THE ANNUAL "VISIT WITH SANTA...."

Emily was thrilled to go see Santa, with Mom, Grammie and Jordan today.

Right up until she actually saw him.


Then it was all over! Done.



There was no sitting on Santa's knee...No telling him what she wanted for Christmas, and if you look closely, Emily would not even glance at Santa after her 'initial look' that told me...

"Hell no, I ain't going near that guy!"

I think we 'bribed' her to even "smile" since she was 'way to close to that Santa guy' for 'comfort' even then, to be 'happy' at all.

Once "the picture" with Santa was done,
it was back to the safety of the 'other side' of Mom... pronto.

When Santa went to give Emily her little 'present', the reach could not have been further away...and have still enabled her to get the 'bag' at all.

I've noticed for years that most little kids 'don't want to have anything to do with Santa'...but look at what happens when you become a teenager?

Obviously, Santa makes you laugh by then...as Jordan shows...and then by the time you have your own children, "Santa is almost perfect again" and we all load up our kids in great anticipation of the adorable "Christmas picture of our DARLING children sitting on Santa's Lap."

When they are very little, the reality 'behind the scene' involves a lot of 'bawling', looks of terror, and squirming like crazy to bolt away from the stranger as fast as they can.

Parents become completely 'oblivious' to the hundreds of other people standing around watching them as they 'primp and preen' their kids for the big moment. Parents 'cluck' 'kiss' 'threaten' 'boogie boo and boogie boo over and over', 'yip', 'scowl', or even threaten the kids "they aren't getting a damned thing for Christmas if they don't smile, damnit!"

I was thinking how cool it would be to have a movie camera on the 'parents' during this ritual?

Parents are 'begging', 'scolding' and 'bribing' to get that one second in time when the little kid actually looks like he or she actually 'enjoys' the ritual. It sometimes depends on Mom cleverly providing a 'buffer' between her and her young and 'that guy in the red suit'...by getting in the photo herself....such as Wendy did.

THIS awful Mom just had them take the picture with the kids 'bawling' or frowning, so they would know when they were grown, that I always took them to see Santa, always got their picture taken...and wasn't going to be the generation that stopped the Tradition at any cost.

Now they want to kick God out of Christmas for heaven's sake! Santa would be my first choice....and I can't imagine us telling little kids we were going to take them to sit on "God's Lap", can you?

...of course, when you finally get to be our age..YOU ARE SANTA.

We even toyed with the idea of Allen dressing up as 'Santa' when all the kids and grandkids come to Christmas, but after today...I think it would probably terrify all the little ones and drive them into their mother's arms like Orangatangs...so it might be best to just 'pass' on that idea for this year.

So, SANTA IS FOR ADULTS....and that is fine with me.

Grammies and Papa's can give and get kisses from the little ones,

and Santa can't.

That is as it should be, methinks.

ONE 'LUCKY' GUY....and "HIS NEW BABES"...

We don't know if we will ever see 'Joey' again, but if he comes home...he will be shocked to see the new 'pals' he has to play with.

"LUCKY" came home with us tonight as Allen couldn't stand not having a buddy 'underfoot' any longer... and he was grieving a lot for Joey everytime he stepped foot outside for the past week, and insisted we look to see what we could find in the paper now.

There's been a lot more searching going on all week and knocking on doors as well for Joey, but no good news to report. Some folks are encouraging that we will get him back...but most believe he is gone for good. I regret that I am in the second school of thought myself.

I know we need a dog here, but I talked it over with Allen and we agreed that if we got another dog...It is best to get TWO of them, with one being a female as they seem less inclined to wander off by themselves than the males do...Especially if there are females around in season.

Anyway, we first went to Siletz and of course fell in LOVE with a little 'chocolate' female Lab we're going to call 'Nicky'. Nicky won't be coming home until December 10th as she is only three weeks old now and her eyes just opened recently, but isn't she a 'looker'?

What is unusual about her is that her mouth turns up in a smile in the corners, and none of the other dogs look like that. I'm a 'sucker' for a smile....so it was instant attraction for me. I also didn't want a male chocolate Lab again, as we can't pretend the new dog is 'Joey' because it's personality will be different just like people's are....so it had to be a GIRL.

Wendy, Jordan and Emily went with us to see the puppies, and they fell in love with a little 'blondie' (Golden) Lab that isn't named yet. Will didn't go because he said he would just fall in love with a dog and there is no where she can run around at their house right now.

Anyway, my daughter and Jordan and Emily said I should send pictures home so they could show them to Will, and MAYBE he will let them have her. I ended up making a deposit on BOTH of them, so if Will doesn't want Blondie...then it looks like 'LUCKY" got three twice as LUCKY as he is now...doesn't it?

The little female Chocolate and golden Labs have a black long legged Mother, and a Golden Dad who is more stocky...but in order to ever get 'chocolates' there has to be grandparents that were chocolates...since even then, most litters (sometimes as many as twelve pups) may have only one or two chocolates...so they are more expensive and more desirable for people I guess.

'LUCKY', A Newport guy, was the last Black Lab left in his litter, but he was the first one picked by a couple who took him home the minute they could. They had a little kid about Ean's age and kept the dog inside (no room to roam on their property), and as the puppy grew, he would knock the little kid down by jumping on him wanting to play...and then crying would start cause the little kid was afraid of him....so LUCKY was returned to the owners with sincere apologies...but as you can see, he was well fed and taken care of.

LUCKY will have the chance to bond with Allen (Labs are sort of one person dogs, although they love their family as well, want to please and are good with children)...LUCKY'S Mom is a SMALL chocolate Lab and Dad a small Black Lab...but they weren't very big...so he probably won't get too large.

It's a different story with the females parents who are both large...the Chocolate Lab is the Alpha female of the litter, and the Blondie is the runt...there is already a pretty big difference in their size. I wanted there to be no 'question' of who the Alpha female would be between the two if we end up with both of them, so it will work if we end up with THREE DOGS instead of two dogs (if Will doesn't want 'Blondie'...).

Of course, if Joey comes back...he would be the Alpha Male since his Mama and Daddy were about 100 pounds of Lab, so we'd end up letting the Golden have a litter to get her calmed down, and then fix her and Lucky...unless we wanted to go into the breeding business, and right now, that doesn't sound too appealing to me. lol

The Chocolate Labs are always the 'first to be picked', but the ad just went into the paper yesterday...and Allen was pretty persistent about wanting to see them TONIGHT...so we got the first choices of the litter...except for a chocolate male that was chosen before birth...and only two chocolates were in that litter.

LUCKY is now a little over eight weeks old and was born the day before Sierra's Birthday on September 18th, so we will always use that as a frame of reference. LUCKY'S other name is TROY...and that is Sierra's Dad's middle name...so it's a connection with that branch. He really has a beautiful face and his eyes are much 'rounder' than Joey's were...and his legs are shorter but he is more stocky than Joey was as well.

Notice how much difference in 'size' just 5 weeks make in the life of a Lab?

He's already out sleeping in Joey's bed 'quietly' which was sort of a surprise, and took to chewing on one of Joey's bones like a champ...but like a child, no one can replace 'Joey' in our hearts, so it will be up to LUCKY AND THE LADIES to develop their own personality and their own places our hearts as time goes on.

Allen was going to have LUCKY sleep in his room for a few nights...like he did Joey (until Allen was getting bitten by fleas right and left...) but when LUCKY promptly walked in Allen's room and crapped on his floor...that sort of changed his mind about that. lol

So for now, LUCKY has found a home where he will be doted on and spoiled to death, and he'll be the king of the ranch for the next few weeks...and then the 'girls' will come home and start bossing him around and playing with him...and following him wherever he goes, so we'll see how it goes with three sweethearts. I was very amazed to realize how 'entertaining' a puppy can be...but three of them? That should be something to see!

I know, I know...it sounds crazy, but it may turn out to be the wisest thing after all to have two or three of them instead of just one of them. It's a big ranch and it has lots of room...and when you see where their 'dog condo' is going to be...I don't think they'll mind going to bed at night either and snuggling up together.

The 'girls' will still be pretty small at Christmas so I am hoping Ean can enjoy them before they get too big and rambunctious like LUCKY is now. lol

If we can keep them safe until they get their height and weight on them, I don't think we will need worry about anything or anyone coming on this property unannounced and unwelcomed, do you?

Just another 'wilderness' adventure here for these two old fools...but maybe our hearts won't have to be broken again too soon if these 'huggables' look out for each other like I think they will.

The BLESSING OF THANKSGIVING...

It has long been a family 'tradition' on Thanksgiving to hold hands for the opening prayer to the Good Lord, first Thanking him for the abundance of Blessings we have received, then at some point, we go around the table with each person saying what they are most 'thankful for' in their lives....Today, was no exception.

As each one spoke, it was easy to see the difference between the younger members and the older members. The younger ones thought in the present, while the older the member, the more expanded the 'gratitude' became...And the more personal. I've been so personally 'blessed' I could have spent an hour at least reciting only the highlights of how Good God has been to me...And mine. ...But I will share some highlights of my own 'Thankfulness' in the longer version here.

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First I am Thankful for my husband of almost eighteen years (Dec, 7th) and for his being there with me and for me, encouraging me and allowing me the freedom to fly as he spent many days alone because of it. He's never gotten recognition or credit for much, as the limelight has usually fallen my way...or upon my children for our good works, but I know how much he has meant in our families success and in our lives personally...both long term and day to day.

Allen gave us the courage to face our dysfunctional demons honestly and to conquer them with the spirit of the good Lord to Guide us along the way. He gave us a philosophy of being honest and straightforward toward others by being true to ourselves and our convictions. He and the Good Lord helped us learn that there are no 'perfect' people, and in fact...we are all just 'ants on a beach ball' no matter how self important we occasionally believe we are! lol

That alone was a big relief, since it wasn't our job to 'judge people' anymore! Although their 'behavior' was still fair game to observe and learn from, and point out when necessary. Of course, we had to learn to keep our own side of the street a little 'cleaner' in the process in order to speak. ha!

We learned to put resentment, and revenge away as 'workable tools' toward any solution in relationships, and as needed survival 'companions' in our lives...and instead take up doing what we believe is 'the right thing to do', whether we prosper from it or not....or whether someone hurts us for it..or not.

To Thine Own Self Be True ...is a slogan that gains more and more meaning over time...as it is human nature to lie to ourselves first, and then others, about our part of any conflict we encounter.

We didn't like him saying things like "Trying is Lying" which means that you either do something or you don't...which took away our excuses for not meeting the potential we are capable of and I can't remember any close family member say,

"I'll Try to....." in years!

We didn't like him saying, "This is Mine." Although it taught us the meaning of 'boundaries', mental, spiritual, financial, sexual, and physical...and that we each have the right to say 'no' to any another person who would seek to invade them without our permission and without feeling guilty about it.

In fact...we thought it was crazy to even consider giving up "Guilt and Blame' as good manipulation tools to get what we wanted or needed from others....as well!

WE learned that being 'Holy' was not impossible and only saved for a special few who personally walked with God or were Saints, as we had believed; Allen taught us it simply means living life in a 'wholesome way'....instead of in a destructive way.

He taught us that we needed to learn to be 'whole' ourselves, as if we seek someone else to 'make us better, or fix us, or be responsible for us'...we will always live in bitter disappointment. Who could ever forget that saying....

"Want a Disappointment????"...................."Have an Expectation"!

.....and how about "Who's not doing it YOUR WAY.... LINDA?"

We didn't like him taking away all of our dysfunctional broken 'coping mechanisms' and replacing them with more functional tools and values that have only served to enrich us without measure, especially when Allen seemed to have more 'flaws' than we thought we ever did!

We didn't like it at all...at the time....and sometimes wanted to 'shoot the messenger' but for all of us...the message stuck...and LIVING LIFE became so much easier and more free spirited for all of us didn't it?

It is hard to imagine where we would all be, and what we would all be like today, had we not had that very vocal and steadfast influence come into our lives and 'stick'...and most of all, he gave us 'acceptance' of others who may not meet the mark as well as we have in many areas, but who are trying to do the best they can with what they have to work with as human beings...

...which helped us stop competing with or comparing ourselves to others...which is always a losing game. Instead we learned to compare ourselves, with ourselves, by simply noticing our behavior and seeing

how much we really liked to own and wear it' ?

I look at the hundreds of lives that have been 'changed' because of him, and I know he has many jewels in his crown coming...because he has not had much gratitude and thanks for it here on earth, that is for certain.

None of us need booze, or pills, or any form of mood or mind altering drugs...legal or illegal, to numb feelings or give us courage, and we know how to meet problems head on...and we are all the better for the knowledge Allen gave in many more ways as well. That 'ability to persevere' under less than perfect circumstances without running for the medicine or liquor cabinet to cope, is such a rare blessing, especially in these days of such turmoil and chaos and needing an 'easy fix' for everything that causes discomfort, unhappiness, inconvenience or retrospect.

Do we practice all of these things we've learned all the time, Of COURSE NOT!

We're too close to the earth for that...but we can't BLAME anyone but ourselves for most of our difficulty in life, either.

Selfishness and self-centeredness, we thinks,

is the root of all our troubles, and maybe even the troubles of the world.

__________________________

I am Thankful that Aunt Faye can spend another Christmas with us, (as she will be 95 in January), because when she goes home to the Good Lord, a 'generation' of our family's 'Salt of the Earth' and the

"Greatest Generation' accomplishments will go with her.

Her determination to do all she can for 'herself' is an inspiration for any sniveler, and she has always had 'the best interests' of everyone in the family at heart. She's passed down good 'common sense' and a 'practicality' that all family members 'after her' have benefited from in one way or another.

She has been my personal 'rock' all of my life, the 'Mom' Allen never had, the 'Gramma my kids didn't get in the natural blood line', and a symbol of what is 'good and decent' about insisting on being 'self sufficient through our own efforts', and 'not leaning on someone else to provide us with our own happiness'.

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Of course I am so freaking proud and thankful for my now grown children it's pathetic, but I don't care, as each of them is already so successful in different arenas...but more important than that...ALL FOUR OF THEM have never been in real trouble, nor caused me the excrutiating kind of pain so many parents endure when their children stray too far into the darkness, that is another gift from them and God that could never be adequately 'repaid'.

I am thankful that each one is willing to do good for others 'outside' themselves...and that they have given the 'gift of their time' for so many worthy causes and for so many needy people. Of course, both of my daughters (Wendy and Lindsay) 'shine' brightly in the arena of Community Service.

My sons though, have demonstrated by their own commitment to serving others as well, and they have an amazing ability to look out for others...and do just that.

____________________________

David found his service to humanity in the field of Law Enforcement; a commitment to protect and serve doesn't come with great pay or cushy hours...and there is always a 'fine line' between 'force' and 'excessive force' when one lays their life on the line every day. Somehow, David knows the difference as

he has sacrificed much 'of himself' for a long time.

Most important is that he gave up his own 'innocence' for the sake of others as he see's and experiences the worst examples humanity has to offer,

and has for many, many years now. That takes a type of True Grit

found only in those with the Hearts of Lions, I believe.

Lot's of people don't send Christmas Cards to Law Enforcement personnel...but without them...many families who get to retain their pollyanna 'innocence' would be victimized and violated on a daily basis by their own neighbors... and by predators who only know how to 'take' in life. David held the keys to Prison for seven years, locked in with the worst of the worst in Corcoran Prison to protect 'us' from 'them'.

It was a great day when he was one of the first chosen to enter the Federal Air Marshal Service following 9/11...but as a devoted father, he rarely saw his growing daughter during that time and now begins at the bottom again by attending the "Police Academy' at 40 years old, and moving to the local level of

Law Enforcement, even with a dramatic drop in pay.

He did it to personally and 'hands on" grow his only child day to day so she will remember her experiences with her 'Dad', and the many things her 'Dad' taught her. He gave up the big paycheck, awesome benefits, excitement of counter terrorism top secret stuff, limelight and the respect his position offered him,

for the good of his child....

and for that, I am even more proud, and thankful.

There is no one in this world I would rather 'have my back', than my son, David and Allen feels the same way.

_________________________________

Joey will be a tremendous asset to any community as a 'teacher'. As he graduates from college next month...by holding the course over many long years of educational excellence...he see's many more open doors to chose from now.

He leans toward the humanities or philosophy now, but his 'solid' English Major prepared him for many things...but he has been spreading the gospel and the word of God to his friends, and hundreds young people for many years through

his music ministry and his 'punk band Hippocampus'.

....and through traveling to hundreds of churches all summer, riding buses and sleeping in peoples homes all over the United States. and abroad in Poland as a Musician for the "Celebrant Singers' Touring Team. He even had to raise $3,000. himself at just 15 year old in order to participate in the ministry and to pay his own way...which of course was as a 'volunteer'.

Joey has been the most 'devoted' student of the Bible of all our children, and over the 'longest period of time'; searching God's word for truth, and for the most part...

and he has lived it better than most.

I know that wherever he serves humanity, he will "make a difference" in many lives. It is not the 'learning the Word' that counts so much as being able to 'apply it' to our own lives and just live it the best we can as fatally flawed human beings.

Everyone knows how many of Joey's school chums turned 'left', but the 'God in him' let him walk 'right' with them through all their stuff and growing years, keeping himself as a trusted friend, but not joining them in self destructive behavior. Joey has the 'courage of his convictions' far stonger than

I ever dreamed of being able to keep myself.

Joey's 'waited' three years for his wedding day coming up December 30th to begin living as man and wife with his Bride, Nicole. In this day and age, and with all the opportunity they have had, many would find it hard to believe that a

'promise made to God' many years ago by two young people

to save sex for their wedding day...has been kept.

I believe He and Nicole will keep their wedding vows as well...which will save them and their children, much pain and grief. He has a powerful Ministry for young people ahead, and with music and a crazy sense of humor...he has tools that can move mountains.

__________________________

Wendy and William have always been the first to suit up and show up when we, or anyone else, called in desperate circumstances, and we know we can rely on them when the roof caves in...which in real life, it does occasionally.

Wendy to heal us from the nail and debris wounds we've gotten ourselves into, and William to fix the roof.

I always have a sense of their particular dedication to 'duty' toward family...and sometimes they try too hard and deny themselves the fruits of their own labor such as enjoying life to the fullest, playing and seeking out new adventures and experiences...regardless of what they believe they must do instead,

to protect their own children from all hurts and dangers in life.

Wendy and William are our only children who live nearby now,

so they are the one's I usually talk about on a day to day basis.

You only need scroll down the pages, then click on

different archives from past months, and more will

be revealed about these two who we are so Appreciative of.

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Jim and Lindsay have taken the helm of a ship that was built over many years with lots of blood, sweat and tears...and though in the beginning it appeared the ship was going to get too many leaks to continue on, they navigated through storms and high winds, and at the same time, replaced most of the rotting

boards and barnacled to keep her from foundering.

Now they sail her as experts..in their own way and on their own terms, but still seek the old 'light house' when they are in unknown waters...and for this, they have learned wisdom. I rely on them every single day to help sustain us here in Oregon, and they have responded with honor, and honesty...a combination in business that assures a new and even greater horizon in their own futures,

than one I could ever have hoped for myself when she first opened her doors.

ninety per cent of business fail in their first two years, and ninety five per cent of ongoing, successful business fail when passed to the next generation. God has Blessed these Companies, and all of us, with greater prosperity that 95 per cent of the people in the United States enjoy today regardless of their educational level or job experiences.

A small twist of fate, or any change in circumstances way back when...would have made it all impossible for us today. All of my children were exposed to my business, but only Lindsay grasped it, and loved it.

Today, at 25 years old...Allen, Faye and I are surely Blessed that

Lindsay was the one child of four who 'loved math'.

When she married Jim, a man that 'cried in sad movies' nearly as much as I did...I knew he had a soft heart, and to 'always have other's best interests at heart' when helping them make decisions about their greatest lifetime investments...you either have 'it' or you 'don't', and that makes all the difference

'to them, in the world'.

and ultimately, in the ongoing success of a family owned business.

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...and of course, I thank God and My Kids most for my Grandchildren,

Greg, Tom, Jon, Jordan, Ashleigh, Sierra, Emily, Ean and Benjamin!

These can take a whole Blog invidually...and you can learn about them more if you want to search around some.

These are the 'Greatest Joys' of our Lives.

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We also appreciate our extended family who have helped so much with Aunt Faye so we could get away for business or pleasure, like Aunt Opal and Vickie and Wayne, and Bill Farley, who have given us counsel about more things than we can mention here, and even for helping us on our first investment

so we had a home base to begin with here in Oregon, as Wayne did.

....and of course the bigger family Nationwide who always offer a 'hot and a cot' more than we could ever take them up on it.... are blessings in our lives too.

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Our new friends here in Oregon and our old friends in Visalia and in other parts of the country... and even friends moving from Visalia to Oregon... have taught us many new things we didn't fathom, know or understand, or who have given us an opportunity to help them reach their goals, and to matter in their lives, and they have brought us even more love and laughter in person or by email in our live as we change and grow along the way ourselves.

It is always a delight to watch people you know and love grow and prosper as well, and to join them in frolic just to remind ourselves regularly that

life should always have a generous dose of 'fun' in it.

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Today, we celebrated a great fellowship and fabulous Dinner at Wendy and Will's home, (as they are famous for their entertaining talents), as the pictures show, with Toledo Police Chief Don Denison and his wife Rhonda, son Carson, and daughter Savannah, and their sort of 'adopted kid', Jeff.

We got there at 1:30 p.m. and didn't leave until about 6:30 p.m. or so, if that gives you any idea of how great the company was. We could have talked and laughed a lot longer...but all good things come to an end, and we are both 'Thankful' we could spend this wonderful holiday with them and get to know each other better (instead of just a 'hi and a nod' at some function or event).

Rhonda also blessed and surprised Wendy and I both with a beautiful set of earrings (which I promptly put on) that she crafted herself with antique

crystals she salvaged from the jewelry of another era.

How many people get that sort of 'thoughtfulness'

on Thanksgiving Day?

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We are Americans, and as such we have been Blessed to be born in the Richest and Greatest Nation in the World...we are truly God's little spoiled brats, and we know we did not deserve any better circumstances than those who are God's children and who are cold, hungry and starving all over the world. It is very humbling to acknowledge that.

We receive so much and we give so little, and still the Blessings abundantly come.

Sometimes it is embarrassing to admit what gluttons we really are...but it is true.

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As Will piquantly said today, we must also Remember and Thank God for our young military men and women who stand the watch all over the world to protect the freedoms and wealth we take for granted here at home. They sleep in desert holes, and freeze at outposts far and wide...forever vigilant...forever faithful, and forever loyal to all of us.

All give some and some give all...

so that we can join as friends and family in celebration on this most meaningful Holiday. We also thank all those VETERANS who came before and who will

come after, those serving today,

ALL GAVE SOME AND SOME GAVE ALL,

and we will always bow our heads in gratitude for our Veterans,

and salute the Flag they have fought and died for.

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One of Norman Rockwell's famous paintings depicts a beautifully captured 'Thanksgiving Table' with a Grandmotherly woman presenting the Turkey to delighted guests. It is a Tradition of warmth and the gathering of family and friends together to 'give thanks' we have enjoyed since the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and hoped for a 'freedom' still unknown in the world then for thousands of years.

We are still a young country, by the world's standards, and God knows, we are making mistakes in our running of it every day, but we are still the Greatest Nation on Earth, and our people are the most generous people on earth. We give more each year (individually and collectively) to the poorest of countries, and people,

than many other countries and people give in a century.

In times of crisis we pull together as a small community or as a Nation, on streetcorners and grocery stores as we have for the victims of Katrina recently, a natural and devastating hurricane.

We are a good people, and good hearted people, and we have every right to be very proud of everything we stand for, and I am

Thankful to be a citizen of America and to stand proudly with each one.

I am most grateful that we awake each day to a new opportunity to change our lives, our circumstances, or our attitudes...a luxury most of the world does not enjoy. We have choices our forefathers only dreamed of, and we must grow and trust our children to cling to the values, and traditions we offer...but free them to create new and better ways to relate to each other and the world at large.

We cannot give...if we don't reach out...and it is in the

Blessing of the Giving that a 'Meaningful Life' is found.

We shall always have the Richer and the Poorer with us, and the Firm and Infirm as well, there will be the beautiful people and the plain, and the strong and the meek.

Most of those differences are mostly a matter of dumb luck and circumstance and God's good Grace and Blessings...so they mean nothing in the greater scope of things.

God says it shall be 'the meek who inherit the earth'...and it is the wise who serve them now.

I am Thankful that everyone I know, in some way,

helps someone other than themselves have a better life.

God has surely shed his Grace on Thee and Me, and this is the day.... when there is nothing in the world more important than saying

'Thank You' to Him, and to You, for it all.

God Bless You and Yours, and God Bless America.

PRYING US OUT OF THE WILDERNESS....AND LOSING 'JOEY'...

STEVE & GENN ON THAT HARLEY HE
WAS NEVER GOING TO BUY....












WHERE ARE YOU JOEY????









PAT HARRIS & HIS ANGEL,
MICHELE...










MY GUY WATCHING THE OLD GEEZERS


AND ME AND MARY AFTER LONG TIME
NO SEE....







I don't have my 'Party Photos' from Genn Wheeler yet, so will post them in another Blog...but on Saturday night we went to McBaron's for a potluck, live music with the Wheeler Band...(Cross Town Rockers)...



...and to celebrate three Birthdays. Our Friend, Steve...our pal (and his wife) Genn, and Allen's partner, Pat Harris' main squeeze...Michele. Wendy and Will were able to go for a few hours...and that was cool too....and when Walt and Mary showed up it was just perfect!

It's always great to get out and enjoy live music and hang with the Pals...meet new people etc. but it's the 'getting us out' that has become the problem. Anyway...I'll post some photos when Genn sends some.

PAYBACKS are always fun, since Genn is always taking photos at these events...and Saturday night was no exception, I brought my camera for a little 'Ride' we enjoyed Sunday afternoon. I wanted to take some pictures of the ride and the scenery...as we need some good pictures for the publicity we need to set up for next years "Second Annual" "Adventure Run 4 Kids"...and this was a good time to do it. Guess who was the ONLY ONE complaining about Linda and her taking photos...YEP...it was Genn. lol

It's been sunny skys and beautiful weather all week...and folks need to take advantage of that when they can...so we met up with Pat and Michele, Steve and Genn, and Mary at Hogfather's and took the long Bay Front ride to Newport.

Mike, a pal of Pat's from California had just arrived before the Saturday Party the night before...so this is the first view he saw of the area...and for any that have driven that road...it's picture postcard beautiful. Unfortunately, his bike is in the shop...so he had to take his Van, which is not quite the same (believe me, I have done it in the Hummer...and it is NOT THE SAME AS RIDING THE BIKE...by a long shot.

The idea was that I was going to take them all to lunch or dinner or whatever for their 'Birthdays'...but we ended up at the "Bay Haven" where Steve told us they had a live band. Listen folks...these old "Geezers" were rockin some Charlie Daniels and it was hard not to start dancing the minute we walked in the door. Some old wharf character was playing the 'spoons', but he was damned good at it too, so we had a drink and sat down to enjoy the 'jam'.

Pretty soon, they were bringing in big trays of 'good smelling stuff' and putting them all over the tables...turned out that the 'Bay Haven' was throwing a surprise FREE DINNER for all it's patrons at that exact time...and these hungry people were there to enjoy it. So it was turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy and dressing and green beans and oh yeah...Pumpkin Pie...so we fed our faces...and soon it was time to head back to the ranch before the temperature started dropping and we suffered 'cold' on the ride home.

We had so much fun as it has been a long while since we rode the "Red Baron"....but the great weekend was about to end with a BIG THUD! We drove in and Joey was no where to been seen! He is not called the "Joseph, the Lord of Underfoot" for no reason on his papers...Allen left the bike at Hogfathers...and drove his pick-up home, and I was behind him in my car by about ten minutes or so since I drove Mike to Pat's before heading back to the ranch.

Anyway, the search was on...and it went on and on and on and no Joey. As dark fell, Allen and I felt like we had a 'child missing'...and I know that makes no sense at all since 'Joey' is a dog...but we are very attached to the little guy...and I started thinking of all the things that might have killed him...and the whole bit. As time went on, it seemed likely that 'something got him' as he is always...as we say...'underfoot'.

Allen was feeling really sick to his stomach so went to bed to 'take a nap' and I paid bills to keep from thinking of Joey...but it didn't work. Soon I was outside with the mag light calling for him and straining my ears to hear a whimper or a whine...but nothing. One thing about living in a place where you listen and hear nothing but a rolling creek...the silence can be deafening.

I was searching around but it was stupid because I never left the road...cause I was too 'scardy cat' thinking that if something 'got Joey' it might be able to 'get me too' since all I had was that Mag Light and it is pitch black. I did see some fawns grazing in our pastures, and the does of course...but no Joey. I called Wendy, who saw Joey last when she was on the far West mountain hiking with him...but when she heard the ATVs going, she assumed that Joey was with them...later Will heard Joey barking, but by the time he came down from the archery range he made up by the Gray Shop, there was no Joey.

Will and Wendy came over and went up by the 'Love Shack' on the far West mountain and she showed Will where she saw Joey last, and then Will came through the forest all the way home looking in the ponds and creeks and near the waterfall...but at the end of the search for the night...there was no luck. The only 'good thing' that happened last night was that little Emily stayed with me while Wendy and will searched...and wanted to snuggle and kept saying "I love you Grammie'...

Today I went to the pound on the chance that he wandered down the road and someone found him and turned him in...but they are closed on Mondays...so I'll go back tomorrow. All the way to Newport I was looking at the side of the road praying I wouldn't see some little brown body on the side of the road.

Tonight I visited with the former owner, "Jeff" and he told me that nothing had ever attacked his horses, or lambs or pigs or dogs or cats as long as he lived here the past twelve years and said he doubted anything got Joey since there is so much game. He also said that Bobcat's (Will saw one the other day) don't like the smell of dogs and will go the other way if they smell them.

He didn't think it was a Coyote either since they are noisy and anyone around would have probably heard Joey cry for help and then the Coyotes 'gloating' at their kill by howling...and he said the Cougars wouldn't be down here because they prefer their game and only come near civilization if they are starving...and he has only seen one on this property twice in twelve years although he walked all over it checking fences and clearing trails all year round and never even brought a gun with him. That was a relief, but where is Joey? Did he fall into something and couldn't get out?

Jeff also said that he might have gone to the Northwest corner of the property where Doc Brown lives (who happens to be a Vet) as he has a number of dogs as does everyone on the 'Fruitvale' Road which is West of Christiansen Road where we are. Anyway, another night is on us and it seems so strange to not see Joey sleeping on his big bed.

I am hoping he wandered off and is lost or playing with other dogs...and that he'll find his way home, or that someone found him and there will be a 'Found' in Wednesday's paper, or he's at the pound. It is also possible that someone 'stole' him since he is a purebred...and I would rather it be that than to ever find his bones down the road. At least then there is always 'hope' that he is alive and well.

I still get all teary eyed when I think about him (like all last night and all day today)...but it is less tonight than last night thankfully. We have to have dogs here in the country, but if we don't find Joey...we're going to get two dogs, although we worry that we won't like them as much as we do Joey...and maybe one of them will be smart enough to not wander off when on a hike with any of us.

So, it's not a happy time here right now, even though the whole weekend was a blast. I thought about our son Joe's Blog about his dog 'RIP' and how concerned Lindsay was before she realized he was joking about the whole thing...cause of OUR SON Joe's crazy sense of humor...and now this happens to us FOR REAL. Creepy.

Our 'hope' is still danging by a thread...but I know as each day passes, it will dim until we finally realize he is not coming back and we have to move on. Good byes have never been one of my 'strong suits'...and many tears will fall before we say our final good bye's to Joey I fear.

ABOUT OUR SON, WILLIAM...

Everyone knows how proud I am of all of my kids, David, Wendy, Lindsay and Joey...but not a lot has been said about our 'kids' by marriage. It's time to add them to the list of Blessings in our lives.

We met Will about six or seven years ago when we visited with Wendy who was at Camp Pendleton, Ca Marine Training Center. Will met Wendy during her Field Medical Combat Corpsman Training, as he was serving as a Corpsman at the same time. They "hit it off" and the rest is History. When we had a dinner date with Wendy and Will at a Dana Point restaurant, Allen said that of all the Men Wendy had dated, he believed Will was the "pick of the litter' and he Approved.

She wasn't home in Visalia long, when Will moved to Visalia from Las Vegas where he was working in the Medical Field. He tried his hand at our business, but it didn't suit him and then he went to work with Allen setting tile. It wasn't long before Will obtained his General Contractor's License in California, and began a commute between Visalia and Santa Rosa, where his brother had set up a number of jobs for him. Will's brother, Erik is a Professional Painter and has been for many years.

Two years after that initial meeting at Camp Pendleton, Will and Wendy were married in Three Rivers, and a few years after that, little 'Emily' was born. Will had two children, Jon and Ashleigh by a prior marriage and that seemed like a good 'bonus' for this old Grammie. Wendy of course, had Jordan who grew up in the company of Grammie and Papa.

It was a lot of fun to take several of my Grandkids to Disneyland a few years ago...and without telling too much on myself, I allowed them all to get drenched one night in a little area of the California section where warm water spouted up here and there in sort of a 'bugland' water garden. Something their 'wiser' parents would probably never allow.

Of course, seeking a total set of dry clothes for all of them in Disneyland, including shoes...was no small task, but we all ended out alive and well...except that the bag with all their wet clothes and shoes was lost....and the memory of that time will always be 'priceless' for me.

Jon has lived on and off with Will and Wendy over the past five or six years, but at 16, he returned to his Mom's home in Sacramento and is still there. Ashleigh is very attached to her Mom and Step Dad, and has never lived with Will and Wendy, but comes to stay during vacations and holidays, may be coming to visit soon. They are all really good kids and I love them.

So, between his and hers and theirs...there are four kids...including little 'Emily' of course.

Will has always been the first of anyone to volunteer to help us when he could. He helped put a roof on our old house, and another roof on Lindsay's Duplex...worked on the Skyline home with Allen doing a lot of heavy lifting, and helped put the roof on the Beach House in the storms. He was going to give us a few days of his time and ended up giving several weeks.

Of course, Wendy and Will are our only kids that live here in Oregon near us so far, so we're aware of their comings and goings more than anyone else on a day to day basis. When we bought the Log Home here, Will again gave a lot of his time helping us...between the paying jobs in Idaho and on the Coast...and down in Santa Rosa.

Will is one of the strongest men I have ever seen in my life. He tore out the old bath/shower combination downstairs, replaced it with a gorgeous shower... and installed a new jacuzzi tub upstairs, built the deck, installed the granite and marbel and basically remodeled the whole upper floor...trying to do the things that would be too difficult for Allen, or would take too long for Allen to do. He climbed 24 feet into the air to remove the old lights...hang the new fans and lights..dangling like a monkey from heights that would make Allen or I woozy.

Will is also very, very FAST at getting things done as well. I know that he got irritated with me, as Allen did too...during this Log Home Project...because I was very, very picky about everything that was being done. Allen even told me that if I were a paying customer...he would not ever work for me! Imagine that! No doubt Will felt the same way, but he isn't much for confrontation, so he sort of disappears when he gets irritated with old "Mom" here.

When he found out that we had no water, his good heart got the best of him and he came out to help get whatever needed to be done...done as he was worried about me and Faye facing life with no water for days on end....in spite of his hurt feelings over my 'pickiness' on this house.

When our son David got into a bind building a Tournament Scoreboard for a Golf Course, Will came to rescue him too, although David admits he hasn't turned such favors in Will's direction himself.

Will had a few days in between jobs so came out to cut wood and I heard the chainsaw up at the shop buzzing for hours, but then...it all has to be cut into smaller pieces to fit into our wood burning stove which we use once or twice a day when it is cold.

A few days ago, following a series a five Northwest Pacific Storms pounding the Coast, in the middle of Storm number four...Will was chopping wood in the pouring rain and filled the wood bin with it. We had recently purchased an Electric Log Splitter which was helping Allen a lot...but Will didn't bother with such a contraption.

He just put a log up, and with one swing...it became split in two. This went on hour after hour...and as Allen handed him large logs from the truck bed...Will continued into the dark...in the pouring rain....and cold....Wham, crack and into the wood bin, and within two or three hours, we had enough firewood to get ahead of the game for a spell. He took a load home to the family as well, but now they have to start working on next season one of these days, and that means falling some trees...or cutting up those that blew over in recent or old storms on the property.

I finally made Allen get on his Stormy Weather Suit knowing he might catch a death of cold, but Will wasn't having any of that. You can see above in the close up photo and his back was soaked, and it was dark. I can't wait to show you the before and after photos of the upstairs and my bathroom as he is going to finish up installing the faucets and the plumbing for the bath and sink tomorrow. It will be great to not have to go downstairs to brush my teeth! lol

I've said 'thanks' to Will many times over the years...but I can't remember ever publically acknowledging how much I appreciate all the help and hard work he has done for our whole family since he joined it. It is long overdue.

We don't always see 'eye to eye' on child rearing, and I admonish Will and Wendy for not taking enough time in their own lives to have fun and play...but I think they might be "getting it" at long last. The other day they went hiking and riding the ATV's and discovered the end of our property on the West side...and a hunting Camp with horses ready for the Elk season opener.

He wants to get a 'buck' with his bow and arrow, and if he does go out hunting...and there is a buck around, we'll all be enjoying some venison 'jerky' in the near future. Will is a good man, with a good heart, and is still the perfect match for my daughter.

It would be good for Allen and I to spend a little more time letting Will know how Blessed we have been by his help and concern for any project we take on. He's given us 'the Gift of His Time' more than any of our own children have without expecting anything in return...and hopefully, he knows that we've been more supportive of him in many ways than his own family has been able to do as well.

That is what 'family' is all about, and that is why God is good all the time. Will has made the load a lot lighter and the journey more fun. It really feels great to give Will the credit for all his contributions to us...even if it is long 'over due'.

You're a great son, Will. I love you more than you will ever know. Thanks for everything!

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE....and NOT A DROP to DRINK!

A lot of people didn't believe us when

we said we were like Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor of that funny old show "GREEN ACRES"...

...since we know so little about real 'country life', but our life this past week has been pretty overwhelmingly funny as we 'learnt alot' the hard way, NATURALLY.

SO, Here's our signs...

LESSON ONE - About
HOME GROWN WATER!


We noticed that we didn't hear the sound of the normal water 'overflow' falling into our front pond about a week ago, but never thought much more about it.

What had happened was that silt and maybe small rocks, or maybe even a salamander... had blocked the 'feed line' from moving any water from our gravity feed spring to our 1300 gallon water holding tank in the back of our home.

So life went on as usual for about three more days. We showered, ran the dishwasher, did laundry and Allen even hosed the pine needles off the porches...Faye, of course, forgot to turn the faucet off as she has done for several years now...and water ran for half the night until someone went to the bathroom and turned it off.

Jordan came over to help with some things, and took one of the Quads to try out the new trail we blazed the prior week. Allen napped, and Faye watched 'Dr. Phil' and I worked and hammered out my 'Blog' and sent emails...we lived our life as usual totally clueless as to how perilous our life had really become as we 'drained' the holding tank more and more with every turn of a faucet or flush of a toliet.

Following a long shower, with hot water pouring over sore muscles for a long while...the shower started sputtering and howling...and soon, the toliet howled trying to pull water...but not getting any.

We were OUT OF WATER! We knew nothing about the system...so Allen went to check the holding tank for the first time since we lived here, and was horrified to see it was empty! We didn't know the cause at that time...so we called the former owner. The origination of our water is a good quarter of a mile away...and it was dark and rainy and muddy already...so Allen and Paul (our field hand) took the Quads as Jeff (the former owner) directed by phone and went to the source...after Paul got my Quad stuck in the mud over an embankment...and Allen got a rope and hauled him out with his Quad...they journeyed on to find an abundance of water coming into the upper cistern from our spring.

So, we at least knew that there was plenty of water, if we could just figure out how to get it here, from there. The next day was a huge storm and that was not a good time to really see if there might be a break in the 1/4 mile underground pipes..since even if water was pouring to the surface, we couldn't have determined if it had come from below or from above at that time.

The next day the journey began with Jeff's directions, "Well, you go down to shop and then to the apple tree and walk about 16 paces until you see a rock...then you dig a couple of feet. OK...so once they got there...with all the leaves off the trees...they couldn't tell apple from alder and were they supposed to go left or right, and by the way...there were lots of rocks!

So, back on the phone...and so it went all day until Jeff (the former owner) agreed to come over the following morning to show Allen where things were, and what they did.

Bright and early, the two walked up the West mountain...in the rain...and mud, and Allen returned looking like an industrial mop for his first change of clothes and no nap that day. Jeff went on with his day telling Allen to call if he needed him.

Allen followed one section of line, and then the next...and the next...and dug a few holes that resulted in nothing...cause it was the 'wrong rock' but a nearby rock turned out to be the right one when he dug there and found the line. At each section the water flow was fine.

Finally, it got honed down to about a 400 foot section, so Allen flushed the line the best he could, then hiked back to the house to check the tank...and success....a small drizzel was finally entering the tank. Jeff came by and said that the 'drizzel' was about the best we could expect, and the tank should be filled again...in THREE DAYS!

LESSON TWO - Firewood Error

There's nothing like the warmth and smell of a log burning on a fire during a rainy day...so we've been burning about a log a day which seems to keep the house warm and cozy for about 24 hours. Ahhhh, the 'Country Life', but it seemed the process was 'poorly organized to me'.

The Wood Burning Stove is near the front door, but the former owners were cutting wood on the back porch so it is all scarred up from doing that...and this big, ugly rusty metal barrel holds wood for cutting. Even more silly is that the rest of the wood is located in a wood shed up a hill, and then there is more near the Goats Condo. What sense did all of that make, I thought so went about giving Allen advice in an area I know NOTHING about...except how to make it all prettier.

So, as suggested, Allen puts a BIG STACK of wood on the front porch near the front door so it doesn't have to be dragged through the back door, potentially dropping chips on the floor in between. Check, and just when the WATER WAS GONE...he was in the process of getting all the rest of it in ONE PLACE.

The big storm hit and I had forgotten that it can 'rain sideways' in Oregon, and the wind is usually coming from the South to North...sooooo, I asked Allen to start a fire one night and he started a fire and it went out, so he did it again, and it went out again. Just when I was wondering if he was braindead...it took and we were warm and cozy. Beautiful!

The next night, I asked him why he hadn't started a fire yet as I was getting a little chilly and he said, "I can't...all the Wood is soaked." Well, it was soaked all right, so we had to turn on the electric heat...which doesn't smell anything...and I 'figgered' out that it was best that the wood be kept on the back porch protected from the rain....and about all those places it is also stacked?

The high barn is the green/wet wood cut for NEXT SEASON (it has to be dry to burn well...duh), the wood near the Goat Pen is for THIS SEASON...(good idea to separate them huh...therefore it won't be like playing the "Will the fire start lottery")...and the wood in the ugly rusty barrel looking thing is kindling and ready to burn now wood...and that needs to be especially dry...yathink?

So...we'll be heating with the electric heat, until the wood is moved to the NORTH SIDE where it was to start with before I was being so 'helpful'...and no more fires until it has had a chance to DRY after that. Guess them 'locals' have a lot better 'figgerin' on this country stuff than we gave 'em credit for.

WATER AND FREE HEAT ARE DAMNED GOOD THINGS TO HAVE IN A COUNTRY HOME.

These jolly 'realizations' got me to thinking, and then relaying those thoughts on to a sopping wet mop again, Allen, "You know, we are so totally NOT PREPARED for anything that might go wrong out here...so we need to go to Salem tomorrow and get some emergency things together."

Ignorance hasn't been feeling very 'blissful' lately...so better to 'HAVE AND NOT NEED, THAN NEED AND NOT HAVE"...as them old Nebraska Farmer 'Roach's' used to say...

So, we bought a 5500 watt generator...a log splitter...and a brush cutter within a few days...some camping lamps, maglights, and even some appropriate rain gear. We have a couple of 7 or 8 gallon water jugs with spouts on them, and we're going to put real kerosene in the pretty kerosene lamps we have had around 'for looks'.

Things ya might need if all hell breaks loose, so ya won't be standing around with just a pitchfork in your hands.

But, I can't 'beat us up' too bad. Allen came up with a device today that hooks up to his compressor and the water line that feeds that 1300 gallon water tank. He blew that line at 150 pounds per minute on the git go, and then 80 for the remainder....then he checked if there was any improvement over the 'trickle' that 'was the best we could expect' and would take a mere 'three days' before the tank was full again.

Lemme tell ya, that water was rolling through that line like Sherman through Atlanta...and the tank started overflowing several hours ago. Faye and I were destined for the beach house if we had to go another night without water and a real shower...but Faye just came out of the shower fresh as a daisy....Allen checked the tank level, and it had more water and pressure than it had before she languished in there a spell. WOWZIES!

I made dinner AND RINSED THE DISHES before putting them in the dishwasher...and can't wait to get in the shower myself. As was said in Forest Gump...sometimes my husband is an F'N GENIUS...Forest...we done hit the motherlode of water flowing into that tank faster than ever before!

...and to show ya that these two melon heads 'learnt' some very valuable lessons on the way to that motherlode of wet, I guarantee that the Next time we don't hear that overflow...you'll see one big gut sticking in, and one big butt sticking out of that holding tank room real quick...and out will come Allen's special designed 'water line attachment blower/cleaner' even faster than a speeding bullet, and more powerful than a locomotive.

...and about that finding the water line pipes by looking for those special rocks about 15 paces from the tree, around the bend from a bush...14 yards from the lower gate, and west of the shed...then digging down six feet....and all that?

Well, those subtle 'landmarks' will soon become as noticeable as a semi truck carrying hazardous waste through Wyoming in no time at all when Allen goes to task on 'marking' em. I'm coming to appreciate some of that 'ole boys' "flamboyant" ways, since we're learning to live in the Country, and all.

ABOUT BATS

I've also learned not to leave a second story sliding door AND screendoor open at the same time...since a bat got in our house and swooped across the 24 foot ceiling about 15 times before he hung upside down from the big timber as I helplessly realized I didn't have a chance in hell of every catching him or killing him. I made the right decision by leaving the doors open and he eventually went out...but I kept expecting it to land in my hair or crap on my head any minute before he bid his adieu. Fortunately, my cousin Vickie advised me that 'bats' are good cause they eat hundreds of times their weight in insects everyday...and they love to eat some bad beetles that can swarm people's homes too....

FINE, but don't expect me to be an outdoor midnight marauder around here yet when the 'bats' are on patrol.

BEETLES

and, don't squish the black beetles because they are 'good beetles' as they eat the larve of slugs which are bad,

LLAMAS

AND, We may be getting a couple of llamas almost free pretty soon from a friend of Vickies...and these Llamas love to be petted and lead around and brushed....but they will also kick ass on any critter that comes around wanting to do harm to them or any livestock (like our goats)...and if you cut their wool...you cut it with scissors and you may get $200. for it. I can't imagine myself on a ladder trying to cut a Llamas hair for 200. but Allen and Vickie seem game...so I'll watch the process for them.

BEARS AND COUGARS

My jaw dropped when Jeff (former owner) mentioned that the upper east spring has lots of water but a BEAR chewed through the pipeline...and yeah, there are COUGARS around, but neither the bears or cougars come down this way TOO OFTEN....and all. Based on that little 'tidbit'...I'll be learning to shoot my new HANDGUN I haven't purchased yet...beginning this Christmas when former Federal Agent son, David comes up for vacation...and we'll be setting up a 'shooting range' right here on the property... and he'll be teaching Mama (and any other takers) how to plug one right between the eyes in a nano second like Annie Oakley while riding bareback can.

Then I'll sling that revolver or semi automatic 'bad boy' in a holster and just dare one of those brutes to stalk me as I walk or ride through the magical forest like little Red Riding Hood.

...and man, am I glad that Joey the pup is going to turn into Joey the magnificant 100 pound dog who loves to follow us anywhere we go on the property. A Yip today...but a DEEP BARK down the road. Maybe Joey needs a friend? Like a Great Dane maybe?

Maybe teach the LLAMAS to 'heel'?

So, this is the end of the 'Learn as you GOOF' show for now...and

Next we'll be putting the phone out on a high tree stump...

... or something like that, no doubt.

Love to all from Eddie and Eva at Green Acres.

ADORABLE TRICK OR TREATERS....

My daughter LINDSAY was concerned that Ean (19 mos) would not like the "Boy Riding a Chicken" Costume she had picked out for him ...so also got him this "Pumpkin Belly Costume"...as a back up.

It looks like EAN thought having that big Papa Belly in the middle was just more than he could Bear.

Then there is BENJAMIN...merely 5 or 6 weeks old...already dressing up as a Court Jester...and can ya believe how long his legs are already???

JOKING...the long legs are part of the costume...and BENJAMIN'S legs are the normal little froggy looking legs of a newborn.

EMILY looks like she LOVES being a cheerleader...and surely resembles her Mama WENDY here in this photo.

I'm not sure if Jonathan (Junior) or Tom (Senior) had the nerve to go out for the candy haul this year in costume...and not too certain Jordan (Freshman) or Ashleigh (Freshman) did either...

...but I KNOW that my little SIERRA was decked out (perhaps as a witch?), but will have to wait for a picture of her to post here...and it could be a long, long wait I fear. Her Mom, GENICE and my son, DAVID (her Dad) are the worst ever at passing along pictures. They will order a big pack of photos for school...and have good intentions, but when Sierra graduates from College she is going to find all those packets and wonder why they ordered 50 photos of the same pose and never gave any away?

Maybe we'll have better luck this year...SIERRA is in 3rd Grade now, so I could get them faster if I ask her to email them to me, I think. lol

GRANDKIDS...are the SPICE OF LIFE...and I wish everyone a good 'flock' of them.

THE LOVELY COUPLE...

The Evil vampire just finished dinner, when his main squeeze...the wicked witch of the west stopped by with a couple of beers.

After all that yummy blood, the Evil vampire didn't much like the non-alcoholic brand...especially when the wicked witch of the west got the last O'Doules and he had to settle for a Sharps.

Their dear pal, the Devil...took the photo at the Elks where her husband's band was playing. It was a short night as the evil vampire and the wicked witch of the west had to return home as the teenager was watching the ancient one...and together, they could bake the goats without us.

Answer honestly...would you have the nerve to go out In public looking like this? Me neither...cackle, cackle...(and your little dog toto too).