20 Years Ago

In October of 1989, I moved to San Francisco and started a new job with MCI Telecommunications. I worked in the above pictured building on the 6th floor. The view from my cubicle was of the Bay Bridge, pictured below.

I started my new job on October 17, 1989. At approximately 5:04 p.m. as I was packing my things to head home, the building made a big jump and then started swaying dramatically back and forth. As the building jumped and rocked back and forth, I stood in a door jam and stared out the window at the Bay Bridge. The experience was quite breathtaking, both physically and visually.

I wasn't quite sure if this was a common occurrence and if it was, I certainly wasn't sure if I would be staying around to experience another. Once the shaking stopped, I learned that this was something very out of the ordinary. Something that doesn't occur regularly and hopefully won't happen anytime soon with the same magnetism. At any rate, I'm scratching my head now wondering how 20 years has slipped by!

Working Grandparents

The Grandparents are here for a visit and we are keeping them active with cleaning projects around the house!

Hardly Stricktly Bluegrass Festival

Last weekend, we ventured to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and enjoyed the sun while listening to some of my favorite singer/songwriters. Guy Clark is pictured here singing either L.A. Freeway or Homegrown Tomatoes. We had a wonderful time and we were even able to meet up with Rochelle amongst the hords of people (750,000 attendees!).

Preparing for First Communion

They're Coming to Take Me Away

Harnessing the Power of the Sun

Her First Falafel

Delicious!

Ocean Critters

One thing I forgot to mention about our 4th of July activities is that this little fellow decided to make an appearance to judge all of the sand creations. He was quite friendly; but, we all decided to keep our distance just to safe! Apparently, the seals have been coming up on shore lately. Some of our sources say they are not well and others say that they are healthy. We are not sure of the reason, but, he was cute and not at all violent. Oh and btw, he cast his vote for the Micheal Jackson creation!

Sand Creations

I'm reflecting back in time to the fun we had celebrating the 4th of July in La Selva Beach. It seems like everything for us started in La Selva Beach. John and I first met in La Selva at a friend's beach party. We bought our first house in La Selva and we lived there when the children were small, moving to Napa when Joey was about 9 months old. We had a wonderful time visiting our friends, seeing people that we haven't seen in years and participating in all of the 4th of July activities.

One of our favorite activities was the sand creation contest. Team Kinion decided to make a tribute to Michael Jackson. Their creation was pretty amazing!

Saying Goodbye to Summer...

Adios summer! Look out fall, here we come!

Gualala River to the Ocean

We hiked up the Gualala River to the ocean. When we arrived, we found a wonderful collection of drift wood that flows up the river during the winter. In the summer, the water recedes and the driftwood collects on the beach. Previous visitors to the beach have built little make shift shacks from the wood. Joey had a wonderful time exploring and attempting to build his own hut.

More Camping

Got Drought?

We went camping last week near the Gualala River along the coast of California. We had a wonderful time despite our shock regarding the water level of the river. You can see by the pictures that the water is very low and in some parts, completely dried up. The rocky areas in the pictures are where water flows at sometime during the year, mostly in the winter after the rains. We have been told by our friends who have been visiting the river for many years that the low water level is common for this time of the year. Regardless, California is experiencing a drought and walking along the dried up river bed was a sobering experience that helped to further drive home the value of water.

Gardening Progress

My sister-in-law, Alex, taught me a new skill for sharing photos. The collage technique via Picassa is a wonderful way to showcase all of your pics on a specific subject. Thanks Alex!

Camping Fun