I'm looking for that positive spin and there is no time like the present. We may be six months out from the trip but as the wedding draws closer I am going to be less and less focused on the mission and more and more focused on the wedding. Right now the big question is "What do I think I need to bring with me? What are the familiar things I need to take with me to make my world still comfortably my world"?
Well - first and most obviously, I need books. Books, my windows to satisfying curiosity, my hunger for knowledge, my desire to read and hear the thoughts of others, from those those long ago to current thinkers and observers. Books, my avenue to escape, romance, fantasy, adventure.
Running neck and neck with books is my camera(s). I have six months to use the owner's manual and really completely familiarize myself with what they are capable of doing. Along with my camera, I want to attach a little piece of hardware to my laptop.. I've been looking for a mini-printer and there are a couple of possibilities but I've still a lot of looking to do. Staples has one option but as I learn more about them, I'm thinking that a small regular printer may be better.
So at this point is books, camera and printer. Next stop is art supplies and I'm thinking crochet, photo tinting (click HERE for more info about that) and creation of a small art survival kit (check out YouTube for ideas). But right now I really have my mind on that printer so it's close this and head back over to Staples/Target/Walmart and see what is offered and do some comparison shopping while I'm at it.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Mission Post #4
Continually thinking about C'ville and the future.
Fears of boredom.
Fear of saying something that comes out wrong and will embarrass Don - these are his friends after all.
Will it be COLD? Will I be prepared?. Will the weather scare me? Not just there but throughout the SE. I'm not used to snow and ice and storms and lightning, and, and, and . . .
The people are different. The world there is different. I've been there twice and all I remember are his parents and a very slow pace. I'm wandering so far outside of my comfort zone, I feel alien. Going to Europe would feel more familiar.
I'm being an idiot. I need to think of Ingrid Loyau-Kennett in England and her bravery in the face o f a blood covered islamic madman.
I need to think of what lead me in this direction; my belief that my Faith is truly my strength. I don't need to fear anything.
I don't need to fear that I'll embarrass Don.
I need to remember where fear comes from and that it is one of the evil one's most efficient tools for keeping us from doing what is right.
Fears of boredom.
Fear of saying something that comes out wrong and will embarrass Don - these are his friends after all.
Will it be COLD? Will I be prepared?. Will the weather scare me? Not just there but throughout the SE. I'm not used to snow and ice and storms and lightning, and, and, and . . .
The people are different. The world there is different. I've been there twice and all I remember are his parents and a very slow pace. I'm wandering so far outside of my comfort zone, I feel alien. Going to Europe would feel more familiar.
I'm being an idiot. I need to think of Ingrid Loyau-Kennett in England and her bravery in the face o f a blood covered islamic madman.
I need to think of what lead me in this direction; my belief that my Faith is truly my strength. I don't need to fear anything.
I don't need to fear that I'll embarrass Don.
I need to remember where fear comes from and that it is one of the evil one's most efficient tools for keeping us from doing what is right.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Mission Post #3
Don and I talked about Caruthersville over dinner last night. Sacred Heart Church has a Mass on Wednesday evenings, but no morning Masses. We might have time to drive over to Owensville, KY with Sister Darlene (to the Mother House) for a visit. Memphis and Graceland are only two hours away so visiting Elvis is on our dance card.
We have a large USA map Don is posting on the wall in the hallway and I'm going to start locating blog friends and family members to consider possible visiting alternatives. There are a cluster of people in W.Va and VA and Tennessee. Later, Michigan and Wisconsin visit on the way home.
I've started thinking about what I plan to bring with me for reading and entertainment. I suspect we won't be seeing much TV which certainly isn't a bad thing.
We have a large USA map Don is posting on the wall in the hallway and I'm going to start locating blog friends and family members to consider possible visiting alternatives. There are a cluster of people in W.Va and VA and Tennessee. Later, Michigan and Wisconsin visit on the way home.
I've started thinking about what I plan to bring with me for reading and entertainment. I suspect we won't be seeing much TV which certainly isn't a bad thing.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Mission Post #2
There is no question that part of my anxiety is wrapped up in money. We have little extra and are simply moving forward in faith that we will have enough.
None of our financial obligations will really change. Kris and Adrian will live at the house while we are gone and cover utilities but the entire house payment will no doubt continue to be ours. The expectation will be that the kids will have time to find an affordable place to live. And, of course, at this point, we have no idea where we will be staying of how much it will cost us.
MY plan, which started a couple of months ago, is to save money every week. The method is thus:
Week 1 = $1
Week 2 = $2
Week 3 = $3
and so on.
Last week I saved $10 and I happen to have another $5 to add to the box. Yes. The box. I haven't told Don. I am simply squirreling money away. I hope to have over $1000 come January.
So, yes, money is a big concern. It always is with me but I'm renewing my faith that we will be provided for and have sufficient for our needs. I did it successfully when Don retired from the military in 2000. I can do it again.
None of our financial obligations will really change. Kris and Adrian will live at the house while we are gone and cover utilities but the entire house payment will no doubt continue to be ours. The expectation will be that the kids will have time to find an affordable place to live. And, of course, at this point, we have no idea where we will be staying of how much it will cost us.
MY plan, which started a couple of months ago, is to save money every week. The method is thus:
Week 1 = $1
Week 2 = $2
Week 3 = $3
and so on.
Last week I saved $10 and I happen to have another $5 to add to the box. Yes. The box. I haven't told Don. I am simply squirreling money away. I hope to have over $1000 come January.
So, yes, money is a big concern. It always is with me but I'm renewing my faith that we will be provided for and have sufficient for our needs. I did it successfully when Don retired from the military in 2000. I can do it again.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Mission Post #1
We are now officially applicants for volunteer work with Sr. Darleen. We have gone from thinking about it to talking about it to applying for the work.
I have gone from worrying about Don and suggesting it to thinking about it in the abstract to now feeling anxious because I know my life is going to change.
Questions of what I will be giving up and what I will be gaining have taken up residence in my head. The questions are unanswerable, the mission isn't here yet - the experience is still 6-7 months in the future. Don knows exactly what he is seeking, I'm lost in the possibilities and the unknowns.
I have gone from worrying about Don and suggesting it to thinking about it in the abstract to now feeling anxious because I know my life is going to change.
Questions of what I will be giving up and what I will be gaining have taken up residence in my head. The questions are unanswerable, the mission isn't here yet - the experience is still 6-7 months in the future. Don knows exactly what he is seeking, I'm lost in the possibilities and the unknowns.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Pistol Packing Patriots Posted by Annie Jeffries on June 20, 2011 at original NVP site
Geneva and Kent Brett, members of the California Gunslingers Association, invited TEA Party Patriots to their quick draw shooting range for a morning and afternoon of firing wax bullets from a couple of six shooters.
Pictured here is Tawohi and The Undertaker
Saturday morning the 18th, Don Jeffries and I drove south to Los Banos and ended up in the backside of beyond on Sunset Road. Yes, readers, we drove into the Sunset in the morning.
We met up with Sondra and Les Palocsay and several other folks - some newbies like us and some very experienced. The first thing we had to do was sign in. This involved signing in with a nickname. I was clueless so I handed the clipboard to Don and told him maybe he would like to call himself The Pirate (which is one of my nicknames for him anyway). That naturally led me to MY nickname - The Parrot. So now the team of Don and Annie Jeffries are affectionately known as Pirate and the Parrot!!
It was all about gun safety from start to finish. We learned to load the pistol, spin the cylinder the set the bullet, how to hold the gun and cock it and fire. Later, some girlfriends asked me if I felt a strong sense of power firing the gun. Oddly, I didn't feel that way at all. I was so busy concentrating on learning the routine, being safe, and trying for a bulls eye (yay, I got one), that I really wasn't feeling much of anything at all. Except a LOT of fun!!
Oh, and I beat Don on our times. :-)
Pictured here is Tawohi and The UndertakerSaturday morning the 18th, Don Jeffries and I drove south to Los Banos and ended up in the backside of beyond on Sunset Road. Yes, readers, we drove into the Sunset in the morning.
We met up with Sondra and Les Palocsay and several other folks - some newbies like us and some very experienced. The first thing we had to do was sign in. This involved signing in with a nickname. I was clueless so I handed the clipboard to Don and told him maybe he would like to call himself The Pirate (which is one of my nicknames for him anyway). That naturally led me to MY nickname - The Parrot. So now the team of Don and Annie Jeffries are affectionately known as Pirate and the Parrot!!
It was all about gun safety from start to finish. We learned to load the pistol, spin the cylinder the set the bullet, how to hold the gun and cock it and fire. Later, some girlfriends asked me if I felt a strong sense of power firing the gun. Oddly, I didn't feel that way at all. I was so busy concentrating on learning the routine, being safe, and trying for a bulls eye (yay, I got one), that I really wasn't feeling much of anything at all. Except a LOT of fun!!
Oh, and I beat Don on our times. :-)
Apricot Festival Posted by Annie Jeffries on June 8, 2011 at original NVP site
The Apricot Festival in Patterson, despite the rain, was a great success. We didn't get a lot of sign-ups but several Spanish speaking families visited us and took information. Manuel, the Patterson TEA Party coordinator, was able to speak to them in Spanish and English, whichever they chose. Based on the interest, selected handouts including the Patterson tri-fold brochure, will be translated into Spanish. Many thanks to all how helped us this weekend.