My Friend WD

My buddy WD has been in the hospital all week with some medical concerns. WD has been my bud for many years and brings me a reason to smile every time I see him. He was over to my house recently and brought me birthday presents (who doesn't love that). WD is a sweet spirit. Although he can't talk, can't see, can't walk, he still 'puts his best foot forward'. With all of his medical limitations WD still takes time to let people around him know he loves them.


I went to visit him in the hospital this morning and he was awake. I talked to him for awhile recalling his last visit to my house and the great pressies he brought me and the coffee we shared. He smiled and giggled as is his usual self and then he took my hand in his and kissed it! Awwwwwwwwww...it melted my heart.

WD needs your prayers. I'm praying he'll be restored to health again and can continue blessing those around him. That he'll be free from pain and able to kick back and relax once more.

Here's to you WD!

And We're Back!

After a whirlwind week of adventure here we are again, safe and sound! It's good to be home. Up to the eyeballs in laundry of course but home again.......ahhhhhh, how sweet the sound. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again tonight.

Last Saturday I drove up to the cottage with Maggie who behaved beautifully. We stopped at her park on the way up so I could throw the ball for a bit with her to tire her out a little for the ride. She ran and caught the ball a few times and then all of a sudden it was like the lightbulb went off in her head and she thought,'hmmmm, park, ball, packed stuff, i'm going to my cottage' She did really well on the ride there and back which was a pleasant surprise.

We took down a number of trees, very sad, but had to be done. Because of the pine beetles most of the trees on our property will have to come down. Last weekend we took down the grove of trees on our front corner. The place looks so different now than when we first bought it, all nestled in the trees.














We left there on Monday and picked up BB along the way. Tuesday morning we headed to the ferry bright and early, so early in fact that we ended catching an earlier ferry.

We got to Victoria and visited with Paul and took him out for lunch for his 85th Birthday.


He's failing and is quite confused a lot of the time but he seemed to enjoy the day and he's always so glad to see my mom that it's worth the effort to bring her there just for the look on his face when she walks through the door.

Wednesday morning we headed for the Oregon coast. We spent the first night in Seaside, always a personal fave. Lots of shopping as always. Those American Outlet stores have got to be some of the best of God's creations. I know I'm very thankful for them.

Thursday we drove to Lincoln City and guess what? Another Outlet centre! Yippee, more shopping!

Friday we drove north and enjoyed some of the best mahi mahi at a restaurant overlooking the water that I've ever had. It was fabulous.

So, now home again, back to the grind but it's good to be home. No more vacations now for awhile, will be enjoying the summer at home.

The Part That Really Sucks About My Job

I really like my job. I drive people around who can't drive themselves for various reasons, they're disabled, they're seniors who don't drive, some have driven and had to give up their licenses, but for whatever reason, I drive people around. I drive people to Dialysis at the Hospital every day and we become 'buds'. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only friend they have (beside other drivers). People live alone and the only time they go out is their 3x/week visit to the Hospital for Dialysis. How much does that suck?

This past week one of my faves, Mr. F. passed away. He was an older man living in a Care Facility but he always reminded me so much of my dad. I never picked him up without thinking of my dad, he had the same quiet, gentle nature. I told him one day how alike he was to my dad and he smiled and said, "that's a compliment because I can tell you loved your dad." He never complained, just rode the bus in his wheel chair. He's gone now and I've missed taking him home this week.

Another one was H. He was a retired bus driver (of big busses, not like these little prissy busses you drive around he said to me). He got so weak in the end I just about carried him upstairs to the front of the house where he lived. He just looked at me and said, "thanks a lot Doll". That was his last ride.

There have been so many that I've driven that have passed away now. It seems the crotchety ones that complain about everything keep going and going and going but in the meantime, it's always the good ones that go isn't it?

Anyways, that's my lament for this week. I'm heading up to our cottage tomorrow with Maggie, Chris is already up there and we're going to cut more trees! Yippee! And THEN we're going to Victoria for the day on Wed to see Paul for his 85th Birthday and THEN we're heading down the Oregon Coast, whew!

The weather's great and I'm headin' out of town so seeya in a week or so!

That's My Boy!

He's too cute for words...Bailey Boy. He loves to just watch me lying on the bed and then figure out the best way to suddenly POUNCE on me. He's a real ham. His brother Benson is very mellow and just sits and watches from the scratch bar.

When we have company Bailey walks on up to people and introduces himself, "Hi, I'm Bailey, I'm pretty much in charge around here. I'd like to be your new best friend."

Benson hides in the closet. Scaredy cat.

Gotta love 'em.

Here are a few other people who are hitting the big 5-0 this year!

Ellen DeGeneres (January 26)
Never shy about saying “This is who I am,” the irrepressible DeGeneres says she can’t wait for the big day. “I’m very excited about turning 50,” she told us. She’ll be throwing a must-see bash on her wildly popular daytime talk show, Ellen, so look for some original dance moves to mark the occasion. “I have lots of plans for my birthday,” says DeGeneres, “and they include a piñata and Tim Conway.”

Sharon Stone (March 10)
She eschews a regular exercise plan and has a weakness for dark chocolate, so we figure it’s the ever-glamorous actress’s activism, fighting HIV/AIDS, that keeps her preternaturally youthful. She’s never pulled punches about aging and delights in speaking out about the upside. As Stone has put it: “You have thoughtfulness and dignity and spiritual elegance.”

Michelle Pfeiffer (April 29)
This mom of two teenagers came roaring back last year after a career hiatus, appearing in three films. Aging is universal, she told In Style: “Once you accept that, it unburdens you.” Her concession to getting older? She quit smoking and started using sunscreen—and she isn’t ruling out plastic surgery, just as long as she doesn’t “look like a wax figure of myself.”

Prince (June 7)
His Purple Badness, pompadour and high heels intact, is still a prolific one-man band, perpetually cranking out CDs—with tamer content now that he’s become a Jehovah’s Witness. The mercurial semi-recluse rocks the house at venues large and small, from the Super Bowl to the Macy’s in his hometown, Minneapolis, where he launched his 3121 fragrance.

Madonna (August 16)
The indefatigable Material Mum (of three young kids) will release a new CD this year and is mulling a “Madonna at 50” tour next summer. She keeps her body age-defyingly ripped and ready to dance with tough workouts that include Ashtanga yoga, and a diet of fish, grains, and veggies. For fun, search on the Web for “Madonna’s 50th Birthday Countdown Clock” (which you can download to your desktop).

Viggo Mortensen (October 20)
This thinking woman’s hottie is fast becoming an unlikely movie star, thanks to critical raves for such performances as the Russian mafioso in Eastern Promises. Fluent in four languages, this Danish American Renaissance man is also a poet, photographer, and painter. “Life is short,” he once said. “I like to pay attention while I’m going through it.”

A good time was had by all. We did what we set out to do. Stayed at the hotel. Good. Ate at the restaurant. Very good. Free cake. Awesome. Hot tubs, wonderful.

It was a wonderful time, enjoyed by all.

Turnin' 50!

We're going to Harrison Hot Springs to celebrate my 50th Birthday, along with Bad Betty of course. I can't believe I ever got to be this old. I don't know how it happened. Time has a way of slipping past us and the years go by.



Sometimes life feels like the same ole' same ole' but all in all its pretty good. I have someone in my life I love very much, I have good health, I have a job I enjoy, I have great friends, and a really great Mom.




We'll enjoy some time in the hot springs pools (LOVE THEM) and some time browsing around town and we'll eat at this restaurant (because we always do) (it's yummy) and we'll drive around the other side of this lake.



It's a predictable weekend but as a child my happiest moments were going to HHS with my mom and dad.

When I was around 12 I was this awkward gawky kid who just didn't seem to fit anywhere. Too old to play with the kids and too young to hand with the cool teenagers. One day my dad said, "why don't just the 2 of us go to HHS for the day?"

So we did. We drove to town and rented carts and pedalled around town. Then we rented a paddle boat and paddled in the lake. Just for fun.



Because I was born on Mother's Day it's always been a special day for my mom and me. The story I've always been told was that when they called my dad from the hospital to tell him he had a baby girl he jumped 2 feet in the air, grabbed his jacket and ran out the door yelling to my brothers to go and stay at the neighbors. They were 5 and 6. Little twerps.

Anyways...50 years later, Dad's gone. One of the twerps is gone and mom and me are still celebrating our special day together.

Chris Turns 40!!!

Another decade turning year for Chris..........where do the years go anyways? does anybody know? cuz I sure don't.


Chris's folks arrived Friday night. Things have been 'a little tense' between us all around here so we were all on pins and needles praying that words wouldn't be said that couldn't be taken back, that feelings wouldn't be hurt, but most of all that those who love Chris could just all get along for a weekend. We asked for prayer from concerned friends and I know we all felt the presence of God.



We all went to church together and although it wasn't the type of worship service they once were used to they did say when we left that it had been 'inspirational.'


Not wanting to have a big party we had a low key family dinner.


Diana came and brought cake and because there were too many candles to light and it would've overloaded the cake, we had a single candle that went 'round and 'round and played Happy Birthday.



Maggie's only in the blog because she said she should be on account of her plate licking skills. No need for a pre-rinse around here. Maggie looks after that. The cats were hiding upstairs. They know what they're doing.

Happy 40th Birthday Chris and may God richly bless you with many more years. Good health, happiness and much love.

This is my one and only niece Niki. Isn't she gorgeous? She just got back from Hawaii.................aaaaaahhhhhhhhh.........

A Couple More Things..........

Cruising isn't as formal as it's made out to be. We were told that we would have 3 Smart/Casual nights and one Formal. Although there were men in tuxes (the gay boys) (Boy did they look nice) a lot of people wore what they usually wore for dinner.

I knew I wanted to buy myself something for my birthday. Being this advanced age deserves some sort of recognition (yes it does) so not wanting to fill my bulging suitcase any more and realizing the short amount of space we have at home for any more trinkets this is what I did.


Stone rock therapy.

3 words.

TO. DIE. FOR.

Amazing experience. It was outrageously expensive but oh, the luxury, the decadence. If you have to mortgage your house go do it. You need this.