a special thank you to Anne and Chris

Just want to let both Anne and Chris know that Martha was thrilled to receive the chocolates and card from both of you! She was quite touched, especially by the words you both expressed on the card. Martha also showed me where the card is displayed at the home for all to see.

Mom was also touched by the 1919 circa "photo album" of Reims which Chris found in an antique shop in Belgium. She has shared it with everyone who enters the house!

As for what's been happening here lately, Pat took Dad to vote on Tuesday and then took him to see Mom where they all shared a pizza. Ralph and I took Dad out for "brunch" today in honor of Veterans' Day. Mom didn't join us as she hasn't been feeling well these past few days.

We are tentatively planning to celebrate Thanksgiving with Mom and Dad at Pat and Debbie's. Haven't worked out all the details yet.

Babette

Congratulations For OBAME...?

Congratulations for those that voted for OBAMA....

(Although I don't agree with a lot of his policies etc)...I guess he'll have to do since I
doubt anyone will challenge our voting system...after this election,right?... It's already been proven that Bushes election was rigged... who's to say this wasn't done the same...? Good Luck, OBAMA and good luck for those that voted him in...

PS (If he were as good as he says he is -"wanting change"- then he should first off investigate the present "electoral-electronic" voting machines in this country...to verify their legitimacy and request a congressional investigation etc... I'm dead serious on this issue...! :-( )

This is a recently discovered old photo of Anne and I, back in the day. . . ;-)

(Small Postscript:) :-)

...Forgot to mention it was Mom & Dad that took Petra out as a gesture of Thanx ...
(This is where the idea came from...I think we should follow suit...)

Hence if there are those that prefer "Snail Mail"...(supporting your local PO...Ha!)
Here's her mailing address:

5221 Sun Valley
(same zip as Mom)


(Thanx again Gang...) :-)

...Hey Gang...Heard the latest....?! ;O)

...I'm relating this to the family for a couple of reasons... First off November 4 (national presidential erection) is coming up on us soon enough and it really is time to consider who you are voting for the next president of our ole USA...

Please vote if nothing more...just make sure you do your homework and you're are sure of your choice...it's so important and don't take this lightly...(I was glad to hear that Bernadette did her voting already, as have I also & voting Republican
FYI...) Good luck on your decisions and chose wisely...(Enough said on that.)

Now on Matters of the HEART.... An update with Mom, she is doing well and still gaining wait almost daily...she has good humor and now waits anxiously her
"Care Giver" (Did I get that right, Ralph...?)... Her memory has improved greatly
(short term) and overall she is really in the positive more than she has been in long time... she sees Dad more often now and they have even gone out to eat etc... (The Village Inn) ... Now with that said and done let's talk about Dad...

Dad has also been doing well, of course he's still in his wheel chair, but otherwise
his spirits are much higher than the past; mostly due to Mom's more frequent visits and going out together etc... I can't tell his current medical condition; but
hopefully it may have improved somewhat due to his more regular nurse visits he has now (which he didn't have before...shame on us.).... So you see not to get your hopes up but things are "looking" much better for now... And yes I do expect Dad to see several more B-Days down the road... For those that have been praying Thanx a whole lot 'cause it's been working & for those that have been staying in touch pretty regular by phone THANX also for this and anything else that might have helped THANX, THANX, THANX... 'cause of these things even though small has helped in some form or way...

And many many THANX to Babette, Patrick,
Debbie, & last (but nut least) RALPH (my dear brother :o)... )

I'll tell you another THANX we owe because of her great endurance & patience etc. our "Care Giver,"...Petra. I'm making a "FAMILY" request...
(for those that read this blog to send her a simple message of THANX for all her efforts she has made (& many you are not aware above & beyond; not only what is required of her...she is truly a Godsend, I believe...)
Her email is:
Pertravipec@aol.com
...Thanx everyone for all your support, efforts and regular contacts with Mom & Dad....etc.

Love You All Dearly...

-Bernard-

* (No, Pat I'm not "deluded"...just getting older; know what I mean?...)
** (Don't be afraid to send Mom an occasional email...you might just be surprised...-just keep it 'short & sweet'-)
*** (Last time: "Don't forget to VOTE everyone...! ;O) *

Fall

Pictures of what we see these days. The scarlets were brightest a week before, but it was raining all the time. I will never be tired of how pretty it is here. Cudos to Babette for getting all her vacation photos uploaded. I got some prints from Snapfish of our various trips, they were good as well as fast.

We haven't been doing alot. Finally finished the fence so Beau can go out unsupervised. It was trial and error as neither of us knew what we were doing, but using Michelle's husbands trick with the metal rods instead of setting posts made it easier.

Still no job for Em. She got an interview for the Child Center, but that's not looking promising. She's doing fine with her online class, but really is bored being home. I wish I could do something about it. Last Sunday I dragged her out of bed at an ungodly hour for an adventure in antique hunting. The biggest antique market in Europe is 2 hours from here in Tongren, Belgium. We took off at 5:30 AM! The fog was bad all week, and it slowed me down so we got there at 8:00. Amazing how many vendors - this is definitely the grandaddy of all shows. You name it, it was there. There are also quite a few antique shops, which I didn't get to see. We spent 4 hours going from stall to stall (two indoor warehouses and the main street, a marketsquare and a winding side street. Fun! Emily wants to go back for more waffles. I didn't find the sideboard I'm looking for, so the hunt is still on.

And we are back! Our provider put a new tower on "A" Mountain so hopefully we will have more consistent service now. So email away!