To try to figure out what we did all year, I went back and looked at our photos. There were too many photos to include even the highlights here, but here's a summary.
First, the work. We did a lot of repairs and improvements on the house, including changing all the hardware on the doors and most of the faucets and associated plumbing fixtures, although we still have a few of those to replace. We replaced half of the windows and had a rail added to the back deck and the rail between the kitchen eating area and the sunken family room replaced. We added a driveway from the street, through the gate to the backyard and far enough into the yard to hold our 5th wheel for storage. We had heat tape installed on the roof. In August we had the exterior painted, all except for the decks (which will come later). We chose a color scheme with warm grey as the main color with black and white trim. Here's what it looks like now:
Besides painting the decks and railings, we still have a lot to do inside, but we feel like it's starting to take shape.
Our health has been holding up relatively well. Charlie decided to give up skiing after an injury last season. Since I was fitted for new orthotics, which solved my foot discomfort, we have started walking more. Most days, weather permitting, we walk two miles along the trail system, sometimes going off into the local wilderness, where we can get away with letting the pups off leash.
There are some nice hiking locations within a few minutes' drive, as well.
The pups know what to do when they're exhausted. Rocky turned 15 the end of August. He's still energetic, so we hope he will make it through a couple for years yet. Dusty is loving all the long walks and visits to the dog park.
My writing has cut into my crafting time, but I managed to finish the quilt I began in 2000, and it's now up on the wall.
This quilt took a long time because I kept getting sidetracked with other projects. The piecing, appliqué, embroidery and quilting was all done by hand, a slow process, which made it easy to put aside. I'm really happy to have it done at last!
There is a lot to do in Bend. There are frequent concerts (classical, folk, bluegrass, etc.), many of them free. There are meet-up groups that are available if we want to be social, and we have made some friends.
We drive to the Portland area occasionally to visit Peter's family or for various events. In March, the draw was the Rose City Yarn Crawl. Alexa and I managed to make it to all of the yarn shops that were participating. We had our passports stamped at each shop.
Alexa won a drawing for a bag filled with yarn at one of the shops. While we were in the area, we had a tour of Laika Studios and got to see some of the puppets, costumes props and sets used in the upcoming Missing Link film. They also had some items of interest from past films. It's a tour only for family and friends of Laika employees, so we were fortunate to be able to see how the films are made. (We went to see the film as soon as it was available to the public, in April, and stayed until the end to see Peter's credit. He and the rest of the special effects team have been nominated for an Annie Award for the film.)
We were back in the Beaverton area in June for Johan's preschool graduation on the Nike campus. We did some hiking that weekend, too.
Then, in July, we attended the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. (How could we not? Sisters is only a short drive away.) Later in July, we were back up to the Portland area to attend the Portland Highland Games.
Over Labor day, we went camping with Peter's family at Suttle Lake. (Johan has decided he wants to be a paleontologist, so both of the boys have the appropriate vests and equipment.) We hiked around the lake, but we didn't find any dinosaur bones, although we did see a lot of interesting things. Here are Johan and Soren, outfitted for looking for and identifying fossils.
Toward the end of the weekend, we participated in The Great Drake Park Duck Race in Bend. Our ducks didn't win, but it was fun to see, and the proceeds went to some local charities. (All of the little colored dots are rubber duckies.)
Later in September, we flew to San Diego for Charlie's 60th High School Reunion. We attended all the events there and visited his parents' grave at Ft. Rosecrans. We also met with a friend from our days at San Diego State. We flew back on our 54th wedding anniversary. It was fun to visit the places where we were when we were dating.
In October, The Blessing of the Animals was held at Trinity Episcopal Church where we (mostly I) attend services, to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis. This is the first church we've been to where the animals come into the church. (Charlie had to corral the pups; I was singing in the choir.) Here's Dusty getting blessed and Rocky awaiting his turn. The most fun was when some of the dogs joined in singing the hymns.
I've been making kimchi and yoghurt, as well as bread. We have a bread machine and a yoghurt maker, but all we need for the kimchi is a press, which we've had for several years. Kimchi can be made without the press, but it makes it easier.
We've gone to a couple of whisky-tasting events and one where we tried out some saki during a visit to Beaverton. We've drunk a lot of beer and even more wine, much of it local. It's nice to live where there are so many options for the best of all of them.
We also participated in a few political demonstrations.
Of course, we have to end up at one of the local breweries.
Everywhere we go, we encounter deer and other wildlife.
The grandkids are growing up. Karen's children, Daphne and Zachary, have continued to take dance lessons, as well as other activities. Here's Daphne:
And Zachary:
Last Christmas we had all four of the younger grandchildren here with their families. It was interesting after just having moved. The dishwasher was out of commission, which necessitated turning off the hot water to the sink, so we were hauling hot water from the bathroom to wash the dishes. Everyone pitched in to help, though, so we got through it and had a lot of fun. This year the Harts are going to the other grandparents' place in Texas, and we're going to Beaverton for Christmas.
We get to communicate by Skype with Tim from time to time...not often enough, as he has long work hours. I need to get a screen shot, so I can include his photo in this letter. I "see" Alex on Facebook occasionally. I hope she can come out here to visit sometime.
I've continued writing a new story in The Doll's Storybook each week. I know a lot of people are reading the stories, but I don't get very much feedback except from adults. I added another boy in September, this one hearing and vision impaired, which adds more diversity. I have recently obtained permission from the manufacturer of the dolls (Götz Puppenmanufaktur International GmbH) I use for illustrations to publish an actual physical book. I hope to do that after the first of the year. Here's my cast of characters:
The posed shot doesn't do them justice. They are capable of dancing, playing, riding bicycles, doing housework....well, you get the idea. Check out the link if you're interested.
Here's our contact information:
872 SE Airpark Dr., Bend, OR 97702
Charlie: 435-729-0893, tupsu99@hotmail.com
Peggy: 435:-714-0048, pudelfreund@me.com
