Deschuttes River trip was a float not a white water adventure! Caron and I were the only ones that really seemed to mind because it was a wonderful day to float the river. The eight mile streach we did from Pringle Falls Campground to LaPine State Park boat ramp had a couple of interesting things but was mostlya relaxing float. We saw a couple osprey, blue heron, a redtailed hawk, kingfishers, an unidentified low flying black duck (a stealth model?) along the way and Cameron caught the littlest frog I've ever seen at the boat ramp!

As for whitewater action, we had to portage on river right above the Tethrow Log Jam at river mile 4 to catch the only white water on the whole streach, which is directly below the log jam. Jack, Leo, Caron and I shot the rapid but Signe and Rocky, who had Cameron riding in his kayak with him opted to take the standard portage on river left and bypass the log jam and rapid.

Getting out of the kayaks upriver of the log jam was the most difficult part of doing the rapid. The river is deep right up to the bank and the first person has to get on to the bank without aid. The current carried Caron a little closer to the log jam than any of us wanted her to be before she got to the bank. There were a few tense moments when Leo had one foot on the bank, one on a log that had begun moving with the current, was holding Caron's IK (inflatable kayak) and encouraging Caron to jump on to the bank quickly! After a slight hesitation Caron jumped, Leo pulled himself and the IK onto the bank and let the log go on it's way. I was watching from a spot upstream and waited for Jack and Leo to help me up the bank from there! The rapid is a roller with one larger wave breaking back on the far right. We picked a route river center and avoiding the potentially difficult wave. I went first and got positioned to take a couple shots of the others as they came through the rapid. Here are the shots.

Other than that the rope swing at mile 8 was the only other distraction from visiting as we manuvered around the many logs that reached out into the river from the banks. A wild fire had gone through this area some time ago and young trees are just coming up in many places. A good example of natural forest rejuvenation.

A white water rafting trip was supposed to be part of Cameron's 9th birthday present but he got a campout, river float, and trying out a river swing instead. He told us Sunday that he had a great time so I guess it wasn't to bad that there wasn't any white water action for him.

We had lots of great food all weekend and more shared memories with friends so I feel kind of bad that I was bummed that there wasn't any "action" on the river. Caron and I are the white water junkies and wanted more! Signe kept saying she had a wonderful time floating the river.

Caron's Dad, Sam, camped with us and acted as the camp cook, which we all appreciated! Arriving late Friday night there was a hot dinner ready and both breakfasts included my personal favorites, pancakes! "Ranger" Rod stopped by Saturday night after he got off work and again Sunday morning. He is working at the Newberry Monument this summer which is at LaPine. As always his presence produced a lot of laughter. Kay and Ernie looked us up too! Kay is also a ranger at the Monument and the jobs keep Kay and Rod from seeing friends most of the summer.

When we got home I cleaned the rafts throughly, dried them and put them away, more than likely until next spring. Our weekends are full now with other activities until the end of September!

When we got home we and a new project! One of the main branches of the willow tree broke off at the trunk. It didn't fall completely because the arching branch hit the ground and held the rest against the tree. Jack and chain saw went to work! It was a BIG branch!

I've been working out in the back yard and the gym so it made moving the sections of the branch pretty easy. There was a lot to move too!

The willow needs more trimming but we'll wait until fall. This windfall opened up the south side of the tree to sunlight so my "shady spot" isn't going to be as shady. I think Jack trimmed it up very nicely. He spent some time working in the woods as a choker setter! He knew what to do with the chain saw! In Oregon in the 60's and 70's I guess it was a rite of passage for a young man to work in the woods. Atleast long enough to know they didn't want to do it their whole life! Jack went on to be a lineman for PP&L instead... a WHOLE lot less dangerous?

With the work done we kicked back and relaxed on our fully equiped patio! It is sooooo nice. Caleb did a great thing for us putting the patio and driveway in!

The family picnic was great! Seems like everyone had a good time on Saturday. There were babies from 2 mos old to Uncle Homer who is in the 80 year category! Jack was surprized at the number of people I'm related to but that comes from Uncle Homer and Aunt Peggy having six children by themselves! Tammy, her husband David, Malia, and her three little ones were there from Uncle GL's branch of the family, and Jack and I from Mom's. There were atleast 30 people in the 3 camping spots!

McKaley, Candy and Kerry did a great job cooking for the crew and we ate like royality. Robin and Rick's fresh tuna on the grill was excellent! Hamburgers and three different kinds of hot dogs as well as chicken was rounded out with all kinds of sidedishes.

After eating we spent hours just sitting around the central fire and visiting. Malia is all grown up (26 yrs old) and has three great little ones. Her daughter is the spitting image of Tammy when she was little! She even has her quiet demenor.

Aunt Peggy is slowly recovering from being ill earlier this summer but she and Uncle Homer were there enjoying being surrounded by their family.

Sunday did not go as planned by any means. It had started sprinkling about 10 pm so we covered the tables with tarps. It poured down rain all night and continued into the morning. This picture was taken about 8 am. Everyone agreed breakfast was off and the main focus was on how to get all the soaking wet gear packed up. I felt almost guilty in my nice dry little trailer. Jack and I gathered all the coffee pots and got hot coffee ready in the trailer so there was coffee for those of us that can't cope until atleast one cup is consumed.

Kerry and Brian were the first two up (Jack and I were up at 5 am) and they joined us in the trailer for a cup of coffee while we waited for the rest of the camp to stir. It was nice way to start the morning. If our camper were bigger I would have been tempted to try and get others in too but 4 is definately the limit! Brian and Jack were antsy to get going so as soon as others crawled out of their tents, packing up began in earnst.

By leaving we made room for everyone to pull up close to their gear and load up. By the time we made it out of the camping area and passed the campsite going back down Fairview Road all the cars were backed up, trunks open and items were being tossed in. Camp was disappearing quick.

Jack and I ate in Myrtle Point at what used to be Tubby's... now called the Cosy Kitchen. I worked as a waitress there when I was 18 years old... for two weeks on graveyard. The place looks about the same...I don't think I do. Time passes on. As for the rest of town - it's mostly empty buildings on Main Street. All the places I hung out and shopped in are gone except Safeway and McKays grocery stores - and the former Tubby's.

It took 4 hours to get home and it rained most of the way. Here in K-falls the skies were blue and the sun was shining - as usual! It's good to be home!

It's Wednesday and that is over the half way mark of the work week! This weekend's adventure is the family picnic at Laverne Park. I talked to Cousin Robin last night and several of the family are camping at Laverne so we'll have more than just a picnic time to sit around and get caught up. Aunt Peggy is steadily getting better according to Robin and the sleep study she just did may get her a "machine" so she'll rest better and recover quicker. Uncle Homer and Aunt Peggy will be there for the day but will return home.... camping isn't very comfortable for them.

Caron and Rocky loved the kayak trip so much they went and bought two of their own! We are going to have a fleet! Yeah!

I have to get the info together for the Deschuttes trip in two weeks but Caron and Rocky are going to do the Amacher Park to Hestness Landing on the North Umpqua this weekend. I am so jazzed that they enjoy it so much...boating alone is a big NO-NO. And it's more fun with more people.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying what they are doing! It's the only way to go.

Just a quick post to let everyone know we had a great time this weekend at the Trees of Heaven Campground and rafting that section of the Klamath River. It was Jack, Caron and Rocky's first outing on whitewater in inflatable kayaks! They all did great! I was the only one that went over! It's SO imbarrassing when you are the one with the most experience! Oh, well. We all had a great time! Here's a few pictures... one of Jack and I's new camping abode!

And a few to give you and idea of the trip! Hope everyone is out there enjoying life as much as we did this weekend!

We've got our next rafting trip planned for two weeks from now on the Deschuttes River outside of LaPine, Oregon. No better testiment that everyone had a good time! Hoping Leo and Signe will join the 4 of us for that trip!

Got to get to bed.... work tomorrow!

I've stayed up to late but I finally have the pictures loaded of all the changes we've made since we moved in on June 16th! As I've said before it's thanks to hard working family and friends that these things have happened!

Caleb and Leo where the "foremen" for the two huge projects - putting in 30 yards of concrete for driveway, patio and workshop - and putting in an inground sprinkler system for the 1/3 acre we have!

I am happily doing the landscaping! It's a work in progress but there is progress. The fruit trees I mentioned in an earlier post can be seen and the Arborvita that were in our wedding ceremony are doing great at the edge of the patio. We even got one of the bird feeders hung!

And the very first flower bed is installed at the edge of the patio! It may have to be moved or raised but atleast I have something kinda finished! Since these pictures were taken we've put river rock around the arborvita and I've rototilled the entire area and made the first stab at leveling it out and getting it ready for the sod we'll put in this fall.

We are happy homeowners! :-) This weekend we are off to raft the Klamath River with Rocky and Caron! Our 1st real campout in our new travel trailer! Yeppee!

I just saw the date on my last blog post- about a month ago! Wow time goes fast when you are busy!

In this past month we have, with the help of family and friends, put in a 100 foot long concrete driveway, a 16 by 24 foot patio, installed a automatic sprinkler system, started our mini orchard by planting dwarf plum, pear, and apple trees, purchased a bueatiful dresser, a 22 foot travel trailer, went to Jack's class reunion and visited Diane and Keith in Coos Bay at their new house.

Oh, and I attended a women's retreat on weekend where we spent an afternoon floating down the Rogue River between Lost Creek Dam and Shady Cove. My first white water of the year!

Right now I'm laid up with a sore back from moving the new dresser in to house. When I feel better I'll get some of the pictures I've taken along the way! The house looks decidedly different already!

Hope the summer is going as splendedly as ours is for you all!

Getting settled in! The computer armourer came today so this evening I've been able to put the computer in it and get the office roughly set up. Emptied all the boxes that were in it at any rate. Next I'll attack the boxes in the garage!

I've got curtains up in the Master bedroom and am slowly working on the other two bedrooms.

But when Friday came Jack and I hit the Highway for Lakeview, Oregon as soon as I got off work for a weekend of digging for sunstones with Gary and Susie Rea and their friends, Patti and Wayne.

They'd heard about it on the travel channel and asked if we'd like to join them when they went. At the time we didn't know we would have just moved in but we said we'd go and we are glad we did! It's hard to explain how much fun it can be digging around in the dirt with a bunch of other rock hounds - it just is. We all had a great time and found enough sunstones to make us all happy.

Patti and I even took a turn in "the Pit" after lunch. There are several sunstone mining operations in the area and the four of them had visited a different one the day before. Dust Busters Mine is the place to go - in comparison to the other. The place looks rough but they have a big shade awning and tables that you are welcome to have your lunch at and you only pay for the stones that have gem value. For Jack and I that was 4 stones....the rest were free. We have a baggie full of "clears" that we'll but through the rock tumbler - when we uncover it! The good ones we're going to look into making into a necklace for me.

Just spending the weekend away from boxes would have been good enough but getting to spend some time getting to know Susie and Gary better was really great. I thoroughly enjoyed the dirt, the good dinner afterward, and pouring over our booty later!

Mike enjoyed the day from underneath this converted school bus. Kind of reminded me of Mad Max ... the whole movie could have been filmed in the area! Not all of the digging areas are pits... it's just where we choose to "mine for the day" - looked like fresh ground! We can't wait to go again...we learned a lot about where to dig, etc...anyone want to go?

I'm back online! Cable guy came this afternoon and believe it or not had to run cable before he could hook us up! He said it's amazing how many new houses aren't wired correctly for cable or dish hookups! He did a great job because all I had to do was reassemble the computer, cable modem, wireless network when I got home from work and we were online! We also have cable TV for the first time in 5 days! And a wonderful brand new TV it is! I've been torn all night between TV and reading email, blogs, and now posting!

Houses closed Friday, we moved the bulk of everything Saturday, thanks to the goodness of friends, and Sunday, after 3 trips with truck and car of the "little stuff" remaining, we did a final deep clean of the Roosevelt house, left the keys on the mantel, and made the call to the realtor with the message they were waiting for.... "We're out! It's all yours!"

Here, I didn't do alot - very aware that Monday was a work day and I was exhusted. Saturday afternoon Dad had arrived on his way back to Arizona after spending the week with his sister in Powers and together we unpacked most of the dishes (looking for a glass so he could have a glass of water! ) and put sheets and blankets on beds (Leo, Carl, and Ed had put together the beds before leaving for the day) so we had a place to collapse about 9 pm. I did get to load all the digital pictures of the wedding on the laptop Jack had given Dad last week! I also wrote down how to get to them and run the slideshow! Dad seemed pretty keen on the suggestion that he go to the senior center and take some computer classes with his "new" computer. It has XP on it and is good for most everything he may want to do... right now he is really facinated with Solitare! Dad had left without waking us up Sunday morning to finish the long drive to Bullhead!

The lastest on Mr. Mike is his ear infection is gone! Yeah! Did I post that after the last surgury his ear got seriously infected and the vet had to knock him out again last week and clean it out? When Jack unloaded him from the truck at the Vet's that time Mike turned around as soon as he realized where they were and got back in the truck and would NOT get out. Jack had to put the leash on him and nearly drag him out of the truck! For Mike that is extra-ordinary dis-obediance! Stronger antibiodics and a different rinse seems to have done the trick because today's checkup revealed a well healing ear and they were in and out of the office in 10 minutes!

I'm much more rested these past two days at work so the days haven't seemed so long or difficult and each evening I've gotten something new for the house which is always fun! Even if it is just curtin rods or throw pillows! We've actually made quite a few big purchases and they are coming in one at a time...since you have to order most things and wait... so each day contains something new! Yesterday was curtians for the bedroom and shades for the other bedrooms, today thow pillows for the couch and the cable for internet and TV, tomorrow phone service, Thursday the TV gets mounted on the wall, Friday our computer amoire might come in , next Monday or sometime next week we get our refrigerator...and have I mentioned we are going to be digging for Sunstones this weekend????

I best get to bed! Love you all!

Mondays! Wow! They are alwasy hard after a busy weekend and this one was just that!

Jack, Brett, and Chisato left for the airport at 5:45 am. Brett will be in Japan by this afternoon (tomorrow there) and Chisato is spending a couple days in San Francisco before returning to New York. Everyone else left early Sunday afternoon... after we went through the new house on Homedale. Some may not see it again for several years but Caleb and Mike will be back in July to do the concrete work!!! 30 yards of concrete and I'll still have lots of gardening room!

Brett demonstrated how to climb up the big willow tree and Oliver is really jazzed about the treehouse idea! When my film gets deveolped I'll have a picture of Brett in the tree and Oliver trying to skinny up it! It was great seeing everyone in the yard...a glimpse of what I hope the future holds! It's a great back yard for kids, grown-ups, and gardening!

The appointments for signing are for this Wednesday afternoon! Once everything "funds" we have three days to vacate! We're happy to do so - eager to get to the new - no stairs - house but the logistics are intimidating! We have more than I think Jack realizes! He is planning on doing the move with his truck, trailer and those of friends. We'll see.

I've got to go to bed now. I'm exhusted but got caught up reading my sister and nieces blogs and felt inspired to write to. It is so nice to get to be a part of their lives through their posts. I wanted extend the favor back!

Several wedding pictures can be viewed on Flickr now! There will be many more... these are some from Chisato's digital camera! Quickly loaded but will give you an idea of the day! Just click on sharenbland's pictures...

Wedding Weekend!

Was a whirlwind! Brett got in Wednesday evening and I had an American dinner of B-BQ Country Spare-ribs, corn on the cob, and Ceasar Salad ready for them when he and Jack got in. Dad also was here from Arizona! After dinner we unpacked a mystery box from Florida! It was full of fun stuff! Thank you Sis! I am the proud owner of the ONLY singing, dancing pink flamingo in Klamath Falls! Jack is getting a real introduction to the family!

I worked Thursday which gave Brett a day to visit friends in Grants Pass until it was time to pick up Chisato from the Medford Airport very late (or rather early Friday morning). They arrived at the house about the time Jack and I were getting up. While they caught some ZZ's Jack and I ran about getting things to finish up the wedding cake decorations.

I'd about finished the cakes when Mom and Teri arrived. Chisato and and I where working on the second batch of icing. Within an hour we had the cake decorated with raspberries and spearment leaves and we were off to the Rogue Gorge! We picnic-ed outside Crater Lake National Park and then went on to the Gorge!

On the way back we went through Crater Lake and Mom, Teri, and Chisato got to see the Lake and we went through the restored Lodge! It was so breath taking we ended up having to rush back to the house to greet Caleb, Mike, and Oliver at 8 pm. Our "rehersal dinner" was speggetti and we had a house full! Mom, Teri, Signe and I then spent until Midnight making the table decorations! It was fun and everything turned out bueatiful - in the end!

Saturday at two o'clock we set to decorating the Pavillion. Four o'clock Signe and I rushed off to get dressed for the ceremony - at 5:30. We were a tad late (an extra song length) but we were pretty!

Everything except the weather was absolutally wonderful. We had grey skies and sprinkles during the ceremony and a wind blew most of the time. Everyone was bundled up by the end of dinner! I didn't feel particularly cold but did don a shawl on by cake cutting time!

There will be pictures posted on Flickr later this week... but for now know that we all enjoyed the day! We meant to have the singing Flamingo as a greeter but he was forgotten at the house in the final rush! Got to go to bed now. Tommorrow is a work day again.

Mr. Mike is HOME! The bleeding would not stop so the vet had to put him out again and went in and cauterized the incision. So now Mike is home without packing in his ear and no bleeding.
He was pretty groggy and listless this afternoon but is coming out of it nicely this evening. He ate dinner a little while ago. All is well for now. We'll know more when the results of the biopsy come in.

The news on the house closing is that it will not occur until June 15th as originally planned. The buyer if our house's lender hasn't got the paperwork drawn up yet and hasn't got an appraisal scheduled yet. That works out best anyway! Here we have the 3 guest rooms, the family room and the craft room to house some of the "out of town" family anyway! Sis, Keith, Brett, Chisato, Caleb, Mike, and Judy will be staying here I think.

The unanswered questions of yesterday have been resolved - in good ways!

My trial run of cupcakes went well. I didn't return with any! I figured out a few things I'd like to do different. This weekend I'm going to try out the "main cake" (It's a relief not to have to be packing!) Thanks to friends I think everything is going to come together for a bueatiful ceremony! I'm trying to remember to let everyone know they should bring a jacket or sweater - just in case it gets windy/chilly at the lakeside so they can enjoy the evening. It could be hot, cold, or somewhere in between!

Hope everyone is enjoying life with all it's unknowns!

Yesterday and today have been about Mr. Mike! Yesterday evening I put dog ear wash liquid in his right ear, massaged the ear canal and went to sop up the extra with a kleenx as usual. What was not usual was that the kleenx was covered with blood! He moved away and when he shook his head blood flew every where! I grabbed some more tissues and held them to his ear and they came away soaked too. Jack had hamburgers on the grill but immediately turned that off and called the after-hours vet. They got us right in. The vet looked in Mike's ear and was able to determine there is a growth deep in his ear and it was "oozing" blood. Not being our regular vet he gave us some medicine that would numb the ear so Mike wouldn't keep shaking his head and something to stop the bleeding but wanted us to take Mike to our regular vet in the morning. The stuff all worked and Mike slept most of the night - better than Jack or I did!

Jack took him to our vet immediately this morning and Mike had surgury to remove the growth within an hour! It was deep in the ear canal and large. The vet has sent the tissue off to be biopsed. He's not saying anything more on the subject until the results come in. The current problem is they haven't been able to get the ear to stop bleeding. Jack and I went to pick Mike up at 3 pm and the vet wouldn't even let us see him. He has him heavily sedated so he won't shake his head and is hoping the bleeding will stop. He felt it would excite Mike to see us and wants him to stay still. If this doesn't work then the vet may have to go back in and cauterize the incision. The vet mentioned some other intricate sounding procedure that may have to be done on the ear but said we'd cross that bridge when we get to it. I really miss Mike and am praying this is all going to be resolved shortly! Mike has been my buddy for many years now...I don't want to think about not having him around!

In addition to the medical excitement yesterday, we got a call from our realtor asking if we'd like to close on the houses before the end of the month! That would mean moving before the ceremony! In a way that would be great. In another way it will be challenging to get moved and get everything ready for the celebration!

So last night I packed 6 boxes, tonight I made a "test run" of the cake receipe I plan to use for the wedding - to take to the meeting tomorrow night and get feedback. It's a little unusual and I want to be sure it is well received by a variety of people.

I'll just alternate my evening activities and hope to be prepared for whatever developes! Cheryl said she would get back to us tomorrow on the likelyhood of everything closing before the first of June!

So now I'm going off to say my prayers and then to bed. Tomorrow will be here soon enough with what news it brings of all this things!

Wow, it's May 13th already! Wedding Celebration in less than a month! Closing of the sale of this house and purchase of the new one in just over 30 days! All good stuff!

It's been an emotional Mothers Day for me already. Thoughts of Mom came with a lot of sadness. I know she wasn't happy the majority of her life. I feel very lucky that I have had a better go of it. We visited Jack's mother's grave and left silk flowers - something I've never done at my mothers crypt. Don't know if that is part of the sadness today or not. I don't believe that Mom's spirit is there but it is a show of respect and rememberence.

Working in the yard brought me out of it as working in the yard always does. Life is a cycle and all is wonderfully planned by a far greater intelligence than I. All is as it should be in the world.

Here are a couple of shots of the new house... the "before" pictures! I've been sketching and day dreaming about the gardens already and am chomping at the bit to get started! As you can see the front is done... but then there is the rest of the lot!

Caleb is planning on doing the concrete work for us on the North side yard, the back patio, and the shed/shop for Jack that will be located under the trees in the backyard. Then inground sprinklers go in - then sod in the NON garden areas. I keep telling Jack I'm not much for grass - I don't think he realizes what the means - yet. An oriental garden area, a cottage garden section, mini orchard, raised bed vegetable garden.... hmmm, sound familiar? This will be my last garden!

Yesterday we purchased 4 arborviata shrubs... for the south end of the patio ... but they will serve as part of the decorations for the celebration before that! As you can see we have a lot of landscaping to do! Anyone desiring to get us wedding presents would be safe with any lawn ornaments or outdoor entertaining items! We'll be spending a great deal of time in the backyard!

The lot is almost a third of an acre and has many established trees. The neatest being a HUGE old willow tree that will be perfect for grandchildren to explore... Jack may get drafted into treehouse design!

The East West orientation of the house is great for sunlight in the house and gives me a little bit of everything to work with in terms of gardens... deep shade, partial shade, full sun, woodland... I'll be busy for years!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Mother's Day!

Good news and bad news. I accepted an offer on the Eddy Street house! Whew! The key was pricing it right. As soon as I did it sold! Lesson learned for selling this house! Over pricing it just means it doesn't sell.

The house inspection was done today and we are having the couple of things mentioned addressed tomorrow. Mike is seriously looking for a place for us to buy in his area now! He thought he'd found "the one" only to find out it already has an offer on it.

Mike leaves Saturday morning for Japan! He'll stay with Brett for 5 days in Kyoto. I spoke with him today and he is starting to get excited about the trip! It'll be his first trip off the North American c0ntinent! It might be best he not start the process of buying a house until he gets back.

Caleb and Oliver started Tee-ball this month! Caleb is an assistant coach for the team and Oliver is the baseball player! They both look pretty pleased even though their first game was rained out last week.

Sure brings back memories for me. We spent several seasons at the Little League fields in Medford as Brett, Caleb and Micheal worked through T-ball, Rookies, and Babe Ruth... I still can not eat a corn dog! Dinner options from the concession stand is pretty limited!

Lots of fun and good times are ahead for Oliver, Caleb and Kelly.

Kelly got a part in a local play and she is really excited about that. It's what puts a sparkle in her eye! I don't know much about the play itself but was really happy to hear the joy in words as she told me about it.

I purchased the invitations for the wedding ceremony and should have them out in the mail by the end of the week! So watch your mailboxes!

Sunday Cheryl is having an open house here so Jack and I are discussing taking the gun cabinet to Rocky and Caron in Roseburg. If the weather is as bueatiful as it is today we are going to try the Amicer Park to Hestness Landing float on the North Umpqua! Got to try out our gear!

Hope all is good with you out there!

The weekend passed quickly again! Bookcases, hutch, kitchen set, TV and VCR, boots, and the leather chair and ottoman have gone to their new homes! That allows us to walk through the garage.

Friends, Caron and Rocky, got here from Roseburg about 10 am and we dropped the housework for more fun things like a drive to Crater Lake and an evening of domino's! It was good to visit with them and catch up on the status of all their projects. Rocky and Caron get more done in a week than anyone else I know!

The drive to Crater Lake was a total bust as far as viewing the lake goes. We were in the clouds when we reached the Rim and the lake was completely hidden in fog. It was snowing and the temperature had dropped from 43 to 28 degrees so we didn't spend much time outside the truck! Snow is about 14 feet deep on th the Rim. We made a brief stop at Steele Circle and then headed back to Klamath Falls. It's a good thing the trip was about spending time together not seeing Crater Lake.

Rocky looked at my Metro while he was here and determined the screeching is a fan belt that needs replacing not just tightening. Jack will be taking care of that this week. Caron's little Aveo is the four door version of my Metro so our driveway looked like a parent and child car set!

Jack fixed a great breakfast Sunday morning and then we took a stroll in Moore Park to walk it off! We showed Rocky and Caron where we will be having the ceremony by the lake and then showed them the OIT campus. Caron was really surprized at the small size of the campus. It's only about 5 buildings. I think she was envisioning something more like U of O's campus. The day was bright and bueatiful - the better day for sight seeing! Best laid plans...

After their departure Jack and went to visit Dad and found him making Bread Pudding. He is looking better every day and seeing him up and active is great! We took advantage of the good weather to clean up Dad's patio. I pummelled the cushions to get all the dust off them and Jack hosed down the glass patio table and chair frames. After putting away the gardening stuff and sweeping the patio we set the table and chairs back up on the patiol Dad seemed pleased. He said he didn't recognize the place! I'm hoping having a nice clear place to sit outside will encourage him to get out and enjoy the good weather. Fresh air and sunshine is a great elixer!

That was my weekend! Hope you all enjoyed yours as much!

Easter dinner was a wonderful affair at Ed and Nancy's home! Nancy must have cooked for a week! Carl, Tracy, Darrell, Signe, Leo, Alisha, Wolf, Jessame, Rebecca, Mark, Jack and I ate all we could and didn't hardly make a dent in the spread! We each brought a dish but Nancy had all the bases covered - nobody could want for anything! I had hot cross buns for the first time and carrot pie in whole wheat crust. There was also carrot and onion salad, deviled eggs, parogues, sausage in saurqwart, turkey, ham, potatoe salad, jello salad. And then there were the desserts! This was a private home not a catered affair! We had a great time catching up with each other as we ate. Seems like all of us have been going all winter long and this was about the first time we've all gathered since New Years.

From there we returned home for the final push to get the house ready for "show". Cheryl came Monday and took pictures and it is listed! Since then Jack and I have slowed down a bit. It is basically ready now to show anytime. Jack finished the work room today and took the last big load to the storage unit. We'll be having a garage sale some nice weekend.

There was snow on the ground this morning! It melted by mid morning but it's a reminder everyday is not guaranteed warm yet!

Dad got to come home from the hospital today. He went in one Monday with internal bleeding again and they've been giving him replacement blood all week! We think we've uncovered the cause so hopefully this will be the last episode. Dad has been taking Napersin - unbeknownst to his doctor. Now that is off his list of medications maybe the bleeding will stop. He's happy to be home and his dog Jake is thrilled he is too.

Very busy week on the house front. We have painted the paneling in the dining room the same color as the rest of the livingroom . I've cleared the kitchen counters of everything except the microwave, toaster, and coffeepot. We are making great progress! We've given away some of the "extra" furniture and the rest is getting tagged for a garage sale.

Jack has taken much of what we are going to keep to the storage unit he rented on Wednesday. All but 4 of my hats are once again packed in their hat boxes and stored! It was only 5 months ago I unpacked them! We are telling ourselves this is the last time!

We've gone through 6 houses as of this evening. We believe we've found a house we both want. We are going to sleep on it tonight and discuss making an offer tomorrow. It will be contingent on the sale of our house here but we would like to lock it in if we can. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Night for now!

What's new? Well, I'm sporting blended tri-focal glasses which really helps with the computer screens! The grey hair is coming in strong too! Aging quickly here!

Other than that... Jack signed the papers and Klamath Falls house goes on multiple listing next Monday! We are going to be "de-cluttering" like crazy this next week! But it is the standard hurry up and wait...I am sure. I expect the house will be on the market 4 to 6 months.

My Roseburg house has been on the market since November! Jack and I took a load of things up to Mike for when he gets his place and worked on the house's "curb appeal" this past weekend. We cleaned windows, bleached the patio cement, and weeded what we could. Josh and his girlfriend stopped by and we got to catch up with each other. Turned out his girlfriend knows a lot of the same people in Klamath Falls that we do. It was a nice visit. In Junction City we went to dinner with Mike and then visited as long as Jack and I could keep our eyes open. An early evening to Mike I'm sure but we'd been up since 4:30 am!

Sunday we drove home via the Diamond Lake Hwy and I showed Jack the different raft put-in, take outs and rapids along the way. We got a good helmet for him in Eugene so now we're ready to go rafting!

That's what's goin' on here... hope all is well out there!

Almost the end of March! Got to counting up time until June 9th and it's only 11 weeks away! So I've got planning to do. And my mind has been working overtime! Today I'm exhusted and am going to try and get a good nights sleep.

We got a few things done these last couple of days. Caterer is arranged, park is reserved, Rebecca came over last night and we got the mentoes designed - and I worked on some of the peices after she left.

Chatted with a Brett for a little bit last night by IM. He got his flight information and will be here on June 6th through the 11th. All the boys will be here for the celebration!

Jack's wetsuit, PDF, gloves and splash jacket came before his IK! We are still waiting for the arrival of the Aire Tomcat but when it gets here we'll be ready to hit the rivers! I ordered the appearel as a surprize for Jack so he can use his IK when it gets here rather than have to wait for the rivers to warm up - he was surprized! Hope the boat comes soon! :-)

We're heading North this weekend. Taking Mike stuff for his place when he gets one... and clearing out our craft room. First step to preparing a home to sell... get rid of the clutter! We won't move until after the celebration but it will take us that long to get everything ready! We have lots of stuff!

I tried to make today a day of rest as much as I could! We've been doing more "going" all week with Dad being in the hospital. Dad was overjoyed when he was told he could go home today, on Friday. The Nurse reported he climbed over the railing and was looking for his clothes immediately. He had to wait for Jack to being him some! His ride there in the ambulance was in slacks only!

Dad had told Jack the first thing he was going to do was go to Casey's and get a 10 oz prime rib dinner so we took him to Casey's Friday evening and we all had prime rib! Saturday morning was the monthly Intergroup Breakfast at the Grange. We spent the afternoon at Dad's. Jack vacuumed and shampooed carpets while I dusted, cleaned windows and together we did the laundry. It was an old-fashioned spring cleaning and we were able get a good idea how Dad was doing. He is very tired and sleeps a lot but that is to be expected. This morning Jack and I went to the Sunday morning Breakfast at Elmer's and went to see Dad afterwards. He was up and is doing much better! We heard from a neighbor that Dad had gone out to his truck on Saturday and asked him about that today. He admitted he'd thought he needed something from the store but thought better of it and returned to the house without going anywhere. We got a list of the things he thought he needed and got them for him from Albertson's before we returned to our house! He's promised not to drive!

At home we loaded up all our yard trimmings and Jack hauled them off to the dump while I did a test ride to work and back on my bicycle. The weather is getting nice and I want to start riding to work. We are putting together a FitandHealthy team in the payroll department and will get points for doing things like that. It's a city wide competition and we will win "something" if our team makes the most points. It really doesn't matter what to me... I just want to be motivated to be active! I think I can stretch the 2 miles in to a 4 or 5 mile bike ride by taking a scenic route.

Good news and bad news. Good news is that the weather has been beautiful and Jack and I got most of our spring yard work done this past weekend.

Bad news is that Jack found his dad nearly unconscious and bleeding internally on Monday morning. Jack called 911 and spent a harrowing day with trying to get all the information on what medications Dad takes and why. Dad can't hear anything that is being said without his hearing aides and they didn't stop to get them in the rush to get him to the hospital. Jack ended up going back to the house and getting all the RX bottles and taking them to the hospital.

In the course of the day Jack shut the truck door on his hand and split his forefinger about the length of the first joint! This was after he'd spent a big part of the afternoon shampooing Dad's carpet so stains wouldn't be left from the blood. He should get stitches (about 4 I think) but won't go to the doctors. We've got it wrapped with a butterfly bandage and are putting neosporan on it every time he changes the bandage. It is still bleeding through the band aide gauze as of this evening. He says it's to late to get stitches now. I don't know so I am not going to argue the point.

Dad is being kept at the hospital and has had at least 3 units of blood transfused in to him. He is looking better but is very weak. I spent a couple hours keeping him company last night but when we went in after I got off work this afternoon he looked very tired and sleepy. I decided to just make it a short visit and come home. The doctor said Dad will stay in the telemetry unit until Thursday so they can monitor him. I'm feeling pretty tired myself. Jack's hand hurt him so much he tossed and turned trying to find a comfortable way to lay all through the night... so neither of us slept much!

I'm sure worry over his Dad was going on too. Dad had been complaining of being tired and Jack went to the house Monday morning with the intention of taking him to the doctors offfice. The doctor has told us there is nothing more that should have been done and that Jack did everything right but it is hard not to second guess yourself under these circumstances.

And today I find out Mom Judy has a broken foot and is in a walking cast. It took her doctor three weeks, x-rays, and a CAT scan to figure out what she told him the first day... that her foot is broken!

Seems like everyone around me is having difficult times one way or another! I'm closing this day with a prayer that Dad and all those that I love are given healing and strength from my friend upstairs!

Day 12 - Tuesday - 2-13-07 By 6:15 am and Jack and I were awake and agreed we wanted to get home!

On Crater Lake Hwy heading for White City the traffic and speed at which everyone was moving unnerved me to the point of being a back seat driver and frightening Jack with my reactions to driving choices he was making. When we stopped to get coffee I took a walk to settle myself down and returned to apologize to Jack for my outbursts. We agreed my being scared scared Jack and that makes him yell. Understanding is half the battle! We made it the rest of the way home without any further harsh words! It's still winter here! Hwy 140 had fresh snow as you can see!






















And we have had more winter weather since then! It was a joy to be home - icy air and all. Mike was thrilled to see us! He did his little front leg hop dance which is equivalent to jumping up and down. Jack was really pleased that Mike seemed really torn between greeting me or him!

After being home for a few minutes we went out to the car to unload our suitcases. The minute that Jack lifted the hatch to the back of the car Mike jumped in! I would have said there wasn't enough room for him to fit in there on top of the luggage but there he was perched on top of it all - he wasn't being left behind again!

We had quite a time convincing him to get out so we could unload! With a lot of coaxing he finally jumped out and watched us closely as we pulled the suitcases out. I didn't get a picture of him on top of the luggage - peeking out at us from the ceiling and I regret that. It was comical!

As soon as we moved away from the hatch Mike popped back into the car and there he stayed until we called him in to the house! It is good to be home!

Day 11 – Monday - 2-12-07

We packed our suitcases first thing this morning. Jack became a little concerned we might exceed the weight limit per bag! We certainly accumulated a lot of stuff!

Taking stock of our pesos we realized we did a good job of spending them down last night! We had enough time to spend the rest on breakfast and a few small last minute purchases. One of those items was jar of pure vanilla and the other was a quart of Kailua for Mom. I’d looked in every grocery store we came across for the kind of instant coffee Judy loves but all we found was Nescafe. So we compromised and got her the coffee additive she enjoys once in a while! We are planning to go to her house in Anderson, California and will take it to her then.

Casa Café is closed on Mondays so we headed to Café Marina for breakfast once we had everything ready to go in our room. Café Marina was packed so we decided to try another restaurant at the south end of the Paseo called Tata’s. French toast Mexican style is crunchy!

We dawdled over our coffee looking out across the beach and watching the tide roll in. The vast flock of pelicans seems to have left. We’d heard there were more than 1,000 of the ugly brown guys in the bay because a huge school of feeder fish were here. I guess the school has gone.

Most of the sailboats are almost all gone too. The vast number here earlier was due to SailFest – an annual charity drive to raise money for schools for the Indian children. Evidently the government has gotten involved and now wants to use the funds for the benefit of education for ALL the children in the state of Guermo which has the sailors a bit unhappy. The fund raisers started Sail Fest to help the Indian children specifically as they have the least opportunity and resources in the social structure in Mexico. They’ve all sailed on to other ports now.

A stop at Café Marina for a book for the trip home and to say farewell to Joe Wells – we found a write up about him in our Zihuatanejo book and know his name now! I got Dan Brown’s Deception Point for $2 from his book shelves. We continued to the north end of the Paseo and out on to the pier where a cool breeze was blowing. We sat on the bench and watched people board panga’s for the short trip to Los Gatos, watched the charter boats come in with their catches.

One charter boat came in with a blue marlin (looked like a swordfish) lay across the back of the boat because it was longer than the boat! The fish was huge. Jack estimates it weighed over 500 pounds. It took 5 men to haul it upon the dock and hoist it up with block and tackle for everyone to have a picture taken with it. It will be sold to the restaurants and be eaten today so I don’t feel bad about it being caught and kept.

At lunch time we returned to our favorite fish taco spot, La Mandarina and were joined shortly by Buck and Kathy whom we’d first met at that same spot. Buck told us the route to drive if we wanted to drive to Zihuatanejo like they did – it’s a 9 day drive from Sacramento, California. 2 days of that being from Puerto Vajarta to Zihuatanejo! Mountain roads full of switch backs! Jack has an army friend that has a place in Puerto Vajarta that had told Jack the same thing when Jack mentioned getting together while we were down there. The drive is pretty demanding. Jack passed on lunch but I enjoyed the fish taco special and a chocochino. Saying farewell we returned to our room to gather our luggage and head to the airport. Checking out consisted of giving the desk clerk our key. Hailing a cab we were at the airport within 15 minutes. The cab cost $27 from the airport to town and $10 to travel from town to the airport!


Since we were there at 1:45 PM (our flight leaves at 5 PM) we had plenty of time to print our e-tickets. The Alaska Airlines personnel did not arrive and start checking baggage until 2:30 PM. We were through that checkout point at 2:45 and sat for a few minutes outside the ticketed passenger’s only point. The ticket counter clerk had said to go in about 3:30 but since we were already there and didn’t intend to go elsewhere we checked in to the holding area at 3 PM. Finally Jack seemed at ease that we were not going to run in to any problems getting on the plane. We had until 4:30 before they would even begin boarding the plane. I sat down with my book and read. It is a good thing that it was a good book.

Jack took multiple tours of the holding area and spent the remaining pesos he had not spent – just in case – on candy bars and coconut cakes.

The 1 ½ hours passed and the attendants called for special needs passengers. A line formed that wrapped around the waiting room. I don’t ever like sitting on a plane any longer than necessary so I continued to read. Jack sat with me as long as he could stand it – which wasn’t long – and then joined the line. I agreed I’d join him when he got close to the attendant taking the boarding passes. It took about 15 minutes and we were climbing in to the plane.



The seating was two rows of seats – three across. Our seats were on opposite sides of the same row! We hoped there would be some one willing to switch seats or that there would be empty seats that would allow us to sit together but neither option played out.

I focused on reading until the plane took off. Closing my eyes and doing deep breathing until we reached altitude got me through. Deception Point is a very captivating book so time went pretty fast – interrupted only by the delivery of cheeseburgers that tasted extremely good!

At LAX the plane, being an international flight, was parked over a mile form the terminal and we were loaded on a bus to cover the distance. Already not happy about us not being seated together Jack was aggravated by the inconvenence and delay in getting to customs. He’d been told by “people” that customs is a long drawn out process and he was worried about us making our connecting flight in 2 hours. I tried to focus more on appreciating the precautions that were being taken to insure the safety of the airport. After reading Shadow War I am aware of how highly a prized target LAX is for terrorists.

When the bus arrived at the terminal we were through customs within 10 minutes. So much for what "people" say. Customs officers checked our passports – stamped them and we were done. The longest wait was for our baggage. There was a man who complained loudly about the delay and made a butt of himself among the 100+ people patiently waiting. I didn’t say anything but Jack knew I was feeling sorry for the wife of the man as she tried to quiet him.

When our bags were collected we were off to get them checked in for our connecting flight. It was good news was that Alaska Airlines had a station that collected our bags as we came to the top floor of the international terminal and took them off to be loaded on our plane. The walk to the Alaska Airlines terminal was short and the fresh air felt great. We got through security and to the gate with 20 minutes to spare before they began loading passengers. I gratefully dropped in to a seat and strove to relax for a few minutes before climbing on to another cramped airplane. The minute they called for the 1st passengers to load Jack was poised to get in line again. I spoke out against getting on the plane or even getting in line until absolutely necessary. Jack grudgingly sat down and waited – anxiously watching the line and looking at me for the go ahead. I see a distinct difference in our personalities here and wonder what our final solution will be after we’ve gone through this for a couple of years.

I waited until there were only a few people remaining in the line before I stood up. Jack let out a loud “Finally” and rushed for the line. We were seated in the plane within minutes and sat waiting until all the straggler passengers boarded and were seated. Twenty minutes later the plane took off.

I had catered to Jacks preference to be early to everything the entire day and he was still just as anxious as ever. I’d hoped he’d see that rushing to things just left us waiting for long periods of time. I’ve never known anyone so willing wait or to stand in line when it doesn’t make any difference in the outcome. We are confirmed for the flight, our seats are assigned, there is no added value or points for waiting in line. The irony is that he then gets impatient because he has waited so long (because he arrived so far in advance) that it seems like things aren’t happening fast enough when the time for things to occur arrives. It is exhausting to watch him and keep myself from either lashing out or get sucked in to the anxiety ridden attitude!

I am reasonably certain that my unwillingness to stand in lines and my tendency to arrive just before scheduled times is equally distressing for Jack. I pray God will give us both the patience to work towards compromise!

I practiced deep breathing. Medford Airport came quickly compared to the previous flight. It was 11 pm and the shortage of taxi’s delayed our getting to Days Inn until midnight! It had been an exhausting day. Stretching out on a bed felt wonderful after the long day of plastic chairs and crowded airline seats!

Jack and I kissed, said good night and fell asleep in each others arms back in the USA.

Day 10 - Sunday - 2-11-07 Woke refreshed this morning! Rested and happy! My rash has receded to small bumps. Jack has similar bumps across his back. When snorkeling on Isla Ixtapa on Friday his back received extra sun - the rest of the day he had stayed under the palapa. I think it's sun poisoning or a heat rash.

At Casa Cafe this morning it was suggested that I try talcum powder and we picked some up. It has helped with the discomfort. We've kept to the shade during our walks today and I wore long sleeves to keep the direct sun off.

This being our last full day we made a list of what we wanted to get - a plaque for the kitchen that says "Este Rey si Cocina" (The King of the Kitchen) and a couple ceramic ashtrays for Mom Judy's porch. I also came across a cute silver butterfly hair clasp and a pair of abalone and silver earrings. I am DONE shopping now!

Jack has asked me once or twice if I was done shopping for jewelry and I never would give him a solid "yes" - usually just a smile, but now I can. I have accumulated quite a few "memento's" of our honeymoon. The pewter dish will look great on our dinning room table with fruit on it and also can be used for a meat dish during a dinner! We have coffee mugs, the plaque for the wall, ceramic fruit bowls, tee-shirts, dresses and all my new jewelry!

Since this is our last day we decided to stop at Pollo Locos and have their grilled chicken. We have walked past it every day that we have been here. The chicken always smells great on the huge open grill they cook on but we hadn't seen it recommended anywhere so we had gone on to others we felt more sure of. It was delicious! It seems to be kind of like their Kentucky Fried Chicken - the delivery boy loaded up his "delivery box" (a cooler on the back of his motorcycle) several times and made deliveries during our meal.

Two-thirty in the afternoon and it is HOT. I have retreated to the room to sit under the fan and journal. Jack has ventured off- alone again- to find a travel agency we'd been told would call the airport and confirm our flight tomorrow. He returned within 20 minutes with the mission accomplished but not through the travel agency. He never found that place but he made use of one of the shop's we'd noticed where there are several phones on a table and a person to pay for using the phones - that person will also place the call for you. It's well worth the 3 pesos to have a local make the call!

These jaunts in to the streets alone are risk taking exercises for Jack and he is really getting to enjoy them. To bad we are leaving tomorrow. He's really beating down some fears of the unknown and unfamiliar! Breaking free from habitual routine!

Prior to laying down for our siesta Jack's back erupted in water blisters! Reaching back to scratch an itchy spot his hand came away wet! Wiping his back down with a Kleenex was enough for all the blisters to pop and now he is peeling. We haven't done so well staying covered with sun screen - obviously!

My rash was all but gone when we woke up later in the afternoon!

There is a wind and it is cooling everything down nicely. Jack and I plan to have a nice dinner somewhere to celebrate our last evening here. I have enjoyed our time here but am looking forward to going home, seeing Mr. Mike, our mountains and Klamath Lake!

We went to Coconuts for dinner! It was the original hacienda of the owner of the area now called Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa. Completely renovated it is now one of the nicest restaurants in town. The courtyard was lit with little white lights, a fountain gurgled in one corner, Parasol lights hung from the massive tree in the center of the courtyard, there were lush plants everywhere and soft music played in the background. It was very romantic! I was glad I had "dressed up" in a white silky tank top, a purple wrap around skirt and left my hair down! (I've had it up most of the time we've been here).

Jack had his first Carne Asada and I had one of my favorites, Chile Riano. This one was stuffed with cheese and shrimp. Mmm, wonderful! We had salads before the main meal and dessert and coffee afterwards. Lingering as long as we could in the moment. Very aware this would be our last evening in warm air among tropical trees. Our waiter took a snapshot of us there but it does not do the evening justice.

We walked the Paseo de Pescador, weaving our way through the Sunday crowd at the Zacola. Someone in a white suit was singing on the stage and he sounded very smooth. I think he was a celebrity. The crowd was especially large and since neither Jack or I are fond of crowds we quickly made our way through and continued on to the municipal pier to gaze out over Zihuatanejo Bay. The pier is dimly lighted and mostly populated with locals this evening. Jack was uncomfortable lingering there very long but I wanted to let the view sink in to my mind ~ to remember on cold winter nights at home.

The shore of the bay is lit with almost a continuous string of lights - even on Playa Los Gatos. Homes I assume. Sailboat silhouettes, with their single lights high on their masts marking their location, rock slightly. For once there is not a cruise ship blocking the view of the bay opening out into the Pacific Ocean. Moonlight shines bright enough to see shadows of the bluffs marking the entrance to the ocean. Music, softened by the distance, drifts across the water. The air is warm and soft on my bare skin. Jack's fingers intertwined with mine. This is happiness. I kept us there a few minutes and then I gave way to Jack's urging that we go. We made our way back down the streets that have become familiar. This has been a wonderful honeymoon!

Day 9 - Saturday - 2-10-2007

Last night was a quieter Friday night than our 1st Friday night here. Since it is not a fiesta weekend it might have been a more normal evening.

We returned to Casa Cafe for our usual breakfast. My energy level is very low. On the back of both my hands and up most of my arms I have a skin rash. In some spots pustules have formed and I'm trying not to scratch at them. My left arm is not as bad as the right. Jack says my face is flushed too. We've decided to stay out of the sun today. Don't know if it is sun, salt water, a combination of both, or a reaction to some food but the sun seems to aggravate it. We found a long sleeved Scuba pull over shirt for me to wear as we shopped for gifts to take home for my co-workers and friends.

The streets are brick or pavers and radiate the heat! We finally bought Tee-shirts for everyone we hadn't already purchased for. Jack's ankle has doubled in size although he says it doesn't hurt anymore than usual. Maybe it's the heat and humidity. People are saying it is unusually humid for this time of year. We decided it was siesta time early today!

I finished my third book this evening. I'd picked "Leave No Trace" by Hannah Nyala up this morning at Cafe Marina's book exchange. The story was captivating, which was good because the day proceeded to get hotter and muggier. My rash raised up red as we walked around in the morning sun so after our siesta we decided to lay around under the ceiling fan and read until the sun set. Jack ventured out ALONE this afternoon to get fresh fruit from the Mercado for us to snack on. That was a first! He didn't have any trouble getting what he wanted either!
















About 7 pm we dressed - we strip down to bare essentials while in our room to best enjoy the fan - and strolled the two blocks to Nueva Zelanda on Galena and had dinner. We had a light dinner and the took our "routine" walk to the bay and getting ice cream from the Italian ice cream shop on Juan Alvarez. I got Tarasumi tonight and Jack got a watermelon sherbet. Not on purpose - he just pointed at one that looked good!

We ate our ice cream under the big tree on the Paseo we started making our way back to our hotel is a leisurely way. Looking in silver shops for unique hair clasps, checking prices on pure vanilla at different shops and finally stopping at the little hole in the wall pastry shop just around the corner from our room. Last night the baker said they would have apple turnovers like the ones we got the first time we stopped there. I really liked that and wanted another so we made a point of stopping tonight. No apple turnovers! I settled for a creama turnover. It was okay but but I think I will make apple turnovers soon after we get home!

Jack read until about 8:30 pm and then fell asleep. My book kept me awake until almost midnight. One of those books you just can't put down!