A couple of things:

    One more month until Kimmy's dinner! We still have so much to do, but it is coming together.  Tickets will be available at Desert Sky, Rincon Vista, Cottonwood, Desert Willow, Empire and Viro's.  Vito worked it out that check writers can make checks for the dinner payable to Viro's, and then he will cut a check to Carondelet and he set it  up so you can pay with credit card at his restaurant and at Desert Sky!
     We've decided to use the proceeds from Kim's dinner to go towards helping build the chapel at St. Joseph's.  I feel that it is important for families, patients, nurses, doctors, technicians, etc to have a place to go find peace and to pray if they want to.  Many years ago, Kim and I talked about what we would do if we hit the lottery.  I told her I'd like to build a church in our neighborhood that our community could walk to on Sundays.  Like we did when we were young.  She said 'If we hit the lottery for enough, we could build a park and a school next to it.'  I haven't attracted any sponsors yet for the dinner...so if you have a good contact for one...let me know!!

        Next thing.  'Kimmy's Kitchen', a cookbook, is finished!  It will be about 100 pages and production began on Monday.  It will, of course, feature all of the wonderful Italian recipes that Kim made for us (and a lot of you) over the years, along with one for her tortilla soup, which was so good.  And, it will have stories, quotes and photos.  Coming soon!!

         Speaking of Viro's, we got home from there, after a late dinner, around 9:00 P.M.  Sharing some food with the Perrini family and the LaPlant family (and a wonderful cappuccino made by Brianna!!)

          

We had been over at the school until around 7, talking to parents about the upcoming election and Prop 405. We're hoping this one passes. Kim had worked so hard to get Prop 404 passed, before she got sick last fall and it missed by 99 votes. We are left with the consequences of it not passing. Autumn's class now has 30 students.  Cottonwood no longer offers Art.  This was one of Kim's passions.  She was such a talented artist and would get so excited when Mrs. Peck would teach the kids 'perspective' or some other art technique.  These were things that most elementary school children never learn and she felt we were blessed to have such a talented art teacher teaching our children.  Cody's classes have 40 students.  These teachers are so talented, making the least amount in our county and delivering the best test scores and education.  The tax increase would be about $5.00/month and go to help our children.  And I'm not a hysterical parent, it's certainly not the end of the world if it does not pass.  However, I would hope that voters value their children and their education.  And I hope that people prioritize better.  If you have to cut a tax, do away with your cable - look at the amount of tax you pay per month to have 250 channels! Anyway, I don't want to turn this into a political forum, but, you know what I'll be working hard on over the next month and a half until election day! 

Finally, the highlight of our day...We got to meet Nathan Rienstra!!

            

Jenny stopped by today and we were amazed that Nathan is already 10 lbs!!  He's such a sweet baby, making little cooing sounds all the while that Tonio held him!  And Jenny was very nice (and brave) to allow Tonio this honor!   It was great to see her, the kids all miss her - she is going to be a great mom!

Lupe and Monsi joined us to meet Nathan, too!

It's been good meeting our favorite teacher's new blessings - Mary and Emilio Montes' Brinley and now Nathan...can't wait to meet Casey and Jack Rudzena's (Aut's teacher) Jackson!!

And that's what they are, blessings...it goes too quick!  Enjoy every moment of it...before you know it, they will be in high school - just ask Cody!

Thanks for listening, Dave

PS:  I added a new song, #13, to the song list.  It's one of the greatest love songs I've ever heard.  It's by Cake.

"It's been a long time

Since I've seen your smiling face.

It's been a long time

Since I've seen a sunny day."

Yes, Kimmy enjoyed Cake - we always loved the trumpet parts.  Makes me wish I could play one!