in January I received a video of my beautiful granddaughter, Marluce in her ballerina glory.
and my handsome grandson, Mateo, on keyboard!
My hubby survived another back surgery – not without some scary issues during his hospital stay, causing Jeffry and I to panic a bit and making unscheduled trips to TMC. We even brought home a small plastic container of now unnecessary hardware and bolts and screws and rods which still reside in one of his tool boxes as a souvenir, I guess. 5 weeks later, Bob was admitted to UMC to remove one of his kidneys for cancer. We were lucky as the cancer was completely enclosed inside the failed kidney and there was no need for any further treatment. Once again, there were breathing and heart rate complications which had Jeffry and I running back and forth again. I cannot describe how that feels to be summoned by the hospital while a nurse matter of factly states “I think you should come here now”. Scared is way too mild of a word.
Bob and I retrieved the old 1969 Rahleigh Robin Hood side by side tandem bike and put it back together. Our plans are to restore refurbish these and paint one black and paint one white for engagement/wedding/anniversary photo shoots. Of course, here it is, December 31st and we haven’t even started. But, we still have plans!
In February, I was able to steal a couple of photos of my Grandson, Cristopher Chase and Granddaughter, Quinn Ariana from my ex daughter in law’s facebook site. Then she blocked me, but not before I stole a few more. I would love to spend time with them and include them in family events, but that is not to be, so I take what I can steal er, get! Chase is 15 in this photo and Quinn is 5. Chase looks like his dad and Quinn looks so much like Tristan did at that same age.
Marluce recreated Helen Reddy’s “I am Woman” as she pumps gas in the car in Virginia.
Hey, is that even legal??
Mateo’s 8th Birthday Adventure! Mateo has a passion for all things weather and absolutely loves watching the weather channel and learning about tornadoes and hurricanes and anything else to do with the weather. So, we thought this would be an ideal birthday adventure for him.
In March, Maxwell turned 2 and his mommy and daddy threw a huge birthday bash with lots of guests and food and a bazillion balloons. Safe to say that all of us had a wonderful time, but none more than the Birthday Boy himself.
Marluce and Mateo always enjoy getting packages in the mail – and Grandma here always enjoys sending them. Happy Easter with lots of Love!
Marluce turned 6 years old on March 30th, and her birthday adventure was customized just for her!
On April 5th, we quietly celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary. We didn’t need a big hoopla. Just each other. (an excerpt from my life story)
If memory serves, September 5, 1967 was the first day of high school and the first time we met. You were a tough looking street kid with a smart-assed attitude. I am not sure just why I was drawn to you at the time, but I was. I was modest and not at all street-wise and obviously reared in an entirely different environment than you experienced. You clearly showed an interest in me with your playful glances and funny comments. My older brother, Jay, put it this way: “here you were, Miss Polly Pure Heart and along came this James Dean wanna be with cigarettes rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve and a beer in hand. Of course you were going to fall for him.”
To say you did not always attend first hour geometry class would be an understatement of immense proportion. To put it in plain speak, you rarely attended most classes. I found myself distracted when you were not in Geometry class. It was the only class we ever had together and even though geometry was a difficult subject for me to grasp (and still is), I felt more confident and at ease when you actually did show up for class. I guess even then, barely knowing each other, you somehow made me feel comfortable and protected. I tried not to let you see that side of me, but I think you had it all figured out. And, yes, I did know that you stared at my legs most of the class time.
I often wondered why you never finished your sophomore year. I know you did not experience the support of a family at home. Looking back, I think you were lost and possibly felt you had nothing to offer high school and high school had nothing to offer your life. You worked. You drank way too much. You dated the wrong girls (well, of course I would say that) and you wandered. I never even realized in my naiveté, there was even a choice on attending school. It was a given in my life and I never thought of it any other way. You, like geometry, were a foreign concept. I am not sure that I have ever figured you out completely. (more) gdovin girl
Easter was such a fun day as we entertained family and friends. Guests were on the back patio and in the house and on the front yard swing – eating, laughing and playing with the little ones.
Mother’s Day was celebrated at the Doubletree Sunday Buffet with the Mundle Family and the lil Gardners. After the scrumptious buffet, Maxwell and I took a walk on the beautiful green grounds to work off a few calories.
My first grandchild, Tristan Lee became engaged to Drake Shumaker in Farmville Virginia. So happy for them both and looking forward to meeting a new grandson in law. This little girl (yes, she is still a little girl to me) deserves all of the love and happiness that comes her way. I love you so much, Sassy Marie!
In June, Max got to show off his computer savvy while Poppa was not around!
Max receives July mail in his very own mailbox! And he shows off his bounty!
I wish I could have attended Marluce’s first official Yard Sale in August in the backyard of her home in Ashburn Virginia. I am sure I would have found something that I needed to purchase.
Katia and Kiddies – smiles and hugs.
And the be all and end all of the month of August …
Max continues his culinary career with his signature dish of milk, crackers, cereal grapes and strawberries. I think we all see, the Next Iron Chef.
Early September, Bob and I worked on laying a laminate maple flooring in the kitchen/dining area of the little house. Max decided to assist us placing the planks the way he thought they should go. After a hard days work, he relaxed in a livingroom tent.
Mid September was a great getaway to Oceanside California for the beach wedding of Kyle Harvey & Megan Mundle. Lots of fun activities, a beautiful wedding and a surprise baby shower for Kerri filled the entire week and I enjoyed every moment of the time. We shared a condo with the lil Gardners which was a little piece of heaven compared to staying in a hotel room. And the additional time playing with Max was just an added bonus.
We spent a day in October at the Agua Linda Farm. Went thru the pumpkin patch and climbed on the hay bales. We had a picnic and watched Max ride a horse for the very first time. We walked thru the petting zoo and made friends with the billy goats. A perfect way to kick off the fall season.
November brought the most amazing reason to give thanks … she is petite and opinionated and loved and her name is Abigail Anne; Abby to us. The sweetest little bundle ever.
Thanksgiving in Virginia has Marluce slaving away in the kitchen making her first pumpkin pie.
While my retro Flair oven contributed to Thanksgiving dinner at the Mundle home.
Family and Friends enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at Chris & Maggie’s with beautiful Tucson weather in their gorgeous and inviting backyard.
After returning to Tucson, we finally resumed our annual Holiday Open House hosting around 26-30 guests during an early evening. Food was aplenty and catching up with people we love and rarely get the time to see. Got caught up so much in our guests, totally forgot to take any photos. Now THAT is a first for us. We so enjoyed all of the company and conversation and funny stories. Next year – lots of photos!
I won’t repost my recent Christmas Eve events since I just posted, but suffice it to say it goes down in my holiday history as one of the best ever. I am still smiling. Christmas Day was a relaxing day of early morning visits with the kids and Mundles and Max and Abby while Maggie served scrumptious french toast and Max opened gifts. Max, taking some time to show his gifts to his audience, enjoyed each and every moment. Received a really nice phone call from Ricky which is always a treat. Later on, a yummy honey baked ham dinner at Chris and Maggie’s with Matt and the kids and grandbabies topped off a wonderful Christmas 2012.
And now, as 2013 is almost upon us, we hope for a healthier New Year for Bob and friends and family needing hope. We wish to be able to reconnect with family members in the summer in Colorado. And most of all, we wish for a gentler world this coming year. It could happen.
Not really our thing, so we spotted a tandem that would seem to be a lot more adventure than sipping tea. And off we pedaled. 
a gdovin girl's perspective 
