Sammie and Bengie Playing

They really are playing.  They never hurt each other and they love playing together.  The barking is from the dogs next door.  They want to play too.

Saying Goodbye for Now

Saying goodbye is never all that fun.  We drove out to Coeur d alene to help Stephen pack up and head back to New Orleans.  When I say we I mean Mike.  I wasn't any help at all.  Easy Rider here rode his motorcycle and I thought I better hold off from riding mine for a while.  Katie and I drove.  

JD and Katie.  Stephen had lots of packing helpers!

Father and Son!  Handsome guys! Stephen's shirt says Love Life and Mike's says Praise.  Good combination if you ask me.

The Hazel family.  Nicest people ever!  Tony and Stephen are great friends.

Jimmy is Stephen's uncle.  Nice man.

Katie and Kyle!

Here I am in my most common position these days.  I was especially tired on this day.   Busy weekend.

A little man bonding with Tony, Jimmy and Stephen!

Katie and I left and got lunch in Coeur d alene.  I always take a picture of the food but I forgot.   SOOOOO you get to see a picture of a couple of empty plates.  The food was delicious!  A burger and fries for me and a turkey sandwich for Katie.

I love you Stephen, Michel and Rivers.  I look forward to seeing you again for sure!

GleasonGras West Spokane 2012

Gleason Gras West Spokane August 2012!!!!  What a wonderful night.  Time with family that we rarely see and friends too.  So fun.  Kyle and Kath are one the right side of the picture.  Kristin, my daughter is in the gray t-shirt.  Steve is seated and then there is Mike and me!  This was a fundraiser for Team Gleason.  There was food, lots of bands, and drinks! 

These are our next door neighbors Nola and Wayne.  They have done so much to help out this summer.  Thanks!  I think my dogs like Nola as much as they like me, maybe more!  If they get out of the yard they go to Nola's.  Sometimes she sees Bear sitting on her deck looking through the back window!

 Sorry about the blurry picture!  New camera.  Kristin joined in the photo shoot!

 Love, love, love this picture!!!!!  Two precious smiles!

 Kyle and Mike are comparing fish they caught on Friday.   REALLY ! Who has the biggest and best!

 Mike, Kyle, Kath

What a great night.  I wish they lived closer for sure!!   Gleason Gras continues Sat.night but I think I will sit this one out.  It was a little much for my healing body.  I will see Kyle and Steve on Sunday in Idaho!

This is the best group of friends a person could ever have.  On Wed. the doctor said I could get on the road walking again.  I threw out an invitation for anyone to join me and here they are.  Not only did they make the trip to Seattle several times to be with me when I had the aneurism but they are doing fundraisers to help also.  I know there were more friends involved in all of this and I want to say thank you again to all of you for being there for me and my family.  Prayers work.  I get overwhelmed with your love and kindness every time I think of all of you!

 I had no idea how far I could walk and here I am at one mile.  The trail is out and back so I was committed to 2 miles at this point.  There was some talk about carrying me.  haha

 Here is the group at 1 mile.  We laugh a lot when we are together.  Just what the doctor ordered.  Love these ladies.

 Team Gleason on the Fish Lake Trail in Spokane, WA

 A random picture.   No posing!

 Wait for me.  I don't walk as fast as I used to but really, leaving me behind???? They didn't really.  I had two people with me!

 Our traditional coffee after the walk,. As we pulled up to the Rocket Bakery I looked for my brand new camera.  No where in my car. We searched every inch.  I didn't want to lose my new camera but I was also worried about losing my blogging pictures.  AHHHH!  All of us gave the car a once over more than once.  I tried to remember the last time I had it in my hands.  Wendy and I decided to drive back to the Fish Lake Trail.  Camera was nowhere to be seen.  When we got back to the Rocket Bakery another search.  I had just about given up and I heard a happy yelp from Wendy.  On the way to the bakery I had to stop quickly for a pedestrian. The camera and my phone were sitting in the passenger seat.  Of course I couldn't remember putting them there.  When I stopped the camera and phone slide off the seat and up the floor board and lodged themselves under the dashboard area.  Not that high but not sure how to describe it.  Whew.  Thanks Wendy.  Now I have my blog pictures oh and my new camera is back!  I blogger without a camera is a disaster!

 3 miles completed today.  I was so happy.  A miracle that I am alive and healing so quickly.  I had to include the picture where I put my fingers in front of Sheila.  We are all just sort of like that.

 OK now the three and you can see everyone except Freida because she is taking the picture.

What a morning.  3 miles 2 months after a ruptured brain aneurism that most people don't survive.  God has a plan for me and I am here and ready God.

Quick to Seattle for the Doctor

We had some time in between the brain scan and the doctors appointment so we headed down to Pikes Place Market.  After we went to the doctor's appointment we got a tour of where Katie works.  We are so proud of her. Sometimes I wonder why I take the pictures I do but here it is.  A hanging hot dog.  Looks almost real.

 They always have such beautiful flowers.  I wonder if they sell all of these daily?  Not like you can keep them around for a week.

Handsome Mr. Gleason

 Does it look like I am clinging to the box to help me stay upright?

 Sorry but this looks gross!

 We were informed by the person that took this picture that this wasn't the original Starbucks.  The story was the original was a few blocks down and I think she said it caught fire.  They rebuilt in this location.  Hey, it is good enough for me.  It is the original.

Although I didn't love the drive to Seattle and back I was thrilled with the results.  The scan looked good and I can start exercising within reason.  I will take it easy.  It is not like I am bursting with energy!  Thank you God for this miracle!

Michel and Rivers

What a wonderful treat!  Michel and Rivers came to visit me after I got home from Manor Care.  I wasn't up to riding in the car over to Coeur d alene so they came to see me.  Every time I see Rivers it strikes me how adorable he is.  Michel is certainly a trooper with all she has to do on a daily basis.  Thanks for taking the time to come see me Michel!

 Look at that smile!

What fun!  I wasn't feeling very good but a visit from these two sure perked me up.  Love you both!

10 Things From Deanna

I haven't blogged forever understandably.  Oh and by the way my camera is no longer functioning.  That is a disaster.  I was going through some things from the hospital and found some Caring Bridge comments that were printed out.  All very supportive and loving and I thank you all.  I thought I should blog this one from Deanna.

While I was eating dinner tonight I was thinking of you Jackie and all the fun things we have done...I have decided to write some things down...Blog if you will?

10 things I now do because I know Jackie

1.  I take way more pictures and now wished I blogged.
2.  I eat "David's Bread with high fiber.
3.  I am not afraid to do triathlons with people who only have 2% body fat.
4. Swim, swim, swim
5.  I snow ski down trails I am not ready for!
6.  I drink Frappuccino's after I run a race. Well maybe I already did that!
7.  I stopped calling races, races.  (Sometimes I forget, See #6)
8.  I am not afraid to cheat on family oriented bike rides, although I never have.
9.  I know that my bike doesn't need a kickstand or it will weigh too much, and I have a whole new understanding of the word "CHA CHING".
10.  I have a much bigger heart and I have learned to be more caring.  I now know how to give of myself unselfishly.

OK one more #11 I am looking forward to being a wonderful, fun loving grandma!!

Deanna I wouldn't call taking a different path on the bike ride cheating by the way.

I can't wait to be able to join the EAOD for some more events (not races).  I miss you all!

Thanks for a great post!  Love you!  Jackie