1st Flight in 17 Months

 The last time I was on an airplane was for our exciting trip home from Dubai through Ethiopia in March 2020, right in the early days of the pandemic when no one knew if the US borders would close, if all planes would be grounded....if we'd be stuck in Dubai or Addis Ababa. Never in my adult life have I gone this long without flying somewhere.

Now I have four pandemic flights under my belt with 4 more scheduled in the next few months.  Wearing a mask for so many hours is not my idea of a good time but I am happy to do it in order to travel again.

My first trip was to Portland (only about an hour flight plus time in the airport so probably 4 masked hours) so that I could help our friend Martha after bunion surgery.  I arrived on Monday with surgery scheduled for Tuesday morning.   Just as Martha had finished giving me all the instructions I would need take care of her and of her house, the phone rang.  It was the hospital reporting that for the 1st time in 20 years the doctor had to cancel and reschedule her surgery.  And it was scheduled for the day AFTER I had to leave. Luckily she had another friend coming to take over when I left, so she was still going to be well taken care of.  Change of plans no more surgery or care giving, now it was just a girls' week party and it was great!

I caught up with my walking buddies.  Oh how I miss them!  It seems that we never run out of things to say!

I celebrated my birthday with a delicious brownie and a FaceTime rendition of "Happy Birthday" from George.  

That sweet guy even had flowers delivered to me.

I got a guided tour of Scott's new basement apartment.  It is roomy and well appointed.

I think he is going to be very happy there.

That apartment is at the stables where he works so it's very convenient.  I can report that his horse neighbors are very friendly!

I was thrilled when I found out that the famous Burgerville onion rings were on!  They are only served  when Walla Walla onions are available. Most delicious onion rings I've ever had....made even better by the Garlic Aioli sauce.  Yum Yum! At 750 calories per serving, I hate to admit that I had them twice!  Oh well!

To celebrate my last night there, we ate at one of our favorite Lake Oswego restaurants which is right on the lake.  A wonderful evening with good friends, delicious food and a beautiful sky!  Isn't Martha the cutest???

FYI, I'm going back next week now that she has actually had the surgery.  This time I will be caregiving and not just vacationing!

 

Remembering Larry

The main reason we went on our trip to California was to celebrate the life of our friend Larry Helmandollar by attending his memorial service. 

Martha had asked me to take a couple of family photos which I was thrilled to do.  In 2021 it is mandatory to take one with masks and one without.  The masks had been embroidered with Larry's initials by one of Martha's good friends. 

The centerpieces on the tables at the luncheon were examples from Larry's many years of nature photography.  They were stunning.

As I was walking into the church, camera in hand, I happened to notice a beautiful butterfly among the flowers.  I like to think that Larry would have approved at my attempt at nature photography.

George dedicated Larry's grave at the cemetery where his parents and siblings were also buried.

We sang "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good".  It was evident that Larry's goodness had touched many because men that he had worked with 20+ years ago at Lockheed attended the service.  Yes, Larry really was a rocket scientist! I believe there were people in attendance from 7 different states which shows the quality of the man - Larry Boyce Helmandollar.

Each life that touches our for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Through words and deeds of those who love. 

What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days. 

When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory

Bringing us nearer, Lord to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior's name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise they goodness, Lord, above.

Perfect Portland Weekend

George and I had a perfect weekend in Portland.  The purpose of the visit was so that I could see my doctor in person for the first time since September of 2019.  Normally I have an ultrasound and a visit with him every 6 months.  That has not been possible during the pandemic. I kept having my 6 month blood work done here in Boise.  It  remained stable and Dr. Madison and I have had a couple of phone visits.  Our plan was for me to come see him after I was vaccinated and also have an ultrasound and CT scan at OHSU in the beautiful new building down by the river.  As soon as we were both vaccinated, we made plans to drive over for a long weekend.  The doctor's visit would be the perfect time to catch up with friends in Portland and, of course, with Scott.

So happy to report that my blood work has remained virtually unchanged and there is nothing remarkable on either my CT scan or my ultrasound.  The cancer marker called Calcitonin is rising ever so slowly but the numbers are nothing to get excited about.  The new plan is to have blood work in Boise in 6 months and see him again in a year.  I am so thankful that this cancer is behaving itself.  Again Dr. Madison reiterated that while I will die WITH this cancer, there is a good chance I won't die OF Medullary Thyroid Cancer.

Doctor visit done, we could then concentrate on having fun with Scott and friends.....and eating out way too much! FYI, I gained 2 pounds and George lost 1.   There is no justice.

First we had a fun meal with Scott at our favorite pizza place, Pieology.  I love these 'pick your own ingredients' pizza places. George gets the equivalent of his Barcelona favorite pizza, the Rodeo, which has a barbecue sauce and lots and lots of bacon.  I enjoy a pizza with chicken and Gorgonzola  and Scott sticks with the tried and true Margarita.

Speaking of Scott, he is doing so well.  He got a new job working at a company that does restorations and renovations so he is learning lots of great skills!  After about 5 years working at Starbucks he was especially excited NOT to have to get up several days a week at 3:30 a.m. to open.  He is still coaching some soccer and working at a stable.  In fact, he will be moving into an apartment at the stables in July. We are so happy for him and proud of how well he is doing.  Seeing my 'horse crazy' boy spending time with his lifelong love puts a smile on my face!

We had two dinners with friends.  Friday night with my walking buddies and husbands at a delicious Chinese restaurant and Saturday with our old monthly dinner group!  Friday we were so busy talking  that I forgot to take a photo but remembered on Saturday.  I really miss our Lake Oswego friends.

Every Thursday for all the years we lived in Lake Oswego, George and his good friend Larry went to lunch at Burgerville in Wilsonville.  Larry passed away last June and this was our first time back since his death.  We stayed with Martha, Larry's widow, and did enjoy a Burgerville lunch in his honor.

George also did a few projects for Martha around her home.  Unfortunately she has squirrels who are calling her attic home.  George verified their residency but she will need to hire someone to evict them!

While George did projects, I attended a fun baby shower/lunch with my Kenya Keys friends.  Judith, who is a Kenyan serving on the board, had a baby during the pandemic.  It was a joy to finally be able to celebrate her little girl in Rinda's beautiful backyard .

I have always thought that there was nothing prettier than a sunny day in Portland with Mt. Hood, in all her glory, keeping watch on the city.  I still think so.

 

Helmandollars

 We have so many good memories from our days in Portland.  Many of those included our dear friends Martha and Larry Helmandollar.  Larry passed away last summer after a long road dealing with a degenerative disease.  Martha was the most loving, dedicated caregiver we could imagine.  She was an example to us all of pure charity. We miss them and wish so much that we could be there to help her during this difficult time.  We do cherish the memories.

This memory is from a few years ago.  After enjoying a delicious dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory we had a front row seat for the Portland Christmas boats.  

I love this particular Portland Christmas tradition.