Getting Older - Blah!

Two weeks after we moved to Pensacola. Now our children are the ages we were here. Aging!

15 years later 2004 at Rachel and Howard's wedding - - - Trying to age gracefully - - Yikes

Taken in Puerto Rico in 2000 when Dean was named Employee of the Quarter for Southeast region. Ten years later we are aged by 1/5 of a lifetime and the wrinkles show it and the years are flying now!!!! Someone turn off the time machine please! See profile picture to the right for our most recent photo. I wonder what we'll look like in 5 years and 10 years. Even my gums look younger in this picture than they do now. "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be. " It's true. We are much less stressed than we were 10 years ago. Not that life is less stressful but we are better at handling it. Ahhh, Experience! What a gift! We look calm in this photo but this evening was very stressful for Dean and so it was for me too. Fun but Stressed!

The thing I remember about this evening was that we were sitting next to one of the senior VP's of Dean's company who was killed 4 months later on the plane that flew into the Pentagon during the 911 hijackings. He was so handsome and kind and friendly and made us feel completely comfortable. He had a beautiful wife and children. We were so impressed by him and enjoyed visiting with him at this dinner and then a few months later he was taken at the hands of very bad men.

We've made the decision - - when!

I was to be in Utah this week and stay for a month. Dean had surgery on Monday and I was going to assist him through it and then stay with him for a month. Ever since we planned for me to go I never felt like I would go but I still kept planning to go. It seemed like the right thing to do and yet there was this knawing feeling that it wouldn't happen.

On Saturday last week, Clay was in the office of our home eating his lunch and looking for jobs to apply for on the computer. I heard him call me, "Mom? . . . " Then there was a pause after I answered, "Yes Claydee?" The next thing that happened was I heard this long garbled sentence come from him but I couldn't make out what he said. I thought it was because the TV was turned up. I turned down the volume and said, "Clay, I didn't understand you, what do you need." Then Clay yelled, "Mom, COME NOW, I NEED YOU!" When I heard that, it's like my feet never hit the ground. I was instantly at his side. I knew something was wrong. As I entered the office he said, "Something's wrong with me!" I knew instinctively what it was but I still said, "What happened!?" He didn't know - - but his face was white and his hands were shaking. I knew because I had heard his very garbled first sentence. Seizure! Because he was speaking again, I knew he was already recovering but still did not have control of his muscles and body movements.

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the hospital getting him checked out. Nothing wrong. CT scan was clear and blood tests were normal. Instant peace of mind. That's what we needed. We figure it may have had something to do with spending so much time in a dark room on the computer and not getting enough natural or artificial sunlight and doing yard work and not drinking enough. At any rate, I cancelled my trip to Utah. Neither Dean nor I felt good about my leaving just two days after Clay's seizure. Over the next two days Dean and I spent time on the phone and trying to decide what to do. We're going to move at the end of May if everything goes well. We'll pack and leave the last week. Dean needs to have me there by June 1 because his work will pick up after that and we wouldn't be able to do a move until Fall. If I had gone to Utah this week, it would have delayed our move until the Fall. All things happen for a reason and there are no coincidences. That's what I believe. I'm so glad to finally know when I'll be moving. There have been so many things that held up our decision. Leaving Clay will be heartwrenching for me but he is so excited to live in the house alone and be responsible for the house and his life.

As for Claydee? We're watching him and have decided to hold off on seeing a specialist unless he has another seizure. No need to do more tests and try medications with side affects unless we know he is going to really be having some problems. We did that when he was little and the meds caused more severe problems than the illness.

While he has fully recovered and it was an exhausting experience for both of us, things are fairly normal again. It's still in teh back of our minds but we're moving forward. My daughter, asked me how I coped in the moments after Clay called for me. She said, "You know how you get upset mom." You know what? When you are a mom, you are always always calm in the most pressure cooker moments. No matter what you go through, somehow you stay calm when it is about your family member who is in trouble. It's that, "Stay calm! They need you to be calm" thing that takes over in your head. I took his blood pressure and pulse and when I realized we didn't need to call 911 we took him to the hospital. These are the times that make you realize you are never done being a mom. You are thankful when you realize that your children will always have times when they will call from the next room or from the other side of the country and your heart will always stop just for an instant and then you go into overdrive seeing to their needs. I love you Clayeee. I love you Rachee and Howard. I Love you Ericio and Jen. I may not always be around but if I can I will come to wherever you are in the moment you need me. I love you. Dad and I both do.

A Recipe for the Heart - - Well maybe not!

Tonight I made a tastee dinner for Clay and I. It was fattening and probably full of choesteral. I was reminded of how I never cook this way any more but it was delicious so I thought I'd share the recipe. We both enjoyed it. Definitely comfort food if you are ever in the need to be soothed!

Chicken Cassarole
1 lb. chicken, cooked and cubed (I had left over chicken that we roasted last night)
2 cup chicken broth
1 cup sour cream (I used lite sour cream)
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
2 cup cooked noodles ( I used cooked rice)
1 pkg. Stuffing mix ( I used 1/2 bag of pepperidge farm stuffing mix)
3/4 cube margarine, melted ( I used 1/4 cube margarine, melted)

Combine sour cream, soup, chicken and noodles. Pour into greased 2 qt. cassarole dish. Melt margarine in broth. Add seasoning packet from teh stuffing mix. Pour on dry stuffing.
Spread stuffing mixture on top of cassarole. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Note:
I put the stuffing mixture on the bottom. Yes, I know I have a problem with following instructions but I always think of how "it" can be done better.
In other words I put stuffing on bottom, chicken/noodle or rice mixture on top.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup dry stuffing mix on top of cassarole to add crunch. It turned out delicioso!

These people have been in my thoughts today - -

In a month at the end of May I will be leaving this guy behind for the final moved to Utah. Waving to him as we drive away will be a heart ripping moment for me. He's looking forward to being on his own again - - I'm looking forward to being with Dean - - but oh how I'll miss Claydee boy.

On April 1st I made a list of all the things I needed to have done at the end of April so I can move. It's all done, the list is checked off. Here is just one of my happy ordered closets which was on the list and has now been crossed off. By the way, The walls have been painted and moldings too. The house is new again, just in time to move to an old home which we will also be fixing up in Delta Utah.

Dean had surgery today and talking to him long distance after he came through it brought peace of mind. His surgery today accounts for the 3rd between us since we've been apart in the last 15 months. We're Hypochondriacs - - NOT! Just crazy! NOT! Did I mention that I'm moving in a month to be with him? I think he has missed me - - I'm pretty sure of that. He has called me more than once a day for the last 455 days. I guess that means he misses me.

Rachel called me today from a fabric store. She was buying fabric for a baby quilt and wanted my opinion. She is almost as bad as I am at making a decision. It must be a quality of those who do everything excellently - - - ; 0 ). I love it when she calls me to help her with very important decisions. Rachel takes care of my blog - decorates it and adds a music playlist and always as a surprise for me without being asked. She is constantly working on changing it for variety's sake. I love her for doing this and she does it so much better than I could. Today she put a song by Donny Osmond on the playlist which represents the ultimate act of service for her. She doesn't enjoy Mr. Osmond's music but she knows that he and I have met in the past and I appreciate him and even enjoy some of his music. She cares more about my wants than her own. She is a selfless daughter in so many ways. I hope to be like her someday.

These three I miss so much. Eric calls me about once a week after I've crawled into bed and am just about asleep. I groggily pick up the phone and whisper hello. On the other end he yells, "Are you ASLEEEEEP?!" It always makes me laugh and then I'm AWAKE! It cracks me up. He can call me for the rest of my life at 11:30 p.m. I love hearing his voice late at night. He has the deepest most manly man voice of anyone I know. Jen and Savannah call me too and I love it when I pick up the phone and hear a soft "hello" from Savannah or "Hi Mama!" from Jen. I'm so blessed! These two adults gave us the best Christmas ever last December. It was a blast from the past!!! Definitely was that!

Have you ever met someone you knew you would never forget because of the imprint they left on your heart and in your life? This is my friend Celeste. She called me today, just to chat. We met about 10 years ago and later I was her assistant when she became VP of HR. Each time I look at her beautiful face I can't believe how much I have been blessed to learn from her example in so many things - at work and in life. She is an HR VP in San Antonio now and influencing many others in all the ways she influenced me. When she left Pensacola it left a hole in many hearts. I LOVED working for her. She is so vivacious and peppy. A beautiful funny friend who shares her latest reads with me. Today, she phoned me to ask me if I wanted to read a book she had read. When she was Vice President she and I found the opportunity to laugh, cry, whine, vent, eat mangos, and popcorn and even her homemade mango salsa together. It was a most special time.

Today I was thinking I'd like one of these although I'm not sure my life warrants it. I think I would enjoy it almost as much as I like my crock pot and my cookbooks. It looks fun and in my mind I think it would make me feel good about myself. I already feel good about myself but who can't afford having a little more oomph in their self-esteem. If I had this I would probably tuck it away and never use it enough to warrant all the monthly fees and taxes - - but it's fun to think about. I would never take it out in church or in other meetings though. I think poeple who do that have the inability to focus on anything except themselves and their own lives.

Ooops! Sideways. Another pic of Ericio and Savannah Bannana. He is a wonderful father and son and I think he is okay as a husband too. You'ld have to ask his wife about that.

Eric has always loved video game rooms and would go as a child all the time. You can see he still likes it. He has a guitar hero at home and has bought one for Savannah too so she can play right along with daddy and mommy. This is one cute family. Savannah is excited I'm coming so if no one else cared - - I would move to Utah just for her.

When someone leaves us

There are all kinds of ways to leave and everyone experiences them either by themselves or vicariously through others. I have always liked the song, "Someone's Always Sayin Goodbye" by Ann Murray. It describes the true feelings we go through when someone leaves us be it temporarily or for this life through passing away.

Sometimes we're caught by surprise when someone leaves us sooner than we would have dreamed possible. Because we chose not to ever think that this could happen it throws us when it comes. Sometimes our feelings of sadness are all the more deepened because we thought we would leave before they would.

When a sister passes, especially one you didn't get to spend a lot of time with; you wonder why you didn't take more pictures with her when you had the chance to be together. You also realize and ponder the truth that in time you will say goodbye to others you love.

So what do you do? You sit and you "think, think, think," as Pooh would say. Then you come to the conclusion that you will remember the good times and the laughter, and the tears that rolled out of your eyes while you were laughing together because that is what she would want you to do. You remember the zillion little things you did as children that brought sister laughter and sister fighting. You remember each moment whether good, bad, sad or happy for it is every single moment and all kinds of moments that built your relationship with each other. If I could have a picture of me with her it would be of me chasing her as a child and threatening to pinch her with my toes and her screaming and running as fast as she could to get away; or a picture of us riding on TRAX to Salt Lake in recent years and talking all the way as fast as we could so we could catch up from living so far apart for so long; or sitting on a bench at Gardner Village eating salt water taffy alternately crying and laughing depending on what we were talking about. Why didn't I snap those moments? Maybe somethings are better unphotographed but kept in the mind for instant recall. Sorry now! I guess I'll have to sketch them.

Each life that touches ours for good reflects thiny own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above thru words and deeds of those who love

When such a friend from us departs, We hold forever in our hearts a sweet

and hallowed memory, Bringing us nearer, Lord to thee. - Karen Lynn Davidson

Suddenly Life is Better

This was right after Clay came home from his mission. Defintely glad to be home, wouldn't you say? Clay makes fun of this blog and calls it, "Sunshine and Fingerlilies", Jingle-jangles and flap-jacks and all kinds of other funny names when I'm working on it. "Mom, are you working on that Jingle-jangle and flapjacks page again?" Ha! Grown up boys are so fun to have around.

Savannah - - - 2 months premature - - - you go girl! Holding her daddy's hand.

Rachel and Ashlynn came to Pensacola and both were sick alot. They would often pack up and go to the beach to take advantage of it's healing effects. It worked. They always came home a little pinker and feeling much better.

Down Syndrome Walk in Kansas City. Rachel and Ashlynn and Grandma Katie all walked with hundreds of other families with children who have Down's. Beautiful children everywhere we looked. Why couldn't the Dr. who named them have "Ups" as his name instead of "Downs." Maybe we should petition to get the name of Down's changed to reflect the happy natures of all people with "Downs." It was really nice to meet so many people who had something in common with us in Kansas.

Howard and Robin Williams in Kuwait. This was one of Howard's better days while living in an otherwise miserable place. Thanks Robin! Thanks Howard!!!!

Then there was the day than Savannah came into our family. She and her mom went to the hospital the same day as hurricane Dennis hit Pensacola and she was born a few days later. Her birth (2 months early) was no less dramatic than a hurricane. She gave us a scare but was a real fighter. Once she breathed her first breath there was no giving up for her. She was definitely cut out to be the first grandchild and the first child in her family.

This proves she is in Grandma Katie's blood-line. Feet that go on forever.

Flying Ace - Clay

Hurricane Ivan was the most thrilling hurricane that Clay has experienced to date! Although, for the first time he had to admit, he was a little frightened. It was a storm none of us will ever forget. It was the night of all nights. Did I mention that Clay is a storm chaser? Yep! Scares his mom to death but he loves it.



Clay and his friends loved attending the Pensacola Pelicans Hockey games. Those games and Monday night bowling with the gang are memories he will have for the rest of his life and tell his children about.

Who could have known that at age four when Clay was talking about flying someday that in high school his teacher would arrange for his class to actually go up. Later on Dean would arrange to take Clay to the Pensacola Airport to fly again around Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach. The pilot and Clay's scout leader (a vietnam war hero pilot) both told Clay that he was a natural. Clay has spent 100's of hours on the computer playing Flight Simulator and was surprised how well it prepared him for the real thing. Will he get to fly again? That's his goal!

Clay has attended every Blue Angels Stunt show that his schedule would allow in the last 20 years. The most recent being 10 days ago at an early morning Blue Angels practice on a Tuesday. He invited me to go along. It was magnificent, thrilling and generally awe inspiring.

This is us!

This is who we are! This picture was taken the last time we were all together in 2003. Eric and Rachel were engaged and Jen and Howard were visiting for the holiday. It was a blast! So much laughter and joy to know that our family was suddenly growing and we were getting two new family members.

Because we've not all been together at the same time in over 5 years, our understanding of eternity comes all the more into focus. Because one of us has served 3 of the last 4 Christmases being militarily deployed, eternity is something we hold very dear and understand very literally.

Last year we were 7 adults and 2 little grandaughters living in 3 different countries and 6 different cities in the World and Unitied States of America. Because we lived apart, we learned lessons that we probably would not have learned as quickly or as deeply in any other way. What did we learn?

We learned to reach outside our own family and to rely on others for friendship, comfort, assistance; and to love and to give those same things in return to those outside our family circle. We learned that when trouble comes, we can get to each other in less than a day and everything is still okay.

Additionally we became aware of growth and development which came to each of us in great spurts and in huge leaps. We learned that moments of sadness pass and even though we did long to see each other and give those expressions of love that we did miss acutely, love surpasses miles and time barriers and helps us carry on. We learned staying busy would help time fly. We learned to rejoice in the blessings that we can see and count today.

This year we are only seperated by 3 different cities. Clay came home from Guatemala and Howard came home from Bagdad, Iraq. The gap that had seperated us began to close almost over night as these two family members returned home to us. We are always aware that Heavenly Father kept these two men in his care and answered many prayers because they both lived in very dangerous places.

The new children in our lives brought new light and helped us remember one of the main purposes of life. . . building a strong eternal family unit that continues to increase and grow. As we became aware of the gifts they brought to us along with their unique "challenges" we found joy again. We were taught that learning right along with them, all over again, the lessons we already learned before is important to our own well-being.

Would we trade these experiences or wish them away? Nope! Though we feel like we've run a marathon or played in the superbowl of life's challenges, we thankful for this brief sprint in growth that came to each one of us. Now that 2008 is over we look back and know that a life without challenge is not a happy life. We may think we're happy but really happiness only comes through accepting challenges as they come and working through them.

And finally, the girls in this family came to appreciate the men very much. Because we lived without them for a a couple of years, we know they are gifts from God and we need them and love them more than words will ever express. Yes Siree!

On Lollipops

Hello! Thank you for visiting Seaside and Lollipops!

Late last night, LATE last night actually early this morning I was setting up this blog and trying to find a name that reflects us and our lives. The name of this blog may change because I have a hard time making up my mind. Making every decision slowly is part of who I am. Our life is also in a state of flux - all the time it seems! Because change is part of who we are, "Seaside and Lollipops" may change to "Mountains and Sagebrush" or "Cows and Corn," or just plain old "and the livin is easy."

We moved to Pensacola and have lived by the sea for 20 years (since our children were very little) and even though that is about to change, it is who I/we are at the moment. Even though my sweet husband, Dean, lives in Cows and Corn, USA; our family's physical address is still at Seaside USA. I will soon be leaving "Seasidey" living for "Cows and Corny" living. Leaving the sea will be hard but I'm going from something wonderful to something even better - my husband and most of my family. The smell of the seaside air will be replaced with very different smells of mountains, dairy farms and fresh air without humidity - - which also means I will wrinkle prematurely and very quickly when I hit dry air. Humidity has been the mainstay of my facials while living in "The South." I've saved tons of cash on moisturizers. I've been blessed when I think that I lived 20 years by teh sea and now I'm going to live the rest of my life in the mountains. Our plan is to build a home at the base of a mountain or close by.

Why Lollipops? Because when I was a little girl we lived in a peaceful western burb on the outskirts of a larger burg. In the 60's as a child one of my favorite things to do on summer days was to walk to the "sucker lady's house" and buy one of her lollipops which she made fresh every single day for sweet children to buy. Her suckers looked exactly like this picture here. They were only available after 1:00 in the afternoon because it took all morning to make them. My friends and I and sometimes my siblings would walk the four blocks to her house with quarters in our pockets to pay for the hard-candy confection. The smell of sugar and corn syrup was almost nauseating as we would enter through the front door of Mrs. Harrington's house. Fresh in my mind is the memory of the humidity which came from from pots of boiling sugar. The sucker lady's kitchen was lined with many colors and flavors of lollipops on any given day which were still fresh and "setting up." All the way to her house we would talk about which lollipop we were going to buy and of course your decision always changed when you arrived at her sweet shop because she always had a new flavor you hadn't tried before. For twenty-five cents we could have our pick. Walking to her house was better than waiting for the ice-cream truck to come by twice a week. Mrs. Harrington's lollipops made even the brightest summer day a little brighter. Today whenever I see a lollipop in a store or in a child's hand I remember how a lollipop in my hand felt when I was little. I will always remember those lollipos and how it felt to hold one and gaze upon it before taking the first lick. Sucker Ladies and Sucker Houses should always exist for children everywhere.

To Blog or . . . . not?

I finally decided to jump in. I'm usually last to try anything that may be a current fad. I'm last to read the latest #1 best seller, last to watch the latest hit TV show, last to try anything that might be considered the latest new fad that may be keeping the earth on it's axis at the current time. Maybe it's because I have spent so many years writing journals that having a new way to journal adds more of less time to my life. So, . . . here I go, jumping in and hoping that I will stick to it. I love looking at other blogs and really look forward to seeing what is going on in your life. If you have a blog, I have been there, been inspired by it and so . . . . here's mine.