My Last Warden Reunion

Well, my last unless Hanna Schott or Jane plan to show up anytime in the future. I'd rather just have a small Warden Reunion of the females in the class of 1959.

This reunion was very small with no new faces from the past. I urged Linda Olson to attend and she did like visiting with Smokey Kisler and Robin Steele. My mom and I left after two hours. I must be moving out of my nostalgic mode.

Sharon Campbell and Phyllis Bowling

Who Are These Wardenites?
Originally uploaded by arlal.

Work

I used to hate that word but after four years of unemployment it feels good to be doing work again. There is just something satisfying about having a task to do and then interacting with others to get the task accomplished. It has a way of weighing on my mind constantly and making me focus. Whitworth College needed a student teacher supervisor for this six week summer session so I do that two days a week until the first of August.

So far I've only met two students and I will have a total of five, some at a school in the valley and some at two Spokane schools. I needed to put in writing my joy with the new job so I can refer back in a few weeks if I start complaining about work.

My mom and I went to Russel's funeral in Moses Lake on Wednesday. It was a long service but it covered his life nicely. I still wanted to hear Faron Young's I want to live fast, love hard, die young but that was not a selection. My mom enjoyed the service and the food afterwards but on the way home she asked who it was again who got married. I think it's just hard for her to think of conversational topics.

Cyd has been off her feet for three days this week. She did go to Swedish Medical Center and has a perinatologist there set up as her physician. She is reading every baby book about twins. I'm glad I got to take care of Josh and Jake once so I can say I've had experience with twins.

Lucas likes the swimming pool. He really likes it so there is a lot of screaming when it's time to get out. I think this year the pool may get some use.

ICU

I suppose as we age those letters have more significance along with vocabulary like respirator, peeps, and cautious optimism. This time the patient was not a family member but he was the husband of my friend, Linda's niece. Now you would think that this connection would be so remote so as not to involve me but he did get his injury in Moses Lake and was air lifted to Spokane for care. Linda was the designated coordinator of the medical response team so she drove from Seattle to Spokane with Cindy, the patient's wife and their two children. They arrived here Sunday late in the evening and stayed with me at night.

It seems that Russell, the father, was driving in Moses Lake when he was stung by a bee. Within a few minutes he went into shock followed by cardiac arrest. Within 15 minutes he was rescusitated and taken to the hospital. After he arrived in Spokane he remained in a coma. As time wore on and 48 hours passed he continued to show no improvement. Yesterday about 7 he passed away.

It was a long, hard week for the family. They came together from all over the U.S. and everything fell easily into place. Russell's two eleven year old twins said they hated hospitals. I told them that they should love hospitals because the excellent hospital was helping their daddy get better. I went on and on about the fine care he was getting daily. However I was tempted to refuse Linda's offer to go into the ICU to see Russell. I wanted to say I hate hospitals but I couldn't in good conscience do that after what I'd told the twins. It was amazing how strong I felt after facing my fear of entering a patient's room in intensive care.

It was a busy week with many late nights. Linda, Cindy and I would get into the king size bed and talk for hours. Cindy is strong and it is going to take lots of strength to handle this one. Last night after Russell died the entire family came to my house to visit out of the hospital. Today they all packed up and left. Wednesday is the funeral.

Meanwhile this past week was also the Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build which I worked on for two days and the Manito Plant sale where I worked only 6 hours. The Lind Ladies also had their cookie day and I got to try the Rice Krispy bars. I need some advice with those as they did not look as good as Diana's did at Memorial Day.

Charlie came by the hospital to give us a rundown of his expertise in cardiac arrest patients as he formerly worked in this ICU. He was very helpful. I also talked with Betty yesterday and her rotator cuff is healing daily. She is taking it easy though it doesn't sound like she's happy doing that.

Today has been a veg day but it was nice outside so the pool is now functioning even though it is still not very warm. Lucas likes floating his boats around the perimeter for now. He and Alberta had a good time playing peek a boo but I'm not sure who was in charge. I have a feeling Lucas was calling the shots but Alberta was laughing a lot.


The world is a wonderful place to be born into
if you don't mind some people dying all the time
or maybe only starving some of the time
which is half so bad
if it isn't you

Twins!

Cyd and Dave went in for an ultrasound today and they learned they are having twins. This is a great outcome in a two for one package. It will be most difficult initially but I'm sure having two after the age of three will be a good thing. January 26th is the day they may be arriving. Grandma will be resting up for the next few months to get ready for three grandbabies in a short time. Anna Marie and Brett are expecting December 7th.

Lucas with glasses

Lucas with glasses
Originally uploaded by arlal.

Strabismus

Lucas got new glasses and he likes them so much that he actually leaves them on all day. We noticed the turning in of an eye occasionally but didn't really think it was anything yet his parents had him checked anyway.

It seems the glasses will help keep his eyes in alignment and I notice he is paying more attention to visual details. The first week he had them the optical shop was visited almost daily for repairs varying from twisted temples to lenses out of the frame. I think they make him look intelligent and wise so I tend to believe him when he says, "I can DO it."

Judy and the Scarecrow

Judy and the Scarecrow
Originally uploaded by arlal.

Oz Park

Cousin Judy is becoming a name on the internet as long as you google her name with Oz Park or scarecrow. She spends most of her time fussing over the details of the park and that includes collecting drug bags left by the high school students. Friday was the day the third statute was put in the park across the street from her house.

Oz Park, bounded by Lincoln, Webster, Dickens and North Edward Court in Lincoln Park, is truly becoming the land of Oz in Chicago. Already housed there are sculptor John Kearney's statues of the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and, coming in June, the Scarecrow, which will be installed in the Emerald City Garden. The Oz Park Advisory Council hopes to eventually raise funds to commission a Dorothy and Toto statue.

"The park has become a tourist attraction," said council treasurer Judy Johanson. "People take pictures in front of the statues all the time. Dorothy and Toto are the logical next step."

I think a marching band was included in the installation and Judy orchestrated the festivities. I don't know if she was able to order up the sunny weather she wanted.

We have only rain here and I guess that is what we need. I am ready for some summer now however. Lucas, his parents and Alberta were here for dinner this afternoon and the rain stopped just in time to allow Lucas to hit a few balls with his foam baseball bat.