August a week in Albuquerque

I was invited to go to Albuquerque to help with the kids while Eric went into the hospital for some scary back surgery. The plan was for me to help with the kids while Eric was in the hospital and free up Becky so she could be with Eric even though the kids are very responsible and could possibly watch themselves it is a better idea to have an adult in the home for such long periods of time during the day and night....
And the best part was to get to know the kids better because they live so far away from Mesa. I was there while Eric was in surgery. I really do not like waiting for a loved one to go through surgery... the unknown is hard to handle and I was glad I was there with Becky. I know she would have rather had her mom their, but her mam passed away earlier this year and so that was impossible.
Eric came out of surgery and was immediately in miserable pain.. It was hard to watch him in agony and I prayed he would get better fast and that the surgery would actually help his spine problems. He doesn't even remember that I was there after surgery but I was. Seeing that I was absolutely not of any help I left and spend the next days with the kids and had a lot of fun times.

I am adding a few pictures to help visualize the week.

 Playing games with Sophie and Jesse 

 When Eric got home they tried to buy a recliner from Walmart but it was uncomfortable to sit down with the way his back surgery had gone that he was miserable. Kirk had already scoped out recliners at a hospital supply house and insisted that they get this chair with the financial help of Humatech... Dave and Eric and Kirk... this chair is Sweet!!! remote all over from sitting reclining and almost standing the person using it to be able to stand up.... It was really expensive but so well worth it. Kirk brought it over and put it the big parts together to make it work.

 Eric trying to be brave and put on a smile....

 Later that week like I think Friday my duties were pretty much over and I wanted to go on a ride and explore and see if I could drive throughout the city and not get lost, so I went off for a 4 hour adventure... First stop was Grandma's music store which was filled with so many kinds of instruments. If I was still teaching I know where I would go to get some fun instruments... I loved their African drum section. But I wanted to go see Music mart again so I headed there along regular streets and the freeway short cuts. I crossed over the river and actually went past the race car and old car museum.

Music Mart... didn't buy much at all.... In a way it was hard to look at all the fun new school music stuff ...

I decided to head up the other side of the valley and go to the tram.. It is such a beautiful spot and actually very peaceful in the patio area. I had someone who couldn't even speak English take my picture.... lol. 

 Leslie coming in on a plane to help me drive home.... Yes I am a chicken driver on the mountain highway.
Yes Leslie was here on a rescue mission.. I didn't mention that Kirk flew to Mes to drive me up to Albuquerque in the first place, but he got so busy with something at work that he did not have the time to drive me back home.... Thank goodness for Good Kids.......

Leslie had a bit of a visit with Eric and his family 

Add caption

 Looks relaxing,but he was in a LOT of PAIN!

Silly picture of us driving home  ... Nice, pretty driver don't know about the passenger......

we listened to a lot of "One Direction" music..lol!

On the Road Again!.......

A special surprise from SSE

I was invited to come to SSE on 20 December, 2013 to be a judge at their quarterly Power House Assembly where kids get awards for their good character. 

Little did I know that I was going to get a special award thanking me for the service I have given to SSE since its doors opened as a school in 1996. It was so special to see all the kids and literally get hundreds of hugs.... SWEET!

The award is huge in size.. I love it!

Mein Bruder ... my Brother Uli

"Sweet Uli" Ulrich Herman Haase,

 first born and son of 

Friedrich Wilhelm Haase and Charlotte Annemarie Ludwig

born February 29, 1940 (a leap year) and passed away December 14, 2013

Our Dad and Uli (Ulrich) Christmas 1940

Uli and Meagan (his grand-daughter and daughter of Heidi)

Uli teasing Esther at a Christmas party at Oma and Opas House many years ago

Resent picture of Meagan's daughter (great-granddaughter) about 5 ears of age and Uli in his home

Proud of my brother who served in the US Airforce and served many years for our country.

He spent time in European stations and Vietnam as well as USA locations. Uli served well. 

I loved my dear brother. He was my friend and he was my "Sweet Uli"

many memories are there of him in my mind.

Proud American! July 4, 2013

SSE  is Patriotic!!

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED  STATES OF AMERICA

I Became a citizen in 1959 along with my parents

 and I along with the help of some good people

we had to prove it again in 2013. I WON!

“And I’m  proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free,

And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today

‘Cause there ain’t NO DOUBT I LOVE♥ this land!

God Bless the USA”

My Brother served in the USA AirForce

I am so proud of him!!! ♥

East Valley Fiddlers Summer Music Camp Recital

Pictures from EVF Summer Fiddle Class Recital June 28th, 2013

Goodbye Organ

Goodbye To The Lowrey Organ and Leslie Speaker ....

 It was not played enough at my house.Hope the new people out these to good use.Another chapter gone. This was my Aunt Emmy's Organ. When she played it, she sounded so good. But, the organ had a haunting in it. It was fun to show that to people but now I have some space back in the great room again.

"13"

Oh Happy Day .... I am officially retired 6-7-13..... 6+7=13 year is 13
I got $13.13 back as change for lunch at the AZRS building.
There were 13's in my $dollar figures on my retirement papers.

I was born Friday the 13th. 
My doctors are HMO doctors .... cheaper health plan but coverage.. YES!
I also have medicare A and B... geez, I'm "OLD"

I know this doesn't make sense to anyone else.... but this is how I see it.....

Not everything with this retirement has been going my way. If there was a stumbling block to slow the process down, I found it. I had to get help to prove I was a citizen. I had al kinds of papers that I located and proof and we finally got that taken care of last week. In fact they said I should have my SS card in about 2 weeks. It was cleared on Thursday and I got the card on Monday....wow!

I finally was able to go to Phoenix today. I hate driving in Phoenix and on the freeways....

Well, no one was going with me so I did say a humbling prayer before I left and asked to be safe and to know I am doing everything correctly with the retirement papers. Dental and health will transition the same day I loose my old coverage.

Everything turned out for the best! I had the sweetest people helping me today. These 13 figures came up in the agents office and he said that sounded like a good luck charm.... But I feel it was an answer to my prayer and I am thankful in return.