Lots of Things Happened

It has been a few weeks since I wrote on my blog and lots of things have happened in that time. First and foremost I was sick for a few weeks - three weeks in March and two in April. Bronchitis and Sinusitis, the usual spring routine, but this year it lasted much longer than normal. A sign of the times - I had to admit that I am indeed getting older. Notice I just said older, NOT old (that I will never admit to).

Spring came - grass has been mowed twice as of today, wild violets and dandelions are in abundance and the daffodils, tulips and dogwoods in the neighborhood are blooming away. This is the earliest that I have had dandelions in my yard - wonder what that means.

The stink bugs are making their presence known as well. I have done some stuff in the house (caulking hiding spaces and putting up trim boards etc.) and am constantly harping on keeping the doors and windows shut - this makes Terry happy because he has an excuse to turn on the air conditioner (so far only to dehumidify). There is going to be more money spent on Kleenex and water as the bugs are consigned to a watery grave via flushing. The fact that we have had so much rain has not made things fun either. Just when I get psyched about the sunshine it rains. UGH!!!!

Aaron came and did the yard work that needed to be done. He fixed the fence that was demolished by the neighbor's tree falling on it two summers ago. He cut back the bamboo encroaching into my yard (same neighbor). He cleaned up the weeds and vines growing on the fence. He fixed the white lattice fence that hides the trash cans (leaning too far out of line). He is worth the money to get all of these things done.

Now it is my turn to welcome spring - I just wish that I had more energy. I have spring cleaning to do (bedroom and my t.v. room are in really big trouble in that regard) and I have all sorts of projects out front for my flower pots etc. I have a butterfly bush to plant before it decides to "go south" on me and I have flowers to plant to brighten up the front of the house. I am a pot gardener and all my pots are in dire need of some help - new dirt, weeding etc.

I joined a gym just two weeks before I got sick and was just getting into the swing of things - now I have to get back into the groove. Made it through last week and Monday of this week, but still have to make it there today. I guess that as soon as I get off the computer I will go. I actually feel a little bit better after doing my "workout" - not that it is too strenuous, I am just starting to get into the exercise scene and my doctor said okay, as long as I work at it slowly. So slow it is - I have an eventual goal in mind. Not too ambitious - just want to feel better physically and mentally. Gives me order to my life.

Well I have jabbered on for long enough. It is time for me to get ready for the gym. Have a good day.

New Zealand Quake in February, 2011

This is a picture of my pen pal Adrienne and I
when she came to visit me during the summer
of 2010. It took 53 years for this picture to be
taken.

This past week was a harrowing one for my pen pal Adrienne and her family. They live in Christchurch, New Zealand, and were in the middle of their normal daily routines when the earthquake of February 2011 happened. They all managed to survive the quake, but not without being shaken up a good deal. They suffered no personal injuries, but Adrienne's house suffered some damage and continues to suffer with the occurrence of each aftershock. There is still a lot of "rockin and rollin" going on and probably will continue for some time to come. Each aftershock only worsens the apprehension and fear.

During the five months between the September 2010 quake and this last one Christchurch was hit by 5000 (yep, 5000) plus aftershocks, which does not bode well for this one. Each aftershock probably weakened the buildings and infrastructure causing more and more damage. They have a lot of cleaning up to do and repairs to make. It is going to be awhile before there is any semblance of order. This is the wrong time of the year for something like this to happen because they are not all that far away from the colder temperatures of fall and finally winter.

They are slowly regaining the amenities - they have power, but not much else at the moment. They are putting their camping skills to good use - of course, they never thought that they would have to use them in their own backyard. They are luckier than a lot of other people. They are sticking close to the home front and neighborhood providing help and support wherever they can. I do not envy them the long road ahead of them. I only wish that I lived closer so that I could do more than "listen via e-mails" and send prayers their way.

Adrienne was in school (she is a teacher), her husband was on an errand the other side of town, her daughter and son-in-law were off from work and her son was at working in the center of town. Her son just made it out of his office building before it collapsed. They were all over the place and it took them awhile to come together and make sure that everyone was okay.

No one knows exactly when life is going to return to normal and there are going to be many sleepless nights, tears, fears and a great deal of apprehension during the healing process. I will continue to do my best to be a good listener and cheerleader.

Best News Ever

Got word today that my pen pal and her family, who live in Christchurch NZ, are all well and safe. They are experiencing a lot of aftershocks that have them on edge, but they are all still with us.

I got a Facebook post from Sally, Adrienne's daughter, that said that the internet connection was horrible and that she was attempting to send out the message to put me and other family members at ease. It was the best message that I have ever gotten on Facebook.

I am very glad that I have joined the 21st century because if I would have forsaken modern technology, as some of my friends have done, I would still be sitting on the edge of my seat, biting my nails and waiting for the word that everyone was okay. Now I can breathe a little bit easier and patiently await the next message and/or e-mails. Actually still anxious to hear more news, but I can at least be more patient.

Winter Is Still Here

Ole Man Winter was not done with us. He blustered through last night and left behind about 5" of snow. Just enough to bring out the foul language that my son reserves for situations that he dislikes. The snow wasn't all that bad, but the ice underneath was the kicker. The driveway and cars are all cleared off and he finally left for work. Going to be a short day for him, but that doesn't bother him (except in his pocketbook).

Hard to believe that a few short days ago we were reveling in springlike weather. The yard was even giving forth a hint of green - new life. Hopes were dashed last night though. I guess that spring will come, it is just going to be later than what Puxatawny Phil (the groundhog) predicted.

I have been amazed by the view out my bedroom window. There is a tree out there that has five or six leaves on a branch. They have been assaulted by every kind of weather this winter (rain, snow, sleet, gale force winds to mention a few) and they are still hanging in there. A great lesson - tenacity is a good thing. Hang in there through thick and thin, good and bad, and you will be rewarded in the end. If those seemingly lifeless leaves can survive all that they have then I can do the same. God works in mysterious ways and gives us messages via the smallest most insignificant way. His wonders will prevail.

Earthquake Hits Christchurch NZ

My pen pal Adrienne lives in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the only thing that I can do at this time is sit here and wait for some sort of news regarding her and her family. It is hard to wait for news. It will probably be quite awhile because according to CNN there is no power, no water and residents have been asked to evacuate their homes for shelters. I hope and pray that they still have a home to go back to if they chose to leave.

The pictures on the news have been very disturbing and only serve to make the waiting more anxious. It saddens me that I am so far away and that the only thing that I can do is say prayers and hope for the best. I will be here if my friend of 53 years finally reaches out to me so that I can provide the only thing that I can - words of encouragement etc.