More about my trip to Missouri with new pictures

I thought I'd give you a taste of what else I did on my vacation. I had heard a lot about Donna's place from her journal and in my mind's eye, I could see it. It was exactly as she told it. The river, her cabin, the pasture and the animals. This is taken from right in front of her cabin looking out over a field of pretty purple flowers. Actually, they are weeds. I believe she said they were called henspet - or maybe henspit. Either way, they are beautiful and looking out over the field, toward the river it was gorgeous.

Cliff took this picture of Donna and me at the cabin. I think we were trying to decide where to stand to have the picture taken. As you can see, the view is awesome.

Cliff and Donna took me on a drive to see the area and the river. Of course, I had to see what the sign, down by the levee, had to say. Hhhmmmmm - hope nobody's lurking in the trees, ready to shoot trespassers. I could see the river, way over by the trees.

Then we went to the Corps of Engineers location, right by the river. Here I am with an anchor. I'm on the right.
Then here's Donna and me standing on a little dock, right at the edge of the river. I was so in awe of the history that was made there. The Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed that very spot. As in Manassas at the battlefield, I stood for a moment to just imagine those people, so many years ago.

Here's Cliff and I heading back up the hill. As I remember, it was chilly there. I had on a denim shirt plus my suede jacket and was still a little chilly. The next week after I left, they had a hot spell in the 90s for a week. Talk about unseasonal.

After we left the river, we went to the City Market. Can't go on vacation without shopping. There were a lot of local merchants with produce and several other little shops. Enough for me to find some great things to bring home with me. When we were through shopping it was time for a bite to eat before heading to the airport. Well, you can't go to Kansas City without having some Barbeque. Donna took this snap of Cliff and I right after our food was served. It was very good and there was too much. If I hadn't been heading for an airplane, I'D have taken a doggy bag. At work, last week we were taken to lunch for Administrative Personnel Day (used to be Secretary's Day) and we went to Willard's Barbeque, a local eatery. Now Willard's used to be the best BBQ I ever had, but I've got to say, Kansas City really has gooooooood BBQ :o)

All in all, this was one of the best trips I've ever taken. It was relaxing and I got to spend time with my friends.

Cliff has promised next trip I get a real motorcycle ride and I get to drive the tractor.

I may have the answer.

I think I know why I've been in such a funk lately. About a month or so ago, I ran out of St. John's Wort and just never got more. Why? - I dunno. Demntia, maybe.

I got a new supply today and took a dose at midday. We'll see what happens. I had asked the doctor if he thought it 'worked'. Instead of an answer, he asked me how I felt when I took it. I said I thought I slept better and that it took the edge off things. He looked at me and said "Then if you think it works, it works."

Who knows, but I do know that when I was having a terrible time about 3 1/2 years ago, a friend mentioned it to me. I quit taking Paxil and started taking 3 of these horse capsules in the evening and I swear, my anxieties subsided. It took awhile before they went away, but I was able to deal with the issues at hand.

As my good ole late mother used to say, "We shall see what we shall see"

Later

Just checking in.....

Not a darn thing is new. I'm having my coffee before showering and going in to the office for a few hours. Not the best way to spend a Saturday, but as long as they'll give me the OT, I'll work a few hours. Maybe only 4 or 5.

BJ and the Mission Team from church left Thursday night for their trek to Russia. I followed them, in my mind, all the way over and at around 9:30AM on Friday, I could see them at the Cosmos Hotel having a light meal (It would be Friday evening there). I know they were beat. That is a tough trip. I'll see them in a week, full of the excitement of travel, those wonderful kids, but the joy of coming home. I've only left the US twice, but both times, I walked through the doors at Dulles International Airport with a new and profound love and respect for my country.

After work I'll do a little grocery shopping. I may join Costco. I'll at least go give it a look. Can't hurt a bit.

Still considering the Rosetta Stone Portuguese lessons. I can buy the set at Amazon for $289 or $329 through Rosetta Stone. Now one would ask, why not take the Amazon discounted value. Rosetta Stone offers a 6 month, unconditional, money back guarantee. If after 5 months I realize I'm as dumb as that Rosetta stone, I can get my money back. Amazon's return policy is only 30 days. I don't think Rosetta Stone will refund my money if I bought the set at Amazon. I've written an email to Amazon asking that question, but haven't received an answer. They say it can take 24 hours. So who knows? I may be saying Ola....or Obrigada.

Got to get going. I can hear the shower calling me.

God bless you all.

Hopefully, it's only the weather...

I'm in a funk. A really yukky funk. Don't know where it came from. I've been sleeping well and not having any upsetting or goofy dreams. Seems like in the back of my mind I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall.

Maybe I'm sorry I didn't sign up to go to Russia this trip. They leave Thursday. I know I'll regret it when I see all of the pictures of the kids. But I get so worn out from the trip. It's a long, hard journey and I'm usually dog tired when I get there and worse when I get back. BJ is her usual composed self. I wish her safe travel and a wonderful trip.

Could be all the OT is catching up with me. Seems as though there are no bright spots in my life right about now. I got to work between 5:30 and 6:00, work like crazy till 3:30, come home, eat, go to bed and start the cycle all over again. I'll put in some time on Saturday this week too.

I'm worried about Cliff. Haven't seen any more posting from Donna or Rachel. Last I heard, he was having lung troubles and the chest tube had to be put back in. Coming home time frame was 'a few more days'. That might be today. I pray everything is alright.

I better be on my way before I become maudlin.

GEESCH - I don't even want to be around me when I'm like this.

God bless you all.

I don't know that I'm ready for a new week....

This past week has flown by. What with worrying about my friend Cliff and his quad-bypass and working overtime every day for the past two weeks, I'm bushed. I did sleep in this morning. I had intended to go to church but I laid back down for 'only 5 minutes' and slept till 11:00AM. I guess I needed that.

There is nothing new that I can write about but there is one thing. When a woman does something a little stupid, she sometimes is accused of doing something 'blonde'; like when I tried to non-surgically remove my right side remote control side view mirror (cost to replace - at least $300). That was really 'blonde'.

But what do we call it when a man, who by the way shall remain nameless and who reads this posting on occasion, does something equally as 'blonde' and sent his truck through the car wash with its rear window DOWN?????

I had to restrain myself when he slipped and told me. I laughed out loud and snickered for quite awhile afterward.

All I can say is WAY TO GO - - - Blondie :O)

God bless you all.....

BJ & I on Easter Sunday

This is BJ and me at her house after Easter Sunday dinner. We had ham, dressing, green bean casserole (the kind with cream of mushroom soup and onion rings on top), sweet potatoes and biscuits. It was a wonderful dinner and the company was great. I had a great time and thank the Lord for friends like mine.

Sunny Saturday

Yesterday was a dangerous day for me. My dear friend, BJ, and I had lunch at the Olive Garden (I wanted a repeat of the lunch I had in Kansas City last week) and then shopping at Target. I know lunch or Target don't sound like too much danger, but coupled with BJ, I do a lot of damage to my credit card.

But this trip, most of the purchases weren't for me. Only a $10.00 'Rolling Stones' tee shirt. I got the gifts I wanted to send to Russia for my kids. I got some cute stuff but when I got home I discovered I had not put back a top I had considered for Lida and DIDN'T get a jacket I wanted for Sasha. So I'll take the top back and get the jacket.

Then I had to get the rest of the things for BJ's Easter basket/bag. We two, have gotten into the habit of giving gift bags for special occasions. When I was in Kansas City last weekend, on the way back to the airport, Donna and Cliff took me to City Market. While there I found a little coffee table book titled "The Passion of Shoes" and a little ceramic Victorian shoe for BJ, who happens to have a bigger shoe collection that I do. And I don't mean for decoration. I mean real, wearable shoes. I think she'll like the things I got for her this year. I always get excited when I put her gift bags together because she delights so in getting her gifts from me. That's half the fun of it.

So today, I'm off to early Church and then brunch at BJ's at 1:00. I'll be home early enough to finish the chores I didn't do yesterday, or maybe I'll just bag the chores and do them in the week.

This coming week will be busy for me. I plan to try to work an hour and a half overtime each day. If I go in at 6 and stay till 4, I think I can do it. I want to put aside the funds I'll need to replace the left side view mirror that tried to be amputated when I drove out of the garage.(I don't want to talk about it :o( Since it's power, remote control it'll cost a minimum of $300 to put a new one on. So in a week, I should be able to set that much aside.

Here's wishes for a blessed Easter for one and all.

Spring Vacation Time

What did I do on MY Spring Break?

Well take a look over here ----->.

I visited my dear friend Donna and her husband Cliff in Missouri. I was only there for the weekend, but it was packed with many wonderful things. Although it was too cold to actually ride, Cliff brought "Blue Lightening" out of the garage and had Donna take a picture with me on the back. He has promised that next trip, we'll actually ride. It's a gorgeous bike and they take a lot of day trips on it. In my heart I'm a little envious.


Then ---->

There was this beautiful guy. His name is Blue, too. He had to sniff me first before he would let me give him a pat on the neck. I must be standing on a hill because he is a lot bigger than he appears here. However, he is a very sweet horse and he and Donna take long rides through the Missouri countryside. As you can see by his tail flying, it was a bit windy; a whole lot chillier than I had expected so Donna found her son's old Army jacket for me so I could be outside with her for awhile.




And then there is Sadie ---->

She's resting here, storing up some of that energy so she can chase her beloved frisbee.








Here they are---->


She ran to the back door and Donna thought she needed to 'go out', but when Donna got to the door, Sadie stared at the shelf where the frisbees are kept and whined.
Donna had to buy Sadie a second frizbee because when it was tossed, Sadie wouldn't give it up once she caught it. She'd growl and shake it, trying to tell it who's boss. As you can see, she didn't want Donna to have it.

There will be much more to tell later; our trip to the cabin in the woods, the drive to the river bottom, the levee and then the river itself.

As I think about it, I can't remember vacation where I was so peaceful, calm, relaxed and where I felt so welcomed.

Daylight Savings Time is upon us

This evening we set our clocks ahead. You know "Spring ahead, Fall behind". That's how I manage to remember it. I look forward to our having more daylight at day's end. Gives me a bit more of a day.

I'm having my coffee, getting my thoughts together so I can put in a few hours at the office. I've been going in before 6AM this past week so I can stay ahead of things while I am filling in for a coworker who lost his access to the contract. I've done things like this in the past so doubling up is no new thing for me, but when I came on board I had hoped I wouldn't have to work this hard. Thank goodness it's temporary and that I've been approved for overtime pay. I did have my annual review and many, many nice things were written about me. Our new VP did not hesitate when he recommended a 5% increase for me. Greedy old bag that I am, I would have liked more (because of the extra work I'm doing) but in the overall view, since I came on board a year ago, I have been given an 11%+ increase. All in all, I really can't complain because my biggest wish was that I would be left alone to do my job, and indeed I am. I've carved out a nice little corner for myself and unless the PMO staff triples, I can retain my space.

The morming is shaping up beautifully. The little square across from my townhouse is displaying its annual daffodils, almost in full bloom. A bright splash of yellow from my windows. The cats love the warmer weather. They can pace the railings and see their domain, two floors above everything else. Jake, my big sissy cat isn't afraid of a thing from that vantage point. That is till he gets dive bombed by the mother Bluejay who has her nest in a tree nearby.

A week from today, I'll be in Missouri enjoying a well earned break and visiting my dear friend Donna. It's been awhile since I've seen her. She came to visit me a couple of years ago and I enjoyed the sights of DC with her. It was great and I enjoyed every second of it. Hopefully she can come again.

Well off to the showers so I can start my day.

God bless you all.