G-G's Time at Home

G-G got a chance to go on an outing and come home with her physical therapist to evaluate how she would do.  She passed most of his tests.  She did well in the kitchen.

The physical therapist said she didn't have to go back when he was done with the home visit and left her with us.  We were all surprised.  So we had a fashion show.  Velda had been on a shopping spree and found several new summer outfits for her which GG wholeheartedly liked and she got to try them all on.  Women and new outfits.  She was very happy.

She was able to navigate the stairs.

She sailed along with her walker.

We got take out from  her favorite restaurant and she thoroughly enjoyed that burrito with sour cream and guacamole.  She sounded like James when he eats his favorite foods.  A purring machine.

It will not be long now.  Now we have a list of things for us to do to make it a little easier for her.
GG got a taste of freedom today so I think the recovery has went into speed mode.

Support at the Cabin

Last Sunday we received some much needed help at the cabin.  Scott, Kevin (Scott's brother), Allison and James came over for a couple of hours to help.

Kevin and Scott carried down some heavy landscape timbers and large landscape bricks so we can start the next phase of repairing the trail.  They also widened the trail going down to the beach.  Ron's back much appreciated the help!

Scott and Kevin brought up a large piece of driftwood.

And rocks for Velda's landscape projects.  A rock waterfall to hide the drainage pipes.

We finished placing the landscape bricks in the sitting area and started filling it in with gravel.

We had some supervision during part of the work party.  We got lucky to catch the bald eagle sitting in the tree right before it took off.

Then we had to have pizza.  James said Mmmmmm.

And some fruit and vegetables to go with the pizza.  James loves his grapes and was too busy eating to smile for the camera.

Little Helper

James came over early this weekend.  He wanted to help Grandpa and Po Po.

First we put up a temporary fence around the sugar snap peas and raspberries.

As you can see, the rabbits love Po Po's peas and the deer love Po Po's raspberries.  They chewed up the tops of our potential harvest and James's fruit servings.

He helped Po Po in other parts of the vegetable garden.  He would pick up the weeds that Po Po pulled and put them in the larger bucket.

He tried to do some raking but he likes to turn his rake upside down.  Not too effective.

Then he helped wash the boat.  Po Po gave him a clean rag with plain water in his own bucket.  

He was all over the boat!  He was very gung ho to help.

He was very serious about the washing...  Every time he needed to get past someone to get to another section of the boat that he wanted to wash, he would say 'excuse me' which meant move now!

Then he helped clean patio furniture.

He did take time to slow down to have some refreshments.

And to explore some of Po Po's gardens.  The recent rains made the plants huge.

Well slow down isn't the right word, Grandpa had to really hustle to keep up with James.  See who was pulling who?  He was determined to walk the steps down to the Asian garden.

And then he really enjoyed Po Po's beef and mushroom pasta casserole.

He is so much fun to have around.  He is so willing to help and copy what we do.  Very easy to teach and see that excitement on his face.  

Long Weekend Off Part 2

We arrived at the condo at Birch Bay.   James supervised loading the cart.   He loved riding the cart up and down the elevator.  He did not want too much on the cart at any one time.  The more trips the better.

James showed us that throwing rocks was a good stress reliever.  We had to go out at least once a day to relieve stress.  Po Po collected and collected rocks.  She said this was the best rock collecting site ever!  Her many bags were very heavy with rocks.

The next day we went to Vancouver.  We went to explore Granville Island.  Po Po and Mommy wanted to explore stores but James liked exploring all the neat things that was his size.

We ate at a restaurant that Guy Fieri from 'Diners, Drive Ins and Dives' ate at.  Mommy had that on her must do list.  James liked the noodles and the food was very good.

Since the tide was way out that afternoon, we were going to walk the beach.

It was a beautiful evening to relax and watch the sunset.  See Daddy way back there walking on the little sand bar?  Too wet for us and it looked scary deep but Daddy said it way only a couple of inches deep.

It was such a beautiful evening that we almost forgot about the tide coming in so quickly.  James needed help getting off his big sand bar that was turning into an island.

The next day we went to Bellingham.  We checked out a book store.

The bookstore had comfortable places where one could read or have a little nap.

Fairhaven had some murals.

The statue with 'Dirty Dan',  the founder of Fairhaven was very popular with kids.

Places where one could stop and smell the flowers.

And a rocket ship!  Ron, Scott and Allison went to a brewery, no surprise and Velda took James for a walk to see the rocket and wall murals.  Velda found a  hand squeeze rocket ship at another store so  James was very happy.

And donuts!  We ate the maple bars.  Yummy!

James is waiting for the van to pick us up and head to our next destination.

Long Weekend Off Part 1

Last weekend we took a long needed  weekend  to explore.

We started our first day with a visit to see G-G.  James wanted a report on G-G's boo-boo owie.

Then he wanted to check out G-G's gardens.

He wanted to see if G-G had a lawn mower too but the shed was locked.

He checked out the bridge at the stream.  The railing on the bridge was an excellent place to climb up to get a better view.  He loved climbing and hanging on the fence.

He thought it was okay for Po Po to hang onto him because for she seemed scared.

Then he checked out the statues.  This statue of a boy had a little dog that he had to pet.

Then we headed out to Canada.

Fern Gulley

Our neighbors at Holly invited us over to their property to see some of their projects. One of their many projects was a series of trails along a stream.  Pictures cannot do it justice.  Velda said it reminded her of the movie Fern Gulley.

They cleared out some brush to reveal a beautiful forest area.  Linda says she trims most of the ferns  Velda guessed over 400 ferns but by the way Linda laughed  and said it was way more than that but she enjoys it.  They have several acres - too many for us to do.

  

Arlen maintains the many trails which includes a bridge over the stream.

 

They have sitting areas so visitors can take in the beauty of this peaceful setting.  They have brought in hundreds of bricks to hold in the walls.  Those bricks are about 65 pounds each.

 

There is a dense canopy of trees so it is cool and shady and  lots and lots of beautiful moss along running and walking trails that they have opened up to the public to use.

This was a cement toad and the moss just took over.

Arlen and Linda have spent many hours on their peaceful piece of land.   If you think we spend alot of time working outside, we found someone else that does more and loves it too.