Synchronized Surgeries!

This sure has been a busy couple weeks! First Mary's visit and the convention and all the house-sitting and airport shuttling. Then the folks both managed to get their long-needed surgeries, which had to be done on Oahu, scheduled simultaneously!

I dropped them at the airport early Monday morning. Once on Oahu dad's classmate, Arthur, picked them up and shuttled them to mom's hospital, Straub. She had her pacemaker installed without any problems and immediately after she could feel a difference - instead of dragging around with a pulse in the 40's she was more energetic and alert with a more normal pulse in the 60's.

Dad has a bunch of funny stories regarding his prostate surgery that was performed at Queen's hospital, 4 or 5 blocks from Mom's hospital. One that was particularly entertaining involved the test he had to have to determine that he truly needed the surgery that was schedule for the next day. He was told it was going to be an ultrasound - NOT!!! It was a tube that was inserted that showed the enlarged prostate and blocked urethra and the full bladder behind all that, not quite the simple ultrasound he was expecting!

Apparently they were quite the couple at the airport. They both had to be pushed around in wheelchairs so they had a captive audience. Mom is usually the one cracking jokes and being a little too open with the details but this time it was more Dad! But everyone seemed interested and got a big kick out of it, they even shared the stories with other airport personnel so they had a forewarning about the couple at gate 59!

So now that they both got their fixes we'll see how things go, hopefully we'll see some improvement for a while...

A Home Visit

Well THAT was the longest I've been away from all my kids! 3 months! Some of us felt it more than others but it was great to go home and spend some time with everyone.


I got to go with Rach to pick a new kitty. She found a real winner and named him Mongo. He's a bengal mix, probably with tabby. He's very much like their current kitty, Izzy. For some reason he adopted me and my robe. In only a week the 2 cats were playing! One of their favorite things is to chase each other up and down the hall. It sounds like a couple little horses running! I got to learn first where he likes to sleep - right on my face! So the first night I had to move him off my face 8 or 10 times before he gave up and slept in the middle of the bed. So now when they're sitting on the couch Tony has 2 cats and Rach has none...

The new little baby Kevin is such a sweet smiley little boy now that they figured out how to fix up his tummy problems. He's crawls and stands pretty good for just 6 months old! I think the grandkids all enjoyed seeing Gramma Soup. Hunter came and helped me in the yard as often as he could. We found a dead possum skeleton (and hair) in the woods where I dump my grass and saw deer back there too! Both little girls talk a blue streak and Taylor seemed to have fun when I went over to see their chickens and visit Gage.

Rach and I also went to the Kubota Gardens for a quick photo day. It wasn't as pretty as in the summer but I'll go again in May. It should be gorgeous then!

One night I heard that Denny was gonna can some tuna that he caught on a recent fishing excursion so I went over to watch the process. Very interesting. Imagine - my SON cans stuff!

Since Tony has lost over 100 pounds he needs a complete new wardrobe, which they, of course, can't afford. Rach convinced him to check out a Goodwill store when they were donating some of his fat clothes ("If you're donating these just think - so do other people") and now he's hooked! So we went into Seattle to visit the massive one there. We had a very successful shopping trip!

I managed to cram in all the yard work time I needed. It rained often but if it was a dry day I worked. And every Sunday it was dry, so I couldn't get to a Sunday meeting! But I made it to all the Thursday meetings. And my last Monday was a beautiful day so I killed myself to get what I could done. I worked so hard and was so sore that I had a hard time getting to sleep. I even dreamed that the next sunny day was the next day so I'd have to work instead of getting my day of rest! It was a nightmare! But I got everything done that needed doing: balance hot tub chemicals, put moss killer on the roof, clean the gutters and chopped lots of shrubs back hard. Then there was cutting back the spent perennials, putting weed killer on all the gravel and mowing. When I was done I had my park back once again!

I requested 2 events to take place on my visit that I enjoy every year, visiting a pumpkin patch and having our big turkey dinner. So we also got those in and both were as memorable as usual. There was a very obvious void, though. Our newest little family was missing but maybe we can do things with them when I visit in May. For May I'm requesting a trip to the tulip fields in Mossy Rock.

So the weekly texts will resume this coming Saturday, kids - be prepared!

A New Chapter

Wow - who'd a thunk? I'm 57 and living with my parents again! But it's nothing like being young and living with them, I mean, I'm a GRANDMA now!

I have my little nook in the corner of the house between the bathroom and the carport. It's about 5x6 and I have a bed (futon), dresser, mirror, cabinet, table/lamp combo, all divided from the rest of the house with a folding screen and standing fan. What more could I need?

The day I got here my mom visited the doctor and was told that she needed to put some salt back into her diet. She did and her dizziness and fainting is virtually gone. The day after I got here was another doctor visit and they finally figured out what caused her stroke - it was her racing heart! Now they just have to decide to put in a pacemaker, they're still not determined that that's what she needs.

So mom is getting stronger every day, many of her problems are under control and we're even getting to the beach for exercise, a little swim a couple times a week. Personally, I could do it every day! It's a nice way to end the day! Dad's coming too so he's getting to enjoy his Hawaii and getting exercise too, not that he doesn't get any like mom. He's the lawn man at 2 houses, he gets plenty of exercise!

While I have my nook we're still looking into building a guest room that I could use while I'm here and then the folks can have actual guests stay in it. I like the idea of a room at the same level as the rest of the house, with an ocean view and breeze. Much more appealing for guests (and I'm the first guest!).

I got my car on Friday and it feels so good to have my own wheels. Yesterday mom and I went running errands while dad worked on the corolla, getting it ready to sell. While we were out dad had us stop and pick up a tool at NAPA. All this wasn't possible before me and my toaster got here - that's called progress! Dad was having to do all that by himself.

I haven't done a ton of work around here yet, it's a bit on the warm side and hard to work in. I did get all the bottles for their noni juice sales cleaned, fixed their vacuum, cleaned the deck, installed some drywall and taped some of the ceiling in the kitchen to help eliminate "visitors" from outside. Oh yeah, can't forget the spider sucking!

All in all a lot of improvement around here, some due to my presence, others due to doctors finally making diagnoses.

BUT - I do miss my kids and grandkids. Thank goodness I have a ticket to go home for a visit!

 

Uh Oh...

Another Sizemore has made his appearance on this planet - and it's another KEVIN Sizemore, to boot!

Yes, Shirley was able to get the delivery up and running just a few days before the due date because of health issues. Things started out slowish but when they ramped up it was over and done in record time! Nothing like poor Chelsea's recent experience.

Kevin was born at 2:33 in the afternoon on 4/18/2014. He weighed 7 lbs and 4 oz which was the exact same weight as his older sister Elise. He was a little longer and pretty much perfect. No cone head or "stork kiss". The only thing that was said was that the cord was wrapped around him (not his neck) 3 times!

Shirley's good friend, Christie, Grandma Mimi and I were all allowed to be present for the birth, it was a real treat. Kevin (dad) stood  by the side that we were on so as to block viewing what none of us wanted to see anyway, but we did see the little purple baby as soon as he was out. Now I know what they mean when they refer to the baby as "pinking up".

Auntie Rachyl brought the older siblings along with gifts about an hour after he was born. When Ellie entered the room she headed straight for Grandma Mimi but when she saw her holding the baby she made a sudden turn to me instead! Then Ellie gave mommy the gift and opened the card for her. It was sweet, all 3 wrote something in it by themselves. Elise's was a picture of a face.

The nurse was bathing the baby and I finally said something about dad bathing the baby so she handed the job over. It was apparent that he was an experienced dad but for some reason she thought she should give him his first bath - NOT! After the bath, inoculations, temperature, head measurement, etc were done it was time for the kids to officially meet the new brother. Joe held him like a champ. Shayne was slightly more awe-struck and Elise handed him to dad after about 2 seconds!

They ended up having to stay one extra day but all got home Sunday noonish. Shirley was happy to have her whole BIG family together! Who'd-a-thunk Kevin would be the one to have the biggest family?

Catch-up Blog #5

OK, so I took a day off.  This blogging is exhausting!

So, what's up next?

Fair Day!

We girls (Rach, Shirley and I, maybe Heather will come next year) took the kids last year to the fair and it was a great day!  So we decided to try it again and guess what?  Another great day!  I remember we got burned last year and this year was again in the 80's!  In Seattle?  In September?  Wow!  I decided to buy myself a nice sunhat and after I showed it to the girls they decided to buy themselves one too!  Copycats!

So we got there and again headed for the little kids' rides, "Sillyville" they're called here at the good 'ole Puyallup Fair.  Hunter was much better at keeping up this year and could manage the rides without too much help.  So it was very much a repeat of last year.  We did the tractor pull.  We tried to get Shayne to ride a sheep ("Wool Riders Only") and he chickened out.  But since Shirley's 2 boys in particular are getting big enough for some of the big kids' rides we decided to wander that-a-way.  

The first one we tried out was the "Wild Cat" roller coaster.  Joe and Shayne were both big enough to ride alone so Shirley didn't even get to share that first ride with them.  I wanted to be sure to get pictures of this, their FIRST real roller coaster ride.  The track twists around so much it's hard to follow where they go.  Shirley came and told me when they boarded and fortunately, they were in the front seat of the 4-person car.

So I just put the camera on sports mode and chose where I would try to catch them.  It worked out perfectly, the camera snaps like 5 frames per second so I just pressed the button and stayed fixed on the boys.  I got the perfect shot that, cropped way in, shows their true emotions on that first harrowing roller coaster ride!

After that success we stayed in the big ride area and the 3 of them did the rest of the rides together.  They did the bumper cars, Hunter rode with Shayne as the driver and just LOVED it!  He had this wicked smile on his face the whole time!

There was also a rainforest exhibit and all 3 boys held this big, black scorpion - ew!

The "Let's Pretend" play that was so cute last year wasn't quite as good this year.  It was a pirate story and the costumes were great but the whole thing lacked structure.  

We stayed quite late and I ended up missing meeting because of it.  Oops.  When we left I was so ready to stay - that's when the FUN photography begins, at sundown!

Catch-up Blog #3

Let's see, what's next? Ah... 

Family Day

I had a different kind of party planned this year.  I've seen twinkle lights set up in the yard as a ceiling over a nicely set table and decided that that's what I wanted to do this year.  That and I wanted to have a better meal and some nice gifts for everyone.  

Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad, eh?

The decorations looked great.  And the weather was unusually cooperative for a holiday weekend in the Seattle area!  Then I had help making up a 4 course Italian meal (American style Italian, that is...) which included Zuppa Toscana made by Shirley, then Caesar salad provided by Rachyl, I made manicotti, both a spinach and sausage type.  And lastly Dane and Chelsea brought 2 flavors of tiramisu.  Dale and Denny and Heather added the breadsticks and garlic bread that helped top off the meal.  We were all stuffed and had lots of left overs!  Oh yes, and wine, some nice Zinfandel wine from a box but served in decanters!

But the gifts didn't happen.  Understandable considering that my household was currently totally unemployed.  Kevin's and Rachyl's households did get me gifts, bless their little hearts!  But I was unable to reciprocate.

We managed to cram in a quick photo session that turned out well.  We used the picture frame idea and nearly every family did it differently:

We had a mysterious photobomber sneak in and out without anyone's noticing...

So, not 100% what I wanted from a party but very nice nonetheless.

Catch-up Blog #2

Next on the agenda of blogging to catch up on:

Elise's 1 Year Photo Shoot

Shirley had a goal to get photos of Elise for her first year, every 3 months and with the current season as the theme.  It was a cute idea and we pulled it off well, her ideas, our creations and my photography.  A couple other things were thrown in just because they were cute and sounded like fun.

So on the left is her 3 month shoot, shot in the fall of 2011, autumn leaves (from my recently uprooted stump [see previous post] when it was still a beautiful tree!).


Next, on the right, is her 6 months shot in the winter, with a snowflake theme.


At 9 months it was spring so Shirley wanted an Anne Geddes look, baby girl in a flower pot.  We also wanted to hit the tulip fields and use a costume Shirley had made with Elise wearing a tulip tutu, that was a FUN day!


Finally now she's one year old.  I wanted to get her in the dress that my mom took a photo of me in at a year, then I got Rachyl in it at a year.  It's time for the next generation to get their picture in the same dress.

But Shirley's plan was for a mermaid as she saw on Pinterest months ago...

I crocheted the costume quite a while back and was relieved that she still fit in it.  We knew it had to be shot in the water somewhere but we had no idea exactly where that would be.  Shirley had some ideas but the particular spot had an ugly shore.  I made another suggestion - bingo!  Shallow water and a lovely background!

Fortunately Elise loves the water so it didn't make her cry to get wet.  She's turned into the perfect model to photograph!

Shirley also got a dress for Elise to model when she was big enough to wear it so we also took those shots at the river park.

Shirley told me what she wanted for the next shoot - wait!  I thought it was for the first year?!?!    We're gonna do this for another year?!?!

Lily Lake the 16th!

That's right - time #16!

Nothing was much different on this trip from all the others - we drove, unloaded, set up and HAD FUN!  In that order.  The drive is fun but the unloading and setting up, not so much.

The day we got there we first visited Kev and Shirley's new discovery, Granite Lake.  It looks like a decent enough place to camp but the road getting there is not for the timid.  It takes a SUV with plenty of clearance,  the road consists of a plethera of large rocks and gullies.  Driving speed ranges from 2 - 10 mph.  So we checked it out and then headed on to Lily Lake.

The loading and unloading is a daunting task and we're talking about switching the family camping tradition to something easier for the new family demographics.  Maybe next year we'll try Potholes. But in the meantime...

Camp went up without a hitch.  I'm sure wherever we end up it will always be that way, we cooperate pretty well.  Once camp was set up we just relaxed.  It was late in the day and the day wasn't very warm.

That evening, around the campfire Elise said her first family name - she pointed at Keith and said his name very clearly!  Rach was exasperated!  She said "No!  Auntie!  Auntie!"  Well, "Keith" is a whole lot easier to say.  Then the next morning when Keith stepped out of the tent it just scared Elise!  He was in black and had a "scary" hat and dark glasses on!  So he had to leave the hat off for a while, let the little girl recognize him again.  It's Keith - your FAVORITE uncle!

The next morning when we woke up we all spoke of our struggles to sleep that night, we were all cold.  Then Rach drove to the nearest restroom and when she returned, well after sunrise and after it began to warm up she announced that it was 38º!  AFTER it started to warm up!  We were all having sleeping problems because IT WAS LITERALLY FREEZING!  I know part of my problem was that a sleeping bag had fallen in the water and when we separated everything my sleeping bag got put in Kevin's tent by accident.  When I went to get something to sleep in I got a much thinner bag than I'm used to, but that was better than nothing! I ended up sleeping in 2 full layers of clothing!  I don't think any of us got more than 2 - 3 hours of sleep.  

Kevin noticed that the fog on the lake in the morning had small funnel cloud-looking formations.  Little whirlwinds would whip the fog into twisty shapes!  Then, while I was crossing the log for the bathroom I heard a strange bird and it flew past.  It was a pretty blueish-colored kingfisher!  I've never seen one of those there before!  During our visit Rick and I spotted quite a few salamanders in the lake, Keith saw something bright orange come to the surface quickly for air (another salamander?), the camp robbers came every morning instead of just Sunday like they always did in the past.  Rach decided it was the lack of human interference that caused the animals to be more numerous and curious.  OK, I'll buy that...

But the day warmed up and we did our usual - lay out on the lake and soak up the sun.  Kevin and the boys fished a lot, he brought his new rowboat with a small electric (very quiet!) motor and Keith stayed all day in the paddle boat.  Kevin caught a small fish and Joe caught one about 10 - 12" long!  Joe learned how to use the paddle boat and was our water taxi when we wanted to go to the car, he's getting SO big!

Evening came and our Friday workers started to arrive.  Rick got there about 7:30 and Dane and Chelsea were about an hour behind him, it was actually dark when they got there.  

That night was not as cold and we all went to bed fairly early.  Shirley was intent on being warm and donned her cute, pink, footsie jammies.  I think we were all jealous!  

Saturday was another delightful day of playing in the water, after the gang had fun feeding the camp robbers.  Rick started it, I think.  The boys eventually had crackers sitting on their heads to get the birds to take away gently.  That night was the warmest of all and I think most of us got a pretty good night's sleep.  

We had our usual Sunday morning breakfast made from anything left over that can be incorporated into a breakfast and began to pack up.  Since there are different people with different needs and abilities the loading job up the hill was more laborious than in the past.  Hence the decision to think about another family camping tradition.

But Lily Lake will still be a trip the most hearty and determined ones will do every year or two, at least I hope we will!