Something's burning . . . CA - Happy 18th Birthday MEGAN!!

Not that Megan ever reads our blogs, but I do want her to know we are thinking about her and have a card on it's way. Turning 18 is monumental and I hope it is the beginning of better times (as an adult) for 'our Meg' and family!!

Since I've been home from Oregon we have had hot, hot, HOT weather and those horrible Santa Ana winds! CA has been ablaze - particularly in the area where the Binghams used to live. Let's all hope the winds die down soon and that the worst is almost over.

Tomorrow night I'm going to see Courtney Jones appear at the Genghis Khan in LA, with Andrea & Landon. Then I will have a sleepover with Andrea and the kids. That's if the freeways are open and the show is going on!

Countdown 5 days until we are IN the Bakers new home. What a joy!! In the meantime there is much to do to get ready for our trip.

Have a wonderful week!! xo

From Oregon to Virginia in TEN days...

Last week I was enjoying the cool rainy days with Debbie, Craig, Collin and Dray, in Oregon. What a beautiful place to be in the fall, even with all of the drizzly rainy weather! Everyone walks around without umbrellas; wearing neat scarves, caps and the traditional clothing I just love.

There are so many neat places to shop around Salem and in Portland as well! Staying with the Bingham's is one laugh after another. They certainly know how to enjoy life to the maximum - even if it's just having a couple of gals hanging around or Draper making cinnamon rolls!! Slater, the dog, brings his own kind of joy as well. Thanks to Craig for making this wonderful birthday gift for Debbie, happen!

Next Friday we are off to spend a week with Cathleen, Greg & 8 delightful grandchildren ranging in age from 2-19!! Gregory,II, Tory, Christopher, Aleks, Gwen, Jonathan, Nathaniel & little Izzie, the queen. We always remember baby Matthew who would now be 4 years of age.



It will be exciting to be there during the pre- trim the tree- time and to pick up Gregory from his college dorm. Where has the last year gone - I can't imagine. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving dinner with all of them in their beautiful new home. How exciting is that???

I'll be seeing Landon Bingham on Monday evening when Andrea, he and I attend a concert featuring his girlfriend Courtney Jones in LA. I haven't seen Landon since he joined the Coast Guard, but I can sure say he is looking mighty handsome in uniform.



I'm looking forward to a sleepover with Oliver, Ben & Charlotte - even though they may not even know I am there!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!! xoxoxo

Today we were 'sign wavers' for YES on PROP 8

Today we spent a couple of hours as sign wavers along El Toro Rd and Jeronimo. Doing this makes for very interesting and mostly pleasurable experiences. There are a lot of supporters, along with an occasional abrupt gesture, but being with other Saints makes it pretty easy to do.

Most of all it helps us do something worthwhile - a lot like working in the local food pantry - rather than sitting at home, watching and waiting for the upcoming election.

We may not be running marathons like Andrea, but it is good, healthy exercise and as I mentioned before, the company is great!!

Sure hope you are enjoying your week as well!

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS ~ Christopher, Gwen, baby Matthew & Kate!!!

Now I have not been very consistent with this blog thing, but I haven't been very consistent about anything else this month either. I hope everyone had a wonderful birthday and I thank those of you who have posted photos of those very special days.

I have tried to be sure "we" celebrate all the local grandkids birthdays with them - at least during their month. Kate, however, we slipped up on and for that I have big regrets. Someone please tell Kate how much we love her, even now that she is eleven years of age. As for the two VA birthdays - we sure wish we could have been with you, too!!

Duncan-dad-poppy and I had a wonderful time at our 50th high school reunion. It was a "blast, from the past" and everyone was out there strolling the night away. The joy of this reunion was not the flashes in the pan, but rather the solid class of '58(ers) celebrating life in the most positive way we can!



I know I enjoyed watching many members of our class coming together in the most marvelous ways. When it is your turn for a 50th I hope you'll be on hand.

As for OLD friends - well I spent 9 days in NJ with two of them. I haven't laughed so much since the last time I was there. Treasure those "oldies" - they are to be counted among the goldies for sure.

Coming soon... Unc Steve turns the big 6-0 and Debbie hits birthday #44!! They are to be followed by Gregory,II, Denise, Sean,'our'Meg and then Heather.

Can anyone believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner??? Happy Halloween!

It's been fifty years since we graduated from RAMSEY high school

Wednesday evening we fly back to NJ for our 50th reunion - class of '58!! I'm still trying to figure out where 50 years went so fast!!! There are a few activities planned including a football game Saturday afternoon. Duncan/dad/poppy has his 1958 RHS football jacket out of mothballs and it 'almost' fits...

He returns home on Sunday evening and I will stay on in NJ until the 21st, with Carol - my very dear old friend...

Margaret (as in Uncle Steve) will be here in CA while I am away. I hope to see her when I return.

CONGRATULATIONS are in order. Landon is graduating from the Coast Guard basic training in Cape May, NJ this Friday morning and Debbie says he sounds wonderful and all has gone well for him. Debbie and Craig will be at his graduation, having already made a brief visit to Greg, Cathleen and the family in their new home in VA. Lanny will be stationed on a ship in Santa Barbara, CA so I hope we'll see him before too long!

Welcome back, Theresa! You have been very much missed! I hear you will be going to NYC with Andrea and the kids, for her participation in the NYC marathon on Nov. 1st.

This coming weekend Andrea will be hiking on the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon - a brief 2 day, 52 mile journey. Imagine that!!

Soon we enter the holiday season and will be visiting the VA Bakers aka as "the cherry blossoms" for Thanksgiving in their new home.

Lots of birthdays coming up, too!! Christopher, Gwen, Nate, Matthew & Kate. with Debbie, Unc, Gregory II, Denise, Sean, Megan and Heather coming right behind. Happy Birthday, one and all!!!

We'll be seeing you when we see you!! Say a little prayer for good flying, driving, weather and times... while we are away!

Muchl much love to each and every one of you!! xoxoxo

HAPPY 36TH ANNIVERSARY to us all!

Today we celebrated being married and a huge mixed up and blended family for 36 years! That is a very long time!

We feel so fortunate to have 25 grandchildren, plus our 1st great granddaughter on the way...

We have been married almost 1/2 my life and I can't even remember a time before SYDNEY!

We feel so blessed in all the many ways that count.

Happy Anniversary, Duncan and all of you eight wonderful sons and daughters... plus all the wonderful additions to this family now!!



xoxoxo

Remembering 9/11 doubly... GOD BLESS AMERICA

Yesterday was the 7th anniversary of 9/11/01, which sticks largely in our minds as the before and after of America's indelible reality check about the safety of this country and the freedom we all hold so dear. May we never let these events fade from our memory. Also, may the personal stories of those who gave their lives in sacrifice of this freedom never be forgotten, either.

Six years ago yesterday, on the first anniversary of 9/11, our sister, daughter and friend, Debbie Bingham, was sitting in a comfortable chair being injected with a rather cuttine edge mono-clonal antibody called Rituxan, dripping into her body to kill the terrible cancer that was attacking her bone marrow and spline.

In both cases there were individual challenges going on and in very different ways. I think it consists of fighting spirits, and faith in God, in both so very different occasions, that speaks of the blessings He has endowed upon those of his children who continue their valiant fights.

Our country is not the same - never will be - and we Americans have the scars to prove it.

Our Debbie is not the same either - and never will be. May God continue to bless her and may HE bless all of us who enjoy the freedom to live in the most wonderful land on earth.