Bates Nut Farm/Pumpkin Patch

Whoo-hoo! We had our 3rd Annual King Family trip to Bates Nut Farm/Pumpkin Patch yesterday. It was SO much fun!

The 1st year we went it was sooo cold and we were all bundled up. Last year it was hot with santa ana winds blowing, and our visit got cut short because of the horrid fires. This year it was just plain HOT. Shannon suggested that maybe we'll get snow for next year's visit....I say NOT! LOL...Mama is NOT a 'snow' person, so I'm putting in my order now for good weather!

I was so excited about this family outing that on Friday I put the camera battery on it's charger, for maximum 'juice', and even washed my van inside and out. Got the camera in the van Friday night so I wouldn't forget it, and Saturday morning we were ready to roll!

Surprisingly, the crowd didn't seem to be as big as usual, and we got good parking in spite of the fact that we didn't arrive till around 11am. We decided to take our usual family photo first, so up to the hay bales we headed. I pulled my camera out of the case to hand it to Melissa (Katie's sister) so she could take the picture. Turned it on....and NOTHING. What the??? Oh CRAP. The camera works better if it has a BATTERY in it! Yep, you guessed it. I left the battery in it's charger....at HOME. UGH! Way to go Penny, but alas, Shannon to the rescue...she snapped all kinds of pictures, so as soon as she got them posted to her Myspace page, I went in a 'stole' them...LOL...so now I have my own collection of the day's events. Yay!

After the family pic, it was time to turn everyone loose in the Pumpkin Patch, armed with their wheelbarrows, in search of their perfect pumpkin. I have to admit, everyone has a pretty keen eye for pumpkin picking-and Baby Peyton? Well, she was just happy to sit among those big orange 'things'...Alissa & Justen had fun going through the hay maze with Star & Jeremy (Katie's little sister & bro). After the maze, and the traditional hayride, we had a bite of lunch, then it was off to Bates Store for some sweet shopping. Yumm-o! LOTS of sweet things to buy!

Time to head home for a new tradition we've started after our Bates trip/pumpkin carving. A cookie/goodie bake and dinner! We met back up at Jimmy & Jessica's for the festivities, and we had such a wonderful evening. They guys took the little kids out back, where they all got busy gooping out pumpkin 'guts', and creating their 'masterpieces'

Meanwhile, back inside the house, the ladies got right down to bedrock and baked their little brains out, and some of us (who shall remain nameless...LOL) got downright messy! But the finished products were simply sinfully yummy, and a good time was had by all.

Bates has a Christmas celebration too...we're discussing going there then as well-but only if there's NO snow!

Venting

Ok folks, I need to vent/state my opinion. Some of you may find what I have to say either harsh or hardhearted. The following is just MY opinion. I'm not here to argue my points. Just to vent.

Today 2 somebodies headed out of Ramona, on Hwy 67, not knowing it would be their last trip out of town alive. 2 somebodies that somebody else loved.

I check the Highway Patrol website several times a day. My son, daughter-in-law and daughter all drive to work via Hwy 67 every day. People I know and love drive that road either for pleasure or work every day.

Hwy 67 is NOT a 'bad road' as some have said. I've lived in Ramona for almost 46 of my 51 years, and cannot tell you how many times I've traveled that road. Too many times to count. If folks think it's a 'bad road' now, they should have been driving it 30 years ago! It WAS bad back then! 2 lane, VERY narrow. Dangerous. And years ago Hwy 67 between Ramona and Lakeside was tagged 'Slaughter Alley', with good reason.

No one can use that excuse today. It is NOT a bad road, period. Accidents happen, BUT, I don't consider it an 'accident' when someone is knowingly speeding, or driving drunk, or just not paying attention. There is NO excuse. I drive Hwy 67 frequently too, and let me tell you, I am just as guilty of speeding on that highway as anyone else. Many times I'll go 60-65, in the slow lane, and people pass me up like a dirty shirt right & left. I have determined that I will NOT do this any more. Yes, I know, people say that if you go too slow you may cause an accident. Very true, but whenever I can, I obey the speed laws. They were put there for a reason: to keep me and my loved ones ALIVE.

People, listen up. If we speed, and we cause an accident or are in an accident, we have no one to blame but ourselves! Driving is NOT a 'right'. It's a privilege. How would you feel if you caused an accident resulting in the death of someone, simply because you disregarded the speed limit?

PLEASE SLOW DOWN!

Someone loves you VERY much and would be devastated if you were killed because you were speeding. I'm not saying that everyone speeds. I don't know that for a fact. But I DO know that many do, without thought of consequences.

I also believe, with all my heart, that God sits in heaven, weeping for those who have disregarded the rules, and that He grieves right along with the loved ones left behind.

I choked up this morning when I read about the accident. Living in Ramona, the odds are pretty good that I've either heard of the people who died, or know someone who knows the people who died. Maybe I know them myself, and just haven't been notified yet. Whatever the case, my thoughts & prayers have been with the family and friends of those killed this morning.

My prayer today is that the Lord be with you as you get behind the wheel of your vehicle. That He set His angels before you, to make your path straight and safe, and that He keep you out of harm's way.

Come home safely. Somebody loves you.

Blessings~

Cat Mats

Well, I feel like a bad cat 'mom'. Over the course of the last few months, I've been so busy that I haven't brushed two of my medium-hair cats. Either I've been running like crazy, drop-dead tired, or just plain forgot. Any way you slice it, the girls haven't been brushed. The result: matted hair. Bigtime. UGH...

Most of you who have cats know what's coming....World War III. I've been wracking my brain on how to cut the mats out without A) stressing them out TOO much, and B) managing to get myself majorly bitten/shredded. So today I paid a visit to my vet. She recommended an all natural stress reliever for humans, but is animal safe. Great! Where do I get it? Down the hill, she says...at Henry's in Poway or Boney's, wherever THAT is...ugh, there's GOT to be a better solution. With gas prices, even though they're dropping, I don't want to make a trip down the hill for one little bottle of something. Instead, I decide to go to Animal Pharm. Nancy, the owner, is really knowledgeable about animals, and pointed me to an herbal stress remedy. It's expensive, but as I found out, well worth the cost.

You give in according to weight. Ok, lucky is first. She's my 10-year-old Maine Coon mix. Lucky is my difficult one. Ask Shannon. She doesn't like to be held, period. She'll sit on my lap, if it's HER idea. She much prefers laying across the back of my chair, or on the floor where she can keep her eye on me at all times. Lucky HATES to have her nails clipped. Ask Shannon. I'm afraid to clip them, so Shannon does the honors for me. The other 5 cats, no problem. Then there's Lucky. Now, Shannon is WAY better than I am, such a steady hand and all, but I think only once or twice in the past few years has she been able to manhandle Lucky enough to clip her nails. Back to the mats. I give Lucky some of this herbal stress remedy, and within the hour she is mellow-SUCCESS! Even though it took me an hour, I managed to get the clumps out, and she is again silky, smooth and beautiful.

Snuggles is next. We believe, judging from her looks, and the research we've done, that she's got Norwegian Forest Cat in her. I'll need Jim for THIS girl. Mainly because she has some mats on her lower tummy, so I'll need him to hold her REALLY good so I don't get attacked. I get the mats off of her lower back, despite the threatening growls and yips she gives me. Ok, so far I'm still in one piece, let's start on the tummy. Jim's got her fairly good, but when she twinges, so does he. Ugh, can't have that! I need him to HOLD her! He's afraid of hurting her; I tell him he's NOT hurting her. She's just PO'd. He finally gives up, using the excuse that he needs a shower. Grrr....So, I got SOME mats taken off her tummy, but not all...it'll just have to wait till another day-when Shannon's here. Hint, hint Shannon...LOL...I know that together we can get the job done.

At least both girls LOVE to be brushed, so hopefully we can avoid this happening again...

Have a good evening!

Sunday Notes

Yesterday we went to Station 80's Open House. It's an annual event that the entire community is invited to. There are safety demonstrations-Brian gave one on stove fires and Christmas tree fires-and tours, lots of pieces of apparatus to see, just alot of things to do. It was so much fun. There were engines there from each station in Ramona, as well as CHP and Sheriff vehicles. Mercy Air was there as well, along with USFS Helitack and CalFire's own Copter 10. What a show!

The whole family showed up-well, Brian & Shannon were already there. Brian was on duty of course, and Shannon was manning the Burn Institutes's table, filled with all kinds of useful information, as well as a 'spin the wheel' game for kids to play and test their knowledge. Every kid walked away with a treasure piece of candy...no child left behind there! Brian gave a guided tour to a group of Cub Scouts. They're so little, and yet they were completely mesmerized by the information Brian was giving them, and they asked lots of questions. Their attention was totally on what they were doing, and I was SO impressed that kids that young were that focused.

I actually learned something too-do NOT put ice on a burn-apparently it helps the skin continue to burn. Cold water is best. Wow, who knew? Back when I was growing up, we always used ointments, butter, oil, whatever. BAD idea, although we didn't know it then. Thx Shannon!

A couple of the stations got calls, so of course they had to respond. One call was a possible vegetation in Julian, so both the USFS Helitack Copter and CalFire's Copter 10 prepared to leave. Mind you, they are in the field, next to the station. A big field...all weeds, chopped down of course, but when you get 2 helicopters in the same field with their rotors going, well, everything flies, and I do mean EVERYTHING. Weeds, dust, dirt, and whatever else may be on the ground is now airborne...hold on to your small children! LOL...thank goodness the vegetation fired turned out to be a false alarm, so both copters came on back to the station...again kicking up everything not bolted to the ground. So much for my freshly washed hair!

Today my thoughts & prayers are with my daughter Shannon, as she participates in the Susan G Komen Walk For The Cure Breast Cancer Walk in Temecula. She's been preparing for this event for months, and has dedicated her walk to her friend Chris, a former CalFire Captain and breast cancer survivor. I've never met Chris, but she's been such an inspiration and role model to Shannon, so my prayer is not only for a complete recovery for Chris, but that Shannon is blessed beyond measure during this walk. She has raised over $600 herself, and I just couldn't be prouder of her. She's been working alot of OT lately, and she's tired, so I pray for strength and stamina for her today, and in the coming days. She has to come home today and get some rest for work tonight. She'll be fine.

Next Saturday is our family trip to Bates Nut Farm. I am SO excited! I've been monitoring the weather in Valley Center, and long range forecast says around 80 degrees next Sat. Perfect! Now if we can avoid a santa ana, it'll be a perfect day...whoo-hoo!

Blessings~

Termites-Part II

Ok so, a few blogs ago I told you that we have termites. Since then I've had 3 different pest control companies out. All 3 agree-drywood termites. Major infestation.
Company #1 says they'll do the job for $1100.00. We'll have to move out, lock, stock, and barrel, for 3 days. This includes food, medicines, the cats, and THEIR foods and meds. They will then come and re-inspect our house in one year, free of charge. IF we sign up for their termite protection plan. Said plan costs $225 per year. Why doesn't 'free' sound 'free' here? If the ONLY way they'll come and inspect for 'free' is if you join their plan, then it isn't FREE! Nope, we're NOT using them!

Company #2 came yesterday. They promise to beat the competition's price. Guy was really nice, explained everything, and told us that they guarantee their work for 4 years, and free inspections at NO additional charge. He gave us a price of $1150.00, but once we told him what company #1's price was, he dropped it $100. Still all the same hassle with moving everyone and most things out, but we liked what he had to say better.

Both companies stress that there can/will be structural damage to the roof and any other outdoor components, like trellises, carports, etc...NOT very comforting thoughts! Especially considering the fact that there are damaged boards on the porch that will need replacing once all the bugs are gone. Who can afford additional damages on top of everything else?? No THANKS!

Still one company left, and he came today....our hero!

Company #3 is Xtermite. They use all natural products, so you don't have to leave. It's human and animal-friendly. They use orange oil and boric acid. They also only focus on the parts that they physically SEE are infested. Our bugs are pretty much contained to our porch. So of course they'd treat the porch with the orange oil, which penetrates everything and even defies gravity, and then for the rest of the house they'd use the boric acid. I think that might be more of a deterrent, but at any rate, the $1300 pricetag is WELL worth the overall stress-free procedure that enables not only Jim and I, but our cats, to stay in the comfort of our own home. And the only residual smell is that of oranges. I can live with that. I like citrus smells.

Needless to say, Xtermite gets our business.

For those 'catless' friends of ours, moving cats is NOT easy. Not by a long shot. They are OCD bigtime, and have only been out of the house long enough for a car ride to the vet. They were NOT happy. Oh what a nightmare it would have been to have to move them into a hotel room or a rented trailer/rv for even a few days. Nope, don't even wanna THINK about how that might've turned out!


**Just a footnote here: all 3 companies told us that by the time you discover that you may have termites, in all actuality, you've already had them for 5 or 6 years. That's how long it takes them to build up their colonies.

So, all's well that ends well, and soon we will be 'bug free'!

Blessings~

Friday Night

I just can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night than with family. Tonight I get to do that! Jim and the big 'kids' are going to the Ramona High School Homecoming game (vs. Jessica's alma mater Orange Glen), so grandma is going to have all 3 grandkids. Just Peyton at first, then Alissa & Justen a little later in the evening.

I asked Brian & Katie to bring Peyton's playpen. That munchkin is FAST! LOL...man you should see her! She sets her beautiful baby blues on something and she's OFF...and alot of times gets to whatever she's going after faster than grandma can run and snatch her...and of course, even after thoroughly, she STILL manages to find something that I missed. Maybe cuz she's so low to the ground, huh?

In the meantime, I'm awaiting the pest control technician to come and give me a better quote than the last company I had come out. They promise to be the competitor's prices....we'll see. At any rate, I will be SO glad to get rid of those freaking bugs!

Tomorrow we have one more company coming out, so we'll see who gets the 'job' of ridding us of our destructive and UGLY little menaces.

Then it's off to Station 80's Open House. That's always a fun outing. We just never get tired of anything that has to do with firefighting. Guess it's in our blood. Must be, Brian's a 3rd generation firefighter on my side of the family, and of course now with Shannon with CalFire as well, well, it just doubles the pleasure.

Have a good weekend-we're promised cooler temp. I hope so!

Until next time.....blessings~

Fall...My favorite time of year!

Oh, I just LOVE Fall....and nothing quite says 'Fall' to me like our annual King Family trip to Bates Nut Farm....for me, and I think for my family as well, Fall is the gateway to the holiday season. Next to Christmas, our trip to Bates is a major family event.

We absolutely LOVE the holiday season...it all kicks off, of course, with Bates. This year we have two new family members joining us. Our new daughter-in-law Jessica, and our newest granddaughter Peyton. Jess had to work last year, so she missed our outing, and Peyton was there, but in utero, so she really didn't get to 'see' anything.

Of course, last year's outing was cut way short due to the Witch Fire, but we're holding positive thoughts this year.

It's so much fun to watch the little kid's eyes as they take in everything, finally zooming in on the petting corral and the rides. And ohhhh....the smells...holiday spices and such-it just does wonders for a person's well-being. I feel like we adults revert back to childhood when we're at Bates...we're all giggly and happy and carefree, and looking forward to our traditional hayride and family picture, complete with the special pumpkins that everyone has chosen for their very own masterpiece.

The store itself is fantabulous! Oh man, I could spend HOURS in there! Then of course, there's the kettle corn....yummm! Gotta buy a bag on the way home to munch on! There are all kinds of booths set up, from artwork, to ceramics, to food. It's all there-something for everyone.

We'll head over to Jimmy & Jess' house later, to carve out pumpkins, have dinner, and start our first annual King Family Fall Baking Party....not to be confused with the King Family Christmas Baking Party in December...and of course, anyone that would like to join is is more than welcome! We're all about family parties and traditions, and the more the merrier, so C'mon over!

This will be Peyton's first Christmas, and I can't wait. She'll be just shy of a year old (my gosh! Where did the time go???), and as with Alissa and Justen when they were babies, I can't wait to see her reaction to everything.

Between now and Christmas will be a total blur of activity, between birthday parties, baby showers, family outings, the birth of Jessica & Andrew LaTour's baby girl in early Dec. (can't wait to meet her!!!), and of course, topping it all of...Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

These things we look forward to, because in today's world, with all the economic hardships and everything else, it just does a soul good to be able to connect with family, and let all the drama go, even if only for a day. It's times like these that I greatfully thank God for, because my family is intact, and nearby, and able to come together at will.

My advice to you: if you have a pumpkin patch in your community, grab your family and close friends and GO. It doesn't cost anything but time-and a little gas-to go. This is what family traditions and memories are made of. This is what Alissa, Justen, and Peyton will remember. This is what we adults look back on, with such happy memories. These are special family bonding times, times that God has blessed us with. Take them and run...and remember.....good times!

Blessings~

Welcome Rain

It's raining....finally! I've been anticipating this rain for days. For those of you that live in this section of the country, you know what I'm talking about. We've been SO dry and parched for years. Never enough rain to make a significant and positive impact.

It started sprinkling here around 4 pm, but just off & on sprinkles, and I got a little discouraged, thinking "is this ALL there's going to be? Just 'spitting' here & there? What a ripoff!" But then as the evening progressed, so did the rain. Right about 6:30 it started coming down a little steadier and a little heavier. This is the GOOD kind of rain, the soft, gentle rain that soaks into the ground instead of puddling up and running off immediately. And the air after the rain is just heavenly...so clean, crisp and fresh...ahhhh....I love it...

I'll enjoy it while it lasts, because come Tuesday, we're supposed to be back up into the mid 90's once again.

Blessings~