Happy Birthday Timber!

The start of spring means the start of a new circle around the sun for Timber. This will be his 38th (meaning he just turned 37). It's going to be a busy year for him...probably some gray hairs on the way. Good thing he's got a sexy body to carry him through.

Here's a photo from Kapoho, where we went snorkeling with the crew (Dave, Bhama, Dine, Katie, Phil, Gus, Mike, Sarah, Mike Mc, Jamie, Betsy, and Becky) on the big day. Then we went out for dinner and home for cake and ice-cream. It was and Authome birthday! Thank you everyone for joining in the festivities.

Belly Check

Here are some recent photos of my growing belly. We're at 35 weeks and feeling great.

We did a tour of Waiamea Women's Center (the place we're going to labor and give birth). It's a hospital, but it does have a home-like feel. The nurse and midwife we spoke with are awesome. There is a little birthing garden that we can walk in while laboring. We feel sound with our decision to drive up there to bring Miley into this world.

Our baby shower is this coming weekend. I think we will be a bit shocked by all the stuff that comes our way...all the stuff that we'll need to be parents. I hope people come with a heap of good advice and tips!

Wright Visit

Kelly and Dan Wright are finishing up their visit with us here on the Big I. They've been here for about 20 days. They were solo the first part of the trip as Timber and I went to CA. But for the past couple weeks we've been hanging out, enjoying their wonderful company.

Among the Authome experiences which were Wright on....

*Pololu Backpacking *Condo Renting *Lava Viewing

*Dan's Guacamole *Snorkeling *Kelly's Massages

Kelly has more photos on her Facebook page...if you're her "friend" I'm told you can see all the photos. But I don't know a thing about Facebook, so you're on your own with that adventure.

Dad's Funeral

On Saturday March 14th we had an amazing celebration of my dad's life. Many many people in the community came together to show their respect and love for him.

His body arrived at the cemetery via his fire chief's truck 1721. He was escorted by 22 other fire engines from around Northern California (including Herlong, Doyal, BLM, USFS, Susanville, Janesville, and all of the Milford rigs in which he helped amass while he was chief).

Mike and Timber as well as 4 members of dad's fire crew (Rick, Harry, Fred, Ken) were the Pall Bearers.

After a tear jerker rendition of "Make the World Go Away" performed by Bud, the ceremony was officiateded by my dad's sister, my aunt "Pete". Then, my mom, my sisters and I all shared our loving memories of dad. Stew, the Susanville Fire Chief shared a poem to honor dad. Rick, who will be the next fire Milford Fire Chief (who introduced himself as the assistant chief, still honoring dad) shared a story and concluded the ceremony inviting everyone to the fire hall for a reception.

The members of the Milford Fire Department, Timber, Mike, Ry and a few others left flowers on the coffin. Then we lowered dad into that sandy Milford soil. Many people helped bury dad as my mom watched with teary eyes. His grave site is at the base of the mountains he loved, overlooking Honey Lake and the snow geese that winter here.

I am so proud of my dad. It is evident by the sincere gathering of people how important he was to Milford and his family. I was moved time and time again by the support people showed. Thank you all for helping me, my family, and each other through our loss. Saying goodbye to my dad is so difficult...knowing how many people love him and carry his spirit with them is authome.

In Memory of Dad

My family and our community celebrate the life of my dad, James Edward West who passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at the age of 68. Dad was Chief of the Milford Volunteer Fire Department for 12 years, where he showed his love for the Milford community by working to promote fire and traffic safety throughout the Honey Lake Valley.
Dad was born in 1941 to George B and Marie West of Irwin Pennsylvania. In 1960 the Wests moved to Milford. Dad followed his family, where he found a community that became the home he loved for his entire adult life. After a brief, three-year stint in Greenland, when he served in the US Army, dad settled in Milford. He met and married my mom, Kathleen Muller, in 1968. The couple settled on their Milford property and started their family.
Dad’s greatest loves were my mom Kathleen, his daughters Lainie, Trudi, Carrie and me, his grandson Ry, and sons-in-law Mike and Timber. We are so proud of his unending devotion to his beloved home. He was a loving and giving person who is missed by his siblings Leo, Marion, Donald, George, Suzie and Joanie.
Dad was a gifted electrician who earned a degree as in Business Management. He worked over 30 years as a Civilian Employee of the Department of Defense at Sierra Army Depot. His work took him all over the world, but his favorite part about it was returning to “his” mountain in Northern California.
In 1996 Dad retired and became a full time volunteer in the Milford community.
He talked often about the hours he spent working on projects with his longtime Milford friends. He loved rewiring, fixing plumbing, helping a neighbor to plant crops, counting “his” fire trucks, or just having coffee with the men he cared about.
Dad's greatest wish for his family is security, love and happiness. For his community, dad wanted closeness, support for one another, and a strong center which he envisioned as the volunteer fire department that he worked to build.

Donations in memory can be made to the Milford Volunteer Fire Department at Milford Fire District, PO Box 265, Milford, CA 96121. However, in the spirit of dad's “give of yourself” life ourfamily asks that you volunteer time in your community.

32 weeks (8 months)

We had a little photo shoot last night. Here's the belly...and it's getting bigger!


I'm feeling great! I am starting to feel gravity much more. Yoga inversions really help to trick physical laws...at least for a short time.

I find myself gazing at babies and kids I see around town. I love hanging out with Gus (Katie and Phil's baby boy). The hormones are kicking in, making me one starry eyed mommy to be. I even caught myself perusing the baby section of Sears the other day.


Am I prepared...yes and no. I am completely ready to meet Miley and be the best mom for her. I have no idea what things (outside of my unconditional love) I need to do that. I have made a registry with amazon.com for our upcoming baby shower...but I really don't know what to put on it. If you mommies and daddies out there have input, I would love some tips and guidance. Please shoot me an e-mail.


Much love to all of you our supporting community!