My mom's memorial was held at her house on Sunday. She had an amazing turnout and would have been shocked and touched by the amount of people who came to honor her.
She was an amazing artist. She could draw, paint & create just about anything. She could also bake and decorate cakes beautifully. She has countless ribbons for things entered in the fair. Her talent was unbelievable. The above "phone booth" is a door in her house leading to her phone room (these pictures got a bit out of order - more on the phone room in a minute). The door is so detail oriented, complete with actual phone listings. Just a sample of her creativity.
My sister Becky and I standing in part of my mom's beautiful back yard. She worked her butt off out here for years turning this once bare area into what she called a "park-like setting"
The boys taking a break from the water slide Grandma Patti bought for them to enjoy at the 4th of July picnic. She loved watching them play on it that day and would have loved that they were having so much fun on it at her memorial.
My mom had an amazing phone collection. I'm not sure of the exact count and if I found out I will let you know, but it is ALOT of phones. She has probably anything and everything you could imagine. She has so many that an entire room in her house is dedicated to them. (hence the door) For part of her memorial she wanted her phone room opened up for people to view. It got a bunch of ohh's & ahh's from all that attended. No one could believe all the different phones she has. She would have been SO proud to show them off!
everyone of these are a phone
more phones - and that is just a sample of them!
The guest book
A nice display my aunts set-up for viewing. Some great photos were on display. The black&white book had her childhood pictures. This table also displayed many of her ribbons. It was heart breaking looking through all of these pictures. She was such a beautiful woman. Tomorrow will be one week. It has been a hard week to get through. I am happy my mom was honored with this memorial. xoxo
Patrice Clairlee - Patti - Grandma Patti 4/13/1946 - 8/4/2010
We made time for a quick last minute get-away before school started at the KOA in Willits. There is not much better than the Willits KOA. You can catch the Skunk train right out of the campsite (it runs from Willits to Fort Bragg - a beautiful route - unfortunately we didn't have time this trip but hope to do it next time). Besides the train the place is full of fun family activities more to do in the 1 1/2 days we were there. Like the 5cent beer pictured above that Eddie found...that was a score!! :)
This amazing play structure with obstacles & tubes for days...
a limbo contest - complete with Eddie as a pole holder & Cooper as a contestant
a hula hoop contest Cooper & I entered....damn if we just had our hoops from home we may have won :)...
a petting zoo...
a fishing trip for the boys...
and Cameron caught one all on his own. Even if Eddie warned him being quiet & patient would be hard for him...
a beautiful hike...
still on the trail...
a little water play with dad...
and a bit of relaxing with mom. Yes, our campsite had a private hot-tub! Now that's what we call camping. A much needed trip even if it was short...(oh...we even played pee-wee golf I'm not sure why none of those pix loaded). Soon..back to reality - school & work. Maybe the routine will feel good?! We booked another trip for October - that place was a blast!
