This has been quite a year. We are very saddened by the tragic loss of my cousiin Nici's wonderful Alex, and for the loss of my sister's dear Wish, who was so loved and is so missed by Diana and their beautiful children. In light of these events and all the other difficulties our family has faced, it is pretty hard to place much importance on our little world, but I will fill you in on our lives with our sincere love and condolences, and best wishes for strength and health. It looks like I'll be starting a new position in August as a school secretary. I had expressed my need for a change to a co-worker, and she mentioned it to her friend, a principal who it turns out was anxious to have me as she was letting her current secretary go. If all the paperwork goes through (union, school board, etc.), I will be working where Kelsi goes to school. This is a much smaller school than the one she attends now, and has the best academic record in the district. I hope I can bring a welcoming atmosphere that is much needed. There is a grange hall next to the school that holds dances and other events for kids, and I look forward to being more involved that way too. My hours will be 7-3, giving me more time after work for shopping, etc., and will also allow me to take a class or two at Yuba college in the fall. I'm really excited about being more actively involved with kids on a daily basis, yet still doing the kind of secretarial work I've been used to. Kelsi "graduated" from kindergarten. They really do it up around here - cap and all! She was awarded for academic achievement (and hugging), and her ambition is to be a rock star (last year she said she wanted to be a "star"&ldots; she's got it narrowed down some!) We are glad she is enthusiastic about schoolwork, and hope she reaches that star. Lately we've been taking full advantage of the pool we put up last August. Kelsi has learned to swim quite quickly, and even does somersaults under water now, forward and backwards! She loves our new dog "radar" - our 3 yr. old adopted Rhodesian ridgeback/Pit. He has taken the place of our beloved Kia who died last winter. He has a beautiful howl, is very loving and obedient, and keeps pesky neighbors away. There are a number of pre-teens in our neighborhood who had been driving little motorcycles and scooters back and forth down the road, making gardening a veritable hell, but we recently got it stopped - a victory for us more mature residents on the street, and for Kelsi who deserves to ride her bike without being mowed down by a 12 year old - grrrr. We do have some lovely neighbor kids too, like 11 yr. old Sammy who's like another big sister, and are grateful for that. Bob for the past few months has been remodeling a fire damaged 100 year old home just a few miles north of us overlooking the lake. When that is done, he will probably return to the new home project he had been working on for the same owner in Leggett, and camping away from home. He spends his spare time mowing grass (which we are slowly covering with cool rocks) and playing with RC boats and looking for shiny things in the creek. Hopefully we'll take the Klamath out on the lake this summer. All it needs is a key to start it up! He hasn't fished in about 2 years now, but plans to go surf fishing on the coast with his brother soon. Big kids are great! Tess turned 21 (yay!!), so now we can all get sloshed together whenever we want! Pete provides the best wine from the wine-tasting room where his girlfriend Lydia's dad works, but if it's fancy drinks we're after, Tessie's boyfriend Kris - now a bartender at a Marin Country Club - can help us make 'em! Pete still works at Glen Ellen Market and Tess is still giving massage and other expert treatments at Raindance Spa in Sonoma. Lydia is now working as a medical transcriptionist, and Pete will be following his father into the water treatment field. After that he will be a Sonoma State transfer student, depending on how demanding his potential new job will be. We are so proud of these fabulous kids, and always will be! Here's what I wish for the rest of 2006 and beyond - Health and Happiness for everyone, sister Diana will live nearby, everyone will be successful, big kids will move closer, I'll get to see cousin Joannie again (love you!), Bob will fish more, and I will get that new job, and finish more of my many projects!   LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO EVERYONE !!!    DANI

Peter

Tessie

Kelsi

Bob

Dani