Halloween, my van, Jordy's birthday!

We are already in to November.  It is amazing how fast this year has gone.  It seems like the older I get the faster the years shoot past. 
Last week was fast except the insurance is going slow with our claim.
We have Drew, Janiece, Nick, Karen, and David all on the case and it is still slow.  We just now got the van appraised and I emailed him to see what he found out and got this back "Totalled."  That was it. lol.  Seems kind of weird.  I was very sad.  Now we sit back until we find out what they think my van is worth. I am not sure what I am doing.

That is about all we did this week.  Our rental car was nice. It was a Nissan Rogue.  Really nice but I wouldn't buy it.  I loved my van. This has got some fancy stuff but feels cramped.  And I don't really like black interior.  We turned it back in today.

Papa took Kitkat to get his nails trimmed.  He was starting to get hung up on everything...including Papa.  Tuesday papa took Lauren to her orthodontist appointment.  And he had a doctor appt. He needs to record whenever he has throat or digestion problems and take it back to the doc in 3 months when he gets his next cat scan.  They found a small nodule on his lung and want to keep an eye on it.
I guess there was quite a windstorm on Thursday night but we slept right through it.  Friday I took Lauren to school and the roads were nasty, it was so dark and icky out.  Then we lost our power for awhile on Friday. We went to lunch at Jack in the box and Papa went and got some oil and filter for his car.  Brad is going to come and change the oil tomorrow.  We are so thankful for him!!!
Lauren is at a Debate all weekend.  Hope she does well!
Madi got to go to a Pink Floyd thing last night! Her favorite band!
I don't get my new phone until Monday!
Don't forget to change your clocks tonight!!!!

I didn't steal many Halloween pictures because no one posted many but here is what I got:

Andrew left college for the evening of pumpkin carving with his sister!

from the Burdyshaw collection

The Valverde's way of carving. Didn't see final results.

Joshua...I don't know what he is dressed as?

Jared

This post is pretty short.  I will see if I have any more pictures of anything:

chilling after morning walk

madi and her permit

Isn't this little sea lion cute?  We always spot them off the bridge but I cannot take credit for this picture. 

I can't take credit for this picture of an American Eagle looking for fish and flying above the water  So cool. We have them around my house. 

Finally, today is Jordy's 21st birthday!!!!  Our little princess grew up so quickly!  I love our first born grand daughter so much!  She is so precious to me!  Happy birthday!!!!!!

Til next week!  bye bye now!

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

Halloween, Sleepover and Birthday time!

I can't believe it is November.  Makes me wonder where October really went. The older we get the faster time really does go.  But I've heard younger people say the month went fast too.

Let's see...what has been going on this past 1/2 month.

My little bro had a birthday.  I text him and facebooked him and tried to call him but couldn't reach him to wish him a happy birthday like I have for so many years.  Sad. Oh well. Happy birthday David!

We had some great meals but sadly I gained 10 more pounds. I have never nor will I ever weigh this again.  I struggle daily.  So today I started riding my bike again. I brought it out to the livingroom where I hope to ride it more now that it is in plain sight!  I need to control my eating.  Some of my favorite meals papa has cooked for me:

Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings and homemade french fries

Bacon, eggs and fried potatoes

hot turkey sandwich

turkey and dumplins

Breaded pork chops

Pot roast, potatoes, gravy and carrots

And so many other things!  Of course people tell me I have control over what I eat but do I?  I love food and it it is there I will eat it.  I have to learn no one is taking it away from me. There is tomorrow. I don't have to eat every thing on my plate anymore.  If I can get this eating thing and riding under control....I should lose weight. And tons and tons of prayer!!!!

Halloween was very quiet at our home.  Stew every year and so that was wonderful. (haha... food again). No trick or treaters.  But got to have lots of pictures from facebook:

nephew Dean

grand daughter Riley

Grandson Waldo....I mean Andrew

Jordy

Niece Kara and Kevin

Josh and Jared

Lauren and her friend Ashlyn

Madi was Audrey Hepburn... see below and you'll see she really did look like her!

The 30th we had a sleepover with the girls!  They had fun I think!

Riley and Madi

Lauren, Madi and Riley

Lauren and her friend Ashlyn

Madi

They ate, argued, played truth or dare, played on their phones, watched videos, etc... Madi ended up having to leave before bed. The other three were in bed by 10:30.  Papa made silver dollar pancakes and I think shy, quiet Ashlyn must have had 30! They had donuts and bacon too.  Papa took them out of here around noon.

Yesterday we went to Jordy's 18th birthday party.  It was nice to see everyone.

jo and andrew taking off chocolate chunks

andrew looking innocent

Kristen and Jay

So hard to get pics of Lauren lately! 

Seahawks won this weekend.  A player got hurt sadly but he'll be ok.  I love this photo of Coach Pete Carroll in the locker room with Russell Wilson and other Seahawks.  

"SEPARATION CREATES ENEMIES" Cesar Milan.  I love this saying. It works with animals and I think it works with people.  The more you stay separate without dealing with a situation...the worse it can become.  Unless you say absence makes the heart grow fonder...but that is when you separate on a good note.

Well, I guess I will close with a big Happy 18th Birthday to my Jordy girl!  After she was born I saw her as a princess.  She will always be a princess to me....see what I mean?

Sweet Princess Jordan

Love you Jo!!!!!