2013 Ventures

Hello family bloggers,
Here I am, the middle of May.  Where has this year gone???  But, we've been busy. Nearly all of February and March was doctor visits.  Finally got done with that, then I started having ear issues.
Nonetheless, we went on vacation with Gene's brother and his wife, to Birmingham, AL.  Visited the Sloss Furnaces factory.  It's no longer a working factory and free to the public to tour.  Very interesting place.  Took a LOT of pictures.

Steel mill that is located in Birmingham, AL.  Closed now.

 Gene standing beside a large wrench.

 Huge wheel.  Gene's love and weakness.

We all took turns having a photo session with the some of the old machinery.

Gene, Dennis and Steve visited the Aircraft Museum in Montgomery, AL.  The girls went shopping.  So I didn't get any pics of that adventure.  We had a great time visiting with Gene's cousin and her family.  Steve's 91 year old father lives with them.  Mr. Smith has lived a very interesting life.  He was a young man when he met Stan Musial and was on his way to be signed up with the American League when his life had a change in course, and he joined the Navy.  For all we know, he could have been one of the greatest left-handed pitchers ever known.  He has pictures to document all of this.  Also showed us an old pic of the Daytona Beach speedway when it was on the beach.  Part of the big highway, I believe it was I-10, was closed during the races.  The other side of the track was in the sand (on the beach).  He said there was many a time the drivers would get loose and their car would head towards the ocean.  Too cool to listen to his stories.  I could have listened forever.
After leaving Birmingham area, we headed to Wetumpka, AL where Dennis' and Enid's middle daughter and her family live.  She gave us a short tour of the town of Wetumpka.  Very neat stories there too.

 Leslie Clark Hines with her son, Holden, and daughter, Delaney.

Me and Gene at the Wetumpka Park.

Dennis and Enid Clark with Holden and Delaney Hines.

We walked through the park and Leslie told us about how the Coosa River and bridge was used in the movie, "Big Fish", a Tim Burton film.  She showed us the house that was used for the Ed Bloom house whom Albert Finney portrayed, which is actually the Collier House.  The bridge is unusual and is easily recognized for its design.  

 Coosa River Bridge

Collier House, Wetumpka, AL

 The old jail

 Dennis holding Holden up to see inside the old jail.

We only had a day to spend in Wetumpka, but I asked my niece to brush up on her history of the town to give us a longer tour the next time we visit.  We had a great time walking through the park and along the river.  Can only imagine how neat the little town will be.

Next was Easter. Relatively quiet for us.  We did spend a little time with the kids but half of our grandchildren don't do much with Easter any more.  The little ones enjoyed egg hunts.

Mother's Day was the next big event.  What a FANTASTIC day it was!  Patrick, Lisa and Aaron picked us up and drove us to a new eating establishment called Willie Jewel's BBQ.  Sharon had to work a few hours at the Urgent Care office (filling a few Rx's).  Myron picked her up after work and they met us at Willie's.  We enjoyed some of the BEST stewed squash I've ever eaten.  And I've had my mom's squash, and I used to cook it all the time, but this was just super good.  Maybe it's because I haven't had any for a long time.  Yummy!  Anyway, after eating, we headed to downtown Charleston to the Joe P. Riley stadium for a Charleston Riverdogs' baseball game. They played an excellent game!  I believe the score was 10-9.  They played the Texans.  Throughout the game, different events were taking place.  One, was two guys dressed in oversized padded sumo wrestler suits.  Our son, Allen was one chosen.  I got a video of it and posted it on YouTube and Facebook.  Allen knocked the blue guy down the first time, but the blue wrestler knocked him down on his back, and then finished him off by jumping on top of him.  We laughed!  Allen said he couldn't feel the guy on top of him because those suits are really padded!!!  

Backing up to when we entered the stadium, there was a section set off for kids to test their ball throwing speed.  So Adam pitched.  He threw a 52 the first time.  Then Patrick paid for him to do it again.  This time he pitched a 55.  Allen decided he wanted to try.  Again, Adam tried to outdo his previous speed, and he pitched a 58.  They told him to keep checking throughout the day to see if anyone beat his speed.  At the end of all the fun, Adam stood undefeated, and won three tickets to the Riverdogs' games.  We all feel like we'll be watching Adam playing for the Charleston Riverdogs one day.  How cool would that be?  He is wanted by all of the teams in Summerville.  Everyone knows Adam "AJ" Jordan.  He's a good pitcher, outfielder, short stop, and batter.  He eats, sleeps, and thinks about baseball.  He found this to be his niche when he was 4 years old.  And he's been obscessed ever  since.

Adam's pitching speed---58 mph

Sawyer_enjoying the ballgame

Aaron and Adam_managed to catch them on the run

Cooper_ my sweet boy.  He had a great time too.

Gene trying his hand; 38 mph.  Not bad for a Grandpa who never played baseball.

Patrick didn't do too bad_for a 37 yr old.  He got a 57.

(But Adam was in the category for 11 yrs. and under.)

The day ended with Gramma buying all of the kids little Slugger baseball bats and they got the Charleston Riverdogs to sign them.  The sky was coming to a dusk as we all parted.  We had a great time and the weather was perfect.  If I never have another great day, that one will live with me forever.

School is nearing an end, and Grandpa has worked to get the pool open for the summer.  Now we just need several days of warm temperatures to get the pool water just right and the kiddos can enjoy swimming at Gramma's and Grandpa's.  Looking forward to spending time with the kids again.  That's what it's all about....FAMILY.

SO I end this blog time for now.  Hope everyone has had a good Spring.  Summer is upon us as far as the calendar indicates, but Mother Nature hasn't checked the dates as of late.  The weather is still iffy but that's OK.  Those of us who know what the terrible hot, stuffy, humid summers can be like are not complaining.  We'll take these mildly cool days and enjoy.  

Everyone take care.  Talk to you soon.

Enjoy your backyards, front yards, and all of God's beauty.





He finally went Home!

On October 22, 2011, Wilbur Rease made his final trip...Home! On the early morning hours of October 21st, he was trying to get out of bed to use the bedside toilet. Somehow he got his feet tangled and fell...breaking his upper leg. Mom covered him up until the EMS people could get there to access the situation. Of course, he had to be taken to the hospital. Once he arrived at Trident ER, x-rays were done and they found he had a fractured femur. Question was whether to do surgery or not. If they decided not, then he would be bedridden for the rest of his life. However, he might not come out of surgery. But amazingly, the doctor said he came through the surgery with flying colors. As we all went into his room after he came up from recovery, I noticed his coloring. I was not pleased, but figured it was just the lighting in the room. I asked him if he was feeling any pain. He said, "No". Everyone came in and talked with him...then as more people came into the room, the noisier it got, so Dad asked us all to leave. Which was fine. We knew he needed the rest more than anything.

The doctor called me the next morning about 7 a.m. He wanted to know if we were planning to come to the hospital. I told him that we would all be up there later. He said that Dad had had a rough night and they were having trouble stabilizing his blood pressure.

That same morning I had a local TOPS convention and had told 3 other ladies that I would drive. But something was nagging at me, telling me not to go. I talked it over with Gene and he said that I should go...that I'd have fun. So I went---reluctantly. Upon arriving at the convention center, I turned my phone on vibrate and placed it next to my chest...so it wouldn't interrupt anyone, but I would know if someone was calling me. No sooner than the convention was called to order, I got a buzz. So I went outside of the building to answer the call. It was a voice mail...and it was the doctor calling me. He said that the family needed to get to the hospital ASAP. Then I got a 2nd call. This time the doctor said the family needed to come to the nurses' station when we arrived at the hospital. I didn't give it any thought. I just knew that I had to get to the hospital. I told the ladies that I had driven with me...and they decided they would get someone to come pick them up later. So I headed for the hospital. The whole time I was asking Dad to 'hang on'....that I was coming. I got to the hospital and had a bit of a time finding a place to park, but finally got one. Once I got to the floor where he was, I headed straight to his room. His door was closed. I went in...he was laying there with his eyes closed, his mouth open a bit. I took his hand. It was cool but that was nothing unusual. Then I placed my hand on his chest. He wasn't breathing. I laid my head on his chest. No heartbeat. That's when I knew...and suddenly, my heart broke. I began to shed some tears. Then in another instant, I thanked God for making him comfortable. For taking him out of his misery and pain. It wasn't long before two nurses came in. They held my hand while I continued to hold his. They told me that he had no pain that morning and that he told them he was doing fine. His body just couldn't handle the trauma of all that he'd gone through. He had been sick nearly the entire year. In and out of the hospital the last couple of months. He was so tired of hospitals. He was sent to rehab twice. He did what they wanted just so he could go home. Then he got pneumonia and he fought that and won. But the fracture was just more than he could take...and he knew it was going to be a rough road back.

As much as we miss him, we're glad he's no longer suffering. He'd really had a rough year. He'd tell me and mom so many times that he was ready to go to Heaven. He was tired. Each time we'd tell him that God knew when his time was...and that he had to be patient and just enjoy the time he had.

Here it is----2013!  Wow, the last year has flown by (at times).  I feel like I've been in a coma.  Yet, so much had to be taken care of.  Never, in my 63 years of life, have I ever dealt with so much paperwork, and jumped through so many bureaucratic hoops.  It is unreal what the "government" requires people to do...especially when you have lost loved ones.  They act as if it's "just another day", when you're dying inside.  The general act of walking and managing to put one foot in front of another is a miracle.  Why...even breathing has to be automatic, or you'd stop!  But---push was what I did, of course with the persistent urgings of Gene.  If he had not "nagged" at me and pushed me to go take care of papers, I guess I'd still be sitting.  I truly wasn't in the mood, but, with his loving urges, I got them done.  And now, I'm just waiting for the final papers to arrive telling me that the probate files are closed, and thanking me for being so diligent about getting everything done in a mannerly time.  Ahhh!  Now I can sit back and reminisce all I wish...remembering the BEST days of my lovely parents' lives. 
Just recently, my cousins Patty and George brought me some old movies of Uncle Charles'.  They had them put on a DVD.  How wonderful it is to look back and remember all of the sweet faces.  Young and old alike.  When they were filled with youth and vibrance.  Full of life.  Life seemed to be without a care.  Those times were like they would never change.  But change they did!  Thank goodness for technology we are able to look back and relish in the love and livelihood of those early days.  And we can laugh, just as they did in those many footages of film.  Thank you Patty and George for bringing some smiles and joy to my heart. 
I decided just before the end of 2012 that I was ready to let go of the past year and all of the sadness and losses.  Dad, Mom, Connie (a dear friend that I had become so close to), Aunt Jean, and my sister-in-law's mother, Lilian Graham.  Later in the year, Maureen Anspaugh and her sister, Jenny, died.  So many, so close to our hearts, some too young.  But none of us know how long we have here on Earth.  We're born, we learn and live, enjoy life to our fullest capacity, then we pass on.  Seems very short-termed.  What we do with our time is up to us. 
Anyway, I'm moving forward.  Not looking back at the sad times, but looking at the new days.  Enjoying what time we each have.  Making the BEST of each day.
So, here's hoping everyone has a wonderful New Year.  That only positive things will happen for you and yours.  Should sadness, or unfortunate times befall you, that you will not be swallowed by doom and gloom, or despair.  Instead, pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start all over again. 
Until next time....have a great life.  Love to all.  Enjoy the backyards, front yards, and all around.