What a difference a day makes!!!

If you've been following this blog at all you must now realize I am the original "Wendy Winer" now that was "winer" as in moaner, groaner, crybaby. NOT, "Weiner" as in lewd and perverted Congressman.

I griped, complained, suffered through the last few months of ongoing rain, grey skies, cold weather (after we had turned our heater off for the year), my plants not getting planted, then after getting planted - getting drenched. Just waiting for the sun to appear and warm us all up a little bit.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!!!

For the last 2 days Mr. Sunny came back to Santa Rosa, CA. It was 89 yesterday and 86 the day before, it's noon right now and it's 83 degrees. So, now of course I'm still "Wendy Winer" but now it's because it's too darn hot!!! Our grandkids have been patiently waiting to jump into the pool - we kept saying "it's too cold", "the water is freezing", "it will warm up soon enough". So yesterday, we take a water sample to the pool place, they declare that it's fine, we take the solar cover off of the pool, and it's GREEN! Kenny tests the water, everything reads "normal" but you can't see the bottom, it's like the green lagoon! The kids come over we tell them "you can't swim". They are MAD!!! Kenny gets in the pool and vacuums and gets the bugs out and declares "if they want to go swimming, they can go". So they jump in and have a great time but today we will be going back to the pool store to see if someone can tell us how the water can test "normal" and still be green.

I went out early this morning and cut some sweet peas. I still don't have many the rain really did a number on them but the "volunteer" bushes that just popped up have been giving me quite a few. I'm just starting to get some other colors so hopefully the heat won't fry them and I'll get a variety. I had my haircut last week and took a vaseful of them to my hairdresser, she was thrilled. They are such a nice little gift, people are always so happy to receive them.

Last week I had lunch with my 3 best friends from work. We have been through thick and thin together (literally, as far as I'm concerned). We had such a great time. Traditionally after school was over every year we went to this one restrauant and had a nice, leisurally lunch (where there were no bells and no interruptions - we worked at a school remember). My friends are Sandi Taber, Linda Walker and Yolanda Silva. The original group was Sandi, Linda and I. We were celebrating because Linda just retired. So we're the "old ladies" of our group. Then this young "whipper-snapper" came to work at our school and she is an "old soul" who became one of "us". She, of course, is Yolo. She's young enough to be all of our daughter's but she just fits with us. Her laugh can make the grouchiest day - better, fun and happy. Here we all are. I'm serious when I say this group of women has been a lifesaver, to each one of us in different ways. We have always been "safe" with each other. Able to share feelings, thoughts, ideas, ask for help, get a hug, share some kleenex, laugh our heads off to the point off wishing we were wearing depends!! I Love these Ladies - it was GREAT getting together.

Just finished another excellent book. Sarah's Key by Tatiana deRosnay. I am convinced that I had former lives and that I was a black slave at one point and a Jewish person during the time of the Holocaust. I know, it sounds weird, but I really believe it. Anyway, I am drawn to both those types of books. I thought I should share that when I'm telling you that I really enjoyed a book. Full disclousure ~ I am NUTS!!!

So, tonight, Matty boy has a playoff game so we'll be out at the ballpark. Let's hope he wins, he wants a trophy!!! Go Diamondbacks!

My thought to leave you with this time is: Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it!

Until next time . . .

I'm Late, I'm Late, for a VERY IMPORTANT DATE!!!!

I am so late in wishing my Zachary a Happy,

Happy 8th Birthday in Grammy's blog. Zachy was

8 on May 23rd. Grammy and Grandpa were up in Reno

having a very good time and Grammy forgot to get Zach's birthday wishes written up before we left. This
picture is of Zachy at his class play, doesn't he look

grown up? This year he is in Rincon Valley Little League in the Peanut league and he really has enjoyed it. He's a little sad about it right now because yesterday was his last game. So I guess, if Summer ever comes to Santa Rosa, he'll be happy to switch to swimming when-ever he can. Zach is a smart, funny, sometimes intense

boy who can keep up with his older brothers. He's taking karate and loves video games. So, a late, Happy ~ Happy ~ Birthday to our Zach-A-Rach-A!!!

We've been busy, last weekend we went up to Redding for the weekend. Our great-nephew Jeremy just graduated from high school. Jeremy has made what I think is a bold decision, he has joined the Air Force and will be leaving for basic training on August 15th. I've always wondered how and why young people join military service and I don't really know Jeremy's reasons but Thank God! the people that join, do so. They are keeping us and a lot of other people safe because men and women have chosen the military as a career path. I personally don't think they are treated with the respect they deserve - both while they are in and then discharged from their service - but that's something I won't get into. But while thinking of Jeremy going into the service - I think "he's so young", "he's not very big", "I'll worry about him". That made me think of Memorial Day and how we take time to remember what our military past and present do for us throughout history. That made me think of the brave men in my family that went off to participate in "The Big One - WWII". So I have pictures to share of my Dad and my Uncles (everyone except for my Uncle Clarence and his son Jimmy, my cousin, who who were both in the Navy, although Jimmy of course, was not in WWII. But I did think of one other uncle who was, my Dad's other brother, my Uncle Kelly who was in the Army and survived an awful march (I want to say through Africa but that doesn't sound right, what would they have to do with WWII?).

This is my Uncle Connie and across from him is his brother, my Dad. Uncle Connie actually was not in WWII he served in the Army after the war was over. My Dad, served aboard ships in the Merchant Marines. Oh, the stories he could tell!!! We grew up hearing the ones that were okay for 4 girls and 7 grandkids to hear!

This is my Uncle Frankie and his twin sister, my Mom (who was not in the war but I couldn't find a picture of Uncle Frankie by himself). Next to them is their little brother, my Uncle Babe. Talk about being too young, look at his baby face! I think he was maybe 18 when he went to war. Uncle Frankie and Uncle Babe also served in the Merchant Marines. So I guess Jeremy is following in an age old tradition - leaving home to see the world! We wish all the best for him and will keep track of him via Facebook. And thus my little tribute to service people, Thank you for keeping us safe!

We are finally enjoying some rainless (is that a word?) weather. The sun kinda creeps through a hazy sky somewhere around noon and it's predicted to be mid 70's for the next 10 days. I'm totally okay with mid 70's (I'm not a fan of extreme heat) but I think my plants would like it a little warmer. They have been water logged. I do have some pictures but trying to put pictures in at this point is really a pain. So next time pictures of my water logged yard and a great picture of my friends I used to work with at Cook Middle School.

Today, we went out to watch our oldest grandson Matt play in a playoff game for his team. It was warm and I sat out in the sun (bad idea when you have white, white skin - but I did put on sunscreen) and his team lost. They have another game next Wednesday, so hopefully they win that game. They will be in a Tournament of Champions later in the month but Matt has been spoiled, they went 16-2 this year so a loss at this stage of the game was hard for him.

I will close for now but just wanted to say I've read some really good books lately - 1) the girl she used to be by David Cristofano 2) The Beach Trees by Karen White 3) Crooked letter, Crooked letter by Tom Franklin. I LOVE to read. Unfortunately, when I read, I do NOTHING else, if I can get away with it.

Let me also just say, thank you for reading my blog. I think there's only about 9 of you, but I really appreciate you taking the time to read it.

My thought to leave you with this time is: Give someone a compliment, say Thank You when maybe you wouldn't ordinarily do so, it takes so little to make someone's day better!!!

Until next time . . .