She has arrived

Natalie Andrea Padre was born:

September 29, 2011

9lbs. 13 oz.  21.5 inches

I am having trouble linking to the picture so if you want to see it let me know.

Paula

Three and Four year olds

Washington DC

Hello,

Even though I was just with two girls in Utah who are three and four years old, I realize I know little about such an age now. I went on a field trip at Lexi’s school. Her class is composed of just those ages.

Our destination was a park that was perhaps four or five blocks from the school. Sounds simple right? Multiply 2 children by ten and you might get a different picture in your mind of the proceedings. First, after I got there, it was time for snack, clean up, wash hands, go to the bathroom (a bit lengthy with only three stalls for girls), wash hands again, review rules for moving in the halls, assign partners, go out of the building, review rules for walking on the sidewalk, stop at the first cross walk, wait for all to get there, review rules for crossing the street, go to next cross walk, gather, cross in the same orderly fashion, go to next cross walk, repeat the process, arrive at playground, review rules for playground conduct, note the one small girl already on the playground, finally run and play.

Before we left another daycare/preschool group came, then another, and another group. To my mind this was not a big playground, but with only the mildest of concerns this was a successful outing. These teachers do not get enough credit from the rest of the world for handling so well this very important job. Seems to me it is more necessary than running any big company. There were three school adults and I was one of two volunteers.

Lexi was sad because one of her friends wanted to hold hands with someone else and not her. Then she wanted her mother who is in the hospital this morning for her appointment to be induced. At our latest call all is still ok, maybe progressing, but certainly not serious yet. Lexi also did not want me to leave after the field trip. Learning that I was leaving, she wanted to come with me. There were some more tears, but I thought her teacher dealt well with her earlier tears so I left Lexi in the teacher’s care.

Paula

Arrived in DC

Washington DC

September 28, 2011

Hello,

Leroy and I arrived in DC yesterday afternoon. Our first plane was at least ten-fifteen minutes late. We were sitting in the last row so almost no one was on the plane when we got off. Our bags had been plane sided and not up to the jet way when we exited. Leroy suggested that I go find out the next gate in Chicago and he would wait for the bags. I did that and learned from the kind desk attendant that it was a five minute walk away. We knew that our next plane was already scheduled to be boarding so we did not waste time loitering before moving on to the next spot. I only stopped once to be sure that I remembered correctly the gate this woman had told me. I can tell you that either the Bradways have slowed down, pulling bags restricts movement, or that woman race walks because we took longer than five minutes even at a brisk pace. It was not a problem because they had not finished boarding even though no one was in line when we came to the gate.

After we once again reacquainted ourselves with the DC metro, called Sarah for confirmation that we were indeed going in the proper direction, found the key, left our bags, and relaxed a little, we headed off to Lexi’s preschool. I hoped she would be happy to see us. I also worry a little about the kids remembering who we are. Checking in and heading up to her room we spotted her in the circle on the floor. When she saw us she smiled, got up, came over, and started out the door to go home. She did indeed seem pleased to see us. We enjoyed the walk home with the spotting of several different types of mushrooms or fungi.

The new baby still has not arrived, but they will induce on Thursday so we hope that does the trick. At least we are now here and can be with Lexi while this happens. For sure we are hoping this baby is not as late as all mine were. The closest to the due date was only nine days past that. It seemed like an eternity then, but now I wonder why it was a deal as it seems like a small thing in life.

Paula

We are still Here

Salt Lake

Hello,

Here, but not for long. We fly to DC tomorrow morning and arriving there in the afternoon. Hopefully all will go as planned. Our expected newest grandchild has not yet been born. If the birth is after we get there, and it appears that will be the case, this will be the first time that we will be in town for this event.

I have not written for a while because I have been busy as well as out of town for one night. Miriam and I went to a women’s retreat with her church family. I was able to go because someone opted out at the last minute. Prayer was the theme. It was wonderful to meet with women who are concerned about increasing their prayer life and response to God in their lives. I do not like meeting new people all of the time, but this was good. I knew some of these women because I have attended church enough to know their names. Then I learned the names of some I recognized, but had not spoken to. Finally I was able to meet some totally new people. Not all of them knew each other so that helped to make me feel more at home.

The setting was at Bear Lake. I am not sure what state I was in as we came from Utah, drove into Wyoming and then Idaho. My impression, from an over heard conversation, was that we were back in Wyoming. I was just along for the ride. It seems that is how much of my life is lived at the moment. Someone says go there and I do.

After coming back home I have read books, put children to bed, went on morning walks, hung out clothes, brought in clothes, folded clothes, ate meals, washed some dishes, read a book, played games a couple times, watere plants, ignored Leroy, and slept a little.

Leroy went on another hike this morning. Even though this was of shorter duration, he declares that it was a lot more strenuous than the previous climbs.

Oh, last night we went to Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus. More on that later if I remember. I recommend it especially if you can go with delighted 3 and 4 year olds.

Paula

Friendly stop

Salt Lake

Hello,

We stopped in Missouri Valley to stay with dear friends who talked about what it was like to visit us in Bratislava. I remember being so happy that they came to visit while they tell me that it was such a special trip that they can never repay us. We are all indebted to each other.

In the morning before we left we visited more dear friends who are so easy to talk to that we feel the conversation is continuing from years before.

There was an alternate route to get across the extra wide Missouri. Even though it was not a hardship for us we could see that the now receding water had indeed been a problem. Our hosts told us that their family had had about 1000 acres underwater.

After we got onto the interstate Leroy and I settled back in our seats preparing to just drive or doze. Guess who was doing which one? Neither of us are avid long distance car travelers, but we accept and endure with some grace. We think that mass transport would be the best, but “Beam me up Scotty” is not yet possible. With the flowers dancing in the back seat and visible in the rear view mirror as well as entertainment from a pack of trivia questions we covered many miles under clear blue skies. The board for our trivial pursuit came is broken so we have a box of the questions in the car. It is very good for us because we are not competing with each other as when we played on the board. Leroy knows so many more answers than I do and it angers me or it perhaps embarrasses me anyway this is better because we are not trying to win, but just answer the questions correctly. It is also good to be traveling after school starts as there are not so many cars on the road.

Paula

On Our Way

Salt Lake

Hello,

We left Burlington with the sun in our faces, but it was not hot with the occasional cloud blocking the rays, consequently I did not worry over much about my plants. I drove and Leroy slept as he had been working since 5:30. He had done much more lifting than I had. It was a relief to have finished this task. Now we turned our sights to the west.

We had supper with friends from the Chariton congregation. It was wonderful talking to people with whom we had a longer connection, just like slipping into a pair of great well worn slippers offering comfort and ease.

For the evening, we reconnected with a dear pastor friend and her husband. As we were very tired, we went to bed early with the plants watered and sitting on their deck safely away from the lips of the local hungry deer.

Sunday, we attended church in Chariton and Corydon before having lunch with a number of these great people. It was wonderful to chat and catch up with these friends. I often think that I am tired of moving around, but there is the truth that I would not have the blessings of these people in our lives if we had stayed in one place for a longer time. I felt refreshed and relaxed as we traveled on to Missouri Valley where Leroy had his first pastor job.

Again it was a beautiful afternoon for driving along to the west with some cloud cover to give us intermittent respite from the sun.

Every day I declare as my plan that I trust God for the day. Perhaps like the code of some organizations I just can manage to take it day by day rather than for the rest of my life.

Paula

Final Deals In Burlington

Hello,

One of the women vacuumed and swept for me. It was great to have someone do that even though most felt that it was not really necessary. As seems to be my usual style, I hardly moved a box. My role seems to be that of answering questions and running around looking for things.

When I was the only one in the house I checked rooms only to find the vacuum cleaner still sitting in the living room. I raced through the rest of the rooms again to be sure they were absolutely clear of our things, dragged the cleaner out to the garage, put the upright unit in the passenger seat, drove out to the road, turned a corner and wrestled with the tipped vacuum, and got to the storage unit in plenty of time, but realized that I had forgotten the hoses. Sigh! There I did learn that many thought it would not be possible to get all of our things in the 10X15 foot space.

I drove back to the house, pulled in the drive, used the garage door opener to open the door and realized that we had not thought to give someone the opener in the other car which was already out of town. At least this one would be easy and that should not be too difficult as the car was at Leroy’s sisters house and they were members of the congregation. It was just a matter of notifying people.

So now I basically repeated my steps; load hoses in front passenger seat, check rest of house, and drive back to storage unit. At least this gave the plants some idea of what type of trip was to come.

Everything fit in the storage unit, however someone commented that the people who helped put it in would have to take it out as it was booby trapped. All were impressed and amazed that it happened. We enjoyed a final lunch with a wonderful couple before we headed off to Chariton.

In some ways it is satisfying to get this task done even though I do not enjoy the moving, especially since it does not lead immediately to another home.

Paula

Moving Tales

Hello,

Well that last day before we moved from Burlington was one busy day. I also wasted a certain amount of emotional energy berating myself for not doing more earlier in the week. As it turned out we got up at 5:30 and worked until we fell into bed exhausted at 10:00. The following day which was moving day we got up at 5:30, ran around and did all those last minute kitchen things that had not yet found a box home. Plus we repacked one box that woke me in the middle of the night when I thought about how heavy it was. We also packed the car so no one would accidently grab something that was not to be stored. We then consumed our last meal in this house. Breakfast, consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, broccoli, milk, and satisfaction at cleaning out the refrigerator.

Half an hour before we had expected help to arrive the first person came.  I put her to work cleaning the kitchen cupboards since Leroy and I had to leave to pick up the moving van. Returning to the house we found three more people ready to pack up. The kind woman who cleaned the cupboards told me that we had not cleaned out one shelf of some last minute items. I was grateful that she found them, but I told her she must not tell anyone how dirty the space was as I had not cleaned the shelves since we had moved in just a year ago.

It was not long before we had a full moving crew who efficiently shifted all our goods from house to moving van. Actually one person took a number of boxes and pictures in their truck to keep them safe.  I am always amazed at how blessed and supported we are. There are good people everywhere.

Everything was out of the house by about 11:00. Everyone went on to the storage unit, except me. I stayed at the house to gather and dispose of the last odd things that were lying around.

Paula

In Salt Lake

Hello,

Leroy and I arrived at Miriam’s home on Tuesday September 13. In the time since arriving, Leroy and I have even both taken naps, played with two giggling girls, read to these same children, twice walked to the library, helped with washing dishes, cleaned up our mess, delivered plants, tried to find an item we brought, put away half used items needed to make granola, read some, worked on a crossword, slept, showered, pulled weeds, planted some plants, watered plants, gone on walks or runs with girls on training wheeled bikes, played a game with adult household members, found temporary home for some clothes and toiletries, pet the dog, and took morning walks. Consequently I have not had time or energy to write.

As it is I am struggling with this laptop. I seem to have some habits that are not compatible with the key board. So I am grumpy as I get the words on the screen. Leroy, of course, has no trouble with it. I believe that I let my hands rest on the keys too much and inadvertently touch things I do not really want to touch.

My solution is to sit on a pillow, mutter, and save more frequently when writing. That does not help me when I am on the internet causing all sorts of interesting side trips. They might be interesting, but I do not hang around, just long enough to frown and get out of there.

I brought five houseplants that all look great. The one outdoor hanging plant is beautiful. It was great to look in the center rearview mirror and see it dancing in the back seat for 1220 miles. I enjoyed that. Miriam was so happy to see such a good looking specimen that she promptly took down her dying hanging plant and put this on the hook for all the world to see. I will get to enjoy it for a couple more weeks for sure.

In later letters I will give you more information about the trip, but for now this is just to let you know that all is well.

Paula

Phone and Internet Disconnect Tomorrow

Hello,

Tomorrow our phone and internet will be turned off. Actually I just learned from Leroy that he does not know if it is turned off at midnight tomorrow night or if it will happen some time during the day. I am planning on not writing tomorrow. After that I am not sure when I will be writing again. Following the big packing and storing we head off on Saturday afternoon/night for Chariton, IA and then on to Missouri Valley, IA Sunday night. On Monday we will head off into Nebraska but perhaps only driving through it and stopping in Cheyenne, WY.

We made a lot of packing progress in the kitchen today.

We wrestled with three hard boxes that did not want to be packed. Leroy did some and this time I redid his work to make it fit in a more efficient way. I also packed a box of baskets that had been rather problematic until now.

The couch is gone, picked up by the Salvation Army. The driver, who is a member of the church here, commented that it will help to feed some homeless people. They now serve meals six days a week. “Will they get $25 for it?” I wondered.

“It looks nice, I believe they will get $50-$100 for it,” he replied.

I did not tell him, but we paid $100 for it five years ago. That would be something if our use was just caretaking.

Leroy has the second car packed with many long handled objects from the garage. That way he will not have to work to get them on the truck or in the storage space. He looked at the storage space today and declared that we will probably need two places. That is ok since we can do that here because they have small spaces available. And it is only money which has been resting and waiting for the day when it is needed to make our lives more comfortable or rather our stuff more comfortable.

So perhaps this is good bye until a few days down the road.

Paula

Leroy saw six deer in the yard last night. The usual four must have invited company.

Clothes and More

Hello,

Clothes are 99% assigned to their spots. Leroy took a lot of time, but finally figured out how to pack my weights. We lost the original box so it was difficult since they weigh too much to have many other things in the box, but the base would not fit in a small box. Then I have some other 3 and 5 pound weights that are all scattered among several boxes. In the beginning we are so careful with packing and things are organized and make sense. At the end we come to the hard stuff that gets quite random. It will all end up in the same place, but who knows when I will think to unpack that particular box?

I packed my jewelry today. That is not hard, but takes some time. I say jewelry, but it is almost all necklaces. Thank God I do not wear earrings. I also packed my writing desk contents. Bless Leroy’s heart he then cleaned that room. I am not sure he got the second room cleaned, but I had moved on to other things such as washing bathroom rugs.

The kitchen cabinets are almost bare and items sitting on the counter. Tomorrow we will tackle those last big bulky hard to fit in and orderly manner, items. Leroy also will get the storage space contract signed, pick up his medical papers from the Dr. so he can carry them with him. I always go through the hassle of having the new Dr. get them. In the afternoon we will make a run to the recycling place, drive the second car to its temporary home, and do a trial run at packing the car to have a better idea about how things will fit and if we can get them in. If they do not fit something will have to be stored. Leroy is still taking about my plants as if they will occupy as much space as a small elephant.

I picked up my neighbor from the Burlington airport. She just raves about this small private airline. I wish I had worked harder at finding out how to use it. It is so easy to go there, no parking issues or fees, little lines as only eight passengers fit on this aircraft. It sounds like my kind of plane in which I could have my nose pressed against the window the entire trip. Maybe somewhere else there will be such a deal and I will search harder for it. It was too small to find on the internet. I will just go to the airport and ask questions.

Paula

clothes still a struggle

Hello,

I eliminated a few more clothes from the will take pile to the store pile. But we have not yet tried to put them in the suitcase to see if it will work for the two of us. We both definitely agree that just moving from home to home is an easy job. Instead of wondering what to take and what to store it is simply a matter of what will fit in which box.

Leroy has packed all of our pictures and that is a big job. He was lucky that all of the pictures boxes he made for the last move were still useable so that big pictures were a simple matter of taking them off the wall, putting in the box, and sealing it. The others were a bit more work but he got that done with a little help from me. I was not doing it to his specifications so I mostly stayed away from that task.

Instead I made the last batch of bread, the last batch of granola, washed two loads of clothes, hung them out, and took them down. This gives us the best idea of what clothes are available as well as something to eat.

Tomorrow my plan is to finish two rooms and clean them. That will give me a sense of accomplishment. Right now I get the feeling I finish nothing. But the pile of packed boxes keeps getting bigger so I am getting a few things done. But it is hard to finish an area when we still need to live here for three more days.

We are busy eating last things no matter what our meal combinations are just so we are getting the proper nutrition combination. At least Leroy is a flexible guy when it comes to eating. We have even had some interesting, delicious surprises.

That optimistic Leroy checked out two more books from the library. He must think there is plenty of time left, but Leroy is a speed reader usually finishing two or more books to my one.

Paula

Clothing Again

Hello,

Today was a big work on clothing day. It is quite embarrassing as we consider ourselves to be non-materialistic. The pile of clothing that we collect belongs to people who are gatherers of the material things. I divided my clothes into three piles. One pile was to take with us for the unknown future that amount should fit in one larger suitcase and one carry on size. Without bringing in the carry on, I can tell that it is hopeless to think it will work. In addition there were two large boxes, one of which has things in it that cover more seasons and could be easily gathered if we do extend this hiatus. The third is for taking over seas as Leroy is talking seriously about doing that again. I am just dragging my fingers as I have not filled out the application yet. But maybe that is the direction we must go as Leroy said he heard from two more synods with nothing for him.

September 5, 2011

Still working on those clothes! We have gathered another box of “give aways”. Who could believe that there are so many? I have now suggested that we share a large suitcase and each have one carry on size as surely we can manage not having so many clothes with us. There are washing machines all over this country and some will be available for our use. It seems that it would just be more pleasant to travel a bit lighter. The largest problem is not knowing what the weather will be in the changeable fall season so clothing warmth is an issue. Somehow it is also an emotional issue and we need breaks after too much struggle.

So now we must both go through that stack up things we would like to take and narrow it down to a stack that we can use if needed. So what if people see us in the same clothes all of the time. We will set a new standard of excellence for the US fashion culture and the good of the earth, that is wear your clothes more often and have fewer of them.

Going back to the plants, Leroy reminded me that I have five amaryllis bulbs in the ground that I plan to dig and they will be hauled to Utah because I can not think they will like storage if the time gets too long. Good thing we plan to cut back on the amount of clothes.

Paula