Our updates for all of you

So earlier today I posted some of the California trip photos after figuring out exactly how to accomplish that task. Since with Google+ taking over all things Google like the Picasa Web Albums, direct uploading to those albums no longer possible and I didn't see how I could get those, or any photos, to this Blog. I think it used to be easier, but turns out while different it still is pretty easy, photos just go to the Google+ albums instead of Picasa and then get imported to the Blog through those albums or photos. So I'll be back to adding photos on occasion again. I'll start off with the big news for daughter Sandy. Last Monday, the 13th, she took the final test required for California Certification to be a licensed Architect........... and she passed!! She had graduated with a Masters of Architecture and lighting design from USC in 2007 and had been working since then. She had been stressing about this test, the last in a series that she's been taking over the...

 All of the photos in this group were taken on the way there and on the way back on the San Jose, California trip in July 2012. Top photo was our first rest stop after crossing the border Inspection Station on I-5 in Northern Calif. It was SO HOT!!!!!!!!!!!! Below is a photo of Mt. Shasta as we get closer.  Above was the morning view at the RV park we stayed at in Redding, Calif. It was over 100 degrees when we checked in the evening before, and was already in the mid 70s when I took this photo the next day. The Sacramento River runs right behind the RV park and it was a place I wouldn't mind staying at again, if it's cooler!  Above and below- STUCK in Winnemucca! The truck was towed to the shop and since we weren't going anywhere Stacy and I decided to check out the small pool they had at the RV park that afternoon. It was very hot there and the trailers A/C unit ran constantly the entire time we were plugged in. Below is a photo from the pool area showing th...

 Above and below photos are of some of the handmade items Stacy had made for Sandy's baby shower. Top photo is of two of the diaper covers she'd made. Put the diaper inside and then Velcro it closed on the baby. Stacy's planning on getting back to making different sizes.  The photo above are the clever place mats Stacy made. They include a place to put the 'silverware' then roll them up for a all in one solution. Grab a rolled up place mat and a plate and go to it.  Our last day in the San Jose area and we all went to a nearby town to their Farmers Market for breakfast and to buy some fruit and veggies. Actually very good prices and some excellent tasting purchases! And since we don't have to deal with the border inspection stations like California has we could take some home too! Below is last photo of this group is Sandy (back to camera) and Stacy waiting in line to  pay for their purchases at this vendor.

 All of these and the following posts photos were taken on the trip to and at Sandy's baby shower July 21, 2012. Top photo was while doing the finishing touches of setting up with Stacy getting the fire pit started.  The next three photos are of the table centerpieces that Stacy had made for the party. "Cakes" made out of diapers with other baby accessories like the jelly bean filled bottles looked very nice, and the settings were often commented on by the guest on how cleverly they had been made.    Last photo in this group is the water pistols that Sandy had gotten for the party. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Stacy had also brought activities and games for the party should they be needed, but with the guests coming and going during the day and with the almost 100 degree temps the only things that all got used were these water pistols! By kids and adults alike!

Test driving true 4G: In our rural area, our AT&T cell service data is 2G, forget all those constant TV adds for the wonders of 4G, it's not happening in our neck of the woods! Or even any area around unless you drive at least 30 miles to get HSPA +, or 3.5G. But with this trip to California, I got to see and actually live with 4G service, I loved it!! The best 4G, of course, was in the San Jose area. I could use data on my Galaxy S II with response as quick or often quicker than even our Wi-Fi at work. Stacy's iPhone 3GS only goes to 3G speeds so she did see some better and way more consistent speed but my phone is the only 4G capable phone we have at the moment. I also take care and monitor data usage so I was really curious how I'd do with the 4G availability as for the week we'd have to primarily use our phones for Internet. Now it was true, just about every RV park we stayed at said they had 'wireless Internet access', but most places we could ne...

Back a week from our trip to California for daughter Sandy's baby activities and recalling a week ago today when we were in fact still over three hundred miles from home after our extra day delay in Winnemucca due to problems with our Silverado. I had started this post while in Winnemucca so I will add to and complete it. So over a week into our trip to California for daughter Sandy's baby shower and to help her get their apartment set up and ready for the new baby when it occurs in September. Stacy and I spent the week there making trips to Ikea and assembling the furniture and using our truck to take stuff away etc. to make room for the baby. First day out on this trip and we have a problem! At our first fuel stop in Pasco, Washington, as I'm filling up the truck I notice several tufts of pink insulation showing on top of our trailer. I climb up on top and find that apparently the factory didn't properly fit the front or the 'cap' on the front of the ...