Morning games for Avery and Sophia.
The coaches were about to tell Avery and the person he’s guarding that the ball and all the action were at the other end of the court.
Lunch time break at home.
Afternoon basketball game for Sophia at St Ignatius. Her dad and Uncle Jeff are the coaches.
Author Archives: arletelouise
Professional Bull Riding
L-R: Mary, Chris, Greg, Phyllis. Greg and Chris are Phyl’s oldest sons.
We parked in the RT employee parking lot – Chris and Mary work for RT. This was Phyl’s first time to use public transportation!
We ate at Sauced – a fairly new and well-reviewed bbq restaurant very close to the Golden One Center (in background).
It was so LOUD inside – but that’s probably an old person’s complaint.
The food was excellent!
This arrived at the table next to us. And then they asked waiter to cut it in half.
Look who came over to our table? Justin was also there with a group of friends.
The night’s winner, Jess Lockwood:
Just 19 years old!
A fun evening all around! Even without the fringe vest.
Cutting fringe
I started early in the day trying to finish this long vest to wear tonight. The faux suede wanted to curl at the edges so I had to pin every inch or so.
I cut fringe for 4 hours which didn’t include breaks to rest my cutting hand, put bandaids on my fingers before blisters formed, eat lunch, etc. And I still didn’t finish in time.
I like the way the ends curl up like a fiddlehead fern. 
Oh well, the purple jacket will have to do for tonight’s outing.
Basketball, homework and ukulele
Tuesday, Avery’s basketball practice.
Practicing the bounce pass.
Thursday. Usually Avery’s first words to me are, “Grandma, can I have your iPad?” But today, “Grandma, I have homework!” 
Sophia read the sheet music while she played a song with her teacher Ross.
Ade: week 3
Lots of water-over-roadway driving on the way to Ade’s. As long as I can see the center line, I drive through it. 
Ade’s cousin Suzanne stayed with Ade from Thursday to this morning.
Ade has made great progress like going outside for walks. She will soon graduate to a cane.
Sports Saturday
1. Avery’s basketball game.
“Grandma, look at my new shoes!” Apparently the bottoms are the cool part.
A vocal and wiggly Carson loves to be snuggled.
And crawl away.
2. Sophia’s basketball game.
3. Sophia’s indoor soccer.
4. Sophia’s second basketball game. Lenin and Uncle Jeff are the coaches.
Cousin Lauren helped with Carson while Thais worked the snack bar.
Searching for the cat
I took Sophia for her ukulele lesson this afternoon. We were early so she wanted to go look for the friendly cat who followed us one afternoon several months ago. I thought this was a long shot, we don’t even know which house the cat belongs to. Up one side of the street
and down the other. I told her any smart cat would be inside where it was warm.
And then …
Success!!
50 Bikes for 50 Kids
This year, I worked with Mary and Eric from Bike Hikers to build a bike with the student receiving it, Miguel Lopez. In the blue t-shirt was Miguel’s father, an invaluable member of our team since Miguel was a non-verbal special education student.
We were part of the morning group in the gym at Natomas Middle School where 25 students built bikes with their support teams.
My favorite bike mechanic, Bike Mike (yellow t-shirt) was also there to make sure we built the bike correctly.
Once built, Miguel was ready to move to the next room for phase 2:
Snacks, a helmet specifically fitted for him, a photo op,
a thank-you-card writing station, and a free U-lock and cable.
What a great program for North Natomas sponsored by North Natomas Transportation Management Association – the same organization that promotes Project Ride Smart! Students receiving bikes were nominated by their teachers for the content of their character in keeping with Martin Luther King Jr Day.
Ade: week 1
Friends came by to visit. Linda:
Some cooking projects took place like Focaccia:
Joan brought over delicious tomato basil soup:
Sandy came over with Chinese food one evening when I had to be somewhere else:
On Friday afternoon, the power went out for about 6 hours. We ordered pizza!
Helping a friend
Yesterday, Adrienne had her left hip replaced. She needs someone to be with her for the first two weeks. I volunteered – that’s what friends are for. Today was her first physical therapy session and it took place at home.
Ade is doing great by the way!
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