JEANETTE CRAWFORD BAIRD: TJ

Showing posts with label TJ. Show all posts

Friday, May 25, 2012

Santa Cruzin'

Song - Under the Boadwalk by The Drifters

My parents bought a sweet little cabin in the Santa Cruz mountains about 35 years ago.

It is in an incredible Redwood forest with a covered bridge nearby that you walk through to get to Grandma's Beach. It has survived earthquakes and floods.

Dad & his brother on the river next to the Boardwalk

It is a sentimental place for them as my father spent his summers camping near the beach as a young boy and my parents would go there while dating.

Friends and family (Mom & dad are on the far right)

My mom & Duchess the dog & Dad's family

When they bought the cabin it was in desperate need of some love and care. It is a beautiful log cabin, with wood floors and large windows.

Dad & Mom at Aptos

My dad's parents - Violet & John (and Duchess) in Santa Cruz

My parents have faithfully worked on her over the last 35 years and not only restored her to her former beauty but added a lot of extra's! Sheet rock and skylights (which is much needed in a dark Redwood forest), a dormer for the kids to sleep in, they extended the deck, added a workshop for my dad and countless other wonderful features. Many, many years of hard work, but they have a lot of fun there as well. A lot of new friendships were made and a lot of grandchildren rode in the "Grandma's Beach Express" wagon to the river's swimming hole.

Andy & Katie at Grandma's Beach

After 35 years in such a moist environment, the deck now needs replacing by the next generation. We all have such fond memories of our time at the cabin that it is a joy to be able to "give back" a little to both the cabin and my parents.

TJ kicking out the deck railing

Andy b. helping to demolish

A rare photo op of Mr. B during the demolition

The foundation piers being set

So for Memorial Day weekend, our family will happily work together on restoring the deck that we have enjoyed for so many years. Some will cook and some will hammer but it will be time well spent.....together!

Thanks to Mom & Dad for providing us this little spot of heaven!

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see." – John Burroughs

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Lightness of Being

Junie-Maroonie - my niece

Last evening I got a text from my friend "J". While we don't get together too often, when we do, it just feels like "home". Neither of us are very "high tech" people but we can email and text and....oh yeah, sometimes blog!

Our text last night began over concerns about a mutual friend of ours who is in the hospital. The evening ended in laughter and tears. I'll tell you, there is nothing like a good ol' belly laugh to relax your body and remind you that you need to laugh.......and often!

Our waiter in Avignon (must of been my pronunciation of Diet Coke please!)

Here goes - typo's and all....

ME - Jill is doing great. I walked here up & down the hallway today!!

J - Great. U walked the hallway or she did?

ME - Sorry. I walked with her (Jill). Up and down the hallway!
ME - Actually I probably needed the workout more than her!!!

J - Ok that makes more sense. I thought u were proud of yourself for the walk!

ME - I am! ! !
ME - Thanks for the rose & dogwood info too!

J - Btw. What's next on the schedule? Nantucket, France ???

ME - I had to cancel my trip to France in June as Jon is graduating from Cal Poly on June 10th.
ME - When can the three of us get together?

J - January? Maybe for a couple days-we can take over the apartment and plan our next trip.
J - Sh******, I need to buy and puck up my painting b4 Xmas.

Me - Okey dokey. Let's book it!

J - Pick
J - Why r u so fast at this? New phone?
J - U home for the holidays?
J - Forget what I just said "slow poke"!

ME - Yes. We will be home. And I will mail or

J - Or what?

ME - OK I was just trying to compose my message girlfriend!

J - Lol

Me - Is hubby helping you QuickDraw ?

J - What's that

Me - Or what is that I will bring it to PA.

J - Okely dokely
J - Let's check in next week

Me - Quick Draw mcGraw was a TV show. And FYI I'm crying now because you crack me up!

J - R u drunk
J - Now that makes me laugh.
J - Are u skinny, medium, or fat?
J - I'm door #3 - fat.

Me - I just read our text to Jim and he is crying now too. Good going!
Me - Me too...what will we do. You are not Fat. Just beautiful.
Me. Next week. Painting delivered. Lunch?

J - What will we do? Talk about our plan when I c u.

Me - I mean diet lunch?

J - Next week is BAD. What about the following week

Me - Okey dokey.

J - Perfect. Hi to Jimmy baby

Crystal clear.....right?

You know how when you are texting and the person responds faster than you can answer. That's what was going on and we never really got in sync.

I think we will hook up eventually.

Maybe in Nantucket or possibly France......