Traveling

Tomorrow I will be heading for Tacoma. I was going to go today, but that didn't exactly work out. I'm excited to see the West Side kids and grandkids, especially in light of the fact that the Bremerton kids will become San Diego kids in February. Home is where the Navy sends you. My kids joined the military and I get to see the world. Guam, Hawaii, Idaho Falls (Idaho Falls? Yep).

Once a long time ago the Greyhound Bus company had an anywhere in America $50 fare. So my little sis and I got on a bus in Pasco, Washington and headed east. I got off in South Carolina, she got off in Flordia to visit friends and drive back to the real Washington with them. We spent five days and nights on a dozen different buses and a day sight seeing in Washington DC. We took bagles and yogert and if there was a store near the bus stop we resupplied. We had no money to eat out. If we had money we wouldn't have taken the stupid bus. There was an old guy who bought us breakfast. His daughter was going to pick him up from the bus station in Washington DC, and he wanted us to tell his daughter that he married both of us in Utah and he was bringing us home. We thought it was hilarious at the time. We laughed and ate and had a royal good moment. It was an adventure to say the least.

My kids are moving, rearranging their lives, having adventures, tragedies, and excitement. I watch them, pray for them, hope the best for them, and trust that they will eventually figure it out. Maybe without the five day bus trip. Smelly proposition to be sure. Kind of how life is. Sometimes stinky, but always interesting.

Happy New Year

The last day of 2008 is only a couple days away. A natural time for reflection on the past year and looking forward to a brand new year all fresh and untouched. It has been a very quiet holiday for me. Mostly I just stayed home by myself and rested, read, and thought. I realize that I have not taken much time to think. Not in a morose, sorrowful way, but in a considering kind of way about where I am today and where I want to be at this time next year. Of course, life is what happens when you're making other plans, but if I don't have some kind of direction then I tend to wander aimlessly about wondering what the heck is going on. Aimless wandering is neither satisfying nor productive. I will trust the good Lord to direct my life where He wants me and I will make an effort to listen to the whisperings of the spirit and then go and do. I have been in survival mode for so long, it's kind of exciting to be looking forward to the new year with anticipation and hope.

I am counting my blessings. All my children and grandchildren are healthy and doing fine. I am able to visit with my parents regularly and share my life with them while they are sharing their lives with me. I live in a beautiful place in a home that keeps me safe from the storms raging outside. I am healthier now then I have been in years (and wonder of wonder...I caught some of the year end sales and am down to a size 12-14). I got my hair cut and now I'm styling, or sorta styling anyway. It looks like I've found a good job working with good people doing work that is not too hard and yet keeps me busy. I have brothers near by who take care of me and help out when I need it. I am lifted up in the blessings of the gospel, my wonderful ward, and the people I'm privileged to know at church. I could probably go on for about another hour or so, but I won't be so boring. Being grateful has been a large part of my musings this holiday season.

Although not without its challenges, life is good. Happy New Year.