9/11 and American

I came across a news article about a young man in pilot training with American Airlines and it brought back so many memories I wanted to share it with you.
While we were living in Bonsall I was a member of the Bonsall Woman's Club and for the year of 2002 I was the spiritual advisor. I would get up once a month before each meeting and share something that would make us all think or simply feel entertained for a few minutes. Here is my reading for that Sept day...

"I know you are all expecting me to entertain you with an amusing story and a good laugh but I felt I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the anniversary of 9/11. It so changed America and how we all live and think. So I decided to share a personal story with you.
Not so long ago there was a woman named Cheryl, as I am, and she lived here in Fallbrook. She had children in school at Fallbrook High School and Sullivan Middle, as I do, and they even had similar classes with my children.
Her son was in Boy Scouts and in the same troop as my sons.
Her husband put on the same uniform to go to work as my husband does. They were both pilots for American Airlines. But for the grace of God this is where our lives separate.
On Sept. 11th 2001 that Cheryl's husband put on his uniform and kissed her good bye for the last time. Not a day goes by that she doesn't miss everything about him.
I am the lucky Cheryl this time and my husband is still here to put his arms around me.
In honor of her husband please...

Dream what you want to dream; Go where you want to go: Be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do."

So here is the awesome part...Cheryl's son Tommy is now 26 yrs old and in pilot training with American Airlines. He said he wanted to be a policeman, fireman or a pilot growing up and when he lost his dad he knew exactly how to honor him. They showed a photo of his dad looking back in the cockpit smiling and his son said I know he is smiling down on me and feeling proud.

What a wonderful heartwarming turn of events. I wish him nothing but blue skies and good memories in his flying career. He is right...his dad would be ever so proud.
Thanks for dropping by...

Good and bad..

Let me begin this post with some really cute photos of Jetta. I was gone most of the day so J and J spent it out working on the trains. Jetta loves the train yard and when the cars are running she runs along side looking in them. When it stops she barks at the engine to get going.

She picked up a screwdriver to help!

Doublechecking his wiring work.

Helping!

Helping to clean up his big mess!

Worn out from all the train fun and of course helping!

Jetta is growing like a weed and so full of energy...wish we had just a fraction of it! We are making progress on potty training which makes all the difference in the world. So much more to teach/learn!

I have been fighting the blues this last week and felt the need to nurture my soul in the sewing room.
I combined the colors of the sky and the sun and suddenly all was well in the world. This piece simply makes one feel happier looking at it.

I mounted it on stretched canvas and its about 20x26 so a nice size. I started beading the center and ran out of the triangle bead...went to 3 different stores and no one had it so I ripped them all out and began again. The best part is I usually only see what I have done wrong in my work and with this one I only see what is right. That's a good feeling.

This photo gives you an idea just how many beads I used...

As I told you previously we signed up to do the Tour de Palm Springs again...this time 25 miles.
Our friends from MN said of course so the 4 of us gathered for the big event. They had 9000 sign up to ride and honestly I thnk 1/2 of them were doing the 25 mile ride. It was pretty darn crowded and they changed the route placing us on some busy roads and riding with busy traffic.

We were at 16.7 of the ride when a biker in front of Jerry cut across blocking his vision of the road. He hit deep sand and lots control of his bike and went down...yes again. Poor guy! The bike and lower torso were on soft sand but his shoulder hit the road. He felt he dislocated or broke it and we had an angel in a bike suit stop to help. He turned out to be an EMT and made a sling out of my jacket and told us to get to the hospital. I called my mom to come get him but that left me stranded with 2 bikes. Fortunately a motorcycle policeman arrived and he called for a truck to come get me and the bikes so I could load them up.
We ended up driving to the ER in LQ because the PS one was jam packed with sick, coughing, mask wearing people and J cant do that exposure. So after an exray he has separated his shoulder from his collarbone and we will be calling an ortho dr tomorrow. Pretty darn painful to touch or move his arm and back in the lazy boy to sleep. Rande and I joked he would do anything to get out of the puppy night shifts!

 We are both so sad because this is the best time to be out and about in the desert. I guess the only recreation left for us is Happy Hour with friends. Bar stool jumping?!? I couldn't help wonder if the west nile balance issues were part of the problem but both accidents are ones that happen to anyone. He didnt see the sand and most do lose control of their bikes in it. I guess the silver lining is at least we are trying.
I  simply cannot end with J's shoulder pic so here's a beautiful sunrise we were blessed with this week. Thanks for dropping by~

Ah February...the month of LOVE

January turned into a fantastic month of good news and awesome changes.
Let's start with Ky flying to Atlanta for an interview with Delta. They are looking for danish speakers so it seemed like the perfect chance for him to begin a career. He was among 9 chosen out of 60 but the danish interview didnt go as well. They actually call Denmark to do the interview but it was a bad connection and he couldnt hear some of her questions. He felt he was completely qualified in fluency but didnt quite meet the benchmarks. They did however hire him as a FA and said he could retest for Danish speaker when he is in training. We are all over the moon excited for him and he begins training Feb 26th.

He will be perfect for this job because he loves to travel and use his languages, he is more than flexible about where he lives or flies to, he is charming and he is soooo ready for a new adventure. Go be amazing  Ky!
The other big news is we have a new baby and her name is Jetta! She is a 10 week old golden retriever and she is beautiful.

The other side of the story is how much attention a puppy requires...we have not had one for 11 1/2 yrs and have simply forgotten. We also had no idea how set we are in our daily routines and right now everything is about her. We feel blessed we had Rande around for the first 2 weeks to help out with potty training and not crying all night. I have struggled with giving up my early morning sewing and having a clean house. If you know me these are huge issues and I am so hoping I can at least sew again soon.  Everyday we see a bit of progress and she is so happy and loving, its worth it.
A few more photos just because she is so stinking cute!

Our latest decor....plastic prison walls. "hey can someone come play with me?"

She loves the trains and runs along side looking in the cars and barks at it when it stops! Shes a crack up! Need to work on how fast she can get off the tracks tho!

A girl has to have accessories! She empties the toy box daily!

Yep...she is a Kamolz dog for sure!

 Rande leaving on tour with Childish Gambino for a few months and saying goodbye to 'his' girl. We are wondering if he will be able to pick her up like this when he returns. She is growing like a weed and will only be a lap dog in her mind.

 We also had a wonderful visit from our Alexandria MN friends, the Ringdahls. We have been asking them to visit since we left MN and they finally came! Woohoo! We also had our dear friends Lynn and MaryKay arrive the same day for their winter getaway! I was in heaven to have two BFs at the same time and perfect weather thrown in! Thanks Ky for the great MN home shirt to wear!!

 I made dinner, J poured wine, we pulled out the Mexican Train game and topped it off with lemon meringue pie from our tree. It was a perfect evening and I think everyone had fun.

Cheers!

                         The next day we hiked the Palm Springs mountain...what a workout!

Then we all met up for a 25 mile bike ride thru La Quinta and stopped for lunch at SilverRock. Gorgeous day!The bad news is J caught a tire on a curb and got thrown to the ground on the way back. He was pretty cut up and his hand was swelling so we quickly headed for home. I do not know how he managed to continue but he is not a quitter and insisted on riding. Its been a show recovery but he just keeps on trucking! 

Yep. We ended up in urgent care getting his wounds cleaned and stitched. Just not how one wants a great day to end but when you do sports~ stuff happens. The cool thing is the dr came in and said "first let me congratulate you on being active and trying to stay young. Now lets see the damage!" We have managed to ride over 100 miles this month and feel ready to ride 25 miles in the Tour de Palm Springs this weekend with our friends. I am praying for no wind because we are riding east where its an issue. I ride like a snail in the wind and will have to meet them at the finish line!

I thought I would end here with this heart I found one summer...its made from corrugated metal found after hurricane Katrina and I just love it. Hope you all have a month of LOVE and good times. Thanks for dropping by.