This is turning out to be a not very good week at the Choban house. Our gas bill has been sky high the last two months. This is summer so we aren’t heating the house. Had Piedmount Gas out two months ago and they said meter reading was ok. Got our last bill Thursday afternoon and it was $170 when it should be $15. There is clearly a gas leak. Had fire dept. out Friday because Piedmount Gas couldn’t come out till today. Fire Dept. couldn’t find a leak so we are thinking meter is faulty. Piedmount Gas comes out today and finds a nail hole in gas pipe in attic from when our new roof was put on. Apparently this is not rare. So now gas is turned off while we wait for repairs this afternoon. Next our 9 year old 50″ TV is dying and needs to be replaced and last Bob has been complaining about itching bites and we couldn’t figure out what was causing them. Gas man goes out to check meter and tells Bob not to come because he has sandles on and English Ivy is full of poison ivy. Bob has been out there cleaning up the area so his bites were really poison ivy. He is very lucky it wasn’t worse. Now we have to find a company to get that all cleaned out and probably replant with new ground cover. Things could have been MUCH worse. House could have blown up or we could have died.
Fay and Bob and their Hobbies
Now that summer is here and we aren’t doing so much volunteering we have time to get back into some of our other hobbies.
I made some greeting cards with the SC flag theme that I really like.
Yesterday I took an oil painting class and made this. I really like it. I have one more oil class next week and two in August.
Bob has been busy wood turning so if anyone needs some pens we have a big supply of beautiful ones as well as some very nice bottle stoppers.
So as you can see we are having fun. My goal is to paint a little something every day. Between watercolor, one stroke, acrylic and sumie that should not be hard.
Recent art projects
Most of my news goes on facebook but I thought a blog post on what I have been doing artistically might be fun.
Here are three of the most recent oil paintings that I did in classes. I have another class coming up in a couple weeks that is lilacs on a black background. Having fun, that is what is important.
This was done with a pallet knife and has lots of texture. I didn’t even know what a pallet knife was when I went to the class. It is 12 by 16. Have to get a frame for it yet.
Here are two more.
Here are three greeting cards I made yesterday with four of my girlfriends at a class at Hobby Lobby. The paper is all cut out so really makes it fun to do. Each card takes about half an hour.
Here are some acrylic paintings I did awhile back.
Helen’s new book is available.
Helen’s new book is done. You can learn about “Living the Good Life at any Age – My life at Walker Methodist” at http://www.usucceed.com/helen/?page_id=109
Information on how to order the book is also on the website. It is a large print book. 76 pages.
Thank you for being in our life
Bob and I want to thank all of our friends that came to Helen’s Celebration of Life and sent us cards. You can’t possibly know how much your love helped us.We are so fortunate to have each and every one of you in our life. Many of you knew Helen. I thought I would share with you what Bob had to say about his mom at her Celebration of Life. She will be missed.
Thank you for coming to what we are calling Helen’s celebration of life. For those of you who don’t know me I’m Bob Choban, Helen’s youngest son, My 2 sisters Barb and Betty are also here,(raise your hand) and our extended family (would all of moms extended family please raise your hands) My older brother passed away a number of years ago.
My Mom was the best, she was always their for me, no matter how much trouble I got into, and I did get into some trouble, it was never my fault, usually, I think it was just bad company, she was good wife to my dad and to Ed bowers who she was with until he died, and I’m sure she was good friend to many of you.
Mother love to talk and tell stories about her life, to anyone who would listen, and she did have an interesting life, she was just finishing up her 3rd book about her life, at 94 she still had a lot to say.
Mother was a person who believe her glass was half full and not half empty. She looked for the best in people. She could get you to laugh with her stories, and she could comfort you if when you were sad. She was always their to support you if you needed it.
The last years of my mothers life were spent at Walker Methodist (Hazel ridge and West Wood ridge)
She truly love the people that worked and lived at these two locations.
Moving from Hazel Ridge(independent living) to West Wood Ridge(assisted living) where she need more help was hard for my mom.
She was on her own, Ed was gone, she was becoming more dependent on the staff and she didn’t want to become a burden to anyone. She was scared about making this last move.
She called me about a week after the move and told me that she was going to be OK, she felt safe again and that was important to mom. She didn’t have to ask for help because people were always asking if she needed help. Staff were also respectful of what my mother’s needs were and never made her feel like she was asking too much of them. I will always appreciate how the staff at these two locations took care of my mother.
I would like to leave you with two things we talked alot about and that were very important mom (Family and helping others).
Mother was very proud of her family, she was proud of what her son’s and daughter’s had accomplished, she was proud of her son and daughters children, and their children, after all she was a great, great great grandmother. That’s five generations of Family.
She was always trying to help people become a better. She once told me She may not be able to change the world, but it she could just help one person change to become a better person, she would be OK with that. And I’m sure there are a few people here who’s live she changed for the better.
So when you go home tonight take a moment to remember the last time you talk to Helen, did she make you laugh, did she console you when you were feeling bad, did she tell you a story about her life, or was she there to listen.
I will miss talking to mom, a lot, but I don’t morn her death, she lived a good long life, and our family appreciate all of you attending this celebrate of my mothers life.
Update on Helen
Bob’s mom Helen passed away peacefully last night. There will be a celebration of Helen’s life on Sat. Nov.26 from 1:30 – 3 at Walker Methodist Westwood Ridge 1 Thompson Avenue West, West Saint Paul, MN. There will be a celebration of Helen’s life on Sat. Nov.26 from 1:30 – 3 at Walker Methodist Westwood Ridge 1 Thompson Avenue West, West Saint Paul, MN.
Bob’s Mom
I haven’t posted anything in quite awhile mainly because most of my blog followers are also Facebook friends and already have heard what I am up to but I know there are some who follow my blog who aren’t on Facebook.
I wanted to let you know that Bob’s mom Helen is very ill. He flew up to MN this morning and his sister Betti also flew in from Fl. We think Helen’s days are very nearly done. She is 94 years old and has had an incredible life and one that gave so much to other people. We talked to her as recently as Friday and she sounded like the cheerful upbeat Helen we have all known and loved. She is suffering right now and tired. As of today she is at United Hospital but they told us yesterday, Wednesday, that tomorrow, Friday, they would be moving her back to her apartment and bringing in hospice.
I’m glad Bob and his sisters can be together with her. Send love our way and I will keep you posted.
