Sisters on the Fly NW Gathering 13

DISCLAIMER: Not all photos are mine, we shared and I can't possibly give credit to everyone so I'll just give a disclaimer and say thank you to all.  This is a lengthy post...

When Hubby and I did a frame off restoration on our '57 Aloha I had no intention of ever towing her.  I planned to leave that up to Hubby and go whenever it worked for him to take me camping.

One evening at the Mt. Baker Vintage Trailer Rally, I was in Annie making a potluck dish and there was a knock at my door.  Jean and Rene' asked if they could come in and talk to me. Uhhmm, sure, it's tiny and hot in here, but come on in.  They gave me a charm that was engraved with Sisters make the best friends. They told me about Sisters on the Fly and that they wanted me to join and go with them to Northwest Gathering in Cle Elum the next summer.  They told me they thought I was a good fit for SOTF.  I was hesitant, I explained that I couldn't tow Annie, I really was an introvert, gosh, it's nice you asked and I'm touched but I don't think I can do it. Jean, Kathy, and Rene' kept in touch over the winter and with their encouragement and Hubby's driving lessons, I joined, hit the road and never looked back.

This year the Northwest Gathering was in Silverton, OR.  Since I live in Lynden and knew I'd hit traffic all the way down I-5, I left a day early and planned to spend the night at Rene's place.  This turned out to be fortuitous as I got a rock chip/crack on the way down and Jeremy and Rene' own Downriver Vintage Trailer Restoration. Rene' installed a new window for me.  Thanks darlin'!

We met up with Kristen and Shelly in Woodland and caravaned to Silver Spur RV in Silverton. We set up camp, connected with old friends and then met at Jean's trailer where she hosted a cocktail hour for all of the new SOTF.  It was a Mexico themed dinner and evening.

Don't mind my flower crown, I saw them on Etsy for a hundred bucks and made mine for three using stuff from the Dollar Tree. haha

The next morning we got on school buses and were taken to the Santiam Train where  we went in petticoat junction style for a train ride with a box lunch and and a cash bar.

 There is a junk store close to the train station and yee haw, those women love junk. That guy didn't know what hit him.  A windfall that he's going to be talking about for a long time.

If someone says to the sisters the word petticoat, watch out!

Our train excursion was a fun day planned by the committee. It was all of the good stuff that goes with SOTF, a lot of laughs, boots and petticoats, and some good visits.  I got caught up with Kate, she drives up from San Diego, and it's good stuff to reconnect with her.

When you're at a sister's event you're living in your own trailer.  After a large group excursion this loud mouth introvert runs to her trailer for some down time.  It's one of the best parts for me to have Annie there for privacy and alone time, yet I'm camping next to 99 of my best friends.

Rene' made Annie and I a banner so everyone knows who we are in the trailer park.

Cheers! I knocked on the door but no one was home.

Isn't this just the best neighborhood?

That evening we were on our own and a few of us went to Seven Brides Brewery. It has a cute story and good beer and it was on my list of places to visit.

On Friday I went with Kristen, Shelly and Kathy to tour the Gordon House.  It's a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Silverton. We also went to visit the Oregon Garden.  I am now on a quest to visit more of the Frank Lloyd Wright Homes.

We started at the gardens, then left to tour the house, then to the garden's resort for lunch on the patio.

We saw a new sister having lunch alone and invited her to join us. It was a wonderful visit with gorgeous scenery of the gardens. Welcome to the sisters, Dondy! After lunch we took the tram tour of the garden. The garden and house pictures are mixed because that was how the day went for us.

Our docent was very good at his job.  I managed docents for a museum for nineteen years and trust me our tour was led by one of the best. So many stories and details yet he kept us on schedule.  

It's an art.

That evening it was a western theme. Yee Haw, those sisters love an excuse to get dressed up.

After dinner it was auction night.  Whenever sisters gather they give back.  This year we raised funds for the Silverton after school program.  We enjoyed the auction in our new chairs that Rene' made for us with our names, trailer and sister numbers.

I love Kate!

A park visitor asked us for our photo and of course, we oblige and then try to recruit them to join SOTF.

On the first day I spotted this field behind the maintenance barn filled with bachelor buttons.  I told my tribe that we were going to have photo shoot on western night. They agreed.

The forecast was for hot weather so I packed a pool and met new friends.  If you inflate and fill a pool they will gather! Even though the water was clean it looked otherwise.

The last evening was Hawaiian night and Rene' hosted a cocktail hour before dinner.

 Whether you fill a pool or a glass those girls come running!

There was a band, a photo booth and fondue to finish the gathering.

And there was a cribbage game for some tired sissies.

Another wonderful gathering in the books.  I didn't meet this sister pictured below and she looks like she is a fun gal so I plan to go next year to meet her and others, reconnect with the new friends I met this year and spend time with my tribe.

 I never thought I'd be that woman hitching up and heading out, wearing petticoats, and meeting so many new people.  It turns out that inside of that woman is a girl that likes to play.

Sister on the Fly #6570

My Mom

Today I wanted to share that my Mom passed away on June 8.  I've been away from the blog. I wrote her obituary and her eulogy.  I wanted them on my blog so that they could be a part of my story.  My Mom was a large part of my story and I like to think that she will continue to be a part of my life as I enjoy memories, hear her voice in my mind,  remember what she taught me and grieve my loss.

Obituary

Doris Jean Dykstra Vander Haak was born to Henry and Clara (Duim)
Dykstra on January 11, 1937 in Lynden, Washington. She grew
up on the Wiser Lake Road family farm with her sisters Shirley
and Clarice and her brother Dale. It was a dairy farm with Jersey cows,
Belgian draft horses, chickens and a large garden. Her aunt lived up the
hill and another uncle lived across the road, as a child she was surrounded
by family. Doris and her cousin Janet were the best of friends
and had many adventures.

Doris graduated from Lynden Christian High School. She worked at
McLain Drug Store, first in the soda fountain mixing up green rivers
and chocolate malts, later she clerked, and then was their
bookkeeper for many years.

Doris married her high school sweetheart, Richard Vander Haak in
February 1958. Rich and Doris were blessed with a wonderful marriage
and had four children. They bought a big, old house on the
Hannegan Road and for 50 yearsmade many memories there.  

Doris loved her family and friends and she blessed them by being a
wonderful homemaker and hostess. Her Sunday dinners for her family
were her gift. She was happiest when her entire
family was together. There was always enough food, it was always
delicious and there was always room for the grand kids to bring their
friends. Her friends were dear to her and she loved meeting
them for a walk or coffee.

Doris was a member at Bethel Christian Reformed Church,
where she blessed many with her prayers, cards and notes, meals
for the families with new babies, and with visits and
cookies for the widows. She enjoyed making quilts at Bethel
one afternoon a week and working at the LCS thrift store one morning
a week for years.  She was always looking for ways to help
others in her quiet and consistent manner.

Doris loved to go to Hawaii, cruise to Alaska, take road trips and
to go camping. She enjoyed going to her grandkids’ games and
concerts. She enjoyed LCHS basketball games and
tournaments and Mariner baseball.  
Most of all, Doris loved doing these things with her husband, Rich.

Doris is survived by her children, Tami (Fred) Rylaarsdam,
Kathi (Jeff) Jansen,Ken Vander Haak and
Jodi (Bill) Van Straalen and her grandchildren Danny (Jessica),
Sam, Max (Kassie) Rylaarsdam, Derek (fiancee Tia)
and Wyatt Jansen, Zach, Katelyn, and Jenna Vander Haak, Alex (Serena) and
great granddaughter Aurora, Levi (fiancee Katelynne)
and Hana Van Straalen. She is survived by her brother,
brothers and sisters-in-law and
nieces and nephews.

Doris died on June 8, 2018.  She was ready to see Jesus
and to be welcomed at thegates of heaven. Burial will be Wednesday
at 1:15 p.m. on June 13, Wednesday at
Greenwood Cemetery, where sheplayed as a child.
The  funeral service is following at
Bethel Christian Reformed in Lynden at 2:00 p.m. where
her life as a quiet, Godly woman
will be celebrated with thankfulness by her family and friends.

Memorials may be given to Lynden Christian School,
417 Lyncs Dr. Lynden, Wa 98264

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean
not on your own understanding. In all your
ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  
Proverbs 3:5-6

Eulogy:

As I shared at her memorial-

Our Mom was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandma,
recently a great gramma and friend.  She loved on her family and her friends.
It wasn’t just the visits, the meals or the coffee
times, my Mom prayedfor us, by name.  
And by us, I mean probably everyone here.

Last week when we took turns staying with Mom,
I started to read her journals. She wrote briefly most days.
She didn’t include details and sometimes it was more phrases
than full sentences. The weather, if it was clear enough to see
Mt. Baker, what she had done that day, what she made for Sunday

dinner that week, and who and what her prayers were for
and always a reminder to trust God.  Our Mom lost
her sister Clarice and later her sister, Shirley, her cousin Janet,
her friend Marge, her sister-in-law Nelda and
finally our Dad, she wrote,
I lost the love of my life, the day after Thanksgiving.

Our Mom loved our Dad and she prayed fervently
to be healthy enough to care for him to the end.

In all of the loss and illnesses and cancers, my Mom was
praying for your loved ones and for you.  She was so
worried about Uncle Ted and his family, Brittney,
Jay, Aunt Nelda’s boys, Landen, and more. And then Mom would
remind herself that God is good and He would take care of you.
And she’d write a verse to remind herself of God’s promises.

The Lord your God is with you, He is
mighty to serve. He will take great delight in you with His love.
He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Sometimes it was just  little entries.

A.Rod is going to Texas.  A lot of money.

Made almond sticks for the Rylaarsdams, flopped big time. I could have cried.

Didn’t get a deer at hunting camp....didn’t even see a deer.

Eating too much candy!

And sometimes just a simple observation and verse.

Bulb garden is pretty.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13.

She wrote about her kids and grandkids too.  I just pray for the grandkids,
May God keep them in the hollow
of His hand. It’s so important that they know the Lord.

And another entry

Each Grandchild is special in their own way.
Pray they walk with the Lord.

I will offer a thank offering to you and call on
the Name of the Lord. Psalm 116:17

Mom left a huge prayer warrior hole.

Our Mom had the gift of giving. She loved to make
Sunday dinner for us, every week. Our kids learned good manners
from her. No one took a bite of dessert until she sat down and lifted her fork.

The kids brought their friends and they were welcome. She baked every week including
a pie almost every week for our Dad.  In fact, sometimes she’d mention in her

journal, (and I’m not going to name any names here) so and so stopped by
and ate Rich’s pie today.
And there were a lot of you!

And while our Mom had a pretty structured and disciplined life she did love to
have fun and laugh with us. She loved it when everyone was at their
house or camping together.  She loved to play games with the grandkids.
Until last week she spent time with her bonus granddaughter Lexi, they played
many games over the years.
She enjoyed playing pinochle with friends.  While Dad was the fun parent
he was also the threat of discipline, and all Mom had to say was… Dad won’t like that.
She used that until the week he died.

However, when we needed to discipline our kids, her grandkids, she immediately
came to their defense and always said, it’s ok, he’s all right, or he didn’t
mean to do it, here honey come to Nana.

Mom loved to go to church, she loved Bible study fellowship, LC basketball
and the Seattle Mariners.  She
only clapped for the home runs when watching the Mariners on TV. She loved to read
but only in the evening as the days were for housework and yard work.

Mom loved her friends, her classmates and her cousins.  

Mom loved Jesus and her family and lived her life striving and
praying to trust in God.

We are going to miss our Mom and we are going to miss her prayers.

Lastly, Christmas was special with Mom, she baked everyone’s favorites,
cooked up a storm and had some serious ideas about traditions.  We opened gifts in order,
but first she played the piano and the grand kids had to
sing carols before they could open their gifts.

And now in honor of their Grandma the grand kids will come up
and sing a Christmas carol or six…

Okay then, maybe not.

MIA in May, My Mom, Maryhill and Catching Up

In the ten year history of this blog I have posted frequently, infrequently and with no schedule.  That said, I haven't gone an entire month without a peep.  May was the exception.

In May the teachers are tired and in meetings. I was substitute teaching a lot  Sometimes it's a field trip day. I got on the bus with 67 third graders and went to the Bellingham Light Catcher Museum. I consider it a success as no third graders were lost.

We celebrated Mother's Day and birthdays.  My sister Kathi and Hubby and Max have May birthdays.

My Therapy Thursday gals and I went to Seattle for an over night stay at the Camlin.  We shopped, enjoyed good food, we swam and had some therapy. It was Leslie's birthday so that was a bonus too. It was at the very beginning of May and it's what probably got my body and soul ready for what was to come.

I watched the royal wedding, several times.  It was everything I dreamed it would be for Prince Harry and Meagan and for myself.

Louis Litt was there, in character, he looked as though he was day dreaming about a mud bath or a cat that didn't belong to him.

 I got sick in May, allergies, strep throat, a nasty cold, sinus infection, ear infection, blah, blah, blah.
Doc said I was run down and asked me to lay low for a long weekend.

 In May, my Mom got sick. She was diagnosed with cancer and it is aggressive.  Mom has dementia so we are not treating the cancer.  Hospice has come in to help us keep Mom comfortable.

JUNE

The first weekend in June Hubby had his weekend off so we joined friends in Maryhill for some camping.

 We stayed at Peach Beach RV Park and loved it!

 Hubby and Jeremy were reunited...

We went for a private tasting at Maryhill Winery.  It is gorgeous there and the wine is good.
There were a lot of friends and fun at the winery.

The first  night Jeremy and Rene' made dinner for us and it was crazy good.  We hadn't seen them for months and had a lot of catching up to do over steaks and prawns.

The next night friends came to our site for dinner.  I had gotten a small bucket grill and Hubby used charcoal in it for the pork loin.  It was our first time using it and it works! 

 Hubby mixed some Bee's Knees for a cocktail.  He was busy with cocktails, the pork loin on the charcoal BBQ and asparagus and margarita prawns on the gas grill.

 

We had a good time in Maryhill.  I'll share more next time about our trip home.

I wanted to get the blog caught up and let friends and family know how my Mom is doing.

We got home, unpacked and I went to see Mom that night (Monday).  Mom always says she's fine and has a really beautiful attitude but we know she is experiencing pain and that she is ready to see Jesus.  On Tuesday morning I could tell things were worse for her.  I have two sisters and a brother and we all live close to Lynden.  It is a blessing to share this time with them and my Mom.

At this time we are requesting only visits from family. Please pray for peace and comfort for Mom.

I've missed y'all and I will try to write more regularly again.  Take care-