This is Me

One of the blogs I follow, posted more about the writer personally. I so enjoyed the posting, that I've decided to do the same here. You won't learn about my bank account (sorry) but more about ME. :D My intention is to write info that even my best friends might not know.


My Dad and Mom met at a community dance in 1950. They married a few months later. When I was born my parents lived on a dairy farm on Lommen Road off of Highway 53 in Mohler, Oregon, which is now known as part of Nehalem, Oregon. My Dad was the hired hand. Not long after my birth, my parents moved to an apartment above the Mohler Store. Dad worked for the store driving a hay truck. He picked up the hay in the valley bringing it back to the store. He would also deliver to local farms. Periodically I road to the valley with Dad. He always shared Juicy Fruit Gum with me. I felt special spending the day with my Dad. Walt the Milk Man picked me up every day after his delivery to the store. He would take me to Alice's Restaurant for coffee. As you walked into Alice's, were cups hanging on the wall. I had my favorite and selected it every day. I would get 1/4 cup of coffee and the rest milk with two teaspoons of sugar. After our coffee, Walt would take me home as he continued his delivery route. I have many fond memories living above the store.


I have three younger brothers. Ken is 19 months younger, Bob is 5 years younger and Shawn who is almost 13 years younger. When Shawn was a couple months old, Mom had a post-natal stroke. I became the Mom of the house, cooking, laundry, taking care of the baby. It was a busy time. The doctor told Mom she was going to die. Fortunately, she did not and was able to resume her Momma duties after several months.


My parents began drinking heavily when I was in 7th grade. We didn't know how their drinking would hurt our family until many years later. Fortunately they were happy drunks instead of mean or violent. Ken and I had to alternate weekends when we wanted to have fun with friends.


I graduated from Neah-Kah-Nie High School in Rockaway, Oregon. Dwain and I started dating the fall of our junior year. We dated three additional years after high school before marrying September 1, 1972. We will celebrate 38 years of marriage this year.

I worked as a legal secretary for the majority of my adult life, either for attorneys or the court.


We have three children, Seth and Heather, twins born 35 years ago. Our youngest Adam is 32. I am so proud of the adults they have become. We have three amazing grandchildren, Patrick, 14, Joshua, 12 and Lyla who will be two in October. We also have two step grandchildren, Jeff, 16 and Kendra 13.


We retired seven years ago, just after my Fibromyalgia came to live with us full-time. We have done many miles of travel, park hosted from time to time and have enjoyed ourselves.

I hope you have learned something new about me whether you are learning for the first time or have known me for many years.

It's A Better Day :D

Feeling so much better today.

My back is maintaining. Saw my Chiropractor today.

My depressive mood is gone! I hope it stays away for EVER!!

My biggest worry today is for my sister-in-law, Marcy. She has been taken by ambulance to OHSU in Portland. They know she was dehydrated, severely anemic, had a stroke atleast 48 hours ago (she didn't know it happened) and, if all that isn't enough, she has an aneurysm near her brain stem. My brother has taken care of their three small children, leaving them with family and the last I heard he was driving the two hour trip to Portland. He will call me later with an update. I hope she will be ok. I would hate to loose her. Her Mom died of after having a stroke, then an aneurysm so she is understandably scared.

AWESOME Blog Friends

I have wonderful people who read my blog. Thank you for your encouraging words. I know we live this vicious cycle...pain, depression, then doing ok. We know what it takes to exist in our world. It's a constant battle to balance what we feel and what we portray. Always trying to push ourselves to participate. I think I'm tired of trying. I need a couple of days to do nothing, but take care of myself.

Today is a quiet day in the park. Sunday is a transition with another round of campers. Reservations are slowing down with schools starting. It's a good time to do the extra projects in the park. Today is a cool day, cloudy. The sun is due back this coming week and Labor Day weekend will be upon us. We also start loosing hosts. They are moving on to their next assignment. That leaves an extra load on us who stay until the new hosts arrive.

Our 38th wedding Anniversary is September 1st. The longer we are married, the more amazed I am of our journey. Dwain and I met the first time as toddlers. Our parents square danced together so we saw each other periodically during our young years. We went to separate grade schools, but the same high school. We started dating the fall of our junior year. We dated three additional years out of high school before marrying. We have three awesome kids, who are leading productive, happy lives. They have terrific mates and our grandchildren are amazing. I count my blessings in the family department daily.

My bulging disks are doing better today. I continue my exercises and will see my Chiropractor on Monday.

Coping With Fibromyalgia

I am in a period of coping poorly with my Fibro. I'm not resting as I should, pain has increased. My bulging lumbar disks in my lower back are acting up. A muscle or tendon near my elbow hurts as it does when I park host, from over use. AND my left shoulder is having the same issue as my right elbow. I'm a mess!

Because my physical self is so painful, my emotional self is suffering too. I know the remedy is to rest, but how will household chores get done? Dwain has never been helpful in that department. He did wash his breakfast plate this morning. He has been shampooing the carpet, one room at a time. I do appreciate him taking on that challenge. I just wish I could have the engery level I had prior to my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. The sad part is that I never will have that wish. When I get emotional the depression starts to rear it's ugly head. I must fight to stay above it. Depression is one more thing I gotta do. I don't have time for it so I must work hard NOT to have it on my "To Do" list. OK, pitty party over!

Lucy has had two days of eating well and not throwing up. She is a happy puppy and I'm so glad we have her. She is a treasure. She is now 5.5 months old.

AWESOME Family Time!!!

Our trip to the Oregon Coast was AWESOME!!!!

I took the eight hour drive with my daughter, two grandsons and step-granddaughter. We shared a rental beach house with my cousins Cheryl and Jenn, their two kids plus another cousin. The kids were near the same age and got along well. It was a relaxing visit. I stayed up late a couple nights and paid for it later. But not as hard as I expected. I am so thankful.

Dwain held down the home front and our park duties. Our Lucy was sick while I was away. Today is the first day she has eaten normally. Dwain has had 10-12 people on his photography hikes. He enjoys the outdoors, hiking and sharing what he knows about photography. The hike is a major challenge for me. I've decided I will take the hikes for the exercise. I'm not much help in the photography department, but have found to be useful in other areas. My pace is slow, so I bring up the rear.

I have misplaced my camera. I took many photos while at the coast so hoping it shows up soon.

A Hard Day. :(

Been a hard day...increased Fibromyalgia pain, exhaustion. I took a nap this morning then again this afternoon. Today is our day off from doing park duties. I'm thankful for the timing. I've done very little. So hopeful that Sunday will be a better day.

This coming week I will be traveling to the coast for a visit with family from California. I'm excited to see my Aunt, two cousins and their two kids. Hoping to see granddaughter Lyla too.

OUCH!!!

Our weekly schedule has changed in the park. We will however be cleaning yurts a couple days a week. We also have two interpretive days and one evening selling wood. The interpretive will be combining photography, nature, hikes. Dwain is putting together the program. It is nice to have a variety in our day.


My Fibromyalgia is on high alert today. The hike yesterday was to much. Boy are my arms and legs sore. I don't have sore muscles, but the extra pain of Fibromyalgia. I did sleep like a log last night. I'm sure the hike helped me there.

I've had a hard time keeping up with the house work. You'd think that in a 37' Fifth Wheel, there wouldn't be much to clean...there isn't. I can't keep the table clear. It always has things I need to take care of on it. If I am too tired to wash the dishes, they set in the sink as a constant reminder that I have something that needs done. It may be time to have a serious talk with Dwain about needing his help.

Having Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome connect with every aspect of my life. I fight not to be depressed.

WOW! What a Day!

Dwain is putting together a program for the park. It will include a hike, nature, wildlife and photography. I am to be involved in some capacity. Right now, I don't know how I will fit. I may figure it out while I'm attending the program.

This morning Dwain said he wanted to take a hike. He wanted me to go with him. My heart sank. How can I? I remembered what he said when I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I was having a pity party thinking of all the activities I will no longer be able to participate in. When we were talking about hiking, he said, "Don't worry. We will stop when you need to and we will enjoy the scenery 'til you are ready to continue." I think of that conversation often. Dwain made it impossible for me to FAIL. So off we went for a mile and a quarter hike. It was tough, with alot of rocks and roots. There were many places on the trial where you had to be careful. If you weren't, you would end up falling in a canyon with a rushing river. We did stop several times while climbing. We crossed the river once and climbed switchbacks. Our destination was a beautiful waterfall. Every muscle hurt and I didn't think I would make it. Dwain said anytime I wanted to turn around and go back, we would. I knew that if I can feel the pain while doing the activity, I have over extended myself and will pay for it later. We still had the mile and a quarter return trip. :(

We arrived at the waterfall and it was gorgeous. We took Lucy. Initially she was afraid of the roar of the powerful water. She settled down and explored the area. I dunked her feet in the water hoping it would help with the heat. We gave her water often and she did well. As did I...