House Progress and keeping my sanity

Our house remodel was to take one year to complete.   Two and a half years later we are STILL not done.  But we are making progress.

The master suite is getting there!

Thank goodness for Griffith Park!  It is my refuge.  Several times a week I am in the park, bicycling or hiking.  I have a Saturday morning hilly 22 mile cycling loop, which takes me to the Observatory and then along the hilly Mt. Hollywood Drive, which is closed to vehicular traffic, over to the eastern part of the park.  It is nearly 2,500 foot ascent during the ride, quite the workout.


Taking a breather at the Observatory on the Saturday morning ride.

Good friends join us most Sundays for a hike.  We walk 7.5 miles, which takes us up and behind the Hollywood Sign.  On a crystal clear day, we have amazing views of Los Angeles and can see ocean in the distance. 

Looking down on the sign.  

I never tire of this view from the trail!

It has been incredibly dry in Los Angeles.  2013 was the driest year on record.  And not a drop of rain fell in January, 2014.  Gerry and I are members of LAMS  (Los Angeles Mycology Society.)  The annual mushroom fair was February 9th at the San Gabriel Arboretum.  Not much mushrooms to view, but it was still a fun weekend.  It is enjoyable to stroll the grounds of the arboretum. 

What do you suppose is that fruit in the tree?    Manny is curious.

My sister's husband Jason and his parents Manny and Joanne came to L.A. for the fair.  Months ago the plan was for them to stay with us at our remodeled house....Well, we didn't make that timeline! 
We enjoyed spending time with them.   Manny is 95 years young,  Joanne is 85 years young!

Dinner at our townhouse with Gerry, Joanne, Manny and Jason.   

Next year, dinner will be at our house!  Surely we'll be out of the townhouse and into the house by then.   We better be!!!!!      Dare I say we hope to be back in the hills by the end of March?