Only in OB …

Above & below – Playing (literally) on the drum this morning.

Moonset early yesterday morning. You can even see Saturn.

Debi Lilly about to bloom.

Bad news – Last Friday while I was enjoying lunch at Stella’s with my cousins someone scratched my bumper.

Good news – They left a note with a phone number.

Bad news – The phone number is bogus.

Here’s Chainee. We Skyped over the weekend. She’s living in an apartment with another girl, working at McDonald’s and just got her first 3 college credits!

Rancho’s – good Mexican food, inexpensive and it’s right down the street from us. We go there a lot and have noticed they have a wide array of table ware. Usually there are a couple different types on the table. The other night we sat at a table set for 4. Of those 4 place settings, not one of the knives was the same.

Not one of the forks was the same…

In fact, there wasn’t a match in the entire bunch. It’s these little things that keep me forever amazed and amused.

Only in OB – The man below is sporting his finest pajamas and tennis shoes as he walks past Shades.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook from ‘nastics with LOVE!

Sand, Cars, Dummies & Food

Above & Below – The cutest thing ever.

If you’re not on FaceBook, then you missed seeing Alo’s car collection. Do not fear, here are a couple photos. If you were to ask Alo (probably also if you don’t ask him) he’d be happy to tell you the type and color of every one of them.

He spends much of his spare time (when he’s not reciting past and present U.S. presidents’ names) playing with these cars. In fact, he doesn’t usually go anywhere without toting one or more of these with him.

The other day on our walk we came across these dummies and other things laying around at Sunset Cliffs. We asked the guys dressed in what appeared to be military suits what they were doing. Come to find out, they’d traveled from Maryland to work with the Chula Vista Fire Department rescue team. We didn’t stick around to watch, but they were preparing to toss these dummies off the cliff and then repel to “rescue” them. See Bear was interested too.

Let’s talk food. Why? For no reason really. Just thought you’d like to see what I had for lunch yesterday – St. Germain Yogurt (organic and natural – plain flavor) with fresh organic strawberries, blackberries and raspberries with a Cosmic Cranberry Kombucha. This has become one of my favorite lunches, mainly because it’s easy and delicious.

Then there was dinner. Bruce does most of the shopping at OB People’s Food Co-Op and on his last trip be brought home from the bulk bin a baggie of “Organic Chili Carnival” which was a medley of red kidney beans, black beans, red chili beans, pinto beans, green lentils, red lentils and pearled barley. He claimed the tag on the bulk bin said “all you have to do is add 1 cup to 4 cups boiling water and soak, then cook for 2 ½ hours.” Nothing else. Supposedly this would turn into a delicious soup. Hmm, I thought while looking at the bag of only assorted dried beans. Doesn’t this need spices or something to make it taste good? No, he said. That’s all the tag said. Luckily he took a photo of the tag which I looked at and with my keen eyesight (glasses on, of course) found the part he didn’t read “Add spices, veggies, sauces ….” So, I added spices, veggies (onions, carrots, celery, potatoes) and sauces and with some sharp cheddar cheese and Red Rooster Hot Sauce sprinkled on top, it was delicious! It wasn’t a chili, but more of a “mixed bean veggie soup.” I think I’ll have left overs for dinner tonight, and probably tomorrow night and the next night, and maybe even the next night too …

To Alo who may be checking in to see what I’ve blogged today: Hi little buddy!

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/iMac with LOVE!

Maya gets another haircut

Above – another blooming orchid in the yard. I love the deep rich color. I think the yard is loving El Nino. But wait, are we really having an El Nino?

Maya loves to have her hair washed. I think she’s studying her hairdresser’s nose ring and wondering how one would look in her own nose …

It’s all dimples …

Sparty didn’t get a haircut but playing in the car was sure fun! We won’t talk about the tantrum he had when it was time to leave. A little distraction with the toy box he got to choose from took care of that.

All done. No more hair in the eyes.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/iMac with LOVE!

The Zoo (again)

Above – Before the bus ride. Yes, we actually paid (a LOT) for this photo, but the money goes to a good cause.

Below, on the bus ride. No, it’s not true that only fat people ride the bus. Amma and Pappa gladly gave in when Maya asked if we could ride the bus, and we even got to sit on the upper deck. We hadn’t taken the bus in a long time and I’m glad we did. We got to see many animals and it was very informative. The kids loved it.

Everyone needs to put their finger in the gorilla’s nose at some point in their life. We encourage it every time!

In the parking lot … “Look for the pink flamingo and the number 1.” There it is!!

For those of you who’ve asked how Evan’s doing, this morning he posted on his blog (first time in well over a year) with an update. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out. If the link isn’t active, simply cut and paste it into your browser.
http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2f2e417cfa17637a801e1bbe0&id=6a908dd9fe&e=5ddeb1f92d

I had a great time with Sparty at music this morning. He’s doing really good there – dancing, clapping, playing instruments. Now blogging while Maya is at ‘nastics. We forgot to pick up her ‘nastics backpack when we picked her up from school so we ended up buying her yet another leotard. I’ve got to admit, she looks adorable in it! Here she is with Pappa on her drink break.

I think I need to keep a spare leotard in my car … Seriously.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook from ‘nastics with LOVE!

Pairs

Above – Skyping Sunday night. We had a great chat with the WC Family. Everyone was smiles and both Alo and Kando were a joy. They’ll be coming to SD the last week of March, a perfect time for an 88th birthday party!

Below – Alo and Lilli interact. In yoga talk this is called Urdha Prasarita Padottanasana (upward extended feet/legs pose). Notice Ernie.

At the library.

Not that you need to be told this, but … in the bathroom …

Two pairs in one – I don’t think I shared this one yet. This was the day we brought the little big-headed Ziggy home.

For those of you who didn’t see this on FB, even though there are two dog beds next to each other, Ziggy couldn’t get to the same bed as Bear fast enough to sit quietly and wait for his breakfast.

When we were Skyping the WCF Sunday, Alo asked “What’s Ziggy doing?” I mention this because he’s never met Ziggy, and has really only seen him during Skypes or on my blog. He’s a pretty smart kid. Akuch told me Alo knows how to log onto the iPad and can get into my blog by himself. Evidently he does this every morning. So here’s a big HELLO to ALO. I love you and tell your baby brother I love him too. While you’re at it, you may as well tell your mom & dad too! I would be in trouble if I didn’t mention Pappa sends his love to all of you too.

What to look forward to? Yesterday afternoon we took Maya and Sparty to the Zoo and had a blast! I have plenty of photos to show for it.

Today I’m off to the real job at the real job site. Hopefully I’ll be out of there by 3pm so I can get home for a good practice before teaching tonight.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/iMac with LOVE!

What’s Blooming?

Above – Nice small orchid blooms hanging just outside the back door.

Below – Air plant.

More orchids…

The large plant in the corner is from Billi’s yard. When we first brought it home it only had some stragglers, nothing nearly like it has now. You can barely tell its growing out of a bird bath type structure.

This orchid was given to Bruce from Mom when his mom died. It’s been blessing our yard with beautiful, hearty blooms ever since.

Another orchid (in Hogan’s yard). It gets limited sun and is thriving there.

This one is growing on a palm tree in the dog run. It’s got a beautiful view of the ocean but you can’t see the view because of the clouds.

I’m in a 5-day workshop that started yesterday. The workshop is mostly philosophy which includes beautiful chanting and a mix of asana (yoga postures). Yesterday we started with 2 ½ hours of asana practice. It’s been pretty intense so far.

So, if you don’t hear from me in the next few days you’ll know what I’m up to. I’m blogging here on my lunch break.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

When Pigs Fly

Above – Kando is 7 months old.

Below – Alo and Kando show off their Easter craft projects.

Below – Selfie with Ziggy the day after his entropion surgery. Entropion is an abnormality of the eyelids in which the eyelid “rolls” inward. This inward rolling often causes the hair on the surface of the eyelid to rub against the cornea (outer part of the eyeball) resulting in pain, corneal ulcers or corneal erosions. He had the surgery before we rescued him, but the right eye was still rubbing so he needed to have it again. We thought the vet would only be doing the right eye, but when we picked him up both eyes had been done again. What you see in this picture is the left eye which has 2 stitches. The right eye has 3 stitches. The surgery is similar to that of a face lift and not as bad as I thought it would be. Ziggy’s taking it like a champ!

Last Wednesday after ‘nastics Maya enjoys a bowl of popcorn she helped make with our new popcorn popper that we bought just for the grandkids. It’s way cool. It’s got a crank you have to turn the entire time the popcorn is cooking (Maya’s job), so there’s a lot of interaction. Next time we’ll get photos during the cooking process. BTW, she ate that whole bowl. Sorry Ron & Jen if she didn’t eat her dinner that night!

We had Maya & Sparty for a few hours yesterday. This is what they had for dinner. They pretty much put away all of it (except the salad, of course). The cheesy garlic bread (left over from lunch at Pizza Nova) was a hit!

Below, bathing in the big bathtub upstairs with the air bubbles on. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before, but this bathtub is perfect for them.

Me: “Don’t drink the bath water because you never know who pee’d in it.”

Maya: “I did & you do not want to drink my pee. You do NOT.”

This pig flew to the credit union last week full of quarters, dimes and nickels. It was pretty heavy, and I thought maybe there’d be about $200 worth of coins. Well, the credit union didn’t have a coin counting machine so Bruce sat for 3 hours yesterday rolling them (while watching Bat Masterson and/or John Wayne or something of the sort) and got a whopping $113.60 out of it, which included the coins in the plastic cup Bill saved for the kids. We’ll split it up 4 ways and make deposits for the grandkids and start all over again. When pigs fly …

I received word yesterday that my dearest and best friend of 24 years got bad news from recent scans after finding out 2 years ago that he has stage 4 lung cancer. Please hold him in your thoughts and prayers as he continues with more aggressive treatment to get this beast under control.

Never take your loved ones for granted and let them know you love them always. I love you all.

More “Cheese”

Above – Sparty smiling at the prospect of perhaps joining the Station 22 team when he grows up!

A stop at Von’s after Music to pick up some Red Rooster Hot Sauce. The Sparts doesn’t have a problem smiling anytime for a photo. At the time he was unaware he was about to experience Amma’s Wild Toad Shopping Cart Ride which he survived … & so did all the other shoppers!

Pappa’s the caboose.

Bear-Z says cheese with her ears back.

Little does Ziggy know, he’s on his way to the vet for his second entropion surgery. He’d already had the surgery on both eyes but his right eye needed some more trimming. When we picked him up late yesterday the vet re-did both eyes. Poor little guy. He’ll be recovering for 10-14 days and he’ll hopefully get his stitches out next Friday.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE!

Erosion at Sunset Cliffs

Have you seen it yet? Here are some photos I took over the weekend. It’s really quite spectacular! This is at the foot of Adair Street, the first parking lot as you drive along the cliffs.