And now...

Gail and I went to the first rehearsal of Symphonic Chorus last night. It was great to see everybody again. The group is going to perform the Messiah in Dublin in June, so we will be learning it all year. I won't be able to go to Ireland because of budget hearings, but it is fun to sing anyway.

Gail is doing great. All her numbers look good (except her white blood count is very low...) and she is feeling good. She is planning to go back to work half time next week. That will be a major change for her and the puppies (who are almost two!). Part of our plan is to get them some new bark collars so they won't disturb Marlene and Bert while Gail is out of the house. They have gotten better, but they still bark a lot. Herding dogs do that, I guess.

I am stunned by McCain's choice of Sarah Phelan as VP. If she were a man, it would be a joke. As it is, it is really frightening. And the wildly enthusiastic response at the Republican convention last night is even more frightening. If I were a Republican woman, I would be so offended by that choice. That's the best woman they can find???

Vacation

Life is good. We are sitting on the deack of a restaurant in South Lake Tahoe looking out at the lake and READING BOOKS!

We went on a long hike yesterday and may ride a zipline later today after a little more digestion has happened.

We have played Scrabble and tried Cribbage.

we are beginning to feel relaxed.

To Do List

Well, we have finished off our To Do List:

Rehearse and perform Elijah: Done

Prepare miserable County budget: Done

Get married: Done

4th of July Party: Done

Wedding Reception: Done

Kidney/Pancreas Transplant: Done

Whew!! It has been quite a spring. We are ready for a break.

This time of year always seems so free and open. I always want to take on new projects that I don't have time for during the year. I want to learn more photography skills (again), and Gail and I are working out three times a week.

We are going to Sorenson's for a few days next week, and we plan to read books till our eyeballs fall out!

Summer is here!

Our Wedding Cake

Our Wedding Cake
Originally uploaded by gr8what

We had our annual 4th of July party and incorporated a little more wedding festivities in between Who's on First and hot dogs. We ordered a real wedding cake and served it at the party. I think it was beautiful!

Ulp...

For you folks living the good life in places other than California, I want you to know that I paid $4.88 a gallon for gas this morning. Share my pain...

We Got Married

DSCF0496
Originally uploaded by ja_hughes

It was a great day!

Just a great day all around!

John and Robin escorted us in, and Cheryl and Dana were our witnesses, and Sachi was there with us, and it was lovely.

I'll do a longer post later, but it was a wonderful day!

There are lovely photos all over the place, such as here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bkworms/sets/72157605664912030/

and here:

http://www.santacruzlive.com/blogs/video/2008/06/17/sentinel-slide-show-same-sex-marriages/

Perfect Day

1. Go to the gym to work out, spend 30 minutes on the eliptical machine
2. Get Gail and the pups and go to Kelly's for breakfast.
3. Go to the Farmers Market.
4. Go to the store where I got Gail's diamond ring in November and find out we can order one just like it for me.And maybe still on sale and maybe in time for the wedding.
5. Sit outside a coffeeshop in downtown Santa Cruz drinking ice tea, watching people go by, and reading The Yiddish Policemen's Union, listening to Gail laugh out loud while she reads her book.
6. Be very grateful..

We're getting married!

Gail and I
Originally uploaded by gr8what

So Gail and I are going to be the first couple to get married in Santa Cruz County on June 17th at the romantic hour of 8:00 AM. It will be webcast live by the County Clerk's office, so our friends and family all over the world will be able to watch! We are all atwitter about it around here!

Good Week

Things are going very well. Gail is feeling good and is getting out and about a little. We go back to UCSF next Tuesday, and we think everything will be fine. She is on a new anti-rejection drug, Rapamune, and so she is quite immune-suppressed. But she is doing great!

I am getting a little traction at work, and that is good.

We went to Gay Pride last Sunday, and had a good time there as well. First Congregational Church marched in the parade and had a service at the park, and a good time was held by all.

Then I went to the church for the Children's Choir concert, and they were wonderful and charming.

It's been a good week.