Driving

Hello, Yesterday, we spent a good number of hours driving. It was a nice sunny day. However, the wind was daunting. It is a good feeling to have a low-profile vehicle on those days. Some trailers were being buffeted off course a bit. We went to the funeral for Jen’s mother. I am glad that we could attend. It had been a long time since I had seen her father, brother’s family, and uncle’s family. When we attended the children’s birthday parties, we got to see Jen’s family twice a year. It was a quick trip in one day with more time on the road than we actually spent there. It was noticeable that there was more and more snow as we went north. Some of it was blowing across the road on one smallerA road. Those spots looked icy when we went home. Luckily that was only spots and just for seven miles. Stephen’s parents have both died so now there is only Jen’s dad and Andy’s parents left. I think of diminishing groups as there are only my sister’s husband and my brother and sister-in law left of the immediate other relatives. I suppose that is a part of aging. Loved ones are not there forever. Paula

Podiatrist

Hello, Going back to the podiatrist was both a relief and a little bit touchy. I had waited a long time so my fungus nails had become thicker and tougher. At least they have a tougher tool for clipping and then an electric gizmo for filing and smoothing it off. Leroy looked at my feet this morning and could see where the skin had been nicked a little. So happy that I did not jerk much so they did not get more skin. Before I could take some oral medicine, I had to have blood drawn and examined. Luckily the lab was just two blocks away so I could walk there too. It is so nice to live in an area that is small enough that I can walk to the doctor, lab and pharmacy. At the lab, she applied the tourniquet, stuck the needle in, and soon said, “What is happening here?” I do not look at needles stuck into me so I had no clue. She then said, “I’m sorry!” After some shuffling noise, and pressure on my arm the needle was pulled out. “This needle fell apart. I am not sure we got enough blood. Just wait right here.” she said before heading off to the phlebotomist. The metal needle would not fall apart, would it? I suspect it was the plastic holding it in place. “It was enough blood, you are good to go.” she announced on her return. I was happy to head home. Paula

Cruise Traveling

Hello, Our cruise traveling has basically been moving reunions with seminary friends. There were seven days at sea on this cruise. I wondered how we would manage on those days. They flew by. We visited, ate, laughed, played games, read books, went to entertainment features, did tai chi, walked the promenade deck where three and a half laps equaled a mile, one of us participated in a table tennis tournament, and took naps. The other two couples had purchased the Wi-Fi. Leroy and I thought we could live 15 days without it. The hardest part was not knowing how to get ahold of the other couples when not by our stateroom phone. They had only purchased one Wi-Fi plan per couple, so they could not contact the other part of the couple. When I talked with Sarah, she told me, the app from the cruise company had a free chat possibility on it so you could contact each other. Why didn’t we know that? Are we too old and they are young or did we just not listen to some instructions? If we go with this company again, we will know the score unless it changes. Going back to the present and Valentine’s Day, Leroy gave me an orchid. I have never had one before. I will hope it survives and thrives. If not, the blooms will lift my spirits while they are here. I have two violets blooming as well as one pink thanksgiving cactus. The white cactus is putting on some buds, but it will be a while before they bloom. The amaryllis was planted after we came home. It is starting to send up a bud shoot. These winter blooms add color and beauty to the days.

Paula

Why Can’t We Connect

Hello, Happy Valentine’s Day. Brian was born on this day 47 years ago. The best gift ever! We started our cruise journey in San Diego. Our friends had told us they would pick us up at the airport, just text when we arrived. I texted when we landed, no response. After we picked up our luggage another, text and no response. Called him and it went right to voicemail. Outside another text and no response. Leroy called and texted same lack as I had. I was getting ready to text his wife when I heard our name. He was there ready to go. In the car we talked about how we had texted so many times. He had not gotten them. After a bit of searching and fussing it was discovered that he had blocked us. He claims not to know how that happened. It certainly created a good laugh. I have done a few things on these “new-fangled” instruments and not realized what I had done so it is quite believable. It was wonderful to have that ride and then to stay with their daughter’s family and have a ride to the port in the morning. People who know where they are going do better driving in the city with all the other fast-moving vehicles. How nice to be met and cared for instead of needing to find our own way forward. How did Leroy and I travel so much 20 years ago? We did not even know the language and managed without too much trouble. Are we losing our nerve? Paula

Mail and Trips

Hello, We had our mail held by the post office while we were gone. It was interesting to note that in our 16-day absence, one of the cruise companies was our most ardent correspondent. It is almost as if I could start replying to them and let them know how my life is going. Do you think they care about me? Or do they just want me to spend more time and money with them? Such a luxury to be so sought after. They have very nice pictures and some nice prices to go along with that. It could all go to my head. Also, while we were gone, we got a number of tax papers. It is a deal to sort through all of those things. Leroy and I spent some time organizing things and now he is doing the bulk of that work. We do have a tax person, but for some reason he would like us to be a little responsible and gather papers. I am also happy to report that I got a letter from Social Security. They are noting that I did earn in the year 2019. Finally, this will be solved. I have contacted them twice about it. Our recycle bin held a lot of paper when we got done looking at all of the mail. I am not sure how many businesses have found us here, but it seems to multiply. Guess we should move and cut off the stream of correspondence. Paula

First Port on the Cruise

Hello, We started in San Diego and went down the coast to Panama. The first port was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The tour was not so informative as the guide talked mostly about the Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton who had filmed something there. At least I was old enough to know who they were. The other topic was tequila, both making and selling. She kept talking about us getting drunk which is not my idea of a good time. our value to them in being there was to purchase something to take back with us. Tourists are a big part of the economy. I did hold an iguana that was warm, docile, had reptile skin, and was a bit heavy. Until I looked at the picture, I had forgotten how large it was. Only after I held it did I realize that the owner wanted a tip. We supplied that, and I consider it money well spent. I was thinking of just touching it, but it was thrust into my hands almost immediately and the small one was put on my head. I thought the small one looked like a toy. It is good thing I did not shake my head and knock it off.

I sincerely hoped the next ports would have more of interest to me/us. The tour guide had a strong accent, but not too hard to figure out what was being said. I would like to have more language knowledge. One person did fall getting off the bus. People were quick to help her. Luckly she was not hurt in this fall, but a bit sore and bruised. Paula

Not at Sea, but Land legs? February 7, 2024 Hello, Even though we came home late Saturday night, I still have to get adjusted to land when I get out of bed in the morning. Once in a while in the course of the day I also have to adjust my mental process to feel absolutely stable. We spent much of Leroy’s birthday in airports and on planes. I even forgot to wish him happy birthday until a few hours had passed. Guess I was more concerned about making all connections. It was not a big deal, but a long day. They transport us from the ship to the airport in Miami. We walked quite a distance and had to read a number of signs to figure out where to go for our gate. We were about six hours early so there was plenty of time. We even saw two birds in the airport.

They seemed to be scavengers, getting dropped morsels off the floor. Our first flight had a bit of turbulence, so we were confined to our seats much of the time. There was also a medical emergency so they did not serve us anything but some water. We had a shorter time in the Chicago airport so we needed to move rather quickly to get on our next flight. Luckily, we had eaten in Miami, because there was no time for such. I was pleased that our checked luggage made it in fine style. Our downstairs friends picked us up at the airport. It was great to be home and go to bed. Not much unpacking, just getting out the toothbrushes. Paula