01-30NOV24 - Sultan, WA (🍗 turkey day)

Saturday, 02NOV mid-morning Dan heads to Rebecca’s to watch Jaxson and their dog Roux.  Because Rebbecca and Mason leave that afternoon for soccer game in Bellingham tomorrow, this way they can spend night in Bellingham for AM game.  Dan learns Jaxson has popped rear tire on his bmx bike and broke left side pedal, so off to REI to buy parts and then make repairs.

Sunday friend and Coast Guard Academy Classmate, Rusty Burke, drops by to visit and tell sea story’s.  Before lunch Jaxson is picked up friend and soccer mom of Rebecca’s and taken to scheduled soccer game.  Dan then follows little later to catch game and bring Jaxson home.  Rest of day spent doing not much of anything until Rebecca and Mason return from Bellingham about 7PM.  Dan jumps in truck and gets home to Corrie about 9PM.

Tuesday, 05NOV, Dan has busy day - first up is appointment with primary care about recent medical issues; followed later by cardio rehab.  Then two hours early evening while Costco installs four new tires on Chevy Colorado truck.

Saturday. 09NOV after lunch we head to Jaxson soccer game in Bothell where we meet Rebecca and Mason.  Mason had early game near their house in Silverdale.  The plan is that we take both boys home after Jaxson’s game and Rebecca has the house to herself tonight.  Then tomorrow Dan will take the boys to Snohomish Aquatic Center for one hour on the Flowrider.  First stop on way to the house is new IHOP in town to have breakfast for dinner.  Well everyone had breakfast except Mason who went with t-bone steak, fries and onion rings.

Sunday around noon Dan took the boys to Snohomish Aquatic Center last visited August of 2023.  Dan had reserved one hour of Flowrider time for them;.  After flowrider time they did some swimming in the lazy river area.  Then back into the car to catch the Edmonds ferry and home to Rebecca (who made chicken and sausage gumbo for dinner).

The Ryan RV Express: 01-31AUG23 - Sultan, WA (celebrating coast guard day twice)

Monday (veterans day) Day got up early and caught the ferry home to Corrie and dogs; not much done after that.  Thursday AM, 14NOV, another cardio rehab session for Dan; Corrie has girls’ day out for Corrie with Jan Formisano.  Friday AM Dan sees Cardio Dr to check progress of “new” aorta valve; then home to install new fog lamps in Fiesta.

Saturday AM (16NOV) off to SeaTac airport because son-in-law Raymond Pitre is returning from lengthy National Guard deployment (almost one year away from family).  Needless to say it was emotional.  We intentionally made our presence short so Rebecca and the boys (Jaxson and Mason) could take daddy home.  And welcome Raymond home without us and our dogs being underfoot.  On our way home we stopped at Ikea for their meatballs for lunch.  Lunch was good, but lesson learned (don’t expect fast meal at noon on a Saturday!).

Tuesday AM, 19NOV, Dan is off to another cardio rehab session and then home to prepare for forecasted “bomb cyclone”.  Expected to hit our area starting early evening and lasting into morning.  We lost power around 8PM, so Dan gets generator going and we go to bed at 10PM with generator running all night.

Wednesday AM power is back, so Dan secures generator, and we head to next cardio appointment.  For another opinion on what is next for Dan.  Two issues to address 1) left side ventricle not in step with right side ventricle, 2) AFIB still present.  End result; Dan is to wear heart monitor for several days to monitor heart/Afib constantly.  Initial decision is pacemaker for “timing” issue, and maybe combined with defibrillator if Afib is significant.  Determination will be made based on heart monitor data.  The heart monitor is applied.  Battery powered computer you wear for several days, peel it off and mail it to some facility in NJ.

Thursday, Dan mows while sun shines.  Then we take Fiesta to Ford dealer for routine maintenance.  Learn that most manufacturers don’t update maps in their GPS during maintenance🤔  And you can’t even pay to get it done by Ford. You need to buy new unit (not gonna happen)!  On way home for dinner we try out new sushi place in Monroe (and maybe only one in Monroe) Sushi Spott.  Pretty good even with kitchen still being put together; then home.  And son in law Raymond is promoted to a brown belt jiu jitsu😊

Saturday early AM, 23NOV, Dan drives thru Tacoma to Jaxson’s soccer game in Bremerton.  Then before the end of that game he heads to Mason’s game in Silverdale.  

Dad Raymond was at first game and Recca at second.   At end of Mason’s game, refueled car, stopped by their house, had quick bite to eat, and then caught ferry to Edmonds and drive home.

Sunday Corrie starts prep’ing for turkey day meal at Rebecca and Raymond’s.  New burner part shows up for our Coleman Roadtrip BBQ.  We got our first Roadtrip in 2007 when we lived in our Tiffin RV and  full time traveled and were very happy with it! Unfortunately, the burner tubing rusted outed and we went to replace it.  No part available and decided full price new BBQ was not worth it. Found entire new model on Craig’s list for $100 bucks and now we had two tables/stands.  Once again burner assembly rusted out, but this time Dan found after market repair part; less than one hour repair by Dan🙃

Monday, 25NOV, Corrie keeps prep’ing for turkey day at Rebecca and Raymond’s.  Dan in afternoon runs little errands; deposit at bank; buying left rear turn signal for Fiesta (only bulb on car that is LED, so now replacement bulb costs $21 not $5); change batteries on property main gate; new DMV tag for RV; etc.  Some of the deer that visit our property are getting braver.

Wednesday very early, finish packing truck and off to Rebecca, Raymond and the grandson’s house for turkey day.  Rest of day not doing much just some more preps for Thanksgiving.

Thursday (turkey day) most of AM and early noon ladies cooking. Watch Macy Day parade, play some cribbage.  Rebecca and Raymond’s friend johnny arrives.  As always great Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Then Yahtzee and talking, while recovering from too much great food.

Friday fairly lazy day, not much done.  Pitre’s go out to get xmas tree from local big box store (no more heading to tree farm, cutting you own, dragging to minivan and tying to the roof).  Dan replaces truck air filter and cabin filter.  Game of Yahtzee for all family.  Saturday (last day of November) get our stuff and dogs together.  Catch a Kingston ferry and head home; very nice sunny day.

01-31OCT24 - Sultan, WA (50 yr coast guard academy reunion, new london, ct)

Tuesday first day of October, Corrie runs errands.  Then Dan & Corrie have one week follow-up with cardio doctor about TAVR Dan received 23SEP.  All is well.

Thursday, 03OCT, a round 2PM Dan upper left arm goes numb from elbow to shoulder and feels like overstuffed sausage?  Off to Monroe ER, after three hours and MRI of brain and neck with contrast, ER doctor thinks it might be small stroke on left side☹  Once again no FAST symptoms?  Problem is – if stroke is on left side, symptoms should be on right side??  Dan must remain overnight but at what facility?  Decision is stay in Monroe clinic with more tests tomorrow.

Overnight hospital observation until Friday AM.  During the day another round of tests.  Dan still has left arm symptoms.  Discharge orders issued with recommendation to seek neuro consult and “nerve” test(s).

Saturday Corrie runs errands and heads to Mason’s soccer game.  Dan spends most of the day going thru all the e-files hospital wrote-up of last two days at Monroe clinic.  Lots of questions now on - what now?  Dan finds time to mow last part of big front yard. 

Monday, 07OCT, AM Dan off to Primary Care for follow-up on thur/fri ER visit.  Referrals received and Dan heads home to start arrangements.  Beautiful day and around 4PM Corrie not feeling well and off to ER this time for her.  Nothing found and home.

Tuesday after lunch head to WWMG for cardio check about recent possible stroke discovery on left side of brain.  Cardio wise post TVAR check-up is fine.  They have no thoughts about left arm.  Tomorrow is cervical spine check about left arm numbness.

Wednesday both of us off to medical appointments.  Dan sees spine specialist, but nothing connects minor “old age” spine wear and tear shown on imaging to numb left arm.  Plan is couple of weeks of PT and if nothing changes, then future tests?

Friday, 11OCT, late AM off to Edmonds ferry and on to Rebecca’s house; not much done.  Grandson Jaxson few months away from teenhood now goes to local YMCA for teen night (starts at 530PM to 10PM).  Dan picked him up at 8PM.  Didn’t go inside but big modern building and all facilities open to teens (along with regular Y members).  According to Jax closely monitored by staff and very easy to get kicked out for the evening or even banned for any mis-conduct.

Saturday noon time soccer game for Jaxson; then home for some yard work and not much else.

Sunday AM Mason soccer game; then ferry home.

Monday not much done; Tuesday last minute preps for Dan’s departure tomorrow for Coast Guard Academy 50yr Reunion for his Class of 1974.  Wednesday,16OCT 4AM Dan heads o SeaTac for direct flight to JFK.  At JFK picks up rental car and heads to New London, CT.  2 and half hour dive takes five hours☹  Finally at hotel to unwind and sleep.

Graduating Classes from Military Academies routinely have five year reunions after they graduate.  One Classmates makes all arrangement for each homecoming.  Some times there are fewer attendees than at others.  The Class of 74 had 200 graduates, but last four reunions had more than 70 graduates attend.

But for the 50 year classes the CG and Alumni Association pulls out all the stops.  In addition to the “normal” homecoming events the Alumni Association has special events on Thurs and Friday.  So instead of two day event, it is a four day event for the 50 year reunion Class (ie our Class graduated in 1974).

Thursday, 17OCT, first official day of 50 year reunion Dan gets up early and site-sees around old haunts in New London.  Stopping for Lobster Roll at Capt Scotts in the industrial waterfront of of New London.  Turns out several Classmates and wives had some idea.

Then off to main reunion hotel Mystic (Marriott) to get special SWAG for this reunion.

  

Then meet our best friends Jim and Clarke Van Sice at Bills Seafood in Waterford, CT, for excellent seafood dinner.  Then at7PM is no host cocktail at Marriott that goes till 10PM.

Bills Seafood | Westbrook, CT

Last thing Dan is duty Driver for diehards wanting last call at Birdseye Tavern (dive bar we frequented back 1973/74).

Friday full day of continuous events/activity starting with lunch with Cadets.

Then Class of 74 Memorial Service at Chapel to recognize those that have crossed the bar since graduation.

Class 74 Reception at Alumni Center sponsored by the Alumni Assoc.

Review of the Corps; as a Cadet Dan has marched in dozen of these; this was first one he viewed as a spectator.  Very impressive and great weather!  Much better to be a spectator🙃!!!

Then there was special ceremony just for our Class where the Commandant of the Coast Guard (Admiral Fagin) presented each attendee with a special 50 year medallion.  Adding special meaning to the ceremony was the presence of the current Cadets.

And then back to Mystic Marriott for a No Host Cocktail.  Then to bed!!

Saturday little later start in AM, Dan heads to CGA for a little site seeing.   First official function is Class Tailgate at Alumni Center at 1030, again sponsored by the Alumni Association.

Then all our Classmates in attendance walk-on as a Class to the Football field.  The 50 year Class stands on the 50 yard line and receives special recognition.

Then Cadet football game at 1300.  Honoree for the coin toss was Classmate Len Kelly (offensive star and team co-captain Sr Year).

  

And back to hotel to get ready for dinner dance.  Whew!!!

Sunday AM, 20OCT, off to Classmate Will Henrickson’s farewell brunch at his beautiful restored house.  Will has been doing this out of his own pocket for last three reunions (and refuses any contributions)!  Unfortunately his wife, Jackie, passed recently passed away from cancer and was missed by all.

From her tragic passing came a silver lining.  This allowed their daughter and husband and their eight kids  to live in the upper floors of the large house.  Meanwhile Will bought the property next door with small house and garage/shop next door.  Allowing him to stay connected to the beautiful house that he and ??? restored.  While being available for grandpa duties and keep working on restoring classic Triumph cars.

Then Dan spent five hours fighting traffic to NYC and one night in hotel, at Jamaica, NY; chicken and waffle for dinner.  This allows Dan more sleep before catching return flight home tomorrow.

Early Monday AM, 21OCT Dan checks out of hotel and heads to JFK to fly home.  Dan returns home to Seattle rain, Corrie, and dogs.  Then finds out he left his CPAP machine in NYC hotel☹  Tuesday sun returns, Dan works on getting CPAP machine shipped back to him via UPS.

Friday (Corrie’s b-day) AM has one month post TVAR follow-up with cardio doctor.  TVAR good but pace maker analysis needed by specialist to determine if pacemaker needed.  Then off to Rebecca’s.  We have b-day dinner at Trappers Sushi while everyone else at the Jui Jitsu Halloween party.  CPAP back😊

Saturday AM Rebecca and Jaxson head to his soccer game on Whidbey Island which means catching Port Townsend ferry to the island.  At lunch we take Mason to his soccer game nearby.  Finish day with family pasta dinner and not much done.

Sunday AM, 27OCT, we all head to Oak Table for belated birthday breakfast for Corrie.  After a great breakfast back to the house to get the dogs, load the truck, and catch a ferry home.

The Oak Table Cafe | Silverdale, WA

Halloween day Dan has physical therapy for numb arm.  PT on arm shows nothing wrong, so therapist not sure what to do and will ask nerve doctor what now?