PJ Pants and Flannel Quilts

Thanks to Glen's family for making Pajama pants and flannel quilts for Eric's kids. I am missing one picture of Owen's quilt, but it was pretty stressful trying to get all the pictures. I did the best I could. The kids were thrilled and wanted to put them on immediately. They will love cuddliing up with their quilts watching movies with their Dad!

Christmas Morning at Eric's House

Thanks to all the relatives and friends of the Marchant family, they experienced a wonderful, happy, fun-filled Christmas morning. We didn't get a picture of the WII Fit but the kids have all loved playing the WII. David and Rachel and Rhees came from Utah and so Camron is holding Rhees on his lap in the picture of all the kids. Rhees is the one in the picture with the helicopter!
It snowed all day so sledding was the appropriate activity. Snow on Christmas Day here is so rare! So amid the rosy cheeks and cold feet and hands they all enjoyed the day!

Christmas in the Northwest

This has been a very cold and frigid week here in the Seattle area. My digital camera was left at Eric's house until tonight so I went and snapped some quick pictures around the house. The below freezing temperatures will last through Christmas day so we will surely have a white Christmas this year. In the last week we have had three snow storms, one of which lasted two days. We are ready for the warmer temperatures and will NEVER complain about the rain again!

Snow, snow, snow

Terrin 9 yrs and Colin, 5 1/2 yrs. stayed the night last night. We all went to the Christmas party at church where they got to tell Santa Claus what they wanted. We had a great ham dinner and everyone brought their favorite Christmas dessert.

It was lightly snowing during the party and we all took off for home quickly after it was over. The next morning we had 4-6 inches of snow and all church meetings were canceled. So we played board games and did puzzles. Breakfast was blueberry pancakes and lunch was casadillas and peaches and pears. Amazing how grandkids love to eat.

I found some Christmas storybooks that I had on hand, one of which was Brian Wildsmiths "Twelve Days of Christmas" which Terrin insisted I sing with him. I later found him with the book singing it by himself. It was quite a sight to behold.

Terrin kept going out on the deck and scooping up snow in a glass and eating it. I suggested we make sugar cookies as I had a mix from Costco where you just add eggs and butter. It was relatively easy and we had them rolled out and cut and baked by the time Eric arrived to pick them up.

This ole grandma is exhausted tonight so I'm going to call it a night.

Pictures of Heather

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Camron Goes to Washington D.C.

A teacher at Camron's middle school was so overcome by what happened to Camron's mom that he asked all 190 students that day to write letters to Camron. This teacher did not even know Camron, but Camron's best friend was in this teacher's class.
Today Eric went to meet this teacher and was overwhelmed at what this teacher offered Camron. This teacher wants to pay for Camron and for his best friend to travel with other middle school students to Washington DC. I think it is the same kind of trip that Austin Brooks participated in recently. This teacher will pay $3,000 dollars so Camron can go. We are all blown away by this. It will be in March of 2009.

A dear friend of the family bought a Christmas tree yesterday for Eric's family. Michelle went shopping with him to re-stock the house and buy more Christmas ornaments. Michelle felt he wanted someone from the family there to just talk with. We are grateful that she had the day off to be there for him. Thanks Chelle!

Pink was her favorite color

In honor of the memory of Heather Marchant(Neilsen)
this blog will now be pink!

Graveside Pictures

THERE IS A PLACE I CALL MY OWN
WHERE I CAN STAND BY THE SEA,
AND LOOK BEYOND THE THINGS I’VE KNOWN.

LIKE THE BIRD ABOVE THE TREES
GLIDING GENTLY ON THE BREEZE.
I WISH THAT ALL MY LIFE I’D BE
WITHOUT A CARE, AND FLYING FREE.

BUT LIFE IS NOT A DISTANT SKY
WITHOUT A CLOUD, WITHOUT RAIN.
AND I CAN NEVER HOPE THAT I
CAN TRAVEL ON WITHOUT PAIN.

TIME GOES SWIFTLY ON ITS WAY.
ALL TOO SOON WE’VE LOST TODAY.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR SKIES OF BLUE,
OR DREAM SO LONG THAT LIFE IS THROUGH.

SO LIFE’S SONG THAT I MUST SING,
A GIFT OF LOVE I MUST SHARE
AND WHEN I SEE THE JOY IT BRINGS
MY SPIRIT SOARS THROUGH THE AIR.

LIKE THAT BIRD UP IN THE SKY
LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME HOW TO FLY
FOR NOW I KNOW WHAT I CAN BE
AND NOW MY HEART IS FLYING FREE.

A New Day

Michelle's blog has all the information about what the family has been going through since Thanksgiving Day.

The funeral was yesterday for Heather Marchant. The funeral home made a DVD of her life through pictures. I was taken with the idea as I watched it that it will be so valuable later in life for Colin, Owen and Adyson. They can watch it as teenagers and know their mother better.

Betty and Darcie and Quinn and Jewel came up on Thursday night and will go home to day, Sunday. They stayed with us and we had an enjoyable time visiting. Frank's sister, Linda and husband Dan, and Frank's brother Jared came also. From his brother Glen's family, Yvette, Jeff, Brad, Alicia and Mitch. It was nice to feel that outpouring of support and to see them all again.

Eric wanted to speak to let those attending know what Heather was really like. He talked about how she would always be giving to others, doing hair for Homecomings and Proms and hair for family members, asking for nothing in return. She never let on to anyone that she was in pain. When she would come home she would be in so much back pain she would almost be in tears.
During the private family viewing he took each child in to see their mother. He told them they could tell her anything. Camron (13 yrs) said "Thanks for a great childhood Mom." Quite impressive and thoughtful for a thirteen year old. Eric had prepared a written talk but instead talked from the heart because he "wanted to see the faces of those who loved Heather." He said he knew he would see her again because of the temple sealing that unites them for eternity. You all would have been very proud of how strong he was to talk at his own wife's funeral.
Michelle, Kali, David, Brent and I sang the same song that was sung at our Jenny's funeral 20 years ago, "Flying Free." The words talked about how life is not without pain, but if we can rise above it and fly free and peaceful like the bird up in the air we can be happy despite it all.

The Relief Societies from three wards helped with the food. I estimate that there were over 65 family and friends at the luncheon. There was so much food that Eric was able to take home leftovers. For a long haul planning session the ward has called a meeting with family and ward members. We will plan who will go into the home and when so that Eric can get back to work. Meals will continue to still be brought into the home. Santa Claus has already said he is coming to their home.

David flew in from Utah late Wednesday night and Eric is taking him back to the airport at seven this morning. David stayed the whole time at Eric's to give him support and encouragement. Thank you David for coming when we most needed you!

Our emotions are raw and unraveling. We are exhausted and trying to recover physically from the last weeks events. We all know that Heather is free from her chronic back pain and that she is happy and at peace. It's those of us left behind that must suffer the great loss of a wonderful mother and daughter-in-law. I don't know where our emotions would be at this point if we didn't have the knowledge that Heather will live again.

We are going over today at 10 am to help dress the kids and attend church with the family at 11 am.

Please include our family in your prayers over the next few months.

Preparation for the Big Day!

Monday I made a pumpkin pie, Tuesday two batches of rolls and another pumpkin pie. I am so grateful to feel well enough to bake which I love to do.
My kids will be going to their in-laws so Brent and Frank and I and the missionaries that live in our home are going to someone's home in our ward. She is cooking a turkey and I am cooking one also since there will be 20 people! She has the room to seat 20 people easily. So I am just waiting for the turkey to come out at 12:30 then it's off to Robin's house to make gravy and potatoes. You see, Robin is not much of a cook, so I committed to make the gravy and potatoes. It should be a lot of fun with so many people.
Frank gets five days off, not having to work until next Tuesday. He is very excited to not have to arise at 4:40 each morning for the next little while.

We are so grateful for all our blessings especially of renewed health. Our Father in Heaven blesses us so abundantly. I want to send our love to all of you near and far and wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving from the Marchants!

An Old Man's Wisdom

I have had this attached to my fridge for two years and thought it would be worth sharing.
There is an old saying, "When an old man dies, a library closes." (An older man wrote this to the newspaper).

WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU GIVE BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
SAVOR THIS WORLD OF BEAUTY.
HARDSHIPS ARE THE SOURCE OF MOST OF OUR LEARNING.
SOMETHING EASILY WON LACKS IMPORTANCE.
REACHING YOUR GOALS IS ONE OF LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS.
SOMETHING GIVEN TO US WITHOUT EFFORT LACKS WORTH.
IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM AND DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, YOU BECOME PART OF THE PROBLEM.
LESSONS LEARNED IN RAISING CHILDREN ARE THE GREATEST PLEASURES A PERSON CAN EXPERIENCE AND OFTEN TEACH THE PARENT MORE THAN THE CHILD.
DEPRIVATION IS A GREAT TEACHER.
SLEEPING IN A CORNFIELD DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS CAN LEAD TO A GREAT APPRECIATION OF THE FINER THINGS OF LIFE.
PEOPLE MAY WALK THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT CARING, BUT IF THEY REACH OUT TO OTHERS THEY WILL FIND KINDRED SPIRITS.
LONELINESS IS A SPECIAL TIME TO TRULY EXPERIENCE FEELINGS THAT WILL SERVE YOU FOR A LIFETIME.
CARING FOR OTHERS BRINGS JOY, ONLY IF YOU CARE WITH YOUR HEART.
ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH IS A NECESSITY, BUT ACCUMULATION FOR YOUR OWN PLEASURES IS A MISTAKE.
A WISH FOR YOUR FRIENDS - HARDSHIP THEY CAN HANDLE, WORK THAT WILL MAKE THEM PROUD AND FULFILLMENT OF SOME OF THEIR WISHES.
THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS OF THE SOUL.
A MAN WITHOUT PURPOSE IS A MAN WITHOUT DIRECTION.
TRYING TO "PROVE" YOUR WORTH IS A LIFE-LONG TASK.
LIFE IS NOW AND NO ONE CAN PREDICT HOW LONG NOW WILL LAST, SO DO WHAT YOU MUST - NOW.
LIFE IS FLEETING, SO STOP AND ENJOY YOUR WORLD.

H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G!!!

Results of My Surgery

Well, last night was surreal.
I reacted to the Antibiotic causing me to break out in a rash all over my body. I called the doctor who did the surgery and I was advised to take bendryl which eventually terminated the rash. However, I wasn't done yet, I guess. After not eating any solid food that day I really wanted to eat. All that came up three times, even after taking my anti-nausea pills.
I was very dizzy and light-headed and could barely drag myself out of the recliner to get to my bed.

Anyway on the positive side, I hope the worst in over. So today I'm drinking liquids, trying to gain a little more strength and energy!


Brent has a cold and cough so I'm trying to stay away from him. It's kinda hard when he keeps coming in my bedroom saying, "do we have any soup," and later, "do we have a thermometer?" I gave him a steamer and told him to use it. It's funny how he is twenty-two but when he is sick he needs his mommy!

Sleep walking

I just read Tiffany Lowe's blog about Jerika sleepwalking.
It reminding me of two of my boys who had that problem.
When we lived in Spokane we lived in a duplex with a single Mom with 3 kids next door. Eric, my oldest, got up, still sound asleep, walked out the back sliding door and knocked on the neighbors slider and asked her some silly question about money she owed us. (She didn't owe us any money)

Brent, our youngest didn't so much sleep walk but he went through a period of time where he had night terrors or nightmares. But the freaky thing was he would wake up crying, having the nightmare, but he was so sound asleep we could not wake him up for anything.

Tiffany, I hate to tell you this but when you have a lot of kids they are going to wake up and in the process other kids wake up too. It's our personal nightmare as parents!!

All I can say is HANG IN THERE! This too shall pass and they grow up far to fast and they are gone! So appreciate the good and the bad!

Surgery Today

I have mixed emotions about today. As a result of Chemo twice a week I have to get poked with a needle for IV twice a week also. Today I will he having an operation for a port to be put in my upper chest so no more IV's! Yea! Mixed emotions though. After midnight last night I am not allowed to eat any solid food. So this morning, knowing I couldn't eat a normal breakfast, I laid in bed until 9 am and finished a book I have been reading. I figured that would be a great way to make the time go. So now I am enjoying a cup of beef broth. Later this morning I will top that off with an ample glass of apple juice and maybe some water and by 12:30 pm will finish off the can of beef broth. After 12:30 nothing can touch my lips, even water until I have the surgery this afternoon at 4:15 pm. They will install a port under my skin. Ninety mintues before I have Chemo I put a lotion on the spot where the port is buried and kinda like the dentist they can pierce the skin with a needle to give the Chemo or take blood work.

Surgery ends at 5:15 and Frank will be there when I recover. I won't be able to leave until 6:30. So food is going to look really enticing when I get home.
I am nervous about the anethesia but confident the doctors perform this surgery very often. Most of the people at the Cancer Center have these ports.

Wish me well and hope I don't loose too much weight today on a liquid diet!

Dennis, Julie and Jay (Teenagers)

A rare photo of the three of us at our backyard in Beaverton, Oregon

Leaving the Homestead

February of 1963 we left the only home we had ever known. Dad had an auction to sell all our farm equipment and we packed up what was left in our GMC truck. Remember Jay and Dennis when Jay lost a wheel on that truck in Beaverton and ran into the side of my Elementary School? Dad had replaced a flat tire the day before and we think he did not tighten the lug nuts so the wheel just fell off and rolled in front of Jay as he was driving!!!! That's what I remember about that old truck!

Vacation with our Thelin Family

I love this picture of a rare family vacation. I guess Dad took the picture.

Myra Thelin and Baby Julie

I love these old pictures of my Mom because I do not remember her. I was six years old when she passed away half a century ago!

Julie, Jay and Ron on the old Studebaker

My did those cars look like that back when?

My Ballerina Fantasy

Thanks to Tiffany Lowe for giving me the idea to delve into the many pictures and files I have on MY computer.

This one is Christmas on the farm at nine years old. I had asked for a ballerina doll and I'm proudly displaying it for everyone to see! I still remember that exhilarating feeling I felt seeing that doll under the tree!

A New Start

Sunday night Kali and Jennifer and Ethan dropped by and brought me some sweet presents for my b-day. One of the special items was a necklace with three medalions that said, "Faith, Hope, Love." Those three qualities are what I need the most right now. Cinnamon candles are scenting my living room thanks to Kali. Also the giant chocolate bar and icing scented lip gloss were not too shabby! Thanks Kali!!!

Monday was my birthday and my friends took me to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch. I had my usual favorite, Super burrito with a topping of guacomole and sour cream." We visited for about an hour and a half. It was so fun and all eight of my favorite people were there!
Then we went to Rite Aid since they had laundry soap on sale, and there they were, all the Christmas items you with which you could be dazzled and only three days after Halloween! It makes me cringe that they put out Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving. I guess most people are not like me. They like to shop early!!!

That afternoon I had one lesson and it was nice to make a new start. I got that enthusiasm for what I greatly love to do and that is to teach!!!

David and Rachel called and it was nice to hear from them too. I don't like that I don't have all my family close by, but phone calls keep us in touch!

That night Frank and Brent took me to Red Robin, our favorite hangout. I had a free coupon. I told the waitress I did not want to be sung to, but they did anyway and brought me a hot fudge sundae, which I could not eat cause I was too full!!! Brent instantly volunteered to eat it for me. Thanks Brent!

Tuesday my daughter Michelle called and she took me to lunch at a local restaurant called the "Chatterbox." It specializes in Thai, Indian and American food. We both liked the food there. Chelle got me a CD that I really liked (Classical). How did she know I needed Mary Kay stuff, Extra Emollient Night Cream and Eye Mask? Thanks Chelle. We really enjoyed our time shopping at Costco and she delivered me to my Chemo appointment.

Eric and Heather called that same day thinking my birthday was the 4th. He had it on his PD for the wrong day! I appreciated their thoughtfulness.

This morning I felt almost normal. I completed two loads of wash, folded and put them away, vacuumed the living room and family room and even had time to get my nails done and load the dishwasher and run it. These are ordinary run of the mill jobs that you all take for granted. These things I have not been able to do for 1 1/2 months! So be continually grateful for what you CAN do. You never know when it may be taken away!!

This afternoon I had four lessons. It could have been five, but she came and said she was sick with a cough and runny nose. I told her I would see her when she got well. I can't afford to come in contact with sick people when my counts are down. I guess it is my "new normal."

But tonight I am a little more tired than usual, but it's a good tired!

New Update

This week I decided that it was time to step it up a bit. I decided to walk outside every day, not far but just walk a little distance. I feel like that has toned my back muscles because I don't have as many back spasms. I still have them to some degree but the pain is less.

I had chemo yesterday and saw the oncologist. He told me something very shocking. When people have kidney failure there is a 50/50 chance that the kidneys will come back to normal. He said there are people he is treating with myeloma who are having chemo and at the same time are on dialysis. I am so lucky, no blessed to have a ward family that fasted and prayed for my recovery and so many of your prayers were heard!!!

Yesterday we went to see our grandkids before treat or treat and they weren't dressed in their costumes yet. But we know there was a cheerleader, a ghoul, a character from scream, and a skeleton. So they must have been quite a sight to behold. The family had a bout of the flu go through the family this week but by Friday everyone seemed to be healthy again!!!

Today and yesterday were red-letter days for me. I vacuumed the stairs without a lot of back spasms. This morning at 10 we saw our grandson play flag football and he enjoyed having us there.

Later, until next time

Frank's Sister Comes to Visit

Carol and Mike Dindinger came from Juneau, Alaska. They flew in and rented a car to travel to Oregon to see their oldest son, Marcus and his family. They treated us to lunch at Applebees restaurant. The fun part was that Michelle had Friday off so we invited her as well. It was great catching up on all the news of their six children and our five.
Michelle is not in the picture because she was behind the camera!! Thanks Chelle!!!

Eric and Heather's kids (Colin, Owen, Addy)

Addy is 2 yrs


Owen is 3 years old


Colin 5 years old started kindegarten this fall

Eric and Heather's kids (Camron and Terrin)

Terrin is 9 years old



Camron is turning 13 next week!

March 16th 2008 Camron Ordained a Deacon

David came in March on his college spring break which didn't happen to be the same time as Rachel's, so he came with Rhees. Unfortunately, Rhees wanted nothing to do with Grandma Marchant. His Mommy was MIA and he wanted ONLY his DADDY. We survived the storm and this time he loved seeing and being with his grandparents!!!

Family

Last Sunday night the Marchant family gathered to celebrate David and his family visiting from Utah. All were there!

Kali and Gabe are on the left. Their children are Jennifer 10 1/2 and Ethan in the red shirt.

Chelle and Dave Goodwin on the couch next to Eric's oldest, Camron, then Eric and Frank and I.
Brent is hanging out at the back.
David and Rachel in front on the right and Rhees is the only one with a "Madder Wagon."

Eric's Owen is 3, Colin is 5 and Addy, 2 yrs. is on Eric's lap. Terrin belongs to Eric and Heather. He and Ethan are sitting together. They are only 3 months apart but Terrin is huge for 9 yrs old. Gabe was his pediatrician and said Terrin will probably be over 7 feet tall!!!!
Heather was not in the picture since she had female surgery that Tuesday before. So she sends her best to all!

David, Rachel and Rhees Visit in October

David and Rach wanted to come and see how I was doing so they decided to drive up from Layton, Utah. It was so nice to see them and our grandson Rhees. Rachel is pregnant, due March 14th with another boy. They will name him Parker David Marchant.
If my health is stable we plan on a trip next May for David's graduation from Weber State and they will wait to bless the baby that same weekend.

We took them on a WA ferry ride to see Ethan's soccer game. Rhees, who is almost
2 1/2 years old loved the "big boat and the fact that the car drove on the boat." We even saw a policeman with a K-9 (dog). The dogs job was to sniff each car for explosives. It was weird to have them surround our car several times. I guess they went back several times in case the dog missed the smell the first time.
They were surprised that I was doing so well. They arrived Thursday and left Sunday night and we were very sad to see them go!

Where To Start

September 10th 2008 my life was turned upside down.
My oncologist referred me to a kidney specialist when my creatine counts began to quadruple. I saw the specialist with my daughter Michelle Goodwin on Tues and by Thursday was an emergency admit to Providence General Hospital with renal failure *10% of my kidneys were functioning). I spent 11 days there undergoing 2 blood transfusions, 4 plasma phoresis, and started on a different chemo drug. The thalidomide I had been taking for 1 1/2 months had allowed the cancer cells to over-run the kidneys. I was allowed to go home Sept 30th with the kidneys back to normal.

I was a complex case because the myeloma lesions were agressively attacking my spine and thinning out the vertebre. In July I had L2 and L4 were compression fractures in the lower back. They are healing but it will be months before they fully heal. Another fracture occurred in the hospital when I felt new pain much higher from a break in the T12, located below the ribs. The bone pain was incredible. It all felt so sureal, like I was outside myself looking at what was going on. I had wonderful family visit the hospital as often as they could and the nurses on the oncology floor were outstanding.

My oncologist determined that I needed 10 days of radiation therapy to eliminate the bone pain for which I took oxycodone every 4 hours. After four treatments of radiation I was pain free and tapered off the narcotics. I traveled to Everett tothe cancer clinic for Monday through Friday treatments. I laid on a flat slab for about 15 minutes while they shot in the exact same three places. All these years I told my children not get a tatoo and now I have three small black spots, permanent india ink tattos!. The radiation is done and I am still going to the cancer clinic for Chemo treatments. The drug is Velcade which is 82% effective in cancer patients. I will not loose my hair, and have had minor problems with diarhea and nausea. As long as I take my nausea pills before dinner I'm fine.

When the kidneys were well my complex case got a little easier for the Endricinologist (bone density specialist).He ordered a bone strengthening medication to be given monthly. Those medications cause damage to the kidneys, so I will have a 6 hour infusion the end of Oct. The reason for the six hours is that it drips in slowly and does not affect the kidneys.

I have a hospital bed where I can raise the legs to take the pressure off the vertebre at night. We are renting it and the cost is minimal with insurance.

When I first came home Sept 30th I was very weak and still in a lot of pain. My friends took turns coming at 8:30 am, 10 am and afternoons to transport me to the cancer center for radiation therapy. They were all so loving and fixed my food. The sisters from the ward brought in dinners every other day. I have felt extremely loved and have not experienced a bit of depression!

For 15 days I lived downstairs and had to leave and enter through the garage. Cabin fever set in, me not knowing what the kitchen was like, upstairs and couldn't get things out of my closet etc, etc. So last week the radiologist gave me persmission to do stairs always holding the handrail. I try not to go up and downstairs a lot but a few times a day is good for my back muscles. When they start to spasm I go to the recliner.

I am so thankful for all my incredible family who has supported and sustained me every step of the way. My husband, Frank has been great to heat up dinners and bring them to me on a tray. Kali stayed with me the day I was admitted to the hospital. She stayed until after nine o'clock that night to make sure I was OK! Michelle and Dave Goodwin brought a Sunday night dinner for Brent, Frank and I. We all ate in the hospital cafeteria. Everyone has been so thoughtful. I have a house full of plants and flowers people have sent or brought and they are all so beautiful that I warms my inner soul to pieces.

I asked my cancer doctor why the Mulitple Myeloma has been so different and painful this time. His reply was sometimes when it comes back for the second time it comes back with a vengence! I will take this chemo the rest of my life and it will keep eating up the cancer cells. This cancer is no longer a death sentence like it was 9 years ago!!! My hope is to take this until something better comes along or a cure.

So now I deal with what they call "the new normal." I haven't quite figured out what that is, but I know I'm out of pain and very grateful to be writing this e-mail which is long overdue. Just this week I have been able to sit again at the computer and read e-mails. I feel so incredibly lucky and blessed to have so many prayers in my behalf.

Just to let you know I will continue to fight this and win the battle. I did before and I WILL do it again!

San Juan Island Pictures

The second week of July my sister Bev and her husband Ron came to visit and we took the ferry to the San Juan Islands. The ferry ride was just as beautiful as the islands.


.

Bev and Ron look as if they are on a cruise ship. I had loaned Beverley my fleece shawl coat which kept her toasty warm except for the wind gusts which kept blowing the coat open!

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Knock, Knock, Surprise!

Last week I was fretting over medical news that was not too wonderful. The doorbell rang and it was the sister that Frank home teaches. She works at a flower shop and had a lovely arrangement which I thought she had made for me. It was for me alright but it was not from her. When she found out it was being delivered to me she put some extra special flowers in addition to what was ordered.
When I excitedly opened the enclosed card it was from Michelle and Dave and it made my day and my week and my month. It was so caring that they took the time to think of me. THANKS YOU TWO and I love you too!
Til later.

Lunch with my Grandson

Last week before school started I went to
Eric and Heathers'. The only one that was home was Terrin, my 9 year old grandson. The visiting teacher had taken Colin, Owen and Addie to her house for the day and Heather was asleep. I watched Terrin play video games for awhile and then asked him if he would go with me to Rite Aid because I needed to pick up a few things. He was excited to go somewhere so off we went. It is so nice to have grandkids one on one. You talk about the most inane and interesting things. When we left the store we went to Pennys and just window shopped. The Pennys in Snohomish has been there 30 years and I had never been there. Now I know why. The store is extremely, smmmmaaaaalll. Then I asked him if he had eaten lunch so I took him to lunch. He felt pretty darn special and enjoyed bragging rights of the smoothie he carried home to finish!