Beach

Five weeks on Nai Harn Beach on the island of Phuket. It's a small-ish beach lined with beach chairs for rent (same as all the tourist beaches on the island). Not many Americans, mostly Europeans. Italians dripping with jewelry (don't know why large dangling ear rings are needed at the beach). French, who bring their own oil and vinegar to the beach (for their salads, not suntan), Germans (ordering another round of beers).
Then there are the Russians (thrifty or cheap, you be the judge). They usually don't want to invest in beach chairs at the hefty rate of $3.00 a day (yes, it is a bit of a rip-off).

Every day, many of the same people on the beach (I wonder if they say that about us?)
This guy brings his Chihuahua every day (who says dogs resemble their owners?).

Then there was this old girl. Scars and open wounds on many parts of her body and face, from a recent fight no doubt.

She spent the day scrounging for whatever she could find to eat. Here she is chewing on a seed pod. Back home, she would have been rounded up and put down.

So we started feeding her, mostly leftovers from our lunch and of course some water.

She spent the days sleeping under our chairs.

We felt a little bad on our last day and gave her some extra fried rice.
Luckily there were other people occasionally giving her food.

Shes one dog we would have happily taken home with us if we could.

Christmas has come and gone

CHRISTMAS EVE

Aurora and Matt gave the dogs a stuffed Dreidel that sang the "Dreidel Song." Lana is usually the one who grabs ALL the toys...but this particular toy instanty grabbed Emily's attention.Matt and Aurora's first Holiday at the Chin House.
Matt and Aurora got my dad the Chirstmas Leg Lamp Puzzle from the movie, "A Christmas Story." The leg lamp has always been a running joke in our family.
Quotes often heard this time of year:
"IT'S A MAJOR AWARD!"
"Uh, 'Frah-gee-lay'. It must be Italian!.....I think it says 'Fragile,' honey."
By the end of the night Emily had claimed the Dreidel as her own. We think she may be a closet Jew.

CHRISTMAS DAY!!!
Grandma and Grandpa Chin's House-early early early!!!

All the Harry Chin elves were helping in their own little ways.

Kristine helped out......

I helped out....It just isn't Christmas without Sticky Rice.

Matt helped out.....

All the boys helped out.....and joked around a bit too.

Grandpa cutting that chicken JUST right.

YUMMY SOUP!

Dad's got his apron on to help out too!

I have now mastered Grandpa's soup recipe. I learned a whole lot that day.

Marcus thinks it tastes good

Grandma making her demands while I stare blankly and look at Grandpa. :)

Turns out...we were looking for oyster sauce.

The Ladies of the morning.

Josh's 1st Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma Chin's house. Next year we will have Thanksgiving here and Christmas at the McCormicks. Merry Christmas...Everyone!

CHRISTMAS AT THE HARRY CHIN HOUSE

Josh got the TV he has always wanted...It even had a big red bow!!!

Michael recorded the entire afternoon for us.

Matt in his USUAL present opening spot-the corner. :)

All Smiles when presents are being opened!my musical card from Marcus and Kristina....I am NOT a fan of Miley Cirus.

How many of you knew that Dad is a HUGE swedish fish fan??? If not, you learned something new today.

Marcus is SO excited and in his normal Christmas Spot...the Fireplace.

Video games for Michael from Mel and Josh.....We shoulda gotten Kristine earplugs. Melissa and Josh's First Christmas

Michael and Kristine's First Christmas

Marcus's and Kristina's First Christmas

Our First Christmas with Wizard Marcus and Kristina's CatOur first Christmas without Phoebe.

Emily and Lana had a great time.

Mom and Dad's 30th Christmas

Pheobe

March 2008-a typical happy Phoebe

October 2009-Phoebe was always watching out for us

November 2009 "Paws Crossed, of course"November 2009 Phoebe "Sitting Pretty"



I usually do not write long extended blogs-In fact, I rarely have anything important enough to blog about. I tend to just add pictures and comment on them; however, I would just like to write a tribute to a cute little springer spaniel named Phoebe Chin.

Yesterday night, Phoebe was taken to the UCDavis Emergency room. She had been having more labored breathing than usual and she was barely eating and drinking. Poor thing. The vet said that she had an Oxygen saturation of 59-62% (which, apparently was the brink of living-the normal saturation is 100% ). She was incredibly thin due to her congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Apparently her abdominal muscles were using up more nutrients than she was taking in. The meds were no longer working anymore.

The vet gave us 2 options: leave her in an oxygen kennel or let her go. I got the feeling that bringing her home to see Marcus and my parents one last time was not an option. Dr. O'Brien was very nice and sympathetic but explained, that she would not make it till Dec. 1st (the day my parents get back from Italy). After attempts to reach my parents in Italy, Michael and I came to conclusion that we would have to make a very difficult decision. I almost lost it when I saw her enter the room with her IV, happily recognizing us and wondering why we were all in this room together. Mike and I stayed with her the entire time: we refused to leave her alone. Josh and Kristine were very supportive. I held and petted her head. When it was over, I took a bit of fur. She will be placed with her best friend Sydney. This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

Michael was able to reach my parents this morning. Of course they were saddened. This will undoubtedly cast a shadow on their visit to Italy and their 30th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

Phoebe was the very best of dogs...a personal favorite (even though I know you aren't supposed to have one). She was definitely a "mother" and took care of all of the other dogs. She would always "Sit Pretty" with her paws crossed-something she was never taught to do...just something felt she aught to do. She played, loved, and protected us. She will be missed. We love you very much Phoebe.

Little Ones

The N & Ns - Nike and Ninja.

I think I have shoes that weigh more than Ninja.

Four pounds, headed for eight?

Ninja

Favorite past time, napping........

Check out the BIG ears

Ninja is the lastest addition to the Lew Family, adopted by Lindsay & Cesar. She is approximately 8 weeks old and weighs 2 pounds.

Smokie

We had a tough goodbye to Smokie this morning.

It's never easy especially when they look up at you with those sad eyes.

It's been a rough three weeks after Smokie's bout with pancreatitis.

We debated then about treating him or puting him down. The vet, of course was no help at all. Well I'm old, he said, nobody is talking about puting me down.

We'll wait until he's 100 years old, blind, deaf, and unable to eat or stand on his own before we respond to that one.

Yes indeed, old dogs are their bread and butter.

We'll miss Smokie but he's had a good long innings and we've enjoyed every moment of it.
Well maybe not the last few days.

Back on the beach

We spent the last month on the beach on Phuket. Most of the tourists are gone and beach chairs are only lined two deep along the beach.

A monk and his students on the beach.

Lunch on the beach.

Thai kids on the beach.

It's not unusual too see Thais go into the water with all their clothes on, bluejeans and all.

Muslims on the beach.

Fish in the water on the beach.

Europeans on the beach.

Unfortunately there is a lot of this.

Merchants on the beach.

Dogs on the beach.