Well, my feet are finally on the ground!

I am finally home from the crazy week!

I am writing to update everyone what has been going on.....my birthday week was fantastic! What an incredible town we live in. On Tuesday morning of the 16th, I received a call from the Post Office (can you believe the Post office called my house!!!) It was Guy and he said that there is a package that is sent to the Post office at is supposed to be sent to our home but since we do not get any mail here and only in the P O Box, he wanted me to know that the box was there! I go the biggest tickle out of that, and "Oh by the way" he says...Happy Birthday! What?!!! Found ot that Andy was at the Post Office the day before and told him it was my birthday and was waiting for this box to come in. Too funny!

My day was wonderful, we did go to Lake Arrowhead for lunch then down the hill in the afternoon for dinner at Linko's. Love that place!! We had such a good time with the boys, Kim and Daryl and of course Benard! We had some incredible food, thanks to Benards talents!

The weekend was busy with the Cowboy Gathering...my booth went well, thank Goodness for Chuck and Lavonne. I love them! What great friends they are of mine! I am so blessed to have them in my life! Long hours and a lot of dirt whirling around. Susie came over on Sunday morning and said that she woke up at 5AM that morning sat straight up and said" Oh no I hope Jeanine removed her food from the booth!" See, there were reports of a BIG POPPA BEAR sighted Friday around the PAC. When we came over to my booth and asked I said "Oh yeah, I took it all home and brought it back". Which I would of had to do anyway with the Heath Permit. The show was a lot of fun, except that I wanted to participate in everything and that just wasn't going to happen.

Monday, I went to my birthday lunch with Vicki, Blondies, I LOVE that place! That have the best Crab-Shrimp Loui I have ever had! The gifts were beautiful and I am truly blessed to have Vicki and Chuck as my friends, that just travel too much. (that is the selfish part of me!) Well now that the weather is cooling off, they will be spending more time home, YEA!!!

Tuesday I took of around 3PM and drove to Vegas. I arrived at Rachelle's house via Trader Joe's and made an incredible dinner and spent some much needed time with Sugar and Spice. They are so precious! Mark and Rachelle came home around 9:30. Visited with them for a bit then got up the next morning and went to Dr. Wojecks office. All blood work is FINE! So, now I schedule my surgery and get that done! Yea!!!!

Rachelle and I spent the rest of the day shopping at the Fashion Show mall. That night we went to dinner with Mark, Joey, Brenda and Gary and Pop at Green Valley Ranch in celebration of Rachelle's birthday. I was supposed to leave in the afternoon, but I was having so much fun with Rachelle, I decided to stay over. I am really glad of my decision. The next morning I left and stopped at State Line for a couple of more hours of shopping. See what happens when you live in a town that only has Kmart? Made it home around 5 to a glass of wine, dinner of Chicken Marsala and a very happy to see husband.

So today, I have sooo much to do, thank goodness that I have nothing planned this weekend except for taking care of my home and kind of doing a fall cleaning. I can't stand little nick-nacks around, it makes me edgy. So now I get to reorganize everything and get rid of a lot of stuff.

Andy is getting my fall stuff out. I love to collect the Halloween village. I have a few pieces and it is a lot of fun to get new pieces for my village. Ebay is great for that, well isn't Ebay great for EVERYTHING!

Bruce will be here on Monday to do our tile in the kitchen, Steve will be here on Monday for the rock on the bedroom fireplace and when it is done I'll post pictures. It is beautiful now! I can't wait to see the finished product!!!

Well, that is enough for now. Busy huh?

Good Morning!

I wanted to write for a moment. There is sooo much going on this week and in the past week!
As everyone knows we are doing a huge revamp to our home, (being that it is only a year and a half old). There were many things we wanted to get done before the winter hits, so we decided to jump off and get them done, BIG PROJECT!!!!

We took the tile off the kitchen counters (well they kind of took themself's off of the ends, at the worst times!) Andy went ahead and got the rest off the counter and the backsplash, we are having our "new" friend Bruce come up from Orange and do our new tile. I'll post pictures of it when it is done. Everyone asked me why didn't I do granite..well because I really like the varied sizes of tiles and a different pattern, reminds me of Italy. We bought a new stove, no it's not the regular 4 foot stoves like I have had in the other two houses. Can you believe that I got a 30" stove? I did all the research for MANY weeks and actually liked the Electrolux brand. It has the BTU's for my high boil point (being at 7,000 feet it takes FOREVER! for things to boil) and the simmer for my delicate sauces. I love the oven and the great gadgets it has, and look, it has a self clean option on it, Ye haw! The only thing that I really miss, or should I say Andy misses, is the griddle, he loved his 24" griddle on the Wolf and was satisfied with the 12" on the Jennair.

The garage: We finally have it finished! Tuesday the garage door guy came up and put the door in, YEA!!! Saturday, Andy painted it along with my little office. Now to get power to both buildings, which is being done today with Andy's employees. Another yea!

Steve was over on Saturday to work on my fireplace in the bedroom, he has it all framed up, it is HUGE!!!! I have to post pictures of it as the work is being done. Anyway, he decided to cut the boards in MY BEDROOM!!!! So when we were getting ready for bed, I looked at my bed, pictures, bed frame, floor and screamed!!! It was completely covered in sawdust!!!! What the.....? Why didn't he cover the bedroom furniture before he started working on it?!!! Well I am going over to Daryl's to pick up tarps to cover everything before I let him continue with the drywall, can you imagine what they will look like if I don't?

Bobbie came up yesterday for the day to celebrate my birthday early, it's not until Tuesday however, why not now!, what a nice afternoon! We went to lunch, did a little shopping and then went to the house and sat outside for a while before she went home. It is so nice to have her so close, an afternoon is doable.

Tomorrow Andy and I are going to Lake Arrowhead for the afternoon for lunch, then to Linko's down the hill for Sushi. Kim and Daryl will be joining us. I have a show at the PAC on Sat and Sunday for the Cowboy Poetry, I hope it doesn't snow like it did on Memorial Day when they were having the Storyfest! Speaking of snow, fall is on it's way, it is getting down to the 40's at night, almost cold enough to start having fires, I love my fireplace. Also just enough time to finish the one in our bedroom.

The Octoberfest is going on at the Convention Center, hopefully, we can take a weekend and get out there and have some fun! Andy has never been out to it, it has been a huge yearly event for the past 38 years. I havn't been since Linda and I went over 23 years ago! Wow seems like another lifetime! I'll write about it when I get around to going!

Next week will be just as busy, I am going to Vegas during the week to meet with the pulmologist for all the blood they took last week, 13 HUGE vials, those vials came out to over $1,000.00 Thank Goodness for insurance. It will be interesting to see how much at the end of the year this year has cost. I will also be making an appointment for my last (hopefully) surgery.

Well I'd better get goin for today, just wanted to write and say hi and let everyone know that I actually have more going on then just going to Mexico and hangin out!

Have a great day and I will be seeing everyone soon!

Love Jeanine

Stephanie's Birthday Weekend

Here are our pictures of Stephanie's Weekend. Picasa has a great new movie program and I have been trying to get it downloaded to my Blog. Still work in progress.
Hope everyone enjoys these pictures, we had a blast, except for the toll road being worked on so we had to take the "old" road, however, I finally saw the turnabouts in TJ!!!! I have been looking for them for years! But they were not as much fun as I remembered it. Considering it was 5 o'clock on a Friday in TJ!!! Took us over an hour that should have been 15 minutes. Thank God for Andy's driving!!!! Whew!

Video of Running with the Bulls, July 8th, 2007 Pamplona Spain

I can't believe I finally found the video of the running with the bulls! This is the day that Andy ran, however, I can't find him out of all those other crazy people. I tried to locate me I am on the right hand side right before the arena beside the medical guys in the red hats! Run Andy Run!

Remembering September 11th, 2001

This was sent to me from my girlfriend this morning. Strange in the sense that this was the first email I opened and when the tragedy happened seven years ago, she was the first one to call me and wake me up that morning.

From my home to all my friends and family. I thank God every day for your love and for you being in my life, I am truly blessed.

Take a moment to read this incredible message and tell your special someone you are thankful for them and for their gift in your life.

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
You heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
With a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
Held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
Peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
Is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
Breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
Tried to understand his words and as she realized
He wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
Woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
Knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
Believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
Ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
Heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
With every prayer. I was with the crew as they
Were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
Believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
Faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
Every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
For the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
Smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... This way... Take
My hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
May not know why, but I do. However, if you were
There in that explosive moment in time, would you have
Reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
For you. But someday your journey will end. And I
Will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
Be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments. ...God

During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are
Doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it
Is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the
Following:

Stop and think and appreciate God's power
In your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to
Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the
Instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be
Ashamed of you before My Father'

If you believe 'Yes, I love my God. He is my
Fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and
Night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do
Everything. Christ is my strength.'

Have wonderful day. Love Jeanine

Andy's Fishing Trip in Cabo August 21st Fishing for Marlin

Here are pics of Andy's Cabo Fishing trip with 20 other friends from Big Bear! What a wild trip!

The girl's families vacation in Big Bear

Three of us sisters (Bobbie, Rachelle, and Jeanine) with their families on vacation in Big Bear! What a wonderful time! Love my family!!!

Great Weekend in Rosarito Beach, Mexico

These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago in Rosarito Mexico, WOW! What a great weekend! This is what life is all about!

It's been a long time!

Wow haven't written in a long time! Life has been going to a CRAZY speed!
Since I have not taken time to keep everyone up to date, I thought I'd write to everyone (thank you for getting on me to get everyone up to date). So much has happened!

Stephanie moved down from Minnesota and have been having a blast with her! Two weeks after she got here we took her down to Roasarito for a great little vacation. I got some really cools pics of the dolphins swimming by the house, one way in the evening when we were having cocktails and the other way when we were having coffee in the morning, INCREDIBLE! Went to La Fonda for brunch and was sang to by a rooster! Momma and baby chicks were running around the restaurant and Poppa Rooster got up the stairs to the stage and let out the loudest Cockadoodledo I have ever heard.! Even trying to mimic him later that night,woke Andy up and straight out of bed! He said it sounded like a cat being killed, don't think so, in fact, I think I did a great imitation of a rooster if I may say so myself!

Stephanie and I entered the Chili Cook off in July for the Chili Verde, did we win? NOPE, but if we did what would be have to look forward to for next year! At least this year Andy didn't enter the Mr. Hot Sauce contest and take off his shirt! His arm hurt too bad! This is the story following:

Andy had a dirt bike accident on July 24Th! Pretty severe one, on his new motorcycle he got for himself for his birthday. First long ride out (should have been over 75 miles) he was in Angeles Oaks and dumped the bike, broke his collar bone, five broken ribs and collapsed his right lung. OK Bad enough, he drove home over 45 miles to get to the hospital. Courageous or stupid, don't know, I side on stupid. So for two months we have been trying to get life back to normal, I don't know what normal is!

He just got back last night from Cabo fishing with Rotary, he won the jackpot for the biggest fish! A 260 pound Marlin! All Right! I haven't downloaded the pictures but will sure to post the "prize".

They were in a tropical storm, shut down the road to Cabo (they were staying an hour away) and wasn't sure they were going to be able to get out on Monday. I think I was the one more nervous than they were! Been through too much this year to have a no big deal attitude. I don't want to take anything for granted. Life is too precious!

Been having fun on the boat this year, haven't been on it since Rachelle and Mark and the boys have been here, my goodness it's been a month! See, if you don't take time to enjoy life it will pass you by!

Here is article that the Big Bear Grizzly wrote about our chili team, we are know as the Western Devils Barn Burner Chili! :

Bob Collins never thought he would have to work for his son. That is exactly what Collins did at the Old Miners Chili Cook-off.

Collins and his wife, Susie, were part of the Western Devil Barn Burner Chili team. The night before the chili cook-off, Bob, Susie and the team assembled at the Calcutta Dinner at B’s Backyard Bar-B-Que. The dinner is fund-raiser where bidders try to buy chili teams. In return, the winning bidder splits the earnings if their team places at the cook off.

Mike Collins said bidding on his parents’ team was a safe bet. “They placed third last year,” he said. Mike had the highest bid at the Calcutta Dinner. “It’s a great fund-raiser and you have to get people excited,” he said.

Mike waited until Susie pushed the bid for the Western Devil Barn Burners to $125. Auctioneer Mark Gaines scanned the crowd and Mike yelled $130. Susie answered with a $140 bid. Mike raised the bar to $150 and Susie almost quit.

“I told her (Susie) to keep bidding to push the price up,” Mike said. The final bid was $170. Mike owned the team.

“They make incredible chili and I only get to eat it once a year,” Mike said about the Western Devil Barn Burners. Mike smiled and said he is happy to have his dad working for him.

“I never thought about it like that, but I guess I am working for my son,” Bob said.

The Western Devil Barn Burners team didn’t place at the cook-off, but the chili was still a hit, Bob said. “We went through six gallons by 1 p.m. The team was honored with the Merchant’s Perpetual trophy. “It was a fun weekend,” Bob said.

Article written by Brain Charles

What a Day!