Random Acts of "Kindness"

TORNADO

June 27, 2015

TORNADO

Normally I publish my thought rambles a few weeks after they are written. The events of the past week have caused me to reschedule and publish this one in a timely fashion.

I was forewarned that something was going to happen. The homily at church concerned the storm, Jesus in a boat, the disciples afraid they were going to drown. I had taken a photo of my painting, GHOST SHIP or THE STORM and had it printed on canvas. I planned to embellish it and give it to one of my daughters for Christmas.

Monday, walking Robin I fell, kissing the sidewalk, injuring my body but thankfully not breaking anything. We had planned to go to the camper but my husband needed a refill on his insulin. Since our doctor is in the office on Monday, I was hoping to get his prescription refilled and we would leave on Tuesday.

Monday night, storms in the area were severe — in fact nine tornado’s touched down. Woodhaven Lakes, our campground, was struck by an F2 tornado, damaging the southern half, about 700 acres of the campground. Thankfully there were no fatalities. It was a Monday, only about 300 people were on the property not the crowds of a weekend. Monday evening, The Goodtimers, a club for people over 55 was holding a ice cream social. They were gathered in a solid construction building. At 8:10, security came by and asked them to remain in the building until further notice. At 11:30, they were finally allowed to leave. Trees were all over the roads, blocking safe passage. Tuesday, a search for victims trapped in their trailers was conducted. I have heard that two handicapped victims were rescued. THANK YOU doesn’t fully convey the gratefulness for the staff on property.

Woodhaven is closed, anyone on property can stay but if they leave, they can not return. Thankfully I have heard from some of our friends and learned that a tree fell on our motor home. The photo of it has been published in a newspaper. Thankfully, as of Tuesday, our park model is still in one piece. Many people spend their summers at Woodhaven and winter down south. Many people have lost their home away from home. From the photos, there is total devastation. Electricity was finally turned on Thursday. We still don’t know when access will be allowed.

By now, my husband’s 1954 Lincoln would be on property. But this year, it is still at the mechanics, safe from harm. Because of the downed trees, it would have been smooched too.

It is hard to prepare for the trip. We don’t know what we will find. I have repacked my clothes — jeans instead of shorts, high shoes instead of sandals. I have been told that I won’t be allowed to help. We have purchased a bigger, gas chain saw and work gloves. I’m going to leave the canvas and paints at home. I still have my bathing suit. Hopefully the pool will be open. My body would like that.

We have camped at Woodhaven for over 40 years — our home away from home. I sure don’t want to stop now. But one thing is certain — I will pay more attention to storm warnings and head for permanent structures if there is a need.

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PRESSURES OFF AGAIN

June 20, 2015

Who am I kidding? It sounds good — but it is a big, fat lie. Yesterday my weight was UP — by 3 pounds. I blamed it on sodium — too much salt in the pickles. I told myself not to worry, the little bit of salt wouldn’t hurt me and it would be gone soon. MY WEIGHT IS UP MORE TODAY. My feet were swollen last night, my face feels swollen today. I haven’t exercised in four days — okay, I’m still walking 9,000 — 10,000 steps every day. I just haven’t made time for the morning exercises and there is no time today.

A loud bang woke me at 4:00 am from a sound sleep — thunder overhead, followed by a downpour. Our skylight has another leak. Hopefully not only will we find the leak, but we will be able to fix it. Our car needs more work. The flappers in the dash are stuck, we are only able to get heat from the engine, no cooling from the air conditioner. My husband doesn’t do well with heat and I don’t do well with drafts.
Buying a new car is not something we can do right now.

Two doctor appointments are scheduled this week. Hopefully all will be well. Pressures off? REALLY?
Now I know that if I exercise, I will work off some of the stress. Deep breathes help too.

Vacation is on the horizon — I still have to pack. My husband is staying home — he will need food in the house to eat, so will Robin. We are planning to go to the camper when I return, I’m trying to gather stuff for there too. Originally, I thought my husband would go out to the camper while I was gone but plans changed. I didn’t have the time to stock the camper either.

I walked into the pantry and reminded myself that I accomplished NOTHING over the winter. It must be the day and the rain. Raining outside, raining inside too. I recently decided to try to stop the negative talk — not doing too well today. I can usually handle stuff when it comes one at a time, it is the deluge that gets me.

It is a good thing I have friends in high places that “help” me. I got hit on the head yesterday, and the freezer avalanched. I need to pay more attention. I always say that I make plans and God Laughs. Step by step, I’m trying. Just slid back quite a bit.

POST NOTE: Before leaving for the doctor’s office yesterday, I tried to save this ramble under the name PRESSURES OFF. I was asked if I wanted to replace the ramble that was already there. ?? NO, I DIDN’T but I did want to read what was on the ramble. It is funny how as much as time passes, things change but remain the same. It was about two years ago, same time of year, preparing for vacation — weight was up, feet were swollen, etc. Today — weight is DOWN, used a pressure cooker to cook beans for chili and DIDN’T blow up the kitchen.

YESTERDAY–my husband asked the doctor about a lump on his neck. I guess I was worried because I felt relieved when I learned it was nothing to worry about, just fatty tissue.

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BREAKTHROUGH

June 13, 2015

Ordinary Sunday — attending church with our daughter’s family, I stopped in the bathroom before services began. I listened to a woman as she wrestled with her makeup. She wasn’t happy with the way the makeup looked or how it was going on. She was rather verbal about it. So much so, that I counseled her to stop being so hard on herself. Her doctor had threatened her with insulin, she wanted to lose weight instead. And I remembered how my husband is often telling me to stop being so hard on myself. Stop being so negative. The words flow so easily out of my mouth.

I asked her how old she was. She didn’t want to tell me but finally did. I mentioned that she was twenty years younger than myself. She didn’t believe me — she looked at my neck, and said I had a young neck. I thought my neck looked like a turkey wattle.

As a matter of fact, I’m beating myself up with a wet noodle this morning. Figuratively, not actually. My weight WAS DOWN two pounds. I WAS so happy, but not today. In fact, my weight is UP three pounds and it is all my fault. Saturday I made a new recipe for pickles and used one tablespoon of salt to relieve the cucumbers of their liquid. I thought the salt would wash off when I washed the cucumbers before adding the brining liquid. Oops! I should have cut the salt. TOO LATE NOW! I could toss the remaining pickles but I have a feeling that I will continue to enjoy them and deal with the extra weight.

More than seven years ago my daughter gave me a mandolin when she was working for Pampered Chef. It rested in my cabinet until Saturday. I often thought of using it but never did. I always took out a knife and sliced whatever needed to be cut. Over the years I’ve watched demonstrators use it and remembered the one sitting at home. The cucumbers needed to be cut thinly, I needed the mandolin. IT WAS EASY and I was careful and didn’t cut myself.

The minister asked a good question: “What does it take to see real, lasting and effective change in our lives?” I remembered many years ago when I was at the camper, taking a walk, trying to find words to put on cards I was giving to participants in Christ Renews His Church weekend my group was hosting the next week. These words came to me during the walk: “Lord, as long as you are with me, I’m not alone.” I used those words for the cards I was making for the group of women we hosted. My husband used the words to make a card for me. And remembering the gift of those words was a great breakthrough in my life.

It is time for another breakthrough. Real — effective — lasting change? I need to stop being so hard on myself. I need to stop the negative talk — easier said than done.

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FEELING COCKY

June 6, 2015

I finally did it. The scale registered my weight three pounds lower. I was so happy, I actually jumped for joy. And I was able to keep that weight for a WHOLE THREE DAYS. Then it happened — the scale rebelled — or was it my body. And once again I was almost three pounds heavier.

I don’t know exactly what happened. It wasn’t as if I was eating ice cream and cake and cookies. I didn’t have a lot of chocolate or any pizza — maybe a little bit more bread — maybe a little bit more sodium. Whatever the little bit was — there is a little bit more of me.

After all, I’m still down three to four pounds. Something to celebrate — RIGHT? I tried on the winter coat that I bought that was just a little tight. IT STILL IS. I pulled out an old belly dancing DVD that I did a couple of years ago. I enjoyed it then — I was huffing and puffing NOW! I didn’t remember it being SO LONG or SO HARD. Okay, so I was at least two years younger — but I have been exercising regularly. Evidently the exercise that I have been doing is gentler on my body. I’m not giving up. I know where my belt is that jingles.

I’m wearing my pedometer every day. I’ve increased the number of steps I take from around 5,000 to close to 10,000 — on a regular basis. Robin is benefiting from the longer walks, I’m not sure my body is. I’m still not giving up but I sure would like to see some progress that would stick.

I just realized that I have celebrated my third anniversary writing this blog. And evidently I’m not done yet. I hope these rambles have helped you connect to your friends or relatives on the other side or at the very least, realize that there is another side. Recently the priest at church asked if we have ever been saved. He was commenting on the apostles hiding in the room because they were frightened. I couldn’t help but remember my mother carrying me out of our burning house and returning for my brother. She rescued me then and I’m sure there are many times when she still comes to my aid. I am extremely grateful!

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GROCERY STORE

May 30, 2015

We have lived in our neighborhood for many years. We have had as many as five grocery stores within walking distance of our house. We are down to two now. I usually walk over to the closest if I’m out of some item for dinner or in the winter, if I need some exercise. I often receive more from the store than just food and cleaning products.

Since we have lived here for so many years, I often meet friends or acquaintances from church in the store. Recently, talking to an associate from my children’s school days, I learned that a favorite place — The International Market — in Oahu had closed. Hearing that it closed made me sad. My husband, son, and I have spent many happy times there. Looking it up on the internet, I learned that it is being rebuilt and will open in August of 2016.

I usually check out the magazines when I’m in the store. Often they stay in the store but sometimes they wander home with me. Since I’m still trying to lose weight, that is a subject that catches my eye. Recently I saw an article on a drink that is made from dandelion tea, cranberry juice and lemon juice. That magazine actually made it home and I’m happy to report that my weight has gone down a pound or two. I’m sodium sensitive and the ingredients are not only healthy but helpful to my body. In fact, I had to make a run to a store to pick up more dandelion tea.

Although I watch television, I’m rather selective in the programs I watch. I LOVE musical programs and almost missed one of my favorite award shows. Thankfully, the new Woman’s World magazine had an announcement that it was coming.

Since I don’t trust my memory, when I find an article that I find helpful, I cut it out and put it in a binder. Recently I told a friend about a herb that I have found helpful. Looking through my binder I found two articles on the herb, one from 2013 and the second, from 2014. Both were written by well known universities. In fact, One was Swedish.

I seem to be having a Swedish week. First, a friend gave me a lovely Swedish musical doll. Next I found the two articles, one from a Swedish university. Then a cookbook I sent for finally arrived. The chef grew up in Sweden and references many Swedish customs and foods. Of course, since I lived with my Swedish paternal grandmother for a few years, the Swedish food is very familiar to me. It helps to explain some of my love for some foods.

I have to admit, besides my father who is a full blooded Swede — I have many Swedish friends in high places. My paternal grandmother had eleven children.

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FOREWARNED

May 23, 2015

First I received an e-mail from the place Robin received her obedience training warning about a flu outbreak. They were closing and disinfecting the place. Then I heard a report on the television that an influenza was hitting the dog community. I called our vet and learned that I now needed to make an appointment instead of just appearing at the office. There were no appointments available for that day. But I also learned that Robin’s kennel cough shot was still in affect. No worries or so I thought.

A week later Robin was coughing at night. She had been very lovable that day. When she was still coughing the next morning I picked up the phone and made an appointment. As soon as I made the appointment she stopped coughing. We were invited into the vet’s office via the rear door — a protection against the flu.

She DID NOT LIKE having her temperature taken but thankfully her lungs were clear. Robin had a low fever and received pills: cough drops — every 8 hours for five days. She also received an antibiotic — every 12 hours for seven days The news has since reported that the dog flu is from over seas and more than 1000 dogs are affected. Now it is spreading to the cat population. The news said that the kennel cough vaccine does not prevent the animal from getting the flu but it should be a milder case. The dog beach and dog parks are empty. I was concerned that whatever Robin had made the three dogs we saw the day before sick but they are all fine. Whether she had the dog flu and fought it off or picked up a cough from us — she is better now.

We postponed going to the camper on a lovely weekend — I didn’t want to give her medication to protect her from fleas, ticks and ringworm when she was on the antibiotics.

Robin LOVES to run with other four footed friends at the beach. She LOVES to play with other dogs. She IS NOT a people person. I can easily state that SHE IS NOT LIKE ANY OTHER DOG WE HAVE EVER HAD. At first, they recommended staying away from the dog parks for two weeks but it doesn’t sound like the flu is running its course. The weather is warming up, I hope we don’t need a freeze to kill the germ. I’m ready for SPRING!

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ELEVATOR POSSESSED

May 16, 2015

Step by step : First step — my husband made an appointment with an optometrist, his eyes were burning and tearing when he read for a long time. He learned that he needed glasses, that although he had cataracts they weren’t too bad and his retina was disintegrating. Eye sight is important — you don’t want to lose it.

Second step — we made an appointment with our primary doctor. We learned that my husband’s blood sugar over a three month period was still too high, an adjustment to his insulin was needed. Thankfully, his diabetes hadn’t affected his eyes. We also received a referral to a Retina specialist. I learned after an examination, that our doctor determined that the pain in my back was probably caused by a muscle. Another incentive to lose weight.

Third step — I made an appointment with the retina specialist. On a shopping trip we located the Dr.’s office so we wouldn’t get lost. We left early enough to arrive ahead of time, in case there was paperwork to fill out.

Fourth step — we located the doctor’s office on the building sign and determined it was on the third floor. We pressed the elevator for up, when it arrived — we pressed the button for the third floor. We descended into the basement. We pressed the button for the third floor. We stopped at one. We pressed the button for the third floor. We DESCENDED to the basement. We pressed the button for the third floor, we ascended to the fourth. When the elevator door opened, WE GOT OFF AND WALKED DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS. Arriving at office 333, the sign on the door read Diamond Health services. ??? The person at the desk said the doctor had relocated and took us down to the building rental office via elevator. We learned the doctor relocated two years ago — to Oakbrook. ?? We had been early, but Oakbrook was easily a 45 minute drive. There is no way we would have arrived close to the time of his appointment.

Thankfully I had brought the information our primary doctor had given us that had the phone number on it. When I phoned, I learned that they had relocated to a hospital that was only a fifteen minute drive from our location. I knew exactly where the hospital was since the vascular surgeon that had healed my leg was located there. We exited the building by WALKING DOWN the stairs.

Last step — after an examination, the doctor determined that my husband didn’t need treatment for his retina at this time. We have another appointment in six months. NEXT TIME we are going to a new doctor, I WILL TRY TO REMEMBER to confirm the address.

Was the elevator possessed or was it only trying to tell us we were at the wrong place? Good question — no answer.

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SWIM SUIT

May 9, 2015

I would give up if I wasn’t so stubborn. That is something else I got from the Swedish side. My father received a statue when he was young of a boy pulling a goat. It is one of my prized possessions. Who was more stubborn — the boy or the goat? I don’t know but his daughter comes in close.

I exercise, I walk, I watch what I eat, I write down what I eat and the scale stays STUCK! Recently I pulled out and tried on my bathing suits. Eventually summer is coming. When it does — all of the bathing suits in the stores that I would be able to wear will be gone. I HATE TO TRY ON NEW SUITS! But I love to go in the pool weather permitting. When I had the ulcer on my leg I couldn’t go in the water for over five years. Thankfully, with the help of my sexy socks, my legs are healed. SUMMER — SWIMMING — let the hunt for a suit begin.

I had a 20% off coupon from a store. Their clothes are more expensive but well made. I have purchased swim suits from them before. The coupon was ending that day so I went and I looked at the prices and I looked at the selection and I pulled a few suits to try on — one a two piece.

The two piece didn’t fit right — it would be perfect for sun bathing but I don’t sun bath — I swim or pretend to. I have to admit that my swimming is laughable but I can make it across the pool — I stay were my feet can touch the bottom. Then I remembered that the two piece bubbled up in the hot tub, I love the hot tub if one is available.

I still had three suits to try on. Of course, the one I liked the best was almost $100. I don’t like to spend that much money for a suit. I put them all back and wandered the store but I came back and picked up the best one. When I approached the clerk I told her that I wasn’t sure I was buying it — but she said it was on sale and I had my coupon. I now have a new suit that fits me NOW, that I can swim in. Maybe, with any luck, by the time summer comes, it will fit me better!

I decided to have smoothies for breakfast. Continue on or amp up my exercise. My back still hurts when I’m standing too long. The doctor told me the pain is from a muscle — not my sciatic nerve. It is not my spine nor my hip, if it is a muscle — if I can get rid of some of my belly, maybe I can get rid of the pain.

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GRAMS BIRTHDAY

May 2, 2015

I lived with my father’s mother for quite a few years when I was young. She probably has had the most influence on my cooking habits — health and long life probably came from her also.

My grandmother was of Swedish decent, mother of eleven children and excellent cook. Since she had such a large family, she knew how to stretch her money and had a dry humor. I have since learned that she earned money sewing beads and sequins on fabric. (That must be where another of my interests comes from.) She passed over at the young age of 91.

Recently I published the thought ramble GRANDMOTHER to honor her on her birthday. That particular day I was shopping with a friend — girls day out. We met for breakfast at Gramma Sally’s, then proceeded to Wal-Mart for a bit of shopping. I had my list, for a change I was prepared. (Don’t laugh!) I really didn’t have a lot of stuff to purchase so I wandered the food aisles. I was surprised when I found a box of no-sodium beef bouillon. Since I eat a sodium restricted diet it was A LOVELY find. It wasn’t with the soups, it was with the sugar. There is NO WAY I would have found it. I must admit I bought three boxes.

It was a day when I left my mind at home. I left home without checking my wallet for cash. I wandered the store, checking my list — everything listed was in my cart, or if not, purposely not purchased. I felt something was missing, but I couldn’t remember what it was.

Walking through the parking lot, with my loaded cart, I remembered — I forgot to check the clearance aisle for miniature planes. My granddaughter mentioned she liked them too when I gave a set to her brother.

My friend suggested I go back to the store and look. She was happy to wait in the car. So I did. I wandered the clearance aisle, searching from top to bottom, all the items that were on the three shelves. I searched from North to South. On the other side, a clerk was stacking more items on the shelf. I asked if she has seen the planes. I asked if she had any planes in her cart. Both answers were negative. I proceeded to search the opposite side of the aisle, South to North, three shelves with more stuff hanging from posts. I was about to give up when I saw THREE packages of planes, marked down to five dollars each on the last post in the aisle. All THREE were MINE! I decided that $15 wasn’t too much to spend for something that I knew my grandkids would enjoy. Imagine my surprise when the grand total for the purchase of all three packages was $4.92. THANK YOU GRAMMA!

My plans for the grocery store was very limited since my freezer is stocked. I wanted some catfish until I saw they were on sale and one bag became two. Then I notice if I spent $25, I would get a ham butt for .69 a pound. That was too good a deal to pass up. All I had to do was find another $6 of food to buy, but it couldn’t be frozen or need freezing. There was no room. I had a challenge — I MET IT!

Did I mention that I said THANK YOU again.

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EDITED

April 25, 2015

Was I angry? Good question — No, I laughed. So now I’m sure you are wondering what I’m writing about. When I visited the post office, the clerk’s and my conversation revolved around how “my friends in high places” communicated with me. We spoke of flickering lights, trouble with the phone and computer problems. When I arrived home, I wrote POST OFFICE, followed by SMOOTHIE. I try to keep the ramble to around 500 words and I was already over my self imposed limit. Writing SMOOTHIE, I had another thought that I decided to share. I save all of my rambles on a external hard drive — except SMOOTHIE got stuck in a loop — refused to be saved and impossible to get the original screen back. I’m not sure how I solved the problem, it was probably a time when I kept trying various methods until something worked. When SMOOTHIE appeared on the screen, it was missing the last paragraph. AND I UNDERSTOOD that the thought shouldn’t be shared and laughed.

I first experienced my “editor” when I was writing TO PAP,WITH LOVE. I had TROUBLE — sentences disappeared, I watched words disappear like the computer game Pac Man that ate stuff. Whole paragraphs disappeared when the computer locked. I had trouble printing a chapter — I thought I hadn’t written it well and tried to improve the writing. The trouble finally stopped when I realized it wasn’t in the writing — we had been given the present of a beautiful day. Lesson learned and REMEMBERED.

AND MY “EDITORS” ARE STILL WITH ME!

I thought SACRED SPACE was a limited time but I’m wondering if it is continuing. My grandson’s birthday is approaching as is the anniversary of my maternal grandmother’s birthday. Shopping with a friend yesterday, I found a dime laying by the trunk closure, not inside the trunk on the floor bed, but in the ridge of the weather striping.

I discovered a brand new mystery book by a favorite author at half price. I was unaware that she had a new book coming out. I found slippers that I thought were on sale for $7, for which I was charged $3 on my sales slip. I found a couple of presents for my grandchildren in the clearance section. Summer is approaching and their toys at the camper haven’t kept up with their age. Sitting waiting for a friend, an elderly woman sat down to rest next to me. She mentioned that she was just released from the hospital and being curious, I inquired to the reason. Learning that sugar was a factor, I shared our success with Dream Fields spaghetti helping to control my husband’s diabetes.

I KNOW that “my editors” are paying attention. So now I have a new question. Recently I have received many ideas to write about. Is my life getting busier and I’ll have less time to write? Or should I publish more often? Many questions — no immediate answers.

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