Learning

Hello,

I thought I was ok with learning new technology, but now I have to confess that it is not true. I am really fighting using the IPod. It is especially annoying that so many people find it such a great thing and easy to use. For me it is more difficult than pulling out a CD and playing it.

When Miriam was here last summer she showed us some things about the device, but we have hardly used it since then. Getting the local temperature at the airport has been the most popular use for it. It seems like an expensive way to learn the temp. Opening a window would be easier and cheaper, but not an official number.

Stephen showed us some of the same things and then some more. I will try to use it more, but one music problem is that the speakers are in the living room and when in that room we usually read. I do not like to have on music when I am reading as it distracts me a great deal. I would like it in the kitchen, but there is no good place to put the speakers in that room. One solution is to buy another docking station that is smaller than the current one.

Then there are all the other things that can be done on the IPod touch. I find them hard to deal with as I can type so much faster and more accurately on the computer keyboard. One finger is not my style. My fingers must be too big as I am constantly getting other unintended keys requiring back tracking. Perhaps I could get better if I used it more, but it is hard for me to see why I should do that when I could be done on the computer. I suppose the one advantage that I can think of is that is faster to turn on, but when I have to put in my password four times it seems to take away that speed advantage. Also since it is not an IPhone we cannot easily use it when we are out and about as we need the WIFI connection. I did look at my email on there, but it was annoying to take so long to get it done when I could have turned on the computer and easily had the whole thing finished ten minutes sooner.

Paula

Quiet

Hello,

Four adults and four children have come and gone taking their noise, laughter, breathing, snoring, sleep talking, playing, drawing, coloring, listening, talking, game playing, and fresh perspective with them.

It all went by so fast that I am not sure how we got through it all, but it did happen. The three older girls got along as we would hope they always would. At only a little more than a year, Natalie mostly went her own way and carved out her own place to be.

Five year old Olivia gave us all a quick lesson on rash as a reaction to an antibiotic. She was brilliantly red for about three days. It miraculously disappeared to the relief of all. Luckily it did not itch much or hurt, but it still caused concern.

A few squirrels come into view with their walnuts in hand. One of them set up shop on the fence where the girls could get quite close and easily hear him scratching and chewing on this hard shelled sphere.

For a break from the ordinary some of the adults took a tour of the museum and later a few adults took the kids to the play station where they could run around and play. I stayed home and relaxed.

As Sarah and Stephen traveled home we also went and met my brother and his wife at about the half way point between our homes. They had not seen our daughters for some time. They had not met our grandchildren so that was quite nice. Snow was falling, but it was not a concern at all. So that was great. I am so grateful for wonderful family times.

Paula

Waiting

Hello,

Waiting is big on the agenda, but I am also getting some things done. I have washed, dried, and folded most of two loads of clothes. Some of them are still drying. I had the dryer on normal heat. I happened to touch the top back of it and almost burned my hand. I figure that was a good warning to turn down the heat. It is an older machine that I have not often used before. Certainly more caution is in order.

I have also started a batch of bread that we will eat tomorrow. I figure Christmas dinner will be rather low key since I do not have to cook the turkey. Because of that I am not making dressing or gravy. I had forgotten that Leroy’s family also has the ravioli then, but he of course remembers. I guess we will have that too, but it is fairly simple to boil and I put it in the crock until time to eat.

Leroy vacuumed the floors and washed the kitchen floor so we are mostly ready for this event. He is at work until 2:00. Not sure how many people will be in, but they are ready at the museum/library.

This morning I spoke with Brian’s family on the web cam and I newly miss them. After all more people would not add to my stress level, but I do wish that we had about twice as much space in our living quarters. Sometimes even with just two people here we can get in each other’s way. What is it going to be like when there are ten of us? Then I am ashamed because I just read Mao’s last dancer. This family had maybe two rooms, but for sure they slept five in a bed. We are not required to do that. We have two bedrooms, living room, computer room, and kitchen. Is that extravagant?

We found some toys so the girls should be occupied some of the time. Hopefully they can figure out how to get along. Sometimes that is an issue.

Paula

Things Accomplished

Hello,

I hoped out of bed at the creak of dawn or had dawn even cracked? That was so my hair could dry before we set out for church. It was almost done when we left. It felt fine under my coat hood. In spite of the cold and still being tired it was a pleasant walk in the crisp cool air.

For some reason I did not get to sleep in a timely manner last night. I kept thinking about the book that I am reading, which I have now finished. It is for our book club. It is called Sing them Home by Stephanie Kallos. It gave me some things to think about.

After we came home Leroy learned that the store where we got the turkey breast would be open. Even though I dislike going to the stores on Sunday, I broke my own rule and went. It was a happy moment to get that bird out of my small freeze and correct an incorrect charge on the same bill. We also managed to bring home at least three other things that we had forgotten. We got some toiletry items for the homeless people who will be staying in the church for a week. Was that purchase to sooth my conscience? Perhaps.

After that we ate lunch and made Ravioli. That seems like it should be calm, but I just yelled at Leroy until he felt like slinking off and away from me, declaring, “Next time if you do not want to make ravioli you should just say so. There is no reason to get so excited by it all.”

Why am I yelling? Who knows, but maybe many factors such as tired, lack of sleep, being unsure of myself as a hostess, not knowing what we will do, and no meal plans are made except in my head where they could disappear in a moment.

Paula

Preparations

Hello,

Leroy and I went on, what I consider a marathon shopping trip. Spoken like someone who has no thrill to the chase. We started in the mall where Leroy got a last minute gift for me while I went to another part of the place. Then it was on to a store where I looked for another gift for him, could not find, and pronounced it not worth the effort. Leroy knows that I value him above gifts, but I am not sure he feels the same way as he is so much more aligned with the gift giving/receiving crowd. Then it was on to three separate stores to buy some groceries. We spent as much as we do in about three weeks. Leroy commented, “It is less than plane fare.” Mostly we were buying things we normally do not have in the house. One of which was turkey breast because I could not face a whole bird.

When we got home we learned that our landlord had given us a smoked turkey breast. That first breast is going back to the store. I called our girls to make sure that they would be ok with this smoked bird. They agreed it would be fine. It is hard to believe that I raised the champion returner of all time. I on the other hand feel a little uncomfortable, but not so much that I will not do it. It just will not be a breeze.

My fever is gone, but I was quite tired when we got home from all of that exertion. Leroy did a great job: driving, pushing the carts, helping select, and carrying. He believes that I see him as a pack animal. Close, close! He cannot complain much because he has rarely been shopping since we have moved to this location. It was true of the last two homes as well. I have had more time so I felt it was my job.

Just two days to go before Sarah, Stephen, and girls arrive. Just three until Miriam comes. She tells me that Olivia is not well and Andy thinks he is also “getting something.” I did not even pass it on to them.

Paula

Better?

Hello,

My fever was the highest last night, but then during the night I woke drenched in sweat. Does that mean that it broke? I still feel a bit achy this morning, but otherwise good.

I decided not to go shopping as is my habit on Friday morning, because I could not face hauling all of the bags upstairs by myself. I will let Leroy go with me and help. Actually even if he stayed home and just made a couple trips up the stairs that would make a huge difference. I am hoping that the stores will not be busy on the Saturday before Christmas. What are the chances of that? Hopefully others will be done and moving on to other things.

“Leroy,” I said, “I think you have been healthier because of all your bike riding.”

“I think that too,” he replied.

Now if I could just get some regular exercise maybe I would be able to dissipate some stress. Sources of stress? Much as I want my children to come visit, I am nervous about it. We do not eat the same kinds of things. I can eat other foods for a short time, but I am not sure that they are tolerant of all the veggies I eat. I also do not have sweet food and I am sure that will be a lack for them. It is hard to feed people foods that I feel are not good for them. It creates a moral dilemma for me.

Then I am wondering how I will entertain these girls. I have few toys or other appropriate things for them to play with. I hate to get things since they so seldom visit that they might use something for one visit and be past it for the next. Sarah did call this morning to check if we indeed had snow on the ground. Maybe we can use the sleds. Hope these girls have warm clothing with them.

I must relax, it will all work out.

Paula

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012
Tis the season when we (Leroy and I) contemplate mysteries: some with answers and some without.

Why does our income fluctuate wildly from year to year? Why are we content and happy in spite of that? Do we feel taken care of? Yes, we have been gifted with many blessings! Each day we tell each other the best thing about that day and there is always something to be grateful for on the journey.

Why can’t we see into the future?

Why does the blanket migrate to Leroy’s side of the bed during the night?

Why do our children hang with us, when, because of our vacillating circumstances they might be worried about caring for us in the future and run hide?

Why must our children live so far away? Oops, maybe it is because they do not want to move as often as we do.

Sarah, Stephen, Lexi, and Natalie have lived in Washington D.C. since 2009.

Brian, Jen, Sophia, and Logan have lived in the Twin Cities area since 1999.

Miriam, Andy, Olivia, and Nora have lived in Salt Lake City since 2003.

Leroy and Paula have lived in Cedar Rapids since March 2012.

Why do squirrels eat tomatoes instead of tasty black walnuts?

Why did Leroy learn some Slovak? So he could use it as he catalogs books at the Czech Slovak Museum and Library.

Why did Paula get a job as the Tech Services Librarian at the Ely Public Library? So she could contribute to the family finances and connect with friends.

Why is it a question of time or of money about seeing the grandchildren?

Why is only one side of my Christmas cactus getting buds?

May God continue to bless, strengthen and uphold you in all your life.
Leroy and Paula