Thanksgiving 2010

We had a great Thanksgiving in Bremerton with Rod, S'te, and the grandkids

On our way up we got word that there was no power at the kids' house.  We knew when we started out that it had been off for a day - but who knew that it would still be out!  We kept up hourly communication as we drove North and by the time we got to Tacoma and there was still no power ~ Even Mak's battery to his feeding pump had exhausted it's back-up ~  they had used the outside grill for cooking ~ and S'te announced that it was colder in the house than outside ~ and she'd found out that lines were down in a hard-to-access-area and no one was even giving a guess as to when the power might be restored.... Keith started calling around Bremerton for a warm place to stay!  Finally, after many calls, he found 3 rooms (the last they had) at the Marriot in downtown.  Frantic, we reserved all 3.  They were King Suites - but hey - they were warm and would have a hot breakfast!!  But.. no doggy ... he'd have to stay in the van.  So he called the Elmores - told them to 'pack up' and meet us there.  They brought blankets, clothes, food (for the microwave), and we all got there just about the same time!  Cold and in great spirits and looking forward to cuddling up, getting warm, and watching some tv (back to electricity!), we all headed up to our rooms.  What a mix up!  The first room we opened had not yet been cleaned, there was still items in the fridge, bed was unmade, and towels on the floor.  So, we checked out the next one on our list, it was good - so the kids all piled in while we headed back downstairs.  At the desk, they apologized profusely (things were quite busy and confusing with the widespread power outage!), and housekeeping headed straight up to do the room.  Then we tried the key for the last one (it was next door to the one being cleaned), and someone asked (rather historically)  "can I help you?"!  SOMEONE WAS ALREADY IN IT!  So we headed BACK downstairs - and while waiting our turn - we decided that 2 rooms would probably be enough (at over $150/per room, it was a good decision!) and the man at the desk that had been all over the county looking for a warm place to stay got a nice room - down the hall from us.  We headed out for food (for me) and the little place around the corner was close to out of everything!  We got our choices and headed back to the nice warm room.  There was ice all over the roads and sidewalks.  It was COLD!  I am sure glad that Keith was able to secure those rooms.  It was heavenly!  Cavelle and Tetee shared our space while Brayana and Destini got the sofa-bed.  S'te and Rod got the boys and Ladaria. ';-)  BTW - sleeping with Teters is a challenge, hehee!! 
S'te found that the power was restored early Wednesday morning - so after our hot breakfast - we headed down to the parking garage.  Chaito was so glad to see us - he ran back and forth between our pickup and their van.  Where there was people - he stayed!!  He ended up riding with his good friend, Naner, and we headed for the house.  What a way to start a trip!

So here are some photos of Thanksgiving!

Makkiah helps with the Deviled Eggs

Jaleel starts the process for his project!

Brayana thinking about her fruit salad

Busy in one of the kitchens!

Destini working on some clean-up

 We had a fun time with the dinner. Mak, Tetee, and I made bread in the breadmaker.  Mak also did his specialty, Deviled Eggs.  Destini got up early and helped with the turkey and dressing that she roasted, getting it into the oven in plenty of time (and it turned out awesome too), Ladaria made her green bean casserole, Brayana, Destini, and Jaleel (with a bit of help from Tetee and Mak) made a huge fruit salad!, AND  Rod did a smaller turkey in his oil-less deepfryer.  New neighbors and family friends joined in and we had a great dinner and a wonderful time!

The little kids corraled by Ladaria and listening to a story!

And then it was over.  Another memorable Thanksgiving!

2010 Part 2 Time to wander back to the East!

The beginning our our semi-annual trek started on a rather wet note this year.  I spent many hours agonizing over what I wanted to take with us, our route, the amount of time necessary to get everything possible done that we wanted to do.  I got all of the 'gift packs' done for family members - jams, jellies, tuna, pears, peaches, and whatever else we 'did up' this summer that we can IN NO WAY ever consume.  Besides I love the complements that sometimes come along with the giving of the 'gift packs'.  So along came the final day before the day we are to depart.  It was the WETTEST day yet of the fall of 2010!  Only partially depicted below in how wet it was.  Tim even had to cover the sidewalk he had started to try to save at least some of it!  

So this is the day we absolutely had to pack up the pickup - departure is tomorrow and we can't procrastinate any more!  So we ran the boxes, and totes, and suitcases, and bags of all the miscellaneous 'STUFF' that I collected along the way out, found over the summer, and just have to take with us for distribution along the way!  I really must hand it to Keith.  As I ran things out to the garage and stacked them; he just looked.  Somewhat unhappily, but he just looked at it.  He asked several times if I was done yet - but it seemed that I always seemed to find something else.  But...

I finally got done, we got the pick-up loaded, we decided that we needed to be up for a departure time of no-later-than-6 am as I wanted desperately to stop by the North Star Coffee Shop in Portland that Rusty Brown was displaying his carvings in. And they close at 2 pm... so we really needed to get out of Eastside early!  So we put ourselves to bed early - so we'd be fresh for our rise and shine!

I woke up to an already lightening sky, so I knew we had slept in.  An unusual thing for us to do for some really strange reason.  So I hurried andgot coffee going - and opened the curtains to.... SNOW!!  I was amazed.  Totally slack jawed, open mouthed amazed!  It rarely snows on the south coast ~ but on the DAY we are supposed to leave~~ SNOW!!  It was beautiful tho'.  Sallie and Clint came over to see us off and Tim came out and said farewell so we had a grand send off!  We finished off the last little bit to load. . filled the coffee cups up, rinsed and dried and mopped ourselves out the front door with Chaito ~ and ~ wa-la ~ the pickup won't start.  The battery is deader than a doornail!  Thank goodness for friends like Clint because as soon as I called and interrupted his breakfast - he came right over and got us up and on our way!  Friends are true blessings!!  SO this is what downtown coos bay looked like as we rolled thru a little after 10 am (I forgot to reset the time stamp).   The drive on up Hwy 101 was a sight to see! I'm sure glad that I don't have issues driving in the snow!

Hwy 101 between Coos Bay and Florence

Keith and Chaito at the gas station in Florence.

a Florence Oregon style dog sled! On 101 right in front of Safeway

The Tunnel on Hwy 126 (?) between Florence and I-5

More beautiful than a painting!

It was sure a beautiful drive.  There was almost no traffic on the road so we made excellent time getting to S'te's.  We were there before dark and greeted wildly by the little ones.  Once they get to be tweens - it seems like they are more reserved in their welcomes.  I sure miss having ALL the kids run to hug me every time I visited (even when it was every day!)  Brayana, Destini, and Jaleel hauled the majority of the heavy boxes of home-canned goodies into the house while Mak, Tetee, and Cavelle helped me get the cab emptied of all the other 'stuff' that I seem to collect on every trip.

I was soooo glad to see my babies again.  It seems like they grow a foot (I think the older ones actually do) between visits - and I was there in July!

So we are going to have an absolutely wonderful few days visiting and cooking and having a great time!!!!!!

Fall arrived!!!

 Chaito really feels the cooler weather.  He is such a funny little guy!  He seems to always find something that he can burrow under. He would rather 'wait' than go out in the rain!  He definitely has his comical times.  Keith bought him a really fancy cable knit sweater that he will wear if ABSOLUTELY necessary... As you can tell.... it's not his favorite clothing item hehee!!

 Now with the cooler weather I've had time to finish a lot of the little things that I started over the summer.  I have quite a little 'stash' from Amah's Attic (S'te named my product line) to fill in bare spots in S'te's little shop.  I have a whole box to to take up Thanksgiving!

 

Jaleel crocheted this when they were down visiting.  I finished it up and put it into the 'stash of things to go to Bremerton.  I have lots of little things to go up - for some strange reason!!

 Sidewalks from the deck to the gate to the back studio door to the camper door... You can walk the whole way without trudging thru the wet grass.  We may not be doing it all at once but... it is getting done.  Tim's learning curve is producing quite a nice trail!  I love it!

 And here is what happens when you don't 'get a roun-tuit'  before your agreed upon time is over.  Tim played around for several days - and then the weather turned on him .... so here he is trying to finish up the sidewalk up the garage side... in the pouring rain! 

 And some more pouring rain....

And I'm getting a really dirty look! There is still a segment between the studio door and the gate that is laid out but not complete.  It will be really great soon...

So anyhow, this project is supposed to be finished before we get back.  And before he starts anything else LOL!!

Okay,,, here we go...

It has been a nice summer.  A few bumps in the road, but generally nice.  I have so much to be thankful for but will try to hit the high spots so I can catch up!  I got to see Gerald twice this summer and got to visit twice each time, and I am so glad for that as he finally gave up his fight on November 12.  He was many things to many different people ~ but he was my little brother ~ and I was actually no better prepared for him to pass than I was when others that were so very close lost the battles they fought.

Little Chaito made himself right at home and has been the best little guy!  He is definitly a Daddy's boy - and we have been well entertained by him.  The best picture we ever saw on the internet!

We fostered 3 little ones this summer.  That was quite a few since we didn't make it to Coos Bay until the middle of July!  We had a little fellow that we did respite for - the cutest little redhead you ever did see too!  And we got a newborn 4 pound infant right from the hospital.  We had her until she was well-established and went on to work her way thru the system.  Wishes and prayers for the best of luck went with this little one - another little cutie for sure!  Then we had a little chubby cheeked baby girl come to visit for a bit ~ until it was time for us to get ready to leave.  So I stayed very busy with these little guests - just adorable babies.... Gifts to me.  I loved their little hugs, kisses, smiles, and just holding and cuddling these little darlings... It doesn't get much better that that! :->

 Rod and S'te brought the van down to us ~ and they brought the kids with them too :->   They seemed to have a great time hiking up to The Falls, swimming up at Daphne Grove, visiting with old friends and family.  They stopped in Powers and visited with Aunt Nita and Uncle Jim for a bit on their outing up that way.

Amanda, Jason, Coby, and Danica came over for a fun BBQ and they went down to Bandon to visit them after a day of horseback riding in Coquille.  I think they had a good time...

 I got photos of every one but Destini.  She seemed to make herself scarce every time I had the camera out... hehee!!

I didn't have a garden this year but still found time to do a bit of canning.  I made several canner-loads of jellies, stews, tomatoes, applesauce, and fruits.  I enjoy doing it - we just don't seem to eat enough to go thru it fast enough!  I am so glad that I have so many people that humor me by taking the 'fruits-of-my-labors" off of my hands.

Dad was close for the summer and into the fall - so I stopped by to see him each time I made the trip up to Powers to see Uncle Jim - and he stopped by to see me a few times too.  I so enjoy having family around and close enough to visit!  It is just so heartwarming to me :)

Now, let's see, what did I miss ... ... ...

Oh, just before Labor Day I braved the traffic and made a jaunt over to see Mom and Teri.  And managed to make a mid sized donation to the wonderful CHP's on the way back home.  And I tried to hard to avoid all of the speed traps that they have around there. . I just had to go to the restroom.  Geez... the best laid plans..

Tim stayed busy all summer fixing, puttering, and helping get all the things that the contractors did half way (or skipped them all together) and generally being quite a big help ~ and it helps him out too ~ gives him a few extra spending dollars ~ Helps everyone out.  I do wish that the contractors had done as good as it looked like they'd done ~ They were paid in full for all sorts of 'short-cuts' that they too - as well as out and out not doing a few things properly.  And I know it is (was) my own fault for not being close to supervised more directly.  But I do love my little house and beautiful yard... It is getting better every summer~  this year Tim is putting in sidewalks... another step in the right direction!

So... it has been a great summer.

Gerald - May You Rest in Peace

This is a very old photo of my baby brother, Gerald, and my son, Jeremy.  It was taken in Reisterstown Maryland in 1972.  Gerald was 10 years old and Jeremy was probably about 4-5 months old (Jeremy is amazed by his hand).  Now, both have left us. Both deserved a longer and better life.  I am not here to say what life choices should have been made differently, or by whom, or if any choices would have made any difference in God's plan for either of them.  I know that this is the time and way that I wish to remember Gerald.  Before life, regrets, and many miles came between us.  I have other photos, much more recent ones.  They show the ravages of time and the disease that finally took his life and were not the happy ones that this one is. 

Although he spent most of his life in a  not-so-good way he deserves to be mourned.  It is sad that this will probably be his only tribute.  The list of people to contact is very, very short.  Life just shouldn't be that way.  I do have to thank all the people that assisted him in this last journey.  The Hospice workers and the Chaplin were so very nice.  They all went out of their way to make sure I could visit whenever I could get over to Pendleton, making special arrangements when necessary.  Even fellow inmates were accommodating for our last visit.  The Chaplin said Gerald passed quietly in his sleep much quicker and more mercifully than expected.  There was no real warning that he was this close to the end of his time.  Although we all knew it was getting closer ~ well ~ I guess I  wasn't ready for it to be it.  I was planning to visit again in just a couple of weeks and sent a card just 2 days ago letting him know that I was thinking of him.
 
Although we still don't know for sure about Jeremy, I am sure that Mom (and probably Jeremy to) was waiting to welcome Gerald with open arms.  May you rest in Peace Little Bro' - keep watch.

I love you.
 Gerald Dean Smith
April 9, 1962 - November 12, 2010
Born in Portsmouth, Ohio and died in Pendleton, Oregon
Son of Jack and Betty Smith, brother to Diane (Bland) Beatty, Sharen (Bland) Rea, and 2 estranged brothers, George and Randy Smith. Gerald had 1 son, Nicholas, and a grandson whom I never met.  His nieces and nephews included S'te Elmore, Brett, Michael, and Caleb Bettin.  He was preceded in death by his Mother, Betty, and  most probably his oldest nephew, Jeremy Bright.    He spent his early life in Maryland before moving to Myrtle Point in 1974.  He then went to school in Myrtle Point and afterwards lived and worked all over.  At one time he coached the Tubby's baseball team (including his star player, Jeremy) to a winning season, making the front page of the newspaper!  He worked in the logging, construction, fishing, and food industries for several years before becoming ill.  Gerald had many life struggles and with God's mercy, they are now behind him, he is without pain, and, hopefully, he was able to make his peace with everyone as he did me, I hope he is finally at peace with himself.