Sat. Dec. 7, 2013 - Snow shower at Katrinas

We drove in to spend the night at Kelly's house last night because it is COLD here and because we wanted a chance to visit with Eric and Claudia once more before they take off for Mexico.

I made a pot of chili and Eric made corn bread and salad for dinner last night.

Today we drove up to Auburn to have breakfast at Katrina with Eric and Claudia
 and Claudia got to see her first snow shower since childhood.

Thurs. Dec. 5, 2013 - COLD SNAP

It is so cold we are taking steps to keep the pipes from breaking at night - drain the tanks, etc.  But it was warm inside - we had turkey noodle casserole and salad for dinner.  Yum!

We decided NOT to fix the bug.  I put an add on Craig's list and sold it for a fair price for a vehicle with no transmission to a guy who knew how to fix it.  Good for all.  Now we are a one car family.

Wed. Dec. 4, 2013 - PEO and sleepover, Hats and taps

Last night Mike stayed home with the four kids.  They had another home cooked feast in the motorhome, then played pool in the family lodge. 

I drove in to Auburn to attend a Chapter XC PEO meeting at Chris's house, then had a sleepover at Rich and Dollie's house.  Dang!  I forgot to take a picture:(

I drove down to Visit with Dad this afternoon.  Connie, Eric and Claudia were there,

too, and we were all treated to a tap dance show by two members

                                                  of the Hats and Taps tap dancer troup.  

Christmas tunes.  Very fun

Tues. Dec. 3, 2013 - Cozy dinner and a show at home

Both sons and their girlfriends came for a visit

We had turkey soup and salad inside for dinner because the weather is turning cold.

Then had a fire and were serenaded by Eric and Curt on guitar and ukulele 

 

 

Mon. Dec. 2, 2013 - Bye Bye Bug

I had the bug towed to Auburn Autohaus and sad, but true, learned the transmission is shot. 

Sun. Dec. 1, 2013 - Living in a van down by the River

Today we moved to a new spot - the old one was good, but this one has a lovely riverfront setting.

Weekenders were leaving, so we scarfed it up mid-morning while we had the chance.

Sat. Nov. 30, 2013 - visit with the kids

Today we drove in to Auburn ( in the Jeep of course ) for breakfast, visit with Mom T, a work session at the Auburn library and then to Kelly's house where Curt and Sarah are staying tonight. They had just finished decking out the new cab and organizing their stuff and were looking very comfortable.

 We visited with them and Kelly's family who are here for the weekend, then went off to have dinner with Eric and Claudia at Cha Cha's in Rocklin.

All us Tomczaks are doing well.

 

Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 - Not such a happy day

Today we stayed in the park and decided to go for a short drive in my bug to explore the larger area. It felt like we ran over something, but there was nothing in the road, and then it got really clunky.  BUMMER!!!!  I called the tow truck

and had it towed to my favorite mechanic  - Auburn Autohaus in Auburn.

We took it easy at the park for the rest of the day and had a delicious 2nd play of yesterday's Thanksgiving dinner.

 

Happy Thanksgiving

It WAS a Happy Thanksgiving.   There were 18 people for dinner - 17 of whom were related to Dad and Connie directly or by marriage and we all like our in-laws:)

Eric and Claudia arrived  - first sighting of them since early October. 

Tues. Nov 26, 2013 - Placerville

On Monday we stayed in the park - lots to eat and a new park to explore.  Today we drove in to Placerville to get lunch at Z Pie

and work for the afternoon at a new library - Eldorado County Placerville branch.  Tonight we started a new Netflix TV series - Breaking Bad.  Scary but captivating.

Sun., Nov 24, 2013 - Happy Birthday Mom T

We made a quiche and salad for dinner and drove in to Auburn to visit with mom T and celebrate her birthday in the private dining room at Auburn Ravine terrace.   

Curt was happy to be with us:)

and Sarah:)

 

Happy Birthday, Mom.

 

Sat. Nov. 23, 2013 - Ponderosa Resort

Today we moved the motor home from Thunder Valley up to Auburn where we visited with Mikes mom and did some local errands before moving on to our next Thousand Trails resort just north of Coloma on Hwy 49.  About a 30 minute drive from Auburn. 

It was nearly dark when we arrived - the days are really SHORT now.  We had a relaxing evening at home, moving in to our new spot for the net three weeks.

Fri. Nov 22, 2013 - Curt and Sarah

We hung at Kelly's house today because we got a chance to meet Curt's girlfriend Sarah

 

and visit with them both for a while as they took care of internet needs and car errands at Kelly's house before taking off to visit with local friends. 

 

Have a great day and enjoy that new car, Curt!
We hung at Kelly's house today, Mike brought in dinner tonight to cook for Kelly, Glenda and us, and we relaxed and watched some TV - a treat for us!

Thurs. Nov 21, 2013 - James, Jim and Jimmy Dempsey

We ha another three hours to go before arriving in Sacrament where we stopped at Cal Expo to unhitch so I could go visit with Jim senior at Rowena Palms.  I showed him the picture I borrowed from Jimmy III to hang on his wall, but took the picture with me to share with Kelly, Glenda, Curt and Sarah at Kelly house where we had a delicious crab and shrimp pasta dinner in honor and memory of my brother, Jim Jr.

 

Wed. Nov 20, 2013 - Slow travel Day

We had breakfast with Roger and Michal, then spent a couple hours at Courtyard by Marriott, so we got a late morning start.  It was grey and rainy as we drove up Highway 101, cut over to I5 above Paso Robles and didn't quite make it to our destination at Santa Nella for dinner at Andersons.  Instead, we had the rest of our leftovers and a salad in a rest area parking lot at crashed for the night.

Tues. Nov 19, 2013 - Camarillo, CA

This morning Mary shuttled me back to the South Carlsbad Beach 

where mike was packing up to leave the now empty campground

with a beautiful view of the ocean

We drove for about 3 hours and arrived at Camarillo about 3:00 where we spent the rest of the afternoon at Courtyard by Marriott ( we remembered this spot from when we were here in April ) then went to have a nice leg of lamb dinner  from Roger

and an evening visit with Roger, Michal and Toki.

Very nice sleepover accommodations, too! 

Mon. Nov. 18, 2013 - Visit with mary

Today Mike and I worked in the AM at Starbucks near our campground, had a quick and healthy lunch at Mozy's on the Coast Highway, then had another work session at the unbelievably beautiful Encinitas City Library.  There is about a 100 foot deck and lots of seating with plugs out there and along the windows on the inside.  Very nice view of the ocean from the deck.

 

All done with work - 

 Mike dropped me off at Mary's house a short drive away.

 

 

 

We had a short Hudson sighting

and we prepared for the dinner out with Mary's ( and now my)  TNT lady friends where the monthly meeting was at Laura's house.

Sun. Nov 17, 2013 - Encinitas Farmers Market

I spent the night at Mary's house last night - we had some catching up to do since it has been seven months since our last visit.  This morning Mary cooked a delicious veggie scramble for us for breakfast then took me to the Encinitas farmers market to meet up with Mike for the day.

We really like this market - a good blend between the true farmer's market in Sacramento and the prepared food - farmer's market in San Francisco at the Ferry Building.  Mike got a veggie slider for lunch at Annel and Drew's Kitchen

 

 

 

Sat. Nov 16, 2013 - Palm Desert to Carlsbad

Today we enjoyed the lovely desert morning

and our site at Thousand Trails Palm Desert

where I was able to pick a grapefruit from a park tree for my morning fruit smoothie breakfast drink.

 

Then we headed off into the fog rolling over the mountains between Palm Springs and the LA basin where it got really cold really quick, but by the time we made it to Carlsbad, the sun was out and it was a lovely evening. 

 

Mike and I drove to Mary's house to relax and enjoy a delicious home cooked meal, then we got settled into a campsite at South Carlsbad State Beach because the city recently changed the rules about street parking, so we didn't feel safe at the spot we have parked in the last several time we were here.  Good news is the state park is right on the ocean - very nice!

 

Fri. Nov 15, 2013 - Team 1010 producer James Domeski

This morning I joined several other crafters at the weekly craft sale at the Recreation hall.  We set up outdoors on the deck to enjoy the lovely weather ( plus there was an exercise group meeting inside) and offered up my knitted items for sale until 1;00 - there was not much traffic, but I enjoyed the relaxing time knitting and visiting with the other ladies.

In the afternoon, we went to lunch and then to Starbucks for another work session. 

Highlight of the day was the evening - we went to pick Jimmy up from his work at 6:45.

                                                
                                                    He gave us a tour of the radio studio

 

 where he works on production of the Team 1010  - KXPS sport talk radio show, check it out at AM 1010 in Palm Desert

                                      

Finally, we went to watch the Pistons play ( and beat) the Kings at the Beer Hunter - Monique was working tonight, and she set us up at a prime table and put OUR game on the biggest screen in front of that table - with the sound and everything. 

Deluxe treatment.  Good food.  Very nice night. 

 

Thurs. Nov 14, 2013 - Happy Birthday, Mom Dempsey

We woke up in beautiful Thousand Trails RV Resort in Palm Desert. 

Didn't stay there long, though - we went to find a place to work, get lunch and discover yet another library - this one in Indio.

Tonight we met up with Jimmy and Monique at the Beer Hunter sports bar and restaurant where Monique works.  We met their Palm Desert family, cousin Tami and niece Jennifer.

 We had a really nice visit while honoring the memory of my mom on her birthday.  She would have approved the venue where we could watch any number of college and professional sports games on the dozens of TVs in the house.  Monique has made it her mission to learn how to keep all the snow-bird sports fans happy by setting them up so they can view their favorite team from their tables.

Wed. Nov 13, 2013 - Las Vegas to Palm Desert

We got out of Las Vegas about 11:30 and drove through the Mojave Desert -

where we were welcomed back to California at a highway rest stop that was actually a small visitor's center about the desert and California.   We arrived at our Thousand trail - Palm Desert destination about 6:15 and spent no time in the park tonight because we had the pleasure of meeting up with Roger and Jeannie  

at their house and for dinner out.  They have a lovely home and we enjoyed catching up with each other's activities since they moved away from Lake of the Pines almost 3 years ago.