I will try to get the computer lab up and running November 2nd. We will need Mediacom to turn on our broadband service then.

Windows 7 will go on sale October 22, 2009. If you buy a new computer between now and then, be sure to get your free upgrade to Windows 7. I really like Windows 7 and have pre ordered my copy. If you are currently running Vista, your computer should run Windows 7. If you are running XP or anything older, your computer probably does not have sufficient power to run Windows 7.

For a limited time, eligible college students can get the sweetest deal on Windows 7 – for only $29.99 USD. That’s less than most of your textbooks! Hurry — offer ends January 3, 2010 at 12:00 am CST. If anyone has friends or relatives in college with an .edu e-mail address, they can get Windows 7 upgrade for $29.99 at Windows 7. The retail price will be $119.99.

Office 2007, Ultimate Edition is still available to students at Office 2007. It is available for $59.95. The regular cost is $679.99.

09-04-09

Hello Chuck & Jery,
We have really enjoyed your efforts this summer. We are guilty of not sending you a message, but better late than never.
We have had a nice summer with camping with our retirees here in Michigan and spending quality time with our families. Weather has been cool and wet. Makes us look forward to sunny Arizona. Speaking of Arizona, we will be arriving in R.S. on Oct. 26th.
Warm congratulations to the Vitters. We pray that your marriage will be as successful as our has been.
We are glad that Harvey is improving. You know the chorus would not be the same without Sonya-Begonia!
And Mel Fisher....continue to get better and know that we are praying for you.
Don Jobin, continue to stay in remission. OK?
Finally, I have a new e-mail address which is franhome@frys.com.
Please update your list. Yes, I found a new ISP that is operated by frys electronics. Since I am one of the few still on dial-up, it is a nice program.
Well, time to go for now. You all take care and come by to see us in Arizona.
Bill & Fran Link

09-20-09

Hello to all of our Rock Shadow friends,

What is happening with the weather? We had fall weather in August and summer weather in September-- 3 or 4 days this month where the whole state had broken records for highs-- in the middle 90°'s. Several day's, we had hotter day's than Apache Junction.
We were able to go to Roanoke, Virg. last week to visit my 3 children & of course my 2 yr. old great-daughter. Lola & Harry Arvidson were in Great Falls recently, so we met them for lunch and had a nice visit.

Elsie seems to have recovered nicely from her back surgery and of course, I can't keep her away from her beading work. I just had to take her to a beading show yesterday. She is always working on some new projects. I'll probably have to add onto our house, all of the stuff she has. I asked her how she plans on getting all of that stuff in the car, she just gives me a funny look.

I would like to take this time to say that our thoughts and prayers go out to Harvey Holbrook, Mel Fisher, Irv Swanson & Mary Moore and to all of their loved one's that are helping them with their recovery. We wish them well.

Before long we will be back in Rock Shadows and all of us will be wanting to get going in all of our different activities. On behalf of the Computer Club, I would like to welcome all of our members back. As always, we would like to welcome any new members or members that were in the club and decided to leave for other interests. Our club also needs instructors or somebody that would at least be a helper. As you all know, we have lost some of our instructors that were involved in our club in so many ways and so we need somebody to fill these vacancy's. I look forward to the challenge's that lie ahead but along with our officers and director's along with some of the other's that been there to help, I know we can do a lot of good things this coming year.

Take care and look forward to seeing everybody next month.

Dale & Elsie Clark

09-23-09

Not much happening with Ruth and I since the last newsletter. We are starting to think about heading for Arizona, as we will fly there October 22nd. Taking care of all the doctor and dentist appointments before we leave.
The weather in Omaha has been warm until Tuesday. Sunday the high was 82° and Tuesday‘s high was only 59° with a morning low of 49°. Hope we leave town before the first snow falls.
Our gas prices have been $2.30 for a number of weeks now so we no doubt will see an increase soon.
Looking forward to seeing all of our Rock Shadow friends this fall and winter.
Fred Kudym

09-23-09

Fall has arrived and we now are having just beautiful sunny (80's) days and cool evenings {40's). The irrigation water will be off in about two weeks. We are getting our garden and lawn ready for the winter snows which Mel and I will be experiencing this coming winter. We have our unit in Rock Shadows for rent. We will be flying to Arizona on November 1 to remove all our personal items and then drive back to Washington about the 16th of November. Our reasons to stay home for the winter are Ruth's folks. They are still trying to live on their own and should not be doing so. Dad is 89 and cannot see well, Mom is 88 and has dementia. I will along with my 3 siblings take turns being here daily for them and doing needed chores and transportation for them. I will be also trying to work some at the hospital on projects as needed though out the winter months. Mel is going to work on making his ming trees again.
We want to thank all of you out there that have been keeping Mel in your prayers and the cards that he received from you in regards to his recent hospital stay. They are appreciated. He was in the hospital for 17 days, had back surgery and now is doing much better. We were able to dismiss the nurses and therapists this week. Mel is walking now with a walker and can use a cane for short distances. His is pretty much pain free, but does wear a back brace daily just to keep him from too much activity. We have just finished remodeling a back porch into a "room". It is 10 x 20 with 3 large windows, bright colors and new carpet. We also bought one of those "Amish like" electric fireplaces for the room. Will be used for dining when we have some of our 6 kids home for holidays. This has been a project long overdue; like 20 years....
See you soon, The Fishers, Mel and Ruth from Wenatchee Washington

One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue hair" about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate."
I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast.  "Along with heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed.
We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.
But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.
I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went  down.
The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.
The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae.
I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait.
I smiled. She asked if she amused me.
I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.
How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?
She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that is Possible.
I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should.
But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.
This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't  been this old before."
"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had  ignored.
I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead..
There are many malls I haven't shopped.. I've not laughed  at all the jokes.
I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and  cokes.  
I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face.
I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.
I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast.
I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.
I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain.
I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again.
So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's  desire.
I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired."
With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind, "I said. "I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!"  
This is my gift to you -  Live well, love much & laugh often - Be happy.   
Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we love and respect. Remember that while money talks,                 

By the calendar, the Monsoon season is about over, September 30th. We only had one big Monsoon storm and it was a doozy.  We received 2 3/4 inches of rain, according to my rain gauge, in about three hours. We have a small seasonal creek a little ways behind our house and it rose about ten feet. There was a nice foot bridge across the stream a ways up stream leading to hiking trails and it completely washed away. The next day there was again just a trickle flowing down the creek. Last year was almost as dry. In previous years, we would get a thunder storm almost every afternoon lasting 15 minutes or so. Fall is in the air here. We wake up in the mornings to temperatures in the mid 40s.

Jery and I will be returning to Rock Shadows November 1st.       

The price of gasoline at Costco in Prescott is $2.45, at Fry's in Apache Junction it is $2.53.

Thanks for the letters from home.

The Diamondbacks have now won 66 games and lost 87 games for a .431 average. They are now twenty five and one half games out of first place and in last place in the National League West. 

Send me news from your home area. Send all news to Chuck.  Just click on Chuck or send to chuck@rockcomp.org. When you include pictures send them as an attachment rather than inserting them in the body of the message. It makes life much easier for me.

Chuck