WELCOME HOME RICHARDO

I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE TODAY, BUT I GUESS NOT UNTIL TOMORROW. JUST WANT TO TELL YOU, UNCLE RICK SEND OUR LOVE AND WILL CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU. WHAT AN EXCITING TIME.

Jim’s Prostate Saga II or Ever seen anyone walk on water?

Two things came out of our visit to Dr. Bui in Medford yesterday. One, easy choices are not always easy. Two, I feel I have an obligation to my family to be apprised of my health so they can make good health choices and be aware of what they may be facing in their future.

The doctor encouraged my male family members to begin being checked for prostate cancer when they turn 40. This coincides with what Randy found out with the https://www.23andme.com test results. Again, I encourage everyone to visit this site and consider having this test. It is a good first step to finding out what to ask the doctor if I go in for a checkup.

I have had a health exam for the last 4 years but the blood test for the prostate cancer detection was not part of the blood tests. If I had known that prostate cancer was a possibility I could have asked to be tested for it when the blood chemistry was done. Granted, not everything can be caught, but I feel it is my responsibility to aware of my health issues for my children and grandchildren. My dad died when I was the same age as Randy is now. Gonzo is the same age now as Randy was then. I miss Dad every day. My absence is not something I want to pass on.

The doctor went over benefits and risks with radiation treatment vrs. prostate surgery. I’ll be doing some internet searches to hopefully make the best decision. He also said that the cancer is localized in one quadrant of the prostate, which is a good thing. It is a slow moving type of cancer so there is time to make an informed decision. At this point I’ll probably be scheduling some type of treatment around the 1st part of December.

The best news is that we found a great swimming/sunning/rope-swinging hole on the Smith that I hadn’t been to before. It was 104* in Medford so it was a nice way to end the day.

Jim

Ok, Just want to let ya all know Rick and I will be at the reunion God willing and the creek don't rise. We are making arrangments with Ricks oldest to rent to own our house. We are packing right now and will be heading out about the week of the 24th of Aug. We will be doing something with Suzy. Keep us in your prayers, we don't know how we are going to pull this off but God had make it clear in this last week that we need to move forward. Lots of doors have closed here and other doors are opening in Oregon.

We are so excited to see ya all and to move closer.

One thing I ment to do is clear up what I said about us doing that CD cover alone. Josh, (Ricks youngest) did the layout. It was so long ago I got that one mixed up with a couple others. He did a great job, I did mean to take the credit.

long lost friend

Dear Family,

All are going to facebook, and there are so many family memebers and friends, on this, it's great... Please add your name and address on this plus all the kids, as it's a great area, to connect as family, the whole family........ I am working to setting everyone in this as to whom they are connected within this wonderful group of people. Also friends, and all, a wonderful sharing of friends and family, please come and join us, there...........

Even if we don't talk much and have life and work as it is, join in on this, as we are all busy, and some more then other's, but it is a great way to connect and see where all the cousin's, all of our children, or should I say your children, as there are only two that do not have children, within this group.... LANGE FAMILY, ROUZAUD FAMILY, HOOPER FAMILY, ROWELL FAMILY, WELLS FAMILY, GARCIA FAMILY, DAVIS FAMILY, ALSO ADD THOSE WITHIN YOUR GROUP, THAT MAY KNOW THIS GROUP,.....this includes, all the extended family within this group, as I am trying to gather a card on each person,...........

My Progress

As you can see, not even finished and already sticking stuff in it. At least the old fridge works.

how is everyone? Still hot here. Still waiting for a new motor for the swamp cooler. It has been ordered. Supposed to come in this next week sometime. Then I get the fun of installing it.

Love to all, Illa

Facebook

Hey all of you that are facebook, this is great, I think it gives up more insight to eachother.

I just met Nathan on it. Lets get some more family and friends on.

My Amy is on there and Ricks boys and a bunch of relatives you don't know.

Happy Birthday Jim!

Hey, we have a lot of birthdays in July. Jim I hope you have had a great day today. Eat lots of cake and blow tummy bubbles on Gonzo! That would make my day. Well, I ate some cake for you, but I am sad to miss Gonzo tummy bubbles.

BJ - I'm going to say Happy Birthday to you too, because this week will fly by and I might forget. You have a great week with the family too!

Love, Glenda

Reunion info from Feb. 4

Reunion 2009
Here's what I posted about the reunion:

In view of the fact that, if you have kids, or are thinking of having kids, or have a work or school schedule that you must consider, or if you don’t need to deal with the previous reasons and you fall into the category of just like to do something memorable on three-day weekends (like who doesn't?)it seems that taking advantage of holidays would be an important consideration. It appears that Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7 this year. I think school starts for us on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

I checked out Florence Keller Park near Crescent City and found out other than the fact that it’s really dark there (duh, it is in the Redwoods), and there are only two spaces with full hookups (and you’d have to wrestle the park host for one of them), and the restroom facilities are like those you may find at an old gas station on I5 somewhere between Sacramento and LA, it’s a great location. Even with all that said, I think that instead of there we should have the reunion at the local KOA. If you follow some of the links on the KOA website you may find yourself coming early and staying longer. There are a ton of things to do around here. OK, you were warned.

The local KOA is just a 2 miles north of CC on 101 and I think it would be a better location. Here’s a link: http://www.koa.com/where/ca/05102/

Here’s a link to a motel on the south side of Crescent City. I know Ben and Illa stayed there in the past. I’ll defer any questions to Illa, but I think it’s a pretty neat and quiet place, unless I’m on the beach cutting wood there. http://www.crescentbeachmotel.com/

Here’s another link to another place on the coast right in Crescent City. http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=CECCAHX. This place kind of 'chaps my buns.' They closed off "A" St. to put in their parking lot.

So, let it be written, so let it be said. It will be Friday, Sept. 4 thru Monday, Sept. 7…………......unless Suzi wants it at a different time.

Jim
2009 Reunion Coordinator-elect (we're STILL going through the vetting process)

Jim's prostate saga

If you’re a male member of the family you should read this. If you’re a female member of the family that is related to a male member of the family or know of a male that you are care about, you should read this. In fact if you're a male or female that can read you should read this. Sandi and I are about to embark on a trip that we hadn’t planned on, but are forced to take. For some reason I don't think it's going to be like our recent Iowa trip, it'll be different. Much different.

I had a physical in May and the doctor in Crescent City found that my prostate was a little larger than normal and the blood test results showed that my PSA (prostate-specific antigen) was out of the normal (0-4.) expected range. Mine was 4.6. Hence the reason to go to a urology specialist in Medford just before we left on our trip.

The urology doctor, Dr. Bui, called us back on Tuesday with the results of the prostate biopsy that I had on July 18. For the biopsy he had taken 12 samples from different parts of the prostate. Even with a Valium and a beer prior to the visit it was not exactly the most pleasant of experiences. Two of the twelve came back as having cancer present. The medical community uses a scale called the Gleason’s Scale that is measured from 2-10. It is arrived at by using two things; the grade of the cancer and the stage of the cancer. They then assign a number. My number was 6. We are going to go to Medford on Tuesday to consult with doctor as to treatment. There will be some form of treatment but we don’t know what yet. It could be Radical prostatectomy, Radiation therapy, Active Surveillance, or a combination of the above.

I think he will be a very fine doctor but it did make me wonder why he chose this specialty. My thinking went something like this, I can just see all the doctors graduating from their medical schools and they have to line up to talk to someone about what they want to do after graduation. The ones with the highest GPAs get first choices on specialties like plastic surgery or mammography. The ones at the end of the line with the lower GPAs get whatever is left. I know it’s not really like this, but it did make me wonder.

We found out that the most common risk factor of prostate problems in men is age. I guess this means that I didn’t opt to skip my birthday early enough this year.

Randy has been encouraging us to take a health and ancestry DNA test administered through a company called 23andme. He bought the full package and was able to trace back Ben's lineage to that town in New Mexico. He did look back at the health results and found that he does have a higher than normal chance of having prostate problems. I guess that puts me, as his father, at an even higher that normal chance of having prostate problems. They are able to find a persons likelihood of many other problems too. Here is the address: https://www.23andme.com/

Don't tell Randy I told you, but I understand that he's getting me a health test like this for my birthday (the one I'm not celebrating). I guess it'll tell me what else I'm predisposed to getting, but I do encourage you to get this test too.
Jim

Call Alicia when you can and more info

Hi family, 

I just held my spot at KOA in cresent city.  Here is the number 1-707-464-5744.  I have a group site for my gang. 

Also seen uncle and my mom today. They both look good.  I feel bad.  My uncle does not have phone. And my mom can't call long distant. So please when you can call her and say hi.  She would love the company.  Uncle says he does not want a phone. It gives him peace at night. lol. 

 Uncle also does not have a car. I told him I would help him but he declined till his leg is better.  Uncle is getting messages on facebook. So keep them coming Aunt Glenda.  He just hasn't replyed. lol. He says he is trying to figure it out still. But he liked getting notes from the family.    I gave him my email so if he needs anything.  He was chatty and it was nice visiting both of them.  I wish I had more time to do everything.  I feel bad.  I do love them.  

My kids can't wait till family reunion so I hope its in cresent city by Uncle Jim and Aunt Sandi. lol. if not tell me. I don't want to miss it. 

Hugs everyone. Just want to give you all info i have. :) 

happy baby

not a very clear pic, but you get the idea.

this is actually the way Gonzo is about 89.9% of the time. the other 10.1 hes either sleeping or eating. in which case he a happier baby. expecially when the camera is focused on him.

Our camping outing

I have had Liz and Sam for the last week. We didn't get much done but we did go camping at Dan Ryan Place. One of Ben's and my local areas. We tried fishing to no avail. Good thing we brought food as we would have starved. We did have a couple of nice campfires as we were only out 2 nights. Here are a couple of pics. I have also had Merlin and Athena this weekend as Teresa had a wedding to perform. Too hot to really let them play outside until late in the day when it gets cooler.

We got the swamp cooler installed today and running. YEAH!!!! It has been 97+ for at least the last 4 days here. Got stung by a wasp on the left hand in the process but i got revenge against the little bugger. I took out it's whole nest as well as some others that I was going to wait for night fall to get. The back of my hand is all swollen and hurts like heck. thank heavens my body is pumped full of antihistimines for allergies all the time otherwise it would be lots worse as I am allergic to bees. The hand has gone down some this am which is good as I have to work at the store. Still hurts but at least I can move the fingers.

Not moving very fast on the room due to family and the heat. Here is a pic of where I am at. Took these before BJ and the Girls all helped me place the beams for the roof support. It is coming, just seems slow.

BJ said they lost the air conditioning in his store last week and can't be fixed before Monday so it has been as hot in the store as outside. They have been hitting close to 100 in Mc Cloud also. Redding has been close to 115 I hear. Glad that I don't have to go there for awhile yet. Will do most of my shopping in Klamath when I have to go which will have to be in about a week again.
Love to all. Illa

And people say teachers dont work hard. HA!!

After a long and hard year in the class room and dealing with 5th graders all year. Then driving around the country looking and discovering new curriculum, Jim figures its time to start enjoying the summer.

We're back!!!

We've really not had too much internet access on our trip as we 'tented' it most of the time. First, "Happy Birthday," to everyone's birthday I missed, past, present, and future. Since there have been so many birthdays this year I've decided to skip mine and put my age in a holding pattern.

One of the interesting places that we stopped was where Ben Garica was born in Abiquiu, New Mexico. I've written a little about it in my blog so I won't forget. Click on the title above to read more. As I talk to Randy and do some internet research I'll add more.
Randy has had an interest in our family genealogy and has traced back the Garcia line to this aged town. He has traced it back through Catholic Church records that show Ben was born here. The records show that his parents like many of the people that populated the area were a mix of Mexicans of Spanish descent as well as the Native American tribes, the Apache and the Navajo. I believe that exact confirmation would only be established through a DNA test. Our first stop was at the ruins of a church by the name of La Santa Rosa DeLima. We couldn’t stop next to it so we parked the car and walked back. I’ll do a little internet research and fill in the blanks.

We stopped at the grocery store to buy some soft drinks and asked the directions to the local parish. The most recent parish, the one presently in use is called St. Thomas Apostle Parish. We were directed across the street and up the hill. Just above the road and behind some bushes an old part of the town opened up and of course was a place for tourist information. I knocked at the door and an older distinguished looking gentleman opened the door. He introduced himself as Napolean Garcia. He had lived in a Abiquiu his entire life, as his forefathers had. He was about 74 years old. We showed Randy what we had found and what he already knew about the geneology he believes that this person may very have been our great-uncle. Small world.


He gave us a little history on the area: It was established on the site of an old Indian pueblo in the mid-18th century. It became a settlement of Spaniards and Genizaros (Hispanicized Indians). In 1776, explorers Fray Francisco, Ataancio Dominguez, and Silvestre Velez de Escalante visited here. In 1839 the settlement became one of the stops
on the Spanish Trail that linked Sante Fe with Los Angeles, California..

Also, he showed us a book that he had that listed the first settlers in the area. There were a few Garicas in the mix. I took pictures of the book.

It was easy to see what had attracted different groups of people to the area; it was an oasis in an otherwise very dry land. When you follow Rio Chama it is lush and green. Being in the river bottom there were ample opportunities to grow the produce that was needed. I would imagine any excess could be sold or traded to people traveling through the area.

I can’t say as I felt a connection with the area, but I did understand more the hardships that our ancestors had gone through and why Ben’s parents may have wanted to move.
Jim

Happy BD Glenda !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS

I BEEN THINKING OF YOU AND WANT TO SAY I LOVE YOU.

HOUSE FOR SALE

Well we did it, just posted our house on Craigs List# 1263489821 if any one wants to look it up. Planning on going to Suzi's, Rick says as soon as possible. We are going to be selling STUFF like crazy.

click title for link.

Coastal Respite Care

Ok .. I'm going to look into Grants. Due to the fact I already am mortgaging one home business and trying to save the home Darrly mortgaged, I paid for, long story; unless I have a significant down payment for a business loan, I can't finance another home. My credit is good, my money is good; but with the new restrictions, I'd need way too much down then I could get in 3 months. So, I'll look into grants.

I'd love to have a respite home. This could give the provider, me or any other family member who wants to be involved, a chance to make earnings and still have a life.

The coast is such a wonderful place, as illa said, to meet your maker near the end or to come relax when you are so overworked; but it costs so much ....

Florence is a great little coastal town that still feels small. I like the otehr smaller towns as well, but you have to be near to be able to make is affordable with easy acsess for those who can't afford a lot, yet be able to make a living doing it.

Day Care a a good idea, almost anything in residentul care is. There is a real need.

If I got to the coast, I'd put a real effort into looking for other ventures. There is also a rooming house near downtown with two little stores in the bottom of it; for Sale. It is also affordable. That wouldn't be good for respite care as the rooms are upstairs, but it would be a great place to rent out for affordable respite for family and church members / providers needing vacations.

But if I was to make that kind of investment, I'd rather have property outside of town.

I'm going to go ahead and try to do something at the coast. anyone that wants to be a part of it is always welcome. I'd so much rather have a family investment then hire employees.

Ideas welcome ....

Needing To Brainstorm

OK People, I just turned 59 and Rick is going to be 62. We have been brain storming since the last reunion we were able to make. Suzy and I have put our heads together although since she is smarter than me she thinks more clearly of possibilities. Lili and I have tried to come up with idea and now Glenda and I, well again she has the brains so it is really her ideas. Anyway we are finally at a point that we are trying to come up with a plan. I know we have made some of you nuts with our back and forth talk about moving back West. Rick has known my feeling forever and as I told Dick, I decided to shut up and wait to find out what is really in Ricks heart and if he is ready to leave his kids back here. There have been some serious things happen that have helped him make up his mind.
He feels a very special bond with all my brothers and sister, he said more than his own brother Bob. He shares thoughts and interests with you guys that he doesn't share with anyone else.

We have talked for years about selling the house and everything and having an adventure in life before we are to old and lose our health. When we see the health problems among us and lose dear ones our age, we realize what is important in live. We have a paid off house but a house does not fill that need to share and be with those you love and do the things that really matter in life. Rick and I spent the first 5 years of our life very simple and doing the things we loved, (accually longer because of all the years of Spirit Lake and family) We need to get back to that especially now that we have my brothers and sisters in our lives and so many nieces and nephews that mean so much to us. This long distance things is just not working anymore. We litally cry inside when we see you doing things together that we want so much to be a part of. I cried like a baby when I saw that picture of you Jimbo and Glenda and Dick spending time together and kept wishing I was there. I feel life is coming full circle for me and with all of us being real brothers and sister, (yes, with all the different problems thrown in make it even more complete).

Anyway all this jabbering means. We are wanting to list the house again and sell everything we can and get back home to family. We need to bring our heads together and get your help to brain storm different possibilities. Our biggest concern is how expensive Oregon and California. We love Suzi's idea and Glynda's, its even possible we could combine the two. Rick and I want to be able to work together, no more of this life apart. We will have some money from the house put not a lot. We are willing to work hard but would rather at this stage of our lives be able to work smart and make a difference in other peoples lives.

If anyone has input it would greatly be appreciated, we get bogged down with all the details and issues and just being sure we are making the right choices.
We need to hear from those that matter most and that is why I am putting this on the blog and not writing to each of you separately.

Right now it look like instead of quiting right now, (it never a good idea to close doors, especially now days). Rick is going to see if I can come back on the road until we can sell the house. That would give us more money to work with.

Sorry to be so mixed up and unsure of life. We just love you all so much and miss being able to get together once in awhile. As Suzy knows, we have been trying to make a decision a very long time. We are praying for Wisdom.

Chuck and Lili

We had a great day, right now he is resting, Chuck took me to the Folsom Zoo, then we went to Red Hawk Casino, after that it was up in Apple Hills, also saw a beautiful SDA Church, and stopped by that, and meet some of the people, (not as great as the people where I attend), when I can. I love my Church by the way, but the location was beautiful, and they have a market that they sale what is in the area. He bought a berry muffin turnover, and banana's, we ate that at the place, the market is great!!!! When we reached the house I took his blood, from the turnover his blood, went up to 170. so it showed him, what can take place. I told him, that he could have the same thing if it was done with equal, and watching his blood, he still can enjoy what he wishes as times.

He is learning that he can eat what he has in the house, and we are working on this area, also he is so wonderful to work with. He is wishing to have the life how he wishes, and I agree. Also that how he wishes needs to be supported by his sister's and brothers. We wish the best for him, he can control it with food, but also if it does go to high, or low, I have a way of dealing with this, so he would not need to go into the hospital for this need.

Also family he loves the Lord so much, and that is where his heart is. One reason, he has problems talking, is that he is a quite soul, and with the people he worked with, the social contact was not there, like out in the real world. We will be making the family reuion, he wishes he had attended more, so also be aware he is starting to plan, and see about having to make up for the one that did not take place. Here in Folsom.... He has a wonderful sense of humur, and don't be suprised, what he plan's for ya all, laugh.

It's good for him to be back home and be aware if he went to some place else, his spirit is here, and I feel it would be the worse place for any thing to take place about this, we have talked, and he is always saying, I wish Jesus would come, he wants to be with God and Jesus so much, isn't that wonderful. Talking about us all being together as family, and not spread out all over the place.

Love Lili

Bonnie

Just wanted to wish you a Happy 39th Birthday

Dick