Flash Back Friday - Santa Catalina Island

 My first trip to CA - in the late 90's!  I took a boat ride out to Catalina Island.  I was by myself and enjoyed walking around, and even snorkeling for a bit (wasn't much to see).  It was a lovely day in southern CA and I was very tempted to move to the LA area  (weather was much better than Chicago).  But the better job was in San Francisco - and that's where I landed (thank thank thank goodness!!)  But it's still fun to visit southern CA (just don't want to live there :))

Pool Party!

 A little cool and rain expected, but the residents of my mom's villa association still turned out to enjoy yummy food and good conversations :) 

Our nations bird!

 Some bald eagles live in the park near my mom's home.  They came to visit our neighborhood the other day - so Beautiful!!  (Photo credits RP)

Flash Back Friday - fun with friends

Nick & Melissa - have lived in Reno, Connecticut, Reno, and back to Connecticut.  They are all grown up now (Nick even has a baby girl)   I think this was 2002 or 2003...

Bolts buddies

 I take Bolts to the local dog park some days in the mornings and some days in the afternoon.  He plays with the same group & I've made some friends too!  His friends in the afternoon group include:  Gracie (above).  She's getting on in age ,so likes to slumber the afternoon away.  Her sister Sophie on the other hand has a lot of energy and chases balls with Bolts.  She's resting here:

 Here's Bolts hanging on the picnic table.  His other friend Noodly is laying in the background.  She's a little antisocial :)

 Here's Madison (yes, another yellow lab - Bolts really likes them)

 Pumpkin - a doodle!

 Alfie - a big dog in a small package

 Banjo - a true hound dog

 and Misty with her family

 The morning crowd includes:  Jet, a service dog - a real sweet pea

 Griffin

 Cooper (he had a hot spot shaved so he's looking a little unkempt)

 Sophie - the sweetest dog

 and Mac (he's a ball chaser too)

So we'll be seeing the gang again tomorrow!

A walk along the water

 It's pretty easy to walk along the water in Florida, since water is so prevalent (kind of like Rhode Island :))  This time we went to the marina area.  Here's proof that someone always has a bigger boat!!

 They have some pretty funky trees in this area

 and a beautiful fountain

 and amazing sunsets.

Arts & Crafts!

 Our neighbor, Donna, is a ex art teacher, so she is always doing something fun!  This time she went fossil hunting and came home with a ton of shell fossils.  They were amazing - thousands and thousands of years old.  (Bolts just wanted to play in the water)

 So Donna's creativity spurred me on - to finally finish my T shirt quilt (from many years ago)!

It will still take a while to complete, but I'm getting there!

 And my latch hook project is moving along too - a little slow - but I try to get at least one row done a day :)  It definitely helps being around others who are creative and hardworking)

a lazy sunday

 Church

 and a lounge by the pool.  A lovely way to spend the day!!

Flash Back Friday - our first Christmas party

Reno - 2001 - Christmas work party at the car museum!

Jeopardy!

My mom is a fan of Jeopardy, so we try and watch it most evenings.  It only shows me how little I know, ha ha ha!

Art festival

 There was an art festival in the downtown area, so my mom & I attended for something different to do.

 There were a lot of vendors with some really beautiful artwork  - from paintings to pictures to jewelry to tin work

 It was a beautiful day, so everyone was out and about.

 We looked at a lot of beautiful pieces but went home empty handed.  We also strolled through downtown.  A nice way to spend the day :)

Walking in a FL neighborhood :)

There's a lot to see!!   Cardinals in the above tree!  and flowered bushes along the paths

 palm trees and ponds (turtles and birds but no gators fortunately!)

 and nice sunsets!