Hello,
Leroy is not an open book to me. He removed the car mat before I got my letter sent yesterday. Today the car started just like that. Hopefully this will fix the problem. It would certainly be a cheap fix.
While I was in Utah Leroy experience the furnace braking. He said, “The furnace came on Sunday morning and made a terrible noise. I turned it off and checked a bit, but could see nothing.”
Before the end of the day the repair guy came reporting that the fan was lying in a heap at the bottom. So it had literally fallen apart. The problem was that he had no spare parts for this model furnace, nor did the seller of the furnace. Leroy used the space heater; luckily the electricity still worked, slept under an extra comforter and wrapped up in a wool throw that Brian had purchased in Scotland. Someone in the congregation brought over a kerosene space heater as well. Monday, Leroy’s day off, was mostly spent in a small room in the house. I had thought Leroy might go to church, he said, “I thought about it, but I was ok. I had a lot of snow to shovel with some deep drifts, so I was busy.” Besides that bedroom has a rocking chair, desk complete with computer, and his stamp albums. What more could he want?
A spare part was found in Des Moines and one of the congregation members who worked up there fetched it to Chariton. In the evening an excited Leroy called to say, “I again have heat. Yes! Would you believe that the part was just two months out of warranty?” Now that was timing.
Leroy said, “The temperatures never got below 40 so the pipes did not freeze and your plants look ok. Being in bed was the best place for me. I did not want to get out in the cold in the morning.” Neither Leroy nor I was comfortable with the idea of running the space heaters at night. Visions of fires danced in our heads.
Leroy was lucky it was not the couple days after I came home since the outside temperature plunged to zero and maybe a bit below.
Paula
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Hurting feet
Hello,
The day before I was to leave Utah my heels hurt quite a bit. The slippers I took were old and wimpy, could that be the problem. They pack easily because of their flexibility and thinness. Consequently, it was not comfortable dashing around the airport. I was grateful I did not have miles to walk as I sometimes do.
Once home I inspected those hurting heels as well as I could from a distance of a corkscrew twist. They looked cracked and Leroy, who had the better view, agreed. It is quite dry in Utah. I faithfully applied body lotion, but skipped my feet. At home my feet get a petroleum jelly swath nightly, not so in Utah. Now they are almost bathing in the stuff, resulting in less pain and healing. Next time will be different.
When Leroy pulled up to get me at the airport he was not in our car because it would not start again. He had called a woman in her 80’s to help him. She lives quite close and earlier when she heard we were having car trouble she offered. Because of the recent new snow fall he inched home. The road was clear most places, but there was blowing snow and some strips were quite shinny. Could that be ice? Another couple who made a later trip to the airport went in the ditch at 1:00 a.m. so we consider ourselves fortunate to get home without incident. Cautious Leroy sometimes comes out ahead.
Today the car was inspected by a mechanic with the conclusion that the floor mat had slipped under the clutch. The car will not start if the clutch is not down all the way. At any rate all the electrical data checked out fine. That would explain the erratic nature of this problem since I know that mat moves around some. That floor mat has caught on the clutch sometimes when I try to shift. Personally I think we should throw it out but Leroy does not sound ready to do that. I say, “So what if the floor under the pedals looks bad, then we can buy another mat or even keep this one and put it back.”
Paula
The day before I was to leave Utah my heels hurt quite a bit. The slippers I took were old and wimpy, could that be the problem. They pack easily because of their flexibility and thinness. Consequently, it was not comfortable dashing around the airport. I was grateful I did not have miles to walk as I sometimes do.
Once home I inspected those hurting heels as well as I could from a distance of a corkscrew twist. They looked cracked and Leroy, who had the better view, agreed. It is quite dry in Utah. I faithfully applied body lotion, but skipped my feet. At home my feet get a petroleum jelly swath nightly, not so in Utah. Now they are almost bathing in the stuff, resulting in less pain and healing. Next time will be different.
When Leroy pulled up to get me at the airport he was not in our car because it would not start again. He had called a woman in her 80’s to help him. She lives quite close and earlier when she heard we were having car trouble she offered. Because of the recent new snow fall he inched home. The road was clear most places, but there was blowing snow and some strips were quite shinny. Could that be ice? Another couple who made a later trip to the airport went in the ditch at 1:00 a.m. so we consider ourselves fortunate to get home without incident. Cautious Leroy sometimes comes out ahead.
Today the car was inspected by a mechanic with the conclusion that the floor mat had slipped under the clutch. The car will not start if the clutch is not down all the way. At any rate all the electrical data checked out fine. That would explain the erratic nature of this problem since I know that mat moves around some. That floor mat has caught on the clutch sometimes when I try to shift. Personally I think we should throw it out but Leroy does not sound ready to do that. I say, “So what if the floor under the pedals looks bad, then we can buy another mat or even keep this one and put it back.”
Paula
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Trip Home
Hello,
I was home again late on the 23rd, but yesterday was busy so I did not write. The trip was mostly uneventful. Daughter Miriam believes there is no reason to sit around in the airport and wait to board the plane. That is just how it worked out. I was to be there 15 minutes ahead of boarding, having checked in on line before we left the house.
At the airport I opened the back car door to give 19 month-old Nora a good-bye hug and kiss. When I said, “Granny is leaving.” Nora burst into tears. Perhaps she was afraid that her mom was leaving again, but Miriam reported that she was sad for sometime. Olivia who does not connect as tightly with me was ok about my leaving.
After I got through security I had planned to fill my water bottle, but at the gate there was a line of people boarding the plane so I just got in line and on. Now that was a little less waiting time than I desire. Miriam tells me they must have started to board early, probably true since we did not leave for 20 minutes. The plane was small and it did not take us long to get on.
In Denver we could not park right away because another plane was at the gate. My next flight left in 40 minutes and more than 25 minutes of that was used waiting. Then in the airport I had to find a departure board to learn that the gate was back in the direction that I had come from. Again it seemed there was no time to fill the water bottle as people seemed to be standing in line. However, they announced that as soon as the plane was clean we would board. I called Leroy to let him know my status. Some time later, time enough to have filled the water bottle, they announced that we would board as soon as they replaced a seat. This time I waited until I was seated on the plane to call Leroy and tell him that we would be about 30 minutes late. He was already on the road since he had to travel by car about as long as I did by air. But it all works out.
Paula
I was home again late on the 23rd, but yesterday was busy so I did not write. The trip was mostly uneventful. Daughter Miriam believes there is no reason to sit around in the airport and wait to board the plane. That is just how it worked out. I was to be there 15 minutes ahead of boarding, having checked in on line before we left the house.
At the airport I opened the back car door to give 19 month-old Nora a good-bye hug and kiss. When I said, “Granny is leaving.” Nora burst into tears. Perhaps she was afraid that her mom was leaving again, but Miriam reported that she was sad for sometime. Olivia who does not connect as tightly with me was ok about my leaving.
After I got through security I had planned to fill my water bottle, but at the gate there was a line of people boarding the plane so I just got in line and on. Now that was a little less waiting time than I desire. Miriam tells me they must have started to board early, probably true since we did not leave for 20 minutes. The plane was small and it did not take us long to get on.
In Denver we could not park right away because another plane was at the gate. My next flight left in 40 minutes and more than 25 minutes of that was used waiting. Then in the airport I had to find a departure board to learn that the gate was back in the direction that I had come from. Again it seemed there was no time to fill the water bottle as people seemed to be standing in line. However, they announced that as soon as the plane was clean we would board. I called Leroy to let him know my status. Some time later, time enough to have filled the water bottle, they announced that we would board as soon as they replaced a seat. This time I waited until I was seated on the plane to call Leroy and tell him that we would be about 30 minutes late. He was already on the road since he had to travel by car about as long as I did by air. But it all works out.
Paula
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Eyes Open
Hello,
Andy picked me up at the airport, brought me to the house, and went back to work. The woman who had been staying with the kids soon left. I sat and mostly got reacquainted with the layout of the house. When I heard the first awake noises from the bedroom, I waited to make sure they were the real thing. I slowly opened the girl’s bedroom door, stopped just seeing two pairs of eyes looking at me. Three sets of eyes checking out the scene, a smile from the little one, and all eyes were smiling. How nice we got on right away. Hoorah for webcams that keep my image alive and current!
Andy said he would prepare supper, so I did not worry about it. Let someone else deal with that conundrum.
In the last afternoon we walked/stroller rode to a park in the neighborhood. It is really a school playground, but after school it morphs into a park with a nice set of playground equipment.
Out of a car came a young man with five elementary age boys. They all sported camouflage caps or hats. The man started demonstrating some moves on the equipment that includes a short climbing wall, swinging bridge, and other things I recognize but cannot name. He told the boys to pay attention because they were going to go through the maneuvers soon.
The demonstration complete, he pulled out a stop watch, named two of the boys, and told them to start. From time to time he encouraged them to go faster and he swung some of the pieces around making it more difficult to accomplish the goal. He answered his phone talking loudly enough that it was clear when he said, “I am in the park with boys, giving them some military training.”
Mildly shocked might describe my feelings. I cannot imagine a reason to start “military training” at age 6-9. Exercising is great, but I see a different purpose in that. I also believe that exercise is lifelong if it is not competitive and not for some compartmentalized purpose.
Paula
Andy picked me up at the airport, brought me to the house, and went back to work. The woman who had been staying with the kids soon left. I sat and mostly got reacquainted with the layout of the house. When I heard the first awake noises from the bedroom, I waited to make sure they were the real thing. I slowly opened the girl’s bedroom door, stopped just seeing two pairs of eyes looking at me. Three sets of eyes checking out the scene, a smile from the little one, and all eyes were smiling. How nice we got on right away. Hoorah for webcams that keep my image alive and current!
Andy said he would prepare supper, so I did not worry about it. Let someone else deal with that conundrum.
In the last afternoon we walked/stroller rode to a park in the neighborhood. It is really a school playground, but after school it morphs into a park with a nice set of playground equipment.
Out of a car came a young man with five elementary age boys. They all sported camouflage caps or hats. The man started demonstrating some moves on the equipment that includes a short climbing wall, swinging bridge, and other things I recognize but cannot name. He told the boys to pay attention because they were going to go through the maneuvers soon.
The demonstration complete, he pulled out a stop watch, named two of the boys, and told them to start. From time to time he encouraged them to go faster and he swung some of the pieces around making it more difficult to accomplish the goal. He answered his phone talking loudly enough that it was clear when he said, “I am in the park with boys, giving them some military training.”
Mildly shocked might describe my feelings. I cannot imagine a reason to start “military training” at age 6-9. Exercising is great, but I see a different purpose in that. I also believe that exercise is lifelong if it is not competitive and not for some compartmentalized purpose.
Paula
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
In Utah
Hello,
Here I am in Utah without my phone charger and watch. I can’t decide which is worse to be missing. I had to search for the clocks in the airport because I did not want to turn on my phone and run down the battery just looking for the time of day. I can say that airport clocks are not as plentiful as I might have thought. After all the phone is most important because I must be able to call Leroy and tell him my flight status so he can get me at the proper time. Now that I am at Miriam’s I can use the phone here eliminating that problem and once I found the clocks time is not a problem either.
Again we left for the airport before the crack of dawn, but it was light when we arrived there. Leroy took the long way safer way to my disgust. As it turned out he was probably right as there were places even on that road that had drifted and needed some extra caution. After we got to the four lane highway, it was noticeable that the traffic was not generally going the speed limit. Figuring that they were regular commuters Leroy let them set the pace. Luckily we had allowed enough extra time to get to the airport just when it was necessary to be there.
Even though all of the extra snow is not welcome by most, the airplane window view was quite beautiful with all of the snow cover allowing wiggly creeks to be seen as they meander through the landscape. Then it was on to sectioned fields and wooded areas. As we climbed ever higher I could see something moving on the ground, something that stayed in the same area and seemed to be waving back and forth. Was it something mechanical? Oh, it was the shadow of a wind charger on the snow, before the plane got too high ten of them were visible. Later on there were strange brown squares or rectangles down there. Could that be wooded areas with brown branch tree tops hiding the snow in their midst? Not long after we were over some cloud cover and the ground was not visible until some place in western Nebraska or eastern Colorado where there was little snow on the ground. The shade was lowered on the window in the mean time as requested so others could see the entertainment screen or sleep. Most shades were up however, so I did not feel obligated to keep mine all the way down either.
Paula
Here I am in Utah without my phone charger and watch. I can’t decide which is worse to be missing. I had to search for the clocks in the airport because I did not want to turn on my phone and run down the battery just looking for the time of day. I can say that airport clocks are not as plentiful as I might have thought. After all the phone is most important because I must be able to call Leroy and tell him my flight status so he can get me at the proper time. Now that I am at Miriam’s I can use the phone here eliminating that problem and once I found the clocks time is not a problem either.
Again we left for the airport before the crack of dawn, but it was light when we arrived there. Leroy took the long way safer way to my disgust. As it turned out he was probably right as there were places even on that road that had drifted and needed some extra caution. After we got to the four lane highway, it was noticeable that the traffic was not generally going the speed limit. Figuring that they were regular commuters Leroy let them set the pace. Luckily we had allowed enough extra time to get to the airport just when it was necessary to be there.
Even though all of the extra snow is not welcome by most, the airplane window view was quite beautiful with all of the snow cover allowing wiggly creeks to be seen as they meander through the landscape. Then it was on to sectioned fields and wooded areas. As we climbed ever higher I could see something moving on the ground, something that stayed in the same area and seemed to be waving back and forth. Was it something mechanical? Oh, it was the shadow of a wind charger on the snow, before the plane got too high ten of them were visible. Later on there were strange brown squares or rectangles down there. Could that be wooded areas with brown branch tree tops hiding the snow in their midst? Not long after we were over some cloud cover and the ground was not visible until some place in western Nebraska or eastern Colorado where there was little snow on the ground. The shade was lowered on the window in the mean time as requested so others could see the entertainment screen or sleep. Most shades were up however, so I did not feel obligated to keep mine all the way down either.
Paula
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Busy Sunday
Hello,
“What time is it?” I wanted to know as I saw Leroy up and looking out the window.
“It is 5:30,” he said, “I’m going to go out and shovel snow.”
I lay for a while longer, but soon got myself out to the driveway. Leroy was nearly ½ done by this time. There was almost three inches out there. We finished the job by 6:00. We went back in, got ready for the day, and started eating breakfast. “It is snowing again,” I said sadly.
By the time I came home from church about two-three hours later I again needed to clear the driveway of an additional 1-2 inches. Leroy arrived just as I was about done. This shoveling gets harder all the time because the piles of snow are getting so high I have a hard time getting the snow over the top. It continued to snow, but I cannot motivate myself to get out there again. Leroy is at a meeting. He will maybe have some time later in the evening to sit and relax. Some think ministers only work on Sunday and it is indeed a big day, but not the only one.
The car started every time that Leroy turned the key today. I suppose it will run for another couple weeks before it balks again. Just wish we knew what to do to correct the problem.
I propped up the amaryllis that now has four flowers open. It was decidedly listing to the side. My fix does not look elegant, but it works. It is a paint stick and old shoelace that came to the rescue.
I have several people signed up to walk with me through the Lenten season. We will not actually walk at the same time, but we are all trying to walk 2 miles a day for 40 days which comes to 80 miles. That is the distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Leroy took six sheets to the smaller church and he could have used one more. I had to work a little harder up here at “selling” the idea. Different groups, different responses.
Paula
“What time is it?” I wanted to know as I saw Leroy up and looking out the window.
“It is 5:30,” he said, “I’m going to go out and shovel snow.”
I lay for a while longer, but soon got myself out to the driveway. Leroy was nearly ½ done by this time. There was almost three inches out there. We finished the job by 6:00. We went back in, got ready for the day, and started eating breakfast. “It is snowing again,” I said sadly.
By the time I came home from church about two-three hours later I again needed to clear the driveway of an additional 1-2 inches. Leroy arrived just as I was about done. This shoveling gets harder all the time because the piles of snow are getting so high I have a hard time getting the snow over the top. It continued to snow, but I cannot motivate myself to get out there again. Leroy is at a meeting. He will maybe have some time later in the evening to sit and relax. Some think ministers only work on Sunday and it is indeed a big day, but not the only one.
The car started every time that Leroy turned the key today. I suppose it will run for another couple weeks before it balks again. Just wish we knew what to do to correct the problem.
I propped up the amaryllis that now has four flowers open. It was decidedly listing to the side. My fix does not look elegant, but it works. It is a paint stick and old shoelace that came to the rescue.
I have several people signed up to walk with me through the Lenten season. We will not actually walk at the same time, but we are all trying to walk 2 miles a day for 40 days which comes to 80 miles. That is the distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Leroy took six sheets to the smaller church and he could have used one more. I had to work a little harder up here at “selling” the idea. Different groups, different responses.
Paula
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Backyard skiing and Car Troubles
Hello,
Yesterday we finally got out the cross country skis and went round and round in the backyard. That included some of the neighbor’s yard too so the corners were not too sharp. It was so nice out today that I did not wear a hat, unzipped my coat, and took off my gloves. “We need some hills,” Leroy said after a while. I agree that little bitty hills would have been nice.
We got some exercise as well as getting some more of our money’s worth out of these expensive leisure items. At $10 a day for rental we are approaching the purchase price. I wish they were snowshoes instead. After snowshoeing in the Utah mountains I am hooked on them plus we would be able to go more places around town without worrying about walking across streets. Besides would have been a lot cheaper.
Again today our car would not start. Because it was thirty degrees we can not blame it on cold weather. Just after Leroy had called someone to “jump” it, he tried it one more time and it started just like that. Leroy suspects it is some electrical connection that is shorting out. Unfortunately unless it is malfunctioning they probably will not be able to find the problem. It is unnerving not to know when or why it will happen.
Tuesday morning early we leave for the Des Moines airport. I did call for a back up as I am just afraid that we will go out and the car will not start. Then what? I like living without depending on a car. Admittedly public transportation is not always there. So it is not perfect, but generally it is not a problem or there are alternate resources to fill in.
Paula
Yesterday we finally got out the cross country skis and went round and round in the backyard. That included some of the neighbor’s yard too so the corners were not too sharp. It was so nice out today that I did not wear a hat, unzipped my coat, and took off my gloves. “We need some hills,” Leroy said after a while. I agree that little bitty hills would have been nice.
We got some exercise as well as getting some more of our money’s worth out of these expensive leisure items. At $10 a day for rental we are approaching the purchase price. I wish they were snowshoes instead. After snowshoeing in the Utah mountains I am hooked on them plus we would be able to go more places around town without worrying about walking across streets. Besides would have been a lot cheaper.
Again today our car would not start. Because it was thirty degrees we can not blame it on cold weather. Just after Leroy had called someone to “jump” it, he tried it one more time and it started just like that. Leroy suspects it is some electrical connection that is shorting out. Unfortunately unless it is malfunctioning they probably will not be able to find the problem. It is unnerving not to know when or why it will happen.
Tuesday morning early we leave for the Des Moines airport. I did call for a back up as I am just afraid that we will go out and the car will not start. Then what? I like living without depending on a car. Admittedly public transportation is not always there. So it is not perfect, but generally it is not a problem or there are alternate resources to fill in.
Paula
Friday, February 12, 2010
Parsonage Open House
Hello,
The email heading was parsonage open house. “I wonder where that is,” I thought.
“It is from our congregation,” I questioned, “Are we having an open house in this house?” Then I remembered oh yes we are having fastnachts and an open house is a part of that event.
Now we are thinking that the Monday afternoon time might not be so good, but it fit our schedule. The school traffic is a bit much at the end of the day as parents line up in vehicles in front of our house, often blocking the drive. Oh well, it will all work out one way or another.
I got the voucher from Nike today. It more than covered my cost of the boots, but there are still no boots in my size in the online store. That is the only place that I can use this voucher. For some mysterious reason there are two more boot sizes listed today than were there yesterday. Maybe another day there will be more. I will wait a bit and if nothing more appears I will again contact the company to learn if I can order much later such as in the summer or fall. One problem is that they will only ship the boots to this address. What if we move before this can be accomplished? My uncertain future abode often puts a new spin on many situations.
The white with pink amaryllis did not look so good to me yesterday. Today now that two flowers are open to their full glory I am more impressed especially with the large size. The petals measure 9 inches from end to end. And 9.5 inches in the height department. They have won me over with the sheer size and presentation.
If you would like to see them you may go to this address. It is the second and third picture in the album.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/Rose#
Paula
The email heading was parsonage open house. “I wonder where that is,” I thought.
“It is from our congregation,” I questioned, “Are we having an open house in this house?” Then I remembered oh yes we are having fastnachts and an open house is a part of that event.
Now we are thinking that the Monday afternoon time might not be so good, but it fit our schedule. The school traffic is a bit much at the end of the day as parents line up in vehicles in front of our house, often blocking the drive. Oh well, it will all work out one way or another.
I got the voucher from Nike today. It more than covered my cost of the boots, but there are still no boots in my size in the online store. That is the only place that I can use this voucher. For some mysterious reason there are two more boot sizes listed today than were there yesterday. Maybe another day there will be more. I will wait a bit and if nothing more appears I will again contact the company to learn if I can order much later such as in the summer or fall. One problem is that they will only ship the boots to this address. What if we move before this can be accomplished? My uncertain future abode often puts a new spin on many situations.
The white with pink amaryllis did not look so good to me yesterday. Today now that two flowers are open to their full glory I am more impressed especially with the large size. The petals measure 9 inches from end to end. And 9.5 inches in the height department. They have won me over with the sheer size and presentation.
If you would like to see them you may go to this address. It is the second and third picture in the album.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/Rose#
Paula
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Cold Fruit
Hello,
“Look what I found on the step,” Leroy said as he came in the house carrying a box.
“The fruit is here already?” I asked and continued, “I did not hear the bell or a knock.”
A couple of our children have given us the gift of monthly fruit –monthly organic fruit. The other two months it came at the middle of the month and it was brought in the house right away.
These apples were some of the coldest that I have ever felt. Who knows how long they sat in that 20 degree temperature. This morning we learned for sure that they are still good.
We do not have as much snow and closures as DC, but the weather still gets a bit of notice and comment. I am starting to feel like it could stop with the snowing and I would not complain. And I like snow. For some reason this year we have not gotten out our skis. Maybe it was too cold on the days that I felt like going out. I personally wish they were snowshoes instead. It is so difficult to go across the street on the skis because of the sand, gravel, and salt on the road bed.
The amaryllis (How does one make that word plural?) is starting to open. The one downstairs is white with pink running through it. The upstairs one looks to be red and the others downstairs are still mysteries to be revealed in time. The geraniums have gigantic leaves, but no flowers. The wandering Jew just keeps putting out blooms that only last a day. They are tiny exquisite touches of lavender. Joy and delight abounds!
Paula
Ps the beans were cooked by supper time so the soup was good.
“Look what I found on the step,” Leroy said as he came in the house carrying a box.
“The fruit is here already?” I asked and continued, “I did not hear the bell or a knock.”
A couple of our children have given us the gift of monthly fruit –monthly organic fruit. The other two months it came at the middle of the month and it was brought in the house right away.
These apples were some of the coldest that I have ever felt. Who knows how long they sat in that 20 degree temperature. This morning we learned for sure that they are still good.
We do not have as much snow and closures as DC, but the weather still gets a bit of notice and comment. I am starting to feel like it could stop with the snowing and I would not complain. And I like snow. For some reason this year we have not gotten out our skis. Maybe it was too cold on the days that I felt like going out. I personally wish they were snowshoes instead. It is so difficult to go across the street on the skis because of the sand, gravel, and salt on the road bed.
The amaryllis (How does one make that word plural?) is starting to open. The one downstairs is white with pink running through it. The upstairs one looks to be red and the others downstairs are still mysteries to be revealed in time. The geraniums have gigantic leaves, but no flowers. The wandering Jew just keeps putting out blooms that only last a day. They are tiny exquisite touches of lavender. Joy and delight abounds!
Paula
Ps the beans were cooked by supper time so the soup was good.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Buying Reputation
Hello,
How much does a good reputation cost? Some days only $4.
The sewing machine stopped working. After considering newer cheap models, doing some detective work, and talking to sewers I decided to get my old heavy medal machine fixed if possible. It was possible. The call came that it was just needed cleaning at the cost of $45. Leroy drove over picked it up handed the guy $45 in cash, got a response, “Guess that will be enough,” and then Leroy left.
I looked at the tag and said, “Oh it cost almost $49 to fix it.”
“Really?” Leroy asked, “Well that explains the comment about enough. I was sure that I heard $45.”
Yesterday Leroy and I went out for a walk to that house, plus the library, post office and two stores. I figure $4 was little enough to give us the reputation of taking care of our debts. Otherwise who knows who he might have mentioned it to even casually and it changes the look of our intent to pay what was required. The guy did take the money and seemed happy to get it.
Leroy and I were both tired by the time we got home. We had slogged our way through some deep snow, dodged cars and snow plows, and shielded our faces from the wind in that walk that was perhaps almost five miles. The pedometer had over 10000 steps on it, but I had walked some before that trek started.
FYI Crock pots only work if you turn them on. At noon the crock pot was still cold even though the beans had been in it all morning. Hopefully the high temperature will cook the beans well enough to make great bean soup for supper. Corn bread will accompany this cold weather treat. We are colder than cities to the north of us. It was below zero this morning.
Paula
How much does a good reputation cost? Some days only $4.
The sewing machine stopped working. After considering newer cheap models, doing some detective work, and talking to sewers I decided to get my old heavy medal machine fixed if possible. It was possible. The call came that it was just needed cleaning at the cost of $45. Leroy drove over picked it up handed the guy $45 in cash, got a response, “Guess that will be enough,” and then Leroy left.
I looked at the tag and said, “Oh it cost almost $49 to fix it.”
“Really?” Leroy asked, “Well that explains the comment about enough. I was sure that I heard $45.”
Yesterday Leroy and I went out for a walk to that house, plus the library, post office and two stores. I figure $4 was little enough to give us the reputation of taking care of our debts. Otherwise who knows who he might have mentioned it to even casually and it changes the look of our intent to pay what was required. The guy did take the money and seemed happy to get it.
Leroy and I were both tired by the time we got home. We had slogged our way through some deep snow, dodged cars and snow plows, and shielded our faces from the wind in that walk that was perhaps almost five miles. The pedometer had over 10000 steps on it, but I had walked some before that trek started.
FYI Crock pots only work if you turn them on. At noon the crock pot was still cold even though the beans had been in it all morning. Hopefully the high temperature will cook the beans well enough to make great bean soup for supper. Corn bread will accompany this cold weather treat. We are colder than cities to the north of us. It was below zero this morning.
Paula
Monday, February 8, 2010
Super Bowl and Boots
Hello,
Those two subjects have nothing to do with each other, but I want to talk about both.
We again went to the Super Bowl party. Someday I guess I should learn something about football so I can handle these things if I am going to go again. This time no board games were pulled out so I was “stuck” looking at the screen and wishing I had brought a book since I have started reading at least five of them. Anyway I did learn who was playing and I did ask what something meant at one point, the problem is I need explanation for almost everything in the game. All I see is a group of men throwing, kicking, or running with a ball. I realize they want to make goals, but it takes such a long time to get there that it difficult for me to sit there and appear interested. It is all so serious. Guess I should be glad that some people like this rather than some more unappealing things.
The snow started sticking to the car and the ground so Leroy wanted to go home before the end of the game because we had to drive a winding road for 20 miles. Guess what? I did not argue to stay even though at that point they did get out some board games.
I sent my great, but leaky, Nike boots in to the company to see if they could fix them. Online it stated that they were sending me a voucher in the mail. I mourn the passing of those boots. I had thought about waiting until winter was over since I could wear the boots if it were colder than 25 degrees.
The voucher can be used at the Nike store online, but they no longer have these boots. The only boots they have are some that did not appeal to me. Plus I could only get about two toes in them as size 5 or 6 were the only ones left. Sadness is in my heart. Maybe by fall they will again have some boots in their selection and hopefully the price will not be so high that I can get them with the voucher. Hopeful is the feeling now.
Paula
Those two subjects have nothing to do with each other, but I want to talk about both.
We again went to the Super Bowl party. Someday I guess I should learn something about football so I can handle these things if I am going to go again. This time no board games were pulled out so I was “stuck” looking at the screen and wishing I had brought a book since I have started reading at least five of them. Anyway I did learn who was playing and I did ask what something meant at one point, the problem is I need explanation for almost everything in the game. All I see is a group of men throwing, kicking, or running with a ball. I realize they want to make goals, but it takes such a long time to get there that it difficult for me to sit there and appear interested. It is all so serious. Guess I should be glad that some people like this rather than some more unappealing things.
The snow started sticking to the car and the ground so Leroy wanted to go home before the end of the game because we had to drive a winding road for 20 miles. Guess what? I did not argue to stay even though at that point they did get out some board games.
I sent my great, but leaky, Nike boots in to the company to see if they could fix them. Online it stated that they were sending me a voucher in the mail. I mourn the passing of those boots. I had thought about waiting until winter was over since I could wear the boots if it were colder than 25 degrees.
The voucher can be used at the Nike store online, but they no longer have these boots. The only boots they have are some that did not appeal to me. Plus I could only get about two toes in them as size 5 or 6 were the only ones left. Sadness is in my heart. Maybe by fall they will again have some boots in their selection and hopefully the price will not be so high that I can get them with the voucher. Hopeful is the feeling now.
Paula
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Leroy's Birthday
Hello,
“Leroy, in case I forget your birthday tomorrow, I want to wish you Happy Birthday now,” I said just before we went to sleep last night. It is not too likely that I would forget, but I do not hold special days in such high regard as most people do.
I remembered to give him his gift this morning. In case you are wondering it was a kiss and a walking stick with a compass on top so he can enjoy walks and not get lost. I also did not bother to wrap it, but wound a towel around it. Even when he was feeling it he could not guess what it was. It is nice to be able to surprise him once in a while.
After yoga I made some granola since we had eaten the last for breakfast and that is something that we can not run out of. We both sprinkle it on our cooked oatmeal and on yogurt or fruit. Then as the granola was finishing I made a cherry pie. We do not have birthday cake, but prefer pie.
I make my pie crust with oil and some whole wheat flour; consequently I never make pie for anyone besides family. Others may find it not quite acceptable. Healthy overrides flaky and appearance at my house. It has been two years since I made a pie as Leroy reminded me that last year for his birthday we were just starting our trip to Kenya. The crust might be better if I spent more time practicing, but then we would have to eat it so that is not the best plan. Each time the result is a surprise. I forgot to put in candles, but had a candle on the table. Does that count?
Leroy and I both thought the pie was good and ate a piece at noon and one at night. That means half the pie is gone and tomorrow is another day. We can manage!
Paula
“Leroy, in case I forget your birthday tomorrow, I want to wish you Happy Birthday now,” I said just before we went to sleep last night. It is not too likely that I would forget, but I do not hold special days in such high regard as most people do.
I remembered to give him his gift this morning. In case you are wondering it was a kiss and a walking stick with a compass on top so he can enjoy walks and not get lost. I also did not bother to wrap it, but wound a towel around it. Even when he was feeling it he could not guess what it was. It is nice to be able to surprise him once in a while.
After yoga I made some granola since we had eaten the last for breakfast and that is something that we can not run out of. We both sprinkle it on our cooked oatmeal and on yogurt or fruit. Then as the granola was finishing I made a cherry pie. We do not have birthday cake, but prefer pie.
I make my pie crust with oil and some whole wheat flour; consequently I never make pie for anyone besides family. Others may find it not quite acceptable. Healthy overrides flaky and appearance at my house. It has been two years since I made a pie as Leroy reminded me that last year for his birthday we were just starting our trip to Kenya. The crust might be better if I spent more time practicing, but then we would have to eat it so that is not the best plan. Each time the result is a surprise. I forgot to put in candles, but had a candle on the table. Does that count?
Leroy and I both thought the pie was good and ate a piece at noon and one at night. That means half the pie is gone and tomorrow is another day. We can manage!
Paula
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Working yesterday
Hello,
Even though I have no one paying me for what I do, I still manage to keep busy. Yesterday was a baking day as I made more pumpkin bread and froze some of it so Leroy can have it while I am gone. I also made regular bread and froze some of that with Leroy in mind. Course I make bread almost every week so that is not unusual. I get a certain amount of satisfaction from the physical task as well as we like my whole wheat bread. Because I had defrosted too much pumpkin I also made a small recipe of pumpkin soup.
The pumpkin has been great to have around, but it will be good to see the last of it. I am especially working on getting all of it out of the freezer since that would be hard to move, although it appears that no move will be in the near future as the call committee did not accept either of the last two candidates and it takes a while to get more names. We will probably be here until the summer, giving us plenty of time to eat up the frozen pumpkin and maybe even some of the jars of pumpkin. There is still applesauce and pickles in jars.
I go to a community yoga group three mornings with meetings at the Episcopal Church close to the hospital. We were lying on the floor doing some moves when there was a rather loud whumpa-whumpa sound.
“That must be life flight,” someone said.
The sound kept getting closer and I said, “I want to go see it touch down.”
“Just like the kids at school,” remarked a former teacher.
I then jumped up and ran to the window with the entire group following like a row of ducks. Just like the kids at school? It was an easy landing with plenty of snow kicked up in the turbulent winds.
Paula
Even though I have no one paying me for what I do, I still manage to keep busy. Yesterday was a baking day as I made more pumpkin bread and froze some of it so Leroy can have it while I am gone. I also made regular bread and froze some of that with Leroy in mind. Course I make bread almost every week so that is not unusual. I get a certain amount of satisfaction from the physical task as well as we like my whole wheat bread. Because I had defrosted too much pumpkin I also made a small recipe of pumpkin soup.
The pumpkin has been great to have around, but it will be good to see the last of it. I am especially working on getting all of it out of the freezer since that would be hard to move, although it appears that no move will be in the near future as the call committee did not accept either of the last two candidates and it takes a while to get more names. We will probably be here until the summer, giving us plenty of time to eat up the frozen pumpkin and maybe even some of the jars of pumpkin. There is still applesauce and pickles in jars.
I go to a community yoga group three mornings with meetings at the Episcopal Church close to the hospital. We were lying on the floor doing some moves when there was a rather loud whumpa-whumpa sound.
“That must be life flight,” someone said.
The sound kept getting closer and I said, “I want to go see it touch down.”
“Just like the kids at school,” remarked a former teacher.
I then jumped up and ran to the window with the entire group following like a row of ducks. Just like the kids at school? It was an easy landing with plenty of snow kicked up in the turbulent winds.
Paula
Monday, February 1, 2010
Chariton News
Hello,
Saturday afternoon we learned that there had been a train derailment in town. On my way to the library I took a different street than the usual and walked up to a lot of activity with trucks, lifters, train police, guys moving around apparently randomly, and on-lookers. It was quite a sight to see the engine front end up in the air. It was at least high enough for me to walk under it. Then there was some track up in the air as well. I asked one of those purvayers of the scene for some particulars. They said, “Maybe the track moved a bit. There are eight coal cars that tipped their full load on either side.” That explains all those lifters with scoops. There must be a better name for those machines, but at this moment it is not coming to mind. By Saturday night the trains were once again running on both tracks. It was quite a remarkable job of getting things orderly again. Is there a crew whose sole purpose is to right the wrong on the railroad? Seems to me they must have done it before this considering their efficiency.
As I was going home a large bird flew out of the Catholic Church yard just ahead of me. It was quite magnificent. I must consult the bird book, but it seems to me to be a hawk, maybe even a red-tail. How strange to see such a bird inside the city limits. I think of them as rather shy animals glimpsed from the air even on the farm. Because of the brown tail the bird book only has the red-tail looking like the bird I saw. A mature hawk can be 18 inches long and have a 48 inch wing span. That comes close too, although this one was probably a little smaller than that. I was about 15 feet from the spot when it flew up startling me. What is a bird this large doing in town? Finding rabbits to be easy prey? Someone’s escaped pet?
Paula
Saturday afternoon we learned that there had been a train derailment in town. On my way to the library I took a different street than the usual and walked up to a lot of activity with trucks, lifters, train police, guys moving around apparently randomly, and on-lookers. It was quite a sight to see the engine front end up in the air. It was at least high enough for me to walk under it. Then there was some track up in the air as well. I asked one of those purvayers of the scene for some particulars. They said, “Maybe the track moved a bit. There are eight coal cars that tipped their full load on either side.” That explains all those lifters with scoops. There must be a better name for those machines, but at this moment it is not coming to mind. By Saturday night the trains were once again running on both tracks. It was quite a remarkable job of getting things orderly again. Is there a crew whose sole purpose is to right the wrong on the railroad? Seems to me they must have done it before this considering their efficiency.
As I was going home a large bird flew out of the Catholic Church yard just ahead of me. It was quite magnificent. I must consult the bird book, but it seems to me to be a hawk, maybe even a red-tail. How strange to see such a bird inside the city limits. I think of them as rather shy animals glimpsed from the air even on the farm. Because of the brown tail the bird book only has the red-tail looking like the bird I saw. A mature hawk can be 18 inches long and have a 48 inch wing span. That comes close too, although this one was probably a little smaller than that. I was about 15 feet from the spot when it flew up startling me. What is a bird this large doing in town? Finding rabbits to be easy prey? Someone’s escaped pet?
Paula
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