Hmmm...now how do I do this?

It has been forever since I posted anything..I guess I just had a case of the writing blues. I really planned to quit all together but today as one year is ending and another is waiting, I decided why not.
I am in the process of taking down all of our decorations and its a bit overwhelming. The positive side of being such an enthusiastic decorator is foremost how lovely it is to sit in the midst of lights, color and things that remind us of Christmas' past. We raised our boys with lots of Santa, magic and wonderful memories. I still enjoy that even though they are all gone. I wasn't going to do as much this year but J brought in some North Pole saying "You need to do these." I continued on. I found every friend that told me they didnt decorate anymore, it was too much work, I would add something else. I dont know why.  The other positive side of taking it all down is how spacious and clean your house becomes! I am having trouble remembering where I hid the 'normal' stuff and again where does it go?!? Signs of maturing for sure.

I asked J to help me make a Christmas tree this year and thought I would share it. We donated our big old fake tree while in Gig Harbor. It was getting old and just a big pain to store. So last Christmas we had a real tree and that will be the last time. That baby was ready to start a massive fire it was so dry...my ornaments were sliding down the brittle branches!

So I had this great idea to make two trees tall and narrow and put one in the living room and one in the dining room. Honestly is there anything prettier than a lit tree full of ornaments in your house?

We bought two 7 or 8' tree stakes from Home Depot and J painted them brown and made bases from some of the wood.

We bought about a dozen pkgs each of boughs in two different styles. I started off with about four thinking it looked like a lot and it would have been... for a two foot tree! I had planned to make two trees with the different boughs (can you tell the difference?) and put one in the living room and one in the dining room. As we were finishing this tree J said no to having two trees. Too much to store and not enough space. I was really disappointed because I had this vision and mostly because I would have made the other longer needle tree instead if I had known. We never got around to returning the branches so maybe we can find room...

This is J drilling holes in the stake for me to glue in branches. I kept telling him more holes and that it was great PT for him!

This is me gluing in the branches and burning off my finger prints. I thought it would be so easy but it turned into a painful job! Hard to believe its winter looking at my outfit...

J taking a phone break but you can see the progress and just how many branches it takes.

Here you have our final result and a train to go with it! I really like this tree because its tall enough but narrow so not sticking out into the room. Maybe I like it so much because we made it together. Once I take off the ornaments and lights I plan to add a few more branches but otherwise it was a success.

Another project we did was to make three wreaths for our garage windows. We bought the wreaths and added lights, pine cones and bows and they added so much to the front yard. Notice how much
Gracie enjoys watching me make things!

                                      "What do you think Gracie? Kind of boring right?"

Perfect right?! I also made several pillows, a snowman on a wreath, finished some projects I had started last year but put away AND made a few gifts. All in all a productive xmas!

I had written this note to put in xmas cards about how close I had come to planning two funerals this year with Ky's wreck and J's west nile. How I was forever changed by the events and how I would wake up each day with a grateful heart for the blessings I have been given. I would live a life well lived and be a better person. By the time I got around to sitting down to writing cards I found I could not send it. I came home from MN a changed person and prayed I would continue to embrace the strength, patience, and lessons I had learned. After almost 4 months I realize I am slipping back to the old me and sitting in judgment, saying negative things about life and people, and not feeling so positive and grateful as I stated. This makes me so very sad because I really liked who I had become.
My Christmas wish is to begin this new year and each day being thankful, kind, patient and most of all someone people want in their lives.
I will end with a sweet family photo which unfortunately is missing one. We had a lovely 2 week visit from Rande in Nov. so understandable he didn't return for Christmas.
Not sure I have anyone still reading my blog but if so thanks for dropping by! Wishing you a wonderful, happy and healthy 2013!

Thanksgiving 2012

Christmas 2012

September 2012...a month I will never forget

I had planned on updating from Minnesota right before we left about the great month we had. We saw so many friends, did so many fun things, rode our bikes over 120 miles, and had wonderful weather to boot. The last week we continued to have company and see friends but Jerry was not feeling well. We had every intention of packing up and driving for home on the 7th. I even had a great route chosen and hotels booked for our adventure. Everything changed the night of the 6th and a trip to ER the morning of the 7th. This is the story of us told thru emails I sent to family and friends to let them know what was transpiring.

September 7th
I thought I would send out an email letting you all know about Jerry. He has been sick all week with flu symptoms and only getting worse each day. He spent 6 hrs at a clinic yesterday doing tests and on an IV for two hrs. They sent him home saying they did not know the cause and to return the next day if not better. He continued to vomit thru the night and began falling and blacking out. I took him to the ER this am and they continued with the tests including two cat scans and spinal tap. The said there was infection in the tap and came to viral encephalitis. He has it severely enough it is attacking his nervous system making even walking impossible.
They are also concerned about a mass that showed up in a cat scan and will do another tomorrow. He was admitted and on antibiotics and I guess it's a waiting game at this point. He is very sick but hopefully tomorrow will be a new day.
We were planning to leave the rental here in MN and begin our drive home today. I have moved out and was graciously invited to come stay with our dear friends Michelle and Dave...pets and all. Blessings for sure.
We are both exhausted and hopefully after a good night sleep we will be ready to face the new day. Not sure when we will leave for home but will keep you updated if you want.
Say some prayers..just might do the trick.
XO
Cher


September 8th

I can honestly say this has been one of the worse days of my life. I have not been sleeping for about a week and simply everything makes me cry. I have so many tell me I owe it to Jerry to send him to Mayo but it just seemed so difficult and an uncomfortable choice. When I arrived at the hospital this morning he looked like someone I did not know. He was unable to sit or stand and simply laid there shaking. I decided at that point I had to be assertive and take charge. So I asked for the dr and I said I feel I need to have him transferred to Mayo. I so did not want it to appear they were not doing enough but I knew if he did not survive this I would never forgive myself for not doing more. The dr was so gracious and called Mayo for me to find a dr willing to receive him and he arranged the transportation by ambulance. I truly could not breathe when told I would have to pay 4000-6000 for the ambulance out of pocket. Again its only money but its a lot and so not fair ins wouldnt cover it. The dr was so wonderful that I could not thank him enough and of course cried my eyes out.
They picked him up around noon and he arrived at Mayo around 430. My MN bf's daughter is an RN on the neuro floor and met him so she could be my ears. She felt he was in much better shape than a lot of patients they receive. My two gfs Michelle and Nancy, Gracie and I arrived a few hrs later and time for his final assessment of the day. He seemed much more present and was actually eating which I have not seen for days. They found weakness on one side, he still has double vision and its his biggest worry, they have him on 4 different antibiotics, will do another spinal tap for further testing, another ct scan to determine if mass they saw in first one is a worry. He will be at Mayo for at least another week...ok fine so I cried on this news. I soooo want to go home. So does he.
I wish I was one of those calm, focused assertive people that we all admire. I am not but truthfully I did everything I could today to help the person I love most and I did good.

I will be at Mayo early tomorrow morning to catch the next group assessment. I will let you all know what I know then. I am sorry if you call and I dont answer. Sometimes I am in the hospital and sometimes I simply cannot talk to anyone. I cannot thank you all enough for your concern and showing us the love. It makes my heart hurt in a good way and of course it makes me cry.
xo
C

September 9th

Well it's a new day. Jerry is coming back! I arrived this morning to find the bed empty. Agh! Off to a MRI. When he returned from this 2 hr procedure he was fairly drained. He was very emotional and scared which is a very good thing. He is present and aware of his situation and it's so much better then the past two days of being zoned out and detached. Yesterday he would not respond to me or make eye contact. Today he thinks I am funny and that makes my heart sing.
He also had another spinal tap and that was a bit draining but they plan to continue to test until they have answers. Mayo rocks.
He is able to walk with a walker now and that is huge improvement. Yesterday he could not even sit up so we are seeing great progress. I think he has one more cat scan tomorrow and they will begin PT to help him regain his strength and mobility.
I am daily humbled and brought to tears by all the people that have gone to such great lengths to provide love and support for us. I have no words to express my gratitude and pray someday I can return the affection. We have never felt more loved and it's such an amazing feeling. Thank you all for your concern, love and words of encouragement. They have been priceless and yes I continue to cry but only tears of joy today.
Xo
C

September 10
I am sorry I am so late sending out an update. I have been receiving texts, emails, and calls asking so here is a quick one. I didn't want anyone to worry!
Today was not as good as yesterday...less motor skills, foggier thinking, bad headache and all around frustration to not be continuing to improve.
He had his first shower and shave since Thursday and I am sure that felt like heaven.
He proceeded to sleep most of the day...even in the middle of conversations! He began PT today and will continue to try and get some muscle control back.
We had a social worker speak to us about what happens after he is released. They feel he will need acute rehab and we need to make accommodations to his abilities. He will need to fly home because a car ride could cause blood clots or other complications. This is not what either of us wanted to hear considering we have a car full of stuff and our sweet pets. We have offers for help getting it out there so I am sure it will all work out.
He had another CT today and I think that may be the end of those.
I just had a friend ask me how are you and I didn't know how to respond because every thought is about Jerry. Grace is bringing me great comfort while I try to de stress in my room...and if I could just stop worrying about how I am going to fix this BIG bump in our road trip. I just have no answers and every idea or plan goes out the window.
As Scarlett said "I can't think about that right now. if I do I'll go crazy."
Thanks for all the kindness and keep saying prayers we are out of here soon. We have golf to play!
 xo
C

September 11th
Jerry' s support group

Jerry was just returning from a CT scan and PT had arrived when I entered his room this morning. His headache was bad enough to bring tears so they ordered the CT to see if there was any bleeding or visible issues. Came back clear. Here's the thing about Mayo...they don't just wait to see if you improve, they go looking for the problem. I am a big fan.
He managed to rally for a bit of walking with his PT guy and sat to eat two bowls of Joe's Os his favorite breakfast at home. His friends delivered them yesterday because I'll try anything to make him feel better. From there back to sleep until his team arrived...
They feel this was caused by a virus in his system that has laid dormant. Not a Lake Darling mosquito after all! Do not know what caused it to surface but we all have hidden issues waiting. Just like shingles. They felt the meningitis was effecting his motor skills and like any brain injury he simply has to work his way back. They do not feel there is permanent damage but it will take time to heal. They want to get him off all the antibiotics because at this point they have served their purpose and his blood work is coming back clear. They are going to keep working to end the headaches. From here he no longer will need to be on the neuro floor and will be moved to a rehab floor to help him get his mobility and strength back. They did not say when however but I would imagine soon.
I am sure I've missed something but basically nothing but good news and we are feeling hopeful.
He continues to sleep lots and struggles to sit, eat, walk but those are all going to improve.
I am heading back now and will only update if anything changes. Thanks for caring.
Xo
C

September 12

Day six of hell week.
We have a definite diagnosis of West Nile Encephalitis/Meningitis. 1% get this to the extreme that Jerry has...poor guy. I am told it involves considerable sleep and a long road to recovery. Once we are home and in his own bed  it will all be so much easier for him to get well.
Still fighting crushing headaches and motor skills remain the same.  The extent of PT today was walking the floor while he is picking up speed it still takes great effort. Thinking and speaking exhaust him but he has great memory recall. Damn..he still knows all my faults!! He also had a procedure that due to misunderstanding it did not take place until late afternoon but we did get to ride in an ambulance to Gonda (another clinic). Definitely best part of my day!  Came back and had a shower and 2 bowls of Joes Os and went to bed. Tomorrow is a going to be a better day.

The team said because they have an answer to what caused illness they are ready to release him. They had told us he would most likely go to in house rehab but they are seeing improvement so he may not qualify any more. I asked knowing our situation how they could release him without rehab knowing he has to get on an airplane to get home. I guess for ins reasons its not negotiable. So I have been trying to figure out game plans for how to best arrange a way home for everyone. I will let you all know when I figure it out.
I personally had a really rotten day...no one tells you the patient's 'person' is capable of being taken to their knees. I actually asked a nurse to hug me today I was just so drained and tired. I have been trying to fix things and be the person Jerry needs me to be and its so difficult. People tell me to take care of me but I honestly don't know how.

 Last night I packed Gracie into my backpack and she went to see her dad. She did her best to fill in for Buster and I think it made him feel better. He asked her to come back tonight so it must have been comforting.

Thats it for today...I have no idea what tomorrow will bring but I will handle it. My brother told me I am the bravest girl in the world and I am not going to disappoint him now.
xo
C

September 13th
Subject: How's Thursday treating you?

Went to bed last night embarrassed of my update because it came across feeling a bit sorry for myself.  Today I woke up and told Gracie "let's roll!" famous words from a brave person ready to face any challenge. It's a new day and I have tentative plans in line and do not intend to cry even once! One thing I have learned this week is I can come up with a decent plan in 1-6 hrs. Someone here can change it in 1-6 minutes.
I arrived to a communications therapist trying to assess his ability to communicate by speech and thought. Poor Jerry...I couldn't even remember the 3 words she gave him! She said he had some spelling errors..duh he can't spell on a good day but is a whiz in math. He has difficulty coming up with the correct word. Seriously? I change sentences all the time because I can't think of a word or remember how to spell it. What she sees as cognitive communications deficit I see as being 64 and having the worse week of his life.
The team arrived and they are done and simply waiting to see if ins will say yes to in house rehab. He will stay at same hospital just a different floor and go into intensive rehab to improve his motor skills and speech. The social worker arrived and thought my plans A and B were rock solid and that today would be a perfect window of opportunity to drive to Alexandria and pack up everything for our friends to drive home. I had 1/2 hr to get back to hotel and pack up and hit the road. I left jk walking the hall with his PT person. He seemed upset I was leaving him but it's the only way we will ever get home. I see some improvement in certain areas but definitely think he has no memory of all we have been thru.
I am at my friends house wondering how we accumulated so much stuff and where it is going to fit. I told our friends to pack light! Tomorrow I will drive to the cities and get a hotel so I can see Rande who is in town with his band on tour. The next morning I will deliver my car, Grace and Buster to the Bishops and then drive to Rochester to be with Jerry. However if he doesn't qualify for rehab I will be going tomorrow to Rochester to get him. Do you see how flexible I have become?!
Have a good night.
So
C

September 14th
Friday update!

Nothing but good news...was transferred from neuro floor to rehab today and suppose to be 5-7 days but if he rocks it maybe less. He asked if he didn't get into rehab what would happen. I tried to reassure him and said I would be there to pick him up and go home. So he said he hoped he didn't get in then. I told him he didn't get to pick door #2 ..such a goofball.
I will drop car and pets tomorrow in MSP for long drive home. Thank you John and Jamie! Then I will drive to Rochester and move back into a hotel. Oh boy! Maybe this time I can enjoy being there. It's a beautiful place if you get the chance and again Mayo rocks.
I probably won't update more until I send you all a photo of him sitting on an airplane going home. There will be bumps in our road ahead but the worst is definitely behind us. I simply cannot believe that one week ago I thought he might die and here we are.
I am hoping to spend a few quiet days getting reacquainted with our home and seeing what he is capable of doing. We will have been gone for over 7 weeks and as Dorothy said.."there's no place like home!"
big hug and eternal gratitude to each of you that has reached out to me this week. I am forever changed by this experience and I hope a more grateful person.
Xo
C


September 15th

I know I said I would not be updating until I had my man on an airplane but I have numerous complaints so here you go. Please just let me know if you are as tired of my life as I am.
Our son Rande is on tour with the band Purity Ring and between performances in Winnipeg and Minneapolis we arranged a meeting on hwy 94 exit 97. It was a highlight to be hugged by my boy and a bit surreal to meet near a town we once shared. I had the pleasure of meeting his band mates and just sharing a bit of his life. It was a stop, hug and run because they had a show to do and Rande said msp loved them!

I was not able to sleep last night...again...and got up at 500 to drive my babies down to the cities to trade off. I won't lie I sobbed as they drove off on their 30 hours, 3 days drive...without us. This was suppose to be our adventure. I took comfort in knowing it was a huge step necessary to resuming our life but it was still so difficult to be happy.

I continued on to Rochester and was welcomed back to my hotel. You have been someplace too long when you start knowing people and giving others directions!
Jk had occupational therapy this morning working on his dressing skills. He continued with lots of walking and hand eye skills working on speed of response. He was tired and frustrated but is surely making progress. He is extremely emotional and struggling with the lack of ability to stop it. I have read that is entirely a normal response to brain trauma. Still having terrible headaches and we are both praying they are not a part of his future. He is feeling depressed but again that is normal and will only improve when he is in familiar surroundings.
It seems as his thinking becomes clearer he is realizing just how sick he is and worries about finding his way back.
Night.
xo
C


September 16th
Sunday news

Today was spectacular! I arrived yesterday after my man had finished therapy and he was tired so I never saw him do more than walk to the bathroom. I had missed 3 days of his PT efforts and had nothing to compare. Today I arrived early and was amazed at his progress. His stride has increased and so has his pace. He is still a bit leery of falling because he does not have the strength to catch himself. They took away the walker yet when he is tired he wishes he had it. I was asked to come along to occupational therapy and watched him improve at everything she asked of him. If it was difficult to lift his arm he continued until he could do it. Still weak on the right side but improving daily. When we returned to his room he broke down because he was embarrassed to have me see him so weak. I thought he was amazing especially knowing how far he has come in a week. Can you believe it has been 9 days since we entered the ER in Alexandria? What a journey we have had and I only see hope and good news ahead.
Jk's brother Ken and wife Betti drove from New Ulm to visit today and were pleasantly surprised at how well he is doing. He went right from PT to company with no nap and managed to stay awake and be talkative and with great memory of details. He was not able to do this when I left on Thurs so I am excited. I wanted to add a photo of them but this is not my computer and simply could not figure out how. Sorry boys!
(Ok well now I am home and here is the photo! )

There will be a team meeting tomorrow morning to discuss how things are going and a possible discharge. I am so happy and anxious for a confirmed date so I can work on getting airline tickets home. Its never easy so last minute and in order to insure his comfort I feel he needs to be in First Class and no we will NOT be flying standby. I have a friend Sally that has offered to drive down here and spend the night to help us get to the airport, drop off John's car and get to the terminal without stress and Jerry being left waiting on me. Bless her! If I can get tickets on AA my friend Gugi has offered to meet us in DFW to help with transfer of planes. We are truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends. Thank you all.

Some of the things I have learned this week.
Good friends are God's way of hugging you. Always pack more underwear than you think you need. I still hate drab cold sad hospitals...even Mayo. I can make amazing decisions even when I am crying. If your friend in crisis asks you to think for them, do it. Any decision you make gives them strength to handle the next one. Random acts of kindness are essential in life even if it means changing your plans to help someone else. Never let God know you are working on your marriage. He will send you a lesson so BIG you can't imagine a minute apart. Ever. I did not know I had this much gray hair. I can come up with a plan in 1-6 hrs and someone here can change it in 1-6 minutes. We have never been comfortable asking anyone but our sons for help but our family has grown. I have learned its ok to accept help...friends actually want to make our life easier. If someone is in crisis and you hug them..don't let go until they do. Hugs are therapy and maybe your meter is full but theirs might not be.We have some of the most amazing friends and family and feel more love than we knew existed.
Love hugs and eternal gratitude to all of you.

xo
C

September 17th
 Another Monday in Rochester

Jerry continues to astound his team here with his quick come back. He has walked outside on bumpy ground, visited the chapel, got dressed, shaved with no bloody cuts and passed even the psych tests. I continue to get lost here like a mouse in a maze so I am glad no one is testing me!
There will be a meeting with all his therapists and drs tomorrow to discuss his case and give us instructions and advice for how to continue the process. He is going to be released on Wed and we begin our journey home! Hallelujah! I decided the least stressful way to do this is to check out of Mayo and drive to MSP and get a hotel. I can then return our friends car to the employee parking lot and come back to the hotel and not worry. A friend is coming down and we will have room service and visit and in the morning she can drop us off at the airport. J isn't doing steps yet and I worried about getting on the shuttles so feel better knowing we have help. I think she is afraid we won't ever come back and wanted one more visit!
Philip is trying to help us find airline tickets and my criteria is tough with the thought of what will be the least stressful, shortest, smoothest route. I ended up buying FC tickets on US Air because every time I checked flts the seats would be gone. Boy I hate air travel under stress!
We are so happy to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and are on the road home.
Have a good evening~
C

September 21st
All in two weeks~

I still have so many asking how things are going I thought I would put together a time line of just how quickly your life can change and you will never be the same. Here is one last update and thanks for your constant support.
                                                   September 3rd boating on Lake Darling

September 7th Douglas Cty Hospital Alexandria

                        September 8th. 31/2 hr ambulance ride from Alexandria to Rochester and Mayo

September 9th serious double vision

September 11th John B helping with walking

September 12th Gracie visiting Dad at Mayo filling in for Buster!

September 19th finally released from Mayo 12 days later

September 21st on airplane from MSP to PHX to PSP.

Finally home and look who is there to greet him!

September 21st and sleeping about 18 hrs a day...but home.

We have a long way to go but together we can do it. The thing is with West Nile its such a new virus you simply cannot ask what is normal or what to expect. No one knows.. and each person gets it to a different level. Jerry has had every thing west nile can throw at him except death. One thing they do tell us is its a slow long recovery and to not give up. Thank you again to all of you that have prayed or kept us in your daily thoughts. I do believe it makes a difference. One day I want to share with him how much all of you cared. He does answer his phone now but he sleeps alot so no promises.
Love!
C and J

September 28th
For inquiring minds wondering what happened to my updates!

Well here we are one week later~
You know how you feel when you return from a trip and how good it feels to be home?  I read a post I made about coming home and thinking everything was going to be fine once we were here. Silly girl. I must say I am probably benefiting from being home more than Jerry because I have some normal back in my life. I can go in my sewing room or work in the yard and it helps me be a better caretaker. While J is happy to be here I dont see his life improving except that his back stopped hurting from the crummy hospital bed. He sleeps about 18 hrs a day, has lost his sense of taste so he barely eats, (and we thought it was the hospital food!), still has headaches and body aches, equilibrium comes can goes as well as the tremors. He has periods of time I think 'wow there he is!' and then bam back down. Recovery from the brain trauma just seems to be a very slow healing process and no set rules. I think what we wish most, (besides this never happened) is that we knew there was an end to it.
I have him walking our street twice a day now and doing a 3 lb weight to regain strength in his arms. He was suppose to begin rehab yesterday but the therapist got sick so he will go on Tues. For those that spoke to me on Mon or Tues ~sorry! I just had a couple of helpless feeling days and with one call to Mayo the course was once again set.  We hopefully will have some medical help we need to get the job done.
I am also getting him to speak to people on the phone (between naps) to help him feel connected. He went on his computer last night and there were over 120 emails!
Rande is trying to find a flt to come out next week and help out and I am looking forward to having someone to cook real food for!
Thank you all for the thoughtful cards, emails, phone msgs, texts...if one of us doesnt get back to you it doesnt mean we dont appreciate you caring. I just struggle with my need of normal and he sleeps a lot.
Love.
C

On the road again~

That has to be one of my favorite Willy Nelson songs and it always makes me want to road trip.
I think I started getting ready too soon this time because it seems like it has taken forever to arrive. Now that it has I am overkill ready. You know that means I have forgotten something big and impt. Thank goodness they have stores where we are going.  :^>

We have waited until the final morning to put the pod on top of the car so as not to advertise we are leaving.  Last night my man started loading stuff into the back and its kind of crazy but everything is fitting. So now the big decision this am is should we still put the pod on just in case we buy something...or to give us that less crowded feeling while driving? You know it does affect one's gas mph...I say leave it and open the sunroof whenever we can....

I am looking forward to seeing rk in two days and we will be hitting up one of my favorite places...Boulder!! Hello Pearl St....I am coming, so keep the crazy vibes cooking and the music playing!  Definitely on my top five places I would live and I don't know why because I stopped being a hippy girl in 1971. I wasn't very good at it anyway...I like make up, hairspray and bras!!
Boulder is just so quirky and fun and different from anywhere else I always enjoy a visit.

I have become a sponge lately for all the negativity in the world and feel anxious, worried and depressed often. I am going to turn off the news, stop reading the internet, only listen to positive people speak and try to find a happy place for my soul. I don't think there is a more calming place than floating on water so one more week and I can research my theory. Did I mention we have a case of wine in the car which of course we do not want to bring back. Wine on the deck watching for loons and enjoying the fish jumping...all part of my healing process...
Well here we go~ on the road again!

They say things come in threes

You know the saying that bad things come in threes...well we are on number two and I am not going to lie~ I am feeling nervous as hell about our road trip and whether or number three is waiting for us.
We rented a car and dropped off the kids at mom's for the night so we could drive to SLO and retrieve our Westy. AC was working and we needed to check this off our to do list. No problems getting there other than the usual LA traffic. It was heavenly to get out of the car and feel the cool breeze and comfortable temps of central Calif. We checked in and then walked downtown to Slo Brew again. Downtown was like a ghost town compared to when we visited two weeks ago...but again it was sooo comfortable!
So yesterday morning we got up early so we could pick it up, return the car and hit the road. We are cruising down the freeway and jk says he wants to stop at the Costco we can see from the freeway to get gas. We are confused by the exits so just get off and wind thru a neighborhood trying to wind our way back to the stupid store. We come up behind a semi stopped in the neighborhood and decide to go around him. Before we can get passed he begins to move fwd and is swinging left in front of us. He hits the Westy with his truck and literally lifts it up a bit as he tightens his turn. Fortunately jk hits the gas and we try to get out of his path. I truly want to be thinner but not by being squished by a semi while in a car! His semi  proceeded to scrape, dent and bend out poor Westy from nose to tail. We cannot even open the back hatch its pushed in from the side nor does the passenger window go down very far. Since I tend to be a visual blog here are a few photos...

Ok so the silver lining...we were not hurt. It could have been worse. Its just a car. blah blah blah.

How we see it? We had for sale signs in the windows because we are ready to move on and sell it.
Now we have to spend more money we would have preferred to do something fun with (trip to Hawaii?!) in order to fix it to sell it. It will not be worth more after we fix it so that money is lost. We also feel after Ky and his 3 accidents in the jeep in six months...our ins co would not be happy to hear from us...hello??!?! Return to silver lining at this point but we are running out of cars to ruin!

Oh and the topper to this tale is that after the semi crunch and actually getting gas...I am driving and we are still about two hrs from home when the engine starts to overheat. We turn off the AC and I drive on for a bit and now a buzzer and two lights are flashing. So I pull over and jk discovers he cannot open the back hatch to the engine because of the squish. So jk checks it from the inside and we have all out fluids...we are simply hot. We had been running the AC and I guess we were taxing the system. The VW place had suggested we replace the radiator to help the car keep cooler but we decided since we are selling to fore go. Dammit! So I when it cooled down a bit I started down the road but had to pull over again before long. While we waited for it to cool down I texted timothy our story since he knows vws and basically I wanted some sympathy. We get back in and head down the road and his reply comes thru to roll down the windows and turn on the heater. We did that and MAGIC no more overheating all the way home! However we were driving in over 100 degree weather with the heater on....I do not understand how I can sweat that much and not lose weight?!?! We made it and I am sitting in my lovely AC writing this so what the heck...no worries. Wait...there is that one nagging worry...#3...
Again I am fearful of number three shoe dropping and will keep you updated on our road trip. Only FIVE days to go before we leave and its time to get serious about packing!!

OK so I am adding this little tidbit hoping we can all agree it is the dreaded number three and I am in the clear. The day we were leaving for SLO I went to put on my cute new shoes...you saw them...and as I slid my foot in it hit something hard so I pulled it out and OMG this was in squished against my sweet piggies. Only it was WAY bigger! The dreaded cockroach!!!  They call it a date beetle around here but that is just sugar coating for an ugly nasty cockroach.

Seriously could anything be more gross and reason to scream?? I think not. I say this could easily be the dreaded number three...

Thanks for dropping by.

The week I could have done without.

Last week was a real challenge in every aspect. The weather went down the toilet and stayed there for four days...we had a storm come up from Mexico and it was so humid and muggy it was unbearable outside. Reminded me of when they open the door to the jetbridge at DFW and you couldn't breathe the air was so hot and thick. We even got some rain which was a great way to give the desert a much needed drink and wash down everything.
On Saturday I got up early so Grace and I could still do our walk before the heat was intolerable. When I turned into our house JK was coming out looking for me and very upset. Ky had called and was in a bad accident on his way to Seattle. He went by a semi truck on a 2 lane road and it sucked the jeep in and threw up so much dirt and loose gravel he was blinded. He lost control and rolled over several times. By the grace of God he was able to walk away and so we feel very grateful for that. We could have been planning a funeral right now.

RIP sweet little red jeep.

This one gives you an idea how far out into the field he ended up.

Needless to say it was a stressful weekend and absolutely nothing we could do to change it. I dread those calls from our sons at accidents and pray this one is our last. Its a terrible feeling of stress, emotions and helplessness all rolled up in one.

I have been busy sewing and finished two more pieces. I had a long email discussion with a stained glass artist friend who told me this year has been horrible for art festival artists. If they are lucky they broke even but most did not sell enough to even do that. Once you add in your cost of admission, lodging, etc~ its just not the right time to try.  So right now I am working on sending a few pieces to Tahiti with a friend going there this month and having RV hang them in his rentals. If people can afford to come to Tahiti hopefully they can afford to buy a little art to remind them of their stay. We shall see. I guess I will go back and look at Etsy the handmade website.  Honestly as much as I love to create I feel like giving up again. There is so much overhead to start up a business and too big of a risk factor. We shall see when I get back from Minnesota if I am pumped up to begin again.
 I have also discovered its a bugger to try and make a piece over again. I just spent two days trying to do another rooster and it simply is not fun or easy. I told my man I probably should not sell the camping piece or SW piece because I wont be able to replace them. New motto..."if you love it~ keep it."

We are both looking forward to our road trip and month spent relaxing on the water. I have slowly been putting aside things (wine, beer, mosquito spray...) I want to take but knowing us it will be a madhouse the very last minute. I just purchased tickets to the summer theatre in Alex and making dinner plans with friends so we should have a great vacation. I booked all our hotels and spaced them out strategically so we aren't doing 5 hrs one day and 14 the next. I think I would be a great tour manager! I am looking fwd to seeing Rande in Colorado and Janet and Neal in WI. How fun to have relatives on the way to somewhere~

On the news last night the Boy Scouts of America announced they will not accept gays in their organization and that makes me feel devastated. Rande posted 'it is embarrassing to be an Eagle Scout when the boy scouts are such a bigoted organization.'  We have always taken great pride in saying all three of our sons are Eagle Scouts because they all worked hard to receive that final honor. Ky was relentless to finish by the age of 13 and stayed the course. At the end when his brothers had lost interest in scouting he would call and schedule merit badge outings for the three of them. There were lots of hard times and mean boys in the troops but all three endured because we told them~ you started this, you will finish it. How much pride can Ky feel now to be an Eagle Scout when they say he is not welcome in their organization? Why do people assume that being gay means you want to be  promiscuous or are a threat to anyone of the same sex? You are just a person trying to find your way and scouting provided my boys with great opportunities, skills and the ability to finish what they start.
Why would BSA feel comfortable with such a hateful announcement affecting so many young boys and men and encouraging others to hate along with them? I am sad and brokenhearted because with our three boys scouting was our life for over ten years.  I was proud to be a scouting mom and I am still proud of all three of my Eagle Scouts...just no longer proud of the boy scouts organization.
I wish the news didn't make me cry every night with all the hate, war, and ugliness we show each other on a daily basis.

I love my Eagle Scouts...

Thanks for dropping by...I promise to be more cheerful next post.

just a little something

I am finding one of the most difficult issues with living in the desert is being hot. Today is suppose to top off at 115...I wouldn't know because I have not gone outside since my walk this morning. That was bad enough at 90. Grace and I both jumped in the pool as soon as we arrived back home...

Dear Abby..here is my problem...When I wake in the morning I am not a very pretty sight. So after a walk, my usual 2 cups of coffee, lifting a few arm weights, emails and this and that...I look even worse. So being who I am (girly) I go shower and get ready for the day. This includes scented lotion, make up and styling my hair. By the time I dress I am so damn hot and sweaty I feel like I need to jump in the pool. Now my just went swimming look is even worse than my just got out of bed look. What is a girl to do??!?
Signed, Hot and messy in La Quinta.

Speaking of being hot..I have been trying to find dresses to wear because basically it feels like you are running around in your underwear. I found in SLO one of those gauzy India dresses for cheap. So I wore it yesterday to run errands and thought 'hey not bad'. I opted to not wear a bra to get that really cool feeling going on...well we noticed in the car and walking into stores my dress was not only gauzy it was see thru. Also when I bent over I could see all the way to my toes...yep that's right...everything! The good news is I was in Walmart so I simply blended by wearing inappropriate attire!  There was a reason the dress was cheap and I guess it will have to stay home from now on...shees of all the luck!

We went golfing a few days ago and even though we attempted to be on the course before ten it was heating up. I think I could have managed but they had the sprinklers on all morning so now its hot AND humid. On the 3rd tee box I go to swipe at the damn bug in my ear and I catch my sapphire stud earring and it goes flying. My man and I spent about 15 min scouring the grass with no luck. Now I know I should have stayed home because it went from uncomfortable to upsetting. They were an anniversary gift and I dont take things like that lightly.

Well after nine holes of me sweating and playing worse than Lassie could with one of her legs tied behind her tail I quit. I went to my mom's and jumped in her pool and had a beer to ease my sorrow.
Jk played another nine and of course before he teed off he looked all over for my earring with no luck. The next hole parallels this one and so when his ball went that way he decided to give it one more glance. Now you know I am going to tell you he found it lying on a blade of grass. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?! I said blade of grass because I really wanted you to know this was not a BIG ol sapphire and we just were not really trying. I think its time to get in the line for lottery tickets. I can feel the possibility in my bones!! This is changing the subject a bit but our new friends Herman and Cornelia...they won $27,000 in the lottery! I know right?!? Why not us?!?!

I just began a new piece and its crazy how many ideas have come and gone. I started off wanting to have a big fish coming in one corner and littler fish swimming off scared. Once I assembled the border fabric with the water and sea grass it became so soothing I simply could not add funny fish.
A friend suggested sea turtles and bingo that is it! What could be more peaceful than the way sea turtles glide thru the water.

 Do you see what I mean? Lovely soothing colors (which of course are even better in person) and now I will add some turtles swimming to the top and a few shells etc on the bottom. Nice.
Next post will show you the progress and hopefully its spectacular!

We are going to Carlsbad tomorrow...Timothy is home from his crazy tour for 2 weeks and my mom is there with my aunt. Mary has rented a place to get out of the heat for 2 months and so its a great place to meet up and bbq right?! We are looking fwd to a break from the heat also and of course seeing the boy. Hard to believe he will be 25 this weekend...just yesterday he was this sweet little blonde angel always wanting to sit on my lap and snuggle.  While I am glad due to his size he no longer wants to sit on my lap, I miss having that unconditional nonstop love and affection only a child can offer. Most of my friends have grandchildren to fill that need but somehow my grand dog doesn't quite cut it even tho he LOVES to sit on laps!!

The other day we were in Costco and my man called me over to look at some shoes he found for me. I replied, "Babe I do not wear Costco shoes!" but I went to see what he thought I should have.
Well dang if they were not cute and absolutely perfect for me!

They are light as air, cool as a breeze, if thats possible in the desert...and absolutely perfect for my month on a lake!  Score honey!

Ok well its now cocktail time and I pretty much look fwd to this time of day all day long so must run.
Thanks for dropping by and please feel free to comment so I know you are out there.

CherVart.com

Well after about nine months of me nagging him, Rande K finally broke down and helped me set up a website. I must say I might be too old to be doing this kind of work..you know the saying old dogs and new tricks. I have spent way too much time uploading info and photos and I really should  be sewing sewing sewing. At least sewing is something I sometimes understand. Anyway check it out and be sure to pass it on to anyone else you know that might be interested. I will continue to try and improve and add more pieces to it. I think its essential to my future as an artist and the good news it I have already sold a piece from it! Woohoo!

I promise to update blog soon but I have spent so much time sitting in front of this computer I could scream...or go get another glass of wine!
Thanks for dropping by.

CherVart.com

Chering My Art!

Happy 4th of July!!

I awoke this morning to this pinging sound and simply could not figure out what was the source. Low and behold its raining! Anywhere else I have lived I would be so sad to see rain today but in the desert its so rare, its a pure delight. I also know it wont last and... well its still 80 degrees outside!
I hope you all have great celebratory plans for this fun holiday. Ours will be a bit low key and I guess that is fine. We are grilling kielbasa and having our neighbors (two!) over...then walking towards Old Town for the fireworks. My very favorite 4th of July was in 1976 and it was definitely one I put in my treasure pocket to keep close to my heart. I had just transferred to San Diego from New York in June and I held someone's vacation schedule. I flew that morning from SAN to IAD (Dulles) and we arrived around 400 downtown. My crew all knew each other and had all brought food items to share. We headed down to the Washington Monument and laid out blankets for a major picnic. It was the bicentennial year and the fireworks were spectacular. I thought my life had become perfect that night and nothing could improve after that.

We had an interesting visit to SLO and actually fell a bit in love with the town and its people. Last May we had made our first stop on our amazing road trip here. I thought it was wonderful and we should  definitely consider it for a place to live. Jk not so much...he liked it but it didn't feel like it was home so we continued on and ended up waiting for our LQ house.
SLO has been named the happiest town in America which sounds so corny but I really think its true. If you google the town you will want to visit after the kind words you read about it. Everywhere we went the people were so friendly and it has this tree lined downtown that feels like you have gone back in time. Its vibrant and full of positive energy...everyone is strolling all day and into the evening simply enjoying what is happening. We found our way to SLO Brew and had the best time!  Jk had great conversations with the brewmasters and we ended up returning the second night to have the staff happy to see us. In fact the hostess hugged me when we left..where does this happen?!

"Boy you should taste the beer my son makes! Are you hiring because he could come work here if you are..."

This was my beer order and the brewman came and told me about them and had me mix a couple! Delish!

A great variety of beers and good food and just a really cool place to hang out. I would want to work here if I was 30 yrs younger, it has such a fun staff.

Isn' t this adorable?!

Thursday night farmers market and everyone was easy going and smiling.

Seriously how can you not love a town when you see more of these cars than mercedes and bmws?!?!
You just know you have to take life slow and easy when you drive an old VW.

I loved this flier...who sells bees, records and tools all at one garage sale!?! I really wanted to hit this one up but we ran out of time.

I guess to wrap this up I have to share our Westy story...we went to SLO to have the AC fixed and after 2 days of trying to find the right parts still no luck. Friday at closing they found the hose they needed and the owner said he would come in the next day (Sat) to install it and add free on. We drove back to the hotel and checked in again. The next morning when they added the free on it caught on fire again and so no AC. We were not sure what to do at this point and really felt it was time to go home, so we punted. Rented a car to drive home and left the Westy there so he could finish the job. He feels at this point the compressor needs to be replaced. Do you see what we are going thru?! We enjoy having the westy and being in the cool kid club, but old cars just constantly need to have things replaced or repaired. We simply dont have endless funds to continue on and need to sell the poor guy. It kind of reminds me of JK and my bodies...it just seems like every time we turn around another 'part' has broken down. Getting old is quite the challenge and its no easier for houses or cars. We all have the same issues and just have to smile our way thru them.
Well go out and have a great day! Fly your flags and be proud to be an American. Just watch the news and you will know we are truly blessed. xo

Must be Tuesday

Summer has arrived and so far its been rather nice. We have been hanging around the high 90s to low 100s and with AC and a pool no complaints. I try to walk most mornings as the sun is rising and there seems to usually be a bit of breeze and comfortable temps. We have developed by mere happenstance an evening walking group that meets in front of our house around 730. We walk the neighborhood and talk about our days and have become great friends in the process. The other night we all piled into our car and drove to Dairy Queen! Love that place!   Cornelia and Herman have invited us all over for cuppaccinos and belgian waffles this morning. YUM! Cornelia was also a flight attendant so we share stories and have a lot of fun chatting together. I was thinking this morning how much I laugh when I am with them and realized what great treasures to have come into our lives. Reminds me of the saying "A friend is a gift you give yourself"...so true.
The weather has also made it possible for me to be rather prolific in the old sewing room. Someone asked if I sleep and I replied yes but I still dream about whatever I am making and usually come up with some great ideas in the morning!
A friend posted a painting of a rooster on fb and the colors were wonderful so I immediately began to make this bad boy. I know you are tired of me saying this but he really is better in person! For some reason my photo is either washed out or too brilliant. Guess which one this is!?!

So the good news is I am gathering quite a stash of pieces and my goal is to try and get accepted into a local art festival this winter. I just cant give up believing I might be someone of worth artistically~I have phases where I throw in the towel and then I cant find a reason to get up in the morning. Nothing to look fwd to kind of thing. I need this and I want it even more.
I had a friend ask how much for this piece and I felt clueless and embarrassed to suggest one. I always hated asking for money for headsets or drinks on the airplane and it follows me into my art.
Ky said its because my only audience are friends so its too personal to ask for money especially what other fabric artists ask. I am hoping Rande will set up my new website this week so I can post pieces and let others decide if they want to spend that amount without me being embarrassed asking. If he doesn't I am prepared to set up my own...surely I can find a website easy enough for someone of my level of dementia! lol

We are taking a small road trip to San Luis Obispo tomorrow to have our AC in the Westy worked on. Its unfortunate we have to go so far to get this old car worked on but at the same time what a lovely place to 'have' to visit. It looks like its about 30-40 degrees cooler there so I better pull out my winter outfits! (Just kidding!)  We belong to a wonderful winery in Templeton which isn't too far from SLO and plan to do a bit of tasting. If you ever get a chance to try Donati Wines...do it! YUM!

As for the house...hmmm...what's new? JK worked on the baseboards in our bdrm yesterday...been trimming the ficus trees in the backyard...we are kind of at a holding phase simply because the weather makes you want to float in the pool or nap in the hammock rather than do manual labor. JK keeps wondering if its his age slowing him down on projects but he is a pretty darn fit guy so probably not.

OH! I have been meaning to share this with you and never seem to remember once I begin typing. (dementia again...)
As some of you might know I am turning 60 in March and JK is hitting the big ol 65. Kind of a important birthday year I would say. So I have been trying to figure out what exactly I want to do for my big day. I am talking about the big old bucket list. At this point we don't need stuff we need to check off the things we forgot to do before. For JK's 60th we took all the family to Whistler and skied. It was a wonderful time and we both loved being a family again. So last time we were at the PS Air Museum they were selling flights around PS in one of these.

Yep that's right~ I am going to go up in this cutie on March 16th. The thing you don't know about me is I get terribly airsick in small planes. Also the whole idea of me in this open airplane scares me...put the two together and I am challenging myself to go up and keep the breakfast down. I can do it! lol

THEN my real bucket list check off thing is to go to northern Minnesota and backpack and canoe on the Boundary Waters. Over one million acres of nothing but wilderness and serenity. Isn't it beautiful?!?

I had the chance to go with jk, rk and tk about 15 yrs ago and I made the really dumb choice to just camp with kvk instead while they went. WORSE DECISION EVER!! So this is my chance to redeem myself and do something extremely cool and not an old person vacation choice at all. I cannot wait! We are thinking July would be a great month to go and plan to do some research this summer while we are back there.  In a perfect world I want my boys to be there too but I am bracing myself for the fact that they will most likely say they cant afford it. While I understand finances rule the world I also think one misses lifetime opportunities that you can't get back.  Oh well...I have my fingers crossed they can all join us but no matter what WE are going!  How about you? Does this not reach out to you and say YES! I want to help Cher celebrate 60 too! You are all invited but you have to carry your own wine and beer! lol
Thanks for dropping by!

Happy Father's Day!

 I thought this piece was appropriate because growing up and even now it was our sons favorite thing to do with their dad~go camping! If only I could make a grate and have poorboys sizzling on the fire it would be perfect! I had great fun adding all the simple details that go along with camping. For a Christmas gift Timothy drank 30 cans of Coors Light so he could make can lites for his dad. I added some little silver beads on the awning to represent those cans. I made little marsh mellows on sticks and would have done graham crackers and hershey bars if I could have figured them out! Just a whole lot of fun to make and I wish you could all see it in person.

Buster on the inside and Gracie on the outside!

One more completed and now on to something new! Thanks for dropping by!