New Glasses

Hello,

Last week I decided to use some more of our wellness dollars and get new glasses. I stopped at Wal-Mart asking if they were covered by our plan. (Later Leroy said, “Where did you get that card? I have never used it.”) She said that often they do lower the price, but I would have to turn it in myself. My next question, “When can I see the doctor?”

“Right now?” she replied.

“Right now?” I wondered.

“Well, as soon as you have finished the paper work he will be done with the person he is seeing,” she responded.

That is just how it worked. All of the people there were astonished that I had not gotten new glasses for five years. Seems I am in the minority. I should have perhaps come in sooner as I needed change in both the distance and the bifocal part. With my new glasses on, I am amazed at the clarity with which I see in the distance. So far I have not really figured out the proper place for my head to be to get a consistent good view close to me. For instance, I still have on my computer glasses. Also the doctor told me that the anti glare had been coming off of my regular glasses. At night it is much better to see in the streets with the car’s flashing past. I had thought about getting the transition lens, but opted instead for clip on sunglasses. For some reason they do not urge me to get the transition lens. I am already paying quite a bit because of the strength of the prescription, no glare, scratch resistance, and a special procedure from Nikon that increases the field of vision. Usually I can mainly see in the center of the glasses, but this helps my peripheral vision. I believe that I can see that difference. I pay extra for all of the above features; however I am happy to be able to do that as I wear glasses from the minute I get up until I go to bed.

I am enjoying looking at all of the things I can see more clearly. I told Leroy I had thought I had been seeing normally, but realize it was not at all normal.  Leroy tells me, “Now you can see how abnormally handsome I am.”

Paula

Health Issues

Hello,

The big one today was that Leroy had a colonoscopy. It was scheduled for 8 and we were to arrive at 7. We go there ahead of 7 so it was fine, except that when they put in Leroy’s name it came up that he worked for St. John in Ely and our address was the old Ely address. The computer never forgets. It took a bit to get that straightened out. In the assigned room he got prepped with little difficulty. He was escorted out right on time and came back at the suggested time. Everything was about the same as last time which is basically ok. It was recommended that he eat a high fiber diet, neither he nor I talked about how much fiber we might consume. Oatmeal, brown rice, ww pasta, ww bread, an apple and a banana almost every day or some other fruit is the order of most days. All days include at least two maybe three veggies. We just said, “Yes, Yes.”

Leroy slept almost continuously for an hour, waking only when the nurse woke him. His blood pressure was 80 over 40 some of the time and sometimes a little higher, but it would fluctuate. At the end it was finally up to 100 over 60. We finally left at 10:45 with a wobbly Leroy. She said it did not matter when he left, but he was ready to go and I had been ready for some time.

He has been eating, resting, puttering around, resting some more and getting stronger all of the time. I was told not to leave him alone so I have been hanging around as well.

Leroy saw the dentist earlier this week. He has a cavity so that will be fixed tomorrow morning. He was disgusted as he has not had such for many years. He does not floss and figures he does not need to do so. He is going to try again now. Our health insurance is changing hence the rush to get the dentist care done as that coverage is disappearing entirely. We also have some wellness dollars with our other account that we want to spend before it disappears.

Paula

Our Neighborhood

Hello,

Sunday, there was a noisy altercation across the street. Leroy, who could look out the window, told me, “Someone is arguing and others are trying to defuse it.”

Not long after that statement it became very quiet. Then in a bit there was much siren noise. Reporter Leroy said, “There are several police cars, an ambulance, and a fire truck at the scene now.”

I came to see too, observing someone laying on the ground with emergency personal around her, at least the shorts looked like something a female would wear. Curious neighbors were making their way down the street. Leroy and I were content to check it out from our second story windows.

Later that night our land lord, who knew about our flat tire, told us that at least four of the neighbors had tires slashed last night. Leroy thinks it is a nail, but he will look more closely. Now I am concerned about buying new tires and having the car sit on the street. We will be able to use the garage for both cars after this weekend when Brian comes to pick up the piano.

Our landlord has had his back van window shot out twice. He manages a number of apartments. He believes it is one of his disgruntled ex renters who wanted revenge.

It is a whole different experience to now live in a neighborhood where all the houses are close and there is not much open space. What a change from our last places of residence!

We are careful to lock our door, hoping each time that we have a key with us to get back into the house. I have decided that I must use the dead bolt so a key is required to lock.

In spite of this report, both Leroy and I feel quite comfortable here. I am not sure why, but I feel safe. I have a strong sense that this is where God wants us to be. Why I do not know. I have come to the conclusion that I may know some things, but not all. I pray to be used according to the good of all. What a life for this “country girl”! Most likely I will not walk around much at night, but I walk a lot in the daytime.

Paula

Ps Leroy did find a nail in the tire so at least we were not part of the random street attack.

Full Days

 Hello,

Each day is so full of things that I would relate to you if I were in the room with you, but I will start with today and work backwards.

Today we planned to visit a different church, one that requires a car or a bike to get to without putting in a good long walk. We like walks, but it is not good for our time to walk about six miles round trip. Leroy beat me to the car and got in ready to drive; I saw a flat tire on the right front wheel. I signaled him that he should not go by pointing at the tire. He assumed that I meant to turn the wheel when I shook my head no, he turned it the opposite direction. I then made a motion with my hands indicating that he just get out of the car. No action, just a confused look. Finally I walked over to the driver’s side as he put down the windows. He got out looked at the tire, groaned, and we walked back to the garage to go in the other car after Leroy retrieved the keys for that vehicle.

This church was much smaller and several people did greet us. In the larger church only the people we already knew greeted us, but it was a good experience there. We will go again to this smaller church as the regular pastor was gone. I like smaller, but I also like being able to walk most of the time. Decisions, decisions!

After moving the living room furniture, the things in the spare room, taking more things to the attic and garage, vacuuming, walking, and reading the paper, we decided to go on a bike ride. This is a day of rest, right? All bike tires needed some air. My inner tube however, had a more serious problem with the stem so I stayed home while Leroy went alone. At least Leroy has a spare inner tube. It is just a matter of getting that job done along with a big list of others.

We will buy four new tires for the car as one had to be repaired while we were gone and all are a bit worn. At least we have the money to buy tires. We also have two cars as I am not yet working I do not need transportation. Some things do work. Leroy was also pleased to get the spare out of the car and be able to take it to the close gas station and get it inflated. Hint; check your spare tire air pressure. Leroy told me he had some trouble getting the lug nuts off, but with a hammer he made it happen. The spare is on the car, but we will take some time this week to find a good deal on tires or a good tire place.

Paula

TV with effort

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hello,

From now on I will no longer indicate where we are living as we expect to be here for a year and a half. We have only signed a six month lease, but moving is too much work so we will likely stay in this place for the duration of Leroy’s job. The only option to move would be some better place that is almost free. That pipe dream is not likely to happen.

Wednesday evening after church Leroy decided to put together the TV with the VCR and DVD player. This is no simple matter as there are many cords and routes for those cords as it must also be threaded through the digital/analog converter as well as something that allows all of the older things to be connected to the newer. He got it all together only to have it not work, but just produce a lot of static. I then came in and helped him trace the various cords to their proper in and out place. Rather I just told him what the connection place was labeled, in or out and where the cord was headed or from. Such a time fussing with this tangle of wires and each other! New resolves built about getting a new TV so we could eliminate the converter box. Finally it worked giving us quite a decent picture.

We counted 19 channels that we could get quite clearly. That is the most we have ever gotten with this set up. It must help that we are up in the air with fewer obstructions to the signals.

I told our landlord about it the next morning and he was quite amazed and wanted to see them. Guess what? When I turned on the TV all I got was static. Grr. After he left I tried again. It helped when I remember that I must turn it on in the proper sequence. I invited him back up. He wanted to know what channels, so he wrote them all down. He was impressed. Unfortunately or fortunately for the cable company, he likes some of the channels on cable so wants to keep it in spite of the expense.

In the meantime Leroy and I will enjoy our “free” TV. That is free if you do not count the hassle.

Paula

More Lost and Found

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hello,

Sunday, Leroy and I took some time off to walk and look for the closest access to the bike trail. We knew the general direction that we must travel, however we did not find until after we had asked five different people. The first three people vaguely knew that there was such a trail, but only the general direction or it is over that way. The fourth person gave most specific streets to follow, however one was the wrong street. The last person we asked only lived about two blocks away, but he was also new to the area having moved there last month. After such a long circuitous route Leroy and I just looked at the spot and returned home which we found easily.

I found a check, from the insurance company, that had been issued in August. They had warned us earlier that it must be cashed or else eliminated. Leroy vaguely remembers telling them we could not find it. I tried to call to check anyway, but could not get through to a live person before I lost patience and decided to trust Leroy’s memory.

In this yard we found a pair of clothes line poles with one line I washed clothes assuming the load would fit. When we have more time we will put up more lines. We have spare lines as we have strung them from trees or fences. I found the existing line to be incredibly dirty, perhaps never been used in years? It took a bit of muscle power and a few trips back and forth before it would not rub black stuff off on the clothes. It is great because we have a front loading washing machine here. The clothes come out incredibly dry. I am so happy to have the poles again after being without for four years.

Sarah sent me this great site for checking the distance of a walk. It is simply mapwalk.com.  I used it last night to map our walk to church. It calculates that one would walk three mph. We can easily walk that fast so we knew how much time to allow. Wonderful what one can learn at the click of a few buttons.

Paula

Pluses, Minuses

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hello,

Leroy and I have always had a bit of mix in viewing the world with black, white, or gray areas. Leroy tends to see lots of gray and I lean more to the black or white view. I find that I am adopting more of Leroy’s view as I age so some of these things are not as polarized as they would have been at one time.

This shower is so small that we cannot fit together. In all of our forty years together we have showered together, sometimes awkwardly, but always together. It is also just a shower no bath, course we almost never take a bath.

There is no dish washer. Have I become hooked on one having lived with serious users for the last four months? The last stay did not have a dishwasher so that eased us into this one change. I did move a partially used box of detergent so I must find someone to give it to.  I do not like throwing things away. Any takers?

As I mentioned before the space is small for our worldly possessions. Is that good or bad? Depends on how fussed I get and whether I can pare down to a more comfortable level.

There is a grocery store just four blocks away. In our most recent trip there it started to mist before we set out on the return trip. I took the extra bag from Leroy and he sprinted off for home hoping to get there in time to close all windows. Rain buckets were dumping just about when he was home. I, however still had two blocks to go. I was quite soaked by the time I got to the house. Our landlords met me at the door telling me that they were going to call and tell us they would come get us. They also mentioned that this is called the “ghetto grocery”.  The store was requested as being necessary to the neighborhood because there are so many low income people who might not have cars. It is so very close to Coe College. College students probably use it quite a lot. For being a small store it had one of the largest liquor sections I have ever seen. I originally thought that was because of the college. Perhaps it is because people want to drown their sorrows.

I have been walking to the college library to read the paper. It is great to get out and then have a place to read the paper without paying is an added bonus. Leroy and I are on the hunt for ways to save money. And this seemed like a great one to me, but Leroy complained just today that he misses a paper as he has not taken the time to go there. He finds too many things that he needs to do around here. We do like to do the newspaper puzzles.

Our new address:

1614 D Ave. NE Upper

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

So far we do not have a land line, but are using the computer and Google free phone calls. This computer has almost paid for itself.

                                              

Paula

More Moving Tales

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hello,

Just in case you are wondering, we still feel tired at the end of the day. Little time has been devoted to relaxing.

On Saturday afternoon we got to Cedar Rapids ahead of the moving helpers. These were kids from the Ely church youth group. Again the timing was almost perfect in spite of my thinking it was not coming together right. Not a one of them did we know, but we contributed to their trip to youth convention. There were two adults with them and later three adults from the congregation came to assist as well.

The Cedar Rapids St. Patrick’s Day parade was well attended so there only a parking place found across the street adding to the steps necessary to get the things upstairs. I again just stood around inside and pointed people the direction to deposit their wares. I soon began to feel that the space was two small for all of our things. I was indeed spoiled in the last two large four bedroom houses with three levels. Here there is no basement to put those items that could be dealt with later. The attic was not quite as good as expected because of all the insulation loose up there. We will have to work on that. We still had to put things up there to get them off the truck.  I suppose we could have taken the second car out of the garage and parked on the street. For some reason I did not think of that at the time.

There are fifteen steps to this floor with at least three more outside. All of the movers were sweating as they traversed this many times and sometimes with heavy loads. One of the girls got a bit hot in the 80 degrees warmth. She recovered after sitting in the shade, drinking, and eating a bit.

Leroy spent the entire time in the truck and sometimes directing people to the garage with some things. He did move most of the items to the end of the truck. Most people left close to 5:00 and they had come by 3:00. The three adults who had come a bit later put our bed together as well as placing the dressers. It was so wonderful to be able to sleep in our bed in spite of not finding the pillows.

The dish soap is found along with the pots and pans. Wonderful, wonderful!

Paula

Lost and Found

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hello,

The most exciting found thing is a job for me. I was offered the tech services job at the Ely Library and I accepted. The starting day is Monday, April 9. The director is gone next week and I will be gone the week after. Somehow they found more money and could entice with an additional dollar per hour. I am pleased. It will probably pay for my gas unless gas becomes much, much more expensive. Learning will certainly be a part of this experience, but I feel confident that I can do it.

The second exciting find is Leroy’s dollar pants. They were right where he put them in the vacuum able storage bag that we had not opened since leaving Miriam’s home.

Our first night in our own bed passed on the spare pillows as ours were not to be found on the label of any box. I did find my knee pillow, rather it was Leroy’s but he gallantly let me use it. That pillow was in one of the dresser drawers. Our helpful friendly movers had told me that there were things in the drawers. I looked in a second drawer, found nothing, and gave up the search because of being tired and the lateness of the hour. Sunday afternoon when I started to put away some clothes I found those wonderful pillows. Leroy was especially pleased this morning as he felt good all over.

Generally when we move I label the last three kitchen boxes with numbers indicating they should be opened first. Somehow that did not happen with this move. We are still looking for pots, frying pans, and dish soap. Those items are the last we used before we left so they work well for getting started in the next place when they are easily found. I cannot remember what on earth happened that this was not taken care of in an orderly fashion. Could I have been that out of focus that I forgot to do that and put these items in random boxes?

We have managed to find enough to get by but having no dish soap and no frying pans limits my brain. I have used some liquid hand soap, reasoning that soap is soap. Now I will probably just have to buy more soap that I will eventually use. I did find dishwasher detergent however I have no dishwasher. Ironic?

Paula

Moving Tale

Moving Tale

March 18, 2012

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hello,

This is going to be observations of the process of moving. Somehow my weak points are highlighted. I felt rather proud that Leroy and I could get our earthly possessions in a 10 X 15 storage unit packed to the ceiling part of the way. Loading it on the truck made me realize that we have way more things than we need as most of it fits in the want territory. One of the moving helpers commented correctly, “It probably isn’t always things you want, but things you do not want to get rid of.”

In spite of, or because of my angst about having enough room, getting it done on time, and rain everything went mostly as planned. On the loading end people did not come until nine, while Leroy and I were there by 8:30. It is almost like having a party and wondering before it starts if anyone will come. In good time we had plenty of great help. In the meantime Leroy and I were able to take out a lot of small odds and ends that would not go first in the truck anyway. Many of those things we do not need here because we do not have care for any yard space. Should we keep it, should we sell it? It is hard to know the answer. I am collecting a pile of things that we will not keep. Why did we move and store them? Values decrease with work associated with some items.

We have always been blessed to have a lot of help when we move. I am grateful that there are people who will do this energy producing and energy sapping job with us.

Leroy generally stays in the truck and directs where and how items are to be stowed. In the past he had worked for a moving company so he learned a few tricks. I helped move lighter items to the truck. That is not really a bad job. It gave me some time to visit with the other helpers. That is a lift for my soul.

Paula

Last Day

Ely, IA

Hello,

This is the last day we will stay in Ely. Is that a sure thing? I have had that same thought 11.5 years ago. I truly do not know the path that I am traveling in this life. The message is that it is ok not to know, but to be faithful.

Yesterday, I packed up most everything that we could live without for two days. It filled the car and then a bit more in the second car. Either I did not pack as carefully as Leroy does or we have attracted more things.

One full car is now parked in the “new” garage waiting for tomorrow when we come and unload those items as well as the rest of the things that we are so sure we want for the rest of the imaginable future.

Today I thought I would just rest, but instead spent some time dusting, vacuuming, and washing bedding. Leroy went to work a little early so we can get those final things loaded and head off to the south where our things are stored.

Leroy’s sister is not feeling well so we will not stay with her, but with friends. Before we get settled for the night we have to fetch the bike carrier from storage, drive up to Pat’s house, collect the bikes where they have been graciously stored in their garage, collect four small plants, and look for that pair of pants that Leroy has not seen for a long time. His last option is that he might have left then at his sister’s house.

It will be later than we like when all of these things are completed. We will get up promptly in the morning because u-haul opens at 8 and we would like to be first in line. Filling out paperwork takes some time. It will be easy, right?

Paula

Out and About

Ely, IA

Hello,

We are getting out walking each day in this nice weather. Any time I go on the trail I am amazed at how many people are out there considering this is a relatively small town, but only ten miles at the other end is a city of about 120,000.

Birds were out this morning. Six ducks were on the small pond with two geese hanging out on the bank. Later a flock of red wing blackbirds sang nicely as I passed. Four killdeer flew over calling loudly. Was a nest near? There were other small brown birds that I was incapable of identifying. It is nice to have this company along with the humans.

My sister loaned us a number of Readers Digest Condensed books. Usually I turn my nose up at such, preferring to read the original. However, I might get hooked as I can race through these stories at a great rate. The only problem with these books is that we have to move them and return them. The other books that I have finished I pass along to a person or the library. It gives me great satisfaction to lighten the load.

Leroy and I are not of one mind when it comes to moving our things out of here. Leroy thinks we should use plastic bags and I vote for boxes. We will probably use some of both. Our winter coats, along with the hats, scarves, and gloves, fit nicely into the extra suitcase that we brought out from storage.

We have one of those plastic clothes vacuum bags that you can suck the air out of to make the clothes fit in a smaller space. That bag might have to travel as an independent unit rather than in the big suitcase. It will still be easy to handle. That bag contains most of the summer clothes that we had used last fall. I packed clothes for a couple seasons. It is so good to have had them. It is astonishing to know that we have been on the road or loose for almost two entire seasons.

With the warm days I was hoping that some of them were more accessible, but we can manage until after Saturday when we can unpack easily everything we might want. That is if we can find it. Can you believe it? Saturday night we should be in our own beds once again. We have now been sleeping in a king sized bed. Are we spoiled? Yes, but not to the point of no return.

Paula

Clarifiication

Ely, IA

Hello,

I realize from responses I got from you that I was unclear in the last letter. The following sentence was not the most precise: “As with going to Burlington, it is again moving to a city that we are somewhat familiar with.” Burlington is Leroy’s home town, consequently when we moved there it was with some familiarity of the place. Now we will be moving our things from storage in Burlington to Cedar Rapids. While we have never lived in Cedar Rapids, we spent a bit of time there because it is where we did most of our business. We first moved to Ely in 1984 when it was a town of 450 persons. Now it has mushroomed into almost 2000 people. There still are not many services in town so it is necessary to go to Cedar Rapids. Leroy is working in Cedar Rapids now. Because the main museum building was so damaged by flood in 2008, he is working in a different building than he will be later in the year.

What I really need is an editor. It all made sense to me. Leroy used to look over my writing before I sent it off, but that has not happened for years. He is a good editor, much better than I am.

Like an addict I keep going back to the unoptimistic weather prediction for Saturday’s move. It is now to be thunderstorms upgraded from showers. Originally it was for just one city and now it is for both the packing and the unpacking. Goan!

It will all be well, right? It is only stuff and not my life that will melt in the rain. Stuff is replaceable; I just don’t want to do that.

Paula

Warm Day

Warm Day

March 11, 2012

Ely, IA

Hello,

 It was such a warm day that again Leroy and I walked on the trail. There were only 30 others out there in the same time frame. It is cloudy today and that may have stopped people from venturing out.

Leroy was gifted with some more books. He is quite pleased as he had again run though his supply. He had been looking forward to having a more permanent address so he could once again go to the library. Libraries prefer to have their patrons pay taxes in their area. An address helps to establish proof of residence. Now he can be a little relaxed about getting the right credentials.

They gave us an additional gift of some strawberries. They do indeed know the way to our hearts. Fruit is good.

We keep looking at the weather report for next Saturday. It is now showing more rain possibility. Why we look, I am not sure because we cannot control it at all. In all of these moves we have made, we have never moved in the rain. It would be great if this fits the pattern.

As with going to Burlington, it is again moving to a city that we are somewhat familiar with. That is a different experience that going to a place we have never been. It is not quite so stressful, but do not fear, learning will still take place as we become aware of what our neighborhood consists of.

If we would have been on our toes we would have just visited Sarah and Stephen so we could get used to setting the time ahead for one hour before having to do it in real life. We did have it easier than most years because of no Sunday responsibilities we could decide to go to the late service. For the rest of the week we now have to adjust along with everyone else as the work day starts earlier. Just who’s idea is this time change anyway?

Paula

Saturday

Ely, IA

Hello,

Leroy was home with no inclination to work. What a difference a job makes. What to do?

We did a little cleaning before we headed to the library to read the newspaper. We are not getting the paper, but that is not much of a problem because the library is so close and open all days except Sunday. The Ely Farmer’s market meets at the library and it was nice to visit that too.

Then it was back to clean up the flower bed outside our window. Our hostess said, “Oh you don’t have to do that. But maybe you would like to get into the dirt.”

She knows me because I was thinking of it as a joy and not a job. I proved to be quite satisfying although a bit tiring. We have not done that type of activity for some time.

After that we took a nice long walk on the bike trail. We guessed it to be a one way trip of one and a half miles. On the way up Leroy counted the other users, both bicycles and walkers. There were over 40. We were quite impressed. A friend met us and she said, “On a nice day in the summer you have to pay attention out here because there are so many people.”

I certainly believe it. The day was not done as we met some people from the Chariton/Corydon congregations. They had been in town for a meeting. It is so good to be able to visit and catch up with friends.

I don’t know about Leroy, but I think it was a great way to spend a day off.

Paula

Shopping

Ely, IA

Hello,

Groceries were necessary. Oatmeal and bananas were out. That means life could hardly go on. I did get, as well, yogurt, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta. Then there were apples, oranges, and apple sauce. I could tell it was close to lunch time and I had not eaten my between meal snack because I succumbed to buying some corn chips. Generally I do not buy much that has been produced in a factory.

At this point I am trying not to buy much since we will again be moving in a week, but we have to get through a week. Do we need this or that? Who knows? Certainly my life is about not moving more than is necessary. Stores can just keep their things.

The plan is that maybe on Thursday we will take up, to the apartment, all the things that we do not need for the next few days. On Friday evening we will go to stay the night with Leroy’s sister. Early Saturday morning we will get the moving truck, load it, drive back to Cedar Rapids, and unload it. That night we will sleep in our own bed for the first time since the middle of September. Such a life we live. I would not have believed such a thing ten years ago. Now it almost seems normal.

At least I do not have to buy many other items. I have enough clothes and most of my supplies if I can just find them soon after we get settled. Did I put the right labels on all boxes? I probably did not, but on enough boxes, probably. At least you would hope that I have learned something about moving having done it so many times close together.

It is to be very warm here next week. I will have to think of something to do outside to satisfy my soul.

Paula

People

Ely, IA

Hello,

People have certainly made our lives worth living. It is so nice to reconnect with the people in the Ely congregation after being gone for almost 13 years. After we move to Cedar Rapids, we will join a church there and not see so much of these individuals.

It is a whole new experience for us to join a congregation with Leroy not being the pastor. In the US this has only happened once before. I remember going to the churches in Moorhead, MN and learning that it takes a great deal of courage for me to go to a church where no one greets you. Admiration is what I feel for people who can do this and come back. You know when we come in as the pastor’s family; there is an instant welcome and inclusion. Going in as someone off the street, creates a situation of worries about getting to know others.

Because we are coming back to a congregation here it is again easy to talk to these dear familiar faces. I feel cared for.

Now I wonder what it will be like when we visit the church in Cedar Rapids. In a few of them we might know some of the people there, but for the most part we will be strangers. Too bad churches don’t hire people to come in as unknown visitors and report back to them just what their experience was like. My guess is that many of these “friendly” churches do not quite live up to their idea of themselves. After all who of us would say that we are unfriendly just because we did not make an effort to include someone else?

Moving from people to birds, I have seen my first robins of the year. There were two of them searching out some good morsels in the yard. But it should be just the first of many as our weather is becoming quite nice with above normal temperatures.

Paula

Found Items

Ely, IA

Hello,

Last week I complained that I could not find a black sock. Dashing my self acclaimed powers of finding the lost, Leroy was able to find that sock with just one quick look around. Also last week Sarah sent a picture of a pair of socks that they found under their bed. Now I had just completely given up on that pair, assuming that they would never be in my possession again.

There are still some other lost items; one is that pair of pants that Leroy likes so well along with a flannel shirt that he would have liked to wear in the recent cooler weather. When we finally get moved there is hope that those two items will just appear.

Leroy discovered the radio does not work in the most recently repaired car. After checking the fuse and finding it good he was stymied until he mentioned it to Miriam who suggested that it might need a code to get it to run after the power has been off. We both vaguely remember something about a code, but what is it? We have both looked in the car to see if it were recorded in some out of the way place. Then it was on to the papers in the car. No luck. There is still hope that it will be in the file cabinet that we will once again have in our home after we move.

I did have an interview for the library job in town here, but will not know the result until later in the week or next week. I know there were other applicants. I would both like the job and know that I could easily live without it. I felt that I did as well as I could during the interview, but do not feel assured that the job is mine for the taking. The one drawback is that I would have to drive here after we move. It is not so far, but a job down the street would be ideal.

Paula

The Trip Home

Ely, IA

Hello,

Again I just realized that I no longer live in a place more than a couple days before I start referring to it as home. Is that a good thing? Are refugees in the same situation?

Sunday, we left Brian’s at a good time in the afternoon to clear roads and more traffic than we expected, but not as much traffic as a weekday. We had completed almost half of the journey when it seemed snow was in the air and the road surface was quite wet. Soon I noticed cars were slowing down a bit. Perhaps it was slippery and I could not see the ice. I was happy to stop at our expected stop and change drivers. Snow was being shoveled at the gas station and it was slippery underfoot.

We got back on the road soon turning onto the less traveled road where there was more snow. Some vehicles still passed us. One such car careened wildly from side to side as it went over an overpass. That slowed them down considerably. We did not have any real problems, but Leroy kept a firm grip on the wheel while I gave unwanted advice from the side.

At one point the sun came out and we thought we must have driven out of the storm. That proved false as we drove back into the falling snow. On an entrance ramp that doesn’t touch the ground; a car ahead of us had hit the side and was sitting with flashing lights on while someone stopped to check on them.

I am grateful for all of the road workers who were out salting and spraying the roads. Without that we would have had to stop.

Again we drove out of the messy roads only to find it again about 40 miles from home. Unfortunately at this point it was quite a lot worse than it had been. We crept through Cedar Rapids where I thought surely it would have been clearer. We turned off onto the Ely blacktop that was really white. In the ditch we saw a vehicle with all four wheels pointing to the sky. Someone had pulled into a drive and had gone back to see about them so we just inched along. Leroy kept his eyes ahead and responded to my pleas to slow down, by telling me that he was only going 30 mph. Before we got to town we saw two police cars and a busy tow truck.

I learned the next day that when our hostess drove to work in the morning she saw a dozen cars in the ditch on the interstate. We were blessed to be safe, secure, and stepping on the ground.

Paula

Travels and Logan's Birthday Party

Ely, IA

Hello,

Traveling on Friday was as uneventful as hoped and not the trouble that had been expected. The temperatures climbed and the roads, however not the fields, were clear. I picked Leroy up and we were on our way at a fine time. It was fun to get to Brian’s before Sophia had gone to bed. She was not even home when we arrived.

Leroy and I slept in her room. Sophia did comment the next morning that it did not seem that we had slept there because she was sleeping by the time we went to bed and sleeping when we got up. Sunday morning I made it a point to still be in bed when she woke. For Leroy it was easy since he was still asleep. When Sophia made some stirring sounds I asked her if she would like to come in bed with us. “Now?” she wanted to know.

“Yes, now,” I firmly replied.

I am not sure why it is so satisfying to be in bed with these grandchildren in the morning, but it is just right.

Logan’s birthday party went off with ease because of the planning of Brian and Jen. I thought Logan handled himself well for this situation that he had not experienced before. He was a little upset when he had to move from a birthday item that he wanted to explore further, but he was persuaded to give it up and check out the next item.

From there it moved on to cake sampling. Most food comes to Logan in bite sized pieces consequently; he was a bit mystified about handling this too big for his mouth bite. After considering it from all angles and having his mother break off a piece for him, he carefully took a bite out of the whole. With decent manners he managed to eat most of it with a minimum of mess.

Leroy enjoyed his first grandchild birthday party.

Paula

Agitated

Ely, IA

Hello,

Leroy and I made plans for me to pick him up early after work so we could head on up to Brian’s house. Now at 11 am it is snowing quite a lot. We are to get 1-2 inches. Brian thinks we are fussbudgets. I suppose we have to accept the label because I really do not like the looks of the snow out there. It is to stop snowing here just about the time we leave. Then it is to start in Clear Lake (about half way) and continue until 9:00. I really prefer to drive when the sun is shining gently down. Seems to me I already have enough excitement and plenty of change in my life.

When we were younger we headed out without thinking much about the weather consequences of our actions. With age we are weighted down with dire possibilities. If we only had to drive for an hour it would not be such a problem, even two hours would seem so much more doable. Four driving hours and a bit more are much more daunting.

We will make a decision when it is time to leave.

I had been agitated about something else a while back and it has turned out to be a good thing.

You might recall that we had a water kettle that broke. A water kettle is a fast boiling electric teakettle. Because it was close to the time we were leaving Burlington, I had them send the replacement to Miriam’s house. I grumbled about hauling it around with us.

It has been hauled around quite a lot, but I am no longer grumbling. It is not large so it fits in the car. It has been wonderful to have it with us. Leroy and I like to drink tea. Miriam does not have a teakettle so it was easy to heat our tea water in this water kettle. We missed the teapot, managed not to focus on that, but be grateful for the quick supply of boiling water. Now in this place we are again using the water kettle to heat our tea water. Blessings come and stick to us.

Paula

Cared For

Ely, IA

Hello,

After a haircut it was time to search out a dentist since I did not have my check up in January. First I emailed the dentist that I knew in CR, but Leroy had the good idea of asking about the insurance. They have a slightly different coverage. We searched on line for someone who had the same coverage. Names came up, but how to decide?

I was bemoaning the fact that it was hard to find health care people and dentists in particular when our host recommended his dentist. They feel that he has taken good care of them and not pushed extra services on them.

This time I decided to call the office even though I do not like to use the phone. The person in the office stated that their insurance coverage was with the same company, but slightly different. She would call the company and get back to me about how we would fit into the plan. She called back and said it would be covered. They could get me in before our insurance runs out so it was perfect.

Monday I went for that appointment and was also pleased with their care. They answered all questions that I had. It also seemed to me that when we have to pay for all of it when our dental coverage runs out, it will not be too bad. That is a relief.

I do not need to see a doctor until the early summer and then I will be under Leroy’s health insurance from work. We will learn about the quality of that plan.

So far I feel cared for with my hair and teeth in passable to good shape. Now just to find a doctor. Who else could I need? Have I forgotten anyone?

Paula