On line Family

[red1030]

Ok all... as you know I have been on this trip from Nov 12 until now. I should arrive home tommorrow night about 7 PM. That is the goal. Alot has happened in my life and in all of your lives in this short time, but mostly I believe that most of us have come to know that we are more than just a screen with a screen name. We are all people with histories and with memories. I made a lot of wonderful memories on this trip.

We started out in NJ, followed 76 through PA and then found I80 which took us through Ohio into Indiana, then Il where my husband and I met with Tuffy and CRABBY...and Tuffy's friend Gail. What a wonderful group of friends they are. Tuffy and I had talked on the phone and when we were nearing the lodge where we were all going to have supper and spend the night I called her again and she told me that they were all three in the lounge. My husband dropped me off at the door of the longe and I started walking down this long hall way.. and then suddenly I heard this wonderful sound of laughter... I knew it was them. I recognized Tuffy's voice and laugh. All I could do is stand paralyzed in the moment of excitment. I loved the sound of her voice and laughter. Then suddenly with me standing on one side of the entry way, they came through the entry way... laughing talking and just having a grand time. Then they saw me, I said Tuffy, CRABBY... they said Red... then we all smiled laughed and just grabbed each other and started hugging. Gail was right in on it also. You all would just love her. She is absolutely the best of the best. I am so glad that our Tuffy has friends like Gail living so close by. I am even more glad that CRABBY and Tuffy have each other ... they were acting like they had known each other for ever.

Tuffy...says she is the oldest on the forum... but old is not what she is. She is young in everyway. She has spirit and spunk about who she is and how she lives her life. I admire so much about her. As an old Director of Nursing, there is no doubt in my mind...she is my kind of nurse. She is the one who cares and will do what has to get done to make any patient or resident feel like a million dollars.

CRABBY... inspite of all the difficulties that life is throwing her way.. she smiles all the time. Her sense of humor and her ability to tell a remarkable story of a lot of adventure while having fun is remarkable. She is so full of life. Wow... all I could do is listen while I painted and live her life with her... she made it sound like so much fun. I believe she ... most of the time..has the strength to rise above anything that this old world may throw at her...I am sure that she would like to have a break from all the garbage that has been coming her way .. but even in that..it is remarkable the way she continue to hold the moment and make it the best it can be.

Then as you know my husband and I traveled across Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah and then into Idaho to visit with Spring and her husband. What a day that was. I was so excited I could not sleep all night just thinking that tomorrow I would meet Spring. We called her when we were close to our destination and her and her husband directed us to a wonderful mexican restuarant where they bought us lunch. Del and I parked in front of the restaurant and I said to him, quick get out and hold the parking spot in front of us. My husband as usually just laughed at me and said ... we are not in Phila we are in Idaho... and true to what he said, no one grabbed that parking right in front of the restaurant for the entire hour we were there. However, we were standing our front of the restaurant and suddenly a lovely women with beautiful long blond hair started waving to me from their car. I knew it was Spring... I was so excited. THen guess what she got out of the car and we just ran to each other and hugged and hugged. It was like coming home.

Spring and I spent two glorious days together .. mostly painting and sharing stories about our old jobs and our families. She is a wonderful painter. She floats really good ... and now most of you know what I mean by that... hehehehe... we hope to spend more time doing more painting together. What can I tell you about Spring that you don't already know.. she is kind, youthful, full of life with beautiful sparkles in her eyes when she laughs. She is so exciting to be with just because of her innocence and love of all around her. She loves the environment, her family, her children and her husband to distraction. And her husband is equally as wonderful. He adds a sense of humor and just plain fun to any adventure. My husband just loved him. I miss them so much already.

Then we went to Oregon...and spent a couple of weeks with our family. We did have some fun there, but some issues ran so deep that they tore my heart out a few times. But that isn't important now.. I kept my promise to my grand daughter..that her grand parents would be at her birthday party and we were and she was so happy.. which of course makes everything else ok.

Then we left Oregon, traveled through Idaho and then into Utah. In Utah we ran into a lot of snow and ice. Del has driven in snow and ice for a long time and he did have chains that my father gave to him before we left so he was really comfortable with it. I didn't really like the mountains and the turns going from Ogden to Wyoming but it was over soon and we were on our way to Tulsa. Just before we reached Chyenne Wy... we turned sound and traveled to Denver and then east toward Kansas. Then we found I70 and traveled to Salina Kansas the found I135 south through Kansas toward Witchata Ks.. then on south into Ok...then east to Tulsa. It was a very comfortable trip, with a lot of ICE and snow .. wrong time of year I guess if you want to find only sunshine and green grass... lol. Any way.. we arrived in Tulsa on Thursday night .. a day early and luckily we were able to check into the hotel a night early. Sweet tooth and her husband were in another hotel for Thursday night. They had arrived a day early also. We spoke that night but did nto get to meet until the next day.

The next day arrived early for me. I got up at 5:30 AM... just so excited to meet everyone that I could not stand myself. I was so excited and anxious about meeting everyone... what can I say.. I am a nut as they say. Finally about 7 AM my husband got up so we got dressed and went to breakfast in the hotel. Then we went back to our rooms and I waited and waited and waited what seemed at the time for centuries. Then about 10 am I decided to move my painting supplies to the breakfast room because breakfast was not over. I talked to the clerk and they were very helpful. I sat there for about 20 minutes, and I looked out the window and I say this beautiful women with a husband who looks like Kenny Rogers getting out of a Van.... I said...it has too be...so I went to the front door of the hotel... and started waving at them both...

Sweet tooth smiled really big and said Red... I said yes....and this must be your husband. She said, I didn't realize you were this short... yes that is me a shorty... always a shorty. We hugged and she was so happy...it was written all over her beautiful face. Her husband is wonderful and just as sweet as sweet tooth. Sweet tooth...did pick out the right now.. she loves her sweets and she loves her sweet husband. They are so wonderful together... I just know that she and her husband and me and my husband will find a way to visit more often. Loving them is an understatement. How can I not love such wonderful and caring people as these two. Wow...I miss them alreay. I hugged her husband good bye and sweet tooth had a tear rolling down her eye... I gave her a big farewell hug... and then off to bed they went.

Then while we were all making our acquantances at the front desk of the hotel, in walks jayne and her husband. Of course I knew her right off. More hugs and more smiles and more howdy's. Wow was this going to be a great day. I could not wait to show her her BINGO winnings and find out if she liked them so...into the breakfast room we all went. She wanted a tea pitcher and glasses with sunflowers on them so that is what I did, and then surprised her with a cake plate to match. I am so glad that she liked them. She like them so much that she went to target right away and bought one for her and one for sweet tooth for me to paint...of course I was glad to do it... it met a lot to me that she wanted something that I made. So now.. what can I tell you about our little dancing alien that arranged this whole wonderful get together... I don't think I know the words to described her completely...except to say... her heart is made of gold. She loves you all to distraction and she wants you all to live close to her....lol. She loves this on line family and she loves her family and children. Her children are number one and she has opened her heart and her home up to many children who are much better off in this world because of her ability to love and share all that she has and is. Then there is her husband... he is her equal in caring and sharing. They were a match made in heaven. They are just beautiful to gether. Loving them... well that is just what it is .. loving them is so easy and so natural, becasue they love you so deeply.

A few hours later, halftrak showed up. She is such a kind and loving person. She smiles all the time. I really didn't know her very well until we met face to face and I have been missing a real treat. She is simply a person with a great deal of honor and kindness. She loves the people around her greatly and she is seemed to know me far better than I knew her. She is aware and cares for all of us. What a blessing she was. She won a little at t he casino and I was so happy for her that she could go and have a few moments of fun. She is open and just plain fun to be around. Everyone get to know her better and better ... you find a true friend in her.

The seven of us spent most of Friday together talking while I painted. I could not talk them into painting... they said they would just watch... and watch they did. I painted the first day only the bears on the snowflake ornaments for jayne... then other things the next day.

About 8 pm Friday night... walks in bummer and her husband... I could not help myself...I walked right up to the front desk and said... the **** and she looked at me and smiled and I gave her a big hug... it was so nice to meet her in person...and then we all got the pleasure of meeting her husband. He is wonderful.... and the best part about him is hearing him talk about their son... his eyes light up with great big sparkles of enjoyment and pride. As you know their son has health issues and this is not a distraction to this couple. They love their children and bummer of course is so involved in community services for not only her son but others as well. Remarkable, simply remarkable that their are truly people in the world as caring as they are.. and remarkable that our paths have crossed. I feel as though I am the luckiest person in the world.

All day Saturday... we ate, talked, laughed, drank, talked somemore, and just hugged and enjoyed each others company while I painted. Saturday I was able to paint three more cake dishes and a canvas. It was such a pleasure to give these things to people I love. I love knowing that they have things I have made in their homes.

Then it was time to say good night knowing that I would be leaving in the morning before they all got up... how sad.. it went to fast and well just too fast. It was the best time I have had in a long time and it was very much enjoyed. All I can say is that I thank God that all of our paths have crossed. It has now been 24 hours since I said good bye to them all... and I am very sad because I miss them so much already. However, I know that we will meet again and each time it will just be better and better. WE are truly an online family and one that can have its disagreements and yet smile and hug. We are truly remarkable aren't we... I better close..this is very long... I still write long and still have the most post of anyone on here... and yet I really don't talk all that much .... I like to listen and paint... but I love to tell you all that I think y ou are wonderful and that God smiles on all of us that he has allowed our paths to cross...

When I get home I will post pictures... lots of pictures.... love you all Red[/color]

[red1030]

Oh...I know I have written enough...but I forgot to share... sweet tooth made me a hand made lap robe... it is beautiful and she enbrioderied with her own hands a set of wonderful colorful pillow cloths... she is so talented and yet she says she isn't. Even while she was in pain..she worked to assure that we had a set... and jayne was filled with gifts of all kinds as well... she gave me a calendar of Ok... lot of painting ideas... lots of beautiful settings.. we had so much fun..did I say that yet... ?????

[jayne]

yes you did....and I am in tears just missing you all so much

[punk]

OMG!!! Red, you have such a nack in describing people!! I feel as if I've met them as well!! LOL
I didn't pull my head out soon enough to realize that you all were meeting in Tulsa...but that's ok. I realized as you tracked your travels that you were about an hour from me on I-70!! I live just an hour north of Topeka on 75!! Wish I had known...we maybe could have met for lunch or something!!
Anyway, I'm glad that you all had such a great time!! I know how much fun I had in meeting Tuffy and Monster in October. It was the best time I had in a very long time!! And it came at just the right time for me. It all worked out because of happenstance and I'm glad it did. You described Tuffy to a "T", she is all of that and more!! I don't kow what I'd have done without her during much of my ordeal. We were indeed blessed to have met. And, yes...I feel as if she's part of my family as well.
Can't wait to see all the pics...I'm sure they are just wonderful!! Maybe someday there will be another meeting....and just maybe I'll be able to make it. Who knows? LOL
Thank you for the wonderful insight on our on-line family. I feel as if I know them much better through you and your way with words!!
Take care and hope you're able to rest up from your travels!! Also glad that you had safe travels. The weather was sure turning nasty...still is up here!!
Thanks again, Red....!!

[Pooh]

Red

I know you described Jayne and her hubby to a tea, because driller and I had a wonderful afternoon with them and the kids. The kids are remarkable to say the least as well.

Jayne and Bill, well there are few words that can really describe them - but driller said it all - they are just normal down to earth people. He was a little scared at first about having someone come to our house, but after they got here, he was so glad they came, and I am longing to get together with them again.

Jayne is like the big sister that you can talk about anything to and she understand about it all. Offers good advice and makes jokes to lighten the mood when needed. Now her oldest daughter, we found loves nice soft sofas .......... lol but to be fair she wasn't feeling well that day and everyone that lays down or sits on the sofa tends to fall asleep on it. The other 2 kids had such a time trying to find the cats who were hiding from strangers ........... Some inside the house and some outside.

I am sorry we didn't get to meet red, but there is always another day.

[vickinat]

Red,
I agree with Punk that you have such a way with words that I feel that I have met all of the ones that you did. I have spoke to some on the phone, but so far have only been able to meet 1 person from our family and that was you. I enjoyed the time we had together and knew that when you got to be with the others in Tulsa that you would have an enjoyable time, and be able to forget about the negative things that you had to deal with. This family of ours has a way of making each person feel better about what is happening in our lives. I'm very happy for you all. I'm so glad that you are home safe and sound.

Love
Vickie

[sweet tooth]

now you all have got me crying my eyes out all i can say is ditto to the way red put it in such pretty words i have never enjoyed myself like i did in the company of our family i just sat back and watched red paint the prettys that she sent home with me and listened to everyone enjoy themselves BUT IT WAS COLD