Delbe' & Mic

Hi Everyone,

Time has sure flown since the family reunion. People began arriving June 23rd with the CA Solaris the last on July 4th. They had driven to AZ so they could be at Wen's dad's birthday July 4th. Sue had arranged an evening for those here at the Ron Jons Cape Caribe Resort where all her kids/grands stayed. That started the food, visiting and picture-taking. By the time we gathered Friday night for more food, visiting and picture-taking, everyone was here except Brian (Army Reserve duty) and Nick (insurance training in Birmingham). It was fun putting names to faces and getting better acquainted. Saturday's picnic by the beach included eating, visiting, picture-taking and games in the sand and at water's edge. The plan was to secure things and go to Zimmerman's to watch the US play in the World Cup and then back to the picnic. Checking the sky we noticed what may have brought rain so we packed everything up and continued eating, visiting, picture-taking while watching soccer! Brian had returned home and he rode his Harley over in time to join us the rest of Sunday. Some out-of-towners had to leave Sunday but the ones leaving Monday gathered at Steph and Nick's for lunch before heading to Orlando. A fun time was had by all.

We enjoyed Joe, Wen, Piper and Fin a few more days. They love our very accessible beaches and have decided they like coming in summer best. Wen got some great pictures of big and little surfer-girls. Joe stayed with Piper and Fin while a bunch of us went to see the opening of Eclipse. I hadn't seen the first two "Twilight" movies or read the books but it wasn't too confusing. Nick made it back from B'ham July 3rd so was able to enjoy an evening with Joe's. We had a big dinner that night and Spurlocks had a July 4th party so it was a busy couple of weeks. I had put a small table and chair set in the middle of the family room where Piper and Fin could sit and eat, color, etc. Wen slept at Spurlocks because our cat sometimes riles up her asthma and Joe and girls had three beds in two bedrooms here. We never knew who was going to end up in what bed.

I won a big gift bag at Curves and one of the funniest items was a purple alarm clock that said "wake up it's time to go to Curves" instead of the usual alarm. Each time the gal said it she was a bit more perturbed-sounding until she was almost yelling. I passed it onto Shelbe' Jr.

Registrations for VBS were slow coming in but by the time the week came there were over 40 which is good for our little church. Shelbe' and Marc couldn't help this year because they had band camp. Shelbe' is staying with the bassoon and learning trombone and trumpet and Marc is playing alto sax. He picked it up real fast. Those good piano lessons! School started in August for all our grands. Greg and Taylor in college, Matt a senior, Shelbe' a sophomore, Marc seventh, Piper kindergarten and Fin close behind.

AFTAC (Delbe's work) got yet another new commander who seems to know/care more about it's mission. He was an aide to Petraeus. Maybe he'll stick around. Delbe' mentioned a few weeks ago that building a new AFTAC complex is in the works.There was a big write-up in the paper telling all about it. If it gives jobs to people in our area that's good. It'll only cost between $100/200 million. Delbe' doesn't think it's needed.

There was a bomb scare across from church where 911 people saw what they thought were bomb-makings. Police were called and they were found to be fireworks, according to the nutcase who lives there. Choir and all the meetings have started up again. We have a new youth minister after many years without one. A parishioner has started a Tai Chi class in the parish hall and a bunch of us are having a great time.

Kate and a girlfriend flew over for Matt's 18th birthday last month and they made a quick trip over here to spend time with Brian's mom and for me to make Kate french toast. She likes mine best because I use nutmeg instead of cinnamon, an old Solari-family recipe. She called the other day to visit and to let us know that Randy has orders to go to Korea in January and she's going too. Brian rode the Harley over a couple of weeks ago to see his mom. She's okay with someone being with her during the week and the family popping in on the weekend.

We gathered at Zimmerman's for our anniversary dinner in September and again for October birthdays with a big fondue dinner. Taylor made her first trip home from Gainesville since school started. She was all full of news about school and her three roomies. She was very serious about the fact that they've named all their appliances!!

Shel and Kurt are up there now and looking at apartments for next year.

Friends Bill and Helen Alexander made their annual trip to VA for the Alexander family reunion and returned this week so I fixed an Octoberfest dinner for us lastnight. The four of us are going to see the new movie Reds this afternoon and then eat somewhere before heading back across the river. We recently saw AVATAR in 3D, what a great movie.

We've been able to turn the a/c off and have the house open some days but when the humidity rises we close up again. There have been a few brush fires in the county because it's been so dry. We've had no real moisture in ages and we're going into the dry-season. We hope this finds everyone well, happy and getting ready for the upcoming holiday season. Take Care

Much Love,

Delbe' & Mic