Morgan Hill once again

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Lorraine's report

Another week has passed and what a week it was. We left Las Vegas on Monday morning at 9:15 and drove for eight hours with only one stop for Misty around 12:30. We stopped at a camp in Fresno; we decided not to stay there as they had just watered the grass and it was muddy, wet and right next to the freeway.

Chuck had looked up Wal-Marts for the area so we drove to the closest one. We decided to stay there for the night. I went in and asked if it was ok, they said yes, so we set up with one side of slides extended. I have to say that was one of the noisiest places we have ever stayed in the motor home. The trucks roared all night long, and it felt like we were in the middle of the freeway. For a first time at a Wal Mart, I was disappointed. I was awake until 3 am, so when we left the next morning, I slept off and on the three hours over to Morgan Hill. The only good part of the stay at WM was it was a short distance from the Anderson’s Split Pea Soup Restaurant. We went there for dinner; a great choice. Chuck had $1.00 cup of beer and $1.00 a pork rib barbeque; I had the famous split pea soup and sandwich. The only thing different was they changed the name of the restaurant to Stake and Rail.

Getting into Morgan Hill on Tuesday around noon, we set up the MH. Then I had to pack for my trip home to Bellingham to attend the funeral service for my brother, Colin. Colin lived in Anchorage, Alaska and passed away while we were in St. Charles, Mo. on May 2, 2008. He was cremated shortly thereafter, and the family decided to bury his ashes at a later date. The later date was chosen last week for November 20, 2008, at 2:30 in the afternoon. Colin’s ashes were to be placed in my parents graves at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham. My son Rick, was appointed executor of Colin’s estate, and spent the summer and fall working to get him placed with my parents. Thank you Rick, great job.

I completed my packing and we drove to Sunnyvale to see my daughter, Susy and granddaughter, Kaitlyn.

Wednesday, Chuck drove me to San Jose airport and dropped me off. We left SJ on time and got into Seattle early. I had only a short wait till the next leg of my trip, when they came over the loudspeaker and said the trip into B’ham was delayed, mechanical problems. We ended up leaving 45 minutes late, getting into town 45 minutes late. My son, Rick and his wife, Lora picked me up and off we went to do some shopping and running. It was 10:30 before we checked into Silver Reef Casino and Hotel. What a nice hotel and very comfortable rooms. We still had paper work to go through, so we didn’t get to bed until midnight.

Thursday; we knew the night before we had to get up early, so we did. The Reef had given us a free breakfast buffet coupon, which we used; good food, great price-free. Then off to do the chores we had to do. It wasn’t until we were at Kinko’s making up the program for my brother’s service that I noticed my new camera Chuck had given me for our anniversary was missing. We had been all over, so I called all the places we had been the night before, but nothing was turned in.

We kept checking off the to-do list and got back into B’ham in time to check into Best Western Lakeway Inn, where we spent the night. We had time to change and head to the cemetery. There was still one chore left to do, which Rick and Lora took care of. While I was waiting for them, I called Macy’s to see if a camera had been turned in. Much to my surprise the clerk said one had been turned in; I described it and it turned out to be mine. I could pick it up after the service. The night before when we went into the mall, I took out the camera and put it on my seat chair in the car. Then I took off my coat and laid it on the seat. When we came out of the mall, I put my coat on, not knowing I’d knocked my camera out of the car. Thank God we didn’t run over it and who ever found it turned it in and didn’t keep it.

The service for my brother was very nice. Everything went off as it was suppose to. My preacher, Bill Gillifan was the officiant for the service. He did a great job. Pastor Bill was the preacher at my church I attended before we went full time. He is the man God talked to me through, when I was trying to decide if I wanted to leave my home and go on the road. I went to church seeking answers, and they were given to me by Pastor Bill.

The only complaint about the day I had was that it was rainy, windy and cold-44 degrees. It felt bitter to me, coming from 85 degrees in LV.

Friday, I flew home. I left on time and got into Seattle on schedule. I loaded onto the next flight, and they came on the loudspeaker and said we had to deplane. They would let us know in a half hour if we need to switch planes. It turned out they didn’t switch planes, but we arrive back at San Jose at 5:40 instead of 4:10. They said it was mechanical problems, again. This was Alaska Air/Horizon Airlines.

In the meantime while I’m going through all this, our granddaughter was taken into the emergency room on Wednesday night. She was throwing up blood and they had to check her out. My daughter and her husband were up all night. Susy called daddy and he went and watched baby so they could catch some sleep on Thursday. Kaitlyn ended up having hand, foot and mouth disease, a viral infection. She has small spots that hurt her mouth and tongue so it’s hard for her to eat or drink. She is still not over it and is having a hard time eating and drinking, but she is slowly getting better.

So that takes me to today, Saturday. Susy, Mark and Kaitlyn came to the motor home and spent the day. Baby and I watched movies she likes, and I cooked a nice dinner for all.

Phew! I’m glad this week is over. So till next time…Lorraine

Sunday, 11/23/08

Chuck's report

Hello from Morgan Hill, California again. We were in Las Vegas last week and decided to leave on Monday vs Tuesday as planned. Lorraine needed to fly back to Bellingham on Wednesday so this would get us in the Bay area in plenty of time.

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Getting out of Vegas was uneventful this time. Last time we left there the traffic was horrible and folks merging onto the freeway didn't want to be caught behind a motorhome so they were pushing as hard a possible to get in front of us. This time, we sort of sailed on through even though there was some road construction. Lorraine took some pictures on the way out, here are a couple of them.

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We don't like to travel too far in one day anymore so we checked out the Passport America book for a campground to stay for one night. When we got to it, the roads were very tight, spots even tighter, they had just watered the grass and it was muddy. On top of that, the spot we picked out didn't allow us satellite reception. We decided to continue on and try a Wal Mart up the road. We got into their parking lot, Lorraine went inside and asked for permission and they told us where to park for the night. The only problem with this was we were too close to the freeway and the noise kept Lorraine awake for awhile.

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The next morning, we headed out for the short trip back to Morgan Hill, near where out daughter lives. We pulled in, got set up and headed out to pick up our grand daughter, Kaitlyn, from day care. She sure loves it when Nana picks her up. Her teacher said she was excited all day long and we didn't get there until after noon. She was quite a chatterbox, telling Nana about her day. We went to Susy's house and waited for her to get off work. Of course, Lorraine had bought some presents for Kaitlyn, here are a few pictures of her and her mother, Susy.

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Once again, what a smile. She likes this one.

Kaitlyn and Susy in their house. It may not show in this picture but Kaitlyn likes this shirt, too. After all, it came from Nana, what's not to like?

Kaitlyn playing with some beads Lorraine brought from Las Vegas.

Kaitlyn likes books too, Nana brought some of them for her.

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On Wednesday, I dropped Lorraine off at the airport in San Jose for her trip back to Bellingham. I then went by and picked Kaitlyn up from daycare. She wasn't her usual bright and cheerful little girl but I figured she was just down a bit from being so excited on Tuesday. We went back to her house to wait for Susy to get off work again.

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Kaitlyn never did get going too much and about an hour before Susy got home, she started complaining she wasn't feeling too well. We just continued having quiet time, watching one of her many movies on TV. She wouldn't eat anything and it was tough even getting her to drink water. After Mommy got home, she threw up a bit and said she was feeling better. I hung around for another hour or so then headed back to our Morgan Hill.

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On Thursday, I got a call from Susy saying they were still in the Emergency Room, had been there since ~ 1:30 that morning. Kaitlyn had started throwing up blood so they took her in, scary stuff. The doctors pulled blood samples, sent tubes down into her stomach and gave here some anti-throw up medicine. Real tough night for Susy and Mark. By the time I got to the hospital, they were just checking out so I met them back at their house.

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Kaitlyn has something called Hand, Foot and Mouth disease, I don't know the long, medical term for it. The doctor says almost all kids get it at least once. She has "blisters" inside her mouth, sores on her hands and feet. She is pretty miserable, can't eat or drink 'cause it hurts too much.
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Seeing as how they had been up all night, I said I would stay with Kaitlyn and they should try to get some sleep. Mark had to fill some prescriptions for Kaitlyn first then they both went to sleep. I try to force liquids into her, don't want her to dry out. After Susy and Mark wake up, I leave to head back to Morgan Hill.

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Next day, Susy calls and says she has a doctor's appointment for Kaitlyn and wanted me to go with them. I make it to their house in time to drive them to the doctor. Doc says it Kaitlyn will get better, force liquids and see here back next week. Some of the medicine she has helps with the mouth pain and allows her to eat some. I dropped Susy off at her work and then watched Kaitlyn the rest of the day.

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Mark had to come home early, he developed pink eye at work and didn't want to stay there. Kaitlyn attached herself to Daddy so I was able to go pick Lorraine up from the airport. Of course, the airplane was late, they developed "mechanical trouble".

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Lorraine had been back in Bellingham for a funeral service for her brother. I'm sure she has more info in her report about that. Speaking of that, we don't read each other's report until I put them together in the blog. I know that sometimes both of our reports sound the same but that's because we experienced the same thing together.

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Here are a few pictures she took while she was back in Bellingham.

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Our son Rich and his wife, Lora.

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Lorraine's sister, Thelma on the right with her daughter, Kerri, on the left.

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Kerri on the right, her brother, Carl, on the left.
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Lorraine on the left with Thelma's other daughter, Asley, on the right.
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Two pictures Lorriane too of the sun setting from 40,000 feet.

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Well, that brings another week to a close. Lorraine wrote her report last night, I just finished mine this morning and will get them in the blog and posted with some pictures. I hope you had a good week, have a very good day and even better upcoming week.

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Enjoy your Thanksgiving, a good time to spend with family an friends. In fact, my brother, Brian, has set up a Thanksgiving get-to-gether with all my brothers and my sister in Missouri. I believe all of them will be there, I'm the only one that will not make it but I plan on giving them a call and talking with them. Drive careful and here's wishing good weather for you.

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'Till next time - - Chuck