Vacations never seem to go as planned. We were going to go down to Rosarito Beach while we are here but - - I got the flu and spent 2 days not getting any further from the bathroom than the living room couch. Now I think that Keith has it. He won't admit it but he is looking a little pale and isn't feeling doing anything either. Not good!
Rod and S'te are really busy with their family. They've joined a new church and we accompanied them to one of the services. They have been wildly welcomed and are getting very involved with the Awana program and Rod has joined the Choir. LaDaria and Tyrique are still active with the AIM for Faith (the mime group) at their old church and S'te still attends the MOPS (Mothers with PreSchoolers) group there. I went with her once and it is a wonderful way for Moms to relate to each other. I wasn't feeling well enough to go to the last meeting but I know I would've enjoyed it as well. Rod is still involved with the Foster Parent Association Board and they are both hosts at monthly meetings for their own group of FP's. The kids are enjoying going to public school for the first time and are learning that all teachers aren't like Mom in that they don't have unlimited time to be distracted during (hee hee). I can't help but feel that this is being very good for them. It is a madhouse when they return from school daily with each of them wanting to tell Mom and each other all about their day. Sometimes I have to go into "our own room" just until it calms down and the noise is down to a dull roar. :) But I am loving our visit.
Keith has gone down to the RV Shop to see how the repairs are coming on it. I am hoping that they will be completed so that we can continue on with our "schedule" for our return to home. We have been following the progress of the newest hurricane on TV and contunue to pray that all will be as God wills.
Keith talked to his Mom and the work Keith arranged on her home has been completed and she is liking the finished product. Of course when the workmen tore into the bath area, there was more than met the eye to be done - but it is done and should last her a long time. Her new carpet and door have been installed in the family room - and she said she is enjoying that also. We haven't had much news from April but I'm hoping that Brennan's birthday went well and life for them is good also.
That's about it for now - will write more as something comes up to write about.
God bless all,
Diane
September 23, 2005
September 17, 2005
We're Here
Here is Jaleel, Tyrique, Brayana, and LaDaria leaning over the fence watching the Harbor Patrol putting on a show at the San Diego Yacht Club. We had a blast sailing on a 50+ foot sailing yacht. The air and the sun totally wore me out. The kids were still good to go. They never run out of energy :) For some reason Makkiah, Destini, and Taniyah didn't get into this picture. I'll have more soon. Here is TeeTee all dressed
for the water. She is crawling up a storm and getting cuter by the day. We cut some of her curls off yesterday and she has a real healthy head of dark hair. She seems to remember me but was shy with Papa until he got a cracker and fed her. Now she wants a bite of anything that he has.We spent the first few days this week with small projects around the house. We hooked up sinks in 2 bathrooms, installed a closet system in the master bedroom and sorted lots of stuff out. I have to congratulate them on the progress they have made on their home. I never pictured it coming this far along. They have redone all the walls in the living room and 2 of the bedrooms as well as carpeted and moved doors and windows to more appealing spots. It is looking really good!
On Monday we took the RV back to the shop to get the air bag fixed and asked that they service it for the trip back home while they have it. There seems to be a couple of other problems that they found - but we'll see if that pans out. As long as we get it back for the return trip.
By Tuesday my right knee was popping and grinding with every step I took and by Thursday - I couldn't handle the pain any more. I couldn't bend it to walk up steps or stand up from a chair - total agony!! So Keith spent the morning trying to find a urgent care place that would take TriCare from Florida - no luck at all so he took me to the ER at Sharp's at Grossmont. By 3 I was starving and pretty thirsty too. I asked if we had time to go to the cafeteria before it would be my turn. Guess what! At 3:20 they called me back = thru hallways clear to the other side of the building! By then I was ready to shove someone off of one of those gurneys and have Keith push me! It was all I could do to keep tears from running!!!! They had taken x-rays at noon so they knew that nothing was broken - thank the Lord for that. They did all the medical stuff and then came back and gave me a couple of vicodin - then they came back and put a full brace on my leg. Then they came back again and gave me a pair of crutches. They had me practice a little with them and I was leaned agains the wall when the meds started to kick in - the nurse asked nicely that I SIT DOWN SOMEWHERE. So I sat down in a wheelchair!! Keith then crawled onto the bed and covered up. The Dr. came back to talk to us and give us the discharge papers that said what they did and that they didn't diagnose anything and found Keith in the bed all covered up. It was quite comical-by then I thought everything was quite funny :(
So off we went, we got MORE pain pills at the pharmacy, got a McD's cheeseburger and came home. I was worn out and I'd promised to babysit so that they could go to meetings! With Ty and Darie's help, we made it work. I just asked and they did for me. It was uplifting to know that they can do that - when they choose.
Anyhow, I'm now waiting to see if TriCare with authorize a visit to the Ortho that the Hospital wants me to see on Monday. Keith says it HAS to get better - It's my DRIVING leg.
We went down to the Serra Mesa Community fair and sat at the beer garden while I saw all my old neighbors and friends. Didn't happen to see my deadbeat non-paying tenant, but had a great time. I hobbled around and looked at all the crafts and exhibits, Deb went on the Round-up and was looking for a partner for the swings = but I didn't think I'd better. I drank 2 cherry cokes and it was time to come home. My knee hurt and if I wanted home before Keith went to his Double A I had to do it then. It has been nice being here by myself for my 2 hours. I'm not left alone much anymore. SO I HAD TIME TO WRITE THIS BOOK!! He's back now so I'll sign off until next time.
Diane
September 10, 2005
Made it to California!!
We left Coos Bay by 9 am!! And Papa didn't think I could get it together in time to do that!! We went down I-5 to my Mom Judy's. We got there about 5 and relaxed for a bit. We were unloading the car and setting up the RV when Keith noticed that steel was showing thru the tread on the car dolly tires. He made arrangements at Les Schwab for new tires to be installed tomorrow. Meanwhile, lots of coffee and catching up got done. Then we went to dinner at a really nice Mexican place before she took us on a mini-tour of Anderson. We also met her neighbors who just bought a Bounder and are planning a cross country trip in the other direction! They are going from Anderson to Alabama and back with several stops along the way to see family. Mom and I stayed up as long as I could getting caught up - since we only see each other once a year - there is plenty to talk about. Keith gave up early and crashed.
We got up early on Wednesday morning and Keith drove the red car down to the shop while I followed in the RV. They didn't have a pull-thru area so I got to try my hand at a three point turn with the trailer attached!! It took more like 6 points, but I got 'er done!! We got the tires installed in just a short time and then stopped by the VFW to say good-by. We actually left there at ten forty five and made pretty good time since we stayed right on I-5.
We spent Wednesday night at Coalinga, CA in a Good Sam campground. We know we aren't "preferred customers" as we got the spot right in front of the dumpster and right next to some big pipes that made it so the picnic table was clear at the other end of the spot. And it wasn't like they were full up either. Anyhow, there was a great little fruit stand that had cold watermelon slices and fresh cantaloupe - so we were set for that. It was really nice and refreshing after being so warm all day. The San Joaquin Valley is beautiful when it is in full bloom :) I wonder sometimes if the weather changes don't come from the vast changes than mankind has made in changing arid areas into irrigated farmland like we've done. The California aqueduct system is massive and made a plentiful farmland out of arid semi-desert areas.
We left Coalinga Thursday about 10 and went down I-5 almost to Bakersfield and then cut over to Hwy 99S. We went over the Tehachapi Mountains and saw the San Andreas Fault, parts of the high desert and the edge of the Mohave Desert. It is a beautiful country to pass thru!! We also passed over the San Bernadino area (just around the edge), came down I-15 to San Diego and made it to S'te's about 7 PM. The kids were all outside to meet us and were anxious for the hugs and kisses that they are so free with. I was so very glad to see all of them. Then Papa and I went to Mrs. Rodriguez's with Rod and S'te and had more Mexican food!!
We spent most of yesterday just getting the RV cleaned out and last night we went out to search for friends. We found many of them and had a great time catching up since our trip to Cancun where we saw many of them.
Today we went to the Sailfest 2005 with the entire family. They left their 2 little foster girls with a babysitter as we were going out on yachts and they don't tend to listen well. It was great. The San Diego Yacht Club members take the family members that have children in the "Specialty Clinics" out for a ride and then there is a BBQ afterward. We drew a skipper that had a 52' sailboat that could handle this family of 11. Makkiah finally wound up attached to a bulkhead via a heavy blue rope that curtailed his wanderings, Brayana spent most of her time with the mate that was doing the steering - and she did quite a bit of it herself - by herself. He showed her how to use the GPS and watch for the other boats and bouys. The boys asked lots of questions and I just held on to Taniyah and enjoyed watching my family have a great time. It is really nice of the Club to do things like this for the kids. Some of them are so chronically ill that they really enjoy doing outdoor activities. Anyhow - thanks for donating your time and your boat for the afternoon - it was great.
As I write this - I am watching the news with Ophelia on the horizon for the Carolinas. Let us all cross our fingers and pray for those who will weather this storm within the next few days. And keep the survivors of Katrina in our hearts and minds - and be thankful that we are safe and sound. We also have the 9/11 Anniversary tomorrow.
We plan to be here until approximately October 1st before we start heading to the east again. It will be to short a time - but we've also been away from home for quite awhile too.
More later
We got up early on Wednesday morning and Keith drove the red car down to the shop while I followed in the RV. They didn't have a pull-thru area so I got to try my hand at a three point turn with the trailer attached!! It took more like 6 points, but I got 'er done!! We got the tires installed in just a short time and then stopped by the VFW to say good-by. We actually left there at ten forty five and made pretty good time since we stayed right on I-5.
We spent Wednesday night at Coalinga, CA in a Good Sam campground. We know we aren't "preferred customers" as we got the spot right in front of the dumpster and right next to some big pipes that made it so the picnic table was clear at the other end of the spot. And it wasn't like they were full up either. Anyhow, there was a great little fruit stand that had cold watermelon slices and fresh cantaloupe - so we were set for that. It was really nice and refreshing after being so warm all day. The San Joaquin Valley is beautiful when it is in full bloom :) I wonder sometimes if the weather changes don't come from the vast changes than mankind has made in changing arid areas into irrigated farmland like we've done. The California aqueduct system is massive and made a plentiful farmland out of arid semi-desert areas.
We left Coalinga Thursday about 10 and went down I-5 almost to Bakersfield and then cut over to Hwy 99S. We went over the Tehachapi Mountains and saw the San Andreas Fault, parts of the high desert and the edge of the Mohave Desert. It is a beautiful country to pass thru!! We also passed over the San Bernadino area (just around the edge), came down I-15 to San Diego and made it to S'te's about 7 PM. The kids were all outside to meet us and were anxious for the hugs and kisses that they are so free with. I was so very glad to see all of them. Then Papa and I went to Mrs. Rodriguez's with Rod and S'te and had more Mexican food!!
We spent most of yesterday just getting the RV cleaned out and last night we went out to search for friends. We found many of them and had a great time catching up since our trip to Cancun where we saw many of them.
Today we went to the Sailfest 2005 with the entire family. They left their 2 little foster girls with a babysitter as we were going out on yachts and they don't tend to listen well. It was great. The San Diego Yacht Club members take the family members that have children in the "Specialty Clinics" out for a ride and then there is a BBQ afterward. We drew a skipper that had a 52' sailboat that could handle this family of 11. Makkiah finally wound up attached to a bulkhead via a heavy blue rope that curtailed his wanderings, Brayana spent most of her time with the mate that was doing the steering - and she did quite a bit of it herself - by herself. He showed her how to use the GPS and watch for the other boats and bouys. The boys asked lots of questions and I just held on to Taniyah and enjoyed watching my family have a great time. It is really nice of the Club to do things like this for the kids. Some of them are so chronically ill that they really enjoy doing outdoor activities. Anyhow - thanks for donating your time and your boat for the afternoon - it was great.
As I write this - I am watching the news with Ophelia on the horizon for the Carolinas. Let us all cross our fingers and pray for those who will weather this storm within the next few days. And keep the survivors of Katrina in our hearts and minds - and be thankful that we are safe and sound. We also have the 9/11 Anniversary tomorrow.
We plan to be here until approximately October 1st before we start heading to the east again. It will be to short a time - but we've also been away from home for quite awhile too.
More later
September 6, 2005
On the Road Again
Well it is up early today for me. I'm doing this while I wait for the coffee to perk!! We plan to leave Coos Bay today and head for Anderson. Hopefully the Labor Day traffic all went home yesterday:)
We spent most of the weekend at Clint and Sallie's. She is quite the kitchen kitten. On Friday she "put up" several jars of strawberry jam, Sunday she cooked a great Salmon dinner which Lucy and Art came by for, and yesterday she put up - I don't know how many jars of beans. She had said that she hadn't been able to find any blackberries this year and guess what! We found some for her. She drug her 'equipment" out and made us 6 jars of blackberry jelly!! And then cooked us a great meatloaf dinner. So we are definatly set up for jelly this year. I tried to 
help, but even I know better than to get in Sallie's way when she is 
on a mission!! I did dishes for her and stayed out of her kitchen. Keith and Clint watched several shows as Keith did his channel surfing thing, and told lots of stories. :) A really great visit.
Now ready to head out, will catch up again soon.
Diane
We spent most of the weekend at Clint and Sallie's. She is quite the kitchen kitten. On Friday she "put up" several jars of strawberry jam, Sunday she cooked a great Salmon dinner which Lucy and Art came by for, and yesterday she put up - I don't know how many jars of beans. She had said that she hadn't been able to find any blackberries this year and guess what! We found some for her. She drug her 'equipment" out and made us 6 jars of blackberry jelly!! And then cooked us a great meatloaf dinner. So we are definatly set up for jelly this year. I tried to 
help, but even I know better than to get in Sallie's way when she is 
on a mission!! I did dishes for her and stayed out of her kitchen. Keith and Clint watched several shows as Keith did his channel surfing thing, and told lots of stories. :) A really great visit.Now ready to head out, will catch up again soon.
Diane
September 4, 2005
Coos Bay to Powers
Okay folks, here is the rest of the story!! Friday we hung out at Clint and Sallie's almost all day. It was great getting to just relax and get up-to-date on all the "stuff" that I've missed. We made it to the "Cabin" for Happy Hour and I got to visit with many old friends. It is amazing how things change - but don't change- over a year's time. People are the same but many have moved on - both in body and in soul. We really didn't stay there long, we were back home before N3mbers came on at 10. I really can't say I remember what it was about - I think I was asleep before the commercials were over.
We slept in on Saturday and got to Powers about noon - We were late, I
told Aunt Nita we'd be there about 11 - so it wasn't to bad. They had a big BBQ and almost everyone was there. Susy and her boyfriend (and his daughter with her family), Debbie and Nick, Linda, and several others that I 
didn't even get names of. Of course, my family is so camera shy that I didn't get any pictures. Linda stayed the latest, she didn't leave until almost 7. Keith went to bed shortly after and Aunt Nita and I stayed up until almost 11 looking at pictures and visiting. We had a good visit. Aunt Nita gave me a Bean Pot that survived the 93 flood at my grandmothers house in West Alton.
http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/floods/papers/oh_2/great.htm
We got up this morning and went to Jacks Fountain for breakfast before we packed up and got back on the road. Powers is a really small town up and down a curvy, windy road only about 20 miles from Myrtle Point but it seems much further to the unknowing. Linda says she can drive it in about 20 minutes - it took us 35 minutes to do the drive :) I didn't even ask Aunt Nita how long it takes her - or Uncle Jim either!!
http://www.oregoncities.us/powers/
We are supposed to go to Clint and Sallies this evening for a salmon dinner. She does wonderfully with salmon. I can cook it but it never tastes quite as good as Sallie does.
Right now I am just getting this updated while Keith talks on the phone. You all have a great weekend and I'll update more when we get ready to leave. Which should be on Tuesday morning. The plan is to get as far as Judy's in Anderson California Tuesday evening. I know that is directly in opposition with her days off, but at least we may get a chance for a short visit between her shifts.
Take care all,
Diane
We slept in on Saturday and got to Powers about noon - We were late, I
told Aunt Nita we'd be there about 11 - so it wasn't to bad. They had a big BBQ and almost everyone was there. Susy and her boyfriend (and his daughter with her family), Debbie and Nick, Linda, and several others that I 
didn't even get names of. Of course, my family is so camera shy that I didn't get any pictures. Linda stayed the latest, she didn't leave until almost 7. Keith went to bed shortly after and Aunt Nita and I stayed up until almost 11 looking at pictures and visiting. We had a good visit. Aunt Nita gave me a Bean Pot that survived the 93 flood at my grandmothers house in West Alton.http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/floods/papers/oh_2/great.htm
We got up this morning and went to Jacks Fountain for breakfast before we packed up and got back on the road. Powers is a really small town up and down a curvy, windy road only about 20 miles from Myrtle Point but it seems much further to the unknowing. Linda says she can drive it in about 20 minutes - it took us 35 minutes to do the drive :) I didn't even ask Aunt Nita how long it takes her - or Uncle Jim either!!
http://www.oregoncities.us/powers/
We are supposed to go to Clint and Sallies this evening for a salmon dinner. She does wonderfully with salmon. I can cook it but it never tastes quite as good as Sallie does.
Right now I am just getting this updated while Keith talks on the phone. You all have a great weekend and I'll update more when we get ready to leave. Which should be on Tuesday morning. The plan is to get as far as Judy's in Anderson California Tuesday evening. I know that is directly in opposition with her days off, but at least we may get a chance for a short visit between her shifts.
Take care all,
Diane
September 3, 2005
Coos Bay, Oregon
I've been both busy and lazy. Both at the same time but I'll try to catch up a little bit now. I'm in the dining room at Aunt Nita's. Keith and Aunt Nita are watching CNN and the telethon for the Katrina survivors. Uncle Jim gave up and went to bed.
We made reservations for Seven Feathers 50's Show for Wednesday night and took Sharen there for her birthday on Wednesday. Keith got her a cake that had Happy Birthday 50-1 written on it. She was both delighted and took the joke well. While at the show, I made arrangements for them to pick on her - for her birthday. And they did - she was part of the show a couple of different times - the pictures will be on Flickr shortly. She already has them on her website which is under Knuckles Knoll to the left of this post.
We left Canyonville on Thursday morning about 10 and made it to Myrtle Point for lunch at the Spruce Street Grill right on Main Street. We pulled into the Green "something or other" RV park down in the "gulch" to park the RV so we could just leave there and drive the red car up to Powers. Keith wouldn't let me drive the RV up the Powers Road. (I think I scared him on the Diamond Lake Road!!) But there is no office. We asked a resident there how/where we needed to know to rent a spot for 2 nights and she said there was no one on-site and gave us a phone number to call. While we were eating lunch I ran into Norm Parrish and he has been around forever - so I figured that he would know what we should do. He said - go hook up and someone will be there eventually!! Keith didn't really like that idea so he decided we didn't need to stay in that "hole" anyway so after lunch we drove on over to Coos Bay.
We went to the "Lucky Logger RV Park and got hooked stopped at the Grange and talked to Sally and made arrangements to see her on Friday. We stopped in at the Cabin (my old stomping grounds) and I only saw one person I even recognized - and we went back to the RV. I fixed dinner and we turned the heater on and went to bed. We were both COLDDDDD!!
It's getting late so I'll continue the update tomorrow. I promise that I will get back up to date soon!!
Diane
We made reservations for Seven Feathers 50's Show for Wednesday night and took Sharen there for her birthday on Wednesday. Keith got her a cake that had Happy Birthday 50-1 written on it. She was both delighted and took the joke well. While at the show, I made arrangements for them to pick on her - for her birthday. And they did - she was part of the show a couple of different times - the pictures will be on Flickr shortly. She already has them on her website which is under Knuckles Knoll to the left of this post.
We left Canyonville on Thursday morning about 10 and made it to Myrtle Point for lunch at the Spruce Street Grill right on Main Street. We pulled into the Green "something or other" RV park down in the "gulch" to park the RV so we could just leave there and drive the red car up to Powers. Keith wouldn't let me drive the RV up the Powers Road. (I think I scared him on the Diamond Lake Road!!) But there is no office. We asked a resident there how/where we needed to know to rent a spot for 2 nights and she said there was no one on-site and gave us a phone number to call. While we were eating lunch I ran into Norm Parrish and he has been around forever - so I figured that he would know what we should do. He said - go hook up and someone will be there eventually!! Keith didn't really like that idea so he decided we didn't need to stay in that "hole" anyway so after lunch we drove on over to Coos Bay.
We went to the "Lucky Logger RV Park and got hooked stopped at the Grange and talked to Sally and made arrangements to see her on Friday. We stopped in at the Cabin (my old stomping grounds) and I only saw one person I even recognized - and we went back to the RV. I fixed dinner and we turned the heater on and went to bed. We were both COLDDDDD!!
It's getting late so I'll continue the update tomorrow. I promise that I will get back up to date soon!!
Diane
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