New Apartment Smell

“Home is the place where it feels right to walk around without shoes”

  A new chapter; Another 'First Day'.  I feel as though I've had too many in my 27 years of life.

  Maybe some would say my life has been thoroughly exciting;  others might use words like traumatizing.  I never know.  It doesn't matter though.  We move forward. 

“Forget the former things; 

do not dwell on the past.

  See, I am doing a new thing! 

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 

I am making a way in the desert 

and streams in the wasteland."
(Isaiah 43:18-19)

  I love that verse.  It clarifies my method of dealing with the past: just forget it.  
  The human brain is amazing!  It has developed methods to help you cope with stressful, traumatic and life-changing events.  If there is threat to your psyche, certain parts of your brain will shut down so that you cannot be fully effected by horrific events.  This is one reason why women choose to have another child - even after the first one came out so painfully.  They simply don't remember how awful it really was.  This is how we can come back after a horrific event and keep going forward.  We are not physically designed to dwell on our past; nor are we supposed to- according to the bible.  My coping mechanism is on OVERDRIVE all the time!  I forget everything!  But it's ok.  I'm sure that I would be a horribly negative and angry person if I remembered certain things.

  Enough over-analyzing.  (That's what we said when we watched The Expendables this weekend.  Dozens of amazing 'rock-em, sock-em, beat-em-up' actors, loads of blood and explosions, bullets flying everywhere....but no plot.  Didn't matter.  It was cool (other than Sly's plastic face -ugh).)

  Scott and I are officially back together.  We were very unwillingly separated for almost 3 months while he worked in Monrovia and I lived with my parents.  We were waiting to see if he would be transferred soon, and if not, we needed to save money to move into a new place together.
  City living is expensive!  Well, in some ways....  Rent is so high compared to all the other places we've ever lived!  Even Las Vegas was cheaper living than this (and nicer).  But we're together again, and that's all that matters.  We live a mere 7 miles from his Service Center.  We found a nice apartment complex in Covina off of Azusa Ave.  We checked out a few others very near to this one, and they were dumps!  We paid a little more for this place but we are really liking it.  We have a nice little one-bedroom with a total of 741 sq.ft.  It's very well laid out.  

  I am so glad we downsized on all our belongings before moving from Tehachapi.  I was able to fit everything into two truckbeds and one flat-bed.  Now that we're settled in the new place, we are accumulating again.  Lol. Only out of strict necessity.  We bought our first new appliance together.  A microwave!  Got it at Big Lots on their 20% off day.  Also got a TV stand, since we had nothing.  Our TV was sitting on a large tupperware container that was protesting with the weight.  However, with every new item we buy, we envision ourselves carrying it back down the three flights of stairs that we had to carry it up...within 8 months!  So I am definitely keeping things to a minimum.  I got a dishrack to dry my dishes on, and it folds flat when not in use.  That made me happy.  I know it will be easy to pack.  :)

  Scott took a week off to recover from a cold/flu and he graciously shared it with me.  So he's back to work and I'm sick in bed now.  It's so warm outside, I want to go sit by the shimmering pool, but I don't feel like walking down the steps.  Suppose I could take the elevator....

  Not only am I sick this week, but I have other ailments to add to my 'walking disaster' list.  Apparently, I tore a tendon in my foot at some point in my life (have no idea when...), and it is over-scarring now.  It has created a painful lump right in the ball of my foot, just below the big toe.  It's getting worse and makes me walk even funnier than I did before.  I have a foot surgeon consult on Oct 24th to discuss what kind of surgery I need and how long recovery will be.  I'm dreading it.
  I have been to a physical therapist for my shoulder injury for the past 3 weeks and they think they can help.  I need to find a new one in Covina now and continue doing the stretches and exercises.
  Also due to re-visit a neurologist for migraine checkup.  (Checkup:  Yep, you still have migraines.  Nope, can't do anything for you.  Have a nice day.)

So, I'm not working -due to the imminent foot surgery, I'm impatiently waiting to feel better, and still trying to get my stuff settled into the new place.  Rough week already.

  My closing thoughts:  I am trying to re-make WHO I AM.  I am starting off small - my signature.  I am changing it from the tiny-scrolly-scribble that I created when I got my first checking account at 18 years old.  My bank wants me to fill out a new application, but that seems to be the worst of changing your signature.  (I googled it..Lol.).  My new signature was first placed on my voter registration form.  It's official.
  As for other changes to myself, I have ideas, but am hesitant to move forward.  I am a dedicated creature-of-habit.  I always eat the same thing at the restaurants, I always do the dishes in a specific order, and I can't function during the day if my morning routine got messed up even the tiniest bit.  I believe some amount of change is good, but I WILL NOT - CAN NOT jump into any of it without some very deep thought and consideration (and googling).
  My second new-change has been what I look like physically - that's not as scary as changing the insides.  I will visit a grand-opening of a beauty supply store in Kohl's this Friday - and it will be the girliest place I have ever been in my life.  They are giving away free stuff and free make-overs and I'm due to buy new makeup (first time in 4 years).  Wish me luck!  (I'm dreading having to walk by the horrid perfume section...)

Tubes and Sunshine

We got to sleep in today!  Yay! (Praise the LORD - I woke up migraining and needed extra sleep...)(BTW - this post will not be as clever, nor proper grammer due to the pain destroying brain cells and neural pathways at an alarming rate..) We're still stuck on California time - no sense in adjusting for just a week.
  Borrowed some river inner-tubes from one of Laura's friends here in the village and headed for the Saluda River again.   The way the river curves and flows, you can park here at the zoo and walk a ways up the river-bank and launch your tubes and float for over 2 hours before disembarking at nearly the same spot that you park your car.  It's so much fun!  I'd do it all the time if I lived here.  Just the right price too : FREE  :)
  So we parked behind a warehouse, inflated the tubes and hiked through the parking lots.  We only hiked about 20 minutes up the bank and our tubes weren't heavy.  A nice guy showed us the little beachy spot where we could safely launch.  In we went (not without difficulty flopping into the tubes properly), passed out the Mello Yellos (East Coast Mountain Dew) and trail mix, then paddled out into the current.
  We floated for over 2 hours in the gentle and wide river, chatting and giggling and screaming and splashing; acting like little girly sisters in general.  There were some little tiny white water rapids that we rode down (well, Laura got beached on a huge rock in the center and yanked me to a stop, then Kat scraped her rear end all the way down cuz her tube didn't have a bottom like ours), but that was the only fast part. It was so smooth and serene.  We changed positions and got pretty much evenly tanned.  Scared ourselves when we saw snapping turtles skimming the water and thought that maybe they were Saluda Crocodiles... Lol.  None of us capsizes or fell in at the wrong time or got eaten by snapping turtles.  Got some great photos with the waterproof camera and got some great sun, tan and exercise!  Loved it.
  The hike back was nice too - had to climb through the fence and over the railroad tracks (we felt like we were doing something wrong... Lol...).  Exhausted, slightly sunburnt (Laura is FRIED - as usual), but feeling fabulous.  Spent our last day here very very well.  Kat is being loud (as usual) in the kitchen making us Cinnamon Rolls, I'm on the couch migraining, and Laura is supervising.
  Like I said yesterday, what a great week it has been.  I love my sisters and my brother-in-law.  I have enjoyed the East Coast, but not enough to ever move here.
  And I am ready to go home to my desert and my Tehachapi mountains and see my husband and children.  This has been an exciting and enriching experience and adventure.  We fly back early tomorrow morning, and we are excited for another flying experience.  We're going to walk through security expertly this time though - and I won't put my hands in the air like a criminal.  :)

Sunday and Monday

  My sister and her husband, James, attend a Calvary Chapel here in Columbia, SC.  James is a worship leader at this church, but he wasn't leading this morning. The preacher at this church has 8 children, and 2 of them made up the worship team on this particular Sunday.  In the interest of 'Leading Worship', this is the makeup of their worship team:  Acoustic guitar/lead vocalist, bass guitar, drummer, electric guitar and a violinist.  It sounded amazing.  One voice, small band and some great Calvary Chapel songs.
  Sometimes less is better.  No extras vocals causing confusion, no extra practice time to get all the people exactly on the same words and timing.  So simple. And less distracting.  It was the kind of worship that pulls my heart right up to the throne of The King.  Learned a great new song by Charlie Hall:

  The preaching was amazing as well as the music.  The good quiet pastor spoke about how we as Christians, forget to ask for Holy Spirit to enter and lead us while we are worshiping. One of those sermons that opens your eyes and really makes you think.  One of those, 'Oh Yeah!' moments.  You know those.
  We attended at baptism by the same church that afternoon down at the Saluda River then played and splashed away the day.  So much fun.  The little kids navigated the river like pros and taught us how to get across.  My waterproof camera took shots without drowning - which we were very happy about.
Finished the day with a visit to Marble Slab (like Cold Stone - someone copied someone).  And of course, a nice warm shower....Ahhhhhhhh

  Monday, We went to the RiverBank Zoo here in Columbia, like 15 minutes up the road.  What a beautiful place.  We saw every animal there - even the elusive Lions and Howler monkeys were out.  Very cool.  Our favorite was the reptile house!  Loved all the cool snakes!  The giraffes were pretty cute too.  Scratchy little chins and long blue tongues!
  Met up at D's Wings with some church friends and dined on 40cent wings.  Yum!  There were like 15 different flavors.  Mostly hot and spicy - but me being old and broken down - had to eat some Tums before I started and I stuck with safe garlic and butter wings.  :)
  A surprise storm fell upon us like a sheet of water on the way home (I never did see any clouds..) and wowee it sure does rain hard here in the east! 
Oh what a wonderful week it has been!

Always Learning

  I have some fascinating tales to tell of my Sunday here in Columbia, SC, but I am EXHAUSTED right now.  There is a surprise storm pounding the roof outside and we're settling into the couches to digest our chicken wings.
  So I'll tell you about something I am struggling with and trying to learn from.
  There is this plane that you reach in your walk with Jesus when you get close enough to FEEL His blessings.  It's tough to explain; I just attempted but had to delete all that I had written.
  This point in life is maybe different for everyone, but for me, this is the basics:  I am STARVING for any and all words from the Lord (written, spoken, preached, etc), I am anxious to approach him with everything I encounter, and I can see the evidence of His blessings in my life (physically and spiritually).
  I am finding that all these new and awe-inspiring revelations are making me so excited that I want to share it with others.  But, for some reason, I can't seem to figure out how to share without sounding condescending or 'holier-than-thou'.  I have hurt several people in my life, people I love and wouldn't ever want to hurt, by acting this way.  And when i try to explain myself, it just gets worse.
  For now, I have given up.  I pray desperately that God would seal my mouth shut unless He can prompt me with the perfect words.  I think of that Aaron Shust song, 'Give Me Words To Speak'.
  It speaks volumes for me at a time when I can hardly say anything.
  I am praying for wisdom and guidance.  Though God seems silent, He is here, helping me to hold my tongue and to just love others in silence.

Charleston

 Went to the town of Charleston today.  What a beautiful city.  Despite it's highrise buildings, lights, freeways and traffic, it's surrounded on all sides by God's nature.  Marshlands from the ocean seeping in, heavy tree-lines along the freeways and wide-open blue skies.  
Saw the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, as pictured above.  What a beautiful masterpiece of architecture!  Wow!   Headed down to Folly Beach to see the Atlantic Ocean (can't come all these miles without seeing it).  It was high tide, so the waves were rough, but we braved the waters anyways.  Kat lost her sunglasses and left us immediately.  The warm waves pummeled us and threatened to take more than sunglasses, so we were satisfied with experiencing the Atlantic.  Sun bathed for a few in the hot sand and got tired of the hundreds of people living the beach life very quickly.  Walked the pier and enjoyed the fresh ocean breeze before we headed home.
  Enjoyed CiCi's Pizza and Dunkin Donuts for dinner and dessert before settling in for the evening.  Kat and I couldn't sleep so we giggled over the EpicFail app for Android and YouTube videos until 4am.  Good times.  Here's one of the favorites for the night for you to enjoy for your Sunday afternoon:

Lake Pirhana

  We visited Lake Monticello Reservoir here in South Carolina on Thursday.  It has a little beachy-like area where you can swim out into the lake.  There are lots of little greenish fish in the shallows in this area, known as Threadfin Shad.  My sister told me how 'cute it is that they nibble on your toes'....
  We played and swam and hung out by the roped area, generally acted like little girls fighting with each other - giggling, splashing and screaming.  Then a fish bit my back - just a 'nibble', but it wasn't CUTE.  Not in the least.  Nobody else had been bit and they recommended I just move around more.  Tried that - wriggled until I had created a whirlpool in our area - but I still got bit again.  Stupid fish.
  "I'm done," was my announcement as I swam quickly back to shore.  Stupid fish.
  Tried again later - got bit again - headed back to shore and was OFFICIALLY DONE.  But it was still nice outside the water.  Got a tan, threw rocks at each other and giggled and shouted until the other families moved on down the beach.  I love my family.
  Got to eat Chick Fil A for dinner.  I've been hearing about it since my sister moved over here to the East Coast.  They are really into chicken restaurants over here.  Well, it was yummo!
 
  I am enjoying my trip to the East Coast & South Carolina.  You can feel there is a lot of history just SOAKED into all the buildings and the earth around here.  So different than the West Coast.  A different feel.  I can't explain it really. 
  The weather here is hot and muggy.  Something else that can't be explained unless you've been over here.  100 degrees Fahrenheit over here is SOOOOOOO different than the same temperature on the West Coast.  So heavy.  And the 13 year Cicadas are out this year!  They are so noisy up the tall trees around the village - but I have yet to even see one.  I have seen what the locals call Palmetto Bugs.  They are large cockroaches - just different because they are here by natural occurrence and are not an infestation.  But icky just the same... pretty good size too - bleh!
  Getting eaten up by mosquitoes that I can't even see (guess I taste good), and the Pine Nuts are constantly plunking loudly on the roof of the house.  East Coast living - not for me but so interesting. And green.  And wet.  And muggy.....

A whirlwind of thoughts...

  I begin my blog post with an apology:  I am still groggy from the flight, sore from an accident, and thoroughly jumbled in my mind from too much stimulation.  It is 7:34am Eastern Time (that would be 10:34am Pacific Time), I've been up for about an hour, after a rough night of sleep, and I'm still processing, recovering, healing and sipping coffee.
 
  Wednesday morning was my first flight in an airliner.  I've been in a Cessna 170 three times in the past, and I was sick for 50% of my flights so far (got sick after one of the flights - that's half right?).  We rode in a McDonnel Douglas MD-80 with American Airlines.  Cramped yes - but also cheap. 
  We started at Ontario Airport in California and wow- you should have seen us.  We were 3 hours early because we were afraid of being late or missing the flight (seen too many movies where the people RUN through the airport and we didn't want to be those people).  We wandered in with HUGE eyes - and began the process.  We were so excited (Kat was nervous) and confused - and EVERYONE knew it.  Total newbies. 
 Went through security in a flash -thank God for a nice man who could tell we didn't know what we were doing and gave us some direction (not everyone in the world is a jerk; we were surprised (yes, we assumed he was a pervert at first...)).  I walked through security with my hands in the air like I was getting arrested - yes I made the lady suspicious... LAUGH OUT LOUD!  I didn't mean to be such a weirdo, I just can't help myself and I was so flustered.
  Finally made it to the gate with all our stuff intact and our shoes back on our feet.  3 hours...we settled into the disable persons area where there was an outlet for our electronics and kicked back.
  When it was time to board finally, we were all 'oohs' and 'ahhs' as we walked through the chute and into the plane.  The folks behind us were not patient with our giggling and stopping to inspect everything.
  Had a nice flight and by the time we were boarding the 2nd plane in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX - we felt like pros.  Acted more like it too.  I'm sure all the other passengers were grateful too.
  Landed safely in Charlotte, NC at about 9pm EST.  We walked and walked and walked and walked through the prettiest airport in the US, but never saw it.  We were tired and trying not to trip on and off the moving walkways.  Our only priority was finding a bathroom.
 
  So here we are, in Columbia, SC, enjoying the company of my sisters and my brother-in-law.  It's hot and sticky here - I'm definitely not used to it.  Got up late - not used to the time change either.  We've got a full week planned and can't wait to get started, but we're a little short on energy.
  I said at the beginning of my blog that I have had a lot on my mind;  well, here it is in short:
  Scott got a new job offer (we've been praying for a year) and it will require a move (IN JULY!),  I am trying to learn how to be a better example to my sister and not be so judgmental, and ...um....Ok...there was something else, but it's gotten lost....somewhere.....
  I have these little trolls that work in the office in my brain, and they are total slackers.  They sit around, tossing wads of paper (important papers) into the trash can and betting on how many they can miss.  Then, I ask them to pull up a simple memory and they scramble to help me out.  They mean well, but they still can't get it together.  They pull up the wrong thing (wrong memory), they grab the wads out of the trash and try to decipher them (diluted and convoluted memories), or, when all else fails - they simply make up a load of poo to hand to me as the legitimate memory - and I believe them.  I really need some new workers, but can't seem to get rid of these guys.  They'll be the death of me I suppose...
  Well, we are touring CIU, Columbia International University today.  It's where my big sister and her husband are earning their Master's degrees in ESL and Divinity, respectively.
  I'm not even dressed yet.  Ok, troll guys, here we go.  Help me out a little bit today....