Tom Sawyer DeBacker

Yesterday at work, Al asked me to create a chart to track some appointments that he and Patti are doing over the next months. I had an idea, that Maryanne enhanced, and began to work. Being computer challenged as I am, I kept asking Maryanne for help. She ultimately ended up creating a wonderful numbered (1-300) list. However my idea was to have the numbers go from 300 -1. We didn't have time to redo the whole thing so Maryanne worked and worked to reverse the order but had no success. We called Jana and she gave us some great ideas that we couldn't make work. So I called JJ and he saved the day. It took him all of 2 minutes to do what we'd tried unsuccessfully to do for over an hour. Bottom line...we ended up with a neat chart and all I did was come up with the idea. :-)

Happy Father's Day

Al's choice for breakfast...the Original House of Pancakes

The boys + Maryanne take Dad shopping for a new stereo receiver. They go to every electronics shop in Salem. Finally after much talk with the salesman, they find one that meets all the required elements, (and believe me, there are multitudes) only to be told by the same salesman that they don't have any of those particular receivers in stock. Feeling the crushing weight of defeat & disappointment, Al comes home and takes a 2 hour nap. The only thing that might redeem this day is a big win by the Lakers. O happy Day!

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Last night, Al and I officially said goodbye to the Bible study group that I've been leading for the past 9 years. We finished the study in early May but schedules being what they are, we had our year end social last night. The group treated Al and I to a yummy dinner at Bentley's here in Salem. It was extra special because a favorite couple from my Sunday morning group was able to join us.

One of the group members is taking over leadership so I know that it will be in good hands. As I walked away from the restaurant, I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for this group of friends that have encouraged and challenged me for almost a decade. Thanks Lord!

Why I Love Scottsdale

After Taco night at Randy & Robin's

Isn't this illegal? NOT one of the reasons I love Scottsdale

Drunk on Mexican food and hot fudge sundeas

1. It's warm - 100+ degrees. Not once did I wear a sweater or even long sleeves.

2. There are great reaturants - Houston's, Sauce, & The Breakfast Club. I only gained 1.5 lbs .

3. Two of my brothers are there - Jeff & Randy and their families. We laughed a lot!

4. There is a fabulous Mall - Fashion Square, similar to The Forum Shops in Las Vegas

5. There are wonderful home decor stores

6. Jordan's Mexican Restaurant and Mary Coyle's IceCream Parlor - childhood favorites.

7. Jerry Sienfeld - a hilarious Friday night concert.

8. Daqaries by the pool...and fresh baked cookies delivered to my lounge.

9. All the cacti are in bloom and add lovely punches of color to the ordinarily brown desert.

10. It was vacation with all the above benefits.

Phoenix Phun

We are here in Phoenix enjoying perfect Arizona weather, a lovely hotel, great restaurants and good fellowship with the brothers. Tonight we were at Robin & Randy's home for tacos. They have repainted most of their house and it is lovely, warm and inviting. Earlier in the day we shopped at Scottsdale Fashion Square and ate the best pizza we'ver ever had...and that's saying somethin'. Tomorrow it's all day at the pool after I meet with my sweet cousin MeMe. Then on Saturday, it's haning with the brothers and then a Bar B Que at Michael and Rebecca's new home. Can't wait to see it. I hear it's quite the place. Enjoy the pictures.

5K, Roses & Indiana Jones

Saturday morning started bright & early as I drove Al, Maryanne & Jana to Bush Park for a 5K walk for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They did fantastically and finished 8th, 9th & 10th. After the walk, Jana & I headed to Starbucks and Al & Maryanne walked the almost 8 miles home. Training for the Marathon is serious business and they are following a very strict training regimine... and amazingly, enjoying it. Good for them!

This morning, I worked on the rose garden for nearly three hours. I've gotten a little behind on the weeding so I spent the majority of the time on that fun filled task. I did however end up with a ton of gorgeous roses that I have in bouquets all over the house. Roses are lots of work but the payoff is wonderful!

Later in the afternoon, Al and I joined JJ & Jana at the new Lancaster Mall Theater for the new Indiana Jones movie. It was really good until the last third and then it got a little too sci-fi for me. The boys loved it tho. I was so happy that the powers that be let Indie age appropriately, which played into some really funny moments. All in all it was a fun way to spend a gloomy Sunday afternoon.

On Wednesday, Al and I fly off to Phoenix for 5 days. I can't wait to enjoy the wonderful dry desert heat. We'll spend some good times with the Lloyd families x2 and on Friday night we're seeing Jerry Seinfeld at the Dodge Theater. Other than that, we'll be either at the pool or at Huston's Restaurant eating some of the greatest food in the world. I'll try to get to a computer while we're gone and post some pictures.

Memorial Day Weekend

Al's Thursday morning Bible Memory Group.

The guy in the blue shirt next to Al, founded the group 30 years ago. Al has been a member for 28 years. These guys are amazing in their comittment to memorizing God's Word. Al says this discipline has had more impact on his spiritual life than anything he's ever done. I admire them so much!
Last Thursday night we had all the guys and their spouses to our house for dinner. We had a great time! Yummy food, intense prayer for a wife with horrible cancer and then the guys dazzled us with the first 5 chapters of Revelation (these guys memorize huge chunks of the Bible, not just a verse here & there). Anyway, it was wonderful. I just closed my eyes and let their voices speak truth over me. I loved it.
The next morning, Al left for Colorado Springs for a church workshop on the "Externally Focused Church". He went with 2 of our Pastors and together they crafted a plan to help our church impact our community in greater ways. It was a really good experience and I think they plan to attend the follow-up in November.
The kids were at the beach all weekend so I had the house all to myself. Yea! I spent a great deal of time in my jammies, in bed, eating bad for me food, & watching chick flicks on DVD. Yes I did get the laundry and ironing done, cleaned out a couple of kitchen cabinets, and watered the 9 flower baskets that Al has placed around the yard. but my time was completely my own. It was refreshing and wonderful.

Steve Fowler, Rob Childs & Al in Colorado.

Happy Memorial Day! It's raining in Salem so picnics and outdoor fun are out for today. I think Al and I are meeting friends for dinner tonight so that will be our big celebration. This morning I got up long before Al. My cardinal rule is no dogs in my bed. Somehow I managed to enforce that rule for the entire weekend. However, when I went into the bedroom earlier this morning, this is what I found...bad dog! Bad Al!

Passages, Primping, Projects, Pubs, Plaques & Pancakes

This was a fun weekend! On Saturday I went to Sarah Garlinger's 2nd birthday. It really is true that you should never have more guests than the age of the child. By the time I left, Sarah was overwhelmed and in tears. Yummy cupcakes gave her a new perspective and once again life was good!
From Sarah's party I rushed out to Maryanne's salon for a cut and color. My hair is finally the length I want it to be and Maryanne cut it just perfectly. I love it...especially when she styles it.
My next mad dash took me to The Halley Ford Museum where I connected with Al and JJ . We were there to honor Jana as she presented her final project and received her Administrative License. She did a fantastic job with her presentation and it was fun to hear the comments from her supervisor as well as her cohort members. She's an amzingly gifted young woman...if I do say so myself.
After Jana was finished I picked up Maryanne and we headed to Corvallis so she could meet AJ and his cohort members for drinks. She and I shopped around a bit till I had to head back to Salem for Jana's dinner/awards ceremony and AJ finished his class. AJ had no idea she was coming so it was a fun surprise.
This weekend was Iris Festival here in Keizer. It's a funky celebration of all things Keizer and all things Iris. Its small and local but it's kind of fun. Barack & Michelle Obama even showed up yesterday. Al and I took in the pancake breakfast this morning, checked out the art gallery and wandered around the Iris Gradens. It was a gorgeous day and a delightful time to be outside.

Chillin' at the Iris Test Garden

Why am I squinting? I'm in the shade!

Beautiful Riverfront Park

On Wednesday, Sarah & I went for a day at the park. The azaleas were in bloom and matched Sarah's shirt perfectly. As you can see she didn't like being shoved in the bushes but it was too cute to resist. After exhausting ourselves chasing around the park we just had to ride the carousel...3 times!

Waldo Turns 50

Waldo is the middle school that both Jana & AJ attended and where Jana currently teaches. Yesterday the school celebrated it's 50th birthday with a day long celebration. Former teachers & students, administrators, parents as well as past and present students and their families were invited. The mayor of Salem, Janet Taylor started the day with a welcome and a review of Waldo's impact on students and the community (her kids attended in the 80's). The rest of the day was filled with concerts and dances and food as 450+ people came & visited. Jana & I provided the hospitality and enjoyed seeing everyone that came through for cake & punch. It was especially fun for Jana to greet former students who are now succeeding at McKay High School. It was a good day!