornaments (new this year) I have a countdown clock on my desktop to Daytona, but speed weeks start 2 weeks before that so I'm almost there !!!! All for now, love to all..............

Merry, Merry Christmas to John and Bev

2008-12-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

WOW, what a week, just as i was sitting down yesterday to update my blog about our wonderful, beautiful, adorable, perfect granddaughter born on the 23rd, the front door opened and Janelle and Jay walked in, as casual as if they lived next door. It was definitely a Christmas/Festevis Miracle.
They had left Corona in the middle of the night to come spend the weekend with us and see their new niece. So we hung out a while and went back to see the baby..... still adorable, and perfect. I feel like Ralphie in A Christmas Story " This is the best Christmas Ever".

One of the best parts is that we get to do it again in 2 weeks, not the baby part, Casey flies into So Cal on the 5th and he and Jay will drive up the 7th and Janelle will fly up the 9th and we'll all have Christmas together. I even got a beautiful 9ft Noble Fir outside Save Mart the other day Free, so the sorry tree we've had in the house for a few weeks can go back to the burn pile. John has decided we will really do the new tree up nice, fake snow and the works ! A very non traditional Hobbs Christmas, but I'm loving it.

You will notice that all the pic on blog are of Katie, just too many good ones to pick. All fun and games aside, John and I are feeling so blessed right now we don't know weather to laugh or cry, sometimes we do both. God has been so good to us, we are truly thankful. Love to All..........

Home For Holidays And KATIE

2008-12-21T01:56:00.001-08:00

Yes, I did make it home from the south. Had a great time, saw some real dumps on the lake and a few possibilities, we'll see, with the way thing are at Bostitch right now we're just very thankful that both Derek and John still have there jobs. Derek pulled it out at the last moment and won the sales contest for the trip to Hawaii in Feb. Kinda a bummer, but hey I get to watch Daytona 500 qualifying this way. That's my silver lining.

It was great to see my parents and sister (Andrea) we had lot's of fun, Andrea found a very nice condo on lake hickory, she's ready to go, condos were looking pretty good to john and I also, Hmmm something to think about.

SO the news of the week is Katie will be here Tues or Wed, Doctor told Jamie that she would induce so she could be home for Christmas, funny thing is the hospital is full sunday night, so she has to call monday evening to see if there is room to go in. They want her there the night before to start the process. I am sooooooo excited to see what/who she is going to look like, can't wait to hold her in my arms. Jamie's mom is coming up tues morning and her dad and sister will drive up Christmas Eve. I think it will be a Katie Christmas this year which is a very good thing. I am missing my little boys ( Jay and Casey) and my other daughter, Janelle terribly, so Katie is also a great little distraction. I'm not so much into Ho Ho Ho this year, but that's o.k. It gives me opportunity to focus on our Saviours birth and how meaningful his sacrifice is to me. His mother cradled him as we will Katie, yet he came for the entire world..... So I'm missing my boys and girl but will see them in early Jan, and we'll get to do Christmas all over again !! Katie and 2 Christmas celebrations. Quite thankful for that.

Yes it is quite late, I'm up cause my leg hurts...... didn't get shot before I left, but will see that dr. soon. I am also setting up appointment with other dr. to get neck surgery done. Research tells me recovery is 4-6 weeks. I will wait till late Jan or Feb for that. I would love to get feeling good for summer !!

Another round with massager is due, so I'll hop off, will post again with Katie news. Pray for Jamie,Doctors and Dustin please, he will need it most i think..... Love to all

Been A Long Time

2008-12-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

What do you know, almost a month has gone by without a word from me... yet the world keeps turning !!! so in that month what has happened ? Not Much At All,However yesterday will start a month or so of and excitement.... after i got off work john and I headed down to stay in Pacificia, hotel right on the water, we got there in time for a perfect sunset. Very nice room, hot tub, fireplace and windows that opened on ocean. We kept the windows open all night. Very cool to sleep to ocean waves. So I am at the Las Vegas Airport waiting for my flight to Raleigh-Durham, NC My sister and parents will meet me there and we will drive to Hickory tonite.Tomorrow we will be meeting with a Real Estate Agent t.o look at some lake properties there I am very excited to do that. Then we will go up to virginia to my parents home, I'll be back on the 10th. Jamie has strict instructions not to have Katie till I get home...... So then we have katie and Christmas. In early January, Casey and Jay will both be home for a week or so, we'll celebrate Christmas again then. Finally at the end of jan or first of feb,it looks like john is winning a sales contest that will take us to Hawaii for a week,to see pro bowl !! then I think we're back to Daytona for Speed Weeks!!! So things look pretty good going forward.The new pics are ones I took last night of john and I at beach. If i get a chance I'll update trip......... It'll be a hoot..............

Final Election Results............

2008-11-06T22:50:00.000-08:00

So here's the final scoop on local elections:
1. Douglas Pickell lost his seat on GDPUD (water board) to Bonnie Neeley, local who goes to every/all mtgs about town.

2. Tom McClintock in new congressman in 4th district. You got a rock again Charlie Brown.

3. Many legal challenges already filed regarding Prop. 8

And So It Goes..................

Post Election Ramblins

2008-11-05T21:29:00.000-08:00

Well, America voted, and often we get what we deserve ! A little bit stronger statement than I'm feeling. Although there was a little more of the personal (not character) attacks i liked. I was quite happy with the way 4 nice people conducted themselves during this incredible long election cycle.
I think that was in large part because we did not have a Gore/Clinton involved. So I am disappointed that McCain/Palin lost, but not feeling hopeless.
I am happy with Obama's speech last nite, loved seeing jessie jackson cry ( boo hoo, it's all over for him). I was proud of our country that we will elect a black man, we were just waiting for the one to represent our county better than we'd been presented with in the past. And Bill can no longer claim to be the 'first black president"..............

And how about a beautiful, graceful first lady, and VP wife. I love Laura Bush, but would have liked to see more of her in public.
And adorable little girls in white house, and with a new puppy ! don't get cuter than that....
And....drum roll please.... I love the way he says Pakistan, go figure !.....................

So here's the run down in other Calif politics:

1.We voted (again) to keep marriage between a man and woman, did it back in 2000, but maybe it will stick this time

2. Chickens breed for eggs and eatin now get to have bigger more comfortable cages

3. Prostitution is voted as illegal San Francisco (aside for the fact that mayor Gavin Newsome opened the floodgates with gay marriage)

4. Parents do not need to be notified if daughters under 18 schedule abortions.

5. Sacramento finally kicked Heather Fargo out as mayor of Sac, electing former Kings BBall player turned developer Kevin Johnson (also black, not that that matters)

6. Retiring Republican John Doolittle (linked to Jack Abromoff) might have cost Tom McClintock (R) the very Republican 4th District. Our new congressman could be Democrat Charlie Brown I kid you not, The Honorable Charlie Brown. I'll be rooting for lucy and that football !

7. No sure yet, but Doug Pickell might have been re elected to the water board

8. So hey, ya gotta love California: Yes Fruits and Nuts..........

9 Casey probably made the best vote

10. Not a damm bit of it matters in the end. As a wise woman once said " Eternally speaking does it really matter" sounds simple, but apply it to a concern or decision and it brings things into focus..

AMERICA, GOD BLESS THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY AND UNITY

He Made Me Say It.................

2008-11-03T20:58:00.000-08:00

O.K. the last thing I wanted to be doing at 9 p.m. is posting an election blog. John put up a pretty damming indictment of Barak Obama. While I would NEVER VOTE FOR BARAK OBAMA, I can't deal with the idea that he is muslim, anti-American, a foreigner or anything other ideas related to a absent mother from Kansas and a sperm donor from Kenya.
When it looked like he was going to be the demo nominee, I bought his Dreams from my father book. This book was written back in the early 90's it really deals with his early life with grandparents in Hawaii. He saw his father once when he was 10 yrs old. Lived with mother and stepfather in Indonesia for a few years, his mother would get him up early in the morning to read american history books and keep him as a english speaking kid in Indonesia.
Upon returning to Hawaii, he was aimless as were many young men during that time. I am not excusing any of his associations with Resco, Ayers, Wright. I just don't want people to NOT vote for him for the wrong reason. My #1-1,000 reasons are HE'S A SOCIALIST, HE'S A SOCIALIST, HE'S A SOCIALIST.
Has there ever been a problem in society that the government came in took over and solved ? I Know NOT ! You think Health Care in America is in trouble now, yea turn it over to government. Better yet, call a Canadian and ask how they feel about government Health Care......... So that's my rant.
I am solidly behind McCain/Palin. But want Voting based on fact not myth, rumor or racism. But remember OBAMA IS A SOCIALIST!! ENOUGH SAID.......Tune in Tomorrow............

Pride Goeth Before The Fall............

2008-10-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, Yes, Yes I had to have john's ford pull me out of my "off roading". He does have 4 wheel drive, blah, blah, blah. So all's well that ends well.

I think I am finally done with Halloween candy checks for work, kinda silly to check to see if stores are withholding candy in back, makes it easy on me. Sadly most stores are getting loaded up with Christmas candy. I guess it's job security for me, but it should be about 80 today, we're still wearing shorts for gosh sakes ! Weather is supposed to turn cold and rainy for weekend, maybe that will feel more Holidayish ?

Christmas will be different this year, I think Jay and Janelle will come up with Casey and Peggy around the 5th of January. We will miss them, but i am soooo grateful that Janelle's parents are the wonderful people they are, they will have a good day with them. I know Chad and Teresa appreciate spending time with them. AND I assume we will be very busy with little Katie. My hope is she is a tiny bit early so she and Jamie will be home for Christmas, what more than we can ask for ! so we'll spend the day there waiting for her to wake up, eat, or need a diaper change. I can't imagine what it will feel like to hold her, ok i'm tearing up, so I'll change subject. Grandma's getting weepy..............

We'll go to dustin and jamies for halloween, its fun to carve our pumpkins together, and wait for trick or treaters, the last few years they only had a handful. We're hoping at the new house they'll get more. New street goes all the way through (not in court) so we're ready. I'm making a cake for cake walk at cool's hallelujah party, miss those days, but oh well.

Love to all, keep in touch....................

A Dirt Driveway, A Skunk, A Chevy Truck

2008-10-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a very long week, did some hard labor for work this week, completely resetting the big battery centers that are in sams clubs, did one by myself last week and two this week with another gal. It is amazing how much a case of D batteries weights. Oh well, good money making two weeks ! I worked until 10 ish last night so i could take day off today, so far not much accomplished but it's nice to just be here.

So here's the story, last night as i was coming up the driveway, that john had groomed beautifully last weekend, a little skunk slithered out from the side of driveway right at the place where you have to speed up to get momentum to get up the steep part. Well i had to either slow down or run over the skunk, after all my skunk travails i was not having my truck skunked ! so.... I was too slow to make it up the driveway, as i backed up (in the dark) I let the left side tires slide off the driveway.
After spinning gravel enough to put a nice grove on right side, i said "Too Hell With This" got my work stuff out and walked up the hill. Just like I always come home that way. Actually i slid down the hill, it's all pine needles and very dry dirt this time of year, as i got out of truck so my briefcase is a little dusty and my ego is a little bruised. I might have to take my Dale Jr. stickers off. I'm Not Worthy, I'm Not Worthy !
Hopefully John will be able to pull it out with his superduper ford 4x4. I say that with humility because I give him a very hard time cause i have to give his truck a jump fairly often, he always has battery issues.
So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Actually our neighbors at the bottom of the hill called this morning to make sure i was o.k. that's kinda nice.
Weather is beautiful, watching finches at the bird feeder, it should be close to 80 today ! not bad for October....
See ya in the funny papers, I'm going to look for a mean far side cartoon about skunks !

Finally Friday

2008-10-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

For those who have not heard update from Johns Amazing Hunting Adventure: 1 week of non stop hunting, some in 90 degree weather, some in rain, wind and 60 degree weather.i The result is the same No Kill. I realize the only one who thinks this is good is my mom ! but the rest of us are kinda bummed, we were looking forward to some bar b qued venison. He is still adamant that spring valley lake is the only place to go hunting, must be a guy thing ? He, Derek and Preston had a great time, lots of quiet time and in the sack early. Very different from John and Derek's regular life. I'll take my cartoon down now, might put ideas in his head......

After having a few days off work last week and not going to Physical Therapy anymore gave me lot's of time. Stinks when ya go back to work. This week has been a week of lots of driving. I did the Auburn, Grass Valley, Beale AFB drive. The Pollock Pines to Orangevale drive and and another Placerville run in betweeon. So today I am home. I joined the health club that I was doing pt, so I can go on my own schedule now. It's also cheeper to pay club fees than co pay for appts. Now I just need to make sure I plan it into my work day.

We started our small group Bible Study on Monday night, it was very nice, most of the group we've known for many years, some started comming to cool after we left for 5-6 years ago. So it's nice to get back into the swing of church family.

In my travels yesterday I picked up some paint to do touch up of doorways etc around the house, amazing what you find when you steam clean carpet ! Since I'm off today I figure I better get to it.
I have a lot of touch up of brown (living room),yellow (bathroom) and green (kitchen) to get to also, could turn into a bigger job than I want to do.......

They're back.............

2008-10-02T11:17:00.000-07:00

John and Hogan made it out, actually John's buddy Derek had to bring his son Preston back home to finish out the week at school .So john decided to come home also, on his way I checked weather forecast for him, rain Friday and Saturday. With a quick wash of clothes, good shower and a lighter load he left again this morning. He is sure that with rain, deer will be out and around. They did see many doe's actually camped right by deer trail to the creek. They will camp in a different place this time, where a 70 yr old woman camped for a week or so, her son got his buck a week ago, she got one while john and Derek were there. Derek and Preston helped her pack it out, Derek was at her camp checking his ATV trailer they had parked nearby, and borrowing coffee. Can you image john without coffee !! the first day the used Folgers coffee singles bags from the bottom of Derek's overnight bag ( no doubt from a Holiday Inn ) overnights do have their advantages. Hogan stayed home this time, john said that he did great! as they walked, Hogan stayed right with him, liked to flush out quail, in doing so he also flushed out a few does, no bucks though...... we figured if hogan got excited and wanted to jump into the truck when john left he could go. He just kinda laid on the porch, thought he was going to wag his tail as john walked to the truck, but seemed too tired to make it over. He's gonna stay and make sure the homestead is safe for the weekend.

I have been a combination of bored, lonely, lazy and busy this week. I don't work until tomorrow after PT , it has been very nice not to have to get up and "get ready". I did go to church on Sunday and to Jeff Lomas's soccer game Monday. Just a mention to those of you who know Jeff, he is a Junior in High School now, so is on Varsity team at Golden Sierra. Some of us remember Jeff as a wiry 8 yr old hanging off tree's, and any other way he could find to be active and on the move. He's a forward, and has a pretty good scoring record.

Tonight I'm going to Dustin and Jamie's to watch VP Debate. Should be interesting, if not entertaining. Gotta love Joe..... I do need to finish up the baby towels I couldn't figure out how to put together for Jamie's baby shower, John reminded me how to do it, so I need to finish them up. If you have not gone to Dustin and Jamie's blog to see Katie's room, you need to go there and see what she's done. It is so cute and sweet looking I'd sure want my room to look like that.

This is the weekend that I am jealous of Casey for living in Birmingham. Nascar is at Talladega, and I wanna be there ! When we spent Christmas down there 2 years ago, we went out and did a tour of speedway, actually got to go on track bottom, the banking is too high for a tour van to go up on to. It was very cool, we gotta get down there for a race while Casey is there. Birmingham is about an hour from speedway. Forecast is great for the weekend, so I'll be tuned in, while I'm steam cleaning my carpets, my weekend project, Yee Haww !

We are expecting rain here this weekend, that will be very nice assuming that it is a good long rain, we do not need sprinkles that make mud on our cars. Maybe a early rain bodes well for our rain level this winter, and maybe the lakes will have water all next summer. Well, not Folsom I'm sure they'll come up with a reason to dump it out, kinda cynical but that's life in northern California for boaters, cynical and bitter........
I'll give you the rundown on the "hunt" early next week,
Love to all

THE BIG DAY

2008-09-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

Today was the BIG DAY, John and Hogan left for the ultimate Hunt ! After packing food, cooking supplies, clothes and dog food, dog toys to last them over a week, they were off. John seemed much more excited when they rolled out than Hogan did. When I last heard from john in Paradise they seemed to be faring well. They were headed for another 2-3 hrs on dirt road down to camp spot. John's friend Derek and his son Preston went with him. Preston is abut 10 yrs old, so he will have a great time. More news as I get it.....

If you're reading this blog you probably don't read the dog blog so I posted a picture of one of the two coyotes that ran across our dirt road yesterday morning on my way out. Wednesday night I had hear them howling, but was quite surprised to see them running around at 10 am. This guy actually posed long enough for me to get camera out and snap a picture. I'd say I heard them again last night, but I couldn't hear anything over the neighborhood dogs barking. How do their owners sleep through that. Our night have been quite cool, but I'm not ready to shut bedroom window yet, that would be like fall or winter. In my mind I'm still in summer...
So, you might be asking what I'm d0ing while john is gone, good question, at this point nothing and looking forward to it. The only day I'm working next week is Thursday, I have pt on Wednesday and Friday. Otherwise I plan on hanging out at home, haven't done much of that lately between Dr.'s appts, work and pt, I've been gone a lot. Maybe I'll clean out a few drawers or closets.....yeah right.

Now for the political part of my ramblings. I have about 5-10 more pages of my Barak Obama book to finish ( Dreams from my Father), it is very interesting, sometimes a slow read, but it gives good insight into how he has arrived at his world view. I'd love to go see him lecture, be his friend, have him as a neighbor. I just don't want him to be President. I'm McCain/Palin all the way, however I feel in a better position to refute those who still claim Obama is a Muslum. HE'S NOT A MUSLUM, HE A SOCIALIST !!
There I've said it and I feel much better. Go vote for whoever you feel can lead our country where you belive it should go. Votes still count in America only if we keep using them. ( now I shall climb off my soapbox)

I'm climbing down because I have Nascar qualifying from Kansas to watch before I go to bed.

P.S. Rednecks don't read books by a guy name Obama------so there ! Love to All

Been A While..............

2008-09-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a few weeks since I've posted, so I thought I better update, lest anyone think I fell or jumped off the end of the earth. I didn't. Last week I had my "nerve deadening" shot. Here's the long version. I was told to arrive at the surgery center in Roseville at 1:15 p.m. for a 2:15 procedure. I was directed to stop eating or drinking at 7 a.m as I was going to have conscious sedation. I got up at 6:30 to drink a cup of coffee, and eat a muffin. So we arrive, yes I had to have a driver, on time and they take me back pretty quickly. The nurse does her pre procedure work, BP,Temp etc. As she was getting ready t0 put IV in for conscious sedation, the doctor was at the next cubicle and leans over to say, oh, she doesn't need that, she's just here cause we're using a bio hazard for her injection ( phenol). So there I am, no eat or drink and no concision sedation. Just 2 pair of socks, and a gown that ties in the back. So i start to notice patients come and go while i still lay there. Next i hear Dr tell nurses that he wants to take me last, cause the phenol stinks, and they don't want it to stink up the room for other patients . So I finally get wheeled in at 5 min to 3 and am back in the "recovery" room by 3 min to 3. So it really comes down to dopey receptionist at Dr's. office that ask me without knowing what she was talking about, if i wanted conscious sedation or not. And yes, i could have driven myself home and dad could have worked a full day. So........end result; my leg still hurts, no real relief and i will be much wiser next time we schedule one of these.
As most of you know dad/john is going on a long hunting trip this weekend. He and his friend Derek will be going up Friday and staying thru the next Sunday. He's getting lists checked off and everything ready. He will probably be taking Hogan our most recent dog acquisition, see dog blog for details.
Over the weekend, Jamie had her baby shower, it was very fun and good to see her family again. Her friends Elizabeth and Amy did a great job, Elizabeth's step-grandma did the food. Man was it good. The game of guess what kind of chocolate is in the diaper. Oh my, that one was a rough go ! She got a lot of cute and pink things . She also bought a bassinet and a dresser/changing table over the weekend. Katie's room is sure looking cute !!!!
I guess I should head over to dog blog, and catch up there.
See Ya.............
Bev

Wednesday.............

2008-09-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

Yea,I'm off today, Yea I'm getting a "nerve deading" shot for my leg this afternoon. Hopefully that should keep me pain free for a period of time, not necessarily a permanent fix because the nerve will regenerate, but it could be months or years. So I'm hopeful !!!
bad thing is i don't go in till 1:15 pm and i can't eat or drink anything till then. I got up at 6:30 and had a muffin and cup of coffee, then went back to bed for a hour or so. I took tomorrow off also, can't drive for 24 hrs.
HAPPY 28TH BIRTHDAY DUSTIN
hard to believe, john and i are going over to their house after my procedure, I'll crash on guest bed, when they get home we'll celebrate Dustin's birthday.
Saturday is Jamie's baby shower, it's all getting very real, I think I'm really going to be a grandma........married to a grandpa......... who are these people ?
Johns back is getting better, he went to Dr. on Monday, got some muscle relaxers, and has been icing it in evenings. With his big hunting trip coming up, he's going no matter what, but it would be nice if he walked upright while hiking in woods (haha)
If you're looking for a dog story, you have to go to new dog blog i started with Andy and Raquel, we're having fun with it. I guess i better put that link on this blog. Gotta go ............... I'll update my medical situation later today or tomorrow morning.

Sunday Suprises ?

2008-09-07T21:56:00.000-07:00

Well, made it another week.... been a good one, some work, some relaxing, topped off with long weekend with jay and Janelle up for a few days. As Dustin and Jamie's house is awaiting a living room floor they came up Friday and Saturday afternoon to hang and have dinner. It's a great weekend when almost all the gang's here- missed ya Casey- Jaynelly left from church, so it's been a quiet afternoon.

Had a Cool happening at church this morning, one of our church members who felt God calling him to Ministry 10 years ago. At the time he had a good job at UPS and 5 kids. Matt and Tina Schnetz sold house, moved to nowhere Wyo while he went to Bible College. They have Pastored in Idaho and are now serving in WA and have 10 kids ! Parker is oldest, 23 yrs old and i think the youngest is probably 3 or 4. Matt preached this morning, it was such a privilege to see his sacrifice and dedication to God's calling, coming back to cool. Our family has always been impressed with his answer to God's call in the mist of his "life"
Quite a honor to have seen it progress thru the years.

After naps we've been nascaring it. Cut off for chase was today's race. Kasey Khane is not in chase, so john is quite disappointed. I got all three RCR cars and Dale Jr. in, so I'm a happy camper, at least this weekend ! Yea I have day off tomorrow, I have to go to Roseville for PT in morning, but off rest of day , yeah. My work schedule has gone from part time 2-3 days a week, to how am I going to fit all this into 5 days, I still manage to be home by 3 or 4 so it's not bad at all

Hogan Update: oh my gosh, he is so "busy" day and night. Busy chewing on pinecones, big ones, yes pinecones, pieces of firewood off front porch, digging in my flower beds, laying out our garbage in front yard. He's a "busy" one. A little while ago we are pretty sure he turned on the side water faucet next to the house ! We set up a cone and a ball off a rope tied to a tree hoping he'll spend some time being "busy " with that, I'm hiding treats in it. BUT no skunks,raccoons or critters. I was spending a fortune in cat food, so i appreciate his efforts in that area. He really is a sweety. I think john is taking him hunting later this month, Hogan will love that. I have to get him leash and car ready though..... could be trouble.
O.K. I'm tapped out and my feet are cold, got to get some socks on
Love to all.....................

A Wrap Up Of Our Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-01T21:48:00.000-07:00

Well, we got out of town headed to Clear Lake pretty early on friday. The big draw was it's konoctai's big summer finale. A customer of dads is a world champion jet skiier, so we wanted to see him. Clear Lake State Park was full, so we found a little campground in Nice, across the lake from Konactai. It is really an RV campground, but he had some tent camp spots, about a 15 X 15 spot of grass a few trees. There was lots of parking in front, we could'nt use it cause it wasn't big enough for boat and truck, we were able to park them right behind camp.
Camp host had told us that he had cable tv hookup and wii fi. We did not take our t.v. but had out laptops with us. Camp host brought us over a tv, ran the electrial and plugged in cable... what are ya gonna do. After setting up camp fri we went over to konoctai harbor, got to see Larry and a couple of guys practicing.
Upon arriving back at camp we took tv into tent and feel asleep watching Blazing Saddles. Lots of road noise and air mattress flat as a pancake at 4:40 in the morning, thank goodness the truck was so close! So saturday morning we buzz on over to festevities, tied up to dock and stayed there all day. The jet skii stuff was very cool, the air chair was amazing, the also had some guys doing motorbike stunts with ramp and all. They were Awesome ! i got some real good pics of all of it, some on the blog.
So we left dock about 4 ish, and drove across the worst water we have ever been in, it actually jammed the walk thru windshield down on to fiberglass of boat. For a while it was fun, who wee, i can go 8 seconds. As it continued i looked a charlotte and D.W. they were lookin a little worried, so i layed on the floor, which is smoother anyway, and charlotte climbed up on me and was not moving. Finally after what seemed like hours we pulled into camp spot, dads back was really hurting, where he broke it in 82. So as it turns out we got to watch Kyle Bush win another race, whilst camping. We decided sunday that we couldn't do that drive again, and could'nt find anywhere else to camp that didn't look scary. So we came home, took naps, showers and watched raced from Fontana.... Yea Jimmy Johnson won ( as in NOT kyle bush) .
This morning when i woke up i felt like i had been in a really bad fight and lost poorly, my whole body hurts all over. I do get to get another neck epedural tomorrow, it should help a lot. On the 17th i get the shot that will kill the nerve in my leg, I have high hopes for that one. So it is a little after 10 and i've got to get some soaking in hot tub and go to bed...... love to all

Mom

Short Post...... Maybe

2008-08-28T00:36:00.000-07:00

Well I made it to Wednesday. Been a busy week, 3 days a week I start my day with Physical Therapy in Roseville, I love it cause it's in the warm pool, but afterwords I have to drive to Grass Valley, Placerville, makes for long days, but I think it's helping. I'm getting another epidural in my neck. I'm waiting for call about doing the nerve deading in my leg. I'm sure the Dr.'s office screwed it up, nice girl, totally inept, I'll have to deal with it tomorrow.

And as I travel up the hill to Placerville tomorrow I have to get my truck smoged, hopefully I can get in and out quickly. I have 7 "jobs" tomorrow, they'll be pretty quick, and I get to go up to Pollock Pines, it's so nice up there, and the people are so nice.

We are going up to Clear Lake camping Friday, john has a customer competing in jet ski competition, so it should be fun, it's Konocti's summer finale. We are camping at a RV campground, owner just bought it recently, so it should be interesting. It's in Nice, across the lake from Konocti. John is excited because it has WiFi and cable, wants to get a t.v. going, no reason, just cause he can, we'll have to discuss that again. It will be hot, so I am looking forward to being on the water.

That's all I got tonite, gotta sleep..... love you all

Saturday of Suprises

2008-08-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

Well Bristol in August is over for one more year. And we have a vice presidential canidate. I can't wait for McCain to name his and the debating to get going......... I'm all about John McCain, I like what he stands for AND I don't want to live in Obama's America, land of socialism and liberalism, where everyone has a voice but the one's with common sense ! I can leave California politics, but not USA's !!! So there's my political soap box of the day, I feel more will be upon me in the next few months, get ready !
So then we have night racin at Bristol, Dale Jr. starts in the back, jumps the start, goes down a lap, and never recovers, finishes 2 laps down. Kasey Khane gets caught up in a wreck and has a DNF. My RCR guys finished well, and jr. picked up a spot in standings. So I guess it was kinda a push for me. Gotta love that Carl Edwards, bump and run and no apolgies !
So now I'm getting the " its been a long day, let's go to bed" look so i should probaly shut er down. Oh yea, heard from jason 2 times in 2 days ! He and candice are back in Utah. Hopefully he'll get on our blogs and return to the "family" love u, jason and candice !
Jamie called a couple minutes ago, she and Michelle painted Katies room today, she is doing a green/green and white strip scheme. Can't wait to see it. lights are going out all around me, and the remote went to the bedroom, so i guess i'll go.
Love to all

Long Time No Blog..........

2008-08-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still here, just been busy going to dr. appts, started physical therapy, been camping. Sometimes I'm choosing the " If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything" method. Nothing too bad, just blah,blah,blah..........

My sister Andrea left last Friday with her two daughters, Raquel and Marlana to drive Marlana to Southern Utah University. It is close to St. George, no it's not a Mormon univ. Why she choose there is kinda a mystery, but I'm sure she has reasons, she is a loooooooong way from Pulaski Va. Raquel graduated from Virginia Tech in June, and is working in Anderson South Carolina. Anyway the girls had a fun road trip out, stayed in Vail, Colorado and in the back seat of Raquel's outback. After getting Marney settled, Andy and Raquel decided to take the southern route back, Kansas was really, really wide apparently ! Andy and Raquel got to Las Vegas about 2 am, saw a couple of street fights and 2am Vegas regulars ! They should be at our brothers in Oklahoma late tonight. They should be home by Friday sometime. I think Marney's comings and goings will be out of the Las Vegas airport, an hour and a half away. That's a long drive to do more than once.

So here we are the last Wednesday in august and I"D RATHER BE IN BRISTOL,TN. Tonite was the Truck race, tomorrow night is family night, and hauler parade, Friday night is NationWide Race and Saturday night is the Cup race. Always a big event, and a blast to be there... can't describe it, just wish john and I were there with my dad, maybe next year.

We got the site where Jay and Janelle's wedding pics are, but need to get somewhere with a faster download speed, maybe I'll lunch at Paneria Bread Friday and be able to look at them, sorry guys, it's a bit frustrating, what we've seen so far has been very nice, but haven't got to ceremony tab yet. You both look so beautiful, alone and together. I am now going to get a little mushy and say that I am so thankful that God brought the two of you together. It's so much fun to see the two of you together even in pictures.

It's late and I am trekking up to Placerville, and Pollock Pines and Kyburz tomorrow for work. Pretty area to work in hugh ?...
Love to All

AM I CRAZY OR WHAT ?

2008-08-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

I assume that anyone that reads my blog, they know that John and I will have a Grandaughter in dec. What a great Christmas present God is blessing us with. We can't wait to see her, hold her, and change a diaper or two ! Thanks Jamie and Dustin !!!!!

So some people feel challenged to run marathons, some to climb mountains, some to jump out of airplanes. THIS is my challenge- to spend 5 days with 5 dogs and not loose any, or get myself involved in a fight and get them all fed and into bed ! It's been quite a funathon already, D.W. got himself skunked thru the front screen door the other night, Hogan the watchdog was laying under our window. D.W. is quite territorial so I'm pretty sure he "kicked" hogan off the front porch. Anyway d.w. needed a bath yesterday afternoon so........... I let them all out of backyard, Zell running around trying to fight the hose, hogan trying to get between me and dogs i was washing, rolla running around just trying to keep up. So mission accomplished. I however smelled like skunk and was quite wet. I am very careful not to get involved in "dog issues" i believe in letting them work it out. Right now the front door is open and I think they are all within sight and figuring out the pecking order.

John is down at dustin and jamies putting in fire door between garage and laundry room, hopefully he'll be home in time for naps. We have 3 races to watch today so we might be up late.
Otherwise, things are pretty quiet around here, no fires thankfully and very pleasant weather. I have 2 dr. appointments this week, 1 for a recheck on my neck. The other is a very delayed appt for my leg, which is getting worse and very painful. I need relief on it asap. I'm hobbling around like a old, old, old lady. This must stop !

Gotta go check my inmates, too quiet....... Love to All

Tuesday Thoughts and Rambles

2008-08-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

Well here it is Tuesday evening, I don't even know how to describe my day today. Didn't have to work, didn't have anywhere to go that was worth $4 + in gas. So kinda sat around, reading, and as you'll notice put a slide show on my blog ! not bad huh Casey, it was crazy hot, but i didn't have ambition to turn on air, right now it's 82 degrees a little before 9. The book I'm reading is a Karen Kingsbury book, very sad I've cried most of the day, but dang it i have to finish it!! Before this book i read the book Let's Roll, the story of Todd and Lisa Beemer, he was one of the passengers the took down flight 93 in Pennsylvania. It is really a must read, It was so full of hope, and personal faith, and how Christ can heal and care for broken hearts and dreams. It has it's sad parts, but it truly is a great testament of God's love and care. So that was my day..... Dad will be home Thursday, in time for dinner, Jamie and Dustin will be announcing if we are getting a grandson or granddaughter.... Dad of course is freaking out, I told Jamie I'm pacing myself, it still seems unreal, great, but unreal. If you are reading this you saw my pic of Hogan. I made a very big mistake in agreeing to dads list of rules. He is sooooo sweet and such a good people dog, it kills me to shut the door on him. He lays in front of the front door until we go to bed, then he lays under window. Dad is quite impressed, he is not a barker, but has chased a couple of skunks, raccoons off . When he does bark it sound like he means business. He finally got dw to play with him, i posted it to youtube if you are at all interested. On the personal front, my neck still feels good, my leg is nada, i go back to both drs next week. I am looking forward to announcement at church of upcoming ladies bible study, with the work schedule i have i should be able to do one during the day. I'm looking forward to that, with no Sunday school, I'm excited to be study God's word with women in church family. It looks like dad will be gone all of next week, I'll have to make some plans besides work so I'm not sitting around reading sad books! Dad never said i can't take all three dogs to the lake myself.......not sure if Folsom qualifies as a lake at this point. I think that I'll do some hot tubbing before i hit the sack,I'm sure I'll be up until it cools off enough. Love you all, I'll give Janelle and jay a call tomorrow before you go to the ham....and you think oroville is the surface of the sun. I think the ham is surface of sun, with a big canvas tent over it ! I know you guys will have fun, wish i was going too.

Yada, Yada, Yada

2008-07-30T02:15:00.000-07:00

So here it is 2:15 am, and no i did not take a nap today, and i am not sleeping. My eyes and nose are so allergy ridden I'm about to go crazy..... These Pretzels Are Making Me Thirsty. Somehow with all the smoke and junk in the air the last couple of weeks, i was ok, but now that the smoke has cleared, something is freeking blooming and i look like an old drunk with a red nose and bloodshot eyes.

Other than that not much going on, d.w. continues to ignore hogan, or growl as he walks by. hogan is a fetcher, so d.w. has decided to be one also. dogs are so weird !

So big earthquake today in so cal, for those on east coast, all our people are fine, jay got a pretty good jolt, it woke amanda up, and some pictures fell off the wall. I listened to big bulldozers and tractors today going on across greenwood road, it sounded like major logging of the hill across the dirt road, interesting to see what it looks like tomorrow.

I have bedroom window open and i am smelling a skunk, i hope hogan takes care of it, so far no barking or running, he likes to lay outside where he can see me. I think I got a mamma's boy instead of a watch dog, but he was Free....

I'm going to give zzzzz a shot now, i do have to work tomorrow, 2 jobs at wal mart in placerville and a secret shopper gig in folsom, mighty exciting ain't it.
Love u all

Monday Night, Again

2008-07-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

I thought i would share some quick thoughts about the weekend and today's adventure. Weekend was very nice, pretty much hung out, watched lots of racing, hey Kyle Bush only one 1 out of 3 this weekend, what a slump. So my "teammate" jimmy j scored his second of the season i believe, can't remember, don't care. Jr's hangin in around 2nd place in points, I'm loving that, i finally got my new 88 sticker on the back of my truck yesterday, so now I'm official again, between my license plate that says dl jr fan and my 88 sticker i think I'm making a statement.
After racing yesterday we met jamie and dustin in town for pizza, they are fun to hang out with ! Jamie will know on the 7th if we have a grandson or grandaughter , she's making john go out to dinner, no telling over the phone ! i love that girl, she has him wrapped around her finger and thumb, if this baby is a "katie" he's done, all over for gramps.
So today was the monday we go up to boys ranch in oroville, I finally met Mass, the owner/operator. The whole staff is different from 2 weeks ago when we went. Joyce and I are asking a few more questions and trying to get to know boys a little better. It seems that 2 or 3 of them have been adopted, and then sent away to "boarding school" because they have " anger issues.
One of the boys told us that he was actually a twin, his mom adopted him out and kept the other twin, he has never seen or known him. In his adopted family he has older and younger adopted siblings from India. One of his mom's excuses for sending him there is that there are not enough black children/adults where they live and he would be an outcast. in Indiana, please.
This little boy is a mover and a shaker, never quite sure if he's working ya or being honest. But he has the biggest smile, i just wish i could bring him home and raise him myself. Jay and Casey always wanted a little brother ?. Joyce has a few boys that tug at her heart, we just want to grab them and run away with them and never come back. Parents spend 3,000 a month for "boarding and school" school is done all on computer and the boarding is quite pathetic. The school is 7th day Adventist, so no meat etc.
For $3,000 I could do lots of loving and home schooling with this boy ???? We went to look at a bed and bfast that overlooks the lake from a distance, beautiful 10 bedrooms with own baths, just beautiful. Its on 20 acres but all down hill and too rocky for horses. Jack Joyce and I would love to get the whole group out of there, the neighbors fight with each other about easement rd, and look for excuses to hassle the boys home.
Anyway I can't solve all the worlds problems, but I can try to show Christ's love to a few boys every 2 weeks. Gotta get some sleep,
love to all.
P.S. I know you're all dying to know how hogan is, He's great !!!!
A little needy at the moment but we'll play tomorrow, he does like running thru the sprinkler

The Good, The Bad, And A Winner

2008-07-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hi All, John says that I do not talk about him in my blogs, so this time i will

talk about him a lot. So everyone knows how frustrated i have been about skunks, raccoons, and turkeys, day and night, the midnight skunk baths d.w. and charlotte have had to have.

So my idea was to get a "watchdog" that is an outside dog to chase off these interlopers onto our vast track of land. John vehemently disagreed, because he likes shooting them in the wee hours of the night. As you know he is gone 2-3 nights a week and i am not adept at shooting in the night or day, nor do i want to acquire this particular skill.

I decided that i was just going to get a dog and be strong on my defense however as john was helping dustin and jamie work on their home repairs the other night, "they" felt compelled to tease him with my plan- it did not go well at home.. thanks d & J. Anyway after some "discussion" and "debate"a little more "give" and "take" It was "decided" that i could get another dog, Rules for dog: 1. If its a german shepherd, it has to be named after a character in Hogans Heros- thanks nic at nite 2.he/she could never, never,never come in the house. 3. he/she can never go anywhere with us !
4. It really can't be part of our family, our family of dw and charlotte is perfect and can't include anyone else. So with those rules , i continued to follow up on some of the dogs i had been checking up on on craigslist.

It's a very weird thing that people who are losing their home want you to pay a "rehoming" fee anywhere from 50- 450 dollars. That i will never do.
So i had inquired about a "urgent shelter" dog from the merced animal shelter. Same shelter i got dw from, i had emailed the coordinator and let her know that i was not able to pay the rehoming fee etc. She emailed back saying they would waive all fees, but this dog was going to the rainbow bridge later this week. I said bring him up, they actually car pool dogs up to sac every week for people to pick up. So i found myself at a Denny's on Howe ave waiting for a van full of dogs, it looked like a drug buy with leashes when the van pulled in.

So here we are at home with Hogan, he is shephard mix, not the best looking dog out there i will agree, but he is smart,sweet and very obedient.
d.w. does not like him at all, gives him the stank eye and a growl when he gets a chance, guess it's good to be the dog king too. but hogan does not do the big back yard at all, i realized yesterday that he had been at pound for a full month. So he's been sleeping on front porch at night and hangs around front door during the day. that's what i was looking for, i'm pretty happy and dad is grudgingly accepting him, hard not too, he's very friendly. and more important, no skunks, raccoons and turkeys the last two nights, although i have not heard him bark yet.

So here is where i thank dad for being a good guy and letting me deal with this in my way. And no hogan has not been in the house at all !! and since he threw up in my truck on the way home, he'll not be going on any trips. He does run thru sprinkler to cool off i noticed, can't wait to see he and zell run thru sprinkler. So that's my last couple of days......

On a personal note, most of the smoke from fires is gone, but my allergies are back with a vengeance, thank the Good Lord for Zyrtec D, I'm living on it. And if you haven't talked to john lately he thinks that job change will become apparent buy the middle or end of august! so maybe we' ll be packing or we'll be hanging out for years too come.

So here are a few pics of Hogan, he is very dark so it's hard too get a good pic of him. Hey Jay, Free is not always bad.......

Love u all

Monday Report

2008-07-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

Well another week has come and gone, so i'll update the past week. I've been working on priming some of dustin and jamie's kitchen doors, i can't wait to see the whole kitchen done.

No boating this weekend, i'm hoping we can get back up to union valley this saturday. My latest rant is the water level at folsom, has not been enough water for us to go this year, and tomorrow the speed limit on the entire lake will go to 5 mph due to the many hazards. What a waste of tax payer dollars.

Now to the happings at home; in the last week my mountain man has shot a raccoon, and 2 skunks- shot em with a shotgun- cut em right in two, blames himself ! * see bottom for reference, if you didn't get it. And worst of all, 2 mom and 8 or so baby turkeys are coming into MY flower beds and tearing up my flowers ! I am just about at my wits end ! D.W. never barks, he just runs head on into a skunk, the other night i was giving him a very cold from the hose bath on the front porch.... he's about ready to get thrown down the driveway and stomped on !

Not really, actually what my plan is to get an outside dog- yes, now the time for booing and hissing from jay and casey. What i want is a dog outside at night chasing these critters away, it's '
all well and good when dad's home and wants to get up and shoot them, but when he's gone 2-3 nights a week i feel like i'm at a stupid skunks whims, it's making me nuts, i'm finally getting better sleep, but varmints are overrunning the place. So dad is a little mad at me, what with the Burton bloodline and all. I love my little dog family, but i need a varmint chasing front porch dog. we'll see

So I think I'm done for now, dad is taking apart the waterbed, i have it on craigslist for free ! and have already got some interest, we'll see if someone will come this far for something that is free, aside from Jay's motto: Nothing For Free ! gotta go, love to all

P.S. the answer is Steve Martin- stand up

50 IS NOT THE NEW 30 !

2008-07-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

hi,
figured I'd give you an update on our weekend camping adventure. We did not go to bullards bar, figured it to be to smoky, so we went up to union valley. its about 20 miles above placerville, we can go up thru georgetown, very pretty drive, lots of thick pine trees. anyway, lake is very pretty, less smoke but high clouds and smoke. water is a lot like clemtine, clear and refreshing. Good News: free to launch Bad News: No hazard bouys, ran over a hudge bolder under water. loud noise, but no hull damage, did have some skagg damage as the SKAGG HIT THE BOAT ! dad can fix it up fine. glad i wasn't driving. So we want to camp there next, dogs are allowed, reservations are first come first serve, so we'll have to plan it out. Water had some very smooth spots. I think I screwed my neck up by tubing with brielle, stupid but fun..... so dad and i are tired and feeling old today, he's already napping at 1 pm. We're not feeling 30'ish. Maybe being old is best left to those who are already old..... Love ya all

Late Night For Ramblings

2008-07-12T01:14:00.000-07:00

Ok i have to start over, you all know what happened,,, it screwed me but maybe i'll save a few times this time.My neck still feels good,my leg is killing me, maybe the no pain makes the other pain worse, who knows. I am so very thankful for the relief i have in my neck. Praise The Lord !!!! So Jamie says i need to let jay and janelle know that i mopped bathrooms, vaccumed floors and did all kinds of domestic inside chores today! I can do it when the time is right! Hey jay, I took all my old nascar newspapers to recycling yesterday, and yet my life goes on..... hmmm, you should really be a crime fighter! Now to the serious stuff,would you guys pray for aunt andy, her best friend sharon died last sunday, she was mid 40's had gone on a bike ride to celebrate daughters 14th birthday, small wreck, but it seems that during the night or early in the morning she died in bed. she had underlying health issues but they are guessing that a small part of fatty cartlidge came loose from sprain on elbow and entered her circulitory system. when i talked to her yesterday, she did not know autopsy results. Andy gave a eulogy and is very concerned for daughter Faith. It's a messy situation with the husband who did not treat her well. If you could pray for that whole situation and for me to have the right words for andy i'd appreciate it. On the praise front janenne barretts little boy got to come home from hospital last week. all seems well, can't wait to see him. any updates from wyatt ? It seems that our camping trip is a no go for next week. janet and i might drive up to union valley and scope it out, see how the smoke is and if there is camping opportunities, nice clean refreshing lake water seems great right now.gonna go see if i can get some zzzzzz's. love to all

Wednesday Night Ramblins

2008-07-10T00:23:00.000-07:00

hi all, my neck still feels good, actually it does not "feel" at all
so that's very good ! and i might have caught up on sleep finally, i think we'll see tomorrow. My goal is to get to dmv early to get replacement boat tags before we go up to bullards bar sunday afternoon. Air here is still very smoky and just yucky, looks like we are in for it for the next few weeks as fires are all over, some fires are not even being fought because they are too far in woods and other fires are threating homes or structures. I think bullards bar will put it a little closer to fires, but what the heck wind shifts are constantly changing, and water is a nice place to be in yucky air. It will be fun to camp with lomas family, alec and brielle are always refreshingly fun to be with outside, fearless and everything is fun. hopefully john and alec will get some fishing time in. it's late so i better go. leave me comments so i know someone is paying attention to my ramblings love ya all !

Tuesday Night

2008-07-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

Well I made It throught my cevical epidural shot just fine. As it turned out they did not put me all the way out! I'm feeling prety good now, drs say that i should have an increase in pain for 24-48 hrs after the anasthetic wears off. I took it pretty easy and plan to go to bed pretty early tonite. john took off after bring me home, i was doing well and figured it would be easier to rest without his working and worrying. the bostitch regional managers are meeting this week and word is heads are on the chopping block. I am not worried, but john is freaking out just a bit, it's best that he be out working instead of worrying at home. It is still very hot, hot,hot and smoky here.we are planning to go camping at Bullards Bar sunday- tuesday, but we can't find any info for air quality. My guess is that it's as bad if not worse here,we might just go for it anyway, water is always good antidote to smoke and heat. I think i'm off to change water and hit the sack ! later.....

Monday,Monday

2008-07-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hi All had a great and busy weekend,one of best parts of my planned lazy day today is that air outside is so smokey and "unhealthy" that i don't feel bad about not doing anything outside. Also the temp is about 100 degrees.Only word for that is: Nap Time. I am trying to make changes to blog, hopefully they will take effect when i post this blog. Tomorrow morning at 7:30 am i will be goin in for epuderal on my cervical spine, should be a 2.5 hr appt. i will be put out for procedure so that will be nice ! should not be any recovery time, but i will be taking it easy tomorrow afternoon. If jamie has kitchen cabinet doors off i will sand and paint for her this week, i forgot how much i like sanding and painting. sunday we will be going up to bullards bar camping with lomas family till tues morning, i have to come back for dr. follow up on tuesday afternoon. love to all-- leave me comments if you read this

WHAT A WEEK !

2008-07-05T23:55:00.000-07:00

Whew, I can't wait for for monday (never thought i'd say that)this last month, week by week so many fun things have been happining back to back,monday will be the first day i have nothing to do ! my truck is on E and payday is not till thursday, so i'm gladly stuck at home. Had a great time with relatives in san francisco last week. we went to alcatraz, grace cathredal,and cable car museum. bill and marguerite and daughter kristen were so nice, it was the first time we had met them. 2 very fun packed days. thursday we packed up to camp at oroville with dustin, jamie and chris and irene. had a little run in with lake patrol first night, we did'nt have a type 4, boat seat cushion apparently needed if someone is drowning you should throw that instead of a life jacket ? anyway ranger "terminated" on boating. Quite a mixture of hostility mixed with " you gotta be kidding" so dustin and jamie went to the walmart and bought a $7.00 life saving device. imagine saving a life for $7.00. So as john was getting the boat ready to hit the lake friday, john found our seat cushion life saver ! so we head to boat ramp at spillway and have a 2 hr 40 min wait to put the boat in the water. when we finally got in, it was great ! we stayed for fireworks, best we've ever watched, well worth the hassle. thankfully it only took us 15 min to get out of the lake. We all slept good ! we came home early to go to john shankles 50th birthday party. lots of fun. it is now 12:15 am sun morning and we are at 12 laps to go on the daytona race we tivoed from earlier. 11 to go and a caution. gotta go, hopefully i will get new pics up tomorrow, so check back periodicaly.

Week Thats Up...

2008-06-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

This is shaping up to be a busy week,tomorrow (monday) is the day i go with jack and joyce up to Boys ranch in oroville.With the weather so hot and smoky and 2 big fires burned recently up that way it will be hot and yucky, not to mention that i don't think joyce is going to go. Oh well I always feel better when I've been there. Change of pace on Tuesday, as mona and i will drive to vallejo EARLY in the morning to catch a ferry to San Francisco to meet with my mom's Uncle Bill, wife Marketa and their daughter who is about mona and I's age. We will be going to the warf, tour of alcatraz, up to chinatown, and if time allows golden gate park. We will be home wed night. Thursday morning we are going up to lake oroville to camp thursday and friday night, Yeah fireworks over the lake. we will come home early saturday morning to go to john shankles 50th birthday party. I'm still so tired from wedding, last week etc, I can't imagine how i'll crash next sat night. Also looking forward to going to church next week, missed last 3 weeks. don't like that at all. So got 41 more miles of racing at New Hampshire then we can hit the sack, I'm trying to stay awake, john gave up, only wakes up for commercials so he can keep control of remote... He worked very hard yesterday and today with dustin getting his tile floor installed in new home. Can't wait to see it
later.............................

Week That Was....

2008-06-29T20:53:00.001-07:00

Had a great week, the race at sonoma was fun, got my new dale jr. gear, specifically my truck decal ! now i just need to keep my truck clean long enough to put it on. This has been a week filled with fires and smoke.We've had 2 pretty good sized fires by our house, thankfully they are back in the woods where there are no homes involved.The smoke and yuck that has been in the air from sacramento to georgetown to placerville has just been awful.I think all we are looking to is small changes to make it better, no big breezes.We said goodbye to Jay and Janelle and Casey this week. Casey left at 4 am monday morning to get back to alabama before girlfriend peggy goes on vacation for a week. Spent monday afternoon at lake clemtine with jaynelley for a quick ski and dip before they took off for home ( corona) Big News for Me: I got up on ski's, first time in 2 years, I am a slomon skier so humbling to use 2, but with as bad as my leg is, i'm satisfied with 2 for now. Went to Cervical Doctor, she is scheduling me for a epuderal shot in my neck, if that is unsuccessful then i think we look at surgery. Personally I'd just as soon skip to surgery, but they want to exaust all other avenues before surgery, so i'll play along. Later

Week That Was

2008-06-29T20:53:00.000-07:00

My Wonderful Men

2008-06-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

Just had to share thoughts on my son's, it's a incredible blessing to share time with each son in the same day.We just spent a quickie camping trip to Clear Lake with the newest Mr. and Mrs. Jay Hobbs and Casey. Had lot's of fun, biggest game for rest of us is getting a word in being around jay and casey, between movie lines, and sarcasm it get's tough. They are so much fun and can make the mundane a great memory.Janelle is my newest heroine for loving jay even when he is "brothering" with casey. when we got home from camping, dustin called just to chat and give me an update on how zell and rolla are adjusting to new home,zell is looking for escape plan and rolla is just off her game a bit,such unique personalities.Dustin and Jamie are moving forward with home repairs etc, we moved them in last weekend. Felt bad that we put all the stuff in house and got out of the way.I'm sure that they were glad to be alone in new home, but a little overwhelmed with task of not being able to set up housekeeping due to repairs, new counter tops,shower tile,waiting for new appliances,floors.Anyway,being in around my sons and daughters (thier wives)just makes my heart so full of love of Christ for all he has given john and I. Open house/reception for jay and janelle tomorrow,i will start putting it all together later this morning.Not going to stress out, will work through each room in house,dusting etc, then move to outside, where i plan for most of activity to be.I think I will have to make a run to town for new flowers and birdseed, i think some of my pansies have finally given up,so out they go for hot summer flowers. I also need to get my timers reset for auto watering. I am up now due to leg and back pain.Having problems getting appt. with doctors office i've been to 3 times. Have appt. next week with new doc for neck issues.Trying very hard not to be overly depressed with pain issues but getting very weary of pain and all the crap that goes with it. Gotta go try to get some zzzzzzzzz.Love to all, looking forward to saturday, having all our family here with friends who have watched them grow from little guys to the incredible young men they are. TO LIFE...........

Just Rambling

2008-06-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

So here are my thoughts of the day: Would have liked to go up to oroville today,leg hurt all night so I did not sleep at all, called Joyce at 5 am, finally got to sleep at 7:30 am woke up at 9:00. Since I was up I decided to do my Friday Merchandising Jobs today instead of friday, ran a few errards and got a few things done around the house. Tomorrow the rush is on, I will work in Grass Valley and then over to Beale AFB, hope to be home fairly early. I will meet Jamie in auburn to get zell and rolla back to them and let them use my truck for the next few days. Jay and Janelle will be up late tomorrow night, we are going up to clear lake wednesday and spend the night, hoping we will pack light.Friday we will get ready for reception/open house for the new Mr. & Mrs. Hobbs ! It will be a fun and busy week !

Post Wedding Notes

2008-06-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've been told that my blog needs to be updated, so here goes jamie !... Jay and Janelle's wedding was perfect, to see them look at each other is to see all the love and commitment they have to each other and Christ.Very Nice. I also must comment on the idea of "family". The family that we became with the Rubinos 4 years ago continues to amaze me. I was'nt sure till jamie confirmed it, but my son the groom, and the entire group of his groomsmen got showered and dressed for the wedding at chris and irene's, yes,casey had called and checked to see if it was o.k., of course it was,it was a natural for my sons who in so many ways have adopted chris and irene as an extra set of parents, they have always been there for them, with an Easter feast at Grandma Penny's and Grandpa Frank's a few years ago to crashing in a bedroom when needed. Truly we got a daughter 4 years ago, and they received 3 sons. Thank You Chris and Irene. See ya this weekend !
On to other issues: casey and i are sitting around doing just about as nothin as you can get, saving our energy for bodega bay tomorrow.Next week we will camp at clear lake with jay and janelle, looking forward to that.Dustin and Jamie will be moving into new home this weekend, house is beautiful, but needs a little work, they will move most items to storage unit, untill they can officially move in with all items repaired and painted. It will be fun watching them set up in there own home, zell and rolla will love new back yard, new places to dig holes for zell!. As i sit here the dreaded north wind is blowing, california is on fire.... high fire danger everywhere, this is one of the reasons i am looking forward to living in north carolina. Can't end this ramblins without thanking my family for being here for jays wedding; My parents who flew in from virginia, thank you for making me and my son feel first your prioritys.My brother Bruce, who made a bonsi run from paradise to so cal, to be here, thank you !. To my sister Andy, thanks for your sanity, sense of humor and laughter, thank you for the monetary sacrafice,it is appreciated. To Mona,Thank you for taking a day off to be here for the whole shebang ! and for giving Mom and Dad that extra day at the beach, i could'nt but you did, thank you! so here ends my blog for the day, hope you like it but check back tomorrow maybe it will be better...

A New Day, A New Blog

2008-05-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

O.K. let's try this again, I'm excited to have a blog, i definently
have the ability to share my thoughts and opinions on a regular basis to whoever wants to read them.First off, yes jay i am saving as i go.Although i will confess that it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to actually post a new blog. I think i'll let this blog go successfully and play around with the other things i can do with the blogspot see ya

My First Blog

2008-05-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

well my first blog got dumped, i don't know how i did it, i just know that the BLOG IS SCREWING ME. I'll have to get back to it tomorrow