Yesterday, I talked with my highschool home relations, home nursing, tailoring, and cooking teacher.  It has been about 34 years since we've had any contact.  She was my favorite teacher because she taught me things I could use every single day of my life. 

You might ask, "why after all these years?"  Well, I will explain. 

I was looking for some old wallpaper border for our bedroom when I came across a letter from her dated 1969.  I saw on the return label her husband's first name... so I looked her up online.  As it happens she still lives in the same house.  I phoned her, spoke to her husband.  He said she was "at the gym doing her thing" and he took my number.  She called later, but I was gone, left me a message.  I called her back and we also exchanged e-mails.  Now we plan to have dinner together on an upcoming trip to Seattle.   Here is her picture from back in HighSchool, the Annual picture.

She said I made her day... and that made my day.  She was so young, pretty and so smart about home subjects. (and probably still is pretty and smart.) I am planning a big hug for her when we see each other again.  I never called her Audrey until yesterday.  What a pretty name! 

I must have smart friends.  This is totally new to me but it is very exciting. 

 This was really fun.  We got to go on a tour of the Metal Magic factory.  I was the only female on the tour or even in the whole place.  I could take some pictures, if I asked first.  They were nice to me.  So if you are interested, please enjoy!

 A "guy" friend sent this to me with a note:  "If you were around in 1919 (just before prohibition started) and came upon the following poster......   

........seriously, would you quit drinking?"

  Maybe it is just my mood, but I found it to be hilarious. 

  This is the card Tom gave me for our anniversary day before yesterday.  It is special cause this is the special way we held hands while in Israel.  We held just little fingers while walking... it was our special Israel connection!!!    I love it! 

   Thank you so much, Lord, for all the awesome work you have done to make us so wonderfully one!  You said it would be worthwhile and it is way worthwhile, WAY, WAY WORTHWHILE!!!!  Be Glorified!   

Service in the new church gymnasium 4/20/2008, lawn chairs, blankets... fun!!!!

Greg & Jen and their five (our youngest son & family)

Curtis & Sharalee with their four (fifth due in July) (our youngest daughter& family)

   Got home last Wednesday around 10 PM.  Was so mentally exhausted and physically exhausted.........  I was so grateful my sis in law went with me, she made the trip seem fast.  I drove all the way down and all the way back....  I was like a control freak, refusing to let my sis in law drive even one mile.  She did offer to drive.  What was wrong with me???  I was like on a mission and I didn't want anyone to drive cause they might not drive as efficiently as me!  I will just say it like that. 

    It was 12 hours down and 12 hours back.  We pretty much drove straight through, except for the detour (45 minutes) to find a DQ which had closed two minutes before we arrived.  They closed at 8PM.  The guy inside asked if we were pregnant.  This was in response to our begging at the door... saying we had driven all the way from WA state to Sacramento, CA that day with that DQ in our Garmin.....  I showed them the Garmin, plainly stating DQ, Truxel Blvd, Sacramento, CA ... I showed them my WA state tabs... but would they let us in.... NO!!!!   (We were speaking through the crack in the door... with the keys dangling on the other side.) 

   Tomorrow morning we head back to Napa.  Only Uncle Tom is staying home to work.... so it will be Caryn and myself for this trip.  We have to go get the last of Aunt Norma June's & Uncle Doug's stuff.  I still can hear Norma saying to me, "Don't forget to come back to get this stuff when we leave here!"  She was so cute and impractical at times!  

   Here is a picture I took Friday at the store.  I couldn't believe how much this driver looked like a dog.

   A friend sent me this video.  If you haven't seen it already, you surely won't want to miss seeing it.  For you viewing convenience.... click here:

I read on one of my blog subscriptions that Paul  Harvey, referring to America, said something to the effect that "we need to go back to being a good example and stop trying to be a good influence".  I like that thought a lot.  It is simple and serves to make us a good influence also. 

I think that is a good principle to practice in my own personal life too!  I think I am gonna need some help with this one Lord.  Thanks for being here.