Thanksgiving 2009

Well I have returned to my blog after three months or more. I tried facebook and my space, and they just took up to much time. We had a good Thanksgiving this year. Sharla and her family, and Colleen and her boys were here, as well as my sister-in-law Diana and her daughter Tammy. I do miss the old days when all of my kids and grandkids would come over. I guess I have to get use to the idea that they have their own families, and it is their time. I remember going to Linda's parents at the holidays, and everyone was there. We had great times. I guess that is why we are blessed with memories. I hope everyone had a great holiday and I hope to see you all soon. I have placed a few photos so you can see why I consider myself a very lucky man.

Still friends after all of these years

Linda and I just had dinner last night with friends John, Ann, Ian, Marlene, Kerry, and Barbara. This is the first get together since the Alaska trip. It's only been a couple of weeks since the trip, but it seems like a lot longer. We exchanged photos from the trip, and had a wonderful dinner prepared by Ann. I had just started losing some of the weight I had gained from the cruise, but I think I put most of it back on. The guys had known each other since we were just out of high school. John, Ian and Kerry have known each other longer since they went to the same school. I looked at their photos today, and Ann had taken one of the four guys, which I am posting below. You have to look close to see the difference between the photo from 1975 and the one from 2009 thirty-four years later. Let me know if you can figure out which one is which.

North to Alaska

Well we got home the other day after spending 16 hours on planes, and at airports. We had a great time in Vancouver and in Alaska. This was our first time on a cruise, and may be our last. I guess I'm just an little town kind of guy, and am not use to all of the formal dinning they have on a cruise. Linda and I had a great time with our friends Kerry, Barb, John, Ann, Ian and Marlene on this trip, but I felt a little trapped on the ship. The crew were great, and the ship was something to see, but if you have never been on a cruise it takes alot to get use to the shoebox size shower. With that said we would not have missed it for anything. This was the most time I have spent with our friends in years, and it was all fun. Vancouver is a great place to visit, and I hope to see it again some day. The trip up the Alaska coast was also fantastic. More snow that I will ever seen in one place. We also saw more flowers than I would have ever expected. I have been very lucky to have friends like these. Friends for over forty years with the guys, and over thirty years with the gals. These are very fond memories that Linda and I will have forever. We can't wait until we all get together again.

My brothers

Top left photo is Linda and Alex's wife Roci. Next photo is Alex.

Next photo down in back from left James with his granddaughter, Alan's son, Alan and me, bottom Rosie, Bernie and Linda. Bottom photo James and Rosie.

The title may throw some who know me off, because I only had one sister. During our travels during the last month Linda and I have visited three of my brothers. These men became my brothers in Viet Nam. All served with the 5th Infantry Division. When you serve in a war, and experience things that you can only tell each other about it creates a bond stronger than birth. Each of these men, as well as others that I have not seen in almost 40 years have saved my life several times over. Each has a place in my heart that no one else can fill. I was able to see James and his wife Rosie, and Alan and his wife Bernie in Ohio at James' home. Linda and I were able to to spend only a few hours with them and their families, but I would not have missed it for the world. We then traveled to New Mexico to visit Alex and his wife Roci. The time spent with these men helps give me deal with past memories that were not so nice, and allow some peace in my life. Though each will tell you they were not heros, each are to me. I have attached some photos of time with them.

Visiting Family in Missioui

On the way back from the family reunion Linda and I got to see my daughter Kim and her family. It's been to long (over two years). We only had a few days there, but we had a great time. Kim's husband Charles (Chuck) had two days off and we got to see some of Kansas City, Kansas. We had a great time seeing our three grandsons that live back there. They are growing so fast. I wish I could get them to move back to California, but I know how much they love were they live. It's a small town and a close community. They have many friends and love the church they go to. I like the small town feeling, but being raised in a large town most of my life I think I would become very bored very fast. The heat back there because of the storms coming through reminded me of my time in Viet Nam. Take a shower dry off step outside and within seconds you are dripping wet. I guess that is why it is so green back there, and so brown out here. I've added some photos Of Kim Chuck Jesse Jacob and Brian.