http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/inside/4907/Overview11#tab-Videos/08100_00
o.k. Here's the link that didn't get posted. I'm trying it both ways. Copied from Nathan't email, above and then put it in the "link" box

updates Christmaas 2010

It's very early here on Saturday morning. Bob had to be in Cruz Bay again by 6:30. He started grinding the floor yesterday late aft. and I went with him just to fool around and watch the people in the park. He has to work on the floor when the workers aren't there, so he will work today and tomorrow. Evan comes next Fri. for 2 weeks and he can be of a great help to Bob since he went to take the classes for the grinding and polishing.
Had friends in for dinner on Thurs. They built a house here and come down now frequently. They had us all for dinner last month and so we returned the favor. We had a great time. They were here until 11 and about 8:30 is our bed time!!
I'm trying to enclose the link that Nathan sent us. It's a program from National Geo. about commercial diving. We coudn't watch most of it because we can't download that much info at one time. He will be a "tender" for about 1-2 years. He starts school in JAX on Jan 31. His best buddy is coming in from NJ in mid Jan and they will put what is left in the house into storage and drive back to NJ. Laura, girlfriend, will fly to NJ around the 24th and they will drive to FL and she will fly back to MI as he starts school.
Still has not sold the house. Price is down to 74,000. Realtor is dropping it minimally each week in order to keep it at the top of the viewing list, but is afraid that if they drop it too much, the bank won't accept any offer that comes in.
I have uploaded, just as a joke, the holes in the floor for the job Bob is working on. We have to take them for the portfolio and one of my garden from several weeks ago. It was too warm for the broccoli to fruit, but it was just an experiment. Tomaotes are doing well and i expec to have radishes soon. The lettuce is fantastic. Spinach, chives, basil, etc are all doing well. Tell Lisa I'm using donkey poo that is marinating in water for 5 days on the garden. She went "shopping" for me. David actually suggested it because he had the memory card for us and it only weight 2 oz.
I seem to be rambling here. Too much coffee.
Anyway, send some pics of the snow and the Christmas trees. It just isn't Christmas without the snow.
luv,
Betsy

Well, I'm sitting out here on the porch in the dark. bob is watching something on the History channel about airports. Went to Concordia with some friends for breakfast this morning. Concordia is an eco friendly "camp"site here near us. It cost about 150/night, but it's quite unique. Anyway, they sent lots of us 25% off coupon for breakfast, so off we went, all 5 of us. It was good and a nice change - it's near Salt Pond, if you guys remember - pic attached.
Nathan is getting closer to dive school. He's real excited. Plans on leaving MI around the 15 Jan. Ed, his NJ buddy, is coming to MI to help him put stuff in storage and then he and Ed will drive to NJ and Laura will fly out thetre and he and Laura will drive to FL.'s
Herb and Kathy, got a nice note from Sara. Took a long time, but worth the wait. I think she is very happy. Stu just seems to "go with the flow". I think she's lucky to have him.
Have to stop soon as my curser has a mind of it's own and keeps jumping around the page.
love you all,
Betsy
'

It's almost December

Hi You Guys,

Betsy asked what Steve's wife Tracy was going to do in Hawaii. She is a DO and will be one of two doctors in a new, small clinic for the underserved on the island of Maliki (sp?). Steve is going to be a house husband for the time being. She signed a 2 year contract. We had a nice visit with them. They left about 8:15 a.m. and were going to take the route through the mountains home.

Glad to hear Bob has a job. That will keep him busy for a little while anyway. And it sounds like the basket making job would be fun, no stress and not too often. How did the world's largest pot luck turn out? Did you break the record?

The Last Feed

A new experience in my old age. No grandkids yet, so I helped a friend take care of hers. She likes them older-never had any of her own. "After all, they can't talk to you" this guy was so cute, but heavy - 15 lbs at one month. Mom was supposed to return in 3 or so hours and we could go have a girl lunch. Mom showed at 2:30!! Anyway, it was fun.

Going with some friends (picture attached) and Ron, if we can talk him into it, to Thankspigging today. This is supposed to be the last one. They are trying to get into the Guinness Book of Records for the world's largest potluck. Have to top 479 people. Wouldn't be surprised if we make it.

The guy below us is renting out his home and asked me to make up a "welcome basket" for the guests. He is paying for it, but it will be a test case for me. Just thinking about doing this kind of thing here on East End. Bob got a polishing job at a downtown restaurant. They accepted the estimate and I am now his little office manager again. Hopefully, he will start that soon as I think he is getting bored.

Garden is coming along nicely - tomatoes, radishes, chives, lettuce and spinach. Looking forward to harvest. Have a great turkey day everyone. Miss you all. love,b

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Uncle Bob is coming up around noon to watch a little football and eat with us about 2 p.m. Darin will come then. Kyla is spending the night on Wednesday and Thursday. She likes to help with the "feast meal" and then we plan to start to decorate for Christmas on Friday since we will not be home many weekends between now and then. Ashley has to work until 3:30 p.m. so she will eat when she gets here. Ryan has to work Wednesday and Thursday night, so he and Tracy will come around 4 a.m. on Thursday and will have to go back to St. Simons Island for work by 7 p.m. Then on Sunday, everyone is coming back and we'll do dinner all over again because Rick's nephew Steve and his new wife, married last August will be on their way home from the Naples area and the Keys. They are returning to Michigan and leave January 2nd for Hawaii where his wife just got a job while on their honeymoon there.

I bathed Baxter today so he'll look pretty for his holiday company. It's been in the 70s and 80s and only goes into the 50s at night, so it's been quite nice. In fact, I just came back from a bike ride. Rick has been hunting 3 times this year, but no deer yet. Next weekend he goes to Tampa, then we'll be here for the Healey club Christmas party, then the next weekend he goes quail hunting with Ryan and another guy and his son. Then it will be Christmas! Kyla's getting legos, the big castle set. I hope they find somewhere to keep it on a table or something. Darin will help her with them. He likes that kind of stuff and always enjoys doing puzzles and stuff with her. We have only been up to Dover once since Labor Day. Take care, Happy Day love, Marilynn

Halloween and the zoo

Michigan/Ohio Trip

Hi All,

Back home and broke. It's too many choices. I bet we went to WalMart 10 times!! Oh, we need this that and the other thing, not to mention Lowe's and Meijer. Managed to stay out of the Mall, however.

It was so much fun seeing everybody in Ohio. I wish we could have spent a little more time with Maddie and Caleb. They look great, healthy and "growing up". So glad Evan was with us. I think he really enjoyed seeing all you guys and "kibbutzing". Thanks for taking us to the Amish store - nuts, nuts and more nuts!! I think we have enough popcorn to last a lifetime!! Evan said his salsa from Lisa was gone in about 2 days. He said it was the best he'd ever eaten. We ate about 1/2 the jar of pickled green beans and I gave the rest to Nathan because we had to leave. They were great!! She should sell that stuff!

Weather has cooled somewhat here and we only have minimal projects here. We sold Evan's car, finally and we put the long-term rental on the market. We have great tanants, but it's becoming a bother, expecially when hurricane season is in full force. We will see how it goes. Real estate market here is just as slow as anywhere else.

All for now. Thought you would enjoy the pics.

luv,

B & B

Michigan Trip

We're home. The weather was nice, two days of sunshine and the 50s and one day of rain. The leaves were about 40% changed, so I hope you and Bob get to see them in full bloom. We had lunch with Morgan (Gary's daughter) and Andy and their new 5 month old daughter Harper Shay. She was being baptized on Sunday, but we were heading back. We saw Gary Nearman. He was home from Cleveland Clinic (10 days) to gain weight, get rid of the infection and prepare for lung and heart surgery. He has another day of doctor visits on October 18th at the Clinic. He will see five doctors and be evaluated. In the 10 days he has been home, he has been back to the local hospital with congestive heart failure 3 times.He is on constant oxygen. He has a large flapped hole in his side that Debi has to clean out every 8 hours. She can see his lung and get her whole fist in there with the gauze. The idea is that the infection is draining out of the body instead of in. He looks pretty bad. They both are depressed. I hope with all that he has been through since January that he makes it. The reunion was fine. Rick enjoyed talking to his old schoolmates. This was the 45th high school reunion and there were about 25 grads there, 12 deceased and the rest not found or just didn't come. He had 67 in his graduating class. Thursday we leave for Orlando for the American Dental Association annual meeting. Last year it was in Hawaii. We'll be there until next Wednesday. Rick will be in meetings all day and then there will be receptions and dinners at night. There will be two nights when he'll wear his tux. I'm wearing the same dress too, so I won't need to send a picture. I don't know what I'll do all day. In Hawaii I went to the beach and walked around the shopping area. I'll take my suit, but it has finally started to feel like fall. The weather report says low 60s to low 80s for the next week. Hot dog! Baxter loves this weather. I leave the porch door open and he goes out whenever he wants. He'll be in the kennel when we are gone. Ryan left today for South Carolina with Tracy. Her brother is getting married this weekend. Kyla is getting As and Bs. She is tired of gymnastics and wants to try karate. I don't think she will like karate, too much standing still. We'll see. Got those pumpkins out yet? Take care, have a safe trip, love, Marilynn