Shannen & Jared's Visit

Okay, stepping back a couple of weeks from the last post we come to the weekend visit of Shannen and Jared.

Shannen came into town with her mom to see Wicked, again. I know, I know, we who are not crazy about musicals will wonder why when they have already seen it would they see it again. Ah, it is not for us to understand these things just to accept them!! Shannen did say it was even better than the production that they saw first so I guess it was worth it. Hey, what can I say when I will sit and watch Back to the Future movies on TV every time they come on!!! All three of them. Jared didn't want to go so he flew in a couple days later. It is so tough being a working stiff, you don't get to take fun vacations every time you want to!!

Paul and I drove out to pick up the kids from their Grandpa's home in Lancaster so they could spend a couple of days with us. Shannen had to fly home on Saturday morning to be in her play. Very sadly on Friday soon after we picked them up their Grandpa died. He had been sick for awhile and it wasn't unexpected but of course very sad for all the family. I had enjoyed talking to him the few times I had met him.

We had a great time with the kids and they did a lot of "memory lane" types of things while they were here. First off they had to have Daddy's famous sandwiches. They are ham and cheese sandwiches that he always used to make them when they were young. Shannen says she tries to make them at home but they never taste the same. Just not the same touch of love in it!! Then we went to see the Simpson's Movie. I guess that is a show they would always watch with their dad. All three of them loved it, me I got through it!! What can I say, I just have no taste!! At night they made and scarfed down the chocolate chip cookies.

Cookies!!!! Give me Cookies!!

Shannen spent a lot of time on the phone talking to her fellow players finding out how the first performance went. She was happy to be here with her dad but she really wanted to be at the play too!

"So tell me, are you nervous? Who is doing our makeup? What do you mean they changed to last dance? I don't even know it now!! How am I going to learn it? etc. etc. "

I have been very slowly making garb for Shannen to wear when she goes to a SCA Event with Darcy and Scott. I have finished all but the vest in this picture. I haven't even touched it since she left but hopefully I will finish it this next week!! I said Hopefully. The green looked great with her pale skin and red hair. She loves her red hair!!

It was a wonderful visit even if it was short. Here are the three Cranes.

This takes us to Saturday morning when Paul took Shannen down to LAX to fly home and my next post will cover the afternoon and the extra special celebration we went to.

(Click any of the pictures to enlarge)

Weekend Visit

These next few posts will be all out of sequence so bear with me!! I'm going to start with this past weekend and move back from there.

This past weekend was my ex husband's stepdaughter, Chelsea's, wedding. Everyone follow that? Because of that Darcy and kids and Steve and Lisa and Guinness came up to Thousand Oaks to stay for a long weekend. They all stayed with us so we got to do lots of visiting.

Darcy and Jessy and Kody flew in on Thursday morning and Steve and Lisa & Guinness came up on Friday morning. It was busy and crowded and so much fun!! They had lots of things to do with Dennis and his family but we were able to get some great "Q" time in with everyone.
It was great seeing the people but the most fun was seeing my new "Granddog" for the first time. Since getting my own dog I have become much more of a dog person then I was before. Now, I'm not a complete dog person, at least not yet, but I'm getting more so. Now now, Darcy, you remember how much I liked your dogs when they were small little puppies so I never was a dog hater, just not a great fan of them.
This little dog of Steve & Lisa's just stole my heart away and mine wasn't the only heart he stole but more on that later. I had never seen a Black & Tan Pomeranian before. The regular tan color is cute looking and okay but nothing that I would get all worked up about. (Sorry, Ginger! ) One look at Guinness and I changed my mind about Pomeranians!

Guinness weighing in at 3 pounds

For a little dog he has a very large attitude! Maybe this is common for the smaller breeds but he is sure he is the King of the World! He struts around and takes over everything and anything that he wants. Now being that he is only 3 pounds it is cute. If he was 90 pounds you would want to kill him!! He will be able to get away with so much more than Darcy's dogs do!! Well, get away with and still look cute doing it!! They already have him trained to sit, lay down and something else that I can't remember. That is either a very smart dog or they have lots of patience with his training!! I know I didn't do as well with Beardsley!

Now I said someone else fell in love with Guinness, that would have been Beardsley!! One look at it was love at first sight. Well, maybe third or fourth sight but soon. He would follow Guinness around and let him climb all over him. He would let Guinness chew on his ear and only a couple of times did he "back him off'" when Guinness's sharp little baby teeth were hurting him too much!!

Guinness playing king of the mountain

The most tell tale sign of how much he liked the dog was that if I went inside he would stay out with Guinness. I meant nothing to him! Anyone who knows the two of us knows that I am the center of his world on every other day! It was weird being able to move around without my constant shadow!!

" Who us? We are just sitting here playing!!"

It is now Tuesday and Beardsley is still looking in all the rooms for Guinness!! He looks so lonely at times. Of course he is back to following me around but I'm used to that now. Not that it doesn't drive me crazy at times......

You can see the size of the dog compared to Jessy and Kody!!

Here are some more pictures from this weekend. I didn't get any of Steve or Lisa, again!!

Jessy relaxing while playing with the dogs.

Darcy and Kody and Jessy dressed for the wedding.

My two wonderful "girls"!!!!!

Jessy and Kody at the airport with the Grandparents!!