THANKS GIVING 2006...RANDOM JOYFUL THOUGHTS...2

NOW, at barely one year old...BEN isn't going to 'scare' anyone but Grammie with his little 'rarrrr" and a good tap on the arm. I was so amused with this 'game' we played during his visit, I didn't realize his parents were going to get a good dose of it after he went home from Grammies...but ya gotta admit...the 'delight' this little guy (who gets clobbered by his big bro on a regular basis right now) is FEELING at being a 'super power' scary guy with power over that old lady with the gray hair hanging down... is written all over his adorable cherub face!.

We're going to Visalia for Christmas this year...and I will bet $50.00 that BEN is going to 'get me' as soon as he recognizes me and we kibbitz a little bit. I am counting on it to tell the truth! I don't know if this happens to other Grandparents...but EAN is totally 'taken' with Papa...and not so much with me...so we call EAN PAPA'S BOY...but BEN AND I have something special going that I just can't put a finger on...but it's a bonding feeling that brings a lot of comfort to the relationship on both parts, so we call BEN GRAMMA'S BOY.

We both love them both...of course, but you will catch me playing more with BEN and ALLEN playing more with EAN...and it works out great to be somebody's 'favorite' when only the two of them are around...cause all of us are 'special' in some way, and I don't mean 'special ed'.

OH Look out! BEN IS GITTIN' ME AGAIN! OH MY!

OK, OK - Now what could be more fun than a "Getcha Gotcha Goo' with your Grandson? Especially one who laughs really loud like Ean can at two, then he runs away and meets himself coming back for more of that rough Papa bear tickle treatments and growls.

I know my daughter Lindsay...and especially my son in law Jim (with two already GROWN SONS) get a real run for the money with their two 'little' boys, only 18 months apart...but in the end, what you remember the most are these precious times together and the family story portfolio just builds and builds! ...and for the Grandparents of such delightful rough and tumble guys...these times are just... Priceless! PS - Note the red face on Papa from laughing so much HIMSELF!

It's 'pretty big stuff' when the 'older cousin' (Emily) shows the 'younger cousin' (Ean) the absolute correct way to pet and treat the minature goat on Grammie and Papa's ranch. (Did I mention that we come from a long line of 'bossy women' and it doesn't look like the chain will be broken in this generation either...with Emily, Sierra and Jordan. Ashleigh is our sunshine by marriage between Wendy and Will...but she's no slouch either...and we aren't going to be a bit of help in breaking that chain either, I fear).

Doesn't the goat look totally intrigued by this important animal husbandry lesson? Or do you think he realizes that there are no 'num nums' in either of these little hands...and he just hopes there won't be any 'poke in the eye by accident' heading his way?

At one time, Emily was afraid of the goats and the dogs...even when they were little, but now, in this adorable little 'take charge' voice, she let's them know who is who...and doesn't flee as they approach her anymore. Even for a real princess...Emily proves you can be brave!

Well, our young adult Grandson Tom is doing well...although he has a new nickname..."Fred Meyer" cause he is always there working whenever he can. His first quarter at Oregon Coast Community College is almost complete and it looks like he is coming out with all A's and maybe a B? He really has amazing energy and organization skills for one his age. I am always marveling and intrigued with him, and like our son Joe...he just doesn't seem to make any big mistakes in life...and doesn't want to either.

When I paid for his books the first time around, I told him that Gramma pays for "B's" and above...so it looks like next Quarter I'll be ponying up for more new books in four classes...while Dad and Lindsay put the tuition down for the old college try. Tom drained his Bank Account paying for his Tuition this quarter as it is pretty expensive to attend college in Oregon compared with California. I am going to help him apply for a Pell Grant for the future, although I think it could happen by next year...and it will count more then anyway. I'll have to put my head with Joe and Nicole who just went through all this...so we fill out all the forms correctly. The other night we worked on his schedule...and it came together beautifully for work and school if he can get in all the classes on his list now..but he was 'Johnny at the Rat Hole' to get an appointment before most others with his counselor, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.

It is such a pleasure to help Tom, because like Joey did during college...he tries to do all he can for himself. Fred Meyers knows they can rely on Tom to come in on his days off...and they do call him every time...only this week, Gramma put her size six 6 and a half down and said he HAS to take his day off next week. All work and no play makes Tom a dull boy...and he looked kind of down hearted when we all went to the Valley and he had signed up to work...again...yesterday. So, he agreed that a Day off will be good for him...and for me...cause We WILL do something fun and Adventurous...trust me!

OK - so this was one of the only 'rides' I got on my trike before it went into the SHOP...and things kept going down hill from there. The good news is that it is costing a small fortune to get the mistakes fixed because of the poor trike installation job some goofy mechanic did...but while half it's innards are laying on the shop floor....we're going to put a reverse in it as it doesn't have that gear now. Guess all the flames and skulls and cool looking stuff will have to wait another year...but boy those first rides ALONE were barrels of fun for this old gal... and I'm looking forward to many more come summer...Kind of like the old thrill of the Amusement Park...without the Queasy feeling... Whooo Hoooo!
Allen and I were on a short Putt down the Bay Road from Toledo to Newport...and he took this photo to show the "matching' Road Kings...only thing is...his is still running perfectly, and mine is down lower than a snakes belly in a wagon rut...so they don't exactly match anymore...but you get the idea. ANYONE can ride a trike...and short, round people with a need for speed...absolutely need a trike in their inventory I think. Well, they don't NEED it, but it sure is nice to have and I am just 'thankful' all over about it.
There are just so many 'milestones' in life, and this is one of them. This is HS Senior Jon's first car...as he also works at Fred Meyers and pays for all his own...well...everything. He's also a great kid and never brings anyone any real grief...and he plans on going into the Navy right after he graduates. I am not as keen on that as I once was, but he doesn't think he has any other choice in order to go to college...and getting this car for him so he would have transportation when Will is working in California and Wendy has a long day here...is about all the interference I want to risk right now.

Jon is very intelligent, but he's grown 6 inches in the past year so he is always hungry...so a good amount of his paycheck goes for food...which causes other problems like running out of gas...and sleeping too long in the morning due to lack of energy which causes 'tardies' and the restriction on the car for two weeks...I remember my own 'boys' during their 'growing spurts' and I seldom saw their faces because their butts were always hanging out of the refridgerator!

Jon is always fun to be around with Grammie and Papa...and next month he has another Milestone to share with us...his 18th Birthday. We'll be ready for that happy event!

Well, my gal pal Valerie had a road trip for a whole month planned back East so she left her only child, and daughter, Jessica to experience what life would be like in a big family...which means that Jessica was stuck with us, and Tom and Aunt Faye...and Emily, Jon and Jordan for the duration. As a kid that has been taking care of herself (or, as Mom Val would say, 'Jessica has to take care of Jessica') she is way old and experienced for her years...so the challenge was ON in this new environment. We enjoyed Jessica being with us, as she has a sweet spirit and can be more fun than a barrel of monkies...but her wings were clipped significantly so by the time Mom came home...Jessica decided that her life with just Mom was a lot better than she thought it was before Mom left her in this 'give and take' situation. As for me and we...we all got our bathrooms back...and a relief from Rap music. How Saaaaweet it is!
JESSICA is happy peeking through the dishes at HOGFATHERS as this was her "16th" Birthday party and it was a good 'un...DJ, games, burgers, chili dogs, candy galore, danciing and kids...and Papa, Grammie and Wendy worn out by the end of the evening. Said it was the best party she ever had...and we had to admit it...we throw a pretty good party.
This Cheer Leader face belongs to...well, a "Cheerleader". Senior Leslie is working for us now and what a delight to have around. I'll post some photos tomorrow of the great job her and Tom did decorating HOGFATHER'S for Christmas while we were in Vegas...but the big 'ta da' in having Leslie working for us is that she is not 'related'...as the Grandkids tend to 'milk it' and want to escape as soon as possible from the workload. Not this kid...she wants more hours. Could be that it is because her Dad is a retired Chief in the Military...ya think? Here she is dressed like a witch to help us hand out candy for more than 300 Trick or Treaters on Toledo's Downtown Halloween Party for our local kids. It was a LOT OF FUN for all of us!
NOW, there is only one real princess in our family...and that would be Emily. Sierra and Jordan were once sorta like 'princess' girls...but they are too down to earth and athletic...while Emily is the dancer and the performer and loving every second in the limelight...and smiling for the picture in return for 'candy'...of course that is always Priceless!
One project I am volunteering for is creating anti-alcohol ad drug posters for our own Miss Lincoln County, Nicole Mead. Nicole is not only a beautiful and hard working young woman, she is an extremely talents dancer and took first place in the State of Oregon Miss America competition for her talent...which got her an extra scholarship as she is in college right now.

Nichole was game for a photo shoot so we could develop the basis for the Posters I am creating, so of course the Biker gear was involved cause kids love Bikers. When I get some of them done to my satisfaction...I'll try to post them here and share them with you. This particular photo op also stars "Emily' as many folks forget that children are always 'looking up' to someone, and they are going to TO WHAT YOU DO AND NOT WHAT YOU SAY. Want kids to stay away from the alcohol and drug life...then it is best to stay away from it yourself. That's the message and who knows, maybe there will be just one kid who 'gets' it'...or even one set of parents somewhere who can refrain from another 'tug on the jug' no matter how fashionable it seems at the time.
Yathink?

Now, here is the Crown Jewel of HOGFATHER'S...and believe it or not...this old boy likes to Cook. We're only going to be open two nights a week...Friday and Saturday nights...for our Dinner Theater...but we figured out a way to do it all ourselves since what we had planned on happening didn't (it never does...) with a little help from our friends and a couple of Leslies won't hurt either. I've been booking all the talent and entertainment for January...and it looks like we will do some 'humping hard' for about three days a week...and we might still have time to 'smell the roses' too. This 'figuring' stuff can sure be hard on an old couple like us...but hell, I KNOW how to throw a party...so on Friday and Saturday nights...LOOK OUT MAMA CAUSE HERE WE COME!
When I ordered Jordan's official 'Cheerleading' photos...I had no idea of how grown up and beautiful she would look in them. She is just blossoming more and more everyday...and what a great time we all have when she is around. Val and Jordan and I went to Eugene yesterday and we could not stop laughing...just one of those moods I guess. In a little more than 6 months Jordan will be 16...and look out world cause here she comes. Cheerleading has given her a confidence she didn't have before...or if she had it, she didn't display it as she has always been in the background since Wendy's star is always so bright...but she is coming into her own for real, and what a priceless sight to see...because after all, she will always be the 'first grandchild'.

She also worked on a crew to 'beautify' Toledo all this summer...outdoor physical labor (at barely 15) and she really likes the physical outdoor work a lot. She would rather fill pot holes with Papa than make a house pretty...and even the year before, (at barely 14) she also worked and earned her own money for things she wanted for herself and others. Even if almost all of it did go for an out of control cell phone bill the first year....I think she did 'clothes' the most this year...go figure!
IF THAT'S ALL NOT CAUSE TO BE 'THANKFUL'...I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS?

HAPPY THANKS GIVING TO ALL...AND NOW IT'S ALMOST THE TIME OF CHRIST'S BIRTHDAY. WE ARE TRULY BLESSED TO BE AMERICANS, TO ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE, AND FOR ALL THE GREAT LOVE THAT IS GIVEN TO US SO FREELY....ESPECIALLY BY OUR GRANDCHILDREN. HIP HIP HOORAY!

SEVEN DAYS IN LAS VEGAS...BADA BING

I'm sure a lot of people don't believe Las Vegas is the place for some R & R...but 365 and 24/7...there are millions of people flying into the place (and out) who love nothing more than the chi ching of the machines, the green felt of the gaming tables, and shows that don't exist anywhere else on earth quite like those is Las Vegas.

I can tell you that seven days together (alone) for me and Allen has done wonders for us both, and that we had an awesome time being able to come and go when we felt like it...had no time lines or responsibilities for anyone or anything...and we were spoiled pretty bad as well.

We were pretty excited when we boarded the plane in Portland, but it soon turned into an endurance contest for the two hour flight when a lady in the seat in front of us got very sick.
We braced for the 'throwing up' part of it...but when things started coming out the other end of the poor thing...we thought we were going to join her in the barfing adventure. All we could do is bury our noses under the necklines of our garmets and try to think of anything other than what was going on with the lady in front of us.

Once that was past we were able to breathe again, and the vacation could really start for us.

There are some funny stories to share, and I won't be too wordy as time is not on my side at the moment...but it's been a long time since I posted, so wanted to get some news out there to those who care about the life and times of this Blogger.

The 'Beatles' were honored with a new show by the Cirque Du Soliel, and it was really awesome. We were front and center in the second row and the performance was just stunning. All of the music was 'Beatles', and four children sort of represented them in the play/circus acts...on a musical medley of some of their greatest hits.

The costumes of course were breathtaking, but the show itself (at the Mirage) is something that should not be missed by anyone heading to Vegas. I think Allen has every album the Beatles ever produced, and then those by Lennon, MCartney, Ringo and George Harrison after the Beatles split up...as this was music from our 'Era'...so I think it had special meaning for us.

I am so glad that the chills and thrills of the old circus have been transformed into these musical masterpieces because the skill of the performers is hard to describe...the new addition of 'break dancers' and ballet into the mix was pretty mind boggling, and Allen and I both agreed, "We LOVED the Love Show"...as every song was about Love.


Now also during our Era, one of the longest lasting performing ICONS were in their Hey Day as well...THE ROLLING STONES...so, even if we wern't able to take in other shows...we had free tickets to see the Rolling Stones in Concert at the MGM Grand. Mick Jagger may be looking a little more 'jagged' at 63...but he still prances and dances like he always did...and the show was just awesome. I did notice that most of the audience was a little 'gray' around the temples...OK so most of them had almost total gray hair if any hair at all...kind of like a 40th Reunion...but once the show began...thousands of people turned 18 in just a song or two.

Of course, it was our unfortunate luck to be seated behind some Southern California vatos who felt it their duty to stay standing during the entire performance as they got drunker and drunker...and then to keep their hands high in the air and almost hit the one behind them in the face now and then. When they were asked to give those behind them a break...they loudly claimed that they didn't give a shit and went about their business. As it turned out...all cameras (including ours) were confiscated before the show and these 'dear people' got theirs through somehow and were taking pictures...so when Allen asked if we could be moved...he also reported the camera...and the usher (a lady about our age) gave them such an intense 'beady eyed look'
they became so uncomfortable...they left before the Stones were through with the concert.

Fortunately for us, we were able to be moved to seats that had no one in front of us...a real blessing...and were able to enjoy the show along with all the other old codgers who were content to stand and dance here and there...and then be seated to enjoy the show. Sometimes you have to wonder if some folks were raised by wolves?

The ROLLING STONES have been touring for more than 40 continuous years, and with Jagger now 63, you have to wonder how many more tours they have in them? They are definitely world ICONS and just to be able to see them 'live' was a thrill for both Allen and I we won't soon forget. An added perk is that our show tickets gave us a free membership into their 'official fan club' so we'll get discounts on Stones stuff...and pre show tickets if they tour again, and discounts on any albums they produce. It was a great adventure...to say the least!


One of the few remaining 'old style' Casino's in Las Vegas...THE STARDUST...closed it's doors on November 1, 2006 fot the last time. Everything in the HUGE place was open for "Inspection" during the time we were there...before the Auction that has been going on for the past five days. Modern technology made it possible for us to attend the auction by 'webcast' and we were able to pick up some things for the restaurant at a fraction of their real value. We would have been able to buy more...but while I was bidding on one of those nice trashcan/ashtray's you find all over Vegas Casinos and Hotels...I somehow punched in for 15 of the damned things...and it has taken me two days on the phone and by email to MAYBE get them taken off my invoice.

Needless to say, that put a big dent in my Auction activity and there is only one more day of the live auction so hopefully by morning I will have an email or a phone call saying I am not stuck with the trashcans...and the price tag for them...and I can pick up a few more pieces of History that I, or Allen actually would like to have. lol The Stardust is also the last Casino standing that had known ties to the "Family" and was a place Allen and I stayed often in our younger years. We liked to play there because they still had a lot of the old fashioned machines and gaming events, and one of the first Vegas Shows we went to "Into the Night" played there for ever... but like many other's before them, after 48 years...the Real Estate it rests on begs another fabulous and modern Casino to take it's place...probably bigger than any other as that is the way they seem to build them now as more and more people worldwide make Vegas a vacation destination.

It was also bright and sunny the whole time we were there which is sort of like having a 'sun break' during Oregon's gloomy rainy season. We're planning a trip to California for Christmas this year to again escape the gray skies and rain...as we are becoming more and more Oregonian all the time...as the spring, summer and fall here are so perfect...the best time to take a vacation becomes the winter months.

Allen thought the Marquis spreading across the entire top of the Mirage for the BEATLE'S LOVE SHOW was so impressive, he took this picture from our 19th floor suite at Harrahs Hotel and Casino...and also took the photos below of our suite itself. We had room service many times during our stay...at all hours of the day and night...and I did enjoy the big jacuzzi tub as well. The two rooms were perfect as Allen took the living room and couch for his area to snore his little heart out...and I didn't hear a peep from my digs in the Master suite. How sweet it was!





Now here is where I have to tell you another 'funneeee'. After the Beatles Love Show in the Mirage, I parked myself on a slot machine and Allen decided to go back to Harrahs to take a nap after playing himself for several hours. The show itself wasn't until 10:30 at night so it was after midnight when it ended and a few hours from that is when Allen wanted to return 'home' for a nap...


Well, he reached our hotel room and put all the souvenier stuff down and realized a loud snoring was coming from my bed in the next room. Upon closer observation, he saw about a 6'5" 300 pound man snuggling my pillow just snoring his heart out...with the smell of booze wafting from the room as well. The guy had obviously been drunk and was basically passed out.

Allen thought, "Oh My God~! How did I end up in someone elses room?" and slowly and quietly retreated to the door to check the room number. Suddenly, the shock sort of fell off him and he looked around and realized that all of our 'stuff' was all over the place...and the only thing that didn't belong...was this huge man sleeping in my bed! He called Security and soon the place was abuzz with four or five big bubbas...and a couple of little guys who seemed to be calling the shots.

Apparently, this fellow did indeed have room 1952...but found his way to the Mardi Gras Tower (which was out tower), and his wife was waiting for him in Room 1952 in the Carnival Tower. It took some time to get the Security people there because the front desk people kept asking Allen if he had "let the guy in by mistake'? Believe me...it's not something Allen would do by mistake. Then they wondered if Allen had left his door open somehow? Allen does not leave his 'stuff' exposed to theft if he can help it...and he reminded them that he had called the cleaning ladies to do our room before we left for the Beatles Concert. Allen finally said, "Look, it is like the story of the Three Bears and Goldilocks, I am one of the Bears...and Goldilocks is sleeping in my wife's bed...so i would appreciate it if someone could come up here and get Goldilocks out of here."

A staggering hulk of a man was awakened by a herd of Security people...and fairly good naturedly vacated the room...after which everyone apologized profusely of course...and it was noted that the guy was having trouble with his key in our door...so some new Security guy let him in his room. What could they do to make it up to us? Well, for starters...Allen wanted the sheets changed before Mama came home...which was promptly attended to.

Of course, I would have given a million dollars to see the look on Allen's face when he first laid eyes on 'Goldilocks'...but just the thought of it still makes me laugh out loud.

I don't know why, but I have always been fairly lucky at gambling..(and my husband is generally the opposite), and due to circumstances beyond our control we went to Vegas with less money to play with then usual...one of those circumstances being an incredibly high number of Medical Bills our Insurance didn't pay for Allen's surgery...and a couple of vacant houses and a new business we are still scratching our heads over. Anyway, after one day of pretty much playing the game "Random act of kindness" with Slot Machines I play when I don't have enough money to try to outlast them...this "Kindness" came my way and I called Allen down to take a picture of it. This event gave us more freedom to go for some gusto...but I took half of it in 'check form' to put toward the Medical mountain...and it did make a slight 'dent' in it.

The rest paid for our entire trip. The only hard part was the recycling of money through the ATM machines to balance out the winnings...as I have to do at the end of each year to avoid paying taxes on the winnings...and then, taking the money from those ATM visits and putting them back into the bank for the next cycle of bills coming our way on the first of the month. It's sort of a pain to have to do this at the end of the year as I count out the big 1099's I've gotten this year as well as those before this year...but you can only deduct from your 'winnings' the 'losses' you can prove through drawing money out from a casino atm...

...so it is an exercise I've become accustomed to over the years...although it appears that one of my children was going through my desk recently and found these ATM slips and believed her Mother is buying the Casino, and without ever asking me about it, passed it along to everyone else in earshot that I am squanding their inheritence. I was irritated by this before I left, but now it just makes me smile, as very few know how many times that 'second job' I go to about once or twice a month has made a way to help us during a cash flow crisis...or even to help others when they needed it.

I don't know why I have been 'lucky' three times more than I have been 'unlucky'...but I think if I was as 'unlucky' as many I know, it would not be any fun anymore. I don't like to lose. My Dad was pretty lucky too when he played, but my step Mom was just the opposite. In any event, our vacation was the perfect antidote to 'sweating the small stuff'. lol

Now, my husband Allen has one show he loves beyond all others...he calls it 'his soap'...and it is the SOPRANOS. He knows each character intimately, and when I have watched the show with him (I am not a big television watcher) Tony (the main character) reminds me of someone I know very well...Tony means to do good...but he is just so obnoxious and reactive...he become vicious over nothing. Of course, for a crime boss...he is pretty smart in a sort of childish way.

So, when I saw that there was an 'interactive' show going on called "Last Supper with Tony before he goes to the Big House" with all the characters from the SOPRANOS...I had to plan that surprise for Allen, so we bought tickets to the Dinner Theater and I surprised him with it.

What a blast we had sitting in the premium seats with the 'crime family' at our table. It was so Italian it reminded me of many feasts in the past with my Italian step family in the Bay Area growing up...the arguments, the debates, the kids acting out...of course, it had nothing to do with 'set ups' and 'pay offs'...but these characters stayed in character no matter what and we were in the middle of it all.

Since it was interactive, the mob ladies swooned over Allen now and then, and the Mob guys flirted with me...and it was fun playing along with whatever was going on, and I even played with the Italian accent I learned so well growing up and we laughed like crazy. The Dinner was authenic as well...and we started right in with the anti-pasta...and while it was tempting to partake in the 'wine part' of the dinner...since it has also been said that I have returned to a 'drinking life'...we thought better of it even if 'what happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas' was true.

If I ever did return to that 'life' after 18 years of NOT...it would be with Black Russians and Segrams and Seven...and not with crappy wine or beer, but should we ever become 'terminal'...there are lot's of new 'mood and mind altering things' on the market we might discover when all hope is lost for life in the future. We're kind of go for the Gusto folks...in almost anything we do...for good or evil...so I don't think we have become the type of folks who could turn around and 'drink like ladies and gentlemen' for very long without getting into serious trouble very quickly...so we'll just stay accused and NOT rather than accused and DO thank you very much.

Anyhoooo...with that said, by the end of the evening and the Grand Finale, I felt like part of the 'Family' and I guess they thought I was too...so they brought me up on the stage for the last big production number with the cast and a couple of other audience members who interacted with the drama as it unfolded...and as you can tell, I didn't enjoy it a bit. What a riot.

When we went to various shows and events and places in Vegas, it was nice to have limos to cart us around because traffic gets pretty snarly at times...especially on the weekends. We were dressed up some here as our 'coach' awaited us...to take us on another adventure, and with just a phone call they would return to get us when we were ready and bring us back to our 'digs'.

You can take the woman out of the City, but you can't take the City out of the woman...and as much as it may chaff some that we thoroughly enjoy this "Vegas life' so much occasionally...(normally we like to hit Vegas about three times a year, but this year we haven't been able to go since Joey's wedding and last New Year's Eve)..we plan on going right on with us as long as these again 'frames' will allow us to. As the year's get shorter, we've learned that there are different strokes for different folks and not everyone is going to agree with another's outlook on life and the living of it...but as we close in on our own 18 years of married life, we find that we still care about and love each other, and even with an occasional 'Downer Time' here and there, and another set of 'problems' to solve, we are blessed beyond our wildest dreams.

We've got the beautiful forests and trees surrounding us, pristine beaches and the seashore to visit whenever we want, and a good Legacy for our Grandkids...and kids and grandkids that make us proud...and friends we enjoy hanging out with...on motorcycles and in other adventures. We've taken some time to talk about the new 'Dinner Theater' for the restaurant, and have had so many musical artists respond to our advertisement for entertainment we'll be set for months of throwing Dinner parties (for a price) for new friends we've yet to meet.

WE still have Aunt Opal and Cousin Vickie and her grown sons to look out for Faye when we take these brief 'respites' from responsibility for others...and our grandson Tom to 'bring Gramma coffee' when he lands at home at the right time, and to laugh and share the day with as well, and we have Aunt Faye (almost 96) still hanging in there going for the gusto herself as a good role model after all these years....and we've got Jordan around to tell us about the latest in happenings in her life, and Emily who shows us how clever and sweet a three year old can be...and Jon who can climb a ladder and change a lightbulb easily due to his 6'4" frame now almost 18 years old, and we are still looking to the 'future' rather than the past, and I think that is a good sign.

...and we have each other, for better or worse...as companions and friends to travel our own road and to the beat of our own drum...as when all else fails...sometimes that is the best thing to have of all. So, we'll just go on through life, being who we are...and hopefully, in the end, that will have been good enough for the Big Guy in the Sky...who knows our hearts are in the right place even if we are just two 'wild and crazy' kids who probably will never conform to the 'shoulds and goods' others might prescribe for us.

You can walk through life because it is good for you, or you can take a cab when you don't want to take the challenge of the traffic yourself, or you can drive when you want to take a route no one else knows....or you can take a limo now and then just to snuggle back in those deep luxurious seats and be pampered for a little season. We've done and will continue to do all of it...since we just aren't the kind of folks who like to stand on the curb and watch everyone else going somewhere by playing it safe and secure and familiar.

I want to thank all of you who have emailed and written me while I was in my 'funk' and especially those who offered encouragement and support, some family...some friends. It meant a lot to hear the 'words' "How can I help"...even if my own 'depression' had to be an inside job for me to resolve. I'm glad you were there for me. For those who didn't care, or who even kicked some dirt in my face during that time, I thank you too. It helped me to see bullshit from a good grade of apples...and that clarity mattered more than anyone really can understand.

I'm relieved and rested now...and ready for the next challenge in life heading our way...and for those who assume things (they don't know about completely...or understand fully)...are facts....a simple reminder that 'ass u me' is one truth that is always self evident.

Peace out!