Ginko's get pretty everywhere.

Fall comes mid-Novermber is CA.

Four things.

That's all I did today.

I played with the baby. He is really more of a toddler now.

I went to Home Depot. I spent hours there, wandering slowly, letting ideas form, and absorbing the dust and weird lighting. I think I only had one good idea while I was there. I also realized Mammy and Pappy's house will never be TOP OF THE LINE. Maybe next go round. What is amazing is that I got two 10' pieces of downspout in my car.

I came home and mostly watched B-dawg clean the garage. He did a good job, and I was there just in time to rescue some good stuff from Goodwill. He also demonstrated his unicycling skills for me. He is very talented. I also found out that I am so wimpy I can barely pump up a bike tire.

Then I made stir fry (with the help of Mammy, my faithful chopper). It was a bit disappointing, as I didn't have all the stuff and it came out a bit bland. Next time it will be better. :-)

Spent quite a bit of time today enjoying the sun and contemplating patience and wanting things we can't have. Also, I sang in the car a lot.

Nice mohawk.

Pooped, like I'm fighting off some roofies.

Was up early to play with A-man. Then he, Mammy, and I packed ourselves up and went to the Dr. She has a "thing" she's having removed. A-man was getting SUPER sleepy as he had NO morning nap. He still did very well. The Dr. (having kids of his own) was very sweet and made Alex a balloon out of a glove.

We then headed to get some lunch and he managed to charm all the people around us, and the waiter. He wolfed down his jarred stuff, eggs, pancakes, and banana.

I was so pooped when we got home, I took a nap while he did. I had some freaky dream.

More playing, then picking up Indian food, then Tollhouse cookie making.

For those of you who have ever lashed out, tried something new, and fallen on your butt, please check out Shmeebot's latest blog entry. It is SO funny!

A-man WILL get every last thing out of the cabinet.

Closing eyes tight and making wish.

Was up early, and as S was sick and B had to go to work, I was in charge of A-man. We had a good day playing, eating, and making scrunchy face. When he was snoozing I was getting stuff done for Poppy.

I had such a good time last night, I wanted to share it with folks today, but no one was interested. I was bummed, but maybe it is good. I don't think I should be excited about having a good time. I know better.

I need to make a real effort to expand my horizons, meet new people, etc. :-) You know, build my own life here.

I hope all your 11:11 wishes come true!

I got big shoes and I cannot lie.

Tea party with Bee, Baby, Baby, Baby, Mama, Bear, and Baby.

The Bay Bridge.

Real smiles.

Despite being up early, it took me quite awhile to get out of the house this morning. When I was nearing the bottom of the hill I came around a curve and saw two girls walking in the middle of the road. They were thumbing, and looked harmless (one was in jammie bottoms) so I picked them up. I was afraid they were going to get run over.

Turns out they were both eighteen, and apparently jobless (the nicer one was a stay-at-home Mom of a two year old). I dropped them in town and spent some time wondering why someone isn't finding a way to get through to these girls and help them create opportunities for themselves.

Had a great time with Homie K and Homie A. Homie A is really getting a handle on many words, and the idea of possession and self. She was fascinated with the fact that I could take a picture of her and that she could see it on the back of the camera. She was upset when her Mammy made her give me back a hair band/bracelet before I left. Oh, and Homie K did some Hula for me. It was really, truly, lovely.

Met up with Mr. Urbane for dinner. He seems to like his new box quite a bit. Had a really good time watching him be flustered, having dinner/dessert, and hanging with the kitties. On the walk home I passed off leftovers to someone begging for food, much to my own amazement, and I'm sure theirs, as it was barely seared tuna. Would say more, but I might incriminate myself.

Memory Lane, looked cooler when the flash wasnt lighting it all up.

Fantasyville

Mr. Urbane mentioned this lovely town today. I visit often and stay long. They have the best of everything.

Had trouble sleeping last night. Was worrying about things, and had weird dreams and kept waking up. Got several more little things done today, including some much needed laundry. Headed back to the bay tomorrow, via the city. Read an interesting article about the Presidio, and I want to check some of the stuff out soon.

Had some amusing phone conversations with A-man today. He really has gotten the hang of "HI" and "Bye".

Went to town tonight to dig some stuff out of storage for the kids to play with when they come for Thanksgiving. Oh, memory lane. A little dustier than I remember.

View from the deck.

Today's weather.

Marauding Inbreds

Had a chiropractic appointment this morning. As always, it was a pleasure. While I waited for Mammy to finish hers, I played with the Dr's youngest daughter. She is a real cutie with a definite personality.

Mammy and I were both kind of in the dumps and the weather wasn't helping. It was fine weather for a lost Saturday involving mugs of hot chocolate, a fire place, and some good reading or bad TV, but it was rotten for running around doing errands. Between locales I was playing Appalachian music on the CD player. When we were finally on our way home "Dueling Banjo's" came on. I loudly declared to Mom, "I refuse to associate this song with marauding inbreds. I will not let it go down in the anals of history as a song..." I burst out laughing at my truly accidental slip. Anals of history, annals of history...what's the difference?

Have been trying to get many more little things done around the house this afternoon, including toddler proofing as much as possible.

The S, B, & A-man gang got home from NYC last night. A-man seems much more verbal (over the phone anyway). I can't wait to see him, and pictures of Auntie LaLa and Nuncle Da.

What you see is New Melones Resevoir. When this was the Stanislaus River there was ferry called Parrott's Ferry where the bridge is now.

A few more minutes from the house.

Minutes from the house.

Tromp, Tromp, Tromp

Woke up pretty late this morning, and after zooming through the shower, Dad and I headed out for an adventure. We were going to drive off somewhere and find a nice hike. Two glitches: 1. We were losing daylight, and fast. 2. Most of the hiking trails now have snow on them.

I suggested we head out of the driveway and hang a right. Going this way ends up giving some great views to both the east and west (as you go along the ridge line). You see so much more when you walk instead of drive. Despite some murk, the views are great, and we saw some interesting houses. We came across an old stone wall which was obviously part of an old house. There were some up-to-date mining claim papers stuck in a glass jar.

As we headed down the hill we found a lot of old riveted drainage pipe, an old mine shaft, and the leftovers of a skunk in a plastic grocery bag.

Mom met us at the bottom and we headed north to check out the progress on my aunt's house. It is going to be weird and cool to have so much family in such close proximity.

The garage.