2007 - SPRING


SLOW COMING, SLOWER GOING

 

Winter weather summary: Beginning in November, the days should get cold and stay cold.  As it was, ponds didn't ice over until the third week of January.  The second week of February wind chills dropped to below -20° and school was closed so the children wouldn't have to stand in the cold waiting for buses.  We had a heavy snowfall the following week and it took the condominium's snow removal crew three trips to complete their job of plowing the streets and driveways and shoveling sidewalks.  That was also the week my yard light bulb had to be replaced. For more on this read Sparky.  Once the snow was plowed, the big thaw set in and the third week of February, temperatures reached into the 40's.  The way I look at it, winter was three weeks long, but the weather leading to it and the weather following it just made for a long six months.

Brandon's birthday was in early January.  There was no theme as in the past.  It was just time for gifts, games, cake and ice cream.

Opening gifts
Brandon with 7 candles
Grandmothers get cabin fever, too, just like their charges.  By February, we were asking each other, "Is it April yet?" In other words, can the kids go outdoors to play.  One snowy no-school day, Sherry and I took the four grandkids to a nearby indoor game room so that they could work off some of that energy outside the condos' walls.

Brandon and Christian playing golf
Sophia and Kelsi on the slide



Sophia was given an Easy Bake oven which she brought to the condo to use.  Several days we baked a "double batch" -- 3 one-inch cookies to a pan, a total of six cookies.



Sophia's preschool celebrates Easter with a parade. The girls wear hats and the boys, ties.  Sophia insisted on wearing a hat and tie.

The days of March and April took turns being sunny and windy or overcast and temperate.  On the best days, sunny and warm, Brandon and Sophia relished playing outdoors again.

Brandon taking aim
Sophia on the slide

Brett changed employers in March, leaving San Diego and moving to San Francisco.  His one-bedroom apartment is in a new building in which units eventually will be sold as condominiums.  He has a view of SBC baseball stadium and San Francisco Bay and he's within walking distance of Union Square downtown.  His office is just west of Pier 39.  He's very pleased with his decision to move -- the job is challenging and rewarding, his workmates, accommodating and the city, friendly.  He's invested in a mountain bike and has made a couple trips north to pedal through wine country.


Brett and Pier 39
SBC baseball stadium from Brett's apartment









Gloria, Julie and Mike



I've done little traveling in last several months.  However, when an internet friend announced her plans to marry in May, several of us who belong to that writers' list made the sojourn to Portland, Oregon, to attend. While the bride was involved in preparations for her big day, some of us took the opportunity to visit sights in the area.



In front-Cecil; Standing - Kitty, Mike, Julie, Pam, sash, Monique (the bride), Theta, Jena, Gloria

Monique and Andrew saying their I do's


Copyright ©2003-2007  Kitty Park

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