Among the Missing

I did have a few photos of me at various dances such as my high school Junior Prom.  It was held at the capitol building and I had asked a guy that I worked with.  I thought it would be cool to attend the junior prom in my junior year but was not popular enough to be asked out.  Thus I had asked someone who went to another high school and school district. We both felt like outcast in this luxurious room full of students that neither of us shared commonalities.  We left and went to Snelgroves (the ice cream parlor where both of us worked) and had some ice cream.  Afterwards we decided to go to a disco scene called The Front Page.  We were serverly overdressed – but had a lot more fun at the Front Page than at the capitol building.

 There was another dance I had attended when I had gone to at Ricks College – I don’t even remember the theme or dance name.  I remember my date making pom-pom figures to match what we were wearing.  I think we may have had one other date and that was it.  I don’t think I would even have thought about my missing photos except for Jai’s senior prom is coming up.

Jai’s Senior prom is scheduled to be held at the Grand Victorian where she has played parts in theatre productions.  Originally she had wanted to make a garbage dress similar to the one that Cruella wears in this scene 

Only instead of using newspaper, she was planning on every homework assignment.  Only she hasn’t figured out how to fix it off herself and transfer back onto herself.  Richard wants to take her shopping for an actual prom dress – which I really don’t mind but I loathe shopping and I loathe spending money on an item that may only be worn just once.  I enjoyed wearing dresses when I was her age but she hates wearing dresses probably more than I hate shopping.  (Shopping online isn’t all that bad – but she really should be trying the dress on . . . .

So here are the photos I do have:

This is the dress I wore to the prom; this photo was taken 
the following year when I ran for Miss Teen Midvale

I don't know what possessed me to think that jacket might look good
with a recycled choir dress.  The dress that my mom is wearing is the
same one I am wearing in my wedding picture. Made for good use, I thought.

Driving Into the Unknown

         It’s been a number of years since Roland had purchased a suit.  An embarrassing number of years.  We used to go to the Big and Tall or the Men’s Wearhouse to get a proper fitting.  Douglas County doesn’t have the same variety of clothing stores (or any store for that matter) as is offered in the larger cities.

          Roland had seen an ad for Shaquil O’Neal wear at JC Penny.

We had gone to the JC Penny in Roseburg.  Though there was a small selection of suits he could try on, the formation around the shoulders gave one that he had been propped into his suit as a scarecrow hanging from a pole.  We needed something else.

          The clerk had told Roland that Eugene would have a much larger selection.  Thus on Saturday we took the time to make the drive to Eugene.  We drove through fog practically the entire way there. It feels weird having such a limited view of where we are going – having faith that the road will take us to our destination though it feels like we are driving through the unknown.

rest stop mile marker 179

 As we approached Eugene, the fog had cleared and we could see more scenery again.

          I had considered taking my kindle as I really don’t like shopping and it would help pass the time as Roland tried on suits, but I knew I was getting low on battery and did not want to gamble on taking it there and having the battery need charger after only two minutes or so. 

          When Roland told me to hold his phone, I downloaded a game to pass the time.  I don’t know that the variety of suits was any larger at the Eugene store – not in his size.  He is limited.  We did end up with a suit coat and pair of pants and ordered another pair of pants and a vest.  Plus he got two more white shirts. 

          We went to Red Lobster for lunch.  The lobster pizza is fantastic, but I don’t recommend the lobster mashed potatoes.  I didn’t care for the sauce.  I really did enjoy the pizza.

          Afterword we went walked over to the Men’s Wearhouse as Roland wanted a raincoat that would fit over his suit.  Nada. Well, they did have a wool coat.  Wool coat in rain.  Smart.  440 dollars.  No thank you.

          We passed a site called “Good Feet”.  Roland has flat feet and has been hurting.  We were there for maybe 20 minutes as he answered questions and walked in their shoes as opposed to his own shoes.  We did not make a purchase.

          We drove to Springfield so that we could pick up some cables and transmitters at Best Buy and then we started home.  What a long and expensive day!

on the return to Myrtle Creek

I'd rather go to Disneyland

            We have tried saving up for a Disneyland vacation for the last three years - asking each of our children and my siblings to please save for October this year.  Each year we have dipped into our funds - not that we ever had enough to get us there.  Last year we had gone back to Utah for Jeanie's funeral.  Next year will be returning for a wedding between Biff and Clair.  I really would like to meet her and support Biff again.  But truth be known, I HATE weddings.  I'd much rather go to Disneyland.

            We used this year's tax refund to pay off bills, replenish our food storage and an excursion to Enchanted Forrest - though the latter was not necessary.  After struggling from paycheck to paycheck every month, sometimes you just feel that you need to do something so as not to go insane.  So after Jeanie's funeral, I changed the Disneyland excursion to next year.  I suppose if we were to save our tax refund and not touch it until September, we could do both . .. but we'll still have bills.  Still in need of new furniture.  I realize that Disneyland should not even be placed on the list of priorities - Disneyland is not a need whereas food and electricity are.

            I don't know when in September, but I would like to ask Kayla if our family can crash with her family for the length of time that we are there.  Maybe we can drive to Disneyland together (should we happen to be in that position)  I guess it's good to have a goal to shoot for - because even if we never obtain that goal, we have used the money for a more important purpose.  What dilemma.

Dr. So'n'So Needs a New Car . . . Can We Schedule You for an Appointment?

           In this post I talked about going to the doctor specifically to get a Z-pac.  I had failed to mention that as long as I was there, I mentioned a stomach rash that I hadn't noticed was there until after Labor Day.  The doctor gave me a prescription for some cream which seemed to sting at times, but did/does seem to help. 

            Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned it as it became a bigger concern for her than what I was actually there for.  She said she wanted to see me within a week.  I had to postpone the appointment and perhaps should have just cancelled altogether.  I really have not been satisfied with the clinic overall.  Or this particular doctor . . . And I'm even less impressed with the pharmacy that said they'd have my order ready in less than an hour and still didn't have it when I returned SIX HOURS later . . .  and the doctor said she would put 1 refill on the Z-pack.  I guess the pharmacy didn't get the message.

            So I return to the doctor ten days after my first initial appointment.  She asked to look at my stomach rash again and said she wanted to do a biopsy but did not have time right then.  Are you kidding me?  You ask to see me next week and I can see the rash is not the bright red that it was last week and you want to charge me just to look at it today and have me come in again?  Not going to happen?  I had already told her that I am not made of money.  So she did a biopsy.

            I still itch off and on, but to tell you the truth, the only part of my stomach that hurts right now is beneath the scab of the biopsy.  I am healing.   I'm fine.  I had all the lab work done and am told that things look pretty normal.  I am ecstatic that I am not diabetic - nor was anything said that I really need to watch my sugar intake (which I KNOW but the fact that it wasn't even mentioned . . . wahoo!)  but I'm told they may need another biopsy.  I told them that I would not be available until January.  Come on!  We've got holidays coming up.  We have other expenses.  I got my Z-pack.  My smoke-caused headache is gone.  I can't afford to run to the doctor's because she may or may not need to take a biopsy for something I bet I don't even have.  So January it is . . . maybe. 

            I think what's happening really is that there is need for more fancy updated equipment for the center or something personal for the doctor like a new house or a car.  Well, I'm not paying for it - not right now anyway.  I mean, I guess I should appreciate them taking precaution and preventing a future problem.  Well, I am too - only more with my bank account's health rather than my own.  I'm fine.  I feel fine.