Bopcha Blog

Replace screen on basement windows -Done

Mow High grass at farm - Done

Run electric to garbage disposal -Done

Fix bathroom toilet downstairs - Done

Replace broken sidewalk - Done

Spray "Scotch Broom" outbreak, The High forest field- Done

Wire bathroom light - Done

Clean vacuum- Done

install screen door - Done

Paint Stairs-

Level ground and clean up North side of house (old oil tank) - Done

Hello Everyone,



Sid has decided that our adorable kitten may like to hang upside down. He actually grabbed her tail and hung her upside down, thankfully only for a split second. He loves to play rough with her which I think she actually loves. Now her idea of playing is clawing and biting. I know she sounds terrible but she is actually a very sweet cat. She is on the timid side and she is super super cute. She puts up with Sid - imagine that. Just kidding of course.



Diana, how could you! You now also have an injury. KC is right. I guess you just can't be left alone So how did you do that? I don't think you gave us all the gory details. I really hope it heals soon. I imagine it is feeling better by now. Are you icing it? I guess ice is the ultimate remedy for all injuries, although if something is broken, I'm not sure that is the remedy.



I am now starting to feel sad that I won't be coming to Oregon at least not for the time being, unless something changes. I did not plan very well this year. But I have to say that work is making it difficult to just take off for the West Coast. I should qualify that I am probably imposing that pressure on myself, because I think my bosses would grant me the time off, at least a few days. But I guess I am feeling nervous about waiting around to see what the State does - will it cut 24% to the Vet School? I think that decision will come down in August, don't know if I should be on vacation when that happens. But then again, what difference does it make where I am, right?



By the way, in our East Coast neurotic way, my family and I have been making sure that Sid has his Epipin Injection for bee stings when he comes to Oregon. Maybe it's us East Coasters (at least according to Sid it is) but we can't imagine Sid without his epipin. George called in a prescription even over Sid 's objections that he really doesn't need it. That started a whole debate Sid vs. the Parsons and I. Even Nina was trying to remind Sid that he, more than likely, will need the injection if he is stung by a bee. It wasn't easy convincing Sid, and actually I don't really know if we succeeded.



Bopcha, I was glad to hear that the house project was coming to a close. I did not even realize that poor Judy had been working on it up till now. I am sure it looks really nice. How are you adjusting to the new kitchen anyway? It sounds like you have enjoyed the dishwasher.



KC, by the way, I really admire you for being able to live through the pressures of changing jobs. You have to be a very strong person for that, which you obviously are. I sort of envy that kind of mobility.

This is definitely an attribute I really need to work on.



I was happy to hear about Teresa and I am sure Kay is overjoyed. Is she coming to the East Coast for that training? It sounds like it. I will close for now but hopefully can get some more time this week to write in a bit. For now, I should go check on our kitten "Luna" to make sure she is doesn't need to be rescued.



Hope you are all well and have a great week.



Love,



Sandra

I can't even imagine 110 degrees. It's rainy again here in Colorado and only 58 degrees. Ambassador and daughter Tornado are out in the pasture looking for rabbits. The 'boyz in the paddocks are watching their every move. Today, I'm working on an 8 hour Army-developed training course, a pre-requisite for an in-residence class week after this. I'll be an Army-certified specialist in homeland security emergency operations and processes....or something like that. I'd rather be out mowing the weeds growing in the puppy paddock. Tom says he'll do that today.



And of course, thousands of congratulations to Theresa. WOW!!! Sorry she picked the Navy (Tom's delighted though), but regardless, we're proud as the dickens of her.

Love KC

Temp still hanging around 111-113 so not too bad.



Headed to Long Beach this evening with Gina and her crew to see Joey. We will return Sunday evening and then on Monday the family is dining out to celebrate Theresa's birthday. Tuesday the dogs and I will head back down to spend a couple more days with Joey and Jonathan.



Randy's house did not close today as anticipated. His brother Kenny is due in today for a visit so Stephs house will be full again.



I understand the weather has been warm in Oregon and I am sure drop dead hot in Sid's part of the world.



Diana, Diana, Diana, I leave you alone for two seconds and see what happens.

Hooray!

The orthopedic doctor said that my wrist "might" be broken, but he doesn't think so. He liberated me from my splint, did not put a cast on my arm, and told me to avoid contact sports.

Love,

Dee

Kay called today and proudly announced that Ms. Theresa Todd reports for duty at Officer Training School in Rhode Island in mid-October. Wow!!!!!! We are all so proud!



Love,

Dee

I am trying to peel and eat a hard boiled farm egg with one hand. Grrrr......

I am officially tired of this wrist thing. It hurts and it is annoying. I get my cast on tomorrow - it better be pretty. I don't mind suffering if I look cute.

Love,

Dee

The Corvallis Project is coming to a close. Judi worked the last two days finishing up the flooring in the bathroom and the hallway. The electrician has yet to show up to give final approval on the wiring for the dishwasher. The hole in the wall has been plugged. We have been enjoying the dishwasher, finding ways of putting in two days of dishes for one washing cycle.



Today a new week begins. The garbage needs to go out for pickup tomorrow. We have three trucks that empty the three cans of sorted garbage--green stuff from the yard, weeds, etc., garbage from the kitchen, and sorted paper, cardboard, etc for recycling. And then this Wednesday I go to REPAK to help out. There are about 80 people that show up so we are usually through about noon, have a potluck, and a drawing.



I know I have told you about this before, but I need something to talk about. Besides " I'm feeling fine!" It is so good to read about the activities that is written about. I look forward to it every day. Love, Bopcha

It is amazing what a weekend of sloth will do for you! My wrist aches but it is tolerable. I have too much work to risk taking vicodin during the day.

Love,

Dee

Very hot - Al's said it registered 117 at his house yesterday. At least my room at the Motel 6 stays very cool and has air conditioning as opposed to a swamp cooler. After we run around during the day, I go back to the motel and the dogs and I just hang out. It has a pool but much too hot to even attempt swimming. I only walk the dogs around the motel in the early a.m. and late late at night.



Today we are driving to Bakersfield to drop off Maxx with Tina. Maxx will be with her for a couple of weeks and then back to Ridgecrest where he will start driving school. Bakersfield is the 1/2 spot between Fresno and Ridgecrest. I think we are also going by California City to see Randy's house.



Alexis is getting cuter by the hour and is crawling like a champ. Tried giving her her bottle yesterday evening and she gave me a head butt in the nose. No not broken just a little sore. Steph, Alexis, Gina and I went to Crystal's house for breakfast yesterday. She has a very nice house with a large backyard. It will be the perfect house to raise a family.



Sounds like everyone is really busy this summer and trying to stay out of the heat.



All my kidlets and grand kidlets that live in Ridgecrest seem to be doing well and it has been a great visit. I am expecting that Crystal and Nathan will start a family in the next year and 1/2 so that will give me great grandchild number 4. Jon has 2 girls and Jake has a son. Time is really marching on.

Hey Dee - I understand cryptic, but jeez....here's my xray; hiking has it's moments....that's all we get?

Sandra - I understand about work being consuming--and the threat of layoffs. My contract comes to an end in September, so for the fourth time in 2 years, I'm tossing my resume into the air, hoping someone snatches it. Meanwhile, I'm doing my infinitisimally (darn spell checker won't help me) tiny piece of the nation's business. Sid - all that time at the farm, how delicious, how fun! And that cherry pie of Jess's truly looked spectacular. Hugs to the twins and Nikole. What a lovely adventure--riding the light rail. Now back to work: cactus calling, KC's Snaps need posting, competition at the ranch today so I'm needed as a worker, and Monday's guests need fresh beds and clearn bathrooms. Oh--also Sandra, thank goodness for respecting your body's signals. Ignore them and you'll pay for a lot longer than just a summer's worth of rest!! A cute picture of Durango. I call it "INTENSITY." That's apt, don't you all think? Love KC

xray7-18-090001.pdf



I broke my wrist but it is invisible - look really hard ay the top of the biggest long bone and you can see a little jagged edge on the right and one on the left.



See what hiking can do to you?

Hello Everyone,



Diana your summer activities sound like a lot of fun. It sounds like you have so many great place to go hiking. I don't feel like there are many options in this immediate area for nice hikes. Wow, I would have loved to hear about the dogs. And of course seeing the dogs would have been even better. I guess Labs are used a lot these days for working dogs aren't they? I am always so fascinated by working dogs and I certainly love watching them in action. The Phila police bring their dogs to the Vet School here for treatment. Hmmm, maybe the City should donate lots of money to us for our high quality care. Oh but of course, how could I forget the City of Phila has no money either.



Bopcha, it sounds like you are facing some really hot weather there in Corvallis. How do you like it? I think Oregon is having a much hotter summer than Philly. You writing about going to the doctor's office reminds me that Sid and I need to go for a check up. We decided we are so negligent about doing so but have been talking about how it is a good idea since we both have such good insurance coverage for now at least.



Now for the best part. Imagine this: George's mother owns a house at the New Jersey shore or should I say the beach. So Sid and George are at the beach house this weekend with George's cousin Rick who is a wonderful person and who Sid is very fond of. The three men are there all weekend and they have all the children with them. So Nina and Alex are there plus Rick has little twin girls (I think about 5 or 6 years old) who are adorable and really sweet. Four children and three tall men spending the weekend in this little beach house. Can you imagine the chaos. Isn't it funny? Oh and I should mention that Sid and Nina brought their guitars to the house. The purpose of this was to give the women (Rick's wife and my sister) a little break. I think they are enjoying it. Nina called me on Thursday night to tell me that she is so excited that Sid is going to be there. She just can't wait. She said she "feels explosive" isn't that funny? I know that Alex is always happy to have Sid around he just isn't as verbal. He is a "man of few words." But of course next to Nina we are all people of few words. The contrast between Nina and Alex in terms of the phone is striking. You can not get Alex to really talk on the phone, I think his maximum is five words. But Nina, well that's a different story - you can't get her OFF the phone. She is not even a teenager yet.



Wow a wedding in Seattle, that sounds really nice. I actually would like to come out for a week or so but I am weighed down right now with the work issue - since we are in the midst of layoffs etc....I am hesitant to leave at the moment but would like to work something out so that I can get a little break and come out West.



I hope you are all well and write back soon.



Love



Sandra

Jessica unexpectedly got the day off yesterday, so she and I and Bill (who ditched work at about noon) went to the King County Fair in Enumclaw (little town near Mt. Rainier). Poor Noah had to work. The fair was small and delightful. The Boeing Company demonstrated their bomb sniffing dogs. Wow! those dogs are cool! Many of them were black labs, but some were shelter dogs of mixed breed.



It was hot - but not as hot as Corvallis. We had high 80s I believe.



Tory said Murray is driving up from Portland this weekend and they (Murray, Nikole and Tory) are going to participate in the opening of Seattle's new light rail line. There are going to be free rides, music, and probably fun food.



Bill and I are going for a hike and then maybe to the Vashon Island strawberry festival.



Hope Kay and the doggies have a fun and safe trip to the hot hot hot desert. Whew!



We bought Elizabeth's wedding presents. She is registered at Target. We bought her knives, a clock and a wall picture frame. Most of the things on her list were so modestly priced we really had to work to spend any money!



Sid, are you coming to Seattle for the wedding? I hope so.



Love,

Dee