Write My Life

create your own personalized map of the USA

As you may be aware, Mike has been to all 50 states. I used this map to track where I have been also. I may have been to New Mexico’s NE corner getting from Oklahoma to Colorado but I don’t know. I also drove from IL to FL as a child but I have no idea what route we took. So, this shows all the states where I know I’ve been and I remember.

From selling Girl Scout cookies and doing a babysitting fundraiser last spring, Jackie’s girl scout troop earned the money to go to Tahoe for three days, staying in a cabin a few blocks from the lake.

Following a 4-hour drive, we unloaded our gear at the cabin and relaxed with games and puzzles. Jackie found a (stuffed) black bear at the cabin, whom she adored and named Black Berry.

After a bit we walked to Regan beach where the girls enjoyed the water. Tahoe’s beautiful clear water was not the same as usual due to a large fire earlier in the summer. The water looked murky and brown. Regardless, the girls enjoyed playing in the water.

In the evenings the girls played interactive games like “Mofia” and card games like “war.” Other times they would break into pairs but the never the same pair or clique. It was nice to see them all have fun and interact so freely, which is not always the case with pre-teens.

On the second day, we drove to Sand Beach. It was a nice, sandy beach with the more typical clear blue Tahoe water. The girls enjoyed collecting rocks, swimming, playing in the sand and climbing on boulders.

On the third day, the girls played minature golf and played more games at the cabin before cleaning and driving home.

It was a relaxing and enjoyable trip – a great way to end the summer.

Returning from camp, I unpacked and got settled. Early Sunday morning, I woke up with stomach pains. So, Sunday consisted of me resting and sleeping in bed all day. Mike provided food and took care of the girls. On Monday I felt better but both Mike and Jackie were sick. On Tuesday, I had a burst of energy and tackled Jennifer’s room. In the next three days I reorganized Jennifer’s bedroom, purchased and assembled a desk, file cabinet and bookshelf from IKEA. Then, I cleaned up the rooom. It was a serious and productive burst of energy.

Our Sierra Bible Camp session was small but everything went quite well. The weather was outstanding with temperatures in the mid-80’s. We had a beautiful sunset walk to Lake Almanor, Bible classes, free time, t-dye t-shirts, campfire, olympics, etc. 8 days is still a long camp, but I didn’t notice it as much this time.

Mike’s sister came to visit for a week, always a blessing to our family.

She joined us on our annual summer visit to the San Francisco Zoo.