Jan's Journey

Monday, March 25, 2013

Monday's Memory---That Kind of Grandma

I remember the moment as if it was yesterday. Amy and Todd were in elementary school and we were staying at the Motel 6 in Las Vegas, by the airport. We were probably on our way home from an Idaho trip. Anyway, we were playing in the pool when a family joined us. There was a mom, dad, a couple of kids, and a grandma. In that moment, I prayed that I would get to be that kind of grandma...one that went on vacations with the kids...staying in motels, playing in pools, being involved in lives. I am so grateful to be that kind of grandma...whether it's playing in the pool in Palm Springs or swimming in Lake Powell...I have been truly blessed.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Palm Springs Tradition

This is one of my favorite traditions...going all the way back to when Amy and Todd were little. We would spend two weekends in Palm Springs, one in April to start the summer season, and one in October, to extend summer one last week. Somewhere along the way, it changed to a long weekend during spring break. But anyway you take it...it's a fun, fun, fun time.

This year we spent all of Friday in the pool, including a night swim

We spent the evenings watching movies and eating popcorn in bed!

And Saturday, we tried Knott's Soak City...lot's of water, sun, and fun

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Happy 1st Day of Spring

And what better way to celebrate it than a trip to Knott's.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Monday's Memory--Train Toilets

While I was using the bathroom on-board the train this last week, I remembered the last time I had to use a train bathroom. Ann and I were in Switzerland on a cog rail train going up to Zermott to see the Matterhorn. Ann needed to use the bathroom, left, and came back a few minutes later saying that I HAD to go see. I went down the isle and walked into the small bathroom. And then I saw what had Ann laughing. There was no "holding tank" for the bathroom waste. It was just a hole, opening onto the track! When you looked into the toilet, you saw the train track rushing by! I'm happy to report that no such conditions were found on my trip to Portland. (I was sure I had a picture of the toilet in Switzerland, but I spent quite some time looking and couldn't find one...sorry)

Friday, March 15, 2013

hAppY bIRthDAy. MoM

One of the reasons I wanted to be back Thursday was because mom's 90th birthday was Friday, and I wanted to be there...

to make her birthday pancakes...

take her to Claim Jumper for lunch...

...and sing happy birthday to her after dinner.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Train Ride--bucket list #5

One of my "bucket list" items was to take a train ride up the coast. Well, I get to mark that one off my list. Mel and family stayed after mom's party so I could get away. I didn't have a long time, only a few days, so I decided I'd try a train ride.

I got on in Santa Ana, had a short layover in LA and then up the coast to Santa Barbara. There, I got off and spent the night. I got to enjoy some sunshine while I explored the shops and walked along the beach.

The next morning, I boarded the Coastal Starlight for a 26 hour ride to Portland. I had a sleeper car, but I didn't spend much time in it...I loved the Parlor car with it's panoramic windows and fun people to talk to.