New Experiences:

Hello everyone:

This summer has been one of new experiences: 

Auntie’s New Experiences:

• ·         Attending a Women for Kansas’ Meeting (check it out at http://womenforkansas.org/)
• ·         Attending a National Alliance on Mental Illness meeting-This is usually for those with mental illness but it appears ours in Reno County is for parents of those with mental illness.  Kate and I both attended and she is now the program with Gus for August.
• ·         “Campaign Manager” for Chris for Hutch.
• ·         Parade director for Chris for Hutch.  We have been in the 4^th of July parade and the Emancipation Parade.  Two very different events but both quite fun.
• ·         Made over 1000 pinwheels (helped by Grandma) for campaign events
• ·         Vacuuming the rug and swoop suddenly Ellie Mae’s tail is in the vacuum.  Not good.  We were able to get it out without a trip to the vet. 
• ·         Seeing Joseph at Music Theater Wichita.  Love that show.
• ·         Using the new self-check out and check in at the public library.
• ·         Learning a new ticketing system at work

Tim’s New Experiences:

• ·         Developing “Liza Elbow”.  (he thought it could be from carrying Liza but also probably from work)
• ·         Campaign Treasurer for Chris for Hutch.  They discovered that having a bit of rum and coke really made the reporting not so bad.  (we just hope it didn’t hinder the accuracy)
• ·         Leading a Bible Study on Satan
• ·         Driving the truck for two parades.  No accidents, either.
• ·         Helping his mom “shop” for nursing homes.
• ·         Dog class with Liza.

Upcoming new experiences:

Auntie:

• ·         A new boss at work.  It is a lady this time.  Should be interesting.
• ·         Perhaps attending a political rally for Women for Kansas.  Anyone want to join me on August 29?
• ·         Be dazzled bra contest at the fair.

Tim’s List

• ·         New Bible Study on Jesus I am Words
• ·         A new crown on his tooth.
• ·         Perhaps an agility class with Liza.

Until next time, I leave you with a picture of the Emancipation parade as viewed by Gus. Notice the canidate in the background.

July Fun!

Adelynn ready to hit the ball in her T-ball game.

Our summer is going way too fast! Here are some of our July activities. 

Aunt Mary was home for the July 4th activities!

Enjoying the parade.

4th of July breakfast.

Pam, Randy and Charles played in the municipal band.

Garden goodies.  We have tomatoes and two melons on!!

Enjoying ice cream after Adelynn's VBS program.

Grandma and Grandpa went to see Sarah and Dan's new house and enjoyed playtime too.

Charles enjoying his Wizard of Oz train for his birthday.

Adelynn with Humpty Dumpty after story time at Bluebird books.

Park fun.

Bubbles are fun!!

Family photo May 29,2014

Hello Everyone,
I hope you all had a good 4th of July! It was wonderful to see those of you who were at Grandma and Grandpa's and I missed those of you who weren't there.

I've been busy the last month training Gus. He now goes with me about everywhere. We are working hard on his public access skills. He has mastered many situation. Last week he went to his first sit-down restaurant and we hope to repeat that experience this week as we celebrate (a very, very late) father's day dinner.

Gus is 7 months old and is unusual in the fact that he can be doing so much so soon. I was told before I got him that English Cream golden retrievers (which is what he is) mature faster. This seems to be the truth. Gus is a very mellow, mature dog. Of course he still has puppy days and in the evenings can be a holy terror but by and large he is an amazing dog especially for his age.

Benny's seizures are well controlled on his current dose of medication. We had to up it a few weeks ago as he was having a seizure about once a week. He always has them at night. It's so scary. The afterwards is almost scarier sometimes. He is doing well on the new dose but unfortunately the meds seem to affect his behavior. He is sometimes anxious, barkey and unpleasant to be around. You don't see it if you don't live with him but it can be hard sometimes. We all just love him through it.

I am going to a mystery book club down at Bluebird Books and this week decided to try their Brown Bag book club. I'm looking forward to that. I'm trying to meet some new people and also expand my reading horizons.

I take my final for the entire Animal Behavior College courses on the 18th and then I am done and will have graduated!! I'm excited to have achieved something. It's been a long time since i can say that I did something tangible. Related to that is that I am starting my own petsitting business. I hope to have business cards and a website up soon.

I am also planning to go back to school. I think I have settled on online school after much back and forth between going to WSU, Friends, Sterling or doing it all online. I have chosen online so I can start my business and devote time to it. The commute to Wichita or Sterling would remove too many hours in a day. I'm not sure what my degree will be in yet. Right now I'm just aiming to get my bachelors. Not so much concerned with what it is in. I just want to enjoy what I take. I believe I will be going through Fort Hays.

Well that's all for me. I'm having trouble uploading pictures so this one is all I've got. I'll add more when I'm on another computer. I'm having computer trouble and we all know how stressful that can be.
Love,
Kate, Gus and Benny

Shook Update

We are amazed at how fast the summer is going by.  Samuel continues to play in his band.  They are about to produce a cassette that will give you a link to go on line and listen to the band.

The first part of June we went on the garden and architecture tour in College Hill.  Auntie, Aunt Pam, Grandma and Grandpa came over.  Grandpa rode his scooter and only killed it twice on our bumpy sidewalks:)
This is a picture of one of the vegetable gardens.

Tim had a good father's day.  Complete with a rejuvenation of the old antique cultivator.

While Hannah was home visiting, we took up the carpet on the stairs.  Now the room really has a "ring" to it. We plan to contact a hardwood floor person for ideas on how to best refinish it.  And look for a couple of area rugs to give Tim's ears a break while teaching his piano lessons:)

Tim has finished interviewing people for the open string position at Southwestern.  They hope to have someone hired soon.

We are currently visiting Hannah and went to Sea World today.  A very fun place but plan to be wet.  We all got drenched at least once!

Look for the three dolphins in the air!

Shamu

Seal Show 

After the Shamu Show - drenched!

Here's one of my favorite views of summer!

Best wishes to all as we head to the 4th of July.

Love Vicki, Tim and Samuel