A dinner get together

A couple of gals that I graduated from high school with get together occasionally and this last Wednesday night we decided we needed to catch up with each other's lives...so Liz and I carpooled to Becky's house and she prepared the dinner...Liz brought a bottle of wine and can you guess what I brought?  Yup...dessert!!  Very Berry Yogurt Sorbet and fresh raspberries and blueberries for the toppings.  Becky grilled delicious chicken, had a fantastic black bean, corn, avocado salad (and Liz and I requested the recipe), asparagus and warm french bread.  And then we talked and talked and talked...first we did take a look at her new patio...her flowers were gorgeous...she definitely has a green thumb.  Her front porch was the best of the block...such beautiful color and masses of it too!

So here is a picture of her little bit of heaven (and haven) on earth....

Aren't the colors gorgeous...I have never seen a geranium the color of the one above...we had such a great evening together...it is just good for the soul to be with your "sistahs"...know what I mean??  We laugh, we gripe, we talk about our aging parents and we of course talk about our significant others!!  Important to stay connected and to offer support to each other...

Deer in the Field

We are still so lucky to be able to have wild life in our yard...now some neighbors may not like that these "deer" little creatures of God are eating their roses and other veggies...but since I don't have a yard yet, I don't mind seeing them out the back window...and I love to watch them run...they are so very graceful in their leaps...

When I first spotted the tail of something going behind the dirt pile, I grabbed my camera and quietly stepped out onto the patio...I waited patiently and finally one deer stepped out and took a look at me...then another...they watched for several minutes, then decided to take off...

Notice the deer in the background standing along the side of the car...He/She just stood there and watched me watching the deer!!  Finally the little ones took off...but then in a short time the deer by the car was joined by another deer...I really don't mind them at all...however, my neighbor who has the car also has a lot of fruit trees right there...that might be the reason he/she was standing there...maybe chewing on a few apple leaves!

The Fourth and FINAL (?) Yogurt Shack!!

Well, I think the boys did it in record time...and really it went together pretty well, of course after already having done three of them, you kind of know the routine and what comes next...so without further ado...here are some pictures of this latest Yogurt Shack..I think we all agree it is the best of the bunch...the size may be the same, but the width is wider and not as deep, although we have a ton of space in the back for storage, and Scott was able to do a better job of placing things closer to where they need to be...so YES, this is the one to keep the blueprints!

working on trim, the tables and chairs arrived

walls are painted and the metal wainscoting is up

Back of the house, Lacey and Dina putting together a shelving unit...man working on the yogurt machine parts

5 Yogurt Machines, 10 flavors...the middle one is a swirl!!

Employees behind the counter

A customer and Scott still working on projects

Now for some of those fantastic painted canvas from Chloe...we gave her free license to do something different...Scott gave her some ideas and she followed through with the whole beach shack kind of theme...then she WOWED us with all the others...

the painting is on an orange wall...notice the yogurt cup with the Shack logo??

Doesn't it make you want to come right in and get some self serve frozen Yogurt?  Sooo good!  Thanks for checking in with me on this blog...now you know what we have been up to...busy time for the Foelker's, Snook's and Prueitt's for sure!

These are back of the 'house' pictures...storage racks with all the candy, nuts, etc. (toppings for the yogurt!) and the refrigerators that hold the fruit and the frozen yogurt (the yogurt comes in half gallon containers, frozen, so we thaw it and then keep it in these refrigerators until we need to pour them into the machines.

Caleb's new adventures

Caleb is loving motorcycle racing...he has been racing at the PIR nearly every Thursday this summer...and then there are weekend races in Washougal, WA, or Mountain View near Sandy, OR...This last weekend he took the First Place Trophy.  As you can imagine, Mom, Grandma, and of course Papa are a wee bit nervous (after all, this is NOT golf or even baseball!!)  however, he LOVES it and seems to be good at it...and MOM has made sure he is very well protected.  He has all the gear to protect his neck, his chest, high boots to protect the whole leg...and of course a big old helmet.  I can't believe this is my little guy...nearly 12 years old in just two weeks...he is in 7th grade...where have the years gone??

I have two more pictures to share from this spring and early summer...again, first place plaques...now, he doesn't always win first place...it is a big deal though, so of course I am featuring him when he does win the trophy!!

the plaque for taking first

Looks like it might have been a wet and muddy ride this time!!  But First Place again!!

Yes, we are proud of him...it is not the sport we would choose for him (but that is us...grandparents who worry!).  We are happy that he has found an activity that he loves and does well and it is definitely one he shares a passion with his dad...and I think I wrote about Aaron crashing about 6 weeks ago...broke 4 ribs, collarbone and a collapsed lung...he had to have a plate put in his collarbone...he had about a 5 night 4 day stay in the hospital to repair the damage...and mark my words he will soon be back on his bike...However I think his wife, Lacey has decreed that he can ride, just not compete...it is the competitive spirit in him that can get a little out of control and he goes for the gusto...and crashes!  We need to keep him safe from himself...he has a young family to be there for...wow that was an awful worded sentence...!

Busy Life...Time to Slow down

Well, we are about ready to open our FOURTH Yogurt Shack...is that crazy or what?  We built 4 yogurt stores in 11 months...phew, I hope we are done...It is exhausting work for both Scott and Jamie.  Scott because he is OLD!  tee hee and Jamie because he gets all the hard grunt work!!  I think those two boys will be very glad to take a break...and maybe Scott and I will be able to get down to AZ and relax!  Of course that will happen after the 22 of this month as I am babysitting Lacey's children while she and Aaron get away to San Francisco for their anniversary....oh but, shhhhhh, don't tell Aaron because it is a surprise!!

The other day I was not myself and I didn't like it much.  I guess some of it could be contributed to not always sleeping good...and on this particular day, I know I did not have a good nights rest...so I was still feeling tired and grumpy and I just wanted to do what I wanted to do...not want everyone else needed or wanted me to do.  Do you ever feel that way?  I must admit it doesn't happen to me very often...most of the time I am happy to do anything for anyone...I am a pleaser in that way.

And I had some guilt over what I was feeling...not always a good sign, is it?  Okay, so I was tired and grumpy, and my sweet mother-in-law was coming home from the hospital...Oh, I have not mentioned the trip to the hospital ...okay here it is...(so that I can remember all this in years to come...as if it is important...??)  On Monday, August 29 Elsa saw her pulmonary doctor...she checked out great...had a fairly rigorous testing and was rather tired on Tuesday...so took it easy and didn't go out...by Wednesday her back was hurting her...quite a bit.  On Thursday she made an appointment to see her doctor on Friday...her doctor was actually on vacation so she saw a PA (physicians assistant)...they took an xray fearing pneumonia...they "thought" there was a little bit of gray matter on her lungs, so they gave her a prescription for an antibiotic and sent her home.  She was pretty much in bed Friday, Saturday and then Sunday morning the pain was not good and she thought she should go to the hospital.  So Bill calls Scott at 9:30 am and asks him to take Elsa to the ER...we are there A.L.L. D.A.Y L.O.N.G...you know the drill with ER rooms, right?  They couldn't really find anything wrong with her...no infection anywhere...so they give her a big bag of liquid in an IV to see if that will perk her up and she can get up and walk...Well, it didn't really help and she was hardly able to get up and walk...very weak and shaky.  So the ER doctor decides it is best to admit her because it would not be safe for her to go home.  And he says to Scott, "I am missing something, and maybe the resident doctor can do a stomach CT scan and figure out the pain".  so by 7 PM she gets checked into a room...this is Sunday and she gets released on Thursday.  They never did find out what the pain was about...and in fact, they didn't even have a record of any pain (although she had been given pain pills several times while we were visiting).  By the time she gets home she has a very horrible cough...but it is very loose and it is high in her chest, not in her lungs...so all is well with that.  And she is very weak, but each day is better.

I think in past posts I have mentioned how difficult changes are for Bill...any little thing out of normal kind of puts him in a very bad place.  For instance, when we came to take Elsa to the ER, Bill had her walker (the heavier duty one with the seat-and it can store the oxygen tank, too) at the bedroom door...Scott says to his dad, "Dad, we want the wheelchair, mom can't walk."  "But Scott", he says...."NO, we need the wheelchair dad, go get it."  "But Scott, her oxygen is right here, she needs this...."  "DAD. GO GET THE WHEELCHAIR, MOM CANNOT WALK"...really Scott was being very nice, but firm with his dad...just a sample of how he does not accept change...when something is planted in his mind for things to happen one way, it really sends him into a frenzy if it doesn't happen that way.  (Gosh, now I recall reading a book about dealing with a "Spirited child" (this was for Caleb when he was 3 years old)...and I recall so many instances when something did not go the way he wanted it to go...he came unglued...just had a meltdown...) and that is kind of how Bill is with things.  It is sad...so we try very hard to be patient and to explain things..almost like he is 5 years old.  And to be honest, Bill is doing a fabulous job of being the caregiver for his wife.  Sometimes it is overwhelming for him...he says it is like "a wave crashing on him"....wave, after wave, after wave...we have tried to relieve the burden..we have tried to get them into a retirement home, we have tried to bring in outside help to assist with bathing and cooking....and they don't want any of it...they want to be in charge of their own lives and they don't want anyone to help...except of course FAMILY!  They will very graciously accept meals..and Bill does really good with heating things or making frozen dinners etc...but he is a perfectionist and sometimes that can cause extra stress for himself too. 

Scott finally had a heart to heart with his dad and told him he had two choices...move to an assisted living place ...or...allow some people to come into his home and assist with the daily living...He has agreed to let people come into the home and help.  Phew...that is BIG...that is HUGE...of course it hasn't happened yet, so we still may be dealing with some issues.  The last time I had arranged for a lady to come and assist Elsa with a bath, Bill didn't like the fact that she didn't bring a towel or soap or shampoo...OMG, I had to explain that she uses their things...the shampoo that Elsa likes and the soap that Elsa likes...but he had it in his head that she would come with her own supplies, so he was rather put out that she didn't come prepared, so he took a dislike to her...

It really is TOO LATE IN THEIR LIFE to go to an apartment...they would not do well...the time was two years ago, when they both were able to get around and could hold hands and support each other...now it would not be in Bill's best interest to move...he would not be able to find his tweezers...(okay, a little inside joke here...a sad little joke...if it can even be called a joke more like a story:  a year ago, we took a tour of a retirement facility and we all loved it...Bill actually gave his credit card to the lady to pay for the first months rent...this was on a Friday and we picked a date two weeks away and they would move.  So the following Monday, I go to their house and Bill takes my hand and sits down with me and says, "Last night I had to use the tweezers, and I thought to myself, "where would the tweezers be in the new place?"  And I said to him, "Well, I would probably put them in the bathroom and I would tell you where I put them".  And he says, "I just can't move because I wouldn't know where my tweezers are!"  "Okay, no problem, you won't move".  And then he puts his head in his hands and weeps....I kid you not...he weeps because he is relieved that I am not angry and disappointed with him.   See what I mean?

Scott and I have kidded each other about making a will and signing it saying what our daughters can do with us...but then I said we would probably not believe that it was our signature...so then he says, well, let's make a video of us ...we can laugh now about it, but in truth those are so very difficult times to go through with aging parents...they want their independence, yet they need help....they don't like strangers going through their kitchen...yet they need help...Elsa takes a lot of different drugs and even though John sorts it all out for her in those wonderful weekly pill holders, there are still different inhalers she needs to take and Bill needs to be responsible for that...and that can be overwhelming for him...those waves come down on him and it can be too much...

So when I started this post, I mentioned I was out of "sorts"..grumpy and not myself...and I guess it was because a lot of the "help" was falling on my shoulders...now normally John is the BEST caregiver ever...and so patient and kind...but he and Robin are in Norway for only 10 days...but it was while she was in the hospital and now that she is home, I am feeling the need to be helping a lot...just for the sake of Bill's peace of mind.  Today I asked if I could bring some bacon and make some BLT's for them for lunch...oh, they surely would love that.  And indeed, they said it was the best lunch ever...and the tomatoes were freshly picked from my garden...so yummy!  And I got up early and made a casserole for them, bought a couple of rolls and had Scott get a Caesar Salad from Papa Murphy's ... all this for their dinner.  Today, September 11 is Bill's 89th birthday...he loves Stanford's ribs and onion rings...I think perhaps we will get a take out order for him and maybe I will make some peach cobbler for his birthday dessert.  Gosh I am feeling better already...I guess just getting my feelings and thoughts down on paper helps a lot. 

I have been spending a lot of time at the new Yogurt Shack also...and running errands getting supplies and such...so there is always so much to do and I feel pulled in so many ways...and I did have to have a good talking with myself the other day...this will not always be like this and I don't want to look back and regret the time I have spent with either Bill and Elsa or even my Dad...I want to be the giving, kind and patient person I normally am...and they are so appreciative of the help (of course I am family, so that is a given!).  I just hope we don't go to battle when it is a new person...I will let you know how that goes...

A Smaller "Sweeney" Reunion

This is my cousin Deleth's home, she hosted the reunion for us...since we were all in Seattle...actually we were south and east of Seattle for the Iacolucci reunion, we got together even further south (that worked for us who came from Oregon!) and met up with just some of the Sweeney family.  My mom only has one sister still living, Lorraine, so with her two daughters who live in the area, they planned the Sunday brunch for us.  We had cousins come from Chico, CA, and one cousin was in town from Phoenix visiting his daughter, and another cousin and his wife from Post Falls, Idaho.  The day was beautiful and my cousin has a very beautiful home with gorgeous landscaping and the baskets of flowers were breathtaking...and all of it is done by her husband!  Wow, wish he could come work some magic on my landscaping!!

Auntie Lorraine

Bernie, cousin Mike, Jamie, and Kerry

Cousin Gerald, SIL Diane, Bernie, back of my dad's head

Kirsten and Julie

Cousin Linda, my dad, cousin Richard

Cousin Marcia, Lorraine's daughter

kids...

Travis, son of Marcia

Scott and Gerald

 

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Deleth...the cousin who hosted the party!  Are you wondering why I am putting a name to the faces on the pictures?  You do remember the Title for my Blog, right?  Well, I want to remember in 20 years who these people are...so I must name them here...even though I think that I will always remember them...who knows what my mind will be like in 20 or 30 years!!

Oh...and next time I go to a reunion, (shhhh, don't tell Scott...) I think it best that I go by myself...but at least after this year, everyone knows he exists!! 

Our Annual Family Reunion

Our annual Iacolucci reunion was held this year on August 13 at Tony and Janet Pinto's house in Maple Valley, Wa.  We had nearly 90 family members gathered including my husband who has not been for many many years.  We had a birthday celebration with cake for our two older members of the family...my Dad who will be 90 in October and his cousin, Fred, who will be 80 this year.  My cousins son has a catering business in Seattle...called Emerald City Catering...and I think he specializes in Italian food...but I could be wrong about that, I do know that he brings everything Italian to our picnic and let me tell you, the food was delicious!!  Spaghetti, meatballs, two kinds of raviolis with a pink sauce, short ribs...oh my, it was fabulous...we had salads and garlic bread and then lots of desserts made by family members, including the TWO Costco cakes for the the birthday boys!  We had biscotti's...Melinda's famous recipe...so good.!  We had pitzels, and then of course several kinds of chocolate brownies and I brought the Mirabel Magic Cookie...everything was so good and it was so nice to see the cousins and aunts...The Matriarch of the Iacolucci Family is my dad's sister, Elvera who was 92 in July!  And she was there --- here she is in all her glory...such a sweetie...

Does she look 92?  And does she look Italian?  She borrowed the hat to keep the sun out of her eyes while pictures were being taken...

Fred (80), My dad, Ben (90), Elvera (92)

Carol, Nancy, Dad

Jamie, Dina, Teale

Kids playing bocce

Michael, brother Marty, Melinda, Teale (Marty's daughter), Ellie

This is the Iacolucci/Pinto family...just a small part of this whole clan
 We are blessed to have such loving and kind people in this family...ones who really treasure keeping the connection between all of us.  My Grandfather, Giuseppe (Joe) had three brothers and two sisters...they all married and had children.  My Dad, Ben was one of six children...they each married and has a family...so you can see how this can grow into a really large group.  And truth be told...we were missing a LOT of people just from my father's siblings children...my first cousins.  And we keep growing!  My father has another sister still living, Carm, and she was not at the reunion as her husband Fred is not in good health and she cannot leave him alone.  So we miss all  those who could not make it this year.


Family is and should be very important...to learn your roots and to see where you came from is so important, it helps define who you are...my Grandpa Joe died when he was about 75...I was maybe 5 years old.  He left Italy when he was 12 years old...coming for the American Dream...he lived in Philadelphia with an aunt and uncle on his mother's side.  He worked at a grocery store to pay for room and board. When he was a teenager he  moved to Seattle, he bought a house and after the house was paid for, he took a trip back to Italy and married my Grandmother, Rosa.  He returned to Seattle and worked for 5 years to save enough money to pay for my grandmothers voyage.
They had 6 children...and of those six, three are still living...one being my dad and this year on October 18, he will turn 90 years old.  He was so sure he would not live long after my  mom died, but he is going strong!  Yes, he tires easily.  Yes, he cannot do all that he used to do.  Yes, he does his own cooking.  Yes, he does his own gardening, keeping the orchard, pruning, harvesting, canning, and freezing.
It is what keeps him going...he loves it.  Without the garden he would be lost...it is what motivates him to get up and get out!!  Growing up in the depression years also helped to define him...he works hard to put food on his table...he harvests so that he will be sure to have healthy home grown food - and he boasts that he saved $30 at the end of a month because he was able to use all the vegetables from his garden.


I was very happy that nearly all of my family was able to make it to this reunion...especially since we were honoring my dad.  Unfortunately, because of the motorcycle accident with Aaron, Lacey's family was not able to make the trip up north.  We missed her and I missed sharing her family with all the others...so they would have an idea about the "connection"...the Iacolucci Family Connection!