painted desert

One of the first points of interest you come to traveling west on I-40 into Arizona is the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. Back in the fifties my dad would roar past these places in our old '53 Buick, not heeding the pleas of my sisters and I to stop so we could see. My parents would point out the Painted Desert to us in the distance, but would never stop our marathon rush to Oklahoma, occasioned by the urgent need to attend the funeral of a relative. These drives from California to the red dirt state started on a Friday night as soon as my Dad got home from work and then it was headlong across the desert, no air conditioning, windows down, my oldest sister up front between Mom and Dad and me and three other sisters in the back. Our only stops were for gas and a loaf of bread and a pound of bologna, which we ate on the fly. After I got my driver's license I would help drive in the middle of the night when my Dad couldn't stay awake any longer. Now, Dorothy and I strive to be checked into a motel before sundown, and enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant, although we do eat bologna sandwiches occasionally for old time's sake.

the trip begins

Our vacations have always been in the summer, but now that I've retired it was nice to roll across the desert in cool weather instead of 100+ degrees heat. The first day of driving was cloudy and it started to rain as we approached the Baymont Inn in Albuquerque. There was a Cracker Barrel restaurant nearby and we had dinner and settled in for an evening of tv and reading at the hotel.

home

We pulled into the driveway last night at about 7:00, all the way from Santa Rosa, New Mexico, tired but glad to be home. When we left every thing was green and summer was hanging on for dear life, and when we returned autumn colors tinged the trees, leaves cover the lawn awaiting the rake and the air is brisk with the promise of winter. It was a great trip. We didn't do half the things we had planned, but did a lot of things not on our itinerary. The best kind of vacation.

report from santa rosa

It's 6:00 am here in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Dorothy and I are getting ready for our last leg in the journey home (at least she is). It's been a great trip, we've been making lots of diversion off the I-40, but we're going to make it home in one drive tonight. As soon as possible, I'll get photos up and somewhat of a travelogue.

Postcard

Here is one of the postcards my parents have sent. It is from the Petrified Forest. The picture is of a petroglyph panel. Ancestral Puebloan People use the natural "desert varnish" as their canvas, chipping away the darkened surface to expose the lighter sandstone beneath. Here is what my parents wrote on the back: "We never stopped here when you kids begged us to so we're stopping now. Mom & Dad"

Crack!

This is Camden! He is one of my friends little boys. Camden and my son, Hunter, are the same age and are good buddies. I took both boys to my parents house to ride 4-wheelers today. I saw his pants hanging off and as any good caregiver would do, I grabbed the camera before pulling up his pants! Kelly

Pumpkin

This is one of the pumpkins that Marley, Hunter and Papa planted. There is one smaller on the vine. I do not think that they will be ready for Halloween. Maybe Nana can make a pie for Thanksgiving!

Hello Blog world.
As you know my Wonderful grandparents are on vacation and it is left up to my Aunt and Mom to keep you all informed and updated. But i'm giving them a break and you a break as well. So I decided to update my grandfathers blog today. I'm Samantha Marveggio, I share the middle slot with Marley though i am11 years older than her.

..Anway..
Two weekends ago was my Junior Homecoming and those are some pictures from it.
My Grandparents are doing fine on their trip and should be home sometime this coming weekend. I'm sure you all will be glad to hear from my Grandpa again. My mom and I have recieved postcards from them, which are quite funny. I will have to post them sometime later. I miss them and can't wait for them to return home.

Travelers

We have received a few postcards from my parents. We have a new computer so I am waiting for my husband to hook up the scanner and then I will post those.

Update on Weekend

I spent Saturday of my weekend to myself with a couple of friends. We spent most of the day at the craft fairs. Saturday evening I rented a movie. I was so worn out from walking around the fair I could hardly keep my eyes open. Sunday I met Burk and the kids for lunch. I could hardly eat for being smothered in kisses! Nothing like a weekend to yourself to help you appreciate your family! Kelly

Weekend to Myself

I have sent my husband and kids to the in-laws for the night maybe for the weekend. I have never been home by myself for the weekend with no kids. I dropped the kids off with Burk told them goodbye. I did not think it would be so hard to leave them. I almost called them to come home! Maybe it is just my hormones and being pregnant! So here I sit by myself. I am not sure what to do with myself. It has been so long since I have been able to watch T.V. uninterrupted I am not sure I know how! I would like to turn off the phones and see how long I can sleep. But with Burk and the kids 3 ½ hours away and my parents across the country I am a bit of a worry wart! Tomorrow I am meeting a friend and going to the craft fair. After that who knows what I might do!
Kelly

Out of the Mouth of Marley

We were running late this morning and I did not get a lunch packed for myself or Marley. I decided to pick her up from school and take her out to chinese for lunch. At the buffet she wanted to fix her own plate. To the dismay of people like Aunt Rachel I let my 5 year old fix her own plate! But I do keep a close eye on her. No fingers in the food. I kept asking if she needed help. She finally told me "Mom I am a big girl. I have self-control so I can be healthy." If only her mother had the same self-control!
Today Marley and Hunter received dinosaur post cards from Nan and Pops. I checked the mail and just handed Marley her postcard without saying who it was from. She took one look and said "Don't people know that girls don't like dinosaurs." I thought she would be happy she got mail!

the resident curmudgeon

Just checking in. We're at Bill and Karon's in Claremont, CA. I just talked to Pat Emery on the phone. We aren't able to make a connection today, but it was good to talk with her over the phone. Rachel, we'll call you soon. We're going to go on a strict diet when we get home, we're eating way too much. Last night it was pastrami
sandwiches from The Hat.

White Elephant

Last night was my monthly Bunco night. Since it was October we were to dress up and the gift to bring was white elephant. Being 4 ½ months pregnant and having a long day I opted out of wearing a costume. But I had my gift ready. It came time to exchange gifts. One by one the gifts were opened while everyone else watched. The gifts were nice fall decorations, candles, etc. This is not my idea of white elephant. I kept thinking someone is going to be so disappointed. I opened mine; it was nice fall kitchen towels. I almost felt bad keeping them! Finally someone chose the gift I brought. It was a crocheted cow that was not sold in our last yard sale! Everyone got a good laugh. Next time I will ask exactly what they mean by white elephant!

Parents Gone Wild

Well, it has been two days since our parents have contacted us. The agreement was that they could go on vacation alone, but they must keep in contact with their children...DAILY. So, needless to say they are in BIG trouble when they finally decide to check in. Is it so much to ask to take a 5 min. break from all of the gambling, partying, fun & frolic to let your children know that you are still alive and haven't been kidnapped,highjacked or worse yet, just plain ran away from all of us.
So, Dad if you are out there somewhere and can read this, Call us and let us know you are both okay!