Projects...

Hank and I got another big load of trimmings to the landfill today. My tarping skills leave a lot to be desired, and I've had to relearn the Truckie hitch.  Hank and I have made so many trips to the landfill that the nice lady in the scale house weight station, slides open her window, and before I can say anything, says "Good Morning, Red Bluff, yard waste, OK, pull through". LOL, I don't even have to give her my info any more.

MySean

As Sean and I were talking the other day, he mentioned that he had gotten a ski boat so he and Amy could take the kids out.  He said they had it on the water last weekend, and it ran, but not well, and he needed a new project anyway. So a tune up is in it's immediate future, and they plan to be back on the water this weekend. Sean doesn't know the meaning of small project, and always has to be working on something. Amy sent a photo of his project! 

(I think, it's time for me to dig out the Maherajah slalom and hit the water while I'm up there!)

Wedding

Granddaughter Ali has posted a bunch of photos from the wedding. I won't show all 581 of them, just a few.

Ali and Tyler's wedding reception

two of my favorite kids (by other mothers)

my nieces, Marymine, me, my brother in laws, and sister in laws

Simple is good...

We started on the Simple trip with Dad saying, "I really enjoy these trips. You're so relaxing to travel with Sis".  This as he is hanging on for dear life to the OS handle above his door.

First day, we made it to Bend, OR in good time to meet up with brother & SIL and a cousin from Portlandia. Next day, while brother took Dad to Ideeho, I was off to Sisters, OR to take part in the Cowman's family's reunion.

Cold Springs Resort, Camp Sherman, OR

Had an awesome time at the reunion, we were only missing a SIL, a nephew, a niece, and the corpsman. Fifty three of us out in the open & under canopies as it rained off and on.   On arrival there was a moment of shear terror for the kids, when they found out...there was no cell service in the area.  They soon adjusted, and only occasionally checked their phones to see if the Gods might have provided service while they weren't looking.  
 A little rain didn't dampen the spirits of our crew at all. 

half of my crew:  ccw:  me, Lauren, Ali, Tyler, Marymine, Colt

We went on expeditions, played washers, fly fished, cooked, ate, drank, cuddled the littles, told stories, and had huge bonfires!

After the reunion, I drove to Ontario, OR to meet up with brother and pickup Dad. Then I drove us on to Riggins, Ideeho. We spent a night there on the Salmon River, and the next morn on to Kamiah ID to visit an old friend of Dad's. 

Camas Prairie, Idaho     sunlight on rapeseed field

Here is where I told Dad that if we looped West instead of East, one of my brother-in-laws (Don) had said he would gladly meet us at their river house on the Columbia and take us fishing, if Dad would like that. It took Dad about a 1/2 second to say, "What are you waiting for, call & tell him we are on our way to the river house!" I drove another 5 hours to make that date. We spent the night with my BIL and were on the water fishing early the next morning. 

Dad fishing on the Columbia River

After a morning of fishing, we caught a bunch of bass, no salmon, we headed to my Sean's in Vancouver, WA. Spent the night in his new house, and the next morning I drove the eight hours home. Wouldn't have taken me that long but, I stopped to see Jolee at Del Rio Vineyards in Gold Hill, OR and Dad wanted to stop and see friends in Mt Shasta.

Mt Shasta, Calif.  close to home

A Simple 2,200 mile loop under our belts, and we are home.  Most importantly Dad had a great time, and says his hand is getting better after the cramping from holding on to the OS handle above his door.

 

Blessed...

Giving thanks with...

for the many 

that are my family and friends,

 and that I finally found pie tins the same size as Costco pies...

Therapy session...

A group of friends like to go to Sunday breakfast and often invite me along. They know it gives me a chance to get away for a few hours.

This morning they called, and told me when and where to meet them.  After we had eaten we sat talking with the last of our coffees.  That is when I explained that I was turning over a new leaf and was going to become a gracious older lady. I thought this would be greeted with happy smiles and nods of approval.  Not, the stares, the spewing of coffee all over the place, and then the fall out of your chair laughter...  After one of them had regained his composure to some extent, he looked at me and said "You are not made that way, it isn't going to happen, and I for one would hate to see you even try."  

Well...

 

Texas fold'm...

Since I know your waiting with baited breath... I did not prank Dad's poker party. The voice of common sense reared it's ugly head and said this would not be a good thing to do to the ol guy.  

I did set up the poker tables & the bar, iced down three brands of beer, put out numerous  types of nuts, pretzels, mexi dip & tortilla chips. I did not put the popup Dolly in the ice chest... there are several duffers with heart conditions in the group.

While I was fixing dinner for mother, and they were waiting for the last couple of guys to get here, they held a lengthy discussion about cooking verses eating out when you are single. What! Who talks about cooking at Poker Night?  My assumption (back in Dad's Mission post) that cooking class might be the better approach was shown to be valid, Dammit.
When they started talking about housekeeping skills as a single guy, I beat a fast retreat to mother's room and watched the Giants game til they left.  What has my Dad been telling them? Who in heck talks about cooking & cleaning at Poker Night, I don't even know any gracious ol ladies that do that!
C came too, as he and his wife had gotten back from white watering in Oregon. He & his wife are sportsmen to the max, and have been so good for Dad. C is southern born & raised, likes to take on just about anything, and does it with class. He's perfect for his job of vetting future gov squirrels. C & wife have made a pact with me that we will keep dad as active as possible, and they will not drag ol guys by for me to meet, thank you Jesus!
The guys left laughing and with a good amount of Dad's money. As I was cleaning up, thinking that I had dodged a bullet with the match making business, Dad said, "I didn't know that Lin was single, he's a really nice guy, about your age, did you talk to him?" 
"Aaah, no. What does he do?"
"Nothing, as far as I know."
"Exactly."