Kauai 2017

Wonderful Kauai. Thoughts of Memories with Will and Alison running and playing in the water, on the beach, in the pools and hot tubs. Relaxing, our lives and times. This is our 20 year here, over 8 years with Will not with us. Missing him so much.
Enjoying our trip with family, Alison, Michelle, Dylan, Kyle and Ryleigh, Wilann and Bill. Kyle, Wilann and Bill left yesterday. Kyle has finals. Tomorrow nght, Monday, the 27th Alison, Michelle, Dylan and Ryleigh leave to go back to work in Senoia and back to school in Houston. All have had a great time. Ham for Thanksgiving worked very well. Cake for November (Janet) and December (Michelle and Bill) birthdays and Michelle's pumpkin chiffon pie, so tasty. We had so much fun, Kyle's sketches for his family tree assignment were fantastic. Today is our 29th anniversary, we check out of Kalapaki and move to the Hyatt at Poipu. Great times, Will I wish you were still here with us enjoying the island of Kauai. I feel your spirit here every day with love, Aloha p.s. a year of firsts, many new walks, talks, sharing and caring!

The Little Green Man by Will 2007

September - October - November 2017

So much has happened this fall. My mom had major surgery in September and is recovering. I have spent almost every week for several days with her. First at the hospital, then at rehab then at her assisted living apartment. Also during this time, wildfires devastated California. In Napa, Sonoma, Mendicino, Santa Clara counties and many others. Brother Bob and family had several close calls and are safe. Dispatcher niece, Megs did an outstanding job in Santa Rosa working several very long and stressful shifts. Nephew, Jeff married Monique in Gilroy in October. It was a fantastic wedding. All the Dixon cousins were there and had a blast. Mom could not make. She had a surprise visit in rehab. The groom and his men. Feeling very blessed being with the family. Bob, sister Sheila and I took turns to stay with Mom. Recovery will take a while. Another major highlight, on October 23, daughter, Alison started working as a Research Analyst at a global construction company called Kiewit. Her office is in Peachtree City, Georgia. She loves it, is making a great contribution and is thriving. She and Austin are renting a darling 3 bedroom house on 1 acre in Senoia, Georgia. Her cat, Jefferson, flew home on November 10. Her commute to work is about 15-20 minutes. I am so proud of Alison. Dick and I arrived in Kauai yesterday and begin our 18 day holiday. We will be joined during the trip by Alison, Michelle, Dylan, Kyle and Ryleigh later in the week. Bill and Wilann are also coming to join us for our 20th island Thanksgiving celebration. Again feeling thankful and blessed. It is 6:13 am on Monday, November 13, 2017. More to come later. It is so quiet and peaceful here.

July 18, 2017 Florida and Family Trip

Staying with Kitty and Lynn at Oviedo, FL. For dinner, we had Grouper, delicious! Last night, I slept in the Murphy bed and Dick in the other bedroom. Woke up at 6:30 am, took a shower and checked out the garden with Lynn. Today we took a boat tour of several lakes and canals at Winter Park home of Rollins University. Wonderful time. Breakfast of egg and ground beef casserole with cheese and hash browns, cinnamon toast and pineapple and blue berries, road tour on way back to the house, had a nice cocktail. Now they are making shish kabobs and rice. Rice recipe- 1 can consume, 1 can french onion, 1 can water, 1.5 cups jasmine rice, 1 stick butter. Variant brown rice need more water, extra time, cook for 1 hour 350. Watched 2 episodes of Dr. Foster, talked to Mom, bed at 12:20 a. Next day, French toast for breakfast and had a relaxing day, rained in the afternoon. Finished Dr. Foster, snacks in the evening. Excellent times!
Made it to the Marriott Resort in Orlando, met up with Alison and gang, had lunch, got our Villa, had to move to an ADA villa, it is very nice. Kids did the shopping and made hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner. Next day, drove to Sanibel, 3 hours, rained, checked in at Sanibel Resort and spa, lovely, had lunch with Ted and Peggy, dinner in room, watched All Creatures. Upgraded to a water view suite on the 9th floor. Having breakfast today with Kitty, Lynn and Pat.

Sequoia Kings Canyon June 2017

Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park bus trip

Left yesterday on the trip, lunch at the Merced fruit stand and petting zoo, then toured Fortiera underground resort in Fresno, very interesting tour. Hotel in Clovis, Best Western, it was nice, ate at DiCicci's Italian eatery. Today off to the national parks, cold, foggy, snow on the ground, a little rain, saw the big trees Sherman and Grant. 4 deer sighted a stellar jay, a rust colored squirrel. Tour guides excellent, Ken, bus driver outstanding. Katrina, our leader, fantastic. Fields of ag on way up-grapes, citrus, pistachios, olives, etc. Basque dinner in Fresno. Turns out we were sitting next to Art and Ellen Leal, Art worked with my Mom at Campbell High School District. Mom was so surprised when I called and told her about it. Next day, heading back home, first stop tour of the Kearney mansion in Fresno, he is the raisin king, then lunch at Hilmar Cheese Dairy. Fantastic! Returned to Lincoln at about 4:30 pm, first bus trip was really fun!

June 2017 Kyle's High School Graduation

June 1, 2017
Talked to Michelle and Robert. Today there is a party for the kids. June 2, 2017 shopped while waiting for Dick and Alison to wake up. One thing about here is that it is easy to get around, then had breakfast with Rob. Then went to Kyle's party. It was really nice, Michelle did a great job. It poured with rain for a while. Jerry came home at 7:30, Michelle was not happy and as a result, Jerry reacted. We visited for a while. Returned to hotel. Jerry stayed with Rob. Enjoyed visiting especially with Rita. Dick enjoyed talking to Rob and Jerry. Alison enjoyed talking to Cindy, Dylan and Rob, her favorite part was the booze run with Rob. Kyle was into his friends, teachers and their families. At the hotel, finished left overs then went to bed. Better night sleep, still not complete. June 3, 2017 graduation day, it was a long drive to the graduation, it was nice that Alison drove, Kyle gave the welcoming speech and was named in so many places in the program; class treasurer, in top 10 percent, alma mater choir, etc. Etc. Etc. So proud. He was
Very focused on his high school experience. Happy for him and proud of him. After graduation, which took a couple of hours, we went to Rice to check out Dylan's anthropology exhibit at the Rice library, very impressive, he was on off the curators. It was raining. Good that Dick got to see it too. Then we went to dinner at the Raven, I should have had what Michelle and Sherry had, Salmon, the pasta primavera was ok, Alison has enchiladas, she said they were not so good. Her watermelon mojito was also not very good. Dick's lamb looked great and so did Rob's steak. Rob's carrot cake was delicious. Service was not that good, atmosphere great. Thank you Jer and Michelle. Arrangement was kids table with Patty's 2 girls, Carly and ?, Sherry's son, Bret, Dylan, Kyle, Ryleigh, Alison (hardly a kid), Dylan's girlfriend, Cindy. At the adult table, Tim, Rita, Sherry, Patty, Michelle, me, Rob, Jer and Dick. All in all, we had a fun time. Back to the hotel at about 9:30 ish. Packed and watched TV before going to bed. Up this morning to the airport, checked luggage and wheelchair while Alison returned the car. Now in the air. Rob picking up Dick and taking him to the airport for His 10 am flight. We will meet him in Sac and pick up the car, drive home. Short and tiring trip, I am glad we went to Houston and Kyle's graduation. This week is busy again with travel, Dick dental appointment in Palo Alto, we will stay in Millbrae so that we can drop Alison off at SFO for her trip to Atlanta until June 20. Dick and I are going on a bus trip to Sequoia and Kings for a couple of days next Sunday. Now on flight to SJC. Just made it. Alison was the last one on board, right after me. To get to gate 1 in San Diego, have to go through security again. Now in flight. Landed, deplaned, got luggage and the car, went to Target for lemons, then to In & Out, then went back to airport to pick up Dick from his flight. He just came out from baggage when we pulled up. It all worked out, he appreciated his burger.

May 2017 - Alison's Graduation Trip

May 2017

May 4: On our way to Atlanta and then a drive to Auburn, Alison graduates on Monday May 8. Grams and Sheil are coming in tomorrow night. We just finished our meal, I had curry chicken quinoa salad and Dick had a hamburger, both very nice. We are flying Delta non-stop. It will take and 4 hours and 6 minutes, we have 2 hours and 44 minutes left. Dick is testing his new 3 pound oxygen concentrator. Got the car started this morning, drove to the airport and parked in 42 N1. Took the shuttle to airport, curbside check-in, escorted to gate. Couple of firsts for this trip, Dick's new concentrator and bringing him in his wheelchair, no walker. Dick is now sleeping after playing Sudoku.
Alison is taking finals and finishing her paper, stressful week. She wants to meet us at hotel tonight instead of us going to her apartment. The paper is due at midnight. We got lost and went to her place instead. Paper done!
Will, this is your 24the birthday month on Sunday, May 21. The void in my heart makes me ache knowing that you are not here with us. What might have been, we will never know. Thankful to have you in my life on earth for 16 years, devastated by what happened. I will never understand, you had everything, EVERYTHING going for you. Emily turns 24 this Sunday.
Millie is at Sheril's and Sheril will feed the cats while we are gone. I watched all 3 hours of Gone with the Wind, yesterday, it is a good reminder of what happened during the Civil War. Battle of Gettysburg, burning of Atlanta and the fact that the Confederates blew up the ammunition that caused the fire. They did not want the Union military to get their weapons and ammo.
McCleod's Daughter's is not that interesting anymore, although Tess and Nick just got engaged to be married.
This past week and the week before, besides getting ready to travel, I attended caregiver/companion training at Live Well at home, got physical, background check and drug test. Have a job on May 19. Puttered in the garden some, Dick worked on mini projects like the planting tray (looks great and it functional) and paid bills. I hope we have a wonderful trip!
May 6-8
Today is Alison's big day of graduation from Auburn University. Grams, Sheil, Dick and I, Austin and Grant, Finley and Rob are here to celebrate with her. It was perfect in every way, we are so proud of our cum laude graduate, War Damn Eagle. Dylan and his girlfriend, Danielle, came in the afternoon. We went to Rob's resort in the afternoon in Opelika and then to the Auburn University Hotel for dinner at Arricio's. Austin, Grant, Dylan and Danielle left for PTC last night. Austin and Grant left, too, work and school on Tuesday. The rest of us will meet at Alison's this morning. Rob and Finley are leaving today, Mom and Sheil this afternoon, us tomorrow morning and Alison next week.
Trip highlights:
PTC dinner with Cousins Jackie, Dave and Carol at Ted's, the golf cart rides, Sheil's phone, etc. Carol paid for it, be sure to send her a huge thank you note. What a bonus to have dinner with our Spratt cousins.
Dinner with Alison and Austin at her place, Salmon steaks, garlic bread and pasta. Yesterday, spent the day with Rob, Finley, Mom and Sheil, Alison and Dick, had breakfast at the Crepe Myrtle, after checking out of the hotel. Crepe Myrtle was a winner for all, excellent venue amidst a farmers market and a nursery. Robert and Finley left first, then we went to Alison's to hang out in the afternoon before Mom and Sheil left for the airport, we stayed with Alison last night, she slept on the Bean in the office and we slept in her bed, we had pasta for dinner, watched Midsomer and McCleod's Daughters then played cribbage. A very fun night. Woke up at 5a, Alison made breakfast of oatmeal and juice, toast too, took off to the airport for our 10:03 am flight. Returned the car and were driven to roadside check in then escorted to the gate. All worked very well. Meal on flight very nice, chicken breast salad, would have preferred spinach instead of kale. All in all, great trip, laughed so hard with Mom and Sheil and Alison several times, it was so much fun.

April 2017

April 2017

The first week of April kicks off with a very busy and interesting week. Last Sunday, we video conferenced with Alison at Austin's house in Peach Tree City, GA. She is happy, engaged and looks great. She will graduate in a month. On Monday, she texted that she was having a bad day and would talk on Tuesday. She got an A on her Econometrics exam. On Wednesday, class was cancelled because of a Tornado warning in Alabama. Thursday, sunny, go figure. Alison's week in review.
My week in review included new church on Sunday, it was ok, but have decided to stay with my churches. Volunteering in the 4th grade classroom, next week is Spring break, Math and English, grading papers. School environment can be intimidating and has changed very little since I was in the 4th grade, low tech, classroom cluttered with over 30 students, a challenge for the teacher and students. After class, off to Pedi and hair appointments. Meanwhile handymen Scott and Dennis worked on and completed several projects on the to do list, relief. The sheep are back for fire prevention. Garden beautiful, also got some trees and shrubs removed just in time for a rainy end of week. Dick and I are a team and so much in love with each other. The house and kitchen are now wheel chair friendly for him to be able to do what he loves in the kitchen and around the house. Consulted with Bertita Graebner on her Facebook professional page, we used Facebook video chat. It was a productive session with overcoming technical challenges and learnings. Bonus was testing video chat with sister, Sheila, and catching up. Talked to Mom, too, she is doing well and going to spend next week with brother, Bob. We have another new addition to the Dixon family. Niece, Katie and Drew are the proud parents of baby girl, Reagan. Life is good, next step finish taxes planned for Saturday.

Carmel Highlands February 2017

To me what is important is family, environment including sea. So living in Lincoln is great given our trips to Carmel Highlands, Sonoma Coast and Hawaii!

2016 Holidays continued

2016 Holidays with Family-December

Alison came home for the holidays last Friday night. On Saturday, she started right in on putting up the Christmas tree and trimming it. It is about 90% done. I taught a Facebook class on Saturday and again this Saturday. Visited with Mom last Thursday, it was great to get together. I hope that she adjusts to her new place and is happier. It is really nice and the food is really good. Amy visited last night and has concerns that she sent in an email. I responded. We will see what happens. One foot in front of the other, one step at a time.
Continuing on with the holidays-we had great meals -lamb, pork, fondue, roast beef, caper chicken-all prepared with love in our hearts. Also took many long walks with Alison and sometimes shorter walks with Millie. Alison wrapped all the presents and put them around the tree. We woke up Christmas morning and opened them. I went to mass at St. Joseph's in Lincoln. Alison and I went down to SJ, Dick stayed home. We had a great Christmas with the Dixon family. The week before, we went to Ginny and Bob's for lunch. They live in Orinda. Jerry, Carol, Laurie, Bill and Wilann also joined us. Austin, Alison's boyfriend came in on Dec. 30. Rob and Finley came in before that. We had lunch at the house with Dylan, Kyle, Ryleigh, Finley and Alison. They all went to South Lake Tahoe to ski and for New Year's. I went to church on New Year's Day at St. Augustine. We had Roast Beef with Alison and Austin after they came back from SLT on New Year's Day. Then D&J off to Sea Ranch on the 2nd. It rained all day. Had a house full, Michelle, Rob, all the kids except for Alison & Austin-they went to Yosemite and stayed in El Portal. Ginny & Bob came for breakfast and a visit on Jan. 3, they stayed at a hotel in Gualala. Then they left. Michele, Kyle and Ryleigh and Brett also left. Kyle and Ryleigh leaving for Houston today, Jan. 4 from SFO. Last night Rob made delicious pork chops, veg and mash for dinner including apple sauce. We played cards, read, watched Abandoned and then went to bed. It rained hard all day yesterday. Today, Jan. 4, the weather is nice, light wind, over cast. I have been on a couple of walks so far. Saw deer, Harbor Seals and pups. Alison and Austin will explore Yosemite Valley today. Dylan and I are a team in starting (Dylan) and stoking (J) a fire. Austin leaves on Friday-6th, Rob and Finley on Saturday-7th, Dylan on Sunday-8th, Alison on Monday-9th. All in all, it has been one of the best most family inclusive holiday season ending 2016 and beginning in 2017.