Tuesday, July 29, 2014

FLYING HIGH

Monday, July 28, 2014
An early-morning thunderstorm rocked my world.  Actually, it wasn't as close a the one two weeks ago, so it wasn't that noisy.  But we did get a bit of rain.

Nothing daunted, however, I went out to go grocery shopping in the afternoon. (The rain had pretty much let up.)  But now - guess what?  The same problem that I had on the 17th with the van - engine light on, sluggish, popping sounds - GRRR!

So, instead of heading north to Wal-Mart, I turned east to Ford.  I made it abundantly clear that SOMETHING had to be wrong and they'd better find it!  They are very nice over there, but nice doesn't cut it if they don't fix my van.  I really can't be without a car.  Next month we'll be facing school transport, plus Seminary, etc.  Nope, I need my vehicle.

I still had to get a few groceries, so Jonathan & I walked across the street to United (see?  Handy!) to pick up what we needed.  I brought him along to be my pack mule.  LOL

Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Hooray!  Ken called Greyhound about our luggage...only to find that it's been at the Elk City Station all this time (Morons!  Can't they read luggage tags - we had our address and phone # on it!).  So, he went a little out of his way (Elk City is 30 minutes north of Granite, where his work is located).

It really was an answer to my prayers because I can't afford to buy all new clothes for the kids (well, really Jonathan).  As it is, I still don't know what's going on with the van.  And the longer it takes, the more nervous I am about a big repair bill.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Got the van back today.  I guess an ignition coil went bad; one of six, I hope the rest hold!  And the bill?  Over $300!  Ouch!

The tank was nearly empty, so after I took Jonathan to Scouts, I went to Walmart to get gas and to pick up a couple of items I couldn't get at United on Monday.  In the meantime, Analiese was at home...under attack!  We've had this large-ish, weird flying bug in the house the last couple of days that is not easily caught and killed.  Every time I've tried, it disappears.  Apparently, it was fairly frisky this evening with Analiese.  She emailed my phone in a panic; she was afraid it was a wasp.  It's not really, but is large enough to be intimidating.

Well, I think I received nearly twenty texts before I got home, including some death messages: "It's killing me!" "Goodbye, cruel world!"  I saw a few people I knew at Walmart but couldn't talk - my daughter was under attack!  By the time I got home, she had it trapped behind the closed blinds in the living room.  I couldn't get it until it came out, so there it stayed.  Analiese began to breathe in relief with me there.  There are more bugs here than we are used to.  You just have to live with them.

Thursday, July 31, 2014
I took Jonathan out to WOSC (Western Oklahoma State College) to enroll in classes.  We signed him up for two classes (as a high school student he can't go full time) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: history and English.  We don't have to pay for tuition, but do have to shell out for enrollment fees, etc, about $240.  Ugh, more $$!  Don't even get me started on textbooks!

After that we went to the SWTC (Vo-Tech) to arrange for him to take their shuttle over to the airport.  Because they are next to each other (Okay, health services is inbetween, but not a bad little jaunt), he can just walk from one to the other with plenty of time.  So now I'll drop him off at the college in the morning and pick him up at the Vo-Tech in the afternoon.  Even when he doesn't have class, I can still drop him off there and not have to go all the way out to the airport.

Oh, and Analiese was home alone again.  No bug, this time, because Ken caught it and flushed it early this morning.  She was safe.

Friday, August 1, 2014
The weather's been dribbley all week, but this morning the sky was clear and beautiful.  Jonathan is supposed to go flying today with Bro. Clason from our ward as a reward for memorizing all of the Seminary scriptures last year.  I don't think I can top that this year!

We went to the airport today to the Clason's hangar.  His plane is old - from 1943 - but Jonathan says most of the little planes around here are because the aviation mechanic class and shop keep them in good shape.  It's tiny and I would not be comfortable sitting in the back seat; as it is, both Bro. Clason and Jonathan looked squished in the front.

I was going to take a video of them going.  I did take pictures beforehand.  But then, the most typical of car problems happened to the airplane.  The battery was dead.  The propeller spun a few times and then...nothing.  They climbed back out again and rolled the plane back into the hangar.

It was a little disappointing, but not terribly.  Jonathan got to look into the engine and ask questions and look up tools for Bro. Clason.  And, after Jonathan weeds their yard tomorrow, Bro. Clason said he'd try to take him again.  He said, "After all, flying is much more fun than weeding!"


Saturday, August 2, 2014
Jonathan called the Clasons this morning to see about weeding.  Sis. Clason said they needed to reschedule, because Bro. Clason was going to take him flying.  No complaint from Jonathan!

So off we went to the airport, again.  Still a lovely flying day, not much wind and clear skies.  I stuck around long enough to watch them take off.  I also stupidly braved the tall grass to get to the side of the runway for a better video shot.  Now my legs are mosquito polka-dots!



Analiese is dying to learn to cook more, so I put her in charge of dinner tonight.  She started by making brownies this morning from a box mix.  I sat in the living room, so as not to be tempted to micromanage.  She'd consult with me from time to time, but pretty much did it!

She also did the BBQ cups for dinner.  This involved me a bit more, with lots of hot things tossing around.  She was so excited about making dinner herself for the elders that she set the table, poured the water and served food as well.  She is very proud of herself.

We had dinner early (4:30) because of a baptism at 6:00 tonight.  It is a couple, the wife is the sister of our ward chorister, who have really taken to the gospel!  It was quite the spiritual experience.  When she came up out of the water, she clung to the elder who baptized her and wept.  She cried all the way through her husband's baptism, too.  To me, the most touching part was at the end of the meeting, when the Ward Mission Leader had them turn around to see the room full of people in support of them.  He said, "These people willingly sacrificed their time to be with you on your most special day.  You have a family now; here they are."  Kind choked up at that.

Sunday, August 3, 2014
Okay, I know I'm getting old, because I'm losing my mind.  Here's my mental conversation this morning: 

"Why did I turn on the computer?  I already did tithing.  What could I possibly have needed it for?"

After several minutes of torturous internal gyrations, I got it:

"Oh, that's right!  I'm going to download pictures."   My old brain!
 
Church was full of the Spirit today.  The couple who were baptized yesterday were confirmed today.  I think the missionaries will never forget these last two days.  The testimony meeting was very moving and Sunday School class had great moments, too.  I told Ken I'd been sniffling all morning.  I told the kids that was one of the great reasons of going to church...to feel the Spirit.

THEY'RE BACK!

Monday, July 21, 2014
They are on the bus...on the way home!  Once again, Jonathan is giving me updates by text message.

In the meantime, I am busily getting things ready for their return.  Laundry, shopping (need to restock for my hungry boy!), etc. 

No van back, yet, so no water aerobics.  Still, the anticipation!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014
The Ford dealer brought me back my van today (yes, door-to-door service) and with no charge!  They did a little readjusting, but couldn't find anything going on.  Thank goodness!

And...the kids are home!  Ken left work a little early to go get them from the bus stop.  As they got home, the missionaries pulled up.  One of the elders is being transferred and came to say goodbye.  Timing was excellent!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014
No one is in much of a mood to do anything but veg.  The kids slept exhaustedly last night - bus travel is no fun and they'd never do it again.

Oh - and their luggage did not travel with them.  They weren't supposed to have any transfers, but in Phoenix they were made to move to another bus.  And...the suitcase didn't come with them.  I have called and put in a tracer on it, but so far, no one knows anything about it (of course).  There's nothing of major value in it, just personal.  Jonathan's church clothes and shoes are in there, Analiese's homemade skirt, plus some special shirts of Jonathans (Eagle Scout shirt & Aviation Mechanics t-shirt).  But it isn't like I'm made of money to replace things, so I'd really like the stuff back.

Thursday, July 24, 2014
The kids get another easy day today because I have this killer headache on the left side of my temple.  I laid in bed and slept a little in the afternoon and woke to find Ken home and dinner eaten.  

But we did hobble together a little FHE.  We have to practice a song for Sunday because we've been asked to sing in Sacrament Meeting.  I chose "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," because it is such a spiritual song.  Plus, it's not difficult and the kids, at least, are fairly aware of it.

Friday, July 25, 2014
Maybe the reasons for the headaches and fatigues is this...it's TOO DARN HOT!  Yes, the thermometer says 104 degrees, but that dumb heat index brings it up at least another five degrees!  It is very hard to be motivated when you feel like a puddle.

Saturday, July 26, 2014
Now that the kids are back, I have ordered Bountiful Baskets again.  While they were gone, we just couldn't eat that much.  So today I went to the VFW to get my basket.  Such a lot of nice-looking produce!

My eye caught the huge, healthy-looking head of romaine first off.  Then, there was a big melon (looks like a honeydew on the outside, is like a cantaloupe on the inside?), two avocados, some mushrooms, three zucchini, two enormous heads of cauliflower, brussels sprouts, grape tomatoes, blueberries, plums, nectarines and bananas.  It is still a lot of good stuff for a decent price.  Can you freeze cauliflower?  That's a lot for us to eat in one sitting.

Sunday, July 27, 2014
The way our ward celebrates Pioneer Day is by having a Linger Longer supper after church.  This way, our members who live farther away can get a chance to socialize, too.  Generally, during weekday activities, they don't make the trip.

I made the Hawaiian roll sliders.  They are so easy and made a good potluck option.  They are so good, too, that I don't have to worry about leftovers.  Of course, I am obligated to share the recipe on the RS FB page afterwards!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

TOURISTS

Monday, June 30, 2014
Today was spent in getting ready for our trip to OKC tomorrow.  Well, Ken mowing the backyard wasn't, but it was still necessary.

Part of MY getting ready was to get a pedicure.  The banana yellow were fast wearing off and my toes were getting bad.  Analiese had left me the directive to get red polish - for the 4th of July.  I found a red sparkly that I think will fit the bill. 

Also, I did something that I've never done before in my life.  I had my eyebrows waxed.  Those of you who are more fashion-aware than I will say, "It's about time," because I have big bushy eyebrows.  For me it was, "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity."  Still, I was tired of trying to pluck them to look decent.  I figured eight dollars to rip hair (and possibly skin) off of my face wasn't too bad, though I was red in spots for a while.  And, no, I did not do my "mustache."  I prefer to bleach that (I know, vanity, vanity) because I don't want bigger, darker, heavier hair growing in there.  When I'm old in a nursing home and can't do this stuff I'm going to look like a gorilla.  So there.

Ken and I did a little internet exploring of OKC tonight to find out where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do.  We have some ideas.  I think the actual exploration could be fun.  Other than the temple (which is really in Yukon, an OKC suburb) and the zoo, we've not seen much of "the City" (as locals call it).

Tuesday, July 1, 2014
We didn't make it a point to rise early today since we figured to go to the noon session of the temple.  Even with a 2 1/2 hour drive, we didn't need to leave before nine.  It was a nice, uneventful drive, with short stops at the tolls and a little slowing down as we neared the city (Oh, my!  Traffic!  LOL).  In the temple parking lot we stopped to eat lunch and looked around us, wondering, "Where are all the people?"  Until someone came around and said the temple was closed for maintenance. Rats!  How could we have missed that memo!

We couldn't check in at the B&B until four, so we had time to kill.  We decided to go over to the part of the city called "Bricktown" and check things out.  It is old, but refurbished, brick buildings with lots of restaurants and a canal running through.  The bridges connecting sides and the landscaping around were lovely.  We walked all the way to one end where Bass Pro Shops is and goofed off there for a while (I'll be honest, I did most of the goofing).  

We also stopped for a short while to check out where the Myriad Gardens are in the city.  Not far from Bricktown, it's a lovely oasis nestled under some skyscrapers.  Tomorrow we will check it out throughly.

Then we were able to go to the B&B, Rusty Gables.  What a lovely spot!  It is only 5 minutes out of the city, but feels like you're out in the country.  The best of both worlds!  It sits on several acres, where there are horses and lots of trees and solitude.  The nearest neighbor is the cemetary across the street, so it's very quiet.  Such a lovely place on the inside, too.  The vaulted ceilings and the cosy lodge-like decor.  I'd recommend it!  It's the nicest place I've ever stayed.

So after a bit of rest, we went back to Bricktown for dinner at Zio's, an Italian restaurant, very good prices and very good food and service.  After that, we went on the water taxi for a tour of the canals and some humourous history lessons from "Captain Jack."  My favorite part of the ride was the huge sculpture, stretching out several yards, of the Centennial Celebration of the Land Grab.  You see, the state nickname is the Sooner State, which confused me some, plus OU's motto is Boomer Sooner, and I had no idea what it all meant.  Till now.  See, with the land grab, people came from all over the world, really, to grab some land the US was offering for settlement.  They had a starting point, then lit off a cannon (Thus, the Boom) and everyone rushed out to stake a claim.  But some people had managed to get to nicer parts "sooner" (hence), which means they probably bribed and cheated (yes, even back then.)  Hence, Boomer Sooner.  Now I get it.

Tonight we had a luxurious romantic bubblebath in the jacuzzi tub.  STOP.  No, we didn't.  We TRIED. Ken was busily adjusting faucets and whatnot.  The sign by the tub said that two pumps of the bubbles was plenty.  But, to him, it wasn't bubbling up.  So...he added more.  I went to get into the tub and turned on the jets and....let's just say I'm not confident with him doing laundry now.  He spent the good part of the time scooping bubbles out of the tub into the shower.  We were laughing so hard, it was funny, but not romantic.  Even the massage he gave me afterwards just didn't quite bring us back to that "loving feeling."  However, it was a good release of pressure for him.  He needed this getaway so badly!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014
We took it easy this morning, too.  Though, I forgot my neck pillow and I got up earlier than intended because of it.  Still, a nice shower (no bubbles - tee-hee), and then a really great breakfast started the day out right.  Our hosts provided us with an egg and cheese frittata with a spicy ketchup (not too) along with buttermilk biscuits and berries drizzled with honey and balsamic vinegar.  It was very good!

We didn't have to check out until eleven, and we were determined not to rush ourselves.  So we sat on the front porch, enjoying the lovely morning.  The trees rustled, the birds called - I saw a cardinal, really saw it!  Then I went over to make friends with the foal in the area off the side of the house.  She wanted the grass just outside the fencing, so I'd pull some up and feed it to her.  In return, she let me stroke her head and back.  I'd made a friend.  When I went back to the porch, their dog came looking for attention...another friend.  I don't know how he figured it, but when we went back to our room to pack up, there he was, sitting outside the french doors to the back.  Funny!

Today was about the gardens.  In the heart of the city, it's a place for everyone to come and enjoy.  I saw a lot of local businessmen from the skyscrapers come enjoy their lunch there.  Kids on summer camp trips visited the kids' section (which was really awesome) with the water play area.  One place we decided not to go was the Crystal Conservatory, it cost to go into and I was really tired and didn't want to bother.  Not this trip.  But I took tons of pictures around it.

After lunch there, we decided to just go home.  We had made other plans, but were tired.  Also, our lunch at the burger stand there wasn't sitting right.  A stop for bathroom and medication, and then onward towards home.  We were tired when we got there, but felt so relaxed.  Ken, in particular, had just had what the doctor ordered: a few days of rest with no "schedule" and "responsibilities."  Other than being sad to miss the temple, it really was a lovely trip.

Thursday, July 3, 2014
Today seems anticlimatic after the last couple of days.  Just normal, round-the-house sort of stuff.  Ken went to Mangum to visit a brother of the church there, only to find that the man had died a few days earlier.  While he was there, I went to the church building to put some stuff in the seminary closet and do a little more cleaning/straightening of the room.  I pulled at least forty staple gun staples (longer, thicker, harder-to-remove) out of the bulletin board and figured out how to plug my iPad into the tvs at the church so I could show videos.

I am missing the kids a little today, but I know they are having a good time.  Today is the parents' 3rd of July party and they were eagerly looking forward to that.  Jonathan is supposed to be Grill Master today, taking over from the older men who are unable or too far (like Ken) to do it.  He's a little hesitant, but he likes to play chef at home and has done outdoor cooking with the scouts.  He'll figure it out.

Friday, July 4, 2014
Ken went over to the church at eight; I followed at nine-thirty.  He was making pancakes for the Flag Raising and Breakfast; I was a spectator.  It was nice, though the scouts sure seemed to be missing somebody (hint: Jonathan).  There were two types of pancakes (regular and blueberry), bacon (turkey & regular), egg casseroles, watermelon, clementines, juice and milk.  And, a lot of people, including visitors and out-of-town family.  It was fun chatting with people and admiring their patriotic clothing.  Ken, typically, stayed in the kitchen cheerfully making pancakes and cleaning up, for which his EQ president is grateful and I just sigh and say, "Aspergers."  He's more comfortable there than out sitting at a table chatting.  I guess I should be satisfied that he is happy.

The rest of my fourth is pretty uneventful.  Ken slept most of the day, getting up to BBQ some sausage and potatoes and then went off to Walmart.  I stayed home.  No fireworks.  I could have gone out to the reservoir to see them but I am avoiding mosquitoes at all costs right now.  Plus, going alone?  Where's the fun in that?.

Saturday, July 5, 2014
While Ken slept this morning, I went to Lawton for him.  Now, I should have gone to the credit union here to cash the work check before heading out.  I said to myself, "No!  There's a branch in Lawton.  Just do it there."  Dummy.

Because it was closed, an extension of the holiday, I guess.  It wasn't a total wash because I ran some person errands in town while I was there.  But it means I'll be going back next week.  Grr!

Got home.  Made dinner.  Fed the elders.  Bing.  Bing.  Bing.  Such is my exciting life.

Sunday July 6, 2014
No, all of my excitement comes at 2:30 in the morning.  I get a call on my cell from "Withheld."  It sounds like Jonathan crying on the phone, telling me, begging me, that he's sorry.  I start to freak out. "Calm down.  Talk to me.  What's wrong?"  And he hangs up.

While I fumble with my phone trying to find a way to call back (no, I don't know how), I get a call back.  Same "whitheld."  Calm male voice - Jonathan? - saying, "I'm okay. It's all right."  I'm upset, saying, no, he's lying, asking where he is.  He just says, "Home."  Home?  Where?  "California."  Are you at Grandma's house?  Talk to me, Jonathan!!! 

Then, "This is not Jonathan."  Click.

Major meltdown time.  My son is in California.. He's a good boy, and bright, but still a teen and prone to stupid things occassionally, so I call my mom in a panic.  It's 12:30 their time.  No time for guilt, I frantically ask her if Jonathan is there.  She sleepily replies, "Yes, he's in bed."  I blurt out the story (condensed version, because now I'm feeling stupid), tell her to ignore me.  She says she'll have Jonathan text me in the morning and I hang up.  I call Ken at Walmart and rehearse the same thing.

Now, as Shakespeare said, they have contrived to murder sleep for me.  I was awake, shaken, and in the throws of a full-on major panic attack.

For me, I have several attack triggers.  Caffeine, sugar, stress, hormone fluctuation.  Believe it or not, all four were in play at this time.  I could not go to bed.  Tired or not, I could not sleep.  I spent several hours up crying, listening to comforting music, reading scriptures, praying, breathing, whatever I could do to try to calm me down.  You could call it hysteria, but a panic attack is no joke.

I finally managed to get myself in a spot where I thought I could sleep when Ken came home from Walmart.  He held me for a while, soothing me, and put me to bed  To sleep.  No church today, my nerves couldn't handle it.

Oh, and Jonathan called.  He's fine.  Of course.  He didn't think me a crazy old woman, either.  He said he'd leave his phone at night from now on and I'm to call him directly if there's a problem.  What a sweetheart.  I think I am missing them more each day.

Moral of the story, here.  ALWAYS say "Wrong number" when you accidentally call someone.  You never know but that you could put some crazy old lady into fits.