wow I can't believe it's been over a year and a half since I last updated! So so much has happened, it's crazy.

My family has grown, I went back to school and finished my bachelors and I'm currently taking a class in Chinese health and healing, I've gone to Alaska, my daughter graduated college, I have a grand son now, and just so much more!

I spend all my time over at Facebook now, if you are on fb friend me at http://www.facebook.com/dawn.bahula

 

I

sweet Lil Miss Penelope Free, happiness in a blanket :)


Today is curtains wide open allowing full sun to fill each room. Windows are firmly shut as the temp is 98 degrees in the shade. AC is blaring and it feels good.

Iced peppermint tea, incense burning and music playing quietly in the background barely audible above the buzz of the AC.Time to put down the engrossing little novel I picked up from the used bookstore yesterday and attempt to do some chores. Wash some dishes and maybe some laundry. Mop the floors and vacuum the rugs and then I will allow myself to pick my book back up and read a chapter or 2 or 3 before starting dinner. Tonight's menu- burgers off the grill and veggie kabobs made with summer squash and tomatoes picked from our garden :)

Oh how I love summer! Fall is still my favorite but only after I've had my fill of summer :) Summer came late this year, it officially started in July rather than June thanks to a long month of "June Gloom".

I love sleeping with all the windows wide open and waking up to a house full of bright summer light. Lazy summer afternoons sipping iced tea and reading trashy novels, grilling chicken or burgers every night, picking veggies from our amazing garden.

Summertime means road trips and family vacations. I just got back from a wonderful road trip up the coast with my daughter. I drove her up to Northern Cali where she'll be going to school this year. We had so much fun! It was our first Mother/Daughter road trip ever. I stayed with her for 5 days while she got settled in and then flew back home. We explored the town, went hiking thru the Avenue of The Giant Redwoods, walked along the beach finding treasures, ate out with friends, shopped for her new room, went to the movies, planted a small garden outside her window and set her room up. It was hard to say good bye but she was so happy with her new place/life that it made it a little easier.

Next week Brandon and his beautiful girlfriend are flying down from Oregon so we can all go on a family vacation in the Sierra's. We rented a cabin by the lake. I can't wait!

Life is good.We still have our ups and downs, but it's the down times that make us appreciate the up times that much more. We have our health, we have our home, we have each other. I choose to be thankful for that which I do have and not dwell on the things that I don't. 

The kids are all doing well and are very happy. Brian and I are "aging gracefully" ;) We are enjoying being "young" grandparents, getting use to having an empty nest, staying busy with household projects and new hobbies ( even Brian has a new hobby, he is brewing his own beer and he loves it!)

For the most part we lead a fairly quiet, simple life ( which is how I like it ) although this month we have been quite the social butterflies. There have been many parties, Nick and Susan's 1st anniversary party, Britt's going away party, backyard barbeques,  2 big "Turning 50" parties, Nick's b-day dinner and I went to a new to me in home party called Scentsations. Had a visit from a favorite cousin that I hadn't seen in years.Reconnected with a very dear friend.  I have 2 lunch dates next week one includes driving down to the beach which I'm really looking forward to as I have only been to the beach once this year when we went camping last month. We will end the month with our trip to the Sierra's. Next month looks to be just as busy and we're still planning our cruise to Alaska in September (knock on wood). We will be  going up to visit Britt in October and then driving on up to see Brandon in Oregon as he is only 5 hours above Britt. After that it's all about the holidays :)

The economy has taken it's toll on quite a few of our friends and some of our family members. It's interesting to see how people adapt. I've seen one friend lose their home and another who is about to. I've seen families move in together and combine their incomes. I've seen some very innovative young people start a promising new business. I've seen young kids struggle to find the funds to finish school. It's actually been very inspiring to witness these things. I've seen that life does go on, people are stronger than they know and family and friends are much more important than stuff and things. People are getting re-educated and learning to prioritize.

I hope everyone else is doing well and enjoying their summer.

Look what Santa brought us for Christmas!!



Little Miss Penelope Free. 7.8 lb's, 19 inches long, copper hair. She's so tiny and perfect!
( Read more... )

I'm Alive, I'm Alive!! LOL
Thanks for the nudges and the birthday wishes :) I suck what can I say?

Just got back from a week in Oregon visiting my son Brandon. LOOOOOOOOOOOVE OREGON! Love it!! The fall colors blew my mind. California is just so brown this time of year. If the economy wasn't in the tank and we could sell our house I would move to Oregon in a heartbeat! BUT we all know the economy is in the tank so we'll be staying put for awhile I'm sure :(



Here's a pic driving down my sons street. We don't get those colors here in Cali. I am so jealous!

Here's a quick update........ Nick and Susan ( my oldest son and his beautiful bride) are expecting their first child in about 5 weeks.
Brandon ( my middle child) is living and working in Oregon and loving it!
Britt ( my youngest and only daughter) is having a difficult time getting a student loan. She switched universities and has decided to go to Oregon State ( we thought we would be moving there), was accepted and now will probably not be able to get  the money she needs because she is not a resident so it will cost twice as much. We don't know for sure yet. She may just have to finish her schooling at the community college.

The economy is freaking me out!!!  The election has me completely stressed out!!! And I'm just as crazy as ever :)
Halloween ( my most favorite holiday) is 2 days away and I'm as excited as a little kid. My son and his wife are having the big bash at their new house this year.

Next weekend I'm throwing a baby shower for my DIL. Then we have a million birthdays including my hubby, my daughters 21st birthday in Vegas, my sister, my sis inlaw, my niece and more. Then there's Thanksgiving and then Christmas and all of this comes during the worst financial crisis in my lifetime! YIKES! I need to rob a bank ;)

Hope everyone else is enjoying this time of year as much as I am :):)

The Coming Financial Collapse of America



(and Why Today's Market Bloodbath is Only a Small Taste
of Things to Come...
written by Mike Adams

( Long, but very informative article here :) )