Changes

Hello,

We are now back home where everything feels familiar, comfortable and loved. Just think it has been two years now or almost two that we have lived here. How does that happen? I am blessed by that shift in feeling. I will miss it when we once again move. Every place that I have lived has good points. The people are the same way; there are always good people there.

It was a wonderful visit with Brian’s family. (I wish I could visit my daughters’ families as easily.) I will have to say that Leroy spent much time on the floor with Logan exploring his train set, building blocks, and other items. I, on the other hand, spent more time at a table or desk drawing or playing Skip Bo. The activities change as the ages change. Logan is still tightly connected to Leroy and Sophia is more with me.

Leroy had thought his name had been given to a congregation in Wisconsin. Because of the length of time and hearing nothing, he was thinking that they had decided no. He now finds out that today they will get his name. If they want to interview him the decision will be made today. Leroy’s voice revealed a touch of excitement. Our lives get hope filled, deflated, and hope filled once more. The future is not ours to see, but it seems it would be nice sometimes.

We spoke with a friend last night about the Medicare issues and because of such positive feedback I feel much better than I had been feeling. It will indeed all work out. God is working, now we need to think about how we can serve instead of what can be done for us. I have to confess to being selfish, especially when things are up in the air. I like to fly, but I guess the plane gives the illusion of solidarity and stability.

Paula

Traveling

Hello,

After hearing, on my way home from work that we were to have freezing rain in the night and more the next day, I asked Leroy, "Would you like to drive to Brian's house now?"

"Yes, lets see if it is OK with Brian if we come one night sooner," Leroy replied.

We leaped into action as soon as the OK was given. I packed. Leroy had already packed. Our presence at an evening meeting was relayed. A light supper eaten in a hurry. Toiletries packed. Warm gear gathered and stowed. Dishes washed. Landlord informed that we were leaving. A few things that we are giving to Brian packed. Gas for car purchased. Out of town and on the road as darkness closed in. Grateful for clear roads and not too much traffic.

I drove first so Leroy could nap, but no nap happened. Wrong time of day? Even though I drive home from work in the dark, I have become less comfortable driving at night. I learned that Leroy is even more so when he took his turn driving. He could not remember when he has driven out on the open road after dark. I had forgotten it has been so long. I thought it was nice when a car was ahead of me and I could tell how the curves evolving as they traversed them. Leroy agreed that it is a help.

Grandchildren were asleep when we got there. Perhaps that was good because I could greet their dog as if she was the most important person in the house. In the morning we had grins and hugs all around. A little kissing was included, but most kisses were dodged. We will babysit for these children tonight. We are all looking forward to that.

We will leave on Sunday, hoping that the weather will be as good as predicted. Love those easy travel predictions.

Paula

Up and Down Day

Hello,

Seems to me I felt good when I got up. I went to the chiropractor and had the usual treatment on my rather solid neck muscle knots. They do not hurt me, but those massage therapists do not like them. They are perhaps looser than they were, but it is hard to say for sure. Shoulders back? Yes, head back? Yes, and sitting tall. It should all help right? My blood pressure was a bit high for me, but not to dangerous levels.

This afternoon Leroy and I had an appointment with SHIP so we can figure out what to do next in terms of getting a supplement for our Medicare which will start February 1, 2014. That went ok, but when we checked with the church system we learned that Leroy cannot have that insurance without being called again by a church because he has been away from that employment for too long. Even if he were to be called by the church in Wisconsin it cannot happen by February 1, 2014.

If we were to pay for it by ourselves it would be quite expensive. Groan! I now know that I have been stewing about all of these health/financial security issues even though I try to put on a calm front. In the end I can fool myself better than I can fool Leroy who said, “I thought you have been bothered by this.”

“And you are not,” I asked, “Are you?”

“No,” he said.

I know that worry is not productive or healthy, but I grab onto it anyway, slyly as a thief in a store I tuck it out of sight where it burns a hole in my pocket. It is so seductive looking. It seems there should be some good outcome from it, not high blood pressure or a tight neck.

Paula

Cold but Warm

Hello,

Outdoor temperatures are low, but we have the luxury of spending little time there. Are we grateful for that possibility? Yes! It was not so warm at work for me. I even kept on my wool sweater. Sometimes I have to take it off to survive the heat. It is warm in the apartment too. We even close all of the furnace outlets when we go to bed because we want to snuggle under our down comforter and flannel sheets. If we did not close off the heat it would be a sweating zoo in here and we do not want that pungent aroma.

Leroy’s name has been put in at a church in Wisconsin. He has heard nothing, but is still hopeful that they will consider a 65 year old who says that he wants to work until he is 70. Do you think I should tell them he is a young guy and just half his age as he struts down the mile in just 15 minutes? Anyone who takes a chance on him might find they have gotten a prize. He may appear cold and old, but he is young and warm, except at work where he tells me the temperature is around 65 degrees back in the library area. He compensates by wearing many layers. He even keeps a wool suit jacket at work that he can slip on over almost anything. In spite of dressing up he tells me that his fingers turn a bit blue.

We are learning more about people who live on a different income scale. Leroy cannot take out money for the flexible spending (health account) because he does not work 25 hours. Seems to me that many advantages are aimed at people who are able to find full time times and earn more already. Is that because the laws/rules are made by more secure people who have the backing of people just like them? Someone at church was talking about renting to a couple that each work two half time jobs and they can barely pay the rent and eat. It certainly makes more to me. They truly have no benefits with part time jobs and probably no possibilities in sight. Leroy and I, even though older, are still in a different place because we are skilled in more than one field. We can also get health insurance because of our age with Medicare and supplements. My salary will pay rent and utilities while Leroy’s will cover supplements and food. What more could we ask for? Basic needs are covered with some to give away. This month Leroy is working half time so we will see what his take home pay amounts to. Perhaps I will talk differently when reality sets in.

Paula

Walking to church

Hello,

Leroy and I had planned to drive to church when we heard it was to be very cold today. However, upon waking, walking seemed to be quite possible with a temperature of just 9 F. Certainly better than below zero. We bundled up snuggly, especially Leroy, and headed out. The rapid walk, since we started a little late, helped me to feel quite warm by the time we got there. We went to the earliest service and then stayed for Sunday school. Leroy left after that and I stayed for a book club meeting.

Someone asked if I wanted a ride. Has it gotten much colder I wondered? She assured me that it had and the wind was stronger. After the meeting, when I was looking for my wool sock and could not find it I decided for sure I had better take advantage of her offer. I live somewhat in the direction she was going so I don’t feel too bad about accepting a ride from her. Of course this was my best wool sock that I could not find, but after some searching I found it on the shelf in the coat room. I suppose it had fallen out of my boots. I do not wear the socks and the boots in the building because I would be much too warm.

I was a little sorry that I did not walk home because it did not seem so bad to me. The temperature was still above zero. Now tomorrow is when the real cold settles in. I wish that I worked in town here. But I suspect it will all be ok because I have been out in even colder temps. Once in MN when Leroy was at seminary, I kept thinking I was driving over bumps on the road, but I could not see them. Later I heard that it was that the tires had frozen flat. I remember that day the high temperature was -16 F. I believe that was my coldest day. I cannot remember the low. Now I am thankful that the furnace works and that we have plenty of heat in our upstairs apartment.

Paula

Connected

Hello,

I am now safely connected via my cell phone with the rest of the country if not the world. We have pay as you go phones and mine needed more days. I still had minutes to chat, but the contract was going to expire January 6. This may not seem like a big deal, but with my current phone it is a big deal.

I should be able to log into my account on the company website, but it tells me that this phone number is associated with a different account so I can do nothing on line. I am a bit miffed because they are surely sending me special offers as they know my time is running out; however I see none of those, perhaps they go to that email that I cannot access any longer.

The problems with connecting are twofold. In 2009 when I got this phone there was some type of issue. I remember making several calls and talking to at least three people before I was able to get my info and time, etc. switched to my new phone. Each time I have added more time stamina has been required. Somehow the phone number is not associated with any email accounts that I can get into.

This time was no exception. Mentally I blocked out a considerable amount of time to tend to this phone call. It took a bit of time to work my way through the automated system then the live person rattled along in rapid Spanish. At least I thought it was Spanish. When he took a breath I told him, with a sense of shame at my language lacks, “I need English.” At which point he gathered up his slower English. His accent was pronounced, but I did understand almost everything he said the first time it came forth.

He got from me all of the necessary information even asking if I had any promotion codes. I explained about my inaccessible account. He assured me that we would fix my access when we got the time added. He proceeded to put in all the necessary data and tell me that it would be a while because the system was running slow. I heard that statement several times. Twenty minutes later he told me that he was having trouble and his supervisor would help, but she were unavailable now so he would continue to try to help me. Little did this guy know that he had the customer account from hell as he told me every few minutes that he was still trying to solve the problems. He also told me about his supervisor more than once. Personally I think the supervisor was hiding.

Finally after 49 minutes, some of which I spent lying on the floor doing some exercises, meditating and just generally contemplating life, he was successful. I have another 365 days of phone use with 400 additional minutes. I had been hoping he would give me extra minutes just because of the length of this process, but he did not mention it. He also did not mention getting my account access up, having pity on him and me, I let it go.

Paula

Leroy's Time

Hello,

Leroy told me last night that he is having no trouble filling in his time off. And I thought he might miss me because I worked yesterday. Instead, he ran some errands and put a new faucet in our kitchen. Our landlord suggested it and assured Leroy that he would take full responsibility for anything that might go wrong. Those two amateur plumber guys made a trip to the store, asked a lot of questions of their helpful clerk, came back home, stopped the water, took out the old faucet, cleaned up the space, replaced the water shut off valve, and put in the new.

It works great including the sprayer. The old sprayer only got half of the water. The new faucet looks lovely, works easily and does not spray water in my face. Course the old unit only sprayed water at me occasionally, lulling me into a sense of false security before it blasted forth again. Now who could ask for more? I am so pleased. I do have to be a bit gentler with the new. I am accustomed to using a certain amount of force to turn on the water. I will have to mend my ways as I do not want to damage my new lovely unit.

Leroy was also pleased to get the faucet and to be able to help put it in without much difficulty. I guess if the shut off valve had not leaked it would have been a simple job. Our landlord and Leroy had complimentary tools so it all worked well; perhaps their skill sets were complimentary as well. I asked Leroy if they were ready to form a small company. He thought rather emphatically, no. Small satisfactions in life are to be savored and not expanded beyond reality.

Only the person who experiences the improvement can appreciate it in full measure. Appreciating, appreciating!

Paula