Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I hope that this year is off to a great start for everyone. Thought I would begin 2013 with an overview of highlights from 2012.

Our family started last year with Dad having surgery for a detached retina – in the middle of a snow and ice storm. It was quite an adventure getting to and from the hospital and the follow-up appointments (and I have vowed that my next car will have all-wheel drive!), but Dad was a real trooper through it all. My favorite conversation with him during this time went like this:

Dad: “So what would happen if I don’t have the surgery?”
Me: “Then you will go blind.”
Dad (without missing a beat): “Then at least I could get a dog.” 

Gotta love that his sense of humor is still intact! The surgery was successful. He still doesn’t have much vision in his right eye, but he compensates well.

Merv and Dad celebrated their 300^th chess game last year by a trip to Costco for mocha freeze drinks. A dear family friend, Merv is our super-dedicated Wednesday volunteer. He also helps out one night a month so that Mom can go to an Alzheimer’s caregiver support meeting. Dad always looks forward to Wednesdays with “Mr. Montacute” and intently studies chess books for strategies with which to win.

Dad, Susan, and Merv Montacute

 In the spring, I took Dad to get his first pedicure. I wasn’t sure what he would think of the experience, but he loved it! The ladies at InSpa were really sweet with him (they thought it was especially cute when he fell asleep soaking his feet) and he left saying that his feet were “smiling.” He now has a monthly pedicure date.

We went to the LeMay Car Museum to celebrate Dad’s birthday. He took lots of pictures of the 1930 Packard Roadster. I learned that he had helped his father restore a car like this when he was a kid. As Dad lives more and more in the past, we are learning things about his childhood that we never knew (like that he and his mother used to play a lot of chess when he was a kid) - an unexpected gift in this situation! At the museum, he also got to drive a race car simulator.

1930 Packard Roadster

Dad in the race car simulator

In August, Lindsey, Dave, and I hosted a Caregiver Thank You Party for everyone who helps out with Dad’s care. It was a beautiful day and everyone had a good time. Dad, of course, thanked everyone for being there. J

Other highlights of 2012:

Many trips to the arboretum, parks, the beach and picnics

At least weekly trips to Costco

Weekend get-aways to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Poulsbo, and Long Beach

Quiet-yet-fun Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays spent being entertained by Miss Caitlin’s antics and tricks

Dad and Caitlin deep in conversation

We look forward to welcoming a new baby boy into the family this spring, witnessing what God has in store for Mom as her job at PeaceHealth ends in April, and seeing what else 2013 brings.

Happy New Year from our family to your’s! Thanks for being here!