YES WE CAN!!!!!

YES, WE MUST.............................America cannot survive another four years of this madness!

another bend in the road

I am going through a plethora of emotions as I sort through my "stuff" to downsize before putting what I want to keep in storage. I collect stuff. It finds me, even when I am not looking for it. Honest! Today I am shedding clothes and kitchen items. Oh and Disney videos. I am keeping most of my DVD's but how many times will I be entertaining grandchildren and dazzle them with Disney videos. Really. By the time I get back from NZ I may not be able to even buy a VCR.....and what to do with my trusty 19" color tv that I bought with student loan money in 1991? I mean, aren't I going to need some HD thingy to even watch TV pretty soon? But I think I will keep old faithful, just in case it will still work when I get back. Gotta have something to play all those General Conference tapes & DVD's ya know.

I am loaning my rather impressive new convert's LDS library to my Branch President for his office while I am gone. I am loaning a good friend many of my other books to read at her leisure while I am gone.

Purses. How did I get so many purses? And why is it NONE of them is "the one"?

Fabric. I am giving much of my fabric to a friend and Relief Society. Not all of it. I have not given up entirely, just gotten a little more reasonable. A little.

Talked to my landlady and gave notice. This is real.

another adventure

I am in negotiations with a former employer in Seattle to work for them temporarily until I leave for NZ

Has anyone seen this woman?

She was last seen @ Walgreen's in Astoria when she confided in the store clerk that she needed photos for her passport. Rumor has it that she proceeded to the Clatsop Co Courthouse to apply for said passport. She looks a little suspicious, if you ask me, and a little more wrinkled than she remembered.

Slowing down??

These are pictures taken of my grandsons by their Aunt Marissa during a visit to her home last month. Would you believe I forgot to take pictures of them when they were at my home?? I am telling you, I can be my own secret admirer and hide my own Easter eggs. If I am this bad now, we must all pray fervently that I never develop Alzheimers. Anyway, thanks Marissa!

No, I am not really slowing down. It is really busy inside my head. Of course, that is pretty much always like that, but for the past few days, the focus (?) and motivation for the "busy-ness" of my brain is a little different. Why, you ask? Good question! I have been seeking the Lord and His direction about going to New Zealand for an extended visit with Tanisha, Phillip and the boys. A "no-brainer" you say? Well, first, for those of you that don't know my history, let me share my propensity for flying by the seat of my pants and jumping into things before reasonable investigation. I am sure my daughters could tell you about my, ahem, sense of adventure. (And their spouses can tell you about my many moves in the past few years, having been opportunities for working family get-togethers on several occasions)

So, in my new life, I am committed to seeking God's will for my life. That has been an ongoing process, starting even before my baptism, but especially at this point in my life, it is important to be reasonably assured of doing what Heavenly Father wants me to do. It has occurred to me that I have probably been here on earth for a bit more than half of my allotted time here, so I need to budget what time remains. There is a lot that I want to do here on earth, so my little rabbit trails need to be managed. (This is such new behavior)

So today's tentative plan is that I will be visiting Tanisha's family in NZ for approximately 6 months, give or take. Probably leaving the US in February after greeting the new grandchild that Marissa & Dustin are bringing into the world (which is another exciting occasion for me to look forward to!)

I think I got out of the habit of writing in my blog when I was visiting Jenna & her family. I had the privilege of supporting Jenna after her recent surgery (she is doing well, thank you for asking) Not only did I get to spend time with my two grandchildren, but I discovered Maria's cookies. I was delighted to find some in the Mexican foods section of my local supermarket. Woohoo!!!!

OK, it's time for me to go walk & ponder on the beach. I know, it's a tough life, but someone has to do it!

happy birthday to me

I almost forgot it was my birthday until a friend brought me a present--she was going to take me out to lunch until she heard my froggish voice. I think I have the dreaded New Zealand cold **smile** but if I do it is worth every moment of it. I had so much fun playing with Tanisha & her boys!!

Oops--have to go--there's a florist in my driveway............

I love walking on my beach

This morning was very foggy....summer--what summer??--and I was enticed to talk a walk on the beach. I know, there's a surprise, huh? When I got to the place where the street turns into a sandy beach approach, where I can usually see the ocean, I couldn't see the ocean. I walked to the water's edge, and then I was able to see through the mist, what appeared to be a small island. There were several birds of varying species resting there. Of course there were the requisite seagulls, but they were entertaining geese, and I think I saw PELICANS. I have to look up somewhere to find out if we really do have pelicans here, or if my eyes were playing tricks on me. I love having the beach almost in my back yard. I really enjoy walking anywhere I can walk to without crippling myself.

I have more planning to do for this trip to the lovely Tri-cities. I will report back later.