Retirement on the Oregon Coast

The weather is getting nice now and Jeff has been able to go out on the dunes with his buggy........and next weekend is Rhody Days here in Florence which is the first car show of the season for us.

I went to Spain & Portugal in March/April and saw ALOT......we moved from city to city every couple of days......too much for this old gal.....spent a day in Morocco......very interesting. At the end of April, until May 13th, I was in Boone, Iowa helping my girlfriend, Rosann, prepare her house to sell......she retires June 30th and is moving to her property in Palo, Iowa. She is my "sister"......we enjoy our time together......she is my travel buddy also. Italy in Nov/Dec..........

Jeff and I are taking the 5th wheel up to Ferndale, Washington, in June to visit friends that moved there from Sacramento last year. We travel with three dogs and a parrot...........the other seven birds have to stay home !!!

I have tomatoes growing in the sunroom this year.......they don't do well outside here......we have been harvesting LOTS of asparagus this year......they love the sandy beach soil.

We have a good life and don't take anything for granted.........

ROBIN & JEFF in Florence, Oregon

Hey Everyone!

Hey! It's Sami! Just checking in! Well, I have been up to a lot!! As Chad said, I was in the hospital for a while there and I have fully recovered! Very glad for that! I have gotten back in school, still doing singing, and I finally got back into dance! Back in January I did NYCDA Portland which was defiantly the highlight of my year so far! NYCDA (New York City Dance Alliance) is a dance tour company that tours and you have to make it in and then you spend the weekend at a huge hotel (It was the Red Lion Jantzen Beach Hotel) and take dance classes back to back from some of the best teachers around! And next year I am going to compete and hopefully make it to Nationals so that I can tour with them! I am also planning to try out for American Idol when I turn 16! Everyone who I sing for tells me to try out so I might as well! I am taking a video camera to my next voice lesson and I will record my voice and try to remember to post the video here! Anyways, im just glad to be alive right now!

And I am soon becoming and aunt! Chelsie is officially having a little girl! She's due in the beginning of July and she is naming the baby Beahtrix (Beah or B-B for short!) Sarah is having a little boy! She is due in mid August and she is going to name her baby Trey! So we are all very excited for the summer! Not much else is happening so far! Chad is getting married, Taylor is going well! Reading up a storm and becoming very tan and in shape! It has really been a hectic year! Well, I should get back to homework because spring break doesn't last forever! I'll try to blog soon! Here's just some recent pics! The first one is Quin talking to her little sister! Then its Sarah's recent ultra sound! And then me! I get those darn braces off in about a month so im trying to get lots of pictures with them!

Mike & Debi are Proud to Announce

 The adoption of Sasha and Rose. 

 Yes, we have 2 new member of the McGinness family.  Sasha and Rose were adopted by  us  from the Oregon Humane Society  (OHS)  this past weekend.   

Since the passing of our beloved Misha, I have been occasionally perusing various kitty sites - Humane societies, rescue places, etc.  I looked at a lot of kitties, but never any that really made me go  - Wow, that's the one.  Well, last Saturday evening, I happened to go to OHS's website and there they were -  Rose and Sophie.  They were in foster care and they were looking for someone who would adopt both.  So, I sent an e-mail to their foster mom, telling her a little about Mike and me and our situation with loosing Misha.  

I didn't hear anything that night and Sunday morning when I went on the website, they were gone.  I was like OH NO!  So, I immediately e-mailed the foster mom asking her if they had been adopted. - oh, while I think Michael looked at one of their pictures, he didn't know I had done this.   Two hours later, I got a call from Laura, the foster mom.  She said that she had pulled the pictures because she got 10 inquiries on the first day.  BUT out of all of them, she thought we would be the perfect fit, and would we like to meet them.  I told Michael and of course his response was 'TODAY?' (he was actually not working for a change).  I told him we either went and looked at the today or we not get another chance.  So, at 4 pm, we walked into OHS.  I went to the reception desk to ask for the Foster Care department and Michael made a beeline for the kitty cages and stared petting one of them. 

A few minutes later, we were in an exam room and in comes Laura with a kitty carrier which she sets on the table, opens the door and this little gray and white fluff ball walks out.  Michael picked her up immediately, sits down and start petting her.  This was Rose.  Sophie followed and immediately we could tell she was going to be a little spitfire.  She wanted to walk all over us, inspect everything, and pick on her sister.

Needless to say, when we left OHS that night, we weren't alone.  Rose and Sophie were ours.

So, a little about them.  They are approximately 2 months old (and right now Rose is climbing up my arm and sitting on my shoulder).  They are a both torte point Siamese mix, though Rose has longer hair that make her look more like a Burmese.,  Rose is the fluffy one, who's very gentle and cautious and has a very fragile look about her and Sasha (Michael renamed her  because he just didn't think Sophie quite fit. This one is definitely a sassy Sasha) is the inquisitive looking one - rambunctious and impish Apparently they were brought in to OHS as strays, though I can't imagine anyone dumping such little babies.  They couldn't have been more than a couple 3 weeks old.  They were underweight and had respitory infections, though during the 5 weeks they were in foster care, they flourished and are now healthy babies. 

They are adapting very well to their new home - love the kitty condo we have and are getting used to our routine.  They already know they get fed when we get up and when we get home.

Mike and I are doing well.  Business is keeping him busy, but I know he's enjoying it.

I hope this finds all of you in good health and enjoying life.  Would love to hear from more of you.

BTW, Rose is still sitting on my shoulder - weird typing this way.

All our love,

Mike & Debi, the proud parents

Remembering Misha

Michael was writing to someone on the home roaster list last nite (Friday 2/22) and I wanted to share part of it with all of you.

A dear friend and family member of 16 years died while we were eating dinner tonight. He's been my master since the first day he joined our home as a wee furball of a kitten. I still remember staying up with him that first night because he cried and missed his mother so much, our bond was permanently forged. It was often funny, he'd often follow me around like a puppy dog. We knew his time was nigh and decided to take him into the vet and put to sleep after we ate. He's been slowly declining for a couple years from his former 13# robust self down to under 7. Last couple of days I knew his time was short. This evening when I got home he didn't even lift his head when I petted him and he was barely breathing. But Misha always hated going the vet and especially getting shots so departed on his own terms. I was glad for that. I will miss him sorely and never forget him. It'll be a bit empty him not sleeping on the right side of my head even though he'd often be annoying many a early morning batting me lightly in the face as his purr rumbled 'cuz HE deciding it was time to be petted. Which of course I'd dutifully do as commanded then pull the sheet over my head to ward off further battings as I went back to sleep. Life goes on but I am sad and mourn his passing.

This is Debi again - I too will miss our little guy sorely.  I'll miss the way he always wanted to get on my lap whenever I was on my computer and wanting me to pet him when Michael and I were sitting watching TV at night - but only for a few minutes, before settling down on Michael's lap (never mine).  The house feels so empty today with him gone. It's like you can feel that his spirit has left us.  I keep expecting to see him - curled up on the bed or back of the couch, or on my desk (this was new in the last month).  Oh, Michael buried him in the backyard, so he will always be with us in some way.

So, now we are a catless home for the first time in over 25 years.  Hopefully not for long, but it will be strange for us to have to find that special someone to share our home with on our own  Mom gave us both Mariko and Misha, and even our very first kitty we got from Kris.

I'll write more 'family news' stuff later when we're a little less sad.

We miss all of you and so enjoy hearing how you're all doing.  Keep posting on the site.  We'll try to do better too.

Love and prayers

Mike & Debi

Big News - well, at least for me! lol

Today I was called, sustained, and set apart as the new Relief Society President. The last week and a half have been crazy, overwhelming, terrifying, and yet through it all I have felt the spirit of the Lord, helping me and guiding me each step of the way. I am counting on that to continue! lol

I typed up my feelings as I went throughout the last several days and have just posted them in my blog, feel free to visit there to hear more about this experience so far.

I still feel scared and overwhelmed, but I feel love and support from many of the people around me. I especially feel the love and support of my Heavenly Father and I am putting all of my faith and trust in Him right now. I know that is the only way I can ever hope to fulfill this calling. I know that though my best could never be enough, He can do all things and He can make my best enough. :)

Hello Everyone

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chad Reed <pheonix8472@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Subject: family ties

HELLO EVERYONE,

    IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE I HAVE WRITTEN FAMILY TIES. THIS IS CHAD BY THE WAY! SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED SINCE LAST I WROTE. I ALMOST DONT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. WELL I AM STILL LIVING IN THE HEART OF DOWNT TOWN BUT THAT WILL BE CHANGING AS OF NEXT MONTH. JASON AND I HAVE FOUND AN AMAZING PLACE JUST OUT OF THE CITY. IT IS THIS GREAT TOWN HOUSE THAT IS THREE STORIES. IT HAS TWO BEDROOMS AND TWO BATHS AND A FULL TWO CAR GARAGE. IT WILL BE SO NICE TO HAVE ALOT MORE ROOM. JASON IS FILMING A MOVIE AND WE NEED MORE SPACE FOR THE GREEN SCREEN.
    OH YA FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DONT HAVE MYSPACE OR I HAVE NOT SPOKEN WITH YET, JASON AND I ARE GETTING HITCHED. WELL NOT LEGALLY BUT THE CONCEPT IS THE SAME. IT WAS OUR SIX MONTH ANNIVERSARY THIS LAST WEEKEND AND WELL, I POPPED THE QUESTION. HE SAID YES OF COURSE. THE DETAIL ARE TO BE ANNOUNCED. WE ARE STILL DECIDING WHEN AND WHERE BUT WE ARE THINKING A MID SUMMER BEACH CEREMONY. I KNOW MANY OF YOU WONT ATTEND DUE TO RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES BUT THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
    SO LET ME TELL YOU A BIT ABOUT JASON. HE AND I MET SIX MONTHS AGO ON MY VACATION BACK FORM HAWAII. AS YOU MIGHT HAVE GUESSED I DIDNT END UP GOING BACK. WE HAVE SPENT EVERYDAY SINCE WE MET TOGETHER AND IT HAS BEEN GREAT. HE RECENTLY THREW ME A SURPRISE B-DAY PARTY AND A LOCALL KERIOKE BAR. WE HAD A BLAST. I ENDED UP SINGING UNTIL I COULDNT ANY MORE. SADLY THE NIGHT DIDNT NOT END WELL. AFTER RECIEVING A CALL FROM MY FAMILY SAYING THEY WERE NOT COMING, I DECIDED TO POUND DOWN THE DRINKS. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT ENDED IN A HOSPITAL VISIT WITH ME NON-RESPONSIVE AND MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPING ME IN THE FACE SO HARD I BRUISED, WHILE TRYING TO WAKE ME UP. ALL IN ALL NOT A BAD BIRTHDAY LOL.
    SO I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT BOTH CHELSIE AND SARAH ARE EXPECTING. THEY ARE ABOUT A MONTH APART AND WILL BE DUE THIS SUMMER. THIS WILL BE CHELSIES SECOND CHILD AND SARAHS FIRST. WE ARE ALL SO EXCITED. OUR FAMILY IS GROWING SO FAST. SAMANTHA IS DOING WELL. SHE HAS BEEN A LITTLE SICK THIS WINTER BUT IS STARTING TO DO BETTER. SHE CONTINUES TO DO VERY WELL IN SCHOOL. SHE RECENTLY GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. SHE CAUGHT THE NASTY BUG THAT WENT AROUND AND WAS ALLEGIC TO THE MEDICATION. SHE BROKE OUT IN RED SPOTS AND HAD A FEVER THAT WOULD NOT GO AWAY. I ENDED UP GOING AND PLAYING CARDS WITH HER FOR HOURS. LITTLE QUIN IS NOT SO LITTLE ANY MORE. SHE IS THREE AND VERY TALL FOR HER AGE. SHE HAS RECENTLY DISCOVERED THE GAME APPLES TO APPLES AND WANTS TO PLAY IT ALL THE TIME. SHE IS VERY EXCITED TO HAVE A NEW SIBLING. SHE THINKS IT WILL BE A GIRL. SHE EVEN NAMED HER KIA LYNN. IN FACT SHE TOLD CHELSIE SHE WAS PREGNANT. FUNNY HUH. TAYLOR IS DOING WELL. HE IS READING ALOT AND HE IS STARTING TO LOSE WEIGHT. HE IS DETERMINED TO BE AS SMALL AS ME WHEN HE COMES BACK TO PORTLAND. MOM AND MATTHEW ARE DOING WELL. THEY ARE LOOKING TO INVEST IN STOCKS AND BONDS, BUT FRANKLY THAT IS ALL OVER MY HEAD.
    BASICALLY THAT IS WHAT I AM UP TO. I HOPE ALL YOU GUYS ARE DOING WELL AND I REALLY THINK WE SHOULD PLAN TO ALL GET TOGETHER. LIFE IS TO SHORT TO SPEND IT AWAY FROM LOVED ONES. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A WEDDING OR DEATH IN THE FAMILY TO GET US ALL TOGETHER! ALL MY LOVE.

CHADWICK

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You are invited...

To Acadia's very first piano recital! 

Date: Saturay, January 26, 2008
Time: 11:00 am

What?  That's past?  Oh, well then let me take you back in time to the moment when Acadia made her musical debut.  Keep arms and legs inside until we've come to a full and complete stop (and make sure the sound on your computer is on!)...

We are very proud of her!  She was bummed that she made a couple of mistakes but I told her that every single person made some mistakes and what is important is that she kept going!  I thought she did a great job!

(Incidentally, at the very beginning she is introducing the pieces she is about to play.  The camcorder didn't do a very good job picking that up.)

After all of the performers played their pieces, their teacher presented the prize to the student(s) who had the most stickers.  (Each week that a student does all of their practicing and completes the theory work and any other assignments she has given them, they get a sticker.  She keeps track and the student with the most, wins.)  There was a tie and Acadia was one of the winners!  The winners get little mini busts of music composers and there are several different ones, so as they continue to win, they will add more to their collection.  Acadia got Haydn today and it is already proudly displayed on her desk in her bedroom.

After the recital, which fortunately Ryan was able to take a long lunch for to attend, we took her out to lunch and let her choose the location.  She chose "Boffin' Bo's", otherwise known as Boppin' Bo's. ;)  It was yummy and I was really good, just ordering a cup of soup and a dinner salad... oh, and a milkshake - but I didn't get a huge sundae and a greasy sandwich and fries like I normally would! lol  Ryan had to rush back off to work so he left while the girls and I paid.  When we got to the car to come home, there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers on Cadi's seat with a note from her Daddy. :)  I hope to get a picture of Ryan and Acadia with the flowers, but for now, this will have to do.

I am really so proud of Acadia!  She is doing so well with the piano, she really seems to have a natural talent for it and I'm so glad that she enjoys it so much and WANTS to play.  I was also very proud of how she handled performing today!  She wasn't really very nervous, a little, but not super.  I think I would have been far more nervous than she seemed to be!  I'm glad that she is getting this experience and I hope that as she continues down this path that she will also continue to perform and share her talents with others.