Avocados!  We trimmed the trees a few years ago and it's been year after year of no avocados to speak of.

This year is shaping up to look like a bountiful harvest. Taylor is already talking about setting up a stand. Terry wants to take them to the local farmer's market.
It's a little hard to see from this picture, but. . .

now this shows one little cluster, and there are hundreds!

$$$ Guacamole!

this is Pirate Radio! And it is not only hilarious (I mean laugh out loud), but has some kick a@* music, too!
I haven't had time yet to dive into Goodreads and all those great recommendations, but for some quick entertainment, this can't be beat!

. . . but I had to see what it was about. So, between netflix and the library, we got the two movies and watched them back to back!

What started out as a laugh out loud parody of an overacted teen soap, morphed into a movie series we got hooked on. I'm shocked!

So when is the next in the series coming out?

We celebrated Easter this year at Pat and Melanie's new house in Simi Valley. Cozy and cute, they've done a tremendous amount of work on the two houses here- a one bedroom they have up for rent, and a two bedroom that Pat uses for it's proximity to work.





Mom is enjoying "Single ladies" video courtesy of Losiah and family!





Sean and Joseph got right to bonding with each other after not seeing each other for so long due to hectic schedules!





And the games continued inside with Jackie and Lucas battling it out!





John enjoying the cool weather on the deck with Tom and Aunt Dorothy and Pat and Melanie's new puppy.





That was nice of Pat and Nolan to start a fire to keep us warm out here! Behind the fire pit is the dry stream bed fed by a steep waterfall when the rains come. Right out of view is a very cute little bridge that crosses the stream to the driveway. We thought we were in trouble when the Sheriff drove by, no, kept going. Even Pat's neighbor was fire friendly, showed us where the best wood was and even donated some old patio chairs to burn!





First time I made Cinnamon rolls and they were a hit!

A very nice Easter indeed!

It all started with my desire to get organized for starting my taxes.
So into my office and I unload my file of years old files. Out came the shredder, the recycle can and before I knew it I had unloaded about 3-4 trash bags full. Where did I have the room for all that??
Well, that felt great, so I figured "why not paint?" And so I did, the whole room got a fresh coat. Then, some of the wood bookcases looked a bit tired next to the fresh paint. I refinished the bookcases with the fresh coat of stain. Well, now the pictures, the diplomas,
the certificates needed a home. Along with a new calendar and message/cork board, I had the wall project I had been trying to finish for so long (just in time before new diplomas come home) And, of course, a new clock found its way into my new office.
So, now I should be ready to attack those taxes!

But no. . .





my bedroom closet beckoned to me. . . and I could not resist. Years of accumulated clothes, shoes, purses came out of hiding, got weeded through and packed up.












I filled up 5 bags and hauled them off to the Good Will.














Even Terry got Spring Cleaning Fever. He had this week off for spring break and invited me out to help refinish the deck.
He swept and washed. Then I applied stain while he rewired the lighting that needed redoing.
Got to admit, it looks a lot better.

Now after this post, I'll get to those taxes. . .

It was a busy, busy weekend for the twins. There was so much to do getting ready for their big birthday celebration with family and friends!


After shopping Friday with Melanie for their outfits, Saturday was beauty day: Hair and Nails!


Here Aunt Dorothy is getting her manicure while watching the Olympics on the big screen and the pouring rail and hail outside! Dorothy had arrived and met us in the salon and everyone joked that she brought that nasty East Coast weather with her! She promised she wouldn't stay long and it would soon be back to So. Cal. sunshine! She didn't let us down! The weather changed back to perfect for the party!




It was on to hair and here the ladies sit under the dryer waiting for their style while enjoying the latest in fashion and style magazines!











Amazing! Beautiful!











Back to the house after a lunch at PandaExpress and it was time for centerpieces.

Melanie shopped for craft materials to decorate and all got straight to work in full decorating mode!








The next day everyone arrived ready to party and greet the Belles of the Ball!














The received a standing ovation when Dorothy escorted them into the room!

Twins always and aren't they lookin' good!










Everyone was in good spirits enjoying the Swingtime Big Band music Taylor arranged and set up. Sorry, I don't have pictures of the dancing because I was dancing!!











Here, longtime friends and family catch up on gossip and congratulate Mom on her birthday!











Tim entertains us with some "Skeletons from the family closet"!












A Ragtime musician accompanied the room as we all sang "Happy Birthday" and presented the cake.


Make a wish!









Catching up and having fun together!
















Nothing like family!












What a terrific effort by all to put on such a great celebration for the Mom and Aunt Dorothy! Priceless!

So, as you know, Taylor's hair has been growing and growing!

It's been growing since his last haircut for Katie and Chris' wedding about a year and a half ago.

The time finally came when he had enough!

Enough hair for a sizeable donation to Locks of Love!!







So here we are starting the donation process at the salon.

Because he had so much thick hair, they divided it up into 4 ponytails to maximize his donation.

You don't get to see ponytails on Taylor, so we clicked a picture. My hair had just been washed, because I'm also getting a cut just a couple chairs away.







a closeup!

I just had to!



Each ponytail when curls are stetched out. . . 12 inches!


He was getting quite a bit of attention in the salon!






The instructor came over and did the honors!



















And what a great haircut!

What a difference a cut makes!

Way to go Taylor! Someone will really appreciate this!

All of a sudden Taylor comes out of his bedroom, that has been storing the Mustang's car parts for the past couple years, with A SEAT!

Now, for most of you, you think, so what.

This is HUGE!






Out in the car, things are starting to look like an actual car interior!

Side panels are in!

Terry is cleaning the window crank to install!

The window actually goes up and down!





This Father and son are happy tonight!

But, mom, she's pretty happy, too!

Progress is great!