2011/05/14 - Saturday - Meeting and Reserving

Today was the California State Square Dance Council Meeting held in Visalia.  I attend the first meeting at 8:00, Cheryl and Mom D join me around 9:30.

The Meeting only lasted a little after Noon - so a quick meeting.  We came back to the Hotel and then headed out to lunch to have the Youth Meeting.  That was one of the longest Youth Meeting we have ever had - mind you I did not mind the time we spent!

One the way back to the car, we stopped at a camera shop and got a few items for Amanda equipment.  While at the camera shop we discovered a KOA that is near town.

After dropping the kids and Mom D at the hotel, Cheryl and I headed on over to check out the KOA.  Well we made reservation for the convention next year.

We returned to watch a movie before heading out for dinner at Black Bear Dinner.

Back at the hotel, we just relaxed...  Hopefully we get to sleep in before heading home.

2011/04/09 - Saturday - Dance, Dance, Friends

The morning did not start of good.   We had people setting up for a dog thing at 3:30 in the morning, running the engines, talking loudly, and making a lot of noises.  I thought about going out and yelling at them, but no.  But I found out that at least two others did go out and had a few words with the workers.

Once we got moving, the kids went and danced, while Cheryl and I did some necessary things to get ready for the days events.

One of the things was to get a new outfit for our self. 

Lunch was at the camper.

We had to have Eric sit in our parking spot while we went and got ice cream for the kids social.

We had dinner and before we knew it, it was time to head back into the halls.

We got to watch the competition, there was only one square of kids, but we had four squares of adults.

We did walk in the Grand March to hold the SCADS sign.  We did dance a tip before heading to the plus hall.

I was asked to help with an issue with a person that tried to say to somebody that they could not dance with his little one, so I had a few words to try to get this person not to say that somebody could not dance (which I don't think made a difference - this person was being non understanding). 

Cheryl and I was able to have a good time talking with old friends.  After the main dancing was done, we went out to eat at Denny's to talk some more.

Now I hope we could get a peaceful night!

2011/04/08 - Friday - Relaxing and Dancing

The night was not all that peaceful - with the airplanes landing until past midnight and then starting back up around 5:30 in the morning.

We relaxed in the morning.  Mom D and I went up to look to see what was going on with all the setup for the convention.

Chris, CJ, and Amanda went to the zoo to have a little fun exploring and taking pictures.

I found out that they are going to have some type of service dog thing on the lawn area outside of where I am parked, after some discussion with the wagon master I will not need to move.  but Saturday should be interesting with all the extra people running around.

I was able to take a nap and enjoy some time with some friends.

Chery was able to leave after picking up Eric and headed on down.  Mom D made some dinner and we got ready for the Square Dancing.

Cheryl and I walked around and said hello to several people.  I stayed and was able to dance a tip.  It also started raining off and on.

I did attend the VIP/Committee gathering after the dancing was done, and we were recognized for our efforts.

2011/04/07 - Thursday - Drive to San Diego

First on the agenda was to get a new antenna for the Jeep ("Blue" - it broke off last weekend).  Once I paid for that, it was time to get some liquid gold into Blue.  By that time, it was close to lunch, so I text a co-worker to see where they were going for lunch.  Lunch was at the Thia Corner.

 Once back at home, I started getting things ready for this weekend.  I got the clothing in the RV, it was time to move it forward.  But the engine battery was DEAD!!!  Jumping didn't even work.  So off to the auto parts store to get a replacement (still under warranty).  I took the RV over to Costco to make sure all the tires are at the correct tire pressures (even though the Smarttire did not show any of the tires extremely low)

We almost had everything ready before Mom D called and said she was ready (early!).  So got the last minute things into the RV and we (Me, Amanda, CJ - and the two dogs, and three cats) went and picked up Mom D.

About halfway to San Diego, we stopped at an In-and-Out for dinner.  We did have some rain during our drive, but other wise it was a easy drive with hardly no traffic. 

Once we got to the parking lot (with a little extra driving (because I got off the wrong exit))  We found somebody that could help us find an acceptable place to park for the weekend (both of the Wagon Masters were already out for the night (and it was not even 10:00 yet))

So we are realativily close to the dance halls - so we should have fun.

Hmmm as I am typing this it is raining hard - this should be interesting tomorrow - hopefully the rain will go away for the weekend.

2008/04/20 – Sunday - Drive Back

The morning as usual, I put everything away while most slept. Once the kids were up and running – they headed for the Halls to dance.

After talking and slowly putting things away and waiting for the kids to finish dancing we left around 1:15.

Our friends followed me most of the way until we both stopped for dinner.

We made it home about 10:40 and got things back into places. Tomrrow we will do the major cleaning up because we are all tired!!!!

2008/04/19 – Saturday – Dancing Fun

Well, the day started a 7:00 – shower and take the dogs for their morning walk/play.

Once I got back, Cheryl was working on getting the food ready for our Breakfast for the youth and friends.

We had quite of few friends come and partake of our offer of breakfast, but not a lot of youth came – o well we had fun.

The kids danced and for lunch we had some item we had in the RV – sandwiches

In the afternoon, we got name of the kids for the square dance competition – we finally got two square.

The group of 11 of us went some funny named Italian place – good food – they serve the food family style.

Back at the RV, we changed and got ready for the evening dancing.

For the competition, Eric was in one team and Amanda was in the other team. We Amanda team won. But both team was did a very good job.

Now I am uploading tons of pictures, which might take several hours via satellite – go see Picture a day or the Family Adventure for the link.

2008/04/18 – Friday – Relax then Dance

For most of the day was relaxing and doing odd things around the RV.

I did a lot of reading and some minor things with work. A big group of us went to find a restaurant and finally found a place that could take all 13 of us – Hooters.

Once back at the RV we got ready and went in to do our dancing.

Once the dancing was done, Cheryl and I had to attend a committee meeting, but the kids were all taken to Denny’s for there midnight snack.

Another fun day at the California State Square Dance Convention.

2008/04/17 – Thursday – Late Drive

Went to work like normal. Took a short lunch so I could leave a little earlier.

I got home about the same time as Eric did, so we did the quick thing and got the RV loaded and headed on to the road.

The travel through LA was painfully slow.

I finally arrived at Cal Expo at 1:30 in the morning. When I was about to stop and park a sheriff car pulled up beside me and asked if I wanted to get inside where the other RV are located. Of course I do, so he told me to follow him. After about 2 to 3 mile drive AROUND the grounds, I finally was inside and parked….

2007/04/15 Sunday – Drive Home

Well the morning was not a morning to sleep in again. The kids got up early (for me) and the day started at 7:00 – so that meant I only got 5 hours of sleep.

I did put the car up onto the trailer and put a way a few things before our meeting at 11:00. And the kids did go earlier so they could dance some more.

The 11:00 meeting was a SCAD bylaw meeting – It was about 1½ hour meeting, but at least we should a good document for the association.

During the meeting I noticed that it was raining. – Great, now I have to break down camp in the rain.

Once we said our goodbyes we headed out to the RV so we can head home.

I had to finish putting away stuff on the outside in the rain – Taking down the flag, tearing down the satellite dish, strapping the car down, and other small items. And during that time, the inside was being made ready for the trip home.

The drive home was easy; we had no real slowdown all the way home. Once at home, it looked like it never rained here.

Once at home, Amanda, without saying anything, went to bed, so I told Eric to stop doing anything with the RV. So the RV is still a mess – how frustrating!!!

I did get a nap, so I could try to catch up on my sleep.

A lot of Dancing

Well I did not have a good night sleep, but we did get up early so we could cook breakfast.

The group did a lot of dancing. For lunch the group returned back to the RV and had sandwiches.

Back to the hall for more dancing. The kids did there practice and some dancing.

Dinner was again at the same place as the prior night. – GOOD Place!

After dinner the kids did a little dancing and then the competition started. Our group did an excellent job, only a few times did the break down. But in all the did very good.

We did have a minor problem with getting back into the youth hall, but finally we were dancing in the original youth hall.

We handed out the flashing frogs and the glow sticks. The kids seem to really like dancing in the dark with the glowing things.

Finally all is over and back at the RV. We have 7 kids in the RV so I am staying up late to make sure all are a sleep. Hopefully I get a better night sleep tonight.

Relax Then Dance

Well we finally got up around 10 and then headed out for a late breakfast or an early lunch. We ate a place about 2 blocks south of the convention center. Good food and we bet the lunch time crowd.

After that the kids played around and I did my usual of visiting with friends.

At about 5 we headed out for dinner, and we went to a really nice Italian place. We had a total of 6 (Mom Delp, Tomas, Amanda, Eric, CJ, and myself).

Once back at the RV, we changed and got ready for the start of the Square Dancing.

I stayed back at the RV and help another friend setup camp next to use.

I finally made it into the dance hall. The kids and families were having fun dancing. We had about two square dancing some of the times. The kids did have fun with the Ice Cream Social time (half hour).

Once it was time to quit, Cheryl and the kids returned to the RV and Mom Delp and I attend the committee after party. Again good food. I also was able to get a group shot of the committee that attended on the stair case. One of the eight shot should be a good one.

Back at the RV, we have six kids what a group we have collected. The RV sure is full, but the kids seem to be having fun.

All of this starts all over again about 7:00 so time for bed for me now that its one in the morning…

Thursday – Drive night

Lunch was with a friend at a new place over on Bellflower Blvd near Carson Street. It was out luck that it was almost half off on burgers day. And they were good.

Once, back at home, it was time to get the RV ready to go and head to the California State Square Dance Convention in Riverside.

Once on the road, the traffic was really good, I don’t think the speed ever went below 45 mph the whole way to Riverside.

They have the RV all parked on a dirt / grassy area next to the Convention Center, but I am next to the street, so I get to hear all the traffic.

Our Current location is here

Friday – 2007 State Square Dance Convention Meeting

Amanda stayed home again because of her chest pains.

I came home for lunch and tried to take a quick nap, but I didn’t get the ‘power nap’, but I was refreshed.

Cheryl made an appointment for Amanda and took her. Amanda has basically what’s called “Growing Pains” (costochondritis)

Since Cheryl was already home when I got home, I was able to take the car to Riverside with Shirley and Tom. The drive out there took 2 ½ hours to go 62 miles.

At the California State Square Dance Convention 2007 meeting the Youth report was the last report to be given and there was no time left because another meeting supposed to start already. But we did get all the info out and was able to answer questions. After the meeting I was able to ask a few more questions and get more information.