Oregon, a Cold Sore, and 5 lbs.

 I returned from our trip to Oregon with a cold sore and 5 lbs. ( I am not posting pics right now due to a new computer program, but if I wait to post pictures I will forget to post about the trip.  I know that a blog about a trip without pictures is boring.)  Now back to my cold sore and 5 lbs,  I can't blame it all on the trip, I started working on both a few days before we left.   Walt and I took the shuttle to Las Vegas, flew into Portland, and met my brother Tim, wife Ginny, and my sister Robin at the airport.  We then rented a car and drove to brother Steve, and wife Sharon Arnold's home near Newport Oregon.  The trip to their home takes about 3 hours, but it went quickly as we five visited and enjoyed the country as we traveled.  They moved about a year ago from another beach house they owned in Waldport, a small town about 30 miles away.  This different beach house is lovely, but is a little more challenging to get to the beach.   The trail is really down and then really up.  I did okay, but had to take a little breather about half way.  Walt, born with mountain-goat in his blood line, beat us both ways and was waiting while looking at his watch.  I never gave him the pleasure of asking him, "how much slower was I than you?"  Steve and Sharon's home has three floors, so Steve had an elevator put in, which was very helpful for Robin.  I took the stairs most of the time, but forgot the rules of the elevator twice...I forgot to close the sliding door making it not available for the next person on a different floor.  I heard a yell or two from my now elevator-user- brother from another floor.  "SOMEONE FORGOT TO CLOSE THE DOOR.  PENNY?"  I needed the exercise anyway.  We arrived on a Friday and left on a Tuesday.  Sharon was so accommodating, making two perfect meals that could have been on the menu of any Red Lobster, only her meals were better.  It was so sweet to spend time with Ginny, Sharon, and Robin.  I have seen Robin frequently, but Sharon was not been able to attend our Jessi's wedding, so I had not seen her for a long time.  Tim and Ginny have been able to come to our family events, and we have also been able to see them periodically in Boise.  The visiting was sweet.  Saturday we helped celebrate Tim's birthday.  Sunday we attended church.  I loved attending RS with my sisters.  Sharon is in the presidency and conducted.  She shared a sweet testimony of the importance of family.  We had days of  laughter, shared stories, and complete enjoyment of each other.  Monday the weather accommodated Steve, Tim, and Walt a  fishing trip for tuna 50 miles out in the ocean.  They caught 12 huge tuna and had a great time.  Tim still provided deck-hand service even though he started vomiting when his sea-sickness pill time limit was up.  Steve declared Walt an excellent deck hand.  Meanwhile, Robin, Ginny, and I had a great time in Old Newport while Sharon finished an infant seat cover for an expectant grandchild.   Later we all went to a Chinese restaurant, laughed and talked some more.  Sadly, we left early Tuesday a.m. for Portland to catch our flights.   We do not get to see each other often, but when we do it is like manna from heaven.  In my mind's eye, I see  passing into the next world, into paradise I hope, to be a little like spending time with my beloved brothers and sisters for a few days on the coast.