Our Two Favorite Ladies in New York

And Here's John

Time is Growing Short!

As January approaches we are trying to see our family as much as possible. All kids realize we will not be returning to the States until April 2010. Even then we will be returning to our retirement place on Oahu and not back to the old homestead in GA.

Here is a of snapshot with one of our daughters and her son. He is growing taller each time we see him.

And today is our youngest daughter's birthday. Took her out to dinner last night in Atlanta. She is 30! Don't even want to think how old that makes me feel. She is going to make one heck of a nurse. Dec 2008 is not that far away.

Our Daily Rides

Here we are at the entry of our local Greeneway bike path. It is 3.3 miles in (and slightly up hill) and 3.3 miles out. Have been doing the entire length now for the last three days after a total of 8 days of riding. By January we may be ready for the Tour de France! Ya Think? AND today is our 39th wedding anniversary. Love that man.

Biking 101

Our assignments in Thailand require the ability to ride a bike. June 1-3 miles daily. John 3-7 miles daily. We now each have a bike and a helmet. Yesterday we tried out our skill in a large parking lot. Today we went to a bike path in a local park. The bike path is good because it has been measured. To each of our suprise we rode 1.7 miles up a slow grade and 1.7 miles back down. Hooray for us! Don't be mistaken - it was work for me but not so much for John. We plan to do this daily for the next 4 1/2 months - until we leave. Please send positive thoughts our way! We need them.

Our Invitation Is On The Way!!!

Pinch us please! Don't know where we may be assigned as yet except just "Asia" but we are making progress. Now off to practice up on bike riding. Start off on flat hard surfaces and work up to off road dirt paths. Got the bikes, got the helmets gotta go and get started NOW!

Here We All Are - The NYC Contingency 9-1-07

ASIA - Hooray!

Received a call from our Africa Placement Officer. We are being assigned to a new Placement officer - the one for ASIA! During the call the officer indicated we should be leaving the U.S. on January 20th, 2008. All we know is a region of the world but not a specific country. We expect to receive additional information in the next few weeks. To borrow an expression from the young ones - Wooooo Hooooo.

Our time in NYC has drawn to an end. We fly back to Augusta, GA on 9/2. :>(
Having this month with Leah has been fun. She is now turning two years old and she qualifies for attending Day Care now. When we return from our assignment she will be pushing 5 - it will be interesting to see the changes. Our other "grands" will also have changed a lot. Life goes on.

The photo is of Leah and her Dad yesterday in the NYU Hospital Childrens' Garden. She loves the sandbox. A sculpture structure above the sandbox is made of mirrors that reflect the sunlight and throw rainbows in and around the sandbox. Fun!