Vacation At The Beach!

Royal decided to take a few days off work and we headed to the beach with his parents, Norma and Wayne, and his Grandma Mary.  The weather was great the whole time.  It was sunny, in the upper 60’s, and hardly any wind.  We had so much fun.  There are so many stories to tell...

Here are a few highlights :

• We played an enourmous amount of Scrabble and Spite and Mallace.   And for those who care to know, yes, I did beat Norma finally!  The queen of Spite and Mallace!  She still owes me $.30!!!  Well actually she only owes me $.20 now, because she found a dime in her pocket.


• We ate way too much cheesy garlic bread, and this had a really bad affect on Royal.  Royal is banned from eating any more cheesy garlic bread, because let’s just say, we had to keep the windows open while we played cards in order to keep a good supply of clean oxygen in the house.


• Jayden woke up at 6am every morning (he normally sleeps in until sometime between 7:30 and 8:00), and really didn’t take any good naps.  I guess he was excited to be on vacation too.


• We did a day trip to Long Beach and walked around town


• Jayden loved playing in the tide pools.


• The house we were staying in was 3 blocks from the beach, and we went every single day!

On Saturday, we decided we would go to Ledbetter Point State Park.  Royal had heard there was a nice hiking trail that we could take that would take us down onto the beach.  Sounded like fun to me.  So we loaded up the car with Jayden and his backpack, Norma, Wayne, and Grandma Mary.  Grandma did not want to be left behind.   So, Norma said she could come and we would bring a chair for her and when she got tired, she could sit in the chair along side the trail.  Grandma is 89 years old, so we didn’t think she would make it that far.

We get to the start of the trail and the sign says that it is 1.3 miles down to the beach, so we start off nice and slow because you really can’t walk that fast at 89.  People keep asking grandma if she wants to stop and rest, or if she wants to go back to the car.  I think she gets fed up with it because she says, “You guys don’t know me!  If I say I’m going to walk to the beach, then that is what I am going to do!”  Oh boy…

Norma tells Royal and I to just head off to the beach so Jayden doesn’t have to be stuck in the backpack for hours.  So we leave Norma, Wayne, and Grandma, figuring that Norma and Grandma Mary would head back to the car eventually and Wayne would catch up with us.

Soon the trail turns from dirt and pine needles to a sand dune.  So we are walking in deep, soft sand, Royal and I both said that there was no way Grandma was going to make it through that.  Then the trail goes down into this swampy forest where there are mosquitoes the size of small birds.  Royal and I start running through this part just to get away from the suckers.  (ha ha, get it, suckers?)   I put my sweatshirt on and run behind Royal to keep the mosquitoes off of Jayden’s legs and the back of Royal.  Sadly, there was nobody keeping the mosquitoes off of me and I have two bites the size of quarters on my shoulder.

We finally make it to the beach.

Jayden plays in the water, finds some seaweed, and has a grand ole time.  We kept looking back towards the trail expecting to see Wayne come over the hill at any minute.  We stayed for about 30 mins, Jayden was getting cold, so we dried him off, put him in some dry clothes, and got him back in the pack.  Just as we get Jayden back up on Royal’s back, we see Wayne coming over the hill.  And he’s not alone.  Here comes Norma and Grandma.  We’re like ‘no way!’.  We catch up to them and Grandma’s resting in her chair.  She says her legs feel fine, but she just can’t catch her breath.  Besides being 89, Grandma is diabetic and has a pace maker.  I am sure that thing was working over time on Saturday, shocking her heart left and right.  ha ha ha.  Norma didn’t look too happy that Grandma decided to be stubborn and walk the whole way.  Royal offered to carry her back to the car.  There was an idea thrown out there that she could sit in the chair and Royal and Wayne would carry her back in the chair.  Grandma wouldn’t hear any of it.  She said she was walking back.  Oh boy…  So, we started walking.  We made it about 100 feet and then we stopped so she could sit in her chair and rest.  This was going to be a long 1.3 miles back.  As we were approaching the swampy forest of mosquitoes, Royal and I take off again, so that we can get through the swarm quickly and hopefully avoid getting bit.  We make it back to the car in about 30 minutes or so.

Jayden fell asleep in the backpack about 5 minutes from the car,

Royal and I tried to brainstorm on how we could keep him asleep.  We figured we had enough time to drive back to the house and Jayden and I could stay there, and then Royal could drive back to the park before Norma, Wayne, and Grandma got back, but we didn’t have the house key.  So, we carefully got Jayden out of the pack and put him in his car seat.   Yeah, that didn’t work.  Oh well, we were on vacation, who cares if he slept, we’d figure it out later.   So, Royal decides that he would head back down the trail to catch up with his parents and grandma and see if they need any help.

I stayed in the parking lot with Jayden.   Jayden and I ate some crackers, we ran laps around the cars, we played catch with a tennis ball, we played in the sand, Jayden played with all the buttons and nobs in the car, we read ‘What Floats?’ 500 times, we walked part way down the trail again hoping to see the rest of the crew…

Over an hour later, they get back.  Grandma looks exhausted, Royal and Wayne are on each side of her walking her up the trail, but she made it!  What other 89 year old do you know who could walk almost 3 miles in sand?  We got back to the house, and Grandma refused to take a nap in her bed, she wanted to watch the Mariners.  Can we say stubborn?  Say it with me now…”sheesh”.  So she sat in a chair, watch the Mariners for about 5 minutes and then fell asleep for the next hour.  Norma had to force some food down her.  We had spaghetti (of course with cheesy garlic bread), and Grandma told me that she hates spaghetti, but she choked it down.  She played a few games of Pinocle, and then it was lights out for her.   She is never going to live this down.  We got back to Kelso on Sunday and Royal’s brother, Gabe, showed up at the house.  One of the first things that was said was, “Hey Grandma, why don’t you tell Gabe what you did”  ha ha ha  Crazy old ladies!

I Heart Vinegar!

I currently use white distilled vinegar all over my house.  I clean counters, cutting boards, floors, Jayden’s toys, tables, etc.. to disinfect them.   Vinegar kills 99% of all germs and it’s not poisonous to humans!  Double bonus!  I find it much easier to let Jayden drop his food or binks or whatever on the floor and then stick it in his mouth, or lick the table when he’s done eating when it’s been cleaned with vinegar.  I don’t have to worry about what poinsonous chemical he’s ingesting.  Royal laughs and makes fun, being the chemist he is.  He loves chemicals and thinks they should be used for everything.  I keep buying dishsoap, and laundry soap, and cleaning products that are safer for the environment and not as poisonous for us, and he keeps threatening to make his own cleaning products at work and bring them home.  He says, “Who cares if it eats through cement, at least you know it’s eating away the germs!”   He actually said this to me last night while he and a friend of mine, who was visiting for the night, sat around and made fun of me.  It’s cool, I don’t care.  I do the shopping, so I’ll keep buying the stuff I want.

I have had this problem with ants in my rock retaining wall this summer.  And they aren’t just any ants, they are freaking fire ants.  Biting, mean, little, fire ants.   They build their nest out of the beauty bark inbetween the rocks, running to and fro, without any idea of the hatred I hold for them.  Yes, I know they are God’s creatures and we are suppose to take care of them, but I pose the argument, are you sure they aren’t the Devil’s creatures?  (Good argument I know, ha ha ha)

So quite a few times this summer, while I have been out watering the plants that sit on top of the retaining wall, my hatred for the ants boils over.  I turn my watering hose from a lovely light mist, into a hard stream of water…and I power-wash the suckers right out of the wall.   I am always a little shocked at the number of ants that come streaming out.  I glare at them over my stream of water and say, ‘Get the heck out of my wall you stupid ants!’  So far they haven’t listened, they just start rebuilding their nest a few rocks down.  In about a week, it looks like I never did anything to them.  Resilient little suckers.  The last couple times I have flushed out the ants, I have had a visit from another one of God’s creatures that live in my wall.  A huge hobo spider. Now don’t get me wrong, I HATE spiders too.  Hate them!  Too many times were we chased out of the closets by those hairy spiders that lived in the cabin at Timberlakes.  Those spiders didn’t run away from you, they jumped at you.  I’ve had nightmares, especially after the movie Arachnophobia.  Not a good one to watch when you already have an aversion to spiders.  But I spare the spider.  Why?  Because I am hoping that it will eat the ants.  I even say to the Hobo, ‘Hobo, please eat these ants, I hate them’.  So far, the spider hasn’t listened either.  If God ever gives me the gift of speaking in tongues, I hope he gives me the language of animals/insects.   Everyone else will think I’m talking crazy, but the bugs will keep a nice safe distance from me.  I think it’s better for everyone’s sake.

I have been wanting to get rid of the ants for awhile because I am afraid of Jayden running over to the wall and getting bit, but I did not want to use poison to do it, for the earth and our sake.  (You’re welcome earth, you can thank me later)  I just couldn’t figure out what to use.  Then as I was reading about the 1001 uses of vinegar , I ran across this “Stop ants from congregating by pouring white distilled vinegar on the area”  I heard angels singing in the distance, I really did.  So, I went to the store and bought a gallon of white distilled vinegar.   During Jayden’s nap, I went out to the wall, I talked to the ants, telling them I gave them lots of chances, but they had made a sad choice in staying and this was the end of the road for them.  I then preceeded to pour the entire gallon of vinegar along the side of the wall where the ants have been living.  The next day, I was out inspecting my work, and I noticed that there were still ants everywhere.  Needless to say I was furious, so I grabbed my hose and I destroyed their nest, mumbling to myself, “stupid vinegar”.

It was a week ago that I did this.  I was out watering the plants today and I started to look for the makings of another nest by the ants.  And I couldn’t find it anywhere!!!  I love vinegar!  I don’t know why I ever doubted it’s powers!!!  Granted it’s only been a week, and the ants could be moving to the other side of the wall where the vinegar didn’t get poured, but if they do, I’ll be back with a 5 gallon jug of vinegar.  Sayonara Ants!!  Watch out Hobo, you could be next!

Wristlets : High Fashion or Hodge Podge?

I created a little wristlet out of my leftover sock yarn for Kaylee, so that she would have something to wear around that would make her think of me, and miss me.  Yes, selfish I know, but sometimes I can’t help myself.  Who would of thought that they would be so popular?

While sitting and listening to Jeffrey Williams play at Urraco’s Music on the Patio this past Saturday, I was knitting up another one for Joanna, so that we all could have matching ones.  (I still don’t have one yet, you will see why in a moment)  So I finish Joanna’s, she puts it on and shows her husband Jon.   Jon’s eyes light up and says, “That is great, can I have one?”  I say sure, of course.  I didn’t really take Jon THAT seriously, because Jon is one of those really nice guys who says he loves things and it’s mostly because you love them, so he likes them by association.  He even has the really nice smile and the soft funny laugh that is almost a giggle.  I really like him, he’s one of my favorites.

Anyway, the next day was Sunday (because Sunday is always the day after Saturday) and I was sitting out at the lake during Jayden’s nap and I started knitting up some more wristlets, one for Jordan and one for me, so then all the siblings would have one.  Linda and Greg were staying out at the lake for the weekend too and Linda saw one of my wristlets and asked if she could have one.  So, as they were getting ready to pull out of the driveway, I ran out and gave Linda one.  I go back to the front of the house and someone comes out on the patio and says, “Greg was wondering why he didn’t get one”  Well that would be because I didn’t know he wanted one.  Luckily, I had another finished one, so I grab the spare one and give it to Greg.  I was a little tired of making wristlets at that point, so I never did make more for Jordan and me.

Yesterday (Thursday), I was chatting it up with Joanna online and this is our conversation: Jmccomb4=Joanna, RachelELov=me

Jmccomb4 (1:40:19 PM): Jon really wants a wristlet

RachelELov (1:40:59 PM): oh yea?

Jmccomb4 (1:40:55 PM): yeah he really does

RachelELov (1:41:08 PM): i can make him one no problem..would he like a pink one? ha ha ha

Jmccomb4 (1:41:10 PM): I bet the guys at practice would love that

Jmccomb4 (1:41:29 PM): he goes I told Rachel that I really want one and I dont think she believed me

RachelELov (1:41:59 PM): ha ha ha, i just haven’t made any since sunday

RachelELov (1:42:05 PM): i will make him a special one tonight

Jmccomb4 (1:42:01 PM): good he’ll love that

It turns out, Jon really did want a wristlet.  So last night, after Jayden went to bed, I cranked out 3 wristlets.  Jon is one lucky fellow.  When his band, Ordinary State, makes it huge, my wristlets may become really popular, because let’s face it, everyone is secretly in love with the drummer and wants to be like him.  Ask Joanna, all the girls are in love with Jon.

Rock on Wristlet, Rock on!

We Got Inked!

We did it.  Kaylee, Joanna, Jordan, and I went up to Flaming Dragon Tattoo yesterday and put our personal memorial of Willie permanetly on our bodies.  They turned out so good.

I want to say a BIG thank-you to Forrest Cooper who designed the tattoo for us and also to Dave Wach who worked on us for 6 hours yesterday to put the tattoos on.

In the car on the way up, we rocked out to a little Heavy-D, “Now That We Found Love” to get ourselves pumped up, it’s just what happened to be on the radio at the time, but we got into it. :)

Kaylee was going to be first up, since she lives out of town, and she was still having trouble decided between 2 different designs.  We finally decided we’d all do the same design, just on whatever part of our bodies we wanted.  So with that settled, we all talked and laughed a little nervously the rest of the way.  We arrived at Flaming Dragon Tattoo, feeling completely out of place, but really we didn’t care.  We came with a mission and we were going to get it done.

Kaylee bravely signed the release papers, sat in the chair, put her earphones in, and really didn’t say much.  When Dave started, she did turn around and say, ‘Oh, it’s really not that bad’.  So we felt a little less anxious about our own, until she was finished and she said, ‘holy smokes, that hurt bad!’

Joanna was up next.  We had a feeling that Joanna would either really hate it, or really love it.  Joanna usually isn’t too in the middle about most things.  Guess which one she was?  She LOVED it!  She chatted it up with Dave the entire time, laughing, talking about how much she loved getting tattoo’d, the endorphins had kicked in full gear and she was having a great time.  She kept turning around to us saying, ‘You guys this is great.  It hurts, yea, but this is awesome!’

Jordan was next, and Jordan was nervous, but Jordan did great!  We thought for sure we’d hear him making noises, or being real sarcastic, or talking about how bad it was, but we got nothing out of him.  He sat in the chair, put his headphones in, and powered through.  He hardly even looked at us.  We were so impressed!  Jordan said afterwards that he had turned his music up so loud to distract himself from how bad it hurt.  But his tattoo is awesome!  It looks so good.

I was the final victim for torture that day.  I was a little anxious because I knew it was going to hurt, but I was excited to get it done.  I kept telling myself, “I can do anything for an hour, this is only going to hurt for about an hour”.  And really it’s true.  It hurt for sure, but it was tolerable.  I mean it took me longer to push out a baby than it did to get the tatoo put on.  It definitely hurt, but I would do it again.

Before:

During:

After:

I love our tattoos.  I’m so glad we got them, and that we got them together.

UPDATE: My mom was actually with us when we got our tattoos.  She drove up later in the day to check out the activity, meet the guy who was inking us, and hopefully get tatted herself.  As it turns out, we ran out of time, but that was ok, because mom ended up rethinking what exactly she wanted to get and where she wanted to put it.  She still wants to have it done, but it will just be at a little later date.   Maybe my dad will be convinced by then, he did say last night, “If (and a really big if) I ever had it done, I’d put it on my back like Jordan’s.  I really like how Jordan’s turned out”  Which is a lot different from what he has always said about tattoos, which is, “If you guys ever come home with a tattoo, you’re out of the will!”   So, hopefully my mom will get hers done in the near future, and maybe my dad will too!  I’ll be there for it for sure, with my camera in hand (or maybe Jordan’s)!

My Symbol of Suffering

It was 10 days after my brother died, and I was out with my mom buying Jayden birthday presents, since that day was Jayden's first birthday.  My mom said something to me about wishing that there was a black armband or something that she could wear so that people could see that she had suffered a great loss.  Maybe they would stop saying things like, “How are you?” (when they don’t really want to know) or “Have a nice day”, because for us, those days weren’t so nice, some days still aren’t.  I still think somedays it would be nice to be able to put something on, that set me apart from the “normal”, “ungrieving” world, that would allow me to have a bad day without having to explain it.  I could just put my armband on and people would know that someone close to me is now gone.  Maybe we would get a little more consideration from strangers, maybe a hug from someone who doesn’t know that even 3 months later we are still sad.  I feel like it would be nice to be able to remind people that even though it has been 3 months and their lives have gone back to normal, mine is still upside down most days.  Maybe it would remind someone to say a prayer for my family because we are on a journey that is taking us down a road we don’t want to be on, and from here, it looks like a long, uphill road.

Since Willie has died, I’ve heard all the members of my family say that they feel like they have lost pieces of their bodies.  We are marked, forever scarred, never to be the same people that we were before April 14th.  That is why I am so excited that we are all getting tattoos (except my dad, we haven’t convinced him yet).  I am excited because it’s like the marked person I am on the inside is now going to be on the outside.  After my tattoo, my outside will never be the same, it will be forever marked, there will be a visual representation that I am changed.  It’s my black armband.  It’s my symbol of suffering.  It’s my reminder of the things I have lost.

Cousins!

Kaylee and her two boys are here visiting from Phoenix. They have only been here for a week, but Brendan, Wyatt, and Jayden are becoming fast friends, the 3 musketeers as Kaylee and I always wanted them to be. It took Jayden a little while to warm up to them, as the Wagner boys play on a whole different audio level, and Jayden is used to the quietness of his house, but they are having a great time! Here are some pictures from their adventures so far…

They all took some drum lessons from Uncle Jon and Aunt Jojee

They have done some rough-housing with Uncle Bubba (with lots more to come I’m sure)

They have done some swinging in the park

And they have gone for walks in the strollers with their moms! Half way through this walk, Jayden had a bit of a meltdown, he wasn’t used to sharing the stroller with anybody and while Brendan was trying his best not to touch him, we ended up switching Jayden into the single stroller and Wyatt into the double with Brendan.

Thirsty?