Happy Dance OT

Much MUCH better than I had hoped for. Took an AM nap and a PM nap whist riding...but WE DID IT!!!!!!!! The truck rides like a truck more than a diesel (yes, it's a diesel--couldn't afford to do it with gas) Seat lays waaaaaayyyyyyy back so, ensconed in pillows, under, behind, and on both sides of me, and off we went.

Worst roads....20 miles outside Oklahoma City ((((........guaranteed pit stop when you hit the city! Oh my, that was teeth rattling! and where the chains were required in the mountains--not quite as bad but you could SEE where the chains had eaten the road. Felt sorry for the truckers to have to drive there.))))

Dr had given me a Cortisone Shot in my left hip for Bursitis acting up and antibiotics for the coughing crud that came back the day before we left--so the 2nd day--I snoozed almost all day (antibiotics do that --2nd day guaranteed) I DID wave at Ragmop--Joe made sure I knew when we Hit Texas and Left.

Next day, we saw where the flooding was--mile on each side of some rivers and rivers where there shouldn't have been any. Fields just covered in water. really felt for the farmers.

Saw a lot of trees in bloom--mainly purple shades--not sure what kind they were......then when we got to MO and all the way to IN there were both purple and white blossoms on the trees. Saw a LOT of yellow in fields--looked like mustard blooms--very small blossom heads. Mr. Joe totally forgot to bring any kind of jacket so we stopped at one of the truck stops and he found a heavy, lined,winter coat. Reg price $126.00....on sale at $32.00!!! We went back the next AM and got one for me...we BOTH were glad to have them for most of the trip especially in the AMs! Outside looks like the tough fabric that Carharrts(sp?) are made from--altho it didn't have their name tag on them.

Got to Goshen, IN, in the time planned so we weren't rushed. Monday PM, Mr Joe took me to the local Quilt shop--it had been closed for 4 YEARS but still listed in local phone book--found the Old Bag Shoppe (had lots of lil shops there) Located the Quilt Store there--local gal designs and sells quilts only. She was very nice..and gave us a map to another store that we'd love..ended up being Yoder's.

Got there only to have them in TOTAL darkness!!!! They were using flashlights, so I asked if they had any 'local Indiana fabric'. Gal brought me one of Amish buggies going under covered bridges and another with the 'salt box houses' that are so typical in that area. Talk about KNOWING your store! Asked if they had any butterflies--another gal piped up and said yes--brought me a white sweater with hand embroidered butterflies--only ONE they had and it was LONG ENUF in the arms!!!!!!!! GORGEOUS!!!!!!! HHMmmmmmmm., that is the ONLY fabric I purchased on this trip!

Left there, Thurs, and headed for CA, via Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah. Thought of Star going thru NE as there were THOUSANDS of geese flying around and landing in the corn fields there. Saw the most interesting formation--there was a gaggle of them going in circles with a tail out one side---looked like a flying letter Q!

Lucky enuf not to have to drive thru snow, altho we did see a bulldozer setting on the east bound highway on one of the mountain passes--it was spitting snow more than anything and there were drifts of it along the East bound road. Sure were glad we were going West. Saw quite a few antelope but no elk and very few mule deer.

Came down thru Sacramento and stopped at one of our Fav restaurants, Pea Soup Andersons. My guys LOVE their pea soup (I can't touch it as it does have onions in it). Went into the gift shop there and bought a pair of socks that had butterflies on the cuff..turn down the cuff and it says Butterflies. Put them on when we got to the hotel (next door) and wore them the rest of the evening. I liked them so well that I got another pair the next AM when we had breakfast there : ) ((I have trouble wearing socks but must cause of the foot brace--nylons don't cut it)) SO, Miz Pat, *I* did as you said and bought some Butterfly Socks--yes, I thought of you then : ) I'm glad you did say to BYO (buy your own) LOL! Gal gave me the business card and offered to send me more whenever they came in. Now THAT is service with a smile : ) : ) : ) Drove on down to LA and across the 'top" of the city. Saw the STRANGEST cloud Formation...just West of INDIO, CA. Looked like the top of a space ship--ver. circular--NOT MOVING--as we drove up to and then past it the second but LOWER cloud formation looked like an UFO UPSIDE DOWN--then the 2 met--looked like one HUGE UFO! As soon as he has time, DS will pick and choose the best shots and send them in to The Weather Channel--maybe they can tell us what type of cloud does that. It was just so neat.

It was good to be back in my own bed..and not have to get up before 7 AM...so guess what I did for a week after???? Took that long to get back on our time zone: ) Do know that I will have to go thru the back procedures on the right side, like the left, as it did let me know that it wasn't all that happy. I'll wait until we get back from the wedding. I do have to say it WAS physically easier than flying.

Butterfly (now I'm gonna go rest my hands ; )

Great news, Mary!!

Good wishes and a prayer for success from Pat in Virginia

How lovely. Thanks, B'fly. We did want to hear of your adventure. Wish we could have traveled with you. I'm thinking you'd better begin a 'pack and take' list for the next expedition. Strange things that I always pack include a spare pair of glasses and a nightlight. When Alice gets home, we'll get her to help. Polly

Whoo-hoo!! Excellent news. Where? I was just going to email you to ask how the interview went, but never mind, obviously it went

TerriLee > DH starts a new job tomorrow!!

Your Welcome. I always take a flashlight for each of us and one for the car and a clothespin/ chip dip clip to keep the curtains closed. Some places are a stretch to get them shut all the way...then the 'AC unit' is below the window--blowing the curtains all over the place...so we're more comfy with the clip. Looking forward to what pointers Alice could give...but seeing as how we have moved 40 times in 35 years...packing isn't a problem. Its the Little Things that we don't think of that help. REMEMBERING to 'not forget' anything is :) I carry my 'own' pillow with a BRIGHT pink pillowcase (purple blended in too well in some places) so that is easier to spot. Now, it's the first thing I do--put the pillow on the suitcase--then start the AM routine : ) Also, carry 'munchies' in case I couldn't eat much at the restaurant I was in. We LUCKED out as we only found ONE place that the waitress didn't KNOW, or care to know, what was in the chicken with rice soup---it was a cream base which didn't help ...so it was slim pickings. (It was 3 PM, their time , which was 12 Noon ours, so the main cook was GONE) We actually bought candy bars at the gas station. Taken notes on the glasses--DH did have an extra pair and we were glad of it. He's gonna have to get new frames tomorrow after his eye check-up. Mine cost $600.00 per pair BEFORE frames... Think I'll take notes on this next trip so I can share more of it. We DO have a second seat (extended cab) so we would have room for you--and a coupla tool cabinets in back for the extra 'bags' : ) So come on--we'll have a blast...maybe take time for a couple more LQS stops--call first to make sure they are still there.

Butterfly (If not, maybe you could come up part way on the next trip after MI--and meet us on the road somewhere. Can't hurt to dream about the next one ; )

"Polly Esther" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@mid.individual.net...

More details: This is not a management job but night audit and desk clerk tho it's possible he can be promoted since the owners have several hotels. It's in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where my parents live so we will stay here with them and I'll continue caring for Mom and doing all the cooking and help Dad when he asks. There is one LQS here and I'm sure several in the Spokane area. I have met one quilter that lives about 40 miles from here and have been invited to join a small quilting group when I can get away. Mom is under Hospice care so I have help. A bath aide comes twice a week for bath and shampoo and a volunteer comes ones afternoon a week for 4 hours to give me respite. I have been able to purchase some fabric and working on a pink and purple scrappy quilt for my youngest granddaughter. We are hoping to get to Oregon and move our belongings here in Idaho sometime next month. It will be nice to have my stash and WIPs here. Thanks for all the prayers and positive support. I still don't have internet at the house so rely on a local hotel that allows us to download emails/messages daily.

Most excellent!!! I'm so happy for you both!

Yea!!!!! Happy dancing with you!!! Thanks for sharing the great news with us. I hope this means that things are on the up and up for you and your DH!!

Good luck with everything, Mary. Such a very testing time for you all. Hoping all will be well. . In message , maryd writes

Happy day! We're tickled for you.

Butterfly