Complaint Choir

I thought this was funny. I found it on Ireport.com

Spain

I created this slideshow of my trip to Spain this past year on Panraven.com. This is a great website. If you take a special trip or simply have some family pictures you want to memorialize this is a great way to do it. Also instead of just printing the pictures and putting them in a typical photo album you can order a book that you can put on your coffee table or display someplace at home. The book was a little bit pricy, but is a small investment to preserve your travel memories and it also is a great gift idea.

Katie's Christmas Art

 

Here is a sample of Katie's art work. She is really quite amazing. I know she didn't get this talent from me. Enjoy!

It's a Wonderful Life

Today is Emily and Katie's Christmas with me. Monday they'll be taking the train to Washington with Carolyn to go and visit Grandma and Grandpa Heia. Last night we sat down and watched "It's a Wonderful Life." Even though it's corny I still love to watch it and pull it out every Christmas. If things get bad all we need to do is think of George Bailey ... we can always find someone who is having a rougher time than us. If we make a habit of seeing the good things everyday ... we will not be overwhelmed with the difficult.

It's time to pour my morning coffe and start getting ready to cook breakfast for the girls. They're still sound asleep, but it would be great to wake them up with the smell of frying bacon.

Late Fall Snow Storm in Palmdale

We had a beautiful snow storm on December 17th. It started snowing at about 6:00 a.m. and was still snowing at 9:00 p.m. I didn't have to go to work today and won't have to go in tomorrow. I got up early this morning and went out about 7:00 to take some pictures of the rare snow we get here in the high desert. It usually snows once or twice during the season, but it rarely sticks to the ground. As I waded around in the field to take some pictures it was clear we had a little over a foot on the ground. Believe it or not, it's already almost gone.

Grand Canyon

Robert and I drove to Grand Canyon the Friday after Thanksgiving. It's about a 7 hour drive. We spent Saturday viewing the canyon and drove back on Sunday. Pictures cannot do justice to the incredible sights. It would be great to make plans to spend some more time there either in one of the cabins or camping.

Overdue Update

Emily, Katie, and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, spending it with BJ and her family in Inglewood. It is great to spend the holidays with the loved ones. There were about 15 of us in all and we spent time simply catching up and reminiscing. Trav's brother and sister, Randy and Christi, were both there--I hadn't seen either of them in over a year.

This fall Emily has continued with her activities in the marching band. I've had the opportunity to see the band perform several field shows during the season. They're great and have a lot of fun. I will see if I can't get a picture or two to post.

Katie continues to do great in school and also pursue her interest in art. She entered some of her paintings in the Antelope Valley Fair and won an award or two. Also, I have a colleague at work who saw one of her paintings in the fair and wants to buy it. Imagine ... Katie, a professional artist! I'm not sure if she or I is more excited.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Emily turned 15 years old today! In just a week she will be starting her Sophomore year at Eastside High School. She does great in school, is a member of the marching band, drama, and will be taking her 2nd year of French. Emily is growing up to be a wonderful young lady. She is kind, loving, loyal and shows very good judgment. No parent could be prouder.

Happy Birthday Trav

Trav would have been 52 today. It's hard to believe that it's been almost two years since he passed. Time goes by so fast. Emily, Katie, and I went to pick up his mom this morning. We brought flowers to the cemetery and then had brunch at Mimi's. BJ is doing great; she has a long trip planned--nearly a month. She leaves on August 17th and will travel by train to Seattle, then by bus to Vancouver, by train to Toronto, then on to WA DC for the AARP convention. Finally returning to LA by train again. Taking the train is a great way to see so much of the country.

Today we reminisced some about Travis--it was good. I like to think of his life as like wave in the ocean. In the grand scheme of things the life of a wave is very short. We can stand on the shore and watch the life of wave from beginning to end ... but once the wave crests and falls what made up the wave does not cease to be. The water returns to the ocean once again. We no longer see the wave--but its essence remains forever.

Happy Birthday Trav!

Some Favorite Pictures From WA

This picture of mom was taken at Barry's shortly before leaving for the rehearsal dinner.

Grandma Frances at 97--Beautiful

Nathan and Jamie--Just Married

Majestic Mount Ranier Showing it's Beauty

These are a few of my favorite pictures that I took while in Washington. The rest can be seen in the slide show in my previous entry.

Washington Visit for Nathan and Jamie's Wedding

I had a terrific, but short trip to Washington for my cousin Nathan's wedding on July 11th. It was a great time to see family I hadn't seen in quite awhile. It would be great to plan a family reunion for next summer.

Morro Bay -- July 2008

I had the opportunity to visit Morro Bay on July 5th. It was a quick day trip up and back. The drive was relaxing and the walk along the beach even more so. I went to an art fair for a couple of hours too.

Juneteenth Picnic with Trav's Family in San Pedro

June 21st my friend Kay and I went to San Pedro and joined Travis' family for the annual Juneteenth picnic. It was near 100 degrees that day, but we had a terrific time. Enjoy the pictures.

Maddie is Growing Up

Maddie is almost 6 months old and growing up. She's a tremendous amount of fun and has an endless amount of energy. All photos courtesy of Robert Taylor Photography Studio (all rights reserved).

Time to Write Again

It's way past time to site down and write again. A couple of items of information. First, my mom is traveling again and I'm jealous. Right now she is in Tonga, then Fiji, and then on to New Zealand. I'm so happy she's had the chance to do quite a bit a traveling the past few years. I've had a chance to travel a little the past couple of years myself and I have to say that I have the bug, so it's save my money until the next time. I haven't decided where to go next, but I'm thinking I'd love to go to Peru.

Also, on the job front, I received a promotion in my school district. Starting in July I will be the Director of English Learner Programs. I applied for the position back in January, but the position was put on hold for a few months due to funding concerns. Recently, it was decided to go ahead and fill the position. I interviewed and was selected. It will be a new and exciting challenge for me. A whole new angle on my passion for education and language.

Happy 70th Mom!

Time marches by so quickly. Mom turned 70 years old yesterday! I would have loved to have been there to celebrate this milestone. She didn't have anything planned for the day, but Grandma Frances, Duane, Sandy, Jerry and I believe a few others are going to have dinner with her on Sunday. It will be a combined celebration. Grandma Frances turns 97 on Monday, mom's birthday was Friday and Mother's Day is just around the corner.

I love you Mom and Happy Birthday!

Timeless Journey

Timeless Journey

Springing forth from the rich earth; innocent and unaware!
Nourished in the shelter of the Unseen.
Strengthened and bending in the wind; Drinking in the sweet waters.
I know nothing else forever!
Safety and warmth.

Memories, deeper and darker than my anchoring roots, awaken me.
Whispers;
Straining to hear the voices of those no more.

Wisdom comes; carried on a hot breath of wind.
Wisdom comes relentlessly; in the unforgiving sun.
Understanding springs forth from the parched ground.
Silence,
Mute voices offering solace to the deaf!
When will I hear?

Crossing the Bridge to Forever;
Scattering Memories Like
Golden Drops of Rain!

Thank You Bruce! I Will Miss You . . .

This evening I received news that Bruce left us today after a battle with melanoma. I'm still trying to absorb this. It was just a month ago that I learned of his illness. I was privileged to be able to see Bruce at reunion of college friends last month. We had a wonderful time of reminiscing, sharing, and laughing. He leaves a wife of 20 plus years and four children. It is a reminder to make the most of our days. Bruce was a great example in this. Take a look at his blog that chronicles the last year or so of his life. It is inspiring and encouraging to all of us. I among many, many others will miss him, but I also know that my life was changed for having known him and for that I can be thankful. I hope you take the chance to look at the blog and get to know a little about the man who touched so many lives.

Bruce's Blog

Morocco Camel Ride

When we arrived in Morocco, just inside the border, there were several men with camels giving rides for 1 euro. The rides were about 30 seconds long and it looked like the camels were probably being kept busy all day long. Every time a bus load of tourists came into the country it looked like they were stopping. The owner of the business or the individuals were raking in quite a bit of money. But as you can see Emily, Katie, and I jumped at the chance. How often does that chance come along ...?

Spain---Incredible!

I'm going to write more later about our trip ... but for now here are the pictures that start at LAX, then Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Seville, Torremolinos, Morocco, and Ronda ... We had an absolutely incredible and exhausting time.

Celebrating with Bruce and Reminiscing our UW Nav Days

Yesterday, the UW Nav group gathered together to celebrate with Bruce Alexander who has stage four melanoma. He's not expected to live much longer, but our time together did not focus on sadness. It was a celebration of the impact he had on our lives and so many others. We laughed, we told stories, we "caught up," and we cried. The faces were a little more weathered, some had added a few pounds, some--less hair, more gray hair ....but our quirks, sense of humor, mannerisms hadn't been affected by the passage of time. More importantly, the same spirit of unity that drew us together for God's purpose all that time ago did the same for us yesterday. It still amazes me how God takes people from all walks of life and weaves their lives together to accomplish great things for Him. God was glorified by our gathering together and will continue to be glorified by Bruce and his legacy. Finally I have to say a special thank you to Mary Beth, Spencer, Mikaela, Isaac and Pierce for sharing Bruce with us yesterday.

Now a word about Mary Beth, and many you know her far better than I ..... but isn't this picture just So MBA!!? I heard her say to her kids ...."Come on you guys, now let's do a crazy one,!" just before I snapped the picture. I love it that she has not lost her sense of humor. This is the kind of fun that we had on Saturday!

RUN FOR THE ROSES 07

Every year in May it's the 'Run for the Roses.' Roger and Jim host the annual Kentucky Derby party at their home in Lancaster. It is a terrific event with plenty of food and friends. Part of the event includes the annual ladies hat competition. As you can see there were some great ones. A big thank you to the hosts for putting on such a fun and creative event each year.

Oregon Slide Show

Emily, Katie, and I met mom, Barry and Aunt Sandy in Klamath Falls Oregon in October of 2006. We stayed at the Running Y Ranch. It was a relaxing week vacation staying in the chateau. Crater Lake was absolutely beautiful; it was our first visit there and it was incredible. The girls went to a fall festival party and enjoyed pumpkin painting, a hay ride, horseback riding, and a petting zoo.

Madison a.k.a. Maddie--The Newest Family Member

Maddie is the newest member to the Brown household. She's a 3 and a half month old Miniature Schnauzer with a bundle of enthusiasm and energy--in other words all puppy. She had a fun trip to a local school this past Friday where I was invited to read to a Kindergarten class. The kids were more interested in her than in hearing me read "Fox in Sox"--What a shocker ... a puppy or listening to a middle aged man read ... hmmmm ..... go figure. After that she wasn't quite as happy to have to make the trip to the vet to get her second round of shots. One more round of puppy shots to go before she's done :)

UW Nav/Bruce Alexander Reunion in Portland

Bruce has stage four melanoma and it's expected that he only has a few weeks left to live. I met Bruce through the Navigator Christian Ministry at the University of Washington during my freshman year. I saw him as one of the "giants" and a number of us became very close during our time there. Bob Kanyer, another one of the UW guys, has spearheaded a reunion of sorts for those of us who were there with Bruce at the UW. We're meeting this weekend at Bob's home in Portland--I pray that Bruce is still with us and will be well enough to make it. Perhaps that's a bit selfish of me, but I do want to see him again before he leaves us. Regardless, I expect that this will be a very powerful time for all of us who are able to be together this weekend. There are no words to sufficiently express my anticipation of being together with this group again. The memories we created left an indelible mark on all of us. On Friday, I'll be off to Portland to reconnect with some of the men and women who were part of this special group.

Winter Wonderland in Washington State

Grandma Frances

This is my Grandma Frances. She is 96 years old and will be 97 in April. She is an amazing lady and I am so grateful that we had the chance to visit with her for a little while when we were in Washington during the Holidays! Her husband Floyd died in 1963 and she never remarried. He was her love and no one could ever fill his shoes. I have no doubt that she had some would be suitors but Grandma wouldn't consider anything but a rare friendly dinner. Grandma's hair was a vibrant red. It has faded over the years, but she's never gone completely gray. At 96 her hair is still red. I remember she used to chew Juicy Fruit gum and she was always willing to give a stick of juicy fruit to her grandkids. I think that was always one of the first questions we would ask her. I love you Grandma!

Bruce Alexander

I remember the first time I met Bruce Alexander. I was a freshman pledge at Delta Upsilon fraternity at the University of Washington in 1982. Bruce came by to share with anyone who would listen. He walked right into my room (the door was open) and asked me what was going on and if he could share something important with me. Now I was laying up in my bed with a t shirt and my underwear on, but Bruce was on a mission and wouldn't be deterred. I had recommited my life to Christ earlier that summer after I had graduated from high school. What Bruce offered was an opportunity to grow in the basics of the Christian life through Bible study and discipling. Through Bruce I met Ralph, Tinker, Bob, Lance, Paul, Rob, Matt, John, Jim, Steve . . . . and the list could go on and on. Each Sunday morning Bruce would drive by the DU house in his little MG and pick me up to go to church. He knew how important it was to be involved in God's larger family. Over my five years at the UW, Bruce was the constant. I remember him meeting, dating, and marrying Mary Beth--even during that time when men are usually distracted, Bruce remain committed to being a spiritual guiding force in the life of many, including me. After I married and moved to California, I lost touch with Bruce, but his impact remains immense. I I am so blessed by the time I spent at the UW involved in the Navigator ministry and learning from Bruce and others. Learning how to seek God through prayer and how to abide in Him. Bruce's love for God, his commitment, and his friendship have forever shaped me. He truly is a gentle giant of the Faith.

Meet Robert

Over the past few months Robert and I have become very close. I'm thankful for his friendship and his love. The companionship that we have been developing is a source of strength and refuge for me. Robert is sincere, honest, fun, compassionate, loving and he is a family man. We have a tremendous amount in common. Just as I lost Travis, Robert lost his wife to a sudden death about four years ago. We have an uncommon understanding of each other and this bond that we share is treasured deeply. We share stories, memories, laugh, cry, and sometimes more powerfully we are just quiet together.

Guadalajara--A Summer Learning Experience 2007

I spent three weeks in Guadalajara in August, 2007. I lived with a woman and her son in a small apartment who took in students which was their main source of income. At one time there were three students in the home. I attended a language school called IMAC for 4 hours a day. My afternoons were spent exploring the city, mostly on foot. Each of the Saturdays that I was there I went on a tour a little further from the city with other students at the school. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, but I can say that after three weeks I was ready to be at home to sleep in my own bed and enjoy a little more privacy.

Travis--A Year and a Half Later

It's been 18 months since Travis passed. It's hard to believe that it has been that long. There have been times when just the minutes and seconds seemed to drag on forever and now, suddenly, it has been a year and a half. I think about him everyday, but now when I do it is with a smile instead of with sadness and pain. Time does heal. I added a slide show on the side bar of his 50th birthday party that was just a month before he died. I haven't been in touch with many of you for several years--Travis was my partner of six years. He developed a very rare form of lymphoma called sezary syndrome and died on August 30, 2006. He struggled with symptoms of his disease for over 2 years. He was finally diagnosed in December 2004. He spent the rest of his life in and out of the hospital. He returned home from his last hospital stay on August 24, 2006 and we had hospice care during the last week. They were absolutely fantastic. I was blessed to be at his side when God touched him and healed him forever .... what no doctor, friend, or family member could do.

Emily, My Cross Country Skier

This is Emily's first attempt at cross country skiing. She did a great job; especially for a Southern California Desert Girl! By the way Emily will be 15 this year in July and Katie will turn 13 in November! As all you parents know the time just flies by. Savor every moment.

Los Amigos--My Home away from Home

This is where I spend my days. I'm the principal at Los Amigos School in Palmdale. I love my work. We're a dual language magnet school and we teach our students both English and Spanish. The kids spend half of their time in each language beginning in Kindergarten. By the time they leave us in 8th grade they speak, read, and write both English and Spanish. It's an awesome program and we'd love to have you drop in and visit us sometime.

My Sis Tracy Enjoying a Winter Wonderland

Crater Lake Vist 10-06

This picture is from a couple of years ago when Emily, Katie, and I went to Klamath Falls, OR and spent time with my mom, aunt, and brother. We had a great visit and took a side trip to Crater Lake. This day turned out to be fantastic! It was warm with lots of sunshine.

Christmas Visit to Grandma's

Okay, I know this is March, but I just created this blog. Emily, Katie, and I traveled to Washington and spent a week at Christmas with Grandma Sharon in Pateros. The girls got to spend time with their cousin Megan, Aunt Tracy, Uncle Steve, Grandma Sharon, Mike, Great Grandma Frances--she's 96 soon to be 97, Uncle Duane, Aunt Jeanette, Aunt Sandy, and cousins Nathan and Brandon. It was terrific to see everyone. The girls also tried their hand at cross country skiing and did some sledding as well. We don't have a lot of chances to do those kinds of things here in the high desert of southern California.

Spain

I am getting very excited about our upcoming trip to Spain. We leave on Monday, March 17th, just a little over a week away and we return on Wednesday the 26th. Emily, Katie and I will be going with a group of people mostly from my school. Neither the girls nor I have ever been on a trip like this before. It will be so wonderful to share this experience with them. It will be a packed tour and I'm sure we will be exhausted when we get back. I will post pictures when we return to share this experience with you.

My Friends, Bruce & Mary Beth

Tuesday I received a phone call from a friend from college, Bob K. I was thrilled to have this message sitting on my desk when I got to work on Tuesday morning. I couldn't wait to call him back and reconnect. He told me that Bruce A, who was the best man in my wedding, was in the late stages of melanoma. It was shocking and saddening to hear the news. I have not stayed in contact with Bruce and Mary Beth over the years and regret that now in many ways. I was so thankful that Bob shared Bruce's blog website with me. As I have spent time reading through all that has been written it has drawn me into Bruce and MB's journey.

When that nagging voice inside your head tells you to take a minute and call an old friend--Listen to it!

The memories of my time with Bruce and Mary Beth have come flooding back in a beautiful way. I cherish them all!