Merry Christmas to all

Merry Christmas, even though it does not appear anyone is reading this... :) I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. I know change is hard for many, and it is never more apparent than at Christmas. The wonderful thing is change can be so good, too. There is so much joy to be had in this world - my wish for all of you is that you find yours.
Best of New Year's too! Much love to all - n

Hey hey hey...

Anybody home??

It's kinda quiet around here. Everyone must be busy with Summer's End stuff. I just attended my last weekend intensive for the Summer. It was all about learning how to do home funerals, about green burial and other end of life stuff. A fascinating and very informative weekend indeed. I'm now undecided on whether or not I want to be cremated. Since there are a few green cemeteries out there, I may go that route. I like the idea of a tree being planted on top of my grave...

Any road, I hope everyone is keeping cool and having fun!

Cat Ladies in the Seattle Metropolitan Magazine

Say, if anyone is interested in reading a little more about some of my cohorts, this little blog by the photographer of a recent article on 2 of my friends is a good one. The actual article, which can be accessed through a link in his blog, was kind of mediocre in my opinion, but this blog was pretty neat - and it has the pictures. These are the kind of people who fill my world these days, just sharing in case anyone is interested. http://www.keatleyphoto.com/blog/archives/tag/vicki-farretta

Signed, the Wahl Cat Lady...

Great Pictures Stazia and Ryan!!!

Stazia and Ryan, I loved the pictures - especially the collages! How very fun! Looks like you guys are having good times and building a life together of shared interests - I look forward to seeing more :) (especially that darling dog... ) \

For the rest of you, check out their photo album at http://picasaweb.google.com/srburnett09

(in case you didn't read their comment on my last posting).

In the meantime, here are the latest... I'm looking for ORANGE! Well, these are cute too... n

testing... testing... hello???

Is anyone in the Wahl family out there??? Hellooooo....

Another recipe...

I found this recipe turns out one of the best banana breads! It's very moist, almost like a pound cake. It hasn't lasted long either at work or when I've baked it at home. Enjoy!

* * *

Banana Bread recipe from Kitchen Secrets of the Daughters of Norway, 13th edition (about 1969)

2 cups of flour sifted
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup sour milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup mashed banana
1 Tbls fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup melted butter
3 eggs
2 cups chopped walnuts

Sift the dry ingredients then add banana, milk, eggs, butter, lemon juice, vanilla and chopped walnuts. Put in a good sized pan and bake at 325 for an hour or until done. Line pan with waked paper.
Happy Baking
Mabel Miller

For Matt

Matt, I am so sorry to hear things are going this way for you right now. I wish I knew something to say or do that would help. I am so proud of you for that year of sobriety - that takes more work, more courage, and more self awareness than most people ever achieve in this lifetime. Hang in there, and do keep it at one day at a time. That is all any of us have. Keep up the good work, love, auntie n

Here In Helean

Okay, right now things kind of suck. I've hit a few pitfalls and I'm trying to keep a positive attitude even though things seem to suck. The custody hearing for the girls was moved from January to April 14th and so I still haven't seen the girls. It' been over 15 months now and I am waiting patiently for it to be resolved. Maybe it's a good sign to have the custody hearing on Johns Birthday. About 3 weeks ago I came home from school and my girlfriend had left and taken Gomez with her. All she left me was a note saying she couldn't be in this relationship and that they went to stay with her mom in Idaho. We had just moved so now I'm living on the outskirts of town with no vehicle and no bus system in this town so I walk just about everywhere. School is going great. I ended up with a 3.88 gpa last semester and I am working just as hard this semester. I can't let the crap mess with the good. I also celebrated a year of sobriety on the 2nd of this month and that feels good to. Now if I could just quit smoking I might be able live longer. That's about it, taking life one day at a time. Well I hope all of you are doing well and I will be out sometime this summer with the kids. Peace.

I'm Heeeerrrreeee....

Ha Ha Ted, I figured out how to get on here before you did!! ha ha ha... love you, Mer

Mouse in the House

Thought I would share my bedtime story - as I get ready to tuck in for the night, I hear a little noise - hmm, a gnawing noise. A mouse.Doggone it, how in the world will I sleep with a mouse in bed with me? I grab the plastic dog food measuring cup, turn around, and there he is - crawling up the wall! A fast movement and he is MINE!

Don't you wish you were so talented?

Matt - what is the update from your corner of the world?

John, any progress on the food drive?

Katja - Kittens are starting to be born!!! n

BRING IT ON!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! OK everybody it is time to get it in gear; we are in for big change and time to get things rolling out there. We have our new President and everyone is charged up but nothing is going to happen unless we all care aboout what is going on out there. It is really easy to keep the blinders on and just focus on what we are doing but we need to look around and see who may need some help and figure out what we can do. I am conducting my first quarter food drive and will pick up any donations. Please let me know and if you want to leave them on your porch or meet for a cup of coffee and visit more about what is going on that would be great. Have a fantastic day and remember we all leave an impession on those we come in contact everyday. Love ya! John