All my children

Yes, I know that's the name of a soap opera, but I am referring to my children.   yes, they are all adults, but I gave birth to them so I can call them my children.  Anyway, they are all together in Portland, Oregon having a big get together/ slumber party.  This is the first time all five of them have gotten together on their own without it being a parent organized event- like a wedding, funeral or holiday.

I think it is so cool that they have decided to be together.  It makes me happy that they all like each other enough to do this.  So often you hear of siblings growing apart once they have flown the nest.

Here are some of the pictures that Courtney has sent to me.  She was the instigator of this weekend get together.

I am not sure how or why, but these pictures are not in the order I intended them to be.  Oh well...

Courtney & Morgan meeting Austin & Chance PDX

Darcy at Courtney's house

Chance in Courtney's kitchen

Morgan at Courtney's house

Four Sherwood brothers at PDX

It's a birthday to remember

Thirty eight years ago today I became a mother for the first time.  Courtney Carol Sherwood was born in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday February 25, 1978.   She was born during a thunder storm at a small, Thai hospital in the Bangkok suburbs. 

And now she is a grown woman.  An amazing person.  Smart, talented, caring, loving and beautiful.

Who knew how much love could be all wrapped up in what was once my little bundle of joy.

Same picture as above- in color

Pain

I am planning to write about pain.  Physical and emotional.

Right now I am going to bed.

More to come

Family

Many people are interested in genealogy.  Origins.  The people we came from. Some are interested in the history and the stories from a hundred years ago.   Some just wonder what their grandfather, who they never met, was like.

About a year before my mother died, I sent out packets to my mother's siblings, a few of her cousins and some  colleagues.   In the packet was a piece of acid free paper for writing or typing on and I think some little envelopes for pictures.   It was wonderful receiving all of the letters.  The memories of my mom and how she was a part of so many people's lives.  There were pictures of her with her sister, brothers, cousins and friends.

I was so happy to be able to, with the help of my sister, put together an album of pictures and those letters.  My mom really loved it.

I tried to ask my father questions.  To know him better and understand him and myself.  But he didn't like to be asked. So I feel I have more questions than answers.

And now, I find myself looking on Facebook and following some of my cousins.  And their children and grandchildren.   I am thinking of trying to create a project much like the one I did for my mother.  A sort of living genealogy for myself and my children, and for my living cousins and their children.

This is what I wrote on Facebook this evening:

Looking at photos of my [first] cousins and their children and in some cases, grandchildren. On my mom's side there were 16 grandchildren from Grandma & Grandpa Rivers. All but one, my brother Dale, are still active and living. In 2001, shortly after my brother died, we had a Rivers reunion.
My mom was one of 5 siblings. Three remain.


On my dad's side there were 14 Thompsen grandchildren. And for the last 14 years, my brother was the only Thompsen cousin gone. Now we have lost another, my cousin Pat (Patricia).

In July there will be a gathering on the Thompsen/ Thompson cousins and their children- those who can be there.
My dad was one of 5 brothers. They are all gone. Two of their spouses, my aunts, are still with us
Those of my friends who did not grow up with lots of aunts and uncles and cousins may not understand. But to me, my cousins feel, , in a way like extended siblings.
I want to see you all again and again in my life

Am I a professional or what?

Got my new business cards today.  I have always made my own business cards and have really liked them.   But when I went to buy the card stock the other day I realized that I have been paying a lot to make my own.

So, I designed my own and had them printed:

I didn't copy the color quite right here, but, I like it.  The mother and baby are me and one of mine, many years ago.

Here I am again

Boy have I been having a rough time health wise for the last few weeks.  My sister and I returned from a cruise on January 25th, and I have been sick ever since.   I started out with sore legs and a sinus infection right after the cruise.  I just assumed that my lags were sore from walking on the ship when the water was rough.  But that soreness/ pain continues.

The antibiotic for my sinus infection caused my muscles to all ache and hurt.  And my joints too.  My knees, elbows, shoulders and hands all hurt.  My knees are uncomfortable enough that when I walk I go as slow as I can.   Also, my eyes are bright red, itch and are dry.  Drops help the discomfort, but

not the redness. 

I got tested for the Zika virus since we were close the the areas where the breakouts are.  I know it is very unlikely that I have Zika, but I am known for collecting exotic medical stuff.

I have not been to the gym since getting back.  I am just too stiff and sore.  My skin, especially on my legs, feels tight like A sausage wrapper.  Now that's not something I ever thought I would say, or experience!

And then there' my new friend and constant companion;  high blood pressure.  What!  I have had very low blood pressure forever and now suddenly it is high?  Maybe it will return to normal if I ever do.

It snowed in the night, and though it was not a whole lot, it was a beautiful sight to wake up to.   Snow is just so pretty!

Test post

I made some really short videos of birds in our back yard.  I am testing to see if I can post videos.

It looks like I don't have it figured out yet.  But I will leave this here anyway in case a video fairy comes along and makes it work!

The snow has mostly melted

The snow that kept us an extra day on our cruise seems to have all but melted.  It is still piled up in nasty, dirt piles in parking lots, but that's about it.  There is some talk of more snow this coming week.   I am okay with that.  I like snow.  And, now that we don't have little kids, or any kids, living at home, "snow day" doesn't mean much of anything any more.

I have not written much because I have been feeling lousy.  And who wants to read about someone feeling lousy.  We can each keep our lousiness to ourselves.  I guess.

While I was gone and the snow was piling up, Nick put a stick outside to measure the depth of the snow.  I took several pictures, starting with the day I got home.  Here they are:

January 25, 2016 16"

Melted February 5, 2016