Highs & Lows

A busy Saturday filled with highs and lows. I cleaned at the church, as usual, and enjoyed it, as always. Then I spoke for a long while with Wilma's friend about her death and her life. Wilma doubted any of her family would attend her services which she had already planned. No one in the family had known she was terminally ill with cancer, not her brother, not her son... no one. I praise God for her friends from her church and especially for the lady I spoke with who was with her and cared for her.

At varied times during the day and evening, I spoke with several family members about Wilma and her final arrangements. My heart especially went out to Norman and Willie (now known as Floyd). I wish I had just the right words to bring comfort, but I don't. I can only say I care, and pray for them as they deal with the shock and the pain (whether or not it is immediately recognized as such).

Later, I went to a new beauty shop near our house. Got a hair cut I really like and had my hair dyed, which I am not so proud of. It is peach colored and that is not what I was aiming at! They told me to come back next week for a redo. I plan to!

Next, I met Richard at Downtown Disney where he left his pickup in the parking lot and changed clothes while I drove to the Ravenous Pig Gastro Pub. We were to meet Athena and Brian there to celebrate his graduation and great new position with UCF. We were all quite impressed with the food, service and environment. We'll definitely go back to that one!

And my day was like this...

• 08:30 Leaving to go clean at the church. Have a strange sore on my foot.
  

Blogless

I've been blogless. What happens to the days? For my own sake, I'll try to catch up. My last post was Monday, May 26, so...

Tuesday, May 27
Richard and I drove to Lakeland to have my new dentures "adjusted." I had little hope. They were so bad I could not even put them in my mouth and I had not exactly gotten off on a good foot with the doctor and his staff because the first set he made was off center and the bite could not be resolved, hence a remake.

I had had a pleasant phone visit with one of the staff when I called for my appointment. We talked about Tia's trip from Japan, the assistant's native country. It turned out she was the girl I had frightened on an earlier visit when I held her shoulders and said, "I need you to hear me on this!" as I tried to explain why the previous teeth needed remade. She decided I wasn't so scary after all. And the teeth were made semi comfortable.

We then drove on over to Tampa to celebrate at my favorite buffet, Fresh Harvest. It was my first solid meal in some time.

And my day was like this...

• 18:33 Back from Lakeland & Tampa. New teeth working great! 
  
• 20:40 Had a nice nap. I'm really good at napping.

Wednesday, May 28
Our Bible Study class was small this time, but we had a good, in-depth discussion. I learn so much from each one of those dear people! I recall almost nothing of the day except we went to Small Group in the evening and it was a very good lesson.

And my day was like this...

• 22:18 Playing Backgammon with Richard. We're pretty evenly matched. Makes it fun.
  

Thursday, May 29
I drove back to Lakeland for another adjustment on my new dentures. They are wearable, just having some sore spots. I have hope that they will be okay. In the evening we worked on finishing a grant nomination for a teacher we know. I managed to print it out on the special paper she gave us, but I got it upside down and the guidebox was still there... of course it was the last sheet I had!

I didn't even use http://twitter.com to make any mini-entries all day.

Finally, we come to today, Friday, May 30
I went to Office Depot (we have a new store just up the street!) and got school motif paper, came home and produced the document, called to announce it to the school and took the papers to Disney... all on the final day! Then I finished a very good spy thriller, did paper work (we generate more paperwork than a medium sized insurance company) and generally had a good day.

We just learned that my ex sister in law died last night. She was the birth mother of our oldest son. I have often prayed for her but have not had personal contact with her in many years. I don't think she was comfortable with the idea. My heart is sad over her death. Life was not always kind to her. She was only one year older than I.

And my day was like this...

• 09:38 Out of paper. Off to get specially printed kind for grant bid because, even after triple checking, I printed upside down and left a box in. 
  
• 11:01 I have blood all over my face! I smeared it there while thinking. I have cut my finger, I know not when or how. No pain, just blood. Messy. 
  
• 13:49 "Minnie Grant" finished & delivered. Now for Lunch with the Lord. 
  
• 15:06 Playing games before sorting paperwork. I won't be a dull one like Jack who had all work & no play.
  

Memorial Day

Formerly called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is designated as a time to honor those who gave their lives in defense of our freedom. I hope you took some time today to consider their great sacrifice, and I pray you participate in our government in every way available to you, voting, praying, taking an open stand for freedom.

Please enjoy my Memorial Day page:
http://ionanet.com/press/cards/memorial.htm

And my day was like this...

• 08:26 My Memorial Day page is very out of date. It needs work now. 
  
• 11:21 Downloading latest maps onto my Garmin. 
  
• 12:47 Lunch with the Lord - Reading Song of Solomon. Very beautiful love story. 
  
• 20:27 Playing pogo.com games withmy best earthly friend, Richard.
  

Optimism

Why did I wonder how baptisms would work in a hot tub? It all went so smoothly and with such grace that it seemed the most natural method imaginable to baptize folks. I love The Vine Church. It's a mixed body in every respect: age, race, affluence. The approach to "church" is fresh and natural and easy. The sermons are dead-on but lively and inspiring.

I took a long nap this afternoon. Not the proverbial "catnap," but a get-in-the-bed-and-really-sleep nap. I have been getting less sleep than I should for days and it finally caught up with me. I read that not getting enough sleep sabotages weight loss. A dieter's best friend is a good night's sleep, or so they say. Okay, for that and many other reasons, I am committing to getting more sleep. I have been a night owl for nearly all my life, reading under the covers with a flashlight into the wee hours when I was in grade school, so the change will take some doing.

Richard usually has Monday through Wednesday off but is working tomorrow, which will pay him a bonus for overtime as well as holiday pay. He didn't ask for the extra duty, it was just assigned, but he is happy about it. We had no other Memorial Day plans, anyway, and the extra money will help fund our upcoming road trip to Utah, Las Vega, the Grand Canyon, etc. When we originally planned the trip, gas was just over $3 per gallon, an outrageous price, to be sure, but now it has topped $4! I cannot help but wonder why the government has not stepped in because the price is a pure gouge considering the level of profit the oil companies are raking in.

I am a born optimist and trust God with every problem, but I wonder how those who do not know Him will face the recession we are sliding into. I believe it will be long and it will be deep.

And my day was like this...

• 01:18 Finished another book entry and am finally born. 
  
• 11:59 Back from church. Hot tub baptism worked. 
  
• 15:55 Took a nice long nap. 
  
• 18:14 Roast beef, baked potato, green beans, biscuits. Yum. 
  
• 19:09 Playing chess with Richard on pogo.com He has to cheat so I can win, LOL
  

Remembering B

B indicates Book Entry below blog.

I remembered to go do my cleaning chores at The Vine today instead of showing up a day late as I did last week. I made sure I was prepared and even bought gas last night rather than needing to do it on the way this morning.

There was a crew of brothers at the church setting up a hot tub to use tomorrow for baptisms. Cool! No, hot!! Well, actually, the water was sort of luke warm when I tested it. I am trying to envision the logistics of baptizing a full grown person in a hot tub, even though this one had no seats. Will the baptizer stand in the tub or to the side? What posture will the baptizee assume? Fetal position? Pike?

The house is pretty well clean and all I really had to do today was laundry, which I spaced because I got lost in Odd Hours, Dean Koontz' latest book. I finished it shortly after dinner. A very good read. Light but suspenseful. But then, I am a Koontz fan, anyway.

Richard and I sat in our south facing Florida room (that sounds so phony!) and enjoyed listening to a thirty minute downpour punctuated with sporadic claps of thunder. The shower rode in on a wind out of the north, so we were able to leave the windows open and take in the fresh scent of rain on grass, also to feel the temperature drop by at least ten degrees in a matter of a few minutes. We love that room with the pretentious sounding name.

And my day was like this...
23:50 Sleepy. Early for me. Bed wins, not even "Odd" can keep me awake tonigt.
08:34 Leaving to go clean at the church. Maintenance meeting this morning.
15:24 Enjoying peaceful afternoon at home as I join Odd Thomas in one delightful dilemma after another riding on the wondrous words of Dean Koonz.
15:30 @cybrgrl How fun! I checked out Oasis 21 on the web. I know it's old, but I love Isaac Asimov's sci fi.
19:40 @cybrgrl Asimov did much to expand literary fans' concepts of sci fi. He was the first to get me interested.
20:23 Time to finish Odd Hours. Quite a good read.
______________________________________________________

Remembering

Although she gave no verbal hint, Edgar could tell Thelma was in distress. His sister Faymie could see it, too, and suggested Thelma might want to lie down. Soon everyone agreed it was time for the housewarming party to break up so Thelma could get some rest.

Rest didn't help much and by morning, they knew Thelma needed to see a doctor. An hour later, she was admitted to the hospital with dangerously high blood pressure.

"Pre-eclampsia is a big concern, especially with your wife's family history," said Dr. Boynton. The doctor addressed only Edgar even though Thelma was in the bed in front of him. "We need to induce labor immediately and take every measure to deliver this child quickly before her condition worsens. We don't want her to go the way her mother did."

Edgar didn't like this doctor's manner. How could he talk that way in front of Thelma? But the man did have a way about him that made you think he knew what was what. He guessed he could put up with the fellow if he could give Thelma the best of care.

After signing a stack of papers he couldn't read, Edgar was led to a waiting room and left to wonder how in the world they could make a woman have her baby before nature brought on labor. He would have to trust the doctor. Thelma liked the man, trusted him. Thelma idolized doctors, anyway, and he resented that. Her brother was a doctor.

Donald was nice enough. Never acted uppity. But Edgar always felt Thelma overly esteemed him and talked too much about all his brilliant escapades and the time they lived together while he was in med school. Edgar had only finished the third grade and could barely read, and it irritated him to hear all this talk about how smart Donald was.

Edgar never told people he couldn't read. As the oldest boy, he had been kept home to work on the ranch as soon as he was old enough to be useful. His folks had a homestead out in Willard then. Life on Colorado's high plains was harsh and his father was gone much of the time chasing dreams of finding gold in the mountains to the west.

Albert Snider had a wanderlust and a spirit of adventure and soon after marrying Ruth Cooper who was rock solid and practical to the bone, left Iowa with his young bride on a quest that would finally take them to Colorado. His family was dismayed that he would give up the tidy piece of Iowa farmland his father had deeded to him and head off into the unknown with virtually nothing.

They were both gone now, and sometimes Edgar could hardly bear the ache he felt for their lost life together. His mother never stopped working and built quite a good life for herself and the kids. His dad never stopped chasing impossible dreams and often fueled his enthusiasm with alcohol. They never divorced but usually didn't live together. Sad.

A nurse in starched white rustled in and Edgar marveled at the outrageously pointed cap that seemed magically glued to her skinned back hair. She was stark! "We're in labor, " she announced. It was a proclamation, and once made, she turned on her heel and marched out as briskly as she had entered.

We are in labor. We. Edgar wondered what part the pencil thin nurse would play in the labor, certainly not the pain, and he doubted she would do any laboring, as in work. He laughed softly and resumed reminiscing.

He thought fondly of the time his father sent him off to auctioneer school. His sisters had been so mad about that. They wanted transportation to high school in Sterling and were afraid there would not be money left for that. They got a new car for school, but Ruth had probably funded that. 

Edgar never clicked in the auction business. Too much structure. He went to the gold mines instead... for a while. Then he learned welding as an apprentice and took to it for the money. More than once, though, the mines drew him back, but prospecting was even better. Always the chance of a big strike. He knew he had his father's blood in his veins.

Yes, he was a lot like his father. Had been, but not now. Now, he owned a house, was going to have a baby! He promised himself that he would never leave his wife and baby behind. They would always be a together family. If he had believed in God, really believed, he would have prayed. As it was, the best he could honestly do was wishfully hope for happy endings.

Thelma's labor was long and fraught with danger. Her blood pressure was out of control and her kidneys were not functioning well. After many hours, when she was stalled the final stage of labor, a rather aggressive instrument birth was achieved when Dr. Boynton realized he might lose both mother and baby.

It was after three in the morning when, sweating profusely, the triumphant doctor announced "It's a girl!" and held a squalling baby high in the air for the new mother to see. The nurses shrieked in delight, then as suddenly as the celebration began, the room became still and Dr. Boynton slowly lowered the now quiet child into the isolette.

Thelma was barely conscious but sensed the grim change of mood. "What's wrong with my baby?" she demanded. "Tell me, tell me now!" She tried to raise up, to see her child but found she had not the strength to even raise her head. Dizziness and nausea overwhelmed her like a flood. Someone put a mask over her nose and mouth and she was rendered unconscious with her first breath.

It was August 17, 1939, and Edgar held Thelma's hand as a nurse carried in their new baby girl. Dr. Boynton followed close behind. "The baby has what we call a wry neck," he said. "As you see, her head leans toward the right shoulder. The muscles on the right side are ill formed and there isn't much neck movement possible. I'm going to refer you to a specialist who can help deal with the deformity. Physically, she is fine, but we won't know whether she is retarded right away. Children with this deformity often are, so it's best if you are forewarned. I'm terribly sorry."

He droned on, but Thelma stopped listening and carefully unwrapped and completely undressed the baby, HER baby! Lovingly fondling each finger and toe, she looked up into Edgar's brimming eyes and said, "She is perfect and we can beat this." Her eyes were dry and her jaw set in determination. She rewrapped the baby and held it up to Edgar who gingerly took her and began to pace.

"This baby is going to be strong. She's being named Iona Ruth after the two strongest women we know, your mother and mine. She'll be smart, too, and go to college. You and all my sisters are college graduates. She has a heritage, expectations to keep." He turned toward the window so Thelma would not see the tears dripping from his chin onto the pink flannel of the receiving blanket.

He had never been so happy nor so sad in his life.

Odd Quiet Hours

I was busy much of the day but accomplished little in the grand scheme of things. This evening was sedate, quiet and would appear to the casual observer as boring. Richard received a shipment of 40 puzzle books he had ordered weeks ago, and I had my eyes glued to the latest book by Dean Koontz.

The sky was dark with the threat of rain, and thunder rumbled off to the north so there was no after dinner stroll for us tonight. There was a time when I would have considered the life I now live now as dull, but I am appreciative of our predictable and porridge smooth existence. Yes, I am thankful for the exciting times and experiences of my past, but am quite content with the placid present.

Yesterday, I went out to dinner with friends Sasha and Erica before our Advanced Cognitive Workshop at Giveback where we worked on Contextual Processing exercises. Erica is flying back to England Tuesday and we won't see her again until early next year. It was good to spend time with these special ladies who inspire me so much. The group had a surprise party for Erica and another person whop is leaving for Israel. Good party. good food.

I had a bit of a visit with Dr. Schutz after the workshop. He is truly an amazing man. Many folks talk of altruistic motives and plans, but this man acts on them. Everything at Giveback is absolutely free, including all the resources. There are resources for self therapists and their families. In depth writings, therapy plans, and the hours and hours of time to produce and lead survivors through the maze toward recovery - all free.

And my day was like this...

• 22:51 Back from dinner with friends and Giveback (with a party)... really pooped! 
  
• 09:57 Slept in... way in! Was so tired last night. Now groggy and slow. Like moving in a space suit. Spaced suit, maybe. 
  
• 11:22 Working on personal bookkeeping and bill paying chores. Actually, I enjoy it. 
  
• 14:02 I'm late for Lunch with the Lord and starting to be ravenous for both. Too much paperwork here andI'm way too slow. 
  
• 17:16 Picked up "Odd Hours" by Koontz-I love the library! Got gas-I hate being gouged! Made bank deposit & went to gym, both all good.
  

Too Much Me

I let "ME" overtake me today. In my driving - I cut off someone on my way to Bible Study this morning, it happened to be one of the members of our group; in my speech - I let my mouth make a fool of me in that same Bible Study by not framing the thought I wished to convey with forethought, but simply blurting out what turned out to be a very inappropriate and possibly hurtful comment that made me seem like a proud, full of myself elitist; in my thought patterns - I found myself thinking higher of my service for Christ than reality proves it to be. Indeed, scripture says the best of our service is as filthy rags (and mine is no where near the best!). I must say with Paul, "Oh wretched man am I."

I thank God for my miserable performance on all levels today for I needed a fresh look at myself through His eyes and I needed a strong dose of humble pie with no doubt that I was filled with TOO MUCH ME! With guidance from the Holy Spirit, I reviewed my day, which has been filled with shame for how poorly I let the Lord's light shine through me (I was in the way!) and found myself wanting to prostrate myself before my Savior, wanting to go round to all who observed my false pride and self possession and somehow sweeten the bad taste I surely left with them.

Every day I ask my Master to help me see myself through His eyes. Thankfully, He shows me not only those things that need repentance, improvement and revision, but demonstrates also His great love and shares with me a blessed Hope without which I doubt I could live. Although, I was brought low today by my own poor service to Him and to those He loves, He blessed me with this amazing Word, and it's for you, too. See why Jesus saved me (and all who will come to Him)...

Psalms 18:19
He brought me forth also into a large place; 

He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

So, He turns my shame to joy and gives me hope to go on, to serve Him better. I cannot come out of my low, prideful wallow on my own, but He reaches out in love and lifts me up from the mire... because He delights in me. WOW!

And my day was like this...

• 08:50 Getting ready for Bible study: A closer look at soul vs spirit. 
  
• 10:06 Kim is coming to Orlando in July - and bringing Peyton! 
  
• 10:08 Twhirl has been acting out. Trying something different now... 
  
• 13:05 Back from Bible class, ready for lunch.
  

In Good Condition

I have the spine of a 35-year old. That's what my doctor told me today as he reviewed the results of recent bone density and other tests. Almost everything is wonderful. My cholesterol is down, as is my glucose, and all my other numbers look quite good... except that there is osteoporosis in my hips. Odd, because my long bones are good and my spine is great.

So, reluctantly, I must (according to Dr. Lama) start taking a medicine I don't like. Actually, I am still debating whether I should take it at all. I will be in much prayer about it before I put the first pill in my mouth. I don't like to be on medication anyway, and this Fosimax is a pill you take on an empty stomach and must remain upright for a certain time after you take it... scary!

I must admit though, that I am thankful to live in a time of so many medical advances and in a place where I am privileged enough to take advantage of them. I consider myself more than blessed, highly favored indeed. I feel so grateful for good health, especially since I was supposed to have died several times, according to the doctors treating me during those times. But here I am in remarkably good condition, praise God!

I am not happy about my weight, however, so am renewing my diligence and increasing my exercise. You would think that with a great percentage of Americans considerably overweight and wanting to lose pounds, some enterprising drug company would come up with a medication that actually works. Oh, will power cannot be encapsulated and distributed to those in need of it (like me)? I just need to focus on the fact that I am more concerned with health than looks, but I'd still like to look thinner... or should I say less round?

And my day was like this...

• 07:40 Glorious rain! A good soaking rain without wind. The sounds in our sun room are heavenly. I have been praying for rain, thank you, Lord. 
  
• 09:15 Leaving to go see Dr. Lama. I like his quiet, gentle and concerned manner... but he seems so young, as do more and more people as I age! 
  
• 16:17 Home after doctor, bank, library, book store, pharmacy & shopping. Whew! Time to eat and read!

Promises B

B is for book entry.

I am honored to clean the children's areas of The Vine Church every Saturday. I dressed to clean it today... but it isn't Saturday. By the time I left the house I knew that, but, of course, it was too late to do anything about it. The cleaning did not take place. I checked in with the children's workers and they said things were fine, but, unless someone else cleaned, I know they were not. I have been blessed with peace about it all because I cannot change what has already happened. God has given me the grace to let Him have it and to take steps to prevent a recurrence. So I leave it with God.

I have set several reminders in place to make sure I know what day it is and what I am to do on that day. I already had some triggers set but was not actively using them because I sometimes believe I am more competent than I really am. I "forget" that my brain is still impaired and always will be. I "recover" from the injury as do all brain injured folks, by learning to use my damaged brain to its fullest capacity and with as many strategies for success as are available.

Thanks to self therapies learned at Giveback combined with strategies I have learned elsewhere or devised on my own, as well as some gadgets, I am able to function better than might be expected. But it takes constant effort and continual awareness of my need to stay on top of things. In short, I got cocky and slacked off... and it got me in trouble.

And my day was like this...

• 08:10 Richard called. My car door was open when he left and the interior light was out. I probably left the door open. Battery may be dead. 
  
• 09:17 Praying the cars starts, I tried it and it fired right up! I am leaving now for church. 
  
• 12:37 Back from church. It is Sunday, not Saturday. I went in my church cleaning clothes. oops. No cleaning today. Car started no problem. 
  
• 15:46 Studying Ecclesiastes. A challenging book with many nuances... I will be at it a while. 
  
• 19:05 Just returned from and after dinner walk with Richard. Beautiful breezy evening. 
  
• 20:27 My Mac is not recognizing the Maxtor external hard drive it backs up to. Macs are usually so well behaved. I am bummed.
  

___________________________________________________________

Promises

Thelma was surprised at her outburst and even more shocked that she had walked out of the apartment in a huff, even slamming the door. She smiled through her angry tears imagining that her mother would have been proud of such spunk. It felt good to speak up for herself. Edgar had no right to make major decisions unilaterally. They were a family now, and she had a say-so, too!

Without realizing she was going there, she found her herself in the small park where she and Edgar had spent there first real time together, where he had proposed. She sought out the bench, their bench, and sat. Looking at her swollen ankles, she began to notice the fatigue creeping up on her, making her limbs heavy, her breathing strained. She rested, reliving her first visit to this bench.

At thirty five, Thelma felt like a young girl swooning over her first love. She giggled softly. She and Edgar had just had their first real fight. Somehow that pleased Thelma. She was not a fighter. Maybe she would become one. No, that wouldn't be good, not good at all. Edgar had been married to a scrapper and had no kind words for that woman.

Thelma rubbed her bulging tummy in the universal manner of gravid women close to "their time." She would not become a fighter, but she would stand up more for herself and her baby. Edgar was a good man, a kind and loving man, but he was often completely unaware of her needs and could be insensitive without knowing it. Yes, she had some things to talk with her husband about, but first she had to walk home.

But she was too tired to start. Maybe she'd have a little talk with Jesus first. Maybe she'd have more strength then.

When she raised her heard from prayer, she spotted Edgar's distinctive swaying walk. She knew it was him long before she could make out his face. "Oh Lord," she whispered, "I hope he isn't mad." He must have spotted her then because he broke into a rolling run, his low-riding work pants looking as if they may fall off at any moment. Thelma stifled a laugh and was overwhelmed with love for this lumbering bear of a man, her gentle giant. Somehow, she knew he wasn't angry.

She stood to fill his enveloping arms and swayed dizzily before he steadied her. Together they collapsed onto their special bench which groaned in protest. He held her face and kissed her eyes, her cheeks, her lips, talking baby-talk to her all the while. They each promised to never walk out on one another, never, ever.

Her original cause forgotten, Thelma told him she wanted a wedding ring before she went to the hospital so people wouldn't think she was an unwed mother. She admitted it had bothered her the whole pregnancy. Promises were easily made, but keeping them was never Edgar's long suit. Thelma knew this already but chose to believe he's keep this one.

The next afternoon Edgar drove his bulging bride to the park and they sat on their bench where once more, he got ceremoniously down on one bended knee to softly ask if Thelma would be his wife for life. As he did so, he placed a carved gold band on her left hand. They had to work at it as her fingers were swollen, but she was determined and made it fit.

Thelma would treasure this moment her entire life. Maybe Edgar wouldn't keep all of his many promises, he had kept the most important ones already. She could live with that.

Because it had brought on such an intense reaction the first time he mentioned it, Edgar had not spoken again of the house he bought with some of the money from selling his trucking company. After he gave her the ring, he took Thelma for a drive and eventually pulled into the driveway of a small, frame house. He couldn't repress a broad grin as he opened the car door for her and said, "Welcome home!"

As he came to the door he tried to pick her up to carry over the threshold but she would have none of that. "You might drop me and hurt the baby," she said backing away.

"Welcome home!" rang a chorus of voices. There was Bud and Roqua Deeter and Edgar's sister Faymie with her husband Max. Edgar had packed and arranged for the four conspirators to move all they owned from the apartment to the new home. The women had set up the kitchen and brought food to celebrate.

Thelma thought her heart would burst with joy. She could feel a tightness in her chest but did not recognize that it was not entirely due to the emotional highs of this momentous day.

Proud to be An American

During his concert, Jose Feliciano reminded the audience to reflect on how blessed we are to be enjoying all that Disney has to offer without overt fear of being shot, bombed or otherwise terrorized. As Americans, most of us come and go with little thought of being harmed. True, there are some areas in the U.S. where violence prevails, gangs have taken over and personal safety can never be taken for granted. I have lived in such areas, but not for a very long time.

Even so, I am ever thankful and proud to be an AMERICAN. I thank God I was born in a land founded on HIS Word.

On April 15, the U.S. Army Band and a great chorus formed by four high school choirs and one elementary choir welcomed Pope Benedict XVI at a White House Rose Garden ceremony where they performed the Battle Hymn of the Republic. One of the fathers recorded it, added graphics and posted it to the web. It will send chills down your spine... the good kind. Please take time to click here and see it.

And my day was like this...

• 03:19 I'm heading to bed soon. Who knows why I'm still awake? 
  
• 09:54 Reading email, planning the day, cleaning the house, perhaps mowing the yard. No gym today. Date with Richard tonight - Jose Feliciano concert. 
  
• 12:07 Housework almost finished... Time for Lunch with the Lord! (My time of fellowship with Jesus and the Word) 
  
• 15:30 Leaving for Epcot as soon as I shower. I might even have funnel cake for dinner. Evil, isn't it?
  

Busyness

I'm way behind with posting, but trying to "catch up" is impractical at best. Suffice it to say that we have enjoyed a wonderful visit with our granddaughter Tia who flew over from Misawa, Japan for a work related conference. That is certainly one of the perks of living in the Orlando area, we see more of our family because so many conferences are held here.

Tia flew home early this morning, but last night Athena treated us all to delectable Bubbalous BBQ. I had never eaten there before and it was quite good. I especially liked it that they offered their luscious BBQ sauce with a variety of twists from Killer to Sweet, to Memphis, Mild, Hot... and so forth. My favorite was the Sweet. Athena and Brian both looked spent. They had just gotten home from Las Vegas where they went in celebration of Brian's graduation from UCF. He's officially a computer engineer now.

Richard and I go out a lot and have been on the go almost constantly since Tia's arrival. We are going to a Jose Feliciano concert tomorrow at Epcot. It's part of the series of stars they present during the International Flower and Garden Festival. But then we hope for a time of rest before we head to Utah for our family reunion in June.

And my day was like this...

• 22:20 Leaving to pick up Tia and go to Athena & Brian's for dinner. Tried to post this hours earlier, but there was a glitch. 
  
• 22:21 Had great meal at Bubbalous BBQ. Athena's treat. Said goodbyes to Tia and now we are home and very tired. 
  
• 08:05 Reading in Proverbs and enjoying a glorious Florida morning. 
  
• 10:34 Returning to the discipline and organization of my Planner. It's always chaotic when I become lazy or too busy to use it. Too busy? Ha! 
  
• 13:05 Just finished Lunch with the Lord, my lunch, Bible reading, noshing time. I schedule breakfast and lunch with Jesus most days. 
  
• 13:46 Gmail is being aggrivating. I am leaving to go to Curves. Maybe things will be better upon my return. 
  
• 17:11 Had a good workout, got vehicle tags and bought groceries... now, with all food put away, it's time for pogo.com while I wait for Richard. 
  
• 17:16 What is a Wii?

Patriots

From a precious soldier overseas:

Wednesday, they had a Holocaust Memorial display and ceremony. There were so many sad pictures, so many vulnerable people who suffered and died. I confess, I thought about walking out, because I knew it would make me cry. I didn't and it did.

The next day there was a Fallen Comrade ceremony. We all lined Disney Road as three American Flag draped caskets were driven past on the way to the air field. I cried again. And it made me think as well. While the Taliban was not the The Third Reich, they were a tyrannical regime using their power to force their view of reality on others. They killed, tortured and oppressed, and if they had the chance, they would do it again. Actually, they still are doing it, just on a smaller scale. My job is to help reduce that scale until it doesn't exist. 

We keep the battle here. While they focus on fighting us here, they aren't focusing on attacking our homes. We stop them here. When we stop them here, then Afghan homes are safe too.  So, even though it seems a monumental and less than easy task, and even though I, individually, may not get the chance to make a big difference, I'm glad I get the chance to stand in the way of tyrants.

My response:

We are so proud of your patriotism and commitment and sacrifice. It is good that you are a strong, tough soldier with a caring, sensitive heart. What you and others are doing is SO necessary!

You have spoken much truth, but not all of it. Sadly, there have been times, and times now are that those in authority in this country have used similar or the same tactics as our enemies in dealing with those not yet proven guilty of any crime.

We must be ever vigilant to protect the freedoms of the weakest among us lest those liberties be silently taken because precedent has been set with the disenfranchised, the immigrant, the perceived enemy who we now torture, imprison, kill and rob under cover of those high in power who delegate also to some who are without conscience.

At all levels, we must fight for freedom and fight with honor. We must also remember not all wars are fought in the battlefield. The wars I speak of now will be won in the polling booth, in voicing our cries for Constitutional freedoms to our congressmen and local officials... and in prayer for our nation, its leaders, our troops and the world at large.

Again I suggest a one minute prayer time. It is happening across the nation and in foreign lands as well. Each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central, 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the up-coming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U.S.

Thank you again for your courage and sacrifice. 

And my day was like this...

• 10:00 Cleaning bathrooms. Tia's cioming! Our cats like the sinks, no cat hair in sinks now! 
  
• 11:44 @cybrgrl My desktop, garage, and life are like that, cluttered through years of procrastination ;-) Too many partially done projects. 
  
• 12:42 Lunch with the Lord... reading my Bible, talking things over with Jesus. 
  
• 14:28 Running the Vacuum. Then I'll freshen up and head out. Big evening ahead. Meeting Tia's plane and then whatever...
  

Bitten

I have worn dentures for 34 years. Both uppers and lowers... Well, I have to say that if we're talking actual wear, I've probably only kept the lowers in my mouth for less than half that time, although I wear the uppers day and night. At least I did until I got these latest sets.

My regular set was getting loose. As you wear dentures, some shrinkage of bone and gum occurs and over time the plates begin to fit poorly and need to be relined or replaced. I opted for replacement and was happily looking forward to the same type of denture experience I had had in the past - years of comfortable wear after a short period of getting settled in and a few minor adjustments.

When I picked up my new dentures, the upper teeth were set in crooked and the lower ones didn't align without forcing my jaw sideways. I went back to the dentist knowing an "adjustment" was not going to work. I needed a remake. Instead, they honed the plate down until it flopped all over my mouth. I was not pleased. I returned again and the doctor spent quite a bit of time with me, getting info to do a remake.

I picked up the remade plates yesterday. They are huge! The "gum" portion is gigantic and so painful I cannot wear them. I can't chew at all. Needless to say, dentures and denture pain has been at the forefront of my mind since the time I started this quest for new plates. I have thought of little else. I find myself distracted by and worrying about teeth.

I prayed about it and went back to wearing my old dentures until I can get in to see the dentist again. It's a two hour round trip, each time and we are usually gone four or more hours. Tia is coming from Japan and we want to spend quality time with her rather than driving to the dentist, waiting in his office and fussing for days after because things get worse each time we go.

I really wish I'd never started this process at all. I can only imagine what George Washington went through with his crude false teeth! No wonder he had such a Mona Lisa smile.

I am praying for patience. I am trying to count it all joy. I really do know that this is a minor thing compared to all the suffering in the world... I am truly amazed that God puts up with my pettiness. But He hears my prayers and He even cares about something so minor as this... 

And my day was like this...

• 10:52 Mouth and head pain making it hard to function. The remade dentures are worse than the ones they replaced. What now? 
  
• 11:08 Granddaughter Tia will be here tomorrow eve. From Japan! 
  
• 12:02 @cybrgrl Thanks... I am wearing my old ones until after Tia time. Will fight the good fight later, LOL 
  
• 12:03 @cybrgrl The wax museum at the Venetian is fun. Their art gallery was or will soon be taken down. Check it out, too. 
  
• 14:40 Dealing with insurance. For once, it was easy! 
  
• 15:35 Watching DVD on breaking bad habits in cats. He says, cats don't have problems, we do. 
  
• 17:40 Leaving for Giveback. Check it out! givebackorlando.com
  

Payoff!

Once again, we owe only mortgage and tax debt. Hopefully, it will stay that way! Credit cards are so insidious, and without realizing it, you can build up high priced debt. It felt good to pay them off.

We have prayed for financial healing and God has always met our needs. Usually, it has been much like He fed the Israelites as they wandered 40 years in the wilderness. Each day He provided for the needs of that day... except on Friday, He provided enough manna for 2 days so they would not need to gather it on the Sabbath. Also, when Jesus taught us to pray, the sample prayer says, "Give us this day our daily bread..." Not bread for a week, or a month, but daily... as needed, but not extra. This teaches us continual reliance on Him.

Well, it's late and we need to leave early tomorrow to go to the dentist in Lakewood. I need him to either remake these dentures or refund my money. The teeth are set in to one side and crooked... They are not working out at all.

And my day was like this...

• 22:26 Playing Pogo.com games with Richard. We're too lazy to shuffle real cards. 
  
• 08:21 Off to Bible Study and pick up our house sale check. Time to pay off some debts. 
  
• 13:35 I forgot I had a mamogram and bone scan scheduled today. Thank heavens I remembered before too late. 
  
• 14:04 Am leaving to get my intimate parts smashed in the interest of breast cancer prevention. 
  
• 15:59 Back from tests, enjoying Athena & Brian's Derby party pics. Especially love the horse movie. Yay for rescue! 
  
• 16:07 Taking care of financial records, payments and planning. Very freeing. 
  
• 20:20 Praise God! All we owe is the motgage and the IRS! 
  
• 20:21 Time to play games on pogo.com Richard is pretending to be me because I can't win at checkers so he'll get that badge for me.

Such Bounty!

Another wonderful Sunday. Sadly, it was the last session of our late afternoon Bible Study. We will miss it and our excellent teacher who is an engineer by vocation. He was always so very well prepared and had a depth of Bible knowledge that only comes after a lifetime of searching the scriptures.

I went grocery shopping this afternoon and found a wealth of canned Southern favorites produced by the Glory label. I had never noticed them before. Tomatoes and okra, beans and rice, sweet potato casserole and more. I stocked up. Richard made faces and poked fun at me.

It's so easy to take our bounty for granted. I can drive to a grocery store in minutes, rather than hours as when we lived on Colorado plains. I can choose from an amazing array of fresh or prepared foods, a regular feast for every taste. Unlike times in my past, I don't have to ask the clerk to check the sub-total every now and again to be sure I can pay the tab. Oh, I pray I never stop being in awe of how blessed I am!

We have a busy week coming up. Our granddaughter Tia will be here next weekend and I want to have finished the yard and have all my other projects up to date and the house freshly clean before she arrives.

And my day was like this...

• 09:04 Leaving early for church on a glorious Sunday morning!
  
• 15:31 Knowingly oblivious to mild clutter, I am curled up on the couch reading a mystery.
  
• 16:12 Leaving to meet Richard for Bible Study at FBC.

Unplanned Parenthood B

B denotes book entry below blog.

I had planned to go to a funeral today. A precious friend had lost her dad, a brave and unique man and, for the sake of the family, I wanted to be at his services. Normally I do a bit of cleaning at the church on Saturday mornings and had intended to clean after paying my respects. But I woke up late, jumped into my sweats with nary a look at my planner and was off to the church in a flash.

No one else was cleaning when I arrived. Kate had been there early and left a note listing what she had done. I was happily working in the children's area when Jude arrived, clearly not dressed for work, and I knew the minute I saw him that I had blown it. He was on his way to the funeral and planned to return afterward to clean. Too late for me to run home and dress properly, and I was surely not attending in my sweats.

God has promised to work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28-9) so I reminded Him that I trusted Him to work this out. He calmed my spirit and I had a grand time singing and talking to Him as I cleaned. I could do a good thing by finishing the work so no one else needed to do anything further today. That's my way of honoring Walter (my friend's dad) today. We will also sponsor a child through Compassion Ministries as a memorial to him.

Stephanie called last night. She will soon leave for Afghanistan for 10 to 14 months. We had a good long visit. We are both comfortable with her going, trusting God's will and plan for her life. I will try to pray rather than worry. David called this afternoon. He has had the same truck driving job for a good while now and enjoys it. His cat Thumbalina began her travels with him when she was just a kitten and loves the trucker's life. We visited for almost an hour until my phone batteries were basically dead. I am so proud of my children!

And my day was like this...

• 14:11 Missed a funeral I needed to be at. I simply forgot and didn't check my planner this morning.
  
• 15:00 David called. We had a long chat as he drove toward Toledo. He's found his groove.
  
• 15:14 Am setting up http://www.twhirl.org/ Sort of like TwitBin but free standing.
  
• 18:31 Working on another book entry.

______________________________________________________________________

Unplanned Parenthood

Edgar Hamlet Snider was too big for the straight-back chair where he fidgeted beside his frail wife. Several times during their postal courtship Thelma had warned him that she was in poor health, but ever the optimist, he had glossed over anything negative.

The clinic was cold and drafty as they waited for the doctor who had summoned them. Edgar, who had never really met a person he truly disliked, didn't much care for doctors as a group and had only sought medical care the few times he'd been injured, like when a horse stepped on his foot. Now, the doctor had insisted both of them come in to review Thelma's symptoms. Edgar's right leg danced up and down rapidly on tiptoe, heel in the air.

The doctor, looking grave and harried, took a deep breath and closed the door when he entered the small consult room. It was sparsely furnished with three wooden chairs and a small table, all badly in need of paint. Without opening the folder he had placed on the table, the young medico introduced himself and offered his hand to Edgar. He was lowering himself into the chair even before the hand shake was released.

Edgar would later be unable to recall all the doctor told them save the fact that Thelma was pregnant and to carry the child to term might prove fatal. Something about a family history of eclampsia which had killed Thelma's mother. Thelma's present hypertension and kidney problems created a huge risk for eclampsia. 

Then there was the Rh factor. An antigen present in most people's blood but absent in Thelma's. She was "Rh negative" and that was an important issue that would cause the mother's body to fight against the baby's. It would be as if she were allergic to her own child if that child was Rh positive. If they didn't terminate the pregnancy, they would want to test Edgar's blood.

Terminate the pregnancy! What?!

"No!" Thelma spoke with quiet determination. "We will keep the baby no matter what. I will not even discuss killing my child and I never want it brought up again. Never!" Her face was ashen and her jaw set. Edgar had never heard her sound like this. He had expected her to look to him for support and guidance as she did about everything else. When she did turn toward him, she ordered, "Go give them your blood sample." Shocked, he immediately complied. They later learned he was Rh positive as was the baby.

The full impact of Thelma's pregnancy didn't set in until they got back to their tiny rented studio apartment. They were in awe. They were also terrified. Thelma believed only a miracle would bring her through the birth alive, yet it would be enough just to be a mother. Edgar had never planned to be a father. His first wife didn't want children and Thelma was supposedly unable to bear a child. Yet God had other plans. Soon they were laughing, both talking at once, acting like giddy teenagers.

The pregnancy was difficult and painful, fraught with perils one after the other. Edgar's new trucking business kept him away much of the time, but friends Bud and Roqua Deeter took doting care of the often bedridden Thelma. The rotund Roqua loved to cook almost as much as she loved her wine and she delighted in creating healthy fare fit for a gourmet palette all on a pauper's budget. Bud cleaned both the Deeter and Snider apartments weekly and worked with Edgar as a driver when he could. Edgar managed the laundry for both couples. The bonds of this friendship would grow ever closer and lifelong.

Amazingly, this precarious pregnancy was almost at term. Edgar had not realized how close he was to fatherhood until Thelma brought home news that the doctor said the baby would be safe to come any time now. Roqua celebrated with an increased intake of wine and a lavish meal for the four of them. They tried to play cards, but everyone was so distracted they laughingly gave up. Thelma was more animated than they had ever seen her, and soon they were going through all the baby things. The layette was all in pale greens and yelllows and the women folded and refolded each piece as they chatted about the baby's accommodations. There was no bassinet nor any room for one had they owned such a luxury. Thelma had converted a dresser drawer into a baby bed.

Edgar was uncharacteristically quiet. The month before, He had received an offer from a large trucking firm to buy out his fledgling company, Denver - Climax Trucking. He had turned it down but was now reconsidering it. His life was going places he had never intended and he was uneasy about that. Thelma was head over heels in love with the idea of parenthood, and he was excited, too. But deep down, he had doubts. After all, he was his father's son, albeit a sober version, still the wanderlust ran deep in his bones and he knew it.

Instead of going to work the next day, Edgar made arrangements to sell his little trucking company.  It was a cash buyout and within the week, he was paying cash for a small wood frame house in the downtown area of Denver. He had not included Thelma in either of these transactions, nor had it entered his mind to do so. He certainly did not expect her to be upset about being "blind sided," as she called it. 

Thelma's cheeks were flushed with anger which Edgar found quite attractive. He loved how her strawberry blond hair curled next to her fair-skinned blush. "How can you stand there grinning when you have treated me like I am nothing. Are we partners or not? You obviously don't think my ideas have any value!"

He expected tears, but there were none. She abruptly turned on her heel and left the apartment, slamming the door hard. He had never seen her like this. His first impulse was to follow her, but then memories of his confrontations with his first wife led him to reconsider. He would let her cool down and come back on her own.

Two hours later, Thelma had still not returned. Edgar went across the hall to the Deeter apartment and was horrified to learn they had not seen his wife.

Gas

Gasoline
(Distilled from an email my granddaughter sent)
TIPS ON PUMPING GAS

The price of gas continues to escalate and is over $3.50 a gallon here in Florida. You see fuel prices affecting your electric bill, cost of groceries, and every other service or commodity. We need to act politically and personally. Here are some tricks to get more for your money at the pump... and to make a political statement.

First, only fill up your tank in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline. When it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening, your gallon is not exactly a gallon.

In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role. A one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

Second, gas is very volatile, meaning not only is it quite combustible, it readily converts from a liquid to a vapor, and that action is amplified by quick movement of the liquid. So, when you're pumping gas, always use the slow mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3)stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you are minimizing the vapors created while pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes into your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less value for your money.

Third and one of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas is down to half a tank, no less. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less room there is for air to occupy the empty space. As stated above, gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.

Another hint, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

PLEASE DO SHARE THESE TIPS WITH OTHERS!

WHERE TO BUY USA GAS, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW. READ ON

Every time you fill up the car, you can avoid putting more money into the coffers of Saudi Arabia. Just buy from gas companies that don't import their oil from the Saudis.

I thought it might be interesting for you to know which oil companies are the best to buy gas from and which major companies import Middle Eastern oil.

These companies import Middle Eastern oil:

Shell........................... 205,742,000 barrels
Chevron/Texaco......... 144,332,000 barrels
Exxon /Mobil............... 130,082,000 barrels
Marathon/Speedway... 117,740,000 barrels
Amoco............................62,231,000 barrels

Citgo gas is from South America, from a Dictator who hates Americans. If you do the math at $30/barrel, these imports would amount to over $18 BILLION! (oil is now $90 - $100 a barrel or more)!

Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil:

Sunoco..................0 barrels
Conoco..................0 barrels
Sinclair.................0 barrels
B P/Phillips............0 barrels
Hess.......................0 barrels
ARC0....................0 barrels

If you go to Sunoco.com, you will get a list of station locations near you.

Al this information is available from the Department of Energy and each is required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing.

But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas buyers. It's really simple to do.

Assume 30 people read my blogs... (actually, the number is many times that). If each of reader sends this information to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300)... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers !!!!!!! If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted!

If it goes one level further, you guessed it... THREE HUNDRED MILLION PEOPLE!!! How great an effect would that be?!

Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. Either copy it into an email, or simply send this link: http://ionanet.com/blog/2008/05/gas.htm
How long would all that take?

Prayer
Yesterday was The National Day of Prayer but I was confused and sent this out today... Whether or not you are involved with an organized prayer function today, I hope you will take time to stop and pray for our nation and people, our government (at all levels), the election, our troops... Also, pray globally. The world is in desperate need of healing and hope. Nowhere will they be found save in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here is the National Day of Prayer official website:
http://www.ndptf.org/home/home.html

Hoping you will pick a time to pray daily for all these and more. Many are praying  at 8 p.m. central, but the most important thing is to pray daily, whatever the timing.

And my day was like this...

• 06:21 Stripping beds, vacuuming, mopping. Getting ready for flea treatment (followup). 
  
• 13:12 Pets & I have been out of the house 4 hours so we don't get sick along with the bugs. We're all glad to be back in the house. 
  
• 15:04 Sent out Nat'l Day of Prayer email... a day late! About 10,000 people got the notice. oops! 
  
• 15:04 Leaving to go to the gym. 
  
• 18:57 Relaxing after dinner... before putting the house back together after flea treatment. I'm sleepy. 
  
• 19:56 Wasting time on pogo.com