Football Banquet...Hutton and Mitch

The football banquet was very long...as usual...but I loved every minute of it. The highlight video was incredible and I don't think it was just because Hutton was on it a lot;) After years of going the banquet...some with a player on the team but many without...I always thought the senior parents must love this! I was right. It was a blessing to hear the coaches talk about the boys and the team. I am proud of Hutton both on and off the football field. He is a very deserving Mustang Man!

No Bias, really!!

I got a fun email from an old HS friend this week asking for permission to run a picture of George Bush in the little "FIllmore Gazette" this week. I said sure. So I was hunting for it and found this article instead. Really makes you think!!

Inauguration Headline Comparison
By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
Nothing like unbiased coverage in the news...
Inauguration Headlines 4 Years Ago:

"Republicans spending $42 million on inauguration while troops die in unarmored Humvees"

"Bush extravagance exceeds any reason during tough economic times"

"Fat cats get their $42 million inauguration party, ordinary Americans get the shaft"

"Bush starts his day with a one hour workout, maybe he should spend more time doing "the nation's work."

Inauguration Headlines This Year:

"Historic Obama Inauguration will cost only $120 million"

"Obama Spends $120 million on inauguration; America Needs A Big Party"

"Everyman Obama shows America how to celebrate"

"Citibank executives contribute $8 million to Obama Inauguration"

"President of the United States can dedicates himself to a 2 hour morning workout, should inspire every American"

Yeah, I'm sure we're not living in a media biased country at all!

CRUISE ALMOST OVER

We are enjoying every minute of our last few days of our cruise. The strangest thing is that we just skipped Wednesday and so it is Friday where we are. As I told Melissa, we are 5 hours earlier but a day later. Go figure.

Tonight we had dinner with some friends including the onboard pastor and his wife, and in the course of the conversation realized that the man who died was a man we had dinner with on the 2nd or 3rd night of the cruise. We had such a good visit with him and his wife (Bob and Dolores) and realized we had been on a cruise with them last summer. He used to be in the flower growing business in California. They are from Carlsbad, California (not Coronado). I had seen her several times in the past few days without him and we always spoke. She was at the devotional this morning and a small "cocktail party" we went to tonight. I knew I hadn't seen Bob with her, but didn't ask about him. Right now I am feeling terrible that I didn't know and respond to her. He was such a dear, sweet man. He is still onboard, and they will get off in Auckland and send the body home. We are still in shock. Nothing has been said in a public way, so the only thing we heard was through ship's gossip. Hopefully tomorrow I can find her and give her a hug.

I finally figured out a way to post pictures. I know no one wants to see so many pictures, but it is a way for me to record it while I can remember. Please, do not feel obligated to look at them. (I know you won't. :))

There are so many stories to tell. Tonight we were invited to a party by this couple in the daily devotional group. They are newlyweds. She is probably 30, tiny little Filapino, and he is probably 80 years old, American. They met on the internet. They are in the largest suite on the ship--Deck 11. It is really beautiful. Interesting couple. They are traveling until they find a place to do ministry. Another lady has two suites--one for herself and another for her clothes. Then there is the movie producer who is probably at least 80 years old, but his sweet wife is not allowed to tell how long they have been married or the age of their children so people can't guess how old he is. He says in his business you can't be old. So many stories. I think there is opportunity for ministry, but lots of masks and walls.

We have had a fabulous time. We think we might want to do the world cruise someday. We miss everyone and would LOVE to hear about any games and what is going on.

Tomorrow is one more day at sea and we are going to do whatever fun things we can. We will stay in touch. Love, Grandma, Mom

P.S. I have learned there are two absolute conversation stoppers I can say: 1) "We were missionaries in Brazil." and 2) "We have 23 grandchildren." :)

GRANDMA AND GRANDPA CRUISE THE PACIFIC

We are on board the Regent Seven Seas Voyager—our home away from home—ready to sail across the Pacific Ocean to the South Pacific and New Zealand.

Sailing out of the Los Angeles Harbor we know that this is the last land we will see for several days.

Even the birds were a sight we would not see for days.

We witnessed a beautiful sunset with the last bit of land in the distance as we sailed out of the harbor.

The first sunset we got to witness from our balcony after a full day at sea was simply breathtaking.

CROSSING THE EQUATOR

On our 5th day at sea we had a big “Crossing the Equator” party on deck. Since we had crossed the Equator by sea when we immigrated to Brazil years ago, we were considered “Shellbacks”. Those who had never crossed the Equator by sea were considered “Pollywogs” and had to be initiated.

"King Neptune" (played by Terry Waite, a British man who was held hostage in Lebanon, mostly solitary confinement, for 4 years). King Neptune was in charge of letting the “Pollywogs” pass after initiation.

Our food management officer being tried and punished.

Another “Pollywog” being thrown in the pool. Eventually most just had to kiss a big live fish, and then they were permitted to cross the Equator.

In case you might be wondering, this is the Equator. You would think there would at least be a visitor’s sign to mark such an important location.

We have tried to take advantage of the gym equipment to offset the wonderful and plentiful food. I’m afraid Dad has been more faithful than I have been.

This is our stateroom—very comfortable with a walk in closet and butler service.

Dad has been enjoying his Kindle.

Formal nights are always fun. (Thanks Lee Ann for the skirt. I am using it for all three formal nights—perfect!)

NUKU HIVA

Yea!!! We woke up after almost a week at sea to see land in the distance—the little island of Nuku Hiva. During our 6 full days at sea we had seen 2 birds and a few flying fish besides endless, beautiful blue waters. This land sighting was pretty exciting.

The first sign of civilization was this very fine sailboat. I was sort of hoping for a few natives on an outrigger canoe, but alas, modern civilization has invaded even this little isolated island.

While I snapped “exciting” pictures of the approaching land, Dale was on a Legacy Board Meeting conference call. Isn’t modern technology amazing?

We were “tendered” in to shore where we were greeted by the Polynesian “natives” who presented us with fresh floral leis.

The happy American tourists in French Polynesian Islands.

The locals seem to just “hang out” everywhere we go.

We walked to an area where the “natives” were putting on a party for us. This is the band playing for us. Most of the locals were in attendance since the arrival of a ship in this tiny place is the most excitement they get.

They had all kinds of things going on including this “tatoo parlor.” Dale had to restrain me, but I resisted. (Tatoos are a really big deal around here--"native" art.)

This man is roasting breadfruit for us—one of the main staples of the islands.

This sweet lady is serving roasted breadfruit to us. It really does taste like bread.

One of the friendly locals in attendance.

These happy ladies are mixing coconut milk into the raw fish salad they are preparing for our lunch. (Later we discovered that this was the cause of some rather miserable tummy problems for passengers who ate it including Dad. But it was so sweet of them, and they were so proud of it.)

This lady just sat on a rock making leis while she watched all the goings-on.

This lady was the “queen mama” of the town. She barked instructions to everyone, including the men and led the chants and songs.

One of the highlights of the morning was the moment they dug up the roasting meat out of the ground. It was in a big metal basket wrapped in leaves. It was buried under the sand and had been roasting for hours.

As they pulled it out of the ground to carry it to the eating area, “Queen Mama” led them in a loud and raucous chant of some sort.

They pulled out smaller baskets made of leaves with the tender, delicious roasted meat inside. They dumped the meat into the freshly woven palm frond baskets for serving.

They served the food buffet style. Note the deceptively beautiful raw fish salad in upper photo.

The “natives” were so friendly and served us so graciously. I was touched by their gift of hospitality.

After the meal, we were entertained by native dancing and drums.

All the locals seemed to be as entertained as we were.