Hoop Jumping and the Lion’s Den

         It’s been just over a year that I had made the decision to cut expenses and find less costly alternatives to the essentials and just do without wasn’t necessary.  Pulling the plug on the entertainment system did not set well with Richard who decided he would find another job.  Everybody seems to be screaming for employees and yet finding a job has been rather challenging. Thus we have been living on Richard's social security for a year plus equity (that was his alternative) and when school let out he decided he would go back to work as a substitute teacher. 

        He jumped so many hoops to get there.  When we went out of town during Labor Day weekend it was still unclear if he’d be working.  But every weekday we were gone Richards phone went off with job offers (or at least one job offer) within the surrounding school districts which he was unable to accept until this morning.  Though the message said to report at the school at 7:30, the message was not received until 7:40.  I told him not to worry about the time.  If he showed up even two hours late, the school would be happy to have him that they would not hold it against him.

        This morning he left for his first assignment in a neighboring district – about a 20 minute drive.  I personally preferred accepting assignments over Frontier and please don’t bother me with the phone.  But of course Richard and I are opposite and he prefers the phone and has no idea how to get into Frontline (at least that’s what it was prior to the pandemic; I don’t know if the districts still use Frontline?)  He will be subbing for a 5^th grade class. 

        And I am at home left alone with my thoughts and two rooms that need attention.  A sink full of dishes and a bunch of other projects that I should probably be doing rather than creating a post.  But it has been over a week. And I do have many posts inside of me, but thus far don’t seem willing to come out.  I haven’t felt well and have been so tired.  Perhaps now that the weather seems to be cooling down (at least currently in my neck of the woods) that will change and I will wake up refreshed and ready to go.

          I hope Richard encounters a positive experience today.

Happy Anniversary BTW

              On Friday we took Jaime to Ashland

and left her there at the college.

That was the day of Richard and my

21^st wedding anniversary.

Initially I thought we would

stay in either Ashland or Medford overnight

and go to the temple yesterday morning.

                                        Plans changed.

When we returned we started a deep

cleaning of her room and the

office which are now become my

oldest son and his wife’s room and my

grand-daughters room. 

So much work! 

Not the ideal way I wanted to spend my

anniversary.

It may be a while before I can post again.

CBQ#260

 Would you prefer to plan your vacation or be spontaneous?

I enjoy spontaneity overall.  

Of course it is helpful to have 

a destination and find things to 

do along the way

Not having reservations has proved 

more difficult than planning ahead. (see here)  

But planning has disadvantages as well.

I suppose if you are familiar with the drive and area 

making reservations may work to your 

advantage or having the hotel as 

the destination and not 

a stop on the way.  

You don't know when during the drive 

you will be tired.  

If you're not familiar with the drive 

you may accidently book yourself in 

a seedy or industrial area.  

You may misread the map and 

book yourselves 40 or 80 miles (or more) 

out of your way.  

You may be rerouted due 

to elements or traffic.  

I prefer spontaneity.  

I Vote For a New Temperature

 

              August is near its end. 

September creeping in.  

        We’ve had fires this late before.  

Smoke billows from the south over the hills.  

            It’s hazy. 

                            It’s hot.  

Please let it rain.

casse-tête examples

 

I don’t know where Richard came up with the idea that I LOVE doing thousand piece puzzles.  I do not.  I have learned that I especially do not like the type that offer casse-tete pieces!

According to several online dictionaries the French word(s) casse-tête translates to puzzle, challenging or complicated puzzle pieces, and headache.  I agree with the last definition.  So I have mentioned that Richard seems to be gung-ho about gluing all puzzles that we have done – though I have vetoed the idea with those that I really would like to put together again.  But definitey not the last one with its one thousand casse-tete headaches.

 

The three hundred piece circle was much easier than the thousand piece cats and birds.

By Invitation Only

         It has been several months since the missionaries had been teaching the Gospel Essential Class.  I thought it would be cool if they had started that up again rather than have the new member interest attending the Gospel Doctrine class.  But that was just my opinion.  I obviously do not have the authority to change that.  I did however remind Richard that it had been a thing.  He is Sunday School president and brought it up in the leader’s meeting that takes place before church.

        Last week Richard taught the gospel essentials and had invited those members who have recently been baptized and those who are seeking, the missionaries, and a few supporters – including candidates for teaching the class. It is a class that I had attended during my time as a counselor in the Relief Society.  Even though I continue to serve in the RS presidency, I am in a different position (secretary).

        Meanwhile a new instructor has been called to teach Sunday School and I somehow felt obligated to show my support to her by attending her class – which was really great.  The Come Follow Me program has our reading in Psalms and last week’s theme was on repentance.  Oh, my.  What a powerful lesson.  Participants pointed out the difference between guilt and shame.  Some of us found comfort in Psalms 51:10 which reads:

        “Create me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

        Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally.  It is important that we can see ourselves through His eyes.

Another Triggered Memory

         Today in Sacrament meeting one of the speakers talked about reading scriptures as a youth and striving to meet a goal.  It reminded me of Biff’s reaction to Pres. Hinckley’s challenge in August of 2005 to completely read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year (see here).  Biff is not the fastest reader in the world as it takes him longer to process information.  

 

   I can’t remember where in the Book of Mormon he was as December 31 came near its end – but had a ways to go before he would be able to complete.  He seemed to feel somewhat defeated and I suggested that we read the captions of each chapter. With only four hours left until Midnight I read with him from where he left off. We continued reading each caption until we got to the end.   We finished between 11:30 and midnight if I remember correctly.  He was not satisfied and stayed up until wee hours of the morning to complete his goal without skipping the verses.  I have always admired his ability to endure.