Ambers List

Target Gift Card
Pots and Pans
Vacuum
Iron
Bed Bath and Beyond Gift Card
Wal-mart Gift Card
Silverwear
Dinner Wear

These are the things I really need and sorry its so late.

Claire needs
Clothes size 18-24 months
Kitchen Play Set
Toys (big girls)
A big girl bed ???????

Ryan's List

DVD burnerhttp://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8478667&st=dvd+burner&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1185267958772
Burnable DVD'shttp://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8409377&st=dvd&lp=3&type=product&cp=1&id=1181347550316
Guitar hero 3 [with wireless guitar] (for xbox 360)http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8566287&st=Guitar+hero+3&type=product&id=1188562305833

Anything TOOL except for the CDs I have them all lol. T-shirts, limited edition stuff, posters etc. would love anything that has to do with the band. The attached picture is the poster i really want a lot!!!https://www.toolband.com/catalog/ (ordering from them can take up to 5 weeks but you can use this for ideas)
Gift certificates!!!-Target, Best Buy, Zumies, BC Surf and Sport, Circuit City, Game Stop

ROCK BAND [for xbox 360] (a little on the expensive side but i figured i'd put it on here anyway)http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8604343&st=rock+band+360&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1192232281392

NHL '08 (for xbox 360)http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8499298&st=NHL+'08&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1186004524731

Microsoft points (can be found at your local 7-11, best buy, Circuit city, where ever video games are sold)

And if anyone knows a nice single girl that's looking for a nice single guy that would help also. bahahaha

Mom & George List

DVD’s:
Polar Express
Shrek 2 and 3
Pirates (Worlds End - I think and on sale at Target tomorrow)
Kitchen Ware (all at Kohl’s and on sale)
Food Network cookie sheet
Food Network double cooling rack (for cookies, etc)

I really like the South Pole collection in the junior department at Penny’s (all on sale right now) and here’s a web site for their on line stuff. Since its juniors probably a size 9 in the jackets because I like them loose. Pants would be a small or perhaps a 7 again since it’s juniors. They have these in the stores, too. Fleece Hoodie, Graphic Print Hoodie

Misc:
Movie tickets
JoAnne gift card
Starbucks gift card
CD’s: Paul Potts - One Chance, Raul Malo – You’re Only Lonely, this one has a duet with Martina called “Feels Like Home” , or Reba - Duets.

George:
He wants gift cards to Best Buy because he wants to buy a new printer.

Alesha's X-mas list

Christmas Wishes:

Gift Certificates are always good!

I REALLY need to go shopping so a GC to any clothing store would be great. Here are some other GC ideas:

Walmart

MAC

Any gas station

Restaurants

Just about anywhere you can thnk of!

Carrie Underwood Cd

Movie Tickets

scrapbooks or scrabooking items

ok i am out of ideas!

Grandpa and Jane's Christmas List

Grandpa -

DVDs - Elmer Gantry, Fanny, The Maltese Falcon, Zorba the Greek, The Lion in Winter, The Philadelphia Story, The Cheyenne Social Club, Spartacus.

Alcohol
Birra Moretti, pinot noir

Jane -

Certificate to Front Range Nursery in Broomfield,
Great smelling soaps
Great smelling after bath powder
Neat hats (size 7 1/4 or large)
Kohls - cable knit sweaters from Ralph Lauren "Chaps" section. Any color. Size large

Tish Christmas List

Gift Certificate to Studio Boom in Longmont (hair cut, color etc.)
Shampoo & Conditioner from Studio Boom (Nutri-Chem Shampoo, Tri-plexx Conditioner)
Outdoor coat (I have a dress coat)
Light blue sheets (Queen size bed)
A gift certificate to Stampin Up is always good (my demonstrator is Michelle Theriault 303-772-9561)

Blow dryer (mines about dead)
Red, black, brown or cream turtle neck sweater. Not heavy ones.
Josh Groban "Noel" CD
Michael Buble CD (most recent)
Pink CD (most recent with Dear Mr. President on it)
Carrie Underwood CD (most recent)
Subscription to Cards (http://www.scrapbooktrendsmag.com/ or 888-225-9199)
Ulta Gift Certificates
Flashlight
Movie Tickets
Eagles Tickets
Rage Tickets
Lounge socks from Bath and Body Works
Jewelry Box (organizedliving.com has some good ones)

Savannah GA 11/1/07

Family:

The Holidays are upon us. Where did the year go?

Joe and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on Oct. 31. Not only did the last year go quickly the last ten just breezed by.

Joe, Sharen and I took a quick 5 day trip to Savannah. What a pleasant, historic place.

We went at the perfect time. The weather was 70-75, a little windy at times but overall very comfortable.

Spent a day strolling along a couple of the beaches on Tybee Island. We could see dolphins swimming just off the pier we walked out onto.

We also spent the better part of a day at the Bona Venture Cemetery. It is also beautiful and historic.

Savannah's Seafood Festival and the Savannah Film Festival were in full swing while we were there. We didn't see any Stars but learned that the Regrave Family and Michael Douglas were in town. We did get the opportunity to eat at Lady and Sons; Paul Deen's restaurant. That was the best fried chicken I've ever eaten. Next time we want to check out Paula's brothers restaurant and the Crab Shack.

We stepped into Paula's store next to the restaurant and meet her nephew Jay. Very nice and very cute! We ate so much seafood while we were there! Joe was in heaven.

We will go back. I think we'd like to stay on Tybee Island this time and be very near the beach. We had just missed the "running of the turtles" or what ever it's called when the turtles hatch and crawl out to the sea.

Now it's time for the Holidays and we are looking forward to spending time at Mom's on Thanksgiving Day and have plans to have Christmas Eve at our house this year.

See ya'll!

Marti, Bacardi, and Gaudi Tour 2007

October 17
Colorado
Final, Final Entry (Kind of like genuine fake as opposed to fake fake)

I would be remiss if I did not mention we encountered evidence of Martis in Italy (around Rome and Florence) all over Catalan Spain, and, of course, the bunch in Switzerland. So, apparently, Martis have been kicked out of several places over the centuries, but, I want to address the O'Briens and their ilk.
The Irish are ubiquitous. We found an Irish pub INSIDE THE WALLS OF THE MEDIEVAL CITY OF DUBROVNIK! INSIDE! Along the marble walkways, beside the stores of crafts, around the corner from the church. And, we found Irish pubs galore in the small port of Kusadasi, Turkey, and in Naples, and everywhere in Rome (across from Trevi fountain and across from the Vatican! The Vatican!!) In Florence, Irish pubs flourish in view of Michealangelo's David. In Barcelona, on a three block pedestrian pathway connecting La Rambla to the Barrio Gottic, there are FOUR!!
The Irish (and O'Briens) are everywhere. And everywhere they go they take their booze and try to foist it onto the local public at large.
God love em.
That is all.

Marti, Bacardi, and Gaudi Tour 2007

October 17
Colorado
Final Entry

We must get to the bottom of the Saint Marti story. We checked the internet but didn't find anything definitive quickly so we called our faithful guide from Florence, Felipo. He referred us directly to his brother, Father Roberto, who works in the Vatican for the Pope as a historian and political advisor.
We called Father Roberto and he gave us the straight skinny on Saint Marti.
We recorded our phone conversation with him.
"Hello. Father Roberto?"
"Si."
"This is Phil Marti. Your brother referred us to you. We have discovered there is a Saint Marti. Can you tell us about him?"
"Si."
"Will you tell us about him?"
"Are you Catholic?"
"No, but I wear sandals a lot during the summer, and we know Father John Lager personally."
"Papa John? You aknowa Papa John?"
"Yes, we do. He prayed for us at our wedding. He wears sandals, too, sometimes."
"Si, si. Yoo giva monee to deh Capachins?"
"Yes, Father Roberto. Many times."
"Alrightee den. Ahma tella yoo abowt de Santa Marti, eben do yoo notta good Catholic. Eben do yoo a heathen."
I took a deep breath.
"De Santa Marti, he wowsa poh parish priesta ina village by Barcelona, ina Espana. He wowsa bery poh becowz he hadda de five dowdas, and hadda beena marry two time. Twice!! He wowsanta bery smart. Butta he wowsa good man. He work bery hard and try bery hard, worka alla time. Alla time. Pray and work, and hava dowdas. And den, he haza worka widda hizza seesta who lives ina same town, of cowrze, and she keepa good detail ona everyting. Anda so, nows heza haffa two wife, five dowda, ana a seesta. Den, ina his church, heza has tree nuns heza worka wif evry day, de Seesta Jilleo, de Seesta Pameo, ana de Seesta StarzaInaSky. Dey waza needy and demandin kinda wimmens. So, yoo see, dissa poh fello heza surround bya de wimmenh alla hizza life. Poh fello. Wella, ona day de Pup, heza hear abowt dis fello, Papa Marti, and hizza whole story and de Pup, heza say' "Ow, dizza poh man. He musta be a Saint!!" And, den, whaddayooknow, de nex day, de Pup, he die. And de Cardinals, dey heard him say dizza poh fello, he musta be a Saint, ana de alla say, "Dis musta bin de Pup's dying wish, and so, dey maka de poh fello Papa Marti, de Saint Marti, de Patron Saint of many dowdas and many wimmens. And dere yoo hava it."

Indeed.

Go Rockies!!!

Such is life!

Well although we all go through trials and tribulations in life... today (well yesterday) was not suppose to be one of those days. So this is the month of October, it is just amazing how time flies. I have successfully moved into my beautiful new home (for pictures please request), began training to become a bartender at my job and many more minor accomplishments... but as the good comes so does the bad. :( Yesterday as i was leaving my development to go to work i rear-ended a jeep wrangler. Although i truthfully think it was the idiots fault who stoped dead in a continuing turning lane, my opinion is irrevelent. My poor baby (car that is) is pretty messed up (with restraint in using stronger words.) I was not going very fast and both me and the other driver are just fine, minus some neck pain. But in in conclusion i wanted everyone to know that i am fine and me and my dinky rental (i feel like i am driving a toy car) will make it until my car is fixed. Hope everyone is doing well and can't wait to see you all in the very near future.

Alesha

Marti, Bacardi, Gaudi Tour 2007

We are where we began in beautiful, vibrant Barcelona, a city that never sleeps; a city of many, many beautiful buildings, a city with the languages of the world in the street, a city remade by Gaudi. We see many Martis here. When we checked in our desk clerk said, "Marti? Senor, yours is a Catalan name?" And, guess what, there are three streets in the city named Marti, and a metro stop at Sant Marti. We are trying to find out who this fellow was, but, after all, wouldn't we expect to be connected to a Saint if we thought about it a little. He is probably the patron saint of men with many daughters. He probably died of apoplexy when he came home one day from a bocci ball tournament that got rained out and discovered his teen aged daughter had taken the second mule into Barcelona to shop on LaRambla. (Hello, Alesha.).
We have visited Gaudi's most famous residential buildings and La Sagrada Familia and the Parc Guell (which I call---to Jane's consternation----Park Gooey). From the metro stop one must climb a hill to reach Park Gooey, if "climb a hill" is used in the same sense one would say climbing Mt. Everest is a nice hike. There are not so many stairs on the stairway to heaven. Park Gooey is a failed real estate development. Gaudi and a partner went onto the hillside above the city with the intent of building Gaudi homes for the wealthy. The homes would be surrounded by abundant open space and each would have a view across the city to the sea. He built elaborate infrastructure, including a charming hillside road supported by tree like columns, and a park with mosaic benches, a waterfall and a signature gecko, and, finally, two spec houses. Neither home sold. The development folded and was sliding into decay when, after Gaudi's death at the hands of the infamous trolley, the city stepped in, bought the entire development and made it into a park.
We had started the day in the great central market, about a square block of fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish----the whole shooting match----which fronts on La Rambla not far from our hotel. Speaking of our hotel, we are in the Montecarlo. It is on La Rambla and our room is on La Rambla with a balcony. We stand on it and watch the parade pass below us. We figured we would be able to disembark the ship at our leisure since we didn't have a plane to catch but they threw us off at 6:45AM. We grabbed a cab and were at our hotel at 8:30. Our room, of course, would not be ready until 3. We wandered La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter, had breakfast, bought a Lladro Santa Claus for Jane and came back by the hotel around 10:30 to drop it off to store with our luggage. Voila! Our room was ready.
We have seen some of the world's most unique wonders on this trip. We have been to the Parthenon and walked where the Greeks gathered. We have been to Ephesus and walked where Paul and John walked and preached. We have wandered the ruins of Pompeii, and the Colosseum where Emperors and gladiators played and died. We have been in Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica. We have wandered the streets of Florence and walked where Leonardo and Michaelangelo and Galileo lived and worked. Each of those great historical treasures is a testament to man's determination and his genius and his dedication. But La Sagrada Familia stands alone in its testament to the imagination and artistic inspiration of one man. Gaudi began it in 1882 and spent the last twelve years of his life devoted to its construction. He knew he would not live to see it completed and the plans he left contemplated others would continue the work. When we were here five years ago with the kids little was being done to forward the construction. It is funded completely by donations and the fees charged to enter it. Today construction is feverish. Four cranes sprout from the site. Scaffolding fills much of the interior and the unfinished east side. Activity is frenetic and there appears to be a great sense of purpose in the pursuit of the project. Perhaps it will be finished in your lifetimes. I would love to see it completed. We have been to St. Pauls in London and now to St. Peters, the two great cathedrals of Catholicism, but, I think, when this is done, it will stand alone in its magnificence.
We are on our afternoon break. Jane is bathing. In a while we will venture out onto La Rambla again, find a nice shady table on the boulevard, sip wine (perhaps Sangria tonight) and watch the human parade for an hour or so and then contemplate the evening.
We are in the home stretch. The long flight looms on Wednesday.
Oh, well. We look forward to seeing everyone. We will have a post trip dinner and show photos and stuff.
We were watching the Rockies yesterday morning when we had to leave the boat, but we stopped on the way to the gangway and saw them score the winning run. So, on to the Dbacks. I will call Wingie Thursday morning and get a bet going with him on the series for the NL pennant. That will get his blood up.
Big love. Mean it. See you soon.

Marti, Bacardi, and Gaudi Tour 2007

October 5
On the Cote D'zur
at Ville France
with Monaco to the east and Nice and Canne on the west

Today we had our last private concert of the Music at Sea group. Our group is 43 people plus our travel agent (from San Diego) and includes people from Singapore, Hong Kong, our threesome (us, Terry and Jean Sparks, and Ron and Sharon Wedeking from Iowa) and a couple from Colorado Springs and one from Boulder, and a ninety year old lady travelling on her own (she lives outside Washington, D. C.) and we have people from Texas, Mississippi, Canada, and several other places. Most of them have been on previous Music at Sea tours. Our entertainer is Brooks Aehron, a British concert pianist. He has played three private concerts for us and he is terrific. This last concert was held at a Chateau which sits on about 2,500 acres in the hills west and north of our port of call. It is hilly, wooded land, and the chateau is a winery (one million bottles a year), grows olives in commercial quantities and produces its own olive oil, and operates a small business meeting oriented hotel and conference center. The heart of the property is the ancient chateau (jane may have included a photo or two). Brooks played for us in its grand room on a $200,000 Steinway. The adventure of the day, though, was getting there. Our driver took a wrong turn about half way there and a one and a half hour drive became almost three hours, much of it on twisting, turning, one to one and one half lane country roads, often with severe drop offs and hairpin turns. Jane had plopped us down directly behind the driver and there we were, watching every near death experience.
Tonight is the last big formal night on ship, with all the lobster you can eat and a boat load of festivities.
Go Rockies!! Our cabin boy, Seldon, from Trinidad, is a huge American sports fan; knows what is happening in college and pro football, and follows base ball, too. The Rockies game against Philly was on last night, in the middle of the night. We fell asleep when we were ahead 10-4 in the seventh inning. What a run they have had. I may have to quit calling Clint Hurdle the worst manager in the big leagues.

Yesterday we were in Florence, a wonderful city. At its peak it may have been the most vibrant city on the planet, and the greatest gathering of genius in one place at one time in history. Under the rule of the Medici, this city was home to Michaelangelo, Galileo, Botticelli, the magnificent Leonardo Da Vinci, and many other intellectual and artistic lights. It had to have been a stunning place to be, and, in many ways, it still is. Though it teems with tourists it is far cleaner than Rome or Naples and its antiquities are far better preserved in most cases. Best, we toured the city on Segways, with only four in our group plus a guide and an assistant.
But, let me allow Felipo to tell you:

Ah, mi bella Firenza, she isa de must beeuutiful city ina alla da whirl. Ana we gotta de greatest genius of alla time froma our city. Sheza so wunnerful Ah ama weep whena Ah talks about her. Butta, alla is not what she appearsa to be. Thisa Segway. Sheza says it runna itself, but, NO---you musta provide de locomotion youzelf, ana alluv it. Yuh hasa to lean fronta, lean abacka, lean afronta, lean abacka or sheza no go anywhere!! Sheza juice standa there. So, offa we go, leana front, leana back, turna left, and we see the wunnerful city. Sheza all natural, and sheza da real ting, butta wait!!! Dere iza de doors to paradise (which Michaelangelo named) ona de backa ova de baptistry, and dey tell de holy stories ova Adam ana Eve ana Cain ana Abel ana Noah ana alla dose pipples ana dey are cover in gold. But wait!!! Dese ara notta de real doors!!! De are ina museum. Desa are de genuine faka doors!!! Ahma ashamed to atella yuh, but she iza de truth. De real doors are ina museum. Ah hanga mah head. So, we segway over to see de great Dahveed statue by Michaleangelo. She iza in fronta de great municipal hall. Ana dere he is. He iza magnificent. Butta wait!!! She iza notta de real ting. She izza de genuine faka Dahveed!!! As the French say, "Mon Dui." Canna she be true? Izza Dahveed notta real? No, Ah ama ashame to say, he iza faka. De real Dahveed is inna museum. Butta even so, mi Firenza, she is magnifico. Ah hopa you comma again soon.

Buona Notte me bella donna. Te amo.

I can'ta breath....

Okay, okay (deep breath)....STOP IT, STOP IT (deep breath)! Just to entertain myself, and hoping I could channel my Dad I had to read Felipo out loud.
I couldn't do it without busting a lung or breaking a rib from laughing so hard. The dog thinks I have lost my mind. Good thing Joe wasn't here.
Beautiful pictures.
I don't see any extra puffiness on you Dad. Had to be something you ate. You better check Jane's bag for small viles, or maybe she bought a new piece of jewelry that has a hidden compartment? Tell her I'm watching her. Google has that new "zoom in" feature that allows you to get so close you can look in the windows. (tink, tink, tink...me tapping on your cabin window on the ship).

Love you lots....Miss you more.
Kharen

Marti, Bacardi, Gaudi Tour 2007

October 2
Rome

Buongeorno. Ah ama yoh guide, Felipo. Welcome to Bella Roma, mah beeutiful home. Today we will see many wunnerful things.
This are de Spanish steps. Felipo, you may ask, why are this de Spanish steps? Becowz, dey are not de German steps. De are not de French steps. Dey are de Spanish steps, and, she is so becowz de Spanish they musta ava steps. Dey do not ava de escalatohs. So, yoh see, dat is why dese are de Spanish steps.
Dis is de famoos Trevi fountain. Dat great big fellow on de top with the wunnerful beard and no clothes on, de pipples tink he is Neptune, God of the Sea. But, no! He is not Neptune! He isa Nathan de Nudist. You see, he asa no clothes, eh? Why is dat, you may ask Felipo? Becowz, mi ami, dis fountain she is build by Tony Trevi. Now, Tony, he isa fairy boy. He isa jingle bells fella. He isa fruit of da looma. You follo me, eh? Sure, yoh do. So Tony he like very much the big muscle and fine body of Nathan de Nudist and he putta him on toppa his fountain. And, dere you ava it. Is not Neptune like everybody tink. You stick witta Felipo, I tella you alla Rome's secrets.
Disa de Pantheon. She is a bella bella. Raphael, he isa buried here. Ahma great in love witta Pantheon. Now dis here, dis is a fina plaza. You will notice she is long, long anda narrow. She is build on toppa de old chariot race track. De chariot races, dey were lika yoh NASCAR. Dey de NASCAR of de ancients and de chariot drivers dey famoos lika Dala Earn Heart yoh lova, so much. ahma right? Of cowrz ahma right. Ahm Felipo!
Here we are. Dis is de Vatican City, home ofa de Pup. De Pup he liva here and he rule here. We are ina de great plaza St. Peter Square, but asa yoh can see, she is not so square. Sheza kinda round, you know? And you see de porticos, so tall on de great columns and yoh see alla da wunnerful statues ona top? Pipples de tink dese ara de Saints, but, Felipo, you say, dey are. But no, Felipo say, dey ara notta de Saints. Dis is de Wall of Fame of de Cardinals. You see? Dere isa Dizzy Dean. Dere isa Pepper Martin. Dere isa Stan de Man Musial. Dere isa Red Schoendienst. Dere isa Bob Gibson. Dey alla dere. Even Joe Garagiola, who, of cowrz, was a Italian fellow, eh?
And now yoh musta be tired. Yoh are alla old. You get ona train and go back to yoh boat and tomorrow Felipo taka yoh to de Coliseum.
Bonna notte.

Marti, Bacardi, Gaudi Tour 2007

October 1

Napoli, Italy

We have toured Pompeii. At the time of the eruption of Vesuvius it was a city of about 13,000. The eruption, in 79AD spewed a blanket of poisonous gas over the city (and 8 others) and then buried the town in about 20 feet of ash. 100 acres of the city have been dug up. If Ephesus was impressive, this site is about five times so. Naples is a port, bustling, overflowing with people, cars, and motorcycles and scooters. Walking here is an exercise in daring and terror. Italian drivers do not so much drive as aim.

Something odd has happened to me. I am puffed up like a stomped on toad frog. I think it is something in the Mediterranean air. Jane thinks it has something to do with my daily consumption of about 6,000 calories. I suppose it is just possible---just slightly possible---she may be right.

The archeological site at Pompeii continues to be excavated. We enjoyed the great good fortune of being among the first to see new diggings. We were allowed to see the tomb and mausuleam of the great Pompeiian pro consul Antonius Sopranius. He had been elected four straight times before dying a sudden and violent death. He is credited with being the first leader to implement the enforcement of his rule by utilization of hittus mannus. His most famous hittus mannus, of course, was Pussius Bonspiere. Sadly, Pussius came to a sad end. He tried to corner the Egyptian cotton market on his own, failed, and found himself heavily in debt. He sold himself as a spy to Roman interests who wanted to depose the great Antonius Sopranius. Antonius discovered Pussius' treachery and disappeared him. Pussius sleeps with the fishius.

Onward to Rome tomorrow.

Bona Sera, mi amore.

Marti, Bacardi, and Gaudi Tour 2007

September 30
In the Mediterranean, cruising west

CU 27, No. 3 Oklahoma 24. I am swilling the Hawkins koolaid as fast as I can guzzle it.

Yesterday we went to the great ruins at Ephesus. I am not sure what I expected but this site is unbelievable. The city was created by a General of Alexander's 2300 years ago, but it was the Romans who expanded it 2000 years ago to a harbor city of 250,000, at that time the second largest city on the Mediterranean. It was continuously occupied until 1100AD when it was abandoned because the sea had receded and the port had become a malaria infested estuary. Excavation began about 150 years ago and about 10% of the site has been excavated. It may take another two hundred years to unearth and reassemble all the ruins. There was the second greatest library in antiquity. (Let's see: If the books were inscribed on stone, it must have taken a twenty elephant team pulling a massive cart to check out Gone With The Wind). There was a stadium which held 24,000 spectators. Both John and Paul lived and preached here (and our guide was George. Jane searched all day for Ringo but couldn't find him.)
Our guide was a history teacher performing his second job. He was a charmer.
"I am Jawgh, your guide. You are so lucky you came today instead of yesterday. Then you would not have had Jawgh."
"Follow me, Jawgh."
"Please follow Jawgh."
"Jawgh will lead you to the best spot in the shade for photographs."
"Jawgh, you may ask, why did the peoples leave here?"
"Jawgh will tell you."
These are spectacular ruins. We were impressed and thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
However, no matter how charming, Jawgh ultimately proved to be a crass mercenary. He was supposed to have us back by noon. We had to be back on board for departure at 330PM, and Jane wanted one more shot at the grand bazaar. But instead of bringing us straight back, Jawgh took advantage of our captive status by stopping at a rug merchant (with whom I am sure he had a commission agreement) where we were subjected to an extended sales pitch. I am happy for Jawgh to make as much money as he can------on HIS time, but not on mine, when I have no choice. Bad form by Jawgh and we ended the tour with a bad taste in our mouths. At 130, an hour and one half late, we were back in the marketplace.
Girls, we will be selling most of the things we had planned to leave to you, and probably the house, too, to pay for the goods we bought. Jane is happy, though, and that is what counts.

By the way; did you see the paper today? CU 27; #3 Oklahoma 24. Koolaid. More Koolaid, please.

Guess what happened on that last trip to the bazaar? We came around the corner in a small alleway lined with shops and bars and heard a familiar sound coming from a bar. There was a small crowd of people listening to a four piece combo. The guy on the drums was joking around and getting ready to sing again. He looked familiar. He sounded familiar. He began to complain and whine that McCartney and Lennon got all the attention. We looked closely. Damn. It was Ringo. We listened for a while. He spotted us, waved, and asked us to join him onstage and participate in the next song. We demurred. There was still one credit card that had not been maxed out.
Buongeorno. Te amo.

Marti, Bacardi, and Gaudi 2007

Kusadasi continued

It is pronounced Kushadawsee.
I was wrong. Today is the 28th not 27th. Apparently it has been all day.
We went back to town this afternoon. Surprise! The great bazaar is not 3 or 4 blocks but 20 times that. It is amazing and the sellers and traders are not simply persistent. They are aggressively so, but in a fashion that is not repellent: just the right combination of pushiness, pleading, obsequiesness, and demand honed over about two thousand years of trading. Fascinating.
Naturally we bought more stuff.
It is hard to overstate the influence of the U.S. on every part of the world I have visited. In Venice, Dubrovnik, Athens, and now in Asia Minor on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean at the Aegean, signs, ads, almolst everything is in English as well as the native tongue and many, many people speak passable English. A surprising number of business people are fluent. Today as we walked down the street a middle aged fellow who looked very Turkish passed by going the other way singing "Only You", the old doo wop song----in English. Stunning. It was more surprising than the young Spaniard. We hear a lot of broadcast music of American classic rock and roll, too, as well as some Turkish pop, and once, in a symphony of ailing cats, some kind of Turkish rap.
We both like this place. Ron and Sharon Wedeking, who are the third couple in our group and long standing friends of Jean Sparks, have had enough of Kusadasi. The traders are offensive to them.
Tomorrow we tour the ruins and will probably make one more foray into the great sea of Turkish sharks, drawn by the bait of leather, cashmere, and jewelry, before we shove off.
There is a football player for the Cincinnati Bengals named T.J. Hushmanjah. Jane calls him T. J. Whoseyomama and now she has begun calling this city Whoseyomama. Last night the walls of the fortress were illuminated from their baseand the city lights climbed the hillside above the harbor. Jane took photos of both. Maybe she will post them.
Hasta la vista, baby.

Marti, Bacardi, and Gaudi Tour 2007

Marti, Bacardi, and Gaudi Tour 2007

9-27
2:45PM
Kusadasi, Turkey

Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus (which as we all know is an important archeological site--ahem_). Kusadasi is a thoroughly charming port guarded by a small island fortress at the mouth of the harbor. Tomorrow we tour Ephesus. Today we almost bought Turkey. The town center is only 1000 yards from the pier and it is a grand bazaar of leather, jewelry, cashmere, handmade Turkish carpets (the best in the world) with prices beginning at the cost of a new economy vehicle, and junk. These traders (and they have apparently been honing their craft for about 3000 years) are your instant best friends, revelling in the opportunity to lighten your load even as they "give you the best deal in the land; almost no profit, really, but you are my first customer of the day and we believe it is good luck to make the first sale, so we almost give this to you".
As one young lady outside a jewelry store said to Jane, "Come in. I can take your money here."
They met their match in Janey, though, and after the best of efforts by determined experts from three jewelry stores stores she escaped with her bankroll intact. I was less resolute. I hope all of you like sandstone Turkish amulets. You are each getting one for Christmas. I had the good fortune to meet Jusef and Otto and Hakim, all of whom separated me from my money. Jane did succumb, though, to the blandishments of a fellow who sold her a "genuine fake" Rolex, which of course is far superior to the "fake fake" Rolexes available in many shops.
I forgot to tell you about Jane's hamburger in Athens. We stopped at an outdoor cafe in Plaka (the old city shopping district filled entirely with junk no self respecting gypsy would steal). She took one bite of her burger, pulled the slab from between the buns and thrust it toward me.
"Taste this."
Ever notice how somebody stunned by a horrific odor will thrust the reeking thing at you and command, "Smell this."?
I took a bite. Even well prepared dog is not that great, but poorly prepared dog really sucks. I think it was black lab, but I can't be sure. It may have been golden retriever.
Buona Sera. Te amo.

Dad

Your posting are great and your celebrity sightings have left me envious! Glad that you're trip is going well. Love to you both. Mean it.

Anyone reading these postings, you may have to go to blog archives to view earlier posting from Phil and Jane's trip. It's on the lower left side of the page.

Tish

Athens

9/27 We have been to Athens. We have been to the Acropolis and Parthenon. I doubt we will return. Athens has only the antiquities to speak for it. Otherwise it is a city of 5 million with a poor and overcrowded road and street system, wires, room air conditioners, and tv antennas everywhere, uninspired and bland architecture, and as many tourists as locals.

The Parthenon and its attendant temples tre tying their best to crumble and collapse. The Greeks are trying their best to stop them, so these great antiquities are encased in scaffolding and the sites themselves are construction or rather re-construction zones. Nonetheless it was worth the visit to walk where the ancients walked. We are back aboard for a trip to the gym and maybe a nap.

Great weather, though.

We got back to the ship and I went straight for the computer to record the events of the day. It was dead. It would do nothing. I hauled the thing down to the computer center on Deck 4. First one geek examined it, then another, then three geeks together went over it. They conferred in hushed tones then approached me . "We cannot fix it, sir. I am sorry. There is one chance, though. There is a fellow ashore who is an absolute genius with these things. He can't come aboard but he can meet you at the pier." "Call him."

Five minutes later we were standing on the pier, looking for a computer whiz kid.

But the only person in sight was an old fellow ambling towards us. He wore baggy, old khakis, work boots, a seedy vest, and the classic Greek fishing cap. He clenched his pipe between his teeth. He waved to us.

Jane and I waved back.

"He must want to sell us something." she said. He had what appeared to be a small tackle box in his hand.

"We don't have time for this." I said. He waved again. He grabbed the bowl of his pipe smiled widely and shouted "allooooo" Oh, shit.

He strode to us, thrust his hand toward mine, pumped my hand several times then turned to Jane. He grasped her hand gently, bowed, and kissed it.

"Where is it?" He asked.

"Where is what?"

"The computer."

"The computer?"

"Of course. Why else would I be here?"

Oh my God, I thought. My computer is history.

He sat on the pier, opened his tackle box and pulled out a small pouch from which he filled and tamped his pipe. After it was lit, he reached into the box again and pulled out a shot glass and a small flask of ouzo. He poured a shot, downed it with a flourish, and bent to the computer.

Oh my God. My computer is history.

His thick, gnarled old fingers were too big for such delicate work, but they whirled and he grunted and harrumphed and in short order he had repaired the ailing computer. He handed it to me and, smiling, said, "there it is."

"Thank you. What do I owe you?"

"Owe me? Have a drink with me."

"Sir?"

"One drink."

He bent to his tackle box and withdrew two more shot glasses. We toasted.

"To life!" He said and we threw the ouzo down our throats.

"Sir, I must..."

He waved me off. "Nonsense, enjoy."

He turned and began to amble away.

"Sir," I shouted, "Who are you? May I know your name?"

He turned back to us, raised his hand high over his head, twirled three times about, bowed and said, "I am Zorba!"

Of course. It was none other. We had met the great --Zorba the Geek.

At Sea

9/26

We ran into a strong headwind and blustery seas during the night. This morning we went up to walk a couple miles around the jogging track on deck 11, but we only made one lap. The winds almost blew us over. We went into the gym and worked out. Yesterday was Dubrovnik, Crotia, a small (50,000) ancient port with a colorful history. The "Old Town" inside the walled city is extraordinarily will preserved and clean. The streets are paved with marble salbs that have been in place hundreds of years. It is a thoroughly charming city. They build here with limestone blocks topped by red tile roofs. It is both cheap and attractive. And durable. We drove inland up a small river and lunched under shady trees by the riverside. This area has a climate similar to coastal California. There are olive groves and vineyards, lemon, lime and other citrus, and lots of lush foliage in the valleys between rocky slopes. They suffered a devastating fire a couple of years ago. Many vineyards were consumed. Then we drove to a seaside village named Cavstat (pronounced softet). It was completely charming.

We enjoyed an unexpected pleasure in Cavstat. Jennifer, we saw Elvis! He was singing in a small seaside restaurant. He is older, of course, and wears his hair a lot like mine. He has slimmed down - very trim and toned. He sings his stuff, of course, but now he also sings a lot of Sinatra and jazz standards. His baritone is smoother. We talked to him for about 30 minutes during his break. It is obvious that he is content and happy living this obscure life. Jane got some terrific photos of us together.

On from Venice

9/24 11PM

We left Venice at 4PM, after a day and one half. Sunday was so crowded it was difficult to get around. The city is unique - occupying a bunch of flat, low lying, swampy islands. But the design and architecture are extraordinary. Unfortunately, tourism is so strong, it is easy to feel ripped off. A gondola ride costs 100 Euros, almost $135.00. TOday, though, we took a water taxi to Murano, an isloand town. THere is not one Murano glass factory. There are many. There are big factories, small factories, specialty houses . Altogether Murano is fascinating . Between Venice and Murano is a tree covered island with bearuiful brick walls and a church. It
is the cemetary. Tomorrow is Dubrovnik, and -------drum roll Jennifer----Elvis.

Over the Mediterranean

9/23 9:40AM
We took off into the sunrise above a deck of blue gray clouds. Far off to starboard a thunderhead rose from the clouds like an art deco coffee table on a fluffy carpet. Back to Jabba the Hut.

Jane took special effort to secure seats for us in aisle 8, on the bulkhead adjoining first class, for the long, long flight from Newark to Barcelona. We would enjoy extra leg room and extra convenience, at the door, near a head.
We walked onto the plane, turned right, glanced left, and there, in full repose, in the aisle seat and one third of the middle seat reclined Jabba the Hut. Jane, as is her want, booked herself the window seat. She passed Jabba, who made no effort to move. I took a big breath, squeezed past him and shoehorned myself into my seat, between his overflow and the rigid seat arm on my right, between Jane and me. The tray tables reside in those chairarms, but the caird arm on my left, and my tray table, were completely obscured by, and buried by, Jabba's overflow. He oozed over the seat into the left one third of my space.
New experiences (even bad ones) nearly always have some redeeming features. This encounter was no different. You never know when you will be afforded a glimpse into the future.
I now know what it feels like to be in a cofffin- in a coffin with Jabba the Hut. Tight. Sweaty. Jabba consumed extra quantities of air, too. It seemed as if the pressurized air system had failed and I was breathing the thin air of Mt. Everest's base camp without external aid or reinforcement. Jabba did not speak - for eight hours. Occasionally he rose, with surprising
alacrity and ease, to relieve himself. Otherwise his bulk reclined in his chair - and one third of mine.
As I mentioned before, Janey darlin' slept well over the Atlantic. It was tougher for me. When he inhaled his bulk expanded and his one third of my seat expanded to 40%.
Oh well, It is all history now. I bear Jane no ill will. It wasn't her fault. Just remember, if she returns from Europe with no perfume and her head shaved: your dear old dad had nothing to do with it.
We left the hotel by cab at 4:30AM. There were still thousands of kids scattered along it's boulevard, at the end of a long night of reveling but not yeat ready for it to end. Youth has such stamina and such a lust for staying till the last dog dies.

Barcelona and Beyond

9/23 2:35PM
We arrived about 10AM local time yesterday morning. Jane slept pretty well on the passage. I didn't. We stowed our luggage and went strolling in La Rambla. The city is in the midst of a festival. Big bandstands and makeshift theaters full all the squares around La Rambla and the Gothic quarter. We spent the day strolling, stopping at outdoor restaurants and watching people, and checking hotels for our cruise end stay. We selected a 51 room boutique hotel on La Rambla, the Monte Carlo. Between 7:30 and 8PM we went to bed. Now we are both awake. We leave at 4:30AM for the airport and our hop to Venice. By noon or so we will be aboard ship. Startling news on the telly: first ever case of blue toungue disease found in a cow in Ipswich. What the blue fuck is bloue tongue disease? We thought of you, TIsh, the first time we set out for a drink in La Rambla, about your birthday and how melancholy you became spending it so far from your sister. A young Spaniard strode past us, a lad of nineteen or so, striding up the boulevard singing a Beatles song - in English.
Late in the afternoon we were sipping some wine and gin and tonic, identifying the Americans in the crowd as they walked by.
"There's one". she said, nodding at a middle aged black fellow headed our way. As he got to us, we recognized him. It was O.J.!! He sat next to us, glanced at us and smiled amiably. Jane stood, grabbed her drink, walked to him and hurled the drink in his face. He ran, startled, afraid. Her fury was breathtaking. I was damned upset with her though, with the exchange rate what it is, a good gin and tonic is damned expensive!

9/23 6:10AM Barcelona airport

We are waiting to board our flight. At security Jane's carry on was pulled. Inside, in a ;plastic bag were two questionable things, my cetaphil lotion and Jane's perfume, both restricted materials in containers well above acceptable size. The cetaphil is the only thing between me and 95 year old skin. As we all know, I am loathe to use sunscreen. The Cetaphil helps retard damage and restore health to me ravaged and rapidly aging arms, legs, neck, and face. As soon as the case was opened, Jane realized her mistake. She immediately began to wail like a grieving Bedouin woman - some high pitched sound puctuated by a staccato sound. She offered life giving and life sustaining lotion in an instant while, in rapid Spanish, she contrived to both smile widely and continue to wail as she shamnelessly begged to keep her perfume.
The perfume is with us. My Cetaphil is history. When you next see me my epidemis will look and feel like papyrus rescued from an archeological dig in the Dead Sea. But Jane will smell fine.

And I haven't ever talked aobut the favor she did for me on the tranatlantic flight. Think Jabba the Hut and I will tell you about it later

Gaudi, Marti, Bacardi 2007

9-21
4:55PM
Newark Airport
Buona Sera
We are on our long layover at the Newark airport prior to our departure for Barcelona. Janey has a mouthful of whitening things and smiles goofily at the TSA agents she sees. We are in a bar called Brooklyn's Jazz Brewery, drinking well gin and an unnamed cabernet which reminds me a little of Chateau de Swamp Water.
We have walked the terminal several times.


(sung to the tune of Rhinestone Cowboy)
I been walkin these streets so long
singin the same old song
I know every crack in the dirty hallways of Newark.
Where "on time's" the name of the game
and longtoothed stews are as common as the snow and the rain.
There's been a load of fatassed tourists
in this den of Yankee travelers,
but I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin on me!
Like a Ramblas hooker
strutting down the streets in a star spangled bra with a pair of stilettos way too high
.
etc.

5:30 PM
Had to stop. The joint is crowded and a beefy fellow with a bluff attitude and a big smile asked if he couldjoin us. He is here to pick up an associate from Vegas. He introduced himself as Tony. Said he is "in the waste management business, and some investments." Been in Jersey all his life. We had a great conversation. He has an uncle who is slipping into dementia. Tony helps take care of him, but one night, when Tony was delivering dinner to the old boy, the old fool shot him. Damn near killed him, but Tony is tough. Tony and h is wife, Carmella, have two kids.
Nice guy.
Gotta go. Boddabing.
Fuggedabowdit

Ryan and Brandon

Kharen took this nice picture of Ryan and Brandon. I felt it was worth sharing.

Weekend at Grams and Gramps

What and incredibly wonderful but draining weekend!

Dani, Damon, Laurel, Quentin and Dani's best friend Monica stopped by on their way through as they are on the move to Dallas and we were all here, except Alesha, to greet them and welcome Quentin as our newest addition. They stayed Friday night and left for Dallas with a quick stop in Kansas on Saturday morning. We hated to see them go but they will be back at Christmas weather permitting.

Grand daughter Evelyn spent most of the weekend with us as did Miss Claire on Saturday. Claire loves to kiss the babies! She has such a concern for them when they cry. Evelyn has the most captivating smile and the way she raises her eyebrows is so adorable.

Thank you all for joining us Friday night. It means so much to me to have these little gatherings. Dani and Damon didn't know you were all coming and they were happy to show off their new little man.

Kharen

Hello From Indiana

Joe and I are in Indiana with his Mom, Helen. We've spent time with his brothers Jim, Richard and Paul and had a great time catching up. We met Paul's new wife, Nora and her daughter Kimberlynn.
Joe took me to Nashville, Indiana which is a great little town with a lot of shops. It's similar to Estes Park but not as big and there isn't much around it. There isn't much around much of anything! :O) We picked up a few treasures and Sharen would have been jealous of the wonderful craft stampers store I found.
We have plans to meet up with one of his old co-workers for lunch and take Helen to a couple of places she has wanted to get out too.
It's been very relaxing and we are enjoying being able to catch up with everyone.

Labor Day

I hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend. Dad had a very nice party on Saturday. Janet and Jim were staying the weekend while they went to the CU vs. CSU game. CU won! Poor Janet, she was pretty bummed. Nothing a couple of gin and tonics didn't help with! It was also nice that Alesha and Ryan joined us. We had a Blongo Ball tournament which Jim and I won. It's a game where you throw a rope with two golf ball on the ends at a three tier stand to accumulate points. It was simple and fun. It was great spending the time with everyone.

Goosebumps and Rockies Win

Not a rushed weekend but did some fun things. My high school classmate Cynthia Lawrence (www.cynthialawrence.com) was in a performance of the opera Cavallera Rusticana. Although it was a brief performance Cindy was the show stopper. Her talent has only improved over the years and I had goosebumps every time she opened her mouth. What do you expect for someone who trained and performed with Pavarotti 70 times. She's quite phenomenal.

Brent and I enjoyed a nice dinner at Nico's Catacombs prior to the opera. They did place us a corner then forgot about us though.

Saturday I attended a card making class with Pat Smith. We made a few cards and a decorated box. It was fun. A woman (Terry) brought her two Yorkies who we adorable! One was two years the other 14 months. They were both so tiny. Sorry TC, they were cuter than you.

Sunday I attended a Rockie game with Susan Allard, Kristen Rathmann and her six year old Erik and Doug and Sue Zimbelman. The Rockies beat the Nationals in a nice leisurely game. It was very hot (over 95) but we sat in the shade the whole time. I haven't see Sue and Doug in years. They are busy putting wood floors in their home and anticipating selling it in the next few years. Sue said when they bought this home it was supposed to be a starter home. That was 12 years ago! I'd say that was a good start.

I've been trying to make it in to the office by 7:00 in preparation for my new job at the Radisson on September 10. The hours will be 7-4. Last week the closest I got was 7:10 but I did make it in just before 7:00 this morning. Yeah! My sales job at the Hawthorn has been fazed out so I'll be moving over to the catering and conference center department with Carolyn Burke. I'm really looking forward to it.

New Addition

Quentin Xavier Ault

Grandson to Joe and Kharen Spence

Son to Dani and Damon Ault

Born 8-21-07

7lbs 4 oz, 20 inches long

Okay, okay...I'm finally adding to the blog!

I now know why babies are meant to be had by young people. They will wear you out! Claire spent her second Friday night in a row, sleepover with me this past weekend. She makes me laugh so hard. She will look you square in the face and baby talk what's on her mind. I swear she's part Italian the way she talks with her hands.

Amber and JP have moved into a new apartment last weekend and had to finalize some things on Friday and Saturday morning. You will have to call me to get their new address.

Joe has been spending a lot of time working on his Mustang and the Bronco of one of his co-workers. He says he thinks he'll have it done by spring....yeah right!

I shouldn't talk. I have two antique chairs, a buffet and an antique mirror that need to be refinished and I haven't touched them with as much as a piece of sandpaper. We did find two slightly imperfect, slightly mismatched hutch type cabinets that go beautifully in the kitchen. Yea! More storage. They were a very good deal and we couldn't pass them up. I also painted over the terracotta color on the wall paper with a wheat color. It really brightened the kitchen.

On the gross side....We are having the soffit replaced on the house. The wind had all but destroyed it. So, the pirates (this is what we call the two guys working on the house)started pulling down the old soffit and down with it came bird nests and dead pigeons by the dozens. No, I am not kidding. BIG YUCK!

I am still employed despite the media blast we've been receiving. In case you are curious, Countrywide is strong and will survive this with flying colors. I, on the other hand, am a little stressed but this too will pass.

Joe and I and are planning a little trip to Indiana in September and then in November, Joe, Sharen and I are taking a quick trip to Savannah.

Lastly, we are still waiting on grandchild number four. Dani and Damon are expecting any day now. If she doesn't hatch by 8/21 they are planning to induce. We will keep you posted.

Oh, and by the way, it's good to be the Grandma!

Sunday, sunday

What a beautiful day! I went to West Fest in Ft. Collins today with my friend Brent. Lot's of booths and food opportunities. I bought some beautiful wood roses. 40 for $10! I really like the colors. There were a lot different booths at this craft fair. I took a great shot of an owl at the raptor booth. Let me know if you like it. We stopped for lunch at Coopersmith Brewery. I had a turkey burger and Brent had beef brisket. Both were really good and it was great to get out of the heat of the day. It was really hot. A good rain shower did cool things down while we were inside a great shop. Unfortunately I didn't get the store name. I'll have to see if I can find it.

Oh, you want to know who Brent is?! I met Brent a few years ago when Cheers was still opening and we sang a karaoke song together. It was a great duet of "I'm Born Again". He was dating(?) a friend of mine at the time. I suddenly popped back into town a few weeks ago and called me. If you go to my myspace page you'll see his myspace page there. Don't read anything into it my dear family, we're just friends hanging out.

We did go to the CSU garden after West Fest. What an amazing display of flowers! Hopefully I got some great shots.

The day wore me out and I sent home fairly early. I hope he had fun.

Saturday was Jeff and Tina Grahams 25th wedding anniversary party. I can't believe it's been so long! It was a nice party with a lot of their friends and family. Paul Neimiec went with me. Mark Kirmeir also showed up. Haven't seen him for quite sometime. I loved that they picked songs for each other as gifts. She picked "From This Moment" by Shania Twain and he picked "You Light Up My Life" by Debi Gibson. I know it made me tear up. It was all very sweet.

Have a good week everyone. Love you.

News from the North

Last Saturday I got my first introduction to baby Evy and what a sweet little doll she is. Smiled and cooed until she fell asleep in George's arms. Hopefully I'll get to see her more often in the near future. Jennifer came to visit on Monday and spent the night. We most often play Scrabble in the evening and she comes up with some pretty spectacular words. If we kept score she'd beat the heck out of me!

Not working and trying to keep busy have become challenging for me and while I'm 'thinking' of finding a part time job haven't found anything that fits my 'schedule' so far. Guess I'm too particular. Spend most of my days canning something since the garden is over producing and even borrowed a pressure canner to put up green beans. Hate to see things go to waste and we'll enjoy them this winter.

Baby (the cat) recently underwent a series of tests and the resulting diagnosis is that she may have cancer, but with her age a decision was made not to put her through any more invasive and expensive testing, but to keep her comfortable. It's hard when you love your pets and one of them is nearing the end of their life, but thank goodness there is help at the end to put them at rest.

My next dance competition will be in Albuquerque at the end of September, then Dallas in early November. My pro, Mark Jackson, is not going to do Pro/Am (professional dancing with an amature) next near so it's a good thing I don't want to compete any longer.

It's been suggested that we do a family October birthday this year since we have at least three that month. Anyone have suggestions?

Sallie

A Day With the Babies

Oh, and Kharen too! Amber and JP moved this weekend into a new apartment. It's very cute and in a nice complex. Kharen volunteered to watch the little ones, Claire and Evy, while the kids moved. She invited me to come up and spend the day as well.

It's been a while since I've seen Brandon, Alissa and Evy. Evy is smiling and just beautiful! Alissa and Brandon seem to be settling into parenthood just fine with their little girl. I think the consensus is that Evy looks like Alissa. Sorry Brandon.

Those babies wore us out. Kharen managed to make it through the day without having to take a nap but I wasn't so lucky. That might have also had something to do with an all nighter (for us that was until 11:30pm) with some girlfriends the night before and a half a martini too much. We had a good time though. We stayed at the Radisson in the Imperial Suite. My favorite room in the hotel.

I saw Nicole (my cousin) this week. She had Ryder and Andre with her. She stopped into the Hawthorn to feed her friends Steve's cat Luna. Big brother Ian was at Summer Camp. Ryder, like his brothers, has a smile that melts your heart. He's about seven months old now. Ian will be a first grader this year! Hard to believe. Andre is mom's helper and informed me he helped by moping the floor at the new house. Why to put them to work Nicole!

Mom and George also stopped in at Kharen's yesterday. They hadn't seen Evy yet. Sometimes just the distance of a few miles can put a crimp in seeing the family and the little ones grow so fast. I can't remember what they said they were up to. I actually haven't seen George for a while either. I think mom has already had enough of retirement (January 2007). Wonder if she'll find another job?

Ryan's Jetta finally decided to take it's last breath so he's taken a step into the adult world and is now in debt. He took out a small loan to finance another car. He now has a 1997 black VW GTI. It's a cute little car. I'm sure he won't appreciate the "cute" statement. He's spent a lot of time in Longmont over the past week getting everything from the loan to making the car his own. It was nice seeing him. Since he, Eric and Diane moved to Lakewood which is well over an hour away I don't get to see him much. We talk often by phone and text message though so we stay in touch.

I'm working on getting some more family photo's posted and more info into the site so keep checking back!

Evy

Kharen just sent this wonderful photo of Evy. She's so adorable!

July 22, 2007

Sunday night and almost 8:00pm. The weekends just fly! I just had a long talk with Kharen. I love talking to her. No one can make me laugh the way she does. She and I had a mini camp with our Stampin' Up demonstrator Michelle a while back to learn how to make scrapbook pages. She's really taking off with them and continues to add to the scrapbooks we made for Claire and Evy. Not bad for someone who "hates" making scrapbooks. Both of us really. Amazing for two people who basically make mini scrapbooks. Me with my cards and her with her checkbook covers.

I also spoke with Jennifer this weekend. She mentioned she applied to Khols for a part-time position but they didn't have anything for her. Otherwise she's still working the night shift at IBM (sercurity) and looking for something better.

I'm into my third week of a six week weight loss program. Down 7 pounds. Wish it was more but it is what it is. I sure could use a slice of pizza or some spaghetti! I'm hoping to lose about 25-30 pounds. I realize it's not going to happen in six weeks but it's a start. I'll let you know how it goes.

Well, off to finish laundry and get ready for another busy week at work! Have a great week everyone!

We've talked about this

Many times we've talked about starting a family blog. After receiving a couple from other friends I thought I would give it shot. This is a place for anyone to let us know what's on their mind, place family photos and just stay in touch. Share it with family and friends. Keep it up to date. I love you all.

Tish