Practically Perfect

We went searching for an old-fashioned-Christ-centered candlelight service. We knew this is what Mom G would like to attend. Lindsey, invited us to her church's service, it was fairly near where Mom G is staying with Rebecca, and seemed like a good bet.

Via Google Images

It was perfect. We enjoyed an evening of Scripture reading and singing the beautiful old Christmas hymns.

The setting was gorgeous - lots of candles and white lights....

Mom G had told us this was "our year" for Christmas, but things have changed since the declaration. She had mentioned  she wanted to sit around the piano at her home and sing the old Christmas hymns and take communion on Christmas Eve.

There was no communion and we were in a church, rather than her home, but this was as close as we could have found.  It was a nice-sized church, but wasn't crowded, which is also a concern when out and about with the walker.

I'll carry two favorite memories with me from this evening....Mom G, Michael, and family singing  the old favorites. Gustily. Worship crosses all generational lines when each enters in wholeheartedly.

The other memory is rather sacrilegious - but it's MY memory - and I will cherish it.  Our fourteen year old son is rather guarded with his emotions. He's grown up in an Air Force chapel. Some of the hymns have been edited.  As we sang about "oxes and asses" feeding, I noticed a perplexed sort of disgusted look on his face. I leaned over and said, "Donkeys are also called asses."

He dissolved into laughter - covered by the lusty singing of the congregation. It was pure joy to share a Christmas laugh with him during the service.

The Scriptures took us from prophecy to redemption and were a wonderful was to refocus on what truly matters at this time of the year and year round!

We came home and had breakfast for dinner (our Saturday routine) and then settled in to watch "sappy Christmas movies." We couldn't find the ones we wanted on Netflix or Amazon Prime, so we settled for Muppets Christmas Carol, which Jamin hadn't seen for awhile.

Brain Fog Strikes Again

Sometimes things sneak up on you. Sometimes you KNOW they are sneaking up on you but you have no energy, nor time to do a thing about it. 😄😃

I avoid doctors. I do go at least once a year to have labs so my cholesterol and thyroid meds can be refilled.

It took me MONTHS to find a doc in Crescent City that would take Tricare. It took another month to apply, be accepted and schedule an appointment. Michael needed to stay here for doctor's visits and I had to cancel that appointment.

I have had little energy, been incredibly tired, more emotional and forgetful than my norm, my skin is cracked, my nails are splitting, and I've gained 30 lbs in 6 months - since JaRissa's wedding.  Some of you have already put this together.....I claim brain fog and the stress of meeting the needs of several loved ones.

I thought the weight gain, fog and emotions could all be explained away with learning new things about Parkinsons, hitting 50 (I'd been warned I'd gain a bunch of weight all at once around my waist - I am nearing 53 and hadn't gained the weight yet), adjusting to living in Crescent City - I thought I must be doing a lot of EMOTIONAL or STRESS eating.  I've spent a bit of time disappointed with myself and beating myself up over this.

Michael mentioned my eating hadn't changed and I chalked it all up to not having a home gym  - but I didn't gain a ton of weight the first 6 months in the RV.

I ran out of cholesterol meds (thought it was thyroid, but it was cholesterol - brain fog).  I spent free moments in waiting rooms trying to find a doc here that would take Tricare AND would accept new patients.

The medical practice Mom goes too called back after I chatted with them when I took Mom in. They agreed to accept the kids and I and made an immediate appointment for me when I told them I was out of cholesterol meds and nearly out of thyroid meds. I had labs that day and they called with results early the next day. WOW - I'm impressed.

I am anemic.

My cholesterol labs are out of kilter - expected.

My thyroid is out of normal range! Ta duh! The PA said all my symptoms pointed to that and the labs confirmed it, so they are adjusting my dose again.

I feel a bit silly for not figuring it out....but I really haven't been thinking about my health much this year. LOL

The Weeks.....

Rather than attempt daily posts, here are some glimpses into things "other than the wedding," that happened in the last couple of weeks.

It is ALWAYS a joy to have all the Gherkins in one spot. These times are becoming rare as they spread across America (and soon I expect some will venture outside of America).  Currently, WEDDINGS  have provided the chance for gatherings. For this I am truly THANKFUL.

We visited Mom G (and Sherlock), Michael had several therapy appointments, and  I took Mom T to two appointments. At one of her appointments I visited the business office and asked if they would take Tricare. They take a certain number and will call back.  As a side note - there have been 12 appointments in the past 2 weeks....I've spent a life time avoiding doctor's offices and now I'm on first name basis with receptionists, therapists and doctors. ::snort::

Some Sherlock lovin

Elizabeth stopped by one evening and it was fun to see her! 

Nate and Heather's daughter

We played lots of games....

Bella got uncle time....

Jared & Bella 

Jamin and Bella 

 This week has been quieter....I've spent most my free time this week blogging one day. ::snort::  Michael has worked on projects on the motor home - that will be a separate post.

We made time amidst the doctors, visiting and projects to go see Moana at the CHEAP theater. We were surprised that there were recliners - honest to goodness REAL, comfortable recliners in the theater. Seems they are converting - and I suspect it will soon no longer be the CHEAP theater in town. LOL

Jamin has instigated workouts for the Alex and Nolan. He's a trainer/coach at heart - regardless of what his other fancy degrees say. ::snort::

Sunday night, while playing soccer, Krista hurt her knee. We moved this way on Sunday and have been able to insure she keep it elevated and iced the first few days. The doctor confirmed she had sprained her collateral ligament and that it will heal in time. Her Air Force career had flashed before her eyes as her teammates asked why hurt and tried to patch her up.

Add Gherkin sized  cooking to the last couple of weeks and this gives you a fairly good summation of what we've been up to. LOL

Fun with Mom and Dad T - #WYFF

Merry Christmas Adam (day before Christmas Eve).  Last year we had a cool tea party. 

This year we spent the day working on various projects and playing Nintendo.

This evening we took pizza to Mom  and Dad T's. We discovered several of us prefer Dominoes to Papa Murphy's....and one or two prefer Papa Murphy's to Dominoes.

Next on the agenda was to  find Christmas lights to view.  The guys put an extra seat in the van and we all headed out. I should have taken photos at dinner or got everyone out of the van to take a shot in front of lights, but I didn't.

Not sure what the dino has to do with Christmas

We stopped at Applebees on the way home to enjoy a bit of dessert - and spend last year's Christmas gift cards. ::snort::

Fun memories.

Fun with Mom G

Our plan is to visit Mom G a couple of days a week and take her out at least one evening a week. This gives her a "lark" and gives Rebecca a bit of solitude.  Unfortunately, this past week has been CRAZY busy.....but we asked and it worked well for us to kidnap Mom this afternoon and evening.

We've been trying to think of a home she could get into - stairs are difficult.....Michael and Jamin came up with the solution. They simply took a kitchen chair out, she transferred from her walker to it, and they carried her up the stairs into the house. Problem solved.

Jamin and Mom had a good time catching up on his studies at A & M, his time in Germany and his future plans.  Jamin had planned to do a bit of digging into family history when in Germany, but discovered our last name is as common in Germany as Smith is here. 😏

Mom G and Jamin 

Michael spent part of the afternoon explaining the finer points of Farkle to Mom. As I cooked dinner, I knew what the evening's entertainment would be.

Dinner's menu was suggested by Jamin - BBQ meatballs, rice and salad. I meant to pull out some buckeyes but forgot!

Sure enough, we DID play Farkle after dinner. It's an easy game for a multitude of ages to enjoy together.

Some are rather dramatic players! 

 Mom said it was time to go home. We had thought to watch a Christian comedian, but figured she knew when she had had enough for the day. Michael and I drove her back home and sat a spell with Rebecca. Rebecca had used the time to relax, put together a table and contemplate her commitment level to a kitty door.

See You Later - Matane

Sunday, the day after "the wedding," and it's still not time to relax! We drove across town and picked up Emily and Alicia. Emily caught a bus to Portland where she will meet up with her family who are flying in from overseas. 

Alicia, Emily, Stacia, Alex, Nolan 

 There are so many precious memories from the past weeks, but having Emily and Alicia here for Arielle's big day is right up there with the top memories. It was fun for this mom to watch the fruit of well-rooted friendships - though Arielle  moved every 2 - 4 years of her life. We've always focused on our roots being in relationships - with others and Jesus - rather than location specific. It was fun to have the principle illustrated. I loved seeing the shadows of 15 and 16 yo girls in the adult women these gals have become.

We said goodbye to Emily and went back to Springfield in time to say goodbye to Josiah and JaRissa.  JaRissa had a 9 p.m. flight from SEA TAC....Josiah hoped to get them early enough that they could catch an earlier flight. They WERE able to fly out earlier and Larissa even ran into an old friend in the Seattle airport.

We are down to two "guests" left...Jamin and Alicia. We enjoyed lunch and then spent a few hours at Mom and Dad's playing games. We said our goodbyes to Alicia - Krista will take her to the airport in the morning and we will pick up Jamin and move from our RV park to Krista's driveway.

The week is winding down.....or gearing up for a new week.

And After the Wedding

If one has a wedding at 2:00 p.m. and is racing for the getaway car at 3:25 p.m., there is much left of the day after the wedding. We were out of the church by about 4:45 p.m.

We had a load of things to deliver to CoRielle's apartment.....we met at a new to us pizza joint called Mod Pizza.   We have made individual pizzas, everyone top their own and grill them for years. This is basically the same - Subway with pizza, baked in a brick oven. It's great.

Our crowd 

L - R Jamin, Emily, Alician, Alex, Krista, Bre, Izaak, Bella,  Michael,
Nolan, Stacia, Cy, Larissa, Jared

 Michael caught photos of quite a few of us...

Izaak 

Krista

Nolan 

Jamin 

JaRissa

Emily & Alicia

BreAnne

It had been a long day, Bella had been a trooper, but BreZaak wisely headed home after dinner. The rest of us went over to Mom and Dad's.  Last year, Mom let all of us girls pick a tea cup from her collection. Larissa has since joined our family and tonight she chose her teacup. She chose one with a water lily as it reminded her of the location of she and Jared's first date, as well as their wedding, in San Angelo. 

Mom and Larissa 

 Stacia has been begging to play mafia. We had a crowd and tonight was good night to play.

Emily accused Alicia (and Alicia was mafia), Josiah got into the accusing, Alicia got a bit animated in her defense and Cody (Cy and Jamin's dog) went crazy.

After mafia some played Farkle....

...some played Gin Rummy. 

It was a great day - a very long day - and we finally all went our separate ways.  We each have lots of new memories from the very full day.