Rest in Peace Uncle JIm

In Myrtle Point, 1977

To my sweet Uncle Jim,
Here are a few of my memories:

Grandkids, Nephew and Neice

A good Boss... 

I remember the following the Sunday Morning Bartender very well!

S

Fun times!

That huge smile and ready laugh will always be remembered.

 So many family members:

Some have welcomed you into their midst and the rest of us have wonderful memories of the way you touched our lives.

Thank you Uncle Jim ~ just for being you.

Love from your Neice,
Diane

2010 - A year of Contrasts - Extreme great and Extreme lows...

I've been watching and happily reading the happy recaps from all that have "friend-ed" me on Facebook.  I have been trying recap our 2011 in my own mind and make it feel better than it has at times.

We traveled A LOT in 2011. We saw some absolutely beautiful country, actually, a LOT of really great country.  This USA is absolutely breathtaking and has more beautiful scenic landscapes than any of the other countries I've visited.  As it has turned out, it is a good thing that I can take solace in beautiful sights, both personally visited or as photographed by others.  As I've posted, we visited many friends and family and made many great memories.  Some funny, some tender, some just plain nice.  But most of the really great memories were overshadowed by some real losses.  From end to beginning was my favorite Uncle, my Uncle Jim.  I would have visited more but my lack of couch training for my little chihuahua became a sore point for my Cousin.  I didn't get back to visit after being lectured about the proper place for a DOG.  Upset me and hurt my feelings that my visits weren't welcome enough to overlook the little dog sitting on my lap.  My younger brother passing was also a huge loss for me.  I thought I was ready for it to happen.  I knew he was in a lot of pain and HE was ready to go on to a better place - but I absolutely wasn't ready to let him go!  The 3 am call absolutely shook me to my core; and subsequent lack of anyone else that seemed to care that he'd left paired with those who seemed to welcome his passing was kind of a deal-breaker.  At the same time learning of the rancor, the horrid real feelings towards me from another family member was enough to send my world spinning.  It seems I need to become a completely different person to comply with what those whom I thought were important to me thinks I should be.  I found that there is no room for me to feel anything.  Only others are allowed to feel and act on those feelings.  I also learned that I was written off of the family tree by yet another relative.  I wouldn't have even known about it but it was pointed out to me several times in different ways.  With many excuses, but nonetheless written off.  I was the first one called during a medical emergency - but as soon as the emergency status was over - I was no longer needed - or, it seems, wanted around.  I realized that physical distance doesn't separate families as much as indifference does. I was asked to document memories of our childhood ~ and then berated because my memories  concerned me - making me selfish and self-centered.  And as I delved into my memories and photo albums to 'remember', even more memories surfaced.  Some not so good, some sweet, some fun, and many happy ones.  And THOSE sweet and happy ones are the ones I choose to keep close.  I cannot FORGET but I hold them all as history - without rancor or bitterness.  These same memories are the very things that have made me who I am, lumps, bumps, goose eggs and all.  Nature has a part, Nurture has a part, but Environment had a huge impact.  It still does. 

I am glad that those who are important to me are doing well and are so very happy.  Bittersweetly - I am sad that I am not as important to any of those same people.  I will, however, continue to do what I can to become a better person in this coming year and one that maybe some day, some one can be proud to have known me.  What I want most from 2011 is for the thought of me to bring a good memory up and a smile to that face.

HAPPY 2011 TO ALL

MAY YOU HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY,

AND PROSPEROUS

NEW YEAR

2010 Christmas in Kentucky

As we traveled beyond the Arch and Busch Stadium and

on across the Mississippi

I remembered the song we used to sing before Thanksgiving - Over the river and thru the woods - to Dolores's house we go!  

It wasn't as nice out as we'd been having - but again - the weatherman says there is a storm coming - seems we've been staying just long enough to be sandwiched between them all along!

Loiusville was waiting for us - along with some blue (ish) skies!  The trip didn't seem as long as it has before - maybe I'm just enjoying this trip way to much! ;-)

And Chaito had another friend waiting for playtime!  Dolores and Kenny were dogsitting Jackson - and they (both dogs) absolutely had a blast.  They would play and roll until we thought they should be exhausted - and rest a bit - and play some more... oh... for the energy!!

Chaito even got his own lamb Chop!!

Keith and I got books and smellies, and food (Kentucky style)

I even got gifts!  

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve!  It has been several years since Keith spent Christmas with his family - Dolores's girls brought their families and friends over for dinner and gift exchange.  I met Keith's nieces and nephews,  everyone ate - and then of course (like Chaito) many were ready for naps.  On Sunday, Faith and a friend joined us for Church and a really rushed dinner before heading back to their home - Dolores had to take Mom, Melody, and Heather back also.  The van that Dolores borrowed for the trip was so full that the 'loot' from the exchange had to be left for Monday's trip over.  I brought sample boxes for the exchange.  Samples of good Oregon product - straight from my kitchen LOL - and I do think that everyone liked what was in them.  I didn't see anyone 'sharing' or doing any trading - I didn't know that there were going to be so many there (I wasn't really thinking - of course) so I didn't have them boxed to distribute better - and I'll know better next time!  I learn something each and every day ;-)

Christmas dawned with another play date - Jackson was waiting at the door for Chaito to be able to play!

And the snow arrived!

And it was a great day to hide our noses and nap! or otherwise relax! ;-)

I miss having the family occasions like we used to have.  It seemed so much more like Christmas this year than in years past.

Tomorrow morning we say another good-by and head towards Florida!  Kenny gave us the updates and tips on getting the best for our house when we return - so - it's time to go put it on the market and cross our fingers!!

Happy New Year!!

2010 - On towards St Louis!

It's along about the 2nd half of December and we've been really, really lucky for travel weather!  No matter how you cut it - it is a long, long trip but.... I enjoy driving .... I LOVE watching the countryside and all the beautiful vistas that God put into this truly amazing USA ~ just for us!!!  How lucky are we!!!

To try and keep Chaito from getting really stressed - we took 'his' bed and blanket in with us each night!  There was a light dusting of snow on the ground as we went over to the breakfast at Best Western in Santa Rosa.  It had pretty much turned to a drizzly rain by the time we got loaded up and ready to go.  Chaito sure kept a good close eye on his buddy ~ I'm thinking that he wanted to make sure we didn't leave him - and we didn't!! ;-)

Keith and Chaito make perfect travel partners!

We had lunch here at Shamrock, OK.  The whole town was done up with the theme.  It was cute to 

see.

When we left Yukon, Oklahoma our trip meter was 3,828.4 miles.  This is the number of trip miles from the time we stopped for gas in Florence, OR.  That's a lot of miles folks!

More of the flat scenery that is so prevalent all the way through the center of our country.  It's flat and in December - it's brown - and I've been thru here in the summer - and it's like the song says - "Amber waves of grain" - it all seems to have a beauty of it's own.  I am in somewhat of a somber reflective mood as I drive through here.  This is the morning that Linda texted me that Uncle Jim passed on during the night.  Probably ~ in a really strange way - the scenery calmed me.

And we have arrived in St. Charles!  Chaito has his spot all picked out!  There was some really, really cold weather just in front of us - school closures and all sorts of stuff - but - we are in luck - it's cold and there is some snow and ice leftovers - but the skies stayed blue and the sun shining for our whole trip!

We got to St. Louis in time for the 'Portrait Party' that April has planned.  Ricks whole family came in mass and this really great lady came in and took portraits for us.  Ricks family is very upbeat and lively - They came - they posed - we ALL ate (and ate, and ate), and it was time to nap! LOL





The Orf house was all decorated for Christmas and even had a jigsaw puzzle set out for everyone to stop and try to fit a piece ~ each and every time we walked past.  Chaito stayed with them for the few days we were there - a bit easier on him than in the hotel room.  He, Monica, and Nana made fast friends - at least I think they did - no one told me any different!

I got this great idea that I was going to try to map our trip - I got as far as Coos Bay to Bremerton - and took this photo - and lost the map - So much for that great idea - but you can see by this - we literally visited 2 corners of the country (Bremerton and San Diego) before heading across with our final destination being Florida (and Keith really does want to do the Keys before we head back out!)

We spent a fun evening bowling, touring the Christmas decorations, looking all over for a Coldstone Ice Cream shop - finally settling on Steak and Shake - where April felt enough of an appetite to actually, really eat something (I'm so proud of her!), and the final photo is at the Orf's - Elizabeth is teasing about their less-than-full-size tree!


















It's been a great trip so far!!