A new Year !!! Good News Year!

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Larry Smith! Last year at this time Larry was the greatest Santa and along with Mrs. Claus (Sue) they delighted Gracie to the max.

As we make plans for the New Year let us keep in mind all the fantastic good things that happen in a year and forget those unhappy and sad things that seem to be the highlight of ever news cast and every conversation. Last night I was telling Mary that we need a "nothing but good news" station. She asked me where we would get the content...which is a good question, although just looking around our own family and the great times that I have with them and my friends, I think we can make a go of it. So, from now on this Blog will be dedicated to the idea that there is nothing but good news. Here are a couple of Good News Web Sites:
http://good-news.alltop.com/
(You should try this one if you are interested in setting up a New Years Resolution)
http://www.only-positive-news.com/archives/376

I sincerely wish each and everyone of my friends and relatives and all those who sneak into our world through this Blog page, the greatest, happiest, and Good News New Year!

Dinner Club Rumors/Christmas Gift

There seems to be a rumor that the next dinner club date of December 23rd maybe moved. It is the night before the night before Christmas and the host and hostess are entertaining the two nights before, I can understand the hesitancy. So what if it were just a gathering, bring your own meal, or maybe just pizza?


One of the outcomes of getting together prior to Christmas is to decide on the charity we are going to support in lieu of gifts to and from each other. I have added a link to this page on a group in Olympia that is doing lots for the homeless. It is called City Gates Ministries. Maybe in addition to the monetary gift we could volunteer some hours to help distribute food, or lend a hand at what they call "street lights", time spent on the streets talking to the homeless...

A busy ThanksGiving

The Haley Family had lots to be thankful for this past week. Dr K made it from Chicago to Denver to Olympia and back to Chicago safely. She spent Friday the 21st to Monday the 24th in Denver and the rest of the time in Olympia, leaving for Chicago today. Gretchen, Carie, Joey and Gracie made a trip to Sacramento for the Thanksgiving meal with Carie's parents and will return on Monday. John, Sarah and Abby went to Forks on Wednesday and stayed for the family dinner returning Thursday night before midnight. Tim, Mary, Kristina and Mary's mom drove to Port Angeles and then on to Forks on Wednesday, returning on Thursday night to Olympia. Lots of travel. While in Forks we participated in a thanksgiving mass at St. Anne's, where Tim and May were married 35 years ago. The first to be married in the church.

Frank S, Larry S, Denny B, Tim H, Jon P and Chris R, all played golf on Sunday and Tumwater. The day was warm and the rain stayed away. Frank left at 9, so the second nine was played as a five sum. The "wolf" match was fiercely fought, but Tim came out the big winner, despite trying to get rid of the winnings at the last whole by "blind wolfing".

GO COUGS

Saturday Apple Cup

Well it is here the Apple Cup Saturday. Recently I have predicted that the game will either end at 0-0 or 500-500. This has been the worst year for both teams, and as a Cougar (hiding in shame, but still supporting the cheerleaders) I must say, there has been times when the TV or the radio has turned itself off in the first quarter, with out my help. What gives..we are even on our fifth quarterback? I'm not sure but I think the #1-#4 dropped out just from the shame of it and not because they were injured. Has anyone seen x-rays, or doctors reports?

I'm headed to the Pierce's to watch...not sure but I bet the game will be one of the best for both teams this year. It could be even a good game to watch. I will be Cougar fan no matter what...and I wont be embarrassed when they make big mistakes or stupid errors. It is just a game.

Go Cougs!

Message for the Day

My Brother Tom sent this, I think it really fits most days! the Caption at the bottom is "Fuck It, I'm going home!"

Now that the election is over

Now that the election is over we need new topics of discussion. The economy maybe an area to go, however, this is a national/world problem and not something that we can really do something about, or is it? This BLOG has 15 ways that we can help fix the economy... http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/697393

I think number 6 is pretty funny, but if it works for him, we all should try it!

Number 15 is interesting and if you follow the link it is really weird.

I really believe that our best bet to help out is first, don't stop purchasing, look for USA made products, and keep to what is needed. Second, if we have some extra money, helps those who are less fortunate. Third, keep in touch with our friends and make sure our "circle" is safe. And finally talk to your elected officials, this is not the time to cut services, stop projects or stop planning for the future. It maybe the time to look at efficiencies of running our government, but cutting services and projects only echos into the private sector. It is time to do what we do best in the United States, be united.

Face Book

Cehck out the link to facebook.com and join in. You can add discussions and photos and lots of things. You can even find freinds.

I know it is kind a "Obama" thing, but only becasue McCain can't turn on his computer. Besides after next Tuesday, no matter who wins, facebook will still be around.

I want to include recipets from the dinner clubs on the web site. Like Marv's Moose Stew, although most do not have access to the Moose. But how about that Salmon Spread. So Marv send it to me and I will get it posted.

Nice work Trigger!

So, I had to change my name because when I set up a blog for my dad's family everything went out to them from "Trixie" and quite a few people just deleted the info. because they didn't know who the #!?# Trixie was! So ... that is why now, on this nice blog that you've made... I can only be plain old Sue!

ANYWAY ... thanks for keeping us all informed and up to date! We'll see ya soon! Our news is that last night Larry found a recipe in a magazine and he decided to make it 'all by himself''. Then, we talked to Marv and Shelley and they were brave and said they'd try it! SO... we all tried it . . . .AND . . . . it was great! Larry's officially a chef! Okay... later, plain old Sue.

Blogger Up and Running

Make your mark, give us your best shot. Anything you want.

This week I went from Seattle WA to Fresno CA to Salt Lake City to Atlanta GA to Washington DC. Today I rest. Missed most of you last night, got to See Nevada for a beer, and little Abby in her Lamb outfit. Lots of spooks out last night.

I hope the Huskies like USC, the Cougs did!

Next week it will be all over, the election that is. No matter what the economy won't get fixed for sometime. I remember the last time we had a large turn down. It took at least a year maybe two before we were back. Our large company has RFIed nearly 1/3 or its sales force and G&A. A big cut and the word is that 2009 will be a very tight year for making head way. Hopefully this means I stay home more often :)

Super Bowl and Super Tuesday

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the majority of dinner club could be considered more Republican than Democrat...at least discussions would lead me to believe this. Although some still remain in the closet...I think in the Super bowl pick this year there may be a split in the Dinner Club ranks as well, those who would obviously pick New England, just because they don't want to be picking a looser, and those who would pick New York just because they like to pick the underdog. As sure as I'm related to the Smith's, it sure seems that choosing a President this year maybe the same as choosing a Super Bowl winner, nothing really to it, it is either the obvious winner, or the underdog.
Trigger

Super Bowl Bet

OK, who is going to win the super bowl? New England?