Well, I've been waiting to have some time to tell you all about the cruise. You've seen the pictures but maybe a narrative would be interesting. I'm hoping to have time today to label the pictures so we don't forget who the people and places are.

To address a few questions....Dad did say "Yes". Also, apparently Mike and Brooke have some problems with July 30 as a wedding date. Mike finishes his advanced course on July 27 and they will be driving cross country---assuming they get Ft Lewis. What does August 6 look like for all of you? Is there anyone who could NOT make that? They could perhaps have it in the middle of the week but that would make it harder for many around here. Please let Kim and me know ASAP.

First...our everyday life. Things are going well for Dad at work. He had a conversation with an oral surgeon in Portland the other day about a patient and he discussed our decision on the practice. It turns out that that oral surgeon (at 53) is considering getting a younger oral surgeon in to take over the practice and going to work for Willamette or similar organization to reduce stess in his later years. Willamette does look better and better....some frustrations but a minimum of worries!!!

I am still sort of looking for a job. It has been discouraging. I think I may go to LDS Employment for help revising my resume and cover letters. They don't seem to be inspiring any great interest. I think I have a couple of things working against me...my short tenure with WestFarm Foods does put up a red flag, I've now been unemployed for six months, and my salary and level with my last two positions is pretty high...not too many jobs come available at those levels. I don't care about going down a bit in salary and level for the right job but they usually look at your resume and figure that you are overqualified and toss it. I may do some temporary work just to keep myself in the market but will not pursue that until after our trip to Japan when I will be home more. In the meantime, my life is filling up....Yesterday, I had a busy day. I had signed up for some volunteer time at the temple so I went down early to do a session and then spent my afternoon doing dishes in the cafeteria. I certainly have clean hands now!!!! It was hard work and I slept well last night for sure! Then last night I had a book club at our house. We discussed Jane Eyre and had a great turnout...9 sisters which is about the right size group. Our next book will be "The Secret Life of Bees". I think I loaned that to one of you but I'm not sure....did I? If so, have you finished it and can you send it back? I can get a new one if I have just lost it...can't remember what happened to it. I've been exercising each weekday morning at Curves which gives me a lot more energy too...and hopefully will help me lose weight. That both Dad and I need to do badly! We are doing better and have each lost some cruise weight already.

I am going up to Utah and Idaho next Wednesday through Sunday. I'll spend Weds and most of Thurs with Martha working on family history. On Thursday, I'll go up to Rexburg for the BYU-Idaho mother's weekend with Kim. Speaking of Family History, I am starting to print off the archive so we can have a hard copy in a binder for posterity's sake. It gives sort of a running family history.

I love Adina's idea of just writing about your "dull" day to day happenings. Remember...they are not dull to anyone but you. Dad and I love to hear about the ups and downs of your lives as do your brothers and sisters.

I've been writing this as I have been waiting for United Air Lines to clear up some confusion on our trip to Japan...I still want to write about our trip and will put another posting in after I go and exercise. This one is probably as long as you want to read in one post!!!!

We love you,

Mom