Mid Month

How did it get to be the middle of November already?! I think I have been on another planet or something! Anyway, here are a few Halloween pics. Instead of helping at our church "Harvest Party" we went to help our kids hand out treats in their swanky neighborhood. That put us on the "bad" list, but oh, well! They had almost 800 kids come through the neighborhood so I am glad we went! They actually close off the streets and the local cops patrol the streets on bikes! It was a hoot, but not one of my best photo taking experiences! The grandkids are just a little too fast moving at times! Anyway, here you go......

Pumpkins and spider webs!

Johnny was a firefighter, Hannah a fairy princess (that is her next door neighbor friend on her left) and Brian was a mobster! Their neighbors had a fire pit going with refreshments in the garage; other neighbors had hot cider, coffee, etc. Many were set up in their garage or driveway. It was crazy, but very fun!

Harvest Fun!

I SO needed some fun, relaxing down time after our friend's memorial service (see last post). I was pretty emotionally drained. The perfect solution? Go to a farm with the grandkids! We had a ball! Not only were there pumpkins to be had, but you could ride ponies (that will be $5 please!), slide down a hill, shoot pumpkins out of launchers, ride little tractors, get muddy and just plain have fun! Here are a few pics of our afternoon together!

The Battle is Over

October 14th one of our good friends went to be with the Lord. He had been through a long journey of cancer and Parkinson's Disease, and problems with his lungs. Once he understood that the end was near, it was like his body just shut down and quickly. It was a blessing, but no one expected him to die so quickly. The memorial service was beautiful and very uplifting, as well it should be! We were celebrating the life of a good man who is now celebrating with the angels in heaven! His widow is my co-worker and she came right back to work. Many were more than a little appalled, but she needs to be busy and is processing through things pretty well. She will have a lot to do, and once this initial period of paperwork and phone calls dies down, and she doesn't have to repeat the story to those who haven't heard, she can settle in to deal with other things. So, while we will miss our dear friend, we rejoice that he is no longer suffering and is at peace in the arms of Jesus!

These things are always a learning experience for those of us advancing in yearsand here are a few things to consider:

• Do you have a will? Is it up to date? Do you know where it is?!
• Are your birth certificate and wedding certificate where you can easily find them?
• Do you know your spouse's social security number?
• What about end of life issues? Have you discussed this with family? Do you want to be buried or cremated? Viewing? Graveside service? Full funeral or memorial service?
• Do you have a Durable Power of Attorney for medical decisions? What about Advanced Directives? Do you know where this documentation is located?
• Is there someone outside of the family that might have some understanding of medical terminology that could go with you to some appointments or meetings with doctors? Sometimes one is overwhelmed and can't take it all in. An impartial observer can take notes or ask the questions you might not think to ask.
• Is your home accessible? If you couldn't walk, how would you get around? Do you have friends in wheelchairs or who can't climb stairs? Do you have grab bars, no throw rugs and railings on both sides of the stairs? In the hall? Is it time to move to a more user friendly home?

These are some of the things we have been discussing as we approach that big "60" this coming year. Even younger people need to think about things like wills and guardianships. In the space of a year, we lost two young men in their 30's at our church. Quite a few young people got wills and such after that! One never knows and how much better to be prepared. Death is such a taboo word in our society and yet it is an everyday part of life! When you are emotionally distraught is not the time to make these kinds of decisions!

So live each day as if it is your last and don't forget to tell the ones you love that you do!

Fall Fun!

Museum of Flight

Hannah & Johnny at the Puyallup Fair

Car Show - Longview, WA

This is our '37 Dodge

Retreat Update

Wow! I survived, the women survived and it all went together like it should have! I finished a little early, but no one complained. The strangest thing for me? Having women taking notes as I spoke! That is a first I believe! I stayed home on Sunday and slept, and slept and slept! My cold is almost gone which is a relief! Looks like I will be the speaker next year, too! I'd better get busy! How about "friendship" for a topic?

Speaking Engagement

I am very excited to be able to speak at our little Women's Retreat this coming week-end. Now my sinuses just need to cooperate! Not funny to wake up with post nasal drip sore throat and less than stellar voice! Yikes!! I am slated to speak on Spiritual Gifts and am looking forward to it SO much! We have a small group signed up and we will be at church, so that is just about right for a first time retreat speaker!

Important Day

I will never forget. The phone rang just after the clock radio went off. I heard something about a plane and the World Trade Center. Thought - where is that again? Then the phone rang and it was our daughter in law on the east coast. TURN ON THE T.V.!! We were glued to the set for most of the time we were home that fateful day. I called Bill at school when the other planes went down. It was terrifying! What else was going to happen? It just so happens that this is our wedding anniversary. We had planned to go out to dinner somewhere nice, but ended up just going somewhere quick and easy so we could get back to the TV! It was weird not having planes flying. We are close to an Air Force base as well as an Army post and there is always air traffic. Nothing. Except for an AWAX (I'm not sure I got those letters right - sorry!) plane overhead as we left for dinner. I turned on the TV every morning first thing for a long time after that - what new horror awaited us?

We will never forget that horrific act of evil, or the brave men and women who did all they could to save people and render aid. Bravery was in full force. We are thankful for all those who serve in the military, putting themselves in harm's way to keep us safe. Mostly we are thankful for a God who is in control of every situation even when life makes no sense.

We have celebrated our anniversary in various ways since then. Those first years were difficult and we celebrated mid year or random days! We don't ever want to forget that day, but we don't want to forget the joy of that day for us either! This year we are going to the ocean with three other couples to a car show. Not terribly romantic, but after 38 years, we have found that romance comes in unexpected places and unexpected ways sometimes! And that makes it all the sweeter!

A momentous day indeed!