An Ageless Friendship

My friend Helen and I have been friends for over 25 yrs. She was 45 yrs old when I was born, but we are the best of friends. The two of us can talk about anything and she teaches me daily about living life to the fullest. She retired from teaching 1st grade for Santa Paula Elementary 33 yrs ago and Steve was hired to take her classroom. She will tell you, He took her classroom but didn't take her place. She is a spitfire and her life history is truely amazing. She was born at home in Ada Oklahoma on the family farm. Her father was a farmer and her mother took care of the home and family. She was one of 3 girls to go to Teacher School and got her first teaching job in a one room school house. She and her husband Orville made their way to California in the 1930's. He was an accountant and they had a sweet love affiar that lasted over 65 yrs. Steve and I were with her the night before he died. She has one child, Tom and He and I share in taking care of her. We go to appointments, eat lunch out and bargain shop. I count her as one of my dearest friends...

How does your garden grow?

We revamped our garden in January and Steve built new raised raised, put wire in the bottom of each one. Then we filled them with dirt,horse manure and composting. Time to plant in April. We have tomatoes,cantaloupe,watermelon,lettuce, and Pole beans. The weather has been perfect for the young plants and it seems like they just grow right before your eyes.
We added dirt and mushroom compost to the area where we will plant our Rose Garden. We have designed a plan and the next step will be to transplant the roses we have in the back and add the new roses we have purchased. We are very excited to get started. We both love to garden and it truly is a joint effort. We plan on planting corn,pumpkins and a Sunflower forest before the end of June...

Visiting with Nick using Skype

Nick is 4000 miles away in Moorea, but we are able to visit on the computer. It is really amazing..... There is a 3 hour time difference so we usually talk to him when He is in the lab and before dinner. The weather is beautiful right now and his project is going well. He brought another piece of equipment that helps him record over 300 measurements per day. He then goes back to the lab to record the data . All of the guys on the team are having a facial hair contest. I think Nick looks like "Wolverine", They're having fun with it. Nick is learning more french and we constantly remind hm of how blessed he is to have this opportunity.

Ashley is right at home with Apple

Ashley joined the Apple team in Santa Barbara and couldn't be happier. When she talks about her job, the enthusiasm swells up in her voice and we love hearing every detail. She has met some new friends and the "Apple" company is a perfect fit for her. She will work everyday next week. We are so thrilled for her can't wait for the new store to open.

Our Marine Biologist is in Moorea

Nick has been in Moorea a week and we have had a chance to Skype and see him via video chat. He has shown us the area where the Lab is and WOW, is it beautiful. He told us that only the professor's are allowed inside the library where the wifi is but, He sits outside and He is able to get on the internet via wireless. The flight is about 9 hours and he had extra luggage to take for the crew. He is using a new piece of equipment that alows him to study the effects of light on coral. He is passionate about his work and is committed to bringing awareness of the effects of climate change. He will be in Moorea for 6 weeks, return home for 1 week and help us celebrate Nana's 75th birthday then off to Taiwan for 9 weeks. He says that the fieldwork is one of his favorite parts of his research, when He returns to the states ,He'll be in the lab processing the data. We're so proud of him and love hearing about his adventures.

Ashley joins "Apple"

Ashley has been offered a job with Apple .Yeah! She will be a "Specialist" for them and we are all so excited for her. She has long been a fan of Apple and all of their products and so its fitting that She work for them. She will work in Santa Barbara and her training begins in a couple of weeks. She has a cute apartment near Cottage Hospital and a darling roommate ,Helen. They share their home with 3 cats and Casey,Ash's Dalmation. She continues to amaze us with her artistic talents and technology expertise. If something can be created on an Apple, She wants to experience it.
She has had time this past month to work along side "Nana". They have cleaned,packed and moved Papa and Nana from The Ranch to Say Road. Both She and Nana have said they're so thankful for this precious time together. Their project should be finished right around the time her new job starts, Is'nt God's timing perfect?
She and Helen visit the Farm as often as possible and we get the best photos from them, love having photographers in the family....
So, we "Celebrate Ashley" on beginning a new adventure with Apple!