Okanogan...

Enjoyed a few days from Seattle over Christmas...

Went from snow to colder and snow but it was very beautiful. We drove to "Happy Hill" road and a number of deer were out in the field, traveled down to "Salmon Creek" not sure why they call it that it's been decades since any salmon have gone up the creek.

In the late 1800's the silver mine "Ruby" was created and you can only imagine how rough/tough living in this mining town must have been - a whole different world.

The last picture shows some of the geological diversity of the area this huge rock was left by the receding glaciers long, long ago. Remember as a child climbing in and around this rock.

Hope everyone had a wonderful time with family and friends!! Let's look to a healthy, happy, prosperous 2009...

Peace/Love T

Christmas Eve thoughts...

Today we give thanks for all we have - every moment that passes by and every moment to come...

As we look at the world there is beauty everywhere with everyone at times we need to look hard - it is there...

A long with the beauty we realize how delicate life can be and how thankful we are for every moment we have...

Let's give each other a hug, tell everyone we love them and be joyful for the time we have together...

Peace to all... T

Pictures from Susan/Bill - Thanks

Work in progress...

Modifications continue: "with a little help from my friends" (great song) the bathroom/shower is getting close to completion. Many thanks to all... T

Happy Holidays...

Here we are, June 2008, vertical and having a fantastic time at the Mayan ruins "Chichen Itza" in the Yucatan. Celebrating 20 years of marriage, 1st year of college completed, and a graduated senior from high school. This has been a bitter sweet year... We have had a great opportunity to share time with each other that includes family and friends. We need to live for today, plan for tomorrow and reflect on the past... Peace/Love

Garage sale review...

Two words describe the GS "Huge Success"!!

You would think that money raised is the only criteria for success but what happened, and I feel surprised everyone, the GS reached many more in the community than anticipated.

The GS took place at Coldwell Banker Bain garage which holds 20+ cars and was full, no packed, no overflowing with donations. The generosity was tremendous, the items included hand made crafts, electronics, air hockey table, new bicycle, and everything in between.

After spending a number of hours at the GS over the weekend there were many moments that come to mind but my most memorable is: "Backhoe" yes that's right Backhoe..

We were siting near the check out area and a man walked in and put his bags near the entrance, as if that is a common request of him, he proceeded directly to the clothing, truly excited. Asking how much for a pair of dress pants ($1.00) he was even more excited. There was a chair near him that was quickly piling up full of clothes. This man was a simple man but very sincere he stood in front of me talking about the fine purchases - very pleased. Our topic changed we started talking about how strong he was and how hard he could work, at that moment with a confident smile he said "they call me "Backhoe" because of how hard I work" it was a great comment. What makes this moment even better without any encouragement he started helping clean and move items in from the outside. Once done he put on his new sweat shirt grabbed his things and ventured down the street - he had 5-6 items all for less than $5.00 walking away happy and warm, what a success.

This is just one moment - you could tell that many others were shopping for necessities and going away with a smile.

We will be able to use the money for many unexpected expenses as well as the anticipated ones. It's this "Hope vs Reality thing my least favorite topic is my health but sometimes we can't avoid hard topics.

There are not enough words to express our gratitude for all the time, effort, donations and yes tears that went into making this GS a huge success - not just for us but for our community too...

Peace/Love T

Any other moments stand out??

Two Words...

"Be Positive"

Coldwell Banker Bain - garage sale

Few pictures from this weekend fun, successful, hopefully all of us can gain something from this. Thank you...

Cartoon...

What did the old guy say to the older guy??

What...

Anything better - shouldn't be too hard!!

Modifications...

What's funny about all of this is how we adapt... Something that at one time was an unacceptable option - is now viable... How we can look at things in a different light and make sense of them.

This picture of my stairway being altered was a total reality check for me. As strong as we think we are life challenges us in ways we don't understand. Today looking at the stairs, this has become my mountain, this has become my challenge... Getting to the top is just as challenging as hiking to the top of a mountain to ski down.

That's why a lift will be needed not because it's wanted but because you adapt to make things better. Never saw anything like this in my life but with the love and support from family and friends - we will make it!!!

Our dog Crystal let's us live here...

We sing, we dance - ummm well...

Great fun by all!! Susan and Bill host their annual "Holiday celebration" We get a chance to step out and enjoy... Actually not sure if they were ready for the old soft shoe...

Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly have nothing on me :)

Coldwell Banker Bain - Garage sale

All my life the words "I need help" were never in my vocabulary, always spent my time helping and doing, where needed, until MND (Motor Neuron Disease) changed everything.

Wish I could say that my troubles would cover everyone's but that just is not the case, there are plenty of challenges to go around.

So the questions "how can we help" "what do you need" always come up, they are so hard to answer. What makes my challenges any worse than others - it doesn't!! What is humbling is the support and effort my friends and family are making - there are no words...

Tomorrow the sun will shine, the sun will set and we will laugh...

Hope vs Reality...

What a battle; These two words hold great irony for me!! On one hand you have to stay strong, visualize heath and well being - then on the other hand you need to prepare for the worst. That was clearly evident last week when we started modifying our home in preparation for the "un-vision"!!! Can't say enough about the support from the St. Luke community and how their gift of time/expertise allow some of the stress to be lifted - we are eternally grateful...

Whooop-seee...

What a laugh... we were taking pic's of the neice's/nephew's

New Day...

Sometimes we wonder how to make another day!! Physical challenges happen, mental challenges happen that have us search deep to our core seeking an answer - is there an answer? Not sure if there is a clear picture that satisfies our search but what I do know is the love of family and friends can not be substituted - that does make a "New Day"

Reflection...

A day, a week, a month we go through time busy thinking of everything we have to do, didn't do not realizing what we say or what we hear can have great impact.

For me life is about moments not necessarily the event like a vacation, a function but the moments inside these actions that we capture and remember - you never know when or where.

For example: have a great mechanic who has done good, fair work for us on our vehicles - about 6 months ago we were getting the oil changed and it had been 6 months since the last time we saw each other. He looked at me limping and asked what's going on? well (my favorite topic) said nothing "I'm hurt" left the cars and went away. Wondering what to say when we pick up the car just kind of let it go thinking wouldn't say anything. Got to the shop he told me the amount handed me the invoice to sign, now this is hard, to hold down the paper I pick my left arm up and flop it down like a paper weight - he says nothing, very polite.

Feeling a bit frustrated looked at him and said "my body is shutting down on me" without hesitation, very sincere he shrugged his shoulders tilted his head ever so slightly and said "What are you going to do" at that point smiled and just said - absolutely...

After leaving driving back started to think about that "what are you going to do" pretty simple really you can fold, be angry, cry, make life miserable - that action would not be questioned!! Or embrace what we do have, be positive, make life better, laugh!!

You would think that with these two options it would be an easy decision - that's where it gets tough. It's actually easier with less consequences to say "forget it" - it takes courage to say I will be the best possible.

Guess with all of this there is only one thing to say "What are you going to do"???

If they only could keep up...

Had a great time skiing last year: first pic - Mitch and I sharing a cold one at Alpental, May 5th - Cinco de Mayo, probably my last day skiing. second pic - Brad and I at Crystal, beautiful cold spring day (luv the sign). Skiing has been a great family recreation the boys started at 3 and 5 respectively and it was no problem beating them down the hill then... but today is another story usually watch as they go screaming by!! Too much fun...

Friendship...

In life we are lucky to have great friends

Poem

A Road Less Traveled

Life is a journey with many roads traveled...

Some roads are smooth - we glide upon...
Some roads have bumps - we struggle along...
Some roads have curves - we look at uncertainty...
Some roads are full - we look to be different...

Sometimes our road tells us - less is more...

A road we can find peace...
A road we can find strength...
A road we can find inspiration...
A road we can find love...

A Road Less Traveled

Wrote this after going to Mt. Baker - this is a road high in the hills out of Okanogan

Boating Lake Chelan

What a great day - we tried getting to Stehekan at the north end of the lake but the winds and waves really picked up. At one point the waves were splashing over the windshield and getting us soaked. We made it to safety harbor about 2/3 the way up had lunch headed back - very fun...

Health

Wow - what a simple word but what a profound impact... Here is my health (my favorite topic) - My left arm does not work, for show only. My left leg has very little strength but still allows me to walk. The disease is going across my shoulders to my right side including my right arm and right leg. That's about it - laugh most every morning as I flounder around getting dressed but hey what's the alternative??

Here we go!!

We can look at mountains, we can look to others but most of all we must look inside ourselves to find the strength to carry on...