I'll Be Back!

In less than 24 hours we'll be in the air, on our way to Israel! This is my first international flight, never been on a jumbo jet before. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. I'm headed to bed soon but don't know how much I'll actually sleep.

 

Please take care of yourselves and I'll write when I get back!

 

I took this in May of last year coming home from San Diego

 

Toothless Smile, Pampered, and Abandoned

Chuck is watching hockey on TV and as I logged into the blog they reported about the shooting in Allen, Texas. It's the first I've heard of it! Oh Lord, have mercy on the families. 

 

Beth and I were coming home from the grocery store the other day and the radio station was telling it's listeners about seeking the Lord if they feel lonely, or scared, or abandoned. And Beth said, "I don't want to be abandoned."

 

"Beth why do you think you would be abandoned?"

 

"I dunno."

 

"Beth it's okay to tell me. Why do you think we would abandon you?"

 

Well come to find out, she's afraid we'll go on our trip and not come back. But the way she talked, it wasn't that she was afraid we were going to die, just that we'd decide not to come back home! I told her that could never happen! I told her she grew inside me and so she has a part of my heart and I have a part of hers. We could never abandon her!

 

So when we got home I had her get her calendar and I showed her the day we're leaving and the day we're coming home. We talked about what each of her days would look like, the things she'll do, when Sharaya and Ally would be here... I covered everything. (You know, as I'm typing this I'm wondering if she's feeling the loss of Diana and Peter. Diana I know you read this and I don't want you to feel bad! I think maybe she's just grieving you guys, but she doesn't realize it's 'grief'.) Hmm, I may need to have another conversation with Beth about this. 

 

 

On another note, our church held a women's conference this weekend and I got to attend! I worked for days before, even the morning of: meeting with the custodians to make sure the break-out rooms were set up and the correct tables were in the main foyer, and bathrooms were stocked and cleaned... but then I came back for the event and actually felt like a visitor! Women I didn't recognize were asking me my name and how long have I attended Westgate, and I responded like an attendee, not a staff member! It was so much fun! I had lunch with a lady I've known for a while but don't really know. We talked and laughed the whole time! Our husbands have a lot in common so now we're making plans to get together. Honestly, I don't have girlfriends that I hang out with. I'm such an introvert, and a homebody. But the last couple weekends have found me hanging out with other women and I loved it!

 

Getting Ready

 

Photo booth

 

 

Waiting for the doors to open after lunch

They estimate 150 women attended

 

Snacks while we wait

 Now from Seattle, to the east coast... Sharaya and Ally were in New Jersey last week and sent so many pictures of Adelaide!

 

They're pretty sure Adelaide is teething

Diana says shes yelling at her bear

 

And lastly, my two granddaughters. 

There are no words to explain how much I love these two!

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!

Grandkids, Dual Appointments, and Hair Stylist?

I must tell you our computer has been acting up lately. It's so slow, the page you're working on will suddenly go black, and the 'w' doesn't always work. So if you see a word that doesn't look right, see if adding a 'w' somewhere will help. 😊

 

Ally and I went out for lunch last week. I picked her up from school, we got some lunch and went to Target. It was so good to hang out with her again. I'm always thankful when she's willing to hang out with this old Nana.

 

 

Their cat recently got into trouble so her punishment was... love. Moxie hates to be held!

 

 Then Ally decided to 'style' Sharaya's hair. Hmm, not sure it'll become a popular look...

Diana's been sending pictures of Adelaide. It's amazing how fast she's growing and how much she's learned in just a couple months. Can't wait 'til our visit in June!

Beth and I had dentist appointments on Monday, one right after the other. We both needed fillings too. So she sat in the little wooden chair while I got my tooth worked on, then we switched. Thankfully we were only there about an hour. People are always laughing and relaxed. When I was in my early 20's I realized, "I'm an adult. I don't have to go to the dentist!" So I didn't for many years. Then I thought, 'I'm an adult. I really should go to the dentist.' Took me a while to find this guy and he's the best. We love our dentist!

 

 Beth also had a doctor appointment last week. Just a routine visit so the doctor could see her and get some lab work done before giving more refills on her meds. Her A1C is improved; thyroid is low... we'll be adjusting some of her meds for a while and check back in a few months. But basically, everything looks good.

 

That's all from here. It's late and I need to get to bed. The older I get I seem to have increased energy in the morning but by 6:00 in the evening I am wiped out! Hope you're doing well. Have a great day! 

A Trip to the Antique Store Reveals...

 ...a little about me.

 

There's a store called the Antique Pavilion about a mile from our house. The place is huge, not quite as big as WalMart but it might be close. I went there this last weekend, walked up the long staircase to the store and took a deep breath. I couldn't help but smile.

 

It's filled with treasures from long ago. It takes me back to my childhood as I walk past stall after stall of items that remind me of my grandma, my parents or my older sisters. It fills my mind with memories of childhood: of playing hopscotch and jump rope; riding my bike with the banana seat and tall handlebars; I grew up in San Diego and I still remember the sidewalk being warm from the sun as me and my friends would sit criss-cross-applesause for a long game of jacks.

 

 

This store is my escape. I can spend hours here...

 

 I found some children's tap shoes! A little bigger than the ones I wore, I took tap when I was six or seven. I still remember the 'tap-tap-shuffle-ball-change' routine. I don't know if that's what it's called today, but I can still do it!

 

 I left the world of tap at the ripe old age of eight and joined a baton corp. I was in that for about 3 years and I still have my baton. This is us waiting for our turn to join the parade.

 

 

That's me on the right, carrying the banner. Every girl got a turn to carry it in at least one parade if she wanted to.

 

That's me in the back. My two best friends Cheri and Robin on the left, and my cousin Sandy on the right. I still keep in touch with these guys.

 

Meanwhile, back at the antique store... they have true antiques, retro items and not-quite-antique antiques.

 

 

What do you think, are these antiques? My kids played with My Little Ponies! I played with Little Kiddles. You pop the top off and the front separates from the back. The tiny doll smelled like perfume. I still have my original Little Kiddle and you know what? You can still smell the perfume!

 

 There's a corner in our house that has been dubbed as Ally's Area for many years. We put her pack 'n play there when she was first born. I would babysit her on Saturdays when Sharaya would work and Ally's Area would fill with books and sidewalk chalk and bubbles, coloring books and dolls. Then the pack and play was replaced with a toy box and doll house. Then a white, round furry chair took their place. Now at 13, only the books are there. 

 

So I pulled out all of my antiques and redid the area. My mom's typewriter, my dad's reel-to-reel projector, my grandpa's camera, pics of Chuck's and my mom. A dog piggy bank that the dealership gave me when my dad bought a Ford car in 1966. And an old chair that wraps around you like a hug. It's become one of my favorite spots in the house.

 

 Do you have anything from your childhood? An item that holds precious memories?

Tuesday Texts

 At first I thought this was kind of rude but then I read a little more...

So after work we went to Bartell Drug store and shopped for fun!  😅

Double Prizes, Right on Schedule, and Future Vacation

 Beth bought some clothes on-line a few weeks ago. I sat with her at the computer as she picked out overalls and dresses and pants... she clicked on Submit and we waited for all those fun packages to arrive!

 

Chuck was doing the bills and noticed she was charged twice. There were two identical orders. I don't know how that happened but she was thrilled to get four pairs of overalls, and two pink dresses... Her original overalls broke in the dryer. The metal clasp that hooks the bib to the strap broke. One clasp broke the first time she dried them and the second one broke the second time she put them in the dryer. So this time she washed them and then hung them in the laundry room to dry. Smart girl.

 

 I had an eye appointment this week. It's been close to 10 years since I got my last pair of glasses. Beth and I went a few years ago but our prescriptions hadn't changed at all so we decided to wait to get new glasses. But mine are so scratched I'm just ready for a new pair.

 

 

My prescription still hasn't changed much. With my glasses on I see 20/20 out of my left eye and 20/25 out of my right. He also told me I have a cataract, but it's small. He said it's right on schedule - they start growing in your 60's and by your early 70's you usually have surgery to remove them. I'm glad it's 'normal' but I prefer not having it all! 😊 

 

I don't think I've told you yet that Chuck and I are going to Israel! We're going on a tour with a large group from our church. I'm so excited! My old suitcase broke a while back so I need to buy a new one, our passports are up-to-date, we've started gathering things we'll need like water socks, electric socket adapters... It's still a month away but I can hardly stand it!!

Tuesday Texts - Surprising

Beth and I have done our grocery shopping together for so long I was a little surprised last week when I got this text:

 

Beth is absolutely capable of grocery shopping by herself. Getting a cart, picking all of her groceries, using her debit card at the register. She doesn't need my help with any of it. 

 

She is capable, but vulnerable. 

 

I ended up parking at the grocery store and while she went inside, I walked next door to TJMaxx and picked up some things for work. I went into Safeway to see if I could find her and she was already at the cashier. She turned in my direction - yikes! I ran back out to the car so she wouldn't see me and just as she said, she stopped just inside the door and texted me:

i am done ready

I told her I was in the car and she came right out.

 

I sat in the car while she put her groceries in the trunk. She put the cart in the cart return, got in the car... and we headed home!

Unconventional, Squishy, and First Time in Years

At our Good Friday service I helped downstairs with our children's ministry. They put on something like a Stations of the Cross event that draws hundreds of kids! There were a couple of kids that found all the noise and excitement of the evening just too overwhelming so we hung out in our Special Connections room. I read the Easter story and we played with glow sticks.

 

 

On Saturday Beth and I colored eggs. Haven't done that in years! I kind of fumbled around with the whole process, couldn't remember how to dry the eggs without wiping off the coloring, and I think our food coloring is old because it wasn't sticking to the eggs... it was quite the spectacle! But we had fun!

On Sunday after church we waited until about 3:00 and then went out to The Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. Not your typical Easter cuisine but we all like Italian and we figured they wouldn't be too busy at that time. And we were right. It was just a five minute wait.

 

After lunch we came back to the house for Easter baskets and Mexican Train. Although I don't really do baskets anymore. I just use small tupperware dishes. I remember my grandma used to make our baskets out of strawberry baskets. Remember when strawberries came in those little, square green baskets?

 

 

And we did a video chat with Diana, Peter and Adelaide. We all miss them SO much!

 

 And... we got a picture of Adelaide in one of her Easter weekend outfits. I've put it as the wallpaper on my phone and every time I pick it up to text or call I say - through clenched teeth, 'She'sh so cute and shqwishy!!!' And then I forget what I was doing. 😊 Happy Easter!