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!

Computer is fixed...

and now I'm just waiting for it to be returned to me. Apparently the surge took out the power source. While it was being repaired, it got some upgrades and got "cleaned up". I just wanted to pop in and say "hey!", let you know I'm here and miss visiting and chatting.
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer...
"See" you soon!

I'm still here. Really, I am!

OMGosh how I miss blogging and my fellow bloggerinas. I cannot, I repeat, cannot find my program for my camera so that I can upload my photos...blah! and %&#@%^ !!!
How is everyone doing? Are all the kiddies out of school for the summer? My youngest ones finished up last week and my youngest girl graduated HS! That came upon us fast!
I hope everyone is doing well. I am great. Just missing you all.
I am going to try and download a program I found to see if I can use it to start getting pics up again.
We are going on vacation the end of this week. Travelling into Northern California. I cannot wait!
Hugs to all. TTFN!

Hey All!

Just wanted to pop in and say I'm still here :0). We have someone checking out my fried puter too see if and what can be salvaged. In the meantime I have access to this one (yay!). I need to dowload some programs so I can use it for pictures and such and that will take a bit of time but at least I have access.
Just wanted to let you know I miss you and blogging (so much!) and will be "back" asap.

Hugs to all!

My computer was zapped...

A couple of days ago we had a summer storm. There was the usual showers, thunder and lightning. It was actually a welcome storm as we don't get very many around here. As I was sitting in my kitchen I happened to look out the window and saw a lightning bolt strike the power grid just a few blocks away. You guessed it. Our power went out and was out for about two hours. Unfortunately when I tried re-starting our computer, it just wouldn't :0(. I've reset it as well as it's switch and the best it will do is power up, begin to set up Windows and then it suddenly just stops running and goes dead. Obviously there is a problem of sorts and I don't know what it is. I won't be able to take it to the repair shop until next week. So, I"m here but I may not be posting much for a while.

I hope everyone is doing okay.

Outdoor Wednesday--I love the Coast...

It's time for Outdoor Wednesday which is so graciously hosted by Susan @ The Southern Daydreamer. Be sure to pay her a visit and see who else is the "outdoorsy" type.

(*I know I've shared these pics in the past, but I've made so many new blogging friends, I know the pics will be "new" to some)





The infamous highway 46 (FKA highway 466) where actor James Dean lost his life. He was attempting to make that right hand turn onto highway 41.
We take this highway on our way up to the central coast. In the spring, these hills are as green as can be.

Cruising up scenic Highway 1.
You can see the fog rolling in...

And as we were cruising up the highway,
this was the view from my window.
Isn't it awesome
how the clouds mimic the shape/wave
of the ocean waters?
Almost like magic...

Bobbing on the water...

Elephant Seals sunbathing...

Hey! Don't be throwing me
"the fin"!

Mine, Mine, Mine...

High tide...
Isn't it amazing
how the ocean waters
can change the colors
depending on the "day"?
This day was gray and overcast...

This is the picture I have
in my "about me/profile" area.
It is one of my very favorite
spots to just "be"...

Thanks for visiting the coast with me. I sure hope you enjoyed yourself...

Please Keep "our" soldier in prayer...

My nephew Austin.
He's off to Afghanistan...

Prayer for the Safety of a Soldier

Almighty and eternal God,
those who take refuge in you will be glad
and forever will shout for joy.
Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties.
Protect them with the shield of your strength
and keep them safe from all evil and harm.
May the power of your love enable them to return home
in safety, that with all who love them,
they may ever praise you for your loving care.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.