Science and Bridal Showers

I'll begin this week's post with a photo of one of Bubby's favorite parts of the Condo. Here is her new laundry pair. When you come for a visit you will not only be able to freshen up your wardrobe, you will be required to refresh the towels and bed linens. We have provided the means.



This is Auntie Nell's favorite part of the Condo renewal. She constructed the grow boxes, filled them, brought in the plastic and gravel to beautify them, and has planted vegetables in three out of four. We hope that growing things (besides weeds) flourish in this lovely new setting.



Our readers can get a much more complete explanation of Jake and the Science Fair from Babsy's blog, however, here is our budding scientist with the post-burning nuts. He was very engaged in the project and once we got it rolling, gathering the data only took about 1.5 hours. I haven't seen the final product, but most of our readers will know that his project was selected to go on to the next fair. I guess he wowed the judges with his explanation of the project. That alone makes the effort worthwhile.



Bubby made sure she got a photo of each of the kids while we visited Babsy on Valentine's weekend. Here is Princess Kate, sipping cider (or root beer) through a straw.



This one got washed out by the flash, but Beany spends lots of time holding Miss Maggie. I am sure she is being spoiled, but no one seems concerned.



Of course The Che is ever photo worthy. She has become quite the conversationalist recently. It takes awhile for her to warm up, but once she does, she has lots to say. However, you may need an interpreter. She substitutes "l's" for "r's". So, for example, she announced last weekend that "led glapes were not her favorite, she preferred gleen glapes".



Last Friday night, Bubby and I were in the Condo to deliver Granny's blue couch and love seat and to receive delivery of the new mattress. Its arrival allowed us to spend our first night in the new bed. We did lots of minor chores (hanging pictures, paint touch up, making beds, etc.), and Bubby was able to meet up with Rosalyn and they went together to Maddie's bridal shower on Saturday morning. I wasn't there, so I don't know the players but here is Maddie surrounded by her jealous friends.



I am surprised that Cindy can smile. I am sure the boiling pressure cooker will overflow several times in the weeks ahead. Weddings are lots of stress for everyone except the bride and groom. Bubby says Maddie seems in very good spirits.



Finally, Auntie Karen and Rosalyn enjoy whatever is enjoyable about a wedding shower. I think the ladies had fun. Dan and I entertained his kids by taking them to the Toy Liquidators and out to lunch for soup, salad, and bread sticks at the OG. We certainly enjoyed ourselves.

Buboppy

Valentine Fun

There may be some photos to post, but I don't have the camera, and I do have some time to plunk this out.

We had a pretty good, if busy, weekend. We returned from San Diego, which was just starting to come out of the clouds and rain as we left, late Thursday afternoon. We got home in time to watch Oakland University mop up the floor with our struggling T-Birds (sigh!).

Friday was busy, but first days back are always so. It was Barbara's birthday, so I stopped at Lin's on my way to work and bought her one of her favorite guilty pleasures, a fresh apple fritter, still warm and sticky with glaze. I placed it (with festive heart-shaped candle) and a bottle of chocolate milk on her blotter just before her arrival. My surprise was somewhat diminished by Rhonda's decision to bring in a dozen donuts for Barb to share on her special day. Oh well, great minds, etc., etc.

Bubby and I went to the High Priest's social on Friday evening. They had planned a lovely dinner for all of us with entertainment that included music through the centuries from ragtime to reggae. While some of the music acts needed some serious practice, in general it was a fun evening. Bubby loved the dinner, which included a sweet potato souffle.

On Saturday, you guessed it, it was condo time. We hauled the twin bed out of the purple room, along with sundry other items and arrived before 7:00. We had lots on our agenda and kept pretty busy. I painted the remaining bathroom and bedroom bifold doors. Bubb mopped all of the floors, put her bathrooms together, and Murphey's oil soaped the kitchen cabinets (she can tell you just how many there are). The washer and dryer were delivered and installed in the AM, and we bought a mattress and box spring set for the master bedroom. It won't be delivered until the 19th, but that is OK. We also decided to look at a matching dresser to the bed. We got a screaming deal on a damaged one, however, it was so heavy we had to call on Paul to help us get it into the condo. It looks good, and makes a great resting place for our new flat panel TV in the master bedroom. The condo is getting close to being ready for occasional occupation. We will be there on Friday to meet the mattress delivery and then we'll spend our first night. Bubby has a wedding shower on Saturday AM. If Rosalyn comes down, Dan and I can entertain the kids at the condo while we wait.

We treated ourselves to a shared tostado grande at Ernesto's before returning to Cedar City. We made the second half of the women's game, and witnessed the demise of our men's team, as well. It was an overtime event, but they ran out of gas at a critical time. Bubby and I were bushed, so we crashed after the game.

We didn't even roll over until almost 6:00 AM on Sunday. Of course, that put us behind the old eight ball. We were due in SLC as quickly as possible, so we scurried around, and were on the road by 6:30. We arrived at Babsy's a little before 10, and were treated to strawberries and waffles. We went to church with the family, and enjoyed a lovely valentine dinner that included Dan and Drewfy, who drove up for the afternoon. What a relaxing time.

On Monday morning, Bubb was ready to go. As soon as Maggie got her morning tankful, we headed to Winn Co and did a little shopping. Bubby and Babsy are working on a shower gift and they needed supplies. We stopped by Einstein's and bought a bucket full of the favored family breakfast. I watched Jake-a-Body consume nearly three of them smeared with honey-almond cream cheese. We had time to take Beany shopping at the Nordstrom Rack for a pair of birthday shoes and Bubby to TJ Mac (as she calls it) and Tuesday morning. She bought some condo bedding, and then we hurried back to Babsy.

We had time to help Jake with his science fair project which involved weighing various kinds of nuts on the triple-beam balance I brought up, burning them on an elaborate apparatus designed by his Dad, and then reweighing them. It took almost two hours, but when we left, Jake had the data he needs to complete his project. I am sure there will be lots left to do as they get ready for the science fair early next week.

Our drive home was uneventful. Bubb and I are listening to "The Help". I have already heard it, but I knew that she would enjoy it. We are about half way, and she turned to me as we were entering Cedar City yesterday and said, "This is good. Do you want to just keep going?" Of course, we didn't. Bubb went to Music Arts to see La Traviata, and I went to watch our women's basketball team get beat by Oakland. Maybe I should have gone to the opera.

Great to be home, if only for a few days.

Buboppy

Sunday in San Diego

On Sunday morning, we thought we would be going to the Midway, a USN vessel docked in San Diego, however, others asked us to join them in attending church in the San Diego 1st Ward. We had a van full and enjoyed the meetings. Upon our return, we quickly changed and then joined the group for lunch at Pizza Nova on Harbor Drive. Have Bubby tell you about their wonderful house salad. Pictured here are three of four of the church ladies. Don't you think they could be sisters. We have been having a wonderful time with this group.



Following the lunch, Bubb posed at the fountain overlooking the harbor and some pretty impressive floating toys. The weather was breezy and cool, but sunny and enjoyable.



We drove up to Point Loma and then Cabrillo National Monument. Here is one vantage point of the view. It was absolutely gorgeous. Hard to believe that all of these people in this place could still inspire one's imagination.



We drove down to the tide pools, and although it was high tide, and there wasn't much marine life in view, we enjoyed the ocean, the waves crashing on the beach, and the opportunity to interact with a geological volunteer who gave us the rundown on the local geology. Very interesting. I even bought a book that I can refer to later.



Of course Bubb insisted that I pose with her. I should have thrown it away, but she says there are too few photos with both of us in them. The way I see it, this is one too many. She looks great, though.



This is the Point Loma lighthouse. A really pretty sight in the dwindling evening sun. We had a great day yesterday. The opening social was held around "stupid bowl" festivities, so it wasn't much. The food bland and uninspired, but it did save us from going out to dinner.

Buboppy

San Diego Zoo

We went to the Zoo this morning. It looked like last night's rain might be over when we started.



One of the first things that greets you when you enter through the gates is a pond with ducks and more importantly, flamingos. Their coloration is quick beautiful.



We found these monkey's huddled together trying to stay warm. They had their babies tucked in between them.



The big deal at the Zoo was the pandas. Here is a momma panda with her baby relaxing in the trees.



Speaking of relaxing, this guy found a fork in a tree that was just his size, and slept through all of our photos and laughter.



Of course, the rain did come, and it really rained. Most of the group was not prepared, although Bubb and I had taken our umbrellas.



We walked back to our cars, stopped at Trader Joe's for "supplies" and then went back to our motel for dry clothes. We decided to try the Studio Diner for lunch (a DDD spot).



Here is Bubb posing with the menu. The place was busy, of course, but they found us seating on an outdoor patio. The rain slackened a little, and there were propane heats, so we had a nice meal.



Of course, the portions were huge. Bubb ordered fish and chips, and this was the fish. I had a really good BLT. The group enjoyed the spot, and, of course, the rain only made our day's adventure more memorable.

Buboppy

Sarah is Dying to See

After all of the talk about the condo, Sarah has been begging to see photos. We took these last Saturady, but I am just getting around to posting. Here is Bubby taking a photo of the master bedroom. The mirror was something that she didn't count on.



We replaced the gate, and the old and fence material is now part of the grow-boxes that Aunt Nellie is working on.



Bubb found this slightly damaged dining room set, and we moved it in last Saturday. It is too big for the vinyl, os it will have to reside on carpet. Kids will have to be really careful, or eat at the bar.



This bed is super substantial and really does look nice. It has a slight ding in it as well, although I challenge our readers to find it. We are shopping for a mattress, and will soon complete this project.



Finally, last Saturday night, SUU played UMKC in the Centrum. Daniel brought the whole family, and Drewfy got to have his photo taken with Thor, the T-Bird. I am not sure how he feels about it, but he did pose for the photo.

We had a pleasant and uneventful ride to San Diego. I'll post photos from our trip to the Zoo this afternoon.

Buboppy