Long time no see...

Sorry that I havent been on here for a while, but its been a busy few months.

June came and went with a nice family trip to Oak Harbor for Becky's graduation.  We rented a beach house for everyone to stay at.  Much cheaper than a hotel & was nice to have everyone together.  This was Trevor's first 'Full Family' experience and he's still around, so it must have been okay. 

July and August have been busy as well.  In early August, we attending the wedding of friends Crystal & Mika on the Spokesman-Review top floor. What a beautiful wedding....my first gay wedding.  Such a treat to be included in both the bachellorette party & the wedding.  Best of luck to two beautiful women.

Later in the August, we attended my 25yr high school reunion and the county fair in August, in Grass Valley/Nevada City.  Trevor was a trooper and hopefully enjoyed himself as well.  Had lots of fun catching up with old friends.  Its funny how I never felt like I belonged in high school, but everyone else thought I did.  I truly did enjoy catching up and getting reacquainted with everyone.

The week after we returned from CA, we went to 'bring your family to work' day at the State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.  Trevor's mom works there in Accounting,  Was an interesting look into the prison.

As August comes to a close, our temperatures are already dropping & fall will be here soon.  I am hoping to have the new patio done in the next few weeks so we can have some kind of fall get together.  More to come soon....

A tribute....to a very special grandmother

Today, my grandmother, Barbara Allen Stubblefield, joined the angels in heaven.  She was welcomed by some very special angels, my niece Ambre & my Dad.  These 3 individuals have helped shape me into the man I am today.  As I write this, in tears, the memories flash through my mind.  I knew this day was coming, but no matter how prepared I could be, I never believed it would so difficult. 

I have many good memories and she will always be in my heart.  I will miss her so very much & look forward to day when I can see her again.  Below are some pics that I hold close to my heart.

Mom with Gma & Bert

Shirley Mitchell & Gma

Gma & Mrs. Rhoad

Gma & Bert, many years ago.  She wore that dress to my wedding =)

Gma & Bert

Me & Gma Summer 2000 at the lake house

Gma & Bert at Don & Joanie's wedding

Gma & Bert at their 40th Anniversary Party

Gma & Me at their anniversary party

Gma & Kris...enjoying a moment

Gma =)

Gma on her bitrthday 2007

Gma Xmas 2005

Me & Gma 2010

Maui





Bert, Gma & My Dad



Spring? Hopefully it's here.

On March 21st, I had back surgery (Lumbar Discectomy as Dr. Gruber would put it).  I was in the hospital over night & then went home to Trevor's to recouperate.  The first week, I pretty much slept all day, was up for dinner and then went back to bed.  The 2nd week I was up and about more...had my sutures out on that thursday & then helped with the Candlelighter Dinner Auction on April Fools Day.  This past monday, I returned to work, half time.  I am getting stronger each day, but still know there are lots of limits to what I can do, for a while....

I am very thankful for Trevor's patience....its not easy being a patient & especially not easy being the caregiver.  Stoli has been by my side through it all...know exactly when to put his cold nose on my arm...& when not to jump up.  Even Trevor's dogs have been especially careful around me.

Spring is finally hitting Spokane.  There are tulips & daffodills coming up in the yard (Trevor's, not mine...the snow has just melted off of mine).  I sit on the deck & watch the swollen Spokane River.  What a beautiful sight. 

My friend Anya gave birth this morning to a beautiful baby boy, Gage Michael.  Trevor & I attended her baby shower the saturday before my surgery...was so nice to see her in all her pregnant glory.  She was glowing....and I now cant wait to meet Gage.  Im sure he will just as special as his big sister is...Logan is one lucky little girl. 

As we usher in new life, one looks at those that are not doing as well also.  My grandmother continues to grow more tired & is now homebound.  Her 91yr old frame is frail unlike the woman I remember from my youth.  I just hope she is without pain & resting comfortably.

Well, better go for now....Below is a quote I stole from a friends caringbridge site that is going through cancer treatment....

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”







 

Life update.....

I havent written since last fall/early winter.  Christmas came & went...and so did January.  Life seems to be going by really fast, but I am enjoying it.  I am a very lucky man.  I have a wonderful son, a great guy in my life and some amazing friends that keep me on my toes and make me laugh. 

Christmas was lots of fun.  Trevor went to his Moms for Christmas. So on Christmas morning, after Kris & I opened gifts, I made my way to Kennewick to surprise Trevor.  His mom & sister were in on the surprise and even left me a santa hat on the back of the car to wear when I walked in the door.  We had a great day, played games & enjoyed family time before heading home the next day.


We were just in the SF Bay visiting some family & friends.  We stayed with Trevor's friends, Cliff & Rachael in Pleasant Hill while enjoying the city.  We had lunch with my Grandparents & Marian (my grandmother's caregiver) on Friday.  After a tour of the projects my grandfather had been working on in their wonderful old Mill Vally home and lunch, we ventured to the Golden Gate Bridge to cross off one of Trevor's bucket list items.  We also drove through the Presidio and spent time at the Fort Point at the base of the bridge. 

After a few days, we traveled north to spend some time showing Trevor the Nevada City/Grass Valley area.  We found this little Inn in Nevada City, The Outside Inn, which used to be the Skyway Motel.  Such a cute little place & very welcoming.  The owners were a friend of a friend of Trevor's, so was nice to meet them.  Trevor was able to see where I came from, meet some of my friends & enjoy the area.

We are back in Spokane and life seems to still be passing by really fast.  We seem to go between homes, enjoying each home for what it has to offer and enjoying eachothers company, more and more each day.

Looking forward to more small trips, quick weekend getaways and hopefully somewhere tropical soon. 

Signing off for now....

And the beat goes on.....

Not sure why I titled this posting the way I did...but its the first thing that came to mind.  Wow...is been a great summer & great fall.  Looking forward to winter!

Summer came & went as it always does here in Spokane....FAST!  Was able to get away and enjoy a weekend in Walla Walla, Tri Cities & Snake River for Winetasting, a reunion & camping.  We had a great time....& look forward to many getaways in the future.  'We' has become a reality.  This past week, we were able to publicly acknowledge our relationship.  Trevor & I are starting off slow...but things are great & moving forward.  Neither of us is ready to just 'move in' with the other, so we are both keeping our homes & will work something out.  Who knows where that will take us in the future...but for now, its all good. 

On friday, we area heading to Palm Springs for Palm Springs Gay Pride.  Should be a fun weekend.  Will be meeting up with some old friends from Spokane...& from Grass Valley.  Looking forward to being able to hold his hand in public  =)

Thanksgiving is fast approaching...with Thanksgiving family dinner at his mom's in the Tri Cities the weekend before Thanksgiving...and then my brother Eric & his family here for Thanksgiving. 

Looking forward to decorating for the holiday season...this new house was built for Christmas...so Im excited!  Will post pics as I have them =)

One thing in the news is the recent suicides of gay teenagers.  Dan Savage has started a movement called 'It Gets Better' where organizations & individuals tell their story about how their lives have gotten better.  Whow knows.....you might see me on You Tube soon =)

The next chapter......

Well, the house is warm now and life is moving forward.  After 2 months of visitors, house guests and family being in Spokane to share the housewarming with me (Mom, Bob & Cheryl were able to come up and celebrate with me), the house is quiet.  Spent the first night alone, in a long time, in the house and enjoyed it immensely. 

Below are a few pics from the housewarming.  Hope you enjoy...will write more & post more pics as the yard evolves. 

Progress...on the road to the Open House, July 10th

I havent posted in a while, so figured an update was needed.  After my trip to Maui, I have been trying to design my landscape for the front & the back of the house.  I have decided that I need to do it in stages.  I hope to have the area directly in front of the house finished before the housewarming & some sort of patio in place in the back.  For the rest of the land, Im in no hurry.

This weekend starts the initial trenching for sprinklers & to put the gutter drain pipe underground.  Hopefully in the next 2 weeks, I can get the majority of it done, so things will look nice for the housewarming.  We'll see.

Last friday, my friend Rob (Bobby) Wolfe arrived from Grass Valley for an extended visit.  With his help, I hope I can get things accomplished sooner than later.  Also, many of my local friends have offered to help, so will be enlisting their services also.  Stage 1 will commence this friday afternoon...look for pics!