CAMPFIRES, PUPPIES AND HISTORICAL MILLS

Campfire memories are something we all have at some point in our lives. Whether its sitting around telling ghost stories, fish tales or just listening to the crackle of the wood and watching the flames dance. It can also be a first for some of us like our Mom who never had the opportunity to experience the outdoors. Who says you can't experience new things ever when your eighty years old!

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Another first we have all enjoyed is watching Nan and Wayde's little Shih Tzu puppies Angel and Chloe enjoy romping in the grass (which is almost as tall as them) with their Mom Rosie and Dad Rocky (aka. Chewy). Talk about happy campers!

Tugging on Mom's tail

Crazy looking eyes!

Dad steps in to calm things down

The Gangs All Here!

We also visited the historic Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point Oregon. It began operating in 1872 and farmers would traveled from miles away to bring their grain to the mill to have it made into flour. The miller was paid for his services by keeping every seventh bag of flour to sell in the mill's general store. Very interesting little day trip.

		Historical Mill VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

FIRST OF THE SEASON

Today we went on a hike to National Falls and discovered that we were the first people of the season to hike the 1/2 mile trail to the bottom of the falls.  Switchbacks all the way and plenty of snow to tromp through.  Once down at the end of the trail we were rewarded with beautiful sights. 

FISHIN!

Yesterday I went fishing with my hubby and family.  It was the 2nd time in my life that I had ever gone fishing and I was thinking boy is this gonna be boring.  The only consolation would be the floating around on the beautiful Diamond Lake in Oregon with my family and taking in the fabulous views of mountain tops with snow on them and green trees everywhere!  But to my surprise . . .  I caught a fish!  Yep me, the city girl with no experience whatsoever.  It was a 15 inch rainbow trout and thanks to my brother in-law Wayde who rigged up the fishing pole that he loaned me, it was fun and I might try it again.  Here's a picture of my catch, and oh by the way I'm the only one that caught a fish all day long.

Here's some more pics of the family on the party barge doing a little fishin.

 Now that's a happy fisherman!  Glen.

 Nancy - waiting on the elusive trout, and the back of Wayde's head.  I guess we kept him so busy rigging the poles that I didn't get a full on frontal face shot of him - sorry Wayde :-(

 First time boat Captain Mom (Glen and Nan's Mom Lori)

 Pretend fishin - but hey great photo opt.

Here's a picture of the beautiful Diamond Lake Resort www.diamondlake.net.  It reminds me of earlier times and for some reason the movie Dirty Dancing.  I loved that movie.

CAMPING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Well we're on the road again and thoroughly enjoying ourselves.  First we stopped in Lodi California for our annual Mexican Fiesta and Crab Feed with the Vagabundos Del Mar an RV and Boat club we belong to.  Then we left on Sunday and headed back up to Crater Lake were we went last year.  This year we had the sad duty of sprinkling our buddy Todd's ashes and placing a plaque in his memory up on Lookout Mtn.  There is a little dog cemetary up there and boy what a view! 

We also are camping here with my hubby's sister Nancy and her husband Wayde and also Glen's Mom Lori.  Wayde is taking the picture LOL.

More to follow.

TWO FOR THE ROAD AND THE SEA!!!!

Here's a video that Glen put together of our curise to Alaska.  From San Francisco to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Victoria BC and back to San Francisco.  It was an awesome trip.  I hope you enjoy.

EASTER

Geez, I haven't posted a darn thing here lately.  I don't know why other then I guess I just didn't have much to say LOL.  I still don't, but I'm posting anyway just to say happy Easter and hope everyone is having a wonderful time with family and friends. 

ALL ABOUT ME

Why is it that some people always turn everything around to make whatever the subject is "All About Them"?  I don't get it . . . .  I suppose you could say they are very selfish and self center which I would think would be true.  Especially when you are telling them about a family member being hospitalized because of a recent emergency surgery and they say "oh that's no big deal, I had that happen to me years ago"  Really?  No concern or sympathy just turning it around to put the focus on themselves.  I just don't understand people sometimes.  Granted we should put ourselves first in some instances, but we should also have compassion for others occasionally too. 

HIDDEN TALENTS

Isn't it interesting how sometimes we meet people through different events in our lives and never really know them for anything else other then that.  Today I discovered that a person I've recently met in one of the activities I'm involved in is also a very talented artist and painter.  Hey, who knew!  The reason this left such an impression on me is because I would never have seen that talent in this particular person.  I don't know why I thought that, but I did.  So it got me to thinking we all have "hidden talents" that not everyone would know about us unless they knew us really well.  For example my "hidden talent" is that I'm a quilter. Quilting gives me a feeling of doing something that will be around a lot longer then me, and will maybe be passed down from family to family.  I guess it's important to me to not be forgotten.  So the next time you look at someone, ask yourself - I wonder what their hidden talent is, and you might be surprised.  Have a good one.

THE ART OF MANIPULATION

I was just manipulated into making "as many as I like" eye pillows for my Yoga circle leader.  How'd it happen you ask - well during class I said I was going to make myself an eye pillow to use during our relaxation period (Savasana for Yoginis and Yogis - Corpse Pose for others) and she said "Don't buy anything, I've got the material and flaxseed I'll give you".  I'm thinking cool this is great no cost to me and how generous of her.  Then on the way out she says give me a call and I'll give you all material and flaxseed I have and you can make "as many as you like" and then I'll have them for others as they need them.  Sheesh!  Talk about manipulation without even batting an eye LOL.  I'm not saying I'm ungrateful for the free stuff, but I'm just laughing to myself and sharing with all of you how easy it is for some people to manipulate others and for some people like me to be manipulated.  Ah, isn't life grand!

THE DESERT IN WINTER

Last week Glen and I went camping with friends in the desert around Palm Springs.  We were actually in La Quinta just a few miles from Palm Springs, and camped at Lake Cahuilla.  It's a man made lake set up against the foothills and surrounded by beautiful Santa Rosa Mountains.  It was so quiet and peaceful and in the evening the big attraction was sitting in our chairs with our drinks of choice and watching the moon rise - LOL.  It was really awesome though because it was full and rising up over the desert makes it really look huge!  During the day the shadows on the mountains were beautiful as well.  Average temperature during the day was in the high 70's.  The things to do there are fishing and horseback riding.  Neither one of those things are on Glen and I's list of talents so we just vegged.  Our friends did a little fishing but with no success, and the horse camp didn't have a horse in it.  But all in all it was a great trip.  Next trip Vegas on the 31st of this month.  Woo Hoo!

FAMILY

I'm venting now, but I need to get this off my chest. Family! Who says we have to like all of them? I mean just because they are part of your family doesn't mean you have to like them. I've got problems with a couple of people in my family that will remain nameless, but I just don't like them! Just because they were born into a family or came by marriage or whatever doesn't mean I have to like them or they me. Sometimes there are just personality conflicts and I don't think it was meant for us to have to like everyone. One person in my family is so insecure and self centered that I just hate being around them. They can't take a joke or anything like that because they take things personally. You always have to watch what you say which is very annoying especially when you're married to a guy that has a sarcastic sense of humor like my hubby does - LOL. What, like every comment is about them? Give me a break. Then there's another member that is so jealous of me that whenever we're together they always have to make rude comments about my hair, or clothes or what I'm drinking or where I've been. I say I think their jealous just because I can't think of any other reason other then that. I've never done anything to this person. Or for that matter the other one.

I've decided that I am not going to "turn the other cheek" anymore. I mean I'm not going to go looking for an altercation, but I'm also not going to stand by and let them continue to treat me or my immediate family like they have been. They're the ones that suck, not me. Hey, I'm perfect LOL.

There, I've said it, I mean it and that's that. Thank you and good day.

BRAND NEW YEAR

Well it's the beginning of another year 2011 unbelievable how time flies. Last year was a year of traveling and reconnecting with old friends and family. Glen reconnected with his birth mother, which was a really special time for him and her and I got to meet her for the 1st time. I reconnected with an old childhood friend that was really a big part of my childhood memories and another friend from High School. We bought a new 5th wheel trailer and spent Christmas with our son Bryan and his wife Linda Marie in it in Vegas. That was a 1st spending Christmas in Vegas, but it won't be the last. We also have had sorrow this past year with the recent passing of our beloved dog Todd on 20 Dec 2010. Glen's Mom also lost her dog Amy in July and his brother Roger lost his dog last week . . . 2010 wasn't a good year for the Soshea pets :-(

Looking forward in 2011 we have a few trips coming up starting this month meeting friends for a weekend trip in Indio California. Then in February our 40th wedding anniversary, in May we will celebrate it with a cruise to Alaska. More traveling with our annual trip to Lodi for the Vagabundos RV Club Crab Feed then off to Crater Lake for 2 wks. We plan on taking Todd's ashes up there and burying them in a pet cemetary we found on the top of a beautiful mtn. overlooking some spectacular views. Then back home in time to attend our Nephew Neil's wedding on 3 July. After that I'm not sure what we will be doing, but whatever it is it will be fun I'm sure. Cheers and blessings to all.