From Here to There . . .

3:55:12 PM PDT
Feeling Relaxed

... and before you ask:  NO those are not my feet down there \/

My feet are numb.  Well, you could say they are numb.  They feel asleep, swollen and painful all at the same time.  I don't usually write about this stuff in my journal, but there you are:  my feet are numb.

The numbness and lose of nerve conduction in my limbs is due to something called Polyneuropathy.  I don't know why I have it.  Most people who suffer from it also have diabetes.  The neurologist is sure I must be diabetic, but recent and past bloodwork indicate I am not.

Here's the deal:  my feet feel as if they are separated from the rest of me.  It's eerie.  Drop a hammer or stub a toe and the "owie's" are more intense than ever in my life.  My legs are already affected and my hands and arms somewhat.  So ask me if I'm scared?  Naw.  It's just one more giant bumpon the road of life.  I don't think it will kill me and even if it did, I know where I'm going.

Rob and I have been doing a lot of work around the house and yard.  Yesterday we tore all the carpet, padding and nail strips from the second bedroom.  Tomorrow or Saturday we will do the same in the living room, then finally our room.  We are getting new carpet.  I'm excited about that.  What we have had is left from the two young guys who lived here before us.  They brought motorcycles inside, worked on them and generally left the light carpets with unremoveable stains.  Yuck!  We laid carpet and throw rugs over the old stuff, but you could still see the stains.  Soon however, all that will change.  Yippee!

The puppies are getting really cute.  They are 6 weeks old now.  their little tails are curling up over their backs, they have sharp little teeth and are beginning to recognize their names.  The male is named Shadow and he's twice as big as the female.  I named her after a story Chuck Ferris wrote;  she's Gingersnap (ginger for short).  It's a delight and a pain in the sit-down to have them running around the house.  As soon as I find my camera, I will post pictures.

Our lives have changed so much in the last year that it seems incomprehensible.  Some stuff is too personal for me to share in a public journal.  Our lives are also stronger because of the changes.  I ask that you all keep us in your prayers as we adjust to life living in an empty nest, etc.

I think of you all daily and pray often for you.  Many blessings,

     

       

 

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9:18:24 PM PDT
Feeling Thankful
Hearing Movie on TV

                                           

Went to Donna's Journal just now and read her answers to this meme.  I just got my 'puter back online this afternoon (been playing Pogo for a while) and started through the posts.  I haven't gone far, but I hope to get caught up real soon.  Please enjoy.  And please link back to This, That & Hockey if you play along.

Getting to Know You

"I got this several times and loved reading the answers.  Instead of sending it out a bunch thought I'd just do it here.  Hope you'll play along............."

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1:03:42 PM PDT
Feeling Annoyed

I just made an entry :(  Lost it when I put it on spell check,  My hard drive is dying as I write.  I'm trying to find a place to put my music until the new one is in.  I just talked to Dell yesterday and the new CD drive, hard drive and power cable are here already.  Just have to wait for the technician to help me through the process.  I can't add pictures or graphics right now, because every time I try, the computer shuts down, reboots and tells me my hard drives are failing and to backup now.  Sill, I have it on now and am able to read my mail.  Fortunately, my mail and stuff will be here when the new drive has been installed and I have reinstalled AOL. 

I love you guys and as always you are in my thoughts and prayers.   Be blessed, Penny

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12:11:16 PM PDT
Feeling Thankful
Hearing something on TV

                

Woo Hoo!  We are celebrating another birthday for our great country.  I am so proud to be an American!  I spent 15 years in Mexico living by their rules.  I love Mexico but I will tell you this:  I kissed the ground when I got home. 

                            

My husband is a Vietnam Veteran.  He also worked with the Navy as an ordinance man in the first Gulf War.  He fought for our nation, for our freedoms.  My father was a veteran as were his brother and mother.  Today I celebrate not only our country's veterans, but those who fight for our freedom now.  Our armed forces now are volunteers ~ how about these wonderful men and women?  Give them a hand clap!

This is a special day for all who are Americans whether born here or naturalized.  We have more freedoms than any country in the world.  We should all thank God for that. 

Love and blessings to all my J-Land friends,  Penny

                        

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2:40:42 PM PDT
Feeling Exhausted
Hearing None at the moment . . .

                    

So true . . . the best part of my week was being able to do volunteer work for Habit for Humanity in my area.  I was able to use my Spanish skills and they let me do the work from home.  For most of the week I have not been well and hurting as I am today.  No problem . . . I have faith that all will be better soon.

I was reading in my friend's private journal today.  She had something called a "Silly Survey"   Since I have promised myself that I will post more often,  I decided to copy and paste giving my own answers.  I'm going to take another nap after this:

Silly survey
1. What was the highlight of your day?   Playing with the puppies
2. How many meals do you usually eat a day?  Usually two

3. What's your favorite movie? If I had to choose - My Fair Lady or King & I
4. Have you ever thought George Clooney was hot? Oh yes!!

5. Have you ever doubted your sexual orientation? No.
6. How long has it been since you have seen an ex? March this year
7. Name 5 of your best friends. My husband, Donna, Krissy, Diane,                                                                                              8. Would you ever consider moving to Zimbabwe? Depends if God called me there.                                                                       9. What would you do if someone dyed your pubic hairs bright pink permanently?  Who would do such a thing????
10. When was the last time you had Starbucks? Early this month
11. Are you single?  Very married!
12. What is your opinion on global warming.  I think something is happening, but what?
13. What about abortion?  Murdering a fetus is wrong.  

Luke 17:2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

14. Which would you rather star in: High School Musical or Striptease? Musical
15. What's the worst movie you've ever seen?  Jackass
16. How many times do you sneeze a day?  At least two or three times
17. Are you an "adult"?  Nearly a senior!
18. Where do you live? California - SoCal
19. Have you ever thought Micheal Jackson was going to kidnap you? Why would I?
20. What color hair do you have? Brown with a few strands of gray
21. Would you rather have a hybrid vehicle or a Hummer? Silly question!                                                                                                 22. Who is prettier: Angelina Jolie or Kate Bosworth?  I think Jolie is more striking.
23. What do you think about the tabloids?  Unnecessary and useless
24. Have you ever been to Texas? Passed thru Amarillo some years ago.                                                                                       25. Would you want to go? sure
26. Do you wear a watch? Nope
27. Have you ever had the sensation that you were falling while asleep?  Yes often
28. Would you rather work at Goodwill or McDonalds?  Goodwill as a volunteer 
29. What do you think about Britney Spears' 16 year old sis getting pregnant? Unfortunately, I am not shocked - so many teens are doing the same.  What happened to purity?
30. Do you recycle? ABSOLUTELY!!

I thank you for being faithful readers of my journal.  I will be posting regularly.  I will be commenting as well.  As for all of you, you are in my daily prayers. 

                     

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3:08:58 PM PDT
Feeling Confident
Hearing something on TV

               

So . . . spring has passed and we are in the throes of an early and hot summer here on the West Coast.  Just a few miles from us in Ojai, temperatures were as high as 110 degrees.  Closer in, the temperatures were in the high 80's - breaking one record here and one in Oxnard. 

I've been home for nearly 3 weeks now, yet this is my first post this month.  As all moves go, we ran into some snags.  My friends' van was not electrically ready for to tow a trailer, even though all the wiring was there.  Result:  we rented a truck.  Of course it was more money than I was prepared for and I had to rent a car to send them home.  She's handicapped and access on planes or trains is just not right for.

I left a few things up north that I will have to collect when I go for my next visit up there.  I'd go now if I could, but finances will not allow.  Besides, there are wildfires burning and my daughters and granddaughter are in danger of being evacuated.  I'd appreciate your prayers for them and their neighbors.

I got home on the 7th and Precious had her puppies on the 9th.  Both are black, but the female has splotches of brown on her paws and nose.  We have named them Shadow and Gingersnap (reach Chuck's story on Dribble).  Ginger opened her eyes yesterday and Shadow's were open this morning.  They are very tiny (mom weighs about 4 lbs).  Shadow already seems to be able to get out of the basket.  Stinker!

I have been having further neurological testing to find out the exact cause of my numbness and pain.  I am not diabetic, but my feet, ankles and hands tingle most of the time.  It hurts to walk on my feet.  I have a little scooter, but we need to make proper ramps to get it into the car.  Truth is, I know it will all work out all right.

We also have a crisis going on.  My BIL Eddie fell off a pallet at work.  He was loading gardening supplies from a high shelving unit.  He had a heart attack on the way to the hospital and has had several seizures and strokes since then.  He is now on his second bout of pneumonia and although he has been weaned off the breathing machine, he is in a coma that he is not expected to come out of.  Their son was flown home from Iraq, but now the army wants him to return.  Their daughter is with Irene, but the little granddaughter has not been able to see him.  It seems so strange, I just spent the night with them about 10 days before the accident.  We are praying for peace in their hearts and comfort.

I have offered to be a translator for Habitat for Humanity.  For the time being, I will be handling phone calls from home and sometimes in the office.  I hope to be able to go to one of the job sites to translate there.  Although we don't qualify for a home, I would love to offer my hours to others who do qualify.  As well, I am going to look into volunteering in the NICU in a local hospital.  They often need volunteers to rock and hold the babies.

Each day is a beautiful promise for me.  I love having my Internet access back, time to read or do crossword puzzles.  I have my rock tumbler ready to go and plan to make new jewelry out of old costume jewelry.  It will be a big undertaking, as my hands shake all the time.  I'll just have to work harder and plan the time to work.

As always my friends, I think about and pray for you often.  I read journals, but am often too weary to comment back.  Just know I am "lurking" in your words and enjoying your activities.

Blessings to you all,

                          

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1:07:50 PM PDT

                 

I always liked having this type of holiday celebrated on the actual day.  With the advent of the 3-day weekend, some of our National holidays have turned into nothing more than a chance to get away, to drink and drive and to party.  IMHO our country is forgetting why we have Memorial Day.  It's a day to remember those who lost their lives to keep this great country free.  Last time I went to a celebration of this sort, the only civilians were the wives of buried soldiers and the men and women who fought in WW2, Korea & Vietnam.  We are older now.  Who will carry on the tradition when we have gone?  Not my kids.  They don't seem to care. 

What will you be doing this weekend?  It's okay to travel, to drink (responsibly) and even to party if you must.  Will you take time to talk to another about why you have this weekend off?  It's a National holiday!  Those men and women serving our country here and around the world have offered up their lives to ensure our very lives.  They have no idea when their service may cause them to offer the ultimate sacrifice. 

My husband did not lose his life in Vietnam or in the Gulf War, but he served and watched men die.  He remembers. 

Please ~ this weekend ~ won't you remember those lives as well?

  

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1:18:45 PM PDT
Feeling Happy
Hearing none at the moment

             

I justify this because it's still morning here.  I have to type quickly, however.  I am still in Southern California and I couldn't be happier.  It's so lovely here.  Record setting temperatures have plagued the L.A., Midstate and Eastern counties.  Even in the more desert regions in my county.  We are 3 miles away from the ocean and it's been lovely for the most part.  Next Tuesday I head north for the last time.  Temperatures there have been over 100 degrees.  I am not ready for that.  Heat is not my friend.

Andrea and Paige are both graduating.  I am going to take tons of pictures and bore you all with them.  For now I will just share a picture of Andrea cooling off in the creek behind their house.  The water is very cold.  After all, it is the snow melt that comes through there.     

               

I have a ton of cute pictures of her, but they are best shown in a slideshow format.  This is my baby.  She is so happy living with her sister.  It's hard for me, but since I have health problems it is the very best place for her.  I miss her terribly.  

On to the next.  I have truly enjoyed the chance to be online every day.  I get to read your journals, even if I don't comment much.  Maybe I will do that more after I am back here permanently.  I also love to play Pogo a few times a day.  I may be a little obsessed right now after being offline for so long.

Yesterday, we woke up to sounds of our greyhound Sammy crying out in pain.  He was walking around in circles and would not lay down.  Greyhounds don't often sit becaus of the shape of their back legs.  I checked him over and he cried out when I touched his head and neck.  I called all over to get him into a vet, finally reaching someone who could take him right after lunch.  It turns our that his arthritis may have reached his neck or he injured it biting flies.  Also he has two absessed teeth that must come out.  The estimate for the dental surgery and a neck x-ray if that has not resolved is around $700.  I don't know how we are going to pay for it.  We'll figure it out somehow.  OUCH!!

All who know me now that I am always praying for my J-Land friends, even the ones I haven't had a chance to meet yet.  Bless all of you,

 

 

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5:42:39 PM PDT
Feeling Chillin'

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4:31:06 PM PDT

Hi friends . . . this is my first attempt at a slide show . . .  let me know how you think it came out, ok?

I am back visiting in Ventura.  I drove my car, the dog, the birds and a bit of my "stuff" down here starting mid-day Tuesday.  I spent Tuesday night with Rob's sister and brother-in-law, getting up early to make my way to Ventura.  It was a long, hard trip, but I am here safely, stitches out, bruises turning a ghastly shade of green and ribs still giving me fits. 

However, the most important thing is that I am here and smiling.  I have another "new look" as you will see in the slide show and on my About Me section. 

I am preparing myself for Mother's Day.  Since my mom passed nearly 11 years ago, Mother's Day has been kind of a bummer for me.   I'm not sure if Mother's Day or Father's Day are happy days for a lot of us whose parents are gone.  I never get cards from my kids . . . their lives are over-busy with the lives they have as adults with children.  I pray that my daughter Heather and DIL, Krissy will have good Mother's Days on Sunday.  This will be the first year that not only do I not have my mom, but no children living under the roof.  I struggle with that.  So for those of you who have lost a parent this year or still grieve moms and dads long buried, please know that you are not alone.  There are those like me who feel sad or humbug about parents' days.  It's not the same anymore.  I know where my mom is.  I'm glad that she has been given a new life in eternity and that one day I will see her again.  There's such hope in that for me.

One of my sisters has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will have a mastectomy next week.  Times have changed so drastically since our Auntie Merrie had breast cancer and later died from it when it came back.  Now there has been such a bunch of research done.  There is a way to begin implant therapy at the time of the mastectomy now.  Chemotherapy and other treatments are so advanced.  Two of us other sisters are having our mammograms in the next week.  The other I believe is up-to-date on hers.  I hope all of you are caught up on your mammograms and that you go daily to the Breast Cancer Site and click.  While you are there,  click on the other sites as well.  You could be the click that finishes paying for that mammogram, feeds those children, gives out books, saves an animal, etc.  What's a few minutes of your time worth? 

More than you will ever know.  

I am still weary from my long drive and think it's time for me to rest.  I can be online the whole time I am here and will finally have time to get to some of your journals.  As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

            

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