I've been home for 2 weeks - time to get this updated
... before I leave again in 5 days :)
This will be a looooooooooong post - so much happened
and this is my journal of the time!
My plan for this summer trip was to use Beka's car
while she was in Toronto for 7 weeks. Her tour was
from Toledo, to Toronto, to Detroit. Perfect plan!
... before I leave again in 5 days :)
This will be a looooooooooong post - so much happened
and this is my journal of the time!
My plan for this summer trip was to use Beka's car
while she was in Toronto for 7 weeks. Her tour was
from Toledo, to Toronto, to Detroit. Perfect plan!
my mom, Lisa, James in Nashville, 3 reunions in Ohio,
then return her car to her in Detroit.
but the reasons for me being there were
way more than I had planned!
Before I got there, a few family and friends got to see Beka
in the show. Very special to be just 45 min from my hometown.
Beka picked me up on June 12th at the Detroit airport and
I spent the night with her and Root in Toledo.
She drove me to mom's the next day.
She and Root got to enjoy my old backyard :)
After the show that Wednesday night she was rear ended
and was pushed into the car in front of her -
so front and rear damage!
It was 'drivable' so we decided it would wait till I got the car
in a few days, before she left the country.
I had a few busy days at mom's ... mowing the yard,
talking through her important documents,
figuring where to take Beka's car to be repaired, etc.
talking through her important documents,
figuring where to take Beka's car to be repaired, etc.
Mom had a busy week driving herself to lunch and
to play cards with friends.
to play cards with friends.
On Saturday the 16th, Mom and I, her 2 friends,
Aunt Janie and cousins went to Wicked. Some got a
backstage tour then mom's friends took her home.
backstage tour then mom's friends took her home.
the next day. We ended up at urgent care.
Beka had to call out of the evening show because of intense
back and side pain which turned out to be muscle spasms.
back and side pain which turned out to be muscle spasms.
So glad I was there!!!
Sunday I drove Beka's car to mom's, first stopping at
Costco and Kroger's to stock up on foods I can eat :)
Monday the 18th Beka's off to Toronto,
Costco and Kroger's to stock up on foods I can eat :)
Monday the 18th Beka's off to Toronto,
I took mom to an ENT, then she went to poker
and I took the car into a shop and got a rental car.
So thankful for Wonderly Collision (friends of the family)
who made it all so easy.
who made it all so easy.
What didn't look like a lot of damage ended up costing the
guilty party's insurance over $6000!!!
guilty party's insurance over $6000!!!
My new ride for 5 weeks!
Amazing that I didn't have to put the miles on Beka's car.
Mom was doing pretty good. Still able to drive and mow,
so we decided it was ok for me to leave for a few weeks.
I left on the 20th to go see Lisa's new house.
We drove to Nashville together on the 23rd to visit
our kids, James and Abby.
We got to Nashville in time for the Encounter Commencement ...
Here we are ready to go!
I connected with friends from my Encounter in April ...
And a friend's son-in-law who graduated ...
HAHAHA!!! So fun to be able to do this together!!
What an encouraging time of refreshment
re-connecting with dear friends.
I had a great time with James ... a couple meals out,
a bit of shopping and hanging out at the house.
Lisa, James and I had a fun day tootling around Nashville.
Found this great rooftop bar and heard music at Bourbon Street Blues.
a bit of shopping and hanging out at the house.
Lisa, James and I had a fun day tootling around Nashville.
Found this great rooftop bar and heard music at Bourbon Street Blues.
On a day when everyone was free we had
a great time on the deck and a great meal together!
a great time on the deck and a great meal together!
Later, our friend's daughter joined us for the evening.
I took Lisa to airport then spent the day with James
for his belated birthday celebration!
We started our day by going to the dump, then the car wash,
then shopped for his gifts, explored around a bit,
went to Taziki for dinner, then hung in his room.
We got a little desk for his room ... getting ready for
him to start school. He was accepted to the
Berklee College of Music Online in Music Business.
He has just over 2 yrs to complete his degree.
Another day James and I decided we would use
some of the old art supplies at the house and
use our creativity to paint.
We were actually happy with the results.
This was a first for me!!!
James Mine
Another reason for me to spend time in Nashville was
to continue my work in putting a book together
of Annette's writings and artwork. I spent free time
there organizing my document and setting up appointments
to meet with people for advice.
I had a 3 1/2 hour meeting with Patsy Clairmont
who knew Annette from an art class and
believed in her work. She was very helpful and inspiring!
I also had time with Val Clemente, another of
Annette's friends who knew of her work.
I had a lovely, inspiring meetings with Kim and
Allison, Encounter friends, also.
Finally I was able to meet with Margaret Phillips,
Annette's counselor, who was very encouraging
and gave me great ideas for moving forward!
It was a great 3 weeks in Tennessee ...
but my mom was going down hill a bit, so I decided to leave
before I had planned. James re-arranged his work schedule
and got to drive with me up to mom's.
He hadn't seen is gramma for 8 years or been at the
house since he was 12!!!
We drove through Cincinnati, where James spent
his first 2 years of college, 7 years ago.
We explored all the changes and enjoyed
a great mexican lunch.
We got to mom's and James had a great visit with her
until she headed to bed.
We then went to The Fremont Yacht Club to hear
my old friends' "Together Band" and saw friends
and DANCED!!!
but my mom was going down hill a bit, so I decided to leave
before I had planned. James re-arranged his work schedule
and got to drive with me up to mom's.
He hadn't seen is gramma for 8 years or been at the
house since he was 12!!!
We drove through Cincinnati, where James spent
his first 2 years of college, 7 years ago.
We explored all the changes and enjoyed
a great mexican lunch.
We got to mom's and James had a great visit with her
until she headed to bed.
We then went to The Fremont Yacht Club to hear
my old friends' "Together Band" and saw friends
and DANCED!!!
It was a busy next morning at Gramma's with visits from
Aunt Janie, Cousin Sherrie, and Joe's friend, Doug.
We experienced small town life :)
Aunt Janie, Cousin Sherrie, and Joe's friend, Doug.
We experienced small town life :)
Gramma's back yard ...
Such a special visit for these two!!
Then James, Tom and I had lunch at
Fremont's best Mexican place
Fremont's best Mexican place
then toured around Fremont and stopped for ice cream.
Later I drove James to the Detroit airport
and had to say goodbye :)
The next few days were filled with friends and family
visitors, a Birchard park concert with my
Aunt Janie, time with mom and Tom talking about Hearts,
and various household chores.
Joe came in... then Lisa,
and Steve's and Carrie's on Friday night.
We had New Riegle chicken and Ribs -
a family favorite!
and various household chores.
Joe came in... then Lisa,
and Steve's and Carrie's on Friday night.
We had New Riegle chicken and Ribs -
a family favorite!
Mom and Carrie's gang!
Mom and Steve's gang!
Tom planned a 'Birdhouse scavenger hunt' around
gramma's property. Each sibling was pared with one
of the nephews and had to run around (in the rain)
and take a picture of the 15 hidden items!
Sebastian and I came in 2nd!
More fun pics linked to at the end!
We had a first cousin reunion on July 21st at
Weinstein's (cousin Sherrie's beer haus)
Mom and her sister's kids were all together!!
It was such a special bonding time - getting to know each
other as adults. Love each one!
Mom, Aunt Janie and the girl cousins
Mom, Aunt Janie and the boy cousins
All of us!
The sibs!! So much fun to be together ...
... lots of dancing to a great band!!
The next day was a rough one for mom. With all the sibs
there, we decided (with mom's ok) that it was time to call
Heartland Hospice in.
We're so thankful to have these knowledgeable
and caring people to help as we care for our mother.
We set up a schedule of which sibs would be with her
at all times ... another unplanned reason for this trip,
and the reason I'm returning in a few days.
there, we decided (with mom's ok) that it was time to call
Heartland Hospice in.
We're so thankful to have these knowledgeable
and caring people to help as we care for our mother.
We set up a schedule of which sibs would be with her
at all times ... another unplanned reason for this trip,
and the reason I'm returning in a few days.
I also needed to be in Fremont to attend
my 45th high school reunion. It was a 3 day event!!
On Thursday, people were going to Put-in-Bay -
A fun island in Lake Erie.
My brother Joe was meeting his sports buddies
up there. I was the designated driver for him.
I missed the ferry my girlfriends were on, so just
hung with the guys most of the day. Many of them
were my classmates - many who I hadn't seen for 45 years!
Such a great time!
Beka's car was done the next day
(after 5 1/2 weeks in the shop)
... looking better than ever!
Cousin Johnny Boy visited that evening,
Joe and I went to the Depot to hang with classmates.
Mom's friend Jeannie came to stay with mom
and ended up being there till midnight ...
They've been buds for such a long time!
(after 5 1/2 weeks in the shop)
... looking better than ever!
Cousin Johnny Boy visited that evening,
Joe and I went to the Depot to hang with classmates.
Mom's friend Jeannie came to stay with mom
and ended up being there till midnight ...
They've been buds for such a long time!
A good showing of my class at the Fremont Yacht Club.
It was great to reconnect with many I hadn't seen for years.
The next week was filled with many visitors,
as well as the hospice team. I felt like the greeter
at Grand Central Station!
Mom's 87th birthday was Aug 3rd ...
so Tom and I threw a little party.
A nice dinner, presents, cards, balloons
a cake and 2 good friends joined us!
as well as the hospice team. I felt like the greeter
at Grand Central Station!
Mom's 87th birthday was Aug 3rd ...
so Tom and I threw a little party.
A nice dinner, presents, cards, balloons
a cake and 2 good friends joined us!
I was able to get a sample "Hearts" book printed for
Mom! She was so happy and loves showing it to
everyone that comes over.
I went just two years to that high school so it was
fun to re-connect with people I even went to
kindergarten with!! Timing was perfect.
Beka got in to Detroit on August 6th -
I was there to scoop her up.
I was there to scoop her up.
She and Root got to spend the night at Gramma's.
So special for all! Beka and I then drove to her hotel
in Detroit, stopping for her groceries, etc on the way.
She got all settled in and we had a great evening
together. I flew out the next morning and
got home August 8th!!!
We got it arranged for my classmate, Mark, to fix mom's
front stoop. She was so happy and it turned out great!
This actually happened right after I left.
front stoop. She was so happy and it turned out great!
This actually happened right after I left.
Happy to be home after over 8 weeks away ...
even if it's only for 19 days :)
Lots more pics!
Crazy Videos in Ohio here!
even if it's only for 19 days :)
Lots more pics!
Crazy Videos in Ohio here!
