We left Vancouver on October 23rd which was earlier than usual this year. Steve's mom (age 88) fell in her home and fractured her pelvis in two places, so we headed initially to Eureka to see what we could do to help. Steve's sister Claudia was there the week prior and was able to get home once we got there. Mom is incredibly strong and was released from the hospital in a mear three days. We stayed an additional week and helped out with some details and left for Palm Springs on November 1st. Steve's brother Kenny and wife Doreen pitched in so much making the whole endeavor much easier.
While on the road to Palm Springs we learned that our brother-in-law Danny, (Claudia's husband) was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery which went very well and is now taking both chemotherapy and radiation. So far Claudia says he's doing well with treatments so we're hoping they will make it down here after the first of the year.
Sometime in the morning hours of November 19 our home in Vancouver was invaded and we were robbed. The following day a neighbor was walking by and noticed a strange car in our driveway and the front door wide open. Apparently the robbers were back for a second look through the house but fortunately the neighbor took their license #, called 911 and then called us. The suspects are still at large and we lost quite a few things, including family heirlooms which of course are not replaceable. It's obvious what criminals are after these days.........gold and silver. I lost my grandmother's sterling silver which made me both sad and angry. Steve flew home for a few days to pick up the house and talk with detectives and luckily got a flight home for Thanksgiving. We are grateful to be ok and unharmed despite feeling tired and a little stressed out.
It is quiet here in December and the weather has been really nice with the exception of a couple of days of Santa Ana winds. Steve has a bad cold and is just trying to get well at this point. I'm fine (so far) and trying to avoid the "bug". I am scheduled for cataract surgery on my right eye later this month. It seems like "when it rains it pours" is appropriate at this time. I will try to blog more often while here this year and also hope for some good news.........anything like that would be welcome to our ears!
