Month: May 2015
Dad’s 1 month Oncology Appointment
This morning we did a few things around the house, then went into town for my Dad’s appointment with the cancer doc. It’s his first 1 month follow up since diagnosis. The unrealistic yet hopeful part of me wanted to hear that the cancer had miraculously disappeared. The realistic part of me braced myself for an update of how it’s progressed. The doctor said that the cancer has grown rapidly and is spread even more through his pancreas, into several more nodes and into his small intestine. His prognosis is 2-4 months but if the cancer forms a blockage in the small intestine, then he will pass away quickly. After the appointment, my sweet Dad came out full of smiles and standing tall, then mounted his Harley and rode the 30 minute ride back to Firth.
He is so strong.
Once at the house Danny broke out his drone, and both he and my Dad flew it around for a while. What a blast and a half to watch them like two little boys.
Where ever my parents are, the creatures gather around. Loving their company and humor and sweet spirits. My Dad has decided to cook prime rib for the whole family on Sunday, and we dug up some horseradish so we can make some fresh horseradish sauce for the feast.
My Darling Danny and I went on a date tonight, to go see Mad Max in 3D.
It was an action packed jolly good show. When we made that giant step up into our excursion afterward, I couldn’t help but feel like I was climbing up into one of those monster truck contraptions in the movie!!
One more day…
Our day began with Danny and I driving to Pocatello where we met with the young gentleman who is purchasing the BMW. Everything went smoothly (imagine that!!!), and Danny spent some time explaining to him the complicated systems of the computer nonsense, and then we were off. One less vehicle. One less monthly payment. One more item checked off our to do list in preparation to move onto our new home on the water.
Our beautiful Kjira, left to spend a few days in Twin Falls. She might not be back before we head out, so we took a bunch of photos of the creatures and of us as a family (missing 4 creatures). I’ll post more of those tomorrow.
Danny’s new ‘toy’ arrived today. He assembled it and programmed this and that and sent it on it’s maiden voyage. It was simply amazing!! Danny never ceases to amaze me with how smart he is. He’s pretty much a pro at everything he does! He flew that thing like he’s been flying them for years. I guess his many many hours as a pilot has made him am excellent drone pilot too.
This evening our sweet family came over and brought delicious food with them. Our beautiful little niece loves to have her picture taken.
I had an emotional day today. At one point when most everyone wasn’t home, I curled up on my Dad’s side of the bed in his and my Mom’s room, and I thought of the amazing father he is, and of wonderful memories with him in Rhodesia, South Africa and here in America. I cried long on hard then tried pulling myself together. I am going to miss him so much. I know I’ll be able to work through the pain that comes with losing a parent as wonderful as him, but it’s going to take some time.
At one point tonight the 6 creatures that were home, sat on his bed while he told them stories and made them laugh. His body aching and so frail, yet so loving and patient with his grandchildren.
Oh how we love him so!
I downloaded a few more photos from our adventure with Aunty Liz yesterday…
I am so grateful for one more day. One more day to love Danny in, one more day to help our creatures feel loved and cared for, and one more day with my sweet Mom and Dad.
Fun day with Family
Today, my sister (Bernadine) and her husband, Gary, and my parents and Aunty Liz and Danny and I, went on an adventure. We started the day with most important thing first…ice cream. Not just any ice cream though, it’s the square ice cream cones in Swan Valley, Idaho. Somehow they taste extra special since they’re square!
The scenery was so beautiful, with tall snow capped mountains and wide green rolling fields. Idaho truly is a beautiful State. Aunty Liz loved Jackson Hole.
We spent the evening at one of my Dad’s favorite places – Bar J. Its a working cattle ranch where they serve an amazing dinner and the present a show packed with great humor and beautiful music.
There were several times I’d look over at my sweet parents and then had to blink back tears. They are so sweet and such beautiful individuals. This place has always been a place I’d come to and enjoy the night, taking for granted that we would all be back again. Tonight as I watched my Dad, my heart ached and I thought to myself that once he passes away, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to come here again. It’d just hurt too much.
What amazing examples my parents are. I want to grow old with Danny, then be like those couples that reach a ripe old age and die in each others arms.
Organizing time…
Today we backed the BAT up to the garage and unloaded everything, then vacuumed it out. I love spending time with Danny and the creatures, regardless of what we are doing together. The creatures love Danny so much, and it’s so easy to see why.
We drove in to town and had 2 new tires put on the BAT. They are knobbly and noisy but quite spiffy! Not many stores carry such huge tires. I was quite proud of myself when I helped call around as I belted out my memorized ’37×13.50 RT20’…like I knew what I was talking about.
As usual, the creatures kept us laughing while running errands…
Tomorrow will be a fun day. Us adults will take Aunty Liz (who I guess is also an adult), to see the Bar J Wranglers. They are great entertainers and serve amazing food, and it’s in a beautiful place by Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I’ll have plenty of good photos to post from that excursion.
My sweet Daddy is doing okay. His pain has increased greatly. His next appointment with the cancer doc is on friday, and I think it’s time to talk with them about pain management. My Momma is doing okay too. She is healing up from her shoulder surgery and has a fair amount of pain from it. Pretty soon she’ll be having cataract surgery too. We love our parents so much. Both sets of them! Forever!
Safely back in Idaho!
Danny did the impossible once again….he was able to fit every last bit of all our stuff and stuff into our Excursion! We’re talking everything from the scuba compressor, to multiple boxes and bags, bedding and suitcases and of course the giant pickle (behind me in the photo) that travels the world with us. As we traveled, every time we’d hit the breaks, the pickle would launch itself forward, it was quite fun.
We passed through some gorgeous country, this time driving from Nipomo to Sacramento then across to Winnemucca where we spent the night. Then on to Firth today.
Have I mentioned that I love clouds!
We stopped along the road and bought cherries and apricots, which were SO delicious, and were a good break from jerky!
I took a photo just for you, Mom, Danny was eating a gummy frog…
As we drove the last few miles to Firth, a beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky.
We live in such a beautiful world, and have so much to be grateful for. It is so good to be back with the creatures and my Mom and Dad and Aunty Liz. It was also so wonderful spending a couple days in Nipomo with Mom and Dad. Danny and I are a couple of really blessed kids, to have two sets of amazing parents.
And….there’s more
Just when I thought we were finally on the home stretch……
Hannah arrived in Idaho safely, and Danny arrived here in CA safely. I’m so grateful for that.
This morning Danny and I went over to Transking to pick up the Truck, which has been in their care for 2 weeks now. They did a beautiful job on all the repairs, BUT…..when we pulled up to it in the rental car, Danny and I immediately noticed that all our dive gear ($15 000 to $20 000 worth), which had been tightly strapped to the roof rack was gone. We had been reassured that the car would be parked inside while they had it, and it would be safe. Also, 2 of the 3 flood lights on the front on the truck were gone. The company looked through their security videos to find that they only have recordings for the last 4 days. It all records over itself every 4 days.
We called the cops and they took a statement and Transking has filed a claim with their insurance company. I have been writing down everything we had and so far it comes to $15K. If we can get it all replaced it’ll be awesome to have all new dive gear. If not, it’ll be a while to build up all that inventory again.
We returned the rental car and that went smoothly. Life is good. I have my Sweetheart back and all 11 of our creatures are fine. We have much to be grateful for.
Time to rest
Today has been a busy traveling and preparing day for everyone. I arrived in Oxnard,CA and am here with our wonderful friends, the Waleas, Danny and Hannah are at the hotel by the airport in Panama City, and the rest of the creatures are in Idaho Falls with my sweet Mom and Dad.
It took Danny 6 hours to get all the paperwork done in Shelter Bay. Hannah scrubbed the inside of the boat and Danny scrubbed the outside and now she’s all snug as a bug in the marina, waiting for all of us to come board her. That will be an exciting day in the not too distant future.
By tomorrow evening this time, Hannah will be in Idaho Falls with her siblings and Danny and I will be back in our favorite place. Anywhere together!
Now, it’s time for us all to rest…till tomorrow.
Tickets are booked!
Danny and Hannah made it safely to Colon, where we will leave the boat for a week or two. At 1am Danny sent me a photo from the screen he was navigating on and it showed (7) 1000ft ships ahead, among others. It’s a bust place with boats of all sizes waiting their turn to go through the canal. Air tickets are booked for them to fly here to the mainland, and all is well.
Today I’ll make my way to CA, take care of some business, and then pick Danny up tomorrow evening. I am beyond excited to see him. Any time away from him is WAY too long!
Beautiful drive to Vegas
This morning Danny and Hannah had about 100 miles to go.
The weather through the night was kind to them with pleasant winds and 2 meter swells. Later in the day swells reached 4 meters (12ft).
At this point they have 4 – 5 hours of sailing time left before reaching Shelter Bay in Colon.
My drive went really well today. It rained hard for a few hours, which I absolutely loved. I love the way colors and smells become more intense when it rains.
I was so taken by the beautiful cloud formations and gorgeous landscape. We live in an incredibly beautiful world!
Several times along the way I had to stop and take pictures…
I stopped in St George and visited with our good friends, Chad and Marci Nell. It’s been 3 years since we’ve seen each other, but it felt like we hadn’t skipped a beat in each others lives. What wonderful people.
Now I am here in Vegas at my beautiful sister, Christy’s house, and will get a good nights sleep. I am so grateful for many things…a vehicle that works well, loving friends and family, a free country where I can safely travel and the fact that I get to see my sweet Darling and Hannah very soon.
Adventures of a Tribe 