Sleeping at Wal-Mart

We've been trying to sell a house we own in Alabama for several years. Now, we have a buyer, all the papers are signed and closing will be complete as soon as the lawyer gets my notarized Warranty Deed. After several versions of the deed were sent and not sent, I finally had the correct papers to sign in front of a notary.

I headed out to the bank, thrilled to have this finished... but the bank's notary does not do deeds or anything that might be contested. She sent me to a Pak-Mail's notary who happened to be on vacation, but the clerk sent me to a check cashing place where the notary said I would need a lawyer.... A Lawyer?! Get real!

I went to the court house area looking for a law office. Hooray, I found one! No problem, there is a notary... oops, the legal eagle is not in and the notary doesn't understand whether the deed is valid. Hello? That's up to the closing agent, ALL I NEED IS MY SIGNATURE NOTARIZED SO THEY KNOW IT WAS ME WHO SIGNED THE DEED!!

Finally, I went to a title company, praying that God would keep me focused and patient. Maybe it would be easier to load up the dogs in the pickup and drive to Dothan, Alabama with my papers. But God was good and I was soon greeted and notarized and very blessed by a sweet young lady who praised God along with me. Oft, we don't appreciate a blessing until it has been beyond our reach for a while.

So, with the first thing on my list finally finished, I headed for item #2, the post office to overnight my papers to Dothan. Lines were long, but the elderly gentleman who waited on me was smiling and kind... then at last I was out of there and feeling pretty good about it.

Next, I was to go to the storage unit. I found our unit, opened the door and just stood there. I had no clue what I was to get! So I closed the door and left.

The Goodwill was fourth on my list and this time I knew why. There was a large box of give-aways on the seat beside me. I was in and out of there in a flash and on my way to the last stop, Wal-Mart, but I was getting tired, very tired.

As happens to many brain injured people, when I reach a certain degree of fatigue, I must sleep... I mean I MUST sleep. I don't recall falling asleep, but when I awoke I was drenched in sweat and the pickup cab was dangerously hot. I franticly opened the windows, started the engine and turned on the A/C. Then I sat there drinking a hot coke and trying to figure out if I had been inside the store. Never mind, I said to myself, I'm too tired to go in either way.

I'll give Wal-Mart another try tomorrow. I'm so thankful to have that option. The evening has been relaxing and I had a great phone visit with an old friend.

Wee Tiny

I had a special treat today. My daughter Athena came over to spend the afternoon with me. Athena is a delightful person with a rare quality... everyone loves her. She is patently inoffensive. A gentle soul who would never deliberately hurt anyone, I see her as very Christ-like... oddly, she is an agnostic. Please don't read anything into my words beyond the words themselves.

Athena, who was the baby of our large family for years, also has an endearing Peter Pan quality about her. She has always been petite and my mother nicknamed her Wee Tiny. Some of her siblings still call he "Wee." As she approaches 40, she still gets "carded."

Even as a kid, Athena was an individualist, but in a nice way rather than a thumb your nose at society, snotty way. Thankfully, even though she is adorable, she hasn't exploited that into a terminal case of cuteness. She's a woman of depth and intelligence and someone I admire greatly.

I'm so exceedingly honored God chose me to be Athena's mother. Most of her adult life we have lived miles apart and in many ways haven't known one another as adult friends do. I'm sure that there is much about each other we don't know. Now that we live closer together, it's nice to get a chance to know one another better as friends.

My Readers, My Heros

That's right, my readers are my heros. Family members, face-to-face and on-line friends, strangers, fans and detractors, church goers and atheists, more readers than I might have imagined for my noncategorized ramblings... God has taken these words that are not particularly special and caused them to touch lives.

People write, some comment openly, but most use private e-mails, and open up to me in ways I can't explain. They encourage me... even the ones who disagree with what I've said. I learn a lot from my readers and treasure each communication.

I didn't set out to write for any group or person, but just to write, to lend some continuity to my life. It was a private journal and I alone benefitted from it. Then I was asked to do a blog. Pastor Rob thus led me into blogging and later onto a Myspace page. Daughter Athena opened the Live Journal door for me and I fell into the Yahoo thing all by myself.

When Richard gets here next week end, he'll help me set up my office. Then I hope to be able to get back into the swing of things. Right now, the so-called office is piled high with boxes and too much furniture. I can't even find my printer so bought one of these tiny little ones with the cute $29 price tag!

House

I don't watch much TV. I like Monk and the Food Channel plus the occasional show on A & E, Discovery, Animal Planet, etc. I love the Lord but don't care much for Christian TV (admittedly, except for Billy Graham crusades, I haven't seen much of it in a number of years).

Right now, I am looking at, not really following, a show called "House" about an odd doctor. I saw bits of it now and then on my trips to Stanford with Donna. Funny thing that comes through even when you retain only bits and snatches of an episode... the premise is that people will tolerate almost any level of socially unacceptable behavior so long as the outcast gets results in what he does.

The show is no mirror for life, true of most of TV, but to an extent, people do tolerate oddballs if they do something valuable to society or to us personally. From the other side of the coin, social misfits often work to develop some special talent as a redeeming factor. This can be fairly harmless, but I am also considering how some very dangerous deviants have used it to do vast harm. Recall Hitler?

I'm way out on a tangent tonight... too much TV. I think I'll go back to reading Koontz mysteries. Meanwhile, I will remember we are all a bit strange in our own way and even the benign ones draw social censure now and then. It's nice to know someone loves you even when you aren't all together fitting the preferred mold.

Bad Ideas

I've had plenty of bad ideas in my lifetime. Going to Disney's Animal Kingdom with a broken toe comes close to the top of the list. I really didn't begin to experience much pain until I had been there about two hours, and the full impact of my foolish choice didn't hit until I got home.

I have prayed for relief and taken a pain pill... sometimes the Lord wisely lets us learn the hard way. I think I'll stay off my foot for a few days now. End of story; end of blog. Love to all!

The Great Toe Stories

My toes have had a hard life. Over the years I have broken or crushed several of them and once, while dancing in my kitchen, almost tore a small toe off my foot altogether. On Christmas, 1977, I managed to knock a gallon of cider from a high shelf and it landed square on my big toe. It was a heavy glass jug and fortunately didn't break as it broke my "great" toe, as the doctor called that appendage.

The following year, I fell and ripped most of the nail from my other big toe. My "great" toes still aren't looking so great. In fact neither are my other toes. In fact, I broke another toe last night. I had been up to let the dogs out (they are old and sometimes can't make it through the night without going out to relieve themselves), anyway, I didn't turn on the lights and hooked my right fourth toe on the armoire as I hurried back to bed.

I felt the thump and heard the snap and knew it was bone. Turning on the lights, I could see the toe pointing rakishly toward the outside of my foot. Still there was no pain, not until an instant later. Then the pain came, and it was fierce. I see a reason for lots of nerve endings in our hands, but I wonder why God put so many in our feet.

I thought of going to the E.R. but dumped the idea. Why spend the night in a waiting room and pay outlandish medical bills only to learn what I already knew and have the broken toe taped to its neighbor. I already have pain meds for my post trauma head aches, so I self treated.

By far the wildest great toe story is when I a kid. My brother and I were playing in a hay loft and I stuck my toe in a knot hole. It went in easily enough but I couldn't get it out. The knot hole was in a floor board near the eaves of the barn loft and Daddy was too big to get in there to saw the board and free my toe.

To make matters worse, I caused a lot of irritation trying to free my trapped "piggy" and it began to swell. Then someone had the great idea to use water as a lubricant and, well, you guessed it, the dry old wood absorbed the liquid putting an even greater squeeze on my great toe which was growing greater by the minute.

By now I was screaming in pain and fear of more pain, Mama was crying and Daddy was cussing. I'm not sure what Donnie was doing. Earlier, he had been laughing, but he has far too tender a heart to ever laugh at real pain, so I suspect he was silent.

Finally, Daddy attacked the problem from below and got that end of the board off then freed my toe with a hack saw which I was certain would also cut off my toe. God has been merciful and preserved all ten of my mangled toes, but I haven't made the job easy for Him.

They Know Where You Are

It used to boggle my mind that God could know exactly where I was at any given moment. Exactly! Now, we can buy vehicles with GPS (Global Positioning System) technology built right in. "They" (unknown somebodies) can find you no matter where you go, and for a mere $99 ( http://delorne.com ) YOU can find yourself as well. Kind of scary isn't it?

Of course, God doesn't need technology and His powers far exceed anything we might conceive. Indeed, while all the snowballing techno growth of the past 50 years has seemed to make man more "powerful" and leave us shocked at nothing, it also props open the door to accepting God's reality even wider.

We speak in a language of superlatives partly because we live lives of pure wonder. Consider a "time traveler" from the time of Christ. Imagine his reaction when someone flicks a light switch and a room of gloom instantly becomes brighter than day. "Let there be light," assumes new meaning. He understands it better than we do. We've taken it for granted far too long.

God doesn't need the switch, wiring, generator or anything beyond the sheer force of His Word, but let us not miss the wonder that God wrote the laws of physics and it is He who inspired the mind of man each time a ray of inspiration lit the way to techno progress.

I sit here in my cozy Florida kitchen typing words which will be readable all over the world the moment I upload them. Amazing! My Father, the King of the Universe, however is "reading" my thoughts even before they are formulated on the screen. Miraculous! How I do enjoy the marvels God has made available to us, most especially Himself, for He is the greatest marvel of all!!

Write Now

I've been having trouble getting something written every day. I wait too late and instead of just sitting down and starting to write, letting the words go where they will, I've been trying to "plan" what to say and make logical transitions from one thought to the next. The energy and concentration needed for that is daunting and I end up not writing at all.

To remedy that "writer's block" kind of situation, I'm making a commitment to write something daily (okay, I've already broken that promise, but am trying again) even if I'm tired, it's late or I have nothing to say... when do I have nothing to say? Hah! No matter what, I'll just write... NOW!

I'm getting acquainted with some of the locals. This morning I joined a group of ladies at the pool for aquatic exercises and will work out with them most mornings. I have a lunch date with some ladies for Wednesday. We had a huge thunder storm this afternoon and in the midst of it our next door neighbor dropped by to invite me over. I visited with them as we waited the return of electricity and they sent me home with stew and freshly baked oatmeal bread.

I am searching for a home church, but a final choice won't be made until Richard is here since it is obviously a joint decision... actually, we'd both prefer that the Lord did the choosing. I am praying about that. He has always led us where He would have us and I trust He will do so again.

I am church hungry. I didn't attend last week nor the week before and I feel malnourished. I have long said that to be spiritually well fed and healthy, we need a balanced diet of Prayer, Bible study (with the Lord as the teacher), Fellowship with other believers, and Corporate Worship. This, of course, is what God prescribes in His Word. Well, I have to admit I have not had a very balanced spiritual diet since we moved. My daily prayer and Bible times have been cut short or missed altogether. There has been little or no fellowship with other believers and I have missed church... not good. Not good at all. Definitely time for a change!

Jet Lag

I am once again home... Florida home. For the past few days, I've been California home... for the last time, really. Richard will complete the last part of our move next week end. Then we will be Florida residents all round.

I arrived at the Sacramento airport yesterday morning and at the Orlando airport this morning... flight delays, changes of connections, typical air travel stuff, I guess... and once again, I slept all day after my arrival. The sleep of the near dead. The sleep that dries out the open mouth and makes the throat sore. The sleep in which there is no repositioning of the body so when one is finally roused, not all one's parts wake up at the same time.

I am still very tired. God is teaching me, slow learner that I am, to listen to my body, so as I praise His name for a safe trip home, for a home to come to, for a wonderful daughter who took care of our dogs (the Aliens) and found me at the airport this morning... as I praise God for all this and for you, I will bid you good night and go back to bed early. I am Jet Lagged!

Dateline: Galt, CA (again)

That's right, I made it back to Galt. My sweet daughter and world traveler, Athena, took me to the airport, even going the extra mile and getting me right to my boarding gate. On the way, security decided to search my luggage, apparently they thought I looked like a terrorist masquerading as a chubby grandma.

From insiders, I learned the best way not to get confused and lost while changing planes or just starting and ending your journey is to ask for a wheelchair. Give the attendant your boarding pass and they will get you to the right place and see to it you actually get on the plane. When you arrive at the next place, there is another wheelchair with your name on it. What a blessing! My handicap is not in my legs, but it is indeed a handicap nonetheless, and the wheelchair solves the problem perfectly.

Customer service and convenience is not so wonderful in other aspects of the flying express, however. All the people I dealt with were friendly and helpful. The ability to check in online and print out my own boarding pass is fantastic, but the flights were not so great. The seats are tiny and I felt quite cramped. They served two small cookies and offered some soda, coffee, water etc. Or you caught BUY a meal big enough for a toddler... On a coast to coast flight!

In days long past, train passengers rode in elegant coaches and dined on gourmet food served on fine china. Airlines, too, offered perks to the traveler not so many years past. But alas, there is little to attract the would-be air passenger except speed and the fact that you can often fly cheaper than you can drive. What a sad commentary on the joys of getting from one place to another. No wonder cruise ships are so popular. They are the last truly elegant means of travel. I wonder how long it will be before they are also serving a $5 meal in a skimpy cardboard box.

But enough with the complaining already! I flew in safety and the Lord gave me several chances to witness. I am here. I slept all day yesterday after getting here, but have had a perky day today. We enjoyed dinner prepared for us by dear friends. Donna is here and, like us, is sleeping on the floor. I've had a great day, praise my precious Lord!

Long Day

Somehow it has taken me all day and actually into the night to do three things: buy a bag of dog food, buy a few things at Wal-Mart and find my way to the turnpike so I can take the dogs to Athena's in the morning. I didn't realize this last part right away because I didn't realize what today was so I didn't know I was leaving tomorrow... also I didn't know it was Athena's birthday!

I had found where to go for dog food on the internet before leaving the house. It only involved two turns so I was in good shape. Too bad I forgot to bring my purse. Once I got the pet food, I figured out what day it was and called Athena. Then I was off to find the toll road. I thought I knew how to go but got to the wrong toll road. I asked a lady who gave directions which I forgot before I could follow them.

Then I saw Kohl's. It was raining hard so I went in to look for bargains rather than continue my lost wanderings in the downpour. I bought two items (I forget what) and was again on my way. Some time later, I found the toll road. Trouble is I have no idea how I got there because I had been lost when I found it. Oh well.

Now, I needed to get to Wal-Mart to get some snacks to eat on the plane. Richard said they only gave him a small bag of peanuts. It took a while to find the Supercenter and once inside, my brain was about fried. I don't know how long I was in there. I didn't have my vibrating timer to keep me on task, so things were not good. I ended up taking some time out in the rest room. Then later I spent some time sitting in a dressing room.

It was dark by the time I left the store and I spent almost an hour looking for the pickup. I'm home now, exhausted. Not yet packed and too tired to figure out how to pack. My alarm is set for 4:00 am. I am thankful for this day of trials. I know God helps me learn patience and endurance this way. I pray tomorrow's lessons are easier.

But you know, I just realized, I am smiling as I type this... I am tired, yes, but not defeated for I am born up on the wings of God's love and I know He cares about all this nonsense. It helps me keep holding tightly to His hand.

Treasures

Today it dawns on me that five in my family have birthdays this month. Some of them have already passed. Each of these dear ones is a treasure, but I haven't made them feel treasured. I've tried several systems to jog my memory, I had our family mailing list sending out notices but it hasn't been doing that lately for some reason. Even when I got the notices, I usually don't know what day it is, so still missed the birthday honors.

Until Alzheimer's took over, my mother never missed a birthday, anniversary, graduation of other special day. There was always a card and a poem and a $1 bill. Rarely did anyone say thank you to her. When I remember (finally) to send birthday blessings, few folks acknowledge them, either.

Are we so busy we don't take time to show we care? Or is it like me. Someone blesses me, I say thank you, I think about a thank you note or letter to say how much I love them... but the thought never turns to action and the busy-ness of life crowds in until the thought lies in the back of my mind crushed by the weight of my to do lists.

So, today as I prepare the cards and small gifts for my July treasured ones, I will pray the Lord will lead me and enable me to relay to folks just how much I treasure them, each for their own place in my life and each for their unique personhood,.. but my most fervent prayer is that each would see themselves through Jesus' eyes. How life changing would that be!?

Open Windows

I read what I wrote yesterday. BAD! Spelling, syntax, grammar... all of them took a licking. This evening, I hope to be kinder to the reader and the language.

My windows are open! This is a wonderful house and I love almost everything about it... but the windows would not open. I am a fresh air freak and much prefer open windows to moderate temperatures, so I called a mobile home repair company to get estimates on several little things needing done, including my windows.

Oh sure, I could have done it myself, or perhaps not. Turns out, it was quite a project. I began to wonder if these windows were even intended to open, but after over two hours of steady work all but one window is open and I am delighting in the fresh smells and sounds wafting through my house.

Stately sand cranes often strut through my yard or settle down to rest under my electric "gas" light. Their unique warble lends a "wilderness" air to the place. Indeed, all but one of my windows look out on trees. I feel very close to nature here. It would be easy to forget I even have neighbors.

God has blessed me exceedingly. I have all I need and indeed, all I truly want... I do covet this, however, I would ask you to pray with me that a loving home be found for Hunter and Sherwood. These are two very fastidious neutered male cats who must be indoor pets and must stay together. I love them and cannot have them here. I know God has someone for them, please ask that He lead that someone to step forward.

Bonding

I'm slowly bonding with this house, the park, the town and area and well as its people., My across the road neighbors are very nice. Directly to the east of us is Arthur (who spotted us in the market the other day. He and his wife Dee offered to drive me to the airport, Very nice of them.

I have travelled all over the nation and visited many places not found in the tour guides. Even lost in Harlem at three AM with an 18 wheeler, my tenet held true. One thing is true, much of the way people are treated relates to how they expect to be treated.

I generally expect to be treated well and usually am. Richard laughed at me for being so shocked that someone was "in your face" rude to me at Kim's wedding. But he also agreed that he knew no one who would be overtly aggressive or rude to me. He has his own theories as to why. I am just pleased that it is so. I think I can thank my mama for most of it. She was Mrs. Manners to the Max and I believe that good manners are the keys to victory and good treatment no matter where you go.

Oh, I'm sure you've put it all together by now... proper manners are an outgrowth of following Jesus. They put the Bible into practice and are based on me, not the other person. It is my responsibility to set the standard and keep it,

So, now I am getting settled and feeling at home here... and I like it very well. People are good everywhere and I look forward to meeting more of them here. I do, nonetheless miss those far away dear ones I love. God has made me feel pampered and special, He's letting me know, I am indeed the King's daughter

Catching Up

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Shiner


A few days ago I noticed my cheek hurt and felt a longish lump. I didn't remember hurting myself and thought maybe I bumped my glasses into my cheek. The day after my cheek was turning blue and I was sporting a black eye with a purple line below it. Now it is a large bruise and continues to be painful. Obviously a bump this hard by my glasses would have broken them. So, it's a mystery how I got hurt.

Brain injured people don't do well with chaos and clutter, so moving is especially problematic. I have tried to mitigate the clutter by unpacking a box at a time, but that has not really worked well and I find myself frequently overwhelmed. I sleep a lot, probably a self defense mechanism set in motion by a tired brain.

I don't have Richard here to help keep me together, so I am often confused and can't seem to stay on task. It doesn't really surprise me that I have no memory of how I got hurt, but it does concern me that I've had another whack on the head. I don't need that! It's also disturbing that I really don't know much about the past several days. I by the receipts that I went to Wal-Mart, but I don't remember going. I checked the pickup to be sure I had not had an accident in it. No new dents, thank goodness.

I am thankful that God has taken good care of me and I am feeling pretty clear tonight. I thought I had published the "catch up" blogs I wrote but see I have not, so you will need to go back about a month. Maybe I'll be able to keep up now.


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Tuesday, July 04, 2006

A Day to Remember

It had cost less than $200 to buy Richard's plane ticket back to Sacramento. I drove him to the airport as we had practiced and made it home without getting lost. I didn't go in the terminal. He will stay and work in Galt until the end of the month.

I worked on unpacking and brought more stuff from the storage unit until the Florida heat and humidity got the better of me. Then, as I was thanking the Lord for this country and that I was born here, I decided to go see the fireworks and laser light show at Epcot (part of Disney World).

Since I am now a Florida resident, I could buy a discounted ticket. I bought a one year pass. I love Disney World! The place was packed and people were staking their claims on good viewing spots two hours before the show. Tired from walking, I joined them and got acquainted with my tourist neighbors... a couple from Michigan and a family from Cleveland. I was able to share Christ with all of them but there were no decisions made. I trust the Holy Spirit to see that those seeds get watered.

Oh, I almost forgot! I could see Discovery's launch and breakaway from my back yard. It's actually pretty small in the sky but the flare is visible.

What a blessed day this was. God knew it would be hard for me to see Richard leave, so gave me a day and night of wonders to enjoy. The Disney display was the most intense I've ever seen.

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Saturday, July 01, 2006

Hoeppner Movers LOLC

Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

We could begin new careers. Athana is an able mover who put me quite literally to shame. Hoeppner Movers LOLC -- NO, NOT A LIMITED LIABILITY CORP ALTHOUGH WE'D PROBABLY HAVE TONS OF LIABILITY, OOPS I'M ON CAPS LOCK AGAIN. But we could be the Laughing Out Loud movers, Moving will eventually drive one mad, so we could be the zany, sweaty, giggling and goofy movers who will make your relocation a thing to rememmber.

My brother, Donnie, says three moves is equal to a burnout. I think he's underestimating. One long move pretty well does the job all by itself.

Having so much of our stuff was a huge blessing. Seeing so much of our stuff still in storage is a huge eyeopener! We will need to buy at least two more houses. I've heard that Less is More... Well there you go!

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Friday, June 30, 2006

The Day Snatchers

Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

I've lost Friday. There are no Friday notes, either. Maybe the Aliens stole Friday, Works for me. I have some days they can take. July 17, they can have that day. I'm flying to California then. I will see my doctors and friends and cats... but no lawyers. They once more cancelled the deposition. I think l I'll sick the Aliens on them and let the squat, little creatures redo their legal calendars.

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Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Alien Homecoming

Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

We lived for a week in a cheap motel while house hunting, but our two English Bulldogs were not welcome there. Athena and Brian babysat our squat little canine friends, noting they looked more like aliens than dogs.

We missed the Aliens, but they had a pretty good time of it with lots of tasty treats and plenty of pampering. Richard went to pick them up while I did some things on the computer. There was internet access at the motel but we wouldn't be getting it at our house until Monday.

The Aliens inspected their new home. "Where's the doggie door," they asked, "and why isn't our food and water in the living room?" They liked the storage shed and the spot where the sun shines through the skylight to the kitchen floor. Snooks loves the Florida or Lanai room (who can keep up with these artsy terms?) but Higgins' favorite spot is in a corner of the living room behind a round table.

They wanted their beds placed next to our bed just like in California. It's good to have the Aliens back home with us. We're thankful God made them part of our family. They have learned many things from Athena and Brian who have the best cared for and trained animals I know. Now they are applying the training to us and have us almost where they want us.

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Monday, June 19, 2006

We're Home!

Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

We found a house one afternoon and closed the next morning. This date was our first night in our new home. The best part of all is there are no mortgage payments. We heard some good advice, "Live below your means." With God's help, we plan to do just that, and we are so blessed to have found a very nice, albeit small, house in a beautiful manufactured home community (they don't call them trailer parks any more) with a large pool and lots of "amenities."

Some of you know how much I love trees. This house has big, tall trees on three sides! It's the only one in the park like that although there are lots of trees throughout the park. Another bonus: 10 miles to Disney World; about 50 miles to Athena's place.... close enough to enjoy, far enough not to be a nuisance or get in the way.

It's so nice to have our own home again! I can paint or decorate any way I like... only one problem here, a pet limitation of 2. We have 4. We're looking for a loving California home for our two gentlemen cats who really didn't want to ride 3000 miles in a car anyway. Pray about that with us, please.

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Monday, June 19, 2006

Homeward Bound

Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

We stopped by Crystal's again on the way east (going to our unknown new home). She looked terrible and indeed, as we were to learn later, she was rehospitalized that same day with another clot. We have been in much prayer about that.

Sort of puts all the rest in perspective...

We are all homeward bound. Now, the issue is which eternal home are we bound for?

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Sunday, June 18, 2006

Family Reunion

Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

Two years in a row, we have involved a wedding with the family reunion. Last year Richard and I renewed our vows in Las Vegas at reunion time and this year Kim and Steve wed at reunion time. We've also had several weddings in between. Love is in the air.

Actual family reunion functions this year were a brunch and the Renaissance Festival. Both were good but sparsely attended. After the brunch, we stopped by Kim and Steve's very posh digs in Castle Rock.

Still tired from the trip and the wedding, we didn't last long at the festival. We had promised Crystal to come by her place. Jim and June were there and Crystal wanted us all to play cards. We stayed and played and she mentioned several times how much it meant to her.

We spent the night with Sam and JW in Eaton. Sam is a long time friend who is family to us. He was blinded in an accident some years back. Sam and we (Richard and I) have helped take care of one another over the years, emotionally, monetarily and other ways.

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Sunday, June 18, 2006

Family Reunion

Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

Two years in a row, we have involved a wedding with the family reunion. Last year Richard and I renewed our vows in Las Vegas at reunion time and this year Kim and Steve wed at reunion time. We've also had several weddings in between. Love is in the air.

Actual family reunion functions this year were a brunch and the Renaissance Festival. Both were good but sparsely attended. After the brunch, we stopped by Kim and Steve's very posh digs in Castle Rock.

Still tired from the trip and the wedding, we didn't last long at the festival. We had promised Crystal to come by her place. Jim and June were there and Crystal wanted us all to play cards. We stayed and played and she mentioned several times how much it meant to her.

We spent the night with Sam and JW in Eaton. Sam is a long time friend who is family to us. He was blinded in an accident some years back. Sam and we (Richard and I) have helped take care of one another over the years, emotionally, monetarily and other ways.

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Saturday, June 17, 2006

Wedding Day Passions

Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

Movies and plays love to delve into the undercurrents as families gather for weddings or funerals. Kim's wedding would have made a GOOD MOVIE.

If you read an ealier version of this blog, please note that prayer has brought a change in me (as always) and I no longer want to share the day as I had.

The dinner and dance were well planned and flawlessly presented. Kudos to all involved! The dance floor was a showplace. For the most part, the dancers were from the bride's side. Athena was amazing. Even Richard cut a rug. I wisely abstained.

I had planned to paint a wedding portrait for Kim and Steve, so was watching for the traditional post wedding photo shoot. It happened, but we know not where or when. So, I decided to try to get the new couple to pose for a few shots I could use as a model for my painting. I hung on the fringes, waiting for a break. Silly woman! These are the stars, the bride and groom, there isn't going to be a convenient time to break in.

Then someone called for us to pose with the couple. Okay, now's my shot... Not! Someone yelled in my face (no one does that to me... no one ever HAD done that to me). I just stood there a moment, expecting to hear an instant, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that!" Nothing.

Jesus said, "Turn the other cheek." I took my other cheek right on outa there. And here's the rub... when I got to the table, in a voice full of gall I said, "I've had enough of this. Let's get out of here." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the groom's father walking by. He obviously heard my hateful remark. BUT I DIDN'T CARE! Now I care. Now I care a great deal and have no idea how to mend the wound I inflicted on that innocent man.

Back at the hotel, Norman, Taunya and I had a long visit in their room. Then I went to the lobby looking for Richard so I could get into our room. I, per usual, had lost my key. I ran into Kim at the elevator and told her my picture problem. She took me to the bar where the reception was continuing. The gallant groom offered to re-don his tux so I could take photos but I just took some shots as they were. I'll make it work.

I had taken some of Crystal's morphine at the dinner but the headache was pounding it's way through my brain again. I don't remember getting back to our room, but I'm sure I was glad the day was over.

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Friday, June 16, 2006

Almost On Time


Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

From the start, we had a deadline. We needed to arrive in time for the wedding rehearsal and dinner. WE PUSHED HARD! We made the dinner... tired and dirty.

Our daughter, Kim was getting married. From the very beginning, she kept telling us how this was a special time for Steve's folks since they had two sons and this was the first wedding. I wish we could have found a way to tell her that is was just as special for us. The second or third or tenth child's wedding is just as important and special as the first. They don't water each other down.

Like their son, Steve's parents were gracious and personable. We were really just too tired to do much socializing, though. We were thrilled to see some of our own kids and grandkids, but as in any party setting, visiting was pretty much impossible.

Tami worked the room, Kim tended to details, they were both poised and stunning, as always. For some reason I was reminded of a long ago dinner at the Utah governor's mansion. Perhaps not stunning ( I was never stunning) I had been poised and quite comfortable holding my own with the hoi paloi of that day. I felt a twinge of sadness as I realized I will never be comfortable and perhaps not capable in such a setting again. I was worried here that I might embarrass my children by forgetting what was being talked about, repeating the same question or story, or even worse, flooding. We left early.

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Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Gone Truckin'


Written later from notes and memories (mine and Richard's)

We finished loading the truck... not because everything was on board, but because there was no more room. We had given away nearly all our furniture and still this huge truck was stuffed and there were piles of things yet to be loaded. We agreed with one another that we just had too much stuff.

Donna and Bev had spent most of Tuesday helping us clean, pack and load... or maybe it was Wednesday. I'm not sure. But I do know this, without their help we could not have done it!

It was late when we pulled away from 907 Koralla and we were both almost PATHOLOGICALLY EXHAUSTED. Richard drove the U-haul and I the pickup. Each of us had a bulldog in the passenger seat. Stressed from the excitement of two days of loading, the dogs were as tired as we.

Richard paid over $100 for a room in some resort hotel before we even got out of California. I was tired and grumpy and the key card to our room didn't work. I was desperate for a rest room and feeling pretty put out. My honey was dead tired, too, but was gentle with the young desk clerk who was new and having trouble. I could learn much from my sweet hubby.