Aunt Gretchen Joins the Blogosphere

Christmas Eve

2011-12-27T20:51:00.001-08:00

Our two beauties!

Hanging out with the air gun

We had soup in bread bowls and hor'devours. (I'm not going to look this up in the dictionary!)

Two of my favorite men!!

Eloise (Chris Jensen's mom) & Dick were out from Ohio

Anders squeezed in between Philip & Jeff!

Wyatt inspecting his new cousin

Love this one!

The shepherds looking intently at Baby "Jesus" & sucked their thumbs

Aww, so sweet!

Heather read them the Christmas story and then we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.
Here the boys are blowing out the candles.

Then we sang Christmas carols

Daddy & his popcorn!

I gave Abby two board books for the baby

Heather made this beautiful arrangement for Grandma's newly decorated bathroom. I gave them new towels & Robin gave them a new towel holder with pegs & TP holder.

Robin & her "Camp Grandma" flag & "Seelye Girls' Get-away" photo album
We all had a great time! So fortunate to have such a loving family. :)

A Weekend in Cambria

2011-11-24T21:41:00.001-08:00

Kirk heard about taking Refugio Road from Hwy 1 over the mountain to Los Olivos, so this was our chance to do it. It was a beautiful route & we discovered Circle Bar B Ranch on the way. It has 18 cabins, serves 3 meals a day and has stables. We ate our lunch here.

The fall leaves were gorgeous!

The road was paved & gravel. Supposedly the bridge was washed out,
but we never encountered it.

After checking into our room at Cambria Pines Lodge, we went to Moonstone Beach to see the view. It was an extraordinarily clear day, as we saw the sparkling water and Channel Islands on our way up.

And, of course, we stayed for the sunset!

Our suite had a fireplace in the bedroom & the living room!
Here's Kirk relaxing in our room.

We stopped in Harmony & visited the glassblower shop & pottery shack.

The trip home was beautiful too! Morro Rock was so clear!

The vineyards had all turned autumn colors and were gold, orange & red!

This is out of order, but shows the steep pathway from the Lodge down to the village. On our way back up, we were in a downpour & got completely drenched! Good thing we had two fireplaces to use to dry out our clothes!
We had such a wonderful time!!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T21:00:00.001-08:00

We spent the afternoon and evening at Mom & Dad's after we went to LAX to pick up their friend, Jaya Raj from India. The traffic wasn't bad and we got back in time for dinner. :)

Here are Dad & Uncle Elmer visiting before dinner.

Here's Grandpa J, (Chris' dad) visiting from Ohio with his new grandson.

Mom & Robin getting the delicious buffet ready

Jeff is a total "kid magnet!" They love him!! Here he is entertaining Anders, which he did most of the evening.

Jensen Family-Three Generations

"Everyone look at Lars"

"Everyone look at Anders!"

This one wasn't posed-it just happened. :)

Seelye Family-Four Generations

Abby's 20-week Ultrasound

2011-11-12T19:40:00.000-08:00

The Moms were invited to the 20-week ultrasound at Presbyterian Hospital in Whittier.:)

Here's little "Baby Stevens" with his head at the right silhouetted. Philip & Abby do not want to know the sex of the baby, so we'll call it "The Baby" until then.

The technician printed out a strip of photos for Abby to take home. Kirk is going to scan them soon to put into her "pregnancy album" that I am making for her.

The cute couple.

This & That

2011-10-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

Here is part of a bulletin board in our church nursery. There are presently 5 ladies expecting a little one. But we're most excited about.....................

Woohoo!

We got our guest ready for our missions conference speaker who stayed with us this last weekend. On this dresser I had a basket of snacks (Robin's suggestion--from Erin)

Our new queen bed. If we really want more guests, we knew we needed to get a bed that holds 2 people! We weren't sure how comfortable it is (from Costco) but he said it was the most comfortable bed he has ever slept on. So I guess we won't have to return it. :)

Kirk & our guest, Robert Brock form VOM--Voice of the Martyrs.

Heather's 25th Birthday dinner, earlier in October.
(Notice Abby's cute hair cut!)

Abby & Heather looking at Heather's "Life album" that I finished for her.

Her Life album!

Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuu

"Seelye Girls" Getaway!

2011-08-24T21:05:00.001-07:00

Since Luanne was in the States for a "kids/Grandkids Tour," I decided to plan a Seelye Girls Getaway at the Ayres Inn in Costa Mesa/Newport Beach. This was our first time to do it. I wish we had been doing this for years. :)
Lu, Robin & Mom went to see "The Help" and then came to my house for lunch on the patio.
Let the fun begin!

This is the courtyard at the Ayres where we ate dinner.

We knew we wanted some photos together, so we spent the time
taking LOTS of timed photos.

On the ferry to Balboa Island with the Pavilion in the background. We reminisced about attending "Bal Week" as girls with Josh McDowell & Andre Cole performing every night there. Only eternity will tell how many people accepted Christ during these evangelistic outreaches.

Mom at dinner

Delicious lunch at The Crab Cooker in Newport Beach.

Robin told our waitress that my birthday was coming up (8/31)
so she brought us a yummy slab of smoked fish to nosh on while we waited.

We enjoyed the beautiful flowers & arrangements at Rogers' Gardens.

Getting ready to board the ferry.
We had such a great time. We talked, talked, talked & prayed late until almost midnight.
Next trip--2013!

Our Vacation in Kauai

2011-08-15T19:27:00.001-07:00

We went to Kauai from August 1-9.
The first 2 nights we stayed at the Shearaton Kauai Beach Resort in Poipu beach.
This was the view from our room. :)
We were pleasantly surprised to get this upgrade.

We couldn't beat the view, so the first night we had pizza & salad
on our patio, over looking the ocean.

The gardens & grounds were beautiful!

Waimea Canyon

We went to the Kauai Coffee Plantation and learned how it is grown.

Good-bye Poipu beach..........

Hello, Princeville condoHere's the livingroom in our condo at #118 Pali Ke Kua in Princeville.
We recommend this place!
It has a 270 degree ocean view.
And a front row seat for the most beautiful sunsets!
Here's our breakfast table & we ate outside too.

This was the view from the restaurant where we had a wonderful
breakfast with Lynn & Phil Luttrell in Kapaa.

Here we are

On our walk down to the beach for Kirk to snorkel, I took this shot.

Fun on the each :)

Love this silver water!

Taro patch in Hanalei.

Too many shots of one beautiful sunset..

We kayaked down the Hanalei River, out around the pier &
picnicked on the beach in Hanalei Bay.

The Wailea Lighthouse was across the bay from where we ate lunch on Anini Beach.

We had a great time!

Woo-Hoo, Today was the Big Day!

2011-07-07T20:56:00.001-07:00

Woo-hoo, I can hear better! Today I got "hooked up" to my new sound processor in a 2-hour appointment at the House Ear Clinic.

Here, Dr. Dawna Mills, is talking to me to see how it sounds. It's similar to the first day last time, although people don't sound so "cartoony" this time.

This new technology comes with a remote, which I may or may not use.
For now, it's easy to learn on.
Tomorrow I go back for another 2-hour appt. to have Dawna program my other side to match the new technology. So I'll have the new processors on both ears. :-)

I literally took home a suitcase of cords, accessories, drying-out
machines, batteries, chargers, etc.!

Here we are at the end of my appointment.

Abby took me, so after we left, we went to Alvera Street for lunch. At the end there is a plaza where Native Americans were doing a dance with drums.
Wow, my new implant really picks up the loud sounds!!!

Abby getting ready to eat her tamale

Yours Truly

Cute Abby with her nerdy mother-in-law. I've been wearing these
goofy clip-on shades, because my sunglasses are too tight on my new scar. :{
What a lovely day with a lovely young woman!

Kirk's 60th Birthday

2011-07-01T20:45:00.000-07:00

Kirk's 60th birthday was on Saturday, June 25th, so we had a "The Best is Yet to Come" party in our backyard.
Heather & Jeff picked up all of the food at Lucille's BBQ, yum!

Philip & Abby came early.
Philip made a fire for later & Abby decorated the tables.

The Birthday Boy & Wife

Abby did a great job decorating the tables with pictures, momentos, etc.

The Birthday Boy with his wonderful kids!!

We had BBQ chicken, St. Louis ribs & mouth-watering tri-tip
with all of the trimmings.

Family & Bob Taylor (like family!)

Friends from Kirk's men's small group Bible study/accountability group.

Some friends from our Sojourner Sunday School class

The Webers & our Kids

Abby passed out the sorbets while Heather cleaned off the tables.
They were such a great help!

Jerry, Kirk's dad, (age 90 & 1/2) spoke. His talk was so sweet, funny & spiritual.
He did a great job!

Kirk opened his presents and made us all laugh with his added lines
to the cards & funny comments.

Kirk loves M&M's!

Several people sat near the fire and chatted after the party officially ended.

So funny, that Kirk & Bob wore the same shirt!
(Bob was the best man in our wedding)

Our welcome plate

At the beginning, we played the guessing game where we put an invention, event or famous person's name from the last 60 years on a slip of paper on each person's back. (Mom did a great job passing these out). We had to ask yes & no questions and guess our word. You can see Jose's slip on his back still.

The Birthday Boy chatting with friends.
He had such a great time. :-)

My Second Cochlear Implant Surgery

2011-06-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

On Monday, 6/13/11 I had my 2nd cochlear implant surgery at St. Vincent Hospital in LA. It's across the street from the House Ear Clinic.
Here I am in my snuggly paper gown. They hooked it up to a warm air blower and I puffed up like a balloon. It's supposed to keep me warm and increase the circulation.

The surgery only took 1.5 hours this time.
And I am not as bruised & swollen as I was last time.

Here I am getting ready to go home.

My goofy turban reminded me of some of those ridiculous hats that were worn
recently at the royal wedding in England!

Kirk stayed home with me on Tuesday and Jerry graciously brought us sandwiches for lunch.
I slept most of that day, except for this brief lunch break.

Later that day, Kirk cut off the turban, carefully.

Mom & Dad brought over delicious homemade enchiladas for us for dinner. Yum!
Here they are looking at the graduation photo book I made Heather & my school yearbook which was dedicated to me this year.
Wednesday, Mina Taylor brought over a wonderful cheesecake which we saved
to share with our kids. Oh my, it was wonderful!!

That same afternoon Pati Gomez brought us salads-to-go from the
Corner Bakery for dinner. So thoughtful!

This is the wound with the tape which I cannot get wet for 8 days.

My hairdresser, Shoreh, washed my hair for me on Friday.
Ahhh, I feel like a new woman!
So many people have helped us and prayed for me. Thank you to ALL of you and to the Lord for directing the surgeon & speeding along my recovery.
I am still goin' kinda slow & taking lots of naps, but each day I feel like
I have a little more energy. On July 7 & 8 I'll get hooked up with my new sound processor. So excited to get surround sound!

Heather's Graduation from Cal State Fullerton!

2011-05-22T21:10:00.001-07:00

The proud parents & happy husband with the graduate!

Jeff has been so supportive of Heather!

The proud graduate! She got her degree in Liberal Studies, which is a "smattering" of lots of topics, ancient history, art, philosophy, geology, etc. perfect for K-8 teachers.

Rob, Karen & Jeff Himes with the graduate!

Her grandparents made the effort to come. We ended up walking a lot and sitting in the bleachers for 1 1/2 hours before the program started. Fortunately we brought stadium seats so we could lean back.
Ages-Jerry 90, Gma 83 & Gpa 87. Lookin' good, huh?

Heather's Graduation Party today

2011-05-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Robin & I got visit for a little while, while the 2 Ukrainian
seminary graduates played ping pong.

Igor & Elijah are part of a group of Ukrainian graduates, who are pastors & teachers, who came to the US to walk in Talbot Seminary's graduation ceremony on May 29. One of them is staying with Robin & David for the week.

Heather greeting Aunt Robin at the party today.

Here is the 100-year-old gown that Great Aunt Lola Taber purchased in 1911 to graduate from Whittier College. We figure that 17 or 18 family members have worn it to graduate from college.
Heather by the table of goodies.

Grandma & Grandpa came to both the graduation & the party!

About 20 people came to wish Heather well. :-)

Our First Stop-Oak Glen

2011-04-21T14:11:00.001-07:00

The lovely koi pond at Serendipity Ranch B&B in Oak Glen, CA

I never pass up a good out house!

The beautiful home where we stayed.
The room at the right was our Victorian bedroom for one night.

8 acres of peace & tranquility

Our cute bathroom

A view into the large living room.
The dining room off to the left is where we ate our delicious breakfast.

We enjoyed the beautiful sunset before going into town for an early dinner.

In innkeepers, Bill & Nina Foster made up feel right at home.
Here they are in the gift shop in their home.
The next morning it was cold & foggy out.

Our lovely breakfast

Kirk relaxing by one of the huge sliding glass doors. There were chipmunks, birds & other animals outside to watch.
This is one of few kid friendly B&B's. It has llamas, sheep,
deer, lots of caged birds & other fun animals to walk & feed.

And Then We Went to Indian Wells & Palm Desert

2011-04-21T13:38:00.001-07:00

Most of the wild flowers were finished making their beautiful display,
but we had fun walking around here off Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

We went to the Moorten Botanical Gardens in PS, which is a cactus haven.
Look at these weird cacti!

Now that's one big Agave plant!

The cute couple

Here are Esther & I outside the lobby at the Renaissance Resort where we stayed.

By the pools at nighttime. We sat out here on couches & chatted until 11:00 pm.

View from our room

These windmills are HUGE!! We drove up next to this one.
The propellers are 35'-40' long each!

Some Recent Views From Our Front & Backyard

2011-04-15T22:54:00.001-07:00

The sun had just risen when it "lit" this lantern in our back patio.

We're suckers for beautiful clouds & sunsets!

This rainbow actually ended in our neighbor's yard!
I got wet taking this picture, but it was worth it.

It's not too often we can clearly see all 7 colors in a rainbow.

Our peach tree is really loaded with blossoms. I can hardly wait!

We love this "bleeding heart" tree in our front yard.
There's another name for it, but I like this name.
Our local hummingbird likes it too.

Nathan, Carol, Ellie, Simon & Penny Shackelford came for for dinner on their
visit from Illinois. So nice to see them again!

The "La Habra Glow" on the buildings in Brea above the 57 Freeway.

Mom turns 83

2011-03-12T20:09:00.001-08:00

Here I am giving a "speech" at the presidential podium at the Reagan Library.
It was interesting to see how the teleprompters work.

After dinner we sang, "Happy birthday to YOU!"

Robin made this delicious cake. She & David
flew out to Dallas for a week the day after our party.

The Girls.
We were hoping to skype with Luanne and take a picture
of the 4 of us, but the difference in time and Luanne's responsibilities
made it impossible.

A Day at the Beach

2011-03-06T17:10:00.000-08:00

Well, today we played hooky and had breakfast at one of our favorite places,
The Cliffs, in Laguna.
When Heather was almost 2, she looked at the beach below us and said, "BIG sandbox!"

These guys were paddle surfing as we enjoyed our omelets.

After this picture, I took off my jacket and we enjoyed the lovely sunshine.

Near the restaurant are tiny shops with local artisans showing their wares. This shop is new and carried lots of Russian gifts. I got this set of 3 eggs with the Nativity painted on them. On the back of the cross are Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus.

We drove down PCH a little and went in to look around Aliso Creek Inn.
Then we parked at Aliso Creek Beach Park and walked along the sand.
Look up at the mansion at the top!

After poking around for awhile, we sat in the car which was facing
the sea and did our Bible study lessons. :-)

On the way home we spotted a cute Gelato shop in Laguna and went in for a cup.
I got chocolate sorbet and Kirk got 2 scoops, coconut & chocolate Hazelnut-Yum!

Christmas Celebrations, 2010

2010-12-26T21:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve at Mom & Dad's. Here Mom is serving up herself,
from a delicious array of food.

Jeff (mostly) & Heather made a delicious apple pie to share.
The two shepherd boys, Anders & Garrett

Jim & Erin Barnes with Wyatt & Garrett

Blowing out the "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake

Still a happy couple after 32 years! :-)

Heather & Jeff looking at Grandpa's new autobiography
that he gave us all for Christmas.

Wyatt entertaining himself with Gma & Gpa's tangerines.

Robin, Daddy, John Jensen & Uncle Elmer singing Christmas carols.

Our tree on Christmas morning

Christmas dinner with Jeff, Heather, Abby, Philip, Kirk & Jerry(Stevens)

The "kids" with their gifts

Jeff showing off his Nike golf balls & gift certificate

Abby with her copy of the book "Abigail"

Philip's new loppers have HUGE blades!
These should really work on the junipers at church!

Philip made this beautiful arrangement for Kirk.

The kids standing by the "light blob".
This is how we hung up the lights this year, all at once! :-)

I made a collage of pictures for Jerry from this year.
It included Heather & Jeff's wedding & his 90th birthday.

Abby modeling her new work-out outfit.
It was such a joy to be together with family members that we can relax with.
Such lovely celebrations!

Decorating for Christmas

2010-12-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

I was feeling kinda blue about Heather not being here this year to help me decorate for Christmas. Then she & Jeff said they would come over the Saturday after Thanksgiving and help. Yahoo! At the appointed moment, Philip & Abby also arrived. I have NEVER had that much help! We did it all in 2.5 hours- a record!!
Here Heather is holding a goofy angel she made when she was in Jr. High.

Abby put together our old-fashioned angel chimes,
which I had not used in years-so special!

Lovely!

They all brought in the 24 boxes from the garage attic.

Here we are putting together our 20-year-old tree.

Aw yes, and the angel goes on top!

Ta-dah!

Thanks kids for helping us!
I so enjoy having our home decorated for a whole month!
I'm gong to invite our neighbors over for cider &
to see our nativity sets (we have over 30 now).

Redecorating Heather's Old Room & the Guest Bathroom

2010-11-29T18:56:00.000-08:00

Our guest bathroom had green walls and a pine cone/cabin theme to match Kirk's cool "Man Hut" office. But since the rest of our house is going toward the European/French Cafe look, it was time to redo this bathroom. First Kirk primed the walls (over the oil base paint).

He painted the walls red & a light taupe. We had new flooring put in to match the cobblestone color on the shower curtains.
He installed all new copper piping. When Abby saw it, she said,
"Wow, that is really good sweat-fitting!"

Next, he polished the old marble counter (which is just too expensive to replace!)

He replaced the faucets & dropped in new sinks
(after cutting out new shaped ovals in the counter top.)

Voila!

The shower curtains are a French street scene with awnings & cafes.

Here's a messy view of Heather's room with all of Kirk's
camping junk on the bed. (This is a bad "before"picture)
It was blue. Here the ballet pictures are already off
the walls and the mini-blinds have been thrown away.

Nick came and painted the 2 colors on the wall and we waited
2 months for the border to arrive!

I got this bed set at Anna's Linens. It feels like taffeta and is burgundy & gold.
There is turquoise in the border which goes with the carpet. Grandma made me 2 velvet pillows for my birthday from my bridesmaid's fabric!

The cool lamp was Grandma Schlappi's, which Kirk remembers seeing when he was a boy.
We've ordered faux wood 2" blinds for the window and I have a valance to hang.
Almost finished!

Our Halloween

2010-11-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

The handsome couple!
(Actually, Jeff is supposed to look unkempt in this costume)

Jeff, Heather & Jeff Livings dressed up like the three
characters in the new Sherlock Holmes movie.
Notice the leather "tool kit" hanging on Jeff's belt.

Suzy was "Robin Sparkles". They all went to Red Robin's for
dinner before coming over to our house to show us their costumes.

Old-fashioned and poofy!

Didn't Heather do a good job making this hat? Lovely!

After church we went out to eat with Philip & Abby.
So a lovely day it was for us!

Our CI Stories with Pictures

2010-10-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

We took a few pictures in Philip & Abby's garden at church.

The House Ear Clinic is celebrating it's 65th year in 2011 and asked Daddy & I if we would write 500 words about ourselves and send in a picture for their publicity. They are calling the celebration "65 Faces" and want us to be two of them. :-) Here's what we sent in:

My mother and father met in a Los Angeles lip-reading class in 1919, which mother had earlier helped organize. She had a hearing loss and was able to wear a crude aid with a liquid battery. Dad had gone completely deaf at age 20. His three brothers and father all had hearing problems. When I entered high school, mother convinced the school board in Whittier (Calif.) to begin lip reading classes for hearing impaired students. Each student (2600 at the time) took an audiometer test, which produced 120 kids with problems. Four classes began, with 30 kids in each; the program continued for over 30 years. For me, World War 2 came along and I went into the service; just barely squeaking by the hearing test.

In 1950 I bought my first hearing aid and have had many since, each more powerful than the last. In 2005 I spoke to my HMO doctor about a
Cochlear Implant (CI) and he sent me to the local ENT, who said my hearing was too good to justify one. Later on, daughter Gretchen met an
audiologist on a plane to Hawaii and got busy getting a CI for herself. She thought I ought to try it again and by this time my hearing had deteriorated to
the point that I qualified. Incidentally, her older sister wears aids in both ears, but it missed our middle daughter.
The question: Does the HMO want to spend big money on an 85 year old, and they did. I went for an EKG and there was a heart anomaly. Just a few days before the CI surgery, I was able to see a cardiologist where I was given every test they had, stressed in every direction. He faxed over to House that I was OK for the CI. What was the anomaly? I have been in good physical condition over the years.

Dr. Rick Friedman did the surgery in February of 2010. When the day came to get the Sound Processor in place, a totally new way of hearing, Gretchen and wife Barbara got out the Kleenex as I suddenly heard what I had not been hearing for a long time. Dr. Donna Mills, the Audiologist, ran me through a series of oral tests in which I could not see her face, and I scored very high. Pretty emotional to suddenly get back what you have not had for 40 or more years.

I used the listening rehabilitation CD for a time but discovered it was not needed that much. I have always been an intense listener, not only because I needed to be, but because I have a strong interest in people. In any case, when we went back for a further check on how the CI was doing, Dr. Mills, after rigorous testing, said the acuity level had gone up a bit, from 11% to 91%. Moses only took his people across the Red Sea on dry land; I got a Cochlear Implant at the House Ear Clinic at the age of 86!

For years my dad and I had heard that our hearing was not bad enough for a cochlear implant (CI) so I never thought that it was possible until July of 2008. As a Junior High School teacher, I was facing the last year of my career because of my hearing loss. My audiologist told me that I had the best hearing aids and could not expect any better sound.

On a flight to Maui I was chatting with my seatmate about hearing aids when a lady in the seat in front of us popped her head over the top and said, “I’m an audiologist in the San Diego area, and I’ve been listening to your conversation! You sound like a perfect candidate for a CI!”* Wow, was I surprised!

We chatted the rest of the trip and I called my own audiologist as soon as I returned home. I soon realized that getting a CI was a possibility and I was so excited! I started the process and was eventually recommended to the House Clinic, where the surgery was scheduled for June, after school was out. I knew I had to be ready to teach again at the end of August so I had lots of work ahead of me. Dr. Eric Wilkinson did my surgery and I went home that evening with the turban wrapped tightly around my head.

On July 17, 2009 I was hooked up with the sound processor. My sister and I went and had a celebratory lunch at Phillipe’s in downtown LA. On the way home I could hear her talk to me in the car with a minimum of lip-reading. Dr. Mills gave me a copy of the “Sound and Way Beyond” CD to ‘train my brain to hear digitally.’ I finished the last of fifteen levels two days before school started! My students were curious about the surgery and I showed them a sample CI. One of them told me that my class wasn’t getting away with as much now that I had a CI! It was a thrill to hear every word at my parent-teacher meetings. I also noticed the students did not have to constantly repeat themselves, or just give up when I couldn’t understand them.

I can now hear owls hoot on a quiet summer night, listen to talk radio in the car, and even watch a movie with my husband, things I haven’t done in over 20 years. I am so grateful for the audiologist who spoke up on the plane, Dr. Wilkinson and Dr. Mills’ expertise and the HEI’s years of research. I hope to have my right ear implanted within the next two years.

*If you are that tall, blonde audiologist who was traveling with your family to Hawaii in July, 2008, please contact me through Dr. Donna Mills at HEI. I would love to thank you in person!

A Few Photos

2010-10-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

This is where our old single bathroom sink/counter was. Kirk ripped it out & our handyman replaced it while Kirk was on his 2-week (which became a 1-week) canoe trip.

This is a picture of it in our closet door mirrors. It's from Costco & we really like it.
We got new flooring in both bathrooms as well.

I had planned to spend the weekend playing with Robin while Kirk was gone. But Kirk came home a week early because he & his canoe partner capsized four times. So one week was enough. Robin and I decided to go to Shinoda's Floral Design Center and then to Balboa for lunch.

Beautiful day & beautiful scenery!

Granada had a Cardboard Testimony portion during the opening Sunday of our Missions Conference. The theme was "Christ's Transforming Power." See this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbbXU-rXSt8
(While you are at you tube, look at the Cardboard Testimonies from around the world. We showed this first, and there weren't too many dry eyes!)
Here I am lettering Grandpa's sign which read:
Selling Life Insurance/ Telling of Life Assurance.

The kids came over for Heather's 24th birthday after going out for dinner together. Here there are ooing & awing at our new sinks.

Birthday Time

I Need YOUR Ideas!

2010-09-22T17:19:00.001-07:00

Dear Nieces & Nephews & other family members.
I am speaking at Granada's MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group on Oct. 5 and I would like some of your ideas about what you do to help your children be generous. It could include being generous giving gifts, to missionaries, to his/her siblings, etc. I would love your perspective "from the trenches" so to speak. When you comment, inlcude the ages of your child(ren).
Thanks SO much!
Aunt Gretchen

Bras & Breast Cancer

2010-08-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is a very interesting article! I am wearing more camis & just wearing one 12 hours a day, not in the evening. :-) GS

Natural Health and Longevity Resource Center

Bras and Breast Cancer

by Ralph L. Reed, Ph.D.

Although I am an environmental chemist (Ph.D in biochemistry), I have been doing a lot of literature research on breast cancer since I saw an article on the National Library of Medicine database over a year ago. That article documented an increase in breast cancer rates between women who do wear bras versus those that do not.

That Harvard study fascinated me and I searched the medical literature for possible explanations. In January 1996, I discovered the book by Singer and Grismaijer and their explanation of impaired lymphatic flow intrigued me. I have since read everything that I can find on lymphatic flow. What I have found has amazed me, but that is another story. I can supply you with lots of info if you like. In essence, what Singer and Grismaijer found was that the odds of getting breast cancer dramatically increased with bra-wearing over 12 hours per day.

Women who wore their bras 24 hours per day had a 3 out of 4 chance of developing breast cancer (in their study, n=2056 for the cancer group and n=2674 for the standard group).
Women who wore bras more than 12 hour per day but not to bed had a 1 out of 7 risk.
Women who wore their bras less than 12 hours per day had a 1 out of 152 risk.
Women who wore bras rarely or never had a 1 out of 168 chance of getting breast cancer. The overall difference between 24 hour wearing and not at all was a 125-fold difference.
The results of this study are compelling, even considering that it was not a "controlled study" for other risk factors. Bear in mind that known (published in medical journals) risk factors for breast cancer are mostly in the range of less than three-fold differences. It should also be noted that Singer and Grismaijer surveyed bra-wearing behavior of the past, which is excellent for a disease with such a long development period. In their book, the authors show how most of the known risk factors can be related to bra-wearing behavior and/or the lymphatic system.

For example, breast feeding and pregnancy cause full development of the mammary lymphatics. Also, women of higher economic status have higher breast cancer rates, and one would expect that they would wear their bras more hours per day. Women who excercise have lower risk, which could relate to better lymphatic circulation (and I would add, more breast movement).

To this discussion, I would like to add that lymphatic circulation in many tissues (especially the primary lymphatics) are highly dependent on MOVEMENT. When you sit for a long time on an airplane flight, your feet and ankles can swell, because lymphatic circulation goes to near zero. Wearing a bra, especially a constricting one with underwires, and especially to bed, prevents normal lymphatic flow and would likely lead to anoxia (lower than normal oxygen content), which has been related to fibrosis, which has been linked to increased cancer risk.

Women evolved under conditions where there was BREAST MOVEMENT with every step that they took when they walked or ran. My reading of the scientific literature about lymphatic flow shows me that this may be as important as the constriction factor. Every subtle bounce of the breast while moving, walking, running, etc. gently massages the breast and increases lymphatic flow and thus cleans the breast of toxins and wastes that arise from cellular metabolism.

Of course, there may be other mechanisms for the damage that bras apparently cause. One such mechanism could be temperature. Breasts are external organs and have a naturally lower temperature. Cancers can be temperature-dependent. Breast cancer is hormone-dependent. Temperature can alter hormone function. Breast temperature changes throughout the monthly cycle.

All these facts are from the medical literature. By whatever mechanism, someone will eventually explain why Singer and Grismaijer found a 125-fold difference in cancer rates between bra-free breasts and those constricted by 24-hour-per-day bra-wearing.

If you haven't already done so, I suggest that you read the book by Singer and Grismaijer ( Dressed to Kill,Avery Press, 1995). (By the way, I have no connection to the authors; I think that they live in Canada.)

Also, just for an interesting experiment, the next time you walk down the street, notice visually how constricting bras are. On many women you can actually see "dents" around the sides of their chests where there bras are, even in something as opaque as a black t-shirt.

A physical therapist friend of mine, after reading Dressed to Kill, said that she was amazed at what she saw in her practice at a local medical clinic. She noticed how many women have red creases and grooves on the their bodies caused by their bras. Singer and Grismajer also suggest that you simply stop wearing one for two weeks and see how you feel.

By the way, I have heard that they are currently working on a new study. The research is to study whether benign fibrocystic breast disease can be treated by stopping bra-wearing for eight weeks. That should be very interesting; this time they are involving medical doctors, from what I've heard.

Years ago, many people thought that the idea of cigarettes causing lung cancer was funny. Even if further research with highly controlled studies only shows a difference of 5-fold, or even 2-fold, it will be no laughing matter.

The author, Ralph L. Reed, Ph.D. can be reached at reedr@ucs.orst.edu

Our Vacation -Part 6 Lake Arrowhead, CA

2010-08-19T16:14:00.001-07:00

The last 2 days of our vacation were spent in beautiful Lake Arrowhead. Keriann Weber & Jonnie Converse got married on July 31 & Heather was her Matron-of-Honor.
(Keri was Heather's Maid-of-Honor in May of this year).
The handsome 2-month newlyweds

The wedding took place on the deck overlooking Lake Arrowhead on a perfect day!

It was so special to all be together for such a happy occasion.

Abby took this picture of us dancing for the FIRST TIME EVER!! So lovely!

After the wedding we went with Philip & Abby to The Village to shop & have dinner.
When Philip saw Kirk in this hat he said, "Hey, you look like Uncle David!"

The view from McDonald's

The next morning we all gathered for a yummy breakfast at the Belgian Waffle Works.

Hangin' out with our kids is THE BEST!!

Our Vacation -Part 5 Cambria, CA

2010-08-19T15:47:00.001-07:00

We enjoyed a lovely walk in the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve in Cambria.
This is just a few blocks from the area where Aunt Lois used to live.

Driftwood furniture made a fun place for a picture.
Yours truly

We got out our double chair & sat and read for awhile-so relaxing!

We love the charming gardens at Cambria Pines Lodge. This is the outdoor bedroom, "A Place to Dream." Next to the bed is a dresser with the drawers open. Each drawer has plants cascading out. It's beautiful!

A full breakfast is included each day. Both mornings we took our meal & enjoyed it outside next to a fountain & colorful flowers.

The Kitchen Garden was right below our room.
Here are the lettuces which they use daily in the restaurant.

Kirk enjoying a turnip!

Our Vacation -Part 4 Napa, CA

2010-08-19T15:07:00.001-07:00

(These 2 pictures belong at the bottom of the blog.)
Anyway, they were taken in the Great Hall of the castle we visited near Calistoga, at the north end of the Napa Valley.

We stayed at this 10,000 square foot mansion in Napa called the Cedar Gables Inn B&B. It has 9 bedrooms with baths. The owners/innkeepers are very pleasant & fix delicious breakfasts!

We enjoyed our room.
The linens were luxurious and the bed was comfortable.

The French Toast Souffle was fabulous! I have the recipe if anyone wants it. :-)

The Napa Valley (Wine Country) has over 600 wineries with
mile-after-mile of beautiful vineyards.

The highlight of our stay was visiting the Castillo di Amorosa. It is a 121,000 square foot castle built of 10,000 100 year old bricks from Europe as well as bricks quarried in the US.

We had many photo opportunities, as we toured the place.
This is part of the central courtyard.

So beautiful!

This is the chapel where the walls are painted in brightly colored frescoes.
They hold Catholic services there once a month.

Here's one panel of the walls in the Great Hall.

Our vacation Part 3 East Brother Light Station

2010-08-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

We drove from Pt. Reyes to the San Pablo Harbor in Richmond, CA where we were 1 of 4 couples spending the night on the island. The innkeeper came & picked up 2 couples at a time for the 10 minute boat ride.

Here's our bedroom on the 2nd floor. It looked out on the Marin Harbor.
The view from our window included guano rock & seagulls floating on the breeze.

The sitting room is next to the game room near our bedroom.
We read here before going to bed.

The East Brother Light Station was build in 1873.
It is a working lighthouse B&B (the only one in CA)

We had a private bath, but were not allowed to shower
since the only water supply is from rain that is caught in the cistern on the island.

The wind was so strong it blew us sideways!

The full moon rose on the water. A perfect evening!

We went up into the light tower several times.
It was really fun to SLEEP in a lighthouse!

I would recommend it!
The innkeepers worked very hard fixing snacks, a 3-course dinner & gourmet breakfast!
We felt spoiled. :-)

Our Vacation Part 2 - Pt. Reyes

2010-08-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Our hotel in Pt. Reyes, CA (just above San Francisco)
had a deck looking out into the gardens.

Here's how it looks from the backyard. There is a creek running through just behind me.
This tugboat was beached in the 1970's.
I had fun taking some pictures of it as the sun set.

Afternoon cookies & coffee in the garden. Ahhh, relaxing!

After crossing the little plank on the creek you go out onto this huge field. We came upon this stile (which you hear about in nursery rhymes, but hardly ever see).

Kirk on our deck

Our vacation - Part 1 Yosemite

2010-08-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy some pictures of Yosemite in backward order!
Here are the shirts I bough Kirk, Philip & Abby as souvenirs of them climbing up Half Dome!

Yea, they made it to the top!
It turned into a 14 hour hike!!

Philip & Abby were great encouragers to Kirk.

We borrowed Philip & Abby's bikes to take a ride around the
west end of the valley. Such fun!

Madeline & I had fun playing Go Fish with her souvenir playing cards.

Here we are at the bottom of Vernal Fall.This was a big deal for me; yet,
the next day, it was only the 1/6 mark for the Half Dome hikers!

Sitting on the "beach" near the Merced River.
It was only about 40 yards form our campsite.

Abby & I treated our guys to breakfast at the Ahwanhnee.
What a beautiful & classy hotel!

Near Tuolomme Meadows at 9,000 feet.

Summer Bounty

2010-07-11T22:04:00.001-07:00

Our peach tree is loaded with small but juicy & sweet white peaches--yum!

My first loaf of bread-ever, I think! I'm making bread according to the book, "Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day." It's so easy, no kneading. One batch makes 4-5 loaves which you keep refrigerated up to 10 days. Whenever you want to bake a loaf, you cut off some dough and pop it in the oven. I highly recommend it!

I inscribed this one with a "K" for Kirk.
This is a sample of 100% whole wheat & flaxseed bread.

Wedding Hugs

2010-07-11T21:57:00.001-07:00

Philip wrapped me in this wonderful hug as we were getting ready for the wedding. He was moving potted plants around the courtyard, & I had just arrived at the church.

Just before Heather & Jeff left on their honeymoon, Kirk wrapped Heather in their special hug.

A Few of My Favorite Wedding Pictures

2010-07-11T20:32:00.001-07:00

Heather was a radiant bride! She was excited to be getting married, not nervous

Jeff is so handsome, and he has the cutest dimples!

This was taken at "The First Look" when Jeff saw Heather for the first time.

I love this one!

We had such a fun day!

The photographers caught the emotions of the day--love, joy, & tenderness.

Kirk told Heather, "I want to tell you two things. I love you & let's have fun!"

Mr & Mrs. Jeffrey Himes

They danced to Heather's recording of "At Last" in the courtyard.
We tried to make it look like an Italian bistro, since they met in Italy.

Our After-the-wedding Getaway

2010-06-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

Robin smartly suggested that the Parents of the Bride need a vacation as much as the wedding couple. She's right! So we left the next morning and drove up to Oxnard (near Ventura) and stayed at Embassy Suites Mandalay Resort. Our room was so great, that we decided to go to Vons & buy salads & crackers and eat our dinner on our patio.

We knew that schooner or later a lovely ship would go by. :-)

The next morning we enjoyed coffee on our patio before going to breakfast.

Our room (all rooms) included a full made-to-order breakfast which we ate
outside near the waterfall & ponds.

The grounds were beautiful.

This picture proves that we were both on the same vacation. :-)

Aw gorsh. isn't that sweet?

So relaxing!

We inspected the agriculture fields in the area. Here Kirk is looking at berry vines.

Beautiful rows of cabbage

The second night's sunset with clouds.
We had a wonderful 3 days!

Some New Wedding Pictures

2010-06-05T21:25:00.001-07:00

Lynn Weber took these wonderful pictures & was in charge of making sure the wedding party had food before the wedding.
She also decorated the sweetheart's table. Such a dear & helpful friend!

Kirk giving the Blessing from the Dads

He did a great job; it was funny & sweet.

Aw gorsh!

Grandma & Philip before the wedding

Philip & Abby did so much to help! They got flowers from a local grower to jazz up the courtyard. Abby videotaped & helped with decorating the courtyard.

I like this cute picture.

I love this angle! We were obviously posing for someone else when Lynn took this picture.

A Few Wedding Pictures

2010-06-01T19:18:00.001-07:00

Well, here are a few pictures that Bob Taylor & I took on Saturday. Mom & I are standing near the guest book table. This is a canvas print of a picture Heather took while in Venice, Italy.
Waiting patiently for something exciting to happen!

Kirk passing out grapes & bagels with cream cheese to the wedding
party while we waited in the newly decorated bridal room

Before they came down the aisle, Kirk told Heather,
"there are two things to remember, I love you & let's have fun!"

Pledging their love to each other-
Both the pastor & Jeff wore mics so the vows could be easily heard. :-)

Mr & Mrs. Jeff Himes

Here we are MC-ing the reception. Uncle David was slated to do
it but he ended up with the flu for 7 days. :-(

Heather recorded herself singing, "At Last" to Jeff for their dance.

The cool couple

Aren't they cute?

A big kiss!
The professional photographers took 4000 pictures,
of which 2500 will be for us. I can hardly wait!!!

Heather's Shower at GHFC

2010-05-22T21:06:00.001-07:00

On May 16, there was a lovely bridal shower in Joy Hall at church.
Kathy Hotz, Lynn Weber, Annette White, Becky Abernethy, Heather, Anni Weins, Pati Gomez, Sylvia Cecil & Abby at the shower. These lovely ladies from the Sojourner class put on a lovely shower. Mina made a darling video, but was unable to attend the shower.
Abby made darling clever cards for the ladies to fill out & give to Heather. She included prompts on them, to give them ideas. "To keep communication open, try...,To ruin communication, don't...,On you honeymoon, be sure to..., etc.
She is going to have them bound with a spiral comb to make a flip book for Heather to refer to.

Grandma gave a wonderful devotional about marriage from the Bible. Great advice!
Here we are.

Megan Hotz, Keriann Weber & Heather

Jeff crashed the shower & jumped right in helping open presents.

Grandma & Grandpa gave them this vacuum.
It was a lovely shower!
Heather & I feel so blessed to have such dear friends give one for her.

More Pre-Wedding Activities

2010-05-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

Only 2.5 more weeks!

Greg & Brian Himes, Jeff Livings, & the groom on a quick stop during the Bachelor Party. They went rock climbing, go-kart racing and then BBQ-ed dinner.

Here Heather is giving Grandpa Stevens a hug after he gave her & Jeff their wedding present.

Friends & family helped move Jeff in to apt. 105. Here is Aunt Phyllis & I bringing in cleaning supplies, etc. from the 99 cent Store.

The 2 dads carrying in the box springs.

Ooph! This bed is heavy!

The experts putting together the bed

Aunt Phyllis & Jeff's mom, Karen, also put in shelf paper and cleaned out the fridge.

Suzy, one of Heather's bridesmaids, and I put in shelf paper in Heather & Jeff's apartment.

Mother's Day with the kids doing the work. :-)

After our Mother's Day dinner, we put together the favor boxes for the wedding.

Heather & Jeff's Shower at Sunny Hills Church of Christ

2010-05-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

After the monthly potluck, there was a shower today for Heather & Jeff at Jeff's church. It is Sunny Hills Church of Christ, and is around the corner from our house. Notice the picture of them on the wall in the background. Someone had a cake made, which we all enjoyed.

Heather had the mic while Jeff opened the gifts.
Here's the gaggle of girls who were sitting in the front.

We gave them "Buckets of Love" which were filled with practical things We gave Heather cleaning supplies and Jeff got a 5-gallon bucket with tools from Sears & picture hanging items.

They also received lots of gift cards from Target & Sears. :-)

One of the ladies in the church made beautiful corsages for Karen, Heather & I.
What a lovely group of people!
(Jeff is 3rd generation at SHCOC just like Heather is at Granada).

Heather's Shower at Aunt Robin's

2010-05-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

Aunt Robin hostessed a lovely bridal shower for Heather last Sunday afternoon.
She made delicious desserts and veggie pizza.

Here we are before the other guests arrived.

It was so sweet of Robin to have a family shower for Heather!
Jeff's mom, sisters, some aunts & cousins were able to come. There were 15 altogether.

Here Heather is telling how she met Jeff (on her choir tour in Italy),
while his mom, Karen, & I listen.

Heather has now joined the ranks of lucky ladies who have received
a copy of Aunt Robin's coveted cookbook!
I gave Heather 4 nesting baskets & 2 beach towels for Hawaii.

Gretchen made the ribbon bouquets while she chatted with Jeff's cousin's wife.

Jeff came at the end of the shower & helped load the gifts into my car.

Lovely Spring!

2010-04-14T20:03:00.001-07:00

Easter Sunday in the garden at church

Jerry gave Mina 2 baskets of Helen's knitting supplies which Mina
will use this summer to teach the MOPS Moms how to knit.

The day after Easter, Kirk & I drove down to Coronado
Island for a few days away.

The Coronado Island Bridge
Kirk is talking to Heather about the wedding photographer she
chose with the San Diego skyline in the background.

We got dressed up and went out to dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant on the bay.
This is the view from our room before we left.

Then we went to the Lamb's Players Theatre to see "The Rivalry." I would highly recommend seeing it when it comes to your local theater. It is the dramatization of the debates between Stephen Douglas & Abe Lincoln.

The next day we went on a tour of the Gem Institute of America in Carlsbad.
Here is an amazing display of handmade jewelry, all in platinum!

This chess set weighs in at 12 pounds of GOLD! (@$1,600 an oz!)

There were many displays of all different types of gems. I learned a lot!

The huge Swaroski crystal rotates and refracts the sunlight.

This year, we skipped the tour and parked out car above the Field of
Flowers & ate a picnic lunch.

We had a wonderful 3 days!!

Heather & Jeff's Engagement Photos

2010-04-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

Heather's bridesmaid, Amber Nunez, is a professional photographer,
who offered to take their engagement photos as a wedding gift!

The 3 of them used the old artsy buildings in downtown Fullerton for backdrops.

Jeff had Heather's ring made by our jeweler, Larry Schuber. It's beautiful!

Our wonderful daughter!

It was pouring rain the entire morning, so many of the shots included the big black umbrella. This is one of their favorite one.

Some Pre-Wedding Activities

2010-04-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

I love this picture of Kirk seeing Heather in her wedding gown for the first time! Of course, I have more pictures, but I don't want Jeff to see her in her dress before the wedding.

KeriAnn Weber, Jeff's mom, Karen Himes, & I went to David's Bridal to help Heather choose her gown. Keri was a huge help, getting Heather's hair just right with a veil. She will be the Maid-of Honor in the wedding.

Here are Kirk, Heather, Jeff & the Best Man, Jeff Livings, tasting gelato. Since Heather & Jeff met in Italy, the wedding will have an Italian theme. They will be serving 2 flavors of gelato instead of a wedding cake Will it be: Chocolate, strawberries & cream, raspberry with chocoalate slivers or vanilla? Yum!

Here I am outside painting 22 paper pots to look like Roman urns.
They will holding the grapes on the tables.

Heather is spraying 22 baskets black to hold
the sliced baguettes and cheese for the reception.

Dad's Cochlear Implant "Hook-up" Appointment

2010-03-03T21:23:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, 3/2 I drove Mom & Dad to the House Ear Institute for his cochlear implant "hook-up" appt. It was interesting being on the "watching" end instead of the "new hearer" end. Here are a few photos.

Here, Dad is hooked up to the computer. He is signaling with his hand as he hears the tones in the sound processor. Doctor Mills programmed the processor for about an hour before Daddy could actually hear voices, etc.

Dad & Mom holding hands-so sweet!
She & I both starting crying when he answered the doctor's questions correctly.

Dad & Mom learning how to use the remote control.
(His model is newer than mine!)

Doctor Dawna Mills is the audiologist who painstakingly programs the processor at each of 4 appts. By the end, he will have 4 custom-built programs just for his needs.

Like father, like daughter. Dawna is so great to work with!

Mom & Dad had not yet looked at the EAR, so they posed by it just like I did.

We ate our picnic lunch on the 5th floor patio overlooking LA and the Hollywood sign. The hospital at the right is where we both had our surgeries.

Here you can see the processor hanging on his ear.
The round part is a magnet that is "talking" to the magnet inside his head!
Amazing technology!

Valentine Weekend

2010-02-14T22:17:00.001-08:00

After all the rain we've had, our flowers are all mixed up!

But, we sure are enjoying these "daffy down dillies."

Here Grandpa Stevens is seeing Heather's engagement ring for the first time. Heather got red roses, a card & a California Bride's magazine from Jeff today.
This morning they went to both churches to announce their engagement.

I went to Mina Taylor's on Friday night and had a fun time decorating
cookies with a few other ladies from church.
You can see part of my Valentine mug collection from Kirk in the tray on the table.

Heather & Jeff are Engaged!!

2010-02-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

The gondolier took this photos of them. :-) Their ride included French bread, salami & cheese, chocolates and sparkling cider.

Tonight Jeff Himes proposed to Heather on a Venetian Gondola in Newport Beach-how romantic!
She said "yes!" and he gave her a beautiful ring that our jeweler, Larry Schuber made for her.
As soon as I get them off her camera, I will post a few pics from the gondola. :-)
We are thrilled!

Our Vacation to Sedona, AZ.

2010-01-17T21:14:00.001-08:00

On Dec. 27, we took off for a vacation in Arizona. The first day we drove to Prescott & enjoyed our stay there. The next day we took the scenic drive through Jerome to Sedona. It is one of the "America's 120 Most Scenic Drives" from the Reader's Digest book with the same name. I am trying to slowly work our way through the book. Here Kirk is standing at the Tuzigoot Monument where Native Americans lived in the 1200's.

Sedona is famous for its beautiful Red Rocks, which surround the city.

We had a spacious room at the Radisson Poco Diablo Resort.
It has a view of the golf course with the red rocks in the distance.

Welcome to Sedona!

One day we drove up to Flagstaff & stopped at the Cracker Barrel Country Store.
The Oak Creek Canyon Vista area was a fun place to throw a few snowballs.

Sedona is the New-Age center of the US because of the "vortexes" that are there.
There are palm readers, auro photographers, UFO tours, etc. all over town!

We went off-roading twice, meeting the Pink Jeeps coming & going. We were in our warm 4-wheel drive Road Runner at 70 degreees, while the jeeps were open in the 34 degrees snowy weather. Brrrrr!

Kirk bought a turquoise-inlaid pocket knife at the western shop in Sedona.

The last night we were there it snowed. The snow outlined the layers in the red rock, to make a beautiful photo opportunity.
We drove back through Oak Creek on our way out of town. It was beautiful!

Here we are at Slide Rock. (This is where Heidi said that they bring the kids on their way to Californa. They stop here to play in the creek and slide on the natural water slide -in the summer). We arrived home in the early evening on New Year's Eve. What a wonderful trip!!!

My 20-Hour Sleep Test

2009-12-25T12:01:00.000-08:00

On Monday evening 12/19 I checked into the Sleep Disorder Institute across the street from St. Jude hospital. (My endocrinologist wanted me to be tested).There are 6 bedrooms used each evening for overnight sleep tests. There were 5 "guests" there, although I only saw one. It took about 30 minutes for me to be "hooked up". I had 5-6 electrodes put around the back of my head to test my brain waves during sleep. 2 were put on my forehead, 2 on my cheek bones, 3 on my chin. Then I had 1-2 EKG ones put on my upper chest. 3 on my side, and 3 on each lower leg, to test for leg motion during the night. Then I had loose bands put around my waist and ribs to test "effort" in breathing.
The most common disorder discovered during this type of test is Sleep Apnea (where patients quit breathing many times a night. This is hard on their heart, and keeps them from going into a deep sleep. This can really affect their life, weight, energy levels, etc. A small face mask is prescribed. It is hooked up to an air machine that blows air down the windpipe to keep it open all night.)
I was lastly fitted with a small air tube into my nose & mouth, in case I needed a mask during the night. Amazingly enough, people DO sleep with all of these wires attached! There was an in fared camera above the bed which monitors our movements during the night. As we sleep, technicians sit at a monitor and watch the "waves" (it looks like a seismograph) from all of the electrodes. They also monitor the TV screen. Each technician watches 2 guests all night long. Those who are discovered to have SA are fitted with a mask and air machine during the night, and then monitored to see the improved quality of sleep. They leave early the next morning with a prescription for a mask & machine, etc.
I had originally thought I would be able to leave the next morning and had a full-day scheduled, including another doctor appt. Well, since I don't have SA I had to stay until 5pm to take a 2o minute nap every 2 hours!! I was pretty bummed to think I'd be stuck there all day and silently had an argument with God about it! After praying, I realized that I had asked God to help me focus on Jesus this season and not get lost in the usual "hustle & bustle". Well, I got to stay in my jammies & robe all day, drink tea, not go anywhere, and read! I had Kent Hughes' book on Christ-mas and the new book, "God in the Small Stuff at Christmas" with me, so I had a relaxing day after all. I had to take a 20 minute nap every 2 hours (to see how sleepy I am during the day). I was actually wiped out when I drove home at 5pm! The 20 minute naps just got me to sleep, but then I was awakened, so I felt unrested.
If you dare, scroll down and see the horrible picture of me when I was all hooked up.
The thing around my neck is the wire box that is hooked up to the cable when sleeping. They hung it around my neck when I wasn't in bed. Fortunately, the first thing in the morning the face tubes, leg electrodes and loose bands were removed, so the rest of the day wasn't too bad. The person who "babysat" me all day is a polysomnograhpic specialist. She went from computer to computer analyzing the data and typing up reports & recommendations. I should hear from my doctor within 10 days.

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Since Thanksgiving

2009-12-20T19:14:00.000-08:00

Since Thanksgiving we have been very busy!
Here are a few photos to get you cuaght up.
The weekend of Thanksgiving Jeff & Heather went on
their 1st-Anniversary-of their-first-date.

I woke up for work one morning and saw this layer of fog covering LaHabra but not the hills.
It was really unusual!
After having our entry & hall repainted, Kirk & I put up the
lettering from www.wisedecor.com.
It was so easy.

Then I had a parent from our school paint a trellis, ivy, leaves, etc.
to add to my "French Cafe" look.

A fun shot from our backyard this week.

Luke's Graduation party on Saturday, 12/19. About 35 well-0wisher came.

Today during our service we have skits, songs, Christmas carols & special music around the theme of "Grace & Truth." It was written by Rick & Heidi Garside
and was EXCELLENT! Here Heather is singing with the Praise Band.
Heather & Teri Elfelt sang a duet beautifully.
Jeff's folks, sisters & brother-in-law came to hear Heather. :-)

Sorry, this one didn't get turned around. This the how the garden outside
the sanctuary looks in the Fall. Isn't it pretty!

Philip & Abby are working their way around Granada re-doing every plot of ground!!

A Lovely Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-27T22:42:00.000-08:00

We met at Robin & David's at 4:00 pm to enjoy their newly renovated backyard.

A fountain will go where the milkcan now is.
Philip drew the plans for this clever use of space.

Luke, Jerry Stevens, Grandpa Seelye & Robin

We all walked the 2 blocks to Philip & Abby's newly-made studio apartment.

Jessica, Melissa & Anni Weins shared the day with us.

Grandma emerging from the spiral staircase upstairs.

Abby made a delicious salad & cheese, apple, nut snack -yum!

The day had gotten up to 82 degrees, but it cooled off when the sun set. The fire from the brazier gave us a little warmth so we could eat outside.
You can see the front door in the background.

Grandma's Chinese friend, Queenie, is in the US while her daughter attends Biola.

Anders is getting so big!

Kirk & Jerry looking over Abby's new cookbook that she's trying out

Is was so nice to get to know John Jensen, Chris's dad,
who was out from Ohio for the holiday.

We walked back to R&D's for dinner & dessert. What a lovely afternoon & evening!
We have SO much to be grateful for!!

A fun Day at Oak Glen

2009-11-08T21:25:00.001-08:00

We stopped at Wood Acres to pick up our usual Arkansas Blacks. We have been visiting this apple farm for over 15 years! It was hard to see Jim Wood looking so frail. Kirk & I both left a tract for him (each without the other knowing it). Hopefully, he'll read them and think about God's offer of salvation.

Jeff enjoyed seeing the places where many of our family
photos have been taken over the years.

The cute couple!

The old couple!

We went on a mile walk that starts near Los Rios Rancho.
Here are Kirk, Heather & Jeff jumping up and down on the floating dock.

See all the ripples in the water they made!

A tranquil setting

Walking through the oak trees, back toward the apple selling area

Then we drove over to Riley's farm where Jeff remembers coming when he was in Jr. high.
The place was fairly deserted except for a few of us.
This goat did NOT want Kirk to stop giving him a head rub! It was fun to watch!

The Air Show-part 4 The Sea Wall

2009-10-27T21:11:00.000-07:00

After our crazy breakfast, we drove down to the ocean to watch the seals, seagulls & to walk out on the sea wall (another good idea of R&D's)

What a beautiful spot!

This sea wall juts out into the ocean. There was a constant stream of people like us, who wanted to see what it felt like to "stand in the ocean."

Here I am on it, with Kirk facing south.

The waves crash right around you & the wall.
(I don't know what I did to make this a blue link)

Kirk at the end of the wall

After time we left, & drove toward home stopping for lunch at Pannikan's in Luecadia. It is in the old train station and is charming.
What a wonderful time we had together. :-)

The Air Show-Part 3 (from Cult to Occult)

2009-10-27T20:54:00.001-07:00

The Mormon Temple is in La Jolla, right off the freeway. I've always called it the White Witch's Castle, because it reminds me of the Chronicles of Narnia &
the Land of theWhite Witch where "its is always winter, but never Christmas."

We went to downtown La Jolla and found this crazy place to eat breakfast. It usually has a scary theme, but in October they REALLY decorate! I can't imagine storing this stuff all year long.

Three of the locals

A young family came and brought their 3 little kids here! The little girl was crying because she was so frightened. :(

We ate outside. I had a fritatta, which was delicious.

These guys were our dining partners.

Kinda wierd, huh?

The Air Show-Part 2

2009-10-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

It took us 2.5 hours to go about 4 miles from our hotel to park at the air show on the Marine Corp Base! Then we walked about 1.75 miles to get our seat in the box seats in front of the grandstand. We brought a picnic dinner from Whole Foods, yum!

This is the jet truck! It shoots flames out of the back and charges down the runway. It takes a parachute to stop it. Wow, it was LOUD!

The red bi-plane did aerial acrobatics that were simply amazing, even stalling and coming straight down-yikes!

Here are the 4 Patriot jets flying SO close together!
We missed the Blue angels because it took us so long to park. :-( but these were similar.

Here I am holding the Airshow program that I begged from one of the employees.
Below is the grand finale-the "Wall of Fire." It was about a half-mile from our seat but we could feel the shockwaves & heat when it went off-wow! Turn up the sound!

Our weekend at the Miramar Air Show-Part 1-La Jolla

2009-10-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

We visited the beautiful craftsman style Torrey Pines Lodge, a 5-Star hotel in La Jolla.
Robin & David suggested we go there and are very glad we did!

This is the lobby of the hotel. The rooms start around $500 a night!

The log-burning fireplace smelled so good! We sat here for awhile and
enjoyed the scenery inside & out.

This is the famous golf-course where the US Open was in 2008.
Tiger Woods practiced here for years, as well.

On our way to stay in La Jolla, we stopped to see the hang gliders. They simply run and jump off over the cliff and get the lift they need to sail around for 15-20 minutes. They zoomed right past us, almost close enough to reach up and touch their dangling feet!

This picture proves we were on the same vacation.

So cool!

Philip & Abby are Almost Finished!

2009-10-10T19:31:00.000-07:00

Kirk, Heather & I went up to Philip & Abby's for a soup dinner & to see them in their studio apartment! It is so cute & efficient. The white shelves used to be in the former laundry room. The table/desk is Philip's drafting table that we gave him for a graduation gift; it wraps around the corner. They both use it for their computers. Philip hung the pot rack above the 2-burner stove.

This cable lighting system casts light just where it's needed.

Lovely lady on the lovely staircase

Upstairs they put their craftsman style bed up on matching blocks to give them under-the-bed space for all of their clothes, which are in bins.

Philip is still making a gate to go across the entrance to the staircase.
You can see the first part of the shelf that rests on the top of the banister.

Here are Heather & Abby serving up the soup.
All of their summer's hard work has paid off!

Where Have All the Christians Gone?

2009-10-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

I saw this article tonight on the Fox forum and thought it was worthwhile enough to copy here. This seems to go along with the book the Dad is sharing called, "Where Are They?" about teenagers leaving churches.

Christianity is plummeting in America, while the number of non-believers is skyrocketing.

A shocking new study of Americans’ religious beliefs shows the beginnings of a major realignment in Americans’ relationship with God. The American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) reveals that Protestants now represent half of all Americans, down almost 20 percent in the last twenty years. In the coming months, America will become a minority Protestant nation for the first time since the pilgrims.

The number of people who claim no religious affiliation, meanwhile, has doubled since 1990 to fifteen percent, its highest point in history. Non-believers now represent the third-highest group of Americans, after Catholics and Baptists.

Other headlines:

1) The number of Christians has declined 12% since 1990, and is now 76%, the lowest percentage in American history.

2) The growth of non-believers has come largely from men. Twenty percent of men express no religious affiliation; 12% of women.

3) Young people are fleeing faith. Nearly a quarter of Americans in their 20’s profess no organized religion.

4) But these non-believers are not particularly atheist. That number hasn’t budged and stands at less than 1 percent. (Agnostics are similarly less than 1 percent.) Instead, these individuals have a belief in God but no interest in organized religion, or they believe in a personal God but not in a formal faith tradition.

The implications for American society are profound. Americans’ relationship with God, which drove many of the country’s great transformations from the pilgrims to the founding fathers, the Civil War to the civil rights movement, is still intact. Eighty-two percent of Americans believe in God or a higher power.

But at the same time, the study offers yet another wake-up call for religious institutions.

First, catering to older believers is a recipe for failure; younger Americans are tuning out.

Second, Americans are interested in God, but they don’t think existing institutions are helping them draw closer to God.

Finally, Americans’ interest in religion has not always been stable. It dipped following the Revolution and again following Civil War. In both cases it rebounded because religious institutions adapted and found new ways of relating to everyday Americans.

Today, the rise of disaffection is so powerful that different denominations needs to band together to find a shared language of God that can move beyond the fading divisions of the past and begin moving toward a partnership of different-but-equal traditions.

Or risk becoming Europe, where religion is fast becoming an afterthought.

Bruce Feiler is bestselling author of eight books, including "Walking the Bible" and "Abraham," and the host of the PBS series on "Walking the Bible." A frequent commentator on National Public Radio, CNN and FOX News. His latest book "America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story" will be published in October.

P & A's Property -Part 6

2009-09-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Here are Kirk & Philip installing the kitchen cabinets in the studio apartment. The cabinets start out narrow near the window and then each gets deeper. The hole is for the microwave oven.
Bottom counters & sink installed with P&A's clever handiwork.

Here Abby is installing a new disposal & dishwasher in the 2 bedroom apt.

Ta-dah! The counters are in & have a nice pattern to them.
Notice the 2-burner stove at the left.

Yea for instructions! Philip is reading up on how to put in a spiral staircase!! Abby is busily installing the disposal. They are amazing!

Abby's tiny size certainly came in handy for this project!

Kirk, Abby & Philip installing the staircase. It's the smallest you can buy.

Comin' on down- watch out below!

Cool, huh?

Triple Birthday Week

2009-09-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

On August 28th we all went out to eat at Rutabegorz in Fullerton, then over to Jerry's for cheesecake and gifts. Here we are in Jerry's family room. He is such a gracious host!

Philip making me laugh as we are getting ready for a picture. I had forgotten how funny he is!!!

I'm behaving myself, but Philip is making a funny face, as usual.
Philip is holding his "life album" that I finished this summer. It goes from his birth to the Christmas after he & Abby got married.

Here Abby & Philip are looking at the first pages in the photo album.

It was nice to see that they both appreciate having all those pictures in one place to enjoy.

Then the next morning, Lynn Weber & I went to Carlsbad for a relaxing 29 hours away. We got a lovely room at the Sheraton Resort, not too far from Legoland. We decided to not go out to eat, so ate a BBQ dinner near the pool. We watched a beautiful sunset; then a family movie was shown on a screen next to the pool.

The Sheraton even shot off fireworks for their guests.

The next morning we had eggs & delicious oatmeal delivered to the room.

Steel cut oats really ARE better! Yum! We felt pampered.
Finally at 11:00 we checked out a drove into Old Town Carlsbad & poked around the shops.
What a lovely time!

On Monday night we had another birthday dinner at Grandma & Grandpa Seelye's house.
Here Philip is trying to clap out the candles. Grandma fixed Adobo Chickhen, rice & a yummy apple cake. Her gift of hospitality is a gift to so many! Thanks Mom!

Happy Birthday to me.

Here are Heather, Grandma & I cleaning up the dinner dishes.

Then on Saturday, September 5, Jeff came over to celebrate his 25th birthday. Heather is pointing to him while we sing "Happy Birthday to YOU."

After dinner he showed us some of the interesting products that he "reps" for Western Safety Associates. Kirk is a flashlight junkie, so he really liked this one! It has a trigger handle-cool!

We are grateful to have family so nearby. :-)

Fishing at River's End

2009-09-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

David & Kirk (with old friend Jeff Funk in the background) had a lovely day fishing at River's End in Long Beach Sunday after church.

You can see by the mossy rocks where we sat. This part was at low tide,
which made for a pretty setting.
Here is a bottle of STINKY bait!

Robin & I camped out on this rock and chatted away 4 hours; not hard when you have lots of catch up on! :-)

Kirk & David relaxing before we closed-up shop.

Here we are laughing inside the River's End Cafe.
My hair was a complete mess from the wind.

P&A's Propery-Part 5 (Scroll down for Part 4)

2009-08-27T21:48:00.000-07:00

Today I went up to see the progress. Here is the kitchen on the first floor. This is the corner where the cabinets will go this weekend. :-)

They hired a tile-layer to come redo the shower in the bathroom. Philip put in this window for light and ventilation.

Here's Abby by the cubby in their future bedroom. I like the colors of paint she chose.

Here she is standing on the newly covered floor. There will be a railing right where she's standing so no one will fall down the stairwell hole. Eventually there will be a spiral staircase in this space.

This is the corner across from the cubby. Their bed will be in this corner, soon. They are hoping to strike a deal with a perspective renter on the 2-bedroom apt. tonight. Then they will need to hurry and finish the studio apt. so they can quickly move into to it.

P&A's Property-Part 4

2009-08-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Philip, Abby, Fred, Mina & Kirk have been working hard during the month of August to get the studio apartment finished. Philip built this cool mailbox post that is at the side of the front house.

Here, Mina is showing Fred's handiwork. The fine detail is great! They decided to use this space in between the studs for a cubby. Go to Mina's Facebook wall and see what she did with Photo Shop-it's hilarious!

Here Abby is painting herself into the corner. Notice, that she is sitting on a board, above the stairwell hole! Yikes!

Cute couple, huh?

Here Philip & Abby are etching lines in the concrete floor. They will then stain it to look like Spanish tiles.

Cochlear Implant-Part 6

2009-08-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Tuesday I went for my last of 14 doctor appointments! Dawna Mills AuD.(most audiologists have a Masters Degree) gave me the Hearing In Noise Test that I had at the beginning of this saga. Originally I scored 17% in my left ear (which is considered 0%). But yesterday, I scored 81%!! She is very happy with the above average results. She said that I should score even higher when I go back in 3 months, and then level off in a year.
I also had an appointment with the Cochlear America customer rep. She went through all the accessories that go with my implant. I found out that Kirk and I can go to the movies!! (If we can find one that is decent). We did go to the theater when "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" came out about 3-4 years ago. I couldn't understand any of the words, but I am familiar with the story line, so it was not all lost. Before that, the last time we went to the theater was to take Heather to see "Everlasting" when she was 6 or 7.
I've been working 45-70 minutes a day on my "listening rehabilitation" CD. I've gone through all the available levels at the basic training level and am working through the Advanced Modules. I wrote a letter to the doctor who made it and Cochlear America with some suggestions for their next edition. The customer rep. was very glad for the input.
I want to thank those of you who sent get well cards, drove me to my many appointments, washed my hair, brought us dinner, and asked how I am doing. We are part of a caring community, for which I am most grateful! I am also grateful for the technology, research, our insurance paying for it, and the way God made our brains that can be re-programmed!

Wedding Flowers by Heather

2009-08-18T20:49:00.001-07:00

Heather's boyfriend, Jeff, has a sister named Traci. She got married last Saturday. She asked Heather to make the flower arrangements & bouquets for the wedding. Jeff & Heather went down to the flower district downtown LA early Friday morning to pick up the flowers. Heather took the day off & I was her assistant.

She made these 2 lovely arrangements to go on the guest book table & gift table. She interwove the stems rather than using Oasis. She used Ti leaves to go around the inside to hide the stems.

The bride wanted red roses & Calla Lilies, a beautiful combination.

Here is the finished bride's bouquet.

This picture shows what the groomsmen wore & a baby one for the ring bearer, Cute, huh?

This shows the throwing bouquet compared with the bride's bouquet.
(I made the bows while Heather arranged the flowers)

Heather & Jeff at the wedding.

The arrangement on the guest book table; they "velcroed" it to the table so it wouldn't slip off or topple over.

A Quick Review of Obama's Healthcare Plan is Shocking!

2009-07-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

You have to read this to the end for your and my own good!

This health care bill in congress is beyond Socialism - it's diabolical.

We have allowed some to be elected who want to destroy the Country we worked to sustain. Too many simply could not see this coming. Look below from one of the versions of the Healthcare Bill. More below that. Current things.

* Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure!
* Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!
* Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and
benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process)
* Page 42: The "Health Choices Commissioner" will decide health
benefits for you. You will have no choice. None.
* Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with
free healthcare services.
* Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard.
* Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access
to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.
* Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community
organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW and ACORN)
* Page 72: All private healthcare plans must conform to government
rules to participate in a Healthcare Exchange.
* Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the
Healthcare Exchange (i.e., total government control of private plans)
* Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services;
translation: illegal aliens
* Page 95: The Government will pay ACORN and AmeriCorps to sign up
individuals for Government-run Health Care plan.
* Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically
enrolled: you have no choice in the matter.
* Page 124: No company can sue the government for price-fixing. No "judicial review" is permitted against the government monopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be crushed.
* Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.
* Page 145: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into the
government-run public plan. No alternatives.
* Page 126: Employers MUST pay healthcare bills for part-time
employees AND their families.
* Page 149: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll (Goodbye jobs)
* Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $250K-400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays a 2 to 6% tax on payroll (Goodbye jobs)
* Page 167: Any individual who doesnt' have acceptable healthcare
(according to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of income.
* Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes(Americans will pay for them).
* Page 195: Officers and employees of Government Healthcare
Bureaucracy will have access to ALL American financial and personal records.

* Page 203: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated
as tax." Yes, it really says that.
* Page 239: Bill will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors
and the poor most affected."
* Page 241: Doctors: no matter what specialty you have, you'll all be
paid the same (thanks, AMA!) (Goodbye doctors)
* Page 253: Government sets value of doctors' time, their professional judgment, etc.
* Page 265: Government mandates and controls productivity for private healthcare industries.
* Page 268: Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs.
* Page 272: Cancer patients: welcome to the wonderful world of
rationing!
* Page 280: Hospitals will be penalized for what the government deems preventable re-admissions.
* Page 298: Doctors: if you treat a patient during an initial
admission that results in a readmission, you will be penalized by the
government.
* Page 317: Doctors: you are now prohibited for owning and investing in healthcare companies!
* Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion. Hospitals cannot expand without government approval. (Goodbye hospitals)
* Page 321: Hospital expansion hinges on "community" input: in other words, yet another payoff for ACORN.
* Page 335: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based
measures: i.e., rationing.
* Page 341: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans, HMOs, etc.
* Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS
individuals. (Let them die too)
* Page 379: More bureaucracy: Telehealth Advisory Committee
(healthcare by phone).
* Page 425: More bureaucracy: Advance Care Planning Consult: Senior Citizens, assisted suicide, euthanasia?
* Page 425: Government will instruct and consult regarding living
wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. Mandatory. Appears to lock in estate taxes ahead of time. (Goodbye Family Estate)
* Page 425: Government provides approved list of end-of-life
resources, guiding you in death.
* Page 427: Government mandates program that orders end-of-life
treatment; government dictates how your life ends.
* Page 429: Advance Care Planning Consult will be used to dictate
treatment as patient's health deteriorates. This can include an ORDER for end-of-life plans. An ORDER from the GOVERNMENT.
* Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at end-of-life.
* Page 469: Community-based Home Medical Services: more payoffs for ACORN.
* Page 472: Payments to Community-based organizations: more payoffs for ACORN.
* Page 489: Government will cover marriage and family therapy.
Government intervenes in your marriage.
* Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining,
creating and rationing those services.

Lawmakers Confirm House Health Care Bill Promotes Euthanasia Among Elderly LifeNews ^
| July 24, 2009 | Steven Ertelt

Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 6:04:09 AM by
NYer

http://www.lifenews.com/elderlypatnt.jpgWashington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Two Republican leaders in the House of Representatives are confirming reports that the health care restructuring bill the House is currently considering
promotes euthanasia. A leading patients rights advocate is worried about the effects of the legislation.

Betsy McCaughey, the former New York lieutenant government who is now a patient's rights advocate, notes that the government-run health care plan would require "end of life"
counseling for seniors.

The counseling, she says, would be focused on telling seniors how to end their lives sooner.

In a statement sent to LifeNews.com House Republican Leader John Boehner Republican Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter confirm those fears.

"Section 1233 of the House-drafted legislation encourages health care providers to provide their Medicare patients with counseling on 'the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration' and other end of life treatments,'" the pair say.

That section "may place seniors in situations where they feel pressured to sign end of life directives they would not otherwise sign."

"This provision may start us down a treacherous path toward
government-encouraged euthanasia if enacted into law. At a minimum this legislative language deserves a full and open public debate - the sort of debate that is impossible to have under the politically-driven deadlines Democratic leaders have arbitrarily set for enactment of a health care bill," they state.

The members of Congress call the section a throwback to 1977 when the old Department of Health Education and Welfare proposed federal promotion of living wills for cost-savings purposes described as "enormous."

At that time, the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago decried this effort by saying, "'The message is clear: government can save money by encouraging old people to die a little sooner than they otherwise would.
Instead of being regarded with reverence, and cherished, human life is subject in this view to a utilitarian cost-benefit calculus and can be sacrificed to serve fiscal policy and the sacred imperative of trimming a budget."

Boehner and McCotter are especially concerned about the provision given that Oregon and Washington have legalized assisted suicide and Montana has given conditional approval depending on the outcome of a state Supreme Court
decision.

"With three states having legalized physician-assisted suicide, this
provision could create a slippery slope for a more permissive environment for euthanasia, mercy-killing and physician-assisted suicide because it does not clearly exclude counseling about the supposed benefits of killing oneself," they say.

"Health care reform that fails to protect the sanctity and dignity of all
human life is not reform at all," the conclude.

In section 1233 of the tri-committee health care bill, a government-run "Advance Care Planning Consultation" is created.

McCaughey, in an interview with former presidential candidate Fred Thompson on his radio show warned people to "protect their parents" from the measure and said the consultation is essentially an attempt to kill off elderly Americans.

"One of the most shocking things is page 425, where the Congress would make it mandatory absolutely that every five years people in Medicare have a required counseling session," she said. "They will tell [them] how to end their life sooner.

The bill calls for the recommendation of "palliative care and hospice" in the mandatory counseling sessions, which is pain relief as patients die.

The House bill requires "an explanation by the practitioner of the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice, and benefits for such services and supports that are available under this title."

The measure also recommends a discussion on "the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration," which suggests that elderly patients could be advised not to receive it, which would hasten death.

Congressional Health Care Reform Bill Criticized for Promoting Elderly Euthanasia

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
July 23, 2009

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http://www.lifenews.com/elderlyman.jpgWashington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The pro-life community is focused on the pro-abortion problems with the health care restructuring bills Congress is considering, but there appears to be another threat. One patients' advocate who is the former New York lieutenant
governor, says the bill also promotes elderly euthanasia.

The government-run health care plan the House is considering would require "end of life" counseling for seniors.

In section 1233 of the tri-committee health care bill, a government-run "Advance Care Planning Consultation" is created.

Betsy McCaughey, in an interview with former presidential candidate Fred Thompson on his radio show warned people to "protect their parents" from the measure and said the consultation is essentially an attempt to kill off elderly Americans.

"One of the most shocking things is page 425, where the Congress would make it mandatory absolutely that every five years people in Medicare have a required counseling session," she said. "They will tell [them] how to end their life sooner.

A WorldNetDaily report indicates the bill calls for the recommendation of "palliative care and hospice" in the mandatory counseling sessions, which is pain relief as patients die.

The House bill requires "an explanation by the practitioner of the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice, and benefits for such services and supports that are available under this title."

The measure also recommends a discursion on "the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration" and WND suggests that elderly patients could be advised not to receive it, which would hasten death.

McCaughey is also criticizing another section of the bill.

Calling it a "Quality Reporting Initiative," the bill says, "For purposes of reporting data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished during 2011 and any subsequent year, to the extent that measures are available, the Secretary shall include quality measures on end of life care and advanced care planning that have been adopted or endorsed by a consensus-based organization, if appropriate. Such measures shall measure
both the creation of and adherence to orders for life-sustaining treatment."

McCaughey, told Thompson, "As a patient advocate I am so shocked at the vicious assault on elderly people and the boomer generation. I hope people listening will protect their parents from what is intended under this bill."

According to WND, McCaughey said that the bill has a provision requiring the counseling every five years and mandating it when a patient's situation changes -- such as a move into a nursing home.

She said the message to patients is "to do what's in society's best
interests, and cut your life short."

"Can you imagine the response of the American people (when they find out)?" Thompson asked in response.