Notes on Life #5

Anthony's Favorite - Captain EO

The past few months have had its ups and downs. Which has delayed me getting this blog together. Finding time to write is challenging, especially because I like to write when the inspiration hits which doesn't always coincide with the right time and place. Ah well, I forgive myself for the  delay in this blog because the passage of time seems to go so quickly...

It's been a while since I chronicled our family's events so here goes...

Disneyland, the Mouse & Cars Land
We started the year with a trip to Disneyland with the kids and grandkids. Disneyland is most enjoyable when seen from the eyes of a child.The weather was perfect, crowds were small and the grandkids were super excited. Cars Land is absolutely my favorite Disney attraction, the amount of detail that went into creating this land is remarkable. Of course, after travelling Route 66, the funny nuansces that exist from the actual Route make me smile.




Bug Eyes - At a Bug's Life Presentation

We stayed at the Grand Californian nearby allowing us to go in and out of the park as we liked. On the final night, Caitlin and Patrick sat out on the balcony watching the staff in California Adventure test the rollercoasters, bring in stock for the stores and reset the World of Color show from the holiday presentation to the regular production. They must have sat there for a couple hours. If ALS does anything it slows you down, but the appreciation of a given moment is great.   

North Coast

Patrick and I spent a wonderful four days on the coast near Gulala. We rented a beautiful house that had 180 degree views of the coast. There is nothing like the clear night sky, and the sound of the waves rolling in to give you peace and relaxation. Except for one dinner at a nearby BBQ restaurant, we spent the entire time simply watching the waves. If you'd like a recommendation for a vacation home on the beach - drop me a note, the owner is incredibly nice and the views are amazing. A big thank you to the Blue Shield group - this is where we opted to use the gift cards you gave us!

When Patrick and I were first married and generally broke, Gualala was a beautiful and inexpensive place to stay -- we often stayed at the Gualala Hotel which has been there for years and has a lot of charm (it's for sale now, if anyone's interested...) Anyway, Gualala is as beautiful as ever, although not quite as inexpensive.

Gualala Coast from the Rental Balcony

 

Sunset

Christian is a Spider

Christian had his first experience in theatre this past month. He played a spider in the Alice in Wonderland Jr. play at Roseville Theater Arts Academy. He was the star of the play, well at least from a grandma's perspective. A good friend, Liza Bennett, created his spider costume. The costume was amazing with spider legs that moved as his arms moved. As the day of the play drew closer he was very excited. I think just being part of the production was wonderful for him.

After the production he says to me, "grandma I'm retired." But a week later when I asked if he wanted to do the next production the answer was a resounding YES. So, he's come out of retirement to do, "Once Upon a Time." I understand he is part of the group singing "How much is that Doggy in the Window." So, in May we will be enjoying another evening of Christian the Star!

Roxie

Roxie

The greatest low over the past few months is the diagnosis that Roxie, the family pooch, has cancer. Over the past couple months, she's just not seemed right and we took her into the vet a number of times. After she starting vomiting the vet did some extensive tests and found that she has cancer of the liver and spleen. There is not a lot they can do for dogs with cancer and frankly, Roxie really doesn't understand so we are making her comfortable with steriods, pain killers and antibiotics. 

Dogs are interesting creatures, even when they are obviously in pain, if you pat their head or show them even the smallest attention their tail will wag. They are content with such simple things. As I write this, Roxie lays at my feet, her belly is shaved from the ultra sound and she's thinner than before, but she seems, in this moment, content.

A funny Roxie note... I have to feed her about 8 pills a day... well she doesn't like pills so I've tried EVERYTHING to get her to take them. She's a clever girl, if you put it in food, somehow she'll find it and spit it out. Right now, I'm using hot dogs (she likes hot dogs) and it works pretty well but it may just be a matter of time before she figures out that I'm secretly drugging her and spits them out.

The Grandkids and New Additions

In addition, to Christian the Bug, Sofia turned one-year old this past month. Her party was princess themed and she had a surprise visit from Belle herself. It seems like just yesterday she was born, she is a beautiful child, full of happiness and smiles and Patrick is her biggest fan.

The exciting news is that we are now expecting our fourth granddaughter in August. There are times I think I'm way too young for this grandparent thing, but I must admit they are funny and make life much richer.

Here are some pictures of the grandkids over the past few months...

The Force is Strong with these ones...

Great Grandma, Anthony & Christian coloring Easter eggs

Sofia's 1st Birthday

Emotional versus Logical
This month we ordered Patrick's power wheel chair. These are quite different than the scooters you see around; they are custom made, expensive and have add ons (like buying a car). We worked with a company that is highly recommended by the ALS Association. They are quite knowledgeable about ALS and the challenges that accompany the disease. Of course, in addition to the power wheelchair we are buying a van to accommodate the chair and ramps for our house.

These are probably the hardest emotional journeys for me. I'm adaptable, but my immediate feeling is one of being overwhelmed. So, you have these big decisions to make and they are important logically, but completely emotionally charged. Although I've never really enjoyed buying a new car, it was always kind of fun to check out the new car, drive it around and decide what options you want. I'm afraid it just isn't as fun when you're buying a disability van. I wish it was, but it isn't.

On a positive note, we did find a van, ordered the power wheelchair and got the ramp situation taken care of in our house. So, all is well that ends well or so they say...

DNA & Genealogy

My DNA information came through and I'm happy to report I'm not an alien from outer space. Instead I'm mostly British. The surprise is that I'm also Irish - since I've done the genealogy extensively on my father's side, this was a surprise. So, I know that my mother's biological parents were likely Irish. I must admit it's renewed my curiousity on my mother's side so I'm digging around a little bit through the DNA matches on Ancestry.

Breaking in the New Van

Our new van will be taken on our next trip to Denver, Colorado to visit Patrick's family and see some of the places in Kansas and Colorado that the Timmons' Family migrated to in the 1800's. The family bible is actually at a Kansas Historical Society in Lecompton so we'll get a glance at it. Should be an interesting trip.

I hope you are enjoying this lovely spring weather and all is well with you and yours. 

Things to Look Forward to...
San Francisco, April/May

Genealogy Timmons Trip, June 

New Baby Girl - August