Decorations and a Movie

         We left to drive to Ashland about 3:30 yesterday.  It got very dark before we collected Jaime just before 5:30.  We stopped at a Cracker Barrel on the way home.  Today we put up the tree and decorated.

At 12:00 we left to go to the big city of Roseburg where we saw “Wonka” – I absolutely LOVED how a few of the songs from the original production (with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka) were incorporated into this production - along with the original Oompa Loompa appearance.  So many scenes reminded me of other movies: Les Miserables (except the girl was called Noodle rather than Cozette), a Whoville type scene,  La La Land or the Greatest Showman,  and at least two others I can’t remember as I write this post.  I think the thing I enjoyed most about it was hearing Jaime’s enjoyment.

We then started to tackle the trees in the yard.  Our Mountain Goat was up for the challenge.  We decided that we aren’t completely finished.

A Fur Coat

 I don’t know what triggered this memory, but I was thinking about a time when my great uncle had told my mom and aunt that they should go get measured for fur coats.  I think it was some kind of bet he had won and offered the coats to the wives of his two nephews.  I don’t know what my aunt’s reaction was to her fur coat, but my mom was not comfortable about wearing what one might perceive as luxurious.  She said it wasn’t even that warm.  And it shed as I recall.  I don’t know how long she had it or what became of it. 

No More Spontaneous Jaunts to Utah

 I wish I had planned better and just taken two weeks after Thanksgiving and then returned.  Three weeks may have been too long on my immune system.  Ryan says I was a tremendous help.  I'm grateful that he thinks that.  I did not feel as productive as I was hoping for. I suppose I did do at least one productive thing each week I was there. 

The day after I had arrived one of my granddaughters had expressed having missed me while she was at school.

Ryan and Chelsey's youngest was born two days after I arrived. Chelsey had already made arrangements with one of her brothers to take the kids while they were at the hospital.  They did return to take the girls to the school on Monday.  Because I was there the aunt was free to drive each girl without having to load up the car with everybody else (as she has three of her own). 

Once they brought the baby home the kids were much more interested in their baby sister than they were in spending any quality time with grandma.

I did spend a few hours with the two sibs I have living in Utah.  I spent Thanksgiving with Ryan's family and three of her brothers and their families.  It was interesting.

Spontaneous Trip

I had told Ryan that I would come out to be with him if he and his wife needed my assistance.  Truth is that her family rallies around one another and I suspect that they would have been fine without me but realized that it is always her family, never his.  I know he appreciated my being there – even if it was just for him.  For the most part I didn’t feel useful, but both of them assured me that I had been. 

Though the weather was pretty awesome for this time of year and there was no inversion my throat dried up.  It got cold the second week I was there, but for the most part the temperature seemed above 50.  Happy to be home and nearly rid of my cold (or whatever it is) and happy that Ryan is happy.

Sharing Germs

 I have been highly allergic to most Christmas plants though the tree had never bothered me -

 but there are such a huge variety of trees.  

Ever since they had brought home their tree I started coughing.  

It may just be coincidence and it had really been the dry air which seemed to present 

a problem with my breathing. 

I obviously had not considered why we had moved to Oregon in the first place. 

Seattle welcomed me with the moist air that I had been missing

Still I carried those germs from Utah  to Oregon.

Richard shared in my cough, hacking and disrupted breathing.

We cancelled the temple trip we had made an appointment for yesterday.

Jaime was disappointed to learn we wouldn't be coming.

We stayed home nursing ourselves.

I never even did get dressed from my bed attire.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

 I keep a sweater, 

jacket, or

 sweatshirt next to the 

table in the back room 

that way if Bonnie has 

to go out during the night 

I can stay warm

Looking in the Mirror

 I see my husband in Ryan - 

when he's talking to his children - 

I remember Richard talking to his.  

Airports and Planes

 I left Oregon on November 15^th and went to Salt Lake to assist my son and his wife with their family.  I returned on December 5^th.  In that time I had seen four different airports and airplanes.  I went by way of Alaska Airlines which I like and have had a positive experience with in the past.

 My first flight was from Eugene to Seattle.  We chose to go through Eugene rather than Medford as the price was almost 200 dollar difference.  We had made a dry run the day prior just to see if we could find it first before attempting to do so in the dark.

Check in was not so bad.  An agent took my printed paperwork and issued me a boarding pass. My carry-on bag was pulled aside as I forgot to remove my kindle.  It didn’t seem like a big deal. 

I think that was the most comfortable of all the planes – though the one from Salt Lake to Seattle was not bad as the plane was not full.  But the plane from Seattle to Salt Lake was quite full and so was the puddle jumper between Seattle and Medford. 

For the most part the leg room reminded me of the same amount of leg room which Jaime and I had on the bus four months ago.  But the seats were wider.  One could actually put the seatbelt around the lap as the seats were designed for bigger butts than that of a middle schooler.

 I believe I had a window seat from Oregon to Seattle.  I was in row 6 or 7.  I could easily view those flying first class which didn’t seem all that different from coach.  I sat waiting at a gate in B or D as that was what had been written on my passport – but those passengers were going to Bozeman and I was told I needed to take the train to N.  Say what?

There was a definite difference in first class and coach on the plane from Seattle to Salt Lake City.  I sat squashed between two gentleman.  Overhead was full and we all had carry-ons beneath our feet.  I was asked to remove my fanny pack on the puddle jumper but it didn’t seem to matter on the larger plane which I’m certain held at least 100 people.

 Jai and I had attempted to play phrazel when I was at the airport, but it was awkward.  I had an hour and a half layover in Seattle both ways.

Ryan drove around the SLC airport waiting for me to come out.  But it took me a while to get from the gate to baggage claim.  It must have been a two mile walk.  I didn’t notice the signs until after my return but they advertise the long walk is to prepare visitors to hike from 5 national parks located in Utah.  I had dragged my coat and sweater and was so hot by the time I got out to the car.

Wild Day

 

               On October 16^th the bank contacted me about fraud suspicion (thank you justask.com) and my card was cancelled and a new one ordered – and boy, did it take its sweet time coming.  I think I used it only once before today.  I was contacted by the bank on fraud suspicion – which I appreciate – but it really was me making the purchases and authenticated. 

               Last minute travel plans – so I won’t be blogging for a while.  Purchased a one way to Salt Lake.  I will be helping my son watch his oldest three while mom gives birth to number four.  Mostlikely be spending Thanksgiving in Utah – possibly Christmas. Meanwhile Richard gets to hang with Bonnie.  That will be fun for him.

               The tired is setting in already.  I hope to wake up before 2024.

Life Without Internet

 

The Power Blinked off and returned – but the internet didn’t. 

The lights in the office indicated that the internet was up

and running. 

But no internet

on any device. 

No internet. 

No cable.

I was in the middle of facebooking someone

a message. 

I need the internet to play games

with my daughter

– better be back up within a couple of hours

I would hope. 

But it’s been more than an hour that we’ve been without. 

The weather’s been nice today.

 

                          What is up with the Internet not working?!?

And Alexa Stacey giving us attitude.

Alexa Emily worked most of the day. 

                          That was yesterday.

Not working this morning.

 

Of course I can’t post any of this until the internet is up. 

Jai called just before 4:00 p.m.

Still down.

No wait!

                          We stared to play

4:00 p.m.

Power down.

Oh, come – on . . .

 

                          Spectrum came early this morning

Now almost 24 hours later I am able to post.

It’s the Fifth Sunday of the Month – You Know What That Means

           Actually, I don’t.  5^th Sunday used to mean a combined meeting among the Relief Society and Elders Quorum.  Did it change?  According to the LDS website (now referred to as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – we have been encouraged NOT to abbreviate)the fifth Sundays are under the direction of the bishop.  We have had some combined meetings, but mostly we’ve just had Sunday School.  Makes sense today as we have not had a Sunday School all month.

          I’ve been fighting a cold since last week and had opted not to go to either of the meetings last week though there was an after meeting that my RS president wanted me to attend.  I did.  I wore a mask.  Last night I went to the Halloween party but left early.  Today I went to Sacrament meeting than had Richard bring me home.  I think he should have stayed home as well as he still has a nasty cough.  I know that 47 degrees is not warm by any means and yet I feel so hot. Gosh darn.

 

         I really was feeling better.  Two more days maybe.

Headache, sore throat, body ache, etc.

          Richard’s birthday is October 3.  Every year around his birthday or sometimes not until before Thanksgiving he will catch a cold that will seemingly linger more each year.  This year happened within a few weeks after his birthday.  He happened to be in San Diego at the time.  He picked up a cold!  I told him NOT to bring it home.  But he did.  First he shared it with our youngest son and brought it home to me.  Oh, gee.

         Cold symptoms effect different people in different ways.  For me, it was like getting hit by a MACK truck – not that I’ve ever really been hit by a MACK truck mind you.  I just imagine that is partially how it would feel.  Like every tissue and organ within your body has felt the weight of heaviness smacking into it until it is too weak to function on its own. 

         I asked Richard to bring the walker from the shed just so I could use it to support myself as I slowly maneuvered myself from the bed to the toilet – moaning in pain.  For a few brief moments I had considered that it could be COVID but overall I felt too weak to even care.  I certainly wasn’t about to leave the comforts of home to maybe possibly be tested.  That was Monday. Richard (though he still has a nasty cough) waited on me hand and foot.  And kept me drugged.  Niquil, Dayquil, Alka-selzer whatever.  I am misspelling those drug names?  I feel like I am.  I continued to remained drugged – not that I wasn’t far from disoriented without them.

         I hadn’t gone to Church on Sunday – neither of us had.  But I did attend a meeting that I probably shouldn’t have.  But I felt much better Tuesday and yesterday – not enough to attend the luncheon  I don’t think Richard should have either.  I feel better today than yesterday but do tend to hack up phlegm if I have to talk – which I am trying so hard not to do.  But I do want to play games with Jaime – who must think I sound like Darth Vader.  But I am getting better.  I feel better.  I have ditched my walker.   I doubt I have COVID. I’m certain that Richard doesn’t have it.  Still he could have brought it home.

         I’m grateful for modern day medicines and technology.  I’m grateful for restored health.