Cernek.org Blog

April 30 is the big day. We are underway again for another adventure. Before we get to all the new stuff, I thought I would give a very quick synopsis of our winter hiatus time. Everyone who follows along on this web site has seen the pictures of our adventures, but we don’t have many pictures of the people who are near and dear to our hearts here at home posted. That has to be remedied.

Almost every Friday Wendy, Roberta, and I go for a hike somewhere in the Dreamy Draw Preserve. For a while the hike was being replaced by a bike ride. In that case, we usually get Dave, Roberta’s husband, George, Wendy’s significant other, and Ed to join us.

These hikes/bike rides last an hour to an hour and a half and end with dinner on the patio of some local restaurant. There we meet up with Don and Sharon — Sharon being Dave’s sister — Uncle Bud, Ed’s uncle, and whoever else happens to be available to join us.

The whole family gets together for holidays and special occasions. Most often Wendy is the one who puts on the spread that we all thoroughly enjoy. These pictures happened to be taken when Ed and I put together a steak bar-b-que. Uncle Bud, Wendy, George, Hannah, Andrew, and Andrew’s new girlfriend, Justine — a terrific girl that really adds to the family dynamic — were on hand.

Andrew modeled his Richard Simons outfit for everyone after dinner. Unfortunately he didn’t put on the short shorts that complete the ensemble. He actually goes out in public dressed like this. Needless to say, he did  garner a few strange looks from people on the street.

Easter Sunday the family gathered at Wendy’s house for a yummy dinner. The “step away from the potatoes” dish seemed to generate the most interest. Which sibling was to take away the leavings was the question. Andrew has been known to tell people to “step away from the potatoes” because he wants more for himself; so they have acquired this rather descriptive name that could be baffling were one not to know the origins.

This was the winter to get into shape. Terry was Ed’s personal trainer when he lived in Phoenix before moving to Los Angeles. We were thrilled to find out Terry was still in the personal training business. He knows his stuff and gave us both a terrific workout twice a week.

Both of us are now healthier, stronger, and more toned than the first day we worked out in Terry’s fully equipped workout room. While we used the machines and weights in the training room, we also learned the alternative options available to us as we travel. Ahh! Those elastic bands are good for a thousand uses. That stability ball is good for a thousand and one.

Terry’s voice is going to have to remain in our heads as we continue to work his program on the road — “Unitize that arm. Relax the shoulder. Relax the knee. Breathe!” Thanks, Terry for a solid base to work from!!  We’ll see you again in November.

Ed and I spend at least the major part of one day each week coming and going from Andrew’s as we do our laundry. This is quality time to spend with the three fluffies. Emily, queen of the household, helps as much as she possibly can with the project at hand. Any and all boxes come in her size — one way or another. Adorable is her favorite pose.

Latte has a tendency to be the shyest. Posing for pictures is not her favorite thing to do. Burying herself in fresh laundry is her favorite thing to do.

Lulu is last but never ever least! Her fur is very, very soft, her nature is very, very gentle. Lulu chooses peace over conflict any day.

Don and Lola have been in my life since the late 60′s in Kansas City, Missouri. I moved to Phoenix, and they would come to visit. I got divorced and moved to Los Angeles about the time they moved to Phoenix. I know. The timing on that move was terrible! Now, we are all in Phoenix. Lola and I enjoyed a Monday night gentle yoga class this winter. We may have to sign up for that one again next year. Good friends are what make the fabric of life so rich.

JoAnne and I met in the early 70′s when we were both flight attendants with Trans World Airlines, commuting from Phoenix to Los Angeles to go to work. We have remained friends over the years, moving in and out of each others lives as our paths moved through life. I find it rather ironic that after JoAnne’s living in several other cities and my living in Los Angeles life has brought us back together again in Phoenix where the friendship began. I really enjoy the time we spend together.

Now that you have been introduced to all the folks here at home, we are ready to say goodbye and head north to Alaska. This has the promise of being quite a trip. I have done a lot of research already, but I am not sure anything is really going to prepare us for this one. It is time to just dive in!