Gypsies on the move

I knew there was a problem when I received emails from friends/family that said, "Where are you? At Justin's? At Dick's sister's?" and we were at neither place.  In fact, we'd been at Steve and Corrine's house in San Jose for over a week.  I was not doing a good job of letting people know where we were, and we were about to relocate again.

It's strange sometimes not having a place to call your own, keeping the bulk of your belongings in the trunk of a car, needing to rely on the kindness of family to have a place to sleep at night. Dick and I are truly blessed to have so many people offer to let us stay with them.

As we visited with Steve and Corrine this afternoon, Corrine said we were like gypsies. Justin has said the same thing, although at the time I was offended. I didn't want to be a gypsy thinking only of the negative connotations.  (If you read the definitions listed in the online urban dictionary, you'll understand.) When we started bicycle touring, we began a version of a nomadic lifestyle, when we gave up the house and condo getting rid of most of our household goods we took the next step, and moving onto the boat with the goal of this being where/how we would live for the next decade being the final step.

Now we're land-bound and unsure of our place in the world around us. We're finding our way slowly and so grateful for the opportunities given to us by those we love and who love us. Tomorrow, we will leave Steve and Corrine's warm comforting nest and go on to ... somewhere.

We've had a wonderful time here in San Jose. We started riding our bikes again,

were there for Corrine while Steve spent a couple of days in the hospital - he came home this afternoon, is doing quite well, and is diligently following all of the doctor's instructions -

and watched two delighted grandparents wish Ruby a happy birthday in Washington via Skype.

Six to Australia

These photos were sent to me by Anna this morning. 

Part of Anna's message: "We are through security and at the gate. The dolls have enjoyed the trip so far. I posted pics on Facebook and two friends who have met Mark and Carolyn only a few times knew exactly who the dolls were supposed to be."

Part of a message from Carolyn: "Here is my favorite airport story. We are struggling under great mounds of bags and backpacks and Carys is walking along oblivious to her surroundings and dragging Grandpa Doll by one hand. I asked if she is helping him walk and she replies with her sweet smile,  'I have to help him, Gwandma, because he isn't real!' "

Sophia, Avery, and Carter

Sophia and Avery:

Carter and Avery:

Dolls delivered

Before leaving for Palo Alto, Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Mark checked out the backyard

and shared a cup of coffee and a morning cookie.

5-year-old Rylin and 3-year old Carys and their mom and dad are moving to Australia and leaving next Monday.  They so enjoy spending time with their grandparents and will miss them very much.  Now Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Mark, in doll form, will go with them.

Carolyn is going to miss her granddaughters so very much.  Here she's creating an imaginary conversation between the dolls. She suggested that the girls ask, "Grandpa Mark, can we go to Rick's Ice Cream?"  Grandpa nodded "yes" because his head will only go up and down. 

L-R: Rylin, Jacob, Anna, Carys

The girls immediately began playing.  Rylin and Carolyn made a closet.

Carys made a desk for Grandpa Mark's computer.

A now-naked Grandpa Mark sits at the table with his computer and iPad marked with an M.  Carolyn's iPad is the one with a C.  Part of another overheard doll conversation: "... and Grandpa Mark said, 'I'll be there as soon as I check my points and miles.' "

Back to San Jose

But first, a visit with cousin Phyllis. It's been quite cold for this part of northern California. Phyl said there was a low of 23°F a few days ago. Each night Dave wraps sheets around the tepee poles to protect the citrus trees.

I got Phyl to take me on a tour of her yarn stashes.  We laugh about our various stashes, mine is fabric and seems to take up most of the closet in my bedroom at Justin's house.  This is location #1 at Phyl's - the biggest pile.

Even though Phyl said, "Stop taking pictures," I just couldn't resist recording the entire tour, but have resisted adding every picture here.  This is location #8:

The next Tour de Stash should really be at her sister/cousin Carol's house.  Right, Phyl?

Back in San Jose, I put the finishing touches on the dolls.  Whew!  Delivery tomorrow morning.  Now, for a good night's sleep.

To the Sewing Cave

On New Year's Day, I drove to E Nicolaus.  I had a project to complete with a definite deadline and not much time to finish it:  two dolls that hopefully look somewhat like Carolyn and Mark.  You saw version #1 of Mark in the blog post of Dec 1, but I thought I could do better.  I didn't like version #1 of Carolyn so I started from scratch in the afternoon.

By Wednesday night, Carolyn was 90% finished.

This really doesn't look like Carolyn and I sent her an email

sincerely apologizing for the nose.

I think her clothes turned out the best.  Last summer, Carolyn and her two granddaughters made t-shirts that said "Girls Rule."  Carolyn bought a similiar green t-shirt from which I made the doll's t-shirt and then embroidered the hems and words on the front.  I found a 100% wool sweater at a thrift store, washed it in hot water and dried it in a hot dryer.  I used the existing finished bottom edge of the felted sweater and sewed the pieces together with a contrasting blanket stitch.  The button closure came from the epaulets on another felted sweater.

Never fear, Carolyn, pants are on the way.

Being in the Sewing Cave was important.  I could stay up as late as I wanted without a sweet husband encouraging me to come to bed.  No cooking, there were amazing prime rib leftovers in Justin's refrig.  I got online just once/day to check emails but didn't answer any of them and only talked to Dick on the phone once or twice in 3 days.  Work work stitch stitch.  The Sewing Cave is one of my happy places.

Post script to last night

This picture is totally inaccurate.  Corrine and I did NOT consume these "five dead soldiers" as lined up by Dick this morning. 

One bottle was almost empty and finished by Jack during dessert.  Another bottle was also almost empty.  So, there were four of us playing cards.  Wait!  Neither Steve nor Dick had any wine.  No wonder we had so much fun! 

Ha!  Corrine just remembered that Dick and Steve had some champagne at midnight.  I'm sure it was a lot, too.