Sunday, February 25, 2007
Oscar Night
Hello Girls - I hope you are all watching the Oscars, eating snacks, and filling out fake ballots! I love this night each year. Random events this year led me to my friend's office to watch. He, along with another friend of mine started www.buddytv.com - which tracks tv shows, issuing actor interviews, spoilers, vj's, etc. I have a profile under Cosmo's name. So anyway, they are doing a bunch of live feed here and it's kind of fun to hang out. Miss you all, wish we could have a Soul Sister Oscar party. One of these years!!! Lv you - T
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Reseach shows we really do need soul sisters . . .
UCLA STUDY ON FRIENDSHIP AMONG WOMEN
By Gale Berkowitz
A landmark UCLA study suggests friendships between women are special.They shape who we are and who we are yet to be. They soothe ourtumultuous inner world, fill the emotional gaps in our marriage, andhelp us remember who we really are. By the way, they may do even more.
Scientists now suspect that hanging out with our friends can actuallycounteract the kind of stomach-quivering stress most of us experience ona daily basis. A landmark UCLA study suggests that women respond tostress with a cascade of brain chemicals that cause us to make andmaintain friendships with other women. It's a stunning find that hasturned five decades of stress research---most of it on men---upsidedown."
Until this study was published, scientists generally believed that whenpeople experience stress, they trigger a hormonal cascade that revs thebody to either stand and fight or flee as fast as possible," explainsLaura Cousino Klein, Ph.D., now an Assistant Professor of BiobehavioralHealth at Penn State University and one of the study's authors. "It's anancient survival mechanism left over from the time we were chased acrossthe planet by saber-toothed tigers.
Now the researchers suspect that women have a larger behavioralrepertoire than just "fight or flight." "In fact," says Dr. Klein, "itseems that when the hormone oxytocin is released as part of the stressresponses in a woman, it buffers the "fight or flight" response andencourages her to tend children and gather with other women instead.
When she actually engages in this tending or befriending, studiessuggest that more oxytocin is released, which further counters stressand produces a calming effect. This calming response does not occur inmen", says Dr. Klein, "because testosterone---which men produce in highlevels when they're under stress---seems to reduce the effects ofoxytocin. Estrogen", she adds, "seems to enhance it."
The discovery that women respond to stress differently than men was madein a classic "aha!" moment shared by two women scientists who weretalking one day in a lab at UCLA. "There was this joke that when thewomen who worked in the lab were stressed, they came in, cleaned thelab, had coffee, and bonded", says Dr. Klein." When the men werestressed, they holed up somewhere on their own. I commented one day tofellow researcher Shelley Taylor that nearly 90% of the stress researchis on males. I showed her the data from my lab, and the two of us knewinstantly that we were onto something."
The women cleared their schedules and started meeting with one scientistafter another from various research specialties. Very quickly, Drs.Klein and Taylor discovered that by not including women in stress research, scientists had made a huge mistake: The fact that womenrespond to stress differently than men has significant implications forour health. It may take some time for new studies to reveal all the waysthat oxytocin encourages us to care for children and hang out with otherwomen, but the "tend and befriend" notion developed by Drs. Klein andTaylor may explain why women consistently outlive men. Study after studyhas found that social ties reduce our risk of disease by lowering bloodpressure, heart rate, and cholesterol.
"There's no doubt," says Dr. Klein, "that friends are helping us live."In one study, for example, researchers found that people who had nofriends increased their risk of death over a 6-month period. In anotherstudy, those who had the most friends over a 9-year period cut theirrisk of death by more than 60%. Friends are also helping us live better.The famed Nurses' Health Study from Harvard Medical School found thatthe more friends women had, the less likely they were to developphysical impairments as they aged, and the more likely they were to beleading a joyful life. In fact, the results were so significant, theresearchers concluded, that not having close friends or confidantes wasas detrimental to your health as smoking or carrying extra weight!
And that's not all! When the researchers looked at how well the womenfunctioned after the death of their spouse, they found that even in theface of this biggest stressor of all, those women who had a close friendconfidante were more likely to survive the experience without any newphysical impairments or permanent loss of vitality. Those withoutfriends were not always so fortunate.
Yet if friends counter the stress that seems to swallow up so much ofour life these days, if they keep us healthy and even add years to ourlife, why is it so hard to find time to be with them? That's a questionthat also troubles researcher Ruthellen Josselson, Ph.D., co-author of"Best Friends: The Pleasures and Perils of Girls' and Women'sFriendships (Three Rivers Press, 1998)."Every time we get overly busywith work and family, the first thing we do is let go of friendshipswith other women," explains Dr. Josselson. "We push them right to theback burner. That's really a mistake because women are such a source ofstrength to each other. We nurture one another. And we need to haveunpressured space in which we can do the special kind of talk that womendo when they're with other women. It's a very healing experience."
Taylor, S. E., Klein, L.C., Lewis,B. P., Gruenewald,T. L., Gurung, R.A.R., & Updegraff, J. A. (2000)."Female Responses to Stress: Tend and Befriend, NotFight or Flight",Psychological Review, 107(3), 41-429.
By Gale Berkowitz
A landmark UCLA study suggests friendships between women are special.They shape who we are and who we are yet to be. They soothe ourtumultuous inner world, fill the emotional gaps in our marriage, andhelp us remember who we really are. By the way, they may do even more.
Scientists now suspect that hanging out with our friends can actuallycounteract the kind of stomach-quivering stress most of us experience ona daily basis. A landmark UCLA study suggests that women respond tostress with a cascade of brain chemicals that cause us to make andmaintain friendships with other women. It's a stunning find that hasturned five decades of stress research---most of it on men---upsidedown."
Until this study was published, scientists generally believed that whenpeople experience stress, they trigger a hormonal cascade that revs thebody to either stand and fight or flee as fast as possible," explainsLaura Cousino Klein, Ph.D., now an Assistant Professor of BiobehavioralHealth at Penn State University and one of the study's authors. "It's anancient survival mechanism left over from the time we were chased acrossthe planet by saber-toothed tigers.
Now the researchers suspect that women have a larger behavioralrepertoire than just "fight or flight." "In fact," says Dr. Klein, "itseems that when the hormone oxytocin is released as part of the stressresponses in a woman, it buffers the "fight or flight" response andencourages her to tend children and gather with other women instead.
When she actually engages in this tending or befriending, studiessuggest that more oxytocin is released, which further counters stressand produces a calming effect. This calming response does not occur inmen", says Dr. Klein, "because testosterone---which men produce in highlevels when they're under stress---seems to reduce the effects ofoxytocin. Estrogen", she adds, "seems to enhance it."
The discovery that women respond to stress differently than men was madein a classic "aha!" moment shared by two women scientists who weretalking one day in a lab at UCLA. "There was this joke that when thewomen who worked in the lab were stressed, they came in, cleaned thelab, had coffee, and bonded", says Dr. Klein." When the men werestressed, they holed up somewhere on their own. I commented one day tofellow researcher Shelley Taylor that nearly 90% of the stress researchis on males. I showed her the data from my lab, and the two of us knewinstantly that we were onto something."
The women cleared their schedules and started meeting with one scientistafter another from various research specialties. Very quickly, Drs.Klein and Taylor discovered that by not including women in stress research, scientists had made a huge mistake: The fact that womenrespond to stress differently than men has significant implications forour health. It may take some time for new studies to reveal all the waysthat oxytocin encourages us to care for children and hang out with otherwomen, but the "tend and befriend" notion developed by Drs. Klein andTaylor may explain why women consistently outlive men. Study after studyhas found that social ties reduce our risk of disease by lowering bloodpressure, heart rate, and cholesterol.
"There's no doubt," says Dr. Klein, "that friends are helping us live."In one study, for example, researchers found that people who had nofriends increased their risk of death over a 6-month period. In anotherstudy, those who had the most friends over a 9-year period cut theirrisk of death by more than 60%. Friends are also helping us live better.The famed Nurses' Health Study from Harvard Medical School found thatthe more friends women had, the less likely they were to developphysical impairments as they aged, and the more likely they were to beleading a joyful life. In fact, the results were so significant, theresearchers concluded, that not having close friends or confidantes wasas detrimental to your health as smoking or carrying extra weight!
And that's not all! When the researchers looked at how well the womenfunctioned after the death of their spouse, they found that even in theface of this biggest stressor of all, those women who had a close friendconfidante were more likely to survive the experience without any newphysical impairments or permanent loss of vitality. Those withoutfriends were not always so fortunate.
Yet if friends counter the stress that seems to swallow up so much ofour life these days, if they keep us healthy and even add years to ourlife, why is it so hard to find time to be with them? That's a questionthat also troubles researcher Ruthellen Josselson, Ph.D., co-author of"Best Friends: The Pleasures and Perils of Girls' and Women'sFriendships (Three Rivers Press, 1998)."Every time we get overly busywith work and family, the first thing we do is let go of friendshipswith other women," explains Dr. Josselson. "We push them right to theback burner. That's really a mistake because women are such a source ofstrength to each other. We nurture one another. And we need to haveunpressured space in which we can do the special kind of talk that womendo when they're with other women. It's a very healing experience."
Taylor, S. E., Klein, L.C., Lewis,B. P., Gruenewald,T. L., Gurung, R.A.R., & Updegraff, J. A. (2000)."Female Responses to Stress: Tend and Befriend, NotFight or Flight",Psychological Review, 107(3), 41-429.
Pics of the Curry Girls
Sorry, my Pictures didn't attach on my huge e-mail! Here are a couple pics of my kiddos!
Love You Guys!
I do love you all! I count myself blessed to have you as friends. Sus.....anything come of your saliva tests? Any headway on a diagnosis? I have been praying for you:-) Also....Happy Birthday to you Susie!!! I hope the big 30 didn't freak you out too much. I remember leading up to it was a bit daunting, but after my birthday was over, life went on, and I actually am looking forward to this new phase of life, where I am considered more of an "experienced" adult in the world. I think it helps too that I volunteer in our youth group at church because, it keeps me young....I still can pass for twenty-six or seven, so that keeps me from feeling old I guess!
Greg and Amy - so glad to hear you are safe and sound at your final destination! You must be so happy to be able to settle down. Have you seen Dave and Mel yet? How far are they from you again? Has language barrier been much of an issue yet? I will be praying for the three of you as you begin your ministry there.
Congrats to the newest beauty of the Culver family :) How are you doing Shari? Do you have help nearby? I think you are amazing!! I definately look forward to the day where we have a SOUL "family reunion" so we can see all of the beautiful children!
Hi Mel! How is your little Norah? Is she crawling yet? Ella has been crawling for a couple months, and my life has changed again! I forgot how much effort it takes to do damage control when they start crawling! Thank you for beginning this....It was so nice to hear from you!
Things are going well here. I am really enjoying getting all the book recommendations from everyone! I am not a very good judge of finding a good book. And it really helps with my book club, as we look for another book to read! I have one more to throw out there that a girl in my book club keeps recommending......it is called "First They Killed My Father".....I guess it is a retelling of a story from a girls perspective of losing her father (I think in war?), anyway it is supposed to be a very powerful story and a good read. Okay, about the TV show addictions.......sadly I have a few....TV is all about hooking you into a plot nowadays....whatever happened to the good ol' sitcoms!! Mostly Chris and I share our addictions....we watch "LOST", "Greys Anatomy", "House", "Studio 60" and "Amazing Race" together, and then I really enjoy "American Idol", and Chris does not.....it is my very own addiction. "The Office" is also a very funny show. And let me tell you, I could not feed my addiction without a DVR which we got this last Fall....so that we can record our shows and watch them as we have time....it really works out nicely.....and no commercials!
My family is doing very well, now that the "plague" has finally left our house! It seems to me that everyone I know has had the neverending sick bug. But I will attach some pictures of the girls at the end of this entry. The new house is still pretty great, we continue to feel blessed, and God continues to bless us even more. We seem to have never-ending "home projects"....yes even with a brand new home, there is always work to be done!
On a more serious note....I would like to ask for prayer for my sister, Bethany.....many of you know she has had a rocky past with alcohol amongst other things....and she has been sober for over a year, but has recently relapsed....she called this morning to tell me she is out of the dark again, and is changing many things in her life, please pray that she seeks strength from our Lord each and every day, because the enemy seeks to destroy her, and I know that he is fighting for her, it is pretty scary. She is so precious to me, and I can't imagine losing her.
Okay, Lastly....has anyone stayed on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii? Both Chris and my families are going to Kauai for Christmas this year, and we are trying to find a vacation home that will accomodate 13 of us, and I feel like I have looked everywhere, so I am asking for any tips you may have! Alright, I should end this before I start chapter #2. Until next time....
Greg and Amy - so glad to hear you are safe and sound at your final destination! You must be so happy to be able to settle down. Have you seen Dave and Mel yet? How far are they from you again? Has language barrier been much of an issue yet? I will be praying for the three of you as you begin your ministry there.
Congrats to the newest beauty of the Culver family :) How are you doing Shari? Do you have help nearby? I think you are amazing!! I definately look forward to the day where we have a SOUL "family reunion" so we can see all of the beautiful children!
Hi Mel! How is your little Norah? Is she crawling yet? Ella has been crawling for a couple months, and my life has changed again! I forgot how much effort it takes to do damage control when they start crawling! Thank you for beginning this....It was so nice to hear from you!
Things are going well here. I am really enjoying getting all the book recommendations from everyone! I am not a very good judge of finding a good book. And it really helps with my book club, as we look for another book to read! I have one more to throw out there that a girl in my book club keeps recommending......it is called "First They Killed My Father".....I guess it is a retelling of a story from a girls perspective of losing her father (I think in war?), anyway it is supposed to be a very powerful story and a good read. Okay, about the TV show addictions.......sadly I have a few....TV is all about hooking you into a plot nowadays....whatever happened to the good ol' sitcoms!! Mostly Chris and I share our addictions....we watch "LOST", "Greys Anatomy", "House", "Studio 60" and "Amazing Race" together, and then I really enjoy "American Idol", and Chris does not.....it is my very own addiction. "The Office" is also a very funny show. And let me tell you, I could not feed my addiction without a DVR which we got this last Fall....so that we can record our shows and watch them as we have time....it really works out nicely.....and no commercials!
My family is doing very well, now that the "plague" has finally left our house! It seems to me that everyone I know has had the neverending sick bug. But I will attach some pictures of the girls at the end of this entry. The new house is still pretty great, we continue to feel blessed, and God continues to bless us even more. We seem to have never-ending "home projects"....yes even with a brand new home, there is always work to be done!
On a more serious note....I would like to ask for prayer for my sister, Bethany.....many of you know she has had a rocky past with alcohol amongst other things....and she has been sober for over a year, but has recently relapsed....she called this morning to tell me she is out of the dark again, and is changing many things in her life, please pray that she seeks strength from our Lord each and every day, because the enemy seeks to destroy her, and I know that he is fighting for her, it is pretty scary. She is so precious to me, and I can't imagine losing her.
Okay, Lastly....has anyone stayed on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii? Both Chris and my families are going to Kauai for Christmas this year, and we are trying to find a vacation home that will accomodate 13 of us, and I feel like I have looked everywhere, so I am asking for any tips you may have! Alright, I should end this before I start chapter #2. Until next time....
Monday, February 19, 2007
Cosmo
This is a picture of my dear Cosmo in his Christmas outfit that Tom and Rachel gave him. :) You can't see the Santa outfit so well... but you get the idea with the hat. Bless Tom and Rach... they thought he was an xsmall in dog sizes... I think he's closer to a medium. We couldn't get the coat buttoned all the way which is partly why you can't see it.
Miss you all!! Amy and Greg... when do I have to take your cell phone numbers out of my speed dial? Can I leave them in there? It's just too sad to delete you!! Hope the trip went well. Lv - T
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
my kids at play!
Sadie loves trucks and water. George loves eating Thing 1 and pretending he's a flashlight.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Seeking moral support
So . . . I'm turning 30 in 8 days. How did you all survive this lovely rite of passage? Blah. I am getting a new tattoo though to celebrate! (this is the design -- it will be on my shoulder)
Thought I'd share an interesting experience I had today. I had to be sans-caffeine for the day in order to take for saliva samples for an adrenal test (you're all jealous, I know). Ummm, basically, it was pathetic. I took my last sample at 11pm and promply made myself a cup of coffee. And now I'm sitting here wondering how and when I will be sleeping. But, on a happy note, the headache is going away!
I wanted to respond to Rachel's very good question about favorite TV addictions. It is confession time. CSI (Las Vegas more than Miami or New York), Law & Order Criminal Intent, any home design show, Project Runway/America's Next Top Model/Top Chef (any of those reality shows where they compete in non-mental health tasks), and Janice Dickenson's Modeling Agency (which reminds me why I work in mental health -- and am seeking a specialty in eating disorders -- it even makes me appreciate my own curves in contrast to the utter hell of living in that mindset). So, all that to say, it appears my brain is probably turning into jello.
So much congratulations to Shari and Jeff on the new little one!
Thought I'd share an interesting experience I had today. I had to be sans-caffeine for the day in order to take for saliva samples for an adrenal test (you're all jealous, I know). Ummm, basically, it was pathetic. I took my last sample at 11pm and promply made myself a cup of coffee. And now I'm sitting here wondering how and when I will be sleeping. But, on a happy note, the headache is going away!
I wanted to respond to Rachel's very good question about favorite TV addictions. It is confession time. CSI (Las Vegas more than Miami or New York), Law & Order Criminal Intent, any home design show, Project Runway/America's Next Top Model/Top Chef (any of those reality shows where they compete in non-mental health tasks), and Janice Dickenson's Modeling Agency (which reminds me why I work in mental health -- and am seeking a specialty in eating disorders -- it even makes me appreciate my own curves in contrast to the utter hell of living in that mindset). So, all that to say, it appears my brain is probably turning into jello.
So much congratulations to Shari and Jeff on the new little one!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Greg and Amy are off to Croatia!
Since Amy and Greg will be in transit for a few days, I thought I would blog their departure for you all. Rachel, Tom and I saw them off at the airport yesterday. It was incredibly bitter sweet. They have been an amazing part of my life here in Seattle as they would be to any one of you they lived near. Seattle's loss is definitely Croatia's gain! A pic of them as we said goodbye!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Thank you for Writing!
What a joy it has been to hear from all of you! Thank you Melissa for getting us all started, and well done Susie on putting this blog together. And Traci you added a picture. Impressive! You are helping me advance in my technology skills as I have never participated in a blogger and really have no idea how this works!
I wanted to echo a few books that Rachel and Amber mentioned. Blue Like Jazz was a refreshing read regarding Christianity and how it is lived out in today's world. Strongly recommend it. The author is from Portland too! The Kite Runner I loved and read in one day. I couldn't put it down. The latest book I read that kept me up until 4:30am in the morning was a very intellectual and a life changing read (not really, but it was quite fun): Can you keep a secret by Sophie Kinsella. She is the author of the Confessions of a Shopaholic series. It takes place in London which makes me very happy. Currently I am reading Bill Brysons' Notes from a small island which is all about traveling around England. It is a fantastically fun read. And Hollie Smith recommended another travelogue called Tales of a Female Nomad which I am also reading and am feeling quite inspired by.
On another topic: music. Today I put in my Jack Johnson Curious George soundtrack and I thought of all of you. If you don't have this I would strongly suggest buying it. It is adorable, fun, and easy listening. The only annoying song is one about recycling. The song NEVER leaves your mind, but I just skip it and life is fine. (In fact Jack Johnson is my new favorite artist. I bought two of his CD's tonight. I do that with music. I never buy CD's but when I do it is always in excess. What does this say about me? Maybe I need to talk to you about this Suzie.)
Speaking of life, mine is going quite fine. Life has hit a nice rhythm and I am feeling content which is not something I feel often. So, I thank God for that gift. The biggest Reitmeier family news is my sister, Lisa, is engaged! She will be marrying Timmy Blackburn of Kansas City, Missouri. He is a nice country boy who plays the guitar and dresses like a cowboy with a slick city style. He adores Lisa, which makes me very happy. They are getting married in New York City (where they both live) in May. Next weekend Lisa, Timmy and Timmy's parents will be visiting which I am quite excited about.
Other than that, teaching my middle schoolers continues to be an adventure. The school year is already half over which is hard to believe. This weekend I am going to be planting in my garden which I have fun with. I wanted to get it ready for the Blackburns arrival. Do any of you suggest any "must have" plants? My garden has plenty of space to fill.
It has refreshed my soul to hear from all of you. Thank you for taking the time to share your lives with me. I look forward to what you share next!
Much love, Renee'
Oh, I am also taking a French Language course, so I will close instead with:
Je t'aime!
Bisses, Renee'
I wanted to echo a few books that Rachel and Amber mentioned. Blue Like Jazz was a refreshing read regarding Christianity and how it is lived out in today's world. Strongly recommend it. The author is from Portland too! The Kite Runner I loved and read in one day. I couldn't put it down. The latest book I read that kept me up until 4:30am in the morning was a very intellectual and a life changing read (not really, but it was quite fun): Can you keep a secret by Sophie Kinsella. She is the author of the Confessions of a Shopaholic series. It takes place in London which makes me very happy. Currently I am reading Bill Brysons' Notes from a small island which is all about traveling around England. It is a fantastically fun read. And Hollie Smith recommended another travelogue called Tales of a Female Nomad which I am also reading and am feeling quite inspired by.
On another topic: music. Today I put in my Jack Johnson Curious George soundtrack and I thought of all of you. If you don't have this I would strongly suggest buying it. It is adorable, fun, and easy listening. The only annoying song is one about recycling. The song NEVER leaves your mind, but I just skip it and life is fine. (In fact Jack Johnson is my new favorite artist. I bought two of his CD's tonight. I do that with music. I never buy CD's but when I do it is always in excess. What does this say about me? Maybe I need to talk to you about this Suzie.)
Speaking of life, mine is going quite fine. Life has hit a nice rhythm and I am feeling content which is not something I feel often. So, I thank God for that gift. The biggest Reitmeier family news is my sister, Lisa, is engaged! She will be marrying Timmy Blackburn of Kansas City, Missouri. He is a nice country boy who plays the guitar and dresses like a cowboy with a slick city style. He adores Lisa, which makes me very happy. They are getting married in New York City (where they both live) in May. Next weekend Lisa, Timmy and Timmy's parents will be visiting which I am quite excited about.
Other than that, teaching my middle schoolers continues to be an adventure. The school year is already half over which is hard to believe. This weekend I am going to be planting in my garden which I have fun with. I wanted to get it ready for the Blackburns arrival. Do any of you suggest any "must have" plants? My garden has plenty of space to fill.
It has refreshed my soul to hear from all of you. Thank you for taking the time to share your lives with me. I look forward to what you share next!
Much love, Renee'
Oh, I am also taking a French Language course, so I will close instead with:
Je t'aime!
Bisses, Renee'
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Great Idea!!
Hello everyone! This is great! I am so excited to have a way of communicating between everyone! This is fast and not as expensive as long distance phone calls!
Life has been going well for me! Busy with wedding planning of course! I hope you all got the Save the Date announcement in the mail! None of them came back to me so I am assuming I had the correct address!
I am still working at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland. I have been there 8 years in July. My most recent job change has been that I accepted the charge nurse position in the cath lab. I have been in the cath lab 4 of my 8 years, so this is a welcomed change and will fend off boredom.(I hate being bored!)
As for the book I am currently reading, it is "Marley and Me." Very cute and funny. I am enjoying very much. One of those you laugh and cry all at once.
My goodness it is so good to be in touch with all of you! Melissa-it's been forever! I haven't even been able to say Congratulations! I sent you some emails recently and I honestly am not sure those are the current addresses...I am so sorry if they never got to you. :( And Susie it has been forever! It's so good to hear from you! Amy and Greg: Best wishes as you start your travels and adventures, my thoughts and prayers will be with you! Rachel: I'm so glad to hear that you and Tom have found a work and living situation that will work well for you both...it was such a pleasure to spend time with you both while you were here. Traci: I love your picture! It's been too long since the last time I got up to Seattle for a visit!
I guess that is all for me on this posting. I will sign off for now! Can't wait for the next post! How fun!
Love,
Jana
Life has been going well for me! Busy with wedding planning of course! I hope you all got the Save the Date announcement in the mail! None of them came back to me so I am assuming I had the correct address!
I am still working at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland. I have been there 8 years in July. My most recent job change has been that I accepted the charge nurse position in the cath lab. I have been in the cath lab 4 of my 8 years, so this is a welcomed change and will fend off boredom.(I hate being bored!)
As for the book I am currently reading, it is "Marley and Me." Very cute and funny. I am enjoying very much. One of those you laugh and cry all at once.
My goodness it is so good to be in touch with all of you! Melissa-it's been forever! I haven't even been able to say Congratulations! I sent you some emails recently and I honestly am not sure those are the current addresses...I am so sorry if they never got to you. :( And Susie it has been forever! It's so good to hear from you! Amy and Greg: Best wishes as you start your travels and adventures, my thoughts and prayers will be with you! Rachel: I'm so glad to hear that you and Tom have found a work and living situation that will work well for you both...it was such a pleasure to spend time with you both while you were here. Traci: I love your picture! It's been too long since the last time I got up to Seattle for a visit!
I guess that is all for me on this posting. I will sign off for now! Can't wait for the next post! How fun!
Love,
Jana
Way to Go Susie!!
I am so impressed with your techno skills Susie. Way to put your college education to work! I am headed over to the Collard's tonight to play with Emma while Amy and Greg finish packing some stuff up. Evidently Emma learned to crawl just in time to make packing a little more difficult for her mom and dad :) Tough assignment for me... 'hey traci, can you come over tonight and hang out with Emma, watch tv, and eat snacks while Greg and I pack boxes' Fun times! I hope you're all having a great week so far. More posts to come... By the way, the picture is of me in the visitor's dug out last week during 'fan fest' which is an opportunity for fans to check out Safeco Field (home of the Mariners!) meet some players, run around the bases (this was for my nieces... though I have to admit I enjoyed it!), etc - Traci
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
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