Believe it or not, here we are sitting at home watching television on a Saturday night. Will wonders never cease? We are even considering going to church tomorrow!!

I called and talked to both my brothers this past 2 days and both are doing well. I am pleased that Pat has managed to get on board at the VA hospital in Spokane for some of his medical care. And he will be able to receive his medications through the VA at no charge.

Mike and Mary are fine. Mary flew to Texas last week to visit Becky. And she doesn't really like to fly, but Joel said she just announced that she was going to fly to Texas, bought her ticket, and didn't even ask if anybody else wanted to go!! Joel says Becky is much happier teaching at Texas Tech than she is being a student. I'm not sure where she is in the process, but I believe she is working on her thesis for her master's degree.

I spent several hours at the Lakewood Mall today - shopping is a good way to get one's walking time in. I purchased a new saucepan for the MH kitchen as well as some pieces to create a floral decoration for the dashboard of the MH when we are parked. I half-heartedly bought 2 or 3 tops that might work for our trip to San Francisco later this month. I always buy with the attitude that I can (and probably will) return it.

Three years ago today we were just settling in to our hotel room in the south of France when Ken turned on the television and stared in disbelief at what he was seeing. We found all the French and Germans we encountered on that trip to immediately express their sympathy once they learned we were Americans.

Curt and Linea flew to the midwest yesterday as the first leg of her journey to start her college days at Columbia University in Chicago to pursue her singing. Cinda will join them next Thursday and she and Curt will return to a very quiet house on Sunday. We are hoping we will have a week end in October when we can go camping.

I ran across a recipe today that I can't wait to try..........and from the looks of it, I should wait a long time!!

Holy Cow Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix (devils food)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar carmel syrup
1 large bowl Cool Whip
1 block cream cheese
4 Heath candy bars (crushed)

Prepare cake as directed and bake in 9 x 13 pan. When cake is done and still hot, poke holes in it. Pour condensed milk over cake. Then pour carmel syrup. Sprinkle 1/2 of the candy pieces and refrigerate. When chilled, mix Cool Whip and cream cheese together. Spread the mix over the cake. Top with remaining candy pieces and keep cold until ready to serve.

And if you would like something with a little less guilt, we tried this this week and it is pretty good:

Crustless Apple Pie

Vegetable oil spray
Whites of 2 large eggs, or egg substitute equivalent to 1 egg
3/4 cup sugar (I will only use 1/2 next time)
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup flour
1 cup diced, peeled apples (1 to 1 1/2 medium)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8 inch pie pan with vegetable oil spray and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites, sugars, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon zest and nutmeg until smooth and fluffy. Beat in flour until smooth and well blended. Stir in apples. Turn into pie pan and sprinkle with nuts. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Pie will puff up as it cooks, then collapse as it cools. 151 calories for 1/8 pie.

I think I have done enough damage for now. Ciao