Today, Sunday January 7th, after church we attended a "Service of Remembrance" that was sponsored by Kaiser Permanente Hospice Care Program. We submitted a picture of Mom Peters for their slide show. When we walked in, we were pleasantly surprised - there must have been around a hundred people attending.

It was a very nice service, remembering those who had passed away in 2017. Special music, candle lighting (when your loved one's name was read), and Reflection - by the chaplain. Very touching and emotional service! 

Now in December 2017...we had an exciting month!

Friday, the 1st, we went to Salem, OR to First Baptist Church to hear gospel groups Greater Vision and Legacy Five with Jim & Vonnie Lash. Enjoyed the concert so much and had dinner at Izzy's - Jim, you really need to return the silverware :) (joking, ofcourse). 

Saturday, the 9th, we drove to Skagit Valley, WA to see A Carpenter's Christmas concert with the Lash's. Weather and traffic were good. Concert was really good! We drove home Sunday morning and packed for Monday. 

Monday, December 11th, Carol and I  left Oregon for Ft. Collins, Colorado in our Honda CRV.

We spent the night in Twin Falls, Idaho and drove into Ft. Collins at about 4:00p.m. We stayed with Kelly and the kids for a few days. We got to see Nancy, my Mom, and Chris Wegner on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, the 17th, we got back on the road and headed for Twin Falls. And we got back home on Monday. Carol hurt her foot going down a set of stairs at Kelly's, so we tried to keep the swelling down and keep her feet up during the trip home. I went back to work on Thursday and Friday. Saturday, the 23rd, we had Christmas with Jim & Vonnie - they were leaving for Central Oregon. Sunday, December 24th we attended a candle light service at Valley Baptist Church in the morning service. Christmas Day we went to Hearthstone Retirement Community and took a couple of gifts to Millie Head. We got to visit with her and her son Tom for about an hour. 

Saturday, 30 December, was a car day - warm enough to wash both cars, change the oil, air filters, rotate tires on the Honda. They are ready for the road!!!



  

November flew by...and we enjoyed having Lynette and Ken her for Thanksgiving!!! Good family time! And way too much food and fun. Grand Ronde has the best buffet in the state!! (On the way to the coast!)

We had to run to get this picture before the sun went down! Sorry, it's so dark...but, I like the shadow effect.  This time together seemed like a blur...way too fast!!!

Carol and I had been talking about replacing the 2008 Toyota Yaris with something a little bigger that we could drive further than "just to work". So, we traded the Yaris in for a 2017 Corolla...Best move ever!!!

It's so easy to drive and has plenty of room for the two of us. It gets great gas mileage. We opted for the front end protection package - so, the painted surfaces (on the front end) are covered with a plastic coating (like a wrap). Super investment for miles and years to come!!

August started out with a visit from Nancy and Morgan Dyer from Denver. It was a scheduled visit prior to Mom Peters' passing. It was a time of reflection and a little travel to the coast.

We stopped at Willamette National Cemetery so Nancy and Morgan could see where Mom & Dad Peters are at rest. We took them to Lincoln City to visit the Christmas Cottage. Then, back to the airport on Wednesday, Aug.09th. Great to have them with us!

A new year...WOW...all the things that have happened since July!!! Some good some sad.

Let me start by saying "we really miss Mom Peters!" Shortly after we had moved her to Farmington Square, Mom passed away - July 18th.



 Carol has been a real trooper during this difficult time! Since she is the only living immediate relative; she's delt with insurance, rail road, social security, etc. etc. And, Carol made sure that Mom Peters wishes to be with Dad were carried out...Thanks to Willamette National Cemetery and Springer Funeral Home. Kaiser Hospice group was a true blessing...very professional and caring! 

  

Here we are , working toward the middle of July already....man, the time flies by in the summer!!! The long weekend was productive, lots of home projects got done. And we managed to work in a BBQ on the 4th with The Lash's. I worked on Wednesday, but hit the road on Thursday for the coast.

Jim & Vonnie came to our house on Thursday a.m. and we went to Grand Ronde for lunch - best buffet in Oregon! Then we kept going west to Lincoln City and checked into Chinook Winds motel.

That evening we had tickets for Air Supply...they were great (like always)!!!

I really like their new song "I Adore You" that Graham Russell wrote. Our room had a great view of the beach and I kept the windows open all night. Love the sound of the waves, the wind, and the birds! Next morning I got up and went for a walk on the beach and took some pictures:

 

After breakfast we spent some time at the Christmas Cottage in Lincoln City (tradition). Then, made our way back home. Fast trip, but well worth it!



More news and pictures from Oregon soon!