On day 5 I got some business done with my high school classmate, Ronda, now secretary to the Washington Grade School, arranging a private tour of the school, before it is demolished in July. Ronda was very happy to be our tour guide not only for the Washington Grade School, but for a tour of the new Vernonia School K-12 on the hill. So naturally when I found out, I called my 40th reunion group to give them the good news.
After my stop at Washington Grade School I slipped in to see Sandy, Nic, Dylan and Kaitlyn. They were cleaning house but stopped to chat a bit. It was good to get a pre-catch up before arranging to having a longer visit.
After lunch Cliff, Mom and I got a tour of the new facility Darlene works at. After the floods 1996 and 2007, West Oregon Electric had to relocate their building. The building is quite nice and out of danger of flooding again, which is the most important thing...to provide Vernonia and other surrounding areas the electricity needed.
After my stop at Washington Grade School I slipped in to see Sandy, Nic, Dylan and Kaitlyn. They were cleaning house but stopped to chat a bit. It was good to get a pre-catch up before arranging to having a longer visit.
After lunch Cliff, Mom and I got a tour of the new facility Darlene works at. After the floods 1996 and 2007, West Oregon Electric had to relocate their building. The building is quite nice and out of danger of flooding again, which is the most important thing...to provide Vernonia and other surrounding areas the electricity needed.
Later that afternoon Cliff, Mom and I went up to Darwin and Linda's and got to see their newly remodeled bathroom (whom my brother, Ron, worked on). It's really wonderful and I know they are really going to enjoy it! It was nice to have a good visit with them as well, AND I can't believe I didn't get a photograph of them before we left. RATS!!! What was I thinking?
Also, sometime that day and maybe it was after our visit with Darwin and Linda, we (Cliff, Mom and I) drove by Mom and Dad's home on Mist Drive. A lot of childhood memories there seemed to flood my mind!! It didn't look like anyone lived there anymore. I knew it was up for sale for awhile, but hadn't heard if it sold or not. We drove on by and on around the 7 mile loop. It seems our visits to Vernonia, aren't complete without a little Sunday driving.
Visiting with Mom is always such a treat and she can tell some amusing stories. I love the one about the little lady living at the assisted living that may have a bit of Alzheimer's. She has a liking of another gentleman there (Mom said, "I guess she's in love." LOL). This lady is always with him...will sit down at his table for meals, etc. Apparently she follows him around and holds onto him (I think Mom said she holds his hand). She goes into his room now and again, "and who knows what they are doing in there!" Mom says. That cracked me up. Mom is very active at the facility and she is faithful in participating in almost everything. I love that she has a Tai Chi class she attends...TWICE a week! My 93 year old mother is in Tai Chi!! Mom also is the "helper" at the facility. All the staff love her as she will talk to the Alzheimer's residents that otherwise wouldn't be talked to. She will walk people home that either need help (because they can't remember where they live), or just want someone along for the walk. She plays cards in the evenings with friends and still has a love for reading. It breaks my heart not living close enough to participate in Mom's world more.
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