Good Bye "Old Friend"

 We finally made the decission to let our old 1954 go to a new home. It was just not right seeing her sit there in the "mancave" looking so good and ready to drive but not being used. I had lost the passion of taking her out except for the occasional drive up and down the street to keep her going.

 Grace put an ad on Craigs List back in June and then I hurt my hand and we forgot all about selling her. We got a surprise call 2 weeks ago from a gentleman who saw the ad and wanted to see the car. I told him I needed to get her out gas her up and clean the dust off her first. She fired right up and cleaned up like new.

I took him for a test drive and he loved our '54.  The best thing is, he is the president of a vintage car club in Spokane. It was just what we wanted for the '54, someone that would appreciate the beauty of the original car, not someone that wanted to "HotRod" her out. We felt great about our decission to sell her to this person. We hope they have many enjoyable outings in the future.

Hmmm, what do I want for my birthday???????

 When I asked myself that question I am sure the last thing on the list was to have a large boulder roll over and trap my finger between it and my tractor bucket......

 Well as the Dr. was looking at my finger, she mumbled "this does not look too good, I am not sure we can save it".  As she and Grace were looking at it the nurse decided to go ahead and sew it up to try and save the flesh. Grace and the Dr. were having a real gabfest. I overheard Grace ask if she was using a "French knot" while she was stitching me up. I should have made her wait in the waiting room.

I got the original bandage/wrap removed today, it looks about as bad as it feels. No one said anything about the Y shaped cut on the top of the knuckle, but it sure explains the pain coming from that area.
I keep saying I am so lucky! This could have been much worse! There are no broken bones and my pinkie is the only finger affected. Thank you Lord!

Time to Build a Fence.......

 The hardest part about building a fence is getting good help. You need someone to work with that cares about the project as much as you do.............Problem solved!

 Grace worked so hard, I was truley Amazed! From cleaning holes to delivering the posts where they needed to go to mixing all of the concrete for the job (over 3 tons worth).

 This really is a joint effort. We are working so hard on this, we literally drag ourselves in the house at the end of the each day and treat ourselves to a "Motrin Coctail".

 The holes are 3 feet deep, the posts are treated 4"X6" and the rails are 2"X6" Douglas Fir.

 It is coming along nicely, but there is still a lot of fence to install. Not to mention 2 double gates and 2 walk gates. It is a good thing I learned so much about building fences from my Dad! (And I have the Best help I could ask for!)

N.P.H.S. Class of 1971 Reunion

 I had the opportunity to go back to the "Conejo Valley" for my 40 year reunion earlier this month. So much has changed! This is our school mascot, the Panther. Such a beautiful setting in front of the main office.

 The gym now has an awesome painting of the Panther appearing to be breaking out. Such detail, someone did a great job.

 Our reunion was held at the Stagecoach Inn. This is such a beautiful setting with a re-creation of the old Timber school building and the Inn filled with antiques from earlier times. There were over 125 people attending and a good time was had by all.

 There was a surprise visit from the current cheerleaders at Newbury Park High School. These girls did such a great job, it brought back a flood of memories of rallies and football games.

 The next day we all met at the school for a tour of the campus. There are a lot of changes but I still remember walking these halls as a young boy. All of the classes and teachers we had.........seems like yesterday.

 No visit to the "Conejo Valley" would be complete without getting together with my good buddy Vic fof a round of golf. The weather could not have been better and the course was in really good shape.

To make this an even better trip, my ex business partner Josie and her husband Ron were able to join us. Talk about a great day! I was smiling for a week.
On the last day in town, I stopped by the office (Century 21 America) and met up with some of the people that have meant so much to me over the last 17 years. I just wish I could have visited with them longer!

My new Buddy

I started using my Quail call last summer when all the quail in the surrounding fields were calling each other. I managed to call them in, one of them even landed on our deck looking for me. This year, I have not had to call them. They show up in the morning and evenings. This guy walks around on the deck and sits on the garden fence during the day. I am not sure if he is the same one that sits in the top of our pine tree every morning though. He starts calling early and leaves when it starts getting dark. The wildlife here is awesome!

A relaxing Sunday morning drive

 We have been watching this old house slowly deteriorate and return to nature for the last 4 years. It is sitting out in a field all by itself. I can only imagine the former families that have called this "Home" in the past.

 I am not sure what this and the other buildings on the property were used for. Grace thinks this might have been an old dairy or cattle property. It backs up to a lake that is frozen over this time of year. Beautiful old building.

  

                A hospital near a womans prison and youth authority facility. Beautiful old brick architecture.

                                                    An old dairy farm, still being used.

                                        This is the Grange. A meeting hall for community events.

 Some really large silos out in the country. In the summer there are miles and miles of wheat, alfalfa, hay and other types of grasses out here.

This beautiful hawk let us drive right up to him and take a couple of pictures before flying off looking for his next meal.
What a great day. We do live in a very picturesque area.

The Last Day Of 2010

 As you can see, we have a winter wonderland. The temperature here this morning was -2 degrees........

 Grace's lavender field is sleeping under all that snow. Come Spring, it will explode in beautiful shades of purple...........

 The sitting / reading / thinking bench looks very lonely.......

 Grace's garden art / lawn tractor doesn't look too inviting, the flower basket on the hood looks like a big snowball. All of the fruit and the shade trees on the property are baren and sleeping as well.........

As cold and bleak as this appears, there is a quiet beauty to everything this time of year (as long as you are not out in it shoveling snow).

This has been a Wonderful year! We officially became grandparents to a beautiful little girl and hopefully by the end of 2011 we will be grandparents to another little beauty. Our daughter and son in law are awesome! Adopting 2 sweet little girls.

God has truley blessed our family. He has provided all that we need and so much more.

We look foreward to many new adventures in 2011.......