Lake Tahoe February 2009

We had a good time in Lake Tahoe this weekend but we did not get to Snow Mobile which was the main reason for us going there. Weather was not very good on top of the mountain but around the lake we had flurry's in the morning nothing serious. The cabin at Zephyr Cove was wonderful so we spent some time at the cabin relaxing with a good book and watching the lake.

We enjoyed a really relaxing drive around the lake taking lots of pictures. We took Edward gambling in the evening (a failed experiment). He would much rather play a racing game for his money then a slot machine. Maybe we didn't fail?

We did find a "hole in the wall" barbecue place "Womacks" when we went in there tables sat only about 25 and there had to be 50 people in the place. The food was absolutely worth the crowding.
While I am sure that the weekend was disappointing albeit relaxing to Edward, Dorothy and I had a very nice time.

Projects update

I currently have two projects going. Both are moving along very quickly right now. The big project is a three drawer chest for the office. This chest is made from oak plywood with a red oak face frame. The drawers are made of Poplar and will have a red oak face, not yet done on the picture. The blue tape is so that I can sand the face frame flush to the plywood without damaging the plywood. This project has been in the works for about 4-5 months in large part due to the lack of a biscuit joiner. I had to find other ways to join the plywood and the face frame. I learned to do it with dowels but it took some practice and this thing has been together and apart more times than I would like to admit. I am very happy to say that I do not envision any more stumbling blocks due to equipment that I need and do not have. The full extension slides and drawers was a new thing for me but they worked out very well.



The second project in the works is a jewelry box that is more of a learning project for me than anything else. I had a number of things I wanted to learn and doing them on a small project like this gives me the opportunity to do that without crying about wasting $50.00 in lumber because I messed up. The base is made with 45 degree joints that have a spline under the box. A very strong joint that was much easier than expected. The box was made with box joints in the corners. Not sure you can see that in the picture but it will be very evident when the finish goes on. The last part that I am working on now is the top. The plan is to put the marquetry in the top, which as you can see is done and was not as difficult as I thought it would be once I built a router jig. I will be routing a round over on the edge and putting a chamfer in the top above the round over. Should be interesting (remember I said its small if it doesn't work we start over without much waste).



These projects have kept me busy in the shed since November about three months but since I am a full time Hospital Pharmacist and an almost full time Grandfather, there is precise little time for woodworking but some of the other activities are not that hard to put up with.

Trip to San Diego

After we got Christmas and Dorothy's birthday out of the way. We decided we needed some R&R. We used our allotment with Worldmark our Timeshare club to go to San Diego. We stopped in Solvang on the way down for one night and then in Pismo Beach on the way back for one night.

Edward enjoyed Solvang even though we really didn't have much more than a quick walk through in the evening and a little shopping in the morning then we were on our way. The Worldmark site in Solvang was right off the main drag so it was an easy walk to everything. That was really nice. I am sure we will be returning to that site.

When we left Solvang we had decided to give Dorothy a day at the Getty museum in LA. While Edward was not to keen on this part of the trip I have to say I really enjoyed it. I wouldn't mind doing it again without Ed. It was a very rare day in LA with no smog or wonderful views from the gardens on top of the hill.

In San Diego we did a lot of walking, Edward wanted to return to the Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park and ride the San Diego Trolley to San Ysidro. We found a new part of the city of us "Little Italy" some good food and wine. Out timeshare was just outside Balboa Park so I took the opportunity to start running every morning.

Our absolute favorite place in SD was Chocolat a lunch and Gelato shop in the Gas Lamp District of the city. We also really enjoyed our dinner at Bela Luna in the Gas Lamp. Because it was so cold in the evening we hit the Dockers store and bought Edward a pair of pants which he was required to wear in the evenings.

On the way home we stopped at Pismo Beach which was new to us, we have driven through on the freeway but never stopped. It was funny we got in after dark so we were marginally impressed by the last part of a sunset on the beach but never realized the layout of the town. In the morning I hit the road for a run and found the downtown, the coffee shops the Cinnamon roll shop and much more. Very cute city to visit for walking on the beach, resting in the sun. A friend of mine had recommended Alex Barbecue so we did some take out and we were not disappointed. (Thank goodness the GPS can find these things in the dark).

Case your wondering Gavin stayed home with Amber for a few days and Teddy went for a visit with Aunt Sue in San Francisco. We all had a good time and Edward wants to return soon so its always a good sign he enjoyed himself.

Christmas 2008

We had lots and lots of Christmas and Kids this year. We start on the 20th with Christmas at Oma's with Sean, Kelly, Tara and all of Elda's Grandchildren. It was fun, load and exciting. The kids all had a good time and get along great together. The little one's got a bit over tired by the end of the day but that's all part of the experience.

After that Christmas day was amazing with Gavin. He got a Little Tykes Car which I though he would have no idea what to do with it. Surprise he climbed right in (through the window) couldn't wait to find the door and opened all the rest of his presents from inside the car. Teddy's gift of a child's DVD player with a YoGabaGaba DVD was a huge hit. He watches it 2-3 times a day and returns to it frequently.

Then it was off to Grandma's house for Christmas dinner and more presents. Mike, Gayle, Erin and Shannon were there with Sue and Kate. There Gavin got a Tricycle with a cool handle for the parent to keep it all under control on the road. Dinner was a wonderful Roast Beef, good wine and the usual stimulating conversation.

Last but not least it was back to Oma's for a quieter present giving session with Elda, Oma, Tara and Nathan. Gavin had given up the ghost by then and we let him open his last presents the next day. Nathan still going strong loved his new Fire Truck from Aunt Barbara.

On Saturday we celebrated Dorothy's birthday with not one but two rounds of tennis with many of our friends and teammates from our mixed doubles team. At night the boys and I took her out for dinner at Bittersweet here in Aptos. Dinner was very good, and it was very nice to have some alone time with the two boys. We have missed that as Teddy has Gavin a lot of the time. We love our Gavin but miss alone time with Teddy.

On next Saturday we are off to San Diego to our timeshare club site there for a week. Looking forward to wandering Balboa park, the Zoo, maybe take the trolley to Tijuana. No real agenda just some relaxation and getting away from home.

Holiday Lighted Train

Last weekend it was Lighted Boats yesterday we did the Lighted Train ride from the Boardwalk through downtown Santa Cruz and part way up to Felton. The Hospital offers discounted tickets to this each year and this was the first year we took advantage of that. Edward had a great time singing carols and walking around the train talking with my co-workers and their children. I think he told everyone on the train that the tunnel in Santa Cruz is 900 feet long.