Remember that half the joy of achievement is in the anticipation.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Re-introducing....

Myself!
My name is Rechelle. Remember me? Of course you do! I have to tell you, I have MISSED you all and have really MISSED blogging too. When the computer blew I really went through with drawls because I didn't get my daily dose of computer and blogging time. The pro's of not having a computer that was easily accessible was that I had a cleaner house, I caught up on some reading and spent lots of time swimming with the kids :0)
I know it has been beyond "a long time" since I've been here but I tell you, who knew computer issues could run so deep? After it's repair, all the settings needed to be "tweaked and refined". I have an ancient monitor and I tell you getting the screen resolution to mesh with the settings was a big pain in my big old butt! No joke!
Just a quick update.
My youngest girl graduated High School... and my youngest "guys" officially began their summer in the second week of June.
We are enjoying our summer. The third week of June we took a family vacation into Northern California. Wouldn't you know "they" were experiencing a heatwave and temps were over 100 degrees the four days we were there. Of course, Murphy had to strike...as in "Murphy's Law". As we are rolling through Sacramento where the temps were 105 at the time, the air conditioning in the rear of the good "old" minivan decided to take a dump and stopped working. Okay, fine. The remaining hour on the road was hot and horrible but we reached our destination just a little bit worse for the wear...but we did manage to see sights anyway.
We took the kids to Coloma to Sutter's Mill where they panned for gold and learned about the California Gold Rush.
The Mill...The American River...
Tools of the
"panning for gold"
trade...



We also drove into Old Town Sacramento (had all ready found an a/c joint to give the a/c a re-charge) and visited the Train museum. We're talking "full size locomotives, rail cars, and dining cars". It is a wonderful place to visit to familiarize "oneself" with the history of the train and it's railways.
(sorry about the quality. They're dark, but if you click on any pic you can enlarge them for a better "view")
Overlooking the trains...


We then travelled south to my "favorite place" and if you've been following my blog you all ready know that my favorite place (aside from Disneyland) is the central coast. We spent three days on the coast just lazing about on the beaches, enjoying the small coastal towns and just enjoying the time we had together. Being that our youngest girl begins College this fall we knew that this would probably be our last "true" vacation where she was able to "come along".

Love the ocean...

Checking out the tide pools...

We love the beach!!!
Ahhh, it's a clump of sea weed trying to get me!

We also celebrated my eldest girl's 24th birthday with a yummy dinner of green chicken enchiladas and a rather tasty lemon cooler cake from Costco. These "lazy days of summer" are proving to be rather busy ones instead. We've been enjoying our local library and checking out books, renting dvd's, and next Monday my youngest two (the guys) will begin a round of swimming lessons that their "Tata and Nana Max" gifted them with just today.

So now you are all caught up (pfew!). Be sure to let me know you were here! I'll "see" you soon as I begin to make my rounds and re-acquaint myself with everyone of you!

18 comments:

Connie said...

Nice to have you back, sweetpea! I looooove the Calif. gold country!!!!
xoxo,
Connie

Linda said...

Rechelle welcome back, I've missed you.

Your summer is off to a wonderful start, loved all the pictures especilly the beach ones.

The heat is back in the valley, 104 today...hugs, Linda

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Rechelle,
I'm also glad that you are back...at least you had fun during your computer breakdown!!
Love the Ocean!!
Warmly,
Deb :)

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Rechelle...

Girl, sooooo good to see you!!! I've missed you!!! So glad that you have your computer back and working! It's sounds like you've been really busy though...enjoying your family and summer break!!!

Your vacation to Sacramento looked like so much fun...the countryside shown in your photos is just gorgeous! Love all the beautiful beach photos too!!!

Well my friend, so happy to see you and hear from you!!! Come by and see me when you get a chance!

Warmest wishes,
Chari

Krysten said...

Sounds like you all are having a great summer!

Keetha Broyles said...

Welcome back!!!

BTW - - - my oldest daughter's middle name is Rachelle.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

We used to live near Coloma - in Lotus - a zillion years ago when I was a kid. I remember we'd go down to the gold place and play a lot. Sounds like you had a good vacation - even with the AC problems.

Laura said...

Glad you're back!
We missed you-

Laura

Donna said...

Welcome back to Bloggyville! :)

Traci @ The Bakery said...

Oh how I've missed YOU!!! I think I feel a tear welling up in my little eye.....

WELCOME HOME!!!

Anonymous said...

I join in with all the rest in welcoming you back - we missed you!

Neabear said...

What a fun trip you guys had! We have been to Old Town Sacramento several times and also to the Train Museum. How cool. Hubby and I should go there again. But not when it is so hot. Glad you had a safe trip.

LINDA BYLSMA said...

I was just thinking about you the other day, wondering where you had been. So glad to have you back. You've had a busy, fun time.

Michele said...

Hi Rechelle ~ I'm glad you're back! Sounds like vacation was fun...but that temperature doesn't sound fun at all!!!

Hugz,
Michele

Rhonda Splear said...

Sooooo glad you are back online!! I agree that time away from the computer can be wonderful, and help you get lots done (goodness knows I need to turn it off and walk away more!)...but we miss you when you are gone! =)

jeanne said...

Hello Rechelle, I sure enjoyed your post today. It looks like you had a great vacation on both accounts. I have been on the central CA coast and it is awesome. I always love history and the panning for gold pics and history looks like a great new learning experience. Your summer sounds delightful.

Happy birthday to your daughter. You are right about vacations when your children are grown. It changes everything. I miss those fun vacations, but a good memory is always a wonderful thing. I love looking at our albums from those days.

Have a happy day. I'm loving your music!!!

Hugs...Jeanne

Eleanor said...

So pleased you are back and indeed I have caught up on your summer. It is just awful when the PC gives problems.

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Hi Rechelle! Wow, you've been busy!
Sorry to hear you had pc issues and AC issues! Looks like you've had a wonderful summer despite that.
Beautiful pics! Best wishes to your daughter this fall~

Welocme back!