Reunion Trip Day 5

Today is the day! The reunion in Hordville, Nebraska begins this afternoon. We only have about 150 miles to go. I don't expect to have internet access again for awhile, because we'll be with family. We're ready to be done with motels for awhile. We will be avoiding EconoLodge in the future.

You learn interesting things about your children when you sleep in the same room. Last night Will and I were both awakened by our younger son talking. "You want to fight? Okay, I can beat you up" etc. Then his fists started flailing as he threw punches at the air above his bed. Fortunately the fight didn't last long!

Last night we thought it would be a good idea to check out Lake McConaughy, which we had seen signs for when we got off the freeway at Ogallala where we spent the night. We got Subway and headed out of town without really knowing where to go, so Will got out the portable ham radio and put out a call. He actually got an answer and got directions! Those hammers are so helpful! We saw picnic tables at Lake Ogalalla first so we ate there. Our boys aren't used to mosquitoes, but we didn't get bitten too badly. The sun was setting as we were driving home, so we had to stop for a photo op. The one where Will was smiling was blurry so I have to show this one, the happy Will and LeAnn at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska.

Reunion Trip Day 4

Thursday, 2:30 p.m. I’m sitting here in the shade at a picnic table by a pond at Cabela’s in Sidney, Nebraska. Sadly, there’s a lot of duck waste product around, and Nick was really good at finding the fresh stuff. We all did a little shopping here this morning. Nick got the sword that he needs for Search and Rescue. It’s a knife with a 7-inch blade. They tell me it’s a K-Bar. Please pray that he won’t hurt himself or anyone else. I don’t understand why, but he thinks it is really, really cool. We found a shady place to have lunch and then came back because Will hadn’t had enough time to wonder around and look at everything. He didn’t really like having all of us right on his heels after we were done. So I came here with the laptop, Eric wandered off with his phone to do his boyfriendly duties, and Nick has been back and forth from here to the store.
As we were driving down the road this morning, I said, “Boys, look at the little Lincoln Memorial over there.” Will said, “It’s not little. Why do your call everything little?” I didn’t know I did. “Little means small and inconsequential. You call everything little, and its starting to get a little irritating.” That’s one of the things I love about this man, the honest communication. To think all this time I have been going around with this extremely annoying little speech habit, and no one ever told me. I apologized and vowed to change. Soon after, we encountered a briefly perilous little traffic situation, and Will said, “We could have been killed, or even worse!” (One of his favorite sayings after times of danger.) I replied, “That would have been quite a little tragedy!” Then I quietly laughed uncontrollably for awhile. Little Nick wanted to know what I was laughing about. Will said it was our own private little joke. I have been noticing since then that I am not the only one who over uses that little word. It's a little hard to break a little habit like that, but I'll do my best. But it will probably take a little while.

Reunion Trip Day 3

Wednesday, June 28: We drove uneventfully all morning, with the greatest excitement happening when Will got out his portable ham radio and sought to make contact with fellow hammers. No such luck, just a little bit of static, but that is music to our ears. In Evanston we found a grocery store and then a park to have lunch. Eric was going to drive after lunch, so he was looking at the atlas. It showed Rocky Mountains north of I-84 and again south of I-84. Will told him he wouldn’t be driving through them, but he liked what the map said. When we finished lunch, he said, “Let’s go, I have the Rocky Mountains to drive through!” But his dad was right. Eric does enjoy the 75 mph speed limit. As he was driving through town, he observed an elderly driver not using signals, and said, “I’ve noticed two things about people’s driving when they get old. They either don’t signal at all or they signal and leave it on.”

Later on when Will was driving, a huge bug splattered on the windshield. Nick thought it was cool, I found it repulsive and wanted it removed. Will didn’t want to smear the whole windshield. “Please,” I said, “There’s lots of wiper fluid.” His response was, “Put on your big girl panties and deal with it.” Big smile. “I’ve been waiting two days for the chance to say that.” He had seen it on a t-shirt in one of the dumb outlet mall stores.

We stopped in Laramie to get a motel. I had been pointing out the Super 8 signs along the freeway, but he pulled up to the first hotel we came to, a very nice new AmeriHost. I told him it would be too expensive. We went in together to check it out. He tells the clerk, “So how much do you want for a room here? My wife thinks it would be too expensive for us.” Well, the clerk responded very nicely to his charm and gave us a discount so we could afford it. Then Will wants to know where we could get a cheap dinner. She said if we wanted to wait until 10:00 when she got off work, we could come to her house. We thanked her but accepted to pizza coupons she offered instead. Will let the boys get refills on their Mt. Dews at dinner. They say caffeine doesn’t affect them at all. They had quite a travel pillow fight in the back seat of the car when we pulled into the motel. Our friendly clerk saw it, and when we walked in, she told those boys they better have all their pillow fighting out of their system for the night!

It really was a beautiful new motel. There was great peace of mind knowing that I wouldn’t find any tiny green plants growing in the mold on the bathroom window as happened at a cheap motel on our first trip coming back from the Oswald reunion in 1992. In fact, after several nights of problems during that trip, including moving three children and all our stuff out of a room into another one because of some malfunction, a pair of women’s underwear hanging over the shower curtain that didn’t belong to any of us, and damp carpeting with a snag that he tripped over, he vowed he was through with cheap motels and we got one that was absolutely beautiful with log furniture in Arizona.

Reunion Trip Day 2

Tuesday June 27: As we headed down the road this morning, we spotted the Boise Outlet Mall. Since we needed shorts and shoes for Eric, we exited the freeway. Unfortunately we re-entered the freeway and had to double back because it wasn't very well marked or something.
One thing I really appreciate about Eric is that he hardly ever complains. But he was not thrilled about shopping. "Outlet malls only have dumb stores. Nobody likes to shop there. Except girls." He and Nick agreed that what is always lacking to make it worthwhile are electronic stores and music stores. I headed for a shoe store and Will was sure they wouldn't have any "shoes for freaks". He was right, they didn't have any size 15s. We went into a store to find shorts. I realized Eric has no idea how to shop. He just stands there. I had to tell him to find some shorts he likes and look for his size, don't make me do all the work! They had a great store there that had levis and wranglers for $10, both shorts and long pants, so all the men got some. As we were leaving, Eric pointed out that we had walked right by the only good store in the place, the Chocolate Factory. Life is hard.


We visited Will's dad in Hammett, then took a drive around Three Island State Park, a beautiful park on the Snake River where we have stayed in the past. Nick thought he should be able to drive around there since he's nearly 15 so there was a bit of a wrestling match as he tried to get the keys. But his father is still the dominant male.

We ended up at one of the most beautiful places we've ever stayed, at Will's Aunt Hazel's place which is on the Snake River. Binoculars are always right there at the table because you can watch the river and see wildlife constantly. We saw a doe and her fawns several times, and the pelicans put on a beautiful show for us. Aunt Hazel and her daughter Juanita who has lived with her the past few years have always provided wonderful hospitality. When we were there five years ago, Eric was fascinated with raccoons. He had done a report on them, and desperately wanted a pet racoon. He had recently made a list of "Necessities for my college dorm room". This list included "2 pet raccoons, including 1 codamundi (I don't know if that's spelled right, but it's a type of raccoon), and every flavor of Wheat Thins." We were sitting at the table watching all the wild life on the river, and when Aunt Hazel heard that Eric loved raccoons, she got out the telescope and set it up on the picnic table so he could watch a raccoon family that lived down on an island.
The sad thing is that at age 87, Aunt Hazel is now at a care facility and in a wheelchair. Juanita still lives there with her horses, dog and cat. Aunt Hazel came to have dinner. Juanita carries on the tradition of great food and hospitality. Her daughter and grandson were temporarily there as they are in the process of moving to Montana, and it was wonderful to see them as well. In spite of her busy life, she sent us off with a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and toast. I am not the only one with fantastic relatives!

Reunion Trip Day 1

We left this morning a bit later than planned. I don't want to admit what time. What a surprise. When a compulsive scrapbooker stays up til 3:30 am because she's so close to finishing a scrapbook, maximum efficiency is not achieved the next morning. But my Tyler scrapbook is reasonably finished, enough to bring along to share. We were in Hermiston for lunch with neice Dawn and family by 1:00 I think. She sent Simon outside so we'd know which house. It is delightful to have someone jumping for joy when you drive up! He was excited to see us even though he didn't remember everyone's name (He called Eric "the one with too much hair.") Baby Lucy can' t possibly remember me but she smiled and reached for me as if I was her best friend. Lovely welcome. We had a good lunch there and had to be on our way all too soon.
Will informed Eric it was his turn to drive when we left. After the interesting conversation died down, (Will "Cows are eating machines. You never see them play.") we were all napping. Eric was surprised when Will suddenly said "Road hazard" regarding tire pieces on the road, then closed his eyes again. The man has incredible instincts.

We made it all the way to Baker City before we needed gas and more refreshment. Will instructed Eric to drive into Albertsons for snacks. Eric said he should maybe get some Beano and I said absolutely, and we also need an air freshener for the car. Eric said, "Have you been smelling it?" All the way from Hermiston. Nick said "Me too." Eric said, "This is the nicest family! I thought nobody was noticing!"

Will got back in the driver's seat, and I so wished I had my camera in the front because the boys looked like they were snuggling up to watch a movie on the laptop. (It was just a screen glare issue.) It would have been a priceless picture. They have gotten along so well today, it's almost like they are friends instead of brothers. But it's only Day 1.

We checked into a motel in Meridian, Idaho. Eric and Nick informed us they will not share a bed. They will take turns from night to night between the bed and the floor. Oh brother.

Will's sister Susie came and took us to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. She was surprised that Nick is now taller than she. He's grown a few inches since November when she was here. Then we got some refreshing drinks at Starbucks. Not a glamorous picture Nick took of me, but boy do I like my caramel Frappucino.

The highlight of the day for the boys - as we were leaving Aunt Susie turned over her old laptop to them. Nick is checking it all out now. (It has a car charger! Look at all this ram!)

Time to get to bed. There's not as much time to nap on the road tomorrow.

Another Graduation for Nick

The long anticipated week of the Linn County Search and Rescue Academy is over. Nick made it through all the rigorous mental and physical challenges of the week, survived a 27 mile backpack trip, rappeling off a tower, a challenging obstacle course done with teammates through a great deal of mud and water (my washing machine will never be the same after these muddy clothes that have been in a plastic bag for two days get through who knows how many washings!), and many other demanding ordeals to became a certified member of this team. He earned his red shirt, which he proudly wore today along with his teammates. Here he is with Sheriff Mueller.

Right away it was evident that he had learned some important things. He greeted us at our Durango when we arrived. We unloaded our chairs from the cartop cargo holder and started to walk away. Nick went back and closed it, saying, "Dad, you really need to learn to pay attention to details!" He heard that a lot during the week. He says it was a lot of fun and he really enjoyed the teamwork aspect. Will asked if he was eager to go right out on a mission. Nick paused and said, "Not right away. My legs are tired!" They had to run, not walk, every time they moved all week. Anisa and Venisa came with us to the graduation, held at the LCSO Posse Camp where the academy was held. Venisa was able to give him a hug in spite of the fact that he's only been able to shower twice in the past week and every one of his fingernails is ringed with dirt, although he tells me he cleaned them with his pocketknife every day!We enjoyed a good potluck and a slide show of the weeks adventures.

CongratulationsNick. We know this week was a lot tougher than eighth grade! It was a character building week and you will never be the same. Next week we are off to more adventures...

!

Happy Father's Day

I appreciate my father and my husband, who are both wonderful fathers. Friday night we went to Jean and Kevin's for dinner with my dad. I drove, and for Will to sit in the passenger seat while I am behind the wheel all the way to their house is a bit of a stretch for him. He graciously offered me several driving tips along the way. I've heard them before and I was as grateful for them as I always am. But when I slowed to turn into their driveway and he braced himself with both hands, I decided not to disappoint him. I took the corner very rapidly, then slammed on my brakes to an abrupt halt. Then I noticed that the family was gathered in front of the house. Someone asked who was driving, and sadly I had to get out from behind the wheel and face them. Oh well. The steaks and everything else were fabulous. The men played horseshoes, and bocci ball (not sure how to spell that) was also happening. Cody was having a great time as usual and I took a few action shots of him. That boy can run like the wind!

I wish I had even half of his energy, athletic ability, and flexibility! He had to show us his "new" chair, and he sat in it for at least 30 seconds!

Today just two of the McAnulty boys were here for lunch with their dad. We had to stop at Fred Meyer for some things to make Will's special lunch, and when I came out, Will and Eric were sitting in front of Starbucks with drinks. Will said, "Look, I'm telling everyone who goes by, my son bought me coffee! He said I could get anything I wanted!" A very proud moment in a father's life when the son becomes the buyer. I'm sure the look on Eric's face below is not because he's recalling that he had to pay for the biggest coffee anyone could ever buy. These guys need to learn how to be quiet and pose for a picture.

It's all about Nick

My baby graduated from 8th grade on Thursday. He was surprised to receive the "Social Responsibility Award" for all the school service he has performed over the past three years while he's hanging out there before and after school - putting up the readerboard, computer help, running things here and there - but they didn't mention one thing he unwillingly did, forced into labor by his mother - weeding the courtyard. I had him trained to do half my job, including entering lunch money and attendance into the computer! When we have after school meetings, he answers phones in the office for us. He truly has been a great help and I appreciate it. Anyway, he's onto high school now but hopefully we'll still see quite a bit of him since it's just next door and he prefers to ride home with me rather than on the bus..

Last night was the big haircut! The past two weeks since the dye job, he has heard many inquiries as to whether or not his hair was real or a wig, as well as experiencing a lot of tugging to see if the "wig" would come off. At dinner one night as his father was scowling at the top of his head, Nick asked why he kept staring up there. After ascertaining that he really did want to know, his father replied, "Because your hair looks like hell and your face looks freakish underneath it!" Sad but true. His father is much happier now!


Before and
after!




At 7:20 this morning, we left our house to take him to the Linn County Sheriff's Office to meet up with the other recruits for nine days at the Search and Rescue Academy. Will and Nick got most of the packing done last weekend and finalized it last night. It was a "guy thing" and I stayed out of it. So as we were heading in this morning, Will asked if Nick had packed any underwear. For some reason it had not been specifically listed on the equipment list. Nick had only brought what he was wearing. So we turned around and sped home to pick up those essential items. Fortunately we had left early because they warn the kids that they will leave without them if they aren't ready to go at 8:00! The kids had to pull each item out of their bag as someone read through the equipment list and then repack their bags. When they came to "belt" they said, "You may not need one now but you will at the end of the week because you will lose weight!" Then they lined up and listed to a little pep talk from the sheriff about how this would be the hardest week of their life but the best week because at the end of it they will know they have accomplished something. Then they were told to run to the SAR vehicle and get in. We look forward to graduation next Sunday and hope and pray he makes it through!

Good-bye! I don't know what I'll do for a whole week without any opportunities to nag you about cleaning up after yourself!

The New Patio Furniture gets Utilized

Finally had the opportunity to break in my new patio furniture Sunday. Dear brother Doug invited himself over so I ordered pizza, called Galen & Carol, and spent the evening on the deck. Venisa just got back from a mission trip doing clean up for Katrina victims and had quite the pictures and stories to share. Here you see Galen showing off his latest pictures of Lucy and Jenna to Brittany. I sure wish I could get his girls to give me pictures of their children. But Galen is always more than happy to give me a glimpse of his own personal copies. Yikes, I see the tag on the chair is visible. For some reason I have a hard time removing tags from furniture. I meant to get out a scissors and ceremoniously remove them all at the first gathering but just never got around to it.

A lovely evening. There was no unsightly drift boat trying and failing to hide behind the shed. The patio furniture was very comfortable. However, we may need to build a larger deck because when people sit around, push back from the table, add more chairs, it was a bit difficult to maneuver around the deck. Doug, you are welcome to invite yourself over any time. But don't expect me to surprise you with your favorite rhubarb custard pie every time. I don't want to spoil you.

Old Pictures

I'm feeling great tonight. I finished a scrapbook! My house is less than clean but my scrapbook is beautiful! I've been working on an Oswald family history scrapbook to sell at the reunion auction in a few weeks. My aunts and uncles responded generously to my request for old pictures and stories. I received some real gems that I had never seen before. Here's one from 1931 of my great-grandma holding my aunt Jeannine with my mom standing next to her.

The one below is of my parents with my two oldest brothers, Galen and John, taken in 1952.

Friday: I stopped by Lazerquick to get a photocopy of this book to keep. The machines were going to be tied up til closing time, so I walked next door to the dollar store to buy graduation cards. The scrapbook was in a box, and I set it down when I paid for my cards. Then I went to the library and was headed home when suddenly it struck me. Where was my scrapbook? I hurried back to the dollar store. Amazingly, no one had recognized what a treasure it was, so it was still there at the cash register stand. My wild imaginations of losing it forever and having nothing to show for the last two months of labor fortunately did not come to pass.

The Coat of Many Colors

Last night when Eric walked in the house after playing in the band at West Albany's graduation, I gasped! He was dressed as the picture shows, in a woven pullover of many color over a white shirt (but at least he was wearing the band bow-tie!) "Eric, where did you get that!" He was admiring it so Molly's mom bought it for him when they were at the coast Saturday. It was only $10! (What a deal!) "Eric, did you wear that when you were playing tonight at West?" No, of course not! Thank goodness. Will took a look at him and said, "I like it. I think you look really fetching." I thought he looked like something from the 60s, but Will reminded me that he was a teenager in the 60s. Ok then. Please let the weather get really hot soon so Eric can leave that thing laying on the living room floor and I can put away somewhere and forget where I put it!

Tyler's Birthday

Twenty-two years ago on June 7, Tyler John Troyer was born, to the joy of his family. Please pray for a special touch of God's comfort to his family as he is not here to celebrate his birthday. I don't even know what to say. I am very sad. Many people are very sad.


"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives...to comfort all who mourn..." (Isaiah 61:1-2) What a friend we have in Jesus.

Just a Normal Saturday Night

Last night Eric had three friends over to watch "Stargate SG-1" DVDs. Nick had recently taken possession of three more discarded computers, so he and Eric were already in the process of adding something to Eric's computer to make it work again. They found out one of Eric's guests didn't have a computer, so Nick got to work putting one together for her out of his many miscellaneous pieces. Someone commented that the plot of the show was hard to follow. Perhaps they don't multi-task as well as they think. Eric said something strangely unintelligible as he was working away. What? He said he decided to speak French when he gets frustrated. Once again I'm sure this scene in our living room is typical of teenagers homes all over America on a Saturday night.

The Princess Bride

Tonight was the Memorial Middle School 8th grade drama performance of "The Princess Bride". Nick had the role of Fezzick, the giant. When a student overheard me congratulating him for getting the role two months ago, she was aghast that I told him he was perfect for the role because he was big and ugly. I think his self esteem survived it. He wanted to get "in character" and dye his hair black. We did that Monday night, and what a startling sight he has been since then.

He had to carry Westley/the Dread Pirate Robert around quite a bit. Tonight was the third performance in two days, and perhaps he had become a bit tired. Crash! Actually the robe got in the way as he was carrying him up the stairs.

It was a rather long, ambitous play for an after school group to do, and they realized they could not do it justice, so they cut some scenes and made up an alternate ending. People were shocked when Miracle Max was trying to bring Westley back to life and he sat up to answer his cell phone when it rang. He told the caller he was in the middle of performing in a play and he'd be there as soon as he could. He apologized to the audience, lay back down, and the scene proceeded. A few minutes later, the phone rang again. He sat up, agreed that he would come right away and said, sorry folks, I really have to go. His cast mates protested. Nick said, "But you haven't had the kissing scene yet! You have to do the kissing scene!" The Director shouted out at him, "Nick, there is no kissing in middle school!" Then another cast member said, "What time is it? Oh, no, I have to get to my baseball game!" He took off as well. Pandemonium ensued. The scene switched below to where the grandmother is reading the book to the grandchild and she said, this is really odd, the end of the story is missing. The remaining cast members on stage chorused together, "I guess you'll have to watch the movie to see how it ends." So there you have it. They did a good job and there were lots of laughs.

The best part of my day came after we got home. The beasts of burden removed the drift boat from my back yard forever! Tomorrow it will take a trip to Gold Beach to it's new home! Halleluia!