I had a package to return and two to mail so I drove to the post office and get that over with. My first trip there since moving back to town. There's a mailbox store close to me but they cost a lot more so I'm not going back. I'll deal with the post office steps. At least the lady who waited on me was super nice. And I told her so too.
I stopped by the Disco View office to inquire about a credit on my rent payment this Saturday. They haven't been able to keep a housekeeper so we're getting $25 a month rebate on rent until another is hired. I haven't actually used a housekeeper (they had one for a short time) as I figure I can vacuum my own floors and clean my own toilet. If I stay here long enough and get more frail, I'll use that service.
I'm wearing a blue dress right now. Kind of soft polyester stretch type material. More comfortable in hot weather but I won't wear it in public as I look like a huge blue balloon walking. haha
Got a text message from granddaughter, Maddie, this morning about her boyfriend. Such a nice boy. I'm sharing it here.
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- "My family and I couldn't be more thankful for what the United States government has done for us," said Airman 1st Class Ànts Vähk, 92nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineer. "I found joining the military to be the best way to repay them for all the help they have given us ever since we migrated to the U.S."
Vähk, along with his parents and seven siblings, migrated to the U.S. from Kohtla-Järve, Estonia in 1996. His mother, an owner of livestock, sold everything they had including cows and chickens to pay for their tickets, passports and other requirements needed to migrate to the U.S.
"For eight months we lived with my uncle in Portland, Oregon, and eventually moved to Moses Lake, Washington, where my mom got a job," Vähk said. "With my mom working, it still wasn't enough to take care of our growing family of eight other siblings plus my disabled dad."
Vähk's family lived in a two-bedroom house where nine children shared a room. As soon as they got settled, the kids were able to attend public schools.
"She went on welfare, which helped pay for our food," Vähk added. "The Grant County House Authority helped us pay for housing and my mom was also able to get health insurance through the state since we couldn't afford any of it."
Growing up, Vähk and his siblings listened to war and military stories from their dad who served in the Russian military back when Estonia was a satellite nation of the Soviet Union.
"My brothers also joined the [U.S.] military, so they would always talk about their experiences," said Vähk. "They would put the rest of us through their own little boot camp. It has been instilled in me ever since."
As time passed by, Vähk slowly began to understand what the government had done for his family. So he set out to repay in the best way he could.
"As I got older, I realized without the government's help, there would've been a lot more days without any food on our table," he said. "Personally, I am very grateful for everything we received."
After turning 18, Vähk raised his right hand and took the oath to be a part of the U.S. Air Force. While in training, he received a letter from his mother saying his father was ill.
"She didn't really go into detail until I got into technical training," Vähk recalled. I remember it was May 5, 2014, I was sitting in my friend's dorm. I was talking on the phone in Russian, and all my friends stared in amazement. [Then] all of a sudden I stopped talking and had this shocked look on my face. That's when I found out my dad had stage four colon cancer and it was terminal."
Vähk didn't know what to say or think about the situation and had a hard time concentrating in school. After receiving the news, Vähk decided to confide with his Military Training Leader.
"I'm usually the type of person who doesn't bring issues or problems to school or at work, but this was different," he added. "I'm thankful I asked for help, because I wouldn't have gotten any information on what resources the Air Force offered to get the help I needed."
MTLs, the Airman & Family Readiness Center and the first sergeant all worked together to help Vähk. During Memorial Day weekend, he was allowed to return home and visit his father.
"During that time, I took it upon myself to help my mom with bills, but I ended up not having enough money to pay for a ticket to fly home," Vähk said. "The A&FRC and the first sergeant helped me pay for everything."
Vähk had the opportunity to bond with his father while he could still walk and do the activities they both loved, including fishing. They went every day and talked about anything and everything.
After graduating from technical school, Vähk went home to serve in the Recruiters Assistance Program for two weeks. His recruiter then informed him about the Humanitarian Reassignment and Deferment program; a program that assists Airmen in resolving severe short-term problems involving a family member by reassigning them closer to home.
"I wanted to be as close as possible to my dad so I applied for the program with the help of my recruiter and Tech. Sgt. Moody, the education officer back at my first base, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska," he said. "While waiting to hear back regarding my package, I got a call from my mom saying my dad was getting weaker. That's when I went on emergency leave to go back home for 30 days."
While on leave, Vähk found out his package got approved and was notified Fairchild AFB would be his next base. He reported to Fairchild AFB after his leave in October 2014. In February 2015 while at work, he got another call from his father.
"He called and told me he didn't know if he was going to make it in another week so I, again, went on emergency leave for 28 days," said Vähk. "The hardest part was seeing him, the big strong man he was, being slowly deteriorated by cancer and getting skinnier and weaker."
With fishing being their favorite thing to do, Vähk's father asked his son to go fishing for him. I remember getting home late at night from fishing and I would see him reading a book in his room because he didn't have the energy to even fall asleep, Vähk recalled.
As much as he wanted to stay, Vähk had to return to work. Then one day while he was at his brother's house near the base, their mother texted the bad news.
"All 11 of us siblings got a text saying dad was dead," Vähk said. "It's never easy to lose a parent especially losing him when I was 19 [years old]. It wasn't enough years to be with my father, but I'm thankful to have gotten the chance to spend time with him as much as I did."
Memories came flashing back; remembering the last time Vähk saw his father. I remember hugging him tight and telling him I loved him, he recalled.
Vähk has remained thankful for not only what the government has done for him and his family, but also the Air Force. "I started off joining the Air Force to serve those who have helped my family, and it still keeps giving and helping us to this day," Vähk added.
"The Air Force has constantly been there since the time I joined to the time I found out about my father," he said. "Everybody that I came in contact with has been very supportive and has helped me with everything. [They were there when] I needed to be comforted and the times when I needed to see my father." I have truly been blessed by the Air Force, Vähk concluded.
My physical therapy appts continue twice a week through August. They aren't that difficult but I still hate going. Mainly we're working on my balance and strengthening my right knee so I can walk up and down stairs normally. I'd like to be able to do more walking too. I am getting a little better at that although I still prefer taking my walker with me so I can sit when I need to.
I asked the doctor this morning about the neuropathy and nerve pain I've been experiencing in my feet (especially the left) and he told me it's not actually neuropathy; it's because my low back has problems with stenosis, narrowing and such. I have had low back issues for years and I guess it's gonna be that way from now on.
I've put aside my sewing projects for a little while but will start up again soon, I'm sure. I am concentrating on making little Christmas gifts. I finished a whole lot of painted rocks too. I'm going to hide around town each time I go for a ride. Some I just gift to people I run into. I'm going to start in on that hobby again soon but am in a jigsaw mood right now. I'm about 2/3 done with this real pretty bird one right now.
I took my sister out to visit her son, Eddie, yesterday. We didn't stay too long as I had to get back for a p/t appt. She couldn't really get around the farm that well anyhow as she opted to use her crutches and let me drive her instead of using the dial-a-ride bus. Here's some of the pictures I took.
I sure had some interesting dreams last night. I've had dreams for years that take place along the parade route during Rhody. Not sure why but they are repeat dreams. Last night's dream was another but it had Port Angeles tied into it. I was with my son I think and we caught this transit bus to go out to the spit and then had to find our way back to our spot to watch the parade. Various strange people were with us on the bus too. Weird.
Mary and her friend, Candi, stopped in last Saturday to attend a birthday party for another friend. Candi has a new BMW convertible so I convinced her to let me sit it in for a picture that I could post on Facebook.
Went over to get a couple pictures at Mary Gaboury's family picnic after Mary and Candi left.
Here's some of my latest rock creations:
Well, I guess that's it for now. My last picture is one from FB that made me laugh.
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