Leroy's Office Party

Hello,

We went to Leroy’s office party. Driving there was no problem as much of all streets were clear giving plenty of traction spots when there was a bit of ice. Those road workers do deserve thanks.

I am always a little nervous when going to gatherings where I do not know most people. Plenty of people spoke to me so that was all good too. One thing I did notice was that Leroy is definitely the oldest worker on this team. Some of these people look wet behind the ears, whatever that means. Certainly they were just out of school. There are some middle aged workers, but none older than that. How did we ever get to be the oldest people around? I suppose this will happen more and more if we live long enough.

This party was nice because families are invited so there were a number of children there from preschool to college age. I spoke with some of the preschoolers and one of the high schoolers, so there was not a lot of interaction. Those kids of a certain age all seemed to be on their phones, but still talking to each other.

On the way home we saw a great gas price so even though my tank was not so low, we filled up. Gas prices on the west side of town are almost 20 cents per gallon cheaper than our neighborhood. Why that should be I cannot imagine.

Now that we have a new camera we no longer can use the spare battery for our old camera. That is also true of the memory chip. I suggested that we try to sell them on some electronic media site. Just why they do not work I cannot say, especially since the chip looks much the same. New technology means all new stuff I guess. Oops, I forgot we are still using our 40 year old rabbit ears for our TV. Who would have thought?

Paula

                                                           

Going to Church

Hello,

Leroy woke up at 5:15, laid there for a few minutes, breathed loudly, looked at the clock waking me, and said, “I’m getting up and start shoveling as I am lecturing and need to get to church on time.”

I loitered a little while before I went out to help him. In the 25 degree temperature I like this shoveling task. Beauty is all around, light is abundant, not from the sun, but still ok effect, and the snow is light weight.

We finished that job, came in, showered, ate breakfast, read devotions, brushed teeth, bundled up, and headed off to church. Leroy led the way most of the time, creating a path. Where appropriate we walked in the street if there was a path. Even though I barely kept up I was breathing deeply by the time we reached church ahead of time, but not much ahead. Leroy declared it more work and slowing us down “to slog through snow.” Oh, no I forgot to put on lipstick oh well, not many saw me.

I suspect there were about 20 of us there for this early service. I could almost believe that I was in a small church once again. Certainly there is a more intimate feeling to it all.

We have plans today to make krumkaka, fruit salad and go to one of Leroy’s co-workers house for an evening party. At the moment that is under discussion because the house is across town. It will probably be ok to go there as main streets will be cleared. Course this person lives on a quiet residential street. I suspect that will be the most difficult navigation chore. Unfortunately there is ice under this snow which makes it somewhat tricky.

Paula 

Shopping

Hello,

Leroy and I survived shopping, barely, but we did come out intact. We started in the morning and that was a plus. There were shoppers; however, by the time we left the numbers had grown considerably. Leroy wanted to go one more place, but since it was not for an item we needed immediately I vetoed that plan and he acquiesced. I was happy to get out of that store filled area. It is not my thing. The country life for me.

I did get one more thing for Leroy to open on Christmas morning so he should feel a bit more satisfied. The rest will all have to wait until his birthday.

This morning one surprise purchase or at least I was surprised that we got it, was a camera. It was on a good sale, the store was offering an additional 10 % off which with the 5% for using their credit card made it more attractive than we could resist. We can take pictures once again, if we remember to do it. Heck we can take pictures across the city with the 22x zoom. Leroy always regretted such little zoom when we saw the moose. Now we probably will never see a moose again unless we spot one from our house.

We almost never go out to eat, but I had a gift card that was going to expire at the end of the year so we must use it. We were pleasantly surprised at how much we liked the food at Noodles & Company. Definitely more our style than some places.

Christmas cards are almost all done. Monday they will go in the mail. I did write personal notes in some on a separate piece of paper, but I am wondering if I missed putting the Christmas letter in some because I have so many left, or did we just miscount? Life is certainly a mystery.

Paula

I am Good

Hello,

I am so good at procrastinating that I still have not produced a Christmas letter. Surely it could have been done before Christmas. It will be done before Christmas, but not in anyone’s mailbox before Christmas. Oh well, we all like to get mail at anytime, right? I was a bit jealous to receive Christmas cards right after Thanksgiving. Boy some of you are just too organized. Actually I have written two letters, but not approved of either. I wanted to write the Christmas letter of the century and it did not flow from my fingers or my brain or wherever it comes from. Leroy thought one letter was fine, but I thought it was much too serious.  After all we live “light and humorous” lives. I have set a deadline for myself. Today will be it, since I do not want to drive anywhere and do anything as the rubber will meet the ice in one place or another. No off putting excuses are making themselves known.

No shopping for this chick today. Leroy assures me that he will not cry if I do not procure enough presents for under the tree, be sad maybe, but not cry.

Technology is good as Leroy and I just realized that I can email the Christmas letter to him to “proof” or add to and he can get it printed at work where they charge a small fee. It will not be on the Christmas paper that I have moved at least once, but maybe twice. Paper that I said I would not move again, I will probably move it again. I do have some stickers here and I can decorate the final result on plain paper. I have a few cards and they will be mailed because I said, “I am not moving these again.” A possible household move looming on the horizon certainly changes one’s perspective on the importance of some items. Perhaps the real message that I have been ignoring, is “lighten the load, Paula”. Instead I thought the message was, “Don’t get too attached to places, there is more to learn.”

Have a good safe day.

Paula

Flowers

Hello,

I stopped at the school library where my Christmas cacti have been incubating buds and blossoms. The one that had been my mother’s was particularly beautiful with many buds already open. If I had a camera in a phone I could have taken a picture. The bigger one that is 42 this year is not so far along. There are many buds on it so it has a chance to rival its younger friend. I had planned on bringing the smaller one home, but I am not sure that I want to move it again as a few buds/flowers came off and a small chunk of branch fell off. Our car is not big enough to give them copious room. At least there are no other signs of stress from being moved. I hope all will be well with them. When I told Leroy I might not bring it home he said, “You mean I have to go to Ely to see them?”

It was a slow day with lower numbers of people at the library yesterday. Doing too many other things? Leroy tells me that the museum library is also not very busy at this time. That means we can get a lot of cataloging done. I even got two original DVD’s done. That is a much longer process than just grabbing the catalog record from another source. It is especially lengthy because I seldom do that so I have to look things up and figure it out. I just have to remember not to grouse about it, but be happy that I am using more parts of my brain.

Yesterday the sun was shining. I am amazed at the pleasant smiles and greetings that come with that sun. It perks us up and helps us to deal with what life brings.

We do not control the heat in our apartment. Last year it all seemed to work fine. This year we are too hot even though the downstairs temperature is set at 65. For some reason we are at about 70. In order to sleep in a cooler place we shut the registers (They are registers because this house is 100 years old.) that has helped a great deal. We just have to remember to make the change. Remembering is hard.

Paula

Practicing

Hello,

Shoulders back, head back. That was my mantra yesterday when I thought of it which was surprisingly frequently. I do not sit very well at the computer at work. Definitely more effort is required to keep my shoulders back when I would like to hunch, lean or slouch. I did some yoga specifically aimed at neck and shoulders this morning.

On a side note one young woman told me about doing the plank poise for 3 minutes. The first day I could do one min. 15 seconds. The second day I did one min. 20 sec. I did much less the next day and rested the following. Leroy did the plank for 3 min. 10 sec. this morning. Show off! But that is just fine to let him beat me at something.

I ran two errands this morning. My down coat has been given away as were some socks, turtle necks, a sweater, and an afghan. I delivered my application which included the part Leroy’s employers filled in for Medicare part B. The lovely person at the desk assured me that it would all come together before Feb. 1 when I need to have it be in place. Relax, Paula. The next step will be to visit, along with Leroy, SHIP so we know what to do about supplemental coverage.  I am grateful to have these resources in easy driving or walking distance.

I love the set up with my Dr. Office where I can log in and see my test results online. They send me an email so I know to look. For some reason my cholesterol dropped below 200. In my entire time of checking on it, I think this is a first.  It was 192 so not much below, but below. Maybe it is that daily dose of vinegar and honey. I am not getting older, I am getting better. All other reported blood aspects seemed good as well, luckily they showed a range and all were in the range. I really do not know what some of these things were, but they were good.

Paula

Alignment

Hello,

Last year right after Christmas, Leroy got me a massage with a Groupon. I fussed over this for a while because I did not know where this place was, I would have to call, I would have to see new people, they were going to assess me and encourage/pressure me for more visits since the purpose for them was to get new customers. My response to this was to just ignore it. Now the expiration date is approaching. Because I cannot live with the idea of Leroy’s money going to waste, I strapped on courage, located the place, called the office, had the massage, and agreed to see the chiropractor. Now when money is getting shorter I am adding to the downward spiral as I will be going twice a week for the first weeks and then once a week. Leroy, who does not yet know about the additional visits, will not complain as he knows how tight my neck can be.

I am hoping for some real change. Each visit, I will see the chiropractor for some small adjustments followed by a person who has me do a series of movements to correct alignment. That is then followed by some neck /shoulder massage. It seems the three things could really make a difference. I will be given some exercises that I can do at home too. So I just justified all of that expense. Besides we will not be without income it will just be a good bit less than it was.

At least I got a couple Christmas presents for Leroy while I was out and about. That sooths my need to have each car trip count for more than one thing.

In three months I should have the best posture on the planet.

Paula