SUNDAY FUNDAY~Mother's Day & Holland's B.D 2024; Longview-WA

We had made plans earlier this week to go to the little church on Willow Street … but we kept it to ourselves in case our plans went sideways; the last time either of us had been in fellowship there, was around Christmas 2022 - before we married.

It was also Holland's Birthday today, so he wanted to visit with family (and Bleu) too, while in the general area - so, I dolled up a bit :-)

Sparkly from head to toe …

I had incoming Mother's Day texts all day, & Holland had Happy Birthday texts.

It was a fun time at the little Kelso church; I like the Pastor and his family … and of course, they know Holland and Crystal very well. So, after service, we visited for a while with everyone - and I was told that Holland had helped redesign and restructure the little church (front entrance: completely totally revamped & the inside also updated). I like listening to people who have known Holland in the Past talking - and revealing bits and pieces of his life before he made me part of it.

Willow Street, Kelso-WA from Ocean Park-WA; 1 hr. 47 min (82.2 mi) via US-30 E

Holland helped with this front construction.

Crystal & me.

Scott & Lana's house is the next block over - maybe 5 minutes away. Crystal joined us for a short visit with her Aunt and Uncle, and cousin Jake; and of course, Bleu was jumping all over her too, when we arrived.

Bleu

Everyone, including the dog was happy with the gathering of The Clan: it was a fun time having Holland, me, Jake and Crystal all together again ;-)

Driving through Longview, on the way back to home on the peninsula, Holland pointed out the houses on the hill that he and his brothers worked on, on "snob hill":

Holland, Scott & Tito did construction work on the pillared beige house & the houses on either side of it.

Passing through Astoria, I laughed when I saw this gypsy house in front of us:

A tiny gypsy wagon; Astoria-OR

It was a good day, today :-)

A good, relaxing drive; both directions.

A good time of Fellowship, friendship, and companionship.

A good time of easy unity - all the way around.

(((THANK YOU, Yeshua!)))

AUNT GAYE~Kingman-AZ; Pt. #2

This morning we had breakfast with Holland's Aunt; we punched her address into GPS, and were happy to note that we were only 5 minutes from her front door :-)

We woke up to this message from her:

Aunt Gaye's Welcome.

We were warmly welcomed, and I was immediately embraced: it felt like coming Home.

Aunt Gaye's house; inside is very comfortable - & she has an outdoor garden area; she's 85 y.o., and still doing everything herself. She's very peppy, upbeat, and mentally sharp.

Aunt Gaye a genteel Southren woman - very tiny (I felt like a giant standing next to her), about 100 pounds (maybe) and very dainty bone structure. Holland whispered to me, "She looks exactly like my mother."

Holland's mother has passed, so I never got to meet her; but from what Holland has told me, she was a good mother and a lovely/Godly woman: and everyone else I have met recently (as well as Aunt Gaye, this morning) echoed that sentiment.

Breakfast was slim compared to what Holland dishes up: but the table as laid out like we were being treated to a feast - that's what southern hostesses do ;-)

I was getting a glimpse into how Holland was raised, and what type of women he'd been around: I'm fairly certain that I am a hostess failure, and will never meet the Southren woman standard.

But I instantly loved this woman; and I left feeling the quick love vibe was mutual.

I'm enjoying my new family branch ;-)

I was happy for my husband.

I was glad to finally have met this woman I've heard so much about.

On our way back to our RV space, we stopped at Wal*Mart … and I saw this cute little flowering bush as I stepped down from the passenger side of Betsy; isn't it a pretty thing?

Pink Fairy Duster.

Pink Fairy Duster: 

(https://garden.org/plants/view/80454/Pink-Fairy-Duster-Calliandra-eriophylla/)

Back Home, Holland treated me to one of his original bachelor foodie concoctions - it was delish:-)

He loves preparing things for me to eat: he spoils me shamelessly.

But, after I ate that tasty sandwich, I said I was going on a diet. His recipes are wonderful … but the extra 30 pounds I've gained is not. All that weight I had shed after Bob's spirit left Earth has returned with a vengeance :-(

It's gotta go: I want to fit my clothes, again.

Holland said he needs to drop weight, too; so we are seriously cutting back on heavy, fatty meals (this sandwich will stay on the Menu, though ;-))

Holland's original Tuna-Egg Salad Sandwich. SO YUM!

TIES THAT BIND~Hanford-CA & Laton-CA

February 10th: Today we drove to Hanford to visit Holland's Uncle George - Holland talks fondly of this man: he loves him.

I took extra time getting ready to walk out the door this morning: first impressions are important; I am not well-to-do (and I did not know Holland's family was, until we were married), but I want them to understand that Holland didn't marry beneath him, and he didn't marry trailer-trash either.

We choose to be road gypsies … and I can clean up real nice ;-)

Sequined blouse - I chose makeup colors that matched the sparkle ;-) Maybelline 'Charcoal Smokes' - Pearly Gray for browline; Lt. Gray for upper lash liner.

Profusion 'Chocolates' Palette - glittery 'Illusion' for overall eyelid color.

Maybelline 'The Urban Jungle'  - sparkly upper right for inner eye accent & bottom lash liner.

'Auburn' Brow Gel; 'Deep Green' Mascara; 'Coral Ardent' crème blush & 'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss.

Necklace & some curling iron magic … and we're off like a herd of turtles ;-)

Yesterday I probably looked worse for wear after 24 hours on the road, sleeping in the truck - and wearing the same clothes … with a quick brush through my hair when I first met Brenda. But today is different. We've had a good night's sleep in our bed, we've showered road dust (and Bleu's stinky mess) down the shower drain, slipped into fresh clothing, and I dolled up a bit before walking out the front door to meet The Family.

Holland said, "They're just normal people Baby; you don't need to worry."

But Holland is a guy: and he loves me no matter what.

First impressions are important when meeting Uncle George ;-)

The atmosphere when we arrived was very welcoming and friendly towards me. I didn't say much because I didn't want to intrude on the tender moments: I just listened and learned more about my husband's early years.

When we drove to Brenda's for Supper, that was a whole other thing, and I opened up more; freely engaging in convo and sharing in the cohesive family unity. I met her husband Jeff (who knew Holland from his boyhood days in Laton), and her two daughters & their husbands. Laughter echoed around the table, and it was almost like I felt I had known those people all my life.

It was a good day, and a good evening.

And we're going to do it again, tomorrow :-)

Coming here was a good decision - we had planned this stop in Laton at the same time we decided to become road gypsies. I'm glad we came; we both needed this heartfelt connectivity - Holland because he missed them … me, because I am Holland's wife, and he is my sole family now: it is good to be accepted, embraced, and included into a loving family unit.

Super exciting Day - we both have been looking forward to this.

Visalia-CA

Hanford-CA from Visalia-CA; 20 min (20.1 mi) via CA-198 E

Hanford-CA:

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanford,_California)

A little background of Holland's ties to this place …

Holland and his Uncle George are tight; George was excited to know Holland is in town.

Holland comes from a strong work ethic background.

We arrived …

The closeness of these 2 … and the love flowing between them had my eyes watering. It was a beautiful thing to see.

Cousin Brenda, Uncle George, & Holland. Together again.

Bleu behaved while left alone in the truck for the majority of the Day; a little freaked out, but no anxiety messes. Thank God.

The sunset on the way home in Visalia-CA, from Laton-CA.

Visalia-CA from Laton-CA; 31 min (28.9 mi) via CA-198 W and CA-43 N

Sequoia National Park KOA Journey~Visalia-CA (Internet Pic)

*BIKER BAR & BRENDA~Quartzsite-AZ to Visalia-CA: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/02/biker-bar-brendaquartzsite-az-to.html