I just wanted to add that I think my older sister, Cathy, also participated in the May Day baskets. I had a great childhood. I will share more stories as the smells bring forward more memories. I will encourage Gary to relate some of his childhood memories as well.
I would like to also welcome Gary's mom and dad, Dee and Ruth, to Boise. We closed on their house April 26, 2012. Yay!!!!! They have gone back to the farm to gather more of their belongings that they are bringing to their new home and will be back on the weekend. It will be wonderful to have them closer to all the kids who live in the Boise Valley. A little further from Wyoming, tho, where two of his brothers and their families live.
I also am celebrating another year of being alive!!! May 4th is my 51st birthday. Wow!! It sounds so old. I am so thankful to God for his healing of my cancer. What an Awesome God he is.
Love and Blessings,
Gary and Sue
Gary and Sue
Monday, April 30, 2012
April 30, 2012
Happy May Day!
When I was a young girl living in Weiser, Idaho, my friends, brother and I would gather flowers, mostly lilacs, and put them in baskets made from paper and would put them on the neighbors doorsteps. We would knock, or ring the doorbell and then run away, giggling and shushing each other, to a pre-determined hiding spot, that would give us an advantage point of being able to watch the door we had just left. What a happy memory. I believe it is also a lost tradition.
I do so love the smell of spring. The sweetness of all the flowers and flowering trees smell so wonderfully good. The smell evokes many precious memories. Spring meant it was time to spend more time outside. One of the memories I recall fondly is giving my younger brother Tim, a ride on the back of my bicycle. It was easier for me to start out if I could use the curb to balance when he climbed on the back, however, it was more fun for Tim (who I must say was very good at making his older sister do what he wanted) to have me start by the garage, which was at the top of a small hill. He liked to ride down the hill. I guess he liked to feel the wind blowing through his hair. (he he, he! He wore a crew cut) It was very scary for me as well as quite wobbly. Great memory.
I don't know how the font was changed. The computer did all on its own. I guess there could be a slight possibility that I hit a key. Oh well. I am technically challenged.
Gary has been holding his own these days. He still struggles with leg pain off and on. I do have to admit, even with that being told, he can ride circles around me on the bicycle. It seems like old times. He would ride ahead and look back and see that I was quite some distance behind him. He would come back and say sorry for ditching me and then ride around and around me, until I would complain that he was making me nervous. Well, he is once again doing that. I look at this as progress and a great gift from God! I can hardly move when we get home and I am pretty sure Gary is not riding as far as he could because he knows I am spent. He does have his limitations. I think one of his biggest issues is hydrating with water. He does not like to have to go to the bathroom. This is his biggest complaint when I give him grief for his lack of hydration. We need to continue to encourage him to drink water to work the radiation poisoning out of his system. I know that, even after two years, I still am working out the chemo and radiation that I was exposed to. Also, we are not, unfortunately as young as we once were and it takes us longer to heal.
Gary also has struggles with his side and ribs after he rides the sports rider. I am struggling with his soreness. I have the doubt and worry creep in to my mind. I have to continuously push it away and put my faith and trust back into my Heavenly Father. It is through Him that we will come through these struggles.
Tai Chi is going great! Unfortunately, Gary was unable to attend tonight, April 30, due to intestinal issues. He awoke with some stomach cramps. We had our smoothies and I went off to GT. He said he ate a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and then his stomach started cramping worse. He then, darn it, was running to the toilet and getting a butt ring. I went to view a house and then came home to get him for Tai Chi. He was still in his jammies and was not up to going. This is the first time he has missed class. I missed last Wednesday because I was with clients.(WooHoo!!) Arthur, our instructor, worked us hard today. My leg was a wobbling. It didn't help that I was sore from riding my bike on Sunday. It was a great class. We are actually starting to look like we might know what we are doing.
My baby kitty has also recovered from whatever it was that made her ill. She has decided she likes eating the can moist food I feed Lucky, our dog. She does not like the canned cat food so much, but begs for me to feed Lucky his canned food, which I only give him occationally. She is very spoiled. I love seeing the two kittens playing and running. They are enjoying the warm weather and are starting to beg to go out back.
Well Gary has come out of the bedroom in search of me. I guess it is almost 11:00. Sleep is hard to come by these days. My mind doesn't want to shut off and I get out of bed about every 2 hours. I am striving to empty my mind and not plan and day(night)dream of things I desire. My husband is alive and that is enough for me.
I hope everyone enjoys these beautiful spring days, rain and all. I wish you baskets of flowers on your door steps when you awake tomorrow. We send out thoughts of laughter and happiness.
Love and Blessings,
Gary and Sue
When I was a young girl living in Weiser, Idaho, my friends, brother and I would gather flowers, mostly lilacs, and put them in baskets made from paper and would put them on the neighbors doorsteps. We would knock, or ring the doorbell and then run away, giggling and shushing each other, to a pre-determined hiding spot, that would give us an advantage point of being able to watch the door we had just left. What a happy memory. I believe it is also a lost tradition.
I do so love the smell of spring. The sweetness of all the flowers and flowering trees smell so wonderfully good. The smell evokes many precious memories. Spring meant it was time to spend more time outside. One of the memories I recall fondly is giving my younger brother Tim, a ride on the back of my bicycle. It was easier for me to start out if I could use the curb to balance when he climbed on the back, however, it was more fun for Tim (who I must say was very good at making his older sister do what he wanted) to have me start by the garage, which was at the top of a small hill. He liked to ride down the hill. I guess he liked to feel the wind blowing through his hair. (he he, he! He wore a crew cut) It was very scary for me as well as quite wobbly. Great memory.
I don't know how the font was changed. The computer did all on its own. I guess there could be a slight possibility that I hit a key. Oh well. I am technically challenged.
Gary has been holding his own these days. He still struggles with leg pain off and on. I do have to admit, even with that being told, he can ride circles around me on the bicycle. It seems like old times. He would ride ahead and look back and see that I was quite some distance behind him. He would come back and say sorry for ditching me and then ride around and around me, until I would complain that he was making me nervous. Well, he is once again doing that. I look at this as progress and a great gift from God! I can hardly move when we get home and I am pretty sure Gary is not riding as far as he could because he knows I am spent. He does have his limitations. I think one of his biggest issues is hydrating with water. He does not like to have to go to the bathroom. This is his biggest complaint when I give him grief for his lack of hydration. We need to continue to encourage him to drink water to work the radiation poisoning out of his system. I know that, even after two years, I still am working out the chemo and radiation that I was exposed to. Also, we are not, unfortunately as young as we once were and it takes us longer to heal.
Gary also has struggles with his side and ribs after he rides the sports rider. I am struggling with his soreness. I have the doubt and worry creep in to my mind. I have to continuously push it away and put my faith and trust back into my Heavenly Father. It is through Him that we will come through these struggles.
Tai Chi is going great! Unfortunately, Gary was unable to attend tonight, April 30, due to intestinal issues. He awoke with some stomach cramps. We had our smoothies and I went off to GT. He said he ate a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and then his stomach started cramping worse. He then, darn it, was running to the toilet and getting a butt ring. I went to view a house and then came home to get him for Tai Chi. He was still in his jammies and was not up to going. This is the first time he has missed class. I missed last Wednesday because I was with clients.(WooHoo!!) Arthur, our instructor, worked us hard today. My leg was a wobbling. It didn't help that I was sore from riding my bike on Sunday. It was a great class. We are actually starting to look like we might know what we are doing.
My baby kitty has also recovered from whatever it was that made her ill. She has decided she likes eating the can moist food I feed Lucky, our dog. She does not like the canned cat food so much, but begs for me to feed Lucky his canned food, which I only give him occationally. She is very spoiled. I love seeing the two kittens playing and running. They are enjoying the warm weather and are starting to beg to go out back.
Well Gary has come out of the bedroom in search of me. I guess it is almost 11:00. Sleep is hard to come by these days. My mind doesn't want to shut off and I get out of bed about every 2 hours. I am striving to empty my mind and not plan and day(night)dream of things I desire. My husband is alive and that is enough for me.
I hope everyone enjoys these beautiful spring days, rain and all. I wish you baskets of flowers on your door steps when you awake tomorrow. We send out thoughts of laughter and happiness.
Love and Blessings,
Gary and Sue
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
April 10, 2012
Easter blessings to all. He is Risen. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!
We went out of town for the Easter Weekend. We gathered with our family and friends,(who we consider our family). I struggled with quite a lot of guilt. I have been raised that I go to church on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and it would be great if we also attended Easter Sunday. As we sped along the freeway on Friday, I wrestled with this guilt. I did not want to disappoint God or anyone else. My interpertation of Good Friday has been to be filled with remorse and guilt because Jesus died for my sins. I have also embraced that I was a sinner for not attending church. I just prayed and prayed that God would direct my thoughts and forgive me for not going to Holy Week Services. I watched the clouds dancing across the beautiful blue sky that God blessed us with. I then started feeling so thankful that God blessed me with my wonderful family. We were together and living. We were embracing the life that Jesus gave us. I asked myself, is this not the gift that Jesus gave us. We need to show our thanksgiving by showing love and compassion to those who cross our path. We need to walk a path of forgiveness when we feel we might have been wronged. Jesus forgives us!
We went to Almo, Idaho. It is near the City of Rocks. Rachel won a gift package to The Outpost Inn, as well as a pass to Pomerelle Ski Area and Durfee Hot Springs. What a fun weekend! Gary actually drove both ways. It is about a 4 hour trip one way. We stopped in Burley to gas up the suburban and then we had to eat at one of our children's most favorite burger joints. We call it AC Greasy, however, I believe the real name is AC Drive In. They have the most delicious white sauce on their burgers that we have not been able to find anywhere else. Their onion rings are pretty delicious as well. We then proceeded the rest of the way to Almo.
The Inn is very nice. Quite surprising as it is tucked away in a very small town. There isn't even a store in Almo. There were 23 of us in our party. We were blessed with much laughter and love. Our son, Ajay, along with our dear friend Ed, his son Chad and another friend, Johnny, entertained us on Saturday night after dinner with a guitar session. A dear friend that I graduated with stopped in with her husband briefly to say hello. It was wonderful to visit, even though it was far too short.
Gary joined in a group that went out farther into the desert and shot some guns. He sure enjoyed himself. It was so wonderful to see the twinkle in his eye from shooting the guns.
Sunday morning, after checking out, we headed home, after first stopping at our wonderful friend's, Tommy and Brenda, where we enjoyed a delicious breakfast. We definately did not lack for food over the weekend. God sure does provide a wonderful bounty! Tommy and Brenda's son Brian took pictures when they attended the benefit in February. They shared those pictures with us this weekend. Gary told me upon arriving home, that Barrie, Tommy and Brenda's daughter, showed him the pictures and he did not like it. He said he looked like he was a walking skeleton. He thought he looked dead. I had to let him know that he did look quite poorly. I also told him that is why I just smile when he talks about his tummy that he now has. It is definately better than not having any meat on his bones.
Gary was very tired upon arriving home. He was hurting also, however, he joined me in going to my sister's house and having Easter dinner with her, my neice Sheila and her boyfriend Will, as well as my parents. We once again were blessed with a bountiful feast. Thank you Cate! Thank you God!! Unfortunately, we had to leave rather early.My stomach had had enough rich, yummy food and it let me know. Gary was hurting quite a lot from the drive. He says it is just muscles that he has not used for awhile. It is amazing how quickly one loses muscle mass. Gary wanted to mow the front lawn on Monday, but I had to encourage him to rest. I wanted him to be able to attend our Tai Chi class. He fixed the lawn mower bag by duck taping the hole. (you know you are a redneck when....) Gary did not have as much pain in his hip Monday night at Tai Chi. That is improvement. He did not get shaky in his legs until the class was almost over, either. Praise God!! We are really liking the class.
Backing up time a bit, Evan, who joined us in Almo, entered a Pond Skim contest at Pomerelle. Pond Skim is when an individual snowboards or skis down part of the ski hill and boards or skis across a water pond and lands on the other side. The rider gets lower and lower on the take off hill until eventually it gets harder to skim the pond. There was one person who ended up getting hurt after landing on the other side. Then another man did not make it across and was the first to get wet. Evan was the second to get wet, but not because he was unable to make it across, but because he chose to superman into the water. What do I mean? Well, he rode down and then launched spread eagle into the water. Brrrrr!!!!! It was quite funny, but a little frightening as well. I thought he was going to his the slope on the other side. He actually won biggest splash as well as two other categories. One of the best things about this contest: Gary walked up the hill to watch. It pained my legs and tired me to walk up, I can only guess how tired he was feeling. Another miracle by the Grace of God. It was another beautiful, sunny day. When the wind died down, it also felt spring-like.
Gary even made me dinner tonight. I was working at the shop, as well as real estate and I had a PEO meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. I called him right before 5:00p.m. and asked if he could make dinner. It was so nice to come home at 6:15 to a hot delicious meal. I did not have to scurry around trying to make dinner and make my meeting on time. Once again, great improvement in Gary's health and strength.
Well it is getting late and we are tired. Gary walked today. He also worked on getting the pool ready to fire up. It is a nasty, brown scummy pond right now. Yuch! The ducks aren't even landing on it now. I wish everyone a peaceful sleep. Good night, sweet dreams!
Love and Blessings,
Gary and Sue
We went out of town for the Easter Weekend. We gathered with our family and friends,(who we consider our family). I struggled with quite a lot of guilt. I have been raised that I go to church on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and it would be great if we also attended Easter Sunday. As we sped along the freeway on Friday, I wrestled with this guilt. I did not want to disappoint God or anyone else. My interpertation of Good Friday has been to be filled with remorse and guilt because Jesus died for my sins. I have also embraced that I was a sinner for not attending church. I just prayed and prayed that God would direct my thoughts and forgive me for not going to Holy Week Services. I watched the clouds dancing across the beautiful blue sky that God blessed us with. I then started feeling so thankful that God blessed me with my wonderful family. We were together and living. We were embracing the life that Jesus gave us. I asked myself, is this not the gift that Jesus gave us. We need to show our thanksgiving by showing love and compassion to those who cross our path. We need to walk a path of forgiveness when we feel we might have been wronged. Jesus forgives us!
We went to Almo, Idaho. It is near the City of Rocks. Rachel won a gift package to The Outpost Inn, as well as a pass to Pomerelle Ski Area and Durfee Hot Springs. What a fun weekend! Gary actually drove both ways. It is about a 4 hour trip one way. We stopped in Burley to gas up the suburban and then we had to eat at one of our children's most favorite burger joints. We call it AC Greasy, however, I believe the real name is AC Drive In. They have the most delicious white sauce on their burgers that we have not been able to find anywhere else. Their onion rings are pretty delicious as well. We then proceeded the rest of the way to Almo.
The Inn is very nice. Quite surprising as it is tucked away in a very small town. There isn't even a store in Almo. There were 23 of us in our party. We were blessed with much laughter and love. Our son, Ajay, along with our dear friend Ed, his son Chad and another friend, Johnny, entertained us on Saturday night after dinner with a guitar session. A dear friend that I graduated with stopped in with her husband briefly to say hello. It was wonderful to visit, even though it was far too short.
Gary joined in a group that went out farther into the desert and shot some guns. He sure enjoyed himself. It was so wonderful to see the twinkle in his eye from shooting the guns.
Sunday morning, after checking out, we headed home, after first stopping at our wonderful friend's, Tommy and Brenda, where we enjoyed a delicious breakfast. We definately did not lack for food over the weekend. God sure does provide a wonderful bounty! Tommy and Brenda's son Brian took pictures when they attended the benefit in February. They shared those pictures with us this weekend. Gary told me upon arriving home, that Barrie, Tommy and Brenda's daughter, showed him the pictures and he did not like it. He said he looked like he was a walking skeleton. He thought he looked dead. I had to let him know that he did look quite poorly. I also told him that is why I just smile when he talks about his tummy that he now has. It is definately better than not having any meat on his bones.
Gary was very tired upon arriving home. He was hurting also, however, he joined me in going to my sister's house and having Easter dinner with her, my neice Sheila and her boyfriend Will, as well as my parents. We once again were blessed with a bountiful feast. Thank you Cate! Thank you God!! Unfortunately, we had to leave rather early.My stomach had had enough rich, yummy food and it let me know. Gary was hurting quite a lot from the drive. He says it is just muscles that he has not used for awhile. It is amazing how quickly one loses muscle mass. Gary wanted to mow the front lawn on Monday, but I had to encourage him to rest. I wanted him to be able to attend our Tai Chi class. He fixed the lawn mower bag by duck taping the hole. (you know you are a redneck when....) Gary did not have as much pain in his hip Monday night at Tai Chi. That is improvement. He did not get shaky in his legs until the class was almost over, either. Praise God!! We are really liking the class.
Backing up time a bit, Evan, who joined us in Almo, entered a Pond Skim contest at Pomerelle. Pond Skim is when an individual snowboards or skis down part of the ski hill and boards or skis across a water pond and lands on the other side. The rider gets lower and lower on the take off hill until eventually it gets harder to skim the pond. There was one person who ended up getting hurt after landing on the other side. Then another man did not make it across and was the first to get wet. Evan was the second to get wet, but not because he was unable to make it across, but because he chose to superman into the water. What do I mean? Well, he rode down and then launched spread eagle into the water. Brrrrr!!!!! It was quite funny, but a little frightening as well. I thought he was going to his the slope on the other side. He actually won biggest splash as well as two other categories. One of the best things about this contest: Gary walked up the hill to watch. It pained my legs and tired me to walk up, I can only guess how tired he was feeling. Another miracle by the Grace of God. It was another beautiful, sunny day. When the wind died down, it also felt spring-like.
Gary even made me dinner tonight. I was working at the shop, as well as real estate and I had a PEO meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. I called him right before 5:00p.m. and asked if he could make dinner. It was so nice to come home at 6:15 to a hot delicious meal. I did not have to scurry around trying to make dinner and make my meeting on time. Once again, great improvement in Gary's health and strength.
Well it is getting late and we are tired. Gary walked today. He also worked on getting the pool ready to fire up. It is a nasty, brown scummy pond right now. Yuch! The ducks aren't even landing on it now. I wish everyone a peaceful sleep. Good night, sweet dreams!
Love and Blessings,
Gary and Sue
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