Future Ex-Husband

I met John H***** the summer of 1967 shortly before my 21st birthday at a club called Little Pete's. The first couple of times I saw him in there he flirted with a friend of mine and ignored me. The 3rd time
was July 3rd, his 29th birthday. I was invited to go clubbing with the owner, Pete McNeil, a couple of other guys and John. Before the evening was over he proposed. The next day he took me to a barbque at
his sister's house. And I met his children.

John had been married twice already. His first marriage was to Sarah while he was in the military, living in Washington State and they had four children: John Charles IV (Chuck), Michael (Mikey), William Kelly (Billy) and Deborah Lee (Debbie). Mikey was born with spina bifada and died when he was about 18 months old, shortly before Billy was born. Debbie was born a couple of weeks after his divorce was final.

John then married Wanda. She had several children of her own. At some point Chuck, his oldest child with Sarah, started living with John and Wanda.

Per John, Sarah called and told him that to come get Billy and Debbie or she was putting them in a Catholic orphanage. Wanda didn't want the additional children so John took his three kids and moved back to Texas.

I met John a year later. Chuck was 6 1/2, Billy 3 1/2 and Debbie 2 1/2.

We are on the road to getting on the road

I got up this morning and texturized the dining room walls, a job that took less than 3 hours but has been torturing me for months.  This is the first real step toward getting the house ready to sell.  Tomorrow I terrorize ... texturize ... the kitchen.  More surface to work on in there but I now know it is doable!

I also re-started my interval training routine after lunch.  It doesn't sound like much ...

• 5 minute warm up
• 30 second sprint
• 90 second walk
• 30 second sprint
• 90 second walk
• 30 second sprint
• 90 second walk
• 30 second sprint
• 90 second walk
• 30 second sprint
• 90 second walk
• 30 second sprint
• 5 minute cool down

But it adds up to about a mile and makes me sore ALL OVER!  There is an eight week plan that increases the length of the sprint and decreases the walk time each week.  And you only have to do it every other day, 3 times a week.

And did I mention we have a new dog?  His name is Mister and he is a Brussels Griffon.   Here is a picture:

Okay, maybe he isn't the handsomest guy on t he block but I'm still very smitten with him.  He is a rescue from the Black Hills Humane Society through a new friend of ours Katherine Andrews.  Katherine has also talked us into being foster parents for a smooth haired terrier that needs out of the shelter while she looks for a forever home for him. 

Mister was named Monkey by the Society workers but we have re-named him Mister.  He is about 10 months old and is going to be neutered Wednesday.  He is surprisingly good natured for a dog that has spent most of his life alone in a back yard.  He is, however, terrified of the back door and has to be coaxed in and out.  He is very respectful of our elderly Lucy and likes to play with Harley.  Harley in turn is getting more exercise and has been able to stop taking his anti-anxiety medication.  Harley even shares his toys with Mister.

Kelsi

Kimberly and Jessie arrived in Seattle today for a college visit
(University of Washington) and to meet the people who make going to
school in Washington so attractive - Chuck's kids and grandkids.

This is a video of Kelsi, age 1, my first great grandchild.  If you look closely you can see dad Kyle and mom Stephanie.  I am hoping to get additional video this week of Jacqueline whose first baby (a boy) is due tomorrow and Patrick who is the youngest of the three. 

Jane's daughter Kim also lives in the area and Kimberly is hoping to see her and her two kids also. 

It would be great to get these two branches of the family who are not actually related together!

Washington State is our first planned destination after we get our RV.  I am hoping to be able to get a part time job at a state park in the area so we can spend several months there and really get to know every one.  I thinking that our RV could be a great visiting place for everyone. 

We found our RV home!

Sunday Mother and I went to look at RV's and found the perfect one for us.  The bedroom in the front (queen bed) will be mother's. The bedroom at the back with all the twin beds is mine.

Keystone has been making this model since 2006 so our chances of finding a used one in good shape are decent.  It may cost a little more than we had planned to spend but would be worth it for the space available.  Lots of storage.  I would add a railing to the bunk on the left and store my boxes of fabric there.  Each bedroom area has storage plus the wardrobe outside of the bathoom could hold most of our clothing.  There is a decent pantry in the kitchen.  All models come with a large flat screen tv which isn't necessary but could also be nice.  I doubt that we will have TV reception very often unless we decide to go with a DISH.  We love the idea of the outside kitchen but not all models come with it.