The Berg's

Bud Berg (Janet is Bud's wife and Paul's niece by marriage).

Hello, All.

If you have been sending me emails over the past few months, thank you. Bud's health was failing over the New Year and spring months and he ended up in the hospital for the month of May. He came out on Memorial Day Weekend at 128 lbs and we spent June trying to get him to gain weight. He was about 134 lbs at the end June so his kidney doctor allowed us to go on vacation in July and we enjoyed two relaxing weeks in Oregon at our usual cabin in McKenzie Bridge. I got to paint and he tied flies and went fishing one day during the last week after he'd regained some strength.

He is now at about 148 lbs and says his tummy is no longer wrinkled! This is a big improvement and so I've started to do more than read your emails. I now feel encouraged enough to respond, and that is a big step for me.

Jim is working at Etude winery as an intern again this harvest. I am still at Judd's Hill full time and loving the hussle and bussle of the grape harvest. Bud is our chief cook and bottle washer as he's regained his strength and sense of humor. In a few weeks, Mom, Bud and I will venture to San Francisco for my nephew's wedding and Aidan's first birthday. We are looking forward to these events with great joy and anticipation.

Sometime after the harvest is done, probably in December or January, Jim and Bud will go through the kidney transplant procedure at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. They were given the go-ahead a few weeks ago, and it's Jim's decision about when the operations will take place. His recovery time will be extensive as the average is 57 days, while Bud, who will get a new lease on life, should feel much better almost immediately. I will probably be off work for a month to take care of my two guys.

As always, your prayers are welcome, and keep your cards and email letters coming. I read every one.

Love and Blessings,

Jan