Creative Endeavors

      These past six month have been very relaxing starting with my birthday where I left off my blog. I joined Facebook and got hooked on several games like YoVille and Farm Town. It’s brought many of my family members and friends together socially; people I haven’t seen or talked to for years.

It’s been a wonderful year with my daughter’s move to Oregon. I see much more of my grand-daughters. We’ve been skating, shopping at the Malls (Lloyd Center has a wonderful Ice rink); yes we took them ice skating too. We went to the movies and harvested the garden together. A new school was built across the street from their house and they are excited.

      Their Schnauzer’s, Milea and Marty, had 5 puppies. In a few more weeks I get to take one home for my own. We named her Holly Noel. She is the smallest and lightest in color of the litter. Yesterday I went to the store with the girls as Kayla needed a new fish for her Christmas fish tank. I ended up with a fish bowl and blue beta fish myself. We’ve had Shadow, our cat for 18 years now and she has slowed down a lot.

I’ve been visiting Master School of Art off and on as my health allows. My MRI came back showing I need surgery for problems I’ve had a long time. This coming Spring Semester I will only teach watercolors and color theory with Lisa. It is just too much to teach and keep up with all my college courses right now. I’m so grateful my daughter

Janna and Keith’s wife Christina are able to pursue college. Fred Jr. is working full time as a programmer for the big machines in a machine shop and Lisa is Executive Director of Admittance for MSOA. Also, Fred Jr. and Lisa have started a publishing company. Lisa teaches cartooning and novel writing as well. Keith is currently Sergeant First Class in the Army, very close to making E8 after 12 years of service. We are very proud of him and hopeful of them moving to Oregon as well.

      The Fourth of July we bought the biggest box of fireworks we’ve ever had and had a blast with all the kids shooting them off. This was preceded by a wonderful BBQ.

Seems whenever there is an event with the Barnes’ family, it usually involves good food. Harry and Nancy fixed up the back of their barn – facing the fields – with a kitchen like area, a refrigerator, stove, BBQ, pantry and tables. Tents were set up for the kids to sleep over night. What fun it was to prepare everything outdoors; the kids had a blast—even with llamas in the background and kitties running all over the place. On Halloween the kids dressed up and went trick-or-treating with us close behind. Dogs loved it too. Autumn in Oregon is so beautiful I wish it lasted longer.

      My husband Fred has had a prosperous year with Distinction Communication. He is traveling a lot these days. He is building more closet space for me and learning to cook a few of my favorite meals. He has been my helpmate and hero in so many areas of my life. He still teaches adult Sunday school and he takes the grandkids swimming on the week-ends.

      :wink:Lisa and I go to swim aerobics together. Patches their dog entertained us with opening presents this Christmas. She knows which one is her present and showed Marty her trick. She even let Marty have one of her new toys. We didn’t have much snow this year but what we did have caused several accidents; as most people who have moved here don’t know how to drive on the icy hills.

Thanksgiving was fun with the whole Barnes’ Family and friends. Fred was narrator in the Christmas Cantata. We had a wonderful ham dinner Christmas Eve at our house and

enjoyed the children opening presents at their home. God bless us every one.:wink: