I had a very very sweet treat this weekend. Some old roommates of mine all got together for the first time in seven years. I don't really count that last reunion because it was at my wedding, and who really talks to anyone during one's wedding?? (=
Two of them flew into town, one drove and two of us are living in town. The hubbies are to be REALLY thanked for looking after the seven children left in their respective homes.
We just talked and talked and ate chocolate fondue, cookie dough and had yummy drinks from our "bar master".
There is something priceless in old friendships who know you and love from way way back (10 years ago) and can still be relevant and key to current discussions about life. I wish my life had been a better place so I had all sorts of happy things to say, but we're not exactly at a high point here. Good things are around the corner, but not quite here.
Anyway, it was a precious time and left me wanting to encourage all my other friends to STAY in touch. Old friends are a wonderful gift. Wish I could say more, but I don't even know how to process it all!!
Photos to come......
Waiting for Water - Our life in the desert
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
We're back!
Hi all! We've returned from our two week trip. It was a great time to see family and friends out in North Carolina and Georgia. Here are some videos - I'll have some of our actual trip soon:
Thursday, January 15, 2009
On the road.....
We're traveling in GA and SC, so I won't be blogging too frequently these days..... hugs to all
Friday, January 9, 2009
Lyle Leroy Choat Dec 18, 1916 - January 5, 2009
Lyle Leroy Choat
Lyle Choat, age 92, was born December 18, 1916 in Albion, Nebraska to William Choat and Grace (Earle) Choat. He died in Colorado Springs on January 5, 2009. He was married for 58 years to Mina Jean (Young) Choat of Nehawka, Nebraska who passed away in 1997. He had a wonderful five years of marriage to Vergie (Dorris) Choat of Colorado Springs, who also preceded him in death in 2003.
Lyle graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1942 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and served in the Army for three and a half years. He was a Captain and received both a Bronze Star and a Purple Seart for his service with General Patton’s 3rd Army in Europe, including Christmas 1944 at Bastogne. After his service in WWII, he was the manager of his father-in-law’s large dairy and cattle farm in Nebraska. Lyle’s ingenuity and forward-thinking approaches to life developed the farm such that it received the attention of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev during one of his historic visit to the US. After 10 years on the farm, Lyle worked for International Harvester in Hinsdale, Illinois for 25 years. He retired as the Manager of Testing and Development.
Mina Jean and Lyle were active in Christian work extending to many countries around the world. They have significant ties to The Navigators through several of their children and grandchildren who have served throughout Asia and Europe. They contributed significant time and finances to churches in each community where they lived.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Barbara Jean Choat who passed away in 1996. He is survived by his eldest son Kenneth Choat who is married to Louetta Jane Choat, his son Larry Choat and daughter-in-law Pat Choat of Houston. He has 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grand children.
While Lyle was of a generation of men who did not freely share their emotions, in his later years he became a very expressive, loving and appreciative man. It was commonly said of him that he had a wonderful attitude towards life and ageing. His is an example to his family of a life well-lived while storing up treasures in heaven.
A service and viewing will be held on Friday, January 9 at 9:30am at Woodman Valley Stone Chapel with a reception to follow from 10:30-12:00.
We miss you Grandpa.
Lyle Choat, age 92, was born December 18, 1916 in Albion, Nebraska to William Choat and Grace (Earle) Choat. He died in Colorado Springs on January 5, 2009. He was married for 58 years to Mina Jean (Young) Choat of Nehawka, Nebraska who passed away in 1997. He had a wonderful five years of marriage to Vergie (Dorris) Choat of Colorado Springs, who also preceded him in death in 2003.
Lyle graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1942 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and served in the Army for three and a half years. He was a Captain and received both a Bronze Star and a Purple Seart for his service with General Patton’s 3rd Army in Europe, including Christmas 1944 at Bastogne. After his service in WWII, he was the manager of his father-in-law’s large dairy and cattle farm in Nebraska. Lyle’s ingenuity and forward-thinking approaches to life developed the farm such that it received the attention of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev during one of his historic visit to the US. After 10 years on the farm, Lyle worked for International Harvester in Hinsdale, Illinois for 25 years. He retired as the Manager of Testing and Development.
Mina Jean and Lyle were active in Christian work extending to many countries around the world. They have significant ties to The Navigators through several of their children and grandchildren who have served throughout Asia and Europe. They contributed significant time and finances to churches in each community where they lived.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Barbara Jean Choat who passed away in 1996. He is survived by his eldest son Kenneth Choat who is married to Louetta Jane Choat, his son Larry Choat and daughter-in-law Pat Choat of Houston. He has 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grand children.
While Lyle was of a generation of men who did not freely share their emotions, in his later years he became a very expressive, loving and appreciative man. It was commonly said of him that he had a wonderful attitude towards life and ageing. His is an example to his family of a life well-lived while storing up treasures in heaven.
A service and viewing will be held on Friday, January 9 at 9:30am at Woodman Valley Stone Chapel with a reception to follow from 10:30-12:00.
We miss you Grandpa.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Grandpa Goes to Heaven
Well, we got a call about 8am this morning from the Rehab place and we all knew it was about Grandpa. Jen and I headed over right away and everyone else came later as things were taken care of (the baby, the carpenter who was coming, the phone guy who was coming for the fourth time.....).
He passed away at 1040am. It was very peaceful. The rest of the day was swamped with details.
The funeral will be on Friday morning at Woodman Valley.
He passed away at 1040am. It was very peaceful. The rest of the day was swamped with details.
The funeral will be on Friday morning at Woodman Valley.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Uncle Mike
Mike has been doing a GREAT job with Layla. She especially likes to eat breakfast and lunch with him and sample whatever he is eating. These days she is uninterested in yogurt but still loving soybeans in the pod, any sort of spicy meat, apples, blueberries and fig bars. She loves to drink water from a glass.
Her new thing
Lj's newest thing is this look of surprise. This is what she does when we say "we're going to see Grandpa-great!" Or that she can go find Daddy somewhere in the house. She is still sporting a major double chin (= We were currently in the elevator and she was excited about the door opening.....
Choat family 2008
Can't believe we all took a nice photo at the same time! This is on Christmas day at the rehab place, one of the nurses was taking the picture for us.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
We saw this last night. HIGHLY reccomend it. Set in India. Some hard topics are covered but not so fully that they are offensive. Amazingly well balanced while showing a very realistic view of India. Totally go see this film.
Slumdog Millionaire
http://www.slumdogmillionairemovie.co.uk/#/synopsis/
Slumdog Millionaire
http://www.slumdogmillionairemovie.co.uk/#/synopsis/
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year 2009!!!
It is hard to believe a New Year is here. Typical to my style and love of sleep, I headed to bed at 1130pm. Jen's friend (and family friend) Sue was here for dinner and fondue and she, Mike and mom and I were doing a puzzle for ages. We just couldn't give up. Mike finally had to turn the light out in the room to get us to stop. I had to give mom and Sue another 30 seconds of light and then we really did quit (=
I LOVE doing puzzles, but it only seems to work here at home and not in my real life.
Here's to a year being full of transition!
For those of you following, Grandpa is still at the same home and is doing reasonably well. He is noticably weaker and can hardly say a word any more. What a change. Even though the facility is rated as a five-star facility, we are working around the edges to make sure he stays comfortable. We just had the idea to move his lazyboy to the lounge area! I hope we can do that next week. They like to keep him in a wheelchair and not in bed all day, but really, the guy is 92. Let him sleep! At home here he just transition between the lazy boy in his room and out here in the living room (= Layla would follow him to either spot....
Anyway. Chocolate fondue was had last night. SOOOO good!
Happy New Year.
I LOVE doing puzzles, but it only seems to work here at home and not in my real life.
Here's to a year being full of transition!
For those of you following, Grandpa is still at the same home and is doing reasonably well. He is noticably weaker and can hardly say a word any more. What a change. Even though the facility is rated as a five-star facility, we are working around the edges to make sure he stays comfortable. We just had the idea to move his lazyboy to the lounge area! I hope we can do that next week. They like to keep him in a wheelchair and not in bed all day, but really, the guy is 92. Let him sleep! At home here he just transition between the lazy boy in his room and out here in the living room (= Layla would follow him to either spot....
Anyway. Chocolate fondue was had last night. SOOOO good!
Happy New Year.
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