Happy New Year!

We're off to Oregon for a few days to watch the waves crash along the coast, walk the promenade, celebrate 7 years together and ring in the new year!

Here's to 2011 being a great year for all of us.

Christmas at our house 2010

It was a quiet peaceful Christmas around here with both of us being sick and not wanting to leave the house. Becky is visiting which is always nice because then at least one of us (me) is forced to get dressed and take her out. The cats are happy to have us around as we gave up our plans to go away and leave them all alone (oh the tragedy) at Christmas.



We have a lot to be thankful for as we reflect on our peaceful home with lots of food and drink, our pets, our loving relationship, our friends and our family. Life is good.



As we approach a new year I pray blessings and peace on your home and all those that dwell inside.

1. What do you add to your coffee?
nothing, don't mess with my coffee.

2. What are you reading now?
blogs, email, facebook, i like to keep it simple.

3. Do you own a gun?
nope.

4. Are you registered to vote?
of course.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
yes I do.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
I like the ones that the vendors at Home Depot sell cuz they're big and plump.

7. Favorite Christmas Song?
Oh Holy Night

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Coffee.

9. Can you do push ups?
can YOU do push ups?

10. What was the name of your first boyfriend/girlfriend?
Norman/Paula

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelery?
I'm not sure I have a fave, certain pieces are special because of the person they're related to.

12. Favorite hobby?
Scrapbooking.

13. Do you work with people who idolize you?
Sometimes. I have clients that tell me they love me and want to marry me. Then they lick the windows on my bus.

14. Do you have ADD?
Sometimes but I try to overcome it with my OCD

15. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself?
I am full of self doubt.

16. What’s your Middle name?
Joan

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
I hope Chris is feeling better.
I wish my back felt better.
I'm going to make home made cookies for dinner.

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
bottle of wine
turkey dinner in a restaurant
gas for my car

19. Name 3 beverages you regularly drink.
Coffee
Diet Coke
Water


20. Current worry right now?
that my shoulder/arm won't heal enough for me to work at my job again.

21. What side do you dress to?
Ummm, what kind of question is this? I put my left foot in my sock first. Left foot in my pants, my shoes...so maybe that's the answer?

22. Favorite place to be?
Home, with the ones I love

23. How did you bring in the New Year?
I don't remember.

24. Where would you like to go?
somewhere warm

25. Name three people who will see today.
Chris
Diana
cashier at the grocery store


Cool questions. Play along. It was fun.

This afternoon Chris was playing guitar and she sang me the cutest little song of all..."Baby, you're my love, the love of my life. Someday, I'm gonna make you, make you my wife. In 5 more years! we'll drink some beers! Baby, you're ..........." ya, it ended there. funny no?

In the past few months we've heard of more and more ss couples getting 'engaged' after only meeting each other a few times. Don'tcha think you need to know someone "just a leetle beet better than that?"

As Andre Crouch would say.........'through it all.......through it all.....i've learned to trust in Jesus, i've learned to trust in God.'

6 years

it's been 6 years already since God called my brother John home. i still miss him. his big voice, his big heart, his love of all things vw and his huge love for his family. he raised 3 really great kids who live on to tell stories about him that reflect their love and respect for him.

Christmas Dinner 2010

12 Days of Christmas Hawaiian Style

(The 12 Days of Christmas local style)
- by Eaton B. Magoon Jr., Edward Kenny, Gordon N. Phelps

Numbah One day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
One mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Two day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Two coconut, an' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Tree day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Foah day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Five day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Five beeg fat peeg... foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Seex day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Seex hula lesson, five beeg fat peeg (that make TEN!),
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Seven day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Seven shrimp a-swimmin', seex hula lesson,
Five beeg fat peeg, foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Eight day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin', seex hula lesson,
Five beeg fat peeg (that make TWENNY!), foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Nine day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Nine pound of poi, eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin',
Seex hula lesson, five beeg fat peeg, foah flowah let, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Ten day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Ten can of beer, nine pound of poi, eight ukuklele, seven shrimp a-swimmin'
Seex hula lesson, five beeg fat peeg,
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

Numbah Eleven day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Eleven missionary, ten can of beer, nine pound of poi,
Eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin', seex hula lesson,
Five beeg fat peeg, foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree.

(Numbah Twelve day of Christmas the bes', and the bes' stuff always come las'...)

Numbah Twelve day of Christmas, my tutu give to me
Twelve TELEVISION, eleven missionary, ten can of beer,
Nine pound of poi, eight ukulele, seven shrimp a-swimmin',
Seex hula lesson, FORTY steenkin' peeg,
Foah flowah lei, tree dry squid, two coconut,
An' one mynah bird in one papaya tree!

Music and lyrics published by Hawaiian Recording and Publishing Company, Inc., and copyrighted in 1959.

Lovin' the Fall

I love the fall on a sunny day when you can almost see your breath.



Went for a walk last week in the crisp fall air.



I love it when the rain stops long enough to get in the car and drive down to the lake and snap some shots.



It's been a few years since I was at this lake despite it not being very far away from where we live.

Change of Career

Chris and I have been chatting about a new career for me that would require less physical work than driving a bus and assisting clients in wheelchairs. As much as I love driving the DART I have injured myself quite severely and feel like I should look at other job possibilities.

So what is it that I/we love to do? Travel! We love travelling, near, far, anywhere in between. So with that in mind I have started on a 2 year program of getting my CITC certification. It's what you need 'in the biz'.

I look forward to the next 2 years of (part time) schooling and seeing where God will lead us in this new endeavor.

Stop the Spam

Just so you know.......do not bother to send me spam to publish on my blog. I write this blog for myself as a journal of my life. Your spam does not belong so cut. it. out.

There, I said it. I mean it. Stop it.

Kit the Tool Man

It's been 7 years since Kit went home to be with Jesus. Memories of him still flood my mind sometimes when I'm driving. I can't pass a road crew wearing bright orange vests without remembering Kit having to be reminded to take it off before going to bed. Measuring tapes? He had 14 when he died. Tool belt? At least 3. Work boots? one very worn pair, one semi worn, one just getting broken in and a brand new pair in his closet.



Kit had to be kept busy or things would 'disappear' somehow only to mysteriously reappear in his room upon inspection. Then he would vehemently deny knowing anything about the items or how they got there. It was always a big mystery.





When he'd visit my house and I'd have to use the washroom I'd let him play my guitar. That way I knew as long as he making noise his hands were busy.




The thing I miss the most about Kit is the way he prayed. If you were the recipient of his prayers you really knew you were prayed for. He would demand God for His attention because a friend of his was in need.

I miss you Bud. You were the best.

Chris and I went to Kamloops for the weekend to 'mend fences' with my brother and his wife. Because of some misunderstanding and past hurt feelings we haven't visited each other in several years.

The first time they met Chris was when my brother John passed away and hardly a good time to a) tell him I'm gay and b) introduce him to my significant other.

Years went by and we hardly spoke and then it became nothing at all.

Then in August I got an email and that started things rolling in the right direction. Emails passed back and forth and Chris and I made plans to go and see them.

It was a great visit. The feeling of awkwardness disappeared and we were back to just hanging out and laughing. My brother and I have always laughed a lot together and teased each other and bantered back and forth. Chris kept saying 'you're so much alike'. I had forgotten how much alike we really are.

Today my mom called and asked 'so what's new?' and I told her we went to Kamloops. Things got quiet. My brother and mother never speak and basically I've laid down the ground rules.

You 2 talk to each other and leave me out of it. I am NOT getting in the middle. I will have a relationship with you (Mom) and I will have one with you (Ralph).

And that's the way it is.....families.

My Nephew Ricky

Ok, is he not the most adorable? I met him for the first time this weekend when Chris and I went to visit my brother and sister-in-law. He was a rescue dog, left for 16 hours at a time in a laundry room because his people got 'too busy' for him. Can you imagine?

Going to the hospital today for a procedure on my shoulder. Not liking this. First I was told 'it's not a big deal' and then when they called to tell my appt time they said 'make sure you bring a driver, you won't be able to drive home'.

Yesterday my mom and went to visit my step-father Paul in the care facility where he lives. He lives on the island and we don't so it's a very long day. It takes about 4 hours to get there and after we're there for about 10 minutes he looks at us and says 'well I won't keep you girls'.


Paul had a good day and was bright and alert. He knew my mom's name and kissed her when she walked in the door. His face lights up when she comes within viewing distance and it's sweet to see.





They've been married for 12 years and enjoyed many years together before the dementia hit.





Paul is a retired Pastor/Evangelist/Missionary and speaks Spanish as his first language. He told me years ago when he goes to bed at night he still recites Spanish scripture as he tries to go to sleep.





Yesterday I asked him what he was doing tomorrow and he said he thought he might have to preach. I asked him what Scripture? and then the Spanish flows out...without hesitation. It's beautiful to hear speak so easily in the language he loves.

We never know what lies ahead for those we love or when the Lord will take us home but I know when Paul gets to heaven he's sure to hear the words "well done my good and faithful servant."

Never Disappointed

I am always amazed at how beautiful the coastline is........had a fabulous couple of days away. Walked along the beach, soaked in the sights of kites flying, sand castles and kids, dogs running on the beach and most of all, a deep inner sense of God's love for me.

Hittin the Road

I've been wanting to take a road trip for awhile. We go away a lot on weekends but nowhere very far so lately I've been wanting to just get in my car and drive. For years I went to Oregon by myself and stayed in Seaside and visited my old college roommate in Springfield.

It's time to go again........so I'm off!

A good time was had by all. We joined Diana and Shelley for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks for the great meal! That was one giant bird.........it could hardly fit in the oven.








Shelley's daughter and 3 friends from College were there and we enjoyed chatting with them - nice fun kids eating dinner with 4 crazy women. Good for them. We laughed, we ate, we drank and made merry. The kids went off to the big city and we sat and drank and laughed some more.




Good times. Kinda had a little bit of headache this morning..........whoops. Went back to bed and slept it off. All gone now and I've lived to tell about it and post pics on FB.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For so many reasons I am thankful.

I am able to live in freedom with my partner in a beautiful country that allows us many opportunities.

I love our home. Not because it's fancy, because it's not, but for its peacefulness and the feeling of sanctuary that I get when I open the door.

I have a job that I enjoy. Working with people with disabilities, seniors, is always rewarding for me. Although I am still on WCB I look forward to returning to that job.

I'm thankful for job benefits while I am off work.

I'm thankful for my mom who at 84 just keeps on goin' and goin'. Life sometimes gets her down but she picks herself up and gets moving.

We have enough food in our cupboard. When the cupboards are bare it isn't because we can't afford food, it's because we're too lazy to go shopping.

We have 2 adorable cats that entertain us on a daily basis. Mine more than Chris's (cuz he's crazy) but I love both of them.

Most of all, I'm thankful for a God who created me to be all that I am, loves me unconditionally and never lets me out of the palm of His hand.

Gynecological Visit

A middle-aged woman seemed sheepish as she visited her gynecologist.


"Come now," coaxed the doctor, "you've been seeing me for years. There's nothing you can't tell me."

"This one's kind of strange," the woman said.

"Let me be the judge of that," the doctor replied.

"Well," she said, "yesterday I went to the bathroom in the morning and heard a plink-plink-plink in the toilet. When I looked down, the water was full of pennies."

"I see," commented the doctor calmly.

"That afternoon, I went to the bathroom again and, plink-plink-plink, there were nickels in the bowl," the woman continued.


"That night," she went on, "I went again, and plink-plink-plink, there were dimes. This morning, there were quarters!"


"You've got to tell me what's wrong with me!" she implored. "I'm scared out of my wits!"

The gynecologist put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "There, there, it's nothing to be scared about," he said.

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(Ready for this?)

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(I'm warning you.....)

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(Still not too late.....)

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"You're simply going through the change!"