Life Is Good

Life is good. As of February 2011 I am retired. With two knee replacements and other issues I have had to realize that I just can't work to the level I once did. When I enter any store that has a metal detector at the door every bell and alarm goes off. It can be quite annoying sometimes. I do get to park in the handicap spots though.
Cindy had her cast taken off the fourth of February and is getting better everyday. It has been a challenge for her and she is determined to return to her old self. I know that with her physical therapy (shopping) she will be as good as new in no time.
The weather her has made a big turn toward spring. The daffodils are in bloom and just today I noticed that the pear trees are in bloom. It is really beautiful here when spring arrives.
We were able to take a trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee this past weekend with our friends Perry and Patty. It was our first time visiting there but had heard allot about it from others. We had a great time visiting the shops and especially racing go-carts with Perry. They advertise that they go 40-50 mph but all I know is that they "fly". I forgot about not smiling while we were racing because rubber flys off the tires in front of you. I had black spots on my teeth for a while. The only relief was to not follow but to lead. (ha ha)



They just don't make the belt's big enough


Go-Cart racing is an extreme sport. I didn't know that but I am now a believer. I was a little nervous when I read "Ride at your own risk"




OH what fun !!!!


This was off our balcony and it made my knees go weak.I don't like heights.


Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Our new fence

Three days after Christmas Cindy slipped on the ice and broke her ankle in three places. She had surgery to fix it. It took a metal plate along with several screws to put her back together again. It has been a chalange for her not to be mobile. She cannot put any weight on it yet so she has to "hop" around or sit on the walker and use her good leg to push herself along. She is way to independent for this. She is strong and we expect her to recover fully. It will be a chalange for us to fly with both of us setting off all the metal detectors.
The Sandaval's and Purcell's sent Cindy a great fruit arrangement that we all got to share.

Did I say that it don't snow in Georgia?
Christmas day it snowed to give Atlanta it's first white Christmas in over a hundred years. It was nice to see. Neo thought it was pretty neat.

We spent Christmas day with our Georgia Family. Perry & Patty, Tim & Kelly, Mark & Carla.
Patty always decorates her house so nice. She even hung lights in the living room (because Perry said no to hanging lights outside). They realy made a nice dinner with Prime Rib, Ham, and all the fixins. After dinner we all sat around and exchanged gifts. It was so much fun.

We were so happy when Dad's grave marker arrived.
After Thanksgiving Cindy made a grave blanket for dad's grave. It realy stood out in a good way. Not one person in Georgia that we talked to knew what a grave blanket was. Maybe it will catch on.

As I was preparing to do a catch up post with what is happening in Georgia I realized that we have not posted anything since losing our patriarch father, grandfather,and great-grandfather in May so this may be a little out of order but I will try. This is also my first attempt at blogging so I may have to do more than one.

I went through a ton of pictures to find one that expressed the grief and sorrow that we all felt during that time only to realize that not one photo could define those feelings. We all have our own feelings and memories of the person I am proud to call my father. During this time it was with great pride that we were able to witness the strengh and wisdom that all of our children along with thier spouses and children brought to Georgia when we needed them. I don't know how to thank Dannny, Marcus and Stacie enough for the things they did for us. I was amazed to see the "boys" turn into the men that would make any father proud and the girl's showed everyone why they are the foundation of the family. As thier father I cannot think of a word good enough that expresses the love and respect I have for each one. All Five of our children were able to make the trip. It was such a great sign of respect. I thank them all and love them very much.

I was also able to spend some time with my brother Mike. No matter how long it has been since you last saw each other it only takes a moment to feel like it was yesterday.

One thing that was very evident was our love of eating. I'm not sure if it was the "all you can eat" crab legs or the enjoyment of just getting together. I'm sure that Redds BBQ house will remember us for some time. Marcus showed us all how it is done.

Spring

Hi Family & Friends,
I just thought I would try to let you know what we've been up to. In March Ken and I went to Florida for Brandon & Karols wedding. It was so nice. Please look on Chad & Stacie's blog Martin party of 6. for some great photos. We saw the Rosendale's and Rolayne. It has been a while since we saw everyone. It was nice to reconnect again. It is hard to believe that we have a grandchild who is now married. They make a nice couple and seem to love each other very much.

We got back and it was just about Easter. We decided to have an Easter breakfast. We had Mom and Dad over and our neighbors Patty & Perry as well as their son Tim and his girlfriend Kelly ( from Colorado) over. We had a great breakfast out on the patio. It was the perfect day for it. It really is so great to spend holiday's with Mom and Dad. I think of all the years we missed that. Most of you know Patty and Perry our Georgia family. We are so lucky to have them and their family in our lives.

We finally got a scooter for Dad. He really uses it know. He zips around all over the place. It has allowed him to get out and around especially in the good weather. Most of you know that hospice is coming in now. It really has been a blessing. The have been able to adjust Dads medicine and oxygen this has allowed him to have some good days. We are hoping that he has a good summer. He seems to do better in the warmer weather. We are just happy to see him working in the garage, yes I said working in the garage. He is building shelves and moving stuff all around. We know he is good when he is active like that. He keeps Ken fairly busy with projects to be done. Dad never wants Ken to have to work all the time but he likes to Keep busy and having Ken around is nice for both of them.
It is never good to not have a job but Ken getting layed-off has been a blessing by letting us all spend time together.

I am including pictures of the shed being built. It has been quite a project. We worked on it all week last week and Ken is still working on it today. He is painting and building a ramp to get in and out with. Dad is getting ready now for shelves.

Well Mom is going to have the surgery to reattach the retinas of her left eye. Your thinking she already did that. We it has been detaching itself again. She had a fall about a month ago and I think that might have caused this but that is only speculation on my part. Anyway she will have the surgery again on May 6th. It was hard on her last time and it won't be any easier this time. We have to take her to the doctor every day for a week and then every other day for a week or so. That is rough when you don't feel well to begin with. She has to only lay on the side of the surgery and the eye itself feels like there is sand in there all the time. She had a little vision out of that eye after the surgery but really not much. It is mainly to keep the eye from shrinking and deforming. If she can get the vision all the better.

I am so happy to report that Vycci had her baby April 24, 2010, his name is Esaias Paul Sandoval. He was born at 1:35 pm and weighed 8 pounds and was 20 inches long. We are so happy for them. They had been trying for a couple years to have another baby. Now they are blessed with 3 beautiful children.

I know I haven't done the best job of keeping up with this blog but I am trying. I guess Ken can bug me now as well as Stacie. Whatever it takes right? We love all of you and we keep you in our thoughts and prayers.