Have a Blessed Easter - April 11, 2009

Wishing you and your family a Very Blessed and Happy Easter

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year, 2009! I want to start out the New Year with GOOD NEWS !!! Hopefully, on ... or maybe before ... escrow will CLOSE on our 3 Anaheim Hills Condo's !!! Yeh!!! It will be a great relief to have one less responsibility on our plate.

We had a great time bringing in the New Year, celebrating with some of our "oldest" (long time friends, not a reference to age) friends. Brad and Arlene hosted a dinner party for Ralph & Mary; Frank & R.B.; Irene & Terry (but, Terry didn't make it because of a cold); Lyn & Kim; Bill & Kathy; Paul & Jan and Jerry and I. During the day, Jerry was fighting pain and sleepiness, but wanted to go. He was dragging and wasn't feeling well but we went anyway. Once we got there, Jerry didn't think he'd be able to stay long. But once we ate dinner, he laid down for a short rest and felt pretty good the rest of the night. We were able to bring in the New Year with our close friends!

New Year's Eve, December 31, 2008

As 2008 comes to an end and our 2009 New Year begins, I want to send a heart felt THANK YOU to all our family and friends for your support during this difficult year. For all your thoughts, prayers and many phone calls made to us, this year. There are NO words that can express my appreciation for all of you who have shown us so much concern for Jerry this year. Jerry started out this year with C-Diff colitus, then chemo therapy, then the removal of his gallbladder and now he is fighting the pain of a sinus incection which has settled in his jaw/gums. He is doing better today then on Christmas Eve, but is still fighting with pain in his mouth. I pray that all of you will feel God's Goodness and Blessings in 2009. My love and prayers will be there for all of you. Thanks you and I treasure your love and friendship. God Bless you!

Christmas Greeting, 2008

WISHING ALL OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS A VERY BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY SEASON.

Thanksgiving Day 11/27/2008

Started our Thanksgiving Day attending Church. Because of the recent fires all around us in Corona, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Brea and Diamond Bar. Our priest invited the local firefighters to come and celebrate with us. They had two (2) fire large and one (1) small fire trucks in the parking lot. The firemen got at least three (3) standing ovations for they work and bravery. Father Joe invited all who wanted to come up to the front and tell the congregation what we were thankful for. One boy went to the front an said he was thankful for the firemen who saved his house. A gentleman told us he was thankful for the firemen saving his wife by knocking on the door and telling her to get out, they lost their home. There were many more brave people who got up in front and shared their gratitude. It was a very touching service and a great way to start off our Thanksgiving Day. Later on we went down to see "our boys" Jake and Zack and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving before heading down to Debbie and Stigs for our Thanksgiving meal.

October 31, 2008 - Halloween

Jake and Zack - Trick or Treating at Jerry and Karen's. These are their new motorcycle outfits. Daddy bought them a small motorcycle that they drive around in circles in their backyard. Daddy drives "of course"!

Easter Greetings

Easter this year included Jerry's family coming to California for a visit. Brother Bob (Mesa, AZ) arrived on Wednesday, 03.16th for a short stay until Saturday, 03.22nd. Sister Shirley (St Maries, ID) and her husband arrived early afternoon Saturday, 02.22nd and left Wednesday morning, 03.26th. Sister Joni (Coeur'd Alene, ID) flew in late Saturday, 03.22nd and left early evening Wednesday 03.26th. It was a whirl wind visit but, everyone was anxious and wanted to spend time with Jerry. Unfortunately, Jerry continues to be under the weather and still quite fatigued. Jerry felt well enough to get started with brother Bob putting up a new fence to which replaces the fence that blew down last year. They were able to replace the posts and rails and get most of the fence boards are up before brother Bob had to leave. Jerry started getting sick Thursday afternoon, he continued to struggle through working on the fence until sun down. On Friday, Jerry wasn't feeling well enough to continue on the fence until about 3:00pm that afternoon. After brother Bob left, Jerry and brother-in-law, Paul continued putting up fence boards, on Saturday, Jerry still has a few to go. Saturday afternoon and evening Jerry was feeling poorly. Jerry insisted on going, with me, to pick sister Joni up at 9:45pm Saturday night, from the Ontario Airport. During the night, Jerry had a rough Saturday night and Sunday morning. Easter Sunday, Jerry was not able to go to Church with us. We had plans to celebrate Easter with cousin Dana and wife, Deanna (Aunt Betty's son), in Dana Point. Jerry was not well enough to join us, but insisted we all go and have a good time. He said their was nothing we could do for him. Joni and I drove separately, so that we could "eat and run". But, the drinks and hordeovers keep coming and we didn't eat until much later. But, it was a beautiful day overlooking the Pacific ocean and the hospitality was gracious and we all had a wonderful day. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Jerry and Joni worked tilling and planting Jerry's garden. Jerry felt pretty good and was glad to have Joni's help getting his garden in. Jerry and Joni worked so well together... both of them are passionate workers and passionate about their garden. Aunt Betty hosted two evening meals for all of us, which we all enjoyed. Monday night we entertained each other with joke telling and Tuesday night we all played Yahtzee. Even though the visit was very short, Jerry and I were happy to see and enjoy every ones company.

December 25, 2007 Christmas Day ...4th Stop

Denise; "Pumpkin" and Erin

We stayed at Randy, Stef and Bunny's until it was time to head for our next destination, which was Deb's sister Denise and husband Pat's in Cypress, CA for hor d'overs and Christmas dinner.

Between Randy and Stefs we did receive a call from my sister Kathy who was visiting her Daughter and Grandchildren in King George, VA. We talked to Katrina, Justice (7) and Harmony (5). They sounded pretty excited about Santa coming and all the presents they had received for Christmas.

Arrived around 4:30pm. Blanch, Deb and Stig; Yvette and Jake; Scott and Stacy; Pat, Denise and Erin (their daughter); Jackie and Walter (Pat's mom and dad). Oh and Deb's mom Blanch. It was more snacks before dinner. Dinner was great and finally the last gift exchange. So as you can see we had a very busy day.

December 25, 2007 Christmas Day ...3rd Stop

After our visit with Mike, Dawn, Jake and Zack we were onto our next Santa stop...

Our good friends and also former next door neighbors, Randy and Stef. We have stayed close friends with Randy and Stef after they moved out of the neighborhood. They have moved 3-times since they lived next door to us and now are residing in Orange, CA.

... more snacks and more gift exchange.

We really enjoyed our visit with Randy and Stef since we hadn't seen them since they returned from their annual trip back to New York, earlier this month. We stayed at Randy and Stefs until it was time to head for our next destination.

We also enjoyed seeing and playing with their lovable jack Russell terrier, Bunny. After there jack Russell terrier, Spanky pasted away earlier this year. They acquired Bunny from our local animal shelter.

December 25, 2007 Christmas Day ...1st & 2nd Stop

Jerry and I hope all of you had a bless and wonderful Merry Christmas... Jerry and I had a very busy day... we started out with Church at 10:00am. By 11:30am we were home, changed clothes and walked 2-doors down to see Jake and Zack. Mike and Dawn fed us orange juice and pumpkin bread. Mike (Jake's dad) knows how much Jerry loves his pumpkin bread. Jake and Zack were very excited about Santa coming. They couldn't wait to show Jerry the Power Ranger DVD game Santa had brought. Shortly after we arrived the kid's were excited to open presents from us. I had two bags one for each of the boys. Picture's I had taken of the boys (1) with Santa hats holding a pretend present and (2) with Santa hats sitting in the snow. Jake and I framed the pictures, wrapped them up and put tags that the boys each signed for mom, dad, grandma (Dawn's mom) and nana (Mike's mom). I also had a special poem framed and gave to Dawn and Mike for Christmas. For Jake and Zack I had wrapped up some Thomas & Friends trains. I had a McDonald's gift card in their stockings, along with some Christmas Candy. The biggest box was beautifully wrapped and Zack was so anxious to open the package, he stood there with his little hand under one of the corners waiting to tear the paper off. I told both boys that that package was for mom and dad... it was pots and pans. When they started opening the box they were so excited to see the Thomas and Friends " "Gold Mine Mountain" train set. From Mike and Dawn Jerry and I received a beautifully framed picture of Jake and Zack, as well as, a Gift Card for Souplantation. Mike says we will all go together to the souplantation. BTW... Mike and Dawn bought their house 2-doors down from our friends Deb and Stig.

December 24, 2007 Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we spend with our dear friends (and former neighbors) Deb and Stig. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve at Deb and Stigs, along with Deb's mother, Blanch; daughter Yvette; her son Jake; Deb's son Scott and his fiancee Stacy. Deb prepared ham and swedish meatballs (Stig is from Sweden) along with potatoes, asparagus lots of hordovers and too many deserts. Dinner as wonderful. This is a picture of Debbi, Yvette and Jake.

A Christmas Wish

May all the days of all the years
that God may have in store
be filled with joy and peace
to bless you more and more.

May the happiness of Christmas
be in your heart to stay,
and to brighten all your moments
long after Christmas Day.