Busy June

Cindy had her left knee replacement done on the 19th, and came home on the 21st. She is doing well and rehabbing it. Her right knee that was done on April 24th is now really solid. We started our bathroom remodel yesterday. That's it after it was gutted. In all, it will be about a 2 week job. Then, in a few weeks, our contractor Nar will start tearing off both backyard decks, frame the new ones, and then pour the cement. We hope to have it done by the first or second week of August. Tomorrow is my birthday, then Ryan on July 6th, Cindy on the 26th, and Aunt Madalyn on the 30th. Then, Lindsay in Sept and Alex in November. We'll squeeze in a week vacation to Santa Cruz in the midst of it all.

Reception at Embassy Suites

Leslie and JR's wedding reception was at the Embassy Suites overlooking the river at the Capitol Mall bridge. We stayed the night at the hotel after a sitdown dinner and dancing afterwards. Above are some of Dick's friends who livened up the party. The next morning, we enjoyed the complimentary breakfast, took a short stroll down the Promenade and then went home to get ready for the Sopranos finale.

Leslie's wedding

Leslie and JR got married on Saturday in the McKinley Park Rose Garden. It was a warm afternoon and the garden was very pretty. The ceremony was brief and conducted by Uncle Ted. Here are Leslie's parents Dick and Donna with the happy couple a few minutes before they exchanged the traditional "I do" with each other.

Anyone can comment now

Anyone, even a Jack Russell, can now add a comment to any post. Just click on "comment" and you can add your comment by simply clicking the "other" or "anonymous" bubble and then adding a comment. Even a caveman can do it. Of course, you can include your name in your comment if you want. The format of the blog has also changed. Feel free to give me feedback, I'm openminded, and just looking for a fresh look. And, as always, simply click on any picture to enlarge it.

Alex's surgery

Alex had ACL surgery on his left knee yesterday. Onita is nursing him at home with the assistance of the pain pump in his left hand that is inserted into his knee, and the cold therapy system which circulates cold water around it to minimize the swelling. He is planning on going back to work this next Tuesday, but will be on crutches for about six weeks. No weight is allowed on that leg. The complete rehab of the knee takes about a full year and it may return to its original strength. Alex is still contemplating surgery on his shoulder too, but the knee rehab will require his full attention. One thing at a time son.

Ryan's shed

It was very hot yesterday, but Ryan, Alex, and I assembled Ryan's new Rubbermaid shed in his backyard. It was a little like The Three Amigos meet The Three Stooges, but we persevered and, after Onita refueled us with sandwiches from Togo's, we finally solved the riddle of the roof and finished the project. It blends in very well with the house and yard. Ryan looks tired, but the shed is finally done.

Yard sale

We joined our next door neighbor in a yard sale on Saturday and sold a few items, including an old, long dresser, but an upright bedroom dresser we have had for 25 years remained unsold. Here, Cindy enjoys the morning air while supervising my sales efforts.

Get well basket

Cindy's co-workers surprised her at home with a cornucopia of goodies this afternoon that she really appreciated. Here she shows off the basket and sends a big THANK YOU!!! to everyone at work for their kindness and thoughtfulness. She's working diligently to get her right knee fully rehabbed so she can return to the office.

Cindy's knee surgery

Cindy had total right knee replacement surgery on April 24th at Methodist Hospital. She recovered in the hospital for about 50 hours and then was discharged back home. This snap of Cindy and Ryan was taken moments before we left for the hospital. Her rehab includes lots of specific exercises and rest. Thus far, everything is going normally and she is in good spirits. Logically, it makes sense to replicate the surgery on her left knee soon. We'll make sure that her right knee is 100% fine and then start serious discussions about replacing the left knee. If everything goes as planned, she should be fully recovered for a pain free vacation to Santa Cruz in September.

Train Trestle Fire

The main train track from Sacramento to Reno runs right behind my office and a 300 foot section of its bridge trestle caught on fire on 3/15/07 in the late afternoon and caused disruption to the highway, nearby businesses, and of course train service. It took 2 full days to put it out, and it sent a jet black plume straight up. It is estimated that it will be weeks before train service can resume.

Winning twosome

Marty B. and Marty A. pose for a victory photo in front of Marty B's new Honda after their stunning upset of Dick and Dean at Hoffman Park.

Hoffman golf

It was a gorgeous day today...bright sun, 70 degrees, and blue sky with no clouds...perfect for golf, so we played 18 holes at Ancil Hoffman. Lots of pars, but no birdies at all for us. Above, Dick, Dean, and Brif show their unanimity proclaiming me as #1 (only kidding)...it was a lot of fun and Dean got to break in his new Cleveland driver with some tape measure shots straight down the fairways. I teamed with Brif and we smoked D & D, but there will be rematches and they will undoubtedly seek their revenge. Maybe at Castle Oaks in two weeks???

Las Vegas weekend

We flew to Vegas on Saturday morning and flew back this afternoon(Monday) after staying both nights on the 51st floor of the new Wynn Hotel with a "panoramic" view of some of the hotels on The Strip as well as the mountain range that rings the city. The Wynn is a really beautiful, 5-star resort/hotel. We saw Le Reve at the Wynn on Sat night (an extremely athletic and breathtaking water spectacle) that was excellent. Sunday night was "Love" at the Mirage (colorful stage show of Beatle music with lots of dancing and excellent sound system). We recommend both, but Cindy leaned slightly to Le Reve. We beat the slots out of about $120.00 over the weekend so, of course, we'll be going back to return it very soon.

Christmas Eve 2006

Nar surprised us with luminarias last night in our front yard...we'll put new tea lights in them tonight for Christmas...we watched "It's A Wonderful Life" last night on DVD, then some hilarious back episodes of "The Office"...everyone is coming over this morning to open presents, have Cindy's quiche and my Mamosas, and then a ham dinner. Rumor has it that we will also watch "Little Miss Sunshine" at some point today as rain is forecast. Merry Christmas everyone from the Andersons.

The Palace Hotel

We stayed, for the first time, at The Palace Hotel in SF. It is a sophisticated and elegant hotel, occupying an entire block, originally built in 1875, gutted by fire in 1906 after the Great Earthquake, and rebuilt in 1909. It's guest list is a Who's Who of famous statesmen and stars. It is quite opulent, but a quiet and relaxing place to stay for out-of-towners. It has a magnificent and luxurious Great Ballroom, an indoor pool with glass ceiling on the 4th floor, and its centerpiece Tea Room in the middle of the hotel, with its glass ceiling, is world famous. The rooms have high ceilings with elegant molding, and are reasonably priced. It is located at the intersection of Market St and New Montgomery so shopping at the upper-end stores is very walkable.

Taxi Waiting

All of us (there were 6 of us which required two taxis) had several wild rides on Saturday evening while traversing San Francisco from The Palace Hotel to the former Pan Pacific, to the Mark Hopkins, to Absinthe, to the Top of the Mark, back to The Palace, and then to the FKA Pan Pacific (for Dean and Carol). The drivers, inexplicably, but nonetheless, were tipped handsomely. The air was crisp and The City was bustling with theater goers exiting the plays and filling up the restaurants, so there was plenty of time for Dean and Carol to cuddle while trying to flag the next ride.

The Chocolate Baron and His Princess

Jack and Mary Shaw, Sacramento chocolate magnates, relax in their luxurious penthouse at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, before all of us dined at Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, and then to the famous "Top Of The Mark" nightclub on the 17th Floor for cocktails and dancing.

Mark Hopkins Penthouse

Here we are enjoying the living room of Jack and Mary's penthouse at the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco this weekend. Their 1K+ sq ft suite was outrageously spacious with a fully-windowed terrace, dining room, office, magnificent bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms, and on the 15th floor with sweeping views of The City. Their prestigious chocolate reputation and prominence in The Valley has obviously been properly acknowledged in The City, with its inherent perks. If Godiva owned a hotel, they would be its only visitors.

Santa and our hosts Dean & Carol

Dean & Carol (and their special favorite feline Sydney) also enjoyed having Santa visit their home for some eggnog. Maybe next year Mrs Claus can make the party too, although, it looks like Santa likes having the ladies on his lap and she might not understand.

Shellenberger's Christmas Party

We always have a great time at Dean & Carol's annual Holiday Party. Even though he is busy, Santa dropped in and enjoyed Lindsay on his lap, while we, and the Gollihurs, toasted anyone who happened to be near. Dean had his backyard fireplace roaring in the crisp evening air, while inside we tried to allay Dick & Donna's fears that burning 2 DuraFlame logs simultaneously would anger the fire Gods.