Pictures!

My friend Sean just got a great new Nikon D40 DSLR camera. We took it out and about to Coopers Rock and a couple other places on Friday to test it and just have some fun. We took about 350 pictures, uploaded 140 to Facebook, and I've selected 12 to put up here for now. I'm working on getting him to upload all of the pictures to Flickr so they can be viewed in their normal resolution and be easier to share. I'll post a link here when that's done. Oh, you might notice something different about me. Click the pictures for a bigger view.

Bubba Blooms!

Once Bubba started, he's been blooming for a couple of months. We've seen larger trees that are really spectacular, so can't wait until he's a little older. We're also enjoying the wildflowers, some of which were new to me, such as the "purple horse mint." Kind of neat to see them sprouting next to the agaves and yuccas!

Five Little Swallows

It's been interesting to watch our resident bird family, but hard to take pictures. These were snapped through the window. With five babies, the nest is a little overcrowded at night. Even when they look sound asleep, five little beaks open promptly when Mama or Papa arrive with a tempting morsel. They're almost two weeks old now, so it should be time for flight practice soon!

It's Bloomin' Time !

Finally, my gardens are in bloom. It's been a very cold Spring - usually the poppies & peonies bloom around May 1 - This year it was May 24 ! (The bush is a rhododendron)

Today is Memorial Day, so we are going downtown to watch Erica march with the band in the local parade. Then a backyard bbq, and yard work !! The kids have Tuesday off for a snow day give-back, so if it is not raining we are going to the beach !

Brian just got back from the 8th grade Hershey Park trip - Thursday night is a dinner & dance and Friday they spend the day at the park. He'll be back at the park next Friday, when the Wind Ensemble goes there for Music In the Parks.

I am still working on Stephanie's t-shirt quilt - I would like to have the quilt top completed for graduation. That's only 21 days away, so I have to get to work.

Hope eveyone is having a great weekend !!

Prayers for my house sale

I have had a lot of traffic through the house in San Antonio and I am also trying to sell the land Juancho and I bought in NC. We have had three showings this weekend on the house and I ask for everyone to please pray that I get an offer. I am desperate and I am still stuck with the house in VA with a 9.5% ARM. I am trying to get out of the financial mess I am in and thank God I sold the house in Houston, so things are looking better.

In other news, Diane is about to get her Realtor's license and already has a job with Keller Williams. Justin is taking a course to get his teaching certificate and should begin teaching in September.

I may have to go to Romania for 4 months or 3 years, depending who you ask - I can sort of negotiate the terms. It sucks, because it is difficult to travel from Constanta, where the refinery is, to the nicer parts of Europe. I could see Bulgaria, Serbia, the Ukraine, Moldovia, and Turkey> Woo hoo. The good news is I would visit the 2 contractor's offices in the Netherlands.

Anyone who has an in with the Big Guy, please help me out.

Love,
Val

NJ Gas Prices

For some reason, NJ has some of the lowest gas prices. This is from today, on the NJ Turnpike. Most stations are $ 3.59 - $ 3.70, but the Turnpike is only allowed to change prices once a week.

Got gas?

If not, buy it anywhere but here. Gas prices have finally broken $4/gallon in Mariposa. Unleaded is now $4.09 / 4.19 / 4.29. There are two stations holding out at $3.99, but they have the two higher grades priced higher than normal (usually the grades are priced in 10 cent increments) at 4.19 and 4.29.

ASTHMA UPDATE

Check out this link to a NY Times article regarding the new HFA Inhalers !!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/health/13asth.html?ex=1368331200&en=688716f73ce7e868&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Happy Mother's Day

Mom - you are the best. You've helped me through some tough times. I am glad you are my mother.

And Happy Mother's Day to Judi, Laura, and Kristin!!!

Love,

Val

Schafer genealogy

Does anyone have any information on the Schafer family tree? I had gotten some info from Grandpa before he died, and I gave somebody a copy but I have lost it in all my moves. I understand many of the Schafers were from Bremen - I travel through Germany a lot and I was kind of curious.

Val

Almost SummerTime

We all had a great time in Virginia, and now I am getting ready for our big event - Stephanie's HS Graduation and Brian's 8th grade graduation !!

Stephanie is taking some AP exams this week & next - hopefully, after all that, the work is over - just Prom, Graduation, & Summer Time !! We'll be driving her out to St Louis on Aug 20. The challenge is to fit everything in the minivan - which is probably equal in volume to her half of a dorm room !!

Brian is looking forward to lots of camp this summer - he's attending a CTY camp in PaleoBiology at Franklin & Marshall College, a 1 week church service project, as well as Y Camp at Speers-Eljabar. And a new one this year - he will be in Band Camp with Erica the last 2 week of August.

Erica is having a great year with Marching Band, Jazz Band & Key Club. This summer she'll be working as a Camp Counsellor at the local Girl Scout Camp. She's taking a week off to go on the church mission trip. Also, she'll be "Sweet 16" in July - she'll get her permit, & we'll spend some time cruisin'. She's looking forward to returning to Band & School as an upperclass Junior !!

Last year we had a great time travelling to Rome, Venice & Yellowstone - this year we're staying closer to home. After school is out we're camping at Assateague for a few days with a bunch of friends. Then it's a relaxing summer at home - quilting, local beaches, cleaning out the Aegean Stables (aka the basement).

I really enjoyed spending time with everyone !!

Love,
Laura

NoVa

We had a great time - Here are my favorite pictures...

Toby in VA

A trip to No. Va. isn't complete without a shopping spree at Tysons Corner!
Hanging out with Aunt Val while Mommy shops.

Glad they followed the instructions!

Makes sense, doesn't it?

I'm at home anywhere!

More Snaps

After the vows

Judi & Roger on the
dance floor AND Brian & Diane

Congratulations, Judi & Roger

What a great weekend. It was wonderful to have all of you together! Here's a few pics from Val and me. Let's see more!

The New Family...Welcome, Roger, Brian, and Alex!

Mark, Valerie, and Diane

Erica, Laura, Stephanie, Brian, and Jeff

Kristin and Toby


Valerie and Rob