Grandpa Returns to the Beach

Grandpa has not wanted to go the beach since the accident over the 4th of July. Understandable. Who would want to take a chance on repeating that horrid adventure? Recovery has left him with a healthy fear of falling and a concern he will feel confused, uncomfortable or insecure if he leaves the familiar routines of home.

But Grandma needed a beach fix. Badly.

We finally talked him into going last weekend. He was okay with the idea as long as it was just G&G, Jody, Glenna, Papa & me (and of course Morris, Lenny and Dakota). Luckily all went fairly well so he has agreed to go again this weekend! It will be a little more chaotic with 13 people and 3 dogs but everyone is on board with what is needed for a safe environment and comfortable space. Fingers crossed we have another great time.

The only issue that needs worked on before we go out this weekend is his cane. Last weekend he didn't have confidence in the cane so he kept gravitating toward the comfort of a couple of old homemade walking sticks…although the sticks made him feel more balanced they would not have helped him should he start to fall. Grandma was going to talk to the nurse this week and see if she had a good solution so he feels supported and he is safe should he start to fall.

These ribs were really, really good
(grandma said they were better than grandpa's but don't tell him!)

Beautiful days out there but the North wind would pick up and create quite a chill.
Grandpa told us he hated these caps because they looked foolish on him. We all thought he looked like he should be on one of the many commercial fishing boats navigating the passage that weekend. 

Three girls planning things...and if our favorite Aunt Jody is involved in the conversation it is sure to include plenty of logicating and cogitating :)

Moving Dirt

John, Lenny, Dakota and I went to the beach the first weekend in August. We moved yards, upon yards, upon yards of dirt. And by we, I mean he.

Funny-men James and Ben delegated moving all the dirt from behind the little cabin to Glenna and me. We (this we is she and me) planned to do it.

Wise-man John said that wasn't a job for two old ladies. I watched him labor through this job; he was correct. Moving heavy loads of dry, dusty dirt was made doubly difficult by temps in the high 90's all weekend. For once I was glad to be an old lady :/

Lenny really wanted to play ball - even though he would have to sit down and take a break after only a couple of throws! And poor Dakota just couldn't resist barking at the waves.

We were rewarded with a beautiful moon over Vashon followed by a calm tranquil morning to enjoy a cup of joe before heading back to the tasks at hand.

Bad things happened in July

I planned to ignore the month of July on this blog. Bad things happened in July. 

The 5th of July was a very bad day for Grandpa. He fell, broke 2 back ribs, ended up in Swedish hospital for 3 days then on to Kline Galland Rehab facility for 2 weeks. The good that came out of this is medical care to help both Grandpa and Grandma address his balance and cognitive issues.

The 10th of July was a very bad day for Shannon. She and I stayed late at Kline Galland to help Grandpa settle in for the night. When we returned to her car around midnight the back window had been smashed in and her work computer and personal iPod were gone. I'm not sure what the good is that came out of this mess...maybe that she confirmed she has the world's greatest boss? He wasn't even a smidge upset and told her not to give it a second thought; they would deal with it when she returns.

But it occurred to me that if I didn't blog about July I would miss some great things that happened. Some really great things. So I'll blog. Because after all, journal'ing this journey of mine is my goal. Read on to find the good that July had to offer...

Ben's surprise arrival at the beach on July 3. He wasn't expected until the following week! I still remember the excitement and thrill of watching him walk through the door. It just wasn't going to be "the 4th of July" without him...and now all was OK :)

Shannon's arrival on July 4 after her week long road trip visiting friends and seeing the sights between CA and WA. I could hardly wait until she arrived home for a couple of quality weeks together. It took my breath away to see her (and brought a tear to my eye ;))

Time with family at the beach to logicate and cogitate, roast marshmallows, play games and soak up some Vitamin D. Gosh, I do love all these people!

The moon over Vashon.

Watch the very best 4th of July Fireworks Show on the planet. It was the perfect length and the perfect choice of boom, bang, color and pzazz. Ben and James orchestrated a smooth, beautiful, well coordinated display for our viewing pleasure (thanks boys!).

There was one problem that must be fixed for the 2013 fireworks show: two people just aren't enough. They were so busy running back and forth that they didn't get to look up and enjoy all their hard work. Next year there needs to be a 3rd and maybe even 4th person helping with the production (persons of their choosing of course!) It really is too good of a display to miss.

These photos do not do it justice.

Our trip to Suncadia on July 13 to celebrate mom and daddy's 50th anniversary. I'm not sure it completely belongs in the category of "good things" to remember about July but it did have shining moments of laughter, smiles and family time. I do cherish that family time. Mom and Daddy's absence was strong. For me it left a cloud over the days. The kids seemed to power through and enjoy; for that I was very grateful.

Mom and Jody's visit on Saturday was the highlight of the weekend; I'm so glad they chose to do that! Anna and Mauricio "joining" us provided many laughs - and a few squeals of surprise :)

Tess completes another etching. A second support pole on the fire pit bench gets etched with an eagle catching a fish as the water splashes underneath. Only 2 more to go!

A retaining wall in place behind the little cabin. Finally. Woohoo! That is something Grandpa has been wanting done for many years; he is pleased :) John, James, Ben and Jimmy drove pipe into the ground, moved dirt and placed boards to keep the hill off the house (Jimmy works for John - and is a good friend of James). As an added bonus they drove pipe behind the turnaround retaining wall too. Sweet deal. I'm working on a complete online album of this project but for now you can view a few snapshots here.

Two more trees down on the south side of the big cabin. Good timing. We are nearly out of indoor firewood. Next comes the hard work of splitting, chopping and hauling. Think we'll wait for the 80-90 degree weather to go away; sounds like a good fall project :)

The sleeping/tool cabin is complete (minus a few decorative details the boys have planned and curtains we've been assigned to find). This has been a collaborative effort over the past year; yeah team!!

Thanks to John, contractor Shaun, Daniel, Alex (Daniel's friend) and go-fer's Glenna and me, the roof doesn't leak, the front windows work and the walls and porch are solid and bug free.

The terrific team of Glenna, David, John, Grandma and me painted the tool room and the outside of the building.

The sleeping room received the expert cleaning and decorative dealings of Glenna, James, Kristin and Ben; love, love, love the blue/green motif and the fact that it comfortably sleeps four with ample room for personal belongings.

And finally, thanks to John, James and Ben, the tool room is now filled - so filled we may need to reconfigure the pump house and turn it into a garden center to get some things out of the tool room. Always another project around every corner ;)

Enjoy a pictorial walk down memory lane on this project (I need to get snapshots of the filled and organized tool room as well as the outfitted sleeping room - oops, thought I did that - I'll post them separately).