NTMA annual convention

Char and I at the Miner winery overlooking the Napa valley in the background looking west.

NTMA (National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association) held their annual convention in Napa valley this year. We stayed at the Silverado Resort. We had a wine tasting (reception dinner) at the Markham winery, we also visited Miner winery and also Berringer winery. You sure do learn a lot on the wine tasting tours.


Our reception tasting and opening dinner was held at the Markham winery. This photo is the storage room where they set up our dinner. They had a man and woman perform songs from the phantom of the Opera when our dessert was served. I approximated 1,484 barrels of wine stored in this room.

Our dessert was dark chocolate brownies served with a drizzle of Raspberry sauce and a White Chocolate Phantom of the Opera mask, right as dessert was served the main music from the Phantom of the Opera started as the crowd was surprised by the loud intro of music. It was way cool.

The tasting at Beringer winery, where we learned how to pair the right wine with the right foods, very informative!

Our tasting at the Miner winery in their cave room leading to the storage cave.

On our way to Yosemite after the convention was over, we stopped for some just picked strawberries, then we enjoyed them along the way.

Rim of the World, in Stanislaus forest.

Western entrance to Yosemite national park.

Same view as the sign at the entrance to the Park.
"El Capitan" on the left and "Half Dome" in the center.

These are just a few of the many photos taken on our trip to the NTMA national convention.

We then drove the back roads south out of the park, headed to see the "Team Thompsons" in Southern California.

We went to dinner Friday night with the "TEAM" and the following morning we were able to take a tour through the "Smith Correctional Facility" where Michael works. I find it interesting to see criminals housed. They are like caged animals, cared for by Law enforcement employees.

Future's so bright, you gotta squint.

Char says she likes this one, except for the fact that my glasses
are on top of my head. She hates that. What's a guy to do?

Does this guy look like he's 50 years old?

Give me a caption for this one!

Family photos

Just a few more photos of the BIG 50 bash
photos taken by Bob Lane, the Panasonic guy.

left to right: Pat Knutson, Jasmin Frantzen, (RDTI office mgr.)
Fred Frantzen, Ken Knutsen, Carl Birdsell, Heidi Frantzen.



left to right: Walter Palmani, George Busby (back to camera)
John Brown, Kathy Lane, Denise Payne, Mike Payne,
Inta Brown, Patricia Thornham, Bruce Thornham, Me.


Me and the "Mad Irishman" Patrick Tangney,
a dear friend.

left to right: Denise Payne, Patricia Thornham
Mike Payne (back to camera) Bruce Thornham
Denise and Mike drove over from Lake Elsinore.
Bruce and Patricia are from Phoenix.
All 4 are in the Terrazzo business.



Char taking a picture of Bob Lane (Mr. Panasonic)
taking a picture of Char.

left to right: Char, Christian, Connor, Ashley, Clint,
Grandma Marty, good conversation and good food.

Stephanie, Christian, Connor, Ashley, Clint

Christian, Stephanie, Brooke and Char Char

No photos of Michael, Jannae, and Baylee at this
point in the day, as they hadn't arrived yet.

Praise Report

Xena is up and about for several firsts after surgery.
This first was her relieving her bladder. You can see her drain tube (white) just in fron of her left rear foot.

Then her next first after surgery was a casual walk around her yard. She wanted to make sure everything is as it should be. Then she went back and laid down for the rest of the day.

She looked pretty good actually, she doesn't seem to have a bad limp, just a slight one. Time will tell after all the healing has completed. Praise the LORD she can get up and walk.

This morning she got up in the wee hours of the morning and wee'd in two different spots. GOOD FOR YOU XENA!

We're blessed that Jesus has chosen to once again bless us and favor us with a speedy recovery for our good friend and watch dog, Xena.

50th

It seems I don't know how to post the photos and have the dialog match the photos.
Guess I need blogging for dummies.

Here's Michael and Jannae at breakfast the morning after the party.








Mom and Paul in our kitchen.

WE RECENTLY CELEBRATED MY 50TH BIRTHDAY, HERE AT MY HOUSE IN PHOENIX, AZ.

Immediately after I had to turn my attention to my sick dog, so I wasn't able to post any thoughts or photos about the party. With business going, the arrangements for the party (all falling on my shoulders) as Char was busy with school and work stuff.

We invited 75 people to help celebrate my 50th birthday. 50? I still think I am 25.

We had a BBQ company cater the food. It was very good food.

Christian, Stephanie, Brooke, Michael, Jannae, Baylee, Connor, Ashley, Mom, Paul, my Dad, all made the drive from California across the "LAND OF DIRT" to help celebrate and commemorate my 50th birthday. I am so greatful to all of you for the effort you put out on my behalf. I even had 2 business associates make the trek from Lake Elsinore across the "LAND OF DIRT" to help in the celebration. I had employess with their families there, and also Husbands and Wives from the Mens group there too. All told, 40 people were there. We put a giant tent over the North patio in case it rained. At the close of the day, a lot people were in our small home cramming it to capacity. As fast as it started, it seemed like time flew by. Then, all of a sudden it was over and everybody was gone, even the kids. No quality time to visit. Our Breakfast and regroup at the house the next morning was very "FAMILY". I was filled with great joy in having my Sons and their wives and the Grand Baby girls, together for a short time. It always goes by too fast.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH I CAN'T FIND THE RIGHT WORDS TO MAKE YOU FEEL HOW I FEEL INSIDE ABOUT EACH ONE OF YOU.

"I LOVE YOU"

Thank you for coming here to celebrate Gramps' 50th Birthday.

I don't know how to post photos here that will be in context. So I'll stop with the odd photo arrangement for now.

Until next time,

Peace and Grace.

Xena's tumor week

Xena down for the night.

Xena Resting, the patch of missing hair is where she had her I.V.

Doped up after surgery, and not even interested in a doggy treat, which she usually gobbles down.

Soft ball sized Tumor. Had to go. The Doctor had to completely sever the muscle the tumor was attached to. Poor Xena. She'll never be able to walk like she used to. But, at least we still have her.

Personal opinion

Hello again,

To those of you who follow this blog, (probably noone) I want to state some personal opinion.

I personally boycott companies and corporations that promote liberal agendas and perspectives. Why?
Because I am compelled to give my money to like minded companies for their conservative agendas and perspectives. I have a list, but at the risk of offending close loved ones I won't list them here.

If you believe in one liberal minded world views then I oppose you. I will supp with you, I will converse with you. That's as far as it goes. I won't be close or give you my deep inner feelings. I am called to share that with like minded people.

You can have Hollywood and all the professional LIARS that make their living convincing us that they are someone else. Lets face it, they are paid (some more than others) to make us believe their dialog, which is made up of fictitious stories. Some use Hollywood to enhance their lifestyle choices and then they elevate the actors as brilliant for bringing perverse thinking and actions to the "Silver Screen".

Think about this: We as a nation are slouching toward Gomorrah. Not sure what that is? Look it up.
In the end you will call that which is good, bad and you will call that which is bad, good.

Sound familiar? No I suppose not.

We call so many perverted things right.

We as Christ centered people must take our profession of Christ seriously. He wants us to take a stand in defense of him and his word.

Until next time,

Peace and Grace.