Because we all need more laughs in 2011

From Jan's blog and Jan's friend's facebook page.

It takes 7 seconds for food to pass from mouth to stomach. A human hair can hold 3kg. The length of a penis is 3x the length of the thumb. The femur is as hard as concrete. A woman's heart beats faster then a man's. Women blink 2x as much as men. We use 300 muscles just to keep our balance when we stand. The woman has read this entire text. The man is still looking at his thumb. Repost if this made you smile :)

Happy New Year!

The Christmas Spirit

Santa's elves,the Christmas People were at it again, cooking Christmas Eve and Christmas for the people in local shelters. On Christmas Eve when I visited, they had just finished a luncheon for a shelter with about 200 women. They were prepping for the next day's dinner. On Christmas when I visited, they had spent the morning cooking and were preparing to load up the cars to deliver dinner. They are my role models.

My wonderful friend Jan is taking such good care of our friend going through some major health problems. We have all offered to help but Jan seems to know how to actually get things done. She is my role model.

Everyone who put their differences aside to make all the Christmas get togethers lovely and loving are my role models.

My awesome co-workers choose to collect food and toiletries for local food banks and shelters instead of exchanging presents and having a department party. They are my role models.

Last but not least, Dad-in-law's health is improving, an answer to many prayers! Another blessing to my in-laws for all the care they have been giving him. We love you guys, and you are definitely my role models too!

It was a Very Merry Christmas.

It's beginning to look like Christmas - a lot

The board at work is decorated for Christmas. We are collecting food, toiletries, etc for several local charities. The trees were made by Michelle's sons. I made the little stockings for everyone last year.


Assembly is starting on the gingerbread house. Marina is having so much fun - and drafting her student to help!


Drove past the crowds for Santa's Country Village arrival tonight on the way home from the kennel. This bicyclist believes in safety and celebrating Christmas!

Emails from Haiti

My employer's foundation helps fund medical relief trips to Haiti. One of our clinic doctors,our wonderful physician assistant and my dragon boat friend RN returned Saturday from their second 2 week mission. We were able to help in some small way by having a bake sale before they left.

Lenny the PA sent back emails journaling his experiences. He just OK'd me posting them on my blog. I know it makes a long post but I think his words are worth it.

Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 10:12 PM
Subject: Haiti
We made it to Salt Lake City. Two of the doctors dropped out so had to rearrange bags and leave some stuff behind ( could only take 10 bags had 12). A bit stressful tearing through the bags, but we managed and hopefully will have all that we need. The team consist of 2PA's,2RN's and a pharmacist. The mood is good, expecting a very busy week. Not quite sure what the week ahead holds. Hope to get supplies from the old camp, sort, set up and see patients. If all works out we will gather,sort, set-up Saturday/Sunday. If this does not work out then will work with what we have and see as many people as we can. Should be interesting. On to New York should get in at about 6am the to port-a-prince arriving at noon.
Haiti Team.


Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 4:52 PM
Subject: Haiti
Please send this out to every one.
Made it to Haiti without a hitch. The weather is great maybe hi 80's 80-90% humidity. No problems as a result of Tomas...at least not here in Port-au-Prince. Took a trip out to the HELP Clinic in Pegy Ville. I was overwhelmed by the sight of it. Hillsides with houses/tents/shelters on top of each other. This area is not a camp, this is where they live. 25,000 + people serviced by three doctors. I just wanted to start working then and there.
I thought the camp in carfour was bad, but in comparison it was paradise. We will do what we can to help as many as possible....I can't put a # on it. Just can say I and the team will work hard from the minute that we get there in the morning until they lock the clinic doors at night. I looked out over the area I was reminded of the saying on our board in Cluster B (1D) ...."Keep Your eye on the prize". We won't save the world nor will we save Haiti, but each day that we are here we WILL suceed at making the world just a little better. That's one hell of a prize. A prize that I strive for everyday. Believe it or not, each of us does it everyday, it's just that sometimes it gets lost behind all of the chatter. Close your eyes, think about what you do there everyday. Really close your eyes! Think about it...........how can what you are doing not make the world better.

Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 7:24 PM
We traveled out to Leogane ( the epi center of the quake) to work. About 45min South of Port-au-Prince. The trip took about 3hrs45min. The next time I am sitting in traffic on I-5, I will laugh. The roads are something we have potholes they have craters filled with water, don't know how deep until end un scraping the bottom of the vehicle on the road. Made me cringe everytime, wondering if we might put a hole in something vital under there. More later the generator is almost out of gas.


Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 4:01 AM
Subject: Week one review. Haiti
Coming down here this time I though maybe I had a a good idea of what to expect. I was wrong. While many this are the some alot has changed. Thomas the Hurricaine started the week off with the uncertainty that we would even come down and if we did what would we find when we got here. So we left on the 6th amid a cloud of fear usre if we would be stuck in NewYork or able to fly. The preceeding week spent stressing and not knowing......I boarded the plan already exhausted.
Me made it and spent about two hours in the airport...Just trying to get our bags out ( carryons and 10 50lb larage black bags.) We needed carts, but the system is screwy, you pay $2 then scramble to get to them. Anyways Woodolph called a friend and soon we carts appeared. It pays to know people. Out to the car, this time was not bad we were no mobbed by too many people trying to take our bags. But it again was a bit stressful for me and for the ones that had not been here a bit fightening. then Herns ( our partner) showed up and the warmth of his smile melted all of my stress away. It was good to see him.
We Packed into the van and were off. The city looks much the same, but there are signs that the is change. Some buildings are being repaired and some tents are gone....not many though. The ride was and experience, not one that I had had before, and because we were on out way to Petionville there were many new sights for me. It was Hot ( 90's ) and dusty and wonderful. We tried to see everything, little did we know we would have plenty of opportunity.
Instead of tents we are staying in a house. It is very nice and we are comfortable. The food is good, the company even better. Saturday eve and sunday spent got trying to rest and getting ready to work on monday. Took a short trip to the site of our last trip for supplies. I left there a bit sad as it is where we started and now the tents are gone. the 15,000 people were moved out and really had not where to go. But our Flag is still there flying next to the Haitian flag and the sight reminded me of the committment that I made in June to do what I could here and at home to help Haiti and it's people.
Monday the experience began full force. Up at 5am ( though I was up at about 4) breakfast pack up and off to the first site Leogane, south of Port-au Prince and the eipcenter of the january quake. The trip took 3 hrs not because it is that far away, traffic here is like nothing I have ever seen . makes Seattle traffic look like nothing. Put on top of it that the roads are full of craters and it is an interesting drive. Again hot and dusty, and hot. Mostly wonderful.
We worked about 4hrs that day ( 6 driving to and from). saw 80 patients, setting the pace for the week. tuesday to Peguyville. wednesday thursday to leogane. Lots of riding and lots of patient. Yesterday we saw 120. The team has seem 350 people in 4 days. ( Two PA, Two RN's and a pharmacist) We will take Friday (today). It is amazing what can be done when the heart is in the right place.
Now I will gear up for the next team. Excited to see what the week will bring. We will travel to a different clinic next week. I am excited about it. Herns is from there so I will be sure the team is ready.


Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 8:42 PM
Subject: Week Two Hati update.
Everyone made it here safely and spent Saturday resting and staying up late. Sunday I thought it would be a good idea to take a drive so that they could see what why we are here. This trip is different than my first trip, in that we are seeing a great deal more of what is happening down here. Mostly I just wanted them to feel what it is like to be in the vehicle for long period of time. It was a good day. I think everyone ended the days with a good view of the scale of the problems here.
Today up at 5am to be out by 6am....missed the mark and left at 0630. traffic here can not be described in a short email, but 2.5 hrs later we made it to the clinic and 23 km away. Had a hectic start , as everyone tried to get familiar with the place and the supplies. Then hit our grove and worked through the patients. We were done at 3 pm after 102 pts. Had to wait a bit, then were back on the road at 4:30 pm,. 2.5 hrs later we arrived "home" The ride can not be described in a short email either, but to sum it up....frightening. However, the dark gives you a whole new perspective and I would not miss it for anything. Tomorrow will be much of the same. Except this time we will leave on time.


Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 8:31 PM
Subject: Haiti day 5 week two
Was a good day. Up at 5am on the road at 6am and at the clinic at 9:30 am. Yes, the trip takes 3hrs....It is difficult but everyone is holding up. Today wearrive to see what looked like a bus load of highschool kids checking into the clinic. Turns out it was a bus load of highschool kids checking into the clinic. Started the day off off a bit hectic as we tried to set up and get started. Soon enough we were moving and patient's were bening seen. Just as we got done with the group of kids anoth arrived. It was busy but cool. We came to find out that tey were on a feild trip and had come to the clinic to see how it worked. We checked out every one and found two 16yos with high blood pressure and a 18 yo diabetic. So if we didn't do any more we would have had a great day. Turned out that we saw 140 pts and did some good medicine. It really was a great day. Tomorrow we go back, but will only see patient for 2hrs. It is a holiday and the town is having a party, The have invited us the show their apprieciation for was we have done. I would not miss this for the world.....it's the people. I will pop out out bed tomorrow morning.


Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 2:10 PM
Subject: Haiti experience.
This morning I awoke to Snow and cold….a stark difference from the 90 degree weather that I left on Saturday. It served as a reminder of all of the differences that I would encounter on my first day back to work. I thought that I would be fine, a little beat up and not feeling 100% but fine never the less. I got here and the team was huddling, talking about the day to come and trying to work out how best to manage it. Access was the topic, all I could do was smile…the things we worry about. I bit my tongue. It is all relative. No access in 25,000+ people with one doctor three days a week, no access is living in a camp with no electricity, running water and no doctor. No access is waking up to the reality that all that you have is gone. It all a matter of perspective.
During the 8 clinic days that we had there I spent a total of 48hrs in a van riding to and fro. Physically it was exhausting, mentally numbing. I found myself wondering why my heart ached so. Why when I look out the window at the merchants in the market sitting in dirty water trying to sell their goods I felt like crying….my thoughts kept me awake nights. I came to realize that it was not the condition that made me sad, not the fact that the Haitian people awoke to these hardships everyday. I realized what I was feeling was not sadness. Soon I did not see the dirty water, or the garbage, or the rubble, or the smog,dust,grim. I saw proud people working and striving to live regardless their conditions. It was something to see. I wondered if I would be so strong. After this realization, I settled into the daily 6hrs. of commuting and took in the beauty that is Haiti. For some it the group, it was hard to get past the shock of what they were seeing, I understood completely. Me, I was in awe. Every trip was like a gift that I had been given and I felt compelled to see deeper in to the heart of the country. I can't express the extent of the emotions that I experienced, it is enough to say that I am not the same as when I left. I am changed….for the better.
As I sit down for Thanksgiving dinner this year, I will say a special thanks to Haiti and her people. Because of them I am truly alive.
Lenny

Sunday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver BC

Ozzie Osbourne was here!

BC Mining Museum

Halfway up the road to Whistler is the former Britannia Mine, now open to the public. We stopped by on Saturday for a look-see.


The biggest truck I have ever seen.


A huge drill that could cut through feet of rock like butter.


One reason mining was and is a very dangerous business!


And we saw the spookiest building ever. It has been used in many horror movies and the X-files. And on those spooky stairs, our tour guide made the Guinness book of world records for sending a slinky down the entire staircase.

Uncle Ron's waffles

Spent a lovely afternoon with Nancy at the Seattle Festival Orchestra concert. She finally gave me the recipe she had been talking about. Paper is yellowed and starting to tear so I promised I would transcribe it. Nancy and my late uncle enjoyed these together many a week-end morning.

2 cups sifted flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs separated
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup butter, margarine or shortening melted

Sift the flour with the baking powder and salt.
Combine the well-beaten egg yolks and the milk and add to the dry ingredients, beating until the mixture is smooth; the cooled melted butter or margarine.
Beat the egg whites until they stand in peaks but not dry, and fold into the mixture.

Variations:

Sour milk waffles: substitute 3/4 teaspoon baking soda for baking powder and 1 1/2 cups sour milk or buttermilk for sweet milk.

Cheese waffles: add 1 cup grated cheddar cheese to batter before folding in egg whites.

A Prayer Request

For Jim's Dad as he recovers from a second surgery in less than two weeks. Also for our wonderful relatives in Missouri who are helping to coordinate his care. We love you all!

Book club ladies, sorry I missed you all tonight. Hope you understand and I'll see you soon! Hope you enjoyed discussing Brooklyn!

Happy Birthday Jim!

Yet another boat/waterfront scene. Celebrated Jim's Birthday last night with dinner at Anthony's on the Everett Marina, then a sunset walk.

I love you sweetheart!

Along the Burke Gilman Trail

OK, I'm still resting and taking pictures more than serious training on the bike but what a beautiful day. Did get 8 miles in though.

Spent the evening at a rosary for a childhood friend's little brother. Life is so fragile and so temporary. Very grateful to God for all the beautiful days and beautiful people in my life.

Earth Abides by George R Stewart

One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever

Ecclesiastes 1:4

Was re-reading Brooklyn for book club. Also re-reading Harry Potter since the new movie is coming out. Then picked up Earth Abides which Jim had requested from the library.

Ish is a loner working on his graduate thesis "The Ecology of the Black Creek Area". He is out in the wilderness studying the relationship of men, plants and animals in the region. When he finally discovers that a disease has wiped out most of the human population, he feels that his anti-social tendencies and his field of study will help him succeed in this new world.

Earth Abides follows Ish through the rest of his life. It is interesting to see the survival and adaptation of all life forms on earth through Ish's eyes. Not to give too much away but he learns to help his new "tribe" survive and thrive, although not in the way he originally intended.

It is an amazing post-apocalyptic story which is extremely well-written. The characters and story will stay with me for a long time. The book cover likens the story to Robinson Crusoe. I kept comparing it to The Road, but with more positive life-affirming images.

Beautiful Autumn Day

Enjoying a few weeks off of work. Scheduled to start jury duty tomorrow. Today, had the opportunity to meet brother Jay and niece Sarah for a bike ride along the Puyallup River. Had a great time trying to keep up with them! Jay spied this blue heron along the river. Very cool!

Papa and Aunt Sandy accompanied Sarah to the local ice cream place afterwards. I wasn't brave enough to try the blue bubblegum ice cream but she loved it!

Gianna Jessen, abortion survivor

Gianna Jessen's Biography from her website

Gianna Jessen does not quit. Giving up is not an option to her. Gianna has what she refers to as the "gift" of Cerebral Palsy. She weighed a mere 2 lbs at birth and the doctors said she would never be able to hold up her head, sit up, crawl or walk. She began to walk by the age of three years old with the help of leg braces and a walker.

Gianna doesn’t believe that her Cerebral Palsy takes away her life, but, rather, enriches it. . . she walks with a slight limp today and runs marathons. On April 30, 2005 she completed her first 26.2 mile marathon after running just over 7 hours and was presented with the coveted blank blank award! On April 23, 2006 she completed the London Marathon as well. She is now determined to run marathons all over the place, because she was never supposed to even walk!

Gianna understands the plight of orphans, being one herself. She was placed into the foster care system early on in life, eventually being taken into the loving home of a woman named Penny. Penny has been a mother to 56 foster children in her life. Gianna was later adopted by Penny's daughter, making Penny Gianna's grandmother. According to Gianna, Penny saved her life.

Gianna is a Christian. Her life was given to her by the grace of God. She shouldn't be walking, but more miraculous still; she should not even be alive. Gianna's biological mother was 17 when she had a saline abortion in her third trimester. Many Americans don’t realize it is legal to have an abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy. After being burned alive for approximately 18 hours in the womb from the saline solution, Gianna was delivered alive in a Los Angeles County abortion clinic. Her medical records state, "born during saline abortion"...this is what caused her Cerebral Palsy.

Gianna's travels and experiences have led her all over the world. Her life has been covered by many major news media outlets, including, most recently, the BBC News and World Radio, Sky News, and The Good Morning Show in England, reaching many people with a message of hope and conviction. In November 2005, Gianna spoke in several colleges all over Ireland and in December of the same year, spoke at a meeting held at the House of Commons in London. She has returned to England this year to speak in several parochial and public high schools. Gianna’s audiences include: churches - church youth crusades and women’s ministry retreats; various corporations as a motivational speaker; secular and Christian youth organizations and schools – middle school age through college, as well as several times before Congress - most recently having her testimony read before the Supreme Court in Carhart v. Gonzales

Brit had a video of this woman on her facebook page. The story is, as Brit says, beautiful and crazy. I would add, Gianna's story is moving to say the least. I did not include the video since Brit has had her facebook profile hacked. The video, in which Gianna speaks at Queen's Hall, Parliament House, Victoria. Australia is on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ

Praise and Thanksgiving

Good news regarding Jim's Dad's surgery this morning in KC MO. Surgery went safely and by all reports successfully.

We are also grateful for our wonderful KC MO relatives and the loving care they are giving our Dad/Dad-in-law.

A Lesson in Gratitude

So, yesterday I was walking from work to the bus station in the rain, feeling sorry for myself. Just grumpy, feeling ignored at work, and generally stressed out from an unfamiliar work environment.

I ran across a guy about my age, with a twisted body, walking with a cane, carrying probably his worldly possessions in a huge backpack. He actually smiled, joked with me and made me feel comfortable chatting with him.

Then I remembered earlier in the day, the wonderful upbeat attitude of a person I ran across who was fighting a terrible battle with cancer.

OK, God I get the message. No more whining! Oh, and God, please bless both of them with peace and joy and love.

Habu Sake gets rowdy at the Portland Dragon Boat Race

This year's Portland Race was Saturday and Sunday at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on the Willamette River. Habu shared our time at this beautiful venue with about 66 other teams and the Portland Marathoners. Here's the link to the race website - they even carried the races live!

http://www.portlanddragonboats.com/frameset.php

Habu had a great time at this race which was the culmination of hard training all spring and summer. Bested our team record for the 500 yard race and came in third in a "consolation" division. Almost beat the Navy team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me doing a team sport?
Me doing anything athletic?

Great team bonding time and also great quality time with hubby. Jim was there cheering, giving tips to improve my performance, purchasing a team shirt for me and making a list of sports equipment I should have. He had so much fun he wants to give it a try in the spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

About the rowdiness mentioned in this post title? Well, let's just say that the team wasn't named after a type of alcoholic beverage for nothing! From SakeUSA.com:

Habu Sake
Habu sake, despite its name, is actually not a type of sake. Instead, it is what is known as an awamori. Though both alcoholic drinks come from rice, awamori is created through distillation, rather than brewing. This type of drink is unique to its place of origin: Okinawa, Japan.

Even among the different types of awamori, habu sake is a very special drink. It is made using the venom of the highly poisonous habu snake. The snake is said to have strong medicinal properties. For instance, some believe that it is good for back problems, arthritis, and removing toxins from the body.

The alcohol within habu sake neutralizes the poison of the snake. In addition to this, many different herbs are added to increase health benefits. While individuals generally purchase a bottle with just the mixture, more expensive bottles will also include the snake.

The Pirates of Pissants invade the Celebrating Life Dragon Boat Festival

The 7th annual benefit for Team Survivor Northwest was held Saturday at Stan Sayres Memorial Park which is also the location of the annual Seafair hydroplane races. The mission of Team Survivor is "to get cancer survivors up, out and about, and embracing the active Northwest lifestyle".

Two of my regular teammates and I signed up to paddle with a survivor boat looking for a few more women paddlers. The name of the team was Pirates of Pissants (apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan or whoever).

The day consisted of almost 30 heats. All sorts of categories including novice and rec. One of the favorite heats was called the "specimen cup" which consisted of boats sponsored and crewed by local hospitals and clinics.

Most photographs courtesy of Luise's wonderful son who paid a surprise visit from LA to watch her race. He not only took pictures with my camera, he also drove us, hauled our gear, and lent me his jacket. He was also at the dock with high fives at the end of every race. Does Luise know how to raise great kids or what?


My teammates and carpool buddies trying to stay warm and dry in our tent.

Getting ready for our next race with the marshall/cheerleader/comedienne.

Pirates at the dock. Tiller in the back, caller/drummer in the front. Our drummer is a survivor from Southern CA and she got her picture in today's paper.

Towards the finish line.

Our sign draped with our silver medals!

On Coach Bill's boat with our medals.

One special footnote to this whole experience was that Mom, a five year cancer survivor, got to enjoy the day. Thanks Dad for making it easy for her to attend!

Ron's ride

On my way to the trail, stopped by the Riverfest Car Show on Main Street. Ron was showing his 64 Volkswagon Karmann Ghia. We carpool to or from work sometimes and he has never driven us in this beauty!

The Duckman of Bothell

On my bike ride, saw a whole lot of ducks raising a ruckus. Then I saw why - this gentleman was feeding them bread. He kindly let me take his picture.

Bridges

Photographing this bridge made me think of Julie and Bill in Texas. They have taken motorcycle rides with their destination being the many beautiful bridges in the area.

Sunday bike ride on the Sammamish River Trail

Trying to build up some endurance for two upcoming Dragon Boat races so took the bike out. Taking pictures gave me an excuse to stop a lot and rest!

Sunday drive

Olympic National Park had free entry this week-end so we had the chance to get back up to Hurricane Ridge. Snow was still on the nearby peaks, Puget Sound was in the background, mountain flowers were out, very awesome!

Stopped at Forks (Twilight Central) and our favorite Rialto Beach before the ferry ride home.

Meanwhile down in LA ............

Nephew Romey is still having too much fun!

Sunset on the Everett River Walk

Yup it's getting hot, but what a beautiful summer we are having.

He's fine

Got these pictures from brother John in LA yesterday. Nephew Romey was having fun - then bonk! Pretty sure the smiling picture is the after picture - kids are so resilient!

Huli drill

The Habu Sake dragon boat team had their annual practise/huli drill/BBQ on Sunday. A Huli drill is a safety drill which involves capsizing the boat, righting it, getting the water out, then getting back in. Rough water made the drill difficult and it was necessary to pull the boat towards shore before getting all the water out. While this was all happening, a Seattle police boat and coast guard copter showed up to make sure no one was drowning!

And where was I during all this excitement? Well, teammate Georgine was going to leave her sweet dog Kai in the hot car so I of course insisted on babysitting. Kai and I had a great time watching from shore!

JA Jance book signing at Third Place Books Commons

My favorite author started out her book signing tour for Queen of the Night here in Seattle. New book is the fourth Walker family story, which is the only series of hers which is not exactly a mystery. I think it could be classified more as a thriller.

She said of all her books/characters this series has the most of her and her life in it. She was stalked by a psychopath years ago, just like her character Diana Walker. She was kept out of the creative writing program at Arizona State U, just like her character. Both also had alcoholic first husbands. She actually started writing poetry secretly when this first husband told her there could only be one writer in the family! He got into the creative writing program that she was kept out of.

She was incredibly nice! We talked blogging, book clubs and call center work! I also told her I would give the first three Walker family stories another chance. My first impression years ago was that they were way too dark! Somehow knowing that this darkness was based on reality makes it more palatable. Perhaps, knowing that it wasn't conjured up just for the shock value makes the difference.

Happy Birthday Liam Walter!

Niece Erin in Texas welcomed this new arrival about noon today via C-section. Much love and happiness to the whole family.

Book club

Had the chance to catch up with the book club ladies at Third Place Commons. So wonderful to hear the latest news in everyone's lives. We are are keeping busy with families, jobs, trips etc. We missed our absent bookclub ladies. Had the chance to say hello to Mary's daughter - what a great young lady.

Oh yeah, we talked books and movies too. Jan put the "minutes" on her blog. I will post our future selections on the book club reading list at the bottom of this blog.

Happiness is great books and even better company!

Habu Sake dragon boat team getting ready for practice

Colors of Freedom 4th of July Parade, Everett WA

Beau's drum and bugle corps, the Cascades, brought up the end of the parade yesterday. They sounded and looked great in the new uniforms. First DCI competition tonight in Pasco.