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

Crutches, concerts and another Homecoming!

I guess I am switching to posting on Sundays.  Much easier for sure. Right now I am sitting here watching house hunters.  Scruffy is sleeping, Lauren and her bf Lindsay are sleeping. They were still up at 1:30 watching scary movies.  I noticed this morning they slept with the bedroom light on.  Scaredy cats. Last night we watched The Bodyguard. I love that movie and I love Whitney Houston!

Been a nice week.  Except Lauren is on crutches.  She messed up her left knee dancing at the reception last weekend. Her mom took her to the doctor on Sunday and she had to leave on crutches!  Not good. 

The week was pretty quiet.  We went to Lauren's band concert which was really nice because it was just band.  Lauren played the Bari (Baritone Sax).  She did so good!  No solo but she will get one for the Christmas concert. 

Our daughter, Heather, had her 42nd birthday down in Arizona with Patrick.  She's been missing him a lot since he moved down there to go to school. 

The photo here is the little old German lady who lives up the street. She was putting moss killer on her roof.  Watching her walk and bend over up there made me very nervous. I wouldn't do it! I am afraid of heights.

My brother turns 56 years old today!  We had a gathering at Dairy Queen on Friday... me, Alyssa, Jessica, her boyfriend Charlie, and David!  Madi came and ate with me before they showed up and then went home with her mom when she got off work.  It was fun.

Saturday Karla came by and took a bookcase for Madi's room.  Madi is redoing her room.  She is getting Andrew's desk today so she is pretty happy. 

Riley has a boyfriend named Tyler. He is so sweet and nice.  Last night they went to the Homecoming Dance.  Here is a photo of how he asked her a few weeks ago.

And here is some from last night before the dance!

A few more pictures before I wrap this up.  We have these guys swimming around the Hood Canal Bridge all the time.  I think they are so cute!

Lauren and lindsay went to the Pumpkin Patch yesterday and I managed to steal a few pictures!

Here is a picture of Port Gamble.  I lived here for several years and they say it is haunted (even the house I lived in) but I have never heard or seen a thing.  I used to jog passed the cemetery almost every night. It is a beautiful old town in the fall.
The community of Port Gamble has a wide range of shops from antiques to a tea shop to an old-fashioned general store. It is a popular tourist destination, due to its location near Bremerton, Port Townsend, Bainbridge Island, and Seattle and its downtown.^[3] Port Gamble is also home to the grave of Gustave Englebrecht, the first U.S. Navy sailor to die in the Pacific.  The community, originally known as Teekalet and later renamed Port Gamble for the bay which gave it access to ocean commerce, was founded as a company town by Josiah Keller, William Talbot, and Andrew Pope's Puget Mill Company in 1853.  The first school in the county went up in 1859, and the community took its present name in 1868. In 1966, the town of Port Gamble was designated a National Historic Landmark District.^[9] In 1985, Pope & Talbot, the successor company to Puget Mill, split into Pope & Talbot and Pope Resources,^[10] the latter of which took over the site and the sawmill. In 1995, the mill shut down after 142 years, making it the longest operating sawmill in the country. Where the mill was is to the right in this photo down by the bay. You can't see it in this photo. 

And finally... here is one of the prettiest pictures someone took of the Multnomah Falls in Oregon in the fall.  I love this and will be using it for a puzzle.

Final thoughts:  I had the weirdest dream last night of being at a large like city and Berta was there. I had a bunk bed where I was staying and told Berta she could stay with me. But then I couldn't find her. There were so many people wandering around. I saw Karla and Kevon (as adults) and they kept running from me. But I couldn't catch them and it hurt my feelings. So I started avoiding them. That is all I remember. Strange dreams are so real to me. 
I need to have a garage sale in the Spring. 
I love AXS TV and watching old bands and interviews and concerts. I have watched John Lennon, Billy Joel, Merle Haggard, Toby Keith, Paul McCartney, Shania Twain, Heart, and so many others! Love it!!!!
We've been watching Heartland on Netflix. If you love horses you will love this show!!!! I love horses now 
May you all have a great week.  I will be getting my mammogram and having a breakfast with an old friend, Candice Kolbas!  Should be nice. Madi will be getting her permit and Lauren starts drivers ed.  My baby girls are growing up so fast!!!!

Papa took them both driving in my van at the school parking lots.  Crazy!  He is a braver person than I am!  Praying for them all! When they get back the turkey will be done!!!! Love turkey dinner!  God bless!!!!