LaughAloud

My Grandad

My Grandad died tonight in his sleep. He's been in hospice care for over a month now, so we all knew it was coming, sooner or later. But it's still crushingly sad. But also happy that he was at peace when he died and now is really at peace and not burdened anymore by a body he couldn't really use. And I'm happy that my Mom was there with him for the end. Glad for him and especially glad for her that she was just upstairs and could come down right away instead of getting a call at home later, after he was gone. And I'm glad for the whole family that she was there, our witness, his guide, from this life into the next.

I'm so glad that I and all my brothers were able to go to Iowa earlier this month. That we all got to spend quality time together with Grandad before the end. One day, we took him out to a park for a picnic together with all six of us, plus Shadow the dog. We laughed together and Grandad laughed with us and even though it was hard to tell how much he really heard what we said or if he got the jokes, he laughed. He always loved to laugh and people around him laughing was reason enough to laugh, especially on a nice day in the park. We went on a walk around the park, taking turns pushing him in his wheechair. It was warm, but not too hot. We laughed some more and all enjoyed each others company. I'm so glad we all went back then, instead of waiting until now.

I spent some time with him a couple days before our picnic. It was hard to tell how much he understood of what I said. But I talked about how we were all going to go on a picnic together and I was looking forward to it. And I told him it reminded me of photo that I have of him and of my Mamaw, Mary. I told him how they looked so happy together and looked like they were so enjoying the peace of the place and just being together. He was silent for a moment and then didn't quite look at me but said "That's so nice. Thank you." And I wanted to think he remembered her and his happiness with her. And that it made him a little happier at the memory. And I hope now wherever they are, they're finally together again, having picnics and remembering us with love.

Beauty in the Backyard

Summer in Iowa brings beautiful green the likes of which San Diego doesn't ever see. In the evening, the low sun makes everything look even more amazing. My parents backyard includes not only an wide green expanse, but a rock bed stream and sanctuary (created by my Dad).

And these bugs were having fun in a lily near the stream.

Merry White Christmas!

The view from my parents back porch in Iowa on this White Christmas.

Cookie Cookie Cookie

This evening, in the kitchen, I put away the dinner left overs while Chip put away the freshly baked cookies. Under his breath he sang 'C is for Cookie..C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.' Then he turned to me and with all apparent seriousness asked: 'Do you know that song?' I couldn't stop laughing and laughing and laughing. And I love that Chip makes me laugh so much. It makes life so much better.

Two Brothers

Year in Review #10

In July, right after we got back from Chicago, my brother's John & Bryan came to visit! John had graduation & job fair up in San Francisco, then met up with Bryan in Vegas before heading out to San Diego. They've come to visit us together before, back in Chicago and this time was just as fun! Full of sibling shenanigans, Mario Kart racing, good food & beaches. They even got to see me shoot at the CA State Games on one day of their visit. It was nice to have my brothers there cheering me on and I greatly improved my score from my first outdoor tournament with a 929 out of a possible 1440. Somehow I managed to get through most of the visit with my camera tucked safely away, so sadly I don't have any pictures of the three of us together. I did bring my camera on the last day of John's visit (Bryan flew home that morning) when we visited the Cabrillo National Monument and walked around the tide pools.

 

Welcome to the World

Year in review #7

May 15, baby Gage Brand was born. He's our first nephew! (or niece for that matter!) Not encombered by a job, Chip jetted off to St. Louis for a couple weeks to help out before the baby was born and to stick around for Gage's birth and the days after. Everything from painting the front porch, to keeping vigil during hours of labor in the hospital, and what ever else was needed, Chip was there to help. He is such a good brother!

 

Back in Florida

Year in Review #6

In April I went back to Florida for the first time in almost 5 years - the first time since Chip & I got married. I went for a conference, but I stretched it out into a week and a half vacation and the highlight was all the family time.

Before my conference my brother Tyson (who just moved to Tampa from Chicago a couple month before) & I drove out to Alachua to the farm that was my Grandpas for the first time in over 10 years. I saw my Aunt, who lives there now and my Uncle & Aunt & cousins who live across the little dirt road. Even though they are on separate properties everyone is so close that is like one big Hyde Family farm. The animals are split between fields on each, the dogs run back and forth and everyone eats breakfast and dinner together. It was wonderful.

 I loved being there and visiting with my family I hadn't seen in so long, working in the dirt, eating potatoes and salad just harvested 30 minutes before dinner. We worked in the "garden" which is big enough to be plowed with a tractor, helped feed & gather  eggs from the 80 or so chickens. There are also  horses and a small herd of Angus, plus another small herd of lowline (smaller) angus. I could have stayed a whole week just on the farm, instead of just a couple days. It was so great to see my family and so nice to feel so at home there even though we hadn't seen each other since my wedding.

 Thoughts from my journal, written at the time of the visit, about being back on the farm and in the former home of my Grandpa. "The air was cooler and dryer than I expected. Actually immensely pleasant. Enough to trick you into thinking that everyday could be like that. Hot, but not too much, with puffy clouds to keep the sun off your neck and cool enough in the evening to sleep with the windows open and the comforter on. Tile floors cool on your toes in the morning, with just the slightest bit of dirt tacked in from outside.  The house smells so familiar, but has Aunt Dorothy's touches so is somehow less stale, fresher...no smoke cigarette smoke anywhere."

After my conference, I stayed with my brother Bryan (he just finished college at USF in Tampa), but we saw Tyson quite a bit and I got to meet both of my brother's girlfriends. It was wonderful spending time with two of my brothers (I do only seem to get to see only two at a time recently!) We had all kinds of fun adventures in the short time I had with them. One highlight of the visit was an impromptu afternoon "snack" at Pollo Tropical, which is only the best fast food place in the world. Yummy chicken, great, greasy black beans & rice. Oh and of course Jupina ('it's like a party in your mouth!') but that's more Florida than just Pollo Tropical. They really need to open some franchises out to California.

This was actually my first time in Tampa, but I'd say it was a fun town. But then again, everything is more fun when there's multiple Hyde's around!

Changes

Year in Review #4

In the beginning of March, Chip quit his job. Finally. The job had been making him unhappy for a long time, but that unhappiness also made him realize that what he really should be doing, is teaching. In February, he was offered a job teaching physics at a high school in North County this coming Fall, and that meant he could could quit his unhappy job with no guilt and have a few months of fun and curriculum planning before the Fall.

The first thing we did, with his new found freedom was fly to St. Louis a week of celebrations of the new baby Brand to be. Chip's sister Alicia, was pregnant, due in May, and the friend and family baby showers were both in the same week which meant we could come to St. Louis and go to both in addition to having some time to visit with the family. A whole album of our adventure can be found below, just click on the picture of Alicia & Wayne comparing tummies!

Delight in Denver

Year in Review #2

The Midwinter Library conference took me to Denver in January this year, which was beautiful and cold and fun. 

 I went to Denver (with my new coat) hoping for cold and snow. I was rewarded. The best day of the conference, was a quiet, early Sunday morning with a beautiful snowfall. Walking all alone, on empty streets to the conference hall, I took pictures and reveled in the quietness created by the snowfall, only the crunch of snow beneath my feet. I miss those mornings, those days, it nice to have at least one while I was in Denver's cold climes. The picture of the Big Blue Bear looking into the Conference center was taken that morning.

I looked back on my twitters to see what I said during the Conference & this one is one I want to  remember: "Please let me keep an open mind about new thing even  when I'm very old."

After the conference I got to stay with my Aunt Mary Em & Uncle Jim outside Denver & have all kinds of  fun adventures in just a few short days. We saw all kinds of wildlife, antelope & deer, along the side of the road and from their front porch. I played with their dog Molly in the snow. We went and checked out a couple areas archery stores. I got to see my cousin and his family,  including meeting the new baby for the first time. My Uncle also, upon finding out my dirty secret (that I might like scotch better than bourbon, which is what all the women in my family drink) introduced me to some delicious scotchs they brought back from Scotland and taught me the "proper" Scotch way to drink it. With just a little water to bring out the full flavors. Over all, it was a fun and full and wonderful visit. How did we manage to pack so much into just two days?

Holiday Adventures 2008

I know, the Holidays were almost, well, a year ago. But I'm writing a series of posts about the highlights of my year anyway. Not because I think you want to know, but because I would like to remember.

Part #1 of my year in review.

We were able to take a nice long vacation over the holidays and see both of our families. It helped that Chip had dropped down to part time while looking for a teaching job, so he had more time off from work than usual. We flew into Des Moines for Christmas and then drove to St. Louis (in a Mustang!) just before The New Year. Here's a little photo album of the highlights.

 

My Dad & Me

In celebration of Father's Day, and especially my Father, an album of me & my Dad & the whole family. 

My Mother's Children

In honor of Mother's Day, and especially my Mother, an album of My Mother's Children.

Pitch N' Putt

Alicia and Ryan came to San Diego for a short, but super fun trip a couple weeks ago.  Alicia lent me her fisheye lens and since everything looks cool in 180 degrees I took a ton of pictures. These pictures are a select few from our adventures at the Pitch n Putt golf course in Old Town.

Playing Catch Up

What have I been doing!? Certainly not posting on my blog. 

Actually, I've been working like crazy getting ready for the conference I just got back from in D.C.  Thank goodness its all over! Now my goal (or two of them at least) is to do less work at home, and post more on my blog. In the mean time, here's a quick run down of the fun things that did happen in the last couple months.

My friend Martinique from Chicago stayed with us while she attended a library conference.  During her non-conference time, we gave her a whirlwind tour of San Diego. Here's a picture Chip took of the two of us playing in the waves on Coronado Island, with the San Diego skyline in the background. The only unpleasant part of her visit was our Sunday brunch at Lips.  It might sound fun, but DON'T DO IT!  Seek out better drag elsewhere.

We flew to St. Louis in May for Alicia's graduation and party.  The party was in a small bowling alley that was rented out just for the party.  We also got to go to a cool beer festival and a local brewpub while we were there.  It was all part of the celebration of Alicia.  Go Alicia!

At the end of May, my favorite Chicago musician, Bobby Conn performed in San Diego!   The show was not as amazing as some of the shows I've seen in Chicago with the whole band and in larger venues, but it was still very cool to get to see him play live again.  It had been over a year since I'd seen him perform, and even though we were in a teeny tiny bar without even a real stage he still put on a sparkly outfit and crazy make-up.  Yay!

I turned 28 and got a fancy gadget from Chip, which really deserves its own post at some future time.

 Our friend Kristen came to visit from D.C. and we got to go to a fancy private company "picnic" at the San Diego Zoo. We paid only $7 instead of the usual $33 plus there was free food, airbrush tattoos, rides on the "Skyfari" & more. Fun! This picture was taken from the "Skyfari."

Here's to a relaxing fun filled summer, with more blog posts.

On the Range...

After a conference in Denver last week, Chip flew out and met me for a long weekend at Aunt Mary Em's and Uncle Jim's house in Parker, CO.  My Dad even drove over from Des Moines for the weekend, so it was like a mini family reunion!  We had a great time and if you click on the picture of the cow bones below, you can see pictures of some of our adventures in Colorado, including the story of what that picture of cow bones is doing on my blog in the first place!

A couple fun parts of our trip not photo documented:

Seeing my cousin Rob, his wife Pam, and their two kids Jackson and Alexandra.  we hadn't seen Jackson since he was a few months old at our wedding (now he's 3!) and we this was the first time we met Alexandra.

Chip used his many hours of HDTV research to help my Aunt buy new big screen (42") flat panel HDTV she wanted.  Then Chip spent an afternoon setting it up, which as he says, is the fun part!

Happy Birthday!

Today was the day my Mom hoped I would be born.  I was actually due sometime in late May, but she was able to hold me in until the 6th of June. Today is special because it is not only my Mom's birthday, but it was also my Grandmother's birthday.  It would have been really cool if all three of us had the same birthday, but it still makes a good story that they are all so close.

Happy birthday, Mom!

Writing in the Family

My brother Tyson recently wrote this amazing post about me. He writes a lot of amazing things, but this one was particularly touching to me since, well, it was about me. It made me cry. In a good way.

Resturant Rundown

So this past weekend/week Chip's sister Alicia, and her husband Ryan came to visit us and get a San Diego tour.  While we did lots of fun stuff (zoo, golf, Coronado Island, downtown & Hillcrest explorations) the highlight was definitely the food.  Of course, Chip and I weren't REALLY on vacation, but Alicia & Ryan were, which meant we all got to EAT like we were on vacation!  Which is really the fun part right?

Friday:

City Delicatessen for brunch.  The first time Chip and I went here, we expected a deli. It's really not. But if you go in expecting a diner, its excellent.  Not to mention open till 2am! Rebecca eats: Bagel with Lox and cream cheese, plus a few pickles from the pickle jar (there's one on every table!)

Blarney Stone Pub for dinner. Ryan demanded corned beef & cabbage for St Patrick's, and after much adventure we ended up here. It was very yummy, but so packed we had to find a non-Irish bar to hang out in peace the rest of the evening. We ended up at the Hard Rock cafe, because it was probably the only bar downtown that wasn't Irish, but had Guinness. A requirement, because Ryan and I had to do our Car Bombs. In the Irish spirit, you know.

Saturday:

Mona Lisa Italian Delicatessen for lunch. Now THIS was a deli! It was an Italian market with a huge deli counter, and also a full restaurant in the back. Rebecca Eats: #11 -  thick slices of fresh mozzarella with basil tomato, and a vinaigrette dressing, on you guessed it, delicious Italian bread.

India Princess for dinner. This is one of our favorite restaurants in San Diego, and  its only a short walk from our house!  It opened just after we moved here,  and its one of our favorite places to take guests.  Rebecca eats:  a little bit of everything!  The India Princess is family style when we go there!

The Wit's End for post dinner drinks and games. I've already mentioned the Wit's End on this blog, so you all know its great! We all played Uno (so fun!) and Ryan and I both chose carefully from among their vast beer selection.

Sunday:

Hillcrest Farmer's Market for brunch. A great way to kick start the day! Rebecca eats: Chicken and green chile tamale & a Greek cheese pie.

Coronado Boathouse for dinner.  We sought out seafood, and we found some good stuff! Not very good on the vegetarian end (no real options) but good (although a little pricey) for seafood lover's.  The setting was pretty though, a stilt house, right on the water. Rebecca eats: fresh prawns stuffed with crab wrapped in bacon.  Everything is better wrapped in bacon.  Ever notice that?

Tuesday:

Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe for dinner. What a funny name! Apparently there is a San Diego restaurateur named Jimmy Carter. No relation. Another restaurant within walking distance. We picked a good neighborhood. Rebecca eats: Calamari strip in lemon and garlic oil, with rice beans and flour tortilla for wrapping. Yum, yum. 

OK, enough food for now.  Maybe later, there will be pictures of our super fun weekend.

Blues Hockey

Last night I went to my first ever Hockey game.  It was so much fun!  Ryan (Chip's sister's husband) got 4 free tickets to the Blues Hockey game at the last minute, and the four of us (Chip, me, Alicia & Ryan) went together to the game.  We were warned that the Blues weren't very good this year, but the game was really close, and went into overtime, and they had to have a shoot off.  Very cool!  Although I have to say, one of my favorite parts was the fight in the first period.  I've never attended a a sporting event where players start fighting and the refs just stand there and watch!  Here's a picture from the game. I would have included one of the fight, but I was too engrossed to remember to take a picture!

The other fun thing today, was I got to drive our little truck!  We traded cars with Chip's Dad when we moved to San Diego, so our old truck is his now, and here in St. Louis.  The CRV is definitely more practical, especially for driving two people, stuff and a cat across the country.  But I really do miss driving our little truck.  I told Chip, if we ever need two cars, we'll have to buy another little truck.  Except this one will have four wheel drive!

So Sad. Or Mad?

I love this picture of me and my Mom and my Grandma.  (Yes!  This is the Grandmother that testified before Congress and appears in a government document!) 

I think I must have been feeling left out or something.  Don't I look sad?  Although its more likely I'm mad.