September 19th was International Talk Like a Pirate Day and Max celebrated in true form. Did YOU? Okay, I couldn’t order the shirt small enough for him, but you get the idea!! Arr.

I am so excited to playing hostess to Kyle & Megan!
Clean linens.
Check.
Fresh Towels.
Check.
Little bitty shampoos, body wash, hair conditioner.
Check.
Appropriate photo.
Check.
Welcome basket for their snacking pleasure.
Check.
Light Lemon Cake with my French white icing.
Check. Okay. I’m ready.

the bubble dress with argyle patterned leggings worn by

Marluce visited Grandma after pre-K today. She modeled. She shopped. She played. She danced with me. She sang every Mama Mia song from the soundtrack – at least 3 times.

Marluce “Grandpa is my best Grandpa and I love him”
Grandma “Oh, Marluce, that is so sweet.”
Marluce “AND he is nice looking!”

Later in the day, Mateo joined us after a full day of First Grade!

Mateo “Grandma, I would like to watch Scooby Do, but Marluce is not allowed to watch it because she is only 4 and I am 6.”
Grandma “Well, we had better find something else so Marluce can watch as well.”
Mateo “OR, she could just go in the other room and close the door. OR you could take her shopping. Yeah. She loves to buy things.”

Kids really do say the darndest things!

Max’s 4 month portraits are ready for my album. Relax and enjoy! It doesn’t get any cuter than this.

Now is this a model shot or what?? I gotta get this kid an agent.

There are never enough words when it comes to describing how special and how loved you are. Have a wonderful day! We love you!

Already ordered my book! Now, on to the 2nd quarter.

shhhhh. After a long day enjoying his first swim, a sleepy Max takes time for rest in his Grandpa Mundle’s arms.

Took my little polka dotted shopping cart on wheels and walked a couple of blocks or so to Wegman’s to pick up some groceries. Don’t know why the picture is blurry, but here it is. Worked like a charm. Butter. Eggs. Bread. Roses.

Take a look at this baby girl’s hair – and only age FOUR!

Leesburg Virginia is a historic city, approximately 40 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. along the base of the Catoctin Mountain and adjacent to the Potomac River. Leesburg still offers the atmosphere of a small town years ago. The Fourth of July parade consisted of local politicians and entertainers and antique vehicles and candy tossed from parade vehicles. Very old fashioned and a great family event. Everyone stood for the American Flag. Well, almost everyone. Lawn chairs lined both sides of the streets with historic homes – some still residential and some converted to businesses – standing tall behind the spectators. It was almost like a Norman Rockwell setting. Ricky, Katia, Mateo and Marluce joined us. Grandchildren always make every event most special. They capture the soul of our own childhood and seem to make the memories of celebrations gone by, much more vivid. Hope you enjoy some of the photos taken by my talented hubs and get to relive your childhood memories through the eyes of two of my grandchildren.

Greatest Play In Baseball History

KERRY | MySpace Video

Mother Earth News named Paonia, Colorado one of “8 Great Places You’ve Never Heard Of” in 2007. And rightfully so. This was the traditional fourth of July destination for the Gdovin’s 8 of Grand Junction. In the early pre-Robin and Lori years, the old white station wagon would be packed with fried chicken and chips and blankets and kick balls and Jay, Mark, Larry and I in the back. And black olives. Jay and I could eat an entire can of black olives carefully placed one at a time on Clover Club potato chips during the 70 mile drive. We knew we were getting close when we saw the mountain with the letter “P” prominently displayed in white paint. Once at the park (there was really only one town park at that time) we were allowed our freedom to roam the entire area, play in the water that flowed in a little concrete ditch on two sides of the park, and just wander aimlessly, returning often to our “spot” and grabbing a chicken leg and a handful of black olives and we were off again to explore. There was the annual Cherry Days Festival parade and crowning of the Cherry Days Queen and her royal court. A huge area in the park was marked for the talent contest and there was no shortage of contestants. Talent ranged from martial arts presentations with an abundance of “ooooohs” from the audience at the appropriate times, to the tiniest of baton twirlers tossing the baton far up into the clouds (okay, maybe not that high, but when you are 8 years old, it seemed fairly high) drawing the audience “ahhhhhhh” as the silver baton was caught. Little men playing their fiddles and plucking old songs that I knew from visiting my grandma in the summer, and Bavarian dancers in brightly colored attire made the top contenders for the all important title of “winner”. And while we enjoyed the doings of the day, Mom was back in the camper pitting the local cherries she had purchased and making a cherry pie and crust from scratch.

After Robin and Lori were born, mom and dad bought a Roadrunner camper and we got to drive to Paonia on the 3rd – a whole day earlier than before. We would be up at the crack of dawn waking to the smell of daddy’s gigantic, fat pancakes. After making beds and getting dressed, we were allowed, as always, to go our own way to watch the parade and daydream and play, always fearful of not being able to pack enough fun in the time we had available. In my ‘tween days, a population of hippies moved into the mountain area of Paonia and Hotchkiss (a little sister town) and often held their own event of sorts, singing and playing guitar on the large truck flatbed stage. Actually, this was a bit more fun than the actual competition, as they had us singing along to the current “folk songs” of the time. And since the official talent did not begin until after lunch, this proved a perfect way to spend part of the morning. AND, we got to see REAL hippies. (Remember, I am from Grand Junction).

After I married and had children, we visited the festival a few more times with our own little camper (I know! What ever possessed me!) parked next to Mom and Dad’s. The campers were different, but the tradition was still the same. Hot breakfast. Off to the parade. Back to grab lunch. Off and running all over the park playing games and watching batons high in the air and cheering for local singers that we were certain would be on Ed Sullivan show the following Sunday evening! A neighborhood mom, Mrs. Moulton, once entered the contest, and how excited we were to hear her beautiful singing and elated by the fact she had come all the way from Grand Junction and here she was – ON STAGE! I was thrilled to tell anyone who would listen, “oh yes. She is my friend, Kristine’s mom. She lives near us. In Grand Junction. I have known her most of my life. Uh-huh.”

As years passed and kids got older, we could always find Lori standing near the end of the parade route stroking a horse and visiting with the owner, and five minutes later, in the saddle and riding the horse all around the park until the owner finally coaxed her down. She quietly relinquished the reins and awaiting the next horse to walk by and the ritual started all over again. Sort of like the song that never ends.

It was a time of a very small town and a very large family coming together to celebrate the Fourth of July. The entertainment and menu were simple. We did not need Martha or Paula or Rachel to tell us how to plan a Paonia picnic. Fried chicken legs in flour, salt and pepper. Bags of chips. Mom’s potato salad and my special potato salad of potatoes, boiled eggs, onions and green peppers (no pickles or mustard or mayo for me!), black olives and kool-aid. Add a couple of old blankets on the ground and a kickball, and you had your picnic.

I have enjoyed many Fourth of July celebrations since then, but they all pale in comparison to the Cherry Days Festival of Paonia, Colorado. Someday, maybe the remaining family can once again gather on the mountain in the park, and relive the best Fourths ever.

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Planning and preparing dinner for guests is a huge task. However, nothing proved too daunting for these sous-chef grandchildren. Mateo & Marluce were quite taken with the idea of making the trifle dessert cups as the first task. I think they thought they would make the dessert, and then EAT the dessert. The whipping cream left on the sides of their arms and the counter made a satisfying treat as they completed that course.

I cannot even begin to describe the “ants on a log” appetizer process. Suffice it to say, peanut butter on the cheeks and fingers, raisins on the counter, and the sounds of celery crunching in the background, still resulted in enough appetizers for all.

Mateo observes as Marluce brushes the corn with butter and seasonings. He had the task of rolling the corn in the foil and was quite patient waiting for his turn.

Mommy and Daddy knocked on the door and Mateo hollered “our customers are here!”. Grandpa came later and dinner was served and enjoyed by everyone. A successful dining experience all in all.

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A good soccer friend of mine, Dan from CDO Soccer Club in Tucson, is in Durban, South Africa attending the World Cup Games. He has kindly shared some of his photos with me. What a gorgeous place. Now THIS should be on everyone’s Bucket List! Enjoy.

Grandma’s Summer Camp 2010 begins this week for Mateo y Marluce. One day a week, Katia is bringing the kids by for 4 hours of Summer Day Camp fun! We are going to learn camp songs; go on walking field trips; have fun with arts & crafts; and learn new games. They each received a Camp Packet & Newsletter as well as Name Tags for the first day at Camp. On day one, they will receive their Grandma’s Summer Camp 2010 T-shirts to wear each week. These T’s can get dirty and painted on and end up with markers of all colors. The first day they are to bring a paper with a word written on it (Mommy and Daddy will help them with the writing) that is funny to them – My word is PICKLE and Pickle sounds funny when you say it. We are going to have a fun time with our “funny” words. I am so excited to spend this special time with them.

Stay tuned for updates on our Summer Camp in Virginia!

Yeah – I will admit I watch all of the Housewives – Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, Orange County, and even the Desperate Ones!! Tonight is the Reunion of the New York Ladies months after the season finale. And to make it even better, it is hosted by Andy Cohen and I LOVE that guy!! With that being said – I have questions!

Will Kelly get voice therapy so she doesn’t enter every room with “hiyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy” (insert high pitched whine here) and will she finally admit that she is crazy?

Sonja is new. So far, her notable trait is running her hands thru her hair all during dinner, conversation, events, and who knows what else?

Luann was a countess. Then she wasn’t.

And she has got, well let’s just say –
guts. Big brass guts! I love her & her
“Money Can’t Buy You Class” song.

Jill’s best friend was Bethenny. Jill got angry at Bethenny. Jill told Bethenny that she didn’t want to be her friend anymore.
Now she’s mad at Bethenny because Bethenny doesn’t want to be Jill’s friend anymore.
Huh?

Ramona is so cute.
She talks. She talks
a LOT. But she is
a fun talker. So it’s
Okay!

This is Bethenny. She is a published Chef. Kelly likes to call her a cook just because Kelly is not all there, if you know what I mean. I like her. She is also gutsy. She is cute and emotional and pregnant and successful. Jill makes her cry. And that makes me sad.

The Gardner Family of Leesburg (all 2 of us) has decided on a new tradition. Whenever a new restaurant opens up in the Village, we are going on opening night! Tonight was the opening night of the King Pinz Bowling Center and Sports Bar & Grille. Now this is no ordinary bowling alley. Oh no, my Friends. Read the presser.

What is the big deal about a panini? I scratch my head in wonderment as I ponder this point. Specialty restaurants and grills and presses flood the advertising market touting the graceful lines (oh, and you can choose diagonal OR straight across), on your gourmet tidbit. Fascinating. Panini this and panini that. Guess what that specialty pork and calcium laden panini really is, my friends. Only this time, it is prepared in a 149.95 panini grille and has lines! It’s a grilled ham and cheese, people!! For some reason, people now consider paninis a culinary art. No wonder, since the lines on a sandwich carries the name of a famous Italian artist. A TRUE artist who designed sets and painted and had his talent recognized world-wide. I am sure he would be thrilled to know that his family name is now on a sandwich. A grilled ham and cheese sandwich. With lines. (insert sigh here)

Tristan Lee Sassy Marie

Class of 2010

And continues her education seeking a degree in the Culinary Arts, with a tuition scholarship.

From playing dress-up to real life – in such a short time. From Grandma’s heart to hers,

Wegman’s is a grocery store. Sort of. And a Friday Night Family movie gathering place. Oh – and a cafe with an Asian Food Buffet, Pizza bar, $6 meal deals, salad bar and fresh food bar. And, oh yeah – a sushi and seafood bar where you stroll by a couple who looks as though they are on a first date, awaiting their seafood platter and sipping white wine, while on your way to aisle 3.
It’s a phenomena, really. Maybe not. But you have to admit, it IS quite novel. Kids ask to go there. Alec Baldwin talks about his Mother’s Wegman’s loyalty factor on the Late Show with David Letterman. And now people refer to the store as THE Wegman’s and not just Wegman’s (you know, like THE Donald).

Wegman’s. You kind of have to see it for yourself. And see it you will. As you look at the horizon, the stores are easily located by their trademark white and brick steeple!

Megan just noticed that Jeffry was still wearing Kerri’s sunglasses he had donned as a joke!

a Beautiful New Gardner Family

Baby Max’s family (er, part of it) Uncle, Auntie, Grandma, Grandma, Maxwell, Grandpa, Mommy & Daddy

Reid Park on Mother’s Day with MY baby!

God Bless America, my Home sweet Home!

Seems as though there is never enough time to spend with family and friends and new grand babies and old friends and wonderful kids. I do treasure each and every moment that I spent with Jeffry, Kerri, Max and Elway in their beautiful, comfortable home. We all started out with the best of intentions to take long walks each day. Well, we made a couple three walks happen – one even to Lakeside Park so Megan could take a break from her hectic life and relax on the swings for a bit. The time was filled with visits, hugs, meeting new friends (SO nice to meet you Lampards and Claussens!) and re-connecting with Kyle’s family, and Maggie and Chris, and my ever faithful Target store on Old Spanish Trail. Jeffry and Kerri, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your home AND your DVR TMZ shows. I am not going to record any, myself. Want to save that experience when I spend time with you! In a nutshell, what a wonderful time, and other than spending more time and connecting with some dear friends (and you know who you are!!) I would not change a moment of my trip. Until the next time, XOXOMAX & MOMMY

from Katia:

Thought you might find it amusing that Marluce wanted to bring a caterpillar to the house today and Mateo absolutely refused ( I think it was because it was not HIS caterpillar, but Marluce’s) However, his reason for not wanting the caterpillar in the house was because it would slobber all over grandma and grandpa because they don’t move fast enough.

sigh.

Just made my very first GROUPON purchase. (Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing this opportunity!). Hubs and I will be taking a 2 hour moonlight cruise around the monuments of Washington DC sometime between now and October 15th – half price! Will make for a relaxing evening for us and a great photographic opportunity for Bob. Check it out. You can customize the area to your zip code. I know where I am holiday shopping this year!

Jeffry made his first ever Crisp dessert tonight. And, quite successfully, I must say. Before I share the recipe, a little background information is in order.

Grandma Tabor and her niece and my second cousin, (Sissy to me and Grandma Sis to the other kids in the family) shared a plot of land with a family home for each. Since Mom would take us every year to visit Grandma, naturally, we were very close to Sissy and spent much of our times walking back and forth between the two homes. Sissy had the family reputation for the best in the west homemade enchiladas and cherry crisp. It was always a special treat when Sissy made her family favorite each trip we made to Denver.

When Ricky, and later Jeffry, attended Corbett Elementary in Tucson, the school held an annual multi-cultural fair, and each family was asked to contribute a dish from their family heritage. Well, I mean, come on – who out there knows of any Czechoslovakian recipes that your family regularly enjoys? Not me! So, we improvised.

How about if I make the Czechoslovakian Cherry Crisp for your school fair? Yaaay, Momma. Sure!!

And so the story goes and the kids and teachers all loved it and who knows? Perhaps this IS a popular treat in Czechoslovakia even though I got the recipe from my half Scottish second cousin. In any event, here is the recipe and feel free to change the name depending on your ancestry.

(INSERT COUNTRY HERE) CHERRY CRISP

9X13 glass or metal cake pan
1 pkg white cake mix
1 1/4 cube butter
1 can cherry pie filling (may substitute peach, blueberry or apple filling as well)

preheat oven to 325
cut butter into pats and evenly distribute HALF of the pats on bottom of the cake pan
place pan into oven until butter melts
remove pan from oven and sprinkle half of the white cake mix over the melted butter evenly
empty can of pie filling over the cake mix
sprinkle remaining white cake mix over the pie filling
evenly distribute rest of butter pats on top

place in oven until edges and top are golden brown
allow crisp to cool to warm (not hot)
serve with vanilla ice cream or whipping cream

Much better the first time – tends to get runny when re-heated. Invite 8-12 guests to enjoy!

And there you have it – the famous crisp. Try it once and you will be the hit of your event. Enjoy.

Now, American airlines charges $8 to use a blanket and pillow! How times have changed.

Yeah, I mean it.

I closed my Twitter AND Face Book accounts. I am finding this time in my life is better spent in a simpler manner. By no means do I want to lose touch with friends and family. I have just reconnected with some dear friends from my school days and I relish these rekindled relationships. So, please. Stay in touch. Check back often. Sign up as a follower so you will know when I have a glimmer of something fresh to add. Leave your comments right here on this blog and share your life with me.

Soon, I will begin writing My Story (um, for the fourth time!) It too will be here. Or pieces of it as I get it completed. It certainly will not be constructed in absolute order and will not be nominated for any Pulitzer Prize or other journalistic award. But, hey – it is therapy and surely cheaper than a shrink!

Come in & make yourself at home. Put your feet up. Let’s talk.

Max got some cool new shades from Uncle Dan & Aunt Cathlene.

My newest favorite –
6 weeks.

We will soon be moving, and I figured since we are going back to apartment living for the first time in 35 years, it may as well be something unique. And it is!! Northern Virginia (also known as the DC Metro area) is spattered with little “town centers” – all with their own personality. The Village at Leesburg really caught my eye with the size of the community (small) and lots of amenities; not the least of being walking distance to all kinds of shopping. In fact, we chose an apartment on the top (3rd) floor of the only 100% smoke free building of residential over retain. I am sure there will be holiday activities as all of the town center have had in the past, and it will just be a colorful setting watching the shoppers and activities. Looking forward to the move in a couple of months, and as soon as we move, I will be sending out change of address cards. Until then, I have posted a few photos for your visual enjoyment!

Frequently, when Mateo returns home from Kindergarten, I will greet him with

“What’s cookin’, Good lookin’?” He normally grins and replies with something like “a cheese sandwich” or “Mom’s making me a quesadila”. The other phrase I greet him with “Hey Handsome!” He blushes and grins and says “Hi, Grandma”.

The other day he was bouncing up the stairs and I asked him “Hey kid – how was school?” He replies … “handsome,” catches himself and looks up at me sheepishly with “I mean, Great!”

Bob has had a bad outbreak of eczema on his arms and legs. The other day Marluce grabbed his arm and Grandpa said “oh, Marluce. Please don’t do that – I have a rash and it hurts”. Without missing a beat, Marluce queries “Because you didn’t wipe good?”

MARLUCE “Where’s Grandpa?”

he is at work.

MARLUCE “Then, where is my mashed potatoes?”

daddy said he did not want you to eat any more stuff last night. why aren’t you in school?

MARLUCE “Because I cried, so I didn’t have to go”

I am helping the hubs to refresh his Goodyear Just Tire store in Fairfax, Virginia. We just completed the final touches to the Just Kids play area. Before and After – you be the Judge.

Jeffry & Kerri have made me a very delighted Grandma on March 13th. Meet Maxwell Edward Gardner – Max for now. Maxwell Edward Gardner when he graduates from a university! Our newest grandchild and evens out the grand babies at 3 girls and 3 boys. I have not wiped the smile off my face since the first labor pain. And minutes after Max first laid his baby eyes on his mommy and daddy, Jeffry made the call to me, leaving the line open, and allowing me to hear the new baby cries and coos. I am truly blessed.

Happy Family-Versary, Katia.

First 12-22 inches. A few weeks later 20-30 inches. February brought another 12-24 inches! Enough, already!

And off to the baby shower event in Tucson for the newest Gardner baby! (and mommy and daddy, of course!)

January 28th and I am heading to Tucson via Southwest Airlines. Only my second experience with that airline and not sure if I am crazy about them or not. Dulles International Airport is also not my favorite. Hubby overshoots the Southwest Airlines sign and has to drop me quite a way from my original stop. Hugs and kisses and I make the trek back towards the applicable overhead sign. Only to find out as I enter the terminal, that Southwest Airlines is NOT in that location, but at almost the exact point where the hubs had left me to begin! Okay, I can deal with that. I dutifully wait in line and hand over my passport and e-ticket, placing my luggage on the scale one at a time as instructed. As I begin to walk away, I am summoned back with “oh, hey. You forgot your luggage.” Excuse me? “You need to take your luggage and go around that corner and then down the hall and give it to the attendant.” um, Huh? I thought the airlines did that – you know where they cheerfully check you in and weigh your luggage and then slam it with carefree abandon on the moving belt behind them. So now, back to dragging all of the luggage around and waiting in another line while a man in a different area cheerfully slams the luggage onto the moving belt. Ah, okay, now on to security and then I can sit down and get some accounting done with my 2 hour before departure time. Follow the signs to security. Up one level we go. A man is standing in a huge open area of the upper level to direct us to an escalator going “DOWN” (yes, we go up to go down) with many many security areas and lines that look like the day after Thanksgiving at the Wal-Mart. Standing in line for over an hour and I ask a nice security lady, restrooms? Sure. But, not on this level. Back upstairs past the nice man at the podium directing traffic and down the empty hallway to the ladies room. Back to the escalator and back to the lines and this time, only a 45 minute wait! I get to my gate just as they are boarding. So much for getting some work done.
The flight was fine and uneventful except for my massaging of my arm which pulled all of the luggage here and there,
Landing in Chicago for a 45 minute layover, I ask a nice airlines lady, which gate for Tucson? “B18″ she cheerfully says. I sit and notice that people are coming and going and they have yet to call my flight which is supposed to leave in 4 minutes. I inquire at the desk and am directed to gate B20. As I run through the area, I am being paged and am the last one to board the plane – and so much for early bird check in!! I am told to take the first available seat which is the middle seat between two ladies. Is this seat taken? “no” says a young lady by the window. Thank you, as I scoot in past the aisle lady and hurriedly sit down, put my laptop under the seat in front of me, buckle my seat belt and make sure my seat and tray table are in the upright position as I hear a very exasperated “DAMMIT” directed at me. I apologize to aisle lady and she explains “I was HOPING to have more room” and as her butt cheeks spread out onto my seat I reply, I know what you mean!” Nice conversations with the window lady during the flight and then we land in Tucson. FINALLY – familiar territory. And just let me say this – the Tucson Airport is easier to get around and much nicer looking and decorated than any of the other airports I have been through. Jeffry and Kerri greet me and we head to their beautiful new home.
Kerri has decorated each room and had the furniture placed very thoughtfully. I love this house. And the fact that my bed is in the guest room makes me want to fall face down on the mattress and stay there for a week. However, Jeffry gives me the tour of the entire house and shows me their improvements and shares the future plans of what they will accomplish one step at a time. So comfortable and inviting is their home, and I am thrilled that they got it and are quite settled in before baby arrives. Kerri even has a prominent baby bump and it is really seeming REAL – my baby boy is having a baby boy! Surreal. Exciting. Cannot wait.
Friday was a nice day for a walk in the Tucson sunshine with Elway so the kids could show me around the neighborhood. They left for Phoenix to pick up Devon (Kerri’s oldest and best friend from Canada) and I left for a day of shopping and then dinner with my dear friend, Pat. Saturday brought more shopping for me and dinner at Zivazz hosted by Chris and Maggie Mundle and Jeffry and Kerri. We had the best waitress I have ever experienced … now, what was her name? Oh yeah – Megan Mundle!! Got to visit a bit with Kerri’s Uncle Matt which is always a treat. I got some accounting done while Kerri read and Devon beat Jeffry in Mario Bros.

Sunday was the big day for the Baby Gardner Shower! Megan & Maggie came over with an abundance of decorations and food, and while Jeffry & Kerri attended a Bradley Birthing Class that morning, Devon and I pitched in and under Megan’s guidance, we all got the house decorated and the food out and taste tested a LOT! Ladies began arriving shortly thereafter with packages in hand and hugs for Kerri. Fun to see some of the friends and family again. The Pack ‘n Play and the new stroller quickly filled with gifts of all colors and sizes and shapes. Gifts spilled out onto the floor as everyone helped themselves to treats and visited with old friends and met new ones. Let the games begin! On the last game, I finally beat out Stephanie and won the “who can guess the belly size” game and came home with a wonderful scented diffuser. Next came the gifts, and there gifts a plenty. It was a wonderful affair and after wards, we separated the clothing gifts into sizes and tried to get things put away and get the kids house back in the correct order.

Monday, I was back at the airport saying my good byes – but only for a short time as Bob and I will be back in April to meet our newest grandchild. Tucson to Chicago, I sat next to a nice lady who is one of the representatives in Maryland. Nice and easy flight. The flight from Chicago to Dulles, I was seated next to Ski Johnson, who was returning home from Los Angeles after winning a Grammy for song writing. He is also a jazz saxophonist. I had him text Jeffry from the plane, which I thought was very funny. Jeffry was a bit bewildered at first, but he knows his mom and understands my humor. He gets me.

All in all, a wonderful trip and I am making plans again for our return in April. Now, back to everyday life and accounting!

Marluce hands Grandpa an unopened box of Mac ‘n Cheese.

Marluce, why is this box warm?

Because I put it in the microphone.

I was lucky enough to still be in Tucson when the kids first saw this home. I loved it as soon as I walked in the front door. Absolutely perfect for the kids, the dog, and the new baby boy!
Fancy Schmancy new Refrigerator! Love the way the kitchen opens up to the dining/living area. This will be so easy to keep an eye on baby.
Kerri picked out this sage green paint for the baby room. Grandma had better get that baby a mattress! My Bentwood Rocker awaits Grandma and new baby rocking time.
Ahhhhh. Bed is looking mighty inviting! Notice the step stool so I can actually get UP on the bed.
I see that Jeffry has lined up all of the hutch shelving exactly the same on each side. His OCD has paid off as the display is stunning. Well done, son.

Congratulations Kids. You’re home now.

Saturday night was a dinner date night, only with grandkids! Marluce and Mateo accompanied us to dinner in Reston at Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Cafe. The carne asada is to die for and the kids enjoyed watching the man make fresh flour tortillas in the funny machine. The temperatures were so cold that we had to cover the kids faces while running for the car! We waited in the little foyer of the restaurant while Grandpa brought the car around close to the door of the cafe. Every time someone came in or went out, both of them would yell “We’re trapped! We’re trapped!!” All of the patrons thought they were quite entertaining!

Today, we took off for a breakfast at iHop (a really nice iHop, by the way) and then ventured to Washington DC to partake of the Holiday Magic event at the US Botanical Gardens. Lots of decorated trees and trains galore made the indoor gardens feel like a Santa Wonderland. We spent a couple of hours there and we all loved the adventure.

First, a bit of Sunday Brunch at the local iHop.

Holiday Magic at the US Botanical Gardens!
Washington DC

Sitting at my desk, I hear my little granddaughter, Marluce, singing just for herself;

Let Kevin and nature sing, Kevin and Nature sing
Kevin and Kevin and Nature Sing.

Have a Charlie Charlie Christmas
It’s the best time of the year.

Couldn’t have said it any better.

A very cold Virginia, I might add. I am adjusting to my new surroundings. Learning to distinguish a child’s cry of pain or genuine sadness from the “I think if I cry then I can tattle on my brother/sister and grandma will think it is real” cries. Waking up to the gentle (okay, maybe not so gentle) pitter patter of little feet and small voices calling out to mommy or daddy is the best kind of morning alarm.
We are expecting snow again for three days, so I am wondering if I will ever get to drive the “new” car. I will not drive on ice and snow if I don’t have to, so … Today the wind is absolutely tearing an icy chill through the area. I had forgotten just how cold the weather can be. Spoiled after living in Arizona for 24 years, I guess.
Bob will find out which Goodyear store will be his permanent home for the future at the beginning of the new year, He is being considered for three different locations (all within the DC metro area) and he is pleased with all three, so whatever the decision, it seems it will be a good one.
I think I have my temporary office surroundings figured out and almost organized. Strange after having a large office to downsize, but I think that is kind of the nature of the economy right now anyway. I am learning to deal with it. Loving my Skype video calls from Jeffry and Kerri to show me the new house and their decorating talents!
Very excited for the baby shower for Kerri Anne in January and of course, the arrival of the newest little Gardner Baby Boy in March. Lots of wonderful blessings to look forward! Hoping to have more contact with the Grandchildren in North Carolina and Tennessee, but so far – not so much. I guess when/if they are ready, it will happen. In the meantime, they know I love them and want them all to be safe and happy.
Bob begins a 5 day work week (something he has not experienced in several years) in January and so Wednesday will be our date and exploring the area day and Sundays will be relaxing and family day. Looking forward to some midweek dates of movies and new sites to see and places to go.
Hope all of my friends and family are having a wonderful holiday season and urging you all to keep in touch!
Hugs from me to you!

Mommy and Daddy are shopping. Grandpa is at work. Mateo is watching a movie. Marluce is in an “I’m so excited for Christmas and I just don’t know what to do” phase and is running circles around Grandma. Glancing around the kitchen, Grandma spies the still 20″ high snow drifts on the deck lining the patio door. Marluce sets to work with a little guidance and the assist of some Tupperware and one of Mommy’s really nice stainless cooking pots and quickly makes her snow family. Daddy has three Rolaids for his mouth and popcorn kernel eyes. Mateo has a purple cup for a hat and almonds for eyes. Marluce has one of her whoppas (hair decor) to stick on her snow girl’s head, and Mommy has a necklace, a star mouth, and pink and purple squiggly straws for her arms. And we never even left the kitchen floor. All we had to do was slide the door open, and the snow was right there at our disposal! Marluce was quite proud and is whooping out a great big “ta-daaaaaaaaaaaaaa” to show off her designs.

And more expected on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! In the meantime, enjoy the photos!

See the car there? In the middle?? Right there! In the middle??

Exactly.

Mateo lost his first tooth today. Well, “lost” if you call his daddy yanking it out of his tiny little mouth “lost”. He is quite proud. Marluce firmly announced “Look Grandma. My daddy didn’t pull any of my teeth out!”

Decorations are plenty in the Ashburn home of kids and grandkids. Katia has decorated the home and the grandkids along with friends and grandma have decorated the tree. Ricky has the front yard aglow with the assistance of his two little elves. The weather here is chilly to downright cold which helps with the Christmas spirit.

Now we have our Santa Fe and have purchased 2 booster seats to allow for the company of our grandchildren. Hopefully, we shall be making regular evening treks to see the lights. The cards are all in the mail (or so I think) and it appears that the tradition of having the cards all postmarked December 1 has fallen by the wayside as I do not yet have my land legs!

Now I need to get back to my accounting so I may have the pleasure of some days off and spend some much needed time helping Mateo make cards and teaching Marluce to tap dance. Of course, there are Christmas cookies to bake and chili to make and all that goes with Christmas. I hope you all are enjoying your holiday season!

Marluce to Daddy: can I please have some more potatoes?

Daddy to Marluce: say it in Spanish

Marluce to Daddy: Feliz Navidad. Can I have some more potatoes?

Meeting Lance Armstrong and Team Radioshack

Team Radioshack had a week-long training camp here in Tucson this past week. Each day I’ve been obsessively checking Twitter, Facebook, various websites and the news for any mention of where the team was going to be. By Saturday I was getting pretty disappointed that I’d had no Lance or Levi sightings. All of this changed on Sunday.

Jeff, Megan, Kyle and I went to Borders at 9 am to get our tickets for the afternoon Lance Armstrong book signing. We waited in line for 45 minutes just to stand in line again later that afternoon. It was a pretty silly system, but that’s a topic for another day. Today we’re discussing Team Radioshack.

After we got our tickets we went to breakfast, where I revealed my master plans to drive around and search for the guys. I read on Johan Bruyneel’s Facebook page that the team was starting to ride at 10:30 am. So I figured I’d hit the popular riding routes, thinking that they wouldn’t ride Mount Lemmon since they’d already done so twice this week. My table of friends doubted my ability to find Lance; the boys said they were going to watch football and Megan was going to study for finals. But despite these nay-sayers, I knew I had a good chance at success today.

At the last minute Megan decided to take me up on my adventure, and we set off down 22nd street. As soon as we turned onto 22nd, I see two event police officers, and I think “hmmmm, maybe they’re gonna ride here!” We get to the next major intersection, and there’s more police officers- and people in lawn chairs lining the street. We pull over and ask them if they’re waiting for the riders. They answered yes, and told us the route the riders were supposed to take. We talked about how they found out the route, and the lady said her husband works in a bike shop and found out from there. So we hauled butt to Udall, cause that’s where we’re told they’re supposed to start, and we see hundreds of motorcyclists. Slowly, it dawns on us that we were talking about different kinds of riders, but we pull in and ask the event cops, who explain to us that it’s a motorcycle charity ride. So – back to square one.

Megan checked Twitter from her phone and sees that Lance has posted a picture of Fat Cyclist (if you don’t know Fatty’s story, I recommend you read this post here because it will come up again later in the story) and we can tell that they’re on Mount Lemmon! We drive and drive and pass plenty of Sunday riders, but no Team Radioshack. But then. Up ahead. I see the Fat Cyclist. I recognize his white jersey and really, who else rides with a helmet cam? We rolled down the windows as we pass Fatty, cheer loudly, and he grins like he’s winning a race. We pull over about a hundred yards up, and he gives each of us a high five. I was so excited, I completely forgot to take pictures!

We get back in the car, and continue up the mountain, knowing for sure now that we’re on the right track. We drive for what feels like forever, and that’s when we see jerseys we recognize: Trek Mellow Johnny’s. And then we start to see team cars. And then we see large groups of riders, and Astana jerseys, and that’s when we know we’ve hit the jackpot.

We pass Lance Armstrong. We pass Levi Leipheimer. We pass Andreas Kloden, Yaroslav Popovych, Chris Horner, and a lot of people I’ve never heard of. But it was pretty cool, and we got lots of photos that you should check out.

But the coolest part came when they cyclists pulled over so they could snack and put on warmer clothes- preparing for the descent. That provided us the opportunity to catch up and get some pictures.

Levi was very cool and chatted with us for a bit, and Lance seemed a little grumpy about the cold weather. But everyone was nice and didn’t seem to mind us being in the center of their group.

We headed back down, getting more pictures on the descent and headed home. We felt we’d done enough stalking for one day. We went to the book signing later on that afternoon, and what did Lance say when we made it to the front of the fast-moving line? “Hey, it’s you guys!” He was in a much better mood, and he chatted briefly with us about the cold on the mountain and about Fatty. The people around us were envious that he talked to us- they keep those lines moving and there’s generally no chit-chat. So all in all, it was a pretty awesome day. My only regret was not getting to meet Fatty. But the high five will suffice for now!

and is en route to Virginia.

As she is climbing around on the furniture, Mom tells her to get down. She proudly stands on the foot rail of the bed, places her hand on her hip and says

“Feliz Navidad.
That is Merry Christmas in Chinese.”

Marluce takes a little break and watches Mommy and Daddy hauling Christmas stuff down from the attic.

When she was good, she was very VERY good!

She celebrated with three helpings of macaroni and cheese!

In the precious town of Reston, Virginia, I found the most darling gem of a boutique. Lou Lou’s is nestled amongst the small store fronts and immediately upon entrance, you are in the clutches of “treats for the eye” as a dear friend used to say.

Beautiful scarves and funky jewelry. Innovative handbags and as I browsed through the store (over and over again) all I could say is “ooooh, I want this. aaaaah, I want that. wheeeeee, I NEED this” and so it went. My big purchase of the day was a multi-color scarf (didn’t need those in Tucson), but I left knowing I will be back. A LOT. I need an abundance of treasures from Lou Lou’s – and gift shopping! Ooooh.

Don’t get me started!

And the hubs found it right in Target while he chatted away with his cousin, Teri from Nebraska. The man has no shame!

Come on Mateo. I bet a girl can beat you!
No you can’t, Grandma. I am up for the challenge!!
(play punching and groaning tickling and fighting stuff).
Grandma wins!! Yaaay, Grandma!!!
Come on, Grandma. I want to win this one. Come on. Let’s beat the hell out of each other!

hmmmm. somebody always has to cross the line!

No one was injured and that is a blessing. I am thinking it is not looking good for Emmy’s return, however. She traveled all the way from Arizona only to rest in peace in a junkyard in Virginia.

Buildings have their own personality. You can see the tenderness in some and the harsh realities of life in others. Have a look at my hub’s amazing photography as you picture the families within.

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Originally uploaded by BGPantano

Is to live within a few blocks of a market like this. I can take my little basket and walk to and from the market. And THAT is what I want.

Marluce is working on her tap dance lessons from Grandma. We get through about 3 minutes and then she flatly states “that’s enough”. She has learned the toe tap tap tap. She has learned the heel tap. She has learned up on the tippity toes tap tap tap, as well as the combination of toe toe heel heel step step. And then she begins her own version of I am not sure what – and then, as quickly as it starts, it comes to an abrupt end. The tap shoes are removed and put in the closet and she is off on new adventures of her own making.

My first time meeting this little one and she has exceeded all expectations! She is bright and antsy and funny and gorgeous. She so resembles Tristan at the same age.

She is a princess with her pink accessories and baby dolls galore, and in a second changes into a tiny tomboy, hopping on a little four wheeler and high tailing it down the road. She can certainly hold her own in a card game of Uno, also. She dotes on her brother, Chase, and he returns the favor. He remains quiet and patient as she tugs at him and gives him orders and climbs all over him. They are certainly a good compliment. If Adam, her step dad, goes to the hardware store or the auto parts store, she is first in the car to ride along – and normally comes home with a small tool or part of some sort. She IS the all around American Girl and I have no doubt that there will be one of those dolls modeled after her!

As the saying goes, she had me at hello.

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Originally uploaded by BGPantano

After a three year absence from our lives, we were happily able to reconnect with our oldest Grandson, Cristopher Chase, in North Carolina. He is the same funny, smart kid that we remembered – only older and much taller! He entertained us with his antics and humor. He is interested in Chess and science and so we picked him up a little Chess game and I had to quickly brush up on my (very old) skills from when I played against my Dad at a young age. Okay, so he had to correct me on a few moves, but I held my own! We also picked up the board game “Quelf” and had a blast playing with the kids, Sherrie, and one of Chase’s friends. When you see Chase, ask him about how Grandma got to play the part of the announcer on the plane and how he had to portray the flight attendant showing how to buckle the seat belts, put on the oxygen mask, and show the exits. Of course, you could also ask Chase’s Grandpa to show you how he (Grandpa) had to dance like a ballerina!

A little Grandma Time mixing and baking and frosting cupcakes. Yummy!!

In the beautiful land they call Virginia.

It is way gorgeous here. A few feet outside the back door of the kids home, is a walking trail that leads into a little forest area and to a playground, and goes this way and that way. You actually feel like you are in a forest –

and just look up and see the stunning blue sky. Loving it!

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Originally uploaded by BGPantano

Mateo takes in the morning news. My gosh, I cannot believe how tall he has gotten!

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Originally uploaded by BGPantano

Marluce cons Grandpa into helping her on with roller skates. She thinks it would be simply delightful to skate around the living room and dining room while others prepare a feast for her enjoyment!