Garrett Gomes is a natural with the camera. He found nearly 100 objects to photograph with my camera within about 1.5 hours, including himself!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tracy Can Cook
Oh wait, it's just salad. Tracy survived her 44th birtday as seen here. We whooped it up at Sushi the night before this picture was taken (Feb. 07). Tracy is the most wonderful, caring, loving mom of Logan, Riley and Drue.
School Project in Tahoe
Drue and Riley collaborated on a school project - "You are what you eat." They experimented by giving different foods to their dog, Derby, and observed his responses.
Logan with Dish Pan Hands
Logan is loves doing the dishes, really. There's no bribing here. He knows it's a big help to his mom and dad to help out.
Piano Playing Riley Quinn
Riley plays the piano, guitar, acts, sings and a whole lot more. She practices everyday.
Hyatt Regency Room, San Fran
Anne and I ate breakfast in the Regency room. Thanks to her love, Jay, we visited in complete style. I understand what inspired the song "I left my heart in San Fransisco" to be written.
San Fransisco, CA
My friend Anne reserved a room at the Hyatt in SF (Feb. 07). Wow, our room was on the 24th floor, as seen here.
Hand Painted Art in Oaxaca City
My sister, Jane, asked me to pick up a few of these hand painted animals while in Oaxaca City. I didn't even know they existed before she told me about them. Jane is an art teacher in Utah and wanted to show the kids this craft. There was no problem finding these art pieces.
Master Weaver in Tiotitlan, Mexico
Mrs. Los Angeles posed for a photo infront of their home in Tiotitlan, Oaxaca, Mexico. She seems to be quite proud of their craft, as she should be.
Casa de Los Angeles
Here are some of the family members, together, in one of the weaving rooms. This is one of the mini rugs I purchased. The daughter learned from her mother to weave. They were a delight to spend time with.
Mrs. Los Angeles
Mrs. Los Angeles weaves rugs, as shown here. I did buy 4 rugs from this family. Pam has been to this village outside Oaxaca City several times. The village is full of families of rug weavers. It's the best way to buy a genuine Oaxacan rug... direct from the weavers. We learned a lot about the time it takes to get the yarn and how it is died. Some yarn colors require boiling the dye for 30 days. Some yarns are also created from mosses in the trees there. What an experience. How often do you wonder how and who made the 'stuff' you use?
Mr. Los Angeles
One of my favorite memories is shown here. Mr. Los Angeles invited me an Pam to join him for some wine (see the bottle). I gladly accepted a shot glass full and quickly learned that that bottle did not contain wine. The spirits within were delicious though. He had us all dancing toward the end of our visit in their home.
Another view from the balcony in Oaxca City
The US press had indicated a much worse situation in Oaxaca City than I witnessed. Many of the businesses are suffering. There were a large number of policia guarding the Zocolo at night. One demonstration did take place while I was there. But all was peaceful.Balcony in Oaxaca City
We stayed in two different hotels while in Oaxaca in Jan. 07. The first one was $20 per night. Here is the view from the balcony one early morning.
Oaxaca Zocolo
Pam and I sat out on the patio looking onto the Zocolo in Oaxaca City watching all the people. I loved the social aspect of Mexico. People of all ages visit, hang out and dance in the Zocolo. Bands played live music every night.
Chicas Bonitas
Adrianna and Pam were awesome hostesses during my visit to Puerto. I thought I knew some Spanish and could 'get around'. I quickly learned, I didn't. Adrianna has been in Mexico since she was 18, maybe younger and speaks fluently. Pam has been traveling through Mexico, alone, for many, many years. Her stories abound. Pam has inspired me to not abondon fear. It's a work in progress. Between Pam and Adrianna, I got around just fine. Yes, they're related.... momma and daughter.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Deserted Beach
A dream come true visiting a beach like this. The beach in the shape of a half moon invited the waves over and over and over... for eternity. We ate shrimp, caught in the lagoon, right out of the shells.
Paddling Pals
Adrianna took me on an adventure to a remote beach about an hour North of Puerto Escondido. Together we motored to the land of the lost.
Casa de Adrianna
Here is the peaceful and happy home of Adrianna in Puerto Escondido. I stayed on the top floor. What a delight.
Looking out to the Pacific
Here is the view looking out from my room in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. Adrianna built this 3 story home. She rents out two of the floors and lives in one. If you want to know more and maybe rent, let me know kay.packard@sbcglobal.net. You'll be glad you stayed here - for sure!
Mexican Cabana Jan. 07
Here is a view looking into the room where I stayed for about 3 weeks in Jan. This is a slice of heaven.
Cheering at the Long Beach Golf Course
Mike, Alan and Brent cheered me on toward my time-off work at the Long Beach Golf course. It was probably my worst day of golf but so much fun with these guys.
Mike is Humming
Mike is the other one 'wanting to know what I'm up to'. "Have you gone anywhere crazy during your time off?" His story about his departure from UPS inspired me to go on sabbatical before I called the supervisor and told him where to pick up the truck after hauling hundreds of boxes to customers climbing a gazzilion flights of stairs at Christmas time. Here he is with his new Hummer in Feb. 07. Congratulations Mike. You deserve it!
Lovely Luana
Working with Lovely Luana has been a real treat. She's been with Boeing for 40 years. Yep, it's true. She doesn't look a day over 40. I guess she started early in life. I've learned about a new level of calm and caring from Luana. She always leaves a person a way out with dignity. You go girl!
Chief Carl
Carl is my Boss, with a capital B. He and Luis approved me taking the sabbatical for 6 months. First he said, "What's going on; tell me more." Then he said, "OK." Then he said, "I'm jelous." Then he asked, "Are you coming back?" He assured me that he heard me express my very strong desires to return to a non-SOX related project management role. I like spreading the wealth and giving everyone an equal opportunity for personal growth. Thanks Carl!
Go Techno He Says
Brent is one of the two who kept asking, "where is the blog?" He sent me sample sites to get an idea of what they looked like. Brent is a fabulous photographer. I'm newly inspired to make every shot count. Thanks Brent!
Bless Norma Ellis
Talent and skill was easily recognized in this woman. And bless her for replacing me as the Southwest SOX project leader. I hope she is still smiling!
Boeing Buddies
My friends at work are the wonderful! The best part of work, for me, is the people. Keeping it a serious form of play is high on the priority list. On my last day of work, Feb. 9, a few people gathered to send me off for a grand 6 month sabbatical. The agenda for the last meeting I attended was 2007 SOX planning.
Turkey's in the Front Yard
One morning in Feb. 07, I woke up to turkey's sqawking in my front yard. Word of advice, don't take on a Turkey. They can be very mean as adults. Mama protects her chicks. My cats learned quickly to leave them alone.
Watch for Ryan on Music Video
Ryan played music for us at Xmas eve. He has a gift for the guitar. Keep an eye on this rising star!
One Lucky Grandma
Jill is my adopted mom. She is surrounded by her 3 grand daugters, Beth, Jesse and Meg. The girls all live just over the hill from me. So I'm lucky too!
Teddi Relaxing at the Holiday Gathering
I'm blessed to have my most wonderful, adorable and loving friend Teddi. Here she is relaxing at Tod's on Christmas eve (06).
Joyce in Holiday Style
Life long friend Tod Johnson hosted Christmas Eve (06) dinner at his house. Here's Joyce, his partner, looking hot!
Logan is Learning
Next year Riley will be too big for living room flight. Logan is Riley's little brother. He's on deck and learning about the important stuff here!
Flying Riley
When the Chapman kids come over, every pillow in my house is relocated to the living room floor. Guess what happens next?
Magical Mountains
Alta Peak and Morro Rock, in Sequoia National Park, stir the deepest part of me. Being here is 'home'. I'm grateful to all who have protected the park over the years. My grandfather and father both served as Park Rangers. Now I live with a deck looking onto this magnificant view.
Two Hearts Rock Solid
My neighbor is a sculptor from the heart. He finds rocks at the river and carves masterpieces. I love hearing the grinder. That means he's operating in peace.
Girls Together
The girls came over to cook enchiladas. Wendy, Lora, Teddi and I have grown up together. When we're together, smiles extend from ear to ear.
Drue struts her stuff
Winter or Summer, Drue can be found strutting her stuff on the shore of Lake Tahoe.
Screaming Riley
Lake Tahoe is spectacular any time of year. I love being there in Summer mostly. Here is Riley jumping from rock to beach in August 06. Each of the kids take their turns screaming all the way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
