August 2015 Fun!

Owen's 6th birthday was August 6th.  I had so much fun 

spending a day out with him!!  

We had lunch at In-N-Out ... his choice :)

Owen loves watching the mechanics of elevators!

We watched for hours!

This is what he picked out for his Birthday gift!  

He had it put together by the time I got home :)

I sure love this guy and love having time

alone with him!!!  

We all went to the Aquarium at the Mills Mall!

What a fun day... a homeschool class and then

seeing all the amazing sea creatures!

 Sister Carrie and friend Gary came to visit!  It was short and sweet but

they got to visit the Nelson's and the McInturff's!

Special Auntie!!!

This was a crazy project...

During August and September - probably the hottest 

months of the year, James and I decided to tear down

the 2 ft wall surrounding the back patio that was falling apart!!!

Then scraped, cleaned, leveled concrete, bought 400 sq ft of

slate tile and worked like crazy - in the heat!!!

 I had never done this before...but figured it out!!

It isn't perfect by far but it's done and 

IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!! 

 I am sooo happy to spend many mornings and

evenings in this peaceful spot!!!

My friend calls it "Sandy's Sanctuary"!

I love to have friends come and join me!!!

 Pics!

California for Tom's 55th Birthday Party and more!!!

Finally I'm here catching up on the last few months...

On July 14th I flew into San Francisco and had to wait till the next day 

to take the Amtrak bus to Tom's.  

So I had fun taking BART over to Castro Valley 

and stayed with the Dyers for a night!  

So great to visit with old friends! 

Had a great time with Gayle and Steve ... 

and breakfast with Gayle and daughter Ruth 

before leaving the next morning.  

I took Amtrak from Hayward to Fortuna... 

it turned out to be a 10 hour trip, 

but actually a beautiful and relaxing ride up the 101!  

 Had a few days at Tom's before his party!  

Time enough to do some food prep and party set up! 

Such a great party with lots of friends, food and music!  

So glad I could be there!

We did so many fun things... 

Went on the Madaket Harbor Cruise with friends

and friend Hugh was the captain! 

 An evening campfire on the beach with friends!

 A hike in the Redwoods on Tom's birthday!

  An awesome cruise on the Eel River!

 Thursday Night at the Ivanhoe!

 Bill's going away party! 

He's played here most every Thursday night for years!

Back to San Francisco for my flight home 12 days later!  

Saw beautiful sights and met many friends!

So thankful to have been able to make this trip!!!

Pics!