Beautiful fall in Oregon

The grapes
Asian Redbud

Top of Bald Peak

Eissa has been photographing some of the beautiful fall colors. They are worthy of publishing!

Colin G Looney MARINE 9/19/08 Semper Fi!!

Gayland, Kara, Lucas, Poppy (Gayland's father-in-law) and Ray (Grandpa) with Colin

Ty's daughter Mikayla (Colin's Niece) Showing her support!

Colin and Elissa

Colin and me

Nana turns 70...a rock'in party

Nana threw herself a "rock" party for her 70th birthday on August 29th. Everyone brought her a rock of some kind. I am really not sure what she is going to do with all of them, but knowing Nana, it'll be cool. The party was attended by about 70 people..I didn't count.Mom's younger sister Doris, and her son Kevin came in from California as well as Dad's brother Frank and his daughter Lisa. Lisa brought a few of her kids with her as well. I didn't get nearly enough pictures as I was busy with the food, but I got a few good shots of various attendees..the elderly..the young. Kay Henkel (Ginger's mother in law). Rob, Karen and Brenna were there (baby due in November!)Frank came with me too and helped with the food and the visiting. A great time was had by all.

The Colors Orange

Elissa is loving her post college free time...so much so that

 she decided to add a few pets to her schedule. First came Ziggy. Chosen at the humane society because we felt he could withstand the great and grumpy

 and quite stuck up Blue Cat. He sure can! He is either very brave or very stupid..you pick, but he IS a character and will not give up on the possibility that Blue will someday look upon him with favor...but he's gentle enough for children. It's fun having a playful friendly kitten in the house.

Then Elissa started thinking about riding again..so she started looking for a horse. Along came Chase. 1/2 Hanoverian, 1/2 Arab. Just turned 3 in June. Guess who gets to break him? He's also "orange" that's chestnut in horse color lingo. Also an intrepid curiosity seeking, playful guy. Prima is supremely happy to have a friend. 

Riggs Road 4th of July Celebration

Riggs Rd. has long had a tradition of a parade followed by a picnic on the 4th of July. Its a casual affair on our little mile long street. The neighbors deck out their tractors, riding lawn mowers, wagons, bicycles and golf carts with streamers, balloons and anything else they can think of. My neighbor Laurie and I always give our horses a bath and decorate them with flags, ribbons and whatever else I find at the dollar store. This year Skidboot and Prima got to lead the parade...everyone else had to dodge the badooger piles:) Pictures anyone?

Some Pics of Prima

I've also been riding again. Prima has been a bit lame lately..but she was doing nicely yesterday & Elissa took these pictures of her. If you keep looking..there's a sneak preview of these cute men at the bottom.

Colin Exits High School to San Diego..Boot Camp!

Just four short and speedy weeks after Elissa both graduated from College AND made a return trip to Austria AND started her new life as employee slash at PerloMcCormack Pacific, it was not only time for Colin to graduate from Aloha High School, but also time to send him off to the Marine Corp in San Diego for boot camp.

I on the other hand, went to sunny Florida June 9-12 for a work seminar. Colin graciously gave me permission to go to Florida and miss his actual graduation as long as I agreed not to miss boot camp graduation in September. Colin did have a wonderful party at his dad's house on June 7th and there were so many people there that I was able to catch up with.. it was fun!. I then boarded a plane at 0 dark thirty on June 8th and headed to Daytona Beach. My first trip to the east side of America. It was a great trip although I spent most of it inside listening to lectures and taking notes. In the evenings I did manage a few long walks on the warm and muggy beach and a few dips in the very warm Atlantic ocean. I'd like to go back..to relax!

Meanwhile Colin graduated in a ceremony at the University of Portland with Gayland & Patty, Elissa and Ray & Maxine present. The last one out of the nest. He's a tall brave handsome sweet boy..and I was all together about him leaving until I was in church on Sunday and our elderly friend Millie..with whom Colin had a close friendship..she's a GREAT lady..anyway, she said a long prayer for him & Elissa and I went all blubbery.

Sunday, June 22nd, Elissa and I and Hana (just a "friend") took Colin to his recruiters office with just a t-shirt, his wallet and $20.00. No phone, no computer, no 'nutt'in. We'll see him again in September I guess..if he survives.

Meanwhile I am desperately trying to refi the house and get out from under leftover coffee shop debt. What a trial..what a learning process...what a pain in the butt. I have however, been dating a very cool man, yes, an actual man. We're both so old and jaded that we've been having each other's (well..mostly on my end) most trusted experts "vet" the other..trying to make sure we're not once again kissing a frog. One never knows, but it's kinda cool so far.

Little Lucas Looney, meanwhile, has been battling asthma. This resulted in an overnight hospital stay while I was in Florida and now daily asthma treatments. Poor little pumpkin. His wonderful mommy and daddy, Ty and Kara celebrated their 5th (WOW) anniversary on June 14th, and my parents, Robin and Homer Humelbaugh celebrated their 50th anniversary in May. We all gathered for dinner at Ginger's house. It was uproarious fun!



Colin's address for the summer is:
REC LOONEY, COLIN G
2nd BN G Co. PLT
35051 Midway Ave.
San Diego, CA 92140