Well, guess what?  Uncle Tom's trip got cancelled on Friday.  They needed something done in a hurry here so his trip to Pasedena will be at a later date.  He had mixed feelings about it, but is fine with it being at a later date. 

   Sharalee & Curtis are mostly moved out.  They have been staying exclusively at the new house.  The emptiness of this nest is really being felt by me and he.  It is so quiet here.  Things stay put unless I move them.  I really miss the kids and the little kids. 

   Jen received a trip to New Mexico to see her little sister as a birthday present.  She took Annie with her and was gone this weekend.  She was really missed but I guess had a great time.  We haven't see her since she got back yet. 

   We have been going out to look at property with some friends.  It seems we mostly end up driving on property that does not have driveways or roads.  We use the 4 wheel drive feature of their car.  They are looking at farm land.  Property where a landing strip could be created in the grass.  We looked at two vineyards that are for sale.  One is 80 acres with an awesome view.  Our friends asked where we would like to put our house on the 80.  Up high but not where the plane would be landing and taking off!   

   This is a picture of the view from another lot we have been looking at for the purpose of building a new house.  This is not farm land, but farm land is very near.  It looks down into Badger Canyon with no obstructions what-so-ever now or to come.  We are fine with staying where we are also.  Whatever.....  but the view is rather spectacular!

   Now something for the guys.  Wouldn't it be fun to fix this up into a motorhome?  We found this on a railroad flat car in Big Pasco. 

   Next is a picture of a sunset near our house.  We have gorgeous sunsets here... this isn't the greatest angle, but may you enjoy it anyway... kisses from God as one sweet little gal calls them. 

      Today is FRIDAY!!!  On Monday Uncle Tom is flying to Pasadena, CA for a couple days.  The other kids will be moved and I will be sort of alone.  Uncle Steve and Joel will be here, PTL!  And Curtis said I could come up and stay with them... wasn't that sweet!  But then my sister's husband will be gone out of town next week too... so we will call each other for comfort, especially at night.  Maybe I can do something really wild to the house or yard while he is gone!   That would be fun.

   Pray for Aunt Dodie.  She has to make a difficult decision and isn't sure what to do.  Her cancer has returned.  She has been fighting off & on with chemo for 22 years.  She is questioning whether she should continue in view of the awful side effects, etc.  She needs to know the Lord's will for her.  She is in her 80's now.  Thanks for praying.  Lord come quickly.

   Ok, I haven't anything profound to say so I better move on to yard work since it is cool outside, then filing this afternoon.  

Here is another ceiling for you!  But first something really cute: 

Joseph                 (7/27/2006)              Carinna

Where is this ceiling located? 

Yes, it is true.... little Isaish Thomas has made it to the very first celebration of his natural birth!  The official celebration will be this Saturday evening.  Uncle Steve says we should have ice cream cake today to celebrate... when I questioned why, he said because it is hot out!    Sharalee and I set about to get some pictures of Isaish on his first birthday.  Here is what we got so far. 

   Isaish has just been

eating some toast. 

One of his favorites! 

There is just

something about

this boy.  He reminds

me a bit of Dru,

 who has such a good

 sense of humor. 

What a blessing

these children are!

On the left is the evening sky in San Francisco and on the right is_______ does anybody out there know???  She kind of looks familiar but I am clueless to name her.

This is a street artist.  He paints pictures while everyone watches with spray paint, putty knives, and fire.  They sell for $5 ea or 3 for $10.  Fun to watch!!!  Wish I'd bought one.

Here is a real live demonstration that was taking place while we were walking back to find our car after the tour bus dumped us in ChinaTown with broken promises to come back to get us.

   Today I am looking forward to seeing Ruthie.  What a sweet friend she has become!!!  Then there is a will to prepare and some plants to plant and cleaning.  Sounds like a full day to me.  Guess I better get outside before it gets so hot.  Bye for now, you all!   

 Well, soon will need to get ready for back to work day.  Don't have to be there till this afternoon as the boss is still on vacation so work load is somewhat minimal.  Can you believe this next story?  Missouri, my birth state!!! 

Ain't nothin' but a pound dog -- A Missouri woman upset over the death of her new pure-bred Chihuahua pup forced her way into the breeder's home and pounded the poor lady repeatedly over the head with the corpse. After leaving the scene, waving the dead puppy from the sunroof of her car, she called and threatened the breeder and her family. Police are contemplating misdemeanor assault charges against the woman...

I miss my family.... boo hoo hoo!  I am ready for vacation again.   Speaking of vacation, here are a couple of ceilings from the Hearst Castle! 

Uncle Steve is mowing the front grass right now, Curtis & Sharalee are packing today, I am going to go try to fix this stuff called hair.  Reading Hebrews.  My friend Connie came this morning and we visited and prayed.  It was real good.  My friend Shar came yesterday and we worked on her laptop.  It was real good. 

PS  Somebody write me, please! 

"Never cut what you can untie." - Joseph Joubert   (Can you think of instances where this isn't the best decision?)

My family of supreme bloggers are all on vacation, well some of the kids didn't go, but they are working, studying, working, studying all day long so haven't much time to blog.  I miss hearing from everyone.  So here's the rules for visitation....

for Alcatraz!   

 I call this picture "Oops" cause my flash went off without my permission!

  Painting @ Hearst Castle!

Here is Lisa Richart on the right with her quilt that she made for unfortunate people who have perhaps had their house burn or some such tradgety.  The fabric is donated from fabric stores and then a bunch of ladies get to work producing these beautiful home made quilts.  I thought this was particularly lovely rather down home pattern. 

Here is the machine (a swather???) that picks up the mint in the field, after the merger has put a couple rows together, and on the right is the same kind of machine being worked on.  The taller fellow with the mature hair color is our friend, Jim.  He is the man responsiible for getting these farms started and now his sons do most of it.  He has 7 sons, and 3 daughters. 

Kansas Cousins, Sonnie & Jerry, holding hands in a jail cell and Tom & Myself just posing by the sign.  It was windy and soooo cold that day but we smiled just the same!!! 

We went to the Farm night before last with our crazy fun friends.  Here are some pictures and commentary.  BTW - It is supposed to be 108 here on Saturday! :-0

Tom on the back of the truck trailer with some freshly harvested mint........ I love the way the young grandson (Caleb) & grandpa (Jim) are looking at each other in this picture. (others include Shar (Jim's wife) & Tom @ far L & far R)

Tom & Jim at the mint oil collecting plant.  There are six big boilers in there.  Shar collecting some of the mint oil.

Looking into one of the boilers (It is really, really hot in there) and the sun setting with the mint trailers parked for extracting the mint oil for your gum, toothpaste, candles, and candy, etc.

It is an totally awesome process.  I have some video I would love to put on here... gotta learn some more to be able to do it... I am sure there is a way.  Gotta run for now, sorry about the rush.  

HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THIS WONDERFUL LIFE WITH THE WONDERFUL CREATOR!!!!

  Well, we are so out of it that this morning we couldn't remember what time first service at church started.    We got there just in time as all things working together for good should have it!  We got scolded because we (along with all the other leaders) did not show up for the new comers meeting!    Tonight we get a chance to make a little restitution, but actually we are only doing what we should be doing... nothing extra!     Actually they were just kidding us about not being responsible etc. the way those Calvary people do. 

So are you getting tired of pictures?  If not look a little further: 

Here is our very own Columbia River in Richland, WA  (Tom & Joseph are in the picture on the left)

Here are two more pictures of Joseph last Tuesday at the Park with his G & G Frater

Nina being swung by Grandpa Tom Frater... Hospital Rules at Alcatraz (hows that for a mixture?)

   Tomorrow is a work day... but then I get some time off... so will try to write tomorrow.  Thanks again for all the sharing and notes, etc.  I appreciate each one of you who takes the time to share your life with me.  Blessings......

Pictures of San Francisco from way up high

As the sun goes down from up high in San Francisco

This is the indoor pool at the Hearst Castle... remember the Neptune pool from a couple of days ago?