Moving In, Moving On

 As I look over my last blog post, it’s been less than a month, but so many changes have taken place since then. Some really strange happenings, hours of labor, and now already feeling nostalgic as I see pictures of the dear family and friends I left behind. But, moving forward, the deed has now been done and Annie and I are finally settled in our new home.

The week before I was to move, we had a big storm come through. Thunder woke me up that morning and I got up to open the curtains so I could watch the storm. Silly me! No sooner did I get back in my bed, than lightning struck so big right in front of my window, I could not believe it. I was sure my house had been hit and was concerned that it might catch fire. Fortunately it did not, however, I discovered that my air conditioner, my security system, and my Internet were all affected by the strike. So I had to quickly take care of all those things so they would be repaired before the closing. A lot of dollars after, and a lot of stress, but I continued to pack to be ready to move. Everybody told me I was a little bit nuts for doing all that packing (because I had paid for the movers to do that), so far I had 100 boxes packed, but it paid off in the long run. 

The movers were supposed to show up on 8 September, and on that day they called to let me know they wouldn’t be able to have a truck there until September 11, which was after the closing! After a few rounds with those clowns, I called my realtor in a panic, to see what could be done about changing the closing date. I think I already knew the answer: it could not be changed. However, my realtor being the wonderful person that she is, helped me locate a new mover who said they could be there the next day to load up and take all my stuff to my new home. Although that  was a big relief, at the back my mind was the large amount of money I had paid to the original movers. But, moving on, we went ahead to close and left for Oklahoma. On Friday morning, the movers arrived and we were shocked to see the men who had been sent were two scrawny looking fellows no bigger than me. My dear friends Alice and Fred, our daughter Sara, my brother Phil and his wife Susan all pitched in with me to help unload the truck. Susan brought me enough food to last a week and gorgeous mums to hang at the front porch. Phil grilled steaks and chicken for all of us! At the end of the day, the movers who unloaded everything said they have never had any customers do what we had done. (Needless to say it’s been quite an adventure, but happy to report I was able to get my money back from the original movers.)

Whew! I will never be able to thank enough all the people who helped get me here, encouraged, and took care of me through one of the most stressful times. I am so thankful I listened to God‘s wisdom and didn’t try to make a move while Jay was alive. It would’ve been a huge mistake and wrong thing to do to disrupt his peace in what were to be his last few years. I’m so thankful we were able to enjoy our life together to the end without all that would have been involved.

Now I’m starting over, but thanks to my family here, I am settling in. Some friends from back in Texas will be here tomorrow for a women’s conference and I will meet them for dinner. Yesterday, I met with the ukulele band to practice the songs they will be singing for the nursing home residents. Annie and I have taken two and three walks a day around the neighborhood, which is so pretty. I really like it here. 

I have seen so many Canadian geese fly over and many of them are stopping in the field behind me for a snack. They’re  beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing fall colors here. The plan to play pickle ball has been thwarted for now in light of the fact that my back is out of whack from all the lifting and moving I’ve done for the past few months. On top of that, I fell so now I am experiencing a lot of pain and having to take it easy for a while. Hopefully, a visit to the chiropractor tomorrow will resolve the problem. 

My new house. Alice relaxing with Annie after a hard days' work.

The geese feeding. It was raining or I would have tried to get closer for a better pic.

Misty morning behind the house.

Everybody worked so hard to get my house fixed up!

Before I left, I had several get-togethers with friends and family to say good-bye. This one though by a few of the people from my messianic congregation is funny because I had to photoshop myself in. Just as we were getting ready for the brunch, I received a call from the Geek Squad and I had to leave to meet with him. So I missed my little party. I was sad, but they did have a good time.

Come September Hodgepodge

1. The Hodgepodge lands on the second day of a brand new month. Tell us one thing you're looking forward to in September.

Getting this move over with. Next week will find me in another city, a different state, and a new (to me) home. I have been pack, pack, packing away the past couple of weeks, and decluttering my house for more than a year. I’m starting over, folks! My house sold the first day and I found “my house” four days later! I am so thankful for the many ways I have been blessed in this process. 

2. Do you enjoy browsing second-hand shops? Yes. Last thing you bought or 'inherited' second hand? My sister-in-law Susan has been anxious for me to play pickleball with her and friends after I settle in my new home. So my friend Connie came over just yesterday to give a last hug and say good-bye. She brought to me as a parting gift her pickle ball paddle and ball in a nice bag. So sweet of her to pass this on to me.

3. Something you had second thoughts about after committing to, purchasing, or posting/commenting  online? When I have second thoughts about posts, I usually go back and delete. And I always have second thoughts about political posts. 

4. What's a product or service you use that you'd rate as second to none? My Norwex window cleaner cloths.  And also see my random thought.

5. Something you do so often or that comes so naturally to you it's second nature ? The drive from church comes so naturally, that even when I tell myself I’m going to take a different way, I find myself on auto pilot and shaking my head that I made it home safely. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I have to give credit here to my dear friends Alice and Fred, especially Fred who has stood by me in his labors and helping me with everything that had to be done around this house to get things ready for me to move. (Alice lends much needed emotional support!) Fred is a handyman and a jack of all trades. I guess I would have to write him as second to none in answer to number four, even though he’s not a product or service, but his services have been done without ever complaining and always with good ideas. When there needed to be a deck renovation at the cost of about $18,000, he looked at it and said just take the stairs down and fill up the gap on the deck. He did it, we painted it, it opened up things and made the view here even better. When the storm winds blew my storm door off kilter and crushed a hole in the wall of the house, he fixed the door and the wall. Countless jobs have been done, strong arms lifting and cleaning and removing just about everything you can think of. He painted my motorcycle trailer, helped me sell it, helped me sell the motorcycle, helped me clean out and get rid of two sheds, clean out three garages and three attics, get a generator out of the garage to sell, move a giant tv, and on and on and on. He refused to take a cent. Oh yeah! Did I happen to mention he is 78? And both Alice and Fred will be going with me to my new destination to help! So grateful for their friendship.

I couldn’t have made this move without all my friends who have loved and supported me throughout. 

Last evening was farewell to some of the BSF Leadership group. I will miss this group of mentors so much! They will always have a special place in my heart.

There is no way to post photos of  all the friends I have here in Texas. Each and every one is so precious to me. The above are only a few. Thank You, God for the heart friends You've bless me with.

Saturday9

Saturday 9: Flipper (1964)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Flipper ran for three seasons, from 1964 to 1967. Are you familiar with the show? I remember the show. Were you a fan? Not really. We saw the movie and I was 14, so I wasn't interested.

2) Brothers Sandy and Bud consider a bottle-nosed dolphin, named Flipper, their pet. Do you currently share your home with any animals? My dog, Annie! She's great company. Just wish she could do something with her hair--she sheds! Here she is guarding her toys.

3) Bud and Sandy's dad was Chief Warden Porter Ricks of the fictional Coral Key Marine Preserve. In reality, the show was filmed in Miami and Key Biscayne. When were you last in the ocean? I think 2014. Which ocean was it? The Gulf of Mexico, Port Aransas, I think.

4) There was no one single "Flipper." In close-ups, the role was played by a dolphin named Susie. While Susie was good at interacting with people, she had trouble with stunts, and sometimes a male dolphin named Clown was brought in for action sequences. Do you consider yourself more social, like Susie? Or are you more athletic, like Clown? I used to be fairly athletic, I am somewhat social--not extremely outgoing.

5) Without looking it up, do you know the difference between a dolphin and a porpoise? No I'm hoping you will tell us.

6) Flipper wasn't just a TV pet. He was an industry! During the show's run, Flipper comic books, coloring books and puzzles were very popular. As an adult, do you entertain yourself by reading comics, coloring, or completing jigsaw puzzles? No.

7) The Flipper lunchbox was also a big seller. It came with a Thermos topped with a red cup. Do you own a Thermos? I just got rid of one. I had a plaid lunchbox with the thermos in it. I carried a plaid lunchbox all through elementary school and the thermos always had chocolate milk in it. You can't see it that well, but I am holding it in this pic.

8) In 1964, when Flipper premiered, it was up against The Outer Limits and The Jackie Gleason Show. If those were your only viewing choices, would you watch the family show about the dolphin, the sci-fi anthology show, or the comedy-variety show? (Or would your rather flip through a magazine?) I would rather read a book. But if we must choose something to flip, I would choose one of my magazines.

9) Random question  -- Which would you be more comfortable explaining: how a car engine works, the current IRS tax brackets, or the rules of baseball? Oh mercy, I will have to keep silent.

Sweet Summer Hodgepodging

1. The sweetness of summer...where have you found it recently? If you're in the Southern hemisphere, feel free to tell us about the sweetness you're finding in winter. 

So far, I'm experiencing the "sweatness" of summer, as I am working outdoors with my buddy Fred trying to get this house ready... purge, purge, purge ... clean, clean, clean. If the house doesn't sell, I will still be better off with all this stuff done!!! How's that for making lemonade out of lemons before you even have the lemons? 

But, to answer the question, the sweetness of summer has been the friendships and the people who have helped and encouraged me so much in all I do. 

2. Take your sweet time, sweet tooth, home sweet home, short but sweet, the sweet smell of success, sweet talk...choose a sweet idiom and tell us how it fits your life currently? 

Sweet tooth!! I'm finding myself indulging in sweets of some kind every day, can't open the pantry without seeing those chocolate covered almonds or peanut butter cups, and, thanks to me, the freezer is now running low on brownies and chocolate chip cookies!!

3. Sweet as honey, sweet as sugar, or sweet as pie, which phrase do you use when a sweet phrase is called for? Sweet as honey, I think. What's the last sweet treat you indulged in? Oh dear, yesterday at lunch with my friends, we had her chocolate birthday cake, and last night after dinner, I had a big slice of Alice's Italian Cream Cheese Cake. She baked it for a wedding! Not only was it delicious, it was quite lovely decorated with real flowers.

4. First thing that comes to mind when you hear the word fidget? 

Kids who can't sit still or maybe Fidget Spinners in the hands of kids who can't sit still!

5. Share with us one of your favorite childhood travel memories. 

I still smile when I remember how our family traveled to Illinois one summer, along with my aunt and uncle and their boy, Lonnie Wayne: five of us and three of them. Yes, I have shared this story and the pics a few times in the past! We traveled in an UN-air-conditioned, 57 Chevrolet. We drove all night from Arkansas to Illinois to visit another aunt and uncle and cousins. We enjoyed a wonderful time there and Aunt Gerry took us kids to the public swimming pool to cool off. Sweet! Swimsuits were available for rental since we had not brought our own. Ewwww!! It is hard for me to imagine us doing that today even though we were just kids about 9 and 7, I think. I remember threatening a little boy who put a frog down my sister's back!

We always loved going to Arkansas!

6. Insert your own random thought here. I am just posting some random photos of recent happenings. Not too many thoughts except I'm doing my best to not get my hopes up too much about my moving to a new location.

Fred working on the stairs to the upstairs deck

Cute kids at church meeting for first time.

The boy is gonna break some hearts!

Things around the house ... some sentimental and

some odd finds!

Here a mess, there a mess,

everywhere a mess, mess!

Lunch on Monday with long time friends was indeed a sweet summer treat. We celebrate 46 years of friendship and meet through the year on our birthdays. Yesterday was for my May birthday and Sherri's July. The you-know-what virus prevented our meeting in May as Nancy is 80 years old and at risk. Can you believe she is 80??? Anyway, we have a Willow Tree figurine that we pass on to each of us who is celebrating a birthday. In light of the clutter in my house now, I left it with Sherri to enjoy until we meet again.

Left to right, Sherri, me, Nancy

And the frosty mugs were in my DH's little fridge. It brought back the sweet memory of him singing, "Put it in a frosty mug for me, put it in a frosty mug, glug, glug, glug, put it in a frosty mug!"

The kids LOVED singing that with Grandpa as I poured up the chocolate milk or whatever beverage they wanted in a frosty mug!

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: 77 Sunset Strip (1958)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) 77 Sunset Strip was one of TV's early hits, running for six seasons. Before this morning, were you familiar with this show? Yes, my parents watched this show and so, of course, we did also. All I remember about it is the theme song and Kookie, lend me your comb.

2) The show's jazzy theme is punctuated by finger snaps. When you snap your fingers, is the left-handed snap as loud as your right-handed snap? Left hand is weaker.

3) The show revolved around Bailey and Spencer Investigations. Stu Bailey and Jeff Spencer were among TV first "private eyes." Who is your all-time favorite TV PI? Maybe Columbo?

4) Their office had "a fancy label," meaning an attractive address, on Los Angeles' Sunset Blvd. Tell us about the prestige area of your neighborhood. Our neighborhood is a nice neighborhood, but I wouldn't say it was prestigious.

5) Next door was Dino's Lodge, the real-life restaurant and bar owned by entertainer Dean Martin. Are you a Dean Martin fan? I remember liking Dean Martin, but wouldn't say I was a fan.

6) The valet at Dino's was Kookie. He was known for his perfect hair, his slang ("ginchy" meant cool, "germsville" was the hospital, "a dark seven" was a bad week) and his desire to someday be a private investigator, like Stu and Jeff. Do you think you'd be a good detective? In my job as paralegal many, many years ago, before the Internet and Google, one of my jobs was to locate deadbeat debtors. I was pretty good at skip-tracing and later, that experience aided me in tracking down and researching material for my future employer.

7) Stu and Jeff had a loyal secretary named Suzanne, played by French actress Jacqueline Beer. In real life, she was married to adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, who famously traveled from Peru to French Polynesia by raft. Does 100 days on a raft, sailing the south seas, sound fascinating to you? NO!!

8) Clint Eastwood was fan of the show and, in the 1990s, tried unsuccessfully to bring 77 Sunset Strip back. Is there a show from the past you'd like to see "rebooted?" I can't think of any. It never seems to work.

9) Random question: Thinking about the last week, did you nag anyone? No. Or were you the one who was nagged? Not! Although in trying to empty out my house of non-essentials, one of my friends came to help and she was quite ruthless in telling me what should probably go. Sentimental old me may have held on to some of those things.

A Secret Hodgepodge

1. The Hodgepodge lands this year on National Secret Keeping Day...on a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being I'm a blabbermouth and 10 being I'm a vault) how good are you at keeping secrets?

I’m a vault. If you tell me not to tell anybody, I won’t.

I read here nine jobs for people who can keep a secret-cybersecurity worker, executive assistant, housekeeper, lawyer, nuclear plant technician, physician, private investigator, psychologist, security guard.  Of the jobs listed, which one most interests you and why?

Maybe the psychologist. Especially when a psychologist has been given a secret by someone who has committed a criminal act. I think there needs to be an exception to the rule of the psychologist keeping it secret, but, on the other hand, if there were, a criminal most likely would not confide in the psychologist.  

2. What's the secret of life (or one of them anyway)? 

Being thankful is one of the most important for me. The Bible says to be thankful in all circumstances because that is God’s will for me.

3. Off the record, best-kept secret, a fly on the wall, top secret, my lips are sealed, secret shopper, as quiet as a mouse, poker face, spill the beans, open secret, bite your tongue...which secret idiom can you best relate to right now? Explain. 

My lips are sealed right now as to something I am going to do. Not explaining because it's a SECRET. 

4. Spill here the secret ingredient in one of your favorite recipes? 

I have a recipe for chili that calls for chocolate chips, which I had never heard of before. Being a chocolate lover, maybe it is just my imagination, but I think it makes my chili really good! Haha!

5. My mama celebrates a big birthday tomorrow (Wednesday).  Share a favorite quote, song lyric, saying, or verse of scripture that will add some sunshine to her day (ours too!) 

“Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying you.” I don't know your mama's age, so she can read this scripture graphic I made for her as "even as we get older"!

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Growing older has definitely been a surprise. One day you’re chomping at the bit to be 16, old enough to drive, old enough to date, then 18, being on your own, 21, being married, it was so exciting. And then it’s: “what happened?” “ how did I get here so quickly!” I never pictured myself older, but here I am, 71. I am thankful for my life, that God wanted me to exist, and the many ways I have seen His hand in it in spite of my foolish ways along the road to now. And just think how many untold number of ways that He was there that I didn’t see. I love singing the song below:

The Goodness of God

I love You, Lord

Oh Your mercy never fails me

All my days, I've been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

'Cause all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

And in darkest night You are close like no other

I've known You as a Father

I've known You as a Friend

And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah

And all my life You have been faithful, ohh

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah

Written by: Ed Cash, Ben Fielding, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram - Bethel Music

Saturday 9 Grand Old Flag

 

Unfamiliar with James Cagney's 1942 version of this song? Hear it here.

1) The flag we currently fly, with 50 stars and 13 stripes, was designed by a high school student. When Alaska and Hawaii were added, President Eisenhower invited Americans to submit designs for how best to incorporate the two new states. Ike chose 17-year-old Robert G. Heft's submission from more than 1500 entries. Tell us about a contest you entered and won. (Or really hoped to win.) 

Our office building held a tenant party with a Caribbean theme and the really big door prize was a cruise to the Bahamas! I WON!!! That was our first cruise! Great time.

2) The government also has another of Mr. Heft's designs waiting: one that incorporates a 51st star if another state is added. When you were in school, did you memorize the states and their capitals?

Possibly, but I knew them from a Milton Bradley game about the states. We learned their mottos, flowers, and capitols. Probably other things as well.

3) Six American flags have been planted on the surface of the moon. Those are undoubtedly the flags farthest from you this morning. Where is an American flag flying near you today? By my front porch.

4) This version of the song was performed by James Cagney in the 1942 classic, Yankee Doodle Dandy. Have you ever seen it? Several times.

5) In that film, Cagney portrayed George M. Cohan, the composer of this week's song. In 1940, Cohan was honored by with a Congressional Gold Medal. In presenting him with the award, President Roosevelt specifically thanked Cohan for "You're a Grand Old Flag," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," and "Over There." What's your favorite patriotic song? I really like You're a Grand Old Flag, America the Beautiful and the song God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood especially.

6) Though a performer his entire life, Cohan disliked listening to recordings of his own voice. How about you? Do you like your singing and/or speaking voice? I do not like to hear or see myself speaking.

7) James Cagney won the Oscar for Best Actor his performance as George M. Cohan. Also nominated that year was Gary Cooper, who portrayed Lou Gehrig in Pride of the Yankees. Tell us about another movie about a great American.  How about Helen Keller, Andrew Jackson, and Lincoln?

8) As a teen, Cagney juggled high school with a variety of jobs, including bell hop and delivery boy, and gave all his earnings to his family. Looking back, Cagney was grateful that he had to begin work early, saying, "I feel sorry for the kid who has too cushy a time of it. Suddenly he has to come face-to-face with the realities of life without his mama and papa to do his thinking for him." Do you agree? I agree. My parents taught us responsibility and stretching a dollar. I bought my first car when I had a real job, when I married, I paid for half the expenses, we never took any money from our parents for anything such as down payments, etc. 

9) Cagney had a rebellious streak. His boss, studio head Jack Warner, nicknamed Cagney, "The Professional Againster." Cagney joked that he enjoyed earning the title. What about you? Are you rebellious? Not so you could tell it, although I have resisted a few times. Hehe!! 

Grand old flag ... Forever in peace may you wave ... the emblem of the land I love, the home of the free and the brave. May every heart beat true for the red, white and blue and remember the sacrifices that made our freedom possible. Don't let it slip away!

A Starry Hodgepodge

1. Are you currently making plans of any kind? Yes. What kind? To sell my house and move. What emotions are associated with the planning process? Agonizing sentimental feelings and indecision mixed with excitement. Tell us about one plan you had to cancel due to the current situation which shall remain nameless. Ha! Haha!!! Just one?? Well, this very week a celebration for the 4th of July had to be canceled. 

I'm sorry for the kids that didn't get to have the standard graduation celebration, but most of the stories I've heard, they were able to come up with creative ideas. Also, people who haven't been able to have the wedding they wanted. My brother's friends had a wedding planned in Ireland for their son, which had to be canceled due to this current nameless situation. What disappointments for families who had loved ones pass away. And the other disappointments such as canceling vacations. My disappointments have been small in comparison. 

2. Last time you saw stars, either literally or figuratively? Hmmmm. I have to think about that. It's been a long time. 

3. Blueberries yay or nay? Blueberry pie, blueberry muffins, blueberry yogurt, blueberries by the handful...what's your pleasure? All of it!!! I've been eating blueberries for breakfast in my cereal. Blueberry muffins are so delish when they are fresh out of the oven (speaking of ovens, I cleaned both of mine yesterday!!)!! Here is the recipe "To Die For Blueberry Muffins". Truthfully, I don't understand naming any food "to die for" as no food is worth dying for.

4. swim against the tide, swimming upstream, in the swim, sink or swim, makes your head swim...choose one of the 'swim' idioms listed and tell us how/why you relate? Getting the house ready … so much to do!! And as mentioned above, trying to make a decision truly makes my head swim. I like what Joyce mentioned to me before about letting it percolate in my mind. It is!!

5. Sum up your June in a single sentence. All in all, it's been fairly pleasant and so I can't complain.

6.  Insert your own random thought here. I've had several things going lately, mostly work around the house and feeling a great sense of accomplishment. Yesterday we realized I'm the queen of shredding!!! But I did go over to see Sara and her family and took them out for dinner for Noah's birthday. 

He is 12 today (Tuesday)!

An unusual sunset on one of the Sahara Sand nights

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Beautiful People (2019)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.





1) This song is about the fantasy of being one of the "beautiful people," but how hollow the reality can be. Do you often find yourself envying others for what they have? I am very content, however, I do envy those sometimes who have found a place to settle in their retirement years.

2) Ed Sheeran sings that he and his girl don't fit in well because they're "just ourselves." Who among your close friends do you find it easiest to be "just yourself?" I guess the closest would be my sister-in-law, we are very close. And after that my good friends Connie, Alice, Cindy, and Victoria.


3) The lyrics refer to Hummers and Lamborghinis. What's your dream ride? Maybe somebody with a nice car who would drive me around wherever I wanted to go. That would be a dream ride!

4) Ed believes in giving back. One cause he supports is No Cold Homes, which helps ensure that everyone in the English city of Bristol has the fuel needed to keep their homes safe and comfortable. Here in the United States, he's raised funds for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Is there a cause that's near and dear to your heart?

We have given for many years and will continue to do so as long as possible to the mission work being done by our good friends in Nicaragua. NACE (Nicaragua Advances in Christian Education) was formed in 2013 with the specific mission of supporting the work in Nicaragua and helping the missionaries that work there. Its primary function was the establishment and running of a Christian school in Nueva Guinea (about 5 hours southeast of Managua, the capital). The older children are excelling in all the classes and in sports also, winning many awards.

360 students

Pre-school grads

Award winning team

5) Ed's arms are covered in tattoos, so clearly he doesn't suffer from trypanophobia, or a fear of needles. How about you? Do you look away when the doctor gives you a shot? I do look away, only because I figure if I don’t see it, it won’t hurt. I seldom and bothered by shots. It’s when they take blood that’s kind of hard sometimes if they can’t find a good vein.

6) One of Ed's tattoos is a bottle of Heinz Ketchup. What condiments would we find if we peeked into your refrigerator this morning?

The usual mustard, mayonnaise, and  ketchup.

7) Ed is a natural redhead, a trait he shares with only 2% of the population. Does red hair run in your family? No, but our nephew married a young lady who apparently red hair does run in their family and his two children are both redheads.

8)  In 2019, when this song was released, the FDA recommended the approval of a drug for treating peanut allergies in children. Do you suffer from any food allergies, or sensitivities?

No.

9) Random question: What of these do you think is the biggest contributing factor to success -- hard work, luck or talent? I think hard work and talent work together.