Bridgman Family Update

Dear Brothers, Sisters, and Families,

I am posting this note to let you know about a few family dates upcoming in March and April.

Friday night is family night at Josephine. We thought we could all join Mom and Dad, Friday, March 20th, for dinner to celebrate Dad’s 88th birthday. We will gather at 5:45 p.m. in the cafeteria. You will need to call the Josephine Home at 360-629-2126 to let them know how many from your family will be attending.
Sunday Morning, March 22nd, 10:00 a.m. join in the family work party at Sullivan Road. Wear your “grubs”, bring your gloves, tools, wit, and sense of humor. J Come prepared for barn work, house work, yard work, and bonfire. Hopefully we can “clear the way” for the possibility of the “parentals” returning home, with full time care, for the summer months. Yes, I know it sounds like a lot of work, but we seem to know how to make “work party” more party than work, right? Lunch will be provided.

Easter Agenda
Sunday, April 12th
Smiths’ One Heron Pond
1:00 Dinner
2:00 Hunt
3:00 Walk
4:00 Dessert

Finally, the Easter Sunday Gathering will be observed at the Smiths, Sunday, April 12th. Bring your usual, or call for ideas. “Mystery guests welcome as in the past. “Elmer Fudd along with the Easter Bunny will be in attendance this year, right Bob and Alan?


As you well know, the past few months have brought many difficult decisions and situations regarding our parents. Our sister, Melinda, has done an amazing job at the lead!

Through it all, I really realize that we all have so very much for which to be grateful and thankful. For me, above all else, it is you, my family.
With much love and appreciation,

Candy

Here She Is

Sunny Day Drive

Sorry for no photo but it was a beeeeuuuutiful day in Stanwood and Gramps and Granny went for a sunny day drive to Camano Island with tour guide Tindy. They toured the Utsalady boat launch beach, a site where Gramps and Granny last dug clams together a couple of years ago, gazed at the big pile of snow, aka Mount Baker to the north, got some ice cream sandwiches at the Maple Grove grocery and then traveled on to Sunset Drive for an estate sale. Nothing good there. After that they traveled to the Wade beach place for a look around and a gander at the Olympic range jutting out of the water bright and bold on this clear day. Amazing how ther clear air and skies can brighten your spirits!! On to one more HUGE sale that turned out to be a FIZZLE and then back to Josephine Sunset Home just in time for social hour and entertainment and "guess what" ICE CREAM! Granny rushed in to get hers. Won't eat her mashed potatoes and gravy but she'll break your arm for her ice cream!! GO GRANNY!

Gramps has a swollen area around his surgery incision that is slowly reducing in size. His doctors and nurses are keeping a close eye on it. He is walking all over the place and is not using his wheel chair now, Yeah! Granny is continuing her physical therapy and says she'll quit slacking! Hope so.

Gorgeous picture of Abigail came in the mail today. What a beauty. All in all, a great day.

Tindy

Where are the Bridgmans

Is there any news out there, just wondering how Grandma and Grandpa are doing?
We are doing fine here in Greece, the weather is still a little chilly but I see spring coming in the green fields. Going to the hospital and seeing other children Nik's age makes us realize what a very smart child we have, not only is he physically more advanced than other children his age but intelligence wise he is also more advanced. He understands what you tell him and will for the most part do what you ask of him, of course he is very opinionated and if you ask him to do something he doesn't want to do then he will scream his head off. He knows how to put lids on things, he also helps me put laundry into the washer put then he likes to pull all of the pots out of the drawers. He doesn't speak the word "No" but he can shake his head no and this applies to things that he knows he's not supposed to touch but he will try to touch them and at the same time he is shaking his head no, very funny. He can reach the table and will put things on it and if your not careful will also take things off of it. He can also reach some of our light switches and likes to open and close the lights. He knows the difference between his dog and his teddy bear and will give hugs and kisses on command, he will also blow their nose.

Gramps and Granny

Picked up Gramps at the Red Cross Shelter at Stanwood High cafeteria last night at 9pm. Josephine Home had to evacuate 135 people from the facility and they set up army cots in the gym and common areas. This happened a few years ago and invoves quite an effort for staff, school kids who help and the community. What a field trip!! We decided to pick dad up and granny is happy gramps is coming over, but he and she are still both VERY MUCH on the "bannana peel". It will be a day or two till Josephine will be back to normal and then grandpa and grandma will be going there together for some rehab and therapy. Just yesterday Mike B. and I met with staff to discuss dads progress and goals for both he and mom and the hope that mom can join him soon for therapy. They want to stick together.

It appears that this situation could go on another day or so since the Stillaguamish river isn't expected to crest until late today. All of western Washington is having "Flood Warning". All passes over the Cascades are closed and will be for a day or so and I- 5 south of Olympia has a 20 mile stretch that is underwater and will be for a couple of days. Rocks twice the size of cars are falling onto I-5 near Bellingham. Crazy weather and no school for most schools today.

Alan and Mike B. battened down the hatches, moved vehicles and hay off the farm on Sullivan road. The Bridgman family is glad gramps and granny are not out there on the farm this week!

Tindy

Merry Christmas from New Mexico

Haven't got the pictures yet, but I did want to get in the holiday greeting. The picture will have lots of snow, fried eggs and red chile (you can have that if you have been shoveling snow for days, right?) Bonnie our dog bounding over the snow banks, a snow covered outside Christmas tree, chile lights on the inside tree, an old sled pressed into service to haul in wood from the vanishing wood pile, and our chickens hunkered down in their cozy little chicken house. We even have good company as our neighbors are all snowbound too. Haven't heard of any of you caught in the airports....there's no place like home when the weather is threatening. There are SOME OF US bragging about shorts and flip flops, but we send our Holiday Greetings to all, wherever you may be. Love, Terry and Jennifer

I hang out with a rough crowd. LOL!

It was a cold and wet game, and weekend in Seattle. Were such dieheart fans! Adios Holmgren!