Well, it's Sunday the 23rd and I made it here safely.  I couldn't have asked for a better flight, but I did ask the Lord for one.  The trip from home to BWI started at 5am...argh!!! When we got to the airport it seemed really full, but they now have a lot of computers where we checked ourselves in.  It even gave us baggage tags.  We went straight to the check in from there.  Security looked really bad, but I had a special boarding.  That line was enormous, but went very fast.  I like that because no clothing is removed, no shoes off, and I don't have to open my carry on.  Because of my replacement joints, I do go through the scanner and they do a quickie pat down, really quick!!!!  On to the gate.  That part was not so good as it was the very last gate, so there was a lot of walking.  I just took the people mover and stopped when I felt tired.  I had plenty of time to get water and reading materials, and still had an hour till boarding.  I drew a really low number so I was able to get a window in only row 5, which I liked.  I had a SMALL quiet and nice woman next to me, which allowed a little more space.  The flight was about 3 hours to Kansas City.  All went well and I even got in a nap.  It was hard being there and not seeing the kids.  I only had an hour lay over so it wasn't worth bringing them there and only getting a hug.  Besides, Jordan and Chelsea will be home at Christmas.

So, on from Kansas City to Portland, Or. airport.  It was 3 hours and 35 min. and I got another nap.  The plane was AWESOME.  It was brand new, had extra knee space, beautiful blue seats that were comfy with head rests that actually worked.  There was a screaming kid in the rear, but he eventually settled down.  We had the center seat empty and a nice lady on the aisle who talked just enough to be friendly.  She even got me my snack when I was napping.  Had to cut out the second ginger ale, don't like plane potties!!!!  As always, the walk from the gate to baggage is way long, but there were many people movers that I took advantage of.  A quick potty break to refresh, and I saw Reenie and Paul!!! The girls were both busy and for the first time ever, couldn't come to get me.  These things happen with young ladies.  We stopped to get me my food supplies so I can stay on a basic routine and not mess up my weight loss.  Burgerville here is an organic burger shop with the BEST burgers on earth.  And sweet potato fries!!!  Nothing tastes better than a burger when one is STARVING!!!!  On to the farm and the doggies, and cats.  It is becoming my second home and always feels so good to be back.  I was beyond exhausted but I was able to stay up until the girls got home.  Always so good to see those faces again.  Even though they are young women now and every trip they have matured so much.

So, today is Sunday and I opted to hang at the house while the girls went on to their tasks and Reenie and Paul are doing some food shopping.  It's a bit cloudy now, even though yesterday and this morning were GORGEOUS and sunny. Not typical of here this time of the year.  I woke at 7 am (10 am home time) and the sun wasn't up.  I got a bit confused thinking maybe my phone clock hadn't moved.  I texted my friend at home and checked it.  I'm never up this early so I didn't really know what time the sun comes up.  The chickens were still in the coop, so no rooster to wake me, but here I was, bright eyed and awake while everyone else was snoring. So I managed to creep downstairs and get a hot cup of tea to drink while I watched the sun come up over the pond.  I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!  I had two gorgeous shepherds to greet me also.  So far, things are great and my cold has
settled to loose coughing that is clearing things out.  I feel normal again, and even have some energy back.  Thank God for helping me to make it here, and for all my friends who prayed me along.
I'll report again in a few days.  For now, I'm going outside to enjoy the peace and visit the critters.  I haven't met the new lady duck so that must happen.  Later!!!

Grand Cats

These two beauties are waiting for me to come love them on Saturday.  I went to the doctor this morning and she said I have pneumonia.  I'm really not THAT sick, although it is annoying.  So much work to do before the trip.  Looking at these sweeties gives me incentive.  I just don't have much energy and soooo much to do.

Hello Fall!!

Well, once again I have ignored this site.  Getting on Facebook has opened new doors to me and I tend to use my time there and e-mail.  Not on very often so this site gets ignored.  But this is just a check in.

The weather has now cooled, a strange 80 today though.  I have a miserable chest and head cold.  This is the first time in YEARS!!!  Usually my vitamins get me through.  I heard that it's all over
at Sam's work, etc.  The only reason it's a problem is that I'm flying to Reenie's on Saturday.  Being in a plane isn't the problem, it's all the walking I'll have to do, and I'm really not very strong right now.  But, it was May when I last saw them.  I cut the 3 times a year down to 2 when we were in recovery from Sam not having a job.  I'm really anxious to see them.

Sam is still at BAE on contract till Feb. but an inside friend told him to get his resume updated, which he did.  He was to submit it on the 1st, but he overheard a conversation alerting him to the date to be nearer.  So, he contacted his friend, went straight to the hiring boss and had an interview.  He still does not have anything and is in waiting, as usual.  We all know that "life is a waiting room".  So,
the two bosses who make this decision will be the ones to keep him.  He never did get that design class we had hoped for.  This position could have training with it.  So, we are once again"waiting on the Lord", or as the NIV says, "Hoping on the Lord".  I like that better as I don't do waiting very well.  We are hoping to hear this week so we can once again (after almost 2 years) get on with our lives.  I'm too old for this!!!

I still haven't painted.  I know!!!  I worked on the studio over the summer but when I finally got to winterizing it (I started early) I realized that the windows and the big swinging doors were in very bad shape.  So, me and my ADD got the paint out.  It was quite a job, but I conquered it.  I never got to the outside, which I may still do till the weather is too cold.  Last Saturday I finished the plastic on the doors, which was step 3 in the process.  I had done the other door and window earlier.  Having all this painting, the interior furniture, etc. was all moved and now it's a mess again.  And, I'm working on a ceramic nativity set for a friend, and it has that paper grass inside the boxes, which is all over.  And, now the bugs are in again, which means another bombing.  I won't live with those huge spiders...no, no, no!!!!  Since I'm going West on Saturday for 2 weeks, it will have to wait till I return.  I also have to make an insulated curtain for the doorway inside to the "unheated" half of the building.  I also put plastic over that opening.  Other than that, it will be ready to roll.  I will be painting with Ann while I'm in Wash. also.  Looking forward to that a lot!!!  Even though it means hauling all my supplies out there, I don't mind.  It's worth it!!!  Hoping I'll have at least one painting to post when I get home.  It probably will be for sale also.

We lost our Hoots cat some time back.  I may have posted that???  Remi has become more loving to me, but he's still Sam's cat. I  don't want to ruin that.  Sam is a dog man and he has never taken to a cat before.  This guy has won his heart.  When I get home the plan is to get a kitten for me.  I've asked the Lord to send me a homeless one, but none has come.  I've gotten many amazing cats that way.  They chose me.  So, when the time comes, that's what I'll do, let them chose me.  I'm really excited about it.  It took me a while till I was ready, but now I can't wait.  I haven't had a kitten to deal with in many years. I think the last one was when Jordan was 3 and we got his Baggy Buddy cat.  That's 25 years ago.  But it's worth it once I'm through the kitten stage.

My gardens were weed beds this summer.  I really need to get mulch down on them.  I never had enough good "back" days to do it all.  I maintained the others, watered etc. but the main ones were just overrun with weeds.  Now it's time to cut them off, pull them out and once again, my back has to cooperate.  I see a neuro-surgeon when I return.  I have many bad discs pinching nerves and we have to track them.  Fun times ahead.  I'll do whatever to get back to some sort of normal activity.  I'm still too young to be this immobile.

Joined the Well Span Weight Management group about 8 weeks ago.  I get weighed today, but up till now it's 7 lbs. and I've increased my food by 5 times.  My brain just doesn't get that!  I had a bad week this past one with being sick.  I just didn't eat anything.  Hoping it doesn't mess me up too badly.  I don't want to lose a lot, just to get where I can have energy again, and look decent in clothing.

Ok, bye for now.  I'll try to not wait so long till the next post.  It's been fun meeting with you again...