Beautiful Clearlake in California

Beautiful Clearlake in California
Pacific Ocean/Mendocino Feb 2016
Update: March 6th, 2016.
After a very very long year of learning to live a new life with my most recent handicap. I am getting movement in my arm!! :) It started the end of August and has been progressing, slowly. My issues with paranioia and depression are also getting better. I am confident that things will continue to progress. However, loosing a whole YEAR of my life is devastating to say the least. However, keeping a positive attitude for the most part has been a huge challenge, but I do it. I am grateful to all my family and friends that have been so encouraging and helpful. Thank you..




Monday, January 9, 2012

Girls just “wine” a have fun!!

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What a glorious day we all had on Sunday. We had our Rob Roy Philosophical meeting earlier in the day then stopped by Faith & Rudy’s for some of their St Helena wine from their vineyard! What a nice treat. The day was sunny and warm! The guests were bright and fun! Host & Hostess are so gracious!
Met Faith & Rudy at Walmart..a few years back. Purely by accident.. Everett saw Faith in the paint department and had to comment on her “hair” and how lovely she was..and he wanted her to meet his wife (me) our hair color was similar! So that was the beginning of our friendship and as they say the rest is history.. Now we met on the second Sunday of the month with the Philosophical Society each month. Smile and sometimes in between.
Last night we enjoyed dinner with the Rudy & Faith and Jim & Shirley at the Brewery in Middletown.. Had pizza, GREAT PIZZA!! and more wine.. Smile
Meeting Jim & Shirley was another qwerky meeting..
We had been at a Christmas Party at the Moose (same year we met Rudy & Faith). We were leaving and Ev saw this couple going to the car (we never had met Jim & Shirley at this point). Ev proceeded over to them saying “Are you two busy New Year’s Eve, would you like to come with us to a party:? Can you imagine??.. and they said YES they would love to join us!!??They never saw us before in their lives!! And so they say the rest is history! We have been friends ever since! And then it turned out that Faith & Rudy and Jim & Shirley were already friends, so we all spent New Years Eve together!! Great people and lots of fun!


Sunday, January 8, 2012

Rob Roy meeting 1/8/2012

We had our first annual meeting of the Rob Roy Philosophers at the Rob Roy Golf & Country Sunday January 8, 2012. One of twelve this year. We meet the 2nd Sunday of every month.
We had a GREAT turn out!! We had 28 members/guests! It was great to see all of you! And wonderful to see possible NEW members too!!
View Photos of our meeting below..

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Fun in Somerset!!

On Tuesday morning after talking with Judy on the phone, I called her back to let her know that I would like to come up to Tony’s and visit them all on Wednesday and wondered if that would be ok? OMG, Judy was so excited! as I was too! I had been so sick for weeks it seemed and never thought I would ever get over that “crap”! Finally I was feeling so much better and I was truly ready for a “mini vacation” and some fun times! So was Judy.. she had not felt well either most of the Christmas holiday season and also was finally feeling better.
My first concern going up to Tony’s Somerset Cabin that there would be a “bed” for me to sleep in.. Judy was more than accommodating or at least she thought she was.. Here is what she had to say.. “you know Tasha is leaving on Friday night so you can sleep with Tony”..uumm..?? No I said that I wasn’t going to sleep with Tony, so she said ok” I will sleep with Tony and you can sleep with Rich”, by now I am so cracking up!! I said “no that I was not sleeping with that horney bastard”!!<<laughing my ass off! So then I say, “how about Rich sleeps with Tony and I sleep with you”? she says’ oh yeah that works great’!! LOL.. As it turned out the first night I slept with Judy, Rich slept in the well house (with heater, electric blanket as well as a down comforter). And Tony had his bed with Tasha, as Tash wasn’t leaving till Friday.. and the down stair bed was where Neil and Terry were sleeping.. Well on Thursday night Neil & Terry left so I slept on the air bed that night, then Friday night I got the well house.. LOL.. The well house was the BEST!
Wednesday I arrived pretty early.. got there about 10:30am.. about a 3 hour drive, 150 miles from our door to Tony & Tasha’s cabin.. As it would be when I arrived really no one was ready for the day…? We ate breakfast, cleaned up and were finally out of the house by 1pm!!!? uummm.. Rich was our driver for the “ladies” day out shopping.. Rich drove us to Amador City, Sutter Creek and Jackson for a fabulous and fun fun day with the “girls” and of course Richy too… Smile We visited shops taking photos as we went along! One store owner was so excited we were having fun she asked to take our picture so she could post it on FB!! It was a fun day!
It was kind of late when we arrived back at the Cabin, but soon we got the dinner rolling! We were having abalone, provided by Neil and some nice Tilapia.. Everyone pitched in to get the dinner ready. We all enjoyed a delicious dinner together and enjoyed sharing stories of the day!
This was pretty much how the rest of the week went.. We had a fabulous time! The weather was wonderful, 70 degrees! In January”?? NO SNOW or rain! Incredible!
Judy, Rich and I did shopping on Thursday in Placerville.. After shopping we headed up to the Placerville Moose lodge in “Camino”, (Placerville Moose in Camino???). We had a couple of bloody mary’s and headed back to Placerville. We met with Tony & Tasha for dinner at a local Mexican Restaurant.. Marvelous food!
Friday morning Tasha was leaving for home, she had some comments to take care of on Saturday, she was so sad to leave..Rich, Judy and I took a drive up to Tahoe for the day to visit Rich’s cousin Jill.. As we were driving to Tahoe as we reached the summit we noticed that there was NO SNOW anywhere! Tahoe looked like we were in July instead of January.. so sad.. really.. Some of the resorts are closed already, many businesses were gone, lots of foreclosures.. sad times for many. Truly a sign of the times! and even the weather wasn’t cooperating, to make things even worse!
We met with Jill at her home and all went to lunch a local cafĂ©.. We all felt that we were “stimulating” the economy by either eating or shopping at Tahoe.. For which we did both.
Jill was a great lady! She is funny and very entertaining and I could so tell she was Rich’s cousin! They look like they are related! We had so much fun that day! Rich & Jill sharing many family stories..
After lunch we all went shopping.. Love to shop at the place “side street” in Tahoe at the shopping center of Raleys by the stateline. Judy treated herself to a very lovely gift that she so deserved.. A lovely mink vest.. Smile at a very incredible deal.. guess that Tahoe is in “die or straights” they are giving away the stuff!! Well, not quite.. but you get the general idea.. Smile We really had a great day and it was great fun to meet Jill. What a fun gal!
On our way home as we came into Camino we stopped at the PLacerville Moose.. had a martini and back to Tony’s we went. We needed to get home because new company was about to arrive.
we were only home a little while when Jeff & Jeanine arrive. Long, long time friends of Rich & Judy and Tony! Everyone was so excited to see each other! I don’t think they had all been together in about 2 years.. It was a warm and wonderful evening watching everyone catch up on the life and times of the past couple of years. Jeff & Jeanine have 2 lovely children.. Jake 8 yrs old and Julia 3 yrs old soon to be 4 in Feb..
I needed to get home on Saturday, so I got my breakfast, got my bed made in the well house, got packed and was ready to go about 11am..
I really had a fabulous mini vacation.. Thanks to Great friends that are more like my family.. I guess you could say they are my “adopted” family.. I sure love all of you so very much! Thanks you all for everything and fantastic few days!


Wine Tasting with New Friends

Got a call from Scotty from St Louis on Tuesday late afternoon and wanted to know if we could meet him and his “sis” Lori at Brassfields for some wine tasting in about a half hour? It was 4pm..
Our day had consisted of finishing putting away Christmas decorations, me fixing some Turkey soup. Lee & Laura were here picking up some of the soup when we got the call.. We were so unprepared! However as you know we are “impromptu”!! <<laughing So what the “hell”.. Told Lee & Laura we were invited to wine tasting,, gotta goo.. they are so great.. “oh yeah no problem”.. Got ready and away we went! Meet both Scotty & Lori (first time I had met them, and Ev first time meeting Lori). We drove up at the winery, and saw they were walking around outside enjoying their wine.. We walked up and immediately hit it off and before long we were drinking, laughing and truly enjoying each other company!! Lori was busy cutting up cheese and serving it with crackers! Not only to Ev & I but also to some of the other patrons as well as our host at the winery!! As you will see by the photos we truly had a GREAT time! It was so nice to meet them and hopefully we will meet again sometime soon! Thanks for a GREAT time guys!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Happy New Year!! 2012

I just can’t believe here we are in 2012! Wow! We are so excited to the new adventures and fun new challenges that await us this New Year of 2012!
Ev and I have a few trips planned already for this coming year. I will be going up to visit Rich & Judy at Tony & Natasha’s place in Somerset on Wednesday, after I get all the Christmas decorations down. I will go and Ev will stay home. Ev is going to get the truck power steering fixed! Smile And I will vacation.. Smile sounds more fun to me! Tony & Tasha has a cute log cabin in Somerset, CA.. right between Placerville & Jackson.
Our next trip will be in February to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary in Vegas. Lindsy & Chris will join us too as it also their 7th wedding anniversary. They were married on Maui a few days earlier than Ev and I. Lindsy & Chris Feb 16, 2005 and Ev & Linda Feb 19, 2005. Our friends from Reno, Mike & Maryann will also be in Vegas at the same time to celebrate Maryann’s birthday Feb 14th. Sounds fun huh?
Then in June Chris’ sister Carrie will be married to Jason on the 10th. I will be doing their flowers. Then we will take off on an extended vacation. We will travel with truck & trailer to Hat Creek area for a few days then up to WA state to go camping with brother Rick & family/friends in Conconully, WA around Father’s Day weekend. We probably won’t be home for the 4th this year.. Sad smile However I am sure we will have lots of fun in WA! Smile On our way back home will spend more time hopefully around the Hat Creek area and do some fishing..
That’s it so far…

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Between Christmas & New Years

We had a nice Christmas again this year. Hopefully next year I won’t get sick. After everyone left on the 26th I hit the bed for a couple of days to get rested up before our next party!! Smile
We got an invitation to dinner at Bill & Eva’s “summer home” in Hidden Valley Lake on Wednesday evening. Eva served a couple of very good “Hungarian” dishes.. She served up 11 people for dinner.. Great host & hostess! We met some new people, friends of Bill & Eva. Charles was also a guest, and you know how entertaining he is.. It was a very nice evening.. see pics below:


We were also invited to Gil & Christie’s down here in the Keys for dinner on Friday evening. They fixed up some good ole comfort food old American fav dish Meatloaf with potatoes and veggies.. Some good wine and good conversation, what else could you ask for? Very nice and relaxing evening.
On Saturday evening Ernie & Shirley were having a New Year’s Eve party with a different spin. They were having a wine tasting and sit down dinner. I believe there were 18 of us for the wine tasting. So fun! Just so you know Jerry & Sandy brought the “2 buck chuck” Charles Shaw for the white and red (they brought it as a joke).. and if you can believe it!!?? The “2 buck chuck” Charles Shaw WON! in both categories, red & white. The more expensive local wines?? opps..
There were
14 of us for dinner. Ernie & Shirley really out did themselves. It was so fun and great hosts!!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Christmas Day 2011

Most anticipated day has arrived! My cold is getting better, so I am feeling better! YIPEEE.. Not fully recovered but better. Everyone should start arriving about 1:30 this afternoon. I will have plenty of time to finish getting the tables ready for the 17 of us that will enjoy Christmas Dinner together. Now that the tables are done, I can get the 15# prime rib ready for the oven. Ev is peeling the potatoes for mashed potatoes, got the mushrooms ready and lastly the salad part of the “crab” that would have for dinner. Jeff & Cesar bringing the crab. Now that all the dinner is ready to cook, I need to get showered and ready for the rest of the day.
About 1130 Ali called to let us know that her and her Mom wouldn’t be able to make it today, Cheri had a migraine headache. Poor thing..We hope she will be better soon. I rearranged the tables and put 6 at the round table in the dinette and 9 of us at the big table in the dinning room.. Perfect.. an easy change to do and I eliminated one table. However Cheri and Ali would be missed. Sad smile 
Bob, Janet, Carrie and Jason were the first to arrive. Within about 5 minutes of their arrival Lindsy, Chris, Colin as well as Jeff & Cesar arrived. It wasn’t long before everyone unloaded their cars of gifts and food. All the gifts were placed around the tree and everyone took their places around the Christmas tree in the Living room once again.
Carrie jumped up to pass the gifts around to each of us. She likes to do this, as she does it most every year.
I always love watching everyone open their gifts, there is such amazement and excitement. Colin of course is the most interesting to watch! He gets so excited! This year his “grammy & pa” got him is very own “Colin’s CafĂ©” with, pots, pan, food, etc.. He was so happy! Our house “Nonni & Poppy’s” is the 3rd gift opening for Colin in less than 24 hours!
Soon after our gift exchange more guest started arriving. Charles, Craig and Jim Brisco strolled in bearing gifts of many sorts. Greeting everyone with kisses and hugs and onto the BAR for that Christmas Cheer.. It wasn’t long before I was back in the kitchen checking up on how all the food was progressing. Chris was outside in the breezeway cracking the 3 crabs that Jeff & Cesar had brought. Everything was continuing on schedule!!
Our late arrival was Jimmie, she had been out visiting all day with friends, spreading good cheer.
We all sat down to dinner about 530.. aww dinner was cooked and served. My job was done.. Smile Now I could relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. Everyone else is responsible for clean up!! Smile
Jeff & Cesar took control of the cleanup detail. Thanks guys! We didn’t have an official dessert cutting, it was help yourself for the most part.
As the evening wore on our friend Jimmie said she wasn’t feeling well. She was going to put her head down on the pillow on the couch.. I walked away from her and she decided she needed to get to the bathroom ASAP.. while on her way there she lost conciousness/fainted. Just as she was going by the china cabinet at the end of the walkway to the bathroom. I turned just in time to see her fall, but there was nothing I could do to stop her from falling. She hit the cabinet with the side of her cheek as well as her shoulder and down on the tile she was! Immediately Jeff and Charles were at her side comforting her. Jeff checking to be sure that she had no concussion or deep cuts, etc.. Lindsy got on the phone and called 911. It was about 12 mintues and the paramedics were on scene relieving Jeff and Charles of taking care of Jimmie. Jimmie seemed to be ok, other than she had a few bruises and bumps.. Apparently she hadn’t really eaten much that day, probably got some low blood sugar. Thank God she was ok. However to be on the safe side she went to the hospital for further tests. Better to be safe than sorry. Pretty exciting Christmas!
Everett called the hospital every half hour or so till they released her at about 11pm. Ev and Jeff went and picked her up and took her home.
After they returned here to home we all retired to our cozy warm beds for some much needed rest!

Not many were up bright and early on the day after Christmas. Not only was I suffering with the “cold”, so was Lindsy and Jeff. Everyone was up and running about 9am.. I got the left overs of Christmas eve ready for breakfast. We had Mexican breakfast.. Smile
We all ate and everyone packed up and went home by about noon. Ev dropped Jimmie’s car off to her (thank God she is ok, feeling pretty bruised but ok), while Jeff drove our car down for Ev to drive back home. I finished cleaning up what I could, then headed for the Roku and movies the rest of the day.. Feeling pretty exhausted myself I needed a movie day.. Smile aawww… can’t wait till next year!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve 2011

We do Christmas Eve each year as a cocktail and light hor dourves. However this year we bought some tamales in November from a street vendor over by Walmart in Ukiah. They were so tasty! I frozen them and had intended to serve them at our Christmas party earlier in December. But forgot about them. In addition to the tamales I also cooked up a pork roast and shredded it and had pork tacos with refried beans.. delic!!
Being that I was sick with all cold all week before Christmas I thought I had put the word out that we would be doing Christmas Eve to friends to extend them a welcome to our home for cocktails and hor dourves. We had Lee & Laura and our new friend Jimmie. A nice little gathering for the night before Christmas. We enjoyed each other’s company, we shared a nice Mexican dinner together a couple of cocktails, a nice relaxing evening. It was a early night everyone went home about 8pm. I had plenty to do for Christmas Day dinner.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Friends Gift Exchange

Well, I am still sick with this cold and it seems as though it is getting worse instead of better! I feel like a total zombie today. However last night at Judy’s birthday party we all decided to do our gift exchange before Rich & Judy headed up to Somerset to spend Christmas with there son Tony and girlfriend Natasha. Larry & Lynn were leaving too going south of San Francisco to spend Christmas with their families! This was the only time we could do it. They all went to dinner at the Moose for “Whimpy Burgers”, I said we were staying home to eat leftovers, when in reality I was so sick with this cold and feeling sooooooo lousy, the extra rest was a comfort to me. Rich, Judy, Larry and Lynn arrived about 6pm dressed all in their warm festive colors of Christmas. Gifts in hand put them over under the tree.. We all enjoyed a drink in the bar and then went to the living room to exchange gifts.
I guess I am like a kid, I get all excited about the gifts. Even as awful as I felt I couldn’t have passed up this great moment with our dear friends.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Judy’s Birthday Party at the Maxwell Inn

Of all times of the year to get sick and I have a terrible cold and am feeling horrible! However, I wouldn’t disappoint my dear friend Judy for her birthday. We celebrate Judy’s birthday early because her birthday falls the day after Christmas. There were 6 of us looking forward to going to the Maxwell Inn in Maxwell, CA.. Smile 
We all met up at the Moose Lodge here in the Oaks. We had one cocktail and off we went.
Larry, Lynn, Everett, Rich, Judy and myself piled into Rich & Judy’s vehicle to drive to our destination in Maxwell, an hours drive northeast of Clearlake Oaks. Ev and I had heard wonderful things about the Maxwell Inn. Larry, Lynn, Rich & Judy had all gone to dinner here last year. They told us how wonderfully decorated it was for Christmas and what a lovely dinner they had eaten there. So we were so excited to go and feel the magic of the season of the lovely Inn.
We arrived and it was decorated nicely. However, to Larry’s disappointment he relayed to me that, the proprietor hadn’t gone to the extreme they had the year before! He was disappointed. I did think it was decorated nicely and I had nothing to compare it to. Besides I was feeling pretty lousy with this cold. However, It didn’t keep me from having a total of 3 martinis that evening. The place may not have been decorated to the hilt, but we had fun. In all actuality I have vague memories of dinner.. Martinis and cold meds??? ummmm..???
Thankfully we had given Judy her birthday gift while we were enjoying our first Martini. Smile I could tell she was excited that we were all there with her to celebrate her birthday..

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Swesey Newsletter 2011

For the past 12 years I have been publishing a newsletter of our lives to share with family and friends at Christmas time. I have just recently finished this years newsletter. You can read it online at >>> http://www.clearlakevacationsonline.com/pdf_christmas_newsletters/newsletter_2011.pdf
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year!

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Saturday, December 10, 2011

Christmas Party Weekend 12/9-12/11

Mike & Mary Ann arrived early afternoon on Friday driving down from Reno. They had a wonderful treat for us for dinner that night!! FRESH CRAB! uumm..
Mary Ann and I fixed a nice green salad. Mike “zzzeee chef” prepared “zzzzeee” the crab. He mixed up a very nice marinate, I was trying to peek over his shoulder to see the secrets he was mixing.. all I got was, fresh lemon juice, garlic, parsley, olive oil and some veggie oil, salt & pepper. Then proceeded to clean and crack the crab. Took the body parts (Sounds gross, “body parts”..LOL) and mixed them all in a big bowl, mixed well.. We had a lovely dinner with green salad, some FRESH French bread (dipped into juice in crab bowl, “to die for”!) and marinated fresh crab, served cold. uummm so good!

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Great dinner! We retired to the living room where we continued to visit and enjoy our festive surrounds. Early to bed.
Woke not too early, Mike was up first started the pellet stove, so when the rest of us got up it would be nice and warm..

Thank God we had gotten all the Christmas Decoration all up and house was clean and ready to go for our Party tonight. Today Ev & Mike drove down to Cache Creek Casino, to try their luck. Mike hadn’t been there before, so Ev was “showing” him around.. oh yeah right.. Smile In the mean while Mary Ann and I watched a cute video of her newest little grandson, Lyndon. He just turned one year old on Thanksgiving. We also piddled getting tables arranged, chairs put around for people to sit. The “boys” got home about 3pm (early I was in shock!). Everyone was pitching in getting ready for the big party that would start at about 6pm.
Our guests started arriving with “bells” on!! Not kidding! As the hour was progressing, so were the number of people.. The door was open more than closed for the next couple of hours. Everyone dressed in their warm and festive clothing, bring arms full of food and drink! Everyone was going to be “merry” tonight! Before you knew it we had a FULL HOUSE! I have tired to recall just how many we had?? Some where about 50 people! I just love to see our house busting with happy, chatty, smiling faces! Everyone was so happy and full of glad tidings for the season.
More food than anyone could possibly eat! Our friend Jimmie brought up some of her lovely paintings and we displayed them around. She even sold a couple of them.. She was tickled.
As everyone slowly departed, funneling their way back their vehicles that were parked on the street, Ev and I saying our “Merry Christmas’” to all as we walked them out. Happening without our knowledge in the house were a few our “beloved” friends (know who you are Smile, there is always “payback” “short sheeting” our bed and loading with us “YORK” peppermint patties!!) I did find out that Greta & Twilla were in charge of keeping Everett busy when he came back into the house, however they didn’t “DO” anything.. aww ha! It was “those” other people.. Let me think?? Jamie, Donna, Eric, Sam?? Smile Not sure if Thomas was involved…??
When everyone was gone and we were going to go to bed, I could tell someone had been messing with the bed.. HELLO!! (queen of bed making we have VACATION RENTALS) They didn’t make the bed right! The bedspread was NOT at all how I make the bed! And I said to Everett, someone had messed with the bed! We ripped back the blankets and we found the YORK peppermint patties! Obvious the top sheet was not at all where it should have been!! LOL.. We made the bed and got into it and went to sleep! aww thanks guys.. “payback” Smile??
We enjoyed all of you who celebrated with us on Saturday night.. !!We wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS (not "Happy Holidays”) MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Woke early Sunday morning, but couldn’t seem to drag my butt out of bed, so just laid there till I heard people stirring…plus I knew it was cold.. no one had yet started the pellet stove! Eventually we all were up and Mike & Mary Ann were all packed and ready to head home. However, I know they had a stop in Sacramento to pick up some specialized ingredients for some fancy cooking Mike will do over the holidays! Mike & Mary Ann made it home safely..Smile

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS! WE ARE SO HAPPY WE HAVE SUCH ‘HAPPY FRIENDS’!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Christmas Potluck Party a Big Hit 2011 at the Keys

A wide variety of casserole dishes & desserts could be found on the buffet line at the Keys. The arts & crafts table was where you decorated your Christmas stocking and then hung it on the tree. There was a good attendance and participation with the white elephant gifts. There were cook books, gag gifts, candles, bath accessories, there was even a “circle of friends”, which just happened to be the most popular of the gifts. Fun was had by all!!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

Friday, December 2, 2011

High Winds Damage our Roof 12/1/2011

November 30th the high wind gusts started blowing us around pretty good up here on the hill. I have tried to find out about how strong the wind gusts were up here, but it seems that information isn’t readily available. It is nearly impossible to find information about Lake County, CA.. Imagine that? Most all the information we can seem to find is about the L.A. area.. Like who cares? I don’t.. Smile
At any rate we have sustained damage to our garage roof. We will have to replace and area of about 12’X7’. Called nephew Jess and brother Rick for instruction. We are going to give a try ourselves, don’t see why we can’t do it? Will keep you posted.
We google’d “how to nail a roof”, we found this> http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1630932,00.html

Here is a photo of the damage so far. IF the winds don’t stop we may get more.. Ironic about these winds, they are from the North/Northeast and very warm.. 61 degrees this morning when I got up.

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