a long, long, long, long, long (oops) time ago, in the land of Beer and Bratz, Feb 3, 19-- dawned
bright and sunny and cold. Wayne got up and went to work as usual, Dodi stayed in bed, knowing a busy day was ahead, soon-to-be big sister Dawn was starting to wake up and Grandma Steffen was visiting, so she could take care of Dawn when mom went to the hospital to
have the new baby. The baby was due 2/4 and the first one was a day late in coming and all seemed quiet on the home front.
All of a sudden, I got the urge to go to the bathroom. What, I can't control it--my water broke. I
had not experienced this with the first baby, so I really wasn't sure. In the meantime my mom
got up and we decided maybe we should call Wayne. Man he had just barely gotten to work, but
was really glad to come home. My first thought, stop at the bakery on your way home for "schnecks" sweet rolls to the non-Wisconsinite. What go to the hospital on an empty stomach--
NOT ME. But the practical me called the doctor and told his service what was happening and
they suggested I go to the hospital. Wayne came home and we had coffee and schnecks and
just sat and chatted. A few pains here and there, but nothing to write home about.
It was at this point I decided that if it were a girl (this was before the days when you could tell
a baby's sex a head of time) we would NOT be calling this baby Heidi Jo, I just couldn't picture
calling a 40 year old woman Heidi (didn't know about the famous Madam at the time), but if
it was a girl we would call her Beth Anne, it had to be a girl, we had no boys name. I wanted
to name a boy Michael, but our friends had just lost their baby to spinal Bifida and his name
was Michael, so I couldn't do that.
Well, several schnecks later (about 11 am) I said, well, I guess we'd better go to the hospital
as I was in serious labor by now, but not hungry. Just as we opened the door, the phone rang
My mother answered it and said hello to Dr. Bernhardt, who said Mrs. Steffen, where the heck
is your daughter. I have been waiting for her. OOPS I whispered, tell him I am on my way.
First thing he said to me was "didn't you know one the water breaks, the baby can come
anytime" Nope, didn't know that. St. Mary's hospital is down by the lake front, and being
in the middle of winter, there was lots of snow and ice, but the su n was shining, and tho it was
cold and icy, it was a beautiful winter day.
You girls probably don't know about this stuff, but in the dark ages when you had a baby you
had to go thru some demoralizing stuff, like having your bottom shaved (oh, those growing pains) and also were given an enema. Think about it, enema cramps combined with labor
pains,
About 3 hours later they decided I was ready for the delivery room, where they gave me gas
and when I woke up I had a new baby, a girl Beth Anne Webb 7 lbs 8 oz (or was it 15) and all was well. Now when they administered the gas it was at the last minute, just before the ap
oh, heck, I cant spell it, but it was just before the incision and the baby comes. They keep you
under until the stitching is done and then that's it. You are not out very long and when you
come to you are tired, but relaxed. Not so my husband he came to see me and fainted dead
away between the beds. I rang for the nurse and she suggested he go get something to eat,
I guess he needed more than schnecks.
Anyhow in t hose days they kept the mom and baby for 5 days. We weren't even allowed out
of bed the first couple of days, but they gave me an exercise board at the foot of the bed, two
planks, about an inch thick and 8 inches wide and the length of the width of the bed, the two
boards were connected by springs and you "walked" this way. Also several times a day they
would come and put a lamp under the sheets, high density , and this was supposted to promote
healing. I don't know if it worked or not, but once I got out of the hospital I was strong and
healthy and rarin' to go.
A day or so after Betsy came into this world, a very very old nun came in and said, I remember
you you were here about a year and a half ago, and you had a baby girl then, too. I don't remember her name, but she was retired and her main job was visiting the patients. I know
she could have read that in my charts, but it made me feel good anyhow. That catholic hospital
was such a caring facility, and they didn't even care if I was a Lutheran.
H APPY BIRHTDAY BETH
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
PASTORS D AND D
thank you thank you thank you
DATELINE: MONDAY 12/29/08 MOVING DAY
472 Teddy bears moved from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, heading for Good Bears of the World teddy bear nursery, waiting to be sorted and then sent out to 472 new homes where
eager arms and warm hearts await them.
It is always so heartwarming to see the family of teddy bears grow from a handful of bears under the Christmas tree, until, no matter where you look, bears are everywhere you look,
climbinb up any Christmas tree they can find, hiding under the tree, and I even saw one sitting
in a chair waiting for the worship service to begin. The final count was amazing. Our church
family always comes through, a little rougher this year as there were only three weeks between
thanksgiving and Christmas.
A week before Christmas I received an e-mail from Good Bears of the World, stating that they
had received a request from CASA for 600 bears to be given to abused and neglected children.
They were able to fill that request and many of the bears were from the 2007 bears donated
from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. Since we have been involved in this project, over
40,000 have been gifted. Our donations total approximately 3,000.
I am quite sure that we are probably the only church that decorates their tree with teddy bears
and their friends, but I understand one of our very young members feels that all trees should
be trimmed in this fashion. Who knows where that trend ma y go.
Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH and in the words of Tiny Tim "GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE"
The Teddy Bear Lady
DATELINE: MONDAY 12/29/08 MOVING DAY
472 Teddy bears moved from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, heading for Good Bears of the World teddy bear nursery, waiting to be sorted and then sent out to 472 new homes where
eager arms and warm hearts await them.
It is always so heartwarming to see the family of teddy bears grow from a handful of bears under the Christmas tree, until, no matter where you look, bears are everywhere you look,
climbinb up any Christmas tree they can find, hiding under the tree, and I even saw one sitting
in a chair waiting for the worship service to begin. The final count was amazing. Our church
family always comes through, a little rougher this year as there were only three weeks between
thanksgiving and Christmas.
A week before Christmas I received an e-mail from Good Bears of the World, stating that they
had received a request from CASA for 600 bears to be given to abused and neglected children.
They were able to fill that request and many of the bears were from the 2007 bears donated
from Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. Since we have been involved in this project, over
40,000 have been gifted. Our donations total approximately 3,000.
I am quite sure that we are probably the only church that decorates their tree with teddy bears
and their friends, but I understand one of our very young members feels that all trees should
be trimmed in this fashion. Who knows where that trend ma y go.
Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH and in the words of Tiny Tim "GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE"
The Teddy Bear Lady
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING......
history was made today. when I got up this morning, I thought, oh just another inaugaration day, you've seen one,
you've seen them all. WRONG! The manufacurer's of Kleenex today has much to be thankful for today, I have never
shed so many tears in such a short time as this morning. I have always known that someday there would be an
african-american president. I think I am even surprised that it took this long. I have never really seen people as black
or white or red or yellow, just as people----some I like and some I don't like so much. This wont change much I suspect. As you all know, I was not happy with the choices we had this election, but I do respect that the majority of
the people selected our new president and I respect the office he now holds. I will support him and pray for him and
all our leaders and for our country. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS US EVERYONE.
you've seen them all. WRONG! The manufacurer's of Kleenex today has much to be thankful for today, I have never
shed so many tears in such a short time as this morning. I have always known that someday there would be an
african-american president. I think I am even surprised that it took this long. I have never really seen people as black
or white or red or yellow, just as people----some I like and some I don't like so much. This wont change much I suspect. As you all know, I was not happy with the choices we had this election, but I do respect that the majority of
the people selected our new president and I respect the office he now holds. I will support him and pray for him and
all our leaders and for our country. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS US EVERYONE.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
DAWN REMEMBERS........................
going to look at Christmas lights while I checked to see if Santa had come to visit.
That brings me to the story of a "black eye for Christmas" While I was "checking" to see if Santa had indeed come, I was naturally kind of busy "checking". After all how long could daddy keep the kids interested in christmas lights when they were eager to see if Santa had been there. So hustling and bustling was the order of the
evening and while making one of the many trips from the closet to the Christmas tree
I spotted a piece of Kleenex lying on the floor. As I bent down to pick it up a powerful sneeze crept up on me and as I sneezed my eye connected with the book case
and by morning I had a beautiful shiner. Of course, I embellished the story, after
all nobody was going to believe the truth anyhow. C'mon now, sneezing was the real cause. I really believe Dad had the easiest job, but then he would never have remembered where everything was anyway.
I remember one Christmas Eve, Dad and left for work and dawn, beth, and mike were
down for the night (I thought) They were probably 4,3, and 2 years of age. Anyhow
we had gotten the girls "life size dolls" that year. The dolls were about the size
of a 3 year old. I had done some straightening up and walking thru the house I spotted the girls by the Christmas tree. I said "I thought I had you guys in bed"
No comment, only then did I realize it was the dolls I was talking to. I was sure glad no one had seen or heard me.
I mentioned in my last blog that we always kept our tree up a long time. Proof
positive---my tree is still up today. Now I don't want to hear "Graaaandma" or
"MooooooooM" I talked to my cousin Ruth in Wisconsin yesterday and she said I guess
I should really take my tree down..............I guess I just come by it naturally.
We always tried to keep it up until my sister's birthday (2/11) If it didn't dry
dry out too much that it. One year we even kept it up until Easter, but I am sure
Easter must have been early that year. One of the first years Dad & I had our own
tree in Milwaukee, I remember it had really dried out. We opened the window, we lived on the 2nd floor and the window was on the side yard, so no one was really
around and after making sure the coast was clear, we shoved it out the window. So
far, so good, until we looked. Yeah, the tree was out in the yard, but all the
needles were on the living room floor.
I still love Christmas and I still hate it when all the decorations and songs are
stored away for another year. I miss the warm and fuzzy feeling of the holidays.
I am still helping out at the church, but I look forward to them hiring a new secretary and letting me get back to being a very active couch potato
Until next blog-----luv'nhugs
That brings me to the story of a "black eye for Christmas" While I was "checking" to see if Santa had indeed come, I was naturally kind of busy "checking". After all how long could daddy keep the kids interested in christmas lights when they were eager to see if Santa had been there. So hustling and bustling was the order of the
evening and while making one of the many trips from the closet to the Christmas tree
I spotted a piece of Kleenex lying on the floor. As I bent down to pick it up a powerful sneeze crept up on me and as I sneezed my eye connected with the book case
and by morning I had a beautiful shiner. Of course, I embellished the story, after
all nobody was going to believe the truth anyhow. C'mon now, sneezing was the real cause. I really believe Dad had the easiest job, but then he would never have remembered where everything was anyway.
I remember one Christmas Eve, Dad and left for work and dawn, beth, and mike were
down for the night (I thought) They were probably 4,3, and 2 years of age. Anyhow
we had gotten the girls "life size dolls" that year. The dolls were about the size
of a 3 year old. I had done some straightening up and walking thru the house I spotted the girls by the Christmas tree. I said "I thought I had you guys in bed"
No comment, only then did I realize it was the dolls I was talking to. I was sure glad no one had seen or heard me.
I mentioned in my last blog that we always kept our tree up a long time. Proof
positive---my tree is still up today. Now I don't want to hear "Graaaandma" or
"MooooooooM" I talked to my cousin Ruth in Wisconsin yesterday and she said I guess
I should really take my tree down..............I guess I just come by it naturally.
We always tried to keep it up until my sister's birthday (2/11) If it didn't dry
dry out too much that it. One year we even kept it up until Easter, but I am sure
Easter must have been early that year. One of the first years Dad & I had our own
tree in Milwaukee, I remember it had really dried out. We opened the window, we lived on the 2nd floor and the window was on the side yard, so no one was really
around and after making sure the coast was clear, we shoved it out the window. So
far, so good, until we looked. Yeah, the tree was out in the yard, but all the
needles were on the living room floor.
I still love Christmas and I still hate it when all the decorations and songs are
stored away for another year. I miss the warm and fuzzy feeling of the holidays.
I am still helping out at the church, but I look forward to them hiring a new secretary and letting me get back to being a very active couch potato
Until next blog-----luv'nhugs
Friday, December 26, 2008
FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORIE(S)
Let me see, my favorite Christmas memory...Immanuel Lutheran Church children's Christmas Eve
Service...The Children's Choir annual radio broadcast on WTMJ...walking home from Audrey's
house late Christmas Eve in the snow...driving down to Lake Drive to see all the decorations...
Christmas carolling at Muirdale Sanitarium...Wayne and my first Christmas tree...the year we had
our first, second, third and fourth child and the wonder of Christmas in their eyes...the years we
really had to struggle to put gifts under the tree...the year Eileen wrapped up presents from her
dresser drawers in my towels that were in the clothes hamper.. Maybe it was the year I had the
black eye for Christmas...or having everyone over for dinner...maybe it was the year Ginny put
a diaper on the turkey before we put it in the oven (she didn't like seeing the bare naked bird sitting
on the counter, waiting to be stuffed) going to my sister's for Christmas...decorating the whole house
even the bathroom (Dad always said I competed with the department stores...going to the Christmas
parade in Hollywood (Wayne said we could leave after he saw Jayne Mansfield--I said no, the kids
want to wait to see Santa Claus...the night Eileen spied Santa and his sleigh flying high in the sky
over our hills(really a helicopter patrolling the freeway) sending Wayne and the kids to the store
Christmas Eve for the milk or soda I had "forgotten" so I could let Santa in while they were gone
to place the gifts under the tree. The kids growing up and moving out...having kids of their own
and trees of their own...brand new eyes lighting up with Christmas joy...changes all the time. The
first Christmas without my dad,then my Mom and then my husband...then the great grandbabies
started to come...more little eyes reflecting the Christmas lights and sitting on Santa's lap crying.
None of these things are my favorite memories, all of them are my favorite memories.
Christmas is my favorite time of the year--nothing else even comes close. The stores are decorated
as well as the parking lots, Christmas music fills the air, everyone (well, almost everyone) feels
the warmth and the fuzziness of the season. I LOVE CHRISTMAS I hate it that on the 26th, the
music stops, Christmas trees are discarded on the curb, the hustle and bustle is gone and so is the
warm fuzzy feeling. My wish for all of us is to maintain that feeling throughout the year.
Sorry, Melanie, I can't pick a "favorite" but if you bear with me, I will expand on some of the things
I mentioned before. I will start with Christmas when I was a little girl.
Of course, we lived in Milwaukee and it seems as if everyone there celebrated with gift opening on
Christmas Eve. Christmas day was reserved for visiting friends and families and they visiting us.
Of course, no artificial trees, no one (except the very wealthy) had them. It was Santa's job to
decorate the tree when he brought Christmas gifts. Of course, sometimes dads helped out a bit,
like putting the tree in the stand. The houses in those days were not the wide open living spaces
we see today. Most of the time you could close off the "parlor" (I think it was to conserve heat)
so about a week before Christmas the doors were shut and may mysterious comings and goings
of parents were observed. Nothing we could talk about you understand. Every night on the radio
we would listen to Billie the Brownie from Schusters and also Gimbie and Ellie the Christmas
elephants from Gimbels and they would be in contact with Santa Claus and would read letters on
the radio from boys and girls who had written to Santa. Then on Christmas Eve they would track
down Santa as he flew down from the North Pole. There was the Christmas Parade that travelled
across Milwaukee (decorated Street Cars) which was sponsored by Schusters and was routed past
the 3 Schuster dept. stores. The last car was Santa and his live reindeer. Of course this was just
Snta's Helper, because the "real" Santa was hard at work at the North Pole. The department stores
all went out of their way with their window displays. Animated scenes enough to make your eyes
pop out. At least one evening before Christmas we would go downtown and walk from one end
of Wisconsin Ave downtown section and go from window to window.
Christmas eve would see us all go to church and while we were there Santa would visit our home.
I went to the school at the church and the christmas eve service was the school children's program
We would sing the Christmas cantata which was the Christmas story we are all so familiar with, almost
word for word, with breaks inbetween for the children to get up infront of the Church to say their
"pieces" The higher up in the grades you were, the more of the Cantata you were a part of. my mom
always told about my kindergarten year when I had a "piece" to say. I was first with 11 classmates
following me. I said my "piece" then I said theirs and then we all sat down. Oh well, I guess I was
always a show-off.
Then home to open presents. Of course we always left milk and cookies an d "sugar for the reindeer"
My dad always said he KNEW Santa preferred beer and cookies, but my mom said no, after all he
had a lot of houses to stop at. This was before Rudolph was born.
I think this is enough reminiscing for now. I will share more Christmas feelings in a couple of days.
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
Service...The Children's Choir annual radio broadcast on WTMJ...walking home from Audrey's
house late Christmas Eve in the snow...driving down to Lake Drive to see all the decorations...
Christmas carolling at Muirdale Sanitarium...Wayne and my first Christmas tree...the year we had
our first, second, third and fourth child and the wonder of Christmas in their eyes...the years we
really had to struggle to put gifts under the tree...the year Eileen wrapped up presents from her
dresser drawers in my towels that were in the clothes hamper.. Maybe it was the year I had the
black eye for Christmas...or having everyone over for dinner...maybe it was the year Ginny put
a diaper on the turkey before we put it in the oven (she didn't like seeing the bare naked bird sitting
on the counter, waiting to be stuffed) going to my sister's for Christmas...decorating the whole house
even the bathroom (Dad always said I competed with the department stores...going to the Christmas
parade in Hollywood (Wayne said we could leave after he saw Jayne Mansfield--I said no, the kids
want to wait to see Santa Claus...the night Eileen spied Santa and his sleigh flying high in the sky
over our hills(really a helicopter patrolling the freeway) sending Wayne and the kids to the store
Christmas Eve for the milk or soda I had "forgotten" so I could let Santa in while they were gone
to place the gifts under the tree. The kids growing up and moving out...having kids of their own
and trees of their own...brand new eyes lighting up with Christmas joy...changes all the time. The
first Christmas without my dad,then my Mom and then my husband...then the great grandbabies
started to come...more little eyes reflecting the Christmas lights and sitting on Santa's lap crying.
None of these things are my favorite memories, all of them are my favorite memories.
Christmas is my favorite time of the year--nothing else even comes close. The stores are decorated
as well as the parking lots, Christmas music fills the air, everyone (well, almost everyone) feels
the warmth and the fuzziness of the season. I LOVE CHRISTMAS I hate it that on the 26th, the
music stops, Christmas trees are discarded on the curb, the hustle and bustle is gone and so is the
warm fuzzy feeling. My wish for all of us is to maintain that feeling throughout the year.
Sorry, Melanie, I can't pick a "favorite" but if you bear with me, I will expand on some of the things
I mentioned before. I will start with Christmas when I was a little girl.
Of course, we lived in Milwaukee and it seems as if everyone there celebrated with gift opening on
Christmas Eve. Christmas day was reserved for visiting friends and families and they visiting us.
Of course, no artificial trees, no one (except the very wealthy) had them. It was Santa's job to
decorate the tree when he brought Christmas gifts. Of course, sometimes dads helped out a bit,
like putting the tree in the stand. The houses in those days were not the wide open living spaces
we see today. Most of the time you could close off the "parlor" (I think it was to conserve heat)
so about a week before Christmas the doors were shut and may mysterious comings and goings
of parents were observed. Nothing we could talk about you understand. Every night on the radio
we would listen to Billie the Brownie from Schusters and also Gimbie and Ellie the Christmas
elephants from Gimbels and they would be in contact with Santa Claus and would read letters on
the radio from boys and girls who had written to Santa. Then on Christmas Eve they would track
down Santa as he flew down from the North Pole. There was the Christmas Parade that travelled
across Milwaukee (decorated Street Cars) which was sponsored by Schusters and was routed past
the 3 Schuster dept. stores. The last car was Santa and his live reindeer. Of course this was just
Snta's Helper, because the "real" Santa was hard at work at the North Pole. The department stores
all went out of their way with their window displays. Animated scenes enough to make your eyes
pop out. At least one evening before Christmas we would go downtown and walk from one end
of Wisconsin Ave downtown section and go from window to window.
Christmas eve would see us all go to church and while we were there Santa would visit our home.
I went to the school at the church and the christmas eve service was the school children's program
We would sing the Christmas cantata which was the Christmas story we are all so familiar with, almost
word for word, with breaks inbetween for the children to get up infront of the Church to say their
"pieces" The higher up in the grades you were, the more of the Cantata you were a part of. my mom
always told about my kindergarten year when I had a "piece" to say. I was first with 11 classmates
following me. I said my "piece" then I said theirs and then we all sat down. Oh well, I guess I was
always a show-off.
Then home to open presents. Of course we always left milk and cookies an d "sugar for the reindeer"
My dad always said he KNEW Santa preferred beer and cookies, but my mom said no, after all he
had a lot of houses to stop at. This was before Rudolph was born.
I think this is enough reminiscing for now. I will share more Christmas feelings in a couple of days.
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
Thursday, December 18, 2008
'TWAS THE WEEK.............
before Christmas...the weather was cold..."gives you the holiday feeling"...people were told...that was
on Monday...when snowflakes first fell...on the north end of the city...not here where I dwell...
Tuesday dawned...so bright and so pretty...a bit chilly, it's true...that's life in this city...On Wednesday
they said...expect a lot more...I don't think we knew...what was really in store!...It started around
noon...just a swirl here and there...so I went to the church...to spend the afternoon there...
darker and darker...it soon was a storm...so I hurried on home...to be safe and warm...I made footprintw
in the snow...from my car to my door...an hour later...you could see them no more...it snowed thru
the night...a sight to behold...but to my surprise...I was still very cold...my furnace decided...to gop
out on strike...so I crawled under the covers...for the rest of the night...a "snow day" was called
NO SCHOOL the kids cried, we'll play in the snow...it's really cool outside...the end of my story...i"m
happy to say...this is the desert...I like it this way. HAPPY SNOW DAY, HENDERSON STYLE
Accumulation at Railroad Pass 8 inches.
on Monday...when snowflakes first fell...on the north end of the city...not here where I dwell...
Tuesday dawned...so bright and so pretty...a bit chilly, it's true...that's life in this city...On Wednesday
they said...expect a lot more...I don't think we knew...what was really in store!...It started around
noon...just a swirl here and there...so I went to the church...to spend the afternoon there...
darker and darker...it soon was a storm...so I hurried on home...to be safe and warm...I made footprintw
in the snow...from my car to my door...an hour later...you could see them no more...it snowed thru
the night...a sight to behold...but to my surprise...I was still very cold...my furnace decided...to gop
out on strike...so I crawled under the covers...for the rest of the night...a "snow day" was called
NO SCHOOL the kids cried, we'll play in the snow...it's really cool outside...the end of my story...i"m
happy to say...this is the desert...I like it this way. HAPPY SNOW DAY, HENDERSON STYLE
Accumulation at Railroad Pass 8 inches.
Monday, December 1, 2008
thanksgiving, 2008
Whew! What a week. I decided to spend Thanksgiving 2008 in sunny So. Calif this year. Not really liking
traveling on holidays, I planned to leave Nevada on Tues morning and then return home on Saturday. hoping
to avoid the worst of the traffic. I was a little nervous too as Beth has moved to Corona, and I wasn't too
sure of the way to her house.
I got away from Henderson around 10 am and traffic was moderate, but moving, that is until we got just
past the state line. Then for a long period of time there was construction, stop and go traffice and finally
narrowed down to one lane. I am glad they are working on that section of the road as returning to Nv.
that section is steep and winding downhill, and a tad scary. Once we were past the construction area,
traffic moved along nicely, that is until we got near the agricultural checkpoing. Stop and go for at least
15 minutes and for no reason, they don't check a thing and then wave you on as if you are to blame for
the traffic tie-up. Well, obviously this trip is taking a lot longer than I had planned, but still I had left enough
time so I would get there well before dark. I was listening to a book on tape, so it was a pleasant drive.
I finally got to Corona and took the turn-off Beth told me to take, overshot the dirt road to her house, but
just made a u-turn and all was well, except, Beth did not give me an address or a street name. She
told me it was a blue house (it's gray) and after a few phone calls, I found it. By now it is 2:30 AND I
have to pee. The key was under the mat, and the bathroom was right by the door. Thank you God.
Oops, the water has been shut off. Wiped my hands on my pants and proceeded to unload my car.
I had brought some beer and I was going to put it in the fridge, so six pack in hand I head for the kitchen
and the next thing I knew I was flat down on the floor. Seems there is a 2 inch level difference from the
hall to the kitchen I couldn't see. The beer flew out of my hands, but fortunately didn't break. I knew I
wasn't really hurt but due to a fall many years ago (again in Calif) I had sustained a soft tissue injury
to both knees and have not been able to get down on my knees since, so therefore you know, if you
can't get on your knees you have to yell HELP, I'VE FALLEN AND I CANT GET UP. I called Beth and
asked her if Melanie was on her way and Beth was unable to reach her. She only lives about 10 minutes
away. I tried to pull myself up by the counter, no such luck, scooted on my bottom to the couch and
coffee table again, failure. Oh well, I still had the beer and if I waited long enough help would come or
I wouldn't care. Some guy came and turned the water back on and I called out and asked him to come
in and help me and I guess I scared him off. Pretty soon Melanie arrived and Henry and Cheryl were
visiting her so help had arrived. With Cheryl on one side and Henry on the other I was soon on my
feet, a bit shaken and embarrassed, but okay. I guess I will watch that step from now on.
Spent the rest of the afternoon with Mel and the kids and then when Beth came home, we decided to
go to dinner (mexican food) Beth, Mel, Maggie and me. Then home and to bed. Long, long day.
Wed I went with Melanie and the kids to someplace hundreds of miles away from Corona (or so it seemed)
as Melanie had an appointment with her Orthopedic surgeon, and Luke, Gavin, Mags and I waited in the
car while she saw the doctor. Melanie must have threatened those kids with instant death because they
were so good, I was almost bored. We went back to Melanies and spent the afternoon and then Brian
came home and Beth and Tony came and we ordered dinner from Pizza Hut. the pasta dinners, very good.
Thursday, Thanksgiving, we had gotted dinner already prepared from Albertsons, Beth made extra potatoes
dressing and sweet potatoes and we had a feast fit for a king. Brian, Mel, the kids, Elaine, Beth Tony and
myself for dinner and then Shannon Erick and the girls came over for dessert. The children entertained us
with dances, from heavy metal to the chicken dance. What fun.
Friday, Beth and Mel did the shopping thing at 4:30 am, Not me. I stayed in bed until 7 then got up showered
dressed and they came home about 10:30, got lots of bargains, so then we went to Coco's for lunch.
elaine had stayed the night at Brians and so he too went shopping and she stayed with the kids. We kind
of kicked back the rest of the day, after all it had been a busy week. Mel came over with Maggie, Brian
had taken the boys to see Madagascar. She wanted leftovers. She had to go to Walmart so Maggie
stayed with us. She stood up and walked from the living room to the bedroom (her first long solo journey)
and the next thing we knew she was sitting backwards on Katies Christmas present. She couldn't go
anywhere as half o the toy was in a box. There's no stopping her now that she can walk. The bathroom
is her favorite destination.
Okay,by now I am worn out just watching the kids play and made it an early night. Saturday morning
Beth made breakfast, French toast, scrambled eggs, sausasege and grapes and juice and the Catalano
family joined us. Then it was time to hit the road. I had such a great time and enjoyed getting to spend
as much time as I did with the Catalano family.
the trip back took about 3 and a half hours and I unloaded the car and was thankful that it was a safe trip.
Leaving on Sat the traffic again was moderate but mostly moving except for the 24 miles before Baker.
Stop and go and then smooth sailing the rest of the way. With gas prices down, I spent $26 for gas.
Not bad.
Looking forward to the coming Holiday Season. Love you all!
traveling on holidays, I planned to leave Nevada on Tues morning and then return home on Saturday. hoping
to avoid the worst of the traffic. I was a little nervous too as Beth has moved to Corona, and I wasn't too
sure of the way to her house.
I got away from Henderson around 10 am and traffic was moderate, but moving, that is until we got just
past the state line. Then for a long period of time there was construction, stop and go traffice and finally
narrowed down to one lane. I am glad they are working on that section of the road as returning to Nv.
that section is steep and winding downhill, and a tad scary. Once we were past the construction area,
traffic moved along nicely, that is until we got near the agricultural checkpoing. Stop and go for at least
15 minutes and for no reason, they don't check a thing and then wave you on as if you are to blame for
the traffic tie-up. Well, obviously this trip is taking a lot longer than I had planned, but still I had left enough
time so I would get there well before dark. I was listening to a book on tape, so it was a pleasant drive.
I finally got to Corona and took the turn-off Beth told me to take, overshot the dirt road to her house, but
just made a u-turn and all was well, except, Beth did not give me an address or a street name. She
told me it was a blue house (it's gray) and after a few phone calls, I found it. By now it is 2:30 AND I
have to pee. The key was under the mat, and the bathroom was right by the door. Thank you God.
Oops, the water has been shut off. Wiped my hands on my pants and proceeded to unload my car.
I had brought some beer and I was going to put it in the fridge, so six pack in hand I head for the kitchen
and the next thing I knew I was flat down on the floor. Seems there is a 2 inch level difference from the
hall to the kitchen I couldn't see. The beer flew out of my hands, but fortunately didn't break. I knew I
wasn't really hurt but due to a fall many years ago (again in Calif) I had sustained a soft tissue injury
to both knees and have not been able to get down on my knees since, so therefore you know, if you
can't get on your knees you have to yell HELP, I'VE FALLEN AND I CANT GET UP. I called Beth and
asked her if Melanie was on her way and Beth was unable to reach her. She only lives about 10 minutes
away. I tried to pull myself up by the counter, no such luck, scooted on my bottom to the couch and
coffee table again, failure. Oh well, I still had the beer and if I waited long enough help would come or
I wouldn't care. Some guy came and turned the water back on and I called out and asked him to come
in and help me and I guess I scared him off. Pretty soon Melanie arrived and Henry and Cheryl were
visiting her so help had arrived. With Cheryl on one side and Henry on the other I was soon on my
feet, a bit shaken and embarrassed, but okay. I guess I will watch that step from now on.
Spent the rest of the afternoon with Mel and the kids and then when Beth came home, we decided to
go to dinner (mexican food) Beth, Mel, Maggie and me. Then home and to bed. Long, long day.
Wed I went with Melanie and the kids to someplace hundreds of miles away from Corona (or so it seemed)
as Melanie had an appointment with her Orthopedic surgeon, and Luke, Gavin, Mags and I waited in the
car while she saw the doctor. Melanie must have threatened those kids with instant death because they
were so good, I was almost bored. We went back to Melanies and spent the afternoon and then Brian
came home and Beth and Tony came and we ordered dinner from Pizza Hut. the pasta dinners, very good.
Thursday, Thanksgiving, we had gotted dinner already prepared from Albertsons, Beth made extra potatoes
dressing and sweet potatoes and we had a feast fit for a king. Brian, Mel, the kids, Elaine, Beth Tony and
myself for dinner and then Shannon Erick and the girls came over for dessert. The children entertained us
with dances, from heavy metal to the chicken dance. What fun.
Friday, Beth and Mel did the shopping thing at 4:30 am, Not me. I stayed in bed until 7 then got up showered
dressed and they came home about 10:30, got lots of bargains, so then we went to Coco's for lunch.
elaine had stayed the night at Brians and so he too went shopping and she stayed with the kids. We kind
of kicked back the rest of the day, after all it had been a busy week. Mel came over with Maggie, Brian
had taken the boys to see Madagascar. She wanted leftovers. She had to go to Walmart so Maggie
stayed with us. She stood up and walked from the living room to the bedroom (her first long solo journey)
and the next thing we knew she was sitting backwards on Katies Christmas present. She couldn't go
anywhere as half o the toy was in a box. There's no stopping her now that she can walk. The bathroom
is her favorite destination.
Okay,by now I am worn out just watching the kids play and made it an early night. Saturday morning
Beth made breakfast, French toast, scrambled eggs, sausasege and grapes and juice and the Catalano
family joined us. Then it was time to hit the road. I had such a great time and enjoyed getting to spend
as much time as I did with the Catalano family.
the trip back took about 3 and a half hours and I unloaded the car and was thankful that it was a safe trip.
Leaving on Sat the traffic again was moderate but mostly moving except for the 24 miles before Baker.
Stop and go and then smooth sailing the rest of the way. With gas prices down, I spent $26 for gas.
Not bad.
Looking forward to the coming Holiday Season. Love you all!
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