The House on Hybiscus

THE 2012 ROSTER

2012-02-04T08:40:00.001-08:00

Papa + Nana + 2 Generations = The following:

1. Daisy

December 1999

Courtesy of Josh and Belinda

______________________________

2. Baylee

November 2000

Courtesy of Gordon and Josie

_______________________________________

3. Ally

December 2001

Courtesy of Josh and Belinda

_______________________________

4. Rylie

May 2002

Courtesy of Gordon and Josie

____________________________________________

5. Silas

June 2002

Courtesy of Tim and Bethany

_________________________________

6. Devon

June 2004

Courtesy of Tim and Bethany

________________________________

7. Hunter

July 2005

Courtesy of Ben and Tracy

__________________________________

8. Neo

February 2007

Courtesy of Josh and Belinda

_________________________

9. Makiah

July 2007

Courtesy of Gordon and Josie

_____________________________________________

10. Naomi

August 2007

Courtesy of Tim and Bethany

_____________________________

11. Alexia

October 2010

Courtesy of Gordon and Josie

__________________________________

12. Tyler

December 2011

Courtesy of Tim and Bethany

_____________________________________________

DEJA VU FOR TWO

2012-01-19T22:16:00.000-08:00

Debra and I were married ten years ago today. After our wedding, we spent the night at the highest room in the Rogue Valley, on the ninth floor of the historic Ashland Springs Hotel. Tonight, we revisited the same hotel, went out to a movie and ate out at an Italian restaurant.

I also presented Debra with a new wedding ring. She has been unable to wear her original wedding ring because of a skin reaction to the gold in the band. She is now able to wear a ring that is compatible with her sensitive skin.

Debra's new ring is more sparkly than this photo indicates.

Looking up from the sidewalk, our room is behind the top left three windows.

Our view from the south window of our room. The building at the end of the street on the left side is the Oregon Cabaret Theatre.

The movie we attended was showing at the Varsity Theater, located on the same block as the hotel, and seen here from another window on the ninth floor.

Sharing a chair in Room 910.

Sharing the same chair ten years ago.

Sitting on a corner of the bed in Room 910.

Sitting on the same corner ten years ago.

SISTERS ON STAGE

2012-01-14T21:23:00.000-08:00

When Debra and I visited Josh and Belinda and the kids last month, we were able to watch both Daisy and Ally audition for parts in the play, Pinocchio. They both ended up getting parts and today we took Rylie with us for a trip to Brookings to watch the play.

After the play, Josh's mom invited about a dozen of us who attended the play to her house to eat food, to visit and to watch some football. Then we drove back home.

Daisy and Ally were outstanding on stage and the day trip to Brookings could not have been more fun.

The program cover.

Along the way, Debra and Rylie and I stopped at a rest area next to the Highway 199 tunnel.

Daisy was cast as Lorenza the Magnifica and Ally was cast as Carlotta the Puppeteer.

As the audience waits for the play to begin, Neo looks toward the stage while Rylie and Debra read the program.

Neo shows me the program.

Lorenza the Magnifica speaks to Pinocchio.

Carlotta works her puppet.

Both Daisy and Ally had their bios printed in the program.

Debra read the program before I did and said, "Bruce, you need to see what Daisy's bio says." I took the program, read the bio, and immediately got a lump in my throat.

LEARNING TAYLOR SWIFT SONGS

2012-01-08T09:49:00.001-08:00

Very few men in their seventh decade of life are into the music of Taylor Swift. I am no exception. I am more into the music of the Beatles, or Simon and Garfunkel, or Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Mostly, I am into the music of singers who are either old or dead.

But I am also very much into our grandchildren. And one of our grandchildren, Baylee, has been playing guitar for a little over a year now and she is into the music of Taylor Swift. In fact, a couple of months ago she gave me a song sheet of a Taylor Swift Christmas song and asked me if I’d perform it with her in front of the family on Christmas day. But before we performed it, I prepared a sing-along video so that Baylee and I could each practice it individually from our own homes on YouTube before playing it for the family.
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Then I thought it might be fun to put together one more Taylor Swift song, along with lyrics and guitar chords, and post that one on YouTube, too. Now Baylee can learn one more song in this particular genre. And this may very well be the last Taylor Swift song I’ll ever be learning, goo goo g’joob.

To learn this song:
(1) Pick up a guitar
(2) Place a capo on the first fret
(3) Click here

DEATH OF A TREE

2012-01-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

This is how our tree looked during the summer of 2005, when I was building a mowing strip around the lawn and a hedge along the sidewalk...

This is how our tree looks today...

This is how our tree looked in the spring of 2009, just after Rich painted our house...

This is how our tree looked in the fall of 2009, just before I raked some of its leaves...

This is what our former tree location looks like today...

This is why I cut down the tree...

The dark spots are disease.

A few years ago, I had noticed what appeared to be a mushroom growing from the side of the tree. I went to the local grange to see if I could repair the tree by cutting out the diseased section and somehow sealing it. They told me that the disease could not be repaired and that the tree would eventually die.

I feared that the tree might someday meet its ultimate demise by falling, fully loaded with leaves, directly into our house. To avoid such a potential disaster, I cut it down.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 15 of 15)

2011-12-27T10:30:00.000-08:00

CREATIVELY CHOREOGRAPHED COUSINS

Early last month, Daisy, Baylee, Ally and Rylie spent a weekend together at our house. They had a blast and have been begging us ever since to do it again. Therefore, we'll probably have another girl-cousin-only-two-night-sleep-over again at our house in February.

Meanwhile, this cute little female foursome got together on Christmas day and planned, practiced and performed an outstanding song and dance routine.

And here they are . . .

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 14 of 15)

2011-12-27T07:52:00.000-08:00

SINGING CHRISTMAS SONGS

As Christmas came to an end, the twenty of us who gathered together in our home sang a few songs together. Baylee and I provided guitar accompaniment for some traditional Christmas carols.

After that, she and I sang a duet that she had asked me to sing with her: Taylor Swift's Christmas Must Be Something More.

Before Makiah went home for the evening, I asked her, "What was your favorite part of Christmas?" She answered, "Singing!"

Gordon, Josie, Josh and Neo sing from songbooks we printed for the occasion. Neo is shown with a lollipop. Neo's lollipop received honorable mention in the video below.

Silas holds his songbook.

Other vocalists include Bethany, Ashley, Alexia, Rylie, Ally, Daisy, Makiah and Naomi.

Tim documents the singing event on camera. Shown in the background is Josie. Also shown in the background is Neo's right hand and his lollipop. Neo's lollipop received honorable mention in the video below.

To view the video, click here.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 13 of 15)

2011-12-27T07:14:00.000-08:00

GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO STAND TOGETHER IN FRONT OF A CHRISTMAS TREE

The Moffits

The Weathersbys

Perkins, Vallo, Moffit and Weathersby gang

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 12 of 15)

2011-12-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

TYLER ALL BY HIMSELF WITH NOBODY ELSE IN THE PICTURE

Away in a laundry basket

No crib for his bed

The baby boy Tyler

Lay down his sweet head.

Away in a laundry basket

No crib for a bed

His little left eyeball

Peeks out from his head.

Some photos more suitable for framing than others.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 11 of 15)

2011-12-27T06:48:00.000-08:00

FOOD

Long before Christmas came, we knew that 20 people would be in our home for dinner and that they all lived too far away to help with food. The food furnishing fell fully on us.

Our challenge was to prepare enough food with only one small double oven and a stove with one burner not working.

We decided to use the outdoor propane grill to cook the ham and we bought an electric roaster to reheat the turkey that was cooked a couple of days ahead of time.

In the end, the meal was served about an hour later than expected, but all the dishes were warm and ready to serve at the same time. And the crowd was so engaged with each other that the waiting was no problem.

To take care of the need for seating the multitudes, we rented two tables and sixteen chairs from Party Place.

Debra and Ashley finish the food preparation.

The grandkids had their own table in our covered patio.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 10 of 15)

2011-12-27T06:41:00.000-08:00

THE PRETEND FAMILY

The five essential elements of a pretend family include:
1. Mom
2. Dad
3. Baby
4. Horse
5. Gum

But don't take my word for it. Let the pretend family speak for themselves.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 9 of 15)

2011-12-27T06:33:00.000-08:00

COPING WITH SUB-FREEZING WEATHER

The weather outside was frightful on Christmas day. When I stepped into the back yard with five of our grandchildren, the thermometer stood at 29 degrees Fahrenheit.

Each of the six of us had different ways to cope with the cold.

Silas, Devon, Neo and Ally brave the weather by submerging themselves in 102-degree water.

Naomi eventually joined the hot tub crowd while I played the part of a lifeguard in a down jacket and a knit cap.

As my hands began to freeze, I tried to cover them with my jacket. Eventually, I put on gloves.

Ally stepped into the pool which, interestingly, was 2 degrees below freezing, yet not frozen.

Devon also stepped into the frigid waters and eventually won an endurance contest among the five hot-tubbers. They all got out of the hot tub to see who could endure the cold air the longest before getting back into the warm spa. Devon won the contest by standing beside the hot tub for over 12 minutes before climbing back into the tub.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 8 of 15)

2011-12-27T06:27:00.000-08:00

SISTERS

Bethany and Belinda both have photogenic moments. Also, they both have not-so-photogenic moments. Both daughters. Both kinds of moments.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 7 of 15)

2011-12-27T06:11:00.000-08:00

BROTHERS

Silas and Devon root for competing college teams. Silas is a Duck fan. Devon is a Beaver fan. So, for Christmas, each boy received a baseball cap to advertise their respective loyalties.

Happy.

Cool.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 6 of 15)

2011-12-27T05:58:00.000-08:00

SHOCK AND AWE

You don't need audio. You don't need video. The face says it all.

Neo opens a box and finds a winning lottery ticket? No. An all-expense paid vacation to Disneyland? No. A pair of pajamas? Yes!

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 5 of 15)

2011-12-27T05:53:00.000-08:00

NAOMI'S FOOT, ETC.

Creative photo-artistry at its finest.

From left to right: Ally, Daisy, Naomi's foot, Ashley (shown directly above lateral aspect of Naomi's big toe), and Nana.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 4 of 15)

2011-12-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS WRAP DEMOLITION PROJECT

It is more blessed to receive than to give, for some people.

Especially children.

Typically, they don't get excited about Christmas because they get to watch a bunch of other people open gifts. The fun is in the ripping and tearing and shredding of Christmas wrapping paper and in the discovery of what lies beneath it.

But grown-ups enjoy all that stuff, too.

The first gift of the morning is opened by Neo.

Ashley's turn.

Followed by Daisy.

Ally's hands are quicker than her eyes, as evidenced by the blur at the end of each of her arms.

Tim opens a gift that does not fit him. It is not for him. It is for someone who Belinda is holding.

Belinda, whose hands are also a blur, opens and holds up her gift.

Naomi watches Uncle Josh open a gift while Silas watches something else.

Devon digs himself through wrapping paper into a Beaver's baseball cap.

Time for Naomi.

Bethany shows off her gift.

Nana opens her present...

...and appears to be pleased with what she has found.

Devon tears into another gift.

Naomi watches her dad open his gift.

Tim flaunts his gift before the crowd.

A trio of four-year-olds clown around during the demolition process.

Baylee opens a gift.

Rylie opens a present while Baylee continues to check hers out.

Makiah holds up a new set of pajamas.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 3 of 15)

2011-12-26T16:20:00.000-08:00

READING TIME

Uncle Josh reads to Naomi before realizing that it's all being documented on camera.

Belinda and Bethany do some eReading.

Nana reads Elmo & Friends to Neo.

Naomi joins the action after negotiating some lap room.

Uncle Josh and Devon share a book.

Daisy gravitates toward her favorite book at Papa and Nana's house: Ripley's Believe it or Not.

Nearsighted Tim and Belinda? No. They're both trying to see a 3-D image in a book of optical illusions.

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 2 of 15)

2011-12-26T14:54:00.000-08:00

PLAYING WELL TOGETHER

When members of our family get together, games come out of closets and laughter comes out of mouths. That's just the way it is.

Silas and Ally waste no time getting started on a long, monotonous game of Monotony, er, uh, Monopoly.

Eventually, Ally disappears from the game, Daisy shows up, and the game moves from the floor to a table. As a side note, the game was never completed.

Ashley shows Neo a game on her phone. Neo spends the next few moments moaning and sighing with a motor-skill-frustration in his tone.

While Tyler was soaking up snuggles from everyone under the roof, Aunt Beep thought that Silas might want some personal snuggling of his own. He did not.

Ashley helps Neo move magnetic hair around on a cardboard face while Naomi takes her turn with Ashley's phone app.

Still playing together.

He played the drum for Him

Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum

Rum, pa, pum, pum

Naomi's turn

Rum, pa, pum, pum

CHRISTMAS NOTES (Part 1 of 15)

2011-12-26T14:20:00.000-08:00

GETTING TO KNOW TYLER

This year's Christmas gathering included the Moffits, the Vallos and the Weathersbys. None of us, except the Weathersbys, had met Tyler before this weekend. So, his arrival came with much anticipation.

Ally and Tyler lock eyes on each other.

Tyler locks eyes on Daisy while Daisy and Naomi face the camera.

Neo checks out his youngest cousin.

Aunt Beep exercises her soothing effect on humanity.

Uncle Josh multi-tasks with Tyler in his right hand and a kakuro puzzle in his left hand.

Nana is being observed.

Tyler and Papa.

FOOD PRE-PREP ON A COLD PRE-CHRISTMAS DAY

2011-12-22T12:11:00.001-08:00

With twenty humans soon indwelling our home for a Christmas feast, our challenge has been: "How do we prepare all the food so that it is all ready to serve at the same time?" Part of this challenge has been a small oven and a stove top that has one burner that doesn't work.

So, thanks to easy-to-access ideas on the Internet, we are meeting the challenge. Today, Debra and I peeled twenty potatoes and eleven sweet potatoes, placed them is water and set them in the garage for the next 72 hours. According to the information we obtained, they will store in water just fine and will not turn brown while they are submerged.

That's one food prep task we can now check off our to-do list.

However, rinsing out the potato peel bucket presented a challenge of its own.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes wait on a workbench in the garage for Christmas consumption.

Even though the morning passed and the afternoon arrived, it was still too cold to use the hose in the back yard to rinse the peels from the bucket.

WEEKEND WITH THE MOFFITS

2011-12-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

Debra and I just returned from a fun-filled weekend with the Moffits. We celebrated two birthdays, watched two promising young thespians audition for parts in the upcoming play, Pinocchio, and hiked through wilderness that few human feet have ever touched.

With Daisy on piano, Papa on guitar, and Neo maybe on vocals, we finished Friday night with a little family singfest.

Ally began the first part of the audition process by introducing herself and mentioning some personal items about her life.

Daisy did the same.

While Ally sits and watches others trying out for the play, Neo sits without quite as much interest in the activity on the stage.

The second phase of the auditions required returning to the stage and singing to the audience.

The third and final phase of auditions included reading lines from the Pinocchio script. It is obviously Ally's turn to read lines as shown by the waving hand on stage. Belinda watches from the center of the front row.

Daisy's hands also rise in response to her lines. The backs of heads, shown from left to right, include Josh, Nana, some gray-haired lady with her hair in a bun, and Belinda.

Following the auditions, we headed to Wild River Pizza to celebrate the December birthdays of Daisy and Ally. A bunch of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins (mostly, by not totally, with the last name "Moffit") joined in the celebration.

Both girls open gifts as Neo helps pass them out.

Daisy shows a gift while Grandpa Jerry looks on.

Grandma Barbara helps Ally open a gift.

Both girls combine their lung capacity to blow out twenty-two candles.

Those pictured above decided to burn off some pizza and birthday cake calories by hiking through the woods near Josh and Belinda's home. Where paths existed, we hiked. Where paths did not exist, Josh created them. Belinda, filled with wisdom, chose to stay home.

With nearly a quarter mile remaining to complete the hike, Neo reached a point where he could hike no longer. But I could. So, we returned home together.

FAMILY PORTRAIT WITHOUT A STUDIO

2011-12-04T18:08:00.001-08:00

The Vallo section of our Family Wall has been four years out-of-date. The most current picture was taken when Makiah was a baby. She'll be five years old on her next birthday. Alexia, who turned one in October, has been absent from the wall since her birth.

So, today we resolved the problem with a makeshift studio and a $2.84 one-hour photo from Walmart.

The final product is not too bad.

The Vallo family as they appear today.

Our "studio" included some black fabric thumb tacked to the wall, a tripod, a couple of clip-on lights, and a small bench I made in wood shop in 9th grade.

One light was clipped to a bookshelf and the other was clipped to the handle of a vacuum cleaner.

The family gets into position.

One final glance at the Family Wall before replacing the old Vallo picture.

Wall update completed.

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO CHRISTMAS?

2011-12-03T17:19:00.000-08:00

Click "play" tab below:

Or click the YouTube link here.

CHRISTMAS STUFF DOWN

2011-11-27T10:17:00.000-08:00

Click here.

POLAR BEARISH TENDENCIES

2011-11-12T20:46:00.000-08:00

With the Saturday evening air temperatures dropping into the 40's, the girls ventured into a hot tub with the water temperature at 102. At some point, Daisy asked if she could jump into the swimming pool, which had a water temperature of only 38.

I said "Yes" and waited around to make sure that hypothermia didn't set in before she was able to return to the hot tub. She jumped into the frigid waters and eventually persuaded Ally and Rylie to join her. Only Baylee chose to exercise caution, comfort and wisdom.

Four girls in a hot tub.

Daisy was the first one to suggest jumping into the cold water.

Ally and Rylie decide to jump in, too.

Some complaints were heard about arms and hands going numb.

The comfort zone.

YOUNG FEMALE BOWLERS

2011-11-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

Four of our granddaughters spent the weekend with us. Part of our weekend together included a trip to the bowling alley. Here is what it looked like:

Daisy

Baylee

Ally

Rylie

Rylie gives new meaning to the word "split" as it pertains to bowling.

Daisy (aka Crazy Daisy) breaks 100 in scoring. Other bowlers included Baylee (aka Tootsie Roll), Ally (aka Dum Dum), and Rylie (aka Smartie).

SCARY SCARY NIGHT

2011-10-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

My sister, Judy, will become an official senior citizen on Halloween Eve, one day before Halloween. That's scary.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, I made a video just for her. It's called "Scary, Scary Night". She received the DVD in the mail today and called me to tell me that I am crazy. She also said she loved the video. To view it, click the play tab below.

To view the artist who was my inspiration for this project and whom I semi-plagiarized, click the play tab below.

You can also view "Scary Scary Night" on YouTube by clicking here.

ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE

2011-10-22T03:42:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago, on this very date, I got down on one knee in my family room and asked a very important question to a pair of pretty brown eyes. The answer I got was the exact answer I was hoping to get.

BAGGENSTOS FARMS (PART FIVE)

2011-10-08T17:56:00.001-07:00

Not to be confused with Part Four.

One of our annual family traditions is a trip to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. This year the Moffits were able to join us. And the weather was perfect.

The tradition always includes the Weathersbys.

This year the Moffits got to join in the fun.

It's not often I get to hang out with six grandchilden at the same time at a pumpkin patch.

Silas, Daisy, Belinda and Bethany near the playground. Oh, Ally's in there too.

The parents. Oh, Ally's in there too.

Six kids enjoy climbing on the hay bales.

Daisy on the overhead ladder.

Silas flying off a hay bale.

Ally checks out the tractor.

Devon demonstrates his muscular ability.

Neo sits among pumpkins that have been arranged to spell his name.

Naomi ascends a hay bale.

Four girls navigate their way through a corn maze.

All six kids tried their skills at pumpkin bowling, but only one of them succeeded in knocking down all the pins. That would be Ally.

HELLO, GOODBYE

2011-09-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

She's gone. The nest is empty. The youngest bird has flown the coop. Now, only old people reside under the roof of the house on Hybiscus.

Ashley drove away this morning to Lincoln City, Oregon, where she will begin her new job as a kindergarten teacher.

Ashley was eleven years old when we met. She had accompanied her mother to the cancer center where I work and where her mom was receiving radiation treatments. I had a strong suspicion early on during her mother's treatments that someday Ashley would be calling me "Dad".

Ashley carved a pumpkin at my house about a week after I got her approval to ask her mom to marry me.

Part of being a dad was to modify a bicycle so it could be ridden with one hand.

Ashley was a twelve-year-old maid of honor at our wedding.

Part of being a dad was to teach Ashley how to drive and then to take a picture of her proudly displaying her new drivers license.

Ashley graduates from high school.

Ashley graduates from college.

Ashley moves away. This morning.

BEST COSTUME AWARD WINNERS

2011-09-24T21:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Debra and I attended the birthday party of a friend of ours. The party was hosted by his wife at the Evergreen Ballroom. A 1950's theme was in play with the promise of an award for the best costumes.

Debra and I won!

We also had a great time dancing to the sounds of some great oldies from a half century ago.

Dressed and ready to go.

Practicing some dance moves.

Cigarettes in a folded-up sleeve added the final touch to a 1950's look (If you've never heard of "Vessel" brand cigarettes, it's because they're made of chocolate).

FIRST TIME WALKING

2011-09-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

The first time walking at our house, anyway.

Alexia took her first step a few days ago, but had not yet taken a step on our floor. Until today.

Get on your mark.

Get set.

Go!

Congratulatory kiss from Makiah.

LABOR DAY TENNIS MATCH

2011-09-05T10:46:00.001-07:00

After playing tennis with Daisy recently, I thought it might be a good idea to invest in a couple of tennis rackets. Costco had some for $49.99 each. Goodwill had some for $3.99 each. I opted for the tennis rackets at Goodwill and took two of them to the checkout.

The checker said, "You might qualify for our discount today. Are you over 55?"

"Yes", I answered.

So, I got a 20 percent discount and walked out of the store with two tennis rackets and $6.38 less in my pocket.

Last night Ashley challenged me to a Labor Day tennis match. So, this morning we went to the North Medford High School tennis courts and hit the ball back and forth for a little over an hour.

It's best that we not discuss the scores.

GRANDKIDS BY THE DOZEN

2011-08-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

Today we had 23 people in our backyard, including a dozen grandchildren, to welcome the Moffits back to the good ol' USA for their one year of home assignment after serving five years in the Philippines.

Our party was, well, it was a totally awesome blast!

Grandchildren, sitting in chronological order, include (from youngest to oldest):

Number Twelve (still cooking)

Alexia (1)

Naomi (4)

Makiah (4)

Neo (4)

Hunter (6)

Devon (7)

Silas (9)

Rylie (9)

Ally (9)

Baylee (10)

Daisy (11)

Shown in the background are Belinda, Josh and my dad, Wendell.

TENNIS TIME

2011-08-13T22:27:00.000-07:00

After Naomi's birthday party this morning and after naps and after dinner at Subway, the Moffits, the Weathersbys, and the three Hybiscusites, finished the day at another park in Wilsonville.

Josh and Belinda brought a couple of tennis rackets and hit the ball back and forth for awhile at a tennis court in the park. Once they were finished, Daisy asked if I would play tennis with her. No score keeping, of course. Even though I hadn't touched a tennis racket in nearly four decades, I agreed.

It was fun and I played without accumulating any injuries. In fact, I'm thinking about purchasing a couple of tennis rackets and some tennis balls myself.

Daisy serves while Silas, who chose to be a ball-chaser, looks on.

The game progresses.

Pure concentration.

Pure skill.

The competition was fierce, even though no score was kept.

If we had kept score, I think I would have won.

If we had kept score, I think Daisy thinks she would have won.

CELEBRATING NAOMI'S FOURTH

2011-08-13T14:17:00.001-07:00

Last week Naomi turned four. Today we celebrated. Six grandchildren and a bunch of other children and adults converged upon a water park in Wilsonville and partied.

Until this week, the Moffit kids had never met Naomi and the Weathersby kids had never met Neo. Now they're all buddies.

Silas and Ally.

Neo and Daisy.

Birthday girl.

Devon.

Daisy.

Ally.

Neo fighting the waterfall before kneeling on the deck.

Daisy, in costume, tells a story to Neo and Naomi (who is hidden behind Neo in the photo).

The storyteller.

The audience.

Devon tries on the costume.

Silas tries on a wig.

Glamorous sisters.

Prettier than most girls.

Bethany's cake creation: a gumball machine.

Naomi, perched on John's lap, begins opening her gifts.

Naomi approves of her gifts.

She models her new anticipatory sweatshirt : "Big sister in charge".

Consuming cake and concluding a party.

OUR FINAL DAY IN THE CITY BY THE BAY

2011-08-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

Our vacation plan from the beginning was to spend two days and one night in San Francisco. And that's what we did.

On Monday, yesterday, we visited Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown, then spent the night at the Chancellor Hotel. Then this morning we drove to Golden Gate Park and spent the day at the California Academy of Sciences.

After several hours at the museum, we returned to the Hotel La Rose in Santa Rosa. Tomorrow we go home. We are ready.

Our view of the Chancellor Hotel from the curb where Judy's car is parked as we get ready to head for Golden Gate Park.

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Debra and Judy at the fountain outside the California Academy of Sciences.

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Judy and I at the same fountain.

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Debra and I inside the rain forest dome.

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Our view of the Hotel La Rose as we enter it for the last time before returning tomorrow to the house on Hybiscus.

LORI'S DINER

2011-08-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

After Judy, Debra and I finished our trolley car tour this morning, we drove downtown and checked into the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square.

After settling into our rooms, Judy in hers and Debra and I in ours, Debra and I walked around the streets looking for a place to have dinner. We found a great restaurant that took us back to the 1950's: Lori's Diner.

We ate a delicious dinner while listening to some great hits from the fifties, played on juke boxes. I opted for a burger and fries with a chocolate malt. And tomorrow we're going back there for breakfast before heading to Golden Gate Park for the day.

Decor included a 1959 Edsel.

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Judy studies the menu.

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I generously share my chocolate malt.

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Judy and Debra pose for a photo with the Chancellor Hotel shown across the street in the background (building with green canopy), but felt a bit uncomfortable standing in front of a car whose driver was sitting at the wheel while I was taking this picture.

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Closer view.

A DAY AWAY IN THE CITY BY THE BAY

2011-08-01T17:39:00.001-07:00

Judy, Debra and I left Santa Rosa this morning for San Francisco. We took a trolley tour through town, starting and ending at Fisherman's Wharf, but spent most of the day in Chinatown.

Judy and Debra waiting for the tour bus to begin.

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Judy and I at the entrance to Chinatown.

Debra, Judy and I at the same spot.

Debra shopping in Chinatown.

Judy shopping in the upper level of a Chinatown store.

Debra and Judy rubbing Buddha's belly.

Responding to some Chinese goddess, or something, who apparently wants to high-five me.

STOPPING IN SANTA ROSA EN ROUTE TO SAN FRANCISCO

2011-07-31T19:19:00.000-07:00

For the past several months, Debra and I have been looking forward to a trip to San Francisco with my sister, Judy. We left home this morning and drove nearly eight hours before finally arriving at an old historic hotel in Santa Rosa, the Hotel La Rose.

We checked in, called Judy, and waited for her to pick us up at the hotel so we could all go out to dinner together at a local restaurant.

The Hotel La Rose.

Debra enters our room on the fourth floor.

..
Toilet tanks are not built any more the way they used to be.

. King size bed in a non-smoking, top-floor room with a balcony.

From our balcony, we see Judy arrive in her yellow PT Cruiser.
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The three of us end the day with outdoor dining at a downtown Mexican restaurant.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BBB

2011-07-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Photos are self-explanatory.

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MOFFIT VISIT (DAY 3)

2011-07-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

The third and final day of the Moffit's visit started with a trip to Bear Creek Park where the kids got to burn off some energy and where the adults got to follow them around burn off some energy, too. After about an hour at the park, we headed back to the house by way of the 7-11 store where some among us bought Slurpees and where others among us opted to make an additional stop by Dutch Brothers for more energy-replenishing (caffeinated) beverages.
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After returning to the house, three other grandkids joined us so that all the children had peers instead of old people to play with. And then Shawn and Jessica (Josh's sister) arrived with two-year-old Haydn. Debra capped off the evening by grilling tri-tips and serving her homemade strawberry angel food dessert.

Neo at the Bear Creek Park play structure.

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Swinging sisters.

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The Moffit grandkids (accounting for three of our twelve grandkids, if you count living grandchildren who are not yet born).

"Ribbit"

(Amazingly, this little frog is captured mid-jump in this photo while Nana watches).

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Grandkids with Nana and Papa.

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Returning from Bear Creek Park to our house, Ashley, Josie, Alexia, Debra and Belinda chat about something that is apparently funny.

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Josh explains to Gordon something that requires that he flap his arms in order to communicate full understanding.

Baylee and Daisy tame the dragon.

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The dragon appears to be winning the battle.

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Ally and Rylie hot tubbing.

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Four granddaughters: Rylie, Ally, Daisy and Baylee.

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Two four-year-olds in a hot tub.

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Belinda and Ally visit with Haydn, who arrives with his mom, Jessica.

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Makiah, Neo and Haydn make a fort in a folded-up ping pong table.

MOFFIT VISIT (DAY 2)

2011-07-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

The morning began with Daisy, Ally and Neo awakening on air mattresses in the covered patio. After breakfast, Debra and Ashley and I took them to see a 3-D showing of "Cars 2", giving Josh and Belinda some kid-free time.
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After the movie ended, we stopped by a nearby 7-11 and bought Slurpees, then returned home for swimming and grilling.

Almost ready to get up.

Morning, for me, began with coffee in my hand, Josh to my right, and Neo playing with trains behind me.

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Nana and Neo.

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Daisy and Ally.

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Neo and Ashley.

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Daisy rides a "horse".

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Daisy, Ally and Ashley racing.

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Ashley pulls ahead.

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Daisy, Ally and the dragon.

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Ally and Nana warming their feet.

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Neo and Daisy riding together.

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Belinda lounging.

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Belinda, Daisy and Neo.

Papa and Nana grilling cheeseburgers and corn on the cob.

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MOFFIT VISIT (DAY 1)

2011-07-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

Since I had to work today, I asked Belinda to arrive shortly after 5:00 p.m. so that I'd be home when they got here for their first visit in about five years. When 5:01 p.m. arrived and they still were not here, I began pacing as a coping device for my restlessness. It worked. about twenty minutes later, two light-haired girls appeared at our front door, followed by their little dark-haired brother and two grown-ups.
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The two light-haired girls greeted me with enthusiastic hugs while their little dark-haired brother greeted me with a question: "Do you have toys?"
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After some visiting, some eating and some playing with toys, we splashed around in the pool for awhile before the day ended.

Ally and Daisy in the hot tub.

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Papa and Neo in the pool.

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Papa holding Neo. Neo holding ice cream cone.

MAKIAH TURNS FOUR

2011-07-11T07:45:00.000-07:00

With sixteen humans converging on our backyard yesterday, Makiah celebrated her 4th birthday.

Makiah hot-tubs with Nana.

Makiah chats with her mom from the side of the spa.

Makiah coasts along the pool surface with Nana on a floating lounge.

Ashley warms up in 102-degree water while Makiah and Nana, along with Gordon and Josie, cool off in 76-degree water.

The faces of a four-year-old.

Ready to blow.

Licking frosting.

Opening gifts while sisters, Rylie and Baylee, watch.

Sister Alexia also watches.

TEN GIRLS AND ONE GUY

2011-06-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

I was the one guy.

Rylie, who celebrates her birthday in May, asked if we could host a belated party for her in June so that she could invite some of her friends over for a swimming party in warmer weather.

Once everyone arrived, ten females were present. And me.

Miranda, Baylee, Rylie, Star and Analise jump in.

Josie holds Alexia.

Baylee and Rylie and two slices of pizza.

Debra and Josie with pizza and Alexia with watermelon.

Jill dines with Raven and Makiah.

Miranda and Analise with their pieces of pizza.

Analise and Star.

Makiah hides from her mom.

Airborne Baylee.

Jill floats Raven.

With Alexis' slice of watermelon, she samples real food for the first time ever.

Raven and Makiah.

Baylee doing something.

Rylie doing something.

The dragon.

Alexia crashes.

When the girls jumped in and discovered this creature at the bottom of the pool, there was much screaming.

Ten girls and one guy.

THE DAY BEFORE SUMMER

2011-06-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is summer.

Today it is hot.

I went in the backyard

And found a cool spot.

WAITING FOR WILSONVILLE

2011-06-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Sung to the tune of

"Sweet Baby James"

James Taylor

(Sorry, James)

There is an old Papa who lives in a home

His truck and his Dutch Freeze are his only companions

As he sits at the wheel for four boring hours

Waiting for Wilsonville finally to come

Every half hour he stops at a rest stop

Ejecting some caffeine and stretching his wings

Then back to his driving his journey continues

He sings about Pepsi and bladders and things

And so is the turnpike from Medford to Portland

The boys' cakes seem dreamlike

On account of the frosting

With no miles behind me and two-hundred-plus to go

There's a song that I sing when a grandson turns seven

There's a song that I sing when a grandson turns nine

There's a song that I sing after exiting I-5

To a middle-aged woman who's now thirty-five

Happy Birthday, Threesome

We celebrate birthdays in June

I'm hitting the road with a fairly light load

Including some gifts and a toothbrush and clothes

And I will be seeing you soon

Probably late afternoon

ASHLEY GRADUATES FROM COLLEGE

2011-06-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

We descended on the Southern Oregon University football field at 7:30 a.m. this morning under cold and cloudy skies to await the graduation ceremony for the class of 2011. Ashley received her bachelor's degree in elementary education during the two-hour event.

Later in the day, about twenty of us met in our backyard for a party to celebrate Ashley's achievement.

Debra and Ashley before the procession begins.

Empty chairs awaiting graduates.

Family in the audience.

Where's Ashley?

There's Ashley.

Chairs occupied.

The receiving line.

Ceremony completed.

Mom and grad and dad.

Later in the backyard.

Rylie, the Weathersbys and the hot tub.

Makiah on the stairs.

Silas flying.

Silas and Rylie.

Alexia and Bethany. And Devon, too.

Shade seekers.

Four-year-olds.

Visiting.

Grilling.

Baylee.

A visit from Kim (Ashley's fourth grade cooperating teacher).

GRADUATION CELEBRATION PREPARATION

2011-06-04T17:16:00.001-07:00

Next Saturday, Ashley will graduate from college. After the graduation ceremony at Southern Oregon University, we'll return to our house to celebrate with a backyard party including about twenty guests.

Since our backyard typically suffers from a shortage of shade during the summer, we decided to increase the amount of shade available to our guests by setting up a pop-up canopy.

With the weather forecast still indicating the possibility of rain through the middle of June, however, our canopy may be protecting our guests from the rain rather than from the sun. Either way, rain or shine, we're ready.

GETTING READY FOR SUMMERTIME

2011-05-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

The month of May has been disappointingly cold and wet. Nevertheless, June is upon us. So, I spent some time outside today getting the backyard ready for summer.

Click here.

READING THE NEWSPAPER

2011-04-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

Here I sit reading a story in the Roseburg, Oregon newspaper, "The News Review", about Belinda, written by Brittany Arnold. The entire article may be found on Brittany's blog by clicking here.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

2011-04-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

While browsing through Facebook today, I noticed several photos that Tracy posted in an album she called "Family Pics April 2011". One photo in particular caught my attention. It was a photo of Hunter and he was airborne.

That photo jogged my memory and I went through some old photo albums of my own. I found the photo I was seeking, one I took of Ben when he was five years old and he, too, was airborne. We were on campus at Brookings Harbor High School at the time and Ben found a picnic table.

Ben had his launching pad and I had my camera. One generation later, Hunter is also caught on camera flying through the air.

READY FOR CHURCH ON EASTER SUNDAY

2011-04-24T10:08:00.001-07:00

Looking quite spiritual holding Bible in one hand and holding godly woman in other.

No Bible, but better smiles.

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And one close-up before heading to church.

EASTER PREP

2011-04-23T14:33:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is Easter. Today Debra brought Baylee, Rylie and Makiah over to the house to decorate eggs.

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PLACING FINGERS IN HARM'S WAY

2011-04-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Debra fed some left over pizza to our neighboring seagulls by placing pieces on the rail and watching the birds come and take them.

This morning Debra decided to live on the edge a little. She wondered if the seagulls would actually be bold enough to take the food directly out of her hands.

I expressed my concern about the possibility that I might be taking her to the emergency room while the seagulls were taking her fingers somewhere else.

But Debra decided to take the risk anyway.

The pizza is now gone. Debra's fingers, however, are not gone.

A DAY AWAY

2011-04-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Debra and I decided that we needed to get out of town for a weekend. We don't do this often enough. So, I reserved a room on the beach in Brookings and reserved two tickets for a live show performed by the Chetco Pelican Players.

Before leaving town, I checked my email and my facebook page to find several birthday greetings. I was born on April Fools Day. .

Before attending the play, we were joined by Roger and Chris Liles for some great food and conversation at the Pizza Deli. It had been at least twelve years since our paths crossed and it was fun to catch up on what's been going on over the past decade. .

Then off to the Chetco Playhouse for a live show. Upon entering the theater, I bumped into Mike Moran and spent some time catching up on news with him. Mike is the President of the Chetco Pelican Players and was the director of two plays that Belinda and I were in while we lived in Brookings. Then we enjoyed a performance of "Love Letters" before the day came to a close.

It was a great day away.

Before leaving home this morning, I received a birthday greeting from the Philippines.

Just beyond the eight-mile stretch of tight curves and just before reaching Gasquet, we stopped to enjoy a waterfall along Hwy 199.

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The Pacific Ocean from our third-floor balcony.

. . From our room looking to the left. .

From our room looking to the right. .

From our room looking down.

. After dinner and before the show, we returned to our room where Debra shared a bite of our left-over pizza with a hungry seagull.

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And the evening ended with a show.

TOILET DAY

2011-03-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

Toilet replacement day, actually. A couple of years ago we replaced one of our toilets because it was beyond cleanable. Toilet number two met its same fate today. Not only are both new toilets clean, but both are about two inches taller than their predecessors. That's pretty important for tall people or for old people.

Old toilet ready to go.

. Old tank gone. Check out the 40-year accumulation of built-up crud behind the old tank.

. Old bowl gone. .

Old wax ring gone. .

Uh-oh! New toilet in place, but new tank is narrower than old tank, showing unexpected area of wall that now needs painting.

. On the way to buy paint, a Dutch Brothers store was inviting us to stop by for a brief visit.

.. Armed with a handful of paint color cards, Debra tries to find a match.

.. Matching paint needed behind new toilet.

New primer and paint applied.

New bowl and tank installed and new paint matches perfectly.

The finished project.

The height of the old toilet seat.

The height of the new toilet seat. Geriatric friendly. I suppose the next project will be a bar installed on the wall for pulling ourselves up.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

2011-03-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

My Monday-through-Friday life is incredibly routine and very predictable. I'm in a rut but quite comfortable in that rut. Here's how it goes:

4:30 a.m.

My alarm goes off. I shave. Then I eat breakfast. I eat the same breakfast every morning: One banana, one boiled albumen and one bowl of uncooked oatmeal with raisins and cold milk. Every morning.

I shave before I do anything else. If I wait to shave, both bathrooms may be occupied when I'm ready.

Hard boiled albumen minus the high-cholesterol yoke.

5:00 a.m.

After breakfast, I hydrate myself with about a quart of water before spending 30 minutes on an elliptical exerciser while watching the morning news. Actually, I flip channels between Fox News and ESPN while working out.

Hydration time.

Thirty minutes on the elliptical exerciser while watching TV.

6:00 a.m.

After exercising and showering, I get dressed for work and then drink two cups of coffee and read one chapter in the Bible before leaving the house. Maybe I should drink only one cup and read two chapters, but I don't.

Two cups of coffee and one chapter of the Bible.

The final intersection before reaching the hospital, which is shown in the background.

The parking structure where I park my pickup.

Among the first to arrive in the parking structure, I park my white pickup on the first ramp.

Walking from the parking structure to the Cancer Center.

6:30 a.m.

I arrive at the hospital where my job is treating cancer patients with radiation. The treatment machine is called a "linear accelerator". Before the first patient arrives, certain quality assurance tests must be completed to insure that the radiation beam is producing the correct energy, is flat and is symmetrical. Also, the machine must be checked for correct water level, water pressure, water temperature, air pressure and gas pressure.

One of two linear accelerators in our department.

Checking distances with a frontpointer.

Checking gauges for correct readings.

4:30 p.m.

The highlight of my day is clocking out of work and returning home. Debra and I have established a practice over the past nine years in which we spend my first 20 minutes home from work drinking decaf coffee and catching up with each other on how the day has gone. After our 20-minute visit, I do whatever chores I need to do before we eat dinner: check email, pay bills, work in the yard or help in the kitchen. Finally, we eat dinner while watching "The O'Reilly Factor".

Decaf coffee and 20 minutes of catching up on the day's activities.

Dinner and TV.

And that's my day.

FRONT AND CENTER IN THE NEWS

2011-02-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

The fourth of our eleven grandchildren, Rylie, made front page this week in our local newspaper. The caption of the photo, which is not shown here, reads:

Carissa Jackson, 9, left, and Rylie Vallo, work on a math exercise at Howard Elementary School. Teachers there are preparing for more stringent math requirements by spending an extra half-hour a day on math.

The entire article may be read by clicking here.

FAMILY WALL UPDATE

2011-02-15T16:31:00.001-08:00

This is what our family wall looked like yesterday.

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This is what our family wall looks like today.

This is the difference.

SIDE EFFECTS OF RADIATION EXPOSURE

2011-02-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

This evening, our church group got together for a Valentine Banquet and I was asked to provide the "entertainment". When I was first asked to do something, I couldn't think of anything to do. As I pondered the prospect of performing, I decided to deliver a six-point lecture on the following subject: Possible Side Effects of Radiation Exposure in the Workplace.

I explained the kind of work I do, then I went through six possible side effects in the following order:

1. Radiation exposure may cause certain metals to undergo molecular changes when coming into contact with the exposed person.

I demonstrated this side effect by taking a penny from one of the guests and then rubbing that penny against my left forearm with my right hand. After rubbing the penny between my hand and arm for only a few seconds, it mysteriously evaporated into air. The cause? Radiation exposure to my skin.

2. Radiation exposure may cause certain objects to become physically displaced when coming into contact with the exposed person.

Richard removes a card from a deck.

Richard counts the number of cards in the deck. Only 51 cards appear. The one he selected has been physically displaced. It showed up a few minutes later inside my guitar case, laced between the guitar strings. The cause for this bizarre displacement? Radiation.

3. Radiation exposure may cause certain objects to mutate when coming into contact with the exposed person.

Sharon holds a stack of 4 nickels on the back of her hand. After covering the nickels with a brass cap, the nickels mutate into 4 dimes. Mutation explanation? Radiation.

The audience enjoys watching the effects of my exposure to radiation.

4. Radiation exposure may cause a magnetic force or a gravitational force, which pulls certain objects toward the exposed person.

Joanie had just pulled 2 cards from a deck and had shown them to everyone in the room except me. I made two stacks from the deck and then asked Joanie to choose either the left stack or the right stack. Amazingly, her 2 cards were the last 2 cards in the stack she chose. It did not matter which stack she chose. Either way, her 2 cards would have been pulled by some force toward my hands. Why? Radiation.

The attentive audience absorbed this learning experience.

5. Radiation exposure may cause the exposed person to experience what scientists refer to as the "Valentine Effect".

I shared with the group how I met Debra when she came in as a patient at my workplace. I also shared that Debra has now been cancer-free for ten years. The audience also learned the reason that Debra and I are now married: Radiation.

6. Radiation exposure may cause the spirits of other persons, either living or dead, to be channeled through the exposed person.

Bob Dylan delivered a musical message to our group by channeling himself through me.

With guitar in hand and harmonica in mouth, Bob Dylan delivered the following message to the tune of "Blowin' in the Wind":

How many times must a man touch a coin

Before it evaporates in air

How many times must a man touch a deck of cards

Before he finds that one card is nowhere

How many nickels must one man touch

Before he finds that dimes are now there

The answer, my son,

Is radiation

The answer is radiation

What makes a man end up with a job

That's free from conflict and strife

What kind of job lets a man go to work

And zap healing rays into a life

What makes a man end up with a job

Where he goes to work and finds himself a wife

The answer, my son

Is radiation

The answer is radiation

THE BEST COFFEE IN THE WORLD

2011-01-20T16:51:00.001-08:00

Upon arriving home from work today, I discovered a small package that had arrived from the Philippines. It contained the best brand of coffee I have ever consumed, this time, "Christmas Blend", under the famous "Brewce's" label. You can't get better than 100% Lapok Arabica.

JANUARY SUNSHINE

2011-01-19T01:43:00.000-08:00

Click here

FEEDING THE MULTITUDES

2010-12-25T20:20:00.000-08:00

As Christmas day continued into the afternoon, guests arrived until we had twenty. The whole event went smoothly, the food was done on time, the children played well together, everyone laughed and had fun and we all ate until we could eat no more. We even got to do a video skype with Belinda, Daisy, Ally and Neo.

Nine of us ate at two abutting tables in the dining room.

Four of us ate in the family room.

The four oldest children ate at the black folding table while the two three-year-olds ate at the pink princess table. Alexia was the only one among us who didn't eat at a table.

Dinner was followed by the exchanging of gifts.

The youngest guitar player in the group got a new case for her guitar.

Count 'em. Twenty.

The dynamic duo of Makiah and Naomi were inseparable throughout the afternoon.

Three years earlier. The same dynamic duo.

STOCKINGS AND GIFTS

2010-12-25T11:13:00.000-08:00

Before the Christmas dinner crowd arrives later today, the eight of us who slept here overnight exchange some gifts and open some stockings.

At some point between when we all nestled all snug in our beds last night and when we all awoke this morning, somebody managed to fill a bunch of stockings with Christmas goodies.

Time to open stockings.

Devon and his stocking.

"Yes, Naomi, you may have one candy cane before breakfast."

Ashley prepares Santa for handing out gifts from under the tree.

The crowd watches Santa with eager anticipation.

Waving to Santa left-handed.

For Naomi.

Opening gifts.

One for Silas.

Devon gives Papa a very large lollipop.

Devon with his new, rubber Christmas teeth.

Pea coat for Nana.

Ashley's new journal.

Stocking for Tim.

New PC for Naomi.

Enjoying gifts.

Some gifts are not particulary Christmasy, but pretty funny.

MOUSE TRAP, SUDOKU AND THE THREE LITTLE MOFFITS

2010-12-25T08:09:00.001-08:00

Early Christmas morning, while awaiting the opening of gifts, the three little W's occupy themselves with Mouse Trap, Sudoku and The Three Little Moffits.

Devon plays with Mouse Trap in the Grandkid's Dormitory.

Silas and Sudoku.

Naomi watches the blockbuster hit, "The Three Little Moffits".

O, FAKE TANNENBAUM

2010-12-04T19:09:00.001-08:00

Earlier today.

Later today.

To see the evolutionary process from "before" to "after", click here.

GRANDKID'S DORMITORY

2010-11-27T16:30:00.000-08:00

I have a dream.

I have a dream that one day all of our out-of-town grandchildren can sleep and play in their own space while their parents sleep by themselves in the spare bedroom.

I have a dream that one day Weathersby children and Moffit children and a little Hunter can play together in unity in their very own room at Papa and Nana's house.

I have a dream today.

And today I took steps toward fulfilling that dream.

With a 220-volt heater installed in our covered patio a couple of weeks ago, the grandkids can now sleep in warmth. But with a concrete floor, comfort may still evade them.

A piece of indoor/outdoor carpeting might provide just the finishing touch to make the covered patio more grandkid-friendly.

Lighter than it looks, I carried it from the pickup to the patio all by myself.

Trimming required for proper fit.

Razor knife in action.

Trimming around the cabinets required.

Carpet installed.

Heat above, carpet below. Bring on the grandkids!

Rest required upon completion of project.

BEING THANKFUL

2010-11-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, it looked like we were going to be creating an annual Thanksgiving Day tradition of taking Dee to Hometown Buffet. Since there were only four of us, we decided to repeat last year's performance of keeping it simple.

Then a couple of weekends ago, Josie mentioned that she and Gordon would be home alone with Alexia on Thanksgiving Day and that Gordon's parents, Tom and Ruth, would be spending the holiday in northern California with Baylee and Rylie at the home of other relatives.

So, Hometown Buffet no longer seemed appropriate, and we decided to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for the seven of us: Debra, Ashley, Dee, Gordon, Josie, Alexia (who can't quite chew on turkey yet) and me.

Then, because of weather, Tom and Ruth decided it would not be safe to drive over the Siskiyou Summit into northern California. So, Tom and Ruth brought Baylee and Rylie and a delicious bone-in ham to our place and we all ate, and were thankful, and ate some more. And after that we ate again. Then we had dessert.

This year's Thanksgiving crowd, clockwise starting with the booster seat, included Makiah, Gordon, Baylee, Rylie, Dee, Ashley, Debra, me, Josie, Ruth, Tom and Alexia.

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Dee, sitting beside Ashley, was the senior member of the group.

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Alexia was the junior member of the group.

With a closet full of games and toys, the most fun activity for Baylee, Rylie and Makiah was running and sliding on our new laminate floor.

A mother flanked by two daughters after enthusiastic eating.