We once drank from the wine of youth

We have had some interesting events happen here.. Im not sure if I need to call it a theft or if I call it weird animal nature... About three weeks ago, Greg realized that we didn't have any white eggs being laid in our coop anymore. That was just about the time I realized that our 3 white laying hens had transformed into 3 adolescents and 2 of them are roosters. As they roam I can't say that some some flock changing didn't occur .. but it is weird.

And while Im on the topic of weird.. This was seen in Monterey while we were driving. Willow snapped the pic. The guy was getting on a bus. 

And speaking of oddities seen in transport... Only in Reno.. will you see a VERY hefty couple on a scooter with a 5 year old riding the tank. Is that legal? The bulk on the bike weighed down the engine substantially and so they were putting along in the bicycle lane.

What? Reno? I was in Reno again? Yes. For one night only.  My long time friend D. called frantic. Lots of big gloomy events had been clustering around her .. In a matter of 6 days.. 10 deaths within the families of her inner circle... Her office flooded (It was the only one) due to unusually intense thunderstorms. A tree in her backyard was struck by lightning. A coworker slipped at the grocery story hit his head and went into a coma. And she had several projects with major approaching deadlines underway. I in the meantime was struggling with something big and immediate that she could help me with.. so when she unexpectedly called Friday morning.. well the timing could not have been more perfect.. and within a few hours I was on the road. I arrived at two and proceeded to help her until the janitors kicked us out of the school district offices at 10:30. That place is haunted. Seriously. By an electrician who died there.

 Anyway, it was really hot and muggy and I am hoping I don't have make another trip to the desert again this summer... although for D Id do it a heartbeat.

After work we picked up a bottle of wine, some cheese and crackers and went to her place for something akin to dinner and when her boyfriend came literally stumbling in at midnight we played a game of badminton in the dark. Nobody won that game.

 It had been a long day and so we all turned in although the heat was not conducive to any kind of serious rest. And after tossing and turning at 5:30 I was up and on the road home and D was back to the office. She made her deadlines and I made it home and made my deadlines as well. We were "Under the Gun" but neither of us got shot. It was a good day. (I hear Ice T playing on the soundtrack of my mind and I giggle)

P.S. We got the house after a bid war. Its moving fast. Faster than typical. Its a flip and the bank wants out ASAP. This week inspections. If all goes well.. We will have the keys soon. School starts the 14th. Hot Damn. I got stuff to do.

Home again! .. Home again? Jigagy jig

Just Returned from 8 day spent nestled  among the towering pines that thrust majestically and defiantly from the rocky slopes of the sierras. 

The sites at plasses resort at silver lake are packed rather tight together. So the Fourth of July it was truly overpacked and crowded. It was noisy. The Nevada yahoos in the next site over where constantly hollering at their many dogs from which I gathered that Halo and Vicky where the worst offenders. Seriously those were thier names. Anyway.. Transitioning from the temperate coast  to such radically swinging highs and lows in temperature plus adding so much elevation was enough to knock me reeling for a bit while I adjusted.  It took a good three days.. Just in time for the crowds to melt away.. For me to switch from getting settled to becoming relaxed.  That initial transition would have been much harder still, if not for good friends and warm sleeping bags.  Two sites over.. Just passed the hollering and cussing and revelry exhibited by the forementioned yahoos..  camped Terri, Adam and family for the night. We shared meals, conversation, s'mores and the like before turning in for what was perhaps one of the most uncomfortable nights ever. One that left me weepy with over exhaustion. Our sleeping bags were too thin. I knew they were and brought supplemental blankets. But we were also using cots for the first time and I had not considered that there would be no insulation from underneath. Simply stated we froze. Fortunately, with Terri and Adams departure we were gifted some marvilous sleeping bags for a night before heading into cc  for a little family birthday party celebration. While there we returned the borrowed bedding and picked up our own. Once I managed a few good nights sleep my recovery was  eminent!

Other than our quick jont down to the city and the kids staying a night with mom, we pretty much spent our time around the lake and camp site, swimming, canoeing, hiking, playing board games (settlers of catan being the game of choice for all!) fishing, kicking the soccer ball, spiking the volleyball, throwing some shoes, drawing, napping and reading. It turns out that ,although active, our play was far more leisurely than I had anticipated as our oldest member had a difficult time keeping up and sad puppy dog eyes begged for more time lounging around. Well splash is now going on twelve (84 human equivelant) so we took it easier for him. 

I mentioned a canoe.. While we were there some friends whom we had met at school last year, stopped by for a visit and a beer. They have a cabin not to far and were there at the time. They left us thier canoe to play with. As has never happened before we packed up and brought home more than we took with us to begin with!  

After all we Returned dirty, grimy and smelling of campfire. Returned rested and refreshed yet somewhat battered and broken (bruises from adventures and perhaps a fractured hand bone or two of Greg's from our play) Returned ready to.. hit the ground running.. Change.. Nothing stays the same.. (Had to musically interject there).. Anyway.. Unloaded.. Unpacked.. Cleaned up.. Caught up... Almost..

Doing loads and loads of laundry 

at the moment.

A link to the pictures to come in a day or so.. When I'm not sitting at the laundromat or running willow to school to pick up things for next year.. Or.. Or.. Or.. It will be soon. 

And that's not all my news. Really. There is more. While we were gone a house came on the market less than a mile from Greg's work and even closer to willows bus stop. We looked at it immediately upon our return and put in an offer yesterday. It already had received one and the owners are looking them over tonight. We should know which they will accept by Thursday.  Fingers crossed. It's not in the sunny city but .. Eh.. After a little over a week battling the elements.. And getting in a huge dose of vitamin D.. I can deal with that.. As long as it has a tub and a non satellite internet connection..  Fingers crossed! 

Sun sun sun.. Here we come

Both because hot temps and cold alpine waters are not that far around the bend.. IDetails afterwards but preparations underway... 

And also because, we have been house hurting in a much sunnier though very close city. Yes. City. To be able to take a bath again.. We currently have a huge jacuzzi tub but our septic system is taxed by normal activities and sits there taunting me daily.  And To have an unlimited stream! Such luxuries! Not to mention less driving to the store. And to get Out of the ongoing gloom. Trade in continual cold coastal breeze and fatique inducing fog for the toasty healing rays of the sun and the hustle and bustle of life... Even if warming up a bit means a greater chance at being caught in crossfire.  Yes. I can handle moving back the city...  Or rather the fringe. Ain't no shame in Laying low on the upper west side.   

And until all this plays out.. Well .. we are keeping all sorts of busy and bored in equal measure. The parents are busy .. the kids are bored. Must be summer!