Praizing the Lord…

…as our dear Pop would say. That’s not a typo. Dear had a successful surgery.

It was a very long day. We have to wait until 9am to be able to visit in the hospital…not a minute earlier. Katie and I got to Dear’s room at a little after 9am. He didn’t have any food or drink from midnight on so he was getting a bit dry in the mouth. We were expecting the surgical bed for his transfer to surgery at noon but it didn’t arrive until 1:15. So much in this setting is hurry up and wait. This timing worked out well because although Dan and Jamie left their home in Colville with plenty of time to make it to the hospital to see Dear before he was carted away to surgery there was a fatal crash on Hiway 395 with two Life Flight Helicopters landing on the highway to transport critical patients to the hospital we were at. Dan and Jamie had to detour off the highway which added several minutes to their journey. They made it before the transfer and we were all relieved.

In the Pre-Op room with all the preliminary things to do and a time where we got to meet the surgeon, the Anesthesiologist and the whole surgical team. The Surgeon and Anesthesiologist both took time to explain everything that would go on in surgery and we were confident with the care Dear would receive.

All set and ready to go. We prayed together before we headed to the surgical ward. Dear let the surgeon know that we and many others had prayed for him, too. He gave us a big smile.

Here’s my waiting room team. Jamie is such a gem who thinks of everything and brought some great snacks for us all. While waiting I was called 3 separate times. Once to tell me that Dear was asleep and they were ready to go with the surgery. Then they called to let us know that the surgery was successful and the surgeon was finishing with the final stitching. This was at 5:15 and it would be at least a half hour in recovery. The Surgeon then came to the Waiting Room and let us know in person that the surgery went well and showed us what he had removed from the Carotid Artery. At this point Dear would be transferred from Recovery to ICU and the visiting window was closing fast at 6pm. The recovery nurse gave us a call and asked us where we were and that we could meet her in the hall on her way to ICU so we could get a glimpse of Dear and give him his eye glasses. It was good to see him Post op before we had to leave the hospital. We will be back in the hospital on Wednesday at 9am sharp to see him in a non-loopy state.

We are so very grateful to all of you who have prayed and encouraged us during this first phase of Dear’s treatment and recovery. Prayer has been powerful. Your encouraging words are like balm to our hearts and minds. Thank you so much!

Time will tell if he gets to be released on Wednesday.

Surgery Today

I took some photos of Dear in the hospital to text to our kids and our family and friends. This first one is of him in ICU at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane on Saturday night. Our son Dan and I were with him for as long as they let us stay in ICU before we left him in good hands and headed to our hotel to check in.

In this one (Sunday November 6th) he is still in ICU waiting for a room on the Vascular floor of the hospital. Our daughter Katie and her hubby Andrew arrived on Sunday morning flying into Spokane. They were going to drive over on Saturday as soon as they got the word that Dear had a stroke but both passes between us and them were closed due to snow accumulations and hazardous conditions. Auntie Lana used her airline miles to fly them over early Sunday morning. Thank you to my generous sister for doing that.

The hospital only allows 2 people to visit at a time so we alternated our visits so Dan, Katie, Andrew and I could spend time with him.

Jamie drove to Spokane on Sunday with our grands to pick up Dan and head back home before the snow that was predicted started to fall. It was good to be able to see them and give them hugs. Jamie is amazing and brought some snacks and homemade cookies and banana bread for us all to enjoy.

Late Sunday Dear was finally moved to the vascular floor and Katie and I were with him when he was moved to his new room. When visiting hours were over Andrew picked Katie and me up and we had a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant before we settled in for the night.

While we slept Sunday night into Monday snow fell. I took the photo above out our hotel room window. Andrew needed to fly home on Monday morning for some work responsibilities. He tried booking an UBER to the airport but then they canceled so I drove him to the airport. Happy we have our snow tires on and the car does well in snowy conditions. Katie and I were proud of ourselves for putting our big girl pants on and driving in the slippery conditions. When we got back to our hotel we parked the car and decided to walk to the hospital. That walk was under 5 minutes. We walked like a penguin through the ice and snow.

Dear was very happy to be out of ICU. Doesn’t he look better already?

Katie and I spent all day on Monday with Dear. We had lunch at the hospitals cafeteria. Dear had a quiet day and was able to take a shower. The photo above is of him quite pleased after that shower!

Our son Josh and Laura had landed in Cancun when Dear had his stroke. We have been communicating back and forth with them with all the information we receive.

Visiting hours are strictly enforced and are between 9am and 6:45 PM in rooms other than ICU. Katie and I will head over at 9am today and spend some time with Dear before they start prepping him for surgery. Dan and Jamie are driving back down here today to spend some time with him before surgery, too. Jamie’s mom is watching the grands while Dan and Jamie travel to the hospital.

Thank you so much to all of you for your encouraging comments and for the prayers you offer up on our behalf. We feel those prayers and are thankful for the peace that God is giving us as we head into this new chapter in our lives. There are hurdles ahead for us and changes that we hadn’t anticipated but we move forward with the God of the Universe who gives us the strength to carry on.

With A Thankful Heart Hodgepodge

It’s time once again for the Wednesday Hodgepodge thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond.

1. What about your upbringing are you most grateful for?

My parents’ faith in God was always a priority and they modeled hard work and service to others.

2. What are two or three things that bring you comfort?

I’m clothed in Christ’s Righteousness.
I’m loved by my husband.
Our children love each other and care for one another.

3. Something beautiful you saw today? (or yesterday depending on when it is you’re answering this question)

Our daughter, dressed up to hand out Halloween candy to trick or treaters.

4. Have you ever used a typewriter? Tell us a memory associated with that.

Yes. Typewriting was a required class in Junior High. The typewriting teacher, Mr. Drummond, was a grouch who hit our fingers with a ruler if we didn’t hold them correctly when typing.

5. Something you are grateful for today.

I am grateful for a comfortable peaceful home.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We are traveling across the mountains today to attend the funeral of our dear daughter-in-law’s Grandmother. I’ll be late in visiting all of you.

Our Daughter-in-love, her Grandma Wilma, and Pat, Laura’s Mom.

Three generations, this photo was taken in November of 2009 at a Tearoom in Bothell just after Thanksgiving Day.

Wilma Amelia Foubert (March 4, 1924 – October 14, 2022)

Our DIL wrote the following about her grandma shortly after Wilma passed away.

“What a gift to have loved and been loved by such an incredible woman so many years of my life. Last night, at 98 years old, my precious Grandma Wilma passed peacefully in her home just as she had wanted. The strength and heart of our family. It’s an honor to be a part of her tribe. Love you with my whole heart forever, Grandma!”

Wilma Amelia (Hegedus) Foubert passed away peacefully at home in Bothell, Washington on Friday evening, October 14th, 2022, at age 98.

We were honored to spend time with Grandma Wilma during her life on earth. We love you Grandma Wilma. See you in heaven.

C is for Colville and The Corn Maze

Action Packed Friday and Saturday in our corner of Washington State.

A pair of our ‘Coast’ kids drove over arriving late on Thursday evening. On Friday morning our Colville kids/grands joined us for breakfast and afterwards they all helped me to clear out our front planters to get them ready for Winter. What a huge blessing that was. And we did that in the rain, another blessing. JJ thought it was fun to stand right under the stream of rain water running off the roof!

95% of the photos I’m sharing are taken by Auntie LoLo! She is the best at capturing the moments.

The guys emptied several cart loads!

We all got dry clothes on. The kids enjoyed trying on Gramps’ Cub Scout caps. We warmed up over a nice hot bowl of borsch for lunch with a loaf of fresh baked bread by Jamie.

Dinner at our Colville Kids’ home with plans to meet at the Corn Maze when it opened on Saturday.

This is the first year of our annual Corn Maze adventure that the guys came, too, since they weren’t hunting this year.

Since Auntie Katie wasn’t with us this year Addy took on the job of Map navigation.

You can see that the weather was perfect for our trudge through the stalks of corn.

Addy had help navigating from Uncle Joshie and her daddy.

Sons

Daughters-in-law and in our hearts!

Checking our bearings…

Making great time finding the 10 stations!

The final post! We made it in record time.

Time to pick out some pumpkins to carve.

Back to the mountain for pumpkin carving and lunch.

Before naptime Dan lit the fire in the pit he built to have some Smores.

A perfect couple of days in beautiful Colville with family. Thank you Auntie Lolo for the photos!

As busy as Friday and Saturday were, Sunday was coming.

Whew! A Full Weekend

Starting on Thursday last through Sunday we were busy with family and church family. I’m bushed and will share all the wonderful photos of the events we enjoyed after I recuperate! Hope you all had a good weekend!

Homeschool Hodgepodge

Hello Hodgepodgers!

Katie at graduation from the University of Washington.

Joyce From This Side of the Pond has a fresh batch of questions for us this week.

1. What’s something you wish you’d figured out sooner?

That even though our daughter was very bright (she was reading at age 3) she didn’t need to be in the ‘gifted’ classroom setting. I should have pulled her out of school and homeschooled her sooner in her elementary years. Her early primary teachers didn’t identify her giftedness and labeled her in some negative ways. In the 3rd grade she was identified as ‘gifted’ and then put in a special program for the 4th-6th grade at a different location than her regular neighborhood school. She was bullied by the other ‘gifted’ girls and it caused un-necessary stress and trauma in her young life. We pulled her out of school in the 4th grade and I homeschooled her until 7th grade. She was ready to go back to the public school setting at that time.

Katie and one of her pet rats. I think it’s Fats but it could be Pinky.

2. Something from childhood you still enjoy today?

Toast with avocado, lightly salted.

3. Are you a fidgeter?

I can be when I think things are taking longer than they should, especially in waiting rooms.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word fidget?

Toddlers or kindergarteners in a classroom setting.

4. Your favorite fall vegetable?

Sweet Potatoes/Yams

How do you like it prepared?

Classic candied with marshmallows on top.

5. What’s something you find mildly annoying, but not annoying enough to actually do anything about? Might you now?

Having to facilitate events with large groups of people going through buffet lines and beverage areas makes one uber aware of space and the smooth flow of lines of people, etc. There are clueless people who have no conscious idea that they are blocking the process. Groups of people will form a circle of conversation right in front of the beverage area or other areas blocking others from getting to and from those spaces. As annoying as it is I have found that it is what it is and it will always be that way so the only thing I might do is say, ‘could you move your conversation from in front of the beverage area, please’? Mostly, I need to just go with the flow and after I’ve made sure everything is out and available I hide in the kitchen so I don’t have to watch.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

D is for Dirt. So thankful that our DIL is homeschooling our grands and that they can play outside and get dirty!

While We Were Away

While we were across the pond two of our Coast kids drove across the Cascades to visit our Colville kids. We were happy that they could use their key to use their guestroom in our home as usual even though we weren’t home.

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Uncle Joshie is such a good sport!

My blog is my journal and scrapbook and photo album of our family events and I wanted to document this time with our Daughter-in-law’s wonderful photos! Those little ones grow so fast.

I’m at our Women’s Retreat that started last night at a Bible camp at Waitt’s Lake which is about 50 minutes away. Hope your weekend is going well.

Marcus Ciderfest 2022

On Saturday we met our family and daughter-in-law’s family at the Marcus Ciderfest. Classic cars and trucks play a big part in the fest and parade. The mustang belongs to Uncle Scott and the Thunderbird was gifted to our DIL from her grandfather.

After the cars were parked with the other classic cars and trucks we walked over to the apple processing operations to get some fresh apple cider before the crowds arrived.

Look at that mound of apple peelings!

We found a good position on the highway for the parade. Most of the participants in the parade throw candy out to the kids along the route. Our littles were magnets for the candy throwers and got a few pounds of candy!

Smokey the Bear started things off.

Colville Station Border Horse Patrol rode in the parade.

We were eagerly waiting for Granny Great and Jim to come along in Jim’s old car.

Here they come.

They see us!

There were lots of other cars and trucks and animals and politicians but these are all the photos from the parade that I’m sharing.

Waiting for a snack.

Up close and perfectly blurry. And then he insisted on taking a photo of me.

We said our goodbyes and took our 1/2 gallon of fresh cider, caramel apple and some farm stand cookies home.

Dear started on a new house project on Saturday morning before we left to the Ciderfest. Have I mentioned we’ve been waking up really early. He had a few hours to work before it was time to go. Our guest bathroom is getting a new counter top, sink, fixtures and backsplash. Once that is all done it will get a fresh coat of paint. Saturday morning was demo time.

We had a nice Sunday morning worshipping at church and came home for a relaxing day. How was your weekend?

Birthday Dinner on the ‘Coast’

Our kids on the coast planned a birthday dinner for their dad since we had to travel to that side of the state to fly out on Sunday. It was a lovely dinner and time together. I wanted to document it before Oxford takes over in my posts. Our kids on our side of the mountains had a delicious meal for Gramps on his day and we didn’t take a photo. Addy and JJ made cards for Gramps. All the kids went in on a very nice gift, too.

Off we go. We arrived and we are settling into our apartment for the next 9 days.

After we got settled we stepped out to find something for dinner. We passed the Wesley Memorial Methodist church. I’m always attracted to old substantial doors and doorways.

We enjoyed a traditional steak and ale pie and conversation with a couple from Finland and a young lady from Thailand.

Hopefully we’ll have a good nights sleep after being up for many hours and crossing too many time zones. Cheers!

Another Year

We grieve with Great Britain at the passing of beloved Queen Elizabeth II on her death yesterday. Shedding tears here. It was her appointed time dying at Balmoral, a place that seemed to bring her lots of comfort. We have no idea how the grieving period in Great Britain will impact our trip this coming week but our time will be historic.

Today is Dear’s 69th birthday. We will be celebrating his last year in his 60’s tonight and tomorrow, too. All these photos I’m sharing today are from 2006 when he was in his 50’s. We recently copied the photos from a disc from our trip with friends on what we called a Walking Tour of Great Britain. We were in Conwy Wales, The Lake District, Oban, Edinburgh and York from May 2nd until the 12th, 2006.

We flew into Manchester. There were six of us on this trip. We rented a vehicle and headed to Conwy, Wales.

The view from our bedroom at our Bed and Breakfast in Conwy.

The 2nd day in Wales we attempted to climb Mt. Snowden.

Still smiling at the beginning of the hike. It really was a difficult ascent and much more difficult descent because of the slipping steep shale path. Jan and I made it 2.6 miles and we decided to turn around and head back. The other 3 troopers carried on for another mile but had to turn back because of the high wind. It was windy enough to move our bodies. In total 5.2 miles for Ellen and Jan, 7.2 miles for Bob, Dear, and Jody. We were sore and our knees suffered for the rest of our trip.

The very bright side to this day was our dinner at Bistro Conwy. One of the best meals we’ve ever enjoyed at a restaurant. Leek soup w/potato and bacon, Casaba salad with melon-strawberries-kiwi-with a raspberry sorbet sauce-mushroom tartlets-lamb shoulder in reduction with potatoes and vegetables. Sticky toffee pudding with chocolate sauce for dessert.

From Wales we traveled to the Lake District and stayed on a working farm. We had a few Derwent River walks.

While Bob, Jan and Jody scaled this path to the top of Cats Bells, Dear’s knees stopped here on this grassy knoll and we made our way back to our Farmhouse B&B.