Happy Halloween!

Jenna met a friend at a second hand store yesterday.  They were searching for costumes to wear today.  There are three of them that will be dressed as the power puff girls.  I took pictures of Jenna in various costume that she thought might work for Buttercup.

This morning she left the house dressed in the 2nd outfit of the three.  One strap had broken, but she said it was because she was the tough one.  If it is cold tonight, she will be dressing up as the ghost of Christmas future.  Hot costume to wear.  I don't know what she'll wear if it is nice out.

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.

Park and Pics

These were taken at Evergreen

The beds are no longer dry

sad

LOVE the fall!

So Unmotivated Right Now

For the last four mods
I have had only one
assigned class
which in a way
has been nice.

I noticed with this last
week, I was never asked
to do a survey in order
to continue with my class

On Monday I start
another accounting class
This one will focus on
Taxes.  Good thing
I'm only getting one.

Taxes.  I hope that
I will understand and
stay focused.  Perhaps
one day I will
actually be able to
do my own.

Apparently Spelling Doesn't Count in that Incredibly Long Run-on Sentence

I have recently come across a pile of papers waiting to be sorted.  There were a lot of homework assignments or notes from both Jenna and me.   I copied a few of her stories to read through at a more convenient time and threw the hard copies away.  She doesn't have the best handwriting, and her spelling is atrocious. 

Turns out I copied three partial stories.  One was about Emily Rogers, a teacher who wished she had well behaved students and seemed to get her wish - but her "wish come true" turned out to be somewhat eerie.  I love Jenna's imaginative description:

it was silent like a cheetah eyeing its prey waiting for the right moment to pounce.  It was sort of creepy. 

She had also  written a story about a character named Latisha Cannon who didn't enjoy math and also made a wish not to have it anymore and how the world seemed to change when math was no longer a part of it.  Both Emily and Latisha woke up at the end of the story.

Some of her errors made me laugh, but after a while I was appalled that she hasn't been learning how to spell or use punctuation correctly.  I know that cursive was removed from the schools.  Was spelling as well?  I get that grammar can sometimes be difficult, but surely she knows  that a sentence has to come to an end eventually. 

It is certainly convenient having spell check or even Grammarly which will catch the errors that a person may have spelled correctly, but the word needed has a different spelling.  For instance she had written "loan star state" instead of "Lone Star State" in her story about Wanda - no last name, but only story title.  It was called: Wanda and the Rain Stick

She didn't wake up at the end.  Not much of a plot.

I'm happy for the opportunities I've had to further my education and understanding.

What price do we pay for the choices we make?

           Each of us has the opportunity to make choices.  We choose to leave the house, transportation, destination, what we eat and so forth.  Often we are presented with obstacles as a result of our choices.  For example, we may have a variety of ways to get from point A to point B - do we want to take the scenic route or something faster.  If we had stayed in one lane could we have avoided the car crash that happens in the next?  What about those that we encounter.  How do our choices effect them?  And what about those things we can't control like the weather or health?  Often the result of our choices makes no difference.  Other times even the smallest decision may change our entire lives.

          I think "The Mountain Between Us" gives us some great illustrations of what our choices may cost.  

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.

wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54196569

The movie opens with Alex, a journalist, at an airport in Idaho anxious to get to her fiancé in Colorado as her wedding day is near.  Ben, a neurosurgeon, is anxious to return to Baltimore as there is a ten-year-old boy in need of his service.

          All flights have been cancelled due to the weather.  Alex believes that she can overcome this obstacle by hiring a private charter flight.  She gambles on a pilot she's never met.  And while the weather is not a challenge for him personally, there is another factor that neither had even thought to consider.

          Alex, not knowing anything about Ben in addition to not knowing the pilot, asks Ben if he would like to join her on the charter plane to Colorado.  I would think if Ben is unable to get a flight to Baltimore from Idaho due to the weather, it would be likely that Colorado's weather would be similar - but whatever.  No one thinks about that.

          During the course of the movie, Ben and Alex are faced with more obstacles as they climb the snow covered hills of the Unitah Mountains in search of salvation, I thought about what the choice made had cost them - or changed them - because without the experience that only they shared - they would not have evolved from who they were prior to the movie starting to who they became afterward.

          I think the story itself was fictionalized, but I really enjoyed watching the movie and discovering another demonstration of just how much impact our choices may have not just on our lives but those around us.  I'm grateful that the unwise choice Jenna and I had made recently about crossing a fenced path didn't have such a dramatic result.  Funny thing is if we had started the other direction, I wouldn't have crossed it.

 So often when I go to Millsite, it's like I'm seeing it for the first time. 

Fall Activities and Ghost Pancakes

          Four years ago yesterday, our friends Cheryl and Miguel decided to take their niece Payton to the Cornbelly's activity at Thanksgiving Point.  They asked if they could take Jenna with them.

          Jenna and Payton got along well together.  Payton was two years older than Jenna, but shorter.  Many people who saw them together believed they were sisters.  I did not go with them, but had remembered the event as Cheryl had tagged me in several photos on facebook.  I had the opportunity of seeing them again when facebook memory page showed me the photos.  

Cheryl had taken quite a few pictures;  I

don't have permission to post the ones

she took - there were several of Jenna

and Payton.

          I thought it fitting to see the photos while thinking about Jenna and commenting about the weather I hoped wouldn't spoil yesterday's plans.  She did get to go to the corn maze after all, and rode the hayride and brought home a huge pumpkin that she had retrieved from the pumpkin patch.  It was a great day.

          Roland started breakfast/dinner early as his clock is on mountain though we live in Pacific.  After the oven was warmed up (guess we did use it after all) and had cinnamon rolls ready to go in, he looked at the clock in the kitchen and realized that the missionaries wouldn't be arriving for almost two hours.  Whoops.

          I love to watch Roland cook.  He is so thoughtful and so precise.  He made everything on the small skillet, though I had found a much larger pan to use.  He ended up using it to put all back into the oven just to keep it warm.

          Dinner was wonderful.

transferring the potatoes from Stove to oven

keeping potatoes and meats warm

ghost style pancakes with blueberry faces

scrambled eggs made last

you can't tell, but the gravy boat contains

fresh blueberry syrup 

dinner table ready to serve yourself

yum

No Self-Cleaning Oven

                Before we considered moving to Oregon - or had even drummed up the possibilities, we had purchased a new refrigerator and matching oven/range.  The oven was gas.  We had used the oven a few times.  I think Roland must have done more cooking than I.  We had it for 6 or 7 months before we made the trip to Oregon and started looking for houses.

            The oven was a gas hook-up and actually so was our dryer.  But we couldn't even  find a unit in Oregon that offered gas hook-up.  Our last house (the rental) offered a gas fireplace, but everything else was electric.  We don't even have gas in the house we live currently.  Too bad.  It makes for a nice back up when the power fails - which thus far it hasn't.

            I think the gas oven. which is currently in Randy and Carrie's possession, is self cleaning.  The one at our current house is not.  So Roland purchased a can of oven cleaner and a pair of long gloves marked "One Size Fits All".  That's a lie.  I have very small hands and so they are fine on me.  Jenna could probably wear them, but there is no way Roland would be able to get them on without tearing them.  Thus I was elected to clean the oven.

            Of course I wore a dust mask as I sprayed and coughed anyway.  Roland and I proceeded to open more windows and I retrieved to our room until it was time to wipe off the cleaner.  The oven door is in my way.  I don't think I did a thorough job wiping up the back.  Now there will be chemicals in our food next time we bake - though it won't be tonight.  The missionaries will be coming over and we will be feeding them breakfast for dinner. 

            Don't know yet if Jenna made her field trip or not.  The sun is out again, however. Even if the trip gets/was cancelled or gets/was postponed, the disappointment that may bring her down will eventually be replaced with enjoying "breakfast" and the company of the missionaries.

Bring Back The Sun!

            I have mentioned the thick fog and now a constant rain.  It looks awesome and will green up the valley again. 

            This morning I noticed golden flecks donning the hills.  It was so spectacular! 

 

Of course none of my pictures capture what I see.  The fog covered appearance of the towers as I was coming home.  After I got inside, it started pouring again.

            At 11:00 I could see the sun.  I felt excited as Jenna has a field trip planned for today.  She's been looking forward to it for over a week now.  I don't want her to be disappointed.

            Hopefully they were on the bus already and are at the corn maze now and enjoying themselves.  Perhaps it isn't raining in Winston.  She wouldn't care if it was, but perhaps the faculty does.  I hope her awesome day continues.

Technology at the Doctors

                This wasn't even one of the posts I had considered writing yesterday - and so I still have those thoughts to put together.

            When we first moved to Myrtle Creek, we had looked into a health clinic.  Certainly we wouldn't have to go all the way to Roseburg if a check-up was needed.  In order to establish credibility, the staff expected a full physical in several visits.  Okay, my co-pay is not that outrageous, but when I am going to the doctor four to six times in one month to create a doctor/patient relationship, that is ridiculous.  I can't afford that!  I've been blessed with pretty good health.  I go to the doctors perhaps once a year.  I don't need to go every blessed week.   Needless to say, I did not ever complete what had been expected.
           Because I had gone an entire year without visitation, I couldn't even get in last year.  What the heck?  Why had I bothered going through such turmoil to begin with if it wasn't going to fulfill my needs.  I only needed a Z-pack.  I can't believe I was able to get in this year, but once again, I just did not wish to go all the way to Roseburg.
            I was interested in the electronic gadget which has replaced the clipboard and paperwork.  It's kind of cool.

Payments can also be made from this same devise

            It was only this morning that I noticed the large microphone - a communication device to talk to another party on the other side of the screen - I'm guessing someone near Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg. 

So that's the reason for all the visits - I feel like I have single-handedly paid for at least one of the devices that are used.

Like Reading a Journal Entry

           Funny how sometimes I can look at a word or a phrase and turn into sentences and paragraphs.  Other times I haven't a clue what possessed me to even write it down.  I have at least seven blog ideas and unfortunately sore arms and an assignment due.   

          This week's assignment deals with a mortgage calculator and answering four questions.  Still APA and 750 words.  Thus far I am short 300 words.   How terribly boring for my instructor to have to read 15 - 30 assignments.  The more suggestions I'm given in order to "stretch" out the words - the more boring it becomes.  Right now I'm taking a break.

          I mentioned how the school would be sending Roland a new computer as he was having problems with the last.  I had experienced problems with internet connection before - but not the way I seem to be currently.  Holy cow!  It's like this brand new computer showed up on our doorstep one day and became an Internet hog!  So I am trying to look up references and the blue circle starts spinning.  I have to shut down, troubleshoot, re-enter - which is only contributing to my hating my assignment even more.

          Roland and Jenna have a temple trip coming up on Saturday.  I am hoping to have my assignment turned in before then - if not, I will be spending even more time on it or just turn it in incomplete . . . have a great deal of files and possessions that need to be organized.  I've also been asked to mend a tear in Roland's pants but just can't seem to get the needle threaded for the life of me.  Looks like that may become even more time consuming than my assignment.

          We've had thick foggy mornings lately and Roland took the air conditioner down yesterday.  Of course the temperatures rose and I changed from long pants to shorts.   I would have turned on the A/C had it been hooked up.  But once the sun goes down, it gets cold.

          There wasn't a fog this morning.  Jenna pointed out clouds with pink and purple hues. Currently the air is chilly and damp.  I think fog in the morning make for warmer temperatures during the day.  If there isn't a morning fog, the cold lingers more throughout the day.

I Received My Books! I am SOOO EXCITED!

       I am still considered to be a board member of the library and evidently have my own out box at the library.  Our board president LOVES to read and has committed to keeping the library open - even if she has to use her own personal books.  We've received a great deal of donations, and she has gone through various books to see which ones will be sold and which could be shelved.  Whenever she finds the word "Mormon" she automatically sets it aside and asks me if it is something I might be interested in.

            I finished a book just over two weeks ago.  She had left it in my box.  It took just two weeks for me to read "Rumors of War" from the Children of Promise series by Dean Hughes.  Though the initial publication of the books are over 20 years, I had never read any of them before, and after reading the first in the five book collection, I had to have more.

            If I was back in Salt Lake, I might be able to order these books through my library, but I don't have that option here.  When our library was part of the county system, I was actually quite limited in all book selections.  Now that we are not a county library anymore, I am even more limited.  So I purchased some used books from ThriftBooks here   I am so excited that they have arrived and I will be able to continue following the lives of the Thomas family and various friends.

             So let me get you started on my wonderful find . . . a book review by LaTiesha Cannon (which you may remember is not my actual name):

            "Children of the Promise" series is historical fiction.  It is said that Dean Hughes did some extensive research on the situations, circumstances  and even weather conditions.   The setting is 1938 and thereafter.  D. Alexander Thomas and wife, Bea have six children: Alex, Bobbi, Wally, Jean, LaRue and Beverly.  They live in Salt Lake. 

            The book starts with Alex (Elder Thomas) on his mission in Germany.  It's Christmas.  He and his companion.  They are visiting a member of the congregation who has not been to church for some time.  Though he has converted to Christianity, he is Jewish by birth and has been treated as an outcast to Germany.

            The missionaries had been told not to visit as it is dangerous - not only for them, but the man they are visiting as well.  The Gestapo have their eye on the American pair that teaches religion.

             We are then introduced to different family members back in Salt Lake.  Bobbi is interested in English literature and attending classes at the University of Utah.  She is dating a man whom her family thinks highly of and await the day that the two families will be joined. 

            When the book starts out, Wally is sixteen  and seems misguided somehow, having a strong desire to venture outside of his family - especially his overly domineering father, President Thomas, who is very devout to his calling - often losing the sight of his own family.  Wally tries to make light of the situation, but Pres. Thomas is never in the mood for Wally's taunting behavior.

            In his attempt to keep  Wally on the straight and narrow, Pres. Thomas arranges for him to gets a job on Mat Nasashima's farm.  Wally is comfortable with the Nasashinmas and develops a respect for them. Thus far the Nasashinmas characters are not well developed but I imagine will be in future books.  We are also introduced to the  Stoltz family while Elder Alex Thomas is there serving his mission, and continue even after Alex had returned home to Salt Lake.

            The Gestapo (well one thug in particular) become interested in Anna Stoltz who is very pretty and express unwholesome intentions toward her.  the missionaries are pulled out of Germany.  The Stoltz family go into hiding shortly after Alex had returned to Salt Lake.

             Eventually Wally graduates from East High School and joins the navy.  He is stationed in the Philippines and fighting with the Japanese.  In the past, whenever I have read a book about World War II, the primary focus seems to be on victims under German ruling or the American Japanese - I don't recall reading a book that has introduced both.  I also find it interesting to read the expectation of the woman's role and Bobbi's unwillingness to give up an opportunity of education and possible career by surrendering herself to that role - at least not yet.

            I am anxious to read more on the different characters and find out how their lives connected (or disconnected) and what strengths and weaknesses each of them have to overcome.