I can hardly believe it's the holidays again. Where is the time going? You know in cartoons when they want to express how time flies they put up a calendar and the months keep tearing off faster and faster? Well that's what my life feels like now.....just like my parents used to say it would when we were kids. The older you get the faster the months and years go by.
This is an odd Christmas. Actually....since the girls left for college starting with Jillian each Christmas has been different and a bit odd. This year Jillian hasn't been home all year but she will arrive late evening of December 21and stay until January 2. We decided to put the tree up and get the lights on and wait for her arrival to decorate. Our typical tree decorating consists of yummy appetizers and champagne or martinis and a lot of laughter and joking.
So this year Gordon and I schlepped the tree in......Gordon's language gets very colorful while he's setting up the tree! He wrestled it into the stand and I hung the lights on it and put the tree skirt around it. I had actually wrapped presents the day before so I put them under the tree. Natalie came home exhausted from her last week of school to start preparing and studying for finals. We were enjoying a glass of wine in front of the "naked" tree and she said "let's decorate it!" "We can't decorate it without Alison and Jillian", I say. A few texts later Gordon, Natalie and I are decorating the tree. We just couldn't bear it!
Anyway the tree looks lovely, our home is all decorated and the lights are on the house. Alison arrived home on Friday looking lovely and happy. Natalie finishes her finals this week and should come home Friday evening, hopefully for the weekend. And then next Wednesday night Jillian will slip into her bed in her own room and our house will be full again.....finally.
The last two weekends have been busy with dinner parties and cocktail hours. A lot of delicious food and fantastic wines. We've even broken out the "instruments" - a tambourine, small drums, maracas, etc. Those of you who have been here when we start the dancing know what I'm talking about. When the instruments come out.....somebodies gonna barf!!! Usually it's me! This past weekend was no different!!!!
We went to the annual Christmas Pub Quiz at the restaurant I used to work in - Redcoats. It's sponsored by the St. Andrew's Society, a Scottish Society. This year I'm proud to announce that we took 2nd place, up from 3rd last year. AND we were only 5 points off first! Actually, if we hadn't changed so many damn answers we probably would have won.
Tomorrow I'm having a Christmas lunch with the best bud's and then Christmas Bunko is Thursday evening. Just getting through the next weekend in anticipation of our impending full house.
Gordon and I have much to be thankful for. Our family of funny, bright, beautiful girls; a home that we own outright; wonderful health and fantastic family and friends. What more could we ask for? Well, I need some new workout clothes from Santa, but.........
Happy holidays world! And a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Letters to Isa - October 9, 1991, January 18, 1992, October 3, 1991 and the Final letter dated December 14, 2000
October 9, 1991
Dear Isa,
Here is the latest set of pictures of our family. I really appreciate your leaving your camera for us. It benefits us all!
The babies are doing great.....so am I. I can't believe how much has changed since you left. It was dumb of me to rely so heavily on you and everyone else for help with the babies. I should have just believed in myself and gotten hold of the situation. I think a schedule would have been worked out far sooner. I just didn't believe that I could handle two infants on my own....too scared I guess. Anyway the babies seem far happier now that they kind of know what's happening day to day and also because they are getting more sleep at night. Natalie sleeps through the night about 3 to 4 nights a week. She still wakes up between 3 and 4 the other nights. Don't exactly know why but I've been unable to let her fuss for very long (in part because she's so loud). I just get up and nurse her and I'm back in bed in 10-15 minutes. No big deal. Alison always sleeps through and is just beaming in the morning when we go to pick her up.
They eat a pile of rice/wheat/barley/oat cereal in the morning now. I'm not measuring I just dump but I figure it's a third to a half cup. Natalie doesn't eat as well as Alison. Alison says, "mmmmmm" the whole time she's eating! Gordon, Jillie and I get a kick out of it. For lunch they eat squash, carrots, or soup. They have devoured all the soup you made and I made up a new soup with mostly potatoes, carrot and celery. I bought some leeks yesterday that I'll put in the next batch. They still have no desire for apples and pears (strange) but Nat likes bananas now, especially with her graham cracker. Natalie drinks 5-6 four ounce bottles a day now. She always drinks the whole bottle, never 2 ounces here and another 2 in an hour. Odd huh? She was on that schedule for so long but stopped the first week you were gone. It's almost as if they knew that we had to get down to business and figure each other out!
Gordon and I have been out to breakfast with them several times since you've been gone. We go on a day when Jillie's in school. Both babies sleep the entire time and we've not had any trouble. Other than that though, we haven't been anywhere or done any thing, except for the venture to the mall to have their pictures taken. It's a pretty boring life....but I'm enjoying it!
I took a seminar on in-home child care last week and got the low-down on what I'd need to do to become licensed. It's actually pretty easy and doesn't cost anything. I've filled out the application, just need fingerprints on myself and Gordon and I'll send it off. I don't want to start until the new year so I'm not in a rush but it does take two months for a license. Kenzie is still coming down once or twice a week and it's great. So I think adding another child or two will be nice. I'm setting a lot of limitations on the children I take and the times I'll take them though. I don't want to get stuck with a situation that doesn't work out.
Gordon's fire training is proceeding okay. He's out Tuesday and Thursday nights and all day Saturday. Gordon said the first two weeks were boring but now it is beginning to get interesting. Saturdays are really long for him. They work out in the morning, running, doing push-ups and sit-ups, then it's all class room. But soon they'll start doing actual hands-on stuff. He's looking forward to that. Saturdays seem endless for me. They are harder than Tuesday and Thursday nights because he doesn't come home at all on Saturday until 6:30pm and he leaves at 7:30am. At least on Tuesday and Thursday he comes home for lunch and then quits work about 4:00. I'm trying to schedule people to come over on Saturdays for long visits. Rhonda came the first Saturday, but she had to bring Marie with her so that wasn't so great. Katy Wright was supposed to come last Saturday, but I came down with a cold Friday night and had to cancel. Last Saturday was particularly hard with that cold. Jillie took such good care of me and the babies it was really sweet. She fed Natalie her bottle while Natalie was strapped into her little chair (she's fed her once everyday since then), she kept me covered up when I was laying on the couch and brought me water. She kept all the babies toys picked up on their trays when they threw them off and played with them for long periods of time so I could rest. She's real sensitive when I'm sick. She had Alison laughing hysterically at one point. I wish I had it video taped.
Becky down the street, the one pregnant with twins has now made it to full term and has yet to go into labor. She goes into the hospital tomorrow, Thursday, to be induced, so there will be two more little girls added to the street by next week. I'm looking forward to seeing them and I'm very thankful that I'm beyond what she will be going through.
Gordon sold both of his Livermore listings this week. He will need to get back out there and get some more. I know he's really frustrated. I hope he gets a fire job or another offer from Miles Pharmaceuticals soon.
The weather continues in the 90's here although the evenings seem cooler now and it is definitely darker quicker. The time will change this month and stop evening walks. Jillie and I take the babies to the park bench in Woodthrush Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Jillie takes all her ponies and plays in the grass and I set the babies on a blanket to look around. They felt grass for the first time this week. Alison was scratching at it the way she scratches the playpen fabric and Natalie was trying to put it in her mouth, no teeth yet by the way. Jillie likes the post card you sent with the horses on it. She said "oh boy, more ponies!" By the way, Halloween is October 31, so she has yet to be Snow White. She has asked about you many times since you left saying that she misses you and we talk about your place at the kitchen table. The room change is really good. Her big girl room looks nice and Alison's room (Jillie's old room) is perfect for her too. Plus it allows the toys to be spread out more. We have left Jillie's twin bed up in Alison's room for Jillie when guests come and she seems fine with that. We also re-arranged the family room taking out most of the furniture and put up the "corral" for the babies. It works out great. I can leave the room without worrying about them. Plus Jillie likes to get in and play ponies inside with the babies. Today the girls watched a kids song video while I hung laundry out...."A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm". I think they really liked it. I was outside the whole film and when I came in they were both sitting in their walkers watching the TV. It's kind of funny to see.
Well I'm going to pick up Jillie now. The babies are sleeping so Jan, Kenzie's mom, is coming down to listen for them while I run out. Gordon and I forgot to say who was to pick up Jillie today.
Enjoy these pictures and we'll talk to you soon.
With love,
Sharon
_________________________________________________________
January 18, 1992
Dear Isa,
Just wanted to drop these pictures in the mail. That little Natalie is a gem and so proud to be standing and now both "cruising" on the furniture!
This has been a particularly hellish last 2 weeks. First, Natalie's cold, then Alison's ear infection, then Jillian's pneumonia, then strep throat for me, then Natalie got the flu running a 101 degree temp for 5 days and now Alison's got it. Today I'm tired of them fussing, tired of wiping and blowing runny noses, tired of trying to figure out what they'll eat and tired of being tired! Not a very good way to start 1992! But I feel by the time you are reading this letter all should be back to normal (whatever that is) at this house.
Both girls seem to be going through a phase of not liking anything I fix them to eat. I've tried, apples, pears, bananas, squash, spinach, broccoli, carrots, peas, beans, rice cereal, wheat cereal, oat cereal, soups with everything and do you know what they absolutely gobble down? - SPAGHETTI! Just like Gordon. They also love MacDonald's french fries, naturally. Anyway I'm quite frustrated with them trying to get decent food in them. I definitely think Natalie will be a "cornflakes and bananas" kid!
We have booked our vacation and I have a surprise - Jackie and Alistair are going with us! They are coming to San Francisco May 9 and the 4 of us will leave for Maui on May 12 returning on May 20. They will head back to England on May 23. It should be fun to spend some time with Jackie and meet Alistair.
I have arranged with Nadia to come every other day between 4-8pm to give you a hand. She is also available every day if we feel you might need her. It is very likely that you will and it will be $100 bucks well spent for your (and our) mental health. Plus I've got a full week arranged for Jillie too, to ease the pressure on you.
We are discussing plans for the birthday bash. I think it will be a combination "spring party" and birthday party. There is a chance that my sister Sandy and Lisa might be here too.
Gordon continues to be busy. He finished the academy last Tuesday night HOORAY! We are going to the final dinner next Saturday. By the way, we just LOVE Nadia and so does Jillie. We have been to two movies in the last few weeks thanks to Nadia and we are going out to dinner next Friday, the Academy dinner Saturday; a baby shower (dinner) the following weekend and a wedding the weekend after that. It's great to have somebody we really trust. We left the house last night with all three girls up and Nadia did just great. Thank you Jesus!
Well I hear the little ones stirring from their naps. And I need to quit the marathon cartoon viewing that Jillie is in the middle of! So I'll talk to you soon Isa - our love to you.
Sharon
_______________________________________________________
October 3, 1993
Dear Isa,
I really enjoyed our conversation earlier today. I miss you. I'm glad you have found your old friend again. You didn't tell me her name. I'll bet you had a lot of catching up to do . Needless to say, you have probably had the most interesting news to tell her about your travels and, oh yeah, your grandchildren. Have you bored her with a thousand pictures?
Speaking of pictures, I've included a new batch. As you know, Jillian has started her horseback riding lessons. All of the pictures enclosed are of her first lesson. Her teacher, Irene (my moms name) is really nice. She's soft spoken, gentle yet very cowgirly and she makes Jillie really at ease around the horses. Jillian rides an old 20 year horse named Moe. Irene is teaching her to groom the horse with a curry comb, brushes and a s special brush for his tail. Jillian like to brush the tail the best. she also has her carry the saddle from the barn and put it on the horse and the bridle also. Then she leads him to the pasture for her lesson. She's taken 4 lessons, she's learning to post and really control the horse. Irene thinks she's doing well and was very impressed that she didn't cry when thrown from the horse and got right back on. Gordon and I were proud of her too.
There are also two pictures from her first day at school. As you can see, she's letting her bangs grow out. It's a constant battle because they are driving me crazy hanging in her eyes but she looks very cute with her forehead showing off those big eyes.
By the way, Natalie's nose has finally healed. It's still a little red in places but I think it will be okay. I cut the twins hair the other night to just below their ears. Basically I cut off the scraggly stuff. They look really cute. Alison's hair hangs just like mine and Natty's has a little bend at the end. I think they like the cut, they seem to have a new way of walking around kind of shaking their heads and admiring themselves in the mirror!
As I said, splitting them up again seems to have been a good idea. It was Gordon's. They both seem to like having their own space and know that the room they are in is their very own. One of their favorite things to do is throw Jillie out of their rooms (especially Alison) as if they are tying to get Jillie back for all the times she threw them out of hers! Serves her right - it doesn't make Jillian very happy though. Anyway, as I said, we've put the closet doors back on, they look great, and moved the large toys around. In Alison's room is the kitchen set against the wall where Natty's bed used to be, a rocking chair and one of the small bookcases and other things put away in her closet. I've even separated their clothes and shoes. Natalie's room has the dollhouse, the little plastic table and chairs that were outside, a rocking chair and a bookcase. I have crayons and color books (Barney, of course) on the table and so far they are using the table as a work area. Sometimes they will go back there by themselves to color quietly (believe it or not) or go in Alison's room to play with the kitchen set, now that it's more accessible. Natalie's room (the old guest room) is really cute with children's artwork and her name on the walls and Mickie and Minnie. I'll yank what's left of the wallpaper from Alison's room this winter. While I was stripping Jillian's room the little ones got the idea that their room needed stripping too and started pulling the wallpaper off. Oh well.
I don't want you to feel there is no room for you now Isa, that will never be true. We all knew eventually we'd have to go the route of separate rooms for the girls. It seems fair. We have had several discussions about what we would do when you come. As I said Jillian said you could sleep in her room and she'd sleep on the floor. She wanted to sleep in our room but we quickly told her she could sleep in Alison's room! I had this idea. I didn't talk to you on the phone about it because I was sure you'd say no, but I want you to think about it and let me know how you feel. If you don't like the idea, feel free to tell me so. I thought you might like to stay at Jimmy's for part of the time you are here. That way you won't have to get up early or go to bed early because the kids get up so early. If you don't feel well one day or would like to just lay around one day without being bothered you could do it. My schedule in the mornings now is get Jillian out the door at 9:00am then go to the health club with the twins. When I'm done I can come up and get you. On the days the twins are in school I'd come get you earlier if you wish, and we could run errands without them. If you wanted to stay here one night or many we could do that too. It's an opportunity for you to have a private space and alone time if you want it without being bombarded by our family 24 hours a day. Gordon and I both think it can work and we do not feel it an imposition to drive to Danville to get you and you could leave as early or late as you like. Anyway, it's something to think about. Of course, we haven't talked to anyone about this, ie., Jimmy or Ella. It's just an idea open for discussion. Enough said.
The girls decided to be a "tribe"for Halloween. I made Indian costumes for them. They look so cute. And the moccasins I brought from Utah on my way back from Virginia are perfect. Jillian wants me to make costumes for Gordon and I too. Gordon might look good as a tribal leader! We'll see.
Any ideas on what you'd like for Christmas? I've been looking around but if there is something specific, let me know. We were going to get you that watch but you blew that idea! Anyway suggestion would be helpful.
Well that's all for now. Time to put the little ones to bed. Take care and I'll talk to you soon. Enjoy the pictures. By the way, Jillie's school picture should be coming out soon. She let me roll her hair and put a bow in it. She looked like a model, even other mothers told me how beautiful she looked. And she's still got all her teeth! It should be a great picture.
Think of you - Sharon and all
_________________________________________________________
LAST LETTER DATED December 14,2000
Dear Isa,
Gordon's running out the door and I want him to mail these so I'll be brief.
These pictures were taken at Ron's Cabin mid-November. 7 inches of snow!
Also pictures of Sox and Jake. Sox has white fur and is Natty's baby!
Also....Halloween! Jillie was a flapper (won 1st prize at school for best costume), Alison, well, let's just say her costume suits her moods these days! (Ali went as a witch that year!) And Natalie was a very cute hippie. A woman after my own heart! Let's just hope she doesn't discover P O T!
Love you,
Sharon
Dear Isa,
Here is the latest set of pictures of our family. I really appreciate your leaving your camera for us. It benefits us all!
The babies are doing great.....so am I. I can't believe how much has changed since you left. It was dumb of me to rely so heavily on you and everyone else for help with the babies. I should have just believed in myself and gotten hold of the situation. I think a schedule would have been worked out far sooner. I just didn't believe that I could handle two infants on my own....too scared I guess. Anyway the babies seem far happier now that they kind of know what's happening day to day and also because they are getting more sleep at night. Natalie sleeps through the night about 3 to 4 nights a week. She still wakes up between 3 and 4 the other nights. Don't exactly know why but I've been unable to let her fuss for very long (in part because she's so loud). I just get up and nurse her and I'm back in bed in 10-15 minutes. No big deal. Alison always sleeps through and is just beaming in the morning when we go to pick her up.
They eat a pile of rice/wheat/barley/oat cereal in the morning now. I'm not measuring I just dump but I figure it's a third to a half cup. Natalie doesn't eat as well as Alison. Alison says, "mmmmmm" the whole time she's eating! Gordon, Jillie and I get a kick out of it. For lunch they eat squash, carrots, or soup. They have devoured all the soup you made and I made up a new soup with mostly potatoes, carrot and celery. I bought some leeks yesterday that I'll put in the next batch. They still have no desire for apples and pears (strange) but Nat likes bananas now, especially with her graham cracker. Natalie drinks 5-6 four ounce bottles a day now. She always drinks the whole bottle, never 2 ounces here and another 2 in an hour. Odd huh? She was on that schedule for so long but stopped the first week you were gone. It's almost as if they knew that we had to get down to business and figure each other out!
Gordon and I have been out to breakfast with them several times since you've been gone. We go on a day when Jillie's in school. Both babies sleep the entire time and we've not had any trouble. Other than that though, we haven't been anywhere or done any thing, except for the venture to the mall to have their pictures taken. It's a pretty boring life....but I'm enjoying it!
I took a seminar on in-home child care last week and got the low-down on what I'd need to do to become licensed. It's actually pretty easy and doesn't cost anything. I've filled out the application, just need fingerprints on myself and Gordon and I'll send it off. I don't want to start until the new year so I'm not in a rush but it does take two months for a license. Kenzie is still coming down once or twice a week and it's great. So I think adding another child or two will be nice. I'm setting a lot of limitations on the children I take and the times I'll take them though. I don't want to get stuck with a situation that doesn't work out.
Gordon's fire training is proceeding okay. He's out Tuesday and Thursday nights and all day Saturday. Gordon said the first two weeks were boring but now it is beginning to get interesting. Saturdays are really long for him. They work out in the morning, running, doing push-ups and sit-ups, then it's all class room. But soon they'll start doing actual hands-on stuff. He's looking forward to that. Saturdays seem endless for me. They are harder than Tuesday and Thursday nights because he doesn't come home at all on Saturday until 6:30pm and he leaves at 7:30am. At least on Tuesday and Thursday he comes home for lunch and then quits work about 4:00. I'm trying to schedule people to come over on Saturdays for long visits. Rhonda came the first Saturday, but she had to bring Marie with her so that wasn't so great. Katy Wright was supposed to come last Saturday, but I came down with a cold Friday night and had to cancel. Last Saturday was particularly hard with that cold. Jillie took such good care of me and the babies it was really sweet. She fed Natalie her bottle while Natalie was strapped into her little chair (she's fed her once everyday since then), she kept me covered up when I was laying on the couch and brought me water. She kept all the babies toys picked up on their trays when they threw them off and played with them for long periods of time so I could rest. She's real sensitive when I'm sick. She had Alison laughing hysterically at one point. I wish I had it video taped.
Becky down the street, the one pregnant with twins has now made it to full term and has yet to go into labor. She goes into the hospital tomorrow, Thursday, to be induced, so there will be two more little girls added to the street by next week. I'm looking forward to seeing them and I'm very thankful that I'm beyond what she will be going through.
Gordon sold both of his Livermore listings this week. He will need to get back out there and get some more. I know he's really frustrated. I hope he gets a fire job or another offer from Miles Pharmaceuticals soon.
The weather continues in the 90's here although the evenings seem cooler now and it is definitely darker quicker. The time will change this month and stop evening walks. Jillie and I take the babies to the park bench in Woodthrush Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Jillie takes all her ponies and plays in the grass and I set the babies on a blanket to look around. They felt grass for the first time this week. Alison was scratching at it the way she scratches the playpen fabric and Natalie was trying to put it in her mouth, no teeth yet by the way. Jillie likes the post card you sent with the horses on it. She said "oh boy, more ponies!" By the way, Halloween is October 31, so she has yet to be Snow White. She has asked about you many times since you left saying that she misses you and we talk about your place at the kitchen table. The room change is really good. Her big girl room looks nice and Alison's room (Jillie's old room) is perfect for her too. Plus it allows the toys to be spread out more. We have left Jillie's twin bed up in Alison's room for Jillie when guests come and she seems fine with that. We also re-arranged the family room taking out most of the furniture and put up the "corral" for the babies. It works out great. I can leave the room without worrying about them. Plus Jillie likes to get in and play ponies inside with the babies. Today the girls watched a kids song video while I hung laundry out...."A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm". I think they really liked it. I was outside the whole film and when I came in they were both sitting in their walkers watching the TV. It's kind of funny to see.
Well I'm going to pick up Jillie now. The babies are sleeping so Jan, Kenzie's mom, is coming down to listen for them while I run out. Gordon and I forgot to say who was to pick up Jillie today.
Enjoy these pictures and we'll talk to you soon.
With love,
Sharon
_________________________________________________________
January 18, 1992
Dear Isa,
Just wanted to drop these pictures in the mail. That little Natalie is a gem and so proud to be standing and now both "cruising" on the furniture!
This has been a particularly hellish last 2 weeks. First, Natalie's cold, then Alison's ear infection, then Jillian's pneumonia, then strep throat for me, then Natalie got the flu running a 101 degree temp for 5 days and now Alison's got it. Today I'm tired of them fussing, tired of wiping and blowing runny noses, tired of trying to figure out what they'll eat and tired of being tired! Not a very good way to start 1992! But I feel by the time you are reading this letter all should be back to normal (whatever that is) at this house.
Both girls seem to be going through a phase of not liking anything I fix them to eat. I've tried, apples, pears, bananas, squash, spinach, broccoli, carrots, peas, beans, rice cereal, wheat cereal, oat cereal, soups with everything and do you know what they absolutely gobble down? - SPAGHETTI! Just like Gordon. They also love MacDonald's french fries, naturally. Anyway I'm quite frustrated with them trying to get decent food in them. I definitely think Natalie will be a "cornflakes and bananas" kid!
We have booked our vacation and I have a surprise - Jackie and Alistair are going with us! They are coming to San Francisco May 9 and the 4 of us will leave for Maui on May 12 returning on May 20. They will head back to England on May 23. It should be fun to spend some time with Jackie and meet Alistair.
I have arranged with Nadia to come every other day between 4-8pm to give you a hand. She is also available every day if we feel you might need her. It is very likely that you will and it will be $100 bucks well spent for your (and our) mental health. Plus I've got a full week arranged for Jillie too, to ease the pressure on you.
We are discussing plans for the birthday bash. I think it will be a combination "spring party" and birthday party. There is a chance that my sister Sandy and Lisa might be here too.
Gordon continues to be busy. He finished the academy last Tuesday night HOORAY! We are going to the final dinner next Saturday. By the way, we just LOVE Nadia and so does Jillie. We have been to two movies in the last few weeks thanks to Nadia and we are going out to dinner next Friday, the Academy dinner Saturday; a baby shower (dinner) the following weekend and a wedding the weekend after that. It's great to have somebody we really trust. We left the house last night with all three girls up and Nadia did just great. Thank you Jesus!
Well I hear the little ones stirring from their naps. And I need to quit the marathon cartoon viewing that Jillie is in the middle of! So I'll talk to you soon Isa - our love to you.
Sharon
_______________________________________________________
October 3, 1993
Dear Isa,
I really enjoyed our conversation earlier today. I miss you. I'm glad you have found your old friend again. You didn't tell me her name. I'll bet you had a lot of catching up to do . Needless to say, you have probably had the most interesting news to tell her about your travels and, oh yeah, your grandchildren. Have you bored her with a thousand pictures?
Speaking of pictures, I've included a new batch. As you know, Jillian has started her horseback riding lessons. All of the pictures enclosed are of her first lesson. Her teacher, Irene (my moms name) is really nice. She's soft spoken, gentle yet very cowgirly and she makes Jillie really at ease around the horses. Jillian rides an old 20 year horse named Moe. Irene is teaching her to groom the horse with a curry comb, brushes and a s special brush for his tail. Jillian like to brush the tail the best. she also has her carry the saddle from the barn and put it on the horse and the bridle also. Then she leads him to the pasture for her lesson. She's taken 4 lessons, she's learning to post and really control the horse. Irene thinks she's doing well and was very impressed that she didn't cry when thrown from the horse and got right back on. Gordon and I were proud of her too.
There are also two pictures from her first day at school. As you can see, she's letting her bangs grow out. It's a constant battle because they are driving me crazy hanging in her eyes but she looks very cute with her forehead showing off those big eyes.
By the way, Natalie's nose has finally healed. It's still a little red in places but I think it will be okay. I cut the twins hair the other night to just below their ears. Basically I cut off the scraggly stuff. They look really cute. Alison's hair hangs just like mine and Natty's has a little bend at the end. I think they like the cut, they seem to have a new way of walking around kind of shaking their heads and admiring themselves in the mirror!
As I said, splitting them up again seems to have been a good idea. It was Gordon's. They both seem to like having their own space and know that the room they are in is their very own. One of their favorite things to do is throw Jillie out of their rooms (especially Alison) as if they are tying to get Jillie back for all the times she threw them out of hers! Serves her right - it doesn't make Jillian very happy though. Anyway, as I said, we've put the closet doors back on, they look great, and moved the large toys around. In Alison's room is the kitchen set against the wall where Natty's bed used to be, a rocking chair and one of the small bookcases and other things put away in her closet. I've even separated their clothes and shoes. Natalie's room has the dollhouse, the little plastic table and chairs that were outside, a rocking chair and a bookcase. I have crayons and color books (Barney, of course) on the table and so far they are using the table as a work area. Sometimes they will go back there by themselves to color quietly (believe it or not) or go in Alison's room to play with the kitchen set, now that it's more accessible. Natalie's room (the old guest room) is really cute with children's artwork and her name on the walls and Mickie and Minnie. I'll yank what's left of the wallpaper from Alison's room this winter. While I was stripping Jillian's room the little ones got the idea that their room needed stripping too and started pulling the wallpaper off. Oh well.
I don't want you to feel there is no room for you now Isa, that will never be true. We all knew eventually we'd have to go the route of separate rooms for the girls. It seems fair. We have had several discussions about what we would do when you come. As I said Jillian said you could sleep in her room and she'd sleep on the floor. She wanted to sleep in our room but we quickly told her she could sleep in Alison's room! I had this idea. I didn't talk to you on the phone about it because I was sure you'd say no, but I want you to think about it and let me know how you feel. If you don't like the idea, feel free to tell me so. I thought you might like to stay at Jimmy's for part of the time you are here. That way you won't have to get up early or go to bed early because the kids get up so early. If you don't feel well one day or would like to just lay around one day without being bothered you could do it. My schedule in the mornings now is get Jillian out the door at 9:00am then go to the health club with the twins. When I'm done I can come up and get you. On the days the twins are in school I'd come get you earlier if you wish, and we could run errands without them. If you wanted to stay here one night or many we could do that too. It's an opportunity for you to have a private space and alone time if you want it without being bombarded by our family 24 hours a day. Gordon and I both think it can work and we do not feel it an imposition to drive to Danville to get you and you could leave as early or late as you like. Anyway, it's something to think about. Of course, we haven't talked to anyone about this, ie., Jimmy or Ella. It's just an idea open for discussion. Enough said.
The girls decided to be a "tribe"for Halloween. I made Indian costumes for them. They look so cute. And the moccasins I brought from Utah on my way back from Virginia are perfect. Jillian wants me to make costumes for Gordon and I too. Gordon might look good as a tribal leader! We'll see.
Any ideas on what you'd like for Christmas? I've been looking around but if there is something specific, let me know. We were going to get you that watch but you blew that idea! Anyway suggestion would be helpful.
Well that's all for now. Time to put the little ones to bed. Take care and I'll talk to you soon. Enjoy the pictures. By the way, Jillie's school picture should be coming out soon. She let me roll her hair and put a bow in it. She looked like a model, even other mothers told me how beautiful she looked. And she's still got all her teeth! It should be a great picture.
Think of you - Sharon and all
_________________________________________________________
LAST LETTER DATED December 14,2000
Dear Isa,
Gordon's running out the door and I want him to mail these so I'll be brief.
These pictures were taken at Ron's Cabin mid-November. 7 inches of snow!
Also pictures of Sox and Jake. Sox has white fur and is Natty's baby!
Also....Halloween! Jillie was a flapper (won 1st prize at school for best costume), Alison, well, let's just say her costume suits her moods these days! (Ali went as a witch that year!) And Natalie was a very cute hippie. A woman after my own heart! Let's just hope she doesn't discover P O T!
Love you,
Sharon
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Letters to Isa - October 29, 1990
Dear Isa,
Gordon said you called the other day and you were concerned about our finances. Gordon and I think we've pretty much got ourselves covered. It won't be easy, you're right about that but with every one's help, I think we'll be okay.
First off, I have to quit work in my 28th week which is about the end of February. However, the State of California provides disability insurance for pregnant women and women who must leave work due to pregnancy. This will amount to over $1,000 per month. On top of that I am closing an escrow with Joe, my boss, which will be for almost $8,000. That money and the disability, which I will be able to get for 4 or more months will enable me to contribute the same monthly amount to the household budget as if I were working for 6 months. We figure our expenses should go down with my not working too and I'm thinking about keeping Jillian home all summer, provided I have in-house help all summer.
Gordon's schooling should be complete just at the time the babies are due and so he'll be able to focus more on real estate and find a permanent job. Once he has a permanent position with a fire department, he will be earning upwards of $3,000 a month. And if he can pull off a real estate transaction once every two or three months, we will be fine. I have my broker's license and will be able to do a lot of the "crap" that he doesn't like to do from home.
On top of this, I am working on putting together a business I can conduct from our house. Jim (the former husband) and I might do something together which could be pretty profitable for both of us. We have both worked in the trust deed business in the past and are considering starting a business together. One can easily buy and sell trust deeds from your home without much start-up money. Anyway, we are in the talking-about-it stages right now. I could always do word processing from my home and easily earn a $1,000 a month or more.
So see, there isn't anything to worry about. We will be cutting back but it will be good for us. I certainly don't want to be the cause of your high blood pressure please!
I will be nursing the babies and we are using cloth diapers entirely, so that will save us literally hundreds a month (diapers and formula would run about $100 each a month!) Plus being home I will be better able to plan for dinners, instead of going out so often, and I'm hoping we'll have a great garden again.
I think this will be the plan for help when the babies are born, however, no real commitments have been made except for yours. My Dad and his wife, Betty, might be able to come out the end of April when the babies are born. Betty said she might be able to stay until my sister Sandy gets here. Sandy would stay for some time but I don't know how long. There might be a gap in between where I wouldn't have live-in help, but Rhonda and Katie have both said they will help. Rhonda said she'd even spend the night. Sandy's daughter, Lisa, might be able to work out spending all of July and most of August with us. She is suppose to do some volunteer work this summer to help with college entrance. She's checking with her counselor to see if working for us would suffice. Then if you could come the middle of August and stay two months I'd have coverage for the first six months of their lives and by then I'd hope to have some sort of routine established! Hopefully by the time you arrive they wouldn't need a night nursing, but because they will be smaller and probably weaker than Jillian, I doubt that will be the case.
This weekend we began the process of getting rid of everything in the house we don't really need or use. I think we'll have a garage sale in the next few weeks. Our bedroom is now a combination office. We moved the desk from the living room in and the computer. Actually it looks just fine. The ottoman and chair from our room I think will go in the babies room or possibly your room if I can work it out. We took the little dresser from Jillie's closet out and gave it back to Rhonda and Mark. Now Jillie can get most all of her toys into her closet herself and keep her room neat and tidy. She helped me clean her room and I think she likes it a lot. Now she has room for all those Christmas toys! Next weekend we're clearing out Gordon's office completely and bringing the crib in. I think we'll put the bookcase in the living room in one of those odd places on either side of the fireplace. And we've removed the side table from the family room and put it in your room and took the cheap little table with the table cloth apart and put it in storage. That leaves room in the family room to add the play pen by the family room door when we need it.
I kept the curtains from Jillie's room at the condo and they will go better in the babies room than in her old room. I'm going to order another set of bumpers and comforter the same as Jillie's for the other crib. It is still in stock believe it or not. The wall paper for the room will be cheap and we may need to touch up the paint but that's no big deal. Then we'll be done. Actually, the house looks less crowded already and I think the space requirement will be just fine.
On Saturday my friend Pam and her little girl Jessie, came down and Rhonda and Marie and Jillie and I went to see a marching band parade on Main Street. Later Gordon, Jillie and I went to Tyler's Halloween birthday party. Jillie makes a great Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Jim bought her a little basket and her Toto dog (formerly Jacques) fit in just right. She will wear her costume to school on Wednesday for a big Halloween costume parade and, of course, out trick-or-treating on Wednesday night. She will be a nut for the next month devouring all that candy. I don't look forward to it.
I guess that's all for now. I just wanted you not to worry about Gordon and I. We are both bright and competent and will work things out one way or another.
We are all looking forward to seeing you in December. I'm really glad you'll be here for Christmas. It makes our Christmas so much more special. See you then.
Love from Sharon
P.S. Just popped home for lunch to see Gordon and Jillie. Gordon got word that he passed the Castro Valley fire test. He must take the physical ability test this Saturday. If he passes that, he's guaranteed an interview. Castro Valley has 6 positions available. I think Gordon's chances are pretty good.
Gordon said you called the other day and you were concerned about our finances. Gordon and I think we've pretty much got ourselves covered. It won't be easy, you're right about that but with every one's help, I think we'll be okay.
First off, I have to quit work in my 28th week which is about the end of February. However, the State of California provides disability insurance for pregnant women and women who must leave work due to pregnancy. This will amount to over $1,000 per month. On top of that I am closing an escrow with Joe, my boss, which will be for almost $8,000. That money and the disability, which I will be able to get for 4 or more months will enable me to contribute the same monthly amount to the household budget as if I were working for 6 months. We figure our expenses should go down with my not working too and I'm thinking about keeping Jillian home all summer, provided I have in-house help all summer.
Gordon's schooling should be complete just at the time the babies are due and so he'll be able to focus more on real estate and find a permanent job. Once he has a permanent position with a fire department, he will be earning upwards of $3,000 a month. And if he can pull off a real estate transaction once every two or three months, we will be fine. I have my broker's license and will be able to do a lot of the "crap" that he doesn't like to do from home.
On top of this, I am working on putting together a business I can conduct from our house. Jim (the former husband) and I might do something together which could be pretty profitable for both of us. We have both worked in the trust deed business in the past and are considering starting a business together. One can easily buy and sell trust deeds from your home without much start-up money. Anyway, we are in the talking-about-it stages right now. I could always do word processing from my home and easily earn a $1,000 a month or more.
So see, there isn't anything to worry about. We will be cutting back but it will be good for us. I certainly don't want to be the cause of your high blood pressure please!
I will be nursing the babies and we are using cloth diapers entirely, so that will save us literally hundreds a month (diapers and formula would run about $100 each a month!) Plus being home I will be better able to plan for dinners, instead of going out so often, and I'm hoping we'll have a great garden again.
I think this will be the plan for help when the babies are born, however, no real commitments have been made except for yours. My Dad and his wife, Betty, might be able to come out the end of April when the babies are born. Betty said she might be able to stay until my sister Sandy gets here. Sandy would stay for some time but I don't know how long. There might be a gap in between where I wouldn't have live-in help, but Rhonda and Katie have both said they will help. Rhonda said she'd even spend the night. Sandy's daughter, Lisa, might be able to work out spending all of July and most of August with us. She is suppose to do some volunteer work this summer to help with college entrance. She's checking with her counselor to see if working for us would suffice. Then if you could come the middle of August and stay two months I'd have coverage for the first six months of their lives and by then I'd hope to have some sort of routine established! Hopefully by the time you arrive they wouldn't need a night nursing, but because they will be smaller and probably weaker than Jillian, I doubt that will be the case.
This weekend we began the process of getting rid of everything in the house we don't really need or use. I think we'll have a garage sale in the next few weeks. Our bedroom is now a combination office. We moved the desk from the living room in and the computer. Actually it looks just fine. The ottoman and chair from our room I think will go in the babies room or possibly your room if I can work it out. We took the little dresser from Jillie's closet out and gave it back to Rhonda and Mark. Now Jillie can get most all of her toys into her closet herself and keep her room neat and tidy. She helped me clean her room and I think she likes it a lot. Now she has room for all those Christmas toys! Next weekend we're clearing out Gordon's office completely and bringing the crib in. I think we'll put the bookcase in the living room in one of those odd places on either side of the fireplace. And we've removed the side table from the family room and put it in your room and took the cheap little table with the table cloth apart and put it in storage. That leaves room in the family room to add the play pen by the family room door when we need it.
I kept the curtains from Jillie's room at the condo and they will go better in the babies room than in her old room. I'm going to order another set of bumpers and comforter the same as Jillie's for the other crib. It is still in stock believe it or not. The wall paper for the room will be cheap and we may need to touch up the paint but that's no big deal. Then we'll be done. Actually, the house looks less crowded already and I think the space requirement will be just fine.
On Saturday my friend Pam and her little girl Jessie, came down and Rhonda and Marie and Jillie and I went to see a marching band parade on Main Street. Later Gordon, Jillie and I went to Tyler's Halloween birthday party. Jillie makes a great Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Jim bought her a little basket and her Toto dog (formerly Jacques) fit in just right. She will wear her costume to school on Wednesday for a big Halloween costume parade and, of course, out trick-or-treating on Wednesday night. She will be a nut for the next month devouring all that candy. I don't look forward to it.
I guess that's all for now. I just wanted you not to worry about Gordon and I. We are both bright and competent and will work things out one way or another.
We are all looking forward to seeing you in December. I'm really glad you'll be here for Christmas. It makes our Christmas so much more special. See you then.
Love from Sharon
P.S. Just popped home for lunch to see Gordon and Jillie. Gordon got word that he passed the Castro Valley fire test. He must take the physical ability test this Saturday. If he passes that, he's guaranteed an interview. Castro Valley has 6 positions available. I think Gordon's chances are pretty good.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Letter to Isa - September 5, 1990 and September 24, 1990
Dear Isa,
Just a quickie note - I'm at work and don't have too much time. I've been wanting to write you a long letter and send these pictures off but time just hasn't permitted. These are pictures from Jillie's birthday party. She got some really great gifts. The easel she received from Rhonda and Mark with markers, paints and pads of paper and crayons. We'll have to show you everything when you come in December.
We had a three day weekend this last weekend. We went down to Alan and Susan's in Santa Cruz. Remember when we went there for a Christmas gathering when Jillie was little? Anyway, they have built a guest house that is out of this world. Completely secluded, the master bedroom bed sits in front of two huge windows looking out on the garden and valley beyond. The house has a small living room and a full kitchen with dining area surrounded by glass and a bath and a half. It is just perfect. We went down on Friday evening, had dinner on the Wharf and went to the boardwalk and Jillie rode rides for about 2 hours (she absolutely loves rides and she's not the least bit fearful). Saturday we went to the beach and played in the sand and surf and then went to a Spa with Alan and Susan where there was a pool Jillie played there for about 1 1/2 hours. Sunday, we just hung out all day then went out to dinner with Alan and Susan and their daughter Amy (Jillie is crazy about her) then went back to the boardwalk. They have a really friendly calico cat which Jillie played with constantly and a big horse named Ginger that she had fun feeding. We left on Monday about 10:30a.m. but we stopped at a great kitchen store before leaving town. We bought a big pasta bowl with matching serving bowls; a set of three mixing bowls (I suppose you'll be happy about that since I never have any bowls to mix in!); two cruets; 8 clear glass bowls to use for green or fruit salads or desserts; and a pink glass serving dish. Gordon bought a co-web duster! Such a housekeeper. He's taken to doing the laundry for me on Fridays. It's a touchy topic. I try to remember to separate the clothes but sometimes I forget. Gordon washes them anyway. I've asked him repeatedly that if he sees something that's the least bit questionable to please not wash it. He warm water machine washed a cold water hand wash inside-out 100% hand painted cotton outfit of Jillie's. Not only that, he washed it with a gold tee-shirt. So now it's kind of a off-white-ish drab color. We're working on him!
Marie's birthday party was fun (not as good as Jillian's first birthday party!). Rhonda made the same food that I did for Jillie's first birthday. Well, I take that back. I went over on Saturday morning and made the quiches and the salad dressing and an apple pie for dessert! I don't know how Rhonda suckers me so. We got Marie a big plastic picnic table and benches, a box of Lego's (ha, ha...now Rhonda can pick up all those pieces!) and a push musical toy.
That's all for now. I'll write more when I can. We're looking forward to seeing you soon.
Love from Sharon.
PS Shorty had a heart attack and stroke 2 weeks ago. He's home now and doing well. He was in the hospital for about 10 days. His vision is blurry but he's up and around.
PSS Did Gordon tell you I'm a blond now?
____________________________________________________
Dear Isa,
Gordon said you had left a message on Saturday morning which he didn't tell me about till late in the weekend. Sorry I didn't return your call. To answer your question, I don't see the Doctor until October 15 so I will not be sure on a date, etc. until then. But I did take a test and it was definitely positive! My family is very fertile and Gordon, old "sure-shot".
Well I know you never thought you'd have a grandchild, but did you even think you'd have two? I'll bet you've already called your mom and told Izzy right? However, Jimmy has not let on to Gordon that he knows. Am I correct in thinking that you did not tell Jimmy? If so, thanks. We haven't really wanted the news to spread too far until I've seen the doctor. I did tell Katie and Shorty. I kind of hope it helps Shorty, you know, something to live for aside from Jillie. And since I told Katie, I told Jim, because I wanted him to hear it from me, not his mom. Anyway, they are all discreet., Other than my older sister (yes, I do have somewhat of a big mouth!) who swears she won't tell anyone, nobody else knows and we're trying to keep it that way. It's pretty hard though because we are both excited. I can't believe Gordon. This was really his idea and he had to work on me for over a month (actually 3) before I would consent. You say I'm brave? Maybe I am, it's not without being scared. Not scared of birth or anything, not that I'm looking forward to weighing more than my husband, it's just that we have so much freedom now just the three of us. But the new baby will be good for all of us, particularly Jillie. We've told her and talked about it several times. Jillie's says "I was born at the hospital"....."but the baby won't sleep in my bed"....."I want a girl named Kenzie."
I really hope that you can come to help out like when Jillie was 4 months. I'd like the baby to stay home the first year as much as Jillie did. Except for about 2 months, Jillian was home from the time you came until Jackie left, that was pretty much one year. I plan to take 4 months off work and, hopefully, return to 25 to 30 hours a week instead of 40 hours. I think Joe will go for it, I'm just worried that Gordon may not have a job yet so I may have to keep plugging away until he does. That's OK too, just as long as there is an end in sight.
Gordon just picked up two more applications for jobs, one in Santa Cruz and one in Navato. Navato is about 1 1/2 hours away to the northwest and Santa Cruz is about 1 hour. Tomorrow he goes to Santa Cruz to turn in the application and take a strenuous physical practice test. He thinks he'll be okay with all the physical tests except climbing a 100' ladder. Can't say that I blame him. 100 feet is pretty damn high, I don't think I'd like it either. He is ranking 7th in his class of about 55 right now.
So Marina has been after me for a year to color my hair and I finally let her do it. My hair isn't really blond, it's more like light brown now - kind of light chestnut. It's a pretty color. Saturday I go in to have it cut and touched up, but his time she wants to lighten it even more. Everyone thinks I should do it....so I think I will, what the heck. In about 7 or 8 more months it will be the only attractive thing about me anyway! Did I tell you that Jillie got her hair cut too? It's really cute at ear length and quite a bit more manageable.
Jillian is going as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz this Halloween. She has her ruby slippers, Toto, her little basket and I'm making her a little blue checked jumper. She insists that we call her Dorothy now, unless she puts on her little white slip you sent her or her granny nighty, then she says she becomes Wendy from Peter Pan. Weird. Sometimes I worry about her. She's so much like Gordon! Thanks so much for all the wonderful clothes. You've got to stop spending your money on her. She needed new panties and tee-shirts and the slip is her first. She'll wear it under her Dorothy dress. The sweater is beautiful. The slippers are too small, so we'll send them back with Jimmy. She was disappointed that they didn't fit. And the other green and purple pants will fit fine. She likes the little pull apart dolls too.
Gordon and I are so uptight about dinner with Jimmy and Marsha. Actually Jimmy we could handle fine but Marsha neither of us are too thrilled about being around. We can't find anyone to come over for dinner that evening (next Sunday, September 30) so I think we've decided to have drinks at our house and then take them out to dinner at some noisy restaurant. I think that will help us all since we've nothing to say to Marsha. Sad huh? I'd really like to make dinner for Jimmy but I think it would be too intimate in our house just the 5 of us. What do you think? Wish you were here to help out.
I've enclosed more pictures, some from Marie's birthday party and other miscellaneous. We'll let you know what the "due date" is as soon as I know.
Take care.
Love from Sharon
Just a quickie note - I'm at work and don't have too much time. I've been wanting to write you a long letter and send these pictures off but time just hasn't permitted. These are pictures from Jillie's birthday party. She got some really great gifts. The easel she received from Rhonda and Mark with markers, paints and pads of paper and crayons. We'll have to show you everything when you come in December.
We had a three day weekend this last weekend. We went down to Alan and Susan's in Santa Cruz. Remember when we went there for a Christmas gathering when Jillie was little? Anyway, they have built a guest house that is out of this world. Completely secluded, the master bedroom bed sits in front of two huge windows looking out on the garden and valley beyond. The house has a small living room and a full kitchen with dining area surrounded by glass and a bath and a half. It is just perfect. We went down on Friday evening, had dinner on the Wharf and went to the boardwalk and Jillie rode rides for about 2 hours (she absolutely loves rides and she's not the least bit fearful). Saturday we went to the beach and played in the sand and surf and then went to a Spa with Alan and Susan where there was a pool Jillie played there for about 1 1/2 hours. Sunday, we just hung out all day then went out to dinner with Alan and Susan and their daughter Amy (Jillie is crazy about her) then went back to the boardwalk. They have a really friendly calico cat which Jillie played with constantly and a big horse named Ginger that she had fun feeding. We left on Monday about 10:30a.m. but we stopped at a great kitchen store before leaving town. We bought a big pasta bowl with matching serving bowls; a set of three mixing bowls (I suppose you'll be happy about that since I never have any bowls to mix in!); two cruets; 8 clear glass bowls to use for green or fruit salads or desserts; and a pink glass serving dish. Gordon bought a co-web duster! Such a housekeeper. He's taken to doing the laundry for me on Fridays. It's a touchy topic. I try to remember to separate the clothes but sometimes I forget. Gordon washes them anyway. I've asked him repeatedly that if he sees something that's the least bit questionable to please not wash it. He warm water machine washed a cold water hand wash inside-out 100% hand painted cotton outfit of Jillie's. Not only that, he washed it with a gold tee-shirt. So now it's kind of a off-white-ish drab color. We're working on him!
Marie's birthday party was fun (not as good as Jillian's first birthday party!). Rhonda made the same food that I did for Jillie's first birthday. Well, I take that back. I went over on Saturday morning and made the quiches and the salad dressing and an apple pie for dessert! I don't know how Rhonda suckers me so. We got Marie a big plastic picnic table and benches, a box of Lego's (ha, ha...now Rhonda can pick up all those pieces!) and a push musical toy.
That's all for now. I'll write more when I can. We're looking forward to seeing you soon.
Love from Sharon.
PS Shorty had a heart attack and stroke 2 weeks ago. He's home now and doing well. He was in the hospital for about 10 days. His vision is blurry but he's up and around.
PSS Did Gordon tell you I'm a blond now?
____________________________________________________
Dear Isa,
Gordon said you had left a message on Saturday morning which he didn't tell me about till late in the weekend. Sorry I didn't return your call. To answer your question, I don't see the Doctor until October 15 so I will not be sure on a date, etc. until then. But I did take a test and it was definitely positive! My family is very fertile and Gordon, old "sure-shot".
Well I know you never thought you'd have a grandchild, but did you even think you'd have two? I'll bet you've already called your mom and told Izzy right? However, Jimmy has not let on to Gordon that he knows. Am I correct in thinking that you did not tell Jimmy? If so, thanks. We haven't really wanted the news to spread too far until I've seen the doctor. I did tell Katie and Shorty. I kind of hope it helps Shorty, you know, something to live for aside from Jillie. And since I told Katie, I told Jim, because I wanted him to hear it from me, not his mom. Anyway, they are all discreet., Other than my older sister (yes, I do have somewhat of a big mouth!) who swears she won't tell anyone, nobody else knows and we're trying to keep it that way. It's pretty hard though because we are both excited. I can't believe Gordon. This was really his idea and he had to work on me for over a month (actually 3) before I would consent. You say I'm brave? Maybe I am, it's not without being scared. Not scared of birth or anything, not that I'm looking forward to weighing more than my husband, it's just that we have so much freedom now just the three of us. But the new baby will be good for all of us, particularly Jillie. We've told her and talked about it several times. Jillie's says "I was born at the hospital"....."but the baby won't sleep in my bed"....."I want a girl named Kenzie."
I really hope that you can come to help out like when Jillie was 4 months. I'd like the baby to stay home the first year as much as Jillie did. Except for about 2 months, Jillian was home from the time you came until Jackie left, that was pretty much one year. I plan to take 4 months off work and, hopefully, return to 25 to 30 hours a week instead of 40 hours. I think Joe will go for it, I'm just worried that Gordon may not have a job yet so I may have to keep plugging away until he does. That's OK too, just as long as there is an end in sight.
Gordon just picked up two more applications for jobs, one in Santa Cruz and one in Navato. Navato is about 1 1/2 hours away to the northwest and Santa Cruz is about 1 hour. Tomorrow he goes to Santa Cruz to turn in the application and take a strenuous physical practice test. He thinks he'll be okay with all the physical tests except climbing a 100' ladder. Can't say that I blame him. 100 feet is pretty damn high, I don't think I'd like it either. He is ranking 7th in his class of about 55 right now.
So Marina has been after me for a year to color my hair and I finally let her do it. My hair isn't really blond, it's more like light brown now - kind of light chestnut. It's a pretty color. Saturday I go in to have it cut and touched up, but his time she wants to lighten it even more. Everyone thinks I should do it....so I think I will, what the heck. In about 7 or 8 more months it will be the only attractive thing about me anyway! Did I tell you that Jillie got her hair cut too? It's really cute at ear length and quite a bit more manageable.
Jillian is going as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz this Halloween. She has her ruby slippers, Toto, her little basket and I'm making her a little blue checked jumper. She insists that we call her Dorothy now, unless she puts on her little white slip you sent her or her granny nighty, then she says she becomes Wendy from Peter Pan. Weird. Sometimes I worry about her. She's so much like Gordon! Thanks so much for all the wonderful clothes. You've got to stop spending your money on her. She needed new panties and tee-shirts and the slip is her first. She'll wear it under her Dorothy dress. The sweater is beautiful. The slippers are too small, so we'll send them back with Jimmy. She was disappointed that they didn't fit. And the other green and purple pants will fit fine. She likes the little pull apart dolls too.
Gordon and I are so uptight about dinner with Jimmy and Marsha. Actually Jimmy we could handle fine but Marsha neither of us are too thrilled about being around. We can't find anyone to come over for dinner that evening (next Sunday, September 30) so I think we've decided to have drinks at our house and then take them out to dinner at some noisy restaurant. I think that will help us all since we've nothing to say to Marsha. Sad huh? I'd really like to make dinner for Jimmy but I think it would be too intimate in our house just the 5 of us. What do you think? Wish you were here to help out.
I've enclosed more pictures, some from Marie's birthday party and other miscellaneous. We'll let you know what the "due date" is as soon as I know.
Take care.
Love from Sharon
Monday, November 21, 2011
Letters to Isa - July 5, 1990 and August 1, 1990
Dear Isa,
Time to write again and update you on the latest goings on.
First and foremost, Jillie started preschool about 2 weeks ago. She goes 3 days a week but next week we are starting her 4 days a week. She's not going to the school we toured. She's going to the other school we talked about called Great Beginnings Learning Center. She's in the "Teddy Bear's" room, though she says to us "I'm NOT a Teddy Bear!". There are about 20 kids in the room with two teachers and 1 aide. The ratio of kids to adults can only be a maximum of 8 to 1. State law is 12 to 1. Even so, Jillie is going through a big transition. She says she doesn't like the school though she can not tell me why. She has been a bit weepy but I know it's just an adjustment. It has been more traumatic for Gordon and I. He feels guilty for leaving her. One problem we have is when we leave her we try to stay a few minutes instead of dropping her and running. So she gets kind of clingy instead of just joining the group activities. Another problem is nap time. All the kids nap on the floor on little mats. Jillie is used to her own bed, own room, door closed and shades drawn. She has managed to fall asleep several times (she get a big star by her name when she takes a nap! She likes that) but they are still working on naps. They start naps at 1:00pm and wake up at 3:00pm. Not quite to Jillie's schedule.
Anyway there are lots of art activities, outdoor playtime, field trips (she's already gone for ice cream to Swensens, to the fair to see the baby animals and next week for a walk to a park for a brown bag lunch). They sing songs, read and have morning and afternoon circle where they talk about the weather, their weekends, share pets, etc.
Along the pet line - Jillie and I found a baby bird in our driveway which was game to be "big" game to our cats. So we adopted it. It's a mockingbird which Jillian named "Crispy". Don't know why? Anyway we've been feeding it with an eye dropper, cereals, squash, zucchini (fresh from our garden!), mashed banana, etc. Gordon has even been out collecting roly-poly's, beetles, etc. He was feeding these things to the bird with my good tweezers!! Can you believe it? Anyway the bird thinks Gordon's its mom (Gordon hates it when I tell him that - HA) and he takes it outside for "flying lessons." He throws it up in the air over and over. Its mom is still outside and this morning we put the cats in the house and left Crispy outside all morning. Its mom fed it for hours and encouraged it out of the box. When I came home at lunch it was sitting under the apple tree but we collected it and will try again tomorrow. Crispy just can't get the knack of flying yet. Jillie tortures it as much as Andy naturally so we have to watch her all the time.
Jillie has also started swim lessons two weeks ago. They were group lessons though I couldn't get her to do anything for me. Now Linda, her instructor, is giving her 15 minute private lessons but I think they're a bit advance for her. Her first private lesson she was made to go under and "swim" to the side. I couldn't take it and stopped the lesson. Next time Gordon's going with her to see how he feels the lessons are going.
Gordon is LOVING school. He is taking advanced first aid and soon starts Emergency Medical Training and fire 50, the beginning class to his fire fighting classes. He's at school from 6:00pm to 10:00pm Tuesday and Thursday nights. He practices with Jillie and I bandaging us and respirating us. He has already written his term paper on Angina and has already applied for a job with the Castro Valley Fire District. There are over 75 applicants but if he tests well, which Gordon does, and interviews well, he just might get the job. The position is based 20% on written test, a little on physical in that you must pass a physical test and 80% on interview. Since it's a real man's job, Gordon should interview well. He seems to be really jazzed! Finally!!
He doesn't know but a group of about 18 are doing a surprise dinner for his birthday. Everyone will meet at Bobby McGees on Saturday evening at 5:00pm and we'll show up a little later for dinner. Then we'll just stay at the club and move to another club at the San Ramon Marriott. Howie is coming up for the night also as a surprise. Gordon said he just wanted the two of us to have dinner and go to a movie. I hope he's pleasantly surprised.
We have been to 5 parties in the last week. My office threw a barbecue at the Fair last Friday. So we went, pigged out and rode rides all afternoon. Jillie's favorite was the Ferris Wheel. Gordon's least favorite was the Ferris Wheel! He's such a woos when it comes to rides. Saturday was Gordon's office party at the aquatic center so Jillie swam all afternoon, then we went to Alan and Susan's in Santa Cruz for Susan's 40th birthday party. We had so much fun. The party was all outdoors and there was a huge checkerboard dance floor. Jillie danced for hours! There was an absolutely beautiful spread of food.
Sunday was Pam's party for my friend at work who's pregnant. That was fun too. Pam's daughter Jessie has a Shetland
Speaking of weeds, our garden is exploding. I've already cooked millions of zuc's, squash and green beans. We've picked peppers and the tomatoes and watermelons are really coming along. I've made 4 apple pies from our apple tree and there are hundreds more laying on the ground and on the tree to pick. There are a couple of nice aubergines coming along too.
The old diets are still coming a long. I've bought a new "Cathy Smith" work out tape that's more fun. They are 25 minutes of aerobics and then a workout with weights. I've lost another 4 or 5 pounds since you left. We are eating no fat whatsoever (even tofu!) just rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Pretty boring, but it works. Of course, Jillie still eats some meat and dairy but she's adjusting to the diet too.
I'm home now so I'll finish up. We aren't using ANY oils or additives which means no sauces, etc. Gordon bought a book called The MacDougal Plan. That's what we've been following. Of course we break it occasionally, like eating apple pie - but I don't use any butter in it.
So how are things in Scotland? You know Jackie's birthday is the 9th of July. 1 year ago was that horrible accident. Any word on where Jimmy is vacationing yet? How's your diet this week?
Gordon's business continues to be dreadfully slow. He is real close to needing to get a job; unfortunately. All the listings are just sitting and his last escrow just fell through. I wish he'd have started his schooling sooner. If he has to get a job it might screw up his school schedule. I'll keep you posted.
We are still receiving the North Carolina newspaper. There seem to be a LOT of jobs there. And the housing is unbelievable. We could get a house 1/2 again larger than ours, 3/4 to 1 acre; 4 or 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, pool, tennis, spa on a golf course for $100,000.00. I told Gordon, "let's take 3!" If we lived there you could buy your own home. Something to consider. Anyway, Gordon is sending resumes and he hopes to get a couple of interviews scheduled and go back and look around. He still wants to pursue firefighting too but at least we could move with someone employed and have a decent start. I wouldn't have to work right away. Anyway, we'll see. Again, I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for sending all the post cards off to Jillie. She really likes them. She got 3 Angus books from her book of the month club this month. Angus is a Scottie dog, from Scotland. Do you know the stories? Anyway we always say that Angus comes from where Grammy Isa lives.
Hope you can come back soon. I'll write again in the near future. Jillie made this art especially for you. Just before she had to go to bed for spitting!!!!
Sending our love to you Isa,
Sharon
____________________________________________________
Dear Isa,
I've enclosed some pictures from our "rainy" camping trip in June, Father's Day breakfast in bed, swimming at Lake Del Valle and Gordon's birthday party. There are comments on the back of some of the pictures. I will send you pictures of Jillie's birthday party as soon as I can get them.
She is very excited about the party. Mostly she's excited about her dessert request, chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing and candies on top with vanilla ice cream! Miss Bossy Boots! So far there will be 7 kids and probably twice as many adults. Gordon built quite a beautiful sand box, so with it, the pony rides and Jillian's bouncing horse and slide, there will be plenty for the kids to do . I'm making fried chicken for the kids and chicken salad croissant sandwiches for the adults.
Katie Krause has taught me how to can fruits. I've canned 7 quarts of apples from our tree (and made about 15 pies!) and Sunday, Jillie, Katie and I went out to the country and picked 35 pounds of peaches. I've canned 14 quarts and have about as many quarts to go. It's really fun and not as hard as I had thought it was all these years. My next project is pears and maybe some jams (pomegranate this winter from our tree).
Jillie seems to really like Montessori school. There is a rabbit there named Daisy that she speaks of a lot. The teachers are really warm and friendly and seem to have a very relaxed attitude while being firm in disciplining the children, ie, sharing, etc. Sharing is an area that Jillie definitely needs help in.
Oh I wanted to tell you that the other day Jillie was at Katie's and Katie asked her if she loved her Grammy (meaning Katie). Jillie didn't say no, instead she said "I love my Grammy Isa". Isn't that sweet?
Gordon and I are really excited that you are coming at Christmas. We may have something special planned. We are working on it. Also we're glad that you are thinking positively about coming to live in the U.S. permanently. We both think this is where you should be. I know it is a hard decision since you've only lived in Scotland and moving is a big life change but I think you'd be really happy here given the right set of circumstances, which could be worked out. I hope Jimmy is amenable to helping work out those circumstances. Any word on when exactly he's coming over? I'd like to have him for dinner. I guess that means I'd have to have Marsha too!
Well I need to get back to work. I'll write again in the next couple weeks to let you know about Jillie's party.
Take care of yourself and love to all our Scottish friends!
Love from Sharon
Time to write again and update you on the latest goings on.
First and foremost, Jillie started preschool about 2 weeks ago. She goes 3 days a week but next week we are starting her 4 days a week. She's not going to the school we toured. She's going to the other school we talked about called Great Beginnings Learning Center. She's in the "Teddy Bear's" room, though she says to us "I'm NOT a Teddy Bear!". There are about 20 kids in the room with two teachers and 1 aide. The ratio of kids to adults can only be a maximum of 8 to 1. State law is 12 to 1. Even so, Jillie is going through a big transition. She says she doesn't like the school though she can not tell me why. She has been a bit weepy but I know it's just an adjustment. It has been more traumatic for Gordon and I. He feels guilty for leaving her. One problem we have is when we leave her we try to stay a few minutes instead of dropping her and running. So she gets kind of clingy instead of just joining the group activities. Another problem is nap time. All the kids nap on the floor on little mats. Jillie is used to her own bed, own room, door closed and shades drawn. She has managed to fall asleep several times (she get a big star by her name when she takes a nap! She likes that) but they are still working on naps. They start naps at 1:00pm and wake up at 3:00pm. Not quite to Jillie's schedule.
Anyway there are lots of art activities, outdoor playtime, field trips (she's already gone for ice cream to Swensens, to the fair to see the baby animals and next week for a walk to a park for a brown bag lunch). They sing songs, read and have morning and afternoon circle where they talk about the weather, their weekends, share pets, etc.
Along the pet line - Jillie and I found a baby bird in our driveway which was game to be "big" game to our cats. So we adopted it. It's a mockingbird which Jillian named "Crispy". Don't know why? Anyway we've been feeding it with an eye dropper, cereals, squash, zucchini (fresh from our garden!), mashed banana, etc. Gordon has even been out collecting roly-poly's, beetles, etc. He was feeding these things to the bird with my good tweezers!! Can you believe it? Anyway the bird thinks Gordon's its mom (Gordon hates it when I tell him that - HA) and he takes it outside for "flying lessons." He throws it up in the air over and over. Its mom is still outside and this morning we put the cats in the house and left Crispy outside all morning. Its mom fed it for hours and encouraged it out of the box. When I came home at lunch it was sitting under the apple tree but we collected it and will try again tomorrow. Crispy just can't get the knack of flying yet. Jillie tortures it as much as Andy naturally so we have to watch her all the time.
Jillie has also started swim lessons two weeks ago. They were group lessons though I couldn't get her to do anything for me. Now Linda, her instructor, is giving her 15 minute private lessons but I think they're a bit advance for her. Her first private lesson she was made to go under and "swim" to the side. I couldn't take it and stopped the lesson. Next time Gordon's going with her to see how he feels the lessons are going.
Gordon is LOVING school. He is taking advanced first aid and soon starts Emergency Medical Training and fire 50, the beginning class to his fire fighting classes. He's at school from 6:00pm to 10:00pm Tuesday and Thursday nights. He practices with Jillie and I bandaging us and respirating us. He has already written his term paper on Angina and has already applied for a job with the Castro Valley Fire District. There are over 75 applicants but if he tests well, which Gordon does, and interviews well, he just might get the job. The position is based 20% on written test, a little on physical in that you must pass a physical test and 80% on interview. Since it's a real man's job, Gordon should interview well. He seems to be really jazzed! Finally!!
He doesn't know but a group of about 18 are doing a surprise dinner for his birthday. Everyone will meet at Bobby McGees on Saturday evening at 5:00pm and we'll show up a little later for dinner. Then we'll just stay at the club and move to another club at the San Ramon Marriott. Howie is coming up for the night also as a surprise. Gordon said he just wanted the two of us to have dinner and go to a movie. I hope he's pleasantly surprised.
We have been to 5 parties in the last week. My office threw a barbecue at the Fair last Friday. So we went, pigged out and rode rides all afternoon. Jillie's favorite was the Ferris Wheel. Gordon's least favorite was the Ferris Wheel! He's such a woos when it comes to rides. Saturday was Gordon's office party at the aquatic center so Jillie swam all afternoon, then we went to Alan and Susan's in Santa Cruz for Susan's 40th birthday party. We had so much fun. The party was all outdoors and there was a huge checkerboard dance floor. Jillie danced for hours! There was an absolutely beautiful spread of food.
Sunday was Pam's party for my friend at work who's pregnant. That was fun too. Pam's daughter Jessie has a Shetland
Speaking of weeds, our garden is exploding. I've already cooked millions of zuc's, squash and green beans. We've picked peppers and the tomatoes and watermelons are really coming along. I've made 4 apple pies from our apple tree and there are hundreds more laying on the ground and on the tree to pick. There are a couple of nice aubergines coming along too.
The old diets are still coming a long. I've bought a new "Cathy Smith" work out tape that's more fun. They are 25 minutes of aerobics and then a workout with weights. I've lost another 4 or 5 pounds since you left. We are eating no fat whatsoever (even tofu!) just rice, potatoes, veggies and fruits. Pretty boring, but it works. Of course, Jillie still eats some meat and dairy but she's adjusting to the diet too.
I'm home now so I'll finish up. We aren't using ANY oils or additives which means no sauces, etc. Gordon bought a book called The MacDougal Plan. That's what we've been following. Of course we break it occasionally, like eating apple pie - but I don't use any butter in it.
So how are things in Scotland? You know Jackie's birthday is the 9th of July. 1 year ago was that horrible accident. Any word on where Jimmy is vacationing yet? How's your diet this week?
Gordon's business continues to be dreadfully slow. He is real close to needing to get a job; unfortunately. All the listings are just sitting and his last escrow just fell through. I wish he'd have started his schooling sooner. If he has to get a job it might screw up his school schedule. I'll keep you posted.
We are still receiving the North Carolina newspaper. There seem to be a LOT of jobs there. And the housing is unbelievable. We could get a house 1/2 again larger than ours, 3/4 to 1 acre; 4 or 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, pool, tennis, spa on a golf course for $100,000.00. I told Gordon, "let's take 3!" If we lived there you could buy your own home. Something to consider. Anyway, Gordon is sending resumes and he hopes to get a couple of interviews scheduled and go back and look around. He still wants to pursue firefighting too but at least we could move with someone employed and have a decent start. I wouldn't have to work right away. Anyway, we'll see. Again, I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for sending all the post cards off to Jillie. She really likes them. She got 3 Angus books from her book of the month club this month. Angus is a Scottie dog, from Scotland. Do you know the stories? Anyway we always say that Angus comes from where Grammy Isa lives.
Hope you can come back soon. I'll write again in the near future. Jillie made this art especially for you. Just before she had to go to bed for spitting!!!!
Sending our love to you Isa,
Sharon
____________________________________________________
Dear Isa,
I've enclosed some pictures from our "rainy" camping trip in June, Father's Day breakfast in bed, swimming at Lake Del Valle and Gordon's birthday party. There are comments on the back of some of the pictures. I will send you pictures of Jillie's birthday party as soon as I can get them.
She is very excited about the party. Mostly she's excited about her dessert request, chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing and candies on top with vanilla ice cream! Miss Bossy Boots! So far there will be 7 kids and probably twice as many adults. Gordon built quite a beautiful sand box, so with it, the pony rides and Jillian's bouncing horse and slide, there will be plenty for the kids to do . I'm making fried chicken for the kids and chicken salad croissant sandwiches for the adults.
Katie Krause has taught me how to can fruits. I've canned 7 quarts of apples from our tree (and made about 15 pies!) and Sunday, Jillie, Katie and I went out to the country and picked 35 pounds of peaches. I've canned 14 quarts and have about as many quarts to go. It's really fun and not as hard as I had thought it was all these years. My next project is pears and maybe some jams (pomegranate this winter from our tree).
Jillie seems to really like Montessori school. There is a rabbit there named Daisy that she speaks of a lot. The teachers are really warm and friendly and seem to have a very relaxed attitude while being firm in disciplining the children, ie, sharing, etc. Sharing is an area that Jillie definitely needs help in.
Oh I wanted to tell you that the other day Jillie was at Katie's and Katie asked her if she loved her Grammy (meaning Katie). Jillie didn't say no, instead she said "I love my Grammy Isa". Isn't that sweet?
Gordon and I are really excited that you are coming at Christmas. We may have something special planned. We are working on it. Also we're glad that you are thinking positively about coming to live in the U.S. permanently. We both think this is where you should be. I know it is a hard decision since you've only lived in Scotland and moving is a big life change but I think you'd be really happy here given the right set of circumstances, which could be worked out. I hope Jimmy is amenable to helping work out those circumstances. Any word on when exactly he's coming over? I'd like to have him for dinner. I guess that means I'd have to have Marsha too!
Well I need to get back to work. I'll write again in the next couple weeks to let you know about Jillie's party.
Take care of yourself and love to all our Scottish friends!
Love from Sharon
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Letters to Isa - June 5, 1989 and June 11, 1990
Dear Isa,
Thought I'd jot you a brief note and send these pictures of Jillian at Alex's second birthday party. Naturally she was the prettiest, most well behaved child there! (I'm not prejudice or anything - she takes after her Scottish Grammy!) She has fully recovered from her week at Katie and Shorty's and is back to her sweet old self. She and I had such a good time this weekend. The hardwood floor is finished so I had lots of cleaning chores - dusting off the wood - dust from the sanding of the floor and getting furniture back into place. We haven't put the dining room table back because I'm waiting for a pad to go under the Chinese rug (which will go under the dining room table). So the dining room is like a big dance floor with the mirror on the far wall. We had a blast running and rolling on the floor and dancing in front of the mirror. She does "chicken legs" now - bending her legs and moving them in and out. It's really cute and makes her laugh to see herself in the mirror doing it! She loves to dance and says "mommy do it" wanting me to dance too. Everything is "I do it" "Daddy do it" "I hold it" "I help" "mommy look" "but (for bug!)" ( she's really concerned about bugs) "no, no Alex (or Cameron) go away" and of course "MINE"!
Our house looks really good. The wood floor does wonders for the entry, dining and kitchen. We are expecting the carpet any time now. I have consulted with a decorator on wallpaper and some window coverings. Now we want to replace the kitchen counters with "European" style Formica instead of the horrible white tile we have. When will it ever end? Gordon installed some new brass lights at the front of the house instead of the yucky black ones that were there. Can you believe it - Gordon fooling with the electrics? So we will be very made-over for you when you get here. Have you heard from Jimmy as to when you'll come? I have planned to take off work September 21-26 to go somewhere with Gordon if we decide to go somewhere. Is that too late for you?
Jackie arrives one month from today. We are looking forward to her visit - but I'm a little concerned about what she'll do Monday-Friday with both Rhonda and I working and with the 10 days we'll be on vacation. I will not feel like going out "clubbing" much either. Oh well. I supposed she will want to take care of Jillie during the rest of the time we are in town. Too bad we still have to pay the sitter.
Well I'll sign off for now - just wanted to get you these pictures. I've made comments on the back of some. Looking forward to seeing you in August.
With love,
Gordon, Sharon and Jillian
________________________________________________________
Dear Isa,
Thank you for all the "goodies" you sent. Jillie's little "undies" are adorable and she likes the fish shirt! Gordon has barely taken his World Cup tee-shirt off. I had to ask him if I could wash it! You know how he is.
So Jillian has been a complete pain the last couple of weeks. She consistently does what you tell her not to do. Her new thing is to continually get out of bed. Last Thursday night we put her to bed late - 9:30 and she got up every few minutes up until 12:00 a.m. Gordon and I were so mad, but we didn't know what to do. Anyway, Kelly gave me a good idea. Tell her if she gets out of bed we will take her fur away! Well on Saturday afternoon after 1 hour of trying to get her to lay down for her nap, I finally took her fur away. You'd have thought I killed her best friend - but it worked. Anyway we were successful Saturday night and Sunday was okay though she tested us again Sunday night. I must say I really haven't liked her too much the last few weeks. Rhonda, Gordon, Marie, Jillie and I went down to Main Street to watch the High School Band perform a concert in the park and then have dinner this past Friday night. Jillie was a little butt to Marie kicking at her, tugging her balloon away from her, just doing mean things deliberately, while Rhonda and I were looking at her. I was SO embarrassed, but I don't know what to do other than keep talking to her. It's like she's trying to get more attention. I hope this is a short phase. By the way, Marie and Jillie wore their matching pink flowered two-piece outfits I bought them. They were adorable.i
On the other hand except for the two nights of camping, she hasn't worn a diaper at any time. She wet the bed week before last about 3 or 4 times but she hasn't since then. I would say that she is definitely potty trained and now it's like she has been doing it all her life.
Nordstrom had their big semi-annual sale last weekend. Rhonda and I had lunch and then she was going over to Nordstrom so I asked her to pick up anything for Jillie she saw that she would "have to have". That was the wrong thing to say to Rhonda. I owe her $80 for clothing now! She has three new two-piece summer outfits and I bought her a yellow and black polka-dot two-piece swimsuit. For her swim lessons you know! I bought two new skirts (deep khaki and a beautiful purple); mustard, khaki and white blouses; and, a new pair of red pumps. All for $250.00. No bad huh?
That'll show those stupid barking dogs!
Gordon finally sold that condo in Livermore after five offers. A black family with 7 children and "one in the oven" bought it. Gordon came home laughing saying he was going to farm that neighborhood because he was sure someone would be moving. Other than that bit of business nothing much has happened, though Gordon really hasn't been working much either. He has registered for 3 classes working toward his fireman's certification. He is still really excited about it and is especially looking forward to the medical classes. He gets to spend 8 hours I believe in an ambulance and another 8 working in an emergency room. He'll love that. I asked him if he could deliver our next child after all this training! He said "no problem". Yeah, right!
This morning Gordon is at the pub watching Scotland playing Brazil. He was up before 6:00 a.m. preparing and he had Jillie out the door on her way to Kelly's before she knew what hit her! This afternoon he's going to an A's baseball game with the Allied Brokers gang. Tough life!
Jillie and I are joining Pam (from my office) and her daughter Jessie on the 23rd for the Fair Parade on Main Street and then that afternoon we are going camping for the night with Rhonda and Mark up at Point Reyes on the north coast. The weather, by the way, is now typical California summer - HOT! We've got a big party to attend on July 1 at Pam's house. A baby shower for our friend Deborah Castles which the kids are invited to. Jessie's the one with the Shetland pony. On June 30 is Alan and Susan's party in Santa Cruz. And Ken and Katy are coming over this weekend for dinner.
I am trying to plan a surprise dinner for Gordon for his birthday. I think we'll go to Bobby McGee's for dinner and have a crowd of people meet us there. I've decided to get Gordon a Seiko watch for his birthday. He has always wanted one.
Well I think that's all for now. We are all healthy as we hope you are. Have you lost any more pounds? I haven't but I have worked out every day for the last 4 and plan on continuing. Gordon has got us on the "McDougal" diet which we started yesterday. I didn't cheat at all but Gordon cheated 4 times. And today he is at the pub and going to a baseball game!?! Give me a break.
Say hello to Jimmy, Izzy, Vanessa and your mom.
Love from Sharon
P.S. Jillie has been carrying around the little card you sent her saying "Grammy Isa sent me this from Scotland" like she is SO proud!
Thought I'd jot you a brief note and send these pictures of Jillian at Alex's second birthday party. Naturally she was the prettiest, most well behaved child there! (I'm not prejudice or anything - she takes after her Scottish Grammy!) She has fully recovered from her week at Katie and Shorty's and is back to her sweet old self. She and I had such a good time this weekend. The hardwood floor is finished so I had lots of cleaning chores - dusting off the wood - dust from the sanding of the floor and getting furniture back into place. We haven't put the dining room table back because I'm waiting for a pad to go under the Chinese rug (which will go under the dining room table). So the dining room is like a big dance floor with the mirror on the far wall. We had a blast running and rolling on the floor and dancing in front of the mirror. She does "chicken legs" now - bending her legs and moving them in and out. It's really cute and makes her laugh to see herself in the mirror doing it! She loves to dance and says "mommy do it" wanting me to dance too. Everything is "I do it" "Daddy do it" "I hold it" "I help" "mommy look" "but (for bug!)" ( she's really concerned about bugs) "no, no Alex (or Cameron) go away" and of course "MINE"!
Our house looks really good. The wood floor does wonders for the entry, dining and kitchen. We are expecting the carpet any time now. I have consulted with a decorator on wallpaper and some window coverings. Now we want to replace the kitchen counters with "European" style Formica instead of the horrible white tile we have. When will it ever end? Gordon installed some new brass lights at the front of the house instead of the yucky black ones that were there. Can you believe it - Gordon fooling with the electrics? So we will be very made-over for you when you get here. Have you heard from Jimmy as to when you'll come? I have planned to take off work September 21-26 to go somewhere with Gordon if we decide to go somewhere. Is that too late for you?
Jackie arrives one month from today. We are looking forward to her visit - but I'm a little concerned about what she'll do Monday-Friday with both Rhonda and I working and with the 10 days we'll be on vacation. I will not feel like going out "clubbing" much either. Oh well. I supposed she will want to take care of Jillie during the rest of the time we are in town. Too bad we still have to pay the sitter.
Well I'll sign off for now - just wanted to get you these pictures. I've made comments on the back of some. Looking forward to seeing you in August.
With love,
Gordon, Sharon and Jillian
________________________________________________________
Dear Isa,
Thank you for all the "goodies" you sent. Jillie's little "undies" are adorable and she likes the fish shirt! Gordon has barely taken his World Cup tee-shirt off. I had to ask him if I could wash it! You know how he is.
So Jillian has been a complete pain the last couple of weeks. She consistently does what you tell her not to do. Her new thing is to continually get out of bed. Last Thursday night we put her to bed late - 9:30 and she got up every few minutes up until 12:00 a.m. Gordon and I were so mad, but we didn't know what to do. Anyway, Kelly gave me a good idea. Tell her if she gets out of bed we will take her fur away! Well on Saturday afternoon after 1 hour of trying to get her to lay down for her nap, I finally took her fur away. You'd have thought I killed her best friend - but it worked. Anyway we were successful Saturday night and Sunday was okay though she tested us again Sunday night. I must say I really haven't liked her too much the last few weeks. Rhonda, Gordon, Marie, Jillie and I went down to Main Street to watch the High School Band perform a concert in the park and then have dinner this past Friday night. Jillie was a little butt to Marie kicking at her, tugging her balloon away from her, just doing mean things deliberately, while Rhonda and I were looking at her. I was SO embarrassed, but I don't know what to do other than keep talking to her. It's like she's trying to get more attention. I hope this is a short phase. By the way, Marie and Jillie wore their matching pink flowered two-piece outfits I bought them. They were adorable.i
On the other hand except for the two nights of camping, she hasn't worn a diaper at any time. She wet the bed week before last about 3 or 4 times but she hasn't since then. I would say that she is definitely potty trained and now it's like she has been doing it all her life.
Nordstrom had their big semi-annual sale last weekend. Rhonda and I had lunch and then she was going over to Nordstrom so I asked her to pick up anything for Jillie she saw that she would "have to have". That was the wrong thing to say to Rhonda. I owe her $80 for clothing now! She has three new two-piece summer outfits and I bought her a yellow and black polka-dot two-piece swimsuit. For her swim lessons you know! I bought two new skirts (deep khaki and a beautiful purple); mustard, khaki and white blouses; and, a new pair of red pumps. All for $250.00. No bad huh?
That'll show those stupid barking dogs!
Gordon finally sold that condo in Livermore after five offers. A black family with 7 children and "one in the oven" bought it. Gordon came home laughing saying he was going to farm that neighborhood because he was sure someone would be moving. Other than that bit of business nothing much has happened, though Gordon really hasn't been working much either. He has registered for 3 classes working toward his fireman's certification. He is still really excited about it and is especially looking forward to the medical classes. He gets to spend 8 hours I believe in an ambulance and another 8 working in an emergency room. He'll love that. I asked him if he could deliver our next child after all this training! He said "no problem". Yeah, right!
This morning Gordon is at the pub watching Scotland playing Brazil. He was up before 6:00 a.m. preparing and he had Jillie out the door on her way to Kelly's before she knew what hit her! This afternoon he's going to an A's baseball game with the Allied Brokers gang. Tough life!
Jillie and I are joining Pam (from my office) and her daughter Jessie on the 23rd for the Fair Parade on Main Street and then that afternoon we are going camping for the night with Rhonda and Mark up at Point Reyes on the north coast. The weather, by the way, is now typical California summer - HOT! We've got a big party to attend on July 1 at Pam's house. A baby shower for our friend Deborah Castles which the kids are invited to. Jessie's the one with the Shetland pony. On June 30 is Alan and Susan's party in Santa Cruz. And Ken and Katy are coming over this weekend for dinner.
I am trying to plan a surprise dinner for Gordon for his birthday. I think we'll go to Bobby McGee's for dinner and have a crowd of people meet us there. I've decided to get Gordon a Seiko watch for his birthday. He has always wanted one.
Well I think that's all for now. We are all healthy as we hope you are. Have you lost any more pounds? I haven't but I have worked out every day for the last 4 and plan on continuing. Gordon has got us on the "McDougal" diet which we started yesterday. I didn't cheat at all but Gordon cheated 4 times. And today he is at the pub and going to a baseball game!?! Give me a break.
Say hello to Jimmy, Izzy, Vanessa and your mom.
Love from Sharon
P.S. Jillie has been carrying around the little card you sent her saying "Grammy Isa sent me this from Scotland" like she is SO proud!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Letter to Isa - February 24, 1989
Dear Isa,
I know it's been a while since you've heard from us.....we are busy as usual. But I've lots of news for you.
First off, my sister, Shirley, had a baby boy on Saturday, February 11. 9lbs 2 oz! She had a miserably long labor, 36 hours! Most of it was easy going until the last 12 hours or so. She was only dilating 1/2 centimeter per hour! Anyway the baby is really sweet, 21 1/4 inches long (a little shorter than Jillie). So after the baby was born my brother-in-law offered me a free coupon to fly back east to visit. Naturally I accepted and Jillian and I went to Virginia last week for six days.
She was SO good on the airplane. There were only 33 people on board from San Francisco to Denver so we had breakfast, read some books and then I let her wander up and down the aisle. At Denver we had an hour layover so we hopped off the plane and walk/ran for 45 minutes, therefore on the flight to Virginia she slept for one hour and then played with her miscellaneous toys I brought with us. Of course Beaver, Teddy and fur came along with her "ba" and a bottle helped a lot.
She warmed up to Sandy, Lisa and Brian really quick and by the evening she was right at home. My Dad and Betty came over and of course went nuts over her. She was really sweet and flirty! In no time she was saying Granddaddy and now when you sing "Old MacDonald" she says "i-e-i-o". so it's a sing-a-long! Dad brought her a whole bunch of balloons which she went crazy over.
We only had a bit of trouble getting her down to sleep but once she realized that Lisa was in bed too, she went right out and the next day she went down for her nap right away.
Two times we went up to my sisters home to see the baby. He's just adorable - a real little man with a "tough" looking face and clenched fists. Shirley is having an easy go of nursing so Alex Timothy is quite content. She has off 3 months to be with him.
The rest of the time we pretty much stayed at Sandy's home. It's really big - 1,000 square feet larger than our home - 1/2 again as big as ours. 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a den and really large family, nook and kitchen area. Jillie loved all the room to roam around. They have a cockatoo (bird) which is quite friendly with females so I would let it sit on my finger while Jillie studied it - she'd say "bye-bye Chi Chi" (bird's name) and "no-no Chi Chi" when he would whistle too loud.
She says "be happy daddy" all the time, "apple juice", and "bubbles" for bath time. She can really let you know what she wants easily.
Everyone got such a kick out of her. Unfortunately the day before we left she started to run a high fever - 102 degrees which I couldn't get to break all night - even after a tepid bath. By morning her fever was 105 degrees! Sandy and I put her in a cool tub then took her to the emergency room at the hospital. Her fever had dropped but the examination showed an inflamed throat. So the doctor put her on 2 kinds of antibiotics and said we couldn't leave that day. Her fever broke later that afternoon and after a couple of doses of antibiotics she was pretty much back to her old self.
The flight home was uneventful. I think it's easier to fly with her during the morning when I'm rested. We left D.C. at 5:30pm and I was a little tired so less patient. She didn't sleep all the way to Houston which was 3 hours - but we played quietly and walked around a little. Again we got out in Houston and walked around which tired her out when we got back on board. She ate my snack tray then laid down to sleep for 2 hours. Unfortunately, though I had my hand on her, she flipped over real fast and fell on the floor. She absolutely screamed and cried. Poor dear - then she couldn't get back to sleep.
The cutest thing was when we got off the plane and saw Gordon. At first she was a bit shy but Gordon grabbed her immediately and she started giggling. She really studied his face and when he would look at her she'd laugh out loud. Both of them really missed each other. Several times while we were away she'd call his name when she'd hear the garage door or once when we were in the tub Sandy knocked on the door and Jillie said "daddy?".
Anyway we're back now and things are back to their normal hectic ways. The building I'm selling in San Jose closes next week and Gordon and I are buying 70-something % of a home here in Pleasanton with Mark and Rhonda. Gordon is really happy to be getting another piece of property in his name and has been working quite a bit at the new house painting and cleaning. He worked a lot while Jillie and I were away and has quite a few appointments this weekend which will hopefully bring him some new business. He has had a brief encounter with depression during the past month but seems to be pulling his way out OK.
He has agreed to go on a camping trip in early May which Jim is arranging. Can you believe it? They have spent quite a bit of time on the phone visiting on this sale transaction so their relationship has really come around.
We have decided to go with Jillian to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this July for 10 days. I think the separation from Jillie the past week has made Gordon want to be with her more. And she really was very good on the plane. We are very much looking forward to getting away and the camping trip will be fun too.
Our anniversary is next Friday. We have arranged for a sitter and will be going out to dinner and for drinks. We haven't been going out much lately. It is staying lighter now so we can be outside later with Jillie. The temperature has been pretty warm and Spring flowers are beginning to come out. Katie Krause has come up to work in the yard with us a couple times planting lilacs and shrubs under our bedroom window and trimming and pruning here and there. We are really looking forward to Spring and Summer. The winter has been so long - not very rainy but cold. Believe it or not one morning when I got up to shower we had no water....the pipes were frozen! We, meaning California, will be hurting this summer for water - I don't believe we even met an average rainfall much less exceeded it in any successful manner. I dread going through another draught year.
I suppose I should close now since I seem to be developing writer's cramp! We miss you and think of you often. I'll give Jillie and Gordon a big kiss and cuddle for you.
Take care Isa.
Sharon
I know it's been a while since you've heard from us.....we are busy as usual. But I've lots of news for you.
First off, my sister, Shirley, had a baby boy on Saturday, February 11. 9lbs 2 oz! She had a miserably long labor, 36 hours! Most of it was easy going until the last 12 hours or so. She was only dilating 1/2 centimeter per hour! Anyway the baby is really sweet, 21 1/4 inches long (a little shorter than Jillie). So after the baby was born my brother-in-law offered me a free coupon to fly back east to visit. Naturally I accepted and Jillian and I went to Virginia last week for six days.
She was SO good on the airplane. There were only 33 people on board from San Francisco to Denver so we had breakfast, read some books and then I let her wander up and down the aisle. At Denver we had an hour layover so we hopped off the plane and walk/ran for 45 minutes, therefore on the flight to Virginia she slept for one hour and then played with her miscellaneous toys I brought with us. Of course Beaver, Teddy and fur came along with her "ba" and a bottle helped a lot.
She warmed up to Sandy, Lisa and Brian really quick and by the evening she was right at home. My Dad and Betty came over and of course went nuts over her. She was really sweet and flirty! In no time she was saying Granddaddy and now when you sing "Old MacDonald" she says "i-e-i-o". so it's a sing-a-long! Dad brought her a whole bunch of balloons which she went crazy over.
We only had a bit of trouble getting her down to sleep but once she realized that Lisa was in bed too, she went right out and the next day she went down for her nap right away.
Two times we went up to my sisters home to see the baby. He's just adorable - a real little man with a "tough" looking face and clenched fists. Shirley is having an easy go of nursing so Alex Timothy is quite content. She has off 3 months to be with him.
The rest of the time we pretty much stayed at Sandy's home. It's really big - 1,000 square feet larger than our home - 1/2 again as big as ours. 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a den and really large family, nook and kitchen area. Jillie loved all the room to roam around. They have a cockatoo (bird) which is quite friendly with females so I would let it sit on my finger while Jillie studied it - she'd say "bye-bye Chi Chi" (bird's name) and "no-no Chi Chi" when he would whistle too loud.
She says "be happy daddy" all the time, "apple juice", and "bubbles" for bath time. She can really let you know what she wants easily.
Everyone got such a kick out of her. Unfortunately the day before we left she started to run a high fever - 102 degrees which I couldn't get to break all night - even after a tepid bath. By morning her fever was 105 degrees! Sandy and I put her in a cool tub then took her to the emergency room at the hospital. Her fever had dropped but the examination showed an inflamed throat. So the doctor put her on 2 kinds of antibiotics and said we couldn't leave that day. Her fever broke later that afternoon and after a couple of doses of antibiotics she was pretty much back to her old self.
The flight home was uneventful. I think it's easier to fly with her during the morning when I'm rested. We left D.C. at 5:30pm and I was a little tired so less patient. She didn't sleep all the way to Houston which was 3 hours - but we played quietly and walked around a little. Again we got out in Houston and walked around which tired her out when we got back on board. She ate my snack tray then laid down to sleep for 2 hours. Unfortunately, though I had my hand on her, she flipped over real fast and fell on the floor. She absolutely screamed and cried. Poor dear - then she couldn't get back to sleep.
The cutest thing was when we got off the plane and saw Gordon. At first she was a bit shy but Gordon grabbed her immediately and she started giggling. She really studied his face and when he would look at her she'd laugh out loud. Both of them really missed each other. Several times while we were away she'd call his name when she'd hear the garage door or once when we were in the tub Sandy knocked on the door and Jillie said "daddy?".
Anyway we're back now and things are back to their normal hectic ways. The building I'm selling in San Jose closes next week and Gordon and I are buying 70-something % of a home here in Pleasanton with Mark and Rhonda. Gordon is really happy to be getting another piece of property in his name and has been working quite a bit at the new house painting and cleaning. He worked a lot while Jillie and I were away and has quite a few appointments this weekend which will hopefully bring him some new business. He has had a brief encounter with depression during the past month but seems to be pulling his way out OK.
He has agreed to go on a camping trip in early May which Jim is arranging. Can you believe it? They have spent quite a bit of time on the phone visiting on this sale transaction so their relationship has really come around.
We have decided to go with Jillian to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this July for 10 days. I think the separation from Jillie the past week has made Gordon want to be with her more. And she really was very good on the plane. We are very much looking forward to getting away and the camping trip will be fun too.
Our anniversary is next Friday. We have arranged for a sitter and will be going out to dinner and for drinks. We haven't been going out much lately. It is staying lighter now so we can be outside later with Jillie. The temperature has been pretty warm and Spring flowers are beginning to come out. Katie Krause has come up to work in the yard with us a couple times planting lilacs and shrubs under our bedroom window and trimming and pruning here and there. We are really looking forward to Spring and Summer. The winter has been so long - not very rainy but cold. Believe it or not one morning when I got up to shower we had no water....the pipes were frozen! We, meaning California, will be hurting this summer for water - I don't believe we even met an average rainfall much less exceeded it in any successful manner. I dread going through another draught year.
I suppose I should close now since I seem to be developing writer's cramp! We miss you and think of you often. I'll give Jillie and Gordon a big kiss and cuddle for you.
Take care Isa.
Sharon
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Letters to Isa - October 4, 1988
These pictures are part of your Christmas present but I couldn't deny you seeing them until then so I thought I'd send them off now. There are five pictures so don't miss one stuck down in a corner! The ones of Gordon, Jillie and I were taken about a month ago. There was a special deal through a photographer we met at the Lucky Grocery Store - we could get one 11X14 for $5.99. So when I went to pick it up they suckered me into the whole lot. But they are good pictures and now we have plenty to send to all the families and some for Christmas cards too. I am sending a wallet size of the three of us to your mum. The other one of Gordon and I sitting on the wall was taken at Rhonda and Mark's wedding back in October of 87. It's the one I've been promising you for so long. Look how fat my face was even 2 months after giving birth!
We got your letter yesterday. Yes we have done more stuff to the house. We have finished stripping all the living room wallpaper and Gordon has painted and hung the artwork. I stripped the guest bath and painted and hung new paper there. We are in the process of stripping the family room, but that's a little harder as the paper is coming off in little strips. But that wall, the wall in the kitchen and our bathroom is all that's left. Gordon painted our shower room too. We get our new garage door tomorrow - finally. Just in time for the rainy season. It will be a roll up door with an opener. It's much safer and we won't get rained on getting in and out of the cars.
The garden is fine - Gordon is having great fun with it. We are about ready for the massive slaughter. We're going to cut the bushes way back for the winter. The wisteria is about halfway to the overhang and the grapes are still bearing fruit - we can't keep up with eating it all.
Except for getting over a cold this weekend Jillian is just fine. The little boy at her day care got sick early last week and his mother brought him anyway - so all the little kids and I got sick the end of the week. Poor little Rickey is so small he gets absolutely everything. His family is moving in November though so we won't have him around to make us sick anymore. We got that flu that you got when you were here from him too. Kelly is going to look for a little girl to care for around 2 years old.
Jillie is saying bye-bye, night-night, mom or mamamamama!, and ball. She says a lot of other things that we haven't a clue what they are. She babbles non-stop. She is wearing all 18 months to 24 months now. The cute little outfit that Izzy sent with the stripes is already too small and that's a UK size 2. I think your sizes run smaller. She is so much easier to cope with because of her walking independence. We can actually sit and watch TV and she plays all around us and all through the house without too much need of attention. She only occasionally gets into the flower pots and plants. We close all the doors except her room and she just wanders and plays. She is such a content baby, never fussing unless she's tired or hungry. She was a bit of a drag while sick. I slept with her in the spare bedroom Friday and Saturday night. She was feverish and couldn't breath and she just wanted to be held. Fortunately for me it was a weekend and not a weekday for I didn't get much sleep.
Remember Joe's driver, Glenn? He is moving in with us this Friday for about 2 months. He needs a place to stay for a while until he sorts out his life so we have offered your room. He is paying rent, which will help and isn't home much so we felt we could do this. Maybe he'll even grow up a bit!
We are really looking forward to my sister and husband and kids coming at Thanksgiving. Howie is definitely coming up and yes he's invited for Christmas so his mom won't have to worry about him. We'll take good care of him. He was up about 3 weeks ago overnight on his way to Oregon to go fishing with a buddy.
Well that's all the news for now. We are all fine and working very hard. Gordon has 2 listings and about 3 buyers that are hot. I haven't gotten my promotion yet but it is still pending. We miss you and think of you often. I'll give Jillie a big hug and kiss from you. Oh by the way, could you make an extra set of the birthday pictures and send them over to Jackie? I forgot to make an extra set while you were here and I promised her I would. I'll pay for the prints - thanks. Take care Isa.
With love,
Gordon, Sharon and Jillian
We got your letter yesterday. Yes we have done more stuff to the house. We have finished stripping all the living room wallpaper and Gordon has painted and hung the artwork. I stripped the guest bath and painted and hung new paper there. We are in the process of stripping the family room, but that's a little harder as the paper is coming off in little strips. But that wall, the wall in the kitchen and our bathroom is all that's left. Gordon painted our shower room too. We get our new garage door tomorrow - finally. Just in time for the rainy season. It will be a roll up door with an opener. It's much safer and we won't get rained on getting in and out of the cars.
The garden is fine - Gordon is having great fun with it. We are about ready for the massive slaughter. We're going to cut the bushes way back for the winter. The wisteria is about halfway to the overhang and the grapes are still bearing fruit - we can't keep up with eating it all.
Except for getting over a cold this weekend Jillian is just fine. The little boy at her day care got sick early last week and his mother brought him anyway - so all the little kids and I got sick the end of the week. Poor little Rickey is so small he gets absolutely everything. His family is moving in November though so we won't have him around to make us sick anymore. We got that flu that you got when you were here from him too. Kelly is going to look for a little girl to care for around 2 years old.
Jillie is saying bye-bye, night-night, mom or mamamamama!, and ball. She says a lot of other things that we haven't a clue what they are. She babbles non-stop. She is wearing all 18 months to 24 months now. The cute little outfit that Izzy sent with the stripes is already too small and that's a UK size 2. I think your sizes run smaller. She is so much easier to cope with because of her walking independence. We can actually sit and watch TV and she plays all around us and all through the house without too much need of attention. She only occasionally gets into the flower pots and plants. We close all the doors except her room and she just wanders and plays. She is such a content baby, never fussing unless she's tired or hungry. She was a bit of a drag while sick. I slept with her in the spare bedroom Friday and Saturday night. She was feverish and couldn't breath and she just wanted to be held. Fortunately for me it was a weekend and not a weekday for I didn't get much sleep.
Remember Joe's driver, Glenn? He is moving in with us this Friday for about 2 months. He needs a place to stay for a while until he sorts out his life so we have offered your room. He is paying rent, which will help and isn't home much so we felt we could do this. Maybe he'll even grow up a bit!
We are really looking forward to my sister and husband and kids coming at Thanksgiving. Howie is definitely coming up and yes he's invited for Christmas so his mom won't have to worry about him. We'll take good care of him. He was up about 3 weeks ago overnight on his way to Oregon to go fishing with a buddy.
Well that's all the news for now. We are all fine and working very hard. Gordon has 2 listings and about 3 buyers that are hot. I haven't gotten my promotion yet but it is still pending. We miss you and think of you often. I'll give Jillie a big hug and kiss from you. Oh by the way, could you make an extra set of the birthday pictures and send them over to Jackie? I forgot to make an extra set while you were here and I promised her I would. I'll pay for the prints - thanks. Take care Isa.
With love,
Gordon, Sharon and Jillian
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Winetasting and Friendship
Friday morning 5:30a.m. That's pretty early and still dark out but we have an adventure planned and it requires that we get up early, shower, eat, dress, make sure everything is packed, cats are fed and out the door we go.
Friday was the morning we headed out for an annual Napa wine tasting with our good friends Bryan and Ann and Mike and Emily and joining us this year, Tom and Anne. This is officially the sixth year for this trip but this was mine and Gordon's fifth since we were in Hawaii during one of the other sojourns.
As we headed up 29 deep into the heart of Napa there were colorful hot air balloons launching.
We stopped in St. Helena at Model Bakery which is a totally organic, positively delicious bakery - a MUST STOP on your way through the wine country. Because we had forgotten it was Veteran's day there was NO traffic and we were getting up to Calistoga for our appointed 9:30a.m. rendezvous a little early. So we decided to stop in Model Bakery for a cup of coffee and we split a piece of banana bread with pecan topping. The addition of a bread-like product in our stomachs we would soon learn was to be to our benefit!
We have stayed at the Stevenson Manor, our appointed meet-up, twice before so we decided to check-in early and wait for our friends. While sitting in the lobby I notice a very shiny and looooog black limo pull up and I joked to Gordon that our car was here! An elegant driver in a long wool buttoned up coat got out and came in the lobby. He was handsome and had longish slicked back hair. He looked a bit like a high-fashioned vampire. You couldn't help but notice him. I looked out at the limo again and noticed a red and white cooler on the ground by the trunk and our friends Bryan and Ann carting items over toward the limo. Oh-oh......we're in trouble. There was to be no designated driver this day, except for the faux vampire, Steven! Bryan has hired a limo for the second year in a row and we are in for an exceptional day.
Mike and Emily arrive and the six of us load up our treats in the trunk and our bodies in the limo....let the fun commence! Immediately Bryan opens a bottle of Schramsberg bubbly and the party begins on the way to our first stop, The Peter Michael Winery. That would be Sir Peter! I don't know how to describe the setting and people and wines of Peter Michael other than to say SCRUMPTIOUS! Peter Michael Winery is a members only winery. You have to belong to the club to taste or purchase any wine, and there is a waiting list for a very limited number of people. Gordon and I have been on the list for years! Bryan and Ann and Mike and Emily are members and it is our distinct pleasure and honor to be invited to enjoy these fine wines. Most bottles start at $80 a bottle for whites and a bare minimum of $90 a bottle for their reds and upwards from there. Check out this private tasting room:
So after Peter Michael and the, what, 8 bottles the 8 of us drank there, we land at Merryvale in St. Helena. We ALWAYS have our pictures taken in front of the fountain and this trip is no different. Fortunately the weather held long enough for a few shots:
We drove back up the valley and prepared for a tasting at St. Clement, a lovely old house just off 29 with some spectacular views.
At this point they could be pouring us boxed wine and we wouldn't know any different! We are now loud, obnoxious and overly stimulated. The pizza in our tummies is working overtime to try to absorb the excess alcohol and we all approach dropping into an alcohol coma. Why? Because it's there right?
Now not because we need to but because any trip to Napa must include a stop at Rombauer. Most of us didn't remember that we even went there this morning. In fact Emily was emphatic we didn't, but I have proof in these few pictures. Rombauer is a beautiful winery with lovely wines. AND a real plus, their gardens are beautiful and decorated this time of year.
Here's two nice fellas I took a picture of......
It was all down hill from there. Mike, Emily and I got ushered out to the limo and sent to our hotel rooms. I immediately passed out and slept (if that's what you call it) for an hour and a half or so. Anyway, we all (except for Tom, who had a bad headache, and Ann) ended up at Brannans in Calistoga for a fabulous dinner. Gordon and I arrived last having staggered from the hotel down the main drag into the Calistoga downtown. NO ONE drives from our group, we walk in to town. When we arrived at the table where Mike and Emily and Bryan and Ann were awaiting us, we noticed two magnums of Merryvale red on the table. OH NO! I was done so I sucked down water, ate some bread and literally one oyster .....somehow Gordon ordered oysters for us but there were only 2 on the plate!....and Gordon ordered us both fish and chips for dinner. I wish I had taken a picture of the plate cause you wouldn't believe it, it was literally a whole cod, head, tail and fins, battered and fried on top of a bed of shoestring french fries. OMG! Delicious!
After dinner the six of us managed to make it back to the hotel, only one magnum was drunk and the other went back to Bryan and Ann's room. Gordon and I said our good night's and stumbled off to bed by 9:00p.m! A long wonderful day! And a fitful night's sleep with a belly full of wine and fried food but oh well, it was a great day.
This morning we got up, got showered, dressed and packed. Met Ann and Bryan for a continental breakfast and a stroll downtown Calistoga where we caught up with Mike and Emily and did a little shopping. A hat and 2 shirts for Bryan and a beautiful shawl for Ann. Then we headed into St. Helena for more shopping - love Olivier where we purchased olive oil and balsamic vinegar - a chocolate shop and a little Christmas store. We met up with Tom and Ann and all headed over to a wine broker to taste fantastic Egelhoff Wines - one-of-a-kind wines not available to the general public. How lucky are Gordon and I to know these people who are so in-the-know about wines? Incredible. Anyway we tasted a Riesling to die for and a Napa Cab from '06 and '07 and a Tawney Port that was delicious. THEN we went to Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen for a fantastic lunch on the patio.
We all split up from there and headed back to our separate lives with wonderful memories of yet another incredible adventure with our wine tasting buddies in beautiful Napa. The weekend was just wonderful. Napa is visually stunning rain or shine and the wines produced there are amazing.
But nothing beats the friendship of these wonderful, kind and generous people. Gordon and I are truly blessed with our bounty of friends in California.
Thank you Bryan and Ann for another incredible wine journey. Happy birthday to both of you....we love you so much.
Friday was the morning we headed out for an annual Napa wine tasting with our good friends Bryan and Ann and Mike and Emily and joining us this year, Tom and Anne. This is officially the sixth year for this trip but this was mine and Gordon's fifth since we were in Hawaii during one of the other sojourns.
As we headed up 29 deep into the heart of Napa there were colorful hot air balloons launching.
We stopped in St. Helena at Model Bakery which is a totally organic, positively delicious bakery - a MUST STOP on your way through the wine country. Because we had forgotten it was Veteran's day there was NO traffic and we were getting up to Calistoga for our appointed 9:30a.m. rendezvous a little early. So we decided to stop in Model Bakery for a cup of coffee and we split a piece of banana bread with pecan topping. The addition of a bread-like product in our stomachs we would soon learn was to be to our benefit!
We have stayed at the Stevenson Manor, our appointed meet-up, twice before so we decided to check-in early and wait for our friends. While sitting in the lobby I notice a very shiny and looooog black limo pull up and I joked to Gordon that our car was here! An elegant driver in a long wool buttoned up coat got out and came in the lobby. He was handsome and had longish slicked back hair. He looked a bit like a high-fashioned vampire. You couldn't help but notice him. I looked out at the limo again and noticed a red and white cooler on the ground by the trunk and our friends Bryan and Ann carting items over toward the limo. Oh-oh......we're in trouble. There was to be no designated driver this day, except for the faux vampire, Steven! Bryan has hired a limo for the second year in a row and we are in for an exceptional day.
Mike and Emily arrive and the six of us load up our treats in the trunk and our bodies in the limo....let the fun commence! Immediately Bryan opens a bottle of Schramsberg bubbly and the party begins on the way to our first stop, The Peter Michael Winery. That would be Sir Peter! I don't know how to describe the setting and people and wines of Peter Michael other than to say SCRUMPTIOUS! Peter Michael Winery is a members only winery. You have to belong to the club to taste or purchase any wine, and there is a waiting list for a very limited number of people. Gordon and I have been on the list for years! Bryan and Ann and Mike and Emily are members and it is our distinct pleasure and honor to be invited to enjoy these fine wines. Most bottles start at $80 a bottle for whites and a bare minimum of $90 a bottle for their reds and upwards from there. Check out this private tasting room:
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| Ann and Emily prepare for the tasting. |
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| As do Mike and Gordon enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. |
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| Looking toward the window wall with Morgan, our tasting representative, preparing the wines. That's a cut-off picture of Sir Peter standing at the top end of his magnificent vineyard. |
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| A "simple" elegant tasting....but wait..... |
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| ......the addition of food..... |
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| ......and more food.... |
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| .....and more food! |
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| A cozy spot for lounging. |
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| The line up! 3 whites, one provided courtesy of the Furlongs and 3 reds, another provided by the Furlongs and we also sample a Sauvignon Blanc AND toward the end of the tasting, Morgan opened a very fine Pinot Noir as well. |
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| A happy birthday girl. Doesn't she look lovely? |
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| Oh-oh. It's pack up and off to the limo. We're all a little toasted! |
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| See what I mean? Mike and Emily. |
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| Ann and Bryan with our next tasting in their laps.....2 bottles of Flowers. Oh dear! |
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| That's Tom next to Ann and his wife on the right, Ann. So we have 2 Ann's with us today. |
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| Perhaps we don't need to visit the next 3 wineries! |
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| Awwww |
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| This poor leather pillow became a Frisbee for Emily! |
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| Shall we sing? |
So after Peter Michael and the, what, 8 bottles the 8 of us drank there, we land at Merryvale in St. Helena. We ALWAYS have our pictures taken in front of the fountain and this trip is no different. Fortunately the weather held long enough for a few shots:
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| A tangle of legs..... |
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| ......and a winey group! |
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| Giggly girls |
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| Good friends. |
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| All they need is a cigar eh? The guy on the right (for the life of me I can't remember his name) is our wine guy who pours with a VERY HEAVY HAND. |
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| This is how we all felt! |
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| Girlfriends! |
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| Our tasting zone. |
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| Back out side Bryan surprises us with pizza, limo style! |
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| YUM. YUM and much needed sustenance. |
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| Back inside the limo now and guess what? Bryan is pouring more wine! |
We drove back up the valley and prepared for a tasting at St. Clement, a lovely old house just off 29 with some spectacular views.
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| Mike and Gordon head up to the tasting room. |
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| The group meanders through the garden setting. |
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| And we land in the beautiful, private tasting room. |
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| Hahahahahahaha, we're so happy! |
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| So cute! |
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| Isn't it lovely? |
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| And I apparently got my picture taken with them too.......tho I have no recollection of doing it! Oh dear! Note the hand placement and they've got their arms around me. Oh dear! Who took the picture? |
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| "Really, I can explain!" Sophia has shown herself! |
It was all down hill from there. Mike, Emily and I got ushered out to the limo and sent to our hotel rooms. I immediately passed out and slept (if that's what you call it) for an hour and a half or so. Anyway, we all (except for Tom, who had a bad headache, and Ann) ended up at Brannans in Calistoga for a fabulous dinner. Gordon and I arrived last having staggered from the hotel down the main drag into the Calistoga downtown. NO ONE drives from our group, we walk in to town. When we arrived at the table where Mike and Emily and Bryan and Ann were awaiting us, we noticed two magnums of Merryvale red on the table. OH NO! I was done so I sucked down water, ate some bread and literally one oyster .....somehow Gordon ordered oysters for us but there were only 2 on the plate!....and Gordon ordered us both fish and chips for dinner. I wish I had taken a picture of the plate cause you wouldn't believe it, it was literally a whole cod, head, tail and fins, battered and fried on top of a bed of shoestring french fries. OMG! Delicious!
After dinner the six of us managed to make it back to the hotel, only one magnum was drunk and the other went back to Bryan and Ann's room. Gordon and I said our good night's and stumbled off to bed by 9:00p.m! A long wonderful day! And a fitful night's sleep with a belly full of wine and fried food but oh well, it was a great day.
This morning we got up, got showered, dressed and packed. Met Ann and Bryan for a continental breakfast and a stroll downtown Calistoga where we caught up with Mike and Emily and did a little shopping. A hat and 2 shirts for Bryan and a beautiful shawl for Ann. Then we headed into St. Helena for more shopping - love Olivier where we purchased olive oil and balsamic vinegar - a chocolate shop and a little Christmas store. We met up with Tom and Ann and all headed over to a wine broker to taste fantastic Egelhoff Wines - one-of-a-kind wines not available to the general public. How lucky are Gordon and I to know these people who are so in-the-know about wines? Incredible. Anyway we tasted a Riesling to die for and a Napa Cab from '06 and '07 and a Tawney Port that was delicious. THEN we went to Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen for a fantastic lunch on the patio.
We all split up from there and headed back to our separate lives with wonderful memories of yet another incredible adventure with our wine tasting buddies in beautiful Napa. The weekend was just wonderful. Napa is visually stunning rain or shine and the wines produced there are amazing.
But nothing beats the friendship of these wonderful, kind and generous people. Gordon and I are truly blessed with our bounty of friends in California.
Thank you Bryan and Ann for another incredible wine journey. Happy birthday to both of you....we love you so much.
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