Bella @ 11 months

One of the best things - Ok  - The BEST thing about house-sitting is being a short 2 minute drive from the college campus where BreZaak, CoRielle, and BELLA live.  We have totally LOVED the impromptu visits from one and all....and getting Bella Time is PRICELESS.  Here are a "few" photos of  Bella in her tenth month.

Gemma may be a poor influence on the darling Bella....

Trying to pick her nose

Making faces at Gemma 

She loves Auntie and Uncle time 

Aunt Stacia and Bella

Uncle Nolan and Bella

Uncle Alex, Bella and Aunt Arielle

 My favorite of the month 

Such a wise little one

Two bottom teeth - top ones will be in any day

 

We usually wear her out! 

Bella is developing a fun personality.

She growls, she laughs, she giggles.

She puts her hand on her chest and says, "Huh?"

She is most often smiley and friendly.

She's a HUGE tease.

She's an OBVIOUS extrovert. At restaurants, she will turn completely around in the high chair to talk with the baby next to her. ::snort::

This little one is amazing to us. I was supposed to watch her on Tuesday for Bre to get a haircut. Um....about that....Bre and I talked so long she missed her haircut....but Bre agreed to let us watch Bella for a couple of hours anyway so she could work on her school work (Masters degree).

Oh - the joy! 

Maybe???? 

 In a remarkable show of good timing - she took her first steps when Daddy and Mommy were both there and Gemma was handy with the camera. She'll be walking soon. Yuuki is intrigued by Bella - from a distance. 

Love that little tongue

Neurology Appointment

On the one hand, it feels like much has happened in six months.

On the other hand, it seems it can't possibly have been six months since Michael's last neurology appointment.

We decided, rather than spending a few days in Portland,  Michael and I would just drive up and back in one day. This allowed the kids to continue their new momentum in school.

It allowed us to have a whole day together.

 I downloaded an ap - Happy Cow - which tells what vegetarian, vegan and restaurants with vegan options are nearby. The "vegan options" are our best bet....and we found one with yummy options for both of us....Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill.  I have got to learn how to cook with tofu, that was some seriously good fajita burrito. 😊Yummy options is the key here. I can find something to eat ALMOST ANYWHERE but I get tired of eating iceberg salads when we eat out.

Via Facebook 

Neurology appointments are not fun days for us.  Sitting in a clinic devoted to those with Parkinson's slaps us in the face with "facts" we prefer to "know, but ignore" at this point.  It's hard to see what's ahead (according to the medical statistics). Nothing TERRIBLE happened at the appointment - it's just not our best day of the month. 😏

We were happy, and sad, to hear Michael's doc is accepting a spot in a private practice in WA.  We won't see him again, but he assures us the next doc will be great.

The upshot of today's appointment is, as Dr. Clark says, "You have Parkinson's."  They feel a need to tell us this at each appointment - maybe they are used to patients choosing denial. 😁

We'll continue with therapy - which is our way of aggressively prolonging the good years.

Michael has been having some odd muscle cramps and movement/stiffness. Dr. Clark says it's dystonia, a symptom of Parkinson's. We had three treatment options: new drug, do nothing until it's more bothersome, increase one of the meds he currently takes. Michael  opted for door number 3. He's been throwing up and sleepy since doubling the med.....but it was a hard one to begin too, so we expect things will even out in a week or two.

 Increasing this drug may also give better relief from the internal tremors - which bother Michael more than anything else.

Dr. Clark said it seems Michael's PD is progressing, but STRESS can accelerate not only the disease but the manifestations of symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms disappear when the stress disappears. This would be both emotional and MEDICAL STRESS. He's had both in the past couple of months. Michael is dealing with an odd rash/joint pain/exhaustion and Dr. Clark hopes if they get that figured out, and treated, some of the PD symptoms will go away.

Finally, Dr. Clark said there is no reason we can't move to Alaska. The VA should have the support clinics Michael needs. If not, he can see a civilian doc. If there are no motion disorder clinics in Anchorage, he can be flown to Seattle or Portland every six months.

Rolling Birthdays

When one goes a month without blogging; one hardly knows how to "catch up."  I thought I'd group things into subjects; grief, probate woes, friends, birthdays, repairs, Bella - but even that is unwieldy. I thought of going day by day - but in hindsight some of those days could easily be forgotten. ::snort::  Let's begin with birthdays and see where we go from there! 

We had planned to have a big birthday bash at the house, on the 11th, for all the February birthday celebrants who live in the area - Nolan (8th), Mom T (10th), Alex (11th), Will (my brother 14th). I'd thought to give honorable mention to the anniversaries - BreZaak's and ours -  as well.  Mom G's homegoing changed those plans unexpectedly and completely.

It turns out we were in Crescent City on Nolan's birthday to look for legal papers; an overnight trip. We were back on the road again on the Alex's birthday as we traveled down a few days early to make sure details were in place for Mom G's Memorial Service.

This year the boys had rolling birthdays - deployments and cross-country moves have made rolling birthdays a common thing for the Gherkins.

We spent Nolan's 18th birthday searching for papers! He was the hero of the day and actually was the one to find the will and trust.  Stacia made him a homemade card. We picked up an ice cream cake on our way through Grants Pass.

We were back in Eugene on the 10th and managed to enjoy a Birthday visit with Mom T.

We drove down to Crescent City on Alex's 15th birthday (the 11th) to take care of details and prepare for Mom G's service (13th). Once again, Michael stopped at a Dairy Queen and picked up an ice cream cake.

Alex chose a Chinese Buffet in Crescent City for his birthday dinner. When we walked in the waiter asked, "Where is your mom?" Um....this was repeated in many places we went as people expressed their love of Mom G, their condolences on her passing and had words of affirmation for us as to the months we were in Crescent City with her. Seems Mom had told quite a few people stories about us. ::snort::

Lots of smiles and tears mixed that week

So - they had a cake. We eventually gave Alex a Trac Phone and Nolan a computer game (which our OS won't run).

March 7th we surprised the boys with the plates, napkins, balloons we'd had forgotten to take in the motor home.  Stacia and I made Peanut Butter Crack Brownies, garnished them with candles and surprised the boys.

Aren't these great - and they lasted a LONG time

I have since found their birthday cards - so one last piece of the birthday celebration to come. LOL

The End of An Era

It IS the end of an era! We no longer own a Gherkin Mobile.

We have had a 15 passenger van since 1994 - that's 23 years! Our first van was a 1991 gray Dodge Ram. It lasted until it's trips down the ALCAN. It probably had more life in it, but we saw the end...and so we put it out of our it's misery.

Our next van was the Big Red Beast. In 2005, we purchased a 2005 red Ford e350.  Within two years we purchased The Caboose - our 31 foot trailer. We made lots of great family memories with the combination.

As our expected retirement lifestyle has changed we knew we would need to sell Big Red. It simply doesn't make a good toad.  We need a manual car the motorhome can easily tow.

We sold the Van to Pastor John - it will live anew as a church  van. A bus ministry is planned and Big Red will be the prime mover of that program. It makes us smile to think of  Big Red blessing this church, which has blessed our daughter....and blessing youth and those needing rides for years to come. About those years - we were a bit worried Big Red may quit working as soon as we sold it - though both our mechanics said it was in good shape.  You just hate that chance with a CHURCH and friends...so we're praying for the life of the van.

They've had the van since we began our travels on the 11th....but needed to bring it back so the boys could put the seats in it one last time. LOL

It was an odd moment when Big Red drove away. 

We had all those kids represented by the stick figures in 2005.....and now we're down to three Gherkins at home. The times are changing.

Yep, the end of an era. We were blessed to be able to use John and Nadine's pickup for a couple of days. Sunday was crowded...we realize now this would not make a good toad for us.

3 big size Gherkins in the back seat of a little pick up -
wasn't bad except getting IN and out!

 We went from having four cars, a trailer and a motorhome on our insurance, to having Mom G's car and the motorhome on our insurance. Not a bad month.

Where in the World Have You Been

Just a quick update to let all know we are well....and answer the question being asked of us

Photo Via Google Images

Our hearts continue to process the stuff of grief.

We were in Crescent City and enjoyed connecting with friends, family and neighbors while celebrating Mom G's life.  We spent extra days before and after the 13 Feb service in Crescent City, "taking care of business." I do love smallish towns.  The words of condolence, and memories shared, confirm how much one simple life matters.

We have driven down to Yuba City/Marysville/Beale Fam Camp. The purpose of our trip down was to physically receive a receipt from the negligent moving company which held our household goods. Our things are safe with a new company and will shortly begin the trip to Alaska. They'll have a new home in a storage unit way before we find our way up there. LOL While in the area, we were able to reconnect with a few friends, get a lot of progress made in the process of settling Mom G's estate (read one day we simply made phone calls), and do a few repairs on the motorhome - things we discover as we drive. LOL

We are currently at the top of Siskiyou pass (fresh snow), heading back to Crescent City for a few days. We plan to prune trees and chase down a few details while there.  The trac phone numbers you have for us (all but mine) will work, my phone won't get cell service and wifi/mifi is infamously sketchy while we are "in the park" - 1x vs 4G.  If you need us - call Michael's phone.  We plan to spend a couple of nights out at the house and then move into town for a night - right on the bay.

We have photos and thoughts to share, and will do so when we have a normal routine (with time scheduled for blogging) and consistent connectivity.  An hour to upload a photo is simply to much of a price to pay in time to blog. ::wink::

Friendships - #WYFF

friendship - noun 
The emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends.
"old ties of love and friendship"

 A relationship between friends.
"she formed close friendships with women" synonyms: relationship, friendly relationship, close relationship, attachment, mutual attachment, alliance, association, close association, bond, tie, link, union;

Friends/friendships are one of those things which bring both joy and the possibility of pain.  I've been considering this as we travel and I don't have many "friends in the flesh." A young mom asked me about friendships with kids this week....and I shared, as an extrovert, I've worried about this aspect of military homeschooling. I came to believe that God knows exactly WHO my kids need in their lives and when. If they need BFFs at an assignment He will provide them. There have also been assignments when it seems God worked more on friendships within our family than outside our family. I believe God will provide the friendships I need as well.

I have been perplexed to realize 90% of my friends are either decades younger or decades older than I.  Michael says this is natural as mentoring is one of my passions. I am mentored and I mentor. BUT REALLY these are true blue friendships....loving peers...anyway I was blessed during our short time at Beale to spend time with some friends.  I wish I could have seen so many more - but each of these visits were precious and left my emotional tank full.

I really wanted to touch base with Hope and Emma. Their "man" has gone overseas for a year. I needed to hug some necks and know they were doing well. They are. Hope graciously allowed us to bring taco fixings to her home and use her kitchen. We all visited...but Hope and I got girl time during the cooking and clean up. Hope made some yummy vegan cupcakes. I need to find that recipe and make them. LOL

Hope and I in her kitchen

Emma and Stacia

Is this not the cutest? 

I took Stacia to visit a friend on Saturday and ran across town to catch up with Betty. I met Betty in the laundry room at Beale Fam Camp. She was encouraging and had great tips for me about living in an RV full time, transitioning to being a military retiree and the VA system.  Joe, the love of Betty's life, passed away since I saw her last. She's had QUITE an adventure evacuating her new apartment with the flood threat of the Oroville Dam. Once again, I left Betty feeling refreshed.

Betty and I 

Stacia and her friend were out for a day on the town and so I was able to fit in an unexpected visit with Beverly, Maya's grandma.  Beverly and Phil attended the chapel when we were there. They've had quite an interesting life and it is always encouraging to have time to sit and visit. We enjoyed  relaxed, leisurely tea - my first since going on the road full time.

Michael called Rob Christian, the pastor of the church we attended after we retired and before we left Yuba City.  Last time we were in the area they were in Hawaii. It seemed wise to check. What a surprise to learn Rob and Michelle have resigned The Rivers. He is devoting more time to home and the Foursquare region -  pastoring pastors.  We met for dinner and had a great time catching up and sharing the "new" in our lives. I didn't take a photo.

Friendships are a blessing from God. It was a GREAT day.

#WYFF  - Where's Your Feet Friday - is a hash tag sponsored by Fulltime Families.  I thought it would be a fun way to get a quick look at our adventures.  The photo - or collage - serves as the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) if you missed the story and would like to read it, click the link under the photo. For past #WYFF check the tabs.

We LIKE Traveling

We discovered something delightfully quirky about the five of us! We LOVE to be on the road. It doesn't matter if it's another quick run down to Crescent City or all the way to TX - we like being in the motorhome and we like traveling! It feels more like being "HOME," than being stationary in a stick and brick hosue. LOL 

I'm not sure of the timing of this photo - but I know it's in Canyonville, OR. Michael is taking advantage of a quick pit stop to finish Mom G's obituary and get it sent off to the Triplicate. 

We are thankful for Joe, one of Mom G's neighbors. Joe has a graveled parking area and has installed a full hook up RV spot.  He has given us an open invitation to park here and it has proven to be very convenient these past days.

We arrived this time on Alex's birthday. There was just enough sunlight and dry weather to take a quick hike up the road into the redwoods.

I'm not sure how we'd missed this. Do you see it? A nativity! 

Nothing compares you to be in your childhood home without your parents. It's surreal. It feels lonely. It certainly goes in the "bittersweet" category of life events.