Blue Nettles

That sounds like so much fun, Max- what a fun event!
- and you're having such great weather- I hope we can visit soon.

Thanks, for you congrats on my "almost there" blog- actually I am still going to class on most Thursday nights- but they are being more lenient and scheduling a few off as well as a few that will only last 1.5 hours or just 3 hours instead of the 4 hours each night that we've done for two years. That is still a great break at this point.

I got a little getaway yesterday- I went with my two running friends; Janet and Julie up to Midway and stayed last night (Friday) at Julie's family's condo and then we did our 11 mile training run this morning. It was beautiful up there- clear, crisp morning with changing leaves everywhere. Three more weeks until our 1/2 marathon.
Did any of you ever know a Kirk(or Kurt) Rhoads from Brigham City? Julie was married to him - divorced now.
Megan is going to the Judge Homecoming dance tonight. It's standard for groups of friends to go together. She has some girlfriends coming over, they're getting dressed here- we're dropping them off at Spaghetti Factory for dinner- then other parents are going to drop them off at the dance- and then other parents are picking them up and taking them all to another girl's house for a sleepover. What a fun night for Megan and her friends.
Megan has been on the xcountry team this fall- it's been a whole new experience for her with the running- her body has been adjusting to the demands of running (lots of aches/pains). Swim Team practices have started now, too- so she is easing into that now. She seems to love it all.
Marisa has been playing on the parish volleyball- she is doing great with it- she enjoys it- and the social scene with her friends. Unfortunately- a week ago she went over her scooter on the street and scraped up her palms quite badly- basically the skin was peeled down on one palm- pretty gnarly. She was determined to play the games today- so Duane wrapped up her hand with a lot of padding- so she could still hit- it seemed to work.

Ellie- hope your camping weekend is going well!

How is everyone else doing?

Love, Kay

In case anyone cares, the Australian Football League Grand Final was last night (2pm -Sat. in Australia). And the Eagles beat the Sydney Swans by one point. Yeah!!!!! (In case you didn't know, the Grand Final is like the Super Bowl in Oz. That is all anyone is doing this weekend.)

You may remember that last year Whitey 'watched' the game on the computer tuned into a sports radio station until 1:00 in the morning. Just a few days ago we heard about the Australian Consulate and Chamber of Commerce having the game televised in a bar in SF. There were 500 Aussies there. Only about 40 were Eagles fans with the rest cheering for the Swans. Last year the Swans beat the Eagles in the final by 4 points. But the 40 of us were the loudest. It was nail biting until the end with both teams swapping goals but the Eagles held on.

I can't imagine what Perth is like right now. The last time they won the Grand Final was 1994. I can't believe we stayed in the city until 1 a.m. and then drove home. We're tired and have no voices but it was worth it. Heaps of fun.

GO EAGLES!!!!

It's Indian Summer and perfect weather in the Bay Area. We are taking our little 26 foot sailboat to Treasure Island for the month of October. Treasure Island is the island in the middle of the Bay Bridge. It's an old Navy base and has a marina there they are trying to get built up more. We met the new manager and decided it was a good place to base ourselves at for some sailing. Now we will go there each weekend and sail around that area. We can then hit our old favorite spots - Sausalito, Sam's, Alameda and maybe even venture to the ocean. It's also Fleet Week on the 7th/8th so there's heaps of activity everywhere including the Blue Angels.

Congratulations Kay on making it this far. I've been so impressed with your perseverence, especially since the schedule was so non-stop. We're proud of you. You'll enjoy your Thursday nights now. I think you should go out to dinner tonight just because you can.

Love to everyone.
Max

We are going camping this weekend with the cub scout pack. A big family event. About 60 people. The boys are very excited. We won't know if George can go until Friday because of work. I may have to do this alone.

We are going north near Flagstaff. It will be very cooooooold. I'm looking forward to seeing the mountains in the fall. It is still 100 degrees in Phoenix.

Wish me luck.
Love,
Ellie

Hi everyone-
It's almost 11:00pm. I just got home from my last night of my second to last course in my counseling program. I am now going into my internship and then I have one final course. Wow- it's been two years and I'm in the final stretch. I'm not sure how it's all looked to all of you from afar- but it's been an extremely intense experience for me. I've plugged away at each course, each Thursday night, each assignment. I've strategized how to fit it all in and still cover things in my life. I can't identify that I've always known why I've gone this direction- but I've gone nonetheless. I know that I have enriched my brain and my whole being with the whole process. Many Thursday nights, I've driven home with relief that I've made it through another week- but also a sense of accomplishment for what I achieved that week. Because the nature of my program and what it's about- I have needed to do a lot of soul searching about myself- I think I've grown a lot. I have had other experiences, but now I truly understand the meaning of working so hard- sometimes questioning my goal, but still perservering. As I've moved through the program, as hard as it has been at times to complete, I have felt more assured than ever that my goal is to work with children- and support them in uncovering their strengths, setting their goals and achieving their highest success. I am energized with this opportunity.
I absolutely, without a doubt, could not have moved through this program without the incredible support from Duane. He has encouraged me, supported me and cheered me on all along. Words can't express the rock he has been for me. And our daughters have shared in their support- and given me their encouragement that has meant so much to know that my choice to do this program has hopefully been positive for them.
Friday, 2:00pm
I started to write that last night and got too tired to finish. I just wanted to share where I'm at- I'm not finished with my Master's program yet- but I am almost there- and it's a nice feeling to take a breath a little bit to see what I've done.
I missed Dad alot last night as I drove home and thought about how much he liked to be kept posted on my progress in my program. Even the Monday night that he had first been in the hospital- when I went up to visit him- we talked about my homework for the week and the presentation that I was preparing for that Thursday night. He gave me encouragement as I talked about my anxiety and presenting in front of the class. We talked about him and how he felt but he really was more interested in my school work. I went to class that Thursday night and shared that my Dad was in the hospital, I went to class the following Thursday night and shared that my Dad had died. It was so fast to me- and I still struggle with that.
My life has revolved around Thursday nights for two years- but I'm seeing some light at the end of the tunnel but also feeling like I have worked hard and soon I hope to be settled into a new career. If I hadn't started two years ago- I wouldn't be where I have gotten to now- sometimes you just have to go for it.
Love to everyone-
Kay

We got word on Friday afternoon that Marisa's backpack organizing newstory was bumped to Monday (today)-5:00pm newscast. Also- should be able to find it on the KUTV.com website- I think it will fall under the Parent-to-Parent section- but not for sure on that. ...working with the newsmedia is soooooo difficult!
Love, Kay

Well, I finally did it. My frustration over the years of having to use reading glasses even for the most simple of tasks like putting a screwdriver in the slot, drove me to do something about it. I know the history of the "Blue eyes" You have all been wearing glasses nearly all of your life. I started searching the web for Lasik surgery and came across a technique called CK.( Conductive Keratoplasty) It uses radio waves to reshape your cornea and to bring your focal point back to when you were 18. A looooong time ago. I had my eyes mapped out and found my right eye is a little stronger so my left eye got the treatment. I now have MONOVISION. My left eye for close work and my right eye for long distance. The actual procedure was only 7 minutes and Max cracked up when I started reading the fine print on the water bottle on the way home. The first 2 days was like I had grit in my eyes and now, a week later Its bloody fantastic. No more glasses!!! After 30 days all of the effects will be over and my brain will be trained to switch between the short and long distances. This procedure will last, at my age, about 3 years and by then my cornea will reform to its origional shape. Then I get to do it over again. CHARLIE, your posting about the wonderful world is so true. Max and I watch the Food Network as it is the only thing on TV that is upbeat and positive. There are a lot of good people and good things in life. Why do so many people focus on the negative. News reporting is way over the top and hopefully there doomsday is just around the corner. The rest of us will just keep smiling and keep the wind at our back. Whitey

My friend Deann just let me know that her story on organizing student backpacks will air Friday 5:00pm (probably a little later in the newscast- it's not likely a top story). For everyone not local- check the KUTV.com website for the day's news stories.
Hope everyone is doing well...
Love, Kay

Marisa was filmed and interviewed in our own kitchen by KUTV news last week for a story that will air this week on TV! We will let you know the exact time it airs this week! Yes, we too were scared of the potential spin they could put on it but in the end it turned out great and everyone left happy and more organized! It is a story on how to effectively organize a student's back pack for school!! We will keep you posted and send a link so you can watch it, if you dare, on KUTV.com.

Bush family

I've probably had face-to-face or telephone interactions with a thousand people (give or take 500) this year. It may have been somebody at a checkout stand, a bank teller, representative at some company or with friends, family, clients, etc.

Most of these interactions have been reasonably pleasant or at least without any animosity or anger. Even when the conversation was confrontational it was possible to get through it without lawsuits or violence.

I believe most people (say 6 billion or so) have had a similar experience. But you wouldn't know it.

Television news, more than any other media, seems to require a focus on the sensational, the violent and the grotesque. It thrives on conflict (much of it manufactured) and confrontation.

But what we see on TV doesn't fit with what most of us experience in our daily lives. I reject it as a picture of reality for the world. Whether intentional or not, it seems to be a tool that generates fear. Fear about our health, food, politics, companies, other countries and their people, our neighbors.

Be afraid! You're up against...everything! You need the media to be your watchdog and the government to be your protector.

I categorically reject this propaganda, as well. Charley

We were saddened as well to hear about Steve Irwin. Even though he seemed a little too crazy and risky around the animals- he had the ability to draw us in and learn more about them. His enthusiasm and passion was captivating. Duane pointed out- he just clearly enjoyed his life and his work and he made it all fun. That is nice to see and nice to be reminded in our mean world these days.
We should remember that.

Steve the Croc Man will be missed! He gave so much to the world and a vehicle to all kids and adults to learn more about the other inhabitants on our planet. Today is National Khaki Day in Australia. (Tomorrow here)Wear something Khaki and give a minute for Steve. Crock -A-Whitey

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
(notice boys in the background noticing the girls)
Marisa: "Mom, can you please stop taking pictures!"
Megan: "I am so glad that Mom just takes my picture on the front porch and doesn't take pictures of me at school anymore!"

Several weeks ago Mom gave me a file folder with a couple of Sports Illustrated magazines. They were dated 1966 and 1991. The feature articles were about Texas Western (now UTEP) winning the NCAA finals in 1966. it was the first all black team in college basketball. Pat Reilly (celebrated player and coach of the LA Lakers and the Miami Heat was on the losing team.

Dad had kept these magazines as souveniers and showed them to me a few years ago, but I don't recall ever reading them. I did last weekend. It's a good story in and of itself, but Dad's interest in sports and UTEP made it even more fun.

I wish I could talk with him about it.

Charley