Such a Fabulous Time!

We are back from our few days in Aspendell and what a relaxing time it was. You just can't beat good friends, good food and a very beautiful spot to induce some great relaxation. The kids had a vacation of sorts while we were gone and I'm happy to report the house is not only still standing it was actually clean when I got home! We were fortunate to be there before the big fire started in Yosemite although we did see quite a bit of the smoke on the drive home yesterday. Here's a shot from the Bristlecone Pine Forest on Sunday.


Bristlecone pines are probably the oldest continuously living things on the planet - close to 5000 years old! They are so gorgeous - makes me think aging might not be so bad!

Mark and I discovered a new fun activity on this trip - ATVs! OMG! I could hardly believe how much fun we had!

Hey, and even though we know after the infamous "scooter incident" I'm not the best when it comes to hand operated accelerators I did manage to get brave enough to drive ours all by myself. What a BLAST!!!

The best part of the trip though was definitely hanging out with friends. Jim, Peg, Mike & Sue are such gracious hosts. The food and the drink never seemed to stop and of course, neither did the laughs. I'm excited too that our friend Pat has decided to join our dinner group. Pat lost her husband George a few years ago quite suddenly and has been a bit reluctant to get out and socialize. After spending a few days with all of us in the clear mountain air, Pat has decided that her life needs a new perspective and friends are her best way to discover just what is down the road for her.

Back row Jim, me, Susie, Sharon, Mike & Thom. Seated Pat, Peg and Mark.

I'm still on vacation for the rest of the week although there will be little vacationing involved. I'm starting a painting project in the family room and dining room this morning. More on that as the week goes on . . .

The Circus Came to Town!

Let's face it - termites are just part of life when you live in California. Just about everyone on our street has had to have their house tented for them since we have lived here and this week it was our turn. I love the way they always use the brightest colors they can find for the tent. So for even those with especially bad eyesight it's evident that this house is the termite house! The kids have always said it just looks like a big circus tent. So now the circus has finally come to Larsen land!

And the best part - 2 days in a hotel with a pool, someone else doing the cleaning and a nice cool drink.

No, I take that back. The best part was coming home yesterday to a clean, bug free house and sleeping soundly in my own bed last night.

I have loads of yard work this weekend. The guys that did the fumigation were nice enough to keep my rose bushes out of the tent but everything else, including all the plants in the front atrium are now gone. :( It couldn't be helped. Just pray we have cooler weather this weekend so that working outside won't be too awful bad. Next week's vacation can't come soon enough for me!

OK I'm Actually a Little Embarassed

to say that my house is just about as clean as it's been in a very long time. The circus is coming to town tomorrow (also known as the termite tent). We have to be out at 7am and everything that is edible needs to be bagged, including stuff in the freezer and 'fridge. All of the medicine cabinets had to be scoured for medicine and bagged plus my secret stash of Hot Tamales in the scrap room! Andrew and Laura both moaned that they had to clean their rooms but both did absolutely amazing jobs. Andrew's room almost looks as good as it did when we redid it for him 2 summers ago. We have just enough food left out for dinner and then it's a little TV time and to bed early to be ready for the complete evacuation tomorrow.
Will be back later this week with a post about our mini vacation here in our own city as well as a photo of our house with the circus tent on it!

A Snippet From Last Night's Dinner

I am constantly amazed at the quick wit of Laura. Seriously, she could be a stand up comedian with some her quick deliveries. So let me set the stage for you.

• We are all 4 home last night for dinner (a rarity these days) and enjoying each others company.
• Someone brings up one of my favorite topics - Tattoos! I swear I think they do it just because they know the topic bugs the crap out of me.
• Anyway, Laura starts talking about a guy that came into the gym with something called a blackout tattoo. I'd never heard of this. Apparently it's what you get when you no longer want to see your tattoo. Hey, dumb ass maybe if you didn't get the tattoo in the first place . . . oh but I digress.
• OK so out of curiosity I ask: any idea what the original tattoo was?
• Laura: his ex-wife's name.
• Mark: see, that's why you don't get tattoos of people you're in a relationship with!
• Me: Oh, honey is that the secret to our 30 years of wedded bliss? No tattoos of my name on your ass?
• Laura: Yea mom, dad is going to get "Gaye" tattooed on his ass!

Cue me, Andrew and Mark spewing our dinner across the table at each other while Laura dodges the mess and smiles, enjoying her Baked Carnitas!