Christmas Season 2008

ta da!
should be doing alot of other things...haha!
We try to inter-ject alittle fun into everything we do...but I am defintely
the goofy-ier one...it doesn't take much for me to be silly. Yes, I defintely take
too many pictures...but oh well, they all are alittle different...in expressions, etc.
Yes,at the Conners..where we had Christmas
dinner..we all had fun playing Wii --snowboarding no less. that is quite a challenge. We don't have one yet...but would be nice.
Karin and Mack and I all played christmas carols...Karin on piano of course,
Mack on backup banjo...and me on the guitar...it was a nice time for all.
CHristmas dinner was prime rib..sweet potatoes, jello salad..stuffing,rolls,
we had Celtic Chocolate cake...and Sweet potatoe cheese cake(didn't get around to that)and I think I missed something important we had..
but the chocolate cake was very good..unlike anyother I've ever had...yummy..
the yams just had brown sugar on them halved...and baked...
I brought appetizers...best one was the Red Pepper Jam over cream cheese...I'll give you the recipe...very good and easy...

Red Pepper Jam
6-8 Red peppers...cut up (ends off-but include the seeds)
(cut them up in the food processor til tiny...
1 TBSP salt over it all in a glass bowl for 24 hours or so...
then drain..(discard the juice unless you want it...for I don't know what)
put the remaining peppers stuff in a
pan...add
2 cups white vinegar
3 cups sugar..
cook for 45 minutes..
get 4 or 5 jars ready...(heat in oven - after they have been sterizled)
then when the mixture is thicker like jam...add to your jars and seal with lids..
turns out excellent..and you will be surprised..
serve with a block of cream cheese. very holidayish!

So that is about all for now..am getting use to the blackberry/storm and have to get my addresses converted over into the new phone. all takes getting use too again.
Hope that your christmas and celebrating was good and full of family and fun.
Ours only could have been much better if the kids had been here with us...but it doesn't usually happen with us..as they have far away lives that make it so hard to return home
for a quicker visit. We did get TJ a new Lap top from dell for her christmas present
this year and she is really jazzed about that. SHe can stay in contact better with us
now...Eric did call and he was busy at a class for 2 weeks away from his base. He said that his holiday was quiet too. 6 more months.
Gotta run and write TJ..her present just arrived..
Hugs & Prayers,
BJM

November 2008

Dear all,

A month sure goes by quickly...and we are into fall now...had our first snow this week(1/2 inch or so)--melted really quickly--but was pretty cold for a few days. It was right after halloween so the kids didn't have a cold night to catch cold. I worked Halloween night and got to see costumes coming in all day...and enjoyed that.

Eric called 2 days ago--friday and got to talk to him for 45 minutes. He is well and had just gotten back from Kuaite on work -he said that they had to get special parts there and just things that they don't have on base. He did tell me that the only way off base is by helicopter

and so each time he goes somewhere it is by helicopter. Didn't know that...so that makes me alittle more nervous. He is doing well and feels well...so what else could a mom want for her son? He is so wonderful to check in on a frequent basis...and it makes me feel much more at ease.

Teresa Jo is fine and working two jobs...so expensive there to live that it takes alot of effort on her part. She is working for a construction company --answering phone calls and doing paperwork..during the day and at night...she is working at Ross dress for less.. a store she loves. She is fine and we chat more frequently but shorter talks. She had a great halloween and dressed up as "Little Bo Peep" a costume she had gotten a year or so ago and she looks darling in. She is getting to use it for a few years to get her moneys worth of it.

We all got past the election and things will change now in the future.

Even though I was not too excited about the choices..we need to pray for the ones that get elected and know that God can use anyone for his good in the end.

Yesterday I was apart of a fundraiser at Montague hall...for TCF bake sale at the Holiday Magic Craft fair...we did it 3 years ago and decided to do it again to raise money for the upcoming National Convention in August in Portland. We baked all sorts of cookies and cakes...and members all donated cakes...we made about $150.00 in total. Pretty good for us. We are all in the holiday spirit now after being at the craft fair for that long. So Santa's workshop is open now here at home.

Went out to Big Springs to visit my old nieghbors(Right after the Craft show for a hour--Banjo & Julie Gregory) there and got to see their new addition to their home and hear how their kids are doing. It is beautiful and they have done so much. It was stormy there and it thundered and rained hard...have forgotten what the sounds are out there and it was nastolgic to hear them again and memories of hearing wind blow all night comes back to me clearly. I miss the extreme weather there...but it is strange to go back...as things look smaller to me than when I lived there...It is always comforting to go down the old street again...and to realize...you never can go back for long...just visits..as life moves on to different places.

So that about catches you up with things here. I am gearing up for the Local TCF Candle Lighting Ceremony coming up December 14th, 2008. Click here: YouTube - Worldwide Candle Lighting Video It is probably one of the most important days of the year for me to be able to be apart of this event locally. We usually get about 100 or so people to attend and this year we are doing a photo slide show of all the children...so we are trying to gather photos from everyone in the chapter. Hope that part works out, as we have never done this.

Guess that is all for now...uploaded a viedo of our old house for you all to enjoy...it has changed alot out there....when we lived there the house was blue and there wasn't any junk around like it looks now...We kept a much prettier place. That is the heartache to go back and see how the new owners have messed up all your hard years of work. ugh.

Til next month..love you all,

Bette Jo

Take a look at this:

http://mylivesignature.com/mls_wizard1_6.php

Dear All

Just discovered this morning how to make tickers...went on a friends website and got busy and learned..haha. it is cute! you can do it with vacations and birthdays etc. kinda fun!

Can't remember how long it has been since my last entry..a couple of months or so I think. Since last entry..I have gone down to visit Teresa Jo the beginning of October and enjoyed seeing where she lives and what she is doing there. We visited the Hearst Castle and had a blast there. Mack and Molly stayed home. Wendy went down with me as her Dad and step mom Beverly have a timeshare there and so she was able to enjoy the weekend there with them while I visited with Teresa Jo and on Saturday and Sunday Nancey and Amy from San Diego came up to visit also. It was alot going on but such fun. I actually had Friday and half of saturday with Teresa alone and all day Monday also before we left. Took many pictures and movies. Still am sorting them out.

http://picasaweb.google.com/BetteJosphotos/TripToSeeTeresaJo10308#

I had to work 10 days before the trip straight...and 9 days after straight just to get the time off to go. What fun that was...so now I am enjoying a 3 day vacation off work this weekend for the first time since I got home. Have to catchup with house cleaning today and try to do something that I want to do...like sew.

Eric called about 4 days ago and we got to catch up alittle. He says it is cooling off now there and he is staying busy. He takes Sundays off usually and trys to rest. He misses home alot, I think. We miss him extremely and hate to think that he is so far, far away from home til next June or July. I am hoping to rent a house at the coast for our vacation this next year and invite the whole family for a reunion there. It has been 2 years this next year since our last family reunion in Hawaii. I am hoping that Kristen and Christopher and Loretta & Bob and boys will attend. Have to get busy and find a place to rent and decide on location exactly. Hope that late summer will work for Eric and that he will be home by then.

Can't think of much else that is new. Mack is still busy playing his banjos when he is off work...and we did attend the Plymoth Bluegrass festival in September too. That was a good time and we enjoyed it tremedously. Took molly also.

I finally finished Teresa Jo's quilt and took it down to her. There is a picture of it that I downloaded here for you all to see. It turned out lovely and she loves it alot. I am proud of it too! we are still tweeking it alittle with a few names on the hearts that had to be changed but it is 99% done. Makes her feel good and close to us here at home. Her doggie "Skitts" is a perfect angel there and never puts up a fuss when we left to do something else. She is a doll of a dog.

Guess that is all for now...will think of more later...

Bye, bye! love you all BJM

photoshow address

http://www.photoshow.com/members/BetteJoM/my_channel

This was the photo show that I put together after our trip down to southern california...turned out cute..finally figured out how to post it..

August 2008

Hi all,

This is for the middle month of August 2008 and just a quick entry before I go to work this morning. This month has been full of music...Mack is busy playing bluegrass again--the old Klamath River Ramblers are practicing again each tuesday night at the Bachs home...and they do sound pretty good. I love it and just go and listen and feel frustrated that I am not good enough to join in. haha.

This month is our 13th anniversary on the 21st. We are celebrating by going to dinner and just enjoying being with one another...I am so happy we have had such a fun 13 years together and know we will have many more years ahead. Mack is my mr. wonderful.

Mack and I went to the Siskiyou county fair on the Sunday morning of it's last day. I had helped with the Auction Breakfast that Raley's puts on for the 4H-ers and FFA and aution people. We served over 600 people. Mack came over when it was done and we enjoyed the early morning hours there and saw the clydales and tigers they had there this year..Glad that we got to go--missed last year, won't let that happen again. Teresa Jo went to the mid-state fair with her girlfriend...you can take the girl out of the city..but can't take the country out of the girl..

It was really hot all last week here over 100 degrees each day and this week it is back to 80's now again....more livable. Went to the water slide with Wendy and her daughter Britt and her girlfriend on last friday and we had such a fun day. Glad that we went...I needed the outing.

August is a tough month for me being that it is Bonnie Jo's birthday month and yet this month- rememberance date was good...I looked through a few old mementos and remembered some good times..and felt alittle sorrow that I am not able to celebrate her 32nd with her...but still I feel that she is very near by...and for that I am very thankful.

Eric got home for his 20 day leave vacation from Iraq Too...He hopefully will be down to visit us for 4 or 5 days..he said that he wants to get out of Yelm for a few days...we would have gladly gone up there to visit him, if he had wanted. I am so very happy he is home..It is the hottest time of year over there and he is out for a break..He will done over there in about 8 or 9 months.

We are preparing for September...we will go to Plymouth Bluegrass festival on the 18-20th ..and then two weeks later will go see Teresa Jo in San Luis Obispo. Can't wait for both events.

Well must get ready for work now...but thought this would be quick anyways...

Hugs & Prayers,

BJM

July 2008

Before-- (July 11-14) Our Family reunion Scheduled here at our house... is getting closer...we will go to Medford on Monday the 7th to do the bigger shopping for the event. About 17 people in total...which is small for his family.After-- The family reunion was enjoyed here at our house July 11-14th and so we are getting back to normal....Busy, busy vacation this time. Just now re-surfacing again...We had a wonderful time with our relatives here and did a lot. They started arriving on Wednesday and all arrived by Friday and we had small easy dinner Friday night and then Saturday night we had a nice Rib eye steak dinner and during the day we went to Taylor lake..(just a few of us..I was the instigator on that one) and Sunday morning we all had a waffle breakfast and then dispursed in different directions.. Some left and ones that were left about 13 of us...went on Monday up to the Jet boat ride/dinner excursion. It was lovely to do that and would do it again in a heartbeat. IT is really a blast .Even though we had done it before twice...we had never done the dinner ride and so glad we finally experienced it...very good food etc...fun ride and all. Then we all came back here and crashed again all over the house...sleeping bags and mattresses everywhere...and got up early Tuesday and more left to go home and then 8 were left and we all went to coos bay for 2nights 3days....cloudy and cold there...but we had another good time experiencing the ocean with all. Then 4 more left and 4 of us came back today and we dropped off the last 2 at Medford airport at 11:00 am...wow...a long week and a half...but we did it.! Wow. All total that came here was 17 people. That is small for the normal size groups that usually come. Lucky for us it was smaller. I did take tons of pictures and movies.....everyone had a super time and it went so smoothly, with no problems at all. I never stopped really moving for 2 weeks and yet I still feel like I got rested. During the reunion we all pitched in and did the jobs together and it went so easily. I think that Mack worked muchHarder than I. I was looking at the viedo that we took and it is entertaining to watch. Glad that we got it on tape. Will try to burn it into a DVD soon for all to see. Got back from Coo's bay about 1:30 ..Friday and we are catching up alittle now and spending the night here and then tomorrow morning going over to the Etna Bluegrass festival and will spend Saturday night there in the camper....I am tired and would like to stay home...but this time Mack is the one that wants to go more ..... I even think he is more tired than me...but is determine to get there. Eric called and has emailed me three times in the past 2 months...Eric is fine...I keep missing his calls but he leaves messages though. Sent him a package about 2 weeks ago...and hope that he got it. He did say in his message he is getting his vacation early..late august and will go to his home in Washington for a week, then down here for a week..and then back there --he has 20 days total. I am so excited.This is what he said:
(first email) Everything going good, Great to here from you. I got this picture from Bob and Robyn my neighbors. It has the front yard grass grown in. Such torture missing the summer for a year. Not much going on here but everyday work. Talk to you all soon.
(Second email) Hi, every thing is going good and I am well, We have been working a lot but things are starting to settle down alittle. This is a cute picture of Kristen and me. I got an e-mail from my neighbors Bob and Robin so I don't need Chad to go out there. I do need Chads phone numbers thou I think. Thanks for all that you do for me. It would be a head ack to do it from here. Miss you much tell everyone I say hello. Love Eric
....(third email)EERYTHING IS GOING GOOD OVER HERE WORK ALOT OF HOURS. I PUT NOTES BY EACH OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAD THANKS FOR HELPING. LOVE ERIC
Isn't it funny..he is such a horrible speller like me...I see such similarity in so many things that he does to how dad was and the way I approach things also...must be alittle genetics there. Miss him terribly and glad that he is getting caught up there. I have apackage almost ready to send to him now...I am so very slow doing things like that.
His email is Eric.longhofer@us.army.mil I email him but rarely get emails back..
Haven't touched bases too often lately with TJ ...just play phone tag. She is very busy with her life right now. Working again as a waitress and loves it I think..that is what she keeps telling me. . Will touch bases with you soon...take care... Hugs & Prayers, BJM

Monday April 28th, 2008

Dear Family & Friends,

Well, once again another week has gone by so quickly and lots has happened! Eric left this last Thursday night,(early Friday morning 3:00am) for Iraq and arrived on Saturday our time noon or so. I just happened to be home when he called to tell us he touched down on the ground and they will be in Kuiate for a few days til they process them and send them on to their destination. I am so thankful that I was home to talk. Each time he goes there it seems like the phone service and usualy delays when you talk get better and better. It is just strange to realize that you are talking to someone around on the other side of the world and it seems like they are right in the neighborhood. He will keep us posted as time goes one.

Mack has been at his new job for over a week now and is enjoying settling in to the new routine. He is starting to get ready for our family reunion here by diving into projects that have needed his handy attention for awhile. I have much to do also, but just have my days off to accomplish them.

Our weather here has been absoultely perfect the last week or so. After I set all my plants on the front porch they froze and almost lost them all...hope that they rebound alittle.

Teresa Jo just sent me that first picture of her and her Doggie Skitts last night so will share it with you. She is keeping busy in SLO and soon will move to Arroyo Grande. She looks well. Haven't talked to her but once in the past week. She will be 22 soon next month.

Guess that is all for now...can't think of much else that has been happening here. Just trying to keep up with each days work etc.

Till next entry..Hugs & Prayers,

Bette Jo

End of April

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow, how time flies! can't believe that it has been a month since we were up visiting the kids in Yelm and we have been back and in our routines for about 3 weeks now. Since that time many changes have happened. Mack tested for a new job...and got it..working for the D.A. office as a D.A. Investigator. He is just thrilled with the new position and yet it was very hard for him to leave his job at the Sheriff's Office. 19 years is along time to have been working in the same place. But he is happy with getting to do something different and everything rolls over to our advantage so it all was in God's timing. Funny how things go sometimes.

Eric leaves today...they kept post ponning their departure for Iraq this time...and so today is the day and he will be traveling about a day and 1/2 to get there. Your prayers are needed during this time with him being gone probably for at least a year and could be 15 months this time. He was alittle stressed out each time I did talk to him and believe me it was very brief when we did touch bases...he is a busy guy with many responsibilties now and has many people under his watch. He is a angel of a son and I am so thankful to be his mom...how proud I am of him doing what he loves to do the most...! My mom and dad would have especially been very proud of him and his accomplishments. Will keep you posted on what is going on with him over there on this blog...

Teresa Jo is fine and getting ready to move in a couple of weeks from SLO to Arroyo Grande. Her girlfriend Erica has a room she can rent for 1/3 the price of what she is paying in SLO. THey will have a yard etc..for her baby doggie Skitts to run around in also...so it is a good move for her there. Next when she gets settled she will think about finding a job. She is a doll and growing up so fast too. I am so blessed to have had all 3 children and thankful that they are good at keeping us involved in their lives.

I will be going on a trip down south to Southern California soon with my girlfriend Wendy for a nice visit at Newport beach for a week or so. Will be nice to get away and relax. Can't believe that it will be here end of next week already.

So Mack will be holding down the fort with Molly and Copper and says he is gonna clean out the freezer and anything he doesn't like.....haha..but we will see.. He is trying to get ready for the big Family Reunion coming up July 11-13th here at our home with all of his siblings. I have been cleaning and cleaning and still keep seeing things I need to do. Wish I had some help to get it all done.

Am almost done with Teresa Jo's quilt. It has turned out beautifully...and am so very proud of it. I am putting 100 names around the edges in the hearts of all her favorite friends from High School and now in her life...and each time I sit down to do it I can't remember how to get the stupid machine to program...so I fight with it and finally it works...so it is slow going. Have to have it done before I leave on the trip south, as her birthday is right when we get back..and I wanted to present it to her for her 22 birthday. Wish me well...

till next entry...

Hugs & Prayers,

Bette Jo

April 8th, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a few weeks since my last entry and am just getting back to a normal pace after being gone to visit the kids on a nice vacation break in Washington. What fun we had being with both kids...and we kept busy just hanging out with them at Eric's home. Got to see all of his projects he has accomplished and visit Loretta and Bob and although we didn't get to see Kristen and CHristopher and their children because they were sick...we did talk to them. Maybe next trip.

Eric was just getting ready to drive TJ back down to SLO again as her heart is there and she feels drawn to that area with all her friends there etc. They left the afternoon after we left after they loaded up his truck and got everything done. Teresa Jo had less to take back there this trip as she thinned out alot of stuff.

Eric is getting ready to deploy again the end of this month...so will be off to either Iraq or Japan. Not sure which one will happen yet. So will keep you informed.

When Eric drove down with her they stopped and picked up their dad and took him with them to help. WHen Eric came home he stopped here really fast for dinner and to pick up a oak Book case we didn't need anymore. He hopefully will be able to use it. He likes to drive all night when he returns...so I packed him a good lunch and snack bag for his enjoyment going back. Mom's always gotta do that.

He had a whole week left when he returned and he said that he didn't really accomplish as much as he was hoping but had a good rest during that time. He is such a wonderful son and I am so thankful that he and Teresa Jo had that last 6 months together to enjoy and get to be closer than they had been. Might be one of the only times in their lives that they won't have spouses and they had a closer time to connect.

Since we got home...I reorganized my craft room and went through all my books...learned how to make a photo show
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Rj5VN6mj

and also made a website for My family....

http://www.myfamily.com/Home.aspx?mfsid=34456469

I love all these new ways to communicate with loved family and friends. Didn't know that I could do any of these things...but with encouragement of a few friends I tried it and they worked...So I add a few new things every so often.

Guess that is all for now and hope that this finds you all well.

The big good news for this week is Mack is going to start a new job

working as a D.A. Investigator...for Siskiyou county starting on the 13th of this month. He is jazzed and thrilled that he has a new challenge ahead. So guess that is all for now..

signing off for now...Hugs & Prayers,

BJM

March Maddess--Ha Ha

Dear Friends and Family,

We are getting ready to get out of dodge soon...this friday to be exact and have lots to do before then. Finish TJ's quilt, get the snow tires off, find out who will take care of Copper and pack for the trip....and maybe clean the house if I have time before we leave.

Mack seems to think that we will be home early in the week...but I have other ideas about being up there til at least tuesday and coming home Wednesday. We will see. It will be something that he will push for to leave earlier than I want.

We went to a St. Patrick's day party last night and enjoyed lots of food and people there--at the Conners home. They had about 50 people there and we all brought something. Was good to get out and enjoy the time with good friends.

I took a Celery Root salad-learned it from a customer---you boil celery root for about 45 minutes and then skin it and cut it up in bit size squares...and then you cut up 5 apples , half a onion, alittle parsley and oil and vinegar. It is made in Europe he said so thought I would give it a try... I did like it and it is low fat eating it. try it you might like it..

I got a chance to talk to Nancey heard what her and John and amy have been up to. Then went to a tennis championship this last weekend for that is what John wanted for his birthday celebration this year. She said it was fun and they took alot of pictures there for him. She is doing fine and had to hear about her Birthday also. Just hadn't gotten time to call her for the last month or so.

Have been working alot and that is about it...not much else to report here. Weather is fair and alittle rain from time to time...

Hugs and Prayers,

Bette Jo

Dear Friends and Family,
I had this letter all written and somehow lost my orginal draft. brother...someday I will learn to save my writings. We had a quiet weekend and enjoyed going to dinner Saturday night with Mack. We attended the Officer Appreciation dinner at the Elks lodge for all Siskiyou county. It was largely attended and many awards given. Good dinner and glad to just get out. I was off all day saturday and enjoyed going to my quilting class early in the day and then to a Angie Contreras' baby shower in the afternoon. Had a good time...got home and weather was nice enough to wash the winter dirt off both cars. good job done.
Friday I took off the day went over to Wendy's for a good visit and caught up with her and her family...they have such a busy household --lots going on all the time. Sometimes a phone visit isn't enough.
Am trying to finish staining and painting shelves for my crafting area. I am trying to organize my craft room better for the upcoming Reunion in July. Don't want it to look too terrible for Mack's family to stare at. Always a good time to update and organize alittle better.
Also am going to try to finish Teresa's quilt today and put the trim on it. Have to still machine embroider names in each heart around the edges also.
hope to get it to her by the time we go up to visit her and Eric in Washington the week after next.
We are enjoying a false spring now and will take the good weather while we can. It will rain again before we know it.
that is about all for this week...will add more as I think of it...
Hugs & Prayers,
BJM

Middle of March 2008

Dear family & friends,

Our week has been quiet just work and home...did go to a dinner Saturday night with Mack given by the Elks Lodge for Officer Appreciation. It was a good dinner and we were home somewhat early.

Nice having my computer back now so am enjoying it each day. Keeps me busy to stay connected. Weather has been wonderful the last week or so and have been excited about going outside again. A false spring here for March..but just alittle preview of what is to come hopefully.

Have been sewing more lately and getting some projects done. Am working on a quilt for Teresa Jo and probably will put the trim on today..Have to get names of her close friends from the recent years to put in the hearts around the quilt edge. Hope that it looks good for her to enjoy thru the years. Speaking of Teresa Jo...she is moving back down to SLO soon. She misses her friends there and the warmer weather too...but I do think that this time with her brother has been very good for her and him --the last 6 months or so.

Eric is getting ready to go to Iraq for the 3rd time now and leaves the middle of April. We are going to visit both of them the week after next for most of that week.

Can't wait to get up there and also visit my sister and Kristen and her family and husband. Kristen called me also this weekend and enjoyed chatting with her as our visits by phone now are few and far between. It was the twins 3rd birthday this weekend and they were gonna have a big celebration saturday. wish that we were there also. Can't believe that 3 years have gone by so quickly.

Mack shot his first brown squirrel yesterday...he is so funny...runs downt he hall and says ...I got my first one of the year!! I am glad that he can keep the bad squirrell population down and have fun at the same time...

Have to do some painting today of the new shelves to put up in my craft room soon. Taking down the book cases here and condensing all the room...make it look more organized for the upcoming reunion..will take a miracle to get this area organized. I should be on one of those get organized shows ha ha...and would be having fits the whole time. That would be stressful. Got to have my crafts available if I am in the mood.

Miss talking to you all...hope that you all have a wonderful week...

Friday

Dear friends and Family,

once again I am adding to this blog...getting into the swing of it and think this will have to be a good way to communicate with all on a more frequent basis seeing how I think that my computer will never be the same again. At least this way it goes to everyone...

Did yoga with Sharon this morning and it was a tough workout...never felt so out of shape in all my life and alittle unbalanced..kept falling over...haha. We are starting a new program of 13 weeks of intense workouts and hope we can keep up with it and what it tells us to do. Maybe we might get a few results to feel more limber and able to stretch easier and move alittle faster in a day. will keep you all posted.

Worked on a new Hearts baby quilt for my friend Lori's daughter. The shower is Saturday and so I only have tomorrow to finish it. It is looking good. will include a picture of my last pink heart baby quilt...they are made out of satin...and unique.

Am working again tonight 4-10...so must start to get ready...this is a quick entry

sorry...catch up with you all later..

hugs and Prayers,

BJM

March 2008

Hi Everyone...

March has arrived and so has the good weather. We are so happy to be done with the snow for awhile---it was really a rough winter.

We are looking forward to our first vacation of the year March 21st-31st to go see the kids in Washington. Eric is preparing to go to Iraq for the 3rd tour and so we hope to spend most of the week up there visiting them and seeing my family also. Can't wait for that to happen.

Also we are planning Mack's Annunal Family Reunion here at our home July 12-14th weekend and hope to see many of his family visit us here at the house. So far we don't know how many will be here...we hope all of them.

I have been working our with weights each morning with my neighbor Sharon Hohberg--so we can loose some wieght and inches as it has been a long year of not exercising at all and it has gotten real easy to get lazy. We are working on the problem.

Mack has been working in the courthouse now as supervisor of the bailiffs and security there.

It has been a new challenge for him. He is enjoying the change of not being on the road any more. He has a regular schedule and mine will always be irregular ....so we have trouble finding time to enjoy quick trips to Medford together .

Here are some latest pictures of what has been going on in our house...

The first picture is my birthday cake from my birthday party here at our home...all my close friends were there and we had a blast. Felt like a little kid that night..not 57 Yikes.!

Guess that is all for today...will post again soon!

Hugs & prayers,

Bette Jo & Mack