Internet Issues

It has been a few days since a post and it might just be a few more. Unfortunately the Internet isn't working on my laptop (where I download and store photos), so I can only access the Internet on Damon's work computer. I cannot seem to figure out what the issue is with my new computer- so I might be taking it in on Monday. Gotta love technology!

Life has been good since I last posted, of course I have lots of pictures to reflect the happenings. The biggest part of the last week was that it was my hubby's 31st birthday on Thursday. We celebrated with a big family dinner up at the ranch. Damon's mom is the best cook ever and we had a lovely prime rib meal followed by fabulous dessert from Cold Stone's (Damon's favorite). I purchased Damon a new bird hunting vest and a leather portfolio to use for work that will hold his calculator, business cards, paper, etc. It is pretty fancy for him, but I know that he wanted one.

I started work on Friday (more about that another day) and then celebrated with a great dinner in Petaluma at a new restaurant, Tres Hombres. We heard about the restaurant in our Wednesday night construction class, when a fellow student said it was the same as the Chico one. I was sooo excited because the girls and I often frequented "Tres" for margaritas. It was a memorable dinner for us and I enjoyed sharing it with my Damon. After dinner, Morgan, Meredith and I went to Kodiak's to dance the night away...literally. I didn't get home until 2:30 and, I have to admit, I am just not as young and energetic as I used to be! But, we always have a fun filled time trying to remember the country line dances.

Today Damon and I went to visit my high school friend Lisa and her boyfriend, Scott, in San Francisco. It was a beautiful drive. We took a tour of their new apartment, which they purchased a few months ago. It was phenomenal! Perfect location, perfect layout and great decorating sense. I am so excited for the two of them.

More info on the happenings later- please be patient during the Internet issues, which will only get worse as Damon leaves for hunting on Wednesday morning. Take care and enjoy your Saturday!

Opening of Duck Season

As promised yesterday, here are the pictures of duck hunting at the ranch on opening day Saturday. I took some great video (while taking the digital pics as well), but editing video takes soooo much longer than posting pictures! There were a ton of birds and Shasta made some great water retrieves. Here is our little shinning star:

Such a proud dad and grandpas!

I love this picture of Shasta, all wet from swiming- what an adorable face.

Here is a great edited picture of the grandpas and Shasta with the new loot headed into the barn to for cleaning time.

Remember- to see the picture in better detail, just click on it to enlarge :)

Pheasant Hunting Last Weekend

Damon, myself, both of our fathers and little Miss Shasta spent Saturday morning hunting again. This time we had a field planted with 5 birds...and our little girl ended up getting 6! I took way to0 many pictures (and videos) to capture the beauty of the day. Here are just a *few* of my favorites!

Love this one of Damon, trying to "talk" and "teach" Shasta about the correct way to hunt.

Shasta is such a jumper...especially when birds are in the air.

The first picture focuses on the brush, the second on Damon. Cameras amaze me on how the exact same photo can be so different in a split second.

Crazy how that little doggie can carry such a big birdie!

The picture shows Damon's dad in the background and the great clouds in the sky.

Getting lots of lovin' from Grandpa Morelli after her long morning of hunting.

After pheasant hunting, we took Shasta to McDonalds (here after hunting treat) for two McGriddles (usually she gets two hamburgers, but our hunt time was earlier than usual) and then up to the ranch for opening day of duck season. And yes, Shasta was also a great little duck hunter too! I will post pictures of that later in the week.

News on the Job Front

After 10 interviews and lots of difficult days, I have finally accepted my first post-PD job. I start on Friday at Catholic Charities (http://www.srcharities.org/) for a part-time temporary position. While the HR Manager fills in for the Executive Director while searching for a replacement, I will facilitate all HR related functions during the transition time. I am excited for a different experience where I can utilize more of my education and my passion for non-profits. Although I will be re-starting the job search again in 3-6 months, I am invigorated to find a perfect fit in the future.

Thanks for everyone's support during the past three months- definitely the hardest time in my little life. But, everything happens for a reason and I have learned an extraordinary amount about myself and others. More on the new job situation after the first day! YIPPEEE!!!

P.S. If your work place supports the annual United Way campaign in Sonoma County, please help us out and donate your money to Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa.

The Pictures that Define Fort Bragg

This past week, I accompanied my engineering husband to two meetings, one in the Mendocino coastal town of Fort Bragg, followed by a day in the bay area city of Los Gatos. We took the 2 hour drive north on Tuesday to downtown Fort Bragg. Damon's company engineered their new downtown for the city's downtown revitalization plans (http://ci.fort-bragg.ca.us/pdf/Final-PosterFront_reduced.pdf) During Damon's meeting as I walked around town and tried to find a coffee shop to study at, I determined that this town is a sleepy city that might be just a few decades behind other areas. I might let the pictures do most of the talking. Case in point, this is the local Sears store. Complete with old windows, a single story corner location and old-school sign. Aren't Sears only in malls these days?

This is a local bar, Golden West. Cute old sign and building, but what cracks me up is the sign in the window. The sign that says "Smoking Allowed." Aren't we in California? I thought that was only allowed in the 90's!

Now, if Damon wrote this on the Tahoe after our wedding, we might have had a "little talk." In case you can't see the bright orange letters, it says "Game over man, we're hitched." Although, I do give credit, because the orange letters match beautifully with the brides bouquet sitting in the front of the truck.

This might be the funniest...I never knew there was such a thing as the JC Penney Catalog Store. The best part is that the store is still in business! Wow- seriously, I felt like I traveled back in time.

This last picture debuts my husband's civil enginnering work...one word sums up that gorgeous ADA compliant sidewalk- perfection!

Those familiar with the area might have guessed that I didn't take any "questionable" or "defining" pictures from Los Gatos. It is a fully updated city- I even waited for a table at the local Starbucks while admiring all the fancy bay area folks who don't work. We were stuck in traffic on the way down there (something we didn't experience going up to Fort Bragg) and we grabbed a quick lunch at Taco Bell (not sure if the coastal town up north even had fast food). I was excited to accompany my smart hubby on his work meetings- now I just need to work on actually understanding what his says when he talks about engineering!

Another Birthday Celebration

Meredith, her dad and her brother threw a fabulous surprise 50th birthday party for their mom, Susan, last weekend. Damon and I attended the festivities- what a great party! They just finished remodeling their house, and it looks great...Damon and I got some good design ideas too. Here are some pics of the custom favors, Mere with her mom, then with her bro and, of course, Miss Meredith and I. Fun times- here's to the next 50!!!

Playin' with the Straub Family

On Sunday night, Damon and I brought dinner over to the Straubs, mainly because I missed seeing my boys (and yes, I miss Michelle too since we aren't working together, but I have still managed to see her on a weekly basis at lunch) and because Casen FINALLY got his "bike." It is his third one (lots of technical issues), so we are all hoping that the third time is the charm. About 10 minutes before Damon and I were leaving the phone rang, I answered and it was Casen's sweet voice asking me to wear jeans so he could take me for a ride on his bike. I guess even the 5 1/2 year old even knows that I don't like to wear jeans!! As soon as we arrived, I was roped into getting on the bike...I admit I was a little nervous. It goes pretty darn fast and there wasn't really anything to hold on to! But, I survived and so did Damon. Casen was a very safe little driver, complete 110% boy!

After dinner we starting talking about Halloween and the boys decided to try on their costumes. Power Rangers! Which is great, because I remember Power Rangers (my mom used to babysit for a toddler when I was in middle school and I learned all about the "in" shows at that time). I had no clue that the Power Rangers were still popular...here are my favorites:

This picture is of Trenton sliding across the table...again, 110% boy!

Here is Trenton on his wiggle bike (I think that's what it is called) saying "good night!"

Happy Birthday Alicia!

Today is my sister's birthday...Happy Birthday Alicia! We will get to celebrate with her this weekend. But, in an attempt to celebrate, here are some pics from her birthday dinner last year, at our favorite Mexican restaurant where we used to meet in the middle when she lived in San Francisco.

Poor Grandpy...he never takes good pictures!!!

One of the pictures, which I didn't post, shows Alicia reading a bride magazine. Ironic, because she wasn't engaged yet. In fact, for her birthday last year, Geoff purchased her a beautiful diamond necklace and told her that it wouldn't be the last diamond her gave her. Well, he was right and now its my sister's last birthday as a "single" woman. Be sure to celebrate (although next year will be the big celebration when she turns 30!!!!)

More Blackpoint Birdies

Sunday morning Damon and I took the short drive with Shasta to Blackpoint (http://www.blackpointsportsclub.com/) and she found herself yet another birdie. This time I took my video camera and I will post a video of her one of these days. For now, here are the pictures of our little 10-month old daughter. We are certainly proud of our little hunter!

I really do enjoy pheasant hunting for several reasons:

1- You don't need to wake up too early (we left the house at 9:15)

2- There is good people (and dog) watching

3- Sometimes you run into people you know (aka: Damon's dad, one of Shasta's half-sisters, one of my old co-workers)

4- It is a nice walk (although trompin' around in the mud with hunting boots isn't always easy when you are used to wearing flip flops!)
5- There is some fun scenery around the property, case in point:

Look at my handsome husband...such a good poser in front of the old barn!

And the best reason of all....spending time with my cute family. Next weekend we are "planting" a field for Shasta, which means an earlier wake-up time, and we are bringing my dad, who hasn't been bird hunting with us yet...so stay tuned for lots of pics next weekend.