How Twinkie Spends December

Because he's the only one home most of the time, Twinkie gets to relax and just take it easy.

But he still enjoys his walks in the park.

First, the climb up the hill at FloJo Park.

As usual, he always finds new pals.

It always seems like it's too soon to go back in the car.

Then time to come home and watch while I do some stuff in the yard.  He can barely keep his eyes open.

Earlier this week we took a morning stroll at RSM City Hall park

This was the same place where he took his first walk in a park the week that we got him back in 2002.  Recognize any of the playground?

He loves running up the giant hill in the center of the park.

Some nights, like tonight, he gets to enjoy dinner at the table.

And when the sun is out and it's just warming up after a cold night, he really likes to to show off his snarl as we play fight.

And, as we saw during Thanksgiving, nothing beats a nap by the fire at the end of the day surrounded by all of his furry toys.

Cheer Supports McDonald's Re-Opening

Sunday was a chance for all cheer members and band as well to get some community service.

The McDonald's across from the THHS had been remodeled and today was the grand re-opening.

The play ground was removed and a double drive through was added in the back. The front of the store got a new stone facing.

The parking lot was closed off to make room for a stage.

First came the group shots with the owner of the store.   His kids all work at McDonald's also at Santa Margarita and Ladera.

The mayor of Mission Viejo gave a small speech (that's him with the sunglasses).

The store manager had the job of cutting the ribbon while the owner's daughters held it across.

All kids in uniform got free food.  But Emily decided it was a good time to leave.  Here she is waving Dad back to the car as she plotted what to order from BJ's for lunch.

High Winds Knock Plants Around

Last night the Santa Ana winds started.  They will blow all day for a couple of days.

Here's what the yard looked like this morning.

As soon as you open the door, the debris was right underfoot.

Plants got knocked off their pedestals.

The last of the corn stalks bent with the force.

This looks blurry because it was taken as the wind was blowing and knocked over a planter and strawberry plant.

Here are video clips that capture what it looked like and sounded on some of the more mild gusts.

This little bird didn't mind the swinging at all.

When It's Too Windy Outside ...

...why not play inside?

That's just what Twinkie decided to do.  Today's winds were too strong to go to the park.

First a round of football and wrestling on the bed.

And after that, a session of chase the burglar.  He knows how to keep busy.

Selena Jets Away

One day after Anthony left, it was Selena's turn to visit the friendly skies.   Two days in a row of 530 AM wake up calls ended up with a Monday flight to Chicago.

Here's Sel in the elevator up to the check in counter and in line.

Thanks to Priority Access status, she got to jump in the short line and check in right away.  That gave me plenty of time to look up her flight on the Flight Aware website.   American #1400 was on it's way.

About 10 minutes after she took off, her plane turned left a little sooner then usual and pointed east.  Here's her plane crossing the El Toro Y where the 5 and 405 join together.  This meant her plane would fly closer to the house than Anthony's flight the day before which had made a much wider left turn.

And just as planned, at about 18,000 feet, her plane flew directly over the backyard.  That's her twin engine Boeing 757.  She was seated on the left side in seat 26A.  If she pressed against the glass she might have gotten a glimpse of the house to see Mom and I waving.

That little spec is her plane just beyond our tallest tree in the backyard.

The map below confirms her location right after she passed over us.  The house is located due east from the El Toro Y by about 8 miles.

A little while later she crossed into Arizona.

Here's her plane crossing Nebraska.

And finally confirmation of touchdown just 3 and half hours later.