I spent the first half of this week back in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, visiting my very dear friends Tom and JoAnn. (pictured here with Mike & me at Parras, MX in 2003) It was so nice to be back in my favorite town that we had lived in for 11 years in the 1980's. Some things about BD never change, and then some things have changed dramatically. We have known Tom and Jo for over 25 years and could fill pages talking of our good times together. They were the only friends who actually made the trip to Torreon to visit. And no matter how much time passes between visits, we are never akward with each other, and can always find things to talk about. (esp. Jo and I) One morning I was in their back yard taking Gracie for her potty walk, I looked out over the yard and was watching bunnies romping together to the left, and squirrels playing to my right, and birds everywhere singing and flitting about. I felt like I was in a Walt Disney movie!! I half expected Snow White to start singing, "Some day my Prince will come...." Wow, life in Wisconsin, beautiful!! So, I lift my cup of Diet Coke to you Jo and Tom, you are the best. May we always be friends, and grow older together. But remember, I never intend to grow up.

Well, what do you think? I think it looks like he has had the easier, less stressed life. But you cant reall see him under that hat and sunglasses. He's still a hunk to me.

I've been having trouble all day with the blog. Heaven know what will be on it in the end. But here are some pictures Mike wanted to post. Both of me, both at Rocky Mountain National Park, just 35 year apart. I guess he wanted everyone to see what happens after being married to him for that many years. What he doesn't know is that I plan to post two pictures of him, same time, same place also, so you can see what happened to him after that many years of being married to me.

Today is Christophers Birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRIS!!!! This picture was taken 32 years ago. So as Chris puts it, he is now 'Older than Jesus'. Hint, this is a picture of Chris' 2nd birthday. I like it because is shows my little sunburned toehead Chris, and Mike doing typical big brother stuff. Anyway, I miss you Chris. And dad and I are sending you birthday hugs and kisses. We hope you day is a good one.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's!! And a special Happy Father-to-be Day to my son Chris. I think you are all wonderful. Here are a few pictures of my Dad taken back years ago. I used the one in the kitchen because it is one of my fondest memories of my dad. Every Sunday dad would cook breakfast after Mass. Usually still in his Sunday clothes, as in this picture. He was a great cook and all the family would help with toast making, and table setting. Sometimes we would even "sing along with Mitch" records playing on the 'Hi-Fi'. That is how I learned all the words to the real oldies, not 50-60's rock & roll, but tunes like, 'Dont fence me in.' I miss my dad.

Here are the Ladies again. Remember Shirley won the dinner out for 10? Last night was the girls night out to eat it. It was marvelous! The food was only second to the company. The dinner was cooked by a delightful young woman from Turkey. It was so fun to hear her story as to how she arrived in Waterloo. It was a fun evening all around, and my hats off to all of you ladies. You are the best! Thanks for all of your friendships. And special thanks to Shirley for sharing her good fortune with us.

Only an hour drive from Hot, Hot Phoenix is lovely Payson, and a respite from the heat. And just outside Payson is Natural Bridge State Park. After a short hike down into the canyon, you will be rewarded with the view of a natural bridge and waterfall. This is Patrick and his dad exploring a crevice . But personally, I paid for the hike with a pulled muscle and was forced to hobble around Santa Fe the next two days Guess I am not used to stairs and heat. Gosh, I hate getting older.

Here is Grandpa Mike and Patrick enjoying one of the stops at the Science Mueseum in Phoenix. They are trying their skills at robot making. We had a delightful morning there before meeting Mikey for lunch.

Patrick and I always seem to end up in the back seat together. We love it. Here is a sample of what we do to keep ourselves amused.
While I read his favorite riding in Grandpa's truck book, he shows me what it tastes like to "swallow a fly". The other picture is what your really supposed to do with stickers when the sticker book is boring.

Well, we have been on a vacation for the past two weeks. Here is how it started. We took our old sailboat, "Obiwanders" (yes, that is why this blog is called by the same name) to the boat dealer in St. Louis and traded her in on a new 25 ft. sailboat. I will let you all know when the new one comes in and post a picture of it with Mike the proud owner. As you can see, I look pretty happy to be kissing this one goodbye. I am hoping I will like sailing more with the bigger boat. This little boat served us well for over 15 years.
I will be posting some more about our trip in the coming days. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I will.