Sadness

In the blink of an eye, your whole world can change and come crashing down around you. Last Wednesday I was happily enjoying designing my card for next Card Party in Pullman when my Cell rang. It was my Father. He never calls so I knew it wasn't good. I expected bad news about either my Mother or her brother, Sylvester. No, it wasn't. My double cousin Michael had been found dead. I sort of stopped breathing for a bit. Michael? My Birthday baby born 12 years after me and whose toes I pinched so he would wake up and I could hold him? That Michael?

All I could do is see a happy little boy who wanted to be totally and unconditionally loved by everyone; A little boy whose eyes sparkled when he saw the Christmas presents under the tree the year he and his brother and sister lived with us; The little boy who loved to camp and fish and was always needing his line untangled which I happily did for him; The little boy who held the Crawdad up to his face because he loved them so and it attached itself to his nose (We laughed and helped him.)

Then, I saw the young man saying I do to his lovely Bride who was also the sister of Steven's wife. Then there he was showing me his new baby and then another. I never got to see the third boy.

Michael had been fighting demons since his early 20s. That is when Schizophrenia usually attacks. The voices told him things and he lived inside his head but medication brought Michael back. He always saw the sun unless his medication was off or he didn't take it and then the world was dark and he did things that only his demons understood.

His wife could no longer stay with him and though they divorced she always stayed in very close contact. It was she who had to tell Steven.

Michael is Steven's and Sylvia's brother and Sylvester's son and now he was gone.

Thursday I went to Clarkston to see Mother and then go see Steven. I stopped and talked to Dad awhile and learn more. Whatever happened, pushed or jumped, Michael had fallen from his third floor Apartment balcony.

I went on up to Mom's and she smiled and was glad to see me. As far as she was concerned, I had not been there in a month of Sundays. She said, "Oh, I am so glad to see you. I dreamed you came because Michael died." I had brought her a Thinning Bar (Maple Bar). My brother, Norman, had teasingly called them that. I kinda figured she would need something, after all, Michael was her brother's son and as close to her as a son. I told her that it was so sad that Michael had died and she stopped mid bite. She had truly thought it was all a dream and so it was as if she were hearing it for the first time. I kinda counted on that to begin with and spent the rest of our visit comforting her.

As it turned out, the Care Center was having a BBQ that day. Billy came; Dad came; and Steven and his wife came. I made sure that Sylvester wasn't left alone upstairs before Steven got there and he was sitting with Mom. It was a wonderful BBQ and just what was needed.

Micheal's son, Shane wrote the Obituary. It was very nice. And now, we await Micheal's return from Spokane. Then Steven and Sylvia will make all the arrangements as Sylvester can't.

So, say a prayer for Stevie and Sylvia and Sylvester.

Christy

Family BBQ

On Saturday July 12, my Frye family got together for a BBQ and Picnic at Beachview in Clarkston.
It was a wonderful day.

I went after Pullman's Scrapkit Club. I love Scrapkit and all the wonderful papers, embellishments and challenges. Sometimes the combination of papers and products in itself is a challenge which I enjoy tackeling. Wonder what I and everyone else will come up with this months kit. Shawana always gives us uniques and delightful items to work with. This month we have a skull. Wonder where I will use that one. Just have to wait and see.

When I got to Clarkston, I went and picked up my Aunt Lydia Bly. She is my Mother's older sister. And at 84 she is more active and capable than a lot of 30 somethings. I hope I age like her. She has a garden and many many flowers. She still drives and just a three years ago developed a new lot for her new home next to her old one. She got everything just as she wanted and supervised every minute of it being built making changes where it made the house more comfortable and useable for her.


Her she is admiring her newest Great Great Nephew Mason Frye my Brother Billy's Son's new baby boy born March 8.

Aunt Lydia raised for children and was a teacher. She is a great lady and watches over my Mama and their brother Sylvester and youngest sister Sadie Talley.

She had made a macaroni salad and took a large jar of her own pickled beets. YUM!

When we got their my Nephews Brian and Kirk, Billy's boys, were getting things all set up. Jamie Bjorklund and her new baby Madison were already there. Jamie is Billy's baby girl.

Here is Jamie and Madison and Chris, Jamie and Madison Bjorklund.






















Here my baby brother Bill Frye arrives and Kirk and Brian are in the background cooking or should I say BBQing.


Billy, my sister in law Debbie, niece Erica, nephew Travis and my youngest nephew Morgan all arrived with great aplomb.
They spilled their ice chest all over the ground and had to pick everything up.
Sounds like a Frye trick.





Here is Erica. Yes she did help pick everything up she just stopped long enough for me to take her picture.
















Here is my wild child, Morgan Eugene Frye.
How I love this little boy.
He calls me Aunt Kissie and always has hugs, cuddles, kisses, and lots of new news for me.Billy gave him our brother's middle name. Brian is named for our Brother Norman Eugene Frye but goes by his middle name Brian--Norman Brian Frye. Norman passed in 1998 to melenoma cancer. How we all miss him.





I sure think the world of my sister-in-law Debbie. She works for WSU in the French Administration building.

Debbie and Billy admire Madison. Jamie is in the background.













Of course my Father and Mother were there. The Care Center brought Mama on a bus and picked her up. Mom had a wonderful time but did get tired before the bus came back.

Here mama is with my double cousin Sylvia. I don't know what her married name is now but her father is my Mother's brother Sylvester Stubblefield and her mother is my Father's sister Peggy Ann Frye. Peggy passed three years ago due to complications of Diabetes and heart problems caused by childhood Rheumatic Fever.


Steven brought their father, Sylvester. and his beautiful new bride, Chrystal also came. She is so sweet.

Here Steven and Chrystal visit with Brian and Sylvia's husband Butch. Mama and Sylvester in the forefront.













Dad had a good time visiting and just enjoying the sun and fun. Here he is with Billy, Deb, Jamie's husband Chris Bjorklund, and of course Morgan.










Here are Dad and Jamie.










My sister, Cammie Laws, and Dad visited.

Two of Cammie's children also came. Alicia West and Kris Schinider and his wife, Katie. Her youngest son Shane Laws is now in the Marines. I miss him.


This is Kattie and Madison.









Here Alicia and Kris enjoy the wonderful foods everyone brought.






Kris also helped with BBQing.











The only people I haven't introduced you to are Molly (Mason's Mommy and Brian's wife), lovely Laura (Wyatt and Meghan's mama and Kirk's wife), and of course Wyatt and Meghan.

Here are they are Laura and Wyatt. I don't have a good picture of either Molly or Meghan. Next time.


Here Laura holds Madison and Jamie holds Mason.


Oh, and least I forget the Food!
Just as a side note I took the fruit salsa and cinnamon chips that were last week's Recipe of the Month in Pullman. Very good I might add. Some people thought it was a stand alone salad and the chips just good. Others thought it went on the cake with whipped cream. My Aunt Barbara Stubblefield (Uncle Noland's wife who is my Mother's brother. He passed two years ago of Mesothelioma.) loved the chips and asked how to make them. I don't have a picture of her in any form I am ashamed to say.
All the food was delicious. And this isn't all of it.










Dad took Mama to met the bus but stops to tell Sylvia Good bye.













Travis gives Mama a hug and tells her goodbye.





After Mother left, I took Aunt Lydia home and came home to Pullman. It was a lovely day but very long. Hope to do it again before too long.

Hope you enjoyed the visit and come again soon.

Hi Ho

Well, here it is the second week in July and so much has happened.

Went to my son's, Matthew, home for Daniel's 4th Birthday July 6th. Then brought both Marquis and Daniel home with me on Monday. I held my breath as this is Daniel's first stay. Surprise! He didn't pitch a fit which is what I totally expected as his other Grandma has not had good experiences keeping him.

Our visit was wonderful until Wednesday. I took the boys to the Moscow Aquatic Center. We were there about 3 - 31/2 hours in the water. Daniel was having a blast as was Marquis of course. Anyway, I knew Daniel was getting tired and needed to get out and sure enough he asked to go lay in the shade. I told him ok but wait. He didn't hear the wait. I turned to tell Marquis and Daniel was out of sight. I had told him earlier that he couldn't cross the line. Because of this, I figured he went to the land. I searched and searched for him. I even went back in the water and looked around the slide and the buckets. No Daniel. I was scared now. Where was he? I went to the lifeguard station for help. They were just taking me to the announcement center when a lady asked if this was the child I was looking for. She was holding Daniel in a towel and he looked petrified. What she related made my blood run cold.
Daniel had gone to the deepend after all and she found him standing on the bottom of the pool not moving. I had nearly lost my Grandson. I held him close and of course scolded him but once I had done that I held him and held him. We, to say the least, left.

I called his parents and his Mama wanted him, so, ended the visit to Grandma's.
I took him to Spokane to meet Angie and both boys went home. Marquis had to go also as they have a wedding on Saturday. Besides, Marquis must train his goat for the fairs as he is in 4H.

Here I am home alone no little feet, no little voices, and no little hugs and kisses. Daniel is ok thank the good Lord for watching him for me. Thank you for friends and understanding. Angie said that he had gotten away from Grandma Lundquis on the 4th and that he could come again she just needed her own Mama Eyes on him and boy do I understand that.

Well, here is to a better week ahead and fun scrapping. Hope all had a great 4th.

How do you spell love?

Answer: Children

Well, after almost a month of not having my computer, I have it back. It is not quite the same. I am having to relearn it in some ways. Some programs have been forever destroyed and some gone though I can replace them. My scanner won't even load its program so I guess I need a new scanner. I have to buy a part for my printer which was broken in the disconnect. Makes twice I will have to replace that cord.

Now that I have whined let me get on with it.

My life has been very busy with visiting my Mother, Father, Brother, and Son, Matthew. Kevin is still in Afghanistan but I got an email from Tanna and she is home.

Mom is doing fine. Her short term memory is no better but she is more like herself and easy to visit even if I have to repeat things. I know she wishes she could return to her home but Dad just can't care for her especially not now.

You know what that man did? He was on his way to visit Mama and locked his keys in the house. For years, I don't know how many forever it seems, he has had a spare house key hidden outside. For some strange unknown reason, he moved it or removed it. So, he decided he could crawl in through a window. Yah! He fell and broke ribs. Father, Father, Father.

I asked him if he had gone to the doctor. His response, "Why? They wouldn't do anything anyway and what good would it do?" I told on him. I can't reason with him but my brother, Billy, can and he got Dad to go to the Doctor. He now has some pain meds to get him through this time.
Oh, Dad turned 79 on Feb. 13. And the older you get....You know the rest.

Here are Mom and Dad at Steven and Chrystal's wedding. Mom toasts the occasion.
























When I stopped to see Bill, I had a sweet surprise as Brian, Bill's son, Molly and Mason were there. Mason is Billy's newest Grandbaby. he was born May 8. His full name is Mason James Frye.





Mason's first picture.







Molly is Mommie. She is an RN and has taken time off to spend loving her baby.









Billy's other new Grandchild, a little girl was born on his Birthday April 10 to Jamie and Chris. Jamie is Bill's daughter. They named her Madison Elaine Bjorkenson.





Here is Bill and Jamie with Madison.

This is Madison's first picture.























Here is Bill and Mama with Madison. What is sad is that Mama doesn't remember that Jamie had a baby. What is worse, she doesn't remember who Jamie is sometimes. Jamie is her favorite grandchild and she and Jamie have always been quite close. Mom doesn't even remember Jamie is Billy's little girl at times.

Alicia, my sister's daughter, also, had her baby. It was still born. She had Edward's syndrome and had only half a heart and part of a brain. The contractions were too much for her little deformed heart. She wasn't expected to live more than a month at most. I know this is very hard on my Cammie, Alicia, her husband and the whole family. They named her Rachel Marie West and was born May 27.





Cammie admired and held Madison. She cried. Breaks my heart. She so wants to be a Grandma.








Shane, Cammie's son, graduated in June. The very next day he headed to the Marines. Hope he is doing fine. He is a wonderful young man full of dreams and expectations. Shane and Jamie were born 5 days apart and grew up together.

I spent time with Matthew and his family and Marquis came home and spent two weeks with me.

He is a lively little boy full of adventure and curiosity about all things natural. Took hims to the Discovery Science Center and he loved it. We spent many happy days there exploring. He especially loved the animals. Bought him a microscope and he spent many hours finding bugs or anything to put under it to examine.

Matthew's Birthday was June 20. Marquis made him a shirt using Sharpies and alcohol as he learned at the Science center. It turned out wonderful.

My Daniel is the sweetest most loving little boy. I had called him sweetheart at some point and later all I heard was sweetheart and I told him, "Yes, you are my sweetheart." He said, "No! Grandma! You are my sweetheart." Now if that doesn't make your heart do flips.

His birthday is July 6 and fast approaching. Here is my little Sweetheart.






















He was sure upset when I brought Marquis home and not him too. I told him that I would bring him home after Marquis' Birthday Aug 22. I am leary as he doesn't like to be away from home. Angie's mama lives just a short distance from them and he won't spend the night there. Perhaps, with Marquis and the fact he so wants to come, maybe he will be ok.

My Granddaughter, Kymberly, is growing by leaps and bounds. She is running now and very independent. She will let me hold her but is still leary of me. Let's face it she doesn't know me. Here are a few pictures of her.

I have had a wonderful time with children. Now, it is time for breakfast, so, I say until later find a lot of love.

What's been happening in my life?

The last few weeks have been quite busy figuratively and literally. Matthew and his family gave me a surprise visit. I was a convient but glad place to stop on their way to Walla Walla. Both Marquis and Daniel had an event to attend. They arrived early on April 25. As they are Vegans, I made a delicious dinner they could enjoy. My baby girl changed a bunch. She is cruising. Fun to watch and quite entertaining.

The boys loved their new room. I switched the bedrooms around and put two beds in the big bedroom for them and put my bed in the smaller room. Now they have much more room to play. Daniel didn't want Marquis sitting on "his" bed. He didn't have one of his own before now. I decorated it all out with beding from "Cars". Marquis' is done in Sponge Bob. Kymberly kept them both busy keeping her out of their stuff and wanting in when they were painting. They can do that now and not be out under foot.

It was a wonderful visit. I had planned on going to their home for Angie's Birthday May 7 but she called and said Marquis was sick stay HOME. So I did. I have had enough sick to last me a very long time.

Here is their new family portrait .

Such a sweet bunch of flowers for my heart.

In case I didn't mention, on April 10 I got to be a Great Aunt again. Her name is Madison Elaine Bjorkson. She is my Neice, Jamie's Baby girl.

On May 3, I attended my double cousin's second marriage ceremony. It was lovely. Steven's Mother is my Father's sister and his Father is my Mother's brother. Now are you confused? Norman Frye married Emogean Stubblefield and Sylvester Stubblefield married Peggy Frye. That help?

I still can't beleive that on his Wedding Day Steven made sure that my Mother was there. He used the Church's handicapped Van to get her and his father from the care center in Clarkston. It was quite a surprise to arrive and see my own dear Mother there. She and Dad helped raise Steven and his brother and sister. His mama was sick a lot so they spent not just days but weeks, months, even years with us. Our family swelled from 6 to 9 whenever they were living with us. Quite a lively and wonderful time we had together. Being the oldest I did quite a bit of babysitting. How I love my other Brother Steven, Sister Sylvia, and Brother Mike.

It was a lovely wedding. The bride beautiful and the groom quite handsome. Fortunately, I don't intimadate too easily. There was a woman there who pushed everyone out of the way cause she was the "formal" taker of pictures. I took pictures any how and it turned out good that I did as she had no film in her camera for the first half of the wedding. She also prevented Chrystal's mother from being in the ceremony and said she couldn't have her picture taken as she wasn't dressed appropraitly. Bull to that--Steven asked me to take pictures for Chrystal as the officail photographer wouldn't. I did and took many many others. Some I wanted, some others wanted, and some they wanted. Turned out nicely even if I do say so myself and I do.

Chrystal arrives.

Chrystal and the Father of the Groom and my parents.

Chrystal with Steven and her Mother and Sisters

The double cousins--Christy, my sister, Cammie, Steven and his sister, Sylvia, and in the back my brother, Bill. Mike was ill and couldn't be here.

Itroducing Steven and Chrystal Stubblefield.

The last members of a generation attend Steven and Chrystal's Wedding. Steven's father, Sylvester Stubblefield, Aunt Barabara she was married to mama and Sylver's brother Noland Stubblefield, my Father, Norman Frye standing behind my Mother, Emogean , Mama's sister's Saide Talley and Lydia Bly. So many faces missing and all because of cancer.

Madison also made an appearance. She was quite the hit.

Maddison with Grandpa Bill and Great Grandma Emogean.

Maddison with Mommie Jamie and Grandpa Bill.

I include this picture because it shows my Nephew Brian Frye and his lovely wife Molly. As you can see, she obviously with child. On May 8 Brian and Molly had a lovely baby boy they named Mason James Frye.

Here he is. He is a cutie. I can hardly wait to see him. Oh, by the way, Jamie and Brian are brother and sister.

I have rounded out my activities by creating a Wedding Album for Steven and Chrystal. It is my gift to them. It turned out quite nice. I hope they enjoy it and the memories it preserves.

What's next on my agenda you might ask? I hope to work on my flower garden and continue Scrapping. See you along the way.