Celebrating the Work Ethic

Ed doing what he would rather do than work.



This June 2009 was the 20th anniversary of Ed's beginning of work for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. They recognized his dedication to service by sending him a nice pin in the mail that has the "20" on it. It was June 1989 when we drove across country in our red Chrysler Town and Country station wagon with the Sears Roebuck egg on top of the car. And, of course, our two energetic and squirrely kids inside.

T W E N T Y years. We should have some cake!

Our visit in Biloxi

This is the beachfront right across from the old VA Med Center in Gulfport.

Light fixture in Treasure Bay Casino, note the view of the ocean, these places are right on the water.
Man, it is hot and very muggy though......

Joey's Marathon in Seattle

Brookside Gardens ~ My personal Sanity Spot

Can you spot the turtles? My favorites!



This fountain makes the most lovely sounds, there is a neat bench nearby where I like to meditate if it is a quiet day there.





Just wanted to take a minute to share with you some images of Brookside Gardens. This is where I go for peaceful walks and exercise - sanity savers. There are not many places as nice as this one is.

My friend and peer of nearly 18 years, Ginny DuPont died on Thursday. She had fought ovarian cancer for about 2 years. Ginny, single most of her life, had found the love of her life and just married him right before they found the cancer. He was at her side when she died at home. She did manage to retire, although she certainly wasn't ready to. She had been the mainstay of the VA Library network for many years. Her husband was her rock during the rounds of chemo and treatments.

ch-ch-ch-changes

I woke up this morning:
I go to bed tonight:
10" of hair will be mailed to locks of love tomorrow.

Mom's 87th Birthday

Mom on her 87th Birthday at Sun Valley




Saturday was Mom's 87th birthday. Ed came in from California and we were able to drive home for Saturday. We got the cake at Bonnie Belle's, which is a real family tradition. I think she enjoyed it. I ordered the lemon filling, which I think she likes. She seemed to enjoy it. I was glad to spend that day with her.

Mother's Day we drove back to DC and I got Ed to the airport in time for his flight. We got to have dinner together in the airport before he left. Heard from both my offspring! All in all, a very nice Mom's Day.

Spring has arrived at Sun Valley

It is a fabulous day here in the valley. Ed and I are visiting Mom and Stan. Patsy is here by herself. Seems to be a staffing problem with the hired help.
We were able to provide enough time for Patsy to make a necessary trip into town. Ed cooked Mom's breakfast, Patsy had already fed Stan his breakfast.

It is 60 degrees and beautiful and sunny.

Mom is in a pretty good mood, sitting up for a little while.

I am wholly inadequate to the job of caregiver. Remind me to make my long term care insurance payments. ;-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey, Ed and I just moved Mom from her chair into her bed using the Hoyer Lift. I may qualify for the CNA certification after all.

We gathered together all the receipts Pat had and created the package for the accountant to do Mom's taxes. Ed and I managed to get that to Bridgeport so they can begin working on the taxes. Hope she doesn't have to pay too much.