Hello,
At 8:00 last night, Leroy and I had been home for about six hours. All travel things were put away and Leroy was upstairs doing who knows what in the office, while I was putting away the odd item in the kitchen. Bang, bang, bang. “What is Leroy doing?” I wondered.
Bang, bang, bang. “That is closer. Someone must be at the door,” I thought. In the porch light the Ukrainian pastor could be seen with a rather large bag in his arms.
“Tomorrow we aren’t having the Thanksgiving meal at the church,” he said handing me the bag, “so I brought you some food. We are sorry that we will not be able to be there.”
The bag contained a large round tray that held a bit less than half a Slovak looking cake, almost a foot long two to three inch in diameter sausage, and a bowl filled with cabbage rolls. Unexpected blessings pressed down and running over!
This season will be a tempting one as from the small church Leroy brought home cream puffs the size of a half dollar. I have great resistance skills in the store, but none at all when it is in the house. Sigh!
Also on the food front, Brian sent home some delicious squash soup. What a vacation! Tomorrow meal preparation will start again.
The desktop picture on the computer is a picture of the four little girls in the bathtub. Three noses, five eyes, five ears, four heads seen mostly from the top, eight arms, eight legs, and some of four torsos are visible. Group pictures of the under three crowd are not a simple affair. It is especially true when there are other more interesting things to be doing than looking up at a camera.
Paula
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Victim
Hello,
Yesterday I was talking to Brian and Sophia on the webcam when a message came from Sonya. There was a girl from Slovakia called Sonya. Thinking it was her, I wrote back and said Hi, but I was talking to my son. I assumed that would be the end of that, but then a reply came, indicating that she wanted to talk. Using more clear language I reported that it was not a good time for me and I would get back later. Next came a message from her stating that she wanted to start the webcam and we could get naked together. I then told Brian about it and he told me how to delete this person since I now know that it is not my friend. Email addresses are not always a clear signal of who you might be talking with.
The strange part about it is that I felt violated even though nothing had really happened. Being a victim is a strange position to be in. There was even a bit of an edge that I might have caused it and I was disgusted with myself that I was careless about letting this person get on my network. At least I learned how to quickly delete someone from the list. Experience is a good teacher.
Today is the day to make cinnamon rolls, saffron buns, and granola. Because I put mashed potatoes in the cinnamon dough I was up at 6:00 this morning peeling potatoes. Nice way to start the day. One thing about yeast breads they do not require constant care so that is helpful when doing more things at the same time.
Tomorrow morning Leroy and I will get up at 4:00 and hopefully start traveling at 4:15 so we can pick up Sarah, Stephen, and Lexi at the airport at 9:55 or a bit later. It is just right at six hours of driving according to map quest and I know that I must make one or two stops hence the extra half hour of travel time.
Leroy visited someone at the hospital. On the way home he stopped at a store and bought himself a tool box. He is happy. I guess that is Christmas.
Paula
Yesterday I was talking to Brian and Sophia on the webcam when a message came from Sonya. There was a girl from Slovakia called Sonya. Thinking it was her, I wrote back and said Hi, but I was talking to my son. I assumed that would be the end of that, but then a reply came, indicating that she wanted to talk. Using more clear language I reported that it was not a good time for me and I would get back later. Next came a message from her stating that she wanted to start the webcam and we could get naked together. I then told Brian about it and he told me how to delete this person since I now know that it is not my friend. Email addresses are not always a clear signal of who you might be talking with.
The strange part about it is that I felt violated even though nothing had really happened. Being a victim is a strange position to be in. There was even a bit of an edge that I might have caused it and I was disgusted with myself that I was careless about letting this person get on my network. At least I learned how to quickly delete someone from the list. Experience is a good teacher.
Today is the day to make cinnamon rolls, saffron buns, and granola. Because I put mashed potatoes in the cinnamon dough I was up at 6:00 this morning peeling potatoes. Nice way to start the day. One thing about yeast breads they do not require constant care so that is helpful when doing more things at the same time.
Tomorrow morning Leroy and I will get up at 4:00 and hopefully start traveling at 4:15 so we can pick up Sarah, Stephen, and Lexi at the airport at 9:55 or a bit later. It is just right at six hours of driving according to map quest and I know that I must make one or two stops hence the extra half hour of travel time.
Leroy visited someone at the hospital. On the way home he stopped at a store and bought himself a tool box. He is happy. I guess that is Christmas.
Paula
Monday, November 23, 2009
Nature abounds
Hello,
The day was beautiful so a longer walk was in order. Suddenly there was a cackling of crows that grew louder and more forceful. Then they could be seen flying, however the front bird was not a crow, but appeared to be an owl. The owl settled near the top of a fir tree with its back to me. Even changing my position and getting closer did not give me a good look at it so I started to walk past the tree. Just then a rabbit darted across the lawn. The bird swooped down on it as it ran around the house.
“Oh I hope that bunny got away,” a voice said.
“I don’t know,” I replied as I walked to the side of the house.
“The hawk is in the tree, but he has no bunny,” I told her.
“That is good,” she said. I had been thinking that is one way to get rid of some of the large rabbit population.
She must have seen some of that on my face because she went on, “I watch those nature programs and I know about the cycles in nature, but nobody wants the predators to win.”
“Um,” was all I said to that. Maybe it is the farm girl coming through, but the thought was, isn’t man the biggest predator. Seems to be the same whether it is in the grass or the grocery store, something is killed and eaten. Separating it from the body and putting it in plastic does not change the facts.
Speaking of which, the Ukrainian pastor dropped off a duck and a chicken last night. It is interesting that the duck is bigger than the chicken if I have identified them correctly. I will have to think of something to give them in return. Perhaps some cinnamon rolls would be welcome.
Paula
The day was beautiful so a longer walk was in order. Suddenly there was a cackling of crows that grew louder and more forceful. Then they could be seen flying, however the front bird was not a crow, but appeared to be an owl. The owl settled near the top of a fir tree with its back to me. Even changing my position and getting closer did not give me a good look at it so I started to walk past the tree. Just then a rabbit darted across the lawn. The bird swooped down on it as it ran around the house.
“Oh I hope that bunny got away,” a voice said.
“I don’t know,” I replied as I walked to the side of the house.
“The hawk is in the tree, but he has no bunny,” I told her.
“That is good,” she said. I had been thinking that is one way to get rid of some of the large rabbit population.
She must have seen some of that on my face because she went on, “I watch those nature programs and I know about the cycles in nature, but nobody wants the predators to win.”
“Um,” was all I said to that. Maybe it is the farm girl coming through, but the thought was, isn’t man the biggest predator. Seems to be the same whether it is in the grass or the grocery store, something is killed and eaten. Separating it from the body and putting it in plastic does not change the facts.
Speaking of which, the Ukrainian pastor dropped off a duck and a chicken last night. It is interesting that the duck is bigger than the chicken if I have identified them correctly. I will have to think of something to give them in return. Perhaps some cinnamon rolls would be welcome.
Paula
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Walking in the dark
Hello,
Women have a bible study on Thursday night. The meetings are in homes. I left the house with confidence since I had gone last week to find my hostess in her housecoat and clearly not expecting anyone. Oops! I was a week early.
The evening was cool, but calm so walking was a great mode of transportation. With my blinking armband I was clearly visible to the drivers when I had to walk on the street. Sidewalk is not everywhere and some places it is so cracked that walking on it is hazardous. There were no trains consequently it was easy to get to the other side of town. Walking past the park I remembered that the sidewalk ended up ahead with a little dip. No street lights illuminated this area so I thrust my foot out a good distance before I let it down in the grass. Water rushed over my shoe and licked at the back of my jean leg. Leaping on I got to the other side without immersing the other foot.
“Grumble, grumble,” I said to myself, but then I realized that I was lucky it was not 30 degrees. Even though I still had perhaps half a mile to walk it was not totally uncomfortable. Besides wool socks help to wick moisture away from the skin. My hostess put my shoe and my sock on the register. She also loaned me her slippers. Looking at her tiny feet before she brought them, I said, “I have big feet.”
“These are big slippers,” she assured me.
My big is bigger than her big. They were small slippers, but I managed to put my foot in so it was not so cold.
We will go to Brian’s house on Wednesday to celebrate Thanksgiving. At that time we will give the kids gifts. We are almost done with those purchases. There are even a few surprises in there. One I had no intention of giving them until today. Leroy is not so sure it is a good idea. I will tell you later what the reaction is.
Paula
Women have a bible study on Thursday night. The meetings are in homes. I left the house with confidence since I had gone last week to find my hostess in her housecoat and clearly not expecting anyone. Oops! I was a week early.
The evening was cool, but calm so walking was a great mode of transportation. With my blinking armband I was clearly visible to the drivers when I had to walk on the street. Sidewalk is not everywhere and some places it is so cracked that walking on it is hazardous. There were no trains consequently it was easy to get to the other side of town. Walking past the park I remembered that the sidewalk ended up ahead with a little dip. No street lights illuminated this area so I thrust my foot out a good distance before I let it down in the grass. Water rushed over my shoe and licked at the back of my jean leg. Leaping on I got to the other side without immersing the other foot.
“Grumble, grumble,” I said to myself, but then I realized that I was lucky it was not 30 degrees. Even though I still had perhaps half a mile to walk it was not totally uncomfortable. Besides wool socks help to wick moisture away from the skin. My hostess put my shoe and my sock on the register. She also loaned me her slippers. Looking at her tiny feet before she brought them, I said, “I have big feet.”
“These are big slippers,” she assured me.
My big is bigger than her big. They were small slippers, but I managed to put my foot in so it was not so cold.
We will go to Brian’s house on Wednesday to celebrate Thanksgiving. At that time we will give the kids gifts. We are almost done with those purchases. There are even a few surprises in there. One I had no intention of giving them until today. Leroy is not so sure it is a good idea. I will tell you later what the reaction is.
Paula
Thursday, November 19, 2009
cleaning
Hello,
How many “just in case we might need it” shoelaces do we need? Because of a broken lace, Leroy looked for a replacement that he found along with innumerable others. Some were new and pristine in the package and some had obviously had a period of service. Leroy was just ready to shove them back in the shoe box storage when I intervened.
“I will sort them if you leave them out.” I said.
Well it took a while to get the job done, but I did it. Some where thrown out, pairs were bundled together, and singles gathered and tied loosely so it was not such a tangled mess. Leroy wanted to throw out some more, but I would not let him since I had made them into such a neat pile.
There was also shoe polish, watches (Leroy’s), glasses cases (Leroy’s), and locks for suitcases. The locks were for back in the old days when we very carefully locked every suitcase, just in case.
While I was on a roll I tackled Leroy’s closet. Leroy has some sweaters that he complains about all the time since they are too large. After looking at those he got rid of all three of them plus two sweatshirts, one that he did not like and one that is worn at the sleeve ends. I call this a productive day.
Leroy cleaned the faucet knobs in the bathrooms and the kitchen. I am so pleased whenever I look at them. I had had no idea they were dirty. Amazing how some dirt can blend in with the item.
Paula
How many “just in case we might need it” shoelaces do we need? Because of a broken lace, Leroy looked for a replacement that he found along with innumerable others. Some were new and pristine in the package and some had obviously had a period of service. Leroy was just ready to shove them back in the shoe box storage when I intervened.
“I will sort them if you leave them out.” I said.
Well it took a while to get the job done, but I did it. Some where thrown out, pairs were bundled together, and singles gathered and tied loosely so it was not such a tangled mess. Leroy wanted to throw out some more, but I would not let him since I had made them into such a neat pile.
There was also shoe polish, watches (Leroy’s), glasses cases (Leroy’s), and locks for suitcases. The locks were for back in the old days when we very carefully locked every suitcase, just in case.
While I was on a roll I tackled Leroy’s closet. Leroy has some sweaters that he complains about all the time since they are too large. After looking at those he got rid of all three of them plus two sweatshirts, one that he did not like and one that is worn at the sleeve ends. I call this a productive day.
Leroy cleaned the faucet knobs in the bathrooms and the kitchen. I am so pleased whenever I look at them. I had had no idea they were dirty. Amazing how some dirt can blend in with the item.
Paula
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Drying clothes
Hello,
Because it was raining it was a treat to dry clothes in the dryer. They do come out lint free and fluffier than on the line. It is also less work and for me means fewer trips up and down the stairs to the basement. Wait! I think it is the same number of trips on the steps because after I put them in the dryer I have to go back down to check them or get them out.
I still like seeing the wind whipping them horizontal, but a change is nice sometimes.
I do have a clothes rack in the basement, but do not use it much since it is a bit damp down there and it takes a long time for them to dry. I miss the radiator heat in Slovakia where I could put the clothes and get moisture in the air as they dried.
Last night Leroy visited some people and reported when he came home, “I hit a skunk just after another car had killed it. The outside of the car smells.”
“Just the outside?” I wanted to know.
“I did not notice it so much, but the garage is stinky now,” he said.
When putting out some garbage it was indeed quite filled with aroma even though the car was gone. The side door is now open to create a flow of ventilation.
I will have to get in the car to see if Leroy is accurate in his relation of the facts.
Paula
Roses, geraniums, marigolds, dianthus, and daisies are still blooming. So lovely.
Because it was raining it was a treat to dry clothes in the dryer. They do come out lint free and fluffier than on the line. It is also less work and for me means fewer trips up and down the stairs to the basement. Wait! I think it is the same number of trips on the steps because after I put them in the dryer I have to go back down to check them or get them out.
I still like seeing the wind whipping them horizontal, but a change is nice sometimes.
I do have a clothes rack in the basement, but do not use it much since it is a bit damp down there and it takes a long time for them to dry. I miss the radiator heat in Slovakia where I could put the clothes and get moisture in the air as they dried.
Last night Leroy visited some people and reported when he came home, “I hit a skunk just after another car had killed it. The outside of the car smells.”
“Just the outside?” I wanted to know.
“I did not notice it so much, but the garage is stinky now,” he said.
When putting out some garbage it was indeed quite filled with aroma even though the car was gone. The side door is now open to create a flow of ventilation.
I will have to get in the car to see if Leroy is accurate in his relation of the facts.
Paula
Roses, geraniums, marigolds, dianthus, and daisies are still blooming. So lovely.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Money Matters
Hello,
I have spent much of my life not spending money or at least spending it very carefully. Now that I am approaching an older age I have become much more carefree in the spending area. Don’t believe that as it is only true in certain instances and on certain days.
Shoe buying is something that I detest because I have such large feet that my choices have often been limited or maybe even not really existing. Hiding my feet under my desk at school partially hid the evidence, but there was no hope in the shoe store. Back in those days trying on shoes with a clerk is the only way I remember it happening. On one occasion my feet were larger than children’s shoes. Girls, however, did not wear women’s shoes. There were only two pairs in the store that fit me and I did not like either one. In disgust the salesman went over to another clerk and said loudly, “You take her and can’t do a thing with her.”
The rest of the incident is blocked from my mind. I suspect that I chose one of the pairs that I did not like just to get out of there. We lived about 40-50 miles from Dubuque and shopping was a big trip only done once in a while.
No longer is it necessary to face a person sizing my feet. When we visit Brian I go to a shoe store in their area that has many sizes and a great bargain room. I now spend more money on shoes and have gotten some that actually fit me and feel good on my feet. I suspect that should have been happening for years as I have developed some painful areas in my toes.
Going on to another money matter, I mentioned to Leroy that I was sorry that I had never gotten the accompaniment ed. of the With One Voice hymnal. Leroy promptly looked online to learn the cost as surely someone would be selling it. New it is selling for $37.50 and used it is selling for $114 up to $238.47. Does that make any sense?
Paula
I have spent much of my life not spending money or at least spending it very carefully. Now that I am approaching an older age I have become much more carefree in the spending area. Don’t believe that as it is only true in certain instances and on certain days.
Shoe buying is something that I detest because I have such large feet that my choices have often been limited or maybe even not really existing. Hiding my feet under my desk at school partially hid the evidence, but there was no hope in the shoe store. Back in those days trying on shoes with a clerk is the only way I remember it happening. On one occasion my feet were larger than children’s shoes. Girls, however, did not wear women’s shoes. There were only two pairs in the store that fit me and I did not like either one. In disgust the salesman went over to another clerk and said loudly, “You take her and can’t do a thing with her.”
The rest of the incident is blocked from my mind. I suspect that I chose one of the pairs that I did not like just to get out of there. We lived about 40-50 miles from Dubuque and shopping was a big trip only done once in a while.
No longer is it necessary to face a person sizing my feet. When we visit Brian I go to a shoe store in their area that has many sizes and a great bargain room. I now spend more money on shoes and have gotten some that actually fit me and feel good on my feet. I suspect that should have been happening for years as I have developed some painful areas in my toes.
Going on to another money matter, I mentioned to Leroy that I was sorry that I had never gotten the accompaniment ed. of the With One Voice hymnal. Leroy promptly looked online to learn the cost as surely someone would be selling it. New it is selling for $37.50 and used it is selling for $114 up to $238.47. Does that make any sense?
Paula
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