Rough and very sad week

Wow!!!!  What a week.  Where do I begin?  The weeks plans did not end up as I had thought they would. I didn't get my mammogram, I didn't have breakfast with my friend, Lauren didn't start driver's ed, and we suddenly finished our favorite Netflix show Heartland.

Our Monday (the 22nd) started out rough.  Papa went to get Lauren for band practice and didn't make it there.  He drives my van when it is dark out because he has trouble seeing. It was very dark and very foggy that morning.  Everyone was talking about how bad it was.  I found out I really hate fog. Papa was on Stottlemeyer heading towards Lincoln. He got a bit disoriented what part of the road he was on and he couldn't see the stop sign and went through it. Across the street from Stottlemeyer the owner has a jersey barrier (cement block) there because so many have ran into his place. Papa hit it at 40, airbags went off, windshield shattered and the front end is totalled. Thank God he is ok, just pretty bruised up and sore from the neck down to his left knee. He also got a fat lip and it looks like a cut on his stomach and his right breast has a dark purple bruise. Since he was bleeding it made us nervous because he is still on blood thinners. He called me and then 911. They came and checked him out but he didn't want to go to the hospital. Karla was the first one there. Then Amanda came and stayed with papa and called the tow truck to have them take the van to Kevon's work. The sheriff was there and said there were more cars in ditches he had to check out after us so papa wasn't the only one. Busy morning for him. I took Papa to the hospital as he was getting sorer. We were there getting him checked out for about 4 hours. Jordy and Tyler came for a bit, Amanda came, and Tara came and stayed the whole time. He had xrays and ct scan. They didn't find anything real serious so that was good. We are thankful for so many things. Got home and filed the claim.  Got everything started. Lanny apologized to anyone and everyone for everything.  Especially me for wrecking my van. He knows how much I love that van.  But I love him more and am happy he's ok.

fat lip

Tuesday we picked up a rental car. It is a nice vehicle. A 2017 Nissan Rogue. White exterior and black interior. I decided I don't like black interior. This car has all the bells and whistles but I am a nervous wreck driving it.  Probably because it is not mine or because of Papa's wreck. We are taking it back soon because it sits in my garage. haha! 

His car was making noises so we had to take it in for new tires and alignments to the tune of $700 after we got the rental. ouch! Then we had to go to Kev's shop and clean out the van. I didn't think it looked that bad now. Tires look good and all the doors opened. We got everything out. I am really hoping it is not totalled. I love my van. I don't want a new car or payments. We've had our cars paid off for awhile and proud of it! Don't want any more!!!!! 

Got home and we missed lots of phone calls. oops. I called his doctors and told Beth Belgarde (our friend and nurse) what happened. She was very glad we called. He will go for a follow up on the 30th.
God is good. 

We got everything done Tuesday so we could rest on Wednesday. This is all emotionally exhausting (especially for Papa!) I'm on auto pilot and trying not to think. He is a thinking and worrying which keeps him from sleeping. Plus he is sooo sore. He is the gross picture of where the seatbelt was. That's got to hurt.

People have been great.  Calling, texting, facebooking, being there for Papa. All 5 of our kids were calling and checking on him!!! And the grandkids have been calling. Touches Papa's heart. Thanks all!

More bad news to post:  My sister Lois and family lost their dog to pancreatitis this week. It came on very sudden and she passed away in the night.  They had taken her to the vet and gotten antibiotics and pain killers for her.  She just didn't make it.  Holly was a super dog.  She especially loved Don (daddy) and was his shadow. She was such a family dog and so attached as they were to her.  It is such a big loss for them. I never had the honor of meeting her but you can tell what a sweetheart she is!!!

Also this week there was a tragic loss at Kingston High School when a student took her life this week.  Such a beautiful young lady and it is so very sad.  Our grand daughter, Lauren took this really hard. They were friends.  Lauren had a sleepover here with Ella and a girl named Maddy for a weekend and Ella was such a polite and sweet person.  She would have stayed longer if she could have.  She was one year older than Lauren. They met in band in middle school, Ella was an amazing drummer!   Ella quit the band this year. Lauren said she was bored.  She was doing running start at Olympic College.  This is where she chose to end her life.  I just know it is so painful to lose someone so young and in that fashion. Amanda held her and cried with Lauren. I went over the next morning and sat and listened to her.  She had band practice and got together with the band. They cried and consoled one another and had a football game. Had Ella's drum sitting there with flowers on it. Her parents were there. After the game the band, cheerleaders and football players met in the middle of the field for a time of silence for Ella. Then they held a candlelight vigil after the game at the Indianola dock.

Click here to support Gabriella “Ella” Smith Memorial Fund organized by Louisa Wales

gofundme.com

Someone started a Go Fund Me account for the parents to help with all that needs to happen.

Madi came over and papa made her breakfast. She enjoyed that alot. She was a happy girl eating her favorite breakfast and watching an interview with Roger Waters.

Lauren had a band competition down in Sumner this weekend. While Lauren's knee is healing she can't march but she can play in the box and she learned the music with the xylophone in just a few days... which is amazing. And the percussionist won 1st place in their division.  Their band got second place! Very proud of them. They won it for Ella the drummer and cried when they won.  A weekend of tears.

Ella's drums, purple ribbons kids wore during performance and plaque they won.

Percussion Team

Lauren, Ella and Maddie

Halloween is this week.  That means Halloween stew for dinner! Every year we have it.  Nummy!  Can't wait!  Last year we had no kids come by. It will probably be the same this year. That is ok.  Keeps Scruffy calm.

My house phone isn't working. People can call me but when I call them they can't hear my voice.  Frustrating.  So I had to order a new phone.  Simple and to the point for papa.

 Speaking of simple and to the point.... here is my brother this Halloween. Mr. Incredible.  He called me yesterday so I could make fun of him. lol!!!

And my sister Libby went and got the gray washed out of her hair! She looks great!

Here is a great picture of our beautiful daughter Tara with husband Brad. We love these guys!!!!

And one of Don and Heather!!!

Well, that was our week.  I rescheduled my mammogram for next month. Madi got her driving permit!!!  Lauren decided with everything going on last weekend to wait and take drivers training in January. 
Praying for a better week to come with a peace and a calmness. Amen!   And Happy Halloween!

PS .... I love my girls so much! My 15 year old beauties! And their crazy, protective, loving Uncle Kev!!!!

good bye for now....

Edit

OVER A MONTH'S WORTH

I know it has been awhile.  Just haven't felt up to any writing.  I even backed off of facebook a bit. My grandson asked if  I was still blogging and I said "No, only one friend, Theresa, reads it anyway."  I could just write her letters.  But then I could call her too. lol!  I also write this as a journal.  That is why I update it once in awhile.

I wrote last month and ended my life story with Mother's Day!
Andrew went to Italy on a mission trip with his college. He had a great time and loved Rome!  They flew straight to Heathrow in London and then headed down to Rome. He got to see so much history...including the Colosseum and the jail where Paul was kept. He was gone 2 weeks. After Rome he went across the country to Francavilla, which was on the water.

Kevon and Dylan went with my ex husband to Washington DC and NYC.  They had a great time!  Here are some photo's they took!

They moved on to New York by train...the pictures from their hotel were just amazing.

Kevon where John Lennon was murdered.

We went to the BBQ at Karla's and got to look at Dylan's slideshow of the trip. It was pretty awesome.  Joel made some great burgers (some were beef and some were elk). 

Our grandson Patrick turned 18 on June 4th.  Now we have 5 adult grandkids!  He is so handsome and kind and sensitive and loving. He got his first tatoo of his last name across his back.

Lauren sang on the worship team with her youth group and they sang both services at church.  We were really proud of her.  She did great with an amazing voice and songs!  

Not sure if these are going to download because it says they are too big.

Here is Lauren that afternoon. lol! 

Had visitors over... my oldest brother, Rick, brought our sister, Lois, over to meet up with our other sister, Libby.  They met at my house and visited for a bit. Lois stayed at Libby's for a week.  It was nice to see everyone! 

I lost 13 pounds so far.  We had a Family Mexican dinner on the 9th.  I love getting together with my family.  It was a small group this time. The food was really good!  Enchilada's, tacos, chips with salsa and cheese.  There was Papa and I, Joel, Karla and Madi, Lois and Libby and Lauren!  We played a game of Apple to Apples.  Lois doesn't like games but I think she had fun with it. 

Concerts happened before school ended.  Madi and Riley both had a choir concerts.  Lauren had a band one.

She also marched a lot. She was in Jazz Band and Marching Band.  In Marching Band she was chosen to become head Drum Majorette which she excelled at and was loving it.  There were two other girls too.

here she is a drum major....

Here she is doing her solo:

 

She had an amazing year and after all she did and how her teacher compared her with Alyssa (my niece) for the past couple years and talked about how amazing Lauren was and how he had her do solo's all the time she did not get the coveted end of middle school award.   Only one boy and one girl gets it.  Lauren cried and cried. She was so hurt and devastated.  I was recording. We all thought she was going to win since she was the best.  The girl who won took lessons and could play a few instruments, her mom works in the office and she volunteered with the band field trips etc...  Lauren didn't know she needed to take lessons or play several instruments to win. But she was the best and everyone was shocked she didn't get it.  Especially the kids in her class.  She was isn't being a sore loser, she just knows she deserved it.   Still brings tears to my eyes.  Her teacher was her favorite and was so unfair. I don't know if he realizes what he did to her. He is not her favorite anymore. oops. 

Riley got this at her concert! Very proud of her!!!

The end of the school year happened. 

Lauren and Madi both had dances to attend.

Lauren's dance wasn't a dress up (it was casual after school).  But Madi's dance was in the evening and fancy and she looked beautiful. 

I felt an earthquake.  3.5.  Papa was sitting right next to me and didn't feel a thing. lol

The Valverde's came over on a Friday and Don spent the whole day pressure washing our roof, deck and side of house!  It took such a burden off Papa who finally realizes it isn't safe for him to get up there anymore.  It is so hard to when it hits you as you get older that you have limitations.  Don also cleaned the gutters out.  We are pretty happy and we have an amazing son-in-law! And we got to see and visit with Heather, Parker , Josh and Jared!  They went with me to pick up Lauren after school so she got to visit with them, too. I didn't get any pictures of them together but I do have one taken at their house. lol 

I did take pictures of these two... Lauren and her Auntie Heather!  So much alike.  I couldn't get a good pic. smh

 

We made it through Father's Day and Papa's birthday.  It was interesting. Papa didn't want anything done. No dinner, no nothing.  So we just stayed home and did nothing.  His choice.  

Speaking of Lanny's birthday... Kapono was the first one to call Lanny on his birthday!  Speaking of Kapono (Makoa's dad) ...we had the greatest news about Makoa.  The test results came back and he is cancer free!  God is so good!  He is so amazing!  We give Him the praise!  We are so happy we cried!  They still have some things to go to but what a blessing this is!  

Lauren comes home on Sunday!  She has been down in Arizona visiting her dad. We sure miss her. She was the second person to call Papa to wish him happy birthday and we stayed on the phone with her for over an hour.  lol!  When she feels like talking you kind of hang on to it. But when she doesn't all you can do is say "Love you, bye!" 

We had a septic emergency the other day!  Freaked me out.  All our drains were backed up. Luckily it didn't back up everywhere!  We contacted our friend Ronnie Todd who is a poop pumper and came out on a Sunday with his wife to unblock our drain. Then we could at least use it! He is one of the greatest guys I know! Seriously. We will get the septic pumped on the 10th of July by him. The back of his septic truck says "Yesterday's meals on wheels".  Pretty funny, huh?

Scruffy went and got his haircut, nails trimmed, bathed, ears cleaned, etc the other day.  I went and got Madi so where I picked him up she was with me.  All he wanted to do was head out that door when the girl brought him out until he saw Madi and then he ran to her so happy!!!! He is obsessed with her and loves her so much.  Scruffy is a Border Terrier and this describes him: 

The Border Terrier is a small dog with an alert gaze and a good-natured personality. He's intelligent, loyal, fearless, loving, and determined, and about as aggravating as any dog can be. TheBorder Terrier is not for everyone,  you should be fully committed to taking his antics in stride with an amused shake of your head. Borders are happy dogs who generally get along well with everyone from children to strangers. They'll bark at noises, making them excellent watchdogs, but don't expect them to be fierce guard dogs if an intruder enters your home.  The Border Terrier can make you laugh and cry and laugh some more. He can be a handful, but he's always the apple of his owner's eye.  Border Terriers thrive when they're with their people and aren't meant to live outdoors with little human interaction.

• Border Terriers are active and bouncy. They love jumping up on people to greet them.

Before

After

Madi had fun spending the night. She got her favorite dinner (brinner... breakfast at dinner time).  

bacon, hashbrowns, fried eggs (over hard how madi likes them) and pancakes!

Then Madi and her family went camping.  From the pictures I am kind of jealous.  I miss camping.  

madi and her mama

cooking oysters from the beach

madi, joel and dylan

Kevon went crabbing the other day.  Here is a picture of the crab with his dad's dog.

Penny (Kevon's best friend) seems to like the boat!

kevon and second best friend.

That is a keeper!!!!  Kevon loves crabbing in his boat!

Well, I guess that is about it!  Took me all day to write. I keep feeling like it is Saturday but it is only Friday.  I will really try to write more often since I am not facebooking as much.  xoxo