Goodbye Swooshes!

Michael wanted us to spend the day on some maintenance issues around The Caboose. We planned to wash and wax the van and trailer, possibly replace a valve.....and begin storing some of the outside "stuff" in preparation for our Monday departure. 

The Caboose has legs!

Unfortunately, the BX did not carry buckets OR a long-handled brush. Plan B....the van is done. I went to the commissary and filled the freezer and cupboards.  Our laundry is done - 0530 is a nice time to do laundry at an RV park. We began work to remove old, sun-faded, peeling decals from The Caboose.  The directions we found online were pretty straight-forward....heat with a blow dryer, peel with your fingernail, clean with goo gone and wash right away.  I have no fingernails left - the kids discovered old motel room keys work great.

In reality, it was harder than we expected. The swooshes on the front are gone. We'll borrow a ladder and work on the Outback in OR.  If we ever buy one of these from the factory, we are going to get a "snowball" - keep the swooshes! They don't hold up well in the sun.

Why yes - it is delaminating - AFTER we fixed it - and this is nothing!
 The back is worse. #NeverKeystoneAgain

I first envisioned a pithy retiree saying, "Not all who wander are lost," "This is what retirement looks like,"  or some such thing. Next, I envisioned a full-color landscape photo (but seriously we are saving for a new rig - why pay THAT much?). Now, I'm envisioning a simple black logo - Courageous Joy - not sure at all what that looks like in a logo. ::snort:: BUT we have some pretty white spots becoming available.  Hmmmm....maybe "How's my driving?" 

 It was a great day.....I'm happy our lifestyle which allows for this....whether it's chronic fatigue  or sudden sleep attack as a result of the meds - Parkinson's makes a guy tired.  I'm  thankful he has the luxury of resting when needed -  playing, exploring  and working when he's feeling energized.  It's been a tiring week for all. {Editor's note: Seems I caught our first sleep attack on film- now he knows what it feels like.}

Nolan is desperately trying to finish this library book
before we leave on Monday.

Aeorspace Museum of California

We have heard about, and wanted to visit, the Aerospace Museum of California since we arrived in 2013. We simply haven't had time to drive to Sacramento and do it....but this week....on Friday....the day of Michael's last VA appointment.....we took the kids and WENT.  We were sad they don't belong to the ASTC (Association of Science - Technology Centers) reciprocal program. FREE is always a good price, but it was worth the  $33 for our family of 5 to tour. 

The museum is at the old McClellan Air Force Base - McClellan Business Park.  They've got quite a few planes inside....but we LOVED the historic planes OUTSIDE - a lot of them. If you are in the area,  "open cockpit" day for ALL the planes is on Armed Forces Day - 21 May, 2016.  They will have pilots and crews from each plane. It should be fascinating. I'm sorry we will miss it. 

The sign clearly said, "Do not touch." However, this gentlemen asked Michael if he'd like to sit down and give the simulator a try. It didn't take him long to realize Michael is a pilot....and a chaplain ::snort:: 

While Michael flew over the Golden Gate bridge and such.....this gentlemen gave the kids and I a complete tour of the planes and engines in the museum.  The personal stories of the docents make this a phenomenal learning experience. It was fun for us to follow this man down memory lane.

We had a whole crew of docents outside who wanted to take us around. I knew we'd best find Michael or we'd never get back on the same tour.   Michael will have to add plane names and captions....but I was impressed with this plane. This VERY PLANE flew several missions in to Normandy on D- Day.

We had to sit and remember what we've learned, the price so many young men and women played for freedom to thrive, we imagined what it would be like to be 18 - 20 and about to jump on to Normandy Beach...and we remembered Uncle Jim, our personal Normandy hero.

We took this photo for Ron and Margaret. This is the VERY PLANE Ron loved and worked on when assigned to McClellan Air Force base - back in the day. 

Still one of our favorite planes, the A 10 - the star of  Desert Storm. The docent of this plane spoke JAPANESE....what fun it was to hear again....though we were a bit bumfuddled and didn't have our Japanese whits about us. I kept saying, "I recognize what you are saying, but I don't remember what it means." Ah - but Wakadimasen - is always in style. LOL 

 Amazing men - so many stories, such a legacy to pass on! The gentlemen on the left is a true American hero.....he is a WW2, Korean War, and Viet Nam vet.  I could sit and listen to these men's stories for hours.

I think buying and assembling a kit like this would be a lot of fun.....

This was a great day of Roadschooling! We loved seeing the planes we've discussed in school, meeting men who had fought in the very places we discussed, hearing Japanese and sharing Misawa memories with the vet/docent of  the A-10 and so much more. 

I think this would be a fun volunteer opportunity for Michael to look into. He knows his planes  and wars. I've seen him give better tours about the SR 71 than museum docents. He thinks I'm joking. I'm not. 

#WYFF - DONE WITH VA APPOINTMENTS

I am drained!

I am so drained that I opted to stay home, while Michael and the kids go out for pizza and then the FREE movie at the base theater. I knew I'd sleep through it as tired as I am.

Michael spent some time early in the week making sure he was 100% sharp on what was in his medical records.

We've gone back and forth to Sacramento quite a bit but TODAY.......all of our feet were found at....

Yep - as of NOW - this was the very last VA appointment for Michael. Now, we wait for the raters to contact us with a determination. The doc said 1 - 3 months. Our VSO said 60 - 90 days.  We're not sure what all this will mean for us. It should mean  a portion of our retirement will be tax free, and possibly even a bit more depending on the rating. Depending on the level of rating it could include things such as a waived VA funding fee if we buy a home, the right for care in the VA system,  free camping and fishing in some states, a free license plate.....and I'm hearing more about rights of survivorship and such....all we know at this point is that we were advised not to put it off and to get this done as he left the military - so we are.

ALL DONE with our intake appointments! 

We've completed THREE WEEKS of school this week...and I believe that is a direct answer to the prayers of two special groups of women - the #BibleBabes and the gals at #RSMBibleStudy.  The kids really buckled down, while we went back and forth to the VA.  We're now four weeks ahead of our school schedule.

The electricity has been out here at the campground for a couple of days - the laundry is going to be amazing when we all try to do it at once tomorrow....and we're down to one dryer. LOL

We DID take time for a field trip today - but I'll have to write about it tomorrow.  I'll leave you with this funny......a snapshot of our future. On our drive in today, we saw a sweet old couple merging on to the freeway. The lady was driving, merging on to six lanes of traffic. Her husband was in the passenger seat - with his hands covering both his eyes!  It was so funny - and we are seriously going to be there one day.....some days this week looked about like this. LOL

Michael opts for dark glasses rather than hands over his eyes.

Michael doesn't seem to be having any terrible side-effects from upping the dosage of his Parkinson's meds. VA appointments are over. What does it mean to be done with the intake appointments? THERE IS NO MORE REASON WE HAVE TO STAY AT BEALE. We are cleared for travel!!!!

 We are going to head for OR on Monday. I am praying he continues to have no driving issues as I do not want to pull the Caboose over the passes. 

#WYFF (Where's Your Feet Friday) is sponsored by Fulltime Families. View more of our Friday exploits by clicking the #WYFF tab above. 

Visitors at the Caboose

It's great fun to have visitors at The Caboose.  Today, we hosted Rob and Michelle on to base. They are the pastors of The Rivers Foursquare church, where we've been attending. It was great fun to have them to ourselves for a couple of hours. We showed them around the base, chatted and they even met a couple of the chaplains here.

We have really loved our months at The Rivers. Pastor Rob has a heart to disciple this body of believers. He is a teacher at heart and this flavors the Sunday services. I've never seen so much give and take during a Sunday morning service - and I love it. If someone doesn't understand what he is saying, they ask right then. In January we focused on what the GOSPEL is, what it means, how to communicate it....really good stuff. He is concerned we be able to clearly understand and share the gospel with others. In February we looked at the vision and purpose of this specific church. YES....and moving into March we've been talking about what a healthy church looks like. Pastor invited Michael to preach the services last week.  What an honor and a blessing for us. This was the first time Michael has preached since retiring from the chaplaincy and receiving the Parkinson's diagnosis. I think it was good in a variety of ways....the message was powerful and one several responded to....we loved being able to give back to Pastor and this body in some way, and it was good for Michael to be "back in the saddle" again.   After church we were invited out for lunch with Eric and Theresa - a fun conversation and a great lunch! We are going to MISS this church. Our only regret is not having joined the evening discipleship classes as we thought we'd be moving on before they finished the series.

We had just gotten back from spending time with Rob and Michelle when the C family dropped by. Michael and I enjoyed catching up with Stephanie and the kids were happy for a break from school!

Nolan, Cole and Alex

Hello, Elise! 

Clara Beth and Elise

It's amazing how GREEN everything is in our area this year. There is rumor El Nino may make for rain in the summer too.....in any event we're enjoying the GREEN.

Our other visiting opportunity wasn't at the Caboose, but Michael and I were able to stop in and visit Ron and Margaret during one of our trips to the VA. It was so good to see them.

The Game

This has been a common sight around our home for years!

Plumas Lake

It's rather complex and difficult to trace the origins of The Game. It began  around 15 years ago (we think) when Jared (8)  Arielle (5) and Nolan (3) played a spy game. It later became more of a fantasy game with Arielle and Nolan and then Nolan and Alex.  It's an imaginary world the kids invent and populate and then experience grand adventures.  We suspect the older Gherkins had their own version of the game....but this is as far back as Nolan's (17) memory goes. 

It's always a bit sad as the kids grow up and morph into video games, books and more grown up activities...like Algebra 2 and Chemistry.

Alex and Stacia remember playing the game from the time she was 3 and he was 6 1/2.  For years they were secretive as the older ones "made fun" of them - seriously, I think this is an erroneous conclusion. I think the older kids liked remembering their imaginative games...but nonetheless they went "underground."  

We began noticing they would go out for long walks.....around and around our yards in Misawa and then Plumas Lake. Every day....they were playing the game. Theirs is a world full of dragons, elves, wars, kings, knights, dwarves.....water people, fire people, wind people......and a random princess warrior....they each play multiple parts. 

I wondered if the game would end when we moved into the Caboose. Space would be limited both inside and outside and the kids are growing up......it made me a bit sad. 

Fort Stephens State Park

But - no! They've kept up their walks....adding new scenery and adventures to their old characters. I've seen them play the game in the Redwoods, at the ocean, in state parks (above) and here at Fam Camp (below).

Beale Fam Camp

They're still rather secretive and don't pose for photos - but I've taken a few. They've caught the attention of our campground neighbors and so they've shared a bit about their game with a few folks.....I love the connection they have. I love that the game morphs as their interests change. For a long time it was simply acting out Lord of the Rings.....they've both begun books based on various parts of "the game."

Seven years and going strong....that's some imaginary world.

On a side note - this has actually been fantastic for Alex to learn to let others into his world.....and that world has expanded.

#WYFF - Spenceville Wildlife Area

What do you do with a beautiful Friday afternoon when you are done with school and the caboose is clean?  We head to the Spenceville Wildlife Area to geocache and to check on Charlie.

EASY to cache to spot - if you happen to look at the right log.....

Charlie, our transplanted Christmas tree, has survived the winter and is thriving. We were able to find it easily with the geo-coordinates.

Long-term residents TOLD us it  beautiful around here in the spring - when it RAINS.  It hasn't rained the couple of years we've lived here. I'm happy we are here this spring to see the lush, rolling hills.

We all enjoyed our walk. We even happened upon a pile of free wood - they'd replaced a corral. Michael and Nolan are quickly turning it into firewood as I type.

Yuuki's feet perfecting her cattle guard technique

Our feet enjoying the gorgeous day!

Look - another cache! I thought for sure it would be muggled by now. 

I highly approve of THIS addition.....this was just seconds before Stacia

stepped into a giant cow pie. She tried to camouflage it with leaves. We were on to her! 

Icky feet

Mistletoe

 

This cache was full of goodies. We didn't take any - but left a lot. 

It's ironic today's passage in #RSMBibleStudy was about Jesus washing his follower's feet....

#WYFF (Where's Your Feet Friday) is sponsored by Fulltime Families. View more of our Friday exploits by clicking the #WYFF tab above. 

They Mean Well - Execution is often the Problem

We are doing well.....but we've been smacked by a bit of reality this week. Maybe because Michael's second med has been doubled and we've had to be aware of effects it is having. Maybe because of the VA appointments....but certainly reality has been served up to us by folks who mean well.

We've had a couple of conversations with well-meaning people who tried to encourage and educate us about Parkinson's.  In both cases they had family members with the condition. The stages of the disease were highlighted, ending with "....and then he couldn't get out of bed, we put him in a nursing home and he died alone. But you have a long life ahead of you - at least 10- 15 years before this happens."

Um - Wow. WOW!!!!! I suppose that seems encouraging - though you are 70 and Michael's 55 - it doesn't seem so long if you think about yourself in his situation. Empathy vs. Sympathy....

Spring walks - good for what ails you

I'm reminded again empathy never begins with "at least," and "I" or "my" statements should be carefully evaluated to make sure we don't forget the audience we are trying to encourage.  I've heard a lot of "at least" statements this week...

We've processed. We realize  this is a progressive condition.  We are living FULLY PRESENT because we desire to make memories and experience as much as we can now. We don't need others to remind us  there are 3 more stages of this disease....."soon" you'll need a cane, then a wheelchair and then you'll be bed-ridden.  WOW - that's helpful to know - none of the doctors or neurologists have thought to share these stages with us. 

Poppies are back! 

Here are some conclusions we've reached: 

1.  Not every patient progresses through every stage. 
2.  We ARE at the start of this journey and need to listen to our neurologist who tells us to get out and chase our dreams and goals. 
3. I need to keep trying to learn to pull the caboose, while we continue to save for a rig that will be easier for both of us  to drive. 
4. I'd rather move into an assisted living center together, than stay in a big home alone.... the tiny home movement has great potential. Those decisions are in the FUTURE and can't possibly be decided now. 
5. New discoveries are being made, research is on-going; we trust our neurologist, who belongs to a teaching hospital, to be abreast of the latest developments.  She tells us not to give up, not to make life about Parkinson's, to go travel,  we'll fight this together.... we are at the start....
6. There is no need for us to focus 10 - 15 years down the road and let anxiety of the  future rob us of the present! 
7. People mean well - they really do. 

BOO - Parkinson's; conversations meant to help which depress

YAY - Beautiful spring weather, poppies blooming, VA appointments getting done, no terrible side-effects due to med change, lots of family time, Michael is enjoying sermon prep for Sunday, we're two weeks ahead of schedule in School, lovely breakfast with Cheri and Benjamin! Life is good. 

*Note the photos have nothing to do with the subject matter of this post - other than we're enjoying spring walks interspersed with helpful conversations. ::snort:: We need to get out with real cameras and take some spring photos. 

I've tried very hard to keep my gift of snark in line during this post. I apologize if my tone seems snarky or harsh.