The first week of October was busy and great!

This post is for the 28th...Friday:

It was mom's birthday today.  She would have been 91 and has been gone 7 years already.  Miss her every day. 

This was also the day we got Kitkat from a girl from Craigslist. We met her and her boyfriend at Target (he didn't want the cat). This cat is so awesome. We've had him 7 years. Such a blessing!

SAT THE 29th:

Dylan's birthday!!!  21 years old.  Seems so hard to believe he has grown up so fast. 

For his birthday we chatted for awhile on the phone. His family went over and went to lunch, showed Madi UW, and went to the Mariner game together.  Then Dylan went home with them to spend the night and watch the Seahawks win with his dad.

They had a great time, I hear. 

My sister, Lois, came over.  Don dropped her off and Libby and Kevin came and picked her up.  She stayed long enough for us to learn not to talk politics.  haha!  It was nice to see her again.  Here is a picture of us but we didn't get one this trip:

She went to spend the week with our other sister Libby.  Thursday I met them at Chimicum Cafe for lunch.  Libby's treat and we had a nice time.  I got Lanny a burger to go and took it home to him.

Josh and Jared had a game. They won 67-0 and Josh got 3 touchdowns!

Saturday night Lauren went to her Homecoming Dance with a group of people.  Nowadays they go in group. Some still date but many kids like to go with their friends.  She looked so beautiful. We ran over there to see her before she left. She said the Greek Restaurant in Kingston was terrible.  They forgot there was a reservation for 18. They were slow. And the disk jockey was not great either.  But Lauren had fun dancing etc....

Moving on to Sunday and the Seahawks won!  Which was good because we are in the middle of rebuilding. Sunday was a really mellow day. Lanny and I enjoy our life together.  We laugh so much and get each other.  We think alike and rarely argue about anything.  I love my days with them and hope they continue for a long long long time!

We got out of September and into October! The trees and weather are starting to show it too!  So pretty!

October 2nd Papa took Lauren to the orthodontist before school so she got to go in a bit late.  Later Lanny and I went to Applebee's to meet Lester and Cheryl.  I really don't know when the last time we met up with them!  It was so great visiting with them.  We had fish and chips and it was pretty good.  After the visit I went and got a pedicure.  That was past due too!  Felt so good.

Then we went and picked up Lauren after school. On our way home we say the most beautiful rainbow in Port Gamble! I took a few pics:

on the left is the famous haunted house!!!

Wednesday, October 3rd

I went to Silverdale to get my echocardiogram.  The lady who does it is so nice.  While I was doing that Lanny was getting the flu shot.  After I finished I got one too. 

In the afternoon I went and picked up Madi after school and took her down to Linda's salon.  When she was done there we went to Pho Kim Chi (Vietnamese Restaurant) in Poulsbo for Madi's favorite meal: Steak and Brisket Pho.  I had an appetizer of tempura shrimp. 

Dylan's 2nd book has been published!  I ended up ordering both of the books. I let someone borrow my first book he wrote and never got it back. 

http://www.lulu.com/…/til-k…/paperback/product-23819928.html

I am excited to read his next book and I will probably read the first one again. 

Yesterday I talked to Kevon for a while.  The company is moving their office's and shop to Bremerton from Poulsbo.  I hope it works our for them all and he takes care of his back.

Plus, like I said earlier, I went to lunch with Lois and Libby!  Then I went and picked up McDonalds for Lauren after school. She had Debate Club so I didn't get her until after 4.  Papa wasn't feeling well. He had heart burn all day.  

This morning Lanny went to see Dr. Johnson (cardiologist) again and he looks really great.  Doctor seems pleased.  Me, too!  And I got my message from my doctor regarding my echocardiogram the other day. She said:  "Your heart ultrasound shows that your overall heart function is normal. You have some scarring around your aortic valve but this is not causing significant impairment in your valve function at this time."

It has been raining all day. But we need it.  We haven't had a good rain for a long time.  

This morning, 14 years ago, we found out my dad went to be with the Lord.  It was heartbreaking for our family. Especially mom.  Over the past several years before his passing he had some health issues with his breathing. On Y2K night (December 31st, 2000) he stopped breathing and was taken to the hospital and put on a ventilator. In 2002 he they removed his left leg from the knee down due to loss of circulation in the toes.  A year later they had to take his other leg which was terrible for him. But he was always the trouper with a sense of humor. He only made it one more year.  It took a lot out of him. He had been in and out of the hospital and nursing home those years. The last time he went into the hospital we were sure he was coming home again. The night before he passed all us kids called him and said goodnight and told him we loved him and he said he loved us too.  Pastor Joel went to see him and gave him communion and spent time with him. All of us still thinking he was going to come home in the morning.  He didn't.  Mom got called from the hospital to come in.   She knew.  I met her and Libby there. They were in his room and even though there was a sign on his door saying not to enter but go to the nurse's desk first... my thoughts were "that's my dad! I can go in there."  Mom and Libby had their backs to me.  Dad was laying flat on his back which is when I knew he was gone.  Because of his emphysema he couldn't lie on his back. I gasped. Mom and Libby turned around and came and put their arms around me. Libby closed the curtain so I wouldn't be looking at him.  That was really rough. That was 14 years ago and I still miss him so much.  I love him so much.  I miss his laugh, his smile, the twinkle he would get in his eyes, Even his stupid jokes. I miss asking him for advise. On him coming over and fixing anything.  I miss going on drives and vacation with him and mom.  Dad loved going on rides. He didn't care where we were going... we would show up and open the door and we were off! Over the North Cascades, to the Grand Coulee Dam, to the Ocean, Lake Sylvia, to the Elk Horn, Mt. Walker, looking at Christmas Lights and Fall Leaves.  We went to Ricks and Ellensburg Fair, both sides of South Dakota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Colorado, singing the whole way and even picking up a puppy for them in Oklahoma!!!  So much laughter and memories of two people who loved us, supported us and were always there for us and the whole family. I guess that is long enough.  Love and miss you dad.  I have a website for him on the left if you want to look!

Finally, this morning Scruffy was a little upset Papa didn't come straight home after taking Lauren to school.  I think animals can tell time.  So he climbed in my lap. lol!  I turned on Animal Cops for him. He likes watching it with me.  

Have a great week!!!!!   Leave a message if you want!  xoxoxoxo

Papa is good, icky animals, busy grandkids, jerks and mothers!

I was reminded last night to keep blogging and I got on today and noticed it has been almost two weeks. So I best start here....

I will update my last post.  Papa had his electrical cardioversion yesterday. It required taking him to Harrison Bremerton and him having to be put to sleep (not like an animal). They had trouble because he would not go to sleep!  They said he just kept talking and talking. So another doctor had to come in put him under so they could do the procedure. They stopped his heart and then shocked him to restart it.  It worked so now he doesn't have a "flutter".... he has a regular heart beat again! His blood pressure was it little low but they got it under control. So after they monitoring him and making sure of no blood clots he was free to come home.  Everything worked out great! On the way home he was still a little under the influence and he was yelling "whoopie" out the window.  He was SO relieved.  I really don't think he thought he would be ok.  It was worrisome because of his history. We are thanking God, for sure!  What was great for me was Dylan, Amanda and Lauren came and waited with me. It would have been so hard to be alone during it. We went to the cafeteria for lunch.  Amanda and Lauren are on the Keno diet and had salads that were awful.  I was not carb careful and had a really good cheeseburger and fries.  Dylan had a Toasted Ham and Cheese sandwich and fries.  They were very distracting for me and it was sweet of them taking the time for it. I was still anxious and it seemed to take so long.  Hard to not be worried.  As it was I called Kevon at 6:30 that morning to have him talk me off the ledge.  I was having a panic attack thinking the worse.  Reading last blog I was doing it there too... both my parents died there and Papa's last hospital stay and heart attacks and almost dying 3 times!  But Kevon reminded me that I DID get to take Lanny home. And how many times did we get to take my parents home from there?  And Karla and Kevon were born there. And Dylan, Jordy, Parker and Patrick were all born at Harrison Bremerton. So many blessings happened there!  I love Kevon and am thankful he can always talk sense to me.

The dinner or lunch with Costco Dogs didn't work out again.  I feel like we have tried it so many time I just give up.  The older the family gets the busier they get.  I was really disappointed but Andrew and Tara both called me to say they were sorry it was cancelled again. They knew I was sad.  But it is what it is. Lauren was sick. Sick happens.  They will have to plan it next time. At least we have lots of hot dogs in the freezer.  lol!

Ok, lets go back to the 8th of Sept where I left off last post.  It was the day mom went to be with Jesus, dad, baby boy, her parents and sisters, family and friends.  What a day of celebration it was for them!  Still a day of sadness for me.

  But I keep on. We just stayed home and chilled.

Sunday the 9th we just sat around and watched the Seattle Seahawks lose.  I don't know what is going on with Russell Wilson.  And I know it isn't all his fault but he is not playing well.   But papa made the best dinner tonight of fried chicken thighs, julienne potatoes and green beans. It was wonderful!!!!

Sept 10th Monday Patrick started school He is going to motorcycle mechanic school  Pretty awesome!  And today he got hired as a dirt bike mechanic full time.  Praying he handles it all!  School is in the evening. He seems to enjoy Phoenix so far!  Been watching the weather and it is always over 100!!!!  Too hot for me!

Parker got his own apartment with a couple of room mates.  Including this black widow. I think Parker is planning on evicting him.

Heather, Don, Jared and Josh just moved into their new home in town and Josh found this creature under his bike he was going to ride! He screamed and the rattlesnake left slithering under the fence.  Don is still looking for it though to make sure it is gone!!!! Yuk!!!!

Papa bought me flowers the other day!  What a wonderful surprise! Pink carnations which I absolutely love.  I think he loves me!!!!!

Tuesday 9-11 really brings back memories of one of the saddest days in America's history.  I wish they would teach my grandkids about the day but they need to learn about Methasatopia instead. smh

Wednesday the 12th Papa made my Aunt Lorraine's "Hot Dish" and he has loved it since Peever!  Here is the recipe:
AUNT LORRAINE'S HOTDISH

Brown 1 and 1/2 lbs. hamburger
Add diced onion to the hamburger while cooking
Meanwhile boil a package of egg noodles

When the burger is done... drain grease.
Place burger in a 9 x 12 cake pan

Mix in:
2 cans chicken gumbo soup
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Add noodles and stir

Bake 350
40 minutes

Anyway he will eat on it for days! He also adds celery to his dish too.
I was almost in a car accident on my way from dropping Lauren off at school!  Seriously scared the life out of me!  
I was almost hit by a truck on 104 on the stretch between Gamblewood and Port Gamble. A big truck (like a dump truck) was turning right into a driveway and I slowed down behind it. Looking up in my rear view mirror and a white truck was barreling down on me. He was ready to rear end me hard when he swerved around me barely missing me!!! Thank God for protecting me and that no car was coming towards us! It scared me so bad. I followed him and in Port Gamble in front of the church he tried to pass a red car! He got in the other lane and stayed there til almost the corner. At the corner the red car pulled over while the white truck laid on his horn at him!!! I followed the white truck to the bridge where he went straight towards Poulsbo and I turned right. IF you know who drives this truck tell him to BE CAREFUL and not drive like an idiot for me!!!!! I am thankful for God's protection. It was that close.

Lauren had tryouts for Jazz Band and, of course, she made it.  She is such an amazing musician and loves it to her core.  She plays the tenor sax, the berry, the piano, ukulele and guitar. And she sings so good. She can really harmonize. She sings in the youth group at church leading worship.  Proud?  Ya, a little bit. 

Ok, one more thing from the 12th is I made the best potato salad ever using potatoes that we roasted with the roast the other day.  Num!

The 13th Papa went and got an electrocardiogram. The results were good showing no damage has happened to his heart at all since his heart attacks and surgeries in 2007!  Pretty awesome. 

The 14th Joshua got his braces off.  He was always so handsome but he looks so cute with the braces off. I bet he is so happy!!!!

Oh, and I found Josh and Jared's first day of school picture!  And one taken today before their first Junior High Football Game!

It was a pretty uneventful weekend.  I am really happy my blood sugar and blood pressure are down.  That is such good news.  

Monday the 17th was the day Lanny's Ma went to be with Jesus. It is so hard to believe how quickly time goes. Ten years!  And she is still missed so much!  She was the best mother-in-law.  She always had sweet words to say, good advice and she loved her kids more than life. 

Tuesday Papa took Kitkat for his final shot.  He won't need a booster for awhile.  They charged $18 for his nails to be trimmed.  The appt was over $60.   He is covered and updated now.  Papa is happy. Not so much Kit kat. 

And the next day was yesterday when we spent the day at the hospital. I guess I am caught up. Today we've just been chillin'.  Coming up is more of the same.  Scruffy goes to the groomers tomorrow.  Dylan is moving to the University of Washington!!  I am picking up Madi from school and we will be going to lunch.  And on Saturday Fall begins.  

Well,  enjoy your weekend and remember to pray for those on the east coast!