Oregon Vacation Day 6

After breakfast, Cliff and I went on a walk and then ventured down to the creek.  I know the residents of Vernonia get impatient with their cool, misty weather, but everything is so beautifully green there.  We just couldn't get enough.   

Soon after Cliff and I went for our walk, I got a call from my sister-in-law, Linda, and she asked if I wanted to take a walk around Lake Vernonia (the mill pond) and I said, "Yes, of course!".  I didn't take my camera, but Kathi Knowles took pics of the pond when meeting up the next day and I borrowed her photo which is below (beautifully done, Kathi!).

On my return from the mill pond walk, Mom was ready to be taken back to her apartment.  She doesn't sleep well aside from her own bed and wasn't feeling very chipper.  Cliff and I drove her back to Forest Grove just in time for her lunch at the facility.  We offered to take her out for a meal, but she really likes the food at the Beehive.  They are on a regimented schedule, so we barely made it on time!  Whew!!

After dinner we were invited up to the Ron Welch home where we visted with my brother, Ron, sis-in-law, Sandy and neices, nephews and a great nephews.  It was a fun gathering and the visit just seemed too short!

Ron, Nic and Gayle

Sandy, Tater (Matthew Ronald), Angie and Heidi

Cliff, Chris and Sandy

Dylan and Heidi

Oregon Vacation Day 5

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.

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.

 

Oregon Vacation Day 4

Well, what would it be without cloudy skies in Oregon?  It wouldn't be Oregon!  We continued on our way north after a fabulous visit with Dave and Cathy.  This was taken between Corvallis and McMinnville.  Beautiful farm country and I loved the stormy sky!

Before traveling to Vernonia, we picked Mom up in Forest Grove.  Oh how good it was to see her.  We had to do a little shopping and she had a little returning to do, so we did it together at Fred Meyer's.  Then we were on our way to Cracker and Daf's.  It was good to see both Bryan and Darlene...again almost a year since our last visit.  We were amused to see such a lovely metal sculptured flamingo on their deck.  Darlene was given a flamingo something or another, years ago, and somehow it turned into a collection that she didn't want.  But, everyone thought she was collecting flamingos so she would get them as gifts.  Funny thing, she finally caved!  Yep, she just had to have this flamingo and honestly, he looks right at home on their deck!!

Oregon Vacation Day 3

The day was beautiful...perfect weather and the town of Jacksonville, Oregon was charming.  We did a little shopping and then lunch.  We always have a FUN filled time with Dave and Cathy!!

After fantastic shopping, and a delicious lunch, Dave and Cathy took us to the Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point, Oregon.  It is the only water powered, commercially operated, grist mill this side of the Mississippi.  We didn't get to see it operate as they were working on the wheels, but it still was impressive.

After touring the mill we shopped in their store and bought some Old Fashion Oats, Steel Cut Oats and Cornmeal.  The Old Fashion Oats are delicious (the only thing we have tried since our return home).  Thanks for the fabulous day out, Dave and Cathy!!

Oregon Vacation Day 2

Next morning we had breakfast and said our good-byes to Lauren and Corry.  Back on the road heading north through Lassen National Park.

At the north end of the park is Manzanita Lake.  It's really quite beautiful and reminded us of Anthony Lakes in Eastern Oregon.  We hope to camp there some day with Odessa.  We stopped so we could eat our picnic lunch we had with us.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the view was priceless.  After eating our meal, we walked back to the parking lot to get back on the road.  Cliff happened to see an old high school classmate (lady in pink)!  She said she recognized his voice before she saw his face.  They went to school together at Chowchilla High School.  What a hoot!!!

We finally reached our destination, Grants Pass, Oregon where our friends Dave and Cathy live.  We visited until...late, and decided to hit the hay for a fun day out the next day.

Oregon Vacation Day 1 (6/9/12)

Our first stop was in Chico where we spent time with Corry and his girlfriend, Lauren, at the Bidwell Mansion and Chico State Campus (where Cliff went to college).  It was nice getting to know Lauren.  She was a lot of fun and fit right into Cliff's and my crazy world.  Lauren is an ER respiratory therapist.  Corry and Lauren work in the same hospital and that is where they met.  Also, Lauren has a 7 year old daughter, Ariana, whom we are looking forward to meet some day.

This was on Chico State campus (above)...Cliff didn't recognize any of it, but he still enjoyed walking the grounds.

Bidwell Mansion...

Memorial Day 2012

As I woke this day, I thought of the freedom we have, because so many have fought and defended that freedom in this country.  Some giving the ultimate sacrifice.  No matter how much we thank those choosing to serve this great country, it seems inadequate in comparison.  On this day, there were many ways of honoring our fallen countrymen...many, including me, bowing with a humble and grateful heart.

I was taking it easy as I had a flare up of my diverticulitis, and also was dealing with perhaps a kidney stone.  Much rest was needed.  As I followed the directions of the two medications I had been prescribed, taken  for 3 days by this time, I felt a ting of pain in my stomach.  I figured it was probably the medications and ignored it.  As the morning progressed it became a little worse and I ate something hoping that would settle my stomach.  Then it was time to take more meds and again, I ate something to combat the side effects.  Only minutes later my stomach began to really hurt and then to the point that I had to lay down.  I called the Nurse Call Center to see if it would be okay to take Pepto to calm the fire in my stomach only to go through a battery of questions by her.  Near the end the nurse urged me to get to the hospital because the pain sounded like it could be my heart since it was hurting all the way through to my back.  I said, with a dumbfounded (and in much denial) reply, "the reason why I called was, I wanted to know if I could take Pepto with the meds I'm taking."  She didn't answer my question and only urged me to get to ER immediately.  She instructed me that if things got worse on our way to ER, to call 911 and wait for the ambulance.  I was in shock!  All I wanted to know was if I could take Pepto and now I may be having heart issues??  Of course I finally climbed out of my hole of denial and urged Cliff to get me to ER.  On the way, my stomach continued to hurt while I lay back in the seat and with each breath it would burn.

We arrived (2:30 p.m. or so) and I was able to walk myself in.  I began the admission paperwork at the window and was asked to be seated after.  Then I was called to the back only to sit and answer more question, and while sitting I began to shake and my body twitched.  Cliff voiced loud enough for the nurse asking questions, to hear, "Why are you shaking??"  He asked.  I answered, "I don't know!"  The nurse continued to ask questions.  Her task was to get her paper work done and my twitching body had no affect on her.  We were sent back out to the waiting room, but not long before I was called back in for an EKG, blood work and urine specimen.  While sitting with the nurse placing the EKG probes in strategic areas, I told her I was actually feeling a little better and asked if  that was normal (meaning was that normal if I was having heart issues) and her reply, "Uh huh!"  Oooookaaaay!!!  =o/  Once the EKG, blood taken, etc. I was sent back into the waiting room...in uncomfortable chairs.  Uncomfortable for someone that is having lower abdomen, lower back and now stomach pain, to sit in.  I'd shift my body around and would get up and change chairs, and all the while people coming and going with more extreme issues than mine.  I began to question in my mind, "if the EKG was alarming, wouldn't they have gotten me to a room by now?"  Time continued...more people to care for (triage) while we sat.  

Then the Children's Hospital Helicopter began to rear it's engines and the blades began to turn.  Silently praying for the child being transported, it brought things into perspective.  I was getting better.  That child was getting worse, but we knew Children's was the best possible place for the best possible care for him or her.  The child's parents were standing on the deck below waving and taking pics/video with their cell phones.  While they used their cell phone to mark the event of the day, so did I.  The monitor on the wall shows what day and what time it was while Cliff and I watched.

The Helicopter began to rise off the ground and the family continued watching and recording.

And before long, it was heading south to Madera/Fresno area.

I sat back down, after watching people coming and going and the child being life flighted out of here.  I really was feeling a whole lot better.  In fact, I leaned over and whispered in Cliff's ear, "I feel embarrassed.  My stomach doesn't hurt any longer."  I decided that I would go to the admissions desk and tell them I was fine.  After several "Wait a minutes," from different people, I was called in the back where the nurse had my EKG, blood work and urine results in her hand.  I told her I was fine and didn't know if I would be allowed to just leave.  My fear was that my insurance company wouldn't pay for the ER visit if I did leave without seeing a doctor.  I asked her, "Are there any red flags in my test results?"  She thumbed through it, and without saying, she nodded "no".  I told her I was sure it was the "M" medication that sent me into a fiery stomach tail spin, not the Cipro as I have never had reactions to that one.  She cupped her hand over her mouth and whispered, "That one (M) is bad stuff!!"  Referring to the side effects.  She had me sit and it wasn't long before they got me in to see a PA and she went over my test results and there was nothing alarming.  I again told her that my stomach was fine.  I told her I wouldn't take any more meds until I saw my doctor the next day.  All the paper work was completed and Cliff and I were on our way home (after 3 plus hours).  "Good-bye, Mercy Medical Center!"

We arrived home within 10-15 minutes driving the country way home.  I was much more relaxed and thanked God for the miracle.  Yes, I believe it was a miracle as I know how much pain I was in and now I wasn't!  AND it wasn't my heart!!!  Part of the story I didn't tell you about was that I called my girls and I called my pastor to pray for me on our way to ER.  I want to give God the glory...and again, so very thankful!

I was taken off the "M" medication and continuing the Cipro as prescribed.  I will have a follow-up with my doc Tuesday.  I am very thankful for our medical community, and very thankful for family and friends that take prayer seriously...