Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Spring Break

Shawn and I took a road trip up to New Hampshire to see my dad. Yes, we drove. Luckily we had planned on driving with Pa's passing we were not even sure we were going until a few days before. We had a great time up there! Shawn got to go skiing, I helped dad do some work on his house and we were able to visit all the important folks in Maine.

For those who have not heard yet and are planning on going, Pa's Memorial Service with be June 21st at White Chapel at Norwich University. Granny has asked that in lieu of flowers please make a donation in Pa's name to Norwich or the Alzheimer's organization. Both would mean a lot to the family! He loved Norwich and there needs to be a cure found for this disease!


Here is a look at the new ride I worked on for Dollywood. River Battle, and it is guaranteed to soak you! It has been fun working with Dollywood on this project, as well as a few others. In a 3 month time frame they have transformed this portion of the park. I do not have a photo of the ride completed yet but I am sure Shawn and I will visit the park soon enough to try the ride out for ourselves.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Pa has left us......

Friday, February 29, 2008 we lost our grandfather, father and husband. To our family there is some laughter to be found amongst this sorrow. Pa always had a sense of humor, even in his last hour, the day he passed away will only come by every four years. Another connection can be made between Leap Day, most associated with a frog, and his ever growing collection of frogs he had. As we all reflect smiles can be brought to all of our faces when we see how things have happened the way they should. Pa will be missed by many and we all know his pain has stopped and he is in a better place.

I wish I had some better news to tell you about regarding Pa's health. Over the past few weeks his condition has been up and down and we all feel that there may not be many more ups left. He finally got out of the hospital a week ago and placed in a nursing home, he was there only for a week before Granny now has to place him in the long-term care at the facility. Pa now has stopped eating and that is really not a good sign. He already weighs next to nothing so not eating really does not make the situation any better. The two photos i have posted are my very first and last days for me at Norwich, and Pa being a big part of both days, along with the 5 years in between. Norwich was Pa's home as a parent, professor and grandparent for most of his life and during the last year that is where he has been mentally too. As sad as it has been to see Pa deteriorate we have all had some laughs too. Along the way we have been warned about a test he is writing, watched him use a nice tablecloth for his personal napkin and to top it off he wanted to propose to a very nice lady that was taking care of him......Granny. He really liked having her around and did end up proposing to her and we all were prepared to put a ceremony together too if he wanted that as well. Through the sad there has been laughter and memories made to cherish.