Then the wheel fell off the wagon

Sitting in a motel in Wells Nevada population 1500...not much to do but wonder. At the beginning of the trip I pondered how these towns sprouted up. The wheel fell off the wagon train, everyone looked around and said yeah this will do. So driving thru the desert last night the wheel fell off our wagon (actually the Mini threw a plug) - same result. We pushed the mini off the road into the loose sand, and sat. It got dark, very dark, desert dark. And cold, very cold, desert cold, snow cold. We called AAA (big shout out to AT&T for cell coverage. If there had been cell coverage 100 years ago would be have less towns as folks could have moved on to the next already established place?) Anyway I discovered that I have a high degree of anxiety sitting in a little cold box on the side of a dark road. Very appreciative that Mick was with me, however... I am generally very calm and logical during emergencies or unpredictable situations, but not so much here. The panic was rising, the windows fogged up so I couldn't see out, the little red hazard light loudly clicked on and off and the big rigs shook the little car as they sped by. And of course it was raining off and on. And no bathroom nearby. Even outside wasn't an option as it was 33 degrees.

We eventually got picked up and towed to Wells. The motel is pretty dingy, no or almost no hot water, no food places in site, but yeah for wi-fi. I can see a McDonalds near the highway and a gas station which I suppose has a convenience store. Of course being we are in Nevada, there is a small Casino up near the road. Hmmmmm...we don't have hot water, you can't rent a car or a uhaul for 200 miles but if you'd like to gamble, the Casino is waiting. The motel staff said we can call the Casino, they will send a van to pick us up and the only restaurant in town is in the Casino if we want something to eat.

So our little car sits alone on the street. There are two mechanics in town - one recommended, one not. They don't reopen until Tuesday and so far when mentioning the Mini Cooper we get the blank stare and the we don't see many of those in these parts answer. So we plan to tow home. Interestingly enough it is cheaper to rent from Vista and beg friends to come rescue us than to find a way to rent up here. Plus nearest rental is about 100 miles and the only option is an 18 foot uHaul with a tow dolly, which is bigger than what we originally took to Chicago!

So we sit and wait, it's raining outside with little bursts of snow. We walked the two miles to the mini cooper earlier today to rescue some snacks and work for Mick to do. Maybe if I'm really nice my sweetheart will take me out for a night on the town with a chilly walk to McDonalds or we will really live it up with a van ride to the Casino.

Can you actually hear your own heart break?

Twenty-four hours ago I left my nephew Michael in his new apartment in Schaumburg Illinois. So can you actually hear your own heart break? Wow didn't think it would be so hard. Certainly with the abundance of technology and my whole family being such technological geeks...cell, text, email, Facebook, Skype...staying in touch is not an issue, but that said it was tough. Really tough. I recently blogged about not being a mother, and understanding that God had other plans for my maternal instincts such that they are, but it has also been very clear to me over the past year or so (or maybe 24 years) that I would be hard pressed to care about someone more than I do Mike. He is in a good place. Great new job, actually impressive new job. Beautiful apartment. A girl he loves, who loves him deeply (and is good for him.). I couldn't ask for more ... Other than still living 5 minutes from us so I could touch in, so he could drop by the office, so I grab him for an occasional dinner. Driving away I swear I heard my heart break and it still hurts.....guess that's why they have frequent flyer miles.

The past is present

Never been a big one for emotions. But wow the last few days have been a whirlwind. Not exactly tornado whirlwind but whirlwind just the same. Sunday morning we got up early, early crawled back into our uHaul and went into Bucyrus Mo. When my granddad lived there it was home to 30 people. The Internet now claims some 500 but you sure can't tell. All looks the same except the little one room gas station, general store, post office is now abandoned. There is a new little brick post office proudly proclaiming Bucyrus Missouri. Along Route 17 was the driveway/turnoff to my granddads farm. It was cool that I remembered. We parked the truck and trailer on the street, set the emergency lights blinking and walked down the long dirt driveway. The trees reach out to each other and cover the way making it feel like we were truly walking back into times gone by. Since it was early morn and the folks now living there would still be sleeping, we stopped at the bottom if the driveway. The house was still there though now robin egg blue with new expansions and a double car garage. There was a new barn as well, but in the background stood the original red barn and old one bedroom green house. The rest looked the same, still 100 acres nestled in trees sitting in the Ozarks. This time I think it's true that it would be the last time I walked down the driveway. I did pick up a couple stones off the driveway to take with me. Then we headed to the truck before the folks woke up and spotted two Californians stealing rocks off their driveway in the early morning hours.

Heading to Chicago we wandered thru the Ozarks river ways...beautiful country. We stopped at Allie Spring where there is an old grain mill. The spring itself pours out 81 million of spring water a day!! Amazing. My grandma was born in Alley Springs so another cool thing to share with Mick. The rest of the day was spent driving to Chicago. Great talks along the way about love, marriage, families and histories. Still amazes me that I have things to learn about this husband of mine!

Although we spent almost all of Sunday in Missouri, we saw no tornados, no bad weather....just beautiful green countryside and the inside of a uHaul. Next Chicago...

Day two...wow is it only day two. We have crossed five states and now sit in Houston Missouri...a hour and half east of Springfield along the Arkansas border give or take. My grandfather had a farm here and we came many a time to visit as a kid. When he passed 23 years ago, mom and I came back, cleaned out the farm and sold it. Driving away I remember talking about how there would never be a reason to return. So here I sit, in the Southern Inn motel...maybe even the same room I shared with my mom 23 years ago. Weird. We just ate at Sonic Burger. Now Mick and I live just two blocks from Sonic in Vista - we can see it from our porch and have never eaten there. But here in Missouri, we used to eat at this particular Sonic as a kid...of course it was the only fast food place in town. Now it shares that status with McDonalds - no surprise there. Houston also has the first Walmart I ever experienced back when Walmart was confined to Arkansas/Missouri. Driving in from California, we were amazed at this "superstore" with their low prices and great selection...this Sam Walton guy was on to something!

So I feel as if I have travelled back in time...my mom, my grampa...how'd I get here and why? Cool to share with Mick as these were people who left my life long before I met Mick. Tomorrow we'll see if we can find the farm - 100 acres along Route 17. No reason to find it other that curiosity....hopefully it's not a Lowes or Home Depot or car lot, but from the looks of the town not too much has changed.

We watched teens at Sonic in their shiney trucks with unmuffled mufflers hanging out on a Saturday night, cruising the main drag (actually there is only one drag. One way into town, one way out). While we ate we watched them circle 3-4 times finally converging in the parking lot of the Town and Country market to do donuts and tire burns in the parking lot, while a carload of girls watched on.

Maybe time only marches on in California...

Things to ponder while on the road...

5:00 this morning we headed to Chicago. Mike, my oldest nephew is moving there for work, for life, for love. So Mick and I loaded a truck with his two trashbags of belongings, his girls household of furnishings and their collective 5 foot television, strapped the mini-Cooper to the back of the uHaul and off we go. It's amazing the things you both see and think when you have hours of driving across country. First, let's just get this out of the way, if you need to take a long trek to Chicago and really want to get there quick, quit caffeine for 5 years as I have done and then reinstate it just for one trip. Right now I could drive us to the moon, and maybe back again. It's sort of like taking noDoze in college, but now it's double packs of crystal light with added caffeine.

As you travel thru these little towns (we are currently about an hour east of Flagstaff on Route 40), many a town begs the question Why? I just assume it is where the wheel fell of the wagon so the train stopped and settled. There really is no other logical explanation. Daggett California...why? Needles for that matter, other than the ability to collect $5 for a gallon of gas...why? Needles has even been romanticized in both song and movie...maybe it's a different Needles.....gateway to California.

So we are seeing big expanse of nothingness and a bit of rain. Mike and Chelsea are on the "high road" currently passing thru Denver and it's snowing on them. Good luck California boy....get used to it, might want to change those flip-flops. My sister is traveling in Mikes car with friends also Somewhere on the "high road". It's like our own version of the Amazing Race - who will find Chicago first. More to come...

One Flaw in Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.....
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in..

They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.

Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

In the Meantime...

How can time fly by so fast? My gosh, it’s insane. I keep thinking I need to catch up on blogging, but time goes, goes, goes. Not really sure how folks do daily blogs…either they have much more time than me, or way more disciplines. Hmmmm….probably both. Today was the military breakfast, so cool – lots of new faces. So I miss all of families who are now on the east coast (and truly east in Okinawa), but am also happy to see the new folks migrating our way.

So our next BIG event is Thanksgiving Day Dinner. It is just the greatest day – Mick and my favorite day by far. Two years ago, on a whim, we decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner at North Coast for whomever might show up….150 showed up! Last year we had 250. Can’t wait for this year. So ya’ know…

Bring the family or just yourself..... we will provide Turkey with all the fixins', Pumpkin Pie and Football on the BIG SCREEN....and Activities plus a Jumphouse for the kids. It will all be there. The last two years we had an amazing time - this year we expect it to be even better! Thursday, November 26, 1:00 PM, North Coast Church - Video Café.

So in the meantime…..between now and Thanksgiving, I’ve got some personal plans that will put me out of commission for a few weeks. Tuesday morning (Oct 6th) I am having plastic surgery for skin removal and reconstruction as a result of my weight loss. The surgery will include stomach, butt and chest (also known as boobs). It will be in La Jolla and is expected to take 4-5 hours….yikes. I will be off work 3-4 weeks for recovery…another yikes. They plan to remove 12-15lbs of skin…double yikes and yuck. Biggest risk is bleeding and I have a history of pulmonary embolism (blood clots to the lungs) – so that’s a worry.

So the whole idea is a bit surreal. Just the idea that someone is going to cut you and reshape you. So odd. Plus I’ve never really been cut on. Although I had gastric bypass – it was laparoscopic. So real surgery is pretty scary. Prayers are welcomed!

I just have to share...

This is one of the funniest things I think I have ever read....

QUESTIONS TO A DOCTOR:

Q: Doctor, I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! ..... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans ! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wineand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION.... eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

AND REMEMBER: 'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – microbrew in one hand, chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride!!!'

The chicken is leaking

So you get home after a 13 hour day, change to jammies, settle in front of the computer (yes it is possible to work in front of a computer all day and relax in front of one at night – yes it is an obsession, no I do not know of any meeting that will cure you or me). Anyway so I am home comfy and settled, the phone rings and I’m told the chicken is overflowing. Oh bummer…do I go or do I stay….alright the backstory.

Each year at North Coast we put on a Seder dinner. The word Seder is a Hebrew word that literally means “order.” Although the word has a number of uses, it is most commonly used to refer to the Passover Seder, a Jewish holiday. During the Passover Seder, Jewish history is relived through the reading of the Haggadah and consumption of traditional foods and drinks. During the Seder, the enslavement of the Jewish people and their exodus from Ancient Egypt is remembered. Seders are generally performed in one’s home and are considered to be a family ritual. That said, it is pretty cool that North Coast chooses to put on this “family” event for 200!

So planning and putting this event on falls under my department. Previous years we had the event catered, but me being me, I thought we should cook. Last year we had Boston Market – while it is good food, it not exactly Passover fare…and we served corn bread – a pretty big Passover no-no.

So we searched the web and came up with some amazing Passover-friendly dishes, including Apricot Marinated Chicken, Potato Kugel, Red Cabbage Salad, Grill Asparagus and Green Salad. After church Sunday, we quickly shopped, shopped, shopped then returned to church to cook, cook, cook. After 6 or so hours we had all the prep work done, everything in trays and in the frig for the night…….headed home. So when you stack metal tray on metal tray filled with slightly frozen marinated chicken – what happens? Well the chicken defrosts, the trays sink into each other and the marinade rises and rises right out of the pans…flowing thru the refrigerator, streaming out the door and onto the floor. Apricot/Mayonnaise glazy marinade in mass creeping slowly across the floor. But I am in my jammies, so do I stay or do I go……I stayed. Figured it would be just as big a mess the next day – the chicken was till marinating so whatever!

Well, the event went off on Monday night without a hitch – great time had by all – the food was pretty darn good. A little (okay a lot) of mopping of the floor and scooping mass marinade from inside the refrigerator, all is good and ready for the military wives breakfast this next weekend.