Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year 2012

Happiness deep down within.
Serenity with each sunrise.
Success in each facet of your life.
Family beside you.
Close and caring friends.
Health, inside you.
Love that never ends.
Special memories of all the yesterdays.
A bright today with much to be thankful for.
A path that leads to beautiful tomorrows.
Dreams that do their best to come true .
Appreciation of all the wonderful things about you.

An Apple A Day

Ouch. Owen woke up one morning pre Christmas with a sensitivity to hot and cold. He calls the insurance company, his dentist at home and then a dentist in Desert Hot Springs. He visits Dr. Yu and has a consultation and xrays. It is determined that the filling in one of his teeth in the back is 'breaking down' and that he needs to keep an eye on it and come back if it gives him anymore grief. Two days later, eating dinner with June E, out comes a huge chunk of tooth connected to a filling. And you can guess which one.

Well mention dentist in southern CA and a whole raft of people can recommend dentists across the border where the prices are increcible. To have a crown done in the US (and Canada too), I think you are looking, at the very least, $1200. In Mexico, $250. Las Algodones is a 3 hour drive. Upon arrival to this little border town, that thrives on touristas with hawkers selling pharmaceuticals, alcohol and souveniers, we come to a ginormous parking lot. It takes us longer to walk across the parking lot than it takes us to walk across the border into Mexico. Owen is visiting Dra.Laura Quintero. Well, come to find out, there are actually 4 people with varying degrees of education and aptitude that work on him. After much pulling, yarding, jamming and mucking about in Owen's mouth, they sent him on his way but not without a root canal and temporary crown and an appointment to return for a permanent crown. He was also in a lot of pain and was prescribed pain killers and antibiotics.

Long story short. Owen has his root canal but won't return to Mexico for dental work again. Did I mention I had tons of fun shopping for the 2.5 hours Owen sat in the dentist chair?

An evening at the art museum

The Palm Springs Art Museum is lovely. Andrew Wyeth (one of the best known artists of the 20th century) was the guest exhibit. He was an amazing artist. No pictures allowed. But I did take a bunch of photos in the other rooms and exhibits for your visual enjoyment including a Chihuly piece. My favorite is the 1st one shown. I was gobsmacked. She looked so real. Lots of mixed media.

Thrift Store Finds

We are renting a sweet little double wide trailer (shhhh, oops, I keep forgetting the locals like to refer to them as ‘manufactured homes’). It’s old, has character, fresh white paint, new windows and new French doors that open in front of the ninth hole green. This is a great community and we enjoy the folks that live here year round and the snowbirds. Our landlady, Marsha, who resides in Sechelt is decorating in blues, yellows and splashes of red. Cute. Yesterday I went thrift store shopping and the items shown are additions for the house. $20 later and voila!

Keeping Jeremy's memory alive

A note arrived today to touch base, say hello, discuss how the family is, etc. It ended by saying "Nadine, I want you to know, that not a day goes by that I don't think of my dear friend Jeremy. I miss him so much!! You can be proud that you raised a real fine, honest, hard working, and generous and loving man. I shall always miss him! I am grateful to have known him and been his friend." It's notes like these that make me smile and cry and I love the fact that we are keeping Jeremy's memory alive by continuing to discuss our love for him and his for us. Thank you Jim.

Smile

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry ~ give life a thousand reasons to smile.

Green Chili Stew

Had the best homemade organic 'green chili stew' tonight for dinner complete with tortilla's, pinto beans and red sauce on the side. Thanks Charlotte and Char.

A Cultural Day

We've heard about the Tamale Festival since we arrived and so this morning decided to check it out. 160,000 people visit this event annually over two days and it boast the Guinness World Record for biggest tamale. We happened upon Lucy's Tamale Factory who has won awards for the past 3 years. The tamales were tasty little morsels. Unfortunately Owen's didn't agree with him and he has spent the night in bed. It could have been a bug of another kind, but who knows for sure. What are those little traveling carnivals with merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels called? Well they had one of those, music, beer garden, vendors, lots of people and because of the wind, a lot of swirling dust. We didn't stay long.

Art Under the Umbrella

Also on our tour today we visited Art Under the Umbrella at Old Town LaQuinta, a unique old town on the east side of Palm Springs. Some amazing fine art. I met a warm and generous artist by the name of Lauretta Lowell from Palm Desert who did magical assemblage. See her work at whimsicalcuriosities.com. Owen visited and was intrigued by Tom Thornton, a Fine Art Woodworker. See his work at tomthortonwoodworking.com AND Bob Fulton who did garden art and you can see some his work below in the photo of the art balls. Pretty darn cool. I'm meeting with the LQAF on Monday and hope to volunteer with them through the winter.

The LQAF, La Quinta Art Foundation, mission statement; In keeping with our mission of Promoting and Cultivating the Arts,La Quinta Arts Foundation will present an exciting slate of activities for the 2011-2012 Season, celebrating our 30th Anniversary. We are committed to provide innovative cultural events, learning and self enrichment opportunities for Coachella Valley residents and visitors. Creative partnerships with artists, musicians, local business, civic and charitable organizations ensure delivery of successful programs to the community.

Visit their web site at LQAF.com.

Peace Within

"Today may there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and everyone of us."

Be Kind

"Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Rest In Peace

My Mom passed away in February. A year ago this past week I flew to Alaska to visit with Mom for the last time. We had some laughs and we cried. She held me and I held her. And she gave me some sound motherly advise. She said, "Nadine, remember that you will always be able to hold Jeremy in your heart, he is there". She was a wise woman.

Mom wasn't well and she had some good moments and some not so good. I helped her at meal time and I sat with her while she slept in her chair. She was in a lot of pain and it was hard to watch her grimace when she was moved. She appreciated me being there. The family had Thanksgiving together in a special room set aside for us at Heritage Place.

Mothers have an amazing unconditional love. I was not an easy teenager. I know that's hard to beleive. Mom put up with a lot and she was always there. I am a lot like my Mom and I am thankful for that. She had a good heart and she was generous to a fault. Is that possible? I think it's just a cliche but my Mom fit that description.

Years earlier on a road trip Mom showed Karen and I exactly where she wanted her ashes spread. In May, we fulfilled her wish. Karen, Owen and I took her ashes to that special place. She now rests overlooking the Helena valley in Montana. Rest In Peace Mom. I love and miss you.

McDonald Pass - photo by sister Karen

This afternoon, after we finished writing all of our Christmas cards and getting them ready to mail - complete with our Christmas note, I realized that I neglected to mention that very important event in our year. I don't know why. I'm pretty saddened by that because it had a great emotional impact. By adding this to my blog, I know that those of you who read it might understand why, at this time, I have included this story.

$58.50

Now where can you do this for $58.50 in Canada. Nothing like a cool beverage in the heat. Not included are Pineapple Juice and Orange Juice for Bahama Mama's and 6 bottles of San Pellegrino (for yours truly). Okay, maybe yours truly might have a Bahama Mama or two.

Off for a round of golf.

It's in the mid 70's today so we will shoot a round of golf early. We are on a small par 3 executive course. Just right. From the 1st hole, directly across the road (did I mention it's Wisteria Lane - which I have found out is the name of the street for Desperate Housewives) to the 9th hole, ending right in front of our patio door, it will take about 1.5 hours. A good stretch.

Yesterday and the week ahead

Rick and Dawn with the Salton Sea, Palm Springs and San Andreas Fault as a backdrop

A lone Joshua Tree

A happy group of hikers. The rock formations are magnificent.

We didn't do much of anyhing Monday and today we went to Joshua Tree National Park with Rick and Dawn Wildeman from Robert's Creek. What a beautiful day, blue sky and warm temperatures. Lovely walk, good visit and yummy picnic lunch.

I've managed to rise every morning before 7 and walk a couple of miles around the park. It's my favorite time of day and it's good to be getting the exercise no matter what else I do during the day. The mornings in the desert have been cool, the days sunny and warm, and the evenings are cold. We have no complaints.

The rest of the week is full too. We are out for dinner tonight, Thursday and Friday. Thursday is U.S. Thanksgiving and a small intimate group of 7 are having turkey dinner at the neighbours, Char and Charlotte's. Char and Charlotte are a mom and daughter team that are so darn nice. Char and June are my Desert Hot Springs artists in training friends - with art days and art play days ahead.

I will catch up with you again when the whirlwind of activity slows down to days of 'chilling out'. It will no doubt come to a 'dead stop' when June leaves on Sunday for 18 days in Canada and we move next door.

A Whirlwind of Activity

We've been pretty busy 'relaxing' and socializing since our arrival in Desert Hot Springs. As a guest of June Malchoff's until the 1st of December, one quickly adjusts to living with her bubbling personality and her abundance of generosity. Char and Charlotte joined us for dinner the night of our arrival.

June 'E' in the kitchen building our dinner salad.

It sure felt good to be back and be so warmly welcomed. Day one: Owen and I unpacked, washed vehicles and cleaned our 'clubs'.

Day two: 1st round of golf in a year and a much needed hot tub in the evening. Day three: A small dinner party for 6 to celebrate our return. Day four: Off we went to the La Quinta Blues and Brews festival. An event we attended in 2009 and couldn't miss the chance to go again. The Blues - it was fabulous. I think my favorite was Candye Kane (I came home with 2 of her albums) but all the groups were good. 30 different beers to try!

Hundreds of people come out for the LaQuinta Blues Festival.

Owen and George Grafton enjoying the show. A couple of good looking guys.

Candye Kane - tells it like it is.

We were double dipping that day because the next stop was the Happy Wanderer RV Home Park to see Sue and Joe. Sue parents live in the park and we were there to visit, attend the Chili Cook-Off and hear Joe Stanton play in the desert. It was tons of fun. We will not forget the ride home with the 5 of us in the car on Dillion Road - squealing through the roller coaster waves and listening to June make up lyrics to a few new songs for Joe. He did not invite her to co-write for a new album. No surprise.

Joe Stanton playing the Happy Wanderer RV Park

Willie, Hilde, Sue and Joe at the Happy Wanderer Chili Cook Off

Day five: Next morning included a quick shopping trip to K-mart (an experience Joe would probably preferred to have not endured - he is such a good sport), and decorating for June's 'The Canadians Are Back' party. 52+ Hidden Springs Country Club guests spent the afternoon entertained by Joe and a Trivia game with both Canadian and American trivia. The teams were mixed with Yanks and Canucks and a good time was had by all.

Joe, Sue, Nadine, June and Owen - the Canucks of #245 Wisteria Lane