Thanksgiving

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! 

After my dad's passing, I knew how important it was to keep my mom moving and somewhat distracted during these first holidays without him. So, I loaded my husband and the boy and we headed to Arkansas for Thanksgiving. I find it ironic that I would have moved heaven and earth to be with my mom this year, when I didn't put that much effort into going there when my dad was still around. I feel very guilty for that, but am trying to deal with it.
We were so lucky that two of our girls were able to join us. One of them is... Jackson's mom!  Yes, my daughter who lives in Hawaii and is the mother of my grand baby was there. Needless to say, I was one happy Grandma to have that sweet baby around for a few days.
Those grand babies are the best!
Here are a few photos of the sweet boy.

I absolutely loved taking care of him. I hope I was able to give mom a well deserved break. That's what I told myself.. that I was helping her out by monopolizing him.

Rolling around on the floor making him laugh. He makes me smile.

 

While we were there, we got to spend time with my sister and her college aged daughter, my niece. They live just down the road from my mom. My niece didn't grow up with a father around. My dad was the closest thing to a father she has ever had, and his loss has affected her as much as any of us. She is struggling to get through these tough times too. All she wanted, while we were there, was to get the decorations out and decorate my mom's house like they have in the past. I helped her get it done.

A photo of my mom's tree when Kirsten and I finished.

This is how we listened to Christmas music as we decorated the house. This girl is retro in every way. She was truly born in the wrong time. She LOVES listening to records like this.

Of course my mom still has all her old records. I listened to these as a child. It was so much fun.

I have convinced the three ladies, my mom, sister and niece, to come to my house for Christmas. I absolutely can't wait!

Kids and the 4th of July

Since I'm so far behind, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that I'm just now writing about our 4th of July.
We had kids fly in on the 3rd of July. JD and his wife Meghan, and our daughter Callie. Callie visited us in January, but JD and Meghan had not been here yet. Since they are all sweltering in the Texas heat, they were more than glad to be here in the Pacific Northwest where the weather is JUST NOW getting warm.

We had absolutely fantastic weather while they were here.
These kids spent a 4th of July with me in Hawaii a few years ago when Nick was deployed. It was the first time JD and Meghan had ever been on a military installation for Independence Day. They loved it. They loved the cannons, the tribute to the states, the music, fireworks and the overall atmosphere. I can't blame them. There is nowhere I'd rather be to celebrate Independence Day than with our country's heroes.
Needless to say, they were so excited to spend this holiday with us here.
The day started with a parade. Nick's brigade supports a local town outside of our installation. It's a very small town but they had a parade on July 4th. Because Nick is the commander, he got to be in the parade. Guess who got to ride with him?  That's right, me!  The second car in the parade was the Command Sergeant Major. His wife isn't here with him yet, so the girls rode with him and they loved it!
Here are a few photos of the parade that day.

Soldiers of the Brigade carrying the colors.

There we are! Our 15 (well, more like 5) minutes of fame.

Getting ready to get started.

Pretty girls in a cool car.

They LOVED playing Miss America in the parade.

I'm afraid none of us were as popular as the Stryker vehicle. It is pretty cool.

Soldiers giving out candy. The kids loved it.

Here is Callie and me waiting for it to get dark and for the fireworks show to start. They gave out these funky glasses that are supposed to enhance the whole firework watching experience. I found they made me dizzy. It could be because I'm old. I'm not sure.

It was a great day. I'm so thankful to have shared this day with the kids. I only wish more of them could have been here.

I will share more of their trip in a later post.

Catching Up

I am so far behind in blogging that I don't even know where to begin. I wonder though, is anyone even out there anymore?
I went to visit my mom several weeks ago and attended a park bench dedication in honor of my dad who was a volunteer in this park.

My dad, and the other Master Gardeners in their little town, met once a week to plant, weed and do general maintenance on a beautiful city park. So, the gardeners donated this in memory of my father.

It was a beautiful summer day and was one that my dad would've enjoyed.

Here is the inscription that dedicates the bench to my dad.

My mom, sister and me enjoying the day at the park.

We all shed a few tears as the group took turns speaking of my dad. There were several laughs that morning too. My dad was a joyous man and would have wanted us to laugh. The funniest part was when the guy speaking said "It's ironic that we are putting a bench out here for Paul, because the man never sat down."

He's right. My dad was a hard worker. I learned so much from him. My love of the outdoors, growing things and playing in the dirt and my strong work ethic. Most of all, I learned that life is full of joy and should be enjoyed with those you love.

In the next few days, I will try to post more of the things that have been going and that have been neglected. I am also going to try to catch up on reading some of my favorite blogs! I've missed you guys!!

My Mother

I've always known my mother was a strong woman. She is also one of the most compassionate and carring people I know.
My mom is a nurse and has been for a very long time. She has made her life about caring for others.
I watched her, years ago, care for my dying grandfather, my dad's father. I realized then how good she is at it.
For the last several months, my mom and dad have been making frequent trips from Arkansas to Tennessee to care for my dad's sister who is dying from cancer.
First, they were trying to help find treatment and answers. Now, just a few short months later, they are helping keep her comfortable and at peace with her impending death.
My aunt has come to rely on my mom completely. When she awakens, she asks for her. When she sleeps, she wants my mom beside her. If that's not comfort, I don't know what is.
I spoke to my mom on the phone last night to check in on my beloved aunt's status. She told me she's very ill and may not make it through the night. She told me of the conversation she had with my aunt earlier in the day. She told me Aunt G asked how to "go home"  My mom told her to reach out and take it. My mother also spoke to my cousins and told them to tell their mother, "it's ok."  It's ok to go, we'll be fine.
First, let me say I just don't know if I could do that and keep it together. I'm crying just typing this. My mom did it with peace in her soul. I guess it's because she knows her sister-in-law will be painfree and happy again once she goes "home".
I'm so grateful to have had the chance to see this aunt twice in the last few years. She came with my parents to Hawaii three years ago and visisted us. She came last fall to Rhode Island to see us, but even then was starting to suffering from some "strange back pain"  and couldn't enjoy herself.
God bless my aunt and bless the precious woman taking care of her right now. I pray for my cousins so that they will have peace during this terrible time. They lost their father a few years ago and only one short year ago, their older brother.
Here is a photo of my aunt visiting us in Hawaii. I prefer to remember her like this. Smiling, partying, and showing Callie and me how to make her famous fried corn.

This is my mom, on the left, my auntie on the right. Smiling and having too much fun at a Luau in Hawaii.

This is my precious aunt at the Luau with the sunset over the ocean behind her. Beautiful.

So Little Time…

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve blogged. I haven’t even taken time to read any of my favorite blogs lately. That’s so not like me.. I’m really a huge geek.
We have been busy cramming all the things we love to do into a short time before we leave. We’ve also been wrapped up in end of school activities, Nick’s graduation and just the busy work that goes into moving.
We bought a new camera several weeks ago and it takes awesome photos. I thought, for this post, I’d show what we’ve been doing in some of those pictures.

On May 31st, Alex had his 16th birthday. How can our youngest be that old already? He was only 8 when I met Nick. Time surely is flying.

We’ve been talking lots of walks down to our favorite sea glass beach. I have a big glass jar I’m trying to fill before we leave.  Here’s a great photo of Alex enjoying the sun while I dig for glass.

The dogs enjoy our walks to the beach too.

We went back to NYC last weekend so Callie could experience it. It was her first trip there. She’s always wanted to see Phantom of the Opera, so she and I got to do that. We had a great visit.

Some of my favorite people on the ferry out to Liberty Island.

We had our friends over last week as they were packing out to move. One of the hardest things about the military is that you’re always saying good-bye to friends. This photo was taken in our back yard. We had drinks and dinner sitting out there just like this. It was a beautiful night.

Nick’s graduation was Friday morning. I’m very proud of his accomplishments and I know he’s glad to be finished! 
Tomorrow is our last day to get ready for the movers who arrive on Tuesday morning.  I hate this part. I hate trying to separate the things I’m going to need for the next few weeks from the stuff the movers can pack and take away. I’ve been taking curtains down and all the pictures off the wall. Tomorrow, I’m going to tackle Alex’s bedroom. I instructed him to do it today, but I fear he’s failed at this task. I will have to finish it for him.
I hope everyone is doing well and hangs in there with me as we transition. I’ll try to be better at blogging!

Fun times

We are trying to cram as much fun as we can during our last few weeks  here in Rhode Island.  Now that the weather is mostly nice, we are trying to do more and more.
Friday night we drove up the road a little to see a minor league baseball game. I do love watching baseball (at the park, not so much on TV) but even more so, I love having the beer and hot dogs. This ball park had margaritas too. You know I had to have one .. or two.

Here we are enjoying their ball park food. Alex got a hamburger, a hot dog, fries, soda and then later went back for ice cream. Holy Cow!

You have to love a boy scout troop color guard. It’s so home town.

Saturday we played tourist and went to see the last of the two Newport Mansions we hadn’t seen previously. I absolutely love walking through these “cottages”.  It’s amazing how they lived in the gilded age.
Sunday we hosted friends for a lobster boil. It was awesome. Nick cooked lobster in our turkey fryer on the back patio. My friends Cindy and Deb both brought side dishes and I provided the third side and made homemade ice cream.  We haven’t had homemade ice cream in sooo long. It was delicious and everyone raved about it.  Later that evening we cranked up the fire pit and let the kids make s’mores.  We spent the last few hours of the evening sitting by the fire chatting and enjoying our adult beverages. It was AWESOME. I’m SO going to miss my buddies here.  I was just tickled that we got to get together one more time before we all get crazy with moving.
On Monday, Nick, Callie and I took the water taxi over into town and just walked around. We had a delicious lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, The Red Parrot, where we enjoyed raw oysters and lobster nachos.  I can not describe how amazing these nachos are. The lobster meat on top is in big lumps.. no skimpy wimpy lobster there. The sauce is so stinkin’ rich and then it has melted cheese over the top. I just gained five pounds typing about it.
Here are a few photos of us taking the water taxi. It was such a beautiful weekend. I’m thrilled to have had such a nice four day weekend with friends and family.

Have I mentioned how much I’m going to miss this beautiful place??

Soooo Much Going On

I mentioned in my last post that I’m behind and that I have a list of things to accomplish in a short time. It’s amazing how life works. In the midst of all that’s going on, this weekend brought two phone calls that made me stop and pay attention.
First, my sister called me on Sunday to tell me my dad had suffered a heart attack on Friday. Helloooo?!  Nobody called me.  My parents have this weird idea that they shouldn’t worry me with these things. Seriously?  For crying out loud, maybe I’d like to know so I can be in touch and talk to the man.  Anyway, he’s okay. My dad has a long history of heart disease, which is ironic, because he’s the healthiest and most active member of our family. It’s just bad genetics and bad cholesterol.  It’s been a battle for him for years. He had a quadruple by-pass in his fifties and will continue to fight this battle. I spoke to my dad yesterday and he’s home and taking it easy (I hope)  He’s very active, as I mentioned, and it’s hard to keep him down when there is a tractor to ride, trees to cut, and a garden to tend.  It’s hard watching the strongest man in my life start to get weak. I am struggling with this.
After the drama with my dad, my oldest daughter, who lives in Hawaii with her Soldier husband, called to tell me I’m going to be a grandmother. Oh My Gosh… I wasn’t quite prepared for that!  They haven’t been married very long and are starting a family already.  I’m very happy for her and Jimmy, but I wonder how I’ll deal with being so far away from my first grandchild.  I have a feeling Nick will be sending me to Hawaii a lot!

Anybody else think these two will have beautiful children?
Callie flew in last night and I’m thrilled to have her home. It’s tough being the only female in a testosterone filled house. I’m looking forward to cooking, baking, shopping, pedicures and even going to a tea house with her. We’ll have fun!  She will also be a lot of help as we get ready to move. Ugh.. I can’t believe it’s that time again.

Now if I can just get her out of bed.. we can get started!!

New York!

As promised, here is a little more detail of our spring break trip.  Tuesday morning, Nick, Alex and I loaded up the family SUV and headed south.  I had made reservations in a Brooklyn hotel because of the price.  The hotel was fine, in a decent neighborhood, and within walking distance to the subway which was to be our primary means of transportation.  I tried to get us a room at the Fort Hamilton lodging  but was too late calling. Next trip, I will definitely call early and get in. I’ve stayed there before and it’s very nice and inexpensive.
So.. first night in NYC.  Our plan was to see a Broadway Show. More specifically, “Rock of Ages”  It wasn’t meant to be.  My girlfriend told me that you simply go to Times Square, hit the ticket box a few hours early and get discounted tickets.  I don’t think any of us were thinking that .. HELLO, it’s spring break.  The crowds were amazing. You couldn’t walk down the sidewalk easily for all the people. Needless to say, the show was sold out. Not only for that evening but the rest of the week. Oh well. 
We decide we’ll just walk around and then grab something to eat. It was amazing just to be down there.

Here we are on the subway. Alex was a bit camera happy. I stole this from his Facebook page.

As we stepped off the subway in Times Square, I heard music. You know the kind.. live music. I knew it was live as soon as I heard it and couldn’t wait to see what was up. We found this makeshift band playing for whatever money you wanted to throw their way. They were really good!

Here we are! Times Square! It was everything I thought it would be.

Alex has a goal in every city we visit. To hit the Hard Rock Café and get a T-shirt. Apparently this is something his mother started with him, but ironically, the shirts he has (besides one) are ones he got since living with us. Maybe we just travel more?  So, we find the Hard Rock which is right there on the square and have him grab his way overpriced T-shirt.  While we were there, I decide to hit the ladies room. I walk in, and there is a restroom attendant. I have rarely been anywhere to see this. Not only did she have every lotion and potion imaginable, but she had a basket of Blow Pops. I love Blow Pops. Something about the crunchy sweet candy through the bubble gum is just euphoric to me. I had to have one.  What’s involved in getting one of those things?  Do I need to require her assistance?  Is a tip really all that’s necessary? It turns out I DID need her assistance. I couldn’t get the blasted motion detector faucet to spray any water. I’m waving my hands under it like a crazy woman and she has to walk over, take my hand and show me how. Oy, now I really have to tip her. I did my business at the sink and took her offered paper towel. Then I dropped a dollar bill in her basket and grabbed a Blow Pop. This whole experience made me think of an episode of Will & Grace. Does anyone know the one I’m talking about? 
Karen Walker goes to Las Vegas to be married to her …what? third husband?  Anyway, she’s in the rest room adjusting her make-up or lipstick ..something in the mirror when Jennifer Lopez walks out of one of the stalls. She offers a few dollars to Karen and says she just needs a paper towel and some Chiclets.  THIS is what I’m thinking as I tip the attendant and take my Blow Pop.
Imagine the surprise of my boys when I walk out of the bathroom with a Blow Pop in my mouth. After explaining where I got it, their next question was “Why didn’t you get us one?”  Because I thought it might cost more
We went on to have some amazing New York Pizza at John’s Pizzeria. My friend who was my neighbor in Hawaii told me about this place. It was delicious! I love pizza but I really, really LOVE good pizza.

My boys with their pizza. We ordered Alex his own. He is picky and doesn’t like what we like and besides, I didn’t want to share with that appetite.
We had a great first night in NYC. It wasn’t all we had planned, but it was amazing just the same.

What a Man, What a Man, What a Mighty Good Man!!

Let me just say that my husband rocks!  Since my surgery on Thursday morning he has been there, right by my side, taking care of me. 

Nick took the day off on Thursday to go to the hospital with me. I was home around noon and all afternoon he brought me food, ice for my foot and whatever else I needed.  Friday he didn’t have class so he was home with me all day again.  I got a home cooked breakfast and lunch, not to mention the delicious dinner he made. All weekend this man has done laundry, cleaned around the house, taken care of the boy and the dogs and most especially, me.

Early Friday morning the numbness wore off my foot. I woke up around 4:30 AM to go to the bathroom and as soon as I dropped my feet over the side of the bed, my incisions started throbbing. I crutched to the bathroom and back and was crying by the time I got back to bed. Bless his heart, Nick got up, got me more ice and a pain pill.  He’s a real trooper.

Our morning routine, since he has had to go back to school has been this:

Alarm goes off, Nick gets up and hits the shower.  He gets me up and helps me down the stairs. He goes back up stairs to bring me all the stuff I might need/want during the day. My glasses, phone, book, magazine, icepack etc.

When he gets home, he makes me lunch and gets me ready for a shower.  In a few hours, after doing his studying, writing papers, picking up the boy from school, etc. he makes dinner.  Last night, he was back upstairs after dinner to finish his own homework and to help Alex with his. Around 9:30 last night, he helped me up the stairs, brought all my stuff up, drugged me and put me to bed. Afterwards he finished up shutting down the house, taking dogs out, and everything that goes along with it to finally fall into bed himself.

I feel so blessed to have a husband that loves me and wants to take care of me. 

Friday night, Nick cooked burgers on the grill (our one nice day so far) and made a delicious dinner. I took this photo before he had finished putting it all on the table. When it was done we had baked beans and corn on the cob as well as delicious burgers.

Saturday, he made some queso dip for snacking.  I caught him working in the kitchen.

 

 

Here is what the side table in the living room looks like after Nick leaves in the morning. He has brought the insulated carafe of coffee in for me, my ice water, my book, glasses, phone, calendar and kindle. Oh, and the “oh so important” pain pill, just in case I need it before he gets back home.

What a man.

Birthday Recap

I apologize for the lack of blog posts lately.  Since I returned from Texas last Monday night, it’s been a whirlwind.  I knew I was having surgery the following Thursday so I was very busy trying to get my house in order. I wanted there to be groceries (easy for a school attending dad to be able to throw together a meal) and laundry done. 

My 46th birthday was last Wednesday. Since I was scheduled to have surgery the following morning, I was under doctor’s orders to have no alcohol that night. We decided a birthday should be celebrated with a little alcohol so we went out a night early.

Tuesday evening my boys took me to one of our favorite restaurants, The Red Parrot. I so love this place. We have never had a bad meal here. I ordered a lovely chilled glass of chardonnay and we had a dozen raw oysters for our appetizer.  After a few of the oysters, I wished I had skipped the main part of the meal for more oysters. I LOVE them. Who would’ve thought?

I had the broiled stuffed shrimp and a delicious Irish coffee for dessert. I left feeling very satisfied and like a true spoiled birthday girl.

The following morning, my girlfriend Cindy, took me for a pedicure!  What a wonderful treat, especially knowing that the next day I would have my foot cut on and would wish for those lovely toenails. She also brought some beautiful tulips and a birthday cake. What a sweet friend!  My other friend and neighbor, Deb, brought over a cute birthday wine glass and a bottle of wine. She knows me well!!

Excuse the poor quality of the photo, I used my phone for this one.

That night I cooked dinner for us at home. After we ate, Nick presented me with both my birthday cakes… yes two!  He didn’t know Cindy had brought one over so he picked one up while he was out. What a guy!

 

Then he gave me a beautiful gift bag with my birthday present. I was really surprised because the one thing I’d asked for, he was unable to find. That’s another story! However, I opened up the  bag and found this.

 

An Amazon Kindle!  I have been torn about having a Kindle because I do love to read a real book, but this just makes so much more sense. Especially with all the moving around we do.

It also had this beautiful red leather cover. I love red. I think he knows this about me.

I had a wonderful birthday!  I am truly blessed to have a husband and family that loves me so much.