Fullness

The day was full in many ways as am I right now.

My planner was fairly full, yet nearly every item has been done and the house shines like an almost new penny.

I am spiritually full because I spent a good, long time with the Lord in prayer and exploring Isaiah in my new Holeman Bible.

My heart is full because I spent the day with my Honey, and the afternoon and evening with Norman who is here in his truck, Athena and Brian and Norman's trainee driver. Also, because Sarah - who was so sweet and understanding - and I worked out a great new system to help prevent me from spacing out my Promise Land cleaning duties.

My tummy is full because Athena prepared and served a luscious steak dinner with all the trimmings and topped it off with birthday treats for dessert... celebrating Richard's birthday.

In addition to all that, we had a nice, soaking rain!!

My cup indeed runneth over.

I am so very blessed!

Flyaway

I took yesterday off. That means I didn't do any cleaning here or at the church. Actually, I never gave the church a thought yesterday and it wasn't until this morning when they talked about VBS coming up that I realized I had goofed again and not done my job... a job I volunteered for and almost demanded.

Flyaway thoughts and memories are part of everyday life with a leaky brain like mine, but I am usually able to work on specific problem areas as they come up by using strategies learned at Giveback, filling out and working on Error Analysis forms, making plans, setting triggers in place, etc. But again, I have made a big blunder and let people down. I need to find a way to prevent it or I need to resign my post. An unreliable worker is worse than no worker at all. There's no sense beating myself up about this, but I'll be praying about it and talking to Sarah in the morning.

So where was the breakdown? I went on vacation and have not managed to slip into my routine? Richard lost his cell phone and couldn't call to remind me like he usually does? He is my insurance, but without a phone, he can't help. My old systems didn't work. I'm praying about new ones.

I drove off again this morning with my Bible on the car roof. Of course, by the time I got to church, it had become a flyaway Bible somewhere along the route. I had about 15 months worth of study notes in that Bible, plus it was a "New Inductive Study Bible" from Harvest House. It was rich in charts and other extras, some of which I have found nowhere else. The last flyaway Bible I lost was just like it, except this was NAS and that was NIV. Both were out of print when I bought them, so I had little hope of finding another in any version.

I prayed about my Bible as I redrove my route to church searching for it, asking that I find it or that someone else find it and keep it and read it and be led to Christ. None of my other flyaway Bibles have ever returned, and I really had little expectation of seeing this one again, so I went to the new Books-A-Million near our house and, miracle of miracles, they had a copy. One, lone, and yes indeed, out of print copy! Ha! God is SO good! You know I grabbed that Bible right up!

I also browsed through a Holeman Christian Standard Bible emphasizing Apologetics. I have most versions but not this one. Originally projected by the Southern Baptist Convention, and adhering to sound translating and interpreting practice, there is much to admire about this version as it is neither a word-for-word nor thought-for-thought equivalency but rather somewhat of a hybrid but with extensive side and foot notes making it a desirable study addition to my Biblical library. I am thrilled with it.

As I readied to go to a church missions fundraiser, a man came to the door bearing my flyaway Bible! He remembered my car with the JESUS plate on the front and had seen God's Word take flight as I headed off to morning worship. We visited a few minutes and I praised God for the loss and return of my familiar Bible. I would not have bought the new Bibles had I not lost this one, but am so glad I did. Now I will keep a spare New Inductive, untouched in my bookshelf with all those glorious full color charts and art work. I will also have a fine old time with the Holemans. Cool!

Now it's time for me to flyaway to bed... or maybe flyaway to fantasy and play a video game or two...

Day Off

The house is basically clean and I am not in the middle of any projects, though I have a dozen I should start... but not today. Today, I did no real work except cook, which isn't really work to me, and clean up after myself. So, I gave me the day off and spent it reading a novel and my Bible. A great day off.

David called this afternoon. He has started with a new company, Cal-Ark. He is in the reefer division and his runs will be coast to coast. He was pretty happy with everything and, having completed his orientation, is awaiting his first load. I was saddened to learn that his cat got out of the truck and he was unable to find her. She had been with him most of his driving career.

Had a good visit with Kim yesterday, I think, and am looking forward to seeing her here in July. She will bring the baby. Yay!

Well, this is my day off, so I'm going to play computer games and go to bed early. I'm still tired from the trip... or maybe just lazy. I feel a bit dragged out. I gained weight on the trip so that may be part of it. I should have gone to Curves today, but, like I said, this was my day off, off of everything.

And my day was like this...

• 12:15 Lost in a book. I'm taking the day off. 
  
• 14:37 Half way through my book and an egg sandwich, leaving all cares in the wind. 
  
• 16:24 Spending time with Jesus. 
  
• 18:15 Had a long phone visit with David. Richard is home.
  

6,000 Miles

We hit the road Monday, June 9, beginning an almost 6,000 mile trek which included special places and people all along the way. Our daughter Athena ventured forth with us helping defray the costs and doing some of the driving. It was wonderful to share this time with her.

Part of our trip had been planned long in advance, but some of it was pure ad lib. We altered our proposed route to include Gulfport, MS, where we visited my brother Donnie who, as soon as he knew we were coming, rented us a room. He treated us to dinner in Biloxi that night and gave me $100 bill to take to Vegas.

We were up early the next morning, heading for the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, but opted for a side trip to New Orleans where we spent several hours exploring the French Quarter and enjoying some great local food and color. Richard and Athena think I got flim-flammed by a guy collecting money for a homeless mission, but I happily gave $20 anyway. We made it to the small Arkansas town of Magnolia that night and began our quest for diamonds Wednesday morning. We left after a few hours in the mud, bearing diamonds, the same ones I wore in, my wedding set.

Our next stop was the Oklahoma City Memorial which was more than moving. It is amazingly touching, heartbreaking, yet inspiring. We were there just before dusk and the lighting was gorgeous. We drove on from there to Amarillo, Texas.

Thursday was a long day of driving, but we made it to Monticello, Utah, not far from our family reunion site in Moab. We were both tired and starving, but there was no time to rest if we wanted to find an open cafe. In fact, we discovered we were too late for all but a steak house. Sadly, the chef was at a meeting and his fill in did not have the culinary talent we had hoped for. But when you are hungry enough, an overcooked steak or less than perfect veggies will do. Too bad, this fare still bore chef-prepared prices.

Moab, Utah Friday morning. Yay! But where is everyone? Too bad, the bulk of our family did not show up at all. Norman and most of his clan arrived later in the day. We had a wonderful two and a half days visiting and playing and eating with everyone. It was so good to see them all! Norman and most the others went 4-wheeling Saturday. They had quite an adventuresome time while Taunya, Candy, Alejandra and I stayed at the cabins, talked, napped and looked at pictures.

The 4-wheeling bunch hit the trail again Sunday before we all had to go our separate ways. They tried to conquer "Potato Salad Hill" with such passion that Louis actually twisted the drive line of his dad's Bronco. I have never seen anything like it, at least a one and a half circuit turn!

Next, it was on to Las Vegas where we spent three luxurious nights in a suite at the Venetian, on the house, no less! Quite a welcome change from the cramped and primitive cabin we crowded into at Moab. I loved it. Yes, I lost my brother's $100 bill and some of my own money as well, but had a great time, nonetheless. Athena rode the roller coaster at New York, New York and did some exploring on her own while we stayed on the ground and in mostly familiar territory. Richard's brother Jim and his wife June came to Vegas Monday and we visited with them as we checked out the downtown areas.

Off again early Tuesday morning, we arrived at Williams, Arizona in time for a buffet breakfast and our scheduled train ride to the Grand Canyon where we spent the day exploring and being awed by God's splendorous handiwork. Then, hot and tired, we were ready for the ride back. Our car had a delightful attendant, Sam. She was friendly and entertaining even if a bit less polished that her fellow employees who may have had more seniority. We experienced singing cowboys, a train robbery, a crusty, old sheriff and a splendid ride in an old Pullman coach.

Our room and a buffet dinner were also part of our package. The buffet was cold, but would have otherwise been good. I was exhausted, so the room was perfect, I slept like a rock!

Again, we left early, driving hard to reach Buena Vista, Colorado to meet up with Julia and Wyatt at the Topaz Lodge. We made time for stops at Dolores and Ridgeway to visit train museums and see the Galloping Goose. We saw a replica of Goose #1, the soon to be restored Goose #4 and the mostly restored Goose #5. Richard and his family rode the Galloping Goose when his mother worked at the Alta mines in the 1940's.

We stopped to visit Richard's folks' grave site in Montrose, Colorado, then drove through Gunnison. On the way, Athena recalled a special pizza place she loved when going to college there, so, using the Garmin and her new Blackberry phone, we called ahead and ordered the world's best cheese-garlic bread and a large pizza. We chowed down on these wondrous specialties behind the Western State College Student Union. By far, the best pizza and garlic bread I ever ate!

It was late by the time we met up with Julia and Wyatt. We were all tired, but Wyatt was a ball of energy. Buena Vista was full of bikers and bicyclists participating in various Ride the Rockies events. They partied all night and we had trouble sleeping even as tired as we were.

Friday morning, we were able to see Scott. Wyatt went with us and was very well behaved throughout the visit. When we first arrived they had no idea we were coming due to a miscommunication, but God worked it all out and we ended up with a longer visit than expected. Scott looked healthier than last visit. He has put on some weight and has a tan. He was quietly upbeat and I am thankful for that.

After the visit, we bid Julia and Wyatt farewell and headed east intending to stop for two short nights along the way home. we were all ready to be home so kept on driving and drove in shifts until we arrived in Orlando Saturday night. Brian met us there and picked up Athena and we drove on home. There's no place like home...

It was such a blessing to be able to leave and know all was taken care of here. Danny watched our house and pets and we were at complete peace about that. Everything was taken care of beautifully.

Going, Gone

We leave in just a few hours on our two week vacation filled with three weeks worth of activities. I'll post along the way if internet service is available. I know part of the time it won't be because we are going to be out in the boonies. I am thrilled Athena is going along with us. She will liven the trip.

And my day was like this...

• 09:00 Overslept. Too late for church. God will arrange a good day for me anyway. Will call Danny after church. 
  
• 12:38 Have more to do than I can ever get done. Time to get the Lord involved.
  

Getting Hot

The heat and humidity Florida is famous for has set in. Our yard treatment man Walter was here and confirmed what our eyes had already told us, our lawn is drought stressed. We are on watering restrictions, and we pay a premium for the water we do use, but the lawn is in distress. It was lush and green just a short time ago.

This is really the first day I've been bothered by the heat at all, but I had the cooler on - we keep it set at 80 - and still felt wilted from the heat, but then I was outside a lot. Last year, I was only slightly bothered by the heat, and rarely at that. But last year we lived with tall trees on three sides of the house. It was very cooling. Still, I'll take the heat any day in preference to the cold.

I am really getting excited about our upcoming road trip. I talked with my brother this evening. He is working in Gulfport, MS for the next several weeks, so we will travel his way and make that our Monday night layover. Then we'll follow the Mississippi River north as we head over to the Crater of Diamonds state park in Arkansas where we will spend Tuesday night and search for our fortune in diamonds Wednesday morning before going on west to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

We'll be almost halfway to Moab, Utah when we leave Oklahoma City and will just enjoy the God's glorious scenery without planned stops at attractions. Of course, who knows what may catch our eye en route? As I said, I am excited! Now I'm going to search the net for wonderful places to eat at our overnight stops.

And my day was like this...

• 10:35 Twhirl not working. I had posted re ordering food gift pkg for Scott. Can only do so from one vendor once every three months. 
  
• 10:37 Just set up customer control panel for Giveback so I can host them on my servers. All is automatic, good thing. 
  
• 14:18 Trying to find and print out some of my writings to send to Scott. 
  
• 18:12 Dinner in the oven. Lemon Chicken and veggies. Biscuits will go in later. Only insane people bake in this heat. 
  
• 19:01 Searching out trip options. I found lots of fun things we don't have time to do. 
  
• 20:27 Plunging into a sea of email. Need to get it all taken care of before leaving.
  

Pillaging

We're leaving for a long road trip early Monday morning, so I went to the pharmacy to renew my prescriptions because I will run out of meds six days before we get home. I was not allowed to renew the meds because each was a 30 day supply and I have to wait until the 30 days is up before getting more. But this is Wal-Mart so I should be able to pick up my renewal meds by transferring to a Wal-Mart pharmacy where ever we are on May 19th when my 30 days is up, then transferring back here when we return.

No, that won't work on all of my meds because the pain and sleep pills can only be transferred once, and I transferred them here when we moved from Kissimmee to Davenport. They suggested I go see my doctor for new prescriptions I could fill on the road. I did, however he says that won't work because he is not licensed anywhere except Florida. But he wrote all new prescriptions and sent me back to Wal-Mart to try to fill them.

Back at the pharmacy, for the fourth time, I got two out of the four prescriptions. He had changed the dosage on one, so it was allowable and he increased the monthly supply of PRN pain meds so I got that, too. The reflux meds were denied because there was no change in number or dosage, and the sleep meds were denied because Well Care doesn't cover it. Workmens Comp does, but I can't refill that until the 19th unless I pay for it myself. Six days is $40!

I started my day's outing at the Hair Cuttery where they had promised to redo my peach hair color to something more acceptable. The new color still has a lot of orange in it, but God had a reason why the first hair job didn't come out because I was able to visit with the manager about the Lord. She is a delightful lady and by the time I left, I really didn't care what color my hair was. I was able to clear up some theological misinformation she had been given and invite her to church and I was thrilled about that.

Next I went to Wal-Mart and my "pillaging" odyssey began. I was most of the day fooling around with all that. Richard told me to go back tomorrow and cough up the $40 just to be done with it. He's seen me without sleep meds.

I went, exhausted, to Giveback and was so glad I had not caved in to the fatigue and stayed home. It was an excellent and informative meeting. I also had a chance to discuss Jesus at length with a sweet new friend.

So, even with its frustration and fatigue, this has a thrilling Thursday and I am thoroughly blessed.

And my day was like this...

• 08:22 Bad start to the day. Jasper sprayed the bookcase right in front of me. Arggggh! At least he hit no books, just the wood. 
  
• 09:39 Last minute administrative details before we leave on our 2 week road trip. Will I forget something important? 
  
• 13:48 I'll run out of meds mid-trip. No refill allowed, too soon. Had to go to MD for new prescriptions. 
  
• 14:50 Time to go pick up the pills IF the insurance company OKed them. 
  
• 15:37 Got some meds with new prescriptions, but insurance wouldn't pay for some. Cost is too high for me to buy. Will try to renew on trip. 
  
• 17:48 Leaving for Giveback.
  

Quickie

This is a quickie blog. I have a headache and have been a semi-grump all day. Dealing with car insurance that changed our address back to Kissimmee and Health insurance that claims we have moved out of their coverage area...? What's up with insurance companies and addresses?

I did have a real bright spot today. Scott called and they are considering letting us visit on Friday. Hooray!!!

Actually, my life is full and rich and blessed and I am so very thankful. I am just blowing off steam.

And my day was like this...

• 09:48 Faxing prison big shots. They publish visiting days but don't honor them. Boo! 
  
• 10:03 Paying bills, doing personal bookkeeping. Keeping track of where the $ goes. It still goes, but I at least know where. 
  
• 13:51 Called the ArchView Resort to add Athena to our cabin. We have a double cabin. 
  

Never on Fridays

We had a busy but fun day. First thing this morning we drove to Lakeland for yet another visit to the dentist, and my dentures actually seem okay now.

Next, we went to the Sprint store and changed our service plan. We lowered our minutes and banned text messaging. We never can figure out how to read or send text messages and neither of us can imagine why anyone would use them. We just want to talk on our phones, not play games, take pictures or surf the net. Prices are already outrageous and all those extra things just cost more.

We topped our outing off with a visit to the Fresh Harvest Buffet. Excellent lunch!

When we got home, I spent 40 minutes on the phone with Buena Vista, Colorado prison personnel. The prison web site lists visiting days as Friday through Sunday, and we planned our visit to son Scott for Friday, June 20. But now we get a letter from Scott saying they can't have visits on Fridays. Athena has to be back here by Monday, so we can't wait until Saturday to visit, hence my calls to the prison to try to make alternate arrangements.

One after another, each person I talked to sent me to someone else. Finally, I was given the number of the man with the power to make this happen (or so they say) but his secretary says he's on vacation this week. At last, she suggests I put my request in writing and FAX it to them. I am praying someone will take pity on us and set up this visit. Julia was all set to bring Wyatt so we could take him in to see his dad. This visit is really important to us and to Scott and Wyatt. I am praying, and I'd love you to pray for us on this, too.

We just finished watching Sister Act. Yeah, I know it's an old, old movie and we've already seen it, but we enjoyed it all over again.

And my day was like this...

• 03:02 Loud Twitter is not posting as much of my day as it should. 
  
• 17:53 Back from dentist, Sprint and great lunch at Fresh Harvest in Tampa.
  

Ionaruthie B

B is for Book Entry

Another glorious Sunday sponsored by the Lord God. I reveled in it. I played computer games, napped, began studying the book of Isaiah, and managed to create the most luscious Italian goulash I have ever eaten. Too bad, I will most likely never be able to do an encore.

My cooking just happens. I have poor short term memory so usually have no idea of exactly what and how much of anything I have included in the dish. I also never really know how many servings I'm going to end up with because I add this and that to balance taste or change textures, etc. Every now and then all this happenstance produces a gastronomic masterpiece. Such was the case today.

Fortunately, today's work of culinary art was produced in ginormous amounts. We both took double portions; I froze some and refrigerated some for tomorrow.

And my day was like this...

• 21:29 The Ravenous Pig is a rare find, dinner was made extra special by enjoying it with Athena & Brian. 
  
• 23:50 LoudTwitter isn't working right for me and won't let me log in. Grrrr! 
  
• 23:54 Growling must work, I got in to LoudTwitter.com and fixed my posting prefs (I hope). 
  
• 08:51 leaving for church now. Smokey morning due to a brush fire east of us. 
  
• 12:14 Unusual & awesome sermon on sex & arriage language of God... very cool approach! Best I ever heard. Go Mike!
  

_____________________________________

Ionaruthie

I was named for both my grandmothers. Strong women, they were tireless entrepreneurs who supported their families and were fiercely protective of them. Although they were married, they acted as single parents much of the time because of the absence, either in fact or in effect, of their husbands.

In honor of these iconic women, my parents always used both my names, each adding their own twist. Mama called me Ionaruthie or Squirrel, her pet name for me because, she said, I resembled a squirrel with its cheeks full of acorns. Daddy pronounced my name "Onnaruth" or called me Squirt, a name he quit using as I entered adolescence.

I was a colicky baby and cried long and loud. Daddy would lay me across his tummy and hum in his deep, gravely voice as he rolled from side to side on their bed. Mama would croon and rock me, worried that she was somehow inadequate as a mother.

Unlike most of the doctors who discussed my "wry neck," one orthopedic surgeon suggested a nonsurgical solution. He showed Mama how to make little sandbags to wedge between my head and right shoulder, gradually increasing the size of the bag over time. He also taught her to put me through range of motion exercises for my neck. Mama's faithful and stubborn adherence to this program, even in the face of my vociferous protests, was so successful I had almost total range and strength of motion in my neck from toddlerhood until I sustained injuries later on.

Mama's high blood pressure, kidney disease and heart problems confined her to bed much of the time and often sent her to the hospital during the early years of my life. When he was the sole parent in charge, Daddy would drive across Denver several times a day and night so his sister Faymie could change my diapers, a chore he never had the stomach for.

On one such visit in the late afternoon, Faymie discovered the diaper dry. "You just came so you could eat dinner," she accused good naturedly. "Times are hard, Ed, but I'll be glad to have you share our table. I'll make a list of things you can pick up at the store tomorrow."

The country was just coming out of the Great Depression, the recovery fueled by military needs of Europe at war, Germany having invaded Belgium. The increase of our Gross National Product was beginning to effect the quality of life for working class America. Even so, things were still tight for the Cooper and Snider families.

Max and Faymie's house became a second home for Daddy and me whenever Mama was in the hospital and sometimes when she was too ill to cook at home. Max and Faymie often showed up at our house with a meal. Max worked full time and Daddy worked as often as he could when Mama was home. Only a few times did he leave me with Faymie when Mama was hospitalized. He felt I needed to be with at least one parent at all times.

Cherished by my parents who still marveled at the miracle of my birth, and doted on by friends and relatives, I was ever the center of attention. Daddy was as permissive as Mama and he was jokingly chided for his frequent repetition of "Let 'er have it." I loved the coal bucket and would chew on the ebony chunks, drooling black slime all over the tiny house as I toddled through all three rooms. Mama would try to remove the carbon snacks from my chubby fingered grip while Daddy would yell, "Let 'er have it!" and roar with laughter.

I was blessed with unconditional love all my life, even during times I didn't realize it.