The Family Circus

May 11th ...

2009-09-26T06:34:00.000-07:00

Today is September 28th ... so, it has been a while between blog entries. Oh, not that a few things haven't happened.

Enjoyed a wonderful trip to see Jonathan and Summer -- and Emerald, Penelope, and Anna in North Carolina. One of the best memories I have ... We had an absolutely lovely time.

Found out I had Diabetes-II and have been working on that to get blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, eyesight, etc. -- within normal ranges. (Thanks to modern medicine and a somewhat altered diet that has been happening. Thankfully).

Enjoyed a very hot summer... well, kinda. Actually, I prefer cold and rainy. That's why we live in the Great North-Wet.

Went to Vegas to shoot wedding photos for Shavonne and Joshua. Also enjoyed shooting wedding photos for Leesa and Kevin in Portland and here. We had fun shooting the temple wedding for Heidi Vance and her husband Tyler Anderson. And, we just did a wonderful wedding last week with Liz and Will at the Rose Garden at Point Defiance Park and over at the Union Station with all the beautiful Chihuly glasswork there.

I bought some new lenses and camera this year and I think the results are amazing. May have to post a few here so you can see them.

Have enjoyed the fair this year. I am about "sconed" out. We bought a pass so we can go anytime we want. May have to make a stop this afternoon to say "good-bye". LOL!

Work has been good at West Coast Entertainment. Thankfully, people are still partying and calling us.

I have been working as an "ambassador" with the Tacoma Chamber. That gives me some community exposure and satisfies my need to be involved in something other than self. I'm going to do more of that this year.

Looking forward to Ashlyn's baptism in a few weeks and of course, the big Disneyland Trip for Jeannette's birthday on Halloween. That is going to be a kick!

OK. I'm off to shoot a family session with my good friend's daughter and her family at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. Should be fun.

Waiting ...

2009-05-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

... to leave work on a Monday afternoon. Drive home from West Seattle should be agonizingly slow -- because it is sunny out. (As opposed to when it is agonizingly slow because it is raining.) Those seem to be my two choices.

Just spent the weekend in Washougal, WA. I have never been there before -- but I do like saying "Washougal" ... sounds like a car horn. "wa-shoo-gul" -- very cool.

We were at BMX course on Saturday-Sunday for son-in-law Drew's mini-Baja competition. Little school -- Western -- took on some of the top engineering programs in the country -- and out of 100 schools Western came out #5 over-all. It was a lot of fun to watch!

Their little Baja race car ran very well and when it broke they patched it up. Last fix was with duct tape -- the real man's tool. I knew they were out of options then. Ha! But it held together.

More later ... gotta get fortified for the trek home.

:) Dana

Once again ...

2009-03-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I've been on my blog. Seems like I think about it -- but keeping a daily journal just isn't something I can do. Or rather, want to invest much of my life's energy into doing.

I joined Facebook a while ago. Still haven't got the hang of it ... but I do like to read everyone's latest comings and goings.

So, here's a brief synopsis of my life the last little while.

Found out I have diabetes.
So, changed lifestyle. (Eating more fruit and veggies, counting carbs as well as calories, taking medicines, losing weight, ya-da-ya-da. Get used to sticking myself in the finger every morning and sometimes at night, look at nutritional info on EVERYTHING I eat. Yup. Fun and games all the time. I am like a giant chem lab experiment.)

Dad has been in hospital and the nursing care facility. He may be headed to long-term assisted living facility this week. I swear he looks better than I do.

Realized I couldn't see anything -- so now have new glasses. Real glasses. Not my $1 Dollar Store reading glasses. Sheesh! These things are expensive. But amazing how much I wasn't seeing.

Still busy with West Coast Entertainment. Selling like crazy. Still. I love it! I just keep pestering people. LOL!

Helped with Opera. Did some news releases. Took photos. I liked it. Paul Bryan got me involved.

OK.

So, had a few things going on.,

Oh yeah ... and I finished my taxes. Whoopee! That is always a burden. I'm thankful for Turbo Tax. Yes indeed-ee!

Sayonara.

:) Dana

Rainier Family Opera ...

2009-03-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

Rainier Family Opera Presents Selections from “Carmen”, “La Bohème”, and “Tender Land”

Come join us!!!

The Rainier Family Opera will present selections from “Carmen”, “La Bohème” and “Tender Land” on March 20th and March 21st as part of their on-going mission to create sophisticated, family-friendly productions for audiences in Pierce County.

The March 20th presentation will be at the First Lutheran Church in Tacoma at 524 South “I” Street. On March 21st, the production will move to the Puyallup High School auditorium at 105 7th Street SW in Puyallup. The performances will start at 7:00 pm. Suggested donations are: $10 per person or $25 per family.

The musical selections from these three operas will provide first-time opera visitors – as well as more experience audience members -- an opportunity to enjoy these popular opera classics.

To help the audience members better understand the works, there will be an on-stage educational presentation to explain the scenes and the musical performances.

“Carmen” is one of the world’s most performed operas. Set in Seville, Spain in 1830, it features Carmen, a beautiful Gypsy with a fiery temper. “La Bohème” essentially focuses on the love between a seamstress called Mimi and the poet, Rodolfo. And, “Tender Land” has melodies that are charming and folksy. It is set in the American Heartland on a farm in the Midwest during the Great Depression.

Cast members include: Nathan Barnes, Ryan Bede, Grant Drees, Erin Guinup, Katie Hochman, Dave Holden, Laura Loge, Holly Mesarch, Marci Morrell, Greg Sojka, Ainsley Soutiere, Amy Stagno, Nancy Vancil, Denes VanParys, and children from the Tahoma Choirs.

More information is available at: www.rainierfamilyopera.blogspot.com

This is the second major presentation by the Rainier Family Opera which began last year with four objectives: 1) to create a concert season consisting of opera scenes and full operas; 2) to be involved in community outreach and school concerts; 3) to provide opera educational programs to encourage audiences to attend other area opera productions; and 4) to cast and utilize local artists.

Been a while ...

2009-02-21T09:08:00.000-08:00

... I was having some symptoms of disease that were concerning me quite a bit. So, for the first time in about 7 years I went to the doctor. Turns out I have diabetes. Yesterday, 4,000 other US Citizens found out they have the same disease.

I am NOT thrilled to have this. But I am taking my pills and checking my blood daily now. Started on a new eating plan with Nancy, a new exercise program ... and hopefully will lose some weight and get this under control.

Thanks for any prayers you can send our way.

:) Dana

Been a while ...

2009-02-04T19:52:00.000-08:00

I just wrote a brilliantly funny political commentary about Barrack Husein Obama and his cram-down economic plan.

It was very FUNNY!

Unfortunately, I hit the erase button by mistake.

Sheesh! Getting old is a lot tougher than I thought.

Now, I'm too tuckered out to re-write it.

Maybe tomorrow.

:) Dana

Been A While ...

2009-02-04T19:38:00.000-08:00

Was on my own for about 35 days ... and that led to some bad habits. Way too much McDonald's ... way too much couch-potato time ... way too many Hershey bars. Sigh! And now it's over. LOL!

I am staggered by how much Obama has rammed down our throats so far, mainly by executive order. (I don't think he has a very good idea where he is going to put the Gitmo terrorists who want to slit your throats. Maybe he can work on that a bit.)

And, where does he find these people who cheat on their taxes that he wants to appoint? Is that what they do in Chicago? Find someone who is very dirty and make them a politician? (Oops -- Excuse me for stating the obvious.)

It caused me to write to my senators -- Mary Cant-do-well and Patty Murray -- or is it Sandy Murphy ... or ... Arthur Murray. I can never remember their names. Between the two of them, you might have enough powerful intelligence to light up one of those curly-cue phosphorescent 40-watt light bulbs. Maybe ... given time ... well, not really. I was just trying to be kind ...

So, I told them what I wanted -- they told me what they were going to do. Yup, if you think they work for you -- you are VERY wrong.

Welcome to America, Comrades!

It's the 7th of January ...

2009-01-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday was our 40th anniversary. I picked up Nancy from the airport about 5 pm and we headed to the Black Angus to celebrate. Let's face it -- it isn't a Keg Restaurant. It was OK -- but not a favorite spot. At least we had a gift card we were able to use.

I think by 8:15 pm we had both conked out. We aren't really party animals like you all think we are. Hahahaha.

Today is Joc's birthday. I always remember when she was about 5 and when asked when her birthday was -- she would reply: "Jan-jew-ary seventh" ... that always helps me remember her birthday ...

Well, at 4:00 in the morning ... this is about the best I can do.

:) Dana

Happy New Year ...

2009-01-01T18:34:00.000-08:00

I have done absolutely NOTHING today that was worthwhile.

Went to Wal-Mart and bought some shelves for the guest room. I'm turning the closet into a food storage area. No biggie. Snap together shelves ... but got home and ran out of ambition. Also bought a filter for the furnace. That takes about 20-seconds to change and I couldn't muster enough enthusiasm for that either. Oh well ... maybe tomorrow.

Watched Penn State get drubbed in Rose Bowl. I HATE the USC fight song played after every down. What a stupid band. Only knows one song.

But, happy that their assistant coach will be on the sidelines for the Huskies now. I think he will make a huge difference. Go Dawgs!

Nancy is still in Utah for a few more days. I would like to do some baking but don't have anyone around to bake for but me and I'm trying to be good on food intake this coming year -- although it will be a challenge.

I did watch some infomercials today. Managed to only buy some of those green plastic storage boxes that keep your veggies fresh. Saw a couple other things I want but didn't want to overwhelm the mailman hauling loot to our front door.

Well, thinking I may go drive around the block just to get out of the house.

Welcome 2009!

:) Dana

Now the day is over ...

2008-12-25T19:50:00.000-08:00

... it's 8:00 pm and the day is almost over.

We watched "Horton Hears a Who" tonight. Had a little popcorn and M&M's. Very low key. Stuffed some pumpkin pie in there somewhere and am now ready to call it a day.

We had Jessica, Joc, Jo and Drew here. That was fun. Talked to Jason's children ... talked with Jeremy. Talked with Jeannette. Jon and his family are in Paris. I suppose that would be more fun than being here. Jake is missing but we may catch up with him tomorrow.

I've been getting my camera gear ready for the rehearsal tomorrow and the wedding on Saturday. I am VERY nervous about the lighting. So, I'm going to check that out good tomorrow. Very certain I will need my big lights. Oh well ... I'm a pro.

So, Merry Christmas to all. I am thankful for Jesus Christ and for the gifts he offers me.

:) Dana

My survival tip for the day ...

2008-12-18T08:35:00.000-08:00

Hope you guys are all safe at home!

I had a few minutes to check my Survival Book. Here's a tip for the day from Bear Grylls:

TIP: "Attempting to travel across deep snow without some form of specialized footwear is a recipe for disaster. Long hours spent floundering through waist-deep snow is exhausting, unproductive, gets you soaked, plus it is dangerous -- trust me, I have done it often!"

Bear then suggests you cut some willow branches out back and make your own snowshoes ... takes about 3 hours to do in the cold ...

But, I'm thinking there is a better way.

DANA's TIP: Pop a few cinnamon rolls in the oven, heat up a little cocoa ... snuggle into your bunny slippers ... and curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book.

Trust me. I've done it both ways and the indoors protocol is MUCH better!

LOL!

Stay safe! Stay warm!

:) Dana

Thundersnow ... Wow!

2008-12-18T06:01:00.000-08:00

So, I'm up early, watching TV coverage of the big snowstorm running through Western Washington ... glad that I won't be skidding around trying to get to work -- but concerned because so many parties are scheduled tonight. Going to be a mess for several more days.

Now, they are talking about "thundersnow" in Seattle. This is a very rare phenomenon -- it is essentially a thunderstorm -- with heavy snow falling instead of rain. Lighting and thunder -- then blizzard like snow. Have never heard of it before. Sitting right over downtown Seattle which also doesn't get that much snow. So very unusual weather conditions.

Don't worry about us. We have power and enough cookie dough to get through this. LOL!

Been a while ...

2008-12-15T21:33:00.000-08:00

This is pretty much the way I keep a journal -- write for a few days in a row -- then blow it off for a couple of weeks.

Not that things haven't been happening -- it's just that I sometimes lack motivation. Oh well ... I gave up on perfection a long time ago -- well, at least in some areas of my life.

I've been worried about my hero -- Bear Grylls, you know Man Vs. Wild on Discovery channel.

I saw a news bulletin a few days ago that he had been injured in Antarctica -- and then nothing, nada, no more news about him.

He was supposed to be flown back to Great Britain to a hospital there -- but nothing in the news about him for a few days.

Then it turns out he made it to South Africa after 4 days because they couldn't get him out any sooner because of bad weather.

I still don't know his status -- but I'm rootin' for him to pull through. I mean, this guy has taught me more about the joy of being lost in the woods than I ever imagined.

I may even go out in the back yard and start a fire in his honor. Now, if I only had some flint.

:) Dana

It's December Already ...

2008-12-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

Where does the time go?

Seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the New Year.

So many things to do yet -- but time is quickly running out.

Oh well ... there's always next year!

:) Dana

Now the day is over ...

2008-11-27T19:56:00.000-08:00

We've stuffed and eaten the turkey, enjoyed the mashed potatoes and gravy, feasted on marshmallow candy yams and a scrumptious green salad, slopped up with home made rolls, nibbled on olives and pickles, and topped everything off with some pumpkin pie and whipped topping.

Took a nap and just paddled around the house. Enjoyed phone calls from Jon and Joc and Jeannette. Watched ROCKY! What a great day.

Had fun with Jo and Drew, Nikki and Jake.

Winding down a bit now ... may need a little more pie. But other than that, all is good.

:) Dana

Islamic Terrorism

2008-11-27T04:33:00.000-08:00

How come no one wants to say in our news media that terrorism attacks in India -- (and every other trouble spot in the world) -- are caused by radical Islamic fundamentalists, the Islamic Fascists who cannot get along with their neighbors?

The "religion of peace" strikes again with blood and horror and we want to pretend that it is some random act of violence and we don't want to blame Muslims.

After all, there are many good Muslims and we don't want to "profile" a certain group as being bad guys. That wouldn't be "fair", would it?

(Hence, when you go to the airport you see the TSA stopping little blonde, blue-eyed mothers with babies ... and watch as they x-ray their shoes and wand their infants in diapers because, by gawd, those nasty terrorists might be cleverly disguised as a young woman and children with a Scandinavian ancestry).

The fact is, we are at war ... and that war is being waged around the world with a very definite group of individuals -- radical Muslims. And, until we acknowledge who the enemy is -- Islamic terrorists -- (say it outloud with me: "Islamic Terrorists") -- we will never be able to mount an appropriate response to protect our citizens.

There will be more to come ...

Thanksgiving -- minus 1

2008-11-26T04:24:00.000-08:00

Almost here.

Strange how I am so ready for turkey. Just wish more of the kids were headed here so we could really feast.

Been a little slow at work this week. That's to be expected. Made a sale yesterday and hope to do one more today so I will have made a sale every week for the past 8 months ...

This is the time of year when a good chunk of the money rolls in -- and we do about 100 parties in a 3 week period. Usually a little bit hectic, but so far everything is under control.

We just keep chugging along.

:) Dana

Getting ready for T-Day ...

2008-11-25T05:18:00.000-08:00

Still a few days away. But, already the preparations have started.

I baked bread last night that will be turned into stuffing. Mmmmm. That should be good.

I also baked some chocolate chip cookies to get me through the arduous ordeal of putting the ingredients for the bread into my Zojirushi Bread Maker -- or, as Donald Trump would say, the finest bread maker in all the world!

That's about all I have to do. Nancy won't let me do much else.

I may get to put the olives on the table ... but usually I eat most of them before anyone else arrives -- so a re-load is almost always necessary.

I look at black olives and always wish my fingers were still small enough to stick in the holes ... and then I would eat them off my fingertips ... (just so you know where my kids got that habit. LOL!)

Nancy will cook like we still have 8 kids at home. That is OK. I wish they were. And those who come see us, will get loaded up with leftovers.

Jolene and Drew are coming down from Bellingham. Jake and Nikki will also be joining us.

I haven't started lobbying Nancy for this yet -- but I think we should add some crab to our meal. I saw the Deadliest Catch skippers on a TV ad, asking us to eat more crab this holiday season -- especially seeing what the $#@% they go through to bring us crab. LOL! It was a funny ad. I think they are doing a marathon show on Thanksgiving.

They have a couple other shows I still love on Discovery. Bear Grylles is my hero. I like Survivor man too.

But right now, I seem hooked on Storm Chasers, the guys who are chasing tornadoes all over tornado alley. I am fascinated with the storms ... and am somehow connected through the show to my Mom's growing up in Kansas and what it must have been like then when these types of storms swirled through Kansas.

OK. So I'm rambling ... and will stop for now.

Eat more crab. It's the least we can do.

:) Dana

OK. So far ... no green, flesh-eating lizard-men from outer space ...

2008-11-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

I think you all know I was worried with the election of Obama as our new king ... oops, I mean Savior ... oops, I mean Emperor ... oops ... I mean President. (See, I just can't help being sarcastic about this).

And, the outer-space aliens scenario was certainly on my mind ...

But, I have to admit -- I like some of the new appointments. Especially Hilary's position as a secretary (of State, that is).

I read an attack book against her and instead of hating her as the book wanted me to do -- I came away instead thinking she would be very tough on our nation's enemies. So, a hearty hip-hip-pants suit-hooray to her!

Lots of very interesting choices so far. Should be fun.

:) Dana

Grumpy Day

2008-11-18T22:49:00.000-08:00

Don't know why ... just grumpy all day long!

:) Dana

$5-Trillion ...

2008-11-13T21:14:00.000-08:00

That's the amount of debt we have added in the last three months.

$5-trillion.

It took us from 1776 until 3 months ago to become $5-trillion in debt as a country.

And in the last three months, we have added another $5-trillion ...

Is that concerning anyone?

$5-trillion ...

Well, you know what they say -- "A trillion here, a trillion there ... pretty soon you are talking real money."

Sheesh!

:) Dana

Tick-Tick-Tick

2008-11-13T06:38:00.000-08:00

The market is still in free-fall, the Treasury Czar is flopping around on what he wanted the $700-billion for -- like maybe he doesn't REALLY have a plan and is making it up as he goes, the fat cats we are bailing out seem to be still living in the lap of luxury and taking expensive junkets -- and no one is going to jail for their crimes. (See, I think we are watching the biggest robbery in the history of the world!)

I think we are in trouble here ...

Would rather hear what Obama is going to do (surely he told us he had a plan that would fix all this) rather than what kind of dog he is getting the kids.

I know. I know. Bush is still president but we already know he is incapable of solving anything. (I understand that he is going to a UN meeting on Religious Freedom chaired by Saudi Arabia -- where women have no rights and you can't practice any religion other than a defined brand of the Muslim faith. (He has got to be an idiot. Sorry. Just an absolute idiot!)

So come on Obama -- work your magic. Save us.

:) Dana

Obama-unism --

2008-11-11T02:02:00.000-08:00

So, in my last political post -- I expressed some concern about Rahm Emanuel ... but I heard a few things about him and watched him on one of those Sunday talk shows this week (I don't think it was "Meet the Depressed", but it might have been). But, that's beside the point. I thought he handled himself well -- and I understand his father was very active when the state of Israel was established. So, I am willing to give him a pass as he gets started in his new assignment with president-elect Obama. He is tough, but that should be a good thing.

Also, nice to know that many liberal Clinton Democrats are being considered for a variety of posts in the new administration. I was afraid that green lizard-men from outer-space were what we were going to be looking at ...

Now, I've heard some other names that I am concerned about -- some being mentioned for Attorney General should give us pause to consider -- so we'll wait to hear more.

I think the "undecided voters" in the country are moving toward the left and socialism. And I think that, in part, is because of the dumming down of America caused by a variety of factors including a very poor school system ...

I really don't think many in the country understand the difference between capitalism and socialism. It is a lesson that I think will be imposed on us soon.

The problem has also been -- the Republican party leadership that has tried to be as liberal as the opposition -- not understanding the true base and values of conservatism. I blame Bush ... and McCain would have been more of the same.

So, the change will be interesting -- and hopefully the pendulum will not swing too far left and get stuck in a socialist-fascist place that will create chaos in our political system and our way of life. It has to be able to swing both ways ... or the America we love will never return.

Just my 2-cents worth -- invest it wisely.

Dana

Middle of the night ...

2008-11-11T01:55:00.000-08:00

... little wheezing going on. So it's up to take some meds, suck on a cough drop, have a sneezing attack, and paddle around waiting to get sleepy again, my normal 2:00 am routine.

About the time I am ready to sleep again, Nancy will be up with her own version of insomnia. Eight hours, that's all I ask for. Eight solid hours. LOL! Oh well ...

:) Dana

So, I decided today ...

2008-11-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

... to give my support 100% to our new president elect -- and judge him by his actions and words as his new presidency takes shape.

He has a clean slate right now as far as I am concerned -- so let's see what he does to maintain that 100% approval rating.

Some things of a little concern to me ... since he was elected -- the stock market has continued to plummet. So, I'll be looking at what he does to fix that soon.

Also, I know he wants to rule from a "centrist" position ... so, I'm not certain how his new Chief of Staff is the right choice for that position given he is pretty much a political thug.

And I've heard his choice for head of the EPA says that if you don't believe that greenhouse gas pollution is creating global warming -- that you are very misinformed. Again, not a very scientific approach to global warming -- but hey, I'm all for cutting out gas in greenhouses. LOL!

Now, I know Obama has only been at this leadership thing a few days. But I'm certain he'll get the hang of it.

Just my two cents worth -- invest it wisely.

:) Dana