This blog is even on the 'bookmark bars' on the browsers that I use...one click away yet...between, golf, motor rides, quilting, emails, Facebook and life...well I haven't been here in sometime...obviously. Not like I have a lot of followers, not that I started it to be followed but like the paper journals that are found in the attics some time later...I hope this will someday provide a view into who was that man married to Grammy. With that said I'll let this entry stand as an update between the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2013. It has not been a good year if you have conservative political views. To say I am in total disagreement with the majority that put the current President in office for four more years would be at least an understatement. Most of the year has been more of the same...golf, motor rides, house keeping and the trials and tribulations of being a husband, now pushing 46 years, a father for 44 years and a grandfather for 13. All of which have more value than any amount of money can buy. In regards to our financial well being, well the bills are paid, there is money in the bank and with Elaine being on the corporate cut chopping block we have transitioned into both being retired and have made a comfortable adjustment of being on a fixed income. A plan we have had for many years but one that is always on the verge of 'did we do it right...it looks like we did. Having each other, our family, friends and our health...all garnered with some care and a little luck. To say there has been a lot of sacrifices, hard work and maneuvering the speed bumps that materialize would too be an understatement. One of those 'bumps' was Elaine's unknown condition causing severe stomach pain and a discomfort I don't know I could have tolerated as well as she did. After numerous tests, several specialists and many hours of fasting and more test it was discovered, by a new, patient, understanding and caring doctor that she had developed 'celiac disease.' It took a little doing but we have made the dietary adjustments and have become gluten free. I would be amiss if I didn't say the discovery and the adjustments have made life so much more knowing Elaine does not have to suffer the discomforts that are associated with the effect of gluten on her system. I can't even imagine how grateful she must be for the efforts, concern, and expertise of Doctor Sullivan.
I mentioned earlier quilting...Last year, about this time, Elaine made the decision to advance her ability to make quilts for the Quilts of Valor. Those desires led to the research and development to purchase a "Longarm" machine. After eight months she concluded the longarm manufactured by ABM International and manufactured under the name Innova would be the investment that would allow her to take a big step to improve the number of quilts made and the quality. What she didn't know is that her search, which involved me tagging along on this trek, would spark my interest in 'longarming.' When all is said and done...it is a 'power tool.' I haven't passed the opportunity to use a power tool in my life. This would be no different and so the New Challenge progressed and I am now a 'longarmer.' If I said I didn't get an emotional high from working on a quilt to be presented to a Veteran would, well, be a lie. The satisfaction of acknowledging a Veteran for his/her service with this tribute makes the list of 'things I done good.' The house has been converted...what was the living room is the longarm room, the dining room has become the sewing room and the bedroom that was the sewing room, well storage is a necessity for quilting supplies. So we sew together and the reward for that is also priceless.
I went on a nine state motor ride this past summer, got to see some beautiful southern views, enjoy a little of New Orleans, visit family in Florida, play some golf in Myrtle Beach and spend some time with friends and enthusiasts that share in my two wheel passion. I also was able to witness, I'm not a crab/seafood eater, devour on several occasions bushels of crab. Who knew watching someone eat, devour, crab could be so much fun. Looked like way too much work to me.
So it has been an interesting year, one with fond memories, some new beginnings and not without some heartache. We sadly had to lay Elaine's mother to rest, but shared in the joy that she would again be with Elaine's dad...for that I am glad...I couldn't have handpicked better In-laws.
Like they say, my how time flies...I watch my son, who is near the end of his Marine Corps career, interact with his children and I am smothered in youthful memories, drenched in pride, and reminded of what is important and how fortunate I was on a September day in 1961 when Elaine Navarro walked in to the classroom on our first day of high school. How blessed I have been, well another one of those understatements. til later...Les...
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