Stewed and Solved

Hello,

I opened an online account for myself at the Ely Library. Part of the reason for doing this was so that I would know how to help patrons and offer suggestions so they could renew their books at home. It was quite simple to open this account, but I did not use it for some time. The other day when I wanted to renew a book, I could not get in. It seems that I could not remember my user name. I was frustrated, but not stopped as I could sign as the person working the circulation desk even though I was at home and renew that way, but it felt like cheating. Also I wanted to access my account. I knew I had written it down, but could not longer find the paper.

Last night a patron told me that she had signed up but also seemed to have forgotten her password or perhaps her user name. Unfortunately I was little help to her as I could not even help myself.

Today was the day to solve this issue that I had stewed about and dreamed about. At home, I finally went into the system as the administrator. That is the user name and password I use to open cataloging. When in the system at this level I have access to almost everything or perhaps everything. It is necessary to be careful so I do not make any unwanted global changes.

I could get deep enough into my account that I could find my user name. By adding my birth date I could then create a new password. I have put that all on a piece of paper, but surely I will remember it? I filed it in a good place that I searched when looking for the last paper. I could have gone back out of administration and tried the password that I thought I had with the proper username, but I did not want to go through all the steps again, plus, I really do not care who knows how old I am.

Leroy put up two more shelves last night. He now has two and maybe three more to put in. He said, “I am ready to be done with shelves.” Soon it will be so.

Paula

Shopping Again?

Hello,

It is hard to believe that I would go shopping two days in a row. However, I bought nothing for myself except scotch tape that we were out of. Leroy however made up for that. All I did was urge him to get more. He had been complaining that his supply of jeans was either too large or too worn out. He got a new pair of jeans, a pair of causal almost dress black pants, a pair of navy blue dress pants, and a tan pair of jeans that are a bit towards the dressy spectrum. Besides that he also got a new pair of sneakers which he needed as the old pair was promptly thrown out when we got home. Leroy does not go clothes shopping often, but when he does he gets himself resupplied. Sales/clearance was the reason for some of these purchases as he got all of this for less than $75. We thought that was good.

We also got two picture frames. One was for a silk painting that Andy had given me some time ago and one was for a watercolor that we have had for 37 years. I was ready to get rid of the watercolor after the frame got broken, but Leroy likes it so we are going to try to get a cheap new frame to work with it.

Leroy thought he would work on the simple to assemble silk picture. Well half an hour, groans, and moans later it is still not done, but abandoned for the purpose of preserving Leroy’s mental health. The other picture is still waiting to be treated to that new frame home. Life is not always what it seems to be at first glance.

After that tension Leroy got out his stamps and worked on those. I am not always sure that that means, but he told me that he got three new stamps put in their proper spot. Following that we took a walk in new walking territory for us. I was rather glad to have Leroy with me as it was later in the evening and the streets were not square, but winding making it a bit more difficult to figure out the way home. My sense of direction pulled us through, however it was longer than either of us had anticipated. Challenging but successful, that is how life should always be. Good feelings follow that.

Paula

Visiting

Hello,

We had a wonderful visit with my sister and her husband. We learned that we can indeed have overnight guests in this place comfortably. So when you are in the neighborhood, come visit. We are ready. There are walks and talks we could experience as well as locations to tour and restaurants to savor if you like.

There is no expectation that you would contribute in such a way, but brother-in-law Gerald earned his keep by helping Leroy get the refrigerator up allowing gravity to assist with door closing. Then there was the fixing of the shower enclosure door. Leroy had helped a bit, but now it is perfect. After that it was measuring (that was the hard part for Leroy) and cutting boards for the corner shelf over the washer. The light in the attic had stopped working so it was determined that a new switch was needed. While out they got a good looking board for the shelf in the new cabinet. It was cut and in place promptly. For some reason the kitchen sink faucet unit had been put on backwards. So that now is in the proper forward facing alignment. Wow, this all makes a great improvement to these quarters. I had adjusted to the faucet but it was no problem to unlearn that skill.

While the guys were working on some of these things, my sister Carolyn and I went shopping. It was an interesting experience with me urging her to buy this and that. She listened some of the time and went home with five new clothing items. Maybe I do best not spending the money and helping someone else to.

In the evening we watched a movie that I had brought home from the library. Amazingly enough we all liked it.

Paula

Mind Changing

Hello,

My sister and her husband are coming to visit this weekend. In preparation I actually wrote down what I thought I would serve at two of the meals. I tried copying my kids, or at least two of them, who plan meals and then shop according. I must be at best an unfocused shopper. Leroy and I seldom eat meat, but I saw two meat bargains at the grocery store and I changed one entire meal plan. The other stayed mostly the same with just slight changes. At least I know I will not change the menu again as I do not want to have all that meat to eat on our own. I could freeze any remainder and serve it when Miriam and girls are here in August. Or perhaps Leroy would eat it since I believe he likes meat better than I do.

On my shopping trip this morning I drove to a store that I do not usually go to because it is a bit farther away. I wasn’t paying attention and I missed the exit on the Interstate making my trip quite a few miles farther as I was at the edge of town. I tried almost unsuccessfully to enjoy the scenery as I made this extra jaunt.

I am pleased to have the Christmas cacti at home. They are settling in, in the shady back yard. It has cooled off for them so hopefully they will appreciate that. I now have the hanger for the airplane plant and it is residing at the opposite end of the clothes line from the fern. Good to have my babies home.

I just finished a good book called Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult. The only thing about reading a good book is that it always ends which makes me a little sad. After all, “Now what do I have to do and think about?” I must confess that before the end I am usually reading as fast as I can because I want to know, but also there is a nagging thought that it will be over too soon.

Paula

Life Goes On

Hello,

Yesterday was garbage day. I did not know if recycle was being picked up or not. It was, but I was late getting out the glass jars that I had wanted to eliminate. They need to be put in a separate bucket so it takes a little more effort. I checked to see that the recycle bin was out so I went back upstairs, collected the jars, found a bucket, and started to put it by the bin when I looked in the bin to find that it had already been picked up. “Oh shoot, I will have to find an out of the way place in this small garage for these jars,” I thought as I looked down into the empty container.

At that moment I heard a big truck pull into the alley. Sure enough it was the recycle truck where it stopped at the house next door. I started to walk over there when the truck started up. “Oh heck, now I am between houses,” I moaned in my head.

The truck slowed and stopped just as came even with me. “You have some glass?” the driver wanted to know as he swung out to grab my bucket handle, unload it, and handed it back. There are good people all over willing to do the little extra. I am indeed blessed.

I got a letter from IPERS that had been addressed to our last address, at first I thought that it came on its own power, but then I noticed a barcode on it with our current address printed under it. Now all I have to do is tell them I have moved again. They are crediting my account with the money I make in Ely so they do know that, but not where I live. This moving around all the time is really for the birds who do not have to get mail forwarded or money credited to their accounts.

I have used a backpack that was Brian’s from college. Brian graduated in 1999. The zippers were giving me trouble so since this has a lifetime guarantee, I sent it in, greedily hoping for a new bag. Miriam did that once. Not only did she get a new bag, but she got an upgrade. My bag? It came back but it took me a while to realize that it has new zippers. Hopefully, that will be good. I do like this bag and it certainly has given me a lot of service in more than one country. My needs were met. I have a usable bag once again.

Paula

Excited too Soon

Hello,

That site for the z sources has 16 million records. I think it checks all of them by sending a guy running around to look for it. Some records it did not find and some took almost 15 minutes. One site on the internet talked about the software that the library has as not being so good after they updated it. In fact, while waiting for the record to be found it is possible to make a pot of tea including putting the kettle on. I did find six records and that is still very nice. I am not sure that all of the time is justified. I must figure out something that I can do as I am waiting for it to search.

Leroy tells me he has never heard of it taking so long. I suspect that someone goofed in the update for this software. When questioned the tech support people had no help or suggestions. I do not know what this software costs, but I would guess it is a few thousand.

Leroy’s work place is getting new cataloging software. He is a little excited about that, but they are having two hour training sessions everyday this week. That is overwhelming because of the amount of information that is passed on and there is no “hands on” so he is not sure he will remember much. At least two others are listening as well so they can ask each other. Leroy said he almost took a nap. I suspect that means he snoozed a little. Soon the move to the new building will be complete and the software in place.

My special girls were in again last evening. We had a nice time together. Perhaps it was good that I had asked them to leave the day before. I know that others have some trouble with them too. At least it is not just me, but how to solve these issues is tricky. It is nice that it is not school so they do not have to stay with us and when they are too out of control they can go some other place.

Paula

Excitement

Hello,

Yesterday at work I found a “good” Z source for cataloging. I did use if for one set of audio discs. Then I was busy with other things so did not get to truly test it out by working on the cart of movies that is waiting for someone to catalog them and add them to the library. All of those discs were donated so they are just waiting.

It was exciting, but not the excitement that I like when three local junior high age girls were in the library. I did not see it happen, but they spilled some pop on a chair as well as the carpet. It was in a closable bottle, but they are not the most responsible people in the world. I asked them to leave and with a bit of struggle they did just that. The rest of my time was quiet and peaceful in spite of a steady stream of people.

This morning we again had a bit of excitement as Leroy came back about 5-10 minutes after he had left for work. “Would you take me to work?” he wanted to know.

“Why?” I asked. Notice I do not leap to respond until I know what for.

“I have a flat tire,” he said. And this is a new tire, sigh, but covered under warranty. It will be ok, just a bit of fuss and bother.

I did drive him. He is now working closer, but it is more time consuming to get there as there is much construction downtown. I came home a bit more quickly, but not a lot. Leroy does not now have a place at work where he could leave his bike otherwise I think riding the bike and using the bike path would be much faster.

On my walk this morning, I stopped to admire some flowers on a woman’s porch. We had a nice little plant talk. It is so much easier for me to meet my neighbors when they are out and about. Knocking on doors does not interest me.

Paula

Good Day

Hello,

We walked to church as per usual. I was happy to have on more than one layer as again I was cold in the building. What is with the desire to freeze? Or are other people warmer than I am?

Yesterday was quite hot at over 90 degrees. Today was a much more pleasant temperature. The catalpa trees in the neighborhood are blooming. There must be at least seven that we saw when out and about. They are covered with white blossoms casting their sweet aroma over a wide area.

We go to the early service so we have plenty of day left. Leroy decided to put up two small display shelves that I have been requesting from time to time. The first went up as if he knew what he was doing, however the second required some intense measuring, glaring, muttering, and repositioning. They now are both up with decorative items gracing the beauty of the rooms. He also managed to put up three more small Slovak pictures before he declared, “I am done for the day.”

We make progress in small steps. We have two more pictures that require frames. One about which I say let’s not keep it, but Leroy likes it so it will stay with us. What I should do is carry the dimensions with me at all times just in case I should go to a garage sale and see the perfect frame.

This afternoon Leroy and I went to a good choir concert. Leroy was especially pleased that he had gone. It was a good group and the music was well done. A friend invited me. She keeps wondering if I would like to join. Not sure why, but I feel hesitant. It seems diving into things is not my style. I should be here through the next season as Leroy’s job is to last until next summer and maybe even longer. At the concert we saw other friends. There is something satisfying about being in a place where I can, from time to time, meet someone I know. That is something I have missed with all of this moving around that we have been doing. Usually everyone on the street is not someone I know or they recognize me and I am “racking my brain” to come up with a name for them.

Paula

Aging or unfocused?

Hello,

I dashed out the door, got in the car, drove easily with few cars on the road, got to Ely, looked at the clock in the car, and realized I was an hour early for work. I went in the library, put my lunch in the frig, grabbed my key, and went out for a walk. It was the perfect morning for just such an activity. However, I did not walk as far as I might have because I stopped and talked to three people three different times.

My Saturday in the library was a nicely paced busyness. People were in the space frequently, but not always needing help. Consequently I was able to get quite a lot of books prepared for the shelf. I like being busy with some time for people and some time for things. Perfect!

I had been told that sometimes some kids are a concern on Saturday, but that was not the case at all today. All kids who came in mostly took care of themselves by finding books or using the computers.

Tonight Leroy and I pulled weeds that were growing close to the garage. It begins to look much neater in the ally now. We should have done that earlier, but I did not realize some of them were so tall because I do not get over to that side of the garage.

Leroy spent some of his day in Czech village. He tells me that even though this is to honor the heritage of both Czech and Slovak peoples there is not much mention of Slovakia. I told him we will have to promote it. After all we think that Slovakia is much more important or at least equal.

Paula

More Clothes

Hello,

One problem about the plan to have one clothing item and one out does not work so well when you buy things that are not for the same function. Here the church is cold and I find I am frequently cool at work so I “needed” some cover that was not winter weight. Today I found four such items on clearance. Two of them are white, one tan, and one black. Sleeve lengths vary from long to the middle of the upper arm. I had thought I might take one or two back, but as they are at home and settling in I will keep all of them. Now the problem is that nothing in my wardrobe is just like that so I do not know what I should/would eliminate. Living simply is not so simple.

Yesterday I stopped at school and brought home nine of my plants. Two of them are in the house, the clivia and the peace lily as I do not think they do well outside. They do take up some space, but I can live with that. I left the two Christmas cactus there as I did not know that I was ready for them yet. I have, in the past put them outside. I may yet do that or just take up the offer from my friend to keep them for the summer too. However they are like old friends and I would like to have them around for a while.

I will work all day tomorrow. We take turns covering Saturday and it is now my turn. Even if I do not have many patrons visit, I have plenty of work to do although I have made great strides on the books that were stacked up for me. The only ones that are left are more difficult so I have been putting them aside. I really do not know how busy Saturdays are, but I would think that people would be out doing other things on a beautiful Saturday in the spring.

Leroy plans to ride the bike down to visit me even though he has some activities that he wants to attend. He also has some shelf making tasks around here that he would like to work on.

Paula

Annoyances

Hello,

I needed more time on my “pay as you go” phone. I tried to add it on line, but when I logged into my account it indicated there was no phone connected to that account. I do get advertisement in two of my email accounts. Next I tried using the other email and I could not get logged in. At that point I decided to add my phone to that other account, but it told me I could not do that as that phone number was associated with another account. I wonder if some of this mix-up occurred when I had to get a new phone since my old stopped working after it got wet. I then tried to get a password confirmation on the account that I could not log into. No luck going that route. I then called a service person. We had an extended conversation for several minutes while she tried to add minutes to my phone. After trying unsuccessfully for about 15 minutes she passed me on to someone else at the company. It took this new person almost ten minutes and at least two tries but finally the job was done. I had planned to have them clear up the confusion with my on line accounts, but no longer had the energy or will to face that challenge. At least now I can again talk on the phone when necessary. The cost? A few dollars and expensive time.

Leroy and I have a hand vac that we purchased a long time ago. After our move it had truly become a hand vac as a cover for the front had been lost in the move. The only way to make it operate was to cover that hole and I used my hand for that. Luckily two weeks ago I was looking in a box in the attic for something else when I noticed that cover, shouted with glee, put it on the vac, and it worked perfectly. I was only a little irritated with Leroy because he had opened that box, but happy that we had not gotten rid of it.

We have a small desk clock. It needed a new 1.5 V battery. The first store I looked in had them, but two for $15. Even though this was a gift clock a new clock would be cheaper. I put off doing anything. On my last shopping trip, I looked in a different store and found the batteries for just $2.83 for two. I don’t understand that price difference, but I promptly bought those cheaper batteries. The clock is working! Perhaps that higher price helped me to think that two batteries for the price of $2.83 was a good deal.

Paula

Mother's Day Activities

Hello,

All of my children/grandchildren called so that made my day complete. Otherwise I did a number of things.

Leroy and I took our usual mile walk to church arriving about two minutes ahead of time. Guess we could pick up the pace a bit.

Back at home we both read some and Leroy took a nap. Then it was on to some more serious activities. We watered the four tomatoes and one pepper that were planted the day before. The tomatoes where two in a pot instead of one in a pot, so I took those two apart. One of them looks a little stressed, but the other three look fine. While watering we pulled some weeds or future trees that were almost six inches long. The trees around here are all old and distribute seeds freely as they want to reproduce and leave a legacy.

Then it was on to vacuum cars. I got new floor mats for mine and I did not want to put them on dirty carpeting. Once the shop vac was out it was fine to move on and do both. After that we cleaned up the windshields and Leroy applied some RainEx. I am pleased to get that done. Hopefully I can see out the window today. Once it was quite streaky when finished and made it appear that I was driving through a fog that remained with me.

After all of that Leroy walked me to the Dairy Queen for a blizzard. That was quite nice and relaxing. It was a bit much sweet for me causing me not feel so well afterwards even though we had shared the smallest one. I think just a cone for me next time.

The last task of the day was to look in some more boxes. I found my whisk. I am so happy. It was in a box marked “pie plates” and it did not have a pie plate in it. This box also had the rest of my kitchen towels. Who marked these boxes? Unfortunately it was my hand writing. Earlier one other box had been marked with the pop corn popper and toaster. It, as well, contained my favorite bowl for making bread. Leroy had marked that one. We are both guilty.

Paula

People on the Trail

Hello,

There were not as many people on the trail yesterday as we have seen on some other days. However, there were still plenty of people who breezed past without a bit of notice other than an advancing tiny tire noise. Then I am always grateful that I stayed to my side of the path and was not parallel with Leroy. Others do give some warning so we know enough to hang right and are not startled as they zip around. Some of the speeders were going so fast that we actually saw them three times. I wonder if they were using this path as training ground for some future event. It does have a few small hills and some curves creating a bit of interest.

Then there was that guy whose radio was playing so loudly that we knew he was around about a mile away and a mile after. I was happy to hear the birds sing again when the radio faded into the distance. It might have been great music to listen to, but at that moment I found it intrusively blocking nature.

There was a place that they had blocked off on the trail. I could not convince Leroy, on the way to Ely, that we should take it as I had seen people over there when I drove to work. We rode on the paved road that is almost like a highway. I found it unnerving to ride on it even thought it used to be the only place we could ride. I realized that I was tucking my car side elbow in as the cars often did not move over very much. I learned that two cars and a bike will still fit. Leroy did not take too much persuading to trying the trail on the way back as there was no barrier on the south end. It was wonderfully relaxing. There was no problem with the trail, but just a road it crosses. All we had to do was lift the bikes over the plastic fence.

At that point we met three kids who had stopped by the barrier. Their mother came running up. Isn’t that a terrific way for a family to get out, exercise, and have fun?  She said they lived close to the trail. I was pleased to see in one area that many people have steps and little bridges that gave them access to the trail. I get the feeling the pubs and eating establishments to a good business because of this trail activity.

Paula

Bike Rides

Hello,

Leroy went on a bike ride Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I just rode the last two days. Thursday he only went about 10 miles. Last night we rode about 15 miles.

Today, Saturday we rode to Ely, just a little less than 25 miles round trip, to read the paper and shared a quick greeting with some people there.

I packed food for snacks or a recharge of the bike battery, depending on how you look at it. Leroy thought I was being excessive. Before we got to Ely I was feeling quite drained and in need of some sustenance. We stopped at the end of the trail on a bench by the pond. It was quite nice to see and eat as we watched four boys fishing. One of them called, “Come see the fish we caught.”

“Ok,” I said as I got up and moved over to their buckets. Before I got all the way over one of plunged his hands inside one bucket and pulled up a fish that was probably over a foot long.

“It’s a bluegill that my brother caught,” he announced as his brother ran up to take some pride in ownership.

“Will you eat it?” I inquired but knew from their slightly horrified looks that it would be a no.

“We just caught it accidently,” one of them said.

“Are you going to let it go,” I wondered.

“After our grandma sees it,” was the reply.

In retrospect we think Ely was a long way to go to read the paper, but had other benefits as well. We ate all of the food I had packed, felt the wind in our hair, felt the sun come out, and greeted people.

Paula

Temptations

Hello,

Normally I do not eat much fast food and am not often tempted by it. However, in this neighborhood I am finding it much harder. On my walks out and about I often pass five to ten eating places. Some are fast food and some are probably a bit slower. There is even a Dairy Queen just two houses and across the street away. It is hard not to think about and notice these places as they do all they can to attract attention to themselves.

So far Leroy and I have not succumbed to their lure, but I suspect it is only a matter of time. If nothing else I would imagine, when Miriam and girls are here from Utah we will have to make at least one trip there. As it will be August, ice cream will have a certain allure.

Something I should not be tempted by in the least is to use my thumb as a cutting board. Lately I have been cutting my thumb even though I have used this none recommended method for years, especially when cutting something fairly soft. As I recall my mother demonstrated this skill successfully all the time. It is a bother to get out the cutting board, but I am doing it even for something that would appear to be no problem. Finally that last thumb cut has healed even though I am sure my thumb print has been altered for identification purposes.

That new kitchen cabinet has been with us for a week and we are both so grateful to have found it. It is indeed a blessing to us. Now if we can just find some board to be used as a shelf inside I can start putting more things in it and having them readily available at my whim. Some of these things, such as the popcorn popper, are residing in such a high place above the cabinets that a chair is required to get it down. We like our stir crazy popper. We thought we had bought the best popcorn in the world when we got something that was the Iowa State brand. We have now found an even better corn that is grown or packaged in Cedar Falls. It makes the largest puffs I have encountered since my dad grew some popcorn. Just thinking about it tempts me to climb on a chair and get that popper down.

Paula

Quiet Day

Hello,

I worked today even though the library was closed. There is major stoppage in the sewer line so it was closed Monday as well. Today there was digging activity in the late morning with chunks of cement and dirt going out the door from the back room. Certainly there were plenty of men and machines. That accounted for discussion and motion. The discussion makes me realize there are some mysteries underground.

In the office, however it was peaceful enough that I could work and just create my own mistakes and try to wend my way through to a good solution. I have not figured out how to work my way around some problems and twice just deleted the whole thing and started over.

I thought I would be alone, but in addition to the men, the custodian or janitor, just what is the proper title these days, was there doing a more thorough cleaning.

I set my own hours today so when I got in town I walked up to the post office as it is just a half a block away. I am mailing in a backpack for the lifetime guarantee as I still have quite a lot of life left in me, or is it referring to the life of the backpack? The success of my sock lifetime guarantee return has spurred me on to do it again. The sock return even provided the box that was big for socks, but perfect for a backpack.

On the way to the post office I noticed the hair cutting place was open and not busy so I stopped and yes I could get a haircut. Besides I got to use the bathroom as there is none working at the library. My haircut looks very good. Now I feel fortunate to have this curly hair that allows me to cut and go. This girl is certainly good at giving me a perfectly falling in place cut. I am happy.

Paula

Left and Right

Hello,

Some of you may not know but I do not have a clear idea of left and right. Leroy does not often have an idea of east, west, north, and south with which I do better. I also tend to interpolate numbers. As you might guess it is great fun to travel with us since I am talking about east and west while Leroy is talking left and right. Both of us only can easily interpret half of the conversation.  Shades of Waiting for Godot! To add to the confusion I might make route 92 into 29. Life is an adventure.

I borrowed a Tai Chi DVD from the library. I have been having such a hard time with it as I am trying to be very careful with left hand, right hand, right foot, and left foot. The leader faces me so I keep thinking I must switch everything around and getting hopeless wound around. Finally today, the third day I have watched I realized he is saying left hand and moving his right hand. Probably so the participants could do a mirror image mimic instead of reverse. If that was part of the instructions I failed to hear it. Maybe tomorrow I can follow the simple beginner’s routine.

At least in the library I do not deal so much with left and right. I do have to occasionally work with numbers and I focus to keep the sequence going in the proper order. I am feeling more confident about my cataloging at the library. I have progressed on to magazines and DVDs. That means I have covered all but how to find those books that are not included in this database. I will have to do some searching on the internet for that data as I am sure they have been catalogued someplace.

I wish you could see the shamrock in my window at home. It was a welcome gift from our landlord. It died down some, I moved it to the south window in the office, and it has rebounded greatly. It has a lot of blossoms on it now along with new leaves. Beautiful! Soon I will get reunited with my, fifteen or so, house plants. I will probably have many of them outside for the summer as I am not sure how they can fit in this space. I understand they are growing and thriving as would be expected when living at the library.

Paula

Liking the Cabinet

Hello,

I do so like having the microwave on that cabinet. It is as Leroy said, “Solid as a rock.” The cart did not move with the wheels locked, but it jiggled which tended to be a bit disconcerting even though we knew it was secure. I have not loaded the drawer or the door part. There needs to be a shelf in there so Leroy is on the hunt for the proper board to use. He admits that the ones he has are not in good shape. I want something that is as good looking as the outside of the piece.

This afternoon Leroy and I went on the free tour at Brucemoor, the local historical mansion. Unsure that we could get in the 1^st Ave. exit, we walked the long way around. By the indication on MapWalk it was a mile and a half to get there in the muggy heat. Then it was wait a few minutes to form a tour, take the 45 minute tour, walk out the other exit cutting the distance closer to a mile, and collapse at home guzzling water while sweating. All in all it was a good outing as the mansion was beautiful and the history informative.

We had already walked about 2.5 miles to church and back so we had plenty of walking time. I wore my new dress to church this morning and was quite pleased with how it felt next to my skin. My only complaint would be that there are no pockets. I always like to carry a tissue with me and prefer it in a pocket rather than my hand. I even wore a new scarf that I had gotten that went well with it. The purpose of the scarf was to keep me warm as I do not have a shrug or some such fashion accessory. These days involve times of almost shivering changing to sweltering and sweating. Such marked contrasts! Who invented weather anyway?

We made pizza tonight. Leroy got brave and put on some hot pepper that we had grown years ago. It is quite potent. He complained, and not to be outdone I used some also. In the front of my mouth, I got it between my lip and that area above my teeth. It was next door to painful and then became intolerable for a few minutes. Milk, water, and yogurt helped some to ease the intensity. An orange seemed to help the most, but it was probably the time from application that really made it better. We can now testify that hot peppers do not lose their hot over time. I think I grew these about 20 years ago and in spite of hanging out in a jar they are as fiery as ever. I believe we could keep them another 20 years and once more experience all the punch they have to offer.

Paula

Happy With Things

Hello,

Garage sales can be great experiences. At the Ely city wide sale we found a kitchen cabinet that looks like it will be perfect for holding our microwave plus it has one long drawer with two doors beneath. What a gift! Are you ready for this? It was free. The guy said, “I just hate to throw things in the dump.”

It looks good. It does not totally match our existing cabinets, but close enough to fit in the small, intimate group. We could not fit it in our car. Our landlord had told us that he would even pay for something good if we found it, consequently I called to see if he would make the trip in his van. He did and was pleased to see it. He also bought a file cabinet at the sale so it was not a wasted trip.

We have some regrets about buying that microwave cart previously, but know that we can use it as shelving space in the closet or out by the clothes washer so it will all work out. It was a blessing too in the week or two that we have used it for the microwave as I did not have to bend down to put things in. Blessings abound.

At one sale I finally found some flower pots so I bought one to be used to replant my jade plant which I have already done. It is great. Another small purchase was an almanac from 2011. Ours was from 2006. We consider that a great step up. I know I can find all of this information on the computer, but we do not have the computer on all of the time. I still like books. Leroy was pleased to find a new insulated lunch bag for $1. Total sales for us came to $3.25. On top of that we had some great visits with people we know around town. Nothing could be better.

The cabinet is in place and the microwave would not work. Neither would the lamp in the bedroom. Oops it was just a circuit breaker. We are in business. I repotted my jade plant. Hopefully it will grow and thrive in its new home.

Leroy is happy as a clam. But then how happy are those clams and who can document that? He found a 4X6 peg board in the attic. Today with my board holding help he got it up and filed with his tools. As he said, “Now I can find them easily.”

Life is good here.

Paula

Know my children?

Hello,

I have to confess that I do not totally know my children. Both of the girls want some of the pieces of Slovak pottery that we had intended to give to our children, but now wondered would they want it. That is nice to know I was wrong. Getting it to them will be the issue. We brought it home from Europe in several trips and back in the days when we could cart 70 lb luggage for two. If we fly here it will take up much needed space, but then perhaps we can learn to pack lighter still. Somehow I think God is urging us to life the slim stuff life. Miriam is going to drive out this summer so we can send some with her. Sarah and we do not have any plans to get together soon.

Leroy is not going to take the Slovak books to work just yet as they will be moving the library next month. He wants to fool with them only once in that area. In the meantime I put two of them out on the coffee table where we can enjoy their last days with us. We do like these books, but can no longer justify the weight and space when we do not look at them so very often.

 At work from 1-8 today, I will be the only person there. That is the first time I have had an entire shift to myself. I will have some work to do besides running the desk. Of course the patron comes first so I will only do what I am able of the cataloging and ILL.

There is one man who has come to the library to use the computer. He must watch funny videos as he sits there with headphones on and does a deep belly laugh almost the entire time. I find that I am smiling and almost laughing myself after a while. When he was gone, another patron asked me what he was laughing at. We both decided that it brightened our day even though we could not see what he found so amusing. Maybe we should pay him to come.

On a different note, living on the second floor exposes us to another view of the life of birds. They are perching up here on the same level. If I want a limited bird’s eye view, I have it.

More things are hung on the walls in the kitchen. It is looking like our home.

Paula

Stuff and Things

Hello,

Gradually we are bringing down more things from the attic to learn if some of those unfound items are in boxes marked with other item names. On Sunday Leroy brought down two tubs of Slovakia things. These tubs were quite heavy. I would have had trouble moving them down. We have now decided that it is time to pass on some of these treasures from our former life of six years ago. Leroy knows that the museum library would like some of the books. Just those books will significantly lower the weight we are hauling around. We both like the books, but are happy with the idea of them being helpful or informative for many people. As long as we live in this place we can visit these books when we like.

There are some other items that are duplicated. At one point I thought our children might like them, but now I think probably not. Today, I have asked them their preferences. If they do not want them I am only going to keep one item and figure out what to do with the twin.

We have several small Slovak pictures that we will hang up as soon as we can figure out the most attractive place for them.

This morning I found the Mister Clean Erase so I was able to clean fingerprints as well as some shoe marks off the wall. Now there is an improvement almost as good as hanging a picture.

If we could just find my single large size whisk and the battery charger with batteries we would think we had it all. Where would you look for such smaller items?

I should mention that Leroy has put up another shelf in the bathroom closet as well as on in the kitchen closet. What a nice addition to my storage space. Go Leroy. He has also been hanging hooks. Organizing, organizing!

Paula