A picture for Suzie

"even the beauty of the many kinds of spiders we find in and around our house"

Yes, sis, we have 'em too. I'm really not sure what God made them for, but I'm sure he has a really good reason.
Jim

Got Endorphins???????????????

I’ve been thinking about this for the past week. Like I told Peter, as long as you're thinking, you may as well think big, or in this case, long. Last weekend I had some fairly strenuous exercise. Now, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t running a 20K or playing basketball all afternoon. I’m referring to the 6 mile hike Sandi and I took, followed by cutting and loading a pickup load of wood by myself. Yes, I worked up a sweat. Yes, I was tired. But the odd thing was that I haven’t felt that invigorated in a long time. No legal or illegal drugs, no alcohol. Maybe it was a sense of dementia setting in; after all, I did go skinny-dipping on the way home too.

No, I think it was the endorphin production that my body was experiencing. Now, I’ve heard peripherally about endorphins, but don’t know a whole lot about the subject. I can look back and see where I have experienced feelings of euphoria and yet calmness. Whenever I go for a hike in the woods, it is for the most part, as Sandi would term it, “like the Bataan Death March.” Which, I must disagree with, but I do enjoy just going, and, do push myself, but it’s all in the name of enjoyment. And, in a certain sense, that I don’t understand, almost a crazed addiction. I crave that feeling. I want to see, to experience, to be part of the natural world. Getting out in the woods affords me an opportunity to a small degree, the ability to “scratch that itch.” I, like John Denver, experience a 'Rocky Mountain High' from pushing myself. Now, John Denver's song may have emanated from oxygen deprivation or possibly some really good 'stuff.' Or, he could have been experiencing endorphins at their best!

The release of endorphins lowers the blood pressure, a major indicator in heart disease, and has even been implicated in the fight against cancer. Also, endorphins are best known to those who exercise a lot, and give rise to what is known as the 'runner's high.’ The release of endorphins also has been found to lower blood pressure, a major cause of heart disease. Evidently, they’re released whenever there is a certain amount of pain involved. Maybe though, that is the key; to encourage the release of endorphins while staying just outside of the pain or injury range. Whenever I lift weights I have this same good feeling, because whenever I’m done, I feel great. Weightlifting’s purpose is to microscopically tear muscle tissue to grow back as increased muscle mass.

I found that endorphins are a class of neurotransmitters produced by the body and used internally as a pain killer. This class of compounds are similar in their action as opiates, attaching to some of the same receptors in the brain. Now, I haven’t taken opium, but I have to believe that there are similar reactions to endorphins and opium. They are a strong analgesic, and thus are the body's own built in pain-killer, and, the best thing, give a pervasive sense of happiness.

I guess the good news is that while I can’t experience a sense of euphoria from exercise all the time, chilies can also release these compounds without too much strain or stress on the bod. I know, I know, too much thinking.

Jim

Trials !

It's when I look back on my trials and realize I survived, got beyond and at times can barely remember the pain; I feel it is all part of letting go and letting God, which, for a control freak, is so hard alone. I pray to God to help me, give me faith to let Him. Is that weird? Some Christians feel that is weird, that we need to trust God without question? I've never been one to blindly follow, so I have to go to the source and understand He knows my heart. If I question His will .. He is the one who must change my heart. But He also lets me see the pattern of His will and how His way is so much better then mine. He has led me like a child carefully, very openly, not subtly at all. I see in each step of the way how my life is evolving into a different person. I can look back on things I did, lifestyles I led and it is like looking in on another's life. Is that me, really? Well, I guess maybe it isn't relly me, because the me I am today is not the person I was so very few years ago?

So, for all the heartbreak, the questions as to why I have to go through what I have gone through in my life, why I have lost, been hurt, had to live such a weary long hard life .. is now coming to an understanding. I can look back and see the whys. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm sure there is still loss and heartbreak ahead. I just hope I can hang onto the understanding ther is a reason .. the ' why' if and when my trials are there. And now whatever my children are going through, I am there to encourgage them to just push forwards, try to make better choises and understand God has a plan.

Course the me in me still must untangle the net and lay it all out to see the path clearly and to why the why's happen. I think that is ok .. after all I was born ME! That was not my choise, but God's. So I hope He understands the part of me, like a child, will always ask how does this work, why does this do this and that! Or maybe I'll evolve even further and quit caring.

I'm happy for all my own, that we are in touch and I can what makes you all tick. An interesting bunch of misfits! LOL !! Sandy, Illa, Karen and Jess and Rick all deserve awards; and Rick you have always been one of us in many ways, but thanks for being a very special part of this family for longer then we have even. Putting up with someone with post traumatic stress disorder from a fragmented early life and adoption is not even one the Dr. understand totally. It is great we now actually have each other for the support system we never had before and the only otrehr opnes that could actually understand what the other has faced.

family

I just wanted to tell you all I love you and am glad to have you each in my life.The trials I have been given have really opened my eyes and heart to be able to recognise how unique each of you are and how blessed my life was and is . Without the learning via the pains and woes, I really don't think I would have ever awakened to acknowledge just how lucky(blessed) my life has been. Thank you all for the openness you display and I hope some day to be able to show you each how special you are and meeting each of you has influenced my perception to life. Ben

Extra Vertabra's anyone ?

Hey I just wanted to take a count on the extra vertabras in the family !

But Seriously:

So is any one else going to edit the But Seriously topic?
I do agree with peter that it would be good to know what the other siblings are dealing with. After all, I believe that it would be benifitual to all of us to have a heads up on our present or past health issues.
So far ive only seen the author and Jim and I.
Dick

A wise Person once said.............

I liked it so much I made a sign of it to remind myself.

Lichen has amazing uses

I am always amazed by things in the forest. This is a pretty common lichen in our area. Its common name is a 'Bearded lichen.' Latin name...I don't know.
It has a number of different uses: you can use it for TP, you can clean pots and pans with it, you can use it as a scrub brush, you can even use it as a firestarter. Just not necessarily in that order.
Jim

it wasnt that bad

the phospho-soda wasnt that bad. i mixed it with apple juice and didnt even bother to taste it. than - ah oh- im back.
followed it with another 12 of apple juice.

Hi everyone, just got in this AM and get to stay over. Will go out tomorrow. Sounds like you boys are being as bad as ever. We are busy as always. May be making plans for a move out Suzy's way. We are really excited but taking one day at a time. We may run a care home for her. Rick and I would both do it. It's in the Lords hand but we have never felt more right about anything as much as we do this. Lots of green flags, no red ones. What a great way to spend the rest of our lives, giving instead of always thinking of our own want and needs. I really admire Suzy, I hope I can be half the blessing she has been for those sweet people.
Hey Glenda, where are you, havent heard you on the blog lately.
And Chucky boy, how about a few more words, great to hear from you, love ya brother
Hey Dick, Let us know how everything came out. HA, HA
Jim, Has anyone ever told you your crazy, you crack Rick and I up. I never know what is going to come out of that brain of yours. Love to Sandi. Bonnie and Rick

I love the fall!

Today was one of those 'Carpe diem' kind of days. Sandi and I went on a hike today to a local trail that I had hiked down before, but not up. Today we did both, three miles UP and three miles DOWN. It took us three hours. The fall colors are just now starting to change. I felt pretty good about it until I saw this twenty-something guy running both ways. Wow, that sure put me in my place. Then we drove to Cave Junction to one of our favorite places, 'Taylor's Sausage,' and had a hot dog. Then we found a log on the way back home and cut a pickup load of wood. To cap it off I got to go go skinny-dipping in a crystal clear, and, yes, cool creek. So far, this is the type of weekend when I have so much fun that I have to get back to work so I can get some rest! I love the fall season.
Jim




See, this exercising thing is paying off!

Families !

One thing about not being raised together, is, that we are mid century ( OMG ) and we are talking to each other , kinda .. or posting or texting or e-mailing ! I see so many families estranged totally after spending a childhood together, sharing the same parents and homes. I see families crumbling; at times I feel mine is. Petti stuff! And ofcourse I am always caught in the middle. That's what happens with close families, I think. I can be impartial, but you know me .. I'm opinionated and have a hard time not being when I see my kids at each other's throats. And it's not about the kids, if they want to not talk to each other, I really don't care. But it makes it hard for the little ones when the big ones are at each other. I lay awake nights and pray that my kids will find peace in allowing each other to live their own lives without finding fault which leads to arguments and estrangments.

Everyone one has their own issues yet it seems we can easily look at another and say .. he did this or that or does this wrong or .. whatever .. without thinking of what ' we ' do that is wrong in another's eyes.

Why can't we just live and let live and pray about things we can't stand in another ? .. For a change within our hearts, not to change them. Does this just come with maturity or a deep faith within that allows us to try to love as Jesus taught us? I don't know. Sometimes I get so confused.

I love order in my life and struggle daily with ' not ' trying to control others so my world is orderly. So is this pettiness my kids go thorugh a lesson for me. Maybe a lesson in letting go and letting God. (?)

My Virgo mind struggles with anything outside of perfection. Heavens knows I am not perfect any any way shape or form; however I am my own worse critic. I kill myself to leave a perfectly clean house, total order in my business, routines followed to a tee .. what of those who cannot keep up with my exspectations? Usually I just throw them aside .. like the men in my past lives. Disposable.

I think it took my falling in love with a ' slow hand ' .. that brought me to this reality of myself. Oh, I've been evolving, but I guess God felt not fast enough. So he dropped this perfectly good unperfect man down from the heavens. I told Him I was not ready for this, yet here he ( Darryl ) was and I could not throw him away. Now my perfectly orderly self controlled enviroment is being run by ' a man ' !!!

It sure changes things in life. But I'm ready for this journey even though at every step of the way, I'm sure to take it apart and put it back together to try to figure out .. how do we do this .. this man and woman thing?

But Seriously:

Being the worst offender kidding around about this, you can now tell by the way I spelled the title that I'm being serious now. We make light of this issue, and I think we should, however, a couple years back, after Ben's issues, Jim has admonished us all to think seriously about getting these colonoscopys. It's not something we want to take so lightly that we forget to take care of ourselves; early detection of precancerous abnormalities is critical. This latest round of talks about this has convinced me I should have it done again. Suzie brings up a point that might show some of the problems with getting it done: While men tend to be big babies about going to the doctor, women just get tired of all this kind of stuff, so many put it off for that reason.

One more thing; I know none of us want to be the proverbial band of old people with nothing to talk about but our health and various and sundry operations, but....... I think it's time we get some updates on current health issues. It would be good to know where everyone is at, so we know how to pray for one another. You can make it dry and concise as follows, so I'll start.
Peter: I'm still having Hyper-thyroid issues. The doc says I have 25% chance of coming out of it. I tried getting off meds, but went back to all the crazy symptoms that I had before - so back to meds. Oh Well, it aint that bad anyway.
Karen: After fracturing her vertebra(l1) She's still using a walker around the house. Apparently she did some soft tissue damage that is taking a very long time to heal. What complicates it more is her Fibromyalgia. However, she is much better, and expect, in a few months to back to where she was.
Ok, next

Dick:
since nobody else is going next.
1. high colestrol --simvistatin
2. type 2 diabetis -- glipizide, watching carbs, moderate exercise im walking 3-5 times a week for about an hour at a time. 3 -5 miles. depending on pace.
3. hepatitis C. Dr. took blood samples this week to find out what genotype and at what stage. 3 more weeks to find out what
level its at.
Dr. says my ideal weight should be 165. ya right!! ill go as far as 180 and see.going in on Monday for a colonoscopy. more on that later when the ALIENS GET THE RESULTS FROM THE HOME WORLD.
update- 10 small polyps were removed.

when it rains it pours.

Jim:
10 lbs. overweight
Cholesterol 204 (normal range for me is 100-200 mgl/dl) I've been eating Quaker Oats three days per week since last spring.
I hurt my back working in the woods in a climbing accident in '85 and have recurring problems about once a year for a week.
When I did have my colonoscopy, I had 4 small polyps removed.
I take vitamins, but no prescriptions.
I particpate in some form of exercise every day (minimum 20 minutes).

Our turn ladies !

OMG >>> you guys ! Do you have any idea what we girls regularly deal with being women of any age! I really had to laugh at the stories. How's it feel to be ' invaded '! Did you have 20 medical students looking up you by any chance? Or have some straps holding your feet to a cold metal stirrup three feet apart? OR >>> I could go on and on, but I know you all know we go through this kind of thing all the time as females. I am actually a little wickedly pleased there is something like this that allows men to feel a tiny portion of the yuk and humiliation we face having a vagina & boobs just for your pleasure and child bearing! So beofre and after the pain and the pleasure .. guess what .. WE STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ALL THAT STUFF !! It never ends .. So every time you go in for your yearly, just be thank full someone isn't squeezing your gems in a vise; like they do our breasts, or shoving cold instruments up you while your legs are spread eagle with someone peering up inside of you .. on a regualr basis. LOL !!!

Your sister !

If we weren't family, I wouldn't post this. Of course, on second thought, whose families blog would I post this on?

This is something I did a couple of years ago and due again next year. Perhaps this can lower the anxiety of anyone considering this procedure, but I won't mention any names.

The Adventures of don Colonoscopy
Well, I did it. I gave myself a belated 50th birthday present by getting a colonoscopy screening. Personally, I think that everyone should, if not for themselves, for their families. Colon cancer is a type of cancer that can be treated very effectively and has a very high cure rate. I didn’t get it for the reasons that you’ll read below, but rather for proactive health reasons. Granted, it’s 8 months after my birthday, but this isn’t something a person wants to rush in to. But, on the other hand this isn’t something a person wants to avoid either, especially when colon cancer runs in the family. Fortunately, having gone through the entire process, the only thing worse than the taste of the laxative that they have you to drink is the anxiety of the whole ordeal.

Sunday I started the process by having to drink 12 oz of water every hour upon wakening until I had to take the laxative concoction. I’ve heard tales about the dreaded laxative, and none of them were good. It didn’t help when I went to get the laxative from the drug store and I asked the pharmacist a rather delicate question. I asked her if it really tasted as bad as people made it out to be. She just smiled real big and replied, “worse.” Great, that really instills a lot confidence.

I tanked up on water to the point I thought I was going to float away. Three o’clock came and I mixed up the dreaded potion, held my nose and jug-a-lug, down the hatch. Baaaaaaaaad, very baaaaaaad.

The good news was that I could drink just about every clear liquid I wanted after I had taken the laxative. Water, juice, clear soup, beer. Hmmm. That’s a ‘no brainer.’

The bad news is that I tried just about every drinkable liquid in the house and I still couldn’t get rid of the taste. What made it worse was the attempt that the company makes to suppress the taste of whatever they put in the laxative. Lemon and ginger. To me, not a good combination. Why not something like chocolate mint or raspberry cream? No, it has to be lemon and ginger. With options like that getting this test done is going to be a pretty hard sell. But with choices like that I’m probably going to be buying a lot more bran cereal so as not to have to have this test again.

After two hours with no sense of, well, not a way to measure the effectiveness of this truly vile drink I was getting worried. Well, not really worried, maybe just wondering how long that it would take to take effect. When it did start working I was wondering something different, how long it would take to stop being so effective? I guess you really do have to be careful what you hope for.

Just when you think that things can’t get worse, they get worse. The directions call for a second helping of this wretched potion three hours prior to the anticipated voluntary physical abuse. So, 5:00 a.m. comes and I get up and chug down another dose, except this time I’m not supposed drink anything after taking this second dose. No, nothing to wash this despicable taste out of my mouth until after the procedure is over. So, I couldn’t wait to get down to the hospital and get this dreaded procedure over with.

A lot of good that did. When I got there I found out that there were already 12 people (seriously) ahead of me doing the very same thing. My first thought was that, I wonder how many nurses call in sick on Mondays when these procedures are scheduled. What a way to start the week! Of course, it could be one of those ‘pecking order’ jobs at the hospital. You know, you have to work on the colonoscopy procedure team before you get that job in housekeeping. Now I understand why they have to run so many commercials on TV for nurses.

Soon, too soon, it was my turn to be violated. Can a person really be violated if you someone permission to? What I really found odd about the entire process was that from the time I walked into the hospital until I asked for my clothes I must have been asked for my birth date about 10 times, sometimes when the people were holding my forms in front of them. Being the curious person that I am, I asked about that. Some kind of security thing. Yeh, right. Like someone is really going to try to pass themself off as someone else just so they can get a colonoscopy? Think that one over for a minute! Why does everyone need to know my birth date? One side of me is saying, maybe they really don’t believe that I’m 50 years old. They probably think I’m only 40. Anyway, enough dreaming.

The last thing I remember was that the nurse asking me if I had any more questions, right after she asked me my birth date again.I wonder what would have happened if I would have told her my birth date and been a day off. It somewhat sounded like she was asking me if I had any sins I wanted to confess. And it made me think of some sins I should confess. I didn't see anyone with their collar on backwards so I quickly dismissed that idea.

I told them to feel free to be generous with the anesthesia and started to tell them a short story about when the dentist used laughing gas to put me out for a root canal. He had told me to count from 100 to 1 and so I explained to them about how far I had got.

100, 99, 98,….
“Sir,” here are your pants, as soon as you’re dressed, your ride is here. The doctor will call you in a few days with the results.” I have to believe something happened, but actually, I really don’t want to know.

The good news is I didn’t hear the doctor say, “Sir, would you please open your mouth, I think I may have gone too far.” The only thing worse would be to hear a second hand story of an all-too familiar story of my experience at the checkout counter at the store by some of the nurses.

In closing I was going to say something to the effect of, in the end, it's not so bad, but instead I'll just close with, bottom line, it ain’t so bad.

Oh, did I mention that it doesn't taste very good? No, that's an overstatement. It taste like *&%$.

Jim
I've decided to add video ordering information because of the overwhelming response to this post. There are at present three titles available, but they're going fast, so order quick: The Adventures of don Colonoscoopoopy, The End is Near, or, my favorite, My Travel Journal to Colon. They're all kind of dark and grainy. Also, they move kind of slow, but you'll get through them. They are 99 cents each or two for $2.00. Don't forget to add the shipping and handling of $29.99. If you order within 60 seconds they will come wrapped in two layers of one-ply bathroom tissue for added protection.
No checks or credit cards. Cash only.

Hi everyone, I got our computor hooked up at our friends house in GA, we stay here if we get a night we dont have to turn right around. We may be moving to Springfield, I'd really like to be close to Suzy and Darrel. We are really excited. Love a all. Bonnie and (Clyde) Rick
What a beautiful picture Jim, I think we find beauty in everything if we just look, except maybe spiders and snakes.

Justin sent this out to his my-space blog.....wow

There was a fight in a McDonalds Parking lot Saturday . A little girl's parents fight almost every night. One night the Dad comes home drunk and mad. He pulls out a gun and shoots his wife then turns the gun on himself. The little girl sits behind the couch crying. The Police come and takes the little girl to an orphanage. She walks into the bedroom, and there is a picture of Jesus on the cross.

Girl says "How id that man get off of that?"
Teacher says "He didn't.
Girl: Yes, he did.
Teacher: No, he didn't
Girl: Yes He did. He always sat next to me when my parents fought, and he told me everything would be ok.

You never know who might be watching. Remember The Bible says" If you deny Jesus in front of man, He will deny you in front of his Father."


Note: Justin sent these kind of blogs out to 50 friends, and one of his friends is me.lol. I sent it out to all my friends saying how proud of him I am. He has more faith at 17 then I did.lol. but I did alway have Jesus sitting by me in the bedroom growing up. That is when I got to know the Lord. Justin sent me this and it's made me cry 3 times. He loves the song wonderfull by everclear. And that is how him and I both grew up. Life is better now and yes Jesus taught me to lean on him. listen to the song and I hope you can see what I mean. hugs love ya.

from Lueria Miller ( Alicia) daughter and my son Justin Davis 17.

Saying hi from Lueria and Rich

wow lots happening. All 4 kids have me back on schedule again. McKenzie is in soccer 3-4 times a week.......can you say taxi..lol. She is having a hard time with middle school with kids calling her names. so please pray for her. Pray she has no fights this year and she learns to pray before blowing up. Mckenzie found a great 7th grade teen class for her and we are talking more then ever about Jesus and how to deal with stress. I pointed out maybe she needs to start a bible study class at school and pray before you walk in to school.

Justin is good working at stark street pizza 2 days a week. Justin has a new car a Volvo. Well not new but new for him. I bought it for 900.00 and it's straight and runs good. I heard they hold up in car wrecks. lol. His walk with the lord is doing good, He has been posting up some great stories of Jesus on my space to his friends. I am so proud of him. His girlfreind Bethony is turning 16 this month and get to go on there first date. Pray for justin to be a good leader with them.lol

Christian is doing great. Starting 2nd grade. His dad and him put up bird houses in the back yard tonight and we had a fire pit going at the same time.

Max is in 6th grade and doing great. He rented a violin tonight for school. So here is another time for the taxi.lol He is doing great with the week on and off with us. We went to church today and it seems he likes the older classes. He feels big.

Rich and I are doing well but wow 4 kids is alot of work. We are reaching out a marriage class every thursday for us for the next 9 weeks. and also I start a womens bible study class on tuesday so McKenzie can go the kids class. We are studing Peter. wow. I heard lots of my school friends are going thru hard worldly trials at this time and it sadness my heart. My friend told me how she looks at my walk and how the lord has gave me peace. He has but only in the hardest times in my life I could over come because of his mercy and forgiveness for my sins. I understand today how lucky I have a of you. Praying over us kids. thanks you.


Heads up Mom is doing well and Aunt Alilia is taking great care of her. She is seeing a skin specialist.

I love you and when I have another 30 min again I will do this again. hugs to all of you. I think of you all and how much I love our reunions. thank you xoxooox

from Lueria miller ( Alicia Lange) daughter ..............

Like a lake

The weather has been really calm in CC the last couple of days so at 7:00 this evening I decided to go for a paddle. Tony the tiger said it best, "It was great!!!"

After going what??????? I finally got it, and you are saying you know how to use one? Ya right!!! Well we are off to the long road, ya all have our phone #, so CALL!!! Dont worry about what time it is, someone is always driving, love a ya'll.

Vacuums, like cars, should be warmed up before operating

OK, Little bro, you didnt sign, but I'm guessing Dicky boy, right? Accually, according to Rick you are suppose to have the plain, the vanilla has to much sugar. I been missing, how about if we dont move out to the Left coast, you come out here and stay with us awhile. We really dont know what is going to happen. Ricks oldest is messing up really bad with drinking and bad friends and maybe drugs, he could loose his son if he keeps up, between his mom and us, we need to make sure our grandson is going to be ok, he's almost 5.
How are you doing??? I think of you everyday. Sorry if I have been {fluid) like Suzzi says, in the little time I can use my laptop, I don't like the phone and I'm terrible at writing.
After beening away from home 3-4 weeks at a time, there is so much to do around the house. I love it when ever you call, and I am never to busy to talk. LOL Bonnie

evening snack

Im liking this "change in diet" thing more and more. tonight for my midnight snack im having peaches and plain yogurt. I accidently bought plain. But i put some real vanilla and poison oak honey in it. yum-yum

Got a moment between dishwashing +++

So I guess I will have to get on here to know what goes on with the 'original' family.

All is well. I am really very busy running two households. It's almost as much work as raising my kids and working double shifts to pay the bills. So I'm actually used to this kind of work; however .. now my feet burn after I get off of them, my back hurts, I have to sleep on a special little flat pillow or my neck goes out, I look in the mirror and see some old woman looking back at me. So I go into the bathroom wash my face with cold water, put heavy oily cream all over my face and neck. Pull my hair into some kind of order, put on a little make-up and look again ! OK .. it's all good, that was just a night mare of what lurks beyond the edges when I allow myself to feel as tired as my body probably is. So I pull my shoulder up and back, my belly, that tries to have more control, in, and get back to work; because in that few minutes it took to pull myself together; mind you not time for a shower, I forgot Annie was still sitting on the toilet trying to go, the phone rang off the hook demanding my attention, my gr sons blew in the back through the house and out the front ( literally ) Chuck wandered out the front door and is trying to escape and Mary is standing outside the bathroom door with just her bra held up to her chest. She can't get it on and is waiting for me to come help her. But at least it's only 11 a.m. I've gotten Annie, Chuck & Mary up and fed. Gave the meds to everyone, cleaned the kitchen, changed the sheets, ( it's sheet day Sunday ) did most the laundry, finished the medical reports and mars, dusted, watered ... now it's almost time to start lunch and feed the crew and then toilet and get them down for naps.

Some poor young man called due to my interest in refinancing my house. I try really hard to be a Christian in every opportunity that comes up. But what the heck are these peolle doing calling on a Sunday? And why is it so hard to understand when I say NO I do not have time to speak to you? How do you not get rude and say ..'hey dude some people can't talk on the phone all day and do their jobs too.' So he says, when are you off or able to discuss your refinance/I tell him try to catch me Tues afternoon at 2-3. Maybe I can talk to you and by the way .. I really can't take the time to tell you this, I've spent far to long on the phone already. Rememeber Annie, she's still on the pot.

So when I start forgetting little ole ladies trying to move their bowells are still on the pot after checking on them 6 times .. and forget one of those times wasn't to get her off /// it's time for me to slow down, what do you think?

Hey people really do trust me with their loved ones. And I do a good job. What I wonder is how does the government really exspect us to work ( manditory ) 5/24 hour shifts in a row, pay is the equavalint of $2.30 and hour ? and give quality care? and you know me; I bounce off the walls with energy even when I'm tired. What of those who aren't as energetic?

Recently the Adult Foster Care Providers won the right in the house to join the union. I am not pro union at all, but we are one of the few businesses basically not recognized as a full on business who are lisenced under the regulations of it being run as a home/business. I call bull dookie on that. I am going to be on the board that goes to the state and demands change. Like I have time.

I did hire resident mangers. But betweeen their personal lives and the issues around learning to run my home MY WAY .. I am working harder and more now then before. So I am letting them go and have another person in mind. Wish me luck.

There's other things I'd like to do .. like HAVE A LIFE !!!

My care -givers wanted 4 days off. So that puts me on a schedule of working from the 5th - 15th without any breaks 24/10. It's all good, I can handle it; but I don't want to neglect my new man and home. So I arrange to have a sub care-giver come in from 5-8pm for 3 of these days, maybe more. I rush home to be ' the woman ' and wash some dishes at my other home, hang some laundry and make my man supper. He is so sweet, he would happily hang the laundry and he does supper very well. He bought me one of those outside clothes lines for my BD ! But he is the only one that gets to use it; no fair. So I looked forwards to hanging laundry out to dry. I told him when I am home; I want to be the "housewife" ! Then I rush back to put the residents to bed. Oh he comes over to sleep, but it is as an experience keeping two households. Today, my sweet Mary, who usually wakes me at 7 a.m. if I am not up, let me sleep till 8:30. I don't think I've done that in years.

I could write a book on life at a AFH. Maybe I will. But as I've said a million times over the last couple years .. I feel so blessed with the life God guided me to, the man he dropped from heaven for me and the children He trusted me with. And even for my little AudiTT I wanted for years and now have ... that can barely fit my two dogs, my groceries and my grand daughter who comes to work with me 3 days a week. I think I need a bigger car!!!

The other day My Queen Pit-Bull Roxie got stuck trying to climb under the steering wheel to get to the floor on her side. She looked at me with unbleiving eyes. Like mommmy .. 'what are you thinking pouring me into this mini car under a car seat having to share this little space with a pesky little mini yappy dog, who yelps when I lay on her' ! What was I thinking buying this car, just becuase it was my fantasy and I could finally have one ! Careful what you ask for .. you might get it! Those words run through my head often after I stop on the way to work at the store to pick up a few needed things and end up with 8 bags of groceries and head to the parking lot where I see my mini car sitting there with my mini dog, my gr daughter and my very thick pit bull sitting there, wondering where in the world do I stuff these .. I constantly forget I forgot to be practical and probably still need to be driving a mini van instead of a mini car.

Yeah ; life is good and all the chaos is forgotten when I climb into bed with my great big safe man and into the folds of his 12 foot wing span. No matter if I have eaten or forgotten or do not take time to eat ... he keeps me stocked in what has become my addiction, my comfort and my reward for the day I've had ... a DARK CHOCOLATE MILKY WAY candy bar ! Life is good .. Thank you God ! for my blessings, my life, my man, my children, my family , my residents, my cars, my houses, my pets ( Mama Kitty, that's her name, had 8 kittens this time. ) Even the spiders, I've getting used to and Dark Chocolate Milky ways! I really have not forgotten with all the MINE .. it all is on loan; well all but the milky ways.

Outside of that nothing much going on.

Love ya all !

I am finding as I am getting older that my hands seem to be more adapted to activities like fishing, head support while napping, or observing nature ( altho I haven't quite figured out what to do with my hands while observing nature.) Sometimes I keep them in my pockets,, or use them forpicking my nose. However, if Bonnie is with me, I can use at least one finger for pointing out things such as animals, birds, or dancing trees. Bonnie does think that my hands are quite well adapted to running the vaccuum cleaner as long as furniture moving isn't involved. She will not let me help her fold clothes ( which I would otherwise consider to be a social event, or a covert mating ritual) Something about her mother teaching her that it was improper to fold underwear with the crotch facing out. My theory is that if I happened to inadvertantly wear said piece of wrongly folded clothing, I could compensate for it by walking backwards. Us men are more cleavor than women know. LOL Rick

Why (most ) Women Don't Blog

I have a theory why the girls don't get on the computer that much, I believe it's a natural thing:

~ First compare your mates hands with yours.......Ok, done?
~ Notice, the middle finger on a man is longer than the rest, while the forefinger on the women is generally the longest.
This is evolution, which allows women's hands to fit better while washing pots and pans. Her forefinger, with a washcloth conforms best, reaching into the corner of the deep pan.
Men, on the other hand are very clumsy washing dishes, their middle finger always stopping their hand from reaching the corner of the pan. In consequence he doesn't get the pot clean, thereby incurring the wrath of the wife. This creates a cycle of negative reinforcement, and soon the husband no longer can do any dishes.
~ Finally, a more commonly known fact, the wife's feet are always shorter than her husbands; this allowing her to get closer to the sink.

I think we husbands need to be more sensitive to our wives, getting them better dishwashers, thus allowing them more time to post their comments.

I think it was Chuck who told me these things. Peter

OK, I have issues!!! I love hearing from my crazy brothers, but what about you girls. Other than Glenda and me, hardly any of the higher level speciese of the the family ever communicate, I know it's hard to get a word in edgewise with these gabby men, but come on girls, let's try to do our share of yacking. I'd love to hear from all my dear sisters and that means my sister inlaws and nieces.
I do not do the slug mail thing. Just a hi, I'm doing this or that or nothing.
And Yes Jimbo, we are going to try to clear out a lot of excess material stuff. I have a bad habit visiting antique, stores, way to many collections. Rick and I are really feeling the need to sell, sell, sell, and get our lives more simple. It's so true, the more you have, the more tied down. Oregon is looking better all the time.
We'll see if we can even sell this place, or find jobs back there.
Peter, did Suzy give you a new email address, does anyone have it, the 1690 one didn't go thru for me, neither did Lili's. Later alligators LOL BJ

The fish or your leg. Your choice.

As long as we are doing advertizments on the family blog now, Bonnie and I are having a garage sale in June of 2008. Everybody come and buy something. Special discounts for family members. Rick

for Peter. talk about customer service.

To all iPhone customers:

I have received hundreds of emails from iPhone customers who are upset about Apple dropping the price of iPhone by $200 two months after it went on sale. After reading every one of these emails, I have some observations and conclusions.

First, I am sure that we are making the correct decision to lower the price of the 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399, and that now is the right time to do it. iPhone is a breakthrough product, and we have the chance to 'go for it' this holiday season. iPhone is so far ahead of the competition, and now it will be affordable by even more customers. It benefits both Apple and every iPhone user to get as many new customers as possible in the iPhone 'tent'. We strongly believe the $399 price will help us do just that this holiday season.

Second, being in technology for 30+ years I can attest to the fact that the technology road is bumpy. There is always change and improvement, and there is always someone who bought a product before a particular cutoff date and misses the new price or the new operating system or the new whatever. This is life in the technology lane. If you always wait for the next price cut or to buy the new improved model, you'll never buy any technology product because there is always something better and less expensive on the horizon. The good news is that if you buy products from companies that support them well, like Apple tries to do, you will receive years of useful and satisfying service from them even as newer models are introduced.

Third, even though we are making the right decision to lower the price of iPhone, and even though the technology road is bumpy, we need to do a better job taking care of our early iPhone customers as we aggressively go after new ones with a lower price. Our early customers trusted us, and we must live up to that trust with our actions in moments like these.

Therefore, we have decided to offer every iPhone customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T, and who is not receiving a rebate or any other consideration, a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on Apple's website next week. Stay tuned.

We want to do the right thing for our valued iPhone customers. We apologize for disappointing some of you, and we are doing our best to live up to your high expectations of Apple.

Steve Jobs
Apple CEO

Jim's exercise routine

I thought you all might like to see the weight lifting program that I've been doing twice a day.

Begin by standing in an area where you have plenty of room at each side.

With a 5-lb potato sack (yes, I like potatoes) in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Do 10 reps at his level.

Each day, you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.

After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks (yes, I eat a lot of potatoes). Stay with the 10 reps.

After a couple of months you may feel like you are ready for 50-lb potato sacks (that's a good sign). Eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level). Isometrics are really effective muscle builders.

After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks. I'm working on this one.

Jim

WOW, Just watched the cd you sent us Whitney and Michelle, you did a great job. That was so sweet of you. We have been thru Paso Robles twice now, going and coming on Hy 101 to 46, always yell a hello, don't think you heard us, even though I have been told a have a big mouth.
As for books. We could open a book store, plus we lisen to lot's of audio books in the truck. I am more light reading and probably not most you guys taste in material. I love Dean Koontz, Michael Crichton, Danielle Steel, Stephen King, garden books.

This is Rick,I just read a little book called "Nine Days In Heaven" by Dennis and Nolene Prince. Its about a lady in the 1800s who went into a catatonic state for nine days and was taken on a tour of heaven. It was very inspiring and insightful. It gave insight into the value of Christ's life, death and resurrection from heaven's point of view.It also made a strong point about our need to develope our characters and to overcome sin through the blood of Jesus.

As I face the ripe old age of 60 this year, I find myself in need of a stronger walk with the Lord. Looking back over my life, I see so little that is worthy of eternity. It seems that our priorities are all about stuff that we can't take with us when we go.

I was so inspired by the love displayed in Bonnie's family. ( my family now too)
Truly we can encourage each other along the right path.

Thank you Peter for your spiritual leadership. You inspire me to keep on keeping on. We look forward to seeing you all next year. Its also good to know that we are being directed by Luria, protected by Auntie 007, and humored along the way by Jim, Dick, Ben, Whitney, Rich, {thanks for the great boat ride.} We are tentatively planning to move back west in the spring, mostly because we want to see you all more often. Lisi, you are a real kick, you may have us all laughing our way back to health. Ben and Ila, we were glad to have a chance to see your home and to get better acquainted. Suzy and Darrell, what a great couple. It appears that you two are really good for each other.
Also, all the kids were so friendly, we just felt right at home.

Hope Karen can come next year and Chuck too. What a great family! LOL,Rick

Ok, this Bonnie again, way to go getting in touch with Chuck, as for you Chuck, we need to see you reallllly bad, you are in our minds and hearts always, don't be that missing link, you make us complete, so SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, OK, OK.
LILI, CALL ME, I DONT HAVE YOUR PHONE #. I love you Lisi, I am so excited about moving back West, I think we are both going to get jobs driving school bus, not sure where yet, all we know for sure is that we are going to really simplify our lives and spend more time camping going to the beach and visiting family. We are going to sell everything and get back in shape and enjoy the thinks that matter the most. Life is going by to fast and there are soooo much to experience yet. We love ya all sooooooo much, each of you enrich us beyond words, I am so proud of my brothers and sisters and all our kids and grandkids, what a gift we have to be able to really be a true family after all we have gone thru. My heart breaks for other families that have been torn apart and decide they want nothing to do with eachother, they dont know what they are missing. God has truly blessed us. LOL Bonnie

Hi everyone, we just got home last night. Will be home for a week so hope to hear from everyone. Really enjoyed catching up on all the news on the blog. Tried to call you Dick but got some lonesome old man. Have tried Suzy several times but never get a call back. Guess she's really busy. Love ya all, so good to here your doing so good Ben. Rick and Bonnie

Dinner is getting more creative

so for dinner tonight i made some fajitas, 2 small ones to be exact. i used trader joes chicken that is precooked with a little seasoning.
BUT- to top it off i took a vine rippened tomatoe sliced in 1/4s and placed them in the mixing for about 3 minutes. OH YA. it was great.
Dick

Me without beard

Most people haven't seen me without a beard. Here I am holding our first grandchild, Noah. (He was at the reunion) Some people think he looks like me in this picture. I think it's because we had similar sunglasses. Peter