Pretty stuff

Rotenburg, Germany

Alex and Bob went out at night shopping for views, and were not disappointed








The kids at Brandenburg Gate Berlin




Salzburg, Austria
Where Bob served 7 months of his 2-year mission in 1974

Don't even think about a Swiss bank account

Well, all the boys had big Jason Bourne dreams. So after visiting 5 banks - they won't take American money that was the result of labor -- hard or otherwise... Until it is 6 figures... Kids now saving up. Drew patiently waiting in Zurich

Get Outta Town

By popular demand, Bob got sent outta town to visit. He ventured off and spent several wonderful days visiting with his mom and dad in central Utah. The weather was in the 60-70's with snow still on the mountains. He resurrected the "look" that won my heart -- leather gloves and earmuffs. (Bob just read this and said that the last lines make him sound like he took the short bus to his job as a bagger at the local market. - I am to clarify that he only bundled up for his late night and early morning jaunts -- weather 40 degrees.)
His mom is all settled in her new place and loves the perfect view of the mountains out her window. She and Bob have the same sense of humor so they enjoyed a good laugh together.
Bob really enjoyed taking his dad out on a few adventures. He and his brother took dad out
hiking on the bike trail. They were joined by dozens of other mobile trekkers who were zipping along on bikes, skateboards, and roller blades.

Time Flies

It has been a while since I last updated. Bob continues to mend and it makes me smile to see him adding regular "Bob-tasks" to each day. I like to think that he is still a bit radical with his goatee but truth be known - he calls this picture George Q. Cannon.

GQC was a early apostle in our church - evidently quite dashing, if the resemblance is obvious.





However -- the truth is that he is has slipped/transitioned/returned to his clean
cut self. He is back helping with church business and doing some mentoring. He did a fine job supporting his wife at the DRAMA Night at her school. He was a wonderful greeter and photographer for the actors and their families.

Bob and Bluebonnets Blossom

It has been a good week for all involved. Slowly but surely progress is being made and this weeks highlights include - arranging and taking the car in for a scheduled (but now late)
tune-up, driving oneself to the market, and suggesting projects for wife to finish, start, or just get rid of from around the house. Special shout out to good buddy Scott for the major
Home Depot run and subsequent unload of yard bark. The patient is not yet up to manual labor but the heavens provide amazingly. The other evening while Bob was napping -- 2 fellows (about 13 - 14) from the neighborhood knocked on the door and asked me if I had any work they could do as they are trying to earn some cash. They are coming back Monday at 4:30 to be Bob's hands and lay all of the 20+ bags of mulch. Win-win for both parties.

In other elements of world news -- this teacher still has a job for 2011-12. YYYAAAAAAYYYY- for the Higbee household. Things are very tight and Tuesday was a day of sadness as several people were "RIF' -ed. More elements of change are coming for local schools but decisions are waiting for the state legislature. Super highlight was a girlie treat provided by Trish and Jan for a spa morning and lunch. It was heaven and this reporter is still glowing inside and out.

More soon from the "Luckiest People Alive"

Bobby Visits the Doctor

OK -- wasn't that the name of a Little Golden Book? There are several of you who say "Huh?" but they were great literature for forming young minds.

First visit this week with the kidney cancer specialist. He is the director in this process, where the surgeon himself was the actor. The surgeon did his part just fine, so we are checking in on the overall progress with the kidney oncologist. Dr. is pleased with how things turned out. As far as Bob is concerned, they are still turning out.

After reviewing what a fine job he is doing, (the doctor), Bob asked how this will show up in writing on the reports, Doc said, "Oh, the prognosis is the same--terminal cancer. Whether you are terminal in 2 months or 10 years, that hasn't changed. You have Stage IV cancer. Once you are Stage IV, that status doesn't change. How active the cancer is, that may vary."

Because Bob's not on any anti-cancer meds right now, they will monitor him with CT scans at 2-month intervals rather than 3 or 6 months for a while. Interesting sidelight, they had to use a different injectable substance with his CT scan last week, as he has only one kidney left to process the iodine out of his system. The Dr. said to be very careful and not get dehydrated, as the risk increases with just one kidney. So I let him have water whenever he wants....

A Man of Leisure

Well here Bob is -- in his supervisory pose in our backyard. Today is a gloriously beautiful day with 75 degrees and a slight breeze. I have been able to clean and clip things out and planted several batches of flowers which are not visible in this shot. There were some other pictures but Bob was all upset because he has gray hair and a beard. Actually he said, "I look terrible with all this c--p on my face." I disagree and think he has a Sean Connery vibe -- not the 007 one but the
one where he was in that really cool movie with Catherine Zeta Jones.

He and Jet are now going on little neighborhood jaunts together down to visit the turtle and to survey the area for squirrels. Jet does most of the work and Bob adds commentary...