We are sorry to tell you all that we will not be able to make it out this time. We have always had a wonderful time all the years that we went out to Findlay, and would so love to be able to be with you all, especially the new folks. I have promised Staci I will write up something for Phred's little memorial service-of-sorts, and I will do that before Sunday, I promise.

We have been in the process of selling our house, and things kept getting delayed by this or that, but we finally had the closing just a few days ago. We have been extremely busy cleaning it out, and still have a few more things to move. As we are in an apartment for now, we have some things in a rented storage place, some in Paul's mom's basement, and our mower and gardening tools are spending their "summer vacation" in my Dad's garage. So there's just no way we could take the time away right now. If it had happened as originally planned, it all would have been done a few weeks ago, but ... anyway, that's why.

We will miss you all, and miss the chance to meet Phred's sister, and give hugs to everyone. And my dog-shaped cookie cutters are all packed away in a box right now, too, and I am sure certain canines would be expecting their dog-safe people tasty cookies.

We will be thinking of you all on Sunday, and will certainly be with you in spirit, I promise! Please, please, take lots and lots of pictures, okay?

And, Diana? There haz to be a chocca-chip cookie in that box, okay?