HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIE

Rie Munoz celebrated her 92nd birthday with family in Juneau on August 17. Rie had to share her birthday cake with her grandson Matthew who turned 7 on August 13. At 92 Munoz didn't want a lot of gifts but she was very pleased with the one she received from her granddaughter Mercedes; a large pencil drawing of her that she had done.

Another gift that she received before her birthday was a new right hip! Rie had originally been told by a Juneau doctor that she was too old to have a hip operation so we got a second opinion at Virginia Mason Clinic in Seattle. The good doctor asked about Rie's lifestyle and since she was still living independently, doing her own cooking and shopping, why not? May 21 was the operation and she is much more active than before. Rie is very happy she did the procedure. A special thanks to Bill and Mary Lindsay of Eastside Gala-Rie, who encouraged us to seek a second opinion!

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BEARS IN TOWN

Fun was had by all during the birthday festivities and we carefully sealed the cake scraps in the garbage since there have been lots of bears in the neighborhood. There is even one bear that has learned how to open car doors! We came out one morning and the driver's door on both our cars was wide open. A burglar was the first thought, but burglars don't leave the valuables and take the food wrappers and garbage in the car. Then we noticed the large muddy bear prints on the upholstery and the drool on all the exterior door handles.

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