Hello hello...the calendar says it's August 4 but it's 62 degrees right now and I'm FREEZING! I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of really hot weather but really...this is the middle of summer and I'm huddling under a blanket. Seems wrong!
My wonderful in-laws, Charlotte and Subby, along with Alvina (Charlotte's sister) are leaving on Friday morning and driving to Bismarck, North Dakota, which is where my husband was born. That's where most of their extended family lives. The last time they went back (in 2006), it was just Shanna and my mother-in-law and they flew. From here to Bismarck is 1,300 miles and they are driving a small motor home. They are also taking their two dogs. They are hoping to make it back there in three to four days. Russell and I took a small road trip up to Washington in April and over a week's time, drove about 800 miles - that was more than enough road trip for me. I'm a big fan of flying and unless I had a lot of time and money, wouldn't dream of driving half way across America (fortunately, Russell and I have agree that we are not motor home people).
This photo is of my in-laws. They will celebrate 56 years of marriage this month. They are so cute together and I'm so very blessed to have them in my life. Because I love my in-laws and we don't want them to spend a fortune, we are taking their cat, Charlie. To board him would cost $17.50 per day! This is a huge deal because I'm allergic to cats and it's no secret to those who know me that I'm not an animal person. Charlie will be in the basement with Shanna - she's looking forward to having another pet...me, I'm just praying that everyone remembers to keep the door shut so he doesn't come upstairs. I enjoy animals from afar, like to take pictures of them, but don't want to deal with the mess, smell, hair, poop, etc. that comes with owning an animal. (Please note that I'm not in any way slamming those of you who love pets). Yes, we have two bunnies and they are more than enough for me. Below is a picture of one of them - Dopey, who like his Disney namesake, is really sweet but not the brightest bulb. Dopey was a cooperative subject for one of my class photo assignments a couple of weeks ago...isn't he adorable!
My life group has taken a break for a few months, but we're getting together tonight for dinner and a walk...it'll be wonderful to catch up, laugh, talk and pray together. I'm looking forward to resuming our weekly get-togethers in the fall. Russell is going over to his parents house to wash their motor home in preparation for the big trip.
Life is about dealing with changes and challenges, and Shanna is really struggling to find her place and figure out what to do with her life. Some kids are really blessed to have a clear vision or goal of their future and seem to have their lives mapped out for them. Shanna isn't one of them (Russell and I weren't either). She has always been interested in law enforcement and is thinking seriously about enrolling in the Criminal Justice program at Mt Hood Community College. We applied for financial aid but didn't qualify for any grants, and she didn't apply for any scholarships. She struggles with academics and fears that she can't do it. She is job hunting, but jobs in Oregon are scarce (we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation) and she has no experience. Of course, like many kids her age, she wants the nice car, the apartment, good furniture, etc. What she hasn't yet learned, is that most of us started out with really crappy cars (my first one was an orange Vega) and we furnished our first apartment with garage sale and Goodwill finds. Like most kids her age, she's glued to her phone...this is one of the few photos I've gotten of her recently where she hasn't hidden her face.
Happy Wednesday!