Kintropy In Action

We had an exciting weekend.

It started Friday, Auntie O, Zadie, the kids and I went to the Portland Zoo. It was a day of mist with a few sun-breaks and a nice sixty something degrees. I dressed the kids up in layers and put tiger ears on Gabriel, slugged rain-slickers on Hannah’s chair and off we went. We all got on the Max and rode to the zoo.

When we got there we had to buy umbrellas, very UN-native of Portland of us but the umbrellas were adorable. We bought Gabriel a tiger one, Zadie a ducky one and Mommy a swirley black and white patterned one. Auntie laughed at all our choices and gushed over Gabriel’s cute-ness.

The zoo had a new improvement I loved. The mountain goat exhibit now leads into the Northwest exhibit and down through to the zoo. The path is a great modern one with hands on activities for kids in between exhibits. It use to be that the mountain goats were a little alcove of an exhibit then a person backtracked to the main thorough-fair that lead down through the sealions to the zoo.

The highlights were Hannah’s fascination with the fish and the running children. Gabriel actually noticed some of the exhibits he usually is all about going up and down stairs and pushing buttons for automatic doors. We saw a rebellious falcon from the wild bird show. The bears were sleeping the whole time. The sealions were spectacular and kept both kids riveted.

Saturday, my dad came over to help us shop for stuff for the camping trip Gabriel and I are taking with him next weekend. Meanwhile Robert and Hannah had gone off on their trip to the Saturday market.

We did a slight detour while Dad helped me tidy up the front rooms and did his laundry. (He’s on a business trip and staying in a hotel. It’s kind of the college kid coming home on the weekend thingey in reverse) Murphy’s friends the Gremlins decided to make themselves known. When we were ready to go to the store we realized the back passenger tire was flat. I pulled out an air compressor slash backup battery, to blow up the tire, the battery was drained. So I plugged it in. The pressure needle wasn’t moving. So we pulled it back off and I ran it against my hand. It was moving air the meter just wasn’t registering. We put it back on the tire. After a few minutes we were not reassured so Dad and I hauled out the spare tire to the rent-a-car. We pulled out the jack but could not get it open. It was some type of metal puzzle with sharp edges. Being a rent-a-car it had no manual in the glove-copartment to reveal the secrets of the jack. So we put it back and dad reattached the pump while I went looking for a tire place in the yellow pages. I found a place near restaurants and a place we could get camping gear. I called them. The woman who answered was sunny and easygoing. "Bring it in!"

I love Les Schwab

We accomplished our goals. Yeah!

Sunday, Father’s Day we went to the Portland Beaver VS Salt Lake Bees baseball game. Gremlins visited us again. Before we got to the Max I noticed Hannah’s Kid Kart was missing that part again, which is called a Tee Nut – Brad Hole. It is a pivotal piece in Hannah’s wheelchair. I called the extended family and told them we would meet them at the ballpark. We had to do a detour to Lowe’s. The kids and Robert stayed in the car while I ran in and bought several of the pieces. I’m going to keep a couple of them in her supply bag from now on.

I fixed the cart.

Then we were off. We met the family at the park. We were still early enough for the free father baseball hats. The doors hadn’t opened yet. We loaded up on snacks and found our seats. We sat all together with Hannah in the wheelchair access area. I usually dislike sporting events but I actually had fun. There were enough adults to take turns walking and amusing the kids. And the game had a great deal of action. Bases were stolen, there were double plays while pitcher's arms got worn out.

At one point Robert and I were making up dialogs about what was going on when the catcher was talking to the pitcher. I think it’s left over from being in a couple of surgeries and knowing that people don’t always talk about work. We figured the Bee’s were talking about going to enjoy Portland’s nightlife after the game since they were coming from Mormon Country.

The ballpark was full of families and smiling faces.

We went to leave early before the Max got full. My son of course had other plans. I just asked him if he needed to use the bathroom he said "yes". It took him awhile. I finally threatened that we would get locked in the park if we didn’t get moving. That didn’t sway him. "That’s ok Mom, they have plenty of food here."

"The food places close Gabriel they won’t be open" Suddenly there was a flush.

We got to the Max platform right when the train we wanted arrived. I ran for the ramp button and pushed it. This started the rap moving, giving everyone time to make it to the train. We were all tired but our day was not done yet.

Bubbie had arranged a barbecue at the Hotel Robert’s extended family is staying at. So we headed off to our separate cars and told the family we would be there, we just need to do a quick stop at home to pick up a few things.

When we get to the hotel the clerk seems unaware of the barbecue and where it is going to be. So we headed to their hotel room. While logistics were being discussed, I laid Hannah on the floor. That is all she wants after several hours of sitting up. I started a feed by hand with a syringe.

Everything was figured out and we moved to the clubhouse for the barbecue. They went to start up the grill. Guess who has paid another visit? Those silly little friends of Murphy, the gremlins have absconded with the propane. The grill is out of propane. Even though Robert’s parents checked about its use on Wednesday nobody checked if there was any fuel for the grill. Zadie and Uncle K went to get a refill. Hannah was exhausted and I was not so fresh either. Robert and I decided it was best if one of us took her home. I took Hannah home. Hannah and I finished the night with giving her a bath. I coated her in lotions and did her stoma care. While Hannah watched Laurie Berkner, I finished with a game of chocolatier, my new little addiction.

Even though Murphy tried. We had a great weekend.

I’m ready for bed.

---Mom