MM 4/19/2004

Hi Friends,

This weekend was jam packed with friends and fun.

On Saturday, Christina and I took Mason and our dogs to the Pooch Pageant and Parade here in Auburn. What fun! I entered Riley in the Best Trick, and the Friendliest Face categories. Christina entered her dog Roxy in the Best Body, and Muttiest Mutt contest. Riley suffered from severe stage fright and wouldn't do a single trick. As far as the friendliest face, I think the winner was rightfully chosen, but I have to say, my dog should have been an easy second. We went home empty handed but had fun. Christina on the other hand won the second biggest raffle prize and Roxy took third in the Muttiest Mutt class.

After that, Mason and I came home, had some lunch and a nap, and then headed over to the fairgrounds for a little rodeo action. We were there late and missed the Mutton Busting competition but had fun checking out the vendors and sampling a little kettle corn. Sure wish Dave was with us....just ain't right being at a rodeo without my cowboy!

Sunday, Christina, Mike, and Julie went with us to the Strawberry Festival in Roseville. That was a really fun day and we even stayed most of the day instead of the few hours I thought would be plenty. We ate BBQ, shopped the vendors, had a strawberry covered fudge brownie, and a funnel cake (we all shared the sweets), got free strawberry plants and even did a little wine tasting. We wrapped the day up with a soak in the hot tub and off to bed early.

This week is a big week for Operation New Release. The radio station here in Sacramento (KNCI 105.1) is doing the big DVD/CD/Game drive on Thursday. They will have drop off locations at many Wal Mart stores for people to either bring their donations (in good condition), or purchase and drop in the bin. News 10 will be covering the story and I will be talking to UPN Channel 31, The Sacramento Bee, and the Auburn Journal as well.

Thanks to all of you who have contributed to the Coloring book drive. It has been a big success and Dave is chomping at the bit to receive the boxes that have already been mailed. I have asked him to see if he can take a picture of him with a family he has given a book and crayons to so I can pass it along to the people taking the time to purchase and ship these packages off to him. Not to mention it legitimizes the whole project to see the stuff getting where we said it would go. Someone actually queried as to maybe my e-mail was an Internet prank!

Dave has been awesome. He writes sweet cards and calls me often. We really enjoy our time talking, especially when we laugh. If anyone wants to send something personally in a card, AT&T phone cards are MUCH appreciated. They have to be AT&T though. Enough rambling. Take care and drop Dave and e-mail. He really enjoys hearing from you and getting mail. Take care and have a great week!
Love,
Kathy