Tim elected not to go to Oregon again this year. I think he was enjoying his freedom and had started working at CompUSA where Faith worked. So Angie chose another friend to go with her---Holly---another good tag a long.
Had to make a trip to the coast. It was cold---even in the summer.
It was a really neat, albeit relatively small, zoo.
Back in Oregon, we did another day trip into the mountains to Clear Lake. Took our nephew Daniel with us.
We even took Mom into Walmart---the only time she was taken shopping in the 32 years she was paralyzed! I can't imagine how hard it was for her to be paralyzed for 32 years!!! Or for Dad to be her 100% caregiver for 32 years! (although I found out what it's like to be a caregiver for Ken for over 7 years when he was dx with Charcot's foot and then Glioblastoma a few years after he retired).
Our flight home was delayed several hours, so the airline put us up in hotel rooms. Ken was anxious to get home and back to work since 300 supervisors were let go while he was gone, but his job was spared. But he didn't want to get off to a bad start.
I happened to come across a travel ad in our local paper for air fare and hotel for 5 nights in Waikiki for $599@. Sounded like a good deal to me, so I showed it to Ken. To my surprise, he said ok. so before he could change his mind, I booked it---and extended our stay for 7 nights and upgraded our room to a studio for another $20/night extra. Carolyn and Tom even bought the deal for 5 nights. I'd always wanted to go to Hawaii, but never really considered it someplace we could afford to go to. So glad we went!!!! It was the start of many more trips to the islands.
Getting ready to take a submarine ride. I was surprised how light it is 100' down.
Another day we rode around the island a bit---stopping here at Byodoin Temple
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I wasn't really surprised that I loved Hawaii, but I was surprised at just how much I loved it! I thought this would be a once in a life time trip. 20+ trips to Hawaii later , I still love it!
Our house is paid off! Not bad, 42 and my house is paid off.
Tim working for Knowles AC and later for CompUSA now, along with Faith. He's also going to UMSL now.
I started the year with a sore throat and infection that kept coming back for a couple months. So sick of being sick!
Feb. Ken's Mom and Leroy got married again, this time in the CAtholic church in St. Ann.
March---I found a great travel deal to Hawaii for $599 air and accommodations. AFter Ken approving, I booked us a trip there for Nov. of this year---our 1st trip to Hawaii! Spent months studying up on it.
I'm still working for the Flower pot and Prestige. Ken just got notice that 300 people will be laid off soon. Now to see if he's one of them.
April---Tim and Faith still growing their relationship. Tim even bought her an engagement ring and will be proposing soon. She was probably the first real long lasting girlfriend I remember Tim having. I guess he was waiting for the best.
April---Angie's Jeep SUV has been a money pit. So finally getting rid of it and getting her a different car---found a program car '97 Ford Contour with 23,000 for $10,000. Used my "Italy senior trip for Angie" for the down payment and Angie agreed to pay the $100/month insurance on it.
Angie still working at Stef's. She'll call before leaving. On a few occassions, I'll hear Tim having a nonsensical conversation with her on the phone where neither says anything---but we know she's on her way home then.
I went to MOBOT with Tim and FAith to see the Spring flowers, then we went to dinner at the Bevo Mill---their first time there and my first time for dinner. WE were feeling a bit underdressed but had a great dinner. They even had a violinist going table to table playing music.
By now Angie was a Jr. in high school. One of her activities was hockey manager---Kevin was on a team. Here she is at one of the games.
May---Mark asked me to come in to work and learn to use their Bronica's for team photos. That started the many trips to track one down before my assignments until I broke down and bought my own while in Oregon one time.
Mother's Day---Tim got me a beautiful pair of gold hoop earrings; Angie got me a cute Precious Moments figurine. BAr b Q at MaryAnn's. She even gave me her Grandmother's or Great Grandmother's wedding band.
May 16---dinner at Mr. Steak with Ken. Tim got me Russell Stovers. Then I worked a prom.
June 9---ANgie's last day of school as a Jr.
Ken finally bought a new computer!
The summer before her Senior year she had her senior portraits taken. By then she was also working for Prestige (in an office doing receptionist work) so we got quite the deal on her portraits.
Tim and another band
Turned out to be a really good team! The girls all got along great, too.
Angie's senior year started up! No softball foleys with the ignorant McCluer softball coach. She decided to go out for volleyball instead. Made the team---not surprised since their sports teams aren't very good. They sure could use some better coaches! But she got to play and got along with her teammates.
Tim and Faith have been officially engaged for a few months, but still no word on when they're getting married. (Turned out to be Feb. 15, 2003)
Ken and I got to a timeshare presentation (for some knives, or something) and ended up buying an EOY at Pahio Kauai Beach Villas. Not so much for going there, but to exchange and go elsewhere. But in 2001 we decided to check Kauai out and fell in love with it!
I also caught 2 more weekend special fares to Oregon in Oct.-Dec.
Somewhere along the line, my Cutlass blew a gasket, so we bought a "new" dark green '95 Cutlass Supreme with 40,000 miles for $10,000
And another year flies by
