4 Years Ago

Four years ago my dad passed away. He died of complications of renal cell carcinoma - kidney cancer. He was also a lymphoma survivor and a brain stem stroke survivor - although the stroke may have been caused by the renal cancer.

Daddy was a big influence in my life. He and I were a lot alike in many ways as well. In fact, I tend to think I favor my dad the most in looks, although I have had people tell me that I look like Mom.

I'm the oldest of three girls. Since Daddy didn't have a son, he passed on some of his "loves" to his daughters. He wasn't a big sports fan or into cars or hunting or things like that. But he loved airplanes and would take us to the airport to watch the planes come in when we were little. I love being around airplanes, especiall WWII Warbirds - another love that Daddy and I shared.

We learned to sail at the same time. And when he was ready to sell the boat, I took it on for another couple of years. It was "our" boat.

We both were interested in trains. I got my first model train set before I was a year old. OK, I think Daddy did want a boy. But he didnt' let the fact that I was a girl stop from sharing his loves with me.

Daddy was a HAM radio operator. And he encouraged me to study for my license, which was pretty unusual in the early 70's. But I just couldn't get the hang of Morse code. I could handle the electronics and the technical stuff - again I was like Daddy in that regard. So after he died, I studied and got my license and now I have his call sign - WA5RSU.

Daddy encouraged us to do what ever we wanted. I was strong in math and science - like him. I might have become an engineer, but I really liked the science of chemistry. Of course, after I graduated and saw how much more engineers made, I wished I had been like him a little more :)

Daddy and I got along really great after I was grown. I used to travel with he and my mom. Mom said that Daddy and I ganged up on her. Don't know what she's talking about... heheehee.

So, I guess you could say I'm a chip off the old block!!! (even though I'm a girl)

Meeting Rachel

While on vacation, I got the opportunity to meet one of my scrapping buddies and fellow DSAG CT member, Rachel, and her daughter Maddie. This was one of the highlights of my trip. We have been scrapping together as a team for 6 months and several of us have gotten to be online friends. So it was a great experience to meet one of my team mates in person. Mom and I spent the afternoon with Rachel and Maddie exploring the Charlotte area.

Here is a layout I did of Rachel and Maddie using Birgit Kerr's new mini-kit, Cinna-Mint:

Vacation

I was gone for 13 days - on a driving vacation. We drove through 8 states during that time. I really enjoyed the NC mountains. It was cool in the mornings when we were in Blowing Rock. And it was great to spend time with family. Not only did we get to see most everyone at family reunion, but got to spend quality time with a lot of the aunts and uncles after the reunion.

And I got to meet one of my fellow CT members - Rachel, and her little girl, Madeline. It was great to spend time with someone who I've really come to admire as a scrapper and a person.

Finally, we held the dedication ceremony for the Mary Paulsen Playground. I was the family representative and had to speak at the ceremony. I also made a layout for the HOA and framed it and presented to them. Audrey got to cut the ribbon - she loved being a part of the ceremony. It was really a bittersweet moment. I was glad to see the kids playing on the playground and the enthusiasm of the HOA volunteers. But I kept thinking that Mary really should have been there. She would have really enjoyed the playground!!!