Maybe tomorrow

I did not receive a phone call from Peter today.  Jeanie (my contact) did text with no explanation but an apology and a "we will try again tomorrow." So maybe tomorrow.

Quick update on Peter

This is quick because I need to go to sleep. My legs are doing that "you are really tired" jerking. Yesterday I talked with the mental health liason at the jail, Jeanie. This is evidentally a new position and she and I were just connected.  It was a helpful conversation and she spent a good bit of time talking with me.  It sounds like Peter has been in a pretty psychotic state but has recentlyagreed to take some medication.  She said he is not "stable" but it has helped.  It sounds like the court is seeking a compentency test.  According to Jeanie this can be a really long process, months.  I did ask her about my reaching out to Peter. She said she would ask him when she saw him and later responded that she would help him try to call me tomorrow (thursday) or Friday.  Please pray for this conversation.  

I will try to share more information following our conversation.

Thank you.

Heading Home

It's Monday afternoon and I am sitting at the gate for my flight out of Yakima headed back to Atlanta via Seattle.  The end of a trip is usually not as fun as the beginning.  But there is definitely a sense of peace. I am glad I came and grateful for time with Sue and her family as well as quiet time alone.

On Saturday I had a couple of little visits with Sue. And in the between there was lunch with Sherry (Sue's daughter) and Mary Beth ( not a daughter, but like me feels very connected to Ron and Sue.) Mary Beth and I also managed a visit to a great coffee shop.  Throughout the weekend my time with them was also helpful. During one of the Sue visits I told her my story about AT the Pen Man. She directed me to a lamb on her couch and gave him to me. So I had a travel buddy for the rest of the trip, Sanders Lamb. 

I am now on airplane 2. I have a row to myself. woo hoo. I may get a nap before the midnight landing.  It's time to switch to airplane mode soI will share more from the trip later. Thanks for the prayers and encouragement!!

Destination Reached

Yesterday was a long day of travel but I made all my connections, got a rental car and made it to my intended destination. Yesterday afternoon I got to hug Sue's neck and visit with her for a couple of hours. It was very sweet. There were a lot of tears on both side. Her daughter and a long time friend who is here to help care for her, took me out for dinner after we took Sue to get hers in the dining room. I enjoyed getting to know them and was able to hear more of what had happened these past five months. It certainly helped fill in the gaps.

I am staying in a nice hotel. I slept smack In the middle of the king size bed for a good twelve hours. I had only slept a couple hours the night before and was pretty tired. I just finished the yummy free breakfast and will get to see Sue in about an hour.

I unpacked my bag and AT, the pen man definitely didn't make it to Washington state. I would love to know where he ended up and with who. Truth is, I found when traveling,  especially when alone, it helps to have a little object for photos. It helps tell the story as I'm not a fan of solo selfies or just pictures of places. I forgot to bring one of my travel buddies from home And I found the pen in the gift shop at the Atlanta airport. Maybe I will pick up a small buddy here in Yakima or perhaps this trip just won't have many pictures.

that didn't last long!

Well we are sitting at the gate... waiting... it's 20 min past schedule. something about auxiliary air?

And looks like my new friend ditched me back at the airport, somewhere. I can't find him 

tucked among my things. He probably thought LA sunshine sounded better than Seattle cold and hopped on with someone at the next gate over. Oh well. Pen Men come and Pen Men go. Do we cry? goodness no.

the next adventure

Today I got up and headed for the Atlanta airport about 2:45 AM. I am headed to Yakima WA to visit my Aunt Sue. If you have followed my journey for awhile, you may recall other pilgrimages I have made to see my honorary Aunt Sue and Uncle Ron in Washington state. Before we could plan my visit for this past August, Sue suffered a brain aneurysm and has been working hard to regain in rehab ever since. Thus I did not go at my usual time. When Uncle Ron rather suddenly died in October,  I decided I wanted to make the journey to see Sue.  So today I am on my way for a long weekend. This will be a different kind of Yakima trip but I am excited to see Sue and experience Yakima in November. It already has proven adventurous. My plane has been delayed and new arrangements were made by the airline to get me to my destination after midnight. So thanks to Maggie, the rep in Boise who helped me on the phone, plans have been flipped around making my arrival in Yakima the same with less travel time in a rental car. In addition, the airline bought me breakfast and well..... I met a guy.  A.T. was just hanging out in the airport gift shop with no plans for the weekend.  He asked if he could go with me. And I said,  yes!

We'll keep you posted!

SURPRISE!!!!

When Mom returned from her visit to her homeland of Kansas in August,  she had news that there was going to be a family celebration in October.  Her brother's 4 daughters were hosting a party to celebrate his 90th birthday and he and his wife's 70th wedding anniversery.  Thus we began discussing the possibility of going.  We decided with Peter's current situation that instead of our annual Christmas trip, She and I would fly to Kansas for the celebration.  Mom decided it was going to be a big SURPRISE for everyone.  So even though we had airline tickets, a rental car and VBRO rental house lined up, when a cousin called to offer to get us there, Mom said I couldn't get off work. In truth I think we were in the midst of ordering our T-shirts to wear to the event.  

This was a different trip for mom because since she wasn't telling anyone she was coming, she couldn't do her usual planning and detailed itinerary. Plus, she had just been to visit so she did not feel the pressure to make sure she fit everyone in. There were a couple of people not related to that side of the family that  I finally convinced her we should give a heads up to so that we didn't miss them.  We knew that most of her side of the family would be at the party and we would get to see them there. Personally I loved that this trip was not planned out and we got to be a bit spontaneous.  We had a great trip!!!  I think we really did pleasantly surprise her family. The weather was beautifulI. Our accomidations and car were just what we needed. We had some fun unexpected visits with friends and family. Overall, it was just so fun to be with Mom and enjoy her homeland.  I will use pictures to share a bit of the story.

After arriving in Kansas City our first stop was the Russel Stover Chocolate outlet and lunch at Bob Evans.

The Russel Stovers had been purchased (some of it anyway) for Mom's college friend Shirley.  Shirley's mom had worked for Russel Stovers when they were in college and Shirley often brought the candy back to school.  Last time mom saw her, Shirley talked about wishing she had some.  So the next stop was a surprise visit to Shirley with a bag of Russel Stovers candy in towe.

Next we took our rental car (which funny enough had Georgia plates) to the cute little house in an old historic district of Topeka. It was a great little place to set up base camp.  It was easy for getting to our various points of inerest.  We weren't too far from the Kansas State Capital building where I remember my Grandma working when I was little.  Mom and I made several drives by it during the weekend to determine exactly what color was the roof! It used to be green, oxidized copper.  They redid the roof and people tell us it is copper.  It looked black to us!

Next stop was to the cemetary in the little town of Hoyt where my parent's grew up.  I was excited to go out there on a pleasant sunny day.  My other trips have been on cold, wet and windy days.  Dad's tree is growing well and it's always nice to spend a few minutes at this peaceful spot.  While we were there we drove down a dirt road to make a surprise visit to a classmate of my mom's.  (My mom and dad were 2 of 10 students in their graduating class.)  It was fun to chat with Carolyn a bit but we had to make her promise not to tell my Uncle Delbert  (Mom's brother in law by her sister).  They are friends and she said she was suppose to call him..  He would be at the party and we didn't want him to know.  Then we went to the graocery store to get food supplies.  I know I was looking around every corner to make sure we didn't run in to a relative! 

Saturday morning was saw another childhood friend of my mom's.  She is the one mom stayed with while visiting in August.  We watched her play some pickle ball and she gave me a bunch of succulent clippings.  Yes "Succulents in my Suitcase" is just another title of one of my unwritten books.  Carolyn was also told "Don't tell anyone we are here!"  Yes mom has two school friends that she keeps up with, both named Carolyn!

Mom planned for us to wear celebration T-shirts to the event.  Etsy helped us combine old photo's with the word's stating that we were there to celebrate these people.

After making a couple of fun spontaneous stops, it was time to go to the party.  It was so fun to see the surprise on the family's faces as they realized Aunt Millie was there. I think my Aunt and Uncle were really excited about mom's surprise.  It was such a great celebration and we are so glad we were able to be there. I got to see several cousins and aunts and uncles that I don't see very often. 

Uncle Walt and Aunt Wanda

Dale is Wanda's brother and he and my mom
stood up with Walt and Wanda at their wedding. 
He and mom had a couple of dates back in the 
day as well.

Walt and Wanda's 4 daughters did a great job of
putting this celebration together. 

The rest of the trip was delightful spontaneous visits with family.  Saturday evening we were invited to join my uncl Delbert (he was married to mom's sister that died several years ago) on his regualr Saturday night "date" with mom's classmate Carolyn. "Date" is my word, not theirs.  They go most every Satruday, at the same time, and to the same restaurant just a town over. And after dinner Carolyn fed us Apple Pie.  I learned a couple of years ago that Carolyn can make really good apple pie so I was glad we got in on that.  The whole evening with them was so much fun. I grew up in big towns and have contact with two friend from all my pre-college schooling. I find the dynamics of these folks who grew up in a small town together and are still friends fascinating

Sunday we had an early lunch with my Uncle Slim (he was married to Dad's sister) and my cousin Tonya.  That was another real treat.  I learned later as mom was telling me stories that this uncle had dated Carolyn (from the night before) back in the day.  I love small towns!  Later that evening when we had no plans Mom and I made a surprise stop by Cousin Tonya's house and had a spontaneous dinner with her.  Again, so much fun.

Sunday afternoon cousin Dale invited us over to gather with his mom (Mom's oldest sister  Aunt Phyllis) and her brother and wife Walt and Wanda.  The Chief's were playing on the big screen and in the midst of that we did a little visiting.  I had fun conversations with both of my aunts.  I was delighted to hear my Aunt Wanda share stories about her and my uncle dating and his marriage proposal. 

Mom (87) with her sibblings,
Phyllis (94) Walt (90) The baby
Imagene died several years ago.

Me with the Amazing Aunt Wanda

Sunday evening mom and I enjoyed putting on our comfy clothes and watching some Netflix in our cute little rental.  The next day we packed up, found the See's Candy shop at the Nebraska Furniture Market then met long time friends Frank and Lee for lunch.  This couple and my parents became friends shortly after getting married and have been "like family" friends ever since.

Then it was time to turn in the rental car and get ready to fly home.  While waiting in the airport, mom was approached by an airline worker who thought she must be Sophia (Estelle Getty) from the Golden Girls.  Mom says that isn't the first time that has happened.  We had a good laugh.  Then mom went and got her haircut shortly after getting back!

The hardest part of the trip was from the time we got off the plane in Atlanta until we final got to our car. It was a small price to pay for the great little adventure together. I am grateful for all of mom's efforts to plan and make this surprise visit.  It is a memory I will always treasure.

October Recap

I don't have any new information on Peter. I do know he is to appear before a judge in a couple of weeks. The ultimate goal seems to be to get him qualified for mandated medical help. Please continue to pray towards this end along with a place to get therapeutic help once he is stabilized. My heart breaks for him and his current situation. There is a continual underlying sadness. However, I have been very grateful for the break from trying to fix things for him. The past month plus, I have had several fun events. Knowing he is being cared for has freed me to fully engage in them. Here is a little recap.

At the end of September we caught up with Anna and the kids in Cleveland GA for an Ag Festival.  Always fun to be with them and it was a beautiful day outside.  

In early October I tagged along with Billy and Melissa (and friends) to St. Simon and Jekyl Island.  This is where I did my one and only half marathon 9 years ago.  I barely did a 5K this time. But it was so fun to be back at the islannds and breath in the salt air. The weather was phenominal and the people and pace soothing to the soul.

Mid October I participated in my church Trunk or Treat.  I recycled last year's costume, borrowed props from school, and revamped an old trunk or treat activity to present Pete the Cat and his Groovy Button Game.

October 20-23 mom and I went on surprise visit to Kansas.  It will get it's own post.

This past weekend I capped off the fall festivies with a visit from my friend Dora who lives in Alabama.  She called herself Dora the Explorer as she led me on an adventurous day exploring in the North Georgia Mountains.  It was so fun to have her stay in my guest room and I  enjoyed the peaceful time with her.  

I am grateful for these many gifts of being able to rest and refresh this Fall.  I have one more trip coming up  .. but I will tell you about that later.  As always thank you for cheering me on and praying with us.  A friend recently said "I like to think we are walking each other Home, to our Eternal Home."  I really like that.  Thanks for walking me home.  (And I am just now having this thought that maybe I have already shared that with you.  I am not going to take the time to go back and look.  Even if I have,, I don't think it hurts to say it again.