Celebrating the Life of a 500 Year Oak

First I drove to Julie's and had breakfast with Mason and Julie.  It was a great.  Next Julie and I went shopping and picked up stuff for the celebration.  Off to the tree.  It was quite simple to get to though traffic was sticky here and then it was a straight run and we had fun talking.

Once there, we drove the car down to the tree since Julie had her base.  Julie was going to drive it back up to the parking lot but there were other cars so she left it.  Since we needed it, I was glad.  We had some food and then just waited around and talked with everyone.  Around 2:30 we started practicing the Big tree song that Karen had written words for and we all had fun singing and playing music.  Around 3 we went up by the tree and sang.  Teri picked up the end of Julie's bass and we all walked round the tree.  It was really big and I'm posting pictures of it on Facebook.  After our walk we sang the Big tree song one more time and those that knew the tree spoke about it.

I wish I could have seen it before it split.  It split a lot of ways and still is quite large though it needs to all come down.  Karen is going to wait until after her Christmas tree season and it will need to come down.  They are hoping to create tables and instruments from it.  The rest of the day was talking and having fun with friends.

Night came and a fire was built.  I got cold but then got close to the fire.  I enjoyed the day a lot.  It was good to be with fun people and friends.  I got to know everyone so much better.  I must say I did enjoy celebrating the life of a wonderful tree.  It did live 300 years long then it's life expectancy.

We also saw the Nave Rocket launch.  We didn't know what it was.  I thought it was a launch since we could see the burn off and split of the cockpit.  What a wonderful day we had.

A Great Friday

I had a great sleep.  It feels good to back on track.  I went over by Pam's and enjoyed a great shower with a nice visit.  We went to a TOPS meeting where I found out how this support group for Over Eaters worked.  I liked the way the had little prizes and put money into the cup for pledges.  It was a lot different than someone telling you how to do it and they also addressed the issues of why we over eat.  After we, Pam Dine and I went to lunch at Scottie's a place where my Mother worked at during part of her pregnancy with Pam.  Good food and great company are always fun.

I was tired and decided a nap was in order.  Back at Shirley's enjoyed a little nap, though the phone woke me up several times.  Finally I got up and decided to go shopping.  I found 3 tops that will serve me well, and yes they were on sale.  It's colder here than in NY so I needed longer sleeves.  

Pam, Shirley and I went out to dinner. The Olive Garden I had a great Chicken with veggies.  We enjoyed it and then over to Poker night.  Poker night is a night out with a group of ladies that talk and work on projects.  It was fun to see the women again and I had enjoyed listening.  I had a great quieter day which I enjoyed immensely.  I had a wonderful sleep getting to bed by 10.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Day with Julie

I woke early, of course since I'm still on NY time.  Not too much sleep but I'm sure it will take a bit to get acclimated to CA time.  I went over to Pam's getting lost on the way but google maps to the rescue and I was almost there.  Not sure how but grateful.  I had my shower and I talked with Pam a bit and off to the Ferry.  I was taking the Ferry Bus into SFO to meet Julie.  Pam told me to make sure I didn't go into Mare Island and the next thing I knew I went across water.  I knew that wasn't good and I'd miss my bus.  I asked a lady and sure enough she said I don't think you should not be on the island.  Now to get back?  The way I came was closed so I decided to take a road and turn around but luckily I notices that it was a one way road so just followed it.  Low and behold it just winded around and there was an exit right back to Vallejo and I winded around where I started.  This time I was on the right road and found the Ferry.  Bad thing it was too lad for the bus but also trying to get the parking to work I had to have Julie's license number so put it in her contact so I have it forever, since I doubt if she ever gets rid of her car, and it was after 9 when I got my ticket.  I had txt Julie and she was already in the city going to work out.  What a good girl.  I found food at the terminal and waited for the Ferry.

On the Ferry I met Betty and asked if I could sit by her.  We had a great talk going to the city.  Julie was waiting for me there and then we started walking.  After a couple of blocks Julie asked if I'd rather ride the bus.  I do love the buses since when I got on I asked the senior rate and it only cost $1 for me to go anywhere in the city.  We got to Union Square and found Ray but needed to wait for our busy to the tour to the beaches and Golden Gate Park.

The tour was great with Paddy, Julie's friend conducting the tour.  That's where the picture of the Golden Gate Bridge came from.  I took a lot of other pictures, or rather Julie did and I'll post them on facebook when I have time to edit them.  Once we got back to Union square Julie and I met her friend Stephanie for lunch.  It was a great place and we had a wonderful lunch.  After, we went shopping.  I found a great black sweater that I love.  Julie just insisted I buy it so I didn't have to say I want it.  It was so fun shopping with her.

From there we went to see Calvin's art show which was wonderful.  Luckily it was only 2 blocks away. Walking was getting tough by now. I do love google maps since it will take you anywhere.  After a bit, I knew I needed to get back to the Ferry.  The last one left at 7:15 and I needed to be on it.  Julie was so gracious to help me find the Muni stop so I could make it back.  The Driver was so gracious that he told me where to get off and then told me that if I waited a bit he went withing 2 blocks of the Ferry.  I was so grateful for my body wasn't happy with so much walking.  

Now to get to the right Ferry.  Of course, I walked the wrong way but another kind man told me where the Vallejo Ferry was.  There was a line so I was happy I didn't miss it.  Getting on I needed to pay and again was helped.  The ride back was quiet and I did listen to my book.  I was getting tired but needed to eat.  I just walked to the Front room right there and had a nice salad.  It was nice to get back to Shirley's and we had a great chat before going to bed.

I'm having a wonderful time.  I'm so glad I've been able to take a vacation.

Vacation to California

I left Wednesday with a fun ride to the airport in Newark. It started with Alicia picking me up and taking me to Port Jervis train.  I wasn't sure how to get tickets but the people ahead of us got them and it was easy.  I didn't try to use anything but cash and it worked great.  I was so happy that Alicia waited with me and then put my bags in the car.  What a great take charge woman.  Thanks Alicia.  I traveled with the lady that I got on with and discovered that we were on the NY train.  We stopped in several places in NY and at Ramsey then straight on to Secaucus.  

Now to find my way to the next train.  For me it was the bathroom first.  That finished I saw the office and the nice man took me through to the elevator.  Once found it was no problem and I made the next train.  Not that I needed to but it was cool.  The conductor had me keep my ticket for the aitrain that goes into the airport.  That was easy too because I found an elevator.  Soon I was at my terminal and it was time to go through the checkpoint.  Of course my bag needed searching.  I was really glad I put my things in the plastic bags and my lotion was bigger than 3.5 oz so stayed at the airport.  The least of my concern and I arrived at my gate.  It was 11 and my flight wasn't until 2:30.  I was so glad I was there that I had fun people watching.  I charged my phone with my new charger and it worked great.

Once on the plane I had hoped that no one was sitting in the middle seat but a man that wanted to get home earlier sat there.  It was very cramped but I was glad to be on my way.  The man next to me had to get up more than me.  I think it was just to stretch his legs but we'll never know.  I was glad I had my audio books on my phone since the movie's would hang for 10 minutes or so and finally they gave up and we went without. 

Arriving at San Francisco was wonderful.  Of course, navigating through the terminal was a pain since I didn't know where I was going but soon I found the baggage claim.  Of course the wrong end and had to walk to the other end but in the end I found a lady to talk with while waiting for my bag and off to find BART.  It wasn't too hard and there was an elevator.  Again there were gals that couldn't read since they didn't speak English well so I helped them buy their tickets to Fremont and in the process I figured out how to get mine.

Bart was very noisy and I couldn't listen to my book.  It always waits a while before starting and then it was quite empty until Montgomery street and then at Embarcadero the world got on.  The next stop was mine.  How was I going to get off?  I was talking with a nice lady, girl to me, and when it was time she just took one of my suitcases and pushed her way through off the train.  I made sure she got back on.  I was so grateful.  I always get these wonderful angels that help me.  Again there was an elevator and I made my way down to Julie.

What a joy to find Julie.  I was glad she drove out of West Oakland and over to Alameda.  We found a great Mexican place and we had a good dinner.  From there I left Julie at her home and I drove up to Vallejo.  It was so good to see Pam and she took me to Shirley's where I was staying until this coming Tuesday.  Shirley is wonderful and I was so glad to get to know her.  What a beautiful lady.  

A great flight Day,

Kathy

Journey's End

It's wonderful to reflect on such a great trip.  I never thought I'd be able to enjoy such a long one.  I really have though it wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for my wonderful sister Pam.  We have connected and I've found a friend for life.  

Julie came through her surgery with flying colors, as far as I'm concerned, being able to go to her favorite Dicken's fair 2 weeks after.  I'm so glad I was able to share in her beautiful Christmas which I've heard about for years.  

It was wonderful to be at the Pam's family in Vacaville where I celebrated the best Christmas, where everyone got gifts that they loved.  I got to see the wonderful Napa Valley again.  I went to school there and the Hills around are wonderful.  I will get the pictures finished when I return. 

Julie and my road trip was very long and tiring but it was also wonderful to see my son, Jason as well.  Hearst Castle was beautiful but we were jaded by seeing Castles in Europe that were larger.  The tapestries and art work were wonderful.  More pictures will be coming.  It was a harrowing ride up the beautiful coast being Julie's gas tank went form 1/2 full to almost empty in less than 60 miles.  That's rough on highway 1 where there are no gas stations.  We finally found one and the gas price $5.79 a gallon and we didn't even care.

Our last night was in Pacific Grove where we got to see Jennifer and her daughter Ivy who were a lot of fun to be with.  Ivy missed Julie when she left,  Ivy is 2.  Our room in Pacific Grove was wonderful with a gas fireplace that stayed on all night.  We found a great breakfast place and made it with no problems to Stanford and Julie's doctor's follow up after surgery.  The doctor's assistant made Julie feel as though she could have improved more and of course that made Julie feel bad.  I know she's done very well and I'm very proud of her.

Mason and Julie brought me back to Pam's and I said goodbye.  I've had my last night with Pam and we enjoyed Diane who visited.  Pam and I will enjoy a great day together with the ride to SFO this evening.

What a great Journey!!

 

December 25th

It was a wonderful day!!  I didn't sleep well and woke early.  Before leaving Pam called England and talked with my Mother's relatives and I see there's a whole group on my Mother's side that I don't know.  It was really cool since she put them on speaker phone and I can see how much they really enjoy having a family here.  Barbara, our sister had called so we talked with her, wishing her a Merry Christmas From Wisconsin.  She was doing well and we had a nice chat. 

Soon it was time to go to David's, Pam's oldest son.  Pam had cooked a rolled bake and an egg bake and I put together the fruit salad.  Tabatha, Ross's Fiance brought cinnamon rolls made from scratch and were absolutely wonderful.  It was great fun getting to know the family.  Each was different and a lot of fun.  I enjoyed getting to know Tavia and found she has my passion for organic.  David was really an imp and I loved it.  It was so fun being able to joke and have fun with everyone.  Soon we opened presents and it was really great that there wasn't a rush.  The kids opened their gifts first and we all watched and then little by little everyone opened them and we could all admire and see how much each enjoyed what they got.  I've never enjoyed a Christmas more.  I also have never seen a time where everyone loved their presents.  Everyone had taken the time to find exactly what the receiver wanted.  It was really cool  I feel like I've won the lottery and get to claim a whole new family. 

It was almost 2 before I left and only did so because I was tired.  Julie had asked me to come to a party in the afternoon but txt me and wasn't sure when they would get to there. I wanted to wait and go with them so enjoyed coming home and taking a nap.  It felt so good and I really needed it.  I did remember to bring in the dogs so they wouldn't bark.  Waking I knew I needed real protein so made a hamburger.  It was good just to eat solid meat.

Julie finally got to Vallejo about 6 and I left shortly after.  Here was another great party and I had fun talking with everyone.  I arrived back home about 8 and enjoyed the rest of the evening with Pam.  

It's one of the best Holiday's I've ever had.

December 24th

Christmas Eve?  How the time flys.  I can't believe that I've been here for 20 days now and this is my last week.  I'm making the best of it enjoying each and every moment, especially the time I'm getting to spend with my sister Pam.  I'm sure going to miss her.  It was a great day starting with getting to Julie's early.  She had her last presents that she wanted to get so we were off.  At least the store was close and we found everything.  Julie wasn't feeling well, but it was her stomach and not her hip so that was good.  She's continuing to wean off her drugs and still moving a lot.  We stopped at a dollar store to get wrapping stuff so all presents could be wrapped and then back to Julie's.  I left her there to rest and was off to return the first backpack that I got her.  Not the right kind.  I thought I had lost the receipt but found it in the backpack itself.  I was so happy.

I had to go to stop in Pinole.  It took 1/2 hour just to get off the highway and park.  Once in the parking lot there was plenty of parking so I didn't understand the clog getting off the highway.  I went to return Julie's first backpack and found I needed to wait in the line which was at least 20 people deep.  I just pulled out my phone and listened to my book.  It's so nice to just be able to enjoy waiting.  I asked for a different way out of the parking lot and found I could go around the buildings and it was an easy back to the main road though that was still clogged a bit.  The drive back to Vallejo was smooth but as soon as I got near a shopping mall it was stop and go.  I did need to stop by another dollar store for wrappings since I forgot to ask Julie for the boxes that I needed.  

At home I tried taking a nap but the dogs kept barking since they knew I was inside.  I finally got up and was so happy that Pam got home from Sacramento seeing Steve.  She too had issues with traffic.  The world was out shopping.  I ran back to the store for some fruit for Christmas brunch and found it not too bad.  I guess I'm learning how to slip in and out without much fuss.

While I was out Pam had a friend come over and exchanged gifts.  We went to Debi, another friend of Pam's, for dinner.  What a grand meal she had.  Ham, mashed potato's, broccoli, salad, and my favorite, her homemade tamales.   The tamales and sauce were wonderful.  Debi is a great lady and we had a lot of fun.  On the way home Pam dropped off another present and the Christmas delivery's were complete.  It was a nice evening of relaxing.

What a grand Christmas Eve!!

 

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