Here are a couple memories with Ginger

Our Precious Puppy

Ginger, Our Princess Dog.
in September of 2003, we acquired,(much to MaryLyns Disapproval) a Cute little red puppy. Of Course I brought her home anyway. We grew fond of our little puppy, and gave way to her becoming a "House Dog". Soon she became one of the children,and gave her whatever she begged for. Of course she got fat, the vet told us not to feed her table scraps, but we did. We limited her treats to Dog treats, Pancakes,(she loved those)and waffles. she could smell them cooking from the pasture and would come running. She knew when it was time to pick up Chris from school, and would wait at the door until it was opened, and then get in the car before you could get the door open all the way. On Aug 3rd 2009, we took her to the vet, cause she acted like she had a cold, and the vet did a series of tests and discovered she was suffering from Kidney Failure. Devastated, we put her in the hospital. We were told not to get our hopes up, but how do you not, she's part of the family. There was a chance she could come out of it. Late the next day, after more blood tests, the Doctor dropped the bomb. No improvement.
How could this be. She was only 6,we wanted more time with her.
We took her home with us to have more time. The vet gave her a shot so her last few days would be a little more comfortable.
During those last couple of days, We cried, Held her and Cried. I built her a special box to rest in, while Chris Prepared the ground for the box. On Saturday morning, August 8Th 2009 at 9:00 am Ginger Died. We laid her to rest in her favorite spot in the yard, which was under the big pine tree at the corner of the pasture. From there she could watch the neighbors, Make sure the Horses were in the pasture, chase the squirrels and cats, catch the birds, and warn us of anyone moving within a 1/2 mile. She loved to tree Raccoons and was rewarded on several occasions. She loved to watch the sunrise, she would sit on the driveway and soak up the rays as it came up over the hills. she always wanted to ride in the car, and didn't care where or how far, just so she could ride.
All the things she did that annoyed us, is what we miss. But most of all, We miss her unconditional love for us. It is a privilege to have her as part of our family, and can hardly wait to see her again.
We Love You, GINGER BOB

"The Treadmill"

So, I've got to Exercise, I approached the treadmill, Slowly,cause who knows what's groing on that thing, I've had it for 'bout 7 years and have used it very little. It's been collecting stuff ever since. Do you know how many clothes that thing can hold? you would be amazed.
O.K. the clothes are now gone, that took some time, and it's dusted off, I mean washed. It took a while to remember how to unfold the stupid thing, once that was done, i was ready to get on it.
I inserted the safety key, No Power, I checked the plug, the cord, the fuse, the outlet, and everything else I could think of, and just when I was ready to get a Hammer and Screwdriver, I noticed a power switch in a place there shouldn't be any power. I turned it on.... I was sitting on the deck, it started up and threw me off. yeah I admit it, that wasn't very bright. Stupid Treadmill. Now I'm ready, I start to set up the preloaded programs, Mountain trail, No not that one, Desert Trail, Not that one either, Canyon Run, Definately Not. So I picked the manual setting, It shows an oval on the screen, and you pick your own speeds and incline. I pushed start, It will start at 1 mph. I wondered if I could handle that kind of speed. well after about oh... 2 seconds, I realized I walk faster than that going to the Fridge, so I sped it up to 2 1/2 mph, that felt like a good warm up speed to me. Well after about 30 seconds that was getting too easy, so I raised the deck up to a 5% grade, Now I was working out good. I walked for what I was sure to be a half hour and started slowing to cool down when my wife says, "are you stopping already?" "Yes, the doctor said to get in 30 Minutes,and I don't want to get burned out on my first day" and she said "Yes but you've only been going for 5 minutes" I shut it off.
The next day I decided I needed to find something to make the time go faster. No t.v. near, just a blank wall and a Fish tank next to it, so I grabbed a book, Have you ever tried reading and walking on a treadmill at the same time? Well let me just say it requires hanging on to something stationary, and reding glasses. I got the hang of that, and was getting my exercise,and doing some reading too!, I read a couple of chapters, and my wife came in the room, " How long are you going to walk on that thing?", "The doctor said to go 30 minutes" I said, So she says,"well you've been on it for 45 minutes, You'ld better stop before you get burned out." I shut it off and took a shower.

My Health

I don't know about everyone else, But I am getting old. A kid at the school told me I look mean,and fat. He got in trouble, cause the school emphasizes kindness, so the Principal made him give me anapology.
The Holiday eating guide, (from my previous post) well Use it only for the Hollidays, I am now paying for it. This Christmas there was no fudge,or Divinity, or Cookies, or any of "the good stuff". I developed Some "Issues" with my Heart this year, Atrial Fibulation,High Blood Pressure, Irregular Heartbeats, to name them all, I hope. My Cardiologist said, (after doing a gazillion dollars in tests) that it's directly related to my weight, Imagine that? I apperently carry alot on my Organs or something, I don't however have any colesterol problems, Thank heavens.
so now I'm on a Bad tasting diet, and trying to exercise. Sooo. Here we go, I actually own a treadmill, so I'm gonna have to use it.

Holiday Eating Guide

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet tableknows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannotfind it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into aneggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me.Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. if something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy.Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashedpotatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. as for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk orwhole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports carwith an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control youreating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat otherpeople's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's.You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is thetime for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table whilecarrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frostedChristmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself nearthem and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center ofattention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind,you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or ifyou don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always havethree. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatorycelebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, come on, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party orget up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips;start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
Remember thismotto to live by:"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arrivingsafely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid insideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn outand screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"Have a great holiday season

Old Picture

I Found this picture and had to post it

Pictured is, Neil Newell, Owen Mortenson,

Grant Newell, Myself , and Ruthann Mortenson.

I don't remember what the function was, except that it was at the old 3rd ward building in Tacoma. It may have been for scouts or something. Mom, do you remember? anyway I had to post this, pretty funny.

Where I Work

For all you who Might be interested,

Here is where I work, and the View

of the Tetons outside my office door,

I do like this valley. The View is alot

better in person, So...... If you would

like to see it, Come on down, I'ld be

happy to show you some of the sights.