Sip, Snip, Shop

Hi everyone,

It's been a quiet week around here. We stayed home and watched the fireworks on TV: New Years at the Needle. It was a nice quiet evening, then Chuck, Beth and I had our usual sparkling cider and clinked our glasses at midnight.

Let's see, what else. Oh, Beth and I got our hair cut. Beth wears a head lamp when she's downstairs to see her paperwork better (we've tried so many lamps and other lights but she always goes back to her headband/light.) Because of it her hair has been cut from wearing it so much. And I guess the stylist didn't realize that because she actually gave Beth bangs. They're short enough now but it will be interesting when they start to grow out! 

My hair's the same, just a little shorter. I tried my best to take a selfie. I don't know how some of you take such great selfies! I'm thinking of you Leslie and Daenel!

We did some shopping. It's funny how the older we get the less we can be out and about. We wandered through Target, then headed over to Kohls. We had gift cards burning holes in our pockets! I took this when we were next in line at Kohls. I realized I hadn't taken any pictures and quickly got out my phone. "Smile!"

We stopped and got dinner, and took it home to eat it. It's crazy how excited we were to be home again!

I think tomorrow sort of begins the true back to work and school after the holidays. From what I hear the thousands of Amazon employees have to be back in the office beginning tomorrow. I'm so grateful my commute is only 5 minutes! 

I pray you all had a good New Year celebration and that the first week of January has been kind to you. Truly, take care of yourselves. Pamper yourself sometimes. You are loved and cherished.

'Til next time - 

Beth's New 'Do

 A few days after we got home from Anaheim, Beth and I got our hair cut. Mine was the same style, just a few inches cut off. 

 

Beth's wanted shoulder-length hair for a while but they always seem to leave it longer. This time they cut it short.

 

 Beth has Alopecia so I usually put her hair in a ponytail to help cover the bald spot but now we're able to part it on the side. It's such a different look for her.

 

Treated Like A Diva

 About a year ago I found a little salon near our house that Beth and I fell in love with. We've been there a couple of times and Beth went again last week.

 

We looked through pictures of shoulder-length hair styles and she picked this one:

 

 

At first my heart sank because Beth has straight hair. I don't know if it's because she has Down Syndrome or not but it's very straight. I explained to her the difference between a cut and a style. That this lady's hair looks like this because after they cut it, they used a blow dryer and maybe a curling iron and it looks like this because of the way it was styled, not cut.

 

I remember when Beth was born most of the pictures of adults who had DS had short, cropped hair. We didn't know why most pictures showed that cut, but we hoped it was because many of them were living in institutions and it was easier for the caregivers to manage. But we wanted to make sure Beth's hair could grow long, and it did.

As she's gotten older though she likes it a little shorter. Probably because... it's easier to manage. 😊

 

So we confirmed that she did want her hair cut just a little past her shoulders, and when we got to the salon, we showed the photo to the stylist. She was young (to me) just turned 30 and was excited about the photo. Beth sat in the chair and Kaitlyn got to work.

 

First she shampooed her hair, then cut it and blew it dry.

 

 

 Then she began to style it. She talked to Beth about work and family while she worked her magic. And when she was done...

She loved it!! Not as big and full as the photo but a current style that Beth was so excited about! The curls were soft and exactly how she wanted them. It turned out so good, the salon asked Beth if they could take her picture.

 

Now I'm trying to replicate it. Haven't had much success yet and I keep telling Beth I need to practice, but when I'm doing her hair in the morning I'll ask her if she wants me to curl it and she sadly tells me, "Just straight." I've got to learn how to do this!

Chock Full

We've had a very busy week. I kept meaning to post but by the time the days ended I was too tired!

 

Chuck and I went to a Mariner's Game. Diana and I took Poppy for a walk down by the waterfront. There were two doctor's appointments, and two salon appointments. Chuck and I went to a Business Meeting. We had new gutters put on the house. I took Ally to school one morning. And Xfinity did some work in our area so we had spotty internet for a few days. No wonder I didn't get on here this week!

 

Poppy loves to go to new places, she just hates riding in the car. We wonder if she gets motion sickness? Not sure, but she does okay as long as she can look out the front window!

 

 

Then we took her to the pet store so she could pick out some treats. I played with her out in the backyard, then came in and needed to go downstairs to talk to Beth. When I came out of Beth's apartment she was at the top of the stairs. I guess she wasn't finished playing!

 

 I took Beth to a salon for the first time. We've always just gone to Supercuts and they've been okay but now we're going to a real hair salon! Shampoo, scalp massage... We didn't know what we'd been missing!

 

 We're s-l-o-w-l-y updating the outside of our house. We put on a new roof a few years ago and got a color that would match the house, once we get it painted. Last week we got new gutters put on that will be the trim color of the house... once we get it painted. We met with a painter friend last week but he's so busy (we're not the only ones?!) he can't get to it until next Spring. So... the house doesn't look great. Yet! But we're getting there.

 

And I realize I haven't taken a picture of the house with the new gutters!

 

I took Ally to school the other day. Middle school. The few times I took her in grade school we'd sit in the car and talk until it was time to go inside. I told her we'd be early so we'd have to wait in the car and she said, "No. Everyone just waits outside." It was surreal watching her walk away from the car.

 

Preschool Graduation... and... now 😭

 

 Fall is definitely here! Trees are changing color, temps are dropping. I will admit, I'm starting to get excited about it all!

Agitators, Pins, One Inch

We had our dress fittings last weekend! As we were driving to David's Bridal Beth said, "It's almost here!" Chuck and Sharaya are announcing the count down, "Sixty one days!" "Fifty nine days!" As I write this the wedding is in 51 days. We pick up the dresses one week before we leave.

 

Our washing machine is on it's last... it's about ready to... well, no not really. We bought our washer and dryer - used - more than 15 years ago and they're still going strong! I don't have to have the newest and fanciest gadgets: I'm an advocate of 'if it's not broke, don't fix it.' So we just keep using them! It's just that the knob came off the washer a couple months ago and now it's really hard to choose the cycle. We use our fingernails, pliers, anything we can to get that dial to move.

 

Our house was built in the 50s and the space for the washer and dryer is really small. We're finding that the appliances they make today are too big to fit in our laundry room so we've decided to just buy the washer for now and figure out what to do with the dryer if - when - that finally goes. Our current washer:

 And the one that will be delivered next week:

This one's much bigger and there's no agitator in it. I've heard good and bad things about not having one so I'm curious to see how this does. Do you have a preference?

Beth has wanted to get her hair cut lately. This time she got layers and she's so excited about it! She can't wait to show all her friends. Sorry, I never got an 'after' photo. I'll try to get one in the next few days.

Have you had a hair cut recently? My hair is the exact length today that I want it for the wedding. I may go in and have them take off just one inch! 😊

Reservations

I don't know if you're like me but I go through seasons, short stages really, of having so much to write about and every day I can't wait to get on here and write! And then other times where I go weeks of not knowing what to write about and not even wanting to turn the computer on... I'm in the latter right now.

Well, what's been happening around here?

I got a covid test this week. I was around someone who was around someone who ended up testing positive. Then the person I was around tested positive so I decided to just get one. I didn't have any symptoms so I wasn't too surprised when it came back negative. But it feels good to know. 

I haven't had the vaccine yet. Honestly I'm a little hesitant. I'm not a big medicine taker. My mom and sisters both take (took) copious amounts of prescription meds and I saw the problems it caused. At one point in her life my mom was on, I think 19 medications. One night I flew down to stay with her because they didn't think she was going to make it through the night. She was delirious and hallucinating. Her doctor told us to just stop all of her meds. If this was the end it wouldn't matter anyway. Wouldn't you know, my mom woke up the next morning perfectly fine! I was shocked to see her sitting up in bed, perfectly okay. So I'm a little concerned about how these vaccines are going to affect people. IF they're going to affect people. What's gonna happen 6 months from now, a year from now. I kind of want to wait and see how people react to it. I'm not against it at all, I'm just... curious.

Let's see... I got my hair cut. I can't tell if it's too short for my taste or if it's just a shock because it was so long before!

 Before (This is natural. It gets kind of frizzy.)

After (Blow dried and straightened.)

 

Umm, what else? Ally and I are going to the Museum of Flight tomorrow! I bought tickets for us back in November but everything shut down a second time and they just refunded my money. So when they opened up again I bought them right away. We're ready to go! I'm so excited! 

Have you had the vaccine? 

Are you have reservations about taking it?

Where are you excited to go that you haven't been in a while?

Thankful Thursday

This week I'm thankful for:

 

A few days of sunshine
Getting my hair cut and a new style!

Going for a walk with Chuck along the waterfront

Beth beginning to feel better after having a cold

Receiving great ideas on how to plan a workshop

Finding the coconut cookies my sister was telling me about

What are you thankful for?
 

Feet

Beth and I went to Burlington to get some snow boots the other day. Seattle doesn't get huge amounts of snow but it's one of those things that you just really need to have and they'll probably last for the rest of our lives!

 

We also went and got her hair cut again. She's really liking the shorter look. Every morning I put it up in a small pony tail and then curl the ends under. After I leave the bathroom, she spends a few minutes admiring herself in the mirror! She is pretty cute!

We went to a Christmas Bazaar this year. I always hear people talk about them and I wish I had gone... after they were over of course! But this year I put it on the calendar and we went! It was actually pretty fun, lots of stuff to buy and a friend of ours was cooking - and serving - bbq chicken and rice, it was so good! We ate first, then walked around all the booths.

Beth bought a small key chain with the letter B on it, we both bought some weighted lap pads that you put in the microwave and they keep you warm! I'm planning to take mine to my Sunday school class. We won't put them in the microwave there, but we'll be able to use them like weighted blankets. 

Then I was walking around the area that has all the homemade signs. You know the kind that are wood slats, or just decorative wood with sayings on them. I saw one that literally stopped me in my tracks and right there in the middle of the Christmas Bazaar, I started crying. It was the world map and it had been put on a large piece of wood and it had the words, "Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander" scrolled over the map.

Oh my word. 

It's from the song Oceans by Hillsong. All the traveling we've done over the years, the memories made, the adventures we've had... but the very most important thing in my life is knowing God. As much fun as I've had traveling, nothing compares with spending time with the Lord. 

Well come to find out, the booth belonged to C (a friend from church) and she actually made the print! The one she had hanging there had been sold so she's going to make me another one. I just can't stop thinking about it! Boy am I glad we went this year!

(Next week is Thanksgiving and is gearing up to be The. Busiest. Week. for me this year. You might not hear from me, so let me say now, I hope your Thanksgiving turns out to be the best one you've ever had!)

Our Weekend

I took Beth to Supercuts on Friday and she got her hair trimmed. It looked so cute when we left the salon but I haven't been able to make it look like that since!

On Sunday we went out to lunch after church. Sharaya and Allie had made plans and Chuck had to work so just the two of us went to Hamburger Harry's. They have THE best burgers I've ever had! Then we went down to the beach again. We're beginning to love the view from 'our' bench. :)

As we got up to leave, we noticed the ranger station was open over by the pier. They had a touch tank inside where we got to check out all kinds of sea life. It was fun!

  

So how was your weekend? Do anything fun?

When Was The Last Time?

This poor blog. I think about it when I'm driving the car. Or crawling into bed at 11:30 at night. I really want to do a better job at posting more often.

The last couple of weeks have been pretty busy but I managed to capture a few shots of Beth...

Carrying Bibles back to the CRC after our Sunday school class 

 

She is such a great help in our class; bringing and returning the Bibles; she fills a pitcher with water for us, then empties and returns in back to the office; she really has a servants heart.

 

Nick joined us on January 7 and Beth was so excited! She talked about it for days. He came over after church and had lunch, then we played a little Mexican Train.

 

Then a few days ago Beth asked to get her hair cut. She told me what she wanted and I thought she would change her mind but she didn't! I told the stylist and...

 

Taa Daa! She absolutely loves it! All one length with an undercut. We've spent some time every morning curling the ends under and she is thrilled with it! 

When was the last time you got your hair cut? Were you happy with the results?

Mother-Daughter Day

Beth and I spent the day together on Friday, shopping for fun. We had the whole day planned, shoes shopping, getting our hair done, going out for lunch... we were so excited for Friday!

This is the way my brain works:

We couldn't find any parking at the mall
We had to walk the entire mall, twice
There was a very unsatisified customer at the shoe store
We quietly bought our shoes and left
The stylist at the salon didn't cut my hair the way I wanted
We kind of made a scene because I spoke up about it...

But I'm trying to change the way I think about life. The word tells us to take our thoughts captive, to set our minds on things that are true and just and right. So...

We couldn't find parking on the side of the mall that we wanted so I drove around to the parking garage. There was plenty of parking there and it kept us out of the rain!

Walking through the mall sent us by Bath and Body Works, a store that Diana used to work at so I sent her a photo and told her we were thinking about her.

The clerk at the shoe store was really working her bum off helping all of us, despite that one unhappy customer. I can't imagine what the clerk did to make that lady so angry. Beth found another pair of Kangaroos and she did her usual walk around the store to make sure they fit well. She sure loves those shoes!

It was after 2:00 by that time and we were getting hungry so we stopped to have some pretzels at Auntie Anne's. That's one of our favorite places at the mall! She got a pepperoni pretzel and I got cinnamon bites, warm and soft and full of cinnamon! Yum!

I realized after we left the salon what the stylist had been trying to explain to me. I didn't understand while I was there and kept asking her why she cut it the way she did. She'd explain again and I'd ask more questions. Sigh. Even though we left things okay, I gave her a good tip, etc. I need to go back and apologize. Like ordering a coffee at Starbucks, I need to learn how to ask for a certain hairstyle.

Beth and I went to the bank and to Target... we were out and about for about 6 hours and we had such a good time! We love shopping for fun!

This Isn't It

If you're looking for a post that is gonna make you feel good about your adult with Down Syndrome, a post that talks about the huggy-bear kissy-face life with an adult with Down Syndrome, this isn't it. If you don't want to hear about the hard stuff, you may want to stop reading here.

The last couple of weeks have been hard to understand with Beth. Mentally, physically. I don't know whats going on but, well here, let me just tell you.

As she was leaving for work recently I asked her if she had her phone. When she's on her phone, talking or texting, she feels like everyone else. It's her lifeline and she hates to be without her phone. I know this, so I wanted to make sure she had it. She told me, "Uh, yea!" in a very snotty, I'm-an-adult-and-I-don't-need-you-telling-me-what-to-do kind of way. She left and a little while later I walked into the office and lo and behold, there was her phone hooked up to the charger. Later that night she called the house and Chuck could tell she had been crying. I guess when she tried to call us and realized she didn't have her phone, she had to ask a co-worker to use theirs.

A couple days later I got a call and she was sobbing. Absolutely sobbing. Through her tears she told me that she had forgotten her bowling ball. She goes bowling in the morning, then straight to her job class. I figured she left it at the bowling alley and I just figured I would call them right away to make sure they knew it belonged to someone from the All Aboard group. I finally got it out of her that she left it at job class. Whew. That is a small office that works with adults with special needs. A safer, calmer place and I knew they would still have it. They did and her job coach brought it to work later that week. But Beth was a basket case on the phone. I had to calm her down and reassure her that she would get her ball back.

A few days later... I walked into the kitchen to see her fixing a tuna sandwich. I asked her if there was more tuna in a container in the fridge. She opens the door and pulls out a small container of tuna. I told her that whatever she doesn't use she could just put in that container. "Okay." Then she looks at me and slowly pulls back a paper towel that was wrapped around her thumb. A paper towel soaked in blood. "Beth, what happened?!?" She didn't say anything. Just pointed to the partially open lid of the tuna can. Oh my word! I turned on the cold water and stuck her thumb under it. I was afraid to look at it. I pulled it out from under the water and could see an L shaped cut, then the blood began pouring again. To make this long story short, we discussed, blood pressure and clots... It wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be and after a few minutes, the bleeding stopped and we were able to just put a bandaid on it. Oh my word. Seriously??

The next day... (yep, it keeps going) I came home from work and she was in the kitchen. I was gonna fix some lunch and we're talking when all of the sudden, she opens her hand to show me this long, huge chunk of hair. Honestly, I held it in my hand for maybe 30 seconds, not saying a word. I didn't know what to say! My mouth was open but no words were coming out. What...? How...? Why...? Then she said she was trying to get the snarls out. Oh my word. "You need to use a brush!" Why on earth did she think cutting her hair was the answer?!? I asked her to take out her pony tail and then entire left side of her head was cut about to her shoulder. But not a nice clean cut, oh no. Some to her ears, some to her shoulder... I told her we were gonna have to cut it short to make it all even. "Noooo!!" I asked her if she would rather have Diana cut it and she said yes. So, on Monday night, Diana got out the scissors and began to cut and trim and style.

Oh my word. Life with kids is messy. But it's different with kids who have special needs. My other girls would NEVER think to take scissors to their hair to remove snarls. If they cut themselves, they automatically know what to do. But lately Beth doesn't seem to have a clue. It's like she's lost. Like she's lost all ability to function normally. To think rationally about basic things. I'm concerned. And a little nervous about what might happen next.

Before

 

 

After

Everything has turned out okay. Beth wasn't seriously cut on the tuna can. Her hair cut turned out cute. She got her bowling ball back... I'm trying to be grateful for they way things have ended up, but it's nerve-racking and emotional to suddenly have all these things happen. Especially when you can't explain it.