Lease Signed, Car Woes

Ely, Iowa

Hello,

We signed the lease this morning. It is good to have a decision reached. Because it is just for six months we could move. But I suspect, knowing Leroy and I, we will just stay put for the term unless something terrible were to happen that would force a move. Can you imagine if we moved every six months what our life would be like? At least junk mail would not find us.

The car that we had sitting at Leroy’s sister’s house would not start. Leroy tried to “jump it with the other car”. Luckily he knew that the battery was in the trunk in that other car having looked for it previously. But he could not get the cables off. He then talked with Rex (brother-in-law) who was in the hospital. He did have a battery jumper that plugged in. Leroy looked for that and could not find it. I went out and helped him look. Unfortunately it did not do the job even when found. Leroy struggled some more with the cables on the working car and finally succeeded in getting it ready to do the work. Nothing happened. Next he took out the old battery and had it tested. The prognosis was it had died; probably death was a gradual fading away. A new battery was purchased.

This battery was slightly larger than the old one making it difficult to put in. The cables did not reach. I thought Leroy should turn the battery around and then they would reach. The cables were not labeled with their polarization, but Leroy thought it was the way he had put it in. He then proceeded to “adjust” position of wires to make it work. When the cable touched one side sparks flew. One of the cables did not fit very well, but Leroy tried to start the car anyway, nothing. One of Rex’s neighbor’s came over in the morning and told Leroy, “The cables are wrong. You have blown a fuse and maybe burned some wires.”

Next step, turn the battery around and get a fuse. At least the fuse was cheap, getting it in was not. It was tucked in an inaccessible spot. Leroy’s nephew, Robert, helped Leroy. They had to remove some things, dropped a blot, removed more things, managed to retrieve the bolt, worked cautiously to get it back on the proper spot, and turned the car on to hear just a faint hum. There was an hour and more spent fruitlessly.

 We had the car towed to our favorite repair person who learned that the problem was the alternator. Monday Leroy does not have to work so we will pick up the car that day. Who is in control here, humans or machines?

Paula

Leroy did tell me that I could relate this story to you. He would like to think he can fix cars, but I am not quite sure why since he has had no particular training or much experience in that area.

Also Rex is still fighting pneumonia and is now in a nursing home for a short additional recuperation.

Leasing an Apartment

Ely, Iowa

Hello,

Yesterday the man who wants to rent the property called us offering to lower the rent as well as our share of the utilities and they would give us a six month lease. Leroy’s job only lasts for 1.5 years.  I had asked about a garden. They do not have one, but they mentioned that the side of the house might work, but really the front lawn was the best for the sun. The phone message stated that in addition, I could make a garden anywhere I wanted. Wow! Now I will have to put out some plants out for sure.

We called them back and told them we were ready to sign. Tomorrow morning we will get that done. They would like a notice of 45 days before we leave, but we can handle that or so we think at this point. We will have to stay in our current home (We find we quickly use the word home for anywhere we are staying more than a week.) until the middle of March. The other people will now move out on the 11^th of March, but we do not believe that we can move in on the same day so will wait for the following weekend.

If you know of anyone who wants a piano in this area, let me know. I have asked Brian if they would like it so he would get first chance at it. He did not sound so very excited; consequently, I am putting out other feelers so this piano can find a good home. We would be willing to leave it in Burlington or move it to CR and if needed keep it in the garage a few days so someone else could pick it up. It is the piano that my parents got when I was in first grade so you can figure out the approximate age. It is a spinet in good condition, not excellent condition.

It has been quite fine to stay in this place, but Leroy and I are both ready to move immediately or sooner. We are used to and like living more independently. Homelessness is not a desired way to be even if we have been living in warm and welcoming homes all of this time. We have been living this life style since the middle of September. That is long enough. I know that we are not the only people doing this. One of the people who taught a class at the gym told me that she had gotten divorced and was now, along with her two children, sharing one bedroom at her parent’s house. From personality studies, I know that I do not easily emphasize with people who are in a situation I have not experienced. Perhaps this is all part of my education for being compassionate.

Paula

The Duplex

Ely, IA

Hello,

We certainly liked the people who have this place to rent. They will be living downstairs. If it were just about them we would be signing on the line.

Inside the house, it is not so visually appealing with a warren of halls and rooms. It has old carpeting everywhere, but in the kitchen and bathroom. It does not have big windows. We probably could not get the piano upstairs or maybe with a bit more expense that we do not need. One desk might not go up the stairs, but that we do not care about. Leroy was paid for the first two weeks. Between the rent and utilities that check will be gone.

The house is in a better neighborhood than the previous house. It is less expensive by $100. It has a two car garage with a little storage space in the front. It has attic storage space. It has three bedrooms. It would have free wi-fi. The utilities are expected to be less than the first house, based on the monthly average for the past year. It has adequate small closet space. It has a washer and dryer. It has a clothes line.

We will probably take it because the positives outweigh the negatives and Leroy is tired of looking. He wants to be done with this phase of life and settle down.

He was a bit dismayed when he saw the size of his first check. One difference is that taxes have been taken out. Working for the church we always had to put money aside to pay quarterly as a supposedly self employed person. It still might come out better than he realizes because here the employer pays some of the social security instead of him paying all of it.

He apologized last night for putting me through all of this. I said, “That is ok because I know you do not want this for yourself either. You are not seeking it out.”

After all it is great that my life is so exciting. What would I have to write about if it were just ordinary? I might get in trouble just to liven it up a bit.

Paula

Looking a Duplex

Ely, IA

Hello,

Tonight Leroy will pick me up for a trip back to Cedar Rapids where we will look at a duplex that is the second floor of a house with the owner living below. One big plus is the two car garage that comes with it. It is also lower rent than the house we looked at previously. The owner was quite happy that Leroy called back. Interesting that in housing our age makes us appear like good renters where as in the job world it makes us too expensive. “Did he ask your age?” I wanted to know.

“Not quite, but he commented that my voice sounded older,” Leroy replied.

“I did not tell him my age, but agreed that we were older,” Leroy added.

If we understand the particulars it looks like a good possibility for us. It also has air conditioning. Part of me believes that we can live without it, but on the hottest days especially when sleeping upstairs, it is a blessing. If we are reading it correctly there is also a washer and dryer, two items that are often not included. We are praying that we are in the right place at the right time.

I am applying for a library job in Ely where we are now living. It is part time and not so well paid in dollars, but has the benefit of being something I would truly enjoy doing and it will contribute a bit to our standard of living. It is hard to fill out the forms because I do not have a permanent address. Do you get the feeling that is the story of my life? I mostly do not know where to say I am living. Just where am I anyway? Can anyone tell me? Is this trusting in God?

Someone of you asked where we are living for this temporary time. We are in the basement of a former member of the church in Ely where Leroy worked for 15 years. Can you imagine we lived in one place for 15 years? At this moment it is the longest in one place since we have been married.

When we lived here we worked some to have a bike path put in. It did not happen, but it is here now. This afternoon I walked a long way on the paved path and was grateful that the seed came to fruition. People have told us that it is used quite a lot.

Paula

The Real Bus Ride

Ely, IA

Hello,

You know that bus ride went ok because I am now writing from my new abode. First of all I should wish you a Happy Valentine’s day. Brian was born on this day, but we did not talk much about that because he took me to bus station at 6:20 am. He was surprised at the amount of traffic that was already on the road. It was not so much to slow us down, but we certainly were not the only cars out there. There was still twenty minutes before the scheduled departure time of the bus by the time we arrived at the station. After I found the exit door for my bus I learned that it had not yet appeared.

Loading seemed to go fast. I had my ticket and required photo ID in hand even though he did not seem to look at my photo ID. At least he did not say of my new driver’s license photo, “You look like death warmed over.” It still bothers me to go from my best license photo to my worst. Even my passport photo looks better.

We left the station seven minutes late. That was not really a problem for me as I was expecting a 30 minute lay over before the next bus. At the only other stop the driver turned right instead of left as I was expecting. Then he turned left across streams of traffic in two lanes so that took some time. As he got back in the stream of traffic going the way I had first anticipated cars were so plentiful that it was slower moving. Up ahead there were flashing lights. Consequently we arrived at that stop almost 30 minutes late. He said not to worry about our connections. I stopped worrying because after all what could I do about missing a bus especially before that had happened.

We pulled into the stop just on the minute. I could see the next bus waiting as well as a van. The two other drivers were standing there asking where we wanted to go and hustling us along to the proper conveyance.

As she came on my driver commented, “The bus is cold and it will not warm up until we get on the Interstate.” She then started the bus, counted people, filled out some paperwork, looked over the controls, and called someone. Following that conversation, she got up tried to adjust something behind me, got more advice on the phone, went outside the bus, turned off the bus, called again, tried her routine again, and then announced that something was wrong with the wheel chair lift and she could not put the bus in gear until something was fixed. She recommended that we go into the building, especially the infant on board, and she would let us know when we could leave.

By the time we were able to head out we were forty minutes late. That was not a problem for me as I had a 55 minute layover coming up. Again she told us not to worry about our connections. Indeed we got in 20 minutes ahead of my departure time.

The last bus driver said, “A photo ID is required.” So he spent some time looking at it, perhaps checking to make sure that I really was deserving of the senior discount. This bus was on time, but there was a high pitched whine that went along with us and caused my ears to ring. The bus was going to the CR airport, but it did not go to the terminal. So I had to call Leroy to give him some clues about where I was. He had seen a sign about the bus stop so found it easily.

None of the buses were full so I could easily have my two carryon bags with me in the seat. One bus only had nine passengers.

It is so great to have this available so that Leroy did not have to drive four hours up and four hours back.

Paula

Thinning Hair

New Brighton, MN

Hello,

Does stress or luck of the genes cause hair to thin? I have noticed that mine has definitely changed. When Miriam looked for those head lice in my hair she commented that there was not much place for them to hide. Just a couple days ago Brian commented on my thinning hair. It is a fact, but I dislike having it confirmed. Seems to me that hidden would be much nicer. Do I trust God to handle hair loss? I suspect it is low on the priority list and should be as it fits in the vanity category.

I will be on the bus tomorrow morning heading back to Iowa. Brian went to the physical therapist this morning. He was pleasantly surprised to experience no additional pain during this visit. He has been given a few exercises to do, suggestions of ways to move, and will return next week. His knee is bending more each day.

The good things that are the result of this loose and free life that Leroy and I have been living are: We have visited all of our children and grandchildren which seldom has happened so much in one year. We even got to spend more time than just a day or two so we get to experience them at their present ages. We are acutely aware of the help that others give us often just when we need it. We know that a job and a permanent home are not everything that makes life good. Trust is easier and more solid when visible supports have been cut away. Good people are everywhere. We have too much stuff in our lives and we do not know how to pare it down to turtle size. Laughter is free and good. Sunsets are free for all to enjoy. We will find the right place for us to be.

Just think I have not seen Leroy in a week. He will pick me up at the bus stop and take me to our new temporary abode. Apartment/house hunting will have to begin in earnest when I have free time to do it.

Paula

Bus Ride Coming

New Brighton, MN

Hello,

I will be leaving Tuesday on the bus. When Brian checked into the possibility of traveling between Minneapolis and Cedar Rapids we found it to be possible in a six-hour trip. In the car it takes four to four and a half hours. I had looked when we lived in Burlington and at that time it was an overnight connection. Now the bus leaves here an hour earlier in the morning. It is not so much more that I am quite content to do this. I do have to change buses three times, but that should not be hard. I figure that if I can change planes in some big airports with little time between connections this should be easy because I surely do not have to change buildings.

Now I will have to borrow a bag from Brian, as I cannot get all of the shoes that I kept with me in my suitcase. Perhaps I have a few extra clothes as well. Brian and Jen are not planning to travel soon; consequently they will not notice the absence of one small bag. Logan’s birthday celebration will be the first weekend in March. Because we are a mere four hours away and Leroy does not have a Sunday job, we are planning to come for that.

Our oldest grandchild, Olivia, just celebrated her fifth birthday, but ironically we were not there. The timing was fine, however it would have been nice to have been there for a birthday since we had stayed with them for almost two or three months.

Brian once again feels more leg pain in the last two days although his knee is flexing much more than it had been. It is probably good that I have been here for the weekend as well as for tomorrow when he goes to physical therapy. He is hoping this will make a different, but he is also a little anxious about the possibility of pain involved in this procedure.

It was again warm enough this afternoon that we took Logan out in the yard where he went a down a short slide in the sun and jiggled on the small trampoline.

Paula