MOYNA'S RAMBLINGS (10)

It's been quite a while - a really LONG time since my last post, but here I am!
We just returned last week from two weeks in California visiting family & friends. As usual, we didn't get to see everyone that we had hoped to see. I wanted to see a friend I had grown-up with - Judy, but wasn't able. My mother saw to that... She wanted us to spend all of our time there at the house. She wasn't too happy that I did see some friends, but I told her I had made plans for getting together before our trip out there. So, except for a couple times, we just laid low at my parents' home.

My father turned 89 in April & my mother turned 83 in May. They are beginning to show their age some. My father isn't as steady on his feet when he first gets up from sitting, but his mind is still sharp. My mother's memory isn't quite as sharp, but she's still pretty spry - she out does me despite the fact she keeps saying she's getting old! They bicker quite a bit; Fred & I wonder if that's how we will be after 65 years of marriage - then I will say, "We won't be around to see our 65th wedding anniversary!" Actually, Fred will be sitting in his chair asleep (pretending to be reading) and I will be watching TV - the routine we now have!

We took my mother to San Diego to visit my brother Marty & his family. We had the best time there! When I was growing up, I always wanted to live in San Diego. How did I go from that dream to living in Alabama?! Anyway, the city has grown sooooo much, it doesn't have the appeal it did when I was younger. The weather is great, but there are just so many people!! Our visit was really nice. Our niece Jaime is now engaged to a man named James. They have been together since she was about 15 (she's now 30), so everyone is thrilled that they are FINALLY going to get married! Jaime has always wanted to get married in Hawaii, so they will probably have a small wedding there sometime in January of 2008. Our nephew Eric is doing well. He just bought his first home - a condo - just a few blocks from Marty & Nancy. He got what he says is a great deal on it - at least according to California standards... Jaime & James also have a home not too far from Marty & Nancy, so the entire family is still close enough to run to each other's place at any time! During our visit, Nancy's sister Marge came by to visit. It's always great to see her - she's a lively character that you just can't help but like!!

After two weeks, our visit came to an end. Needless to say, I was ready to head HOME - to my own chair & my own bed. We headed to Sacramento to catch the 'red eye' back to B'ham. While going through the checkpoint at the airport, they saw something on the x-ray in my carry-on and pulled it. The lady took out 2 brand new jars of body cream that I had purchased from a friend named Kim while visiting in Modesto. She (the lady) said the jars weren't allowed. When I asked why, since the airport recording says, "No liquids, gels or aerosols," she replied that the jars weigh more than 3 ounces (each). So, into the bin they went. Needless to say, I WAS NOT HAPPY...!!! And I believe someone that works at that airport is now enjoying those body creams!! Other than that, we made it home without further incident.

After dropping me off at home, Fred & Freddy went to pick up the other 2 members of our family - Webster & Doo-Rail, our cats. For 2 weeks of boarding, their yearly shots & exam, and a new bottle of insulin for Doo-Rail, our vet bill was just under $700!!!!!!! I told Fred that was pretty much the most expensive part of our trip; we can't afford to board them more than once every couple of years! They were happy to be home, though, and seemed to adjust to being back here a lot easier than they have when previously boarded.

Freddy went back to Georgia last Friday to catch-up on his bill paying. Fred is doing work for his job & I'm trying to do as little as possible until next week! Then I will get busy. We miss the California weather; it was hot while we were there - 104 was the highest temperature, but the air is dry. We're back where the humidity is so high that you sweat while you're in the shower - aahhh, the South in the good old summertime!! Who WOULDN'T WANT to live here?!!

That's it for this rambling...'til later.