Pictures below are from the Bottanical Garden (including pic of Linda and sister in law LaVelle with her grandaughter Emily)...and the trip to Girdwood, including my new "moose hat" and brother Darron after Cocktail hour.....
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday...August 13th...2008
We've been in Alaska for our 3rd day and have been a lot/seen a lot of places including the Bottanical Gardens and a trip to the Portage Glacier and Girdwood (where the Senator Stevens is having his problems for who paid for his house improvements)....Linda is doing well...her back is improving a bit....
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday....August 11th...2008
On our way to Alaska...yesterday all fights into Anchorage were cancelled because a volcano eruption was blowing the wrong way..into the flight path...today it is supposed to be ok.
Look at the following picture Linda and I took (self portrait) during nephew John's wedding....Linda's brother Marlin was sitting behind us....we discovered...and had the "sourest" look we'd ever seen....looks like a guy right out of the mafia...."Guido" the mafia guy!
Marlin claims he knew we were taking a picture and deliberately made the face..we don't think so...
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Look at the following picture Linda and I took (self portrait) during nephew John's wedding....Linda's brother Marlin was sitting behind us....we discovered...and had the "sourest" look we'd ever seen....looks like a guy right out of the mafia...."Guido" the mafia guy!
Marlin claims he knew we were taking a picture and deliberately made the face..we don't think so...
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Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday..August 10th...2008
Phewwwww!
We are going here..going there...going everywhere!
We finished 4 days of camping (ok..ok...an RV isn't "camping" in the truest sense of the word)...then off to Salem for nephew John's wedding...then today a picnic for Linda's brother Norman who is heading off for a year in Uganda as a missionary. Now back home and flying off to a week in Alaska tomorrow.
Linda is doing fine...steroids give her energy.....and.....and. Her back is still a bit sore but we're hoping the steroids do the trick.
Pictures below of the wedding and picnic:
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The wedding ..first picture..nephew John marrying Ashlie.....second picture..Linda's grand nieces Ava and Zoe...Third picture..Linda and Ava...Fouth picture...Linda's nieces Jen (mother of Ava and Zoe) and Julie...Fifth picture..brother Norman..heading to Africa..sixth picture..Linda's sister Karen (Mother of John...the groom) and last picture..Linda's brother Marlin and sister in law Joni
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday Evening...August 5th.....2008
This update will be in two parts..first an update on Linda's "aches and pains" and visit to the Oncologist today and then a summary of our wonderful three days at the Oregon Jamboree.
Linda's pain level was high today with the pain increasing if she breathed deeply. She hoped the doctor would provide answers (as we spent tons of time and money going to the Clinic and the Emergency Room with no relief). The doctor had access to the scan done in the hospital and the summary by the doctor who reads the scans. He seemed a bit baffled...saying it was not cancer related except it may be an aftermath of the radiation...I forgot the word he used to discribe what might be going on....he put her on steroids for a week to see if it reduced any inflammation that might be in the muscle tissue....he reassured her that there was no cancer signs....but if the steroids didn't work in a week of so, we'd go back in and they would do some further tests to see if the problem could be isolated.
So that's about what we know....
The Jamboree was fun...great singing....Sugarland...Glenn Campbell...Kellie Pickler....Phil Stacey (both of American Idol).....Trace Adkins...Randy Owen of Alabama....etc...etc..We were very entertained for three days..glad we went..will be back next year.
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Linda's pain level was high today with the pain increasing if she breathed deeply. She hoped the doctor would provide answers (as we spent tons of time and money going to the Clinic and the Emergency Room with no relief). The doctor had access to the scan done in the hospital and the summary by the doctor who reads the scans. He seemed a bit baffled...saying it was not cancer related except it may be an aftermath of the radiation...I forgot the word he used to discribe what might be going on....he put her on steroids for a week to see if it reduced any inflammation that might be in the muscle tissue....he reassured her that there was no cancer signs....but if the steroids didn't work in a week of so, we'd go back in and they would do some further tests to see if the problem could be isolated.
So that's about what we know....
The Jamboree was fun...great singing....Sugarland...Glenn Campbell...Kellie Pickler....Phil Stacey (both of American Idol).....Trace Adkins...Randy Owen of Alabama....etc...etc..We were very entertained for three days..glad we went..will be back next year.
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Currently we are in the RV with granddaughter Jillian at a Thousand trails RV park south of Sun River....off to Alaska next week.....
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Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday...July 31st....2008
Tomorrow we head to the Oregon Jamboree...Top country music for three days.....Sugarland...Randy Owen...Joe Nichols....Kellie Pickler (American Idol show)....Trace Adkins...etc...
Monday we head home with Jillian...our granddaughter...for a week...then off to Alaska for a week.
Linda has been hurting today..her shoulder hurts bad again and the pain medications are not doing the trick...she can't figure out how she might have agitated it yesterday....Wednesday she visits her Oncologist for her 4 month check up....maybe he can help.
Monday we head home with Jillian...our granddaughter...for a week...then off to Alaska for a week.
Linda has been hurting today..her shoulder hurts bad again and the pain medications are not doing the trick...she can't figure out how she might have agitated it yesterday....Wednesday she visits her Oncologist for her 4 month check up....maybe he can help.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday...July 29th...2008
We got this email from Julie...granddaughter Jillian's Mom..it is a great "sequel" to Jillian's "horse accident"..We share it in full:
Well Fair has ended and I must say it was an incredible experience. Jillian shined! She did a number of extra stall duties, and really enjoyed being there helping her fellow 4-H ers... She also spent a lot of time in the bunny barn, actually doing barn duty there as well even though she did not have any bunnies of her own.
Fair was a wonderful experience for the both of us.....
Friday was a very special day for us! There was a an event that has changed our lives and we have added a new member to our family. Wayne and Sharon Nelson started the Neslon Colt foundation. This is to 4-H families only. How it works is any 4-H member can write an essay on horses and commit to a 3 year training commitment to a colt that is awarded to them. Well this year there were 3 participants, and as we were watching the presentation only 2 of the girls showed up. So yes there was a Colt without a girl. Mr. Nelson said that he would sell the Colt to a 4-H family for a $100 down and $100 a month for a total of $1,000.00 I immediately thought this would be a great experience for Jillian. I went to talk to Mr. Nelson and had a friend, a horse trainer look at the horse, and then had Jillian work with the horse. After spending a good few hours with him I knew this would be a great opportunity.
Jillian is the Proud owner of a beatiful Gelding, Quarter Horse/Paint. She has named him Nelson after Mr Nelson which she is very fond of after meeting him.
As you can see from the pictures she is very much in love with her horse. Nelson will be going to a trainer for a few months and then will be working with Jillian and a trainer following. I believe her love for horses will enrich her life.
Send her lots of loves and prayers... She is the bravest girl I know!
Fair was a wonderful experience for the both of us.....
Friday was a very special day for us! There was a an event that has changed our lives and we have added a new member to our family. Wayne and Sharon Nelson started the Neslon Colt foundation. This is to 4-H families only. How it works is any 4-H member can write an essay on horses and commit to a 3 year training commitment to a colt that is awarded to them. Well this year there were 3 participants, and as we were watching the presentation only 2 of the girls showed up. So yes there was a Colt without a girl. Mr. Nelson said that he would sell the Colt to a 4-H family for a $100 down and $100 a month for a total of $1,000.00 I immediately thought this would be a great experience for Jillian. I went to talk to Mr. Nelson and had a friend, a horse trainer look at the horse, and then had Jillian work with the horse. After spending a good few hours with him I knew this would be a great opportunity.
Jillian is the Proud owner of a beatiful Gelding, Quarter Horse/Paint. She has named him Nelson after Mr Nelson which she is very fond of after meeting him.
As you can see from the pictures she is very much in love with her horse. Nelson will be going to a trainer for a few months and then will be working with Jillian and a trainer following. I believe her love for horses will enrich her life.
Send her lots of loves and prayers... She is the bravest girl I know!
Julie
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday...July 28th...2008
We're "hiding out" in the woods again in the motorhome...waiting for the Oregon Jamboree to start later this week in Sweethome, Oregon.
The last two days were spent hosting our 1.5 million dollar "spec" home...yet to be sold...there has been a "Tour of Homes" in Central Oregon this past two weekends and our realtors were busy with other homes the last two days...so we did the hosting...even though our home was not officially on the tour, we used it as an opportunity to have a continuous open house...and it worked well.
But today we are very tired. This will be a week of rest....
Linda's back is better..no pain medication taken today for the first time. So far so good.....
Dave
The last two days were spent hosting our 1.5 million dollar "spec" home...yet to be sold...there has been a "Tour of Homes" in Central Oregon this past two weekends and our realtors were busy with other homes the last two days...so we did the hosting...even though our home was not officially on the tour, we used it as an opportunity to have a continuous open house...and it worked well.
But today we are very tired. This will be a week of rest....
Linda's back is better..no pain medication taken today for the first time. So far so good.....
Dave
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Thursday...July 24th...2008
Just when things were getting "boring" on the BLOG, Linda adds excitement!
Yesterday, Linda awakened with a sore shoulder...she put heat on it...then ice..then some pain meds....then said it was under the shoulder blade and radiating in different directions...and so painful she needed help. Of course, my mind and body went to an immediate "old" place it had not gone to in a while ( not a comfortable feeling).
So off to the Bend Memorial Clinic we went.......
After a long wait, we were seen by a physician who immediate Linda recognized as the one who had originally diagnosed her lung problem as maybe pneumonia...he was a bit embarrassed until Linda reassured him that this had been an initial diagnosis and that if he had done the followup the cancer would have been found by him...after looking over his notes at the time, he agreed..but still a bit edgy...
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Yesterday, Linda awakened with a sore shoulder...she put heat on it...then ice..then some pain meds....then said it was under the shoulder blade and radiating in different directions...and so painful she needed help. Of course, my mind and body went to an immediate "old" place it had not gone to in a while ( not a comfortable feeling).
So off to the Bend Memorial Clinic we went.......
After a long wait, we were seen by a physician who immediate Linda recognized as the one who had originally diagnosed her lung problem as maybe pneumonia...he was a bit embarrassed until Linda reassured him that this had been an initial diagnosis and that if he had done the followup the cancer would have been found by him...after looking over his notes at the time, he agreed..but still a bit edgy...
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Anyway, to make a long story short, the diagnosis of the pain was either a severe muscle strain in the upper back (to which Linda could not attribute to any specific cause) or PE (pulmonary embolism)..or also called a blood clot in the lung. The doctor said Linda was in the "high risk" category for this because of the lung cancer.......and he did not want to take the chance of sending her home without further testing as she may go home..go to sleep..and not wake up because of the PE....he did not want to be the doctor who "blew it" twice (light humor). So a scan was ordered to see if there was a clot.
In the meantime we had dinner guests showing up at home and time was "flying".....so we canceled that.
Was the end of the story a simple scan and then we went home......nope....Miss Linda decided to make it tough on everyone including herself. They couldn't get the needle in the vein to start the "contrasting material" in, which was needed for the scan. 6 times they tried! No luck! And she was miserable.
So off to the hospital emergency room we were sent for their specialists to do the insertion and scan (do you spell "m-o-n-e-y-?)
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And I forgot to mention that Linda started into shock due to the number of needle insertion attempts (we've done that...seen that.... before)...which caused a scramble of personnel.
In the hospital emergency room, we met "One Stick Tom"......the emergency room nurse..."No problem"..... said he....and he was right...the insertion was made on the first try.....mind you, we have now been in one or more medical facilities for over 7 hours. We were scheduled for an activity in Portland today...cancelled that.
Finally after a total of 8 and a half hours, the scan was completed...no clot....big pain meds administered (regardless of no clot, the upper inner part of the back area still hurt her badly).....and a "relieved everybody"...including us.
Off to home....some dinner close to midnight....Linda's gotten up a couple of times for more meds....and I've awakened restless....tired but glad everything has worked out...
As Linda says.....she only did it for the BLOG as things were getting boring...
I'm sure we are all glad she is "OK" and were quickly reminded about how things can turn so quickly....and a reminder that being active as Linda is.... muscle pulls, etc are part of "normal life"......
End of story...no pictures this time...camera was at home....
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Saturday...July 19th....2008
Yesterday we had lunch, with friend Mary, at MO'S which is the most famous seafood restaraunt on the Oregon coast...Barb, our server, was so struck with how much fun we were having that she wanted a picture...and then she sent it to us.....what can we say.....we are stars!...and we "made the day" for another.... 
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Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wednesday...July 16th...2008
Yesterday...the Oregon Aquarium in Newport.....Linda is doing well...some allergy irritations....she's trying out a neti pot today she bought yesterday....she says she's been putting it off as she doesn't like new experiences like that....full report coming.
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Monday, July 14, 2008
Monday...July 14th....2008
Today we visited with Linda's dear friend Mary...up the Oregon coast from where we are staying...as you can see from the picture...it wasn't any warmer up there... 
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Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sunday...July13th...2008
Today we arrived at the ocean...and are staying south of Newport, Oregon at Whaler Rest RV Resort...Linda loves the ocean and couldn't wait to get down to the shore (picture #1)...and then back quickly as it was COLD! (Picture #2)...we will be here a week and Linda gets to visit with her friend Mary from California who is vacationing north of us a few miles.
You ask..what is in Linda's hand?....Dog P**p....everytime we take Sadie along and those little legs start working...it's Dog P**p time! How come it's not in Dave's hand? Cuz he's smarter! Lindas' left "holding the bag"! We go through a lot of bags with Miss Sadie!
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You ask..what is in Linda's hand?....Dog P**p....everytime we take Sadie along and those little legs start working...it's Dog P**p time! How come it's not in Dave's hand? Cuz he's smarter! Lindas' left "holding the bag"! We go through a lot of bags with Miss Sadie!
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Saturday, July 12, 2008
Saturday...July 12th....2008
Nothing new...hiding in the woods...heading to the ocean tomorrow for a week...Linda is doing quite well...no coughing.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Thursday...July 10th...2008
Well...we finished our projects and are hiding out in the woods for a day or two...roughing it of course...in the old days "roughing it" meant a tent and sleeping bag with mosquitoes and all.....today it means a 38 foot luxury motorhome with three slides...satellite TV....double refrigerator...etc...etc.
Sunday it's on to the coast....
Linda is "zonked" at 8:30...in bed...it's all this fresh air to blame....so no new movie to report tonight.
Since we are in the woods and all..no phone service and a new lap top...please send me a quick email so I can put you in my new Contact List...thanks.
Grand daughter Jillian sent this tonight...when we get all depressed at what our govenment is doing right now in the world and all.....this is uplifting.....
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Sunday it's on to the coast....
Linda is "zonked" at 8:30...in bed...it's all this fresh air to blame....so no new movie to report tonight.
Since we are in the woods and all..no phone service and a new lap top...please send me a quick email so I can put you in my new Contact List...thanks.
Grand daughter Jillian sent this tonight...when we get all depressed at what our govenment is doing right now in the world and all.....this is uplifting.....
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Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wednesday...July 9th...2008
Linda is doing well..outworked me today...we were out in the country pulling weeds and washing windows..and...and ...at the $1.5 million spec house we'd dearly like to sell.....I find I don't have the energy I had a year ago...not sure if it is old age crashing in..or the medications I am still on...or the effects of this past year...or...or. I just know I'm worried about it...the stamina is not there. Today I had to rest every 10 minutes towards the end of the day....and Linda came out to help finish the project.
We saw King Corn tonight,..a movie ALL should see..then look in your refrig and pantry to see the corn fructose in your food...and understand what is in the beef you eat...etc..etc...ghastly.
Tomorrow we go out early to finish projects at the house for sale...then we take the motor home out for a week at the beach and points in between.
Like I said, Linda is looking good!
ps..saw Feast of Love last night...somewhat sexual in nature but that's part of the point..deals with mutliple relationships and what occurs within each one...again....Morgan Freeman stars and is the "wise neighbor everyone would like to have......as a neighbor".
Linda and I are back into movies as the "reality TV" is taking a break...but I think Big Brother is coming back next week in its 10th episode..we are totally bored with the IRL races...maybe because our guys are struggling with "crap" equipment.....and we're not big Kyle Busch fans as he seems to be winning in whatever he races in in NASCAR ( we are going to a race in late August in the motor home in California though).
I forgot to mention Linda is joining me on the August team for the Crossover Seminar for Wings..she hasn't done it in years....it will be exciting . We both are on the couples seminar team called Listening Heart in September as we had to cancel last year because of Linda's illness...
What is Wings?...go to http://www.wings-seminars.com/
We saw King Corn tonight,..a movie ALL should see..then look in your refrig and pantry to see the corn fructose in your food...and understand what is in the beef you eat...etc..etc...ghastly.
Tomorrow we go out early to finish projects at the house for sale...then we take the motor home out for a week at the beach and points in between.
Like I said, Linda is looking good!
ps..saw Feast of Love last night...somewhat sexual in nature but that's part of the point..deals with mutliple relationships and what occurs within each one...again....Morgan Freeman stars and is the "wise neighbor everyone would like to have......as a neighbor".
Linda and I are back into movies as the "reality TV" is taking a break...but I think Big Brother is coming back next week in its 10th episode..we are totally bored with the IRL races...maybe because our guys are struggling with "crap" equipment.....and we're not big Kyle Busch fans as he seems to be winning in whatever he races in in NASCAR ( we are going to a race in late August in the motor home in California though).
I forgot to mention Linda is joining me on the August team for the Crossover Seminar for Wings..she hasn't done it in years....it will be exciting . We both are on the couples seminar team called Listening Heart in September as we had to cancel last year because of Linda's illness...
What is Wings?...go to http://www.wings-seminars.com/
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Sunday...July 6th...2008
Saw a good rental movie tonight....THE BUCKET LIST starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson......it's about two guys discovering they have terminal cancer and draw up a list of things to do before they die...ie......a "bucket' list...things to do before they "kick the bucket".
The message is much broader.....it applies to everyone in life.....and what they do with their life....perhaps, restated...what they do "within" their life...
The message is much broader.....it applies to everyone in life.....and what they do with their life....perhaps, restated...what they do "within" their life...
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Saturday Evening....July 5th...2008
Nothing new to report...Linda is doing well....we did a lot of nothing today...recovering from our travels.
Last week, before going to Seattle for our visit with family, we drove from Portland to Salem for a Celebration of Life for Dixie, who passed away suddenly. She was the wife of one of my consultant "brothers", Steve. It was a very moving service...I had a couple of quotes...but have lost them this past week. She was a remarkable, loving Mother, Wife and companion to her friends and Church.
I was struck at the frequency of "Celebrations" we have been attending...perhaps we have moved to that phase of life where folks we know are passing on....it is a shock to say the least. I thought we were in the phase where all we talked about was our illnesses and injuries...now I find there is more. It proves my belief that living in the present is critical to get the most out of life....we don't know what tomorrow will bring.
I read a statement in the past day or so...where I don't remember..but it said something to the effect that it's not how long you live but rather how you live in the length of life you have........Hmmmm.
Last week, before going to Seattle for our visit with family, we drove from Portland to Salem for a Celebration of Life for Dixie, who passed away suddenly. She was the wife of one of my consultant "brothers", Steve. It was a very moving service...I had a couple of quotes...but have lost them this past week. She was a remarkable, loving Mother, Wife and companion to her friends and Church.
I was struck at the frequency of "Celebrations" we have been attending...perhaps we have moved to that phase of life where folks we know are passing on....it is a shock to say the least. I thought we were in the phase where all we talked about was our illnesses and injuries...now I find there is more. It proves my belief that living in the present is critical to get the most out of life....we don't know what tomorrow will bring.
I read a statement in the past day or so...where I don't remember..but it said something to the effect that it's not how long you live but rather how you live in the length of life you have........Hmmmm.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Thursday....July 3rd.....2008
We have been on the road for a week...first in Portland for a couple of days and then on to Seattle....Linda has been doing great...no coughing...(maybe she is out of the pollen area in Central Oregon or ?)...
First we stayed with daughter Janine and enjoyed some sun time in Portland....
Then we loaded Janine into the car and off to the Mt. St. Helens Volcanic Monument (using Linda's senior National Park card to get free into everything)....
Then to daughter Wendy's to stay...and to visit my favorite Aunt Pat (and my cousin Kathy who I hadn't seen for 40 plus years....and we had a great lunch with all).
Then to see my mom and brother Mick...with grand daughter Taigen coming with us (who fell into the fish pond and created a bit of excitement).
Today we went to the Seattle Pike Street market...which is a sight to see.
Tomorrow it's back to Portland...
Again....Miss Linda is doing very well...one wonders if she really was sick at one time...she looks so well...
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Pictures:
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I forgot to mention we saw grand daughter Jillian while in Portland..she is recovering well....
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First we stayed with daughter Janine and enjoyed some sun time in Portland....
Then we loaded Janine into the car and off to the Mt. St. Helens Volcanic Monument (using Linda's senior National Park card to get free into everything)....
Then to daughter Wendy's to stay...and to visit my favorite Aunt Pat (and my cousin Kathy who I hadn't seen for 40 plus years....and we had a great lunch with all).
Then to see my mom and brother Mick...with grand daughter Taigen coming with us (who fell into the fish pond and created a bit of excitement).
Today we went to the Seattle Pike Street market...which is a sight to see.
Tomorrow it's back to Portland...
Again....Miss Linda is doing very well...one wonders if she really was sick at one time...she looks so well...
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Pictures:
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I forgot to mention we saw grand daughter Jillian while in Portland..she is recovering well....
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Mt. St. Helens in the background..a bit hazy day....with daughter Janine....
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My aunt Pat..cousin Kathy with grand daughter Taigen and all...
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My Mom....
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I forgot to mention grand daughter Taigen took us to a Mariners game with her mother (Wendy).and father (Chris) as a result of her participation in T ball...and the Mariners won....
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Tonight we go to dinner to celebrate Chris' Master's Degree and new job as an elementary teacher....then off to home tomorrow...
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