Hello Friends and Family,

Sorry I didn't write last year.  It was the beginning to a bad year I guess.  We been having bad times with Mike since October 2007.  That summer he finished ANOTHER round of radiation... the 2nd in less than two years this time.  The doctors are saying he has had more radiation than anyone they have heard of.  Well, it's taking its toll.  At the moment there isn't any sign of his cancer but there is brain damage from the radiation.  It is sloughing off cells and building up fluid in at least a couple of areas of his brain.  This is causing pressure and a lot of pain.  He started having seizures some time in the summer or fall of 07.  Because of this and the pain he applied for disability and retired from Smith Frozen Foods in November of 2007.   As things progressed he developed problems with his vocabulary and his short term memory.  His whole personality has changed.  It is very difficult for all involved.  In October of 2008 we went to see his doctors in Seattle.  They suggested hyperbaric treatments to see if this would help heal his brain and nerve cells damaged from the radiation.  It was a pretty scary decision because the hyperbaric can also cause seizures to worsen.  But Michael chose to go for it and his whole family is supporting his decision.  After many delays with the insurance and scheduling appointments he started treatments on November 18, 2008.  The treatments are in Spokane at Deaconess Hospital Wound Center.  They are two hours each week day.  We are staying at an Assisted Living establishment right across the street.  It is called Cooper George.  They are giving us a very reasonable rate for a 2 bedroom apartment.  The whole family is helping out either by taking turns staying with Mike in Spokane or feeding animals here at home.  So far Mike seems to be feeling a tiny bit better and is having a tiny bit less pain.  We are probably looking at 40 treatments altogether. 

On a happier note son, Seth, got married this July 12th.  It took place in Hermiston and for once it was NOT blistering hot.  The ceremony was in a small church and the reception was outdoors at Bennett Gardens.  It was very lovely.  His new bride is an eastern Oregon farm girl from Boardman.  Sara Fritz: daughter of Doug and Shane Fritz.  We love her dearly.  They actually met because I asked for a tour of my sorority house three years ago when visiting Seth in Corvallis.  Sara is a Kappa Delta sorority sister!  She even found an old scrapbook there, with Mike's and my picture at the Spring Dance.  Sara is teaching Health and PE at a Junior High in Silverton.  Seth is still working for Simplot selling chemical and fertilizer.  They just this week bought a house in Stayton, Oregon, which is just across the freeway from Salem.  We are tickled to death for them!

Jennifer had a very eventful year.  She is still employed at Reininger Winery as their PR person.  Reiningers are great people as well as great wine makers! They allow Jennifer the freedom of scheduling her work around her theater pursuits.  She has been volunteering as the Drama Coach at the local high school the last two years putting on two very successful plays.  She has been in numerous plays at the Little Theater, Walla Walla Community College, and a new little theater on West Main called the West Main Theatre!  And much to our enjoyment and thrill she starred in the Walla Walla Outdoor Musical this past summer as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes.  She sang and danced into the hearts of the whole community!!  We were so proud of her we were walking on air all summer. 

I am in my 29th year teaching at Ferndale.  I am looking forward to retirement in the next year or so unless this stock market totally wipes out my retirement! ugh!!! I'm still teaching 5th grade.  It's great to be able to recruit enthusiastic pony riders from my class to come ride my Welsh ponies.  This last year I had six riders!  We were excited to have two Welsh shows right here in Walla Walla so we didn't have to travel so far especially with the fuel prices this last summer.  My palomino driving pair were 2007 National High Point Pleasure and Carriage team.  I was really excited about that.  But mostly it's just fun watching all the kids play and learn to ride on my ponies.  I had three foals from my own Welsh stallion this spring. They were all three chestnuts with white socks and flaxen manes and tails just like their daddy.  I also bought a Section C pony for me to ride.  She is a buckskin mare named Pearl.  I can't tell you how much fun I have riding a pony with the kids.  It makes me feel like a kid again too!  We sold one of our horse geldings as Mike just wasn't riding any more at all.  And my Paint horse injured his suspensory ligament in a front leg at the end of June so he is out of commission for awhile.  Thus the need for a pony for me!  *LOL* 

Well this is long enough.  I think I've made up for not writing last year.  Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!

Love,

Lorri and Mike