Saturday I took Sean to Chuck's and we all had breakfast together before I had to hit the road to meet someone for coffee and conversation about school-related stuff.
This man is truly a wonder. He had cinnamon rolls ready, the table set and french toast ready to go when we arrived. It was delicious. He kept the kids at his place for a while and then we were going to meet for a local library grand opening after my meeting. We met up at the library and it was crazy. Packed.
We all left there with the plan to meet back up for dinner, but Sean wasn't feeling well so we skipped dinner.
I had marked the meeting for the wrong day on my calendar, so I sat alone in the cafe that morning for a while and sipped on a green tea. It was a new experience and I soaked it in. I liked the atmosphere there and enjoyed watching some of the people sit, and come and go. I've always had a soft spot for cafes because I used to work at one back in the late 80s and early 90s. It was definitely one of my best jobs ever. The people were great, the boss was phenomenal and the food was oh, so good.
Since I wasn't familiar with the area, I got back in my car and drove around to see what there was to see.
As I drove I listened to some programs on public radio. I don't remember the name of it, but one show was about new evidence that people in a coma are really in there.
They did some brain imaging and compared the brain activity to that of a healthy participant. They told the person in a coma to imagine they are playing tennis, to rest, play tennis again, rest, play tennis again.
Their brains lit up just like the healthy people.
The guy providing the information said they can prove they have brain activity, but cannot prove that these people have no activity. He gave an example of someone who is deaf, and what if they are brought into the hospital and we don't know they're deaf and they're in a coma. The same scenario could lead the doctors to believe that deaf person had no brain activity, but it's not that, it's that they can't hear what the doctor is saying to them.
It got me thinking about the implications of this.
What will this information do to all of those people who have made the decision to end a life because they were told the person has no brain activity? And what now? What do we do with this information?
The next radio show was "This American Life" and it focused on the possibility that the recipe for Coca -Cola has been found. What was most interesting to me is that Coke still has cocaine in it, it's just that the coca leaves are de-cocainized in some plant in the U.S. How bizarre to think that a controlled substance is allowed to enter the country in mass quantities for the recipe of a soft drink.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
A little Chinese Culture
A real shame. Sean has had Chinese (Mandarin) language classes and knows a few words, but I'd love him to have more.
I was helping the students with weaving that day. I brought in a project I've used before and worked with some of the kids who didn't get to do it last time.
I had planned to be there for only about an hour, but the project takes some time to set up and more students wanted to work with it so I was there until after lunch.
While I was helping a couple of students with the yarn, Ms. Diamond read a story about Chinese food and the customs used while eating at a Chinese restaurant. Then she randomly assigned students to groups by pulling names written on popsicle sticks from a box. She read a poem about a Chinese New Year celebration for them a couple of times and they were to organize a drama based on the words of the poem.
She gave them a few minutes to plan the drama and then each group performed as she read the poem again. They were all awesome. It was fun to watch. Sean and another boy hopped around with their hands in the air. When each group finished their performance others asked questions or made comments about how to improve it.
Ms. Diamond asked Sean why they were running with their hands in the air and he said, "Oh, we were the guys inside the dragon making it move."
I had to go because I was starving, but they had a celebration at 1 p.m. that included Chinese food and each child got a red envelope. She said she still gets a red envelope from her mother for Chinese New Year.
When we got home Sean's friend Kyle came over for a while. I fixed pot stickers as part of the celebration to reinforce what he had learned that day. Kyle stayed and had some pot stickers and we talked about the Chinese New Year and all of the things Sean learned about it that day.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Drive bys
It was a beautiful day yesterday, so I went for a drive and did some drive by shooting. There are many reasons why I love living here, these are just a few. We are surrounded by gorgeous views. Almost anywhere gives me a smile. We live in a more remote area, but we drive by these scenes at least weekly, if not daily.
Look close on the left, almost even with that SUV and you'll see Mt. Rainier. It was so amazing yesterday, but photos didn't do it justice. The snow blends with the clouds. But in person it is something to see.
One of my favorite landmarks.
It takes longer, but I drive this route when the sun is shining. It just does my soul some good.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Serious talk
Lately it seems a lot of conversations are centered around death and dying. This post might be a bit much for some, so proceed with caution.
Death is a part of life. I have known that since I was little, but knowing it and feeling it are different things. As Chuck and I have gone deeper with our relationship we have discussed death and the emotions that go along with that experience. He lost a son in 2005. I almost hate to use that word "lost" because I know he isn't lost. But it does go along with the feeling of loss that overtakes us when someone we love so dearly dies.
I don't know what that feels like. The death of a child is unimaginable to me. Chuck is amazing. He has taken the pain and loss and done great things. The community is small, so everyone knows him and knows of his loss. I'm sure it makes it easier for those who are in the midst of experiencing a death as Chuck enters the room. He said it seems to calm people when they see him. He does have a wonderful heart and puts people at ease.
My mom was the closest person to me who has died. The death of a parent is completely different, I'm certain. And though most of us will experience the death of a parent, which makes it a more natural part of life, it is still so difficult.
Prior to that my experience with death was at a distance, sort of. I attended several funerals of classmates in high school, and a couple of good friends. Those times were really sad.
When my mom died I went through all of the stages of grief. I recognized them, but it didn't make it any easier. In college I read the book, "On Death and Dying," by Elizabeth Kubler Ross as part of a class assignment. I loved that book. I gave my copy to someone, but I think I should have that book on my shelf. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer I told her about the book and she loved it too, and gave her copy away as well. (She lived with cancer for almost 12 years, and said she went through the stages when she was diagnosed.)
Chuck has had classes on the stages of grief too. He's a chaplain with the fire department. Just after we began dating we were hit hard with bad news. A person in our community that we both know has been diagnosed with cancer, and the prognosis is really not good.
Chuck and I talked last night over dinner about how our experiences with death have changed us, and in a good way. I love talking to him because he is willing to be so honest and share his feelings.
Just this week I met with someone who shared with me that his infant son died of crib death years ago, and he was very angry for a long time. People seem to open up to me easily sometimes.
This man said he got to some very low points, but wanted to know what happens to children when they die and he began to read and ask questions. He said he believes his little baby boy saved him. He had never known Christ until he began to search for those answers for his baby.
Others aren't so at peace. I heard of one person who lost a child many years ago and hates God to this day because of it.
We all process things in a unique way. Some of us proceed through those stages of grief and it doesn't take very long, others go back and forth between a few stages and take much longer to heal. Some get stuck on anger and never proceed. I have heard that we should make time to grieve, set a time each week to go through photos, etc. I never did that. I just let it come when it came and it was unpredictable. Making an appointment to grieve seemed strange and unnatural for me. I'm sure it works for others, though.
My journey through grief was not easy. It started long before my mom was dying and proceeded until really just this year. I already knew the stages of grief, and recognized them as I was feeling them, but it didn't make it any easier for me. It did help though. I knew I wasn't going crazy, just going through the natural grieving process.
Here are some things I learned while caring for my mom as she was dying, and as I went through the grieving of her death.
Each day is a gift, no matter how bad it is.
The moments you have are special moments, no matter how mundane they may seem.
We are all stronger than we think we are.
Stuff is just stuff.
Whether you're rich or poor, you will die.
When you die no one is going to remember you fondly because of your bank account. The relationships you build while you are here are what count.
Our best legacy is family.
All we need is love, and love is what we all need to give to everyone we encounter.
My mom taught me so many things, but there was one great lesson she taught me throughout her illness and as she was dying:
No matter how bad things are, find a way to smile and be happy. Being bitter and angry will not make it easier.
My mom was always smiling and thankful for each day. I was in awe of her every day and still am.
Death is a part of life. I have known that since I was little, but knowing it and feeling it are different things. As Chuck and I have gone deeper with our relationship we have discussed death and the emotions that go along with that experience. He lost a son in 2005. I almost hate to use that word "lost" because I know he isn't lost. But it does go along with the feeling of loss that overtakes us when someone we love so dearly dies.
I don't know what that feels like. The death of a child is unimaginable to me. Chuck is amazing. He has taken the pain and loss and done great things. The community is small, so everyone knows him and knows of his loss. I'm sure it makes it easier for those who are in the midst of experiencing a death as Chuck enters the room. He said it seems to calm people when they see him. He does have a wonderful heart and puts people at ease.
My mom was the closest person to me who has died. The death of a parent is completely different, I'm certain. And though most of us will experience the death of a parent, which makes it a more natural part of life, it is still so difficult.
Prior to that my experience with death was at a distance, sort of. I attended several funerals of classmates in high school, and a couple of good friends. Those times were really sad.
When my mom died I went through all of the stages of grief. I recognized them, but it didn't make it any easier. In college I read the book, "On Death and Dying," by Elizabeth Kubler Ross as part of a class assignment. I loved that book. I gave my copy to someone, but I think I should have that book on my shelf. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer I told her about the book and she loved it too, and gave her copy away as well. (She lived with cancer for almost 12 years, and said she went through the stages when she was diagnosed.)
Chuck has had classes on the stages of grief too. He's a chaplain with the fire department. Just after we began dating we were hit hard with bad news. A person in our community that we both know has been diagnosed with cancer, and the prognosis is really not good.
Chuck and I talked last night over dinner about how our experiences with death have changed us, and in a good way. I love talking to him because he is willing to be so honest and share his feelings.
Just this week I met with someone who shared with me that his infant son died of crib death years ago, and he was very angry for a long time. People seem to open up to me easily sometimes.
This man said he got to some very low points, but wanted to know what happens to children when they die and he began to read and ask questions. He said he believes his little baby boy saved him. He had never known Christ until he began to search for those answers for his baby.
Others aren't so at peace. I heard of one person who lost a child many years ago and hates God to this day because of it.
We all process things in a unique way. Some of us proceed through those stages of grief and it doesn't take very long, others go back and forth between a few stages and take much longer to heal. Some get stuck on anger and never proceed. I have heard that we should make time to grieve, set a time each week to go through photos, etc. I never did that. I just let it come when it came and it was unpredictable. Making an appointment to grieve seemed strange and unnatural for me. I'm sure it works for others, though.
My journey through grief was not easy. It started long before my mom was dying and proceeded until really just this year. I already knew the stages of grief, and recognized them as I was feeling them, but it didn't make it any easier for me. It did help though. I knew I wasn't going crazy, just going through the natural grieving process.
Here are some things I learned while caring for my mom as she was dying, and as I went through the grieving of her death.
Each day is a gift, no matter how bad it is.
The moments you have are special moments, no matter how mundane they may seem.
We are all stronger than we think we are.
Stuff is just stuff.
Whether you're rich or poor, you will die.
When you die no one is going to remember you fondly because of your bank account. The relationships you build while you are here are what count.
Our best legacy is family.
All we need is love, and love is what we all need to give to everyone we encounter.
My mom taught me so many things, but there was one great lesson she taught me throughout her illness and as she was dying:
No matter how bad things are, find a way to smile and be happy. Being bitter and angry will not make it easier.
My mom was always smiling and thankful for each day. I was in awe of her every day and still am.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Light Saber Saga Continues
It looked as if the light saber would be almost complete last night. Chuck brought the tools and parts over to our house and he and Sean sanded out some of the paint from inside the PVC so the metal pipes would fit into it. It was a very tight squeeze.
They thought if they got some of the paint scraped out of the inside of the plastic pipe, the metal pipe would slide into place easier. (The outside is PVC and the pattern calls for a metal pipe inside the PVC)
Chuck scraped and sanded and Sean provided moral support. Sean was eager to use the tool that sets the rivets, so Chuck showed him how it would work.
After getting the paint scraped out, the metal pipes still didn't want to slide in. So they tried vegetable oil first. That didn't work, so using their knowledge of science, and how plastic expands when it gets warm, and other things tend to constrict when they're cold, they decided that warming the plastic PVC and cooling the metal might work.
After dinner they set the PVC pipe in the oven (it was turned off but still warm) and the metal pipe in the freezer.
They thought if they got some of the paint scraped out of the inside of the plastic pipe, the metal pipe would slide into place easier. (The outside is PVC and the pattern calls for a metal pipe inside the PVC)
Chuck scraped and sanded and Sean provided moral support. Sean was eager to use the tool that sets the rivets, so Chuck showed him how it would work.
After dinner they set the PVC pipe in the oven (it was turned off but still warm) and the metal pipe in the freezer.
Yeah, that still didn't work.
They brought out a couple of different hammers to pound the metal pipes into the PVC form and it looked as if that might work, though it was creating a lip on the end of the metal pipe.
Then I heard, "Well, that didn't work."
There were several weak spots in the PVC because of the cutout design. One of those weak spots gave way. Because Sean was so excited to use the rivet tool, Chuck had him go ahead and set a rivet so he could see how it will look when it's finished.
This wonderful man is nothing if not determined to finish a job.
I made lunch for him this afternoon and took it to the fire station. We ate together and it was nice to sit with him for a while. It was a nice break for me because work has been especially difficult for the past few days.
He said he has already obtained replacement parts to start over on this light saber project. They learned a lot during the first attempt, and he's sure they can find a better way.
That's not the only thing we talked about at lunch, but I thought it was funny that he brought it up. He wants to build one for himself, too.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Beach time
We were supposed to be proofing the paper today, but we do it the old fashioned way on large sheets of paper. The printer is really old and was giving me fits. It just wouldn't print. I went to plan B and that didn't work either, so now I'm looking for a plan C.
I couldn't do anything about it today, so I went on about my day.
I met Chuck at his house this afternoon and we made dinner. Sean wasn't here, so it was just me and Chuck and Lilly.
Before dinner was ready Lilly wanted to go to the beach and throw the ball for Emma.
We piled into the truck and took Pug too. Pug is a pug.
Pug stays close to our heels. She doesn't really like the water.
I couldn't do anything about it today, so I went on about my day.
I met Chuck at his house this afternoon and we made dinner. Sean wasn't here, so it was just me and Chuck and Lilly.
Before dinner was ready Lilly wanted to go to the beach and throw the ball for Emma.
We piled into the truck and took Pug too. Pug is a pug.
Pug stays close to our heels. She doesn't really like the water.
Emma LOVES it. She's a Malamute.
She brings it back and drops it at your feet so you can throw it again and again.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Fun weekend
I'm late getting this one in, but wanted to do it now before I forget. (Plus, I have some time because my phone battery is dead and I can't do interviews for stories.)
Chuck and I had talked about making Sunday a family day for all four of us, but it turned out to be a pretty full weekend.
It started when Chuck mentioned that maybe Sean and Lilly would like to go skating at the local civic center on Friday night. I thought they might like to have pizza before they went, so Chuck and I communicated about how best to get it ordered and picked up. I ordered it and Chuck picked it up and we ate here. After dinner the kids started playing Lego Star Wars on the Game Cube. I think they've found something they both really enjoy doing together. We had to pry them away from it.
So we suited up and took off to the civic center. It was loud, and neither of the kids were into it. We weren't there long and Sean said he would rather go to the skate park. (Chuck designed that skate park, but I'll post about that another time and include pictures.)
It was dark, but we went out there because it is not far from Chuck's house. The lights were on, so we ventured down and the kids skated for quite a while. Sean is a rough and tumble boy, all boy. Lilly is a girly girl, all girl. She was nervous he was going to get too close and make her fall, so she tried to stay away. But he's so excited to play with her he kept trying to go where she was going. They get along really well, but they are adjusting. When we left the skate park we spent a little time at Chuck's and then he and Lilly brought us back.
Saturday there was a birthday party for Sean's friend Max. We thought it might be fun for Lilly to meet Max's sister Madison. We took the kids to the party and Chuck met Aimee and Mike, Max and Madison's parents. After a few minutes, when we were sure Lilly was making friends, we left them there. They had a blast making their own pizzas and playing games. The house was full of kids.
After the party we all came back here for a little while and Sean and Lilly picked up their game of Lego Star Wars again and played for a while. I had to take Sean to visit his dad Saturday evening, so we said our goodbyes and planned to have Sunday afternoon together doing something all of us would enjoy. We were thinking of a hike or board games.
Sunday morning Chuck had planned to come to church, but he was running late. I was a little suspicious that he was skipping to listen to the Seahawks game ;-) He met us at our house after church and we went down to visit my grandmother for a while. Chuck enjoyed meeting grandma and talking about how things used to be out here where we live. He had made her a nice cutting board and gave it to her while we were there. She is recovering from a fall that fractured her pelvis, and we're all hoping she will make a full recovery. Luckily she hasn't had to go to a nursing home and the family has taken turns staying with her. Oh, and she had the game on the TV when we got there so we were able to watch some of it there and were oh, so disappointed with the final score.
So while we were at grandma's the kids started getting hungry. They were munching on a big canister of pretzels. We left there to go to lunch, but they didn't want to stop to eat. They didn't even want anything, so we ordered Mexican to go and took it to Chuck's and made them each a sandwich. We thought we would go for a hike, but it started to rain. The kids wanted to play more video games and Chuck was able to dig around and find an old game system at his place that belongs to his son Alex. Sean and Lilly got it working and had some fun with that and then we made an impromptu trip to the beach with the dogs, Emma and Pug.
Chuck and Sean threw a tennis ball for Emma and she loved swimming out to get it. It was already dark and pretty cool and windy, so we didn't stay long. Lilly said she'd like to come back to our house before she had to to go her mom's.
(I think they are getting along really well. They act like siblings sometimes, each getting on the other's nerves, then they retreat to their corners for a few minutes and come back out ready to have fun again.)
So we dropped Emma off and we all came here and I made Teryaki chicken and fried rice and veggies. Lilly likes it, and so does Sean. I need to find another meal they'll both eat, because I think it's the only thing I've cooked for them. Lilly is a pretty good eater, but Sean is picky. And I'm not so sure rice, veggies and a few pieces of chicken are enough for my fireman. I need to find some new recipes that are kid-friendly that will also fill him up.
Chuck and I had talked about making Sunday a family day for all four of us, but it turned out to be a pretty full weekend.
It started when Chuck mentioned that maybe Sean and Lilly would like to go skating at the local civic center on Friday night. I thought they might like to have pizza before they went, so Chuck and I communicated about how best to get it ordered and picked up. I ordered it and Chuck picked it up and we ate here. After dinner the kids started playing Lego Star Wars on the Game Cube. I think they've found something they both really enjoy doing together. We had to pry them away from it.
So we suited up and took off to the civic center. It was loud, and neither of the kids were into it. We weren't there long and Sean said he would rather go to the skate park. (Chuck designed that skate park, but I'll post about that another time and include pictures.)
It was dark, but we went out there because it is not far from Chuck's house. The lights were on, so we ventured down and the kids skated for quite a while. Sean is a rough and tumble boy, all boy. Lilly is a girly girl, all girl. She was nervous he was going to get too close and make her fall, so she tried to stay away. But he's so excited to play with her he kept trying to go where she was going. They get along really well, but they are adjusting. When we left the skate park we spent a little time at Chuck's and then he and Lilly brought us back.
Saturday there was a birthday party for Sean's friend Max. We thought it might be fun for Lilly to meet Max's sister Madison. We took the kids to the party and Chuck met Aimee and Mike, Max and Madison's parents. After a few minutes, when we were sure Lilly was making friends, we left them there. They had a blast making their own pizzas and playing games. The house was full of kids.
After the party we all came back here for a little while and Sean and Lilly picked up their game of Lego Star Wars again and played for a while. I had to take Sean to visit his dad Saturday evening, so we said our goodbyes and planned to have Sunday afternoon together doing something all of us would enjoy. We were thinking of a hike or board games.
Sunday morning Chuck had planned to come to church, but he was running late. I was a little suspicious that he was skipping to listen to the Seahawks game ;-) He met us at our house after church and we went down to visit my grandmother for a while. Chuck enjoyed meeting grandma and talking about how things used to be out here where we live. He had made her a nice cutting board and gave it to her while we were there. She is recovering from a fall that fractured her pelvis, and we're all hoping she will make a full recovery. Luckily she hasn't had to go to a nursing home and the family has taken turns staying with her. Oh, and she had the game on the TV when we got there so we were able to watch some of it there and were oh, so disappointed with the final score.
So while we were at grandma's the kids started getting hungry. They were munching on a big canister of pretzels. We left there to go to lunch, but they didn't want to stop to eat. They didn't even want anything, so we ordered Mexican to go and took it to Chuck's and made them each a sandwich. We thought we would go for a hike, but it started to rain. The kids wanted to play more video games and Chuck was able to dig around and find an old game system at his place that belongs to his son Alex. Sean and Lilly got it working and had some fun with that and then we made an impromptu trip to the beach with the dogs, Emma and Pug.
Chuck and Sean threw a tennis ball for Emma and she loved swimming out to get it. It was already dark and pretty cool and windy, so we didn't stay long. Lilly said she'd like to come back to our house before she had to to go her mom's.
(I think they are getting along really well. They act like siblings sometimes, each getting on the other's nerves, then they retreat to their corners for a few minutes and come back out ready to have fun again.)
So we dropped Emma off and we all came here and I made Teryaki chicken and fried rice and veggies. Lilly likes it, and so does Sean. I need to find another meal they'll both eat, because I think it's the only thing I've cooked for them. Lilly is a pretty good eater, but Sean is picky. And I'm not so sure rice, veggies and a few pieces of chicken are enough for my fireman. I need to find some new recipes that are kid-friendly that will also fill him up.
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