Agony and Ecstasy.........

I missed a perfect, unassisted, NYT crossword by two incorrect letters. I think that's as close as I have ever come to beating the word beast. I will press on to the summit where the air is thin and words hard to come by.

We saw Evita last night. I wasn't sure what to expect, interest wise, but because of the quality of the cast and their voices it was riveting. It was probably one of the top three shows we have seen as far as the voices are concerned from the leads to the ensemble. It's an odd show as far as the lack of applause breaks and Eva is dead as the show opens and they then reconstruct her rise to power and then she is dead as the show closes. We were saying how cool it would be if someday we could see Joe come through with a show.

We have become good friends with these ladies that have sat behind us for many years, Gladys, Virginia and Mary. They are the nicest people and we have such a good time with them. I'm afraid this may be the last year that they get their seats as it is getting harder for them to get around. We have been sitting with the same people around us for so many years that we have seen their children grow up and get married or move away. It doesn't seem possible we've been going there that long.

Early Christmas with Nate and Meg

Nathan and Dottie do a little Christmas Dance to celebrate the day after Thanksgiving!

Dottie dressed in Holiday Style.

Meg helped me get Dottie to hold still enough to get the picture WITH the antlers on.

Cute Couple!
Four in a "self-portrait" is a little tricky!

I know I should have cropped this....but Nate will doctor it!

Happy early Holidays....I know .... we forgot the Santa Hats! Merry Christmas!

A Busy 2 Days of Fun...

Thanksgiving Day 2007...We had a good time having Grandma to dinner.

Grandma had a good time hunting and gathering to fill her plate.

Later we had a Lucy visit. She is getting bigger! Very hard to take her picture...she moves quickly!Friday was spent taking down the Thanksgiving and putting out the Christmas. Nate and Meg came for the weekend. We had Christmas for them because Meg will not be able to be here for Christmas. Dottie was very interested in Meg's chocolates!

Christian and Taylor came by with the newest addition to Taylor's family... Meet Lenny! He is a very cute golden retriever.

What a nice family photo!

So Nate and Meg went with us to the annual Hanford Christmas Parade. I always go to support my school kids on the DARE float.

Here's Maggie, Bernie, and Brianna....cute Hamilton 6th grade girls.

Here's Megan from my class.

This wonderful lady with me is Mrs. Harris. Even though Bernie is in the other 6th grade class, she volunteers every week in my class to help with paperwork. She is a wonderful, giving woman. I appreciate her soooooooo much!

We had a Garrett sighting. He was home from college.

We found Mallory (Miss San Diego), Evan and Mallory's sister (Miss Kings County).

After the parade we came home.

Nate is going to help us move into videoland! We will see what we can do!

Hope you enjoy a little more of Hanford Life!

A Thanksgiving Taste Of Home...

Hey guys, it's a beautiful fall day in Hanford! Leaves have changed and the air is brisk!

Lyle decorated in grand holiday style. Some of these decorations go back many years!

I remember him designing, cutting, and painting the wooden leaves.

Many good times were spent on these stairs. Now, two stuffed pilgrims wait by the door.

Remember Grandma Colleen's Thanksgiving Pilgrims. They were sure to make an appearance on her table every year!

Well, Thanksgiving will soon be over and this is about as close to the mall Lyle will get for the next month or so....(Cory...see the shirt!)

So it's back to the kitchen for Lyle and Dottie to get the dinner ready for Grandma and me.

We hope you have wonderful food. Enjoy wonderful friends and family. And, always be thankful for all of God's wonderful blessings you have received.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Veteran's Day......Saaaaaalute

We thank and honor our family members that served our country.

Karl Lind

Signal Corps, North Africa, WW II

Nathan Bruce

Navy & Marines, San Diego

Clayton Bruce, bottom row right.
Army Air Corps, Florida, WW II

Meet Lucy....

Lucy is on the left. She belongs to Larry and Janine.

She is a German Short Hair and Lab mix, about 10 weeks old.

We are the unofficial Dogparents. We go over and get her all wound up and then leave. Very satisfying.

In rememberance.....

November 8th thirteen years ago my mom, Colleen, went home to heaven. I miss her at times. She taught me most of what I know and made me who I am. I look forward to our reunion.....