49 and Counting

I just thought I'd tell you, that if you're old, life can still be good! We're enjoying ourselves immensely with the planning of a series of celebrations to celebrate 50 years of marriage and 70 long years of life! We had a great time in Palm Desert and we're looking forward to our cruise and to the time we plan to spend together in the summer. Some friends of ours did something every month to celebrate their special year. We won't quite manage that, unless we call supper at Bur's a celebration!

I think it has energized us both. Dad got moving on getting rid of all the excess wood from tree cutting and old fences. He also installed a new electronic thermostat for our furnace. Wow! He's got moss killer on the yard, and hopes to thatch and fertilized before our next trip. We're thinking and planning for the new living room window. We WILL get that done this year.

As for me...I've been organizing and cleaning corners. When you're 70, you'd better have your "house in order." I updated my genealogy software and have plans to bring my records up to date. I will try to spend more time with friends and family, and get some plans made for that new garden area in the back. Gee...this sounds like a list of New Year's resolutions!

Thank you, Jackie, for this new way for us to keep in touch. It's fun to have a family "journal." Now we all just have to make a new habit! We're looking forward to seeing you all "in the flesh" soon.

XXOO Mom

Folks, we have a WINNER!!!

http://www.vrbo.com/160801

For a Virtual Tour copy/past this link into your browser: http://ts.rtvpix.com/tour/RS/tour.view.php?utl=RS-2335-SMQ1W1-01

I like this one.... no bunk beds in it!

http://www.vrbo.com/105738

Gettin' Close!

OK....We've narrowed it to 105738 and 127909. Take another thorough look at each please. The major difference I see is in the sleeping arrangements. The rambler would require making out the couch in the living room for Ashley and Lindsey, or roll-away beds in the other bedrooms. The two story has a loft/family area, separate from the giving/great room where the girls could have their "own" space. (Still making out a hide-a-bed each night. I guess Dave and Kenzie would have the bunk room. I may be missing something here....so check it out.

Dad likes the narrative in the two story...sounds like they're interested in making it a good experience for their renters. Another difference...neither here nor there for me, is one might be more "classy" in it's setting. The amenities seem to be almost identical. Either one of them would be just fine as far as we're concerned. There is no square footage listed on the two story, but it looks pretty large. Also...it doesn't show the dining area, so I would ask how many can be seated there.

So....vote one more time. (I don't know how to make a fancy ballot like Jackie did, so just give me a number!)

XXOO Mom

Who is the dude on the lion over there---->

Who is this guy riding the stone lion and why is he on our site?

Some Favorites

I have now been through the whole list. It is time consuming. I tried to look at those places that would sleep 10. I eliminated some from my earlier list because of sleeping spaces, and didn't find anything I thought was better than some of those on the original list.

Here are the four I like the best, in ranking order:

127909 Has a 5 night minimum
167328
157054
128856 This one is a little smaller, but has a nice sleeping space for the girls.

They might all have minimum stays....and a week is either Sat. to Sat. or Sun. to Sun.
How long do we want to stay? If I call some of this, what questions would you like me to ask?

XXOO Mom

A Better Idea?

Hey Family!

Having twisted your arms to consider Black Butte Ranch, and, after considerable research, I find that we will get a lot more "bang for our buck" at Sunriver. The amenities appear to be about the same, but in Sunriver $300 a night will buy us a 2500 square ft. house with hot tub and free use of the pools. Black Butte charges an additional "Access Charge" of $6 per night per guest. Quite a bit when you multiply $50 by 8 people.

The Black Butte house I was promoting was rented just before I called. Might have been a good thing. Take a look at some of these properties and see what you think.

vrbo.com/167328 very nice
127909...Yum
443314, 105738,147969,157054,128856

And....I'm sure there are more. I'm just getting a little bleary eyed!

Love you,
Mom

More Research

I have to apologize, Jackie. I looked at this site a number of times, but did not see the link to the particular home. I did look at it finally! I guess I do think it's a bit pricey, especially if the rest of you have to pay for pet care while we're away. Also, it seems to be larger than we really need. We don't have to rule it out at this point, in fact I thought I would make a couple of phone calls today and see what I can find out, and what is actually available for the July time, since I think that is our first choice. Also, I have not spent any time looking at the rentals available directly from the Black Butte site. I will do that also.

The other one may not be perfect either, but at some point we'll just have to make a decision to run with something. I got excited though, about the hot tub! I'll ask about the square footage and the sleeping arrangements.

I'll make this a priority today....along with a trip to the dentist, a meeting at church, making dinner for our ill friends, the Thompson's, and choir practice. Retirement does offer lots of options.

Mama

What about the pets?

Should we be looking for a place that will allow our pets? If we all go together I won't have a dog sitter and will need to kennel Brodie. What's the plan for Brice?
Anybody..........

Black Butte Ranch

Please take a look at vrbo.com/128103

It is available for both July and August dates, and has a hot tub. I tried to copy it onto the blog, but couldn't achieve that.

XXOO