Halloween was a lot of fun this year. We had friends from Paul’s work, My sister, Kathie  and her husband Rob, Katie’s friend Jessica and her husband and of course Sabby, Katie and Adam. Kathie and Rob dressed.

Not a lot of Trick or Treaters these days but we had fun waiting outside with out scary decorations and witch’s brew – care of Aunt Kathie.

A little blurry there betty….

Yesterday was spent trying to get on line viewing of the Packer/Viking game and texting our youngest, about how great Brett Farve was playing.. He didn’t appreciate it.. Packer fan that he is.  Don’t waste your money on — on line all you can watch sports… It’s iffy at best.

Hope you all had a great Halloween! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

So here we are, October 31, st.. Halloween.. One week before the big hike… The hike down the Grand Canyon. This year, unfortunately Rob and Carla won’t be going; but Ricky and Paul have planned it since last November.

Yesterday was Paul’s FIRST work out.. Here’s a picture of this morning’s work out.. Now it’s about 5,000.00 to get airlifted out of there.. I’d say one week’s training just isn’t enough.. Especially with a bad neck; 30 new pounds; and two bad knees..

All I can say is… Good Luck Ricky!   Remember your “Hail Marys” boys.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Three of my six Great Treasures.

It’s been crazy around these parts the last few weeks. I’m a little crazy I think.

I’ve been down with the flu / cold for forever and every time I think I’m feeling better, I’m back down again. I was feeling better last Monday until my trip to Greer to do a Photo Shoot on Tuesday/Wednesday. Greer was beautiful and the couple wonderful… The weather turned cold and we woke up to Snow.. Of course before that, I woke up to a major relapse which lasted through Saturday; felt a little better Sunday, did another Engagement Shoot and was down again for a good part of this week. Today, Friday, I’m feeling like I may even live.. This was a long road.

Katie and Adam are staying with us with Sabby until the middle of November, when they move into a house near us they are renting.  I’m enjoying all the people but am sure they can’t wait to get into their home. I will live my fantasy  with at least one of my children living close by and visiting and being very close to my red head.

We’ll be decorating the house to welcome Halloween tomorrow.  My youngest daughter, decorates October 1st.. I wait until the 31st.. I am a little late this year, but just haven’t been up to it.

The Weather has changed and today it’s been cold.. Most likely it’ll be warm again.. I think back to the high 80’s.. It’s been great having such cool weather while I snuggle under the covers feeling awful.

I hope all of you are doing well and are enjoying your autumn. I’ve added a few photos of our beautiful trip to Greer… My new favorite place in the world.

The Road to Lake Hawley – Near Greer AZ

Paul helping me with the shoot

What a beautiful view to wake up to.. Outside our Cabin in Greer

All Ready for Halloween.. I missed this little minx

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

First.. Barney thinks he’s a lap dog and second.. I can’t get this picture to rotate properly..grrrr

I’ve decided – since I’m back on blog now, that I need a page to vent; comment; observe and lets be honest.. BITCH.

I hear things on radio, TV, from my husband and other sources that I have to think.. what’s up with that?!!! or in the words of my dear friend, Julee WTF..

So I’ve added a page to this blog.. Called What’s up with that. It’s up under my header.

As I mentioned in my first post to this new page.. I’ve often had a genius thought, only to have it leave my brain and memory so I’ll try to get right to the computer and impart my genius before it leaves me again.. Ah sad.. Actually I could use my swiss cheese memory as my first What’s up with that post.

Now for the great great news

This picture was taken in 1975 in my apt in Van Nuys. This is Marilyn… Back in the day.. Hopefully she is o.k. with me posting this

I am also on face book and have reconnected with old friends that I’d lost touch with over the years. Late yesterday afternoon, I thought.. MARILYN.. I can find her now I bet.. Marilyn was my best friend in high school. Together we solved most of the worlds woes in the early 1970’s. We lost touch and then found each other again in the mid 80’s. She had a beautiful baby daughter, and we saw each other a few times.. It was great – Then, the phone I had her number in.. early days of those memory thingys – died and I lost her again! I found her yesterday.. Her smile hasn’t changed ONE bit. Her daughter, who’s middle name was mine  has grown up so beautifully and her wedding looks like such a happy day.  We’ll talk again later today.

I am most happy today; despite my best efforts to be crabby and negative.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

At the Auto Repair – Ted’s off the 395 – Eastern CA

Paul and Ted – An honest guy. He charged less than the Jeep Dealership in our area would have charged.. AND He’s in the middle of no where.

A Stop over in Murrieta and quick visit with her cousins and we were off again.

We’re home now. The weather has been really nice and our windows are open most of the day and into the evening now.  LOVING it.. We’re suppose to be in the 100’s again This weekend, but I’m still glad to be home… Here’s one of the reasons why

Katie is home now with Sabby, who’ll start school here in AZ again next week. We’ve been doing home study and I’ll post those pictures soon.  Adam is improving and will be joining Katie in the Phoenix area soon. Sabbs, other than undoing ALL of the changes Gran made in the house during her absence, is doing very well. I’m sad and worried for Katie as I hope for the best.

I’m caught up on all my photography jobs and the hours of editing involved; Carla and I are shooting a wedding at a beautiful hotel built into the side of a mountain in Tempe so we’re hoping it’ll cool off early and then we’re doing an engagement shoot together on Sunday so I’m looking forward to that. It’s fun when we do these things together.

Hope you’re all well and enjoying what must be beautiful fall weather where ever  you are.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Ricky – Up on the of the boulder he’d just bouldered.. (mom MAY take back her blessing for this sport)

This week has had many challenges for all of us. Sunday morning, Katie Called.  Her boyfriend was in ICU. Unknown internal bleeding. Paul was originally headed up to Yosemite with Ricky for a camping trip and Bouldering for Ricky. I hitched a ride and got up to Tahoe to be with Katie by Monday Morning at 4:00 a.m.  Fortunately I realized while packing that “fall” clothing was more appropriate than the 106 degree clothing I had. Katie’s boyfriend is still in ICU and just yesterday members of his family have arrived to help her. Katie’s life which was finally happy and filled with Joy is suddenly crumbling around her. Paul cut his camping trip short Tuesday and came up to be with Katie and we all left yesterday to head back to So Cal to drop Ricky off and then on to AZ with Sabby in tow for a “vacation” while mommy helps A. get better.. Just into CA on 395 in Mono County; the truck stopped… We were without service there and fortunately a guardian angel in a Mono County Sherrif uniform stopped to help us. He stayed and lent us his cell phone to call Auto club. He left when we knew help was on the way. Sabby, who’s “never met a real live policeman” met her first yesterday and was told she was very pretty by the deputy sherrif. 

So we were towed to a nearby town with one auto repair shop and were told it most likely is some fuel filter pump or thing or whatever.. A MIN of 500.00 .. and a min of one day delay in getting home.  Katie, who already had her hands full, drove the two hours down to get us and then back up to Tahoe we came.. I’m sitting now at Katie’s computer watching birds talk to each other on the tree outside her window.. I’m on the 3rd floor so I’m close to the top of the tree.. I THINK these are wood peckers??

For those of you who have read my constant bitching about the heat…. NEVER MIND…

Sabby can pose on the side of a road outside of a broken down truck…

Good news… sort of … as this post “goes to print” we’re learning the pump is in the truck and we’ll see if it works.. 30 minutes until we find out if we can head back down the mountain and back to the welcomed heat of our AZ desert—-after a brief stopover in Southern CA.

Those of you who pray; please pray for Katie and Sabby while Katie makes her way through this muddle.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Izzy taking calls on her 4th Birthday

Izzy’s face was “placed” into her cake..

Makayla, Izzy, & Sophie with their Uncle Ricky September 2009

Sophie… VERY strict these days

Conner, Ready for his Aunt Mindy’s wedding to his new Uncle Manny… Cars! Cars! Cars!

Madi and her Aunt Mindy.. Ready for the wedding.. (Mindy is one of my favorite people… Such an honer to be at the wedding and to help with photos)

Carla and her sister Mindy – That was not wine… (I whined)

Sabby and her ice cream cone– August in Tahoe (virginia city of course) 2009

Carla and me at a wedding we did 9/5/2009.. Damn.. I already look tired and old.. The day had just started.  And what’s with that NECK..

I’ve been gone a long time; Did a couple of weddings; signed up a couple more. (posting some pics on my photo site..  http://bettyflockenphotos.blogspot.com/

I’ve missed my blog friends and wonder how you’re all doing.  Missed a big birthday party last week.. Had a tooth pulled a couple of weeks ago and almost lost the tooth next to it.. Happily – after a couple weeks of vicadin and pain that tooth was saved.

Hang on….. sewing a button back on Paul’s pants before he leaves for work..

O.K.  The summer has been brutal and the heat is rising once again.. 106 today.. Above our averages of mid 90’s for this time of year..  I haven’t been driving this week because of dizzy spells – hopping it’s not an M.S. Thing.. Will retreat to “bed to rest” today and see how that helps.

Wah wah wah..  Over all September has been a pretty good month. Carla’s sister was married to her wonderful Manny on Paul’s birthday and we celebrated his birthday by attending their wedding.. I got to help with photos and have been editing this week. Also working on a wedding Carla and I shot over Labor day weekend. Two beautiful occasions in one week..

I’m waiting…. for cooler weather when windows can be opened and I can enjoy the cool breezes.. Probably another month.

Katie and Adam are moving back to the south.. Southern CA. Which is wonderful news. I’ve missed Sabby (and of course Katie) something awful this summer… Halloween Decorations at Walmart didn’t help.. but Katie called called to say they were coming for Halloween. I’ll miss the other five kids that day but I’m looking forward to getting out all those decorations when I feel better. Katie, Adam and Sabby will be only 4 hours away now instead of 12 so I’m very excited.. Even better, they’re considering a Condo in Lyndsey and Victors complex so that’ll be really fun..

The Coyotes are staying in Phoenix one more year at least.. So life is good…

Hope you’re all good and happy.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

More to follow

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today

These two are QUEENS of the WORLD!!!

It’s so good to be home again. I haven’t touched the suitcase so much unpacking to do. I took A LOT of pictures so still working on downloading and editing; but it’s really hard to have a “bad” picture with Tahoe in the background.

It was a wonderful time, celebrating, family and seeing everyone. Sabby is still adorable and Katie and Adam are still in love. I also got to see most all of our “northern California” family and that was wonderful. Poor Adam got the grill and Paul didn’t stop laughing for most of the time spent with his nephews and Adam. A Wonderful family time.

I’m glad I was with Katie, when she learned from Gina that her mom (my Friend Sandie) was dying. And later, when we learned she’d passed away. Katie took it hard.  I am profoundly grateful for Gina. She was the one who found us and made our “reunion” in June possible.

Gina, Sandie, Ricky, Kristen & Lyndsey, Christmas Eve 85

I’m looking forward to catching up with all of my blog land friends.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

I have no picture today to post of Sandi; Christmas Eves spent at each other’s homes; Being Pixie Leaders together – then Daisy Leaders together.  20 years ago we were inseperable. Gina and Katie were best friends – We met one night trick or treating with our children. Katie then 3, Gina then 4 and spent many years as friends and neighbors.

Sandie faced Laronix cancer in the late 80’s. She went into surgery with the the knowledge she would never speak again normally. Miraculously, she came out of surgery cancer free and with enough laronix left to speak. Her raspy Boston aceented voice will be with me forever.  A While after her surgery, they moved up the road some 15 miles and shortly afterward, we moved 25 miles down the road. Over the coming years we lost touch.

A month ago, Gina found my daughter on facebook, looking for Katie and the rest of our family. Then followed a happy reunion. They had moved to Atlanta a few years ago, Charlie, Sandie, and both daughters, with their respective families. Sandie had two strokes last year and had some problems resulting from them. I got her number from Gina and called her. I asked her if she remembered me and was told YOU WERE MY BEST FRIEND FOR YEARS!!! HOW COULD I FORGET YOU!!! Raspy Boston voice so long remembered.

This week I’ve been in Tahoe. Thursday, while we sat at the beach on Northshore; Katie got a call from Gina. Sandie had undergone surgery to replace part of her jaw, damaged by radiation some 20 years ago after her cancer.  She suffered multiple strokes during and imediately following her surgery. She had been taken off life support and had only a short time to live. Katie and I cried on the North Shore of Tahoe and remembered our times with Sandie, Charlie, Kristen and Gina.

The times Sandie was there without question as a friend. I hope I was as good a friend to Sandie.  Sandie passed away VERY early Friday Morning.

My heart is broken for Charlie, Kristen, Gina and the grand children they had. I wish I could be there for Sandie’s funeral, but she lived so far away in GA. I’m there in a way because they, including Sandie’s sister Suzie, have been in my heart and memories since Thursday. I’m sad Sandie is no longer in this world. It seems strange to think of the world without her in it. I am devasted for Charlie who was such a good husband to Sandie for over 40 years. 

I love the R. family I would like the world to know and love them as I do. I’m so happy I was blessed with that happy reunion last week when I got to talk to my good friend Sandie for what would be the last time.  To experience the joy of hearing her raspy (sexy) boston voice once more.

You were my good friend Sandie, I’ll think of you and miss you in this world for the rest of my life.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.