Weekends - Birthday's...

Boy - weekends come and go just as bday's come and go.

We had an outstanding weekend that combined a play at the rep and a bday party with many friends.

The play was a hoot based on a group of guys partying heavy with plenty of comic relief as well as a strong message for hope/belief.

My bday party was awesome many wonderful friends were on hand to celebrate and enjoy the libations. We talked, laughed and enjoyed each others company.

My brother,Tony and Marleen, get the distance award coming from Okanogan.

Pam worked really hard on preparation, with help from Stephanie, to make the evening a success.

Many thanks to all who came - here's to another great year.

Peace/Love, T

Fun times...

Carl, Mike and Phyllis making lunch and yes laughing - what we all can use a bit more of...

Had a great time, they all pitched in with some chores that really helps out.

Hopefully the sun will start providing outside warmth for picnic's.

It is wonderful having company during the day!!!

Peace, T

oh ya Crystal is waiting for a morsel...

People...

Everyday we work on our usual tasks, routines if you will, getting through the best way we can.

Heard something that made a lot of sense "need people" what a simple saying yet it holds volumes of truth.

That begs the question "who are we without people? Can tell you with certainty having people who care and are willing to share their time is priceless...

It goes much deeper than just lunch, it reaches into our souls and makes us better people. With this support and the care my family is giving - allows me to stay positive and enjoy everyday to its fullest...

Thank you,

Peace/Love T

Fish-n-chips...

Breaking up the day is really helpful and this day is a good day too.

Over time living in the Puget Sound we sample fish-n-chips in many different restaurant's however, this lunch was outstanding. Guess you have to compare the same so this was actually Halibut-n-chips mmmm...

The location and view were pretty good too - thanks to all for their time.

Oh ya location - Salty's on Alki.

Peace, T

Spring break cont...

Watched too much NCAA hoops but we did brackets and had fun comparing choices.

Since we stayed in Seattle, during the break, doing local things occupied most of our time.

When was the last time you went to the Space Needle?? It had been well over 10 years so it was time. The dinner was outstanding, the view was beautiful and the company was priceless!!

We had a wonderful time together talking about most anything and everything...

Peace/Love T

Rambling...

Feel very fortunate having so many individuals for support, who create a powerful group during this time of challenge.

Started "lunch with T" this week and it helps to have someone stopping by to break up the day. Bill and Shelley came by yesterday - we had good conversations about most anything. Jane and John stop by today, more conversations and more enjoyment.

Will have friends coming by everyday this week - hopefully the sun will shine and we can get some pure Vitamin -D!!

Keeping positive is the most challenge of all - everyday there is a change to deal with, it gets trying... Working on little moments, laughs, whatever it takes to see a positive light - is the goal everyday.

Looking forward to a fun weekend we will go to a play at the rep then celebrate another bday for me - turning 51!!!

Live - work?...

What is the saying - we should "work to live... not live to work"!!!

Don't know if because I grew up in the 70's that this quote was very easy for me or if I saw too many people burned out and did not want to follow that path.

That doesn't mean working hard was not a philosophy but when the time came, playing was always favorable.

Or maybe it was as we grew up we had recess and always had a blast so continuing as an adult was easy.

Through my career as a Realtor I have had the pleasure of meeting and helping wonderful people purchae a home - as a matter of fact I have some very good friends that I met this way and are lucky to know them today.

With that let's all play a little more and, oh ya, remember those hugs...

Peace/Love T

Tradition continues...

Anyone who has been around me has seen pictures or been involved with pictures at the top of a mountain with my shirt off. Why? who knows - maybe like the attention, ya think... Anyway the boys hiked the king and they kept the tradition alive!!! Peace, T

Spring break...

Mitchell and Bradley are home for spring break a bit hard because normally we would have gone somewhere - Whistler has been a popular destination for us during this time.

They are helping tremendously giving Pam a break on the care giving duties - as someone said we are in a "different place"!!

The boys went skiing at Crystal Mountain today they wanted to ski "The King" one of my favorite hikes into back country skiing - hope they get some good pic's. Tons of fresh snow should be a top notch day!!

We will get out and do some Seattle touristy stuff - creating a memorable "spring break"...

Weekend...

You never know what really is going to happen on a weekend. The boys came home for spring break and it's good to have them home.

We went to Grinders, a sandwich shop in Shoreline, that on Saturday nights has blues bands play and this night "Little Bill and The Blue Notes" were playing they were fantastic. We celebrated Doug's 52nd Bday - oh that's right he was not 52 until midnight.

After - music ends by 10:30 - we headed to Johnny-Mac's for more fun the trouble is you don't know about access. Well his home sits high off the street with many stairs, no way can I get in, actually I can... With just a small word of encouragement four guys come out, pick me up (in my wheel chair) and take me all the way in the home. It's a crazy ride but once in - enjoy everyone's company and at the end of the night it's a crazy ride out.

Fun for all on this weekend...

JP Patches...

Living in Eastern Wash my day time character was "Captain Kangaroo" once I moved to Seattle this JP Patches thing came around and thought what is this?? Well at a bday party guess who showed up...

Lunch time...

OK, OK, here it is - want to have lunch?? With sunnier weather we have a great spot for lunch. Stop on by let's have lunch!! Art and I enjoying the sun, perfect sandwich, and lots of lies with embellished stories... Peace/Love T

Self-portrait...

January 21st, 2009... There are milestones that we all have and remember - this is one for me. My last day driving, it's not that I couldn't drive - well with no use of my left arm and very little in my left leg, pretty scary. Getting to the car is the biggest obstacle. Anyway really liked driving my car the Lexus was pure pleasure and spent many hours looking/showing homes in it too.

Your eyes...

A glance from the hostess - with a smile...

The nod from the cook - passing the kitchen...

A young boy's head spinning around - looking with wonder...

The tear in a friends eye - as we talk...

Fear not for when we look from our eye's we see, we feel, we use our strength, our spirit, conveying warmth to "your eyes"...


As I have adapted to this illness walking has left me and moving around today is in a wheel chair. What is interesting is the looks from strangers and people who know me well. Absolute human nature and sincere non-the-less noticeable, something I'm sure was part of me too. This is a little poem saying it's OK, it's understandable, it's just part of having a disability. Actually tears come to my eyes too sometimes...

Peace/Love T

Beautiful day...

The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day!!

We look for these days and enjoy everyone that comes our way.

We see flowers starting to peak above the soil, we see smiles on faces as warm as the day itself, we see the crisp clear sky and hope for more.

Once the sun begins to hide we know another day is done but look forward to what tomorrow will bring - for everyday we wake, is a "beautiful day"...

Vocabulary...

We read, we learn, we listen, we take in information all our lives - store it for everyday use.

Sometimes we learn new definitions for words we never thought would apply. Here goes this "hope vs. reality" thing again - I hope things stop progressing but reality dictates something different.

The words transfer, lifts, ramps, power chairs, belts, caregiver along with a host of others take on a whole new meaning. Who thought using the word - transfer (to another chair) using a lift belt (around my mid section for leverage) would be words used to describe my daily activities - but it does.

It's interesting because things are really pretty good given the circumstances, we make the most of it. If the chair is too low I need help to get up, so my need for help is daily. We have been able to get out most everyday which is very enjoyable. Not able to walk around but just to get out is great.

Now you may think "how terrible" but like most things it is your attitude and perception that allow us to make the most of every situation.

Taking these words applying pertinent definitions creates a new "vocabulary" of witch takes fortitude and love to keep moving on...

Holiday...

We have had the pleasure of many great holidays this is a particularly grand one!! It's amazing what is available in our own back yards.

This is Lake Roosevelt - we had a boat to fish, a power boat to ski and of course a houseboat on which to play. Daryl had scouted this spot out and at first glance was nothing but as we got closer this beautiful bay opened up perfect for all the boats.

What was great about this week was different groups came and went while we stayed. We hiked, water skied, ate, drank, played domino's, went to a casino, fished, swam, and enjoyed everyone's company.

If you were to hot the slide off the back of the boat provided a refreshing plunge - one thing was: make sure there was water on the slide - can you say slide burn. Sitting on top in the evening as the sun was going down - was particularly soothing.

A relaxing time by all no cell phone service just peace and wonderful company - a great Holiday...