Perhaps Not Perfect, But Close

             I had asked a friend if she would drive me to the airport yesterday.  I had changed the time of her flight and would have been able to drive myself but my friend was still willing – in fact looking forward to it – perhaps more than I.  Before the pandemic she had received a gift card to Red Lobster but has not used it in all of this time.  So after we went to the airport and picked up Jenna, our friend drove us to Red Lobster and used her gift card on overpriced food that really didn’t seem worth what we would have paid.  Jenna and I do love the cheese rolls – which she enjoyed more than I.  It probably isn’t the fault of Red Lobster but rather my taste buds (or lack thereof) that are to blame. 

Currently Jenna is in Cottage Grove attending the high school football game – not that she knows anything about football or any other sport.  She has school spirit as many of those from the class of 2022.  They have always been so supportive of one another – unlike the class of 2023 who had somewhat of a mischievous reputation.  I don’t know how much of that has changed since the pandemic.  I know 2022 continues to be strong.  They are definitely an awesome bunch of kids.

 

On Monday I took her to the high school for parent teacher conference.  Though she currently has eight classes, she has only five instructors.  Seeing them all took only 15-20 minutes plus a few minutes of visits with those who are not her instructors.  Everybody loves Jenna and the feedback is always positive.  I knew that already. 

She needs only two classes to graduate but has decided to take six electives to contribute making her senior year a wonderful experience – though the two required classes are a Lot of work.  She is and always has been a great student academically as she is supportive of her peers.  She’s a gem.

Bonnie in my Bedroom

 Bonnie will whine when

we are in the other room but

will gladly follow me to

 my room and lay down

and stop whining. 

 

My room has carpet and

so does the office. 

Often she will hang

out there waiting for

Roland’s return.

 

Perhaps she enjoys the

rough carpet under her belly.

I don’t think she is particularly

fond of the flooring we

chose for the main part of

the house as

she is always slipping.

 

She does have her own bed which

seems to me should be

more comfortable than

the carpeted floor. 

But I am not a dog. 

What do I know?

 

She’s quite an insecure dog.

She has waited in the office alone but

rarely stays in the bedroom by herself. 

I don’t know why she doesn’t

hang out in Jenna’s room. 

Jenna absolutely adores Bonnie.

She really is a sweet dog.

She currently seems

 to be missing Jenna.

So Much Post Info . . . So Little Time . . .

           I thought I would be able to create at least one post today, but Roland just informed me that he has the day off.  I suspect that can change as his boss is a flake. We took Jenna to the airport last night and will be returning for her on Friday.  Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving.  That makes for more wait until I am able to sort my thoughts and post something.

          On Friday, the 19^th, we spent the majority of the day in Ashland.  We toured the campus at Southern Oregon University.  I wore myself out.  Jenna ran into one of her friends and made friends with another also majoring in theatre.  Layne will be gone by the time Jenna arrives – unless she chooses to go elsewhere.  Today she will be touring the Dixie State campus only ten minutes away from her brother’s house.

          Parent/Teacher conference had been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.  We’d gone early on Monday and spent less than 20 minutes to see all five teachers.  She is an amazing student and no one has anything bad to say about her.

          Yesterday I was at the church for a few hours trying to organize our ministering routes.  I had left the house at 9:30 but did not return home until 1:30. Jenna and I took Bonnie for a walk and watched some shorts before we went outside to get in the car after Roland pulled up.  She didn’t get into Utah until after 3:00 am.  I was in bed before nine, I think. 

          Don’t know what the plans are for today or tomorrow.  Roland had suggested that we find a restaurant to eat for our Thanksgiving meal. Perhaps we will do that today instead.  Jenna will be spending it with at least one brother.  I don’t know if she will even be able to visit the other two. 

          Thus if any of these topics might interest you, be sure to tune in.  Hopefully, I will have elaborated more on each paragraph and posted by December 1^st.  Happy Holidays, everyone!

Only One Pickle per Tree

           I vaguely remember having a “Christmas Pickles” on our tree.  At least I think I do. I don’t even know where it came from or why it was there.  We obviously didn’t know its tradition as it was never hidden.  Tradition says the pickle is “hidden” to bring good luck to the finder.  We never hid the pickle.  

         I don’t remember hiding any ornaments intentionally.  Many times the fuller trees seemed to swallow up ornaments that had been pushed into the tree which is why I prefer Charlie Brown trees.  Every ornament can be seen on a Charlie Brown tree and none get lost.

          There is speculation about the Christmas pickle – or legends. Lost truths.  Invented stories perhaps.  It’s kind of a fun idea.  A little bizarre.  I mean a pickle? Not an item I have associated with Christmas.  But I am all for welcoming other cultures and traditions to cross my path.  I enjoy the diversity.

Perhaps It Has Symbolic Meaning

           I don’t recall if it was last year or the year before when I received this Snoopy ornament. 

 

I didn’t have it on the tree for very long as it was underneath the tree or in my stocking.  I decided to hang it over my computer and have looked at it throughout the year.  I think it’s cute. 

          Roland and I used to hang our keys on the fireplace where the stockings would go but have gotten rid of the fireplace this year and thus do not have the hangers anymore.  He started hanging his keys with the coats and I put mine behind the Snoopy – which seemed to work out well until the other day.  When I grabbed my keys I had also grabbed my Snoopy.  When I set the keys down Snoopy fell and the words broke.  I was going to try and super glue them back and still may – but right now it seems to be a poetic justice type thing.  Instead of “Happy” my Snoopy is saying “HA” – like a mean trick because he had to share the spotlight with the keys.

Closing Our Economy

 

              Jenna used to return home from school by 3:15.  That seems eons ago as she often doesn’t get picked up from high school until 3:15 or later.  There has always been a shortage of drivers – but especially this year. The few bus drivers are given multiple routes now. Short staffed employment is common all across the nation.  Diners and other companies go out of business. Contractors are behind on their jobs as truck drivers are behind on delivering products that so often seem to not even exist anymore.

          Hospitals will never go out of business but they are short staffed also.  Schools are hurting for instructors.  It makes me wonder where our economy has gone.  It isn’t solely COVID that’s to blame.  I am so grateful for those that have sustained a positive attitude among so much negativity.  I am grateful to those who have endured in being there for others. I suspect the paycheck does not have near the value as the individual that said check is made out to.  What a challenging time we live in right now.

          I am grateful to those things that are available to us right now.  It makes me wonder for how long.

Look in your Shoe

              It’s always such a big ordeal to take the sheets off the bed, wash them, and fit them back to the bed.  Yesterday I did five loads of wash – three which included bedding.  As I removed the bedspread and blankets from the bed, I noticed the television remote and had set it aside – on the chair I thought.  Only Roland couldn’t seem to find it and I thought I would have to spend the entire day looking for it as I could only think of two places where it would be – neither which it was.

        This morning Roland was about to put his shoes on and found the remote had fallen into one of them.  Oh.  I had not put the remote in his shoe. I would have never thought to look for it there.  It must have fallen off the chair.  Weird.

Halloween Thus Far

            I had to make a few trips downtown yesterday.  The first was to mail a package to Roland’s mother.  Saturdays provide a two hour window between 11:00 and 1:00.  I’ve been told Myrtle Creek’s is the only post office in the county that is open on Saturdays.

          Jenna and her friend had wanted to go trick-0r-treating, but the event didn’t start until 2:00. It was crowded.  Each year the city has offered trick-or-treating to the businesses downtown – though they had changed things up last year and “spaced” apart those handing out candy in the park and kept things in the park and not the entire 8 streets that make up the downtown area.  It continued to just the park this year.  Jaime wore her homemade costume “Sam” from Trick or Treat and her friend had gone as “Red Riding Wolf”.  They spent their last day of school (Thursday the 28^th) as part of the Scooby Doo Gang.

          I had dropped them off at the hanger last night and they both participated in a spook alley.  Jenna said she enjoyed the first two hours but became weary before the night was up.  She plans on returning tonight though she said two of her friends have chosen not to return.  It’s been a new experience for her and I don’t think she has any regrets.

          It appears that the ward received a great turn-out at the Halloween party last night.  Now masks.  No social distancing.  I had a headache – still do – and will not be attending church this morning but have told Jenna that I will take her to go to Sunday School but will watch sacrament meeting virtually. I have been sneezing and would rather not be wearing a mask – unless they have done away with that.  I don’t know.

          Roland will be released as financial clerk.  He was told who would be sustained in his place.  Each of us was surprised.  It is what it is.

          Happy Halloween, everybody!

Halloween in the Hanger

       Since we moved to Myrtle Creek and Jenna had become a part of the young women’s program, she has suggested that the ward do a trunk or treat.  Our ward has never done anything for Halloween – which is okay – but it is, without a doubt, her favorite holiday.  This year the young women’s president has arranged a Halloween party – the event starts at 6:00.  Jenna, meanwhile, has made another commitment.  Roland is working.  I was not too thrilled with the idea mingling with 50 – 100 people that may or may not be in the tiny church building.  If neither Jenna nor Roland are not going to go, I’m certainly not going.  I do feel bad for not supporting our YW pres. though I’m certain there will be a good attendance.  I have had such a huge case of the pandemic blues right now that I KNOW I will NOT be of great company.

          As I had mentioned in a previous post, the pandemic seems to have resorted me back to my introverted ways.  I think I have allowed myself to become more introverted than I was before we moved to Oregon.  It’s not that I’m staying holed up in my house necessarily.  I get out and walk Bonnie.  I have visited with others off and on.  I have been somewhat on the blue side.  I’m not depressed necessarily but I am definitely not ecstatic.   Just blah, I guess.  Not at all social able.

          Jenna, on the other hand, has been helping to set up and practicing her part for a haunted house type thing that I have never seen advertised.  I wouldn’t even know about it if she wasn’t involved.  But I have driven her out to the airport a couple of times.  Or near the airport.  I don’t know if the building is part of the airport or if it just appears to be – after all there is a different entrance – maybe even mailbox.  I had turned into the airport the first time, and it might go around to where the building was located, but barriers had been put up.  I already felt like I was trespassing.

          We had Bonnie with us the first time I dropped her off.  We walked around to see if there was another opening.  Jenna would have climbed through the barbwire fencing if I hadn’t stopped her.  We loaded back into the car and looked for an alternate route.  This is what the airport might look like from the building we drove to.  

That’s where Jenna will be tonight and tomorrow night.  Meanwhile I will probably keep the lights down or off, ignore the door, and watch sappy Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel.

          Roland said he initially had tomorrow off but requested extra hours.  Great.  Not quite Anakin Skywalker who appeared to have good intentions for going to the dark side. This article gives examples of both being a hero and a villain.  There are many parallels about direction that I’m reminded of.  Did I mention that I really hate Roland’s job?  I hate that he seems to depend more upon himself than upon a higher power.  I can see it going either way.  I don’t expect that he’ll ever turn into Darth Vader.  He’s more of a storm trooper at times. That annoys me.

We Should Travel - at least when it's safe enough to do so.

         My youngest son seems to be making more money than he knows what to do with.  Boo hoo, huh?  His wife's family has paid for a few outings for the entire family - like going to Mexico.  Recently he just purchased tickets to go to Hawaii.  Roland and I never traveled.  We barely had enough to feed the family.  

        There was one time we had gone to Logan to see my brother's performance in something.  I can't even remember what.  Each of the boys had made arrangements to sleep over with various friends and had not shown any interest in going to the play.  Since none of the boys were at home and Roland felt too tired to drive back, we just got a room to spend the night.

        Our youngest (the first to have made sleeping arrangements) calls about midnight to find out where we are.  Apparently the sleeping over plans had fallen through and he was alone in the house and had fallen asleep in our bed waiting for us.  I related this to Roland just a few minutes ago - though he says he doesn't remember.  I doubt Randy remembers either.  But it really did happen.

        There was a time when I thought I would enjoy traveling.  I suppose road trips are okay with the right companion(s) and car.  But I do not want to fly again - especially while there is still the pandemic.  Nor do I wish to gamble on staying at motels or hotels that may or may not be taking precautions for their guests. Too big of a gamble right now.

        I'm okay exploring places virtually - or reading about them.  Less costly and not so physically demanding.  Perhaps one day.  Perhaps not.  And it's okay either way.

I am so NOT a Materialistic Person

               I think I must have mentioned that Roland accepted a position at a jewelry store – supposedly local but has been training in both Eugene and Medford in addition to “visiting” in Roseburg.  He has used me as his sounding board before whenever he has been assigned to give a talk or lesson in church.  I would rather listen to it fresh than to hear him rehearse it – but I understand.  My mom did the same thing.

            Well, now he wants me to be a sounding board for his work and I am SO UNINTERESTED in the quality of diamonds or the luster of diamonds or what makes them what.  I really don’t care.  And it gets harder to listen each time he tries to practice as I become more and more uninterested.  I used to wear costume jewelry all the time – until my mission.  Haven’t worn much since. 

Roland would like to go out and make nice purchases for both Jenna and me and it’s just not practical.  I know I should be more grateful that he thinks that is the way to show me off.  But I would rather not be showed off for what is around my neck or on my finger.  Rings aren’t even a part of the ceremony that takes place within the temples that are part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

They’re symbols.  Funny thing is those things I am truly attached to are for sentiment and usually have no financial value.  Perhaps I should be more sentimental about jewelry given in sentiment – but I’m not.  Currently I am wearing a locket which he gave me. He always asks when I’m not wearing – which is often.  It’s expensive!  And I tend to be careless and misplace things all of the time.  I told him not to buy it or even the wedding band (number three at that) that continues to fall off my finger. 

They should be reminders of how much he loves me – but material items don’t express love to me.  They have become reminders of how our money could have been better spent. I suppose it seems callous of me.  Our communication skills are still something to behold.  At least Jenna and I get one another. 

Triggers From Stake Conference

 I remember going to youth conference and taking notes – one or two words at a time.  When I would return to the dorms I would pull out my notes and elaborate on what I remembered based on the words.  I don’t remember things as well anymore and often the words I’ve written don’t ever get made into a sentence or paragraph. 

The Roseburg Stake has always had its stake conference two weeks after General Conference. General Conference is great as each talk is recorded and I can return to read or listen, but Stake Conference is not recorded. I have gotten so much out of the virtual conferences rather than in person sitting on hard chairs in a room very far away from the podium.  Each year I have wished the recording would have been available longer than just watching it live.  This year was especially awesome.

Only last night’s adult session and the general meeting today were broadcast.  The leadership meeting had to be attended in person and wearing masks.  I had not bothered making plans for going.  Jenna had a party to go to – I thought in Tri-City but turned out to be Roseburg and so I changed into my Sunday attire and had Roland drop me off at the church after dropping Jenna off at the roller skating party.  I’m glad I went.  It was very good as well as the adult session. 

As I took notes I noticed that some of the examples used would trigger memories from my own life and thought I would share a couple.  Many had made the comment of “being like children” as they have faith and acceptance where several adults do not.  I thought of a time when my sister-in-law related a reenactment among her two oldest children and their neighbor’s boy. 

I don’t know how recent they had learned the plan of salvation (here) but decided they would use their front door (which was missing a window pane) and crawl through the hole in order to be born.  They would play outside for a while (earth life) until it was time to come inside.  

They would then cross over to death using a different door that went into the house.  I was touched by the experience that she shared.

I thought of another trigger when another sister talked about her children having shared the gospel and inviting a boy with them to achievement days (here).  They had invited him three times in a row and two times the activity had been cancelled. I recall activities being cancelled oh so many times – not with me so much as my own kids.  It can be quite discouraging.

 When I was in primary the meetings were spread out throughout the week.  Our primary was on Thursdays right after school.  Not all wards had primary on the same day.  I remember some snowy days when announcements were made over the school intercom “such and such  a ward will not be having primary today”  I think every ward had been called for cancellation except for ours – and we often had worse days of snow!  It wasn’t until I was on my mission that I appreciated the dedication of our primary president who understood the importance upon our impressionable minds. 

There are many leaders like that – who will put their whole heart and soul into their callings for those that they serve.  There are others who choose to cancel due to circumstances such as the weather, family gatherings, work . . . whatever.  It’s not my place to judge their priorities.  I just know how much I appreciate those who allow their callings to come first.  One of the things we were taught was to not allow circumstances to interfere but to keep our focus on Christ or his example. 

I have more.  I have two pages of unorganized thoughts.  Hopefully I will be able to get those organized and share some more.