A picture for Dick

Since Dick had a yearning for being at the beach, I went out and took a pic of the aftermath of the storm. Sorry, I can't help him with the wimmin'.
Jim

BJ

Family, you would be so proud of me, I have been getting my exersize. I have taken up bowling, tennis, baseball, golfing and even some boxing. Rick does it when he can. We are pretty much matched so it's really a workout. Our endurance is getting better all the time.
Jim, when Rick was driving with David who is also a cop,he did the geocash thing. David has been doing it for quite a while. Rick said it was really fun. Even in the truck David stops whenever he can and finds things. Driving from east coast to west coast gives him a lot of territory to work.
Peter and Glenda, thanks for helping me figure out how to do the comments thing.

The Hooper Family Tree

The trunk looks pretty good, but the roots are somewhat of a tangle.

The Hole

So since you wont let me post pics of my colon. ill post one of the entry point of the needle for the bioposy. This is as exciting as my life gets.woohoo
I need a woman.

She Said

OK, you just ruined for image of Russel Crowe, I really didn't me "on the buns" but then you turned him blue. Thanks a lot. I still think that's Jim.
OK, I am dense, I admit it, but will someone please tell me how to do the comment. What user name and password after you write your comment? And do you put in the letters you see in the box?
I got a email from Lili last night, she said Lisi is busy and doing good, she didn't know we have a blog.

By the way Rick and I got a really terrific letter from Richardo, (Suzy's boy) man is he on fire for The Lord. As you know, he will be getting out of prison soon. Brothers and sister, he really needs for love and prayers and support. It is going to be hard for him, I know some people will not treat him kind, some of those people may even be family members. Please keep him in your prayers, I believe God has a great ministry for him. He has been witnessing in prison and I know God is preparing him for mush greater things when he gets out. Rick is really excited to get to know him better, Richardo is a deep thinker and loves to read and study Gods Word so Rick is looking forward to some great discussion with him. Suzy has his address so if anyone is moved in your heart to write him and just let him know he has family praying for him, it would mean so much to him. I know he didn't remember who Rick and I were, but that doesn't matter, just to know he is loved and will be welcomed home when he gets out is what counts. Isn't that what Gods unconditional love is all about? LOL

Jim, livin' on the wild side........

That's right, livin' life in the "Danger Zone." I'm removing the labels on a sleeping bag where it says, "Do not remove under penalty of law."

Come now, are these laws antiquated or is it just me, does this law appear stupid to anyone else?

I know that I see things a little different, but this qualifies as a lot different in my world.
Jim

She Said

OK, Put Russell Crowe's face on those buns it might be cute.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!

That has to be Jim? The only reason I question this is the PINK G STRING. Now your in for a fight! A brother is not suppose to look better than his sister! THIS IS WAR!!!
You had me so flustered I forgot my title: (She Said)

Dick- Before Procedure

Hey Dick; how ya feeling today? Sore?

yes- taking tylenol

Are you back to work?

probobly tomorrow.

How long do you expect to be out with this, or is it that debilitating?

no

It sure seems like it would hurt for a while. Is it going to leave a scar?

only a pinhole size if any

Are going to still be able to wear a bikini?

no - i have to stick to my speedo

She Said

I worry that I am posting to often and boring you. I just love the connection we have so much. I know I should write you individually but with 9 brothers and sister and your wives, are you kidding, who has the time. I'm so grateful for this blog.
I just got Rick off to work and wont see him for at least 3 weeks. Maybe I can get something done now. I'm crazy about my man but why is it we women spend more time looking for things that are right under your nose? Maybe I am the only one that does that. Anyway please pray The Lord give me the strength and energy to get this place ready to sell and to send the right people at the right time. It's going to be really hard to give up the beautiful setting we have with all the wild life and privacy and our creek, but God has given us our purpose in life and we know He is with Suzy preparing the way. Please pray for her too in her efforts to follow Gods guidance in buying the right home and getting ready for us to come back. I don't want this to be a burden for her. God is in this but we need to make sure we don't get ahead of him in our eagerness.
Jim, I so enjoy you post and read your personal web, I especially appreciated the picture of the wasp since we seem to have an abundant number of them living around our house and now that the weather is getting colder they find their way inside. I also found myself in the hospital twice when I got stung. Is anyone else allergic to bee stings?
Peter, thanks for the update on Dick
Please Dick, keep us all posted, I will let Doug know what is going on with you if you haven't already. I know he would rather hear it from you.
Have Lili and Lisi ever posted? I have been keeping in touch with Lili and sent Lisi an email but haven't heard from her.

Sandi, you have inspired me so much, I never thought of you being overweight, in fact I have always envied you, Karen and Illa for keeping so fit. Anyway now that I am home and will be getting all this exercise getting ready to move, and I don't have to cook, which unfortunately I love doing, I will be able to concentrate on loosing weight so wish me luck. Rick and I envy all the outdoor activities you guys do, we love hiking camping and have always wanted to take time fishing and just being on the water. Hopefully when we move out there we will have time to do some off that, even with you. Remember, that is a big reason we are moving out there, to be closer to all my family. Rick is crazy about all of you.
OK, now I win the award for being annoying but then I am a sister and need to do my job of ever annoying my brothers and Like I told Suzy, when I do anything I give it my all. LOL

Vying for a place in the sky

I thought you might like to see my photo of a flower. I call it, "Vying for a place in the sky". This is an old house I'm remodeling into an office. This flower somehow grew from under the house a full two feet in, stretching to be free. I actually like Jim's photo of a mushroom better. You can see it at his blogsite. See his link below.

The Fishing Rocks

Whenever I feel I haven't spent enough time with my boys, I tell them that, "We need to go make some more memories." So, the guys and I had planned last weekend for about two months. We went on our yearly trip to the Klamath River. It was perfect fall weather with just a hint of coolness in the air. The leaves were just changing color and the maples were steller, even the stars were all in line. It was a great weekend to make some memories.

I recalled a story I wrote to be submitted for publication that I hadn't thought of in a quite awhile.
If you get bored and want to read a short story and find out more about my mom, Helen, click on the above title or go to http://jnshoop.blogspot.com/

Hows Dick???

Who ever hears from Dick first, please pose it ASAP so we can know how he is doing. Wish I was there with you Dick, my heart and prayers have been with you all day as I know others have too. You need to come down and live closer to Suzy and me, boy would you give so much to the ministery Suzy want to start with the homeless and those coming out of prison with no direction in their lives. LOL BJ

She Said

Jim I'm going to title my blog like that especially for your benefit so you know if it's Rick or me. (Either she said or he said) Thanks for the compliment saying we sound alike, but Rick is much more eloquent with words.
Glenda it was so great to hear from you, how is school? I am so proud of you even at 60 you prove life still has more to offer and as Peter said, "we are always in the process of learning", by the way, the frogs were from all of us. I just picked them out because you told me you loved frogs. I was worried that it might interfere with what ever decor you already had. Hope it was OK.
Peter, I have been so amazed by a side of you I have never seen. I always thought you were so serious all the time but have seen a humorous side of you that has made me love you even more. Please don't get me wrong, I love your serious side, in fact to me you are our rock, both you and Glenda. But you are the spiritual leader in our family that God put in place to encourage and keep us grounded. Because of my own grief of lose with my relationship with my Amy and my move to Tenn. I have needed a rock. I'm not saying Rick hasn't been there to help, but a brother like you with you faith and word of wisdom has been a place for me to lean on. Bless you. And yes we are a work in progress, but God also maid us just the way were are for a reason, and I believe some of that reason includes others learning love patience, long suffering, in fact all the Fruits of the Spirit.

I meant to mention, Suzy has her prayer time at 7AM and 7:30PM Pacific time, (I guess that's everyone but me} anyway I decided to make that my prayer time too. I just got to thinking how awesome it would be if anyone that wanted to join us at that time even if it's just a moment of meditation to The Lord in the middle of what ever we are engaged in at the moment, I believe there could be a real power in our number and united effort to storm heavens gates with our prayers for one another. We have a lot of health issues, and especially when we know one of us is going through a particular storm in their life. Right now I am thinking of Dick and his operation. I would like to know what prayer request anyone has who needs a special prayer, let us know on the blog in a very specific way so we can come together in agreement in our prayers. I know it would help whoever sends that prayer request in to feel more assured just knowing they are being lifted up to Gods care. We already know He is aware of our needs, but again there is a spiritual force involved when two or more are gathered together and in agreement in prayer about anything. LOL BJ

Dick's Biopsy

Just in case you missed it, Dick is going have a procedure Monday morning at 10:00, on his liver, "ct guided liver biopsy. they do this to reduce the risk of any bobos that can result in a fatality because of the procedure."

Let's pray there are no problems there. Peter

Almost Normal (?)

Hi Everyone,

Life has finally settled down for me. It was pretty busy since the first week of September when the roommate over on 11th Avenue said she didn't want 3 living in the apartment anymore. She didn't care who moved (I mean between me or Teisha) but she really wanted her living room back!! It was a shock because she had asked me a couple of times why I didn't paint my room? But I am grateful that I had the opportunity to have a nice quiet year to try and decide what I was going to do with myself. Of course everything has to happen at once...I started a hectic routine at work because of the firing of one of the girls and then school started.

Teisha and I decided to find a place together because she really has been wanting a place of her own where she can put up her nice things and make it comfortable for her life style. We were using everything of Marsha's down to the pots and pans and furniture. I let Teisha pick out the place and I am like a roommate for her to be responsible for. She pays a lot more rent then I do because she can afford it so I am glad to let her have a place to decorate and enjoy. If Lydia were here I would be a happy camper!!

In the process of moving my Aunt from Fresno called to tell me she had Pancreatic Cancer and she wanted to see me before she passed away. A week after I saw her she passed away and I went back down to Fresno for the funeral. It was very hard because it was so close to my Dad's funeral so my sister and I had to keep each other encouraged. She was 87 years old so she had a good and long life and she knew the Lord but she will be missed.

I will send everyone an e-mail with my new address, I am still using my cell phone as my main phone. Miss all of you and look forward to catching up on the Blog Stories. Love Gi

Bonnie said

I keep posting things on the comments and they don't go through, I must be doing something wrong, ya thing!
What kind of question is that, "who cares about Dicks health?" Anyone that has the nerve to say they don't, has me to answer to. Of all of us I have the most to make up for my not loving him and being there when he needed someone. I was terrible to him when we were kids. I love him the most because I owe him the most. I have tried to call him but haven't been able to connect.
Peter, your blog bothered me because I hope with all my heart I am not the one that has hurt one of you. I love you all so much. With so many siblings were are bound to have different feeling about some things, even if we all grew up together, that would be true, infact maybe we wouldn't be as close as we are now. But Like Peter said are differences make us uniqe and interesting, how boring it would be if we were all alike, we all add a different spice and flavor, to be able to appreciate our differences whether we agree or disagree should never pull us apart, it should draw us together as a unit, after all we are all children of one God and He is the one that created us and knew us even before we were conceived. He knew every detail of our lives past present and future. He is the one that made us uniqly different. He had a plan and a purpose for every life that every existed, and He proved that love by giving Jesus as that sacrifice for our sins, and then told us that we need to love one another as he first loved us. So to not show that love to eachother would be a direct sin against God Himself, also to freely forgive one another since He first forgave us would also be a sin.
I feel so blessed to have each of you and your spouses in my life. With all our experieses in life we need to be so greatful we have eachother, and when any of us is going through trials of any kind there should never be a hesitation to let everyone of know about it so we can come together in agreement in prayer or fasting or what ever God put in our hearts to do to support and to bring about Gods will in that situation. There is no excuse for anyone to feel alone thru there trials. My goodness with ten brothers and sisters and all our spouses look at all the love to be shared.
I have been reading, "The Purpose Driven Life" and also "God's Plans For You," by Andrew Murray. To know we are destined from the beginning, and God is doing a work in us, He will see us thru to competion and He will not give up on us. Everyone of us has a calling on our lives. Once we put religion aside and put God in control, God becomes so real and our relationship with others becomes so much more important, because of what it means to God. But not just our relationship with each other but our relationship others, which would bring me to something really exciting.
Rick and I are moving ahead with our plans to move to Oregon and work with Suzy in here care center. The Lord is opening up doors of ministry and we are on an exciting journey. Talk about a heart of love and compation, our little sister has a heart bigger that the whole world, she has a heart for the most needy needy, God is using her in a very special way and has put her through alot of trials that has prepared her some awesome ministry. It is so awesome how God work brcause here Suzy and I have been away from eachother for years even at that we share a special bond and always have, now she talks about the same hopes and dreams that both Rick and I have prayed about for years, we have never shared with eachother these things until the reunion. Don't tell me God isn't in control of our lives when we let him. We are living in end times right now and it's getting really exciting, we have a major roll to play and everyone of us better be sure we are where He wants us to be.
We only have one life to live and we own that life to God so everything we do, everything we say should be God saying and doing through us, if we would remember God is living through us we would think twice before we said or did hurtful things to others.

Let me see those hands

Ok, let's have a show of hands. Who cares about Dick's health?

Loving one another

Bonding. One thing about a family that I have always appreciated; and I think this blog represents, and Jim brought it up when he first got the idea of a family blog, and I quote, “A central cyberspace place to post that which interests us or that which others may find interesting informative or maybe even downright annoying. Basically a place to share, vent, and converse.”

So here goes: I figure I am sometimes that “annoying” Jim spoke of, but isn't that what families do? The members of any family may not all agree, however, hopefully they have bonded enough to be able to talk with one another about almost anything. People are supposed to be diverse and varied in their opinions. God didn't make us exactly the same, he created us different for a purpose. This provides checks and balances in every institution, including the family. Supposedly we all have a right to our erroneous opinions.

Once, while at a marriage seminar Karen and I attended, the speaker told us, "feelings are neither right or wrong, they just are". The practical reason for this statement tells me that I can't judge a way a person feels, since they are a product of their life situations. For instance, you can't just tell someone who's depressed, 'hey, cheer up will ya'. Then think badly of them when they can't. By the way, this is really important in marriage; often my wife feels emotional for some really complicated reasons. My job, as her husband, is to do everything I can do to help her feel better. Sometimes that means me leaving the room!

All that to say, let's not imagine that family life is a wonderful series of agreements, that's a fairly tale. In our function of a family we will "annoy" one another from time to time. But that will not be the context of our relationship. The important thing to remember, Family, by God's design is to be there for each other.

Let this be understood, there is no opinion, no doctrine, no relationship, or behavior you can participate in, that will cause me to cease loving you. That is the 'normal' way families are supposed to be. Notice, I did not say 'average'; what God has ordained is "normal". Most of us are living in the "average". I know very little of how most of you were raised, but I do know a little of Jim and Chuck's raising. Some of you have the letters I scanned that were from Helen to Betty, mom to Helen and so on. If you read these letters you'll see that unconditional love is possible. Helen showed us this. Look at your own love of your children, you love them regardless. That is fairly natural and easy to accomplish, it gets a little harder with brothers and sisters.

Many of our family, not having gone through the formative bonding years of our youth, we're going to have some times of testing, but that's OK. God will get us through. The important thing, is to never give up on each other. Peter

Our Lawsuit

This is a link about our lawsuit Illa is working on. (if I did this right) Illa was on the radio about this.

Now that is scary.

Jim's started showing off his magnificent body from an early age.

Peter Sr.

Hi everyone, just got home tonight, actually, I'm home for good. I was going to quit at the end of the year but they asked if anyone was looking for a partner and Rick called in to ask about the guy, out of 5 people that responded Rick was the most compatible so I got to come home sooner. I believe God had his hand in that.
Suzy, I totally agree with you about our poor eating habits. People are very educated today about the right and wrong things to eat and how food effects our body's, but I guess it's like being told when we were kids not to do something, then of cource our mind is set on doing it anyway. It's only when we get older that we realize the damage we have done and try to undo it. Since growing up as Adventist and in the health food business we do have an advantage of knowing better but again we don't always do what is right. Then you learn that the things you thought you were doing right may also be damaging you. They complain about fat Americans but use growth hormones when feeding cattle then we eat the cow so we end up with the growth hormones in us, not to mention what they put on our veggies. We tried organic bit boy do you pay for that. Even better reason to have your own garden. We drink only distiled water because even some bottles water is bad for you. Even using a micowave sent dangerous poison into your body, one day something is good for you the next day it is going to cause cancer, go figure. And Illa why not grow corn in your living room? One of these days Rick is going to have a big garden and fruit trees, my dad and grandpa Lange loved their garden, Rick is just like them. God does bless the fruits, and veggies of your labor more ways than one.
And about the crazy traffic out there, and I don't just mean the little old ladies, why do you think I drive, (drove) a big truck with a big horn, and I use it too.
Sandi, it has to be a man thing about the mess's that why God made sure man couldn't get along without a women to clean up after him. Except maybe Dick, I remember cleaning up after you and Doug Dick. LOL Bonnie
On the subject of health, I've heard it said that if you don't smoke, or drink and you eat only healthy foods, you don't really live longer... it just seems longer. I embraced that philosophy at various reckless periods of my life and now it seems that I am dealing with blood sugar and blood pressure issues. Am finding out that one bowl full of greens does not trump a lifetime of careless eating and drinking.

Am having to adjust my standards somewhat as to what constitutes a quality life. For instance, I had this old friend who was a Greyhound bus driver... and after observing his life, I have decided that I want to go peacefully in my sleep like he did and not like the screaming passengers who happened to be riding with him at the time.

Bonnie and I have found it particularly hard to eat right while driving truck.. although an air horn does nicely in clearing little old ladies off the road. Bonnie is particularly good at this phenomenon. Exercise is very important and it appears that Jim has the edge at this time, with skinny dipping and foot watching. Keep us posted on other successful endeavors.LOL Rick

Extra foot anyone?????????

It seems like I stick my foot in my mouth so often, I have trouble walking. So, does anyone have an extra foot in the family that I may borrow? At times I don’t engage my brain before putting my mouth in gear. At other times I run my mouth when I should be running my feet. Maybe, I’m getting too old with too many opinions (which are right, of course). Or, is it that I feel the world isn’t changing for the better as quickly as I want it to.

To go along with my malady, Sandi says that I leave a large domestic footprint. At first glance one could take that as a compliment, and my mind rushes back to all the home improvement things that I’ve done. But, I’ll not bore you with the long list; just suffice it to say that I have left a large footprint in our home.

Upon further consideration, I may take that compliment as just a point of fact, meaning, I have left a dirty footprint behind as I walk through the house. I'm not one to 'toot my own horn,' but I have to say, I may be gifted in this regard. I really, really do try to clean up after myself, but alas, I’m just too quick. I can make a mess faster than I can clean it up. Sandi credits me with being so efficient that at times when I walk into an area, and before I even get there, it’s a mess. Namely, places that no one else ever goes, like the garage, or my office. But, after almost 30 years of debating the fine points of how much of a mess I make, there are some things just not worth the heated oxygen to debate about.

On second thought, even if someone has an extra foot lying around, please keep it, do not share. There’s no telling how much larger of a domestic footprint I could make if I had another one, and I don’t care to find out, I’ve got to get busy cleaning this one.

Phones - Highways - Internet

Who hasn't done it when they were a kid, you call a random phone number. You tell the person who picks up the phone that your from the electric company. You then ask them, "is your refrigerator running?", they say "yes"; then I'd say, "I Know, it just ran past my window" (then hang up)then there's a big "ha ha ha".

Do you remember when the Internet was once called The Information Super Highway? The reason for the name has to do with the fast, available info you can get. But maybe there is another reason it could be called that: If you are prone to be a people watcher; if human nature fascinates you, it's likely you will have noticed, like the phone, the Internet and roadways allow you to be somewhat anonymous. Like the safety of our own homes, we are more free to act in a way which reflects what's actually happening in our hearts.

There is not a one of us, that doesn't want to appear as if we are Together, well behaved, smart, righteous, and a great guy (or girl). Likewise, I think there something in us that also wants to be upfront with who we are. We get tired of pretension, tired of being someone we are not, so when the opportunity comes up, we let loose. Sometimes we express ourselves like a adolescent with crank calls; sometimes it gets ugly like road rage.

Once, I was driving along, minding my own business and an old lady pulled out in front of me, I had to step on my brakes (oh, terrible); anger quickly rushed into my brain, I stepped on the accelerator and started tailgating her. Just as suddenly, while being a total jerk, a voice in my head said, 'your not such a perfect driver yourself, you've pulled out in front of others too'. Then the voice said, ' I don't want you to do this anymore'. Well, I felt thoroughly ashamed, and changed my ways, and never have done it again. I know, your probably thinking, 'I wish God would talk to him a little more". Well your right, I'm trying to be less of a jerk everyday.

One thing helps me in this constant pursuit of moral change is, like the song says, 'God is watching us'. We're never 'really alone'. There is nothing we do that is truly anonymous. A good rule to use, if you wouldn't want your children, wife, pastor, mother, boss, to see what your doing, what your saying, or how your acting, you probably should find another way of being real. Peter Sr.

Anxiety : coffee, alcohol and sugar, The American Diet!

I actually love the rush of lots of coffee compounded by a sugar high brought down in the evening by a glass of red wine ! but I know what it does to my body. I amso body aware .. I can regulate my moods according to the food and ' stuff ' I put into it. But lots of people are not aware that pasta, potatos, rice and bread are all foods that break down to sugars, give little nutrition and raises the bllod sugar. Fruit juices that everyone thinks are so great are rarely fruit and mostly sugar. Most diet substitutes, drinks the candy bars etc are all carbs and the non sugar sugar are deadly. Processed foods have so much stuff in them they can sit on the shelves for years; how do you think your body can process them. Meats lie in the intestines for days, rotting while the stuff that makes them tender goes to the blood stream and pollutes. But hey, Dr and insurance companies are rich; who really cares about the ignorant people putting this crap into their bodies? How in the world do you think anyone can sell real food for less then a dollar?

So I really think most people now days have racing hearts, intestinal issues and mood swings .. and it's starts with the food. Put everyone on a diet of real food and I'll bet few suffer the common stuff we all share .. except maybe the extra vertbra and other weaknesses; again triggered by bad habits and diet.

But that's just my over-educated opinion!
LOL!!

A note from Glenda

I sent her a pic of kayaking in the rain last weekend, and here is her response:

"Oh, my gosh - just the perfect weather for kayaking!!!!! I want to be there. We finally got a sprinkle of late and I was so happy. This is quick - got to get back to work. Please let everyone know that I tried to blog before we did the big move. I couldn't do something right. Right now I have no internet at home (new home). Still in the middle of the move and school is" kicking my posterior.

Gotta get back to work. More later. please send my love to everyone. Love, Gi

Jim

Ben, I found an extra book and will send it out today, I also have some on order so will get one to you Dick but I need you address, call when you can.
You guy's asked for health issues, I also have an extra vertbrae and take med's for high blood pressure and depression, I have a heart murmur which I guess alot of people do, I get panic attacks. I have rupured disc's in my neck and hip and I'm suppose tp wear a lift in my shoe but don't. I know exersize and diet and loosing weight would eliminate most of the problems and we I have gotten off the road for a few months at a time I loose weight and get a lot of exersize doing things around the house, I start feeling 10 yrs younger. Then I have to get back on the road and within a week everything is undone. Anyway love ya all, Bonnie

We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time.

Sandi saw this quote somewhere, and we thought it was pretty good advice.
Jim

Actually, I agree with you. Our whole life should be one of choosing Jesus over self and the world. Obedience is certainly on the basis of love and trust. I am not one of those who says that we can do whatever we want because Jesus loves us anyway. But looking back over my life I see a lot of broken promises and wrong motives.Even the best I had to offer was like filthy rags so... I just have to believe that if Jesus lives His life in me, he will fulfill the law and much more... without all the bad baggage that my own efforts left behind. Its a matter of learning to trust Him with my life... saying yes to Him, but the cool thing is, that rather than being stressed about my failures... I feel overwhelming thankfulness for His power and grace. I'm beginning to think I just might make it all the way. The Captain is in charge.

All of us are facing death and we become more aware of it as we get older. We get to a point where we want to know that what we believe is real and true. You have had an opportunity to face it a little more squarely than I have, but believe me, I can really relate to your desires for faith and obedience. God is with you Ben. He is guiding you. Your life is a testamony to us and we don't take it lightly because we are going through it with you. None of us can stand back and say,"That doesn't apply to me." There is only one door and we must all pass through it.

I love what you said about not fearing death, because there is something better on the other side. That's what makes subjects like this happy instead of sad.But don't be checking out just yet. We have a bunch more family reunions coming up and you are obligated... big time.LOL Rick

OK, Before someone cusses me out your favorite dear sister posted that last one. And yes Dick I have a headache from thinking so much. I'm going to lie down now or is it lay down. Dick I need your address. The crazy one LOL By the way Rick is really crazy about all of you, he loves to read the post.

So think about this!!!

When I read this I thought of all my crazy brothers including you Chucky boy:
Asylum for the Verbally Insane:

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes, but the plural of ox becomes oxen not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, bit two are called geese, yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice, yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.
If the plural of man is always called men, why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show my feet, and I give you a boot, would a pair be called beetth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those, yet hat in the plural would be hose, and the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren, but though we say mother, we never say methren. Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him, but imagine: she, shis and shim!

Let's face it- English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England.
We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and guinea pig is neither from Guinea noe is it a pig.

Why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham. Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend. If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but the one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers preaught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what doesma humanitarian eat?

Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? We ship by truck but send cargo by ship. We have noses that run and feet that smell. We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway. And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.

So if Father is pop, how come Mother isn't mop?

4 % and beating the odds !!!

Well, Peter asked, I was notified I had cancer June 2005. Last Oct. I was in the process of preparing for a secound operation and had been notified the cancer was in the lungs, liver and stomach via mastisis, so operations are not an option. One doctor told me he gave me a 4% chance to see then next October. Guess what !! I beat him, of course , only with God's care. Shortly after seeing that doctor I was notified of new treatments on the market and have been taking them Talk about God's time and timetable, I feel stronger than ever, I have been living on it. I asked God to help reunite Illa and I, help me to prepare the house and bills so she could survive on the retirement and help me to better understand His message to us. I feel He has answered each of my requests and even done more for me and us as a family. I do now understand what the word "faith " means and have even learned to have it. All things in His time. True, I do still want to be here,but,think of it, if all was hunky dory here, why would we want a better place to go to, why hope for a better life? btw I am reading a small book called Ten Commandments. Twice Removed. Written by Danny Shelton & Shelly Quinn. I think it is a good book and asks and answers good "
ponders".
Illa and I bought a cruise to Florida and a cruise to the Bahamas for next year, so, with God's help, you all are still stuck with me. Luv to all, brothers,sisters,nieces nephews,son and daughter and my wife. ( did I get everyon )? course I also mean the ones who married into our family too !! What a unique and great group of people !!! Ben

I am reading a book by Dr. Robert Young called, "The pH Miracle For Diabetes" It appears that most diseases are a direct result of too much acid in our bodies due to the American diet. The body will do anything to protect itself from corrosive acid in the blood stream including creating a protective layer of colesterol in the veins, or storing lots of fat in the body to isolate and store the acid away from vital organs. This way it puts off our dying to later instead of sooner. Acidity is involved in such diseases as cancer,diabetes, heart trouble,high blood pressure, arthritis, alzheimers, demensia, depression, lack of energy etc. As near as I can tell, you have to stop eating everything you like and start eating everything you don't like. This is something I wouldn't choose to do unless chained to a wall, but I am battling with high blood pressure and diabetes and would very much like to improve my situation naturally, without having to buy out a pharmaceutical chain, (or however you spell drug store.) Seriously, its all about eating foods that are alkeline producing rather than acid producing...also, exercise is good for helping to keep a pH balance. Endorphines are right up there at the top, I'm sure. Truck driving falls pretty far down on the list. ps. Luv you too Suzy. I agree with you and Jim that getting out in nature is about the best thing one can do for body, mind and spirit. Endorphines rock!.. and so doees being part of a great family!

As for the book, "Seven Biblical Truths You Won't Hear At Church", we sent copies to everyone excetp Ben and Ila and Dick. We need to order more books and we need some addresses. I had a wonderful upbringing and would not complain about my parents, or family, but it was based on legalism... trying to please God by keeping the law. The problem is, a person can never feel good enough to be saved, mostly because the law was never meant to be kept. It was meant to drive us to Jesus.

Trying to live for Jesus can only bring frustration because we find ourselves in a never ending cycle of trying, failing, confessing, trying, failing, confessing. When we invite Jesus in, we are saved by grace through faith. Not based on any of our works, but then we think from here on out we must somehow dig in and figure out how to become perfect and sinless and after 59 years, Ive about figured out that these old bones are never going to be successful at pleasing God. So what is the solution? The solution is in understanding that when we receive Jesus as our Savior, He comes in and gives us rest from all our struggles. He makes Himself responsible for getting us from here to there. He promises that what He started, He will finish and that He will not lose even one of us. And He will never leave us, or forsake us. So instead of stressing out over my failures, I ask Jesus to work out His will in my life and then I rest in Him. This works really good because now instead of being stressed out by my weakness, I am filled with gratitude for His strength, His love, His patience and His ability to get me through. Now that I understand this relationship I am amazed at how full the Bible is with this concept of rest. This was God's idea, not mine. I'm really starting to dig the fact that it is true. And if I go through some hard times and can't understand them, He is probably just sanding off some of the rough edges, or dealing with my ego, or jacking up my trust factor. In a world and a nation that seems to be falling apart , there is no foundation worth standing on... no political leaders... no bank accounts...no earthly forms of security upon which to cling... nothing compares with the one on one relationship we can have with Jesus. When all else has turned to dust, there will be us and Jesus for eternity. Selah. LOL Rick

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

Four happy campers...or rather, teachers

There is always a district get-together on the first day that we have to report back. Well, all the Hoopers got together for this pic. Rachael got hired this year at the same school where she did a long-term sub last fall. Yeh, I'm happy.
Jim