thanksgiving, 2008

Whew! What a week. I decided to spend Thanksgiving 2008 in sunny So. Calif this year. Not really liking
traveling on holidays, I planned to leave Nevada on Tues morning and then return home on Saturday. hoping
to avoid the worst of the traffic. I was a little nervous too as Beth has moved to Corona, and I wasn't too
sure of the way to her house.

I got away from Henderson around 10 am and traffic was moderate, but moving, that is until we got just
past the state line. Then for a long period of time there was construction, stop and go traffice and finally
narrowed down to one lane. I am glad they are working on that section of the road as returning to Nv.
that section is steep and winding downhill, and a tad scary. Once we were past the construction area,
traffic moved along nicely, that is until we got near the agricultural checkpoing. Stop and go for at least
15 minutes and for no reason, they don't check a thing and then wave you on as if you are to blame for
the traffic tie-up. Well, obviously this trip is taking a lot longer than I had planned, but still I had left enough
time so I would get there well before dark. I was listening to a book on tape, so it was a pleasant drive.

I finally got to Corona and took the turn-off Beth told me to take, overshot the dirt road to her house, but
just made a u-turn and all was well, except, Beth did not give me an address or a street name. She
told me it was a blue house (it's gray) and after a few phone calls, I found it. By now it is 2:30 AND I
have to pee. The key was under the mat, and the bathroom was right by the door. Thank you God.
Oops, the water has been shut off. Wiped my hands on my pants and proceeded to unload my car.
I had brought some beer and I was going to put it in the fridge, so six pack in hand I head for the kitchen
and the next thing I knew I was flat down on the floor. Seems there is a 2 inch level difference from the
hall to the kitchen I couldn't see. The beer flew out of my hands, but fortunately didn't break. I knew I
wasn't really hurt but due to a fall many years ago (again in Calif) I had sustained a soft tissue injury
to both knees and have not been able to get down on my knees since, so therefore you know, if you
can't get on your knees you have to yell HELP, I'VE FALLEN AND I CANT GET UP. I called Beth and
asked her if Melanie was on her way and Beth was unable to reach her. She only lives about 10 minutes
away. I tried to pull myself up by the counter, no such luck, scooted on my bottom to the couch and
coffee table again, failure. Oh well, I still had the beer and if I waited long enough help would come or
I wouldn't care. Some guy came and turned the water back on and I called out and asked him to come
in and help me and I guess I scared him off. Pretty soon Melanie arrived and Henry and Cheryl were
visiting her so help had arrived. With Cheryl on one side and Henry on the other I was soon on my
feet, a bit shaken and embarrassed, but okay. I guess I will watch that step from now on.

Spent the rest of the afternoon with Mel and the kids and then when Beth came home, we decided to
go to dinner (mexican food) Beth, Mel, Maggie and me. Then home and to bed. Long, long day.

Wed I went with Melanie and the kids to someplace hundreds of miles away from Corona (or so it seemed)
as Melanie had an appointment with her Orthopedic surgeon, and Luke, Gavin, Mags and I waited in the
car while she saw the doctor. Melanie must have threatened those kids with instant death because they
were so good, I was almost bored. We went back to Melanies and spent the afternoon and then Brian
came home and Beth and Tony came and we ordered dinner from Pizza Hut. the pasta dinners, very good.

Thursday, Thanksgiving, we had gotted dinner already prepared from Albertsons, Beth made extra potatoes
dressing and sweet potatoes and we had a feast fit for a king. Brian, Mel, the kids, Elaine, Beth Tony and
myself for dinner and then Shannon Erick and the girls came over for dessert. The children entertained us
with dances, from heavy metal to the chicken dance. What fun.

Friday, Beth and Mel did the shopping thing at 4:30 am, Not me. I stayed in bed until 7 then got up showered
dressed and they came home about 10:30, got lots of bargains, so then we went to Coco's for lunch.
elaine had stayed the night at Brians and so he too went shopping and she stayed with the kids. We kind
of kicked back the rest of the day, after all it had been a busy week. Mel came over with Maggie, Brian
had taken the boys to see Madagascar. She wanted leftovers. She had to go to Walmart so Maggie
stayed with us. She stood up and walked from the living room to the bedroom (her first long solo journey)
and the next thing we knew she was sitting backwards on Katies Christmas present. She couldn't go
anywhere as half o the toy was in a box. There's no stopping her now that she can walk. The bathroom
is her favorite destination.

Okay,by now I am worn out just watching the kids play and made it an early night. Saturday morning
Beth made breakfast, French toast, scrambled eggs, sausasege and grapes and juice and the Catalano
family joined us. Then it was time to hit the road. I had such a great time and enjoyed getting to spend
as much time as I did with the Catalano family.

the trip back took about 3 and a half hours and I unloaded the car and was thankful that it was a safe trip.
Leaving on Sat the traffic again was moderate but mostly moving except for the 24 miles before Baker.
Stop and go and then smooth sailing the rest of the way. With gas prices down, I spent $26 for gas.
Not bad.

Looking forward to the coming Holiday Season. Love you all!