So before our trip in August 2008, I had a countdown til we were to fly out on my profile page...Yeah, I was sooo excited about goin back to my roots and even more excited that I was to experience it with My GirL J "Jamie". So the day is finally here...I stayed out at J's house due to us having to drive to Phoenix at 2am.
We are on I10 and Dad is acting really strange, 3 miles from J's house we have Dad pull over due to involuntary mov't.We are finally at a Gas Station next to Sky Harbor Airport. It took Dad 10 minutes to give me a debit card for gas for his way home. Meanwhile he is passing out, slurring his words, has short term memory loss and cannot move his legs real well. Dad decides to get out of the car and stumbles and drops his belongings. He then decides he needs a soda, as I pump the gas, J takes dad in very slowly to get his soda. Now I'm on the phone with Mama, telling her to get her butt to Phoenix NOW. Dad returns to the car...we procede to the Airport. Dad insists on driving home and refuses to go to the hospital. We are walking into the airport and find a wheelchair and run into a woman, so I asked if there was a paramedic or doctor available for my dads immediate attention. She made the necessary call. Literally 2 minutes later Police Officers were on the scene. About 10 minutes later the paramedics arrive. Within the 15 minutes of our initial call dad was on the stretcher with an IV and was in good hands. J and I decided to stay with Dad and Dad refused that! We all know Dad, there is no way he would have allowed us to miss our flight. We stayed with Dad until he was taken by ambulance and then literally flew to our gate for take off...speeding down to our Gate, crying our eyes out, we barely made it in time...
We arrive in Minneapolis...our phones had messages galore! So many different variations of what happened to Dad were displayed and discussed. J and I were just relieved to hear that Mama was in Phoenix at his bed side. We learned that he had liver failure, stroke, an aneurysm etc...J and I still contemplated gettin back on that flight to go back home...Again Dad said absolutely NOT!
So we are finally outta the airport, Lisa picked us up, Thank You Lisa! We were shooken up, distraught, in shock...Lisa helped get us in a better mood! Thanks again Sweetie.
We arrive at Lisa's and recieved a warm welcome from Lisa, Gregg, Autumn and AJ...what a sweet family! We decide to go and see Donette and the girls right away since Vivi was out of the hospital. We had such a fun, sweet visit!
Meeting Nene (Maurisa) was as sweet as I thought it would be. Seeing Vivica for the first time in person, she is more beautiful than I ever imagined! Ali reminded me a lil bit of myself at her age, so full of life and not afraid to be herself!
Donette, it is so REAL, we have grown up so fast! Thank you for making us feel at home.
From there we went to Don and Cathy's house. We recieved a welcome I remember when I was a young girl. Walking up to Cookie Monsters house filled my heart and mind with such happy thoughts and memories I had made there many years ago.
Thank you both for caring so much for us GirLs...you both made us feel at home as if we have never missed a year visiting you! You are truly beautiful Aunt Cathy and Uncle Don!
So I have longed to walk into Don's Garden of Eden! The tour and fresh cut flowers were so sweet! I have pictures to prove how gorgeous your fruits of labor have blossomed!
We even had a bit of comedy as Uncle Don decided to stumble in one of his flower beds...he was fine, he got back up as if it didn't happen! LOL Love you Uncle Don!
So we get the tour of the AWESOME basment where our skits and fun filled memories began! Wow! Memories Flood my mind! Incredible fun and over-flowing love. Your home has always been beautiful, Thank you for everything!
We head back to Lisa's home. Gregg "The Chef" has been slavin of the grill and stove for our dinner...Fabulous dinner! Thank you, that meant a lot to me...after the day we had, we needed to unwind and collect our thoughts and feelings...Gregg and Lisa, you both made that possible, Thank you! I love you both!
We crash late that night...Lisa, J and I shopped the next day til we dropped! We went to the Mall of America! My 3rd time visiting that Mall, I cannot believe I got out of there only spending $37 bucks! WOW! Later that evening we met up with Tammy and Korisa at a near by Walmart and spent the night with them. Brad made dinner and gave each of us girls a rose. That was real sweet thank you! Korisa was a wild woman that night! Wild! But glad she had a blast!
Larry picked us up Tuesday mornin' to head up to his camper for a day of water sports, but it was raining so we relaxed and talked about everything under the sun (rain that is!). We visited my brother Michael's grave site, Grandma Marian, Grandma Liz, The Sundquists, The Olsons and Dan Ross's.
We cleaned around each stone and took pics. Larry thank you so much for giving us this opportunity, it was a beautiful moment and I am glad to have shared it with you and J.
We headed back to Larry's home where Linda was awaiting our crazy arrival! LOL Linda you truly made me feel that I was a part of your family. You are an incredible woman! I love you and thank you for everything! My dear uncle Larry, I found strength, courage, forgiveness and unconditional love within your presence and home.
I am forever greatful for each moment we shared! Through the laughter and all those tears of sorrow and yes tears of complete hilarious stupidity we managed to keep it together and make the best of every situation, you know exactly what I am referring to. Again I thank you and Linda! I love you both! xxoo
I know we only planned 1 day together but that wasn't enough for J and I! So naturally we called and you didn't complain or refrain from wanting us in your home. You are awesome! The steaks and corn you BBQ'd was delicious! Thank you for allowing us to sleep in too! Don't get to do that at home.
Later on Wednesday afternoon Larry drove us to Aunt Cathy's house. We had a great time reminiscing in old photo albums and sitting together in their patio room, which is incredible! Aunt Cathy took us to dinner and more shopping! Aunt Cathy loves to bargain shop too so we had a blast with that too! :o) Early the next mornin' Cathy drove us to Wayne and Wendy's home. J and I geared up for a day on the Bikes! Wayne and Mike took the day off to go up to Duluth and have lunch. We were on our way and Mike and J decide to pull a Dudley! They layed the bike down, Thank God for Mike's quick reflexes! Thank you Mike! Mike save my GirL that day! As I saw them laying there, I jumped off Wayne's bike and ran to them...Makin' sure my GirL was ok, I triaged them...in the process I lifted the Harley off them! My adrenaline was so high!! Thank God for adrenaline, it sure made me strong! They both were fine, minor damage to the bike...we all decided to go ahead with our trip...Good thing we did, we had a Fabulous time!
Thank you boys for a THRILL! Wild Hog Style, none the less! LOL We get back home late that night and Wayne had me laughin just by him laughin! J and I were to sleep on an air mattress, but it needed to be pumped up! LOL So Wayne decides to bring his air compressor down stairs and pump up more that the mattress! I have a photo of him flexing to get the job done!
We, J,Wendy and I just cracked up watchin him go to work...it is hard work ya know! LOL So we say good night and J and I are layin down and she CRASHES! She's snoring! I'm beside myself! I slapped her to get her attention, she apologizes for bein so loud...after several requests of her to stop, I leave and go on to a twin bed in the other room...she's still snoring! LOL Finally, all I could do is ask for God to make me deaf for the night! Thank you Jesus for following through! LOL I got a good nights sleep!
So Friday is here, Larious called us and we decided we would spend the morning with him...Larious picks us up and takes us to breakfast, thank you, breakfast was YUMMY! After that we are back at Lisa's house...We did some more shopping! :o) Lisa dropped us off at Applebees to hook up with Michael and MaryAnn for dinner. Dinner was wonderful! Being with Michael and MaryAnn was real sweet!
We laughed til our ribs hurt! Literally! We finish dinner and head over to Target where Jerome works as a security guard! We head to the back of the store where the backpacks are for Michael and we run into my favorite section...boom-boxes! So naturally KeL (me) finds the tunes, turns it up and starts jammin! REALLY JAMMIN!
We get to MaryAnn's House. The boys are actin shy! SHY!
Which didn't last long AT ALL! LOL
We had a blast! We ended our night with some great pics! Larious picked us up and drove us to Lisa's around midnight that night.
It's been how long and I haven't been able to finish my blog...the truthis that the last 3 days were so emotional for me that I have difficulty just thinking about them...
We are on I10 and Dad is acting really strange, 3 miles from J's house we have Dad pull over due to involuntary mov't.We are finally at a Gas Station next to Sky Harbor Airport. It took Dad 10 minutes to give me a debit card for gas for his way home. Meanwhile he is passing out, slurring his words, has short term memory loss and cannot move his legs real well. Dad decides to get out of the car and stumbles and drops his belongings. He then decides he needs a soda, as I pump the gas, J takes dad in very slowly to get his soda. Now I'm on the phone with Mama, telling her to get her butt to Phoenix NOW. Dad returns to the car...we procede to the Airport. Dad insists on driving home and refuses to go to the hospital. We are walking into the airport and find a wheelchair and run into a woman, so I asked if there was a paramedic or doctor available for my dads immediate attention. She made the necessary call. Literally 2 minutes later Police Officers were on the scene. About 10 minutes later the paramedics arrive. Within the 15 minutes of our initial call dad was on the stretcher with an IV and was in good hands. J and I decided to stay with Dad and Dad refused that! We all know Dad, there is no way he would have allowed us to miss our flight. We stayed with Dad until he was taken by ambulance and then literally flew to our gate for take off...speeding down to our Gate, crying our eyes out, we barely made it in time...
We arrive in Minneapolis...our phones had messages galore! So many different variations of what happened to Dad were displayed and discussed. J and I were just relieved to hear that Mama was in Phoenix at his bed side. We learned that he had liver failure, stroke, an aneurysm etc...J and I still contemplated gettin back on that flight to go back home...Again Dad said absolutely NOT!
So we are finally outta the airport, Lisa picked us up, Thank You Lisa! We were shooken up, distraught, in shock...Lisa helped get us in a better mood! Thanks again Sweetie.
We arrive at Lisa's and recieved a warm welcome from Lisa, Gregg, Autumn and AJ...what a sweet family! We decide to go and see Donette and the girls right away since Vivi was out of the hospital. We had such a fun, sweet visit!
Meeting Nene (Maurisa) was as sweet as I thought it would be. Seeing Vivica for the first time in person, she is more beautiful than I ever imagined! Ali reminded me a lil bit of myself at her age, so full of life and not afraid to be herself!
Donette, it is so REAL, we have grown up so fast! Thank you for making us feel at home.
From there we went to Don and Cathy's house. We recieved a welcome I remember when I was a young girl. Walking up to Cookie Monsters house filled my heart and mind with such happy thoughts and memories I had made there many years ago.
Thank you both for caring so much for us GirLs...you both made us feel at home as if we have never missed a year visiting you! You are truly beautiful Aunt Cathy and Uncle Don!
So I have longed to walk into Don's Garden of Eden! The tour and fresh cut flowers were so sweet! I have pictures to prove how gorgeous your fruits of labor have blossomed!
We even had a bit of comedy as Uncle Don decided to stumble in one of his flower beds...he was fine, he got back up as if it didn't happen! LOL Love you Uncle Don!
So we get the tour of the AWESOME basment where our skits and fun filled memories began! Wow! Memories Flood my mind! Incredible fun and over-flowing love. Your home has always been beautiful, Thank you for everything!
We head back to Lisa's home. Gregg "The Chef" has been slavin of the grill and stove for our dinner...Fabulous dinner! Thank you, that meant a lot to me...after the day we had, we needed to unwind and collect our thoughts and feelings...Gregg and Lisa, you both made that possible, Thank you! I love you both!
We crash late that night...Lisa, J and I shopped the next day til we dropped! We went to the Mall of America! My 3rd time visiting that Mall, I cannot believe I got out of there only spending $37 bucks! WOW! Later that evening we met up with Tammy and Korisa at a near by Walmart and spent the night with them. Brad made dinner and gave each of us girls a rose. That was real sweet thank you! Korisa was a wild woman that night! Wild! But glad she had a blast!
Larry picked us up Tuesday mornin' to head up to his camper for a day of water sports, but it was raining so we relaxed and talked about everything under the sun (rain that is!). We visited my brother Michael's grave site, Grandma Marian, Grandma Liz, The Sundquists, The Olsons and Dan Ross's.
We cleaned around each stone and took pics. Larry thank you so much for giving us this opportunity, it was a beautiful moment and I am glad to have shared it with you and J.
We headed back to Larry's home where Linda was awaiting our crazy arrival! LOL Linda you truly made me feel that I was a part of your family. You are an incredible woman! I love you and thank you for everything! My dear uncle Larry, I found strength, courage, forgiveness and unconditional love within your presence and home.
I am forever greatful for each moment we shared! Through the laughter and all those tears of sorrow and yes tears of complete hilarious stupidity we managed to keep it together and make the best of every situation, you know exactly what I am referring to. Again I thank you and Linda! I love you both! xxoo
I know we only planned 1 day together but that wasn't enough for J and I! So naturally we called and you didn't complain or refrain from wanting us in your home. You are awesome! The steaks and corn you BBQ'd was delicious! Thank you for allowing us to sleep in too! Don't get to do that at home.
Later on Wednesday afternoon Larry drove us to Aunt Cathy's house. We had a great time reminiscing in old photo albums and sitting together in their patio room, which is incredible! Aunt Cathy took us to dinner and more shopping! Aunt Cathy loves to bargain shop too so we had a blast with that too! :o) Early the next mornin' Cathy drove us to Wayne and Wendy's home. J and I geared up for a day on the Bikes! Wayne and Mike took the day off to go up to Duluth and have lunch. We were on our way and Mike and J decide to pull a Dudley! They layed the bike down, Thank God for Mike's quick reflexes! Thank you Mike! Mike save my GirL that day! As I saw them laying there, I jumped off Wayne's bike and ran to them...Makin' sure my GirL was ok, I triaged them...in the process I lifted the Harley off them! My adrenaline was so high!! Thank God for adrenaline, it sure made me strong! They both were fine, minor damage to the bike...we all decided to go ahead with our trip...Good thing we did, we had a Fabulous time!
Thank you boys for a THRILL! Wild Hog Style, none the less! LOL We get back home late that night and Wayne had me laughin just by him laughin! J and I were to sleep on an air mattress, but it needed to be pumped up! LOL So Wayne decides to bring his air compressor down stairs and pump up more that the mattress! I have a photo of him flexing to get the job done!
We, J,Wendy and I just cracked up watchin him go to work...it is hard work ya know! LOL So we say good night and J and I are layin down and she CRASHES! She's snoring! I'm beside myself! I slapped her to get her attention, she apologizes for bein so loud...after several requests of her to stop, I leave and go on to a twin bed in the other room...she's still snoring! LOL Finally, all I could do is ask for God to make me deaf for the night! Thank you Jesus for following through! LOL I got a good nights sleep!
So Friday is here, Larious called us and we decided we would spend the morning with him...Larious picks us up and takes us to breakfast, thank you, breakfast was YUMMY! After that we are back at Lisa's house...We did some more shopping! :o) Lisa dropped us off at Applebees to hook up with Michael and MaryAnn for dinner. Dinner was wonderful! Being with Michael and MaryAnn was real sweet!
We laughed til our ribs hurt! Literally! We finish dinner and head over to Target where Jerome works as a security guard! We head to the back of the store where the backpacks are for Michael and we run into my favorite section...boom-boxes! So naturally KeL (me) finds the tunes, turns it up and starts jammin! REALLY JAMMIN!
We get to MaryAnn's House. The boys are actin shy! SHY!
Which didn't last long AT ALL! LOL
We had a blast! We ended our night with some great pics! Larious picked us up and drove us to Lisa's around midnight that night.
It's been how long and I haven't been able to finish my blog...the truthis that the last 3 days were so emotional for me that I have difficulty just thinking about them...
Tears in my eyes reading this so many memories!
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