Two days ago we lost a great friend, Don Lichliter. If Don could hear all the praise and comments on what a wonderful person he was, he would push it aside with true humility and talk about someone he admired. He was enthusiastic about everything, even the things he didn't like. Always honest, though sometimes brash, this guy was lover of Jesus Christ. He followed to the point of acknowledging his mistakes and confessing them openly. His efforts to be what Scripture said he should be were refreshing and a model for even long-time Christians.
Dave wanted to observe Don's reaction when he met Jesus. Truly a wonderful event! We mourn because we have lost a good friend now but also rejoice that it won't be for eternity. When we catch up with him in Heaven, he will have it all scoped out. What a joy to anticipate! Will you be there too?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Changing our Name
Well, it has become official. Dave has accepted a transfer to the East Coast which will not begin until June 1, 2010. Guess we'll have to change our name then. The territory just north of Kristi and Matt became available and we jumped to be able to be closer to our sweet grandboys. My parents stayed in California and missed out on a lot of my kids lives. Don't want that to be our legacy.
We're looking in the north-of-Baltimore area so, if anyone has feedback of a good place for us to land, send it along. We've driven through and visited D.C. one summer but that doesn't give us much to go on. Dave got to go out for a weekend and Kristi brought the boys up to see him. It was "meet and greet" time for him and Gabe. What can I say? Dave fell in love with the little one and renewed his relationship with Ben.
In the meantime, we are plodding along with Grandmother in tow. She has her days -- some good and some not-so-good. We have applied for in-home care from the state but, with all the cutbacks, that doesn't look good. It would be beneficial to her (and us too) if we could have someone come in for a couple of hours a day just to talk and take walks with her. Her memory is getting worse. She can't remember how to set the table without guidance. It is a sad thing! Life goes on and she is getting left behind and feeling very lost. This disease, like a funeral, makes you consider your mortality and quality of life. Take care of yourself now! It could catch up with you before you're ready for it to.
G-mom still prays for her kids and grandkids though and reads her Bible each day. She even prays when her hair is blown in the wind while riding in the convertible with the top down. Pretty funny! I left my cell phone at work last Friday and, not wanting to leave it all weekend, Dave drove me back to get it. G-mom was napping and it only took about 30 min. However, she was awake when we got back and very upset. She had been trying to call us and couldn't get it done. She was sitting at the desk with the cable remote in her hand and asked in frustration, "How do I call you on this?" Even techno-tarded Dave had to laugh at that.
Thank God for the "funnies" of Grandmother. Bless you all until I get time and events enough to write again.
We're looking in the north-of-Baltimore area so, if anyone has feedback of a good place for us to land, send it along. We've driven through and visited D.C. one summer but that doesn't give us much to go on. Dave got to go out for a weekend and Kristi brought the boys up to see him. It was "meet and greet" time for him and Gabe. What can I say? Dave fell in love with the little one and renewed his relationship with Ben.
In the meantime, we are plodding along with Grandmother in tow. She has her days -- some good and some not-so-good. We have applied for in-home care from the state but, with all the cutbacks, that doesn't look good. It would be beneficial to her (and us too) if we could have someone come in for a couple of hours a day just to talk and take walks with her. Her memory is getting worse. She can't remember how to set the table without guidance. It is a sad thing! Life goes on and she is getting left behind and feeling very lost. This disease, like a funeral, makes you consider your mortality and quality of life. Take care of yourself now! It could catch up with you before you're ready for it to.
G-mom still prays for her kids and grandkids though and reads her Bible each day. She even prays when her hair is blown in the wind while riding in the convertible with the top down. Pretty funny! I left my cell phone at work last Friday and, not wanting to leave it all weekend, Dave drove me back to get it. G-mom was napping and it only took about 30 min. However, she was awake when we got back and very upset. She had been trying to call us and couldn't get it done. She was sitting at the desk with the cable remote in her hand and asked in frustration, "How do I call you on this?" Even techno-tarded Dave had to laugh at that.
Thank God for the "funnies" of Grandmother. Bless you all until I get time and events enough to write again.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Almond Blossoms
Dave and I went out to take some pictures of the almond blossoms today. Most of the orchards are almost at peak and we're having rain! That means the bees can't get out to pollinate the blossoms;
pray for some sun for us. What is really cool is when you can look out over acres of white flowers with the Sierra snowcaps in the background. It's hard to get it with a camera though. In the next week the two varieties of peaches will be in total bloom. They have two different colors of pink so we'll try to get them for you to see.
Our apricot tree in the backyard is almost fully bloomed. We had three 5-gallon buckets full of them last year. This year we'll probably thin them out some so the fruit will be bigger. Mike and Mary Ellen Wright came for dinner a couple of weeks ago. It was great to catch up with them. Anyway, Mike thought I was remiss in not making some pies and didn't comprehend that there wasn't time to make them. Guess that is a challenge for me this year! He said I could become his favorite aunt if I made one for him...?
Remember, this was taken the last day of February. My azaleas are in bright color too.The G-Mom is not doing well. Most of the time she is trying to leave to "go home" and finds it difficult to comprehend that this is her home now. One day a couple of weeks ago Dave felt that the Lord directed him to go the long way home. Coming into Riverbank, he saw her walking alongside the highway about half a mile from home. Since then, we have had to keep the doors and gates locked. If he hadn't come home that way, we would not have known where to look for her! Add to that the busy (2 lane) highway she was following and no ID...you see what I mean!
On yeah, I got a job! When Hershey left Oakdale, the Sconza Candy Company bought their building. I worked with the buyers for several months while they were doing their due diligence and got to know them pretty well. Now I'm working for them! Not only that, I'm sitting at the very same desk I worked at for Hershey. It is very strange...but definitely a God-thing. I had been sending resumes and applications for 2 months when I had the urge to send an e-mail to them to ask about a position. I knew they had a Job Fair back in August and had over 2,600 people fill out applications for about 80 jobs. Well, it turns out that the HR Director is the former Hershey HR Director and she knew me (having worked some for her also). Long to short--I applied for the Operations Assistant (to the VP, Operations) position. It was not available before because the incumbent got pregnant and didn't want to drive to Oakdale. (If she does come back, it will be in a different position.) I was almost a "shoe-in"! Really a God-directed-thing. Thanks for any prayers you said for me. It helped me hold on with less stress this time than the 2 former times I was unemployed in 2008. God is faithful!!
Well, thought we would send a touch of California your way. Miss our friends from the Midwest but love the weather here! Y'all come see us out here. We have lots for you to see--besides just us.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tripping with Grandmother
Maybe we were just crazy but we decided to take Grandmother with us to Seattle for a week. Since Kelli is out of work and I am too, it was just the "right time" to go see her in her new environment. So, off we went.
We stopped in Red Bluff where I (Kay) grew up. It is always so amazing how it is still the same and yet has changed. Then we charged up I-5. It was still just as beautiful as I remembered. I took lots of shots of Mt. Shasta; you can see why.
We stopped in Albany, Oregon to see a guy I grew up with that Dave has been becoming a fan of. Charlie Moe and his wife, Linda (aka LMoe), came to have dinner and breakfast with us. It is so fascinating to relate to a childhood friend now as senior adults. Having our foundation in Christ is what makes a relationship still possible.
We went on up to Portland and helped Dave find some customers. Then on to Seat
tle to see Kelli. Grandmother and I spent the morning with her and then Dave came and we had d
inner with her and Jenette. Mom was quite tired by the time we got to our room.There were quite a few picture opportunities as we came down the Oregon coast. It took a whole day. Dave said I should have carpal finger from snapping so many shots. Hope you enjoy what I have posted.
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Great Adventure
Nancy, Allison and Betsy came for the day this past Saturday. What a Great Adventure! I was driving or I could have gotten pics of the girls singing what became our theme song. What a hoot!
We decided to take them to Yosemite because we could see so much from the car and Mom wouldn't have to get out and walk so much. It was wonderful weather...low 80's in the Central Valley and low 70's in the Yosemite valley. We left town in the van with everyone eating on a 5" long 2" diameter burrito. I'm not sure any were actually finished but we made good headway.
We got up Priet's Grade, the first of the winding roads, and had to pull over and change the front driver's side tire. Unfortunately, the (replacement) jack we had didn't get the car off the road enough to take the tire off. So-o-o, Nancy and Ali flagged down another van and we borrowed a jack. Mom sat in the van while Dave was under it. Betsy, Ali and I took pictures and Nancy asked questions of the guy who loaned us the van to distract him from how long it seemed to take. We tried to get the tire fixed at the AAA tow/auto repair just up the road a mile but it was beyond help. Of course, we then had to stop every few miles to tighten the lug nuts until they finally got seated. I'm glad it was late enough in the year and the day that the places to pull over weren't full.
You'll see from the pictures that this is a photographer's Heaven. They even have a meadow area named for Ansell Adams. Come stay in the summer and get art lessons from professionals who pay for their lodging by giving the lessons to vacationers.
At the end of the day we stopped in Mariposa at the Happy Burger Diner and had a sandwich or salad & sundae. We spent 8 hrs. (11-7) in the saddle but had a fun time.
Mom/Grandmother was very excited to see and be with her girls again. In fact, she stayed up until 9:30 p.m. and didn't get up until 7:00 a.m. Quite a stimulating day!
Pictures for your enjoyment:
We decided to take them to Yosemite because we could see so much from the car and Mom wouldn't have to get out and walk so much. It was wonderful weather...low 80's in the Central Valley and low 70's in the Yosemite valley. We left town in the van with everyone eating on a 5" long 2" diameter burrito. I'm not sure any were actually finished but we made good headway.
We got up Priet's Grade, the first of the winding roads, and had to pull over and change the front driver's side tire. Unfortunately, the (replacement) jack we had didn't get the car off the road enough to take the tire off. So-o-o, Nancy and Ali flagged down another van and we borrowed a jack. Mom sat in the van while Dave was under it. Betsy, Ali and I took pictures and Nancy asked questions of the guy who loaned us the van to distract him from how long it seemed to take. We tried to get the tire fixed at the AAA tow/auto repair just up the road a mile but it was beyond help. Of course, we then had to stop every few miles to tighten the lug nuts until they finally got seated. I'm glad it was late enough in the year and the day that the places to pull over weren't full.
You'll see from the pictures that this is a photographer's Heaven. They even have a meadow area named for Ansell Adams. Come stay in the summer and get art lessons from professionals who pay for their lodging by giving the lessons to vacationers.
At the end of the day we stopped in Mariposa at the Happy Burger Diner and had a sandwich or salad & sundae. We spent 8 hrs. (11-7) in the saddle but had a fun time.
Mom/Grandmother was very excited to see and be with her girls again. In fact, she stayed up until 9:30 p.m. and didn't get up until 7:00 a.m. Quite a stimulating day!
Pictures for your enjoyment:
Sunday, September 28, 2008
September already!
Well, September arrived with a deflating fanfare. I (Kay) thought I was going to be paid for the first holiday in years! Not so...I was still a temporary. Since my first 2 weeks of work were only 1/2 days and there were 2 holidays I didn't get paid for, my 570 hrs. were not reached until Sept. 19 instead of the first. Oh well....as of tomorrow, Sept. 29, I will be permanent and will get benefits! I have been part-time or temporary since 1992 so this feels almost like a new experience.
Just for the record, I am working as an Administrative Secretary for the President (and other executives) of Northern Refrigerated Transportation, Inc., a small trucking company in Turlock. Another girl, Karen Curtis, (notice the two KC's) shares the job with me. They had to split it up because it was too much for one person. Thank God! I didn't ever realize it but God did and He gave me the better half! I work mostly on the computer and with the sales people. The phones and the tedious part of the job are Karen's. She also has to deal with the difficult person in Rates and Tariffs that would have my remisis.
Well, I turned 59 on the 14th of this month. What a joy! I'm not the "old" person I thought I would be at this age. Don't get me wrong, it isn't all wonderful because there are still aches and pains and loss of memory, but it is better than I thought it would be.
Dave is still enjoying his job. He loves the travel (of course) and is always wanting me to join him. Maybe some day--the sooner the better! He took some pictures in Oregon while he was walking one night after dinner. I'll try to get them put on this blog. If not, I'll try again next time.
He has been languishing because the Corvette is under the weather and he feel the need for his "convertible therapy". It gets put to the end of the money so it hasn't had much done for a while. He got a fuel pump online and put that in today but it still needs a few other parts.
Mom watched "Facing the Giants" this afternoon and went to bed by 6:45 p.m. She just doesn't have much strength or energy. Even just sitting, like today, wears her out. Of course, she is up by 6:00 a.m. but we usually are too. It's the weekends when we can't keep her in bed. She can get her own breakfast of cereal, thankfully!
She does seem to have more times when her memory or ability to process thoughts or even remember words are impaired. We went to dinner Wednesday night with my sister, Neva, her husband, John, and my dad. I told her just before we arrived who was going to be there. I'm not sure where the disconnect occurred, however, as we were leaving, she asked the name of "the lady we ate with." I reminded her it was my sister and dad. She thought I was joking and didn't believe me until I insisted. It takes me off guard so quickly. Both Dave and I are learning how to cope better after we get our breath knocked out of us like that.
Today we ate at a Mexican restaurant. Most places out here do not have tacos like Taco Bell and she is cofused by that. So, we try to get other items she will recognize and can eat. Today, after 3-4 suggestions, Dave just ordered a burrito for her and it was fine. It is easier to have children at a restaurant. When she is aware of what is going on or has happened, she is grateful for our help but it is difficult to get through it without some conflict. I'm sure she will outlive both of us so then Bob & Debi can have their turn...hee! hee! ;^ (that's a kissy face).
Well, it is supposed to be in the 90's all week. The water in the pool is cooler than it has been though and my swimming has tapered off. Still in shorts for church and have the air on. Come see us! Dave is a willing guide...and he is free! Love to all who love us too,
the california cooks
Just for the record, I am working as an Administrative Secretary for the President (and other executives) of Northern Refrigerated Transportation, Inc., a small trucking company in Turlock. Another girl, Karen Curtis, (notice the two KC's) shares the job with me. They had to split it up because it was too much for one person. Thank God! I didn't ever realize it but God did and He gave me the better half! I work mostly on the computer and with the sales people. The phones and the tedious part of the job are Karen's. She also has to deal with the difficult person in Rates and Tariffs that would have my remisis.
Well, I turned 59 on the 14th of this month. What a joy! I'm not the "old" person I thought I would be at this age. Don't get me wrong, it isn't all wonderful because there are still aches and pains and loss of memory, but it is better than I thought it would be.
Dave is still enjoying his job. He loves the travel (of course) and is always wanting me to join him. Maybe some day--the sooner the better! He took some pictures in Oregon while he was walking one night after dinner. I'll try to get them put on this blog. If not, I'll try again next time.
He has been languishing because the Corvette is under the weather and he feel the need for his "convertible therapy". It gets put to the end of the money so it hasn't had much done for a while. He got a fuel pump online and put that in today but it still needs a few other parts.
Mom watched "Facing the Giants" this afternoon and went to bed by 6:45 p.m. She just doesn't have much strength or energy. Even just sitting, like today, wears her out. Of course, she is up by 6:00 a.m. but we usually are too. It's the weekends when we can't keep her in bed. She can get her own breakfast of cereal, thankfully!
She does seem to have more times when her memory or ability to process thoughts or even remember words are impaired. We went to dinner Wednesday night with my sister, Neva, her husband, John, and my dad. I told her just before we arrived who was going to be there. I'm not sure where the disconnect occurred, however, as we were leaving, she asked the name of "the lady we ate with." I reminded her it was my sister and dad. She thought I was joking and didn't believe me until I insisted. It takes me off guard so quickly. Both Dave and I are learning how to cope better after we get our breath knocked out of us like that.
Today we ate at a Mexican restaurant. Most places out here do not have tacos like Taco Bell and she is cofused by that. So, we try to get other items she will recognize and can eat. Today, after 3-4 suggestions, Dave just ordered a burrito for her and it was fine. It is easier to have children at a restaurant. When she is aware of what is going on or has happened, she is grateful for our help but it is difficult to get through it without some conflict. I'm sure she will outlive both of us so then Bob & Debi can have their turn...hee! hee! ;^ (that's a kissy face).
Well, it is supposed to be in the 90's all week. The water in the pool is cooler than it has been though and my swimming has tapered off. Still in shorts for church and have the air on. Come see us! Dave is a willing guide...and he is free! Love to all who love us too,
the california cooks
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Shaving with Granddad
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Rhapsody of Excitement
