Dixon, CA for the night...

We left home this am about 1100..we hoped to get out sooner but it just didn't happen.  Drove over to Reno and dropped off the goodies at the nursing home.  Bob, Steve's old roommate was very appreciative of the goodies, nice man!

He told us that when Steve came back after the weekend in Winnemucca he just went downhill so quickly..I think he was just ready to go home to heaven.  He saw his dogs and his place and was just ready to let go.  Esther the little nurse there told us how his face looked very peaceful..nice to know. 

After a visit there we left and had a good lunch in Verdi at the Gold Ranch Casino.  We used to stop there a lot but the last couple of times we were disappointed with the food..well not today it was delicious!  It's been a year or more so guess they figured something out!  

Had a beautiful drive down I80 and got here to Dixon not quite 1800.  We're both too full from lunch so will skip dinner.  

Looking forward to tomorrow and Wreaths Across America again.  This event just makes my Christmas season!  

Is this not the cutes little guy you've ever seen!?  Baby Owen

Dusty, Chelsea and Owen..that grin of Owen's is just too cute!

Carson City and back home..

Wednesday, we pretty much stayed home..wrapped presents, cleaned and Ken worked outside.  He cleaned up the Tundra, which looks awesome now!  

Thursday, December 9th..we got the call yesterday that my Patriot was ready in Carson City to be picked up..ok..got up this am and headed there.  We picked it up and dropped the Mazda at our favorite Chinese Restaurant and loaded into the Patriot and headed next door to Walmart for a few things..Then over to Tractor Supply just to see what they had.  After that a quick trip to Verizon to figure out what we're not doing to get our camera to work on the phone.  Not that it doesn't work, it just works when it wants too..so you never know if you're going to get a picture or not..guess I just like my old point and shoot..

Had a great lunch at our favorite Chinese restaurant and then with full tummies we headed home..killed another day!

Tomorrow we'll be home and i'll do some baking, then Friday we're headed over the hill so we'll stop in Reno to drop off some goodies as a thank you at the home Steve was at and his buddy Bob i'm making some cookies for him.  Then over the hill to the Super 8 in Dixon. Looks like Adam can't go, as he has 3 basketball games in Live Oak..oh well..that's what happens when they grow up!  Don't know yet about Russell and his family, but sure i'll find out.  Eric and Family are planning on joining us on Saturday in Dixon along with my sisters.   Saturday night we'll stay at Bryan and Cheryl's before heading home on Sunday..

Found this pic today..this is when they were here a few weeks ago..

Tara's son, Tyson putting up the first ornament

Devin putting the star on the tree!

So cute stole these from Facebook!  

Where do the days go??

It was a cold day at home!  Not much going on except phone calls to insurance, Ken went to DMV to register the Patriot, but without proof of insurance, he paid $2.00 for a 30 day pass..and I called Progressive.  Right now we have 6 vehicles covered (uhhh I know)...but we want to keep the 2008 Patriot, the new one, the Tundra, Ken's Mazda (we'll drive that till it dies)..the 73 Dodge..which is just for around here mainly..and the 97 Ford p/u.  One of the calls I made was to get the front windshield replaced before we list it. A mobile shop is coming this morning to replace it. 

Talked with our friend Deanna in Winnemucca to let her know about Steve and to see how they are faring out there.  Ron, her hubby is having a Barium test on Thursday.  

We also called our friend, Irene in Florida to wish her a Happy Birthday! Worked with her and her hubby Al at the Sheriff Center for almost 20 years and they are some of our best friends.  

Ken worked outside most of the day even though it's cold, and I got the rest of the Christmas presents wrapped.  Guess I need to quit sometime, but i'll run to town today and pick up a couple of toys to finish it out for a few boys..not mine, they think they're too old for toys anymore.  Somehow I think Santa will have 1 or 2 for the youngest who are 11 and almost 11.  They grow up too quickly! 

Cheryl called last night, apparently at Basketball practice Adam got head butted by another kid on his team, not on purpose just a bad play.  He ended up waking up on the floor covered in blood, thought his nose might be broken.  Principal called Bryan and Cheryl, they went to get him, and Bryan took him to Kaiser to have him checked out.  He's ok, some bruising around his nose and eyes and Cheryl said he looked "pretty rough" when he got home. 

A busy weekend with a sad ending...

Thursday afternoon there was a four hour sale at Best Buy..so Ken got online and bought me and Apple Computer...anyone who follows this blog knows that I hate the new computer and Microsoft 10 we bought...in July..so Friday we went to pick it up at Best Buy in Carson City.
 

My new Mac!

Guess I'm getting a little ahead of myself there.. For the last couple of months we've been looking for a new 4 wheel drive vehicle.  We have the Tundra, which I love, but driving it in Ca or shopping centers not so much.  It just seems so big to me..so we decided to purchase a 2016 Jeep Patriot 4x4.. Elk Grove Dodge had the best deal of anyone around.  We don't need all the bells and whistles just something to get me over the hill to pick up grandkids if it sounds like there might be a storm. 
 

My new car..a little spoiled I am..

So Friday, after we left Best Buy we headed over to Placerville and spent the night at a motel there so we could be at our 1030 appointment on Saturday, without having to get up at the crack of dawn. 

Painless transaction, as we had the deal all worked out before we ever left home. Kyle Brown one of the internet people was just great!  We dealt with him a few months ago when Adam got his Jeep Patriot. 

Stopped in Roseville for a late lunch and headed up for a visit with Eric and family.  Then on up to Bryan and Cheryl's for the night.  Had a great time.

Christina's Christmas present from Eric..love it!

Yesterday am after breakfast we headed home, stopped in Carson City for lunch and then headed home. Loved driving the new car!  

Bryan and Cheryl..

Bryan and his Dad

 

Thought this was cute..Adam and betty sleeping on the floor

We are keeping my 2008 Patriot as it has the lifetime powertrain warranty.  Gets great gas mileage..(Guess I forgot to mention it's in the shop now)..Brake light went out and it's not the bulb so you have to get computer reset..so we'll see.  Ken has made the decision to sell his 97 Ford F250, so we'll work on that in the next month or so.  
 

My early Birthday present from Cheryl..she makes those coozies!!

Chris and Eric gave me this adorable ornament

 Last night we got the call from Mary that we were hoping not to get so soon, Steve passed away yesterday between 1430 and 1530..we were hoping to get there one more time, but that's wasn't God's timing.  At least we know the last words said to him (other than staff) were from us telling him we loved him...I don't think there will be an actual service for him as he wants his ashes scattered on the mountain in the area he lived.  He had a roomate, Bob and the last time we were there I told him i'd bake some cookies for him..so we'll make one more trip anyway to the place in Reno...One more angel....

On Saturday, December 5th was 25 years ago since my daddy passed away..he was the best man that ever walked this earth..and in three daughters eyes he was our hero..he loved his country, his family, his wife, daughters and then when those grandsons started coming into his life he was really happy!  Still miss him so much, so many times in our lives I think "I wish Daddy was here to see this"
I have to believe he does know and is there cheering us on.  I just can't believe it's been 25 years without him..Love you Daddy..

We'll be seeing them (mom and dad) next Saturday, at Wreaths Across America in Dixon..we'll be making a visit to Michael, as well.  

 

Our little red, white and blue tree..blew over with the winds though

This tree is on the bunkhouse

Lights on the front of our house..

Cheryl's tree

Our quirky tree in the living room..looks like NV tree!

Well...that was tough...

Left here in the am headed to Reno...we stopped at Walmart in Gardnerville for a few things..figured we'd do that 1st as that's what we like doing least.  We didn't want to get to Steve's at their lunchtime, so about 1200 we were in South Reno and decided to try a Mexican Restaurant we had passed before..I looked it up on the internet and prices were reasonable and menu looked good..well, obviously they hadn't changed the menu on the internet because they had no specials..and no lunch menu, which is weird for restaurants nowadays..either way the food was good and by the end of our time there we decided we would come back if we had the mind too.  

Headed over to Steve's after lunch, walked in the place and there was this old man sitting slumped over in his wheelchair sleeping..a rough sounding sleep..Ken and I looked at each other and said "Is that Steve?"..saw his wheelchair pad with the name Barrett..and yes it was Steve..unbelievable. He was sleeping hard so we talked to the caregivers there.  Turns up he'd been up all night, had taken a fall, they had to call for the nurse on call to help get him into bed.  They told us he had eaten a good breakfast, evidence of that was on his clothes :)  

So they tried to wake him up, and they wanted to get him into bed, Ken offered to help so we took him back to his room and they were able to get him on top of the covers..Ken talked to him (I couldn't, didn't want him to wake up to my tears)..So Ken was talking to him and he opened his eyes and actually smiled at Ken.  He actually smiled twice.  We're thinking he knew we were there, or at least hoping he knew.  I finally was able to tell him we loved him and then we left..It was really tough for Ken.  Amazing how in just a few weeks he went from being able to go out with us for lunch and shopping to just waiting...so sad..

He is a good man, Like I said before a Retired Marine, living out in Winnemucca for several years.  He has a son in Southern CA, his friends Tom and Mary, Ron and Deanna (because Ron has health problems they can't visit) and us...the caretaker took our names and number and hopefully she will call if anything changes. I'd like to think we will have one more time to stop in..but if not at least we know he's in good hands there.  The little asian caretaker does such a good job, hard job as there is no happy ending here.  We hugged her, she had tears in her eyes too.  

So the rest of the ride was a pretty somber one..and then we hear about San Bernadino and the senseless killings there..

Prayers for Steve and San Bernandino...can't forget Joey and Rory too...

Had a quiet day at home..headed to Reno today

Ken had the birthday he wanted..we stayed home and he put up Christmas lights..the house looks so cute!  All of the family called and wished him Happy Birthday so he was happy!  

We called Steve again, it went to voicemail so we called the center where he is...one of the workers told me he made it back from Winnemucca, but that unless they were to take him the phone..they doubted he'd be able to pick it up..so we are headed there today for a quick visit. 

Ken's brother Don, in Tennessee had a full house over Thanksgiving..so I stole these pics from Facebook...Looks like a great time..feeling a hankering to go to TN for a visit!!

Devin and Bella in the back of Grandpa's truck..priceless!!

 

Devin and Bella...love this pic!

Daddy Darryl and Tyson

Don with grandson Tyson, Bella, Jennifer and Devin on the side

Tyson and the chickens

Devin and his mommy, Tara

Darryl and Tyson

Cold days in Yerington!

Got home Friday afternoon to a cold house!  Started a fire and had it nice and toasty in no time!  Actually have had a fire going pretty much full time since then.  In the mornings we wake up to about 12 degrees!  During the day it warms up nicely to about 32 degrees.  hahah

 Saturday morning we decided to head to Reno to see Steve..but we got there and he was gone!  Turns out someone took him to Winnemucca for a few days. Ken did try to call him last night but it went directly to voice mail. Hope he enjoyed himself and it wasn't too painful for him to get there.  

We got our cute little Christmas tree up in the house and on Saturday we went to Lowe's and got a living Christmas tree..an Austrian Pine.  We were going to put it up inside but decided to put it on the front porch.  

Thanks to Ken for quitting smoking in 1988 he gave me $1300.00 for Christmas on Saturday.  Every month he puts $100.00 into a savings account no matter what and in November he gives me the money to be spent on Christmas no matter what!  He started this because he said if he was still smoking he'd be spending that money..Love it!  (This year there was a little extra so he gave me $1300 instead of $1200) yay!! 

Today is Ken's 64th Birthday!  Just can't believe he's not 16 anymore!  Where did the years go!?