FINISH THE SONG; RELIVE THE MEMORIES

Leo Sayer – ‘When I need You’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEQVG2D4F8M)

Today - 4 years ago ...

{{Posted to FB when Bob was admitted to ER after a very stressful encounter on out front porch, in 2018: Not a good day for Hubs ... yesterday was very stressful and he is feeling the overflow today. He already died twice (29 yo when a blood clot passed through his lung and stopped his heart; I was there for that one. Scared me to death. 32 yo the 2nd time: doctors never did find out what happened ... even after keeping him awake 72 hours for fear he'd die for good after the miraculous resurrection in the body bag. THAT is STILL being talked about today every time we meet those friends out and about. He died at their Supper table) - I am not about to risk losing him for good due to stress over nonsense and ridiculousness; at this age Elohei may just decide to keep him.

Happy Birthday. NOT!

Meeting with a Realtor tomorrow. Praying for a good guestimate and a 1-way ticket outta here.}}

We didn't move; but Bob's address DID change.

And I am still trying to adjust to that. I'm doing much better this year, but I still miss his physical presence in my life. August is not a good month for me anymore - there were no tears this year; but I did get a little testy with people who were bemoaning stupid shit: shit that is fixable if they'd stop whining long enough to FIX it.

Stupid shit is fixable.

Loss via death, is not.

GRRR

Bob would have been 73 years old today ... 

Bob & our grandson, Azariah; playing with squirrels in Lexington's Riverside Park; Summer 2018.

But he's 3-1/2 years in Heaven, instead; my pain is Elohei's gain.

UNEXPECTED GOOD SURPRISES

I was getting together with fiends at Oak Point this afternoon – I like it there; it’s a short drive, its country atmosphere, it’s friendly company and friendly convo … and I can be myself 100% 😊

The morning was chilly, but the afternoon would be quite a bit warmer with high 70-s temperatures; so, I wore sandals and my ‘peacock shell’ top 😉

I’m still sorting through the things in my closet to see what goes – and what stays. I buy things that are colorful because I like lots of color in my world; but just because I like a certain piece of clothing doesn’t mean that it looks particularly good on the body God designed for me. And much of what is in the closet was bought during the covid craze when fitting rooms were shut down (quite a few still are ☹) – and after Bob had passed. The house was not fully ‘fleshed out’ either (we’d just bought it and was in the process of {making it ours}): I had no second opinion, and no full-length mirror. So, I bought and set up a full-length mirror … and this year, I am actually seeing what I wear looks like on me: some have been culled from the closet space; I liked them – they did not like me.

I am enjoying wearing makeup again, too, since my black eye has faded; and my eyebrow gash has healed and is safe to work with: I also broke out one of my new colorful mascaras.

'Carefree' eyeshadow for eyelid, & glittery Pink Lip Gloss.

Makeup to match my peacock shell top ...

Cobalt Blue Mascara.

The surprise about this blue mascara is that it does not 'stand out' as it dries.

 

The peacock shell top gets to stay in my closet 😊

I had an extra hour to spare before leaving the house, so I decided to drink a cup of coffee, and then check the mail.

The mail held a pleasant surprise for me 😊

I called to double-check this amount due; it's a fact! Elohim has been faithful & gracious towards me.

I had expected a high tab payment … and was dreading the arrival of this particular Bill.

My ‘Blame It On The Moon’ Post: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022_07_12_archive.html

The day moved forward in a pink haze of other pleasant, unexpected – but welcomed – surprises 😊

The evening’s pink sunset was the fading day’s kiss …

Tonight's pink-cloud-sunset.

HOLDING TIGHT TO MEMORIES

Anniversaries are moments that mark the landscape of your life: 1^st Date Anniversaries, Wedding Anniversaries … Death Anniversaries.

Tonight, would have been my 48^th Wedding Anniversary, if Bob had not been called Home.

Though Bob was ready and willing … taking that marriage leap was a huge deal for me. I couldn’t afford to anticipate, expect, or rely on anyone – all that involved trust … and trust, at all points in my life sans Bob, had been seriously broken.

Bob had a high wall to scale.

But he did it; he patiently, and systematically broke through my reserves and proved to me time and time again that he was trustworthy. And so was his unconditional love. He (and it) never wavered: even to his last breath, he was proving to me – and verbalizing to everyone else – his love for me.

My faith in his love was never misplaced; or shaken. And I never gave him reason to question my love for him.

Our love was the real deal.

For four decades.

Bob’s loving embrace always made me feel safe.

Protected.

Beautiful.

Worthy of love.

Completed.

The loss of his comforting touch could have left a devastating hole in my life – had I not been so thoroughly, and faithfully loved for 44 years before his spirit stepped off this Earth.

The touching never stopped – until his breathing stopped.

The memories of our life together still evoke safety, and protection.

Bob’s love still burns bright in my life.

The old dovetails comfortably with the New.

I love you, Babe.  

Always ~ OX

SHABBAT EVE

As I’ve mentioned numerous times before – I celebrate the Sabbath, as mentioned in Scripture: I am not an orthodox Jew … and I do not adhere to any particular brand of religiosity. I simply do as Scripture says.

I specifically set Friday eve and all-day Saturday aside to relax in Elohim’s goodness towards me, a Messianic Jew; and I include/enjoy Sunday, which is “the Lord’s Day”, to Christians.

I am, in effect, a Messianic Christian; though neither Jew or gentile Christian recognizes the dovetailing implication.

But, Elohim, Yeshua, and the Ruach HaKo’desh totally understand 😊

For me, the Sabbath acknowledgement does not require the preparation of special foods, flowers, candles, clothing, or music. The only requirement is to set the day apart from the other six days … where the world infringes, and crowds my ‘personal space’.

And if you’ve been reading my weekly Friday posts – you know that I spend at least half of my Friday with friends, in Wahkiakum County; about 1½ hours away. I enjoy a relaxing afternoon lunch (nothing at all fancy), in a boardinghouse-potluck style setting. And that is perfectly okay, and acceptable for a low-key/kicked-back Shabbat, that works well for me 😉

Shabbat Eve is all about accepting Elohei’s much-needed “time alone” to unwind the body, relax the mind, and soothe the soul: a time to reflect on the weekly blessings in my life – and to appreciate the friends Elohim had richly blessed me with.

As I was driving to and fro, this afternoon, I listened to the Ellah Gorelik CD Bob and I bought years ago after enjoying her Shabbat Eve Concert in Vancouver. The songs were perfect for the Day … and I smiled at the memories invoked.

Ellah Gorelik – ‘Hallelujah, Amen’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDdah_eWqUQ)

Ellah Gorelick – ‘Light of the World’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x64Q29ZqSb0)

Today as been a great day 😊

((((Thank You, Elohim!))))

L'Chiam!

THEY LIVE AMONG US

My husband and I went through the McDonald's driveway window and I gave the cashier a $5 bill.

Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her 25-cents.

She said, 'you gave me too much money.'

I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar back.'

She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request.

I did so, and he handed me back the 25-cents, and said 'We're sorry but we don’t do that kind of thing.'

The cashier then proceeded to give me back 75-cents in change.

Do not confuse the people at MacD's.

We had to have the garage door repaired.

The repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener.

I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower.

He shook his head and said, 'You need a 1/4 horsepower.'

I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4 and he said, 'NOOO, it's not. Four is larger than two.'

We haven't used that repairman since...

I live in a semi-rural area.

We recently had a new neighbor call the local city council office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road.

The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'

IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE.

My daughter went to a Mexican fast food and ordered a taco.

She asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.'

He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.

I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked,

'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?'

To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?'

He smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we ask.'

The pedestrian light on the corner beeps when it's safe to cross the street.

I was crossing with an 'intellectually challenged' co-worker of mine.

She asked if I knew what the beeper was for.

I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red.

Appalled, she responded, 'what on earth are blind people doing driving?!'

She is a government employee …

When my wife and I arrived at a car dealership to pick up our car after a service, we were told the keys had been locked in it.

We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver’s side door.

As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked.

‘Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'it’s open!'

His reply, 'I know. I already did that side.'

STAY ALERT!

They walk among us, they breed, and they vote!

Send it along to put a smile on someone's face today 😉

SMILEY DAY

Two things happened today that still have a smile on my face 😊

I was able to apply makeup this morning … and I was able to spend time with my Sleuth Sisters this afternoon 😉

I also thought I’d be able to drop off my Caring Pregnancy Box – but the place won’t be open for business again, until Tuesday or Thursday: both busy days for me, but I’ll make time to find time. The box is full, and the items are needed necessities.

Caring Pregnancy Donation Box, set out & ready to be delivered.

Finally able to wear makeup again – first time since my bruising & gashing fall, in July. I wore my cobalt blue mascara, to match my top.

As I was leaving Longview behind, I noticed frenzied activity across Ocean Beach Highway (in the Willow Grove vicinity); now I know why I was rudely woken up this morning; by wailing sirens flying down Ocean Beach Highway, past the Heron Pointe.

Now I know what all the early morning sirens were about: 6:30 AM first wailing fly-by, with several following at quick intervals; and seeing police vehicles, emergency responders, ect., lent credibility to 12:15’noon {it looks like a crime scene, to me} speculations.

Already my curious thoughts were going into detective mode 😉

I couldn’t wait to get to the West End of Wahkiakum County; to catchup on everyone’s weekly chit-chat news, arm-chair detective sleuthing, and bask in the warmth of friendship’s unconditional love.

Cooling temperatures, and a light rainfall began in Skamokawa … and continued throughout the day: Fall is quickly arriving.

My body was still a little stiff when I parked at Ramona’s, and slid out of the Highlander: I was definitely feeling the effects of yesterday’s all-day work outside. I was thankful for the ups and downs (helping with lunch prep, and the occasional ‘nature call’) that got me off the sofa to walk the smarting kinks out. My body was reminding me of my age.

Becky's newest slipper project; for one of her granddaughters.

Yesterday's garden area clean-up still being felt ...

We always end the crime sleuthing episodes with a light and humorous ‘Miranda’ episode. I like these, and I watched every one of them the first months of widowhood – I needed laughter in my life then, and I need laughter in my life, now. Ramona has watched all of them too, but they are new to Becky: and Ramona and I howl with laughter … no matter how many times we’ve watched them before 😉

BBC’s ‘Miranda’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQb36tuuSpk

Before I left, I was asked if I would be driving out to the cemetery in Eden Valley: my reply was a definitive “No”. Ramona already knew this. Becky did not.

Becky also does not know who “those people are” ... and she has lived in that area nearly as long as I’ve been in this State! I laughed aloud at the wonder of it (the smalleys have been in WA State – particularly in the West End – since the end of the Civil War era: it is refreshing to know their ‘southern royalty’ narcissism apparently hasn’t really penetrated any further than Eden Valley). Then I told her she was lucky not to know them – she isn’t missing much.

I’m still amazed that my loving, kind, insightful, and compassionate gentle giant – now enjoying a butterfly Life – came from such heartless, cruel, and uncomprehending caterpillar people ☹

I miss my husband. I do not miss his kin.

Enjoyable time well spent ... and more widowhood adjustments applied.

Leaving the crazies behind to eat my dust as I move forward.

‘Missing & Living Fully’ Post:

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/08/missing-living-fully.html)

I can step aside and let karma deal with heather - karma has a way of forcing crow down throats of shameless harpies.

Small-minded, caterpillar people will not get another moment of my precious time ...

The smalley mindset is so SAD.

Moving on 😊