Bizzilla, lady of the pumpkin patch.

Welcome back. I wouldn't recommend checking your brokerage account. It's probably in the toilet and you are thinking: it can't get much worse. OMG!!!! PUmpKiNS!!! We think Isobel looks like Ava here.


Behold, the next photo's uncanny resemblance to...
Horror.


This is Isobel striking a casual, "I don't care 'bout your rules because I'm a hipster"-type pose that belongs in one of those teen magazines that has boys dressed like punks and girls like librarians. Feel the angst.


From this angle she is as tall as the second story window. I call her Bizzilla!

Isobel's First Birthday (fo all you haters who said it wouldn't happen)

It's another lush summer day in central Pennsylvania; at least it still feels like summer. The weather lately has been akin to an enormous dog incessantly panting on everyone from above.
Here are two nature girlz who have decided to be friends in spite of the recent downturn in the economy. (Props to Bobby for taking the first two photos.)

Bizzley salute!

The gang is all here, except for Isobel who is hiding.

Duck. Duck. Moose.

Christina created this photo garland to commemorate Isobel's first year in pictures. She is a talented woman and she is proud of her skills.

To get in the "Suzie Homemaker" mood, she got all gussied up.

Once her hair was just right, Christina made a Pumpkin Apple Harvest Cake. Isobel enjoyed her first cake, as you can see. I think she looks like she just heard a really corny joke.

"mY firST tAsTe of suGaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaR!"

Caroline was more excited for the presents than Isobel.

As for us, we are probably moving to Colorado and entering a new stage of desperation. Antidepressants are appreciated, but Benjamins are appreciated even more.

Isobel Walks! (kind of)

Barbara Joan Gregor 1927-2008

My grandmother, Barbara Joan Gregor, passed away on September 26th. Here is her obituary:

"Barbara Joan Gregor, 81, of Carlisle died Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, in Carlisle Regional Medical Center. She was born March 14, 1927, in Detroit, Mich., and was a daughter of the late Geoffrey and Dorothy May (Broadbent) Whittaker.

Barbara graduated from Redford High School in Detroit and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Michigan State University, where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. She was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Carlisle, where she was the first woman elected to serve on the Vestry, a Sunday School Teacher, past president of E.C.W. and chairman of the church photo directory for many years. Barbara was a former member of the Carlisle Garden Club, a past president of the Carlisle Civic Club, and was very active in the production of the former Carlisle Hospital Follies. She was an avid bridge player, a poet and a creator of word games.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, John R. Gregor; one son, John G. (and his wife, Wendy) Gregor of Vineland, N.J.; two daughters, Judith Lynn Shiffler (and her husband, Bruce) of Carlisle and Donna Whitesel (and her husband, William) of Nebraska City, Neb.; one sister, Nancy Frye of Birmingham, Mich.; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren."


She made a mini LIFE magazine issue to announce her engagement:

This one was taken at our PA wedding reception in my parents' backyard:

This is the day of the funeral:

She was a wonderful woman who was very involved with her kids' and grandkids' lives. She was witty; she loved puns. I love them as well, and I can remember shooting them back and forth at dinners at her house. She is sorely missed by all.