In A Nutshell...A Little Nutshell

Just to update everyone...(and believe me this is putting it into very short notes)

• We left Georgia Tuesday morning and spent the night in Marion, Illinois
• We left Marion and spent the night in Hays, Kansas Wednesday evening
• We left Hays and made it all the way to Casper Thursday evening
• We got our house keys today, met the new landlord and one of our new neighbors, Dave
• I took my "pee test" and passed with flying colors so now I am officially an employee of Navarro Research and Engineering starting on Monday morning.
• Corey and Ryan are due in this evening and may actually arrive about the same time!

I got all the utilities in our name, but the cable, phone and internet won't be up until the 8th!!! What will I do?!?!?!

It has been snowing off and on here today. In fact, the snow has stuck to the parking lot here at the hotel. It will be interesting seeing B.J.'s real reaction in the morning when he sees it in the daylight.

Thanks for all the prayers from everyone. We cannot complain one iota about the trip out here. It has all gone so well for us. I do miss what I had, but life is an adventure from now on.

BTW...I Failed To Mention

Before literally dragging myself off to bed, I failed to mention that with all this moving stuff going on that I was released as the Gospel Doctrine Teacher last week. Waahoo! However, I was "asked" (yeah right, "asked", more like commanded, assumed I would with no backtalk, etc.), to give a talk tomorrow in Sacrament Meeting. Holy, moly - it ain't tomorrow no more - it's now today!!!

Anyway, you try packing all week long and fitting in time for talk preparation. We could have the world's shortest Sacrament Meeting tomorrow. Then Joe and I can come home and finish packing.

Seriously though, when I sat down to put pen to paper, I found the perfect thought for my talk that was given by Thomas S. Monson at the October conference. I will, of course, be expanding on what he said, but it struck just the perfect cord for me. So, here in it's abbreviated form...

"One of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth is change. At one time or another we’ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant as change.” I, on the other hand, like to voice from time to time that I would like to have a normal life. That I would like to be like normal people. However, I have discovered that the only thing normal in life is the setting on a clothes dryer.

Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly.

This week I have been reflecting back on my days here in the Tifton Ward...
1965 while visiting grandparents
Expansion of chapel - branch to ward
Newly wed married by Bishop Flanders (Pictures)
Various callings
New mother
Divorce
New marriage
People who have been born and died

Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now. Sign in bathroom - Blest is the man who finds joy in the journey.

If you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly. Dad’s saying…100 years from now, you’ll never know the difference.

Les’ death - missing out on opportunities with Corey and Derek

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.

Grateful for friends and family that have supported me in my lifetime.

A friend gave me a little plaque one day which said…
“When one door closes, another opens; (but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us).” Alexander Graham Bell

Gratitude for:
Power of prayer
Priesthood blessings
Principle of tithing
Opportunities to serve
Compassionate service of friends

I hope that my neighbors will look upon me as a good example of the Church and what it means to be a good person.

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows.

So there is my talk in a nutshell. Hopefully, my mind will be fresh and alert (yeah, right - fat chance) and I can say things that keep coming to my mind.
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I am going to request that we sing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" as that was always sung at our little branch in Japan when it was the last Sunday for a family and brings back wonderful memories for me.

Day 3...And Counting

Yes, I know I missed Day 4...And Counting. However, there just wasn't enough time yesterday to do everything that needed to get done and posting a blog wasn't going to happen.

It was another crazy day of packing more things and then running errands in the afternoon before I went to Valdosta. Valdosta? Yep, some of the ladies who used to be on my Air Force Project wanted to take me to dinner one last time, therefore, that was the reason for skipping town. It was really wonderful to see the girls. Some of them I had not seen in over a year and it was a get together for them as well. It was a great evening of fellowshipping and being able to relieve shared experiences. Besides buying my dinner, they also presented me with a card and cash for the upcoming trip. More importantly though to me was their expressing what a difference I'd made in their lives. But, I am the lucky one for having had the opportunity of working with them and getting to know them.

Present at the dinner was Yvette, Norma, Clarissa, Kim and Evelyn from the AFQFCC program.

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As far as today...it was an "ugly" day. I put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt, I think I brushed my hair, ran around barefoot and had people coming and going all day long taking things out. I am so tired of packing and feel as though I could sleep ALL DAY LONG!!! I do appreciate everyone though that has come and helped us get ready for the move even if it's been taking things you may not want or need.

This evening the Ritchie family provided dinner for us and it was so wonderful! I can't remember when dinner was more appreciated and more desired than tonight. Kristina did an awesome dinner, complete with more "Ritchie Rolls" and we certainly appreciated Glen delivering it to us with his two little helpers. Aren't friends wonderful?

Day 5...And Counting

My morning started off with a visit to the doctor's office. I had two cortisone shots - one in each knee and had to have fluid drained from my right knee first. It's amazing how I realize that my breathing virtually stops when I am receiving a shot and I also realized that me right leg could have doubled for a park bench as it was straight and rigid. However, the doctor did such as FANTASTICAL job giving me the shots and doing the draining that it was the best non-hurting cortisone shot (maybe any shot) ever given to me. I just had to give him a kiss on the cheek when he finished!

It feels as though we are finally making some progress in the house. I basically got the office packed up today and now there is a slight echo since all the acoustical materials have been removed off the wall. No more shelves, no more loaded shelves, no pictures, etc. Then I started on cleaning out furniture in the bedroom this evening as a couple of pieces of furniture are leaving tomorrow.

Just so you know, in case you have to do it someday, packing up and moving is very, very stressful. It just seems that Joe and I don't have fun any more. We don't laugh any more. There doesn't seem to be time or energy to do it and I know this needs to change. Maybe the drive out west will help. Maybe it will help restore our fun sides. I hope so, just so we can enjoy each others company again like we should and do.

Day 6...And Counting

Today was the day that Joe was supposed to have his "tummy worm" removed. The doctor's office called before 10:30 this morning to let us know that the doctor was running late. The appointment was rescheduled for 2:30 p.m. We stopped packing, got ready and made the trip into town. After waiting for over an hour, Joe was finally seen by the doctor. However, they'd only wanted to check his healing around the catheter and had no plans at all to remove it today. Somewhere (over some 6 weeks ago) someone had definite miscommunication problems by telling Joe the surgery would take place today. So, we'll have to wait until we move and find a doctor there who can do the surgery. Goody, goody!!!

I woke up this morning with a terrific headache. I think it was just thinking about all the continued packing and sorting that had to get done today. I think the items are procreating while Joe and I are sleeping!!! I know LOTS of things have left this house, but it doesn't seem like we're making too much progress. I also got the entire office cleared and cleaned out today. Tomorrow should finish that and then it's on to the bedroom so that pieces of furniture there can be taken out on Friday.

Nikki calls me a couple of times each day to check on my progress since she's doing the same thing - moving this week. We try to outdo each other as to who has it worse. She seems to win when she throws in the "I've got a baby to care for while packing" sympathy angle. I use the "been living here 30 years and only have 13 days total to pull this all together" approach. I think we both come out about even. Just think, we'll both have new homes to show off when we visit later on.

On the job front, no changes on my new job. However, I did get a phone call from the University of Wyoming in Laramie wanting me to interview for a job. So sorry, but I missed out on that one. It would have been a great job too, but I didn't really want to move to Laramie.

Time to partake in some body rejuvenating time with the anticipation of more packing tomorrow.

Day 7...And Counting

Well it's almost to the end of another day for me and I really don't feel that much progress has been made today. That's really sad and bad since we'll be gone by this time next week. I need a whole day home by myself and I think I could make a lot of progress...good luck on that one Carol!!! We did go have lunch with Mom and Dad today at The Wall, along with the missionaries, the Bishopric and Sister Bishop and other family members. It was bittersweet since that may have been the last time to eat with Mom and Dad for awhile. I hugged Katie and Chaing goodbye when we left. They've always been so sweet to us by sending a container of Mei Fun home when we went home.

I'll be taking Joe to the doctor tomorrow for his removal of the catheter tomorrow morning and that will impede progress again. I'm planning on taking Joe to Mom and Dad's to keep him out of the way for awhile at least.

It seems that I spent most of the day sorting through things. That is very time consuming but since we may be limited on space, I don't want to take more than necessary. I went through some of Corey's things that had been stored in the attic - Boy Scout items, old t-shirts, Legos, Teddy Ruxpin (but he won't be going since his mouth fell off), etc. Then there was an old box full of things of mine primarily from the 70's - old checks and statements, old love letters to Les, pictures of family members who look much, much younger, pictures of old boyfriends, etc. Lots of these things will great blogs some time in the future.

The Ritchie's came by tonight and brought some homemade cinnamon rolls and "Ritchie Rolls". Thank you! The were soooo good.

Oh, I also received an email from my future boss lady. I share it with you ...

Carol,
Looking forward to having you...provided you pass all the details with flying colors!
Bring warm clothes! You may need them by Dec. 1, but it is close to 60 out here today! (this is unusual!)

Once I get confirmation that you passed from Corporate - I will meet you at 5:30 a.m. in the Cottonwood Parking Lot on Monday, December 1, 2008. You will see all our pick ups backed into a line in the parking lot area. There will be others around that meet there too. Just ask for me or Kevin Cannon, whom you met, if you arrive before I do.

You can ride with me that day to the field. Hope you have a 4 wheel or all wheel drive vehicle however, as I do not always go to the field due to meetings, etc. so as we discussed during your interview you may have to drive yourself on numerous occasions. I have 2 other employees who go to the field as well so carpooling is always an option - provided they don’t have meetings back in town too. We always know each other’s schedule so this won’t be a hard thing to accomplish.
Thanks and have a safe trip to your new home!

If you have any questions, just call my office cell.

You know what this means?!?! I'll be getting up at 4:00 a.m. to go to work every morning. Now I know why we only work four days a week. But hey, just think of the fun, exciting work.

BTW - Georgia is having sympathy pains for us since we're moving to cold and windy Wyoming. It's doing the same thing here today and the temperature is supposed to drop to about 24 degrees tonight. Brrrrr!

Day 8...And Counting

I've come to the absolute conclusion that I am old!!!! I'm so sore and can't seem to move very fast these days. Hmmmm, maybe it has something to do with climbing up and down attic steps and carrying, moving, pushing and dragging items all around the house? I know I sleep very well until I wake up and then start thinking of all the things that need to be done.

I did have a pleasant visit with an old friend today while running errands. I needed to go by my attorney's office for some unfinished business and saw Render for the first time in awhile. That's good when you don't need to see your attorney, but bad because he is such a sweetie. I remember the first time I met him. I walked into his office after being referred to him by a friend and he handled my divorce from Les. When I first laid eyes on him I just knew he was not old enough to be an attorney and he looked just like a Mormon missionary. However, he proved to be very qualified to handle my legal matters and I grew to love him. One day he mentioned he was looking for someone to care for his young children and that's when I recommended Helen and the rest is history. She became almost a member of their family even after she became pregnant. Then when Nikki moved to town she needed a job and wound up working for Render. And other members of my family used him for legal matters and consequently he got to know my family VERY WELL! Poor man. Anyway, it was great visiting with him today and we discovered he too has a blogspot and I've plugged him in to ours.

Though more items left the house today, it doesn't seem like we're making too much headway packing up. It will truly be a miracle to get this all taken care of in time. We went by today to look at the size of the truck we've rented and we may have to attach a trailer to the truck! People have come and gone today with trucks loaded down or trailers strapped with goodies.

Our sweet neighbor, Ann Johnson, took Joe and I to dinner tonight. She has been my neighbor since I moved here as a new bride and is like a member of my family. She made the comment tonight that we won't be here to go look at the Christmas lights together this year. In recent years, we've made it a tradition to get Mom and the four of us together (remember Joe) to go exploring and looking at the lights. The funnest time we had was the year Corey took us. (That's a whole different story for another time). Ann still talks about that night/morning adventure. I am really going to miss her as I know she will miss us.

The best thing today though was receiving written confirmation that I have indeed been hired for the job in Casper. I was beginning to doubt if I had actually been hired since I saw nothing in writing. Yeah!!!! And, the house is supposed to be ready and waiting for us upon our arrival next week. Here's hoping all continues to go smoothly.

Kudos To Friends and Family

Because of the move, we are doing MAJOR reduction of items we have in our home. If it were up to Joe we'd be doing much, much more but, that ain't happening. He's telling everyone that all he's allowed to take is what fits inside a sandwich bag. Sounds good to me!

Anyway, we've lost furniture of all types; 20+ years of accumulated child care items; antiques of all kinds; books - novels, cookbooks, church books, research, magazines; all my craft supplies; and items that I never expect to ever accumulate in my life time. I've been very selective about many of the items and where they are going. It's almost like I've been adopting out these items to people to who they would be compatible. I know that may sound strange, but I want comfort in knowing that they would be appreciated as much as I've enjoyed them. Shelves have disappeared that used to cover the walls of my office and the front room and now the rooms seem larger and there is the beginning sound of an echo. Floors that use to be visible have disappeared from stacks of boxes and containers and now they seem smaller. You don't dare walk around in the house in the dark for fear of breaking some body part.

It seems strange to be packing food also. After all there are grocery stores in Casper. But we've worked long and hard on achieving what food storage we've accumulated and how do you not take that with you? There is the planning of the last day to wash clothes, to plan a meal, to take down the shower curtain and the list goes on and on. My advice...never live in a house for 30 years and then try to move. And, if you have to, don't wait until you are too tired with sore, hurting knees and legs to do so!

But were it not for the help of dear friends, it would be so much harder to do. And, it's a wonderful thing to find out who your true friends are because they are the ones who won't take your refusal of help seriously. They are the ones who show up and take time out of their busy weekend and spend it with you for no other reason than they love you. Thanks to those friends.

Day 9...And Counting

I know what you're thinking...what happened to Day 10 and 11? Well, we moved things up a little bit and are trying to be ready to leave Georgia on Tuesday the 25th. So, we've had to accelerate things a bit and work faster and longer.

We did go to church this morning where I taught my last Gospel Doctrine class in the Tifton Ward. I also unloaded lots of good junk onto other peoples. Items like old Homemaking binders I had put together while in the Relief Society presidency, some Primary books I had and Joe's deer head which he donated to Darrell Spikes for his hunting cabin. Then we went got something to eat, changed clothes and called Janice and Rob Patrick who came out and helped us again today. They came out yesterday and spent several hours helping to take everything off the walls and bringing things down from the attic. To say they were a godsend would be an understatement. We've been very fortunate to have had offers of help from several of our friends.

Things are slowly disappearing from the house either as trash or give-a-ways. Too bad we didn't have the time for a yard sale as we could have made some great money. However, there just isn't enough time to do everything I would love to do and time to visit everyone I'd love to see.

Tonight will be an earlier evening for me though not as early as last night. I can't stay up long as we have people to see and places to go tomorrow morning. Then it's back to the salt mines again.

Since Joe had his bishopric meeting this morning it was getting up at 5:30 a.m. (my body is still working on MST too). I then went to Mom and Dad's as I usually do, spend time chatting with them and then take them to church. I realized this morning that I would only have one more opportunity to do so before leaving and it made me feel quite teary-eyed. No longer would I be able to do that one little simple thing for them any longer.

Eileen spoke in Sacrament Meeting today and gave a very moving talk. She spoke of her love of family and the gospel interspersed with humor and humility. She is one outstanding young woman and Nancy is certainly blessed to have her as a daughter-in-law as we are to have her in our family.

Pure and simple...I'm just way too t-r-d to do a post tonight. I'm going to bed even though it is not even 8:00 pm. (Hopefully no one will call after I have put earplugs in my ears. I would have already been in bed except I procrastinated doing my Sunday School lesson). zzzzzzzzzzz

A Wyoming Sunset

This was a sunset I experienced while traveling down the road at 80 mph. The only thing that would have made it better was sharing it with someone special.

Day 12...and counting

What a day! I've got swollen feet the size of basketballs and my legs feel like wooden logs. We only made two trips to town today and the rest of the day was spent packing.

Our house is beginning to seem as though we have a revolving door. We've had a variety of people coming and going to pick up items that we've been giving away. That has been good and bad. Bad because if the items haven't been cleaned off or out, I have to stop and handle that particular project. Good because that means that is one less thing I have to worry about. It's been hard though watching pieces of my life walk out the door with someone else. Sometimes we are selling things for such ridiculous prices just so we can get rid of them as we won't and don't and can't take them with us.

I did manage to get all my Lakeshore workshops put in their suitcases today and will call and have UPS pick them up and send them to California next week. That's another thing I can mark off my list.

Timothy

On my way back from the Jacksonville Airport the other day, I had to go through Waycross. Every time I go through Waycross, I have to stop and visit Timothy's grave.

As I stood there, I realized that that might be the last time I ever had that chance so it was very special to me. But then, Timothy was a very special baby and taught his Aunt Carol many things about life and death and I will be eternally grateful for that.

Weird Snow Day

While in Wyoming during the job hunting days, I came out one morning and this is what I found on my car - snow. Not lots, but snow nevertheless.

This is what it looked like watching the next snowstorm blow in...

This is what the snow looked like being thrown up from the road. This was the weird snow. It was like vermiculite that you find in potting soil. It was more like miniature snowballs that would bounce when they hit something and wasn't really cold.

Bathtime With Derek

On a recent trip to visit with the kids, I got to see, for the first time, Derek enjoying his bathtime...

He would make Grandpa Joe happy too. Did you notice Derek playing basketball while in the bathtub? Go Indiana University!!!

The Christmas Cactus

When I got married in 1978 and moved from Atlanta to a house in Brookfield, my mom gave me a cutting from one of her Christmas Cactuses (cacti, I know). She always had beautiful plants that always bloomed and they were large and overflowing from their pots. I think these were plants that had belonged to her mother or at least grown from cuttings. I'm terrible at growing real plants, but Mom assured me this would be a cinch - I'd have no problems.

So, she gave me a cutting. I placed it in a bottle so that it would root and it did. Little shoots started appearing. Later I transferred it to a glass container with a little potting soil and it continued to grow! However it would never, ever bloom. Could it be because the poor plant almost died at times for lack of water and neglect?

When Corey and Nikki got married, I decided to start a rooting for them just like my mom had done for me. Then they moved and the cutting never went with them and I felt sad that I hadn't been able to share this gift from my mom. The Christmas Cactus has been growing and flourishing since I placed it in my bathroom several months ago where it was easy to remember to water it. While in there today, I noticed it and thought about the story behind the plant.

I realize this plant isn't a big deal to probably anyone else, but to me it binds me in a small way to my mom...the mom who loved her plants, just like her mother did. This was the mom who had a green thumb and could make any plant grow. Sadly, Mom hasn't been had the interest or desire or understanding to care for plants anymore and I think most of them have been given away.

So, when I think of that plant, I think of my mom. Maybe one day I'll get lucky and have a blooming Christmas Cactus just like Mom did.

Day 13...and counting

It's been an exceedingly long day. I have the feeling that this is the beginning of many exceedingly long days. It's amazing the amount of things that start popping into your head that needs to be done before moving. I start thinking about the people I need to call to say goodbye. I start thinking about the people I need to see to say goodbye. I start to think of all the businesses that I'll need to contact to discontinue service. And it goes on and on. Standing in the shower is the worse time. I've always done my best thinking in the shower and I've found that I've needed to speed up my showers because I'm thinking waaaay too much!

Let's see what we got accomplished today:

• Got Joe a "store bought" haircut
• Dropped "goodies" off at Mom and Dad's (one mans junk is another mans treasure)
• Went by the post office to mail our deposit for new home in Casper
• Went by Social Security office for some paperwork for Joe
• Went by Wal-Mart for medicines and packing tape
• Next door neighbor came over to check our possible furniture purchases
• Called friends and family to schedule pickup of additional "goodies".

Unfortunately, that wasn't everything on my list, but then there's always tomorrow.

It's Official - Wyoming Or Bust!

Yes, today it became official that Joe and I and the furry kids will be the newest citizens of Casper, Wyoming. I received a phone call today from Navarro Research and Engineering which is affiliated with Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing telling me I was hired. Waa hoo! I am going to be gainfully employed AGAIN!!!

This is all connected somehow to the Department of Energy. This is an actual picture of the oilfield where wells have been drilled.















And, this is a google shot showing the actual Teapot Dome oil field. Can you see my office? What?!?! It's right there. I can see it.


This is going to be me taking my 15 minute hot chocolate break in the warm sunshine in a month or so! When I stop and think about it, I start to laugh thinking about what I am about to do. I visualize myself standing butt deep in snow while the wind blows 40 mph in the middle of a Wyoming oilfield. And, I'm leaving the warm sunny South for this fun adventure.

So that you can plan your vacations accordingly, we will be just 6 hours to Yellowstone National Park; 2 hours into Nebraska; 4 hours from Denver, 2 1/2 hours to South Dakota; 2 hours to Montana; 5 hours to Utah; 6 hours to Idaho and lots of other fun and exciting places to explore. Remember, outta sight doesn't have to mean outta mind!

The Job I Could Have Had

The job that I could have was that of a sheepherder. Seriously. The pay was $650 dollars per month, but you also received room and board. The room and board was in a sheepherder's wagon as shown in the picture. I would also have a horse or two. After all, something has to pull the wagon and you need some way to herd the sheep.

Couldn't you just see me, Joe and the dogs living together in the wagon out in the Wyoming mountains or plains? Think of all the alone time we'd have. Think of all the quiet other than the bleating of the sheep. Think how much weight we'd lose since you just couldn't order out for pizza or pop into some local restaurant. Think of all the money we could save. Wow, it's beginning to sound better and better. I just wonder how we'd get Joe's monthly disability delivered.

The main responsibilities of the job involved driving the sheep from the high country to the low country since winter is coming on. You also had to be on the lookout for those whiley coyotes who love mutton meat. Hey, there's another benefit of the job...I could brush up on my shooting skills.

Couldn't you see Joe cooking dinner over the open fire with the furry kids romping around irritating the sheep? Couldn't you see all of romping around in the great outdoors? Who am I kidding...why do you think I didn't pursue this job?!?!?

The Prodigal Wife and Daughter Almost Returns

When I left Denver International Airport this morning, it was another clear cold day with no snow. Snow had been in the forecast for several days, but I suppose since I was in town Mother Nature decided to hold off - again.

I stayed in a Microtel Hotel near the airport last night. That was an experience. The room was nice, don't get me wrong it was just very, very small. It was just big enough for one person. If I'd had to stay in a room like that for too long a period, it might have driven me crazy. Hence the name Microtel as in Micromini Motel.

No problems with the flights though today. I still am awed about flying even after all the flights I've taken. I just don't see how a plane can fly loaded down with all those people and luggage and the pilot sits way up at the front. It just doesn't seem possible. And, I still thrill sitting on the runway and listening to the engines rev up just before we taxi. It is such an exhilarating feeling.

On the job front - I got a phone call from the oil field company. They are emailing me paperwork and other information the want from me. So, I'm still in the running for that job at this time. And, tomorrow I have my phone interview with the lawyers in Laramie in the morning.

As much as I love travel and adventure, I am so looking forward to being home tomorrow. I've missed Joe more than I ever thought possible and don't want to ever be away from him this long again.

Hello - Is Anyone Out There???

I won't mention any names, but it has come to my attention that there are some peoples who seem to have fallen off the blogsite radar.

I realize that some of those unnamed persons have multiple children and a husband to care for but even that is no excuse for not blogging at least once week. Don't you think that others are interested in your lives, your goings-on? You realize that you are depriving Granddaddy of one of his favorite most looked forward to things, don't you? I would say "shame, shame, shame all over you", but I won't. And yes, I confess, I enjoy reading what you guys write. I miss you!

So get off your tushes and get those fingers warmed up and get busy people!

Goodbye Wyoming - Hello Colorado

I've now left Wyoming and am sitting in my hotel room in Denver. Does that mean I won't be going back to Casper? Don't know for sure. I've gotta get home and talk to my sweetie. Why would I go back? I don't have a job and didn't leave a deposit on the little house. (The realtor was off on Fridays so we didn't make contact). But hey, I don't have a job in Georgia either and you never know when someone might come along and want our home forever. We'll just have to see what happens later on this week.

When I left Casper, it was a beautiful day. (I am still amazed at how different the cold is out west and down south). I took off for my four hour drive to Denver with me, myself and I and made some notes along the way. One of the things that I still cannot comprehend it the ginormous amount of wide open spaces. If you were to take down the telephone poles in many places, you could visualize being back in the wild, wild west. Adding to the ambiance are the old homesteads that have been left abandoned for many years.

Also dotting the landscape are oil derricks scattered amid the sagebrush. Don't know what a derrick is...An oil derrick is a drilling rig designed for use in oil and natural gas production. The basic oil derrick has an upright stationary section which is potentially capable of supporting hundreds of tons of weight, combined with a movable boom which is used to raise and lower equipment.

(The term derrick comes from Thomas Derrick, a hangman who invented a type of gallows using a movable beam and pulley system during the Elizabethan era. During his lifetime, Derrick executed over 3,000 people, many of them with his modified gallows device, and the supporting framework for his gallows came to be known as a derrick. The term was adopted to describe cranes and other lifting devices which used a similar support mechanism).

And, FYI...Early derricks consisted of a framework which was designed to hold a large pole used for percussive drilling, which is accomplished by repeatedly beating the earth to make a hole. A modern oil derrick typically uses a drill bit which is capable of biting through the substrate, and cooled with a constant slurry of mud to prevent it from getting too hot. Typically, as the drill bit sinks in, the hole is lined to prevent a cave in. Once the drill reaches the oil, it is withdrawn so that pumps and pipes can be inserted into the hole to extract it. In an area rich in oil, an oil derrick is designed to be a permanent structure, and will continue to operate for many years.

As my beady eyes are scanning the landscape on both sides of the road, what do my wandering eyes perceive???...it's an old headstone. Unfortunately, it's on the other side of the interstate and since the exits are sometimes too far apart, I couldn't turn around to go investigate. All I say was a very old headstone surrounded by a small fence along the interstate near Exit 150 N. Maybe I'll get the chance to check it out sometime. If you know me well enough, you KNOW I want to know the story behind the grave.

I saw lots of pronghorn antelopes and lots of wild horses, as well as lots of dead jackrabbits. Something fun and unusual were silhouette cutouts that people had placed on the top of some of the mountains along the side of the road. There was a running horse with a rider, a jackalope, a cowboy on horse, a buffalo, etc. They looked very real especially when there's a sitting sun behind them.

One personal observation I made was this...because of the lack of traffic, I surmise that you could pick your nose and no one would ever know it. I can also set my cruise control for about 82 mph and never hit my brakes. Gotta love it, huh?

Some of the exits are interesting also. Any exit which is not a major one heading to a city or town has cattle guards located at the bottom of each one. I realize that some people may not think this is something worth writing about, but it shows me how open and desolate some of these areas are.

I have driven through very interestingly named towns or seen them on the map. How 'bout Muddy Gap, Bar Nunn, Ten Sleep, Wheatland (guess what they grow lots of there) and today I went through the town of Chugwater. I stopped at a rest area there and found a brochure about Chugwater and here is the story of that town...

Before any white men came into the area, a Mandan chief was disabled during a tribal buffalo hunt. His son, Ahwiprie, also known as "The Dreamer", had to take charge of the hunt. He came up with a plan of driving the buffalo over the nearby cliffs, an efficient and effective hunting technique. When the buffalo hit, they made a chug-like sound, either from the impact or the bursting of their stomachs. So, the place where the buffalo were stampeded was called "water at the place where the buffalo chug" because of the stream nearby. Pretty cool, huh? The Clydesdale horses for the Budweiser Brewing company was and is bred here also.

I also saw lots of windmills. These are the kind used to pump water from farm wells for the cattle. Some of them look like they've been there forever.

So, even though you may not have been with me on my little trip today, maybe you can enjoy some of the things I saw.
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One thing I will do if we move out here is take a map and mark it showing the places where you would be able to stop and use the bathroom. Those places are few and far between and unfortunately the sagebrush is not tall enough to hide you and there are hardly any trees to hide behind either.

Belated Halloween Candy Information

I ran across this article on another blog about Halloween candy and what it says about you. Read on...Analysis says:

Butterfinger givers might be slippery; Snickers givers are dependable.

Three 3 Musketeers: Does well in groups but is somewhat pompous. Prone to fancy costumes and arcane weapons. Wears hats in public that are ill-advised. History: Created in 1932 by Mars, the candy bar got its name because it originally had three pieces in one packet: vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. Calorie count: The Fun Size (17 grams) has 71 calories.

Almond Joy: I'm going to put aside my aversion to coconut in praising these folks as happy-go-lucky. History: Introduced in 1946 by the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Co. in New Haven, Conn. It's a companion to the Mounds bar, which arrived in 1920. Calorie count: The snack size (19 grams) has 91 calories.

Bit-O-Honey: They have contradictory personalities, hoping to express generosity but also having the passive-aggressive desire to damage the fillings of trick-or-treaters. History: The honey-flavored taffy was first manufactured in 1924 by the Schutter-Johnson Co. of Chicago. It is now made by Nestle. Calorie count: The snack size (7 grams) has 26 calories.

Butterfinger: Evasive, slippery, not necessarily to be trusted. History: Invented in 1923 by the Curtiss Candy Co. of Chicago. The crunchy bar wrapped in chocolate is now made by Nestle. Calorie count: The Fun Size (21 grams) has 100 calories.

Candy Corn: Purely deluded people. They don't get that candy shouldn't attempt to imitate other food groups, particularly corn. History: Invented in the 1880s, it was first manufactured commercially by the Wunderle Candy Co. in Philadelphia and by the turn of the century at the Herman Goelitz Candy Co. in Cincinnati.Calorie count: A serving of 22 pieces (40 grams) has 140 calories.

Good & Plenty: Optimistic, perhaps overly so; acquainted with the bitterness at the center of most lives. History: The licorice candy was first produced in 1893 by the Quaker City Confectionery Co. in Philadelphia and is considered the oldest branded candy in the country. Calorie count: A serving of 33 pieces (39 grams) has 140 calories, or 4.2 calories per piece.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Generous souls. Those who understand the salty in life, as well as the sweet. History: Created by Harry Burnett Reese in the 1920s. Reese was a former dairy employee of Milton Hershey, founder of the Hershey Co. In 1963, the Reese candy company was sold to Hershey for $23.5 million. Calorie count: A one-cup package (17 grams) has 88 calories.

Snickers: Just going with the crowd, the safe candy choice, guaranteed to please the masses. Not ambitious, but dependable. History: Created in 1930 by Mars, Snickers bars sold for a nickel. The Fun Size was introduced in 1968. Calorie count: The Fun Size (15 grams) has 72 calories.

Twix: Both brittle and supple in social situations; sort of trapped between personality types. History: A Mars product, caramel-and-cookie Twix bars were created in the United Kingdom in 1967 but weren't sold in the United States until 1979. Calorie count: The Fun Size (15 grams) has 80 calories.

Twizzlers: Sickos. Truly demented. Plastic people living plastic lives. History: The Twizzlers brand was introduced in 1929. The red licorice strips are manufactured by Y&S Candies, a company established in 1845 that is now a Hershey subsidiary. Calorie count: One package (70 grams) has 240 calories.

So which one is your favorite? I personally love Reese's and Snickers.

Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

Wow, is this a great holiday or what?!?!?! Lucky you....lucky me...lucky us!
Chocolate is a vegetable (and I've been craving vegetables) made from cocoa beans. Almonds are good for you - they help to improve your cholesterol levels. So, bittersweet chocolate with almonds is good for you, right!? On this special day, we will not question this logic...will you?

One good thing about sitting in a hotel room is that you can't just get up, wander over to your refrigerator and graze for something. I have been having a slight craving for some chocolate though and didn't know what I was going to do. I'm sitting around in my undersquare chillin(to say it's chilly outside would be an understatement at this time. The wind chill got to 12 degrees last night and the wind has been blowing 450 mph today) and watching TV, so getting dressed and going somewhere for chocolate just was gonna be too much trouble. Fortunately for me though, I remembered a small Hershey bar I got somewhere for Halloween. It's been riding around in my purse for the last week. So yes, I ate it. However, it wasn't large enough or had nuts either. But beggars can't be choosers though. Hey, did you know that chocolate is said to cure all things, including depression. That's it, I'm missing Joe bunches and am feeling slightly depressed. I knew I needed some chocolate.

Then I decided to blog and found out that today is really Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day! Is that kismet or what? Now I know the reason for my chocolate craving. I apparently am so in contact with the flow of the universe that my body can sense it. However, I guess I will now have to settle for the picture of the chocolate with chopped almonds.

Recognizing Answers to Prayer By Elder Richard G. Scott Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

When one is caught in a whirlpool of emotion, it is difficult to find a way out alone. When answers to urgent prayer don’t seem to come, it can be that we don’t understand some truths about prayer, or because we don’t recognize answers when they come.

Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed gloriously. Some face life with only their own experience and capacity to help them. Others seek, through prayer, divine inspiration to know what to do. When required, they qualify for power beyond their own capacity to do it.

Communication with our Father in Heaven is not a trivial matter. It is a sacred privilege. It is based upon unchanging principles. When we receive help from our Father in Heaven, it is in response to faith, obedience, and the proper use of agency.

It is a mistake to assume that every prayer we offer will be answered immediately. Some prayers require considerable effort on our part. True, sometimes impressions come when we have not specifically sought them. They generally concern something we need to know and are not otherwise able to find out.

God Hears Every Prayer.

To better understand prayer, I have listened to the counsel of others, pondered the scriptures, and studied the lives of prophets and others. Yet what seems most helpful is seeing in my mind a child approaching trustingly a loving, kind, wise, understanding Father, who wants us to succeed. Don’t worry about your clumsily expressed feelings. Just talk to your Father. He hears every prayer and answers in His way.

When we explain a problem and a proposed solution, sometimes He answers yes, sometimes no. Often He withholds an answer, not for lack of concern, but because He loves us—perfectly. He wants us to apply truths He has given us. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions. We need to do what we feel is right. In time, He will answer. He will not fail us.

I have described the absolute reality of our relationship with our Father. There is nothing about us He does not know. He is conscious of our every need and could provide all of the answers. Yet, because His purpose is our eternal happiness, He encourages us to make the correct choices.

God Answers Every Prayer.

Sometimes, like a child, we misbehave, act unwisely, and feel we cannot approach our Father with a problem. When communication is strained, how wonderful it is to have a Mediator who works things out when we obey His counsel and repent. Such is our Elder Brother, the Savior.

Why Wouldn’t You Get an Answer?

It is vitally important to recognize that the Lord also responds a third way to prayer by withholding an answer when the prayer is offered. Why would He do that? He is our perfect Father. He loves us beyond our capacity to understand. He knows what is best for us. He sees the end from the beginning. He wants us to act to gain needed experience: When He answers yes, it is to give us confidence. When He answers no, it is to prevent error.

When He withholds an answer, it is to have us grow through faith in Him, obedience to His commandments, and a willingness to act on truth. We are expected to assume accountability by acting on a decision that is consistent with His teachings without prior confirmation. We are not to sit passively waiting or to murmur because the Lord has not spoken. We are to act.

Most often what we have chosen to do is right. He will confirm the correctness of our choices His way. That confirmation generally comes through packets of help found along the way. We discover them by being spiritually sensitive. They are like notes from a loving Father as evidence of His approval. If, in trust, we begin something which is not right, He will let us know before we have gone too far. We sense that help by recognizing troubled or uneasy feelings.

Seek the Lord’s Will

Sometimes answers to prayer are not recognized because we are too intent on wanting confirmation of our own desires. We fail to see that the Lord would have us do something else. Be careful to seek His will.
I confess I don’t know how to make a correct decision except where there is righteousness and trust in a Heavenly Father. The principles simply will not work when agency is intentionally used at variance with the will of God. If there is unrepented sin, we are left to our own devices to flounder and struggle on our own. We can be rescued through our own repentance.

When we seek inspiration to help make decisions, the Lord gives gentle promptings. These require us to think, to exercise faith, to work, to struggle at times, and to act. Seldom does the whole answer to a decisively important matter or complex problem come all at once. More often, it comes a piece at a time, without the end in sight.

The Most Important Thing about Prayer

I have saved the most important part about prayer until the end. It is gratitude! Our sincere efforts to thank our beloved Father generate wondrous feelings of peace, self-worth, and love. No matter how challenging our circumstances, honest appreciation fills our minds to overflowing with gratitude.

The counsel about prayer is true. I have tested it thoroughly in the laboratory of my own personal life. I have discovered that what sometimes seems an impenetrable barrier to communication is a giant step to be taken in trust.

If you seek His help, be sure your life is clean, your motives are worthy, and you’re willing to do what He asks—for He will answer your prayers. He is your loving Father; you are His beloved child. He loves you perfectly and wants to help you.

Job Hunting - Day I Can't Remember

No snow as predicted last night. Part of me was thrilled and part of me was disappointed. However, the wind was blowing about 300 miles per hour and the wind chill was 40 below, but all in all it was a beautiful day. I got the chance to drive around Casper today and see if I could get lost. I must have left some good breadcrumbs since I'm back here writing my blog, huh?

I had one job interview scheduled today, but cancelled it due to the too low pay. No reason to take up someone's time when I wouldn't have accepted the job. I have to believe there's something better to come along. I was shown today what could be our new home. It's a small two bedroom house in a nice neighborhood and in a great location with anything we'd need within a 10 minute drive in any direction. There is even a bus stop a short distance from the house that Joe could utilize and be as mobile as he wants to be. We don't have to worry about the furry kids as there is a fenced in backyard that would be large enough for them. Not lots of running room like they have now, but not too cramped. I know that Blaze will miss heading out to her tree and check out the squirrels like she does now. But, there are trees in both the front and back yards so no telling what hangs out in those trees. Does that mean we've decided to move here? No, not yet, but things seem to be falling into place for us to do so. Tomorrow will most likely have us making definite decisions about things here.

I've been experiencing headaches which is not normal for me. I just think it must be all the things going on i.e., loss of job, lack of finding job in Georgia, pursuit of job here in Wyoming, being away from Joe, being away from family, news of Mom's condition, feeling helpless and unable to do anything other than have long distance conversations. HELP! Calgon take me away! I feel at times as though I'm having an outer body experience and my life is beginning to be out of control. I lost a second job yesterday simply because I am not already living here. But how can I be living here when I'm still living in Georgia. The house will become available by the end of the month. How do I get back to Georgia and pack up a house that I've lived in for 30 years in a matter of a little over two weeks? How do I decide what is important to drag halfway across the United States and what to leave behind? How do we logically transport household items and furniture, two furry kids, a Joe and a Carol across the United States by the end of this month? How do I go away and leave my parents at this time in their lives? How can I move away and feel as though I've deserted them after all the times they never deserted me, that they've both been there to support me? How can I not be there to support them during what could possibly be the hardest part of their married life? Doesn't being the oldest child mean I should be there in times of need rather than have others take over? If I move, I'll never have the chance to be there when they may need me. What is it that the Lord has in mind for me that I can't have stability in my life? Doesn't He know or think that I'd love to have some normalcy? Hey, I'm 56 years old! That's just four years from being 60 and isn't that when most people are retiring and enjoying some simple time together?

I've prayed about all this. Maybe I haven't prayed enough. Maybe I haven't prayed long enough. Maybe I'm not worthy enough to get the answers to all my questions. Maybe I'm not supposed to get answers. I just don't think or know that I've gotten my answers. Yes, I've found two places to live for a somewhat reasonable monthly rental rate in a city that I was told would be virtually impossible to find by everyone. So if I'm allowed to sign a lease, that problem has been taken care of - thus a portion of my prayers have been answered. Have I gotten a job here? Not yet, but prospects are certainly being presented here...that is NOT the case in Georgia. I hung in for five months the last time for a job, can't I/shouldn't I wait another five months this time?

I know I've written about these concerns in some fashion in earlier blogs. What does that mean? I'm spending too much time alone? I'm spending too much time contemplating and worrying about things I shouldn't? I need to be committed to some funny farm? Am I being insensitive to others problems such as Mom and Dad's? Is that the reason I feel so unsettled? Hey, I did find a Chinese food buffet today for lunch (can't move to a new town without a good Chinese restaurant, right)? When the waitress brought my check, there was the expected fortune cookie laying on top. I anxiously ripped open the cellophane and broke the cookie. Was this the sign, the answer I'd been looking for? You decide and advise...it read "An hour with friends is worth more than 10 with strangers". (It couldn't have read something like "You will experience a life changing event in another state in the coming days :( bummer).
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BTW...gas is now $1.89 here.

Job Hunting - Day Whatever

Got my first glimpse of snow this morning while getting dressed. It was chunky snow kinda like vermiculite (those little while balls found in potting soil) and with the wind blowing 200 miles an hour it was fun watching the snow being blown across the parking lot like something out of a science fiction movie. This first snow lasted for only 30 minutes but it piled up on my window ledge and covered the ground. Then it all melted like it was never there.

The second snow began as I came out of the Chamber of Commerce after collecting my "Welcome To Casper" package. While walking to my car, one of the pieces of snow hit me in the eye and almost blinded me! The big snow is supposed to come tonight while I'm sleeping. 1-3 inches.

I made calls today and I'm still in contention for jobs I interviewed for and decisions are to be made in the next few days or couple of weeks. And, a law firm in Laramie put a chink in job hunting when they called and said they want to interview me. That will take place over the phone since I'm leaving on Monday. I really don't want to move to Laramie for whatever reason. I'm sure it's a wonderful place for someone, but not Joe and I. But, I will do the interview and see what happens. Have I mentioned before how hard it is to look for a job?!?! I'm still checking my work job sites in Georgia too.

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Highlights today:

• Buying gas for $1.96 a gallon;
• Discovering an all you can eat buffet. (I wanted/needed vegetables so bad. However, the only vegetables were canned green beans, canned corn, canned mixed vegetables. Yuk!!! I can get that kind of stuff at home. Where was the steamed broccoli or cauliflower or lima beans or whatever? Even the mashed potatoes were bad boxed type). The best thing was the meatloaf;
• The blowing snow;
• Phone calls from Joe, Dad, Nikki and Nancy.

Encouraging Words From A Friend

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Thank you Kim.

Job searching continued - the *conundrum (kə-nŭn'drəm)

*A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma...That definition pretty well describes the last several days of job searching. This is the conundrum -I could most likely get a job if I had a Wyoming address. But, it's hard to get an address without a job. Hmmm. And, then add in when people come from other parts of the state where you hadn't even been searching. I've turned down the opportunity for two state jobs in other parts of the state in the last two days simply because I won't be in Wyoming next week. I know there is enough of me to divide into two parts, but unfortunately that's not possible.

In between the job searches, I have also proceeded to look for potential housing. That's been fun trying to explain the potential homes to Joe. At least he's been with me to Casper recently so he's aware of the areas where I've searched out a couple of homes. And, I've been taking pictures so he can see them. When selecting homes, I'm having to also take into consideration a proper place for the furry kids and a place that Joe can have access to getting around AND a place that is not priced too much more than our monthly mortgage payment now.

Joe and I will have a lot of talking to do when I get home next week about our future. Do we stay in Georgia or do we pack up and move to Wyoming? This is one of those times when I wish someone would take away my free agency and tell me what I'm supposed to do. Anyone know a church sanctioned physic? I sure could use one.

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Weather note for today: The wind was blowing at least 200 mph today. Forget about fixing your hair. Mother Nature was the only blowdryer you needed today. It's supposed to begin snowing tonight too.