Teamwork, Easter Flashback, So Ready

We went to the cardiologist a few days ago and he cleared Chuck to go back to work. So tonight, that's where he is, the first time in just over a month! He was so ready. They still don't know what caused him to pass out but he hasn't had any episodes since.

Ally has joined a volleyball league and we went to a game last weekend. Sharaya's the assistant coach, they've been practicing every week for a month or so and this was their first game. It was fun to see the girls work on new skills and learn teamwork.

We had a great Easter. Chuck, Beth and I went to church in the morning then we all headed over to Diana and Peter's for lunch. Peter made lamb and chicken, brussel sprouts, a pasta spinach and cheese dish. Sharaya made the mashed potatoes... everything was SO good! We brought pie for dessert.

After lunch we made our annual trip to the tulip fields. Ally was with her dad but Peter's sister flew in from New Jersey the night before and was able to come with us. It was Easter Sunday, the weather was nice so of course there were a ton of people! But the flowers were gorgeous and we were all together. Nothing better than that.

1995 

(My mom, our girls and one of their friends.)

2022

 

 

I hope you all had a blessed Easter!

Beth Got One Of Those Perfect Moments...

Thank you all for your encouraging comments on my last post. I'm doing much better this week, everyone is healthy, spring has arrived, we've had some blue skies and I feel like I'm starting to get my life back.

Chuck hasn't had any more episodes. He's extremely bored and can't wait to get back to work, once the doctors clear him. We see the neurologist tomorrow.

Sharaya is supposed to see a new place on Saturday. There were two of them, one was a single story, the other is two story. She saw the one-story a couple weeks ago but that was a little small. They'll see the two-story this weekend. This place has a pool, weight room, so many amenities! She's excited to see it!

We went to Diana and Peter's a few weeks ago. Had a fantastic dinner and then sat out by the fire to watch the sunset. They have a spectacular view from their back yard! Peter's sister is coming out from New Jersey in a couple weeks and we're planning a trip to the tulip fields. I'm excited to take some new Tulip Field Family Photos with Peter!

 

The girls pets continue to bring entertainment to us all. The cats run and chase each other and attack each other and fight and sleep cuddled up next to each other... they truly act like any human sisters I've ever known. We got to pet sit Poppy last weekend. Her first overnighter without mom and dad! She did great at night, had fun playing with us, went right to bed, but was a little skittish when she woke up. Came into the bathroom while I put on makeup... but overall she did great!

Before covid hit, Beth was part of a group that bowled every Tuesday. Since covid, they've decided not to start it back up again. But, we've learned there's a different group that now bowls on Wednesdays with a lot of the same people from the original group. So today we drove her to the bowling alley and as soon as she walked in people were yelling her name and coming up to give her hugs. Almost made me cry. We paid for her and were trying to find her a lane and she was getting her things organized when we hear the leader call all the new people out to the lanes. We were trying to hurry Beth along as she was changing her shoes and getting out her ball. It all happened so fast I didn't get any pictures of it. With microphone in hand, John said to the 100 bowlers and employees that all the new people get to throw a ball and try to get a strike. If you do, you get $5.00! There were 4-5 people who went first but no one got a strike. Beth tentatively went out there and I'm quietly praying, "Oh Lord let her get a strike! Please let her get a strike!" And she threw a strike! She did it!! The whole place erupted! It was just one of those perfect moments, you know? Something she'll probably remember for the rest of her life.

Are You Okay?

When Chuck and I got to the condo a few weeks ago, I walked straight to the living room, opened that sliding door and just sobbed. My sister in February; my nieces fiance' in 2019 three days before their wedding; my dad just one month later; Chuck's mom last year; the stress at work; covid; Chuck's cancer... it all just poured out. Chuck stood there and rubbed my back for a few minutes.

 

I took a deep breath... it's been an overwhelming few years. I feel bad for always writing about it. At least I feel like I'm always writing about it. But I know I'm not alone. It seems like everyone has had enormous things happen in their personal lives the last few years.

And speaking of that, how are you doing?

What's been happening in your life? Are you okay?

Birthday, Fainting Update, and CPAP

Today is my sister Kathy's birthday. March 21, she would have been 69. I finished making the memorabilia posters last night and I'll have them delivered to my sister Deb's, in San Diego. This way I won't have to try to pack them in a suitcase.

Chuck was in the hospital for 3 days. He had an EEG, EKG, MRI, blood work... but everything has come back normal. I took him to the doctor today to have the staples removed and the doctor says he can't drive or go to work until he gets the results of the heart monitor and sees the neurologist and cardiologist, which will be the middle of April. So for now he's at home resting and doing light work around the house. 

Life is moving on.

Beth brought her CPAP mask up to us about 5 months ago to show us how it was falling apart and she had it all taped together. It was at that time I got on-line to order her a new one. Weeks later we realized it had never come so we called them and they told us it had been too long since we got the original mask and she needed to see the doctor first. It was weeks before we could get an appointment. While we were there she fell asleep in the waiting room and then again in the patient room.

 

She's put on a lot of weight and she isn't sleeping at night. She'll wake us up at 3:00, 4:00 in the morning while she's laughing at the TV or singing to music. Then she sleeps until noon or 1:00 in the afternoon. Well, the new mask finally arrived a couple days ago! Since Chuck used to wear one too he made sure it fit well.

 

 

  

She and I went grocery shopping so she could get some distilled water for the machine and she wore it last night for the first time. I'm hoping it helps her sleep better.

A Quick Post

On Saturday Chuck woke up, went to the bathroom, checked his blood sugar and was making coffee when he suddenly didn't feel well. He sat down in the office chair and quietly said, "Cindy? I feel queasy." 

I stood up and took about 3 steps toward him when... down he went. Completely passed out and fell out of the chair. He didn't brace himself, protect himself, just went down hard.

He cut his head, on what I think was the heater vent deflector. You guys, it was bad. I freaked out, one of the worst wounds I've ever seen in my life. I grabbed a washcloth and put it on his head and just kept calling his name.

Yelling actually. If I yell loud enough he'll hear me and come to, right?!? Crazy, I know. 

He was covered in blood. Sharaya called 911.

After getting 14 staples in his head, all the tests came back normal: CT scan of his brain, blood work, EKG, urine sample... a few hours later the doctor had him sit in a small chair and was talking about discharging him when he said he was feeling dizzy again. A few guys got him back into the bed just in time.

They're keeping him overnight again tonight because every test comes back normal. They have no idea why he passed out so they're going to send him home with a heart monitor tomorrow and see how that goes.

I've thrown the heat deflector away.

Watching The Ocean

Chuck and I got away for a few days this passed week. We planned this in January and I'm so thankful we did. Born and raised in San Diego I love the ocean and certainly didn't appreciate it as much as I should have when I lived there. 

We live on the east side of Puget Sound, a waterway between Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula so we're five minutes from the water. But we're a three hour drive from the ocean.

We went to Ocean Shores and got there around 2:30 Monday afternoon. The weather was cold, rainy and windy. Oooh that wind was cold!

 

This was our view when we arrived. And it was like this for a couple days.

 

We went to the grocery store and bought stuff for breakfasts and dinners but we usually went out for lunch. We played games, read books, walked along the beach, we did whatever we wanted! By Wednesday afternoon the clouds began to part and the view was beautiful! There was so much wildlife there too. One night we drove around the peninsula at dusk and saw 24 deer in about 2 miles!

Little Sandpipers were all over the beach. It's a little hard to see them in the second photo but all those little spots are Sandpipers!

 

I walked along the beach every single day. And every day it was different! Shells and rocks, driftwood and shifting sand. Looking out the window one day, I saw a bald eagle! 

All bundled up and ready to go out!

There were two paths going from the back of the building by the pool, out to the beach.

Looking back, our room was on the top floor. I spent a lot of time out on that balcony!

 

In this picture you can see on the right side, the affect the wind had on the sand compared to the ocean washing up on it.

 

Then on Wednesday afternoon the sun came out!! Oh you guys, it was glorious!!

 

Walking back to the condo, I'm coming to the end of the path and run into this... they really were everywhere!

 

On Thursday, I pulled the chair up to the window and I sat there for three hours. I didn't stress about work. I didn't think about things going on in the world. I just watched the water. I watched the waves crash. I watched the tide come in. I just sat and watched the ocean.

 

And I thought about how blessed I am: I have a loving family; I've had amazing opportunities that many haven't had. This trip being one of them. The Lord has been so good to me and I'm humbled by the grace He pours out to me day after day. 

Have you had an opportunity recently to just 'watch the ocean'?