It occured to me that I since I was very neglectful this summer in keeping up with our blog that maybe I ought to share what Addie and I were up to all summer long... We had a very busy and fun-filled summer up here in Washington and I have a few hundred (literally) pictures that go along with our summer. But quite frankly it is going to take me a long time to get them organized and sent out. One day soon, that will be the project that I take on!
My parents purchased a home over at Lake Chelan, WA - which is in central Washington! It is gorgeous lake, the water is so clear you it seems like you can see the bottom. It is in wine country so is surrounded by vineyards, which used to be apple orchards. There is a cute little town there too. We made three trips over there this summer. The first one was a work trip. I jokingly called it "Stewart Work Camp" because we worked our tails off around that house. The next time we went we took three of my mom's neices and nephews. That was a fun trip because I don't get to spend much time with those kids. They had a blast playing in the lake, going to the waterslides, riding bikes around town, playing put-put golf, and playing with Addison. The last trip we made was a short one. Over on Friday back on Sunday, but it was probably the most fun of all the trips. My dad's family had the annual family reunion over there! And all I can say is that bunch is a crazy, wild, fun crowd!
Prior to the third trip to Chelan we took a little road trip. We drove up part of the Olympic Peninsula to Paulsbo - a very cute little town that is styled after a Eurpoean village! So many cute little shops and restaraunts! We didn't spend much time there, just enough to walk around and see it. Just enough to know that I would love to go back and spend more time there! From there, we hopped back in the car and drove further up the Peninsula to Port Townsend. Again, we walked around the town - again, very cute and I would love to spend more time there. (Let's be honest, we didn't see as much as the Peninsula as I would have liked, so we will be going back at some point. It is so beautitul!) From Port Townsend, we took the ferry across the Puget Sound to Whidby Island - again, awesome - and a Navy town! We crossed Deception Pass - which might be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and I stood above it! I can't imagine what it looks like from water level!
The next day we drove across the North Cascades Highway! And if I had a dollar for everytime I said it was spectacular, I would be a millionaire! Words cannot express how truly amazing the scenery is, and looking at my pictures, they don't do it the justice it deserves either! One thing I can say is if you have never been to the state of Washington - you are missing out! If you are planning a trip out here, the North Cascades Highway is a MUST on your itininary!
My best friend and her husband were also here for two weeks. They had been traveling and camping across the country from Virginia and I am pretty sure that by the time they got to Washington they were pretty tired of the whole process! Barb has been here several times before, but Chris had never been to the West Coast - and I am pretty sure like most, he would gladly become a convert! Barb and I took him to Cannon Beach, OR one day and to Portland another. I think they both fell in love with Portland and I can safely say that I can invision them living there one day. I always thought Barb would be a good fit there anyway!
In early August we took Addie to the Cowlitz County Fair to see all the animals! She loved the horses and learned how to "cock-a-doodle-do!" She got to hold rabbits - thanks, Barb Rider - and "moo" at the cows. And of course, even though we tried to keep her from seeing the rides, she did! Sadly though, she was too little for any of them. This of course did NOT go over well and we had to leave the fair.
This little break down of hers lead to our next little outing. The following week we took her down to Seaside, OR to ride the caraosoul. We made an unexpected stop in Astoria, OR to see the sealions - which she LOVED. But while watching the sealions, the little trolley that goes along the water front went by. And of course, we HAD to ride the "coco." I think she really liked it from the temper tantrum she threw when it was time to get off. If she had her way, we would still be riding it! We than drove over to Seaside and rode the caraosoul. The plan was to also go to the kite store to get her a kite to fly, but she was too tired for that. So she settled for some candy and the candy store and a nap.
She has loved being outside in the backyard at Mimi and Papa's. Mom gathered up some little riding toys for her which she loves to have Papa push her around the yard in. They put up a swing for her and again, she loves that! She wasn't too interested in the pool. But really, I have just loved that she has been able to spend so much time outside - even though the weather hasn't been too terribly great!
Now, after reading this blog, I hope you will forgive me for being so neglectful. We have had a great summer and I am so thankful we were given this opportunity to do so many fun things with Addison!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
David
David. He was someone Charlie met when he returned to the Air Force Academy after being at the Naval Academy for a semester his junior year. David was the first person I met in Colorado Springs - the first friend of Charlie's that I met. He helped us move into our apartment when Charlie moved me to the Springs over spring break in March of 2001. We spent a lot of time with David the first few months I lived in the Springs. I took him to a doctor's appointment after he had surgery, he would randomly come over for dinner with us and hang out, his date for Ring Dance stayed with me and we went to Vail with them for the weekend, and than when things didn't work out with her the way he hoped, he called me a lot for girl advice. David came to Kelso after graduation to be an usher in our wedding - which to this day, I don't know if anyone Charlie's Academy friends that came to the wedding know how much that meant to both of us.
David was the quiet friend. The one who everyone teased because he could take it so well, but hardly ever dished it back. In fact, Charlie teases him on our wedding video while introducing our wedding party and he is just laughing and shrugging his shoulders. One of my favorite memories of Dave is the day he helped us move into our apartment in the Springs. We hadn't even known each other an hour and he teased me mercilessly about the amount of boxes that were marked "clothes." I think it was one of the only times I heard him tease anyone.
We lost touch with David after the wedding - all the guys scattered and were off getting their Air Force careers started - pilot training and what not. But we always seemed to know where David was - even though we didn't keep in contact with him. We knew that David was doing exactly what he said he wanted to do the whole time at the Academy - he was flying helicopters.
About a week after I got home to Kelso, Charlie called me and told me that David had died. At the time, I had felt like someone had kicked me in the chest. I couldn't believe it!!! And I was so incredibly sad. We didn't know much about the accident at the time other than he had been piloting a helicopter in Afghanistan that had been shot down. Initially he survived, but died from his injuried a few weeks later. (Fortunatly, he had been flown to DC and his family was able to be with him at the time of his passing.)
Yesterday in the mail we recieved Checkpoints - The Air Force Academy's Alumni magazine. David's obit was in the "gone but not forgotten" section. And even though I knew it would be there, I was still not prepared for it. In fact, I couldn't even read it right away. I had to push it aside and read it later. I won't go into details - frankly, because I am not sure I would be able to finish this blog without breaking down in tears again. But what I will say is that after reading it, I had a new found respect for Dave. I am so proud and honored to have known him. His actions on that day earned him a purple heart that day, along with a very accomplished service record. And even though I still feel sad that we will never see David again and that we had lost touch with him over the years, I am so greatful to David for his service and his sacrifice. Rest in Peace, Dave! You will be missed!
David was the quiet friend. The one who everyone teased because he could take it so well, but hardly ever dished it back. In fact, Charlie teases him on our wedding video while introducing our wedding party and he is just laughing and shrugging his shoulders. One of my favorite memories of Dave is the day he helped us move into our apartment in the Springs. We hadn't even known each other an hour and he teased me mercilessly about the amount of boxes that were marked "clothes." I think it was one of the only times I heard him tease anyone.
We lost touch with David after the wedding - all the guys scattered and were off getting their Air Force careers started - pilot training and what not. But we always seemed to know where David was - even though we didn't keep in contact with him. We knew that David was doing exactly what he said he wanted to do the whole time at the Academy - he was flying helicopters.
About a week after I got home to Kelso, Charlie called me and told me that David had died. At the time, I had felt like someone had kicked me in the chest. I couldn't believe it!!! And I was so incredibly sad. We didn't know much about the accident at the time other than he had been piloting a helicopter in Afghanistan that had been shot down. Initially he survived, but died from his injuried a few weeks later. (Fortunatly, he had been flown to DC and his family was able to be with him at the time of his passing.)
Yesterday in the mail we recieved Checkpoints - The Air Force Academy's Alumni magazine. David's obit was in the "gone but not forgotten" section. And even though I knew it would be there, I was still not prepared for it. In fact, I couldn't even read it right away. I had to push it aside and read it later. I won't go into details - frankly, because I am not sure I would be able to finish this blog without breaking down in tears again. But what I will say is that after reading it, I had a new found respect for Dave. I am so proud and honored to have known him. His actions on that day earned him a purple heart that day, along with a very accomplished service record. And even though I still feel sad that we will never see David again and that we had lost touch with him over the years, I am so greatful to David for his service and his sacrifice. Rest in Peace, Dave! You will be missed!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
This and That
Addie and I went down to Las Vegas to see Charlie over Labor Day weekend. We flew down Thursday evening and came back Tuesday afternoon. We had a great weekend with him. Luckily, he was done with work at 10 Friday morning so we ended up getting a bonus day with him. Here is a run-down on all we did...
Friday: He took us to his room so we could see what "daddy's house" looked like. It was a very good decision for us not to stay in his room - talk about tight quarters! The trip to his room was followed up by at trip to Toys R Us so Addie could pick out a new toy for daddy to buy her. (He is slightly smitten with her!) We also met up with the other guys in his class for dinner. It was fun also because there was another wife in town with a little girl about Addie's age - so Addie got to play while we had some adult conversation! We ate GREAT this day!
Saturday: We went over to Donna and Ethan Waitte's new home for a house warming party. These were people we knew from Langley. It was great to see them - and Donna looked adorable at 37 weeks pregnant! They have a pool so Addie had a hayday swimming and running around. Unfortunatly, she didn't get a nap that day and had a nuclear meltdown right about dinner time and we had to leave. Also, again with the eating - FAB!
Sunday: Family day! We took Addison down to the strip. Family day, you say? Yes. We took her to the aquarium at Mandalay Bay to see the "Nemos" - all fish are Nemos. And daddy bought her presents, again. We than took her on the "coco" - tram from Mandalay Bay to the Excalibur - and walked over to M & M World. It was crowded, but of course, Addison found things for her daddy to buy her. (Again, totally smitten!) The plan for the evening was to take Addie back down to the strip after it got dark for her to see the lights and to take her to the fountains at the Bellagio - but we didn't make it that far. We got down there and the traffic was bumper to bumper - she was tired and was begging for ice cream. So we got off the strip, got her ice cream and headed home. But like all days while we were there, we ate great!
Monday: Charlie had to spend most of the day working. Sad, but true. He went in to the squadron for a few hours and than brought his work home with him. I spent the day much like I always do - cleaning, doing laudry, playing/taking care of Addison. Also packing! After cleaning Claw's apartment - where we were staying - I made a family dinner to include Claw who had just gotten back from seeing him family in Rhode Island. (Claw is the other f-22 guy in Chuck's class and had gone home to see him twin baby boys and wife for the long weekend.) I think, I hope, he appreciated a home cooked meal in a clean house.
Generally speaking, we had a great weekend. It was really nice to have that family time. You really don't know how much you miss it until you get a little taste of it. Leaving Tueday was a lot harder than I thought it would be and Addison cried too, which didn't help! Even Charlie seemed to be a little misty as he left us at security! On the bright side, we did have a great weekend and Charlie decided he didn't want to wait to see us again until the end of November - he booked his ticket that afternoon to come up to Kelso for Columbus Day weekend in October.
In other news, Luci had her surgery while Addie and I were down in Vegas. I felt so bad we weren't around to be with her, but lucky for Luci, my parents are crazy about her and were more than willing to take care of her to for the first few days of her recovery! Two weeks later, she is doing GREAT and we have our first follow up appointment is Friday. I sure hope they think she is doing as great as we do! It has been rough keeping her "quiet" especially with two big black labs running around.
I have been busy, busy learning how to sew. I think mom thinks I am going to become a quilter like her - well, maybe someday. But for now I am content with making aprons, purses, coffee cozies, etc. I feel like I am getting pretty good at sewing but know I have a long way to go. By the way, the goal this year is to MAKE all - or most - of our Christmas gifts. My "sewing to do" list is very long, but I am making headway. I am also making a few things to put in mom's bazaars with the hopes of making some money. Mom says I have been bitten by the bug - I will agree if I make some money from my "craft" this fall.
Amoungst the other crafts I have on my list - scrapbooks, garden stepping stones, jam, etc. - mom and I have also started ripping out the wallpaper in her dinning room to re-decorate it! I am so excitted - for those of you who know me, you know my ultimate goal is to be an interior designer someday so this is like Christmas morning for me. First though, we have to get through the wallpaper! YUCK!!! I will post before and after pictures when we are done. The goal is to have it done for the BIG Thanksgiving dinner mom has planned this year.
Friday: He took us to his room so we could see what "daddy's house" looked like. It was a very good decision for us not to stay in his room - talk about tight quarters! The trip to his room was followed up by at trip to Toys R Us so Addie could pick out a new toy for daddy to buy her. (He is slightly smitten with her!) We also met up with the other guys in his class for dinner. It was fun also because there was another wife in town with a little girl about Addie's age - so Addie got to play while we had some adult conversation! We ate GREAT this day!
Saturday: We went over to Donna and Ethan Waitte's new home for a house warming party. These were people we knew from Langley. It was great to see them - and Donna looked adorable at 37 weeks pregnant! They have a pool so Addie had a hayday swimming and running around. Unfortunatly, she didn't get a nap that day and had a nuclear meltdown right about dinner time and we had to leave. Also, again with the eating - FAB!
Sunday: Family day! We took Addison down to the strip. Family day, you say? Yes. We took her to the aquarium at Mandalay Bay to see the "Nemos" - all fish are Nemos. And daddy bought her presents, again. We than took her on the "coco" - tram from Mandalay Bay to the Excalibur - and walked over to M & M World. It was crowded, but of course, Addison found things for her daddy to buy her. (Again, totally smitten!) The plan for the evening was to take Addie back down to the strip after it got dark for her to see the lights and to take her to the fountains at the Bellagio - but we didn't make it that far. We got down there and the traffic was bumper to bumper - she was tired and was begging for ice cream. So we got off the strip, got her ice cream and headed home. But like all days while we were there, we ate great!
Monday: Charlie had to spend most of the day working. Sad, but true. He went in to the squadron for a few hours and than brought his work home with him. I spent the day much like I always do - cleaning, doing laudry, playing/taking care of Addison. Also packing! After cleaning Claw's apartment - where we were staying - I made a family dinner to include Claw who had just gotten back from seeing him family in Rhode Island. (Claw is the other f-22 guy in Chuck's class and had gone home to see him twin baby boys and wife for the long weekend.) I think, I hope, he appreciated a home cooked meal in a clean house.
Generally speaking, we had a great weekend. It was really nice to have that family time. You really don't know how much you miss it until you get a little taste of it. Leaving Tueday was a lot harder than I thought it would be and Addison cried too, which didn't help! Even Charlie seemed to be a little misty as he left us at security! On the bright side, we did have a great weekend and Charlie decided he didn't want to wait to see us again until the end of November - he booked his ticket that afternoon to come up to Kelso for Columbus Day weekend in October.
In other news, Luci had her surgery while Addie and I were down in Vegas. I felt so bad we weren't around to be with her, but lucky for Luci, my parents are crazy about her and were more than willing to take care of her to for the first few days of her recovery! Two weeks later, she is doing GREAT and we have our first follow up appointment is Friday. I sure hope they think she is doing as great as we do! It has been rough keeping her "quiet" especially with two big black labs running around.
I have been busy, busy learning how to sew. I think mom thinks I am going to become a quilter like her - well, maybe someday. But for now I am content with making aprons, purses, coffee cozies, etc. I feel like I am getting pretty good at sewing but know I have a long way to go. By the way, the goal this year is to MAKE all - or most - of our Christmas gifts. My "sewing to do" list is very long, but I am making headway. I am also making a few things to put in mom's bazaars with the hopes of making some money. Mom says I have been bitten by the bug - I will agree if I make some money from my "craft" this fall.
Amoungst the other crafts I have on my list - scrapbooks, garden stepping stones, jam, etc. - mom and I have also started ripping out the wallpaper in her dinning room to re-decorate it! I am so excitted - for those of you who know me, you know my ultimate goal is to be an interior designer someday so this is like Christmas morning for me. First though, we have to get through the wallpaper! YUCK!!! I will post before and after pictures when we are done. The goal is to have it done for the BIG Thanksgiving dinner mom has planned this year.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Luci
Since we have been here, Luci always seems to need to break up the two black labs - Lily and Newly - whenever they are playing/wrestling. Since I wasn't outside with them - my dad typically lets the dogs out in the morning - I am not really sure what happened, but I woke up to a very loud "yip" on Saturday morning. Luci came in from outside limping. Because she didn't seem to be in too bad of shape, we decided to wait it out and not take her to the emergency vet. We medicated her with a few aspirins, thinking she probably just twisted or tweaked something. However, by Monday morning, she was still not any better and I made an appointment to take her in.
When I was sitting in the vets office, I noticed she had a toe nail that was crooked and I couldn't help but think "Oh, great news!" I totally had myself convinced that was the problem, but couldn't help but feel bad that I had missed it entirely before - I thought I had been doing a good job checking out her leg/foot/hip. Finally, once we went back the doctor assured me the nail was NOT the problem. "Ah, crap!" But she thinks it could be a hairline fracture in her leg. "Poor dog!" Not great news, but I think that is better that having an acl tear. To be safe, she suggested we do an xray and tells me the treatment is anti-inflammatorys, pain meds and keeping her off it for a while. "No problem!"
Well, this is where my optimism changes. When she comes back from the xray, she tells me that it is not a hairline fracture - instead it is a ccl tear - which is the human version of the acl! "$&@*!" And better still - they don't do the surgery in town. We have to take her to Portland to a specialist. (For those of you who have known us for a while, you know we have all ready walked down this path with Coco, our chocolate lab.)
I met with the specialist today. He was great! He used English that I could understand and explained the whole process with pictures - yuck!!! - and all. I feel really good about the care she will be getting. (And yes, I know she isn't a person, but our dogs are a part of our family - like our first babies - so it was important for me to be comfortable and like her surgeon.)
I won't go into the details of the surgery because really, they turned my stomach - but I will say that Luci is having surgery on Saturday. I am hestitant to do so than because Addie and I will be in Vegas seeing Charlie, but the next available time wasn't until next Thursday and I didn't feel comfortable waiting that long based on the surgeon's explanation. I am lucky in that my mom will be able to take Luci -those two have always been pretty chumy anyway.
Please keep my poor, sweet, hound dog in your thoughts this weekend. She is in for a very long and painful surgery and not to mention recovery!
When I was sitting in the vets office, I noticed she had a toe nail that was crooked and I couldn't help but think "Oh, great news!" I totally had myself convinced that was the problem, but couldn't help but feel bad that I had missed it entirely before - I thought I had been doing a good job checking out her leg/foot/hip. Finally, once we went back the doctor assured me the nail was NOT the problem. "Ah, crap!" But she thinks it could be a hairline fracture in her leg. "Poor dog!" Not great news, but I think that is better that having an acl tear. To be safe, she suggested we do an xray and tells me the treatment is anti-inflammatorys, pain meds and keeping her off it for a while. "No problem!"
Well, this is where my optimism changes. When she comes back from the xray, she tells me that it is not a hairline fracture - instead it is a ccl tear - which is the human version of the acl! "$&@*!" And better still - they don't do the surgery in town. We have to take her to Portland to a specialist. (For those of you who have known us for a while, you know we have all ready walked down this path with Coco, our chocolate lab.)
I met with the specialist today. He was great! He used English that I could understand and explained the whole process with pictures - yuck!!! - and all. I feel really good about the care she will be getting. (And yes, I know she isn't a person, but our dogs are a part of our family - like our first babies - so it was important for me to be comfortable and like her surgeon.)
I won't go into the details of the surgery because really, they turned my stomach - but I will say that Luci is having surgery on Saturday. I am hestitant to do so than because Addie and I will be in Vegas seeing Charlie, but the next available time wasn't until next Thursday and I didn't feel comfortable waiting that long based on the surgeon's explanation. I am lucky in that my mom will be able to take Luci -those two have always been pretty chumy anyway.
Please keep my poor, sweet, hound dog in your thoughts this weekend. She is in for a very long and painful surgery and not to mention recovery!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)