Good Morning all.

Just a little update for you.
It's been a busy week or so for me trying to get ready for our big trip. Many loose ends to tie up before we go.

Got word yesterday from Clear Channel Radio folks that they will no longer be needing my services as morning business reporter for the Radio station. (I've been doing biz radio for the past couple of years helping to augment my earnings a little. Seems they're switching formats this weekend to some kind of oldies music thing (which no one will listen to) and dumping newsradio altogether. That's booting Jeff Lemuchi and a half dozen other radio types this weekend. Typical. So, things could get a little tighter financially for the next few weeks til I can find some other resources. Bummer.)

But on the positive side, I won't have to do daily radio reports now while we're on vacation, unlike the past couple of years when they actually called me at 4am each day when we were on our Anniversary vacation in San Francisco. What do you know a real vacation.

Last Sunday was my Dad's 80th Birthday. I spoke with him by phone. He had a big party a couple of weeks before that, but spent the day with my sister Cokie. I'm hoping to spend some time with Grandpa Young and Grandma McCune video taping their remembrances about our family growing up and about their lives. I'm going to make a little documentary on DVD for them after the first of the year. Just too hectic to get it done before then. I think it will be a good family history kinda thing that my sisters need to have too... and perhaps you guys can all learn a little more about your heritage.

Last Sunday was our Stake Music Christmas thing. Our ward had mostly a double quartet sing. Kevin Lemke is the choir director again. We sang a primary song "I'm trying to be Like Jesus," since we only had about 2-weeks to get it together. It was actually pretty nice. A good spirit about it because it was so simple. Sister Owens (Gabby and Pinky's Mom) was there as director of the Spanish Branch ward Choir. She said they may be moving to Utah in March. And her other daughter Scarlett was there too. Guess she went through a divorce and is here from Guatamala getting her life back together. She was a little older than Pinky as I recall. Also saw Amie Nolan. She was choir director for her ward choir. She said to say hi James.

I've got to speak in Church this Sunday. They released Greg Wright and Ben Keller as counselors to bishop Lamb last week. They called Tom Hampton and Dennis Lemke as new counselors. They want me to talk about family traditions. Not sure that I'll mention the screaming and yelling stuff as part of our traditions, but I'll try to focus on things that may be a little more positive. Maybe you could give me a clue as to what you best remember as a family tradition if anything at all comes to mind.

Took Mom shopping the other day and got her a sweater and some PANTS. Whew! Good she's not running around half-nekkid anymore.

Many thanks to Mikey for updating the blog-site with Christmas decorations. The house seems kinda empty this year (no tree, no lights, etc.) hopefully we can do some of that up there.

Well gotta go. Gotta mail a copy of my "Dead Gold" screenplay to a producer at New Line Cinema who replied to one of my recent inquiry letters this week. That's a nice gesture from them to at least say they'll read it. But doubt if anything will come from it.

Sure love you guys. I can't wait to get up there and see you all again.
Love
Dad.