For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Another first

Spent most of yesterday in Fort Lauderdale on the east coast. Drove on alligator ally over there and then enjoyed the ocean and beach. No biking yesterday but did get in a nice walk.
The weather continues to be nice here. Woke up to 62 this morning and as I was on a walk a lady looked and said you sure are brave to have shorts on!! I thought it was warm. I think the temp will end up being about 72 or so by mid afternoon. Hard to complain with that.
I am keeping in touch with the Krauses and how Jeanette is doing. I plan to fly back if the Lord decides to take her home soon. At this time the fares are in the $140 range which is doable. There was a note this morning on her Caring Bridge and it sounds like she is still up and around a bit and doing somethings for herself which is good.
Not much more to say for now.

Monday, January 10, 2011

I DID IT

I did it. Went out and found some spandex. Not the $130 ones but the $35 ones. They actually felt great and I think they made me faster!!!!!!! I will not share a picture that could show any bumps or lumps of unwanted fat that do dwell on my slow body!!!

A fun day

It ended up being a fun day. Drove over to Jim and Judy Clasen who are in Fort Myers for January. Went on a 18 mile bike ride, sat in the pool and hot tub and then out to dinner. I think that beats the cold and icy weather one would have in MN.
The weather continues to be low to mid 70's here with mostly sunny skies. It has been great for bike riding. I really really like the bike Aaron made for me. Each time I ride it I learn to appreciate it and like it better. On the ride today it was windy and over several bridges. On the way out the ride was hard but on the way back it was wind at the back and as we approached one high long bridge I decided I just had to open up a bit. It was so fun to ride (fast for me) 26/27 mph over the bridge. Never would have been able to do that on my other bike. It certainly shows thata slow body needs a fast bike!!
Will head over to the east coast tomorrow and most likely only for the day but should be fun.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

I finally did it

I finally got my first bike ride in. I think those legs are a bit out of shape but the 18 miles were fun. I even had to shed my light jacket after 9 miles as it was too warm!! It was really not to difficult to wake up to 62 degrees this morning.
I am in a bit of culture shock. The culture, the cars, the money, the weather and pretty much everything is very different than I have ever seen. It seems like most of the cars one sees are high end Lexus or BMW or Mercedes or some other expensive car. The weather has been so so nice and the food has been fun. I had a lobster salad for lunch today that was very good.
I hope all is well in MN and the cold is not too cold!! This warm weather could be habit forming!
I am so excited for the Krauses and the time they are having with Jeanette. Come Lord to heal her.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Warm weather??????

I am not sure I like warm weather!! Yesterday I asked myself if I needed to wear a coat as I left Memphis and decided I did not. 137 miles later I decided it was time to stop and put in gas. Well my wallet was in my red coat which was still in Memphis!!! So it was turn around and drive back and then turn around and leave again.
I ended up in Birmingham for the night at 9:00 PM having driven about 500 miles but really only about 240.
I guess one can be upset or say it is what it is and it is nice to see country that one has never seen before.
I am keeping up with how Jeanette K is doing and have not decided what I will do but my prayers are with her, John and the whole family. Brings back many many thoughts of 2009.
No I best get going here as I plan to take my wallet and get to FL today.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

On that road again

I have now driven about 1200 miles and have not seen snow for some time!!! Stayed with sister Helen and her husband Mike for a couple of days and that was fun. Helen of course is a bit crazy but in a good way. She also makes a mean potato salad but I didn't eat much of it. Well actually I ate most of it!
Stayed in Memphis last night. Have never never been in this part of the country so it has been kind of fun. I did get a call from the Krauses and also read the Caring Bridge entry so I do not know what I will do. I know the Lord is with them, the family as well as Jeanne and John. It is such a difficult time and the only thing that carries one through is the Lord.
No the hotel has a breakfast so will enjoy that before I hit the road again.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy 2011

You can not go wrong starting the new year with these two little gals!!! Faustina, on the left, is 2 yr 7 months and Audrey is 2 yr 2 months. I would say they are the cutest!
As we start the new year here the temp is +2 and there are snow flurries in the air. I think winter temps and conditions have come back to say you live in the north and expect it to be cold and snowy.
I practiced being a bit lazy this morning as I woke up, said good morning to Wallace, had a cup of french press coffee and went back to bed for a time. I am planning to hit the road to warmer places tomorrow so thought I could use the extra sleep as I will be driving for about 10 1/2 hr tomorrow. I must get to Helen/Mike's before it is dark and they live in Holiday Island AR. Helen has promised me potato salad so that is exciting. I am mostly packed but need to do some things around here before tomorrow morning. I am bringing Wallace to Cynthia/Mike's and actually have begun to be a bit lonesome. I usually sit in the kitchen at the computer and he likes to stick his head through the doorway and put it under my right arm. He is so good as he does not have the run of the house so he stays in the back entry way. It would be so much fun to take him with me but he is big (80 pd) and he just does not fit into the car. I would have to drive the truck if I took him and that is just toooooo much gas!
No, I had best get the dishes washed, put a load of clothes in and get the house in better order. The work is never ending when there is nobody here to help pick up!!!
As I travel south and enjoy the warm weather I will blog some but not every day.

The first reading at Gail's funeral September 18, 2009

I know of no one who fit this better than Gail

Proverbs 31: 10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm.
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously:
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her;
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Well done good and faithful servant, your praise is much and your reward is to be with God forever.

Our Story

Our story begin in 1951, when Carmen was 4 and Gail was 5! We met as our parents were at a camera club. Fast forward--Carmen begin to attend grade school in town in 1957, the same school that Gail went to. Fast forward--We had our first date in the winter of 1964 in Gail's senior year of high school. Again--we were married June 1st of 1968. We moved to St. Paul in October of 1977 and lived at 2094 Niles Ave until Gail's death September 14 of 2009.
Gail first breast cancer was found in October of 2003. After surgery, chemo, radiation and infusions for a year she felt well and we lived life in our normal mode. Carmen retired in June of 2007 and shortly after that we quit doing the paper route as well. In the fall of 2007 we went on our dream vacation. We camped for 7 weeks in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia and in the New England states. Sleeping in our truck and eating over an open fire we felt that we had experienced heaven. Then in January of 2008 we spent 3 weeks in Hawaii with friends and again had so much fun. In the fall of 2008 we did much work on the outside of the house and we were so excited to enter 2009 with big plans and dreams. In January Gail was diagnosed with new cancer. For the next 7 1/2 months we prayed, changed our life style, laughed and cried often. As the end of Gail's life drew near she was peaceful and family cared for her at home until she met Jesus. It was a journey that was wonderful, exciting, blessed, full of life and full of love but of course it was too short. Gail is so missed but I know she is in a better place so my journey must continue on without my true love.
I enter a new decade as the "I" that I never wanted to be but I have hope. Hope of things not experienced and hope that life will again, in 2010, become something that I look forward to each morning. My hope is based on our Lord who gives all, who is all and who gives love to all who believe. I enter this new decade with so many questions and so few answers but with faith that all will be well.