Howe Christmas 2010

Happy Holiday Greetings To Our Friends!!

I hope you all have had a lovely holiday season! We sure did. We were able to have everyone together on Christmas Day--all of our children under one roof! That's nearly a miracle! We enjoyed a brisk game of kickball across the street at the park with most of our kids and grandkids. There were lots of squeals of disbelief as Martha carried her 1st baseman (Katie) with her as she ran to 2nd base. Will added his share of craziness as he chased down the kids with his own style of somersault and ball dropping mishaps, allowing for a narrow safe finish by Tyler (Rachel's 5 year old).

For sweet indulgences Richard brought us Cheesecake FActory Cheescake in 4 flavors, and Grover made his famous Apple Pies. We put our crockpots to good use and cooked up Roast Beef and Vegetables for Christmas Eve dinner! Yummy and hardly any work! Jeff barbequed tri tip for our Christmas Lunch the day before Christmas. We were all thinking ahead about how to relax and play on Christmas and STILL feed 15+ people.

The rain stopped for 2 days, and gave us a chance to dry out and warm up and do some last minute shopping and prep. The sun was out in full force Christmas day for our athletic contest. What more could we ask for? Family, fun, food, and frivolity. Christmas was a delight!

You would think I'd have some pics to post...but no, I was having too much fun to dig out the camera.

I started out thinking I'd send an email to everyone...and just in case you call, I'd tell you we will be taking a break from our office for 4 days. That's where we get our internet and phone calls mostly. So, don't worry if we don't answer you. We are fine. Tucked into our little cozy spot in Escondido, ready to ring in a new year. We'll check in with you next week.

I hope you have a grand New Year's celebration. I know you all deserve it!

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving we spent our day/s in Los Angeles with Martha and Will and Fallon and Richard and Rachel and Jeff and Hayden and Tyler and Jayce. It was a cumulative holiday. People kept adding in.

We started off Wednesday with Will and Fallon, then added Richard, then Martha. Thursday was the big turkey feast. Rachel and family joined us Friday. [Jess and family were recuperating from the affects of having a new baby ++ some kind of flu bug! Not terribly pleasant for them. Sorry for you guys!]

Wednesday Richard and I did a park trip with Fallon while Dad and Will took care of some legal business. Martha came home from work and the piemaking began!!! Dad can whip out pie crusts like nobody's business. I am still amazed--every year--even after all this time.

Thursday we had a mix of parade and football and cooking going on ending in a truly scrumptious Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner. Miracle on 34th Street in black and white was the background for our festivities, along with post dinner naps, more football, and coloring with Fallon.

Friday Martha and Dad had a nice 4 mile walk delivering some paperwork to a client of Dad's, and Richard and I went out to reload supplies for lunch, etc. Eagerly anticipating the Montgomery arrival, we waited, snacking on leftovers and chilling. Once they arrived we piled into cars and headed to Venice Beach "to watch the crazies" as Dad said probably 4 or more times....one of his favorite things to do.

The kids heard the word beach and it translated into play in the ocean. I don't believe I've ever played in the ocean at Venice Beach before. We usually stroll along watching Bronze sprayed statutes come to life, and loud talking exhibitionists jumping into glass, or wearing signs saying "World's Biggest Wino" or watching the athletes at the Muscle Beach section of the boardwalk. But not this time. This time we watched skaters [skateboarders] and we watched our children/gchildren tear off their shoes and head for the ocean without a minute's hesitation. Fallon was the happiest running in and out and chasing the waves gleefully. Naturally Fallon had wet jeans before you could say boo--and she finished her water play in a shirt, a sweater, and a diaper. Hayden rolled up his pants and followed suit and Tyler dug designs with a stick in the wet sand. Luckily the weather was reasonably warm-- in the 60s -- though you couldn't have talked me into a swim in November, even in CA. Kids just must have ice in their veins.

We left before the sun went down. Will bought a giant bag of kettle corn, thank goodness, because everyone had their hand out and in it. It didn't last long. Back home we ordered pizza and watched Miracle on 34th Street [again] though this time we watched it in color! The newer one. Is it overkill? Do we argue about which one we like best? Do we have favorite actors, and scenes in each version? You bet!

The kids revved up their energy for the last 30 minutes of the movie...I think they haven't entered the enamoration phase [of the movie] yet and chased each other perilously around the furniture and through the bedrooms, jumping over sippy cups and crayons, and Jayce --who has just begun walking. It was the Howe madness. Rachel and Jeff wrapped their charges up and departed. Will and Fallon left to have a sleepover with friends. Richard headed for his home and bed. Suddenly there was just Martha and I and Dad.

Martha and I sat down to play....PERQUACKEY. Dad joined in for a couple of rounds, until we decided to change up the game. I called our newest version a consortium. [Consortia, Consortium a partnership; a union; a fellowship. Examples: consortium of local authorities [to undertake some project jointly between them]; a housing consortium; a consortium of university libraries.
We--Martha and I, the local authorities--undertook to play Perquackey jointly....each successively forming words with the same throw, exhausting the word possibilities and joining our points..until we reached 5000. What was interesting about this play was the absence of the competitive feel, and the joy of the hunt for every last possible word formation. And... a rare step out of the box.

Afterwards the 3 of us laid down on the couches and watched "Did you hear about the Morgans?" and laughed ourselves silly.

This Thanksgiving was a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, people, food, activities, and fun. I'm grateful we could lengthen it from one day into 3! Maybe we should consider doing that with all of our holidays! I think in one day you are only just getting started! Just think what we could do with Christmas!!!!

Funny Girl

Too Much Fun

I was talking to a new friend this week who, after returning from 2 vacations, nearly back to back, said they had, what her mother would say was, "too much fun." Oh, I disagreed. You can't have too much fun. Getting back to work is...well... work. And rightly named. It is work! And we have so much more work than we have fun.

Isn't that right? I suppose my problem is thinking that I should be having fun every minute. For myself, it seems like I am having too much work. And not nearly enough fun. But, maybe it would help if I identified what is the right amount of work, and what is the right amount of fun. If I could do that, then maybe I would find the perfect balance in my life. What do you think? Is it possible?



So, scheduling fun seems to be key. I'm thinking that every 3 hours I should do something fun. That way I can get back to work without feeling overworked and stressed out. Some people might argue that a 3 hour interval is too short. Perhaps 4 or 5 might be better? We eat every 4-5 hours, don't we? Does anyone think that is too often? Not often enough? Maybe having fun is like eating. Like refueling. If we're running on empty, we get cranky and dull. Mean, even. I may have to set an alarm for fun. Jump up when it goes off, and perform some amazing fun feat!

Hmmm, what could it be? And how long should it last? A minute? Half an hour? Two hours or more? Here are my initial ideas:

go goofy - clown around with someone
doing some exercjse
calling someone I love
doing an artistic and/or creative project
driving somewhere pleasant
shopping for a small gift
making gifts
reading a chapter in a good book
writing a blog or email
sending someone a package
mailing a card or letter to a friend
playing a game--not sudoku or freecell--I do that when I am WAITING which is never fun.
going for a walk
lying down on the grass
going out with a friend/ or friends
visiting someone -- a friend or relative
sending someone a package
going to the movies
watching a favorite tv show
thrift store shopping
garage sale shopping
watch "Ellen" clips on youtube
Watch youtube
Write limericks
Write backwards

I could seriously use some more help with this list. I could probably get more grandiose, but I am working with a zero budget. Gotta keep it real, you know. Also, trying not to tie too much food to it. I already have to deal with the effects of that scenario. Food + fat isn't too much fun in the long run. See how easy it is to think of why we don't have fun. No money, no food obsessions.....STOP! I already know why I'm not having fun. The thing is to get around it somehow.

Maybe I should try Meditation. Get all centered, and Zen--in the moment. Say out loud -- I AM ALIVE. I AM GRATEFUL TO BE ALIVE. What do you think? Will that do it?
What do you do for fun?

Stopping by...

Whenever Grover has a court appearance, we stop by Rachel's house on the way home...even if it's not on the way home. I figure if I am driving 1 hour plus north, then I am close enough to go a little out of the way and get a Rachel fix! Grover/Dad doesn't mind one bit. It's a two-fer! The client pays his way to court and we pay our own way home by way of Huntington Beach. Everybody wins!

I found out just the other day that the beach I remember as "Tin Can Beach" from the late 50s that we drove past every time we went to Huntington Beach is now actually Bolsa Chica State Beach...the closest state beach to Rachel's house. That means, in an ironic sense, that I have camped at "Tin Can Beach" like so many people before me. Only I had the benefit of a motor home, running water, electricity and plumbing. But the beach we all had in common. I like reclaiming the past. I like knowing that migrant workers, vacationers, homeless, and those just passing through stayed at that very beach...leaving their tin cans and jagged tin can lids (unfortunately) as painful reminders of the time they spent there. I hope the beach gave them the same kind of comfort that I feel when I am there listening to the lovely sounds of the waves, and smelling the fresh sea breezes.

But I digress. I was talking about visiting Rachel and kids. Hayden was practicing Soccer and Tyler was practicing his playground equipment skills. I forgot I had a camera with me and missed those particular photo ops.

But I did catch Jayce and I think I may have caught Rachel in the middle of a "woo-hoo Hayden" cheer. We have plans to return for the opening soccer day for the boys---Sept. 11th. We just may have to drive by the beach while we're at it. Soccer and the beach....lots of memories there.

September 1st, 2010!

Out to lunch at one of our favorite spots!

As a matter of fact....since I do not have a working kitchen, we eat out every day.

That makes us all the more discriminating. Finding the perfect burger, fish and chips, chinese food, pizza, burrito, steak sandwich, milkshake gives us a quest.

Doggone It!

Today was the last dog show for us. What with the initial investment costs, i.e. business license, insurance premium, vendor fees, signage, and product materials, over the last 3 months I think we may have spent the same amount of money that we made. Let's call it a wash. If it hadn't been for Nancy's generosity via the loan of her booth setup and supplies, our expenses would have far exceeded our net profit. (Thank you to Nancy for giving us a chance to experiment.)

I learned a few things.
The world of dog agility consists of obstacle courses, and hundreds of hours of training, and is peopled with dogs and trainers of every age and stage: Big, small, tall, thin, old, young, male and female, serious and not-so serious. It may well be an addiction.

We met many lovely people with from 1 dog to as many as 9 dogs.

And the dogs--well they run the gamut from designer dog breeds, to mixes, to pound puppies. Beautiful animals--we have the photos to prove it

Editing and prep time for photos may take as little as 1-2 minutes per photo...however, multiplied by 350 images...at the very least it still adds up to 10+ hours.

I learned that if you are processing photos late into the night it is best to wear headphones and listen to Pandora, or you may be editing unawarely..and find you are 20+ photos in, due to the fact that your index finger is pressing the return button while your eyes are resting.

I also discovered that if I can get past 10 p.m. I can edit until approximately 2 a.m. before this happens.

Setting your alarm for 2 hours of sleep is preferable to going without sleep altogether, but not by much.

Although the state of the economy is a clear factor in total sales, our best customers were the ones with the biggest hearts.


If I were to price our photos the way that CVS does there would be a public outcry.
(Processing the 4x6 prints costs 19 cents per print. The processing cost for 8x10s is 20 times that-- at $3.99.) We sell our 4x6 prints for $5.00. If we followed suit and sold the 8x10s for 20 times that they would go for $100.00 apiece!

There are still a few people out there with control issues. Unfortunately, they are usually the ones in charge.

We've suddenly got a free weekend coming up. I guess it's time to hit the beach!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun....

I decided that I am through with all the seriousness that has been plaguing me of late. I just want to have some fun! So that is my new goal-- to do something fun every day. I had this bright idea on Wednesday... today is Day 3.

Wednesday morning I drove over to the Sun Flour Bagel store to sample the Japanese pastries that they make every Wed. morning. (I read about this on Yelp.) But first I stopped at the library and checked out a couple of books, and 2 Playaways. (Have you heard of them? A Playaway is an audio book on what looks like an IPOD). Carlsbad has a fantastic library. It's a 2 story building with a plaza and 2 small theaters and a gallery. The children's library alone is bigger than a few branch libraries I've seen. It reminds me of the Oxnard Library--open to the 2nd story with balconies and elevator.

Ok, so back to the Bagel store: When I got there I purchased 3 different types of Japanese pastry-- custard creme, chocolate creme, and curry. It was nearly noon so I popped into Panda Express and with the help of a coupon, purchased steamed rice, orange chicken, broccoli and beef, and Thai cashew chicken. It seemed that an Asian theme was slowly evolving.





Most of you have not visited our office, so you do not know that the landscaping is really lovely. In the center area between the 4 buildings is a grassy area and a large koi pond with a bridge and multiple waterfalls.


There are 4 tables with umbrellas for dining outside. That is where we ate our lunch. It was sunny and quiet and we watched as the gardeners pruned the area into a pristine garden. It was like visiting a small Japanese park!

Yesterday at lunchtime instead of going to the closest, cheapest fast food spot, we drove to downtown Oceanside and parked in the free public parking at the end of the pier. There's a 50s diner at the other end... Ruby's Diner at Oceanside Pier. It's a cute place, and has the 50s look with the red vinyl booths,touches of black and white and chrome, coca cola signs and bobby socked waitresses. I loved it. Because it was a 50s diner we had to order one of their specialty milkshakes. Similar to the shakes at Fuddruckers, they come out with the stainless steel container and a tall soda glass. We ordered a Caramel shake to share. Ever had a caramel milkshake? Me neither, until yesterday. It was very good- creamy and subtle. No chunks or ribbons of caramel, just a nice caramel taste.

Walking back along the pier, we noticed probably 50 locals fishing with varying degrees of success. Old and young. Squealing children with live fish flopping about and seasoned fishermen/women earning their dinner. The sun was bright and the air was fresh. The wind was blowing the algae beds to shore. Brightly colored umbrellas dotted the beaches. Lots of people were out swimming and surfing. What a lovely lunch break!

Today, once we finish our work, we will have a movie day! Eat, Pray, Love is out. I enjoyed the book, and Grover and I both enjoy Julia Roberts movies. A movie theater and buttered popcorn...I'm looking forward to it.

I'll let you know how it goes. But, I think I am really going to get into this. I bought a cheap digital camera on Ebay the other day so I could have pictures to post. Once it gets here, there'll be no stopping me.

So, that's my report! It's Friday! Go out and have some fun!!!!

July at the Beach Party

It was not easy, but we did manage to round up most of the family for an after the 4th of July beach party! (Emily and Martha declined, claiming distance and job responsibilities as irreconcilable problems. We missed you.)

The day was rainy and Will arrived first looking sharp. Rachel and Jeff came next, with Richard a close third. Erin and Jess and company came next. Dad and I brought up the rear, picking up the stuff others forgot.

The leaving began almost as soon as we arrived. Was it the rain? the parking meters? or the company? or maybe it was the train!

We had plenty of food! We ate hot dogs and drank soda pop. Chips and licorice red vines. Erin and Jess brought untraditional chicken shishkabobs (very tasty).

It was our first time at this beach. It had several things going for it: it was easy enough to get to, and had a good parking lot, real bathrooms, and a snack bar. There were mega rocks to climb..... and the Amtrak commuter train came barreling by nearly every half hour.

The train whistle was like a summons. The kids jumped up and ran to get a front row seat view of it as it whizzed by. Scary for the adults thinking they might be going home with one less child! (Sorry, Rachel.) Alas, it looks like we need to find a safer place to play.
When the kids weren't running after the train they were busy digging in a giant sand pit.

The adults did what we always do---talking and laughing at each others stories. It was over too soon. I blame the parking meters. Each time someone went up to put quarters in the meters there was the risk that they wouldn't return.

I started scrounging for change, so they'd stay.

Don't go, I shouted. You just got here!

Did they listen to me? Not one bit.

I guess I am just a beach bum after all. With an unlimited supply of quarters I could have stayed to watch the sun go down.

Anyhow, I liked it a lot.

I think Tyler did too!

blog test

I blogged recently, but I don't think it went out. I updated the listing. This is a test.

The grandkids are right.

You know, we have 8 1/2 grandkids. 4 1/2 of them live next door, though the 1/2 doesn't really count just yet. And their Grandpa is the biggest tease alive! He forgot. It had been so long since he had teased anyone this mercilessly that he forgot that that was his specialty.

How does he do it? He tickles them. He makes funny noises. He suddenly roars and scares the bejabbers out of them. He pretends to cry and boo hoo. That always makes them giggle. He gives them outrageous answers to innocuous questions. He tells them a giant rat is behind the cupboard door. A dragon. A gargantuous caterpillar...whatever.

At first they looked like they believed him...but now I see a knowing smile creep across their faces. Then they turn to me and say: "Grandpa, you are funny." and "Gramma? Is there really a.......?"

Later they express their disbelief, saying "we can't shake the truth out of Grandpa" and they walk off, knowing there will be another such conversation tomorrow. Hoping to hear some more hilarity and ridiculousness. And I am absolutely sure they will.

Happy Birthday Richard Howe!

Wow! That sounds so weird, doesn't it. But, well, Richard, I think you've earned it. You have officially been hanging around us now for 25 years! Voluntarily! Some people are stuck with their families...but you chose us. And I think that counts for something. Perseverance, for one thing. A genuinely warped sense of Howeness seems to have enveloped you. You've got our backs. You're our very own Daddy Warbucks and more. So, now that you are in this far, you aren't ever getting out!

Happy Birthday to you...all the monkeys in the zoo....and people dying everywhere...Happy Birthday.

See what I meant by warped Howeness! I blame Grover.

Let's Go to the Movies....

Remember Annie? Remember the scene where Daddy Warbucks buys out the evening show at the theater so they can view the movie alone? Well.... we had that kind of experience the other day, only we didn't have to buy out the show. We just picked the right day and the right time of day. We had the theater all to ourselves. We put our feet up on the chairs in front of us. We talked all through the show, and laughed and screamed out loud when we wanted to. Just like we would do at home.

The movie? THE PRINCE OF PERSIA. What a fun movie! It had everything going for it. It had action, suspense, drama, larger than life visual effects, animation, a love story, heroism, the struggle of good over evil, the dark side of greed and power. It had just about everything you could want in a blockbuster!!! Besides that, Jake Gyllenhaal does an excellent job at being a daredevil, roguish and sympathetic. Not exactly an easy assignment.

I think you should go see it. You will like it. I promise. Oh, and get there early in the day. Maybe you can have the theater all to yourself!!!!

Let's go to the movies....let's go see the stars......

Going to the Dogs...

Hi Everyone! That's right! We're going to the dogs! Literally. It's a funny expression. I wonder where it came from and what it means exactly. I have a feeling it's a negative expression...so maybe I don't want to know. Ha ha!

Well, you probably know already, since I don't have a lot of people in my blog circle who I don't also talk to regularly by phone, but if not, here's the scoop. We're photographing agility dog shows. Grover is patiently sitting outside the ring, in the bright sunlight waiting for a dog to run his prescribed 30 second course. In that moment, trying for a one of a kind action-packed "I gotta have this picture" shot.

I have the task of doing a quick edit of all of these fine shots and getting them ready to sell. The second day I spend talking to people about their dogs as they come looking for a photo of their favorite pup.
We shoot all kinds of dogs; big furry ones, lithe speedy ones, teeny dogs and everything in between. Soon I will learn all of their names and breeds. I tend to favor the little scruffy dogs and the lovely collies. The collies remind me of Lassie, a favorite old tv show I watched weekly as a child.

Last week Richard drove down from Ventura (4 hours) and spent two days with us at the dog show in Chula Vista, bringing us those little powdered donuts and orange juice and cereal and milk and other snacks. Then he went out and brought back more food for lunch! Thank goodness he came along. We were all tired and sunburned by the day's end.

Today's event is in Oceanside, just 10 minutes from our house. I'll try to get a photo of our booth and our brand new GHOWEPHOTOGRAPHY banner to post, so you can see how official we look. Wish us luck!

Play ball!

Rachel's oldest child, Hayden, is playing baseball this year. Jeff is coaching. Rachel organizes and hauls every needful thing to the field. I have the luxury of sitting in my chair and watching. Grover shoots photographs. I hold the baby. It is perfect!

There's something so endearing about watching little boys and their fathers engaged in such a big sport. The boys know so little. The dads know so much. Somewhere in the middle is a huge wave of good will, and of waiting, and of expectations for next year when they actually know where to throw the ball, and have the coordination to hit the ball farther, and run faster. But for now, it is all good. The boys are learning to play baseball. The dads are learning to coach. It is a first experience for both of them.

The weather is great. The fresh air, the sunshine, the necessity of being outdoors every Saturday for a prescribed amount of time...it is all so familiar. After years and years of baseball, both with Grover playing, and Grover coaching have given it an aura of nostalgia that is lovely to perceive. We are lucky to enter a new era as grandparents of a player. And all we have to do is show up!

Two weeks alone

Growing Pains

We did it! We moved to Vista, California and after 4 weeks of almost continuous effort, set up an office in Carlsbad. You know, we did this same thing almost 35 years ago in Oxnard, but it seemed a lot easier. I don't know if we've just forgotten or what, but what with all the hardware and software of technology, it sure has gotten more complicated. Thank goodness Jess is at hand to route our phone lines and DSL and gut our old computers and install operating systems, hubs and modems. I told Grover that most of these words are not actually part of my vocabulary. I can say them, and spell them, but defining them isn't happening.

Our offices are lovely, with lots of windows and light. I love having a desk of my own again. Yesterday I relearned the merge process so I can send out advertising mailings. It took me about 2 hours to set it up, but I had 142 documents done 10 minutes later. I love the shortcuts!

The weather is in the 60s every day, except when it's raining...which surprisingly, has happened a lot. Just about every weekend. But most days are sunny and spring like, and the birds are chirping. Some days I feel like I am on a vacation, the surroundings are so pleasant. I like the San Diego area a lot. I feel like it's big city but still accessible with all the advantages of a beach community feel. Large and small at the same time. Busy and laid back too.

Every day we get up at 4 a.m. and hit the gym. We work out and I swim for 20 minutes and then we drive 8 miles to our office. Often we stop along the way at Mike's Bagels and get a hot, toasted bagel with cream cheese. We get to work at 6:30 and every day we intend to leave at 3 p.m., but often it's closer to 5.

In the last 4 weeks we've been to Rachel's house 5 times. Her house is like a hub. It's midway between us and everyone else, so we meet there. Hayden told me it's lucky they are in the middle. Last week we drove to Martha's and Grover helped her fix her car. She fed us hot waffles and scrambled eggs. After breakfast we sat outside in the lovely sunshine on cinder blocks in the street and got greasy. Her brakes sound much better now. We've seen Will a lot too...and Richard has come down every weekend to help us get the things we need for the office. Of course, we see Jess and Erin every day, since we are staying with them. Monday Will is going to go get Fallon for a 3 week visit. They will be staying with Rach. So, more trips for us to Huntington Beach. Last night we watched Jess' kids while they went out. Grover put on his favorite kids' movie: Flight of the Navigator and Gabe and I fell asleep. It worked out great.

well, that's the update. We are well. We've got to go out and drum up some business now. Our new work phone numbers are: 760.431-8732 and 760.431-8378. You can call us there anytime, we are there all day Monday through Friday.

New Ventures

Our new California Adventure will be setting up a law office and a foreclosure business in San Diego County. We are raring to go. We are putting our other ventures on hold--the affiliate marketing and the blogs we were writing so feverishly will have to wait while we pursue this new course of action.

Once we are back in business we'll post our addresses and contact info. We are confident that we can build a brand new network of clients in CA, but it will take some time and a lot of effort.

We'll keep you posted.

Time for a Change

Well, if you don't know already, we are moving. Moving back to California, my home. I am ecstatic about it. Or I am about to be ecstatic about it, as soon as we get in the car and start down the road. We have had several delays, not the least of which is caused by South Pass---that notoriously treacherous 10 mile stretch of road over the Continental Divide--which has been slick and icy with strong winds and blowing snow of late.

We do want to arrive in California alive and well. And so, we wait. Wait for the sun to shine, and the roads to dry, and the planets to line up in perfect synchronization and for all good things to come together so we can depart! Sounds impossible, doesn't it. I still have hope. Wish me luck!