Well here it is February and I haven't posted since December! It is not because I have been sitting around in the lounger or ocean side, the business is called family, and it is wonderful to have all of them. It is late, I have been going all day so will post more later, but until then here is a picture of Stomie celebrating his 95th birthday! Happy Birthday to our Father.

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick note and some photos to Wish You and all Yours a Very Merry Christmas. Santa's work shop has been in full gear, house cleaning going on for a few Holiday Parties, cards getting done. It will be all pulled together by Christmas Day. As I reflect on this day of Jesus' birth I thank God for my wonderful husband, children, family, and supportive friends. I hope this day is a special day for all of you. Here are a few photos of the home front and our wonderful little visitors! Without them life would be boring. Merry Christmas......and a Happy New Year!

Oh my where do I start, trust me life is not in the slow lane at this house. Joe and I were having a discussion the other night about why is our life way more busy than when we were raising the children and why does it feel like we are being tossed more work at our jobs than normal. We finally decided that on the first issue that even though you have raised your children to become independent in their own lives doesn't mean that you have less responsibility as a parent and that continues in other ways, but we also decided we wouldn't have it any other way! On the other issue it is because we are so experienced (grey haired and wrinkled and embracing it) at what we do that they just keep tossing work at us, afraid we might pull the plug and say retirement is looking much better......

Speaking of our children James has registered to return to college in January and will be attending BSU, Go Broncos! and studying education. Mac has applied for graduate school and is doing an internship with the ACLU and picking up odd jobs to keep the funds coming in at babysitting, house sitting and pet sitting.

The above picture is a reflection of our life at this time. We still have Mama from the original bunch of cats Mackie has fostered and we still have Finnegan, "Finny" who obviously was the runt of the litter and was tossed out in the foothills. He has flourished in our home and we all love him but it is evident that he will never be an outdoor cat. Little slow on the uptake but as cute as possible. He would make a good library cat... whenever you sit down to read anything, he is on your lap. Needless to say he has become Joe's best friend since he does so much reading.

We still miss our little Bailee but time is also healing that loss. Our vet also loved her and gave a donation to the veterinary school at the U of W in Seattle in her name.

Mom and Stomie and I took another road trip this time to Teton Idaho and we were able to see Aunt Fumi in Rexburg and the progress of the High School on the farm property. We also took uncle Bobby to Jackpot, that was a hoot!

Joe and I celebrated 28 years of marriage and are still shocked by how fast it has gone by. We had a wonderful weekend together and a romantic dinner, and some people said it would never last.....showed them didn't we Joe?

Still cooking all meals for Joe's mom and his brother, helping Mom prepare for our family Thanksgiving dinner, both my brother and sister will be here and we are so excited about this.

Mom and Stomie still go about 80 miles a minute and I hope I can be as active as them when I reach their age. Really looking forward to our family gathering next week. We lost a very dear friend today to Pulmonary Fibrosis and may not have Joe with us this Thanksgiving since he will attend the services back East next week for our family. This family was Mac's surrogate family while she was an East Coast girl.

We wish you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving week and thank God for our wonderful bounty of family and friends.

~~deb~~

Where did summer go?

Summer it is such a vague memory at this point......so is Autumn! Oh well we are well into fall and should be preparing for the holidays.....but at this point who cares. We have been helping Mac foster kittens all summer, again the housework is low on the totem pole. We keep the laundry up and Joe and I have spent as many glorious days as possible this summer in McCall. Joe and I laid the kitchen floor in McCall, he sawed and I hammered, it is absolutely gorgeous! Mac and I traveled to Portland for an interview, and then Mom, Stomie and I traveled back to Portland for Uncle Bobby's and Aunt Evelyn's 50th wedding anniversary. Uncle Bobby was in all his glory having so many family members present. It was such fun to see all the cousins and hear about their lives. We decided to take some extra time for dining and site seeing this trip. Stomie has always wanted to see Mary Hill Museum along the Columbia so we headed over the river for the winding drive up the hill. Found some great peaches along the way. The museum and the history behind the museum was very interesting. Over 100 chess games are on display in the basement. We toured the Pittock Mansion and the Japanese gardens also while in Portland. We found a great Sushi place near our hotel and dined on Oysters on the half shell at Jake's Crawfish restaurant the oldest restaurant in Portland. Thank goodness for the Garmin which took us anywhere our hearts desired, including a late night visit to Baskin Robbins. Ten days later I had a work trip to Idaho Falls and Swan Valley so Mom and Stomie tagged along and we were able to see Aunt Fumi in her assisted living facility. Joe and I just continue to plug along to retirement, and consider the fact that we are blessed with great children, family and healthy lives. I know I have missed a couple of birthdays but will eventually get caught up, hope none of you are in a hurry because I definitely am not....life is way to short to get stressed.

As you have probably read on Mac's site we lost our little Bailee two weeks ago. Will post in her memory soon.

The ebbing days of summer are upon us! I am anxious for the weather change but not too much. If I had small children I would be dancing the Staples Dance! We only have small cats and they dance enough for us. Talk about lots of laughter in this house. They are nutty in their circus antics. Bailee can now be in a room with them and is able to hold her urge to kill. She still thinks they are squirrels, but is beginning to see the growth in them and their similarity to Momma Cat, so they are holding their own against her. Two were adopted last week-end at Kuna Days so we are down to three kittens and the Mom. All have had surgeries and their shots so are good to go.

Mac didn't get the first position she interviewed for with Americorps but is pushing on with other options. She is one of the leaders this week at the Humane Society working with groups of 25, 9-12 year olds teaching them about caring for animals. Her small garden thrives and we have had some great salsa. I am sure she will update you soon on her new furniture buy. Mac and I took Grandpa and Grandma Hanami shopping Antiques stores on Saturday and they took us out to lunch at a great place called the Green Chile. In the afternoon we dropped Mac off to tend to kitties, Stomie took a nap in the car and Mom and I walked through the booths at the Lake View Park Arts and Craft show. Sunday it was out to the Emmett ranch with the kids' fourth grade teacher and one of her daughters Hailee. It was warm but lots of fun. Mac is off to Phoenix over Labor Day to visit a friend who is teaching for Teach for America.

Joe is extremely busy with work with several trials pending, my work never stops but I like it busy. My house sure shows it, but until the kitties leave there will be no deep cleaning. Why waste my energy!

James and two of his friends are roofing the old rental this week. Say a prayer for their safety. I have already given them my workers compensation lecture about roofing and my Mom lecture. I'm sure they will be proud when they finish. Nate has the most experience building and roofing in New Orleans after the flood, and he is just starting his Architectural Program at BSU in a couple of weeks.

Man vs Food will be at the Flying Pie on Friday to consume the double Habernero pizza!

Everyone is healthy in the family, including Marye and Fred.

Well the morning chores are calling, will chat later.....Much Love Deb

PS will leave you with some photos from our ranch visit.

Emily I have not forgotton your birthday! I am just trying to decide on Kitty or $!?!? Love Great Aunt Deb

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!