Happy Birthday, Dan!

Since Dan's birthday comes at the beginning of each new year it seems appropriate to look back on the past year at the highlights of his year. I asked him, just now, what he would pick as THE best moment of the year! Can you guess??

Was it our day in Eugene joining together at Autzen Stadium with 60,000+ rabid fans watching the DUCKS beat the Huskies?



Or could it be standing atop South Sister on a glorious July day with views up into Washington State?



Maybe it was spending time with his brother, George, and sister, Bernie, in Minnesota this past summer?



Oh wait, it has to be watching me learn to ski last winter! He never - in a million years - thought that would ever happen!! ;o)



Well, even I guess wrong. He chose our day, in August, when we trekked up the Broken Top trail. He had done it our first summer here and raved about the views and the wildflowers...
It was just as glorious as he had described and he enjoyed showing to me and sharing the experience with me. What a terrific guy. I am truly blessed to have him in my life!


Happy Birthday, Dan! I'm looking forward to what 2011 brings us!

Andrea & Penelope

Over the past few months I have been privileged to get to know two 2nd grade girls at our local elementary school. This is my 2nd year reading with the SMART program. As reading has always been one of my passions this is a wonderful way to contribute and possibly pass on that love to others.

Andrea comes from a home where Spanish is the only language spoken. She has a focus and perseverance about her that I so admire. I soon learned not to prompt her when she struggled for a word. She would shake her head as if to say - I don't need help! I could see her mouth working to sound out the word. Now I bite my tongue and wait till she asks for help - which isn't very often. I don't get to hear her voice unless she is reading - I greet her and ask questions but all I get are smiles and nods. She makes me smile. She truly is delightful!

Penelope is tall for her age and very stylish in her manor of dress and hairstyle. She frequently wears sparkly things, jewelry, hair bows, etc. She also has a sparking personality. I sometimes struggle to get her to read as she prefers to chat. She has commented twice that I smell like her Grandma. I was slightly insulted the first time and did not respond. But when she said it again just before the Christmas break, I asked if that was a good thing and her response was heart warming. She said, with a big smile, "Oh yes, I love going to my Grandmas house!" and launched into a story once again.

So, I hope that I am helping each of these girls to advance their school work. They sure do help me - I always leave the school with a smile!