What a week it has been! Mackie got a call from Americorps last Friday that she was granted an interview and could she be in Portland on Monday....James to the rescue and they took off Sunday, she interviewed on Monday, back home Monday night only to receive an email advising her that she made it through the first round of two rounds. They wanted her back today, but if one travels any distance they would accept a request for later in the week. She got assigned Friday at 2:30pm! Yea, she is headed back for grueling with a small panel of Americorp members this time. Wish her luck and say a prayer, she really wants this particular job working with high risk high school students with college applications, financial aid, essay writings and the whole confusing process in general. She will be supervising 14 other team members. We are all so proud of her and her ability to hit it all head on. Soon as she finishes Friday we are headed to Marian's at the beach for two nights of R&R, good food, good wine, good conversation, then home on Sunday!

Oh for those who wonder about the kittys and Momma Cat...we can't trust dad with them so another foster mother is taking them for us for four nights. Up for adoption next week.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Little Ricky!

Wow! Where is the summer going? Between housing the six homeless cats and helping Mac with their chores, Cathy and Dan's visit for Mom and Stomie's anniversary, second hand store shopping, helping Mac with furniture refinishing ideas, work, new computer conversion at work, more work and very ill injured workers, McCall (I like it the best, with the exception of spending time with my favorite daughter, my best friend) and getting to see my son(my favorite son and my other best friend) a little more often (only because his sister is home), Mac's graduation party, Mother-in-law cooking (I like this part also because I find cooking therapeutic), learning tons more about vegans and vegetarians, learning tons of new recipes, how to use Tempeh, Nutritional Yeast, (ever made Mac and Cheese without the cheese?), gardening (this can be a real chore when you go to McCall frequently), my other kid Joe, and just keeping the house and laundry current in general, but they fall to the bottom of my list. Life is way to short to worry about that kind of stuff.......Dan and Cathy were great sports when they were here, especially with the cats. Mama Cat escaped on Saturday night when they were here which created a crisis for all but Cathy and Dan......the boys went to bed and Cathy said don't worry a Mama will never leave her kids long......she was right, Mama came waltzing through the back door, just out catting around on a Saturday night. Cathy asked her if she got any tattoos or a nipple ring while she was out. She just stormed off to nurse the chillens.

Then there are the birthday's I have missed and those to come! Let's see, Hannah must be 7 now, Alyssa 8, Rick %6, still acts like a six year old sometimes as the grandchildren can testify to, and Alison and Jeff this week-end, I won't give their ages out only to say that they are aging nicely! Happy Birthday to All!

I just received my 20 year award with the State of Idaho, though it has been 22. I worked the first two years on contract while they were deciding if they liked nurses at the insurance company. They still don't like nurses, but I guess they like me, they have kept me around and it is sure helping to ensure a good retirement for us. Well the other kid Joe is calling, he is making Gazpacho tonight and not sure how to use the processor. Better sign off before he injures himself.

Love to All

Deb