Bella Beach - relaxing and fun

Erica, Mom, Bea, Nancy, Judy
Mom and Bea - excited to go wave hopping.
Why not make a circle of feet on the beach??
Mom wanted a picture for Tom - at Tillamook
Wow - the sea lions were amazing....


We enjoyed a pleasant and relaxing week at Lincoln City - Bella Beach actually. The weather was pleasant - not too hot and not too cold. The house was lovely and the beaches were pretty. The surrounding towns were interesting with lots of things to do and see. Nancy, Erica and I spent the entire week. Mom, Bea, Jeff, Linda and Judy were there from Friday night until Monday. We ate well, slept in and just enjoyed relaxing. Please enjoy the pictures....

Back to the blog (sounds a bit like a movie title?)

Here it is September already and I haven't blogged in ever so long. So much has happened - we have been to a reunion without posted pictures, we have been to Bella Beach - same scenario - and school has started without me - no pictures there.

First - let me speak of the reunion we attended in Ellensburg. It was fun, but too short perhaps. Not enough time to visit properly with everyone. The best part was mom's award of being the oldest one there - see picture of her with her award. It is also worth noting that mom and Darlene wore the same outfit and that mom didn't even know Darlene. She did have a cute new hairdo, but still looked like Darlene to the rest of us. The worst part was that it was voted (not by me - in fact I wasn't even aware of the voting going on....) that next year's would be at my house and would be a camp out. My sister Nancy - many of you know her - and I have decided that it will be a Back to Vashon Roots reunion - thus including Sundbergs, Paulsons and Ellingsens - and any other branches we can find. I actually have gotten used to the idea and am looking forward to the event. Please look for info about said reunion soon. We are thinking the end of July - how does that sit with you loyal blog readers? Please enjoy the attached photos from the reunion and check back soon for pictures from Bella Beach....

Carolee and Bill on a field trip with my students

Here is a little picture with proof that Carolee and Bill are great American retirees. They went on a field trip with my school to the waterfront and out on a boat tour of the Seattle Harbor. This is the second year they have done this, and so I award them a retiree volunteerism award. I only hope I can do as well.

PS - Sometimes this can be a scary job, but they came out of it unscathed and still smiling....

Marie with a teacher friend's baby

Here is Marie with one of my teacher friend's brand new baby. Sundberg Sunfest (a get together of teachers from my school) had a theme of Wild West this summer. It was a fun-filled weekend with no rain!!

Getting ready for the trip to Bella Beach

When I logged in today I was shocked to see that I am leaving for Bella Beach in three days. Yikes - time has a way of getting away from me. Time seems to indeed fly when you are having fun. And it seems that so far, retirement is fun. That is right - for those of you who haven't heard it through the grapevine, I have retired from teaching and am now about ready to search for a new job. Wonder what that could be? I really don't know what other skills I have, but am still young enough to learn I think. This old dog and still be taught.
Back to Bella Beach. It is time to gather stuff together and start packing the car. If anyone would like to come visit for a day or two, the house we have rented is quite large - sleeps 9 I think. We will be there from Friday Aug. 8th until Friday the 15th. While it seems quite full during the weekend, the week days seem quite uncrowded and just asking for visitors. We have heard many good things about the place, so come check it out. I forget the name of the house we have rented, but I do know it has a carriage house. So log in to Bella Beach and look for a house with a carriage house and that will be us I think.
Well, off to pack... more later!
PS Merrie - I tried to download a new picture of the cute lady, but it wouldn't download - I will try again later....

I just had to add this picture of the terrible twosome - aren't they just do cute? And don't they know it.....

They are feeling sorry for themselves because next weekend they have to get their feet trimmed and it isn't their favorite pasttime at all.

And a final good night to all....

The demand for blogging is increasing by the day

I am gaining readership by the day. It seems like quite a responsibility really. Today I will share a picture of the ducks in their new abode. Sadly, it was almost dark, so the picture isn't the best. But you might be able to tell how much more adultlike they have become. They will soon be one of the characters in the new series of children's books starring Carlo and the other farm animals. Some of the titles that have been suggested are: Carlo swings with the sheep, Carlo quacks up, The day the terrible twosome arrive on the farm (costarring the minis), Chickens - do they have to roost on my back?

There is not a definite date of release, but hopefully it will be withing the next century.

Have a great week all - we schoolteachers are down to 15 get-ups and counting. Can't come a moment too soon. After the books about Carlo will be the books about the students from room 111 - also about animals.

Good night - your friendly blogger - Cheryl