First day back on the job

It's the first day back in the saddle caring for Gavin.  We had a great time during the holidays, but we missed our little pumpkin so much.
Today was a beautiful Southern California day in the 70s. Hearing all the horrifying stories in the media about the cold in the middle and northern parts of the land, we feel very blessed.
Anyhow, be that as it may, we spent most of the day in the garden planting and cleaning up.
Gavin was a great help.

First, he did some ground work,

then he worked on the irrigation system with me,

while Patricia entertained herself sifting horse shit for great fertilizer.

Patricia also got all the new hydroponic bins set up, so we could grow more lettuce and other leafy greens.

We have four bins of lettuce, to accommodate 2 couples, and some spinach and mache,
another type of lettuce, have just been planted.

The system is quite simple. Bins with lids, 2" holes on the lid to seat 2" net pots (from Carlsbad Hydroponics) and a 'Jiffy' pellet in each pot.  Add a nutrient and fill the bin with water to touch the net pot.  Plant your seeds, and Voila.

The seeds sprout in 4-7 days; roots seek the water and produce lots of fresh greens
 for months - winter months - and throughout the year.

Patricia also cut up new potatoes with sprouted eyes for planting. We will have a great variety of potatoes this year (Yukon Gold, French Fingerlings, German Butterball, and all Red).
In the meantime, Gavin was trying to close the green waste bin.

He just has to grow a bit more.

Then he was ready for a BBQ after a day's work well done.

Fun day

We invited Aariel and Gavin over to visit us at our present home to have some fun.

After a lunch of homemade Indian food, some left over from our dinner evening with Wendy and Tom last night, we went for a walk, but first Aariel wanted to try out the high wire.

Mother still holds her hand for balance.

While I'm trying to explain to Gavin how to stand on the rope without success.

It was time for a short walk on somewhat level ground.

At first, we tried the easy way.

Guess who wanted to work by himself? A metaphor for life?

Oma to the rescue - another metaphor?

After they left, it was time for us to play, and this is what showed up.

Patricia nailed me hands down,

even though I was planning every move.

As the evening wore on, I got more confident, and suggested Patricia stand in front of the dart board, but that didn't happened.

Almost a bulls eye

Most of mine stayed on the board.

Fun was had by all, or at least we like to think so.  All in all a great start to the year and a fun afternoon with our kids.

Ok Ok here it is

Natalie has been pestering me to update the progress of Aariel's front yard; so here are pictures of our substantial effort.

First, I had to make sure that all the piping is ok. Even though

I am not using the old system as it is, all has to be watertight.

Then we had to get rid of the old grass, 

but first we had to bash off the soil and take off the plastic mesh backing.  Did you know that sod is grown  in/on/with a fine green plastic netting  - which has to be removed before disposing of said sod at some recycling stations?  A major pain.

Mind you, Aariel does not stop just because baby needs to sleep.

The plot needs to be nicely leveled,

and the plants need to be placed by our top designer.

We do need a break on occasion; it's hot in this Southern California sun.

 For some, mulching is the fun part.

 In the end, all got done, and now Patricia can do more of her
magic with all the little things in between. 

Who else wants their front or backyard designed by Patricia?

Wow what a ride

The New Year has started, and I have had almost no time to finish the old one.  I could easily have used another month.
Counting backwards, on the last day of 2012, we saw Nicole and Daireus off to their new home in Denver, Colorado.  We wish them all the happiness and may their dreams come true.

Daireus, Patricia and Nicole

Daireus, Nicole and her parents, Ken and Tracy

This year was Gavin's first Christmas, one of many firsts to come.

OK what am I supposed to do now?

Aariel and Oma feeding Gavin

Patricia is now officially retired.  December 21 was her last day at GENI, and I think she will have fond memories of the many years spend there interacting with all the young people from all over the world.

On her last day, some of Patricia's pictures were projected on all the screens

Patricia in the hot-seat, telling her side of her story.

We spent a few great months with our friends Whitney and Don in University Heights. We discovered it's a bit different than living in the burbs.

Don & Whitney

Then there was Mom's 96th Birthday. We went to see her in Fallon, Nevada, and had a great time staying with Patricia's sister, Barbara, and George.

Pretty good for 96, and it has all to do with genes and lots of walking

The sister act, Barbara and Patricia

On this trip, Patricia wanted to show me San Francisco.  We loved spending three great days there, just hanging out and experiencing the town.

Patricia is in paradise at Britex, four floors of fabrics and notions.

Of course, we do need to take photos for the memories

Here she is, living dangerously

On September 22, Daireus and Nicole promised to spend their life's together, and what a party it was.

They made it

Then there was, for us, the most important event of this century, the birth of Gavin Fischer Paradee, a gift to all of us.  Please note the middle name:>)

Gavin graced the world on September 16, 6 1/2 weeks early.

Arriving at home at last, almost too small for the car seat.

Introduction to the family, he seems to take it in stride.

These are only the last four months.  All in all a busy year, and if you follow the blog, you got most of what happened earlier in the year.
We wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous 2013.
Stay in touch; we love to hear from you.

Thanksgiving

Giving thanks surely is an international thing, and to make it a holiday is a typical American thing.
Yesterday, we had a great day with our new family eating, drinking and being thankful.
Most of all, we are thankful for our new grandson, Gavin.  Patricia is seeing new expressions and better eye contact every time she holds him.

One day this pictures will be shown to his girlfriends

It was a very relaxing and gorgeous day. The weather was totally Southern California style, sunshine and 70ish.  Best of all, we didn't have to do all the cooking for the feast of the day.  Aariel claimed that privilege this year and did a fabulous job.

Turkey and all that goes with it.

There is a new turkey carver in town who's doing a fine job.

 Finally, it is time to sit around the table and stuff ourselves.  This year, the turkey didn't get stuffed; we did the stuffing in the slow-cooker; it tasted great, and the turkey cooked without drying out.

Not to worry; the dogs aren't going to be forgotten.  In fact, I took them
for four walks, and they got some Turkey scraps as well. 

So now the serious business of Silly Season, as we call it in Australia, can start.
In concluding, I want to thank Patricia for editing my Blog to make it easier for everyone to read and, of course, thanks to anyone coming across this blog, reading it, leaving comments and coming back time-and-again.

Today is the day

Aariel and Ryan are on their way home from the hospital with baby Gavin. I have instructed the dogs about the situation, like "from now on, you will live outdoors more than indoors," and so forth.

Not sure why we are outside.

Everyone is very excited; after all, this little being will shape a big part of our lives from now on.

With the extra padding, Gavin fits perfectly in his car seat.

Now that Gavin is home, we all can have a go at holding him without a lot is tubes and wires attached.

First, it's Daddy Ryan's turn with his nice surfboard ding on the nose!

Then it is Momma Aariel's turn.

Then Ohma Patricia 

And not to forget one for Ohpa.  I think he will have my eyebrows.

It's time to introduce him to Sasha, who barely notices him,

and Banjo, who is more interested in having his own ears scratched than noticing the baby.

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The only one missing here is Coconut, the cat. She is hiding somewhere as normal.
Now the fun begins.
I love our family.